A/N: After the epic zero failure that barely passed as chapter 27, I decided that I had to compensate by making this chapter as awesome as possible! So, without further adieu, let us get onto the epic awesomeness!
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and Code Geass are not my property. Code Geass is owned by Sunrise and Bandai and Sailor Moon is owned by…uh…I don't really know. For a while they were owned by DIC, but there was some other company that owned them, and of course the creators…I'm getting ahead of myself. You guys are smart, you get the point. Let's get on with this chapter!
Chapter 28
Celestial Knights…STAGE ON!
Within an apartment in the Juban District
10:51 p.m.
"Breaking news! Across the Tokyo Settlement there have been sightings of what can only be described as monsters. As of late, we have acquired a picture that a citizen took on a camera phone."
On the T.V. screen, a picture of the monster is projected. Long flowing blue hair, amber cat-eyes, purple colored lips, and blue skin. This woman-like creature wears a purple bra and bracelets on her arms that apparently turn into vines when she attacks. Also, this thing doesn't have legs…well it doesn't have two legs like everyone else, but eight spider-like legs that are made up of thick green roots and vines.
"It is evident that these creatures are responsible for the recent killings that began two nights ago. At this point, these disturbing creatures have gone on a rampage through the Tokyo Settlement, killing anyone and anything that gets in their way. We advise citizens to stay in their homes and hide. These creatures are able to break into homes at will. Also, we have been notified that the knight police have contacted the temporary Viceroy of Area 11, Sir Suzaku Kururugi, Knight of Seven and his associates Sir Gino Weinberg, Knight of Three, and Lady Anya Alstriem, Knight of Six. Furthermore, it seems that remnants of the Black Knights and four new Sailor Soldiers have been spotted battling these creatures…."
With a click of the remote, the T.V. screen turned black. The dimly lit living room was silent.
Sitting in the room were two soldiers of the Black Knights. Kallen Kozuki and Urabe of the Four Holy Swords.
"I can't stand this," Kallen stated, clutching the mug full of hot tea in her hand tighter. Her distorted reflection stared back at her, revealing the evident worry that was in her expression. "Haruka and the others could be in real trouble. I don't see why we can't go out there and help them fight off E.E.'s phantoms. All I need is the Guren and…"
"It's too risky for us to get involved," Urabe replied, his dark teal eyes locked on the sheathed sword he held in his right hand. "Believe me, I feel the same way you do, but going out there now with the police and Kururugi running about would lead to our capture."
"Even so…"
"We have to trust that the Sailor Scouts can save the people of the settlement, Britannian and Japanese alike," Urabe cut in. "This battle we've been fighting against Britannia holds little significance right now. Based on what Michiru said…if E.E. succeeds in her plans, there won't be anything left to fight for."
Kallen nodded, her sapphire gaze still locked on her distorted reflection in the hot tea. "You are right, but I wish we could help them."
Urabe clutched his sword tighter. "I wish the same. Despite how deplorable this world has become, I'd rather fight to make things better than watch it all waste away into nothing. Still, we must trust the Sailor Scouts. From the stories I've heard, they've saved the world plenty of times before. There's no reason why this time should be any different."
Kallen didn't respond, choosing instead to take a sip of her tea. She knew that Urabe was right, that the Sailor Scouts would be able to handle the monsters, but there was also the fact that the Britannian military were after the inner senshi. The fact that Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru went into battle in their Sailor forms could cause major trouble for the others…
Speaking of the others…
"Urabe, on the news, they said there were sightings of remnants of the Black Knights, but when they showed the picture…those three figures…"
"I know," Urabe answered, "they all looked like female versions of Zero."
Kallen couldn't help but roll her eyes at the thought. "I should've figured that Zero would end up having fan-girls." She paused as she took another sip of tea.
"Including you right?"
The fiery-haired girl immediately started coughing as tea sputtered out of her mouth. After a few minutes she turned a fearsome glare at Urabe.
"I am not a fan-girl!" she stuttered, still coughing a bit as a blush rose on her face. "Zero is…"
"Yeah, yeah," Urabe cut in rising from his seat on the couch. "The girls probably won't be back until tomorrow so I'm sleeping in a bed tonight. Later Miss Kozuki."
Kallen slammed her mug of tea down on the table as she stood. "Wait a second! Urabe!"
"Night."
Seconds later, Kallen heard the click of one of the bedroom doors. With a growl she lowered herself back on the couch, thinking of multiple ways to torture Urabe in the morning.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder if she really had developed a crush on Zero. Before she discovered that he was Lelouch, she had been completely devoted to him. She would have done anything, even give up her own life to protect him.
Was her devotion Lelouch's doing? Had he twisted her will with the power of Geass? He used it on Euphemia according to what Haruka and C.C. had discussed a few weeks earlier. Sure, Kallen could see how the action would be an accident if the man who had done it had simply been Zero in her mind. This was not the case anymore. Zero was Lelouch like it or not, and he was incapable of even remembering the things he had done in his current state.
Then there was Rei. Kallen knew that the girl was still at Ashford Academy, but didn't understand or even know the purpose. The whole situation was strange and downright confusing.
To add onto that list of troubling things were issues such as E.E. controlling the Black Knights, including Ohgi and Tohdoh, these monsters roaming the city, these mysterious new characters that Kallen preferred to think of as idiotic fan-girls, and of course Suzaku Kururugi.
"And there's nothing I can do right now but wait," she muttered, leaning back on the sofa. The poor girl was longing for answers that wouldn't come for a good long while.
Despite this though, she knew she had to stay strong. If she couldn't fight, she would pray for her new friends that were taking on the world and its demons alone.
In the alleyways of the Tokyo Settlement
Rei P.O.V.
As far as I'm concerned, this night will go down in history as one of the worst nights of my entire existence. To make things worse, I'm pretty sure that I'll say this again about some other horrible night that will come in the near future thanks to ridiculous circumstances such as this.
And don't get me started on the fact that I've blown one of my biggest secrets to a pathological liar who happens to be devilishly handsome, and I emphasize "devilish"! Plus, this prevalent thorn in my side nearly coaxed me into kissing him and I'm dating another guy! Does the drama ever stop!
I'd say with a demented authoress running this story, probably not. There's also the confusion that comes with knowing that I wanted to kiss the guy who has continually turned my life into a living nightmare. I wanted to forget the monster he was inside and accept his lie of forgiveness and acceptance. I wanted his lips to ensnare mine in a moment of passion and lust.
Thank heavens my senses kicked in before it was too late.
"Promise me you won't fall for his lies."
Suzaku's words had echoed in my head in that moment. They continue to echo in my mind now as Lelouch and I walk through the alleyways. It's too late to take back what happened in the bathroom of that department store. Erasing his memory wouldn't do me any good either since he had found some way to break it…
"Oh crap!"
Lelouch stopped and turned around. "What is it? Is something wrong?"
I paused, blinking in confusion as Lelouch stared at me. Good heavens why did he have to be so attractive!
"Rei?"
"Nothing," I answered quickly, shaking my head as a blush rose on my face. "I just thought I heard something that's all." Focusing my gaze on the ground I walked past him. "We better keep moving if we're going to have any hope of finding Rivalz and Shirley."
"Right," Lelouch replied. Instinctively, I knew his fierce gaze was boring into the back of my head. Knowing him, he's probably trying to figure out what's going on in my head. Yeah, good luck with that Lula.
Silence hung between us for a long moment as we continued to walk through the alleyways. I kept glancing from side to side, waiting for one of the Xenian monsters to jump out at us, but all was silent. Truth be told, it was enough to make me go insane.
"What on Earth am I going to do?" I wondered, quickening my pace a bit. "There's no way I can trust Lelouch to keep this secret. I don't even know why I told him. Plus, I can't erase his memory because using my Geass on him may trigger something in his mind and all of his memories might return. If that happens, I would've failed my initial mission that M sent me on."
I gritted my teeth. The obvious solution to this problem would be to kill him, but that resolution isn't possible because of these emotions that go against this logic. Why is it that everything involving Lelouch is a complicated mess? I can't stand it!
"Rei, are you sure you're okay?" Lelouch asked, shaking me from my mangled thoughts. I responded with a nod, but apparently it wasn't convincing enough. In the seconds that followed, Lelouch gripped my shoulders firmly and forced me to face him. Again his violet eyes bored into mine.
Yeah, my life would be so much easier if I could smack him dead and be done with this crap. But no…the drama continues and so does my growing confusion.
"If it's about earlier," Lelouch began, "you don't need to worry about it. I'm not going to say anything to Rivalz or Shirley…"
"That is the last thing on my mind right now," I lied, shrugging away from his hold. "Believe me, I have more important things to be concerned about." That much was at least true. Even so, I was thinking about how we'd nearly kissed more than anything else. The thoughts were maddening.
Lelouch narrowed his gaze. "I see. You're angry with me?"
I groaned loudly. "NO!"
"Sounds like you are."
"Oh, I'm angry all right, but for once I'm not mad at you in the slightest," I answered. That was a partial lie. I was angry at him for nearly cheating on Shirley, but at the same time I was angry because he'd taken too long to kiss me.
Mainly though, I was angry at myself for getting lost in my emotions to begin with.
"Rei…"
"Not. Another. Word." I muttered, enunciating each word as a separate sentence. "I don't want to talk about anything at all right now. Just keep your big mouth shut!"
"Temper, temper."
"Shut it!"
Soft laughter echoed behind me. That's just like Lelouch, always teasing me no matter the situation. It's been like that since we were kids.
"Those were simpler times, huh?" I mused, feeling a soft smile tug at my lips before shaking away the old memories. This wasn't a time to be daydreaming.
The wind suddenly shifted. An aura of darkness had made itself known to my senses. Turning around I reached for Lelouch's arm. In the next second, I swung my hand out and caught the handle of what can only be called a butcher knife.
"Good instincts."
I didn't recognize the voice, but it was clear that whoever this person was meant both of us harm.
"Lelouch," I whispered, "we've got company. Get ready to run."
"And just where would I be running to?" he asked softly as malevolent laughter filled the night air.
"Anywhere," I replied, taking a defensive stance in front of him. "Just be ready."
Seconds later, a dark figure stepped away from the shadows. The person's face was covered with a ski-mask, their grayish eyes barely visible. They wore a full black body suit that was equipped with a wide array of knives.
"I've been waiting for you Miss Hino," he muttered.
"Go now," I ordered, narrowing my gaze. "Find Rivalz and Shirley and get back to the academy."
Lelouch shook his head. "There's no way I'm leaving you here to fight some lunatic…"
"Don't argue," I cut in. "Just go. Trust me, I'll be alright."
The man before us laughed. "Oh, no. You are wrong Miss Hino. You'll be far from alright by the time I'm through. Yes, you and your boyfriend too."
My expression deadpanned. "Boyfriend? He's not my…"
"I'm not her…"
Lelouch and I both blushed then, remembering what almost was. Talk about embarrassing.
"A case of unrequited love then?" the man asked, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh well, quite a shame really. Since these are the last moments either of you will live, I would have hoped that you two would have had some form of heartfelt confession."
"Wha…what are you talking about?" I babbled, my blush darkening. "We're not remotely…"
"We're just friends," Lelouch finished, his blush having darkened also. "That's all."
I nodded. "Yep, yep. That's all."
The man just shrugged. "I don't really care all that much. You two are about to die anyway."
I clenched the knife he'd thrown in my hand. "Not if I can help it!"
My feet carried me forward then. The man pulled out another knife to block my attack and tried to slash away at me several times, but I managed to sidestep away from all of his attacks. While fighting him, I sent a glare at Lelouch.
"Go!" I screamed, slamming my body weight against the man when he dropped one of his knives. "I'll be right behind you."
"But Rei…"
"Just go!"
For a moment he lingered as I continued to wrestle the disguised man before me, but it wasn't much longer that I heard his footsteps pounding in the opposite direction. Good, at least he knows how to take orders.
"Take this!" I yelped, slamming my fist into the man's jaw. He fell backward, but not before retrieving two knives from within the pockets of his black jacket. In an instant, both were racing toward me. I sidestepped one and caught the other.
"You're very good at combat," the man stated suddenly, quickly rising to his feet. "Certainly not the weakling I thought you'd be. This makes the hunt far more fun."
I poised myself to attack. "I'm not exactly interested in whatever game you're playing. Just who are you anyway?"
The man laughed, his probably cheery expression hidden underneath the ski mask he wore. "No need for you to worry about who I am. Just know I want to take what you value most."
"Really?" I asked, narrowing my gaze. "And what do I value most?"
He chuckled again. "What else but your own life? Isn't that what everyone values most in the world?"
"I don't think so," I answered. "It certainly isn't what I value the most."
"I see, you're one of those self-sacrificing types." He laughed again. "I'd expect nothing less from you, Sailor Mars."
My eyes widened. "How could he know…"
"You've let down your guard."
"What!" I exclaimed, blinking frantically the second I realized that the man was no longer standing in front of me. Erratically I glanced around the area, fearful of how he'd managed to escape my line of sight in such a short frame of time. The initial shock of him knowing my true identity only lasted for a split second. He couldn't have possibly…
"Now you're mine."
Abruptly I turned around to find the ski-masked man right behind me. The only thing visible on his face were cold grey eyes that stared down at me in amusement. In a flash he had pulled out a knife.
"I'm going to enjoy cutting you up Miss Hino."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The scream echoed from the alleyways and out into the open areas of the settlement. The scream itself had been laced with a terror that was uncharacteristic of the young woman that had produced the noise. It was louder than anything said woman had ever uttered too, making it equally uncharacteristic and downright chilling.
"That scream," Serena thought, stopping in mid-run as she heard it. "Rei-chan?"
Lita and Ami stopped in their tracks, causing Rivalz and Shirley to pause as well.
"You heard it too Zera?" Ami stated from within her guise of Virgo.
Serena nodded. "Someone else is in trouble."
From beneath her mask, Lita frowned. "Rei…I hope that wasn't your scream we just heard."
Rivalz and Shirley exchanged worried glances before Rivalz spoke up. "I think that was our friend Rei."
Ami's fists involuntarily clenched. "We've got to hurry then."
Nearby, the four outer senshi were taking on more of the Xenian Blossom monsters.
"Space Sword!" Sailor Uranus screeched, jumping into the air before the sharp tentacle vines of the monsters could reach her. "BLASTER!"
She swung the blade, slashing the monster's head off its body in the process. Seconds later the body of the creature turned to dust.
Neptune attacked next. "Submarine Reflection!" Two more monsters had turned to dust.
Pluto and Saturn combined their attacks, thus destroying more creatures, but they were still coming.
"How many more could there be?" Saturn asked, positioning her scythe defensively in front of her as more monsters closed in.
"It doesn't matter," Uranus replied, positioning herself into a combative stance. "We have to take them out regardless of how many there are."
"That's right," Neptune agreed, taking a deep breath. "We have to hurry though. If that scream was any indication, I think Rei might be in critical danger."
Pluto nodded while clutching her garnet rod tighter. "That could mean that the others are in danger as well. We cannot allow harm to come to the princess."
"Yes," the remaining three responded as the monsters raced toward them again.
Meanwhile, three knightmares were coming closer to the area. In the past twenty or so minutes, the three knights within them had been helping in the process of investigating the matter of the monsters since the story of it all had been fairly ridiculous despite the fact that there was evidence to back it up.
In the Lancelot, Suzaku Kururugi thought over all these things, wondering if Rei and the Sailor Scouts had gotten involved in trying to stop these creatures. Based on reports, there had been sightings of Sailor Soldiers, but their description didn't match the suspects he had listed for immediate capture.
To be blunt, these new Sailor Scouts were a new problem Suzaku had to deal with. His fellow knights of the round weren't that much help as of late.
"I can't believe it!" Gino called over the communication system. "Monsters and Sailor Scouts! Talk about a fairytale coming to life!"
"This isn't a joke Gino," Suzaku replied, his voice stern as he looked over his coordinates. "These things are conducting in mass murder. We have to put a stop to it."
"How boring," Anya stated, also over the communication system. "Another cleanup job."
Suzaku couldn't understand how the girl could be so…emotionless about…well everything. He put it out of his mind as he spoke. "Do either of you have any bio-readings for the creatures yet?"
"There's a big mass of them toward the south side of the settlement," Gino replied, overly cheerful. "There's some human bio-readings too. Based on what I've got here, the monster readings are disappearing. Think it's the Sailor Scouts?"
"Possibly," Suzaku answered. "And you Anya?"
"There are some monster readings to the east," Anya told him, her tone reflecting her boredom until she noted something rather strange.
"Suzaku, there are enemy knightmares to the east as well. Toward Juban."
"Juban?" Suzaku wondered, recalling that Juban was the district Rei had lived before she came to the settlement. "Anya, Gino, the two of you should head south. I'll see about the enemy knightmares in Juban."
"Okay!" Gino exclaimed, still too cheerful.
"Very well," Anya answered, her voice overly…emotionless.
Suzaku closed down his communications with them before changing direction swiftly.
At the top of Tokyo Tower, a lone figure stood, watching as mayhem continued to spiral below her.
"Chaos will rule this land. I shall see to it."
With that said, the evil immortal chuckled loudly.
Lelouch P.O.V.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
That's the second time now. The second time I've heard her scream like that.
The first time she screamed I kept running. I had trusted that no matter what danger she was facing that she would be alright. From what I had seen earlier, I knew Rei could take care of herself. She was not a weak woman.
But the second time made me stop in my tracks. I hadn't gotten very far anyway due to my body's lack of physical prowess. Besides that, the second scream had sounded different. It wasn't a scream of pain laced with fear as the last one had been. This scream was of pure terror and I feared for the worst instantly.
Despite knowing the fact that finding Shirley and Rivalz was a top priority, I turned on my heel and ran. It wasn't long before I was panting, but I pushed myself to run faster. The ache increased in my lungs as I continued to push, but I was close, I could hear the sounds of fighting and her voice.
"Let go of me! Gaaaah!"
"Struggling only makes me try harder."
"Stop it!"
The ache in my lungs forced me to stop for a couple of seconds. I tried not to pant as I inched my way closer. After turning a corner, I could clearly see the man and Rei. He had her pinned to a brick building behind her. From what I could tell from here, Rei's thigh had been slashed open by one of the man's knifes. In her eyes was a glare of pure venom as well as fear. She was trying to kick him with her uninjured leg.
The mask the man wore had since been removed, revealing a head of somewhat spiked orange hair. His back was to me, so I couldn't properly see his face.
"I'm definitely going to enjoy this."
My mind blanked.
Likewise, Rei's eyes had widened like saucers. "Just…just what are you talking about?"
He chuckled. "You remember D.D. don't you?"
"D.D.?" Rei questioned, her voice quivering. "Just who are you? How do you know D.D.? Do you work for E.E.?"
My mind was swirling with questions about who D.D. and E.E. were, but I figured that the best thing to do at this point was figure out a way to save Rei from what this psychopath was planning. Seeing that he hasn't killed her yet, there's only one thing I can think that he would want from her.
Inwardly I shuddered in revulsion as I searched with my eyes for a weapon. The way this guy had her pinned down, she wouldn't be able to use the chainsaws in her gloves…how that was even possible was a mystery to me, but at this point it didn't really matter.
"D.D. couldn't bear to be unfaithful to E.E., so I thought I'd step in to torture you myself," the man stated. "It is what E.E. wanted anyhow…for you to be tortured in the worst ways possible."
My eyes caught sight of an iron pipe laying on the ground.
"No…please don't…"
He laughed again. "Sounds like you're scared now. I like that."
I took a firm hold of the iron pipe as I inched my way into the alleyway. Carefully I measured my steps, being sure not to make a sound as I approached. All it would take was one good hit.
"Let go!" Rei screamed, thrashing wildly. "Let me go!"
"Nothing can save you Miss Hino," the man replied. "Not even your pathetic little boyfriend."
I paused in my steps almost immediately. Rei gasped, her eyes widening as she finally noted my presence. The man turned and revealed his face to me. Somehow he looked familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint how. In his grey eyes I could clearly see his malevolent intent. My eyes barely caught the movement of his hand as he withdrew another knife.
"Say goodnight boy."
"Lelouch! No!"
The blade soared toward me seconds later. I was too stunned to sidestep away from it or move period. Is this the end?
"STOP!"
My breath hitched as the blade stopped in mid air. The tip of it was only a few inches away from my forehead. Another second later and I would've been done for.
"What in the world!" the man screeched, his expression reflecting his surprise as the blade abruptly fell to the ground.
There was a subtle click as a chainsaw came out from one of Rei's gloves. Our gazes locked as she swiftly lifted her arm. Her eyes were glowing with that crane symbol again as she moved.
"ENOUGH!" she screeched, slinging her arm upward. The revolving blades of the chainsaw immediately slashed through the hand that had pinned her to the wall. Blood sputtered as the disembodied hand went soaring into the air.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The man fell onto the ground, writhing in pain as blood spilled out from his wound. Rei's chainsaw was stained with his blood.
For a long moment, all I could do was stare at the gory scene in shock.
Rei fell to her knees after retracting the chainsaw into her glove. Her body immediately started shaking.
Hesitantly I walked toward her, having no idea what to do to comfort her but knowing that we both had to escape and fast.
"Rei," I breathed, kneeling beside her quickly. "We've got to go. Give me your hand."
She didn't respond. The agonized screams and curses of the psycho rang out near us.
"We have to leave now," I told her frantically. "Give me your hand!"
Shakily, Rei placed her hand in mine, but she didn't tear her gaze away from the concrete ground as I pulled her up. Her body continued to shake.
"It's over now," I stated, practically dragging her away as the man continued to scream out. "He isn't going to hurt you."
Rei nodded her head, but her knees buckled.
"Lelouch…you were supposed to…"she trailed off when I bent down to gather up her legs. With a groan I picked her up and began to carry her away bridal style. At first she tried to fight me, her traumatic experience overtaking her senses for a few seconds, but eventually she calmed down enough to speak again.
"If you hadn't come…I would've been…" she trailed off again for a moment. Her eyes returned to normal. "Lelouch…I'm dizzy."
"I figured that would happen," I mused, glancing down at the long cut on her thigh. Blood was steadily seeping out of the wound. The back of her head was bleeding too. That punk must have slammed her head against that brick building. "Rei, stay awake."
Rei moaned. "This is definitely going on my list as one of the worst nights of my life."
"You and me both," I told her distractedly, searching for someplace to hide, but we were out in the open now. On the ground before us, countless people young and old lay on the ground. Some of them were dead while others were simply unconscious with scarlet head wounds. The sound of screams grew louder.
"Lelouch, where are we now?" Rei asked, her voice softer.
I didn't get to answer as shrieks sounded from the nearby buildings. From the nick-knack store across the road, vine-like tentacles broke through the glass window. Adjacent to that store, two more monsters burst out from another window, flinging out an old man as they did.
Rei's eyes opened slightly. "Lelouch? We've got to get away."
Shrieks and hisses sounded from behind us. "There's no where left to run Rei. We're surrounded."
And indeed we were. One by one, the blue haired female-spider creatures appeared in a circle around us. Rei was in no condition to fight, and I didn't have anything to fight them with either. I didn't have the power to save myself or Rei.
It was sickening.
"What are we going to do?" Rei asked, her voice weak. She was bordering on being unconscious at this point. Her blood had turned most of my tux a scarlet red.
Likewise, I didn't have an answer to give her. I had no plan to get us out of this disaster.
"Rei, unfortunately for us, we've come to the end of the road," I stated, tightening my grip on her. "Even so, I'll do my best to protect you."
"You're not exactly what I call a knight in shining armor Lula," Rei replied, chuckling softly. "Face it. We're pretty much doomed."
This was true, but I didn't want to agree. There was no way to openly accept that our lives were about to be extinguished so easily. The evidence that this fate was coming to pass was clearly evident. If I had any doubt at all of these facts, it would only take a glance at the bodies surrounding us and the monsters that had rings of blood around their lips and on their teeth.
Despite this, I tightened my grip on Rei. Something about this situation triggered an instinct of protection in regards to her. Something within me told me to defend her with my life. I don't know if it was loyalty or a feeling of owing her some kind of debt. Most likely it was the latter emotion. She saved my life earlier not to mention that she saved me two weeks ago. I had to compensate for the sacrifices she'd made to keep me safe.
Plus, there was the desire to know why she had protected me at all. What had she been protecting me from?
I guess I'll never know.
The monsters started closing in. By that point, Rei had passed out. If these things kill her, at least she won't feel anything…
"OAK EVOLUTION!"
A burst of lightning clouded my vision. Shrieks and sputtering noises followed. When I was able to see again, half of the monsters had turned to mush before simultaneously turning into dust that flew away into the wind. Some of the creatures backed away as three figures suddenly appeared before us.
"LELOUCH!"
I turned my head to find Shirley racing toward me with Rivalz close behind her. They'd both survived.
"Shirley, Rivalz!" I exclaimed once they reached me. "I'm glad both of you are alright."
Rivalz immediately started rambling about Rei, asking questions that I barely heard. My focus had shifted to the three figures that had saved me and Rei.
"Lo and behold creatures so evilly bold!"
"We will not stand for the wickedness you uphold!"
"Um…uh…guys, I've got nothing that rhymes!"
The two masked figures on either side of the leader sighed.
"What, I don't!"
Were these girls…well I imagine these are girls underneath those masks…serious?
"Anyway," the masked woman on the right of the leader continued, shaking her blue masked head. "Justice will be foretold tonight!"
"For I am Verde…" the green masked woman began.
"I am Virgo."
"I'm, Zera," the woman in the middle stated. "And we are…"
"The Celestial Knights!" they all finished.
"Zera!" I exclaimed inwardly, staring down at Rei's unconscious form. Is someone else posing as her persona?
"In the name of justice," they all chanted, "we will put an end to you!"
The monsters could have cared less about this proclamation. Almost immediately they rushed toward us, baring the sharp vine tentacles that could kill us in an instant.
I suppose it's all up to destiny now.
A/N: I think I'll end it there. We're coming toward the end of this part of the story, which will lead to the actual juicy stuff that will make up the main plot. I'm excited for it, so I think I'll finish up everything in the next chapter so we can move into the epic awesomeness. In any case, I'm happy with this chapter and hope that you guys enjoyed reading it.
