This chapter ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated so I decided to split it in two, meaning that you'll get two chapter this time instead of one! Next chapter will be up tomorrow!
Chapter 6
A Meeting Between Old Friends
Leaning against the doorway that led to the kitchen, Michelle sipped from the glass of water the boy Gregory Rogers had offered her. Having discovered who he really was, she was now listening to his story about his sudden disappearance.
"When I was twelve," he began, "my Dad was offered a major job in the Corinth System. He was an architect designer who had been building a reputation. However, the job turned out to be a fraud and my dad lost both his job and his company. Mr. Drogace was the one had financed the project. When my dad confronted him about it demanding answers, he was ignored and proclaimed a liar. We were ruined and I had to drop out of the school Amy was going to because we couldn't afford it anymore. My dad then got suspicious of Mr. Dragace and he started doing his own private investigation to see if he was doing any shady business. He actually got really close, but then he was chased down and murdered. Before he died, he managed to get a message to me, warning that the men chasing him will be coming after me next and that I needed to run and hide. To get off the planet if I could."
Leaning back in the chair, Gregory sighed heavily.
"I managed to stowaway aboard, what I thought, was a freighter. Turned out to be an adventurer's vessel instead. But instead to tossing me off they let me stay aboard the condition I became part of their crew. Thankfully there was another guy a couple years older who looked after me. I spent the next two years travelling across with them, seeing places and planets I only read about in books and going on many adventures with them."
"Is that how you became a Sorcerer?" she asked, pointing to the staff and pointed hat sitting nearby.
"Yeah, one of them is Sorcerer himself. He was born and raised on Qinglong."
Ah, so that explains his fighting style, Michelle thought.
"He taught me how to fight with a staff," Greg went on, "He later took me as his apprentice after he learned of my special ability."
"Special ability?" Michelle repeated.
"I have a sixth sense. I can see things before they happen."
She looked at him, surprised, "Was that how you were able to save Amy?"
"Not exactly. I knew she was in danger, but I didn't know when, where, or what even the threat was. That's why I was following her. And it's a good thing I did."
"Yes, I do have to thank you for that," Michelle took another sip, "But that doesn't explain that someone would try to kill her. Do you think the Drogaces have something to do with it?"
Gregory shrugged, "Like I said, I don't know. I have a guess though on why she may be targeted. Did Amy tell you that she goes to cram school?"
She nodded, remembering their earlier conversation, "Along with that it was also cancelled today for computer maintenance."
"Did she tell you why exactly?"
"No."
Gregory took a breath, "The reason why was because a virus had hit the computers, shutting them all down and wiping out all of their memory. The technicians later discovered that it had originated from Amy's computer."
"A virus? What did Amy do? And how do you know this?"
"I sneaked in posing as a student," Gregory blushed, "At the time I just wanted to see her again. They were taking a class centered on business. I think Amy was doing some research on the Drogace family-since their daughter never leaves her alone-and I think she accidentally stumbled onto something she wasn't suppose to see without realizing it and the virus happened to cover it up."
"You really think that's the case?"
Gregory bobbed his head eagerly, "If my Dad was correct about Mr. Drogace doing shady business, it makes perfect sense. Amy must have found something by accident that he would kill in order to keep secret. I realized this when I saw men following Amy after the incident. I expected them to break into her home and interrogate her about what she saw, but they never did."
"That is strange," Michelle went into deep thought, "Maybe she didn't see enough to give Drogace any concern. Did she say anything about what she saw before the virus happened?"
"No, and I was close enough to everything she was saying when she spoke to the teachers. She honestly had no idea what happened or why," Gregory frowned in confusion, "But then why still try to kill her?"
"Yes," Michelle agreed, "that's the part I don't get. Tell me something. You recognized that I was a Sailor Scout and you thought I was here to rescue Amy. You also mentioned the Botolfs. What exactly did you mean by that?"
Greg's eyes turned serious and he looked directly into her eyes, "I know who Amy is, along with her mother."
She gaped at him, stunned, "You know that she's Sailor Mercury? How?"
"During the time I was traveling with the adventures we came across one of the Original Nine, who later joined our party. She was the one named Sailor Mars."
Michelle's jaw dropped, "What was her name?"
"Theodora Sparta."
She felt her legs sag and she placed a hand on the door frame, "Theodora."
Greg looked at her, "Did you know her?"
"I knew her as a child. I happen to be one of the Original Nine too. Sailor Neptune," she was about to smile with joy when she suddenly saw the sad look on Greg's face. Then she remembered the phrase he had used and her body turned cold, "Hold on, you said 'Did I know her?' instead of 'Do I know her?'. Where is she now? What happened to her?"
The boy looked away, "I'm sorry to tell you this but... she's dead. She died protecting us from a Yankarian force that was chasing us. She took a mortal wound from her duel against the Red Baroness."
"The Red Baroness? Who is that?"
"You don't know?" Greg was surprised, "She's the Prime Director's right hand."
"I spent my entire youth on Qinglong. This is the first time I've been to the Union Worlds," Michelle sighed heavily, "I can't believe Theodora is dead. How I would have loved to have seen her again."
"Her husband was at her side when she died," said Greg, "She stay behind to give us time to escape. When the Yankarians left we went back to find her. A force of Lunarians arrived just when we did and her husband's Spartan Team was with them. Through her we had joined the Lunarians in their fight against Botolf early on. She lived just long enough to say goodbye to him. She had also told me about Amy and her mother, that they were here on Arthuran. I and my friends promised her we would help them when the time came. When we heard rumors about the Original Nine reappearing we quickly made our way here. The rest you know."
Michelle went over everything he said, "I see. You and your friends did the right thing coming here. Where are they now? Do you still have your ship?"
"Yes, we do!" Greg beamed proudly, "In fact we just had it maintained, tuned up, repainted, and renamed it as the Theodora Mars in honor of our friend's memory."
Touched, Michelle gave a happy smile, "She would have liked that very much."
"Right now my friends are spread out across the city, trying to find anything about the Drogace's secrets."
She shook her head, "Forget about Drogace. The priorities have completely changed. My mission is to bring Amy safely to Athena before the Botolfs actually find out she's here. You'll have to wait for another time."
Greg considered that, but reluctantly agreed, "You're right. I'll have to put aside my Dad's justice for now."
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything," Greg replied eagerly.
"Get in contact with your friends. Tell them about me and that I want them to get their ship ready to go at a moment's notice. I have a feeling things are going to get hectic tomorrow."
"I can do that."
"Also, I want you to follow Amy again tomorrow. Stay close to her at all times."
"I can do that too. In fact, I think Cram School starts again tomorrow."
"In that case, pose as a student again. She might be safe there but I don't want to take any chances."
"Sure thing. What about you? What are you going to do?"
"For right now..." Michelle looked at the window to see the sun beginning to set and she made a little smile, "I'm going to visit an old friend."
Late into the evening a hover car arrived at the condominium and the driver parked it in the underground parking lot. A minute later the driver got out after answering a call before she made her way to the elevator.
Sitting quietly in the lobby with a magazine in her lap, Michelle lifted her head as the elevator chimed and the doors. When the woman walked out her heart sped up. Tossing the magazine back on the table she got to her feet and approached the one friend she hadn't seen for many years.
"Excuse me!" she spoke in her Cuboneon accent, "Madam Miles?"
The preoccupied woman looked up startled and Michelle hid a happy smile. The woman's face was very much like Amy's, but her coloring was different. She wore her long chestnut colored hair in a fashionable bun and her eyes were a stormy grey.
"Yes?" she looked at Michelle in surprise, "Can I help you?"
"A thousand pardons, Madam Miles, but I wanted to meet you. I am Miss Cortot, Amy's new mathematics teacher."
"Oh," the woman's eyes widened, "Miss Cortot! Of course! Amy just told me about you. What brings you here this late in the hour?"
"I wanted to speak to you privately about Amy. I know this is very unusual but I feared I wouldn't get another opportunity. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all!" she took Michelle by the shoulder, "Please, follow me. My apartment is just upstairs."
They took another elevator up to the third floor and a minute later they entered the woman's apartment.
"Make yourself comfortable," she said after she turned the lights on, "I need to check on Amy first."
"Of course," Michelle replied, "Take your time."
After the woman went down the hall, Michelle took the time to observe her surroundings. The apartment was decorated in typical Arthuran fashion. At the large window near the living room there was table containing several pictures of Amy at various ages. Only a handful of them featured her mother with her. Michelle frowned at this slightly. It made her wonder why Amy's mother was so devoted to her work.
When she turned her eyes suddenly spotted something. Placed on the wall above the gas powered fireplace was a Qinglong ceremonial sword. At this Michelle smiled proudly. Despite the many years that had passed, her old friend had not forgotten who she was. The sound of footsteps brought her around and she saw Mrs. Miles enter the kitchen.
"How's Amy?" she asked as she walked over, trying to keep her emotions under control.
"Sleeping like a baby," Mrs. Miles took out a pot and filled it with water, "Can I offer you anything to drink? Some tea perhaps?"
"I would like that... actually," Michelle went back to her normal voice, "I was wondering if you could make me that special tea of yours... Lady Athens."
The woman had reached into an overhead cabinet to take a box of tea bags. Now she froze, having recognized the name Michelle spoke of. Slowly she turned her head towards Michelle, her face full of alarm.
But Michelle gave a warm smile and nervously added, "You know, the one you made for me when I was little girl? The one you said would make me look beautiful?"
The woman suddenly gasped and the box fell from her fingers.
"Michidora?" the name came as a pained whisper.
Fighting back tears, Michelle nodded.
Slowly her old friend approached her. With trembling hands the woman lifted her fingers and carefully placed them on her face, as though she was afraid she would shattered into a million pieces. She looked over Michelle's face several times, then her lips lifted with joy and tears came to her eyes.
"It is you... Michidora... Michelle!" with a small cry she pulled her into a tight embrace, "It really is you!"
Tears now flowing from her eyes, Michelle happily returned the embrace, "Yes, it's me... Phoebe. It's so good to see you again!"
"How did I not recognize you with that hair of yours?" The older woman sobbed, "Has it really been sixteen years?"
"It has," Michelle sniffed, "For too long."
For a long minute they held each other like this, all of their old memories coming back. Then Phoebe Athens, the former Sailor Mercury of the Original Nine, stepped back to look at her again.
"I can't believe it. You..." she held out her hand to a certain height above the kitchen floor, "You were only that big the last time I saw you. And you used to wear ribbons in your hair. Look at you now, all grown up. You've grown into a beautiful young lady, Michelle. It seems my special tea worked after all!"
Michelle laughed joyfully and hugged her again, "I really missed you, Phoebe."
"I missed you too. Every one of you," she ran a hand over Michelle's hair before gently pushing away, her eyes now serious, "But if you're here, does that mean..."
"Yes," with a sigh Michelle pulled out her brooch, "I've become Sailor Neptune now."
Phoebe took it from her hand and looked at it herself, observing every cut and angle.
"You made your own brooch," she whispered before she looked at Michelle again, "So the time has come. Is Amy in danger?"
"Yes, but not from the Botolfs."
"Not from..." Phoebe looked confused.
"There was an incident earlier," Michelle told about the assassination attempt at the construction site earlier. By the time she was finished Phoebe's gaze had turned deadly, the very kind Sailor Scouts were known to have.
"Take a seat, Michelle, while I make some tea. Tell me everything that's happened, starting from the day we last saw each other."
Perching herself on the bar style chair Michelle told Phoebe the entire story, starting from when she and her friends were taken Qinglong, trained and raised, then leaving to join the fight against the Botolfs, to them searching for the Princess and the other Original Nine Sailor Scouts, and finally revealing what brought her here.
"Gregory Rogers," Phoebe nodded after Michelle finished her story, "I remember that boy. Always shy when he was around Amy. I was just as disturbed as she was when he suddenly disappeared without a trace. I'm glad to hear that he's alive and well. I'll have to thank him later for saving Amy's life. But getting back on topic, you say that the Drogaces might have hired someone to kill Amy?"
"That's what we believe, but we have no way of proving it."
Phoebe lips tightened and her nose twisted in disgust, "I never did like that family, the Drogaces. Especially the parents, too arrogant and condescending. But you're right, they'll have to wait for the time being. The more important thing now is to get Amy to Athena. The Botolfs may not know she's here, but with the turn of events you've just described she's now a part of this."
Michelle deflated a little, "For that, we're sorry."
"Sorry? For what?"
"Because of careless actions we ended up pushing this on them sooner than we should have."
"You and friends have nothing to apologize for, Michelle," Phoebe reached over and patted her hand, "This was bound to happen sooner or later. Our children's fate was decided the moment Apollonia fell. So don't feel guilty. I'm glad you came. Besides, now I'll be able to see some of my old friends again!"
Michelle's face suddenly fell, "Phoebe... there's something else you should know."
Reluctantly she told her about the fate of Sailor Mars.
"Theodora... dead?" Phoebe placed a hand to her mouth as tears began to flow again, "No... not Theodora. She was the strongest of us all!"
"I'm sorry, but it's true," Michelle reached over and rubbed a hand on Phoebe's back, "Greg and his friends were there when she died. He said that she was mortally wounded in her duel against the Red Baroness."
"The Red Baroness?" Phoebe looked startled.
"You know who that is?"
"I've heard of her. She actually came to Arthuran one time, chasing some notorious criminal that was hiding here. Word is that she is not someone to be trifled with. She's the right hand of the Prime Director of Yankaria."
"So I've been told."
"Theodora..." Phoebe leaned heavily on the counter and shook her head, "I just can't believe she's gone. She came to see me one time. When Amy was little I would often take her to the park for her to play. One day, as I sat watching her, Theodora suddenly sat down right next to me, grinning as though it was just another normal day. I seriously thought I was dreaming. I don't know how she found me, but that was the last time we ever spoke to each other. I never saw her again after that. How I wish I could have been at her side."
So that explains how Gregory knew about them, "Were the two of you close?"
"We were. We always partnered up whenever one of us was assigned a mission," Phoebe chuckled as she remembered her adventures as a Sailor Scout, "She would always get us into the worse kind of trouble but she always found a way to get us out of it. I really don't know how I managed to survive all those missions and in one piece. But she was a very good friend, one you could always rely on," a new wave of tears came, "I've now lost another close friend. When will this suffering end?"
Michelle suddenly thought of the pictures in the living room.
"Is that why you've been so devoted to you work?" she asked carefully, "In order to escape from the past?"
Phoebe grinned, "You've developed a sharp mind, Michelle. But your right, we lost so much that day. You were too young to understand the gravity of our pain or the heavy burden we've been carrying all these years. At least, that's how I've always felt. Sometimes I find myself thinking about running far away with Amy and leaving it all behind. But that would be the act of a coward, the desertion of our people, and I know Theodora would have never forgiven me for that. Now is the time for me to face the past and to prepare Amy for what is to come. You being here is only the start of her journey."
A moment of silence passed.
"So..." Michelle took a breath, "What do we do from here?"
Phoebe went into deep thought, "I'll start making arrangements for our departure first thing in the morning while announcing my resignation from the hospital. It will upset things there but they'll have to manage without me. In the meantime, I want you and Gregory to keep watch over Amy and be ready to depart a soon as I get a ship ready."
"No need. Greg's friends have a ship of their own."
Phoebe frowned, "Can we trust them?"
"Definitely. Sailor Mars did after all and from what Greg's told me they have no love for the Union. Plus, they did something very special in her memory. You'll have to see it for yourself to find out what it is."
Phoebe raised an eyebrow, but shrugged and said, "Very well. In that case ask him get to in contact with his friends so I can speak with them. I'll then let you know when we're ready. Amy will not be expecting this so I don't want to alarm her if we can avoid it. However, if someone is trying to have her killed they'll definitely try again tomorrow, which is why I need you to stay at her side."
"You can count on me," Michelle finished her tea and stood, "I better get back to Greg's place and tell him our plan."
"Yes, please do. And Michelle..." Phoebe pulled her into another embrace, "Thank you for coming to see me. You can't imagine how much joy this brings me seeing you again after so long. Your parents would have been very proud of you."
"I know," Michelle agree before she suddenly grinned, "You know, it would be nice to see you in uniform again."
Phoebe laughed and pinched her cheek, "Well, we'll see. You be careful out there tomorrow. May Avon protect you, Sailor Neptune."
"You as well, Sailor Mercury."
Cram School finally reopened after being closed for almost a whole week. Amy was actually relieved that things were finally getting back to normal. Lucinda Drogace hadn't spoken to her once as she usually did before and Miss Cortot's class been very enjoyable again.
She sat at her designated desk and switched on her computer. But her she began to take out her school materials her serene happiness was shattered when a cold hand touched her shoulder. Nearly jumping out of her skin, she turned an looked up to see a a young male teacher she didn't recognize. He looked at her with a gaze of a predator that made her extremely uncomfortable.
"Miss Miles," his voice sent a chill down her spine, "We've been given a new study disc designed to improve our skills. I recommend you use it. Remember that you're on scholarship after all. We have high expectations for you."
"Y-Yes, Sir," she tried to keep her voice from squeaking. The teacher gave her a pat on the shoulder and went on his way, "Creepy."
Amy fought to suppress another shiver and opened her school case. Hoping to distract herself from the scary encounter, she took out all of her school materials and got to work. She went through all of her notes of advanced algebra without even touching the computer's keyboard. Several minutes had passed before she finally turned to the screen.
She pushed the disc into her computer and stood up to get into a more comfortable position when there was a small knock on the classroom door. She glanced up to see the teacher go over to retrieve a large plastic box that was being delivered by someone outside. He placed it on his desk and he looked directly at her. Even at a distance she could see the evil smile he gave her. Her breathing stopped and her mind went into a state of confusion. Why was this teacher so fixated on her?
Without saying a single word the teacher open the lid and placed his hand inside for a moment before he closed it again. He glanced at her one last and gave a little salute before he simply walked out the door. Amy stared after him with a huge frown on her face. What was all that about?
Shrugging, she started to sit back down when she saw a female student seated closer up front suddenly jump from her chair the instant the teacher had closed the door. Amy and a few others watched in surprise as the student sprinted straight to the teacher's desk and yanked the lid wide open. Before she could protest about the girl's strange behavior she saw the student's eyes go wide and she slammed the lid shut.
"Everybody down!"
The sudden scream made everyone jump and Amy blinked in confusion. The student then skipped to the left and her image suddenly changed. Amy saw a figure in white and with sea green hair before a chain shot out of the student's hand. In just three seconds the chain wrapped around the plastic box, heaved it into the air, and the student threw it through the glass window.
Everyone was now staring, confused by what was happening right in front of them. After performing this amazing feat, the figure spun around and looked at them. At Amy specifically.
"Get down!" she screamed again before she dove to the floor.
It was that moment that Amy realized that the figure looked familiar, but before she could think any further she was suddenly tackled by someone. The instant she hit the floor a tremendous explosion shook the entire building. Everyone screamed as glass shattered, computers shorted out, overhead lights exploded, and bits of the ceiling fell. Pandemonium quickly escalated as emergency alarms went off.
Amy lay perfectly still, listening to the sounds heard of students yelling and screaming. Some even stepped on her in their panic. She tried desperately to move but the body lying on top of her wouldn't let her. She couldn't even see what was going on around her.
"Everybody out! Everybody out! Get to the emergency exists!"
There was that voice again, and this time it sounded familiar. The sounds of dozens of feet echoed throughout the destroyed classroom, growing fainter until she could only hear the alarm bells, the tinkle of loose glass, and electric sparks. It was only then that the body holding her down finally shifted and she was allowed to move.
"Amy!" came a boy's voice, "Are you all right?"
She sat up in daze. The room was dark and empty except for her and the boy, only lit by the sunlight through the shattered windows. In the distance she could voices yelling outside. When the boy spoke to her again she looked over and her eyes widened in surprise when she found herself looking at a face she hadn't expected to see again.
"Greg?" she stared in confusion, "Gregory Rogers? What are... What are you doing here? What's happening?!"
"Amy?" came another voice.
She turned her head in the other direction and saw another familiar face kneel down before her.
"Miss Cortot?" Amy stared at her teacher in astonishment.
She was wearing strange outfit shaped like a sailor uniform. The white body had a teal colored plaited skirt and neckerchief that matched the color of her hair and large indigo blue bowties both at her chest and at the back of her waist. She also wore a pair of teal colored shoes and indigo blue over the knee length stockings that had three white lines at the top. At the center of the chest bowtie was a beautifully designed star-shaped brooch made of gold with a aquamarine gem at the center that had a gold symbol of a trident. When Amy looked up at her teacher's eyes she noticed a gold circlet on her forehead.
"Are you hurt anywhere? Is anything broken?"
Amy blinked. Miss Cortot wasn't speaking in her Cuboneon accent.
"Miss Cortot?" she repeated, "What's going on? Why are you-"
"Never mind that," her teacher said impatiently, "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Uh... n-no," Amy quickly checked over herself, "I don't think I'm bleeding anywhere. And nothing feels broken."
"Good," without another word her teacher grasped her by the arm and hulled her to her feet, "We need to move. That teacher will be coming back."
From the corner of her eye Amy saw Greg place a fist over his shoulder. With a motion that resembled him pulling something over his shoulder Greg's school uniform was replaced with a blue sorcerer's robe and a wide brimmed pointed hat. A long steel staff was slung over his shoulder. Before Amy could even stare her teacher pulled her to the door.
"Wait! Hold on!" she tried to plant her feet, but the young woman's strength was surprising strong, "What's are we going, Miss Cortot?"
"My name isn't Miss Cortot," her teacher glanced at her, "My name is Michidora Taras, Sailor Neptune of the Original Nine. And you are in danger, Amy Miles."
Amy gaped at her, her mind going into a whirl. Sailor Neptune? The Original Nine? Her in danger?
The woman called Sailor Neptune pulled her out the classroom door-then suddenly stopped.
At their left was the teacher who had placed the bomb in the classroom earlier. He held a halberd in his right hand and there was murderous intent in his eyes. He glanced at Amy, who stood frozen in placed, before he looked at Sailor Neptune. His lips curled in a snarl and he raised his weapon. But instead of charging at them his body began to contract and contort.
Amy stared in horror as the human flesh and clothes ripped apart and the figure grew in size, revealing a creature with skin as red as blood. Thick black hair rose over its head like a crown and there were spikes on its shoulders and she could see veins pulsing in its arms.
"What-What is that?!" she gasped, now frightened beyond belief.
"A Bloodskin," Greg took hold of his staff, "Vicious fighters."
"Greg," Sailor Neptune took out the wand from her back bowtie and a gold crystal blade sprung out, "Take Amy and go. Get to the ship! I'll hold him off."
"Right," Greg grabbed Amy's arm, "Don't take too long!"
"I'll try not to," Amy heard her say as Greg led her away.
Together the two of them went down the stairs, out of the building, through an alleyway, and into a parking lot. The second they were out in the open, Greg suddenly yanked her down. A laser bolt streaked past over their heads and it hit the wall behind them, sending sparks.
Amy screamed as he pulled her behind a hover vehicle. Then he lifted his staff and he uttered a spell. From the tip of the staff a large fireball formed and he shot it high into the air where it exploded into a dozen smaller fireballs. The hidden sniper had to take cover, giving Greg the opportunity he needed. Grabbing Amy's arm again he pulled her to the hover car he and Sailor Neptune had rented earlier.
"Get in! Quick!" he opened the driver's door and shoved her inside.
Amy automatically shifted to the passenger's seat as Greg jumped and placed his staff in the backseat. Then he powered up the engine and they sped away, but not before the sniper took a few more shots at them. Only one found its mark as Greg drove the vehicle out of the driveway and into the street.
"Keep your head down!" he pushed down Amy's shoulder before he turned on his comlink, "Guys, this is Greg! I've got Amy and we're on our way to the ship. Sailor Neptune is covering our escape."
"I think he's following us!" Amy pointed behind them a minute later.
Greg looked in the mirror and saw a speeder closing in from behind, it's rider brandishing a blaster.
"We're being pursued!" he said into comlink again, "We're going to need some help out here!"
Michelle knew all about Bloodskins, but this was the first time she ever faced one in battle. They were renown for their fierceness and were not easy to defeat due to the fact that their bodies had insane regenerative abilities. Even when they decapitated or beheaded Bloodskins could literally grow a new limb or head in a matter of moments. The only way to effectively kill a Bloodskin was to incinerate them once they were disarmed or beheaded, provided of course that one knew a fire spell or had the time or equipment to light a fire.
Peacemakers were capable of performing magic spells but like any magic user spells took time to cast, leaving them vulnerable to enemy laser fire. Michelle knew the Bloodskin had recognized her uniform as a Sailor Scout and that he would never give her the chance to cast a fire spell unless she was able to immobilize him. She took a defensive stance and waited for her opponent to attack.
The Bloodskin spun the halberd over its head then swung the blade towards her waist, aiming for her stomach. She jumped back and watched the blade miss before she swung her crystal blade upwards and to the left, aiming for the arm. But the Bloodskin dodged the attack and brought his blade down in a chopping motion. Michelle blocked it smoothly, her golden crystal blade interacting with the halberd's tip like a blowtorch to metal. The Bloodskin tried to push her down with his strength but she held ground, refusing to bend her knees.
Aggravated, the Bloodskin drew his weapon back and made a trust, but she easily parried it and she quickly struck back with a right chop to the shoulder. The Bloodskin barely blocked her attack and he was forced back. He trust again and this time Michelle guided it away with her blade and attacking again. Her opponent was now taken completely off guard and he tried desperately to fend off her attacks.
Michelle saw her opportunity and slashed upwards and to the left again. The impact nearly knocked the halberd from the Bloodskin's hands and she repeated the attack, this time cutting of the creature's right arm. Before the severed limb holding the weapon even touched the floor Michelle spun around and her opponent's head fell from its shoulders. Before the body even fell Michelle had already put her weapon away.
"Flame!" she placed her hands together like she was shooting a gun and summoned her magic powers, "Fire Soul Ignite!*"
Pointing at the fallen body a fireball shot out from her fingertips and struck the decapitated Bloodskin. The fire quickly consumed the body, the severed arm, and the head. The still alive Bloodskin tried to scream, but Michelle paid it no mind. She was already running down the hall, reaching into her into the slit of her front bowtie and pulling out her comlink. Placing it in her ear, she lowered the speaker to her lips.
"Greg? It's me. Where are you?"
"Sailor Neptune!" she heard the sounds of laser fire and horns blaring, "That sniper from yesterday is chasing us! We're approaching the freeway right now! I've already called for help but I can't shake off the sniper! Hurry!"
"Copy that, I'm on my way. Hang in there!"
Michelle made her way outside. Emergency vehicles had already arrived and there were people everywhere. Making her way through the crowd she looked around for a suitable vehicle and immediately a policeman's speed bike, one that actually used traction wheels instead of being a hover craft. Without hesitating she charge forward and kicked off the police officer seated on it.
"Sorry Officer," she apologized and powered up the bike, "but I need to borrow your vehicle!"
A stunned witnessed watched her speed away and she was gone before the officer realized what had just happened.
* Someone will likely ask why Sailor Neptune is using one of Sailor Mar's magic attacks when Sailor Neptune is water based so I'll go ahead and answer right now.
In my original fanfic I gave the Sailor Scouts the ability to use each others powers instead of just there own. The reason for this was because I wanted to give the Sailor Scouts a bit more realistic portrayal as Magical Soldiers rather than Magical Girls. Characters having their abilities and magic powers centered on a single element or such may work well with Magical Girls and superheroes in general, but from a military standpoint and a realistic perspective it makes little sense.
In any combat situation you need to be prepared for anything the enemy will throw at you. Having limited abilities can be fatal. In this case, if Sailor Neptune didn't have the ability to use a fire attack, a Bloodskin's only weakness, she would be in trouble. Granted, she could have just left him there but who's to say he wouldn't come after her after he had healed himself? Better to eliminate him now so you won't have to deal with him later.
I also want to point that in the next chapter Sailor Neptune will be using one of Sailor Venus's spells, the Love Me Chain. This was also something I featured in my original fanfic except I had portrayed it as part of the Sailor Scout's gear rather than a magic spell simply because why wouldn't they have grappling chains to help them get to higher areas or out of sticky situations?
Anyway, see you in the next chapter!
