Chapter 15
"I want to go back to Water Tower Place and get that shirt before we head back!" Mina called behind her as she ran toward the affluent mall. They had been running up and down Michigan Ave. since discovering that was where all the best stores were. Rei, Ami, and Lita raced to catch up. Rini was next to Mina racing down the sidewalk. They made it to the mall, but found it was already closed. Mina walked away dejectedly.
"Come on Mina, you know if you'd gotten the shirt you would've spent the last of your money and we haven't even eaten yet!" Rei told her. Mina sobered up at this. She was right, of course, they shouldn't have spent so much, but everyone thought they would be returning to Tokyo as soon as they collected Serena back at Darien's apartment. She felt sorry for the cats who would land only to be sent back out again. They had had a good time out shopping together, though their group seemed incomplete without Serena.
They reached the entrance to the subway station. It was conveniently located next to Subway. After joking about the name, they decided to eat there. Ami had to order for everyone. The server spoke with a heavy Spanish accent, and Ami was the only one nearly fluent in English. Still, it was a strange thing to hear these people from two very different places meet on the common ground of a language not their own. It was late by the time they left. The symphony would have just gotten out. Since Chicago doesn't ever really get dark, it was still light outside, though there were no stars or moon. The streetlights threw long shadows and the girls all but ran to the cover of the subway tunnel. It was oddly deserted, no one was even in the ticket booth.
"Look over there. That sign says the tunnel's closed for repairs," Ami said as she pointed to the sign.
"That's weird, we came here using this tunnel, right?" Lita asked, looking around at the others. They felt uneasy. The tunnel was even darker than the street had been. Then the lights went out.
"I sense an evil presence here!" Rei called to her friends.
"Everyone transform!" Mina ordered. Their transformation cast a quickly fading light, but gave them enough time to see they were in trouble. Without a word, they moved to encircle and protect Rini. They were surrounded by negamonsters.
Serena continued to struggle as the creature flew. The general raged on about what he would do to "cape boy" when he got him. The rose had imbedded itself deep in his shoulder and had forced him to come out of the portal before reaching their destination. He landed awkwardly on the ground and began to pull the deceptively beautiful flower from his shoulder. The creature followed suit. It was all the opportunity and distraction Serena needed to twist herself enough to kick the creature solidly in the stomach. The bird woman doubled over in pain, but recovered quickly. Serena had about two seconds to plan her next move: flight or fight. She chose to fight.
They were next to a large fountain. Couples out for a romantic walk stood in shock as they looked upon a creature only seen in fiction. A few ran, but more were just curious. Serena looked around at them and tried to remember an English phrase for "run." She couldn't think of any. Standing as regally as possible considering how sore her shoulder was from the flight, Serena prepared the usual speech. Bird-woman didn't give her the chance. She came on fast and hard. It soon became apparent her only attack was to beat Serena to death by ramming into her. Unfortunately for the yoma (AN: is that spelled correctly??) , it was damaging her more than Sailor Moon. The general was being tended by a passing doctor and didn't bother the combatants in the least.
Sailor Moon jumped to avoid the creature and nearly fell into the fountain, splashing a little water on the thing as she did so. It screamed in agony.
"Great, where's Mercury and Neptune when I need them?" she said under her breath, dodging another attack. The yoma crashed against the fountain. Sailor Moon took advantage of its temporary daze to spring into the fountain, kicking water up at the creature. It flapped its wings madly, desperate to get the water off. Serena pulled out her scepter, spun, and killed the thing with a giant heart that shattered it into a billion pieces like a mirror ran over by a semi truck. The doctor had finished tending to the general's shoulder by then. Sailor Moon heard someone clapping and found the general with a large smirk on his face.
"Bravo, one more point for the senshi," he said dryly. The general had long red hair, somewhat reminiscent of Molly's. His uniform was the same as that worn by Beryl's generals. "But, alas, I must leave now," he flashed what can only be called an evil grin and gave a small bow as he said, "Adieu." Sailor Moon stared at the spot he had just let, wondering what the purpose was of abducting her only to leave her stranded. Most of the people had vacated the area, so Serena didn't have trouble finding a place to de-transform. It was dark out to the point of being ominous. She set out across the grassy park wondering for the second time that day which way she should go.
Question: Should I just write until everyone's completely bored with the idea, or plan out a definite ending???