Hi Everyone! Here is Part Nine of "The Cardians." I hope you enjoy it.
Reviews have been very scarce lately. Please review this story.
E-mail me at AngelRaye2@aol.com
Visit my web site at www.angelfire.com/anime3/chibiscouts
Disclaimer: I wish I did own Sailor Moon then maybe I wouldn't have to work so heard right now. Anyway I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own all of the Senshi's children.

The Cardians
Part Nine
By
Angel Raye

Ariel collapsed to the floor in pain as Lady Gemmei released the button. She had given Ariel several spasms of pain throughout her body, the last one being for fifteen minutes. Ariel was badly weakened now. "So Mercury brat," Lady Gemmei demanded. "Are you going to help us? I also want you to tell me where your comrades have put the other Cardians."
"I will never help you," Ariel gasped.
"Very well," Lady Gemmei snapped. She pressed the button again and pain shot through Ariel's entire body. Ariel screamed in agony. Lady Gemmei kept her finger on the button for ten minutes. Ariel couldn't bear it but she knew she had to protect everyone. Lady Gemmei released the button. "Tell us," she shouted.
"No," Ariel gasped weakly.
"Fool," Gemmei muttered. She turned to Eizo. "Take her back to her cell. Maybe later on she'll be more willing to talk."
"Yes my lady," Eizo replied. He grabbed Ariel by the collar and dragged her away. Ariel was too weak to resist. Eizo dragged her to her cell and threw her in. "Foolish child," he muttered. "If you helped us you would not be in so much pain." With that he closed the door and walked away.
Tears fell down Ariel's face. "Mommy," she choked. "I want Mommy." How she longed to be back at the palace with her parents. "I'm scared Mommy," she sobbed. "I'm scared." She remembered what Amy had once told her to do if she was ever alone and frightened.
"Pretend you are somewhere safe and happy," Amy had told her. "Just close your eyes and imagine. It will help you feel better."
Ariel closed her eyes. She thought about the palace and her parents. She thought about how comforted she was in her mother's lap. She thought about the warmth and comfort she felt when she was curled up in Amy's arms with her cheek pressed against her chest. "Mommy," she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

Raye jolted awake suddenly. She looked at her clock and saw it was two in the morning. Raye asked herself. Raye started thinking about Amy. In the last three days since Ariel's disappearance, Amy had been completely immersing herself in her work. Raye tried to use her psychic powers to probe into Amy's mind to see how she was feeling but Amy had completely blocked her out. Raye knew that Amy was trying to avoid her feelings. That concerned Raye and the others. It was not healthy to bottle up feelings like this.
Deciding to check in on Annika, Raye got out of bed and pulled on her robe. Chad mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over but didn't wake. Raye quietly left the room and went across the hall to Annika's room. She peeked in and saw that Annika's bed was empty. "Annika," Raye called softly. Raye went into the living room and saw that Annika was not in there either. Raye was about to go and wake Chad up when she heard a sound from the shrine. Raye asked herself. She peeked in and saw Annika was knelt down in front of the fire mumbling chants. Stardust was sitting next to her, which explained why she had not gotten Raye. Raye thought. She quietly crept in so she wouldn't break Annika's concentration.
Annika opened her eyes. "I can't find anything Stardust," she murmured.
"We have to do something," Stardust replied. "Poor Moonbeam is out of his mind with worry."
"We all are," Raye commented as she came up behind Annika and Stardust.
"Mama," Annika gasped. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to see if I can find where Ariel is."
"I know you are Baby," Raye replied as she knelt down and pulled Annika into her arms. "But you're not going to help if you don't get some sleep."
"Why isn't Aunt Amy sad," Annika asked next.
"Aunt Amy is keeping herself busy so she won't be able to feel," Raye quietly explained. "She is sad but she doesn't want to feel it right now."
"Oh," Annika whispered as she gave an enormous yawn. "Mama I feel so bad. I was going to tell Ariel I forgave her and then she was kidnapped. She probably doesn't even know I've forgiven her."
"Sweetheart I wouldn't worry about that," Raye assured her. "Right now we need to concentrate on bringing Ariel back to us." Annika gave another yawn. Raye smiled at her. "Come on," she commanded. "There's a certain little girl who needs to be in bed."
Annika didn't argue. She was very tired. She let her mother lead her back to bed and tucked her in. Raye kissed her daughter good night and then went back to bed herself. she thought to herself.

"Now Cosmic Moon," Chibi Neptune shouted after she weakened the Cardian with her Tidal Wave attack.
"Right," called Cosmic Moon as she pulled out her scepter. She powered up. "MOON PRINCESS HEALING KISS!" The attack flew out and enveloped the Cardian.
"Cleansing," it shouted before it reverted back to a card. Chibi Venus dove forward and grabbed it.
"I won't let Lady Gemmei take anymore of these," she declared fiercely.
"Neither will I," Chibi Jupiter added.
"Chibi Saturn are you all right," Chibi Pluto asked Chibi Saturn with concern. Chibi Saturn was gazing at the sky.
"I was hoping Eizo or Lady Gemmei would appear," she replied softly. "Then I would try and get Ariel back."
Chibi Pluto and the others nodded. It had been five days now since Ariel was taken. Chibi Saturn missed her best friend deeply. The other Chibi Senshi were feeling guilty for being so hard on Ariel. Rini was doing her best to keep unity in the group but with little success. Everyone was working around the clock trying to find Ariel. Madelyn was crying herself to sleep every night missing Ariel. Hotaru usually had to stay with her until she went to sleep.
"Come on Madelyn," Rini gently stated as she and the others powered down. "Let's go home."
Madelyn nodded her head and followed the others home.

Back at the palace Amy was immersing herself in her work. In the last five days she had been keeping herself very busy so she could avoid her feelings. Serenity and Lita tried talking to her but Amy avoided the subject. Right now she was going through all of her files. She even pulled out Tiffany's file even though she would not need it for ninety years. she told herself. Amy locked her files up and left her office. She walked slowly to her quarters, glad that she had not run into anyone. Tonight was a night where everyone had dinner with just his or her family. Amy purposely stayed late in her office so she would not run into anyone.
Greg was already there when she arrived. He was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. He looked up when he saw Amy. "Amy," he stated.
"Hello Greg," Amy replied.
"Amy we need to talk," Greg told her.
"I can't Greg," Amy murmured. "I have work to do around here."
"What kind of work," Greg asked.
"Cleaning," Amy replied. "This place is a mess."
"No it's not Amy," Greg cried. "You've cleaned it three times in the last five days. The place looks fine."
"No it doesn't," Amy argued.
"Amy stop it," Greg shouted. He stood up and took hold of Amy's shoulders. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to avoid your feelings right now so you won't feel the loss of Ariel's disappearance. Stop holding it in."
"I'm not holding any feelings in," Amy argued.
"Yes you are," Greg pressed. "Our daughter is missing. You have to have some feelings about it."
Amy tried to pull free but Greg had a firm hold of her. She looked up in his eyes and saw the pain he was feeling. Suddenly she let all of her reserves down. Tears filled her eyes. All of the emotions she had been avoiding the last several days came out in a torrent. "She's just a baby Greg," she sobbed. "She's only a baby. She needs to be here with me, not in the hands of an enemy." Amy began to cry hard as Greg wrapped his arms around her. "I want my little Ariel back with me. I want to hold her. She's probably scared to death right now. She needs me to take care of her."
"We'll get her back," Greg assured her. "Even if I have to fight the enemy with my bare hands we will get her back."
"Please do," Amy cried. "I don't know how much longer I can be without her." Amy began to cry hysterically as she buried her face in Greg's chest.

Ariel lay trembling in her cell. Everyday Lady Gemmei tried to get Ariel to help her in her evil plan. Although very young Ariel still had a desire to protect the Royal Family, her family and friends. The implant kept sending waves of pain and each time the pain grew more intense. She was also badly battered from the beatings she had received. When Ariel was in her cell she imagined she was with her mother. That gave her some comfort. "Mommy," she whispered. "Where are you Mommy?"
The door burst open and Eizo came in. He grabbed Ariel by her hair. She gave a whimper of pain. "Come on small brat," he commanded. "You're going to help me get the next Cardian." Ariel was too weak to protest. She felt herself being dragged away.

"I think I know of a way we can track Ariel," Rini stated to the girls after school that day. They had decided to gather in the park for a meeting.
"How," asked Madelyn in an anxious voice.
"If Annika does a fire reading, Hope looks into her mirror and I use the imperium silver crystal all at the same time then maybe we can track her down," Rini replied.
"What makes you think that will work," Hope asked doubtfully.
"We have nothing else to lose," Rini pointed out. "I just thought if we can combine those three together we could find something."
"I'm willing," Annika agreed. "I've been trying in the fire reading but nothing has happened. If I had the help of the silver crystal and Hope's mirror then maybe something will appear."
"Then do it," Daisy demanded. "Ariel's like a cousin to me. I want to find her."
"We will," Rini assured her.
A scream interrupted the conversation. The girls looked and saw a Cardian attacking some people. "Everyone transform," Rini commanded.
"Right," the others replied as henshin wands came out.
"MOON COSMIC POWER MAKE UP!"
"VENUS POWER MAKE UP!"
"MARS POWER MAKE UP!"
"JUPITER POWER MAKE UP!"
"PLUTO POWER MAKE UP!"
"SATURN POWER MAKE UP!"
"URANUS POWER MAKE UP!"
"NEPTUNE POWER MAKE UP!"
Various transformations took place and soon eight soldiers stood ready for battle. The girls dashed over to the action. "Hold it right there," Cosmic Moon shouted. The Cardian turned toward her. "We are the agents of love and justice, pretty soldiers in sailor suits, Sailor Cosmic Moon."
"And we are the Chibi Senshi," shouted the Chibi Senshi in unison.
"In the name of the moon we will punish you," shouted Cosmic Moon and the Chibi Senshi together.
The Cardian laughed and released its tentacles. It aimed for Chibi Mars and Chibi Venus who both jumped out of the way. Chibi Jupiter powered up. "JUPITER DEADLY LIGHTENING BOLT!" Her attack flew out and hit the Cardian. It growled and lashed at Chibi Jupiter. She went flying.
"Chibi Jupiter," shouted Chibi Pluto and she powered up. "SCREAMS OF DESTRUCTION!" Her attack hit the Cardian who was not prepared for her attack. "Now Cosmic Moon!"
"Right," Cosmic Moon replied. She pulled out her scepter. "MOON PRINCESS HEALING KISS!" Her attack flew out.
"Cleansing," shouted the Cardian and reverted back to a card. Cosmic Moon picked it up.
"Good job Cosmic Moon," called Chibi Venus.
Suddenly a bright light appeared and a blast of energy knocked over the Senshi. "Nani," gasped Chibi Mars. They turned and saw Eizo with a woman.
"Greetings Cosmic Moon and Chibi Senshi," the woman stated. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Gemmei."
"So you are the one after the Cardians," shouted Chibi Neptune. "Well we aren't giving them to you."
"I think you will give me the one in your hand today," Lady Gemmei replied.
"And what makes you think that," demanded Cosmic Moon.
Lady Gemmei smiled. She nodded toward Eizo. He held up his hand and a sphere appeared. The girls looked and saw a battered Ariel lying in the sphere. "Ariel," Chibi Saturn shouted. Chibi Jupiter, Chibi Venus and Chibi Uranus dashed over toward Ariel but the sphere was heavily shielded and they got flung backwards.
Ariel looked at them weakly. "Minna," she whispered.
"Give me that Cardian or else this will happen to your friend," Lady Gemmei commanded. She held up a device and pressed a button. Ariel began screaming and writhing in pain. The girls watched in horror. "Give me the Cardian or I will inflict pain on this child until she dies."
"Enough," cried Cosmic Moon. She handed the Cardian over to Lady Gemmei. "Now stop torturing her."
Lady Gemmei let go of the button. "I knew you'd see it my way," she laughed. "Now listen Cosmic Moon and Chibi Senshi. Take this message back to your parents. You are to bring me the Cardians you've already contained or this brat dies. Do you understand?"
"Please stop it," Cosmic Moon pleaded. "She's just a little girl."
"You've heard my demands," shouted Lady Gemmei. "So if you value the life of this brat you will meet them." She turned to Eizo. "Let's go." With that she, Eizo and Ariel disappeared.
"Ariel," the girls screamed.

To be continued...