Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Annika winced as Amy checked her ankle.

She had heard from Maggie what had happened the night before. Maggie had not received punishment as her mother had reasoned that pain she was experiencing was more than enough. However, Rini had not gotten off that easily.

Her parents would have grounded her but she had to be there to lead the Chibi Scouts. So finally, they forbade her from seeing Helios for two weeks. Rini had protested with a rage. Finally she stopped when her father threatened to take a belt to her again.

"Ow!" Annika protested. Amy smiled.

"Sorry Annika. I'll give your mother some pills for the pain. In meantime, try to stay off that foot. It should be better in a few days."

Annika nodded and hopped down, gathering her crutches that Amy had given her.

"Thanks, Aunt Amy,"

The doctor nodded and watched as Annika went over to her mother and Raye waved at Amy and left. She was worried. Only Annika and Gloria were left. Although Amy knew it wasn't fair, she really believed Annika was the Senshi of Loyalty.

She swallowed hard. Annika couldn't fight.

* * *

"Isolo!"

The black creature ran and bowed before her Lady.

"Yes, Lady Phobia?"

"Only two senshi remain. If you attack the hurt one and she is not the senshi we're looking for, bring her to me. The senshi will not be able to trace us."

Isolo bowed low. "As you wish, M'Lady."

* * *

Annika sighed as she talked to Stardust. She could barely walk.

"It's not fair, Stardust!"

Her kitten sighed, but put up with her mistress' complaining.

"Annika, it will only be for a few more days."

"But there's nothing to do."

Suddenly the door opened. Her mother walked in,

"Baby, someone's here to see you."

Gloria walked in.

Annika's first impulse was to turn away but she had forgiven Gloria as she had before. Annika let her best friend sit down.

"How are you, Annika?"

"Bored to death. I can't do anything with this hurt foot."

A well of guilt sprang up from inside Gloria. She didn't want her friend miserable. Finally, she called,

"Aunt Raye?"

Raye walked in, "yes? What is it girls?"

Gloria walked over to her, "If my Momma comes can we go to the park? We won't let Annika on her foot, promise. I…I just want her not to be bored anymore."

Raye looked at her daughter who glanced at her, begging. Finally, Raye said, "Alright but I'm coming too."

That said, Raye left to call Mina.

* * *

Annika laughed as Gloria purposely fell and made all sorts of funny acts. Even Mina and Raye were smiling. Gloria took off. She called behind her,

"Be right back."

Mina got up and followed her daughter.

It was a few minutes before Raye said, "I should go see what's going on." She looked to Annika. Annika smiled.

"Go Mama. There are a ton of people around, I'll be alright."

Against her better judgment, Raye nodded. She found Mina looking.

"Well?"

Mina sighed, "She told em she was going to get some ice cream for her and Annika. The ice cream man said that he did remember a girl that matched her description run off with two cones a few minutes ago."

Raye smiled, "Maybe she's back by now."

The two nodded and headed back when they heard a familiar scream. Raye's face turned snow-white.

"Annika!"

* * *

Annika stared at the black creature that loomed over her.

"Let's see if you're who I seek," it hissed.

Suddenly, two cones hit it straight in the eyes. Before Annika could blink, Sailor Chibi Venus was standing over her, shielding her body with her own.

"The hell with the intro. Get away from my best friend."

Before the youma could recover, Chibi Venus cried,

"Venus Beautiful Shockwave!"

The attack only stunned the youma. She smirked.

"I have Lady Phobia with me. Your pitiful powers do nothing."

Chibi Venus' heart throbbed and her eyes burned with anger. She ran forward and knocked the youma onto it's back. She grabbed the creature's neck and tightened her grip.

This happened a bit until the youma managed to kick Chibi Venus into a tree. But before she could reach Annika to find her Senshi Crystal, Chibi Venus was on her back again. She had peeled her gloves off and was using her long nails as claws, ripping into the creature's flesh, biting down with her teeth.

Finally, the youma tossed her off and tried to reach Annika again who was trying to get to her good foot. But something grabbed her foot and pulled her back. Chibi Venus.

"Venus Love Arrow!"

Instead of firing it, Chibi Venus used it like a spear and dug the point into the youma's leg. She ripped the flesh and when her arrow broke, bit in with her teeth, howling,

"Leave her alone!"

The youma shocked her, with lightning. By the time the child recovered, she heard her best friend scream.

A red colored crystal appeared.

"So, the Senshi of Love. That means your friend here…"

Chibi Venus tried to pounce the youma again but it grabbed Annika in an arm lock, making her stop to keep from hurting her friend. The youma said simply,

"Detransform."

Gloria complied.

The youma smiled. "Come for your friend, Gloria, Chibi Venus….Senshi of Loyalty."

She vanished taking Annika with her.

Gloria stood stunned for a minute and then fell to her knees, screaming,

"ANNIKA!"