Chapter Two
"That's right,"
The two girls tried their best to look brave but this woman was playing with their fear. She was very smug, seemed pretty proud of herself.
"Ariel, you had that dream last night because of me."
Ariel swallowed hard.
"I didn't destroy your powers, I don't destroy what I desire."
Madelyn stepped forward, "What did you do then?"
"I 'dammed' your powers so to speak. Your planets feel your need for their strength but it can't get to you."
"Who the hell are you?" a new voice called.
Madelyn and Ariel turned. The other Chibi Senshi had caught up with them. Apparently, the same had happened with them. It was Daisy that spoke, angry beyond words.
"Ah yes," the woman displayed phony politeness, "Allow me to introduce myself, Hiroshima."
Faith put her hands into the guard position. Although she had not been allowed to take martial arts yet, Mirchiru-mama was very much against it, she picked up on it from when she saw Haruka-papa practice.
"How about we just call you bitch?"
"Tsk, Tsk, such language. I don't desire your deaths…but then again, I just need one. Thanato!"
From the ground rose a youma that looked surprisingly human. She was of a coal black skin, with ebony hair to her shoulders. Her eyes were deep brown, nearly black as her hair. She wore a slick slip-like black dress. But she had six inch long black nails and black eagle wings rising from her back. Gloria stared at her and gasped,
"That…that's of Lady Phobia's minions!"
Hiroshima clapped, "Very good, Senshi of Loyalty. I watched her fail. She was fool. But I am not. Your powers are not entitled to you alone. If I can take them…"
She snapped her fingers and the youma leapt at them. Gloria shouted without realizing what she was doing,
"Scatter!"
The girls did not need to be told twice. The youma went sliding through the earth. Hiroshima cursed,
"Get one of them! I want their power!"
Thanato nodded and leapt after Ariel. The girl ducked and Thanato went after Madelyn. Weakened from her health, she felt a surge of relief run through her as Faith picked her up and ran. Hope distracted the youma long enough for her sister to get the weak girl out for harm's way.
"Give it up, girls!" Hiroshima was laughing and that filled the girls' hearts with pain and fear. The thought that she had enough power to block their guardian deities from supplying them with power…
"You think I truly just want you? No, its your power! Then, I can easily conquer your parents!"
That made no sense to the girls, how could their power possibly overpower full grown Senshi?
Maggie was trying to make sense of this. Her sixth sense was overloading. She had never felt such fear and danger before. Not fear like this. This fear was enough that she actually doubted if their parents could beat her.
Annika screamed and Gloria turned,
"ANNIKA!"
Thanato had gotten her. The Chibi Senshi froze.
"Starlight Honeymoon Cosmic Kiss!"
Rini had not attacked since she powered up to Eternal form. But now a shadow took from and spread broad pink wings.
Thanato dropped the girl.
Eternal Cosmic Moon dropped in front of the girls.
"Keep away from her," she demanded as she caught Annika in one hand.
Thanato laughed. With a swipe of her hands, Rini's staff was divided.
Rini's mouth dropped and the Chibi Senshi gathered around her. The gril folded her wings over Annika. But Thanato laughed. With a blast of power Rini screamed.
The Chibi Senshi screamed themselves.
Rini's pink wings were torn from her body and she collapsed in immense pain.
"Princess!"
Thanato took advantage of this and snatched Annika once again. Rini was abrely conscious. She could do nothing. Gloria, summoning her courage stepped forward. Hiroshima laughed.
"You girls were far easier to beat than a I thought."
Annika was shaking and pure white in the face. Gloria narrowed her eyes.
"Wait!"
Everyone, both good and evil, turned to look at the leader of the Chibi Senshi. Gloria could not keep the fear from her face. But Annika, poor Annika…No!
"No! Annika's been through so much already!"
Annika was stunned. She waited as did the others to see what Gloria was getting at. She raised her eyes and looked Hiroshima in the face.
"Release Annika…and I'll take her place."
"NO!"
But Hiroshima's eyes sparkled,
"The leader…"
She gave Thanato a nod. Thanato laughed.
"Done!"
She dropped the violet haired girl and snatched Gloria. A hole opened in the ground and the two vanished beneath the earth.
"Gloria!" Annika flung herself at the ground and dug through it. But she only received dirt.
Hiroshima laughed a second time,
"Thank you Chibi Senshi." She vanished in a mist.
For the first time…
The Chibi Senshi felt beaten.