Chapter Twenty-Four

            Hope ran ahead of the rest of the Neptune Senshi. They had started to go in the direction planned but when the whole outer wall of the palace was destroyed from the inside out, they had an urge to investigate. Chibi Neptune leapt through the shattered remains of the palace and then before she could move another step, that sweet and omnipotent voice flowed through her mind.

            "The Deep Aqua Mirror, daughter."

            "Nani?"

            "the Deep Aqua Mirror. Summon the Deep Aqua Mirror."

            Hope was confused but did as asked. She got no more instructions so she stuck it down her fuku. She didn't argue with her Guardian Deity although it made no sense to her. Hope stepped forward…

            To fall about six feet.

            "Hope!"

            She recognized Elysian Neptune's cry and called,

            "Watch that first step."

            Crystal Neptune jumped down first and then cried,

            "Gisselle!"

            Turning, Hope saw that Crystal, Elysian, Cosmic, and Chibi Saturn were lying still. The remains of youma were scattered about them. Hope stepped forward and then stopped. Black blood coated the bottom of her shoes. As she stood, she realized that she was coated in it.

            It stank like spoiled meat and was sticker than gum. She had to struggle to move forward any at all. Elysian and Cosmic Neptune leapt down beside her. They chuckled a moment until Hope gave them a glare that put Haruka's to shame. They held up their hands, in a gesture of surrender.

            Cosmic Neptune turned to the Saturn Senshi who were recovering.

            "Hey, Cosmic Saturn, can I borrow that Glaive of yours?"

            Madelyn's older self took my glance at Hope and burst out laughing. Soon, she was in stitches but she wiped the tears from her eyes and walked over, her glaive drawn. She took a breath and said,

            "Lift your left foot, Hope."

            Hope obeyed, using Elysian and Cosmic Neptune for support. Cosmic Saturn swept her Glaive under Hope's foot, easily severing her foot from the ground. When she sat her foot back down, she was careful to place it in one of the rare clean areas. She lifted her right foot and Cosmic Saturn freed her right foot.

            Crystal Neptune and Crystal Saturn could not help laughing. That is, until Hope pointed out that the Saturn Senshi looked no better, except they were not locked to the ground. Elysian Neptune and Crystal Saturn took off ahead while Cosmic Neptune and Cosmic Saturn stayed with Hope. Elysian Saturn ran to catch up with the two ahead.

            Chibi Neptune and her elder self swiftly headed towards the Council room. They tore by the others who shrugged and followed. Chibi Neptune saw the skit marks and then the shattered window. The two groups waited by the door. Elysian Neptune spoke,

            "Summon your attacks, minna."

            "Cosmic Ocean-"

            "Cosmic Dying-"

            "Elysian Death-"

            "Elysian Ruin Glaive-"

            "Crystal Devastation Glaive-"

            "Crystal Ocean-"

            "Tidal-"

            Crystal Neptune smiled, and with a nod, they burst into the room. There were a few Senshi already there but outgunned. The Senshi lost no time and finishing their attacks.

            "-Stream!"

            "-Blade!"

            "-Tsunami!"

            "-Employ!"

            "-Fall!"

            "-Surge!"

            "-Wave!"

            Hiroshima found herself knocked backwards into the wall, leaving an imprint in the wall. She growled and said,

            "That does it!"

            A spear of light appeared in her hand. She flung it towards the new group of Senshi. They all fled, except Hope.

            The sticky blood on her feet stuck. She looked up just as the spear cut through her fuku. She collapsed to the ground, the spear lodged in her chest.