Chapter Twenty-Five
"So, any luck Elysian Mercury?"
Marina nodded at her mother, "Hai. Hiroshima is in the council room. But she's releasing youma all over the Palace. Most likely to keep us out. But from what I can tell, the majority are around the council room."
Crystal Mercury nodded. "Hai. Most likely to keep more help from arriving. We should handle it."
Chibi Mercury nodded and ran ahead. Cosmic Mercury grabbed her shoulder,
"Wait, Chibi Mercury. We need a plan."
Not for the first time, Chibi Mercury wished that she had a more explosive and deadly attack. If she did, then she could burst into the room faster. Although not one to barge in recklessly, Ariel had been having bad vibes lately, although whether they were connected with her fellow Senshi she was not certain.
Cosmic Mercury gestured for the Senshi of Mercury to gather about her. As the youngest of the Chibi Senshi, when her mother was murdered she had been almost as bad as Annika. But now when she was so close it took all her strength not to go barging in herself.
Taking a breath, she spoke,
'Any ideas?"
The group shrugged. Cosmic Mercury closed her eyes a moment. "Marina, how many?"
The girl sighed, "I don't know Mom. Fifteen, maybe more."
Chibi Mercury started to think. But Crystal Mercury spoke first.
"So that would give us each about four youma, give or take."
Cosmic Mercury nodded, "Hai, Melody."
Elysian Mercury spoke, "But if we could pick them off one by one then we would have a better chance."
Ariel's thoughts turned to what Gloria had told them of the queens of their stars. She looked upward and closed her eyes.
"Grandma, I have never met you but Neo-Princess Ali has told me of you. I'm Neo-Princess Krystal, daughter of Princess Amy."
She got no reply but went on.
"Please…I have to save Princess Amy, my mother. Please aid me. Your Granddaughter Ariel, Neo-Princess Krystal. Help your granddaughter, your great-granddaughter Marina. Your great-great-granddaughter Melody. Please…Onegai."
In answer, the henshin wands of Elysian and Crystal Mercury lit up as a blue aura overtook Chibi and Cosmic Mercury.
A soft voice, so similar to Amy's, yet at the same time so different stated,
"They cannot attack what they cannot see."
The four Senshi vanished from sight.
Hiroshima was gloating and summoned her youma,
"I'd love stay Senshi but I have certain matters to attend to."
That said, she vanished from sight but as she did, ten more youma took her place. The Elysian Senshi tried their best but eventually had to be helped by the Crystal Senshi present.
Haruka and Mirchiru as well as the rest of the original and Chibi Senshi had rushed to Hope's side. The spear had entered directly over her heart. Yet after a few minutes, she managed to open her eyes and took a shaky breath.
"Hope! You're alive!" Tears started in Faith's eyes and although they didn't spill, Hope saw the worry and fear vanish from her twin's eyes. She yanked the spear from her chest and to her shock no blood flowed forth. In fact, she felt no pain whatsoever. She put her hand down her fuku. Realization came to her eyes.
She removed her Deep Aqua Mirror. The pane of glass was shattered. It had taken the spear for her.
She embraced her sister out of relief.
The moment was shattered when the door burst open and shattered youma remains clattered over the tile. Several of the other youma froze in midair. They fell tot eh ground and shattered.
The original Senshi were speechless but Daisy, Madelyn, Hope, and Faith smiled. How this was accomplished they didn't know but they knew that aura.
"Hello Mercury Senshi."