Rei was sitting in a field of flowers this time, wearing a long red dress and broad sun hat. And she was consciously aware that she was dreaming.
"Where... Am I?" Her voice echoed strangely, in the summer sun. "Is anybody out there? Hello?" She cupped her hands, and shouted, but nobody answered.
Shrugging, she sat back down in the flowers, supposing that the meaning of the dream would become clear soon, and if not, she could always ask the great fire. She picked a violet that was growing next to a cluster of tiny adlevice, and held it under her nose.
As she was inhaling the sweet fragrance (flowers always smelled better in dreams than in real life) an icy wind started to blow. Rei looked up at the sun, expecting dark clouds to blow across it, as they always did when this kind of wind blew, but none did. She stood, looking around for any changes, and immediately saw one.
Where she had been sitting in an endless field of flowers in a mountain bowl before, now she saw ice creeping in around the edges of the field, freezing the flowers. And she could see something dancing.
"Snow... Dancers?" She shook her head. That didn't seam right, somehow. Picking up the edges of her skirt, she started towards one of the swirling masses of snow. After what seamed like a five-minute walk, with the air becoming steadily colder, she reached the edge of the flower field, where several 'Snow Dancers' ("No, that's not it...") were twirling, and freezing the flowers.
"Hello!" She called out to them. "What are you doing?" For some reason, she wasn't afraid. Perhaps it was because she knew it was a dream, and she would wake up if anything went wrong, but...
One of the swirling masses of snow stopped dancing, and walked over to where Rei was standing. Walked. Something one of Kaguya's Snow Dancers had never done. That and her dancers were all female. This one was defiantly male.
"Ehhh..." Rei paused, slightly winded both by the sudden drop in temperature by his arrival, and by his very charming features. "Why.... Uh, Why are you in my dream?" She didn't know weather dream creatures knew they were dream creatures, so she had no idea how this would effect this.... Bisetsu? Why was that word in her mind all of a sudden?
The... Bisetsu shrugged, and tinkled out a sound from his throat. Then he lifted his hand. When he did, several other Bisetsu ("Why does that word seam so right?") appeared by his side. He communicated with them, using the cooing language Rei supposed was common among all Ice people. Suddenly, all of them, (there were about seven now, by Rei's count) started to swirl upwards. As they did, a glittering ice sculpture was left in their wake.
As they spiraled higher and higher, their trails of snow interlocking, it became clear to Rei that they were making an ice sculpture of a Sailor Scout. At first, she thought it might be Mercury, due to the knee high, pointed boots, but when they reached the front bow, Rei noticed that the center of the bow wasn't a knot, or a brooch, or a crystal. It was a snowflake.
Rei woke up. The bright field of flowers was gone, leaving only the wooden beamed ceiling of her temple room. As she sat up intent on going to the fire room to speak with the great fire, she realized that she couldn't remember her dream. This startled her, as she always remembered her dreams, so she quickly delved into her subconscious, chasing after any remaining particles of the dream. But she found none.
"Something.... Flowers, and Scouts and.... Snow white eyebrows?" She murmured to herself, trying to remember. But even as she concentrated on these last remaining articles, they slipped from her grasp, and she couldn't even remember why she was out of bed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Michiru was practicing her violin when the phone began to ring. She looked at the thing, scornfully. When ever she was in the middle of something, it always managed to ring. Sighing, she gently placed the violin and bow on a table, and answered the infernal ringing device.
"Moshi moshi, this is Michiru speaking."
"Michiru! It's Ami... I'm worried about Az... She didn't show up for class today..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Ugh! This place positively reeks of death and evil." Sailor Mars took a step back.
"Steady." Sailor Jupiter said, as she pushed Rei back forward.
Sailor Mars, Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury stood outside the Abyss residence. Luna was there also. That had been all Ami had been able to gather on short notice.
"Well, what are you all standing about for? Let's go." Luna commanded from her spot on Mercury's shoulder.
"No time like the present." Neptune muttered, as she walked up to the door, and tried it. It would budge. "Huh. It's stuck..." she murmured.
Sailor Jupiter came up next to her, and also tried it. Her version of 'trying it' however, consisted of a high kick, cracking the door in two. Then she broke the pieces out of the frame, one at a time.
"Well," she commented, once the front door was out of the way. "That would have been the problem." she gestured to the closet door in the entryway. The Abyss home had a western style front door, which opened inwards. The second door prevented that.
"My Lord..." Neptune whispered as Jupiter knocked the second door out of the way.
"I believe you were correct in being worried about Azrielle... Something is not right in this house." Luna stated the obvious, as the four scouts stood in shock, seeing the now dried blood stains.
Mars wrinkled her nose. "Something evil is in there."
"That's never stopped us before. Some on." Neptune stepped over the threshold, and into the house. The others followed. They soon came to the end of the hallway, and had two choices. Left or right.
"Neptune... Who... What could have done this?" Mercury gasped, trying not to throw up, as the scouts looked from the body on their right in the living room, and the body on their left in the hall way. The smell of day old bodies was almost over powering.
"A demon. From Hell." Mars answered instead.
"Shhh!" Luna suddenly demanded. "I hear something!" The scouts paused, while Luna's ear twitched. "It sounds like... crying! Coming from that direction!" Luna used her paw to point to the left.
"Ohhh... I don't want to pass that body..." Jupiter moaned, her skin tone starting to match her fuku.
"We have to." Mercury took a deep breath, almost wretched on the rotten air, closed her eyes, and walked pass, towards the end of the hall. The others followed. Once past the body, they found themselves facing three doors. The once to the left and right were open, while the one directly in front of them was closed.
"Looks like a fight took place in there." Jupiter commented, peering into the room on the left. It looked like it had used to be a bedroom. Now it was in shambles.
"Same over here." Luna added. It was true.
"Shall we try the door?" Neptune asked, not expecting an answer, as she opened the final door. Behind it, they found a dark staircase, leading into the ground.
"We... we have to go down....there?" Sailor Mars asked nervously. "Oh... I don't like this at all.... Not at all..."
Neptune put her hand on the wall, found the light switch, and flipped the lights on. She immediately wished she hadn't.
Azrielle's mother was at the bottom of the steps. It looked like she had been pushed. Her neck was broken, and her body was sliced up.
"Ohhh..." Somebody moaned, but nobody could tell who. Finally Mars spoke up. "We... We've come this far. No point in turning back now." She swallowed heavily, and headed down the steps. The others followed.
The basement looked like it had at one point been a rec-room. It had white wallpaper with green pinstripes, and fuzzy green carpet. The furniture that inhabited the room was almost impossible to tell what it had once been, it was so broken up. A table leg lay here, a chair backing there, and, following with the theme of the main floor, plenty of blood. After a moment, Neptune located the source of the sound Luna had heard.
"Look." She pointed into the corner.
There, in an upright fetal position, was Azrielle. She was sobbing and bloody. The sleeves of her shirt had been ripped, revealing many nasty looking bruises cuts, burns and scars on her arms. The bruise on her face had a new companion, and her hair was in a state of total disarray.
The source of her distress was instantly apparent. Laying not more than a foot from her was her brother's body. He was face down on the floor, and his hands were outstretched towards Az, like a man in the desert reaching for water.
"Az!" Sailor Mercury cried out, and started towards her.
Both Sailor Mars and Az cried out at the same time, "No!" Mars grabbed her and pulled her back.
"What are you doing, Mars? We have to help her!" Mercury struggled against Mars.
"No..." Az moaned. "Don't come any closer. He'll get you too..." she let out a dry sob.
"But he's dead, Az. He can't hurt you, or anyone else any more." Neptune spoke gently, taking a step forward.
"No!" Mars shouted again "I said, stay back!" She was glaring at the body on the floor.
"He only looks dead..." Az mumbled shaking her head. "He's just like those fish... lay still then snap it's over... Just one more, he said... Somebody young... Oh, please stay away!" She pleaded, tears still sliding down her cheek.
"Huh." Sailor Jupiter looked at the body down her nose. "He smells dead, definitely."
"No, go away... No more blood..." she cried into her arms.
Suddenly Sailor Mercury finally broke out of Mar's hold. "I don't care, I have to help her!" she shouted, and dashed forward.
"No, Mercury, don't!" Mars screamed, but it was too late.
As Mercury was dashing forward, Karl's hand shifted faster than the eye could see, and grabbed her ankle. Mercury gasped, and then yelled as a sharp pain flew up from her ankle.
"NO!" Az screamed.
Karl was standing now, holding Mercury upside down. Mercury was yelling, both from the pain in her ankle, and the embarrassment of being held upside down in her mini-skirt.
"Attack it!" Luna shouted.
Jupiter nodded. "Sparkling... Wide...." Neptune grabbed Jupiter's arm, as she was winding back.
"No! You might hit Mercury or Az!" Jupiter scowled, and let the attack dissipate.
"No!" Az was shouting over and over. "No no no no no!"
"Somebody do something!" Luna shouted. "Mercury's bleeding!" It was true. Blood was flowing from under Karl's grip on Mercury's ankle.
"Do something? What can you do? With this last life energy, I will have the strength to drain Azrielle, and then, with the death of all my family at my hands, I will have become invincible!" Karl spoke, barring the way for anyone to rescue Az, while fending off the kicks of Mercury's other leg with his other hand.
"I don't think so!" Mars growled, as she produced an Omamori, and held it straight. "Rin, pyou, tou sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen. Akiryou taisan!" She yelled and threw the scroll.
Karl screamed in pain as the scroll landed and stuck to his forehead. Upon contact with his body, the scroll burst into flames, and the flames quickly engulfed his entire head, and then his body. He was so busy battling the flames, that he dropped Mercury, who crawled over to Az, despite the profuse bleeding of her ankle, and put her arms around the other girl.
"You can't do this to me! I had a deal!" Karl screamed in his torment. "I had a deal!"
Neptune scowled. "Now you know what happens to people who make deals with the Devil."
"Burning... Mandala!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Haruka and Hotaru stood in the parking lot of Kanagu Mise, a large, six story auto-parts store in which Haruka was a regular. Looking upon the building, Hotaru noticed a couple walking a large dog enter.
"Welcome, Hotaru, to the Beautiful World of Automotive Love!" Haruka said, her eyes glimmering with little stars. "Isn't it great?" Haruka, with a large smile asked.
"It's, uh, fantastic!" Hotaru nicely answered. Changing the subject, "Haruka-papa, why are we here?" she asked, pulling her shoulder length tresses out of her face.
Haruka let out a sigh of happiness. "Tires, Hotaru-chan. Tires." Then she started towards the front door.
Hotaru followed, and rolled her eyes once Haruka was safely in front of her, thinking about the answer. "Makes sense, seeing as Haruka-papa peels out at every green, and drives faster than light." When she looked up, she realized she was in the store. Large aisles covered with things Hotaru knew nothing about filled the room. Black and White checkered floors reached as far as the eye could see. Orange walls were hidden by posters, merchandise, and bulletin boards.
"Smell the air, feel the tires, listen to the transmission!" Haruka said; she startled Hotaru back to awareness. Hotaru looked at Haruka, who was skipping through the aisles now, checking each item. Hotaru shook her head, smiling, at the glee the older girl was displaying. Finally deciding to look at a nearby bulletin board, Hotaru checked the flyers.
"Eating contest, House sitting job, Kitties..." She mumbled to herself. "Oh!" She exclaimed, as she noticed a flashy yellow and orange poster, with a border made of a pattern of red and white circles. "'Pokemon Convention!" she read aloud. "Starting Sunday, and running two weeks. Come see these amazing creatures and their trainers as the Island nations of Kento, Jhoto, and others, exhibit their fantastic wildlife for the first time ever!' Wow! Haruka-papa! I want to go to this pokemon convention!" She waited for a response, but didn't get one. "Haruka-papa?" she tried again, her eyes never leaving the poster, which also held pictures of what she could only presume were pokemon. "Haruka?" She began to search down the aisles, looking for Haruka. After all, the poster wasn't going anywhere.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Leon, your kagemusha had better not be leading us on a wild goose chase." Coco Jinguji hissed into her 'husbands' ear. Lee and herself were walking behind Genken, whom Copi had cleverly disguised as a real dog.
"Don't worry, dear." Lee spoke aloud sweetly, "We'll be in and out in no time at all." He continued, as so none would hear the true conversation. Genken looked up and sniffed at a sandy-blond man and his purple haired daughter as they entered the store, they child looking less than thrilled to be there. But their scents were covered by Coco's perfume, so he dismissed it. "Come boy." Lee commanded and tugged on the purple leash. The three walked into the store, and began their way down the aisles, searching for the wind.
After a while, Genken looked up again. They had made almost a complete run of the entire store by now, but he seamed to be following a trail. He whacked his tail on Lee's leg. "It's here..." He growled, the sound coming from deep in his throat.
"Are you sure?!" Coco forcefully questioned.
"Positive," the canine reassured.
"Well then, find it!" Lee ordered. Genken put his nose back to the floor, and lead Coco and Lee quickly up and down several aisles. Suddenly, he lifted his head, snuffed the air, and made a beeline to the far aisle. "That's it!" He growled, pointing with his nose to Haruka, who was examining different paint colours.
The three pulled back to where Haruka couldn't see them. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Coco asked. "Attack!"
Genken shredded Copi's disguise as he transformed into his true beast form. Coco and Lee also both shed their disguises, becoming Copi and Leon again.
"Sailor Solder!" Genken addressed Haruka, "Surrender or die!"
"What?" Haruka questioned, pretending to be confused. Genken wasted no time in charging Haruka, who jabbed Genken's chest, and flipped him over her back and into the next aisle.
"How dare you!?" Leon cried, as the people in the next aisle over began to scream in terror at Genken. He grabbed a twelve gallon pant bucket from the floor, that was full of metallic blue paint, and threw it at Haruka, who was knocked into a corner, as an avalanche of various parts fell down in a wall between her and Leon. Taking the opportunity Fate had so nicely handed her, she leapt to her feet while she was out of view. "Uranus Planet Power, Make UP!" she commanded, while grabbing her henshin, leaving her index finger out stretched. Haruka spun the wand around herself and did a 180. A circle of light formed at her feet. Lightning like beams covered her body until Sailor Uranus tossed her hair and took her finishing pose.
Sailor Uranus ran back to the aisle where she had been attacked, knocking debris from the fallen shelf out of her way as she went. "Invited by the new era, and with the Blessings of Uranus, the planet of wind, the Sailor Scout of the Heavens; the magnificent fighter, Sailor Uranus!" She called, looking straight into Genken and Leon's eyes.
"Genken," Leon ordered, "Attack her!" Sailor Uranus snorted.
Genken lunged at Sailor Uranus, who high kicked him to the ground. As soon as he hit, however, he grabbed Sailor Uranus's legs, and puller her to the ground with him. Once Uranus had fallen, he wrapped his large hairy arms around her, and held her up so Leon could attack.
"Ringleaders' Lashing!" He roared, as he flung his weighted cat-o-nine-tails whip at Sailor Uranus. The attack powered whip struck her stomach, and she cried out in pain, glaring at Leon.
"Haruka-papa, there's...!" Hotaru suddenly appeared at the end of the aisle, stopping when she saw Sailor Uranus held by Genken, and Leon preparing to attack again.
Leon immediately recognized her, as the child of the sandy-blond 'man' who had walked in a bit after them; the child of whom Genken now held. "Copi!" Leon cried to his partner, who had disguised herself as a wall, "grab that girl!" Very quickly, Copi demorphed, and wrapped her now rope-like limbs around Hotaru.
"NO!" Uranus cried. Kicking her legs over her head, she managed to free herself from Genken's grasp.
Copi shouted in frustration. "You useless kagemusha! Now she's going to attack!"
"Kagemusha? Is that what you people are calling your pathetic minions this turn round?" Uranus growled, as she lowered herself to start a running tackle at Copi.
Turning her attention to Sailor Uranus, Copi smiled evilly, placing her head next to Hotaru's. "Oh," Copi sympathized, "All that love and justice you people talk about will be killed if you take another step." Hotaru shouted in frustration, as she tried unsuccessfully to free herself from Copi's moldable body. Copi laughed.
Sailor Uranus quickly grabbed an orb of light, it's rays shining through her fingers. "World...." the energy formed a ringed planet, as she lifted it above her head. "SHAKING!" She threw it to the floor. The orb bounced off the floor, and hit Copi's head, missing Hotaru by a hair. "Hotaru!" she shouted, trying to run to her adoptive daughter. Hotaru quickly took the opportunity to dash to safety.
"I don't think so! Ring Leaders' Lashing!" Leon yelled once again attacked Sailor Uranus, throwing his whip out, where it wrapped around her ankles, knocking her to the floor. "Genken! Get the human child!" He shouted at his kagemusha.
As this happened, Copi stood up, shakily from the floor, holding her head. "Ow! That hurt you Brat!" She screamed in frustration. "I'm out of here! You can handle this, Leon!" she dissolved into a puddle, and exited under a door crack.
"Get back here!" Leon shouted after her, obviously angry.
"Saturn Planet Power, Make UP!" a voice came from a few aisles over, as a purple light filled the store. Presently, Sailor Saturn emerged.
"Genken! Forget the girl! Get her!" Leon commanded.
Genken howled, leapt into the air, intent on landing on the small, scythe-toting girl.
"Silence Wall!" Saturn called, as she threw he scythe out, creating a shielding bubble around herself, which Genken crashed into, his claws scratching horribly. He tried to chew his way through but couldn't, so he leapt off, and to his masters side.
"Saturn! Careful!" Sailor Uranus called out, as she tried to free herself from the whip.
Sailor Saturn turned to face Leon and Genken. "I am Sailor Saturn, Bringer of Death. I have no pity for those who have no regard for the well being of others, and who disrupt innocents while shopping. Prepare yourselves!" She shouted.
"Ha!" Leon laughed. "You- The one out of the entire range of scouts who could have stopped us, and yet stood by and let us destroy the Silver Millennium? What can you do now?"
Sailor Saturn tightened her grip on her staff. "How dare you!?" she shouted, trying to hold back her tears. "I would have defeated all of you in one blow had it not been..." She choked on her own words.
"Saturn! Careful! He's trying to-Ah!" Uranus was attempting to warn Saturn, when Genken launched an all out attack at her.
"No! Uranus!" Saturn let her attention be drawn to where Sailor Uranus was barely fending off Genken's teeth and claws. She threw her scythe out once again. "Silence Glaive Surprise!" She called out, sending the attack directly into Genken.
Howling with pain, Genken once again retreated to Leon's side. Leon growled, the sound rumbling in his throat. "Little girl," He stated, his large bushy eyebrows coming down over his eyes, "you are beginning to annoy me." With out warning, he released his whip from around Sailor Uranus's ankles, and threw it out at Saturn, striking her across the mouth. "Ringleaders' lashing!"
"Aii!" She screamed in pain, as she felt blood begin to flow.
"Saturn!" Sailor Uranus screamed, leaping to her feet.
Saturn wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, and the white glove came away bloody. She glared at Leon. "Death... Reborn..." She started, as she lifted her scythe above her head.
"Saturn, NO!" Uranus screamed desperately.
"REVOLUTION!" She let the scythe fall, blade first.
The entire building began to shake, and the overhead lights began to explode, one at a time, sending showers of glass and sparks everywhere. Then the floor cracked, the black and white tiles falling in the new crevasse.
"No!" Leon shouted, as he hastily retreated out of the building, using a teleport. Genken whimpered, and dodged the sections of the falling building.
"Saturn, what have you done?!" Uranus finally reached the younger scout, and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her out of the slight trance she was in. "Let's go! This entire place is going to collapse!"
Uranus scooped her up, and sprinted for the door, leaping over fallen beams, and pushing her self to the limits, as the building fell around her. "Oh god, I hope everyone left after the attack started!" Uranus prayed silently to herself, as she neared the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What the hell were you thinking?" Leon shouted, as he materialized in front of Copi.
Copi looked up from her project. "Hmm? I take it you didn't kill the scout." She frowned. "You're pathetic. You can't even take care of one pathetic Scout."
"I can take care of one scout fine!" He said, swiping his arm across the table, knocking all of the glass beakers Copi had been studying to the floor, most of them shattering. "But when the all mighty Scout of Death shows up, I'm bound to have a little trouble!"
Copi stood bolt up. "You idiot! I've been working on that for months!"
"I couldn't care less, Copi. The Master wont be very happy when he learns that one attack had your running from the battle, like the fool you are." Leon growled, his voice reverting to an animal like thunder.
"How was I to know that Sailor Saturn would show up?!" She snapped irritably. She was about to say something else, when a knock echoed through the room.
"Uh- Hello? Is everything ok?" a voice called.
Copi shot a look at Leon, who returned it. They both slipped into their disguises of Lee and Coco, and exited the sub-space pocket that their master had provided for their mission, and left the closet and entered the almost too-perfect living room of the Jinguji's.
Coco hustled to the kitchen, while Lee, pulling a pipe out of his pocket, answered the door. "Can I help you?"
Makoto blinked, and looked a bit embarrassed. "Oh, well, I thought I heard shouting, and I wanted to make sure everything was alright. I thought a bugler, or something..." She trailed off.
"Oh, Makoto, what a wonderful thing to do!" Mr. Jinguji said, smiling, as he lit his pipe, and stuck it in the corner of his mouth. "But everything's perfect here. Isn't that right, dear?"
Mrs. Jinguji's head emerged from the kitchen, smiling. "Of course. We never fight, do we dear?"
Mr. Jinguji returned the smile. They both had perfect teeth. "That's right, muffin."
Makoto tried very hard not to gag. "Oh, well then... I guess I'll be leaving then."
"Oh no, please stay. You ran out so suddenly the last time you were here, we never got to talk! Please sit down!" Mr. Jinguji took Makoto by the arm, and lead the nervous girl to the couch. "Dear, would you bring out some snacks, and some tea?" He called.
"In just a minute!" the Missus called back.
"So, Makoto, anything new happening with you today?" Mr. Jinguji asked, puffing on his pipe.
"Uhm, not really. A friend of a friend had a bit of a crisis on her hands that was a bit startling but..."
"Oh, nothing to serious, I hope?" Mr. Jinguji pressed.
"Well, actually, it was. Her brother went psycho, and killed the rest of her family."
"That's horrible! How on earth did she manage to escape?" Mr. Jinguji asked, making the proper face of sympathy.
"Ahh, well...."
"Was it the Sailor Scouts?" Mrs. Jinguji entered the room, carrying a tray full of tea and cookies. "Because I heard that there was quite a ruckus involving at least two of them down at a hardware store this afternoon, too."
Makoto raised her eyebrow "Really? I hadn't heard that."
"Oh, yes. Apparently, there was some sort of attack, and two of them showed up." Mrs. Jinguji sat down, and placed the tray on the coffee table. "I can't remember who, exactly.... Dear?" She referred the question to Lee.
"I believe that it was... Now lets see here.... Sailor Uranus? Does that sound right?" Mrs. Jinguji nodded. "And then the other one was.... Well, I can't remember he title, but she's the one in purple, with a large scythe."
Makoto's eyes widened, slightly. "Sailor Saturn?"
"Yes, she's the one."
"Oh.... Well, um.... I'd really like to stay and talk, but, I, um...." Makoto thought desperately of some way out of the apartment. "Oh! I left a good friend of mine waiting for me on a long distance call! I gotta go!" And with that, she once again fled the Jinguji's apartment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hotaru sat quietly in the passenger seat of Haruka's car. Haruka was not happy. At all. After the building had been leveled, they had quickly demorphed, and raced away in Haruka's sporty blue convertible.
Finally, when she couldn't bare the silence any longer, Hotaru spoke up. "Ahno... Haruka-papa?" She said, so quietly, it was almost a whisper. Haruka didn't react. "I... uhh... didn't mean too..."
"Damn right you didn't mean too." Haruka snapped, never taking her eyes from the road. "Didn't it ever even enter your head that you are the scout of death and destruction?! What did you think was going to happen? I am damn glad that you didn't destroy the entire city. Or the entire world, for that matter."
Hotaru winced. "Haruka-papa.... I.... I was caught up...."
This time Haruka jerked the steering wheel sharply to the left, pulling the car over to the side of the road, and stepping on the breaks so hard that Hotaru was surprised that she didn't go through the window. "You got caught up? You got caught up?! God damn it, Hotaru, you were in a six story building! A shopping center, for crying out loud! What if some people had been trapped in the building? What if they had gotten killed, simply because you got caught up?!"
"B-but nobody was-" Hotaru trembled, tears coming to her eyes.
Haruka turned and grabbed Hotaru by the shoulders and shook her "What if?!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Hotaru sobbed. "Please, I'm sorry!"
Haruka stopped shaking the fragile young girl, and covered her face with her hands. "Hotaru, I know you're sorry, but that doesn't change what you did. Back before the Inner and Outer Senshi were united, when the Death Busters were trying to take over, Michiru and I had the task of finding the Pure Heart Crystals. Do you have any memories of that time, Hotaru?"
Hotaru sniffed. "A few... But... Don't you and Michiru and Setsuna have the crystals? In the form of talismans?"
Haruka nodded. "Yeh... But we didn't know that. All we knew is that we had to find them before the Death Busters did." She sighed deeply. "We thought that the Crystals were probably in the bodies of normal humans. And we also knew that taking the Crystals would kill the one they were taken from. But we knew what we had to do, and we knew we would do it." She turned to look at Hotaru again. "It's our job to do the dirty work for the inner senshi. We don't like doing it, but if it has to be done, to protect this world, and the Princess, we will do it. But what you did today was simply careless. The loss of any human life would have been pointless... And murder. Do you understand why I'm so upset with you, Hotaru? If or when we have to kill, we find any way around it we can. But letting loose an uncontrollable attack would just..." She stopped, trying to find the right words. "It would just simply be against everything we stand for."
"I know that, Haruka-papa. But... Setsuna told me that I had to start trying to control my powers... That if I couldn't control my 'Death Reborn Revolution' the world could hang in the balance. She said that I could control my level of destruction to a single person, as apposed to the entire world. She told me to try containing the power of on the next Yoma we fought..."
"Kagemusha. That's what they're calling them now. And I think it's time I had a little chat with Setsuna." Haruka said evenly, as she speed off again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Michiru grumbled to herself, as she mixed up two aspirin into a glass of water, and downed it. Then she sat down on the couch, turned on the TV, and closed her eyes. This afternoon had not been pretty.
Sailor Mars had successfully exorcized the demon inhabiting Karl, but had taken Karl's sole with, as payment. Which meant that Karl was now dead. Azrielle took the news fairly well, only screaming a little. Sailor Mercury was bleeding profusely from her ankle, but she still managed to calm down the hysterical girl while Jupiter contacted the police. As soon as the sirens could be heard, all four of them brought Azrielle up from the basement- Quite a task, as Mercury was limping, and Azrielle put up quite a fuss when she had to walk past her family's bodies, but They managed to pull her from the house, just as the police showed up. Of course there had been questions... But Sailor Scouts never stay around to answer questions, so all four scouts and Luna had quickly vanished.
After she had seen Ami safely home, and helped her tend to her ankle, Michiru had headed home. When she arrived, she remembered that Haruka had taken Hotaru shopping, and Setsuna had vanished, once again.
"We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this Tokyo News Update." the TV suddenly said. Michiru opened one eye, to glance at the TV, but as soon as she saw what was on, she was sitting up, eyes wide.
"The Kanagu Mise, a prominent auto parts store, was leveled this afternoon, by mysterious forces. Witnesses say that they were shopping when a Yoma showed up, and began to harass patrons of the store. Soon after, it's reported that at least one Sailor Scout was there, battling the Yoma. We have here Store Manager, Mr. Kenji Tsubo. Your comments, sir?"
The TV now showed an average looking businessman, in his late thirties. "Well," He said, "As soon as that yoma showed up, I had the store evacuated. And now that I look back on it, That's probably a good thing, as nothing could have survived being crushed by something like that."
"Thank you, Mr. Tsubo. It was reported by one patron of the store, that, as the dust was settling, a figure ran from the building, carrying what would appear to be a child, but neither could be found for comment, as they soon dissa-"
Michiru turned off the TV, and went to get some more aspirin. As she was downing her second glass that day, she heard the front door open. Setting the glass down, she went out to confront her family.
"So. Have a good time shopping?" She asked, her voice less than friendly.
Haruka raised an eyebrow, while Hotaru looked at the carpet. "I take it you heard about Hotaru's little accident."
"Little?" Michiru looked at Haruka like she was mad. "Haruka, how could you let her do something like that?!"
"Well, first of all, I was tied up at the time. Literally. And second, I've already talked to Hotaru about it, and I don't think she needs to hear it a second time from you."
Michiru placed a hand on her face. "Haruka. Hotaru. Do you two realize that they're already playing footage on the news? It'll only be a mater of time until we find out that some dip-wad had a camera and took a picture."
Hotaru's eyes raised from the floor. "It's on the news already?"
Michiru nodded. "Yeah. See for yourself." Hotaru turned on the TV.
"... and luckily, Kanagu Mise has insurance, so it won't be a complete financial loss," one anchor was saying to the other. The other nodded and smiled her perfect smile.
"That's right, Yugi." She picked up a piece of paper from her desk. "And in other news, Those Mysterious Crime Fighters that call themselves Sailor Scouts must have been very busy today. Four were seen at a crime scene, pulling a Hysterical foreign girl from the house. While they disappeared before the Police could question them, the Police were able to gather that the girl, who's name is being withheld from the public at the time, was almost murdered by her brother. The elder boy apparently went insane, killing the rest of the family, and was going to kill the girl too, but the Scouts saved her." As the woman talked, the TV showed various shots of the Abyss household, with police tape around it.
Haruka snapped of the TV this time. "Looks like we weren't the only ones to have a busy afternoon. Were you part of that group?"
Michiru nodded. "And you should thank your lucky stars that you weren't. You wouldn't have believed the carnage. I'm going to have nightmares for months."
Suddenly, the phone began to ring. Haruka picked it up. "Moshi Moshi, Haruka speaking."
"Haruka? This is Makoto. I was just talking to my creepy neighbors-"
"The one's I'm supposed to be watching. Damn, I forgot all about that."
"Yeah, those ones. Anyways, they mentioned that you and Sailor Saturn had been down town fighting a yoma. What happened?"
"Well, first of all, the Shadow Warriors are calling their yoma 'Kagemusha', and second, yes we did have a run in. Saturn had a bit of an accident, but it's noting we can't handle."
"Oh. Alright. I just wanted to make sure everything is alri-"
"Oh, Makoto, could you hold on a second? I'm getting another call."
"Sure."
Haruka pressed a button on the phone. "Moshi moshi, Haruka speaking."
"Haruka! What happened?! I was watching the news, and they said the Kanagu Mise was leveled! What happened?!" It was Minako.
"How'd you know that I was there, and not one of the others?" Haruka questioned, sitting down on the couch.
"Please. You're the only one who would go to the Kanagu Mise."
Haruka smiled to herself. "Right. Well, we had a little run in with a kagemusha-"
"What's that?"
"It's what the Shadow Warriors are calling their yoma. Anyways, we had a run in, and Saturn made a little mistake-"
"Little? The entire building's been leveled!"
"I know, I know." Haruka put a hand to her forehead. "Look. We've got it under control. Hotaru understands what she did, and she will be punished. So why don't you call up the others, and tell them 'Yes, Saturn and I were there' and 'Yes, the building was leveled' and 'Yes, it won't happen again'." Haruka looked at Hotaru as she said this. Hotaru lowered her eyes.
".... Ok. I'll call the others. Bye!" Minako hung up.
Haruka pressed a button. "Makoto? You still there?"
"Yeah."
"That was Minako on the other line. She was just wondering the same thing you were. Why don't you help her call up the others, and tell them what's happened." Haruka suggested.
"Ok, sure. Oh, and how's Michiru doing? She looked like she had a killer headache last I saw her."
"I'll check on her. Talk to you later. Bye, Makoto."
"Bye, Haruka."
Haruka hung up the phone. "Hey, Michiru. You alright? Makoto was worried about you."
Michiru sat down on the couch next to the taller girl. "I'm fine, now." She planted a butterfly kiss on Haruka's nose. Then, more serious, she turned to Hotaru, who was trying to escape to her room, unnoticed. "Not so fast, young lady. We need to discuss your 'little accident' as Haruka keeps calling it."
Hotaru turned to face the music. "Michiru, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to destroy the entire building. Really!"
Michiru shook her head. "It's not that, Hotaru. While I'm disappointed in you for doing such a careless action, I'm also curious. It was always believed that Sailor Saturn could only use 'Death Reborn Revolution' to destroy the world in times of crisis, and doom. What made you think that you could control it like that? And how did you control it like that... If you want to look at something of that magnitude 'control.'"
'Well.... Setsuna told me that I could.... She said that if I practiced, I could control what I destroyed...." Hotaru said nervously. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "Haruka-papa... Michiru-mama.... I just want to be like the rest of the Scouts... I want to be able to use my attacks with out fear of.... You know, destroying the world. When Setsuna told me that I could control it, I was so happy. I just want to be like everyone else." The tears began to slide down her cheeks.
Michiru stood up, and hugged the violet haired child. "Oh, poor Hotaru... You poor poor child... Hotaru, you know that Haruka, Setsuna and I only want you to be happy. But you also must know that you are the most powerful Sailor Scout. And as much as Haruka and I want to be there to help you, it seams that Setsuna's the only one who can really tell you every thing you need to know. We want you to have a normal life, too. But as long as you hold such a great power, there will be times when we can't help."
Hotaru sobbed into Michiru's dress. "I know that.... Heaven help me I know.... But sometimes I just wish I had been swallowed up along with the Death Busters, instead of being reverted to a child...."
Haruka stood up, and turned Hotaru to face her, as she kneeled down to be on level with the girl. "I don't ever want to hear those words again, do you understand me? You have been the best thing to ever happen to us, and I don't know what we would do without you. And not only are you our daughter, you are our leader. So don't ever, ever say that again, do I make myself clear?!"
Hotaru sniffed, and smiled a tiny smile. "Yes, Haruka-papa."
Haruka smiled also. "Good." She wiped away Hotaru's tears with her thumb. "Feeling better?"
Hotaru nodded. "Yeah..."
"Good. Then I think it's time we discuss your punishment." Michiru said firmly. "I know it was an accident, but..."
"I understand, Michiru-mama. I made a big mistake today, and I'm going to get punished for it." Hotaru said, bowing her head.
"Exactly. Now. I think that being ground- meaning no TV, Telephone, Movie, computer, or going out privileges- for two weeks, plus increased chores and an early bed time will be sufficient." Hotaru groaned. "And don't groan, young lady. This is for your own good."
"You'll thank me for it later" Hotaru chorused along with Michiru, as she slunk off to her bedroom.
Once Hotaru was gone, Haruka turned to Michiru. "She said that Setsuna told her to try controlling her attack on the next youma we encountered. Did Setsuna ever mention that she had said this to Hotaru to you?"
Michiru shook her head. "No. We need to talk to her. She cannot be telling Hotaru things like that without consulting us…. Or at least warning us!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Time passed slowly over the next two weeks. Azrielle Abyss was placed into therapy, and progressed very quickly. Ami's ankle healed in perfect condition, after Mamoru used his healing abilities to speed the recovery. There were only two other Kagemusha attacks, both of which were stopped very easily and quickly by the scouts.
On the first day of the third week, Bunny, Makoto, Minako, Ami, and Rei were at a shopping mall, when an announcement board caught Ami's attention.
"Hey, guys, look at this! The Lippezaner stallions are coming to perform!"
"The Lip-a-whos-ers?" Bunny questioned, as she went through her wallet, to see how much more money she had.
"The Lippezaners. They're a heard of the best-trained Stallions in the world! I've read all about them, and I've always wanted to see them!" Ami said, stars in her eyes.
"Yeah... Too bad they're all sold out..." Rei burst Ami's bubble, as she examined the poster. "See? Sold out."
Ami's shoulders slumped. "What? No...."
"Sorry, Ami. That's the breaks, I guess." Makoto said, placing a hand Ami's shoulder.
"Of course, you could always go over there, and win some tickets." Minako said, as she pointed across the mall, to a stand where a contest was going on.
"What?" Ami spun around to look. "I've got to get some tickets! I simply have to!" She raced across the way, and slammed her hands on the desk where two employees sat. "How much is it for a chance to win the tickets?!" She demanded.
"Ehh.... (Y)500..." The girl said, scooting her chair back a bit, nervous. Ami furiously dug into her purse, to see if she could find the coin... But to no success.
"No! I know I have it here somewhere!" She muttered, and dug deeper.
"Here, Ami. If it means that much to you." Ami was surprised when a hand appeared in front of her face, holding a (Y)500 coin. Looking up, she saw Bunny, smiling happily. "I'm sure you can win."
Ami took the coin, her smiling brightening the room. "Oh, thank you! Thank you Bunny!" She hugged her friend, then turned, and slapped the coin onto the table. "I want a chance to win the tickets!" She demanded, fire in her eyes.
"Ok.... Just, turn the crank... If the Blue marble comes out, you've won one ticket. If the red marble comes out, you've won two tickets. If the green marble comes out, you've won five tickets."
Ami nodded. "Right. Ok, come on green marble!" She said, and began to crank the handle, sending the container spinning.
Rei stared at the container. "Get ready to stop Ami.... Now!"
"Now?"
"NOW!" The psychic girl almost shouted. Ami stopped the crank, and a marble fell out. The five girls gathered around to see.... the red marble!
Bunny blinked. "Red? I thought you were going to go for the green one, so we could all go." She stated, confused.
Rei sighed. "I did have the green one, but Ami hesitated, so that one came out instead..."
Ami wasn't listening. "I won! I won! I won!" She shouted, excited. The guy employee picked up a large bell, and began to ring it.
"We have a winner! We have a winner! Miss, could I get your name, please?"
"My name is Ami! Ami Mizuno! I won! I won!" She began to jump up and down. "I'm going to see the Lippezaners! I won!"
"Yeah... But who are you going to take with?" Makoto questioned.
Ami stopped her celebration. "Um.... Gosh, I don't know.... I guess I do have an extra ticket, don't I?"
"Yeah, you do. So who are you going to take?" Minako asked, seeing Makoto's point.
Ami tilted her head, thinking. "Well.... I don't know... It wouldn't be fair to just take one of you, and leave the rest, would it?"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Ami. We don't care who you pick." Bunny said, still smiling. "Of course, it was my (Y)500 that gave you the chance to win."
Rei then jumped in. "Yeah, but I was the one who helped her get the winning ball!"
"But I'm the one who spotted the contest in the first place!" Minako protested.
"Well, if it hadn't been for me, she would have never even known the performance was sold out, and might not have been able to have gotten tickets!" Makoto frowned and crossed her arms.
"Guys, guys, calm down!" Ami waved her hands, blushing trying to catch her friends attention. "I think I know of a way that I can do this fairly!"
The four other girls leaned in. "Really? How?!"
"I won't take any of you." She said with a smile. "That way, none of you can feel left out, or more important, see?"
All four of them face faulted, Minako was the first to recover. "Well, if you won't take any of us, who are you going to take then?"
Ami placed a hand on her chin, and looked at the ceiling, thinking. "Well.... I could take my mom.... Or I could take Az!"
Rei raised an eyebrow. "Az? Are you sure she's ready for something like that... I mean.... You know...."
Ami nodded. "Yeah, I know... But it might do her good to get out, you know? I'll talk to her doctor."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Azrielle was sitting on the bed in the room that the hospital was renting her, shoulders slumped, looking at a picture of her family. Sighing to herself, she pushed it under her pillow, and went to look out the window.
Her family had never been perfect. Her parents had always been in a constant state of flux, getting separated, coming back together, and separating again. She and Karl had been tossed around in that for as long as she could remember.
Karl had never been a very good brother. He had always been mean and nasty and cruel. She could clearly remember when she was five, and he had taken her favorite pet goldfish out of the bowl, and dangled it out of her reach, while it suffocated to death. There had been other incidents like that, but she had never guessed that he had been into Satanic Worship, until...
Shaking her head, she tried to stand at the window, and just enjoy the view, but the same thought kept drifting back to her.
You don't miss them.
That's not true. I do miss them.
Not as much as you should. Your parents were never around anyway, so what's to miss right?
Wrong. They are... were... my parents.
Sure. And Karl. Karl was always mean. You don't miss his abuse, do you?
But he was my brother!
But you don't miss him. Any of them. You miss the old woman the least. She was dead anyway. Mentally, at least. And she was so OLD... She didn't have much time left.
Stop it...
Just get on with your life already. So you don't miss them. Big deal. They wouldn't have missed you, ether.
"Ms. Abyss? You have a visitor." The orderly's voice came as a surprise, and Az spun around.
"Uh, Hi, Az. How's it going?" Ami asked, shyly, stepping around the large orderly, who remained in the doorway.
Az smiled brightly. "Ami! I'm so glad to see you. I've been so lonely!"
"Oh, well, I tried to get into see you earlier, but the Doctors said..."
Az shook her head. "The doctors are stupid. I'm almost better now, though. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Everyone's really worried about you. I brought some gifts." She held up a canvas bag.
"This is from Mamoru.... It's a music box... See?" She held up the small device, and turned the key, and it began to tinker out a tune. "And this is from me." She handed Az a snow globe. "I thought you might like it... It's got snow, and it plays "Walkin' in a Winter Wonder Land", and, you know, I thought they might remind you of.... Your friends."
Az took the snow globe, and shook it, sending the white particles within to storm on the tiny house inside. "Oh, Ami.... Thank you..."
"And, um, this last one is from Minako, Makoto Bunny and Rei." She held up the tickets. "It's tickets to the Lippezaners Stallions performance. They're hoping that you can come out for an evening with me, and enjoy the show."
Az's eyes lit up. "I'd love to come! I've been feeling so cramped up in here... I always prefer nature to being indoors." Suddenly, her smile dimmed. "But will the Doctors let me out?" She whirled around to face the orderly. "I want to speak to my Doctor right now!" She demanded. The orderly nodded, and left to find her doctor.
"Oh... Did you have to yell at him like that, Az?" Ami asked, slightly embarrassed for her friend.
"Yes, I did. Nobody here will listen to you, unless you practically scream it at them." She grumbled.
They waited for about a minute, talking on various subjects, before Az's doctor arrived.
"I heard that you needed to talk to me?" He said, with a smile, as he entered.
"Yes. My friend Ami here wants to take me to see the Lippezaner show, and I need you to clear my pass out." Az explained
The doctor frowned. "I don't know, Azrielle. We still have a lot of ground to cover... What if you have a break down in the middle of the evening, and your friend can't reach a phone?"
"My mother's a doctor, and I'm studying to be one when I grow up. I've handled worse than a nervous break down before." Ami volunteered.
"And I'm positive that a change of scenery, and some fresh air would do me some good." Az reinforced their argument.
The doctor wavered. "Aren't you getting enough fresh air in the courtyard?" He questioned.
"Oh sure, but I prefer free fresh air, as apposed to penned fresh air." Az explained, a slight annoyance in her voice.
The doctor sighed, and thought about it for a moment. "I'm not sure...."
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeaasssseeeeeeee?" The two girls whined in unison.
Rolling his eyes up into his head with another sigh, the Doctor smiled. "Ok, fine. What the heck, right? If you think it'll help you."
"Oh, it will... It definitely will!" Az hugged her doctor, surprising him. "Oh, Thank you!"
Ami smiled. "The performance is tomorrow night, starting at six. I'll pick you up around five, then, ok?"
"Sounds good."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The evening was proceeding wonderfully. Haruka had insisted on driving the two girls, although she wouldn't say why (Ami was pretty sure she knew why, though). They had wonderful seats, and could see every jump, kick, leap and swish of the head or tail the beautiful horses made. The show was almost over, and the horses and their trainers were taking their bows. Az and Ami clapped and cheered wildly from the stands.
"Ami, I'm having the best time of my life! I'm so glad you invited me." Az exclaimed to Ami, as the horses were lead back to their stables.
Ami smiled, as they stood up. "Don't thank me, Thank Bunny and Minako, and Rei and Makoto. They're the ones who really made this possible."
"Well, then, I will. What a wonderful evening this has been!" Az stated, while they filed into the aisle of the stands. "Oh, look! One of the trainers is talking to people over the fence. Let's go see if we can get our two cents in!" Az exclaimed, as she pointed out a very handsome trainer, who was leaning against the fence.
"Yeah, sure, I'm game." The two made their way down, and by the time they arrived, most of the other people that had been talking to him had left.
"Hi, girls. Did you enjoy the show? My name's Ceen." The man asked, his foreign accent even thicker than Az's. He had sparkling blue eyes, and thick black hair cut to the nape of his neck. His chin was square, and he had dimples.
"Oh, definitely. I loved how your horses could do all those tricks, and they were just so beautiful!" Az exclaimed.
"How long does it take for you to train them?"
"Oh, well... It really depends on the horse. Some horses are just better than others." Ceen said, smiling. He had perfect teeth.
"He's so gorgeous! And none of the other girls are here to steal his attention!" Ami thought to herself, as she was overcome by his looks.
"Hey, I don't suppose that you two would be interested in coming back to the stables to get a first hand look at them. I don't normally do that, but you two seem nice enough."
"Would we?!" Az and Ami chorused together.
Ceen smiled again. "Come right this way then." He lead them to a gate, and opened it for them. Then the three of them walked back to where the stables were. He unlocked and healed the door, allowing the two girls to enter before him.
It was dark in the stables. Very dark. And quiet.
"Uh, Ceen? Why's it so dark in here? Where are the lights?" Ami called, into the darkness. She couldn't even see her hand in front of her face.
"Where'd you go?" Az called. Her hands were making a large circle, feeling the air like a blind person, when they bumped into Ami. "Oh, Ami, there you are. What's going on here? Where are the horses? And the trainers?"
"I'm over here, girls!" Ceen's voice suddenly echoed from the far end of the stables. "I want to show you our best horse. He's down here... Come on, just follow the sound of my voice!"
"Couldn't you, um, turn on the lights, or something?" Ami called, hesitantly.
"Naw. The horses need the dark after a performance to relax them. Come on, just listen to the sound of my voice, and aim for it. It's like playing Marco Polo. This way.... come on!" His handsome voice was filling the room.
Az grabbed on to Ami's arm. Her touch was icy cold. "Ami.... I don't like this... It doesn't feel right... Let's go, ok?"
"You're right. Ceen? We're going to leave now. It's scary in here, and we feel uncomfortable. Sorry." Ami called into the darkness. In the silence, her voice was thrown back at her, echoing off of a million surfaces.
"Oh, alright then. Think you can find the door?" His voice taunted.
"What do you mean? It's right here!" Az shouted back, as she flung her hand out to grab the handle..... And touched nothing but air. "What? It was right here! We haven't moved that much, have we, Ami?"
"No... Let me see if I can find it..." Ami began feeling the air, hoping to find anything, but touched nothing but air. Angry, she shouted, "Ceen, you let us out, right now!"
"I'll tell you what... No." He laughed. "Maybe if you can find me.... I'll turn on the lights... But this is much more fun."
"Az! Link arms with me. I don't want to get separated..." Ami murmured to the American girl.
"Right." Ami felt Az's hand touch her shoulder, and then slide down to her elbow, where in she linked her arm. "There. Now... Let's get out of here!"
Both girls reached out, hoping to find something with their free arm. And while Ami's attempts remained fruitless, Az's did not.
"Ami! I think I found something!" Az directed Ami's hands to what she was touching. Whatever it was, it was warm... And breathing.
"I think it's a horse." Ami commented, as her hands explored along the creature's back. As she felt up to where the neck and head should be, she received a nasty surprise.
Az heard her gasp. "What is it, Ami? What's wrong?"
"It... it... It's.... It's a....." She stammered, not believing what her hands were telling her.
"Congratulations, girls, you found me! So, as promised, I'll turn on the lights."
The room was flooded with light, temporally blinding the girls. As their eyes adjusted, both gasped, and took a step back. It was Ceen all right. But he was different.
"Surprised?" He arched an eyebrow, and smiled.
"You're a centaur!" Azrielle gasped.
Ceen smiled. "And the blond gets a cigar!" His head was the same as before, with the one exception of his ears, which were now pointed. His clothing was gone, so he was bare chested. At his waist, he blended into horse. That part of his body was powerful looking, and covered with red fur. His long black tail twitched. "I must say that you both fell for this trap marvelously. And the energy I'm going to take from you... Well... Master Leon will be most pleased with me."
"B-but what happened to all the real horses and trainers?" Ami stammered.
"All and illusion, made up by Copi. And all you foolish humans fell for it. Your kind is so gullible." He smirked, crossing his arms.
"Leon? Copi? Who are they? And what's this all about?!" Az demanded.
"Oh, well it's very simple, you see. My name's Ceen Tear, and I'm on a mission, from my Master, Leon, to collect energy, for his master and ruler. You two have some of the most fine looking energy I've seen in a very long time." He trotted up to Azrielle, leaning over to put a powerful arm around her shoulders. "Also, if I'm correct, my presence should flush out the Sailor Scouts. And when they show up, I will kill them. If they don't, I'll still get your energy, however, so it's a win-win situation for me."
"No! You can't do that!" Az shouted, trying to free herself from Ceen Tear. "The Sailor Scouts are good! They saved me before, and I won't let you hurt them!"
"Let her go, you jerk!" Ami beat her fists against the kagemusha's horse back. He turned to face her, not releasing Az, with an annoyed look on his face.
"Oh, do shut up." he flicked his hand so it was at a right angle from his arm, and released a wave of negative energy, that hit Ami square on. She flew through the air, and finally hit the ground, pain flooding her body.
"AMI!" Az screamed. Struggling against Ceen Tear's strength, she finally managed to loosen one arm, and she began to wave it frantically in the air, but not to get him away. Instead, ice crystals began to form and grow. Quickly, they became snowflakes, that began to swirl around her body.
"What's going on?!" Ceen Tear screamed, rearing up on his hind legs, releasing Az.
Ami took the moment that they were both distracted to contact the other scouts. "Everyone! A kagemusha's attacking, and I can't transform! Help! I'm in the stables!" She hurriedly sent the message, and the returned her attention to the battle, and trying to get up. Her body ached, and would rather stay still.
Az was still focusing, the snowflakes whirling. Suddenly, they left her, and began to circle that fell between Ami and Ceen Tear. Then they began to grow again, until they had turned into a small group of Bisetsu.
Ami gasped at seeing them again, and as she did, her breath was caught in her throat at the sudden drop in temperature.
Ceen Tear looked in amazement at the Bisetsu. "That explains why your energy is so strong. You're a witch!" He cried out, grinning.
"I am not!" Az shouted back. She staggered. Summoning this many Bisetsu was very draining, in the summer months. "Bisetsu, cover us!" she shouted, as she fell to her knees.
The ice men nodded, and chorused to one another as they formed a wall made of thick magical ice around Ami, and another around Az.
"You think this will stop me, witch?!" Ceen tear shouted. He reared up, and slammed his front hooves against Ami's wall, cracking it. The Bisetsu immediately repaired the crack.
Az gasped, inside her ice protection. She had never done anything like this before in her life... And it was taking quite a toll on her. She coughed, and looked out where Ceen Tear was smashing his hooves and fists repeatedly against Ami's wall. She couldn't keep this protection up much longer. The ice men slowly began to return to snowflakes, and dissolved away. As they did, Ami's Ice shield began to crack and break.
Ceen Tear laughed. "Ha! I told you that wouldn't work!" With one final kick, the ice shattered, and Ami was exposed.
"No! Ami!" Az screamed, as the last of her shield melted away with her Bisetsu. She ran, and threw her body in front of Ami, and received a kick in the chest from Ceen Tear's hooves for her efforts.
"Az... No, run away! Save yourself, I can handle it!" Ami pleaded, as she tried to stand.
Ceen Tear laughed out loud, his laugh echoing around them. "This is it, girlies."
"Hold it right there!" a voice suddenly echoed, as natural light cascaded into the room. Six silhouettes could be also be seen, posing in the doorway.
Sailor Mars stepped forward. "With the blessings of Mars, the planet of war, the Sailor Scout of fire; the Passionate Fighter, Sailor Mars!"
"With the Blessing of Pluto, the Planet of the Underworld, the Sailor Scout of Time; the Reformation Fighter, Sailor Pluto!" The tall green haired woman was standing farthest to the right.
"With the blessings of Neptune, the planet of the seas, the Sailor Scout of the depths; the Elegant Fighter, Sailor Neptune!" She stood next to Sailor Pluto.
"With the blessings of Uranus, the planet of wind, the Sailor Scout of the Heavens; The Magnificent Fighter, Sailor Uranus!" She held her Space Sword at a ready position, standing slightly in front of Sailor Neptune.
"For love and justice, a pretty solder in a sailor suit, Sailor Moon!" She stood fully in front of everyone else. Tuxedo mask stood behind her, saying nothing, but looking dashing. Luna was standing between Sailor Moon's legs, her fur standing on end. "We are the Sailor Scouts, and we shall punish you!" Sailor Moon finished.
"The only one who's going to get punished around here is you, Sailor Moon. Take a hike, before I decide to kill these two humans.
"I think not! You're out numbered, incase you couldn't tell." Sailor Uranus spoke up. "Give up, and Sailor Moon can purify you."
"Never!" Ceen Tear shouted. "And you idiots have walked right into my trap! Hell Stallions attack!" Out of the still dark corners came Hell Stallions, with jet-black fur, flaring nostrils, and blood red eyes. There were easily twenty of them. Ceen Tear smirked. "Now who's out numbered?" Ceen Tear trotted over to head his army of Hell Stallions. When he did, Tuxedo mask took the opportunity to leap to where Az and Ami were still on the ground. Luna leapt upon his shoulder, and came with.
"Ami! Azrielle! Are you two alright?" He questioned.
"I'm fine... I just can't.. Move very well, that's all." Ami explained.
"Hell Stallions ATTACK!" Ceen Tear ordered the wild creatures, and they swarmed the scouts.
"Tuxedo mask, you've got to help them!" Ami cried out.
"No. Not until you and Azrielle are safe. How are you?" He asked Az, as she clutched her chest.
"He kicked me.... It hurts, but nothing's broken, I think." She gasped out.
"Here, let me help." Tuxedo Mask placed a hand on each of them, and began to heal them.
Meanwhile the battle was raging between the Hell Stallions and the Scouts.
"Dead.... Scream." Sailor Pluto silently commanded her attack to come forth, and aimed it at the nearest Hell Stallion. It bucked in pain, and turned to face her, nostrils flaring. It charged her, and as it did, Sailor Pluto scowled. "Get back to Hell!" She snarled, and bashed her staff down over the Hell Stallions skull, with a sickening crunch. The horse, distracted by the blow to the head, ran into a wall, and broke it's neck, and then disappeared in to a cloud of smoke. Sailor Pluto didn't notice. She was already busy with another Hell Stallion.
Sailors Neptune and Uranus were fighting back to back, playing off each other to confuse the five Hell Stallions that had surrounded them.
"Neptune! Lets take it UP a notch!" Sailor Uranus shouted, as Sailor Neptune used Uranus's laced hands a step, and shot into the air. Once in the air, she turned to face the ground.
"Deep Submerge!" She shouted, firing off the huge wave towards Sailor Uranus.
At the same time, Sailor Uranus fired off her own attack at Sailor Neptune. "World... Shaking!" The wave met the concentrated ball of manna half way between the scouts, and the water sprayed out, forming a perfect circle, spraying the Hell Stallions that surrounded the two, but completely missing Sailor Uranus. World Shaking dissolved as it fought against the on rush of the wave, and had disintegrated to nothing by the time it reached Sailor Neptune.
"Burning... Mandala!" Sailor Mars shouted, firing her attack directly at a Hell Stallion that was attacking Sailor Moon, who had been knocked over. It screamed in pain, and dissolved. Rushing over, Sailor Mars helped Sailor Moon up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine! Let's keep going!" Sailor Moon said with a smile, as she brought out her scepter.
"Righ- Ah!" Sailor Mars went flying, as a Hell Stallion kicked her into a wall.
"Mars! No!" It was Sailor Moon's turn to rush over. As she did, she heard a scream of pain coming from one of the others. Turning, she saw that three Hell Stallions had ganged up on Sailor Pluto. Two of them were holding ether end of her staff, to prevent her from using it. She was hanging on to it, refusing to let go, and the third Hell Stallion was kicking her.
"Sailor Moon! Help!" Her attention was drawn by Sailor Neptune's cry. Sailor Uranus's sword was stuck in the ribs of a fallen Hell Stallion, and she couldn't pull it out. It was all Sailor Neptune could do to keep the rest of the Hell Stallions at bay.
"Moon... Spiral.... Heart.... ATTACK!" Sailor Moon finally managed to attack, aiming for the Hell Stallions that were harassing Sailors Neptune and Uranus. As she did, Sailor Uranus finally managed to pull her sword free, as the Hell Stallions finally died, disappearing in clouds of smoke.
Meanwhile, to the side of the battle, Tuxedo mask finally let his hand slide from Ami and Az, gasping. It was hard work to heal two people at once!
"Finished!" He gasped, opening his eyes to see his patients. When he did, his eyes grew large as he looked at Azrielle.
She was looking at her chest, where she had been kicked. "I feel better now than I have in a long time... Thank you, Tuxedo Mask!"
"L-l-l-luna! Ami!" Tuxedo Mask stuttered. "Look!" They did. And when they did, they both gaped.
Azrielle Abyss had a signal shining on her forehead.
Luna was the first to speak. "Titan!"
"What?" All three humans looked at her, confused.
Luna did a back flip. As she touched earth again, a strange looking Henshin appeared. It looked like a perfectly symmetrical snowflake, only with one crystal branch extended as a place to grab it. In the center of the snowflake was a treble clef. "Azrielle! Pick it up!" Luna commanded.
"What?" Az looked confused. This was the first time a cat had spoken directly to her, and had given her an order, even.
Ami snatched up the Henshin before it could get damaged. "Az! You're a Sailor Scout!"
"But I can't be!" Az protested.
"Trust me, you are." Ami reassured her, trying to force the Henshin into her tightly closed hands. "You've got to transform!"
"I don't know how!" She cried out.
"Speaking of transformation, Ami, I think they could use your help out there. You can transform freely, now that Az is a scout, too." Tuxedo Mask commented, as he raced out to join the battle.
"What was that all about?" Az asked frantically.
"I'm a Sailor Scout, too!" Ami said quickly. "Watch. This is how it's done." She stood up, and summoned her henshin to her hand. "Mercury Planet Power... Make UP!"
Az watched in amazement as Ami's body was surrounded by water, light, bubbles and other various aquatic things. "S.... Sailor Mercury!?"
"That's right. Ami is Sailor Mercury. And you are Sailor Titan. You've got to transform and help the others!" Luna explained quickly.
Sailor Mercury looked sadly at Az. "I wanted to tell you...." She said, and then ran into the fray. The scouts were winning again, but it was still anyone's call. There were still about seven Hell Stallions, and after that, they had Ceen Tear to deal with.
"Az, if you don't fight, the fate of the world could be at stake. Please, transform!" Luna pleaded with the girl.
"But I already said, I don't know how!"
"Hold the henshin, and say the first thing that comes to your mind. It can be a bit mind boggling at first, but you can do it, I know you can!" Luna explained.
Az picked up the henshin, and stared at it, her face reading a wide range of emotions. Finally it hardened into determination. "For Ami... She helped me out, and now I've got to help her out." She stood up, and thrust the henshin directly into the air in front of her. Her face read blank for only a second before she shouted, "Season of Cold, Make UP!"
Snowflakes began to fall, as she drew a circle in the air with her henshin, creating a plate of see through ice. Spinning around to the left, she ended with arms at side, head up towards the sealing, as the ice cracked into a floury of snowflakes. Half of the snowflakes pressed on to her body, creating the main body for a fuku. The others became Bisetsu, which dressed her left and right arms and legs. As they finished tying her bows, they burst into snowflakes, and Sailor Titan posed, with her left arm pointing out.
After her transformation was complete, Sailor Titan looked down at herself, surprised. She was wearing the traditional Sailor Fuku. The bow on her chest, and the one on her back were both white, along with the trim of her uniform. The rest of the uniform was black. She was wearing knee high pointed boots, like Sailor Moon, or Sailor Mercury, and the jewel in her tiara and her choker were both black. Her gloves only reached up to her elbow, and she was still wearing her black musical note earrings.
Her only comment was, "Woah!"
"Ok, Sailor Titan, go help the others!" Luna instructed, jumping on the new Scout's shoulder. "I'll help you with your attacks!"
Sailor Titan nodded, and turned to face the battle. There were only five Hell Stallions left. One of them had cornered Sailor Mercury.
"Shine... Aqua... ILLUSION!" Mercury threw her arms out, spraying the Hell Stallion. It snorted and screamed, but managed to withstand the attack.
"Cat! How do I attack?" Sailor Titan desperately asked, turning her head to face Luna.
"My name's Luna, and...." Luna thought for a moment, trying to remember all she could about Sailor Titan, but her memory had so many holes! "Um, Try..."
"Play your Keyboard!" Both Luna and Sailor Titan turned to look at Sailor Pluto, who was using her Staff as a club and a sword, keeping a Hell Stallion away from Sailor Mars, who was down for the count. "Check your memory, and will your keyboard to come forth!" She shouted, as she almost connected with a Hell Stallion's head.
Sailor Titan nodded, and closed her eyes. Luna quickly jumped from her shoulder, not wanting to interfere with whatever it was that Sailor Titan was doing. Her arms, which were limp at her sides, suddenly raised into the air, her chin tilting up also, as if she was looking at the ceiling. She crossed her arms above her head, and then spread them wide again, and as she did, and arc of shimmering, ice blue light formed between her hands. She held it there for a moment, before bringing her arms back down, bringing the arc with them. When her hands reached waist level, the arc of light solidified into a keyboard, made of ice, which hovered directly in front of her. Opening her eyes, Az looked at the keyboard in surprise.
"I did that?!" She shouted.
"Right, now attack with it!" Luna commanded. "Use the same technique you used to summon the keyboard. Think back, and will an attack."
Titan bit her lip, nervous. Then she began her attack. As she crossed her arms across her chest, Egyptian style, with the right wrist over the left, she called out her attack.
"Note... Bombardation!"
The keyboard began to glow, and her right hand flew out, and she began to play a rapid succession of notes, her left hand quickly following suit. The pattern was E flat, C E flat, G, C, E flat, D, C, B natural, G, B natural, D, G, F, E flat, D, E flat, C, E flat, G, C, E flat, D, C, D, C, B natural, A natural, G, F, E flat, D. Then it would repeat it self, moving quickly up the keyboard. She was playing 'Solfeggio in C Minor'.
For every note she hit, a musical note would fly out of the keyboard, made of blue ice, and hover in the air for a moment, before soaring through the air, and striking the Hell Stallion that was attacking Ami. It literally was a bombardation of musical notes. The Hell Stallion reared up, screaming in pain, trying to kick the notes out of the air, and he succeeded in knocking down a few, but most hit their target. It was only a moment before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Even though the Hell Stallion that was attacking Sailor Mercury was gone, Sailor Titan continued to play. Notes whizzed through the air, surrounding the Hell Stallions, and successfully ridding the area of the remaining four. Only when they were gone, did she stop playing. Her Keyboard remained hovering in front of her.
There was silence in the room for a moment. Then, Ceen Tear, who had been watching the battle from a safe distance, shattered it. "I don't believe it! Another Scout?!"
Sailor Titan's head snapped around to glare at Ceen Tear. "That's right. I'm Sailor Titan, Sailor Scout of Winter and Music. And in the name of the Great Mother, Gaea, and her Changing seasons, I'll freeze you over!"
Ceen Tear smirked. "I don't think so. You're new and inexperienced. So just you try it!" He reared up on his hind legs, and as he did, his tail grew to a great length, the hairs sneaking out, and grabbing Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask, who were the closest.
"Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Moon cried out.
"Mercury!" Sailor Titan's eyes went wide. Then, a look of extreme anger came over her face. "Don't touch her! She's my friend!"
Ceen Tear laughed, as his tail constricted Sailor Mercury's and Tuxedo Mask's breath. "Or what?"
"Ahh!" Sailor Mercury clawed at her neck, trying to breath. Tuxedo mask's arms were pined to his side, and he was struggling to free himself.
"Or this!" Az darted across the room, her key board moving with her, dodging the hairs that Ceen Tear tried to grab her with, until she stood in front of him. Scowling, she reached up, and touched his chest. Upon the contact, Ice spread from her hand, freezing him in place. As the ice traveled down his chest, down his legs, he became stuck to the spot.
Sailor Titan turned to Sailor Moon. "Quick! Get rid of him, Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon nodded. "Right." Lifting the Moon Scepter into the air, she waved it about, calling out her attack. "Moon... Spiral... Heart... ATTACK!" Sugar-pink hearts flew from her rod, and there was a moment of silence, before Ceen Tear was hit, dead on, and destroyed.
Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask fell to the ground, gasping for air, but alive.
"Titan," Sailor Moon turned, after helping Tuxedo Mask up, "we need to talk."