She crouched down behind a sign so that she couldn't be seen and watched as Jupiter went by. "That was close." She was really feeling the ache in her side now and decided that it would be safer to rest for a few minutes before going back to the hotel.
The little girl had loosened her grip as was looking at Sere intently. She had light pink eyes with a hint of silver. "Momma!" she cried before burying her face once again in Sere's neck. 'Momma? She couldn't have just called me momma.'
"Little one do you think you can walk?" Sere asked struggling to stand up.
There were a few sniffles before she looked up and nodded. "Ok when I get us down from here, will you walk for a little while?" Once again there was a nod. Eclipse smiled, and tightened her grip on the little girl and jumped down into a waiting alley. There she sat the little girl down and untransformed. She was back in the clothes that she had changed into after the concert, a pair of light blue hipster jeans and a black lace shirt, her boots where also black. Around her neck now was a pendant formed of rainbow moonstone with a crescent moon done in silver.
She set the little girl down and noticed that her clothes had changed as well, instead of black she was now in a crimson skirt with a white top, they both had pink and silver trim, and her shoes were white with a silver buckle. Her hair wasn't down any more but was pulled back half way and held by a rainbow burette.
She held her hand and waited for the little girl to take it. When she did Sere gave it a small reassuring squeeze. "Let's head back to where I'm staying. I'm pretty sure at least one of the guys is back by now, and the others will be shortly." They walked a little way in silence before they had to duck into an alleyway to avoid and very ticked off Mars. The pain in her side was increasing and she knew that they had to get back soon.
"What's your name?" Sere asked trying to lighten the mood and thinking that if they talked that they would be there sooner.
"Emily Serena." She answered politely like she had been taught. About that time she let out a big yawn and stumbled slightly, she looked up at Sere for a moment, then let her hand go and held her arms up.
Sere smiled and leaned down and picked her up. "I guess you've had a long day haven't you?"
Rini nodded and laid her head down on her shoulder. Before long she was sleeping. A short time later Sere was stumbling and still wasn't near her hotel. She sat down at one of the benches she passed and adjusted Rini so that she was laying across her lap.
'This is some mess you've gotten your self into. You don't even know where you are let alone how to get back.' These thoughts and similar ones were running through her mind as she looked around. Then the idea hit her that she may be able to reach the guys.
'Kaz, Nate, Jag, Zane, any of you, can you hear me?' She called searching for them. When no answer came she began to get worried. It had always worked before. 'Guys if you're there answer me.' She practically yelled in her head.
'Sere, trouble…hotel…help…' it sounded like Zane's voice but she couldn't be sure. But they were in trouble she had to get there, fast. There was no one on the street so she sat the little girl down and transformed with a thought. Her side was beginning to feel better now, she bent down to pick the little girl back up and noticed that her clothes had changed to what she had been wearing when Sere caught her. Making sure she had a good grip on the little girl she once again took to the rooftops. Even by way of the roofs it still took a while for her to get there.
During that time she thought about calling for the scouts and had just about decided against it until she saw the carnage. Kaz was supporting a beaten up Nate while Jag and Zane lay unconscious on the ground. It was then that she broke down and searched with in her heart for the link with scouts. Even if she had to let them know who she was, if it meant saving the guys she would do it.
After a couple of minutes of looking she found it. Buried deep down in her heart where she had banished her tears. * Sailor Scouts! * She yelled through her mind and some how managed to disguise her voice. The response that came where surprised * Trouble…Landmark hotel…get there NOW! * She ordered. She barely had time to receive their answers before she once again pushed the link down.
'Kaz…listen to me give me time to put the little girl down I'll be right there.'
'NO! Keep her with you they are looking for her. They can't find her if she is in contact with you.'
'Damn. The scouts are on the way. I can't let you fight alone.'
'Do whatever but keep her safe!' With that he broke the connection with her and focused on the monster.
Sailor Eclipse adjusted the little girl so that she had one arm was free. After making sure that the guys were out of range she attacked. "Moon Beam ECLIPSE!" She yelled and focused the power from the attack at the yoma that seemed to be the leader. If ugliness was anything to go by, then that thing had it in the bag. It was about eight feet tall and was the most striking white, it mover like a giant spider but only on four legs. Its head was shaped like a football and it's arms, well she wasn't even sure where they were.
At the moment that her attack hit there was some more fired.
"JUPITER THUNDER… CRASH!"
"MARS CELESTIAL FIRE… SURROUND!"
"SHABBON… SPRAY!"
"VENUS LOVEING CHAIN… ENCIRLE!"
"EROS LIGHTNING…BLAZE!"
"JOVE LIGHTNING… CRASH!"
Their attacks hit the yomas at the same time. They had focused on one of the lesser ones and it had been destroyed. That left four more. Plus what looked to be three piles of dust. There was no time for introductions this time as soon as the dust had settled form the last attack the monstrosities attacked full force.
She set the little girl down so that she was lying at her feet still with in range to grab her and run if she had to. "Fine want to play rough, we'll play rough." She said to herself before calling down to Kaz who was the only Eclipse Knight left standing. "EROS! On my three let us the sword!" He gave no indication that he had heard her.
"FALLING…" one "STAR…" two "CASCADE!" three.
"EROS…LIGHTNING…SWORD!" when they reached three they each simultaneously let their attacks go. The dust cleared and the thing was still standing.
There was a gasp of shock from the Scouts; they had felt the power building was shocked to see that the thing was still standing. Eros sank to a knee with his head resting on the hilt of his sword. "EROS!" she started to take a step toward the edge of the roof when his head shot up and his gray eyes flashed, looking directly at her. In her mind came his words. 'Do NOT move from that roof and that little girl. I'm fine just weak. The guys are fine too. We each have some power left. We can send it to out to the scouts. Just tell them to call on the name of us and ask to use our power. We will be fine. Don't worry.' As he said that he fell the rest of the way to the ground.
"Damn I can't yell at them to do it." With one look at the little girl that was lying at her feet she quickly opened the link back up between them. Mars was going to be furious by this.
'Sailor Scouts if you can hear me please respond.' She was close to begging.
'Where are you show your self.' This obviously came from Mars.
'That can wait Mars. To defeat that thing you must have more power.'
'What do we need to do?' Mercury asked as Mars and Jupiter let another attack go.
'First of all get the two hot heads to quite making that thing mad. Then jump to one of the roof tops.' She waited while they did as she had said.
'Ok now what?'
'Do you see the four Knight?'
'Yes.' The reply came from all of them.
'Venus with Eros, Jupiter with Jove, Mercury with Diomedes, and Mars with Deimos. Ok now focus all your thoughts on connecting with their minds. Once you've done that then ask them to lend their powers to you.' She hoped that it worked.
Mercury was the first able to do this and was the first done. 'I've heard of this being done before but for it to work someone must lend their power to the leader of the group. You are the one giving orders in essence you are the leader.' Her question she left unspoken and Sere knew what is was. There was no one left for her to bond with and so this would probably fail. But they had to try it. She didn't answer her and blocked the link so that they wouldn't be able to hear her. She focused on the energy from the silver and black Moon.
She was gathering the energy when she felt a tug on her pants; she looked down into the eyes of a very scared child. The little girl was pointing to where the monster was getting ready to throw an attack at the Scouts while they were venerable. She could not let that happen.
"TOTAL ECLIPSE!" She shouted her attack for the main reason of getting the things attention. The silver moon suddenly turned black and a beam of swirling silver and black light came zooming towards the monster. It caught the thing off guard and sent it flying to one of the buildings. With that done it was likely that she didn't have enough power for the one that the scouts would need. But she had to try.
Once again she looked down to where the little girl was kneeling. "Stay behind me and keep a hold of the bottom of my pants, what ever happens don't let go." The little girl quickly crawled behind her and did as she was told.
With that dome she began once again to focus her energy. Pulling it from sources she didn't know she had. She knew she didn't have quite enough. But knew that it would have to do. Everyone was fully powered as they began their attacks.
"MERCURY FREEZING WATER CYCLONE!"
"MARS RAGING WILD FIRE!"
"JUPITER LIGHTNING STORM!"
"VENUS BURNING CHAIN!"
"LUNAR BLINDING ECLIPSE!" Unbeknownst to Sere Tuxedo Mask near by and had some how sent her his powers.
The attacks stroke the monster at the same time and unfortunately blasted half the building as well. Eclipse sank to her knees feeling drained and watched as the dust cleared, giving her time to regain some of the spent energy. When visibility was back there stood a very irritated yoma. It didn't look like the thing had a scratch on him.
"No…"
"You cannot defeat me. Give me the kid and I'll be gone." The other girls looked confused. Rini had climbed around so that she was sitting in front of Eclipse and the look on her face was one of pure terror.
"You…you won't let that thing have me, will you?"
Sere looked into the little girls eyes. "I promised you I wouldn't let anything happen to you. And I won't. I will die before something does." She vowed. And began to stand. Once she was on her feet she responded to the yoma. "You will not take her. I am her guardian and there is no way you will get her. I am Sailor Eclipse, your worst nightmare."
She stood tall and proud, the wind blowing her hair around her like a banner. Slowly her pants and top faded into a Sailor Fuku resembling Sailor Moon's but the colors where black with five different colored strips.
The silver moon was once again visible as she resumed her speech, giving the others time to power back up and hoping that the Knights would wake up soon enough to help, not that they already hadn't done enough. "You have done enough damage here, and for that you will be punished. Scouts attack one after another, once the attack from one has been launched then next in line launch the next, keep doing it that way until I say stop."
"FALLING STAR CASCADE!"
"JUPITUER THUNDER CRASH!"
"MARS FIRE IGNITE!"
"VEUNS CRESCENT BEAM SMASH!"
"MERCURY ICICLE BLAST!"
After two rounds of this new attacks were added to theirs.
"TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE!"
"MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!"
"JUITER OAK REVELOTION!"
"MERCURY AQUA RASHPODY!
"VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!"
"EROS LIGHTNIGN BLAZE!"
"JOVE LITHNING CRASH!"
"DIOMEDES FROZEN LIGHTNING!"
"DEIMOS ROARING LIGHTNING!"
Along with the attacks there came a shower of crystal roses. The combined power of the attacks were finally enough to defeat the yoma. Tuxedo Mask joined the Scouts on their roof, while the Knights joined Eclipse. When they reached the roof Eclipse was now on her knees in exhaustion with the little girl clinging to her and looking very frightened. 'What a night. I haven't had to do this for five years.'
She looked up as the guys came near. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get here sooner." She said her apology.
"Don't worry about it. The thing surprised us and we didn't have time to call you. But you kept the little girl safe that's all that matters right now." Jag said offering her a hand up which gladly accepted and climbed to her feet with the little girl still clinging to her neck.
"I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you. And I won't. Are you guys ok?"
"Yeah just drained. Nothing a good nights sleep won't fix."
"That's going to be the problem."
"Huh? How is that going to be a problem?"
Sere motioned behind them and when they turned the hotel that they were staying at was half way town down. The look on the guys' faces was remarkable. It was about that time that they heard a commotion behind them.
"Don't you ever give up Mars?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
"No, we want to know who you are. What the kid has to do with everything. And what we are up against. You seem to have the answers."
"You already know who we are, we shouldn't have to go through that again. I don't know what she has to do with everything, but I will find out. I don't know what we are up against, but it's powerful, you saw how much power we had to use to get rid of the thing. I don't have the answers. If Mercury's computer didn't tell you anything, then we all know the same thing. Nothing."
"Give us the kid, let us protect her."
With this comment Sere, came close to losing it. Handing the little girl to Kaz. She didn't want to let her go, but after a moment of reassuring she went to him. She stepped away from her group her Fuku melting back into the pants. "Listen Mars, for I will only say this once. And I'm already repeating myself. I am her protector. She stays with me, no one takes her. I keep my vows." With the last sentence she shot a pointed look at Tuxedo Mask. "Now do you want to try to take her?" She stressed the word try. It looked like Mars was going to but Jupiter held her back.
Mercury spoke Mars, her voice low. "We are friends here. There is no need to make enemies now." She knew that she was right and kept her mouth shut.
"I also have a question for you." She looked directly at Tuxedo Mask and waited for him to acknowledge her. He did with a nod of his head. "What princess do you protect? And I'll leave that with you to think about."
The Scouts looked on in shock as she asked, while Jag and Nate where barely able to cover the grins that spread to their faces. Before the Scouts could ask anything else they other group was gone. They left silently while they had exchanged glances.
A few alleys away from the Scouts they stopped and un-transformed. Sere taking the little girl back. "Well we've got to head back to the hotel and act like we just got there."
"If they are still there are how were going to explain the kid?" Zane asked.
"Umm…she's my daughter that was staying with a friend of mine for the concert and we just went and picked her up." She thought quickly that being the best one she could come up with.
"Let's hope that works. Next thing is where are we going to stay? We can't stay at the hotel. And we don't know anyone here."
"We'll think of something, for now let's act like we haven't been through anything besides being left at the club." They were a block away from the hotel when Jag asked the next question.
"If you are her mother…then who is her father?"
At his question Sere got an evil smirk on her face, one that he wasn't able to see. "Oh I was thinking that 'Prince Charming' could be her daddy."
"WHAT?! ME? I'm not the right type to be a father…that wouldn't work." His outburst received laughter from the group and a ridiculous look from him.
"The father doesn't have to be here. He could be dead or something. I don't know."
"Or you could get Kaz to play the daddy." Nate added mischievously.
"WHAT?!" Of course this came from Kaz who joined Jag in muttering something under his breath.
"WHAT? And have Mina come after me? I don't think so. I don't want to Goddess of Love to turn into the Goddess of Revenge. Let the people think what they want, but we won't confirm it one way or the other. Does that sound good to you?"
They agreed. They were now in front of the hotel and had to act surprised. Luckily the Scouts weren't around. "Oh this is great, where are we going to stay now?" Jag asked surprised.
The police had blocked the whole area off and they couldn't get in. "Yeah that and how are we going to get our stuff?" Nate chimed in.
"Excuse me officer." Kaz said trying to catch the attention of one of them. When one came over he began to talk to him, "What happened here?"
"It was another one of the yomas."
"Is there anyway we can get anything from there?" He asked while putting an arm around Sere's shoulders. He was hoping to play on the man's sympathy. And it worked.
"Two of you can go in, when we have an escort for you. Get what you need and get out." The officer said gruffly before going to find an escort for them.
"Jag and I will go in. The rest of you get back and see if you can't come up with a place to stay."
A few minutes later they were gone and the three that were left out side backed up to the corner. "Any ideas Sere?"
She shook her head. There was one, but she didn't know if she wanted to go there. "There's my parents, but I don't know how they will react. Then there is an apartment building that always has one open, but they are probably closed being this late, and the other hotels are probably full."
"This is great, we beat the blasted yoma and end up on the street!"
"Nate keep your voice down!" Zane told him. Noticing the looks that a few people shot at them. "We need to get out of here, now."
"We can't go anywhere until Jag and Kaz get back." Sere agreed though. About thirty minutes last they reappeared covered in dust. Each of them was carrying three bags.
"Did you guys come up with a place to stay?" Jag asked.
"We are going to try my parents, but if that doesn't work I'll think of something."
"Ok lead the way."
Kaz walked beside Sere with the rest of the guys behind. The short trip was silent, none of them knowing what to expect. When Sere stopped they stood outside of a two-story white washed house. She was glad that there was a light on downstairs and went up to the door and knocked. There was a few seconds of silence before the door was opened. Sere's heart fell when the door was opened, it wasn't her mother or father or even Sammy. She didn't recognize this girl.
"Can I hope you?" The girl asked.
"I'm sorry I have the wrong house. Sorry to bother you." Sere spoke softly before turning and leaving. Her parents had moved. Now where they were they going to go? "Come one guys, we'll think of something."
By this time they already down the street. "You don't know where else we can go?"
Sere was by this time getting really annoyed with that question. And unfortunately Jag happened to push her past her limits. "JUST BECAUSE I LIVED HERE FIVE YEARS AGO DOESN'T MEAN A THING JAGGER! Things have changed and I don't know this town anymore. Why don't you go see if Rei will let you stay with her for the night?"
In the past five years she had never had an argument with any of the guys. Her patient had been pushed to its limits this night. Rei, why hadn't she thought about it before? The temple maybe by some stroke of luck they could stay at the temple for what remained of the night. With that thought she started walking. The temple wasn't that far from where she used to live. And they all needed some sleep. Her outburst to Jag just proved that. The guys had never seen Sere like that; she was always cool, calm and collected.
A short time later they were climbing the stairs up to the temple. And as they reached the top they stopped and watch the sun rise. The only one that had gotten any sleep last night was the child and only because she was being carried, the rest were worn out.
Rei noticed them before they noticed her. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night, two attacks and another run in with the other group. They had decided to hold the usual meeting later that day when they could all think straight. Darien even said that he would be there.
She watched the group stop at the top of the stairs and watch the sun rise. Rei set the broom she was using down and stepped out of the shade of the overhang and towards them. "Good morning. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I'm Sere. Our hotel was destroyed last night, the police said something about a …uh…yoma attack. I was wondering if the temple had any rooms where they might allow visitors to stay." She was tired and barely standing up straight, the only thing keeping her on her feet was her pride and her will.
"The night is over, why don't you check into another hotel? I'm sure there is one that has a vacancy."
"We've already tried. But thank you anyway." She said before turning and heading back down the stairs. 'Yeah thanks for nothing Rei.'
"Come on Sere it'll be okay. I say we just get back on the plane cancel the rest of our concerts and head back home." Jag suggested helpfully.
"You know right now that sounds good." Nate added.
"Yeah let's just head for the airport. We can get another ticket their and be on our way hopefully before the day is over." Zane added. Kaz nodded in silent agreement.
"Why not? To the air port then." Sere agreed.
AN:
I do know that ~scrolls up to find the right part~ the whole part about them being let into get their stuff DOESN'T happen, but for the sake of the story it happened. Umm…I think that that it all. Thanks for reading it.
