Adventure 18: Akane Makes The Scene
From the last time.....
We were all enjoying what was left of summer vacation when some new enemy attacked Seiya and me. Seiya and I transformed not knowing that the enemy was watching us transform. She name was Kodachi, who was from the Seiya's home planet, and what is was even more shocking was the fact that she was Sailor Magaera, one of the planet's in the system. Kodachi told us that one of the other sailor scouts managed to convict the Kakyuu and threw her in prison. So the entire team had to go to Kinkomu and try to clear up the mess. When we split into groups investigate our group found a girl, Chiyoko, who turned out to be Sailor Alecto. She explained that she was the only scout that had not turned on the princess and as a result of that she had to go into hiding. Later on when Kodachi found us on Kinkomu she fought us but lost after my attack hit her. Then some other girl, named Akane, who took Kodachi away for a "trial", and disappeared.
"Akane?", Suz asked with surprisement, "Who's she?"
"She's Sailor Tisiphone, one of the other scouts in this system.", Yaten answered.
"We also met up with Chiyoko.", Seiya added.
"What? I thought that she would have joined up with the rest of the team.", Taiki said surprised
"No. She's the only one who did not turn on Kakyuu. She looks different than before. She told us that she had to in order to not to get arrested.", Seiya answered.
"Where does she live?", Jen asked.
"She didn't tell us. She said it was better that she did not tell us so that she doesn't risk one of the 'traitors' knowing where she is.", I answered.
"Could she be on her home planet?", Hotaru asked.
"That is a good possibility. If any of you come across her again ask her to come back here so the rest of us can ask her some questions.", Taiki answered thinking if was possible, "Anyway I think we need to tell each other what our groups found today. About Jen's group go first."
"Well at the palace there was a lot of people there but nothing out of the ordinary. It was hard to tell that anyone hadn't notice that someone else was in charge.", Yaten explained.
"I think we also may have found out where Princess Kakyuu is being held, as well. She has to be held in the palace somewhere. We overheard that they give tours of the palace and that today is the tour guides' day off and there will be some tomorrow.", Robert added.
"And what about Meghan's group, did you find anything?", Jen asked.
"There are no apparent strong points except for the palace. However, no one talks against Charlotte or they'll be thrown into prison. The people don't even remember why Princess Kakyuu was thrown into prison since Charlotte never made that clear in the trial.", Suz answered.
"We went to the library to find an article about the trial, we found something but it did not give a clear charge against Kakyuu.", Meghan added to Suz's statement.
"Is that it? Anyone else have anything to add?", Taiki asked the group. No one replied. We had spent an entire day investigating and come up with basically nothing. I thought about how we could possibly sneaking into the palace and talking to Kakyuu, somehow. The good thing that had come out of Kodachi disappearing was the fact that no one knew neither Seiya's nor my own scout identity.
"I take it no one else has anything to say. As a group we can go out to dinner or stay here. It doesn't even matter if we want to split up for dinner.", Taiki announced.
"Maria want to go out on a small dinner date tonight?", Seiya asked me in a whisper.
"Sure."
"Maria and I are going out to dinner together. We probability won't be back until at least nine. Let's go."
We got our coats on and went on out. The two of us needed to be alone after what had happened during the day. It was about six when we left (three hours is enough for a date). We went to a quiet restaurant and ordered dinner. After dinner we went walking around the city.
"Do you want to see the palace?", he asked me while walking.
"How far is it?"
"Not too far from here. It's really beautiful at night."
He was really excited about showing me the palace so I went along. He led me up to the walkway, then onto the palace grounds. When we reached the fountain, that was in the middle of the grounds, it was absolutely breath taking. The fountain was all lit up for the evening. The light made the water glisten. The sound of the running water was so relaxing. I could almost touch the water in the air since the air was so heavy with mist.
"Do you like it?", he asked me placing his arms around me.
"I love it. Do people come here often just to see this?", I asked with my eyes still fixed on the fountain.
"This is a major tourist attraction. You're still wearing that necklace I gave you."
"Yeah. I don't take it off because this was the first present I received from you. How long have we've been officially going out for?"
"I'd have to say almost seven months, but before that I think we flirted with each other quite a bit."
"I remember that. Then again we always got along from the time you transferred into school with all of us back in Tokyo. I remember when we had no choice but to reveal our identities to each other I was the one most shocked that you were Fighter but so was Serena. That seems like such a long time ago."
"If you think about it for a minute it was. Do you remember how the scouts acted when the found out we would transfer into the school?"
"Yeah because Mina went off into her little dream world every time she thought of something with one of you three. Then when they introduced themselves to Taiki and Yaten.", I answered laughing.
"How about when all of you found out that Serena and I already knew each other and she didn't know that I was part of the Three Lights?"
"Yeah that was really funny. That doesn't compare to when you tried to teach her softball."
"That was funny. Do you realize that in seven months time we've lost each other and regained our bond, that is even stronger because that happened?"
"That's true and I never want to lose you again. That is some I never want to go through again."
"Hope we never do."
"Seiya, we come from completely different backgrounds and yet we love each other this much."
"So?"
"I didn't think I could ever fall in love with someone like this before I met you."
"Now you do know. I can't explain why we've fallen in love like this, either. It kinda just happened when the three of us came back to help."
"Do you think that we knew each other a thousand years ago, during the Silver Millennium?"
"It's always a possibility."
We heard some screaming from over by the entrance of the grounds. We looked over and there was Akane arresting some people.
"We have bad luck on having peaceful dates don't we?", I asked.
"Oh well. FIGHTER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
"PHEBOS ETERNAL POWER! Hey Akane leave those people alone."
"You're those sailor scouts that Kodachi was fighting with. Fighter why are you fighting against us? Don't you realize that Kakyuu was unfair and unjust?"
"Don't say that about her. All of who turned against the princess are the ones who are unfair and unjust. You through in jail for no reason except for that stupid one Charlotte convicted her of."
"How dare you say that about me and Azusa. You have no clue what you're talking about. After the three of you left to fight some other solar system's battle you have no clue what happened. Kakyuu almost got the scouts into a war with something and it was Charlotte who prevented us from getting into that. Let me guess that other sailor scout standing next to you is from that system, right?"
"So what if she is?"
"Cause she'll get this. Tisiphone Flame Wind!"
"Phebos get out of the way!", Fighter yelled.
"No. Her element is fire I can handle this. PHEBOS FIRE STORM!"
Neither attack hit its intended target but it got Tisiphone's attention.
"Phebos listen to me. Both her and Azusa have a double element.", Fighter yelled.
"What does that mean?", I asked keeping my eyes on Tisiphone.
"Both of them originally had only one element but somehow they figured out how to combine their powers. You fighting Tisiphone is also like fighting her sister and her together. You don't stand a chance."
"Fighter how dare you tell her that secret. TISIPHONE FLAME WIND!"
"PHEBOS FIRE ATTACK!"
"You win this round, Phebos. Fighter watch your back. There are spies all around here.", she told us and then disappeared.
"We're lucky that they haven't called any monsters yet."
"Why? They can't be that hard to fight."
"You don't understand the power that the scouts in this system have. If Maker, Yaten, and I fought them we would lose. Until we find out where Charlotte is drawing that power we have to be careful. It's about time to be getting back before they send everyone out looking for us."
"I don't want to go. It's so beautiful here."
"We can always come back some other time."
We made sure no one saw us undo the transformation and started the walk back home. The young generation was starting to come out to do some clubbing and the older generation settling in for the night. The city was just as busy as it was during the day except it was dark now and the lights had just come on. I hadn't thought about monsters since the time we fought Quartz. Plus with the enemy being sailor scouts it didn't seem like that scouts could call upon monsters to fight other scouts. When we got home everyone was still up doing their own thing.
"Did you guys have fun?", Hotaru asked.
"Yep.", I answered, but my attention turned towards Robert since he looked so down, "Robert what's wrong?"
"Nothing.", he answered.
"Come on let's go out on the balcony and talk."
He followed me out even though he didn't exactly wanted to. He kept looking down at his feet and it was obvious that he was not very happy.
"What's bothering you? Normally when you're around the team you're a lot happier."
"Not having a good day."
"You seemed fine this morning. Do you not like being away from from everyone back home? I know we left when school started but it was better this way."
"I just wanted to spend time with Sonic and Raye before they graduated and with us here I can't exactly do that."
"I was looking forward to this year as well. I don't want to be away from my friends either. You need to learn to open up so people can help you. Who knows we may have to go back to Tokyo for some unknown reason before we have to go back home and you can see Michiru then."
"Do you think that will happen?", he asked with a happier tone of voice.
"Maybe. It's more likely we'll be on one of the other planets in this system by the time we fight Charlotte. With all the fighting bond to happen maybe you'll actually get good at fighting. You fight worst than the scouts when they started out."
"Hey! Why do you always say mean things like that?"
"Because it gets you out of that depressed mood you get into. You can't fight if you're depressed."
We heard the sound of the sliding glass door opening in a hurry.
"Ri, Akane has shown up in the downtown area.", Suz told the two of us out of breath "The rest of team is already on their way."
"How did you find out?", I asked.
"Chiyoko contacted Yaten."
"Let's head out then."
The three of us ran down the seven flights of stairs and ran into the main shopping district. The rest of team was already fighting her and some monster, which Seiya was concerned about. I was surprised that she could put up with two battles in one day, not to mention it wasn't even an hour since Seiya and I had fought her. The three of us then transformed where we could not be seen.
"CALLISTO CRYSTAL POWER!"
"PHEBOS ETERNAL POWER!"
"About time you guys got here.", Healer told us.
"Why she is here again, Fighter?", I asked.
"She went after Alecto."
"Was she transformed?"
"Yeah. Apparently Azusa is helping Akane find Chiyoko. When one of the spies found Chiyoko they contacted Azusa who sent a monster after Chiyoko and Akane went to check on the progress. That's when Healer got the message."
"DEIMOS WIND CYCLE!"
"TRITON ICE ILLUSION!"
"Scouts you need to learn that these monsters aren't push overs like the ones you've fought before. These monster actually know how to fight and they should since we trained them ourselves.", Akane told us like we were stupid.
"STAR DUST FLAME!"
"STAR BRIGHT SHINE!"
With the monster gone our attention turned to Akane. Quiet frankly I don't think she cared that the monster was gone like the previous enemies were. She just saw it as a lost that can be replaced.
"Why don't you fight us as a sailor scout or are you chicken?", I asked knowing it would get her mad.
"Fine, but when you get your butt kicked remember it's your fault. TISIPHONE STAR POWER! Better?", she asked.
"Yeah. Now lets fight one on one."
"Okay. However we have to fight somewhere where the scouts will not infer sometime tomorrow, agree?"
"Yeah. Bring it."
"Fine meet me here tomorrow transformed at noon. I'll be waiting.", she said very satisfied with herself and disappeared.
"Phebos what do you think you're doing?", Callisto asked.
"Just going to have a little fun and teach her a lesson.", I answered.
"Did you forget everything I told you about her and her sister?", Fighter asked rather mad.
"No. I know I can at least blow her confidence, but not her fighting sprit. I'll be fine. I've fought on my own before."
"What Fighter means is since you'll be on her turf she can make her own rules. Which can lead to her and Azusa fighting you.", Maker said stepping forward, "That is what all of us are worried about. We do not need our leader dead before we face Charlotte."
"Is this true? Do all of you feel this way?", I asked slowly getting mad at the team.
"In a way yes, all of us feel that way. You fight so recklessly sometimes.", Triton answered look at ground.
"What about the rest of you? I would like to hear your answers as well.", I asked. The team knew I was very upset about what Maker had said so they hesitated.
"I understand why you fight the way you do because that's the way we fight. You have to be careful, though. Just like Serena you have an important destiny to fulfill and we do not need you hurt.", Saturn answered in a quiet voice.
"I worry about you because what will I tell mom if you get hurt and die? I would never be able to.", Callisto answered.
"I would hate to lose you as a friend. I don't know what it is about you that makes you the way you are but it would be a terrible lost to all of us.", Deimos answered.
Fighter came behind me and put his arms around me, "What would I do without you? You are the one person I love."
Then it finally hit me. They weren't against me fighting they were just worried for my safety. The way I fought had always been the same but I was fighting for someone else and not caring what happened to me just as long we won. I knew what it was like to loose all of them but the team didn't want to think about what it would be like to loose me.
"Do you understand now?", he asked.
"Yeah. I'm sorry for acting the way I did, but this is my fighting style and I'm used to this. Please don't worry about me. I can handle this fight. Let's go home and get some sleep."
I knew that if I wanted to fight alone I would have to sneak off but that would never happen since at least one person would be with me at all times until the battle. When we got home everyone went to bed right away (well it was 11:45). Of course I had some trouble sleeping but it was expected. I did fall asleep eventually. When I woke up it as eight, Suz and Hotaru had just woken up.
"Is anyone else up?", I asked.
"I think Taiki, Yaten, Jen, and Meghan are but not Robert and Seiya.", Suz answered.
The three of us headed out and everyone was out but the two of them.
"Do any of you want to play a joke on them for not being up?", Suz asked in a sly voice.
"What type of a joke?", I asked.
"Well since the two of them are normally the last ones up let's make them think that they did something last night but in reality they didn't."
"How far are we willing to go?", Jen asked everyone.
"Like do something that guys aren't supposed to be with each other but they think they did.", Suz replied with a smirk on her face, "But keep it going after they wake up."
"That's really mean to both of them.", Yaten said about Suz's idea.
"We'll apologize to Seiya later on.", I replied.
"What about Robert?", Taiki asked.
"We'll apologize to Seiya, like I said."
"How are we going to pull this off, though?", Meghan asked.
"We can move Robert since he sleeps like a rock."
"If we can pull that off how are we going to pull the joke on them?", Jen asked.
"I could go in and tell them it's time to get up and yell at both of them.", I suggested knowing that I could get really mad real fast.
"Alright. Taiki and Yaten go on ahead.", Jen said.
"Why do we have do it?", Yaten asked.
"Because it's not proper for girls to go in a boys' bedroom.", Hotaru answered. Yaten rolled his eyes and headed off to the bedroom. They shut the door almost all the way so Robert and Seiya wouldn't wake up. It was a good thing, too. Since all of us were laughing because we knew how gullible Robert with certain situations.
"Want to go in and start the joke?", Suz asked me.
"Sure.", I answered. I walked over to the door and flung it open and it slammed against the wall rather loudly.
"Time to wake up, sleepy heads!", I screamed.
"Could you keep it down? We're trying to sleep here.", Robert said half awake- half asleep.
"Why are you sleeping there? Seiya wake up now and explain yourself! How could you do this to me!?", I asked yelling at the top of my lungs.
"What are you talking about?", he asked sitting up.
"Look next to you."
He looked over by his side and there was Robert. Boy oh boy did Seiya jump.
"I can explain.", he said fully awake now.
"Good I would like to hear this excuse."
"Breakfast is ready! Come on while the food is still hot!", Suz yelled out.
I stormed off so fast that he didn't even get to explain. I went into the dining room and sat down still acting mad. The two of them came out and sat down trying to figure out what they had done before going to bed last night.
"What were you yelling about, Maria?", Meghan asked.
"Why don't you ask the two love birds over there? I'm sure they can answer.", I answered.
"What does she mean?", Hotaru asked puzzled.
"She kinda found us by each other this morning but I don't know how it happened.", Seiya answered.
I was quiet for the rest of breakfast and went straight to my room. I knew this was part of the plan but it was starting to get out of hand. I thought they would catch on to it being a joke but I could tell he thought it was serious. There was a knock on the door and it was him. I had to let him in because it wasn't fair anymore.
"I honestly don't know what happened last night but I'm sorry."
"I need to tell you something. This was just part of a joke. It was just a harmless joke on you two. I'm sorry for making you think that you did something wrong."
"You mean it was an honest joke?"
"Hmm mm. You two are normally the first out of bed and today you were last so why not pull a small joke?"
"Does everyone know?"
"Yeah except Robert. I have to head out to the park in another 2 or 3 hours. Don't let anyone follow me there. It's better that no one come with."
"You know darn well she'll fight unfair! You are in danger if you go alone."
"Don't you think I know that? I have to learn to handle things on my own."
"But you've always fought that way. You don't have to fight alone not with people around you who are willing to lay their lives down for you. If you don't want them coming with at least let me come with. I can help since I've grown up with them and I know their attacks. Before you leave please consider that."
"I don't want any of you to get hurt especially you. I can handle getting injured. I'll fight to the death if necessary. I'll think about I promise. Maybe we should go tell Robert that it was a joke."
We walked in the front room and everyone could tell that the joke was over.
"Did you tell him?", I asked.
"Yeah. After Seiya went to check on you we told him.", Jen answered, "What are you going to do about the fight?"
"I'm definitely going. I have something to ask of you. Please do not follow me to the fight. Even though she may not fight fair I'm going to. I know some of you would have followed me to the fight if I hadn't said something."
A few of them were surprised but I didn't want to hint that I was really freaked out about going head-to-head battle against a scout I knew nothing about. I went back in my room just to think about I was going to do. I felt a small jump on the bed and it was Selene (long time no see or write ::scratches head wondering which one is right::).
"What are you going to do? I over heard what all of you were talking about."
"I don't know. Seiya wants to come with me but I want to go alone."
"No matter what you decide he will follow you to the battle."
"I know that. Selene do you think the two of us will be more than just the way we are now?"
"I do. You two can go through a battle and not even have to talk because you know each other so well. Another thing is you love each other like no other couple your age."
I glanced over at the clock and it was almost time to head out. I almost didn't want to go fight alone since it had been so long. I reached over to the night stand and grabbed my broach. I tried to sneak out quietly but I got caught.
"Where do you think you're going?", Suz asked.
"Out for a walk.", I answered with a nervous smile on my face.
"You were heading to fight without the team weren't you? Get back in there and explain to the team what you thought you were going to do."
She just about dragged me into the front room so I could explain myself.
"Now explain to them what you were going to do leaving without telling anyone."
I looked at Seiya and he knew what my sister had caught me for.
"I was heading off to fight by myself. I don't want any of you there, you hear? This is my fight and none of you should get involved. Seiya make sure none of them follow me."
"I'm not letting you into battle without at least one of us going with.", Suz yelled.
"Respect her wishes."
"Taiki. We can't let her go into a battle where is probably going to be outnumbered 2 to 1.", Jen responded.
"This would not be the first time that she has been outnumbered and out powered in a battle. She's been outnumbered during the fight with Jedite, and out powered while against Galaxia and Jedite. She'll do just fine."
"Thanks. I have to head out or I'll be late. Hope to be back by dinner time."
"I'm going with you."
"Alright."
"Hey, why does Seiya get to go with Maria?", Robert asked.
"Think about it.", I told him, "Ready to go, Seiya?"
"Yes."
We took the elevator down and walked to the park. It seemed like everyone was watching us while we were walking. The closer we got to the park the more nervous I got. We went down one of trails that lead to the center of the park. When I caught sight of Akane I knew we had to transform.
"Seiya we need to transform here so she can't see. PHEBOS ETERNAL POWER!"
"FIGHTER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
We went back on the trail and met up with her.
"You're a wuss. Why did you bring Fighter with you?"
"We have a close bond. Why aren't you transformed?", I asked.
"TISIPHONE STAR POWER! Better? Now since you brought her along I think I'm entitled to have someone on my side as well. Azusa get out here!"
"What can I do for ya sis?", she asked with a huge smile.
"Transform and help me fight the two of them.", Akane answered pointing at the two of us.
"Alright! THALIA STAR POWER!"
"Since it is now a two-on-two battle let's fight somewhere away from people. How about a custom battle dome?"
"No. I know what you'll do. You'll make the dome so that both of your powers are ten times stronger than now.", I yelled back.
"How about the area in the palace?", Fighter asked.
"Why there?", Thalia asked.
"It's an open area and no people are there. Then we don't have to worry about any inference from any of the other sailor scouts."
"Fine with us. How about you?", Tisiphone asked.
"Fighter is that a smart?"
"None of us have an advantage so it's the best place to fight. It's alright with the two of us."
Tisiphone snapped her finger and all of us were instantly transported to the arena. I looked around and it looked almost like a football stadium back home.
"I'll fight with Phebos and Fighter fight Thalia. We'll see who is the better team.", Tisiphone said laying down the rules, "Each battle will go on in a different part of the arena with the wall separating us so there is no interference. Agreed?"
The three of us replied, "Yes."
"Let's get started then.", Akane said snapping her fingers. The wall slowly came down and separated the field. When the wall came all the way down it was time to start.
"I'll start. TISIPHONE FLAME WIND!"
"PHEBOS FIRE SURROUND!" I managed to change the attack form. Instead of a normal launch I had it form a fire shield.
"Clever. It won't save you. TISIPHONE STAR WIND!"
I just barely dodged the attack because I was in total shock.
"Didn't know that the Starlights help train the other scouts did you? Did she tell you that did she?"
"IT doesn't matter what he told me or not."
"He? You're talking about Fighter, right?"
"Yeah. When I met the Starlights they had to assume human form and took the male form."
"So what? TISIPHONE WIND HAIL! What's wrong, the scout from the system that has the most powerful scouts, you can't even put up a fight."
"PHEBOS PLANET ATTACK! Don't say things like that about me when you know nothing of my past."
The battle went on for a good 2 hours before the two of us got tired, due to injuries and the number of attacks launched. I couldn't even stand up let alone attack. Akane was just barely able to stand on her own two feet. I knew that this would be the final battle with her and decided to finish her off. I somehow got up again and had just enough strength to launch the most powerful attack.
"Scouts I need your power to help me. Concentrate your power to the crystal. PHEBOS CRYSTAL ATTACK!"
When the attack hit she disappeared. The only thing left of her was her hair ribbon. I guess her and Azusa were mentally in-touch with each other because the wall went up and Azusa came to check on her but Akane was gone.
"What did you do to her? Where is she?", she asked angrily.
"I attacked her but because of the injuries she got killed."
That statement got Azusa so mad and upset that she just let out a scream, "You will pay for this! THALIA FLAME TORNADO!"
The attack hit me and now I couldn't even get up from the ground. Fighter walked over so that if another attack was launched he would take it.
"Fighter don't shield her! She killed a scout from this system.", Thalia yelled.
"Is it her fault that it came down to that? There is no point to settle this now."
"Yes there is! She killed my sister!"
"Thalia lay off. You can always get Phebos by herself at a later date.", said a woman on a holograph image.
"But Charlotte...."
"No but's. Fighter glad to see you're doing well. You will pay for what Phebos has done. Thalia I want you back here now!", and she disappeared.
"Fine. You're lucky.", she said with some attitude and teleported away. We were then teleported back to the park.
"Are you okay?", he asked trying to help me up.
"I think so. I just managed to tire myself out that's all."
"That's not all. I don't know what you two did to each other but you're cut up badly. Let's go back home."
Before we left the park we had undone our transformations and started the walk home. We were only about half way home when I couldn't walk any longer.
"Seiya!", we heard Chiyoko call out, "What happened to her?"
"I'll tell you after we get her home."
The two of them then put my arms on either one of their shoulders and helped me walk home. We took the elevator back up and walked back to the apartment. When we walked in, everyone came to check on us.
"What happened?", Jen asked looking at me.
"She can explain later but right now she needs some sleep to recover some energy.", Seiya answered.
"I'm fine, really."
"You are going to take at least an hours rest before you do any explaining."
Then he carried me off to my room. He put me down gently on the bed. I sat up and started rubbing my head because I was starting to get a headache. There was a mirror on the other side of the room and when I saw myself I knew why everyone was so concerned. I laid down and started to fall asleep almost right away.
"What attack did you use against her that would weaken you this much?"
"The crystal attack. Fighting for 2 hours straight drained both of our energies."
"Don't do that again. I'll come check on you in an hour.", he said heading for the door.
I felt so stupid. Just about everyone has asked me not use the more powerful attacks when I'm weak but I never listen. I was always so stubborn about everything I did. I knew that if I didn't start listening to people that this time it could lead me to serious injury or even the possibility of dying. I fell asleep fast.
"Hey, Ri. Sorry to wake you up. Would you let Chiyoko take a look at the major cuts?", Suz asked.
I barely understood what she had said but I nodded my head yes.
"Chiyoko you can come in.", she called out.
"Alright. Hey how ya doin? I just want to clean the cuts and see how bad they are, then I'll let you sleep. Let's take a look at your face. This is a nasty cut on your cheek isn't it?", she asked carefully stroking my right cheek.
"Don't touch it!", I yelled moving away.
"I have to. I'll be gentle. Could you tilt your head to the left?", she asked grabbing an alcohol cloth.
"Could I come in?", Hotaru asked.
"Sure.", I answered.
"I can heal those wounds up for her."
"Won't that leave you weak?", Chiyoko asked with concern.
"No. I can handle it now. If you give me five minutes I can heal all the wounds up."
"Do I have to do anything?", I asked.
"No. Where did you get hurt?"
"My legs, my face, and arms."
"Alright."
Hotaru then closed her eyes and placed her right hand in front of her, opened her eyes and started running her hand just over the various cuts. After she was done all of the cuts were gone. Both Chiyoko and I were surprised that she could handle that much.
"Is that better?", Hotaru asked after she was done.
"Yeah, physically. I didn't know you still had that power."
"I still do and probably will always have it. Want to go out and explain what happened?"
"Alright."
The three of us then walked into the front room and I sat down on the chair. The team had never seen me like this, but the scouts back in Tokyo had many times.
"How much do you guys know about the battle?", I asked wondering if Seiya had told them anything.
"Not much. Just what he had done during the battle.", Suz answered.
"After the wall went down for the fight. Both of us kept attacking each other constantly for two hours. I finally had enough strength to stand up and I used the crystal attack on her. It hit her and she disappeared. That's when Azusa got the wall up. She seemed like such a happy un-revengeful girl but sure did it change when she found out her sister was dead. She was about to attack me and I couldn't do anything to protect myself. So Seiya stepped in front of me willing to take any blast for me. He begged her not to attack but nothing was going to stop her. Azusa asked him why he was willing to protect a scout who was alien to this system and who had killed a scout from this system. He answered that Akane had left me no other choice and that's why I did it. Then Charlotte appeared in a holographic image. She told Azusa to lay off and get back to wherever she was. She definitely recognized Fighter. After that we were transported back to the park. That's when we met up with Chiyoko. Now we have to be careful because of that fight. Seiya, I killed her because it was the only way to save my own skin. I didn't do it to keep peace here."
He was surprised at what I had just said. I had admitted that I had killed a scout just so I would survive. That a very self-fish attitude I had during the battle.
"It's alright. I'm sure all of us would have done the same thing.", he told me.
I couldn't stand to look at his eyes. I felt so guilty on the inside no one would ever understand.
"What happens when all of this is over. What I did today is irreparable. I wish I had never agreed to this battle. It was stupid. The only reason I did was so I knew was better than her."
"It's alright. Charlotte was going to kill her eventually anyway."
"Chiyoko, how dare you say that!", Jen yelled shocked.
"That does not change what I did. I don't ever want to kill another scout again.", I said back.
"Maria, accidents happen. There are things that cannot not be helped.", Meghan said trying to make me feel better.
"Besides, what would we do without you? I know Yaten and I have never really shown how much we cared about you but we do. That battle was meant to be fought to the death. If she hadn't been killed you would have been.", Taiki added. I was surprised. I thought Yaten and him never cared for me but all this time they had. They always seemed distant when Seiya and I were together, even during battles. Seiya had known all along they felt this way but this was a big surprisement to the team.
"Chiyoko, I thought you told us you couldn't be here at least not on this planet.", Seiya said trying to start a conversation.
"I know but they started searching my planet. I had no choice but to leave."
"How long have they been searching for you?", Hotaru asked.
"Since Charlotte took over. She asked me to testify against Kakyuu but I wouldn't do it. I was then called a traitor and I've been on the run ever since."
"Have you fought any of them as a scout?", I asked.
"No. They haven't found me yet and I hope they don't. When it comes time to fight Charlotte I'll fight by your side. If we can get Kakyuu out I'm sure she can help, too."
"What? How can she help?", I asked puzzled.
"That's right no one but people from here know about her ability. Kakyuu can transform into a sailor senshi as well. She transforms into Sailor Kinkomu.", Seiya answered, "But she hasn't fought as a sailor senshi for awhile."
"Then again she never needed to. She had eight of us to fight for her.", Yaten added.
"That's exactly how it is back home.", I couldn't help but tell everyone.
"I have to be going. I'll stay in contact with you so you don't worry about me. Just one warning, though. Watch out for Azusa. She may not look it but is very powerful. See you around.", she said, got her shoes and coat on, and left.
To be continued in 19..................