Hearts in Time part 20: Endgame
By
Lance the Flamesniper
Wraith crashed into a nearby pillar after Arachia knocked him
into the air using her massive legs. He winced as he felt at least one
rib give way on impact. He staggeredto his feet and was immediately
steadied by Sailor Venus. So far the battle had not gone well.
Especially when the damn spider began trying to web them to the
pillars for lunch.
"Thanks darling," He mumbled. "How we doing?"
"Better than you probably think," Venus replied.
Wraith looked toward Sailor Moon and was simply stunned.
His first impression was certainly off when it came to her. While it
was clear she probably couldn't match someone like that Amara
woman or Lance in combat skill, she did have courage and more
than a little heart. Still even she couldn't fight that thing alone.
"Let's get back to beating this thing," Wraith growled as he
staggered back toward the fray. 'And when we're done I'm dragging
Lance back home, even if I have to hog tie his ronin ass to do it,"
Wraith mentally promised.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Sailor Venus asked.
"Yes," Wraith replied before both charged back into the
fray.
********
Matt was having a good day. Or at least it seemed like a good
day to him. He was helping make the world a better place, with the help
of his Lady-love and his best buds. Still one thing bothered him.
"If there's one thing I hate more than Calimari," He growled as
he jumped over the Snake youma's squishing tail. "It's snakes!"
So far this monster was proving to be difficult. Neither Mercury's
ice nor his or Jupiter's lightning could hit it. To make things worse, the
anaconda currently was putting the squeeze on Sailor Mercury; effectively
binding her to one of the many pillars that adorned the scenery. Actually
Matt thought that if it wasn't for the things that made this place so damn
creepy, he'd probably like it here.
"We've got to think of something before Mercury gets crushed!"
Jupiter yelled as she jumped over the snake's tail again.
"I'm open to suggestions," Matt answered.
********
Sailor Uranus gritted her teeth as she picked herself up off the
ground. Aside from several bruises and scratches on all the outers, they
were doing surprisingly well. They hadn't killed the youma, but at least
none of them had died.
"This is getting on my nerves," Amara grumbled as the
youma flipped Sailor Saturn, causing her to crash into Sailor
Neptune. "I sincerely hope Lance and Pluto are doing better."
There wasn't much she could do to help either of them
until this monster was dealt with. She sighed, charged up
another World Shaking and waded back into the fray.
*******
Lance and Necros circled cautiously. Lance could see that
Sailor Pluto wanted to jump in but a slight shake of his head she
stopped. Instead she began slowly inching her way toward
Sorceress Adept. Lance waited a quarter of a circuit before charging
in. Lance slashed only to have his blade met with Necros' naginata
and get the pole end of the weapon in the back of the head. Lance
staggered forward as Nercos twirled bringing the blade around for
what would be a quick beheading. Lance swung around, ducking
down quickly as he brought his blade up to block the attack. Lance
then quickly spun up under Necros' guard to deliver a devistating
uppercut and thus giving himself some time to regain his wits.
"You fight well," Lance replied. "This may very well be my
most dangerous match yet."
"You are skilled," Necros conceded. "But I still have reach
on your pathetic sword!"
With that Necros charged. This was a battle that could only
end one way, with only one of them walking out alive.
*******
"Oh do be careful my brother," Sorceress Adept whispered.
"And just which one is your brother?" Sailor Pluto asked
pointing the business end of her Garnet rod at the chained woman.
"The same one you call husband...Setsuna Meioh," came
the reply.
"Then you must be Lianna."
"Indeed I am and if I could get free I'd gladly help you and
my big brother squash this insect."
"How are these chains made?"
"They won't come off unless Necros dies."
"Then I guess we wait," Setsuna replied. "And we pray that
Lance survives."
******
Sailor Venus was not a happy young woman at the moment.
It was understandable since she was currently webbed to a pillar. It
had been her own fault. She'd dived between the spider and Sailor
Moon. Now here she was trussed up like a Christmas present.
"Somebody get me out of this!" Venus yelled.
Fortunately, the calvary, in the form of Sailor Mars coming
too from passing out shortly after the first wave, arrived.
"Flamesniper!"
As the webbing incinerated Wraith dove in on the offensive
octopede.
"Celestial Backlash!"
Arachnia hissed as four of her legs got sheered off by the
blast of power.
"Sailor Moon! Finish this!" Sailor Mars yelled.
"Right!" Sailor Moon responded. "Moon Gorgeous
Meditation!"
"Nooooo!" Arachnia screamed as she desintagrated.
*******
Matt Blackheart was not pleased. Not only what this youma
a snake but apparently the person who made it decided to add acid spit
to it's arsenal. As if dodging the tail wasn't enough. Just when he was
about to give up the odds changed in his favor.
"Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Flamesniper!"
The arrival of three more scouts and Wraith gave Matt his chance.
He dove at the trapped Sailor Mercury his blade crackling with lightning.
"Jupiter Thunder STRIKE!"
The snake came apart with an ear splitting screech.
"Well done partner," Wraith replied as he held his side.
"You look like Hell Wraith," was Matt's reply.
"Just a couple of broken ribs. I'll live," Wraith panted. "Where's
Lance at?"
"He went ahead to face Necros with the others," Sailor Mercury replied.
"That idiot," Wraith weezed. Broken ribs he was learning were simply
not cool. "Knowing him he'll get himself killed for good this time."
"Have a little more faith in your friend than that," Sailor Jupiter chided.
"Yeah, Lance my be a psycho," Sailor Mars intoned. "But I don't think
he'd do something THAT stupid."
"I hope you're right about that," Wraith sighed.
*********
Necros blocked Lance's slash using the shaft of his naginata. He had to
hand it to Lance Jayd, this was indeed an intense battle. All around them was a
collection of broken furniture including the game table that he'd flipped Lance
through. The battle paused briefly as the two men once again circled. Sailor Pluto
had had enough. She leaped into the air intent on getting the drop on him. What
she got instead as the shaft of the naginata across her ribs.
For Lance things suddenly went into slow motion. The shaft connected
with Sailor Pluto's ribs sending her flying back the direction she'd came and hit
the stone wall with a sickening thud. Suddenly, Lance's vision went red. He saw
the Sorceress Adept go to Sailor Pluto and begin to heal her, confirming who he
suspected she was.
"Okay, that's IT! No more mister nice prince!" Lance roared as he attacked.
Necros staggered back as Lance shifted styles repeatedly, shifting from
linear Kendo strikes to rapid fire thrusts to his own shadow storm fighting style.
Necros' naginata groaned under the strain of the strikes as all Necros could do
at the moment is block and parry. Necros blocked a high slash only to have his
opponent duck low and sweep his feet out from under him. Necros rolled scything
the blade through where Lance's legs should have been only to have his opponent
backflip out of the way. Lance waited for Necros to get to his feet then motioned
him forward. Nercros charged blindly. Lance ducked a high swipe, palming the
back of Necros's head with his free hand. Lance then used that grip to drive
Necros first face first through an oak cabinet and into the wall behind it. Necros
responded with a mana blast that sent Lance flying.
"Hmm, guess I'd better get serious," Necros grumbled as he wiped at his
now bloodied face. a cold smile appeared on his face as he moved in on Lance.
********
"That was not wise," Lianna scolded as she used her magic and healed
Sailor Pluto's wounds.
"Now you tell me," Sailor Pluto grumbled. "Any way you can help
Lance?"
"I'm not sure. I could try."
"Then do it!"
"O-okay," Lianna stammered. She slowly rose to her feet slowly calling
upon her elemental and spirit magics.
*******
Sailor Uranus winced as she staggered to her feet. In an attempt to save
Sailor Neptune she'd dove in between her and the youma. For her reward it had
hooked her with it's tusks and smashed her straight into the tower's outer wall.
Idly the Sky Senshi looked over her should only to see that she'd definitely
made an impression- right into the wall. She carefully turned to survey the scene
around her. The ground was pitted with smoking craters and the vrious pillars and
twisting trees that had dotted the wasteland were now shattered, smoldering
wreckage. Looking to Neptune and Saturn she could see that both were hurt
and tired. The Youma however seemed to only a little winded and a lot annoyed.
"What is it going to take to put this thing away!?" Uranus roared in
frustration.
"More than you got," The youma hissed. It lower it's head and lined up for
a charge that would either impale the sky senshi or at the very best gore her badly
enough to take her out of the fight. Unknown to it the three he was attacking was
about to get a lot of help.
"Oak Evolution!" Came Jupiter's voice as the monster was staggered by
a flurry of oak leaves.
"Aqua Rhapsody!" Came another voice as the icy attack rooted the beast
in place.
"Flamesniper!" Came Mars's voice.
"Celestial Backlash!" Responded an distinctly male voice as the fire and
lash attacks sheared away the tusks.
Sailor Uranus saw her chance. In one swift motion she drew her spacesword
and leapt toward her foe. "Spacesword....Blaster!"
The youma roared in rage and pain as it disappeared.
"I'm glad to see you all made it," Uranus panted as Sailor Saturn set about
healing Wraith's broken ribs.
"It wasn't easy," Mars replied. "I just wish I'd seen the youma that knocked
me out earlier."
"Don't worry about it too much," Neptune replied. "I took care of it."
"Where's Lance?" Wraith growled.
Before anyone could speak there came an intense rush of wind. The
gale force torrent blew past the assembled heroes only to be pulled into the top
room of the tower. Seconds later there came a loud explosion.
"Nevermind," Wraith sighed. "I think I know where to find him."
**********
Sailor Pluto braced herself as Lianna worked her magic. A gale force
wind had gathered about her as she chanted with her eyes closed. All in all it
was an impressive sight.
"Winds of the land gather to me and submit to my will. Wind blade!"
Lianna called out as the gale shaped itself into an arc of deadly force and flew
at Necros.
Necros felt the wind current coming at him but moved too late to block
it properly. He managed to deflect most of the attack, only recieving a slash from
sholder to shoulder. The deflected attack however left an impressive hole from the
floor to the ceiling along one side of the tower. Necros staggered forward toward
Lianna.
"You ungreatful little harlot!" he hissed. "I raised you, taught you and took
care of you and this is how you treat me!" With that he powered up an attack of his
own.
"Oh no you don't," Sailor Pluto responed. "Dead Scream!"
Necros took the shot on the shoulder spinning him in a half circle, his eyes
shut in pain. He opened his eyes in time to realize that he'd committed a fatal error:
he'd taken his eyes off his main opponent. behind him he could hear Lianna chant.
Out the corner of of his eye he could see Sailor Pluto preparing another attack and
in front of him he saw Lance Jayd with his glowing blade. There was onkly one way
this battle could end, and it was not in his favor.
As if on cue the three attacked as one.
"Soul Razor!" Called Lianna as she sent a blade of pure mana at Necros's back.
From the Side came Pluto's voice and her mana attack. "Dead Scream!"
Lance Jayd leaped forward bringing his blade into a downward strike. "Celestial
Blade Slash!"
Necros screamed in agony as the three attacks hit all at once. The result was
him exploding, the power release being enough to explode the roof off the tower.
*********
Wraith and the others made it to the new roof of the tower just as Lance removed
the chains from Sorceress Adept's wrists. She rubbed her wrists a few times experimentally
as feeling began to come back into them. After over six thousand years she was free again.
Slowly, almost experimentally she pulled back her hood.
Lance for the first time got a look at his twin. She had cascading sandy blonde hair
that framed her oval shaped face perfectly. She had grey-blue eyes over a pert nose. Her lips
where full, almost pouty. Combined with her athletic figure, Lance was pretty sure any man he
knew would be taken with her. Without another thought he pulled her into a tight embrace, tears
rolling down his cheeks. "At last we're together, sister."
Lianna smiled as she began to tear up as well. "I've waited so long for this moment," she
replied. "Thank you. And than you too Sailor Scouts."
There was a chorus of your welcomes and the two siblings parted.
"So what now?" Lianna asked.
"Now," Lance replied. "We go home."
To be Concluded.
By
Lance the Flamesniper
Wraith crashed into a nearby pillar after Arachia knocked him
into the air using her massive legs. He winced as he felt at least one
rib give way on impact. He staggeredto his feet and was immediately
steadied by Sailor Venus. So far the battle had not gone well.
Especially when the damn spider began trying to web them to the
pillars for lunch.
"Thanks darling," He mumbled. "How we doing?"
"Better than you probably think," Venus replied.
Wraith looked toward Sailor Moon and was simply stunned.
His first impression was certainly off when it came to her. While it
was clear she probably couldn't match someone like that Amara
woman or Lance in combat skill, she did have courage and more
than a little heart. Still even she couldn't fight that thing alone.
"Let's get back to beating this thing," Wraith growled as he
staggered back toward the fray. 'And when we're done I'm dragging
Lance back home, even if I have to hog tie his ronin ass to do it,"
Wraith mentally promised.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Sailor Venus asked.
"Yes," Wraith replied before both charged back into the
fray.
********
Matt was having a good day. Or at least it seemed like a good
day to him. He was helping make the world a better place, with the help
of his Lady-love and his best buds. Still one thing bothered him.
"If there's one thing I hate more than Calimari," He growled as
he jumped over the Snake youma's squishing tail. "It's snakes!"
So far this monster was proving to be difficult. Neither Mercury's
ice nor his or Jupiter's lightning could hit it. To make things worse, the
anaconda currently was putting the squeeze on Sailor Mercury; effectively
binding her to one of the many pillars that adorned the scenery. Actually
Matt thought that if it wasn't for the things that made this place so damn
creepy, he'd probably like it here.
"We've got to think of something before Mercury gets crushed!"
Jupiter yelled as she jumped over the snake's tail again.
"I'm open to suggestions," Matt answered.
********
Sailor Uranus gritted her teeth as she picked herself up off the
ground. Aside from several bruises and scratches on all the outers, they
were doing surprisingly well. They hadn't killed the youma, but at least
none of them had died.
"This is getting on my nerves," Amara grumbled as the
youma flipped Sailor Saturn, causing her to crash into Sailor
Neptune. "I sincerely hope Lance and Pluto are doing better."
There wasn't much she could do to help either of them
until this monster was dealt with. She sighed, charged up
another World Shaking and waded back into the fray.
*******
Lance and Necros circled cautiously. Lance could see that
Sailor Pluto wanted to jump in but a slight shake of his head she
stopped. Instead she began slowly inching her way toward
Sorceress Adept. Lance waited a quarter of a circuit before charging
in. Lance slashed only to have his blade met with Necros' naginata
and get the pole end of the weapon in the back of the head. Lance
staggered forward as Nercos twirled bringing the blade around for
what would be a quick beheading. Lance swung around, ducking
down quickly as he brought his blade up to block the attack. Lance
then quickly spun up under Necros' guard to deliver a devistating
uppercut and thus giving himself some time to regain his wits.
"You fight well," Lance replied. "This may very well be my
most dangerous match yet."
"You are skilled," Necros conceded. "But I still have reach
on your pathetic sword!"
With that Necros charged. This was a battle that could only
end one way, with only one of them walking out alive.
*******
"Oh do be careful my brother," Sorceress Adept whispered.
"And just which one is your brother?" Sailor Pluto asked
pointing the business end of her Garnet rod at the chained woman.
"The same one you call husband...Setsuna Meioh," came
the reply.
"Then you must be Lianna."
"Indeed I am and if I could get free I'd gladly help you and
my big brother squash this insect."
"How are these chains made?"
"They won't come off unless Necros dies."
"Then I guess we wait," Setsuna replied. "And we pray that
Lance survives."
******
Sailor Venus was not a happy young woman at the moment.
It was understandable since she was currently webbed to a pillar. It
had been her own fault. She'd dived between the spider and Sailor
Moon. Now here she was trussed up like a Christmas present.
"Somebody get me out of this!" Venus yelled.
Fortunately, the calvary, in the form of Sailor Mars coming
too from passing out shortly after the first wave, arrived.
"Flamesniper!"
As the webbing incinerated Wraith dove in on the offensive
octopede.
"Celestial Backlash!"
Arachnia hissed as four of her legs got sheered off by the
blast of power.
"Sailor Moon! Finish this!" Sailor Mars yelled.
"Right!" Sailor Moon responded. "Moon Gorgeous
Meditation!"
"Nooooo!" Arachnia screamed as she desintagrated.
*******
Matt Blackheart was not pleased. Not only what this youma
a snake but apparently the person who made it decided to add acid spit
to it's arsenal. As if dodging the tail wasn't enough. Just when he was
about to give up the odds changed in his favor.
"Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Flamesniper!"
The arrival of three more scouts and Wraith gave Matt his chance.
He dove at the trapped Sailor Mercury his blade crackling with lightning.
"Jupiter Thunder STRIKE!"
The snake came apart with an ear splitting screech.
"Well done partner," Wraith replied as he held his side.
"You look like Hell Wraith," was Matt's reply.
"Just a couple of broken ribs. I'll live," Wraith panted. "Where's
Lance at?"
"He went ahead to face Necros with the others," Sailor Mercury replied.
"That idiot," Wraith weezed. Broken ribs he was learning were simply
not cool. "Knowing him he'll get himself killed for good this time."
"Have a little more faith in your friend than that," Sailor Jupiter chided.
"Yeah, Lance my be a psycho," Sailor Mars intoned. "But I don't think
he'd do something THAT stupid."
"I hope you're right about that," Wraith sighed.
*********
Necros blocked Lance's slash using the shaft of his naginata. He had to
hand it to Lance Jayd, this was indeed an intense battle. All around them was a
collection of broken furniture including the game table that he'd flipped Lance
through. The battle paused briefly as the two men once again circled. Sailor Pluto
had had enough. She leaped into the air intent on getting the drop on him. What
she got instead as the shaft of the naginata across her ribs.
For Lance things suddenly went into slow motion. The shaft connected
with Sailor Pluto's ribs sending her flying back the direction she'd came and hit
the stone wall with a sickening thud. Suddenly, Lance's vision went red. He saw
the Sorceress Adept go to Sailor Pluto and begin to heal her, confirming who he
suspected she was.
"Okay, that's IT! No more mister nice prince!" Lance roared as he attacked.
Necros staggered back as Lance shifted styles repeatedly, shifting from
linear Kendo strikes to rapid fire thrusts to his own shadow storm fighting style.
Necros' naginata groaned under the strain of the strikes as all Necros could do
at the moment is block and parry. Necros blocked a high slash only to have his
opponent duck low and sweep his feet out from under him. Necros rolled scything
the blade through where Lance's legs should have been only to have his opponent
backflip out of the way. Lance waited for Necros to get to his feet then motioned
him forward. Nercros charged blindly. Lance ducked a high swipe, palming the
back of Necros's head with his free hand. Lance then used that grip to drive
Necros first face first through an oak cabinet and into the wall behind it. Necros
responded with a mana blast that sent Lance flying.
"Hmm, guess I'd better get serious," Necros grumbled as he wiped at his
now bloodied face. a cold smile appeared on his face as he moved in on Lance.
********
"That was not wise," Lianna scolded as she used her magic and healed
Sailor Pluto's wounds.
"Now you tell me," Sailor Pluto grumbled. "Any way you can help
Lance?"
"I'm not sure. I could try."
"Then do it!"
"O-okay," Lianna stammered. She slowly rose to her feet slowly calling
upon her elemental and spirit magics.
*******
Sailor Uranus winced as she staggered to her feet. In an attempt to save
Sailor Neptune she'd dove in between her and the youma. For her reward it had
hooked her with it's tusks and smashed her straight into the tower's outer wall.
Idly the Sky Senshi looked over her should only to see that she'd definitely
made an impression- right into the wall. She carefully turned to survey the scene
around her. The ground was pitted with smoking craters and the vrious pillars and
twisting trees that had dotted the wasteland were now shattered, smoldering
wreckage. Looking to Neptune and Saturn she could see that both were hurt
and tired. The Youma however seemed to only a little winded and a lot annoyed.
"What is it going to take to put this thing away!?" Uranus roared in
frustration.
"More than you got," The youma hissed. It lower it's head and lined up for
a charge that would either impale the sky senshi or at the very best gore her badly
enough to take her out of the fight. Unknown to it the three he was attacking was
about to get a lot of help.
"Oak Evolution!" Came Jupiter's voice as the monster was staggered by
a flurry of oak leaves.
"Aqua Rhapsody!" Came another voice as the icy attack rooted the beast
in place.
"Flamesniper!" Came Mars's voice.
"Celestial Backlash!" Responded an distinctly male voice as the fire and
lash attacks sheared away the tusks.
Sailor Uranus saw her chance. In one swift motion she drew her spacesword
and leapt toward her foe. "Spacesword....Blaster!"
The youma roared in rage and pain as it disappeared.
"I'm glad to see you all made it," Uranus panted as Sailor Saturn set about
healing Wraith's broken ribs.
"It wasn't easy," Mars replied. "I just wish I'd seen the youma that knocked
me out earlier."
"Don't worry about it too much," Neptune replied. "I took care of it."
"Where's Lance?" Wraith growled.
Before anyone could speak there came an intense rush of wind. The
gale force torrent blew past the assembled heroes only to be pulled into the top
room of the tower. Seconds later there came a loud explosion.
"Nevermind," Wraith sighed. "I think I know where to find him."
**********
Sailor Pluto braced herself as Lianna worked her magic. A gale force
wind had gathered about her as she chanted with her eyes closed. All in all it
was an impressive sight.
"Winds of the land gather to me and submit to my will. Wind blade!"
Lianna called out as the gale shaped itself into an arc of deadly force and flew
at Necros.
Necros felt the wind current coming at him but moved too late to block
it properly. He managed to deflect most of the attack, only recieving a slash from
sholder to shoulder. The deflected attack however left an impressive hole from the
floor to the ceiling along one side of the tower. Necros staggered forward toward
Lianna.
"You ungreatful little harlot!" he hissed. "I raised you, taught you and took
care of you and this is how you treat me!" With that he powered up an attack of his
own.
"Oh no you don't," Sailor Pluto responed. "Dead Scream!"
Necros took the shot on the shoulder spinning him in a half circle, his eyes
shut in pain. He opened his eyes in time to realize that he'd committed a fatal error:
he'd taken his eyes off his main opponent. behind him he could hear Lianna chant.
Out the corner of of his eye he could see Sailor Pluto preparing another attack and
in front of him he saw Lance Jayd with his glowing blade. There was onkly one way
this battle could end, and it was not in his favor.
As if on cue the three attacked as one.
"Soul Razor!" Called Lianna as she sent a blade of pure mana at Necros's back.
From the Side came Pluto's voice and her mana attack. "Dead Scream!"
Lance Jayd leaped forward bringing his blade into a downward strike. "Celestial
Blade Slash!"
Necros screamed in agony as the three attacks hit all at once. The result was
him exploding, the power release being enough to explode the roof off the tower.
*********
Wraith and the others made it to the new roof of the tower just as Lance removed
the chains from Sorceress Adept's wrists. She rubbed her wrists a few times experimentally
as feeling began to come back into them. After over six thousand years she was free again.
Slowly, almost experimentally she pulled back her hood.
Lance for the first time got a look at his twin. She had cascading sandy blonde hair
that framed her oval shaped face perfectly. She had grey-blue eyes over a pert nose. Her lips
where full, almost pouty. Combined with her athletic figure, Lance was pretty sure any man he
knew would be taken with her. Without another thought he pulled her into a tight embrace, tears
rolling down his cheeks. "At last we're together, sister."
Lianna smiled as she began to tear up as well. "I've waited so long for this moment," she
replied. "Thank you. And than you too Sailor Scouts."
There was a chorus of your welcomes and the two siblings parted.
"So what now?" Lianna asked.
"Now," Lance replied. "We go home."
To be Concluded.