Oh, how I LOVE three-day weekends! I was able to get tons of stuff done! Yay! Thanks for the reviews, all!
There was dead silence amongst the remaining saints and senshi. They were all intent on watching the little drama unfolding before them as Circe's creatures actually rebelled against her.
"Get ready," Sailor Mars muttered. "As soon as Circe crushes them, we're next. And then the world." Shiryu, however, disagreed.
"Watch Circe's face," her whispered in reply. There was a tiny spark in her eyes, something that should not be there. "This is causing her pain. Whether physical or emotional, this is actually causing her to be in pain."
"The question is, how can we exploit it?" Mercury inquired thoughtfully. Shiryu sighed.
"We can't. We mean nothing to Circe. But her Soul Eaters do. If somehow we can make them stronger than her, they can force her to back down. Possibly."
"Great. I just love risking my life for a possibility," snapped Ikki. Shun frowned at him.
"What are you whining about? You'll just come back anyway." Shiryu and Ikki gaped at the Andromeda saint, who looked surprised as well.
"Are you sure you aren't channeling Seiya?!" Ikki demanded.
"Hush!" Neptune shushed them, nodded at Mercury, who was deeply engrossed in her little computer. "She needs silence." They watched longer, listening to Mercury's fingers type a quick staccato. The Soul Eater who had refused Circe suddenly bent over, blood pouring from her mouth.
"Hey, Ami? I don't mean to rush you, but now would be a good time," Usagi murmured, not taking her eyes off the Soul Eaters.
"Patience," she replied. Ikki snorted.
"Patience isn't going to save our skulls when Circe finishes with them." With a short snarl, Sailor Mercury snapped her computer shut with a stormy expression on her face.
"Sometimes, technology is worthless," she said lowly. She fell into a deep contemplation, and even Shiryu was starting to get a bit anxious.
"Ami..." Sailor Moon pressed. The blue haired senshi suddenly snapped her fingers, perking up.
"I think I have it," she whispered. "If they take on the four souls, they can stop Circe long enough for us to figure out a way to destroy her."
"That's a no go," Ikki said shortly, scowling. "Those filthy things are not taking my friends' souls and making off with them. It's not going to happen." Shun nodded hesitantly.
"I have to say I agree with Ikki. I mean, what's to stop them from stealing those souls." Ami shrugged.
"They wouldn't steal them. Those souls would fit them like a too small piece of clothing. It's simply not who they are. Everything from the auras to the thoughts would clash. They'd fight an internal battle for an eternity."
"What about Minako?" Sailor Uranus asked coolly. "What if she won't take the soul? It seems like she's on Circe's side right now." Sure enough, Minako...or Akigara rather, stood behind Circe, watching emotionlessly as her fellows were threatened.
"She'll take it back." Sailor Moon said confidently. Saturn turned to her.
"Are you sure, Usagi?" She nodded, blue eyes determined.
"Minako wouldn't want to be that. She'd want to have a soul, I know it."
"Very well then," Shiryu said. "We'll have to try it."
"WHAT?!" squawked Shun and Ikki in unison. Sailor Moon glared at them.
"We have to try it." She repeated stonily. Swallowing their protestations, the brothers quieted.
"THE SOULS!" Shiryu bellowed suddenly. They turned around, Circe glowering, the rest with a scared determination on their faces. Akigara maintained her silence. "SOUL EATERS! TAKE THE SOULS! TAKE THEM NOW!"