Chapter 24:

The Battle Begins

It was mostly still and quiet outside. The sunrise in the distance covered the environment in orange and red colors. Emochan was silent on her walk that morning as she collected her thoughts. She shoved her hands into her pockets and approached Choury Fantasy. Her stomach felt like it was twisting within itself as she waited for the others to arrive. "Are we ready?" Emochan asked once everyone assembled. All of them looked as nervous and scared as she was. They all nodded and Emochan held her hand out. "Toma, let's do it."

Toma nodded and the others all placed their hands on top of Emochan's. Toma put his on the very top and closed his eyes. "Think of the hideout and let the image flow into our minds so we can all imagine it."Everyone else closed their eyes, giving Tomaru some time. After a few moments passed, Emochan could see dark temple-like ruins within a cave-like area. After the picture became clear enough, Emochan called out, "Sailor Teleport!" The ground shook as they all rose into the air. Within seconds, their bodies faded away from Tokyo.

They appeared inside a cold, dirty cavern. "We better henshin…" Reiko said and they all took out their tools. "ESTINEON POWER MAKE UP!"

"ASTINIA POWER MAKE UP!"

"CHOURI POWER MAKE UP!"

"GAKUSAI POWER MAKE UP!"

"SUNLIGHT POWER!"

"MOONLIGHT POWER!"

"DRAGON POWER!"

"EARTH CRYSTAL POWER MAKE UP!" Emochan roared with the others. They were all surrounded in various shades of light as they transformed. Once finished, Sunlight Knight led the way along a trail towards some sort of ruins. It looked as though the place had been created thousands of years past. The only real sound around them was the dripping of water nearby. Rubble was at their feet, so they tried their best not to make much noise to give away their presence. They walked up a long flight of stairs and Toma carefully opened the large metal doors; the rust on them peeling off as they opened. Inside was a long hallway that was shrouded in darkness. Candlelight gave little to the atmosphere. The doors shut ominously as everyone walked inside.

"Where are we?" Astinia asked.

"We are in the main hallway. This leads to the main room that Morgana resides in," Sunlight Knight said. Everyone stuck close together as they lightly walked through the darkness. Sailor Earth noticed tall pillars of eroded porcelain that lined up at their sides.

This place might have been beautiful once…

The tiny flames on the walls flickered ominously as they passed, nearing their destination. Sailor Earth couldn't help but feel something familiar about the place. But she dismissed the feeling as just nerves.

"Remember our plan." Sailor Earth as they approached a large door. It was arched and had two ring handles; one on each side.

"Where does that lead?" Gakusai questioned.

"Morgana's lair. Where she watches and plans her attacks." Sunlight Knight said.

Before they could respond, the ground began to shake violently beneath them. Rubble fell from the ceiling and intense laughter resonated through the hall. Everyone stood their ground and prepared for a battle. A bright flash of red light appeared in front of the door and split into two orbs. The orbs then grew into human-like figures. Everyone cautiously stood in place, preparing to fight. One form became the body of Daichi. He wore his normal black garb with a long silver cape. His eyes were bright red and he was grinning wildly. He looked as though he healed fully. Next to him was someone new. His eyes were a bright green and his face was very pale. He wore garb similar to Daichi's, but his was a shade of blue. He, too, wore a silver cape, and his flowing white hair had a single strip of black on the right side. Sailor Earth's eyes widened.

Wait a minute…

"You...you're from my vision!" she exclaimed, pointing at him. The stranger only smirked. Toshiro crossed his arms and grunted in disgust.

"You're what Morgana replaced me with? How pathetic," he said.

"E-Ecellious!" Dragon Mist exclaimed from behind Sailor Earth, in shock and horror. "It can't be…"

"Ecellious is no more. I am Dornak, the powerful warrior for Morgana." The man's voice roared with anger and superiority. Daichi nodded and his eyes fell onto the Sunlight Knight.

"I thought you were strong enough to fight off these disgusting weaklings. You disappoint me, Tomaru. I will shed a small tear when I kill you," he commented. The Sunlight Knight sneered and his eyes filled with rage.

"Don't pity me, you monster. The real Daichi wouldn't do this to his friends. I'm going to get my Daichi back!" he growled. Daichi leaned back and chuckled.

"Oh wah, wah, wah! It didn't take long for your mind to become trash like the rest of these fools. Your Daichi is dead. He is rotting in his own personal hell, but I digress." Daichi said and took out his broadsword. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we, Dornak?" He turned to his new partner and smiled as Dornak pulled out is katana.

With a grin, Daichi charged at Sailor Earth as Dornak charged at Dragon Mist. Sailor Earth leaped into the air and her wings extended, giving her flight. Spread out, preparing their own attacks. Sailor Estineon and Sailor Astinia rushed towards the door while the others were distracted in battle. Dornak clashed swords with Toshiro, Moonlight Knight, and Dragon Mist while the other senshi shot out barrages of attacks towards Daichi. Sailor Gakusai blasted her Symphonic Force attack against Daichi and he retaliated by throwing energy flares at her, pushing her against one of the cold walls behind her. Sailor Chouri rose her Spatula-blade and growled, as black balls of energy swirled around her.

"PEPPER BOMB!!" she exclaimed and the energy exploded around Daichi. He shielded his eyes and draped his cape around his form. The Sunlight Knight made a flaming bow with arrows appear and pulled the arrow against the bow, his eyes glaring at what was once his love.

"ASTRAL SUNRAY ARROW!" he roared and let go of the arrow, watching it hit Daichi's cape and engulf him in flames. Chouri rushed to Gakusai's aid and helped her up. Astinia and Estineon were trying to unlock the door and Estineon cast her Granted Protection field around them so they couldn't be harmed for the time being. Dornak was still squaring off against Dragon Mist, Toshiro, and Moonlight Knight. He three formed a triangle around the possessed warrior, each taking a swing at him simultaneously. Dornak fought back easily with his blade, smirking the entire time.

Sailor Earth felt her anger boil up as she watched the fighting from above. She tried to keep her eyes on Daichi, trying to time when she could go in for her part of the mission. Suddenly, time slowed for a moment and she felt a rush of heat fill her cheeks as tears began to fall. "I....I will win....I will defeat you!" she screamed. As she wiped the tears from her face with her gloved fingers, she held out her free hand and summoned her glaive. She saw the face of Daichi wrinkle into a look of pure lust for blood as he fought the other girls. She growled in anger as she swooped downwards, her glaive in front of her. The girls cleared out of the way quickly enough and Sailor Earth's blade collided with Daichi's. The stench of evil that rotted inside of him was strong as she pushed her body against the crossed blades.

"You are such a little brat. I can see why your Daichi welcomed the darkness. How could he ever live with having a 'sister' like you?" He sneered with a grin. Oh no, not this time…she wouldn't let his lies affect her.

"Your lies won't distract me, you creature from Hell!" Sailor Earth retorted with an edgy tone; her voice shaking a little. Her arms began to grow weak as the two opposing forces continued to push against each other.

"Sailor Earth! You're not following your plan!" Sailor Chouri said from the side. Sailor Gakusai rose her hands, about to use her energy against Daichi. Sailor Earth looked at them for a brief instant. Her eyes were burning with anger.

Fuck the plan!

Sailor Chouri nodded in understanding and grasped Gakusai's arms, pushing them down. They stepped back and ran around to help Estineon and Astinia. Sailor Earth stared back at Daichi "I have one thing to say to you."

"And what is that?" Daichi inquired with a grin.

"Earth...Love...Shudder....ATTACK!" She bellowed and shoved one of her hands at his stomach, blasting blue energy into Daichi. He threw his head back in pain and dropped his sword. Sailor Earth drew back and watched as he fell to his knees. Blood ran down his legs and covered his hands.

"YOU....BITCH!!!" he shrieked and black energy rippled from his body and through the air, pushing her backwards. She was lifted into the air and slammed against the wall. Her weakened body fell to the floor and she stumbled to get up. Blood trickled from her lips and tainted her cream-colored skin. Dornak fell to his knees in exhaustion, unable to handle the 3 to 1 ratio anymore. Daichi's moaning grew louder and angrier. "How dare you trick me like that!" He yelled out as his body began to glow black. His hands covered the large wound in his stomach and it started to heal. He held out one of his hands and shot out energy towards Dornak, recovering his strength and doubling his stamina. Estineon and Astinia grew tired form trying to open the door and ran out to join the others against Daichi and Dornak. Sailor Earth felt the warm blood against her skin and her eyes suddenly flared.

"I WILL KILL YOU!" She screamed, her high pitch cracking the pillars around them. Her wings twitched a bit as her arms extended at her sides. Her hands were in the shape of fists and her eyes began to glow white.

"What are you doing now?" Daichi asked, slightly afraid.

"What a wimp. She has to fight with magic!" Dorak chuckled. Toshiro smirked and swung his blade at Dornak's throat.

"Time to fight me, Dornak!" Toshiro said; his voice full of confidence. Dornak sneered.

"I'll make your death a swift one." Dornak grinned. His hand swooped up and grabbed Toshiro's sword, jabbing it against his chest to push him back. The two began to fight each other as the others watch in awe what was happening to Sailor Earth.

Her fists opened and her fingers extended. Her eyes didn't flinch as she stared deeply through Daichi. The blood began to dry on her skin but she didn't care. Daichi watched with an interested look on his face. Unbeknownst to him, a long blue ribbon appeared around his neck. It wrapped itself around him and he gasped as it started to strangle him.

Find the strength inside you...Queen Serendipity's voice sang in Sailor Earth's head. But the thirst for revenge was surging through her. Daichi tried to get free and he sent waves of energy at the other senshi and knights. Sailor Earth watched him writhe in pain for a few moments, smiling as she watched him suffer. Her aura had changed, and everyone around her could sense it. Dragon Mist finally ran to her side and grabbed her shoulders.

"Sailor Earth! Snap out of it! You're killing him!" he cried. He began to shake her, disrupting her concentration. She shook her head and the blue ribbon disappeared from Daichi's neck. He started couching as he regained his composure.

"What was that about me being so weak, Daichi?" Sailor Earth said, her eyes flashing with slight satisfaction. Daichi watched her for a moment, rubbing his neck with his cold gloved hands. He wheezed slightly and he grinned.

"I guess I underestimated you." he said. His form straightened back up and he opened his right hand, his katana reappearing inside it. "Let's end this." he whispered.

"Out of my way, Toshira." Sailor Earth's voice was stern, startling Dragon Mist. But he obliged, walking out of her way. From behind them were the sounds of the battle between Toshiro and his old mentor. Dornack was flipping and dodging Toshiro's attacks with experienced grace.

Daichi smiled and snapped one of his fingers, making shadows faze out from the walls.

"This can keep your friends busy," he said and took his stance. Sailor Earth focused solely on Daichi, summoning her glaive once again and holding it up. The shadows giggled as they floated around everyone.

Sailor Chouri and Sailor Gakusai were so close to opening up that door...

Sailor Estineon and Sailor Astinia put themselves to work and fought off the army of shadow youma. Moonlight Knight, Sunlight Knight, and Dragon Mist all formed a triangle alliance around some of the shadows. They only giggled in response. Sunlight Knight skillfully shot off arrows as fast as he could while the others used their blades and magic. Then, the knights held up their weapons and focused each others' energies. Their weapons began to glow.

"KNIGHT ENERGY FLARE!!" the three cried out in unison. Bright rays erupted from their bodies and blade, showering through the shadows, making them scream. The shadows began to disintegrate. The three smiled at their triumph. But it was short-lived, for another wave of shadows flew towards them.