Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story but the idea and the title.
A/N: …and even more serious…
"Oh, my God! How could we not have noticed?"
Usagi rushed down the stairs, followed by the thunder of nine other pairs of feet. Mamoru, directly behind her, cursed.
"Where would she have gone?" he demanded. "How could she have been foolish enough to have left?"
"How could we have been foolish enough not to see?" Ami shot back. "She thinks she can destroy the portal!"
"But she's just a little girl!" Kunzite cried.
Usagi shook her head wildly. "She's the Soldier of Ruin! She has enough power to destroy a planet! She thinks she can do the same to the portal!"
"But it's not the same thing as a planet!" Zoisite reminded them uselessly, slamming out the door after Usagi. "This is insane!"
"Her attack can drain energy!" Rei explained. "She must think-"
"This thing is more powerful than Pharaoh Ninety-Nine!" Usagi shouted. "She's going to die!"
No one said anything else as they raced out down the street. It was only when they were within a block of the apartment building that Rei suddenly shouted for a halt.
"Why?" Usagi shrieked.
"We need to transform!"
"Oh! Right!"
The Shitennou kept going, Mamoru only pausing for a flicker to become Tuxedo Mask, then racing after them. The Senshi pulled their wands and shouted their planet names. Before the light even faded, they were running again.
Oh, Hotaru, what were you thinking? Sailor Moon pushed herself harder forward. Please be okay!
Ahead, she saw the apartment building, and the edge of the alley. Hope flared in her heart as she saw no one there. Then a petite form in a black dress appeared, dragging a limp little body in a child's clothing.
"IIE!"
The scream ripped its way out of Sailor Moon's throat, and brought the Creature's head around towards her. Black eyes and blue, in identical faces, locked, and It hissed dangerously.
"Let her go!"
Kunzite lunged forward, blade carving towards Its face, with Venus' chain whipping in from the other side. The Creature sprang straight up, only to be surprised. Expecting Its favorite move, Nephrite caught Jupiter as she leapt into his cupped hands and boosted her into the air. She soared up into a powerful kick, her booted foot cracking against Its face. The monster and child tumbled down; Hotaru into Jadeite's waiting arms, and the Creature into Mars' enraged attack.
"MARS SNAKE FIRE!"
A coiling serpent of flame reared up from gloved hands, and streaked out into Its chest. The enemy staggered back, barely dodging another strike from the living fire. It spun, ducked, and came back up facing Jadeite with a terrible grin.
"Not tonight, thanks."
One hand still held Hotaru, but the other drew his dagger. Prepared for the attack, he flung himself forward, and slashed It across Its pretty face.
A terrible scream erupted as It flung Its hands over the wound. No one paused from pity this time, Tuxedo Mask already flinging the first rose. Three consecutive flowers found their mark, driving It back towards the alley.
"Be careful!" Zoisite shouted. "We don't know what will happen if It is taken back by the Abyss! It could close the portal, or make it worse!"
His words brought the Creature's face up, and everyone froze with shock. Instead of blood, the wounds seeped a white-gold, luminous liquid. It rolled down the pale cheeks and dyed the cuts on in Its dress.
"What the hell?" Jadeite muttered in shock.
"I don't understand," Sailor Moon began, shaking her head. "I thought-"
"DON'T LOOK AT ME!"
It flew at her, claws cleaving the air, aiming for her face. She screamed and dove to the side, rolling across the road as It landed where she had stood.
"Usako!"
Two more roses flew, but It evaded these, leaping towards Jadeite. Sailor Moon raised herself up onto her elbow as something clicked.
"Its after Hotaru!"
"Not gonna happen!" Jupiter snapped. "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
A ball of thunder formed in her hands, then blasted out towards the Creature. It spun away, then prepared to launch Itself at Jadeite again.
"Oh, yeah?" the Senshi of Thunder shouted, enraged. "Dodge this! JUPITER," her hands rose over her head, "EMERALD," green power began to glow between her fingers, "THUNDER," the air crackled, "ONSLAUGHT!"
Eight brilliant green thunder bolts exploded from the sky, slamming down two at a time in a corridor before Jupiter. The last pair smashed down into the Creature, making Its body arch as It shrieked.
"MARS," the Senshi of Fire's hands cupped in front of her body, "PURIFYING," a bonfire shot to life, and she thrust it towards the sky, "INFERNO!"
Red flames blasted from her hands, into the Creature's scarred face. Not even a scream came from It as the wave of fire lifted It off Its feet and flung it backwards.
"Sailor Moon!" Mars snarled through her teeth. "See if you can't finish this thing off!"
But her Princess barely opened her lips before It turned, and disappeared into the shadows.
"I hate when enemies do that!" Venus muttered, stomping her foot.
Kunzite put a soothing hand on her shoulder. "We'll have another chance at it, I'm sure."
"See!" Nephrite shouted, catching everyone's attention as he pointed to a very surprised Jupiter. " 'Emerald Thunder!' That's why I call her that!"
"Call me what?"
"Hotaru!" Sailor Moon ran to Jadeite. "Is she…?"
"She's breathing," Jadeite reassured her. "I think she was just knocked around a bit. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"What the hell is going on?"
Haruka stumbled down the steps of the apartment building, Setsuna leaning in the doorway behind her.
"Where were you?" Jadeite shouted back. "How could you miss all that?"
She passed a hand over her eyes, and groaned. "I think…we were drugged. I can't wake Michiru up. But who would?"
"Hotaru," Mercury explained. "She was trying to face the Abyss alone."
"Oh, baby!" Haruka took her from Jadeite, looking into her pale face. "Is she alright?"
As if in answer, a little moan came from Hotaru. Her head moved against Haruka's shoulder, and her eyes opened. She stared up at the older girl for a blank moment, then smiled.
"Haruka-papa."
"Oh, sweetheart! What were you thinking?"
"Gomen, Haruka-papa," she said in a strangely calm voice. "I thought I could defeat the Abyss alone. I was very wrong."
"Hotaru, we promised to fight together!" Sailor Moon reminded her tearfully. "You promised!"
The little face turned towards the upset blonde, and regarded her silently for an unsettling moment. Then, again, she smiled.
"Usagi. Gomen. I did not mean to frighten you. Please forgive me."
A little laugh came from Sailor Moon, and she wiped her eyes. "It's alright. Just don't do it again."
The same little smile curved Hotaru's lips. "I promise."