She Who Must Stand Alone
Chapter 26
Sailor Mercury nervously chewed on her lip as her stomach tied itself into knots over Sailormoon's continued silence. Her odd behavior and the presence of dark energy in her body was worrying her more so than the fact that whatever attacked her and Venus before was still around here somewhere in this dark void of mist. And whatever it was that lived in this dreadful place obviously feeds off energy. When Sailormoon had found her and Venus they were both hanging onto life by a thread and if she hadn't supplied them with some of her energy they'd both be dead right now. There were just so many things she didn't understand so many questions she needed to ask. Like how it sounded to her that Sailormoon wanted her and Venus to escape this place and leave her behind. Why? It didn't make sense. And how could she expect them to?
Glancing down at her computer her sense of forbidden grew. Sailormoon's vitals were off the chart and her heart beat erratic. And yet.there were no outward signs of this. According to her readings Sailormoon's skin should be flushed and her breathing heavy and irregular but the opposite was the case. Her readings couldn't be wrong. But then how could she explain the reading and the fact that Sailormoon was kneeling beside her calmly transferring energy to Venus. It was all so bizarre. And her eyes, the windows to her soul, where one could stare into their depths and always know what she was feeling, were closed.
Unable to take it anymore she reached over to touch her.
"Don't worry about me," Sailormoon stated quietly startling her "Just get Venus out of here.
Venus who was growing more alert thanks to Sailormoon's energy felt the tension in the air and focused on their conversation.
"But." Mercury started to protest only to be silenced as Sailormoon turned to look at her. She recognized that look in her eye and knew what it meant. She'd only seen it in their leaders eyes a handful of times but it never failed to fill her with dread each and every time. It was a look of determination as well as resignation. It was a look reserved for desperate times when she was determined to fight alone and that her chances of survival weren't so good. She knew it was useless to argue and yet she felt her head shaking in denial just the same.
"Dammit Mercury" Sailormoon snapped, "I'm not asking you I'm telling you. Now program that damn computer of yours and get Venus out of here."
She found herself responding to the authority in that voice as her fingers flew over the keys to her computer. "Done" she announced solemnly
Good Sailormoon sighed and for a second her eyes turned regretful. "Mercury.I." she shook her head unable to continue "Take Venus's hand and be ready to make a run for it." She said softly while casting what seemed to be a nervous glance over her shoulder.
Mercury looked behind her as well but saw nothing. Which wasn't surprising. She couldn't see anything outside of the light Sailormoon was giving off. Taking Venus's hand she wondered if Sailormoon saw something, which she could not, and if that wasn't the reason she wanted them gone. Shivering at the thought she was about to protest again about them leaving her when surprisingly Venus beat her too it.
"No" Venus croaked as she sat up. She looked at Sailormoon with equal determination. "We wont leave you."
Sailormoon looked down at her with a sad smile "You don't have a choice" she stated just before she stopped the transfer of energy and they were plunged into darkness. They didn't even have time to call out before an enraged cry filled the silence. It was a cry that caused shivers to dance down their spines and for their hold on each other's hands to tighten. The cry was frightening and it was anything but human.
"Sailormoon" they cried out in alarm for they could see nothing.
"Run" they heard her scream although the sound came from further away.
"Oh God" Venus gasped
"Lets go" mercury cried tugging on Venus's arm. There was nothing they could do to help her now. They couldn't see anything. They couldn't even see each other and they were standing right next to each other. And if her mini computer wasn't programmed to lead them to Jupiter communicator she didn't doubt that they would have never found there way out of here.
.......
Tuxedo mask stood holding his injured hand against his stomach as he reached for a rose with his left.
There was no sign of Sasha but he knew that she was here. He didn't believe for a second that he had imagined her laughter. Besides he had a little help falling from that building and the pain in his jaw was a testament to that.
When the attack did finally come he was caught off guard not hearing anything he was startled when he suddenly felt her presence behind him. He reacted but not quick enough as the blow caught him in the back and sent him flying into the side of the building.
The pain was excruciating. But he didn't cry out and that was because he simply lacked the ability too. For the force of the blow had literally stole his breath away. He slumped unceremoniously to the ground. And for the second time he had to not only fight to breath but to fight back the instant panic that assailed everyone when they found themselves unable to draw breath.
His first breath when he could manage it was bittersweet, because it was both deep and painful.
"The pain your feeling now human is only the beginning." Sasha taunted. "You've cause me both pain and embarrassment this day and therefore your death is destined to be a long and painful one."
Tuxedomask rose cautiously to his feet thankful that none of his cracked ribs had punctured his lungs. A broken wrist, a few cracked ribs he could deal with but even a super hero needed to breath. Although another blow like that and he might not continue to be so lucky.
"Human bones are so fragile" she mused " And they make such a lovely sound when they break. Don't you agree?"
Tuxedomask remained silent as he slowly turned to face her and what he saw had his eyes widening in disbelief.
.....
(Did you miss me?)
Sailormoon could feel all the blood inside her rushing to her head all the while telling herself not to panic. There time had run out he had finally caught up with them. She had to get Venus and Mercury out of here. All she had to do was distract him long enough for them to make their escape. She was the one he really wanted. Once they escaped he wouldn't pursue them but she need to give them time enough to get away.
(Please, just let them go) she begged him before saying out loud to Mercury "Don't worry about me just get Venus out of here." When she started to protest she turned to look at her.
(You should have left them alone. Now they will suffer all that pain all over again as we drain the energy you gave them out of their bodies.)
(I still have enough energy to satisfy you. Just leave them alone)
(Our hunger is endless. And only if you were at your peak, which you are not, could you be able to satisfy us for any ample amount of time.)
(Bastard) she hissed silently before snapping at Mercury, who was still sitting there protesting when she should be doing what she was told. "Dammit mercury I'm not asking you I'm telling you. Now program that damn computer of yours and get Venus out of here." She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Done." Mercury announced
(Such a waste of time)
"Good" Sailormoon sighed while trying to hide her relief. And just then she was sorry for her tone. After all this was more than likely the last time they would see each other. Mercury.I.." she shook her head unable to finish. There was too much to say and not enough time to say it all.
(Your time is growing short. He announced "It's almost upon us)
"Take Venus hand and be ready to make a run for it." She said while casting a nervous look over her shoulder. It was almost here she could feel it. He wasn't attacking them now because he was waiting. He was waiting for the mist, the part which was alive. The time for them to flee was now. She was about to say so when surprisingly she heard not Mercury but Venus protesting
"No" she croaked, "we wont leave you."
Sailormoon looked into her eyes and knew that she meant what she said. She expected no less of her or Mercury but then again she wasn't giving them a choice.
(Times up)
"You don't have a choice." She announced sadly before removing her hand and stopping the transfer of energy, once again they were shrouded in darkness. She wasted no time. With her heightened senses she picked up the movement behind her and reacted instinctively. She leaned forward on her hands and kicked back with her feet, connecting with solid mass. And then she was on her feet running.
She heard her friends calling for her as well as his enraged cry. She didn't believe for a second that she hurt him. He was angry because now he had to give chase and move away from her friends. He had wanted both, but now he had to settle just for her that is if they ever got their butts moving. "Run" she screamed over her shoulder and prayed that this time they would listen for if they were still here when he was done with her than their would be no hope for them none at all.
(Come on you bastard) she shouted at him (I'm the one you want.)
(Yes, you are.)
(Than lets finish this.)
Sailor Mercury nervously chewed on her lip as her stomach tied itself into knots over Sailormoon's continued silence. Her odd behavior and the presence of dark energy in her body was worrying her more so than the fact that whatever attacked her and Venus before was still around here somewhere in this dark void of mist. And whatever it was that lived in this dreadful place obviously feeds off energy. When Sailormoon had found her and Venus they were both hanging onto life by a thread and if she hadn't supplied them with some of her energy they'd both be dead right now. There were just so many things she didn't understand so many questions she needed to ask. Like how it sounded to her that Sailormoon wanted her and Venus to escape this place and leave her behind. Why? It didn't make sense. And how could she expect them to?
Glancing down at her computer her sense of forbidden grew. Sailormoon's vitals were off the chart and her heart beat erratic. And yet.there were no outward signs of this. According to her readings Sailormoon's skin should be flushed and her breathing heavy and irregular but the opposite was the case. Her readings couldn't be wrong. But then how could she explain the reading and the fact that Sailormoon was kneeling beside her calmly transferring energy to Venus. It was all so bizarre. And her eyes, the windows to her soul, where one could stare into their depths and always know what she was feeling, were closed.
Unable to take it anymore she reached over to touch her.
"Don't worry about me," Sailormoon stated quietly startling her "Just get Venus out of here.
Venus who was growing more alert thanks to Sailormoon's energy felt the tension in the air and focused on their conversation.
"But." Mercury started to protest only to be silenced as Sailormoon turned to look at her. She recognized that look in her eye and knew what it meant. She'd only seen it in their leaders eyes a handful of times but it never failed to fill her with dread each and every time. It was a look of determination as well as resignation. It was a look reserved for desperate times when she was determined to fight alone and that her chances of survival weren't so good. She knew it was useless to argue and yet she felt her head shaking in denial just the same.
"Dammit Mercury" Sailormoon snapped, "I'm not asking you I'm telling you. Now program that damn computer of yours and get Venus out of here."
She found herself responding to the authority in that voice as her fingers flew over the keys to her computer. "Done" she announced solemnly
Good Sailormoon sighed and for a second her eyes turned regretful. "Mercury.I." she shook her head unable to continue "Take Venus's hand and be ready to make a run for it." She said softly while casting what seemed to be a nervous glance over her shoulder.
Mercury looked behind her as well but saw nothing. Which wasn't surprising. She couldn't see anything outside of the light Sailormoon was giving off. Taking Venus's hand she wondered if Sailormoon saw something, which she could not, and if that wasn't the reason she wanted them gone. Shivering at the thought she was about to protest again about them leaving her when surprisingly Venus beat her too it.
"No" Venus croaked as she sat up. She looked at Sailormoon with equal determination. "We wont leave you."
Sailormoon looked down at her with a sad smile "You don't have a choice" she stated just before she stopped the transfer of energy and they were plunged into darkness. They didn't even have time to call out before an enraged cry filled the silence. It was a cry that caused shivers to dance down their spines and for their hold on each other's hands to tighten. The cry was frightening and it was anything but human.
"Sailormoon" they cried out in alarm for they could see nothing.
"Run" they heard her scream although the sound came from further away.
"Oh God" Venus gasped
"Lets go" mercury cried tugging on Venus's arm. There was nothing they could do to help her now. They couldn't see anything. They couldn't even see each other and they were standing right next to each other. And if her mini computer wasn't programmed to lead them to Jupiter communicator she didn't doubt that they would have never found there way out of here.
.......
Tuxedo mask stood holding his injured hand against his stomach as he reached for a rose with his left.
There was no sign of Sasha but he knew that she was here. He didn't believe for a second that he had imagined her laughter. Besides he had a little help falling from that building and the pain in his jaw was a testament to that.
When the attack did finally come he was caught off guard not hearing anything he was startled when he suddenly felt her presence behind him. He reacted but not quick enough as the blow caught him in the back and sent him flying into the side of the building.
The pain was excruciating. But he didn't cry out and that was because he simply lacked the ability too. For the force of the blow had literally stole his breath away. He slumped unceremoniously to the ground. And for the second time he had to not only fight to breath but to fight back the instant panic that assailed everyone when they found themselves unable to draw breath.
His first breath when he could manage it was bittersweet, because it was both deep and painful.
"The pain your feeling now human is only the beginning." Sasha taunted. "You've cause me both pain and embarrassment this day and therefore your death is destined to be a long and painful one."
Tuxedomask rose cautiously to his feet thankful that none of his cracked ribs had punctured his lungs. A broken wrist, a few cracked ribs he could deal with but even a super hero needed to breath. Although another blow like that and he might not continue to be so lucky.
"Human bones are so fragile" she mused " And they make such a lovely sound when they break. Don't you agree?"
Tuxedomask remained silent as he slowly turned to face her and what he saw had his eyes widening in disbelief.
.....
(Did you miss me?)
Sailormoon could feel all the blood inside her rushing to her head all the while telling herself not to panic. There time had run out he had finally caught up with them. She had to get Venus and Mercury out of here. All she had to do was distract him long enough for them to make their escape. She was the one he really wanted. Once they escaped he wouldn't pursue them but she need to give them time enough to get away.
(Please, just let them go) she begged him before saying out loud to Mercury "Don't worry about me just get Venus out of here." When she started to protest she turned to look at her.
(You should have left them alone. Now they will suffer all that pain all over again as we drain the energy you gave them out of their bodies.)
(I still have enough energy to satisfy you. Just leave them alone)
(Our hunger is endless. And only if you were at your peak, which you are not, could you be able to satisfy us for any ample amount of time.)
(Bastard) she hissed silently before snapping at Mercury, who was still sitting there protesting when she should be doing what she was told. "Dammit mercury I'm not asking you I'm telling you. Now program that damn computer of yours and get Venus out of here." She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Done." Mercury announced
(Such a waste of time)
"Good" Sailormoon sighed while trying to hide her relief. And just then she was sorry for her tone. After all this was more than likely the last time they would see each other. Mercury.I.." she shook her head unable to finish. There was too much to say and not enough time to say it all.
(Your time is growing short. He announced "It's almost upon us)
"Take Venus hand and be ready to make a run for it." She said while casting a nervous look over her shoulder. It was almost here she could feel it. He wasn't attacking them now because he was waiting. He was waiting for the mist, the part which was alive. The time for them to flee was now. She was about to say so when surprisingly she heard not Mercury but Venus protesting
"No" she croaked, "we wont leave you."
Sailormoon looked into her eyes and knew that she meant what she said. She expected no less of her or Mercury but then again she wasn't giving them a choice.
(Times up)
"You don't have a choice." She announced sadly before removing her hand and stopping the transfer of energy, once again they were shrouded in darkness. She wasted no time. With her heightened senses she picked up the movement behind her and reacted instinctively. She leaned forward on her hands and kicked back with her feet, connecting with solid mass. And then she was on her feet running.
She heard her friends calling for her as well as his enraged cry. She didn't believe for a second that she hurt him. He was angry because now he had to give chase and move away from her friends. He had wanted both, but now he had to settle just for her that is if they ever got their butts moving. "Run" she screamed over her shoulder and prayed that this time they would listen for if they were still here when he was done with her than their would be no hope for them none at all.
(Come on you bastard) she shouted at him (I'm the one you want.)
(Yes, you are.)
(Than lets finish this.)