Chapter 9: On the Run

Cole was almost in tears when he opened his eyes. It was the same building. The transport must have failed, and it was even more probable that it was because of him. The mist seemed to be fading away faster each second. The footsteps on the roof became much louder and Cole's heart was beating in his ears.

The others seemed to have opened their eyes too by now, each equally frightened and very aware of the footsteps.

Jupiter seemed to be trembling slightly, "Cole…"

"What!?", Saturn snapped. He was terrified.

Jupiter seemed to refrain for a moment, but then continued. "I am sorry to disobey you, but I have to do this, to save all of us…"

"Disobey? You haven't done anything wrong ye---", Saturn stopped suddenly.

Jupiter sent thousands of lightning bolts down from the sky which caused the helicopters to come crashing down on the tower in mini explosions. Then he sent a large volt of electric energy at the hundreds of police below them. Cole was amazed at how they scattered like ants to avoid the lightning. Now the entire city was pouring with rain.

"Yeah! That's the way to do it Jupiter!" Venus yelled. "VENUS GASTLY PARALYSIS--FIRE!", from Venus' palm came many waves that scattered throughout the roof. The SWAT team men that had crashed and fallen out of their helicopters was now on the ground, paralyzed and defenseless. They could also see the men that caused the footsteps; Snipers. This made Cole very uneasy.

"I'm sorry too, Cole.", Mercury whispered as he stared at all of them in awe. "MERCURY AQUATIC SUBMERGE!". From nowhere the ground below the tower was flooded with water which caused the officers and their cars to float away from the building.

Mars said nothing and just looked at the ground.

"Now lets get out of here!", exclaimed Venus. "Everybody concentrate this time."

Cole could have sworn that Venus made slight eye contact with him as he said that last sentence. But he shook the thought away and quickly joined hands with the others. Mars putting out his hand last.

"SAILOR PLANET TRASPORT!", 4 of the soldiers said loudly. It was obvious who practically whispered his response. Cole once again thought about his apartment. Where they would be safe for the time being. He wanted to be there so badly that it made his stomach hurt at the thought of it. Their lives depended on it. He could feel the intensity from their body heat and could almost feel himself lifting off the ground.

As the heat faded, Cole found it safe to open his eyes again. His gave a collective sigh of relief, he was really home. Every single detail he had pictured in his mind was finally real. His teammates in him had arrived safely. They quickly held out their scepters and de-transformed back into their normal clothes.

"You guys, what you pulled out there was very risky and could have gotten us killed. You do know that, right?", Cole asked. He was trying to not scold them as hard as he could.

"We are alive aren't we.", David sneered. "No thanks to Mr. Sad pants over here."

"Lay off, David!", Cole snapped. He knew he was talking about Matt.

David grinned sickly and said the words that would drive Cole mad "You are just guilty because you killed him…"

Cole jumped over his bed and clutched David by the throat and pressing him against the wall. "DON'T YOU EVER AND I MEAN EVER! SAY THAT TO ME AGAIN!" He threw David onto the floor with a large thump.

"See what I mean?", David asked the others "This is the Cole I am talking about. The two timing bastard who happens to be----"

Andrew interrupted him rudely "Who happens to be our leader.", he snarled. "Now sit down and shut up."

Taken aback by Andrew, David rose from the floor and sat on the bed quietly.



"What are we going to do now? The entire Police department and SWAT team wants to kill us.", Drake asked.

Cole stared blankly, "The police are the least of our worries. Our entire families are in danger. Are we going to meet Radix and Maddox tomorrow night?"

"OF COARSE NOT!", Venus detested, shattering his silence. "We will get killed otherwise!"

"I didn't say we were, David.", Cole said tiredly. He just wanted to sleep. "They didn't say where to meet them, so I am sure that they will come to us."

"Lets just face it! We have been outsmarted!" Drake yelled "We are at their mercy, lets just give them the stupid scepters."

"Are you kidding!?", David gasped "You know that they will kill us the second we do that. I would rather fight to the death than to let the world be destroyed with no way for us to stop it!"

"It's safe to assume that they are much stronger than us anyway! They whooped our asses before and probably killed at least 50 people right in front of our eyes!", Drake snapped right back at David.

Ignoring the argument between Drake and David, Cole clicked on his TV with his remote to see live coverage at the sky tower.

"…Today in a matter of almost an hour, tragedy has struck the city. The Sailor Soldiers have been confirmed by police to be deadly and dangerous. The soldiers allegedly assaulted police and caused not only heavy thunderstorms but also severe flooding which has caused injury to several officers. Here is some stunning new footage taken by our cameramen after the explosions started occurring for the second time this week.", Cole was stunned. There he was sending many blasts towards Radix and Maddox, but they could not be seen. It looked as if he was deliberately sending pre-nuclear blasts towards the park and the houses, he was infuriated. Why weren't they appearing on the news footage… "As one could clearly see, one of the Sailor Soldiers is sending a horrific explosion towards not only the city park, but also the surrounding houses. Police have not established a motive, but as fate might have it, the soldiers have disappeared somehow. They encourage viewers to report any sightings of them as soon as possible. Although they do not encourage evacuation, they do strongly suggest to be careful. The Sailor Soldiers are armed, and very dangerous..."

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!", Cole rose. "Radix and Maddox did not show up at all on that footage! IT LOOKED LIKE I WAS TRYING TO BLOW UP THE ENTIRE CITY!"

"Don't get so stressed, Cole. Their skin must be made of something light reflective that doesn't show up on film.", Andrew said reassuringly "The town is obviously very confused right now…they will eventually come to their senses….Or at least we have to believe that for the time being."

David rudely cut in the conversation "Oh shut up already! You are totally clueless aren't you? The town isn't going to come to their senses, we have been bad guys all these years as far as they are concerned, don't you get it yet?"

"Shut up, David!", Cole snapped fiercely "He's right, they will realize who is on who's side."

David slowly sat back down again.



Drake seemed to glare at the pillow of Cole's that he was clutching to his chest, "That Radix and Maddox did a lot of damage and it just pisses me off that they get away with it and we get blamed! THAT JUST GETS ME SOOO ANGRY!"

"We cant stay here, you guys.", Cole said quietly "Its only a matter of time before they find out who we are. And we cant put the city in danger either."

"What are you trying to say, Cole?", Drake asked irritably "If we don't stay in the city, where else can we go?"

"Well obviously some place where we can meet Radix and Maddox, maybe possibly fight them, where nobody can get hurt or see us.", Andrew replied softly.

"I refuse to fight them! They are way too powerful for us!" David loudly objected.

"Then hand over your scepter.", Cole snarled. David became silent.



The boys continued to talk, but as the minutes progressed, it became harder and harder to pretend they weren't terrified of what the future held for them. Cole would find himself staring at Matt every few minutes or so. He didn't quite understand why he was so concerned, sure Matt was his best friend, but it was like an obsession, he needed to talk to him, the silent treatment was driving him mad…or was he mad to begin with and this pressure was making him sane…or was he sane, lost his sanity, and Matt was making him crack even more…he had to quit thinking. He had a headache already.



"What about our parents? And what about yours Cole? Radix and Maddox destroyed the house in the attacks.", Andrew asked. Cole's head throbbed, he really didn't want to think about it.

"I don't know. I just hope with all of my heart that they evacuated in time. I know the house was probably destroyed, and every other house near it, but maybe they left before it happened.", Cole replied with feigned optimism, there was no point of bringing down the team morale with his true feelings.

Drake stepped off the bed and giving a loud yawn. "Well, I don't wanna be cooped up in here on an empty stomach. All this pressure sure gives me an appetite," he smiled lightly "How about I cook dinner, Cole?"

Despite his tough and intimidating appearance, Drake was by far the most domestic of the entire team. He loved to cook and clean, it was his favorite hobbies and both, to everyone's liking, he was extremely good at.



Cole grinned slightly as well "Sure, mom did my grocery shopping last week. There should be lots of stuff to cook in the kitchen."

"Alright, I'll get started.", Drake happily said as he walked quickly and cheerfully to the kitchen.

"Is it okay if I watch TV in the living room, Cole?", Andrew asked quietly. Cole was amazed at how close they could get to Andrew, but how shy she was all of the time.

"Of coarse.", Cole smiled. Things seemed very normal for once.

Andrew calmly walked out of the bedroom and downstairs to the living room.

David quickly ran after him., "I got dibs on the recliner!"

Cole chuckled quietly to himself and began to follow them when a voice stopped his movement. "Wait.", the voice belonged to Matt.

Cole turned around and walked back to his where Matt sat. "What's up?", Cole asked awkwardly. He had no clue of what to say to him.

"Just tell me something.", Matt muttered solemnly. Cole could hardly hear him. "Ho-How did he…How did he d-die."

Cole's smile suddenly faded. "He who?" Matt's silence pierced through him like a knife. He couldn't play dumb with him. "Matt, you know its still kinda hard for me to say out loud."

"And it is hard for me to hear. Tell me.", he urged. "I want to know."

Cole started to quiver and tears began to form in his eyes. "Please, Matt. Don't make me do that."

"Tell me.", he demanded.

"I c-can't Matt. Its too hard for me to say it.", A single tear ran down his face.

"Why cant you tell me.", Matt sneered. Cole had never seen him so serious and insisting before. "Did you kill him, Cole? Is that why you can't tell me?"

"No, I didn't, Matt!", Cole whimpered "I swear to you! I did not do it! I swear on Uranus' grave. I did not kill him!"

"Then you will tell me what happened.", Matt glared insensitively.

Cole couldn't take it anymore, he broke down. To please his best friend he told and relived every single detail of his father's death. He could hear himself pleading desperately as he did that horrid day. Begging for the man's life and safety while Sirix held him by the throat. He felt the blood spatter on his face again, he felt the pain and tears stream down his cheeks again, he felt the horror and fear all over again. Everything was so vivid to him. Every scream, every curse he swore, every yell of mortal terror he felt brush against his conscience as the mans blood and organs flew from his body and onto the hot tar. He saw his best friend's father's head lying beneath his boot, once again. He wanted to scream so hard, it was the most horrifying scene he ever laid eyes on.

He managed to snap out of that world now. It was the past now. The head on the ground was replaced by Matt's face. His eyes red as he shed tears that soaked his shirt. Cole put his hand over his shoulder. He felt so odd comforting someone when he needed comfort himself. But at least Matt knew now, but at a terrible price. He continued to pat his friend reassuringly on the back. Telling him that everything was okay, that everything would be all right, that he felt the same way, terrified and sad. For the first time since the Sirix attacks ended, he felt that he had a best friend again.

Matt then stopped his tears and looked at Cole again, almost in horror. His eyes widened. "Cole…they know who you are." He sounded as if he didn't believe a word he was saying.

Puzzled, Cole stared at him. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"COLE, GET DOWN HERE QUICK!", Drake yelled from downstairs.

Forgetting temporarily about what Matt meant, they wiped away their tears and ran downstairs to see what all of the commotion was about.

"What, Drake?", Cole agitatedly asked.

'They know who you are! We gotta leave now!", Drake said, he was out of breathe.

"Was there a memo that I didn't get? What the hell are you talking about?!", Cole asked. He was panicking.

"Look on the TV!", cried Andrew

Cole looked at his television to see his picture flashing on the screen "…Police have a break in the Sailor Soldier case. Just mere minutes ago information has been released on the identity of one of the Sailor Soldiers. 20 year old Cole Collingsworth has been confirmed to be the leader of the Sailor Soldiers and is wanted by Police…"

"SHIT!", Cole yelled. "How did they find out who I was! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?"

"I don't know, but the Cops will be here any second now. We gotta get out of here now!", Drake said, quite alarmed.

"But how can I escape!? They know what I look like!" Cole wanted to ram his head into a wall. He felt so trapped.

"How else?", Matt said with a sly grin on his face. "I cant believe you forgot about the Change Pen Pluto gave to you."

"MATT! YOU ARE A GENIUS!" Cole jumped happily "I totally forgot about that! BUT WHERE IS IT! OH NO! I LOST IT!"

"I know you did.", Matt said calmly.

"AND YOU ENJOY THIS WHY, AGAIN??", Cole yelled.

"Because you left it at the temple and I have sorta been keeping it in case something like this happened." Matt said as he waved the pen happily with his hand. Under Cole's fear he was totally happy that Matt was beginning to come back to normal.

He ran to Matt and grabbed it quickly. "Okay, I haven't done this in a while…but its my only hope. CHANGE PEN ACTIVATE!" Out of the tiny red pen came a magnificent glow that lit the entire room "CHANGE ME INTO A-----UMMM----CHANGE ME INTO A----"

"Hurry, the cops are probably on this street, dammit!"


"CHANGE ME INTO A POLICE OFFICER!", Cole yelled quickly into the pen.

In a bright flash of light, thick smoke enshrouded the living room and as it cleared Cole emerged as a very fat and short Police officer. He was about 7 inches shorter than Cole and had a mustache and curly black hair with the complete uniform with gun and all. He gently tucked away the change pen in his pocket.

"Lets go through the back!", Cole spoke in a much deeper and accented voice.



A knock on the door made Cole's heart beat faster than ever before.

"OPEN UP! THIS THE POLICE COLLINGSWORTH! WE KNOW YOU Are IN THERE! OPEN THIS DOOR OR WE WILL BREAK IT DOWN!"

Using his brilliant ability to think on his feet Cole gave the other four a signal to leave through the back door without him. With every ounce of courage in him, Cole opened the door.

"Who the hell are you?", One of the Officers snapped rudely, there was at least 6 of them.

"I am Officer--", Cole looked down at his name tag without looking too conspicuous "I am Officer--Bran---I mean Brady, North West division. You are too late. Collingsworth and his buddies seem to have fled. We just missed them.", his heart pounded loudly in his ears.

"What do you mean? I could of sworn I heard the door shut when we knocked.", Another one of the officers glared suspiciously.

Cole scratched his mustache and said nervously "Those were my boys outside, checking the backyard before leaving, but like I said before they have fled already."

"North West Division, eh?", One of the slimmer ones asked. "I have a buddy there, do you know a Bill Volasco?"

"No sir. I just finished the academy.", Cole was really starting to get the hang of his disguise. "And between you and me, this would be my first real case."

The police seemed to take a slight liking to him. "We all have to start somewhere, eh?" The Slim one replied. "Lets go. We should check the airports to see catch those bastards before they leave the country. You sure you and your division have searched the premises already?"

"Very, sir.", Cole just wanted to leave as fast as possible.

"Then we will be on our way. We have 5 criminals to catch. If you get to know Bill, tell him John says hi to he and his wife. Lets go boys.", he finished as they walked off into their squad cars and drove away.

Cole gave a huge sigh of relief and closed the door to his apartment and went around the back to join his friends.

It was very dark already. A lot of time must have passed since they left the sky tower. Cole grabbed a flashlight out of his belt, turned it on and held it above his shoulder like he saw them do on Cop shows. He scanned the bushes and trees. He didn't see his friends anywhere.

Suddenly in the corner of his eye he saw a tiny red flame. He shook it off as a trick of the light. He then heard a bush rumble. He quickly turned towards them with full caution. Out of nowhere came 4 cops with their flashlights flashing in his eyes. He yelled of fright.

"Don't you recognize us?", a tall and big nosed Officer spoke. He smiled "Its me, Drake! And Matt, David, and Andrew"

"Huh!" Cole yelled as chills went through his spine. "how is that possible! You cops aren't them! I am Officer Brady, searching for Collings--"

"Oh cut the act stupid." The tall one said playfully. "Your dumb Pen fell out of your pocket. It has a hole in it or something. I grabbed it right after you gave us the signal."

Cole checked his pockets, the pen was gone. "Geeze! You guys scared the crap out of me! We better get going. It isn't safe here."

"Yes sir, Officer Brady!", another one of them said jokingly. For some reason he had a feeling this round and gray haired one was Andrew. "But where to?"

"The cops are headed for the airport, so we better run just as far as we can out of this city."

"Then lets get going!", a young looking bald cop said. He knew this was David.

The soldiers ran towards the full and regal moon like the tides of the ocean. They ran through streets, dark allies, and around buildings as fast as they could. It was very dark and cold outside, but they just ran like they had never run before. It seemed as if they would run forever, but they knew that couldn't be true. But contrary to what some may believe they loved it. They loved to run because the brisk wind in their faces and rushes of adrenaline made them feel as if they didn't have a problem in the world. They felt free. They just needed to keep their cover and run only in the shadows. That was where they were safe.

Finally they were out of breathe and strength. They had no idea where they were, and no intention on knowing. The less they knew, the less others would know, and the less others would know, the better. All they knew was that the moon seemed bigger now. Almost a golden tinge to it. They stopped and saw that they were without a doubt definitely away from the city. Maybe not far from it, but definitely out of it. Things seemed much more quiet wherever they were. Where the swaying trees could be heard and seen and where the crickets lovely music could be enjoyed. They could feel cool and fresh air brush against them. Not the heat and smog they were used to. It seemed like they were in a forest. A forest which they had no idea how they got into, and no idea how to get out. It seemed unreal and exaggerated that 5 young and becoming men could run so far, it seemed out of human bounds, but a depth and knowledge of fear and danger can somehow be a power of its own. They had no idea what they had gotten into and yet had no idea what they could get into. The shadows had led them here, and here, they would stay.

They rested a few minutes when a light beep of Cole's watch set off to introduce the fresh hour that had now commenced. With a quick glance and tilt of his head he saw it was midnight. In exactly twenty-four hours, he thought, they would have to face their toughest opponents yet, whom in front of their own eyes had already killed probably 50 or more people in one fiery blast. Or so he thought.

The birds in the trees around them quickly flew away from their dwellings and into the sky. The winds seemed to have stopped and a single howl of a wolf alerting his pack about something seemed to send chills down all five human spines.

The young men looked at each other in confusion. Something didn't seem right or natural now, or at least not as it did before. The hairs on the back of their necks stood up. They sensed something but they didn't know what it was. They all stood erect and cautious. Ready for the worst.

Their attention was drawn to a long and silvery pond in front of them. Shining and swaying under the moonlight. Something seemed to be going terribly wrong. The water swirled unnaturally and created a dent in its liquidly surface. Forceful winds from the swirling sent them aback. In a stunning and shell shocking reality emerged two beings, Radix and Maddox.

Cole wanted to run but the winds seemed to draw him towards the water, along with all of his other teammates. He didn't understand, why were they there. The trees seemed to sway in unnatural fear. Their balance had been disrupted.

Cole then glared at the two beings. Yes they were the same two creatures from the sky tower, just as powerful and intimidating with their swords held sleekly across their chests. But this was secretly what he had desired, his ultimate test. He didn't want to escape from them now, and even if he did, where would they go…they were on the run.