When Shadows Rise
Chapter 9
Back into Hell
Rain washes things clean but it can only do so much in a city the size of Tokyo. The puddles filling the streets that morning held more than the average city dweller could see. As Suteko headed out she found herself being trailed. Ainefurikozo would run ahead of her, the small umbrella headed child spirit feeling safer with the Light Bearer. Suteko tried to ignore the spirits as she talked to her guardian cat. "What is going on Persephone? Why are all the spirits suddenly following me?"
The cat poked her head out of Suteko pack. "Kaneda is scooping up any spirit that doesn't move fast enough. Changing them and using them as foot soldiers. He is trying to isolate you."
Springing up onto a nearby wall, Suteko avoided the puddles automatically. While no longer cursed it had become habit to avoid unintentional water baths. "Why would he take land spirits and use them though? He has access to all shadows."
Persephone slipped her head out more. "I don't think it was his original plan but some of the shadows are pulling back."
They continued to talk quietly as they headed to Setsuna's home. Suteko had chosen her apartment as centralized as she could. Setsuna had volunteered a building for the teams to practice in. She had also passed out cells to each team member. Suteko wasn't sure about that. Cell phones while highly useful in Tokyo were also traceable. Ami had tried to explain that these were not typical Nokia or Samsung phones. The crescent moon on the case was the only difference she could see. But she was never all that technical, she just stuck it in her jacket pocket.
"Suteko, you pocket is buzzing." Persephone pointed out before curling back up in Suteko's pack. She reached into her pocket and flipped the phone open. One the screen was a green coiled dragon. Suteko blinked for a moment thinking Akuma as back but then she remembered that Jaeoh's symbol was a coiled Jade dragon. With a bit of trepidation she answered, Hello?"
Jaeoh smiled at the tentative answer. Like many serious martial artists, Suteko hadn't used much modern tech. He had thanks to running his own business. "Morning Suteko. Just wondering if you would like a ride to Setsuna's?" He kept his voice quiet as he was across the intersection from the Star Knight."
"I have all ready left Jaeoh-san."
"I know." He couldn't hid the smile in his voice. Suteko looked about. The Rainfall child giggled and skipped off the fence and into the empty intersection, pointing as he danced about. Suteko's eyes followed till she spotted Jaeoh's tall leather clad form across the street. She felt an unfamiliar flutter in her belly and waved weakly. "Persephone we have a ride." She put the phone back to her ear. "all right, Give me a moment Jaeoh-san. " She closed the phone and put it back into her pocket, she mumbled to the cat. "Did you know he was there?" Persephone wisely didn't answer, thought it could be she was just asleep.
Hopping down from the wall, she crossed the intersection. She couldn't understand why she was feeling nervous. Jaeoh was the same man who let her practice at his dojo. The fact that she knew his name now and knew he was Kouhei shouldn't matter but for some reason it did.
As she walked up she smiled. The Amerurikozo was dancing in the puddles near the sleek motorcycle, making little splashes and giggling like a true child. It waved at her again before disappearing in a splash. "You did not need to go out of your way Jaeoh-san," Jaeoh interrupted.
"Usagi, asked that I pick you up, something about you being a water magnet?" He smiled. The simple smile transformed his face. Usually a little foreboding, the smile made him seem younger. Younger than Suteko in fact.
She blushed for a moment, shaking her head. "Not any.." Just then a truck splashed through a big puddle, sending a sheet of water over Suteko," more." She sighed and swung her pack off her shoulder.
Jaeoh stifled his laughter as she pulled out a small towel and dried her face. Persephone popped up. "And on the bright side, your pack is defiantly water proof." She quickly dove back into the pack as Suteko tossed the towel at her.
Acting the gentleman , he offered to take her pack but she shook her head. He handed her a spare helmet and straddled the Kawasaki EX650R. It was a sleek bike, painted black with a stencil of Draco's coiled Jade dragon tastefully painted on the gas tank. Slipping the helmet on she climbed behind Jaeoh. He turned his head and started to bike. Just slip your arms around me and hold on tight." He hid his smile as he felt Suteko's arms slide around him tentative at first. As he flipped the windscreen down, she slid into the street. After making sure no one was in the way, he kicked up the speed, causing Suteko to hold tight to him. Even through two leather jackets he could feel her curves pressed to his back. He kept up the speed, enjoying the feel of a woman pressed to his back and the roar of the engine. His helmet hid an uncharacteristic grin."
Suteko ducked her head down as she held onto Jaeoh. Gloves would have been a good idea, if she knew she would be riding passenger on a bike. She was tempted to move her hands back and into Jaeoh's pockets but that would be too forward. She barely knew this man. Thought she admitted to herself that he felt good in her arms. Almost as good as the ground flying past her as he opened up the engine. She automatically leaned with him on the curves. In her pack Persephone prayed to her own gods for the ride to be over.
Too soon for the humans the ride was over. Jaeoh slowed and pulled up in front of the fence enclosing Setsuna's home. He hit the buzzer and signed as he felt Suteko pull away. Hotaru's voice came through the speaker . "Come on in. We are meeting back in the old stables."
Jaeoh acknowledged and drove through the opening gates to behind the palatial home. There were a number of cars and bikes parking in the old paddock yard. Jaeoh pulled up next to the big silver and grey Suzuko Hayabusa GSX1300R and shut down his engine. Without looking he knew that the other bike belonged to Matten.
Suteko slipped off Jaeoh's motorcycle, resting the helmet on the back of the bike. With a wince she swung her pack over and opened it up. Persephone grumbled as she crawled out and jumped to the ground. "That was just…" The cat just stalked off in a huff.
Suteko clamped her lips shut, stifling the first real laugh she had in over a month. Jaeoh smiled, eyes twinkling as the almost dignified Mauan stalked toward the others, her tail brushed out. "I don't think your cat enjoyed the ride.
Suteko swung her pack back and looked over. She exerted some control and managed to not laugh but her new good mood was obvious in her voice. "No I would say that Persephone would prefer the bus over another motorcycle ride."
After the intimatacy of the ride, Suteko started to close back up. She was uncomfortable with most men but this one was getting past her control. She slipped ahead of him and headed into the building.
Once a stable, the inside had been totally redone. The floor was now entirely of a fine wood finished to a high gloss. Along the left side there was a series of doors. Two were marked for men and woman. Suteko headed directly to the women's changing room after thanking Jaeoh for the ride.
Jaeoh smiled again. He understood. Suteko was using the excuse of her wet jeans to regroup her sense. Unzipping his jacket, he too headed toward the changing room, with his own pack over his shoulder. The years away had helped him deal with his own emotions. Attraction while not common, wasn't totally unknown. The Star Knight was skittish but from his conversation with Hana he knew why. If he was patient enough maybe the spark he felt could be more.
Inside the changing room Suteko spotted Hana and Iriko. Relaxing, she headed over. They had both changed into simple training gis. Suteko moved to the nearest locker and grimaced at her wet things Luckily she had planned on changing. Slipping quickly in her favorite gi, she turned and looked over Hana. The girl seemed to have recovered from her physical shock. Reaching out her empathic sense she found that her young friend was dealing well with the effects of Pain's attack.
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Outside the converted stable things were getting gloomy. Everywhere but around the stable the morning sun was shining. The rain spirits, who had been playing in the puddles all quivered and did their best to hide. The shadows pulled in from all the surrounding buildings pooling at first around the vehicles parked to the side. The shadows curled around them, working mischief. A shadow made from the Abuya-sumash stuck its potato shaped bead into the engines and started licking any oil it could find Amanojukos ran about stirring up the neighborhood. People who would normally smile and nod at each other suddenly started fights. The street about erupted with shouts and scuffles as Kaneda released the demons he had converted.
Inside the Kouhei and Senshi were being mixed together to learn each others weaknesses and strengths. Suteko made sure to pair two strong fighters with at least one weaker one. Each person had their strong points and each had powers that made them formidable but she had them working empowered still. While some thought it was a waste of time, others realized that physical training was very helpful later. Suteko smiled as she watched the groups, making pointers from time to time.
Jaeoh and Greg were currently paired with Usagi and sparring against Makato, Uhanzee and Mamaru. She had Greg and Jaeoh holding back just enough hot allow Usagi to engage e the other tem. She had gotten into the spirit of the exercise, trying to tag Mamaru through his protecting team mates. When Usagi executed a spin kick without taking out her own side and actually managed to tag Mamaru. She called halt. "Very good Usagi-san. Your are learning well."
Usagi flushed, smiling widely. "This is so much fun, Suteko-chan!"
The more martial fighters stepped back and let the Princess gush for a bit. She wound down and then got a gleam in her eye that all knew was for mischief. "Suteko, you have been teaching us all day but we haven't seen you spar with anyone. I world love to see you in action!" She clapped her hands and bounced.
Suteko lifted a brow, "If you wish. How should I spar?""Um….," Usagi looked about. "Why not pit you against," she grinned. "Jaeoh and Greg."
Suteko stifled a chuckle and bowed. "As you wish Princess." She turned to the Kouhei, "You gentlemen ready?"
Greg looked over at Jaeoh and grinned. Since he had one chance to spar with Suteko and had watched her teaching he had a good idea how this would go. Jaeoh nodded and they fell in practiced stances. The rest stepped back to the edges of the room. With a bow Suteko took a guard stance.
Jaeoh wanted to watch before engaging. He knew from watching that Suteko had lots of tricks up her sleeve. Greg bowed and then pounced. He didn't want this to be a repeat of their last spar. He flowed toward her at first then slid to the left, throwing a series of blows that she easily blocked. He then feinted the other way to test her other side. As they traded blows Jaeoh then sprang at her right side, lashing out with his foot. Since Greg was using Kung fu, he decided to use tae kwon do. Suteko dodged and blocked, backing up as she measured the two warriors facing her. After a few moments she dodged and then bounced up over Greg, laying a series of blows to his head as she spun above him. Jaeoh dodged and then used Greg's leg to spring up and threw a flurry of kicks and blows at the airborne Star Knight. Some how defying gravity Suteko and Jaeoh fought, punch and parry, kick and dodge.
Greg moved out from under them reaching up to grab Suteko's calf. When she felt his hand she spun and kicked out, missing a few blocks and Jaeoh landed a few blows to her head and shoulders. She managed to kick off Greg's hand and landed a few feet away with a grin.
She was coiling for a new strike when a grey streak dashed under her feet. "Unicorn transform, shadows are massing!"
With a spin she pulled her crystal out and called out, transforming. The teams were startled but reacted moments later.
"Where cat?" Star Knight Unicorn knelt, glowing all ready.
"By the cars all ready!:
"Some weird potato headed monster is sticking its head into the car engines." Artemis made a disgusted cat face.
"Never mind the cars, how many?" Sailor Rage had pulled his sword and stood at his leader's shoulder.
"Let me find out," Unicorn dashed across the floor, barely touching the ground. She ran and leapt to one of the windows lining the room at ten feet up. Balancing, she narrowed her eyes. The lot was covered in dark shadows The bright late afternoon sun was muted by the shadows filling the courtyard. From her perch she could see creatures much like those she encountered a month ago. The raising anger made her cruise under her breath in American. She curled her hand and her blade appeared.
"Unicorn report!" Mamaru slipped into his princely mode and got her attention.
She shook her head to clear it and then leapt down. "The courtyard is filled with shadows. It is time to work together people." She counted up doing some quick math. She was quickly surrounded by the more martial fighters. "Okay right now we are easily out numbered 3 to 1 but most of the shadows are minor shadows. A solid light blast will destroy them. The trouble is the big guys." she quickly filled them in. Once again there was a mix of Japanese trational monsters and American. Nyooeooi and Jeukegan mixed with werewolves and large men with hockey masks. "Those with light or fire attacks should lead. " She looked over at Rage. "As good as you are I think we need you to protect the weaker team members."
Unicorn turned toward the door when she saw an Aunjubo trying to block the door. The elegant ghostly woman was trying to keep the shadows outside but was unable to do much. Unicorn pulled up her Light and called out. "Eyes!" The Senshi and Kouhei all closed their eyes as she cast back and tossed an intense ball of Light. The Aunjubo sunk into the floor just as the door burst open The first wave of shadow creatures let out those eerie wails as her Light took out the foot soldiers. The scent of burnt hair filled the air.
Draco slip up behind Unicorn's shoulder and sent his green dragon fire to her left. The doors kept the monsters limited at first but being shadows they found ways around it. Soon the converted stable was filled with battle. The creatures dodged and dashed past the door, climbing over the remains of the previous line. Within shadows simulating monsters started grabbing the feet of those not quick enough to dodge. "Ewie!" Came from Sailor Moon as Nuppepoo stumbled into her. The muted smell of rotted flesh filling the air. These monsters did not die cleanly when hit by Sailor powers. It took all of the Senshi working in groups to clean out the small rotted flesh demons. The shadows had pulled them in from nearby cemetery, changing them by adding mouths filled with rotted teeth that gnashed creepily as the monsters tried to grab calves.
At the door, Unicorn, Draco and Uranus sent out powered attacks. Uranus' earth rattling waves, made the large monsters stumble but they kept coming forward. Draco and Unicorn sent their Light blast and Jade dragon fire, one from the left and the other the right. The two waves once again cleared the doorway but one of the Jason clones managed to make it past the lines of power. He zeroed in on Uranus, hefting his chainsaw and engaging her weapon to weapon. It was only the magical nature of her sword that let it deal with a shadow powered chainsaw. The viciousness of the shadow animated movie character mash forced her away from Draco and Unicorn.
Saturn's glaive gave her range to deal with the monsters. She wisely stuck to Pluto and Neptune's side while their attacks flew. Within ten minutes each of the Senshi were engaged fighting creatures that didn't react as expected to their magical attacks. Mars used the combination of her wards and fire powers. She managed to clean a large space, allowing Mercury to scan the creatures for weaknesses.
Minerva started out the battle with Time and Sweetwater. As the less combative, they had to be careful. The cats had taken to hiding with them. Sweetwater found a defensible spot and gestured for Minerva and Time to move out. The two women watched the battles and started to ease their way around the room. Neither normally had precognition but something was telling them both that they needed to get over by Unicorn.
Unicorn's sword sliced a clean swath through the last of the Movie monsters. It dissolved as silently as it fought. She turned to look over the battle. Draco and Rage had separated each battling one of the large wolf men. Rage dispatched his opponent in few strokes than he had the last time she saw him battle a shadow wolf. Practice was making him a efficient slayer of beasts. Draco sent another green wave of fire through the monster in front of him.
Out in the courtyard Aki came into view. He shook his head as he saw the last movie monster shred into nothing. Why Kaneda thought movie monsters would stop the Senshi he had no idea but he had a better idea. Gesturing he stayed in place as another wave of darkness creatures flowed past him. He smiled as they launched into the stable swarming the senshi pulling them all away from his target.
Unicorn swung about as the new wave of creatures flowed past her. Not one of them stopped to engage her. She spotted Minerva and Time making their way to her. "What are they doing?" She shook her head as she headed toward her two friends. While time had a unique weapon in her pocket watch, Minerva had no such weapon, that she knew of.
Aki watched as his minions engaged the senshi. The warriors of the Moon were good, very good. Add in the remaining Kouhei and they were too good. It was time to remove a few more warriors from the side of light. He stood in the open doorway and smiled as he watched Unicorn work her way to Minerva and Time. Better yet. Removing the Senshi's spy with the Kouhei would strike a blow against the Princess and her court. He sent a bolt of utter darkness to splash on the floor near his real target.
Unicorn pulled up fast as the darkness licked at her feet. She looked about and then narrowed her eyes. There in the doorway was the leader of this batch of evil clones. She darted her eyes back toward her friends. Time and Minerva looked like they could handle the creatures around them. Time had her watch out and was spinning it and turning the monsters to ash.
Minerva, the senshi who normally would almost useless in a physical battle, looked about her. She had to help. Unlike the other Senshi she had never had a chance to develop her powers to new levels but she needed to think of something. A massive shadow beast reared up behind Time who was busy dodging a pair of the carrion monsters and didn't see it opening its arms to grab her. Without thinking she put out her hands and cried out. "MINERVA LEVIN BOLT!" She felt a wave of energy leave her hands and smash into the shadow. When it hit the monster let out a mental scream that only Minerva heard. She winced but then looked down at her hands. "what was that?"
Unicorn turned and headed toward Aki. She knew if she took out the Shadow general the creatures around would dissolve back to natural shadows. "Aki!" The general looked up and Unicorn lifted a brow as she pointed a finger and cocked it back.
Aki smiled and headed toward the Star Knight. "You want to rumble Light Bearer?" He flicked out his hands and two black blades appeared. Knives that glistened with power and he let her get within ten feet before he tossed them at her. They flew straight past Minerva and Time to be parried by Unicorn's light sword.
"I don't think so Aki. Come fight me." Unicorn took a few steps forward and then spun about her blade flashing up as massive shadows beasts attacked her from behind. "HANA! IRIKO! Get out of here!"
The shadow general smiled as he watched his creatures battle Unicorn. It was always a pleasure watching a warrior fighting against impossible odds. His eyes darted toward Rage and Draco. The two strong Kouhei had cleared up their opponents and were turning to come to Unicorn's aide. That he couldn't allow. He raised his hands and called silently. Within a few short moments the ground started to shake. Draco and Rage turned to look and their eyes widened. Rising up out of the floor was a massive dark shadow beast. At first it seemed formless but as it rose up twenty feet the shape coalesced into a creature only seen inside of museums. A shadow Mastodon lifted its trunk and roared. The bellow knocking the Senshi and Kouhei to their knees. After a brief moment, Rage, Draco and even Tuxedo Mask all jumped up and attacked the beast, letting the others regain their senses.