Chapter 15
Serenity's heart lurched into her throat, as she swiftly unzipped the nylon flap and exploded out of her tent. Crashing through the trees in a mad scramble towards the spring, the three cats racing at her heels. The night was warm, the sky overhead clear and full of lonely star light. As she searched the sky and looming trees in panic.
She could hear the rapid fire of gun fire behind her, up on the upper ridges of the mountain. The military had started advancing up to the summit. Heading for the Moon Mirror, the Onii coming down colliding with their patrols.
Ahead of her, the darkness flashed into sudden brilliance as balls of lightening exploded above the tree tops. Fire licked the sky far off to the north, while sharp streams of light snapped from a ridge to the east. Her friends had been split up, each in combat with their own powerful foes. They way they were going all out with their powers, she figured it was with some of her mother's Generals.
She entered the small clearing before the natural spring more cautiously, catching sight of the fountain of water rising from it's rocky cradle up into the night sky above.
Mercury stood strong upon the levitating stream of clear mountain water, using it's source as a means of travel over the treetops and steep ravines. She also used it as a means for ammo, to shoot bullets of ice upwards into the sky. Serenity stood transfixed upon the elemental battles now raging all over the mountain. So high overhead and far in the distance she could not see their attacker's. Only knew that each of her dear friends were now in a life or death battle. That they had played easily into the enemies plans to divide and conquer.
"Four of mother's generals..." A soft voice floated from the darkness beyond the trees.
Serenity spun around, the three cats hissing in threat.
As Rini emerged from the shadows, a smug smile pulling on her lips. Dressed in her dark gown, her lavender wings as mysteriously beautiful as twilight, tucked away along her back.
"Her army advances like a unending tide of death down the steps, this inadequate human army will be annihilated by sunrise. By morning we will take Tongren, you will be dead and I shall have the Silver Crystal's full power at my disposal. Then the people of that city will have to decide. To either join me, and serve in my rising kingdom or face their death like the stubborn military fools up on the ridge."
"Rini...We have to stop this." Serenity pleaded, taking a small step towards the young woman. "If you have even a shred of Princess Serenity's soul inside of you. You know that she loved this world...she never wanted to conquer it!"
Rini started to laugh, her voice jagged and harsh. "I have been chosen to rule this world, not you. Mother has deemed you lacking. I have no intention to go against her this time, I love her like a true daughter should. She shall become my council when I become Queen and will help me protect this planet. Unlike you...who did nothing but argue and betray her. Stealing the Silver Crystal from her dieing grasp, after you sought to destroy her."
Serenity gasped in horror, the memories of the last battle with her mother still enshrouded in fog. Only the intense emotions she had felt during those final moments of life, having any clarity.
"I was the one who died..." Serenity whispered, shooting Rini a fierce glare. Her false accusation of murder burning inside of her. What had been a ploy to force doubt and uncertainty into her heart only fuelled her rage. "I WAS THE ONE WHO DIED!" She shouted in sorrow and betrayal, calling forth her own ascension in a flash of holy light. The winds of power now howling around her body as her white gown appeared and two pearl white wings exploded from her bare back.
Rini laughed snidely, shooting into the sky. "Come and finish your rebellion, Princess. She awaits you within the ruins of her once glorious temple. Try and destroy what is left or your poor, mother. Who did not deserve what you did to her! " Her taunting voice carrying down to the clearing as she disappeared into the star scape.
"Princess..." Luna cautioned.
"I will finish what I started...I will end this." She stared up at the looming rock spires of the summit, her blue eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. Then she shot into the sky, her wings spread wide as she caught the night wind and swiftly disappeared towards the summit after Rini. She knew she was just playing into her mother's plan as well, but
Darien was waiting for her up at the summit. She knew deep in her heart that this was the proper course of action to take. She was never going to run from him again, she was going to fight for their love. This time she was going to win...
"Luna?" Artemis's voice was soft and full of worry.
"We will see this through as well." Luna gave Artemis a curt nod, before dashing off into the trees.
Artemis passed Diana a measured look, they were not to get involved in Princess Serenity's confrontation with the queen. They here as guides only, the Progenitor's wanted the Princess to prove her worth with out help. Diana ducked her head and raced after Luna, choosing sides in an instant.
"This is not going to end well..." Artemis hung his head in defeat and jogged after his two companions.
The base camp that had been set up in the parking lot before the Mountain Gate. Was now transformed into a sea of military communication tents, ammunition bunkers and camo laden jeeps with artillery mounted on the upper roll bars. Soldier's patrolled the periphery of the camp, eyeing the surrounding trees nervously. The air was crackling with tension, and everyone in camp was strung tight waiting for the end of the world to take shape. The echo of weapon's fire vibrated down from the mountain in frenetic burst adding to the mounting stress level of all the relief personal currently being given rendezvous orders. The chinese military were being swarmed up on the high reaches of the mountain passes and were losing ground quickly. They needed reinforcements but the northern half of the military was still being rallied. What was left of the troops stationed in the south west of the country were being given a very ambitious but stern pep talk. That they had to maintain their ground and keep the monsters contained in the mountains till their reinforcements came.
Three American men sat on the ground in front a wide beige tent flap, in the diluted glow of a camp lantern set before them. Dressed in casual hiking gear with their hands cuffed behind their backs, watching the soldier's rush about the camp.
Hollywood kept a keen eye upon the captain and first lieutenant, hunched over a map in the tent behind them. Arguing in chinese while a small contingent of field officer's stood at ease along the side of the table. What ever was happening up on the mountain their campaign was not going well.
"This sucks, This sucks, This sucks..." Zac growled, pulling on the plastic zip ties the soldier's had locked over his wrists since being pulled out of the trees. He had a gash along his left temple, dried blood now smeared into his dusty blonde hair line. A good sized bruise now swelling beneath his left eye when his face caught a soldiers left hook while trying to resist. Hollywood and Kane how ever, who had never quit cage fighting, managed to take out several soldier's before being overcome. They were bruised as well, Kane with a cut lip and Hollywood with good sized gash across his nose. The damage obtained not by fists, but the rear metal stocks of their automatic rifles.
Kane snarled and roared like a trapped lion, when lightening arched out of the west. Bathing the sky in a blanket of sharp, blinding light.
"Fuck this...We gotta get up there!" he wrenched on his bindings, tearing the skin of his wrists to bloody shreds.
The ground began to shake with the thunder of hundreds of booted feet, followed by the dull roar of engines. The three men glanced up, as the howl of rotor blades broke over the camp. A spot light illuminated the back end of the parking lot. As twin beams of head lights shone in the distance. Sending the camp into a frenzy, with soldier's scrambling to assemble a defensive line around the back of the camp. Training their rifles up to the sky as a American Black Hawk military helicopter landed abruptly in their midst.
The side door was thrust aside sharply, with a full squad of American soldier's spilling out of the back compartment. Combat helmets on, their own rifles now trained on the Chinese, creating a silent mexican stand off that was only raising tension to it's breaking point.
The Captain and his first lieutenant stormed out of the tent and through the camp with another squad of soldier's flanking around them. As they neared the defensive line of artillery, a Female officer with long, wavy midnight black hair, pinned back with a chunky black barret. Breezed out of the passenger seat of the cockpit. Dressed in full American military camo combat flack, a dark green beret perched on her head, with various insignia designating rank and division upon her shoulder's and chest of her jacket. She carried herself with a formidable grace. Broaching no doubt from any of the soldier's under her command or the enemy ranks currently training their weapons on her. That she couldn't handle herself on the battlefield.
"Howdy, fellas. Enjoying your stay?" A smug, arrogantly familiar voice whispered from the side of the tent.
As several american cargo, transport trucks rumbled into their midst from the road before the parking lot.
All three of the them shot their gazes away from the military confrontation and back towards the voice.
Finding to their relief and chargin, the absent Jed now back in their midst. Crouching out of view at the front of the tent, in full american military camo as well.
"What the hell!" Kane growled.
"Where have you been, you coward!" Zac exploded, uncaring about being tied up, so over come with rage at his brother for just disappearing. He had been so worried, because Jed seemed to have completely fallen off the map. Never contacting him, which wasn't like him at all. The anger eating at him for the last few weeks. Then drowning in regret that he would never see the man again. Never get to say goodbye, because he was going to die here on this mountain. He jumped to his feet and lunged for him, head butting the blonde man right in the gut. Swearing and trying to beat him senseless with his feet, struggling to keep his balance as his hands were still tied. While Jed laughed at him and dodged his awkward attempts to kick him.
"Settle down, bro...com'on settle down." Jed raised his hands in a truce gesture. Giving his twin his signature cocky half smile. "Lets post pone my much needed beating until later." He advised, pulling a large survival knife off his utility belt.
Hollywood and Kane quickly stumbled to their feet, allowing Jed to cut them free.
Zac stood glaring heatedly at his brother, as Jed refused to cut him loose. Just standing their looking at him reflectively, as if judging if cutting him loose was in his best interest.
"Jedadiah..." Zac hissed, narrowing his hazel eyes threateningly.
"Just kidding bro." Jed chuckled, cutting him loose then dodging smoothly out of his reach as Zac made a wild swing with a fist for his jaw.
"We have no time for this gentlemen. I suggest you three go get suited up." A stern, no nonsense voice boomed behind them commandingly.
Jed smirked knowingly, as Hollywood, Kane and Zac turned to greet the same raven haired Field Commander that had exited the helicopter earlier.
"Sergeant First Class, Irene Tanner. " She held out her hand for Hollywood to shake.
Hollywood held her stare, shaking her hand respectfully. She was middle aged, with strong yet graceful features. The strain of long nights and many burden's darkening the skin beneath her eyes. The deep blue, flecked with silver that seemed to glow with a vitality not her own.
"Welcome to the Rebellion boys." She curtly gave each one a nod, bracing her hands behind her back before entering the tent after the Chinese Officers. It seemed they had come to some kind of agreement of aid.
"Jed..." Kane asked, his tone hard.
"Long story, tell you guys all about it while you get suited up. Basicly, I headed back to the burned down Hyatt hotel to try and get my head on straight. Instead, I got recruited by the rebellion. " Jed clapped the larger copper haired man on the back and lead them back to a set of cargo trucks and range rover's now parking at the back of the cement.
A few minutes later the helicopter's engine ignited with a humming roar, the rotor's beating to life, cutting the air as they spun ever faster.
Hollywood and the other's rushed out of the back of a cargo truck now dressed in full camo, heavy military boots and helmets. Rifles of their own strapped to their back and a utility pack of supplies bouncing upon their broad backs.
Jogging across the camp, to catch up to Irene. Who was striding with purpose back to the helicopter, adjusting the heavy strap of her rifle over her shoulder's as she went. The far off sounds of gunfire still echoed, drawing Zac's eyes up from the cement to the mountain passes above. Catching sight of a stream of water rocketing across the southern ridge.
"Amy..." He breathed, as the blinding flare of light exploded from the west.
"They are fighting for their lives up there." Jed clapped him on the shoulder, " We need to move, brother. Your girl needs you."
Zac nodded, his eyes burning with anxiety as he watched that hovering stream of water disappear over a steep rocky cliff.
As they reached the open cargo doors of the helicopter, a brilliant beam of silver light shot into the air from the summit.
Followed by a sonic boom, that expanded outward, flattening the forest in it's wake down the mountain.
"We need to go NOW!" Irene shouted, her voice tight with distress. Hanging onto the inner handle of the cargo door and pinwheeling her free arm to get the men moving quicker.
They ducked their heads under the gail force winds kicked up from the rotor's, climbing into the hold swiftly.
The helicopter lifted into the sky before the back door had even fully closed. The four men sat shoulder to shoulder on the back bench, two veteran soldier's crouched against the side doors on either side of the cargo hold. Rifles cocked and ready to fire, their eyes scanning the desolation below and pillar's of fire shooting into the sky to the north of the gate.
It truly looked like the end of world was beginning.
"What's the plan?" Jed shouted to Irene, who was crouched in front of the them, her back pressed against the pilots seat. Shouting order's into the pilots ear and pointing to the various discharges of elemental attacks dispersed around the lower passes of the summit.
"We are headed up to the Summit. " She narrowed her eyes, the cool commanding glare broaching no argument.
"What about the girls?" Zac shouted back, searching through the side window for any trace of Amy's water attacks.
"My daughter is now fighting that darkness alone at the peek of Fanshing. I have stayed away long enough." She growled, unlatching the locks on a long, narrow artillery box that abutted against the co-pilot seat. "You four are perfectly capable of back tracking down the paths to aid the girls. My daughter needs me." She finished, pulling out a long, heavy object wrapped in ancient cloth. Stained and greyed by time, she reverently unwrapped an ornate petrified stone sword. Testing it's weight and girth as she balanced it in her hands.
It had taken her lifetimes to retrace and unearth this sword from it's unmarked grave. The time had come for her to fulfill her true purpose. The steel in Irene's gaze as she glared up at that pillar of light shooting into the sky at the summit, was not lost on the four men seated before her, she intended to end this war once for all.