Chapter 3-They Need Seven
Once again, night fell and darkness shrouded the city. Police patrolled the street and ushered people to return home. The already quiet city turned silent.
Ami tossed and turned in bed, disturbed by the unfolding events of today. Her plan to use the computer to unlock the senshi powers was a fail. With all her brilliance, Ami had no idea on what to do next.
She got up and walked to the window. The crescent moon hung in the sky, illuminating the streets below. Most of the skyscrapers' lights were out. Tokyo was darker than usual. Ami sighed and pressed her forehead against the window.
Her communicator beeped and a message appeared. It was Mako. "Going to patrol the streets a bit. Minako, Michiru and Haruka are with me. Don't worry."
The four strongest fighters. Ami clenched her fists, wishing that she could fight too. Even in their civilian forms, those four were still stronger than most. More than once had Mako flungmonsters over her shoulder. That girl's strength was unparalleled
in this world.
"No. I will fight this with my own strength." Ami thought. She flipped open her Mercury computer and continued to research. She hoped that she was smart enough to figure out a plan that would save them all.
The gentlemen floated through the streets, silence and menacing. In groups of 2 or 3, the intruders spread throughout Tokyo, in search of their targets. Coming to a stop in front of a house, one gentleman pointed at the door and nodded his head in approval.
Knock, knock. He raised his skeletal hands and pounded on the door.
A young mother was just tucking her toddler into bed. She was startled by the knock but wasn't alarmed. Her husband was supposed to return soon. Perhaps he lost his keys again. She unlocked the lock and turned the doorknob...
The gentlemen floated through the door. The young mother let out a silent scream. She turned and started running towards her baby. A flash of light sent forth by one of the gentlemen and the young mother was turned to stone.
The monsters slowly made their way up. The toddler was awake and crying silently. One gentleman bent down and scooped up the child. He raised the baby like a prize and showed him to everyone. The monsters clapped and celebrated...
The senshi walked past the house, unaware of the tragedy happening inside. Michiru had felt the evil before, but was unable to pinpoint the location. The victims, unable to shout, were left on their own...
Heavy footsteps ran up the stairs and threw open Usagi's door. Chibiusa shook the princess violently until she opened her eyes.
Groggily, Usagi rubbed her eyes and stared at the child. "What?" She mouthed.
Chibiusa tapped at the newspaper she was holding. Usagi opened it and stared in horror at the headline...
Three Children Kidnapped; Families Turned to Stone
Tzzz. Tzzz. Setsuna set down the drill and looked at her handiwork. Two new locks, slightly unaligned, were added to the front door. Now that they were civilians, Setsuna had to take extrameasure in order to protect Hotaru. The newspaper said three
children were kidnapped, spanning the age of 2 to 12. The soldier of silence would be their ideal target.
Hotaru was reading the newspaper in the living room. Visibly upset, she ran to Setsuna. She pointed at the paper and mouthed the word "Chibiusa".
Setsuna nodded. She figured the inner scouts would make sure to keep Small Lady safe. As forHotaru, Michiru, Haruka and her would make sure the little firefly is safe as well. "I want to see Chibiusa." Hotaru wrote on her whiteboard. "I can protect
her." "You will. Senshi meeting in an hour at Rei's." Setsuna replied.
Rei coughed as the dust flown out of the closet. It had been ages since anyone opened it. Past a few layers of junk, Rei reached in and took out a big briefcase. She caressed the top of the case and thought of her mother. It was the last birthday gift
she got, before her mama passed away. Rei opened the box. It was a bow and a case of arrows. The fire senshi might not be able to use her attacks, but she could sniper this arrow into any enemies' eyes with deadly precision.
The temple was hushed. Ten senshi sat quietly while Ami typed on the computer. After a full night of research, Ami found the true event that inspired the fairy tale. 100 years ago, in a remote village, everyone lost their voices in one night. The gentlemen
were sighted by a few but the witnesses were thought to be crazy. Seven families were turned into statues and seven children were taken. The little ones were never seen again. One person in the village claimed that she saw a little girl walked by
from the neighbouring village. She saw the monsters and screamed. The monsters covered their ears and their heads exploded. After the incident, the voices were restored. The village, unable to process what had happened, turned it into a fairy tale.
It became a precautionary tale to tell families not to open their doors to strangers. Over the years, the actual event was forgotten but the story remained.
"Why children? For their energy?" Mina wrote.
Ami shrugged. The gentlemen seemed to be mute. The community never found out why the children were taken. At least now they know what the gentlemen were after.
Mina wrote a long message on the board and then turned it around to show everyone. In her civilian form, she didn't forget she was still the general.
Jobs:
Rei, Setsuna: protect Usagi, Chibiusa and Hotaru
Me, Michiru, Haruka and Mako: patrol streets. Investigate any weird movements you see in the houses. Victims can't scream!
Ami: keep researching for weaknesses.
Ami held up her finger, telling everyone to wait. She pulled out a bag underneath the table. One by one, she laid the objects on the table. Pepper sprays, tazers, whistles and some hunting knives. "Choose your weapons." She wrote. "Everyone take one whistle."
Haruka picked up the longest knife and swung it around. She mouthed the word "space sword" to Michiru. Mako picked up the tazer and pressed the button. Electricity crackled and Mako smiled.
Michiru handed a knife to Rei but Rei shook her head. Smiling proudly, she pulled out her bow. "Mars flame sniper". Rei mouthed the word as she pulled on the bow string. The fire senshi also pulled out the arrows and a lighter. Rei made the gesture that
she could light up the arrows if needed. Flame sniper, indeed.
Armed and ready, the group was prepared for the battle ahead.