Thorny Roses
Chapter 11
Sailor Moon lithely landed on her feet, completely unharmed. Chibiusa sighed in relief as she watched from above.
Sailor Moon surveyed her surroundings, searching for the Yuma. The amusement park seemed deathly silent in the darkness. Sailor Moon's hands tightened around her staff as she closed her eyes, straining to hear the tiniest sound.
WHOOSH!
Sailor Moon sidestepped, dodging the flying object. She opened her eyes, observing a giant spike of black crystal imbedded in the ground where she had been standing. She heard another one coming, followed by more. Sailor Moon dodged over and over again, using her staff to leap onto a popcorn stand. In a split second, she observed the spikes protruding from the ground, pinpointing the direction they were coming from—behind a row of concession stands across from the Ferris wheel.
She waited in silence, waiting for the next spikes. After a second of frozen time, seven spikes flew from the spot Sailor Moon had been watching. She jumped into the air, jumping from spike to spike as she ran towards the Yuma.
On the final spike, she leaped high into the air, the Silver Crystal glowing brightly, revealing the giant Yuma to Sailor Moon. It was maybe three times her height, with a large, thick body made of black crystal. Its arms and legs were nearly half its size, but the head was small, only a short, round head crowning from the body.
Sailor Moon used gravity to strengthen her momentum as she kicked the Yuma in the center of its chest, back flipping safely onto the ground. She watched as the monster fell back in slow motion, shaking the ground with its fall. Sailor Moon smirked as she raised her staff to finish the blow. However, a cascade of smaller spikes rained down on her, giving her a millisecond to escape. Even then, a spike had imbedded itself into Sailor Moon's shoulder.
She bit her lip, holding back a scream. She ignored the steady dripping of blood down her arm. Sailor Moon faced two more Yuma that had appeared. The first one stood up, lumbering on its solid crystal feet. Sailor Moon growled in determination at her three opponents.
She whipped out her Sailor Communicators, one for the Sailor Senshi and the other for the Shitennou.
"Sorry, guys, I didn't want to have to call you," Sailor Moon spoke into the communicators through gritted teeth. "But things just got serious."
Mamoru's voice buzzed into focus. "Where are you?"
"The Super Land amusement park, in front of the Ferris wheel," Sailor Moon spoke as she dodged another cascade of spikes.
"Oh, I always wanted to go there!" Jadeite's voice rustled.
"Seriously?" Rei barked. "Is that all you can think about?"
"We're on our way," Minako commented.
"Yeah, give us about 10 minutes," Zoicite approximated.
"Okay, but you guys better hurry," Sailor Moon grounded out. The communicators went dead and she placed them back in her pocket.
"Okay," Sailor Moon faced the three Yuma. "Let's dance."
…
Berthier observed the battle from high above the ground, her arms crossed in concentration. Sailor Moon was a valiant fighter, being able to formulate strategic methods as well as holding her own against three Yuma thrice her size.
Berthier noted down the tiniest details about her opponent, storing them for future use. The cold, November air blew against her silver braid. Though she was only dressed in a skimpy one piece bathing suit and mid-thigh high boots, Berthier did not feel cold.
"Busy, Berthier?"
She turned around, facing her eldest sister, Petz.
"What does it look like?" Berthier turned back around.
"Hmm…" Petz watched the battle, as well. "She is a strong opponent. But do not worry: even if you can't defeat her, I surely will."
Berthier narrowed her eyes. "We'll see."
Petz faded away, leaving Berthier to herself.
…
Sailor Moon once again jumped out of the way of one of the Yuma's blow. However, she could not dodge the blow of another Yuma. It used its large arm to knock her back, crashing her into a cotton candy stand.
Sailor Moon hissed as shards of glass stabbed her arms and back. She could no longer move. She looked up at the Yuma as it prepared to land a fist on her, not looking away.
"Mars Wildfire!"
A blast of fire hit the Yuma, causing it to stumble backwards.
"Sailor Mars!" Sailor Moon looked towards the Sailor Senshi. "I'm glad to see you guys finally made it!"
"Eh, traffic," Nephrite said from beside her. He moved to heal her but she shook her head, moving his hand away.
"Heal me later. You're going to need all the energy you have to defeat these guys," Sailor Moon grimaced.
"Pshh, how bad could they be—HOLY SHIT!" Jadeite exclaimed. Mars hit him over the head. "Watch you language!"
"Come on," Kunzite ordered. "We'll cover you," he nodded to Sailor Venus.
"Okay, let's go girls," Venus said to the Senshi. Sailor Moon moved to stand up but Venus stopped her.
"Tuxedo Mask is coming soon so just wait here, okay?" Sailor Moon frowned, but nodded. Venus ran towards the Yuma, beginning to fight.
Sailor Moon carefully stood up and gripped her staff with one hand. With the other, she reached over her shoulder and grasped the spike. Gritting her teeth, she pulled, releasing the spike from her shoulder. She gasped, relieved that it was removed.
"Let me get that," a voice murmured.
Sailor Moon looked up into the masked face of Tuxedo Mask.
"No, it's okay—"
"Let me heal it," his voice sounded pained. Without anymore refusals from Sailor Moon, he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, healing that wound as well as the glass shards in her back. Sailor Moon listened as the pieces of glass plinked as they hit the ground.
"Thanks," Sailor Moon smiled.
"Anytime," Tuxedo Mask smirked, kissing her on the cheek before running into battle.
Sailor Moon grinned before blushing, realizing that this was the first time she'd seen him since they had sex.
"Sailor Moon! Would you mind helping us out over here?" Mars yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!"
The battle continued and it seemed to be wrapping up as the Shitennou and Senshi worked together. In a combination of all of their powers, sans Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon, the three Yuma crumbled into broken pieces.
The Senshi and Shitennou rejoiced, however Sailor Moon still felt wary. She'd always had to use Silver Moon Kiss in order to defeat the enemy.
The Senshi and Shitennou had rejoiced too soon, for the pieces of the black crystal Yuma had begun to come together, forming one extra large Yuma.
"What the f—" Mars hit Jadeite again. "Don't say it," she growled.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Nephrite groaned.
Ami began to type on her computer as her visor scanned the Yuma. "Yup, it's a combined form of all three of the Yuma. It is nearly impenetrable now, but it does have a weak spot. In the very center of its chest, is its power source. If we can get that, it's as good as dust."
"Okay, new plan: we have to blast it straight in the chest. Then, Sailor Moon will finish it off," Kunzite said.
The Senshi and Shitennou nodded, moving into action. The Senshi began attacking the Yuma from different directions, the Shitennou acting as the bait and distracting it. Sailor Moon watched carefully, waiting for an opening.
"MARS WILDFIRE!" Rei screamed, hitting the Yuma harder. The giant crystal monster stumbled backwards…knocking into the Ferris wheel.
In the booth, Chibiusa screamed as the world swung around her.
"CHIBIUSA!" Sailor Moon screamed.
From above, Berthier quirked her eyebrows in interest. The Rabbit is nearby? She traced Sailor Moon's terrified gaze to the top of the Ferris wheel. She quickly flew to the booth, noticing the pink-haired girl cowering in a corner.
She smirked to herself. Oh, this is perfect. She could imagine the look on her sisters' faces when Prince Diamond would reward her himself for capturing the Rabbit.
Berthier broke open the door to the booth. Chibiusa looked up in surprise, then fear.
"Hello, Rabbit…"
Meanwhile, Sailor Moon, in blind fury, turned to the Yuma. She raised her staff high, the Silver Crystal beginning to gleam.
"SILVER MOON—"
"Wait right there, Sailor Moon."
Everyone turned to look at who had spoken. The Senshi gasped in horror when they say Chibiusa in the clutches of a pale, blue-haired woman.
"Let her go!" Tuxedo Mask yelled.
"Yeah, you don't know who you're messing with!" Jadeite yelled.
"Jupiter Lightning—" Sailor Jupiter began, aiming for the woman.
"Stop, you might hit Chibiusa!" Sailor Mercury cried.
"Who are you?" Sailor Venus snarled.
"I am Berthier of the Ayakashi Sisters, from the Black Moon Clan," the woman informed haughtily. "I just thought I would introduce myself to the opponents I have defeated."
"Ha! Defeated us how?" Nephrite snorted.
Berthier's eyes narrowed into icy slits. "Like this." Black electricity ran down her arm, running towards Chibiusa's small body. Chibiusa screamed a bloodcurdling scream.
"Stop! Please, stop!" Sailor Moon fell to her knees.
The black energy disappeared. "Well, Rabbit, time to say goodbye to your friends," Berthier laughed.
The Yuma raised its arm, aiming for Sailor Moon's crumpled figure. Sailor Moon watched as Chibiusa weakly looked at her, tears streaming from her eyes.
"NOOO!" Sailor Moon screamed. A white light erupted from her slight form. A golden light began to shine from Tuxedo Mask, as well. They began to float in the air, coming closer together.
Sailor Moon, surprised looked into Tuxedo Mask's eyes, seeing surprise there as well. Tuxedo Mask smiled encouragingly, holding his hand out to her. Sailor Moon took his hand, causing a rainbow light to emanate from their hands.
"What? What is this?" Berthier exclaimed.
The Senshi and Shitennou watched as Sailor Moon's staff morphed, becoming pure white with silver and gold intricate designs inlaid in the staff. The Silver Crystal on the top of the staff was at the center of four, floating, revolving stones. There was a colored stone for each of the senshi: red, blue, green, and orange.
Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask stared in awe at the new weapon before looking at each other. Tuxedo Mask nodded to her. She raised the staff high in the night sky. The stars seemed to shine brighter beside the Silver Crystal.
"SILVER MOON KISS!"
Two, giant strands of golden and silver light struck down from the sky, blasting into the Yuma. A bright light flashed before the faded light revealed the dust that was the Yuma.
"This can't be!" Berthier gasped.
"I suggest you hand her over," Tuxedo Mask threatened.
Berthier sneered, tossing Chibiusa's body to them. Sailor Moon caught her, holding her tight against her.
"This isn't the end. The Black Moon Clan will succeed." With that, Berthier disappeared. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask began to descend, gently landing on the ground. Sailor Moon leaned against Tuxedo Mask, feeling sapped of her energy.
The Senshi and Shitennou, transformations faded, ran over to the couple as their transformations faded, as well.
"Usagi, how did you do that?" Minako questioned.
"Yes, it seems as though you both meshed your energy sources together," Ami said. "Your combined power strengthened the Silver Crystal nearly tenfold—which is a lot, considering the Silver Crystal's original power."
"Did something possibly happen to trigger this new power access?" Zoicite questioned. "Something that may have physically or mentally bonded the two of you?"
The Shitennou watched as Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other before blushing while the Senshi coughed conspicuously.
"A-anyway, we should get Chibiusa home," Usagi cleared her throat.
Everyone looked down at the sleeping child in Usagi's arms. Thousands of questions began to pop into each of their heads but they all remained silent, fearful of the answers.
What is the Black Moon Clan? How powerfully are they? What do they want?
Can we defeat them?
I hope you all liked this chapter. I'll try to get more posted up—this story if far from finished!
Love,
Pegasus'Horn