sabina21: will do.
kera69love: yeah it's going to becoming something for them all when things get 'revealed'.
2 reviews nice, so the drabble will be late this week, my apologies, but I did want to at least get something out to all of you this weekend. Thank you to my beta 'masteray5' for the work done and thank you all for reading and giving me your thoughts and opinions. I really do appreciate the reviews, positive and constructive.
The devil within 2 ch.8
Evil Endymion POV
As much as I wanted to have Usagi stay longer, she needed to go on that trip, and I needed to talk to the guys. My generals need to do a progress report since our new enemy has arrived and to be frank we haven't done one like this in a hot minute. We have to maintain our training and make sure the girls do it too. Not that I worry on the girl's end, they train routinely as ever before, not missing a beat really.
However to ensure that power combination attacks are being trained on is useful and we need to make sure everyone is on point with that training. It's just as important and individual training if not more so that way we can work together cohesively. That way powers don't conflict and tempers don't rise up. They arrive only a few minutes late as Jadeite is first, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Malachite.
"Let me guess saying your goodbyes to the girls field trip?" I ask with a smile as they give their own smiles.
"How they snuck Minako on the trip when she goes to a private school I don't know." Malachite answers.
"It's for the schools in the area or else Rei wouldn't have been able to go," Jadeite jumps in as he takes his jacket off to explain.
"Exactly they even did it for the Cram school that Ami attends after their regular schooling," Zoisite slips in as he goes to get some snacks from the kitchen.
I nod as I shut the door. Once the guys grab drinks and some food to munch on, we converse in the living room. It doesn't take long before the food is gone and drinks are polished off. I smile at the simple moment before I go to jump into the discussion that we need to go over, however Malachite beats me to the punch. "Okay so I think it goes without saying that the girls and our training is on point which is good."
I agree with him till I see the expression changing on his face. Suddenly I'm no longer interested in whatever food is left to be eaten. "These new enemies are stronger than what we were used to dealing with."
He looks to me with that same expression of 'things need to change'. I sigh knowing what's coming and not wanting to get into this discussion again. "Endymion…" that tone says it all.
"I know we agreed to stay as we are with the nega-energy for the time being but…" he looks to the rest of the guys before finishing. "This is beginning to put strain on our personal relationships with the girls, and we can't keep it up any longer."
I can't help but frown at the direction this is going. Yet I know he's right. The several times I delayed already into telling Usagi is growing larger by the day.
The many chances I've had makes it worse each time because I know that I should have said something sooner. I can tell the guys agree with this as they look to me for a mutual agreement on the topic. It's becoming clear to me that despite the advantage of using and having our nega-energy powers, they have to hide so much from their loved ones that it's causing emotional and mental strain on them.
I briefly look away. This is not good. The evil in me is frowning now at this. Our most trusted generals, brothers in arms, are making good sense to get rid of the evil, but it's not boding well for me in a particular regard, but they do have a massive point. I hate that it's getting to this point now, not when we have a new enemy to work with. Well to deal with really. Yet is it really them that's the problem…or is it me?
That's when Nephrite chimes in with an unexpected idea, "Usagi is getting stronger, maybe if the girls combine their powers, channel theirs into her, she can heal us all at once."
I don't say anything right away as I didn't expect THIS discussion to pop up today. Zoisite then adds with some skepticism, "I don't think that's how the healing powers work." We turned to him. "For an attack yes but not to heal."
To which Jadeite adds in, "I've seen all of them actively at it and honestly while Usagi is strong, stronger than most and definitely willing to do whatever it takes to do it, she can't do all of us at once. It would have to be one at a time."
He's not wrong and while it is a good idea it still brings about much conflict. To do this brings up the issue we or rather I have been avoiding since this all started.
Using the new enemies as a reason why to keep the powers instead of letting a proper healing happen. After all, the evil within wants to stay alive and active. I can see so many benefits and uses of having the powers that have access to that I definitely don't have with my current Tuxedo Mask powers. Having only three attacks, maybe four, it's not ideal but having the multitude of powers from the evil is beneficial.
That's when I hear an all too familiar voice in my head.
Hey you're letting EVIL dictate what you need to do instead of doing what you should do which is knowing that your most trusted friends who have the evil in them to are RIGHT…Mamoru says to me…you need to exercise it from the lot of you and they know it's not just the right thing to do but also necessary especially if you want to have full access to your prince powers and the planetary power.
I lower my head just slightly as the guys talk it out. You know as well as I do that the longer you keep this from Usagi the longer they keep it from the girls the bigger the rift will be when you do finally tell them. I know he's right in this.
Of course, I'm right in this. Think about it, the second she finds out that you've been lying to her by not telling her this WHOLE time she's going to wonder what she CAN trust you with.
I breathe in deeply. Mamoru's words hit me hard now knowing that I've just been talking for a while about this mentally and not doing anything about it. Using reasons and excuses to avoid it when I know I need to come clean to her. At the end of the day the only person who truly wants to be evil is evil itself and while I know I need the powers it's more for selfish reasons than honorable ones.
Well duh! He says to me as he rolls his eyes. Your brothers and friends want to be free of the evil, and you know deep down so do you. You're just using the new enemies as an excuse to avoid doing the hard work required to strengthen your connection to the golden crystal as Usagi did with the silver crystal.
I hate how right he is. I grunt out, "You're all right. I'll start to train with Usagi more to improve on her crystal as she can do us all at once."
Mamoru seems to give me a faint expression of why I'm agreeing so fast till he says…you know that's going to take a little bit.
He knows it's still a stalling technique. Usagi is powerful in her own right but to heal five people as strong as us, the four kings of the four corners of the world along with the future king of earth is a heavy healing trip to push her through.
This makes Malachite ask me though, "Why not just one at a time?"
I look at him as he adds on, "It's not like she doesn't have the power for it."
Yes he's right she does BUT we do have the new enemies to consider. "The new enemies that are around are more powerful than Beryl's youma's. These cardians are stronger, faster, even smarter than what we deviled out." He nods knowing the truth of this. "IF she were to heal all of us at once she'd be out for possibly days at a time."
Mamoru thinks on that one before responding…there are still four Senshi and five of you. I think the lot of you can handle a cardian or two and maybe even one of the two new enemies that calls on them.
I frown knowing there's a point.
Well yes there's a point. You're trying to avoid the inevitable.
He knows I'm making excuses even if there is some validity in my reasoning. The truth is we can handle it all if Usagi is out of commission. Even if it were for a few days. We are still nine strong against a couple of enemies. Yet here I am trying to convince the guys that we need Usagi for that final blow.
But don't we? I ask Mamoru, trying to be sure.
Are you asking me if you, the mighty Tuxedo Mask, the Prince of earth, with all of the generals and the Senshi can take on a couple of enemies WITHOUT Usagi?
I feel the sweat drop hit me.
Yes she is needed in battle every time. Yes she's the strongest and most powerful of us, HOWEVER, this isn't the final showdown as Usagi is more than needed for that, BUT that's NOT the case. The enemy doesn't attack every day and she can easily take a few days off to rest afterwards.
This is very true and I'm sure that Usagi would agree with this and him as much as the guys would. We don't know where the enemy is at, let alone who they truly are. This is only the beginning of the enemy. You have time and you know it.
It's then Malachite says which pulls me from my thoughts, "Still though, she can heal us one at a time and let it be after she's helped to wipe out another cardian."
Mamoru smiles at this knowing Malachite is right and I've been reminded of this fact by my most trusted general. I have no choice but to agree to this despite my own reservations about things. I hate having to argue against ironclad logic. Makes it difficult to get my way in the matter.
"Look Endymion we get it. You want to stay as things are," Nephrite says as I glance over to him. "But the reality is that these powers, while useful, are hindering us from gaining what we really want and need."
I scan the room. The guys are unilaterally in agreement on this. I'm beginning to wonder if they spoke about this in private before coming in here cause this isn't what the topic was supposed to be about for today's discussion. This makes me question them, "Did you all meet up and agree to this before coming here?"
They get a bit quiet.
"Wait seriously?" I ask, a little stunned by this. Even the evil is upset by this turn of events.
"Look Endymion, we get the usefulness of this, but we just feel that we are not truly gaining what is best for us."
Son of a –
"We just feel…," Nephrite continues. "That while yes there are benefits to this in the end we hate that we still have these powers. That we are keeping these secrets from our loved ones."
I'm floored by this as I pace about the living room now, upset that they had a meeting about this without me.
It feels…deceptive, The evil tells me. Perhaps they need a reminder of WHO'S in charge here.
I raise my head up.
Of who's the prince and future king of this world.
I want to dismiss what the evil is saying cause it's advising me to raise my voice essentially…to threaten them. That's not who I am. We threaten the enemies NOT our own people…not my brothers, I snap at the evil within me.
Then it responds with…I'm not advising you to do that…I'm telling you that your weaker self is exploiting you in this. Your men don't see you as the strong future king right now, their 'advice to you' is making you become a weaker man. A weaker prince. That's not what this planet needs for protection against future enemies once this one is gone.
I don't like what it's suggesting, especially as my generals haven't once raised their voices to me.
I glance out to the balcony and tell the evil…I will NOT yell at my generals just because they advise something I don't like. It's only logical that as my council they give me all of the facts and tell me as they feel or think of it. Whether I agree with them or not is another factor altogether, but they will not be punished or made to feel that they can't express their opinions on relevant matters. I need their opinions.
The evil presses though…You're giving them far too much credit. They are merely tools for you to use in this coming war. Yes they are necessary tools, but at the end of the day they are showing you and telling you that they are choosing their loved ones over the need to have the powers necessary in this coming war.
It wasn't wrong on that front. They did say that they wanted to stop lying to their loved ones…I admit to it.
The evil nods as if knowing it's right. I hate to break this to you Endymion, but it seems you're losing the battle on whether or not you can trust your generals. They are picking their little Senshi girlfriends over their vow to you. A vow they made a thousand years ago to protect you and be there for you. They are your generals first, then they are boyfriends or husbands or fathers…that is the vow that they made.
I look up and turn around to face the guys as they've been in their own little discussion world trying to figure out how to get the girls at a stronger state so that they can channel power for Usagi to heal us all up. None of them know about my own inner conflict with the evil in my mind's eye that has its own need to keep going. I want to trust them truly I do but the evil had a point about what they're choosing right now.
No! No, it doesn't, Mamoru chimes in. I focus on him for a moment…they are telling you the same thing I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU! He snaps at me with such force that I nearly physically recoil. The evil just wants to stay in place and is now trying to tell you to be against your own generals? For what? Telling the truth? That the women they love, whom they're supposed to have the next generation of guardian soldiers with, are having communication issues and can feel the stress it's putting on them all?
I don't say a word as he keeps going.
You are being stubborn and utterly selfish on another level, and that's not the prince in you, that's not ME in you, that's the EVIL in you. When the ones who know you longer and better than Usagi does on some fronts, and THEY are telling you to get rid of the evil, THAT'S telling! You need to sit down and listen to them cause they are right in this, quit looking for excuses and just man up!
It's not an excuse! The evil rises up and yells at Mamoru. Nearly startling me in the process. I'm getting a bit agitated by the argument going on in my own head and I'm not even the one arguing.
Yes it is! Mamoru argues back. You're just trying to stay in place so that when Endymion takes to the throne you have what Beryl couldn't give you, a healthy host to rule earth with and having the Queen of the moon as your wife and mother to your future kids would be the icing on the proverbial cake.
That's when the evil responds…you're so proud of yourself aren't you? Thinking you've got me cause of past issues…? Well allow me to assure you that while yes I want to live, Endymion and even YOU need me in this fight. He won't be strong enough to fight with just his basic powers if I'm gone. He will have to train ten times harder to gain what he needs to be able to use more powers and from his own crystal as Usagi does.
And…he cuts off Mamoru before he can respond…WHEN the new enemy is defeated what he CAN do is when she heals the new enemy cause that's 'what she does' if their not to far gone…though how evil puts on air quotes when it's nothing more than an entity in my head is odd to say the least…she can heal everyone at once.
He finishes it off as if that solves everything that is until Mamoru says…bullshit!
Mamoru then snaps back with…Man can you spout out so much crap…he shakes his head, anger radiating off of him. It's a wonder it's not dripping from your ears cause that's what happened with Beryl and Metallia. Which is essentially you…if Mamoru could point a finger at the evil he just did. Usagi after destroying Beryl and Metallia, which was with the help of everyone, was way beyond weak to heal everyone at once.
That is true. It's why you have this BIG ass lie about being healed when you're really not by keeping this from her. That about covering how you're still doing whatever YOU have to do to protect YOUR ass in this and NOT HIS?!
The evil breathes in deeply as he snaps back…and do you think that Endymion here is strong enough in his current state to take on the enemies that we have now? As he is with NONE of the powers he gets through me?
I frown at that feeling a bit attacked now. I'm strong…I tell them both when Mamoru responds with…he needs to train just as she did. Usagi just wasn't strong out of nowhere. She had to relearn how to use her crystal to build a stronger connection to it. He can ONLY do it once YOUR gone. The crystal is protecting itself from YOU. It's like a mirror of Usagi's in that sense and it wants to be bonded to him but can't.
You're in the way. You're making him think he needs you when in reality you need him and you're manipulating him to get it…Mamoru's words hold a lot of truth to them that makes me rethink a lot of things, even about myself.
You're just jealous that he goes to me for powers and you're too weak minded to see the bigger picture here, The evil says as Mamoru laughs at it. What's so funny?! The evil demands of him.
Mamoru responds with…you, thinking I'm jealous over you. I am Endymion at the end of the day just as he's me. You in the end will be nothing more than vapor once he gets his head out of his ass and realizes that the way to win against these new enemies is with him being HIMSELF and NOT being influenced in any way by you. There's no jealousy to be had…only the knowledge that Endymion will make the right choice.
I'm dumbfounded at the conversation and argument taking place in my head while those I care for in the room and trying to work on the matter at hand still while ALSO having other debates that I've seemingly been lost in the focus of. I breathe in and turn back to the balcony, seeing all of the sun that's coming in as I eventually drown out even Mamoru and the evil arguing in my head. It's honestly causing a headache.
I sense that things are shifting out in the world again. I wonder if it's the earth trying to tell me that another attack will happen or if it's trying to tell me that someone in my mind has a stronger point and a better piece of advice to take over the other. I know both had good points and I know which path I need to take. It's why I know Mamoru is right…I'm using the evil as an excuse cause that's what it is.
My generals know what needs to happen and I know it too. I just know that going from evil to completely whole and good again will be a huge hit for me and right now I'm not sure how I can be of much help when I'll need to train as hard as ever to beat these new enemies back. It's going to be a longer road in the next month or so if I tell Usagi now, but it will be that much harder on her and I the longer I go without telling her the truth.
Will I lose her if I don't tell her? I want to say that our love is stronger than that but it's a pretty big ass lie that I'm keeping from her. I think it's one of the reasons why I've been so hard pressed to keep it a secret. Not only to keep the powers but to not lose her. I know the evil loves her now too but what if she leaves us once she finds out the truth? What happens to us if she leaves and doesn't forgive?
Usagi POV
I just BARELY got to the bus in time, as it sped off. Running that fast that far was a distance run for sure but still I made it. I'm glad Rei got in touch with me when she did. I wouldn't have made it otherwise. Here I am now though, enjoying this bus ride as I catch my breath and listen to the hum of the engine as we go. I even am able to ignore Ann and her near death glares as she's more focused on her brother than me.
He is looking bored by this and for once not trying to hit on me but that could be due to his protective sister right next to him. Mixing the classes up was a great idea…though I'm not sure if I meant that sarcastically or not as it could go either way. We drive a small distance though, enjoying it as much as we can till we hit the destination of where we're going to. The area is spacious and lovely to be in once we're off the buses.
Since it was a decent bus ride out there we realized we were a bit famished.
"Is there a place to get some food around here?" I ask looking about. It's then that I see the girls all have bento lunches with them. I have nothing. What a shocker. This is my own fault of course for forgetting about this. I sigh. "Let me find a place for food and I'll catch up with you all."
Makoto smiles though, "No worries" She then pulls out another bento container. "We figured you might be a bit 'famished' from your morning with Mamoru – san so I made you a lunch in case you needed some 'replenishments'."
I should be embarrassed by her words but instead I smirk happily as she's absolutely correct. Plus maybe hearing THAT will cool off the siblings into leaving both Mamoru and I alone.
"Can't argue with the truth," I tell her. I take the offered bento and smile as Ann looks particularly ready to snap.
"And what were you doing with Mamoru this morning?" she questions, her arms folded over like she's bent out of shape over the fact. As much as I'd love to go into detail with her, to be as explicit as possible not only one does she NOT have the right to know that, secondly were not friends so I wouldn't tell her anyways but mostly…I take a look around as I think this, mostly cause there's a teacher within hearing range. Miss Haruna REALLY DOESN'T need to know the details of my sex life with Mamoru.
I take a step forward and tell Ann in lower tones, "Wouldn't you like to know." Yes I know it's immature and a bit of a taunt BUT I'm getting sick and tired of her 'stay away from my brother and let me have your boyfriend to' attitude that she's developed around me. I don't even want her brother and yet she's zeroed in on me as a target.
Her face goes red hot with anger. "That's why I asked!" she snaps just as her brother comes over.
"Is everything okay?" he asks just in time as Ann is forced to cool her steam boat of anger towards me as he places a hand on her shoulder before seeing me and smiling, "Usagi it's so good to see you on this trip."
That's when I see the steam building up again in the port of Ann so make my escape.
"Well it looks like I better get to my food, enjoy yours." I slip out of the area and the girls and I usher towards a more secluded area for privacy to eat at.
"What is with that girl?" Makoto asks, trying to figure Ann out.
"You know what I wish I knew now. I was trying to ignore it before but now…," I look back to see her get huffy with her brother before they leave the area together but not before he sends a look of 'longing' my way as I physically back my head up at the action before he disappears from sight.
Not sure if the term I could use right now is 'recoil' or not, but my head did back up as I turned my face away, "Dude he has it bad for you."
Even Rei at this point has to acknowledge it. I nod, "He knows I have a boyfriend though so why….?" I truly don't get it.
That's when Rei smiles, "For some guys if you have a boyfriend it makes you more desirable. They see you as unattainable till they get you then it's old news or for some it's 'yes she's mine!'."
I look at her, "Seriously?"
She nods. "For him though I don't know which one. I just know that in the event that you're not with any of us or Mamoru, when he's alone, dude's going to pounce on you…metaphorically speaking."
I sigh, "That's the part that makes me worried. He has issues taking no for an answer and I don't want to have to hurt him."
Truly I'm not worried about him pressuring me for anything, no. I'm worried that I'm going to have to physically hurt him at some point if he DOESN'T stop pushing me for more than a friendship.
"No worries Usagi, despite his attempts I don't think he's going to push you out of your comfort zone," Ami tries. I eat a bite of hot octopus and munch down as I try to give way to a smile.
"Maybe…" I don't go into detail on how he already tried to corner me a few times. I can handle him at the end of the day, there's no doubt about that. Training as much as I have, my skills in combat are far better than anything a guy like him can handle. He will be more shocked and in pain than anything. My worry is in hurting someone that while he may need it shouldn't happen to begin with. He and his sister both need to learn the value of accepting truths and wisdom to know what's not theirs.
Lunch goes by for the rest of the next hour, we enjoy talking and catching up which isn't much since we talk frequently anyways. It's not till we all go for a walk afterwards, enjoying the area we're in, that the wind starts to shift. I look about and see Miss Haruna walking by.
"Hey." I can't help but call out to her. She looks a tad despondent. She comes over to me and what I'm calling a rare occasion of needing to be human in front of a student she speaks up.
"How is your relationship with your boyfriend going?"
Initially my first reaction is to deny anything big but something about this conversation seems different so I drop the 'I'm your student only bit' and tell her, "Things are going…were good but sometimes…" I look around to make sure Ann or her brother aren't around, "Sometimes it feels like he's hiding something from me." Which is true.
Miss Haruna then says something shocking to me, "I know that feeling…my Roy was like that too…which is when I found out that he had another." In those few moments I saw a stray tear come from her eyes, "I guess I should have seen it coming. His actions changed. His personality seemed to even change. Yet only with me."
I lowered my head as for a brief moment I wondered the same thing about Mamoru.
"Mamoru is seemingly different from when we first met but not negatively different," I admit. "He's more up front I guess…more brazen even. The Mamoru I first met wouldn't have been so forward with me as he is nowadays."
"That's a positive change," She tells me.
"Yet it does seem like there's something that he's hiding." I can't help coming back to that. "I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking things," I reply.
"Roy used to bring me flowers, he used to do things for me that, in his field of career, would take others days or weeks to get done, he'd do it for me in those days. Yet now, he gives me excuses for not doing them." I nod as I listen to her, "Sometimes when I'm at work it feels like I'm fighting with myself on confronting him about it."
I watch her wipe the tears away as I think about the literal fight's I've been in. So many too.
"To be honest, as much as I love to teach…as much as I love to watch my students flourish, it becomes draining after a while. Roy used to help me deal with that…now…"
As I hear her words I can't help but feel sympathetic with her. My job might seem like I'm just a student but being a champion of love and justice isn't a small feat. It does weigh heavily down on me at times and Mamoru is usually there with me.
Yet these days, since he's been different, he's there but he's not all there and while I trust him implicitly to not stray I wonder what else could be the problem. "Yeah…the passion you have for your job can change or differ depending on your situation." I agree.
She gives a small chuckle, "Not can Usagi…it does." I look at her as she asks me, "Can I tell you a secret and promise to keep it to yourself?" I nod knowing whatever she'd tell me I'd take it to the grave. "I've almost thought about quitting a few times this year."
This strikes me as shocking. She sees my expression. "Yes it's true. I just don't have the same passion for it anymore. Roy was there for me mentally and emotionally and lately since I know he's strayed he's barely there for me at all. So I'm thinking I might have to take a sabbatical or something."
I'm shook to my core at this revelation. It however does make me wonder as Senshi do WE get to do that? I nearly chuckle out loud. Of course not. We can't ever do that. The world needs us and we can't stop protecting the world.
Yet now, listening to someone that's always seemed in control, in charge and ready to take action is showing me her doubts. Her tiredness. Her need for a break from the world, or at least her job in it. It makes me realize that we haven't truly had a break from being Senshi since we began this journey.
We don't have a choice in the matter either, she does. I turn to Miss Haruna, "Listen, I know I'm just a lowly student but you have to do what your heart tells you to do. If this Roy guy isn't doing his part to make you happy and you're doing it all to make him happy, let him go."
She looks at me shocked and almost a tinge angry, "That's the problem Usagi. I want to. I want to let him go but…I love him too much to do it right now."
It's in these moments that I wish I could help her more than just by being an ear to talk to. "He was supposed to be my everything and now…now without his support this last year, it's affecting my job…my passion for teaching. You'd think that my passion would be enough to let him go but I needed him. I needed to talk to him, to be excited about work. Now…"
I could see how it was affecting her.
"I love to teach, it's what I was meant to do…like…" I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth, "Your destiny." She smiles. "Correct."
I give her a bleak smile knowing exactly what she means. My destiny is tied to the girls and Mamoru more than anyone will ever know and knowing that I'm having similar feelings that my own teacher is having regarding how my life is going right now…makes me feel…
"Oh listen to me babbling on." Miss Haruna quickly gathers herself together. "I'm sorry to burden you with this." She apologizes and I quickly tell her not to, "If anything I want to thank you."
She looks stunned at me."Why?" she asks.
"Cause you're not the only one who feels as you do and to hear a mentor of mine have a human moment with me like this means a lot to me."
She smiles at that. Yet I can see the question in her eyes, "What do you mean I'm not the only one?"
I smile at her question, "My own responsibilities can sometimes weigh heavily on my mind. It may seem very small to some but for me, they are quite a bit at times." I look out and without thinking tell her in a lower voice. "If I could, there are times where I would quit and give the job to someone else, give myself a break…but at the end of the day I know I can't do that and not because it's my responsibility but because I truly don't want to stop."
Yet it doesn't stop me from getting tired of the fighting. Of fighting off monsters. Of nearly dying. Of suffering. Mamoru and the girls do help as we are there for each other, but again, since he's been different lately I don't go to him as much as I probably should. I look back to see an expression on Miss Haruna's face that I haven't seen before. Like she's looking at me in a new light and is unsure of how to respond to it.
"Your…," it's like a light bulb dings off inside of her mind before she pushes it away, "That can't be right…," she mutters.
Before I can question what she means I feel a restlessness in the wind now that usually happens whenever evil is among us. I look about and work to tune my senses better when I hear Naru and Umino scream out. Miss Haruna hears them too but can't tell where it's coming from.
Not wanting Miss Haruna to get caught up in the fight, I tell her, "Go that way and I'll go this way to find them."
I can tell she wants to protest but in order to keep up the idea that she is in fact in charge says to me, "Okay but IF or WHEN you find them get the proper people in there to help them."
I nod at her words as we both take off. While I start to run towards them, racing to protect those I love and care about, I can't help but feel that this is what life will always be like for us all.
I take off and see the monster targeting them. It's actually a pretty monster which is shocking for once. Looking like a lady in a kimono that wants to suck the life from you. The cardian turns to me as I duck behind bushes not wanting to let any other students in the area see me. I transform and go say my speech, standing on a nearby tree branch as I do. Yet it's short lived as this cardian seems to not care about listening to me at any point so now it's really about ending it the way I've done with previous cardians that have been sent out.
As I fight it I sense that the other girls are on their way to us. Glad that there will be help, I focus on getting the monster's attention on me and away from the trapped students. I hear another student trying to help them escape through the bushes as they cry out stunned and afraid as the Senshi begin to show up. I jump out of the way as Mars and Jupiter shoot out their powers but the monster is too fast and grapples them both by the neck.
Turning her hands and by extension her arms into what looks like plants or trees, she binds them both to two separate trees and wraps them up in the binding so well that neither of them can get free of it. Their powers hit two trees behind us all as it prevents anyone else from that angle from getting in. encasing us at that angle. That's when Mercury and Venus jump in, tossing out their powers as the monster disentangles herself from her entrapment of Mars and Jupiter, dodges their powers and does the same to them.
She's so fast that when I gather up a power strike to attack she whips herself at me and sends me crashing back into a tree that makes me feel like I just got hit by a semi truck. I look up to see ALL of the Senshi bound to trees nearby as the creature uses her powers to extract energy from them. I can hear their cries of pain before I send out another power blast to her. My temper is flaring hot and hard as I attack her.
Yet I must be off as she comes at me just as fast and hard as I come at her. We meet in the middle of the area and try as I might she's strong enough to knock me back down and pin me to the ground. It's unnerving to say the least as she begins to use her powers to extract my own energy from me. I begin to scream even as I hear the girls screaming for me now. My emotions are all over the place right now.
I can feel it erupting within me as I feel my broach react and de-transform me. I am beyond stunned as it's never done this before. My fears magnify that this might be the moment when a monster takes me out. When I can't fight anymore. I let out a scream wanting to at LEAST take the monster with me. At least to give me that, yet I feel the ground open up beneath me. I feel it sucking me in.
The monster gets up and looks quite delighted. The girls scream for me to keep fighting as they fight to free themselves and yet I can tell they are unable to any time soon get out of the jam they're currently in. I only got as far as I did with the duck and dodge training Mamoru gave to me, yet here I am. I feel like I'm getting pulled into a pit of agony as I fight to stay above ground, needing to at least try.
It's not till I see a very scared looking Luna running to my aid, damning any consequences of what I think or feel, just wanting to be there for me. It's only now that I see some semblance of things coming round the circle. She was the one to bring me into this whole world of good versus evil, I guess it's only fitting that she be here when I get taken out of it. She tries to pull me out, latching her teeth into my sleeve and pulling as hard as her little feline body can before the portal pit takes us both…our screams getting swallowed up as we do.
