Chapter 4

"No! Please get back!" A scream of terror echoed through the now empty city streets. The skies began to darken with storm clouds roaming in, showering these now desolate roads. Abandoned cars with doors open from civilians fleeing the scene crowded the place, some wrecked onto the side into buildings. "Crescent Beam Smash!" The voice called out again.

There were so many of these strange seemingly undead creatures. Her attack was deflected off of the feudal ebony armor they wore. Glowing red eyes all gazed at her as they made their approach, closing in on their prey. These skeletal creatures radiated with a dark aura. The lone guardian had managed to take out a few of them, but she was wearing down quickly.

"Everyone…please make it…I…I can't…keep going like this." She huffed heavily, trying to regain her composure. She had taken a few swipes from their weapons, her fuku had been torn and tattered, stained red from her wounds. They had faced some pretty fucked up things before, but this was next level. "Cr…escent…Beam..Sm-Sma-!?" As the blond raised her arm to point and summon her attack, it was grabbed by one of the creatures.

Her eyes grew wide in absolute terror as she tried to break free of it's hold. She tried punching it but was restrained by another on her other side. "No, No!" She screamed and shrieked as she struggled to break free. A pool of black liquid formed at her feet with arms extending out on each side of her, taking hold of her legs to fully immobilize her where she stood. "What are you doing to me?!" She screamed, her eyes, she could feel swelling with tears.

She hadn't felt this kind of fear in so long, could she possibly hold on long enough for help to arrive? It would take her comrades some time to get from the shrine to here. Did she have that much time? The cold clammy grasp of these zombie-like creatures could be felt on her legs and body. However, to her despair, this wasn't the worst of it. From the shadows before her, something else began to rise up and take form. Hands took hold of her head now to keep her gaze turned to it.

A pool of black tar like substance formed then began to rise, molding into a humanoid like form. However, this…creature…was far from human. The feet and hands began to form, but they seemed bird like in shape, with sharp talons and claws at the tips of the fingers. The body was covered in dark red fur and feathers, and the head was that of a hawk, but the beak of what seemed to look almost pterodactyl like. The wings that formed were like that of a bat, its eyes were glowing red. It roared out with a screech that echoed through the empty city area.

The glass on nearby buildings shattered, raining down to the streets below. Sailor Venus struggled more to break free but could not. She could only watch in absolute horror as this creature approached her, its steps shattering the pavement with every move closer.

"To think, such delectable energy would be in this world. And in such a tasty vessel." The creature was now upon her, its long tongue running from her neck, up her cheek. The taste of her salty tears gracing his tastebuds. It licked the outside of its beak, taking a talon and ripping down the middle of her sailor fuku slightly. "Mmm…yes. Such a fine specimen. I'm sure…Lord Zeo wouldn't mind if I sample her first right? Heh heh heh…" As it began to reach to her, she began to softly cry and sob.

There was nothing she could do, this felt so wrong, the feel of this foul creatures slimy tongue feeling around on her. Her eyes closed as she struggled more. But to no avail, she was trapped here. It seemed that her friends would not make it in time to save her from this.

Usagi, Rei, Mako, Ami…I'm sorry. I failed you all…

But then, just as hope seemed all but lost, someone's voice cut through the silent, vacant town. "Back off bird brain! KYAH!" Out of seemingly nowhere, there was a white flash of light, and then POW! This strange bird creature caught the business end of someone's boot to it's face, sending it skidding back onto the ground.

Her eyes slowly opened back up to see the sight of what she could only surmise was her savior here. Crimson as the blood that soaked her fuku right now, this strange man's hair flowed gently in the quiet wind as the rain now drizzled from the sky. A flash of lightning illuminated his figure, high lighting an emblem on his back of a phoenix with the words 'Blazing Phoenix'. His fists clenched, the metal studs on his gloves shimmering from the lightning flash.

The creatures that held her in place began to growl, looking to her then him. Should they continue to hold their prey? Or should they focus now on the threat that took out their current commander? They looked to each other with their blood red glow as if an unspoken conversation was taking place to figure out a plan. The bird like creature struggled to look up from the ground where it lay.

"Who the fuck do you think you are attacking one of my power like that?" The creature growled as the figure seemed to only ignore it, making a glance back at the creatures holding Sailor Venus. A red domino mask covered his eyes.

Usually he would jump at the chance to act cool, or strike poses. Hell, moments like this, he lived for showboating, however this was a version of him never witnessed. A lone warrior who's only weapon was his own body. There was absolutely no room for error or mistakes. He needed to make quick work of this. "Let her fucking go now." His voice growled with gritted teeth. The creatures threw her to the soaked ground below, immediately realizing what threat needed to be dealt with now.

"Ugh!" She exclaimed on impact, then struggled to prop herself up seeing the creatures begin to approach him, and the bird creature from behind. They were surrounding him. Who the hell was this guy? "Hngh…" She grunted in pain as she placed her hand on one of her wounds. Thankfully nothing was too deep, but still stung like hell.

As these Shadow Warriors surrounded him, he stood still and solemn, his eyes scanning around to study his enemies. Sure, he's fought these things before, but this was no time to get cocky. However…now that she was out of dangers way for now.

"You asked who I was right?" He turned his attention to the bird monster. "Heh. Isn't it fucking obvious?" Oh man…here we go. Well, this whole mysterious stranger act couldn't last for long right?

He raised his right hand to the sky, pointing upward. "Rising from the ashes!" Bringing his arm down, clenching a fist, his thumb was brough to his chest. "I am the warrior chosen by Suzaku! It is my job to burn away evil scum like yourself. Katsuro Takahashi! Blazing Phoenix!" With that, he punched the ground and then jumped back up, posed with his arms extended out like wings.

What the hell?! Is this guy serious?! Though it wasn't really any different from what they do, but in a situation like this? THIS! This is the guy that just saved her ass? Though, she had to admit, in any other type of scenario…she would find him quite attractive and heroic. Someone out here trying to fight with seemingly no powers. And here she was letting herself be overtaken like this? Oh HELL to the no.

"What?! You're alive still?! That can't be! No, its not. Bullshit, you're not him or you'd be wearing your armor and powered up. Shadow Warriors…kill this poser." The creature growled.

"Yipe!" He exclaimed as one took a swing at him, he quickly ducked down, planting his hand onto the ground and ramming a good upward kick into it's chin, sending it flying back into two others. Spinning around almost as if break dancing, he planted his other hand onto the ground then front flipped up, coming into an aerial assault with a downward kick onto another, crushing it's helmet and skull in as it exploded into a black mist.

"Maybe old school…but it gets the job done…" He smirked, rubbing his nose with a thumb. "Oh geeze!" He barely managed to dodge sideways, avoiding the swipe of a sword. Another swipe as he jumped back again. "Woah now! Come on! Can't we talk this out!?" He continued jumping backwards to avoid being slashed.

"Strong silent type I see." He joked then dodged to the right, grabbing hold of another one of the creatures and pulling it forward to block the swipe. The blade slashed down into the creature as it exploded into a black mist like the other, however Katsuro took hold of a katana it was wielding. And then the blades began to clash, sending sparks left and right as they met.

His movements were so smooth and graceful. Even though he seemed to be kept on the ropes, she could tell every strike and dodge were delicately planned out to regain his advantage. Honestly, even as banged and battered up as she was, she couldn't help but to feel the hype from this. Someone who didn't even have powers was managing to keep these things at bay. How could she as a Sailor Guardian allow herself to have been brought to despair like that? Her fists clenched, she could feel the anger swelling up inside.

The creature watched, enraged as this no body was making a complete fool of them. The boy didn't even have any energy or power that he could sense. This was just an average joe pretending to play superhero. Oh he had seen enough of this shit. "This charade is coming to an end!" With that, the creature took flight, rushing at Katsuro. It's feet took hold of Katsuro's shoulders, taking him into the sky.

"Hey now! I'm afraid of heights! Let me go ass hole!" He exclaimed, beating on the creatures feet then looked down. "Wait, no! Don't let me go!" The creature released him, however, he clung onto it's feet. "CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!" He began to crawl up the creature, making it to it's back. "Alright! HI HO SILVER! AWAAAAY!" He clung around it's neck with one arm, waving the other in the air.

The now distracted shadow warriors began to gaze into the air at their commander struggling with this human.

"Don't you all just ignore me! I wont forgive you for everything you did to me!" She raised her hand up into the sky. "I am the Senshi of Love and Beauty! Sailor Venus! Now in the name of Venus! I'll punish you! CRESCENT BEAM…SHOWER!" She called out sending one large blast of yellow energy into the sky. It then separated into multiple blasts of energy that rained down upon these skeletal warriors. Each landing a perfect head shot, blasting them into a black mist, leaving none of them left standing.

However, up above, the blasts also made its way to the creature, blasting through it's wing as it began to fall, still dodging. "Hey now! Turn the friendly fire off!" Katsuro exclaimed, grabbing on for dear life, his hands covering the creature's eyes.

"You insolent wretch! Let go! I can't see!" The creature began to spiral down towards the ground, then feeling Katsuro's grasp around its neck pulling upward. The creature barely missed smashing into the ground as it began to skid through the pavement below to a stop where it smashed into a lamp post.

The redhaired boy was still on its back. "Aaahhaaaahhhh…I think…I'm gonna hurl…UGH!" He jumped, running over to a trash can. "Uggghhh! That's it. Flying first class next time…" He leaned onto the trash can.

"Venus!?" A familiar voice called out from down the street in echoing in the rain.

The worn down blond seemed to perk right up hearing her voice. "M-Mars! Jupiter! Mercury! You all made it!" She gripped her side in pain as she slowly stumbled her way to her friends.

"Oh my god, you're hurt…" Worriedly Mars ran over to her friend and caught her as she lost her footing and fell forward. She kneeled onto the ground, holding her against her propped up knee. "Look at you…I'm so sorry we didn't make it sooner…" She could feel tears swelling in her eyes for her friend.

"Hey…don't worry about me. You know I'm tough." She winked. "Besides. I had this handsome stranger rush in and save m-?" She looked over to see him still hurling in the garbage can.

"Hey…isn't that the Katsuro guy we were talking to at the shrine…?" Jupiter looked as the light drizzle of rain rolled off their soft skin.

"I believe it is…? But he was so injured when we saw him, and where did he get those clothes?" Mercury asked with confusion, placing a finger up to her chin. "How peculiar…"

"You guys know him? You mean, you were harboring a hottie like him and didn't tell me?" She stood back up with the help of Sailor Mars.

"We'll explain later, but first. It looks like you've got a bit of a straggler there." They looked to the bird creature who was now standing back up.

"This whole bunch! You're all insane! Especially this chaotic force of nature!" He pointed to Katsuro who waved to him.

"Yo." He calmly stated, regaining his composure, and standing up. "Hey, so, not for nothing, but, you all usually deal in exterminating things like this right? You uh…wanna take the honor of clipping this bird's wings?" He asked.

"We still have a TON of questions for you…" Mars narrowed her eyes at him. "Venus…think you have enough strength to pull off an attack?"

"Yeah, no worries." She winked. "You all ready?" She asked as they all nodded. "Then together…"

"SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!" They all exclaimed together, holding their hands up as the attack was launched towards the creature, rushing at it.

"What?! Oh shit! No, no, no ,no NOOOOOO!" The creature began to try running from it, jumping in the air to try taking flight, but it was no use, he was completely engulfed in its energy, the blinding light illuminating the surrounding area, then being turned upwards to the sky as he slowly began to disintegrate and then BOOM! The explosion itself dispersed the storm clouds above as a ray of sunlight shined down upon them.

"Alright, time to see if this works." He quickly pulled his jewel out and held it up into the air. "Phoenix Jewel!" He called out as it began to glow with an orange light, pulling in the remaining energy from the creature into it. Once it was all absorbed, it flashed with flaming light then dulled out again.

"Wonder how much more it'll take till I'm back up to 100%?" He gazed to the jewel before tucking it into his jacket again. He looked to see the others had been too distracted with Minako to pay attention to him.

"Thank you everyone…I was afraid I almost met my end…" Her soaked blonde hair seemed to just glow in the sunlight, her shimmering sapphire eyes happily looked to her friends.

"I guess he really couldn't…wing it…" Katsuro slowly approached them then winked.

"Ok, YOU have some explaining to do." Mars got next to him, grabbing his ear.

"OWOWOWOWOW!" He began to flail.

"Like this." She smacked him in the abs. "How is it that you're suddenly healed?!"

"So…you all know this guy?" Sailor Venus questioned.

"It seems it's a bit of a complex manor. Perhaps we best continue this conversation back at the shrine?" Mercury asked.

"That's probably for the best." Sailor Jupiter crossed her arms as her emerald eyes gazed to each one of her friends. She scanned the area for any signs of life or civilians. "Coast is clear." She closed her eyes and in a flash of green light returned to Makoto Kino.

"Mako…er…Jupiter! Are you really ok just revealing yourself to him like that?!" Minako panicked, but saw everyone else turn normal too. "Ok, I've been left out of something. You guys got some splainin to do here." She wagged her hand then in a flash of yellow light, returning to her civilian self.

"Hey…you're really hurt still. Alright, it is a man's duty to tend to the needs of a gorgeous young maiden." He clenched his fist and spoke with a heroic type tone before sweeping her up into his arms.

"Eep!" Minako exclaimed looking up to him with a blush. "Hey now, I don't even know you."
"Don't you touch our friend you womanizer!" Rei smacked the back of his head, but he wasn't wrong. She was in no condition to walk that kind of distance. They would need to handle her wounds. "Ugh, fine. Carry her back. But you try ANYTHING and you're dead." She glared at him with the fury of 1000 suns.

He had Rika, well, she was in the world he left behind. He would still fight to make it back home one day, but, what's wrong with trying to live out a few childhood dreams right? "I gotcha, I gotcha. Alright, Minako. Hold on." He said as she gazed up shyly at him.

She was in pain, and had many cuts all over. She knew she couldn't have the strength to walk that far right now. "A-Alright, please, take care of me…" She moved her arms around his neck to hold on and not be dropped.

SO CUTE! His heart pounded against his chest hearing her speak in such a shy tone. "Onward!" He began to walk before stopping suddenly.

"What's the problem?" Makoto asked him, slowly leaning forward from aside him to look up at him.

"Uh, well. You see, I have absolutely NO IDEA where I'm going." He laughed nervously.

"Seriously?! How the hell did you get here?!" Rei exclaimed.

"Would you believe me if I said the power of love and friendship? No? Meh, worth a shot."

"Are you REALLY the same guy that was fighting those things?" Minako gazed back up to him.

"Ahem. Er. Rei, you mind leading the way?" He laughed.

"Fine, whatever. Better not drop her." She mumbled, leading the way as the group began to walk.