Chapter 4: Initial Confrontations

“Man, does this creep know how to pick them!” Callisto exclaimed, eyeing the dismal landscape with disgust.

“Be on guard,” Cynthia warned.

“The whole planet is dead,” Sailor Io stated. “Very little plant life at all.”

“Sailor Europa, any signs of animal life?” Sailor Leda asked.

A visor covered Europa’s eyes and she scanned the whole area twice. “No animal life forms for fifty miles in any direction,” she answered sadly. “You almost have a feeling that this was once an inhabitable place.”

“Cynthia, can you provide any information?” Sailor Leda asked, turning to the team’s feline advisor.

“Not much,” she answered, leading the team down what could have been a road at one time. “Charon is the moon of Pluto. Sailor Pluto is the guardian of time and is usually on guard at the gateways of time. She rarely comes back to Pluto, let alone Charon.”

“A perfect situation for an opportunistic, homeless villain,” Leda muttered.

“Hate him even more already,” Callisto added.

“Keep your eyes open and your guard up,” Leda warned and the conversation died.

* * * * *

Ganymede surveyed the area, straining his senses. ‘The Sailor Soldiers had been here,’ he thought. He turned and began walking in the same direction that they had. With any luck he could catch up and safely follow them without their knowledge. He quickened his steps, wanting to ensure that Leda and her sisters were safe.

* * * * *

“Oh, my,” Sailor Lysithea said, peering into the ancient ruins of a building.

“Now we know that Charon was at one time inhabited,” Sailor Europa commented. “But where did all the people go?”

“Still no plant life. The whole moon seems dead.” Io shook her head sadly.

“No wonder,” Lysithea said. “There is very little water as far as I can tell.”

“Well, don’t have to worry about doing any damage,” Callisto quipped.

“Quiet,” Leda ordered. “I thought I saw some movement.”

The Sailors took battle stances, peering into the gray gloom of Charon. A few moments later, several gray figures emerged from the shadows of the abandoned buildings. They steadily approached the circle that the Sailors had formed, each facing outward in a different direction.

“Europa, are they alive?” Leda asked, her voice low.

“Interesting,” Europa said, almost completely to herself. “They are mobile but are not alive.”

“What do we do, Leda?” Callisto demanded, watching the gray men come closer. A glob sailed past Callisto’s shoulder, as similar attacks were flung at the Sailors.

“They’re definitely hostile,” Europa said, dodging multiple attacks.

“That’s all I needed to know,” Callisto replied. “Callisto Sky Illumination!”

The flash of light stunned the attackers, allowing Leda to get an estimate of the attackers’ numbers.

“Great, at least thirty, if not more,” she mumbled, eyeing the two approaching her. “Cynthia, find a safe place.”

“What?” the advisor demanded.

“Now!”

The gray cat ran toward a vacant building, blending into the shadows. Satisfied that Cynthia was somewhat safe, Leda focused her attention to the battle. “Leda Hail Hurricane!”

Several glowing chunks of ice smashed into the two figures before her. Their gray forms started glowing before disappearing in a flash of white light. However, more attackers appeared to replace them.

“Callisto Meteor Smash!”

“Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!”

“Io Deep Fissure!”

“Europa Hatred Healing!”

“Leda Torrent Tornado!”

The attacks destroyed their targets, but new attackers replaced the ones destroyed. The Sailors were tiring from the unfamiliar strain of battle. Something would have to give soon.

“Io Sailor Surround!” A massive wall of earth rose, shielding the Sailors from the attackers. “It will hold them for a while.”

“What are we going to do?” Lysithea asked, panting. “We can’t hold out much longer.”

“Maybe we can,” Europa said, moving to stand in the center of her sisters. “Europa Energy...”

“Europa, no!” Leda cried.

“Enrichment!” Yellow-green light surrounded the Sailors, increasing their energy. The light faded, and the sisters stared at Europa. She smiled broadly and then collapsed. Leda caught her before she hit the ground.

“More bad news,” Callisto said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Io’s wall is weakening.”

The wall was slowly disappearing and the numerous attackers were becoming visible.

“Everyone prepare for a massive assault. Get ready to fire back,” Leda ordered, still holding Europa in her arms. Leda looked down at her brave sister with a mixture of worry and admiration. “Europa, wake up. Come on. We are going to need you.”

Europa’s eye lids fluttered before she opened them completely. “Did it work?” she asked weakly.

“Yeah, but if you do anything like that again without my permission, I’ll harm you myself.”

Europa nodded and slowly stood on her feet. “I’m ready,” she said, standing erect.

“Sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay,” Leda said, smiling at Europa. “When the wall finally gives way, be ready.”

The wall disappeared, and the Sailors began their attacks.

“Callisto Starlight Blast!”

“Io Earth Eruption!”

“Lysithea Aqua Annihilation!”

“Europa Cold Sleep!”

“Leda Torrent Tornado!”

For once, the number of attackers stopped growing. Yet, each had at least two attackers left to destroy. To her dismay, Leda saw that Europa was quickly tiring.

“Time for an upgrade. Jupiter Star Power!” Leda became Neo-Sailor Jupiter. “Jupiter Supreme Thunder Dragon!”

An electrical dragon appeared and swallowed her attackers. Certain that they were destroyed, Jupiter ran to help a very weak Europa.

“Europa Cold Sleep!”

One of the attackers froze in place, while the other still advanced. Unable to gather enough energy for a command attack, Europa began to fight physically. However, the punches and kicks hardly slowed the attacker and Europa was now barely dodging its hits.

“Europa, move!” Europa obediently ran, leaving the attacker confused. “Jupiter Thunderbolt Crash!” The surprised gray figure did not dodge the attack and was destroyed. Jupiter eliminated the one that Europa had frozen.

Jupiter glanced at Sailor Europa, ensuring that her youngest sister was okay. A glob hit Jupiter squarely in the back, knocking her to the ground. She rolled over in time to another heading toward her. There was no way she could dodge it in time.

Suddenly a pair of arms grabbed her and pulled her out of the way. She turned and faced her rescuer. Expecting one of her sisters, she was amazed to find herself in the arms of a masked man.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

“Ganymede, a friend,” he answered. He waved his hand and three gold stars appeared. He flung them at some approaching attackers, destroying them on contact.

His eyes were so familiar to her. “Have we met before?”

“I can’t say,” he said, turning away.

“You mean you don’t know or you won’t.”

Her answer made him smile. She always did have that effect on him. Reluctantly, he set her on her feet and released her.

“Will I see you again?”

“We shall see,” he replied. “Good luck, Neo-Sailor Jupiter.” He slipped into a shadow and disappeared.

She stared into the shadows for a moment, hoping to catch another glimpse. “Thank you, Ganymede,” she whispered. Then remembering her sisters, she rejoined the battle.

A figure in the shadows smiled.


Initial Confrontations “Man, does this creep know how to pick them!” Callisto exclaimed, eyeing the dismal landscape with disgust. “Be on guard,” Cynthia warned. “The whole planet is dead,” Sailor Io stated. “Very little plant life at all.” “Sailor Europa, any signs of animal life?” Sailor Leda asked. A visor covered Europa’s eyes and she scanned the whole area twice. “No animal life forms for fifty miles in any direction,” she answered sadly. “You almost have a feeling that this was once an inhabitable place.” “Cynthia, can you provide any information?” Sailor Leda asked, turning to the team’s feline advisor. “Not much,” she answered, leading the team down what could have been a road at one time. “Charon is the moon of Pluto. Sailor Pluto is the guardian of time and is usually on guard at the gateways of time. She rarely comes back to Pluto, let alone Charon.” “A perfect situation for an opportunistic, homeless villain,” Leda muttered. “Hate him even more already,” Callisto added. “Keep your eyes open and your guard up,” Leda warned and the conversation died. * * * * * Ganymede surveyed the area, straining his senses. ‘The Sailor Soldiers had been here,’ he thought. He turned and began walking in the same direction that they had. With any luck he could catch up and safely follow them without their knowledge. He quickened his steps, wanting to ensure that Leda and her sisters were safe. * * * * * “Oh, my,” Sailor Lysithea said, peering into the ancient ruins of a building. “Now we know that Charon was at one time inhabited,” Sailor Europa commented. “But where did all the people go?” “Still no plant life. The whole moon seems dead.” Io shook her head sadly. “No wonder,” Lysithea said. “There is very little water as far as I can tell.” “Well, don’t have to worry about doing any damage,” Callisto quipped. “Quiet,” Leda ordered. “I thought I saw some movement.” The Sailors took battle stances, peering into the gray gloom of Charon. A few moments later, several gray figures emerged from the shadows of the abandoned buildings. They steadily approached the circle that the Sailors had formed, each facing outward in a different direction. “Europa, are they alive?” Leda asked, her voice low. “Interesting,” Europa said, almost completely to herself. “They are mobile but are not alive.” “What do we do, Leda?” Callisto demanded, watching the gray men come closer. A glob sailed past Callisto’s shoulder, as similar attacks were flung at the Sailors. “They’re definitely hostile,” Europa said, dodging multiple attacks. “That’s all I needed to know,” Callisto replied. “Callisto Sky Illumination!” The flash of light stunned the attackers, allowing Leda to get an estimate of the attackers’ numbers. “Great, at least thirty, if not more,” she mumbled, eyeing the two approaching her. “Cynthia, find a safe place.” “What?” the advisor demanded. “Now!” The gray cat ran toward a vacant building, blending into the shadows. Satisfied that Cynthia was somewhat safe, Leda focused her attention to the battle. “Leda Hail Hurricane!” Several glowing chunks of ice smashed into the two figures before her. Their gray forms started glowing before disappearing in a flash of white light. However, more attackers appeared to replace them. “Callisto Meteor Smash!” “Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!” “Io Deep Fissure!” “Europa Hatred Healing!” “Leda Torrent Tornado!” The attacks destroyed their targets, but new attackers replaced the ones destroyed. The Sailors were tiring from the unfamiliar strain of battle. Something would have to give soon. “Io Sailor Surround!” A massive wall of earth rose, shielding the Sailors from the attackers. “It will hold them for a while.” “What are we going to do?” Lysithea asked, panting. “We can’t hold out much longer.” “Maybe we can,” Europa said, moving to stand in the center of her sisters. “Europa Energy...” “Europa, no!” Leda cried. “Enrichment!” Yellow-green light surrounded the Sailors, increasing their energy. The light faded, and the sisters stared at Europa. She smiled broadly and then collapsed. Leda caught her before she hit the ground. “More bad news,” Callisto said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Io’s wall is weakening.” The wall was slowly disappearing and the numerous attackers were becoming visible. “Everyone prepare for a massive assault. Get ready to fire back,” Leda ordered, still holding Europa in her arms. Leda looked down at her brave sister with a mixture of worry and admiration. “Europa, wake up. Come on. We are going to need you.” Europa’s eye lids fluttered before she opened them completely. “Did it work?” she asked weakly. “Yeah, but if you do anything like that again without my permission, I’ll harm you myself.” Europa nodded and slowly stood on her feet. “I’m ready,” she said, standing erect. “Sure?” “Absolutely.” “Okay,” Leda said, smiling at Europa. “When the wall finally gives way, be ready.” The wall disappeared, and the Sailors began their attacks. “Callisto Starlight Blast!” “Io Earth Eruption!” “Lysithea Aqua Annihilation!” “Europa Cold Sleep!” “Leda Torrent Tornado!” For once, the number of attackers stopped growing. Yet, each had at least two attackers left to destroy. To her dismay, Leda saw that Europa was quickly tiring. “Time for an upgrade. Jupiter Star Power!” Leda became Neo-Sailor Jupiter. “Jupiter Supreme Thunder Dragon!” An electrical dragon appeared and swallowed her attackers. Certain that they were destroyed, Jupiter ran to help a very weak Europa. “Europa Cold Sleep!” One of the attackers froze in place, while the other still advanced. Unable to gather enough energy for a command attack, Europa began to fight physically. However, the punches and kicks hardly slowed the attacker and Europa was now barely dodging its hits. “Europa, move!” Europa obediently ran, leaving the attacker confused. “Jupiter Thunderbolt Crash!” The surprised gray figure did not dodge the attack and was destroyed. Jupiter eliminated the one that Europa had frozen. Jupiter glanced at Sailor Europa, ensuring that her youngest sister was okay. A glob hit Jupiter squarely in the back, knocking her to the ground. She rolled over in time to another heading toward her. There was no way she could dodge it in time. Suddenly a pair of arms grabbed her and pulled her out of the way. She turned and faced her rescuer. Expecting one of her sisters, she was amazed to find herself in the arms of a masked man. “Who are you?” she demanded. “Ganymede, a friend,” he answered. He waved his hand and three gold stars appeared. He flung them at some approaching attackers, destroying them on contact. His eyes were so familiar to her. “Have we met before?” “I can’t say,” he said, turning away. “You mean you don’t know or you won’t.” Her answer made him smile. She always did have that effect on him. Reluctantly, he set her on her feet and released her. “Will I see you again?” “We shall see,” he replied. “Good luck, Neo-Sailor Jupiter.” He slipped into a shadow and disappeared. She stared into the shadows for a moment, hoping to catch another glimpse. “Thank you, Ganymede,” she whispered. Then remembering her sisters, she rejoined the battle. A figure in the shadows smiled.


Chapter 5: The Question of Faith Jupiter's Gone