Chpt Six: Anubis’ Victory with a Price; Welcome in Eternity Fighter

Okay, so here I go again! And it's about time too... ::sighs:: sorry for making anyone wait. It's been kinda hectic around here and lots of choices to be made. Um... so enjoy. it's a bit strange but so-so. I finally got moving again and that's what I wanted. Oh, I know it's kinda an odd title but isn't that how it goes?

Everyone looked over to the vaguely familiar voice. Eyes widened and gasps sounded in surprise. Standing off to the side, a young woman older than even Haruka or Michiru stared calmly at the others.

The young woman bobbed her head once, face solemn. She was so… tall compared to any time anyone had ever seen her. In fact, she looked rather like Mistress Nine, sans the demonic look. Her hair was brushing just past her shoulder blades, now; and her once wide, innocent violet eyes were thinned and narrowed. Her whole body was altered, including her voice. She was not a child anymore.

Sailor Pluto carefully moved to stand before Hotaru and looked her over. She stared deep into the other woman’s eyes for a long time, seeming to think. Finally, she looked away. “I don’t know, Saturn.”

“She must have the strength!” Makoto cried. “Look! Look how much she has grown! Her power always has been the strongest! Can she not use that power again?!”

“Hush, now,” Pluto ordered. She was calming again, either a good sign or bad sign, no one could tell which. “Henshin yo, minna. We will split up and look for the enemy before they can surprise attack us again. We will contact each other once we find something travel in groups no less than three.”

It was rather confusing seeing some of the senshi together. Both Uranus of the present and past had the same fuku, as did Star Fighter however, since the Fighter of the past has bloodstains about her, that was a give away. And it was rather wild to see the huge group of senshi all together.

Eternal Sailor Moon bowed her head in sadness. She felt so weak, physically and figuratively. She wasn’t sure if she had the ability to do this. She also wondered about her guardians, the inner senshi, and if their power was also drained.

Everyone glanced over at the tall Sailor Saturn. Her costume greatly differed from the old fuku. “Hai,” she murmured. The gloves were like Eternal Moon’s, reaching above the elbow and with winged ends. The sleeves of the bodysuit were the same as before; but the bow’s jewel on the sailor collar was diamond shaped. Instead of a skirt, leggings covered the long legs. Her footwear remained the same, the high lace-up boots. The last change was that there was no tiara. Instead, the symbol of Saturn blazed between the dark bangs.

The present Star Fighter seemed torn on what to do. She looked over at Eternal Sailor Moon but then glanced at her past self and Star Maker. Finally Maker sighed and shook her head. When she met Star Fighter’s eyes again, she motioned she’d be with the younger one and that Eternal Moon might need some extra help. “Arigatou… Maker…” Fighter whispered softly.

She picked up her long legs to run quickly over to Eternal Moon and the present Tuxedo Kamen. “I’ll come with you,” she stated. The young man looked at her sideways, seeming unsure about her presence. Fighter made no comment about it. “Choose someone else to come, too. This is a very powerful enemy.”

“I’m with you.” The three turned to watch Tin Nyanko stride forward. Her face was set in stone, determined. “I don’t know if we can protect you, Princess of the Silver Moon, but we may try. Fighter, after that wound I doubt you should be fighting at all. Neither should this Moon Princess.”

Fighter shook her head vehemently. “No! I will complete my mission!” Her eyes flashed. “If you won’t allow me to fight, I will go off by myself! I have lost Healer, I won’t loose another…”

Nyanko dropped her head forward, “Sou da na…” She understood, but she was worried for the two wounded senshi. Everyone was a taunt, near to the point of breaking, with the most recent events. She shook her head slowly to clear away other thoughts. “Right. We’re moving out. Let us go. I think I have an idea...”

The cat-like senshi took off at a high speed with Fighter right behind and Eternal Moon following. Tuxedo Kamen stayed alongside Eternal Moon and narrowed his eyes at the figures ahead. “Why are we following them?”

“They have been looking over battle data and have research. They know what they are doing, don’t worry!” she smiled brilliantly at him for reassurance.

He still was not all too happy with the situation, but he would deal with it. They soon began jumping across rooftops at high speeds. It was such a rush, everything was passing by, everything that had built up to the situation they were in now. He didn’t understand what was going on. He didn’t know any of these people. Not the “Starlights” or “anima-mates”… he had not much of a clue as to who they were or what they wanted. He wasn’t sure he could trust them… and especially Star Fighter. From what he knew of the time when he was dead, and from what he’d seen so far now, he knew that the senshi was in love with his Usako. Tuxedo Kamen wasn’t too sure he liked the idea.

Then again, who could not resist the charms of Tsukino Usagi? He understood, at least, why Star Fighter loved her; but after knowing that she was already taken, should he not just let it go? It was a frustrating question that he’d like to have answered. How was he to find an answer, however, if he could not even talk to Fighter? ‘Just as long as he she? doesn’t take Usako away, it’ll be okay… it’ll be fine…’ For some reason, he still frowned.

Pluto glanced over to Crow. “You and Siren are still hurt, ne? Why not stay here with Hotaru. Luna, Artemis, and Diana will be here too.”

“Right. Siren, is that okay?” Siren nodded in relief. Crow smiled a bit sadly. ‘Oh Siren… if only we had more time to straighten things out. Senshi life is not for you, not with all the missions…’

Baby Hotaru was passed over into the waiting arms of Siren. Neptune looked over the sleeping child once more before leaving. She walked to the others in her group and they took off into the city. ‘Hotaru is not destined for a real childhood, is she?’ she wondered to herself. Inside, she knew that she would give a lot to let the violet-eyed girl have a childhood filled with happiness and innocence… if only she could.

Clouds hung low in the air, dark and ominous. The storm was yet to come, but it sat there just above everyone’s heads. Tokyo Harbor was silent and still, the waves lapping against its boundaries in protest. A few meters above the water, three figures floated in the air.

“Yosh’. Do remember what I have said,” another voice said. Its tone was much more closed in than before, not echoing and bouncing every which way. Finally it had a body. “Anubis, you know what to do.”

There was the sound of heels clicking quickly across tin rooftops. Clink, clink, tap, clink, clink, tap, tap, tap… Suddenly it stopped. Only by the acute hearing they had, did the three forms make out the sound of four pairs of feet hitting the ground. Frustrated conversation floated softly into the air once the first body was found.

Looking amused, the short figure turned its head down towards him. Tiny bells jingled as it moved. “You are awfully anxious. See who it is. You know who to keep.”

Within a flash, Anubis blinked out of sight. A few seconds later, sounds of attack were heard between the buildings. Daara’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you want him to do this?” She pet the small dragon about her shoulders absent-mindedly. “I think he loves to kill too much. He does not understand what you want.”

Sailor Star Fighter heeded the warning and jumped away. To dodge the next beam of light, she grabbed Eternal Moon’s hand and pulled her along too. “Come on, let’s keep going!”

The four figures dashed to the end of the buildings and reached the docks. They reached an abrupt stop and stared in surprise at the two figures floating in the air. “Are they…?”

Fighter’s eyes widened with surprise. The woman wore an oddly designed outfit along with a small dragon about her neck. She stared down at them with solid colored eyes and a dead look on her face. The… child beside her was much shorter. She wore a jester-type costume. The hat adorned with tiny bells. Her shirtsleeves were torn off at her elbows, giving an eerie feel to her. She would look sweet enough, was it not for the vicious-looking whip in one hand. She smirked, her large eyes twinkling happily.

“I’ve seen that…” The man floated from the alley out into the open to smile darkly at his prey. “This game is getting boring. Let us end it excitingly!” His hands reached up, power gathering in tendrils.

In surprise the group of senshi watched as new friends joined in the battle. Super Sailor Uranus muttered, “Don’t ask me why I agreed to group up with these guys…” She cast a slight smile over the two Starlights. “No offensive, of course.”

The former anima-mate responded by opening up her communicator and sending out the message. “At the docks, minna! Hurry up!” Her shrill shriek pierced the air and the senshi turned to her.

“Nyanko!” Star Fighter cried out, trying to see through the bright smoke clouding her vision. She coughed on the substance but still tried to move forward. “Nyanko?”

Anubis held the prone body by one wrist, making a great show of his prize. Smirking slightly at them, he tossed the body into the ocean. “Don’t even try going after her. She’s already dead.

“Move it, Maker!” SS Uranus warned, diving straight into the Starlight and moving her out of the way. She, instead, received the beam of ki that blasted her back into one of the warehouse walls. The concrete wall bit into her flesh as she was buried back into it.

Coughing up blood, she looked through bleary eyes to see horror on the others faces. Giving a small smile, she remembered that there was still the younger Uranus that could fight. ‘Protect them…’ she prayed, accepting her death that was rushing towards her on Anubis’ scythe. ‘Sayonara, Michiru.’

Anubis was already back in action, moving in a blurred fashion straight towards Eternal Moon. Seeing this, the Starlights jumped into action, positioning themselves to stop the attack. “Out of my way, Lights!” An orb of energy burst before them, scattering them away. Maker regained her footing first and gripped tightly to Anubis’ legs. She didn’t have much action to choose from but finally decided. Closing her eyes, she only prayed this would work.

“Kakyuu-hime bless me, Kinmoku-sei my home I will miss you… Healer… wait. Fighter… you are strong, protect her…” Finally she began the actual chant. “Furitsuzuku ame, Kurokumo ni, Tozasareteku hikari, no oujo, Anata no osoba ni, aa purinsesu, Mou... Aenai no... Kagayaku shiroi sekai no naka ni, Tsubasa wo hirogeta kimi ga iru, Demo sono tsubasa wa kuroku omoku. Kaze mo sora mo kitto, Kanashimi wo keshite kureru…”

“MAKER!” S Fighter screamed, tears pouring off her face as she rushed to help her friend. A blinding light shot into the sky from where Maker released all her power in hopes of destroying Anubis. ‘Maker! How can you! How… how do you dare to to this?! Maker… Healer…’

“Na-nani…!” S Fighter’s eyes widened in horror upon seeing Anubis still standing there, shaping off the ashes that remained of Maker’s corpse. He was busy, at the moment, also trying to see how badly wound a shoulder was.

Screamed out her rage, hurt, and frustration, S Fighter let loose her attack. It fell wide, obviously not have been aimed. “You next?” Anubis asked in a cool voice. “Sure.”

S Fighter was kneeling on the ground, furiously glaring down at her fisted hands. ‘The bastard! The bastard! Healer! Maker!’ Her teeth ground together as she sobbed brokenly. ‘How do I get rid of him? Kakyuu-hime! Please!’

The tears falling began stopping mid-air, shimmering like jewels. Watching with surprise, S Fighter found her body growing steadily warmer. The tear gems began to rotate around a growing light in their midst until a star-shaped locket glowed before her. Each branch of the star was studded with the glittering tear gems and it reminded her what she had to do. Determined, S Fighter looked up, eyes narrowing.

“Eternity Star, Make up!” A new warmth, a new power. She felt it encircling her and embracing all of her soul and body. ‘I will defeat him…’

Once her eyes reopened, she focused only at the task at hand. She would worry about her new powers a bit later… The words flew from her mouth, somehow already placed within her mind. “Comet Beam!”

Her ki focused into the point of her white-gloved index finger and she let the power fly at the unsuspecting Anubis. His cry of pain and surprise echoed before he fell back into the harbor waters. Not waiting, she jumped in after him. Finding him quickly, she let out more beams of attack for as long as she could. Quickly she raised to the surface, gulping air before plunging into the depths again.

She spotted him under a dock, looking weak from the loss of blood. But she wasn’t done yet. ‘Star Sword!’ She cut down through the water, striking first across Anubis’ face. She continued to fight until the water was too stained with blood for her to see.

“Daijoubu desu ka!” called out the extremely worried voice of Eternal Moon. She rushed over to help her out of the water. “Fighter… is…”

Leaning into the support without conscious thought, she murmured. “It’s done…” She sighed wearily and lay on her back. She was surprised to see the faces of all the others staring down at her. “Oh… good, everyone’s here.”

Her cornflower gaze shifted, looking up to the two female figures that seemed to be studying them while they themselves talked. “Get ready,” SS Pluto commented.

Finally looking over herself, Fighter realized the differences of her fuku. Now white on the most part, the cloth shimmered up at her gaze. Everything was changed. Her boots were shorter, only going as far as her knees. Her body-suit top had raised up to end under her chin. And instead of shorts, she now wore a skirt different in style from the other senshi.

The older female of the two floated down from the air. Smiling smugly, she watched the gathered group. “Hajimemashite, minna. Watashi wa Daara desu.”

The powered-up Fighter responded in a cool tone of her own. “Penetrating the darkness of night, the air of freedome breaks through, I am one of the sacred shooting stars: Eternity Figther! Sailor Starlights…!” Star Kit and the younger Fighter moved to her side,

‘This will be amusing…’ the young female thought, looking down at the scene below her. ‘Do you realize how much of Fate has already changed?’

Okay, took me near a month to finish just one part. ;;U_U I feel so bad. Really I do, I was doing so good for a while! So… lots of stuff happening, ne? I have the rest of the battles planned but don’t know what I’m doing at the end. ;;^^

Okay, remember the reg. Disclaimers and my claims on certain names and attacks. This includes Eternity Fighter and her stuff. I’m working on editting or drawing a pic of what I see her new fuku as. Um… oh yeah, translations for what Maker was chanting (all of it was from songs):

*Furitsuzuku ame Kurokumo ni Tozasareteku hikari, no oujo Anata no osoba ni, aa purinsesu Mou... Aenai no...	The rain keeps on falling Inside the black clouds Being shut away is the princess of light Right by your side, oh princess Now... I can't be with you...
**Kagayaku shiroi sekai no naka ni Tsubasa wo hirogeta kimi ga iru Demo sono tsubasa wa kuroku omoku.	In the brightly shining world of white With your wings spread out wide you are there But those wings are so black and heavy on you
***Kaze mo sora mo kitto Kanashimi wo keshite kureru…	The wind, the sky, surely Will wipe away all my pain inside

*** is from Kaze mo Sora mo Kitto (The Wind, the Sky, Surely) sung at the end of the Star seasonOne last note: SS would stand for "Super Sailor" if you hadn't figured that out. makes it easier to tell who's who without trying to write out a whole long title. More on abbrivs. in teh next chpt. (S Fighter just meant 'Star Fighter' or rather, the present-day fighter)