Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight's Work Is Never Done ❯ Avian Strikes ( Chapter 15 )

***Authors note: Microsoft owns Halo not me. Sigh.***

 

 

A Knight's Work Is Never Done

 

Chapter 15: Avian strikes

 

 

By: GINSAN

 

 

 

 

A few hours later, the party finally wound down, and most of the guests left. Rae, finally fed up with the strange man who kept following her around trying to bug a dance out of her was glad when Mrs. Mallone grabbed the man and pulled him away. With luck, it was to have him kicked out by security.

 

The only guests left now, were a few stray models, and the girls themselves. Morgan looked around from her brother, and unable to find him, finally asked Ami about it.

 

"Where exactly is my wayward brother? He can't possibly have skipped out already, and left you alone."

 

Ami frowned as she answered Morgan's question.

 

"I'm not sure. We were dancing a while ago, and suddenly he and that Malcolm fellow took off through those doors. A moment later, a girl with curly blue hair arrived, saying something about snagging one of them."

 

Ami watched as Morgan paled slightly, and muttered the name Sabina under her breath.

 

"Both of those chickens are probably up, hiding in Jordan's office. Come on, let's go hunt them down."

 

The group, now including Darien and his friend Nathan followed along, as Morgan led them to the penthouse elevator, and the group went up a few at a time. As they meandered through the offices, they could make out faint noises coming from further up. Eventually, they resolved into what sounded like trash talk, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions could also be heard now.

 

Coming around the last corner, and into Jordan's office made them all stop dead in their tracks. Jordan was sitting on a plush, leather couch, the jacket of his outfit undone, and his hair plastered around him, his tie obviously having given out again. Sitting next to him was Malcolm, his jacket also undone, though his blue tie was currently wrapped around his forehead as a sort of impromptu bandanna. The two—who had been barely civil to each other down at the party—sat side-by-side like long-time best-friends, enjoying a friendly (or not so friendly) game of Halo—complete with laughing trash-talk back and forth.

 

"Take that jerk! `S'what you get for blowing up my Puma, Colfax."

 

"I'll blow up whatever I want to Mallone. Besides, it's called a Warthog, not a Puma."

 

"I'll call it whatever I want to call it. Honestly, it looks like a Puma, not a Warthog. Now stop blowing it up."

 

"Fine. I'll just blow up something else. Like your stupid tank."

 

Everyone watched as a grenade detonated under said tank, and Jordan's character was blow to bits.

 

"Oh, that's it. The Kiddy Gloves... are... so ... off."

 

Jordan happened to spot the gathered group, and froze in mid rant. He quickly caught himself though, and turned on Malcolm, a black scowl plastered onto his face.

 

"Just what do you think you're doing you arrogant prick! Get out of my office, and quit playing my Halo, Colfax. I never said your arrogant ass could sit on my couch either!"

 

Malcolm turned around, and saw the amused looks on several faces before he turned back to Jordan with a roll of his eyes.

 

"Drop it Mallone. We're busted."

 

Jordan sighed heavily as he dropped the controller, and shoved some of his hair out of the way to grin sheepishly at the girls.

 

"Fine, we're busted. But not a word of this to anyone. If it ever got out that we actually don't hate each other, the tabloids would have a feeding frenzy. Is Sabina gone yet?"

 

Morgan smirked, as she shook her head at the two.

 

"Yes, she's gone. All the other guests have gone home. You two are safe now."

 

Jordan and Malcolm both visibly relaxed, now that they knew Sabina was out of the building.

 

"Is anyone gonna explain who this Sabina person is that has you two losers so scared?"

 

Jordan glared at Amara, before shrugging, and picking up the controller again.

 

"Her names Sabina Akahana. She's a little Miss Rich Bitch. Another high-society low-life. She's made it her life's goal to snag either me, Malcolm, or Phillip Tenkawa as a husband. She's out for our money, and we all know it. By now, we've all learned how to avoid her. I'd have introduced Phillip to you girls tonight, but he seems to have missed the party. As usual."

 

He gave Malcolm a look, and they both rolled their eyes. Apparently this Phillip Tenkawa made a habit of not attending things.

 

"So what are you girls all doing up here anyway?"

 

"Looking for you dummy." Morgan skipped across the office and hopped over the couch, to land between Jordan and Malcolm. "Say Jordan. Since we are the only people left, and we both have a custom system, how's about we play teams?"

 

Jordan looked down at her, before looking around, and counting people. Hmm. Fifteen people. The teams would be uneven.

 

"I don't know kiddo. We're short a person for even teams of eight for a real tournament."

 

"Someone say Tournament?"

 

The blond haired Server from earlier in the evening popped his head into the office, grinning like an idiot.

 

"What the Hell are you doing up here? These are private offices."

 

"Oh, I know. Your Mom brought me up."

 

Jordan instantly got a bad feeling about this, and so do Morgan who exchanged looks with her brother.

 

"Oh, and just why would Mom do that? She doesn't exactly make it a habit to bring strangers up to the offices."

 

"That's an easy one." He shrugged, and shook his hand like it wasn't a big deal. "She brought me up here to discuss a Modeling contract with me. Something about a new line you guys are launching in Tokyo in a few months. I'm supposed to hop a plane next month, and fill out the rest of the paperwork in Tokyo."

 

"Damn."

 

Both siblings sighed and shook their heads. Mom had a bad habit of picking up strays for the company. Especially ones that usually got on their nerves. Morgan looked back up at him though, and gave him a once over.

 

"I suppose he could pull it off. It would depend on what he looks like in a few months I suppose."

 

She continued to stare at him for a while, which eventually caused him to fidget, before finally trying to seek refuge behind Rae. Rather funny, since the first thing she did once he touched her, was elbow him in the gut and walk away.

 

"Ouch dude. Maybe you should just stay away from Ms. Temper-tantrum. She's a bit hazardous to people's health." Jordan ducked as a paperweight from his desk sailed across the room, and then thudded across the carpet. "See what I mean?"

 

This time, he caught the chucked paperweight, and carefully set it down, before giving Rae a glare even she couldn't ignore, and stepped away from his desk. By this time, the stranger had finally recovered, and walked up to the couch.

 

"So anyway, what was that about a tournament? Halo I presume. I think it's only fair that I warn you all that I'm Jadrian Destry, National Halo Champion two-years running."

 

Jordan and Malcolm both smirked at him, and chuckled slightly.

 

"Right, sure, you can play. But not on my team."

 

"He can be on mine."

 

Jordan looked up at Darien, who had remained silent the whole time. He looked at Jordan, and caused him to squirm slightly. Why, he didn't know, but it was starting to irritate him just a bit.

 

"Fine with me. Pick your team, and I'll take whoever is left."

 

"Alright, but first, some conditions." intrigued, Jordan allowed him to continue. Bet's were always fun. "If we win, you have to tell me why you've suddenly turned into a jerk around me."

 

"Fine. If I win, you stay out of my way, until I say otherwise."

 

"Agreed. I'll take Jadrian, Colfax, Serena, Morgan, Rini, Hotaru, and Nathan."

 

"Fine. Leaves me with Ami, Lita, Mina, Rae, Amara, Michelle, and Trista. Morgan, take them to your office, and hook up the connection. I'll set up the game."

 

Morgan gave him a thumbs up before hopping off the couch, and skipping out of the office and down the hall. Jordan got up, careful of his hair, and pulled out a few more controllers, and connected the special Multi-tap system he had installed. Making sure everyone was ready, he changed the settings and waited for everyone to create characters.

 

"So, before we begin, who here has played before?"

 

Lita hesitantly raised her hand, and the others just looked at him as they tried to figure out how to make characters.

 

"Crap. This is really gonna suck."

 

 

* * *

 

 

Jordan watched in horror as 'Nice-Girl' killed him with a lucky shot from behind some rocks. The girls hadn't done too badly, though most of the game had been left up to him, as they gradually learned the controls.

 

Ami as 'Bookworm' had managed six kills.

 

Rae as 'Sacred-Inferno' had hunted down Serena ruthlessly, and killed her six times. She even managed to kill Jade twice.

 

Mina as 'Goddess-of-Love' had killed Malcolm three times.

 

Lita as 'Amazon-Wrath' had taken out Nathan at least seven times, and Rini once.

 

Michelle as 'Watery-Death' managed five kills off of Darien.

 

Amara as 'Speedy-Wind' seemed to enjoy hunting down Morgan, and Hotaru, getting them both two times each, and lucky shots off of Darien and Serena once, for two more kills.

 

Trista as 'Stalking-Death' had managed to attain thirty kills, seemingly at random off members of Darien's team.

 

Jordan, had snagged thirty-three kills, mostly off of Darien, and that Jade kid as 'Phantom-Hunter'.

 

The total had brought them to ninety-nine kills. Just one kill short of the one-hundred kill goal.

 

On Darien's team, things were a little more even.

 

Darien as 'Prince-Charming' had attained ten kills off of various players.

 

Malcolm had snagged six kills off of Mina, and six more from random kills as 'Ice-Cold-King'

 

Jadrian, after his last kill on Jordan, had thirty-four kills off various players, mostly the slower ones. His 'Sexy-Jade-Boy' title humiliating anyone who managed to get killed by him.

 

Nathan as 'Astrological-Ace' managed a modest nine kills, one off each of them, and two off of Amara.

 

Morgan killed Ami repeatedly as 'Red-Menace' for ten kills.

 

Rini as 'Pink-Menace' snagged eleven kills off of Trista.

 

Hotaru as 'Purple-Menace' snagged five kills each off of Michelle and Amara.

 

Poor Serena as 'Nice-Girl' managed only four kills, mostly off of Rae, with that one a lucky shot off of Jordan.

 

This, brought their total to ninety-nine as well. Who ever got the next shot, would win it for their team.

 

Jordan worked a kink out of his neck as he waited for his re-spawn. With luck, he or one of the girls, could snag a last kill before Darien's team could.

 

Lucky for him, he spotted 'Nice-Girl' running into what he knew was a dead end, and ran down the hall after her. It would be such an easy kill. He stalked her carefully around the last corner, ready to frag her with a grenade. As he came around the corner, his screen flashed black, and the words 'You have been slaughtered by 'Prince-Charming', You have been slaughtered by 'Ice-Cold-King', You have been slaughtered by 'Sexy-Jade-Boy', You have been slaughtered by 'Astrological Ace' flashed across, giving the kill count one-hundred to Darien's team, and ending the tournament. He could only stare at the screen in horror, mentally kicking himself for not realizing it had been a trap.

 

Several loud yells and sounds could be heard from down the hall, and then the Red, Pink, and Purple menaces themselves ran into the office, sticking out their tongues at the defeated team. Jordan hurled a couch cushion at them, before turning off the X-Box, and putting away the controllers.

 

"Well, I suppose that's that. We put up a valiant fight, but in the end, I suppose the better team won." Jordan thought it over for a few minutes, before shrugging it off. "Oh well. It's practically midnight anyway. Time for everyone to head back to the hotel." He turned to the three menaces who were still making faces at anyone who happened to pay any attention to them. "Morgan. Go snag Serena, and head downstairs. I'll have the Limo ready in an hour. Should give you enough time to get everyone out of their dresses."

 

Jordan grinned as all the girls realized that they were still wearing their expensive dresses. As they filed out of the room, Jordan started straightening everything out, and cleaning up, waiting for Darien to come in and collect his 'prize'.

 

After several minutes, Darien finally came into the room. Jordan gestured for Nathan to wait outside, while he waved good-bye to Malcolm. Jordan went and sat at his desk, and gestured for Darien to sit across from him.

 

"So, what was that all about tonight?"

 

"Quite simple really, though I suppose you technically don't deserve it." Jordan sat back and stared off into space. "Do you realize exactly how thoroughly my life was destroyed, once Beryl destroyed the Moon?" Ignoring the look on Darien's face, he continued. "I no longer had a planet I could have gone to. I no longer had a people to go back to. My last living family was turned into a mockery of himself, and sent to destroy what little joy I had left in my life. I may not have loved living on the Moon, but at least it was somewhere I belonged, and where my talents were appreciated. When Beryl attacked, we were off on a mission. Do you know what it's like to come home, and find that everyone you ever knew was dead for the Second time in your life? To know, that this time, there isn't anywhere else to flee to. To know, once and for all, that you were alone in life, with no one you could rely upon?"

 

Jordan finally stopped, and looked at Darien with a look of such sorrow, and despair, that he was at a loss for words. After several minutes of silence, Darien finally found the words he was looking for.

 

"I can't begin to imagine what you went through back then. I can barely remember what life was even like back then. But tell me. Why give me the cold shoulder over what Beryl did? I can barely remember that final battle. My death is the only part I can recall."

 

Jordan gave him a penetrating stare, and Darien could almost swear he felt something brush across his thoughts. Finally, Jordan gave him a pitying look, before standing up, and gesturing that it was time to go.

 

"If you can answer the question of why your Generals were at Beryl's Tower without you leading them, then you'll have your answer. In the meantime, I need to have a talk with Trista. I've had enough of this Memory Block Bullshit. Good Night Prince."

 

Jordan walked out the doors, nodding briefly to Nathan on his way out, and pushed the call button for the elevator.

 

Yes, he'd definitely had enough, and it was high time he managed to weasel some answers out of his tight-lipped cousin.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The next day dawned bright and sunny. A seemingly perfect day for sightseeing, which is exactly what the Girls had in mind. Much to Jordan's chagrin, he was awakened by several loud, and obsessive knocks on his Suit's door. He finally had to get up and deal with the noise, instead of enjoying a few more hours in the very comfortable blankets. He tossed on a large t-shirt, and a pair of shorts to see who was banging on the door at the un-Godly hour of nine in the morning.

 

"I'm coming, I'm coming. What?"

 

Jordan jerked the door open to find the Obnoxious Trio paused with the hands ready to knock again.

 

"Ah good, you're awake. We were afraid we might wake you up."

 

Morgan smirked up at him as he glared at the three of them. He was so not ready to deal with something like this this early on a day when he actually had nothing to do. It was rare when he could sleep in.

 

"What are you little trolls up to?"

 

"Ignoring the troll comment, we all want to go sight-seeing, so we decided to drag you along. Beats you staying around here with nothing to do, or ending up at work."

 

Jordan sighed as he knocked his head into the door frame a few times.

 

"I don't suppose you lot will take no for an answer?"

 

"Nope."

 

"Nadda."

 

"Negativo."

 

Jordan sighed, then stared at Hotaru.

 

"You really should stop hanging around with them you know. They're starting to rub off on you. Fine. I'll meet you all in the lobby in an hour."

 

Jordan closed the door on them, and went to take a quick shower and get dressed. This was going to be a long day.

 

 

* * *

 

 

"Gee. How'd I guess that everyone wanted to go today." He paused to fix Darien with a dark look, before turning back to the others. "Fine, the Limo is already waiting outside. But before that, I have something for you lot."

 

Jordan reached into his jackets inner pocket and pulled out several envelopes. He handed one to each of the Scouts, as he read off the names on them. Once they all had one, he let them open them up. He laughed at the looks on their faces as they all stared from the contents to him. Lita spoke up first, giving him a distrustful glare.

 

"I thought you said you weren't going to give any of us money on this trip."

 

"I'm not." Jordan smirked as he gestured for them to look closer at the letters attached to each of the cards inside. "You all performed Modeling Duties last night, and as such, you've each been paid for it. It's on the low end of our pay scale sure, but it should be more than enough for all of you to have plenty of spending money on this trip."

 

He watched as they carefully read over the letters, and the fact that there really was $30,000 on each card for them finally penetrated into their heads.

 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

 

Mina grabbed him, and gave him a bear hug, which was quickly followed by several of the other girls. He had no choice but to endure it, and wait for them to finally let go.

 

"Now. Those cards are good as long as they have money on them. What ever is left over when we get back, I'll make sure is deposited into a savings account for you girls. I've also been told by Mom, that when we get back, any of you who are interested can apply to be Models. I'm warning you now though, it's never gonna be as easy as it was last night. That was a special occasion. Now, let's get this show on the road."

 

They all quickly left the building to file into the waiting Limo.

 

 

 

 

They spent most of the day traveling to various clothing shops and other stores, where the girls were quite eager to try and spend their money. Around noon, Jordan took them to a fancy restaurant, where he made them behave long enough to get through lunch, before taking them around to more shops. They probably would have spent the entire afternoon shopping, and dragging Jordan around with them, if things had remained peaceful. Of course, they wouldn't.

 

"OH! Will you look at those necklaces."

 

Most of the girls crowded into the shop to have a closer look, but when Ami hesitantly started to follow them inside, he dragged her off down the sidewalk.

 

"Jordan, where are we going?"

 

"You'll see. It's just around this corner."

 

They turned the corner, and Jordan lead her into a stuffy, dark shop. Once her eyes adjusted to allow her to see the contents, she let out an squeal of delight, much to Jordan's amusement.

 

"I thought you might like this place. They carry quite a few First Editions. Have a look around."

 

Jordan walked off to a distant corner and browsed through some shelves of antique books on Philosophy while he allowed Ami to wander through and explore the rest of the small shop. Jordan hadn't been kidding. Along one wall, sealed behind a glass case were several First Edition books, most in pristine condition. They spent almost an hour in there, before the girls caught up to them. Jordan made sure they stayed outside, while Ami spent time looking at the books. She finally found a few she liked, and went to pay for them, though Jordan caught her looking at one of the First Editions with a wistful look. A glance at the price tag told him why she hadn't bought it. It'd be a stretch, even for him.

 

Purchases in bag, the group met outside, just in time for the street to explode into chaos.

 

People began running, and screaming in panic, and several cars collided. Just as they were about to get closer, and see what was going on, a body dropped from the sky to land with a sickening crunch on the sidewalk in front of them.

 

Swooping overhead to land on a lamp post nearby, was a blurry black and red form of what could only be a Soul Devourer. Seemingly Human looking, it sprouted black wings where it's arms should have been, and was covered in blood red clothing, to make this one also appear to look like a Sailor Senshi. A closer look revealed that it was covered from head to toe in feathers, with various shadings to make them appear to be flesh. Even the clothes were made of a mixture of red feathers. Her face was human enough, though her eyes appeared too large, and the head moved much like an owl's would. Her feet ended in wicked looking talons, which were currently covered in blood and shreds of clothing.

 

Keeping a watchful eye on the Devourer, Jordan bent down to check on the body, and was relieved to find that he was still alive, though he wouldn't last much longer without medical treatment. Add on that his Soul Gem was missing, and he could be a hopeless case.

 

Jordan stood back up, and glared at the Soul Devourer. The other girls followed his lead, and prepared to Change, when he spotted a second Devourer casually walking towards them from across the street, deftly flicking away stray cars from it's path.

 

Seemingly made of polished metal, Jordan had never seen one quite like this one. It was dressed much like Phaeton's battle Armor, though it didn't wear a helmet, making it plain that it's body was most likely also made of the same shimmery Metal as the armor. Or maybe a type of crystal. He was massive, standing near seven feet, and it definitely outweighed Jordan by a large margin. Jordan was suddenly taken aback as he noticed the still figures it held in it's large arms. Amara and Michelle. He hadn't even noticed that the two had slipped off.

 

Tossing them like rag dolls, the Devourer sent them hurling across the road, straight at the group. Jordan grabbed Amara, and Lita managed to catch Michelle before they hit the ground. A quick glance was all it took to see that their Soul Gems had already been removed. Jordan glared across the street at the two as he carefully laid Amara down near Serena.

 

"Looks like someone doesn't like your handy work Cybrix. You want to play with the Prince first, or can I call dibs?"

 

Jordan glanced at the bird Devourer still crouched on the lamp post, then back to the armored Cybrix.

 

"Go ahead Avian, I've followed the Queen's Orders. Catch."

 

The Devourer tossed two Soul Gems to the bird, who quickly caught them, and then absorbed the Green and Yellow stones. It instantly grew in size, and the wings suddenly shifting to it's back as real arms grew into place, complete with fingers tipped with wicked looking Talons. That was a new trick.

 

"Make quick work of them. I'm returning to the Queen."

 

Jordan watched as Cybrix slashed the air with one arm and a shimmering reddish-green gash appeared. It quickly stepped into it, before it closed and vanished.

 

He looked up at Avian as it tested it's new arms and flexed it's wings, readying to attack.

 

"Avian huh? Well, I think it's time someone clipped your wings." Jordan turned to look at the girls, then over at Morgan huddled with Rini and Hotaru. "I'll hold her off for now. You all try and evacuate as many people as you can, and guard Amara and Michelle's bodies. If the bodies are killed, it won't matter if we get the Gems back. And you two had better keep my Sister safe. I'm counting on you."

 

Before anyone could protest, Jordan ran towards the Devourer, Transforming along the way.

 

He summoned his sword, and swung at Avian, but she flew up out of range of the attack.

 

"If you think that's gonna stop me, you're really out of luck."

 

Phaeton concentrated, and his wings sprouted out of his back, before he launched himself into the air, and after Avian. The two quickly dissapeared among the many buildings, leaving the girls behind.

 

The girls stared after them for a moment, before Lita came to, and carefully placed Michelle down next to Amara. Mina looked at her, then turned to Serena.

 

"We can't let him fight alone. I think Rae, Darien, and myself should follow after him, and provide support. You and Rini should try and heal as many of the injured as you can. Everyone else should help get people to safety."

 

Serena continued to stare after Phaeton and Avian for a moment, before looking down at her fallen friends.

 

"Do it, but be careful. I don't want anyone else getting hurt."

 

Mina nodded, then the three of them took off. The girls pulled out their Henshin Sticks, and Darien pulled out a red rose.

 

"Venus Crystal Power!"

 

"Mars Crystal Power!"

 

The two girls transformed into their Senshi outfits, while Darien changed into Tuxedo Mask. Within a few moments, they had leaped out of site, jumping to the tops of nearby buildings, to follow along the rooftops.

 

Lita placed a hand on Serena's shoulder, before pulling out her Henshin Stick.

 

"Our turn.'

 

Serena nodded, and everyone else pulled out their Henshin Sticks.

 

"Moon Cosmic Power!"

 

"Moon Prism Power!"

 

"Mercury Crystal Power!"

 

"Jupiter Crystal Power!"

 

"Saturn Crystal Power!"

 

Morgan watched silently as her friends transformed in front of her. When they were done, Saturn turned to her and smiled weakly, though all of them were stunned by Morgans next few words.

 

"I already knew."

 

 

* * *

 

 

Venus, Mars, and Tuxedo Mask dashed across the roof tops, frantically trying to keep up with Phaeton and Avian. They knew if they didn't catch up soon, he'd probably get himself hurt. Again.

 

Screams nearby distracted them, and they diverted to investigate. It didn't take long.

 

Dozens of people were fleeing from a city park. As they got closer, they could see that several cars were crushed, and that several people were laying on the ground unconscious.

 

A quick look revealed the source of the mayhem. A Soul Devourer stood just inside the park, ripping a Soul Gem from it's latest victim. It stood around five feet even, and seemed to be covered by a layer of green spikes on it's back, while it's head and arms were a blood red color, and looked like they belonged to some sort of amphibian.

 

Tuxedo Mask stopped the girls before they could rush in.

 

"I'll deal with this. You go help Phaeton."

 

"Serena would kill us if we left you alone."

 

"Forget it Mars, he's right. We need to catch up. If Tuxedo Mask says he can handle it, then he can. Let's go."

 

Venus took off again, while Mars looked at Tuxedo Mask a moment, before following after her.

 

He watched them go, before looking down at the Devourer. This wouldn't be nearly as easy as he'd made it out to be.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Phaeton grimaced as he swerved to avoid another energy attack from Avian. Somehow, not only had she absorbed Amara and Michelle's Soul Gems, she was now also able to use Senshi attacks. A grim little voice in the back of his mind whispered that he had suspected this all along. He pushed the voice aside, and continued to concentrate on shielding the bystanders below from the rubble that was falling.

 

Green domes appeared below, three at a time, to block or divert the falling debris.

 

This was getting aggravating. Having to divide his attention between Avian, and the civilians below. He needed to end this quickly, before someone got hurt.

 

He looked away for just a moment, as another piece of a building began falling, and he checked to look for anyone below, when it happened.

 

Having waited till he was distracted, Avian chose that moment to attack him head on, keeping him from being able to stop the debris.

 

Phaeton watched in growing horror as the large chunk of concrete fell towards a group of children below, too frightened to run for cover. He screamed in pain as Avian dug her talons into his arms, before slamming him up against a building, injuring his wings.

 

"Aww, poor Prince is worried about a few sheep. Don't worry, they'll die quicker than you."

 

 

* * *

 

 

"Don't worry about how I know. We should concentrate on helping these people like Jordan said."

 

Morgan brushed past the still confused scouts, before kneeling down next to the injured man, and quickly began ripping his shirt to use as bandages for his injuries.

 

After a moment, Saturn snapped out of her shock, and knealed down next to Morgan.

 

"Allow me. I can't cure him completely, but I can stabilize him."

 

"But Saturn!"

 

Saturn smiled bitterly at Sailor Mini-Moon as she ran up, and tried to stop her.

 

"It's OK. If I don't, he's probably going to die. If I can help, then I should. It's our Duty as Sailor Senshi."

 

Mini-Moon looked at her for a moment, before nodding in understanding, and moving off to help with the other injured people. Saturn was right. As Senshi if they didn't help and protect people, then they were no better than those they fought against.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Tuxedo mask grunted in pain, as he was slammed into another tree by the Soul Devourer. It was much quicker, and far stronger than he'd first though.

 

He braced himself up against the tree as he stood up, keeping the Soul Devourer in sight. It wouldn't do any good, to let it get away now. He had to find a way to stop it quickly, before it caused any more damage, or tried to slam him into another tree.

 

The Devourer grinned at him, before jumping into the air, and landing a few feet away with a loud croak. He lashed out his he clawed hand, and Tuxedo Mask barely managed to avoid it, though his cape was ripped in the process.

 

Tuxedo Mask rolled away, before bracing himself, and aiming at the Devourer.

 

"Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber!"

 

Scarlet energy burst from his hands, to impact against the Devourer.

 

He jumped up, and backed away as he waited for the smoke to clear. Once it did, he could only stare in shock, as the Devourer had seemingly dissapeared.

 

"CROAK!"

 

Tuxedo mask looked up just in time for the Devourer to land on top of him, and slam him, painfully, into the ground. It clenched it's fists together, before striking him repeatedly, beginning to form a small crater in the dirt and grass. After several blows, the Devourer hopped off, and looked at the lifeless body, before moving off to find more victims.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Darien floated in a dense, gray fog. As he slowly became aware of his surroundings, he noticed a dull, golden door nearby. Several chains were wrapped around it, and holding them together was a large, ornate looking lock. He slowly walked up to it, and examined it. A familiar symbol was etched on both doors of the gate, though it took a few moments for his mind to identify the cross in circle. It was the Planetary Symbol for Earth. His symbol as a Senshi. He hadn't seen it very often, but he was sure that was it.

 

The longer he looked at it, the more he noticed about the door. The door itself was criss-crossed by a series of small cracks, like someone had tried to break the door down at some point. he carefully traced the lines of one of the cracks until he touched one of the chains.

 

A chaotic whirl of thoughts and images assaulted his mind, until he was finally forced to his knees, and his hand fell away from the chain. The images stopped immediately, and he stared at the door in sudden disbelief. Those had been memories, he was sure of it. Some of them he even recognized. He remembered the one from when he had died on the Moon. Another had been back when the Generals had first betrayed him to Beryl.

 

He stood up again slowly, as he followed the chains to the lock. It looked like it had a small indentation on it. Almost like something was supposed to fit there. It was a familiar shape, but he couldn't place it. His mind was still confused by the rush of memories. Could this be the Memory block that Jordan had mentioned earlier?

 

 

* * *

 

 

"Venus Love Me Chain!"

 

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

 

Phaeton watched in amazement as Venus' attack wrapped around the rubble, and pulled it safely out of the way, while Mars' attack clipped Avian in the wing. The Devourer let go of Jordan and veered off as the two Scouts caught Phaeton and jumped up to the roof with him.

 

"I think I'm actually glad to see you two."

 

"Are you alright?"

 

Phaeton flexed his wings and grimaced slightly before responding to Venus.

 

"I can still fly. Won't be easy, but I can catch back up to her."

 

"And just what are you going to do on your own? That wasn't exactly a stellar performance just now."

 

Phaeton smirked at Mars, and then gestured at a building in the background.

 

"Simple, I'm going to chase her to you two, and you can have all the fun of permanently clipping her wings. Just try not to clip mine while you're at it."

 

With another smirk, Phaeton flew off.

 

Trusting that the two would be in position in time, he focused his powers and teleported as close to Avian as he could get. The fact that he appeared directly in her flight path, was both a surprise and a welcome advantage. This would make things much easier.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Darien continued to stare at the lock, until it finally hit him. The indentation was just the right size to fit his Golden Crystal.

 

Was it possible that he was the key to his own memories? Only one way to find out.

 

A simple though, and the crystal appeared in his hand. He hesitated for just a moment, before he inserted it into the lock.

 

Almost instantaneously, the chains and door shattered, and he was engulfed in brilliant light.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The Scouts and Morgan stayed around until the Ambulances and Police arrived, then they all changed back to make getting away easier, except for Jupiter, who left with Amara and Michelle.

 

The worst injury had been the injured man that Jordan had checked on earlier. Saturn had managed to stabilize him while Moon and Mini-Moon had helped the other victims, making sure they would all be safe until they could recover the lost Soul Gems.

 

The girls all agreed to rendezvous at the Hotel, since Venus and Mars weren't responding to their communicators, and no one even knew if Phaeton had one. As for Tuxedo Mask. Well, he came and went as he pleased.

 

Morgan, Rini, and Hotaru hopped in a cab. Instead of telling him the address for the hotel, Morgan directed him to a nearby park.

 

The three remained silent all during the ride, and while Morgan paid the driver. Once they got to the abandoned swing set, Morgan took one of the swings and waited for the other two to take one as well.

 

"You deserve an explanation. But first, I need you to swear that you won't tell the others anything I'm about to tell you."

 

Hotaru and Rini were silent a moment before they both nodded their consent.

 

"I'm still a little fuzzy on the details myself, but Jordan seems to have figured it all out." She was silent a moment as she looked at a passing bird. "Long ago, back before the collapse of the Silver Millennium, I was a citizen of Elysium."

 

 

* * *

 

 

Darien groaned in pain as he slowly stood up. His vision was blurry, but he could tell he was back in his own body. Painful as it was.

 

His vision slowly returned to normal and he noticed he was still in the park. A quick look showed that the Devourer was still close by, apparently chasing a group of kids. He needed to end this, fast.

 

He started walking towards the Devourer as new energy coursed through him, and a new sense of purpose, brought about by removing the block on his memories. Some much had been blocked from him. From them all. No wonder Jordan had been so frustrated over the blocks.

 

He stopped just out of range of the Devourer, and slowly pulled out his Golden Crystal.

 

"I think we've all had just about enough of you."

 

As the Devourer turned around to face him, Darien held the Crystal up. The children took the chance to run away.

 

"EARTH POWER!"

 

A golden shimmer surrounded him, and the Devourer turned away to shield it's eyes.

 

Darien's Prince armor appeared on his body, before the color slowly changed from black to a brilliant white. All the trim changed to Gold, as the Armor itself got thicker, and arm guards changed to Gauntlets. The final change, was the Gold circlet that appeared on his brow.

 

Darien slowly drew the sword from it's scabbard, and pointed it at the Devourer.

 

"This ends now."

 

He leaped at the Devourer, and slashed. Caught off guard, the Devourer screamed in pain as one of it's arms was cut clean off. It hissed in pain, before turning around, and leaping away.

 

"I don't think so."

 

Darien drew back the sword, then slashed through the air towards the fleeing Devourer.

 

"Earth Raging Inferno!"

 

A ripple of crimson energy came from the sword and arced towards the Devourer. The instant it hit, the Devourer was engulfed in flames. It was dissolved into ash before it even hit the ground.

 

Darien slowly walked up to the remains, and casually reached down to pick up the Devourer's Soul Gem.

 

"I could get used to this."

 

 

* * *

 

 

Phaeton dodged another attack as he continued to head for the ambush spot.

 

Now that he had Avian chasing him, instead of the other way around, he could keep them both safely above most buildings, limiting the amount of damage the stray attacks could do.

 

Along the way, he noticed several Police helicopters following along, but so far they seemed content to stay out of the way. Good. Last thing he needed was a fight with Police. Things were bad enough as it was.

 

He allowed himself to smirk as he saw the rendezvous spot come into sight. So far, so good.

 

As he crossed the invisible line, he turned around and brought his shields up to full to absorb the attacks Avian was still slinging at him.

 

"Venus Love Me Chain!"

 

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

 

Once again, the twin attacks came from nowhere. The chains wrapped around Avian, Pinning her wings in place, while the flaming arrow sliced one wing in half. Perfect.

 

Phaeton dropped his shields and summoned his sword again as he charged Avian.

 

"Time for you to go back to the Cauldron!"

 

Avian looked on in fear as she tried to block the attack with her arms. Both were sliced off the forearm as the attack continued through. Phaeton sliced her from her left shoulder straight down to her right hip, before ducking back and preparing an attack.

 

"Cryo-Detonation!"

 

The ice shards slammed into her, and the lightning caught up halfway to the ground. She was vaporized almost instantly. Phaeton dived down and snatched the falling Soul Gem before flying back up to the roof, and landing near Venus and Mars.

 

"Mission accomplished. Now, to get these back to Amara and Michelle."

 

Phaeton held up two Soul Gems as he extracted more from the Devourer's emerald colored Soul Gem. One a glimmering sea-green, and the other a shinny golden color.

 

* * *