Absence - By Kirika
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Chapter 6 - War
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Rei paced the small length of her apartment. She had hardly slept at all last night, once realisation of the situation set in.
A youma. Here
Rei supposed there had to be youma in other places besides Tokyo, but still... it just didn't sit right with her.
Maybe it was just a rogue. Yokohama is close to Tokyo... maybe it wised-up and ran away to avoid getting destroyed by the Sailor Senshi. Yes, that must be it
There was a knock on her door. "Megumi! Are you decent...?" said Tsubasa, opening her door a crack.
Rei pulled her door open, causing him to stumble. "You pervert. You're not supposed to ask that then open the door anyway!"
Tsubasa grinned unrepentantly. "Yeah, yeah... come on, let's get going,"
Rei glanced at the picture on the table of Usagi and her, and then left her apartment. Rei and Tsubasa had breakfast together sometimes before they went to work. Tsubasa worked as an assistant chef in a sushi bar close by to the restaurant where Rei worked.
Tsubasa looked at Rei as they walked together. "Hmm... you look like hell today,"
"Gee, thanks for the compliment," replied Rei acidly.
"Late night?" asked Tsubasa, who was used to Rei's temperament.
"Something like that..." said Rei, the fight with the youma returning to her mind.
Tsubasa was quiet for a while. Then he asked, "...with a... guy?"
Rei looked at him sharply. "NO. Not that it's any of your business,"
Tsubasa held up his hands in a pacifying gesture. "Just curious,"
Searching for a change in topic, he asked, "You should be careful walking home tonight. I read in the paper that some homeless lady was attacked by a rabid animal,"
"Yeah?" said Rei, clearly uninterested.
"Yeah... but some masked guy saved her... brought her to the hospital and everything. Heh, I thought that kind of stuff only happened in Tokyo," Tsubasa smiled and looked at Rei- only to find she wasn't there.
Tsubasa turned around and saw that Rei had stopped walking. "Megumi? What's the matter?"
Publicity. That's all I need thought Rei, worried.
"Hey, you okay?" asked Tsubasa, who had walked back to her, concerned.
"Umm... yeah, I'm fine, heh heh," said Rei, laughing nervously.
Tsubasa blinked at Rei for a second. "You want me to wait for you tonight? I can walk you home if you want... you know, with rabid animals and all running around..." he asked, looking down at his feet.
"Oh that's alright," said Rei, "I'll be fine." She smiled at him.
"Well... if you're sure," said Tsubasa, a little disappointed.
The two resumed their walk.
******
This was it. He had to make this shot. The fate of the world, no, the very UNIVERSE, depended on it. He could not fail. He slowed his breathing and took careful aim... then fired. The rubber band bounced off the rim of his coffee cup and landed beside the other missed shots.
Damnit!
Sanjuro Watanabe leaned back in his chair and put his feet on his desk.
This job sucks
He was a junior reporter for the Yokohama Daily, one of the more popular newspapers for the city. Sanjuro should have been glad that he had gotten a job at such an illustrious paper... except that he had been here a year and was still a junior reporter. He got stuck with all the lame stories that nobody else wanted to write about. Usually boring human-interest stories about a grandmother finding a long lost cat or some rot like that. Sanjuro idly contemplated quitting for the tenth time that day.
He was brought out of his thoughts by a bag landing on his stomach. "Hard at work as usual I see," smirked his colleague, Ryoji, taking a seat on his desk, "you're a inspiration to us all Sanjuro."
Sanjuro ignored him and opened the bag, smelling his breakfast. He wanted to report on the good stuff... the scandals, government cover-ups, corporate espionage... basically something -anything- exciting.
"I got something that's going to interest you..." said Ryoji, a knowing smile on his face.
"A new job offer at a rival paper?" replied Sanjuro in a monotone voice.
Ryoji tossed a newspaper on Sanjuro's chest. "Better. Turn to page five," he said.
Sanjuro picked up the paper and turned to page five. He scanned the page until he saw a headline that interested him.
"`Mysterious Masked Hero Saves Woman'..." He read the story. "Whoa... cool..."
"I knew you'd like that," said Ryoji.
"Damn, who got this great story?"
"No one. It's from the Telegraph... the editor is pretty pissed none of us managed to pick it up,"
This was the kind of story that piqued Sanjuro's interest. How he wished he could get an exclusive like this.
Wait... maybe I could. I could do a follow-up story or something. The editor would love that for sure... maybe I'd finally get promoted. But how would I know when the masked stranger will show up next?
"I know what you're thinking, and you should forget it," said Ryoji.
"Huh?" said Sanjuro, his thoughts interrupted.
"You want to investigate this, don't you? I would advise against it... the incident with the animal took place in a bad neighbourhood in the Hikodo district. It's gangland. I don't think even you would be dumb enough to go there,"
"Yeah, but come on man, this is great stuff! If I came through with the story first I would be promoted, get a pay rise, and everything! Oh I could get pictures as well! They'd sell for a packet... don't tell me you don't want in on this?!" babbled Sanjuro excitedly.
"Go into the Hikodo gangland? You've got to be kidding... people disappear from that area and are never seen again, you know. Shiguru is doing an expos� on it for god's sake."
"Fine, be that way... I'll go myself. Just don't come bitching to me when I get the story of the year!" Sanjuro punched the air enthusiastically.
Ryoji waved a hand in a dismissing gesture and began to walk over to his own desk. "I'm not looking for your body if you don't come into work tomorrow,"
Sanjuro flicked a rubber band at Ryoji's retreating back.
******
Rei was once again walking home late at night through the bad neighbourhood. Not because she wanted to, but because she had to. She had to be sure that the youma she fought was a renegade, that there were no more in the area. Oddly, Rei was glad of this distraction. She felt she had a purpose again. Someone had to guard this neck of the woods while the other senshi guarded Tokyo.
Rei was taking an even longer route through the neighbourhood to increase the odds of spotting a youma. She was aware she had to be careful of the more mundane dangers of the area as well.
Why did Tsubasa have to tell me people disappear here? thought Rei, as she looked warily at every dark shadow she saw, half expecting some mugger to jump out.
Rei was brought out of her thoughts by people talking softly in a desolate warehouse across the street. She could see some light coming through the broken windows.
Probably just some poor homeless people thought Rei, but decided to investigate anyway.
Rei quietly crossed the street and pressed herself against a wall beside one of the warehouse's broken windows. She peeked inside. Rei could make out about five people sitting around a table playing cards. Two more were walking about. Those two carried weapons; one had a length of chain, the other, a broken metal pipe.
Humph. Just gang members I guess thought Rei. I better get out of here
As Rei was about to leave, she felt an urge to look up. A dark shape passed above her and onto the roof of the warehouse. It was too big to be a bird.
It couldn't be... there can't be any more youma here. Why would they be here in the first place? Rei thought desperately.
Rei looked back in the warehouse. The gang members were still playing cards, but... Rei let out a sigh. It was just her imagination. There were no more youma.
Suddenly there was a crash from above, and a winged beast fell down through the ceiling, glass raining down around it. It landed right on the table where the gang members where playing, buckling the legs and causing it to collapse. The youma was humanoid, but had black-feathered wings sprouting from it's back. The rest of its body was also covered in feathers. It let out a loud `caw', from its beak-like mouth.
The winged youma's cry caused another youma to smash through some crates at the far end of the warehouse. It was short for a youma, about Rei's height and had a pasty yellow skin. It's bulbous head seemed slightly shark-like, but it didn't possess any wicked teeth as far as Rei could tell.
Another youma appeared behind the second one. It was even shorter than the yellow one, but that was probably due to the fact that it knuckle-walked. It had a pale blue skin tone, and long wild dark blue dread-locks. It growled and drooled, gnashing it's sharp teeth as it jumped up and down. It looked positively feral.
The gang members stood up and backed off from the table, some pulling out knives and others, guns. The winged youma reacted fast, slicing at the throat of one with a halberd it held in taloned hands. The man went down, blood spurting obscenely from his severed artery.
The feral youma let out a shriek and charged across the warehouse floor at the men. The yellow one coughed and hacked, and light seemed to shine from its open mouth. It spat the light out, which formed a ball of crackling white energy. The ball flew in the direction of the men, who dived out of the way. One was not so quick, his leg being hit as he tried to dive. He cried out and convulsed, seeming to be electrocuted.
Oh crap, youma! thought Rei, taking it all in. I have to help those guys... they may be scum, but they're human
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
As Rei transformed, she willed her fuku to change like last time.
Change... but into something that's flexible... Rei willed. She wanted good manoeuvrability for this fight. She'd need it with that winged youma cutting things up.
Once the transformation was complete, Sailor Mars gave herself a quick look over. She was in something flexible all right; a black bodysuit that reached half way up her neck. It didn't leave much to the imagination.
Ug... well I did want something flexible... at least I'm still wearing the coat and veil
Mars felt a weight on top of her head. She was wearing that stupid hat. She flung it off, letting her hair spill down her back. What she was wearing now was enough of a disguise. No one bar a fellow Sailor Senshi would recognise her as Sailor Mars.
Sailor Mars leapt through the window and into the fray.
******
Sanjuro couldn't believe what he was witnessing. He had been wandering around the neighbourhood for a while, hoping to encounter the masked stranger. Instead, he had found a bunch of gangers hanging out. Thinking he could sell photos of them to Shiguru for his report, he hid behind some crates in the warehouse. Then all hell broke loose. Sanjuro didn't know whether to run, take photos, or pee his pants. Maybe he should just do all three.
At that moment another figure appeared from the right, dressed in black... and wearing a crimson veil.
That's him! thought Sanjuro excitedly, his fear forgotten. or her, rather...
Sanjuro decided to take the second option.
******
Sailor Mars arrived just as the feral youma had made it to one of the men. It leapt on him, taking a hold on his jugular. The gang member used his metal pipe to try to beat it off but it just seemed to ignore the blows.
"FIRE SOUL!"
A fireball burst from Mars' fingertips and collided with the youma, the impact causing it to fly off the man and slide along the floor. Unfortunately it was too late for the man; he lay still on the floor, a growing pool of blood under him.
"Shit, another one!" said one of the men, "fire god damn it, fire!!"
One of the gang members still standing sprayed bullets all over the place with his uzi, narrowly missing Sailor Mars.
You try to save someone and you get freakin' shot at! thought Mars angrily.
The winged youma took a couple of bullets to its midsection, causing it let out an indignant squawk. It leapt into the air, taking flight, and flew directly at the shooting man. The man panicked, emptying the clip wildly at the youma. Most of the bullets missed. The winged creature flew into the man, impaling him on the end of its halberd in a bloody display.
The yellow youma hacked up another light ball and spat it at Sailor Mars. Mars nimbly dived to the side only to be leapt upon by the feral youma. It sunk its teeth into her arm.
"Ahhgg!" cried Mars, trying to shake it off.
Meanwhile the winged youma had landed. It lowered its halberd, letting the impaled corpse slide off. Another gang member confronted it, levelling his pistol at the thing. The youma moved like lightening, smashing the butt of its weapon against the man's face, pushing his nose bone up into his brain, killing him instantly.
"RUN! Lets get the hell outa here!" The remaining gang members' morale broke, and they began to scatter.
The yellow youma hacked up yet another ball, and fired again at Sailor Mars.
This thing really has it in for me thought Mars, as she tried to pry open the feral youma's jaws.
As the energy ball came sailing towards her, Sailor Mars smirked. She had a plan. When the ball was just a few feet in front of her, she swung her arm with all her might, breaking the feral youma's grip. It flew off -and into the energy ball. The youma jerked and shook, its internal organs cooking.
"FIRE SOUL BIRD!"
A phoenix crashed into the shaking youma, frying its outsides to match its insides. It collapsed to the floor, dead. Its body began to disintegrate.
Sailor Mars ducked as a blade chopped at her neck. She dived forward, curling into a roll and ending up on her feet. Mars turned around quickly; just in time to see the winged youma stab at her. She angled her body so the blade would miss her, and jumped backwards, trying to give herself room to manoeuvre.
Damn, that thing has some reach on it...
"FIRE S-" Sailor Mars was interrupted by the smell of ozone.
She moved on instinct, rolling to her left as a white energy ball crackled past her. Just as Mars was about to send the yellow youma a ball of her own, the winged youma swiped downwards at her. Sailor Mars rolled again, the youma's halberd taking a chuck of cement out of the floor.
Geez, they're tag teaming me! thought Mars.
Sailor Mars looked desperately around the warehouse, trying to think of a plan. The winged youma glared malignantly at her, and took flight. It lowered its halberd and flew at Mars, letting out an ear-piercing shriek. Sailor Mars moved so her back was to a stack of solid looking crates.
Only have one shot at this... if my timings off, I'm a kebab
The youma pulled back its halberd and stabbed at Sailor Mars, trying to disembowel her. But Mars was quick. She darted aside, the halberd piercing through the crates behind her. Mars raised her right leg.
"Hiyaa!" shouted Sailor Mars, bringing her leg down on the halberd shaft, splintering it in half.
The winged youma looked at its broken weapon in disbelieve.
"Yah!" Mars spun on her heel, and delivered a crushing kick to the youma's bird-face.
The youma staggered backwards, holding its broken beak.
"BURNING MANDALA!"
The youma shrieked as it was horribly burned, and once again took flight, despite its wounds. Sailor Mars prepared to attack again, but the youma flew upwards and out of the warehouse.
"Yeah... run you coward," sneered Mars.
Sailor Mars looked at the yellow youma. It looked left and right, seeking a way to escape. Mars walked purposely towards it, a manevolent glint in her eyes. The youma hacked up a light ball, which Sailor Mars easily dodged.
"FIRE SOUL BIRD!"
The short, yellow youma took the flames full in the chest and fell backwards, writhing in pain. Sailor Mars put one booted foot on its chest and ground her heel on the burns.
"Talk. Why are you here? Who sent you?"
The youma shook its head forcefully, to which Mars responded by grinding her heel a little more.
"Gah! I talk... I talk..." choked out the youma, "I collect... humans... for my lord and master..."
"Who? Who is your master?!" spat Mars.
"A being... of power... great... power. Lord Khairephon..."
"And where can I find this, `Lord Khairephon'?"
The youma convulsed and then lay still. Its skin began to flake off, followed by its muscles and finally its bones. It was dead.
"They always die before they tell you everything," muttered Sailor Mars.
Sailor Mars looked over to where the cooling bodies of the gang members lay.
Didn't manage to save many... but at least some escaped thought Mars with a sigh.
Mars looked down at her bitten arm. It stung quite painfully. She should get home and bandage it.
All this battle did was give me more questions. At least I know now that something is going on in this city, that there is an organization to the youma. But I'm all alone here... there are no Sailor Senshi to back me up... it's just me... thought Sailor Mars. What can I do alone? It was different when there was a threat back in Tokyo, there was always at least one other senshi to help you out... but now... I'll be taking on all of them alone... including `Khairephon'...
Mars looked at the corpses of the gang members again.
But I have to... for the people of this city... if Usagi was here in my place, she would fight on alone... and I will do the same... I'll make her proud of me... Sailor Mars looked up out of broken roof windows, looking at the moon. I'll make you proud...
Sailor Mars left the warehouse, heading home... unaware of the shadow that followed her.
******
Khairephon tapped his fingers in impatience. Where were they? They were due back hours ago. He idly kicked the human he was currently abusing. It whimpered and curled into a ball.
There was a scraping sound as Isrufael pushed off the metal covering on the floor, not bothering with the password. He staggered towards his master, one hand holding his broken and bleeding beak. Isrufael collapsed to his knees in front of Khairephon.
Khairephon took in his appearance and lack of allies. He raised an eyebrow. "Report...?"
"A human female..." said Isrufael, his voice strange coming through his broken beak, "...ambushed us... killed Giberl... barely escaped..."
"A human female?" questioned Khairephon.
"Yes... she possessed powers... fire... fire came from her hands..." Isrufael gestured to his burnt body.
Thrinakie must have been wrong when he said the Sailor Senshi were the only defenders of this world thought Khairephon. I knew he was getting too old for this
"You have done well coming here to tell me this," said Khairephon, gesturing for Isrufael to rise.
"T -thank you, my lord..."
"However, you fled from a battle and abandoned your ally," Khairephon looked at his youma in contempt.
"N -no master! Yeslick was already d -dead! I swear!"
"You lie," Khairephon said coldly.
He lashed out with his fist, pulverising the youma's skull, grey matter splattering over the cowering human. Isrufael's body fell to the floor and began to melt away.
"Rodoth!" Khairephon called, shaking gore off his hand.
"Yes?" said one of Makareus' youma.
"There is a threat here in this human city... a human female with the powers of fire... you will find her for me,"
"Yes, Lord Khairephon..."
Things just got a lot more interesting... thought Khairephon with glee.
Part seven |
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