Part Twenty-One : A Race for Freedom; Another Senshi is Captured
Listen to Evolution
Hoshi took a deep breath, stretched her arms and legs, and took a good look at the road ahead of her. The cross-country season was almost over, and this was Hoshi’s last race. There had been months of preparation for this, and Hoshi felt as though she was as prepared as she would ever be.
Something in the air made Hoshi feel as though she should be nervous, but in truth, she knew that there was nothing more that she could do to help her prepare for the race. She wished, deep down, that Dorei could be there to watch her, and she knew that there was no way Dorei would stand for Hoshi being sad because of her absence. Hoshi smiled to herself as she thought about Dorei and what she might do if she saw Hoshi like this.
Hoshi took another deep breath, and she began to walk to the starting line where other racers were also beginning to line up. Only the best racers in the junior high division were running in this race, and Hoshi was glad that she had been able to make it. There were some very fast runners, but Hoshi was not intimidated because she saw this as an opportunity to improve herself.
“On your marks,” one of the officials announced as all of the runners got to their spots on the starting line. Hoshi was the eighth person from where the official stood, which meant that none of the officials would really be paying her much attention.
“Set,” the official called out the second command. Hoshi crouched a little lower, as she got ready to run. This was it, and she was going to give it her all.
“Go!” the official yelled as he blew the gun that he had been holding over his head. Hoshi knew from experience that she should not start off fast, but the impulse was too great. Some of the girls had already started passing her, and she took in another refreshing gulp of air as she moved her legs faster.
“Viva Hoshi!” Hoshi heard someone on the side of the trail yell. Hoshi turned her head slightly and smiled as she saw Shakaku standing there rotting for her. At least she had one friend there.
Hoshi let out a grunt of frustration as another girl from the Tokyo Academy’s junior high division passed her. Hoshi was really going to fight with her physical limitations if she wanted to do a decent job.
It took almost another twelve minutes before Hoshi saw the finish line. Presently, she was in fourth place, and there was only one other Academy girl ahead of her, and she was in first. Hoshi gathered up the last of her energy, and she broke out into a sprint, and she passed the girls one by one. She was in third, second, and then she was aligned with the first place girl.
Hoshi was relieved to see that the other girl looked tired, and she gave one more burst of strength, and she passed the other girl. She had a few more meters to run, but she managed to cross the finish line in first. Just as Hoshi was about to fall to the ground from pure exhaustion, Hoshi felt a pair of arms around her, and she looked up to see Shakaku.
“Good job,” Shakaku smiled as she helped Hoshi stand. Hoshi was too winded from running the two miles, and she was unable to reply.
Shakaku helped Hoshi walk out of the way for the remaining runners to cross the finish line. Shakaku left Hoshi to grab a bottle of water, and when she returned with the water, Hoshi tried not to drink it fast, but her lack of hydration was easily seen.
Hoshi managed to stand by herself as she was awarded the first place award, and she smiled as she realized that she was able to do that for Dorei because she was not there.
A gentle breeze settled throughout Tokyo as the sun began to rise. The day was just beginning, but one young man had already been up for hours. The breeze played with his short hair as he sat on the balcony of the apartment deep in thought. Unsettling thoughts floated through his mind as he began to think about the recent events.
Kaboku shifted uncomfortably in his chair as he felt a sudden change in the breeze, but he continued to watch the sun as it rose slowly through the sky. He never noticed it, but he had never seen a sky purer than this one. In many other places and times, the sky was littered with smoke, and its true color never really shone through. However, here in Tokyo, there was something different about the sky.
The color of the sky reminded Kaboku of the blue that streaked Sailor Aquaria’s fuku. He pressed his lip together as he remembered Aquaria’s never failing smile, and how she managed to bring joy to those around her. He also knew, although he had never seen, that Aquaria was a good artist, and this sunrise seemed like something that she might paint.
There was another shift in the breeze, and, although Kaboku could not sense it, Kyuuteki appeared behind him. Kyuuteki chose to allow Kaboku to think a little longer. Soon, Kaboku had forgotten about the change in the air, and his thoughts drifted on the subject of Sailor Aquaria once again.
After a few more minutes, Kaboku got up to leave, and he was startled when he almost bumped right into Kaboku. “Master,” Kaboku began in shock, but Kyuuteki just settled himself on the other chair across from the one that Kaboku had been sitting at.
“Thinking?” Kyuuteki finally spoke. Kaboku nodded as he realized that Kyuuteki knew what he had been thinking about.
“Yes,” Kaboku whispered.
“Of course you are,” Kyuuteki replied. “In case you are wondering, I have come to help you.” When Kaboku opened his mouth to speak, Kyuuteki put up his hand, and Kaboku remained silent.
“I know,” Kyuuteki began, well aware of Kaboku’s confusion. “The recent discovery of certain things has proven to be a great opportunity.” For some reason, opportunities where arising often, Kaboku noticed.
“I know of a way for you to get back at…” Kyuuteki said, but he refrained from saying Sailor Phoenix’s name when he saw that Kaboku had tensed up, but he looked eager to hear what Kyuuteki had to say.
Kyuuteki looked forward at the rising sun as he began to unfold his plan. “We both know that Phoenix is extremely loyal to Aquaria,” Kyuuteki said as he looked at Kaboku. Kaboku looked at Kyuuteki; he did not know where this conversation was going to go. “If you capture Aquaria and offer her in exchange for Phoenix, Phoenix will do it,” Kyuuteki hinted at Kaboku. It was up to him as to how he was going to do it.
Kaboku’s face brightened as he began to catch on to what Kyuuteki was saying. “Of course she will,” Kaboku answered as he cracked his knuckles.
“Don’t hurt her,” Kyuuteki warned as he figured that it was just what Kaboku was planning to do.
“But, Master,” Kaboku began, but when Kyuuteki glanced at him, he was quiet. He knew from experience to shut up when Kyuuteki looked at him like that.
“You know what I need,” Kyuuteki said. Kaboku took a deep breath to keep himself from trying to get Kyuuteki to change his mind. “Having Phoenix on our side would be so much easier,” Kyuuteki explained, and Kaboku rolled his eyes. He knew very well how Kyuuteki longed to have a fighting spirit like Phoenix’s in the Dark Realm, no matter how hard they had to work in order to get her.
It occurred to Kaboku just then what Kyuuteki had said earlier. He had to face Aquaria, capture her, and then release her in order to get what Kyuuteki wanted. Now this plan didn’t seem so great.
Shakaku put on her sunglasses as the rising sun peaked over a nearby mountain, and it overtook her as she walked away from the dirt track where she had just been with Hoshi.
“Shakaku!” she heard someone yell her name, and she knew instantly who it was. She also knew that she must step out of the way in order to avoid getting the squeeze of death, which is what she did when she felt Kaichuu walk closer.
“Hey!” Kaichuu said as she realized that Shakaku had moved out of the way. “But a missed you,” Kaichuu pretended to sob as she took a hold of Shakaku, and she buried her face into her partner’s shoulder in an attempt to look like she was crying.
“Kaichuu,” Shakaku moaned as she tried to pry Kaichuu off of her. When she managed to get Kaichuu off of her, the two began to walk home to the apartment.
“Just go on without me,” Shakaku said as they walked past a bookstore. Kaichuu looked at Shakaku for a moment, but then she skipped along like a little girl, and she turned a nearby corner. Shakaku needed to buy a book for her Biology class, and this was the only store that had that book. She walked in, quickly found the book that she wanted, paid, and she walked back out of the store. She also turned the same corner that Kaichuu had turned a few minutes earlier, but she did not have the same happiness surrounding her. It puzzled her how any senshi could be so happy as she was.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she something that made her stomach turn. The once crowded street was now empty except for one thing; there was now a circle of fire in the middle of the street, and Shakaku did not like what was inside.
She could see Kaboku along with a yajuu standing inside the circle of fire, and she also saw that the yajuu was holding her partner.
“Shakaku!” Kaichuu yelled for her partner. Instead of the happiness that had been with her the first time she had said her partner’s name, Kaichuu’s voice was strained, and she was clearly scared for her partner. Kaichuu tried to free herself from the creature’s grip, but it was no use seeing as this creature was much stronger than she was.
“Let her go,” Shakaku raised her voice at Kaboku.
“Not so fast,” Kaboku said as he looked straight at Shakaku. “You want her back? Transform and come and get her.”
Shakaku gritted her teeth as she took in the decision before her.
“No, don’t do it!” Kaichuu pleaded with her partner, but it was too late, she saw Shakaku raise her arm with the transformation bracelet on it, and the yajuu put its arm on Kaichuu’s mouth to keep her quiet.
“Let her go,” Sailor Phoenix growled as she took another look at the sight before her.
Kaboku rolled his eyes. “Didn’t we already discuss this?”
Sailor Phoenix closed her eyes for a second as she realized what was happening. Kyuuteki was going to get exactly what he wanted. She didn’t want to give him what he wanted, but she was too loyal to Kaichuu to let her be taken by Kaboku.
Sailor Phoenix opened her eyes, and she began to walk toward the circle of fire. At least this wasn’t going to hurt her.
“Once you come in, you can’t go out,” Kaboku warned, although he was excited that Phoenix was coming willingly.
Sailor Phoenix shook her head and bit her lip as she crossed the line of fire that made the circle. In her senshi form, the fire felt like a light breeze playing with her skin, and it took a few steps for her to cross to the other side.
“That’s a good girl,” Kaboku said. “See? That wasn’t so bad, but you have to wonder why I shouldn’t just take the two of you,” Kaboku said as he peered at Sailor Phoenix.
“You wouldn’t,” Sailor Phoenix growled at Kaboku for what he had done. Kaboku looked directly at Phoenix, but his expression changed when he saw Phoenix’s eyes. Somehow, they now had sparks of red in them, and Kaboku remembered that only people from the Dark Realm had that kind of red in their eyes.
“No,” Kaboku whispered as he looked at her eyes closely. They were burning with the same anger that Kyuuteki’s did when he was angry.
“Let her go,” Sailor Phoenix growled at him again. Kaboku slowly motioned for the yajuu to take out the other senshi from the circle. When it did so, it quickly walked back through the fire.
“No!” Kaichuu sobbed as she tried to run through the fire, but it burned her skin. It hurt Kaboku to see Kaichuu sad, but he had a mission, and he wanted to see Phoenix feel serious pain.
The circle of fire vanished, and Kaichuu was left alone on the street. She could not believe what had just happened.
“Let go of me,” Sailor Phoenix hissed as Kaboku pushed her through the giant doors that lead to the courtroom of the Dark Realm. She felt sick to her stomach as she saw Kyuuteki sitting on his throne, and he had an evil grin on his face, as he saw the two and the yajuu enter the room.
Kaboku tightened his grip on her arms, and she tried to struggle in order to get free. She was in the worst situation she could think of.
“Phoenix!” Sailor Phoenix turned her head, and she saw Dorei at the far corner of the Dark Realm. She smiled to herself knowing that she wouldn’t be alone at least.
“Congratulations,” Kyuuteki said as Kaboku and Sailor Phoenix walked closer. Phoenix was filled with revulsion as she felt Kyuuteki’s gaze on her. It felt as though Death was already upon her.
Kaboku threw Phoenix forward, and she landed on the ground, although she tried to use her arms to help her up. Kaboku quickly moved his leg, and he rested his foot on top of the senshi’s head, which forced her to stay down.
“You couldn’t even get back at me on your own,” Sailor Phoenix muttered. Kaboku pressed his lips together as he put more pressure on the girl’s head, and she refrained from screaming with a sharp intake of breath.
Kyuuteki stood up from his throne, and the entire courtroom, which consisted of a few yajuus, some citizens, and Dorei, fell silent as he walked toward the senshi. Even with his extreme height, Kyuuteki managed to crouch down low enough to look directly into Sailor Phoenix’s face. When she turned away, he grabbed her face in his large hand, and he made her look at him.
“You will no longer be able to control yourself,” Kyuuteki explained. “I am in control now, just like my hand is in control of your face.” When Phoenix tried to move her head away from him, his amazing grip kelp her where she was.
“Master,” Kaboku addressed, and Kyuuteki looked up at him from his crouching position. “Look at her eyes,” Kaboku said; it was clear that he was still amazed about it himself. Kyuuteki looked back down at Phoenix, who continued to attempt to look away. Indeed, Kyuuteki saw the same red that Kaboku had seen flaring in the senshi’s eyes.
“Ah, so there is hope,” Kyuuteki said to himself. He let go of Phoenix’s jaw, and he slowly rose.
“My followers,” Kyuuteki addressed, and the entire courtroom looked at him. “One of us was lost, but now she is found.” Everyone in the courtroom except for Dorei cheered loudly as they all realized what Kyuuteki meant.
“Take her and the other to the cells,” Kyuuteki instructed Kaboku in the middle of the riot.
Kaboku removed his foot from on top of Phoenix’s head, grabbed her arms, forced her to her feet, and he signaled the yajuu that was holding Dorei to follow. Phoenix, not wanting to give up, tried to struggle against Kaboku’s grip of steel, but it was no use, and she was forced to walk out of the courtroom, and into the nearest dark corridor. Dorei’s yajuu also forced her along, and they followed Kaboku and Sailor Phoenix.
As they were walking through the corridor, Kaboku tightened his grip on the senshi’s arms, and she moved to stop the pain. Not only was he going to leave a serious mark on her arms, but he was also damaging another part of her.
They walked to the end of the corridor, down a flight of stairs, which was hard to do considering Kaboku had to do it while still holding on to the senshi, and down another corridor.
The yajuu and Dorei turned into one room, and Kaboku and Shakaku soon turned into another. As the senshi noticed, they were still in the same room, but they were each put in two different cells that were placed far away from each other.
The yajuu only had to put Dorei in her cell and lock it, but Kaboku had to strap two iron handcuffs around Sailor Phoenix’s wrists, which was no easy task. She struggled and even kicked him in the leg, but somehow he managed to get both of the handcuffs on her, and he walked out of the cell triumphant.
Phoenix looked down at her wrists and noticed that there was going to be almost no possible way for her to get out of there.
“Repent for what you have done,” Kaboku said as he locked the door to Phoenix’s cell. She looked up at him with terror in her eyes; she didn’t know what was going to happen to her now.
Back to Part Twenty ~
On to Part Twenty-Two