Chapter 18: Decision
Decision
The pair ran, staying to the alleys and rooftops to avoid attention. Sailor Sol checked her communicator, changing their direction in order to reach the coordinates. Ducking into yet another alley, she rechecked the numbers.

“We should be right there,” she said. “Where are they?”

As if to answer her question, they heard an explosion. They ducked and covered their heads as debris showered down on them. As the dust settled, the two looked up.

“I think they are on the rooftop,” Sailor Pluto stated.

“Really?” Clutching the Sun Staff, she leaped to a landing of the fire escape and ran up the steps. Pluto followed her example.

Both stood still in shock as they surveyed the scene on the rooftop. Sailor Mercury was lying at the far corner of the roof, one arm dangling over the ledge. Tuxedo Kamen was fighting desperately against Scorpios, but Scorpios clearly had the advantage. Meanwhile, Sailor Moon was facing Gypsum.

“Sol Celestial Wind!”

“Pluto Dead Scream!”

The attacks caught Gypsum and Scorpios by surprise. Gypsum dropped to her knees, cradling her left arm against her chest. Scorpios, however, appeared relatively unscathed. He smirked at Sol before delivering a blow to Tuxedo Kamen.

“Stop it!” Sailor Moon cried helplessly as her love fell. She ran and scooped him into her arms. Scorpios watched the scene with cool detachment.

“Who will protect you now, Serenity?” he asked, towering over the couple.

“I will,” Sol answered, standing in front of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen.

“So will I,” Pluto added.

Scorpios gave the Time Guardian a dismissive glance. “The Timeline will only allow you to do some much, Sailor Pluto.”

Pluto clutched the Time Key tighter but did not reply. With a satisfied smile, he flung an energy ball at Setsuna. The blow drove her into an antenna pole, knocking her out. Scorpios turned his attention of Sol.

“Anymore interlopers?” he asked. “I have come for you, Tennyo-chan. Are you and Serenity ready?”

“I will go with you, but you can’t have Serenity,” Sol replied, keeping one of the razor points of the Sun Staff was inches from his chest.

“Really?” Scorpios glanced over his shoulder. “Galena, please bring out our surprise.”

Galena appeared on the roof, pulling a protesting form behind her. Sol swallowed hard as she recognized the figure. ‘You prepared yourself for this,’ she reminded herself.

However, her preparations didn’t ready her for the sight of Jonathan. He was covered in dirt and slime. Bruises and small cuts were scattered over his face and arms. His arms were bound so tightly behind his back that she marveled at the fact that his shoulders weren't dislocated.

Sol also wasn’t ready for the look of complete trust in his eyes as Galena turned him to face her. He knew exactly who she was, which made this situation so much harder. She heard her knuckles crack as her hold on the Sun Staff became a death grip.

“I have an interesting proposition for you, Tennyo-chan,” Scorpios began, draping an arm across Jonathan’s shoulders. "I will trade you your good friend, Jonathan, for Serenity. All you have to do is take Jonathan and return home.”

“Or?”

His expression darkened. “You don’t want to think about the ‘or.’ Trust me.”

“I don’t trust you,” Sol replied. “What’s the other option?”

“You protect your precious Serenity and I keep Jonathan.”

Sol stood completely motionless for a moment. Slowly, she lowered the Sun Staff. “If you will release Jonathan, I will go with you willingly.”

“Celeste, you can’t!” However, the rest of Jonathan’s protest was cut off by Gypsum’s blow.

“I don’t think you understand, Celeste-chan,” Scorpios said, running a finger along the edge of her cheekbone. “You have a choice: Serenity or Jonathan. Although, Jonathan’s just really a few leftovers from Charon.”

Scorpios turned and redraped his arm around Jonathan’s shoulders. “So, Sailor Sol, what is your choice?”

Sol stared into Jonathan’s eyes, wishing that she could explain everything to him. The trusting, understanding look in his eyes was killing her. Closing her eyes to hide the forming tears, she stepped back, becoming closer to Sailor Moon.

Scorpios stared at her for a moment, anger flashing in his eyes briefly. “You have made your decision, Sol. I hope you can live with it.”

With a gesture, he opened a portal. Tears poured down Sol’s face as she watched Gypsum and Galena force Jonathan through it. She wanted to cut down Scorpios where he stood, but she knew that the women would retaliate by hurting Jonathan. Scorpios gave her a victorious look before he finally stepped through.

A cry of rage and anguish tore from Sol as the portal closed. Sailor Pluto touched her shoulder, but Sol jerked away violently. She looked down at Sailor Moon, who was still cradling Tuxedo Kamen.

“I have fulfilled my obligation to you, Serenity,” Sol said, malice dripping off every word. “I have protected you. Now, I am going to fulfill my obligation to him.”

Sailor Moon nodded, crystal tears sliding down her cheeks. “Let us help,” she whispered.

“No, I will do this alone.” Sol turned and began to walk away. However, Pluto soon blocked her path.

“Get out of my way,” Sol ordered.

“I can’t let you do this, Tennyo-chan,” Pluto said softly.

Sol tried to move forward, but Pluto hindered every moment. “Damn it, Setsuna, let me go!”

However, Pluto grabbed her shoulders. “Celeste, please, wait and let us help. Let me help.”

“Setsuna, get the hell out of my way!” When she refused, Sol pushed her away. Celeste paused long enough to glance at Pluto over her shoulder.

“I think you all have helped enough,” she said. Without another glance back, she jumped off the roof. Pluto ran to the edge but she was too late. Sol had already disappeared.

Banging the Time Key hard against the cement, she studied the skyline. She now faced a hard choice herself. Hearing the others stir behind her, Sailor Pluto left the edge to check on Sailor Mercury.