Chapter 6: The Loss of One

“We must be prepared for another attack,” Cynthia said, as they walked along what was once a road. “Neo-Sailor Jupiter, are you sure that this is the right road?”

“Yes, Cynthia,” Jupiter answered, becoming annoyed. The feline advisor had asked the same question three times. “I know that this is the way.”

“The way to what?” Callisto asked before turning to look behind the group. Everyone was searching for a hint of another sudden attack.

“I’m not sure,” Jupiter replied.

“That’s okay,” Lysithea soothed. “You’ve always known what to do in difficult situations. It’s kind of comforting in a way.”

“Yeah,” Io seconded.

“Thanks.” She turned her mind to other things, like how to get her sisters off Charon before they encountered any additional dangers.

* * * * *

“Another town,” Lysithea remarked sadly. She gingerly touched the remains of an exotic flower, only to watch it crumbled to dust. “What could have destroyed the entire civilization without notice?”

“Cynthia, do know anything about a possible civilization on Charon in the past?”

“There were several kingdoms throughout the solar system during the reign of the Moon Kingdom. Most of those places were destroyed by the Negaverse, especially the outer kingdoms.”

“So, these remains are centuries old,” Io said, awed.

“Several centuries, if they are from the Moon Kingdom,” Cynthia added.

“We may never know,” Jupiter said with a touch of mourning in her voice. “It must have been an incredible fight.”

“What makes you say that?” Callisto asked.

“There is a sense of profound grief and injustice still here.”

“Does it ever drive you crazy?” Europa asked. “I mean having all these feelings and dreams that you can’t explain.”

Jupiter paused before answering. “Sometimes I forget that others don’t have these premonitions. I have had them all my life. I have become used to them, I guess.”

“You’re a stronger person than I am,” Io said.

“No, not stronger, Io,” Jupiter answered softly. “Just different.”

Jupiter became absolutely still, a chill running up her spine.

“Callisto, I need a flashlight,” she ordered.

“Got it” was the immediate reply. “Callisto Sky Illumination!”

“They are definitely out in force,” Io remarked as they each took a count of the numbers of the approaching Graysons, as Europa had named them.

“There are at least twenty in the immediate area,” Europa stated, scanning with her visor. “More on the way.”

“Callisto Starlight Blast!”

“Cynthia, go! Get out of here! NOW!” Cynthia obediently scampered into a building. “Jupiter Thunder Crash!”

“Io Earth Eruption!”

“Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!”

“Europa Cold Sleep!”

The sisters became separated as the battle continued. Slowly, Jupiter was being backed against a building. “Jupiter Supreme Thunder Dragon!” The creature appeared, devouring several of the Graysons, but more crowded around her.

“Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!”

She threw the charged ball of white energy in the middle of the approaching Graysons, eliminating a large number. She looked down a street and saw more groups pouring into the abandoned city. The reinforcements had arrived, she thought bitterly.

A group of gold stars rained on the Graysons before the attackers were destroyed an instant later. Jupiter looked up to the roof of the building behind and saw a now familiar caped figure.

“I said I would save you again, Neo-Sailor Jupiter, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.”

“Thank you, Ganymede,” she called, smiling.

“You’re welcome. Take care.” He jumped from the roof, and she lost sight of him.
Glancing around, she noticed that he was helping Europa quite a distance away.

A gray glob landed against the wall near her head, drawing her attention back to the situation at hand. Another crowd of Graysons were coming toward her. She eradicated several before she felt a knot in her stomach.

“Cynthia!” she called, racing across the city at a dead run. She found the cat running down a street, dodging globs from the Graysons. “Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!”

The attack vaporized some of the pursuers but not all of them. Before she could attack again, a Grayson appeared from an alley, grabbing Cynthia by the neck.

“Kitty,” it said in a guttural tone. Smiling wickedly, it slung the cat across the street into a building. The sound of cracking bone sliced the air, sickening Jupiter.

“Jupiter Dragon Degeneration!” Several electrical dragons appeared, surrounding each Grayson. Then there was a flash from each and only a pile of ashes remained.

Jupiter ran toward Cynthia, kneeling by the creature. She knew by the odd angle of the head and shoulder that her neck was broken. Sobs racked her body as she cried, bowing over the cat.

* * * * *

Ganymede found her much later, rocking Cynthia’s body in her arms. Gently, he eased the body out of Jupiter’s arms, as the sisters approached. Tears followed down their faces but none could react otherwise. Ganymede produced one of his stars, holding it up for Jupiter’s approval. Slowly, she nodded.

“For a friend who died in battle.”

He placed the star on the cat’s head. There was a flash of light and then Cynthia was gone. Ganymede rose to his feet and reached to help Jupiter up. With his arms still around her, he led her into the shadows.

The others watched, realizing that Jupiter needed to be alone. Silently they walked to the edge of town to find a suitable camp. Tears flowed all the way.

“There will be plenty of water now,” Lysithea said.

* * * * *

“There is nothing to fault yourself for,” Ganymede said softly, the two of them sitting on a large chunk of rubble. “She knew what she was getting herself into.”

“No, she didn’t!” Jupiter cried vehemently. “None of us knew! All she knew that we were new soldiers who need an advisor. That’s all she knew!”

She bowed her head. “That’s all we knew,” she added softly.

“She knew of the risk, Neo-Sailor Jupiter,” he said. “Like the rest of you did. As I did. Before each of us embarked on this mission, we knew of the risk of death. Yet, we still came.”

“Why did you come here? Who sent you, Ganymede?”

“Always tough questions from you, Jupiter.” He squeezed her shoulder before rising. “Maybe one day I can answer them, but not now. Too many cares are upon your shoulders now to add one more.”

Smiling gently, he reached to help her up. Slowly they made their way back to the others. The sisters were silent, their faces gleaming with tears.

“I will guard you tonight, so all of you can get some sleep. Take care, Sailors,” he said, slipping into the darkness.

The Sailors sadly entered the building for the night.


The Loss of One “We must be prepared for another attack,” Cynthia said, as they walked along what was once a road. “Neo-Sailor Jupiter, are you sure that this is the right road?” “Yes, Cynthia,” Jupiter answered, becoming annoyed. The feline advisor had asked the same question three times. “I know that this is the way.” “The way to what?” Callisto asked before turning to look behind the group. Everyone was searching for a hint of another sudden attack. “I’m not sure,” Jupiter replied. “That’s okay,” Lysithea soothed. “You’ve always known what to do in difficult situations. It’s kind of comforting in a way.” “Yeah,” Io seconded. “Thanks.” She turned her mind to other things, like how to get her sisters off Charon before they encountered any additional dangers. * * * * * “Another town,” Lysithea remarked sadly. She gingerly touched the remains of an exotic flower, only to watch it crumbled to dust. “What could have destroyed the entire civilization without notice?” “Cynthia, do know anything about a possible civilization on Charon in the past?” “There were several kingdoms throughout the solar system during the reign of the Moon Kingdom. Most of those places were destroyed by the Negaverse, especially the outer kingdoms.” “So, these remains are centuries old,” Io said, awed. “Several centuries, if they are from the Moon Kingdom,” Cynthia added. “We may never know,” Jupiter said with a touch of mourning in her voice. “It must have been an incredible fight.” “What makes you say that?” Callisto asked. “There is a sense of profound grief and injustice still here.” “Does it ever drive you crazy?” Europa asked. “I mean having all these feelings and dreams that you can’t explain.” Jupiter paused before answering. “Sometimes I forget that others don’t have these premonitions. I have had them all my life. I have become used to them, I guess.” “You’re a stronger person than I am,” Io said. “No, not stronger, Io,” Jupiter answered softly. “Just different.” Jupiter became absolutely still, a chill running up her spine. “Callisto, I need a flashlight,” she ordered. “Got it” was the immediate reply. “Callisto Sky Illumination!” “They are definitely out in force,” Io remarked as they each took a count of the numbers of the approaching Graysons, as Europa had named them. “There are at least twenty in the immediate area,” Europa stated, scanning with her visor. “More on the way.” “Callisto Starlight Blast!” “Cynthia, go! Get out of here! NOW!” Cynthia obediently scampered into a building. “Jupiter Thunder Crash!” “Io Earth Eruption!” “Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!” “Europa Cold Sleep!” The sisters became separated as the battle continued. Slowly, Jupiter was being backed against a building. “Jupiter Supreme Thunder Dragon!” The creature appeared, devouring several of the Graysons, but more crowded around her. “Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!” She threw the charged ball of white energy in the middle of the approaching Graysons, eliminating a large number. She looked down a street and saw more groups pouring into the abandoned city. The reinforcements had arrived, she thought bitterly. A group of gold stars rained on the Graysons before the attackers were destroyed an instant later. Jupiter looked up to the roof of the building behind and saw a now familiar caped figure. “I said I would save you again, Neo-Sailor Jupiter, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.” “Thank you, Ganymede,” she called, smiling. “You’re welcome. Take care.” He jumped from the roof, and she lost sight of him. Glancing around, she noticed that he was helping Europa quite a distance away. A gray glob landed against the wall near her head, drawing her attention back to the situation at hand. Another crowd of Graysons were coming toward her. She eradicated several before she felt a knot in her stomach. “Cynthia!” she called, racing across the city at a dead run. She found the cat running down a street, dodging globs from the Graysons. “Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!” The attack vaporized some of the pursuers but not all of them. Before she could attack again, a Grayson appeared from an alley, grabbing Cynthia by the neck. “Kitty,” it said in a guttural tone. Smiling wickedly, it slung the cat across the street into a building. The sound of cracking bone sliced the air, sickening Jupiter. “Jupiter Dragon Degeneration!” Several electrical dragons appeared, surrounding each Grayson. Then there was a flash from each and only a pile of ashes remained. Jupiter ran toward Cynthia, kneeling by the creature. She knew by the odd angle of the head and shoulder that her neck was broken. Sobs racked her body as she cried, bowing over the cat. * * * * * Ganymede found her much later, rocking Cynthia’s body in her arms. Gently, he eased the body out of Jupiter’s arms, as the sisters approached. Tears followed down their faces but none could react otherwise. Ganymede produced one of his stars, holding it up for Jupiter’s approval. Slowly, she nodded. “For a friend who died in battle.” He placed the star on the cat’s head. There was a flash of light and then Cynthia was gone. Ganymede rose to his feet and reached to help Jupiter up. With his arms still around her, he led her into the shadows. The others watched, realizing that Jupiter needed to be alone. Silently they walked to the edge of town to find a suitable camp. Tears flowed all the way. “There will be plenty of water now,” Lysithea said. * * * * * “There is nothing to fault yourself for,” Ganymede said softly, the two of them sitting on a large chunk of rubble. “She knew what she was getting herself into.” “No, she didn’t!” Jupiter cried vehemently. “None of us knew! All she knew that we were new soldiers who need an advisor. That’s all she knew!” She bowed her head. “That’s all we knew,” she added softly. “She knew of the risk, Neo-Sailor Jupiter,” he said. “Like the rest of you did. As I did. Before each of us embarked on this mission, we knew of the risk of death. Yet, we still came.” “Why did you come here? Who sent you, Ganymede?” “Always tough questions from you, Jupiter.” He squeezed her shoulder before rising. “Maybe one day I can answer them, but not now. Too many cares are upon your shoulders now to add one more.” Smiling gently, he reached to help her up. Slowly they made their way back to the others. The sisters were silent, their faces gleaming with tears. “I will guard you tonight, so all of you can get some sleep. Take care, Sailors,” he said, slipping into the darkness. The Sailors sadly entered the building for the night.


Chapter 7: Foe and Friends Jupiter's Gone