Chapter 7: Facing the Enemy

Sailor Boreas suddenly halted as Sailor Mars stilled, watching the Jovian skies. Not certain of the priestess’ thoughts, Boreas felt her whole body recoil from the darkening shadows. Something evil was coming, advancing toward the Jovian capital.

“I hope we’re enough,” Boreas whispered. She, Sailor Mars, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Uranus were the only ones prepared to face the Shadow Moon Imperial army. The skies grew even darker.

Boreas felt her resolve weaken. This would be only her second battle, and she was injured in the first, relying on Sailor Jupiter Moon to protect her. Additional help, especially from Crystal Tokyo, may not come in time, she realized.

“Sailor Boreas,” Sailor Mars called, turning to face the younger woman. “Don’t lose hope yet. Have faith in your abilities and our friends.”

Boreas nodded solemnly, before Sailor Mars moved toward the edge of the field. It was the same field where she had encountered her first battle and where Leda was kidnapped. The city was only a few miles behind them. It had to be protected, no matter what the costs.

Boreas glanced over at Sailors Neptune and Uranus, who were by the opposite edge of the field from Sailor Mars. ‘The older Scouts wield amazing powers,’ she thought in awe. Yet, Sailor Mars had told her to faith in her abilities and their friends. She became determined to rely on that.

A blur in the corner of her eye caused Boreas to turned to a tree less than a yard away. Against the tree, a tall, blonde woman was leaning, smirking at Boreas. Her black sleeveless dress with a short, full skirt and black knee-high boots emphasized her pale complexion. Pure malice radiated from her presence.

“Who are you?” Boreas demanded, taking a defensive position.

The woman’s smirked grew larger. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She stood to her full height and came toward Boreas in a confident stride, one hand on a hip.

“Take my advice, Sailor Boreas,” the woman said, walking past the young woman, “run while you still can.”

Boreas slowly turned, anger beginning to build within her. “I don’t run from anyone, Blondie.”

“Oh, goodie,” the woman replied in anticipation. “More fun for me.”

Boreas jumped as the blue arc of energy destroyed the tree behind her. She risked a glance toward the other Scouts and found that they were engaged in battle as well. She looked back at the mysterious woman only to take the full force of another energy arc.

The blow knocked Boreas into a stump, the smoldering remains of the tree that took the first strike. Trying to ignore the black spots dancing in front of her eyes, she saw a streak of silver heading for her throat. She rolled away, sickening at the sound of the shattering wood.

“You’re quick,” the woman sneered, yanking the flared, curve blade of her sword free from the stump. “But your luck is about to run out.”

Boreas forced herself to her feet. “Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!”

The woman gave a brief smile before easily dodging the attack. “Nice trick, but not enough, I’m afraid.”

Boreas felt her anger surged again. ‘Who does this lady think she is?’ “I’ve had enough of this! Boreas Galactic Gale!!”

The wall of ice and wind caught the woman off guard. She shrieked as the cold stung her exposed skin. Then, the attack vanished and the smirk reappeared.

“Neat trick, Sailor Boreas. But do you really think its enough to save you, your friends, or this pathetic planet?”

Boreas took a step backward, watching the woman’s every move.

Her sarcastic grin grew larger. “Didn’t think so.” The woman brandished her sword, the blade gleaming in the weak light.

“Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!” This was Boreas last offensive effort, as the attack drained too much energy from her.

The woman turned the blade up, shielding herself from the assault. She wielded the blade again, noticing Boreas’ weakened state. “Goodbye, Sailor Boreas.”

“Scylla! Stop!!”

Both women turned to face the approaching group. To Boreas, Sailor Jupiter Moon, Ganymede, and the Guardians never looked better. Scylla placed the tip of her sword before her on the ground, between her and the ones approaching.

Dido, looking at the woman with pure malice positioned herself between Scylla and the group. Boreas moved to be beside Jupiter. Scylla continued to smirk.

“Dido, long time, no see,” the woman greeted with a sugary, fake friendliness.

“I had hoped not to see you here, Scylla,” Dido replied bitterly.

Boreas looked from Scylla back to Dido. “How do you know each other?”

Scylla laughed, her eyes never leaving Dido’s pained ones. “She was the Guardian that fell to Hecate’s power,” Dido answered, closing her eyes briefly. “She’s also my twin sister.”

There audible gasps as each recognized the startling resemblance in the two women.

“It’s still not too late, Scylla, to return to us,” Iphigenia stated, her eyes pleading with her former friend.

“I’ll take this road to its end,” Scylla retorted, lifting her sword.

Dido twirled her glaive. “As you wish, sister.”


Facing the Enemy Sailor Boreas suddenly halted as Sailor Mars stilled, watching the Jovian skies. Not certain of the priestess’ thoughts, Boreas felt her whole body recoil from the darkening shadows. Something evil was coming, advancing toward the Jovian capital. “I hope we’re enough,” Boreas whispered. She, Sailor Mars, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Uranus were the only ones prepared to face the Shadow Moon Imperial army. The skies grew even darker. Boreas felt her resolve weaken. This would be only her second battle, and she was injured in the first, relying on Sailor Jupiter Moon to protect her. Additional help, especially from Crystal Tokyo, may not come in time, she realized. “Sailor Boreas,” Sailor Mars called, turning to face the younger woman. “Don’t lose hope yet. Have faith in your abilities and our friends.” Boreas nodded solemnly, before Sailor Mars moved toward the edge of the field. It was the same field where she had encountered her first battle and where Leda was kidnapped. The city was only a few miles behind them. It had to be protected, no matter what the costs. Boreas glanced over at Sailors Neptune and Uranus, who were by the opposite edge of the field from Sailor Mars. ‘The older Scouts wield amazing powers,’ she thought in awe. Yet, Sailor Mars had told her to faith in her abilities and their friends. She became determined to rely on that. A blur in the corner of her eye caused Boreas to turned to a tree less than a yard away. Against the tree, a tall, blonde woman was leaning, smirking at Boreas. Her black sleeveless dress with a short, full skirt and black knee-high boots emphasized her pale complexion. Pure malice radiated from her presence. “Who are you?” Boreas demanded, taking a defensive position. The woman’s smirked grew larger. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She stood to her full height and came toward Boreas in a confident stride, one hand on a hip. “Take my advice, Sailor Boreas,” the woman said, walking past the young woman, “run while you still can.” Boreas slowly turned, anger beginning to build within her. “I don’t run from anyone, Blondie.” “Oh, goodie,” the woman replied in anticipation. “More fun for me.” Boreas jumped as the blue arc of energy destroyed the tree behind her. She risked a glance toward the other Scouts and found that they were engaged in battle as well. She looked back at the mysterious woman only to take the full force of another energy arc. The blow knocked Boreas into a stump, the smoldering remains of the tree that took the first strike. Trying to ignore the black spots dancing in front of her eyes, she saw a streak of silver heading for her throat. She rolled away, sickening at the sound of the shattering wood. “You’re quick,” the woman sneered, yanking the flared, curve blade of her sword free from the stump. “But your luck is about to run out.” Boreas forced herself to her feet. “Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!” The woman gave a brief smile before easily dodging the attack. “Nice trick, but not enough, I’m afraid.” Boreas felt her anger surged again. ‘Who does this lady think she is?’ “I’ve had enough of this! Boreas Galactic Gale!!” The wall of ice and wind caught the woman off guard. She shrieked as the cold stung her exposed skin. Then, the attack vanished and the smirk reappeared. “Neat trick, Sailor Boreas. But do you really think its enough to save you, your friends, or this pathetic planet?” Boreas took a step backward, watching the woman’s every move. Her sarcastic grin grew larger. “Didn’t think so.” The woman brandished her sword, the blade gleaming in the weak light. “Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!” This was Boreas last offensive effort, as the attack drained too much energy from her. The woman turned the blade up, shielding herself from the assault. She wielded the blade again, noticing Boreas’ weakened state. “Goodbye, Sailor Boreas.” “Scylla! Stop!!” Both women turned to face the approaching group. To Boreas, Sailor Jupiter Moon, Ganymede, and the Guardians never looked better. Scylla placed the tip of her sword before her on the ground, between her and the ones approaching. Dido, looking at the woman with pure malice positioned herself between Scylla and the group. Boreas moved to be beside Jupiter. Scylla continued to smirk. “Dido, long time, no see,” the woman greeted with a sugary, fake friendliness. “I had hoped not to see you here, Scylla,” Dido replied bitterly. Boreas looked from Scylla back to Dido. “How do you know each other?” Scylla laughed, her eyes never leaving Dido’s pained ones. “She was the Guardian that fell to Hecate’s power,” Dido answered, closing her eyes briefly. “She’s also my twin sister.” There audible gasps as each recognized the startling resemblance in the two women. “It’s still not too late, Scylla, to return to us,” Iphigenia stated, her eyes pleading with her former friend. “I’ll take this road to its end,” Scylla retorted, lifting her sword. Dido twirled her glaive. “As you wish, sister.”


Chapter 8: Strength in Numbers and in Hope Jupiter's Gone