Chapter 8: Strength in Numbers and in Hope

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

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

Sailor Jupiter Moon stepped forward to stop the sisters, but Cassandra pulled her back. Jupiter spun angrily to confront the Guardian’s interference. However, Cassandra’s attention was still focused on Dido and Scylla.

“This is their battle,” Cassandra stated. “It is time that we face ours.”

Jupiter glanced around the field, noticing the increase in the number of shadow figures. If they didn’t join the battle soon, the other Scouts would be overpowered. She wouldn’t let that happen.

“Just remember that Hecate is mine,” Jupiter ordered, her voice ice cold. Without another glance, she ran to help Sailor Mars. Ganymede watched her indecisively for a moment before following.

Boreas felt her strength return, as Cassandra and Iphigenia proceeded to the middle of the field. She turned to Sailor Europa “Are we it?” she asked.

“It?”

“The only ones to face this?!” Boreas explained.

“Serenity will send some of the other Scouts, if needed,” Europa answered, her tiara glowing. “Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that,” she added, as they ran to help Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus.

* * * * *

“Hope Guardian Battle Power-Up!” Lavender light from Cassandra’s pendant flashed, then bathed her entire body. A moment later, the light receded.

Her purple hair was now pulled back into a braided ponytail. The metal gauntlets that covered the forearms of her white, long-sleeve tunic glistened silver in the murky light. In her hands, Cassandra held a short, navy blue staff that ended in sword-like blades.

“Memory Guardian Battle Power-Up!” Iphigenia’s heart charm flashed with pink light, before covering her completely. In an instant, the light was gone.

Her aqua hair was held back by a pink headband. Her white tank top was replaced a long-sleeve tunic, and her pink sash was substituted by a black belt, covered with pink hearts, identical to her charms. She had no gauntlets but a bladed boomerang hung from the belt, resting against her hip.

“For the memory of Cignus!” Cassandra cried, slicing through the throng of shadowmen. More moved to attack the new enemy, but fell to the double blades. Yet, the attackers kept coming.

Iphigenia plucked a heart from her belt and hurled it into a clump of approaching Graysons. The charm exploded, leaving only ashes. She pulled the boomerang free from its loop on her belt. “For the House of Light!”

* * * * *

“Europa Cold Sleep!”

“Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!”

The two blows stopped the crowd around Sailors Neptune and Uranus, giving the two Outers an opportunity to finish off their adversaries.

“Deep Submerge!!”

“World Shaking!!”

“About time you got here, Europa,” Sailor Uranus quipped, producing her Space Sword.

“I thought you two could handle anything,” Europa replied.

“Might as well let the rookies get broke in,” Sailor Neptune retorted.

“There’s another group heading our way,” Boreas announced, stopping the exchange. “Let’s get to work!”

“Right!”

* * * * *

“Jupiter Moon Thunder Tornado!” The blast took out the three shadow men that were moving behind Sailor Mars. Sailor Mars looked over her shoulder to Jupiter Moon and Ganymede and gave a slight nod. Then, she attacked the next enemy with a vengeance.

“Mars Fire Sniper!”

Almost back to back, Jupiter and Ganymede fought continuously to repel the incoming forces. She wanted to postpone asking for additional help as long as possible, but they couldn’t continue fighting at the pace they were at now. ‘A few more minutes, please,’ she prayed.

“Jupiter Moon Electrical Eruption!!”

A gray glob flew in front of her face, missing her by inches. Graysons were now becoming intermixed with the shadow men. Her plea for a few minutes went unanswered.

Behind her, she felt Ganymede trip. She whirled, pulling him out of the way of a gray glob. A bleeding Ganymede handed her a star.

“Ganymede Love Strike!”

Jupiter fell to her knees as Ganymede slipped into unconsciousness in her arms. Her mind raced for ideas as a group slowly closed on the pair. Their evil sneers revealed that they knew of her desperate situation.

“Callisto Meteor Smash!!”

“Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!”

“Venus Love and Beauty Shock!”

Jupiter turned and smiled gratefully at the appearance of Sailors Venus, Callisto, and Lysithea.

“Serenity thought you may need some extra help,” Sailor Venus explained.

“Next time someone invades our home, Leda, tell us,” Callisto said.

“We’re Scouts, too, you know,” Lysithea added.

“Callisto, Lysithea, I’m glad you’re here,” Jupiter stated appreciatively, still holding Ganymede in her arms. “Together we’ll finish this.”


Strength in Numbers and in Hope “I’ll take this road to its end,” Scylla retorted, lifting her sword. Dido twirled her glaive. “As you wish, sister.” Sailor Jupiter Moon stepped forward to stop the sisters, but Cassandra pulled her back. Jupiter spun angrily to confront the Guardian’s interference. However, Cassandra’s attention was still focused on Dido and Scylla. “This is their battle,” Cassandra stated. “It is time that we face ours.” Jupiter glanced around the field, noticing the increase in the number of shadow figures. If they didn’t join the battle soon, the other Scouts would be overpowered. She wouldn’t let that happen. “Just remember that Hecate is mine,” Jupiter ordered, her voice ice cold. Without another glance, she ran to help Sailor Mars. Ganymede watched her indecisively for a moment before following. Boreas felt her strength return, as Cassandra and Iphigenia proceeded to the middle of the field. She turned to Sailor Europa “Are we it?” she asked. “It?” “The only ones to face this?!” Boreas explained. “Serenity will send some of the other Scouts, if needed,” Europa answered, her tiara glowing. “Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that,” she added, as they ran to help Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. * * * * * “Hope Guardian Battle Power-Up!” Lavender light from Cassandra’s pendant flashed, then bathed her entire body. A moment later, the light receded. Her purple hair was now pulled back into a braided ponytail. The metal gauntlets that covered the forearms of her white, long-sleeve tunic glistened silver in the murky light. In her hands, Cassandra held a short, navy blue staff that ended in sword-like blades. “Memory Guardian Battle Power-Up!” Iphigenia’s heart charm flashed with pink light, before covering her completely. In an instant, the light was gone. Her aqua hair was held back by a pink headband. Her white tank top was replaced a long-sleeve tunic, and her pink sash was substituted by a black belt, covered with pink hearts, identical to her charms. She had no gauntlets but a bladed boomerang hung from the belt, resting against her hip. “For the memory of Cignus!” Cassandra cried, slicing through the throng of shadowmen. More moved to attack the new enemy, but fell to the double blades. Yet, the attackers kept coming. Iphigenia plucked a heart from her belt and hurled it into a clump of approaching Graysons. The charm exploded, leaving only ashes. She pulled the boomerang free from its loop on her belt. “For the House of Light!” * * * * * “Europa Cold Sleep!” “Boreas Wind Tunnel Blast!” The two blows stopped the crowd around Sailors Neptune and Uranus, giving the two Outers an opportunity to finish off their adversaries. “Deep Submerge!!” “World Shaking!!” “About time you got here, Europa,” Sailor Uranus quipped, producing her Space Sword. “I thought you two could handle anything,” Europa replied. “Might as well let the rookies get broke in,” Sailor Neptune retorted. “There’s another group heading our way,” Boreas announced, stopping the exchange. “Let’s get to work!” “Right!” * * * * * “Jupiter Moon Thunder Tornado!” The blast took out the three shadow men that were moving behind Sailor Mars. Sailor Mars looked over her shoulder to Jupiter Moon and Ganymede and gave a slight nod. Then, she attacked the next enemy with a vengeance. “Mars Fire Sniper!” Almost back to back, Jupiter and Ganymede fought continuously to repel the incoming forces. She wanted to postpone asking for additional help as long as possible, but they couldn’t continue fighting at the pace they were at now. ‘A few more minutes, please,’ she prayed. “Jupiter Moon Electrical Eruption!!” A gray glob flew in front of her face, missing her by inches. Graysons were now becoming intermixed with the shadow men. Her plea for a few minutes went unanswered. Behind her, she felt Ganymede trip. She whirled, pulling him out of the way of a gray glob. A bleeding Ganymede handed her a star. “Ganymede Love Strike!” Jupiter fell to her knees as Ganymede slipped into unconsciousness in her arms. Her mind raced for ideas as a group slowly closed on the pair. Their evil sneers revealed that they knew of her desperate situation. “Callisto Meteor Smash!!” “Lysithea Tidal Tsunami!” “Venus Love and Beauty Shock!” Jupiter turned and smiled gratefully at the appearance of Sailors Venus, Callisto, and Lysithea. “Serenity thought you may need some extra help,” Sailor Venus explained. “Next time someone invades our home, Leda, tell us,” Callisto said. “We’re Scouts, too, you know,” Lysithea added. “Callisto, Lysithea, I’m glad you’re here,” Jupiter stated appreciatively, still holding Ganymede in her arms. “Together we’ll finish this.”


Chapter 9: The Culmination Jupiter's Gone