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They had discussed earlier, via phone, that they would patrol together. Themisto knew he had a great deal of work to do in order to keep up with Denebola. She had years under her belt and the experience spoke volumes in the way she carried herself. The redhead with odd eyes was an excellent mentor and motherly figure, someone Themisto desperately needed. He felt safe around her, like he could let his guard down and feel without judgment. He could lean on Denebola's shoulder and not feel weak for it.

It was important to the super senshi that he introduce the cat that claimed him to Pern, the senshi who guided him. Itsuki happily agreed to come along, tucked away in the folds of Themisto's fuku. Denebola initially agreed, and Themisto knew, deep down, that she was disappointed he'd been upgraded without her. Itsuki would have to answer for that, even if the Mauvian didn't yet know it.

The two senshi had agreed to meet on the roof of the bakery near Meadowview High School at ten o'clock, and Themisto had learned to be early. That seemed to impress the dragonfly senshi, and impressing Denebola was important to Themisto. However, the pair of senshi and cat had arrived on this chilly December night at the appointed place, but... Denebola was nowhere in sight.

This was very unlike her.

"Tonbo-sensei~?" called the cat.

Themisto grimaced in response, performing a quick mental scan before answering. There weren't any signatures nearby, nothing that matched Denebola's super signature. He couldn't even feel any youma which was incredibly alarming. "Itsuki, where the hell is Denebola...?" He knew Itsuki wouldn't have any idea, and didn't know Denebola personally. It was more rhetorical, but...

"Eh? Tonbo-sensei... where are you? Themi-chan, we should look for her! If she's usually on time, this is weird! Do you think she forgot? Maybe she stopped for food! You can't patrol on an empty stomach, Themi-chan. Or there was a youma and she stopped to save someone! Hai, you said she's very brave and you respect her a lot. Maybe she's been distracted by something?"

The cat nodded enthusiastically while the lost senshi pulled out his cellphone from subspace, quickly dialing Denebola. His heart was starting to race. This wasn't like her. Denebola was never late without calling ahead. Something was wrong. ...and his blood went cold when Denebola, mentor of mentors, someone incredibly important to him... didn't answer her phone.

Without even warning the cat, Themisto wrapped an arm around the furry feline form and began to run in a panic. "Uwah, Themi-chan! Don't drop me!"

He wanted to be wrong. He desperately wanted to be wrong. Maybe Denebola really did stop to dust a youma and was too busy to answer her phone. Or maybe she just didn't hear the ring. Or maybe she stopped for food. Or maybe... or maybe... Themisto couldn't stem the fear pumping through his veins, the cold air rushing around his body a welcome reprieve from the anxious sweat forming on his brow.

He could feel the panic pulsing in his veins, that knot deep in his stomach formed from instinct and fear. He knew this wasn't like Denebola at all, and something this far out of character for her meant the worst-case scenario. She'd taught him many a thing in their time together, and Themisto could distinctly remember attempting to come to her rescue at the power plant. He was woefully unprepared for such a battle, having broken his arm and been knocked unconscious long before he could make any difference in turning the tide. He'd woken up in the hospital, doted upon by his sister and mentor.

Now, Themisto knew something was wrong, and maybe Denebola didn't have the chance to call for help this time.

"Themi-chan! There's a General nearby! Onegai, be careful!" cried the cat, clinging for dear life as Themisto sailed from rooftop to rooftop. He kept one arm around the cat as he desperately scanned for what might be Denebola's signature. A General nearby meant deep trouble.

What was that?

A Super signature... with the General's right on top of it...

Themisto took a hard right at the first opportunity, Itsuki knowing his senshi was headed directly toward the pair of power sources. Whether they were Denebola or not remained to be seen, but if a General was in town, they had to be stopped. The night was especially dark, with the moon half-covered by a thin veil of clouds. Thank goodness for festive holiday lights, or navigating while moving at breakneck speeds would be near impossible. The Mauvian had an idea - dampen Themisto's signature so they could at least get a good look at who was harassing who without drawing their immediate ire. Concentrating, Itsuki closed his eyes at their approach.

It didn't take long before the super senshi found himself on the building above the General, recognizing that pink streak and scythe immediately - the General from the power plant. Themisto's arm ached in memory even as his pulse and heart rate quickened. This General could kill him so easily, and he was already attacking...

"DENEBOLA!" he cried, leaping from the rooftop and landing on the ground behind the scythe-wielding lunatic. He was why Denebola was late. This a*****e could kill her and wouldn't think anything of it. Assholes like him needed to be put down, even if it cost Themisto his life. He'd happily lay it down on Crazy's scythe if it meant Denebola escaped, and perhaps it would come to that.

Itsuki cowered before the sight of the General, one he'd never seen. The madman's power signature was suffocating, smothering, choking, and little solace was found in the folds of Themisto's fuku. The lilac point would attempt to bridge the gap between Labyrinthite and Denebola to ascertain the dragonfly senshi's condition, but... would that even be possible?

"You wanna pick on somebody? You pick on ME." came a growl. Despite the General eclipsing him in power, nobody messed with Pern on his watch.

You think you can stop me?

...No, but I think I can slow you down...

Denebola meant everything to Themisto - she was there for him when the chips were down, she was warm and supportive when he needed a shoulder. She guided him through space and beyond, all without selfishness. She wasn't just a Super Senshi - she was the Super Senshi. It was this determination and love and appreciation for Denebola that steeled Themisto's nerves as the blows came. They were difficult to dodge, and trying to grab the staff part of the scythe was out of the question. As a General, Psycho-ite was stronger and faster than Themisto could ever hope to be, and each blow was coming dangerously close to lopping a part of his anatomy clean off.

The blade sliced his forearm, which was raised to protect his face and throat. "Dene! Get outta here! Run! RUN!"

Itsuki took the momentary lapse in the onslaught of blows to slip from Themisto's fuku and retreat behind him. The General's aura was thick and powerful and suffocating, eclipsing both Denebola and Themisto simultaneously. The cat had only encountered a General one other time, and they had barely escaped with their lives. Now, Themisto was actively taunting someone more powerful than himself, and while he meant to try and save Denebola, the chances of that was looking bleak.

Themi-chan... You're risking your life for someone you care about...

There was something twinkling on the edges of the Mauvian's perception, but his heart was pounding in his chest. Itsuki was certain Themisto didn't have the power to stop a General on his own, and even a Mauvian's beam ability would likely only annoy Labyrinthite. How could they get away with everyone intact, when someone this powerful could teleport?! And Denebola was injured, Themisto, her supposed rescuer, was starting to bleed as well.

We all have a star in our hearts...

Was it... was it time? Now, of all times?!

The blows kept coming, fast and furious and bloodthirsty. Themisto instinctively brought his arms to protect his face and neck. Easily did the scythe's blade slice right through his thin fuku and taste the blood of his arms. The senshi bit his tongue, thinking a cry would simply feed the General further. Dene... you have to get away... I'll distract him, you just... get outta here! Sweat beaded upon his brow and the senshi gritted his teeth to keep from screaming as the blade tore at his flesh.

Itsuki had hidden his face beneath furry paws, hoping with all his heart that both Tonbo-sensei and Themi-chan would run from the General and he'd disappear forever and never bother them again, and....

There was... something...

Cautiously, slowly, the lilac point lifted a paw and the sight he beheld was both horrifying and... incredibly beautiful.

There was a light, a distinctive glow, emanating from Themisto's starseed. In the midst of battle and fueled by the overwhelming desire to save Denebola at the cost of his own life. He loves her... Tears pricked Itsuki's eyes, but despite the pure adrenaline and fear in his tiny heart, the Mau knew Themisto would want this. Themisto would want more strength, even if it ultimately still lead to his death.

I want to be a hero, Itsuki! I want to be THERE for somebody, when they think nobody's gonna be there. When they think the chips are down and they're on the way out. I don't want... anybody to feel like I felt... back when mom left, and never came back.

The Mau took a deep breath and stood, wincing as Themisto took more and more furious blows from the General. The lost senshi attempted to dodge and sometimes succeeded, but it was a losing proposition. Denebola's eyes were deep with a soul-shattering sorrow. That look, plain on her face, the look of imminent loss of a loved one...

A light began to coalesce upon his lilac star, and the Mau shouted in a wavering voice,

"UPGUREIDO!!"

Themisto's eyes widened in a split second, feeling an incredible, sparkling warmth pass through him and into the very crevices of his being. Pure, unadulterated luminescence started to fill the alley, originating on Themisto and radiating outward in waves of warmth. It was incredible...

He'd only felt this way once before...

His wounds did not heal, and crimson blood still dripped down his arms and chest to the pavement below his feet. Despite the senshi's injuries, Themisto's spirit soared. He would not allow Labyrinthite to harm Denebola. Not. On. His. Watch.

Instinct took over, Themisto lifting his hand to his face, palm open. Taking a deep breath, it was now or never.

"Nebula Fletus!"

Adrenaline pumping furiously through his veins dulled the incredible pain from his numerous wounds. Labyrinthite, had he been able to continue, would have torn Themisto to shreds. His forearms were dripping with blood, staining his frayed pants and the concrete below. His chest and shoulders sustained several blows and nicks dotted his cheek and chin. Themisto looked like he'd been thrown through a blender and barely made it out alive on the other end.

"Themi-chan!" cried the Mau, rushing up beneath Themisto's legs to survey the damage. He would need stitches at the very least. The Mau knew instinctively that the senshi's attack would only buy them so much time. Itsuki used his claws as delicately as he could, climbing onto Themisto's back for their retreat.

Denebola's worried cries spurred Themisto into action. While he couldn't see the General, he could feel the murderer in the mist. Using what waning strength he still possessed, Themisto dropped to a run and used his momentum to wall-kick around the General. He couldn't risk taking even one more hit without falling - he'd lost quite a bit of blood. The fog wouldn't effect him, even as Themisto could hear the wailing and feel the churning of the souls around him like soup in the air. "Dene! Don't worry... don't worry, I got you..."

She was standing near the edge of the fog, and in the heat of the moment, Themisto felt incredible guilt seizing his heart like a frozen claw. He'd hurt Denebola... She would feel his arms around her, as wet as they were from the blood, scooping her up as best he could to start running out of the fog and away from the General. Itsuki clung to his back, attempting to dampen their signatures as they put distance between themselves and the Reaper.

Night air as cold and crisp, dulling some of the intense pain, but Themisto couldn't keep running for long. The boy's breathing hitched and his lungs were ablaze. Itsuki kept his vigil, concentrating on hiding their presence as they made their escape.

"Dene... don't... don't you worry... I got you..."