[BAT-ORP] Breach -- ORDER PREVAILS!! See pg71!

[A Wandering Esper]

Rumors are spread fast.

Themis hadn't been there for the event and the pointing, but Virgo had called to inform him soon after it had happened - he'd come for pickup as soon as his classes had ended, unable to get out any sooner than that.

And sure enough, they had a problem. A big problem. An huge problem.

Oh s**t.

"Civilians, stay behind us !" The words came without as much of a thought, on pure reflex, protective instincts kicking in.

This wasn't an ordinary youma. He could tell that much.

Well, this was looking like a party, alright.

Hesperis' lips were tightly sealed together, in an expression that was rarely seen on her face - worry. Not even all the arrogance in the world could have blinded herself to the fact that this thing was way belong her league.

Her league certainly, but together...

"Looks like it's party time, uh..." Her voice was low, even, as she summoned her staff.

Naica had a very distinct feeling that he should have stayed home. No, really, he should have stayed home, but... He knew his place was here. He'd decided that if he was going to be Naica... Then he would do so utterly and completely. That meant fear. That meant anxiety.

The road to being a better knight was stretched out in front of him, and even if he was tempted to turn back... He wouldn't.

He'd been scared for two years. What was one more time ?

He needed to be strong. Be brave, be brave, he told himself like a mantra.

He did not move to the front lines, but he did move forward, hesistantly, to step in front of the civilians.

They where the one that needed the protection the most. Not him.

Even Joshua couldn't deny that this was bad news. He'd stopped clinging outright to Holi, but he kept hovering around her - was in front of her the moment the first star went out.

Can't kill what's already dead, right... ?  

[ZaiaFantasy]

Harmony didn't have time to puzzle things through. She'd had a feeling of peace and allowed herself to believe that perhaps there was a way out of Wonderland that might actually require no further scary things or bloodshed. She believed it but when she saw the enemy on the horizon closing in on her peaceful little oasis she could no longer believe it. It was simply beyond her ability when faced with a very real enemy. What happened to peace and golden sparkles? What happened to fairylight and the promise of a trip home? She sighed and reality hit home.

"CAMELOT!"

She went running for the first and only person she could think of. He'd promised to protect her. Knew her mom. Promised to bring her home if he could. If her first experience with the dark side of this land was any indication she had no way to survive on her own. She'd need help to get through this and he was the only person who promised to do that for her. She only prayed her was around to help and not off on one of the other outposts.

Her eyes scanned everything around her, looking for him. Other people could pass her or run or scream but she had a goal and that kept her momentarily calm. Especially given that she had time before the bad things arrived. If she couldn't find Camelot out here she'd have to search the main building. If not there she wasn't sure what her next move would be. Being in the main house while people are attacking didn't seem safe. In fact, it seemed more dangerous than being out in the open. Sure, there were probably going to be better numbers of people inside but there was also the possibility of falling rubble and the basic idea that the incoming bad guys would focus on the main temple and not on the surrounding area with a less dense population of people.

Better to take her chances outside.

"Camelot!"  

[chiickadee]

Sailor Draconis whipped around immediately at the sound of the noise. It had been eerily peaceful for the past couple of days, and whatever this "it" was that so many civilians were talking nonsense about had finally come. After all, what else could "it" refer to but something bad?

Moments ago, Draconis had been admiring the Chronos Outpost. She wasn't a fan of history sure, but even she could admire its pinky enormity. Draconis decided that someday, she would own a castle like this. Or at least a giant mansion. Something big that said "look, I party harder than you do." That would be nice.

Then, at the peak of the silence, an enormousness dark had covered the sky. At first, she had just assumed it was a cloud covering the sun, like what happened on rainy days. Then she remembered something.

There were no clouds here.

Draconis turned around, considerably confused, and in her opinion, rightfully so. A noise shook The Surrounding, and she staggered a tad, if only a little. Suddenly it wasn't a singular noise, but multiple noise. And a giant aura. A giant negaverse aura. She looked to someone, anyone who could provide some insight. All she found was Themis, and he looked just as confused as she was. Looks like everyone knew it was coming, but not what was coming.

Well s**t.  

[Lithiasaur]

Camelot was more than ready to do his part for the people in the Surrounding. And there was much to be done. The civilians needed to be protected: a battle needed to be fought. The sheer immensity of it seemed overwhelming, terrifying in its way, but it only steeled the knight of Earth beyond anything he had known before.

This was what he was here to do. Not here in space. But why he had been awakened in the first place. To stop things like this, to try and prevent casualties and stop the fighting.

But something told him, perhaps the shadow and the cries that carried from it over the ever closing distance, that there would be no avoiding death here. This was going to be a full out battle of war. Like something seen in history books or fantasy epics.

Camelot had never seen anything like this before. Never felt anything like this before. A heavy weight of dread clung to him as he stared at the starless sky, though he had no time for things like this. Staring at the approaching doom that was inexorably drawing closer, with its villainous cavalry in tow. He had to be preparing, he reminded himself again.

There had to be some safe place for the civilians to hide, but how much time did they really have? Not long. Not long at all, and certainly not long enough.

He held on to his shield, his crystal, and his courage.

Glancing around, he took stock of the others, most importantly his Knights and the senshi he knew personally. Not because he was more concerned about them, but because he had the most faith in them. How could he not? He knew what they could all do, and how strong each was. He wanted to see them all through this, and knew that they would defend themselves and the civilians they were fighting for with everything they had.

And he would aid them.

He winced when he heard a civilian yelling for him, knowing who it was before he turned. He saw her running and felt a stab of fear. Kyndall's daughter.

"Harmony! Stay somewhere safe! It's too dangerous for you to be here!"


Grant, for his part, was finding it difficult to stay cheerful when things looked so bad so suddenly. Still, he smiled at those who needed one, and offered hugs and reassurances, his faith absolutely stocked in the senshi and knights, and their ability to defend this place. This was their home, right? As far as he knew. Invaders always had the harder time of it: they were fighting for their kingdom and their people. Even if their people were visiting from Earth. It still meant they woudl not lose their land without a hell of a fight.  

[OP-Yuna]

And where Themis was, Bellatrix was sure to go...however out of place and awkward she;d felt during her time at the surrounding. She'd done what she could in the background of it all, but she couldn't help but feel some measure of guilt for the civilians that had died. They were supposed to protect them until they could return them to earth. They'd failed. However for what was about to come, failure was not an option.




--



Natalia had noted how different the sky was starting to look, and it seemed others were noticing too. Then the feeling of deep foreboding came over her. Thus far, she'd avoided danger since the whale - staying in the safety, or relative safety, of her assigned outpost, or with a senshi guide when delivering food, and left the mirror maze defeated after somehow ending up back at the entrance... Now though...maybe she was beginning to feel her luck run out. But...but she had to have faith. Faith in their protectors, faith in herself, faith that good would prevail. Good was a relative term but, and a little cliche but.... Well? What was left but hope and prayer?  

[LittleLilyKitty]

Jade was still holding Menthe in a gentle embrace, giving her the illusion of safety when stars started to disappear over the Chronos. She had the feeling the illusion wouldn't last long but if it would make the green-haired secretary feel a little calmer, she had succeeded.

However, when the beast gave out it's roar, that illusion was quickly shattered into pieces. Jade's hands slided away around Menthe as she turned around to face the threat. She moved herself between the beast and her friend, ready to fight and protect her from danger.


Cora had heard the roar as well. But more than that, she felt the enormous energy of Chaos which instantly rose her fur up. "This is bad! This is bad!" she whimpered, moving around nervously. The cat girl was no fighter. She was a supporter, the one who soothed and comforted others. She was going to die in here, she was sure of that. Surely that would happen when he was not here to protect her.  

[kuropeco]

Celsus had been feeling it for hours now - the prickly, back of the neck sensation that made him feel uneasy. It was an extraordinarily unpleasant thing to experience - especially since more and more civilians had begun to die - in horrible ways, the youma having taken over the Surrounding.

He was on edge - it felt as though something - something - was about to happen. Standing outside for the past twenty minutes, just staring up at the sky, Celsus had been waiting - waiting for something, anything to give hi a sign of what they were doing, what the hell was going on.

A star blinked out of sight. His gaze cut across to the spot where it had once been, staring hard at the pinprick of blackness.

Another star. Then another.

It was starting.

The blackness rose, the glittering little dots vanishing faster and faster, something big, something enormous covering up the inky black sky. Celsus felt his heart begin to race, felt a tingling sensation begin from his toes and thrill all the way through his body. Anxiety threaded its way through his veins; anxiety mixed with apprehension and fear and determination.

His first encounter with the Negaverse and the Dark Mirror Court was about to begin.

Others had begun to gather - civilians, senshi, and knights alike. Celsus' eyes moved through the throngs of people, searching out the person he was sworn to protect; where was the princess? Where were Virgo, Leo, that other Chronos Knight he had seen so briefly during that meeting?

A few feet away stood Camelot, along with the dark haired senshi that Celsus remembered her name as Draconis. Another knight - though not a Chronos one - stood several yards to his left, with two others. And there were already civilians coming out, most looking terrified, others looking simply worried.

He was not just a civilian. At least, not anymore.

Making his way through the crowds, Celsus stepped towards the lavender haired knight, his face set, shoulders squared.

"You ready for this?" he murmured apprehensively, twisting the gold coin in his fingers.

Zero Dream

 

[DivineSaturn]

Something was wrong.

Sailor Aquarius looked up from her book. Now that she was able to decipher some of the writing, she didn't want to be disturbed. She was on the very precipice of discovery, she could just feel it. But something was wrong. It was more than the random explosions of sparkles from some civilians, more than the others who had mysteriously disappeared.

After trying unsuccessfully to ignore it, she put down her book and went outside. There were no rampaging monsters, no chaotic senshi. Not even any civilians running around, at least, not at the moment. It was the most peaceful she had even seen the Outpost, which didn't say much. But something was still wrong.

Then she looked up.

Well, that was definitely wrong. The sky was darker than usual, stars familiar from her long hours of gazing at them blotted out. Aquarius frowned, then paled as she saw the darkness expand. A roar shook her out of her thoughts. Whatever was coming, it was coming now, and she was not going to like it. Then again, what had she liked since coming to space? It was a pretty short list, when she stopped to think about it. The list of things that bothered her was far longer: monsters, youma, taking care of a bunch of ungrateful people who thought she was both incompetent and evil, having to lie to her family, falling behind in school after spending the whole summer catching up, and not having one moment of peace since she'd taken up the pen again.

Was this some sort of punishment for her behavior? Did the cosmos think she hadn't realized the consequences of her actions? She'd hidden, and other people had gotten hurt, even died, due to her inaction. She understood that, even if she couldn't quite face up to the truth all the time. Aquarius covered her eyes with her hands. Every time she wavered, she kept seeing the past replaying itself in her head. It filled her eyes and her ears, until her entire body was frozen, stuck in and endless loop. Smoke. Fire. The click of a gun being cocked. Blood, pain, darkness. Always, it ended in darkness.

Aquarius opened her eyes again. The darkness was still there, spreading, as the stars continued to wink out of existence. Or so it appeared; she could only hope that they were still there. If her constellation were to be destroyed, would she die along with it? Was that how she was going to be killed for good? Did that mean that she was only the extension of a bunch of stars, or a picture people saw in the sky?

"Enough." Questions were a good thing, but these were not productive ones, and this wasn't the time to be filled with self doubt. Something was coming. The only answer that mattered now would not be found in a book, or through any amount of thinking. She had to see this through to the end.


For as long as she could remember, Sailor Irene had dreamed of traveling the world, learning about the different cultures and peoples, exploring the past and creating the future. Traveling to other worlds had never come into consideration, not even in her wildest dreams. Then she met a talking cat, and became a senshi, and everything changed. Late-night jaunts to help fight monsters were common. Magical powers? Yup, she had those. There was even a whole team she belonged to! And as if that wasn't enough, she was called into space to help another superhero team fight off some bad guys they couldn't handle on their own.

Not that Irene felt she was going to be a huge help in fighting off space monsters, or even the normal kind she could almost say she had become accustomed to. Fighting in general was just not something she was really comfortable with, nor did she see herself ever adjusting to the point that she'd be okay with it. Maybe that was part and parcel of being the Senshi of Peace, or maybe it was because she'd lived such a sheltered life that the mere thought of hurting someone was abhorrent. Before her awakening, the closest she'd gotten to war was watching the news, or looking into history books. She'd thought she was pretty well-adjusted to the horrors of the world, knowing about torture, sacrificial rituals, and other bizarre customs that were natural to people from other parts of the world. Now, she knew that she knew nothing at all.

But it was too late for second thoughts now. She was there, and not just as a tourist. Not that the sightseeing hadn't been amazing. The architecture of Virgo Temple made her almost homesick, even though she had never been to Greece (or to Virgo). Leo was almost ridiculous in its splendor, and Irene found herself imagining what it had been like in its prime, filled with guests as opulently decorated as the building. The most interesting feature at Aquarius, the minaret, had been inaccessible, but the books and the atmosphere were both briefly diverting. Of course, nothing had held a candle to Chronos Castle, the jewel in the crown that was the Surrounding. It felt busy and warm, even though it was far larger than any other outpost. Irene found herself spending most of her time there, not that she was particularly needed.

Then something changed. An unnatural quiet spread, followed by shouts and screams. Irene didn't have to look outside to know that something was seriously wrong. That whatever the civilians had predicted was coming was no longer en route- it was there, or nearly so. Whatever she could or couldn't do when it came to fighting wasn't important, or so she hoped. There were people to protect, innocents who had no business being in the line of fire, and that she could do something about.

Or at least, she hoped the could.
 

[LizzyMoo]

"Well f*ck a duck..." Infamous first words as she approached clearing where the others began gathering in response to the obvious threat. Sailor Iris stood there, tall with a hand upon her hip as she seemed to size up the youma. Upon her head she had a feline. Normally she wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, however, this was an emergency it seemed.

The cat had been the one to get her and tell her to come out to see this approaching threat, then insisted that she get a place upon the blonde senshi's head. The eternal senshi didn't question it simply due to how urgent the manx's tone was.

"...well... ya weren't exaggeratin' at least..." the yellow suited senshi said with a sigh. Her gold eyes glanced about for any of her teammates.

In her human-like form, she was much shorter than Iris. Though she was certain that the senshi could have carried ********* about on her shoulders while she was in her human-like form, she was certain that this senshi would complain. So instead, she was using her feline form to try to keep an eye out from such a height for her girls. Hygiea, Irene and Eunomia were here, and if they did not show up, they could have potentially been in more danger by just being ill-prepared for such a monstrosity.

Though she hadn't seen anything yet, she murmured to her current perch "Do you see any of them yet?"

The Captain shook her head before remembering she had a rider there who might not have appreciated the movement. "Ain't see anythin' yet, cat."  

[A Wandering Esper]

"No." Was the answer Celsus got. Hey, at least he was honest. "No, but i-t... Doesn't m-atter. They're been though enough. T-They've suffered enough."

Too many had died already. If he could prevent one death... only one...

But he couldn't shake the feeling that good lord, he was going to die.

kuromeez

 

[ZaiaFantasy]

She spotted him and a flood of relief washed over her. She came up to a short stop in front of him, his words catching up only once she'd come to a standstill. Well, that was all well and good but she simply didn't know where would be much safer than surrounded by knights and senshi. Hiding by herself, alone, could be a great benefit or a great mistake. If not one came across her she might make it long enough to get through this. If something did she'd have no defenses but those she devised for herself and could be overwhelmed very easily. She wasn't a fighter like her mom.

"I don't know where to go." she admitted. "If I get caught alone I don't know what I'll do. I'm scared."

It didn't occur to her that he might be scared, too. He was a knight and exempt from fear and a lack of courage in his convictions. At least in her eyes. She looked around at the other people, beginning to panic, and knew a frightened mob wasn't far behind. There were less people here now than there were before and she finally realized the cost of life. People had died. She simply hadn't seen it. To this point she was glad she hadn't been around the extra danger but seeing the toll the enemy took without a full scale attack made things a little more dire. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Where's safer than with you and a bunch of senshi?" she asked, not wanting to be on her own. Her large violet eyes looked up at him. She was trying not to tremble and give into her panic. That was the surest way to die. Losing control was not an option...but the longer she thought about it the closer to an option it became.  

[derivative]

One by one, the stars winked out. One by one, tiny fingers closed around his heart, squeezed until they stole his breath.

It had been a long time since the Surrounding had faced something like this. Too distant for his own memories, though Leo had been delving deeper and deeper in efforts to remember what had been lost, to become truer to who he was, as of late. Still, nothing could have prepared him for the enormity of the moment, for the knowledge that his homeland -- the final barrier -- his sacred responsibility, of this life and all those past -- was being threatened.

Civilian, senshi, and knights swarmed around him, moving and blending together as one mass while those who were aware readied themselves for battle, and those who weren't struggled not to panic. He strode across the road, cloak snapping behind him, and forced himself to bury his own anxiety. His own fear, his guilt, his crippling insecurity that this time, more would die.

He'd already seen one young man die in front of him, had watched his body fade out of existence. It would be naive to think that Joshua Harvey would be the last. He certainly hadn't been the first. Many, many more had fallen, and judging by the ominous rumble of the approaching chaos, many more would.

But he would stand up to them. He would fight, and if it took his dying breath to hold back the Negaverse, then it would. That was what he had been born for.

Removing his mask, he held it tightly in one hand and bellowed, "Form groups! Civilians, to the back!"

Collecting in one large group would just make them an easy target, but several small groups... protected by a senshi or a knight... it was a better bet than nothing.

His eyes, narrowed and searching, sought Virgo, but he couldn't find her. His princess was also lost to him, but he hoped -- had faith -- that they were together. Virgo would know to protect the princess. At all costs, she would know.

Dread unfurling in his stomach, he replaced his mask, flexing his fingers at his sides. Whatever came, he was as ready as he could be.