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(Battle of the Pretty Menshi, GO!)

He'd thought he'd be able to make it farther than this. He thought he'd be able to avoid having to come to blows with one of the blasted unenlightened. Carnelian was out on his usual route through the parks and area surrounding the middle and elementary school when he happened upon a sight he hoped he'd never have to see - an assault in progress.

The night air was calm and steady for hours before this encounter. Not a single unfriendly blip on his radar to speak of, and the redhead of the Negaverse was simply leaping from building to building guiding passersby into alleys between structures to seduce and drain them and to pocket his profits. Carnelian was doing double time to make up for his girlfriend's life being too busy to assist in her quota. It was no trouble at all; he'd make the rounds for the both of them. His velvet coat fluttered like pure darkness in the air and kept him warm, wrapped in its loving embrace.

He was about to call it a night when he that familiar and frightening pang of energy appeared on his scan. A senshi. A white moon senshi, and one near his level at that. Frowning, Carnelian was debating the options available to him - track down the senshi and find out what they were doing, run and save his skin, report to a captain and tell them what was going on... He'd heard a scream and against his better self-preservationalist judgment, started making his way towards the scene.

What he found utterly appalled him.

Carnelian happened upon a male wearing... something ridiculous, pushing a civilian to the ground. What was with these people, thinking assault was acceptable? Euclase would have been proud as Carnelian puffed out his chest and swallowed the shriek that would have escaped his lungs if he let it.

"YOU. Unhand her!" was all he shouted and for the first time in his life, readied his attack.

Carnelian scoffed. Really? Make a mistake? Who could mistake a poor, innocent woman shrieking for her life, her terror caused by the White Moon terrorists? Who could mistake that?

"I think not. There's no mistaking what you've done to this poor woman, and it's my job to stop you." Dropping down from his perch on the building's roof, Carnelian's coat swayed in the breeze. Whether or not the woman reacted to his presence was none of his concern at the moment. He knew he was a senshi as well, but the difference between him and this White Mooner was that Carnelian was enlightened. The redhead did his best to look stoic and intimidating, trying to position himself between Athene and the woman.

The corrupted senshi lifted his hands and bent his elbows, forearms facing the senshi - the first warning before his attack. "You have three seconds to turn around and leave this poor woman alone, terrorist." The word had some bite to it, or at least Carnelian was trying to make it so. He'd never done this whole one-on-one battle thing before. He hoped he wouldn't break a nail.

Oh please. This was the kind of rabble and useless circle-talking the others had warned him about. Carnelian had to keep his wits about him because he knew White Moon Senshi could not be trusted. They wanted to enslave the world and install some frigid queen in place of humanity's freedom. He wouldn't allow it.

"You just wanted to make sure you could slap shackles on her without any protest. Maybe leave her homeless while you're at it. I've seen what you've done. She's seen it too." He took several more steps towards the senshi, arms still locked in their pre-attack position. Would he really have to use it, or could he scare off the White Mooner and save this poor woman? She looked like she was about to faint.

"That's what you people do. We've seen the television programs and read the papers... That's why we're here to stop you!" Carnelian sincerely hoped he sounded intimidating, for he was simply mimicking what he'd heard action stars do in their movies. When it seemed obvious that the White Mooner either had no idea what he was talking about or was simply playing dumb, Carnelian sucked up what little masculinity he had and let loose his attack. "Pain." Pulling his arms out from his chest, small distortions formed in the air around Athene, poised and waiting to strike.

Okay, so now what?

Carnelian's hands were trembling with adrenaline. He'd never felt quite like this before! This must've been how Euclase felt whenever she fought, and she was certainly the better fighter of the two. Swallowing the lump in his throat, the corrupted senshi put on his best scary face and walked slowly towards the downed White Moon senshi, ignoring the woman he was trying to save. It was easier to save her with a senshi out of the way. She'd understand, right?

"Let this be a lesson to you - we won't let you and others like you hurt more innocent people. We've had enough." His voice was low and even, but there was a trembling that was easily detectable. Carnelian wasn't a fighter - he tried to stay away from everyone as much as he could to avoid being injured. He hoped to progress in the ranks with Euclase, but without battles.

Obviously that wasn't going to happen.

Hands on his hips, Carnelian regarded Athene coldly. "I'm a senshi, but not like you. I prefer freedom over enslavement to aliens."