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It seemed that some things were destined to be for one Negaverse Lieutenant named Buddingtonite, still newly awakened but endeavoring to make up for lost ground. He took immense pleasure in suiting up, and today he already had a plan in motion for gathering up a little energy for himself. He needed energy, and he needed it from someone who had a lot of it, but had little means of fighting back. Or, in the very least, would be gullible enough to allow a Negaverse general to get close enough to cipher some of it.

Today, he had his eyes set on perhaps the most gullible but most abundant source of energy that existed in Destiny City, and that was children. In truth, Buddingtonite always had an issue with children, especially the disgusting ones that didn't mind their manners or wash their hands and contaminated his candy and sweets. No, he definitely didn't like them, and so he felt little guilt in psuedo-stalking a particular group of tykes as they left his store in droves.

He disliked children in general, but this set of kids? Oh, he'd take much pleasure in riding their little bodies of their energy. The leader, especially! He saw him go into the bathroom, but not once did he hear the toilet flush or the faucet flow, and the way he dug his grimy little hands into his freshly prepared batch of jelly babies... it had taken everything for him not to suit up right then and there!

No, he kept his cool. Even now, as he managed to slip in front of all five kids, maybe eleven or twelve (Buddingtonite truly didn't care, a kid was a kid), pinwheel in hand and a big, innocent smile on his face, though the twinkle in his crimson eyes would have been a big enough warning to anyone with half a brain. The children looked up at him, mixed expressions on their stupid little faces, not once recognizing that the Negaverse officer that was about to suck them dry and leave them at the bus stop was the same candy shop owner who's candy had been ruined, all by a single little twit that didn't wash his hands! He tried not to let this show, as he kept his tone sugar sweet and pleasant.

"Evening, boys. In case you're too busy yapping away to notice, the street lights are on, and that's a clear sign that it's far too late for you to be out and about," Buddingtonite said, motioning to the nearby lamp with his pinwheel and speaking to them as though he were a member of the police force. Authoritative, but friendly, not wanting to give away his intentions. They maybe mock him, laugh at his attire- after all, who would think a man with a pinwheel to be threatening? "Don't you know it's dangerous, what, with all the monsters, street thugs and terrorist scurrying about?"

He stepped closer, liking how none of them seemed to run away, and that made his grin grow wider. Yes, they might have been startled, or told not to talk to strangers, but he knew little boys. Prideful things, misled by society not to show fear or caution, and none of them wanted to be the one to turn away and run first. And Buddingtonite would take full advantage of that, real soon. "It's alright, though. I'll keep you little rascals safe."

Typical young boy mentality, Buddingtonite thought, as he slowly approached the little troublemakers, despite being outnumbered and appearing 'harmless' to them. He had to admire their bravery, but he chocked it up to ignorance, and he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Whatever kept the little monsters still long enough for him to get his revenge, he thought with a grin, and he continued to twirl the pinwheel, taking one slow, calculated step closer with each spin. "Such a small vocabulary you have if you must resort to such language. If this pinwheel was a bar of soap, I'd shove it in that little mouth of yours so quickly that you'll pass bubbles for weeks."

One of the kids had chuckled but it didn't last long, and the two kids in the back had actually taken a step back, despite how their leader remained firm in his stance. Buddingtonite paid little attention to them, as his blood-red eyes were pinned on the one that had ruined his entire batch of jelly babies, and he openly chuckled at his brave words. "Who am I? I am Lieutenant Buddingtonite, my ignorant little friend. I am he who defends this beloved city from the monster that you are too young and stupid to be afraid of. I am your friend. Your Buddy."

He had come into this with some inkling of a plan, and he was close, so close, to where he could simply reach forward and grab the ring-leader's neck and start draining his energy. And that was his intention entirely, until he felt something bright and fuzzy within him, and he recognized the sensation immediately. There was a White Moon Senshi on the way, and whoever it was, felt just as strong as that Pomona lady he had run into once before. Which meant an Eternal. Which meant... he was horribly outranked!

Still, he showed no outward panic to the children, and if anything, he had taken a more paternal approach with the little ones, opening his arms and looking to try and lure them closer to him, as he could feel the senshi approaching. Despite his insults to the ring-leader, he played it cool and friendly now, as he motioned them to come closer to him. If he was going to cipher some energy and do his job, he'd need them to come to him willingly. If the kids were close, maybe it'd give him some sort of leverage? It was the starting of a plan, at least, and Buddingtonite was trying to physically, and mentally, prepare himself for whoever it was that was approaching. Revenge against the dirty ring-leader would have to wait... "Monsters are very real, and one is on its way right now. I admire your bravery, but I assure you. You should be very, very afraid of the monsters that lurk in this city."

Buddingtonite was expecting some kind of resistance from the little troublemaker, but he had underestimated just how much back talk he'd get. That, or he felt too rushed to work his charm, as the energy signature was already upon them. He stood straight when Ganymede appeared, and as he expected, it was an Eternal ranked senshi, as apparent with the wings that graced his rear. Her rear. Buddingtonite had met several crossdressers and even roomed with one during his college years, but he had to admit that he was genuinely taken off guard with Ganymede's appearance.

Not necessarily in a bad way, though. Gender hardly mattered to Buddingtonite unless he was going to say 'he' or 'she', and he'd cross that bridge in just a moment. For now, he had to play it cool, despite how much he lamented not acting against the child earlier when he had the chance.

The senshi, despite being much stronger than him, hadn't immediately attacked him, so perhaps there was still a chance for things to go his way? Buddingtonite was willing to play along, and he was certain that he was able to conceal a strong 80 percent of whatever nervousness he felt behind a polite facade, and in response to Ganymede's relatively simple demand, he countered with a demand of his own. And stepped closer to the children, past them, until he had put himself between the senshi and the boys.

He looked straight at Ganymede, but his words were for the children, as he brought his pinwheel into a defensive position, despite how utterly ridiculous he might have looked. "See what I'm talking about, boys? Monsters lurk this city, even if they take the appearance of an angel."

The ring-leader wasn't wrong. He was full of s**t, however, Buddingtonite didn't see this situation as completely foregone just yet. He still had a few cards up his sleeve, and he had his own legs to carry himself and flee should the opportunity presented itself. He didn't need revenge, did he? No, but he wasn't willing to let go of that just yet.

On a normal day, Buddingtonite could take in insults, chew them up, and find a way to throw them right back at his verbal assailant in kind. But the knowledge of just how much stronger he suspected this one was, as well as the thought of allowing the child that had wronged him to get away, made it so hard for him to keep a hold of his cool, caring demeanor. Ganymede's insults hit far deeper than they might have on a regular day, and when the kids seemed to be taking Ganymede's side on the matter and started to back away, the Lieutenant looked back at them, his gaze on the ring leader especially. "I'd be careful... there are many of their kind, roaming the streets in disguise, eager to snatch up young ones and indoctrinating them into their army as slaves."

He recalled what the Dark Mirror Senshi Remarque had told him about Chibi senshi, and while he had yet to encounter the little monstrosities, he was willing to use all of his cards before he was forced to fold. All else failed, he'd grab the ring-leader and use him as a hostage- mental scarring would be more than enough for his revenge at this point!

"They call them Chibi Senshi, and what kind of person inducts little children into their army?" Buddingtonite felt that he had found his footing again, and while he could see a few of the kids willing to take that risk and run away, the ring-leader, the one he wanted, was still close enough for him to grab if need be. Either he believed Buddingtonite, or he was truly that brave and reckless. "Why, I bet he has a few lying in wait, just beyond my reach, to snatch you up. Better you stick with a school yard bully than a child snatcher..."

He looked to Ganymede with a rather smug smile, one that was almost enticing for anyone to want to run up and punch him in the face. "Wouldn't you say?"

"You're both stupid." Said the ring-leader, neither moving away with his friends nor getting any closer to Buddingtonite. "And you both look stupid, too."

"Oh, so you openly admit to wanting to induct children into your little war? I was merely bluffing on that one..."

Whether it was Ganymede's most recent warning or simply overcome with common sense, all of the children except the ring-leader began to back away. The two in the back actually darted down the street without another word, and truthfully, Buddingtonite couldn't blame them. The Senshi was right, minus the whole 'about to piss his pants' bit (though maybe not by too much- he was shaking a little), but that wasn't enough for him to give up on his quest for vengeance just yet. Before the one that ruined his candy could get out of range, Buddingtonite reached back and grabbed the unruly youth by the neck, and just as Ganymede expected, he thrust him between them.

"Hey! Let me go, creep!" cried the youth, a hint of fear evident despite trying to sound tough, and to give the youth some credit, he wasn't willing to take this whole hostage situation without a fight. He grabbed at the lieutenant's wrists and began to kick, but Buddingtonite was blessed with long enough range to keep his kicks from hitting the rest of his body, and the strength he received from accepting chaos into him allowed him to lift the boy up, so the sight of his feet dangling made the incoming altercation worth it. "Let me go! Let me go!"

Perhaps it was a little too predictable and it seemed text book villain, but Buddingtonite wasn't the type to care about such things. He had the one he wanted, and even if the Eternal Senshi was going to attack him, the most he could hope for was that the little brat that ruined his entire stock would get the scare of his very life this evening. For that, it would be worth the pain this vibrant Senshi would put him through. A twisted sense of logic, but Buddingtonite knew he should have suspected a little pain along the way. Might as well try to enjoy it.

"Very well, guess I should give into desperation. After all, you're absolutely right. You are much, much stronger than I am, and while you may not like the outfit you were given by the cosmic tailor, I wouldn't be so harsh on yourself," Buddgintonite said, neither taking a step forward nor taking a step back. He could hear a few of the kids stop and look back, but none of them dared to help their friend. Now that the real monster exposed himself, none were willing to challenge him, and that allowed the desperate lieutenant the freedom of addressing the senshi before him with his full and undivided attention. "There are many cultures out there that fine pale skin to be attractive, and your eyes more than make up for anything else you might find lacking in your attire."

Certainly not the time to be flirting, given the hostage situation and who his opponent was, but Buddingtonite was still willing to try all routes before either looking for an escape route or, worst possible idea, fighting the Eternal Senshi. As foolhardy as he was, he didn't want to see this Senshi in attack mode, and he put his hopes on him not wanting to hurt an 'innocent' when he could have abducted him into his court later for now. "I don't think I've had the chance to properly introduce myself. I'm Lieutenant Buddingtonite. And you are?"

There was a small part of Buddingtonite that suspected that this was a bad idea, but that part (likely his common sense) was small, shriveled away and pathetically weak compared to his desire for the rush of adrenaline and feeding his own ego. That part of him seemed to always elude him, even now, when Ganymede completely tossed aside his attempts at flattery and went straight for his attack. And as fast as Buddingtonite thought he was, he only had enough time to drop the kid and brace himself for the attack, never once experiencing a White Moon senshi's magic at full force but knowing to expect the worse.

As cowardice as it might have appeared, he closed his eyes and rose his arms to shield his face from whatever horrors that Ganymede was about to release on him, not once hearing his words or how he had mentioned Benitoite. When it hit, he was expecting pain, nothing but a searing pain, and perhaps to be dusted immediately. After all, he was but a lowly lieutenant with nothing but a pinwheel and some years in fencing to fall back on. Yet, when it hit, he didn't feel pain.

Oh, he felt something, something he was actually quite familiar with and experienced much. The ring-leader had already fled by the time Buddingtonite opened his eyes, and the moment his crimson eyes landed on the object before him, he recognized this sensation. This burning, churning sensation within his gut and spreading throughout his body was one he felt often, yet, this was something different. Something bigger.

The trouble-maker that had ruined his candy and messed up his restroom was long since gone from his mind. Everything was, actually, as the only thing he wanted, desired, needed, was that tall, slender, beautifully crafted yet poorly maintained lamp post. And nothing was going to stop him from getting what he wanted, needed, and Buddingtonite dropped his pinwheel and charged straight for the lamppost as the burning sensation continued.

"Come to poppa!"

Making love to a lamp post would have seemed typical if one knew who Buddingtonite was in his civilian form, given that he was an admitted sex addict. Given the proper encouragement and maybe some liquor, he felt he could woo the pants off of anyone, or in this occasion, anything, and the lieutenant had no idea of the horrors to come until it was literally upon him. It didn't even start small for Buddingtonite, the sudden rise in temperature and the sensation of fire seeming to go from metaphorical to literal within him, and it wasn't too long before his pleasured groans became screams of pain.

The moment Buddingtonite started screaming, the ring-leader lost his nerve and fled the scene, not once giving Ganymede nor the lieutenant that writhed in pain a second glance but fear was obvious on his face. He wanted nothing to do with this situation and if Buddingtonite could ever get over this maddening, burning sensation within him, he'd be pleased to know that he at least managed to scar a few kids for life this evening.

When it came to pain, Buddingtonite already had a low tolerance too it, despite what his pride might think, and he felt little shame in his behavior and reaction to the intense burning he felt within him. He flung himself away from the lamp post and began to flail around, looking around for the flames but surprised that he couldn't see them, yet he felt them all the same! What did he care if they were there or not? It hurt like hell, and all he could do was wrap his arms around himself and scream.

"O-oh god... d-douse the flames!" He screamed, hitting the ground at Ganymede's feet and doing nothing to hide his shame, as the burning got worse and worse. Never in his life had he felt such pain, and he wasn't afraid to look up at the Eternal senshi and want to beg for the pain to stop. Did he have any control over it? If so, then what kind of sadistic b*****d was he to keep this going? Suddenly it didn't matter what that trouble maker did to his restroom and candy back at the store- all he wanted was the pain to stop, and the lieutenant curled into an even tighter ball, wondering when the pain was ever going to end. Would it end? Or would he simply keep burning and shrivel away into ash?

It certainly felt that way!

It felt like an eternity when the flames finally became to die down, and bit by bit, Buddingtonite's body, which was curled into a tight, trembling little ball at the Eternal Senshi's feet, began to loosen up and relax. His rapid breathing began to slow and calm until it was nothing more than shallow and shuddering, and when Buddingtonite opened his crimson eyes and looked around, to see that there were no flames, no more pain, only Ganymede before him, his pain was soon replaced with a more painful emotion.

Humiliation.

It took a moment for the lieutenant to catch his breath and gather himself, and each second it took, the more and more began to build up in his system like a bad drug. After a few moments, Buddingtonite was finally able to stand on his own, taking his time to dust himself off and make himself presentable, making it a point not to look at Ganymede until he was certain that he looked his best.

All the while, his mind was whirling, thinking of what just happened and trying to fathom it. How did the senshi managed to do that to him with a single attack? And, most confusingly, why did Ganymede seem... apologetic... in using it against him? It was baffling to Buddingtonite- had the situation been reversed, he knew he would have been tapdancing throughout the whole ordeal, mocking and teasing until he drew his last breath. Yet, this one didn't, and it confused Buddingtonite more than anything.

Though, not that he wasn't grateful. Anything to make sure he didn't feel such pain and humiliation again. Finally, he cleared his throat, and he knew that Ganymede could see through his facade, but that didn't mean he couldn't be a gentleman about it. "Yes, quite. Well then... how about a truce. How about I promise... not to hurt another child again in your presence, if you don't tell anyone about me kissing that lamppost back there."

He didn't care about the whole 'screaming in agony' part- Ganymede could announce THAT to the entire world for all he cared. If they knew what it felt like, they wouldn't blame him for his reaction. It was the whole making out with a lamppost bit that Buddingtonite wanted to hide, and it was taking everything within his power not to want to spit out the taste in his mouth. Enemy or not, he still had to mind his manners. "Does that sound like a good plan, Senshi?"