Written by BHart
January 19, 2009

Act XCV
Unlikely Sympathizers

Sailor Himalia was reporting to the council. "We haven't found the two missing senshi in the capsule room, but we're still looking."

"We got reports that their airship crashed just outside the outskirts of our jurisdiction. Has anything been found yet?"

"The wreckage was searched, but no senshi were there. The bodies of those four women law enforcers were found in pieces; scattered underneath some of the airship debris," reported Himalia.

"What have the townspeople told the soldiers about the whereabouts of the senshi?"

"They haven't been cooperating," responded Himalia.

"Have everyone in that town executed and check any surrounding areas. We'll find them somewhere."

"Shall we continue searching for the two missing sailor senshi?" inquired Himalia.

"No, our main focus will be preventing those sailor senshi and their entourage from coming within these walls."

There were nine towns in the jurisdiction of Traliz. Four on the outskirts, forming a half-circle; three more a few miles further west, forming a smaller half circle; and two more even farther west, just 20 miles from the three great bridges leading to the Traliz capital.

The senshi already visited the four outskirt towns and were approaching the next three. They had already gathered up 100 women to help them. Kaylee was leading the group. She and the other sympathizers were dressed in black robes, with the symbol for female printed largely on them. This was a common outfit worn by anti-male enthusiasts when they congregated.

Kaylee and some of the sympathizers entered one of the towns. Everyone else was cleverly hidden in the woods.

Kaylee was approached by a middle-aged woman with short, brown hair. "Is there a meeting today?"

"Yes."

"I never heard about that. Let me check my schedule."

"Well, there will be one soon; we're gathering people for it already. It's spur of the moment."

"Is something big going to happen? I can play the piano to start the meeting off. I'm the most musically talented person on the planet."

"Uh, yeah, sure; listen, we're in a hurry."

"I'll catch up with you when you're done." The woman left.

"God, I hate that woman. She's so controlling, backbiting and annoying," remarked a sympathizer.

"Don't forget arrogant and rude," added another.

"The sooner we get out of here, the better," said Kaylee.

"Agreed; I hope I never see Jackie Casdorph again. A more appropriate name for her would be Casdork."

"That's what we'll call her from now on," declared Kaylee.

After gathering up people, they went to get the others in hiding. They arrived at a small, leafy shelter behind some hills. "We're back," announced Kaylee.

The others came out of hiding.

They heard someone yell, "Stop." Casdork was behind them, along with a small group of women.

"Who is that?" asked Kousagi.

"That's Casdork, a lowly follower of the council. She killed her husband Charlie, years ago," explained Kaylee.

"I didn't want to believe it, but I'm afraid it's true," said Casdork.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Kaylee. I contacted the council, and they ordered me to keep you at bay until they send Traliz soldiers to take you all into custody."

"Are you kidding? We'll wipe the floor with you before they can even get here," threatened Rie.

"This will give us a fighting chance." Casdork revealed a strange looking device resembling a big spray can, connected to a tube.

"This is poisonous gas. It will kill you in a matter of seconds," warned Casdork.

They backed away from her.

"Don't step back any further, I'm not going to let you get away." Casdork got hesitant, spraying the gas.

The gas reached Sailor Charon, who was standing the closest to Casdork. Casdork was shocked that she didn't die from the gas. Sailor Miranda created a gust of wind to blow away the gas before it reached any more of them. The gas was blown back at Casdork and her lackeys. They continued their journey, leaving the recently deceased behind.

They decided to skip the other towns. It was too risky to be seen.

They made their way to three large bridges built across a large body of water, separating the council of princesses' headquarters from the outside world. There were soldiers coming across one of the bridges.

"No doubt they're coming after us," said Kousagi.

"There goes our surprise attack," remarked Tokamo.

"If we wait too long, more reinforcements will arrive, making it nearly impossible to cross," said Vlaad.

"You're right, we've got to come up with a plan," agreed Mittens.

"We'll distract them," offered Kaylee, volunteering.

"No, you'll get slaughtered. We can't allow that," replied Kousagi.

"It will be your best chance of crossing over. We've got to take it. We can't miss this opportunity." With that, Kaylee and her group left.

"She's right, you know. This is the role they'll play in helping us get inside the council's headquarters. They are doing the greater good," reassured Suhya.

"We must move now, or else we won't be in a position to take advantage of Kaylee's distraction," said Vlaad.

They got within half a mile of the grand bridges. They were closest to the southern-most bridge.

"What's that over there, by the bridge?" asked Chirimu.

"Looks like some dead person," responded Tokamo.

"Probably another one of the council's victims," thought Erewan. They were peering over some rock formations.

Kaylee's group met the soldiers on the bridge. "Halt! What business do you have here?"

"We've come to convene on the council grounds," explained Kaylee.

"No one is allowed here until we find the sailor senshi. Do you have information regarding their whereabouts?"

"We know nothing about that. Please, we must meet on the council grounds, there are people waiting for us," pleaded Kaylee.

"Now's our chance," informed Parne. They came out from hiding, running towards the bridge.

One of the soldiers spotted them. "There they are, go after them!"

Kaylee and her group pulled out concealed weapons. "Down with the council of princesses!" shouted Kaylee, stabbing a soldier. A battle ensued.

Kousagi had a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry yourself about them, they'll be fine," reassured Suhya.

They approached the bridge, seeing what appeared to be a dead man covered in robes, with a long, white beard. He muttered something.

"Oh my gosh! He's still alive. I didn't think we'd find a man so close to the council. I wonder how he got here?" said Rykel.

"Are you okay, sir?" asked Rakuah.

"I was injured by Traliz soldiers. They left me here to die. Please, help me up," requested the old man.

Maybel was using her fourth eye ability, scanning the area to make sure there were no hidden Traliz soldiers nearby. "Get away from that old man!" warned Maybel.

The old man's cover was blown by Maybel. It was really Sailor Rosalind in disguise. Sailor Rosalind was in her sailor senshi uniform. It was red and green.

Rosalind's hair turned into green, thorny vines, entangling those nearest to her. The thorns pierced through armor and flesh alike, giving a burning sensation. Anyone who tried to help free them got pricked themselves.

Kaylee's group was quickly diminishing in numbers. "It's time for plan B," yelled Kaylee, informing the others.

Kaylee's group had placed small bombs on the bridge. There were soldiers coming down towards them and the senshi. Kaylee gave the signal, allowing them to detonate their bombs. The bridge beneath them crumbled, falling many feet below into the water, taking everyone with it.

"They sacrificed themselves for us. Damn you, Kaylee! That wasn't necessary," cried Kousagi.

"Come on Kousagi, focus on helping those who aren't dead yet," encouraged Suhya.

They cut the vines with their weapons, but they rapidly grew back. Pods grew on the vines. Any moderate disturbance ruptured them, spilling a small amount of acid. It was too dangerous to free them.

A large venus flytrap-looking mouth protruded from Rosalind's stomach. It was biting at the person nearest to it, which was Sailor Miranda. She kicked it away. It tore some pieces off her uniform.

Sailor Charon grabbed the ends of the vines.

"What are you doing? You'll get injured," warned Omatase.

"I'll be okay." She continued holding on tightly to the vines, enduring the pain of the thorns puncturing her hands. A dark light emanated from her hands, traveling down the vines swiftly.

Sailor Rosalind was struck by this dark power, stunning and immobilizing her. The vines withered, falling to the ground. Sailor Rosalind was weakening. Her hair fell out. The aberration coming from her stomach fell off and died. Her body became emaciated, and her face sunken in. Soon, all that was left of her was a desiccated corpse lying on the ground.

Everyone looked in astonishment at Sailor Charon.

"What did you do?" asked Sailor Ares.

"I drained her soul. Now I've got my abilities back to the level where they used to be. I need to do that every time my powers weaken."

Everyone felt a little uneasy and backed away from her.

Anestus laughed.

"What's so funny?" asked Rakuah.

"Don't worry; it only works on evil beings."

They tended to their wounds before proceeding. Sailor Charon was the only one not bleeding. Her scratches and puncture wounds healed relatively quickly.

There were only two bridges remaining now. Sailor Parallel Moon looked back in sadness.

"No time to be sentimental, let's go," ordered Suhya.

They crossed the quarter mile long bridge. They heard reinforcements on their way. More soldiers were crossing the bridge.

"We'll plow right through these wussies in no time," boasted Vlaad.

"Um, maybe so, but look what they've brought with them." Mittens pointed to a gigantic beast coming up from behind the soldiers.

"Oh Lord, that's.."

"A behemoth," said Mittens, interrupting Tokamo.

..to be continued..