Sailor Moon: The Rise of B'aal
Chapter 15
Israel desert, nearly 30 miles south of the West Bank:
In the dying light of the setting sun in the ancient land, little desert lizards and animals were busily scurrying around the sand and shrubs, looking for any last minute food and water before another day was done. A majestic Red-tailed hawk flew high overhead, its high-pitched screech echoing far and wide throughout the land. It circled a few times, then flew down swiftly, almost too fast for the human eye to see, to snatch up a desert rat in its sharp talons. It then flew away with a triumphant flap of its wings, the rat squealing loudly in its grasp.
For a few moments, the scene was serene and silent, until a sudden wind picked up, scattering shrubs and tumble weed everywhere. There was a bright flash of intense white light, followed by streaks of colorful beams of light landing on the desert ground together. The streaks of rainbow-like lights glowed for a few seconds, then began to slowly dim, then finally dissipated. When the light was gone, 13 figures opened their eyes slowly and looked around in bewilderment and surprise. Never before had they been in a place so ancient, so...beautiful. Desert animals of all kinds scattered away in fright of the intruders, others ran behind rocks and boulders, their eyes large and waiting to see what the strangers would do. Short cactus plants and tiny desert bushes waved gently in the cooling, late afternoon breeze, giving the place a calming sound.
"Whoa!" whispered Sailor Moon, turning around in a circle to survey her surroundings. "Where are we? Did we come to the right place?" She turned to give Mercury a hopeful yet worried look.
The Senshi of Water quickly took out her mini-computer and typed with sure fingers. "Well, we are in Israel, that much I can say, but unfortunately, we missed our target point by a few miles. We're going to have to walk over there on our own. Doing another Sailor Teleport would be too much of a drain on our energy." She closed the lid on her mini-comp and pointed to the left. "We're about 30 miles south of the West Bank, in the mountainous regions. The Dead Sea is about 5 to 6 miles ahead of us up north. The closest civilization to us is two cities called En Ghedi and Beer Sheeba-"
"But what about our target site?" asked Sailor Sirius, walking up to Mercury with a worried look. "How did we miss it anyway? Are we going to be able to find it in this big place?"
"Yeah, we didn't exactly come here with provisions, so we can't afford to stay in the desert very long," said Jupiter, pushing a lock of brown hair behind her ear.
"That's just what I was getting at. I did some more calculations, and our target is somewhere along the banks of the Dead Sea, near the Israel/ Jordan border. Something..or someone, somehow must have thrown us off course as we were traveling here." Mercury sighed and ran a nervous hand through her hair. "I...I was sure I had the right calculations the first time...really. I've never been so far off from my mark..." Before she could help it, doubt about her abilities began to enter the girl's heart. She was the brains of the group. If she failed, what would that mean to the others?
"Mercury, it's alright, we'll find a way to it. It's not your fault." Sailor Moon put a gentle hand on Mercury's shoulder and smiled with reassurance.
"She's right," Sailor Pluto stepped up and nodded with confidence. "We are all confident in your abilities, Sailor Mercury. Besides, we're all together, and that's what matters right now. We have a better chance at surviving here all together than individually." The older senshi looked up at the nearly set sun, and nodded once again. "Come, we don't have much time to lose. The desert at night is as dangerous as in the day. We should get moving."
With a determined nod, the group headed north, hoping beyond hope that somehow, they would be able face whatever evil await them and come out alive.
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With a sigh, the young Palestinian girl swung her leg over the hump of the Bactrian camel she rode, and slid down to the ground. All around her, the traveling caravan she and her mother were riding with also began to stop their camels and unpack their things for the upcoming night. After a quick prayer in thanks to Allah for bringing her and her mother this far safely, the girl sighed, then went to help her mother and anyone else who needed a hand. Within half an hour, tents were set up, and fires started to ward off the cold desert night air.
After eating her meager meal of warmed bread and soup, the girl felt restless, and she decided to go for a walk around the area. Everything was already set up for the evening, and there was still enough daylight for her to go out. Deciding that was what she wanted to do, the girl headed out of her tent and quickly donned her sandals and traditional head covering.
She had just walked out of the tent, paid respects to the elders of the traveling group, and about to leave when her mother's voice called out to her. "Miriam! Child, where do you think you're going?" Her mother walked up quickly to her, her eyes filled with concern. "You know you are not to go anywhere alone, a young girl like you!"
"Mother, I'll be fine!" The girl blew out an exasperated breath and bowed her head respectfully. "Mother, the area is safe, I heard the men say so. I just want to go and look around. I'll be careful, I promise. Please Mother..."
Miriam's mother looked at her unconvinced for a moment, then sighed. From ever since Miriam was a young child, the woman knew her daughter was not like other girls in being submissive to the men or converting to their social rules. She had a unique, adventurous spirit that could never be content with just being in one place. The older woman smiled slightly. She was just like her father, may Allah rest his soul!
"Alright, but please do not be gone long. It will be night soon, and you know it's dangerous with the night predators...and stay close!"
"Yes, Mother, I'll be right back, you'll see!" With a wave, the girl hurried off, glad for the time to herself.
Out in the desert not too far from the camp, the girl had not walked for more than about 10 minutes, when as she was coming around a large boulder covering an ancient cave, she suddenly began to hear voices in the now night air. With a gasp, she rushed back to around the side of the boulder to hide herself, and waited until to voices came clearer so she can get an idea who the strangers were. A few feet ahead of her, walking through the short desert shrubs, she saw a bunch of strange looking people, some not much older looking than she was, walking carefully along a makeshift path. They were being guided by a woman with a long staff and green hair, and another young girl with blue hair and carrying a little computer.
The girls of the group seemed to be wearing a uniform of some sort, with very short skirts, shorter than any skirt the girl had ever seen. The men were different. One seemed to be wearing a fancy tuxedo with a cape that Miriam had seen the men wear on special occasions, and the other three were wearing outfits that was all back, and very form-fitting.
Curiosity got the best of her, and taking a deep breath, she stepped forward lightly and crept closer to hear what they were saying. She stayed down low among the small bushes and shrubs to keep out of sight. Finally, she got close enough to hear them, but their language was unlike anything she had ever heard. Intrigued, Miriam continued to follow them, hoping to find out who they were and what they were doing here.
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Unaware of anyone following them at the moment, the Sailor Senshi each talked among themselves and took in the beautiful surroundings of the ancient land of Israel. They had learned a little bit about this in school, but actually being here was something none of them ever expected nor would forget.
"And over there," pointed out Mercury to her left, "is the site of the cave where the Maccabees hid from the Romans. Of course, there isn't anything much there now."
"Wow!" said Sailor Moon, her eyes wide. She then furrowed her brow and scratched her head. "Ne, but I've been wondering ever since we got here. When we left Japan, it was SOOOO early in the morning, but it's almost evening here. How come?"
Sailor Mars rolled her eyes and was about to yell at her for such a silly question, when Sirius raised her hands and stopped her. "Wait, let me get this one, we don't want another tongue war on our hands, especially in such a holy country!" she chuckled. "Sailor Moon, it's because of the time differences, the time zones we learned about in science, remember? It's still morning in Japan, but late in the day here."
"Oh yeah, I forgot!" Sailor Moon giggled. She then turned to Tuxedo Kamen and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama, isn't this romantic?"
The young man blushed slightly, then nodded. "Hai, it is, but I don't think this is the time to think about anything romantic," He was about to say more, when there was a sudden gasp from the bushes not to far from them, and the sound of someone falling to the ground.
"What was that?" said Star Healer, immediately going protectively in front of Sirius.
"It came from over there!" Sailor Uranus stepped forward and narrowed her eyes at the moving bushes. "Whoever's out there, come out now!"
A moment later, a small figure stepped out, and with frightened eyes, came forward with her hands up. It was a young girl, looking to be no more than 15 years old. She wore the traditional clothing of Palestine, and had a soft, white head covering on her head. She took a deep breath, and talked hurriedly in a language the senshi didn't understand.
"Wait, wait, hold up, we can't understand you! Slow down!" said Venus, going up to the frightened girl and putting her hands down. "I'm sorry, we don't speak your language..." She would have continued, but Sailor Sirius walked up and put a hand on the blonde senshi's shoulder.
"It's okay Venus, I can understand her. She's speaking Arabic. I spoke it in my country when I was younger. I can take it from here," With a smile, Sirius turned to the shaking girl.
"A' salaam m'lakeem." The dark-skinned senshi bowed slightly with the ancient greeting.
The tan-skinned girl gasped at hearing her language spoken, and smiling back nervously, bowed back and said softly "Wa...wa lakeem salaam."
Sirius smiled again and took the girl's hands in her own. She took a deep breath, and hoping she could remember her first language, looked into the girl's eyes. "Please, you don't have to be afraid of us. We're the Sailor Senshi, and we're here to investigate a terrible evil that we found to have originated from here. If..if you've seen anything, we could use all the help we can get. I'm Sailor Sirius, and these are my friends..." Sirius turned to the Sailor Senshi standing with her, and she introduced each of them to the girl, who at their names, widened her eyes in recognition.
"Oh yes, the Sailor Senshi! I've heard about you!" She smiled and clasped her hands together in delight. "You are all very famous, even in this part of the world! My name is Miriam, and it is so good to finally meet you all!" Sailor Sirius translated what the girl said, and the senshi team bowed and thanked her with a smile. Then the girl's eyes turned serious. "But you are right, Sailor Sirius. There is terrible danger all over Israel now, especially in Ramalah, where we traveled many days from. My mother and I just left our town because of all the crimes and the cults of B'aal there. We are hoping to get to Karak in the country of Jordan, where we'll be safer. The way to Jordan by crossing the Jordan River was too heavily guarded, so we had to travel south. My mother's brother, my uncle, is there. He and his family will protect us. My...my father died when I was young."
"I'm sorry to hear that.." Sirius said with understanding.
"What are they saying?" said Sailor Moon, getting slightly annoyed at being left out of the conversation.
"SHHHH!" Mars gave her a slight shove for her to be quiet. ,P> Just then, Miriam lifted up her head. "Wait! Now that I remember, as we were traveling, I DID see something strange!"
"What was it? Can you describe it to us?"asked Pluto in Arabic. The other senshi looked at her in surprise for a moment, then understood that as the Guardian of the Gates of Time and living as long as she had, Pluto would know and speak just about every language humans have spoken throughout time.
"I'm not too sure, but about 3 miles south of here, I saw a pillar of smoke off to the distance in the East. I tried to tell the others about it, but they said it was probably just a brush fire or something. I thought it was suspicious because it...it seemed so dead over there. It's usually an area for sheep grazing, but there was nothing there."
"Can you take us to it?" Sirius gave the girl a hopeful look, and Miriam smiled with reassurance.
"Yes, but we must hurry, my mother said she didn't want me out long. She must be worried about me now. Follow me!"
The group had barely began walking when there was a sudden flash of light, nearly knocking them to their feet. When the light finally dimmed, a fierce looking green-skinned demon materialized, and floated slowly down to the ground. He opened his eyes slowly, cricked his stiff neck, and looked at the group of warriors with an evil, sadistic grin. "Ahhh, yes, the infamous Sailor Senshi. The goody-two shoes saviors of the Earth. I hope you liked the little detour I gave you while you were traveling here." His lips twisted in a malicious smirk. "Now, prepare to meet your worst nightmare...ME!"
"Well, Me...or whoever you are, you don't scare us, so you're the one who'll meet your nightmare!" said Sailor Sirius, standing in front of the Arab girl protectively. The other senshi quickly went in their fighting stance, ready for action.
"Oh, I don't think you all will be so brave when I'm through with you..." said the demon cockily. "The name's Legion, and if you thought you had it bad with Bzuzu..." He bared his teeth and growled in his throat. "Wait 'till I get done with you!" The demon roared loudly, and suddenly, in a bright flash of light, the group was surrounded by what looked to be dozens of floating, grotesque demons that had wisps of smoke beneath their waist instead of legs. They were green skinned with bald heads, and had glowing red eyes. Their fingernails were long and black, and looked ready to rip through anything.
"AIIYYEE! Jinni!" screamed out Miriam in fright as she moved closer to Sirius.
"Jinni?" Sirius looked over at the growling demons and shook her head. "Disney certainly forgot to mention the fact that jinni were actually demons when they made Aladdin!" she said wryly.
"They sure don't look like they want to grant us any wishes!" Mars backed up slowly, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"Sailor Sirius, get the girl out of here, NOW! We'll take care of them!" said Pluto, holding her staff defensively with both hands.
"But...!" Sirius looked at her worriedly.
"Do it! She won't understand the other senshi! And..." Pluto never got to finish as the ancient monsters rushed forward with a loud, deafening roar. Each of the senshi then began shouting and screaming their powers to defend themselves, or resorting to martial art skills to fight them off.
"URANUS, WORLD SHAKING!"
"VENUS, LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!"
"MARS, FLAME SNIPER!"
The whole area filled with bright lights as the senshi fought bravely, beating back the floating demons as hard as they could.
"Come on!" shouted Sirius as she grabbed Miriam's hand. Both girls rushed behind a large rock boulder, then rushed way to safely, hiding behind some shrubs. "Where can we hide?" the dark-skinned Star Senshi asked breathlessly.
"That way!" Miriam pointed to her right. The girls stood up, and ran quickly towards another large boulder nearly 30 feet away that would hide them completely.
Meanwhile, off to the side, Legion watched the girls escape and growled deep in his throat. He was about to go after them when he happened to catch the fighting moves of the tall, blonde-headed senshi knocking one of the jinni demons off her. She then jumped high in the air, used her powers against it while still in the air, and rendered it unconscious. "Yes! Yes, you'll do perfectly..." the green-skinned demon said, chuckling evilly. He closed his eyes. His body glowed a second later, and waves of energy rose out of him towards Sailor Uranus.
The Sky Senshi, not seeing the energy coming to her, continued to fight, until the energy slammed into her and made her go stiff for a moment. Within a second, Uranus's eyes glowed red, now under the influence of Legion. She nodded once, then ran with her heightened speed to where Sirius and the girl ran off, unknown to the other senshi as they fought too.
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"Wait, please...I need to take a rest!" Miriam panted as she placed her hands on her knees, completely exhausted. Although she had traveled through the desert many times, she had never had to run so hard through it.
"Okay, we can stop, but only for a minute," Sirius said, also panting slightly. Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps, and the figure of Sailor Uranus walked out of the shadows.
"Uranus!" Sirius shouted with joy, rushing up to the taller senshi. "Uranus, is it safe now? What happened to all the jinni?" At the blank, cold look in Uranus's eyes, Sirius stopped, and stepped back slightly. "U..Uranus...what's wrong?"
In a flash of quick movement, Sailor Uranus reach forward and grabbed Sirius's wrist, and began to squeeze it tightly. "Uranus! What are you doing?" But her words seem to fall on deaf ears, and the Sky Senshi squeezed harder. She then began to drag Sirius slowly towards her. Miriam gasped in surprise, not believing what she was seeing.
"Uranus...PLEASE! You're hurting me! Let me go!" Sirius cried in fright. Sailor Uranus's eyes glowed red, and with barely any effort, lifted the smaller senshi by her throat with one hand and threw her near a pile of rocks. Sirius fell to the ground with near bone crunching force, blood leaking from the side of her mouth and gasping for air. When her eyes re-focused, she saw Sailor Uranus walking slowly towards her, her Space Sword drawn out and pointed towards the smaller senshi's heart.
"H...Haruka onee-san.." Sirius whispered out in pain. She sat up and scooted away backwards towards the pile of rocks as Uranus came closer. She flattened herself against the rock wall helpless as Uranus raised her sword above her, and with tears in her eyes and a feeling of betrayal washing over her heart, Sirius could only raise her arms up in protection. "Haruka! No! PLEASE!" she desperately screamed out.
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To Be Continued...
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