Sailor Moon: The Rise of B'aal

Chapter 4:

With an exhausted sigh, Tanya dropped the empty laundry basket on her bed and wiped the sweat off her dark forehead. She untied the blue head tie that held her thick black hair off her face and sat down on the bed to catch her breath. Her hair fell in long black waves down her back as she shook her head. What an exhausting morning! First, she had stayed up practically the whole night with her father, Father O'Brien, and Yaten talking about her life back in Libya. Tanya had been so delighted in seeing the man that had been like a second father to her. Most of the time when her parents had to leave on their missionary trips to other African countries, Father O'Brien was more than willing to stay and take care of the spirited, willful little girl. The older man had never married and had a family of his own, but Tanya knew that he loved her as he would have his own daughter. The young girl smiled at the many memories she had of him when she was a child. She recalled when he would have to chase after her to keep her out of trouble. A lot of good that did! More fine China plates, table decorations, and even furniture has been replaced because of her clumsy, rambunctious ways than anything else. Tanya chuckled as she wondered how the poor man survived all that!

Tanya could only sit by and cringe with embarrassment as the Father began telling his share of stories of all the trouble Tanya caused and how she used to be as a little girl to Yaten. The young man laughed with delight as he imagined the little impish girl, who had now turned into the stunning dark beauty sitting with him. Finally, it was nearly midnight before Yaten left and everyone went to bed. But even then, Tanya couldn't get any sleep as the memories of the recent battle at Rei's school and her vision entered her mind. What it all meant, she didn't know, but she prayed it wasn't as bad as she feared.

Back in the present, the door to her room opened slowly, and Marco walked in, his tail wagging behind him. "Something on your mind?" the gold-furred dog asked.

"Hmmm? Oh, no, not really Marco." Tanya sighed before getting up and putting away the laundry basket in her closet. "I guess I'm just a little tired from last night, that's all. Let's see, I cleaned up the kitchen, cleaned the bathroom, and I just finished the laundry..." She counted off the chores on her fingers one by one, "I was just wondering if there was anything else I may have forgotten..."

"Not that I can see. Your dad and Father O'Brien won't be back for some time now, since they left to do some sort of research earlier this morning. I think you can pretty much relax now," Marco said, walking up next to her. "Are you still worried about what happened yesterday?" Concern shone in his eyes.

"Yeah, I guess a little," Tanya hopped back on her bed and lay flat, staring up at the ceiling. "I mean, I don't think me and the other Sailor Senshi have ever faced anything like this. It..it was a DEMON for crying out loud Marco! Like from the Bible and stuff. Since when do THEY have anything to do with the Dark Kingdom or any other enemies we've fought?"

"I don't know, Tanya." Marco sighed. He jumped up on the bed and lay next to Tanya. "That's why it's important that you senshi have this meeting today. You guys can probably figure this out while Luna, Artemis, and I search the records in the Command Center and see what's going on. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll come up with something." When Marco saw the unconvinced look on his charge's face, he placed a paw on her arm. "Trust me, we can get through this. We've been through worse, ne?"

"I don't know Marco. This all feels so...strange somehow." Before Tanya could say anymore, her Sailor Communicator went off. She quickly flicked the screen on and smiled when she saw Usagi's face fade in. "Hey Usagi! What's up?" Tanya greeted.

"Hi! Well, there's a little change in the plan for our meeting today." the blonde girl smiled back, "Ami has a theory, and she wants us all to meet her at the new bookstore down at Bara Street in about an hour. She says she wants to get some books and stuff on the occult or something like that before we head off to Rei's. Think you can make it?"

"Sure, where is it again?" Tanya got up and went to her small vanity desk to get a pencil and a piece of paper." She listened as Usagi gave her vague directions to the new bookstore that opened about a month ago.

"Are you sure you don't want me to meet you somewhere or anything" Usagi asked, "I'm not too sure myself. We could probably find it together..."

"No, it's okay Usagi. Better one of us late than together, so Rei won't have to yell twice as much!" Tanya chuckled. "I'll be there, don't worry!"

"Okay, see ya!" With that, the cheerful face of Usagi faded off the screen.

"Well, I'd better get going if I'm going to make it. I'll see you later Marco!" Tanya rushed over to the closet and began to take out clothes to wear outside.

"Right, and I'll definitely have something to report from the Command Center!" Marco nodded as he headed out the door to give her privacy.

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The doors of a seedy bar in a rough part of town swung open, and four men walked out, slightly drunk and eager for a good time. It didn't matter to them that it was barely afternoon, but being seamen and out to sea for so long, the sailors just wanted to hang out and have fun. The four men staggered a little as they walked on, laughing at a joke one of them told.

Suddenly, a bright flash appeared above them, making them flinch and fall over. When it dimmed, they shakily stood up and tried to wiped the dust from their uniforms. "Hey, wasss goin' on here!" one of the taller men slurred out. He looked up with the others in shock. In the place of the light was a form unlike anything they've ever seen. It was a strange looking...demon? It was complete with black horns on its head, red, blazing skin, and small, beady eyes filled with ancient evil. The form snorted at the sight of the men, and slowly floated down towards then. Although smaller than them, the demon gave off a powerful aura that unconsciously made the men take a step back.

"Wass dis?" another one of the men slurred, "Some sssort of joke?" He blinked a few times to make sure that what he was seeing was real.

"Hmph! You're the only joke I see around here, stupid humans!" snarled Bzuzu. One of men, actually understanding when he was being insulted, rushed forward toward him, ready to pummel him to death. Bzuzu easily floated back up into the air, avoiding him completely and watching as he crashed into some garbage cans.

The demon shook his head in disgust, "Talking monkeys! You're all nothing but stupid, talking monkeys!" He raised his red arms high into the air, and there was another flash of light. The men were then surrounded by red, blazing light. On their chest, a white glow appeared, and seconds later, a pure, crystallized silver ball rushed out of each men and floated up to Bzuzu as the men fell down as if dead. They fell gently into his hands, and with an evil laugh, his eyes glowed to a red blaze. The four balls in his hands lost their brilliance and turned black and dull, making the souls inside completely evil.

The demon then threw back balls back into the air, and they floated back into the men's bodies. Their color came back, and when they opened their eyes, it was completely black, showing no goodness or remorse; just complete evil.

Bzuzu watched with amusement as the men got up, then walked forward towards him. They bowed down on one knee. "We are in your service, My Lord!" the men said together.

Bzuzu gave a short, maniacal laugh as he floated back down to stand in front of then. "Good! Now here is what I want you to do..."

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Rei crossed her arms over her chested and tapped her foot impatiently on the carpeted floor as she and the others waited in the back of the bookstore. Ami had long since found and purchased the book she would need for the meeting, and everyone was ready to go. From what the genius girl had told them about her theory, it should prove to be very interesting indeed. The books were not found in the library, since it was banned because of the controversial content, but Ami knew how important they would be in her discussion.

Haruka walked up to the rest of the girls as she entered the store, her face worried. "Well, did you get to them?" Rei asked the tall blonde-haired woman impatiently.

"Usagi's mother said she left about an hour ago, and there was no answer at Tanya's house. I didn't want to risk using the communicator in case they were on their way and in a crowd of people," Haruka answered. She scratched her head in slight confusion as Michiru looked on in concern.

"This is bad. Not even Usagi would risk being this late!" Ami said.

"I'm worried. Something is very wrong here," Michiru said.

Just then, Usagi came bounding in through the store's glass double doors, interrupting what more Michiru was going to say and making the other people inside look in disapproval.

"Hey guys!" she puffed, "S..sorry I'm late, but this place is so hard to...find!" The blonde girl placed her hands on her knees and panted to catch her breath.

"Usagi, where's Tanya?" Minako asked. "Didn't she come with you?"

"No, I thought she would be here by now," Usagi blinked a few times and looked around, finally noticing that Tanya was indeed missing.

"Didn't you tell her where we were and how to get here?" Makoto put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"Of course I did!" Usagi retorted. "I told her that the store is right on Bara Street, and she couldn't missed it!"

"MAUUUU! Usagi! Didn't you remember that they changed the street name while Tanya was in America? It's Minato Street now!" Rei said angrily.

"Yeah, Bara Street is in that rough and dangerous neighborhood across town now!" said Minako. She turned to everyone else. "Guys, we have to go and try to find her. She could be in trouble..."

"Trouble, what trouble?" said a new voice. Everyone turned to see Yaten walk up to them, his eyes growing wide at the little part he just heard.

"Yaten! Thank goodness you got the message of the change!" Usagi said. "We think Tanya's lost! We've got to go and get her! If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself..." Tears formed in her blue eyes at the thought. How could she have been so careless?

"Everyone, let's go! There isn't much time!" Hotaru said, the wisdom in her eyes betraying her youthful look. The group rushed out of the store as the other people looked in curiosity.

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As the bus pulled away from the bus stop, Tanya looked around her in nervousness and curiosity. Everywhere she looked there were fallen trash cans and litter all around. Graffiti was sprayed all around a few of the abandoned buildings. Tanya gulped, and mentally shaking herself, she walked forward, determined to reach her destination. Maybe I should have went with Usagi after all.she thought to herself.

She walked on, carefully looking for any sign that said she was where she was supposed to be. Then, nearly completely covered in paint, was the sign that said Bara Street. Tanya looked around again, confusion on her face. "Well, this is it, but it doesn't look like there's anything much here," she whispered to herself. Blinking a few times, she looked around again. She didn't notice it before, but the whole neighborhood was strangely quiet, as if it was abandoned.

"What in the world?" Tanya couldn't help but say aloud. She walked on, hoping to see someone....anyone, to help her out. It was then as she turned a corner, she saw a shadowy figure walking by. She sighed with relief and rushed forward to catch up with it. The figure quickly turned another corner at the side of the building and into an alley, where it met up with three more figures partial hidden in the shadows

"Anno! Excuse me, but could you help me out? I'm trying to find a bookstore called...errr..." Tanya stopped dead in her tracks and gulped loudly as she watched the figures slowly walk up to her. As they came out of the shadows, she saw they were four large sized men in dirty sailors uniform. Their eyes were pure black and evil, and they smiled leeringly at her.

"Hey little girl, are you lost?" said one, rubbing his hands together and nearly salivating. Even the very sound of his voice oozed evil. "Why don't you come and have a good time with us?" He turned to the others with him, each with eyes as black as his, "What do you guys think guys? Can we have fun with this gaijin?"

"She's a bit small, but I guess she'll do..." laughed out the tallest man. He reached forward with a lunge, his large hands dirty and caked with dirt and sweat.

Her heart pounding hard in her chest, Tanya gasped and turned to run. Years of running late to school and being in the track time in America gave her a slight advantage over the men for a few seconds as she ran and jumped over trashcans for her dear life, but it was not enough. One of the men rushed forward with extra speed and tackled her to the hard ground in front of darkened alley as she screamed loudly.

"LET GO OF ME! STOP IT! YAMATEEEEEEEEEEEE!" But all the screaming and kicking and struggling did no good as the men immediately fell over her and held her down. Tears streamed down her face as she heard her skirt and shirt being torn away. The whole time, the men laughed as one of them twisted her arms above her head as she lay flat on her back. Somebody, please help! Usagi, Mako-chan...YATEN! she thought desperately as she felt unconsciousness fall over her. With a sinking heart she felt one of the men's hand slowly go up her thigh, and she could only pray that the blackness will swallow her up soon.

"HEY! GET YOUR STINKING HANDS OFF HER!" screamed out a voice suddenly. Quick as lightening, a figure in black rushed up to them, his face a mask of fury and disgust. Star Healer jumped up and flipped over the men as they stood up in surprise. He landed expertly on his feet behind them, and immediately jumped up again and did a spin kick to the side of the head of one of the men closest to him.

The man flew a few feet away into a pile of trashcans and fell in a heap unconscious. Right after that, he went after the next guy. He rushed forward and did a bone crushing upper cut to his jaw, sending him crumpling to the ground.

"Leave some for me." growled Sailor Uranus, landing next to him after executing a perfect double flip. The remaining two men rushed forward with a loud roar, their eyes now blazing red with anger. With a smirk, the Senshi of the Sky bent slightly at the knees, and at the right moment, lept up over the head of one of them with a double twist flip. When she landed, she kicked forward her leg and expertly landed a hard kick on the side of his head. He smashed into the wall and lay unmoving.

The last man remaining screamed with fury and rushed forward, his hands outstretched and ready to wrap them around Uranus's neck. She caught his arm just in time, and with her heightened strength, lifted him over and flipped him to the ground hard, sending dust up. The man gave one gurgle, then went limp. She then picked him up by the neck and threw him into the pile of trashcans next to his partner. "Good riddance to bad rubbish..." Uranus smirked as she dusted her hands off.

"Tanya-chan!" Sailor Moon rushed up and gathered the shaking girl in her arms. "Oh my God, Tanya, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Tears ran down her face as she held Tanya closer.

"U...Usagi?" Tanya's eyes fluttered open. When she saw Sailor Moon's face looking down at her, she gave a loud sigh of relief and threw her arms around her, sobbing softly.

"Is she going to be okay?" asked Mars, kneeling down next to Moon.

One of the men moaned and twitched as he tried to get up. Star Healer immediately went over to him and grabbed him around the throat, his eyes narrowed in anger the whole time. He roughly brought the man to his feet. "Who the HELL are you?" Healer growled out in barely contained anger. "What made you think you can lay a filthy finger on her?" When the man didn't answer, Star Healer's hand began squeezing around the man's throat tightly, cutting off his air supply. The man struggled for a moment to breathe before he opened his eyes.

What the Starlight warrior saw made him gasp and nearly drop the man; his eyes were a pitch black, no pupils, irises, or anything, and there were so...evil! "What..ARE you?" Star Healer breathed out. The man only smirked in his face, then chuckled evilly. Star Healer growled again and squeezed his throat tighter. "ANSWER ME!" He was squeezing so hard now that he nearly crushed the man's windpipe as he began choking and gasping loudly for precious air.

"Star Healer, Stop! You'll kill him before we can get any answers!" Mercury said, rushing up to him.

Healer glowered at the man for a moment, then dropped him on the ground with disgust. But before anyone else could say anything, there was bright flash of light above the group, making everyone shield their eyes. With a deep, evil filled laugh, Bzuzu appeared before them, his yellow teeth shining brightly from his smile.

"Well, well, we meet again!" snarled the demon. "Now that you are all here, prepare for a lesson...IN PAIN!" The demon stretched his hands forward, and a bright white light appeared between them as the Senshi all looked on in shock.

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To Be Continued....

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