Sailor Moon: The Rise of B'aal

Chapter 9

His mind occupied with a thousand thoughts, Father O'Brien absentmindedly walked down the narrow sidewalk towards the small church he made plans to visit that day. He nearly had all the information he needed on the legend and mythology of this B'aal demon, and he needed to go over just a few more details with one of the very few Japanese ministers stationed there at the church not to far from Tanya's school.

When Timothy spoke with the man on the phone, with the help of his friend Peter in translating of course, the Japanese minister seemed very excited to share his findings with the Father's. Both men have heard the reports on the news about the rise of a cult that worshiped the Demon Prince in the ancient country of Israel, and he wanted to make sure if any of this was related to what happened with him in South America.

Just then, as he was turning the corner that lead to the church about two blocks away, he heard loud screaming and was nearly knocked over by a crowd of terrified people as they rushed past him, some so scared they ran over the backs of those who fell. All of them were shouting and screaming in Japanese, so the middle aged man could only look around in confusion and wonder what was going on. When the crowd of people finally rushed past and thinned out as they went their separate ways, the Irish man looked to the direction they came from and narrowed his blue eyes. Whatever it was, it was coming from the very church he was supposed to be in. He took a deep breath and rushed forward, determined to find out what happened, and hoping no one was hurt.

Moments later, he stopped in his tracks and blinked his eyes in bafflement when he saw Tanya and Yaten standing before a red skinned demon, his pointed tail swishing back and forth, black horns sticking out of his high forehead and long, razor-sharp claws ready to rip into the chest of an unconscious alter boy. By the Saints, what is this? A...demon? the older man thought in confusion. He desperately wanted to rush forward and give any help he can, but his curiosity got the best of him, and rushing behind a large tree in the sidewalk not to far away, he watched to see what would happen. If that...thing had any intention of hurting Tanya or her love, he would deal with it.

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Tanya stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "NO! Get away from him! I won't let you hurt anymore innocent people!" she yelled out, her small hands balled into fist.

Bzuzu's hand stopped inches above the boy's chest, and he looked at her with an amused and cocky look. "Is that so? What are you going to do about it, huh?" He cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. "You humans are so pathetic, with your morality and goodness and love! No matter. Soon, it won't do you any good!" To emphasis this, the High Level demon laughed loudly, and prepared once more to take out the soul of the boy laying before him.

"Don't you get it, you moron?" said Yaten, his body rigid with barely contained anger. "Goodness and love is what sets humans apart from all other living creatures here on this planet."

Tanya stepped forward next to him, her eyes flashing mischievously for a moment, "And it's what sets us apart from evil ingrates like you, who wouldn't know love or goodness if it rose up and bit you in the...!"

But she never got to finish as Bzuzu roared in rage and shot forth a powerful blast of black energy, fueled by his anger. The two barely jumped up high out of the way as the energy struck the spot they were just standing in, and caused a loud explosion that could be heard for miles. Tanya and Yaten landed with an expert flip safely a few feet away. The smoke barely cleared when the evil demon rushed at them, his hands slashing at them with long, deadly claws. "I'll make you pay for such insolence, you talking MONKEYS!" he screamed out.

The couple spread apart just as Bzuzu was upon them, flipping over his head as he slashed empty space. "Stay still, so I can rip your stinking body to pieces!" The demon's eyes blazed in pure, primal rage. As soon as they landed behind him, Yaten rushed up to him, and kicking out his leg, swiped the legs from under Bzuzu, causing him to fall heavily to the ground.

"Two little words for you; anger...management," the young man smirked. He turned to Tanya and nodded. "We better transform and take care of this before anymore people get hurt,"

"Hai!" After looking around cautiously to make sure no one was around to see, the two backed up and yelled their transformation phrases simultaneously;

SIRIUS EMERALD STAR POWER, MAKE UP!"

HEALER STAR POWER, MAKE UP!"

As before, their bodies glowed with power, and they felt the rush of power from their respective stars flow through them, giving them strength and courage. But unknown to them, someone watched in amazement a few feet down the block, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the girl he knew from since her birth transform into one of the legendary Sailor Senshi he'd heard so much about.

Bzuzu raised himself slowly to his feet, his breaths ragged and eyes still blazing with anger. "D..Damn you!" he panted, his teeth bared. "I won't let you..defeat me! Not when we're so close!" With a loud roar, the demon rushed forward again, slashing wildly at Sirius and Star Healer.

The Starlight Warrior and Star Senshi easily jumped and flipped over his head, their physical abilities enhanced in their senshi form. But this time, Bzuzu was ready for them. Immediately after they landed, he turned around and shot out a blast of powerful red energy, and it barely missed the two by inches as they jumped high again and watched with shock as the energy flowed underneath them to strike the tall tree right next to the church.

It exploded with a deafening noise, and pieces of the tree flew and landed all around them. My God, that was close! Sirius thought to herself as she wiped off the sweat on her dark forehead. I hope the others realize what's happening here and come soon...

"Sirius, look out!" yelled Star Healer. He quickly grabbed her around her small waist and jumped sideways to avoid the deadly claws of the madden demon. Before Sirius could even thank him as he settled her down, Healer turned to the demon and narrowed his eyes.

"That's it, this ends now!" He raised his hands high into the air and shouted out "STAR SENSITIVE, INFERNO!" His medallion appeared in his hands, and when he aimed it at Bzuzu, it shot forth a powerful blast of electrified energy surrounded by stars.

"SIRIUS KISS OF DEATH, CAPTIVATION!" Sirius followed suit as she pressed her hand to her lips as her body glowed violet, then shooting forth the imprint of the kiss. The two powers came together in the air, forming a large black ball surrounded by stars, and headed towards the infuriated demon.

The ball struck Bzuzu, and as he was being enveloped, he screamed loudly in pain. But it only lasted a few moments before the ball exploded, and Bzuzu stood there glaring at them, a trickle of blood coming down his nose. He narrowed his eyes, and with a grunt, disappeared in a bright flash.

"WHAT? How could he survive that, and where did he go?" exclaimed Sirius, blinking her eyes in confusion as she stepped forward.

"Never mind, at least he's gone for now. We have to see if the boy is alright," Star Healer said. Turning, the two headed for the still unconscious boy; they didn't see the shimmer in the air behind them begin to form into a figure, but one person did.

Father O'Brien gasped as he saw the danger the two were in from where he was standing, and putting thoughts and safety for himself aside, he rushed forward as fast as his legs could carry him. "Tanya! Look out! Behind you!" he yelled as he rushed up to them.

Sailor Sirius turned around, and her eyes widened in surprise. "What? OH! Father O'Brien, what are you doing here?" But before she could even realize her blunder, she and Star Healer had to duck down as a blast from Bzuzu nearly took off their heads and struck the side of the church.

The demon smirked evilly, then turned to the older man running towards them. Before anyone could react, the demon disappeared and reappeared almost immediately right behind the Father as he stopped short. Then, to Sirius's horror, he reached forward and slammed his clawed hands through the man's back, and roughly pulled out the sphere that contained his soul. Father O'Brien screamed in agony as his body convulsed, then fell limply to the ground. The silvery ball glowed brightly with a holy and indescribably beautiful light, and Bzuzu laughed in triumph. "Another Purity Soul! At last, victory will soon be ours!" With that, the demon disappeared with his signature bright flash.

But his words went unheard as Sailor Sirius's body turned numb at the horrifying sight before her, and she fell slowly to her knees and brought her hands to her dark cheeks. "Father O'Brien", she whispered. At that moment, memories she tried so hard to push away in the back of her mind surfaced in a rush, and the pupils in her eyes dilated and dulled with pain as she remembered the only other time she had lost someone she loved, someone she lost when she was still too young to understand. No, this couldn't be happening to her. Not again, not like this! But Sirius couldn't stop the images, and it played in her mind like it was happening all over again;

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In the small hospital outside of the city of Tripoli, a younger Tanya in pigtails, looking to be only 8 years old, sat in the waiting room at the end of a long, dark hall, nervously waiting for her father and the news he would bring about her sick mother. Moments later, Peter Cambridge walked into the waiting room, his face extremely gaunt and tired-looking. When she saw him, Tanya jumped up from her seat and rushed to him.

"Daddy! Where's Mama? Is she better yet? Can she come home now?" The little girl looked up at her father hopefully.

The man sighed sadly, and taking his little girl's hand, led her to the cushioned seats and sat her down next to him. "Sweetheart, your mother...she...she didn't.." Tears misted in the man's eyes, but he swallowed and continued. "Mama..didn't make it. She..she died. Mama's gone."

The dark-skinned little girl was silent a moment, trying to process what her father just said. What did he mean, gone? Where did she go? He couldn't mean...he couldn't mean...

Blinking her eyes, she shook her head fiercely, not wanting to believe her mother was truly gone. "NO! It can't be true! She told me she was coming home soon!"

The young Tanya got up and rushed down the hall to where her mother's room was. When she reached the doorway to the hospital room, she looked through the large window to the side and saw her mother laying on the hospital bed, her eyes closed. Unable to comprehend at first the concept of death at that young age...especially the death of a parent, little Tanya thought her mother was merely sleeping; but a moment later, two nurses walked up to the bed from the bathroom, and taking the sheets from the end of the bed, drew it up to cover the dead Kenyan woman's face and body.

At that sight, Tanya screamed, and when she tried to open the door, it was locked. "NOOO! Mama! Wake up! Wake up Mama! Please! Wake up!" The girl banged heavily on the window and screamed until her father rushed up and gathered her in his arms. For long moments, the younger Tanya just sobbed heavily onto her father's shoulder, feeling lost and more alone than ever in her young life.

"Shhhh...It's okay sweetheart", her father said soothingly as he held her gently. "It'll be fine. I'm here for you, always, and so is Uncle Tim. We'll both take care of you..."

Off to the side, a younger-looking Father O'Brien stood, his eyes also misting at the sad scene. At those words Peter said, he nodded, and walked up to them to place a gentle hand on the child's shoulder.

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Back in the present, Sailor Sirius stared unblinking at the sight of Father O'Brien's limp form before her, hoping it was a dream. As if in a trance, she got up and walked slowly over to where he lay. She knelt down besides him, and slowly, she reached over to touch his face. "Father O'Brien? Uncle Tim? Please, you..you have to get up now, please..." Sirius pleaded softly as she shook him.

But no sound came from the Irish man's already cold lips, and when Star Healer walked up next to her, she pleadingly looked up at him, but the young man shook his head, his face saddened. "I'm sorry...its too late.." He gently put his hand on her shoulder.

"NO!" Sirius screamed as she turned back to the Father's body. "Come on Uncle Tim, it's me, your wee little Ti. You're...you're just hurt! You'll get better, I promise! Just please...please wake up! Wake up!" Tears she had been fighting hard to hold back began to mist in her eyes as she shook him harder, but she slowly realized the truth as the man continued to lay still. "Please don't go! Come back, Uncle Tim! Please come back..." But the man remained silent and still at her pleading as she gently stroked and tapped his cold face. It was at that moment that Sirius knew it was true, that the man who helped raised her was gone, gone forever, and before she could help herself, the Star senshi screamed mournfully from the depths of her soul.

"NO! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Inside, it was as if something had snapped, and nothing or anyone made any sense to her. Her scream could be heard from far and wide, for it seemed as though it was being carried farther away than usual by her pain and sorrow. Tears streaming down her face, Sirius lay her head on the man's still chest and sobbed like she had never done before, her heart breaking in two. Right at that moment, the Sailor Team and Sailor Star Fighter and Maker rushed up, ready for battle.

When they saw the scene before them, they stopped dead in their tracks, and tears misted in their eyes as they heard Sailor Sirius's heart wrenching sobs.

"Sailor Sirius! Oh God..." Sailor Moon whispered, her hand going over her heart. Not knowing what else to do, Moon turned into the arms of Tuxedo Kamen standing next to her, and buried her faces in his chest. Nothing could have prepared her for this, and from the faces of the other senshi, she knew it was the same for all of them. Each let the tears slide down their faces then, feeling helpless as Sirius continued to cry, her sorrowful crying sounding alone in the still and silent air.

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Two days later:

Yaten slowly walked up the steps towards the Hikawa Jinga shrine, his heart not into going to the meeting, but knowing this had to be done for the sake of Tanya. About a day after the incident, the Senshi Team held an emergency meeting as Tanya stayed home, recuperating with the love and care of her father. Each member knew it was critical to find out who the enemy really was and how to defeat it. But yet, the team couldn't ignore the sense of fear and hopelessness that entered their heart, and the doubts that they can beat such a horrific and merciless enemy. Ami and Mamoru, gathering as much information as they can about this B'aal demon, brought them up to date on the reports of unrest within the Middle East dealing with a cult thousands of years old that worshiped him. Mamoru helped out with the research he did in his own school, which detailed just how influential B'aal was thousands of years ago. Now, the meeting continued today, and the group waited in anticipation for whatever new information Ami and Mamoru provided.

When Yaten opened the sliding rice paper door, the others welcomed him, not even thinking about the fact he was late, for they already knew where he spent his morning, giving Tanya as much strength and support as he could.

"Yaten-chan, how is Tanya doing?" Usagi asked as she walked up to silvery-blonde young man. Her eyes were full of worry and concern as she clasped her hands in front of her. Just before Yaten walked in, she was in Mamoru arms, knowing how lucky she was to have him there by her side at a time like this. But seeing the look in his eyes, Usagi knew that Tanya was lucky to have someone like Yaten too, who truly loved and cared for her as Mamoru did for herself.

"I'm not really sure. She slept for nearly 20 hours straight. Her father said it was due to shock," The young man sighed helplessly. "He didn't want to leave her alone, but he just had to leave and help make the...funeral arrangements." He looked up at his friends nervously. "Do...do you mind if we make this short? I don't want to leave her alone for too long. I know Marco is there and all, but..." Once again, slight tears misted in his eyes at the thought of his love being in so much pain.

"Of course," nodded Ami. "Now, here's what else Mamoru and I found..." The group closed in and listened intently, each determined and willing to do their part to make sure no one else will have to suffer the pain Tanya was going through now.

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To Be Continued...

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