Drops of Starlight

Chapter 35: Permanent Scar

💫 Drops of Starlight 💫
By Strawberry Moon Rose
🍓🌙🌹

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Chapter 35: Permanent Scar
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"Look out!" Seiya grabbed the handle of Chibi-Usa's car seat and dove for Usagi, pushing her aside from the oncoming attack. 

Luna scattered, her paws clumsy on the ice. Usagi fell onto Makoto. As the searing energy ball whizzed past, it left a scorching hole in Usagi's winter coat. A dry yelp escaped her lips at the burn.

Seiya crashed into the ground. The car seat slipped from her grasp. It spun and collided with a nearby snowdrift on the sidewalk. Chibi-Usa's ruby eyes popped open and a piercing cry rang out - a stark reminder of her vulnerability.

Seiya lurched to her feet and stood resolutely before the infant, her hand in her pocket. 

"Fighter Star Power Make...UP!"

Simultaneously, Usagi rolled off Makoto and the two guardians shouted their transformation phrases.

"Moon Eternal..."

"Jupiter Crystal Power..."

"Make UP!"

Nephrite's cold eyes bore down on the sailor guardians as they transformed. Another attack spun between his hands. All it would take was the flick of the wrist to send it right for them. His sinister intent was palpable, but he maintained his patience, allowing the energy sphere to crackle with malevolent power.

Eternal Sailor Moon, now fully transformed, took charge of the situation. "Jupiter, Luna, keep Chibi-Usa safe!" she commanded. "Fighter and I will handle him!"

"Got it!" Sailor Jupiter seized the baby carrier and took off. As much as Jupiter wanted to stay and fight, she had to put as much distance between them as possible to ensure Chibi-Usa's safety. Luna kept her head down and led her away.

Nephrite half-smiled. "Good call," he said. "Wouldn't want any innocents to get caught up in the middle of a battle, would we now, Fighter?"

Fury flashed in Sailor Star Fighter's eyes. "Don't you dare lay a finger on either of them! I will end you myself!"

"Oh, I believe that. I know how you fight," Nephrite snarled. The orb in his palms surged in tandem with his rising temper. The Starlight didn't allow him to attack again.

"Star Serious Laser!" Fighter fired a dazzling beam toward him.

Nephrite leaped into the air, leaving the brick wall behind him to absorb the light. It crumbled on impact, falling to fragments. Nephrite descended gracefully, his hair cascading into place around his shoulders as if in slow motion.

"Nephrite?" Naru's fearful voice echoed from the other side of the brick fence separating them. Nephrite's attention flickered away before snapping back. In a wisp of purple smoke, he vanished.

Sailor Moon and Fighter raced forward, skidding to a halt within the enclosed playground.

Nephrite now stood alongside Naru, his intentions unclear, but it appeared he was about to take her and bolt.

"What's going on?" asked Naru. She cast bewildered glances between the two sailor guardians and her boyfriend.

"Naru, get away from him!" Sailor Moon urged. "He's dangerous!"

"Sailor Moon, what are you talking about? I'm not afraid of this man."

"You should be," said Fighter. "He's attacking innocent people and he's altered your memories."