This one with the hair like starflame, who led them now, demonstrated her prowess in battle once again. Her decisive movement contrasted dramatically with what Sailor Xtal-Diamante had become accustomed to from the rag-tag team conscripted by Sailor Jin. The stony teenager watched Sailor Venus with the same blank stare, but her crystal core echoed softly within, still longing for a clearer purpose like the one she had known fulfilling the desires of her home planet.

Xtal-Diamante recognized that the conflict ongoing here with their separated comrades would require action from all of them. If they had done so poorly before against these shadowy creatures, may it serve as a lesson for this time. Sailor Xtal-Diamante's crystal eyes flashed twice in that special way as she stared at Sailor Venus.

Attack:

Battle Round 4 wrote:

15  Venus uses Rolling Heart Vibration twice (6MP) on Dark Shadow 3!
Did it hit?
--DEX >2x enemy dex; Autohit!
How much damage?
--4
--2
--CTRL 11
--CTRL 11
--MP 6
----Total of 34 32 points of damage!

Dark Shadow 3 fades away!

4  Xtal-Diamante uses Boost (Control) (3MP) on Sailor Venus!
Sailor Venus's CTRL has increased by 5!
The status will be in effect for 2+3= 5 Rounds!

Round 4:

Venus broke formation to send out a streak of light ahead of them and her heart jumped with joy - they found them! Somehow, some way, they had actually found them! She threw back her wings to decelerate and looked in the direction Venus had indicated and saw.... nothing. Nothing but the enemy Venus herself had fired at; confused and nervous she visually scanned the area again, her hands in nervous fists, worrying her thumbs as she searched. She wanted to trust Venus - Venus couldn't have gone mad, right? She had found an enemy, the others had to be --

And then she saw it - or, rather, didn't see it. Part of the multicolored nebula just disappeared, as though a slice of the background had been cut out. 

Darkness. 

Nyx!

She couldn't see anything - she didn't have any attacks. If she went in there she could just be creating more trouble - she'd just have to wait for Nyx to call it off! "We're here!" she cried, shouting into their senshi connection to be heard and comfort them in the knowledge of their companionship, and only at that very moment wondering why Ari and Hadley would willingly stay within Nyx's darkness when they were supposedly as immune to its effects as she was, which was to say not at all. It didn't make sense for them to remain in there, which meant they either couldn't leave, or... they had been further separated, and they weren't there at all. 

"Why are they all in there?" she asked the senshi around her, nervously wanting input from the others over the stressing situation they had come to.

Relief rushed through her at hearing Ari's voice - she must be close! - but that feeling faded quickly as she noticed the sounds marring that voice. Strained, frightened, maybe even panicked? Hadley couldn't quite tell, but her worry only increased tenfold.

Hadley still reached out with her hands, trying to search for her friend. "It's me," she replied. A part of her wondered where Nyx was in all of this, but now that she had some kind of confirmation that she was getting closer to Ari, her only focus was on her dear friend. Once she was with Ari, knew that the other girl was safe, then she would worry about her other companion. A thread of guilt and helplessness went through her.

There still remained enemies around them as well, she knew that they were there, waiting to attack again. But she couldn't risk trying to retaliate. What if she hit Ari or Nyx? And now that she was trying to find Ari, she couldn't remember which way the enemies had been situated. She squeezed her eyes shut, frustrating bubbling up inside of her.

And then she heard the voice. Crysdal's voice!

"Crysdal?" Her voice sounded small even to herself, but the happiness in hearing her friend's voice was clear. She didn't know where the other girl was, but just knowing that she was nearby gave Hadley hope. "Be careful!" she added in a louder voice - worried that they too might get hit with the darkness - then turned towards where she believed Ari to be, hands still outstretched, and said, "The others are here, Ari. Everything will be okay now."

As Venus attacked what looked like a dark patch of space, SAM realized that something must have been there. Sailor Nyx made darkness, right? That had to be a good sign that they were still alive!

"I'll check to see where they are!" she said, before activating her Energy Scanner, hoping it would pierce the void better than when she had tried earlier. Even if the Nebula made it difficult to see, she had to try. If she couldn't see, she'd be useless trying to help fight. Unless she just charged in blindly and hoped for the best...

"Your defenseive capabilities can be raised again if needed," Ferrum reminded her quietly. She'd keep that idea as a plan B.

To her immense relief, SAM,'s visor picked up on the three senshi and the two creatures of shadow with them. 

"They're all here!" she said, as the darkness faded away to reveal Bastet, Valdis, and Nyx. Even if her visor was pointless now, she felt better knowing that it had worked at all. Now they just had to get them out in one piece. She summoned her Star Cannon and fired a Chalybs Beam at Dark Shadow 1.

She felt a strange sensation; as if her magic was boosted, her focus clearer. She had no idea who or what was responsible for that, but she was grateful nonetheless. As the one she had targeted winked out of existence, three remained. Now that the darkness around them dissipated, everyone could see clearly.

She aimed a Crescent Beam at Dark Shadow 1, hoping now with everyone able to help, they could dispatch these enemies quickly.

Nyx was prepared to launch an attack towards the enemy that just hit her, when she heard voices calling out to them. How do they know her?

But suddenly, her thoughts began to get clearer. They... those were from her team. How did she forget that? She was about to erase her darkness - that technique not particularly efficient except when she was fighting alone - but the effect did not last any longer, either way.

She glanced momentarily at the rest of the group approaching them, before directing her attack towards one of the enemies. They would pay for messing with her like that.

Attack:

As soon as the darkness lifted, Ari's panic immediately subsided. She lifted her head, relieved to be in control of her self again but wondering why it just faded away. Had it been from the enemy? In the darkness she had heard someone...Hadley! She was ok! Ari turned and saw her friend, catching sight of everyone else. The relief at seeing everyone, especially Hadley brought tears to her eyes but she brushed them aside.

"Hadley! You're alive!" she rushed over to her friend, giving her a giant hug. The warmth of the other girl gave her peace and strength, "I thought you and Nyx were dead."

Ari pulled back from the hug, rubbing tears away from her eyes, "We need to help her. I don't know what these enemies did to me...but it may have effected her too."

In one hand, Ari summoned her quarter staff, the other she grabbed Hadley's, intent on sticking together this time as she made to fly towards Nyx, who already was releasing another attack.

Hadley! Hadley was in there - relief at knowing that they hadn't been further separated only freed up more worries for Hadley's warning; Sam - amazing Sam - used her technology thing to double check and she waited anxiously in the second that passed for confirmation; when it came, it was as though someone had blown away the smoke that had hidden them and suddenly the entire scene became clear:  Nyx fought near one of the creatures, Hadley and Ari were together nearer a second; with the third that Venus had shot from existence and the fourth that was bound by Hadley's vines, the 4 on 3 fight dynamics made Nyx's choice to throw everything into darkness make greater sense. 

She flew closer but didn't know which way to go - she couldn't tell who was hurt and she didn't want to get too close to the enemy in case she became a liability instead of support --

but as two of the creatures threw out dark disks covered in crackling purple plasma, she realized that distance between herself and them may not help anything at all. Nyx avoided the one meant for her, but the second hit Hadley square on, and so that was where she would go; however, as she closed the gap, an altercation between the two friends startled her, slowing her down - why would Hadley and Ari fight?!

The darkness of the entities they faced off against made it difficult for her to distinguish them. Sailor Xtal-Diamante stared into the nebula, trying to follow the actions of her teammates, but their offensive maneuvers were not for her to join in among. This was not like before, with enemies she could consider swinging a fallen branch at. (Additionally, she currently lacked an adequate weapon for such behavior. Apparently trees did not exist in this region.)

Instead, she quietly surveyed her fellow comrades. The separated group seemed to have been embroiled in battle for a while now. She considered her options and focused attention on Sailor Nyx. Her eyes strobed once with light as Xtal-Diamante concentrated on directing her power.

As she did so, she only vaguely noticed the action from Valdis as the crazed girl turned on Bastet.

Attack:

The first thing Hadley saw upon the blindness lifting was the beautiful sight of her dear friend. A smile came to Hadley's lips in both relief and happiness, and then Ari was there, close and alive. The hug from Ari lasted only a short moment, but was no less warm and Hadley relished in it, returning the gesture even as Ari's words made her frown in confusion. Dead? Ari thought she and Nyx had died? No wonder she sounded so distraught earlier. There was no time to ponder how Ari had ever come to that conclusion as they both began to move.

Hadley clung tightly to Ari's hand, wanting to make sure they were not separated again, and followed the other girl. At the same time, she attempted to make out the situation around them. A battle still raged onwards, and now that she could see, Hadley wondered how best to make herself useful. She was again thankful that the others were here, as they were so powerful and capable. The way they commanded the battle left her in awe. She reached her unoccupied hand towards the seed pouch at her throat, and kept an eye out for any opportunities.

The burst of darkness struck her a second after she realized it was incoming. She squeezed her eyes shut in a reflex against the expected pain. But there was nothing. Tentatively, she opened her eyes.

The world cut itself into a hundred different pieces, brittle as glass. Warped monsters surrounded her, reaching out for her, and whispers called to her, their voices warbled and screeching. Hadley recoiled away, but the monsters were everywhere, so close, she couldn't get away. She attacked the closest one, a whimper escaping her as the voices got louder and louder, pounding inside of her head, inside of her heart. The brittle glass world cracked even more.

And then it shattered.

There were too many missed attacks, but not from their enemies. As dark energy hit Valdis, she began to turn on her own friend, and Venus worried that these enemies were capable of not only physical attacks, but also mental ones. Those were far more dangerous; if left alone, the team could collapse. Gritting her teeth, she threw another Crescent Beam at Dark Shadow 2.

Ari's ears twitched as she felt dark energy swoosh by her, hitting Hadley directly. She turned to see if she was alright but the look on Hadley's face was all to telling. The other girl recoiled away from her and went to hit her.

Ari quickly blocked the attack with her quarterstaff, taking care not to hurt her friend. She maneuvered away from her to give more distance in case she attacked again.

"Hadley! Whatever you are seeing or thinking, it's not real! It's the enemy's doing!"

Ari glanced behind her to check on Nyx. What could she even do in this situation? Hadley might attack Nyx if they got too close but she had to stop the enemy's attacks from hitting them again. Ari did not want to experience the uncontrollable fear anymore. She had been scared in battle before but that was...something else. Ari shuddered thinking about. There was only one thing she could do right now and she hoped it would be enough to protect the three of them.

"Bastet Energy Barrier!"

Ari kept an eye on Hadley. How could she subdue her? Could Hadley even hear her voice? Ari gripped her quarterstaff, knuckles turning white, prepared to block Hadley if she had to.

Her shot went wide, and the Shadow dodged out of the way as they continued to attack. SAM was about to try again when Valdis suddenly struck out at Bastet. Was this normal behavior? She was fairly sure that they were close companions, and that wouldn't make sense, especially with how Bastet was protecting herself. SAM hesitated, and then abandoned her own attempts to fight their attackers to move closer to them. 

She used Steel Defense, and then tried to grab Sailor Valdis to keep her from moving. 


"Um, try to focus on getting rid of those things, I'll take care of her!" SAM said to Bastet.

Suddenly, Nyx felt some of her wounds from the battle heal. Aegle usually cast her healing magic in an unusual affectionate way, so she supposed the effect was from the rocky one. Would she even understand it if she thanked her? Either way, she was only doing her part of the mission. And at least, somewhat more effectively than others.

The enemy Nyx had just hit was still trapped in vines - instead of her, this time. That was quite useful, and rather unusual for Valdis, she figured. Does she have a better sense of direction in darkness? She doubted she could hold it for much longer though - a concern intensified when she attacked Bastet - so she proceeded to launch yet another beam its way.

action:

Sam had Hadley and was holding her, so at least she couldn't attack Ari but - but what was wrong to begin with? She glanced out at the three surviving enemies: Venus had turned her expert eye on another of them, Nyx was attempting to finish off the one wrapped in vines, the third had attempted to hit Venus but Venus was too fast for it; maybe she could get in unnoticed and - 

She turned, grabbed Gabriel's hand, and pulled him with her towards Sam, Hadley, and Ari, not wanting to leave him behind and vulnerable in case other enemies reached them. As they coasted in she pushed back with her wings to slow quickly, just out of reach of Hadley's legs in case she chose to kick, but the look and panic about her now appeared more flight than fight. "What happened?!" she asked, looking with concern from Hadley's panicked face to Sam's emotionless helmet and Ari's frightened yet determined demeanor.

"Sam!" Ari exclaimed, relieved for the help, "Thank you! But don't hurt her!" Crysdal arrived with Gabriel asking the question just as she began to explain to Sam.


"It's not her fault! The enemy...it can... I don't know how to describe it...Their attacks affect your mind. Make you feel things, think things, see things that aren't there! Whatever she's seeing, she's terrified. Hadley... This is my fault, I should have had my shield up in time."

Ari looked away from everyone ashamed at her lack of action, the strength and determination she got from Hadley faded. She had failed to protect her friend and worse, she glanced nervously towards Nyx, she had been useless to help her as well. It was all she could to do to keep herself from breaking apart on the spot, but she knew she had to force herself to be strong. Ari looked back towards the group, hoping for idea, her voice shaky.

"I'm worried about Nyx. I know she got hit earlier but...I just--I don't know what to do."

Surely Crysdal would have ideas. She had always looked up to her sort of like a leader, especially after the events on Destore...Before Venus arrived, she was the only one truly keeping the group together.

She did not expect to see so few of the group members actually able to do ranged attacks - the only one she saw was Nyx - and it worried her. Her magic was not infinite, this far away from the solar system, and if she had to kill all the enemies they came across every time... she would not have enough.

Switching to another tactic, Venus summoned her Holy Blade, the sword shining like the moon itself, and she wielded it physically, shooting forward in a blur to attack Dark Shadow 1 with two slashes in succession to finish it off.

She wished she could stop and listen to the conversation going on around her, but she had no time, not when they clearly needed her to keep the enemy at bay.

She was fairly certain that none of her abilities could be used on Sailor Valdis to recover her. This was not an injury, although clearly the small-framed girl was reacting as though she had been harmed. Xtal-Diamante observed dispassionately as Sailor Chalybs subdued her somewhat, preventing Valdis from striking at the violet one who she had seemed to develop an affinity for. Aegle and Amarachius Sworn soon joined the group assembled there, asking questions about the current occurrences.

Nearby, the mysterious Sailor Venus continued to struggle against the dark shadows. Although the rocky sailor soldier had already concentrated her ability towards the one with golden hair and golden uniform, but when she took in what was going on around her—and considered that she did not know how to strike at these unseen attackers—providing additional support to Venus seemed reasonable. There wasn't much time to work through such decisions, after all.

The clear eyes stared at the handsome silvery sword that the soldier summoned, and flashed twice with light as the cloud-haired once concentrated.

Attack:

Their attacks affect your mind. 

Crysdal bit her lip. 

Make you feel things
think things
see things that aren't there!


Brows furrowed, her eyes glued to the thrashing Hadley as Ari's words painted a picture too painful to deeply consider. Already they had had problems sorting out who was good and who was evil - the Hermit, the Frogmen, the Cawthians - and now to be confused on an even more personal level, forced to see things that weren't even there... Part of her went immediately out to Ari, who spoke as though through personal experience - just what had they endured in the short time they had been separated? "You did your best, Ari," she spoke honestly, though her eyes were still fully on the younger girl in green and gold. Just what was Hadley seeing to be so frightened? Before she knew what she was doing, she flew closer. "That's all we can do. We can watch out for Hadley - go help Nyx."

Out of instinct born of sympathy, she reached out and hugged Hadley, her chin resting on the other's red hair, her arms wrapping around to encircle Sam's cold armor, bracing herself against the smaller girl's panicked resistance. They weren't in control of anything anymore - not really. They had chosen to carry on, but had they really been given an honest choice in even that? To have even more choices taken away - the choice of what to think, or how to feel... But it wasn't permanent. Ari had come back; they just had to wait it out. 

Warmth spread out from her; in places where they touched, that warmth spread into Hadley, seeming to call her back. 

Move:

Battle Round Six wrote:

6  Aegle uses Aegle Hug on  Valdis!
Did it work?
--6!
 Valdis is no longer insane!

4  Xtal-Diamante uses Boost (3MP) on  Venus!
STRENGTH boosted by 2 for 4 rounds!

Round 6 has ended.
Round 7 has Begun

15  Venus uses Holy Blade and attacks Dark Shadow 1 Twice!
How much damage?
--2
--STR 3+2
--WPN 2
----Total of 9 points of damage!
How much damage?
--1
Dark Shadow 1 is defeated!

---

6 Dark Shadow 2 uses Darkness Attack and attempts to hit  Nyx!
Does it hit?
--6!
How much damage?
--0!
Nyx is Silenced! She is unable to speak or cast spells for 2 turns!

6 Dark Shadow 4 struggles to free itself from its bonds!
Does it work?
--6!
The vines shatter! Dark Shadow 4 is freed!
6 Dark Shadow 4 attempts to attack  Nyx!
Does it hit?
--6!
How much damage?
--4
--STR 5
--ARM -3
----Total of 6 points of damage!

Round Seven Battle Order:

Group: Moonlight Forest Separated until at least the start of round 4.
15  Venus Control increased by 5 until the end of Round 9; STR increased by 2 until the end of Round 10
10  Amarachius 
6 Dark Shadow 1 
6 Dark Shadow 2 
6 Dark Shadow 4 bound
6  Nyx  silenced until the end of round 9!
6  Aegle  
4  Bastet; Shield Strength: 10
4  Chalybs 
4  Xtal-Diamante 
3  Valdis


Group: What Group? 


Group: Kisses~

As expected, the creature broke free of the vines. If anything, it held longer than expected. No matter, she would have to handle it by herself. There was no one she could rely on, after all. No one she would.

The shadows wasted no time in retaliating - a hit that caused her pain, and another one that... did not. Did it have no effect?

It did not take long to find out. As she attempted to use another spell, no voice came out. She tried again, but she found herself unable to say any words.

Well, she would have to resort to other measures then. She summoned her Rod of Moonlight and attempted to slash Dark Shadow 4 with it.

Quite like what her sister would probably have tried.

SAM kept her grip on Valdis even as she thrashed around, though she tried to keep what Bastet had said in mind. The enemy could alter their minds? Could her suit even repel that kind of attack? Just what was Valdis even seeing right now? Not expecting Aegle's next move, she tensed up as she and Valdis hugged, but was amazed when Valdis stopped fighting against them. Tentatively, SAM let her go and gave them a few feet of space. 

Trying to keep her mind off the possibility of all of them getting hit with that mind altering trick, SAM used Chalybs Beam on Dark Shadow 4.

Away.

She had to get away. Away, away, far away. They were going to get her. They were going to get all of them! Everyone was already gone and she was alone - where were her friends? - dead dead, all dead - why couldn't she get away?

The panic in her mind struck out at her, needle sharp, as she struggled to escape from this crumbling and horrific world.

Her pinned arms fought to escape their heated fire-hot bonds, but she couldn't get away. They were going to get her! But ever so slowly, she realized that the burning had eased away into a pleasant and comforting warmth, calling to her. It spread like a balm over those burns, putting things back in their rightful places, and Hadley took in a shaking breath and realized Crysdal was there.

Tears stung at her eyes as the realization fully sunk in - Crysdal was here and she was alive and good and warm.

Hadley clung to her, and let the tears fall freely.

Crysdal's comfort helped ease her concerns a little, but it didn't make her feel if she had done any good to help. Ari nodded and hesitated a moment before heading towards Nyx. She glanced over her shoulder towards the group and saw Crysdal hugging Hadley. She wondered if her healing powers could help the mental effects. She looked forward and locked her eyes on Nyx, who had resorted to fighting with her staff. Was she out of magical energy?

Flapping her wings harder, she flew in towards Nyx and the enemy at her fullest speed. No more time to question, it was time for her to take action. Nyx didn't need to fight the enemy alone. She was here to do anything she could, as hard as she could. Trying to get the upper hand, she flew up above them. Gripping her quarterstaff, she dove down towards Dark Shadow 4, swinging her quarter staff as hard as she could from above.

Sailor Xtal-Diamante watched the interaction between Sailor Aegle and Sailor Valdis, momentarily concerned that even restrained, the smaller girl would manage to injure the blonde somehow. That did not come to pass. Instead, the redhead almost melted into the arms of the other, in that strange way that these soft-skinned creatures could press themselves close. She seemed to be leaking moisture from her eyes again, which Xtal-Diamante remembered was not a good sign, but she could observe no further danger except for the encroaching dark shadows.

The rust-skinned teenager surveyed the void around the group, her eyes scanning for additional moves to make. It took a moment for her to notice the soft echo within her core. She felt weary, although not unbearably so, from having used her abilities in such quick succession. Maintaining a defensive posture, she waited for another opportunity to assist.

Quote :

[left]Battle Round 7
6  Nyx attempts to attack Dark Shadow 4 with her Rod of Moonlight!
Did it hit?
--3
Dark Shadow 4 evades the attack!

4  Chalybs uses Chalybs Beam and attempts to attack Dark Shadow 4
Did it hit?
--2
She misses, Dark Shadow 4's evasive maneuvers to escape Nyx's staff too quick after her aim and fire!

4  Bastet attempts to attack Dark Shadow 4 with her staff!
Did it hit?
--4
How much damage?
--3
--STR 4
--WPN 1
----Total of 8 points of damage

Dark Shadow 4 is defeated.

Round Seven Battle Order:

Hadley calmed, and Sam let them go, but Crysdal just readjusted to Sam's leaving, holding Hadley closer as the other cried. Placing one hand softly on the back of Hadley's head, she mimicked the way her mother used to comfort her, keeping her close and gently petting her soft hair, her eyes opening slightly to watch the fight happening behind them. Light caught on tears that floated freely in space, and she decided to shut her eyes again, giving herself completely to the younger girl that needed her. 

She'd trust their safety to Gabriel and Sam.