Thread: The Ultimate Blood Sport... (Zodiac and Cerberus)

Keep holding on, Minako thought as she watched her friends disappear one by one. Usagi went first and then Ami followed after her. It was just Rei and herself who fought back to back. Smiling a bit, she felt almost like it was old times. Just the two of them against odds like this. What they hadn't expected was that the enemy multipled faster then Ami could calculate. Then... she was alone. It was took a moment, a breath before something wrapped around Rei's waist and jerked her into a pack of those, those... things. And then Minako only knew darkness. How had this happened? Two days ago started out like any other. Minako had been racing against the clock with Artemis close on her heels, chiding her for sleeping in so late and laughing that even Usagi would be at school before her. Gritting her teeth, she threw herself into the sprint until her lungs burned and her heart felt close to exploding. Only once she skidded in front of her school did she take a moment to breathe. Placing a hand against a brick pillar and gasping for breath, her chest rising and falling while she brought her gaze up. That's how it started, but not how her day ended. Not long into the school day was there an attack somewhere in their city. She heard about it first over the intercom about staying put and keeping calm. That apparently there had been an attack launched on the city and no one was sure who was responsible. Then her com went off and Makoto started talking about strange things. Monsters that weren't like the type they usually fight. Even their usual foes seemed confused and were quickly dispatched by the Xeno creatures. They came together and killed off the first of many. That evening... they, the senshi, thought it was over. It wasn't. The next day seemed more strange. Minako didn't even make it to school before noticing something down an alley. Another one of those monsters, but this one wasn't stealing hearts, crystals or energy. Instead it was... killing? Blood splattered a wall while it's fist protruded from a man's chest. Blinking, she quickly turned and almost bumped into one of those things. It's face so close that she could smell it's hot, fetid breath. Then it did something strange. A small set of paws extended from it's mouth, snapping at her in a threatening manner. Why didn't it attack just then? It had taken her off guard. The thing could have killed her on the spot, instead, it had waited until she turned around. Thankfully, she wasn't a helpless damsel. Dropping to the group, she slammed her school case against it's chest and thrust her legs up in a kind of kick. It knock the creature over and she was off. Her hand moving to her transformation pen. Moments later, Sailor Venus burst through a spray of light and joined her friends. Not once did they get a break. Fighting day and night. Sailor Jupiter was separated from the rest and Venus could only hope that she was alright. Then Usagi was taken and Ami ran after her. Protect the Princess. That had been their orders. Besides, Mars was with her. Wonderful, strong Mars who always stood by her side. Even back in the day when they had all been princesses and guardians of Princess Serenity. She trusted the fiery senshi with her life... and then she was gone. Present Day Venus felt so strange. Her mind was a fog of memories, all broken up and put back together. The present bleeding into what happened in the past. She remembered a dance from long ago. Masks and costumes. She had caught the Princess with her Prince outside and Venus had been about to say something when a gloved hand fell on her shoulder. Turning back, she remembered feeling steel grey eyes and long white hair. Her heart fluttering. Then she remembered seeing that same face, but something had changed. They were enemies now. Fighting for the same thing. Tilting her head, she groaned softly. Why couldn't she move her arms? Her side felt like it was burning and she could smell something oily. Plus the near constant hiss of something nearby. Growls and clicks. Cracking her eyes open, she felt the dreams fall away and reality set in. Where was she? Gasping, she felt fire lace across her side from where one of those monsters had wounded her. It was a blow that might have killed a normal woman, but not Venus. Already, she could feel herself heal enough to stop the bleeding... although, it would take time for the flesh to knit back together. Finally awake, she had no clue where she was. It was dark. And there were frightened voices around her. Shrieks and the sound of, of... she wasn't sure. It was like a cracking and sucking sound. Where was she? Jerking her head to the side and back, she jerked at her hands in an attempt to free herself. If only she could free her hands... or get it up enough to, to... ah, damn. It wasn't working. Tears stung her eyes. She needed to find her friends. They had to still be alive. Somewhere.