"World Shaking!"
With that final attack, the daimon turned back into its previous shape, a toy racing car. Neptune picked it up and, smiling, handed it back to the small boy. "Here you are! You're not hurt, are you?"
While the boy sniffed and took back his favorite toy, Neptune put her hand on his chest. She sighed. No talisman here either.
When the boy was gone, Uranus cursed angrily. "How are we gonna find the talismans at that rate?" she muttered. "Just how many people live here in this town?"
"I believe we should start checking the more famous persons... they may have a bigger chance of carrying a talisman."
"You mean the mayor or something?" Uranus asked. The dolphin of Neptune shook her sleek head. "No, I mean someone with a sense of justice... like this local hero, Sonic the hedgehog!"
"The blue hedgehog I fought on Speed Highway?" the cheetah asked. "Well, I don't think he would actually trust me after what happened the last time."
"We have to try it," Neptune insisted. "We have to check everyone's heart, even his. And if it isn't him, it could be also one of those echidnas living on the floating island, or one of the other Senshi. Maybe Espio is right... we should talk to them."
"And what should we say?" Uranus snorted. "Sorry we fought you all these times, but can't we be friends? By the way, please let us have a look at your pure hearts... Somehow, this doesn't seem to be the right way..."
"Not exactly," someone said. "But you're on the right path."
They looked up. Over them, on a street lamp, a female hedgehog was standing... Pluto!
"You're that hedgehog girl GUN is after," Uranus realized. "They said it on TV... didn't you steal some jewels?"
Pluto smiled. "I didn't steal them... I just took them away from their base. They didn't belong to them in the first place. But enough about me... let's talk about you! I admire your resolve for a good thing, and you even managed to change your ways of achieving your goals... But still, you have to learn the way of thinking on different levels. In my opinion, protecting the citizens is admirable... but your search for the talismans should be centered around other persons!"
"How do you know of our plans?" Neptune shouted. "Are you an agent of Kaolinite?"
Pluto huffed. "Please... Besides, that woman is already dead, I believe. Let's just say I have my ways of informing myself... I know you're Sailors Uranus and Neptune, for instance In your civil identities, you're known as Michiru and Haruka, live in the apartment of the Chaotix detective agency, and you have a special... interest for each other."
Michiru blushed, while Haruka went red with rage. "Shut up! If you know that much and aren't our enemy, why are you here?"
Pluto smirked and jumped down. "I'm here... to challenge one of you to a fight! Don't worry, I only want a friendly competition match to test your and my powers. What do you say?"
The dolphin-girl whispered to her spotted partner: "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Ah, what's the worst that could happen?" Uranus replied. "Besides, she isn't even a Senshi. She has no chance against me."
"Maybe, but remember the blue hedgehog! He also had powers we know nothing about. So take care, okay?"
"Don't worry," Uranus replied with a smirk. "I'll show her who's boss." To Pluto, she shouted: "I accept your challenge! Where should we fight?"
Pluto smiled. "I already chose a nice place near town. Just follow me!"
----
The dark green hedgehog lead them to a nice park at the edge of town. In there, they arrived on a nice clearing, next to the flowing river. "Here we have enough space and won't be bothered. Fine with you?"
Uranus shrugged. "Sure, let's begin already."
"Before we begin, let me introduce myself to you... you should know who you're fighting, right?" She made a small bow. "I am Pluto the Hedgehog... the Ultimate Life Form, First Version! It's a pleasure!"
"Ultimate Life Form?" Uranus huffed. "Big talk for a hedgehog, but let's see what you got." She went into a battle stance. "Ready?"
"Pluto?" Neptune whispered. "Can it be?"
"3, 2, 1... fight!" Pluto shouted, and rushed at the cheetah. Uranus defended herself with claw swipes and kicks, but Pluto seemed to be faster than even Sonic.
Uranus smacked the hedgehog girl away with a punch and yelled: "Let's end this: World Shaking!"
Pluto smiled. "Chaos Scream!" And she threw a purple ball of energy at the Senshi, which cancelled her own attack.
"That power..." Neptune murmured. "It's just like that of a Senshi!"
Pluto felt pretty sure of herself. She already absorbed enough power of the emeralds to do the Chaos attacks without the need of carrying one of them with her. "Now for something special," she said. "Chaos... Control!"
Time seemed to slow down considerably as Pluto called on the powers of chaos flowing through her veins. Uranus had no chance of defending herself as Pluto ran at her and gave her a massive pounding.
When time snapped back to normal, the Senshi of Uranus was lying beaten on the ground. Pluto stood next to her, a cocky grin on her face. "I believe I won."
"I hate to... say it, but she's right," Uranus moaned while standing up. "When she used that strange power to slow down time, I had really no chance of blocking or dodging her attacks. Even without Senshi powers, she is formidable."
"Why, thank you!" Pluto felt flattered. "And that was quite a refreshing fight. I think I learned something from our little contest. So I think I will give you a little hint on how to find the talismans..."
"Really?" Neptune asked hopefully.
"Of course! But, don't expect anything extraordinary. It's only just a small advise..."
"What advise?" Uranus asked curiously.
Pluto smiled. "Put your hands... on each other's heart!"
And in a flash, she disappeared.
The two Outer Senshi gasped. "Could she mean...?"
Haruka looked at Michiru. Michiru looked at Haruka.
Slowly, they approached each other. They looked into each other's faces and raised their right hands. Then, they put them on their partner's chest.
And felt something warm flowing through their bodies.
"The talismans..." Uranus whispered.
"...are in our own hearts?" Michiru murmured.
----
Pluto appeared in a back alley. "There, satisfied? I really think they should understand now."
"You did well," a gentle voice told her. "Finding the last one shouldn't be too hard for them now."
"Oh, on the contrary," Puto grinned. "They might come to the conclusion who is carrying the final talisman pretty quickly, but... I bet the talisman bearer wouldn't let them catch her that easily!"
"Anyway, you did a good job. Well done!"
"Does that mean you tell me more about your little 'story'?"
"No, not yet. But if you keep it up, I may tell you the background of all this... the real truth about your origins. Until then, goodbye, Pluto the Hedgehog!"
And the floating ball of light flew away.
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(Posted Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:09)
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