Prologue
The full moon dangled in the starless sky, it's light shining on the ground in front of me, barely showing me the path to take. I took in a shallow breath, then began to walk to…something. I could not tell if I was heading for solace, or if every step I took was leading me to doom. I reached into the pocket of my skirt and brushed the surface of my transformation wand with my shaking hand. At least I knew I would have some defense if things got bad. No matter what happened, I had to keep going. I had to find her.
As I walked on, I soon found myself surrounded by trees. The winter weather had left them without their leaves, making the scene before me reminiscent of something in a horror movie. I heard rustling behind me, so I quickly turned to see if I could tell what was there.
"Hello?" I called, my voice shaking. The trees rustled again, and a dark figure emerged from them. I would have panicked, had I not seen the blonde buns and long pigtails protruding from the stranger's head. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw my friend and future queen, Usagi, standing before me.
"What are you doing out here, Michiru?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should tell her what was going on.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked.
"I sort of followed you" Usagi explained sheepishly. "I was heading home from Mamo-chan's when I saw you coming this way. You looked worried about something, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay." I smiled softly at her, and brushed my bangs from my face.
"You're sweet, Usagi. I appreciate that. I'll be alright, I just…" My voice trailed off, and I glanced at the ground.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Usagi asked.
"No, there isn't" a sinister voice answered, cutting through the darkness like a knife. "You have no business here. Get out!" I turned towards the direction of the voice, but couldn't see anything just yet.
"You'd better get out of here, Usagi. I don't want you to get hurt" I said, turning back towards her.
"Why, Michiru? What's going on?" Usagi asked, sounding terrified. "I won't leave until you tell me what's going on" she said firmly.
"There's no time to explain!" I yelled. You've got to get out of here! Now! Don't worry abut me!" Usagi hesitantly turned and ran out of the trees, and I turned to face my foe once again. This time, she emerged from the darkness. I could tell immediately that it was Eugeal, one of the Witches 5. She slinked out from the trees, a smirk plastered on her face.
"So, you decided to show up?" she snarled. "I thought you'd be too chicken." I glared at her, ignoring her jeering.
"Where is she?!" I screamed."
"You didn't really think it would be that easy, did you?" Eugeal cackled. "I'm not giving her back until you hand over that mirror!" I was determined to get out of here alive, with Haruka, and without having to give up my greatest source of power.
"If you think you're getting your way, you couldn't be more wrong" I said as I pulled out my transformation wand and thrust it into the air. "Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!" I stood before Eugeal now as Sailor Neptune, the Soldier of the Sea. Every ounce of fear that had been inside me was gone now, and I felt confident that I would be leaving this forest, but that Eugeal would not.
"I'll save you, Haruka, if it's the last thing I do" I thought to myself as my power surged within me. With everything I had, I struck Eugeal.
"Neptune Deep Submerge!" I cried, hurling my tidal wave at her. She flew back and hit a tree, then crumpled to the ground. It took her a few moments to get back up, and when she did, she seemed to still be struggling.
"You're stronger than I thought, especially since your partner isn't here to help you" Eugeal taunted between pained breaths.
"When it comes to the people I love, I'll do anything to protect them" I said, my eyes shining with determination. "Now, tell me where you're keeping her!"
"Never" Eugeal hissed. "You haven't seen the last of me…I'll be back."
"I'll be waiting" I said cheekily as Eugeal disappeared into the night. Once she had gone, I leaned against a tree and slowly lowered myself to the ground, burying my face in my knees and taking in the silence around me. I began praying to God that I would find Haruka, and that we would defeat Eugeal and restore peace to this planet once again. I didn't know what she wanted with my other half, but I knew that it was anything but good.