Chapter Four

We All Fall Down

Usagi waited patiently for Étoile, keeping a watchful eye for anyone who might want to harm her. They had been meeting at this point for weeks, since Sailor Janus had first attacked her. So far, other than the incident at school, Janus had not shown up. Usagi was beginning to feel confident that their plan was working, and that Minos was wrong. Numbers would keep Janus at bay, she was sure of it. By combining their powers, they would defeat Janus just as they had defeated all the others who threatened peace on Earth. She wished, not for the first time, that Mamoru was fighting beside her. She missed his quiet strength, and her heart ached that he had to be so far away. The letters from America kept coming, however, so she tried her best not to be sad. At least she knew he was alive and well.

She had not received a single letter from Michiru, and the news the other night had told them that all her concert dates had been mysteriously canceled. No one knew why the famous violinist had decided to change her schedule and refund the money from ticket sales. No one, except Usagi and the other senshi. Minos had been right in this, it seemed. Haruka and Michiru were gone.

She heard footsteps coming towards her, which caused her to raise her head cheerfully. She expected to see Étoile, smiling face as the girl swung her bag and skipped down the road. Instead she saw the long black hair of Calliste, and her face was far from smiling.

"Good morning, Calliste-san," Usagi said politely. "How are you?"

The older woman stopped in front of Usagi, and the odango haired girl could see the torment and sadness in her eyes. Glancing around, Calliste took Usagi by the arm and led her down a deserted side street.

"Wait! I have to wait for Étoile!" Usagi objected.

"Étoile isn't coming," Calliste said huskily. It was the first time Usagi had heard her speak with such emotion.

"Why not? Is she sick?"

"She's dead."

Usagi's eyes widened in shock, and she felt her heart sink to the bottom of her stomach. Calliste turned away to be spared that look, and felt her own sorrow renewing.

"Last night," Calliste continued before Usagi could speak. "Janus cornered her. She fought bravely, but I was too late. I couldn't save her."

Usagi noticed a tear fall from the other woman's cheek.

"She knows who Ami is, and nearly killed her too, but the rest of you must say hidden," Calliste insisted. "Ami should go away for a while, until I can defeat Janus for good."

"We're staying to fight," Usagi objected. "So is Ami-chan."

The look Calliste gave her was of disbelief, sadness, and helplessness. Usagi wanted to hug the girl, give her a shoulder to cry on, and maybe even take away some of her burden, but she knew Minos would not permit it.

"Even after losing Étoile, you still don't understand?" Calliste asked.

"We can work together," Usagi said weakly.

"And you will die together," Calliste yelled, her frustration and grief turning to anger. "I can't save you all!"

Turning on her heel, Calliste left Usagi alone in the street. Usagi watched her go, consumed with her own sadness at Étoile's death but also full of concern for Calliste.

Janus pirouetted around the room, randomly firing Stellanova's stolen attacks at the walls and ceiling. She felt invincible, as she often did after consuming someone's powers. She wanted to fight someone, to challenge them to take away her invincibility. She still could not completely control her new abilities, but they were hers at last!

"Well done," the Boss said from his cushions.

"Thank you," Janus replied, dropping into a curtsey.

The Boss half smiled. "That brings your most recent total up to three. Shade, how many senshi have you brought me?"

Janus smiled childishly at the sullen figure standing in the shadows. "Yeah, Shade. Who need watching now?"

Shade said nothing but vanished into the darkness. Janus laughed as he left and began to dance again.

Mikko gently opened the door to Calliste's workshop and peered inside. It was nearly midnight, and she had not seen her friend and business partner since breakfast. Calliste had been very quiet, lost in her own thoughts, and Mikko had decided it would be best to leave her alone for a while to let her work through whatever was bothering her.

Calliste was in the back of her shop, frantically working on something. Mikko took a few hesitant steps towards her and opened her mouth to speak, but Calliste didn't turn to acknowledge her presence. She kept working, completely absorbed in her task. Mikko knew her friend well enough to know that whenever she was that engrossed in her work, she was doing some serious thinking, so she closed her mouth and quietly left the workshop.

Calliste paused to once again wipe the tears that were forming in her eyes. She held in her hand a simple doll, with short pig-tailed hair and large bright eyes. The doll was smiling cheerfully and wore a sailor fuku. Although it was not yet painted, Calliste envisioned it with specific colours – black hair, purple eyes, and a yellow and red uniform. It was her tribute to the one she could not save. Bending over the doll, Calliste tried to fashion her work in the image of Sailor Stellanova, and hoped the spirit of the girl could forgive her.

Mikko was still awake when Calliste finally came up to the apartment. The black haired carpenter was exhausted and fell on the couch beside her friend. Mikko wisely chose not to say anything about the sawdust trail she brought in, but instead put a comforting arm around her friend. Calliste rested her head on Mikko's shoulder and took a deep calming breath.

"What's wrong?" Mikko asked. "Thinking about your parents again?"

Calliste shook her head. "I just got news today that someone I knew died."

"A friend from the orphanage?"

"Yes. A young friend. I keep thinking that if I had been there, I could have helped her."

"You can't be everywhere," Mikko reminded her. "You can only do so much."

"I should be able to do more. She needed me, and I wasn't there."

"There are people here who need you, too. You're here for them."

Ami's face flashed into Calliste's mind. "I suppose."

"Was your friend's death an accident? Or did she suspect it was coming?"

"She knew."

"Then what could you have done? You're not invincible, Calli. You're a single person. Your friend knew that, I know that. You're the only one who needs convincing."

Calliste sat up and nodded. "You're right, Mikko. I'm a single person, and I can only do what I can do."

Mikko smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, go to bed. You look terrible."

Impulsively, Calliste threw her arms around Mikko and hugged her tightly. "Good night. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you."

Mikko hugged her back. "You're crazy from lack of sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

Calliste headed to her room, but knew that sleep would be far from coming. A line had to be drawn, to protect Sailor Moon and the others, and Sailor Minos was the only senshi who could draw it.

Calliste was waiting at the Shrine the next morning, sitting on the steps, knowing that before long, the other senshi would come by. It was a Saturday morning, and the sun was bright in the sky. Mikko was watching the shop, and in the small bag next to Calliste was the doll of Sailor Stellanova.

It wasn't long before Makoto and Minako came by, talking animatedly together. Calliste stood, and the movement caught Minako's eye. She slowed to a stop, causing Mako to do the same, and met Calliste's gaze.

"We heard about Étoile," Minako said. "We're sorry."

The pang of sadness hit Calliste again, but it was not as sharp. She had a new purpose, a way to avenge the young senshi's death. She forced a smile.

"I would like to speak with you, if I could," she said. "All of you."

"We're meeting at Crown's," Mako replied. "Come with us."

Calliste bowed by way of thanks and followed the two girls downtown. The weight of the doll was comforting as she and the girls talked about trivial things. Calliste observed the two senshi as they walked. Makoto, the tall and strong senshi of Jupiter, was far more graceful and kindly in her mortal form. Minako, the vivacious senshi of Venus, seemed a lot less serious and much more playful without the senshi fuku. Calliste wondered what they thought of her, and if they could have been friends had the situation been different. They must resent her for working alone. They might even hate her.

The glass doors for Crown's slid open and the three girls walked in. Usagi, Rei, and Ami were already seated in their usual spot and had already ordered their drinks. They greeted Mako and Minako brightly and then all eyes turned to Calliste. Ami smiled, and Usagi's grin seemed a bit strained, but Rei stared at her in open defiance with her purple eyes. Calliste asked if she could join them, and Ami slid over to make some room.

"I have something to discuss with you," Calliste said, glancing around. "Is it safe here?"

The five senshi nodded. "Just watch out for Unazuki. She sometimes hangs around," Ami said.

"Here are your drinks," Unazuki said, suddenly appearing, "and I resent that comment. I don't hang around, I'm working!"

The redheaded waitress stalked off in a huff, causing Ami to blush in embarrassment. Her friends laughed as they claimed their sodas and dug in, Rei having already ordered the usual drinks for Mako and Minako. Calliste even found herself smiling, which made what she had to do that much more difficult.

"I figured out what to do about Janus," she said, "but I need your support."

"Of course!" Usagi exclaimed. "We'll do whatever we can to help you!"

Calliste's smile thinned. "I'm going to challenge her to a duel. We'll fight to the death, the two of us."

"No!" Rei objected, to Calliste's surprise. "It's too dangerous."

"But it's the only way. You five will stay hidden, watching the battle. If I die, strike her immediately before she has time to recover her strength. She's at her most vulnerable right after she's killed. You may stand a chance if you don't hesitate. If I win, then our problems are over."

"That's a foolish plan," Mako told her.

"I agree with Mako-chan," Ami said in her soft voice. "There is no guarantee that this will defeat Janus, one way or another. We should think of something else."

"That's right," Usagi said. "Together, the six of us can take down Janus."

"Remember what happened to the last senshi who tried to fight Janus alone," Minako reminded Calliste.

She once again felt the weight in her bag. "I know, but I've battled Janus many times and I haven't lost yet. With you guys as back-up, this plan will work! You just can't transform until I'm dead, or let her see you. Especially you, Ami."

Mako shook her head. "It sounds like you don't need us at all."

"If I die…"

"If you die, we all die. You've said it yourself countless times."

"We need to think of a strategy that keeps us all alive," Ami added.

"Like what? Ask her nicely to stop?" Calliste disagreed. She rose to her feet and turned to leave. Pausing for a second, she turned back to the girls at the table.

"Keep living in your dream world," she said. "Keep imagining that if you all stay together, you'll be fine. I'm going to challenge Janus and fight to keep you alive. I hope I don't die, but if I do, I wanted you to be prepared so what happened to Étoile doesn't happen to you."

She tossed the small bag on the table and left the café. The senshi sat in stunned silence for a moment before Usagi reached over and took the doll out of the bag. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at the small representation of Sailor Stellanova in her hands.

"We'll be there," Usagi decided, "but not as back-up. Together, we'll all fight Sailor Janus and we'll get rid of her once and for all."

Sailor Minos stood on a flat rooftop, staring across the city. The moon was high overhead and the stars were twinkling almost cheerfully. Minos wished she could share in their joy. Her meeting with the inner senshi had left her angry and frustrated. She had gone to seek their help and they had turned her down, even after the endless speeches about working together. They obviously did not want to see this thing ended.

She took a deep breath and turned around full circle, slowly observing her surroundings. It would not be long before Janus found her, she knew. The two of them seemed connected somehow. It was a thought that both alarmed and intrigued Minos. Not for the first time, she wondered why she and Janus were so closely intertwined, but this was not the time or place for such thoughts. She kicked at a few loose stones and sighed. She had been waiting for quite a while and her nemesis had not yet arrived.

A sound of falling rock to her right caused her to spin around, her eyes scanning the dimly lit rooftop for the source of the noise. The moonlight momentarily vanished behind a passing cloud and Minos squinted in the sudden dimness. The last thing she wanted was for Janus to catch her off guard. There would be no chance of succeeding if that happened. As the light slowly returned, Minos caught sight of the other person on the roof. Closing her eyes and breathing a sigh of relief, Minos turned to the hidden figure.

"Come out from back there," she said.

The figure ducked behind a piece of equipment on the roof. Minos shook her head.

"I've already seen you. There's no point in hiding. If I've seen you, she probably has too."

The figure stood slowly and shamefully came out into the moonlight. Minos frowned, wondering whether she should be angry or grateful. Sailor Moon was staring at her feet, one toe absently drawing circles in the dust as she waited for her reprimand.

"What are you doing here?" Minos demanded.

"You said you needed back-up."

"This isn't what I meant. You were supposed to stay in your normal form until I needed your help. Now Janus will be able to track you as well."

"You might need help sooner than you think. We wanted to be ready."

"We?" Minos repeated.

Blushing, Sailor Moon made a gesture with her hands to the surrounding shadows. The other senshi emerged, equally embarrassed at being discovered. Minos sighed. Now she would have to protect them all.

"Are you trying to get yourselves killed?" Minos asked.

"Apparently, you all are."

All six senshi turned to find a tall man standing behind them. He was very nicely dressed in an expensive suit and had black gloves on his hands. He gazed at the assembled senshi with deep, black eyes and smiled cruelly. He pointed to each of them as he counted out loud.

"One, two, three, four, five, six senshi! All in one place, too. This will put me in the lead," he exclaimed.

"The lead for what?" Mars asked.

"Who are you?" Minos demanded at the same time.

The man shook his head. "One question at a time, please. My name is Shade and I'm afraid it doesn't matter what my game is, only that you six are pawns."

Minos clenched her hand tightly. A friend of Janus', no doubt, but where was the other senshi? She allowed her eyes the chance to glance around a final time before resolving herself to battle with Shade. Beside her, the inner senshi were also tensing for battle.

"I hope you had happy lives," Shade remarked, "because they're all ending here."

He clapped his hand sharply and a female appeared next to him. She looked like a human, only with blue skin and long green hair. She had large green lips and blue eyes that peered under half-closed lids, and she smiled lazily at her enemies.

"What the hell is that?" Minos asked.

"Youma!" Sailor Moon exclaimed in surprise.

"We can handle this," Jupiter assured the other senshi.

Minos shrugged and let the inners attack. Jupiter flew at the blue skinned girl, her uninjured hand balled into a fist. She swung, but the attack passed through the monster's shoulder and Jupiter fell forward. Sailor Mars was right behind her.

"Mars Flame Sniper!" Mars called, shooting her arrow.

The youma yawned and the arrow sailed into her mouth, disappearing. Minos raised an eyebrow, obviously impressed by the monster's power. Shade watched with a smug look on his face. The inner senshi continued to battle.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" Mercury called.

The attack struck, knocking the monster back. The senshi cheered and Mercury prepared herself for another attack. The youma was ready for her this time and swung her hair around, entangling the blue senshi in her tresses. Mercury gasped as the hair began to engulf her until she was completely absorbed.

"Mercury!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.

"You sure you're okay?" Minos asked innocently.

Mars shot her an angry look and Minos shrugged. Holding out one hand, her talisman appeared and she swung it in a lazy arc. It cut through the creature's hair, dropping Mercury to the ground. Venus helped her free of the green prison.

"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus called.

The attack severed the blue skinned monster in two, and she vanished with a scream. The senshi then faced Shade, who applauded their efforts.

"Well done," he congratulated, "and you barely needed any help. Good job."

He snapped his fingers and three more monsters appeared. These ones were not human at all, but large rock creatures with hands the size of small cars and legs as thick as tree trunks. The senshi all stepped back in shock as the three giants loomed over them.

"Squish them," Shade ordered.

"We may need your help on this one," Venus said to Minos.

"You've got it," Minos agreed.

The first of the monsters attacked, swinging its fist like a club. The senshi scattered as it struck, throwing themselves into all directions. When the monster raised his had again, there was a large crater where it had struck. Coughing against the dust, Jupiter narrowed her eyes.

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" she exclaimed.

The ball of electricity flew through the air, striking the monster in the neck. The attack spread through its limbs, and for a brief moment it looked as if it would come apart. Instead the monster made a motion as if he was swallowing, and the electricity disappeared. Jupiter stood in open-mouthed defeat, wondering why her attack failed. The monster used the distraction to his advantage.

"Look out!" Minos called, tackling Jupiter to push her aside as the fist came down again.

"Mercury!" Venus said, dodging a swipe of the giant's hand.

"Scanning for weakness," Mercury reported, staring at the youma through her visor. The creature seemed impenetrable. Squinting, Mercury tried to make sense of the data as her friends fought on. She shook her head and touched her earring to make the visor disappear.

"It's too strong," Mercury said. "I can't find anything."

"Great," Mars grumbled, firing a flaming arrow into the monster's eye.

"This is ridiculous," Minos said. "Minos Goddess Explosion!"

The attack blew the creature's arm off, sending it falling to the street below. Minos winced internally, hoping no one was below them to be crushed. The other senshi gave a cheer and renewed their own attacks on the monster. Minos tried to run across the rooftop to take the monster by the other side, but was caught by the youma's enormous foot. She was sent flying through the air, landing hard on the rooftop. She lay dazed for a moment, feeling the blood well up inside her mouth, then sat up and spat. Her head spun, and she could see Sailor Moon gazing in her direction in concern, so she raised a hand to set the girl's mind at ease. Sailor Moon smiled and returned to the fight, and Minos struggled to her feet.

Shade motioned with one hand, and the other two giants joined the battle. Groaning, Minos rose to help the inner senshi handle the two fresh youma. It was apparent that they couldn't take much more fighting. All five senshi were visibly exhausted, their powers weakening as their strength faded. Sailor Moon was doing her best, but the intensity of the silver crystal was diminishing as fast as Sailor Moon's own strength.

"Minos Goddess Explosion!" Minos called, throwing another charge.

It blew a hole through the torso of one of the giants, causing it to teeter on one leg and almost fall. Sailor Venus leapt forward and threw another attack, hoping that the monster would tumble the rest of the way, but one of its companions crushed Venus beneath one of his massive hands. Her attack cleared the giant's hand, and the second youma fell to the street below. The other senshi hurried to Venus' aid, and Minos took a few steps to follow them before something caught her eyes. Stopping, she turned to see Janus standing nearby, smiling at her. Minos tried to ignore her and help the senshi win their battle, but something pulled at her, drawing her to Janus. With the inners out of the way, absorbed in their own battle, perhaps Minos could complete her plan. There was only one more giant, after all. Turning, she hurried to where Janus waited.

"Sailor Minos?" Sailor Moon called as she saw the other girl retreating.

Mercury also raised her hand and noticed Janus nearby. A crash sounded, and Mercury turned her head in time to see one of Jupiter's attack push the youma off balance. As her teammates converged on the injured giant, Mercury ran over to see if Minos was all right.

The two were fighting fiercely, neither using her powers. Mercury was fascinated by the movement, the two senshi so accustomed to each other's style that their motion was a blur. Minos could anticipate where Janus would strike next, and block the blow easily. They both fought without distraction, completely absorbed in their own feud.

They broke off their fight, each breathing heavily. Mercury could tell that Minos' energy was just about spent, but the look of determination in her eye made it clear she would not back down. Janus had a few scrapes where Minos had managed to get a lucky shot, but she was smiling cheerfully.

"I'll give you a moment to catch your breath," Janus said flippantly. "I hadn't realized you were getting so old."

Minos glared at her. Suddenly, Janus glanced over to where Mercury was hiding and a half smile passed over her face. Mercury ducked, knowing she had been seen, and made her way slowly back to where her friend fought. She heard Minos cry out, and sensed someone standing before her. Rising to her feet, she saw Janus blocking her path.

"Ami!" Janus gasped, as if surprised. "Nice to see you again!"

"Out of my way," Mercury ordered, hoping she sounded braver than she felt.

Behind Janus, Sailor Moon had noticed her friend's dilemma, and was watching curiously. She tried to run over, but the remaining giant blocked her way, sweeping her back into the fight. Sailor Moon could only watch helplessly as Mercury faced Janus alone.

"You won't escape this time," Janus promised, her hands glowing.

"Back off!" Minos said, appearing behind Mercury. "It's me you want, not her."

"That's what you think," Janus replied. "I want you all!"

Mercury backed up to stand next to Minos, hoping that together they could finally defeat Janus. Minos gave her a slight reassuring smile.

"Stellar Shower!" Janus called, summoning Sailor Stellanova's powers against her former allies.

Mercury covered her head against the rain of rocks, and Minos raised her axe above her head like an umbrella. Janus was also being struck, the powers of Stellanova still too new to be completely controlled. Lashing out, Minos caught Janus with her axe, knocking the turquoise-eyed senshi to one side. Janus hissed angrily and threw a hastily prepared attack at her enemy.

"World Shaking!" she called.

Minos was knocked across the roof, and lay still. Her axe skidded to a halt a few paces away. Janus and Mercury were left in relative isolation, the inner senshi too consumed in their battle with the stone giant to notice the dilemma of their friend.

"I faced you before, Janus," Mercury said. "I'm not afraid."

Janus laughed in the girl's face. "You're terrified, Ami. I can see it in your eyes."

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

Janus was not quite fast enough to dodge the attack, and it sent her a few staggering steps backwards. Mercury tried to use the distraction to run back to her friends, but Janus was quickly blocking her path again. Smiling, she held out her right arm and spun it full circle. A white sphere appeared, spinning in place.

"Fortuna Luck Spiral!" Janus called.

Mercury crossed her arms in front of her face and shut her eyes, preparing for the brunt of the attack. After several seconds, she realized that nothing happened. Slowly lowering her arms, she looked over to where Janus stood.

"Damn it!" Janus shrieked. "That stupid attack never works! Why do I bother?"

Mercury felt herself smile. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

She hoped the attack would take Janus off guard again, maybe knocking her down so she could run to her friends. Safety in numbers, after all. She hoped Minos was all right, but going back for her would be death for both of them.

Mercury's heart sank as Janus dodged the attack without any effort. She leapt forward and before Mercury knew it, she was standing right in front of her. Mercury could feel Janus' warm breath on her face as the enemy senshi grinned at her.

"Janus!" Mercury heard Minos call.

"Not this time," Janus replied, her eyes never leaving Mercury's face. "You won't take her from me again, Minos. This one is mine."

"Mercury!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.

Sailor Mercury turned her head to see her friend, and Janus used the opportunity to strike her hard across the face. Mercury fell to the ground, her face stinging painfully at the blow. Defiant to the end, she glared at Janus.

"I will not surrender," she said.

Janus shrugged. "Willingly or by force, the result is the same."

Minos was struggling to her feet, her eyes wide with desperation as Janus' hands began to glow. She threw a vine attack at her enemy, but was too weak for it to even reach her. She watched helplessly as Janus picked up the ice senshi and thrust her glowing hands into her stomach.

Mercury screamed.

The second battle broke off as the cry echoed across the rooftops. Mars, Jupiter, and Venus abandoned the rock giant and ran over to where their friend was being killed. Sailor Moon fell to her knees, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight. Shade, satisfied that the deed was done, vanished along with his remaining youma.

"AMI!" Sailor Moon yelled.

The blue senshi's eyes rolled into her head and closed. Janus pulled her hand free, a sphere of pale blue energy hovering on her palm. Laughing, the sphere disappeared into her body and she let Mercury fall to the ground.

"Now!" Minos yelled. "Strike now!"

The inner senshi didn't need to be told again. Her rage blinding her, Sailor Mars threw herself at Janus, fists flying. Janus ignored most of the blows, too inebriated by Mercury's powers to notice. Minos growled in frustration and grabbed her axe as she raced towards the inner senshi.

"Minos Sacred Axe!" she called, swinging her talisman.

The axe gave off several arc projectiles, which bit into Janus' flesh and drew blood. Janus staggered and turned to glare at Minos. Pushing Mars aside, she flew towards her nemesis. Mars stumbled back to where Sailor Moon was holding the vanishing body of Mercury and crying. The other senshi stood around her, watching Minos and Janus duel.