Chapter 3: Breaking Point

The entire Inner Core stood facing the wasteland that bordered the edge of the outer province. They had been dealing with the possessed populace for several weeks and now youma had finally appeared. It was amazing how quickly; evil had stolen the vitality of the land. Despite the rise of Crystal Tokyo, they all knew that peace and serenity only came to those who truly wanted it. Where selfishness and violence thrived so did barren spaces such as this, so did evil eventually find a foothold. It had been quite sometime since they'd encountered such a place, these were the areas that the Senshi responded to kept any significant evil from starting a war like the ones they had battled prior to the rise of the 30th century. It was a small burden to them in comparison to what they had suffered to reach the world they all treasured.

The reports of another strange beast terrorizing a local province already plagued by human violence did not surprise Sailor Venus, Commander of the Senshi. She had eventually expected it despite the months she had worked to keep the province under control. The soldier was disappointed though; there must have been more she could have done. There was no time for the feelings of regret now though; the presence of youma was never taken lightly. Though often minimal in power and threat, Venus had been wrong in the past and swore to never again underestimate their enemies. She had summonsed the entire inner core to help her. Until the threat level was determined she believe in keeping the team whole. As a team they were strongest and despite how she disliked having to call her friends to battle again she knew they all preferred to do this together. Even Usagi would be out there with them if they all hadn't forbidden her to. The thought brought a smile to Minako's face, but she stayed focused.

It wouldn't be long before they would draw the creature out considering she, and her fellow Senshi were all most always prime targets for the monsters. They were protectors of Light; their very existence drew evil to them. Just in case, Venus had the Outer Core dealing with the possessed populace a few blocks away one alert. Should they need Uranus, Neptune, or Saturn, they were close by.

"Alright everyone lets fan out. Keep even spacing and don't get to far. I have no doubt it will find us quick enough." Venus ordered. She and Mars headed in one direction, while Jupiter and Mercury headed in the other.

"Any idea what it looks like?" Mars asked.

"Big and Ugly." Venus replied with a lopsided grin.

"Oh, I hate those ones" Mars replied with dry sarcasm.


Jupiter laughed to herself as the lighthearted banter coming over the comm. She was feeling okay; something about being in the familiar situation that had forged their friendships for hundreds of years calmed some of her worries. For a brief moment she thought perhaps her fears of what was happening to her body were exaggerated.

"How have you been feeling?" Mercury was just to her left, speaking as if she had been reading Makoto's mind.

"Okay…for the most part." The guilt of what she'd said to Isamu a few days ago hit her hard. Makoto couldn't stand to mention how she had been so enraged with one of her dearest friend for no apparent reason. She didn't know where to begin, to explain the inexcusable behavior.

"And the pain?" Ami asked scrutinizing Makoto's every word and gesture.

"Getting better." This time Makoto was lying. It was getting worse in fact as were her vivid dreams of an merciless enemy, but she hoped Ami would not see this. She no longer trusted her interactions with those she loved most.

"You'll tell me if it isn't, right?" Ami asked. She had known Makoto for so long and she never known her to outright lie. Be evasive, yes, but for this time she wasn't sure. Makoto was suffering from something, she was a doctor and she could tell, but this wasn't anything she had encountered. Makoto had visited her a few more times after taking the required time off, but continued to be vague about if she was improving or not. It was more than her stubbornness though. Makoto was hiding something. Ami still hadn't been able to diagnose the strange redness in her friend's eyes either and they all could tell it was spreading.

"Look out!" Makoto shouted and yanked Ami hard to side just as a wave of invisible energy sliced through the asphalt where she had just been standing. "Okay, you're right, it's not getting better, but for now will you please stop worrying about me, I'll be fine." There was harshness to Makoto's admonishment, but Ami understood it. Makoto would never forgive herself if someone else got hurt because of her situation.

"Sorry," Ami replied, she recovered herself, but the creature that had attacked them was gone once more. Determined not to let the concerns go, Ami finished "But once we're back you're coming to see me again, Mako."

"I promise." Makoto replied her face iron with determination. Deep inside she was grateful Ami had not been intimidated away completely, truthfully her condition was starting to overwhelm her, not just the pain but the rage the seemed to creep ever closer to violence when it took hold. Makoto was worried that she was losing control, losing her sense of self. And the dreams... She pushed the thoughts aside, along with the realization that the pain in her chest had increased considerably when the attack against them had gone by. She radioed Venus and Mars to have them converge on their position, she had no doubt the battle was about to begin.

Venus and Mars heard the attack and backtracked quickly before they even received Jupiter's call.

"You two alright?" Venus asked upon arrival. Mercury and Jupiter nodded without looking away from their perimeter scans, determined they would not be caught unaware again. It didn't matter though, the creature burst from the ground right beneath their feet. Mars turned just in time to see a large misshapen paw swinging at her head. She nimbly moved backwards as it crashed with all its massive power into the ground where she had just been standing. She imagined that it would have hurt had she been any later in her response. Still, Mars found it amusing that the manifestations of evil in the 30th century relied on such brutish physical forms. She and her fellow Senshi were not the average humans they had been centuries ago, when it came down to blow to blow fighting, those enemies purely physical in nature rarely had enough power to cause damage to even one of them. However, Mars counted her blessings that something as powerful as the foes the Senshi had fought in the past had not surfaced for many years. Some of those battles had been costly and at any moment could have changed the very future she and the others now thrived in. Creatures such as this were a small burden in comparison.

"You okay?" Venus asked.

"Of course," Mars replied.

"Thought you might be getting slower in your old age," Venus jabbed good-naturedly.

"Oh please.." Mars scowled. "Save that one for the Outer Core, will you. Now lets see if this thing is fire proof." Her scowl turned to a grin. "Mars flame sniper!"

The youma was a large muscular dog-like creature that stood about seven feet tall. Its head was boxy with small pointy ears poking out from the top. It alternated from four to two legs much like a primate. Thick black fur covered him completely, but receded slightly on his back to reveal long red spines that arched from its shoulders. Its eyes were solid red; its mouth full of an assortment of sharp teeth differing in length. Large paws, lacking any prehensile appendages, but adorned with sharp red talons. Mars' flame arrow struck the creature in the thick curve of its right shoulder. On contact the arrow exploded in a fiery plume, but seemed to have little effect other than igniting the spines on the creature's back. It roared deafeningly loud the fire blazing down the center of its back as if now a part of its heavy coat.

"I'd say it's a little more than fire proof." Venus replied. "Venus love and Beauty Shock!"

"Damn it!" Mars scowled. The light attack had a profoundly different response on the creature. It moved with lighting speed as the first bolt hit its mark tearing a large chunk of fur from the creature. The beast sunk claws into a nearby building and with agility contrary to its massive form, ascended the structure. Mars was irritated by the failure of her attack, but she wasn't writing off her abilities yet. The beast maybe fire proof, but not gravity proof so far as she knew.

"Celestial burning!" A blue circle of flame rocketed just below the creature's position and demolished the footing it had on the building. It scrambled with its massive claws, but lost its hold and plummeted to the ground amidst large boulders.

"Nice one." Jupiter grinned with satisfaction as she joined Mars and Venus. Mercury was busy analyzing as she approached. They all looked at the settling dust of the pile of rumble. None of them believed that was actually the end of it, but it was a nice start.

"So what's the word, Ami?" Venus asked. Ami closed her computer, her analysis complete.

"It's magic appears to manifested only in corporeal form. I don't think it's specifically controlling the populace, but more the possession is a side effect from the amount of negative energy the creature is generating. In short if we destroy the youma, it should release the people affected."

"That still doesn't tell us why it is here." Minako said frustrated. She was tired of fighting minions; she wanted a source so she could defeat it.

"We need to deal with the matter at hand." Makoto cautioned. She was watching the pile of rocks start to shift and move apart. All the Senshi followed her lead and kept eyes on the spot where the beast had disappeared. Everything seemed to hold its breath waiting for what was to come. No matter what though the Senshi were ready, they had to be. This was their purpose in life.

A shock wave slammed into all four of them. The concussive blast deafed and disorientated them all. Venus put her hands to her ears; they hurt so badly she wouldn't have been surprised if they were bleeding.

"What the...hell." She shook her head trying to regain clarity. That had been more than corporeal magic. This youma was more than it seemed or something else had hit them hard.

"Die..." It was said in a calm whisper and when Minako turned the massive beast was already in mid-lunge its vicious claws brandished.

"Supreme Thunder!" The electrical barrage passed so close to Minako that static raised the hairs on her arms. It barreled into the monster and it crashed to the side. Minako didn't take a moment's pause. Pulling the heart-linked belt from her waist, it turned bright gold.

"Excellion Heart!" The links split and send a hundred points of light showering towards the creature. It raised its canine like head with red eyes glinting. The attack struck and the points of light exploded away, deflected by an invisible barrier.

"Everyone!" Mercury scanned again. "It's adapting to our attacks. Something in the environment is feeding its magical evolution. If it can't absorb them like it did with Mars than it's deflecting."

"How's that possible? Is there another youma?" Mars asked. Jupiter passed them and focused on the youma.

"It doesn't matter. It just means we take care of it the less elegant way." Makoto replied her vision narrowing just on the creature. She tightened her fists and dug her toes in.

"Jupiter, don't..." Venus started but Makoto was already charging the waiting creature.

Makoto's first strike was dodging by the massive yet agile beast but her second slammed it hard enough on the side of its head to send it sprawling. It recovered quickly baring teeth and snarling viciously. Makoto was far from impressed and she even allowed herself a small smile. The encounter was exhilarating. It had been quite some time since she had been in combat and she realized that she had been secretly craving it. Being Sailor Jupiter was an important part of her life and fighting was so much simpler than politics.

"Do you feel you can match my strength, Senshi?" the beast asked calmly. Makoto locked gazes. She was vaguely aware the other Senshi were not engaged. She didn't bother wondering why. She was more than happy to beat the monster on her own terms.

"The question you should be asking is can you match mine, beast." Makoto replied amused. She lashed out at the youma again striking it twice with first a kick and then a back fist. It dodged her third advance swung it left arm wide forcing Makoto to duck and roll out of the way. Twisting around to face her opponent, she came face to face with nothing the beast seeming to have vanished.

"Makoto!" Makoto saw her fellow Senshi outside he initial barrier the monster had setup. Without realizing it she had been cut off from her teammates. She turned again quickly; the youma was still close she could feel it.

"Quit playing games." she growled getting frustrated although rational told her to be calm and find an escape not reengage the youma.

"As you wish." was the even reply and the next time Makoto turned she was faced with a mouth full of teeth opened wide. She registered the glow of energy deep within the monster before the kinetic blast hit her square in the chest and she became weightless. Her consciousness flickered in and out as the blast took her breath from her lungs.


Minako needed to get though the barrier. It only took her an instant to summon the Outer Core. The battle had escalated to the point where she no longer felt in control and that was cause for serious concern. Makoto was beyond their help and combating an opponent that had already shown higher power levels than they initially thought. Venus was distressed, she had spent centuries fine tuning battale tactics and all of their skills. All that seemed to have fallen apart in the last few minutes. The Commander would never forgive herself if she had allowed her Senshi to be drawn into a trap.


Makoto hit the wall with an amazing amount of force. It shocked her not only physically, but also mentally. She had not expected a beast like this could deal her any real damage. She was dazed and her head hurt, something ran down her neck. Blood? Impossible. Just as she opened her eyes ready to shake off being stunned, she saw the massive paw rushing forward, red talons ready to rip into her. It took both hands to catch it mid-swing just inches from striking her in the chest. The wall behind her cracked under the exchange of force and Makoto was far to close to this beast for her own comfort. In fact the now familiar pain in her chest was becoming unbearable, as if just being in close proximity to the creature was causing her harm. Makoto was overwhelmed; it was taking all her strength to keep those savage red claws from closing the last few centimeters distance and stabbing through her chest. The beast was well aware of this fact and let up for only a split second to swing his other deadly set of talons directly at her. Makoto shifted her weight and intercepted the other blow, now only having one hand to hold each monstrous set of claws back. It was down to brute strength, and Makoto for the first time in a long time knew she wouldn't win.

The beast never relented pushing hard towards her, determined to sink his claws into her. The wall behind them was splintering under the force and even with the attacks of the other Senshi resounding against the force field in the background; the world was isolated to these two gladiators.

"You have something inside you, Senshi. Something dark. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was calling to me." The beast spoke. His toothy mouth seemed incapable of forming words, yet his voice was calm and intelligent

"Shut up." Jupiter growled back, the moment he spoke the feelings of rage she had fought with for weeks surfaced once more and the pain in her chest reached excruciating levels. Her whole body ran hot and her vision burned. She could not fight two battles at once.

"I see it in your eyes, something that doesn't belong." His large mouth grinned cruelly. "You must feel it, the hatred the rage. I do. It echoes inside me so strongly" Makoto felt her arms begin to tremble as she was overloaded with internal sensations beyond her control. Every time the creature spoke it was like he reached inside her very soul and tainted it black.

"I am not like you!" She seethed. The red eyes scrutinized her closely and a realization seemed to dawn on the beast.

"Now i know why I was brought here…" It grinned and pulled his paws back quickly. Released of her burden Makoto nearly fell forward only to look up and see the creature raised to its full monstrous height. "You called to me..."

The beast brandished both its massive paws, slamming them into the wall on either side of Makoto's head. The shattering cement caused the Senshi to flinch and as she opened her eyes to see teeth closing on her and then agonizing pain. She screamed.


Sailor Neptune. Sailor Saturn and Sailor Uranus disengaged from the possessed populace as soon as Venus called for their assistance. Uranus had not expected to be needed. The four Inner Core should've been more than enough to defeat one youma. Worry streaked through her and she knew the others felt it as well.

Rounding a corner, Haruka quickly took in the situation. Three of the Senshi were engaged in an all out assault on a transparent barrier. Looking past them, she knew what had gone terribly wrong. Sailor Jupiter was in trouble. Not even bothering to be briefed she poised in front of the barrier she raised one hand. A sphere of light formed. She would break through it. She had to. Just as she was about to release the attack, Haruka lost focus for a moment. Her blood turned cold when she heard her teammate scream.

Makoto felt consumed, he entire body was raging on the inside. The tangible world didn't even exist. She had no idea past anything but the incredible negative forces that were coursing through her blood.

"World Shaking!" The barrier shattered.

Makoto doubled over gagging. The long teeth had been roughly dislodged from her shoulder and once released she heaved painfully. Something howled in her muted ears, an angry painful cry, but Makoto was focused on the oily black liquid she'd just expelled, it wasn't blood, it wasn't anything that should be in her body. She was suddenly pulled away and the world collapsed around her

"Jupiter! Makoto!" Somewhere in the blackness Makoto heard her name. She vaguely felt someone holding her firmly, but an overwhelming wave of negative energy surged through her body, something so terrifyingly beyond her control. She sensed the one that had hurt her; her enemy and snapped her eyes open as the fire in her veins summoned her consciousness in an instant.

"Get away from me!" She yelled shoving her benefactor hard enough she lost her balance. Jupiter saw nothing, but her desire for revenge. Whoever helped her was non-existent, she recognized no one. All she saw was the beast that had caused her pain and left her she seething with fury. Her enemy. Consumed with rage, the final control had broken and Makoto's well-hidden wrath turned to violence. Her enemy must die.

Uranus was startled by Jupiter's hard shove, even more so by the viciousness in her voice. Her friend was bleeding heavily from a large bite wound on her left shoulder. She seemed oblivious to the Senshi standing beside her and unconcerned with the substantial injury. Jupiter turned away quickly zeroing in on the creature Uranus had just rescued her from. The others were engaged with the creature which was agilely avoiding attacks, it jaws doused in the blood of its former quarry.

"Jupiter?" Uranus ran after her, but Makoto walked directly into the battle focusing only on the beast, despite how her fellow Senshi's attacks exploded dangerously around her.

"Everyone disengage!" Venus shouted when Jupiter was suddenly exposed to their assault.

"Venus, there's something wrong!" Uranus yelled at the commander as she ran past. Haruka had nearly reached Makoto before the green clad soldier turned to a blur and engaged the monster for the second time.

"Jupiter no!" All the Senshi felt fear streak though their chests, Makoto would certainty be killed in her condition. They watched a moment trying to decide what to do next and then it happened, something none of them would ever forget…

The beast reveled at the taste of such powerful blood. It made him oblivious to pain and stronger than he had ever known. If reason existed at one point that he was out numbered, it did not register now. It landed after dodging an attack and turned, but as it did he came face to face with the soldier in green. What should have been the white of her eyes was just as red as his own and saturated with uncontrollable rage. She captured him with an overbearing stare. He snarled lowly, tensing all his muscles, but before he could react a blow he could not even see slammed him in the face. It happened so fast that it took a moment for the pain to even register while blood spewed from his now gapping, fractured lower jaw. A gloved hand appeared in front of his dazed vision.

"Die."

The last thing the beast saw was a bright light and heard a crackling sound before his world turned to agonizing pain and then nothingness.

Every one of the Senshi froze at the gruesome abrupt end to the battle. Jupiter held the creature's lifeless body up for a few silent painfully long moments by the spines on his head, before dropping it in disgust. She had broken his jaw and then electrocuted him until the air smelled of burning flesh and death. Her rage still seethed, her whole body trembling with it.

It was just a messenger, Makoto-san.

"Shut up. It deserved to die." Makoto hissed. Her blood boiled and her eyes saw nothing but murderous red. She stood ready to explode without anywhere to channel the overwhelming need for violence. Her enemy was dead, but her hatred toward it was an irrepressible inferno. She looked at the beast and its broken jaw seemed to be relaxed in an awkward grin, even in death is mocked her with its detestable empty eyes and unspoken taunts against her purity. A growl formed in her throat and Makoto curled her fingers into a fists, she raised her arm ready to strike the dead creature.

"Makoto…" A hand touched her uninjured shoulder and the aggression ripped free. Jupiter clamped a hand around the throat of whoever had the audacity to touch her. Immediately the other person collapsed to their knees struggling against her vicious grip. Makoto looked into the gray eyes of her victim, swimming with confusion, even a hint of anger at the situation. Makoto wanted to kill her so badly, a white hot burning in her mind that wanted to inflict violence, suffering… death. She didn't hear the calls of friends; the universe once again consisted only of her and her victim… Her enemy.

"Makoto stop!" The remaining Senshi were shocked by the sudden change in the situation, but as they started to approach electricity rained down effectively keeping them from reaching either of their friends.

She watched as the grey eyes were starting to gloss over and a streak of clarity shocked the soldier's mind for a split second. Makoto grimaced closing her eyes against the rage. No. No. No. This couldn't be her enemy. She knew this woman, loved this woman like a sister. Haruka. She would never hurt Haruka. Then the words of the beast were again gloating in her mind as she fought to retain some of her humanity. The pain in her chest pulsed mercilessly, but she couldn't let go of the Senshi's throat.

"Haruka…" She could barely speak with how badly she shook. "Use your sword…" She seethed through clenched teeth; Makoto used her injured arm to grab the one she held Haruka with. "Please."

Haruka could barely see, the strength of the Senshi she had known so long was now crushing the very life out of her. She watched the unfamiliar eyes filled to every edge with blood, they were frightening. Her instincts were screaming at her to fight, but this couldn't be right, her friend couldn't be trying to kill her. Death however was becoming very real; as Haruka realized there was no way she was going to pry the woman's hand from her neck and her vision was growing darker from lack of oxygen. Then she saw the conflict arise. Makoto fought with herself to release Haruka from her death grip and when Makoto spoke, Haruka realized her time was up. She had to choose. Daring to release one hand from her struggle with the other Senshi, Haruka summoned her sword, a weapon she would never dream of using against her own friend.

"Do it now!" Makoto's eyes opened wide they were glowing, even her pupils were no longer visible. The struggle for control was over. Makoto's other hand clamped around Haruka's neck; it would only take an instant to crush the life from her. In the same instant the Space Sword materialized, Haruka felt the hilt become tangible in her hand. As soon as it did, she struck out with the deadly weapon, and prayed at the same time.

Haruka fell back barely clinging to consciousness while gasping air painfully back into her lungs. Forcing her shocked body to respond, she needed to catch her bearings as quickly as possible, Makoto needed her help. Unfortunately her legs weren't holding her and the world started to fade as black splotches closed in on her vision. Her life long partner was immediately by her side to catch her as she fell.

"Haruka, just breathe slowly." Michiru managed calmly, hiding the panic that was threating to destroy her resolve. It had all happened so quickly, but seeing her soul mate on the verge of a violent death, Michiru had nearly lost her mind. If Haruka hadn't attacked Makoto when she did, Michiru would have.

Haruka tried to slow the rise and fall of her chest as instructed, but there was something she needed to know immediately. Blinking quickly in an attempt to clear her vision she looked for her sword and saw it a few feet away from where she clung to the other Senshi. The transparent blade was streaked with blood; she didn't know where she had hit Makoto. Terror struck her already overwhelmed mind. What had she done?

Makoto had slumped to her knees; her eyes having cleared of the dark red and returned to the green all the Senshi were all so familiar with. Those green eyes were tired though, sad and weak. The blade had caught her on the same shoulder as the bite wound and had accomplished what Makoto had hoped: freed Haruka and quelled the vicious rage. She wouldn't have cared if Haruka had been forced to kill her, so long as the violence stopped, so long as her friends were safe from her. Subdued by the slash from the magical weapon, Makoto's mind was finally quiet and empty. She didn't even feel pain. All she wanted now was to sleep, but instead she looked up and met Haruka's gaze, while smiling faintly. There was the utmost gratitude shimmering in Makoto's eyes.

"Thank you, Haruka…Thank god for you…" Tears ran down her blood-streaked face. "Please...forgive me." And finally Makoto succumbed to her injuries, her eyes closed and she collapsed the rest of the way to the ground. The whole world seemed to have gone silent. It took a moment, but Mercury and Saturn snapped out of their disbelief and quickly responded to where Makoto lay.

"Kami-sama, what just happened?" Rei asked finally, her mouth dry. No one replied.

"Are you okay?" Michiru spoke to Haruka, but Haruka couldn't take her eyes of Makoto. Finally Michiru grasped her lover's face gently and turned her head away from where Ami and Hotaru were caring for Jupiter. "Hun, look at me" finally the grey eyes shifted to meet the concerned woman's gaze.

"Y...yes…" Haruka responded having difficulty forming words, her vocal cords clearly damaged by the assault. "She knew she was going to kill me. I could see it in her eyes, she couldn't stop herself." Haruka never blinked, she was nearly catatonic after all that had happened.

"Why? That doesn't make any sense?" Venus asked as Mars and Neptune helped Uranus to her feet. Already angry bruises were forming across Haruka's neck and she still required the support of her friends. From there they all circled their dear friend, who looked terrible, not since she had returned from the past two years ago did she look so incredibly defeated.

"This is not the place to ask these questions. We must get Makoto-san back to the Palace" Saturn said firmly. "It is not just her body that is in need of help," She finished in a whisper. Saturn was deeply disturbed, for when she reached out to find the pure soul of the injured Senshi to help her heal she was met only with blackness.