Kino Makoto's breathing came in hoarse, gasping intervals when she finally stopped running. She steadied herself against the brick wall of the alleyway she had fled down. Grimacing, she stood up again and walked warily down the alley, glancing back only once to ensure she wasn't followed.

Her thoughts flew apart. She didn't know why she had followed the strange pale haired girl and she didn't know what had compelled her towards the sickening presence she had felt in the arena. It had all happened so fast. She felt like she was trying to remember something she should never have forgotten.

All her life she had been alone, since her parents has died in the plane crash she had been by herself. She had fallen into her gang naturally, she didn't need anyone and she didn't need the rules the world wanted to force her to follow. Hardness became the stitches that held her pain together. Pain filled the void where something else should be. So why did she feel something stronger than pain trying to flicker to life in the dead space that was her heart?

Her head was hurting again and the streetlights were blinding. Like the shadow that had followed her, Makoto vanished into the dark.


Minako groaned as she flung the newspaper down on the kitchen table, promptly knocking her coffee mug over and spilling brown liquid all over her printed face. It was an older promotional photo with the headline 'Fans in Distress! Idol Minako's show cut short by unexpected power failure'.

Artemis raised his front paw away from the spill indignantly. "You are definitely right about one thing- that was a disaster. It's a miracle that no one was hurt."

Mopping up her mess with the rest of the paper Minako sighed in agreement. "I didn't recognize the general, I guess that confirms our suspicion that Jadeite wasn't the only lesser leader." She sighed resignedly. "This new one seemed quicker than Jadeite."

"More dangerous." The impending fight hung tense in the air.

Minako looked up slightly. "They're not that dangerous."

"Take this seriously Minako!" Artemis's raised his voice. "You could have been hurt, hurt badly!"

"I'm doing everything I can okay!" She slammed her hand against the table. "I don't know what else you want me to say, I get it, we're outgunned. We're probably all going to die! Are you happy now!"

"That isn't what I mean! You aren't careful!"

"I don't have time to be!"

Artemis shook his head but his voice was quieter. "That's an excuse and you know it. What would happen if something happened to you? You barge into dangerous situations without thinking!"

"Was I supposed to let Rei die? She's hardly been tested, she would have been killed!"

"And you're helping her by getting killed yourself?"

"You're blowing this out of proportion! We've jumped in on hundreds of fights!"

"Not with enemies this powerful! This is only going to get worse Minako! Don't be stupid!"

Minako's voice was glass when she answered. "Like you?"

Artemis hung his head. "I'm sorry Mina. I didn't mean that."

Minako turned and gazed out the window, their fighting had dispelled the angry tension in the air. "I didn't either. I don't know which version of myself to believe anymore." She paused for a long time then rubbed her red rimmed eyes. "Who was that girl?"

Artemis shook his head. "One of the princess's guardians. Rei saw the mark appear, it was Jupiter."

"One of us then." Her voice was sad. "I guess we'll have to find her too."

Nodding Artemis stood up and stretched. "There are four of you. Four soldiers to protect the princess."

Minako coughed and wished she had a cigarette. "That worked out great."

"Mina..." Artemis sighed. "You are the leader and you were always the princess's decoy in the past. You resemble her. But more than anything I want you to be safe too."

"I know." Minako looked up. "I don't resent it. It's just so difficult when the princess isn't here to protect. Sometimes it feels pointless."

Artemis grimaced. "Then we have to protect the world the princess loved."

Gripping the empty coffee cup Minako nodded. "I know. Maybe we are a lost cause, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't try. I'll try to be more careful, but I won't make promises I can't keep."

This time Artemis's smile was genuine, but sad. "Don't lose yourself Mina. You're still you."

Minako didn't answer.


Rei was standing in a garden of silver. Elegant pathways of white stone cut through a wonderland of pale flowers whose names she didn't know. A carved fountain was set in the center of the garden and the sound of trickling water filled the otherwise soundless air. Above her the sky was dark but filled with stars clearer and brighter than she had ever seen.

"Mars?" An elegant voice called her out of her reverie and Rei turned, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the young woman who appeared. Her silver hair fell behind her like a cape and her kind, gentle eyes were full of worry. "Are you alright?"

Rei stepped backwards. "Princess?"

The princess didn't answer but reached her pale hand towards Rei. "It's alright. Look."

Rei looked down at her own hands and saw with alarm that they were covered in blood. Hurriedly she looked back up but the princess was gone and Sailor Venus stood in her place, her uniform was torn and she stood hunched forward as though wounded.

"Minako!"

Venus turned towards her companion but her eyes were not her own.

Rei woke up drenched in a cold sweat.

She shook her head to orient herself before recognizing the sound that had startled her awake. Her communicator was beeping in alarm and she reached for it quickly.

"Rei!" Minako's voice was urgent. "Hurry! We're near Amishiro Park!" Her voice fizzled out.

Rei had a job to do.


Nephrite's eyes were cruel as he held Makoto in front of him like a shield, his arm digging into her neck. He watched Sailor Venus carefully.

"How would you like me to kill her princess?" His voice was harsh. "She tried to run away. She didn't even know who you were."

"Let her go." Venus's voice was steel.

"And why should I do that." He lessened his grip only slightly when Makoto started coughing for air. "I can feel her pain. She would thank me for ending it."

Venus raised her arm but Nephrite held Makoto tighter against him. "If you attack me. You'll kill her. In her mortal body she would die and I would get away."

"Coward." Venus challenged. "You are too afraid to fight me."

"Careful girl." Nephrite's voice turned angry. "Speak to me with more respect."

Venus's eyes met Makoto's for the briefest second. "I'll give you all the respect you deserve. You are a coward and you will leave my planet. Go crawl back to your evil queen like the trash you are."

Nephrite growled in rage and instinctively raised both his arms to call his shadow. In the split second he was distracted Makoto slammed her heel down on his foot and slipped out of his grasp. Venus moved quickly in front of her.

Realizing that he had been tricked Nephrite blasted raw negative energy from his hands and Makoto watched in horror as Venus crumpled to the ground. The horrible pressure she had felt before came rushing back but this time with clarity. The person before her was precious though they had never met, a companion, someone who should have been a friend. She narrowed her eyes and turned towards the man who had abducted her as she had been fleeing and the sky darkened above her.

Sailor Mars and Artemis appeared through the trees, Mars with her arms aloft and ready to attack. Artemis's eyes widened in alarm when he saw Venus's still form on the concrete. "Minako!"

Neither of them noticed the thunder, faint at first, then louder. Makoto burned with power and though he would never admit it, Nephrite felt fear. He knew the look in her eyes yet he had no idea how it could be so.

Artemis glanced quickly at Mars. "Distract him."

She nodded and called her attack. "Burning Mandala!"

Nephrite looked up just in time to dodge the fire that singed his boots. "Back so soon?" His voice was bitter but Mars could sense the cracks in it. Something had unnerved him.

Artemis wasted no time in getting to Makoto's side, he leapt forward in a perfect flip and a pen appeared in the air which he caught with ease. "I know this sounds crazy, but you have to help us."

The anger in Makoto's eyes faded for a split second as she looked at Artemis with fragile wonder. "I know." She reached for the pen. "I don't know how I know but I do." Her eyes narrowed again. "And I know what I have to do."

She raised her arm. "Jupiter Power! Make-Up!"

The echoes of thunder exploded into a storm and when it cleared Sailor Jupiter stood looking murderous. Electricity hung in the air.

Nephrite backed away from her but Jupiter pursued, venom in her voice. "It's you who should thank me."

She raised her arm and lightning fell. Rei and Artemis steadied themselves to avoid being blown backwards by the ferocity of the spell. When it stopped Nephrite was gone and Jupiter stood solemn against the rapidly clearing sky.

Artemis rushed quickly to Venus's side, followed closely by Mars and Jupiter. Mars gently reached to check her pulse. Once she was sure she felt the steady but faint thrum, she nodded and Jupiter lifted Venus up. Her face was ashen and pale and Artemis was grim and urgent. "We need to get her to a hospital."

When their last footsteps faded there was no sign they had ever been there. The sky was clear save for a few lazy clouds and sunshine fell across the park. Zoisite stepped out from behind a clearing of trees and the breeze played with his long blonde hair. He was beautiful but his face was contorted into a grumpy expression.

"I always have to do everything myself."