The Earth looked like a sapphire blue gem from the moon. Spinning and swirling slowly as time passed by. Artemis stood on the silver soil of the moon at the ruins of the moon kingdom. Rubble and shattered diamonds and glass were everywhere along with the corpses and skeletons of the many that died in the final battle, picked clean by the microscopic vultures that had ravaged them for the past ten thousand years.

"Hello Artemis," A sly voice called.

Artemis spun around and standing at the end of the field, his body covered by a black cape but his face clear in the silver light radiated from the moon.

"It's been awhile," Artemis said in disbelief.

"Spare me the trip down memory lane Artemis; I remember everything that happened between us perfectly." Mesno said as a soft breeze tossed his black hair with silver highlights down the center and at the tip of each strand.

"What did you do to your hair?"

"The price of one of my experiments," Mesno said passionately, "Now old friend, why did you call me here?"

"I need your help."

"You wish for me to commit treason," He snickered, "I've told you before, we're enemies, or have my letters gotten lost in the mail."

"I've read them," Artemis groaned, "I still don't understand how you could do this, how you could betray us. How you could betray Queen Serenity after everything she did for you?"

"Queen Serenity betrayed me a long time ago Artemis, ten thousand years ago to be exact," he said raising his arm which was covered in golden armor from beneath his poncho-like cape, "now what is it you want."

"I need some information on how to resurrect the dead." Artemis said, "I know you know how it's done."

"Reanimating the dead comes at a heavy price Artemis." He said, "And why come to me your enemy."

"Because you're the only person who knows."

"By the way, how is Luna and your Queen," Mesno smiled, raising a snow globe from beneath his cape.

"HELP ME!" Queen Serenity screamed from inside the snow globe pounding on the glass against the backdrop of Mesno's laughter.

Artemis' eyes widened in shock, "Queen Serenity," he cried.

"Artemis, Serenity's loyal terrier, you sicken me." He said, watching as Artemis' fingers curled into a fist. "And please don't think for a second I haven't anticipated your every movement." Mesno smiled smugly as a small militia of hooded beings surrounded Artemis each holding a machine gun. "Did you honestly think I'd let you get this close without a leash to tie you down."

Artemis gritted his teeth.

"I told you the information you required would come at a price old friend. Closing time," He said slyly and immediately gunfire filled airspace of the moon accompanied by the laughter of Mesno.

That night Hotaru slept beside Rei in the Hikawa Shine. She couldn't bear the thought of being surrounded with all the memories her parents mansion. The Hikawa Shrine was surrounded with priests of every religion, each waiting patiently outside of the temple to greet and bow before their messiah.

Hotaru was beneath the blanket on the edge of the bed and Rei on the other side, their backs to each other. The saying there's no place like home orbited Hotaru's mind that night. Her eyes were wide open. She couldn't sleep on the eve of her parent's death. She spun over and stared into Rei's fuchsia eyes which blinked at her.

"Can't sleep neither?" Rei asked.

Hotaru nodded, "…Thanks for letting me stay the night Rei. I really didn't think I could stay in that mansion alone tonight."

"Trying to kick that habit, huh?"

Hotaru's eyes narrowed as the sorrow of her previous life attacked her, butchering her guts. She felt her heart drop into her belly.

"I'm sorry Hotaru," Rei said quickly, "I didn't mean to upset you."

"What about you," Hotaru said shaking it off, "Where are your parents?"

Rei fell silent for a moment. Contemplating on why Hotaru asked her, nobody had ever asked her. Realizing Hotaru had just returned to the living she figured it was okay. Rei sighed heavily and began, "Well…my father's a politician so I barely see him," She said scathingly. She sighed again, "And my mother died when I was little, so here I am." She said.

"I'm sorry," Hotaru said, realizing she wasn't the only person in the world who was going through the loss of her mother and not getting along with her papa.

"It's okay, I've accepted it."

"…So, umm, what do you want to do?"

"What do you mean," Rei asked raising her brow.

"I mean with your life, when you graduate and all."

"Well, I want to travel the world and be a singer, a songwriter a model and an actress." Rei said ardently.

"What about love?"

"No," Rei said shaking her head, "Love's a bitch, the slowest form of suicide. I'd much rather have a good time."

Hotaru smiled at Rei, her heart soaring.

"So what about you," Rei asked.

"I don't really know what I want to do, but I think I want to study medicine, be a pediatrician."

"You like kids," Rei asked.

"Yeah," Hotaru nodded, enjoying the conversation.

The two senshi sat up talking about their future all night. Hotaru couldn't remember talking so much. Rei just seemed so wise and knew how she felt and what she was going through and how to get through it.

Mugen School was fairly uncomfortable the next morning. It all seemed so empty without crowds of people following Haruka and Michiru or Usagi dozing off in class. Hotaru sat at the table alone during lunch. The typically crowded table was now vacant with the absence of Michiru and Haruka. The usual thugs that hung around the table were now scattered elsewhere in the cafeteria.

Hotaru stared at her own two feet, trying to ignore the stares from the kids at the other tables.

"She looks good for a dead girl," Hilary Wong, a snobby senior girl, sniped to a group of girls behind her, who giggled without so much as glimpsing at Hotaru.

Hotaru glared at them, debating what to do for a moment before shaking her head and figuring it wasn't worth it. As Hotaru began topping hot dog with ketchup, she caught glances of other students imitating the scene of Hotaru's possession. Standing up and circling their lunch table before gagging and falling onto the floor, provoking the laughter of the entire student body.

"Hey Hotaru," a familiar voice called.

Hotaru gazed up and into the familiar face of Shigeru, "…Hi."

He slumped into the seat in front of her. "So how are you doing? You seem okay."

"I am," Hotaru nodded taking a bite out of her hot dog.

"Well, I was wondering," He said trying to reel the words out, "What are you doing tonight?"

"I don't know." She said after swallowing her hot dog.

"How can you not know," He asked in disbelief.

"The life I live is very unpredictable." Hotaru replied.

"Michiru says that all the time, by the way where is she and Haruka?"

Hotaru scowled at him, "On vacation," She snapped. "I'm sorry," Hotaru said quickly, "I didn't mean to lash out at you like that; I'm just going through a rough time."

"Well it sounds to me like what you need is a little R&R, you know, unplug a little."

Hotaru giggled staring at the ceiling in disbelief, "Is this the beginning of the new pick up line?"

"No pick up line, I just come right out and ask, but since you are Leo's girl maybe you and I can go as friends?"

"Where," Hotaru grunted, pushing her milk to the edge of the table and opening her juice.

"Well there's a game tonight and I was figured you could use the getaway."

"…I don't know," Hotaru said using some of the teasing skills her mother often used.

"Come on, what are you going to do that's funner, homework?"

"I don't really like sports."

"Have you ever watched any?"

"Just racing."

"You've never watched a football game?"

Hotaru shook her head.

"Why, you don't understand the rules?"

"Something like that," Hotaru answered.

"Well here's the plan, I'm going to pick you up later, we'll go to the game and afterwards snag a coke…or Pepsi," He said quickly.

"…I don't know." She repeated, "That sounds a lot like a date."

"Believe me, I know your boyfriend," He said, "I will not in no way make you feel bad, it'll just be a good time…as friends," He said innocently.

The bell rang signaling the end of lunch. Hotaru crossed the cafeteria with Shigeru on her heels waiting eagerly for an answer. "I don't know," She repeated, "Just keep talking." She smiled at him as he walked her to class.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Hotaru rushed to her locker eager to get out of school. As Hotaru freed her locker and pulled it open, she was bumped from behind by someone. Hotaru's schoolbooks tumbled onto the ground. Hotaru whirled around to see Hilary Wong strutting past her.

"Excuse you," Hotaru snapped angrily.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Hilary said, "I don't see dead people."

Hotaru wrapped her index finger around the lock. Who did she think she was? Hotaru had never been more angry with someone in her life with the exception of Mr. Invido. "You're going down bitch," She snarled advancing on Hilary ready to slap some manners into her with some assistance of the steel lock wrapped around her finger.

Before Hilary could breath, Hotaru leapt on top her and dug her fingers into her throat and raised the lock, but as Hotaru raised the lock preparing to slam it into Hilary's face her arm was grasped and she was pulled off Hilary. Hotaru was pushed a few feet away from Hilary as the intruder, Mr. Invido leapt between the two girls.

The entire student body surrounded the scene, hoping to see an old fashioned catfight and chanting for it.

"Discipline office now," Invido snapped as security pushed through the crowd and seized the two girls and dragged them to the discipline office.

The disciplinarian sat behind her desk, happy to have some company. She stared at the two girls, who refused to look at one another.

"What happened?" She asked, pointing to Hilary.

"Well, I was walking down the hall to my locker and she just went ballistic."

"She's lying," Hotaru snapped.

After ten more minutes of the two girls arguing back-and-forth, the disciplinarian came to her decision. She pulled out two small slips of paper and scribbled something down, "I'm giving you both detentions."

Hotaru sighed, trying to bite her tongue as the disciplinarian taunted her.

"Seems you need to learn some self control Ms. Tomoe," She said nastily.

"This is-" Hotaru began, but she immediately caught herself at the sight of the disciplinarian twirling her pen, waiting for Hotaru to break another rule.

Hotaru gritted her teeth in defeat, figuring she'd rather endure an extended school day than serve another suspension. She looked at the disciplinarian with utter disgust and anger as she etched the order of detention and took both girls I.D.'s.

Hotaru marched down to the room and sat on the side opposite Hilary. Hilary merely sat down and drummed her fingers on the desk. Hotaru sat down in her desk and stared out of the window, waiting for the sun to descend and the bell to ring. All she had to do was keep her mouth shut and day dream and detention would be over before she knew it.

Suddenly another person stepped into the classroom, carrying a long leather jacket and a suitcase. "Well, well," Mr. Invido sneered, staring at Hotaru, "Breaking rules again?" He said sitting behind the teacher's desk.

This is going to be a long day, she thought trying to ignore Invido, who continued to taunt and torment her the entire time. Her mind on what she would tell Shigeru, the game was already starting, she should have been in the bleachers by his side but instead she was sitting in detention in a room full of people she despised or didn't know or care to know.

"So what are you supposed to be doing right now?" Invido asked.

"I'm supposed to be at home getting ready to celebrate a birthday tonight-" Hilary began before she was cut off by Invido.

"I wasn't asking you," Invido snarled.

Hotaru smiled on the inside as Hilary was put in her place. Invido then turned back to Hotaru and continued to taunt her.

When the bell rang, Hotaru nearly ran out of the school and for the field, hoping to catch the end of the game. She power-walked to the field, which was now emptying, The Mugen Predators had lost and were all heading for the showers while the students cleared out.

Hotaru scanned the bleachers and found Shigeru, who was climbing down from the top of the bleachers. "Shigeru," She called approaching him, "I'm so sorry, I had detention."

"Don't worry we got butchered," He said in a bitter voice, "but what are you doing now?"

"Whatever you want?" She said, feeling the need to make the game up to him.

"Well, there's this party on-" He began.

"Let's go," Hotaru said quickly. Hooking their arms together and leading him to his own car.

The engine roared to life and the car sped down the road.

"I just need to stop by the store and get some aspirin," Hotaru said holding her head.

"We don't have to go."

"No, I want to I just need some for later."

After the pit stop neither said a word. Shigeru's eyes were on the road and Hotaru's mind was on whether or not she was doing the right thing. This could go wrong in at least a million different ways.

No point worrying about it now, Hotaru thought when the engine yawned in front of a mansion. The lawn in front of the mansion was neatly trimmed and not a crack was on the sidewalk. The front of the house had been flooded with cars and music could be heard a mile away. Shigeru helped Hotaru out of the car and into the house which was filled with teenagers, either dancing, sitting on the couch playing X Box or standing on the wall too shy or scared to do anything.

"Hey you want something to drink?" Shigeru asked.

"Ummm," She began looking at all the different brands of alcohol.

"You know what; I'm going to start you off weak alright." Shigeru smiled, "Hopefully you can hold your liquor like your boyfriend."

"Excuse me," Hotaru snapped.

"Your man," Shigeru said, "Leo."

"Ohhh," Hotaru yelled over the music.

"I'll be right back." He smiled disappearing into the kitchen

Hotaru gazed around the room and cautiously sat on the couch beside a stoned teenager who had no clue where he was. She glared at him for a moment before turning to the floor where the girls and boys were dancing to the music.

The music pumping and the party growing more lively and wilder by the moment, Hotaru stood in the kitchen. The kitchen was full of teenager's eager to get their buzz on and Shigeru being one of them. Corona's had been sat out and freshly mixed, possibly spiked, margarita rested inside of the blender.

Hotaru watched the party from afar, knowing she was way out of her comfort zone. Hotaru was the type of girl to stay at home and read not some wild party girl. Suddenly her head had begun to spin and she felt slightly dizzy. She stumbled over to the table, ready to take her meds. She gazed at the table in her hazy vision looking for space, which was difficult because the table was occupied of beer, liquor and other pills. Hotaru felt around for an empty space for a moment and found it, she quickly dug in her purse, pulling out her prescribed aspirin and pouring two pills on the table.

"So you don't want to dance," A guy asked, placing his hands on her hips.

Hotaru pulled his hands off her, "Not now," She said politely, before turning back to the pills. Every color blended together like a Picasso painting, Hotaru could barely see and the seemed so thick. Hotaru sighed, grasping two pills and swallowing them. Instantly, everything cleared up.

"Ready to dance," The guy asked again.

"Yeah," Hotaru nodded, she spun around to see Shigeru saluting her from behind the counter.

Hotaru let the guy lead her to the dance floor. Suddenly, her mouth began to feel dry, she continued on though, swinging to the music. Mid-song she stopped and panted, Hotaru knew her limits but somehow she just figured if she'd danced with the guy maybe he'd leave her alone.

"Hotaru," Shigeru called, pushing to the dance floor and bending down to her level, "Are you okay?"

"Just a bit tired, that's all," She panted.

Shigeru shouldered Hotaru carrying her to the couch, "We'll go in a few alright."

"Alright," Hotaru nodded, happy to hear it.

"Just hang tight here alright?"

Hotaru nodded and turned back to the stone kid who was on the couch giggling like a schoolgirl to her, "You're a funny looking muv," He chuckled hysterically.

Hotaru scooted further away from him and began to ignore him waiting on Shigeru. Suddenly, everything in the room looked so fluttery as graceful as a butterfly and the music died down tranquilly before banging in her head. The concert in her mind sounded so beautiful as if composed by a God. Next, everything appeared so round and palpable without a wrinkle in it everything old seemed new. Every beautiful thing she had ever imagined seemed to be with her right in that very room. Hotaru then turned to the giggling kid beside her and suddenly he looked so beautiful, his hair shinier, an almost silver color. She then gazed up at his eyes which had now become yin-yang like.

"No," She croaked backing away from him as fast as she could.

"Hotaru," He called slyly.

Hotaru shook her head at the sight of the single pink strand that fluttered over his eye.

"Hotaru," Shigeru called, grasping her shoulder but she didn't turn around, her body felt like an inferno. Shigeru thought for a moment, "Oh no," He thought quickly leaping in Hotaru's line of sight.

Instantly, the image of the handsome, scary, man was blocked by the face of a god. He looked so gorgeous to her. "Hotaru," He called looking into her eyes. Hotaru slammed her lips into his, but was instantly pushed off. "Oh shit," Shigeru cursed picking Hotaru up in his arms.

"Where's the bathroom," He called, but no one was listening. "Damn," He called, figuring Hotaru must have eaten a pill of ecstasy that was on the kitchen table. He carried her out of the party and to his car. He immediately crushed the gas with his foot; the car flew down the road. "Hang in there," He said with a shaky voice, his eyes sharing the road and Hotaru whose 'fluttery' vision was becoming a nuisance as she continued to grope for him and call to him seductively.

He immediately spotted a house and sharply stopped the car, "Come on girl," He said pulling her out of the car.

"Open the door," Shigeru yelled kicking the door, "I know you're in there."

Immediately the door opened and standing in the doorway was another god his long blond hair swaying in the wind. Hotaru continued to mumble as she was carried into the house.

"Why did you bring her here," The owner of the house called.

"Look we're in this together and I didn't have anywhere else to go. Ummm, water, get me some ice cold water," Shigeru barked and immediately the owner disappeared.

"Where are you going," Hotaru called to him as he disappeared.

"Everything's going to be alright Hotaru I promise," Shigeru said rubbing her forehead,
"Hurry the HELL UP," Shigeru called.

"I'm coming," The owner called and he immediately returned with giant jug of water. Shigeru than sat Hotaru up, "I need you to drink this Hotaru okay," He said handing her a cup of sub zero water.

"It's warm," Hotaru said, holding the cup and chugging it down.

"Good," He nodded, passing her more which she gulped now.

"She's still hot," The owner called.

"Ummm, ummm," Shigeru began panicking. "Turn the shower on as cold as possible." Shigeru called.

The owner disappeared again down the hallway. "Come on," Shigeru called pulling her to her feet and guiding her to the bathroom. Walking was as difficult as walking on water or clouds for Hotaru as she stumbled into the shower, immediately she was showered with warm water, or so that's how it felt.

"Next time, don't bring high students to my house," The owner snapped.

"Look man," Shigeru said as Hotaru sung in the shower, "I don't know whether or not deCruz is her boyfriend or not, but if he is he would be pissed if she overdosed and I was the one who took her out."

"How long do we have to keep her in there?" The owner asked.

"How the hell should I know," Shigeru said.

"Get her out of my house, take her home." The owner barked a few minutes later.

"Come on," Shigeru said pulling the soaking wet Hotaru out of the shower Her clothes were drenched with ice cold water and at the moment she was shivering.

Hotaru's vision still remained a bit fluttery but she could now see things more clearly. "Let's go," Shigeru called to her, wrapping a towel around her and heading for the front door. Hotaru nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight of the owner who was holding open the front door. The tall Wall Street Mr. Invido stood beside the door, "I want mine tomorrow," Invido said as they left.

Shigeru helped Hotaru into the passenger's seat and climbed into the driver's seat. As he shoved the key into the ignition he heard a click. "Don't move," Someone called from the backseat pointing a gun at his head, "I'll blow your head smooth off."

Shigeru pulled his hands off the steering wheel and turned to Hotaru.

Hotaru was still feeling the effects of the ecstasy. She turned to look at the now demi-god in the driver's seat and immediately a knife was placed in front of her throat.

"Leave her out of this," Shigeru called.

"She needs to back off."

"She's high and could be OD'ing if I don't get her home." Shigeru said nervously.

"Your problem."

"She's deCruz's girl," Shigeru said.

"This is deCruz's new lady, cut the bullshit, where's my money?"

"I can get it to you by tomorrow," Shigeru said.

"That's the wrong answer," The person said, preparing to squeeze the trigger when glass shattered and a tentacle poked through the window. The person in the backseat quickly pointed the gun at the tentacle and fired, but the bullets seemed to annoy the tentacle rather hurt it. The tentacle withdrew from the shattered window and standing beside the car was an eight foot tall youma, its face was the size of boulder with a crooked mouth and a single eye. It looked like a deformed Cyclops in Hotaru's opinion. Its body was long and skinny but its hands were enormous and appeared to be made of solid steel, its spine was split open to reveal a dozen pink tentacles sprouting from its back.

Hotaru began to feel drained and depleted as the effects of the ecstasy began to wear off. The youma dug into the backseat wrapping it's tentacle around the person in the backseat and yanked him through the window. He screamed loudly as the youma opened its massive mouth ready to devour him, when it was hit by a beam of golden light that sheared off its tentacle. The creature spun around ready to retaliate when it was hit by an arrow of fire. The creature doubled over and fell on its back and leapt up trying to find the ones who attacked it, but the entire area was shrouded in a silver mist.

"Wait," Shigeru cried as Hotaru climbed out of the car.

She dashed into the mist and raised her transformation pen and cried, "Saturn Planet Power," she was enshrouded again by an array of black and purple and Hotaru was replaced by Sailor Saturn. She clutched her glaive and sped towards the youma. As the other senshi pelted it with projectiles playing with it, Saturn just wanted to vanquish it. She charged through the mist ready to catch a glimpse of the monster. The mist began to clear before her and in its wake a creature stood, wearing a long purple cloak and with transfixing tattoos on its long face.

"It's been awhile since out last chat," It said.

"Damn," Saturn thought as the youma ensnared the senshi with its tentacles.

"Your friends," It said watching them struggle with the youma, "appear to be struggling."

"Move aside," Saturn said, pointing her glaive at it.

"Make me," It said cocking its head, daring her to try.

Saturn charged at it ready to slice the creature in half, but she immediately stopped in mid run. "Have you already forgotten that I have control over Hotaru's body also?"

Saturn struggled against the power of the creature that had paralyzed the body of Hotaru.

The creature then dug inside its cloak and withdrew a small pocket-watch as Sailor Saturn struggled against her paralysis, "Everything's going akkording to plan." The creature chuckled staring at a small pocket watch with no numbers, but moons, stars and other constellations.

Sailor Saturn continued to thrash against the creatures power, trying to free herself as the youma launched Sailor Jupiter into a nearby mailbox knocking her out. Shigeru's car roared to life and flew down the road away from the scene.

"Finish the job Marcellus," The creature snapped at the monster which nodded and continued the battle.

Sailor Saturn stared at the battle as the mist of Mercury's cleared. Marcellus now had Sailor Mercury ensnared in the tentacles on its back; Sailor Mars and Venus were both trying their best.

Marcellus swung its mighty hand for Sailor Mar's who jumped just in time as Marcellus' giant fist dug into the ground. In mid-air Mar's assumed her stance and called, "Maars…Flaaame….Sniper," and fired an arrow of fire at Marcellus.

The arrow drew closer for Marcellus, who tore its fist out of the Earth and spun around making the arrow hit Mercury, who yelped in pain.

Marcellus chuckled and backhanded Mars who flew like a missile, crashing through the window of the nearby house.

Venus gritted her teeth and stared down Marcellus for a moment before assuming her stance and crying, "Crescent Beam…," A ball of light energy formed at her fingertips, "Smash!" She called firing the energy into Marcellus, who again held Mercury in the way. The crescent beam burned through Mercury's arm making a deep wound.

"No," Saturn cried struggling for freedom as Venus stood there completely out of options. If she attacked all Marcellus would do is use Sailor Mercury as a shield and without another scout at her side there was no way she could beat it as she thought this Marcellus' fist closed in and collided with Sailor Venus with a bone-crushing punch that instantly knocked her out. Marcellus then turned to its master and crossed the street the creature that held Hotaru prisoner.

"Good work Marcellus," The creature said, patting the youma on the shoulder. The youma merely grunted holding the unconscious and bleeding Sailor Mercury in front of its master. Suddenly Sailor Saturn's legs moved on their own walking to Sailor Mercury. She then held out her hand and placed it over the wound which quickly sealed itself.
"Proceed as planned." It barked to Marcellus. Marcellus bowed before vanishing.

"Now…," It said, turning back to Sailor Saturn, "What should I do with you?"

Sailor Saturn struggled against the mental bind but couldn't free herself.

"How is it the strongest senshi can't break a mental strain, because she's IS WEAK!" It chuckled.

"Fuck you," Saturn choked, spitting on the creatures face.

The creature turned it's back to Sailor Saturn, "I really wish you hadn't done that you poor child," It said as silver lighting encircled it's body, crackling viciously, "But then again, I'm kinda glad you did," It said tossing it's cloak off. Revealing a tall and lanky body that was quickly growing larger, the creature's muscles swelled and the ever-changing tattoos turned from black to red.

Instantly, Sailor Saturn could move again but she was quickly punched in the face and knocked onto the ground. Before she could think the creature had its hand around her throat lifting her into the air and constantly hammering her face at the same time.

She struggled to breath and with every breath she took blood trickled away from the wounds and she gasped from the pain of another blow it struck.

"Soon The Council will bow at our feet." The creature said, and instantly electricity ripped through Hotaru's system. Sailor Saturn yelped in pain as it surged through her whipping her system until she couldn't take anymore. The creature then choke slammed Hotaru into the concrete.

It raised its giant combat boot ready to smash Hotaru's face in.

"Lunar SLASH!"

The creature spun around and was instantly slashed in the face by a giant scimitar. The creature gasped and instantly the face of the monster split in two and tumbled onto the concrete. Smoke hissed from what appeared to be a mask, and the visage that once occupied it shined under the moonlight.

A man with slicked back golden blond hair and sapphire blue eyes blinked back at his attacker, who stood before him with long silver hair blue eyes and a lemon yellow crescent moon on his forehead.

"YOU!" Sailor Saturn gawked at the unmasked creature, her teacher Mr. Invido.

Invido ignored her, "How did you survive?"

"What can I say I die hard," Artemis grunted twirling the scimitar.

"Though your powers are rejuvenated, you're no match for me." Invido said as lightning crackled from him.

"You want to test that theory." Artemis said, "Who do you think trained the Leo?"

Invido gritted his teeth and fired a bolt of lighting at Artemis, who avoided the lightning with ease. Invido prepared to launch another bolt at Artemis, but was quickly sliced by a red rose. He didn't have to look to know it was Tuxedo Mask.

Saturn, who was still on the concrete in a pool of her own blood spun around to see all the senshi awakening and joining the battle.

Invido shielded himself from more blows, "We'll finish this some other time." He said before vanishing.

Tuxedo Mask then crossed the pavement. "Sailor Saturn are you alright?"

Saturn did not answer; she merely looked at Tuxedo Mask, wondering if it were a rhetorical question.

Tuxedo Mask pulled one of his gloves off and grasped Hotaru's shoulder. Slowly a soft warm feeling filled Hotaru, her wounds were dressed and the blood evanesced.

She leapt to her feet and stared at her fellow senshi who were looking at Artemis, with admiration, especially Venus.

"They took Mercury," Saturn informed.

"We'll get her back," Artemis assured her. "Where's Mars?" He asked, sounding alarmed.

"I'm in here guys," Mars called, from inside the nearby house of Invido.

All the senshi rushed inside the house and Mars stood in front of the basement door and look downright terrified.

"What's wrong?"

Mars said nothing, she just merely pointed down the stairs. Artemis quickly entered the basement with the senshi behind him.

Sailor Saturn stood beside Mars, who was trembling as if she'd seen a ghost. "What's wrong Mars."

"I just can't explain it," She said, "You'll have to see it for yourself."

Saturn descended the stairs her eyes peeled for whatever awaited her downstairs. The basement smelled like a zoo, but not a fly or any other insect could be seen. Artemis and the senshi stood rooted in one spot with their jaws dropped.

Sailor Saturn pushed to the front line wondering what everyone was staring at; she stared up at the ceiling and knew what. The ceiling was filled with bodies of the dead sailor senshi, all hooked onto the ceiling as if it were a senshi collage. They were all labeled Sailor Iron Mouse, Sailor Aluminum Siren, Sailor Lead Crow, Sailor Tin Nyanko, Sailor Heavy Metal Papillion, Sailor Lethe, Sailor Mnemosyne, Sailor Phi, Sailor Chi, Sailor Comet, Sailor Eclipse, but hanging in the center most noticeable of all was Sailor Uranus. She was still wearing her sailor fuku, but her eyes, tongue and other body parts appeared to be missing.

"All these…they're Sailor Soldiers," Jupiter said awestruck.

"What is going on here?" Venus thought aloud examining the impaled senshi, "it looks like their energy's been stolen."

"Poor Haruka," Sailor Jupiter said as the sharp pain of grief strangled her heartstrings.

Sailor Saturn fell to her knees at the sight of Hotaru's papa, her eyes began to water but she did not cry these were Hotaru's emotions not hers.

Artemis clapped her on the shoulder, "Come on…," He said pulling her to her feet and leading her out of the house.

After leaving the house of Invido, the senshi all teleported to the Hikawa Shrine to avoid the thousands of priests once inside they heard not a sound. Not one priest chanting or even the sound of a flame flickering in its hearth.

"It's unusually quiet," Sailor Venus stated gazing around the poorly lit temple.

"Oh no," Sailor Mars screamed running to the sacred fires room in the shrine, "The sacred fire."

All of the senshi followed her. Sailor Mars stood in front of the giant hearth that normally housed the sacred flame of the temple that she prayed to. The flame didn't dance but stood completely still as if frozen and the normally red fire was now jet black.

"What does this mean?" Sailor Venus asked, "Who's there?" She asked noticing someone peaking from inside the closet.

"NOO," An ancient gruff voice croaked as the closet door opened. Out stepped the short stout Grandpa Hino, who broke into a run but was caught by Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Jupiter.

"Don't kill me," He flailed, "Think of my children."

"What happened here?" Sailor Mars asked, ignoring her grandfather.

He looked at Mars, "You look so much like my granddaughter."

"Calm down," Sailor Mars said soothingly, "Now tell us what happened. We're the good guys."

Grandpa Hino sighed, "Now that I think about it. I think I've seen you girls before. Outside my temple banishing evil spirits," Hino groaned.

Tuxedo Mask loosened his grip on Hino and repeated Mars statement, "What happened here?"

"It was a man, he came here and talked about the Promised Land and then he killed everyone."

"What did he look like?"

"He was tall, no short, no tall. I don't really remember. I was in the closet hiding all I did was hear everything."

"Mesno," Artemis grunted filling in the blank.

"Who's Mesno?" Sailor Venus asked.

"Continue on…," Artemis said, brushing off Sailor Venus' question.
All the senshi then looked to Hino. Mars looked down at her grandfather, "How long ago was this?"

"About ten minutes ago." He said his voice filled with panic.

"Which way did they go?"

"How should I know, I hid in the closet." He answered.

Sailor Saturn stood in front of the chamber that harbored Michiru and Usagi. The door had been enchanted to keep all evil spirits from entering the room. Sailor Saturn touched the door and immediately felt a sharp pain in her system.

'Why can't we get through?' Hotaru grunted.

'Invido's still inside us.' Sailor Saturn answered.

'Then how was I able to enter yesterday?'

'Rei didn't enchant it until earlier today.'

'I just wanted to make sure my mother's safe, that's all'

"The two girls inside are safe," Grandpa Hino said. "Whatever it was that attacked threw a tantrum like it was three years old when it couldn't get inside. It seems those girls was its purpose for coming here."

Sailor Saturn gazed outside of the window at the aftermath. The outside of the Hikawa Shrine was a bloodbath; every priest that stood outside waiting to catch a glimpse of their savior had all been butchered. Tens of thousands of them lay in the grass of the shrine that had been highlighted crimson with their blood.

"Papa," Hotaru croaked.

"Don't worry," Artemis said.

"How can you say that?" Sailor Mars asked. "We don't even have an idea what we're up against and there's someone out there who wants to make us ornaments. Mercury's been kidnapped, three senshi are dead?"

"Because I know how to fix everything," Artemis said, looking out the window at the stars.