HORSE PLAY
It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day and all the children of Tokyo were stuck in school. Serena sighed and gazed out the widow as Ms. Haruna droned on about the plot of the book the class was reading.
"Serena? Are you listening?" Ms. Haruna yelled.
Molly leaned forward and punched her friend in the arm, hard.
"
Ow! What did you do that for?" Serena wailed."Serena, did you hear one word I said?" Ms. Haruna demanded.
Serena looked at her teacher's face and immediately started to cry.
"
I'm sorry Ms. H! I never have time to do my homework! I don't even get home until really late, anyway! Please forgive me this time, I can try harder!" Serena cried.The angry expression on Ms. Haruna's face melted away and was replaced by one of sheer confusion. Before she could answer, the bell for lunch rang and the class disappeared, Serena included.
"Hey Serena, do you want to go to the movies with me?" Molly asked.
"Sorry Moll. I'd love to, but I really need to talk to Amy," Serena said as she ran off.
Molly watched her friend go and shook her head slowly.
"
That girl," she muttered. "It's a good thing I'm such a good friend.""Amy! Lita! Jenny! Wait up!" Serena puffed as she ran.
The three girls were walking home from school, when the heard Serena's cry. They stopped and watched as their friend ran towards them.
"
Hey Serena, what's up?" Lita said."You don't have detention today?" Amy asked in surprise.
Jenny laughed, and Serena walked right up to her until they were only inches apart. Jenny was much taller than her friend and Serena came up to her shoulders. Serena looked up into Jenny's face.
"You're in danger," she said.
Jenny looked confused and nervous. She fingered her ring. "What makes you say that?"
"
What did the Sun tell you about, that day you had a vision?" Serena asked."Well . . ," Jenny stammered.
"Visions are personal," Amy scolded. "You shouldn't pry like that, Serena."
Serena ignored her. "What did it say?"
"
I — I can't tell you," Jenny answered. "All I know is every time I become Sailor Sun, I put the us all that much closer to destruction."Serena nodded and sat down on the grass. Her long pigtails were blowing in the wind behind her as she thought.
"
Will you please tell us what's going on?" Lita said."Yes, Serena," Amy added. "What's on your mind?"
"The Negaverse isn't just collecting energy this time," Serena said.
"We already know that," Jenny said.
"They're after Sailor Sun, for some reason," she continued.
"We knew that, too," Lita said. "The question now is why."
"My guess is that Jenny's vision was a warning," Serena concluded. "As her guardian star, the Sun was trying to caution her against something — something the Negaverse wants their hands on."
Lita smiled at Serena and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you Serena, you finally used your brain for something besides boys."
"
We'd better keep a close watch on Jenny until we know what they're after," Amy suggested.The other two nodded in agreement. Jenny seemed almost embarrassed by the attention, but could think of nothing to dissuade her friends.
That afternoon, the scouts met at Raye's Temple. For once, Serena was on time, but surprisingly, Jenny was late. When she finally arrived, she was dressed in long pants, despite the warm weather. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and she carried a helmet and stick in one hand. On her feet were tall black boots.
"Hi guys," she greeted her friends. "I just came to tell you I have to miss tonight's meeting."
"
Why?" Raye asked."
And what's with the outfit?" Serena added."I'm on my way to my horseback riding lesson," Jenny answered.
"I've never ridden a horse before," Serena said wistfully. "It sound romantic!"
"Do you want to come?" Jenny asked.
"Come?" Serena gasped. "Do you mean it?"
Jenny smiled. "Sure. Meet me at the stable at the very end of Fifth street in one hour. Wear long pants and boots with heels. There are helmets at the stable so you can borrow one. Does anyone else want to come?"
Raye stepped forward. "Count me in."
Lita came beside her. "Me too, I love horses."
"
I'll come as well, how about you Amy?" Mina said."I don't think so, I have too much work to do," Amy replied.
"Amy, you need some fun in your life," Serena said.
"Besides, this is good exercise," Jenny added.
Amy closed her books and stood up with a smile.
"
All right, I'll be there," she said.Jenny smiled and ran down the stairs.
"
I'll tell my instructor you guys are coming. Don't be late!" she called over her shoulder.In exactly one hour, Mina, Lita, Amy, Raye and Serena were at the stables. They all wore long pants and boots with heels. Lita had a helmet like Jenny's, in her hand.
"Where did you get that?" Serena asked.
"I used to ride, until about a year ago. I hope I still remember how," Lita answered.
Jenny came out to meet them. The end of Fifth street was a dirt road leading into the country. The stable was in a quiet, friendly place with huge meadows and a peaceful forest. She smiled as she saw her friends gathered outside.
"Come in, guys," she invited.
The barn was warm and smelled of hay. The nickering of horses could be heard and their boots clicked on the concrete floors. As they headed toward the arena in the back, Jenny told them about the horses.
"
Lita, since you know how to ride, you can pair up with Tornado. He's the gray in the back. Amy, you can ride Chocolate. He's the dark brown one next to Tornado. Mina, you get Star, she's next to Chocolate. Raye, the golden coloured mare is Sunbeam and she's yours for today. Serena, Bunny's the pony for you," Jenny said.Her friends accepted the helmets being offered to them and went into the arena to meet their mounts. Jenny's horse was a large dapple gray.
"
This is Heiden, my horse," she introduced."He's not your horse yet, Jenny," a soft voice from the doorway called.
The girls all turned and saw a tall woman standing behind them. She had short blonde hair and large, blue eyes. She wore blue jeans that were tucked into brown cowboy boots, and a helmet on her head.
"
This is Cassie, my instructor. I'm renting-to-own Heiden from her," Jenny said."Pleased to meet you," Amy said from on top her horse.
Mina, Lita, Raye, Amy and Jenny were on their horses already while Cassie tried to get Serena on the small pony.
"
Come on Serena, up you get!" Cassie said, grabbing Serena's leg to heave her over.Serena leapt up and landed hard on the poor pony's back. Jenny heard Bunny gasp for air. The pony looked back at her rider, almost with an expression of anger.
"Well, giddy-up!" Serena said, shaking the reins.
Cassie laughed lightly and Serena stopped, looking confused.
"
That's not how it's done!" Cassie said. "Here, let me show you."After a long lesson, they were ready to ride. Cassie led them into the furthest meadow away from the barn. As they rode, Jenny noticed the animals weren't behaving like they usually did, Heiden in particular.
"
There's something wrong," she whispered to Lita, who rode beside her.Lita nodded. The two of them were close behind Cassie, followed by Mina, Amy, Raye, and Serena.
"
I feel it too. We should be on guard," Lita whispered back.They continued to walk and soon Jenny began to relax. The meadows melted by and the barn soon faded out of sight behind them. The horses nickered quietly as Cassie ducked under a low branch and lead them into a pasture Jenny had never been to before. Suddenly, Cassie called for a halt and dismounted. The scouts did the same.
"
What's wrong?" Jenny asked."Follow me," Cassie motioned and they went into the forest surrounding the mysterious pasture, leaving the horses behind.
A few paces into the forest, she stopped. Cassie kept her back turned to the scouts and Jenny's eyes widened in alarm.
"
What's going on?" Raye demanded.Cassie didn't turn around. Instead, she laughed wickedly. The grass around her died, the trees seemed to peel away, and the sky turned dark. Cassie turned to face them. Her face was contorted and she held her arms up in the air. Then, the form of Cassie was gone and a hideous half-woman, half-horse creature appeared in her place. It screamed something at them and reared onto its hind legs.
"
It's a centaur!" Jenny said. "Oh, Cassie!""That's right, Sunchild," Granite said from behind her.
Jenny turned to find her friends far away from her, trying to run to her aid. Serena was in the lead and she seemed to be calling to Jenny as they ran.
"
What do you want?" Jenny demanded."Moon Crystal Power!" Serena yelled.
"Mercury Star Power!" Amy cried.
"Mars Star Power!" yelled Raye.
"Jupiter Star Power!" Lita shouted.
"Venus Star Power!" Mina cried.
As one, the scouts leaped into the air, vanishing momentarily in the trees. Soon, Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts were standing between Granite and Jenny.
"Solar Ring Power!" Jenny shouted, transforming.
The six Sailor Scouts faced Granite. He laughed and waved his hand.
"Get them," Granite ordered.
The centaur roared and charged. The scouts jumped out of the way as the monster hit a tree, cracking it in two.
"
Mars Fire — " Sailor Mars began."Wait!" Sailor Sun cried. "It's still Cassie!"
"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!" Sailor Jupiter yelled.
The centaur was struck by the electrical disk and screamed in pain. From a tree, Granite watched the battle with an evil smile.
"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mercury cried. "Now, she's weak!"
"Right," Sailor Moon agreed. "Moon Healing Activation!"
The centaur screamed again as its form melted away in a shower of light. The horrible form of the monster disappeared, leaving the unconscious Cassie behind.
Granite jumped down from his tree and rolled his eyes in boredom at the Scouts.
"I tire of this game. Nega-Home!" he called.
The forest wavered and vanished until the scouts were taken someplace far away from their world.
"Where are we?" Sailor Mars asked.
Her comment echoed around the dark room. Slowly, the shadows receded and the scouts were able to see their surroundings. Sailor Moon looked around and gasped in recognition.
"
This was Queen Beryl's throne room, before we destroyed her," Sailor Moon cried."Correct, and now it is mine," a voice said calmly from the darkness.
The light spread further and they saw a man sitting on Queen Beryl's old throne. The scouts stood to face him.
"
Who are you?" Sailor Jupiter demanded.The man stood and threw back his gold-lined black cape, revealing a pale purple uniform. He was taller than Granite with long orange hair and green eyes. On his head, he wore a gold crown that was covered in jewels.
"
I am Prince Rutile, Ruler of the Negaverse," he said with a slight smile."That makes you our enemy!" Jupiter shouted. She charged toward him, the lightning rod on her tiara rising.
"Jupiter Thunder Dragon!" she commanded, launching the dragon at the dark prince.
He smiled and with a wave, the dragon vanished.
"
Don't be foolish, Sailor Jupiter, it's not you I'm after," he said.Sailor Moon stepped forward, her hand clenched protectively over her broach. "You want the crystal, right?"
Rutile laughed. "No, that was my sister's foolish plan. I have a much bigger fish to fry."
"
Well, spit it out! What do you want?" Sailor Mars asked."I want the girl you call Sailor Sun," he told them, pointing one long finger at the girl.
Sailor Sun gasped and the other scouts stepped in front of her.
"
You'll have to get through us first," Sailor Venus shouted."Yeah, so go ahead and try," Mercury added.
Prince Rutile shrugged. "I have no quarrel with you, Scouts, but if you chose to die, so be it." He held out his hand, fingers outstretched. "Begone!"
Five bolts of dark energy shot out of his fingers at the scouts. They tried to dodge, and only Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Mars were successful. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter were struck and they fell down, unconscious. Sailor Sun rushed to their sides, checking to see if they were alive.
"
Let's triple this guy," Sailor Moon suggested."Right," Sailors Venus and Mars agreed.
"Moon Tiara . . ," Sailor Moon began.
"Venus Crescent Beam . . "
"Mars Fire . . "
The three of them stood poised and ready for a split second before launching their attack.
"
Magic!""Smash!"
"Ignite!"
Sailor Moon's tiara burned brightly with Mars' fire and Venus' beam. It spun towards the prince and he caught it in one hand.
"
Nice trick girls," he said mockingly. "Now, Begone!"This time the dark energy bolts struck the girls and sent them flying. They hit the wall far behind them and lay still.
"
No!" Sailor Sun cried in alarm. She ran to where all her friends lay and held her ring above her head."Solar Recharge Radiation!" Sailor Sun commanded.
As the pale yellow light touched the other scouts, they slowly sat up. Sailor Moon rose to her feet with the scouts behind her, ready to face the Prince of the Negaverse again.
"
Now it's your turn, Sunchild. Welcome to the Negaverse!" Rutile said.He pointed at Sailor Sun and a rope shot from his finger, holding her fast.
"Dark Guardian of the Negaverse, be born again!" Rutile commanded.
She was instantly surrounded in a gray light. She screamed once and clenched her eyes closed in pain. The cords that had once held her melted away and she became surrounded in a black glow.
"
Sailor Sun!" Sailor Moon cried."Now, emerge and submit to me!" Rutile ordered.
From Jenny's ring, a dark shadow rose. Sailor Sun stood before it in a kind of daze. With an almost malicious sounding cry, the shadow engulfed the girl until she was lost from view.
"
Sailor Sun!" the scouts yelled together.The shadow melted into the girl, and the gray light faded away. Sailor Sun collapsed to her knees. For a brief moment, the chamber was silent. Sailor Sun raised her head and cried out again. A brilliant light came from the gem on her tiara and hit every thing in the room. Prince Rutile hissed in anger and threw up his cloak to protect himself. Granite was lifted up and thrown roughly into a wall. The Sailor Scouts were also lifted up, and thrown beside Granite.
"
The power is free again! The guardian is mine to command! Behold, the Dark Scout of the Negaverse!" Rutile shouted as the light died down.Weakly, the scouts stood and looked at their friend as she rose to her feet.
Jenny's hair had turned black and her eyes were filled with evil. Her costume was as black as night and the sun jewel on her tiara was a dull, unpolished gray, as was the sun on her black choker. Her yellow sandals turned into knee high black boots and her face was pale and white.
"
Now, destroy the Sailor Scouts!" Rutile ordered.The Dark Scout turned to the Prince with an evil smile and bowed to him. She turned once more and advanced on the five Sailor Scouts.
"
Jenny! It's me, Sailor Moon. Remember?" Sailor Moon pleaded."You are my enemy, Sailor Moon," the Dark Scout said in Jenny's voice. "As my enemy, you will die."
"Mercury Bubble Blast!" Sailor Mercury filled the room with fog.
The Scouts gathered together as the Dark Scout sought them out in the thick mist.
"Try to heal her," Sailor Jupiter muttered. "Sailor Sun may still be in there."
"Right," Sailor Moon replied.
The fog faded and the Dark Scout found herself standing before the five determined scouts. Sailor Moon raised her broach high in the air.
"
Moon Crystal Healing Activation!" she cried.The Dark Scout yelled angrily as the moon light struck her. The evil in Jenny's face faded slightly as Sailor Moon's crystal did it's work. As the light disappeared, the Dark Scout fell to her knees. The Sailor Scouts hurried to her.
"
Do you remember?" Sailor Venus asked gently."I . . I remember. . . ," Jenny stammered. "I think . . . I'm so confused . . ."
"Can you fight what the Negaverse is doing to you?" Sailor Mercury asked.
"Never!" the Dark Scout cried lashing out at the Scouts.
They scrambled backwards out of her reach.
"Jenny! Remember! Fight it!" Sailor Mars yelled.
The Dark Scout cried out again and some kindness was restored to her features. She raised her head to look at her friends.
"I can send you home, but if I can't fight this, you must destroy me," Jenny said. She pointed at the wall and a dark portal opened.
"No!" Sailor Moon cried. "Jenny —"
"Go now!" Jenny yelled. "I can't hold it off for long."
The scouts took one last look at their friend and fled into the portal. Sailor Moon lingered, hating to see her friend suffer, but soon followed as the portal shrank.
They reappeared in their human forms outside Raye's Temple.
"We've got to go back," Serena said, gripping her broach. "We can teleport to the Negaverse and — "
"Not yet, Jenny's much stronger now," Raye reminded her gently, putting a hand on Serena's arm.
"Yes, and we've got to tell Jenny's mother something," Amy said.
"Like what? Sorry, Jenny won't be home because she's been possessed by the Negaverse?" Lita said angrily.
"She said she remembered, so that means the crystal worked. Maybe if we use it again, she'll return to normal," Mina suggested.
Just then, Luna and Artemis came out of the Temple.
"
There you girls are. Did you enjoy your ride?" Luna asked.Briefly, Amy filled the two cats in on everything that had just happened. Serena sat down on the ground, seeming very depressed.
"
Oh dear," Luna said when Amy had finished her story."Why does the Negaverse want Sailor Sun? I know she's powerful, but that doesn't compare to the Imperial Silver Crystal," Artemis said.
"She changed into a scout, dressed all in black. Prince Rutile called her the Dark Scout of the Negaverse," Lita reminded them.
"We've got to get her back," Serena declared.
Luna nodded. "But if we can't, than we must treat her as a general of the Negaverse."
"What exactly does that mean?" Serena asked.
"
If we can't stop her, or help her," Luna began, "than we must destroy her.""We can't Luna, I won't," Serena wailed.
Luna looked at her friend and hung her head.
"
I don't like it either, Serena, but if we must, we must," Luna said.Prince Rutile of the Negaverse walked over to his newest warrior. The Dark Scout of the Negaverse knelt on the floor where the Sailor Scouts had been, staring at the wall where they had escaped.
"
Fool! Why did you help them?" he snarled.The Dark Scout looked at her new master.
"
I remember, and I will fight you with every once of strength I have," Jenny replied.Prince Rutile smiled evilly at her.
"
You are the Dark Scout and you will be mine," he promised.Jenny glared at him from where she knelt, still weakened from the battle.
"
Granite! Come forward!" Rutile commanded.Granite's form didn't move. Albite and Halite knelt by his body and Halite check for a pulse.
"
He's no . . ," Albite began." . . longer living, Master," Halite finished.
Rutile turned to face them. He waved his hand and Granite's body vanished.
"
Very well, you two will take my newest warrior and completely turn her over to the Negaforce," he commanded."As our Master wishes," the two replied.
The roughly took Jenny and yanked her to her feet. She followed them and clutched her hand.
What ever I become,
she thought, Serena will have to destroy me.