Chapter 9

Checking her reflection in the mirror one last time, Makenna twirled, picturing Andrew's face when she climbed down the new staircase leading to the ground from the treehouse. "Europa, are you sure I look ok?" she called, nervously fixing her hair. In addition to the dress, the young red-head had bought ruby earrings and ruby necklace, along with simple white flats.

Seeing her charge frantically fix her hair, Europa gave a quiet purr. "You look beautiful Makenna. Calm down and stop fidgeting, your date is coming up to the stairs to call your name. As the girl instantly quieted, she heard a male voice drift up into the tree.

"Makenna," Andrew called, wondering why he was calling into a tree. "I'm here."

Giving a quick wave a Europa, who blinked, the young girl climbed out the front window of the treehouse and began her descent down the staircase she had built earlier that day. As she came into view, Andrew's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped.

Offering her an arm, he murmured, "You look beautiful. I can't believe you hadn't been planning on going to this dance."

Giggling a little, she smiled and looked at him. "I told you, I wouldn't have known anyone. This is the best possible alternative I could have thought of."

As they got into the car, Makenna felt a sudden pang, and glanced out of the car. Even though nothing was there, she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. This dance was going to be an interesting one for sure.

Walking into the school gym, Serena and Darien glanced around before walking over to a table to sit. "Isn't this nice, Darien?" Serena asked, looking at the lights and decorations that had been put up in the gym.

Darien nodded, looking at his pink clad girlfriend. "It is Serena. Would you like to dance?" As the blond nodded enthusiastically, they walked out onto the dance floor. As Serena stepped on his foot accidentally, Darien smiled, happy that he had remembered to reinforce his dress shoes with steel before picking his girlfriend up. Twirling, Serena squealed as Lita ran up with Mina at her heels.

"Isn't this just the best dance ever?" Lita asked, hugging the shorter blond that had escaped from Darien.

"Ooh, yes!" Serena returned, holding onto Darien's hand. "This one just seems to have a nice mood."

"Well, I wouldn't let the mood be the only reason," came a warning as a raven haired girl slid into view. "I have a bad feeling about tonight, and the fire reading I had earlier wasn't too reassuring either."

"Raye!" Mina exclaimed, moving to allow the miko to step into the growing circle. "What do you think is going to happen tonight?"

Shaking her head, Raye sighed. "I'm not quite sure," she admitted ruefully. "Everyone does have their henshins, right?" As each girl nodded, another voice came into the mix.

"Good. I have my communicator, so if we need the other senshi I can call them."

"Amy!" Serena shrieked, enveloping the blunette in a hug. "That was good thinking on your part, bringing the communicator."

Darien nodded at the girls, opening his pocket to show a perfect rose. "While you all have your henshins, I have mine just in case there is trouble."

Mina opened her mouth to make a remark but quickly shut it again as she saw Andrew and Makenna walk through the doors.

"Why couldn't he have asked me?" Lita moaned.

Mina sighed, "We would have looked amazing together."

Makenna saw the group gathered on the dance floor and scowled. She should have known that they would be here, even though she had wished they wouldn't be. Andrew had told her during the car ride that each girl was really sorry, but Makenna wasn't going to buy it until she had heard it come out of each of their mouths.

Just then, Andrew saw them and began to wave. "Would you mind coming to say hello?" he asked quietly, seeing her tense at the sight of them walking over. "They really do want to apologize, they just don't know how to go about it. It's just how they are."

Sighing, the red head looked at him and relaxed slightly. "Alright, I'll say hi just for you," she teased, giving him a sly look. "Just don't be surprised if I accidentally step on someone's toe."

Shaking his head, Andrew led her to meet the others half way. After they had all greeted each other, Makenna felt a pang again. Something's not right, she decided, and quickly excused herself to the restroom.

"Wait, I'll come with you!" called Raye, and Makenna slightly rolled her eyes before nodding her acceptance. As the two girls walked uncomfortably, Raye spoke again. "I wanted to come with you to apologize for my actions in the arcade. I've had quite a few run-ins with danger, and I suppose I get carried away at times. The others didn't mean what you heard. Darien had told them some story about you vaulting over him," at which point Makenna stiffened, "and they thought it was a bit weird and wanted to learn more about you. Their wording was weird when you overheard them, that's all. None of us would hurt your feelings unintentionally."

Makenna swallowed and looked the other girl in the eyes. "Thank you, Raye. It's been hard for me to adjust, so I know that I haven't been the friendliest person. Please know that I didn't mean to hurt your friend's feelings; it was just a reaction from how I was feeling. I forgive you all, if you can forgive me."

Smiling, Raye held out her hand. "It's a deal." As the two girls shook hands, screams started coming from the main part of the gym just as a loud beeping began emitting from Makenna's leg. Glancing at Makenna, confused, the raven haired girl said, "You should stay here, I'm going to see what's going on."

Makenna stared as Raye turned and ran back to the gym. What does she honestly think she can do? Hiking her dress up to look at the Ther-Monster, her face paled when she saw the number 20. That was the highest power level there was! Thrusting her fist in the air, she quickly called out, "Earth Millennium Power!" Suddenly, the floor opened as magma raced up toward the ceiling, engulfing her body. Makenna felt her dress melt away under the magma, only to be replaced by her fuku as the magma swirled around her body. Placing a hand on her hip and an arm over her head, the magma disappeared, leaving Sailor Earth in a fiery fervor. Racing into the gym, she leapt into the bleachers and onto one of the vents that crisscrossed the ceiling. Down below, she saw Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus fighting two youma that weren't giving up. As one of the youma prepared to attack Sailor Moon, Sailor Earth called out, "Stop!"

"Venus Love Me Chain!" cried Sailor Venus, quickly enveloping the youma closest to Sailor Moon.

Leaping down, Sailor Earth yelled, "Sailor Mystery has been solved. I'm Sailor Earth, guided by the planet Earth. Earthen Ash Flurries!" Right after saying that, she hit the jewel on her tiara, allowing a visor to cover her eyes.

Sailor Mercury nodded and quickly activated her own visor. "Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" she shouted, pointing at the second youma. As the fogs created cleared, each youma began to attack mercilessly.

Sailor Mars leapt out of the way of one of the youma just as Tuxedo Mask threw a steel-tipped rose and pushed Sailor Moon away from the other. "Mars Flame Sniper!"

Turning, Sailor Moon quickly yanked her tiara off of her head and threw it, saying "Moon Tiara Magic!" as it whirred toward one of the youma.

Sailor Earth turned her attention to the other, and summoned her most powerful attack. "Lava Flower Bloom!" On the floor, bright red petals began to appear, giving off light and heat. The remaining youma began hopping around, trying to stay away from the flowers that were taking over the floor.

Sailor Jupiter glanced at the youma, and muttered, "Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Within seconds, the youma was unable to move, forced to endure the pain of the lava.

Sailor Moon quickly finished the youma and turned to Sailor Earth. Just before she could speak, a new voice filled the gym, and drowned out all other sounds.

"So you've decided to give them you true identity as a senshi, Sailor Earth." the voice cackled, echoing throughout the gym.

"What's it to you, you coward of a queen? At least I show my face and don't hide behind lackeys," the white haired senshi shot back, beginning to turn in a steady circle, keeping an eye out for new enemies.

"Ah, but you haven't even told your new allies who I am yet. How rude is that?" came the voice again.

"Apparently you aren't as omniscient as you think yourself to be," Sailor Earth stated, continuing to circle around. "I just joined them tonight, and there are ten of us that you're going to have to deal with, plus some guy in a cape that likes roses!"

"Silly girl, I know more than you do. When the time comes, you foolish children won't be able to bind me!" the voice laughed. "Here, I'll let you have a good look at me for a minute." In the center of the room appeared a hazy picture of a woman with dark grey skin, light blue hair, and a revealing red dress. When the picture disappeared, the voice came back again. "Bindings have been attempted on me twice, and both have failed. This one will as well, so give up!"

"Never!" Sailor Earth shouted, only to realize that the voice was gone. Turning to Sailor Moon, she saw the girl shaking.

"I-I know who that was," she whispered, never taking her eyes from where the hologram had disappeared. As the other senshi and Tuxedo Mask quickly tried to comfort her, Makenna detransformed and began searching for Andrew. When she had found him, she looked up to see the other girls looking for her- Sailor Earth.

Sailor Mars called out, "Sailor Earth, if you're still here, meet us tomorrow at six at the Cherry Hill Temple. We have many things to discuss." With that, the five girls and caped man left, leaving everyone whispering excitedly. Makenna quickly made a mental note before turning back to Andrew.

"I'm glad you're all right," he whispered, lightly kissing her on the cheek.

Outside the gym, Sailor Mercury made the calls to Trista, Hotaru, Amara, and Michelle. Muttering a few words to each, she quickly hung up and turned to her friends. "What do we do now?

Sailor Jupiter yawned, stretching her arms out. "I guess we hope she comes, and get some sleep. Those were two strong youma."

"Guys," Serena began nervously. "I recognized the woman who showed up in the middle of the gym. You all won't like who it is."