Chapter 7

Amy's Destiny

Greg had his hands full trying to lose the sniper while also avoiding civilian traffic.

The pursuer had closed in enough for Amy to get a good look. It was a woman, and a Raidark, a humanoid species with pure white skin and distinctive black marks on their faces given to them at birth. Their black hair were just as wild as their clothing, usually consisting black leather outfits with outrageous decorations of white, silver, or gray. Word was that Raidarks were deep worshipers of their Gods on their home planet. They were also ferocious fighters, and it was not uncommon to see them as mercenaries or bounty hunters. Anything with a good sum of money involved.

The Raidark lifted her blaster and starting shooting. The glass of the back window of the hover car shattered and Amy screamed as she ducked.

"Keep your head down!" Greg shouted as he sped up.

Soon they were on the freeway. Greg knew it was risky entering this section endangering so many civilians, but it was risk he had to take. He tried to put as much distance between them and the pursuer as he could.

Despite Greg's warning Amy couldn't resist glancing out the back window. She was frightened but fascinated at the same time at what was happening around her. Greg weaved between vehicles while the Raidark stayed right on their tail, firing her blaster again and again.

For the next few minutes the chase continued like this, then Amy saw something incredible.

From her left a police speed bike come into view. Even at a distance she recognized the sea green hair and realized it was Miss Cortot-no, Sailor Neptune. The Raidark was still shooting at them, unaware of the Sailor Scout observing the situation. Then Sailor Neptune gunned her bike to the bed of an empty ramp truck and launched into the air.

Amy stared open mouthed as the speed bike and it's rider spiral around like a bullet. The Raidark finally sensed the danger and snapped her head around to see the Sailor Scout on the speed bike, swinging her crystal sword in an upside down arc. She was surprised for only an instant before she ducked, instinctively lifting her blaster over her head to shield herself.

Sailor Neptune's blade slashed and sparks flew. Her speed bike came around and landed on its wheels on the far left side of the Raidark, who quickly recovered and saw that her blaster had been cut in half. In disgust she flung it away and glared at the Sailor Scout, who glared right back. With a snarl she grabbed her smaller blaster pistol. Sailor Neptune dodged the first two shots, then deflected the next two with her crystal blade. The Raidark had to duck again to avoid the first laser bolt, but then the next one knocked the little blaster right out of her hand.

Now very aggravated, the Raidark pulled out a wicked looking sword of her own as Sailor Neptune closed in on her. Their bikes crashed together and their blades locked. They separated only for an instant before they clashed again, neither giving any quarter.

Amy watched in fascination. The two blades swung back and forth, clashing again and again, only separating to dodge traffic before coming back together again to continue their unusual duel. Neither could find an opening. Then the Raidark pushed Sailor Neptune's speed bike towards the protective barrier of the freeway. Having been taken by surprise, Sailor Neptune could not counter in time and her speed bike came in contact with the barrier. Sparks flew as the Sailor Scout tried to push back, but the Raidark wouldn't relent.

Then Amy saw the Raidark break off at the last second and the police bike disappeared behind a large pillar, erupting in a explosion. She screamed, believing that Sailor Neptune was dead! The Raidark begun closing in on them again, a grim smile of satisfaction on her face. Amy could only stare in horror as the Raidark brought her speeder to the rear end of their hover vehicle. The Raidark then stood on top of her speeder and prepared to jump onto their hover vehicle. Amy tried to warn Greg, but she was so terrified the words wouldn't come out.

The Raidark jumped-but as she did a chain suddenly wrapped around her torso. She looked down in surprise before she was yanked sharply away, the sword spinning out of her hand.

Unknown to Amy Sailor Neptune had energy jumped high into the air just before speed bike crashed into the pillar and had landed on the top of hover tank truck. Seeing that the Raidark about to jump onto the hover car Amy was in she flicked her wrist and her grappling chain shot out to catch her opponent in the midair. Now she yank the chain back, pulling the Raidark away from the hover car, over the cab, and straight towards her. The momentum caused the Raidark's body to twist around and Sailor Neptune saw her opponent's shocked face before her fist connected with it.

There was a loud and sickening crack. The Raidark's head snapped backwards and blood spurted from her mouth. Her body was launched away but Sailor Neptune pulled the chain taunt and yanked her back for another punch to the face. This time her fist connected with the Raidark's right eye socket. When her opponent flew back again Sailor Neptune pulled the chain again, but this time she pulled her in wide arc over her head. As she did she let go of the chain. It disappeared in a million light particles as the Raidark slammed onto the top of the tanker, bounced once, and disappeared over the read end.

With a sigh of relief, Sailor Neptune walked over to where Amy could see her standing just behind the driver's cabin. She tried to wave, but then suddenly screamed when she saw the Raidark run up from behind and kicked the Sailor Scout in the back!

Sailor Neptune went flying forward, luckily landing on top of the cabin instead of the open space in between. Before she had a chance to recover the Raidark was on her. She tried to choke the Sailor Scout to death but was then stunned when Sailor Neptune unexpectedly headbutted her. She was kicked away and Sailor Neptune quickly got to her to her feet, but she had no chance to draw her weapon for the Raidark immediately attacked again.

For several seconds the two engaged in an intense martial arts fight. Both exchanged blows, but neither could take advantage over the other. Then the Raidark managed to switch places between her and the Sailor Scout. When Sailor Neptune attacked the Raidark countered and delivered blow that momentarily stunned her, but it was enough for the Raidark. She wound up her arm and delivered a devastating uppercut to Sailor Neptune's jaw, powerful enough to lift the Sailor Scout right off her feet!

Amy gasped as the Sailor Scout somersault off the tank truck and into the air. Then she saw her catch the handrail with one hand, just in time to prevent herself from falling to certain death. She struggled to hold on, her body being buffeted by the passing air like a flag on a windy day. She tried to get a foothold but her feet kept slipping on the smooth metal surface.

Amy had expected the Raidark to come over and finish her off, instead she saw that the assassin was now ignoring the Sailor Scout and was climbing down the cabin to the driver's door. She opened it and yanked out the startled driver right out. He went crashing onto the surface and rolled out of sight. Slamming the door shut the Raidark took control of the vehicle and it lurched forward, Sailor Neptune still hanging on for dear life.

"Greg!" Amy warned.

"I know," Greg had seen the whole thing happening behind them. It was time to get off the freeway, "Hang on!"


When Greg steered the hover car onto the ramp of at exit the Raidark followed, causing other vehicles to sharply veer away and crash into each other. As the tanker went up its bumper sideswiped the safer barrier.

The upward bounce gave Michelle the momentum she needed to finally get a firm grip on the handrail and pull herself. She managed to climb safely to the top. Then she lay there on her back, taking a moment to catch her breath. But when she turned over and started to stand she suddenly had to lay flat again.

Coming off the exit ramp Greg came across a four street light that was in between a residential and commercial area. Traffic was already going through in the opposite direction and he had to dodge other vehicles. He made it through safely, but then a large cargo truck drove across. The Raidark had no way to avoid it and there was no time to stop. Instead she sped up and ducked at the last second. The tanker plowed through the cargo truck, splitting it right in half. Michelle flattened herself even more as debris went flying over her head.

It was only then she heard the sounds of sirens approaching. Lifting her head she saw three police hover cruisers closing in behind the tanker.

"Police vehicles!" she almost laughed, "Perhaps they'll give us a hand."

"Stop you vehicle!" came a voice from one of the cruiser's speakers, "Pull over this instant!"

Michelle got to her feet and ran forward, hopping onto the driver's cab. The impact had weakened the windshield enough that she was able to easily crash through it when she flipped down off the roof of the cab, going in feet first. She landed right next to Raidark and the two of them started fighting for control of the tanker.

Outside, the police officers were completely unaware of what was going on inside the cab. Their only goal right now was to stop the tanker before any civilians were hurt. Quickly they positioned their cruisers, one taking each side and the third staying behind as backup. Lowering the windows they took out their blasters and started shooting at the lower portion of the tanker, hoping to slow it down by taking out the hover control box while being careful not to ignite the fuel.

In her struggle against the Sailor Scout the Raidark inadvertently move the steering column to the left and the tanker veered sharply to the side, sideswiping the police cruiser and causing it to fly off the street and into a parking lot where it crash headlong into another hover car and flipped over.

When Michelle caught the Raidark in a headlock her foot accidentally stomped on the brake, causing the tanker to slow down suddenly. The officer driving the police cruiser from behind couldn't react fast enough and the front end of his vehicle smashed into the rear end of the tanker. When it sped up again the cruiser stayed where it was, unable to continue the pursuit.

Only one police cruiser remained as the Raidark finally got herself out of the headlock and kicked the Sailor Scout away. She looked up just in time to see Greg make a sharp right turn. She grabbed the steering column and turned in the same direction. The driver of the remaining police cruiser turned sharply to avoid being hit, but in his haste he veered right onto the sidewalk. Pedestrians scrambled out of the way and the officer found himself heading straight toward the statue of an historic figure. He turned sharply again and the cruiser went through a series of trees, its underside scrapping several objects and damaging the hover control box. As the cruiser burst through the trees the system failed and it plowed through the grass before plunging into the pond.

At that moment, another speeder carrying another Sailor Scout streaked past from the opposite direction.

Back inside the cabin Michelle reached for her wand as she jumped on the Raidark again. However, her opponent was much more experienced than her and she was able to push her away again, this time with much greater force. Her back slammed against the passenger door, her elbow accidentally pressing the unlock button. Michelle's weight caused the door to swing wide open and she nearly toppled onto the street. Her weapon flew out of her hand and it bounced away as her fingers desperately grasp for the door handle. Her legs slid off the slippery passenger seat and she found her herself dangling no more than a yard away from the pavement.

She tried to get back inside by swinging the door back shut, but each time she made an attempt the Raidark would kick it back open. All she could do now was to hold on. Then the door began to sag, unable to take her weight. Frantic, Michelle looked around, trying to find someway to get out of this predicament.

"Michelle!"

Startled, she looked over and saw... Lady Athens riding a speeder! And she was in her Sailor Mercury uniform! She nearly cried out with joy!

"Hang in there!" her friend yelled.

Michelle saw her whip out her own wand and which a single energy blast she took out the tanker's hover control box. Then she put her wand away and sped up to where she was right beside Michelle.

"Grab my arm!" Phoebe held it within reach.

Taking a breath, Michelle let go of the door handle and leaped. Her fingers latched onto Phoebe's arm and the older Sailor Scout pulled her up. Michelle swung her leg over the speeder's rear seat and wrapped her arms around her friend's torso as Phoebe gunned the engine. The Raidark, occupied with maintaining control the tanker, saw them speed away before the tanker's hover system failed and the vehicle collapsed on the pavement.

Millions of sparks flew as the tanker slid across the street, the Raidark sitting helplessly along for the ride. The momentum caused the tanker to turn sideways before its bottom struck a curb, hard enough to cause it to flip over.

Over her shoulder Michelle watched as the tanker flipped around three times before settling on its roof. She then saw the Raidark scramble out the destroyed cabin as fuel began to leak, managing to safely limp away before a spark ignited the fuel and the tanker exploded into a huge fireball. Thankfully there were no pedestrians or buildings nearby.

With a huge sigh of relief, she let her head rest on Phoebe's back.

"Thank you," she breathed, "Your timing couldn't have been better."

"You're welcome," Sailor Mercury grinned over her shoulder, "You did really well yourself."

Phoebe brought her speeder up alongside the passenger side of the hover car. She saw Amy's face behind the window. Staring... then frowning as she tried to look closer. Phoebe grinned and turned her head away. Her daughter was about to received the biggest shock of her life. She then signaled Greg to follow her.


They brought their vehicles to an empty parking, a good distance away from the inferno that was burning. Switching off the speeder's engine Phoebe got off and turned to Michelle, who groaning a little and her body seemed stiff.

"You okay?"

"First real beating I've ever taken," Michelle sniffed, "I'll probably be sore for a while."

"Here, hold still," Phoebe held out a hand to Michelle's chest, "Grace, Heal Thee."

As the healing spell washed over her, Michelle looked down at the speeder and realized that it was actually a military model disguised to resemble a civilian one.

"Where did you get this?" she asked.

"Borrowed it from one of Greg's friends. Interesting group, they are," Phoebe glanced over to see the young sorcerer step out of the vehicle along with Amy, who was in a daze, "Was Amy hurt in the explosion?"

"No. Greg protected her while I threw out out the bomb. Were there any casualties?"

"Not from what I heard. Your quick thinking saved a lot of lives. Did you find out who hired the bomber?

"No, but whoever it was hired both a male Bloodskin and a female Raidark. I killed the Bloodskin, but the Raidark managed to get away before the tanker exploded."

"She did?" Phoebe completed the spell, "Good, I can track her down and question her then."

Michelle looked at her, "You think that's a good idea?"

"We're past the danger now and we don't have the Botolfs to worry about... yet," Phoebe stated, "Besides, I highly doubt that Raidark will try again now that she knows that she's well out of her league. Things have heated up too much so she'll be forced to lay low until things have cooled back down. She no longer has the element of surprise and even if she does plan to make another attempt we'll be long gone before she realizes it. If she's smart she'll be planning to get off the planet instead. I want to find her before she does."

"Um... I'm sorry to interrupt," came Amy's voice, "But can someone please tell me what's going on?"

Smiling mischievously at Michelle, Phoebe turned and approached her daughter.

"Sorry, sweetie. I forgot all about you. Are you okay? You hurt anywhere?"

Amy's jaw drop and Michelle laughed when she saw her stunned expression.

"Mom?" for a minute Amy was struck speechless as she looked over her mother, dressed in her Sailor Scout uniform and wearing a big grin on her face. Her uniform was in the same style as Michelle's but different. The skirt and neckerchief were while the bowties much lighter shade of the same color. The tails of the back bowties were much longer and on her shoulders were transparent film shaped like scales, "What... why... how..."

"Really, Amy?" Michelle joked, "You never knew, let alone thought, that your mother was a Sailor Scout herself?"

"I..." Amy looked back and forth between Michelle and her mother, "Y-You're... a Sailor Scout?"

"Not just any Sailor Scout, Amy," Greg grinned, "Your mother is one of the Original Nine, the one named Sailor Mercury."

Amy looked her mother again.

"It's true, my dear," Phoebe confirmed.

Amy placed a hand on her head and leaned against the hover car, "This is getting to be too much. This has to be a dream."

"I assure you, it isn't. I've kept this a secret from you all this time. I am Sailor Mercury of the Original Nine. Michelle over there is the one named Sailor Neptune."

Amy stared at her, as if she didn't recognized her mother, "I don't understand."

"I know you don't, but you're going to have to wait a little while for a bigger explanation. Right now I have something to take care of," she turned to Michelle, "Did you see what direction that Raidark went?"

"No, but she was injured after the crash. She couldn't have gotten far."

Phoebe looked up at the city, "I know this area pretty well. There's a bar not far from here, the very kind that attracts the rough ones and is a perfect safe haven for those who need to hide. If she knows this city well enough she'll most likely be there."

"Want me to go with you?"

"No," Phoebe waved her off, "You've done enough for today. Go with Amy and get to the ship. I'll meet you there later. And don't worry. I may have not worn this uniform in a long time, but I'm far from rusty. You think that sword I had on the wall was just there for decoration?"

Michelle remembered the ceremonial sword she had seen in Phoebe's apartment and chuckled, "Good point. Alright, but be careful."

She climbed off while Phoebe climbed back on the speeder.

"I will. And Michelle..." Phoebe reached into a compartment and pulled out Michelle's wand. She had caught it when it had fallen from Michelle's fingers, "Next time try not to lose this."

Michelle went red, embarrassed that she had forgotten the most important part of her gear.

"Sorry, Sailor Mercury," she apologized and reached for it, but Phoebe pulled it back.

"This weapon is your life," she sternly reminded before handing it over.

"I'll try, Sailor Mercury," Michelle took her wand, noticing that it now had several scratch marks.

Seeing the guilt on her friend's face, Phoebe shook her head and playfully pinched Michelle's cheek. When she switched the engine back on Amy came rushing forward.

"Wait! Mom! Where are you going?"

"I told you, I have something to take care of first," Phoebe looked at her, "Go with Michelle and Greg. You'll be safe with them until I get back."

"But-"

"No buts!" she held up a finger and pinned Amy with a glare, "I know you're very confused right now, Amy, and I promise to explain everything to you, but I need you to be patient and do as I say. I'll be right back."


The bar Phoebe had mentioned was exactly as she had described. It was old yet not exactly run down and it did indeed attract the rough kind. Few questions were raised when someone needed to hide.

This worked out perfectly for the Raidark.

She sat alone in the corner of the bar at a table for two, a large glass of beer held between her hands and looking very disgruntled. Her body ache all over and her right eye had nearly swollen shut. She had not expected to face a Sailor Scout on this job, nor did she expect to be involved in a big chase scene. She had taken this job because she needed the money but she had expected it to be simple, not complicated like this. Seeing how the Sailor Scout and that boy sorcerer were so protective it made her wonder who that girl was.

But that meant very little now. She had attracted too much attention and it was time for her to get off the planet. The problem was how, since she practically had no money to speak of. As she considered her options she suddenly sensed a presence standing before her. Looking up with her one good eye she saw a rough looking stranger glaring down at her. She glared back with her war face. She was in no mood for another fight.

Then the stranger placed a finger on their forehead and the figure's image changed. The Raidark stared as she found herself facing a Sailor Scout, only this was not the young one she had fought against earlier. This one was older and of higher rank when she recognized certain parts of her uniform. She sat perfectly still as the Sailor Scout pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.

Placing her hands together on the table Phoebe looked over the Raidark, noticing right away the fingers tightening around the beer glass.

"You fling that at me and I'll make sure your eyes match," she warned.

A tense moment ticked by. She could tell at a glance that she and the Raidark were experienced warriors. A fair match to be sure, but the Raidark was beaten and bruised while the Sailor Scout was not. The Raidark seemed to realized this for she sighed heavily and slumped back in her chair, throwing her hands up in defeat.

"I was hired," she admitted.

Phoebe nodded, "I figure as much. Who hired you?"

"You think I would know their name?"

"Yes, you would," Phoebe gave a cold smile, "You Raidarks have a reputation of making sure you know who you're working for. Whatever jobs you take you see to it that you have something to hold against them in case they decide not to pay you."

The Raidark stared, then her lips twisted as she took a sip, "True."

"So who was it?"

"A woman by the name of Drogace."

Phoebe kept herself from blinking, "A young woman? Like a teenage girl?"

The Raidark shook her head, "Around your age, maybe older."

Mrs. Drogace, Phoebe couldn't have been more surprised. This had gotten interesting.

"And she asked you to do what exactly?" she asked next.

"Get rid of this little girl she claimed had stumbled on family secrets. She was offering good money so I didn't question her about it."

"And how do you know Mrs. Drogace?"

The Raidark shrugged, "This ain't the first time I did some dirty work for her. I met her a few years ago at a space station. I was broke so I came here to see if she had a job for me. The rest you know. Anyway, she didn't care how it was done just as long as it was made to look like an accident."

"Or a terrorist act?" Phoebe's cheek twitched as she thought about those who were nearly killed in the explosion.

The Raidark shook her head, "That wasn't my idea. That was my partner's."

"You mean the Bloodskin?"

"Yeah, him. Mrs. Drogace hired him in addition to me to make sure at least one of us got the job done. We agreed to take turns and I went first. After I failed he came up with a more elaborate plan. I prefer to keep things straight and simple, not... explosive like him. I was only serving as backup in case his plan failed."

Phoebe almost smiled, "You needn't worry about him anymore. My friend took care of him."

"Did she?" the Raidark raised her glass like she was giving a toast, "She's quite the fighter. Consider me impressed. Didn't like the guy anyway."

Phoebe could imagine. Raidarks and Bloodskins have never gotten along well.

"You don't happen to have a recording of your meeting with Mrs. Drogace?"

The Raidark looked up at her curiously, "Yeah, I do. Why?"

She chose her next words carefully, "I'm willing to let you go for two reasons. One is that you give me that recording along with anything else you have on her."

The undamaged eye narrowed, "And the second?"

Phoebe reached into her back bowtie pulled out a handful of Arthuran silver plates, "That you never show your face to me again."

The Raidark eyed the money she placed on the table. Her gaze shifted back and forth between the money and the Sailor Scout. Then she gave a little snort and reached into her pocket.

"Deal," she slid the little hollow pod across the table, "You can keep that. Everything's there. None of it is tampered. It even has some of the previous jobs I did for her. I never did like that woman anyway. Way too selfish for my tastes."

Phoebe switched it on and watched the hologram display the secret meeting between the Raidark, the Bloodskin, and Mrs. Drogace. Satisfied, she put the device away and pushed the money towards the Raidark.

"That's more than enough for you to get you off the planet and away from here," she stood up, "I suggest you go somewhere far away and never come back."

"You don't need to tell me twice," the Raidark picked up one of the plates and nodded approvingly, "Many thanks, Sailor Scout."


An half hour later Phoebe arrived at Docking Bay 78, where the Theodora Mars was waiting. A Bowing G-17 Class All Purpose vessel converted into an adventure's ship, the formally named Flying Fortress stood proud in its hanger.

Phoebe had meet the crew earlier this morning, part of her curious about what Michelle had told her about Sailor Mar's memory being honored. When she saw the ship she discovered what it was and she had been moved to tears.

The G-17 recently had its olive color paint removed and the hull was now a metallic silver with only the tops of the four engine cowls retaining their original color. The wingtips were red and the long wings had a red and purple stripe that were connected in the shape of a V, the very colors Sailor Mars wore and designed to resemble the insignia of the Sparta. The ship's tail, except for the rudder and elevators, were also painted red. And at the top of the vertical stabilizer was a purple circle with a white planetary symbol of the planet Mars.

But the most special part of the ship was located on the nose just beneath the cockpit. Painted in red were the words Theodora Mars with an image of Sailor Mars herself standing in between them drawing back a flaming bow and arrow.

She was truly a beauty, and Phoebe knew her old friend would have liked this very much. The crew had done this as their way of remembering her for saving their lives before her death.

Phoebe brought the speeder to a halt and shut off the engine. She took a moment to admire the ship again before she saw the captain, a Panther by the name of Nero, came down the loading ramp. Dressed in typical clothes on an gun wielding outlaw, only the black fur of his head was exposed as he approached with a relieved smile of his face.

"Hey," he said in a deep voice, "You made it back. And my speeder is still in one piece."

"I told you I'd take good care of it. You got quite a machine here," she grinned as she climbed off, "Is my daughter here?"

"Already on board," he pointed behind him with his thumb, "Along with everyone else. We're all set to go."

"Do you think we'll able to leave? With that explosion they'll have likely shut down all the docks."

"Our adventure's pass should allow us to leave without issue. And besides, I just heard on the news that they just found a burnt body of Bloodskin. They're already suspecting it as a domestic terrorist act and are currently lifting the ban."

"Good, that will make things easier. Let's get going before they change their minds."

Nero turned in the direction of the cockpit and signaled his copilot to start the engines. Then he took his speeder to the doors of the loading bay while Phoebe skipped up the ramp and entered the ship. She made her way the lounge and found Amy, Michelle, and Greg seated there along with an older Qinglong sorcerer named Du Tai, Greg's teacher.

"Welcome aboard, Sailor Mercury," he said, "It's an honor to have you."

"Thank you," she smiled politely.

"Did you find her?" asked Michelle.

"I did," Phoebe pulled out the hollow pod, "and I was in for a surprise. Apparently, Amy, your rival's mother is not very fond of you."

All of them blinked in surprise.

"Wait... Mrs. Drogace was the one behind it?" Greg didn't believe it.

"Apparently so," Phoebe took a seat and showed them the secret meeting as the ship took off. A few minutes later the Thoedora Mars entered hyperspace, leaving behind Arthuran and the Twin Planets.

Afterwards, Amy could only shake her head, "I don't understand. Why would Mrs. Drogace want me dead? I don't even know her!"

"Because she wanted her own daughter, Lucinda, to be on top no matter what and you were in the way," Michelle spat in disgust, "Unbelievable. I'll never understand why people like that would go to such lengths."

"Status," Du Tai responded, "That's all that matters to them."

"Indeed," Phoebe agreed and put away the hollow pod.

"What happened to the Raidark?" Michelle asked.

"I let her go."

"You what?"

"Turning her in the authorities would have raised too many questions. Much as I would have liked to turn her in and provide the evidence she gave me it would only complicate matters for us. Don't worry, she won't bother us ever again. I made sure of that."

Michelle looked doubtful, but in the end she shrugged.

"As for Mrs. Drogace," Phoebe went on, "We'll have to deal with her at another time. Right now we need to get to Athena."

"Actually no, not yet," said Michelle.

Phoebe frowned, "What do you mean?"

"When we left our ship to look the other members my friends and I agreed to rendezvous at Meteor 21."

"Meteor 21?" repeated Greg, "What's that?"

"It's a secret base hidden inside an asteroid belt," Phoebe explained, "built for the Royal Family in the case of emergency situations," she rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "That's actually might be a better idea. With what you told me last night Queen Beryl might try to set up blockades in order to prevent us from reaching Athena. At Meteor 21 we can contact Athena and tell them of our situation. With me there it will help persuade them to send any aide we might need."

"That, along with making sure the the three of us arrive with our quarries before we head to Athena," added Michelle.

"Do you know who they're looking for?"

"No. For sake of secrecy we thought it was best if we stayed in the dark in case we were captured."

"Ah," Phoebe nodded approvingly, "Makes sense."

"I'm sorry," Amy interrupted, "But I still don't understand what this has to do with me."

"It has a lot to do with you," Phoebe moved over to where she could face Amy directly, "It's time I told you the entire truth of who you really are. First, are you familiar with the Fall of Apollonia?"


Botolf

Queen Beryl had called forth a war council to discuss the recent turn of events. By now all of Botolf's high ranking officers were gathered in her throne room, including the Four Great Generals.

When she had come into power Queen Beryl had completely changed the look of the throne room. Once it held spectacular balls for the royal family, but now a single note had yet to be played again. The floor, the walls, and the pillars had originally been made with pure white marble, dazzled by beautiful lights and chandeliers. Now the marble had been turned to the deepest black with only beams of light illuminating the floor and the throne itself. The portraits and statues depicting Botolf's previous rulers had all been removed and replaced with terrifying paintings and statues of mythical creatures and giant monsters known across the galaxy.

Before there had been several thrones made for the King, the Queen, and whatever children they might have had. Now only a single throne stood there, a giant hideous creation of unknown origins. Even the officer's chairs were made this way, which made them very uncomfortable to sit it in and not for the usual reasons.

It was said that Queen Beryl done this to strike fear into her subjects and to make it clear that she was now the ruler of Botolf and that she would not be challenged. However, those who had been around for many years knew who she once was. She was originally a powerful sorceress, having come from a powerful and influential family that had mysterious died in a fire when their great mansion suddenly burned to the ground. She was only just entering adulthood at the time.

Then she had become King Hauger's mistress.

Shortly after the King's first wife had died from an unexplained illness the King had married the young sorceress and she later gave him a son, who they have not seen or heard or in recent years and Queen Beryl had spoken very little about him.

There had been a great deal of suspicion towards Queen Beryl in the past sixteen years, from the the previous Queen's mysterious death to her becoming the ruler of Botolf. Her methods, her decisions, all were questionable, but not enough to even consider removing her from power. That was her greatest strength, her cunning mind and intelligence. If she had done terrible things, she had done well to hide it and no one was brave enough to question her.

General Jadeite had been the last to arrive, having just returned from the planet Rhodes. Unlike the other commanders the Four Great Generals were required to stand before the Queen since she had declared them to be higher than all other military personnel. Straightening his uniform, Jadeite glanced at the other three Generals standing to his right.

General Nephrite was the tallest of Generals. Standing at an impressive six-foot-two and built with powerful shoulders he was Queen Beryl's leading scientist and weapons designer, responsible for many of Botolf's Armored Battle Machines, or ABMs as they were more commonly known. His long, wavy, auburn hair and her mesmerizing azure blue eyes made him a magnet for many young ladies of the nobility, but he virtually ignored them, showing no interest despite the number of beauties thrown his way.

Jadeite knew that Nephrite had once been married and that his wife had given him a daughter, but they both died several years ago in a tragic accident when Nephrite had been off planet and he had spoken very little about them since then. Instead he devoted his life to both his work and serving Queen Beryl.

Standing next to Nephrite was General Zoisite, the youngest of the Four Great Generals. He was Queen Beryl's spymaster, but very few actually got along with him. He was arrogant, spoiled, egotistic, and he treated everyone like they were below him, even to his fellow Generals. How he became one of the Four Great Generals was beyond Jadeite, but apparently his skills as a spymaster were very valuable. Were it not for her Nephrite would have killed him a long time ago since Zoisite was always finding ways to pester and insult him. It almost actually happened when Zoisite went too far by insulting Nephrite's dead wife and daughter. Kunzite, however, prevented it for fear of enduring Queen Beryl's wrath.

There was also the fact that Zoisite considered himself more feminine than masculine. Jadeite had known him in his younger days when he had been a green cadet in the army, being only a few years older than Zoisite. At that time Zosite had looked exactly like a boy, popular with the girls during grade school. When Jadeite saw him again many years later he been shocked by how much Zoisite had changed. He had grown his orange blonde hair extraordinarily long and he wore it in a ponytail. He was often seen twirling the ending strand around his finger, and he always stood in the way of a woman. The green eyes that before had danced with delight had now turned cold and menacing.

Zoisite was also strongly attracted to Kunzite, which had disturbed a great many in Queen Beryl's court. Jadeite had been told by the others the reason why Zoisite had turned into this and they all agreed not to speak of it for it would only upset Zoisite in the worse way possible. Kunzite was the only one who tolerated Zoisite's strange and arrogant behavior even though he always ignored Zoisite's attempts to flirt with him.

And speaking of which, Jadeite shifted his gaze over to Kunzite, the oldest of the Four Great Generals and the most experienced.

Kunzite was considered a hero among the Botolf people, but unlike the other three he was not native to this planet for his family had originally come from Atlantis, the only human planet of the Paradise Worlds. He was almost as tall as Nephrite and was just well built, his skin deeply tanned and not pale like the Botolfs. His white hair, another significant sign of his foreign birth, fell below his shoulders and his eyes were a cold ice blue. His handsome face, powerful figure, and breathtaking charisma had won the hearts of many young ladies, something that made Zoisite extremely jealous, enough that he would drive them all away.

Despite his heritage, Kunzite had entered the military at an early age and over the years he had risen to become one of Botolf's most promising and decorated officers. His experience and knowledge of military tactics had prompted Queen Beryl to promote him as Supreme Commander of Botolf's arm forces and the leader of the Four Great Generals.

Like many others Jadeite held a great deal of respect towards Kunzite, having heard and read a great deal about him during his time at the military academy. Kunzite had also been a close friend of King Hauger and had even led the Botolf army in their attack on Apollonia sixteen years ago. Jadeite had been promoted as one of the Great Generals at Kunzite's request, apparently needing a executive officer and finding Jadeite to be the most suited for it after reading his career so far. Jadeite had been greatly honored to given such a position. When he first met Kunzite in person he had asked him about Apollonia. But instead of answering the General went silent, his eyes carrying a distant look inside. Jadeite had not asked him about it since then.

The sound of a gong brought everyone to attention. It was like the sound of doom arriving. Then from their right Queen Beryl entered the throne room, her crystal ball on its pillar floating right behind her along with a servant.

She was dressed in her usual deep violet gown, cut in the middle to reveal the generous swell of her bosom. Her long red hair flowed freely down her back like a waterfall. She made her way to her throne, but instead of sitting down she turned and her ruby gaze scanned every single officer in the room. Jadeite could sense that several of them felt a chill go down their spine. All held their breath and as her gaze shifted back and forth. When she finally sat they almost blew it out in relief.

"Be seated," she smoothly ordered.

And all of them scrambled to do so while the Four Great Generals remaining where they were.

"As you are aware," she began to address, "I have been giving certain orders for our forces without any proper explanation. I will now reveal to you why I have. Three days ago, I received a report from General Jadeite that his soldiers had suddenly encountered three Peacemakers on one of the Rogue Planets. Only these were not your average Peacemakers. They were three of the Original Nine Sailor Scout of Lunaria. Despite our best efforts most of the Nine Families were able to escape the destruction of Apollonia."

The room went silent at the reveal of this information.

"From the colors they wore they were Sailors Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto," she continued, "They managed to escape the planet on a smuggler's vessel but our warships were able to damage it before it entered hyperspace. One of our ships then managed to catch up with it after it was forced out of hyperspace due to the damage it sustained. Unfortunately, the crew scuttled the ship before it could be boarded. However, our ship was able to detect three hyperspace trails heading in three different directions. After General Jadeite reported this to me I suspected that the three Sailor Scouts were trying to find other members of the Original Nine and I ordered our fleet to spread out and set up blockades while I sent General Zoisite's agents with orders to find and eliminate the remaining Original Nine."

At this Zoisite smiled both proudly and arrogantly.

"General Jadeite managed to trace one of the trails all the way to the former Lunarian colony, the planet Rhodes," Queen Beryl brought her crystal ball over and waved a hand, "One of our spies managed to capture this image."

Displayed before them was an image of a teenage girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"The coloring may be different but the face is unmistakable. The girl you see here in Princess Serenity, Queen Sophia's youngest child and the only one to have survived the attack of Apollonia."

A great shock went around the room.

"If it is proof you looking for you should know that despite General Jadeite's best efforts the Princess escaped. Rather easily, I might add, for she was protected by Lunarian forces, who were revealed to be the Palace Guard and members of Apollo's Regiment, the very forces of the Moon Kingdom itself. They had planned the Princess's escape for many years and were able to counter each of our attempts to capture her. But, all is not lost, for after this picture was taken our spy managed to infiltrate her ship. Once he sabotages it and her ship is forced land at the nearest planet he will signal us and our forces can move in to capture her. It is imperative, my good Generals and Admirals, that Princess Serenity never reaches Athena. For her to become the one named Sailor Moon would be catastrophic for us."

"If I may, Your Majesty," spoke an admiral, "But should we really be wasting our time hunting down a mere child?"

Jadeite was familiar with the fact that not all of them were supportive of the war against Lunaria.

"That question clearly shows you know nothing of the Original Nine," Nephrite spoke over his shoulder.

"Indeed," Zoisite smirked, toying with his hair again, "Although I could say the same for you since you never faced one before."

Nephrite glared at him, "And you have?"

"Regardless," Kunzite quickly interrupted, "Nephrite makes a good point," he ignored Zoisite's pout, "Now that the Princess has reappeared we must not underestimate her once should she become the one named Sailor Moon. History has shown time and again of Lunarian Princesses becoming great leaders and then even greater Queens through the power of Sailor Moon."

"You should pay attention to your history more, Admiral," Queen Beryl spoke coldly to the admiral in question, who quieted sat down without another word.

"How should we go about this, You Majesty?" asked Kunzite, "The remaining children of the Original could be anywhere the galaxy. Finding them will not be easy, and their protectors will fight to the death to prevent them from being captured."

"You speak the truth, Kunzite," Queen Beryl's eyes gleamed, "which is why I have sought out the aide of one who is well familiar with the Original Nine. One of ours, in fact, before she left us for Yankaria. You may have heard of her as the Red Baroness."

Everyone in the room froze. There was not a single person who was not familiar with the Red Baroness, even though she had been known under a different name back then. Once a servant of Queen Beryl until she had openly defied her, the only one ever to do so, and had left under her power. Power that Queen Beryl had given her.

"The Red Baroness, You Majesty?" even Kunzite sounded shocked, "The Right Hand of the Prime Director?"

"Yes," Queen Beryl suddenly grinned, "And I am happy to announce that she is already here."

As if on cue, a servant announced the arrival of the Red Baroness and Queen Beryl gave the order to allow entrance. All turned as the great door opened.

The light outside cast a giant shadow through the hall of the throne room, one that reached all the way to the feet of the Four Great Generals. Then the figure began walking towards the throne and all watched with held breath and rapidly beating hearts.

Jadeite had only heard stories about the Red Baroness and her fearsome reputation as a commander. In other places of the galaxy she known as the Bloody Baroness because of the brutal tactics she had in Yankaria's war against crime lords, terrorists, and other secret organizations. As she stepped closer he saw the reason why she was named as such.

She was dressed entirely in red, her gown cut in elegant Yankarian fashion. What was more extraordinary was her hair. It was the same exact color as her gown, extremely long with a single braid wrapped around the back of her head. She carried a crystal blade wand at her hip and she was extremely tall, taller than Nephrite. Her face was very pale, but her most frightening feature was her eyes. They were a pair of amethyst orbs that seemed to see everything and could stare into the deepest depths on one's soul. A single look into those eyes was enough to make even the bravest person in the galaxy tremble in fear.

The powerful aura surrounding her was felt by all, and the Four Great Generals found themselves stepping aside. She stopped when she stood between Zoisite and Nephrite and she looked up at her former master for the first time in many years.

"Queen Beryl," she spoke in a deep cold voice, not even trying to hide the contempt in her eyes.

But Queen Beryl only smiled and said, "Welcome back, Lady Kaolinite."