In an empty hall in the Juuban Junior High School building, one girl was taking photographs of another. The photographer was Saki Itabashi, an aspiring photography student. The other girl was Lily Temple, star of the girl's softball team. Saki was using a camera she had been given by a strange man with what resembled a disorganised mullet earlier that day. Since then, she had gone looking for things she felt worthy of having their picture taken. And a junior high schooler with Olympic potential was definitely high on the list.
"Can we get this over with, Saki?", Lily asked, somewhat exhausted. She had long green hair and was dressed in the same school "sailor" uniform as the other girls at the school. "I'm getting sweaty just standing around. I do have an image to maintain."
"Just a few more.", the other girl replied. She, on the other hand, was dressed more casually, with a red shirt, a denim jacket and a baseball cap. "I'm not sure I've got your best side yet."
But then, before she could ever be sure, a large metal figure burst through the roof. He turned towards Lily and pointed his hand out. The girl collapsed, a oval-shaped, gold object emerging from her head.
"What are you?", Saki Itabashi cried out, barely registering the fact that her camera pulled itself out of her hand and began to change into something else.
"Someone looking for unique talent.", was the only response she received. "I'm also someone who can't have any witnesses…"
Elsewhere, in an abandoned house upon the hill, Nephrite was preparing to begin his assault on Miss Reika Nishimura, when a Youma jumped over the railing to land next to him. This was Cameran, one of his personal servants. His plan for gathing energy was to transmute his servants into a symbol, which would then be implanted on an object of importance to his selected target. Once the individual had reached their maximum energy peak, the Youma would absorb it, turn the object into a body and bring it back to Nephrite.
"What are you doing back here so soon?", Nephrite snarled. He wasn't expecting one to be back for at least another day. And that was another Youma he had planted in a tennis racket.
"I got interrupted, boss.", was all Cameran had to say in response. "Motro appeared and caused the girl to generate large amounts of energy through sheer terror."
"So he still wants to make our mission as difficult as possible.", Nephrite pondered. Then he said "Well I'll have you come with me then. I could use some help in keeping those Sailors from docking at my port of call."
But little did Nephrite know, at that moment, at leasttwo of them were near where he intended to go. Namely Ami Anderson,aka Sailor Mercury, and Makoto Kino, aka Sailor Jupiter. They were spying on their classmates as she spoke with a much older woman, who some would say was the physical embodiment of glamour.
"Can you tell what they're saying?", Mako whispered to her friend.
"They're not out of hearing range, you know.", Ami whispered back. "And keep your voice down; Usagi might hear us, decide to investigate and recognise us."
"Would she really recognise me? I mean we've only met once."
"Your uniform isn't exactly inconspicuous.", Ami whispered back. "You're literally the only attendee of Juuban Junior High school to wear a lace up frock with a grey collar."
"Well I can't help that they don't provide a uniform in my size.", Mako hissed back.
But as they were arguing, hey didn't notice a brown-haired man in the grey uniform of the enemy, accompanied by a woman with blue-grey skin accost their quarry.
"Who are you?", Usagi shrieked. "What do you-" but she was silenced before she could continue.
"Thank you, Cameran. I just can't stand to hear a child whining.", Nephrite said. Then he turned to Reika. "Now then, I can have my way with you without distractions."
"No please. Let me go!", Reika cried "I'll give you anything you want."
"You are giving me what I want." With that, Nephrite pulled out a large black diamond from his tunic, and began reciting an incantation in an unknown language. Everyone present, even the unknown observers could only watch as the woman screamed, an orange gem emerging from her chest.
"Yes. Yes. GIVE IT TO ME, WOMAN!"
But before he could reach out and grab it, a rose zoomed down and knocked his hand away. Everyone turned to look towards the source of the disturbance. Everyone except Ami and Mako, who took this opportunity to transform into Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter. But both Usagi and Nephrite were surprised by the attacker. A young man in a domino mask, a formal tuxedo, a black cloak and a top hat.
"Oh great, what are you doing here?", Nephrite asked. "The opera only opens on Sundays."
"As a matter of fact, I'm here for that Crystal.", the newcomer declared. "Then he turned to the other person at the scene. "Little girl, get out of here. Now!"
"Um, right.", Usagi said, preparing to make a dash for it. But as she did she was stopped by her friend. Reika was now turning into something else entirely, like Rei's Grandpa had over 16 days previously. Her hair fell out, barring a small patch that turned yellow with an orange streak. Her clothes burned off, leaving nothing but a short leather outfit with no straps, legs or sleeves. Finally, the woman's skin turned olive green and she put a monocle over her left eye. Usagi fainted from the horror of what she had just seen.
"Shadow Warrior Techniclon, reporting for duty, sir!", the thing that used to be Reika declared. "What are your orders?"
"This girl has seen too much of our operation here.", Nephrite answered, indicating the prone teenager. "It's beyond my power to erase this from her memory. She must be destroyed. Kill her!"
"As you wish.", Techniclon said, conjuring a dagger and raising it for the final blow. But before she could deliver, a blast of electricity knocked it out of her hands, frustrating her. "Who was that?"
"That would be me." Everyone turned towards the source of the voice. It was Sailors Jupiter and Mercury.
"Curses.", Nephrite growled. "Techniclon, go back to the Dark Kingdom for now. Cameran, stay here and deal with these two. I'll get the crystal."
But as he overpowered his adversary and made for the Crystal, he was knocked over by another figure. This one was also female, but with pink skin, wearing a baseball helmet and a leather suit, with a set of volleyballs for breasts.
"Its an interception at the goalposts, as Sailor Leaguer knocks the away team to the ground.", shouted the figure so loud that anyone could hear. Thankfully, few were around to hear her. Then another figure, with green skin, amphibious eyes and a sleeveless hood jumped down and picked up the crystal.
"Now that's what I, the great Sailor Gekisha call a photo finish!", declared the new figure.
"Now let's pass this ball to the captain before this guy gives us a red card.", Sailor Leaguer said to her partner. The two of them leaped away, with the smartly-dressed figure chasing after them.
"Oh never mind, we still have one crystal.", Nephrite grunted, before teleporting out with his acquisition.
"Well now it's just you two against me.", the Youma smiled.
"Make that three.", another voice cried out. Cameran turned to see Sailor Venus leap onto the scene. "I'm not going to let you hurt my comrades, or anyone else on this planet. I swear, if it's the last thing I do, I will stop you."
With that, a beam of light shone down from the sky, similar to the one that Mercury had inadvertently called yesterday. "Venus Star Power!" The aura surrounded Venus, who pointed her hand at her opponent.
"Venus Love Chain, Encircle!" A string of hearts, composed of light shot through the air at the creature, causing it to explode into fragments. Then, Venus turned to Jupiter and Mercury. "You're lucky I was on the area when I was. We need to take that girl home."
But as Jupiter went over to Usagi, she was shocked by what she saw. A yellow crescent, identical to those of Luna and Artemis on the girl's forehead.
Elsewhere, in the mansion on the hills, Nephrite and Techniclon were opening a conference call to communicate with Aueen Beryl. Both were shocked when instead they were met with another voice.
"Greetings, My Disciples! It Is I, Queen Metaria!"
"You are awake, oh great one?", Nephrite said with a rare display of shock.
"Yes Nephrite! Events Have Escalated To The Point Where I Have Reasons to Awaken!"
"Escalated how, great one.", asked the Shadow Warrior.
"Your Altercation At The Park Has Caused The Princess Of The Moon To Be Revealed! You Must Collect More Energy, So That I May Escape This Cocoon And Exact My Revenge!", the entity hissed before vanishing.
"The Princess Serena has awakened because of the altercation. But who could it-?", Nephrite pondered, having a moment of realisation mid-sentence. "The girl I told you to eliminate. It must be her."
"Don't worry, General," Techniclon said, transforming into a form resembling Reika Nishimura "I'll ensure that your orders are carried out."
Elsewhere in an abandoned warehouse, Motro was admiring the prize his new underlings had retrieved for him. "Both of you have done well."
"So does that mean I'm player of the match?", Sailor Leaguer asked rhetorically.
"We should take a picture of this moment. It'll last longer.", Sailor Geshika quipped.
"I have to admit, for a pair of up and coming stars, you two have potential.", Sailor Director said to her new teammates.
"But we still have the poxes of the Sailors and the Dark Kingdom infecting our plans.", Sailor Nurse pointed out.
"Don't worry.", Motro said with an invisible smile. "I have accounted for both these problems. Very soon, the Sailor Scouts are going to see me again. Little will they realise that they will be falling into my deadliest trap yet!"