Act 7:
Act7: Mirrorworld of Untrue Tales
Mizu blinked as a girl pushed past her. It was still early enough that there weren't too many people about to move with ease, but there was a good- sized crowd. Why should this one girl seem so important to her?
"Go after her. That's what you want to do, right?"
Mizu nodded to the voice, somewhat used to it by now, and spun around. It took a moment to spot the girl again, but after only a second's hesitation, she was dashing after the brown-haired stranger.
"Wait! Hey, person! Wait up! Won't you - jeez!" They'd both run far beyond the crowds of the streets and were now sprinting through a forest that, strangely enough, Mizu had never before noticed in all the time she'd lived in the area. Even with her increased stamina from being a senshi and being athletic in school, it was still difficult to keep up with this girl, who didn't seem to be having any trouble at all. "Maybe I should just give up. . . ." she muttered to herself. Suddenly the one she was pursuing stopped, leaning against a tree, panting. Mizu hurried over, hoping the girl wouldn't start again at her presence.
"What do you want?"
Mizu hesitated. She couldn't well say that she'd been told by a guy she'd seen killed to follow her. She decided on a question of her own as she too lent against a tree, sliding down to sit on the damp leaves. "How in the world can you run so fast? I used to think I was pretty good, but that was - that was amazing."
Kari studied her pursuer. She had long blue hair, reaching down to her thighs, though as it was in a braid now, it was probably actually longer, and pale grey eyes. The thing that caught her attention most though was the slight glow she was giving off, a blue one. Kari shook her head. Two senshi in one day? Sure she'd been looking for them, but this just really wasn't a good time. She sighed. At least this girl wasn't someone she knew. Or was she? Kari pursed her lips, thinking back. She could be that senshi she'd seen before. "Transform."
Mizu glanced up in surprise before it hit her - really, why she hadn't noticed before was beyond her. There really wasn't much difference aside from a change in costume. This was the girl who'd killed Jay's assassin. She nodded sharply. "If you do."
There was a moment.
"Star Crystal Power! Make-UP!"
"Virgo Make-UP!"
Blue and gold flashes filled the area for a second then both were standing again, circling each other curiously.
"So are you looking for the others too?"
Virgo shook her head. "The girl I'm staying with is though. Sailor Celestial."
Star nodded thoughtfully. So it was possible that other bands of senshi would form, and all she'd need to do was meet one to find the rest. That was a possibility she hadn't thought of before that certainly made things easier. "I'm Sailor Star." She thought about mentioning the senshi she'd found, Aries, but decided against it. Hino didn't know anything yet, and couldn't protect herself if it turned out this girl was on the wrong side. She fished around for something to say. "That guy - you knew him?"
Virgo winced. "Straight to the point, huh?" She sighed. It was probably her fault for interrupting the other senshi when she was obviously upset. "Yeah. . . . He's - he was my best friend. . . . My only friend really. Thanks by the way, for killing that thing. I guess I'm just not cut out for the killing stuff." When Star said nothing, she added, "What's got you so upset?"
Star blinked and shook her head. "Nothing, really. I've just begun remembering bits of my past life, and it's sort of hard."
Suddenly Mizu was no-longer transformed. "I haven't begun remembering yet, but the girl I'm with has. Her name's Kaji." She pressed her fingers to her temples, frowning. "There's someone else with a name like that. I can't - think - of it." Kari too detransformed, crouching down next to the other girl, who was now curled into a little ball. "We have to find her. The princess doesn't know yet, and without her we have no chance. . . . It's dark for her. There's something there but what is it? Why is everything so black? It in all the mirrors, just like before, but it's in shadows too and what is it what - ow!"
Kari had slapped her. The other senshi was frightening her. When the girl seemed to have calmed down she helped her up. "Are you all right now?"
Mizu frowned. "Why wouldn't I be all right?" She paused. "Why was I on the ground, anyway?"
Kari backed up slightly. If this girl couldn't remember what she was doing all the time, she could be dangerous to have around, for now at least. "My name's Kari, in case you wanted to know."
"Mizu."
"You were saying something about a princess and it being dark for her and -"
"Mirrors. I remember now." Mizu smiled. "I get visions, but the more intense ones tend to just hit and run, and then I can't remember anything for a bit." It was true, but now that the dream had been mentioned everything was coming back to her. For a second she was back in the black room then her expression cleared. She had one thought still with her from that time that seemed particularly important at the moment, and although she knew it would only upset the other girl further; somehow she knew it was also important for her to say. First she had to get far enough away though. Kari wasn't entirely calm yet, and could very well decide she was an enemy. She began walking away, in the direction she thought would lead back home. If not, she could always call Jay over. He should appear to help, right? Finally she was far enough away. "By the way," she called back, voice barely audible to Kari. "Serpens says hi."
A golden blast hit the tree she'd been in front of, but she was already sprinting back where she'd come from. Hopefully the other senshi would forgive her for that.
***
"So who do you think it is? I mean, it's kinda hard to get a good look at her in all that darkness," wondered a senshi with long blonde hair.
A girl that could be her twin shrugged, not glancing up from the computer she was stationed at. "I've got readings of high energy levels here, here, and here. Other areas with abnormal energy are there and there, and several places are strange in that no energy at all seems to be emitting from them. The princess could be any one of those, or she could be none of them. Then of course, we've got those traveling energies that're making their way across the galaxy towards Earth. I don't know who or what they are, but they seem to indicate that Earth is definitely going to be the battlefield again." She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Really, why is it always there? Just because the purest heart in the galaxy resides there. . . ."
The other nodded. "I know. It just doesn't make sense. If you want to take over the universe, why not make the strongest fighters go somewhere it'll be harder for them to fight, rather than going to their home where you're the one with a disadvantage. Those Black Moon people from way back had the right idea. What was that one guy's name? Wiseman?" She shook her head. "The only thing they did wrong was bothering with the senshi at all. What would've worked so much better is going back in time to before the senshi awoke. Really, there's a whole couple million years there. It can't be that hard. It's a good thing we won't have to worry, right Moondust?"
Sailor Moondust frowned. "Stardust, I'm not sure about that. Look at this." She pointed to a map filled with various colors indicating energy levels. "There's average to below average energies everywhere but Earth's galaxy. Once you reach there," she said, tapping the screen to enlarge the picture to focus on Earth, "you've got a whole mess of energies ranging anywhere from sub-degrees to powers rivaling that of Sailor Moon's. The only places that should be like that are our space-pockets, where Galaxia and the transformations are," she continued, this time pointing to another screen filled with a pale blue, "but those places aren't anywhere near as high- level as they should be." She spun her chair to face Stardust. "Why is Shadow sending us to that place? We'll die."
Stardust shook her head firmly and walked over, wrapping an arm around the other senshi. "We'll be fine. I shouldn't be telling you this really, but here." She typed on the letterless keyboard quickly and pointed to the screen. "See that? That's where we'll be fighting in the end. Shadow isn't so stupid that she'd let those new senshi and their princess fight on earth. We're going to a place created with darkness and her energy, so they won't have anything to draw on."
Moondust rested her head against Stardust's shoulder, sighing softly. "But we're going to have to go to Earth to get the princess. If we can eliminate her, we won't have to fight at all, and that's the ideal. You know that."
"Yeah. I know that."
***
Kage skipped out the house, grinning to herself. Last night there had been no dreams of either man, so she planned on treating herself to a day with Kari. She just hoped Kari had come back by now. One of the other girl's friends had come over asking if she'd seen her. Hinotama, or something like that. She was nice - they'd probably end up friends as well. Kage shrugged. Maybe instead she should go to the park. It was nice outside, and she could see Kari any day.
***
A strange beeping started, softly at first, then growing more and more insistent until finally Stardust got up from her bed and padded out to the computer, sleepily cursing whoever it was that had left the speakers on. She glanced at the screen, scanning the picture quickly. Her eyes widened.
"Moondust. Moondust get over here. Tell me what this looks like to you."
The other girl, hair up in meatball shaped buns for sleeping, trudged out, sending a mock-glare at her senior. "What is - oh. Wow." Within seconds her fingers were flying over the keyboard until they had a picture on the screen of a girl with long golden hair walking. Another screen showed the city she was in with a golden dot beeping along. Moondust glanced over at Stardust, who was typing in some coordinates for another computer. "This is really it, isn't it? She looks just like her, and the energy levels - they're so high and wow. How does that work? That much energy should kill her, but for some reason"
"All right, logic girl. Let's go. We've gotta get her before she can disappear again."
Moondust nodded.
"Do your stuff then."
Moondust nodded again, and with a flash looked to be the same as the girl on the screen. Stardust tied up her hair into the moon princess's trademark meatballs and glanced at the screen. A click of the computer and they disappeared.
***
The park was empty when she got there for some reason. With a shrug, Kage plopped down onto a swing and smiled. The silence was nice.
"Hello."
Kage jumped off the swing, glancing about, eyes finally resting on the girl who had popped up behind her. She looked. . . . "You're me."
The girl nodded, smiling. "I have something for you. Here. Take it before she gets here."
Confused, Kage reached towards her mirror reflection and took her hand, expecting her to hand something over. Instead there was a crackle of energy and a jolt as something instead passed into her. She backed up. "What was that?"
Another girl appeared, this one looking like Usagi but for the deep scowl on her face. "What are you doing here? Get back here before someone sees you."
The two disappeared, fading out of sight like ghosts. Kage stared at her hand. Suddenly something caught her eye. The girls had dropped a mirror on the ground. She gazed into it for a moment. The girl inside laughed and she dropped the mirror. Cautiously, she picked it back up again, holding tightly to the glass.
***
Moondust glanced up thoughtfully, twirling her hair. "Really, I don't know how I stand it. I should just. . . . disappear. Save everyone else the trouble."
Nearby, Stardust snickered. Zirconia was another one of their predecessors with good ideas.
***
"Disappear?"
"Yeah. That's what I want to do anyway. I never really wanted to live through that time." The reflection thought for a moment. "Actually, there is one reason I should live, but right now I don't know how to do it. Everyone around me is always pushing me to be on their side, but really"
***
"I want to help those in the shadows. They're the ones who are my real friends. The others just want me to be their slave. That's all I am: the slave of the Sailor Senshi." Moondust smiled suddenly as Sailor Stardust walked into view. "If only I could really be with her. I wish my life could be the way it is in this mirror. I have a lover, I have friends, and I have power. I don't serve anyone, because I am the one being served, as it should be."
***
Kage walked through the streets, so intent on the mirror in her hands that she didn't notice Kari spot her and start following, or the rotting man who passed through her in his haste to get someone. That world wasn't important.
"How can I get there? How can that happen?"
The reflection smiled, reaching toward her. "Just keep watching. The mirror is all that matters here. Don't ever stop watching."
Kage nodded. A strange shadow seeped through the glass toward her. She didn't care. The mirror was what mattered, nothing else. The shadow reached her eyes and began reaching through, twisting through her.
***
"There is one way you can really reach here."
"Really? Tell me."
"Not yet. You aren't ready."
"TELL ME!"
Moondust smiled at the girl in the mirror and shot some more of her energy into her. "If you throw me away, you'll never have happiness."
The rage passed from the girl's features, replaced with fear. "You won't leave me, will you?"
"No. As long as you don't make me."
"That'll never happen."
***
Kari struggled past the crowd towards her friend. Why was she staring at that mirror and talking to it? There was a blackness surrounding her to the extent where even normal humans, who couldn't see it, avoided her. She glanced back, hearing panting and smirked. "Have any idea what's going on?"
Mizu shook her head. "I just know that I need to be here. Something important is going to happen with that girl."
"Her name's Kage. She's a friend of mine."
Mizu nodded quickly. "She's dark. What's happening to her?"
"I have no idea."
***
Kage reached her house and walked up the stairs. The place was empty - she vaguely remembered that Usagi and her family had gone to the mall for Christmas shopping. She'd done hers a week ago, not that it mattered. She walked into the kitchen, unaware of the sound of the front door slamming open, Kari's voice filling the air. She slid a knife out from the drawer.
"Stop. They're coming!"
She hastily slipped the mirror into her pocket and spun around to face Kari, a smile plastered on her face. "Hi!"
Kari's eyes widened, focusing on the knife. "What're you doing?"
Kage's smile disappeared for a second, then returned, full force. "Just gonna chop up some carrots. They taste pretty good in salad dressing. Do you want some?"
Mizu rounded the corner, having checked the rest of the house for other people. Jay appeared behind Kage, pointing to her pocket. He nodded and disappeared.
"Kage, my name is Mizu. What do you have in your pocket?"
Kage's eyes narrowed. "Nothing for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone right now.
Kari stepped closer. "Sorry Kage." She glanced to Mizu for confirmation, then transformed. Kage snarled and tried to sidestep the senshi, but Mizu was there. In the moment it took to get around her, Kari was ready with an attack. "Shooting Star!"
Kage fell.
Act7: Mirrorworld of Untrue Tales
Mizu blinked as a girl pushed past her. It was still early enough that there weren't too many people about to move with ease, but there was a good- sized crowd. Why should this one girl seem so important to her?
"Go after her. That's what you want to do, right?"
Mizu nodded to the voice, somewhat used to it by now, and spun around. It took a moment to spot the girl again, but after only a second's hesitation, she was dashing after the brown-haired stranger.
"Wait! Hey, person! Wait up! Won't you - jeez!" They'd both run far beyond the crowds of the streets and were now sprinting through a forest that, strangely enough, Mizu had never before noticed in all the time she'd lived in the area. Even with her increased stamina from being a senshi and being athletic in school, it was still difficult to keep up with this girl, who didn't seem to be having any trouble at all. "Maybe I should just give up. . . ." she muttered to herself. Suddenly the one she was pursuing stopped, leaning against a tree, panting. Mizu hurried over, hoping the girl wouldn't start again at her presence.
"What do you want?"
Mizu hesitated. She couldn't well say that she'd been told by a guy she'd seen killed to follow her. She decided on a question of her own as she too lent against a tree, sliding down to sit on the damp leaves. "How in the world can you run so fast? I used to think I was pretty good, but that was - that was amazing."
Kari studied her pursuer. She had long blue hair, reaching down to her thighs, though as it was in a braid now, it was probably actually longer, and pale grey eyes. The thing that caught her attention most though was the slight glow she was giving off, a blue one. Kari shook her head. Two senshi in one day? Sure she'd been looking for them, but this just really wasn't a good time. She sighed. At least this girl wasn't someone she knew. Or was she? Kari pursed her lips, thinking back. She could be that senshi she'd seen before. "Transform."
Mizu glanced up in surprise before it hit her - really, why she hadn't noticed before was beyond her. There really wasn't much difference aside from a change in costume. This was the girl who'd killed Jay's assassin. She nodded sharply. "If you do."
There was a moment.
"Star Crystal Power! Make-UP!"
"Virgo Make-UP!"
Blue and gold flashes filled the area for a second then both were standing again, circling each other curiously.
"So are you looking for the others too?"
Virgo shook her head. "The girl I'm staying with is though. Sailor Celestial."
Star nodded thoughtfully. So it was possible that other bands of senshi would form, and all she'd need to do was meet one to find the rest. That was a possibility she hadn't thought of before that certainly made things easier. "I'm Sailor Star." She thought about mentioning the senshi she'd found, Aries, but decided against it. Hino didn't know anything yet, and couldn't protect herself if it turned out this girl was on the wrong side. She fished around for something to say. "That guy - you knew him?"
Virgo winced. "Straight to the point, huh?" She sighed. It was probably her fault for interrupting the other senshi when she was obviously upset. "Yeah. . . . He's - he was my best friend. . . . My only friend really. Thanks by the way, for killing that thing. I guess I'm just not cut out for the killing stuff." When Star said nothing, she added, "What's got you so upset?"
Star blinked and shook her head. "Nothing, really. I've just begun remembering bits of my past life, and it's sort of hard."
Suddenly Mizu was no-longer transformed. "I haven't begun remembering yet, but the girl I'm with has. Her name's Kaji." She pressed her fingers to her temples, frowning. "There's someone else with a name like that. I can't - think - of it." Kari too detransformed, crouching down next to the other girl, who was now curled into a little ball. "We have to find her. The princess doesn't know yet, and without her we have no chance. . . . It's dark for her. There's something there but what is it? Why is everything so black? It in all the mirrors, just like before, but it's in shadows too and what is it what - ow!"
Kari had slapped her. The other senshi was frightening her. When the girl seemed to have calmed down she helped her up. "Are you all right now?"
Mizu frowned. "Why wouldn't I be all right?" She paused. "Why was I on the ground, anyway?"
Kari backed up slightly. If this girl couldn't remember what she was doing all the time, she could be dangerous to have around, for now at least. "My name's Kari, in case you wanted to know."
"Mizu."
"You were saying something about a princess and it being dark for her and -"
"Mirrors. I remember now." Mizu smiled. "I get visions, but the more intense ones tend to just hit and run, and then I can't remember anything for a bit." It was true, but now that the dream had been mentioned everything was coming back to her. For a second she was back in the black room then her expression cleared. She had one thought still with her from that time that seemed particularly important at the moment, and although she knew it would only upset the other girl further; somehow she knew it was also important for her to say. First she had to get far enough away though. Kari wasn't entirely calm yet, and could very well decide she was an enemy. She began walking away, in the direction she thought would lead back home. If not, she could always call Jay over. He should appear to help, right? Finally she was far enough away. "By the way," she called back, voice barely audible to Kari. "Serpens says hi."
A golden blast hit the tree she'd been in front of, but she was already sprinting back where she'd come from. Hopefully the other senshi would forgive her for that.
***
"So who do you think it is? I mean, it's kinda hard to get a good look at her in all that darkness," wondered a senshi with long blonde hair.
A girl that could be her twin shrugged, not glancing up from the computer she was stationed at. "I've got readings of high energy levels here, here, and here. Other areas with abnormal energy are there and there, and several places are strange in that no energy at all seems to be emitting from them. The princess could be any one of those, or she could be none of them. Then of course, we've got those traveling energies that're making their way across the galaxy towards Earth. I don't know who or what they are, but they seem to indicate that Earth is definitely going to be the battlefield again." She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Really, why is it always there? Just because the purest heart in the galaxy resides there. . . ."
The other nodded. "I know. It just doesn't make sense. If you want to take over the universe, why not make the strongest fighters go somewhere it'll be harder for them to fight, rather than going to their home where you're the one with a disadvantage. Those Black Moon people from way back had the right idea. What was that one guy's name? Wiseman?" She shook her head. "The only thing they did wrong was bothering with the senshi at all. What would've worked so much better is going back in time to before the senshi awoke. Really, there's a whole couple million years there. It can't be that hard. It's a good thing we won't have to worry, right Moondust?"
Sailor Moondust frowned. "Stardust, I'm not sure about that. Look at this." She pointed to a map filled with various colors indicating energy levels. "There's average to below average energies everywhere but Earth's galaxy. Once you reach there," she said, tapping the screen to enlarge the picture to focus on Earth, "you've got a whole mess of energies ranging anywhere from sub-degrees to powers rivaling that of Sailor Moon's. The only places that should be like that are our space-pockets, where Galaxia and the transformations are," she continued, this time pointing to another screen filled with a pale blue, "but those places aren't anywhere near as high- level as they should be." She spun her chair to face Stardust. "Why is Shadow sending us to that place? We'll die."
Stardust shook her head firmly and walked over, wrapping an arm around the other senshi. "We'll be fine. I shouldn't be telling you this really, but here." She typed on the letterless keyboard quickly and pointed to the screen. "See that? That's where we'll be fighting in the end. Shadow isn't so stupid that she'd let those new senshi and their princess fight on earth. We're going to a place created with darkness and her energy, so they won't have anything to draw on."
Moondust rested her head against Stardust's shoulder, sighing softly. "But we're going to have to go to Earth to get the princess. If we can eliminate her, we won't have to fight at all, and that's the ideal. You know that."
"Yeah. I know that."
***
Kage skipped out the house, grinning to herself. Last night there had been no dreams of either man, so she planned on treating herself to a day with Kari. She just hoped Kari had come back by now. One of the other girl's friends had come over asking if she'd seen her. Hinotama, or something like that. She was nice - they'd probably end up friends as well. Kage shrugged. Maybe instead she should go to the park. It was nice outside, and she could see Kari any day.
***
A strange beeping started, softly at first, then growing more and more insistent until finally Stardust got up from her bed and padded out to the computer, sleepily cursing whoever it was that had left the speakers on. She glanced at the screen, scanning the picture quickly. Her eyes widened.
"Moondust. Moondust get over here. Tell me what this looks like to you."
The other girl, hair up in meatball shaped buns for sleeping, trudged out, sending a mock-glare at her senior. "What is - oh. Wow." Within seconds her fingers were flying over the keyboard until they had a picture on the screen of a girl with long golden hair walking. Another screen showed the city she was in with a golden dot beeping along. Moondust glanced over at Stardust, who was typing in some coordinates for another computer. "This is really it, isn't it? She looks just like her, and the energy levels - they're so high and wow. How does that work? That much energy should kill her, but for some reason"
"All right, logic girl. Let's go. We've gotta get her before she can disappear again."
Moondust nodded.
"Do your stuff then."
Moondust nodded again, and with a flash looked to be the same as the girl on the screen. Stardust tied up her hair into the moon princess's trademark meatballs and glanced at the screen. A click of the computer and they disappeared.
***
The park was empty when she got there for some reason. With a shrug, Kage plopped down onto a swing and smiled. The silence was nice.
"Hello."
Kage jumped off the swing, glancing about, eyes finally resting on the girl who had popped up behind her. She looked. . . . "You're me."
The girl nodded, smiling. "I have something for you. Here. Take it before she gets here."
Confused, Kage reached towards her mirror reflection and took her hand, expecting her to hand something over. Instead there was a crackle of energy and a jolt as something instead passed into her. She backed up. "What was that?"
Another girl appeared, this one looking like Usagi but for the deep scowl on her face. "What are you doing here? Get back here before someone sees you."
The two disappeared, fading out of sight like ghosts. Kage stared at her hand. Suddenly something caught her eye. The girls had dropped a mirror on the ground. She gazed into it for a moment. The girl inside laughed and she dropped the mirror. Cautiously, she picked it back up again, holding tightly to the glass.
***
Moondust glanced up thoughtfully, twirling her hair. "Really, I don't know how I stand it. I should just. . . . disappear. Save everyone else the trouble."
Nearby, Stardust snickered. Zirconia was another one of their predecessors with good ideas.
***
"Disappear?"
"Yeah. That's what I want to do anyway. I never really wanted to live through that time." The reflection thought for a moment. "Actually, there is one reason I should live, but right now I don't know how to do it. Everyone around me is always pushing me to be on their side, but really"
***
"I want to help those in the shadows. They're the ones who are my real friends. The others just want me to be their slave. That's all I am: the slave of the Sailor Senshi." Moondust smiled suddenly as Sailor Stardust walked into view. "If only I could really be with her. I wish my life could be the way it is in this mirror. I have a lover, I have friends, and I have power. I don't serve anyone, because I am the one being served, as it should be."
***
Kage walked through the streets, so intent on the mirror in her hands that she didn't notice Kari spot her and start following, or the rotting man who passed through her in his haste to get someone. That world wasn't important.
"How can I get there? How can that happen?"
The reflection smiled, reaching toward her. "Just keep watching. The mirror is all that matters here. Don't ever stop watching."
Kage nodded. A strange shadow seeped through the glass toward her. She didn't care. The mirror was what mattered, nothing else. The shadow reached her eyes and began reaching through, twisting through her.
***
"There is one way you can really reach here."
"Really? Tell me."
"Not yet. You aren't ready."
"TELL ME!"
Moondust smiled at the girl in the mirror and shot some more of her energy into her. "If you throw me away, you'll never have happiness."
The rage passed from the girl's features, replaced with fear. "You won't leave me, will you?"
"No. As long as you don't make me."
"That'll never happen."
***
Kari struggled past the crowd towards her friend. Why was she staring at that mirror and talking to it? There was a blackness surrounding her to the extent where even normal humans, who couldn't see it, avoided her. She glanced back, hearing panting and smirked. "Have any idea what's going on?"
Mizu shook her head. "I just know that I need to be here. Something important is going to happen with that girl."
"Her name's Kage. She's a friend of mine."
Mizu nodded quickly. "She's dark. What's happening to her?"
"I have no idea."
***
Kage reached her house and walked up the stairs. The place was empty - she vaguely remembered that Usagi and her family had gone to the mall for Christmas shopping. She'd done hers a week ago, not that it mattered. She walked into the kitchen, unaware of the sound of the front door slamming open, Kari's voice filling the air. She slid a knife out from the drawer.
"Stop. They're coming!"
She hastily slipped the mirror into her pocket and spun around to face Kari, a smile plastered on her face. "Hi!"
Kari's eyes widened, focusing on the knife. "What're you doing?"
Kage's smile disappeared for a second, then returned, full force. "Just gonna chop up some carrots. They taste pretty good in salad dressing. Do you want some?"
Mizu rounded the corner, having checked the rest of the house for other people. Jay appeared behind Kage, pointing to her pocket. He nodded and disappeared.
"Kage, my name is Mizu. What do you have in your pocket?"
Kage's eyes narrowed. "Nothing for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone right now.
Kari stepped closer. "Sorry Kage." She glanced to Mizu for confirmation, then transformed. Kage snarled and tried to sidestep the senshi, but Mizu was there. In the moment it took to get around her, Kari was ready with an attack. "Shooting Star!"
Kage fell.