THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTED
Olivine drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. Her dull eyes were full of anger and frustration. Those two scouts refused to die! The others were more or less under her spell, convinced their dear friend Kami could not possibly be the cause of all the evil in Tokyo. Olivine smiled at the thought. They were such fools, and even more foolish for not listening to the only two who had realized the truth.
Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus.
Already two plans to dispose of the meddling outer scouts had failed. Olivine made a fist and smashed it down on her throne's arm. Two foolproof plans had been tried and both had failed. How had the two scouts escaped from the void of time?
"Aquis!" Olivine called.
The white haired Mistress of Water stepped forward and bowed. From both sides of the throne, three darkened figures watched their colleague with malice.
"The two outer scouts must be destroyed," Olivine ordered. "This time for good. I want their dead bodies brought before me as proof."
"Yes, Majesty," Aquis replied.
"I will be watching you," Olivine warned. "Do not fail me again."
"Don't worry, Majesty," Aquis said. "Nothing shall stop us this time."
"For your sake," Olivine said, "you better be right."
Usagi sat in her room and reread the letter. Outside her open window, the sun was warming the earth and birds chirped happily. Usagi loved Saturdays like this, when she and her friends could be outside all day without having to worry about school.
"Usako," the letter began. "All is well here. Chibiusa and I have been enjoying the country and have decided to stay a while longer. I look forward to seeing you when we get home. Love, Mamoru."
With a happy sigh, Usagi put the letter down next to the framed picture of her, Mamoru, and Chibiusa. Her eyes lingered on the picture for a moment longer before she rose and headed to the door. She glanced at her clock on her way out and let out a cry of despair.
"Usagi-chan!" Luna gasped, waking abruptly from her nap. "What is it?"
"I'm late!" Usagi wailed. "Mako-chan and Minako-chan are going to kill me!"
Usagi ran out the door. The black cat watched her leave and took a deep breath. She shook her head helplessly and settled back into her nap.
Kami strolled down the street, lost in thought. She hated being in this form and being forced to talk to her enemies as if they were her friends. She found that the longer she spent on Earth, the less she thought about her home planet and the carnage the Moon kingdom had done to it. Her past drifted away, replaced by pleasant memories that could not have happened to her. Usagi and the others were in those images and she felt their love and friendship. Why would people so caring destroy a defenseless planet?
Her ring grew warm and Kami brought her hand absently to her face. As the metal of the silver sun shaped ring brushed against her cheek, she remembered the terrified screams of her people as they died under the Moon kingdom's attack. She saw Sailor Moon brandishing her Moon Wand and Silver Crystal, leveling buildings and murdering innocents. Kami shuddered and fell to the ground as something crashed into her.
"Sorry! I wasn't looking where I was - Kami-chan?"
Kami raised her eyes and saw Usagi's face. The pleasant memories came back and Kami smiled.
"Are you hurt?" Usagi asked.
"I'm fine, Usagi-chan," Kami replied, rising to her feet. "Where are you going?"
"I was supposed to be at Mako-chan's apartment an hour ago," Usagi explained. "Minako-chan and I are helping her bake things for the hospital fund raiser tomorrow."
Kami fell into step beside Usagi as she continued on her way. Her ring grew warm, warning her not to get close, but curiousity overcame her instincts and Kami followed her enemy.
"I saw the advertisements," Kami found herself saying. "It looks like a lot of fun."
Usagi nodded enthusiastically. "It will be. They're having a huge fair and all the money raised goes to the hospital. You want to come help us bake? I know the others won't mind and the more we get done, the more we can sell!"
Kami smiled and tried to shrug off the burning sensation on her hand. It was as if the memories of her planet's demise and of her other life of happiness were wrestling against each other in her mind. Each force wanted her to do something different. Her instincts were all jumbled and she felt confused.
"Kami-chan?" Usagi asked with concern.
"I'm okay," Kami replied quickly. "Just a little - confused."
Usagi smiled brightly. "Come with me," she said. "Trust me."
Trust me, the words echoed in Kami's mind. She vaguely recalled a time, lost in a cavern, where she had uttered the same words to a dear friend. The burning seemed to disappear at the thought.
"Okay," she agreed. "Let's get going! Mako-chan and Minako-chan are waiting for us!"
Minako was already at Mako's house when Usagi and Kami arrived. The kitchen was full of ingredients to make dozens of cookies, cakes, brownies, and other goodies to sell for the hospital. The entire apartment smelled wonderful. Makoto was trying to demonstrate to Minako the proper way to stir the batter when Usagi and Kami entered the kitchen. Minako quickly forgot her cooking and ran to greet them, leaving Makoto to watch the oven and Minako's cookie batter.
"Usagi-chan! Kami-chan!" Minako exclaimed. "It's about time."
"Why are you so late, Usagi?" Makoto called from the kitchen.
"I got a letter from Mamo-chan," Usagi explained, putting on the apron Minako handed her. "I was reading it and lost track of time. Sorry."
"Who's Mamo-chan?" Kami asked, tying her own apron in place.
"Chiba Mamoru," Minako said with a wink. "Usagi's boyfriend."
Kami mouthed a silent "oh" and took up stirring Minako's abandoned batter. Makoto smiled at her gratefully and checked on her baking cakes. As an afterthought, Kami slipped off her ring and put it in her pocket. She would hate to lose it in the dough, but a part of her was screaming not to be apart from it.
"Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan are staying in the country a bit longer," Usagi was saying.
Kami gave Minako a questioning look. Minako smiled and leaned over to whisper in Kami's ear.
"Chibiusa is Usagi's cousin. They act more like sister, though."
"Chibiusa is a little brat," Usagi huffed, "hogging my Mamoru's time."
"See?" Minako whispered with a giggle.
"Minako!" Makoto yelped.
Minako looked down to see her elbow placed firmly in the bowl of cookie dough. She smiled sheepishly at her friend and began to wipe the dough off her sleeve.
The four girls spend the rest of the day cooking until the kitchen was filled with treats, the ingredients were gone, and the girls were exhausted. The entire time, Kami tried to shrug aside her feeling of belonging. She knew all three of these girls were her enemies, the ones who had slaughtered her people and left her planet in ruins. At the same time, a part of her was happy for the first time in a long while. She laughed and joked, threw dough at Usagi and was doused in flour in return. She had fun, and could remember a time not long ago when she had experienced this kind of joy before.
As the sun was setting, Makoto pulled the last batch of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven and set them on the counter to cool. She wiped her forehead with the back of her oven mitt and sighed. Minako was sitting on the cool kitchen floor with her back against the wall. Usagi had dozed of on Mako's couch and Kami found herself seated behind the assortment of goodies at Makoto's kitchen table. She took a small, burned cookie and bit into it. It tasted bad, but she enjoyed it anyway. She had never felt so fulfilled before.
Her ring began to burn through her pocket and Kami realized she had spent far too long in this form. She put her hand in her pocket and clasped the ring tightly. A large part of her didn't want to leave the pleasantness, but the ring urged her to return to her planet and prepare for Earth's destruction.
"I better get going," Kami said, rising to her feet. "It's getting late."
At the sound of her voice, Usagi woke and Minako sat up straight. Makoto stopped cleaning her kitchen to stare at her friend.
"Why not stay the night?" Makoto offered. "Minako and Usagi already are."
"Yeah," Usagi added with a yawn. "It'll be fun."
Kami paused on her journey to the door. She remembered a pillow fight with a girl who looked just like Usagi and her head filled with delighted laughter.
Kami fell over as Usagi knocked her from behind with a pillow.
"Ha! Gotcha," she laughed.
"Oh yeah?" Kami said as she whacked Usagi with her pillow.
Soon, they were beating each other with pillows and laughing uncontrollably.
In her pocket, the ring burned more and Kami reached in to clasp it. Her hand paused in mid movement and she drew her hand away. The further away it went, the more the hatred of the sailor senshi seemed to disappear and her mind was filled with peace and happiness.
"Okay," Kami said. "I'll stay."
From the back of her mind, hidden in a black fog, something screamed in anger and frustration.
The park was still bathed in the shadows cast by the rising sun when Usagi, Makoto, Minako, and Kami arrived to set up their table for the fair. Many others were already there and tents were being raised with brightly coloured flag to attract customers. The chairman of the hospital fundraising board was walking around, talking to the volunteers and beaming at the turnout.
Each of the four girls was laden with two or three large trays of goodies. As they approached the table designated to them, Kami stopped abruptly to stare at the rising sun. She squinted against the glare and concentrated on the eastern horizon. Usagi took a step towards her, noticing that her ringed hand was clenched by her side. She had kept the ring off the entire night, putting it back on only before they left Makoto's apartment for the fairground.
"Kami-chan?" Usagi asked. "Are you all right?"
Kami blinked and forced herself to look away from the sun. Her eyes lowered to Usagi's face and she smiled despite herself.
"I'm fine, Usagi-chan," Kami said. "I just thought I saw something."
Minako and Makoto exchanged hopeful glances. If Kami was once again receiving visions from the sun, it could be that Sailor Sun would return to the senshi team. Makoto put down her trays of baked goods and began to set up the table. The others followed suit.
"What did you see?" Makoto asked conversationally.
Kami shuddered at the memory. The person in the vision had been dark and evil, full of hatred and malice. Her features had been cloaked in shadow, but Kami had known her at once for who she was. The evil figure was facing a person nearly identical to herself, only this time the girl was blanketed in a radiant golden light. The golden girl had turned her head and stared into Kami's eyes, calming her at once and quieting her fears. Her ring burned and she absently raised her hand to her face, brushing her cheek as she moved a stray lock of hair. Instantly the peaceful calmness of the golden vision vanished and was replaced with hatred toward the people who had destroyed her planet.
"Nothing," Kami replied. "Forget about it."
Minako blinked in surprise. "Shall we set up before the people get here?"
"Go ahead," Kami said, turning around. "I need to be alone for a while."
Before anyone could object, Kami turned and stalked away into the deep forest that surrounded the park.
"Do you really think Kami's memories of Sailor Sun could be returning?" Usagi asked.
Kami had been gone for over an hour and the park was already teeming with people eager to buy things from the fair. The three girls had already sold a lot of Makoto's cookies and a few cakes. The trays containing the cookies baked by Usagi and Minako, however, remained untouched.
"Possibly," Makoto said. "We should talk to Luna as soon as we can."
"I thought Sailor Sun was destroyed with the Dark Scout," Usagi said.
"So did we," Minako agreed, "but Kami didn't have the ring when she left Tokyo the first time. Now, she's back and she has it again."
"So we have to try and make her transform?" Usagi questioned.
Both Makoto and Minako shrugged. None of them knew what was needed to bring Sailor Sun back to them.
"Hey! Dumpling!"
Usagi raised her head in time to see Haruka and Michiru emerging from the crowd. They smiled and made their way to the table where the others stood.
"Haruka-san! Michiru-san!" Usagi said happily. "What are you doing here?"
"I volunteered to play a concert with my violin later this afternoon," Michiru said. "The concert is free, but donations are welcome, of course."
Haruka smiled down at the aquamarine haired girl who held onto her arm. Michiru noticed and gazed up at Haruka with a shy smile.
"Have you see Kami-chan?" Usagi asked suddenly.
Haruka's eye snapped up to meet Usagi's. "Kami is here?"
Usagi shrunk under Haruka's intense glare and nodded. "She left over an hour ago. She said she needed to be alone for a while."
Haruka cursed under her breath. "We need to find her before she ruins the fair."
"She was talking with the sun again," Minako argued. "She may be Sailor Sun again."
"We can't risk it," Michiru said. "She is Queen Olivine. We have to find her."
"Find who?"
All five senshi turned to see Kami standing behind them. She was holding an ice cream cone in each hand. She smiled at them and made her way past Haruka and Michiru to the table. She handed a cone to Usagi who cried out in delight and took a large bite.
"We were going to find you," Michiru said politely. "Usagi-chan was worried."
Kami nodded but said nothing. She stared at the two outer senshi with obvious dislike, and Haruka returned the sentiment.
"Do you want to buy a cookie?" Usagi asked, trying to break the tension.
"Sure, Dumpling," Haruka replied, barely taking her eyes off Kami. "Which ones did you make?"
Usagi proudly pointed to her tray of misshapen and burned cookies. As Haruka was about to reach for one, she noticed Minako and Makoto behind Usagi frantically waving and shaking their heads. Haruka ignored them, paid for the treat, and bit into the cookie.
Usagi watched expectantly as Haruka's face changed from happy to utterly disgusted in three seconds. Minako and Makoto sighed. Michiru giggled behind her hand, and Kami's face remained expressionless.
"It'snot bad, Dumpling," Haruka managed as she swallowed.
"Really?" Usagi asked. "Mako-chan said I put in too much baking soda and Minako-chan thought I baked them too long, but I think they turned out fine."
Haruka smiled painfully. Michiru pulled at her arm.
"Come on," Michiru said. "I think I saw a drinking fountain over there."
Usagi waved as Haruka allowed herself to be led back into the crowd. As they disappeared from view, Ami came running toward them. Behind her was one of the fair's many fortune tellers, masked from head to toe in a long robe and veil.
"Hi, guys!" Ami greeted them. "The fair's a super success, isn't it?"
"It's going great so far," Makoto agreed. "We're selling out fast, though."
"Did Rei-chan come?" Minako asked. "We haven't seen her yet."
The fortune teller slowly walked over to Minako and bowed in greeting.
"You will soon find the one you seek," she said.
Minako gave her a confused look. The fortune teller lifted her veil and winked at Minako.
"Rei-chan!" everyone gasped.
"Grandfather asked me to work the crowd," Rei said. "I'm supposed to spread the word about the new and improved shrine."
"Kami-chan," Ami said. "Do you want to walk around with me for a while?"
Kami looked at Minako, Makoto, and Usagi. They seemed to have everything under control, so Kami accepted. She and Ami left the group to tour the fair while Usagi told Rei about Kami's vision.
From the forest edge, two still forms watched Ami and Kami walk around the fair. The followed the two girls with their eyes everywhere they went. They witnessed Kami's victory at a gaming both were both she and Ami won stuffed animal teddy bears and observed silently as they shared a sundae.
"Nothing," Sailor Uranus said.
"Do you think Usagi was right?" Sailor Neptune asked. "Maybe Kami will once again become Sailor Sun. They said she was a powerful ally."
"And a terrible enemy," Uranus added. "As the Dark Scout, she was nearly invincible."
Neptune fell silent. "I hate to kill her."
Uranus nodded. "In this form, she seems almost human. But we have to remember who she really is. We hesitated when Mistress 9 threatened the world and it nearly cot us everything."
"But the Silence was stopped," Neptune said. "Sailor Moon, in the end, was right."
Uranus clenched her fist. "We can't take that risk again."
Neptune suddenly gasped and turned around. Uranus followed her partner's lead as two figures appeared in front of them. One was the tall, elegant woman with long white hair and icy blue eyes they had faced at the fitness club. The other was a monstrous dog-like creature with sharp fangs, immense claws, and a cruel look in its eyes. Both senshi tensed for a fight.
"I have my orders to kill you both," the woman said. "But I thought we'd play a game. How are you at puzzles?"
The forest around them thickened and changed until the park and the fair were lost from view. The woman held tightly onto the dog's collar.
"The forest is now a maze," she said. "You have five seconds to run before the dog comes after you. Whoever survives, wins. Of course, if you survive, I'll have to kill you anyway. Have fun!"
She remained motionless for five seconds before disappearing. The dog immediately lunged at Sailor Uranus.
"World Shaking!" Uranus called.
The monster dog easily dodged and dove for the senshi. Uranus jumped clear and both she and Neptune began to run deeper into the forest maze.
Ami and Kami sat down beneath a giant tree that grew in the center of the park. They had spent nearly the entire day visiting the various booths and shops at the fair and now they rested in the shade of the tree. Ami was drinking a soda she had bought and munching on one of Makoto's cookies while Kami watched the crowd move around them as the fair continued. She felt the pull of her home planet begging her to return, but the calm stare of the golden girl in her vision kept compelling her to remain on Earth. Both emotions were equally strong and she felt like she was being torn apart inside.
"Kami-chan?" Ami asked gently. "Are you okay?"
Kami sighed. "Ami-chan, have you ever felt torn between two duties?"
Ami blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Kami licked her lips, careful not to reveal too much. Ami was, after all, her enemy and part of the group that had demolished her home. Kami wondered why she was even confiding in her when they should not even be talking.
"I feel agitated inside," Kami found herself saying. "Like something inside of me is telling me to do something, but something completely different is telling me to do something else."
Ami nodded and leaned back against the tree. She stared up at the leaves high above her and let the peacefulness of the scene overcome her for an instant. Then, she turned back to her friend.
"You need to listen to these two things inside you," Ami advised. "Listen with your heart, not your brain. Follow whichever one seems right."
Kami stared back into the crowd, absorbing Ami's advice. The vision flashed before her again, the dark and evil figure facing off against the pure and good. One spoke of revenge for her destroyed people, the other of forgiveness and truth. Both seemed right to her. She noticed Ami was still watching her and smiled.
"Thank you, Ami-chan," Kami said. "Shall we head back to the others now?"
Ami smiled back and rose to her feet, extending an arm to help Kami rise. The other girl gratefully accepted the hand and the two of them walked back to Makoto's table.
Sailor Neptune ran. A few paces behind her was Sailor Uranus, still grumbling about the beast that chased them. Neptune risked a glance back at their pursuer and saw the salivating dog was right on their heels. They had attempted to stand and fight twice already and both times their attacks had failed. The dog was quick and agile, avoiding their strongest attacks and lunging to destroy them. The forest maze was not helping either; already they had been forced to climb trees or completely turn around to avoid dead ends.
"This is ridiculous," Uranus muttered, coming up next to her partner.
"Shall we stand again?" Neptune asked.
"We can't keep running forever," Uranus said.
Ahead of them, unseen by either, a root was sticking out of the soft ground. Sailor Uranus misplaced her foot, caught it on the root, and fell with a grunt. The dog was on her in an instant and Uranus hastily raised her hands to ward off the razor sharp teeth. Neptune skidded to a halt several steps away and watched in shock as her partner and enemy wrestled. The dog slashed with its claws, catching Uranus across the chest and the senshi responded by hammering the beast in the eye with her fist.
"Deep Submerge!" Neptune yelled, aiming carefully.
The dog shot off of Uranus and hit a tree with a painful yelp. Neptune placed herself between the creature and her partner while Uranus gingerly climbed to her feet.
"Are you okay?" Neptune asked over her shoulder.
"Fine," Uranus grumbled. She inhaled sharply as she tried to place her weight on her injured foot. It refused to hold her and she fell to one knee.
"Uranus!" Neptune gasped, turning to help her.
"The monster!" Uranus barked.
The dog was on its feet and charging to the uninjured senshi. Neptune leapt out of the way with a startled gasp and rolled to her feet. She jumped over the dog and placed herself once more between it and Uranus. Slowly, her eyes never leaving the dog, she drew out her mirror.
"Submarine Reflection!" she cried.
The beam struck the dog and knocked it back a few steps. It winced under the attack but managed to fight against it. Neptune stared in disbelief.
"Strong," Uranus remarked.
Neptune went to her side and supported her as she stood, balancing on her good leg. Uranus glared at the creature. It was standing and snarling, waiting for them to make their next move. For now, the trio appeared to be at a stalemate.
Rei hurried over to the table, her face full of alarm. Makoto, Minako, and Usagi had sold nearly all their goodies and were preparing to close up for the day. The chairman had already been around to collect the money they had raised and had thanked them for their time and efforts.
"Rei-chan," Usagi said with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I feel an intense evil coming from the forest," Rei said. "We should check it out."
Usagi nodded. "Do you think Haruka-san and Michiru-san were right about Kami-chan?"
Rei shrugged. "I don't know. Kami has been with Ami all day. I saw them a few times together."
As Rei spoke, Ami and Kami came out of the dwindling crowd to join their friends. They both wore smiles, although Kami's expression was more troubled than Ami's.
"There you are," Usagi said happily.
"Sorry," Kami said. "Ami-chan and I were having so much fun, I guess we lost track of time."
"Nearly all your cookies sold, Kami-chan," Makoto called from behind them.
"Really?" Kami said. "That's terrific!"
Kami went over to examine what was left of the baked goods while Rei and Usagi told Ami about the evil presence in the forest. Ami volunteered to check it out until the others could join her and headed off in the direction Rei pointed.
"I guess we should head home," Usagi said when Kami rejoined them with Makoto and Minako. "We're done here."
"It is getting late," Kami said, "and I didn't make it home last night. I should really get going."
"Go ahead," Minako said. "We'll clean up here."
Kami smiled. "Thanks. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
The inner senshi waved as Kami left them, still holding the teddy bear she had won. Once they were out of view, Kami hid behind a tent and disappeared from view. She had unfinished business to attend to.
"World Shaking!" Uranus yelled.
The attack side swiped the dog, but the creature kept coming. Neptune threw herself on top of Uranus and cried out in pain as the dog's claws tore across her back.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
The dog was knocked aside by the attack. It snarled and turned to face its newest opponent. Sailor Mercury leapt from the trees to place herself between Neptune and Uranus.
"Sailor Mercury!" Neptune gasped.
"Go away," Uranus hissed. "This is not your fight."
"It is now," Mercury said. "Besides, it looks like you could use my help."
Mercury turned on her visor and scanned the opponent. She frowned and made a few calculations, adjusting her visor for better readouts.
"It doesn't appear to have any weaknesses," she mused.
Uranus gave a sharp laugh.
"But nothing is invulnerable," Mercury concluded. "I just need a few minutes."
"Burning Mandala!"
The dog was surrounded by a circle of flames. From the edge of the forest came the rest of the inner senshi. Sailor Mars looked at the monster distastefully.
"That should give you a few minutes," she said.
Mercury smiled gratefully and began to type into her small computer. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus knelt next to Uranus and Neptune and attempted to bandage some of their wounds. Uranus pushed Jupiter aside roughly.
"Let us help," Jupiter said sternly.
Grudgingly, Uranus allowed Jupiter to help her. "Why do you always have to concern yourselves in other people's fights?"
"It's our fight, too," Venus said from where she was cleaning Neptune's cuts. "We're all senshi."
Neptune smiled in spite of herself and Uranus sighed.
"Got it!" Mercury exclaimed as the flames were dying down. The dog was pacing eagerly in its fiery prison, anxious to get at the fresh meat.
"Sailor Mon, aim at the back of its neck," Mercury cried as the dog broke free.
"Right," Sailor Moon said. She drew out her scepter. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
The dog was struck and disappeared with a howl. In its place appeared the white haired woman. Her blue eyes flashed angrily at the senshi and she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"You destroyed my favourite pet," she snarled. "You're all going to die for that!"
"Stop!"
The woman turned sharply to yell at the intruder, but the insults died on her lips as she realized who was speaking. She dropped to one knee and bowed to the shadowed figure behind her.
"Mistress Aquis," the shadow said. "That will be enough for now. I will deal with this personally."
"But, Majesty - " Aquis protested.
"That is enough!" the Queen snapped.
Aquis bit her lower lip and bowed stiffly, glaring at the queen. She vanished and the dark Queen stepped out of the shadows.
"Kami!" Sailor Moon gasped.
Queen Olivine stood before them, still holding the teddy bear she had won that afternoon. She smiled cruelly at the gathered assembly of senshi.
"Well, Sailor Moon," Olivine said. "We face each other at last."
Sailor Moon raised her scepter and prepared for a fight. Olivine laughed.
"I don't have time for this," she said. "It's not you I want right now. Surrender Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus and the rest of you are free to go."
The inner senshi placed themselves between the injured outer senshi and the evil queen. They all assumed a fighter's stance. Sailor Jupiter was in front, followed by Sailors Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Moon.
"Very well," Olivine said.
The queen dropped the teddy bear and held up her hand, palm up ward. A small, swirling mass appeared. She flung it at the senshi and they struggled to remain upright against the dark winds. One by one they were tossed aside like discarded toys until only Sailor Moon was blocking Olivine's path to Neptune and Uranus.
"Stand aside," Olivine ordered.
"No," Sailor Moon said. "Kami, I won't!"
"Kami is dead," Olivine said emotionlessly. "She died returning to her home in North America. I only used her form to get close to you."
Sailor Moon blinked in shock. "No"
"Stand aside!" Olivine repeated.
Sailor Moon raised her scepter again. "I don't believe you. Kami is alive. I saw her today, the Kami I knew before you and the Dark Scout. She exists and I won't let you destroy her."
Olivine watched with a bemused expression. "You are not strong enough to defeat me."
"Not alone," Sailor Moon agreed, "but I'm not alone."
Around them, the Sailor Senshi, including Neptune and Uranus, had risen to their feet and were surrounding Olivine. They joined hands, locking the dark queen in the centre of the circle.
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"Neptune Planet Power!"
"Uranus Planet Power!"
Olivine looked around her in alarm. Her eyes were wide with fear and hate as she stared at Sailor Moon.
"You destroyed my home," Olivine growled. "I will have my revenge."
Sailor Moon returned the glare. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
The attack struck Olivine, charged by the powers of the other senshi. The dark queen screamed and for her, time stood still. Light flashed around her and she found herself facing the golden girl from her vision. The girl stretched out a hand and placed the tips of her fingers gently on Olivine's forehead. The dark queen's eyes widened as she saw the truth at last.
The plane soared high through the air on the long flight from Japan to Vancouver, British Columbia. Kami watched the clouds out of the window as the island she had called home for several months disappeared. She regretted not meeting any new friends, but knew if she had the pain of leaving would have been greater.
Beside her sat her mother, reading a magazine. The divorce between her parents had been long and messy and her mother's sudden decision to return back to America had been unexpected. Still, Kami was happy to be going home.
Something by her feet glimmered and Kami bent down to retrieve it. It was a small, silver sun shaped ring and Kami quickly slipped it on her finger to see if it fit. Seconds later, the plane began to shake and plummet from the sky. Reports said all aboard were killed when it sunk in the ocean, but Kami had been spared. The warm and comforting darkness within the ring had saved her and had explained her true past.
Queen Olivine returned to the present. The senshi around her were weakening and she saw the determination in Sailor Moon's eyes. With a cry of anger and despair, Olivine disappeared back to her planet. All that remained was the small teddy bear.
Hours later, the senshi were sitting in Rei's room at the shrine. The entire building still smelled like new wood and paint, but the group did their best to ignore it and talk about the most recent turn of events.
"She must be destroyed," Haruka said with a wince as Michiru adjusted the bandage on her swollen ankle.
"We almost had her," Usagi said quietly. "She was almost cured."
"You can't save everyone," Michiru told the girl. "Kami is far too dangerous to leave alive.
"Maybe she was weakened by the attack," Minako suggested hopefully. "Maybe another blow will turn her back into Kami for good."
"Ami-chan," Makoto said, "did you figure out where she disappeared to?"
Ami shook her head. "She left too quickly and the power was too weak. I need to get a stronger reading."
The group fell silent, each lost in her own thought. Usagi clenched her hand in determination. Somehow Kami would be returned to them. Sailor Sun was far too powerful to simply kill.
"I still think we should destroy her," Haruka muttered.
"Isn't that what you said about Sailor Saturn?" Minako asked.
"And didn't she end up destroying the Silence?" Rei added.
Haruka clamped her mouth shut, but fixed an angry glare at the two girls.
"Whatever we do," Michiru said, "we need to act quickly. Countless lives are at stake."
Queen Olivine paced back and forth in front of her throne. Try as she might, she could not dismiss the image of the golden girl from her mind. Could it be that she was not a queen after all? Her planet, the reason she struggled against the Earth, was not hers? Doubts clouded her mind and she began to wonder just who she was and what she was doing.