Olivine sat on her throne, staring through the windows of her palace. Beyond the glass were the ruins of her world. Millions had died in the unexpected attack launched by the Moon Kingdom, lead by the sailor senshi and the Moon Princess.
Or had they?
The golden girl from her vision still haunted her dreams, and now even her reality. Olivine saw her standing clearly in the hall, her features completely indistinguishable in the intense light except her eyes and a strange symbol on her forehead. The eyes seemed to beg her to remember something she could not. Olivine closed her eyes and shook her head to dismiss the image. When she opened them again, the golden girl was gone.
Still, she found she could not dismiss her doubts as easily. Her time in Japan as Kami, her mother, the plane crash all seemed so real. The destruction of her world was like a scene from a movie. Was she really a queen? She tried to recall her childhood on this planet and found she could not, yet images of two distinctly different childhoods did come to mind.
In the first, she saw the face of a woman with long silver hair tied in buns and a crescent moon on her forehead. She remembered having a silver ring since birth and later, attending the needs of the princess. The memories were so real and clear that she could smell the scent of the kitchens and recall the touch of the cool stone walls.
Her second childhood was of two loving parents whose romance quickly dissolved into anger and resentment. She remembered fights and yelling followed by a divorce. She saw her father standing at the airport, waving sadly as she and her mother boarded a plane for Japan. She remembered still wearing the silver ring.
The ring on her finger glowed with a warm sensation, not the usual intense burning that occurred when the queen thought about Earth. Olivine's head came up abruptly as a fountain of previously forgotten memories opened before her. She suddenly remembered the time spent with Usagi and the others and the powers that her ring held. She once again felt the darkness of the Dark Scout and the pure light of being Sailor Sun. She knew at last that she was not who she had believed she was, and the thought frightened her.
As she mused to herself, her ring grew cold and lifeless. Unnoticed by the queen, a dark shadow slithered from the silver ring and melted into the shadows behind the throne. It had also felt the queen's sudden recollection and knew the time for change was at hand.
The teddy bear sat on Usagi's desk. Usagi sat in front of it, staring at its smiling face. She wondered what the bear had to be happy about. It was singed and ripped from the recent battle, but it didn't seem to care. It kept on smiling, either thinking of a once happy past or dreaming of a pleasant future. Either way, it was a lot more cheerful than Usagi. All she saw when she looked at the bear was Kami.
"Usagi-chan?"
Usagi turned and saw Luna sitting on her bed, looking at her friend with worried eyes. Usagi sighed, not even bothering to try and smile. She could never hide her feelings from Luna.
"What's wrong, Usagi-chan?" Luna asked. "Thinking about Mamoru-san again?"
Usagi's eyes flicked to the picture of herself, Mamoru, and Chibiusa. The thought of him being away from her didn't help her mood.
"No," Usagi admitted. "I'm worried about Kami-chan."
Luna seemed to tense at the mention of the dark queen's name. Usagi picked up the teddy bear and looked at it again.
"She's the enemy, Usagi-chan," Luna reminded her. "I want to save her too, but we have to be ready to - "
"To what?" Usagi demanded, suddenly angry. "Kill her? Does she deserve to die like that, betrayed by her friends?"
"No," Luna said quickly. "Of course not. We just need to be prepared incase we can't stop her. Sacrifices must be made for the good of the planet."
"Sacrifices?" Usagi cried. "So, I shouldn't even try? What if I had given up before? Where would Hotaru-chan be now?"
Luna winced. If Usagi hadn't been so determined to save Hotaru, Sailor Saturn would never have joined the team. The senshi of Destruction had destroyed herself to stop the Silence when no one else had been able to and, as a result, had been reborn as an infant.
"Everyone is always talking about sacrifices," Usagi continued. "No one has to die. No one!"
With that, Usagi ran from her room, tears rolling down her cheeks. Luna started to go after her, but stopped when she heard the door slam. Quickly jumping back onto the bed, Luna watched Usagi take off down the street at a run. The black cat sighed and settled down to wait for her return.
"She just needs a little time," Luna told herself, trying to stop worrying. "She'll be fine."
Nevertheless, Luna couldn't help but glance out the window occasionally, wishing Usagi would come home.
Lord Cano stood before the assembled elementals. The trio of potential allies looked at him suspiciously from where they sat at the long table. Cano, of course, had taken the seat at the head with the white haired Aquis of Water at his left. To his left was the green haired, brown eyed Master of Earth, Gaius and the grey eyed Lady Sylphe of Air. She wore her pale pink hair in a tight bun tied with a blue ribbon and her translucent gown shimmered in the dull light. Master Gaius wore a uniform similar to Cano's with a green stripe running across his collar and down his right arm instead of Cano's yellow one.
"I trust you all know why I called you?" Cano asked.
"No doubt you will remind us," Sylphe said dryly.
Cano weighed her words. There had always been distrust between Sylphe and himself, so winning her to his side would be tricky. Aquis was fiercely loyal to the queen but would side with them if she was outnumbered. Gaius was easily persuaded but tended to remain with Sylphe on most issues. If he won the Lady of Air, he would have them all.
"Queen Olivine is spending far too much time on Earth," Cano continued, ignoring Sylphe. "We all know that when she spends time in her Earth form she grows weak."
"Perhaps we should ask her to remain here," Aquis spoke up.
Cano shot her a dirty look. "Or perhaps we are in need of new leadership."
"And I suppose you are the one to lead us?" Gaius inquired.
Cano put both hands on the table and leaned forward. "The queen is no longer true to our cause. If we wish vengeance against the sailor senshi we must be rid of her."
"Are you suggesting a mutiny?" Aquis gasped. "But she is our queen!"
"She is a fool!" Cano snapped. "What has she done? We send the monsters, we create the plans."
"But it was Olivine who brought us here," Sylphe reminded him. "It was she who saved us when the senshi attacked. It was she who found the senshi's new home."
"She has served her purpose then," Cano countered. "We should be done with her. Her mind has been clouded by the seeds of doubt planted by the senshi."
"We can't!" Aquis protested. "After all she has done?"
"She has been lacking lately," Sylphe agreed.
Cano was surprised at how easily Sylphe agreed with him. He hid his astonishment from the others by keeping his face impassive.
"She is more hesitant in her orders," Gaius added, "and far too eager to spend time away from her planet."
Aquis bit her lip, not liking where this conversation was heading. Cano smiled in triumph and held his hand out in front of the elementals.
"We are together, then? The queen must step down," he said.
Sylphe added her hand to the pile. "I agree."
"As do I," Gaius said, placing his hand on Sylphe's.
All eyes turned to Aquis. She squirmed in her seat, weighing her options.
"I am grateful for our queen's work," Aquis began, "but out planet must come first. I am with you."
She place her hand on Gaius' and Cano smiled at them all.
"Tomorrow, our queen will be queen no longer."
Usagi sat on a bench in the park. Around her were the happy faces of carefree people. Animals played in trees and fields and the lake was dotted with fishing boats and lovers on pleasure cruises. Usagi saw all the beauty but acknowledged none of it. All she could think of was Kami's fate.
Haruka, Michiru, and even Luna had said she had to die. As Olivine or the Dark Scout, she was far too powerful to be left alive. They seemed to forget that as Sailor Sun, she was an important part of the team. They had nearly killed Hotaru for fear of her immense power and now they wanted to repeat their mistake with Kami.
Usagi buried her head in her hands and sighed. What could she do to prevent them from harming her friend? How could she keep Kami safe? The only answer was to restore her to her true form and banish the darkness that controlled her forever. But how?
"What's wrong, kitten?"
Usagi looked up to see Michiru sitting to her right and Haruka to her left. The latter had spoken and was looking at Usagi expectantly, waiting for an answer.
"Nothing. Everything," Usagi replied. "I have a lot on my mind."
"Come on, Princess," Michiru said. "We can't have you so upset on a beautiful day like today."
Usagi looked back down at her lap. "I can't let you kill Kami," she said softly.
Michiru and Haruka exchanged looks over Usagi's bowed head.
"I know you think she's evil," Usagi continued, "but if you met her before the darkness consumed her, you would try and save her too." Usagi looked up, tears brimming in her eyes. "She's a good person."
"If she had a pure heart, she would not become Olivine so easily," Haruka replied.
Usagi stared at the blond girl. Michiru put a comforting hand on Usagi's shoulder.
"We will try not to harm her," Michiru promised, "but you need to understand, Usagi-chan. She is dangerous, maybe even more dangerous than the Silence was. We can't let you risk the world again for a single life."
"I was right last time," Usagi said.
"But what if you're wrong this time?"
Usagi fell silent again. Haruka forced a smile. "Hey, Dumpling. Don't worry about your friend. We don't want to harm her. Actually, she's kind of cute."
Michiru shot a hard look at Haruka. The blond girl grinned sheepishly and held up her hands against Michiru.
"Not as cute as you, of course," Haruka added hastily. "Although there's something about her that reminds me of you. The two of you could be sisters."
"Not likely," Michiru huffed.
Haruka rose to her feet and Michiru joined her. Usagi watched them, unmoving.
"We will do what we have to do," Haruka said. "Sacrifices must be made. It's inevitable."
Usagi followed them with her eyes until they were out of sight. With a deep sigh, she got back to thinking again.
"Were we too hard?" Michiru asked from where they stood, watching Usagi on the bench.
"We were gentle," Haruka assured her partner. "She is too irresponsible to tempt fate like that."
"She is too kind to be faced with this kind of choice," Michiru argued.
"Sacrifices are inevitable," Haruka said.
Michiru nodded. "Of course they are, but I wasn't the one with the gun to my breast."
The duo said nothing but watched their princess in silence.
"Mistress Aquis!" Olivine called.
Aquis materialized before her and immediately fell into a bow. The dark queen barely seemed to notice as she stared outside the windows at the destroyed world. Aquis straightened, looking at her monarch curiously. For the first time, she began to wonder if Cano was right.
"Aquis," Olivine said at last, "what do you remember about our world?"
Aquis blinked. "It was beautiful, Majesty. We had huge parks where people would play and you would throw the most wonderful balls and parties. The entire kingdom would show up."
"What about my parents?" Olivine asked.
"They were kind and just rulers," Aquis said. "The kingdom prospered under them, as it did under you."
"What were their names?"
Aquis licked her lips. "Pardon, Majesty?"
"My parents," Olivine clarified,
looking at Aquis with her dark eyes. "What were the names
of my parents?
Aquis shrugged. "I was so young when they died, Majesty.
I didn't know their names."
"Our history never recorded them?" Olivine wondered aloud. "Our history doesn't say anything about the time before I became queen except that the past rulers were kind and just."
"Most of the records were destroyed," Aquis reminded her.
Olivine said nothing. Her doubts were already confirmed. Her eyes wandered back to the destroyed landscape and she wondered what had created this elaborate illusion. Aquis waited expectantly.
"Majesty?" the Mistress of Water said finally.
Olivine turned back. A part of her couldn't shake the feeling of vengeance she felt she deserved.
"Prepare a trap," Olivine ordered, "but I want the senshi alive."
"Alive?" Aquis repeated.
"Do not question me," Olivine snapped. "Go!"
Aquis bowed and disappeared. As she vanished, she realized the queen's voice didn't have the same anger it had once had.
From the shadows, Cano watched.
Cano, Lord of Fire, crept through the silent halls of the palace late that night. The queen was on Earth, sleeping in human form as she did so often. Cano took it as a sign of weakness while the queen explained that she was merely guarding the passage to their planet. A lame excuse, Cano thought.
He entered the throne room and walked purposefully to the throne. The large hall was dark with only the faint light of the distant moon to illuminate the dais on which the throne sat. Cano climbed the three steps to the seat and sat down. From this point, he let his eyes wander the room, imagining it full of adoring courtiers. He smiled to himself, knowing to rule was his destiny.
Cano
Cano turned his head left and right, searching for the source of the strange, echoing whisper. The hall remained deserted so the Lord of Fire brushed the sound aside.
Cano
This time he was certain he had heard the voice. Descending from the throne, Cano followed the persistent whispering. It lead him behind the dais to a small door he had never seen before. A faint light shone from beneath it. Cautiously, he pushed the door open and ducked through.
The room was larger than he expected. The walls and floor were so black Cano thought he stood at the edge of a giant pit. A thin gray walkway led from the door to a pedestal in the center of the room. Cano followed it until he could make out what rested in the center. It was a black crown encrusted with various gems. Cano blinked in awe at its beauty and reached out to pick it up. The strange whisper stopped him when his fingers were only inches away.
Do you freely take the crown? the voice asked in his mind.
"Yes," Cano breathed, unable to tear his eyes from the glittering jewels. His fingers itched to touch them.
Pick it up, the voice told him, and embrace your destiny.
Cano took the crown and placed it firmly on his head. A strange sensation passed through him, but not an unpleasant one. Cano could feel his strength and power increasing and he clenched his hands into fists. He laughed to himself, softly at first but growing louder as his power grew. Beautiful, pure, blackness flowed through his veins and he knew he could easily take the throne from the weakened queen.
"Now," he said to himself, "we will do this my way."
Cano left the room and the door sealed itself closed behind him. From the shadow of the throne, something began to laugh in a soft, hissing voice.
"Kami-chan!" Usagi cried, banging loudly on the door.
Once the sun had set, Usagi had wandered the streets of Crossroads, her mind still in turmoil. She did not return home where she knew Luna would be worried, but instead went to the home of the one person she hoped could clear up her crisis.
The door opened and Kami appeared, wearing her pyjamas. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and blinked in surprise when she saw Usagi. Part of her was relieved to see her friend, while another part harbored deep suspicions as to why the blond girl was here.
"Usagi-chan," Kami said. "What are you doing here? It's three in the morning!"
"I couldn't sleep," Usagi replied, "and I need to talk to you. Do you want to go for a walk?"
Kami yawned. "Now?"
Usagi nodded. Kami realized she, too, needed to talk with her enemy. The strange memories of a past life as a sailor senshi were still swimming inside her head and she was confused. Perhaps Sailor Moon, who always claimed to be truthful, could help ease her mind.
But, Kami cautioned herself, don't get too close and don't reveal too much. She is still the destroyer of your world.
Kami opened the door wider so Usagi could enter.
"Let me get some clothes on," Kami told her. "Wait here."
Kami disappeared into the dark apartment, leaving Usagi standing beside the open door. Minutes later, Kami reappeared wearing jeans and a large sweatshirt. She opened the door and stood aside so Usagi could leave first. Together they left the sleeping apartment building for the park.
They walked for several minutes in silence, Kami yawning occasionally and Usagi staring at her feet. The park was beautiful in the moonlight, deserted of all life save the plants and the two wandering girls. They past the bench where Usagi had spoken with Haruka and Michiru. Finally the two girls reached the edge of the lake, surrounded by a fence. Usagi leaned over the fence to stare into the calm water and Kami did the same, looking across the water to the opposite shore. Kami turned to Usagi expectantly.
"Well?" she asked. "What did you want to talk about that couldn't wait until morning?"
Usagi didn't move. "Do you remember the first time you moved here?"
"Yeah," Kami replied, returning her gaze to the lake. "We were pretty close friends. Remember our sleepovers?"
Usagi blinked. "Y-Yes."
"That was fun, huh?" Kami said with a smile. "And when we went horseback riding?"
Usagi licked her lips and raised her eyes to stare at the far shore. She didn't say a word as Kami kept reminding her of the good times they had spent together. What worried Usagi was that when Kami had left, she had not remembered the senshi at all. Her memories of Sailor Sun had been completely erased.
"Do you remember Rutile?" Usagi asked quietly.
Kami stopped short, suddenly realizing her mistake. "Yes," she replied. "I know who you are, Sailor Moon."
Usagi looked at her, tears in her eyes. "So, it is true. You are Queen Olivine."
Kami nodded.
"But you were also Sailor Sun," Usagi continued.
Kami looked sharply at Usagi. "I may have been in some other life, but that does not change our positions at all, Sailor Moon. Your planet still must perish."
Usagi stared in horror, the tears streaming down her cheeks. Kami turned back to the lake, trying to ignore the hurt in Usagi's eyes.
"For some strange reason, I am sorry for deceiving you, Usagi," Kami said softly.
"It is because you are weak," a new voice said behind them.
Kami and Usagi both turned to see Cano and the other three elementals. Cano wore a large black crown on his head and was almost glowing with dark energy. Kami stepped forward, her human guise melting into the form of the dark queen.
"Cano," Olivine said.
I've seen that crown before, Usagi thought. It's exactly like the one Prince Rutile wore. I wonder where Cano got it?
"Your Majesty," Cano said mockingly, "your time has come to an end. Bow before me and I may chose to spare your life."
Olivine drew herself up to her full height. "You stand against your queen? All of you?"
"We do," Sylphe said. Gaius nodded.
Olivine turned. "And you, Aquis?"
The Mistress of Water bit her lip and nodded. Her eyes were teary and she looked very unhappy. "I'm sorry, Majesty," she said softly.
Usagi took advantage of the distraction to sneak away. She hid behind a growth of trees and watched, hoping somehow Kami would walk away from the mutiny unharmed.
"Bow before me," Cano commanded. "Bow to your true King!"
"Never," Olivine spat.
"Then, die."
Cano drew out a large black sword and charged at Olivine. The queen deflected the blow with a hastily raised shield of dark energy. The sword cleaved cleanly through the shield, forcing Olivine to dive clear. Usagi winced in spite of herself. The dark queen quickly turned to face her opponent, forming a ball of black energy in her hands. She hurled it at Cano, but he simply held out his open palm and absorbed the energy into him. Laughing, Cano intensified the ball and shot it back. It struck Olivine full force, throwing her back.
"Your powers are now mine," Cano told her. "The planet itself has forsaken you."
"Stop right there!"
The elementals and their new king turned to see a form silhouetted by the full moon. She stepped into the life, her arms crossed before her and her brow set in determination.
"Even though she is my enemy, I can't let you destroy her," Sailor Moon said. "I am the pretty Sailor suited soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"
"Kill her," Cano ordered.
Sylphe and Gaius turned to meet their newest threat, each smiling in anticipation. Only Aquis hung back, her eyes on the fallen Olivine.
Sylphe blasted Sailor Moon with a gust of air that threw her backwards. She collided with a tree and slid to the ground. Gaius made a motion with his hand and the tree came to life, catching the sailor senshi unaware and holding her in a rib-crunching hug.
"Kami," Sailor Moon called. "You can't fight him like this!"
"How else can I fight him?" Olivine asked angrily, her eyes never leaving Cano. "I'm powerless."
Sailor Moon squeezed an arm free from the tree and took of her tiara.
"Moon Tiara Action!" she cried, destroying her prison.
Aquis stepped up and a large tidal wave of water came at Sailor Moon from behind. It swept her under the wave and threw her next to Olivine, at Cano's feet.
"I can restore your true power," Sailor Moon said softly, spitting out water. "Just open your heart."
Olivine laughed bitterly. "I have no true power."
Cano raised his sword high and swung down at the former queen. Olivine calmly closed her eyes, expecting her life to end. Seconds later, no blow came and Olivine opened her eyes.
Sailor Moon stood between her and Cano and was holding the newly crowned king at bay using the power of her Moon Rod. Olivine blinked in surprise and looked up at her saviour.
"You stopped him," she gasped. "Why save the life of your worst enemy?"
"I protect the weak," Sailor Moon replied simply. "And believe me, you're not my worst enemy. You are one of my dearest friends and I'll fight to save you from this strange evil that has warped your mind. All you have to do is trust me."
Olivine rose to her feet, thinking about the words she had just heard. Cano managed to free himself from Sailor Moon's power and was preparing for another strike.
Trust me.
Olivine's memory brought her back to a time when she herself had uttered those same words to a dear friend.
"It's just that . . . how do I know that you're really Sailor Sun?" Sailor Moon blurted, then blushed, ashamed of her question.
Sailor Sun stared for a moment, then laughed. "How do you know? Usagi-chan, it's me, Kami. The Dark Scout doesn't know who you really are. I do. Trust me."
Sailor Moon didn't move. "I can't trust you," she said quietly.
Behind them, the portal flickered. Sailor Sun stepped closer to her friend and looked into her eyes. Sailor Moon squirmed, uncomfortable at being so close to someone who might harm her.
"Sailor Moon, look deep into your heart. You know that I'm really Sailor Sun, and your friend Kami. Please, I want to go home, but I don't want to leave you here" Sailor Sun said.
Olivine realized she didn't want to be left alone here. She put both her hands to her head and squeezed her temples in confusion. So many memories were rushing through her mind.
She saw her planet destroyed at the hands of Sailor Moon.
She saw those same hands trying desperately to heal her when evil had consumed her totally.
She saw hundreds dying as the sailor senshi blew up buildings.
She saw those same senshi dying to save their princess, sacrificing their lives for another.
Just when she thought she had seen enough to make her head burst, a calming light entered her mind. She looked up and saw the golden girl standing just beyond where Sailor Moon and Cano fought. The girl motioned to Sailor Moon with one hand and smiled slightly. Olivine stared. The girl motioned again, this time stepping forward. Olivine turned and saw a woman drenched in blackness. With a gasp, she recognized the dark woman as herself. She turned once more to the golden girl and took a step toward the light.
Sailor Moon fell. Olivine blinked, realizing the both the golden girl and the evil woman were gone. She ran to Sailor Moon's side and pushed her out of the way before Cano's sword could kill them both.
"Kami-chan," Sailor Moon said in astonishment.
"Please, Usagi-chan," Olivine whispered. "Help me."
Sailor Moon nodded. The elementals were about to launch their next attack when a giant tidal wave followed by a flash earthquake knocked them aside. Sailors Neptune and Uranus landed in front of Sailor Moon and Olivine.
"Glad you found her before we did," Neptune remarked.
"Now, hurry up," Uranus called over her shoulder.
Sailor Moon nodded and led Olivine away from where the outer senshi battled Cano's elementals. Olivine moved a few steps away and waited.
"Will this hurt?" she asked almost shyly.
Sailor Moon couldn't help but be amazed at the difference in Olivine. She smiled. "I don't think so."
She pointed her Moon Rod at Olivine. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
The dark queen watched the giant pink heart sail towards her. Fear momentarily clenched her throat, but it disappeared as the attack struck. She was vaguely aware of her ring warming up and of a faint scream echoing through her mind as the ring cooled again. She saw the golden girl's face smiling at her and she realized the face was her own. The darkness melted away from her and she was once again filled with peace and happiness. As the heart passed, she remained motionless for a moment before falling to her knees. She felt weak, but content.
Sailor Moon caught her before she could fully hit the ground. Kami smiled up at her friend.
"Thank you, Usagi-chan," Kami whispered. "I'm whole again."
Sailor Neptune flew past them and slammed into a tree. She stood somewhat shakily and shook her head to clear it. As she ran back to join the battle, she glanced back at Sailor Moon.
"We can't hold them off forever," she said.
Sailor Moon nodded and lead Kami to a park bench where she could rest. Then, she followed Neptune back into the fray.
Kami watched as Uranus faced off against Cano while Neptune dealt with Sylphe and Gaius. Sailor Moon was dodging the water attacks of Aquis. Kami blinked sleepily, feeling strangely numb like she had just woken up after a good nights sleep. She watched as Cano knocked Neptune aside like a rag doll and turned to see Kami defenseless. Cano grinned and left the battle to finish what he had started. Fear slowly worked its way into Kami's brain as she realized what he would do when he reached her.
She leapt from the bench with surprising speed as the black sword chopped it in half. Now full awake and terrified, Kami ran from Cano.
"Kami-chan!" Sailor Moon yelled. "You ring!"
"I-I'm afraid," Kami replied, barely dodging another of Cano's attacks. "What if I become the Dark Scout? Or Olivine?"
Neptune and Uranus exchanged quick, wordless glances. The elementals had slowed in their attacks, watching their king with interest.
"You'll be dead, either way," Neptune reminded her.
Kami fled down the docks until she was trapped on all sides by water. Cano advanced slowly, his sword held before him. The tip glistened in the moonlight and Kami licked her lips nervously.
"Kami-chan!" Sailor Moon cried. "Please!"
Hesitantly, Kami raised her ringed hand over her head. Cano stopped in confusion, wondering what his opponent could possibly do now.
"Solar Ring Power, Make Up!" Kami called.
Cano staggered back as Kami was consumed in a blinding yellow light. When the light died down, Sailor Sun stood before him. He blinked in astonishment, lowering his sword.
"I am Sailor Sun, Guardian of the Eternal Star," Sailor Sun said. "Surrender or be destroyed."
Cano screamed in anger and frustration and raised his sword high to strike Sailor Sun. As he ran, Sailor Sun prepared for her attack.
She closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly. Holding up her two hands in a triangle with her thumbs and index fingers touching, she brought them up so her jewel was showing in the middle of her fingers, and opened her eyes.
"Day-Star Solar Ray Charge!" she yelled, sending a beam of pure light energy from her four finger and sun jewel.
The beam hit the sword and shattered it. Cano stopped short. He glared at the newest senshi with pure hatred and disappeared. The other elementals joined him, except one.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune whirled around, preparing to strike against the remaining elemental when Sailor Sun came running over.
"Stop!" she cried.
Aquis walked over to where Sailor Sun stood and looked her up and down in shock.
"Majesty," she gasped. "You're a sailor senshi!"
Sailor Sun nodded. "I am, and Sailor Moon can free you as well. I know you don't like Cano anymore than we do."
Aquis bit her lip. "True, but I have my honour and duty, which you seemed to have forgotten. I am sorry, Majesty, but I will see our mission through to its end. Forgive me."
"Of course," Sailor Sun replied. "I understand, and thank you for everything."
Aquis bowed a final time and disappeared, leaving the senshi alone in the moonlit park. Sailor Moon ran over to her friend and hugged her tightly.
"Kami-chan!" she said happily. "I knew you would come back to us."
"Get away from her, Princess," Uranus ordered.
Sailor Moon took a few steps away. Uranus turned on the newest senshi, fists held ready. Sailor Sun blinked in surprise and took a hesitant step back. Sailor Neptune moved behind to block her retreat and also readied herself to fight.
"Uranus! Neptune!" Sailor Moon cried. "What are you doing?"
"Protecting you, Princess," Sailor Neptune said. "She is not what she seems."
Sailor Sun opened her mouth to speak, but Sailor Uranus swung her fist faster. It connected with Sailor Sun's jaw and knocked her back a few paces. Sailor Sun's hand shot up to cradle her injured jaw, the pale light reflecting off her silver ring.
"She has the ring," Uranus said, pointing. "She could return to her evil ways."
"I healed her," Sailor Moon protested. "She's fine."
"I'm not Olivine anymore," Sailor Sun said slowly, wincing after each word. "I don't see how a fight will prove otherwise, but if that is what you wish, I won't stop you."
Sailor Moon stared at her. Uranus smiled and Neptune moved to stand beside her partner.
"You're brave," Uranus admitted, "but we'll see who's smarter."
Sailor Sun didn't reply.
"Stand aside, Princess," Neptune said. "This doesn't concern you."
Uranus charged at Sun and threw out a punch. Sailor Sun was hit in the stomach and exhaled sharply, but did not fall. Instead she raised her arms to block the next few punches. Uranus managed a few weakened hits, but Sailor Sun didn't strike back once.
"Try this," Neptune said. "Deep Submerge!"
The attack sent Sailor Sun sailing through the air. She landed hard on the ground and lay motionless for a few seconds. Sailor Moon began to cry, but resisted the urge to run to her friend's side. Sailor Neptune watched the unmoving form carefully, judging her next attack.
Sailor Sun rose shakily to her feet and turned to stare at the two outer senshi. She put her hands together at the wrists so her fingers were outstretched on either side and extended her arms straight out in front of her, pointing them at the outer senshi.
"You leave me no choice," she said apologetically. "Solar Flare Sprout!"
The tongue of flames hit Uranus and Neptune and they held up their arms to shield their faces. When the flames died down, they were both on their knees. Sailor Sun moved to stand over them.
"Finish us, dark queen," Uranus hissed.
Sailor Sun raised her ringed hand into the air. "Solar Recharge Radiation!"
A pale, sparkling, yellow light fell from the sky and bathed the two injured senshi in warmth. Immediately, they felt their strength become restored and their wounds disappear. They rose to their feet, eyes wide.
"You may not trust me," Sailor Sun told them, "but I am part of the senshi team. I may be caught between two sides, but I'm not completely evil. I battle my dark nature every day and it only gets the best of me when I'm weak. Being Sailor Sun gives me strength. You can either accept me as I am, or ignore me, but please no more fighting."
Sailor Sun turned and left the three astonished senshi standing in the park. Sailor Moon ran to catch up with her friend.
"Wait!" she called. Sailor Sun slowed and turned. "Where are you going?"
Sailor Sun shrugged. "I have no home anymore. I'm not even sure where my home truly was."
"Stay with me," Sailor Moon invited. "Cano won't find you there, and your home is Earth."
Sailor Sun smiled at her friend. "Thank you, Usagi-chan. For everything."
As they walked away, Sailor Moon glanced over her shoulder to see if Uranus and Neptune were following, but they were gone.
"So, the eleventh sailor senshi has come," Sailor Neptune remarked. "What should we do?"
"Nothing," Uranus replied. "She has proven herself for now."
"But if she ever becomes the dark queen again?" Neptune asked.
"We'll have no choice," Uranus answered, her eyes hard. "Sacrifices must be made. That's the way of things."
The outer senshi watched the newest member leave and noticed her shadow seemed longer than her companions.
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