DARKNESS, BEGONE
The sun was high and bright over Tokyo. Serena and Jenny walked together down the street towards the mall. Luna rode in Jenny's back pack and argued with Serena until they reached the entrance. It appeared to Jenny that Serena had done something ditzy again, and Luna was scolding her for it – again. Jenny wisely chose to remain out of the argument.
"You've got to accept your responsibilities, Serena," Luna said.
"I do accept responsibilities. Just because I forgot to put my locket on one day does not mean I'm irresponsible!" Serena argued.
"What would you have done if someone needed Sailor Moon?" Luna asked.
"The Scouts could have handled it until I ran home and got my locket," Serena answered.
Jenny rolled her eyes and walked a little faster. She agreed with Luna, but was still anxious to stop her two friends from bickering. Besides, Serena's voice was scaling several octaves and the sound was starting to grate on Jenny's nerves.
"Serena, as your guardian, I shouldn't have to make sure you dress properly each morning. You're old enough to know that yourself!" Luna yelled.
"You don't have to dress me!" Serena wailed. "I only forgot once!"
Jenny almost ran into the mall. As she reached the door, Luna ducked into the back pack and stayed quiet. Pets weren't allowed in the stores, not to mention a talking cat.
"Thanks Jenny, I was getting tired of her nagging," Serena said.
"No problem," Jenny said quietly.
An angry murmur came from deep inside Jenny's pack.
The two of them shopped for hours. Serena had gotten some money for her birthday and was eager to spend it before it burned a hole in her pocket. Jenny had graciously offered to go with her and it wasn't long before they were heading to a nearby restaurant for lunch, Serena's cash flow nearly exhausted.
"Look, there's Lita and Raye!" Serena called.
The two girls sitting at the table looked up and waved. Serena and Jenny headed over to join them.
"Hi guys!" Lita said.
Serena and Jenny sat down beside their friends. Serena slid into the seat next to Lita while Jenny sat with Raye. They ordered drinks and, when the waitress had vanished, Luna popped out of the back pack.
"Finally! That's the last time I travel like that! It was even worse than when Serena stuffed me in that tiny camera case!" Luna said.
"You're the one who insisted on coming!" Serena reminded her.
The others laughed and settled into quietness. Raye sipped her soda when suddenly, she looked up at Jenny.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Amy's looking for you. She thinks she's figured out a way to keep you normal at night," she said.
Jenny stared at Raye for a second, stood and ran to the door. Raye, Serena, Lita, and Luna looked out the window and saw Jenny running down the street towards Amy's house.
"Well, you're welcome and everything," Raye huffed, returning to her soda.
"Don't feel bad, Raye. Jenny hasn't said three things to me all afternoon," Serena said.
Lita looked out the window to where Jenny had been running. She couldn't even imagine how excited and nervous the girl would be, finding a cure to the dark spirit that haunted her.
"I hope everything's all right," Lita muttered to herself.
Jenny ran as fast as she could. She didn't even look where she was going and she accidentally ran into someone. They collided, throwing them both back a few paces.
"Hey, watch it!" he said.
Jenny looked up and saw Andrew. He recognized her immediately and smiled.
"Hi, Jenny," he greeted her cheerfully.
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry," Jenny said quickly as she brushed past him and kept running.
I wonder what's wrong with her? Andrew thought.
He watched Jenny disappear down the street.
There was a knock on Amy's door. Amy raised her head and stared down the corridor, wondering who it could be. She put down her book and went to answer it. Outside, Jenny was standing, out of breath.
"Jenny!" Amy said in surprise.
Jenny grinned at her friend, gasping for breath after the long run from the restaurant. Amy let her into the apartment and Jenny gratefully collapsed on Amy's couch.
"Raye said you found a cure," Jenny said after a few moments.
Amy nodded. " I think so, but I need to test my theory first."
Jenny sat up, eager to start. She paused as a thought occurred to her. "Shouldn't the others be here?"
Amy picked up her friend's coat from where she had dropped it, and hung it in the closet. "Artemis is here. He's been helping me - sort of like a guinea pig."
The white cat came from the other room. He headed over to where Jenny sat and jumped onto the couch beside her
"I'm always the guinea pig. Why don't you get someone else to experiment on?" he complained to Amy.
Jenny scooped up the cat onto her lap and stroked him gently.
"I appreciate your sacrifice," she said to him.
Artemis started purring. "Well, it really wasn't that hard . . ."
"I took the readings I got when you transformed and changed them so that if the energy from the silver crystal hits you at the exact right moment, the transformation should stop and you'd be free" Amy explained. "I'm pretty sure I have the formula correct."
"But after I change, I always get sucked into the Negaverse" Jenny said.
"Yes, but if there is no Dark Scout energy in you, than the Negaverse couldn't hold onto you. The only problem is that if this works, there is little chance that you could ever become Sailor Sun again" Amy said regretfully. "The healing power of the silver crystal could possibly strip you of both sides of your power, not just the dark one."
Jenny sat back. Artemis looked at her as she weighed the consequences of Amy's experiment. She let out a long breath as she realized the only choice she had.
"As long as I'm not the Dark Scout anymore, you could change me into an elephant and I wouldn't mind," Jenny answered. "I can't live with myself anymore if I keep hurting others."
Amy sat next to her and put a comforting arm on her shoulder.
"Sleep over at my house tonight," Amy said. "I'll call every one else and we'll settle this once and for all."
Jenny brushed away a stray tear and nodded.
Deep in another dimension, Prince Rutile sat on his throne. His two generals Halite and Albite stood ready to receive his orders.
"You two realize that if the Dark Scout breaks free from your control, you will be severely punished," he said in a calm voice.
"Yes, Master," they said.
"And, if you two are gone, I will have to get a new general," Rutile clapped his hand and another form appeared behind the twins. Both Halite and Albite turned to see her, but she was shrouded in shadow. She was tall and wore the gray uniform of a Negaverse general, only more fitted to her natural curves.
"You summoned me, Master?" the woman said. Her voice was cold and devoid of emotion.
"Yes, Azurite. You will become the new general if the twins fail me. Watch them and learn from their mistakes. You are all dismissed," Rutile said.
"Yes, Master," the three of them said.
They vanished, leaving Rutile alone in his throne room. His eyes narrowed in anger and he smashed his fist down on the arm of his throne.
"The guardian shall not escape me again!" he screamed. "The Negaforce will be released!"
The sun slowly began to sink into the horizon. Jenny watched it go from the window it Amy's bedroom. She turned to look at her friends. They all stood before her, their eyes full of support and hope. Sailor Moon was at the forefront, one hand wrapped around her locket.
"Are you guys ready?" Jenny asked, licking her lips nervously.
"Ready for anything," Sailor Jupiter answered.
Sailor Moon gripped her locket tighter and nodded. She managed a weak smile at Jenny.
"Remember, we may have to follow her into the Negaverse if this doesn't work," Sailor Mercury reminded them. "She could be transformed but trapped."
"Don't worry, we can do this," Sailor Venus replied.
The sun sank from view and Jenny doubled over in pain. The shadows of the room all seemed to rush out of their corners to consume her.
"Here we go," Sailor Mars muttered, assuming a fighting stance.
Jenny's hair turned black and her costume began to appear. Her face paled and her tiara dulled. Her face was still contorted in pain as the goodness was taken from her.
"Now Sailor Moon!" Mercury exclaimed.
"Crystal Moon Transformation!" Sailor Moon cried, holding the locket up high over her head.
The Dark Scout screamed as the light hit her. Slowly, the black drained away and was replaced by yellow. Sailor Moon summoned all her energy to keep the light of the silver crystal flowing toward her friend. She knew she couldn't let Jenny down.
"The vortex to the Negaverse is opening!" Sailor Mercury yelled. "Get ready!"
Before they could stop her, the Dark Scout jumped through. Sailor Jupiter followed immediately. Ignoring the sudden wave of weakness that washed over her, Sailor Moon followed.
"Hurry!" Luna yelled.
The other scouts leapt in as the portal closed. The darkness vanished and the shadows returned to their original place. Jenny's room was deserted and quiet, save for the two cats who sat on her bed.
"They're gone," Artemis said, breaking the eerie silence.
"I hope they can do this. Rutile is more powerful than Beryl was," Luna said.
"They'll be fine," Artemis assured her. "We've trained them well."
Sailor Moon moaned and sat up. Around her lay the other scouts and Jenny. Jenny was wearing a yellow skirt with black boots. The bow on the front of her leotard was yellow and the other was black. Her hair was brown and the jewel on her tiara glowed dimly. Around the faintly lit room, the other scouts lay sprawled in a rough semi circle. One by one, they began to stir.
"Is she back?" Sailor Mars asked, looking at Jenny.
"I can't tell," Sailor Moon answered.
Around them, the other scouts were sitting up. Only Jenny remained motionless. Sailor Moon and her friends slowly rose to their feet. Sailor Moon still felt weakened from using the silver crystal, but knew her strength would return before long.
"Where are we?" Sailor Venus wondered, looking around the chamber.
"This isn't the throne room," Jupiter agreed.
Mercury pushed her earring, bringing up her VR visor and began to scan the area.
"We're definitely in the Negaverse, but I'm not sure where," she said. "I can't find the throne room anywhere from this location."
Between the scouts and Jenny, three figures appeared. The first two were easily recognizable by their uniforms, but the third somehow remained covered by shadow.
"Welcome to . . ," the first form began.
"Our domain, scouts," the other finished.
The last person remained silent and in the background. The still form of Jenny didn't move behind them.
"You! I thought that we'd destroyed you with Granite," Mars said.
Halite laughed. "We control your friend," he said.
Albite stepped forwards. "Her destiny is with us," he said.
"Forget about her," the said in unison.
Sailor Jupiter clenched her fists. She stepped toward the twin generals, nearly bursting with rage.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" she called.
One of the twins held open his hand to absorb her power and shot it back at her while the other laughed. Jupiter jumped clear at the last second, and the ball of lightning disappeared harmlessly into the stone wall. Jupiter then realized her powers could do nothing to them. She faced them again, feeling her anger transform within her.
"I feel a strange new energy," she muttered.
Sailor Mercury turned off her visor and looked at her friend.
Jupiter bowed her head and crossed her arms in front of her. From her tiara rose a small lightning rod.
"Mighty Jupiter, I call upon you for help. Lend me your powers so Jenny can be free once more!" she began.
The lightning rod started to collect energy.
"Jupiter Lightning Spark!" Sailor Jupiter yelled.
Two bolts of electricity raced towards the two generals. They shrieked in pain as it struck them. They didn't fall immediately, but were suspended in shock as the electricity coursed through their bodies.
"Awesome new power, huh?" Jupiter asked her friends with a wink. The scouts grinned at her in return.
The twins lay paralyzed on the ground for a moment. The scouts watched as Halite struggled to his feet. Nearby, Albite didn't move.
"Albite! Brother, can you hear me?" Halite begged, kneeling next to him.
Albite didn't move. Halite lowered his head and wiped tears from his eyes. Then, he turned to Sailor Jupiter, his eyes burning with fury.
"You've killed my brother and destroyed a part of me. I feel empty and alone because of you!" he screamed.
Jupiter held her ground. Venus stepped beside her, ready to help if needed.
"Negaforce, give me the strength to avenge my twin!" Halite yelled.
In each of his hands, a black spear materialized.
"For my brother," he yelled, throwing the first one at Venus.
It struck Jupiter in the leg as she pushed her friend out of the spear's deadly path. She gave a small grunt of pain as she lay on the ground, unable to move. Sailor Venus faced the enraged general, watching for any attacks as she pulled her friend to safety.
"For my revenge!" Halite said, preparing to throw the second.
Sailor Mercury stepped between the general and the two scouts. Halite paused for a moment and stared. Soon, he began to laugh. Mercury held her ground, glaring at him.
"Puny Sailor Mercury? What can you do? Fog me to death?!" Halite asked.
Mercury raised her hand palm upward and spun once. When she faced Halite again, she held something in her hand. The general couldn't see what it was, but her threw the spear in anger.
"Mercury Wind Banishment!" she cried as the object in her hand turned into a fierce wind.
The spear was destroyed as it hurled toward its mark. Halite tried to form another, but the wind destroyed that one as well. Behind him, Jenny stirred and woke up. Groggily, she sat up and watched the fight for her freedom. Sailor Venus ran to her side and knelt by her, ignoring the shadowed general, who merely watched. Jenny looked up at her friend, her eyes a mask of confusion.
"Are you all right?" Venus asked.
"I think so, but am I good or evil?" Jenny asked.
In front of them, Sailor Mercury's wind was destroying everything Halite could conjure up. The general's frustration was growing by the second.
Venus smiled warmly. "Right now, I think you're mixed up. Try transforming into Sailor Sun."
Sailor Venus helped Jenny to her feet, and stepped back as the girl held her ring high.
"Solar Ring . . " she began.
The third form suddenly took interest in what was going on and yelled, "No!"
"Power!" Jenny finished.
The chamber exploded in radiant yellow light. Halite and the scouts broke off their attacks to shield their eyes from the glare. Soon, the Dark Scout was no more and only Sailor Sun remained. She stood triumphantly beside Sailor Venus, and the two scouts headed to where the other four fought.
"Sailor Sun!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.
"I'm back and ready to fight. I've got this weird feeling inside me and if I don't get it out, I think I'll explode!" Sun said.
"Funny, so do I," Sailor Moon said.
"Maybe you two should combine your powers. Mercury looks like she needs help," Venus suggested.
Mercury's winds were dying down and Halite's attacks were getting much closer to their mark before being destroyed. The newest Sailor Scout and her leader ran to Mercury's side.
"Hey!" Sailor Sun said.
Halite looked at the two girls.
"We may have killed your brother, but it won't be long until you join him!" Sailor Moon said.
"I am Sailor Sun, and I fight for good and justice!" Sailor Sun said.
"I am Sailor Moon and on behalf of the galaxy, we will destroy you!"
Halite laughed and prepared to lunge at them.
Sailor Moon put one finger on her tiara, just above her jewel.
Sailor Sun did the same, only below her jewel.
"Moonbeam . ." Sailor Moon began.
"Sunbeam . . " Sailor Sun joined.
"Attack!" the two shouted together.
The jewels on their tiaras each shot out a single, thin beam that joined into one. That beam raced out until it struck Halite. He cried out once before falling beside his brother. The two of them disappeared back into the Negaverse. The scouts crowded around Sailor Sun.
"Great to have you back," Sailor Mars said.
"Yeah, let's hope this time it lasts," Sailor Jupiter added from where she sat on the ground. Sailor Venus helped her to her feet, supporting her as she stood.
"You're not out of the woods yet," a new voice said.
The six scouts turned to the remaining form. It advanced out of the shadows until they could clearly make out who it was. She was tall with short, blonde hair and brown eyes. She wore the usual general's outfit with a yellow stripe and white gloves.
"I am your new enemy. My name is Azurite," she said by way of introduction.
"Hmm. Jedite, Nephlyte, Zoisite, Malachite, Granite, Halite, Albite, and now Azurite. Does anyone else see a pattern?" Sailor Mars asked.
"I guess it's a Negaverse law that all generals have to have a stupid name that ends in 'ite'," Sailor Jupiter said.
"My name is not stupid!" Azurite flared.
"So, what was it you wanted?" Sailor Moon asked, her voice betraying her impatience.
"You will have to defeat me before leaving the Negaverse and even if you do, you will have to find your own way out. The caves that form the Negaverse are endless and you'll be wandering for an eternity if you choose the wrong one," Azurite said smugly.
"I'll deal with her," Sailor Mars said, stepping in front of the other scouts.
She held her hands together, palm touching palm. Sailor Mars then raised her hands over her head, but her eyes never left Azurite.
"Mars Comet Blaze!" she yelled.
From high above, a comet smashed into the place where Azurite had been standing.
"Where did she go?" Sailor Mars asked. "That should've got her for sure!"
"I want to know where that comet came from in the first place," Sailor Sun said. "We're in a cave."
Sailor Mars shrugged.
"You win for now, but will you ever get home?" Azurite's voice rang through the cave.
Sailor Mercury brought up her VR visor and began scanning. She tapped a few keys on her mini computer and bit her lip in thought.
"Well, Mercury, will we ever get home?" Sailor Moon asked.
Sailor Mercury sighed. "I can't find another portal home. Unless we
split up and search for one, we'll never make it."
"If one of us finds one, how will she get the others back?" Venus asked.
"Your power sticks and Sailor Moon's locket can open a portal for a few seconds. Just hold them up and say 'Portal Open'. Before that, say your planet's name. Remember that this will last for approximately fifteen seconds. If you see one, jump in immediately. This can only work once," Sailor Mercury said.
Sailor Sun looked over Mercury's shoulder. "You're computer told you all that?"
Mercury blushed. "Actually, I'm just guessing on the Portal Open' part. In theory, it should work."
"In theory," Sailor Sun stressed.
"Hey, my theory saved you, didn't it?" Mercury said.
Before Sailor Sun could open her mouth to retort, Sailor Mars took charge of the situation.
"There are three routes leading out of here. I think Sailor Moon and Sailor Sun should go together, since they have that new power," Sailor Mars said.
"I'll go with Mercury and you go with Jupiter," Venus said.
"Good luck and we'll see you later." Sailor Sun said.
With that the scouts split up to find a way home from the Negaverse.
Azurite watched them leave and laughed to herself.
"If one of you survive, we'll meet again," she said.
Sailor Moon led the way through the dreary tunnels as she and Sailor Sun searched for their only escape. They spoke little as they walked, both scouts focused on their ultimate goal. Sailor Sun looked around nervously as her friend continued forward. Her eyes widened in alarm as she realized Sailor Moon was not watching where she was going.
"Watch out!" Sailor Sun cried suddenly.
Sailor Moon backed up a few steps. "What's wrong?"
"There's a trap right where you were about to step," her friend answered.
Sailor Sun picked up a rock and threw it where Sailor Moon's foot would have landed. A huge energy field shot up from the ground, cutting off their path and incinerating the stone. Sailor Moon stared in shock.
"Come on, I think there's another path this way," Sailor Sun said, taking the lead.
How does she know all this? Is she tricking me by pretending to be Sailor Sun? Sailor Moon thought.
Doubt still clouded her mind as she followed the sixth scout down a long, dark corridor.
Sailor Mercury surveyed the surrounding tunnels in hopes of finding a way out. Sailor Venus sat patiently on a nearby rock. Mercury sensed her friend's uneasiness and turned off her visor. She turned to her friend, who seemed distracted and almost sad about something. Mercury walked over and put a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
Sailor Venus sighed. "Call me crazy, but I'm sort of upset that everyone got a new power except for me."
Mercury smiled and squeezed Venus' shoulder encouragingly.
"Don't worry, you'll get your power soon enough. I'll bet it's trying to find its way out right now," Sailor Mercury said. "Give it time."
Venus smiled. "Thanks. You're a good friend. Now, let's get out of here and go home!"
She sprung to her feet and Mercury turned her visor on. As she continued to scan the area, Mercury wondered if that was all that was on Venus' mind.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Sailor Mars asked.
Sailor Jupiter winced as she took another step forward. The cut on her leg where Halite's spear has struck was bleeding again. She grimaced in pain, but forced an uneasy smile.
"I'm fine. Let's just concentrate on getting out of here," Jupiter said.
Sailor Mars stopped and shook her head. "No, you're not fine. Sit down."
Jupiter did as she was told. Sailor Mars crouched and looked at her friend's leg. She ripped a piece off her skirt and wrapped it around the cut. Jupiter winced and inhaled sharply, but she found the pain decreased.
"There. Does that help?" Mars asked, looking up at her friend.
Jupiter forced a smile. "Yeah, thanks."
Sailor Mars straightened and held out her hand. Jupiter
took it and pulled herself to her feet. She put a bit of pressure on her foot and found that, although she could stand, moving could be quite a bit more difficult. Sailor Mars watched her friend's progress with an encouraging smile.
"Good, you're on your feet again. Do you need help walking?" Mars asked.
Jupiter nodded and, leaning against her friend for support, they slowly made their way down a tunnel. As they vanished into the Negaverse gloom, Azurite appeared where they had once rested. She stared at the tunnel where they had disappeared and chuckled to herself.
"Those two will be easy pickings, but the only way to get the Dark Scout back is for her to destroy Sailor Moon herself!" she said with a sly grin. "And I believe I know how to do that."
Still laughing, Azurite vanished.
Sailor Mercury circled slowly around the room. Sailor Venus watched as her friend punched a few numbers through her computer. The orange sailor scout was on her guard, waiting for an attack to come.
"There's a portal in the next cave. If we hurry, I can open it," Mercury said, switching off her visor.
"Finally!" Sailor Venus said with a smile.
Sailor Mercury returned the grin with her own tired smile and the two scouts headed for the cavern entrance.
"Hold it right there, Sailor Failures!" a voice in the darkness cried.
Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus turned and saw a monster behind them. She was tall with spiked hair and spikes growing from her arms. Her face was beautiful, but cruel. She laughed once and leapt into the air. When she landed, she was standing between the cavern entrance and the scouts.
"I am Spika, and you're not getting by me without a fight!" she shrieked. "Mistress Azurite commands it!"
Sailor Venus stepped forwards and pointed a finger at her enemy. Sailor Mercury was a set behind her, looking equally determined.
"You want to fight? You got a fight! I am Sailor Venus and believe me, you're asking for trouble!"
Spika snarled and threw a spike at Sailor Mercury. She dove out of the way, and the spike embedded itself in the stone floor where she had been standing. The creature laughed and formed another spike in her hand.
"That does it!" Sailor Venus said.
She crossed her arms before her in the form of a V. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Between her fingers, a chain of energy materialized. Slowly, Sailor Venus raised her hands above her head, so her wrists were still touching, keeping the V formed and the chain intact. Spika looked at her curiously.
"Venus Enchantment Attach!" Sailor Venus cried, suddenly separating her wrists and flinging the energy chain at her enemy. It struck the monster and wrapped itself around her. The monster was frozen where it stood.
"I . . I can't move!" it stuttered.
"I'll take it from here, Venus," Mercury said.
Sailor Mercury winked at her friend and clasped her hands together in front of her. She began to separate them, stretching something long and white between her palms.
"Mercury Arctic Entwine!" she yelled.
The white substance became a fierce snowstorm and engulfed Spika until nothing remained of her but an ice statue, perfectly formed. Mercury smashed the statue with a swift kick and took Venus's hand.
"Come on, the portal is closing in a few seconds," Mercury cried.
The two scouts ran out of view, leaving only a pool of melted ice to mark their passage.
Sailor Moon followed her friend into another cave. There, they saw a portal. It was not very large and it seemed to be shimmering between black and pale blue. Sailor Sun immediately began to run towards it.
"Hurry, Sailor Moon! It might close!" she yelled over her shoulder.
Sailor Moon followed for a few steps, then hesitated. "Are you sure that's the right portal?"
Sailor Sun stopped a few feet away from her goal. She turned to stare at her friend.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"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? Serena, it's me, Jenny. 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 Jenny. Please, I want to go home, but I don't want to leave you here" Sailor Sun said.
Sailor Moon blinked and took a deep breath. "I believe you, Jenny. Let's go home."
Together, they leapt into the portal.
"There it is!" Sailor Venus called. "Hurry, or it'll close!"
Sailor Venus turned once to make sure her friend was coming, then stepped through the portal. Close behind her, Sailor Mercury followed.
"Look, a portal!" Sailor Mars exclaimed.
Sailor Jupiter raised her head and looked into the distance. The portal ahead was beginning to close. She took a few hesitant steps, but felt her bad leg protest and she sank to her knees.
"We'll never make it, leave me here and go," Jupiter said.
Sailor Mars didn't answer. Instead, she lifted her friend onto her back and ran. Jupiter suppressed a gasp of surprise and looked up to where the portal was shrinking in size. Before it closed, the two travelers hoped through.
They found themselves in a ruined place that seemed strangely familiar. The sky was a pale gray and shattered columns lay haphazardly scattered around. Mars blinked in shock as she fought down a sudden emotion of homesickness and stared at the desolate place.
"Hey, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter!" Venus's voice cried out.
Sailor Mars gently lowered Jupiter to the ground, and she leaned against a broken column. Sailor Jupiter closed her eyes and stretched out her leg with a groan of pain. The blood has soaked right through the bandage Mars had used and was once again trickling down her leg. Sailors Venus and Mercury walked to them.
"How did you guys get here?" Mars asked.
Mercury crouched beside Jupiter. The taller girl hardly noticed as Mercury removed the bandage to inspect the wound.
"We went through a portal," Venus answered. "I thought it was supposed to bring us home."
Mars shrugged and looked down at the other two scouts.
"How is she?" Mars asked.
"She's hurt pretty badly. There must have been some strong Nega energy in that spear. If we don't get it out, I'm afraid of what might happen," Mercury said.
She turned to see Jupiter's reaction to the news, but the injured scout had fallen unconscious.
"Did someone call for help?" Sailor Sun called.
The last two members of the team joined them. Sailor Sun looked at Jupiter's leg as Mercury explained her diagnosis. Sailor Sun frowned in thought, then smiled and snapped her fingers.
"I don't know about the cut, but I bet I can get the Nega energy out," she said.
The other scouts stepped back as Sailor Sun raised her ring above her head.
"Solar Recharge Radiation!" she cried.
The pale yellow light descended from the ring and landed gently on Sailor Jupiter's leg. The cut healed before their eyes, leaving only a small, purple scar. Jupiter moaned and opened her eyes.
"Feel better now?" Sailor Sun asked.
Jupiter nodded. "Yeah, just a little tired. What are you doing here?"
"This is where we ended up," Sailor Sun replied.
"Rest here while we find out where we are," Mars added.
"I know where we are," Sailor Moon said softly. "It's all so familiar to me."
"You're on the Moon, Princess," a soft voice behind them answered.
They turned around and saw the image of a beautiful young woman. She had pale purple hair like Serena's with a small crown perched on her head. Her eyes were violet and kind, and there was a yellow crescent moon on her forehead. She smiled gently to the Sailor Scouts.
"Queen Serenity!" they all cried.
"Yes, and now that you have found the last scout, I believe it's time to reveal my darkest secret. I haven't told anyone this, not even Luna or Artemis. Princess Sun, this is about you," Queen Serenity said.
Sailor Sun stepped closer to the figure of the Moon Queen. She blinked nervously, but raised her chin bravely to look at the queen. Serenity frowned and put her chin in her hand thoughtfully.
"This is not right, it should be more formal," Serenity decided.
She waved her arm and the scene was suddenly changed. They stood before the Queen of the Moon Kingdom in formal dresses. On their foreheads were the signs of their respective planets. Queen Serenity stood above them on a slight pedestal and Serena went to join her.
Jenny came forward wearing a pale yellow gown. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Princess Jenny, you were the first scout discovered. Before the planets accepted the others, the sun chose you. I kept this knowledge from you to protect you," Queen Serenity began.
"Before the Negaverse invaded our kingdom, a mighty force was unleashed upon the Moon. I caught it and contained in within the sun so that it's power would never be used for evil. I knew that when the sun accepted Jenny as its guardian, the power would become hers to bear, so I hid all of this from her and her parents so the force would always be contained. I was afraid that the force would possess Jenny the way it had possessed others of my kingdom. I apologize for lying to you."
"That's why the Negaverse is after me!" Jenny exclaimed.
Queen Serenity smiled. "You were always a bright one, Princess Sun."
"How can we control this force?" Amy asked.
"Still curious as ever, Princess Mercury. I'm glad you haven't lost your charm," Serenity said.
Amy curtsied politely.
"The force has chosen Jenny as it's carrier and as a result, she is the only one who can use it. The Negaverse will try to persuade her to use the force for evil. If that happens, the Negaforce will be released and the Earth destroyed. You must keep Princess Sun safe at all costs," Serenity said.
"We will protect her with our lives, Your Majesty," Lita said.
"As energetic as always Princess Jupiter, and you Princess Mars, do you still burn down people's houses with your fire?" Serenity teased.
Raye blushed. "I remember that from my memories of my life on the Moon."
"Finally Princess Venus. Are you still as helpful as you were?" Serenity asked.
Mina curtsied to the queen and smiled. "I like to think so."
Queen Serenity turned to her only daughter. Tears were brimming in her eyes.
"Queen Serenity, why are you crying?" Princess Serena asked.
"I will never see you grow up, my darling girl. I will never see you again after this meeting. When Rutile is gone, the Negaverse will be destroyed and you will never need me again. I will miss you," Queen Serenity said.
Tears were forming in Princess Serena's eyes as well. "I will miss you as well, Mother, but know that you will always be in my heart as well."
A portal appeared behind them. They turned to look at it. It was larger than the other portals they had seen and shimmered in a pale pink and yellow light. The scouts were in awe of its beauty.
"This will take you back into the caves of the Negaverse. Your work there is not yet complete. When you have achieved what you have been sent for, you will return home. Farewell Sailor Scouts, and don't let the Negaverse regain control of Princess Sun. Good luck!" Serenity said.
Each of the scouts curtsied and walked though the portal. Queen Serenity embraced her daughter and Serena stepped through after her friends.
They appeared together back in the caves. The beautiful portal that had brought them to the Moon wavered and vanished. The scouts watched it disappear and turned to each other.
"What else do we have to do here?" Sailor Mars asked.
Sailor Jupiter was standing again, her leg completely healed. She smiled and winked at Sailor Sun, who smiled back.
"Whatever needs to be done will be done," Jupiter vowed.
All the scouts put their hands on top of one another.
"Scouts Honour!"
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