Chapter Three
A Shadow Millennium? Nah, Couldn't be...
The sun rose again over Tokyo, again bringing sadness. Mamoru and Ami were missing. The girls were having a meeting at the temple.
Rei was the first there, of course. Then came Makoto, Chibiusa, and Haruka wheeling Michiru in her wheelchair. Luna and Diana showed up followed by Minako and Artemis, about five minutes later.
"Okay, guys," said Minako, "I now call this meeting to order!" None of them were talking, so it didn't really matter anyhow. "Okay, I went to the hospital this morning and a found a note that Ami wrote before-before-before she died."
"We don't know that she's died! If she had died, there would be a body!" said Makoto. Minako's eyes brimmed with tears, but she talked on.
"Something really weird is happening. Let me read you the note.
"Long ago, the Six Princesses of Love ruled the galaxy. Eternity, Tranquillity, Infinity, Destiny, Serendipity, and Kakyuu. In this writing I shall chronicle them all, for my time is near to die.
"Destiny: She was tall with long purple hair. She loved reading, but mostly being alone in her temple. She holds the secondary color Purple.
"Infinity: Silver blue hair. Doesn't have a super high IQ or anything but is fairly intelligent. She loves reading and writing and being with her prince. She is perhaps the most powerful, except for maybe Eternity and Kakyuu, her sisters.
"Tranquility: Madly in love with Princes Shinja. Loves music, but can't sing or play a note. She holds the secondary color green.
"Eternity: Blonde-white hair and is fun to be around. A little clumsy at times. She likes almost everyone. She, along with Infinity and Kakyuu, are probably the most powerful. They are sisters. They all hold primary colors with them.
"Serendipity: Short with brown hair. She loves sports and cooking. She loves flowers, too. She holds a secondary color, pink.
"Kakyuu: She has long red hair and is very pretty. She is Eternity and Infinity's sister. Together they are the most powerful. They each hold half the Color Crystal, but can only us the halves are put together.
"Shinja: Tall and tough. Is only sensitive around Tranquillity. Holds the secondary color orange.
"Shadow: Holds bla-
"Can no longer write. Sorry. Ami."
They were all silent.
"We've got to find these princesses," whispered Rei.
"How do we know that they are even on earth?" asked Haruka.
"We don't," said Makoto looking discouraged. There was a knock on the temple door.
"Who's there?" said Rei. There was no answer. Rei flung the doors open and there stood the Shadow Army. At least one-hundred shadows stood there.
"Hello, we've come to take the temple," said the leader brightly. The Scouts gasped.
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Moon Power!"
"Make UP!"
There stood Super Sailor Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, and Codename V (I like Sailor better than Sailor Venus, so there! ;P).
"We are the champions of love and justice! Mars Flame Sniper!" said Mars. Chibiusa quickly made herself useful by wheeling Michiru into the temple.
"I am Super Sailor Jupiter! You are gonna regret trying to storm this temple! Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Codename V! In the name of our solar system, you are going to get whipped! V Crescent Beam!"
"Super Sailor Uranus is my name, and getting rid of evil like you is my game! Uranus World Shaking!"
"Its not working!" cried V. The shadows just split into smaller ones. "We need more power!"
"Sailor Star Fighter!"
"Sailor Star Maker!"
"Sailor Star Healer!"
"Sailor Starlights, stage on!"
"What?" said V.
"It looked like you needed help!" said one. They began attacking the shadows. The shadows seemed to recede a little, but it was not good enough.
"Thanks!" said Jupiter as Star Fighter got a shadow off her back.
"No problem!"
"You Earth Scouts are okay," said Star Maker as V kicked a shadow off her back. Even with their amazing teamwork, the shadows out numbered them and weren't retreating.
"I'll help!" said Chibiusa running out from where she had stashed Michiru. "Moon Cosmic Dream Action, Make up!" Nothing happened, she had no crystal. She looked around hopelessly. The she remembered, while she had been sick, that mama had given her a new crystal. "Sun Power, Make UP!" cried Chibiusa, not really knowing why. She took a deep breath and hoped that it worked.
She was truly beautiful in her new fuku. She was in super form, and she was yellow and silver. Her hair turned white-yellow. She blinked and her eyes turned silver, too. On her tiara was a small sun that matched the one on her brooch.
"I am Super Sailor Sun! I am the ultimate champion of our galaxy! If my mother Cosmos was here, she'd get you, but you are going to have to settle for me!" said Sun. "Sparkling Solar FLARE!" About a third of the shadow army was wiped out by the blinding light.
"We'll be back, Sun! You'll pay!" said the leader grabbing Mars, who was nearest to him.
"Stop!" shouted Jupiter running after her, but Sun held her back.
"They'll just get you too. Don't worry, we'll get her back," said Sun. She fell back a few steps and fell to the ground and detransformed.
Her hand turned back to pink and her eyes turned back to red. She drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
"Saturn gone, Pluto gone, Moon gone, Mercury gone, Tuxedo Kamen gone, Mars gone, who will be next?" cried Jupiter to the sky.
"We must not brake under the strain! We can stay strong!" said Uranus. Michiru slowly wheeled out of where she had hidden.
"We have got to find those princesses!" said Michiru. She looked at the Starlights. "Who are you?"
"Sailor Star Fighter," said the one with the black hair.
"Sailor Star Maker," said the one with brown hair.
"Sailor Star Healer," said the one with the white hair. They jumped up into the air and were gone.
"Weird..." said V and she detransformed. The others did also. "Let's continue our meeting inside." The others followed her in, Makoto carried Chibiusa.
"I have had enough," said Haruka. "I'm leaving."
"All right," said Minako. This wasn't exactly unusual; the outers never had much to do with the inners. The Senshi bid their good-byes and the two remaining outers left.
"This makes no sense," said Artemis.
"What Chibiusa did today, it was amazing," said Makoto.
"I never thought she could have such amazing powers. But Sailor Sun? Sailor Cosmos? What was she talking about!?" said Minako.
"We can ask her when she wakes up," said Luna.
"And who are the Starlights? There are other Senshi?" asked Minako.
"It appears to be so," said Artemis.
"And poor Rei! She's gone!" said Makoto.
"We don't have enough power to get her back. Three Senshi just doesn't cut it," said Minako.
"What about the Starlights?" asked Diana.
"I'm not sure if they are even our friends," said Minako. Makoto nodded.
"And, if indeed they are friends, why are they on earth?" said Makoto.
"Maybe if we find these princesses, we'll find out answers," said Minako.
"Yeah, but to do that, we have to stay alive. Minako, I think we should lay low for a few days. We can both stay at my house. Tell your parents its some sort of school trip," said Makoto.
"Thats all we can do. I wish Sailor Moon were here," said Minako.
"So do I," said Makoto, "So do I."
"Master," said the leader of the shadow army as he bowed to Shade. "I have brought you one of these sailor soldiers." Two shadows walked in carrying the struggling Rei between them. She stopped when she saw Usagi Shade.
"Put her in with Princess Infinity, there is an extra bed in that room," said Shade. "Though I seriously doubt that she will live long enough to use it."
"Usagi! Please! You've got to remember me!" cried Rei. "We were best friends! We went shopping and gossiped and fought over Mamoru!"
"I am not Usagi," said Shade. Rei looked her up and down angrily and spat on her feet.
"You don't deserve the name 'Usagi', witch," said Rei.
"Put her with Princess Infinity, and make sure you lock the door," said Shade. Inside she was screaming 'Rei! Please! I can't help this! Something bad is happening!' but in your head, no one can hear you scream.
The guards roughly dragged Rei down the hall and shoved her into Ami/Infinity's room. Ami lay on the bed, half asleep, still covered in ribbons. Her hair had grown long and was styled similar to Kakyuu's, except in two thick braids. She opened her eyes and looked at Rei.
"Rei?" she said with a small yawn.
"Ami? You're still alive?" cried Rei. She rushed to her friend's side as tears of joy over flowed down her face.
"Why wouldn't I be?" said Ami. She pulled some of her covers up around her; even if Rei was one of her closest friends, she didn't feel great about being in nothing by transparent ribbons. Rei didn't seem to notice.
"We found you at your apartment half dead. We brought you to the hospital and you disappeared," said Rei. "Remember? You left the weird note?"
"Note?" Ami said questioningly, "What did it say?"
"It said all this stuff about these princesses of the galaxy. Then there were these two princes. I think they may have lived during the Shadow Millennium," said Rei. Did you ever wake up someplace strange and forget where you are and what had been happening? Then the memory washes over you like a wave. This is what happened to Ami.
"You're right, I did write that note, but I can't remember what I had in my head. I know nothing about the Shadow Millennium. Or at least, I don't think I do," said Ami.
"Usag-Shade, she called you Princess Infinity. That was one of the princesses on the note. Thats why your hair is long and you're covered in ribbons! You're body is so confused about who you are that when they took your crystal and you detransformed it didn't know what to do and you are left with ribbons!" cried Rei. "This explains everything!"
"I am not a princess!" said Ami. "Well, except of Mercury."
"Even if you're not, Shade thinks otherwise, that's why you're still alive," said Rei.
"I don't remember being a princess," said Ami, "There must be some mistake. I mean, I remember the Moon Kingdom, but nothing before that."
"Something is terribly wrong, we've got to warn the others!" said Rei.
"If only it were that simple," said Ami, "If only it were that simple."
"Think those scouts know anything?" asked Seiya. He, Taiki, and Yaten were sitting in café drinking cappuccinos.
"Doubt it. They didn't seem to know more than we did," said Taiki.
"We will find our princess," said Yaten, "There is a reason she came here, though we don't know what, yet, there has got to be a reason."
"The one with green hair spoke of princesses. Do you think, perhaps, she speaks of ours?" asked Taiki.
"No, they said princesses, we are only looking for one," said Seiya.
"Gee, and I thought things would clear up when we got to earth," said Yaten.
"Don't worry, we've only been in Tokyo two days, we've got plenty of time," said Seiya.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Yaten taking one last sip of his drink.
"Come on, it's ten, we should be having rehearsal for the concert this afternoon," said Seiya.
"Lets go," said Yaten. They walked out of the restaurant, leaving many young girls with turned heads.
"Michiru, what are we going to do? There are only five Senshi left. Count 'em, one, two, three, four, and five!" said Haruka. She and Michiru were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. Michiru was home from the hospital, her leg still hurt a little, but it was mainly healed.
"I don't know. We have all of the pieces to the puzzle, if only they would fit together," said Michiru.
"Three strange Senshi, a missing six princesses, two princes, a shadow army. Hmmmm," said Haruka.
"If only we were all together again. Pluto would know. I know that she would," said Michiru. Haruka sighed.
"She's not here and we have to cope," said Haruka.
"If only we had something to take out minds off of all of this," said Michiru. Haruka brightened up a shade.
"I bought you some concert tickets! It's not the stuff you listen to, more my thing, but it's a new band and the tickets came cheap and they're playing this afternoon," said Haruka.
"Who is it, Haru-chan?" asked Michiru.
"They're called 'The Three Lights'."
"Rei, I just thought of something," said Ami worriedly.
"What?" asked Rei.
"They are only keeping me alive because they think that I am a princess. They will not keep you alive for very long," said Ami. Rei's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Rei, I didn't mean it like that."
"No, no it's the truth, Shade said something about it," said Rei, "But I refuse to die without a fight!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll think of something."
"I kind of feel bad for them, master," said Shadow. They were watching Ami and Rei, through the wall, using their dark powers.
"Why?" asked Murk. Shadow didn't notice the evil glare on his face.
"Well, you'll be going in to kill Mars any minute and she seems to be Ami's friend," said Shadow.
"So?" said Murk. "And its Infinity."
"Ithinkmaybeyoushouldn'tkillher," Shadow blurted out.
"You aren't growing soft on me, are you Shadow?" Murk fished around in his pocket and came up with a black ring. "This, Shadow, is something I thought I'd never have to do, but you are growing soft, so I see I must." He roughly shoved the ring onto Shadow's finger before he could even react. Shadow bent over in a coughing fit, as though he had just breathed in poison gas, but as he lifted his head his eyes glowed evilly.
"You are right, master, I am a fool at times. Forgive me. Shall I kill her now?" asked Shadow with a grin.
"No, this one's mine. She's a feisty one. It'll be fun to watch her squirm," said Murk.
"Fine, but the next one's mine," said Shadow.
"Infinity's still free; I have her crystal, so you can kill her. It isn't any good without Kakyuu and Eternity, any how," said Murk.
"Nah. She's got a great bod and she's smart unlike most of the idiots on this planet. Then again, Rei's looks beat Ami's, but is she as smart?" said Shadow, scratching his head.
"You think that she should be allowed to live? Give the word, Shadow, and it shall be done," said Murk. "You still have not chosen a lady to help you rule this planet when I am through with it."
"I still stand by Ami, she is obviously one of the smartest people on in this dumb world. It is good to have intelligence equal to my own," said Shadow.
"Infinity, my boy, her name is Infinity. Though I daresay it would be proper to give her a new name. Black Lady was taken by Chibiusa, that was one of my favorites. Chibiusa had such promise. Oh well, Nemesis is not our planet and we cannot have them working against us, too," said Murk.
"How about Dark Lady?" said Shadow. "Or it could be Shadow Lady, or Shadow's Lady, because she will be all mine."
"I have no doubt in you my boy, none at all," said Murk as he slapped Shadow on the back.
"Why would you, Master?" Shadow said. As an afterthought, he added, "And her name shall be Shadow's Lady, because she will be all mine, I guarantee that."
"These croissants a great!" said Chibiusa shoving about three in her mouth. Makoto and Minako smiled.
"Glad you like 'em," smiled Makoto. Chibiusa finished the croissants and licked her fingers.
"Now, Usa, could you tell me what you were talking about this morning?" asked Minako.
"Hmm...well, first I was talking about Mamo and then I was thinking about Elios so I started to talk about him too. And then there's this boy in my art class, he is soooo dreamy!" said Chibiusa.
"I think she means what you talked about when you were Sun," said Makoto with a smile.
"Sun...Sun...Sun," mumbled Chibiusa. Her face scrunched up as she thought. "Oh yes, that! Well, it was kind of weird. I remember when I was talking I knew exactly what I meant, but now I haven't the slightest."
"You've got to try and remember, Usa! There is a reason this has all happened! You growing up, Usagi turning evil, Ami disappearing, the Sailor Starlights. Ami tried to tell us about it! We've got to crack the code, we're the only people left!" said Minako. Diana meowed, as if to whine.
"There are the cats, too," said Makoto with a smile.
"Okay, what have we got?" said Minako. They began talking over the various clues and components in the mystery. Everyone except for Luna. She was deep in thought. She almost had it, almost, but not quite and if some one didn't figure it out soon, all would be lost.
"The Three Lights, it sounds so beautiful," said Michiru. "What kind of music will they be playing? Mozart? Beatoven? Bach?" Anime sweat drop from Haruka.
"Their own," said Haruka.
"Oh? What do they play? Violin? Clarinet? Flute?"
"Guitar, drums, I dunno."
"Oh! Its a rock band!" Michiru laughed at her own stupidity. "Sorry, Haru-chan," she said ruffling her hair.
"Its okay," Haruka said as she glanced at her watch. "Hmmm....concert's at two. That gives us three and a half hours to figure out what's going on and we can beat the evil by dinner time."
"If only it were that simple, Haru, if only it were that simple."
Shadow strode confidently into Rei and Ami's room. Ami gave a little gasp of surprise from where she sat on her bed, Rei just sat, stony faced, on her bed.
Shadow immediately sat down next to Ami. He put his arm around her and began to kiss her. She might not have pulled away even if Shadow hadn't been pressing her body into his with her hand; Shadow may have been bad at some things (like picking whether he was evil or not) but boy, could he kiss.
As soon as Shadow had Ami distracted, Murk came in for Rei. This time it was Rei's turn to let out a gasp. Mamoru was evil?? 'It can't really be Mamo. He's not evil. Not him too!'
"Mamo doesn't exist any longer, Rei. He's gone. Don't plan on seeing him again. Or any one else, for that matter. Take a good look around, this is the last place you're ever going to see," said Murk.
"Oh is it? Mars Crystal Power! Make UP!" shouted Rei. "I am Super Sailor Mars! How dare you do this to me and my friend! Mars Flame Sniper!"
Murk laughed and sucked up all of the fire with his hand. "Can't you do any better?"
"Like hell I can!" shouted Mars. An amazing thing happened. A bow and arrow seemingly made out of fire appeared in front of Mars. "Mars Eternal Make UP!" After a long and lovely transformation, there stood Eternal Sailor Mars, complete with delicate wings. "You were saying?" she said pointing the arrow at Murk. He just laughed.
"You still think you can hurt me?" said Murk.
"I wouldn't waste my time!" said Mars. She shot a hole in the wall with her arrow. "Let's go Ami," she said, but it was too late. The kisses from Shadow had made Ami totally his; there was nothing any one could do now. Tears clouded over Mars's eyes and she jumped out of the building, hovering gracefully about six inches above the ground. "I'll get you Murk! Shadow too! And I'll get Shade and Chibisha! Its one thing for you to be evil, but to spread it to innocent people, why have you done this!?"
As Eternal Sailor Mars disappeared into the distance, Murk chuckled. "Feisty one, eh?"
"Yes, master," said Shadow with a smile.
"What do you propose we now?" asked Murk. "Well, you can take care of the girl," he answered himself as he walked out. Shadow shrugged and stood.
"Follow me," said Shadow. Ami responded with a vacant look, a look so honest and trusting and-well-vacant it could have made you cry to look at it. She stood and followed her once beloved out of the room.
Eternal Sailor Mars rushed in on Minako, Makoto, and Small Lady.
"Mars?" cried Minako.
"Eternal Sailor Mars!" exclaimed Makoto. Eternal Sailor Mars nodded.
"What the he-what happened?" asked Minako.
"I really don't have time to explain. They've got-they've got Ami under their power. They think that she is a princess or something from the Shadow Millennium. Infinity, that's it. Look guys, we've got to find out what's going on and quick! Who knows what they'll do to Ami!" said Eternal Sailor Mars.
"Right, but where do we start?" said Makoto.
"I don't know, I don't know!" said Eternal Sailor Mars shaking her head. "You have got to go see the other scouts, Uranus and Neptune. I am going to try and see what I can do about Ami." The others nodded.
"Lets get going!" said Minako.
"Right," every one said, including the cats. They all rushed as fast as they could to the outer scout's house, or in the case of Mars find Ami, but could they make it in time?
"Its getting closer to lunch, and we are no closer to even denting the mystery," said Haruka sighing.
"We'll do it, I know we can!" said Michiru. Suddenly three hot sweaty people and three hot sweaty cats burst in.
"What the-"
"No time, Haruka. We have GOT to figure this out!" said Minako.
"Fine, but we're going to a concert this afternoon, so you can't stay long," said Haruka. Michiru nodded.
"Okay!" said Makoto taking a seat, "What have we got?"
They began to talk over everything; from Pluto's disappearance to Ami's. Suddenly Luna's voice broke through the din.
"Haruka, what are you seeing this afternoon?" asked Luna. The Senshi looked at her funny. Anime sweat drops came to all of them.
"What does that have to do with?" asked Haruka suspiciously.
"The Three Lights," said Michiru at the same time.
"Thats it! Are they a new band? How long have they been around?" asked Luna, getting very excited.
"They're very new, I just heard of them yesterday. Why?" asked Haruka.
"Starlights, Three Lights?"
"Hmmm...Ami...what to give you to wear," mumbled Shadow, looking Ami up and down critically.
Ami stood there, vacant. She was in a trance, she would do whatever Shadow desired.
"How about this?" Shadow snapped his fingers, and Ami was wearing a long black dress with long sleeves. "Blech! What say we try something else!?" He snapped his fingers and Ami was wearing a short semi-transparent dress. Underneath you could see a black bikini like getup (think Amazon Quartet). "Wonderful! Now to take you out of this trance!" He clapped his hands in front of Ami and she awoke with a jolt.
"Where am I?" she asked sleepily.
"Your friends abandoned you! They left you in the hospital all alone last night and you would have died if it hadn't been for me!" said Shadow.
"That's not what happened!" said Ami. Shadow sighed. Ami was to smart. He was going to have to rewrite her memory. Again.
"Last night every one was over your house and Eternity-I mean-er Minako stabbed you! Mamoru, me, Usagi, and Hotaru came to your rescue and we brought you here, with us." Ami still didn't believe.
"But Usagi and Hotaru are bad," she said.
"No, its every one else that's bad, my Ami," said Shadow. Unfortunately for Ami, Shadow had the power to manipulate people's minds.
"Your right! I should have seen it before!" cried Ami. She fell into his arms. Shadow had to keep himself from grinning; she was so pathetic and helpless.
"Its okay, don't worry, I'm here and I'm not going to let them get you!" said Shadow, stroking Ami's back. He gazed at her. "Ami, let down you're hair, it's so long and beautiful." His fingers ran up her back and to her hair. As he undid it, it fell down by her feet. Shadow smiled. So did Ami, for a moment, then she rested her head on Shadow's chest.
"Oh, Kumori, I'm so scared!" said Ami sobbing into his dark shirt.
"Why, baby? I'm here and nothing's going to happen, I promise!" said Shadow. 'Boy, this being the great boyfriend is too easy. Hehe, these humans, they are so blinded by love. I would never ever be stupid enough to love any one or anybody.'
Ami turned her head up to look at Shadow. "Do you love me?"
Shadow's stomach did a flip-flop. He did love Ami, or now Infinity, and he knew it, even when he was lying to himself. He loved her more than anything, but to admit it, and open himself up, he wasn't sure if he was strong enough. He had rejected love when he chose to serve under Shade. Deep down he knew Shade was wrong, that he was wrong, but to admit it, and openly love some one-
"Kumori?" Shadow gazed into Ami's eyes and leaned over and kissed her. He pulled back and whispered,
"We are playing a game, Ami, a game with darkness and shadows," whispered Shadow. "And in this game, there is a girl and a boy. The girl is very, very good, and the boy, on the contrary, dark and evil. The boy and girl are you and me, Ami, and it is against the rules to love."
"But I-" began Ami. 'Something is wrong, this is so confusing. I don't get it, Kumori!'
"Shadow-I mean, Kumori!" called a voice.
"Thats-er-Usagi, lets go see her!" said Shadow.
'She called him-called him Shadow. Something is wrong!' thought Ami. Aloud she said, "Kumori, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing at all!" said Shadow. "Why don't we go see Usagi?" Ami nodded. Whatever Shadow said, Ami believed, had to believe. Not just because he had amazing powers, but because in a world of shadows and confusion, you've got to have some one to cling to.
"Luna, you might be onto something!" said Artemis.
"Haruka, do you have any extra tickets?" asked Makoto.
"We've got to get into this concert!" said Minako.
"Um...lemme see...one sec," said Haruka. She walked to the phone and dialed a string of numbers. "Yeah.....hi....I need some concert tickets......no I don't want to see Fiery Sushi....I'm looking for a band called the Three Lights......Three tickets left?......Third row center?" Haruka took out a credit card and read off a string of numbers. "Okay....thanks....bye."
"So we got the tickets?" asked Minako excitedly. Haruka nodded.
"Damn good ones, at that."
"How much money do we own you?" asked Makoto as she reached into her pocket. Haruka shook her head.
"Nothing."
"Thanks!" said Makoto and Minako at the same time.
Chibiusa's stomach let out a loud rumble. "Whoops," she laughed. The others smiled at her. "I'm hungry. Can I have something to eat?" She looked to Michiru and Haruka.
"Sure, I was just about to make lunch anyway," said Michiru smiling. Makoto jumped up.
"I'll help!" Minako laughed.
"I'd help if I thought I'd do any good," said Minako.
"Its okay," said Michiru. She went to the cupboards and started pulling stuff out. Makoto went to the fridge.
"There's no milk!" said Makoto.
"That I can do!" said Minako. "Me and Usa will go to the store!"
"I'll drive you," said Haruka.
"Bye!"
Michiru and Makoto worked in silence. They were preparing a lavish feast when Eternal Sailor Mars barged in, bleeding from all over.
"Eternal Sailor Mars!" cried Makoto. Eternal Sailor Mars crumpled into a chair.
"What happened!?" cried Michiru.
"They've, they've got Ami on their side. They've got part of the Primary Crystal and the Moon and Mercury crystal. Eternity and Kakyuu are next. Help Minako. Keep her away. And above all keep-keep-"
"Keep what?" said Makoto, crying, but it was too late, Eternal Sailor Mars was far away, another time, another place.
"Destiny! Destiny!" came a voice. It sounded very similar to Ami's.
"What?" said Destiny.
"It's so good to have you here! I've missed you! I'm glad you're awake!" said the voice. A figure appeared next to Destiny. Suddenly they were in a throne room with eight magnificent thrones. On a throne with red jewels and cushions sat a tall girl with long red hair. Next to Destiny stood a tall girl with blue braids. She suddenly realized where she was.
"The thrown room of Ai!" she exclaimed. Infinity, the one with the blue hair, smiled warmly and threw her arms around Destiny.
"You didn't remember Ai?" exclaimed the one in the red. Destiny shook her head.
"I do now, but why are we here, Kakyuu?" asked Destiny.
"We are being reawakened! Queen Serenity has sent for us from the past to help the future! She says that without us there is no hope!" said Kakyuu.
"The crystal from the far past shall meet with the crystal from the far future accompanied by the present shall over come all," said Destiny, remembering a prophecy from the temple of Ai.
Infinity nodded. "The others aren't here yet, they haven't been awaked. Ami was, but now Shadow has been called to his master and with him goes me. I will not be here for long, another ten minutes maybe."
"Why?" asked Destiny.
"He has my future self under his power, he always was so sure of himself. He was very powerful, I can't believe that he-that he-" Infinity started to cry.
"Come, come, sister, the higher shadow has him, higher than Shade even. He can be made to be pure once more."
"I know, I know, but it kills me to see him like this," said Infinity. Destiny patted her on the back and gave her a comforting hug.
"Its going to be all right, its got to be."
It was too late for Infinity, Ami was lost in a world of shadow and darkness.
"Oh Ku-chan," whispered Ami as Shadow led her into the dining room.
"What?" asked Shadow, a little frustrated.
"It's all so confusing-I just, I just don't understand!" she said. Shadow patted her head.
"Its okay," he whispered. "Now shush!" They had reached the dining room. Chair's were overturned, blood stained the floor. Eternal Sailor Mars stood in the corner, a bloody heap.
"Ami! Ami, tell them to stop!" cried Eternal Sailor Mars, but shadows blocked Ami's senses. All she heard was "I'll get you, you little traitor!"
"I am not a traitor!" Ami cried.
"I know you aren't, please help me!" cried Mars, coughing up blood. Ami heard, "You did this to me, I will get you, and Kumori, too!"
"No you won't! You will never beat us! You are evil, Ku-chan said so!" cried Ami.
"Oh really?" snarled Mars, these being her real words. She rose slowly and painfully and walked slowly out. She turned when she got to the door. "Nice outfit, slut." She stalked out.
"We've got to help her!" cried Ami as she rushed after her.
"I think not!" said Murk as he, Shade, and Chibisha stepped in front of her.
"But-" began Ami.
"He's right, Ami. They are evil. Did you here what she said?" said Shadow. Ami nodded.
"I suppose that you're right, but still, she was my friend," said Ami. Tears hovered over her eyes. She was alone, forgotten, surrounded by shadows of people she once new and loved. 'I'm so scared.'
"Its okay, baby," Shadow said. He rapped a protective arm around her, as if to protect her from the shadow family. "Lets eat lunch, I'm sure you'll feel a lot better." Ami nodded and they all sat around the table. Ami ate tentatively as the others talked.
"As soon as we are finished with this planet, it will be under your control, Shadow," said Murk. "The plans have been finalized with Master."
"What?!" exclaimed Ami, food practically flying out of her mouth. Chibisha laughed.
"Great manners, Ami-chan," she said in a mocking voice. Shadow slapped her across the face.
"Don't you ever ever ever talk to Ami like that! You hear?" She nodded. Shadow pulled Ami closer to him, again trying to protect her from this madness. "Someday she shall be queen of this planet, Queen! I should not like you to have to answer to her if you chose to stay here!"
"You wanna make something of it?" snarled Chibisha. She stood and dark sparks bled out of her fingers.
"Yeah, you are not going to treat Ami that way!" said Shadow pushing Ami away and standing. Shadows bled out from him all over, like he was a human smoke machine.
"Death Shadow Choke!" cried Chibisha. A dark cloud was shot at Shadow, but it fortunately missed.
"Nice try, brat!" laughed Shadow. "Full Shadow Come DOWN!" Chibisha fell to the ground, but arose, eyes glowing.
"Dark Shade Evermore Death!" yelled Chibisha. Ami knew that this one would hit Shadow if she did not stop it. She charged between them and was hit with the full blast of two attacks-Shadow had counter attacked.
"Princesses of Love, help me now! Eternity, Destiny, Tranquillity, Serendipity and Kakyuu! Prince Shinja! Travelers from afar, Starlights! From the far future I call you, Cosmos and Sun!" She shook violently and fell to the ground. Suddenly about a dozen people appeared around her. All of the afore mentioned, except Cosmos. All were in civilian form.
"Yellow Crystal Power!" Formerly know as Sailor V, Super Sailor Eternity was tall with hair like Kakyuu's and Infinity, only twisted rather than ponytails or braids.
"Eternal Purple! Make UP!" The lovely Eternal Sailor Mars, now Eternal Sailor Destiny, with long light purple hair down to her feet and purple fuku like Kakyuu's.
"Green Crystal Power!" The guardian of the sea, Neptune, became Super Sailor Tranquillity. Long wavy green hair like the sea itself, and matching lovely fuku.
"Pink Crystal Power!" Super Sailor Jupiter with shorter curly pink hair in a ponytail, of course, is known as Super Sailor Serendipity. She was lovely in her light pink fuku.
"Orange Knight Power!" Super Sailor Uranus became Orange Knight, in a deep orange tuxedo.
"Maker Power, Make UP!"
"Healer Power, Make UP!"
"Fighter Power, Make UP!"
"We are the Sailor Scouts of the past and present! In the name of love and justice throughout time and space, we shall punish you, Shade, Murk, Chibisha, and Shadow!" said Super Sailor Eternity.
"I'd like to see you try!" said Shadow.
"First I am going to finish off the smart brat!" said Chibisha. Suddenly her Glaive came to her open hand. She stabbed Ami through the stomach.
"No!" cried Shadow as he rushed to Ami. Ami was transforming, yet again. She was wearing a long blue princess dress like Kakyuu's. Her long hair was down and spread out all around her. Shadow lifted Infinity's head onto his lap. As he did so, he transformed, but no one noticed, least of all him. "Oh, my Infinity, my princess, how could I let them do this too you?"
"Do what?" she whispered weakly. She looked down at her stomach. "I'm bleeding." Prince Shadow looked around. The house had transformed, they were in the shadow dimension. Unlimited darkness and shadows penetrated every crack and corner.
"There's no phone to call an ambulance this time, my sweet," he whispered. He hugged Infinity, as if hugging her would keep her alive. "Is there anything I can do?" Tears flowed freely down his face.
"Don't cry, my prince, never ever cry," said Infinity, though she was crying too.
"Why you little bitch!" cried Eternal Sailor Destiny. "Drop dead and rot! Purple Illumination!"
Chibisha was not expecting an attack of such proportions. She was thrown back into the wall, but had time to cover Eternal Sailor Destiny in black shadows. Destiny screamed. Chibisha laughed as she slumped to the floor and lay still. Half a moment later Destiny joined her in death.
A battle ensued, fiercer than any ever fought, fiercer than any that would be fought. All the Senshi had a sudden realization-they might not come out of this alive.
A Shadow Millennium? Nah, Couldn't be...
The sun rose again over Tokyo, again bringing sadness. Mamoru and Ami were missing. The girls were having a meeting at the temple.
Rei was the first there, of course. Then came Makoto, Chibiusa, and Haruka wheeling Michiru in her wheelchair. Luna and Diana showed up followed by Minako and Artemis, about five minutes later.
"Okay, guys," said Minako, "I now call this meeting to order!" None of them were talking, so it didn't really matter anyhow. "Okay, I went to the hospital this morning and a found a note that Ami wrote before-before-before she died."
"We don't know that she's died! If she had died, there would be a body!" said Makoto. Minako's eyes brimmed with tears, but she talked on.
"Something really weird is happening. Let me read you the note.
"Long ago, the Six Princesses of Love ruled the galaxy. Eternity, Tranquillity, Infinity, Destiny, Serendipity, and Kakyuu. In this writing I shall chronicle them all, for my time is near to die.
"Destiny: She was tall with long purple hair. She loved reading, but mostly being alone in her temple. She holds the secondary color Purple.
"Infinity: Silver blue hair. Doesn't have a super high IQ or anything but is fairly intelligent. She loves reading and writing and being with her prince. She is perhaps the most powerful, except for maybe Eternity and Kakyuu, her sisters.
"Tranquility: Madly in love with Princes Shinja. Loves music, but can't sing or play a note. She holds the secondary color green.
"Eternity: Blonde-white hair and is fun to be around. A little clumsy at times. She likes almost everyone. She, along with Infinity and Kakyuu, are probably the most powerful. They are sisters. They all hold primary colors with them.
"Serendipity: Short with brown hair. She loves sports and cooking. She loves flowers, too. She holds a secondary color, pink.
"Kakyuu: She has long red hair and is very pretty. She is Eternity and Infinity's sister. Together they are the most powerful. They each hold half the Color Crystal, but can only us the halves are put together.
"Shinja: Tall and tough. Is only sensitive around Tranquillity. Holds the secondary color orange.
"Shadow: Holds bla-
"Can no longer write. Sorry. Ami."
They were all silent.
"We've got to find these princesses," whispered Rei.
"How do we know that they are even on earth?" asked Haruka.
"We don't," said Makoto looking discouraged. There was a knock on the temple door.
"Who's there?" said Rei. There was no answer. Rei flung the doors open and there stood the Shadow Army. At least one-hundred shadows stood there.
"Hello, we've come to take the temple," said the leader brightly. The Scouts gasped.
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Moon Power!"
"Make UP!"
There stood Super Sailor Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, and Codename V (I like Sailor better than Sailor Venus, so there! ;P).
"We are the champions of love and justice! Mars Flame Sniper!" said Mars. Chibiusa quickly made herself useful by wheeling Michiru into the temple.
"I am Super Sailor Jupiter! You are gonna regret trying to storm this temple! Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Codename V! In the name of our solar system, you are going to get whipped! V Crescent Beam!"
"Super Sailor Uranus is my name, and getting rid of evil like you is my game! Uranus World Shaking!"
"Its not working!" cried V. The shadows just split into smaller ones. "We need more power!"
"Sailor Star Fighter!"
"Sailor Star Maker!"
"Sailor Star Healer!"
"Sailor Starlights, stage on!"
"What?" said V.
"It looked like you needed help!" said one. They began attacking the shadows. The shadows seemed to recede a little, but it was not good enough.
"Thanks!" said Jupiter as Star Fighter got a shadow off her back.
"No problem!"
"You Earth Scouts are okay," said Star Maker as V kicked a shadow off her back. Even with their amazing teamwork, the shadows out numbered them and weren't retreating.
"I'll help!" said Chibiusa running out from where she had stashed Michiru. "Moon Cosmic Dream Action, Make up!" Nothing happened, she had no crystal. She looked around hopelessly. The she remembered, while she had been sick, that mama had given her a new crystal. "Sun Power, Make UP!" cried Chibiusa, not really knowing why. She took a deep breath and hoped that it worked.
She was truly beautiful in her new fuku. She was in super form, and she was yellow and silver. Her hair turned white-yellow. She blinked and her eyes turned silver, too. On her tiara was a small sun that matched the one on her brooch.
"I am Super Sailor Sun! I am the ultimate champion of our galaxy! If my mother Cosmos was here, she'd get you, but you are going to have to settle for me!" said Sun. "Sparkling Solar FLARE!" About a third of the shadow army was wiped out by the blinding light.
"We'll be back, Sun! You'll pay!" said the leader grabbing Mars, who was nearest to him.
"Stop!" shouted Jupiter running after her, but Sun held her back.
"They'll just get you too. Don't worry, we'll get her back," said Sun. She fell back a few steps and fell to the ground and detransformed.
Her hand turned back to pink and her eyes turned back to red. She drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
"Saturn gone, Pluto gone, Moon gone, Mercury gone, Tuxedo Kamen gone, Mars gone, who will be next?" cried Jupiter to the sky.
"We must not brake under the strain! We can stay strong!" said Uranus. Michiru slowly wheeled out of where she had hidden.
"We have got to find those princesses!" said Michiru. She looked at the Starlights. "Who are you?"
"Sailor Star Fighter," said the one with the black hair.
"Sailor Star Maker," said the one with brown hair.
"Sailor Star Healer," said the one with the white hair. They jumped up into the air and were gone.
"Weird..." said V and she detransformed. The others did also. "Let's continue our meeting inside." The others followed her in, Makoto carried Chibiusa.
"I have had enough," said Haruka. "I'm leaving."
"All right," said Minako. This wasn't exactly unusual; the outers never had much to do with the inners. The Senshi bid their good-byes and the two remaining outers left.
"This makes no sense," said Artemis.
"What Chibiusa did today, it was amazing," said Makoto.
"I never thought she could have such amazing powers. But Sailor Sun? Sailor Cosmos? What was she talking about!?" said Minako.
"We can ask her when she wakes up," said Luna.
"And who are the Starlights? There are other Senshi?" asked Minako.
"It appears to be so," said Artemis.
"And poor Rei! She's gone!" said Makoto.
"We don't have enough power to get her back. Three Senshi just doesn't cut it," said Minako.
"What about the Starlights?" asked Diana.
"I'm not sure if they are even our friends," said Minako. Makoto nodded.
"And, if indeed they are friends, why are they on earth?" said Makoto.
"Maybe if we find these princesses, we'll find out answers," said Minako.
"Yeah, but to do that, we have to stay alive. Minako, I think we should lay low for a few days. We can both stay at my house. Tell your parents its some sort of school trip," said Makoto.
"Thats all we can do. I wish Sailor Moon were here," said Minako.
"So do I," said Makoto, "So do I."
"Master," said the leader of the shadow army as he bowed to Shade. "I have brought you one of these sailor soldiers." Two shadows walked in carrying the struggling Rei between them. She stopped when she saw Usagi Shade.
"Put her in with Princess Infinity, there is an extra bed in that room," said Shade. "Though I seriously doubt that she will live long enough to use it."
"Usagi! Please! You've got to remember me!" cried Rei. "We were best friends! We went shopping and gossiped and fought over Mamoru!"
"I am not Usagi," said Shade. Rei looked her up and down angrily and spat on her feet.
"You don't deserve the name 'Usagi', witch," said Rei.
"Put her with Princess Infinity, and make sure you lock the door," said Shade. Inside she was screaming 'Rei! Please! I can't help this! Something bad is happening!' but in your head, no one can hear you scream.
The guards roughly dragged Rei down the hall and shoved her into Ami/Infinity's room. Ami lay on the bed, half asleep, still covered in ribbons. Her hair had grown long and was styled similar to Kakyuu's, except in two thick braids. She opened her eyes and looked at Rei.
"Rei?" she said with a small yawn.
"Ami? You're still alive?" cried Rei. She rushed to her friend's side as tears of joy over flowed down her face.
"Why wouldn't I be?" said Ami. She pulled some of her covers up around her; even if Rei was one of her closest friends, she didn't feel great about being in nothing by transparent ribbons. Rei didn't seem to notice.
"We found you at your apartment half dead. We brought you to the hospital and you disappeared," said Rei. "Remember? You left the weird note?"
"Note?" Ami said questioningly, "What did it say?"
"It said all this stuff about these princesses of the galaxy. Then there were these two princes. I think they may have lived during the Shadow Millennium," said Rei. Did you ever wake up someplace strange and forget where you are and what had been happening? Then the memory washes over you like a wave. This is what happened to Ami.
"You're right, I did write that note, but I can't remember what I had in my head. I know nothing about the Shadow Millennium. Or at least, I don't think I do," said Ami.
"Usag-Shade, she called you Princess Infinity. That was one of the princesses on the note. Thats why your hair is long and you're covered in ribbons! You're body is so confused about who you are that when they took your crystal and you detransformed it didn't know what to do and you are left with ribbons!" cried Rei. "This explains everything!"
"I am not a princess!" said Ami. "Well, except of Mercury."
"Even if you're not, Shade thinks otherwise, that's why you're still alive," said Rei.
"I don't remember being a princess," said Ami, "There must be some mistake. I mean, I remember the Moon Kingdom, but nothing before that."
"Something is terribly wrong, we've got to warn the others!" said Rei.
"If only it were that simple," said Ami, "If only it were that simple."
"Think those scouts know anything?" asked Seiya. He, Taiki, and Yaten were sitting in café drinking cappuccinos.
"Doubt it. They didn't seem to know more than we did," said Taiki.
"We will find our princess," said Yaten, "There is a reason she came here, though we don't know what, yet, there has got to be a reason."
"The one with green hair spoke of princesses. Do you think, perhaps, she speaks of ours?" asked Taiki.
"No, they said princesses, we are only looking for one," said Seiya.
"Gee, and I thought things would clear up when we got to earth," said Yaten.
"Don't worry, we've only been in Tokyo two days, we've got plenty of time," said Seiya.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Yaten taking one last sip of his drink.
"Come on, it's ten, we should be having rehearsal for the concert this afternoon," said Seiya.
"Lets go," said Yaten. They walked out of the restaurant, leaving many young girls with turned heads.
"Michiru, what are we going to do? There are only five Senshi left. Count 'em, one, two, three, four, and five!" said Haruka. She and Michiru were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. Michiru was home from the hospital, her leg still hurt a little, but it was mainly healed.
"I don't know. We have all of the pieces to the puzzle, if only they would fit together," said Michiru.
"Three strange Senshi, a missing six princesses, two princes, a shadow army. Hmmmm," said Haruka.
"If only we were all together again. Pluto would know. I know that she would," said Michiru. Haruka sighed.
"She's not here and we have to cope," said Haruka.
"If only we had something to take out minds off of all of this," said Michiru. Haruka brightened up a shade.
"I bought you some concert tickets! It's not the stuff you listen to, more my thing, but it's a new band and the tickets came cheap and they're playing this afternoon," said Haruka.
"Who is it, Haru-chan?" asked Michiru.
"They're called 'The Three Lights'."
"Rei, I just thought of something," said Ami worriedly.
"What?" asked Rei.
"They are only keeping me alive because they think that I am a princess. They will not keep you alive for very long," said Ami. Rei's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Rei, I didn't mean it like that."
"No, no it's the truth, Shade said something about it," said Rei, "But I refuse to die without a fight!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll think of something."
"I kind of feel bad for them, master," said Shadow. They were watching Ami and Rei, through the wall, using their dark powers.
"Why?" asked Murk. Shadow didn't notice the evil glare on his face.
"Well, you'll be going in to kill Mars any minute and she seems to be Ami's friend," said Shadow.
"So?" said Murk. "And its Infinity."
"Ithinkmaybeyoushouldn'tkillher," Shadow blurted out.
"You aren't growing soft on me, are you Shadow?" Murk fished around in his pocket and came up with a black ring. "This, Shadow, is something I thought I'd never have to do, but you are growing soft, so I see I must." He roughly shoved the ring onto Shadow's finger before he could even react. Shadow bent over in a coughing fit, as though he had just breathed in poison gas, but as he lifted his head his eyes glowed evilly.
"You are right, master, I am a fool at times. Forgive me. Shall I kill her now?" asked Shadow with a grin.
"No, this one's mine. She's a feisty one. It'll be fun to watch her squirm," said Murk.
"Fine, but the next one's mine," said Shadow.
"Infinity's still free; I have her crystal, so you can kill her. It isn't any good without Kakyuu and Eternity, any how," said Murk.
"Nah. She's got a great bod and she's smart unlike most of the idiots on this planet. Then again, Rei's looks beat Ami's, but is she as smart?" said Shadow, scratching his head.
"You think that she should be allowed to live? Give the word, Shadow, and it shall be done," said Murk. "You still have not chosen a lady to help you rule this planet when I am through with it."
"I still stand by Ami, she is obviously one of the smartest people on in this dumb world. It is good to have intelligence equal to my own," said Shadow.
"Infinity, my boy, her name is Infinity. Though I daresay it would be proper to give her a new name. Black Lady was taken by Chibiusa, that was one of my favorites. Chibiusa had such promise. Oh well, Nemesis is not our planet and we cannot have them working against us, too," said Murk.
"How about Dark Lady?" said Shadow. "Or it could be Shadow Lady, or Shadow's Lady, because she will be all mine."
"I have no doubt in you my boy, none at all," said Murk as he slapped Shadow on the back.
"Why would you, Master?" Shadow said. As an afterthought, he added, "And her name shall be Shadow's Lady, because she will be all mine, I guarantee that."
"These croissants a great!" said Chibiusa shoving about three in her mouth. Makoto and Minako smiled.
"Glad you like 'em," smiled Makoto. Chibiusa finished the croissants and licked her fingers.
"Now, Usa, could you tell me what you were talking about this morning?" asked Minako.
"Hmm...well, first I was talking about Mamo and then I was thinking about Elios so I started to talk about him too. And then there's this boy in my art class, he is soooo dreamy!" said Chibiusa.
"I think she means what you talked about when you were Sun," said Makoto with a smile.
"Sun...Sun...Sun," mumbled Chibiusa. Her face scrunched up as she thought. "Oh yes, that! Well, it was kind of weird. I remember when I was talking I knew exactly what I meant, but now I haven't the slightest."
"You've got to try and remember, Usa! There is a reason this has all happened! You growing up, Usagi turning evil, Ami disappearing, the Sailor Starlights. Ami tried to tell us about it! We've got to crack the code, we're the only people left!" said Minako. Diana meowed, as if to whine.
"There are the cats, too," said Makoto with a smile.
"Okay, what have we got?" said Minako. They began talking over the various clues and components in the mystery. Everyone except for Luna. She was deep in thought. She almost had it, almost, but not quite and if some one didn't figure it out soon, all would be lost.
"The Three Lights, it sounds so beautiful," said Michiru. "What kind of music will they be playing? Mozart? Beatoven? Bach?" Anime sweat drop from Haruka.
"Their own," said Haruka.
"Oh? What do they play? Violin? Clarinet? Flute?"
"Guitar, drums, I dunno."
"Oh! Its a rock band!" Michiru laughed at her own stupidity. "Sorry, Haru-chan," she said ruffling her hair.
"Its okay," Haruka said as she glanced at her watch. "Hmmm....concert's at two. That gives us three and a half hours to figure out what's going on and we can beat the evil by dinner time."
"If only it were that simple, Haru, if only it were that simple."
Shadow strode confidently into Rei and Ami's room. Ami gave a little gasp of surprise from where she sat on her bed, Rei just sat, stony faced, on her bed.
Shadow immediately sat down next to Ami. He put his arm around her and began to kiss her. She might not have pulled away even if Shadow hadn't been pressing her body into his with her hand; Shadow may have been bad at some things (like picking whether he was evil or not) but boy, could he kiss.
As soon as Shadow had Ami distracted, Murk came in for Rei. This time it was Rei's turn to let out a gasp. Mamoru was evil?? 'It can't really be Mamo. He's not evil. Not him too!'
"Mamo doesn't exist any longer, Rei. He's gone. Don't plan on seeing him again. Or any one else, for that matter. Take a good look around, this is the last place you're ever going to see," said Murk.
"Oh is it? Mars Crystal Power! Make UP!" shouted Rei. "I am Super Sailor Mars! How dare you do this to me and my friend! Mars Flame Sniper!"
Murk laughed and sucked up all of the fire with his hand. "Can't you do any better?"
"Like hell I can!" shouted Mars. An amazing thing happened. A bow and arrow seemingly made out of fire appeared in front of Mars. "Mars Eternal Make UP!" After a long and lovely transformation, there stood Eternal Sailor Mars, complete with delicate wings. "You were saying?" she said pointing the arrow at Murk. He just laughed.
"You still think you can hurt me?" said Murk.
"I wouldn't waste my time!" said Mars. She shot a hole in the wall with her arrow. "Let's go Ami," she said, but it was too late. The kisses from Shadow had made Ami totally his; there was nothing any one could do now. Tears clouded over Mars's eyes and she jumped out of the building, hovering gracefully about six inches above the ground. "I'll get you Murk! Shadow too! And I'll get Shade and Chibisha! Its one thing for you to be evil, but to spread it to innocent people, why have you done this!?"
As Eternal Sailor Mars disappeared into the distance, Murk chuckled. "Feisty one, eh?"
"Yes, master," said Shadow with a smile.
"What do you propose we now?" asked Murk. "Well, you can take care of the girl," he answered himself as he walked out. Shadow shrugged and stood.
"Follow me," said Shadow. Ami responded with a vacant look, a look so honest and trusting and-well-vacant it could have made you cry to look at it. She stood and followed her once beloved out of the room.
Eternal Sailor Mars rushed in on Minako, Makoto, and Small Lady.
"Mars?" cried Minako.
"Eternal Sailor Mars!" exclaimed Makoto. Eternal Sailor Mars nodded.
"What the he-what happened?" asked Minako.
"I really don't have time to explain. They've got-they've got Ami under their power. They think that she is a princess or something from the Shadow Millennium. Infinity, that's it. Look guys, we've got to find out what's going on and quick! Who knows what they'll do to Ami!" said Eternal Sailor Mars.
"Right, but where do we start?" said Makoto.
"I don't know, I don't know!" said Eternal Sailor Mars shaking her head. "You have got to go see the other scouts, Uranus and Neptune. I am going to try and see what I can do about Ami." The others nodded.
"Lets get going!" said Minako.
"Right," every one said, including the cats. They all rushed as fast as they could to the outer scout's house, or in the case of Mars find Ami, but could they make it in time?
"Its getting closer to lunch, and we are no closer to even denting the mystery," said Haruka sighing.
"We'll do it, I know we can!" said Michiru. Suddenly three hot sweaty people and three hot sweaty cats burst in.
"What the-"
"No time, Haruka. We have GOT to figure this out!" said Minako.
"Fine, but we're going to a concert this afternoon, so you can't stay long," said Haruka. Michiru nodded.
"Okay!" said Makoto taking a seat, "What have we got?"
They began to talk over everything; from Pluto's disappearance to Ami's. Suddenly Luna's voice broke through the din.
"Haruka, what are you seeing this afternoon?" asked Luna. The Senshi looked at her funny. Anime sweat drops came to all of them.
"What does that have to do with?" asked Haruka suspiciously.
"The Three Lights," said Michiru at the same time.
"Thats it! Are they a new band? How long have they been around?" asked Luna, getting very excited.
"They're very new, I just heard of them yesterday. Why?" asked Haruka.
"Starlights, Three Lights?"
"Hmmm...Ami...what to give you to wear," mumbled Shadow, looking Ami up and down critically.
Ami stood there, vacant. She was in a trance, she would do whatever Shadow desired.
"How about this?" Shadow snapped his fingers, and Ami was wearing a long black dress with long sleeves. "Blech! What say we try something else!?" He snapped his fingers and Ami was wearing a short semi-transparent dress. Underneath you could see a black bikini like getup (think Amazon Quartet). "Wonderful! Now to take you out of this trance!" He clapped his hands in front of Ami and she awoke with a jolt.
"Where am I?" she asked sleepily.
"Your friends abandoned you! They left you in the hospital all alone last night and you would have died if it hadn't been for me!" said Shadow.
"That's not what happened!" said Ami. Shadow sighed. Ami was to smart. He was going to have to rewrite her memory. Again.
"Last night every one was over your house and Eternity-I mean-er Minako stabbed you! Mamoru, me, Usagi, and Hotaru came to your rescue and we brought you here, with us." Ami still didn't believe.
"But Usagi and Hotaru are bad," she said.
"No, its every one else that's bad, my Ami," said Shadow. Unfortunately for Ami, Shadow had the power to manipulate people's minds.
"Your right! I should have seen it before!" cried Ami. She fell into his arms. Shadow had to keep himself from grinning; she was so pathetic and helpless.
"Its okay, don't worry, I'm here and I'm not going to let them get you!" said Shadow, stroking Ami's back. He gazed at her. "Ami, let down you're hair, it's so long and beautiful." His fingers ran up her back and to her hair. As he undid it, it fell down by her feet. Shadow smiled. So did Ami, for a moment, then she rested her head on Shadow's chest.
"Oh, Kumori, I'm so scared!" said Ami sobbing into his dark shirt.
"Why, baby? I'm here and nothing's going to happen, I promise!" said Shadow. 'Boy, this being the great boyfriend is too easy. Hehe, these humans, they are so blinded by love. I would never ever be stupid enough to love any one or anybody.'
Ami turned her head up to look at Shadow. "Do you love me?"
Shadow's stomach did a flip-flop. He did love Ami, or now Infinity, and he knew it, even when he was lying to himself. He loved her more than anything, but to admit it, and open himself up, he wasn't sure if he was strong enough. He had rejected love when he chose to serve under Shade. Deep down he knew Shade was wrong, that he was wrong, but to admit it, and openly love some one-
"Kumori?" Shadow gazed into Ami's eyes and leaned over and kissed her. He pulled back and whispered,
"We are playing a game, Ami, a game with darkness and shadows," whispered Shadow. "And in this game, there is a girl and a boy. The girl is very, very good, and the boy, on the contrary, dark and evil. The boy and girl are you and me, Ami, and it is against the rules to love."
"But I-" began Ami. 'Something is wrong, this is so confusing. I don't get it, Kumori!'
"Shadow-I mean, Kumori!" called a voice.
"Thats-er-Usagi, lets go see her!" said Shadow.
'She called him-called him Shadow. Something is wrong!' thought Ami. Aloud she said, "Kumori, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing at all!" said Shadow. "Why don't we go see Usagi?" Ami nodded. Whatever Shadow said, Ami believed, had to believe. Not just because he had amazing powers, but because in a world of shadows and confusion, you've got to have some one to cling to.
"Luna, you might be onto something!" said Artemis.
"Haruka, do you have any extra tickets?" asked Makoto.
"We've got to get into this concert!" said Minako.
"Um...lemme see...one sec," said Haruka. She walked to the phone and dialed a string of numbers. "Yeah.....hi....I need some concert tickets......no I don't want to see Fiery Sushi....I'm looking for a band called the Three Lights......Three tickets left?......Third row center?" Haruka took out a credit card and read off a string of numbers. "Okay....thanks....bye."
"So we got the tickets?" asked Minako excitedly. Haruka nodded.
"Damn good ones, at that."
"How much money do we own you?" asked Makoto as she reached into her pocket. Haruka shook her head.
"Nothing."
"Thanks!" said Makoto and Minako at the same time.
Chibiusa's stomach let out a loud rumble. "Whoops," she laughed. The others smiled at her. "I'm hungry. Can I have something to eat?" She looked to Michiru and Haruka.
"Sure, I was just about to make lunch anyway," said Michiru smiling. Makoto jumped up.
"I'll help!" Minako laughed.
"I'd help if I thought I'd do any good," said Minako.
"Its okay," said Michiru. She went to the cupboards and started pulling stuff out. Makoto went to the fridge.
"There's no milk!" said Makoto.
"That I can do!" said Minako. "Me and Usa will go to the store!"
"I'll drive you," said Haruka.
"Bye!"
Michiru and Makoto worked in silence. They were preparing a lavish feast when Eternal Sailor Mars barged in, bleeding from all over.
"Eternal Sailor Mars!" cried Makoto. Eternal Sailor Mars crumpled into a chair.
"What happened!?" cried Michiru.
"They've, they've got Ami on their side. They've got part of the Primary Crystal and the Moon and Mercury crystal. Eternity and Kakyuu are next. Help Minako. Keep her away. And above all keep-keep-"
"Keep what?" said Makoto, crying, but it was too late, Eternal Sailor Mars was far away, another time, another place.
"Destiny! Destiny!" came a voice. It sounded very similar to Ami's.
"What?" said Destiny.
"It's so good to have you here! I've missed you! I'm glad you're awake!" said the voice. A figure appeared next to Destiny. Suddenly they were in a throne room with eight magnificent thrones. On a throne with red jewels and cushions sat a tall girl with long red hair. Next to Destiny stood a tall girl with blue braids. She suddenly realized where she was.
"The thrown room of Ai!" she exclaimed. Infinity, the one with the blue hair, smiled warmly and threw her arms around Destiny.
"You didn't remember Ai?" exclaimed the one in the red. Destiny shook her head.
"I do now, but why are we here, Kakyuu?" asked Destiny.
"We are being reawakened! Queen Serenity has sent for us from the past to help the future! She says that without us there is no hope!" said Kakyuu.
"The crystal from the far past shall meet with the crystal from the far future accompanied by the present shall over come all," said Destiny, remembering a prophecy from the temple of Ai.
Infinity nodded. "The others aren't here yet, they haven't been awaked. Ami was, but now Shadow has been called to his master and with him goes me. I will not be here for long, another ten minutes maybe."
"Why?" asked Destiny.
"He has my future self under his power, he always was so sure of himself. He was very powerful, I can't believe that he-that he-" Infinity started to cry.
"Come, come, sister, the higher shadow has him, higher than Shade even. He can be made to be pure once more."
"I know, I know, but it kills me to see him like this," said Infinity. Destiny patted her on the back and gave her a comforting hug.
"Its going to be all right, its got to be."
It was too late for Infinity, Ami was lost in a world of shadow and darkness.
"Oh Ku-chan," whispered Ami as Shadow led her into the dining room.
"What?" asked Shadow, a little frustrated.
"It's all so confusing-I just, I just don't understand!" she said. Shadow patted her head.
"Its okay," he whispered. "Now shush!" They had reached the dining room. Chair's were overturned, blood stained the floor. Eternal Sailor Mars stood in the corner, a bloody heap.
"Ami! Ami, tell them to stop!" cried Eternal Sailor Mars, but shadows blocked Ami's senses. All she heard was "I'll get you, you little traitor!"
"I am not a traitor!" Ami cried.
"I know you aren't, please help me!" cried Mars, coughing up blood. Ami heard, "You did this to me, I will get you, and Kumori, too!"
"No you won't! You will never beat us! You are evil, Ku-chan said so!" cried Ami.
"Oh really?" snarled Mars, these being her real words. She rose slowly and painfully and walked slowly out. She turned when she got to the door. "Nice outfit, slut." She stalked out.
"We've got to help her!" cried Ami as she rushed after her.
"I think not!" said Murk as he, Shade, and Chibisha stepped in front of her.
"But-" began Ami.
"He's right, Ami. They are evil. Did you here what she said?" said Shadow. Ami nodded.
"I suppose that you're right, but still, she was my friend," said Ami. Tears hovered over her eyes. She was alone, forgotten, surrounded by shadows of people she once new and loved. 'I'm so scared.'
"Its okay, baby," Shadow said. He rapped a protective arm around her, as if to protect her from the shadow family. "Lets eat lunch, I'm sure you'll feel a lot better." Ami nodded and they all sat around the table. Ami ate tentatively as the others talked.
"As soon as we are finished with this planet, it will be under your control, Shadow," said Murk. "The plans have been finalized with Master."
"What?!" exclaimed Ami, food practically flying out of her mouth. Chibisha laughed.
"Great manners, Ami-chan," she said in a mocking voice. Shadow slapped her across the face.
"Don't you ever ever ever talk to Ami like that! You hear?" She nodded. Shadow pulled Ami closer to him, again trying to protect her from this madness. "Someday she shall be queen of this planet, Queen! I should not like you to have to answer to her if you chose to stay here!"
"You wanna make something of it?" snarled Chibisha. She stood and dark sparks bled out of her fingers.
"Yeah, you are not going to treat Ami that way!" said Shadow pushing Ami away and standing. Shadows bled out from him all over, like he was a human smoke machine.
"Death Shadow Choke!" cried Chibisha. A dark cloud was shot at Shadow, but it fortunately missed.
"Nice try, brat!" laughed Shadow. "Full Shadow Come DOWN!" Chibisha fell to the ground, but arose, eyes glowing.
"Dark Shade Evermore Death!" yelled Chibisha. Ami knew that this one would hit Shadow if she did not stop it. She charged between them and was hit with the full blast of two attacks-Shadow had counter attacked.
"Princesses of Love, help me now! Eternity, Destiny, Tranquillity, Serendipity and Kakyuu! Prince Shinja! Travelers from afar, Starlights! From the far future I call you, Cosmos and Sun!" She shook violently and fell to the ground. Suddenly about a dozen people appeared around her. All of the afore mentioned, except Cosmos. All were in civilian form.
"Yellow Crystal Power!" Formerly know as Sailor V, Super Sailor Eternity was tall with hair like Kakyuu's and Infinity, only twisted rather than ponytails or braids.
"Eternal Purple! Make UP!" The lovely Eternal Sailor Mars, now Eternal Sailor Destiny, with long light purple hair down to her feet and purple fuku like Kakyuu's.
"Green Crystal Power!" The guardian of the sea, Neptune, became Super Sailor Tranquillity. Long wavy green hair like the sea itself, and matching lovely fuku.
"Pink Crystal Power!" Super Sailor Jupiter with shorter curly pink hair in a ponytail, of course, is known as Super Sailor Serendipity. She was lovely in her light pink fuku.
"Orange Knight Power!" Super Sailor Uranus became Orange Knight, in a deep orange tuxedo.
"Maker Power, Make UP!"
"Healer Power, Make UP!"
"Fighter Power, Make UP!"
"We are the Sailor Scouts of the past and present! In the name of love and justice throughout time and space, we shall punish you, Shade, Murk, Chibisha, and Shadow!" said Super Sailor Eternity.
"I'd like to see you try!" said Shadow.
"First I am going to finish off the smart brat!" said Chibisha. Suddenly her Glaive came to her open hand. She stabbed Ami through the stomach.
"No!" cried Shadow as he rushed to Ami. Ami was transforming, yet again. She was wearing a long blue princess dress like Kakyuu's. Her long hair was down and spread out all around her. Shadow lifted Infinity's head onto his lap. As he did so, he transformed, but no one noticed, least of all him. "Oh, my Infinity, my princess, how could I let them do this too you?"
"Do what?" she whispered weakly. She looked down at her stomach. "I'm bleeding." Prince Shadow looked around. The house had transformed, they were in the shadow dimension. Unlimited darkness and shadows penetrated every crack and corner.
"There's no phone to call an ambulance this time, my sweet," he whispered. He hugged Infinity, as if hugging her would keep her alive. "Is there anything I can do?" Tears flowed freely down his face.
"Don't cry, my prince, never ever cry," said Infinity, though she was crying too.
"Why you little bitch!" cried Eternal Sailor Destiny. "Drop dead and rot! Purple Illumination!"
Chibisha was not expecting an attack of such proportions. She was thrown back into the wall, but had time to cover Eternal Sailor Destiny in black shadows. Destiny screamed. Chibisha laughed as she slumped to the floor and lay still. Half a moment later Destiny joined her in death.
A battle ensued, fiercer than any ever fought, fiercer than any that would be fought. All the Senshi had a sudden realization-they might not come out of this alive.
