Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Hotaru looked over at her daughter, sleeping soundly. But she was uneasy. Every since the twins had been attacked, everyone was tense. Rini was better and Daisy was too but the twins were in the prime of the pain. Hotaru looked at the clock and bit her tongue.

"Anthony!"

Her husband ran in. "You're late, Hotaru."

She nodded. Their scout meeting had begun two minutes ago. She raced out the door, calling,

"Watch Madelyn."

Her chest was heaving. She was still not athletic and before she had even gotten to the doorway of the meeting hall, sweat was pouring down her face and her chest was heaving as she gasped in air. She pulled the door open.

Everyone else was already there. Her face burned deep red and she sat down.

Serenity smiled at her youngest friend and passed her a glass of water. Hotaru nodded her thanks and drank.

Raye smiled. "I never knew a time someone could be late and it wouldn't be Serenity."

Hotaru flushed and lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, ever since Faith and Hope were attacked I've been worried about Madelyn. That enemy said Madelyn was next."

Haruka put a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. "We're all worried, Hotaru. We will find this enemy and stomp them to dust."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Amy spoke out,

"But do we know what they want?"

Lita stood up, "Daisy told me that after they extracted her senshi crystal they called her the Senshi of Protection and said they wanted the Senshi of Loyalty."

"The Senshi of Loyalty?" Serenity asked.

Lita nodded. Before anyone said anything else, Amy had removed her mini computer and was typing.

"We need to eliminate who isn't the senshi of Loyalty. Okay, Serenity, Rini was first and obviously wasn't the Senshi of loyalty."

Serenity nodded. "The youma called her the Senshi of Forgiveness."

Amy nodded and wrote Rini's name down and beside it typed, Senshi of Forgiveness. She then typed Daisy's name and put beside it Senshi of Protection.

Haruka spoke out then,

"Faith's Senshi of Strength and Hope's Senshi of Harmony."

Amy added both names as well as which Senshi. When she finished, she said,

"So that leaves, Annika, Gloria, Maggie, Ariel, and Madelyn."

Mina spoke her feelings aloud, "But either one could be the Senshi of Loyalty." She saw the others' faces and snarled. "I know Gloria can be annoying and a brat but she is just as likely no matter what you think."

Mirchiru held up her hands, "Peace Mina. We know. But I think we're all hoping that it isn't ours."

Mina relaxed, "I know."

"So what do we do?" Hotaru asked. Setsuna answered,

"Watch over our daughters as best we can. I cannot guide in this battle. The time lines never predicted this."

The adults nodded. Then they each ventured back to their chambers.

* * *

"Ms. Ella?"

Gloria looked around, there was only darkness but then she saw her home star, Venus. Ms. Ella appeared before her and caressed her hair.

"I'm watching you little one and so is your grandmother. Even though Queen Serenity perished during the Silver Millennium, the parents of your mother as well as the queens of the inner planets did not. The outers perished in the fighting. But your grandmother, Queen Alina is watching you. And when the time is right she will guide you."

She began to fade away.

"Ms. Ella! Wait! Wait!"

Then she woke up.

It was a change from the dreams of losing Annika but she still feared for her best friend. But she didn't know what to do. She did know that whatever happened, she would get Annika back.

* * *

Madelyn smiled at her best friend and she and Ariel took off across the park. Hotaru had agreed to take them, as it was their first day on summer vacation. They were pretty well behaved and were on the swing sets. They played a bit before Madelyn rushed over and asked,

"Mama? Can me and Ariel-"

"Ariel and I," Hotaru gently corrected.

Madelyn started again,

"Can Ariel and I go and buy some ice cream from the vendor? We have our allowances. Please?"

Madelyn had noted her parents getting very overprotective lately and she hated it. Her mother debated a bit but then said,

"All right but come right back."

"Oh we will, Mama."

That said she and her best friend took off for the far end of field.

Isolo watched and made her move.

As Madelyn trailed behind Ariel she grabbed her and pulled her behind some bushes. Before Madelyn could make a peep she tore her shirt open and dug her claws into her chest. She whispered, so not to be heard,

"Appear Senshi Crystal."

A diamond shaped crystal appeared and hummed a dark violet. Isolo hissed,

"So the Senshi of Greater Good."

"Leave her alone."

Isolo turned. Sailor Chibi Mercury was standing there, transformed. She had noted her friend gone and had heard a struggle. Now she was furious.

"Mercury Ice Glacier!"

Isolo dodged and dropped Madelyn. The girl fell limp. Ariel sprung at Isolo but then the youma vanished and before Ariel could react, she reappeared, tore open Ariel's shirt and again demanded her senshi crystal.

The pain was incredible for Ariel. So great that it knocked her unconscious. An aqua colored diamond appeared,

"The senshi of Strategy."

Before Isolo could do anything else, a blade was at her throat. She turned and saw an enraged Sailor Saturn. She didn't waste time and swiftly vanished.

Saturn immediately dismissed her blade and gathered both fallen girls in her arms. Aloud, she murmured,

"Three more to go."