Chapter 8

Sailor Uranus and Neptune weren't having much luck in finding the enemies that Serenity had warned them of. They felt as though they'd searched the four corners of the world, but in vain.

"There's no sign of anyone," sighed Michiru. "The seas are churning with an aggression that I've never felt before!"

"Yes," agreed Haruka, "The winds are strong, and I sense the evil that has polluted the Earth. My senses are confused though. I can't pinpoint the source. The evil ones seem to be everywhere at once."

"It is a problem. We don't even know what the enemy looks like."

Suddenly, something caught Michiru's eye. A shadow flitted across the ground, radiating with negative energy.

"There!" she gasped, pointing at the shadow. Haruka and Michiru hurried to catch up with the shadow, ready to put an end to it. The shadow continued running, and the two chased it for a long time.

"We can't tire ourselves like this," growled Haruka, "It'll just keep running. We need a plan."

"Should we separate?" asked Michiru.

"That's the best possible choice. I'll take the left; you take the right. Then, once your running to the side of it, we'll do a pincer movement!"

"Right! Let's go!" Michiru and Haruka both dashed off towards their chosen sides. Haruka found it easier to run this way, and she gradually began to catch up with the shadow. She noticed that the shadow had begun to slow down and then finally stopped.

Smirking, Haruka ran towards the shadow, planning to come in front of it. "Space Turbulence!!!" she yelled out. Her latest attack hit the shadow, and Haruka watched as it exploded. "That was too easy," mumbled Haruka quizzically.

"Ah, but you must never let your guard down," came a familiar voice, as a hand grasped Haruka's shoulder. Whirling around, Haruka gave a sigh of relief.

"Whew! Don't scare me like that, Michiru!"

"No worries, eh?" laughed Michiru.

The laugh sent a chill up and down Haruka's spine. Something wasn't right, but she couldn't lay a finger on it.

"Er...are you okay, Michiru?"

"Yes," replied Michiru, "And soon you will be too."

"Huh?!"

Haruka stepped back, away from her best friend. Sweat trickled down her surprised face.

"Isn't it beautiful?" sighed Michiru, glancing around. "This darkness? Light can compare nothing to its' beauty...or its' power!"

Haruka looked around nervously, now seeing the darkness that had surrounded them.

"Wh-what's going on?!" she exclaimed, backing away. "Michiru! Where am I?! What did you do?!"

"She did nothing," hissed a voice as two arms wrapped themselves tightly around Haruka. "This is the beautiful artwork of my sister and I!"

Haruka struggled against the oppressor, but she was held fast. The more she tried to get away, the more energy she could feel being drained from her body. "Let go of me!!"

"Do not struggle," hissed the voice. "You are no match for me!!!"

Haruka felt her eyesight blanking out on her. Soon, she was unable to do anymore, and she fell into the hands of Alsura and Vona.