The next day didn't bring much more joy for the Starlight, it seemed like bad news was just following him everywhere. Here he was in the park with Usagi, probably the same park she went to with Mamoru; just the thought of that made him not want to be here in the first place. He tried not to show any dislike, of course. He didn't want to upset her, though she didn't even seem to realize his feelings for her. He was between a rock and a hard place. To make things even worse, she went and asked him again why he was here on Earth. He couldn't just come out and tell her that the sole purpose of his visit was to see her; no. He couldn't do that, even if deep in his inner being that's all he wanted to do. He just sat there, unable to speak his true feelings, unable to share what he really felt. He seemed so alone, even though she still considered him a friend. Life was so unfair. His thoughts were interrupted with the sound of her voice.
"Oh, Seiya-kun, I don't mean to sound rude or anything. I know you have nothing to do with it."
He blinked at her oddly. "Do with what?"
"You don't know? I thought..." She shook her head. "It doesn't matter anyway. I told Haruka you had nothing to do with Rei's visions! But you know how she is with men, even though you're ... not really a man." Usagi paused for a moment and scratched her head. "Anyway!"
If Seiya wasn't confused before, he sure was now. "Eh, Odango, what are you talking about?"
"Oh, that's right, I didn't tell you!" She laughed. "Last night after I went out with Mamo-chan, Rei-chan contacted me. She said she's had an odd feeling the last few days and had a strange vision about some sort of force coming back. When Haruka found out that you were here, she instantly thought that you had something to do with it. I told her there is no way you could have. Nothing has been attacking the city or anything, so maybe Rei-chan just had a nightmare? She's usually not wrong though." Usagi sighed and looked down. "And here I was hoping that we would finally have a moment of peace. I guess peace will never last for long." She looked over at Seiya. "At least you're here now."
Seiya didn't know what to say. He could only smile. She thought of him as a friend; maybe he could accept that. At least if they couldn't be together, he could still love her from a distance. A beeping sound drew his attention away as Usagi pulled out a communicator.
"Monsters are attacking the downtown city..." The voice seemed to crackle a bit with static. From what he could hear, it was Ami Mizuno on the other line.
"What?!" Usagi exclaimed. She hadn't even felt anything, nor did Seiya. They both looked at each other in surprise.
"There seems.... to... be... two groups of them." Ami's voice came through slightly clearer but still broken up. "One group is near our school. The other, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru went to investigate. We don't know where they came from. Usagi, you'd better transform an--" Her voice suddenly cut off.
"Ami-chan!" Usagi smacked her hand against the communicator as if it would bring her friend back.
Seiya took the indicative and stood up, grabbing Usagi's arm as he did so. "Come on, we should hurry. Your friends probably need help."
"Right." She nodded to him. "Let's go."
Getting to the fight was the easy part. Once they got there, however, things seemed to be very strange. What they saw was Sailor Venus and Mars facing off against some cat-like creature, while Mercury and Jupiter attacked a human-like woman with purple wings. Sailor Star Fighter had never seen anything like them before. She stood in a fighting stance ready to protect Sailor Moon with her life if anything happened.
"Sailor Moon!" Jupiter yelled as Mercury and she ran over to the two. "Star Fighter.. ?!" she gasped, finally noticing the Starlight. "I didn't know you were here."
"Oh, hehe, that's right, we forgot to tell you." Sailor Moon laughed nervously. "You were in that cooking class when I told the others."
"I see how much everyone loves me." Jupiter shook her head.
Sailor Star Fighter glanced over at Mercury, who was looking at the two creatures through her visor and pressing buttons on her mini computer. "What are those things?" He looked up just in time to see Venus and Mars jump out of the way of an attack as the two monsters double-teamed them.
Jupiter ran forward, bringing her arms above her head. "Jupiter...." Green energy surrounded her body for the briefest of moments as she powered up her attack. "Oak Evolution!" She released her gathered energy, which struck both creatures and sent them backwards a few feet, but they wouldn't be down for good.
Mercury pressed a few buttons in her computer. "I'm not sure. They seem to be energy-based and our attacks aren't having much of an effect on them. I'm still calculating all the variables; maybe I will find some answer."
"Foolish humans. We will destroy you." The two creatures said in unison.
"Not if I have anything to do about it." Venus smirked and pointed a single finger their way. "Venus..."
Mars jumped forward and landed beside the blonde-girl. "Mars..."
"Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Flame Sniper!"
Both attacks joined together, flowing forward at great speed. They struck the cat-like creature with an enormous, force driving it back into the ground. Venus looked over at Sailor Moon and nodded to her in silent communication. The moon soldier knew exactly what this meant and pulled out her wand. "Silver Moon Crystal Power, Therapy Kiss!" The pink energy gathered at the end of her weapon before lashing out at both of the villains. The human one leapt out of the way leaving her partner there to get struck. The cat creature screamed in pain as its body just disintegrated into nothing. Sailor Moon paused as if she wasn't expecting that result. She looked at the others to see if they were okay.
"We still have one left." Mars said, glancing around to see where the winged female went off to.
"I guess our moment of peace is really over." Sailor Moon said with a sad tone. She really hated fighting. She hated all the pain it caused, all the suffering.
"Sailor Moon." Star Fighter stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. No matter how bad it gets, how many enemies appear, we'll always be there for you."
"That's right!" Venus exclaimed. "Now we just have to find that other one."
Mercury was still so involved with her computer that she only looked up, with a shocked expression plastered on her face, after something appeared on the screen. She spun around. "Venus behind you!"
Sailor Venus turned just in time to get blasted with a bolt of purple energy. She called out and collapsed on the ground. The others ran to her aid and Sailor Moon knelt down beside her. "Venus! Venus! Wake up!" She shook her but got no response. "No.... you can't leave me... no.... get up... please."
Sailor Star Fighter moved in front to block the creature from getting any closer as Sailor Moon tried desperately to wake up her friend. "Who are you working for?"
The winged creature looked at her with a sadistic smirk on her face. "Wouldn't you like to know? Unlike the other, I won't blow away with your pathetic power."
Star Fighter clenched her fists. This being was just as egotistical as Galaxia; maybe slightly worse. "Either tell us who you work for, or I will be forced to destroy you."
"Ha! Come on then." The woman's wings extended. "Attack me. Show the power that you'll use to destroy me."
Her eyes narrowed and the Sailor Star Yell appeared in her hands. "Star Serious Laser!" She called out. The blue energy formed in front of her gathering into a large ball. She was certain her attack would at least make a dent, or she hoped at least.
The creature brought her hands together sending a purple wave of energy at the ball. Both attacks seemed to clash together, neither gaining an advantage over the other. She laughed at the Starlight's attempt to overpower her. "So foolish you are. I will have fun destroying--" Her words were cut off when a band of yellow energy flew past Star Fighter, gathering with her own attack. Both energies seemed to meld together before completely engrossing the enemy's power, driving her back and striking her right in the chest. The energy grew brighter before ripping apart the winged creature's body, leaving nothing in its wake, save a few feathers.
"Wow, Fighter, you really showed her." Sailor Jupiter stepped up beside her.
"Yeah, your power really got stronger since you've been gone, what are they feeding you on Kinmoku?" Mars laughed.
"Ugh... did I miss the fight?" Venus' eyes fluttered open and she brought a hand to her now-throbbing head. Sailor Moon's eyes widened and she hugged her friend tightly. "Gah! Sailor Moon! You're choking me! I'm okay, really!"
"You missed Sailor Star Fighter here kick some serious butt." Jupiter smirked a bit. Had she really not seen the other attack that joined with Star Fighter's?
"It wasn't completely me." Fighter finally spoke up.
"What do you mean?" Mars questioned.
"I picked up another figure on my computer, but I couldn't identify it." Mercury glanced around as if looking for someone. "I'm not sure where it went either."
"Could someone else have been helping us?" Sailor Moon finally let go of Venus and stood up.
"I honestly don't know." Star Fighter narrowed her eyes as she caught sight of a shadowed figure on top of a building. The figure seemed to realize it was being watched and jumped over the side. "I'll be back." She turned to run off in that direction.
"Wait!" Sailor Moon called out. "Where are you going?"
Star Fighter looked back over her shoulder. "Don't worry; I just need to check something out." She winked at her before taking to a run again.
The figure seemed to stay close enough for Star Fighter to catch up, but still have enough distance that it couldn't be identified. Fighter wondered if the figure was mocking her. She had the feeling that she knew who it was, but couldn't quite place it. A crashing sound caused her to skid to a stop as she exited an alleyway. Her blue eyes scanned the area, but she couldn't see anything, not even the figure she was following. Another sound like something slamming against a wall made her head off to the left, she passed another alleyway, coming into a clearing to see Michiru, Sailor Neptune, lying on the ground. Sailor Uranus was standing not too far away, and Pluto and Saturn were behind her. Something strange lingered about Uranus. She seemed different, especially her eyes. They were dark, clouded even, and unusual even for her.
"Ha... ruka..." Neptune spoke, barely audible, her hand reaching forward slowly with all her effort.
"Neptune, be careful!" Star Fighter heard Pluto shout out.
".... die!" Uranus' voice echoed in a sinister way. She brought up her hand, aiming it towards the sky. "World Shaking!" Slamming her fist into the ground, her planetary energy sprung forth to send another attack at the fallen ocean soldier.
Star Fighter was about to move to do something, though she was still highly confused with what was going on and why Uranus was attacking her own people. Saturn beat her to the actions, however. Running in between the two, she swung her glaive around, positioning it in front of her body. "Silence wall!" The invisible band of energy surrounded the two just before the attack dissipated, dissolving away into nothing.
Sailor Pluto went running over to the group, but just as she did, Uranus spun around, pulling out her sword. "Space Sword Blaster!" The attack cut through the air, hitting the green-haired girl before she even had a chance to move.
"What's going on?" Fighter looked to Saturn, who seemed to be the only one still able to fight.
Saturn kept her gaze on Uranus, but glanced out of the corner of her eye at Fighter. "We were fighting various creatures not too far from here. We destroyed most of them, but one was able to break through and directly attacked Sailor Uranus. I'm not sure what happened, but I think it took over her body. We tried to reason with her, but it seems to be of no use. I may have no choice."
Before Fighter could ask what the girl meant by that, Saturn leapt into the air, her glaive raised above her head. "Silence Glaive Sur--" She didn't even have a chance to finish her attack. Uranus plowed into the soldier of death, sending her back to crash into the side of a building.
"Ha, only one left." She landed back on the ground, her eyes fixing on Star Fighter. She cracked the knuckles on both of her hands. "I will especially enjoy this."
Sailor Star Fighter narrowed her eyes. Of all the people on Earth she didn't really care for Haruka, Sailor Uranus, too much. The others were fine, but she had one too many clashes with this one for her liking. She took a step forward, and so did Uranus, but she came to a stop when a red rose struck the ground in front of her. They both looked to the side to see a man dressed in a tuxedo, standing upon a pole.
He stood there, tall and proud, holding onto the side of his cape with one hand. "I will not let you harm the innocent, I wi--" His words were cut short when Uranus swung her sword down again releasing a wave of energy his way. The force of the attack caused him to fall, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
"I always did hate those speeches. Now where were we?" Uranus glanced back at Star Fighter, a grin still plastered upon her lips.
The two ran towards each other, meeting with great speed and power. They fought hand to hand, each striking a blow here and there. Both seemed almost evenly matched at first, and then Uranus suddenly gained the upper hand. She dropped down low, swinging her legs around to knock the Starlight off her feet. The attack worked for a moment, but Fighter wasn't about to give up that easily and when the wind soldier ran towards her, she was able to quickly kick her away.
"You'll have to try better than that, Haruka."
"Oh, I will, I will." Another grin. "Space Turbulence!"
The power sliced through the air even before the words finished rolling out of her throat. Her strength was doubled and Fighter didn't have any chance to react. The attack didn't hit her dead on, but it was enough to blast her back and disorient her for a moment. She shook her head, trying to clear it. Her vision was fuzzy, and she barely made out Uranus' figure approaching her, but she felt it as the other soldier slammed her foot down on her midsection.
"Ready to die yet?"
"Never." Fighter spoke defiantly through gasping breaths.
"Suit yourself." Uranus grinned and raised her sword. She would end this now. She brought it down to strike against the Starlight's throat. She was out for blood. Fighter's eyes instinctively closed, ready for an impact that never came. She slowly opened them to see that another hand had blocked the impact of the sword. Again that familiar feeling crept upon her being. A part of her didn't really want to know who had just saved her, but another part did.
"It's a pity none of you have changed. You're all still pathetic as usual." The sound of the female voice put light to her suspicions.
"Galaxia..." Star Fighter spoke slowly.
"How observant of you," she spoke in response right before shoving Sailor Uranus to the ground. "Your powers may have been strengthened, but they are still no match for me." The golden queen seemed to ignore the Starlight for the time, as she just stepped over her to move towards the other soldier.
"We'll see about that." Uranus spat back before she was grabbed by the throat.
"Really?" Galaxia spoke with slight amusement to her voice. Black electricity expanded from her hands spreading all about the woman's body, causing her to release a blood-curdling scream.
Star Fighter leapt back on her feet. "What are you doing?!" Even if Sailor Uranus attacked her, she couldn't allow Galaxia of all people to do this. She went to move forward to stop the golden queen but was met with an invisible blast of energy from the queen's free hand. She wasn't harmed, but she did fall back to the ground. "You can't do that!"
"You say that even after being attacked. How interesting." Galaxia released her hold, dropping Uranus to the ground. From the fallen body a screeching sound emerged along with a figure made out of energy. "It can't move in an unconscious host." She answered before the Starlight could even ask any questions. The creature made a horrible sound and flew forward to take over the galaxy soldier's body this time. Galaxia made a sound as it hit her, but was somehow able to hold it off. "Not this time." Golden energy flew up her body and into the formless creature.
Fighter brought her hands to cover her eyes with the explosion that soon followed. When things cleared, the creature was gone. Just Galaxia remained. She had dropped down to one knee and seemed to be out of breath. Star Fighter couldn't help but see the irony in the situation. She was saved by one of her enemies, someone who destroyed her whole planet. The woman claimed to be the most powerful being out there, and yet seemed vulnerable right now. Ironic indeed.
"Stop looking at me that way." Fighter snapped back to reality with the spiteful-sounding voice. She hadn't realized that she had drifted off into some sort of trance. She wasn't really looking at Galaxia; it was more like she was off in space, even if it didn't' appear that way. She looked up to meet the armor-clad woman's crimson eyes. She looked back at Fighter with a gaze that could send shivers down the spines of the bravest of souls.
"I wasn't looking at you." Fighter responded as she rose back to her feet. Galaxia did the same and looked down at the fallen Haruka.
"They'll be fine in a few hours," was the only response as she turned to walk past Sailor Star Fighter, who grabbed her arm as she did so.
"Wait, what do you know about this?" Fighter glared at her. Galaxia knew something. Why else would she be here? She wasn't afraid to face her, even though just touching her was a death wish.
Galaxia looked down at her arm that was grabbed before sending a very evil glare by way of the Starlight, but Fighter didn't flinch and kept her hold. The whole situation seemed to bring some sort of twisted amusement to the golden queen's rather sadistic mind. A small smirk crept upon her lips and Fighter could only wonder what she was thinking. "You're rather brave, Starlight, but I would suggest that you choose your battles wisely."
Star Fighter remained emotionless, even though it was rather hard when face to face with Galaxia like this. "Look, you can threaten me all you want, but I know you know something about what's been happening. So you can either tell me, or kill me and get it over with."
The words that echoed from the lips of the Kinmoku soldier caused Galaxia to arch an eyebrow. She almost seemed to be at a loss for words or at least was taking her time deciding how to respond. "While killing you would bring great pleasure to me, there really isn't a point to it at the moment. Those creatures you fought... they are remnants of Chaos, what's left of her power before she was scattered in the Galaxy Cauldron."
"But... how...?"
"How the hell would I know?" Galaxia finally jerked her arm free of the grasp. "There is something on this planet making them stronger than before."
"Before?" Fighter's eyes narrowed. "You fought against them already? Are you the reason they're here? Did you cause all of this?"
"Stop asking so many stupid questions, Starlight, and think. Why would I destroy something I sent? Something that was about to kill you?"
"Why did you save me anyway? You helped me earlier didn't you, when I was fighting that winged creature?"
Galaxia remained silent; her eyes seemed to waver a bit as she looked back at her. She made an effort to avoid the original questions. "Like I did before, they are going after Sailor Soldiers, but they seem to be focusing their efforts on me. Why, I don't know. It may have something to do with the connection I had with Chaos. From what I know they've gathered somewhere on this planet, but I haven't been able to locate where they are emerging from."
The obvious avoidance did not go unnoticed, but Fighter let it slide. "Why were they attacking the city then?"
"Stop asking so many questions. You're not that ignorant, I'm sure you can figure it out yourself."
"You came to Earth shortly after I did, didn't you? Were you stalking me?" A grin flashed across Fighter's features.
"If I was, you'd be dead by now. Go back to Kinmoku, Starlight. This isn't your battle, nor is it Sailor Moon's. Just be glad I haven't eliminated you both." The crimson eyes narrowed again before golden flames emerged from the ground swirling around her body. In another instant she was gone.
"... Something is strange about her."