Crystal Senshi

by A. Lee

HIATUS This is a sequel to Cosmic Surprise. In Crystal Tokyo, the Scouts have quit because they aren't needed , but a new evil force has come, and somebody has to help Sailor Cosmos ... but who?

2. The Beginning

Notes: Emerald is a type of beryl. Jade is made up of nephrite and jadeite. Azurite is green, and malachite is green. Red beryl is a ruby. Pink beryl is not natural. Hematite is a kind of beryl. Don't take notice of it . just something I wrote to keep myself informed in case I needed the information.

Rei Hino grudgingly got out of bed to pick up the ringing telephone. "Who is it?" a voice grumbled from the bed.

"How am I supposed to know, Chad? I haven't picked the phone yet," she yelled, teasing, imitating the way she used to yell at him when they were younger, and he was working at her temple. "Hello? Hino residence."

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Fiona is invited as well," a voice said over the phone, before the click that indicated that the other person had hung up.

"So who was it?" Chad asked.

"Just a friend," Raye said, hand trembling. "I'm taking Fiona to her house tomorrow."

"Okay," Chad mumbled. "Aren't you going to go back to sleep?"

"I'm coming," Raye said, head whirling. Why was the call so abrupt?

Hotaru Tomoe picked up the phone as it rang, wondering who would call at nine o'clock. It better not be a stupid person calling to advertise or sell something. And it better be an emergency of some sort.

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Haley is invited as well," a monotone voice said before hanging up.

Heather turned pale. Was she invited or required? Did this have anything to do with scout business? No, Serena wouldn't force them to become Sailor Scouts again. She shook her head before crawling back into bed.

"Who was it?" Sammy Tsukino asked.

"Your sister was inviting me to something," Heather invented. Well, that was half-true.

"At this time of night?" Sam asked in disbelief.

"You know your sister," Heather said, before falling back to sleep.

Ami Mizuno got home from the long late work shift, and checked the recordings. There was only one. Frowning, she tried to think who it might be.

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Phyllis is invited as well."

Amy froze, as she heard the message. They knew that she had a daughter? How much did they know? Shaking off her fears, Ami looked upon her fourteen-year old daughter's face once more, before going to bed, dismissing her fears.

She climbed into an empty bed, frowning. I'll have to take the day off at work, she frowned. Why couldn't Serena have scheduled the tea party over the weekend, not that she didn't have to work over the weekends as well. But her daughter would have to miss school. That wouldn't make her happy. Phyllis loved school as much as her mother used to.

Makoto Kino got home from another long day at Kino's Café, and stretched as she entered the door. She checked the answering machine. Hmm. Two recordings.

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Liana is invited as well."

"Lita, did you get an invitation to a tea party too?"

Lita froze. The second message was obviously from Amy. So she would visit the Crystal Palace once again after all. Hmm. This was interesting. How would she explain not going to work tomorrow? It'll be a holiday after noon, she decided. Her employees needed a holiday anyways.

Setsuna Meioh groggily picked up the phone. "Hello?" she mumbled.

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Christa is invited as well."

Trista froze. Did the Queen want her to guard the gates of time again? She really didn't want to. All those years of loneliness. Now, she had a daughter and a husband. No, Serena wouldn't do that. She wasn't that type of person.

Minako Aino picked up the phone and said a cheery, "Hello? Aino/Kou residence."

"You are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughter Sophie is invited as well."

Mina's cheeriness disappeared. What in the world did Serena want from her? She was happily married, and didn't need to fight any longer. Serena wouldn't do that. If she did, she definitely wouldn't fight. That's for sure.

She didn't want to fight anymore. She was through with fighting, just like the rest of the Sailor Scouts. She had a life now, and didn't want to abandon it.

Haruka Ten'ou and Michiru Kaioh walked in their room, smiling over their last concert. After checking to make sure that the twins were asleep, Alex and Michelle walked over to the answering machine, turning it on.

"You two are invited to a tea party at the Crystal Palace tomorrow at noon. Formal wear is requested, and your daughters, Hope and Faith are invited as well."

"Serena wouldn't make us fight any more, would she?" Michelle whispered.

"No, we have lives now," Alex said firmly. "Even if she wants us to fight, we won't."

===(

"Your highness," a loud voice announced. "Your guests to the tea party have arrived."

"Invite them in," Neo-Queen Serenity said calmly, a half-smile on her face.

When the entered, the scouts awkwardly bowed, while their daughters bowed with ease. They had trained for this type of thing before at school, and were excited to actually meet their queen.

Each senshi's daughter looked like a miniature of herself. They even wore matching dresses, much to the disgust of some of the children, who thought that it was childish and boring to do so.

"You are dismissed," Neo-Queen Serenity motioned to her guards. "May I introduce my daughter, Neo-Princess Serenity?"

From the shadows, stepped a regal-looking princess with sugary pink hair, wearing a sugary-pink dress. She had a bright smile on her face when she looked at the scouts' daughters, but one look at the scouts, and her face turned cold. The scouts looked away awkwardly.

"Rini, you can show them around the palace," Neo-Queen Serenity said.

"Sugoi!" she laughed. "I finally have some people to play with."

As soon as the children were out, Neo-Queen Serenity lost her regal posture. "You all came," she smiled brightly. "Finally, I can talk to friends instead of some stuffy politicians who don't understand the meaning of fun."

"You mean you don't want to ask us to be scouts again?" Amy ventured.

"The seas have been extremely restless as of late," Michelle said.

"We are able to handle all new enemies," Neo-Queen Serenity said slightly coolly. "And I am not the type to force you to become Sailor Scouts again. I thought you would know that."

"There is a new enemy?" Mina asked.

"I didn't say that," Neo-Queen Serenity said stiffly.

"Is Sailor Cosmos guarding the gate of time well?" Trista asked cautiously.

"Yes, she is," Neo-Queen Serenity said shortly. "Let's talk about something else. Something not related to this topic."

They seated themselves around a beautiful mahogany tea table and chattered for a while, before the jasmine tea was almost all gone, and they had finished all the little cakes.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Neo-Queen Serenity said. Everyone froze, thinking the same thing. Will we have to become Sailor Scouts again? "Rini grows up around people who treat her the way they do because she is a princess. They rarely see her as the person she is. Will you let your children become Rini's companions, and visit her and play with her and become her friends?"

"Of course," Raye, Lita, Trista and Mina agreed immediately.

"As long as they tell us where they're going," Amy said.

"As long as they keep up in their school work," Alex, Michelle, and Holly agreed.

"Great," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "Can they sleep over tonight?"

"They didn't bring anything," Raye protested.

"Honey, this is the Crystal Palace," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "We have everything they need."

"Okay," Raye sighed, and the other scouts agreed with her.

===(

"I have something very important to tell you," Neo-Queen Serenity said gravely. "Whatever is said in this room must not be repeated unless under dire circumstances. Understood?"

"Understood," all of the teenagers nodded meekly, wondering what she would tell them.

"I am going to tell you a story that look place a long time ago," Neo- Queen Serenity said. "It started thousands of years ago."

A long time ago, way back in the Silver Millennium, there was a great Queen named Queen Serenity. She was a good, fair, and just ruler, who believed in peace. She was the leader of the Silver Alliance, and was very powerful. She had no husband though, and therefore, no heir to the throne.

One day, she stared sadly at her Imperial Silver Crystal, her object of power, and wished with all her might to have a daughter, and heir to which the Moon Kingdom would go. Imagine her surprise, when she found two baskets by her bed the next morning, and found that they contained a marvelous pair of twins.

She looked at the adorable identical blonds, and decided on a name. I shall name you Serenity and Sincerity, she thought, smiling. She was happy, and believed herself to be very blessed.

The next morning, she found another pair of twins in the same type of baskets. She was startled, but accepted them anyways. I shall name you Tranquility, she said to the adorable brunette. And I shall name you Divinity, she said to the raven-haired baby. She was very pleased, and very satisfied.

All through their lives, the princesses were brought up to believe in love and justice. They learned to be wise, and at the age of thirteen, they were allowed to choose what they would learn.

Divinity chose to go to a school of clairvoyance and telepathy with Planetary Princess Rayechelle of Mars. The planetary princesses were good friends of the Moon Princesses.

Tranquility elected to go to an elite private school on Mercury with Planetary Princess Amyliana of Mercury. Planetary Princess Tristina of Pluto joined them a week later after deciding that the school on Neptune was boring.

Sincerity decided to go to a lady's finishing school on Neptune with Planetary Princess Michelline of Neptune. Planetary Princess Holliana of Saturn joined them after deciding that she didn't like combat school after all.

Planetary Princess Terrania of Earth chose to go to a magic school that would help her powers on Venus with Princess Minalle of Venus.

Serenity chose to go to combat school on Jupiter with Planetary Princess Litanyia of Jupiter. Planetary Princess Alexandria of Uranus joined them a month later after deciding that the combat school on Uranus was quite boring.

Five years later, they all met back on the moon, each trained in a special subject.

That night, a spirit visited the Moon Princesses. You see, they were the remaining gods and goddesses of Olympus, and they had to choose a god or goddess to inherit their powers from.

Serenity chose Selene, and Sincerity chose Hecate. That's why they have the most moon power. And no, Sincerity is not evil. She just represents the goddess of the dark side of the moon. Tranquility chose Helios, while Divinity chose Athena.

Then, the senshi each accepted the powers of the gods and goddesses that represented their planets. Princess Terrania of Earth chose Gaiea.

In the end, Serenity fell in love with Endymion, and an evil Queen named Beryl overtook the Earth. When she stormed on the moon, she took all of the scouts, and Endymion. Serenity committed suicide because she didn't want to be separated from her soul mate. Seeing the destruction, Queen Serenity used the Imperial Silver Crystal, and her last bit of strength to seal away Queen Beryl and give her daughter a new chance at life. Serenity and crew were reborn on Earth. All except for Terrania, that is. Terrania had been killed on Earth, and so she wasn't reborn. Sincerity stayed behind to watch the moon, and the rest of the Moon Princesses disguised themselves as the Immortals, except for Crystal, who was actually the real tutor, and chose not to reveal themselves until after Sailor Cosmos defeated the Mór Ríagan.

"That's not all," Neo-Queen Serenity said. "Now you get to find out who the Sailor Scouts are. In fact, guess."

"Let's see," Phyllis thought. "Sailor Mercury would be . . ."

"Ami Mizuno, called Amy by her friends," Rini whispered. At her mother's glare, she said, "What? They need a hint of some type."

"Wait, did she just say Ami Mizuno?" Phyllis asked, almost losing her voice. "Like, Ami Mizuno, my mother? I think she just said that my mother was Sailor Mercury. Did you guys hear her say Amy?"

"Yep," Haley nodded. "That's so weird. I mean, I can imagine how I'd react if I was told that my mother was a Sailor Scout."

"Sailor Saturn," Neo-Queen Serenity said, barely containing a laugh. "Hotaru Tomoe, called Holly, and sometimes Heather by her friends, is Sailor Saturn."

Haley took one long look at Neo-Queen Serenity before saying, "You have got to be kidding!"

"Yeah," Sophie added. "Next, you'll be saying that my mom is Sailor Moon."

"Actually," Rini said, thoughtfully. "She's Sailor Venus, or Sailor V. Whichever you prefer."

Sophie glared at Rini. "I didn't need to know that my role model was my mother," she practically shouted. "Now I need a new role model," she moaned. "I don't want my mother to be my role model."

Neo-Queen Serenity could barely suppress a laugh as she watched them. Phyllis was repeating, "My mother is Sailor Mercury" over and over like a mantra. Haley looked like she was about to faint. Sophie was sitting there going over the other role models she could choose to admire.

"Now, you're going to tell me that my mother is Sailor Pluto or something, and I'm not going to be surprised," Christa said.

"She is, actually," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "Setsuna Meioh, called Susan or Trista by her friends is Sailor Pluto."

Christa fainted from the shock. Rini was waiting by the sidelines with a glass of water. "I knew that someone would faint," she crowed after dumping the water on Christa, who didn't appreciate it at all.

"So my mother would have to be Sailor Mars," Fiona murmured. "Rei Hino, called Raye by her friends is Sailor Mars."

"I guess Haruka-poppa would be Sailor Uranus, and Michiru-mama would be Sailor Neptune then," Faith mused.

"Then my mother would be Sailor Jupiter?" Liana asked, shocked. "Well, there is a slight resemblance."

"Now, for a history lesson," Neo-Queen Serenity said. "You see, back when I was Usagi Tsukino, or Serena, I wasn't as dense as people thought I was. I guessed who Tuxedo Mask was all along, and it was pretty obvious that I was someone close to the Moon Princess. In my opinion anyways. It was also pretty obvious, as well, who the outer scouts were. I had the most of my memories, yet I still forgot all about my sisters. My mother had me forget this part especially because she knew that I would find out when the time was right.

"Then, the Mór Ríagan struck. It was then, that Sailor Moon de- existed, and the Immortals showed up. If you remember, I told you that the Immortals were Tranquility, Divinity, Sincerity, and an old tutor. I met them on the moon, and didn't know that they were my sisters, which they preferred. They revealed, however, that I was Sailor Cosmos. You are the only people, other than my sisters, to know that. I almost accidentally revealed that several times, but I used a mind-wandering spell, and they forgot.

"They revealed their princess selves while we battled, and I got all of my memories back. Then, a couple of years later, I went to college in Kyoto. The scouts were still in Tokyo, and Darien was in America. We were already engaged. Unknown to them, I became pregnant with triplets, and was forced to stop for a while. Having nothing else to do, I studied all day, and therefore was ahead in class. I named my triplets Selene, Gaiea, and Serenity. I only kept Serenity, but had my sisters take care of Selene and Gaiea for security purposes. I visited them, but they didn't feel like going to the past, and they preferred staying in the present, so they didn't go to the past.

"Unfortunately, the Scouts quit a couple of years after Rubeus. They wanted to spend more time with their family, etc, and there were no enemies. I let them go, and didn't tell them about the new enemies. Now, I guard the Gates of Time, and I am the only barrier between Mystique and Crystal Tokyo, and it's taking its toll on me. I'm using surveillance equipment for the Gates of Time and everything, but I just can't do it.

"This is where you come in. I have a favor, a request to ask of you. Will you become the next generation of warriors? You will be the Crystal Senshi. If you're lucky, you'll grow to be Silver Senshi, maybe Golden Senshi, hopefully Cosmic Senshi, and maybe Ultimate Senshi, something you don't exactly want. My sisters and I will train you, and you will accompany my daughters in battle. You will also have to accept the powers of your gods or goddesses.

"Selene needs to accept Selene's power because since I have become Sailor Cosmos, I can't wield Selene's power, but it would be more useful if someone else took it. Gaiea will take Gaiea's power, which was abandoned when Terrania died. Rini will become Crystal Elysian, and wield the power of Eloise, goddess of Elysian. I have no idea why, so don't ask me.

"You will wield the powers of your gods and goddesses. Do you accept?" Neo-Queen Serenity ended.

Everyone nodded simultaneously.

===(

Out of the shadows, stepped two young girls. Each looked around the same age as Rini. "Hi," they said simultaneously. One looked like a miniature Neo-Queen Serenity. The other had long black hair and stormy blue eyes.

"These are my daughters," Neo-Queen Serenity explained.

"Can we start with the action now?" Liana whined. "I want to practice fighting."

"Okay, this is how we will train," Neo-Queen Serenity said. "I will give you your henshin sticks, and teach you how to use them. I will explain how you transform, and I will train you in using every single weapon available to you. By the time I finish, you will know how to use a sword, archery, fencing, how to use a katana, how to use a glaive, how to use a broom, how to use a staff, how to find anything available to use, and more. Every day, you will also be given times to yourselves to discuss anything you want, battle strategies, etc. Sincerity, my tutor, Lila, Tranquility, and Divinity will help you with that. Sincerity will teach you how to properly rule your planets, because you will rule them one day, unlike your mothers. You will also be given time to yourself, where you will concentrate and try to discover your attacks. That's right, I'm not teaching them to you. The training starts now!"

From behind Serenity, four women emerged, each looking grim, and each obviously planning to teach them something.

===(

Over the weeks, the Crystal Senshi trained hard, and by the end of a month, they were ready to fight any youma that came across their paths. The training was grueling, and often, they had to stop hanging out with their other friends, but they all bonded with each other, and often went out and just had fun.

One day, Phyllis was walking home happily, since she had just aced another test, when her communicator beeped. It was the same watch-type communicator, but it said "Friends Forever" on it.

Everyone, our first youma is on Prudence Street, so says Diana. Get ready to rumble came Liana's voice.

Making sure that no one was around, Phyllis got ready to transform. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a cerulean stick with a diamond and the symbol of Mercury on it appeared.

"Mercury!" she called, the henshin stick in her right hand, held at a 45º angle, closing her fingers around it. "Crystal!" she called, her right hand crossing over her chest, placed upon her heart, with the henshin stick still in it. "Make Up!" she yelled, her hand pointing straight up, and quickly drawing a circle around her.

From the trail her stick left behind, a blue line glowed. When she closed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and ice began surging in from the circle, forming into thin ribbons, and wrapping around her tightly. On her forehead, the familiar golden band with a diamond on it appeared.

On her head, also, a silvery circle surrounded her dark blue hair in the same style Amy's had always been in. From the front, a silvery web arose, with a gleaming sapphire caught in the middle. (Imagine her with a Sailor tiara, and a normal tiara on.) She wore a cerulean and white fuku, with translucent ribbons winding all the way down her arm. On her hands, were slight white gloves, and she wore tall, slender blue boots with small white wings carved on them, symbolizing that she was Hermes's charge. Over her shoulder, a blue harp hung.

She rushed towards Prudence Street, which was thankfully only one block away. Getting there, she was surprised to see that no one else was there, but without a second thought, she brought out her light blue computer visor.

Finding that the youma's weakness was its crystal pendant hanging around its neck, Crystal Mercury struck.

Mercury Crystal Ice Focus!

Out of her hands, a stream of ice burst, each crystal intent on focusing on the pendant. Although this attack wasn't particularly strong, it was great for trying to hit a small target. Within seconds, the pendant was frozen and ready to crack.

Earth Crystal Elemental Encircle!

Out of nowhere, a cluster of elements struck the monster in general, and succeeded in cracking the crystal. When the crystal cracked, the monster screeched in defiance, and was obviously in pain.

Moon Crystal Heart Attack!

A rivulet of crystal hearts rushed at the youma, succeeding in destroying it.

At this moment, the rest of the senshi ran up. "Did we miss it?" Crystal Jupiter groaned.

"Can you believe that I met up with my mother and she started questioning me on where I was going, and I barely managed to evade her?" Crystal Venus moaned. "I felt so annoyed!" "You'll have to wait until next time, then," Crystal Mercury said, eyes twinkling. "Until then, you don't get to fight any youmas."

"Excuse me, but who exactly are you?" a familiar voice called. They turned around to see Holly standing there.

"We're the Crystal Senshi, ma'am," Crystal Neptune said politely.

"And we're here with pretty much the same purpose as the Sailor Scouts, but we intend to fight the enemy until the end and not run off and stop fighting like the Sailor Scouts did," Crystal Uranus said coldly.

"Crystal Uranus," Crystal Pluto muttered, jabbing her with her elbow. "Sorry that Crystal Uranus here was so rude."

"Though what she said was true," Crystal Mars muttered.

"I think we'll go now," Crystal Elysian said, eyes flaring. "Now, if my teammates will stop that."

Obediently, the other Crystal Senshi followed her. When they were out of hearing range, Crystal Venus blew up. "We're not supposed to show our opinions on anything, or else it'll give our identities away. I feel the exact same way you guys do, but I'm not about to insult any of them to their face."

"Sorry," Crystal Uranus and Crystal Mars muttered at the same time.

"Now, let's go home," Crystal Saturn sighed.

==(

As Haley trudged in the house, she met up with her father.

"And how is my darling daughter?" Sammy Shingo Tsukino asked.

"Dad, I'm fourteen already. Can you cut it out now?" Haley grumbled.

"Where've you been?" her mother called out.

Arriving late for a youma attack. "Visiting the Palace, Mother," Haley called. "Do you know when Auntie Usagi is coming over again? She hasn't visited in years."

She could almost hear her mother freeze. "Your Auntie Usagi has work, dear. I think she's very busy."

"Okay, then," Haley said. "When's dinner?"

"It's in a couple of hours. Have you finished all of your homework?" Holly asked.

"I finished it in Study Hall," Haley called back. Well, everything except the one page of math. She could do that later. "Can I go out?"

"Sure," her mother answered.

"Bye," she called before running out of the house. Yes, now I can get Phyllis to help me with my homework.

As she was running, she heard several particularly loud screams. She peeked around the corner and saw a huge youma sucking energy. Youma on Metro Street she said into her "I'm Cool" communicator before glancing around to make sure no one was watching. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a black stick appeared, with a black opal and the symbol of Saturn on it.

"Saturn!" she called, holding her right hand out at a 45º angle, closing her fingers over the henshin stick. "Crystal!" she called, her right hand crossing her chest, fingers still holding tightly onto the henshin stick. "Make up!" she yelled, as she held her hand straight up, and began drawing a circle around her body with it.

Black stars trailed her path, and when she completed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and the black stars began encircling her faster and faster, until there was a huge flash of black. When the flash cleared, Crystal Saturn stood there, fully clothed. On her forehead, was the familiar gold band, with a black opal in it.

Around her short black hair done in her mother's style, a silver ring encircled. Emerging from the front, was a silver web with a black opal caught in it. (A tiara.) She wore a white and black fuku, with gray gloves, and a transparent black sleeves. On her feet, were black boots embedded with the emblem of a glaive and a scythe, representing Death and Hades, both of which helped her, though Death was her main guardian because Saturn was currently occupied. In her hand, a wooden glaive with a sharp metal tip rested.

Saturn Crystal Death Deviate!

Out of her bare hands, a black mist flew, engulfing the youma, causing it to lose its bearings and sway from side to side.

"Aim for its pendant, like last time," Crystal Pluto called, frustrated. She was still too far away for her attack to work.

Doubting that poisoning further would help, Crystal Saturn raced up, and began slashing at the pendant with her glaive, finding nothing else to do. Right then, she sincerely wished she could figure out her other attacks.

Within seconds, the pendant was shattered, and the youma began to convulse.

Elysian Crystal Pink Purify!

A beam of pink light engulfed the youma, before it disappeared, leaving behind the pendant. Crystal Mercury stooped over, and picked up the pendant, examining it. "Twice in one day," she murmured. "That's strange behavior of an enemy," she thought.

The others nodded.

They went off, dehenshined, and went home.

===(

Christa walked home, furious. She hated having to be close to attack correctly, and decided that she would have to come up with another one soon. "Mother, I'm home again," she called.

"Did you finish your homework?" Trista asked.

"Yes," she answered nonchalantly.

"What happened in school today?" Trista asked.

"Nothing much," Christa said. "Mom, I'm going to go out and ride Charon, okay?"

"Be back before dark," Trista called back.

Christa began walking to the stables several blocks over. All of a sudden, she heard screams coming from Pride Street. Youma on Pride Street she said in her "Best Friends" communicator before making sure no one was around. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a violet henshin stick with a garnet and the symbol of Pluto on it appeared.

"Pluto!" she called, her right hand out in front of her at a 45° angle, her fingers holding tightly onto the henshin stick. "Crystal!" she called, putting her hand over her heart, across her chest, with the stick still in it. "Make Up!" she screamed with all her might, sticking her hand straight up in the air, drawing it in a circle around her.

When she closed it, a purple line glowed bright. Her clothes disappeared, and purple ribbons surged in from the line, wrapping onto her arms and legs. Slowly, they dissolved and formed her fuku. On her forehead, was the familiar gold band with a garnet in it.

On her long green and black hair done the way her mother used to, a silvery ring rested. From the front, a silvery web with a single garnet caught in it emerged. Her fuku was violet and white, with translucent violet ribbons snaking all the way up to her arm, and violet gloves covered her hands. Her boots were violet, and engraved on them, were an archway, and a staff crossed it. This symbolized the Gates of Time and the Gates of Death, since Hades was too busy helping Saturn to divert his whole attention to her. In her hand, rested a staff with a garnet on it.

Rushing towards the scene, she wasn't surprised to find that she was the first one there. Seeing the huge, ugly monster, she was psyched to fight. Pluto Crystal Time Warp!

From her hand, a huge portal emerged, expanding, until it stood right in front of her. It began whirling and whirling, and it sucked the youma right inside, before making a popping noise and disappearing. This attack transported the monster to another small dimension, before squeezing the dimension out of existence. It only worked on youmas near her, but it could demolish more than one at a time.

"Am I late again?" Crystal Jupiter groaned. "I mean, that's three attacks in one day, and I missed each and every one of them."

"Could you have at least saved the pendant for me to examine?" Crystal Mercury frowned.

"Can't do that with my attack. Sorry," Crystal Pluto said.

"Let's go," Crystal Uranus said. "Maybe if I leave now, I can find the next youma first, and actually fight."

"Did I miss anything?" Crystal Venus asked brightly, being the last to arrive.

===(

Faith walked towards the racetrack, where she was headed for before the stupid youmas attacked. She couldn't wait to see Hope. Hope had raced there after the battle, but Faith had stopped to talk with her friends. Hope, like Haruka, was a tomboy, and loved to race. She [Hope] even looked exactly like Haruka with her short blonde hair. She often wondered who her parents were, but all she knew was that Haruka gave birth to her, and Michiru gave birth to Hope. Who her father was, she had absolutely no idea, and neither did Haruka or Michiru.

In fact, Faith had the tiniest suspicion that Neo-Queen Serenity had used her Imperial Silver Crystal to do something, because obviously, her mother/ father was Michiru. She looked like the exact image of Michiru, yet she was born from Haruka.

As Faith was thinking, she heard a scream. With one peek, she found a large disgusting youma that was sucking people's energy. Talking into her "I rule" communicator, she said Youma at the Athletic School Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, an aquamarine-colored stick with a turquoise and the symbol of Neptune on it appeared.

"Neptune!" she called, her henshin stick in her hand, and holding her right arm out at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she called, crossing her right arm over her chest, on the heart, still holding tightly onto the henshin stick. "Make Up!" she screamed, sticking her hand straight up into the air, drawing the stick around her in a circle.

When she closed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and a huge wave rose from behind her and drenched her, hiding her from sight. When the waves ebbed, and she was visible again, she was fully clothed and dry. On her forehead was the familiar golden band with the turquoise on it.

Around her wavy aqua hair, a silver circle rested, and from the front, a silvery web with a single turquoise caught in it rose. Her fuku was aqua and white, and cut off at the shoulder. Her aqua colored gloves reached up to the elbow, and from the elbow to the shoulder, a filmy aquamarine-colored material was draped, like a shawl. Her blue-green boots had a trident on each of them, symbolizing Poseidon. In her hand, the Submarine Mirror was held, and her face was determined.

Rushing towards the racetrack, she was surprised to find that Hope wasn't there. Maybe Hope left to do something just before the youma attacked. She got ready to attack.

Neptune Crystal Aquatic Immerse!

From behind her, a colossal wave rose, towering over the buildings. When Crystal Neptune raised her hand, the wave rose even higher. She pointed at the youma, and the titanic wave splashed at the youma, knocking it over, and slightly cracking the crystal pendant it wore around its neck.

Elysian Crystal Pink Purify!

The familiar ray of light encircled the youma, and by the time that it had faded, the youma had gone, leaving behind it's cracked crystal pendant. Immediately, Crystal Mercury began doing readings on the pendant.

"Am I late again?" Crystal Venus asked wearily. "By this time, I'll never get to fight."

"Don't worry," Crystal Mars muttered. "You've got company."

==(

Fiona walked home, wondering whether she'd ever get to fight in a youma battle instead of getting there late. She had already finished all her homework, thanks to the lifesaver called Study Hall, and she had already checked in with her parents, so she was allowed to go out for a few hours.

As she wandered around, she mulled over what would be the best course of action. She could do a fire reading, but her mother always insisted on accompanying her when she did those, and she couldn't let her mother know that she was Crystal Mars.

She doubted she could do a fire reading anywhere besides the Sacred Fire at the temple. If she was advanced enough, she might have been able to, but she wasn't that good. (I have no knowledge whatsoever about the Shinto religion, and I'm making everything up, so bear with me here.)

All of a sudden, a scream was heard from Prosperity Street. Youma on Prosperity Street she said into her communicator that said, "Priestesses Rule" on it. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a red stick with a ruby and the symbol of Mars on it appeared.

"Mars!" she called, with her right hand stuck out in front of her at a 45° angle, fingers tightly clasped around the henshin stick. "Crystal," she called, placing her right hand across her chest and over her heart, hand still clinging on to the henshin stick. "Make Up!" she screamed with all her might, as she stuck her hand straight up in the air, drawing the stick around her in a circle.

A thin red line trailed from where she drew. After she closed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and thin strands of fire surged in wrapping around her body, forming clothes. On her forehead, the familiar golden band with the ruby in the middle rested.

Around her long purplish-black hair, a silver ring rested. From the front, a silvery web emerged, with a single ruby caught in the middle. Her fuku was red and white, and she had red, translucent ribbons snaking their way up her arms. Her gloves were white, with a single ruby ring on her left pinky, and two red bracelets adorned her right arm. Her boots were red, and had a flame on them, symbolizing Ares. In her hand was a long spear with fire dancing on the metal tip magically.

Rushing to Prosperity Street, she wasn't surprised to find that she was the first to get there. She saw the youma, monstrous and repulsive, sucking energy from the helpless, innocent people, wearing a single crystal pendant around its neck.

Mars Crystal Fiery Assault!

From her hand, a stream of fire poured, wrapping around the youma, the heat slightly cracking the crystal. As she held it, she was relieved to hear her friends coming, and withdrew her attack.

Moon Crystal Heart Attack!

A stream of crystal hearts attacked the youma, therefore destroying it, leaving only the single crystal pendant that once hung around its neck.

"I did not just miss another one," Crystal Jupiter grumbled. "I have not fired one attack all day.

"Why do I always get here late?" Crystal Venus whined. "I'm sick and tired of it."

"Don't worry," Crystal Mercury soothed. "I'm sure that pretty soon, they'll start bringing in the big guns. These are probably just trial robots or something."

==(

Gaiea walked towards her house that she stayed in with the other Moon Princesses. Although she had the privilege of firing one attack, something that not all of them had, she was still bored of being late.

I wonder why these youmas have been so easy to defeat. Unless these enemies are extremely disorganized, and haven't noticed that the Crystal Senshi have beaten their monsters, these youmas are probably just probes. I wonder . . .

All of a sudden, her musings were interrupted by a scream. She noted that it was coming from Neo Street. Youma on Neo Street she said into her "Princess" communicator. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a light green stick with a piece of jade and the symbol of Earth on it appeared.

"Earth!" she called, her hand in front of her at a 45° angle, hand still clutching her henshin stick. "Crystal!" she called, placing her hand across her chest and over her heart, fingers still wrapped around the henshin stick. "Make Up!" she screamed with all her might, as she stuck her hand straight up in the air, drawing a circle around her.

A light green line trailed her stick. When she had closed the circle, all her clothes disappeared, and a light green light emerged from the circle. It closed around her until she was no longer visible. After around five seconds, the light faded, and Crystal Earth stood alone, fully clothed. On her forehead, was the familiar golden band with a single stone of jade on it.

Around her dark black hair, was a silvery ring. From the front, a silver web arose, with a single jade caught in it. Her fuku was light green and white, and light green translucent ribbons snaked their way up her arms and around her fuku. She wore light green boots, with a rose embedded on it, representing Gaiea, the goddess who gave life. In her hand, was a long green and blue sword.

She rushed toward Neo Street and was not surprised to find that she was the only one there. There was a huge, repulsive youma that looked slimy and its hand was stretched out and was sucking people's energy. Around its neck was the now familiar crystal pendant. Earth Crystal Elemental Encircle!

From her hand, a stream of elements burst out, encircling the monster, but focusing on the crystal pendant. Within seconds, the pendant was broken, and she found that she could do nothing else, except wait for one of her teammates to come. Pluto Crystal Time Warp!

Out of nowhere, a huge black hole opened, and sucked the youma in, smothering it. "Thanks," Crystal Earth said gratefully. "And this time, Crystal Mercury won't be mad at you, 'cause I managed to break the pendant off first."

Crystal Mercury arrived moments after Crystal Earth spoke, and grimly picked up the crystal pendant, examining it. She looked up with a frown. "Don't forget the meeting tomorrow," she said gravely when everyone got there. "Arrive promptly," insert a glare at Crystal Elysian and Crystal Venus, "or else!"

Crystal Elysian and Crystal Venus gulped and nodded quickly.

===(

Liana stretched as she walked away from the last youma battled. So far, she fired a total of zero attacks. Sure, she had alerted everyone once, but that was all, and that infuriated her.

A piercing scream filled the street. Youma on Jove Street she said into her "Friends Forever" communicator, amused. Maybe she would have luck today after all. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a forest green henshin stick with an emerald and the symbol of Jupiter on it appeared.

"Jupiter!' she called, holding the henshin stick in her right hand at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she called, bringing her hand over her heart, clutching tightly onto the henshin stick, heart beating quickly. "Make Up!" she screamed with all her might, sticking her hand straight up in the air, and drawing a circle around her.

As she drew the circle around her, a green line began glowing. When she closed the circle, all of her clothes disappeared, and the green light began to swirl around her body. Little lightning bolts began to strike her, and wherever it struck, her outfit would appear. Finally, the lightning began to wrap around her body, forming her fuku. On her forehead, was the familiar golden band with the emerald on it.

Around her chocolate brown hair, a silvery ring rested. From the front, a silvery web with an emerald caught in the middle arose. Her fuku was green and white, and green ribbons snaking up her arms, and gently billowing out behind her. She wore forest green boots, with lightning bolts engraved on it, representing Zeus. In her hands, were a pair of lightning bolt scythes, which she couldn't use magically yet, and gathered both in one hand.

Jupiter Crystal Lightning Obliterate!

In her hand, a mass of lightning bolts gathered, growing and growing. Although Crystal Jupiter was impatient, she understood that her attack would have no impact unless she waited. After the lightning ball grew to a humungous size, she heaved it at the youma, who had no idea what was coming.

It was annihilated, leaving behind a simple crystal pendant and a pile of scorched dust. After dusting her hands, Crystal Jupiter smiled. "I wasn't late!" she screamed happily.

"Good for you," Crystal Venus said sarcastically.

"We love you," Crystal Uranus said dryly.

"You're just jealous because you haven't attacked yet," Crystal Saturn teased.

"Time to go," Crystal Pluto said gravely. "Even if you don't have anything to do, I do."

==(

Selene walked, exhausted. Although in their senshi forms, they looked like twenty year olds, they still acted like babies. That could work in our favor, she reflected, smiling as she recalled the fight earlier today. They were upset because they didn't get the chance to attack.

Suddenly, she heard a scream. Not again, she thought, mentally groaning. Opening her "Best Friends" communicator, she said, Youma on Metro Street AGAIN. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a silver stick with a moonstone and a crescent moon on it appeared from nowhere.

"Moon!" she called, holding the henshin stick in her right hand, held out at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she called, bringing her hand over her heart, across her chest, fingers wrapped around the henshin stick. "Make Up!" she screamed with all her might, sticking the stick straight up in the air, her eyes closed, and drew the stick around her in a circle.

As she did, a silver line trailed where her henshin stick drew. When she completed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and for a brief moment, she was seen nude. Then, a silver light began glowing, and engulfed her. When the silver light disappeared, silver ribbons were just tightening into clothes around her body. On her forehead, the familiar golden band with a moonstone on it rested.

Around her head, a silvery ring rested. From the front, a silvery web rose, and in the middle, a moonstone was caught. She wore a silver and white fuku, and silvery white ribbons snaked up her arms and wrapped around her legs. Translucent ribbons shrouded around her, and she wore silver gloves. Silver boots with the crescent moon on them, the symbol of Selene, adorned her feet. In her hand, was a sword similar to Crystal Earth's, yet it was silver and gold.

She rushed towards Metro Street, not surprised that she was the first one there. She almost swore. The only attack she had an attack meant to finish the beasts off. Why didn't she have a "Moon Tiara Magic"?

Out of lack of better things to do, she began mutilating it with her sword. This was an especially dumb specimen. But after it detected her, it began to spit out acid, almost hitting her.

"A little slow, today, aren't we?" Crystal Jupiter teased.

Jupiter Crystal Lightning Obliterate!

Moon Crystal Heart Attack!

The two combined attacks finally succeeded in destroying the youma, just as Crystal Uranus arrived. ===( Hope grumbled as she walked home, having nowhere else to go. She didn't feel like visiting anyone, or running, considering the grumpy mood she was in. As she trudged along the sidewalk, ignoring the looks that she was getting from the girls. Like her other mother, she was often mistaken for a boy.

All of a sudden, a growling came around the corner. Hope barely hid a smile. Youma on Flower Street she said into her plain navy blue communicator. Making sure that no one was watching, Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a navy blue stick with a sapphire and the symbol of Uranus on it appeared.

"Uranus!" she called, holding the henshin stick in her right hand, which was held out at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she called, bringing her hand across her chest, over her heart. "Make Up!" she screamed, sticking her hand straight up in the air, and drawing a circle around her.

A navy blue line glowed wherever she drew. When she completed the circle, her clothes disappeared, and a navy blue light began swishing around her, leaving clothes wherever it touched. On her forehead, was the familiar golden band with the sapphire on it.

Around her unruly mop of blonde hair, a silvery ring rested. From the front, a silvery web wit ha sapphire caught in it emerged. She wore a navy blue and white fuku, and navy blue ribbons were draped gracefully over her in an ethereal shroud that improved her aerodynamics. (It's magic. Go figure.) Puffs of clouds were engraved in her navy blue boots, representing Speed and Wind, the two demi-guardians of Uranus, since Uranus refused to guard his own planet. In her hand, the Space Sword rested, looking ready to serve its mistress.

Rushing towards Flower Street, she was not surprised to find that she was the first one there. Noting the obviously unintelligible and extremely unintelligent youma, she struck first.

Uranus Crystal Wind Shift!

Using her only attack, the air around the youma shifted, causing it to trip and fall. Then, the air was further manipulated to pressure the crystal pendant, what Crystal Uranus was aiming for, and succeeded in cracking it.

Earth Crystal Elemental Surround!

The last attack succeeded in destroying the youma, leaving only the single, cracked Crystal Pendant.

"Earth dusted!" Crystal Earth smiled.

"And another one attacks," Crystal Venus grumbled, before walking off.

===(

Rini twirled her hair around her index finger as she tried to figure out the quadratic equations with Phyllis by her side.

"Just remember that a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0. Do you

understand?" Phyllis asked.

"Yes, I think," Rini frowned. "And then I either factor out, find the roots, or use the quadratic formula, right?"

"Right," Phyllis smiled. "Now for-"

But the beeping of their communicator interrupted her. This is Diana. Youma on Marine Street. Over and out "She watches too many spy movies," Rini groaned.

Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, a pink and white henshin stick with a pink gem and the symbol of Elysian on it appeared.

"Mercury Crystal Make Up!" Phyllis shouted.

"Elysian!" Rini shouted, her henshin stick held tightly in her right hand, held out at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she shouted, clutching her stick tightly in her hand, across her chest and over her heart. "Make Up!" she shouted with all her might, sticking her hand straight up in the air, and drawing a circle around her with the henshin stick.

A pink line appeared wherever it touched. When she completed the vertical circle, the line glowed. Her clothes disappeared, just as pink streams of light surged around and surrounded her. Within seconds, the transformation was complete. On her forehead, was the familiar golden band with the pink gem in it.

Around her sugary pink hair, a silvery circle rested, rising in the front to form a silvery web with a pink gem caught in it. Her fuku was pink and white, and pink, elbow gloves adorned her hands. Exceptionally long pink, translucent ribbons wrapped around her, making her look airy. Her pink boots had a simple bag of powder on it, representing Eloise, goddess of Dreams. In her hand, was a pink dream scepter (NOT the legendary one that belonged to her mother which is only formed by true love), and on her face was a determined look.

She ran toward the street, with Crystal Mercury right in front of her.

Mercury Crystal Ice Focus!

The pendant on the youma broke off, and Crystal Elysian took her cue to strike.

Elysian Crystal Pink Purify!

Unlike when her mother attacked, she didn't have any object to channel the energy through, other than her hand, but with skilled gestures, a pink beam of light immersed the youma, successfully destroying it.

Mercury examined the pendant, one of the few completely intact ones she had in her possession, before turning to Crystal Elysian. "I'm going to study this," she informed her. "I think you understand quadratic equations enough for today."

As the two were about to leave, their communicator beeped. Crystal Venus's face appeared. Youma on Aqua Street she relayed before her face disappeared.

==(

Sophie was calmly walking down the road, flashing her hair, and charming several young men unknowingly, when her communicator beeped. Youma on Marine Street it said. Rushing into an alley, she made sure that no one was watching. Henshin yo! Out of nowhere, an orange and white henshin stick with a topaz and the symbol of Venus on it appeared.

"Venus!" she called, holding her henshin stick in her hand and sticking it out at a 45° angle. "Crystal!" she shouted while she held her hand across her chest and over her heart, stick in hand. "Make Up!" she shouted with all her might, sticking her hand straight up in the air and drawing a circle around her.

As she brought the stick around her in a complete circle, an orange line glowed where the stick touched. When she closed the circle, her clothes disappeared. Immediately, an orange light engulfed her, and when the light faded, she stood wearing all of her clothes. On her forehead was the familiar golden band with the topaz on it.

Around her head, the now familiar silver ring rested, a silvery web with a topaz caught in it rising from the front. Her fuku was orange and white, with a translucent cape over her, courtesy of Aphrodite. Her gloves were orange, as were her boots, with the heart on them, the symbol of Aphrodite. Her hand clutched the bow, and strapped to her back was the quiver of arrows that Eros (Cupid) had given her.

But along the way, she heard another scream on Aqua Street. Youma on Aqua Street she said into her communicator, as she swerved her path onto the street. Venus Crystal Love Engulf!

From her hand, a stream of hearts poured out, engulfing the youma, temporarily stunning it.

Jupiter Crystal Lightning Obliterate!

All that was left behind was the now familiar crystal pendant and a pile of dust.

===(

Fiona waited impatiently at her temple, pacing back and forth, waiting for her friends to arrive. They had decided that meeting at the temple would be more relaxing, as they had more privacy. The meeting wasn't due to start for five minutes, but she was already muttering obscenities about late crystals and horrible deaths involving roasting in a Sacred Fire.

"I'm here," Phyllis smiled. "Stop pacing, the meeting won't start for a while."

"It starts in five minutes," Fiona growled.

"I'm here," Faith said. "Hope was going to run one more lap around the track before catching up with me, but I got here first."

"Not by much," Hope chimed, appearing behind her.

"I'm here, guys," Liana said brightly, with Haley and Christa right behind her.

"Where's Sophie, Rini, Selene, or Gaiea?" Fiona asked impatiently.

"We're here," Selene and Gaiea chimed in. "Rini's Nona held her behind, because she dumped water over Mike."

"Who's Mike?" Haley asked.

"Only the snobbiest guy in the world," Sophie said, catching up. "I visited the palace once, and he was there, and he began making fun of everything within sight." She smiled wickedly. "I think he still has a scar from where Gaiea punched him." Gaiea whistled innocently.

"Never dump water on a guy unless he gets completely soaked," Rini said, eyes twinkling. "Nona understood, and taught me how to properly soak someone. It's all a game, anyways."

"Mike?" Fiona asked. "As in my brother Mike?"

"I don't know," Selene frowned. "He always said that he had business with the Queen."

"Why would the queen want to meet with my brother?" Fiona wondered.

"He's older?" Phyllis asked.

"Yep." Fiona explained, "By two years."

"That's strange," Christa murmured. "Anyways, does anyone have any idea why someone so strong as to weaken Neo-Queen Serenity in the timeline sends such weak youma."

"I think I know," Phyllis ventured. "Obviously, although the enemy is very clever, they don't have a very good system. They sent down these youma only to suck energy. They probably didn't even know that we were killing them until afterwards."

"That's not good is it," Hope thought out loud. "That means next time, the youma will be stronger."

"And we'll still demolish them," Liana whooped.

"Do not be hasty," Faith advised. "Maybe it would be best if we were cautious and didn't rush into things."

"I agree with Faith," Christa said sagely. "We must find new attacks, especially if the new youmas are possessing something. If we killed a youma possessing a human, we would be in trouble."

"So we have to get new attacks," Rini concluded.

"And always be on our guard," Selene added.

"And I know that our mother is up to something. I just know it," Gaiea said fiercely.

===(

"You mean that our youmas were destroyed and you didn't find out until now!" a voice screeched.

"Sorry, your highness," a whispery voice said. "But we were preoccupied with Sailor Cosmos."

"Stupid Neo-Queen Serenity," the voice cursed. "She had to awaken the Crystal Senshi and Sailor Cosmos, didn't she?"

"Just remember, Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia," the voice whispered. "Soon it will be all over."

"Soon, all will know the name Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia," the voice screeched.

"Yes, Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia," the whispery voice said. "Whatever you say, Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia."

===(

"Where were you?" Mina asked.

"At the temple," Sophie dismissed. "Hi, dad," she greeted.

Yaten scooped up his daughter and smiled. "How's my little daughter?" he asked.

"Embarrassed," Sophie responded, rolling her eyes.

When she went into her room, she began doing her homework, when a voice aroused her. Her mom and dad were fighting. She strained to listen.

"I will not let him take custody of her!" her mother screeched.

"He just wants visiting rights," her father consoled.

"I will not have that @$$**** poisoning my daughter's mind and convincing her to stay with him," her mother said vehemently.

"He's her father, and Sophie should be the one to choose whether or not she wishes to visit her father," Yaten said sternly.

"I'm just worried that he'll take her just like he took Justin," she whispered sadly.

"At least you'll get to see Justin," Yaten consoled, and the rest of the conversation was not hearable.

This gave Sophie something to ponder her over. Her father? Justin? Visiting rights? There was definitely something going on, and Sophie wanted to know what it was.

As she finished her homework, her mind was not on it, so her answers were probably all wrong, but she didn't care. As soon as she finished, she raced out the door and ran towards the Crystal Palace. She knew one person who would give her a straight answer.

She self-consciously knocked on Neo-Queen Serenity's door before she could regret it, squeezing her hands tightly and wishing she had never thought of this.

"Sophie, come in," Neo-Queen Serenity's gentle voice said.

"Neo-Queen Serenity," Sophie ventured.

"How many times have I told you?" Neo-Queen Serenity reprimanded gently. "Call me Sere-san."

"Sere-san," Sophie started, before pausing. "I was wondering, do you know who my father is?" Sophie finished in a rush.

"Sit down, child," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled gently. "You see, a long time ago, your mother fell in love with a nice young man named David Urawa, who happened to be Phyllis's uncle, but that doesn't matter. Anyways, they fell in love, and married, and lived a happy life, Mina gave birth to two children, Justin and you. Justin is your brother. He would be sixteen now, being two years older than you. He has brown hair and blue eyes, like your father, in case you're wondering. When you were only two, and Justin was only four, your mother and father had a big fight. You see, your father was somewhat of a workaholic. He often traveled for long periods of time, it's no wonder you don't really remember him. And he always favored Justin over you, and had Justin sent to an elite school, although he was only four, breaking both your hearts. Mina declared that if David didn't stop traveling, she wanted a divorce. The next day, he had left for Bangkok, and divorce papers were in the mail. At the court, David made a fool out of your mother, and took Justin away. Sadly, this was before I became Queen, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

"Anyways, he remarried to a girl who had hated Mina all her life when she lived in England, called Leslie. Leslie decided to rub Justin in Mina's face, and specifically gave Justin Mina's address. Justin and Mina have been corresponding ever since, the letters going through their butler, so that their letters wouldn't be opened. When you were four, Mina remarried Yaten Kou, a guy who she had liked pretty much for a long time. By the way, Yaten, your uncle Seiya, and your uncle Taiki happen to be the Sailor Starlights, and your Aunt Kakyuu happens to be a Princess. Your father is Sailor Star Fighter."

"But the Sailor Starlights are girls," Sophie reminded.

"Your uncles and your stepfather can . . . turn into girls at will, because . . . they kind of were girls in a previous life," Neo-Queen Serenity explained.

"And now my father wants to meet me," Sophie pondered. "Do I get to choose?"

"As the law in this country says," Neo-Queen Serenity explained, "you have to meet him for at least an hour, before you decide whether you wish to continue meeting him or not. If he abuses you in any way, you don't have to finish the hour."

"Thank you, Neo-Queen Serenity," Sophie smiled. "See you later. Bye!"

Neo-Queen Serenity smiled as Sophie skipped gaily out of her room. The children are our future, and may they forever be safe, she thought, before turning to work on the Intergalactic Treaty that gave her a headache because she refused to betroth her children for political gain.

===(

That day, Phyllis was heading home, when she heard a sound in her house.

"Thank you, Taiki, I love the bluebells."

Phyllis decided that she had better leave her mother alone, or her mother would be all embarrassed, and might never accept that fact that she was in denial that she and Taiki did have a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. It was obvious, but for some reason, her mother was extremely embarrassed about it.

She decided to walk towards Hope and Faith's house, because their parents were usually out, and when they were home, they were very nice. Along the way, however, she encountered a group of bullies. She winced. Every time she met them, they gave her a hard time because she knew nothing of her father. She braced herself and continued walking. I am Crystal Senshi Mercury. I can handle a few bullies.

But that was not enough. As she walked, names were thrown at her, along with a few stones that she deftly dodged. It was when they began to advance on her for some bullying, that it was too much. She was Crystal Senshi Mercury, and she was not going to take this. (Crystal Senshi Mercury, Crystal Mercury for short.)

Although there were ten of them and only one of her, she managed to hold her own for a short while, thanks to senshi training, before her guard began to falter.

"Is there a problem?" a strong voice called out. The fighting stopped to see two figures, Hope and Faith.

Phyllis sighed in relief. Although Hope and Faith did not go to her school, everyone knew them. Not only were they the daughters of famous Alex Ten'ou and Michelle Kaioh, they were known for being the best fighters there were when it came to defending the weak.

"Nothing," Josh, the lead bully said fakely. "We were just walking along when the b****** attacked us." (And no, I do not have anything against the name Josh.)

"I don't think so," Faith said coolly, attracting the attention of the guys. "Phyllis here, is our good friend, and we don't appreciate her being insulted."

Heeding the signs, Josh's goons fled, but he remained. "What are you going to do about it," he sneered. "You may think you're good, but you're all girls."

"I'll fight you," Faith said coolly.

"Aren't you scared of dirtying your little dress?" Josh mocked.

Faith walked up to him, lifted her hand, and struck down on one section of his neck. He crumpled down to the floor immediately. She dusted her hand. "Our teacher taught us about pressure points to soothe and to render unconscious in massage class, a class Ms. Div recommended if we ever fight any real battles. She said it'd make me feel better when I massaged a bruised area, as well, and according to her, bruises is something I will definitely get a lot of."

Hope raised an eyebrow, before turning to Phyllis. "What were you thinking, taking on all of them without even inviting us?" she scolded.

"I snapped," Phyllis sighed. "I don't know what got into me."

"Everyone snaps sometime," Faith sympathized. "They deserved it."

"Where are you heading for anyways?" Hope asked.

"Nowhere, really," Phyllis sighed. "I thought I could go to your house, 'cause my mom is 'romancing' at mine, and if I interrupt, she'll never say yes to the proposal I 'overheard', aka eavesdropped Taiki-san give her the other day."

"We were heading for the palace," Faith said simply.

"Want to come?" Hope added.

"Why not?" Phyllis sighed.

When the three got to the palace, the guard said, "The Queen will see Phyllis first."

"How did she know I was coming?" Phyllis asked.

"I just give messages," the guard answered, shrugging.

"Neo-Queen Serenity," Phyllis mentioned. "You wanted to see me?"

"Correction, you wanted to see me?" Neo-Queen Serenity asked, regally lounging on the couch, looking the perfect picture of royalty. "And call me Sere-san."

Phyllis blushed. "I kind of had something in mind that I wanted to ask you."

"Speak your mind," Neo-Queen Serenity replied.

"Did you know my father?" Phyllis ventured.

"Yes," Neo-Queen Serenity said gravely. "His name was Greg Urawa, and he happened to be Sophie's father's cousin, making Sophie your second cousin of sorts."

"Why does mother refuse to talk about him," Phyllis said exasperatedly.

"He was in a car crash when she was pregnant with you. She feels terribly guilty because she had asked him to go to the store for ice cream. The accident devastated her completely. She had to go to a psychiatrist, and she suffered from depression. She snapped out of it when she gave birth to you, however."

"Wow," Phyllis murmured. "I just can't imagine my mother like that."

"I know," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "We were shocked when it happened, because Amy was always our rock: we could always depend on her to stay calm. We never thought that something like this would happen to her. That's why we were so happy when she snapped out of the depression when you were born. We were happier when she began dating Taiki when he returned from outer space."

"Outer space?" Phyllis asked.

"Oh, yes," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "He's also Sailor Star Maker."

"But they were girls," Phyllis protested.

"Don't ask," Neo-Queen Serenity held up her hand. "You can ask him whenever you want, just don't get me to explain it to you."

Phyllis smiled. "Is there anything else I should know about my father?"

Neo-Queen Serenity hesitated before speaking. "Your father was one of the carriers of the Rainbow Crystals. He had the power to see vaguely into the future. He would have visions of a sort. If you have any, you should tell the Crystal Senshi immediately."

"Really?" Phyllis asked softly. "Would you have any pictures of him?"

"Oh, your mom has millions," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "She just keeps them tucked away in the attic."

"Domo arigato for telling me this," Phyllis smiled.

"It was nothing," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled.

"By, Sere-san," she called behind her back as she left. As she entered the "lobby", she smiled at Hope and Faith. "Sere-san is soooooo nice," she smiled. "I won't stay behind, okay? I'm going picture-hunting in the attic."

"She's happy," Hope said.

"We hope Sere-san will answer our question," Faith sighed.

"I'm sure we will," Hope said hopefully.

As they entered the room, they noticed Neo-Queen Serenity closing her eyes, meditating. "Is something wrong?" Hope asked.

"No," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "I'm just calming myself."

"We wanted to ask you . . ." Faith began.

"Whether you know . . ." Hope continued. There was an awkward silence.

"Howourparentsgavebirthtous," Faith finished quickly.

"In fact," Neo-Queen Serenity said, "I believe you know the answer to that."

"We think that you somehow were involved in it," Faith said thoughtfully.

"You thought correctly," Neo-Queen Serenity answered. "You see, although Haruka wasn't very big on babies, Michiru really wanted a baby. At the time, I was still extremely young and reckless, so I implanted babies in them with the Silver Crystal. You are the flesh and blood of Haruka and Michiru, no matter what others tell you. You were combined and have their DNA, their genes, whatever you wish to call it. They can almost do that scientifically, without magic, now, but not yet."

"So, that was all we wanted to know," Faith smiled.

"Actually, I wanted to know what you thought of our parents' relationship," Hope said tactically. "And how we were named."

"I think the love they hold so dear is beautiful," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "And it is smart for Alex to keep her gender hidden, for some do not recognize love like that, and would be willing to dismember such a love. And they guessed I probably had a hand in their giving birth, so they gave me the honor of naming you two. Faith was born from Haruka, and I believed that she needed more faith. Hope was born from Michiru, who I believe needed more hope."

"Well," Faith smiled. "Bye!" She and Hope ran out of the door, obviously planning something or other.

===(

Christa rode around the track again and again upon her faithful horse, Charon. Charon was a beautiful dappled gray, with a birthmark resembling a C. At the time, she had been obsessed with Pluto, much to her mother's discomfort, and had named the horse after Pluto's moon, Charon.

With her forest green riding helmet on, and her casual riding clothes, she sped around the track, enjoying the feel of the wind in her. At the same time, she was contemplating. Sailor Pluto was to be the Guardian and Keeper of Time. Was she destined to watch the Gates after centuries and centuries as well, watching all of her close friends die?

Slowly, she slowed Charon to halt, and fed him some sugar. All of a sudden, a scream rang through the empty stalls. Immediately, she jumped onto Charon and raced him back to the stables.

"Pluto Crystal Make-up!" Youma in the stables she squeaked into her communicator, before gripping firmly onto her staff and stepping into the stalls. She blanched. She couldn't use her attack here; the victim would be sucked into the portal as well.

At this time, the youma noticed that it had company, and deciding that the new person had more energy, he would drain her energy instead. Big Mistake!

Dodging the flow, Pluto concentrated on herself, and remembered what her mother used to call. "Dead Scream!" she called desperately. Nothing happened. Then, on impulse, she called out an attack she just thought of. Living Whisper!

A strange green ball formed at the tip of her staff, which was pointed directly at the monster. When it finished, it rushed straight at the youma, knocking into the wall, temporarily stunning it.

Elysian Crystal Pink Purify!

The pink beam successfully maimed the youma, but the youma refused to die.

Earth Crystal Elemental Surround!

Moon Crystal Heart Attack!

The two combined attacks almost killed the youma, but with the last of its energy, it reached out and began to fire small bits, which exploded when they struck.

Uranus Crystal Wind Shift!

Slowly, but surely, the unconscious victim was carefully transported outside.

Neptune Crystal Aquatic Immerse!

The titanic wave managed to halt the youma from its attack.

Pluto Crystal Time Warp!

The portal opened, and sucked the youma in, before sealing itself and self-destructing.

"That was close," Crystal Saturn murmured. "And I couldn't do anything to help.

"Sorry," Crystal Mercury, Crystal Venus, and Crystal Jupiter gasped. "We just got here late because we couldn't find a private place to transform. We are at the festival."

"Where's Crystal Mars?" The question hung in the air.

===(

Meanwhile, Fiona, furious, was at Hikawa Shrine, forced to take fire- reading lessons from her mother, unable to help her friends at the stables. All of a sudden, a vision appeared in the fire. "Wha-?" she asked.

The vision was of a dark queen sitting on a black marble throne, and beside her, several sinister looking figures. Ignoring her mother, she plunged deeper into the vision.

Vision

"Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia," a figure hissed. "Our youma failed, but many of them gained injury. Next time, we will not fail."

"Yes," another voice said. "We better not. Call General Evan forward."

A figure stepped forward. "Yes, Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia. Is there anything you want?"

"Destroy the Crystal Senshi," the Queen hissed.

"Destroy the Crystal Senshi," Evan repeated. "The Crystal Senshi? Why destroy them? What-"

He was interrupted by several figures dragging him off. "Put him into the brainwashing room again," the Queen hissed. "He may be hard to brainwash permanently, but he's a good fighter and will do what we wish him to."

End Vision

Immediately, Fiona's head snapped up. Rei looked startled. "Is something wrong?" Rei asked.

She didn't see it, Fiona thought. "Nothing. Is my lesson over yet? I have a headache." That much was true.

"That's normal," Rei consoled. "Go rest for a while."

As soon as she got to her room, she turned on her watch-type communicator. Emergency Senshi Meeting in my room now! I had a fire reading!

The response was instantaneous. Within fifteen minutes, everyone got there.

As Fiona explained her vision, everyone was quiet.

"Seems like this Queen H is very fierce, and equipped," Gaiea murmured.

"Not many people have a brainwashing room," Rini added.

"Evan sounds like a nice guy," Faith murmured. "It seems like if we can keep him away from Queen Whatever for a while, he can be turned back onto the good side."

"That's a good idea," Sophie noted. "Maybe he's cute." Hearts were in her eyes.

"And if it doesn't work?" Phyllis asked.

"We can always get my mom to heal him," Selene said.

"Another thing," Liana said. "Everyone says that whenever the Queen uses her Imperial Silver Crystal, she's supposed to die."

"But she doesn't," Hope noted.

"That might have something to do with the fact that she's Sailor Cosmos," Haley suggested.

"But I think that it's draining her energy," Christa said softly. They all turned to stare at her.

Slowly, Fiona nodded. "She seems so pale and gaunt lately."

"She's more tired than usual," Selene said softly.

"She's been getting sick constantly," Rini thought out loud.

"Is using the Imperial Silver Crystal draining her life away?" Gaiea whispered the unspoken thought.

"Using the Crystal has dire consequences," Phyllis murmured. "I'll bet that Neo- Queen Serenity will die early."

"She can't," Liana said abruptly. "Being Sailor Cosmos gives her eternal life until another Sailor Cosmos is found. She told us herself, and a Sailor Cosmos only appears once every ten million years."

"So she'll have to stay in the form of Sailor Cosmos," Haley suggested.

Faith shivered. "But I think it's more serious than that. Has anyone else noticed that she's been training us to rule the planets more than ever?"

Hope continued, "She'll probably be expecting us to take over soon."

Christa shook her head. " I think that one of us is Sailor Cosmos, or has the material to be Sailor Cosmos, and we don't know it. She knows that her life will end soon, and hopes that the one of us will be able to take on the job."

"Even so," Sophie said, "I don't think anyone of us would accept the job, just because if we did, she would die."

The others nodded in agreement.

"Anyways," Rini sighed. "Onto lighter subjects. Who's going to the ball my mother's holding?"

"Ball?"

"Yes, Ball," Selene smiled. "As in fancy party, formal wear, and as royalty, you'll be required to attend, as your mothers have done, though you will be required to wear masks, not only as protocol, but also to keep others from seeing you and wondering why you are there."

"We'll be in masks, too," Gaiea added. "Only Rini will be free of them. And trust me, with people convincing her to see their sons, it won't be fun."

"And," Selene's eyes sparkled. "My mom said that there would be special guests there. By the way, if you see your mum, it's probably best to make sure they don't see you."

===(

Kari strode down Lotus Street, her short brown hair brushing against her soft face. She ignored everyone. Queen Hyeth, the nickname that the Queen detested, demanded that someone be sent down to Earth to see what "those humans are up to." Kari rolled her eyes. Queen Hyeth was a big pain in the neck, sometimes.

She hated this job, but it was the only available position, and she was going to grab hold to it like a drowning man to a lifesaver. It didn't matter if the lifesaver wasn't your favorite color; you held on anyways.

She sighed, before accidentally bumping into a tall raven-haired lady. "Watch where you're going," she snapped.

"Why don't you," the raven-haired lady snapped in return. Oh my god, her vibes were horrible. She's got to be evil. Raye's mind was running with chaos. What to do. What to do.

God that lady was rude. And there was something peculiar about her. She's going to be my next victim. Pleased that she was so far ahead, she smiled.

===(

As Raye swept the temple floor, her mind was racing. Should she tell Neo-Queen Serenity? But after quitting, that would be meddling. It was treason if she kept the secret. But wouldn't they think she was interfering?

Suddenly, Phobos and Deimos cawed out an alarm. Immediately, she looked up to see a huge raven-shaped monster rushing at her. She ducked out of the way, and reached for her henshin stick. and remembered that she had quit. Immediately she let out a scream, the universal symbol that a youma was near, before throwing an ofuda at it. She chanted the words under her breath, and watched as it became immobile.

"$***! What to do? What to do? I can't defeat it, and the ofuda won't last long," Raye muttered. So saying, she began attacking it with her broom. Oops, it just looked pissed off.

Mars Crystal Fiery Assault!

A stream of fire stopped it in mid-track. After the fire faded away, however, the monster proceeded.

A pale white rose stopped the monster in its tracks. "I am Tsukikage no Kamen." (Moonlight Mask.)

A pink rose landed right next to the first rose. "And I am Tuxedo Knight."

Living Whisper!

The strange green ball knocked the youma, but it just got right up.

What to do? What to do? "Burning Mandala!" Crystal Mars called out desperately, remembering her mother's old attack, but to no avail. Suddenly her eyes brightened.

Smoldering Blaze!

A wall of fire formed around her and her spear. With confidence, she picked up the fiery spear, aimed, and fired. As it hit the youma, fire rushed at it from all sides, burning it. The youma screamed in agony.

Moon Crystal Heart Attack!

Elysian Crystal Pink Purify!

The combined attacks finished off the youma.

"We need to practice more," Crystal Jupiter said grimly. "Even though two of us got new attacks, we barely managed to finish it off."

"And who are Tsukikage no Kamen and Tuxedo Knight?" There was a silence. Slowly, Crystal Mars picked up the white rose, while Crystal Pluto picked up the pink one. "I wonder," they murmured.

===(

Slowly, Rini frowned. There was something familiar about those two. As she climbed up the steps to her mother's room, she remembered something else. "Mother," she said, about to voice the question she always mysteriously forgot every time she approached her mother. "Why did you tell them that we were born in Kyoto, when my cousins were born in Kyoto, and my sisters were born in secret in the castle? And why have we forgotten to ask you this?"

Neo-Queen Serenity sighed. "I have my reasons, child. Now go to sleep."

==(

Sighing, Raye walked over to the group. Although they barely saw each other anymore, they always attended the annual ball masked, and by now, she could recognize them anywhere. She walked over and greeted the former Sailor Scouts.

Amy was wearing a simple light blue dress and a light blue mask. Her dark blue hair had grown a bit longer, and now curled inwards slightly. Her slim body had filled out a bit more, due to childbirth. Altogether, she looked much more matronly. She also had a ring on her finger.

"Amy? You're married?" Raye asked, aghast.

Until then, the others had conversed about nothing important, but they stared at the ring in shock. Somehow, they hadn't noticed it.

"Who was the first to know?" Mina demanded.

Mina was still a regular busybody. Her long golden hair had softened a bit, and she had definitely grown a bit thicker. Of course, she had two children with her former husband, and one with her new one. Having three children did that to people sometimes. Mina's golden dress made her the center of attention like always, however, and seemed to be designed to make her look beautiful.

"Neo-Queen Serenity," Amy blushed. "Actually, she called the minute Taiki left and congratulated me, even though I hadn't told her yet."

Lita sighed. "Serena's as up-to-date as always."

Lita's chocolate hair was out of its ponytail now, something that had become habit after Ken's death. Her eyes still held a tinge of sadness to it, but her joy was in her daughter. After Ken had died in that dreadful hit-and-run accident in which the other driver was drunk, Lita had focused only on her daughter, drowning her sorrow in alcohol. Then, the Sailor Scouts had confronted her and ordered her to pull together for the sake of her daughter, and she had. She now wore a forest green velvet dress, which became her. She was the only single one in their group, since Amy was now engaged.

Raye frowned. "Did you know about this, Michelle?" she accused.

Michelle had the grace to blush. "I do have the Mirror of Truth," she admitted.

Michelle's long aqua hair was pulled back into a stiff bun that gave her the look of a tired mother. Her once-perfect figure was now of no concern to her, since it had filled out due to childbirth. She wore an aqua skirt and blouse that helped her blend in.

Beside her, Amara's short blonde hair was like always. She wore a tuxedo, and looked like she always had. The few pounds she gained from childbirth were worked off quickly from running.

Trista herself had gray hairs streaked through her usually green hair. She was the oldest with a child of sixteen, and her age had begun to give her sags. Her once-perfect complexion was now blemished with wrinkles. Setsuna's age was showing quicker than the other senshi's because she was older. She was forty, and looked every bit like it. Her husband was forty-two, named Marc, and understood that she was not who she seemed. It was one of the things he learned to accept, and he loved her with his whole heart.

Heather was still young, however. After quitting the senshi, she had shrunk in age a couple of years, since she had been very young to begin with. Her black hair was now as long as Mina's. She had grown plump and rosy, and looked like the perfect wife. Her own daughter, Haley, was only twelve, and was actually adopted. Her other son was five years old, and very adorable. Raye narrowed her eyes. Was Heather's swelled stomach a little too plump?

"Are you pregnant?" Raye demanded.

Heather blushed. She had married Sammy, Serena's younger brother, who was only one year older than her in this time. However, it was a bit confusing for her, at first, because he seemed so young sometimes, due to her excess reincarnations. She nodded sheepishly.

As everyone congratulated her, Raye smiled. No, this group of Sailor Scouts wasn't too shabby. Even she, herself, was tastefully dressed.

She wore a red dress that emphasized her curves slightly, but that was all. Her black hair was shorter, and pulled back into a French Twist that kept it out of her way. She was still as slim as ever. Being a Temple Maiden, and doing endless amounts of chores each day does that to you.

After a while, the subject matter turned to the new Crystal Senshi. "I was attacked a couple of days ago," Raye mentioned. "The Crystal Senshi saved me, along with a Tsukikage no Kamen and a Tuxedo Knight. Does this in any way remind you of us?"

Mina burst out laughing. "Tuxedo Knight? Moonlight Mask? Somebody obviously copied Tuxedo Mask and his counterpart memory person."

"Huh?" Heather asked.

Amy proceeded to explain Alan and Ann, and Moonlight Knight.

"So Moonlight Mask was just his memory?" Amara asked.

"Yes," Amy nodded.

"Why didn't you just say so then?" Heather asked, curious.

They all burst out laughing.

===(

Although like her "father" in appearance, Hope was slightly different. For instance, she enjoyed wearing dresses, and liked being female, though she preferred her hair short. In her opinion, it was just too much trouble combing it, and making sure there were no tangles, and putting it up, etc.

Instead, Hope had merely combed it thoroughly, and clipped it back with a cloud clip. Her hair was longer than Alex's, the blonde hair just reaching her ears. Her sky blue eyes were clouded with concern. Her sister Faith had run off to the bathroom just recently.

Her eyes roamed the room, and finally found Faith. Faith wore an aqua halter-top and a light blue mini-skirt.

Straightening her dark blue, short-sleeved blouse and loose skirt that fell to her knees, she wove her way over.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Just my first you-know," Faith whispered to Hope.

Hope nodded. She may not look it, but she had matured first. "Have you seen any of the others?"

Faith frowned. "No," she said. "Have you?"

"No," Hope frowned. "Look for red. Fiona will wear red no matter what."

Their eyes roamed the room and fell on one figure. She had long black hair and a red spaghetti strap with black caprice on.

"Isn't this supposed to be formal?" Faith murmured. Her turquoise hair was shorter than her "father's" and reached just below her shoulders.

"And what we're wearing counts as formal?" Hope chuckled. "A lot of the adults may be wearing fancy clothes, but none of the kids are."

They wove their way through the crowd, greeting Fiona when they got there.

"Have you seen anyone else?" Fiona asked.

"Well, there's Phyllis, Haley, and Liana," Faith pointed out.

Phyllis's hair was a shade lighter than her mother's and a bit longer. She wore a light blue sweater-jacket and a short blue skirt.

Haley's black hair was somewhat longer than her mother's. It was only slightly shorter than Fiona's, and was braided. She wore a black T- strap and black caprice.

Liana's brown hair was exactly like her mother's, but it was slightly curlier, and she didn't like putting it up in a ponytail. She wore a forest green blouse and a light green skirt.

As they made their way over, they counted who were missing. "Rini, Selene, Gaiea, Sophie, and Christa," Phyllis said.

"Sophie and Rini are probably by the food," Liana suggested.

Giving each other equal looks, they hurried over to the refreshment table. Sure enough, Sophie and Rini were digging into the food there, while an embarrassed Selene and Gaiea attempted to drag them away.

Rini wore a sugary pink dress with her tiara on a bit crookedly. Sophie's blonde hair was darker than her mother's, and was slightly shorter. She wore a golden dress that shone. Gaiea wore muted colors of black and blue, and her hair was twisted up into a bun that made her look older than she was. Selene's silver hair was taken out of her "meatballs" to her dismay, because otherwise, she looked too much like Neo-Queen Serenity, and that would be bad. She wore silver and white, and had a grumpy expression on her face.

The Crystal Senshi shied away from her. When Selene was in a bad mood, it was best not to go anywhere near her. Selene glared daggers at them. "Aren't you going to help us?" she hissed.

Grudgingly, Phyllis, Haley, Liana, Fiona, Hope, and Faith dragged Rini and Sophie out of the buffet table.

"Where's Christa?"

Their answer came to them as a ringing voice came across the room.

On the stage, was Christa. She was properly disguised, of course. She wore a crimson floor-length dress, and looked properly regal and mature. Of course, she was the oldest of the Crystal Senshi. She had a delicate mask on. She was actually the only one of the younger guests who actually wore a dress. "Hello everyone," she said sweetly, her hand self- consciously brushing her green-black hair that fell past her waist in gentle waves. "I will be your hostess for tonight. First on the program, we have ."

. and so the party went on. The only important thing of interest that took place was when Rini accidentally got hold of the spiked punch without knowing it was spiked and drank a lot of it and . well, let's just say that many ambassadors from other countries were shocked.

===(

"Would you shut up already?" Rini grumbled. "I could really CARE LESS!"

"Really, Rini," Phyllis teased. "You were throwing yourself all over that Prince of Elysian person, and he seemed so amused."

Rini paled. "Prince of Elysian?" she choked out.

"Why yes," Sophie remarked. "Who else? It seemed like love at first sight."

"No," Rini wailed. "Did he happen to be named as Elios?"

"How did you know?" Hope asked, started.

Rini glared at her fell Crystal Senshi. "Time," she muttered. "Stupid Puu!" she almost screamed out. "Why did I have to . mumble mumble . Elios . mumble . cutest guy ."

"What?" Christa asked. "What did she say about MY mother?"

"I think she was cursing her," Sophie smiled. "I bet Rini's met this Prince Elios sometime before."

"Actually," Rini snapped. "He's the PRIEST of Elysian. They don't have Kings or Princes. His official title if Prince-Priest of Elysian."

"And how do you know this?" Fiona asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rini groaned. "I've met him before," she said curtly, and would say no more.

They decided not to ask. They chose wisely.

===(

For once, the whole gang was walking together. Rini, Selene, Sophie, Fiona, and Liata had convinced Christa, Hope, Faith, Haley, and Phyllis to go shopping with them. Of course, Faith had enjoyed it immensely, and Christa was busy pointing out her mother's designer fashions. Hope just rolled her eyes and put up with it, while Haley and Phyllis were conspiring as how to escape.

They were in the middle of entering Trista's Trite and Tremendous Fashions, when a scream interrupted their reverie. The ten shot each other looks before getting ready to attack.

Mercury .

Venus .

Earth .

Moon .

Elysian .

Mars .

Jupiter .

Saturn .

Uranus .

Neptune.

Pluto.

. Crystal Make-Up!

In their places, stood Crystal Senshi, ready to battle.

"Living Whisper!"

"Smoldering Blaze!"

The two attacks surged into an inkblot youma that was feeding off on the people's energy.

Neptune Crystal Aquatic Immerse!

Mercury Crystal Ice Focus!

The inkblot froze, waiting for someone to crash into it.

Jupiter Crystal Lightning Obliterate!

But the youma only wobbled back and forth, no damage done to it.

Meanwhile, Crystal Uranus was waiting patiently for something to do. Her attack would be of no help whatsoever, of which she was furious. She knew that World Shaking wouldn't work, but suddenly her hands began moving of their own accord.

"Earthquake Tremble!"

At the same time, she heard Crystal Earth shout out:

"Earthen Depression!"

At the same time the youma began wobbling around desperately, a huge pit in the ground swallowed up the youma.

Suddenly, a tall woman appeared before them. She had short brown hair and green eyes. "I am Kari!" she hissed. "You have disrupted my plans for the last time. I am fourth in command of Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia. I may be last in command, but I am not weak. See how you pathetic senshi do against me!"

Crystal Moon and Crystal Elysian stood side by side. Crystal Elysian leaned over and whispered something in Crystal Moon's ear. Crystal Moon nodded, if somewhat reluctantly.

"Lunar Eclipse!"

"Dream Overwhelm!"

A silver light and a pink light swirled together, and overwhelmed Kari, making her stumble backwards.

"Nightmare Revolution!" she called.

Immediately, Crystal Elysian, most susceptible because she was senshi of the realm of dreams, began to move back and forth, moaning in pain.

Suddenly, in a flash, a white-clad, Prince-Priest of Elysian rushed over. "Rini," he murmured. "Rini. Wake up. It's only a dream. A dream. Do you hear me? A dream ."

Slowly, Rini began to stop her moaning. She opened her eyes. "Pegasus," she sighed. "Was me getting drunk a dream, too?" she asked hopefully.

A smile on his lips, he shook his head. Then, he turned around to face Kari. "You will pay for invading her dreams!" he said in a confident voice. "The Realm of Dreams is my Realm. I challenge you there!"

Kari shook her head. "I'm not stupid," she smiled, holding up her hand, about to cast another spell.

A white rose struck her hand. "I am Tsukikage no Kamen. As the light shines, so does the hope within your heart. Hurry up and do something already, Crystal Moon!"

Crystal Moon glared, before yelling out, "Moon Crystal Heart Attack," and finishing off Kari, leaving behind a pile of youma dust. She whirled around. "I know who you are!" Her voice raised several octaves. "You are my annoying brat of a cousin. Which would make Tuxedo Knight my other SPORE OF A COUSIN!" she screamed with all her might.

"Hey, who ya callin' a spore?" an annoying voice chuckled. "We just saved your life."

Before a scene could take place, Crystal Mars stepped in. "Hello?" she said impatiently. "We have some business to take care of. Anymore fighting can take place *you-know-where*!"

Her face effectively silenced any more comments. She looked ready to fry anyone who objected with a "Smoldering Blaze."

===(

"Your friend is scary," Zeus murmured under his breath. His silver hair and green eyes were sparkling. "I really did think she'd do us in right then and there."

"I second that," golden-haired, blue-eyed Apollo shook his head. "I've heard Mom say that Elder Mars used to be just like that."

"Not to mention Sailor Mars," Rini said, remembering.

Zeus chuckled. "But . she is kind of cute."

There was a pause, then a shriek. "I knew it! Ecchi! Ecchi! You were looking up her skirt, weren't you? I knew we should have asked Aunt Sincerity to do something about it!"

There was a pause before Apollo spoke. "Well, it's kind of hard not to, Rini."

That was the wrong thing to say. The rest of the walk to Hikawa Jinja was spent with Apollo and Zeus running for their lives away from Rini, who was on a rampage.

"What is going on here?" Fiona asked when they arrived.

Rini pointed to Zeus. "He was looking up your skirt!" she announced. "So was he!" she declared, pointing to Apollo. "They must die."

"Or at least writhe in pain," Hope glared.

"I'll deal with them," Fiona said confidently. "I've seen how my mother dealt with my father." She raised the broom she was sweeping the floor with, and immediately began chasing the two with it.

"What's going on?" Phyllis asked. She, Haley, and Christa had just arrived.

Faces were made. "They looked up our skirts," Faith explained.

Christa's eyes blazed. "Are they the infamous Tsukikage no Kamen and Tuxedo Knight?" she asked in a tight voice.

Her eyes met nods.

She reached into her subspace pocket and pulled out her Time Staff. Whack! Whack! Apollo and Zeus fainted to the floor. She made her Time Staff disappear again, before dusting her hands, looking satisfied.

===(

Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia was displeased with the turn of events. "Bring in General Evan."

"Yes, Queen Hyethanialaarionotoloxeptosia," a hissing voice answered. Immediately, General Evan appeared.

"You and Medusa are my only other officers," the Queen said. "The others are incompetents. You will lead an assault upon Crystal Tokyo. My soldiers are at your disposal, as long as you bring me Neo-Queen Serenity's tiara . on her head on a shining silver platter . severed from the rest of her body."

"Yes, My Queen," Evan bowed. "Your wish is my command.

===(