Chapter 8: Battle of the Bulge
A figure appeared in the Outer Senshi's kitchen. All was quiet, as they were out shopping. A strange can of something appeared in the girl's hand. First it read but then it became identical to any other drink they might have in their refrigerator. The girl stuck it in the refrigerator, then left, snickering to herself. She returned, and Akimi faced her, hands on hips.

Where have you been, Natsumi?! she scolded.

Relax. I was just giving Setsuna something to expand her horizons, Natsumi answered airily. Akimi furrowed her brow, confused. What was that supposed to mean?

Setsuna returned from the store thirsty. Why oh WHY did Haruka have to tease Hotaru in the dairy section like that?! She grabbed the trick drink and gulped it down, as it looked and tasted normal. But something felt...funny. Hotaru gasped.

Setsuna-mama's inflating like a balloon! she exclaimed. Indeed she was. Her torso was turning into a huge ball shape, a ball with short arms and legs and a head sticking out.

What's going on? Is this a new power you just got? But you're not transformed... Michiru said, confused at Setsuna's strange metamorphosis.

How do we fix this problem, added Haruka.

Why don't we hold a Sailor Senshi meeting here, Setsuna said, staying calm despite her predicament.

Soon, all the Senshi minus the alien ones were gathered at the Outer Senshi's house.

Usagi, let this be a lesson to you. Don't eat too much or you'll end up like her, Rei teased.

I got this way from drinking something, not from eating, Setsuna corrected, rolling her eyes.

Drinking something? Drinking what? That harmless can of juice on the table there? asked Minako.

Yes. That was it, Setsuna said The enemy must've disguised it as a regular drink.

Ami, can you use your computer to figure out how that happened? Or should we prick her with a pin and then the air will be let out? asked Makoto. Chibi-Usa gave Setsuna a shove, and she rolled into the couch.

Puu feels heavy. Not air. It's like there's water inside her, Chibi-Usa said.

Water? Then we can let the water out! Where's something to let it out? Where's a knife? asked Minako frantically.

Stop! Don't stab Puu! Let Ami analyze it first! shouted Chibi-Usa, hugging Minako's legs so she couldn't go to the kitchen for a knife.

Yes, Minako, you could kill her doing that, Ami admonished, and she pulled out her mini-computer, but Hotaru stopped her.

Wait. Setsuna-mama, why don't you transform? Maybe that will fix the spell, she suggested.

It's worth a try. Pluto Crystal Power, Make Up! called Setsuna.

The transformation worked, though not in the way Hotaru had thought it would. There was Sailor Pluto, only still looking like she had inhaled a giant balloon into herself.

If transforming didn't work, what can we do? Should I use the Silver Crystal to heal her? asked Usagi, a bit desperate.

Usagi, there's no evil energy inside of her, at least none I can sense. The Silver Crystal's supposed to turn people good again, not shrink their waistlines, Rei said.

Right, Rei, if that were true, everyone would be clamoring to have Usagi use it as the new weight-loss cure, joked Luna.

Balloons leak over time, right? Why don't we just let it go and the air will leak out, suggested Minako.

That would be nice if it was air, but the stuff inside of her seems to be blueberry-flavored juice, according to my computer, Ami said.

We can give her a stomach pump! exclaimed Minako.

Ewwwww....that sounds painful, whimpered Usagi.

Hey! Don't hurt Puu! added Chibi-Usa angrily. Ami typed something on her computer and gasped.

Guess what. There is a cure, though, yes, Chibi-Usa, it could hurt her, but it might be the only way. Squeeze her so the juice comes out of her mouth, like one does with a drowning person, she said.

I'm on it! blurted out Minako and she pounced on Setsuna and started jumping up and down. Some of the juice flew out of her mouth and stained the carpet.

It's working! I'll get a bucket, exclaimed Michiru, and she ran off.

Let's all hug her at once! squealed Usagi, and she pounced too. One by one, the other Senshi squeezed the juice out Setsuna, who was very stoic about the whole ordeal, while Michiru caught the juice in her bucket.