Chapter 24: Natsumi
Hotaru? Is that you? Seiya asked, lying on the long, dark green grass.

No, I'm Setsuna Meiou, the grass said, her voice muffled. He quickly sat up, startled. He could also see Makoto Kino sitting up against a palm tree. In fact, there were palm trees everywhere, as this appeared to be a jungle.

I don't see any jungle animals, so it might be safe for us to explore, Makoto commented. Seiya shuddered at the thought of Hotaru being eaten by one of the big cats he had learned about in biology class.

They might be hiding, though. To scare away tigers, we should put masks on the back of our heads, Setsuna informed them.

Why masks? Shouldn't we make weapons? Seiya asked, confused.

Because tigers sneak up from the back to attack their prey. But that can be thwarted by a simple mask on the back of the head, Setsuna said.

Tigers don't sound like very noble animals. In battle, a proper introduction is needed for the fight to be honorable, Makoto mused, thinking of the rules she had learned in her martial arts classes. She then screamed as she felt hot breath and claws on the back of her neck. She spun around in a fighting position, only to find a snickering but cowering Seiya behind her.

Don't do that! I thought you were a tiger! she shouted.

Makoto, if that were a tiger, it wouldn't pause before attacking you, Setsuna said dryly. Makoto glared at her; she wasn't much help. Seiya pouted at Setsuna's remark and wondered if he would be able to scare her like he did Makoto. Something moved in the plants behind them and they all crept away, watching cautiously. It really WAS a tiger! Makoto screamed and ran away, and the tiger padded quickly into the open.

It's a little tiger, gasped Seiya.

It's a fake tiger. That looks like a costume, Setsuna remarked. Indeed it was, the tiger was the size of a human standing on his or her hands and knees. In fact, the skin looked like a dead tiger skin used as a costume by a person who was trying to be scary, as the expression was blank and frozen in a menacing but dead look. Seiya reached into the mouth and pulled out a girl with curly blond hair.

I am Natsumi! Let me go! she shouted.

No way! You're one of those villains! retorted Seiya, still holding her by her shirt collar. She kicked and squirmed, forcing Seiya to drop her on the ground in front of them. She stood up and grinned mischeviously at the three of them.

What was that tiger trick for, anyway? It was stupid, snapped Seiya, annoyed that he had almost been fooled by the costume.

Your friend obviously doesn't think so, smirked Natsumi, pointing to Makoto, who was shaking and clinging to a tree. Then she jumped off and went into a fighting pose.

It's still stupid to scare people! she shouted, still shaken up.

Are you kidding?! It's a perfect battle techinque. Don't you know that scared people are poor fighters? Natsumi exclaimed.

Actually, some people become stronger under stress, Setsuna commented.

Shut up! I don't want to listen to you, Sailor Pluto! You're just an obnoxious evergreen tree head! Also, you're mean! How come you didn't tell Haruka and Michiru about the talismen they had? Not only would they have been saved the grief of having to sacrifice innocents, but then Eudial wouldn't have played that nasty trick on them. And even if she still did, if you had gotten there sooner, you could've saved all the other Senshi the trouble they went to when they were chasing Eudial around the cathedral! Natsumi ranted. Setsuna remembered the cathedral incident, but she didn't know that Haruka and Michiru had been tormented by the search, since she wasn't a mind-reader and she hadn't exactly been looking out for how they were feeling back then. Makoto and Seiya, on the other hand, were ready for a battle.

Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up! shouted Makoto.

Fighter Star Power, Make Up! yelled Seiya.

Pluto Crystal Power, Make Up! called Setsuna, joining them. Natsumi flew into the air, flinging various pies at the three Senshi, who dodged them and ran away. Then she grabbed some coconuts off the trees and threw those at the Senshi, which hurt them.

How can we get her with our powers if she's flying around so fast? asked Sailor Jupiter, rubbing the spot on her arm where she was hit by a coconut.

We need a way to tie her down, said Sailor Pluto.

How about with these vines? suggested Seiya. But he didn't really have to do anything, as Natsumi, busy looking for more coconuts to throw at them, crashed headfirst into a tree and fell on the ground, wobbling like she was drunk.

Now! Jupiter Oak Evolution!

Dead Scream.

Star Serious Laser!

As with Harumi and Fuyumi, Natsumi collapsed as a jewel came out of her chest, only this one was blue. She woke up confused, like the others.

The last thing I remember, I had knocked down a stack of anime videos at a store and my friends were there too. Underneath was a glowing, blood red crystal... Natsumi mumbled to herself. The three Senshi stared at each other. A crystal in a video store? What was going on here? They all were surprised as Natsumi's body faded away, leaving the strange blue gem behind.