Chapter 25: Akimi
Rei gazed around the candy store, drooling over the 1,000 flavors of lollipop. She just couldn't decide; they were all so yummy! She grabbed a whole bunch of samples and stuffed them into her mouth. Behind her, Chibi-Usa tugged on her skirt.

Come on, can't I have some too? she begged.

Me too! added Yaten, who was there too.

Boys don't beg for candy! snapped Rei, glaring at Yaten, who just smiled as green lights passed over him and he was in Sailor Star Healer form.

Wake up, Rei! Don't be stuck in gender stereotypes! Wake up! Wake up... Yaten's voice faded into reality as Rei opened her eyes. Her mouth was filled with some sort of mint treat, though.

What is this place? It looks like a gingerbread house, only a forest instead of a house! exclaimed Chibi-Usa in disbelief. Rei sat up. The pink-haired girl was right; almost everything seemed to be made of candy here!

It's good you're awake, eating in your sleep might be dangerous, Yaten said. Rei was glad that there were two other Senshi with her; then she might have a fighting chance if this place was monster-infested. She stood up and looked around. The trees had jellybean leaves, peppermint stick trunks and branches, and the grass was mint.

Oh no. Not again, Chibi-Usa moaned.

What's wrong? Do you hate candy or something? asked Yaten.

No, it's not that. This is like those fairies with their Black Dream Hole. They tried to use me as a power booster for their plan to put all the people of Earth into a dream world. And the other kids they lured sang about a world of candy--that's this place! Chibi-Usa panicked, remembering the way Badiane had tortured her.

But we beat Badiane. This is probably just another trick of the enemy we're dealing with right now, Rei reassured her.

So what are we supposed to do here? Yaten asked, bored.

Um, what do you want to do? Eat stuff? Man, who picked this place? A candy forest is boring. I wonder what would happen if I melted the whole dimension here with my fire attacks, Rei mused, also bored.

Who picked this place? Didn't you say the enemy did? Maybe they want you to melt everything with your powers so we can't escape, Chibi-Usa said, still worried.

Well, I don't have to use my powers, snapped Rei. She angrily ripped one of the peppermint stick branches off and flicked it at Chibi-Usa.

OW!! What was that for?! shrieked the future princess, blinking rapidly, as Rei's shot had hit her in the eye.

For being a whiny brat, grumbled Rei, picking off another stick and waving it menacingly.

I agree with you, said a calm voice. The three of them turned around to see a girl with her black and white hair in braids standing behind them.

Who are you and what do you agree with? Rei demanded.

That Chibi-Usa is a whiny brat. Then again, you and Yaten are that way too, Akimi said.

I don't trust that anime you claim you know me from. After all, I'm not in some group called the Three Lights,' and Kakyuu is WITH us on Earth, Yaten retorted.

You're not doing a very good job of disproving my statement, Akimi said condescendingly.

Since when am I whiny?! screamed Rei, thinking to be a better term for Usagi than herself.

Well, not whiny, but you're still a cruel, temperamental brat who hates Sailor Moon, Akimi stated matter-of-factly.

Here's what a brat can do to you! Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!

Healer Star Power, Make Up!

Moon Crisis, Make Up! Akimi rolled her eyes as the three of them transformed. She zapped them with her electricity, smiling as they writhed on the minty ground. But she did not prepare herself for the attacks that followed.

Mars Flame Sniper!

Star Sensitive Inferno!

Pink Lady's Freezing Kiss!

Akimi screamed as she was covered with a red, green, and pink glow. The jewel that came out of her chest was iridescent on one side, and black on the other. Still lying down, she began to speak as if in a trance.

The Maroon Crystal is a sentient life-form that looks like a crystal. It lives under the anime section of our local video store and gives special powers to anime fans. It brought us to its dimension because we are special. It has chosen us as the supreme anime fans of all time. When she was finished, she simply faded away like the other three did. Unfortunately, so did the candy land, and Rei, Yaten, and Chibi-Usa shut their eyes and cowered, waiting for the end.