Silence... it was sometimes good, and terrible at other times. This was one of the more unfortunate times. Amara and Michelle were somewhere downstairs talking to Serena about the strange occurrences happening so randomly. Karen was in a place she never thought she would ever step foot in... Rini's room. It was either this or continue her arguing with Michelle and anything was better than being around Michelle. The only problem with apologizing to Rini was actually getting Rini to spare her the smallest look. She was still traumatized from Karen's blow and wasn't in the mood for speaking to anyone about anything. Karen didn't let that stop her though, she couldn't.
Diana was sleeping on the floor near the bed where Rini was seated. The Moon Princess hadn't made eye contact with Karen since the troublesome girl had come into the room. Minutes had already passed and both girls still uttered no words. Karen mentally groaned, she could have been doing something fun right now. Like hang out with Rebecca and Susan or... she shook her head, it was her fault she was here. She inched over to Rini, trying to think of a way to get the girl to listen to her. Halting a short distance away from Rini, she sat on the floor and searched her pockets for something.
"Rini, I'm sorry that I went crazy and used my rightful powers against you. I would have let you beat me aside the head until you felt satisfied, but I'm not quite recovered from crashing into that park bench. So, here's a much better idea." She pulled out her wand and set it in front of her. "I want you to take it and keep it as long as you think you need to. And while I can't transform, I'll help everyone in other ways on the battle field."
"Are you serious?" Rini stared at Karen as if she was crazy, but the girl just nodded. "What if I never give it back?"
"I don't think you're that cruel, but if you don't... well, that's just too bad for me. You forgive me, right? That's the whole point of the offer."
Rini nodded, picking up the wand and hiding under one of the pillows. "You've got a deal."
-.-
Karen paced back and forth in her room, the cordless phone laying next to Apollo on her bed. Apollo was giving her one of his long lectures, the same ones Karen never listened to. She sometimes wondered why he bothered when he knew she was always off in her own little world. She guessed it was in case she'd pay attention for once. She glared at the phone, she hated being called or having to call someone. She sighed and decided to go get a snack, heading over to her door. Just as she was about to leave, the phone began to ring. Karen quickly walked back over to the bed and picked it up. There was no need to wonder who was calling, she knew as soon as she had come home to an empty house.
"Hey Trista, where are you?"
"Michelle's old house. We're having the movie night, remember?"
"No one tells me anything... I talked to Rini, it went well this time." Karen ceased her pacing and petted Apollo. "I only need to get hit aside the head with a broom once to learn my lesson."
"You know, Michelle's still going to punish you."
"Wishful thinking..." A thud was heard in the background. "What was that?"
"... Amara and Serena."
Karen smiled and let out a small laugh. "Maybe they need a good whack from the broom."
Another sound was heard, this time it was the shattering of glass. "Um.. I better go. Good night."
"Night." Karen turned off the phone and headed downstairs.
In the living room, Rini, Hotaru, and Susan were huddled on the couch, talking and giggling. Rebecca was laying on the love seat, looking bored as she fidgeted with her necklace. Karen set the phone down and cleared her throat. Rebecca sat up and the others looked up from their conversation.
"Hey, where are...?"
"They didn't want to come, probably a little terrified of you." Rebecca answered with a grin.
"Oh well, their loss. What are we watching first?" The other three had jumped out of their seat and over to the television and began to argue about what movie to watch.
Karen took her seat next to Rebecca, who began to cling onto her arm. Karen hugged her and the two just stared into each others' eyes. The room had fallen silent and Karen snapped out of her trance. Susan, Hotaru, and Rini had goofy looks on their faces as they observed the couple. Karen found herself speechless and could only manage to blush slightly.
"They're like Amara and Michelle..." Hotaru stated.
"Except much more cute..!" Rini added and Susan nodded.
"It's a good thing the others didn't come. Right Karen?" Rebecca gave the embarrassed girl a slight nudge in the side. When Karen didn't answer, Rebecca chuckled and pulled her into a kiss.
Karen's face had become bright red and she hid behind a pillow. "Becca, not in front of the kids!" They all grew silent again and then burst into laughter at the same time.
-.-
Serena jumped over the couch, crashing onto the floor after failing to catch her target. Amara poked her head out of the door leading to the kitchen. Luna and Artemis were on the couch, exasperating sighs escaping their mouths. Mina and Lita were picking up the pieces of broken glass as they yell at Serena.
"The floor really felt that one, Meatball-Head." Amara managed to get the insult out before getting pulled back into the kitchen.
"Movie night just isn't complete without Amara and Serena's bickering and wrecking of everything." Raye noted sarcastically and Amy gestured an agreement.
"Though it would be better if they skipped the wrecking part." Trista spoke as she started to eat some popcorn.
"We're talking about Amara and Serena, two of the most destructive people we know." Mina debated.
"They are the two most destructive people we know.." Lita retorted.
Serena had finally got to her feet and entered the kitchen. She came back out with a confused expression. "Where did they go?"
"Amara and Michelle? They're upstairs." Trista continued to devour the popcorn as she replied.
-.-
Amara stood on the balcony observing the city lights in all directions. Michelle came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. Amara turned and gazed at her, simply shaking her head and looking back at the scenery. Michelle frowned slightly and gave Amara a small hug.
"Amara, there's nothing to worry about. They'll be fine."
"I know... I just have a bad feeling."
"If anything does happen I'm sure they can handle it."
"You're right."
"Coming?"
"In a minute, tell the others to start the movie without me." She waited for Michelle to leave before returning to her thinking. "... Why am I so worried..?"
A shadow moved slowly through the room and onto the balcony. Amara felt another presence around and turned to see if it was Michelle. Her eyes fell upon the individual a few feet away and she let out a gasp.
-.-
Serena and the other former Inners lay on the floor, passed out from the previous night. Michelle was silently sleeping on the couch and Trista was on the recliner chair with an empty popcorn bowl on her head. Luna and Artemis stepped around all the girls and exchanged worried glances when they couldn't find Amara. Luna put a hand on Serena's leg and let her claws sink into the girl's skin. Serena awoke suddenly, jumping onto her feet and screaming something about evil zombies. The action pulled some of the others out of their dreams and they began to complain under their breath.
Serena glared at the cats and folded her arms over her chest. "What was that for, Luna?!"
"Hey, where's Amara?" Mina scanned the room once more before bringing her attention onto Serena.
"She never came back down." Artemis informed.
Michelle suddenly got up and leapt from the couch, jolting up the stairs. The others remained in their places for a few more moments, then ran after her. Trista yawned and opened her eyes, taking the bowl off of her head. She stumbled to her feet and followed them upstairs. When the others reached Michelle, she was standing still with her eyes staring straight ahead. Amara was on the balcony, bruised and beaten as she lie letting out forceful breaths. Lita and Mina quickly picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
"Amara, who did this to you?" Serena questioned, getting an incoherent response from the tall blonde. "What?"
Amara let out a cough and opened her mouth again to speak. "I said... it was me..."
"You did this to yourself..? How? Why?" Michelle pleaded as she held Amara's hand with both of hers.
Amara just closed her eyes and slipped out of consciousness.
-.-
Alex was on her knees in front of the sacred fire as she chanted. Behind her three shadows entered the room and approached her. She broke out of her trance and swiftly sprung to her feet and faced the visitors. Out from the darkness came Sam, Tori, and Jessica, causing Alex to let out a relieved sigh. Tori and Jessica let out nervous chuckles and Sam made an apologetic gesture towards Alex.
"Where's Rini?" Alex inquired.
"She said she was on her way." Sam explained.
The four left the room and headed to Alex's, Tori suddenly halting half-way there. "Do you hear that?"
"What is it Tori?" Jessica was the first to notice to the preoccupied girl.
"There are voices outside..."
Alex froze, she felt an evil presence close by. She dashed through the hallway and out the temple before the others could utter another word. The other three found her soon enough, her gaze on five girls around their age a short distance away. They were busy arguing about something, they didn't take heed to the fact Alex and the three were close by. Some moments passed by before one spotted the girls and silenced the others.
"Who are you?!" Alex demanded and the five began to laugh obnoxiously.
"If you must know, I..." Mimet began to introduce herself.
"Quiet Mimet. We're here to get rid of them, not make acquaintances." Eudial interrupted, pointing her fire buster at the other group.
"Everyone, split up and find a safe place to transform!" Alex commanded and ran off in a random direction. From out of nowhere came a red and blue energy ball, crashing into the girl and tossing her onto the ground.
Jessica quickly drew her wand and opened her mouth to yell her transformation words. A different attack knocked the wand from her hand and she let out a small gasp. Sam and Tori rushed off in opposite directions, but were also stopped. The Witches began to laugh again, slowly stepping over to the fallen Scouts.
"Stop right there!" The voices had grabbed the attention of the Witches and they turned around to see Karen and Sailor Moon at the top of the temple stairs.
"Oh, no! It's Sailor Moon and.... some kid." Telulu flashed Karen a mocking smile. "This isn't a playground, you know."
"Well, this kid is going to pummel you to the ground." Karen charged at her, not caring whether the action was wise or not.
"Fool..."
Something came up from the ground and seized Karen's legs, making it impossible to move any further. "What the heck...?" Karen raised her hand as if ready to use one of her powers, but remembered she wasn't Sailor Uranus. "Me and my brilliant ideas."
Electric currents shot out of the vines and Karen let out a small, painful cry. The vines loosened their grip on her legs and disappeared as Karen collapsed onto the ground. Telulu stepped to the side and a rather large plant squirmed it's way over to Karen. Its roots were reaching out to her limp body, but were drawn away when a rose sunk into one.
"Rainbow Moon Heartache!" The attack destroyed the plant and the Telulu growled under her breath.
"You've managed to win this time, but next time you won't be so lucky." Eudial announced and the Witches Five departed.
Sailor Moon first headed over to the other Inners, making sure they were okay. Alex noticed Tuxedo Mask helping Karen to her feet and wondered why she was with Rini. Especially when Rebecca and Susan were no where to be seen. That thought was easy trashed when she realized Karen hadn't transformed. She shook her head, trying to push away the headache that was caused from all the thinking. That and the fall to the ground she took earlier.
"Shingo, what are you doing here?" Karen glared at him for a moment. "Don't tell me you're psychic too.."
"I actually came to tell you the bad news... about Amara..."
"What?"
"She was attacked last night... We're not exactly sure who did it..."
"And I don't know of this until the next afternoon?!" Karen tried to break out into a run, however, slowed down as the pain returned. "... We aren't walking there, are we?"
-.-
Karen slammed opened the front door and was greeting by the gazes of Serena, her gang, and the cats. "Where is she?" They immediately pointed to the stairs and Karen was gone in seconds.
Rini and her group entered, a disturbing silence covering the room.
"Is there something wrong, you all look upset." Amy was the first to speak.
"... We were attacked by the Witches..." Rini revealed, staring at the floor.
"But, we got rid of them all!" Mina exclaimed, almost springing out of her seat.
"They're back and they're young, like us."
"Yeah, and they were winning until Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask got rid of that plant." Jessica clarified.
"And the plant almost ate Kat!" Sam accidentally let it slip out and covered her mouth.
"We need to figure out why they've returned and what they're after this time." Luna ordered and they all nodded.
-.-
Karen rushed into the room, catching sight of the unconscious Amara on the bed. "No..." She hurried over and fell onto her knees. She extended her arm to touch Amara, yet ceased her action. "This can't be happening..."
A hand was on her shoulder and Karen knew it was Michelle. "She's resting, she'll be alright."
"Who did this to her...?"
"We're not sure yet..."
Karen slapped Michelle's hand away and got to her feet. "I swear..." She glared at the older girl, who just stared back with a confused face. "If I find out you did this to her or if you ever harm her..."
"She didn't do it, Katherine." Trista was standing in the doorway between the room and the balcony.
Karen just slumped into a chair next to the bed and watched Amara.
Diana was sleeping on the floor near the bed where Rini was seated. The Moon Princess hadn't made eye contact with Karen since the troublesome girl had come into the room. Minutes had already passed and both girls still uttered no words. Karen mentally groaned, she could have been doing something fun right now. Like hang out with Rebecca and Susan or... she shook her head, it was her fault she was here. She inched over to Rini, trying to think of a way to get the girl to listen to her. Halting a short distance away from Rini, she sat on the floor and searched her pockets for something.
"Rini, I'm sorry that I went crazy and used my rightful powers against you. I would have let you beat me aside the head until you felt satisfied, but I'm not quite recovered from crashing into that park bench. So, here's a much better idea." She pulled out her wand and set it in front of her. "I want you to take it and keep it as long as you think you need to. And while I can't transform, I'll help everyone in other ways on the battle field."
"Are you serious?" Rini stared at Karen as if she was crazy, but the girl just nodded. "What if I never give it back?"
"I don't think you're that cruel, but if you don't... well, that's just too bad for me. You forgive me, right? That's the whole point of the offer."
Rini nodded, picking up the wand and hiding under one of the pillows. "You've got a deal."
-.-
Karen paced back and forth in her room, the cordless phone laying next to Apollo on her bed. Apollo was giving her one of his long lectures, the same ones Karen never listened to. She sometimes wondered why he bothered when he knew she was always off in her own little world. She guessed it was in case she'd pay attention for once. She glared at the phone, she hated being called or having to call someone. She sighed and decided to go get a snack, heading over to her door. Just as she was about to leave, the phone began to ring. Karen quickly walked back over to the bed and picked it up. There was no need to wonder who was calling, she knew as soon as she had come home to an empty house.
"Hey Trista, where are you?"
"Michelle's old house. We're having the movie night, remember?"
"No one tells me anything... I talked to Rini, it went well this time." Karen ceased her pacing and petted Apollo. "I only need to get hit aside the head with a broom once to learn my lesson."
"You know, Michelle's still going to punish you."
"Wishful thinking..." A thud was heard in the background. "What was that?"
"... Amara and Serena."
Karen smiled and let out a small laugh. "Maybe they need a good whack from the broom."
Another sound was heard, this time it was the shattering of glass. "Um.. I better go. Good night."
"Night." Karen turned off the phone and headed downstairs.
In the living room, Rini, Hotaru, and Susan were huddled on the couch, talking and giggling. Rebecca was laying on the love seat, looking bored as she fidgeted with her necklace. Karen set the phone down and cleared her throat. Rebecca sat up and the others looked up from their conversation.
"Hey, where are...?"
"They didn't want to come, probably a little terrified of you." Rebecca answered with a grin.
"Oh well, their loss. What are we watching first?" The other three had jumped out of their seat and over to the television and began to argue about what movie to watch.
Karen took her seat next to Rebecca, who began to cling onto her arm. Karen hugged her and the two just stared into each others' eyes. The room had fallen silent and Karen snapped out of her trance. Susan, Hotaru, and Rini had goofy looks on their faces as they observed the couple. Karen found herself speechless and could only manage to blush slightly.
"They're like Amara and Michelle..." Hotaru stated.
"Except much more cute..!" Rini added and Susan nodded.
"It's a good thing the others didn't come. Right Karen?" Rebecca gave the embarrassed girl a slight nudge in the side. When Karen didn't answer, Rebecca chuckled and pulled her into a kiss.
Karen's face had become bright red and she hid behind a pillow. "Becca, not in front of the kids!" They all grew silent again and then burst into laughter at the same time.
-.-
Serena jumped over the couch, crashing onto the floor after failing to catch her target. Amara poked her head out of the door leading to the kitchen. Luna and Artemis were on the couch, exasperating sighs escaping their mouths. Mina and Lita were picking up the pieces of broken glass as they yell at Serena.
"The floor really felt that one, Meatball-Head." Amara managed to get the insult out before getting pulled back into the kitchen.
"Movie night just isn't complete without Amara and Serena's bickering and wrecking of everything." Raye noted sarcastically and Amy gestured an agreement.
"Though it would be better if they skipped the wrecking part." Trista spoke as she started to eat some popcorn.
"We're talking about Amara and Serena, two of the most destructive people we know." Mina debated.
"They are the two most destructive people we know.." Lita retorted.
Serena had finally got to her feet and entered the kitchen. She came back out with a confused expression. "Where did they go?"
"Amara and Michelle? They're upstairs." Trista continued to devour the popcorn as she replied.
-.-
Amara stood on the balcony observing the city lights in all directions. Michelle came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. Amara turned and gazed at her, simply shaking her head and looking back at the scenery. Michelle frowned slightly and gave Amara a small hug.
"Amara, there's nothing to worry about. They'll be fine."
"I know... I just have a bad feeling."
"If anything does happen I'm sure they can handle it."
"You're right."
"Coming?"
"In a minute, tell the others to start the movie without me." She waited for Michelle to leave before returning to her thinking. "... Why am I so worried..?"
A shadow moved slowly through the room and onto the balcony. Amara felt another presence around and turned to see if it was Michelle. Her eyes fell upon the individual a few feet away and she let out a gasp.
-.-
Serena and the other former Inners lay on the floor, passed out from the previous night. Michelle was silently sleeping on the couch and Trista was on the recliner chair with an empty popcorn bowl on her head. Luna and Artemis stepped around all the girls and exchanged worried glances when they couldn't find Amara. Luna put a hand on Serena's leg and let her claws sink into the girl's skin. Serena awoke suddenly, jumping onto her feet and screaming something about evil zombies. The action pulled some of the others out of their dreams and they began to complain under their breath.
Serena glared at the cats and folded her arms over her chest. "What was that for, Luna?!"
"Hey, where's Amara?" Mina scanned the room once more before bringing her attention onto Serena.
"She never came back down." Artemis informed.
Michelle suddenly got up and leapt from the couch, jolting up the stairs. The others remained in their places for a few more moments, then ran after her. Trista yawned and opened her eyes, taking the bowl off of her head. She stumbled to her feet and followed them upstairs. When the others reached Michelle, she was standing still with her eyes staring straight ahead. Amara was on the balcony, bruised and beaten as she lie letting out forceful breaths. Lita and Mina quickly picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
"Amara, who did this to you?" Serena questioned, getting an incoherent response from the tall blonde. "What?"
Amara let out a cough and opened her mouth again to speak. "I said... it was me..."
"You did this to yourself..? How? Why?" Michelle pleaded as she held Amara's hand with both of hers.
Amara just closed her eyes and slipped out of consciousness.
-.-
Alex was on her knees in front of the sacred fire as she chanted. Behind her three shadows entered the room and approached her. She broke out of her trance and swiftly sprung to her feet and faced the visitors. Out from the darkness came Sam, Tori, and Jessica, causing Alex to let out a relieved sigh. Tori and Jessica let out nervous chuckles and Sam made an apologetic gesture towards Alex.
"Where's Rini?" Alex inquired.
"She said she was on her way." Sam explained.
The four left the room and headed to Alex's, Tori suddenly halting half-way there. "Do you hear that?"
"What is it Tori?" Jessica was the first to notice to the preoccupied girl.
"There are voices outside..."
Alex froze, she felt an evil presence close by. She dashed through the hallway and out the temple before the others could utter another word. The other three found her soon enough, her gaze on five girls around their age a short distance away. They were busy arguing about something, they didn't take heed to the fact Alex and the three were close by. Some moments passed by before one spotted the girls and silenced the others.
"Who are you?!" Alex demanded and the five began to laugh obnoxiously.
"If you must know, I..." Mimet began to introduce herself.
"Quiet Mimet. We're here to get rid of them, not make acquaintances." Eudial interrupted, pointing her fire buster at the other group.
"Everyone, split up and find a safe place to transform!" Alex commanded and ran off in a random direction. From out of nowhere came a red and blue energy ball, crashing into the girl and tossing her onto the ground.
Jessica quickly drew her wand and opened her mouth to yell her transformation words. A different attack knocked the wand from her hand and she let out a small gasp. Sam and Tori rushed off in opposite directions, but were also stopped. The Witches began to laugh again, slowly stepping over to the fallen Scouts.
"Stop right there!" The voices had grabbed the attention of the Witches and they turned around to see Karen and Sailor Moon at the top of the temple stairs.
"Oh, no! It's Sailor Moon and.... some kid." Telulu flashed Karen a mocking smile. "This isn't a playground, you know."
"Well, this kid is going to pummel you to the ground." Karen charged at her, not caring whether the action was wise or not.
"Fool..."
Something came up from the ground and seized Karen's legs, making it impossible to move any further. "What the heck...?" Karen raised her hand as if ready to use one of her powers, but remembered she wasn't Sailor Uranus. "Me and my brilliant ideas."
Electric currents shot out of the vines and Karen let out a small, painful cry. The vines loosened their grip on her legs and disappeared as Karen collapsed onto the ground. Telulu stepped to the side and a rather large plant squirmed it's way over to Karen. Its roots were reaching out to her limp body, but were drawn away when a rose sunk into one.
"Rainbow Moon Heartache!" The attack destroyed the plant and the Telulu growled under her breath.
"You've managed to win this time, but next time you won't be so lucky." Eudial announced and the Witches Five departed.
Sailor Moon first headed over to the other Inners, making sure they were okay. Alex noticed Tuxedo Mask helping Karen to her feet and wondered why she was with Rini. Especially when Rebecca and Susan were no where to be seen. That thought was easy trashed when she realized Karen hadn't transformed. She shook her head, trying to push away the headache that was caused from all the thinking. That and the fall to the ground she took earlier.
"Shingo, what are you doing here?" Karen glared at him for a moment. "Don't tell me you're psychic too.."
"I actually came to tell you the bad news... about Amara..."
"What?"
"She was attacked last night... We're not exactly sure who did it..."
"And I don't know of this until the next afternoon?!" Karen tried to break out into a run, however, slowed down as the pain returned. "... We aren't walking there, are we?"
-.-
Karen slammed opened the front door and was greeting by the gazes of Serena, her gang, and the cats. "Where is she?" They immediately pointed to the stairs and Karen was gone in seconds.
Rini and her group entered, a disturbing silence covering the room.
"Is there something wrong, you all look upset." Amy was the first to speak.
"... We were attacked by the Witches..." Rini revealed, staring at the floor.
"But, we got rid of them all!" Mina exclaimed, almost springing out of her seat.
"They're back and they're young, like us."
"Yeah, and they were winning until Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask got rid of that plant." Jessica clarified.
"And the plant almost ate Kat!" Sam accidentally let it slip out and covered her mouth.
"We need to figure out why they've returned and what they're after this time." Luna ordered and they all nodded.
-.-
Karen rushed into the room, catching sight of the unconscious Amara on the bed. "No..." She hurried over and fell onto her knees. She extended her arm to touch Amara, yet ceased her action. "This can't be happening..."
A hand was on her shoulder and Karen knew it was Michelle. "She's resting, she'll be alright."
"Who did this to her...?"
"We're not sure yet..."
Karen slapped Michelle's hand away and got to her feet. "I swear..." She glared at the older girl, who just stared back with a confused face. "If I find out you did this to her or if you ever harm her..."
"She didn't do it, Katherine." Trista was standing in the doorway between the room and the balcony.
Karen just slumped into a chair next to the bed and watched Amara.