Hey there! So it had been a while I had this idea in mind, this is basically a "Witches 5 revival" fic. It's post Infinity arc but not post Stars. So somewhere between the end of season 3 and the beginning of season 5. I always felt that it was sad that The Witches 5 were the only villain group that really never got a chance at redemption in any Sailor Moon media, so here I am, giving them this chance. This is somewhat of a sequel to my one-shot The Humans 4. I hope you'll enjoy ^^

ps: this mostly follows the anime canon with a few elements from the Witches 5 manga counterparts.It was the fifth person who mysteriously lost consciousness in less than a month, the second one who had to be hospitalized, and the cause was yet to be known. The only point the victims seemed to all have in common was that they were all men, mostly young.

The Sailor Senshi were starting to suspect that something nefarious was going on. A new enemy? Or was this only a mere coincidence…

Regardless, they decided to investigate. Luna and Ami were observing data they collected at their hideout, while the other guardians were patrolling the area.

Minako sighed. This wasn't how she expected to spend her evening. She knew it was important but at the same time, she doubt that they would find anything just by looking around. Luna and Ami were way more likely to find anything. It almost felt they were doing this just to not feel useless.

"As well just check over the places where the victims lost consciousness," Minako thought.

She looked through the list of places. Among them was a music club and for the first time this evening, Minako thought that perhaps she could have some fun.

"There's nothing wrong with taking some pleasure doing my job."

Minako stepped into the music club, already pleased by the ambiance. It wasn't too crowded but there were enough people to get the party started. And right now, there was someone with a beautiful voice singing.

"Oh, it's a karaoke night? Nice!"

A woman was singing with such an angelic voice. Whoever this voice belonged to must be a beauty, Minako thought.

She had to see her.

Minako walked to the stage just to confirm her suspicion, to see if this person was as beautiful as her voice- and she was right.

This girl was a real cutie!

She seemed to be around Minako's age, with shoulder-length, wavy strawberry blond hair and eyes like honey. She simply looked adorable, like an angel shining with bright golden sunlight.

And yet, Minako only felt goosebumps. And for the very reason that she knew that girl. And she was far from being an angel- quite the opposite in fact.

"No, it can't be… She's supposed to be dead! How can she be here…!?"

And yet there she was, singing as if she had no worry in the world, with her oh so enticing voice. Minako didn't know what to do at that moment. Call for backup? It couldn't be a coincidence. With the recent event, she had to be responsible somehow… right?

But somehow, it felt unfair to accuse her like that without at least giving her the benefit of the doubt, investigating, or talking to her. Maybe it really was just a coincidence after all or not the same girl. Look-alikes do exist.

And deep down, Minako simply didn't want to believe that a girl with such a beautiful voice could genuinely be evil.

Minako was brought from her pondering when she heard the crowd cheer.

"Everyone, thank you so much!" the girl exclaimed cheerfully, waving at her audience.

As soon as she stepped down the stage, Minako walked toward her.

"Huh, pardon me," Minako called her.

The girl turned back and looked surprised to see Minako at first before she beamed with joy.

Someone who seemed as pure couldn't be Mime-

"It's you! You're that girl!" she let out.

"... Eh?" Minako reacted, confused.

"Don't you remember me? It's me, Hanyuu Mimi!"

Well dammit.

"...Hanyuu-san…? From the Araki-kun's contest?"

"Yes! Arajin! So you do remember me."

There was no mistake then. This girl had to be Mimete. The girl who Minako used to think was a fellow Araki Jinta's fan, someone who shared the same dream as her but was actually an enemy. And she really thought she had found a comrade…

"Hanyuu-san… do you remember what happened during the contest?" Minako suddenly asked, suddenly somber.

Mimi seemed thoughtful.

"Hmm… well, we both lost, unfortunately," she began, sadly. "Then… I left. I did hear there was some sort of terrorist attack perpetrated by a very cute criminal! But I don't know anything about that…!"

Huh-uh.

"Is that so… I left too so I don't know," Minako answered carefully.

"Oh, you did?" Mimi said, seeming relieved. "Good grief…! Huh… you might have been hurt otherwise…!"

There was no doubt anymore. She was the same Hanyuu Mimi, and therefore Mimete of the Witches 5! But how could it be?! Minako saw her getting backstabbed by her own ally, who pulled the plug on her. Wasn't she supposed to be dead now?

Seemed like no.

"Is she the one responsible for those men losing consciousness in the area…?" Minako wondered.

Lost in her thought, Minako didn't see Mimi take a few steps towards her and jolted and she suddenly grabbed both her hands.

"I'm so glad I was able to see you again!" Mimi exclaimed enthusiastically. "What you told me that day always resonated with me so strongly, I never forget what you told me!"

Minako remained speechless for a few seconds, not expecting this at all.

"Huh?"

"'People should go all out on the things they love'! That's what you told me during the context, remember? Well, that's what I'm doing! I still haven't given up on my dream to become an idol. I'm getting more and more known by coming here regularly! Do you know about the internet? This is an incredible way to gain followers!"

"... Eh?"

Minako really didn't know what to say or think for that matter. This girl was Mimete, right? The evil witch from the Death Buster? And yet, there was no malice in what she was saying. Minako remembered telling her that, and the fact Mimi remembered and was still, apparently, holding those words to high esteem must mean something.

"You know, before meeting you, I was… in a rather dark situation. I was doing things that weren't… let's say, 'good'. But your words truly made me believe I could do something else with my life, that I didn't have to stay stuck in that role forever! I fell to listen to your words once and returned to my old habits, and it didn't do me any good… Your words are what gave me hope to leave when I could, and choose my own destiny! I regretted not having a way to contact you, so meeting you here… it must be fate, right?"

Minako felt her resolve falter. This girl… she wasn't the same person anymore. She changed. There was no way what she was telling her could be false. Minako could feel the sincerity in her voice. Even back then, she felt there was something deeper in Mimete, that her dream wasn't just a lie. This is what she chose to believe. So she hold tight to Mimi's hands and smiled back at her.

"This is great, Hanyuu-san! I'm glad to hear this."

"Hehe, thanks! Ah, also, there was something else I was dying to ask you."

"Hm? What is it?"

"So… what's your name again?"

Minako nearly fell over.

"What!? You're gonna drop that right after that heartfelt speech?! What I told you was so important yet you didn't bother to remember my name!?"

"Well, I never was good with huma- I mean, people's name."

Minako sighed.

"It's Aino Minako. Be sure to not forget it this time, okay?"

"Yes! I won't forget this time, especially since I know now how important this is!"

Mimi cheekily grinned. Minako couldn't help but smile too. Maybe there was no harm in keeping this meeting for herself, as long as she keep an eye on Mimi. Best case scenario, she just made a new friend.

But worst-case scenario- she fell once again for Mimete's deceitful charms and she won't be the only one to pay the price.

Was Minako right to trust Mimi?