Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Dark Stars

Episode 3: Star Lover, Take My Breath Away

"I can't believe they thought we hurt her!" Arekandra said, slamming a fist on the table at Rinde's house. After the fight, the Star Senshi had retreated to the home of their leader to discuss the new developments. They sat in the dining room of Rinde's house, munching on cookies in the shape of stars and hearts.

"Yeah," Hoshiko said, nodding in agreement. "Couldn't they see we were helping Sailor Philiopa!" She took a bite of a star cookie with a frown.

"Relax, minna-san, we have more important things to think about," the brown-haired Star leader said, her eyes cast downwards at red rose that had been sewn onto the white tablecloth's design. "I can't believe Zekelia followed us all the way to Tokyo."

"Yes, and that could only mean one thing," Hoshi said, narrowing her eyes seriously.

"The Shining Stars she wants must be here in Tokyo," Arekandra finished for her friend.

"Yeah. Their creatures are getting stronger, too, if they could take the Shining Star of a Sailor Senshi," Rinde said as she looked up and moved a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

"And we still don't know what they want with those special Shining Stars yet," Arekandra reflected. Both she and Hoshiko looked intently at their leader.

"That's right," Rinde said. "And we need to figure that out before they find the ones they need…" She sighed as her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. We have our work cut out for us since the ones who are suppose to be our allies see us as enemies…"

"By the way, Rinde, how'd you know Sandra-san is Sailor Philiopa?" Hoshiko asked, after remembering the question that had burned at the back of her mind ever since that battle. She looked intently into Rinde's eyes, as did Hoshiko, who also was very interested in how she'd know that.

"I…" Rinde said, trying to formulate the answer in her head. "I'm not sure. It's like a had a vision of her transforming. But that's not all. I knew that she was senshi of water, that she was the senshi of a planet that was destroyed many centuries ago. It was like we were connected. I think I might have known her from somewhere before…" She sighed as she tried to remember all the information that she'd been bombarded with she saw the dark-skinned girl. She didn't remember most of it, but will all her heart she wished she knew what it all meant…

Sandra moaned a little as she felt turned on the bed she was lying in. She brought her dark hand to her eyes and rubbed them as she became conscious of the area around her. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the group of girls looking at her with concern in their eyes.

"Sandra-chan!" Usagi squealed and hugged her tightly. "You're alright!"

"I am," Sandra said, trying to calm her friend down. She was slightly confused. "But what happened?" Usagi released her so she could sit up. She was in the home that was shared by Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru and all the inner and outer senshi were around her.

"You scared us half to death, that's what!" Makoto said, frowning playfully at Sandra.

Sandra stared blankly at the tall brunette. Obviously that didn't ring any bells.

"You don't remember what happened?" Ami asked, looking at her. She leaned forward and examined her to see if she was hurt more than they'd previously thought.

"The last think I remember was talking to someone named Rinde and then fighting… But I don't remember who I was fighting…" she looked into Ami's blue eyes as she checked for head injuries.

"Those Star Senshi," Rei said, her eyes burning with rage. "They attacked you!"

Sandra looked at the Shinto priestess with slightly wide eyes. For some reason, she knew this wasn't true. But she could tell why. It was all just a blur. She remembered seeing Rinde, then strange lights and then… It was more like a dream than a memory.

"We found you unconscious and with burns all over your body," Minako told Sandra.

"And you woke up after Hotaru healed you," Haruka added. She was leaning against the wall with her best friend Michiru beside her. The black-haired girl, who had once been controlled by a woman who wanted to bring the "Deafening Silence" to Earth, had her head resting on the taller Michiru's shoulder.

"Well, I see nothing wrong with her…" Ami concluded, stepping back. "Maybe we should have a doctor examine her…"

"No, I'm fine, I promise," Sandra said, waving her hands in front of her to emphasize. She turned to the side of the bed and got on her feet to prove it. "See? Can I go home? My sister must be worried about me."

Ami hesitated a little, then said, "Okay, but if you see anything wrong, call me immediately, alright?"

"Promise," Sandra said, placing her hand over her heart in solemnity. She bid them all farewell and was off; hoping beyond hope that the walk would allow her to clear her head and make some sense of the chaos that was the memories of that strange incident…

Nervously, the nervous soldier of the Nether Realm made her way through the hall that led to the throne room of Queen Amanara. Ignoring the gossipy and mocking whispers of the others around her, she walked as confidently as she could towards her queen, the tips of her red hair brushing against her shoulders.

They all knew. She hadn't been able to find another Shining Star. And thus, the Queen would probably punish her. Amanara was often very quick to remember that it was she that gave her soldiers the targets to search. Many a warrior had felt the wrath of the evil queen for 'failing' to retrieve the special Shining Stars her from the humans she had chosen. Now, Zekelia was the one who was on assignment to find the two Shining Stars that the Queen needed.

Zekelia closed her amethyst eyes, which had a hint of blue eye shadow on the lid. This was the moment of truth. She pushed open the throne room door. It was strange. Despite the light of the hallway, the throne room stayed just as gloomy and Zekelia's eyes had to adjust. It was joked among the Nether Realm warriors that the perpetual darkness that existed in the Queen's throne room was representative of her black heart. It engulfed all that was good and of the light…

"So you've returned," Amanara's voice sent a surge of fear through Zekelia's body. "I suppose your attempt had been unsuccessful as before?"

Zekelia fell to her knees in a very low bow. "Highness, the warrior I sent did not bring back the Shining Star…"

At the cowering voice of her servant, the queen, the intricacies of her features hidden by shadow, chuckled. "Failure again, Zekelia?" the tone she had wasn't anger. No, it was amusement and Zekelia knew she was done for.

"Majesty!" Zekelia pleaded, not daring to lift her head to face the tyrannical leader.

"Silence!" Amanara ordered, but with that same amused tone of voice, the one all the soldiers feared above just about everything else. Zekelia instantly fell quiet, knowing that were she to speak now, her end would only come sooner. "Need I tell you the reason I have been making you search for the two Shining Stars? The sole reason we came to this world? In every Realm, there are two unique Shining Stars, the Stars of Hope. They rest within an unknowledgeable two, which are chosen by the Stars as the most worthy and best able to protect them."

As the Queen spoke, Zekelia felt herself shaking all over. She tried to steady herself so her ruler would not notice, but she did not know how successful she was. She wanted to explain that she had not failed. But she knew that to speak would be fatal.

"These two Stars hold great power that can ultimately decide the fate of their Realm," the Queen continued, still sounding as amused as if she knew some sort of hilarious secret. "In the hands of those who are charged to guide them, they provide a mystical protection for the Realm…" She paused, as if for dramatic effect, as Zekelia held her breath in tense anticipation. "But if a strong enough force were able to destroy them – a force such as us, for example – the protection over the people of this Realm would be no more." Zekelia heard the Queen chuckle softly. "Then, I will be able to do with it what I please! Now, do you understand why I need the Shining Stars, you incompetent fool!" Her voice developed a furious tone and was so loud the very foundation of the throne room seemed to shake enough to shatter. This change shocked Zekelia to silence and it was not until her Queen shouted, "ANSWER ME!" that she answered with her voice trembling.

"Y-yes, m-my Queen," she said, trying to speak as loudly and clearly as she could, while still holding her head almost touching the floor. Her amethyst eyes had misted and water dripped from them onto the dark floor. She was glad that her head was too low to the ground for the Queen to see the crying. As dark as the room was, the Queen had a very unusual ability of seeing perfectly through the gloom as if she was in the light of day. She knew that Amanara was deliberately delaying so she could wallow longer in terror.

"And this mission is not for those as useless as you!" the dark Queen of the Nether Realm yelled. Then, her tone returned to the awful amusement that made Zekelia's heart speed up exponentially. That was always the last sound a Nether Realm warrior heard before their execution at the capable hands of the queen. "Thus, your services are no longer desired."

"No!" Zekelia screamed, unable to contain herself any longer. She lifted her head to face Amanara. Her eyes were wild with desperation. "No, my Queen, I didn't…" But those were the last words to ever leave the warrior's lips. Her lungs suddenly worked no longer and, as she fell forward, a final pair of tears fell down her face. She'd wanted to tell her Queen that she hadn't failed her. She had found one of the Stars of Hope. The fire-elemental warrior she'd sent to retrieve it had absorbed it into her body and, because of the connection she had with her minions, she knew what it was from the moment it merged with Inferno's flesh. She'd seen through the fire creature's eyes that it had shone brighter than any that they'd ever seen. And its energy signature was unmistakable.

But then, the warriors called the Star Senshi defeated Inferno. All would have gone well if it wasn't for them! No doubt they returned the Shining Star to her charge. She would have sent another minion to retrieve the Shining Star, but… She had no more. After working for so long to search for them and after the many defeats by the Star Senshi, her follows' numbers had dwindled to nothing. Now, she'd never be able to tell the Queen… This Shining Star was lost to their cause… Forever.

Zekelia's dead body landed on the floor, her pale cheek making a sickening 'plop' against it. The Queen laughed softly in her dark corner. Another warrior down. No one could ever understand the evil, sadistic delight she received from giving pain, torment and yes, even death, to those who were most loyal to her. It made her incredibly satisfied with herself to know that she drove fear into their hearts. Yes, sheer delight!

With a wave of the Queen's hand, the corpse froze over, and then vanished; another addition to her private collection. Then, she looked into a far corner of the room where another servant stood, having seen everything, a huge smile plastered upon his evil face.

"Toliro," Amanara called out, summoning the man out of the relative darkness where he'd hid from the unsuspecting Zekelia. A tall, pale-skinned man with dangerous ultramarine eyes and well-groomed black hair, Toliro bowed respectfully to his Queen as he waited for his command. "As we have already discussed, you will now be on this assignment. But tread cautiously, my servant…" Zekelia chucked again. "Or what happened to our friend Zekelia will happen to yet another of my warriors…"

"Of course, my Queen," Toliro said, bowing low and ruffling his black leather suit.

"I am glad we understand each other," Amanara told Toliro. "Leave me. I will summon you once I find another target for you to investigate."

Toliro bowed once again and left his Queen while she amused herself by contemplating just how she'd kill him if or when he failed her too many times. After all, she had many warriors, almost outnumbering the very stars themselves, scattered among all her realms. Losing a few would not even put a dent in her empire's power. Finding the Stars of Hope was an inevitability and once it happened, she would have even more servants to add to her domain.

Her evil laugh echoed through her murky throne room as she extended her psychic tentacles to search for potential human carriers.

"See you later, Mom," Sandra called out to her mother in English as she rushed out the door of her house. Having spent a few of her earlier years in the United States, the dark-skinned girl's first language was English and it was the one she spoke with her family. She closed the door behind her, and then moved towards the young man at her gate.

"Ohayo, Cody-chan," she said softly as she wrapped her arms around the taller teen's neck. He had black hair, though it lacked the sheen of Sandra's and was cut in a buzz-cut. His skin was a shade lighter than Sandra's and he had dark-brown eyes. She released him and looked up into his eyes. He looked so handsome in the white shirt and navy-blue tie and pants.

She, herself, wore a white blouse with a navy-blue pleated skirt. The blouse had a navy-blue collar and ended in a bow. Her white socks were folded neatly and she wore black shoes over them.

"Hey, Sandra-Chan," Cody answered. He smiled down at her. She loved his smile. Those dimples were simply to die for.

But she knew that she'd been drawn to him by more than just physical attraction. He was her soul mate. He'd been that ever since before either of them was born. During the Silver Millennium, when she'd been Princess Sara Aquamariene and he's been Prince Cole Azurelune, they'd shared a hidden and forbidden love. Now, they were able to love each other openly and they did not waste the chance.

It had been a few days since the incident with the Star Senshi. Her memory still hadn't improved. But held on to the hope that she'd be able to solve the mystery. She didn't feel that the Star Senshi would do hurt her. But she simply couldn't remember. And without any memory, she could not make any decisions.

Each placed their schoolbags on one shoulder, securing it in place with one hand, while holding onto each other with the other.

"So, how's that new painting?" Cody asked as they strolled towards school.

"It's done," Sandra said, smiling. "It's actually of us…" She blushed a little. She couldn't believe that after being together for a while, Cody could still make her blush. Not that she minded. "I'll show you later…" The image of it was fresh in her mind. It was a picture of them from the Silver Millennium. The planet Philiopa's blue moon was in the night sky as the two royal heirs shared a gently, loving kiss. Her mother loved it. Though Sandra had not explained to her that it depicted as past life…

"Hey, Sandra-san!" Sandra heard a voice call out to her. She turned and saw the familiar faces of three girls.

"Hi, Rinde-san, Hoshi-san and Arekandra-san," Sandra called. The three girls were dressed in the uniform of Juuban High School.

The three girls waved over to her as they waved. The brown-haired Rinde looked at Sandra and Cody, fingers intertwined as they walked. The couple was walking in opposite directions to the three girls and after Sandra waved back, they turned around and continued their trek to school.

But Rinde could not help but look at them. She somehow saw the bond that was between them. A bond that seemed to have stood the tests of time. She could not hide the pang of longing she had for that. Ever since she was young, she felt a kind of emptiness that she hadn't been able to fill or understand. Now, looking at the dark-skinned teens, she saw what she was missing: the deep, unfaltering feeling of love.

"You alright, Rinde-chan?" Hoshiko asked her friend, noticing the sudden sadness in Rinde's blue eyes.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm ok," Rinde said. She smiled to the two to show them she was speaking truth. I'm fine, she told herself. Perfectly fine…

The trio turned a corner. Then, after walking for a few more seconds, they heard a scream. Following their senshi instincts, they rushed back around the corner to see what was happening. A tall man with hair that matched his black leather suit stood just a few yards from Sandra and Cody. The two, so shocked were they, had dropped their schoolbags and were now backing up.

The man wasn't the only surprise. As Rinde and the others watched, a large creature with green skin appeared. It had the general shape of a human, but had three long, sharp claws at the end of each arms instead of fingers. On its head was a pair of black horns, pointed forward, they looked sharp enough to rip through a ribcage easily. Its face had a canine look to it and a pair of large fangs hung out of its mouth, protruding from its upper jaw.

"Alright, guys!" Rinde said, a true leader, "henshin yo!"

Sandra backed away, standing protectively before Cody. "What do you want?" she demanded. "Leave now!" Her fists were clenched and she stood ready to defend herself and her love should the need arise. Cody stood behind her, bracing himself also for battle.

"Toliro's the name," she black-haired man said. His ultramarine eyes glared intensely at Sandra, his eyes moving up and down her body and his green minion breathed loudly and deeply, anticipating battle. "Such a beautiful creature you are. Are you certain you want to risk tarnishing such a perfect body as yours by challenging me?"

Sandra's eyes widened a little. She hated the look in his eyes. It made her blood boil. She was for Cody and no one else! "Answer me!" she shouted. "What do you want?"

"Your companion's Shining Star," Toliro answered, indicating Cody behind her.

"You'll have to go through me," Sandra said through gritted teeth.

"No, Sandra," Cody murmured quickly, letting her know that she was no match for him in her normal form. Being a soldier for good himself, he knew about her secret identity.

"Well, have it your way," Toliro said with an evil grin on his face. He snapped his fingers and the green-skinned creature lunged forward, knocking Sandra away with the blunt edge of his blade-claws. Sandra let out a little scream and Cody shouted in concern for her. But he probably should have been more worried about himself. The creature reached before him and plunged a clawed arm into his check. He screamed loudly as a bright light escaped from his chest instead of blood and soon, the creature pulled out his hand, leaving no wound, but taking with it a ball of light. Cody's Shining Star floated above the creature's claws as the boy fall backwards, unconscious.

"Cody!" Sandra shouted in concern as the creature backed away from the boy, its eyes staring intently at the glowing orb it held.

Sandra was flustered. Cody couldn't be gone! He just couldn't!

As she cautiously took out her henshin stick, the creature let out a roar of anger.

Toliro knew what that meant. "Not a Star of Hope, huh?" he muttered. "Alright. Do with it what you will." Strike one, he thought to himself, knowing full well the consequences of getting two many strikes. In an instant, he vanished in a small flash of light, but not without adding, "Have fun!"

The creature let out a horribly animalistic roar at these words. He tossed the orb into the air and opened its mouth. The Shining Star made it directly into the creature's pie-hole, vanishing from sight.

"No!" Sandra shouted, getting to her feet. Before, she'd not transformed for fear of being seen. Now, having looked around, she knew it was safe. "Philiopa Cosmic Ethereal Power!" she shouted. The power of the planet Philiopa flowed through her, making her many times more powerful. When the blue glow receded, Super Sailor Philiopa stood in place of Sandra. "Philiopa Fantasy Torrent!" Philiopa shouted. She blasted her strongest attack at the monster. A glowing horse with wings lunged forward, a torrent of water trailing behind it.

The attack crashed into the creature, hurting it badly. The water energy engulfed it and when it cleared, the creature lay on the floor, But it hadn't been hurt badly enough. It soon got back up, its pain only making it angry.

"Oh, no!" Philiopa muttered. She fell to her knees. That had been her strongest attack. And it hadn't been enough. She turned teary eyes to Cody. "I'm sorry, Cody," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry…"

The creature began to rush after her as she cried. It felt no pity. It felt no mercy. All it felt was anger. And it would savour the sweet taste of revenge…

"Starry Bowl of Hearts!"

Both Sandra and the creature were surprised when a blast of stars and love intercepted the monster and the three girls dressed in sailor foku rushed to the scene.

"It's them…" Super Sailor Philiopa muttered. The ones that had been accused of hurting her a few days before. Now, she'd see. Were the friend or foe?

"How dare you! We, the Star Senshi will punish you in the name of the Moon, the Stars and Venus!" Sailor Love Star said, taking a battle stance.

"Sailor Star, warrior of the Stars!" Star introduced herself.

"Warrior of the Moon, Sailor Justice Star!"

"And Sailor Love Star, pretty warrior of Venus, the evening star!" Love Star finished the introduction as they stood together in battle formation.

"Raahhhr!" the creature screamed angrily and opened his mouth, aiming for them. A blast of powerful energy escaped from the creatures mouth and rushed towards the senshi. They dodged, jumping into the air. But the creature would not be deterred. It blasted at the airborne senshi. The fortunate soldiers twisted in the air and dodged. One blast hit onto a building.

Sailor Love Star landed, unaware of the huge block of stone that had been blasted off the building and had been falling directly towards her…

"Loving Illusion!" a male voice filled the air. A blast of light reached for the large block of concrete and smashed into harmless fragments before it could damage Love Star.

The surprised senshi of Venus brought up her hands to protect her from the shower of dust and then looked into the direction that she saw Philiopa, Star, Justice Star and even the monster looking.

On top of a building stood five people. Three she'd heard of before. The Sailor Starlights. The tallest had brown hair that fluttered in the early morning breeze. Sailor Star Maker. Sailor Star Healer stood to her right with her silver-white hair. She was the shortest the three. Then there was Sailor Star Fighter, the black-haired one. But the Starlight's weren't alone. Beside them was a woman with shiny red hair and a matching blouse and skirt. She wore a black-and-gold crown and had a pair of big blue winds that had similar shape to that of a butterfly.

Then, there was a male. One about her age. He had brown hair. Though he was far away, Love Star could tell he was handsome. In fact, she couldn't stop looking at him. In his tight black leather, he looked like the picture of perfection. Somehow she knew… he was the one that saved her.

"Creature of darkness," the red-head said with determination in her voice. "From the beautiful planet of Kinmoku, we have come. I am Sailor Kinmoku, ruling princess!"

"Sailor Star Healer!"

"Sailor Star Fighter!"

"Sailor Star Maker!"

Now, it was the brown-haired boy's turn to introduce himself. "And Sailor Star Lover! Servants of the throne!"

"By the power that we have been given," Sailor Kinmoku continued, we will stop you from hurting innocents!"

Star Lover was his name. She just had to meet him. She felt that… she knew him somehow. She couldn't explain why…

The creature let out another angry roar. It was about to blast at the five intruders, but was intercepted.

"Justice Star Radiance!"

"Cosmic Shine Desolation!"

"Starry Bowl of Hearts!"

The three Star Senshi attacked, causing the creature a world of pain. And as it thrashed around in agony, Philiopa remembered…

She'd had a vision when she met Rinde. A vision that told her. Rinde was Sailor Love Star. And the Star Senshi had not hurt her. Well, she didn't know that for sure. She'd been unconscious. But she did trust them now.

"Starlight Royal Flush!" Sailor Kinmoku yelled. The Starlights were not far behind.

"Star Serious Laser!"

"Star Gentle Blaze!"

"Star Sensitive Inferno!"

"Loving Illusion!"

Philiopa got to her feet. The monster had been more powerful than they all thought. Even with all these attacks, it still was not hurt. So Super Sailor Philiopa gave her own strength.

"Philiopa Fantasy Torrent!"

The Power of water mixed with the power of the stars and finally, the creature vanished in a burst of light. Philiopa looked intently at the explosion, waiting for the light to dissipate. When it did, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Cody's Shining Star. Sailor Star rushed over to the glowing orb and quickly moved over to the unconscious Cody, willing it to return to him.

Philiopa rushed up to him and took him into her arms. "Cody?" she whispered. "Speak to me…"

The boy groaned a little as consciousness crept over him. "Sandra-chan?" he muttered. Sailor Philiopa let out a sob of joy and the two held each other close.

When Philiopa looked around, she realized that the Star Senshi were gone. The two released each other as the Starlights, Sailor Kinmoku and Sailor Star Lover walked over to them.

"Are you alright?" Kinmoku asked Cody.

The boy nodded as both he and Philiopa got to their feet. "What are you guys doing here?" Philiopa asked the group. "Is there something wrong on Kinmoku?"

"That's a story for another time," Star Healer said with mischief in his voice. "Right now, we're all late for school!"
Written by Ken (Thanks!)