Earth is struggling to dig out from the wrath of the Lamb earthquake, we're facing increasing danger every day. We've already lost more friends to the seal, but what about the ones already in the mind-numbing clutches of the Global Community?

How are we going to get them back?


The birds were out again the next morning, singing in the few trees left standing. It seemed strange that all the sounds were perfect when the sights were so awful. She and her friends passed smoldering craters and collapsed buildings. Car taillights stuck out of the ground. Moaning and crying still came from the nibble. The shelter was an apartment complex where workers had cleared plants and furniture from the atrium. The guard showed them a list of names. On another sheet was a list of numbers for those who had not yet been identified. Some numbers were crossed out and had the word "deceased" written beside them.

A nurse led them to a storage room filled with beds. In the corner a boy was covered in bandages but it wasn't Ryan.

Hotaru asked the nurse if there was anywhere else Ryan could have been taken.

"A furniture store somehow made it through," the woman said. "A couple hundred survivors are there. More than we can handle."

The four girls wound through neighborhoods, taking shortcuts through what had been backyards. They climbed over huge mounds of dirt and rocks, then went around craters. Smoke from the still-burning meteors made them choke. The furniture store was on the way to the Edens Expressway, a few minutes' drive away. But with downed utility poles, flattened buildings, pavement that had disappeared, and the girls on foot, it took much longer.

Shelly pointed to a neon sign on the ground. "My mom and I used to eat at that place," she said.

Vicki knew the furniture store. She had been there with her family. The sales staff had eyed them suspiciously, as if they knew she lived in a trailer and had neither the money nor the room for the bedroom set she wanted. Only the roof of the building was visible. The rest had been swallowed whole. Rescue crews filed in and out, but there was no hurry. Everyone taken from the building was in a body bag.

The furniture store was still standing, but there were no roads around it. Emergency vehicles pulled as dose to the front as they could, then unloaded more injured. They created a diversion with Vicki pretending to be so that Shelley and Hotaru could sneak her in. Darrion kept her back to the guards so they wouldn't recognize her.

A Global Community staff worker took information. When she turned her back, Vicki quickly slipped out of line and down the hall with Hotaru following suit. Sometimes it paid off to be unnoticed.

They ran up a flight of stairs. What had been a showroom now held cots. People were sleeping, some badly wounded. The doctors and nurses were so busy, no one seemed to notice them. They each looked at faces, read names on charts, and darted into a bathroom when a GC guard passed. A woman in one of the stalls was crying. Vicki then found a clipboard on a sink. At the top of the chart were numbers. Under "T-1" she spotted 'Ryan Daley.'

What's T-1? The woman came out of the stall. Hotaru and Vicki washed their faces, then quickly walked out. As they hurried down a narrow corridor, they heard someone behind her, then Vicki felt a hand just above her elbow. "You are under arrest."

The two girls jumped then spun around expecting a Global Community guard. But a wild-eyed young man with stringy hair, eyes darting, said, "Scared you, didn't I? You thought I was the police. Not supposed to be in here, are you?"

Vicki took a breath. "Do you always ask that many questions?"

The young man smiled, still looking away. Hotaru looked at him observantly, he looked like one of the special children she'd sometimes see, but Kaolinite would always tug her away or make disparaging remarks.

"What's your name?" Vicki said.

"Charlie, Charles, Chuck, Charlie." He spoke quickly, and his body seemed out of control.

"You gave us a start," Hotaru said. "You like scaring people?"

Charlie giggled. His teeth were crooked and discolored. "I like when they jump. I used to make my sister jump. Real high. She don't jump no more. Big shake got her."

"The earthquake?" Vicki said.

"Yeah, yeah," Charlie said. "Earthshake. Lotsa things got broken at our house. Big crash. Boom!" Charlie screamed and laughed, making the two jump again.

"Be quiet," Vicki said.

Charlie put a finger to his lips. "Shh. Quiet."

"Are you a patient here?" questions Hotaru.

"No, my sister worked here. They had big TVs downstairs. Used to let me watch them. All busted now. Want to see 'em?"

Vicki shook her head. "We're looking for a friend who might be here."

"Friend. I had a friend. His mom said I was strange, and he couldn't come over anymore."

Hotaru immediately feels a stab of pity for the boy. This reminded her of early childhood - whereby an evil force had once taken control of her sometimes during her seizures and causes her to hurt anyone who gets too close to her. She lost her pet goldfish and at some point, injured a classmate without knowing. Because of this, Hotaru has been unable to make any friends - that is, until Chibiusa and the sailor senshi came along.

"We'll be your friend," Hotaru said with a gentle smile.

"We just need your help." Vicki nods.

"I can help," Charlie said. "I can lift and carry stuff and hold doors open and SCARE PEOPLE!"

"Stop screaming," Vicki said. "There are sick people in here. Now I'm trying to find room T-1, or something like that." Charlie squinted and squeezed his chin. "Is a T the letter that looks like a snake?"

"That's an S," Vicki said. She drew a T in the dust on a window.

"I know what a T looks like," Charlie giggled. "Come on." He hopped along, taking big leaps with his right leg and dragging his left behind him.

When the girls finally caught up him, he was out of breath and excited. "Right here," Charlie said. The sign above the door said Trauma 1. Charlie opened the door slowly. "There's really sick people here. Better not be too loud."

Someone yelled for Charlie. "Oh," he said, "I'll stay with you."

"No," Vicki said. to so they don't suspect anything. Promise you won't tell them about us."

"I promise," he said, scampering off giggling.

The two girls strained to see the patients in the darkened room. Several had died, and sheets covered them. The familiar beeps of monitors scattered throughout the room. Finally, toward the end of one row, they spotted Ryan.

Vicki rushed to him and ran a hand through his hair. It was caked with mud. His eyes were closed, and a bruise showed on his forehead.

"Ryan!" Hotaru whispered. "Oh, Ryan." She gently touched his forehead.

Vicki's tears fell on Ryan's face. She hugged him, but he felt cold. Hotaru felt for a pulse – she almost selfishly wished she could heal him. But that was impossible.

Someone took Vicki by the shoulder. "What are you two doing in here?" a woman said.

Hotaru and Vicki jumped back, turning to face the woman dressed in white. "Charlie told me you were looking for a friend," the woman said sternly. "Is that true?"

"His name's Ryan Daley," Vicki said.

"Are you Vicki?"

"That would be her." Hotaru nodded to the redhead.

The woman pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. "He wrote this for you."

Hotaru stood by Vicki's side as she read the letter. The nurse informed Hotaru that Ryan's immune system had been compromised by his injuries due to the earthquake. And as a result, he was dying.

Vicki sobbed and handed the letter to Hotaru who began to read.

I'm writing this to you, Vicki, but I'm hoping you'll be in touch with Judd and Lionel as well.

First, I shouldn't have been surprised at what happened because this was everything Bruce said. The wrath of the Lamb and all. We can be glad God keeps his promises, I guess. The nurse said I should write to you. I never was a letter writer, but she thought it was a good idea.

You've been like a big sister to me. I never had one. Judd was a big brother, and Lionel was a good friend. Meeting the senshi was something I never thought would happen. I hope I wasn't too much of a pain to have around.

I guess there's a chance I could get up and walk out of here, but it doesn't look good. So I want to tell you all to hang in there. God didn't let us survive this long without there being a reason. No matter where you go or what happens, I want you to remember how much you mean to me. I can't thank you enough.

Maybe somebody else will come and take my place at your house or in the Young Trib Force. I hope they do. If you care for them half as much as you cared for me, they'll be really happy.

Promise me you'll take care of Phoenix. Tell Chaya and Shelly and Mark and John and the girls that I was thinking of them. I hope you all made it through the earth-quake. I'll never forget you.

Love, Ryan

Vicki had opted to return to the hospital by sundown. Hotaru waited for her outside. The girl had gone in and was able to see Ryan with Phoenix. The young boy had held on long enough to see them, however, he knew his time was up and thus after speaking with Vicki, finding out where everyone was and saying goodbye, he died.

She and Phoenix were almost caught by a GC guard, when she bumped into Charlie again, she asked the boy's help to carry Ryan's body out to give him a decent burial.

Vicki led Phoenix out. Charlie carried Ryan's lifeless body. As they slipped into the night, Charlie huffed and puffed. It wasn't going to be an easy trip. They rested as often as Charlie needed. At times, Vicki and Hotaru helped, but mostly Charlie carried Ryan alone. A flood of memories came over her as they walked. Ryan had grown taller since they first met. She remembered their trips searching for Bibles. She had been there when Ryan found Phoenix. She had seen Ryan stand at Bruce's memorial service and say he was willing to give his life for the sake of the gospel. By morning, they were near Vicki's house. Construction crews were busy clearing rubble and collapsed roadways. Vicki took Charlie near the spot where New Hope Village Church once stood. While Charlie scampered off to find a shovel, Vicki pawed through the loose stones that led to Ryan's secret chamber. There was no sign of life at the church. Vidd moved enough dirt and bricks to crawl through. She grabbed a Bible and crawled out. When Charlie was finished digging the grave, Vicki and Hotaru helped him lift Ryan. Hotaru unfolded the sheet from around him and Vicki placed the Bible in his hands.

"Is that for luck?" Charlie said.

"No," Vicki said. "The Bible was really important to him. He studied it just about every day."

"I had a Bible once," Charlie said. "Somebody took it."

Vicki reached into the grave and took the book from Ryan's body.

"What are you doing?" Charlie said.

"He wouldn't have wanted to be buried with it," Vicki said. "He'd want you to have it."

Hotaru sadly smiled. "Go on and take it."

As the sun rose, Vicki knelt on the cold ground. She looked at Ryan, and the tears came. Hotaru wiped her eyes sadly. Charlie stood back, his head bowed. Softly, Vicki sang the words to one of Ryan's favorite hymns: Amazing grace.

Then Hotaru began to sing a small mournful song she'd heard Chaya sing once, now she sang it in her native tongue.

Watashi no kurushimi no hi ni

(On the day of my affliction)

Watashi wa anata ni sakebimasu

(I cry out to you)

Adonai

Anata wa watashi no hinanshodakara

(Because you are my refuge)

Toraburu no toki ni

(In times of anguish)

Anata wa nagusamedakara

(Because you are solace)

Kanashimi no toki ni

(In times of sadness…)

Vicki made a crude cross and stuck it in the ground at the head of the grave. She and Hotaru both wondered how many more crosses they would have to make in the days ahead.

A couple hours later, Vicki awoke near Ryan's grave. Phoenix was sprawled out on top. Hotaru had been standing guard. When Vicki moved, Phoenix whimpered and pawed at the loose dirt. Charlie was gone. Vicki wished she could see Judd and talk with him about Ryan.

The two girls returned to the shelter but couldn't find Shelly or Darrion. A man asked for volunteers. "We need help with the injured." The girls raised a hand and followed him to the main tent.

The suffering was unbelievable. Finally they spotted Darrion and Shelly. The redhead and Japanese girl excused themselves and caught up with them. Shelly looked exhausted. Darrion sat with elbows on knees

"What happened?" Hotaru said. "Did one of the girls…"

Shelly shook her head. "Long story. Bad ending."

"Mom's gone," Darrion said. "They had her locked in a cell. After all this time they were still questioning her."

"They wouldn't show us the facility," Shelly said. "It was roped off and patrolled. We stayed till dark to get a look."

"There's no way she could have survived," Darrion said. "The place was knocked flat. The whole thing must have come down on her."

"I'm sorry," Vicki said.

"We did get a look at the logbook" Shelly said. "Judd and Taylor Graham were taken away on the morning of the quake."

"So then there's a chance they're still alive," Hotaru speculates.

Shelly nodded. Vicki then noticed something strange on Shelly's forehead. Shelly rubbed at the smudge, but it didn't come off.

"What's it look like?" Shelly said.

"Like what they do in Catholic churches around Ash Wednesday," Vicki said.

"Maybe I tripped or something," Shelly said.

Hotaru squinted looking at Shelley and at Darrion. Then she looked at Vicki. "It's not a bruise, I see it on Darrion's forehead and on yours too, Vicki."

The girls touched their foreheads in surprise before looking straight at Hotaru.

"You got one too." Darrion pointed out, her eyes wide.

"What about Ryan?" Shelley questioned

Hotaru became downcast. With a heavy heart, Vicki told them. Darrion hung her head. Shelly lay back on the ground. "I can't even cry anymore," she said.

Vicki led them to the grave. Poor Phoenix hadn't moved. The four girls stood in silence.

Hours later, Vicki collapsed in her tent, Hotaru slumped over with a groan on a stool. They'd had been working nonstop for hours. The number of injured and dead was staggering. Men and women walked in a daze looking for friends and family. Grown men thrashed about, saying they wanted to die.

Vicki was almost asleep when Shelly opened the tent saying that man wished to see Vicki: Chaya's father, Mr. Mitchell Stein, stood a few yards from the tent.

"Vicki," Mr. Stein said.

Vicki rushed to him. "I haven't seen Chaya. She went to your house to—"

Mr. Stein held up a hand. "I was with her at the house. I made a solemn vow to find her friends. I'm here to keep that promise."

"What happened?"

Hotaru sat up straight, this concerned another friend of theirs.

"Chaya is dead," Mr. Stein said.

Hotaru gasped covering her mouth. Vicki fell to her knees. "No."

Mr. Stein knelt beside Vicki. "We were in the house together when the earthquake hit," he said. "We were trapped many hours. If they had found us earlier, she might still be alive."

Vicki dosed her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"I have lost everything. My wife. My daughter. My home and all my possessions." Mr. Stein looked away. "But what good are possessions when the people you love are gone?"

"Were you able to talk with her before..."

"You know I did not want to speak with her again," Mr. Stein said. "We had great differences. But in those hours, I understood how wrong I was."

"Wrong about what?"

"For shutting her out. She was my flesh and blood."

"Did you talk?" Mr. Stein nodded. "She tried to convince me that her belief in God was right and mine was wrong. Until the very end she was talking about her belief in Jesus as Messiah."

"She prayed for you constantly," Vicki said.

"She was misguided."

"A funeral. Would it be all right with you if—"

"There is no need," Mr. Stein said. "I buried her yesterday."

Hotaru buried her face into her hands. Loretta. Ryan. Mrs. Stahley. Donny Moore. All dead. And now Chaya, the person who had the best grasp of the Bible of any in the Young Tribulation Force was gone too.

"Do you have need of anything?" Mr. Stein was asking Vicki.

"We're like everyone else now. No house. No food. We'll make it somehow."

Mr. Stein handed her a card. "I don't know when the phone lines will return, but if you have need, call me or come see me. My office escaped serious damage. I may be able to help you in some way."

They could only hope their other friends were safe, wherever they were.


Back in Tokyo, the Inner senshi and their friends were still recovering at the refugee camps. Finally Usagi was able to get ahold of Mamoru, who assured her he was safe. Not long after, Makoto alerts via communicator that she found Minako, then Hotaru lets them know she's with Vicki, Darrion and Shelley at a shelter... of Ryan and Chaya's death.

When another new GNN broadcast was announced, much to their chagrin and the anxiety of the populace.

"This just in..." The anchor-man began. "The Japanese teen singer, Mio Kuroki has just been declared dead. During a search and rescue in the rubble of Nicolae High, Miss Kuroki's body was pulled from the wreckage and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Mio's dead?" Usagi nearly stumbled from shock.

Rei shook her head. "Usagi there's something you have to know… Mio wasn't who she claimed to be…"

But what the anchor man said next made them stop talking.

"Ironically, in an early discussion with Nicolae Carpathia, Miss Kuroki had stated that she believed her life may be in danger because she had been investigating the Sailor Senshi and trying to uncover their identities. Luckily, before her tragic death, Miss Kuroki had managed to inform Potentate Carpathia facts she'd uncovered. The Potentate had this to say."

The Senshi, Usagi's parents, their allies, and Naru are all stunned and shocked.

The scene changed to Nicolae Carpathia sitting at his desk. "Good evening, everyone. I come to you all today with my most humble condolences over the loss of any family or friends of yours who are among the list of those who have died in this global catastrophe. I imagine it will be a while before the world can be restored back to its normal state. But aside from all the chaos, death and destruction, some good has come out of all of this. I now know essential facts regarding the Sailor Senshi, thanks to Miss Mio. In our last discussion… what a reveal it was. I quite frankly didn't see it coming myself." He pretended put his fingers to his head in disbelief to what he'd uncovered – which was clear to the senshi and their friends but not to everyone else.

"What I am about to share with you is not science fiction nor a complex fairytale. It is the truth...the whole truth...and nothing but the truth. A thousand years ago, the moon was inhabited by a kingdom known as the Moon Kingdom, with Sailor Moon as the Moon Princess, her mother as the Queen, and the rest of the Senshi as the Princess's guardians. That's right. The moon was once a planet where people lived on.

However, eventually, the moon was invaded by the people of Earth, led by an evil Queen named Beryl, who wanted to seize control of the Moon Kingdom. To synthetize a long story: the Moon Queen managed to defeat the people of Earth, but the moon people were decimated and the Moon Kingdom was destroyed in the process. Before she passed away, however, the Moon Queen was able to send her daughter, the Moon Princess, and the other guardians into the distant future of Earth to be reborn in today's time where, as we know, they became the group of super heroes we know today as the Sailor Senshi. No one knows why they're here. No one knows who they are. No one knows what the outcome will be. As for why they're doing what they're doing, I can only go by Miss Mio's words that she believes this is some kind of revenge plot against Earth for the destruction of their Kingdom. All I can say is that whatever reason they're here, we are experiencing, what in the light of our knowledge, must be dubbed...an alien invasion."

"Is he serious?!" Saki rolled her eyes.

She was shushed by the people. They wanted to hear what else the potentate had to say.

"Therefore, I am mandating a law that is official for everyone in the world. All citizens are ordered to turn the Sailor Senshi in the moment they see them. It is forbidden for anyone to attempt to make contact with them for any reason. People violating these laws or any people found allying themselves with these beings or supporting them or keeping their current identities a secret will be arrested and severely dealt with by the Global Community. That being said, after two years of wondering what happened to all of the missing people, it was confirmed by Miss Kuroki that the source by the disappearances, World War III, the famines and plagues and this recent global disaster is none other than...the Sailor Senshi. There is no confirmation as of yet as to why they took all of the missing people and all of the children or where, but Kuroki believes they got in contact with their extraterrestrial kind and had them beam up all of the missing people and all the children into their ships so they could re-establish the Moon Kingdom and make those people and children their citizens."

Mrs. Tsukino turned to her daughter. "Do you know what's going on here, Usagi? What does he want with you?"

"Now he's pining the blame on the senshi for something he's responsible for?!" Vesves glowered. "Well this stinks!"

"You can say that again." A familiar girl's voice grumbled.

"Makoto!" Usagi cried. "Minako!"

The tall girl put her a finger to her lips. She and the other blonde were glaring at Carpathia's newscast.

"I realize none of this tells us about their current Earthly identities, but now that we know their origin story and that they're not human, we now know what we're up against and have a better chance at fighting them. I originally was going to have them captured and sent to a re-education camp. But after learning of their origin story, it is clear to me that they're far too dangerous for re-education...or prison. Therefore, I'm insisting that they be captured and locked away in a government facility for the duration of their lives. I'm sorry, everyone. But it is for the best. I bid you good will and good luck until next time."

"Oh please, he says the senshi caused all this? Are we supposed to believe THAT?" Mr. Tsukino shook his head dubiously.

Now that Usagi had come clean to him and Ikkuko during the earthquake and what they'd witnessed, they knew that neither their daughter nor her friends could be behind said disasters.

However many of the people became furious and enraged with the Sailor Senshi, believing the lies spun by their beloved potentate. Carpathia's speech left the Senshi and their friends shaken. Especially Naru, who was now starting to regret that she had informed Usagi that she knew she was Sailor Moon.

"We can't stay here anymore." Luna said morosely.

"But where can we go?" asked Ami.

Artemis piped up. "I can make a crazy suggestion."

Things have gotten to be far more precarious than they'd imagined. How were they going to smuggle out their friends and families out safely?

At that very moment, the Three lights were seen talking to Ami's mother. Once they were free to talk, they explained to Usagi that they'd barely managed to avoid the destruction caused by the quake and the meteors. However their vehicle was gone not due to the earthquake, but to entitled people.

"Which was redundant anyway because the path they tried to drive over cracked apart anyway…" grumbled Taiki.

Usagi manages to convince her parents, Naru, Umino and Naru's mother to go with them to safe haven. Saki agreed to go with them. Nehelenia and her handmaiden had been talking, not knowing whether more of their kingdom had survived the quake like them. Yet to ensure the safety of the believers, they decided against searching for the rest of the court and denizens from their home for the time being.

"Your friend Rei's ribs are broken, that will take six weeks to heal." Dr. Saeko Mizuno was explaining, "Ann's leg is terribly wounded. She'll have to undergo surgery. And those five girls over there are in need of medical expertise." She'd pointed to the Amazon Quartet and to Nanako, who were being tended to by nurses regarding the extent of their injuries.

Because the Hikawa temple is gone, Rei's grandfather and Yuiichiro would need shelter. They were reluctant to leave. Rei is just barely able to convince them leave with the group. While Yuiichiro went to get Rei something to eat, she attempted to confess to her grandfather about her identity as a sailor senshi.

Her grandfather sighed. "You can drop the charade, Rei. I know the whole thing."

"Huh?"

"I'm not too old to start forgetting important facts from your life and mine. You think I don't know what you truly sneak out to do more often these past three years before the disappearances?"

Rei was flabbergasted. "But how did you find out?"

"Same day that blonde pretty boy turned me into a monster. When I came to, I wanted to look for you and Yuiichiro. Your blue-haired friend over there wanted to give me a full shot of tranquilizer."

Although Dr. Mizuno was a confirmed believer, Ami could not persuade her mother to leave with them. However, the hardest part was Ami asking her mother to trust her to leave with reliable friends. Thus, Dr. Mizuno remained in the shelter to tend to their injured comrades.

The Ayakashi sisters volunteered to help, so they could keep an eye on their friends and allies that were still recovering.


Back in Chicago, the four girls were busy helping more victims when Nicolae had made his decree against the Sailor senshi via satellite and of his spurious act by allegedly raising Leon Fortunato from the dead.

Hotaru had been shaking her head with a scowl. "I've heard enough." she said, her hands had curled into fists.

"Yeah, that's all I can take," Vicki agreed with the girl. "Come on."

Outside the tent, Shelly asked them what they thought of Leon Fortunato's statement.

"Look," Vicki said, "God does miracles; there's no question. All the enemy of God can do is copy the miracles. He fakes it. With the mind control Carpathia has, I wouldn't be surprised if he planted those thoughts about Fortunato being raised from the dead."

Hotaru folded her arms. "Vicki made that clear. Take from someone who knows."

"But you heard him yourself," Shelly said. "He climbed out from the bottom of that building."

"Right." Vicki said skeptically, "and he claimed to have broken all kinds of bones and burst his lungs. Did those just heal over?"

"And everything he said about the Sailor senshi being the cause of all the crazy stuff since the Rapture is a lie." Hotaru points out. "Shelley, you saw what happened at the carnival. Why would they wish to kidnap people to restore an ancient Moon kingdom when the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, will be returning in less than five years?"

"Well, yeah. It wouldn't make any sense."

Darrion then spoke up. "The point isn't whether it's true or not" she said. "People are going to believe it. They're going to think Carpathia is some kind of Messiah himself and worse yet, this is going to turn more people against the Sailor senshi."


After discreetly rounding up friends and family members, the Inner senshi and the Three Lights departed on the same dirigible that had brought the survivors of Nehelenia's kingdom.

Luna and Artemis had given them directions, the trip had had taken one hour and forty-four minutes. They'd guided them right to Okutama. Some of the buildings were leveled yet most of the trees were in one piece.

However, the dirigible was directed close to Mount Mitake. Once they landed, the bewildered travelers were further surprised when the two cats lead them to a hidden cave.

Luna pushed a rock with her right paw and a trap-door slid open, revealing a flight of blue illuminated stairs that lead downwards. At the end of the stairs they found themselves inside an enormous room the walls appeared to simulate the night sky, lined with white roman pillars. And in the very center was a large white control panel with numerous screens, highly advanced technology that couldn't found anywhere on Earth.

"What is this place?" Saki questioned.

"This is the Command Center." Luna answered. "Back then it was used to research potential enemies. It has a powerful shield so it can't be detected and if an intruder enters, an alarm will sound."

Artemis hopped up on one of the stools. "This was how I was able to communicate with Luna at the arcade before Minako and I joined the group. We've been saving the place for a rainy day, I guess this is a good a time as any."

The senshi, their friends, Usagi's parents and Naru's mother were overwhelmed.

"I know it's all so sudden," Luna was saying. "But since many of your homes have been destroyed, this is going to be your home for the next five years."


Back in Chicago, Vicki's group was busy at the shelter. The nurses appreciated the help. Hundreds of people poured in each day. Some were looking for a meal. Others were injured and needed medical help.

Little did they know that seven of their friends were already headed their way. Hotaru had been talking to the other Outers. Haruka and Michiru had intended to pick up Hotaru and the rest after, Buck and Tsion had rescued Chloe, but Hotaru had to decline.

"I know, but I feel like this is something we have to do differently too." Hotaru was saying, "Right now, you've still got different types of resources and strategists, the original Tribulation force needs it. But if it's backup, I could use a couple of senshi here to give the Young Trib force a hand too. Either way, we're all going to have to split up to aid our friends here in Chicago and in Japan. Be careful, bye."

"You sure about this?" Darrion had asked her.

"Absolutely. Once Rei's well enough, she, Minako and the Starlights will hurry to the States." Hotaru responds.

She didn't want to think about the present too much. Each question made her stomach tie in knots. Where would they live? What will they do for money?

Vicki heard Shelly shout first. Then Darrion called her name. Vicki asked the woman she was helping to stay where she was. She stepped out of the medical tent and spotted Darrion and Shelly. Both were smiling. Behind them was a man in dirty jeans with a few days' growth of beard.

"Vick," the man said.

"Judd?"

Judd ran to her.

Vicki hugged him tightly.

"I've been looking all over," Judd said. "I'm so glad I found you."

"The GC wouldn't tell us anything. How'd you get away?"

"Long story," Judd said. "Is there some-place we can talk?"

Shelly winked at Vicki and said she would take over in the medical tent. Vicki and Judd walked toward the church, where Judd told Vicki about the earthquake and watching Taylor Graham fall to his death. He then explained about the mark of true believers, and Vicki gasped when she saw the mark on Judd's forehead. "You're right," Vicki said. "We all have the mark." Vicki listened and asked questions about Pete and how Judd made it home. "You're lucky to be alive," she said.

"I feel like God's been watching out for me the whole time. What happened with you?"

Vicki explained about the Underground and how Mrs. Jenness had caught her. Judd couldn't believe Vicki's ordeal on the bridge. She had to tell him about Ryan's death, Lionel being picked up by supposed relatives from down South and Hotaru's transfer. Judd said goodbye to Ryan as he stood before the grave before he and Vicki joined the rest.

In the shelter, Hotaru told him what else had happened since he was gone. The carnival mess, the explanation from Queen Serenity and how she survived the earthquake.

"Beryl? Mio was Queen Beryl's clone this whole time?!" Judd sputtered, he'd almost fell in shock.

"I knew something about her was fishy." Shelley mumbled, "But I didn't think we'd actually been talking to some psycho stalker wannabe."

"Well, whoever she was." Darrion sighed. "She's gone now."

Vicki relieved Shelly in the medical tent. As she helped an elderly patient roll over, someone in the corner shouted, "That's her!" Vicki finished with the patient and hurried to see what the problem was.

Hotaru turned around to see what was the cause of the commotion.

"Nurse, get a guard," the girl said. "She's the one. That's the girl who killed Mrs. Jenness!"

A nurse came and quieted the shouting girl.

"I'm telling you, she's the one who offed Mrs. Jenness."

The nurse looked at Vicki. "Do you mind telling me what this is about?"

Hotaru then recognized the girl as Joyce, the same one who tried to stop her from taking Vicki away and the Japanese girl had ended up breaking the girl's nose to get away.

Shelly tried to calm her, but Joyce kept shouting and calling Vicki a murderer.

"Were you in a car with Mrs. Jenness?" the nurse said.

"Yes. The earthquake hit as we were crossing a bridge. But I tried to save her, not kill her."

Joyce spoke up. "I was there when Mrs. Jenness drove away with you. I know you were in that car. This morning I met a lady who was near the bridge when it collapsed. She described Mrs. Jenness's car perfectly and said when it went in the water there was a girl on top trying to push Mrs. Jenness back inside."

"That's not true!" Vicki said.

"She killed her!"

"I was trying to save her life."

"Calm down," the nurse said.

"I want a GC guard notified right now," Joyce said. "She's a murderer!"

"Well, you're a chronic liar." Hotaru stared down Joyce with a withering glare that could've vaporized plants. "How do I know you didn't make that story up because you want to get rid of Vicki, just because she believes differently than you?!"

"You're the one who broke my nose, you little witch!" Joyce fired back.

Judd was talking to a woman in the corner. A moment later the woman walked up and demanded silence. A closer look showed that she had the seal of God on her forehead.

"There will be no more fighting about this." The woman looked at Vicki. "You go back to your tent."

"If you won't do anything about it," Joyce shouted, "I'm going to the authorities!"

"Do give her something to calm her," the woman said.

"No!" Joyce shouted as the nurse grabbed a needle. "I'll get you for this, Byrne!"

Later that evening Judd called for a meeting of the Young Trib force.

"It's dear we need a place to hide," Judd said. "The GC will be looking for me, and this thing with Joyce could blow up in Vicki's face."

"What's the deal with her anyway?" Darrion said.

"I knew her from school," Shelly said. "After the disappearances, we hung out together. When I became a Christian, she turned on me."

"When I first transferred, she tried to get me into this GC propaganda but she turned nasty, once I kept joining Vicki and Shelley."

"I remember talking with her," Vicki said. "Joyce said she believed Jesus came back. She thought it was the only explanation."

"So she's a believer?" Darrion said.

"No," Vicki said. "She said if the disappearances were God's idea of how to do things, she wanted no part of it. Then she told me not to waste my breath trying to convince her."

"So she's chosen not to believe," Darrion said.

"Exactly," Vicki said.

"That may be why she's trying to pin murder on you," Judd said. "She must hate anything that reminds her of the truth."

"Which makes her no better than any of the horrible enemies the senshi have faced in the past." Hotaru scowled.

"Hotaru!"

"Don't you remember how Beryl convinced the people of Earth to attack the Moon kingdom? It all began due to jealousy and utter bias towards the Lunarians!"

Vicki, Shelley and Judd groaned in dismay at the reminder. Hotaru had a point, all it took was the hatred of one person to set off a chain of disasters which cost the lives of thousands.

"Right…" Darrion sighed gloomily. "And now we've got someone who's got it in for Christians and most likely anyone in league with the Sailor warriors. I don't want to think just bad things will go from there either."

Not long after, Judd meets Charlie and as trying to explain things to him, though it seemed the boy needed more help in understanding. However they were in for another surprise. Vicki suddenly came up telling them she'd seen Lionel.

Judd went out first, he recognized the African American boy right away. Lionel wore different clothes and seemed surprised when Judd approached.

"Good to see you again," Judd said, smiling.

Lionel backed away. "Do I know you?"

"Of course you do."

Lionel paused. "Are you Ryan?"

Judd laughed. "This is a joke, right? It's Judd, remember?'

"That guy was in on it too," Joyce said. "Judd Thompson. Last year at graduation he gave this speech, and the GC—"

"I'll handle this," Lionel said. He turned to Judd. "How do I know you?"

Judd shook his head. "You stayed in my house. I drove you to school. We ate meals together. Went to church. Don't you remember any of that?"

Lionel looked down. "I remember reading something about you in my diary."

Vicki then rushed up and gave Lionel a hug.

"That's her," Joyce shouted. "Somebody arrest her!"

"Enough," Lionel said. He bristled and Vicki pulled away.

"What's wrong?" Vicki said.

"He doesn't remember us," Judd said.

"That's crazy," Vicki said.

"I had an accident during the earthquake. I could remember stuff about the camp, but not anything before that."

"What camp?" Vicki said. "You went down South to be with your family, didn't you?"

Lionel frowned at her words.

"A man from your family came to our school," Vicki said. "You had a hard time deciding, but you finally went. We didn't hear any more from you."

"Lionel? Lionel!" Hotaru had run out, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fully.

He was greatly taken aback. Judd and Vicki beamed.

"Ugh! You have got to be kidding me!" Joyce shrieked.

Stunned, the young man held her at arm's length. "Wait, I'm confused. Do I know you?"

"Don't you remember me?" Hotaru sounded heartbroken.

To be continued…