CHAPTER 8

Amy was so very happy because her dear friend Greg had told her on Skype that his parents were letting him come to stay with her for three days during what was left of the holidays. She had been so excited to hear this wonderful news and now she had met him at the train station.

As they hugged she said, "I'm so delighted to see you again Greg."

"Me too Amy. Skype is really nothing compared to face to face. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too Greg."

Greg then asked her where the other girls were. "They're having a study session today. But I'm spending the day with you," Amy explained.

Greg was amazed. "You are actually skipping studies all day Amy?"

She smiled. "Yes. Last night I spent three hours studying by myself after my evening meal before going to bed. I won't be behind at all."

Greg laughed. "That's the Amy I know and love so much. Anyway where are we going?"

"I thought we'd go to the swimming pool after going home to let you unpack your suitcase."

"Sounds like a very good idea to me Amy. Let's go."

The Swimming Pool Center in town had ten pools altogether in separate enclosures. Greg and Amy found one that had nobody else currently in it. "We're by ourselves for now at least Amy," said Greg as they met each other coming out of the male and female change rooms.

Amy smiled. "Such an enormous pool and just the two of us."

They sat on the edge and dipped their feet in feeling the temperature. It was nice and warmly heated.

"I love to swim Greg."

"So do I. Let's do it." Greg slid off the edge as he said this and Amy followed. They began to swim like fishes. Even underwater smiling at each other.

Suddenly they were joined by somebody else while they were both deeply submerged. It was Amara's friend Michelle. She dove down catching their attention. They all looked at each other and then broke the surface. "Why hello there Amy."

"Hello Michelle. This is my friend Greg. Greg, this is Michelle."

"Pleased to meet you Michelle."

"Likewise Greg."

After these introductions Michelle said to Amy, "You must have been a dolphin in a previous life."

"Oh it's nothing really. You're pretty good yourself."

Michelle said. "Hey! Would you like to have a race with me?"

Amy gasped. "A race?"

"Yes. From one end of the pool to the other. How about it?"

Amy was taken by surprise but Greg said, "Why not Amy? I bet you'll win!" He winked and said, "Let's get you both in place and I'll call out for you to start together."

Amy grinned and agreed, so they all climbed out and she and Michelle each stood on a platform to dive in at the deep end.

Greg shouted, "Get ready! Set! Go!"

The two girls sprang forward into the water and began to swim with hard strokes while Greg watched with excitement.

Suddenly a random glimpse into the immediate future entered Greg's mind and he gasped in apprehension as the girls both reached out one hand and touched the end of the pool at the same time. Amy turned happily saying, "I guess we tied," however Michelle was not looking pleased.

She turned her back on Amy and slowly treaded water to the ladder where she climbed out. Amy felt rather uncomfortable and followed her.

When they were both outside Amy asked what the matter was. Michelle answered without turning to face her. "You were swimming very fast. You looked like you were going to beat me. But then I distinctly noticed you slow down on purpose. Why?"

Amy stammered. "I-I'm sorry. I d-d-didn't mean- th-th-that is,"

Then she turned and quickly walked away out the exit door.

Michelle turned and gasped and Greg said, "Oh dear. You made Amy feel terrible. She really didn't slow down on purpose. It was just a subconscious reaction to avoid confrontation because she wanted to make friends with you."

Michelle was upset now. "I only wanted to have a genuine race with her giving it all she could against all I could."

"I know you did. I could see this confrontation coming shortly after you started to race, but I couldn't stop it."

"You- you knew this would happen?"

"Sometimes I have visions of the future. I'm kind of randomly psychic. But don't feel bad. I also saw you going to talk to a friend of yours with blond hair and he will go to meet Amy on his motorbike and persuade Amy to have another race with you. In the meantime I must go and join Amy to be present for her encouragement. Goodbye now and take heart."

As Greg left Michelle realized she had already been planning to find her friend too before he had even mentioned it to her. "Amara."

Greg managed to catch up with Amy just as she was coming out of the change room fully dried and dressed. "Hey Amy. Are you okay?"

She threw her arms around him and started to cry. "Oh Greg. I feel so terrible. I never wanted to upset Michelle like that."

Greg tried to speak comfortingly as he hugged her. "There there. Please feel better. I'll get dressed and we'll go buy ice creams and sit at the outside tables."

Amy looked into his eyes and smiled. "You mean the ice cream parlour that's managed by Diamond and his wife Julie Greg? I'd so enjoy that."

"That's exactly right Amy. Just give me five minutes."

He left her knowing that she would wait for him. That's just what he saw in his vision. They would be just finishing their ice creams when Amara would pull up nearby on his motorcycle to tell Amy that Michelle was very sorry for upsetting her and wanted her to please go back to the pool for another race. She would be taken by surprise but be very happy at the thought of making up their distressing conflict and he would accompany her back to the pool while Amara rode off to let his friend know they were coming.

Meanwhile the other girls finished their study session for the day. Saying goodbye to Raye, Serena, Lita and Mina all decided to go their separate ways and do their own thing. So exchanging farewells they walked off in different directions. Later on Serena's way she happened to meet Artemis.

"Hello Artemis. What do you know?"

"Luna and I saw Amy and Greg going somewhere just recently Serena. We casually followed them and saw them enter the Swimming Pool Center. And who do you suppose was waiting out front to meet them?"

Serena's eyes widened. "Who was it?"

"It was two people. Amara, who had his motorbike parked nearby, and his friend Michelle. She and Amy acted so happy to see each other. They were just about in a full embrace together. They looked like they were apologizing for hurting each other's feelings while Amara and Greg looked at them. Then at each other smiling before the four of them went inside."

Serena was astounded. "Where's Luna now?"

"It was only about three minutes later when we saw a woman go inside too. It may be nothing to worry about but she looked something like one of those women who summon those strange monsters."

As Serena gasped Artemis went on. "Luna is quietly observing things and I went to search for one of the other girls. Serena come with me just in case there's trouble."

"Yes I will!"

Amy and Michelle had just completed their race under the observation of Amara and Greg. They had both pushed themselves as hard as they could all the way to the end of the pool and back again. They were both exhausted and panting as they clung to the edge. Amara took Michelle's hand to help her climb out and Greg did the same for Amy.

Amara said, "You tied exactly."

Greg added, "And this time you didn't slow down at all Amy."

Michelle took hold of Amy's hand. "Thank you for giving it all you had. I enjoyed the race."

Amy smiled as they gently shook their hands. "So did I. I'd love to do it again another time."

Michelle turned to leave with Amara. "Yes. We must try it again sometime. See you later."

"Bye," Amara said as he and Michelle waved at Greg and Amy and departed the pool area.

Amy said to Greg, "I'm going to just float and paddle to relax myself. Care to join me?"

"Sure Amy. I'll just go and change into my swim trunks."

But as Greg left and Amy jumped into the water she suddenly realized to her shock that the protective charm that Raye had given her was no longer pinned to her swimsuit. She and the other girls were wearing them all the time for safety's sake. "It must have somehow come loose while I was concentrating upon swimming hard and fast. I must dive and search for it."

Taking a deep breath she plunged herself downwards just as a woman with blue hair and a pony-tail down one side entered.

Mistress 9 spoke to her. "There's our target Cyprine. Quickly now while nobody else is around."

"Yes Mistress 9." Cyprine took the pod out of her handbag and getting down on one knee she cracked it against the edge of the pool and pulled it open letting the contents pour out into the water, just like an egg.

While Amy flailed around helplessly the water began to churn like a whirlpool sweeping her up out of the pool and flying into the wall. It did not throw her hard enough to injure her badly, but she was shook up and slightly dazed from bumping her head. Her charm was inadvertently swept up from where it lay and thrown in the opposite direction, just a few feet away from the entrance to the side.

Finally some of the pool water floated over next to Cyprine and turned into a bald-headed female creature with light-purplish skin, ears that resembled fish fins and bare feet with webbed toes. Her only clothing resembled a swim suit around her torso and Mistress 9 said, "Good work Cyprine. I'll take control of her now."

A black star appeared on her forehead and poor Amy was bombarded with the power beams emanating from it. She had been thrown against the wall facing it and as she groaned her heart was drawn out of her through her back. "M-m-my charm." She was helpless.

Luna had been secretly watching through the door and had run off desperately seeking help as soon as the whirlpool had begun. Also a couple of people were running and screaming after they had begun to enter that room. The people in the other swimming pools were alerted by the noise of their terrified shrieks and demanded to know what the matter was. Soon everybody was fleeing the building in panic and Luna had to be very nimble to avoid getting trampled.

Serena and Artemis were just in time to see the frenzied exodus burst out the front door and disperse in all directions. Luna shouted as loud as she could. "Hurry Serena! Amy is being attacked!"

"MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"

Sailor Moon ran as Luna and Artemis went before her. "This way Sailor Moon!"

"Every second counts!"

Meanwhile somebody else was bravely coming to Amy's rescue. Greg had quietly crept inside without getting into his swim trunks at all. He had barely entered the change room when he'd had a sudden jarring precognition and all the frenzied noise as everybody fled confirmed it. He picked up Amy's charm where he had seen it would be lying and also snatched up a nearby floating ring. Throwing it with perfect precision he hit the creature on the back of her head causing her to fall forward into the pool with a splash. Cyprine was shocked and turned around to see Greg running around the pool to reach Amy. Her heart beat on the floor where it lay just inches from her feet.

Cyprine could certainly have tried casting a spell at him, but he knew she would be preoccupied as the creature struggled and thrashed around drowning.

Mistress 9 urged the witch. "Cyprine! She may be made from water, but she doesn't know how to swim! Do something!"

Cyprine gestured magically and the ring disappeared and reappeared around the creatures' torso. She began to calm down realizing it was keeping her afloat. "That will protect her while we get the girl and her heart Mistress."

"That's what you think," said Artemis as he and Luna suddenly made a tremendous leap together landing upon the flotation device. Sinking their teeth into it, they slashed it and the poor creature began to scream in panic as she sank once more.

Cyprine was horrified and in desperation to retrieve the Tomoe's child she forewent any more magic and jumped in fully clothed.

The two cats braved the water swimming away as fast as they could while the witch grasped the creature with one arm and reached out with the other to grab the edge and pull them towards it.

Meanwhile Mistress 9 was attempting to entrap Amy and her heart in a bubble, but Greg was already there and had pinned the protective charm to the back of her swimsuit. Amy was safe however when Mistress 9 realized that her magic wouldn't work she tried it on Greg. He was whisked away from Amy in the bubble just like he knew he would be from his future vision.

Cyprine boosted the frightened creature out of the water and was pulling herself out when Sailor Moon proclaimed, "You water rats won't get away with this. I stand for love and justice. I will punish you in the Name of the Moon."

Halfway out of the pool, Cyprine desperately summoned her three of her clones to stand in front while Sailor Moon produced her scepter. Mistress 9 said, "Never mind the girl. We've captured somebody else," and as the witch climbed out she saw Greg defiantly trapped and the creature innocently looking at him with infant curiosity.

"MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!" As the powerful beams sliced through the magical clones the real enemy had vanished. Just before they disappeared Greg had turned to look at Amy and thought, "It's all right Amy. I'll be all right in the end."

Artemis shouted. "Sailor Moon! Amy and her heart!"

"Heal her!" cried Luna.

Sailor Moon ran over to where her friend and her pulsating organ lay. "MOON CRYSTAL HEALING ACTIVATION!"

Amy's heart rose up and disappeared back into her body from where it had come out. Amy hadn't changed position where she was sprawled against the wall and as her heart passed through her shoulder blades she returned to normal appearance. Turning she said, "Thank you Sailor Moon."

Sailor Moon helped her get to her feet. "B-but where is Greg?" She stammered in dread.

Luna hung her head. "I'm afraid that Artemis and I saw him taken away by the Heartsnatchers."

Artemis said, "It looked like he was doing something to your back when he was captured."

Sailor Moon gasped. "Your charm is pinned to your back!"

Amy reached around to feel her charm. "Oh no! I had lost my charm while swimming in the pool. Greg saved me, but he was captured himself."

Amy began to weep and Sailor Moon was upset also. They held each other and cried while the cats shut their eyes and bowed their heads to the floor.

Just outside the glass doors Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune were looking at the scene unnoticed. Neptune was rather upset. "That boy told us firmly to stay out of the battle because he could see the future and knew he had to help Amy before Sailor Moon arrived himself. But did he really know he would be taken? Did he sacrifice himself?"

Uranus replied. "I don't know. I agreed only because you told me about his previous glimpse into the future and you begged me to trust him. In any case, there's nothing we can do now and we'd better depart."

"Yes you're right." As they quietly left Neptune added, "At least Amy is all right, though I feel sorry for her pain."

Uranus said nothing though she did set her jaw grimly.

As for Hotaru's newest sister, Cyprine presented her to the family as soon as she and Mistress 9 had taken care of Greg and the mad scientists decided to name her Dovlin.

"We should have a pool ourselves so she can learn to swim," said the Professor.

"That is no problem," said Cyprine and she conferred with the demons and her coven. They quickly conjured up a private pool for the Tomoe family and almost all Dovlin's sisters expressed a keen desire to want to swim too.

Germatoid and Mistress 9 said to the witches, "This is helping to deepen the trust they all have for you. Cyprine, since you had charge of the last mission you shall spend your spare time helping them with their swimming lessons."

"I understand evil spirits. You can depend on me."

So Cyprine assisted Souchi and Kaori in the pool and Dovlin loved her dear Auntie Cyprine. Hotaru also swam with her sisters even though she was confused. These strange women had all seemed creepy to her, but she was noticing that some of them were showing what seemed to be true kindness to her sisters.

Cyprine herself was absolutely loyal to Germatoid and Mistress 9. "When we get enough hearts collected we'll have a powerful army of zombies to bring chaos to the world," she thought to herself. "These foolish people and their creations have no idea that they're helping us achieve success. Of course we must be kind so that they will not become suspicious. Still I am finding it somewhat enjoyable since I was assigned to the pool. I love swimming myself and they are kind of fun to,"

Then she grimaced. "I must not lose my head. I can have fun while I'm at it, but I must keep focused on our mission." With these thoughts she prepared the floaties, snorkels, goggles and other equipment for that afternoon's pool session.