Chapter 3

Sailor Mercury propelled herself upwards with a water jet under her feet, sending her high towards the ceiling of the Gym. A streak of fire came blazing towards the base of the powerful stream, cutting through it like a knife, turning the water into stem almost instantly. Jupiter has the advantage in the air she thought to herself as she began to fall. Right on cue, she could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, signaling Sailor Jupiter's approach. Sailor Mercury pulled the water vapor created by Sailor Mars' fire towards herself, slowing the molecules down and bringing them together faster than she ever had before. Crossing her arms protectively in front of her, a giant shield of ice formed just before Sailor Jupiter appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, the familiar clap of thunder that followed every time she used her Lightning Accel technique.

Her fist engulfed in electricity came crashing down; shattering the ice barrier Sailor Mercury had created for herself. The impact of the blow sent her hurtling back towards the floor she had just been standing on. She flipped once, twice, and by the third rotation had regained her composure. Thrusting her arms out to slow the spinning, she twisted her hips and somersaulted through the air, landing easily on her feet. Jupiter is really training hard today. Her tall green eyed friend had taken out Sailor Venus almost immediately. Now, she waited patiently inside a small recess on one of the walls inside the Gym, waiting and watching.

Water vapor still filled the air, so visibility was low but Sailor Mercury knew Sailor Mars was close.

"If we don't work together, we won't take Jupiter down today. Something has her fired up and-"The hair on the back of her neck stood up again and Sailor Mercury dove forward without thinking. A sudden and violent burst of lighting crashed down where she had just been standing. Even without connecting, the force of the attack still made her head spin. A clap of thunder announced her arrival in person. Sailor Mercury lifted her head enough to see her friend's high heeled green boots standing in front of her. Sailor Jupiter still hadn't landed a winning blow and Sailor Mercury knew she didn't have any time before she did. With the water vapor still hanging in the air she formed a block of ice directly behind her friends head and pulled it towards herself. Sailor Jupiter moved her head to the side, easily dodging it. Sailor Mercury formed another and another. Her tall friend alternated between dodging and shattering the ice blocks, seemingly toying with her. Focusing all her attention on attacking Sailor Jupiter, she didn't even see Sailor Mars running toward the two women, black hair trailing behind her, both hands engulfed in flame.

At the last second Sailor Mercury noticed Sailor Mars leaping through the air, ready to unleash an attack that would finish them both off. If her hands touch, it's all over for us both and Mars will win today! Sailor Mercury formed another block of ice, but she knew it was already too late. Sailor Mars' hands were already closing into each other. Without warning the entire space inside the Gym lit up and Sailor Mercury thought she felt and heard an incredible explosion before everything went dark.

The blue haired woman didn't know how long she was unconscious, but she felt her head bobbing from side to side as she came to. She was being held up, her arm flung around the shoulders of... Jupiter? She tried to focus but there seemed to be thick dark smoke in between the two women. Opening her mouth to ask what happened, she inhaled a large amount smoke that surrounded them and began to cough hard.

"Hold on Ami-chan, we're almost at the door." Her friend informed her in an urgent voice. Sailor Mercury tried to respond, but the coughing wouldn't stop, in fact it was getting worse. She couldn't hold up her own weight any longer from coughing so hard when the both emerged into the clear fresh air outside the Gym. Sailor Jupiter let her slide down to the ground as her whole body convulsed from the intense coughing. She couldn't slow it down and began to vomit on the grass where she lay. After retching two times, she finally stopped coughing and rolled onto her back, breathing deep, trying to catch her breath. Sailor Mars was already outside and seemed too had fared no better than she had. Venus must have pulled her out. Shielding the her eyes from the sun as she looked up to the sky, Sailor Mercury couldn't help but think how good a cool glass of water would be right about now.

As if someone were reading her mind, a glass of water appeared in her vision. The man handing her the refreshment cast the largest shadow Sailor Mercury had ever seen on anyone. Even crouched down beside her he looked intimidating with his giant frame.

"Thank you Oakley" Sailor Mercury rasped, taking the glass from him and swallowing large gulps. The cool water soothed her raw throat, giving relief. Oakley stood up to his full height as she took another drink. At almost seven feet tall, he was always turning heads. Not only was he tall, but the man directly under Sailor Mercury was massive as well. His large arms were bigger than most people's legs attached to powerful shoulders and a tree trunk for a chest. His soft brown eyes and young looking face put people at ease which was a stark contrast to his giant muscular body. The only problem Sailor Mercury had was the man never spoke a single word. He understood Japanese as he could take directions, but he never replied. Even asking for his name only brought silence. So people started calling him Oakley because he was as large and solid as a giant oak tree. Oakley was also the only Field Commander to have who had remained unchallenged since taking it from his predecessor. The day he had arrived and been enrolled into the Queens Guard, he challenged William, the previous Field Commander of the Mercs. Everyone thought this would be a good lesson for a new recruit, a way to put him in line. Put William was no match for Oakley's overwhelming power.

Sailor Mercury finished her drink and started to push herself to her feet when a young woman in a nurse's smock came running towards them.

"Dr. Mizuno, I'm sorry to bother you during training-" She paused taking a few quick breaths before continuing. "But we have an injured cadet and suspect internal bleeding." Sailor Mercury let herself transform out of her Senshi form and back to Ami Mizuno. Without looking back at her friends, she let the young nurse lead her toward the small crystal hospital they had in the Palace complex.

-/-*-\-

Sailor Mars watched from her back as her blue haired friend was called to her other duties. Each Senshi had secondary roles to fill within the Palace, and Ami was called out of training the most. We really need another doctor on hand, someone to help Ami. But Endymion had warned against it.

"Let's get people whom we know will be here for a better cause. We can't risk having an outsider pose as a doctor but actually be a double agent." As much as Sailor Mars wanted someone to help Ami in her medical role, she knew he was right. The technology her friend had invented after gaining full access to the Crystal Palace's data banks could be turned into a weapon much too easily. Pushing herself up to rest on her elbows, she glared at Sailor Jupiter, fire blazing in her eyes.

"What the hell was that Mako-chan?!" She asked harshly. Sailor Jupiter quickly turned her eye's to the ground, hands behind her back submissively.

"I'm sorry Rei-chan, I didn't mean-"

"You could have killed us both!" Sailor Mars interrupted. "Letting all your power out at once like that! And what was that?! I've never seen you use that attack before!" She had lifted herself to a sitting position now, intending to stand but her head started to spin, so she remained seated.

"It's called training for a reason." Sailor Mars turned her glare to Sailor Venus, who had answered for Sailor Jupiter. "If we don't push the limit ever one in a while we'll get complacent. I think what Jupiter did today is exactly what we've been lacking lately. This training shouldn't feel like going through the motions, but that's what it has felt like to me lately. Good work today Jupiter, you earned your spot in the winner's circle." Other cadets had started to make their way over, wanting to know who had emerged victorious today. Not wanting to let the soldiers see her down and beaten, Sailor Mars stiffly and unsteadily got to her feet.

"I will admit though, I couldn't even see that coming." She said softly to Sailor Jupiter once she was standing again. Her powers of clairvoyance had improved greatly the last eight years. Ami had taught them all a way to focus their own inner power to enhance the abilities they already had. Now, Sailor Mars no longer needed to recite incantations and meditate to see what was going to happen around her. Having the ability to sense the future had made her quite the target since they all started training together like this. After learning how to use it in battle, she had remained unbeaten for almost two straight months. Sailor Mars suspected that was the sole reason Veronika had decided to join The Priesthood over any of the other Senshi battalions.

The small crowd had grown and everyone gathered waited anxiously to hear who had won between the Senshi today. Sailor Venus turned to face the members of the Queens Guard and opened her mouth to announce the victor when Tokiyama came storming through the ranks, making a bee-line for Sailor Jupiter. Sailor Mars noted his red face and furious features while he walked briskly toward her taller friend. When he was by her side, she had to stoop down to hear what he was saying. Sailor Mars couldn't hear the words spoken, but his stiff demeanor and quick gestures with his hands spoke volumes about his current mood. When he was done a short time later, Sailor Jupiter stood straight and approached Sailor Venus. Her features looked none too friendly now. She began talking to Sailor Venus in what Sailor Mars thought was a calm manner. The black haired girl was about to find out what was going on when she felt a small tug at her red skirt. Wheeling around in surprise and anger, she was ready to lash out at the sorry pervert who would dare try something so risky.

Her anger quickly faded as her gaze went down towards the ground and found big red eyes framed by bright pink hair looking up at her with a wide smile on her face.

"Small Lady!" Sailor Mars exclaimed brightly upon seeing her friend's young daughter. She crouched down to her level and opened her arms, taking the young girl in for a warm embrace. "I didn't think you would get back until tomorrow. How was your trip?" The young girl wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

"It wasn't Lady like at all." She replied crossing her arms and holding her head high. "All the old men were mean and yelled at my mom. They don't know how to act like Gentlemen. Papa could show them a thing or two about how a Gentleman is supposed to act." Sailor Mars let herself smile at the girl who she had affectionately considered her niece, even though they weren't related by blood. "Anyway I just came to show Veronika where you were. I'm going to go see Papa now, bye-bye!" The pink haired girl waved enthusiastically, turning as she smiled. Sailor Mars smiled back and gave a slight wave before she noticed Veronika standing not far off.

The dark brown haired woman looked toward Sailor Mars, her emotionless features telling her nothing of this woman's current mood. She walked toward the Field Commander of The Priesthood and as she got closer Veronika began to bow deeply, showing her respect.

"Veronika" Sailor Mars started in a hushed whisper, quickly pulling the woman back up to a standing position. "How many times have I told you not to bow to me?" She asked incredulously.

"But it is a common practice in Japan to bow to those who are-"

"I know I know" Sailor Mars interrupted, waving her hand at the other woman. "You say that every time, and every time I tell you 'But we're friends, you don't need to bow to me' and you never listen! Veronika I consider you a dear friend, so please, stop it ok?" She pleaded with the shorter woman. Veronika seemed to consider what she had just said and actually raised one eye brow slightly. Anyone who knew Veronika knew that was equal to someone else exclaiming 'Eureka!'

"Veronika!" A male's voice shouted from behind the soft brown eyed girl. Sailor Mars peeked over her friends shoulder as Veronika turned to see who had called out her name. "Fight me!" The man's voice called out. Sailor Mars should have known it was Kid Brooklyn challenging her. He challenged anyone who he thought was either on par with his own abilities or better. She admired his tenacity, but also found it overbearing at times. He had closed the distance and was now standing in front of Veronika, towering over her.

"No" Was the only reply she gave before turning her back to him. Sailor Mars watched as his face went from determined enthusiasm to completely annoyed.

"Give me one good reason why you won't fight me?!"

"You have too many wasted movements." Veronika replied quickly with her back still turned to him.

"I'll fight you" Both Veronika and Kid Brooklyn turned to see Sailor Venus looking toward them. Sailor Jupiter and Tokiyama were gone now and the athletic blonde woman was standing by herself. A murmur of excitement passed through the crowd of cadets who had gathered. They expected to hear about who won today's training round, not a challenge from a Senshi to a Field Commander. "Unless you're scared to lose again." Sailor Venus finished with a smirk.

"If I can land one blow, I'll consider it a small victory." Kid Brooklyn replied, removing his golden yellow jacket. He circled towards Sailor Venus, hands held up by his face. Sailor Venus only stood in front of him, waiting for him to attack. Just outside of her reach, Kid Brooklyn lashed out with three straight punches in the middle of her chest, alternating from left to right. To anyone watching, his strikes were lighting quick, but not quick enough. With effortless grace, Sailor Venus blocked each shot with the palm of her hand. Kid Brooklyn backed off and circled to her left, her weaker side.

"He's gotten faster." Veronika remarked. Sailor Mars nodded in agreement. If he had the same power as us, we wouldn't stand a chance against his natural skill. The flurry he unleashed this time looked like a blur to the untrained eye, finishing with a high kick to the head. Sailor Venus leisurely caught his leg and stepped in between his hips, kicking his grounded foot out away from him, throwing him down to his back. She didn't have to follow him down, but she let herself fall on top of him. Sailor Mars caught a quick glimpse of her smiling face only inches away from his before her long blonde hair covered them both. Neither of them moved for what seemed a long time. Sailor Mars was about to go over and find out what was wrong when Sailor Venus pushed herself off her taller opponent, brushing away dirt from her skirt that wasn't there.

"I feel better now." She said, smiling widely. Sailor Mars narrowed her gaze at her friend. Is she blushing right now?

"Next time, I'll land one." Kid Brooklyn threatened, getting back to his feet. Sailor Venus let out a quiet giggle, watching him stand.

"Are you ok Mina-chan?" Sailor Mars asked suspiciously.

"Hmm?" She replied, turning to face Sailor Mars. She's definitely blushing now.

"Is there something going on between you and Brook?" Sailor Mars didn't need her clairvoyance to deduce what was happening. Sailor Venus scoffed, turning even redder.

"I don't- I mean, there is this... Why do you ask?" She stumbled over her words like a high school student in love for the first time. Sailor Mars shook her head, smiling inwardly.

"Never mind. Where did Mako-chan go?"

"Discipline. I guess Sol was a bad boy and he needs to be spanked!" Now it was Sailor Mars' turn to blush, feeling her cheeks go hot.

"Minako!" Her blonde friend laughed and faced the crowd of cadets.

"Sailor Jupiter won today" the members of Rolling Thunder that had gathered cheered triumphantly "but tomorrow I'll take her down myself. As for the rest of you, take the day off and go prepare for The Festival of Light, as per the Queens orders. Now go have fun with family and friends! If I see any one of you training, I'll make short work of you like I did with Kid Brooklyn here." Another, much louder cheer came from everyone gathered around as cadets and officers alike began to go their different ways, glad to enjoy the rest of today and tomorrow as they pleased. Sailor Mars let herself transform back into her civilian form. Wearing black shorts and a red tank top, her usual casual wear these days, she faced Veronika.

"Did Serenity say anything to you about this year's Festival?" The shorter woman shook her head no.

"She was rather quiet on the plane ride back. When Small Lady questioned whether she was feeling well, the Queen lied." Through experience Rei knew Veronika had a keen sense of observation. Not much slipped by the woman and Rei admired her ability to pick up on such things. She also felt her straight forward attitude matched up well with her own.

"I've been having bad dreams lately." Rei confided in Veronika.

"What kind of bad dreams?" The people around had diminished so Rei felt at ease telling her here, away from prying ears.

"About Serenity. I'm worried about her. Maybe if the two of us confront her, she'll tell us what's been bothering her. She may not have the same ability as I do, but she does have a sense of when trouble is coming, and I think something is going to happen soon." Veronika nodded, never questioning her intuition.

"I'll arrange a meeting first thing in the morning." Veronika informed her.

"No, let's surprise her now. She's gotten good at avoiding these kinds of talks. I want to get to the bottom of this."

"Very well" Veronika began to bow before Rei had a chance to pull her back up.

"What did I tell you about that?!"

A/N: YAY! Some action! I realized on the last story that I'm not so good at romance stuff, so I'm going more with action and adventure, with a little romance. I hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far and feel free to comment even if you don't like it