DAYBREAK

Episode 37

Kurai stopped at the end of a dead end road and sat down on the curb. She took out the Time Key, which was now brilliantly bright. "Pluto?" Pluto's image appeared on top of the key, looking very irritated.

"Finally! Do you know how long I've been trying to reach you?!"

"Long, no doubt. But I couldn't very well have spoken to you in front if Minako…I mean, Venus."

"I know their human names, Apollo."

"Oh, right, I forgot. So, what was so urgent you couldn't wait until I was safely at home?"

"Apollo, what have you done to Haruka and Michiru?"

"Huh?!"

"Oh, don't play all innocent with me, Apollo. I can see right through you almost…"

"'As well as your own mother.' Yes, yes, I know, Pluto, but I really don't know what you're talking about!"

"I know you do but let me recap what happened. You purposely gave Haruka a flashback for your own personal reasons, which are against everything I taught you, and now Michiru's angry at her for being so hostile."

"How do you know all this?"

"I followed them after you 'borrowed' Haruka's motorcycle and saw they were fighting."

"Oh, that wasn't the plan…" Kurai rested her head in her hands and groaned.

"Not another plan, Apollo."

"Okay, okay, I knew Michiru was angry so I made it possible for them to walk together. That way, they'd be able to talk. I see it sort of backfired…"

"Just a little," Pluto snapped sarcastically.

"But Pluto, it's not the end of the world!"

"If you change the future, it will be!"

"Come on, I'm not that stupid. I know my responsibilities and I will stick to them. After all, I had a great teacher." Pluto smiled at the compliment but it quickly left her face.

"I forgive you this time, Apollo, but you must remember not to intervene in anyone's lives too much."

"A little late for that, Pluto."

"Apollo, I sent you to Earth to make sure everything ran its course. If it doesn't, both you and I may be killed."

"I know, I know, but is this the only thing you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Actually, no. I wanted to gather from you everything about the new enemy…"

"We know them."

"Yes, I'm aware of that, but have you met the one who controls them?"

"Uh-huh."

"You have?!"

"Yup. He attacked me when the other Senshi were attacking the daimon."

"Did you recognize him?"

"I couldn't make out an exact face, but he sure knew me!"

"How so?"

"Well, for one, he called me 'Apollo' and when I used my newest attack, I heard him say something about me not knowing that before."

"You are pretty legendary, Apollo. Perhaps he knew you from others' accounts?"

"But then how would he know my attacks?"

"Good question…" Kurai heard some rustling and jumped up. She stood on guard, fully aware of everything around her. But only a rabbit hopped out of the brush and Kurai sighed.

"Pluto, I really should be getting back. It's almost dark and I'm sure my family's wondering where I am."

"Alright then. Farewell, Apollo."

"Goodnight, Pluto." Kurai started to put the Time Key away when she heard Pluto yelling.

"Apollo!"

"Yes?"

"That incident in the park was…" Kurai gulped at what would come next. "Funny."

"Funny?"

"Yes. It was like old times… now go home, Apollo. I don't want you out all alone in the dark."

"But the dark loves me…"

"As does the light. On that note, goodbye."

"Bye." Kurai put the Time Key in her pocket. She noticed the Moon slowly creeping up the sky and the Sun setting opposite from it. Kurai felt a strange warmth on her forehead, where the sign of the Sun appeared. She wondered about the meaning of it, considering that it rarely appeared. The warmth disappeared and Kurai shrugged, brushing off the incident. She pulled on the helmet and once again mounted the motorcycle which would take Kurai back to its owner…