Eudial sat down in her chair at her desk, taking a deep sigh. She then turned her chair to face her two fellow witches. Tellu looked down while Viluy seemed unbothered.

"So… are you mad at us?" Tellu finally asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"About what? For taking it too far with Mimi? For injuring her more than necessary? Or is it for allowing her to escape and nearly killing her? And how could I forget nearly letting her get captured by the Sailor Senshi?" Eudial asked.

"Huh… for nearly killing her?"

"All of those!" Eudial let out angrily. "Do you realize that your actions nearly cost us our only way to rebuild the Taioron Crystal? Without Mimete's amulet, we can't fix it!"

"Right… I just thought that-"

"In my defence, this was all Tellu's idea."

"Viluy!?"

"I don't care who started it, this isn't a kindergarten. You were both there and nearly let Mimi die before she could make her amulet! And worst of all, you exposed her to the senshi!"

Eudial sighed once again, rubbing her temples.

"Good thing I arrived just in time to save her. And she chose me over the senshi. At least this whole debacle would have served one thing- show us how much she trusts me. So there's no need for us to worry she'd let the senshi 'rescue' her anytime soon."

"This was my plan all along," Viluy said confidently.

Tellu glared at her. Eudial simply rolled her eyes. She then stood up.

"Regardless, there's something you can do that is probably more in line with your skills," Eudial began. "I need you to find a way to turn Mimi back into a daimon in a more… artificial way."

"You mean… like a serum? Something that could chemically force her egg to hatch," Tellu said.

"Yeah… that sounds good. With Viluy's expertise in science and Tellu's extensive knowledge of biological chemicals, this should be easy for you two. I'm expecting that it shouldn't be an issue, right?"

"Of course not. There's nothing I can't achieve when it comes to science," Viluy proudly declared. "And Tellu can be my assistant. I'm sure she can prove herself useful, somehow."

"Hey!?"

"Great. Then get to work. And you're now forbidden from getting anywhere close to Mimi, alright?"

"You mean Mimete," Viluy replied.

"Right, Mimete. I'll take care of her from now on," Eudial said, before grinning. "After all, she trusts me."

"You should have called us. If we had gone with you, it wouldn't have happened," Haruka reprimanded them.

Back to the senshi's hideout, the inners had invited the outers to discuss the recent events.

"How many times has Mimete been kidnapped by Eudial? Three times?" Michiru asked.

"Hey, we weren't expecting to meet her there okay? And it's not like she got captured. She chose Eudial over us," Makoto replied.

"Only because she's being manipulated!" Minako argued. "She was definitely trying to escape at first! Have you seen her? She was all bruised and injured! They hurt her!"

"And yet, she went back to them," Setsuna said.

"You did say she was back to being a daimon," Haruka added.

"I did say that, but her egg hasn't hatched," Ami said.

"Yet. It might have by now," Michiru said.

"If after being beaten up that badly and nearly dying and being in such stressful situations it hasn't, it might not," Rei argued. "Unlike Teruno-san, Hanyuu-san is fully amnesiac. It might be harder for her to trigger her egg to hatch."

"Or, the egg might be why she chose Eudial over us," Makoto said.

"I already said, she was being manipulated and gaslit by her!" Minako exclaimed.

"Regardless, given Hanyuu-san was able to escape into this area, it means my estimations were correct. Their hideout must be close," Ami concluded.

"Also, given how much trouble Eudial went to save her, she must need her alive," Setsuna theorized.

Deep down, Usagi wanted to believe it wasn't the only reason why Eudial saved Mimi.

"So we still have a chance to save her!" Usagi let out. "All of them."

The inners nodded. The outers didn't add anything.

"I'll try to pinpoint their exact location!" Ami declared, sitting back at her computer.

"Alright," Usagi began, "once you're done, will go rescue them."

"O-ouch, that hurt, senpai…!"

"... I haven't even touched you yet."

Mimi was sitting down on a couch while Eudial was tending to her wounds. The latter was holding a tissue imbibed with disinfectant.

"I can see you holding that tissue, I just hate disinfectant. It hurt!"

"I know, nobody likes that, but how else am I supposed to clean your wounds? Would you rather leave it be and risk getting them infected instead?"

"Uhhh… fine."

Eudial smiled.

"Good girl. Look away if you prefer. Here I go… it might sting a little."

Mimi closed her eyes. Eudial gently pressed the tissue on Mimi's few cuts.

"Ugh…!"

Eudial finished up cleaning her wounds and started to bandage them.

"See? It wasn't so bad now was it?" Eudial teased. "You're so sensitive."

"I guess you were right… it string a little, but it wasn't as bad as I expected."

Once she was done bandaging up Mimi, Eudial gently pat her head.

"You've done great. I'm proud of you."

Eudial then rose up.

"I'll let you rest-"

"Wait…!"

Mimi clung to Eudial's sleeve.

"What about… these two? I… I'm scared… And there are also those other girls…"

Eudial took Mimi's hand into hers and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't you worry about them, I have everything under control. I won't let those two, or anyone else, harm you ever again. You can trust me, Mimi."

"I do trust you, senpai! But, Teruno-san… it's like… she forgot about me. It's because of those girls, right? They tried to do something to me, they called it 'purify'. They wanted to keep me amnesiac and ignorant! I bet they did that to Teruno-san and that's why she forgot about me and became so… weird…"

Eudial remained silent for a moment before she nodded.

"Yes, it was their fault if Tell- Teruno-san became that way. But I'm doing everything I can so the both of you can recover your memory. You can have faith in me."

"Senpai…"

Suddenly, Mimi jumped into Eudial's arms, holding her tightly.

"Thank you so much! I don't know what I would do without you… You're the only one I can count on."

Eudial hesitated for an instant before hugging Mimi back. She could feel her own heartbeat pounding faster in her chest.

"That's right. I'm the only one you should trust," Eudial whispered, trying to grin.

But somehow, the only expression she managed to show on her face was a wince as she felt a seeking discomfort in her heart.

Viluy was sitting at her computer in the laboratory, making some calculus, while Tellu was analyzing chemicals under a microscope.

"Any progress?" Tellu asked.

"I'm close to finding a way to synthesize the formula and I'll run some digital tests. All that will be required after will be to gather the right ingredients for the serum."

"I see."

They both continued their respective task in silence until Tellu turned back to Viluy.

"You still haven't told me… how did Eudial bring us back?"

"Brought us back?" Viluy repeated.

"Well, I'm assuming after I… passed, so did you…"

"You thought Eudial was death and look where we are."

"You also thought she was dead."

"Or did I? Perhaps this was all part of our elaborate master plan all along."

Tellu sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Okay, whatever, I don't care about you. How did Eudial bring me back then?"

Viluy let go of her keyboard and slowly turned to Tellu, smirking.

"Well now, wouldn't you want to know."

"Well, yeah? That's why I'm asking, duh."

"Then you should know that it wasn't Eudial on her own who brought you back- I helped."

Tellu started at her.

"You…? How!?"

Viluy grinned.

"This was such an easy taste for a genius such as myself. Eudial herself personally requested my help because she couldn't do it herself. She might be a good 'mechanic' as a hobby, but as a scientist… she's an amateur. A philosopher such as herself should stay in her lane, if you ask me."

Tellu remained thoughtful for a moment.

"So then, you know how I was brought back since you did. That sounds… incredible. Nearly impossible. I thought my body was completely destroyed… how could you…?"

"Impressed, aren't you? I was able to perfectly reconstruct your body without any piece of your original host. Even Eudial would have needed something," Viluy started to brag. "All I needed was your DNA and your Pure Heart Crystal."

"My DNA? How could you have access to it if my body was completely annihilated?"

Viluy chuckled.

"For once, I'll actually praise you. It's thanks to your Tellun. You left one behind after your demise, and it allowed someone more qualified to find them a new utility…"

"... Huh… uh…"

"Anyhow, I remember how you created the Telluns. They are like your offspring, so to say. Breed through your genes. So they carry your DNA."

"Oh, right."

"Now that I had your genetic signature, I used a little mix of science and magic, and your Pure Heart Crystal to rebuild your previous form. Heart Crystals do carry some sort of memory of the body."

Viluy looked so proud of herself. Tellu nodded and started smiling, which turned into a cunning smirk.

"Why are you smiling?" Viluy asked, suddenly annoyed.

"Nothing, it's just… it's so easy to make you talk just by stroking your ego," Tellu teased.

"What…? You…!? You tricked me?!"

"Why are you acting so surprised? I'm not as dumb as you think, Viluy. To be honest, I was merely curious about the way I was brought back to life, but you seemed like you want to hold that fact over me and I couldn't have it. And I know you more than you think. You'd never let pass an opportunity to brag about your intelligence."

"You…! Ugh! That is true. I'll always show how superior my intellect is."

Viluy then cleared her throat.

"Anyway… are you sure you want to trust Eudial?"

"Hm? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, it's not like she was perfectly honest about how you were brought back…"

This comment left Tellu doubtful for a second.

"You both did. I know how you like to brag and act as if you're the only genius here, so I'm sure you overestimate your involvement in this and underestimate Eudial's. We might not be the best scientist, but Eudial and I sure know our way around it."

"'Eudial and I'? Sheesh, she really got you under her thumb huh," Viluy sneered.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. But, word of advice, you shouldn't trust Eudial so easily. Or anyone, for that matter. This will avoid you from getting taken advantage of."

Tellu clenched her fist.

"Eudial wouldn't! She needs me! You're just trying to confuse me because you're mad I got under your skin, so you're trying to get under mine!"

Viluy shrugged.

"Believe what you want, but you can't say I haven't warned you. Don't cry to me if Eudial backstabs you"

Nonchalantly, Viluy continued her work. Tellu tried to do the same but she couldn't shake off what her companion said.

"Do you intend to backstab me?" Tellu asked.

Viluy stopped typing but she kept looking at her computer screen.

"Aww, Tellu. It's cute you'd think I'd answer this honestly. But if I'm being frank, I think I should be the one worried. After all, I never backstabbed anyone- but you did."

"Mimete deserved it!"

"And I'm sure Eudial would think the same if she ever backstabbed you."

Before Tellu could retort she started printing something.

Anyway, I'm done. We will need some of your blood for the serum."

"Why!?" Tellu objected.

"We daimon DNA in order to awaken Mimete's egg."

"Then why not your blood?"

"Because my egg hasn't hatched lately, yours did. According to my calculus, it makes your blood more susceptible to trigger Mimete's heart into hatching."

Tellu wanted to argue but it sounded logical. She sighed before offering her arm to Viluy.

"Fine. Just do it quick."

Viluy grinned, pulling out a syringe.

"We are here," Mercury said.

The inners were standing in front of the entrance of a cave. It was located in the forest where Mimi had tried to escape. Just like Ami had predicted, the witches' hideout was in the area.

"Should we wait for the others?" Jupiter asked, referring to the outers.

When they entered the forest, both groups had split up to cover more ground.

"No need, I sent them a message with the location. They should catch up to us soon," Venus replied. "We don't have any time to waste. Hanyuu-san might be in danger!"

Sailor Moon nodded.

"Let's go girls!" she said.

Following their princess, the inner senshi stepped inside the cave. They walked through a dark rocky corridor that seemed to be heading to an underground hideaway.

"Ugh, we can't see anything!" Mars complained.

"How about you light the way with your flames then," Sailor Moon retorted.

"With pleasure."

It wasn't Mars who said that. Suddenly, dozen of torches alongside the walls ignited, lighting up the cave. The senshi quickly looked around, realizing with shock that they weren't alone.

"You…!?" they exclaimed.

"Welcome, Sailor Senshi," Eudial began, holding her witch staff. "I wasn't expecting you so early. It's rude to show up uninvited, don't you think?"

She then pointed her staff at them, grinning widely as the star on top of it turned red like fire.

"And people with no manners like you deserve to burn!"