Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Rebirth
Act 2: It Started as an Ordinary Day
Sora Kazeno
Haruka and Michiru keep a vigilant watch over their Princess during the following days. They remain in the shadows, out of sight from Usagi and the other girls. They stand across the street and down a little away from Juban High School.
Haruka observes Mamoru walking up to the school to greet Usagi. "She'll be fine if she is with Mamoru-san. We know he will protect her, along with the other girls. We shouldn't… intrude on their limited time together."
Michiru smirks turning to face her partner. "Oh? Is it giving you ideas?"
Haruka tries to look dumbfounded at Michiru but she has a blush on her face.
Usagi's eyes light up as soon as she sees Mamoru waiting for her at the school gate. "Mamo-chan!" She is surprised to see him as she runs to him miraculously without tripping. Once she is next to him she continues talking, "we were about to head for Crown for snacks." She links her arm around his. "You should come."
She turns slightly to face her friends nearby at the entrance gate. She lets go of Mamoru's arm and her eyes widen. She takes a few steps forward and rubs her eyes. The person she thought she saw dressed in red was gone. She shakes her head to the side. She must have imaged it. She laughs to cover her embarrassment. It's not possible.
Usagi turns to Ami, Makoto, and Minako and says, "Let's go get some snacks." She begins walking in the direction of Crown.
Minako looks at Makoto and Ami, "That was really weird." She whispers to them.
"Yeah. If she feeling alright?" Makoto whispers back.
Ami shrugs.
Mamoru missed the exchange. He was distracted when Usagi latched onto his arm. He saw Michiru and Haruka across the street watching them. The duo waved at him before they continued down the street. He turns his attention back to the girls and realizes they are already half a block up ahead. He walks quickly to catch up, the entire time wondering why Haruka and Michiru were watching them in the distance. It makes him feel uneasy. He pushes the thought to the side for now and focuses his attention on spending time with Usako and the others.
Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten are in a nearby alley in disguise.
Taiki glares at Seiya. "That was too close. If it was anyone else I would have assumed they would have seen you… but Tsukino-san…" His voice trails off; he doesn't need to finish his sentence about Usagi's intelligence. "You were almost caught."
Seiya shakes his head in frustration. "It has been days and all we are doing is staying in the shadows. This has been going on for too long."
"We are following the orders our Princess gave us," Yaten reminds him. His eyes narrow at Seiya. "You just want to see that girl."
Taiki shakes his head at Yaten to stop. The last thing they need is an argument; the tension is high enough as it is. "The enemy won't expect us and it would help the other senshi give them the upper hand."
"It's probably better we remain as the Starlights anyway if we don't want be noticed by anyone." He takes out his transformation item. "But it was nice to have a break from that sailor fuku."
Usagi, Mamoru, Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Rei are seated inside of Crown at their usual large booth. The girls are talking about school while Mamoru listens.
Rei waits for a lull in the conversion. She can't keep this to herself anymore. The girls have to know something is brewing. "Haruka-san and Michiru-san visited me at the shrine a few days ago."
"Oh? How are they doing?" Minako asks happily. "We haven't seen them in a while."
Usagi notices Rei's demeanor when she brought up the Outer Senshi. She looks sad. "What's wrong Rei-chan?"
Ami looks up from her notebook for a moment. The tone in Usagi's voice has her worried.
"They think… something or someone is coming. Even Setsuna-san has returned to Tokyo." Rei hesitantly informs the group.
The girls gasp at this information. They had said goodbye to Setsuna shortly after the Starlights returned to Kinmoku. She told them it was her duty to return to the Time Streams and stand guard until she was needed.
"Haruka-kun and Michiru-chan were near the school this afternoon when I met you," Mamoru comments out loud. "After I saw them, they waived and left."
"Why didn't they stop by and say something? We haven't seen them in so many months." Usagi doesn't understand why they would not talk to them. She feels as if they are ignoring them.
Makoto places her hand on her chin while thinking about their actions. "They were watching us." She gasps when she realizes, "like they were searching for something...when they were after the talismans. What else do they know that they are not telling us?"
"They think they are protecting us but I don't think they know more than we do. We can go to the shrine for a fire reading, but I'm not sure how much it will help." Rei isn't ready to tell them what she witnessed in the Great Fire. She didn't want to talk about seeing everyone dead. She has to learn more. Where are they, how far into the future is it? She has more questions than answers.
Usagi sighs at the information. "We're always fighting." Her voice grows quieter. "It was fun to only have to worry about school." She puts a hand behind her head. "We'll have less time to study."
Rei's eye twitches at Usagi's remark. "You never really studied before so I'm not sure what the difference is."
Makoto, Ami, and Minako teardrop knowing what is going to happen next.
"I have to study for exams just like I did for my entrance exam! I didn't automatically get into school like other people!" Usagi retorts glaring at her black haired friend.
"I still had to take an advancement exam." Rei shoots back in an annoyed tone.
Minako tunes out Rei-chan and Usagi-chan sighing she comments softly, "I will never have a chance to be an idol."
Ami tries to intervene on the argument at the table. "I'm sure you'll be able to pass Usagi-chan…" She pauses and when she thinks of all the makeup exams Usagi has taken.
"I'm sure everything will be fine since everyone works so well together as a team," Mamoru tries to interject regarding the concern of a new danger approaching.
Mamoru, Ami, Makoto, and Minako look at the still arguing Usagi and Rei before letting out a sigh.
After everyone was done at Crown they made their way to the Hikawa Shrine for a reading in front of the Great Fire.
Rei sits in front of the fire in her miko robes chanting, trying to focus and center her mind. She wants more answers but she can't stay on track long enough as she continues to envision everyone's death for a previous reading. What if the others see those same images?
Everyone sits behind her patiently on cushions, trying to limit any distractions.
Frustrated, Rei stands up without warning. She can't stand it anymore. She will have to try another day. "I need to take a break for right now. Let's move to another room. I will try again tomorrow and hopefully I will have more luck."
Luna and Artemis are lying on a cushion in the corner when everyone enters Rei's room.
Minako plops down on a cushion near the chabudai. "I hope it's nothing like our last battle." As soon as the words leave her, she regrets them. Why would this battle be easier? All of the fights have become progressively harder even as their powers grew.
Ami comment mirror's Minako's thoughts. "All of our enemies only become more difficult. There is no such thing as an easy enemy."
"I'm sure whatever happens you will be strong enough to stop it." Luna tries to encourage the senshi.
"When the Sailor Team works together, you won't be defeated," Artemis adds, trying to motivate everyone.
Usagi tunes them out when she listens to them talking about working together. It's not that simple. The Outer Senshi always want to handle everything on their own. Had they worked together from the beginning to stop Sailor Galaxia, she might not have seen everyone die. She clenches her fists tightly but doesn't say anything.
"We are stronger than ever," Rei comments looking over at her fellow Inner Senshi for support.
Makoto leans back on the cushion. "There is nothing we can do right now other than keep an eye out for any disturbances."
The girls nod their heads in agreement.
Usagi and Mamoru leave the shrine a little later that evening.
Mamoru notices how quiet Usako has become in the few blocks since they left the shrine, very unlike her. "Usako, is everything okay?"
Usagi shakes her head no. "Haruka-san and Michiru-san keeping an eye on us… it's like when Sailor Tinn Nyanko was after my starseed." She can't help but shudder when she thinks of fighting Sailor Galaxia.
Mamoru wraps his arms around her tightly to comfort her. "We can handle whatever it is together Usako." He has seen her lack self-confidence before but this is different. He is frustrated he missed the battle against Sailor Galaxia when she needed him most. How could he have known a new enemy would attack him as he was leaving?
Usagi smiles a little and hugs him back tightly. "I'm so glad you came back."
The three Starlights observe the Moon Princess and her Prince from a five story apartment building nearby.
Sailor Star Healer shakes her head. "All we are doing in babysitting the senshi. I'm starting to think nothing is going to happen."
"It would be easier for us to keep an eye on them if they knew we were here." Sailor Star Fighter's impatience is growing. They are so close to the others but can't do anything. The situation is similar to when they knew Princess Kakyuu was nearby but they weren't able find her.
Sailor Star Maker immediately objects to any modification to the plan. "The Oracle warned us to wait until the senshi are in danger."
Sailor Star Fighter turns to glare at Sailor Star Maker. "But what if we miss something and we are too late? It doesn't make sense."
"We've had to wait at times in the past too and things always worked out. Look at how long we waited for Princess Kakyuu to appear." Sailor Star Healer walks over to Sailor Star Fighter to challenge her.
Sailor Star Fighter sighs. She knows she won't win this. "Fine."
"Perhaps it would be better if the Oracle was wrong." Sailor Star Maker adds trying to prevent Sailor Star Fighter from losing her temper even more.
Sailor Star Fighter turns sharply to look at her, surprise written across her face.
"It would mean that they are safe." Sailor Star Maker finishes. She glances down at the shrine to see Makoto, Ami, and Minako leaving. "They are all splitting up, we should follow them."
Eternal Sailor Moon held onto Chibi Chibi tightly to protect her as Sailor Galaxia raised her arms up to attack them. Golden light flashes from Galaxia's bracelets as the blasts race toward her and the Starlights.
Seconds before the energy is about to hit her, Sailor Mars appears out of nowhere and stands in front of her, shielding her from the attack.
Sailor Moon hears Sailor Mercury cry out followed by Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter. All of them sound in pain. Then she sees Sailor Mars hit in front of her eyes and she shouts. All of their bodies are surrounded in golden light as their starseeds are ripped from their bodies. Sailor Galaxia collects the four starseeds and the four Inner Senshi crumple to the ground barely breathing.
Usagi wakes up with tears streaming down her face. She has had nightmares in the past but nothing so vivid. It was like she was there in front of Galaxia's throne. She is breathing deeply trying to calm down.
Luna wakes up when she hears Usagi crying. Alarmed she jumps up on the bed and sits down in front of the Princess. "Usagi-chan, what's wrong?"
Usagi clutches the covers tightly as the tears continue to fall. It takes her several minutes to be able to answer Luna's question. Her fingers release the death grip on the covers and she wipes the tears from her eyes. "I…. I had…a nightmare about fighting Sailor Galaxia." She doesn't want to talk about relieving one of her worst memories.
Luna frowns; there is nothing she can do to stop the nightmares. "I'm sorry you are having these nightmares Usagi-chan…" She moves closer to Usagi and brushes up against her arm. "I wish there was something I could to make them stop."
Usagi wipes the tears from her eyes and gets up to walk over to her dresser where her school uniform is on a hanger. Attached to her bow is her brooch. She always takes it with her, she never knows when she will need it next and based on recent discussions, it will likely be soon. She sighs when she reaches up to touch it. "There is always a battle, isn't there?" She asks out loud not expecting Luna to answer. "Why does there always have to so much fighting? Why can't we all just live in peace?"
"That is what is everyone is fighting for, lasting peace. The battles seem to be further and further part." Luna looks up at Usagi, waiting for a response.
The girl's fingers linger on her brooch before she turns on a light and sits down on a cushion near the table in her room. She stares at the wood without saying a word.
"We know the future will be peaceful when you become Neo-Queen Serenity," Luna tries to uplift her spirits.
"I don't know how I'm going to go back to sleep," she mumbles. Usagi knows she will be exhausted tomorrow but she can't sleep after that nightmare. She is worried she is going to have another one if she goes back to sleep.
"You can always read some schoolwork?" Luna lightly teases.
Usagi glares at the black cat.
"It would probably put anyone to sleep, except Ami-chan," Luna finishes, trying to lighten the mood in the room.
Usagi smiles slightly. "You're probably right. I can only image how many hours a day Ami-chan spends studying." She reaches for her schoolbag. Maybe she could do some of her half done assignments she was going to somehow finish during the day before they were due.
He stares at his Queen confused on how he is able to return. He thought he was frozen forever. Returning from that kind of imprisonment is unheard of.
"You are the last remaining General and I assume you wish to redeem yourself after your last efforts were unsuccessful," the Queen sneers.
The blonde man bows his head and assures her, "I will not fail again." He couldn't help but notice as he looks around how empty the throne room has become. There used to be a constant audience. Where is everyone? Is he not only the last General left, but perhaps the last one left?
"Good. Resume collecting energy. Polaris will assist you. You must strike those wretched senshi when they least expect it." She smiles. "I'm sure seeing you will throw them off and can be used to your advantage." She dismisses him to make preparations.
Usagi yawns when she arrives at school. She wasn't able to go to sleep after her nightmare. She actually finished her schoolwork. But how is she going to stay awake during her lessons today?
"Good morning Usagi-chan! You're here a little early." Makoto greets her near her locker to exchange shoes.
"I had a hard time sleeping," Usagi said while trying to cover another yawn.
Makoto's eyes soften. Ever since they fought Galaxia, Usagi has been periodically plagued by nightmares. The other girls have tried to figure out a way to help Usagi, but she refuses to talk about the event because it's too painful. Yet she keeps having nightmares. "Did you have another nightmare?" Hoping Usagi will finally be willing to open up what happened.
Usagi slowly nods her head yes as she pulls out the shoes she wears inside the school building. Once again, she doesn't discuss what the nightmare was about other than she had one.
Makoto is quiet while she tries to figure out what she can say to her. "I'm sorry you had to go through everything without us… but we had to protect you."
Usagi smiles slightly. "I know." She is all musters. She begins to walk away but then stops and pauses in front of the locker Seiya had once used. "I hope they are all right."
"I'm sure they are. They are all really strong," Makoto tries her best to reassure Usagi even though deep down they both knew nothing about how the Starlights are actually faring.
"We all miss them," Ami said as she came into view. "But once they found who they were looking for, we know it would only be a matter time before they returned home." She looks over at Usagi and Makoto. "Can you imagine being gone from your home for so long?"
Usagi has a sad smile on her face. "I'm glad they were able to find their Princess. She means the world to them." She places a hand in front of her mouth, trying to suppress another yawn. "I don't know how I am going to stay awake in class."
Mamoru leaves Keio University after his last class of the day. He has just enough time to walk to Usagi's school to greet her. His overall coursework is lighter this week and he still has a while until he has to be at work in the evening.
He waits near the gate as the final bell rings. He reminisces for a moment of what his high school life was like. Ten minutes later, students begin to trickle out. He watches each student as they pass by, waiting for a twin pair of odangos.
He finds Ami, Minako, and Makoto first. They are a little surprised to see him at school. "Where is Usako? Is she with you?"
"Ah…" Minako looks at Mamoru, trying to figure out the best way to break the news, but realizes there isn't one. "She has detention for falling asleep in class."
Mamoru sighs.
"But it's not her fault. Really. She had another nightmare last night; probably about Sailor Galaxia." Makoto is quick to come to Usagi's defense.
Mamoru frowns at this new information. "I was hoping they went away since she hasn't had any in a while. It's been months since her last one."
"The thought of a new enemy probably triggered them." Ami adds thoughtfully. "But we can't do much if Usagi-chan won't talk about them." She looks back at the school again for a moment. "We were going to go to Rei-chan's to start our homework."
Mamoru nods his head. "Ah. I'm going to wait for Usako and then we'll join you soon. I'm going to try to talk her, but she hasn't told me much either."
"I don't like that she is keeping all of this from us. But we can't force her. I know what she went through wasn't easy." Minako adds before she leaves with the other girls.
Rei searches around the courtyard at the shrine. She can feel a strong energy presence but she doesn't know where it is coming from. This presence has been felt multiple times during the past few days but for some unknown reason she can't pinpoint it. The energy does not have an evil aura.
She sighs again. Ever since the vision in the Great Fire, she has felt off. That premonition has rocked her to her core and she is still keeping it to herself. She walks around the courtyard a little longer before she gives up.
Is she sensing something that is not there? Is she trying too hard to find something that is wrong but in reality is perfectly fine? Her eyes sweep her surroundings one final time before she returns inside. She has to tell the other girls soon. Keeping this from them is increasing her turmoil to a boiling point.
Sailor Star Maker lets out her breath. "It's like she knows we are here, or rather someone is here but she doesn't know where."
"She has very strong abilities to sense us. I'm sure this ability will be helpful in the future." Sailor Star Healer comments, "was she like this before….?"
"This is ridiculous staying in the shadows," Sailor Star Fighter complains after three days of nothing. "The Oracle has been wrong before."
"Do you really want to take the chance the Oracle is correct and all the senshi on this planet will die?" Sailor Star Maker shoots back, immediately silencing the other Starlight.
Sailor Star Healer doesn't speak. Her eyes are focused on something else below. "Shh. The other girls are arriving." She gestures with her head below. They can't risk the chance of the girls hearing people talk hidden within the trees.
The trio doesn't exchange a word until Ami, Minako, and Makoto are inside the shrine.
Sailor Star Healer turns to face Sailor Star Fighter again. This is turning into a daily event, Seiya wanting to see them. Rather her. "I know you are impatient to talk to that girl again but we are going to follow our orders and observe them from afar and learn everything we can. A lot could have changed since we've been gone."
Fighter scuffs. "What is there to learn if there are no attacks? Their routine?"
"No attacks mean they are still safe and the prophecy has not happened yet." Sailor Star Maker turns to face their leader. "I would image you would find this to be a good thing since it means she is safe."
Sailor Star Fighter opens her mouth to respond but she is at a loss of words. She knows Sailor Star Maker is right. She hates it. She is so close to Odango but can't talk to her. It's like its own special kind of torture. But at least she seems happy. Fighter tries to push the image of the dead senshi out of her mind. She has to find a way to prevent it.
Usagi sighs as she leaves school. She tries to suppress another yawn. She hopes she will not have another nightmare tonight. She needs to get some sleep. A small part of her still doesn't want to go to sleep in case she sees the same events or something just as horrifying. But she can only fight her exhaustion for so long. She sighs and begins to walk to Rei's to meet up with the other girls.
"Usako?"
She doesn't hear him at first and keeps walking in her own little world with her head down. Naturally she walks right into him.
He catches her before she falls over.
Usagi immediately begins to apologize. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention…" She stops talking when she looks up and realizes it is Mamoru. "Mamo-chan?" She smiles for a moment and then looks confused. "How did you know I would be leaving school so late?"
"I was waiting for school to finish and the other girls told me you have to stay later before they left for the shrine." He avoids saying she had another nightmare at the moment.
Usagi nods. "We should probably head to the shrine since the others are waiting for me." She walks quietly next to Mamoru with her eyes downcast. She is unusually quiet. She remains this way for several minutes.
He can't stand it any longer. He has to say something. "I wish you never had to go through all of that alone."
Usagi looks up at him for a moment before she looks away. She wasn't completely alone. But she was without him. She wouldn't have been able to handle it, seeing him disappear right in front her. It was bad enough Galaxia showed her his last moments of when his starseed was taken. As difficult as it was to watch, she had to know what happened to him.
When she doesn't respond, Mamoru places an arm around her shoulders. "You did a great job saving everyone Usako." He doesn't say anything else, knowing it was difficult battle for her. This one seems like it was the most challenging to date. It wasn't something she talked about with anyone. "Once we are done with the shrine, how about we stop for something on the way home if it's not too late? I do have to work later."
Usagi looks up at him with a grin but her eyes don't match her smile.
"Usagi got detention again for sleeping in class? Unbelievable." The senshi of flames shakes her head in frustration.
"Go easy on her Rei-chan. She had a nightmare last night about fighting Sailor Galaxia." Minako immediately comes to Usagi's defense.
Rei is quieter as her eyes lower. "I wish she would talk to us about what happened so we could help her. There has to be something we can do."
"Not even Haruka-san or Michiru-san will go into details of what happened other than there were times they all wanted to give up and didn't. Everyone was encouraging each other at some point to keep on fighting… but I feel like we are missing a lot." Makoto places her hands behind her head. She looks at Rei and Minako and they have nothing to add.
"Only Usagi-chan, Galaxia, and the Starlights know everything that happened." Ami comments while putting her book down.
"Maybe… its better we don't know. I mean there has to a reason." Makoto lowers her hands back to the table. "There are some things I don't want to talk about regarding my past because it's painful."
Rei shakes her head in disagreement. "This is different. This affects all of us. It has been almost a year."
"You girls never discussed in detail what happened against Queen Beryl." Artemis interjects trying to make them understand.
Luna glares at the white cat. "Artemis!" She warns him.
Minako's eyes glaze over as talks about fighting Queen Beryl. "There isn't too much more to say, we all died protecting Usagi-chan. She saved us and brought us back." Minako's eyes widen as starts to understand. "Just like with…. Galaxia." Her shoulders slump. "It's just not like Usagi-chan to keep things from us, especially when she is struggling."
"She didn't tell us for months she hadn't heard from Mamoru-san," Ami points out.
The girls sit in silence for a few minutes as they digest everything. Maybe there were being too hard on Usagi but they just want what is best for and want to help her with her struggles.
Rei's attention is drawn by a noise outside. She immediately stands up. "I feel an evil presence nearby." She looks at the girls. "This is different from before."
Ami, Makoto, and Minako are on their feet following Rei outside.
The four girls now stand at the base of the steps of the haiden. The rope attached to the bell swings slightly from a soft breeze. The girls take a protective a stance, all of them with their backs toward each other, giving them a view from each angle.
Luna and Artemis stand on the top of the steps, peering out; searching for anything that looks out of place.
After a few minutes, the girl's tension begins to decrease. Their posture starts to relax.
"I could have sworn I felt something evil." Rei looks around again but sees nothing different. It was just like earlier when she felt a strong presence but found nothing.
Ami, Minako, and Makoto take a few steps forward to the stairs to return inside.
Rei is a few steps behind them when she feels something grab her ankle forcefully. She immediately looks down and sees a red vine. "Guys!" She barely has time to call out before she is knocked off balance and falls to the ground.
The three girls turn around after hearing Rei's unexpected outburst. They find her one the ground.
"Rei-chan?" Makoto looks at her questioningly. Her eyes widen when she begins to understand what is happening. But it is too late.
Before Makoto or the others can help Rei, they are all knocked to the ground by red vines. The vines scatter the girls to different corners of the courtyard. Their backs are each against a different tree. More vines appear and wrap tighter around them, preventing them from moving. They each struggle against the objects that confine them and are unable to break free.
Sailor Star Fighter is ready to intervene. The senshi are in danger now. An enemy is attacking them.
"Wait," Sailor Star Maker hisses. "Give it a few moments and the enemy will show up." She looks over at Sailor Star Healer for support.
"We need the enemy to show their hand. It's the best way to save them. Right now they are trapped, that's it." Sailor Star Healer looks at the girls imprisoned against the trees.
Minako is closest to them. She is trying to break free but can't. Healer watches her carefully.
Mamoru takes Usagi on a slight detour to the shine to stop at Arisugawa Park to the fountain and clock. They have come to this park a few times. He pulls her over to the fountain and they find a bench to sit on in front of a hedge.
"Mamo-chan…?" Usagi looks at him, surprised by his actions.
"It's always so peaceful here. So quiet, which is amazing since it is in the middle of a giant city like Tokyo." Mamoru places his hand on Usagi's.
She nods her head while she looks straight at the fountain, watching the falling water. She smiles slightly, thinking of a time she walked by the park on the way to the shrine only to find Mamoru here reading a book. Her thoughts shift. "Mamo-chan, what do you think will happen to this park… to the rest of Tokyo when Crystal Tokyo appears?"
Mamoru quickly turns his head to face her. The question from Usagi seemed to come out of nowhere. "What made you think of Crystal Tokyo?"
"I've… been thinking of the future a lot... ever since our conversation the other day." Usagi looks at the fountain in front of her. Somehow watching the water is calming.
Mamoru looks at the fountain with her. "The future is always something to look forward to especially when we know it will be so peaceful." He squeezes his fingers over hers. "We have so much to look forward to."
"Hmm." Usagi nods her head slowly. "I just wish we never have to fight again…" She pauses for a moment, she knows it's impossible. "I know we will have to face Wiseman again eventually… but past that…." Her voice trails off again as a few images of that battle come to mind.
He squeezes her hand tightly. "Everything will be fine Usako. Sailor Pluto showed us our future… one where we won't have to be apart again."
Usagi looks up at him, her first genuine smile all day.
The four Inner Senshi continue to struggle against the vines but they are wrapped too tightly around them preventing them from breaking free.
Polaris appears in the center of the courtyard; her long silver hair swaying in the wind. She slowly turns to look at each of the four trapped senshi in front of her. She laughs at the powerless girls. "You've made this so easy. After speaking to the Queen, I thought you would have been a more formidable enemy but if it that's the case, I'm not sure why she wasn't able to stop you before when are this weak." She taunts them, enjoying the moment.
"Stop her before…" Makoto slowly repeats. The enemy is someone they faced before? "Who are you talking about? Who are you?"
"If you can't figure it out, it is your loss. But then again, I'll drain you of all your energy before you have a chance to find out." Polaris smiles as a sphere of red energy appears in her hands. She can end this right here. This is the easiest assignment she has ever received from her Master.
She raises the red sphere in the direction of Rei. But before she could discharge the energy from her hands, it is blasted to the side by a bright yellow burst of focused energy. The red sphere hits the ground half between her and Ami. Her head snaps in the direction of the interlopers. There is no one there.
The sound of finger snapping echoes in the silence.
Polaris looks around for the sound, unable to pinpoint its origin.
The Inner Senshi stare at each other in shock. It could only mean one thing.
"Standing in the darkness of the night…"
"Dashing through the air of freedom…"
"Three sacred shooting stars… Sailor Star Fighter!"
"Sailor Star Maker!"
"Sailor Star Healer!"
"Sailor Starlights, Stage on!"
"….Starlights….?" Minako whispers, staring at the three senshi in black before her.
"I don't believe it…." Makoto comments, her eyes in disbelief.
Ami smiles slightly, happy to see them again.
Rei is silent. The strong presence she felt, earlier was it the three of them?
Keio University is a medical school in the Minato Ward. The same university Naoko Takeuchi went to for her pharmacy degree, though the school had a different name when she attended.
Another cliffhanger! Please don't hate me, the story has them everywhere. The Starlights have returned and are now taking an active role. Took them long enough! The prophecy will be revealed to the senshi in the next part and the rest of the battle.
Find out who the senshi will be facing in Act 3: Queen of Darkness.