As expected, half the Senshi believed Christen's tale, but the other half? "I don't know WHERE they came from or WHO sent them," Christen explained with emphasis as she was disappointed she did not bother getting that info out of her double.

"Do you ever think before attacking?" Star asked.

"Christen's motto is "attack first, ask questions later." Gracie laughed.

"There must be more to this story. I doubt life-size doppelganger dolls are attacking for no reason." Chibiusa pointed out.

"I wish one of us had magic that could tell us what we don't know." Jewel looked into her staff's orb while filled with magic. But, unfortunately, Jewel couldn't utilize it only if it was necessary!

"I'll see what the sacred flames show me..." Christen sulked off into her ritual room to set up. Due to the recent event, she liked being with others.

Christen's flames showed her something. Unfortunately, it is so distorted that she couldn't determine what it should be. But, of course, this did mean whoever made the dolls was using magic to cloak themselves, which did narrow down the suspects. Nevertheless, it could still take forever to find!

"With our track record, I'm sure we'll run into whoever is doing this soon enough." Ariel smiled. The amber-eyed teen found their knack for sometimes attracting trouble ridiculously funny.

Speaking of Ariel, she has the most kind, gentle, friendly, and inspiring nature of the Senshi. This led to her being comfortable with who she was. Regardless, there remained one thing she has that truly makes her uncomfortable. Pyrophobia is the fear of fire. This is odd as Ariel took it upon herself to rein in Christen, but even if the oil-black-haired Senshi is ill-tempered, she would never burn Ariel intentionally.

A fire broke out in the Crystal Palace when the girls were younger. Ariel had gotten confused by the smoke and ran in the wrong direction and almost straight into the fire! Luckily, Crystal and Alexis had returned to look for her and kept the fire away from her. Both had smartly pulled their shirt fronts over their noses and mouths to filter the air from the smoke.

Ariel remained eternally grateful she had such loving and brave friends. Even though Ariel was already a black belt, she had to keep practicing. While you can do this with others at a studio, testing and balancing yourself outside might be better. As often as Ariel was against using their powers willy-nilly, she enjoyed using them to clear obstacles during practice as it let her powers enhance accuracy and speed.

"Electric Thunderclap!" Ariel yelled as she downed a tree in her path! Seeing it was a large tree, Ariel waited for the dust to clear after it fell. Yet when the dust cleared, someone tall stood on top of the tree!

"Who's there?!" Ariel shouted.

Swiftly, the figure darted toward her, but Ariel quickly barrel-rolled out of the way! From the figure's silhouette, Ariel theorized she could take her down. Except she had to know what skills and fighting style this person used. Speed was already evident, but thankfully, Ariel was faster.

"Don't worry. I'm not a foe. You're strong and tough," the figure complimented.

"Thank you. That doesn't answer my question; you just rocketed at me." Ariel stood and turned. Her amber eyes locked on her target.

This mystery person entered the light to reveal Ariel's counterpart, "I wanted to see what your response would be."

"Oh, it's you. I don't back down from a fight if those I care about are in danger." Ariel replied.

"Well, they are not in danger from me, but my friends..." Alternate Ariel trailed off warningly.

"Your friends will have to get through me!" Ariel snapped.

"Don't let your strength and toughness get the better of you." Alternate Ariel chided.

"I'm not." Ariel tried not to scream at this girl.

"You're still being menacing and intimidating. Oh, your mom and dad must be so displeased with you," Alternate Ariel mocked her.

"Your mom and dad should teach you some manners." Ariel realized her fists sparked with rage. Therefore, she tried to calm herself.

"I don't have a mom or a dad. Well, I guess my creator could be considered my mom."

"Who created you?" Ariel asked.

"A witch." Alternate Ariel answered.

"Not what I meant. I was hoping for a name." Ariel elaborated.

"You aren't getting one."

"You are one of the people I can't stand the quickest." Ariel gritted her teeth. Suddenly Alternate Ariel attacked! A short battle broke out as Ariel and Alternate Ariel traded blows!

"You're a delinquent!" Alternate Ariel screamed when Ariel almost hit her with Supreme Electric Crash!

"Shut up!" Losing her patience, Ariel tried to hit her again and again!

Panting from dodging. Alternate Ariel declared, "I guess you are a lonely and overconfident tomboy since you are so determined to hurt me on your own."

"I'm not lonely. I don't need the others all the time. If I were overconfident, I wouldn't have analyzed you. I would've attacked first. I might be a bit of a tomboy, but my mother is too. I'm not trying to hurt you. I want you to leave." Ariel stated in a demanding tone.

"I'm not leaving. Not when things are about to get interesting." Alternate Ariel smirked.

Hearing a crack, Ariel looked up and noticed their fighting had ignited a tree branch, which would fall on her! Rooted to the spot by a flashback to the Crystal Palace fire trapping her in the hallway, Ariel could not move.

"RUSH REFLECTION!" A caring voice cried out. This was followed by a powerful blast of seawater that put out the fire. Which then knocked the branch into Alternate Ariel!

Slowly, because she was in shock, Ariel turned to see Neo-Sailor Neptune! Jupiter's daughter opened her mouth to say 'Thank you,' but no sound came out, yet her friends were able to find her. It took a minute or two before the brunette with blond tips could force her voice to start working again. Distracted by her friends, Alternate Ariel attacked again, but the amber-eyed original did not have it!

"ELECTRIC DRAGON!"

Ariel was afraid of setting more fire to the forest. Nonetheless, she had to protect her friends! Moreover, she refused to believe a word Alternate Ariel had said! Which was thanks to Christen telling them what she had experienced. Unable to stop quickly, Alternate Ariel skidded into the dragon's mouth and exploded! Neo-Sailor Neptune continued to put out the fires as Christen talked with Ariel.

"I didn't know you were afraid of fire." While it would be like Christen to mock Ariel, her dark eyes showed an understanding glint.

"Yeah..." Ariel kept eye contact.

"I'll never burn you." Christen put her hand on Ariel's shoulder, and it was cold.

"I know." Ariel smiled as the two shared a brief hug. Comfort from her friends was excellent. Regardless she desired to know what the people most important to her thought. "Mom? Dad?"

"Come in, Ariel." Kent smiled warmly at his daughter as he sat on the bed, watching Makoto water some plants.

"Can I ask you a serious question?" Ariel asked hesitantly.

"Of course." Makoto put down her watering can to give Ariel her full attention.

"What do you think of me? Am I good and bad?"

"You're tall, strong, independent, and determined. But, sometimes, you can get a little rough...just like me." Makoto admitted, almost sheepishly.

"You're kind and gentle too. No matter your faults, sweetie. Never forget we still love you and will always be proud of you." Kent and Makoto embraced their relieved offspring.

As Ariel passes the Outer Senshi's rooms, she sees Holly hugging Alexis. Plus, she spotted Emily and Trisha staying close too. As the powerhouses of the Senshi, Ariel prayed they wouldn't end up like Crystal.