Usagi, Harusuke, and Makoto walked home after school, heading for Rei's place for another study session.
Usagi, as usual, couldn't help but complain as her tummy let out a slight growl. "Man, I'm so hungry. How am I going to get through tonight's study session?"
"By toughing it out and waiting for us to get Rei's place?" Harusuke spoke.
"Don't worry about it, Usagi," smiled Makoto. "I'm making roast-beef sandwiches for tonight's get-together, so you won't have to wait long."
Usagi's eyes sparkled. "Mako, you're the best!" she said happily. "You know, we lucked out having a friend with a natural cooking talent like you."
Makoto smiled, but there was a hint of sadness behind it. "My cooking isn't all that natural or anything like that," she said. "The truth is, I've always felt insecure about my girlish side of me, so I learned how to cook to build my confidence. That's why I work so hard at it. I mean, who would want a girl that's big, tomboyish, and knows how to punch people?"
"Mako, even if you didn't know how to cook, you still got a lot of things going for you," said Harusuke. "You're one of the coolest and cutest girls I've ever known, and you're girlish in your way."
"Harusuke's right," chimed in Usagi. "When we first met you, I thought, "Wow, she's one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen in my life!"
"OK, now you two are going overboard," Mako laughed, blushing a little. "But if you two keep complimenting me, I'll make you both double-decker sandwiches."
"All right!" cheered Usagi. "You're the best, Mako!"
Harusuke sighed. "Good grief, Sis. Can't you at least try to make it seem like you weren't bribing Mako?"
Then, the three came to a crosswalk and were just walking across to get to the other side when there was a roaring engine. The next thing the three knew, a motorcycle came shooting out from around the corner and was heading straight in the group's direction.
"Watch out!" Makoto yelled as she dove straight into the two Tsukino siblings tackling them to the ground.
The driver seeing the three at the last second braked hard and stopped just in time. Luckily, no one was hurt. Makoto then looked up in time to see the driver take off her helmet, revealing herself to be Haruka.
"I'm so sorry! Are you guys, OK?!" Haruka asked. "Are you injured?! Does anything hurt?!"
Usagi winced as she got up. "Oh, Haruka, it's you," she mumbled. "Should have guessed."
"Bun-head! Harusuke!" Haruka gasped. "Are you two alright?"
"Don't worry about it, Haruka. We're fine," reassured Harusuke. "Just got a little spooked, is all."
"What about you, Mako?" Usagi asked her friend. "Are you -"
Then, the Tsukino siblings saw Mako. The brunette's cheeks had taken a slight tinge of pink and her eyes filled with admiration and amazement.
Haruka then gasped when she saw Mako. "Hey! You're bleeding, you know!"
Mako snapped out of her daze and looked at her hand, noticing that she had a bit of road rash on it. "O-Oh. I guess you're right," she mumbled. "I didn't realize it until now."
"I'm so sorry! I feel terrible!" Haruka spoke remorsefully. "Let me help you!"
The woman then took off the scarf around her neck and began tying it around Makoto's injured hand, much to her and the Tsukino sibling's surprise.
"Y-You don't have to do that, Haruka!" Makoto protested. "It's just a scratch. Besides, you'll get your scarf all bloody!"
"Don't worry about it," insisted Haruka. "There's no excuse for what I did. I had something on my mind, and I wasn't paying attention." She looked into Makoto's eyes. "You were brave to risk your life to protect your friends. You didn't even hesitate."
As Haruka continued to dress Makoto's wound, Usagi and Harusuke couldn't help but notice a strange twinkle in their friend's eyes. The same one she got whenever she was crushing on a guy that she thought was the one broke her heart. Soon enough, Haruka finished tying the scarf and got ready to go.
"Sorry again for giving you guys a scare," Haruka apologized. "I'll see you guys around, OK?"
"Ok! Take care, Haruka," said Usagi.
Haruka then revved her engine and sped on her way, popping a wheelie and blowing a kiss at the three.
"Good grief. Somehow I feel like that girl was born to show off," Harusuke sighed. "And to think she almost mowed us down a moment ago."
"Anyway, thanks again for looking out for us back there, Mako," said Usagi. "You - "
Then the Tsukino siblings saw Mako again. Her eyes were still sparkling with admiration and awe as she watched Haruka drive away.
Usagi then scowled as she walked up to Mako. "Hey, Mako! Enough with the goo-goo eyes!" she said. "Regardless of how cool and handsome she is, she's a girl. You're not starting to get a crush on her, are you?"
Makoto immediately snapped out of her daze. "Oh, come on! What are you talking about, Usagi?!" she spoke, waving her hands. "Of course, I don't have a crush on her! At least, not in that way!"
There was a long silence. Then Usagi burst out laughing.
"Of course! What was I thinking?" the ordango blonde laughed. "You're way too boy crazy. What was I thinking?"
Makoto then began to laugh too; however, Harusuke remained silent, watching the two.
Haruka soon arrived home to the apartment complex downtown. It was a place that cost a lot of money to live in that was huge and even had an indoor pool, but thanks to both Haruka's and Michiru's popularity, they were very wealthy. When Haruka entered the room, she saw Michiru in the water, floating just beneath the water's surface, appearing to be sleeping.
"Michiru, I'm back," said Haruka.
Michiru opened her eyes and glanced towards her. "Welcome back," she greeted. "How was your drive?"
"The same as usual," said Haruka. "Although, I accidentally almost ran over Bun-head and her friends, so that happened."
"You really should be more careful when you're speeding around," chided Michiru. "The next time, you won't be so lucky. So, did you find anything on your drive?"
Haruka then went over to the window, staring at the city of Juuban below. "We must find the Messiah at all cost," she spoke while brooding. "The three talismans are the keys to finding the Messiah, and also sealed inside pure hearts, so our first job is to identify those hearts."
"Even if we have to sacrifice the people who carry them?" wondered Michiru. "All for the sake of peace?"
"Casualties will be unavoidable in carrying out our mission, I'm afraid," Haruka spoke grimly. "The Silence is fast approaching, and we have little time left."
"Then, we must hurry and find the Messiah before disaster overwhelms us," said Michiru.
Michiru then stopped floating and swam to the pool's edge, getting out. As she dried herself with a towel, she joined Haruka over by the window and leaned against her, gently holding her hand, her fingers intertwining with hers.
"The seas are getting rougher," Michiru whispered.
"Yeah, I know. I sense it too," said Haruka. "Something's going to happen soon."
The next day, Usagi, Harusuke, Ami, and Makoto took their time in Downtown Juuban on their way to school.
"Hey, do any of you know where Haruka lives?" asked Makoto.
"No idea," replied Harusuke. "I've never really thought about asking her."
"Wait, when you say Haruka, do you mean the Haruka that goes to Mugen Academy?" asked Ami.
Mako replied with a nod.
Usagi then gazed at Makoto suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly so interested in her address?" she asked.
Makoto's cheeks flushed pink as she took out the same scarf that the girl in question tied to her hand, now freshly washed. "Uh - Well, because I have to return this to her," she stammered.
Usagi didn't seem so sure, while Harusuke pretended not to notice. Then, as the three continued walking, they happened to pass by someone who had been keeping her eyes on the three as they went by. That, someone, was Kaolinite, disguised in her human attire, and had her sights set on someone in their group. In her hand, the Daimon Egg took to the air hovering just above Usagi's group, and when no one was looking, Kaolinite waved her hand and summoned forth a gust of wind. The gale blew the scarf right out of Makoto's hand and carried it high into the air.
"Oh, no! There's goes my excuse to see Haruka!" Makoto cried as she chased after it. "Come back!"
"Excuse?" repeated Ami and Harusuke.
"I should have known," Usagi sighed.
The scarf flew and fluttered about in the air until it soon came down into a parking lot. Makoto looked around, trying to see where the scarf landed, but she couldn't see it anywhere. Then, when she started looking under the cars, Makoto soon saw the scarf wedged underneath a car's tire. Makoto then went over and stretched out her arm, trying to grab it. But as she did, the Daimon Egg came shooting over towards her and embedded itself in the scarf.
Makoto soon grabbed the scarf, but no sooner than she did, she felt something wrap around her hand, grasping it tightly. Makoto slowly looked up and found herself staring at something with purple skin, a dark blue cloak, a mask with matted brown hair, and a face that looked like a witch.
Makoto screamed, immediately backing away. "What the hell?!"
The Daimon crawled out from under the car, growling ominously at her. "I am Scar, and I want your Pure Heart!" she hissed. "Give it to me now!"
At that moment, Usagi and her group arrived on the scene.
"What is that?!" Usagi exclaimed.
"It's a Daimon!" Harusuke gasped. "And it's got Mako cornered!"
"Come on! We need to transform to help her!" Ami urged.
Usagi, Ami, and Harusuke rushed over to the corner of the parking lot so that they wouldn't get seen and transformed.
"MOON COSMIC POWER MAKE UP!"
"MERCURY STAR POWER MAKE UP!"
"SOLAR PRISM POWER BLAZE FORTH!"
Transformation Sequence: Usagi
Usagi's Cosmic Heart Compact opens, revealing the pink heart-shaped crystal inside, waving her hand over it. It flashes twice and erupts in pink light. Usagi is now standing in the middle of a light blue heart that's spinning to the right. She stands one leg while holding up her arms and begins pirouetting in the opposite direction, going faster until, in a burst of light, pink ribbons envelop her torso and midsection, transforming into her leotard. She elegantly stretches out her arms, and pink ribbons cover them, forming into her gloves. She then raised her right foot high with incredible flexibility, and pink ribbons cloak it changing into her boots. The heart made of blue light then turns into a circle of sparkles swirling around her waist, forming her skirt and bow. Now no longer in light, Usagi spins around a couple of times like a ballerina and takes a slight bow. As she comes out from her bow, a crescent moon mark glows in the middle of her forehead. Then, a tiara appears bearing a gold symbol of the Moon, along with her earrings, choker, and her ordango covers. Finally, Usagi opens her eyes, her transformation now complete, and strikes her signature pose.
Transformation Sequence: Harusuke.
Harusuke holds up his hand as the stone on his bracelet shines bright in golden light. The stone lets out three pulses, the symbol of the Sun glowing inside of it on the third pulse. Harusuke is enveloped in silver and gold light as he jumps into the air, his clothes disappearing. The symbol of the sun appears just above him and goes down, phasing through his body, making his silver jumpsuit with gold lines on the sides materialize. Two smaller sun symbols go over his feet to his kneecaps, and his gold and metal boots and silver kneecaps appear. Around his waist, a ring of light wraps around it, forming a belt with a gold belt buckle in the shape of an oval. Harusuke then spreads his arms wide as two more light rings envelop his arms and hands, making gold gloves appear. The symbol of the sun appears in front of him now, and crashes into his chest, making his chest piece like before, now thicker and having shoulder guards. Finally, a helmet materializes above Harusuke's head, the design slightly different as he reaches and grabs hit, putting it on his head, not having a mouth protector. Harusuke opens his eyes, punches his hands together, and strikes his signature pose, the symbol of the sun appearing behind him with a star-filled background.
Transformation Sequence: Ami
Ami holds up her hand as blue sparkles swirled around it, alighting her fingernails turning them into a shade of bright blue. Her transformation stick appears spinning, and she takes hold of it, the star on end and the symbol glowing. It begins to turn as Ami is enveloped in blue light. Then she sweeps the pen over her head as a stream of sparkling blue water begins to emit from it, forming her leotard, boots, and gloves. A sparkling ripple and a flurry of bubbles expand over her body, creating a tiny mist of water that forms the rest of her uniform, the same as Sailor Moon's, but the center bow, boots, and rims on the gloves were blue and bright blue. Finally, she turns around and then strikes her signature pose.
Several tendrils of red ribbon erupted from under Scar's cloaked and wrapped around Mako, encasing her with them. But then Sailor Mercury and Solaris leaped into action.
"MERCURY SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"
"SOLARIS NOVA SUNSHINE METEOR!"
Sailor Mercury's stream of water froze the tendrils of ribbon, allowing Makoto to break free, and Solaris' ball of light shot towards the Daimon, only for her to duck out of the way, avoiding the hit. Sailor Moon then summoned forth her Spiral Heart Moon Rod.
"This is not the way to start a good morning!" the Guardian of the Moon scolded. "Get away from that girl this instant!"
As quickly as Sailor Moon and the others appeared, Scar leaped high above them and landed behind them. Then, while cackling wildly for no reason at all, Scar took off running as fast as her long legs could carry her, much to the confusion of the Guardians as well as Makoto.
"What the heck was that all about?" wondered Sailor Moon.
"I don't know," said Solaris. "But I get the feeling that thing will be back."
As they checked up on Makoto, they didn't realize that two different parties watched them.
The first was Kaolinite, who had been watching from an alley, and was most annoyed. "Damn, how did those Guardians catch on so quickly?!" she cursed. But then she calmed down. "No matter, Scar will get our target without fail. It's only a matter of time." She then disappeared into the alley.
The second party was Sailor Uranus and Neptune, who watched from behind a building sign above.
"It looks like that girl is their target this time," said Sailor Neptune. "If I recall correctly, she's one of Usagi's friends."
"I wasn't able to tell if she possessed a talisman or not," Sailor Uranus complained. "Sailor Moon and her group got in the way."
Sailor Neptune was concerned as well as worried. "Well, why don't we tell them everything?" she asked. "Once they understand, we can work together to fight the Daimon."
"The Silence is approaching. We both know to stop it, people will have to be sacrificed," Sailor Uranus spoke grimly. "Do you think those kids are capable of doing that?"
"Then what do you suggest we do?" asked Sailor Neptune.
"The way I see it, the enemy will come back for her," said Sailor Uranus. "We'll have to keep an eye on her for a while."
After school, Makoto went back to the parking lot again, looking around for Haruaka's scarf, but she couldn't find it anywhere.
"Man, where could it have gone?" Makoto mumbled to herself. "I know it has to be around here somewhere."
"Yo! Mako!"
Makoto looked back upon hearing her name and saw Usagi and Harusuke coming up.
"There you are!" Usagi panted. "Why didn't you wait for us? And what are you doing out here?"
"Sorry to worry, you guys," apologized Makoto. "I was just looking for Haruka's scarf since I lost it around here."
"Mako, listen to me. Like I said yesterday, it's not going to happen!" Usagi chided. "Haruka is a girl, and - "
"Usagi, come on. You've got it all wrong," Makoto said. "There's no way I like Haruka that way. Honest."
"Are you sure about that?" asked Usagi worriedly.
"Absolutely. Trust me," said Makoto.
"Regardless, it's way too dangerous for you to be out by yourself like this, Mako," said Harusuke. "Need I remind you that a Daimon attacked you? There's a possibility that it could attack you again, so you need to stay with a buddy at all times."
"Don't worry, Harusuke. I can take care of myself," said Makoto. "Besides, if that Daimon does show up, I'll just transform and send it packing."
Harusuke didn't seem convinced and was about to object when a sports car pulled up, catching their attention with Haruka in the driver's seat and Michiru in the passenger's. Upon seeing her, Makoto's cheeks flushed bright pink.
"Hey there, Bun-Head, Harusuke, and girl from yesterday," greeted Haruka. "You're looking well."
"Oh, it's Haruka and Michiru," said Usagi. "What are you two doing here?"
"We were just wondering if your friend wouldn't mind going for a ride with us," said Haruka winking towards Makoto. "That is if she's not busy or anything."
"Y-You mean me?" stammered Makoto, her cheeks now a shade of red. "Of course, I don't mind!"
"Hold on just a minute, Mako!" Usagi objected. "I don't think that this is a good idea!"
"Yeah, me either!" added Harusuke.
"Oh? Do you two think it's wrong for girls to go out on a drive together?" Haruka questioned coolly.
Usagi and Harusuke immediately blushed, the two looking away out of embarrassment.
"N-No! That's not how we meant it," Usagi fumbled. "It's not like, we -"
"Then it's OK, isn't it?" Haruka smiled. "I'm only borrowing her for a little bit, assuming that she wants to come."
"Sure. Of course," Makoto gushed as she rushed over and got in the car.
Haruka's sports car sped away with a rush and roar, leaving Usagi and Harusuke behind.
"Can't say I didn't try to warn her," Usagi grumbled.
Harusuke didn't say a word, frowning.
Soon, Haruka, Michiru, and Makoto were speeding along the road, enjoying the wind whistling as they ran along.
"By the way, this is Michiru, a classmate of mine," introduced Haruka.
"It's nice to meet you," said Makoto. "I'm Makoto Kino, but my friends call me Mako."
"I believe we've met before," said Michiru. "Back at the arcade, correct?"
"Y-Yeah," said Makoto. Then she realized something that made her a bit curious. "There's something I've wanted to ask. Don't take this the wrong way, but how old are the two of you?"
"We started high school a few weeks ago," said Michiru. "So that makes the two of us first years."
Makoto couldn't help but gasp. "Wait, first years?! I thought that you had to be older than that to drive a car legally!"
"Oh, is that right?" Michiru giggled, giving a teasing glance towards Haruka. "What do you think? You think that this is OK?"
Haruka glanced away nervously. "Well, um, yeah," she stammered. "I was able to get a license when I was living overseas."
Makoto didn't seem to believe her.
Neither did Michiru. "So she says," she giggled.
Haruka decided to change the subject. "Anyway, those earrings look good on you," she complimented. "They look cute."
Makoto's face turned red once again. "Th-Thank you," she said. "That means a lot."
"You OK being dragged away like this?" asked Haruka. "Bun-head and her brother seemed a bit worried."
"No, not at all," smiled Makoto. "I was just wondering if there was something that you wanted to talk to me about, Haruka."
"Nothing special, really," Haruka smiled as she looked in her review mirror. "I just wanted to get to know you better."
Makoto felt her cheeks grow even hotter as her heart began to flutter in her chest.
Back at Rei's place, Usagi and Harusuke told the others what they had seen, and needless to say, they were surprised.
"A date?!" Minako, Rei, and Ami exclaimed.
"Well, yeah," mumbled Usagi. "Not only that, but the other person in question is a woman, and it's Haruka, too."
"Oh my. That's a bit unexpected," said Minako. "Did Mako suddenly change her orientation or something?"
"I doubt that," Harusuke said. "Besides, Haruka was also with Michiru, so I doubt a date is a correct word for this. Then again, if she did, we shouldn't have any right to persuade her."
"That shouldn't matter," said Ami.
"Handsome or not, I can't believe Mako would chase after a woman," commented Rei. "I mean, she's too boy crazy."
"That isn't the point," Ami repeated.
Usagi then whipped out a magazine with a picture of a woman dressed as a man, looking incredibly handsome. "Oh, yeah? Then what about this, Rei? Isn't this yours?" she cheekily grinned.
Rei let out a startled shriek and snatched the magazine from the ordango. "Get your grubby hands off my first edition Sailor Dudettes!"
At that moment, Ami slammed her fists onto the table. "THAT ISN'T THE POINT!" she yelled loudly.
Everyone immediately froze, taken aback by Ami's outburst, while Ami herself turned red as a cherry.
"Anyway, we can't leave Mako all by herself," Ami spoke calmly after regaining composure. "After all, the enemy is after her pure heart, so shouldn't we make sure she doesn't end up as the next victim?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It was now dusk, and Haruka, Michiru, and Makoto were making a pit stop at a pier by the sea. When they got there, Makoto heard her communicator beep. Not wanting Haruka and Michiru to see, Makoto went by herself, not too far away, and answered it, Ami's face popping up on the screen.
"Mako, thank goodness," Ami sighed in relief. "Where are you right now?"
"Not that far," replied Makoto. "I'm at Kaiohzu Park."
"Stay right where you are," said Ami. "We'll be right over."
"I'll be fine," reassured Makoto. "Like I told Harusuke, if the enemy shows up, I'll take care of them." She then glanced over at Haruka and Michiru, both of which were staring out to the sea. "Just - let me have this day to myself, OK?"
Then, Usagi pushed Ami out of the way along with Rei and Minako, their faces showing on the screen. "Mako! Listen to me! You can't give up!"
"Yeah! You're way too impulsive about this!" said Minako.
"Yeah! How about falling for someone single!" Rei added. "There are lots of other guys for you out there!"
"None of that matters, right now!" Ami snapped. "And give me back my communicator!"
Makoto could only wryly laugh, but she felt touched that her friends cared so much about her.
"It's OK, guys. Really. It's not what you think," Makoto chuckled. "It's hard to put this, but Haruka is cool with a great personality. So, I mean, it's nothing wrong to be attracted to that, right?"
Haruka then looked towards Mako and gave her a wave, and Mako answered back with one of her own. Suddenly, Mako felt a chill run through her spine as she heard a low and familiar growl coming from behind her. The brunette turned around and saw that the growl came from the Daimon Scar. Makoto immediately jumped back in surprise in time to see Scar lifting her cloak, appearing to flash her, causing the girl to squeal in surprise and shield her eyes. But when she peeked through her hands, Makoto was surprised to see that what lay underneath Scar's cloak wasn't all she expected.
Instead, Scar revealed herself wearing a red mini kimono-like dress with purple pumps. Then from the bow at the back, Scar unleashed several tendrils of fabric, each one wrapping around Makoto's body, trapping her.
"This time, I will take your pure heart," Scar hissed. "Your admiration for being the perfect ideal woman is-"
But Scar was rudely interrupted by a rock that hit her square in the mask, knocking it off her face, revealing it to be like a cute female elf with long green hair that went to her shoulders. That rock came from Haruka.
"Let Mako go right now, or you're going to regret it!" Haruka snarled bravely.
"Haruka! Both you and Michiru need to get out of here!" Makoto yelled. "Hurry!"
Makoto's warning came all too late as Scar attacked the two by firing a spiral of silk from her hand, nailing both of them at once. Haruka and Michiru went sent flying and falling into the bushes out of sight.
Kaolinite then appeared. "Now's your chance, Scar! she called out. "Since there are no more troublemakers, go ahead and take that girl's pure heart!"
Scar then pulled down her top, revealing a black star on her breast, and fired a beam straight into Makoto's chest, beginning to take out her pure heart. Makoto screamed in agony as she helplessly struggled to try and get free, but there was nothing that she could do.
While this was going on, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune were waiting in the bushes, watching the whole thing play out, neither one doing anything to help her.
"It's all going as planned," Sailor Neptune spoke quietly.
"Yeah," said Sailor Uranus. "I feel bad for her, but it had to happen."
In seconds, Makoto's Pure Heart crystal appeared, while her skin turned pale and her eyes vacant. As her Pure Heart Crystal floated over to Kaolinite, who was pleased with the results, Sailor Uranus and Neptune finally took action. Sailor Uranus attacked Kaolinite with her World Shaking attack knocking the crystal out from her hands, while Sailor Neptune seized the crystal.
"You two, again!" snarled Kaolinite.
"Sorry, but we'll be taking this girl's heart crystal and what lies within it!" Sailor Uranus smirked.
Kaolinite glared in anger as she changed into her black dress, summoning her wand. "Scar! You take care of that pest who attacked me! I'm going to get the Pure Heart Crystal back!"
The Daimon dropped Makoto like a sack of potatoes, and she gunned straight for Sailor Uranus while Kaolinite went for Sailor Neptune. As the battle commenced, Makoto had heard everything despite her pure heart missing. Not only was she shocked, but she was also angry.
"Those two were waiting so that they could take my pure heart?" Makoto thought. "And did they stand by and watch while Haruka and Michiru got attacked? Damn them!"
Then, as Sailor Neptune began inspecting the crystal, Sailor Moon and the other Guardians appeared on the scene, catching their attention.
"That's enough! Only a monster would grab a pure girl's heart!" Sailor Moon shouted. "We, the Guardians, will never forgive you! In the name of the Moon, we'll punish you!"
"VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!"
"MARS BURNING MANDALA!"
Both Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus attacked Scar and Kaolinite, forcing the two to avoid them, while Sailor Moon, Solaris, and Sailor Mercury went over to help Makoto.
"Mako! Hang on!" Usagi cried.
Solaris could only stare at Mako, his eyes wide with shock from seeing her in this sorry state. As he stared at her, he began to have flashbacks of the past, back when Makoto sacrificed herself in the battle with Beryl. He also remembered when Rei had her pure heart crystal taken as well. Those thoughts alone made his heart pound fright as his blood began to boil with anger.
Back to the fight, Sailor Neptune quickly seized her chance to inspect Makoto's Pure Heart Crystal, while Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars fought Kaolinite and Scar. Then, after a few seconds, she looked back at Sailor Uranus. "It looks like this wasn't a talisman either," she said.
Then Sailor Moon called out to them. "Sailor Uranus! Sailor Neptune! Please! We need to put this crystal back in the girl now!"
Sailor Uranus then threw the crystal to Sailor Moon. "Here. Don't waste any time!"
Sailor Moon then rushed over to put the Pure Heart Crystal back into Mako. As she did, Solaris then glanced back at the fight, his eyes fixed solely on Kaolinite and Scar.
"Sailor Moon, you and Mercury take care of Mako for me," the Guardian of the Sun spoke in a low voice.
"But what are you going to do?" asked Sailor Moon.
Solaris began to stroll towards the battle unfolding, his hands clenched tightly into fists. "Don't ask questions," he spoke grimly. "Just hurry."
Sailor Moon and Mercury were puzzled, but they quickly took Makoto to the bushes away from the battle.
Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus saw that Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus were having trouble. Sailor Venus was now trapped by Scar's ribbons, while Sailor Mars dodged all of Kaolinite's attacks from her wand.
"It seems that they're struggling a bit," commented Sailor Neptune.
"Geez, they're pathetic," complained Uranus.
Sailor Neptune was about to unleash her attack when she saw Solaris walking towards the Daimon. The other Guardians, Kaolinite and Scar, saw Solaris as well.
"Solaris, get back!" yelled Sailor Venus.
Scar then fired two ribbon tendrils, making them wrap around Solaris tightly.
"That idiot!" Sailor Uranus cursed. "What the hell is he doing?!"
She, along with Neptune, was just to come to the rescue when something began to happen. Solaris' body began to radiate with power as his body crackled with lightning. Then, Solaris broke free from the ribbon, catching Scar by surprise. Scar tried again; this time, the ribbon couldn't get through the lightning, burning up in the process.
"Wh-What's going on here?!" Scar demanded.
Kaolinite and the guardians were surprised, too, as Solaris glared at the Daimon, his eyes filled with rage.
"What's going on with Solaris?" wondered Sailor Mars. "His body is giving off strange energy." Then she remembered. "Wait, that energy is...!"
"How dare you," Solaris growled in anger. "You attacked an innocent person with no remorse and didn't even care. You'll pay for this." His body began to glow, the lightning around him crackling even more as his prism turned green. "I'll make you pay!"
Solaris then raised his prism into the air. "SOLARIS JUPITER POWER RANK UP!"
Transformation Solaris: Jupiter Mode
The gem in Solaris' bracelet glows brightly in a bright green light, the symbol of Jupiter shining inside the prism. Next, Solaris is enveloped in a green light, as long tongues of lightning shoot out from his bracelet and encircle his body as he spins around, similar to Makoto. First, the lightning wraps his body, turning into rings while spinning rapidly. Next, his boots emerge from the lightning, green while retaining the silver. Then his belt is revealed, also being green, along with his right and left gloves and chest, while keeping the silver. At the center of Solaris' chest, it changed to silver, and the dot had changed to the symbol of Jupiter. Finally, the head of Solaris emerges from the lightning, the helmet slightly different in design. A silver visor covers his eyes as he strikes his signature pose, while the background shows his symbol and Sailor Jupiter overlapping each other in a blue and gold background.
"What the hell is this?!" Kaolinite gasped. "Did he just power up?!"
The other guardians were amazed as Solaris stood before Scar in his Jupiter Mode, ready to fight. Scar then released more tendrils of silk, but Solaris jumped out of the way to dodge as he punched his hands together, generating a great deal of lightning.
"SUPREME THUNDER!"
The attack burned straight through the ribbon, nailed Scar right into her stomach, making her scream in agony as her body convulsed from the lightning, and set Sailor Venus free. Solaris swooped down with a mighty fist, only for Scar to recover and dodge the incoming blow. Scar kept on releasing tendrils, trying to fend Solaris off, but the Guardian avoided them all until she finally got one around his right wrist.
Solaris then gave the ribbon a mighty yank, pulling Scar towards him, and with a single swing, he slammed Scar to the ground hard while breaking the ribbon from his wrist. The Daimon was now livid as she glared dangerously at Solaris.
Back in the bushes, Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury had just finished putting Makoto's pure heart back inside her, allowing her to regain consciousness.
"Mako, are you alright?" asked Sailor Mercury.
"Thanks, I'll be fine," replied Makoto.
"You should take it easy and rest," advised Sailor Moon. "You're in pretty rough shape."
Makoto then took out her transformation pen. "No way. I can't just do that," she said as she got up and held up her wand. "JUPITER STAR POWER MAKE UP!"
Transformation Sequence: Makoto
Makoto's hand is held up as green sparkles swirl around it, alighting her fingernails, turning them into a shade of bright green. Her transformation stick appears spinning, and she takes hold of it, the star on end as well as the symbol glowing. It starts to turn around rapidly as green light envelops Makoto. As she holds up her pen while spinning around, long streams of lightning erupt from it, encircling her body, forming an atom of sorts before exploding in a brilliant flash of light. Her outfit forms, having to look just like Sailor Moon's, wearing green boots along with her pair of roses earrings, the bow is pink, and the rims of her gloves green, as is her skirt, her choker, and collar. After that, Jupiter finishes with her signature pose.
"Scar, what are you doing?!" Kaolinite snapped. "Hurry up and finish that guardian!"
The Daimon shot straight towards Solaris obeying her master, and Solaris got ready to counter, but then a voice shouted.
"JUPITER SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
A massive lightning disc shot forth and hit Scar, causing her to convulse again in agony. Everyone looked back, and Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus were relieved to see Sailor Moon, Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter.
"Do it, Sailor Moon!" shouted Sailor Jupiter.
But before Sailor Moon could summon her Spiral Moon Heart Rod, Solaris let out a yell as his body began to spark with lightning as took to the air in a huge jump. Then as he dove downwards, Solaris stuck out his leg and spun quickly, turning into a tornado of lightning that took the shape of a dragon.
"SOLARIS JUPITER RYUJIN HUNTER!"
The dragon of lightning let out a mighty roar as it dove straight towards Scar, causing the Daimon to scream in terror as it swallowed her whole. Then, in a powerful explosion of lightning, Scar was destroyed, reverting to Haruka's scarf, the Daimon Egg separating from it and crumbling into dust. Sailor Moon and the Guardians felt stupified. Even Sailor Uranus and Neptune couldn't believe what they saw.
While Solaris skidded to stop, he looked towards Kaolinite, glaring at the woman. Kaolinite knowing that she didn't stand a chance and not wanting any more of what she saw, disappeared in retreat.
"Whoa, Solaris did it," murmured Sailor Moon. "And he didn't even need my help to finish the Daimon."
"And he transformed with the Unison Fusion Power, as well?" said Sailor Mercury. "When did this happen?"
Sailor Jupiter then noticed Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, the two just about to walk away.
"Hold on a minute!" Sailor Jupiter called crossly at the two.
The two Guardians stopped.
"I don't know what you two are up to, but you two are always sneaking around like you're thieves, trying to take pure hearts for yourselves!" Sailor Jupiter accused. "That makes you no better than the Daimons!"
Sailor Uranus scowled. "We have our reasons for going after the pure hearts," she said calmly. "And sorry to be rude, but it isn't your business."
"Screw that! I'm not just going to let you walk away!" Sailor Jupiter snapped. "I'm gonna kick your butts!"
The Guardian of Jupiter then charged straight at the two, her fist clenched and raised, while Sailor Uranus met her halfway. As Sailor Jupiter swung, Sailor Uranus deflected the blow and landed a hard punch in Sailor Jupiter's stomach, knocking the wind out of her. That punch alone was enough to send Sailor Jupiter collapsing to the ground, holding her stomach.
Sailor Moon and the others rushed over to help their friend, while Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune retreated into the bushes. As they ran, Sailor Neptune was a bit upset at her partner.
"You could have at least held back a little," Sailor Neptune chided. "That was very childish!"
Then she saw that Sailor Uranus's face contorted in slight pain. She soon saw the reason why. Sailor Uranus's hand used to block Sailor Jupiter's blow was now scraped and bruised.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," reassured Sailor Uranus. "Though I have to admit, she's strong."
After a while, when Sailor Jupiter managed to recover, she found something that she didn't expect to find in a place like Kaiohzu Park lying on the ground. It was Haruka's scarf.
"Now, what's this doing here?" Sailor Jupiter wondered to herself. "Or rather, how did it get here?"
Then she suddenly heard Sailor Moon.
"Solaris! Are you alright?! Are you hurt?"
Sailor Jupiter looked up, and she saw Sailors Moon and Venus with Solaris, who was now on his fours back to his normal state, panting like he ran a marathon.
Sailor Jupiter then quickly rushed over. "What happened?" she asked.
"We don't know," said Sailor Moon. "One minute, Solaris was fine, then the next minute, he became weak."
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine," Solaris gasped. "My body probably wasn't used to using that power, considering this was the first time in a while since I've used it. Just give me a minute, and I'll be OK."
"Are you sure?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
"I'm sure," Solaris smiled. "Besides, all I care about is that you're safe, Mako. That's what counts."
Sailor Jupiter smiled. "Alright, then. Just don't push yourself. And nice job handling the Daimon."
Then they heard Sailor Mercury. "We found Haruka and Michiru!"
Sailor Jupiter then rushed over to the bushes while Sailor Moon and Venus carried Solaris out of sight.
"Haruka! Haruka, wake up!" Makoto cried as she tried shaking the girl awake. "Come on, wake up!"
Haruka soon opened her eyes, sitting up as she held her head. "What happened?" she wondered dizzily. "And what happened to the monster?"
"Mako said the Guardians showed up and were able to take care of it," explained Michiru.
Makoto then buried her face in Haruka's chest, her eyes filling with tears as she began to cry with remorse and relief, thinking that it was her fault the two got attacked.
"Haruka! I'm so glad you're OK!" Makoto sobbed. "I was so worried!"
Then Makoto saw Haruka's hand and gasped. "Your hand! That monster hurt it, didn't it?!"
Haruka looked at it in surprise. "Oh. I didn't even realize it," she said.
Makoto then smiled as she took Haruka's hand gently into hers, and just like what she did for her, began tying her scarf around it.
"Wait a second. Isn't that - " Haruka spoke, very surprised.
"I'm so sorry," apologized Makoto. "I've meant to give this back to you, but a lot of things happened."
Haruka could only smile, and Makoto smiled back, grateful that she returned the scarf at last.
A few days later, Usagi and the others walked over to Rei's place for another study session with Makoto missing from their party.
Usagi was still thinking about Makoto and her little crush on Haruka. "Say, guys? What do you think about Mako's feelings for Haruka?"
"I think she's serious about this," said Minako with a grin. "I mean, even I had a small crush on her back when I thought she was a boy."
"Who knows?" shrugged Rei. "For all we know, Haruka just reminds her of the guy that broke her heart."
"I don't care either way," said Harusuke. "As long as Makoto's happy, I'll support her whatever she decides. Who she likes is none of my and our business."
"Come on, Harusuke. At least try to show a bit of interest in this," grumped Usagi.
Then as they passed by a clothing store, Ami, who had been reading while walking, happened to look inside and saw something she didn't expect to see. Inside the store, she saw Makoto, wearing a new outfit and a bright purple scarf.
As Makoto admired herself in the mirror, she struck a pose, trying to see how her scarf fit around her neck.
"Haruka is just as wonderful as I thought she'd be," Makoto thought to herself. "She's inspired me, and someday, I want to be just like her, someone who's wise, warm, and brave."
And Makoto then blew a kiss at her reflection while she winked just like Haruka would do, feeling more mature and confident as a woman.
