Ami felt terribly groggy when she woke up. She didn't even remember when she went to bed…now that she thought about it, this didn't feel like her bed- or bedroom for that matter.

She was lying on a hard surface, possibly metallic. And when she tried to move she quickly realized she couldn't. Her wrists and ankles were tightly bound to the table underneath her.

"...uh!?"

"Oh, great, you're finally awake. I was starting to get worried that the dose I gave you was too strong."

Despite her blurry mind, Ami recognized that voice. Her memory was still in shambles so she couldn't properly process what was happening. She still tried to assess her current predicament. She was restrained on some sort of metallic table in an unknown room full of scientific and medical devices. From that alone, she easily deduced that she was in some kind of laboratory, tied up on an examination table. And she didn't need to ask for an explanation to know her predicament was far from good. It was pretty bad, actually.

"Bidou-san… why?" Ami simply asked, trying to stay calm despite her situation.

Yui smirked at her.

"I like how you cut to the chase right away. Usually, you'd expect some pointless begging and crying and screaming. There's none of that with you. I appreciate that," Yui began. "And yet, I'd expect you to know already. I guess even a genius such as yourself has her limit…"

"I genuinely don't know why you are doing this," Ami replied.

Yui sighed and then sneered.

"I can't believe you didn't see it coming, Mizuno-san. I guess despite all your intelligence, you are still so naive, so ruled by your feelings and misguided emotions…"

"... are you saying you don't have emotions? Because I don't believe you. That's not how I feel."

"Please, I never made such a claim. I am human after all, of course, I have emotions… unfortunately," Yui replied, rolling her eyes. "But what are emotions, really? Merely chemical reactions, electricity going through your neurons. They are one of the many flaws in the human body, something enslaving us to our primitive instincts. Only a true genius, true superior beings, have the strength to ignore them through sheer intellect. I honestly thought you'd be just like me, Mizuno-san. My equal. But I guess I overestimated you. You may have an intellect close to mine, but you still can't go against your primitive instincts."

"You really think you are above feeling emotions?"

"What do you think distinguishes humans from other animals, Mizuno-san? It's rationality, the ability to rise above our basic instincts and make logical choices. And yet, most humans still choose to ignore logic and make decisions purely based on their emotions. How are they any different from other animals? It makes them beneath other animals, even. At least animals don't have a choice to follow their instincts, just like programs have to follow their algorithm. Humans, on the other hand, do have a choice, and yet decide to act so irrationally. It's disgusting."

Ami decided that it was wiser to not add anything to this. There was truly something sinister in Yui's eyes as she spoke, and thankfully for Ami, she was the type of person who seemed to enjoy the sound of her own voice. She didn't need to participate in this conversation.

"Really, humans are the lowest animals, thinking they are the superior species while actively causing their own doom, with their irrational choices ruled by their feelings," Yui continued. "But I am different. I'm above them, I'm better than them! I am a genius, and so are you, Mizuno-san. But you aren't like me. I'm superior to you. And it saddens me to see you cloud your judgment and intelligence with those pesky feelings of yours. Truly, emotions are nothing more than a disease…"

There was a brief glimmer of insanity in Yui's eyes but then, her expression softened and she let out a chuckle.

"Well, I can't complain too much about that. If you were actually at my level, I couldn't have deceived you so easily. You made things so much easier for me," Yui taunted.

"Is that why you intentionally made Teruno-san seem suspicious? You wanted to distract us with a false lead."

"But of course! I knew you'd either suspect me or Teruno-san of working with Arimura-san. All I needed was a little push in the direction I wanted, and you all so foolishly thought Teruno-san was her accomplice."

"So you never overheard Teruno-san calling Arimura-san on the phone?"

"Correct. I made it all up. I knew you'd call your little friends as soon as I gave you any reason to suspect Teruno-san. You played right into my hand so well. How adorable."

"But… why? Why throw Teruno-san under the bus like that? Was it only to distract us and kidnap me?"

"That's part of the plan, yes, but this is all for the sake of a far bigger picture. Which you don't need to know."

"... why?"

"Tsk-tsk, you already asked that."

"I mean why are you doing this? You were purified! You have your human heart back! You're no longer a daimon and yet… Why are you and Arimura-san doing this!? What is it that you seek…?"

Yui clicked her tongue with annoyance.

"Please, do not compare me to the likes of Arimura-san. I have nothing in common with her or the other witches. Eudial and Mimete were mere shadows of their former selves, and Tellu was a completely different person- an improvement from her human self, I'll at least give her that-"

"Why are you doing this, then?" Ami insisted, interrupting her. "Why are you like that?!"

Yui looked taken aback for a moment before a sinister grin appeared on her face.

"I told you, didn't I? Right before Sailor Moon 'purified' me. I told you it wouldn't change anything. I have always been the same, witch or human. If anything, as Viluy I was a step closer to perfection-"

Yui suddenly interrupted herself.

"Anyway, enough chit-chat. I didn't bring you here just to talk."

Ami was starting to fear what was coming next.

"What… do you want from me?" Ami dared to ask.

Yui's grin didn't leave her face as her hand wandered on Ami's chest. Ami instinctively flinched at that sudden contact, fearing the worst.

"Same as before. What I desire is your pure heart."

Multiple alarm bells rang inside Ami's mind when she heard that.

"W-what…? Why…!?"

"That isn't of your concern. All you need to do is lie there and be a good girl for me, kind-hearted Mizuno-san."

Delicately, Yui began to unbutton Ami's shirt. Panic started to rise in her.

"S-stop…! What are you doing…!?" Ami attempted to struggle against her restraints, in vain.

"Nothing that warrants such a fuss," Yui replied nonchalantly.

"Why are you undressing me!?" Ami insisted.

Yui didn't answer. After she was done unbuttoning Ami's shirt, she put some sort of lotion on her hand and started to apply the liquid right on Ami's chest. Ami shivered at this sudden touch as well as at the coldness of the liquid on her skin.

"W-what… what are you doing…? Stop…!" Ami briskly protested.

"Relax, I'm not doing anything suspicious," Yui shrugged. "This is just to help the electrodes adhere to the skin. And facilitate the electric connection."

"... Eh? Electrodes…!?"

"Nothing you should concern yourself with," Yui turned to the door. "I'm ready, Arimura-san."

As if on cue, Yuuko stepped inside the room, dressed also in a lab coat and pushing a cart with some kind of machine on it. Her eyes immediately wandered on Ami's unbuttoned shirt and she instinctively looked away.

"Could you not make it look like we are up to something far more sinister than we actually are?" Yuuko complained.

"You're the one with a dirty mind. I just need direct access to the skin above the heart."

This statement alone was enough to make Ami's heart race with panic. Desperate for some help, she looked at Yuuko, ready to try anything.

"You can't trust Bidou-san! Right before you came in, she was bad-mouthing you…!"

Yuuko sighed. Yui snorted.

"Dogs bark, cats meow, birds fly, this is the way they are," Yuuko replied. "This is the same for Bidou-san. This is just the way she is. Why should I be surprised? Anyway, it's not like I'm working with her because I like her. This is just business. A mutually beneficial relationship."

"That's what I appreciate about you. You clearly harbor negative feelings toward me and yet, you are willing to set them aside because you know working with me is the rational thing to do. I can at least respect that about you. It is indeed a mutually beneficial business."

Yuuko gave no reply to that and began preparing the machine. She brought the cart next to Ami, pulling out electrodes. Ami was barely holding it together so much so that she was terrified.

"P-please, Arimura-san… don't. Whatever you're planning to do, don't…! I know you're better than that! This isn't you…!"

Yuuko looked down for a moment as if she was hesitating, but Ami's hope didn't last long. As soon as Yuuko looked back up, she was glaring at Ami with a cold stare.

"It's Eudial," she simply muttered.

The glimpse of humanity Ami thought she perceived in her red eyes had completely disappeared.

"Right. Well then, Eudial, shall we begin the procedure?" Yui said with an ominous smirk.

Eudial nodded and started applying the electrodes on Ami's chest.

"W-wait…! What is this procedure you're speaking of? What is this machine for? Answer me…!"

Of course, the two ex-witches didn't answer. Yui was simply grinning while Eudial, stone-faced, started flipping switches on the machine.

"Please answer me-"

Ami was interrupted by a sudden pain in her chest. It felt like a surge of electricity assaulting her, but that wasn't the most painful part. What hurt the most was the sensation of her life force being drained by the machine- her energy was slowly leaving her body.

"Urgh… argh…!"

It was only a matter of seconds for her body to grow too weak to keep up and she promptly lost consciousness.

"Ugh, we're making no progress! We have to interrogate Teruno-san again!" Minako said.

"She doesn't know anything, it's pointless…" Makoto replied.

"And you believed her!? Don't you care about Ami-chan?"

"Of course I do! That's why I don't want to lose any precious time…!"

"Girls, please, stop fighting!"

Usagi immediately jumped between her two friends, worried that things might escalate.

"We're all worried for Ami-chan! Fighting amongst ourselves won't solve anything!" Usagi let out.

Minako looked away, still clearly annoyed. Makoto lowered her head, a conflicted look on her face.

"We are at a dead end anyway, so I don't think trying to talk to Teruno-san again would be much of a waste of time," Rei suddenly said.

"But-" Makoto started.

"Let me finish. I'm not suspecting her of anything, but she might know places where Bidou-san and Arimura-san could be hiding. She's obviously wary of us, so perhaps if you're the one who goes to talk to her."

"Hmmm… I can try. She probably went back to the greenhouse."

"Alright. Go there. We'll keep investigating elsewhere. Keep us updated," Rei said.

Makoto nodded. "Will do."

Yuuko let the machine run until the transfer of energy was completed. Once they had enough energy she quickly turned off the machine before it could suck up all of Ami's life force. She sighed, feeling somewhat conflicted about what she was doing.

"It's done," Yuuko said with a sombre tone.

"That should be enough energy to get started," Yui said with more enthusiasm. "Anyway, if it's not enough, we can always siphon the rest of Mizuno-san's energy."

Yuuko shuddered at that thought.

"But… it should be enough, right?" Yuuko insisted.

"According to my estimate and calculations, yes," Yui replied. "A Sailor Senshi's pure heart crystal contains far more energy than the average heart crystal, no matter how 'pure' they might be. But with Mizuno-san and her oh-so-kind heart, I assumed she probably had the purest among the senshi. She was the best candidate for this little experiment."

"And this has nothing to do with your personal feelings regarding Mizuno Ami?"

"Feelings? What feelings?"

"Resentment, hate, vendetta, or maybe even something else…"

Yui scoffed at the accusation.

"You should know better than anyone that I do not mix my personal feelings with logic. My choices and actions were all dictated by rationality. It doesn't matter how I feel about Mizuno-san, she was the best option for what we're trying to accomplish."

Deep down, Yuuko doubted that it was entirely true. Even if she could believe Ami was the best candidate, she still continued to think it wasn't the only reason Yui picked her. But she decided it was for the best to drop it.

Yuuko began to remove the electrodes still stuck on Ami's skin and put them back near the machine. She then glanced at the unconscious girl, who had fainted due to the pain. Feeling some pity, she re-buttoned Ami's shirt. Yui scoffed at that.

"Really? I didn't take you for such a prude," Yui teased.

"There's no need to leave her that way. Can't we at least let her have some… I don't know, dignity?"

"If you prefer. I don't really mind either way."

Yuuko sighed.

"Anyway, what are you going to do now?" Yuuko asked.

"Now that I have a sufficient amount of energy, I can proceed with creating new daimon eggs," Yui began as she pulled out what appeared to be an egg from her pocket.

Yuuko glared at it. "Is that… a Daimon Egg!? How…?"

"Don't be silly. You know well that none of those exist anymore. This is merely a replica I created synthetically. I used remnants of empty broken Daimon Eggs to make it. But it doesn't contain any of the Daimon energy within it. It's just an empty shell- for now."

"For now?"

"I'll use this- let's call it Daimon Shell- as a new container for the Daimon Germ you gave me. Currently, the germ's power is too weak to replace an actual Daimon Egg, hence why we needed a large quantity of strong energy from a pure heart crystal. This is similar to how, as daimons, you and Mimete had to drain people of their energy, to feed your own egg. The machine acts as a replacement for this procedure."

Yuuko blushed lightly. By 'procedure' she meant kissing.

"So now we have enough to recreate a Daimon Egg?" Yuuko asked.

"Not quite. The Daimon Eggs weren't just made of energy, there was a biological and organic component to it. Just shoving energy inside a shell won't make it grow into a daimon. This is like how a regular egg we eat won't produce a chick. It needs to be fertilized."

"Huh? How?"

"If you remember, a similar problem occurred with Hanyuu Mimi. She had a new egg implanted inside her, but she still wouldn't awaken as a daimon. That's because the egg wasn't properly fertilized. I remember rectifying the issue by triggering the egg with a specific genetic material. Do you remember which one?"

Yuuko tried to remember. Back then, she had managed to reconstruct Mimete's broken egg and even recover some of its essence, but it ended up not being enough to make it hatch. She had asked Viluy and Tellu to create some sort of serum to trigger the hatching.

"It was Tellu's," Yuuko replied. "You used her blood for the serum. You said it was because her egg hatched recently, so her DNA would be more potent."

"Eh, I might have not been totally honest. Honestly, if it was just that, any of our blood would have done the trick. I chose Tellu because among all of us, her witch level… was the highest."

Yui seemed irritated to admit those words.

"It doesn't mean she was better, mind you!" Yui immediately added. "The witch level only refers to the level of compatibility with our egg. The more we are affected by the egg and more fused with it, the higher the level. If anything, a too-high level just means you were overtaken by the egg because of a weak mind, while a too-low level means you aren't that compatible with it physically. So really, an average level is the best."

Yuuko rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, given her highest level of compatibility, I deduced that her DNA contained the most Daimon genes. Mimete's egg was successfully fertilized thanks to that."

"I understand that. But, right now, neither of us are witches, same for Teruno-san. Only Mimete is still a daimon, and there's no sign of her…"

Yuuko knew it wasn't the case. Kaolinite was still alive, with an intact egg. But she couldn't risk letting Yui know. That, and she doubted Kaolinite would let her take some of her blood.

"Ah, yes. We were 'purified' by Sailor Moon," Yui said with contempt. "Even if our bodies are still suitable hosts for an egg, we no longer have any daimon DNA in us. After all, we were 'cleansed' and brought back to our original form: humans."

"Right. Our blood wouldn't work. So unless we can find Mimete…"

"No, there is another option. I said 'purifying' brought us to our original form- but what if someone who was never technically human to begin with got 'purified'? Someone whose body always had Daimon DNA inside."

Yuuko took the time to think about it and had an epiphany.

"You mean… that!" Yuuko exclaimed.

Yui grinned. "Yes. There should still be some daimon genetic left. If we get a sample, I could easily extract the pure daimon gene and use it to fertilize the egg."

Yuuko nodded. "Then all we have to do is go get that sample."

Makoto left the local greenhouse, empty-handed. Unlike what she initially thought, Lulu wasn't there. She'd guessed that Lulu would have come back to make sure the flowers were safe.

"Maybe she did come back and I just missed her."

Thinking that if that was the case then perhaps Lulu might still be around, Makoto began to run around in the neighbourhood, looking for her. She pulled out her phone on her way and sent her a message text: "I'm near the greenhouse. Please if you're still close let's meet up. I just want to talk. I'm alone."

No answer. Makoto sighed, putting away her phone. But as she was about to leave, she noticed a familiar figure sneaking out of the greenhouse.

"Is that…?"

Makoto discreetly followed the person down the backstreet behind the greenhouse, pulling out her transformation tool.

"Do you really think I haven't noticed you?" Yuuko said. Anyway, you aren't the flower freak I'm looking for this time."

Makoto quickly raised her transformation pen.

"Jupiter Star Power-"

But she wasn't fast enough. Yuuko quickly kicked the pen out of her hand. When it fell to the ground she kicked it a second time, far from Makoto's reach.

"Let's not bring magic here, okay? Or are you unable to fight without your powers?" Yuuko sneered. "I didn't think you'd be that weak."

Makoto glared at her in response to her provocation. But she had more important things in her mind.

"What are you doing here!? And where's Ami-chan!?"

"You really think I'll answer that?"

Makoto clenched her fists.

"No. That's why I'll make you!"

As she said that, Makoto launched herself at Yuuko, raising her fist. Yuuko dodged the punch and kicked Mako down.

"Ugh!"

But before Yuuko could kick her a second time, Makoto managed to grab her leg and make her trip.

"Woah…!?"

Yuuko lost her balance and fell to the ground. Makoto crouched down and grabbed her by the collar.

"Enough with your games! Tell me where Ami-chan is!? You better not have hurt her…!"

She felt a sudden, sharp and splitting pain on her head. Makoto collapsed to the ground from the shock and impact. Yuuko stood up, holding a rather large rock in her hand. A rock she just had smashed against Makoto's head.

"Argh…!"

Makoto grunted in pain, lying on the ground. Her vision started to get blurry, and she was too shocked to move. She saw Yuuko standing over her, still holding the rock. Yuuko seemed hesitant for a moment before she lifted the rock above her head with a resigned expression, ready to hit her again.

"What do you think you're doing!?"

Yuuko was suddenly tackled to the ground, dropping the rock. Despite her half-conscious state, Makoto managed to see from the corner of her eyes who saved her.

Lulu was pinning Yuuko against the ground, staring at her with a venomous glare. Despite her initial shock, Yuuko was now grinning at her.

"Hey there, Teruno-san. I was looking for you."

"What's wrong with you, senpai!? Hitting someone with a rock? You could have killed her!"

Yuuko looked somewhat bothered by that statement.

"Everything is fair in a fight," she replied.

"That isn't like you! What's gotten into you? Is it because of Bidou-san…? Ugh!"

Yuuko had suddenly kneed Lulu in the stomach, pushing her off of her.

"Don't patronize me like that! As if you know anything…!"

Lulu stood up, rubbing her belly.

"You know, I really didn't want to get involved anymore," Lulu began.

"... Huh?"

"All I wanted was to go back to my normal life and leave all this witches and daimons business in the past. But I realize now it's impossible."

"Oh?"

"Because as long as you or Bidou-san don't let it go, it will never remain in the past. You'll keep dragging me back into this mess. And I can't bear to see you just keep playing along with this."

"Eh, is that so?"

"Yes! And that's why I'll stop you and bring you back to your senses, senpai!"

As she said that, Lulu launched herself at Yuuko. The latter sneered as she dodged her attack.

"You know, if you feel left out, you could simply join us," Yuuko proposed.

"As if I want anything to do with this! I want my normal life back…!"

"But you aren't normal! This is your life now! And you know it!"

Lulu winced at that statement.

"S-shut up…!"

She tried to punch Yuuko, but the latter was faster, kicking her down.

"Ack…!"

"I know you are strong. You're practically a freak of nature. But raw strength with no finesse is no match for me!"

"Do not underestimate me!"

Lulu suddenly grabbed the nearest object- a metallic trash lid- and threw it at Yuuko, who kicked it down before it could hit her, but Lulu took advantage of this distraction to punch her in the stomach.

"Ugh…!"

"Yeah, it doesn't feel so good huh?" Lulu said.

Lulu attempted another punch but Yuuko moved out of the way before making Lulu trip with a kick to the leg.

"Ahh…!"

While Lulu was down, Yuuko quickly picked up the trash lid and hit her in the back.

"Argh!"

Lulu collapsed on the ground. Yuuko raised the lid above her head, ready to hit her once again. Lulu realized what was above to happen and instinctively raised one arm above her head to protect herself.

But the lid didn't come down. Yuuko was frozen in place, still holding her makeshift weapon.

"... senpai?" Lulu softly called.

Yuuko still remained immobile, staring down at the defenceless Lulu.

"... what am I doing…?" Yuuko mumbled.

"Mako-chan!?"

Yuuko was interrupted in her thoughts by Usagi, followed by Rei and Minako. When she saw the state Makoto was in, Usagi immediately rushed to her side.

"Mako-chan, are you alright?" Usagi asked.

Makoto groaned, rubbing her head as Usagi helped her stand up.

"I've been better, but I should survive," Mako replied. "I might have not been that lucky if Teruno-san didn't show up. I guess she did see my text…"

Yuuko finally came back to her senses, slowly recoiling.

"S-shit…!" Yuuko muttered.

Lulu stood up, staggering a little.

"Teruno-san, are you alright?" Makoto asked.

"Yeah… I think so," Lulu replied before looking at Yuuko. "Senpai…?"

"... I screwed up," Yuuko continued to mumble to herself.

"Yeah right, you screwed up big time! Now tell us where Ami-chan is!" Minako exclaimed.

Yuuko let out a nervous chuckle. "Yep. I'm out of here."

And just like that, she began to run in the opposite direction.

"H-hey! You won't get away with this…!" Minako started to run after her.

Rei and Lulu also ran after her, while Usagi remained behind to help Makoto walk.

"Come back here! Tell us what you did to Ami-chan!" Minako yelled.

As Yuuko reached the other end of the backstreet, they noticed a familiar station wagon parked at the end.

"That's her car! We can't let her get away!" Minako exclaimed.

Rei nodded and they both rushed, with Lulu catching up to them.

Yuuko reached her station wagon, noticing Yui sitting in the driver seat.

"Did you get it?" Yui asked.

"... No. The Sailor Senshi showed up before I could-"

Yui sighed.

"Really? How hard can it be? That was a simple task, Arimura-san…"

"You do it then, if you think it's that easy…!"

Yui started at Yuuko, then at the Sailor Senshi and Lulu coming closer, then back at Yuuko.

"Fine."

As she said that, Yui got out of the car, much to Yuuko's confusion.

"What are you…?"

"Go back to the lab and secure the hostage. I'll take care of the rest," Yui said.

"The hostage…?... Oh!"

As if she had understood what Yui was implying, Yuuko nodded and got behind the wheel.

"You won't get away with this!" Minako was yelling.

But before they could reach the station wagon, Yui suddenly jumped in front of them to block their path.

"You…!?" Rei reacted.

"Bidou-san!" Lulu exclaimed angrily.

Much to Lulu's surprise, Yui launched herself at her.

"Woah…!?"

Yui suddenly grabbed Lulu and tackled her to the ground.

"Arimura-san, now!"

With some hesitation, Yuuko closed the door and drove away. Minako and Rei were tempted to run after the car but decided it would be in vain. Even if Yuuko escaped, it appeared that she had left Yui behind.

"What are you doing, Bidou-san…!? Let go of me… ouch!"

Blood started dripping from Lulu's forearm, caused by nails digging into her skin.

"Did you just claw!? What's wrong with you?!" Lulu let out. "You… bitch!"

She pushed Yui away and promptly punched her in the face.

"Ugh!"

Yui stumbled to the ground at the impact, blood dripping from her mouth and nose. Before Yui could even think of retaliating, Lulu grabbed her by the collar and pinned her against the wall. Yui let out a grunt.

"Oh no, did Arimura-san escape?" Usagi asked, followed by Makoto.

"Unfortunately yes, but it seems like she left her behind," Rei replied, pointing at Yui.

Makoto glared at her. She could barely hold back her anger. Lulu was still restraining Yui who, strangely, wasn't putting up much of a fight, and seemed resigned to her predicament.

"It doesn't matter which one we got," Mako said. "I'm going to make her spit out where Ami-chan is!"