To be clear again, the Neo Senshi and their allies' stories are the creative property of my friend Japananimegirl. I'm just the editor, and I post them because she doesn't have a fanfic account here or on AO3. So please remember that!
Since there was no return address, trying to write back to whoever sent the letters was pointless. "Your Highnesses, please, is there anyone, anyone at all, you could think of who would do this?" Sara pleaded for some information. As the Aqua Senshi could not think of any leads themselves.
"We are regretfully at a loss, Sara. We have no idea who this could be." Delphin's sad ocean-blue eyes looked at the young woman.
"What if it's more than one person?" Lina put forward the possibility. She was sitting nearby, holding a notepad and a squid ink pen to jot down any suspects they thought of.
"We don't know that for certain yet," Karen responded sensibly.
"It needs to be someone who can survive underwater. That would make the most logical sense." Orca reasoned, to which everyone nodded in agreement.
Only one person didn't nod in agreement with Orca's logic."Not neccessarly, Orca. I'm no criminal investigator. But if I wanted to take down someone? I'd lure them to my turf to ensure I have the advantage." Coco pointed out boldly.
"Unfortunately, Coco, you bring up a very viable point." Their gorgeous Queen swam back and forth fearfully—the captivating blond sovereign strained her to think of anyone who would have the slightest quarrel with her. Yet, in the end, she came up with nothing.
Unexpectedly, one of the dolphins, Clipper, who usually pulled the Queen's golden seashell carriage to land, swam in. They're squeaking in a shrill way. Those Aqaua Senshi, whose nails had been striped colors of red, blue, and grey, rapidly switched to orange!
"Clipper, what's wrong?" Sara stroked Clipper's side softly to calm him when she noticed him bleeding!
Knowing exactly what to do, the Aqua Senshi beached the dolphin to make sure his blowhole was clear and still working, which it was. They ensured he stayed wet and cool, even pouring cold water on him, avoiding the blowhole, dorsal and pectoral fins, and tail flukes as advised. They dug holes under the pectoral fins and chest area, filling them with water to lay Clipper comfortably in. This seemed to calm the animal, so his bleeding slowed considerably. Minutes later, a handmaiden delivered medical supplies to the girls, and they began to patch up their injured pal.
Unfortunately, seven bird-like females attacked Clipper, none of whom were Marina or Lily! Instantly, the mermaids transformed to defend their gentle friend and themselves!
"Leave Clipper alone!" Orca, now Sailor Amphirite, used her Crystal Trident to blast seawater and energy at these monsters.
Sailor Amphitrite only hit one. That being a short girl with black and white hair and blue eyes. Lucy had transformed into Sailor Pacific, and Karen into Sailor Mediterranean. They did the same thing, hitting two more: One had blue hair and the other pink! Hannah, Sailor Atlantic, and Noel or Sailor Arctic sent superheated, electrified water! This got through the rest of them!
"Are you having trouble figuring us out?" That pink-haired woman with purple eyes cackled madly.
"It is a shame you attacked us without even giving us your names so we can address you properly. Even as enemies, it is common courtesy." Sara, disguised as Sailor Gulf, walked forward.
"I am Maria." Another redhead, like Lily, but with blue eyes, introduced herself. Then, pointing to each of her sisters, she gave their names.
Tune-Black and white hair, blue eyes. Aria-Pink hair, purple eyes. Clef-Black hair, blue eyes. Aqua-Blue hair, green eyes. Harmony and Destiny (identical twins)- Blonde hair, pink eyes.
"You must like music." Lina, or Sailor Dead Sea now, spoke sarcastically.
"That dolphin seemed to love it enough to come to the surface for our attack." Clef taunted.
"What do you mean?!" Leader of the Aqua Senshi demanded.
With the twins in the lead, these things began to sing, and it sounded just as good, if not better, than the Aqua Senshi! They had to grab Clipper to stop him when he tried to swim toward the enchanting sound coming from the bird-like females again! The feelings the Aqua Senshi got from these voices are dreamlike, loving, and pleasurable.
Except there were other feelings they could not ignore: Decadence, contempt, lust, and pain! After a few minutes, the Aqua Senshi had to de-transform out of exhaustion from many emotions and dissatisfaction with their opponents' weaknesses so easily found and exploited. These avians controlled a wave to wash them and Clipper away! Shaking off the shock, something clicked in Lucy's brain, and she could not believe she had not thought of it before, and her nails turned yellow, matching her blond locks! "Girls, do you think Naia might have any solutions to this mystery?"
"Oh, yes! If anyone knows something, it will be her!" This blonde with a green streak mer-princess agreed happily. "Clipper, go home and stay close to your brother."
Clipper's older brother was the other dolphin who pulled the royal carriage. It is easier to pair younger siblings with an older one or a parent as they can teach the youngster how to do their job best. Not knowing how much time they had to piece things together, the girls gathered what little they could at the palace connected to this twisted story and hurriedly swam to Naia's hideout.
As they traversed, a thought struck Sara, and as much as she tried to banish it from her mind, it kept nagging at the edges of her consciousness. She knew, sooner or later, she would have to say something. "Wait! What if Naia is the one planning to de-throne our Queen?!"
"SARA!" This aquamarine-tailed princess thundered. "Naia has been our ally as far back as anyone can remember! How could you say such an awful thing?!"
"Well...Naia is the only one I could think of who could gain something if the Queen was de-throned. I know Naia has been a pure-hearted woman to us thus far. However, do you remember she used to control all the seas and oceans?
When our families rose to power, she was our Wise Woman. Who is to say she doesn't want to reclaim her former power and has just been biding her time?" This auburn-haired mermaid clarified her reasoning.
"While I understand our desperation for suspects, I think we need better reasonable proof, Sara. Naia is powerful but has never indicated she is displeased with my Mother. Also, she is the one who chose our families as royals and decided to place herself as a Wise Woman. Plus, she's been especially kind to you." Orca spoke defensively.
"As much as we want to trust Naia, we should watch ourselves," Coco advised.
"No, it can't be true! Naia would never, ever harm anyone, but...we do have zero suspects up until now. What if Naia has been laying low and pretending to be on our side all these years?!" Orca hated thinking this, but she had to consider her friend's option of being cautious with whom she trusted for Oki's safety; it was difficult not to be comforted and captivated by the pink, lilac, shades of blue and yellow softly glowing crystals, which made up most of Naia's hideout. Here, the girl's nails always become white.
"Naia!" Lucy called and waved when the Wise Woman came into view.
"I'm surprised to see you, princesses. Queen Oki told me she ordered you not to leave the palace after her ordeal?" Naia smiled teasingly when she saw the girl's face pale.
"An emergency came up." Sara began to explain before she was abruptly cut off.
"Clipper was wounded!" Noel stated, perhaps a little louder than needed. Nonetheless, the situation with the dolphin had stressed her out.
"I know already of Clipper's injuries, my darling princesses. I was informed by the Queen herself. I am pleased you girls knew what to do." This blue-skinned woman continued to smile, but it was warm, proud, and serene now.
"Part of being an Aqua Senshi is knowing how to help all marine life!" Seira stated defensively. She didn't like the thought they were being patronized.
"Yes, it is critical to remember that. Unfortunately, my dears, Clipper wasn't the only one wounded." Naia revealed with sadness, etching its way across her attractive features.
"What?!" everyone yelled in a flabbergasted tone.
"When you girls are gone, Oki received...less than pleasant gifts." Naia's blue eyes softened with silver tears.
They were still determining if they wanted to know what these gifts were, but they needed to know. So, Naia showed them in one of her Viewing Crystals. These girls watched in apprehension as their Queen opened packages sent to her. Again, there wasn't a return address. The packages contain several dead sea creatures! As Oki screamed, petrified, so did the Aqua Senshi, but the projections ended quickly.
"Who would think THAT is a gift?!" Hannah shouted angrily.
"I have my suspicions, but I wanted to know if you girls might have any ideas?" The ravishing green-haired lady questioned them in a quiet tone.
"No...well...a flock of bird-like women attacked Clipper. Do you think they would do this too?" Orca questioned uneasily.
"Bird-like women?" Naia seemed genuinely confused.
"You haven't heard of them?" Their princess feared this was one mystery Naia could not solve for them.
"I can only communicate with what the seas and oceans tell me. They see much, my princess. Yet they do not paint the clearest picture. Even though my crystals show me what happens on the surface, I do not always understand." Naia clarified to the heir to the throne.
"Naia, someone is trying to de-throne the Queen. Do you have any idea who?" Lina tried to word her question carefully.
"Any suspects?" Naia inquired as she started to tremble with fear.
"None. That's why we thought to come ask you." This green mermaid clarified.
"While Oki is beloved and admired, my brave warriors. I wouldn't count anyone out until you girls interview the others." Naia advised wisely. She then turned coldly to Sara. "As for you, Gulf Princess, I was informed you thought of me as a suspect?"
"Uh...I-I was t-too hasty in blaming someone because I am concerned for our Queen's safety! And as you now know, we have no suspects." Sara stuttered in fear.
"So, your first choice is me...really, Sara? I am in disbelief at how disrespectful you were. Regardless, I understand what you are saying. However, I have no issues with Oki." the ocean mystic replied sincerely.
"I apologize." Sara bowed. She was ashamed for even considering Naia a suspect.
"Please, don't punish Sara, Lady Naia! She didn't mean any harm." Seira clutched her saddened friend.
"Don't fret, Seira. Sara knows she made a mistake. We all do and say things we don't mean when stressed. She apologized, and I accepted it. So, let's put that trouble behind us." Naia declared, which everyone was relieved at.
"If we want to find out what those creatures are, maybe we can ask the land Senshi to help investigate?" Noel suggested.
"'That's a brilliant idea, Noel. Well done." Naia praised the navy girl's intelligence, flushing her face with pride.
"Thank you, Lady Naia. Let's get to our own Command Center!" Orca dived beneath the depths, followed by her friends.