After the incident with Ami getting kidnapped, Minako was still very on edge. She was worried about Ami. Ever since that happened, her friend had felt distant and regretful to have allowed Yui to manipulate and deceive her. No matter how many times they tried to tell her it wasn't her fault, Ami continued to feel guilty.

Minako tried to go to the vocal training classes as usual but she couldn't keep her attention on it. She used to go at least once a week but had neglected her classes ever since the Witches 5 were back. She had started taking those extra courses a little before starting high school, as a step forward into realizing her dream to become an idol.

But it was hard to focus on her dream with everything that was going on. Minako left in the middle of the class, heading toward the exit of the building.

"I wonder how Ami-chan is doing… I should go check up on her," Minako thought.

"Hi, Aino-san."

As she reached the exit door, Minako froze. She was certainly not expecting the person who seemed to be waiting for her there.

"M-Mimete…!?"

Mimete stood by the door, looking down for a moment. She wasn't wearing her witch outfit.

"It's… just Mimi. Hanyuu Mimi," she corrected.

"Oh… Oh! Mimi!?"

Minako couldn't help herself and jumped on Mimi, hugging her tightly.

"W-woah…!?"

"Ah, s-sorry…!" Minako immediately let her go, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"No, no, it's okay, I was just… surprised."

Mimi suddenly hugged her back for a few more seconds.

"Where were you? I was worried sick for you!"

"You… you were…?" Mimi sounded in disbelief.

"Of course! We're friends, aren't we?"

Mimi looked down, looking flushed.

"Yes, we are…" that statement seemed to make her particularly happy.

"So, where have you been all this time, since you… yeah, you know." Turned back into a daimon.

"I've been laying low. Healing my wounds. Making plans. The usuals."

"Uh-huh…"

"But I was so boooored! Bored out of my mind! I had to come back. And I really needed to see you again, Aino- can I just call you Minako?"

"Eh? Oh, sure…"

"Great! So, as I was saying, I haven't just rolled my thumbs all this time, I've been planning my next move…"

"O-oh…? What… what do you mean?"

Minako was starting to have a bad feeling. The last time they saw each other, things didn't quite end well. At first she was worried Mimete- or rather, Mimi, would be angry at her. But she did seem quite happy to see her again so perhaps she was worried for nothing…

"I mean planning for my revenge against Eudial! And Viluy and Tellu too!"

… Or not.

"R-revenge…!?" Minako exclaimed. "But… why!?"

"Because of what senpai did to me! She needs to pay!" Mimi replied. "And the other two too for being complicit! They all need to pay!"

"W-wait, just a moment…! All three of them are regular humans now-"

"It doesn't matter if they aren't witches anymore, they're still a bunch of bitches who need to pay for what they did to me!"

"Woah, hold on…! Can we talk about it first…!? Is there really a need for revenge?"

Mimi's expression suddenly turned gloomy. "... why would you ask that? Of course there's a need for revenge! After what they did to me… they can't get away with what they've done!"

Minako was inclined to agree for at least Yui. But she didn't think that was the most healthy or moral choice to really make.

"O-of course, I understand… Bidou-san hurt my friend, and Eudial hurt you. I understand the desire to get revenge, believe me, but… it isn't right! Vengeance is never the answer…!"

"You're right, vengeance isn't the answer…" Mimi began.

Minako sighed in relief- a little too soon.

"Vengeance is the question and the answer is yes!"

"No!" Minako replied. "I understand your resentment towards Eudial, and I can't say Bidou-san doesn't deserve it, but what about Teruno-san? She didn't do anything wrong…!"

Minako only realized too late that what she said only added fuel to the fire. Mimi's gaze had turned darker.

"Tellu… did nothing wrong?" she said coldly.

"I mean… now she isn't-"

"That bitch trapped me inside that device for months!" Mimi let out. "I will never forgive her for what she did to me!"

Minako was at a loss for words for a moment. Mimi continued to stare at her with such a sinister expression but slowly, she reverted back to her friendly demeanour.

"We're friends right, Minako-chan?"

"...huh? Oh, yeah, of course…!"

"And as my friend, you will help me, right?"

"Uhh… come again?"

"As my friend, you will help me with my revenge, right? After all, what are friends for?"

"That's… that's not what friends should do, no…"

Minako only noticed too late the black star on Mimi's forehead as she suddenly shoved her against the nearest wall, pinning her.

"M-Mimete…!?"

"Aw, I thought we were on a first-name basis now. But I guess Mimete is fine too," her expression went back to being gloomy. "You said you were my friend. I would have done it for you if you were the one asking for help to get revenge on some bitch."

"I-I… I wouldn't ask for that kind of thing…!"

"You wouldn't need to. I would avenge you in a heartbeat. Because that's what friends are for."

"P-Please, Mime- Mimi! This isn't you! You aren't in your normal state. It's the egg! You are being possessed by a daimon-"

"Don't change the subject! You're my friend, yes or no!?"

Mimete looked at Minako with insistence. Minako stayed quiet for a few seconds, hesitant, until she finally replied.

"I'm friends with Mimi. Not Mimete."

Mimete glared at Minako with such intensity. "So you're just like them. You're a fake friend! If you're gonna betray me like that, then I'll make you pay like them!"

Instinctively, Minako quickly pulled out her transformation device.

"Venus Star Power-"

Mimete slapped Minako's hand, making her drop her device.

"Ouch…!"

Mimete's eyes flashed red. "As if I'll let you get away!"

"M-Mimi, please…! It's not too late to stop! We can help you…!"

Mimete's expression turned bitter. "It's too late. You can't help me. No one can. I can't be forgiven, so what's the point… If I can't be loved, then I'd rather be feared!"

"Wait-"

Suddenly, a brilliant flash from Mimete blinded Minako for a brief moment. When the light disappeared, Mimete was wearing her witch outfit- minus her pearl tiara, which had been broken previously. Instead, she had the black star of the Death Busters on her forehead.

Mimete then magically conjured her witch staff. "Charm Buster!"

A loud blasting noise came out from the staff, assaulting Minako's hearing.

"... argh… Urghhh!"

Minako fell to her knees, hands on each side of her head, desperately trying to block the painful noise, in vain.

"S-stop, please…!"

Mimete looked down on her, unsympathetic to her pain. "I don't know. Are you going to help me take my revenge?"

"W-what…? No way…!"

"Then suffer, you back-stabbing double-faced fake friend! Suffer, just like you made me suffer by hurting my feelings…!"

Minako collapsed to the floor, unable to think straight anymore so much her head hurt.

"Moon Tiara Action!"

Mimete's staff was suddenly knocked off her hands, freeing Minako from its noisy spell.

"Ack…!" Mimete let out. "Who's there!?"

"Minako-chan has been worried about you, how dare you attack her so callously!?" Sailor Moon shouted angrily. "In the name of the Moon, I shall punish you!"

Mimete angrily stared at Sailor Moon. "You… stay out of this, or else…!"

"Mina!"

Artemis jumped off Sailor Moon's shoulder, rushing to the collapsed Minako.

"A-Artemis…?" Minako weakly called. "How…?"

"I was waiting for you outside and got suspicious when you were taking longer than usual, so I called Sailor Moon," Artemis explained.

Mimete grabbed back her staff. "Charm-"

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

The water attack hit Mimete directly, sending her flying and collapsing to the floor.

"Urgh!"

Sailor Mercury had stepped inside the building, followed by the remaining Inner Senshi.

"Do you have any idea how much Minako-chan wanted to believe in you?" Mercury began. "All this time, she trusted you. She defended you against all the odds! And you… you betrayed her! You betrayed her faith in you! You took advantage of her feelings just to hurt her! How dare you!?"

"M-Mercury…?" Minako was shocked by her friend's speech. She could sense how very personal this felt for her.

Mimete scoffed. "Why should I care? She betrayed me first!"

"How did she betray you!?" Mars asked, on edge.

"Because she doesn't want to help me get revenge on those three bitches who I used to work with!"

There was a short awkward silence before Mars replied. "What the… that's insane! Why would you even think she'd agree to do that!?"

"We're the good guys! We fight evil in the name of justice! We don't do vengeance," Sailor Moon concurred.

"I didn't ask you! If you call someone a friend, these silly things shouldn't matter!" Mimete argued.

"If you expect that from a friend, then you are a bad friend," Mercury added.

"I can't say I care much about Arimura-san and Bidou-san, but don't you dare lay a finger on Teruno-san!" Jupiter warned.

"Or else what?" Mimete taunted. "Now that you mention her… she's the first one I'll make bite the dust!"

Jupiter clenched her fist. "As if I'll let you do that! Jupiter-"

"Jupiter don't…!" Minako pleaded. "She isn't herself! She's possessed by that daimon egg…!"

The senshi of lightning paused her attack for a moment, hesitating. "Even so, she's too dangerous…!"

Mimete snickered. "You fool… I have never felt more myself than now!"

As Minako weakly stood up Mimete suddenly grabbed her, holding her in front of her as a human shield.

"Ugh!"

"Stay where you are!" Mimete threatened, her staff pointing at Minako's face. "Or she's gonna get it!"

"You…!" Jupiter could barely contain her anger.

"How awful!" Mars shouted.

"Using someone who was vouching for you as a shield… how despicable!" Mercury let out.

"Mina!" Artemis attempted to jump on Mimete. "Let her go!"

Mimete reacted quickly and kicked the cat away.

"Meo..ww…!"

"Artemis…!?" Minako exclaimed.

"How could you!?" Sailor Moon let out.

"Listen, normally I wouldn't kick a cat, but a talking, sentient cat… that's fair game," Mimete replied.

"You're despicable!" Mars said.

As they all glared at Mimete, the latter began to feel more and more agitated.

"... you all hate me, huh?" Mimete began. "I thought so. I can see it in your eyes. They are so full of contempt towards me... I can't stand it! Everyone who holds hatred in their heart towards me shall be eliminated! All those unforgiving eyes will get closed permanently!"

Mimete then shoved Minako to the floor and ran away.

"Minako-chan!" Sailor Moon let out, rushing to help her friend get back up.

"She won't get away with this!" Jupiter shouted as she went after Mimete.

Mercury delicately took Artemis into her arms. "Are you alright?"

The cat whimpered. "I… I'm alright…! I'm tougher than I look."

Minako weakly stood up, helped by Sailor Moon. "Mimi… why would she become so… awful…"

"I could sense the evil energy coming from her- or rather, coming from her Daimon Egg," Mars began. "It felt more… sinister than before. Something had changed. I think we have to be more careful now."

Jupiter suddenly came back, head down. "I lost her…"

"It's okay, at least nobody got hurt too seriously," Sailor Moon sighed.

"But what are we gonna do now? We can't just stay passive!" Jupiter exclaimed. "I get we can't do much about Arimura-san and Bidou-san since they are humans, but Mimete is still a witch!"

Minako looked down, unable to find an answer. Mars sighed, knowing what they should do next. "We have to tell the others Mimete is back, and more dangerous than ever."

"So… that's it? Is it done…?" Yuuko asked.

Yui was proudly holding her Daimon Shell. "Almost. I successfully fertilized the egg thanks to the daimon DNA I extracted from Teruno-san's blood. And using Mizuno-san's energy, I increased the daimon essence contained in the Daimon Germ. All we need to do is find a suitable host and make it hatch."

Yuuko looked at the egg with awe. "So this is… an actual Daimon Egg now?"

"Well, not exactly. I did make some modifications, mostly on the biological level."

"Huh? What do you mean? I thought the point was to perfectly replicate a Daimon Egg?"

"That would have been the goal if said eggs were perfect in the first place. I wouldn't just replicate something that is flawed without improving it."

Yuuko crossed her arms, perplexed. "How were the Daimon Eggs flawed?"

Yui sighed. "You really don't know? The Daimon Eggs were alien entities, they were essentially parasites in need of a new body. What happens when a parasite infiltrates a different organism?"

Yuuko suddenly realized what that meant. "The Daimon Eggs were parasitizing our body!"

"Exactly. We had our human hearts removed to facilitate the process. We weren't superior beings, we were nothing more than empty shells used as hosts for these parasites!"

There was such bitterness in Yui's voice, but Yuuko thought she might have seen some regret in her eyes. But then, a sinister grin appeared on her lips.

"But this time, it's those eggs that are nothing more than shells. Shells for a highly powerful organic battery!"

"Wait… what?"

"Instead of being a parasite, this is merely a braindead organism trapped in a synthetic shell. But its power is still there, ready to be used by a far superior organism… when our bodies were turned into vessels, they were slightly modified to accommodate the eggs. But this also means we are capable of using their powers…"

Yui's smile grew more sinister. "Truly, this is the best of both worlds… the true path to achieve perfection. We can be the superior lifeform, above mere humans… hehe…"

Yuuko started to be uneasy as Yui continued to ramble: "This is what Professor Tomoe should have done from the start. If only I… Anyway, what's done is done. We can only move forward."

"... Bidou-san?"

"We need to test the Daimon Shell," Yui suddenly said. She then looked at Yuuko. "And you're the perfect test subject for that."

"W-what…? Why!?"

"Why not? Aren't you in a hurry to gain back your powers?"

"Well, yeah… but wouldn't you be a better candidate? After all, your witch level was higher. Shouldn't that mean you are more likely to be compatible?"

Yui shook her head. "Quite the contrary. It's best to test it on someone with a lower level. If even you can successfully assimilate the egg, then it means it's optimal."

Yuuko raised an eyebrow. "Why do I feel like you're just saying that because you want to use me as a guinea pig?"

Yui shrugged. "Suit yourself. You've been taking those Daimon Germs despite how bad they are for your body, but you draw the line at a synthetic Daimon Egg I personally created? I mean, if you are that afraid, I could test it on myself first, but there is no guarantee that if it works for me It'd work for you. The choice is yours."

Yuuko felt conflicted. On one hand, she didn't trust Yui. But on the other hand, she very much desperately wanted her powers back. She loathed her newfound humanity more than anything. And if she let Yui get her powers back first, she might backstab her. She couldn't allow herself to be discarded, she had to be useful to Yui until she achieved her ultimate goal. All risks were worth it. She didn't have a choice. Her life was already at risk. She knew Kaolinite wouldn't accept any more failures.

"Alright," Yuuko finally made up her mind. "I'll do it."

"So Mimete is back," Michiru said.

After the incident with Mimete, the inner senshi called for a meeting with the outer senshi. They had gathered at their usual spot, their hideout under the arcade.

"Maybe we should have gotten rid of her when we had the chance," Haruka said.

"Woah, hold on- you can't possibly think that!?" Minako protested.

"She attacked you and threatened you all. Why are you still defending her?" Haruka asked.

"Because… she's still a human at her core! She's just corrupted, we can still heal her…!" Minako insisted. "We can still save the person she truly is- Hanyuu Mimi."

"I don't mean to be rude but… do you even know what kind of person Hanyuu-san is?" Setsuna suddenly asked.

Minako was at a loss for words. "Eh…?"

"I'm asking because you seem so focused on this Hanyuu-san girl, but do you even know her? Do you even know if she's worth saving?"

"W-what!? Of course I know her! For a brief moment, I did know her and befriended her…!" Minako let out.

"You befriended Mimete," Setsuna clarified. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but she didn't have her heart crystal when you befriended her."

"But she gained it back! And I saw that she wasn't a bad person…!"

"But she didn't remember being Hanyuu Mimi, didn't she?"

Setsuna's words were calm and rational. They weren't meant to be cold or cruel, but they still felt like a stab to the chest for Minako.

"W-well… heart or not, memory or not, she was still not evil…!" Minako argued.

"But can you truly say you knew the real Hanyuu Mimi if both times, there was a fundamental part or her that was missing?" Setsuna insisted.

"If anything, her having both her heart and memory back and acting this callously seems to indicate that this is who she truly is," Haruka interjected. "You just never knew the real her."

"That's absurd! She isn't herself either right now!" Minako protested. "It's that daimon egg making her evil-"

"No, it's not. She had that egg before, when she still hadn't gotten her heart back, and she wasn't as bad as how you're describing her," Michiru suddenly chimed in. "It leads me to believe that this is her true nature, even if influenced by the egg."

"It can't be-"

"I'm sorry, Minako-chan, but… I think they are unfortunately right."

Minako couldn't believe who had just said that. She turned back to stare at her.

"...Ami-chan…?"

Ami looked away, feeling conflicted. "I understand how you feel. You want to see the good in someone you view as a friend. I get that, but… sometimes people are just bad. You can never truly know what's in someone's heart. Sometimes you thought you knew them but they end up betraying you…"

"Ami-chan…" Usagi said softly.

"Hanyuu-san isn't like Bidou-san!" Minako snapped. "Bidou-san is evil regardless if she's a daimon or not. Hanyuu-san is just… corrupted…"

Even Minako started to doubt herself.

"I get it. It's hard to accept that some people are just not who we thought they were," Ami continued. "I do want to believe she isn't that bad, but… she attacked you and hurt you. She hurt Artemis too. She threatened us all. I can't just ignore all those facts. I'm sorry…"

Minako looked at her other companions for support, but they all averted her eyes. Even Usagi seemed unsure what to think.

"So, what are we gonna do about her?" Rei asked.

"She's a monster now. We don't have to hesitate to strike her down if she's a threat," Haruka declared.

"What? No!?" Minako said. "We can't kill someone who is still technically a human. Even if she's not a good person, we don't have the right to do that! We can just purify her-"

"Then we'd just risk another situation like Bidou-san and Arimura-san," Makoto suddenly chimed in. "We'd be stuck with one more evil human we cannot properly deal with. At least now we can avoid that moral dilemma."

"I can't believe it… not you too!? Mako-chan, you can't be serious!?"

"It's not like I want her to die, but we have to protect ourselves and innocent people," Mako rationalized.

"But she used to be human! How is that not a moral dilemma!?" Minako insisted.

"She renounced her own humanity. She only has herself to blame," Haruka added.

"No she didn't! Eudial is the one who turned her back into a daimon! It's not fair to punish her for something that was imposed on her. Even if she may not be a good person, she's still a human at heart!"

"I may not think she's a good person, but I still don't think we have the right to end a potential human life, either," Ami suddenly added. "Even Bidou-san… I don't think any of them deserves to die."

"I think so too!" Usagi finally stepped in. "We should at least give her a chance. We aren't even sure if she is a bad person. Let me at least purify her and then we can decide what to do next."

Haruka sighed. "Of course you'd say that. You always want to give everyone a chance, regardless of the risks and consequences. Do you really think she's worth the risk?"

"I was," Hotaru suddenly said.

Everyone looked at the youngest senshi, shocked by what she was implying. "Without Usagi-san, I wouldn't be here now. It's all because she took a risk just to save my life. Do you really think I wasn't worth the risk?"

Haruka suddenly looked very uncomfortable, same with Michiru and Setsuna.

"O-Of course you were worth the risk…!" Haruka quickly said. "But this isn't the same thing! You were an innocent child, while Hanyuu Mimi is…"

"She is still an innocent person, who got turned against her will into a monster, regardless of her moral character as a human. It wouldn't be fair to not give her a chance," Hotaru explained.

Usagi nodded. "Exactly! Hanyuu-san may not be an innocent child, but she was still blameless in what happened to her. She's a girl our age, how could we possibly just eliminate her like she's nothing more than a monster?"

Rei and Ami nodded, agreeing with her. Makoto was still on the fence but didn't speak out more. Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna were still hesitating.

"If you want to try purifying her, be my guest. But if she is threatening anyone's life, then I won't hesitate to perform my duty," Haruka declared.

Michiru and Setsuna seemed a bit more hesitant but still seemed to agree with Haruka's take.

Minako suddenly had an idea. "Teruno-san!"

Makoto immediately reacted. "Huh? What about her?"

"She knew Hanyuu-san before the whole Death Busters incident, right? If there's someone who can tell us more about what kind of person she truly is, then it's her."

Makoto frowned. "Teruno-san doesn't want to get involved anymore."

"That's not involving her if we just ask for her input-"

Makoto's expression suddenly turned to panic as she realized something she had forgotten. "Shit, Teruno-san!"

"Huh?" Usagi reacted, confused.

"Mimete said she'd go after her too!" Mako exclaimed. "We have to check on her now before it's too late!"

I'm still shocked that I managed to not include Mimete in the story for at least 8 chapters. The level of restraint I had to not shove my fav witch into the plot (Mimete surely wouldn't have liked to be side-track from the story for so long xD)

If you're interested, just a reminder that I have a villain-themed Sailor Moon server. Let me know if you'd like to join.