The Inner Senshi stared at the butterfly Animamate, dumbfounded.

"Sailor…?" Jupiter began.

"Heavy Metal…?" Mercury added.

"Papillon…!?" Sailor Moon exclaimed.

Papillon straightened up, staring back at the entrapped senshi.

"What kind of name is that!?" Venus suddenly let out. "Heavy Metal? Really? You couldn't pick out just one metal like the others?"

"Who are you? What is your goal!?" Mars demanded.

Papillon smirked. "Isn't it obvious? I want to see your Sailor Crystals. But first…"

She then looked at Seiren, who was still struggling on the ground, wrapped in Crow's whip. "Seiren-san, I believe now is the time to do what we had agreed upon."

Seiren looked down, her expression turning hesitant. "But… I'm not ready."

"You said you'd do it as soon as you meet Crow-san again," Papillon insisted. "The time has come. You know it's the only way."

Crow grew more and more flustered. "What are you talking about…!? Are you the one who dragged Seiren back into this mess? Because if so… I'll make you pay!"

Papillon sighed. "You always were such a brute. You wouldn't understand. That's why…"

She then turned to Seiren. "You have to do it, now. For her sake."

"What are you blabbering about!? Seiren, what's going on!?"

Seiren looked away. "I'm sorry, Crow-san. I have to do this."

"Seiren…?"

Seiren suddenly stared at her with intensity. " Listen to me, Sailor Coronis. "

Her voice sounded lower, almost ethereal. Crow's body instantly froze and she carelessly dropped her whip. Seiren broke free from the whip and stood up while Crow dropped to her knees.

"C-Crow…!? What's going…?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Oh no! She's getting hypnotized again!" Jupiter exclaimed.

"Seiren-san, please, don't!" Mercury tried to plead.

But Seiren ignored them, her attention solely focused on Crow.

" Hear my words, Sailor Coronis. Do not listen to any other words than mine and mine alone. "

Crow's vision became unsteady. Her body felt limp. All other voices than Seiren's felt distant and she couldn't distinguish what they were saying anymore. They were nothing more than white noises to her. Only Seiren's voice mattered.

"Seiren…" Crow softly called.

"Crow-san… can you hear me?"

"I… I do…"

"Good. Listen carefully. All I want is for us to be together. You do want that too, right?"

What a silly question. This was all Crow ever wanted.

"O-Of course…!"

"Do you want us to be together no matter what?" Seiren insisted.

What kind of question was that? Wasn't the answer obvious already?

"For you, I'd do anything," Crow replied.

Seiren smiled softly, extending her hand. "Then join me. Join us . It's the only way we have to be together and safe."

Yes. They needed to be on the same side. That seemed completely reasonable. Why would they even be on opposite sides? She didn't want them to be enemies. Yes, that was an extremely logical conclusion…

" Join Phantom Galactica with me. "

Yes, she must…

Wait.

Phantom Galactica? Wasn't this just the same as…

The fog in her brain began to dissipate a little. Flashes of memory from her time in Shadow Galactica invaded her mind. All the wrong and terrible decisions that only brought pain and misery to not only herself, but Seiren.

She had betrayed Seiren. She deceived her and ruined her life. She sent her down a path of darkness that ultimately killed her. She was given a second chance to not repeat the same mistakes. There was no way she could walk down the same path, never…

And yet, she couldn't help but want to obey Seiren's voice.

"Crow-san?"

Crow closed her eyes. "Please… don't make me do this…"

"Crow-san…?"

"Please, stop…!"

" Listen to me, Crow- "

Crow covered both of her ears. "Get out of my head, Seiren!"

Her voice sounded truly desperate. Even Seiren was taken aback.

"Crow-san…?"

"I don't want to do this anymore… don't make me become that kind of person again…!" Crow pleaded.

"I…" Seiren seemed to hesitate.

"Listen to her! You are hurting her!" Sailor Moon exclaimed. "You don't have to do this…!"

"Tsk, so annoying…" Papillon snapped her fingers and the wall of flames grew thicker. She then turned to Seiren. "Don't let them distract you. You have to do this!"

Seiren gazed upon Crow, who was still kneeling on the ground, looking like she was in pain.

" Crow-san… do you want to be with me? "

Crow felt compelled to answer. "Y-yes… more than anything…!"

" Do you want to join Phantom Galactica ?"

"N-no… please, I don't want to…!"

"You are not asking the right questions, Seiren-san," Papillon said. "It should be easy for you to blur the line between what she wants and what we want-"

"No."

"... Excuse me?"

"I don't think she wants to."

"Then make her want it…!"

"This wasn't the plan. I can't force someone to do something they genuinely do not want to. And if I deceive her to get her to agree, then it would just be… wrong. I can't do that. Not to Crow-san."

"You have to-"

"She said no. We should respect that."

Papillon stared at Seiren in disbelief, then sighed. "I should have known you didn't have what it takes to do what needs to be done. How… disappointing…"

"Papillon-san…?"

"I'm disappointed in you, Seiren. Very, very disappointed."

Her words sounded like a mother scolding a child but her gaze was cold- too cold for someone literally wielding fire. Seiren didn't know how to react and simply stood there, frozen.

"Sailor Pewter Fox," Papillon suddenly called.

At the speed of light, Fox had abruptly appeared behind Seiren.

"... eh?" was all Seiren had the time to say.

"Would you mind escorting our friend back to our headquarters, please? I'm afraid she won't be of any use for the time being."

Fox grinned. "With pleasure."

She then seized Seiren from behind as the telephone booth suddenly materialized.

"H-hey, let me go…!" Seiren protested. "Stop! Please… Crow-san, help me!"

Crow suddenly snapped out of her trance when she heard Seiren call her name.

"... Seiren? Seiren…!"

But before Crow could do anything, Fox shoved Seiren inside the booth. As the door closed, Fox winked at Crow. The latter rushed to the booth but it vanished before she could reach it.

"I wish it didn't have to come to this," Papillon sighed.

Crow glared at Papillon. "What have you done to Seiren!? Where did you send her!?"

"Tsk- as if I'm going to tell you," Papillon taunted.

Crow clenched her fist. "I'll make you pay!"

She jumped at Papillon, ready to punch her. But in her anger she failed to realize she was rushing right into a trap.

She didn't even see the blast coming. Papillon had shot so fast. The beam came out from her bracelets and went through Crow's body.

"ArghHhhHhh!"

Crow collapsed to the ground as her Sailor Crystal came out from her body.

"... As I expected, you do not have the crystal I am looking for," Papillon sighed. "Yours is truly disgusting."

The crystal floating above Crow's inert body glistened darkly, ominously.

"Yeah, that's exactly how I thought your crystal would look. No wonder you're rotten to the core…"

Crow whimpered, then opened her eyes.

"Oh, you're still conscious. You have always been a stubborn one, huh. Nothing surprising coming from a brute like you."

Crow glared up at Papillon, sneering down at her.

"My, what a scary look. But who gave you permission to look at me like that, you scum?"

As she said that, Papillon suddenly kicked Crow down, again, then again.

"Urgh…!"

"You piece of trash!" Papillon exclaimed. "Someone like you isn't worthy to be a Sailor Senshi. Everything about you revolts me! You can't even do one thing right! If you weren't so stubborn and just let Seiren hypnotize you, we wouldn't be into this situation. It's all your fault, you repulsive, half-baked failure of a senshi-"

"Please, stop!" Sailor Moon suddenly pleaded. "Why are you doing that!? Aren't you two supposed to be comrades?"

Papillon stopped, taken aback by the sudden interruption. She looked up at Sailor Moon, who was still trapped in the barrier of flames with the others. Papillon smirked. She had almost forgotten they were still there.

"Such kindness. You can even feel sympathy and compassion for that piece of garbage," Papillon mocked. But then, her eyes got teary. "This kind of selflessness is so touching! Such purity is worthy of a saint…!"

"... What's up with the crocodile tears again?" Venus commented.

Papillon's expression shifted again as she grinned wickedly at them. "Then I'll give you the perfect death for a saint!"

Papillon snapped her fingers and the flames grew thicker, threatening to gobble them up.

"Ugh! This isn't good!" Jupiter let out. "She wants to burn us alive!"

Ring-a-ling.

"Tinkle resonance!"

A sudden sound wave forced Papillon to back off, and the wall of flames grew thinner.

"Who's there!?" Papillon let out.

A girl dressed as a white cat suddenly jumped between her and the trapped senshi.

"Leave Crow-san alone and let the others go!" the cat girl ordered.

Papillon froze for a moment before she smiled at her. "Well, but isn't it Nyanko-san."

Nyanko cocked her head. "... Do I know you? Don't tell me you're another former Animamate I forgot about-"

"No, no, we haven't met before. At least, not formally."

"Phew! I was starting to get tired of meeting people who know me but I can't remember- and I'd rather not think I could have forgotten such a beautiful woman…!"

"My, thank you," Papillon replied, flushed.

"... is it really the moment for this?" Venus asked.

"Right…!" Nyanko said, flustered. "I'll defeat her and free you all. Mau-"

"Nyanko, wait…!"

Nyanko was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Mouse, standing right behind Papillon.

"Mouse…!? What gives…?"

"That's Papillon!" Mouse exclaimed.

Nyanko raised an eyebrow. "...who?"

"Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon! I mentioned her before," Mouse replied.

"Wait… do I know her?" Nyanko asked.

"Not as far as I'm aware…"

Papillon suddenly turned back to face Mouse, still smiling. "Well, well, but isn't it Mouse-chan. Long time no see."

Mouse shuddered. "P-Papillon-san… I thought you were dead. W-well, not really… but I kind of assumed you were since you… you know, never showed up here."

"Well, I am here now, aren't I? It's nice to see you too."

Carefully, Mouse approached Papillon. "It's not too late. You're only manipulated by those bracelets. You aren't being yourself. We can help you…" Mouse began.

"Mouse, stay away from her, she's dangerous…!" Nyanko tried to warn.

Mouse ignored her warning and finally reached Papillon, her hands softly brushing one of her bracelets. "Let's find a way to get rid of those."

Papillon gazed at Mouse for a moment, seeming like she was hesitating. She then smiled softly, her hand gently caressing Mouse's cheek.

"You know I don't like to hurt children, Mouse-chan…" Then, her expression turned darker. "Good thing that I know now that you aren't a child."

Mouse didn't even have the time to react as Papillon suddenly seized her by the neck.

"Ack…!"

"I do like you, Mouse. It saddens me that I have to do this," Papillon said coldly.

Papillon slowly started to strangle her.

"S-Stop…!" Mouse tried to plead.

"Let her go!" Nyanko yelled as she rushed towards them.

Papillon glanced at her for a second before throwing Mouse at her.

"Waaaa….!"

"Woah!?"

Nyanko didn't have time to catch Mouse and she instead collided with her, making them both fall to the ground.

"Ouch…!"

"Ugh…"

Papillon didn't even give them any time to recover. "Galactica Scales!"

A powerful gust of fire was aimed at them. Nyanko and Mouse barely had the time to dodge it.

"Papillon-san, stop…!" Mouse pleaded.

"Galactica-"

"World Shaking!"

Papillon didn't have the time to cast her attack; she had to jump out of the way to dodge.

"More nuisances!?" Papillon exclaimed.

"Invited by a new age, I am Sailor Uranus, appearing magnificently!"

Papillon scoffed. "I can smell the wind on you… you should know air is just fuel for fire!"

"But can you smell the sea?" Uranus replied.

"The sea…?"

"Deep Submerge!"

A sudden wave of water hit the barrier of flames, instantly extinguishing it. The inner senshi were finally freed and the remaining water splashed on Papillon, much to her annoyance.

"Urgh, really? That's so rude!" Papillon complained. "That's why I can't handle water users…"

"And I'm not done yet!" Neptune added. "Submarine-"

"Neptune, wait…!" Sailor Moon suddenly said.

Neptune stopped for a moment. "What?"

"She's a Sailor Senshi."

"She's the enemy!"

"Still…! I want to talk to her…"

Neptune sighed wistfully. "If you wish so, go ahead. Knowing you, I don't think we can convince you otherwise."

Papillon was quickly surrounded by the Solar System's Sailor Senshi.

"Don't try anything stupid," Mars warned. "You're outnumbered."

"Thanks, but I do know how to count," Papillon said back. "You're all soooo mean. I think I'm going to cry again-"

"Please don't. That won't work again!" Jupiter interrupted her.

Papillon shrugged. "You guys are no fun… alright, I'm all ears. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, first of all… why are you doing this? What's your goal?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I already told you, didn't I? I'm after your Sailor Crystals."

"But why? What are you trying to accomplish?" Sailor Moon insisted.

Papillon seemed surprised by the question. "... Does it matter?"

"I want to understand you. Then perhaps… we wouldn't have to be enemies."

Papillon looked like she was at a loss of words for a moment, until she let out a bitter chuckle. "Well, we wouldn't have to be enemies if you didn't get in my way."

"Excuse me? You're the one who attacked us!" Venus exclaimed. "You tried to kill us!"

"As I said, that's because you got in my way."

"Weren't you the one who attacked us first?" Mars asked. "Weren't those shadowy monsters your doing?!"

"... I just wanted to attract your attention," Papillon justified.

"That makes no sense!" Jupiter exclaimed.

"Papillon… are those things really your doing?" Sailor Moon suddenly asked. "Or is there someone giving you those orders? Are the bracelets…?"

Papillon was starting to lose all patience. "Believe me, I'm doing all of this of my own free will, to accomplish my own goal…!"

"And what's this goal?" Mercury asked.

"How many times should I answer you? I'm after your Sailor Crystals-"

"But why," Mercury insisted.

"Because I'm looking for that one…!"

"Which one?"

"That's… none of your business!" Papillon snapped. "Just stay out of my way and let me search for it…!"

"You know we can't let you do that," Mars replied.

"Then we shall be enemies," Papillon declared with a sinister expression.

Uranus conjured her Space Sword. "Fine by me."

The atmosphere grew more tense. It felt like they might break into a fight at any moment.

Papillon sighed and the telephone booth reappeared behind her. "I'm done with you- for now."

"As if we're going to let you get away with this…!" Venus let out. "Venus Love Me-"

"Venus, look out!"

Jupiter suddenly pushed Venus out of the way before she could get hit by the beams.

"A sneak attack…!? Who…?" Mars frantically looked around.

A small green figure jumped out of the bush and rushed towards Papillon.

"Papi-chan!"

"...Papi…?" Venus reacted, surprised. "Wait, is that… Keroppi?"

"It's Kero kko !" the frog girl corrected.

Papillon suddenly grabbed Kerokko and pushed her inside the booth, going in right after her.

"You'll have to forgive us, but we have to leave," Papillon began. "I have some business to attend to. Ciao!"

"Wait-" Sailor Moon began.

But it was too late. The door closed and the booth disappeared without a trace.

"Shit! They got away again…!" Venus exclaimed.

"Not all of them," Uranus commented.

She then pointed at the unconscious Crow on the ground, her star seed still floating above her.

"R-right, Crow…!" Sailor Moon said. "We have to put back her star seed-"

But before she could do so, Uranus and Neptune stood in her way.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Neptune asked.

"Don't forget she's one of them!" Uranus added.

"Papillon attacked her too, they aren't allies. She isn't with them!" Sailor Moon insisted. "She even refused to join them-"

"Still, she's dangerous," Uranus argued.

"So you want me to let her die!?" Sailor Moon started to get agitated.

"I have to agree with them, Crow… isn't a good person," Mouse suddenly said. "And after what she did to Nyanko…"

"Nah, I'm alright," Nyanko replied. "Crow-san and I actually made up the other day. We're good."

They all turned towards Nyanko, incredulous towards that claim.

"... Really?" Venus asked.

"W-well, 'made up' may be an exaggeration… but she didn't kill me so I'm taking that as progress."

"She still beat you up and kidnapped you!" Mouse exclaimed.

Nyanko shrugged. "This is a slow process, but we are definitely on the right path. At least she doesn't want to murder me anymore."

"That's… setting the bar pretty low," Mars commented.

"Anyway, is that really a Sailor Crystal?" Jupiter asked, pointing at Crow's star seed. "It looks so… corrupted."

"This looks similar to when a star seed turned into a phage," Mercury commented.

"This star seed does seem ominous, but I don't perceive any chaos energy in it," Mars added.

"So this is just how her crystal looks like, huh," Venus said. "I guess that's how you'd expect the 'Lead Crystal' to look like."

"A Sailor Crystal doesn't only represent the Senshi's soul, but the essence of her planet," Neptune explained.

"From what I heard, Coronis was a pretty harsh planet. Not a pleasant place to live in," Nyanko said.

"Regardless, I'm putting it back in!" Sailor Moon declared.

She didn't wait for anyone's permission and seized Crow's crystal, gently pushing it back in.

Everyone took a step back, worried about what Crow's reaction would be. But nothing happened. Crow remained unconscious.

"... Why isn't she waking up?" Nyanko asked.

"To be fair, after getting beaten up by Papillon I wouldn't be surprised if she's just knocked out," Venus replied.

"Speaking of that Papillon woman…" Neptune suddenly turned towards Mouse. "You mentioned her before, right? But you said she was dead…"

"I said I assumed she was dead…!" Mouse quickly clarified.

"Anyway, it wouldn't be the first time a dead Animamate comes back to life," Jupiter said.

"I thought you said you liked Papillon!?" Venus exclaimed.

"W-well, she wasn't that evil when I used to know her… she's not acting like she used to."

"Regardless, we have to deal with them," Neptune said.

"We will have to deal with Seiren too," Jupiter added. "She's with them too now."

"I told you she was too dangerous already and needed to be dealt with," Mouse said.

"Fine by me," Uranus said. "I'll deal with any threats- and that includes Seiren."

"... what did you just say?"

Crow had awakened at such speed and was already back on her feet, much to everyone's surprise. Her expression was blank but there was a glint of danger in her eyes.

"C-Crow-san, wait…!" Nyanko nervously said.

"What did you say you were going to do to Seiren?" Crow asked coldly.

Uranus raised her sword. "If she's a threat to others, we will deal with her. Same with you."

This answer only added fuel to the fire.

"I won't let you harm her," Crow warned with a stern expression.

"Woah, hold on… we can talk about it-" Sailor Moon tried to mitigate.

"If she threatens to harm our people, we won't hesitate," Uranus continued.

"Uranus…!"

"We know Seiren destroyed her own planet. We won't take that risk with ours," Neptune added.

"Neptune…!?"

Crow glared at them. "That's not what happened! And I don't care even if it was! I'll be the one to destroy this entire planet if you dare hurt her…!"

Uranus glared back. "Then you made your choice. You're our enemy, you and Seiren!"

The wind around them stirred, agitated. Crow popped out her black feathery wings, the air accumulating around her as her eyes flashed red.

"I won't let you take her away from me!" Crow shouted. "I will kill every last one of you, every single Earthling, before I even let you lay a hand on her!"

A tornado started forming around Crow, the violent winds threatening to send them all flying in the air.

"Crow-san, calm down…!" Nyanko tried to reach out to her, in vain.

"What's wrong with her!?" Jupiter exclaimed.

"I think she's still partially hypnotized," Mercury replied. "It seems to be amplifying her emotions and making her unstable!"

"If she continues like that there's going to be a huge tornado devastating Tokyo!" Mars exclaimed.

"I'm gonna bring her down from her high horse!" Venus declared. "Venus Love-Me Chain!"

Venus conjured her chain made of light and grabbed Crow's ankle mid-air.

"...huh!?" Crow reacted.

"You come down right at this instant, Crow!" Venus yelled as she pulled on the chain.

Venus managed to bring Crow closer to the ground and attempted to punch her. But Crow was faster and caught Venus's wrist before she could reach her.

"...ugh…!"

"You chose to attack me," Crow began. "I assume you don't mind losing your arm."

As she said that, Crow tightened her grip. Venus felt like her bone might shatter at any moment.

"Argh…! L-let me go…!"

"Venus!" Sailor Moon exclaimed. "Crow, stop!"

Venus tried to break free, but Crow refused to let go, continuing to mercilessly crush her wrist.

"Urgh.. arghhh!"

"Let her go!"

Mars jumped on Crow from behind, forcing her to let go of Venus.

"Ugh! Another one of you pests with a death wish!?" Crow exclaimed.

Crow shook off Mars using her wings, then reversed their position. She wrapped her arm around Mars' neck while holding her still.

"Mars!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.

"You better stay where you are, or you can say goodbye to this girl!" Crow threatened.

The Sailor Senshi stood in place, worried that Crow might go through with her warning.

"Crow… let her go," Sailor Moon asked. "Please."

Crow scoffed. "You think because you ask nicely I'll do what you want? How foolish! You are weak. You are all so weak! I could kill you all if I wanted…!"

Crow's grip tightened around Mars' throat. "Starting with her…!"

"Argh…!" Mars whimpered.

"Stop!" Sailor Moon begged.

Caw! Caw!

Two black birds flew above them. Sailor Moon immediately recognized them.

" Those are… Rei-chan's pet crows! "

The two birds descended right on Crow, attacking her with their beaks.

"Ugh! Stupid birds…!" Crow had to let go of Mars in order to shoo them away.

Sailor Moon rushed to check up on her friend. "Mars!"

Mars coughed a little. "I'm fine…"

The birds continued their assault on Crow, who pulled out her whip.

"You little… huh…!?" Crow glared at them. "You… no, it's impossible… how!?"

"You…!?" Mars reacted.

The two crows flew in front of their master and slowly, their forms changed, taking humanoid appearances. Crow froze when she recognized them.

"No, it can't be… it's really you two!" Crow let out. "Phobos, Deimos!"

Hey there! If you want to see all the art I did for this fic (or any other art) feel free to check my Twitter and Instagram! Both are rickyriddle20 ^^

Check out smlgbtqweek on Tumblr if you want to see the creations people did for this year SM LGBTQ Week!