Episode Three: Identities Revealed!
Author's Notes: This one has to go out to Chibideme. You are a really great help! Thanks for being such a wonderful prereader!!! And thanks for all your helpful tips about site promotion and whatnot. You rock! Well, dedications aside, I have to remind you that the usual disclaimers apply (see main page). I didn't create the Sailor Senshi, or Sailor Moon, and am using them without permission, but I did make up these new bad guys and this story line. Some juicy stuff happens this episode, so what are you waiting for!? Go read it!!
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"So the Sailor Senshi have decided to show up have they?" The raven haired Empress asked Hoshiko, who was presently giving her report to Karayan.
"Yes, Karayan-sama," Hoshiko answered softly, averting her crimson eyes to the ground.
"Hmmm..." The Empress appeared deep in thought. Her four generals watched,  waiting for her next command.
"Karayan-sama? I thought that the Sailor Senshi had been killed in Beryl's attack. The whole Moon Kingdom was destroyed." Hoshiko replayed the events of that day in her mind. There was a time when it would have stirred up many emotions, but now she felt only one. Hatred.
"I don't understand it... perhaps they survived somehow." Plaxy thought out loud.
"Even if they had, wouldn't they be dead by now? They are mortal, and it has been a thousand years. The last time I checked, the average life span of a human was about 75 years." Kalle said sarcastically.
"Well, this could be a problem. It will get in our way. We need to do something about it. They must be killed." Karayan flicked her wrist, as if this would be the easiest job in the universe.
"They too, have their weaknesses, Karayan-sama. Their 'emotions' got in the way when we were in battle. They would not attack us while we were in the human bodies because of their attachments to the humans." Hoshiko pointed out, almost stealing Plaxy's quote from the day before. Plaxy shot Hoshiko a malicious look, but before a word was said between them, Karayan cut in.
"See? It's just as I've told you! Emotions suck as love and friendship will eat away at you like a cancer. It will only cause you to become soft!"
The four generals stared blankly at the Empress. Corazon could feel her cheeks growing hot. She felt as though her affair with Jorryn was a betrayal against the Empress. She was afraid for her life, but at the same time was devoted to Karayan. Corazon found herself thinking of Kalle, and the bad times she had endured. Tovi, a soldier much like Jorryn, had gotten himself into a relationship with her, but they weren't as discreet. Karayan thought they had both gone mad. To teach them a lesson, she whisked Tovi into her black crystal. Corazon couldn't begin to imagine what she would do if the same thing happened to her.
Now, Kalle's love had faded, and inside she was like a tarnished silver. There was a small nagging part in the back of her mind that would not be silenced. Kalle ignored it, but with her voyage to Earth, she found that the small nagging part of her had grown, or swelled with the pleasant feeling. She had forgotten the word, but was quite sure that it was joy, or something like that.
Hoshiko felt many emotions, perhaps one might say that they were all negative. Right now, she was very angry, but she didn't quite know why. She felt hate. She supposed that these feelings were generated by what had happened on the Moon Kingdom. Serenity in particular. Yes, she was the reason that she felt so bitterly about the Moon Kingdom. But now, Hoshiko had a new feeling. Anticipation. She couldn't wait to take her vengence on Serenity, and she would enjoy it for all the wrong reasons.
"May I ask something of you, Karayan-sama?" Hoshiko bowed at addressing her Empress so directly.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering... if perhaps I could be put in charge of exterminating the Sailor Senshi?" Hoshiko hid the hope in her voice. She couldn't let on how important it was to her. Karayan would never allow it if she knew how she was feeling. It might affect her performance.
Karayan thought a moment and wearily replied, "Yes." Then she dismissed the four generals with the wave of a hand. Plaxy, however, did not leave the room with the rest. "I said you were dismissed," Karayan sounded annoyed.
"I know..but I've been meaning to ask you something." Plaxy tucked a blue strand of hair behind her ear. Plaxy tried to follow Karayan's teachings, to rid herself of emotions, but she still felt things. She was envious of Hoshiko, but was afraid of her at the same time. Although Plaxy wouldn't admit it, she felt an endearment or admiration for her Empress. She just wanted Karayan's acceptance, her praise. Anything to show that she was in her good graces.
"Ask away." The Empress sounded uninterested. She was gazing out her round window at the Earth.
"Why do you give Hoshiko so much authority when she has only been with us a thousand years? I don't understand how she can climb the ranks so quickly." Plaxy tried to sound objective, disguising the bitterness in her voice.
"You're worried that she's taking your place," Karayan gave a half smile. "Don't let jealousy and paranoia cloud your judgement, Plaxy. You're strong, but Hoshiko is stronger. She has a hidden power that you do not know of. She will be the key in this takeover."
"I don't understand, my Empress," Plaxy wanted Karayan to elaborate.
"I anticipated these Sailor Senshi. I heard of their rebirth on Earth. Queen Serenity used her Ginzuishou to send them all to a peaceful future. Don't underestimate them. Hoshiko may be the only one who can defeat them. We must be rid of them before the takeover. Many have tried to take this planet before and failed. All thanks to the Sailor Senshi! However, I will succeed where the others failed! I will take planet Earth!" Karayan scoffed, as she slammed her fist on the arm rest of her golden chair.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, Karayan-sama," Plaxy was a bit surprised at the Empress' outburst.  She turned to leave when the Empress called out to her.
"Plaxy!" Karayan barked, leaning forward in her chair.
"Yes, Karayan-sama!"  Plaxy stood at attention, quickly realizing that she had not been dismissed.
"Although Hoshiko will play an important role in this takeover, it doens't mean that I trust her completely." Karayan said passively, inspecting her black fingernails. She said it so casually, and yet it's implications were anything but.
"Your majesty?" Plaxy sounded confused. She took a step closer to the Empress' large black desk.
"You have always been faithful, and that will not go unrewarded. So I will let you know now, that this new assignment for Hoshiko is partially to test her. I must see how she reacts with the Sailor Senshi. I want you to keep an eye on her. If things get out of hand, I want you to step in and take control. She can't take this assignment personally. It could be very dangerous. Do you understand?" Karayan asked.
"Of course, Karayan-sama." Plaxy could hardly keep the excitement bottled up inside her. She was thrilled to learn that the Empress didn't trust Hoshiko enough to leave her on her own.
"I want you to report back to me if anything comes up, no matter how insignificant it may seem." Karayan raised her eyebrows at Plaxy.
"You can count on me, your Majesty." Plaxy stated.
"Very well, you're dismissed."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"So, it seems we have a new enemy to worry about," Michiru mumbled after hearing the story of the events from two days before. She stood upright with her arms crossed. The fall air was cool against her cheek. All the Senshi had met at Rei's temple, and were standing outside, just near the building.
"We still don't know what they're after," Ami speculated. She was sitting on the stairs beside Makoto. She noticed her breath beginning to show itself when she talked.
"What we do know is that we have to stop them." Haruka said. She stood beside Michiru accross from the inner senshi who were seated on the steps.
Usagi's thoughts drifted from the conversation at hand to the strange dreams that she'd been having. In each four, it seemed a red haired Senshi with striking blue eyes wearing a fuku of black and blue came to visit her. She recalled last night's dream. It had been dark and foggy, as the previous ones.
"Serenity-sama.." the voice called. Then she appeared. She was on her hands and knees, weeping. "Princess, please! I can't stand this pain any longer! Please! Help me!" A single tear fell from her cheek to the ground.
"Tell me who you are!" Usagi begged, knealing down in her dress to touch the girl.
"Why won't you help me, Serenity-sama!?" The girl ignored Usagi's questions.
"I don't know what you want! Tell me what to do!" Usagi had also begun to cry, feeling sorry for this depressing girl.
"Odango?" Mamoru called Usagi back to reality. Usagi jerked and looked left and right to see who had called her.
"Makoto-san asked about Naru-san," Hotaru brought Usagi up to speed. The dark haired girl shivered in the cool fall air. Her thin grey sweater wasn't enough to keep her warm.
"She's fine, she doesn't remember a thing," Usagi nodded.
"Grandpa doesn't remember anything either," Rei said,  holding a rake in her hand. Everyone watched the old man from a distance as he quietly swept the stairs underneath the Torii* at the temple's entrance. "He thinks he just collasped, that's all. Did it ever give him a scare! At least now he listens to me when I tell him to take it easy!"
Usagi drifted back to her own thoughts. Who was the Senshi in her dreams? One of them? Or a trick? What did she want, and where had she come from?? A million questions pounded at the base of Usagi's skull. She debated on whether or not she should tell the others about her dreams. So far, she hadn't said a word to anyone.
"Usako?" Mamoru called her again, this time he sounded worried. "Is something wrong?" he asked, and squeezed her hand.
Usagi smiled at him reassuringly. "Yes!" she said cheerfully, tyring her best to act normally.
"We still don't know what they're after," Setsuna addressed the other girls, trying to let Usagi and Mamoru talk candidly. She leaned against a beam that held up Rei's temple.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, it can't be good." Makoto muttered. Minako nodded in agreement.
"I've had a bad feeling, ever since we were at the mall. I can sense it, this new evil." Rei said seriously as she frowned.
The Outer Senshi nodded, understanding the bad vibes she'd been getting. They'd experienced similiar waves of unpleasantness ever since Hotaru had sleptwalked her way into the kitchen.
It had happened again, the night before. Hotaru and Setsuna had been playing a game of chess, when suddenly, Hotaru's face went blank. Her eyes clouded over, and Hotaru had become very still. A cold chill entered the room. Setsuna had called the others, and they tried to shake her out of it, but it was useless. She sat silently like that for over an hour. Then in whispers began chanting something. It wasn't audible to the Outer Senshi. After another hour, Hotaru's expression cleared, and she took her next move on the chessboard. She looked at them, confused.
"What's the matter?"
Hotaru had indeed been affected by the enemy's presence, but none of them could figure out why or how.
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"Jorryn?" Corazon whispered into the darkness. The library was empty. Utterly silent except for the echoing whispers of Jorryn's name.
"Corazon? Is that you?" someone answered.
"Yes," Corazon said, relieved and followed the sound of the voice. Jorryn stepped out from behind the shadows and flashed a smile at Corazon. She looked up into his black eyes, and ruffled his dark curly hair. He kissed her on the forehead, and hugged her.
"Did you go?" he whispered to her.
"Yes. The Earth is such a beautiful place. Soon we'll be able to go there together and live forever!" Corazon beamed. "I can't wait to be with you. I hate having to pretend we don't even know each other."
"I know. But you know what would happen if Karayan ever found out? We'd be locked away forever in her damn crystal." He muttered, a scowl forming on his face.
"I think I'd rather be sealed in that stone for all eternity than live a day without you," Corazon murmured, hugging Jorryn tightly. "But soon, we'll be on Earth, and everything will be alright," she sighed, resting her head on his chest. She almost expected to hear his heart beating from inside his ribcage, but instead heard nothing.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Usagi walked home from Rei's temple with Luna.
"Luna..?" Usagi asked hesitantly.
"Yes, Usagi-chan?" Luna awaited her question. Usagi took a breath, and opened her mouth to answer, but changed her mind.
"Nevermind..." Usagi sighed.
"What is it? Something must be wrong, you aren't yourself today." The black cat speculated.
"It's nothing.." Usagi said uncertainly.
"Are you hiding something from me?" Luna pretended to be insulted.
"I was just wondering..if you knew anything about another Sailor Senshi?" Usagi asked finally.
"Hmm.. I haven't heard of one, but there are all kinds of Senshi everywhere in the Universe, as we found out with Galaxia. Why do you ask?" Luna wondered.
"No reason in particular, just curious," Usagi said convincingly enough. "Even Luna hasn't heard of another Sailor Senshi. The girl in my dream is probably just a figment of my imagination," Usagi thought conclusively.
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"Sailor Moon!" Hoshiko spat. She tugged at her wavy red hair. The soldier was pacing back and forth, trying to think of a plan to eliminate the Sailor Senshi. "Errr..." she let a growl pass her lips.
"Is that the strong feeling of anger I hear? Hoshiko, you wouldn't want your emotions to get in the way of your mission would you? I'm surprised Karayan assigned you to kill the Senshi. Maybe she has more faith in you that I. But I think you'll take this new mission personally. It's unhealthy for all of us. You'd better be able to control yourself or you could get us all killed!" Plaxy lectured, strolling in the room without warning. She was amused to see Hoshiko in such a fit.
"You dare to talk to your commanding officer that way?" Hoshiko couldn't help rubbing it in.
"Why you!! I can't believe you!! I taught you everything you know!!!"  Plaxy nearly shrieked.
Hoshiko smiled, "Is that the sound of anger I hear?" She then chuckled, a deep throated chuckle. Plaxy closed her eyes, and silently calmed herself down. Hoshiko thought she could hear grinding teeth. "Plaxy, get out of my sight."
If looks could kill... Plaxy glared at Hoshiko, then slowly left the room like a puppy with it's tail between it's legs. Now Hoshiko could continue with her plans for Sailor Moon.
Then it dawned on her. Hoshiko knew better than anyone that physical pain was nothing compared to mental pain. Karayan couldn't understand this. She said that emotions made one weak, and so she didn't have them anymore. However, the sad truth was that the Empress Karayan was dead inside. No feelings of joy or love could warm her black heart. Hoshiko couldn't make Karayan understand that it was her emotions that kept her going. Hoshiko agreed that some feelings made you weak, but that's what she was counting on. Through Serenity's friends and family, she planned to tear the princess apart until Hoshiko was able to destroy her easily.
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Corazon and Jorryn were very careful whenever they met. The library was usually deserted. No one looked after all the records of the Kingdom's past. There were rows and rows of thick log books.
Corazon's step echoed throughout the room as she walked towards the meeting place. Between the 7th and 8th aisle, Corazon was pleasantly greeted by Jorryn.
"Just killing time," He gave her a toothy grin, as he slipped the log book he was reading back into its place. Corazon caught a glimpse of the book before he put it away. He had been reading about the invasion of the Moon Kingdom.
"Hi," she whispered, smiling as she looked up at him. She wondered how this could be wrong. She hugged him tightly and lost all awareness of her surroundings. Right now, this was all that mattered. She didn't even hear the footsteps coming towards them.
"Corazon," Jorryn caught her attention in an urgent hiss. The two seperated as the footsteps neared. Jorryn squeezed Corazon's hand firmly. She could feel herself panicking inside and wished whoever it was would just leave. Not thinking, she squeezed his hand back.
"Corazon," a female voice sounded from behind then. The couple whirled around and tried their best to act casual.
"Yes, Hoshiko?" Corazon tried to keep her voice steady.
"I've been looking all over for you! Where have you been? I need your help on Earth," she replied curtly, then turned and walked away. Hoshiko could hear a sigh of relief come from Jorryn, and then the two started whispering excitedly. Hoshiko wouldn't say anything now, but she was slightly troubled when she saw the two of them holding hands.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Minako pounded away at the buttons on the Sailor V game. Makoto anxiously cheered her on while she racked up the points. Rei was looked at her watch and growled.
"I can't believe she's this late!"
"You didn't expect her to be on time, did you?" Ami chuckled, holding Artemis in her arms.
Usagi ran inside the arcade, breathless. "I'm sorry you guys!"  She panted, bent over trying to catch her breath.
"You ran the whole way?" Artemis asked amused as he noticed Luna heaving on the ground.
"My mom made me clean up my room before I could leave!" Usagi finished finally. Sitting down, she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
"If you would keep it clean like I tell you, then this wouldn't happen," Luna ranted between breaths.
"Just look at it this way, Luna. It's the most exercise she's gotten in weeks!" Rei grinned.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Minako cried, interupting the conversation. "I was so close.." Little drops of tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oh..maybe next time, Minako-chan," Makoto patted her friend on the back and watched the video game screen as the mini Sailor V fell to the ground. A big 'GAME OVER' sign flashed on the screen.
"Hey, is Motoki working?" Usagi looked around. She saw kids and teenagers midlessly popping coins into the video games, challenging each other to matches.
"Uh, yeah, I think so. He had to talk with Unazuki though. I think they're in the back." Makoto said, sitting down at the game, ready for her turn.
"Unazuki-chan is here too?" Usagi was pleasantly surprised. Just then, Setsuna and Hotaru walked by outside. "Hey! Setsuna-san!! Hotaru-chan!!" Usagi called out ot them. The two backtracked and looked in the arcade to see who was calling them.
"Minna!*" Hotaru pressed her hands against the window and waved. The two headed into the arcade to say hello.
"Hello everyone," Setsuna smiled warmly.
"What are you guys up to?" Usagi asked.
"We were shopping with Haruka-papa and Michirui-mama, but I needed a rest," Hotaru explained.
"Oh! Shopping! What did you buy?" Usagi asked, poking her head into their bags.
"Anything good?" Minako asked and peered over Usagi's shoulder.
"Usagi-chan! Don't be so nosy!"  Rei scolded.
"It's alright, Rei-chan," Setsuna reassured her.
Suddenly a scream came from the back of the arcade. People looked over to see what the commotion was.
"Help me!!" A distressed girl called out.
"What's going on?" Makoto stood up from her game. The Senshi gathered with the crowd to see what was happening.
Motoki held a woman off the ground from her neck. She was desperately struggling to break free but it was having no effect on him. Motoki looked different. He had an evil grin on his face, his eyes were a dark black colour. He seemed totally unaffected by the girl's kicking and punching. A circle of people surrounded him, in shock. They weren't sure of what to do.
"Don't anybody move, or I'll break her neck!" He shouted angrily.
"Motoki-san!!" The girls gasped.
"It's the enemy," Luna said. "We have to find someplace quiet. We need the Sailor Senshi!"
"Right!"
The girls quietly ducked into the bathroom hoping no one would spot them.
"Not you, Artemis!" Minako ushered the cat out of the ladies room, his face turning a light pink.
"Alright, everyone, this is it!"
"Moon Eternal!!"
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
"Pluto Crystal Power!"
"Saturn Crystal Power!"
"MAKE-UP!!!"
The group quickly changed into the Sailor Senshi. They didn't even check to make sure the bathroom was empty. They hadn't even thought about it. A deep throated chuckle could be heard from the corner bathroom stall.
"Huh?" Sailor Moon and the Senshi turned around only to face Unazuki. She was peeking from the half open door at the girls the whole time.
"I know who you are now!" she said triumphantly.
"Unazuki-chan, please..You'll keep it a secret, won't you?" Sailor Moon asked.
"We have to go, there's something wrong with your brother!" Makoto said shrilly. There was something unsettling about the look in her eyes. In her black eyes...
"I don't think that's your friend," Pluto warned.
"What?" Venus eyed Unazuki carefully and realized that Motoki and Unazuki had the same crazed look.
"Oh no," Mars backed up.
"Unazuki-chan?" Sailor Moon asked, afraid that Unazuki had been taken too.
"No, Sailor Moon. But you do know who I am. It's me, Hoshiko."
"Who?" Sailor Moon asked, confused.
"Hoshiko Mai. Don't pretend you don't know who I am!" Hoshiko yelled.
"We fought you before, in the alley!" Mars said.
"We met before that," Hoshiko stated.
"No...I'm quite sure that we don't associate with bad guys," Venus quipped.
"We can't stand here forever, we have a situation outside to take care of," Pluto reminded them.
"Motoki-san!" Sailor Moon suddenly remembered.
"By all means, go take care of it. I'll show you out!!!" Hoshiko blasted the Senshi with her hot red energy. The force of the attack threw the Senshi right through the bathroom wall, into the main part of the arcade. They crashed into the game machines. The crowd shrieked and their attention from Motoki to the soldiers that had just been launched out of a wall.
Sailor Moon gasped, the wind had been knocked out of her. Mercury and Saturn  smacked into each other, while Jupiter landed headfirst into a game. It set off all kinds of buzzers and flashing lights. The Senshi leapt to their feet, landing only metres away from Motoki and his hostage.
"Let that girl go!! The Motoki I know would never harm anyone!! I can't let you drag his good reputation in the mud!! I am the Sailor suited soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon!!! On behalf of the moon, and Motoki, I will punish you!!!"
Motoki suddenly threw the girl to the ground. She clawed at her throat, choking and sputtering.The few people that had stuck around helped the girl to her feet, and then they evacuated the arcade with the others who had left long before them.
"Did you see them?" Motoki asked his sister, who was suddenly beside him.
"Yes, Corazon, it worked perfectly. Thank you for the distraction." Hoshiko smirked.
"What!?" Jupiter gaped at them open mouthed.
"I needed to find your identities here on Earth. I knew that you defenders of Love and Justice would show up if we stirred up some trouble! I didn't think you were dumb enough to fall for it, but obviously, I was wrong!" Hoshiko laughed maniacally. "Now that I know who you are, I can come after you any time I wish!!!"
"These were the girls we ran into at the shopping mall, right?" Corazon asked. "Who'd have thought that airhead I picked up would turn out to be a Sailor Senshi!" The two snickered.
"AIRHEAD!!?" Venus curled her hand into a fist and shook it at them in an angry huff.
"Oh yes, Usagi, how's Naru-chan? I hope I didn't hurt her," Hoshiko said sweetly, her red eyes flashing.
"Enough! What do you want with us?" Pluto demanded, pointing her staff at them.
"We want you dead," came Hoshiko's flat reply.The Senshi looked at Hoshiko bewildered. This new enemy certainly was a mystery. "AHHHHH!!!!" Hoshiko screamed as she released wave upon wave of assaults on the Senshi. Venus and Mercury were hit, Mars leapt out of the way, taking Sailor Moon with her to safety.
"Silence Wall!!!" Sailor Saturn deflected Hoshiko's attacks long enough for the Senshi to regain themselves.
"We can't fight back you guys.. It's Motoki and Unazuki!" Sailor Moon cried, finally being hit by one of Corazon's attacks.
"I know! But we're getting killed out here!" Jupiter yelled from across the room.
"Stupid humans." Hoshiko muttered.
"Hey, it makes the job easier for us!" Corazon giggled.
"I don't get it! Since when are you willing to put your friend's lives before your own?" Hoshiko directed her angry question at Sailor Moon.
"Always!! My friends mean everything to me! I'd never sacrifice them! Ever!"  She replied in a pleading voice.
"It's an awfully cheap trick! Why don't you fight your own battles rather than making other people fight for you?" Jupiter demanded angrily.
"You're nothing but cowards!" Venus agreed.
"We have no choice in the matter. Without the aid of human bodies, we're useless!"  Corazon defended bitterly.
"That's no excuse! There is no excuse for invading innocent people." Pluto said seriously.
"Enough talk, we're here for one reason only. To eliminate you!" Hoshiko barked. She raised her arms high in the air, gathering a massive amount of crimson energy. Sailor Moon cried out as Hoshiko shot it towards the Senshi. They waited for the painful blow, but it never came.
"World Shaking!!!" Uranus' voice boomed. Her attack met Hoshiko's and they exploded on contact.
"Sailor Uranus!"
"Sailor Neptune!"; The Senshi were relieved to see their teammates standing in the doorway.
"A planet far up in the sky is my guardian deity...the soldier of the sky, Sailor Uranus!*"
"A planet with the sea of sand is my guardian deity...the soldier of embrace, Sailor Neptune!!*"
"I forgot how many of you there were." Hoshiko mumbled, thinking to herself.
"Mars! Try your scrolls again! They worked last time!" Mercury suddenly remembered from their last fight. Mars nodded and charged towards Hoshiko and Corazon. She whipped out two papers and flung them at the evil beings. Mars wasn't fast enough and the two got out the the way easily.
"I can't even see them!" Saturn was in awe of their speed. She tried to follow their blury figures.
"I know!" Venus chimed.
Mercury, who had pulled out her computer typed furiously away at the keys as she analyzed the data she was receiveing as Hoshiko and Corazon flew around the room. A kick suddenly landed on her back, and she was thrown to the ground.
"AH!" She shrieked, and grabbed her back in pain, as her computer flew out of her hands. She remembered it and scrambled to pick it up again. The other Senshi were hit with attacks from no where, but Mercury was forced to ignore it for the time being as she analyzed the energy patterns they were giving off.
Hoshiko and Corazon went after Mars.
"We can't have you using those scraps of paper on us can we?" Corazon laughed haughtily. The two picked up Mars, each of them grabbed an arm. Then they flew up to the ceiling, with Mars struggling to break free of their grasp.
"AHH!" Mars screamed. Their grip was tight, she felt like her arms might break under the pressure.
"Let her go!!" Sailor Moon cried, running towards them.
"As you wish, princess," Hoshiko said. Corazon and Hoshiko threw Mars on top of Sailor Moon. The two crashed to the ground in pain.
"You guys!" Mercury looked as if she had suddenly figured out a puzzle. "Our attacks won't do much damage to Motoki and Unazuki. We can fight back if only to weaken them a bit. While these enemies are in these bodies, the human part of them seem to gain super strength. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to move around so quickly, because human beings aren't designed to move that fast! If Motoki and Unazuki didn't have the help of super strength, they would sustain serious injury moving so quickly. Our bodies just aren't mean to take that kind of speed."
"So, we've found a way to fight them?" Uranus questioned.
"Yes.. It isn't the best reasoning, but it's a start. They really shouldn't be hurt too much." Mercury confirmed.
"Deep Submerge!!" Neptune's cry rang throughout the air.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!!!!" The attacks complimented each other well, but Hoshiko and Corazon seemed to suddenly vanish and reappear in another spot.
"I see what you mean about being fast," Uranus muttered.
"Tell me honestly, Sailor Senshi. Do none of you remember me?" Hoshiko asked, her voice softened, saddened. Sailor Moon thought she reconized her voice for a second, while the other Senshi looked at each other confused.
"I see.." Hoshiko's voice grew cold. "Maybe this will refresh your memory." Hoshiko threw her hand in the air. Suddenly, a strange black henshin stick appeared in her hand.
"Tanus Crystal Power!!!!"  She cried out, her voice echoing throughout the room. There was a bright light. It was familiar to Usagi in some way. The Senshi watched amazed, as Hoshiko transformed into a Sailor Senshi. The light faded slowly, and Unazuki's body had been replaced by a different form. Hoshiko's fiery red hair hung to her shoulder. She glared at them from matching eyes.
All the Senshi gasped as they saw what Hoshiko was wearing. She donned a black and blue Sailor fuku. Her tiara held a black jewel, her earrings were star shaped. Her shoes were similar to Sailor Venus'. They were black high heels with two anklets instead of one tied at the back with a tiny bow.
"Our enemy is..." Uranus started in disbelief.
"...A Sailor Senshi?" Neptune finished.
"I don't believe it!" Sailor Moon gasped. "It's the Senshi in my dreams!" Everyone was too shocked to even move.
"Do you remember me now, Sailor Senshi?" Hoshiko, asked gravely.
"Stop these games! You're not a Senshi! You're a liar!" Mars growled.
"I guess not... Well then, let me introduce myself!! I am Sailor Tanus, the Sailor suited Senshi guided by Hate and Corruption! Serving on behalf of Empress Karayan and her Kingdom!" Hoshiko bellowed.
"Hate and corruption?" Venus whispered, a doubtful expression on her face.
"Empress Karayan?" Saturn asked aloud.
"Should we finish them off?" Corazon smiled wickedly, taking a step closer in mid-air. She raised her hand and gathered her bright yellow energy.
"Stand down, Corazon," Hoshiko commanded.
"What?" The blonde turned to her superior, confused.
"You heard me. Stand down. We're leaving, for now."
"Y-Yes sir," Corazon answered uncertainly.
"This isn't over, Sailor Senshi. I will make you pay Serenity. Now I know who you are." Hoshiko chuckled to herself. "Ja ne!"  With that, a translucent image of Hoshiko left Unazuki's body. Corazon rose out of Motoki, following suit.
Motoki and Unazuki fell unconscious to the ground. The Inner Senshi ran to their fallen comrades, surprised at their enemy's sudden departure. Pluto, Uranus and Neptune eyed each other, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Plaxy watched silently from the corner of the room. Of course, the Senshi couldn't see her, no one could. She was out of body. Plaxy was rather confused about Hoshiko's actions. She was on the verge of success, but then backed down. Perhaps she should report this to Empress Karayan...
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Why did we leave, Hoshiko? We had them!" Corazon was frustrated.
"Don't question my orders, Corazon," Hoshiko snarled. She was back in her usual uniform, no longer dressed like her enemy.
"Oh, stop acting like you're so high and mighty! This is important Hoshiko! I thought you of all people knew that!" Corazon raised her voice, her temper flaring. "You can't let past emotions get in your way!"
"You're one to talk," Hoshiko said curtly.
"What?"Corazon gasped, stopping dead in her tracks. She could feel the colour drain from her face.
"I know about you and Jorryn," she stated coldly. "So from now on, I expect you to follow my orders without hesitation. Do you understand?" Hoshiko asked cooly.
"That's BLACKMAIL!!" Corazon hissed.
"Do you understand?" Hoshiko repeated it slowly for the blonde.
Corazon shot Hoshiko an angry look. She was wild with inner rage. "Yes," she growled, her eye twitching. Corazon knew that she couldn't afford the scandal. It would cost her her life.
Hoshiko watched as the blonde trotted away in a huff. She smirked at her own deceptiveness. "That will teach her. I won't let anyone stand in my way." Hoshiko wasn't ready just yet to kill the Senshi, although that is what Karayan wished. But if the Empress knew that Hoshiko was making this mission to fit her own personal agenda, Karayan would reassign her. Or worse. Hoshiko wanted Serenity to suffer just as she had. This would take time. Hoshiko spoke quietly to herself as she stood in the shadows of the empty throne room.
"Now, Tsukino Usagi, I have you exactly where I want you."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
*Torii - This is a gatelike structure standing over the entrance of shrines in Japan.
*Minna - Means "everyone," in English.
*Uranus and Neptune's intro. I was unsure of their solo intros, so I looked it up on Hitoshi Doi's "Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon" page.
*Ja ne - Something like "goodbye," or "see ya."

Uh-oh! Now Hoshiko knows who the Senshi are!! And oh my gosh! Can you believe that Hoshiko and the Senshi in Usagi's dream are one and the same!? What's going on there!? What caused Hoshiko's grudge against Serenity and the Moon Kingdom? All will be revealed in time... Until Next time, all comments, suggestions, flames can be sent to [email protected]
Episode Two / SM Renaissance / Main / Episode Four
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