"Well,what does it say?"
Usagi looked around as everyone leaned over for a better look at the mysterious letter from the former Queen of the Moon.Her hands were shaking in confusion.Setsuna lay her hand on her shoulder.
"Shall I read it for you?"
Usagi nodded,unable to find any words to say.She slowly sank to the ground,hugging her knees.Mamoru kneeled down next to her and held her while Setsuna unfolded the aged yellowed paper inside.
"My Dearest daughter,"she read."I hope that when this letter finds you, you are alive and well.But I am also sure that this letter will confuse you greatly,and for that I am sorry.Things have been confusing for me as well.Your father has returned to me and we are living happily together.If I ever get the chance,and the strength,I will return to you.Until then please do not worry.Your father and I love you,and will be eternally proud of you.Signed,Queen Serenity."
Setsuna looked over the edge of the paper at Luna.
"This has to be a fraud.Where did you get this?"
Luna looked over at Artemis,and then cleared her throat.
"Before I start this story,I suggest we call a meeting.Besides,we have two issues to address."
"Two?"Rei looked surprised.
Luna motioned over to Arashi,who was leaning against the car,regarding them all in silence.
Everyone looked at the letter in awe as it lay on the table before them.Haruka stared across the room with distrust at Arashi,who was sitting very close to Mamoru.Arashi looked around nervously,then caught Haruka's gaze.For a brief second Haruka saw the fall of the Earth Kingdom reflected in her eyes,but looked away quickly.
"Now then."Luna jumped up onto the tabletop and sat beside the letter."You all I'm sure have the same question on your mind.Where did this letter come from.The answer to that is simple,and yet is not."
Artemis joined her on the tabletop."It all started a few weeks ago.Luna and myself had reoccuring dreams where Queen Serenity was calling us to the moon.At first,we didn't discuss these dreams with each other,for they were vague and broken.But then they started with more frequency and more clarity.Since none of you girls had had the dreams,we decided not to alarm you,and headed off to the moon on our own."
"Once there,"Luna continued."We encountered a hologram of Queen Serenity,that directed us to the remains of the throne room.It was there,on the throne,that we found this letter.It was addressed to you,Princess Serenity."
Usagi looked up."But what does it mean?"
"Has anything odd occurred in our absence?"
Usagi looked at Setsuna,and then Rei.
"It really is a long story,but I'll try to make it as short as I can.A new girl named Shiro Lunako showed up at our school a couple days a go.I was walking home from school with her when we were attacked but this strange girl who says she's Princess Oniko.She kidnapped Lunako and dissappeared.Then I had this dream where Queen Serenity and my father reunited right after the fall of the Silver Millenium.Oniko was in it though,and I heard someone screaming a warning at me right before I woke up.Then Oniko attacked Rei and I today,then you showed up and that's where it ends."
Luna turned to Mamoru."And where does this young elf fit in?"
Arashi looked up in surprise.She ran her fingers through her hair and over her ears.Her elven traits disappeared and she once again looked human.
"She's a very old friend of mine."Mamoru looked at Arashi and then at Luna."From the Silver Millenium."
"Then what are you doing here?"Makoto asked politely.
"I came here to help."Arashi smiled.
"Help with what?"Michiru leaned forward slightly.
Arashi took a deep breath and sighed."Can't you feel it?There is an evil force building here in Tokyo.It grows by the minute,waiting for the dawn of the Neo-Silver Millenium to make it's strike.When we least expect it."
"What is it?"Luna asked.
"I don't know."Arashi looked away."But I've felt it's energies before."
"I don't trust her.It's a s simple as that."Haruka gripped the steering wheel and glared at the road ahead.
"Haruka."Michiru leaned back and let the wind wash over her."When have you ever trusted anyone new that comes our way?You didn't trust the Princess as first."
"And neither did you."
Hotaru coughed in the back seat."I think this conversation is moot until we can see what this Arashi character is up too.She may be an ally,or not.Mamoru-san seems to trust her."
"He could be brainwashed."Haruka noted.
"Wouldn't that be like the fifth time or something?"Setsuna groaned."I don't think that's it.She seems genuine.Anyways,she said she was going to enroll in the school so that she could keep an eye on things.And since we'll be there also,we can keep an eye on her."
"That's a good point."Haruka nodded."Setsuna,who is this Oniko?You did see her right?"
"Yes,I saw her."Setsuna clenched her teeth."She threw off my attack like it was nothing.She's very powerful."
"What do you think she's after?"Hotaru asked.
"Well,"Michiru thought aloud,"She's always attacked Usagi and whoever she is with.It seems to me that she is after the Princess.Or maybe the Silver Crystal?"
"Who isn't after the Silver Crystal?"Hotaru shook her head."We can't keep guessing at what she's after.We'll just have to wait and see."
Oniko sighed as she brushed out her long red hair.Things were not going her way.She didn't know who that elf-girl was,but she'd left a nasty bruise.And that man in the Tuxedo,who the hell was he?She slammed the brush down onto her dresser table and stalked out of the room.
Problems?
Oniko turned to face her master.She kneeled before the swirling mass of darkness.
"Nothing I can't handle my lady."
Are you sure about that?I saw what they did to you today.The Sailorsenshi are relatively weak compared to you.But you must watch yourself around the Princess and the elf.
"I understand."
The massive cloud of darkness dissappeared,and Oniko stood and started pacing.She needed a new tactic.Something she could use to lure the Elf and the Princess here.
For over one-thousand years I've waited to avenge my death at your hands.
Oniko stopped pacing.She knew she knew that elf-girl from somewhere before.One thousand years ago would've been around the time that she attacked the Earth Kingdom.That's it!!!She turned and ran down the hallway,down the spiral stairs into the dungeon.She grabbed a torch from the wall and descended into the darkness.
"Hello?Is anyone there?"
Oniko sneered and banged on the prisoner's celldoor.
"Shut up!!"
Oniko peered in through the small cell window.Lunako sat huddled against the wall,hugging her arms and shivering.Beside her sat a young man,no older than eighteen in appearance.She fumbled for the keys in the dark and unlocked the door.It swung open with a loud creak and slammed against the wall.
"Come along Galen,we have work to do."
"I'm really greatful to you for offering me a place to stay."
"It's nothing really."Usagi waved it off and laughed slightly.She felt kind of guilty about this,but this way should could keep an eye on Arashi,and keep her away from Mamoru at the same time.
"You really don't have to worry about Prince Endymion."Arashi said fluffing the pillows and without looking up."I really have no romantic interest in him."
Usagi backed away nervously,"You can read minds?"
"No."Arashi turned and smiled."You were speaking out loud."
"Oh!"Usagi blushed furiously."I-I'm sorry."She stammered.
"No need to apologize princess.To tell you the truth,"Arashi dropped her voice and grinned,"when I was younger,I did fancy him quite a lot."
Usagi was taken a back a little,but said nothing."Well,we'd better get some sleep if you want to get to school early tomorrow."
"Listen to you!"Luna exclaimed."Just this morning you were griping about how you wanted to sleep in."
Usagi knocked Luna on the head and left,waving goodnight to Arashi.Arashi smiled after her for a moment,then flipped out the light.The warm spring breeze wafted in from the open window,allowing the curtains to ruffle in the breeze.
2:00 am.Arashi opened her eyes in the shock that someone was standing beside her bed.She was turned away from them,but could still feel their presence.Her heart beat quickened in her chest as she struggled to remain calm.She felt the bed depress beside her as whoever it was sat down.
"Arashi."the person whispered."It's time to wake up."
Arashi clenched her teeth and rolled over sharply,throwing the person of the bed.She stood angrily to face them,but gasped at the realization that nobody was there.She covered her eyes with her hand and sank back down onto the bed.
"Stupid."she whispered."It was just a bad dream."
"Don't you wish?"
Arashi froze,but before she could turn towards the voice,a stabbing pain assualted her senses and everything went black.
Usagi pounded up the stairs,grabbing a piece of toast off the table on her way up.
"Arashi!!"she called between bites."We're late for school!!"
She threw open the door and stopped in surprise.The attic bedroom was empty,but Arashi's stuff was still there.She set down her bookbag and looked around,the bed was made,and a small silver chain sat curled up in the middle of the bed.Usagi picked it up and looked it over curiously.The clasp was broken,and the delicate chain was pulled tight in some places,as if it had been stretched out.Downstairs she faintly heard the telephone ring.
"Usagi-chan!!"her mother called,"Telephone!"
"Coming mother!"
Usagi grabbed her things and ran down the stairs,picking up the reciever.
"Hello?"
"You're wondering where she is aren't you?"
Usagi almost dropped the phone."Who is this?"she whispered,trying not to let her mother overhear.
"She's right here you know.I came into your house during the night and took her away.She's a crucial part you know."
"Who are you?!"
"A friend of Endymion's."
"What?"
There was a faint click on the other line as whoever it was hung up.
"Hello?Hello?!"
"Who was it dear?"Ikuko came out of the kitchen,drying a plate.
"I don't know."Usagi recradled the reciever."I think it was the wrong number."
"That's funny,they asked for Usagi."
"Huh.....well Mother,I've gotta run!Bye!!"
Luna ran to catch up with Usagi.
"Usagi-chan!Wait!"
Usagi stopped and put her hand over her heart,gasping for air.
"What is it Luna?"
"Who was that on the phone?"
"I don't know."Usagi looked off towards the sky."It may have been the enemy.
"Oniko called your house?!"
"No.It was a boys voice.And he had an accent."
Princess Serenity.
Usagi turned.Luna looked up at her anxiously."What Usagi?What's wrong?"
"I heard someone.....call my name."
Princess Serenity.
"There!There!Did you hear it?"
"No."Luna shook her head.
"Talking cats again?"
Usagi turned and blushed."Asanuma-chan!!!"