AWAY TO THE RACES

Kami walked down the street, swinging her bag beside her and munching on a pastry. She hummed happily to herself, feeling the warm sun on her shoulders. Two young kids ran past her, shouting and laughing and Kami had to resist the urge to join them. It was a beautiful day and everything was as it should be.

Two weeks had past since her debut performance – part two – and since then she had been having a run of extraordinary good luck. The concert had been recorded and she heard her songs everywhere she went. Michiru was finally talking to her and the two girls were spending more time with each other. Haruka was still cold to her, but seemed to tolerate her for Michiru’s sake.

A horn honked from the street beside her and Kami turned to see Haruka and Michiru in Haruka’s yellow convertible.

“Kami-chan!” Michiru called.

Kami skipped over to where they were parked. Haruka kept her eyes ahead and her face expressionless, but Michiru was smiling happily.

“Hi!” Kami said. “Where are you two off to?”

“An art exhibit,” Michiru replied. “Then to the motor cross races. It’s kind of a thank you to Haruka for coming to the gallery with me.”

“Sounds fun,” Kami said.

“Do you want to come?” Michiru invited.

Kami looked from her friend’s smiling face to the stern expression of Haruka. She sighed, wondering what it would take to get through to her.

“I can’t,” Kami said. “I have a lessons I need to get to.”

Michiru shrugged. “Maybe another time.”

Before Kami could answer, Haruka sped away. Kami watched them fade into the distance.

*****

“That was very rude,” Michiru remarked.

“She can’t be trusted,” Haruka said. “You’re getting soft.”

“I think Usagi is right,” Michiru told her partner. “Kami is a nice girl and doesn’t show any characteristics of the evil queen.”

Haruka grunted something in reply, but Michiru couldn’t tell what it was. She sighed and sat back to enjoy the ride. She was being careful with the girl, but there was something about her she found hard to hate. Kami was a decent person who seemed stuck with a bad fate, but that didn’t mean she had to be despised while she was good. Michiru watched her partner drive. She realized that Haruka had given her a hard time when they had first met as well. With a sudden surge of jealousy, Michiru hoped Haruka would never grown too close to Kami.

The yellow car sped toward the gallery.

*****

Kami came home later that night, exhausted. She went straight upstairs without saying hello and into the bath. Usagi watched her friend go into the bathroom from her bedroom, her eyes filled with worry.

“I wonder what’s wrong?” Usagi asked.

“She’s tired,” Chibiusa said, looking up from the drawing she was colouring.

“Why?” Usagi asked, turning away from the door.

“She’s in training,” Chibiusa replied. “The Games are coming up in a few weeks.”

“Games?” Usagi repeated. “I didn’t think Kami was into sports.”

“She’s not,” Chibiusa said angrily. “Just horseback riding. Don’t you pay attention to your friends? She told us about it last week at dinner.”

Usagi thought back to the meal in questions but could only remember her mother’s sea food and egg rolls. Her mouth watered at the thought. Chibiusa sighed and left the room. A few seconds later, she came back, holding a piece of paper in her hand.

“What’s this?” Usagi asked, taking the paper. “’The Tenth Annual Hunter-Over-Fences Games and Meet’. Are these the games she’s entered in?”

Chibiusa nodded, going back to her drawing. “Look who else is in it.”

Usagi skimmed over the contestants. “Oh no! ‘Reigning champion: Tenoh Haruka’! She’s never been beaten!”

“Not in the last three years, anyway,” Chibiusa said.

“I have to tell everyone!” Usagi said, jumping to her feet. “They’ll want to see this! I wonder if Haruka-san knows Kami-chan is in it.”

*****

The next morning, Usagi met the others at the Shrine. Rei was surprised to see her friends gathering since no meeting had been planned. She invited them in, getting tea and cookies from the kitchen and placing them far away from Usagi.

“What’s up, Usagi-chan?” Minako asked, taking a cookies.

“You’ll never guess who Kami is competing against in the horseback riding tournament,” Usagi said.

“Haruka-san?” Ami guessed.

Usagi turned to her friend. “You weren’t supposed to guess!”

Ami shrunk away. “Sorry, Usagi-chan. I thought you were asking us.”

“Wow,” Rei said. “I don’t think Haruka-san has ever lost a sporting event.”

“I’m sure Kami will do well,” Makoto said, biting into her cookie. “She must be good to even get into the competition.”

“Those are world class riders,” Minako added, absently handing Usagi a cookie.

Usagi inhaled the treat, barely pausing to chew. Her friends stared at her in momentary shock. Usagi wiped the crumbs from her mouth and smiled.

“We should do something to cheer her on,” Usagi said.

“How about we cook her dinner?” Makoto asked. “I can make her a cake.”

“Good idea,” Minako said. “Usagi and I will distract Kami-chan while you guys get the meal ready.”

“Why do we have to do all the work?” Rei demanded.

“Think about what you just asked,” Ami said. “Usagi and Minako in the kitchen.”

Visions of disaster flashed through Rei’s mind. “Right. Stupid question.”

“Hey!” Usagi flared angrily.

“If Kami beats Haruka,” Makoto mused, “will that make them hate each other more?”

The group fell silent. The hatred Haruka had to Kami was not hidden. Even Kami knew about it, although she did not understand why. It had taken this long for Michiru to even talk to Kami, which angered Haruka more.

“Maybe we should talk to her,” Ami suggested.

“Since when does Haruka listen to us?” Rei asked. “We should just sit back and see what happens.”

Usagi nodded. “That’s what we did with Michiru and it worked just fine.”

Everyone voiced their agreement and the matter was settled. They all decided to get tickets to the competition and surprise both Kami and Haruka.

*****

Haruka finished the final fence and reined in to a halt. Her horse pulled eagerly at the bit, anxious to be free of his rider and back in his warm stall. Haruka pulled off her black helmet and looked at her coach.

“Not bad,” he said, looking at his stopwatch. “Eighty-five seconds with a seven second fault. I’ve seen you do better.”

Haruka dismounted and tucked her helmet under her arm. Her horse rubbed his head against her shoulder and she patted him fondly on the neck.

“I’m distracted today,” she said.

“Don’t let this distraction ruin your concentration,” her coach told her. “The games are in a week and you have some tough competition this year.”

“No more so than last year,” Haruka said, leading her horse into the barn.

Her coach followed her. “Not true. There’s a newcomer this year. I went and saw her yesterday. She’s pretty good.”

“Let me guess,” Haruka said as she pulled the saddle off her horse’s back and began to rub him down, “Deruku Kami.”

The coach nodded. Haruka finished brushing the horse and put him safely into his stall where he began to munch on his hay. She watched him for a moment, his black ears twitching as the flies began to land on him. He was a black thoroughbred, born to compete. Haruka had fallen in love with him at first sight and had even cracked an ironic smile at hearing his name – Storm King.

“This Deruku Kami hasn’t been competing much,” her coach continued, “but those she has been in, she’s won or come a close second.”

“She’s still a child,” Haruka remarked. “How much experience could she have?”

Her coach didn’t answer as Haruka patted Storm once more and left the barn. She threw her equipment into the back of her car and sped off.

*****

Kami was exhausted when she came home. She dropped her bag by the front door knowing that Mrs. Tsukino would ask her to clean it up. All she wanted to do was relax in a hot bath and go to sleep. She climbed the stairs slowly, willing her aching legs to go the few more steps. At the top, she saw Usagi, Chibiusa, and Minako smiling suspiciously, obviously waiting for her.

“Kami-chan!” Minako said. “We have a surprise for you!”

Kami sighed. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”

Usagi shook her head. “Nope. Hurry up and take a shower so we can go.”

Kami groaned and headed into the bathroom to take a fast shower instead of her desired long, lingering bath. In ten minutes, she was done. Chibiusa had gone upstairs to get her clothes and had laid them on the counter of the bathroom for her. Minutes later, Kami came out into the hall.

“Let’s go!” Minako said.

Chibiusa and Usagi each grabbed one of Kami’s arms and dragged the girl downstairs and out the door.

They walked the few blocks to Makoto’s apartment, Kami’s legs screaming in protest at every step. Twice she asked if they could stop and rest for a moment and both times the three over-enthusiastic girls had begged her to continue. Finally, they stood outside Makoto’s door. The door was unlocked and the girls let themselves in. They entered the deserted kitchen and Kami looked around in confusion.

“Usagi-chan,” Kami moaned. “What’s going on?”

“Surprise!” everyone shouted, popping into view.

Makoto, Rei, Ami, and Mamoru stood in the kitchen where a huge feast was laid out for them. Kami blinked in surprise, her tired muscles momentarily forgotten as Makoto showed her the horse-shaped cake she and the others had made. Tears of joy came to Kami’s eyes.

“Thanks, guys,” she said sincerely. “You’re terrific.”

“You deserve it,” Usagi told her. “Let’s eat!’

The seven senshi sat down to the meal. They ate and talked and laughed until nearly all the food was gone. Hours after their arrival, Usagi turned to Kami.

“Well?” she asked. “How do you like your surprise, Kami-chan?”

She received no answer. Kami had fallen asleep with her head on the table. The others looked at her in a mixture of surprise and amusement.

“I guess horseback riding is tougher than it looks,” Makoto commented.

“We should let her sleep,” Rei said. “She needs her strength to compete.”

The others nodded. Mamoru picked Kami up and placed her gently on Makoto’s couch while the senshi cleaned up. When they were done, Makoto said good night to them all and promised to send Kami home the next morning.

*****

King Cano tossed and turned in his sleep. Nights were long on the destroyed planet, sometimes feeling like day would never come. Cano usually preferred it that way, wrapping himself in the comforting darkness instead of standing up to the blinding light. This night, however, seemed longer than most and strange visions clouded his dreams.

He saw frightened, weakened Olivine cowering before him before transforming in a flash to Sailor Sun. Behind her, he saw two alarming figures. One shrouded in shadows and darkness, the other brilliantly hidden in a golden light. The two figures merged together in the middle, inseparable. Sailor Sun seemed oblivious to the figures as she faced her enemy, yet the figures swarmed over her, consuming her.

Cano blinked, wondering what this meant. His once queen becoming his feared enemy.

Once full of darkness…

Cano’s dream-self looked around, the Sailor Sun frozen in time. He walked around her, making a full circle.

Once full of hate…

He looked at the dark shadow that hovered over Sailor Sun. It had a face, the face of his queen but also the face of a servant. He looked closer, seeing Sailor Sun as if for the first time. Her brown hair was once again black and her tiara a dull gray. Her senshi uniform had turned black with tall black boots on her feet.

Once the servant of a Prince…

Cano recalled his history, that of the Negaverse and its mightiest monarchs. Queen Beryl had attempted to rule over Prince Endymion and corrupt his pure heart. Prince Rutile had known the pure could not become dark and had sought the one he knew could be in his power. The one who could control the dark force of chaos.

“The Dark Scout,” Cano whispered.

What once was will be again. Summon her…

*****

Michiru swam in the pool above their apartment. She liked to take moments like these to reflect on her life and her mission. She knew Haruka was away at her practice, her eagerness to defeat Kami consuming her. Michiru dove deep underwater, trying to leave her worries at the surface. She knew Haruka played hard and she knew she would take defeat personally. If Kami won the horseback riding competition, any hope of them being friends would certainly be gone.

She came to the surface, inhaling deeply, and saw Haruka standing at the pool’s entrance. She was still wearing her barn clothes and carried her helmet in one hand. Michiru could smell the sweet scent of hay from where she floated.

“Back so soon?” Michiru asked.

Haruka said nothing, moving to sit at the edge of the pool. Michiru swam over to meet her.

“She’s good,” Haruka admitted suddenly. “I went to see her ride. She has talent.”

Michiru said nothing, leaning her head on her arms against the side of the pool.

“She may win,” Michiru remarked.

“Never,” Haruka said. “I will not surrender to the enemy.”

“She’s no longer the enemy,” Michiru reminded her.

“Not now,” Haruka said, “but for how much longer?”

Michiru pulled herself out of the pool, drying herself off with a nearby towel. Haruka picked up her gear and headed for the door.

“I don’t like you talking with her,” Haruka said. “You may reveal something.”

Michiru said nothing.

“Stay away from her,” Haruka warned as she left, “or we’re through.”

Michiru dropped her towel in shock as Haruka left. Tears filled her eyes and she collapsed on the pool chair, sobbing quietly to herself.

*****

A week later, the games began. Huge crowds gathered at the arena which had been transformed into a field of jumps, ponds, and hills. Dozens of riders waited to compete, soothing their nervous horses as well as themselves as the opening ceremonies began. Kami stood next to her dapple gray Arabian named Apollo, gripping the reins tightly. A few horses away, Haruka stood calmly with Storm.

In the stands, Usagi, Chibiusa, Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Mamoru, and Michiru cheered the horses on. They knew this competition would really be between two people and no one else in the arena was aware of the circumstances.

“Now into the arena number 24, Tsiko Akane,” the announcer said.

“When will Kami come out?” Usagi asked.

“She’s number 35,” Ami said, reading the schedule, “but I don’t think they’re going in numerical order. According to this, she’s right before Haruka.”

“Uh oh,” Makoto said.

“Who should we be cheering for?” Chibiusa asked.

“Both, I guess,” Rei said. “Although I’m sure Michiru-san is cheering for Haruka-san.”

From her seat, Michiru said nothing. Mamoru looked questioningly at her and she forced a smile. Her eyes revealed her sadness, an emotion so deep that Mamoru was surprised she wasn’t crying. She put up a happy front but Mamoru didn’t buy it for a second.

“What’s troubling you?” he asked quietly so the other girls wouldn’t hear.

“Nothing,” Michiru replied quickly. “I’m fine.”

Mamoru said nothing and Michiru turned her attention back to the contest. Her pain was written all over her face and Mamoru could see it clearly, however he knew better than to pry. If Michiru wanted to talk, she knew he would listen.

*****

On the other side of the arena, three spectators sat watching the competition with bored expressions. They, too, were waiting for the deciding pair to make their entrances but their intentions were not to cheer them to victory.

“I don’t understand,” Aquis said to her companions. “Why use all this energy to exile the queen only to recapture her again?”

“I don’t know either,” Sylphe said. She suppressed a shudder and wrapped her thin shawl tighter around her shoulders. “Maybe Cano is saving her from this dreadful mortal forms. I can't wait to get out of here.”

“You look stunning in any form,” Gaius said sincerely.

Sylphe rolled her eyes at him and turned her eyes back to the contest. She scanned the rows of spectators to pass the time and gasped in shock as her eyes rested on a group near the front row.

“What is it?” Aquis asked.

“The senshi,” Sylphe spat. “They’re all there except that Uranus brat. They must be cheering on the queen.”

“How quaint,” Gaius said with a bemused smile. “We must make sure to destroy them when we take back the queen.”

Sylphe nodded in agreement as the rider finished her course and headed back to the barn.

“Now in the arena number 35, Deruku Kami,” the announcer said.

*****

Kami rode into the stadium. She brought Apollo past the judges for her presentation before the clock began. Gently urging Apollo into a canter she headed for the first fence. Her mind was on her performance now and she barely heard Usagi yelling encouragements at her. She was up and over the first two fences in no time and making her way to the third in record time. So far no faults. It appeared as if luck would be with her today.

From the barn, Haruka watched with daggers in her eyes.

*****

“Final score for number 35,” the announcer said. “Seventy seconds, zero faults.”

The crowd applauded and Usagi leapt to her feet, cheering. Mamoru pulled her down again and Usagi managed to look ashamed.

“Haruka’s up next,” Ami said.

“Seventy seconds is an excellent time for this course,” Makoto remarked. “Haruka will have her work cut out for her.”

*****

“Now in the arena number 55 and current champion, Tenoh Haruka.”

As Haruka left the barn and entered the stadium, the first thing she saw was Michiru. Her partner wasn’t smiling like she usually was to encourage Haruka, but looked rather sad. Haruka wondered if she had been too harsh with her before. She pushed the thought aside, allowing no distractions to interfere with her game. She had to win, not only to defend her title but to show the evil queen once and for all that the senshi would not lose.

*****

“There’s Uranus,” Aquis said calmly.

Sylphe searched the audience once more. “Where?”

Aquis pointed to the rider. “There.”

Gaius smiled. “Perfect timing. Shall we?”

*****

Haruka rounded the corner and lined herself up for the final fence. She was nearly at seventy seconds and pushed Storm faster. The horse obeyed, panting for air as his speed increased. They leapt into the air and Haruka immediately realized she had pushed the horse too hard. Storm’s back hooves nicked the bar and it began to rock in its holdings. As they landed, Haruka resisted the urge to look back to see if the bar had fallen. Instead, she looked forward and saw a giant mouth reaching to bite her.

Storm reared, but Haruka managed to stay on his back. The crowd had already begun to flee in panic as Haruka turned Storm around and raced back into the arena. The creature was right behind them. From farther away, Haruka could make out what it was – a huge snake with long fangs dripping poison. Storm was terrified and it took all of Haruka’s strength to try and keep him under her control.

“Haruka-san!”

Haruka looked to her right and saw Kami speeding towards her on her own horse. The girl reached out an arm and motioned for Haruka to jump from Storm onto Apollo. Thinking it was just an elaborate trap, Haruka refused. Storm reared a final time and Haruka fell to the ground.

*****

“Moon Cosmic Power, Make-Up!” Usagi yelled.

The other senshi followed suit and they ran from the deserted barn to save their friends. They were met with a giant wall of water, blocking the only entrance into the stadium.

“It’s just water,” Sailor Moon said, “we can walk through.”

Mercury turned on her visor and began to scan the blockade. “Usagi, wait!” she cried.

She was too late. Sailor Moon hit the wall and was thrown backwards, colliding with Neptune and Mars on the way. The three senshi went down in a pile.

“The water is shielded,” Mercury finished belatedly, turning off her visor.

“No kidding,” Mars said angrily, pushing Sailor Moon off of her legs.

“We have to get through!” Neptune said urgently.

“You can look, but no touching,” Aquis’ voice echoed through the barn.

The wall of water became transparent and the senshi could see Haruka lying on the ground, the snake’s enormous head inches from her body. Kami was off to one side, dismounting from her horse.

“Haruka,” Neptune whispered.

*****

Haruka stared up in fear as the poisonous fangs descended on her unprotected body. She could not transform, having placed her pen in her saddle. Storm had run off somewhere, leaving her completely alone.

“Day-Star Solar Ray Charge!”

A thick beam of yellow energy slammed into the snake’s head. It turned and hissed angrily at the intruder. Sailor Sun leapt over its coils to place herself between the fangs and Haruka.

“Solar Flare Sprout!” Sailor Sun cried.

The flames burned the snake, who screamed in pain. Seconds later, it disappeared and Sylphe and Gaius appeared in its place. Sailor Sun turned to Haruka and tossed something at her.

“You might want this,” she said.

Haruka caught the object and looked at it. It was her transformation pen. She looked up at Sailor Sun with new respect and got to her feet. Sailor Sun didn’t notice. She was concentrating on the three nobles before her.

“Uranus Planet Power, Make-Up!” Haruka cried.

The two senshi faced their enemies. Uranus still kept her distance, questioning Sailor Sun’s true intentions. She may have allowed Haruka to transform, but for all she knew it could be part of the queen’s plan.

“Olivine,” Sylphe said. “We have come back to you.”

“Cano is incompetent,” Gaius added. “Return with us and reclaim your throne.”

“You must think me mad,” Sailor Sun told them. “I will never return to darkness again.”

A clever act, Uranus thought. I wonder how long they rehearsed it?

Sylphe shook her head sadly. “Well then, Olivine. I’m sure you know the Earth expression ‘if you can’t join them, beat them’.”

She pointed to the yellow senshi and a gust of air picked her up and slammed her into the walls of the arena. Sailor Sun hit and fell to the ground. Sylphe, however, wasn’t done. She picked up the senshi again, tossing her effortlessly into jumps and walls.

Gaius faced Uranus. He flicked his wrist and a chasm opened up beneath Uranus’ feet. She leapt clear in time, drawing out her talisman.

“Space Sword Blaster!” she called.

Gaius dodged the attack, missing all three energy bolts except one which grazed his right shoulder. He winced in pain and clamped his left hand over the wound. Sylphe saw and dropped Sailor Sun to see if he was all right.

“Thanks,” Sun called, rising to her feet.

“I did nothing to help you,” Uranus told her.

Sylphe left Gaius to attack Uranus, her anger redoubled. Uranus moved quickly, missing the air attacks that had trapped Sailor Sun and launching attacks of her own. Sylphe, however, was not hit. The two stood facing each other, both panting from the exertion. Gaius took the opportunity that was presented to him. He held open his left hand, letting the dark energy form into a ball as he stared at his target. Uranus didn’t even notice him as Sylphe began to attack again. At the next pause, Gaius threw the ball.

“Uranus!” Sailor Sun yelled.

Uranus found she had no time to duck as the energy sphere charged toward her. Sylphe watched, a cruel smile on her face as she prepared herself to witness the death of the senshi.

“Solar Flare Sprout!” Sailor Sun called, pointing at Gaius.

The tongue of flame hit him at point blank range, incinerating him into dust. The energy ball, suddenly without power, vanished. Sylphe screamed and ran to the pile of ashes that had once been her beloved.

“Now,” Sylphe said, tears streaming down her cheeks and her voice void of all emotion, “you will die.”

*****

“Haruka-san! Kami-chan!” Sailor Moon gasped.

“Poor Gaius,” Aquis said, appearing within her wall. She shook her head sadly.

“Release us,” Jupiter demanded.

Aquis laughed. “I can’t. True, the water is my creation but the shield that surrounds it comes from King Cano himself. Even if I did lower the water, the shield would still be there.”

“What’s the matter with you?” Sailor Moon asked, tears in her eyes. “Why do you like pain so much? Don’t you have anyone you care about at all?”

“You should ask yourself those questions,” Aquis snapped. “It was you and your senshi who destroyed my planet, killing millions and leaving us alone. We demand revenge for our people.”

Sailor Moon blinked. “How could I have destroyed your planet? I died on the Moon a thousand years ago and was only just reborn on Earth.”

Aquis bit her lip, suddenly unsure of herself.

“You lie,” she said at last. “Our queen brought us here to destroy you.”

“Your queen was mistaken,” Venus said gently. “She saw that when Sailor Moon healed her.”

“Impossible,” Aquis spat. “You – all of you – you ruined our peace, our lives. I was there! I remember it.”

“What do you remember?” Mars asked. “Do you remember your family?”

Aquis sank lower, her feet nearly touching the ground. He face was furrowed in concentration as she searched her mind for her past. The senshi waited in breathless anticipation. Finally, tears came down Aquis’ face.

“I don’t remember anything before the destruction,” she sobbed, “but how do I know you’re speaking the truth?”
As if to answer her question, the shield suddenly attacked her. She screamed in pain as black energy electrocuted her. She fell to the ground, still shaking as the energy intensified.

“Traitor!” Cano’s voice sounded loudly through the barn. “Dishonest wretch! How could you turn your back on the crown?”

“I didn’t!” Aquis cried.

If the king heard, he didn’t care. The black energy increased until Aquis was in so much pain, she could no longer scream.

“I can’t take this anymore!” Sailor Moon cried. “Moon Spiral Heart Attack!”

The giant heart crashed into the shield, absorbing some of the energy away from Aquis. Mars and Jupiter dragged Aquis out of the shield as the heart faded. The Mistress of Water lay whimpering on the ground, her body still convulsing.

“You are elemental no more,” Cano’s voice continued, “and you are hereby banished from your home.”

A dark cloud descended from thin air onto Aquis and she moaned as her water powers were taken away from her. As quickly as it had come, the dark cloud disappeared and with it went the water wall that had guarded the exit.

“Are you all right?” Sailor Moon asked.

Aquis curled into a ball on the ground, hiding her face from the senshi.

“Whatever you’re going to do to me,” she said, “please make it painless.”

Sailor Moon smiled gently at the woman and took a step back.

“Moon Crystal Healing Escalation!” she called.

As the gentle light passed over Aquis, she raised her head and blinked in confusion. “The pain is gone,” she remarked.

“Welcome to Earth,” Sailor Moon said.

“The queen!” Aquis gasped. “We have to save her!”

“Deep Submerge!” Neptune called.

The tidal wave crashed against the shield and it disappeared having already been weakened by Sailor Moon’s attack. The senshi all turned to her.

“That was a wave,” Neptune said. “Let’s go.”

*****

Uranus lay on the ground, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Sailor Sun knelt beside her, her uniform ripped. She looked at Uranus.

“You okay?” she asked.

Uranus said nothing but tried to get back to her feet. Sailor Sun sighed and reached out a hand to help. The other senshi refused.

“Listen,” Sun said irritably, “we can’t defeat her alone. I am not evil anymore and I should have already proven that to you. Just trust me this once and then tomorrow, if we survive, you can go back to hating me.”

Uranus weighed her options as the Lady of Air prepared for another assault. Grimly, she nodded. Sailor Sun helped Uranus to her feet and they faced Sylphe once more.

“World…” Uranus began.

“Solar Flare…” Sun added.

“Shaking!”

“Sprout!”

The two attacks raced parallel to each other. As Uranus’ sphere separated from the ground, it struck the tongue of flame and the two merged as one. Sylphe gasped as the attack barreled towards her and disappeared back to her planet at the last moment.

Uranus and Sun smiled at each other as the remaining senshi and Aquis ran to join them.

*****

Aquis and Kami moved out of the Tsukino residence later that week. The judges had declared the tournament a tie and Kami and Haruka had split the prize money. Along with the sales of the concert, Kami had earned enough to rent a small apartment for herself and Aquis.

Michiru swam in the pool, trying to relax. She and Haruka had not mentioned Kami since the competition and Michiru did not want to be the one to bring it up. She dove underwater, swimming the length of the pool before coming up for air. She opened her eyes and saw Haruka’s shoes standing at the edge of the pool. She looked up and smiled as Haruka looked down.

“Hi,” Michiru said.

“Hi,” Haruka replied.

As Michiru came out of the water, Haruka watched her towel dry. She smiled in spite of herself.

“Makoto is throwing a house warming party for Aquis and Kami,” Haruka said conversationally. “They’re going to help them move into their new apartment.”

“Oh?” Michiru said, wondering where this was going.

Haruka looked down at her feet. “Do you want to go? I thought after you could invite Kami for a ride and we could go to the aquarium. I know you like it there.”

Michiru smiled. It appeared that the recent battle had changed Haruka’s mind about the new senshi.

“I would love to,” she said, placing a kiss on Haruka’s forehead. “Just let me change.”

As Michiru left, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. One elemental was dead, another had switched sides, and the team was united again, at last. For the first time in weeks, it looked like things were picking up.