An Enemy yet a Friend
By: Tupie Harrison (EVictoria@aol.com)

"Hotaru-chan?" Chibi-Usa called from outside. "Hotaru? Hotaru-chan!!"

Hotaru ran down the steps of the house, and up to Chibi-Usa, and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I'm sorry, Chibi-Usa-chan! I hadn't finished my chores yet."

Chibi-Usa nodded to her, and motioned for her to hurry. "Come on! We can't be late!!"

Chibi-Usa and Hotaru ran to Chibi-Usa's and Usagi's house. There was a big dance tonight, and all of the Senshi were going, just for the heck of it. There was even a big contest for the best dancer, and Makoto was positive that she would win it. "Yeah!" Hotaru remembered Makoto saying, "Of course I'll win! I've even taken Ballroom dancing! No sweat."

The two reached the street the house was on, and continued running. Hotaru winced, and touched her side. "Ouch!" She said, and Chibi-Usa glanced at her, and then stopped. "
What's wrong, Hotaru? Are you okay?" She walked to her.
Hotaru nodded rapidly. "Yes, I'm fine... I think all of that running just got to me." She smiled queasily at Chibi-Usa. What is this feeling? Hotaru thought. This quick jolt of pain... I remember it...

The two walked into the house, and Usagi was waiting for them impatiently. "What took you so long, Chibi-Usa?! We're going to be late!"
Chibi-Usa stuck out her tongue at Usagi. "We're always late. Big deal!"
The two argued, and Hotaru stood in the room, and smiled. Suddenly she fell back against the wall, catching the other two's attention. She winced, holding her side again, and let out a small cry of pain.
"Hotaru!" "Hotaru-chan! What's wrong?" Usagi asked, looking at her carefully.
"It's nothing," Hotaru said quietly. "Really, I'm okay."
The other two looked worried, and didn't move, until Usagi heard the clock from the other room. "Aaaagggghhh!!! We're super, super, super, super late!!!! What'll we DO!?!"
Chibi-Usa turned and stared at her future-mother. "Leave, odango-head, that's what. Let's hurry!!"
Usagi shrieked, but they all ran out the door.

*****

"Where are those guys?!" Rei mumbled angrily, stomping around in circles. "They were supposed to be here almost an HOUR ago!!"
"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Minako was, and had been desperately trying to calm Rei down for the last half hour. "I'm sure they'll be here any minute now."

The door flew open, and Usagi, Chibi-Usa, and a panting Hotaru came from it.
"Sorry we're late!" Usagi said with a big smile.
"LATE?!" Rei screamed at her. "You're PREHISTORIC!! We've been waiting for an HOUR!!! Where were you!?!?"
"I'm sorrrrrryyyyy!!! Chibi-Usa was late to my house, and then we were late leaving my house!!!" She sniffed. "Why are you always so meeeeaaaannnn to meeeeeee?!" She wailed.
Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka appeared from the floor, and stepped into the room.
"Are you ready yet?" Haruka and Michiru asked.
"Yes, we've all been waiting a long time... Come on, the others are waiting for us." Setsuna said.
Rei, Minako, Usagi, and Chibi-Usa nodded, and followed. Hotaru wobbled from foot to foot, and finally shook her head. I've got to get over this, She thought, I came here to have some fun, and I won't let it get spoiled by some queasiness!
She ran onto the dance floor, close behind the others.

******

A soft song had come on, and only a few of the Senshi were dancing this time around. Makoto was dancing with some unknown boy who apparently looked like her old sempai, Michiru and Haruka were dancing together and Usagi and Mamoru were dancing. The rest were sitting it out. Setsuna was dreamily watching Mamoru, and the Starlights were chatting with each other, and the Inner Senshi. Chibi-Usa and Hotaru laughed at the same time. Chibi-Usa glanced at the dance floor for a moment, and then back at Hotaru. Her eyes were stricken with shock.
"What?" Hotaru asked, worried. "What's wrong, Chibi-Usa?"
"I could have sworn- that for a minute there... You had really, really long hair, Hotaru... Like Mistress 9's..." Chibi-Usa whispered to her.
Hotaru blinked. "Hehe, you must be seeing things, Chibi-Usa. My hair is still short!" She twirled the ends around her finger.
Chibi-Usa nodded slowly. "Yes, I suppose."
Chibi-Usa went back to laughing and acting happy again, but Hotaru was worried.
She thought that my hair was longer? She thought. I really don't think that Chibi-Usa could have confused that… It isn't like she has bad vision!

Hotaru sat, pondering, and suddenly stood. Chibi-Usa glanced up at her.
"It's okay, Chibi-Usa. I'm just going to the girl's room for a moment. I'll be right back!" She smiled and walked away.
Chibi-Usa watched her thoughtfully. I feel a strange energy coming from her, she thought.

Hotaru entered the bathroom, and stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself.
"Nothing seems different," She said quietly, and washed off her hands.
Usagi walked in a moment later. "Hotaru! Hi!" She said.
Hotaru looked up at her and smiled. "Hello, Usagi-Chan. Any good luck with the dancing competition?"
Usagi blushed. "I hope so. The judges are taking a break before they chose the finalists!" Usagi moved in from the door and walked into one of the stalls, closing the door behind her. Hotaru turned back to the mirror, and brushed her hair off of her shoulders, when a sudden pain overtook her. She winced, and held her sides tightly. She fell to the floor with a slight shriek, and collapsed.
Usagi hadn't heard the small shriek, but was still standing by the door inside the stall, staring at her brooch. Her silver crystal was glowing. Usagi opened the door, and walked out, still looking at her crystal. "Hotaru-chan, look at this! Something is wrong with my brooch… Maybe the negaverse is ar.." She glanced down at Hotaru, and gasped. "Hotaru-chan!!" She screamed, kneeling down next to her. Hotaru shrieked in pain, and Usagi noticed that her crystal was glowing more frequently now and more brightly. She backed away from Hotaru, and frowned. "What's happening to Hotaru… And how is my Crystal affecting it?" She moved to the door and yelled to Hotaru, "Hotaru-chan! I'll be back, I promise. I have to get the other senshi!" She ran out of the doorway and into the dance floor. She told the situation to all of them, and everyone came except for Tuxedo Kamen. They transformed and entered the bathroom, and Chibi-Moon gasped to see Hotaru lying on the ground.
"Hotaru-chan!!" She shrieked, running towards her.
Sailor Pluto held her back. "No, Small Lady. Please, let us take care of this. Your Silver Crystal may effect her as well." Sailor Moon held Chibi-Moon, and Sailor Pluto slowly walked towards Hotaru.
"Hotaru-chan… Hotaru?" Sailor Pluto whispered softly. "It's me, Setsuna. Are you okay, Hotaru?"
Sailor Pluto approached her to try and touch her shoulder, when suddenly Hotaru sat up on her own. Her eyes were dark and glazed over, and her look was dim and cold. She stood, staring at Sailor Pluto.
"Hotaru-chan!" Chibi-Moon yelled. "Are you okay?"
Sailor Pluto smiled at Hotaru, and approached her again to hug her. Hotaru struck her with incredible force, sending her back against the wall.
"Hotaru!" The senshi echoed, and Chibi-Moon ran to Pluto.
"I am not Hotaru…" Hotaru's said slowly. "I am the newly revived Mistress 9… And I will destroy you all once and for all…"
Hotaru's short hair shot out like fire towards the ground, and she quickly became taller. She wore a different outfit, the one of the former Mistress 9.
"Hotaru-chan!!" Chibi-Moon screamed. "Can you hear me?! It's me, Chibi-Usa!! Please, Hotaru, fight this evil!"
Mistress 9's eyes flashed. "I can hear you just fine." A black light came from her hand, and struck Chibi-Moon. She too collapsed to the ground, right next to Sailor Pluto. Sailor Moon started to move forward, but Uranus and Neptune moved in front of her.
"We'll take care of this, Sailor Moon," Uranus told her. Sailor Moon looked doubtful.
"Space Sword Blaster!!"
"Submarine Reflection!"
The two attacks headed straight for Mistress 9, but she didn't even flinch. She struck Neptune, and Neptune was slammed back into the wall. Uranus tried to attack Mistress 9 with her hands, but with no such luck. She too ended up on the floor.
Sailor Moon moved forward, and removed the crystal from her locket. She held it up, and shouted "Moon Eternal Power!" A gigantic beam headed straight for Mistress 9, and struck her. Mistress 9 stood in it, her eyes closed, a smile on her face. Sailor Moon frowned, noticing that the crystal didn't seem to be damaging Mistress 9, and stopped. The crystal moved back into her brooch.
Mistress 9 opened her eyes and laughed at Sailor Moon. "Why, thank you, Sailor Moon, for the energy boost! I appreciate it." Sailor Moon turned to the other senshi, and they whispered to each other.
"What's happened to my crystal?"
"I don't know!"
"Maybe there's something wrong with it?"
"Or maybe she has a shield on…"
"Could you check, Mercury?"
Mercury activated her visor and examined Mistress 9, tapping on her mini-computer. She looked back at the others, and shook her head. "No, she doesn't have any kind of force field. In fact, it seems as though she hasn't had any damage done to her- or else any damage which happened to her was erased, and her health was replenished," Mercury said.
The other senshi stared at each other, puzzled.
"So what do you think we should do?"
"I think all we can do is try to attack her enough so she's weakened, and then try the crystal again."
"Good idea."
"Okay! Let's do it!"
"All together!"
The senshi faced Mistress 9, who was smiling pleasantly at them. "Back for more, hmm? Let's see what you're made of."
"Jupiter! Oak, Evolution!"
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Mars Flaming Sniper!"
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!!"
"Star! Serious! Laser!"
"Star Sensitive Inferno!"
"Star Gentle Uterus!"
"Starlight Honey Moon…. Therapy KISS!"

The attacks all hit Mistress 9, and she was flung against the wall, but quickly stood back up. "Thank you again, Sailor Moon… I truly do appreciate it," She said with an evil smirk.

"I don't get it! How am I helping her?!" Sailor Moon wailed.
"I dunno, Sailor Moon, but you should probably stop attacking her. It's apparently only helping her and hurting us." Sailor Mars said.
"But what if she's lying?" Sailor Mercury whispered.
The other senshi continued to discuss it when Sailor Moon walked over to Sailor Chibi-Moon. "Chibi-Usa… Can you hear me? It's me, Usagi! C'mon, Chibi-Usa… Wake up!" Sailor Moon heard an attack come from Mistress 9, and spun around in time to see it electrify all of the other senshi, and they collapsed to the ground. Sailor Moon stood, holding Chibi-Moon in her arms, and looked at Mistress 9 sadly.
"It is your turn, Sailor Moon," Mistress 9 whispered. "Are you ready to die?"
Sailor Moon held Chibi-Moon tightly, petting her pink hair. She looked back at Mistress 9, and gawked.
The image of Hotaru appeared in front of Mistress 9, but it was dim.
"Usagi-chan…" It hissed.
"Usagi-chan…." It hissed again.
"Hotaru-chan? Is that you?" Sailor Moon whispered frightened.
The faint image of Hotaru nodded. "It is me… You must purify your crystal… It holds negative energy… The negative energy in your heart. It won't be able to help me to destroy Mistress 9 unless you destroy the negative energy within it…"
"But how do I do that??" Sailor Moon said desperately.
"You must look within yourself for that answer, Sailor Moon…" The image of Hotaru disappeared.
Sailor Chibi-Moon woke up, in Sailor Moon's arms. "Sailor Moon…"
Sailor Moon looked at her future daughter happily. "Chibi-Usa! Are you all right?"
Chibi-Moon nodded slowly, and Sailor Moon lowered her to the ground. She stepped down, and looked at Mistress 9. "Hotaru-chan…" She whispered.
"Chibi-Moon," Sailor Moon said. Chibi-Moon looked up at her. "You have to help me, Chibi-Moon. Hotaru spoke from within Mistress 9, and she said that I have negative energy within my heart and within my silver crystal. I don't know how to get rid of it, and until I do, all my attacks and my crystal will do is help Mistress 9 to survive."
Chibi-Moon blinked. "What do you want me to do, Sailor Moon?"
"Please, use your Silver Crystal on Mistress 9. I know you can do it, Chibi-Moon. Hotaru is your best friend, and you can help her! You just have to believe in yourself, and in your Silver Crystal," Sailor Moon said.
Chibi-Moon nodded to her. "Okay, Sailor Moon, I'll try." She removed her crystal from her locket, and held it up.
Mistress 9 laughed. "This puny little brat is going to try and use her crystal on me? Good luck."
Chibi-Moon glared at Mistress 9. "Moon Eternal Power! Please, Silver Crystal! Help me bring Hotaru back and destroy Mistress 9!!"
A bright beam headed towards Mistress 9, and struck her straight on. "AAAAHH!!!" She screamed. "What?! How can such a little girl hurt me?! No! I won't let her!!" She threw out her hands and shot out a beam the same size as Chibi-Moon's Crystal beam, but this one was pitch black, and shadowed all it covered.
The two beams battled each other, inching back and forth. Hotaru's voice spoke to Chibi-Moon. "Chibi-Moon… I believe in you… Please, Chibi-Moon… Help me to be free…" Chibi-Moon looked at Mistress 9's angry face, her dark eyes screaming. "I will help you be free, Hotaru-chan…"
Chibi-Moon's crystal suddenly became brighter, and sent out a gigantic beam which consumed the black one which had been fighting it for all this time. "Save Hotaru-chan!!! Bring her back!! Silver Crystal, Destroy Mistress 9 and bring Hotaru back to this world!!" The Silver Crystal's power completely extinguished the black darkness that had been sent at it, and enveloped around Mistress 9. She screamed out in pain, and when the beam of the Silver Crystal ended, the Princess of Saturn stood before them.
Hotaru looked up happily at Sailor Chibi-Moon. "Thank you, dear Chibi-Usa… Thank you for ridding me of that evil…"
Chibi-Moon beamed at her. "No problem!! I'm just so happy that you're back to normal, Hotaru-chan!"
The Princess of Saturn moved towards Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon stood, and looked at her without saying a word.
"Sailor Moon…" The Princess of Saturn whispered.
"Yes?" Sailor Moon replied.
"The negative energy in your crystal was created by unhappiness and darkness in your heart. You must never let it take you over again, please… When the Silver Crystal had the negative energy in it, it was enough to bring Mistress 9 back."
Hotaru held out her hand to Sailor Moon, but Sailor Moon hesitated.
The Princess of Saturn smiled warmly at Sailor Moon. "Do not be afraid, Sailor Moon… I will rid you and your Silver Crystal of its negative energy… Simply take my hand and all of this will be over…"
Sailor Moon paused, and slowly reached her hand out to touch The Princess of Saturn's. "Thank you, Hotaru… Please, do it," Sailor Moon said.
Sailor Moon's hand touched Hotaru's, and Hotaru closed her eyes. Sailor Moon felt as though a warm energy was moving through her- the feeling you get on a cold day when you're at home, sitting next to the fire after being out in the snow. Or the feeling you get when you're sick and home from school and your mother comes and kisses you on the forehead, and you feel better.

*****

The other senshi had awakened, and luckily, none of their injuries were too severe. All they needed was a little rest and relaxation at home.
Usagi walked with Chibi-Usa and Hotaru to Hotaru's house. It was after the contest, and nobody had won anything in it. Makoto was in seventh place, and Usagi and Mamoru had unfortunately made it to fourth- winning nothing.
The three stopped in front of Hotaru's house, and Hotaru turned to the two. Hotaru smiled at Chibi-Usa and Usagi. "Thank you, Chibi-Usa, for destroying Mistress 9 and freeing me… I will always be grateful."
Chibi-Usa laughed. "You're my best friend! What else could I do, stand there and cry?" Hotaru smiled at her, and turned to Usagi.
Usagi bowed her head to Hotaru. "Hotaru-chan… Thank you… I will be forever in your debt. Thank you so much for destroying the negative energy within me… I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."
Hotaru smiled at her. "I am one of your Senshi, Sailor Moon. I will do anything in my power to help you, as long as I live." She hugged Usagi, and walked into her house, closing the door swiftly behind her.

Usagi and Chibi-Usa headed for home, Usagi tightly holding her brooch which held within it the Silver Crystal.