AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER: YOU KNOW THE DRILL SAILOR MOON AIN'T MINE! EVEN THOUGH I WISH IT WAS. IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED DROP ME A LINE AT: ONESAIYAN@AOL.COM. THIS STORY IS OUT OF CONTINUITY TO THE REST OF MY OTHER STORIES. (IN SHORT IT'S AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE/TIME LINE)
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THE FOURTH LIGHT (BY INVID HELLCAT)
CHAPTER 1: AND NOW MAKING HER DEBUT
Tokyo Japan:
It had been three days since Nibiki Yamada had died. It had been three days since Katrina Asamov had been bequeathed with the powers ofSailor Star Dancer. Kat was still very much in mourning over the untimely death of her best friend. She knew it would be a long road before she could ever say she was over it or if she ever could say she was over it at all. Kat figured that the only way she could start the healing process was to continue the mission that had been her best friend's dying last wish. She knew that she had a lot to learn and with no idea how to contact the other Senshi she didn't even know where to begin her crash course in super heroine 101. What ever it was that had taken her best friend's life had been destroyed, but Kat had a hunch that it wasn't over. In fact Kat's gut feeling was that the trouble was only just beginning. As had become a common scene in the last three days Kat lay on her bed crying over the death of the one person that meant more to her than anybody else besides her own parents. At this point she was so lost in her own grief that she found herself unwilling to open herself up to anybody. The day of Nibiki's funeral Kat had made the comment that she felt as if a large piece of her had died as well. She kept wishing that an enemy would attack just so she could have something else to think about, and to get everybody off her back for a while. After what felt an eternity of lying in her bed weeping like little child, she finally decided to get out of the house and take a walk. She didn't say a word to her mother as she walked out the front door other than I'll be back before dark. Kat walked up to the corner of her street and decided to walk to the park that was a few blocks away. The sky was overcast and a low din of thunder could be heard in the background. Kat just walked with her eyes on her feet. She felt as though the weather was fitting for her mood. "A foul sky for a foul mood." She mumbled under her breath. She could hear the children at the park playing and laughing. The longer she listened the more she could have sworn that the children were mocking her grief with their laughter. She noticed an empty swing and sat down on it her mind racing through all the events of the last three days. Once again tears were filling her mismatched eyes. She was so lost in her thoughts and depression that she never noticed a slender teal haired girl taking the swing next to her. "Hey are you all right? You look like your best friend just died." The teal haired girl asked. Kat groaned at the comment. "She did." Came Kat's gruff reply Kat never even bothered to shift her gaze from the ground. The teal haired girl looked at the tan haired girl with a mix of grief and pity. "Oh I'm sorry I won't bother you again, but you just looked like you needed somebody to talk to." She quietly responded as she started to swing. Kat finally shifted her gaze to the girl beside her. 'Amazing she looks just like Nibiki except for the hair color and style.' Kat thought to herself. There was more than the physical resemblance that caught Kat's eye. It almost felt like this girl was radiating some kind of energy, some kind of power. "I'm sorry for my behavior but it's just I've not been myself lately. It's been hard to deal with my friend dying. I just feel so alone knowing that I'll never see her again except in my memories and dreams." Kat spoke as she began to dry her eyes. The teal haired girl looked at Kat with a sad look in her eyes. "It's never easy losing a loved one. I'm sorry if I offended you. My name is Michiru." Michiru introduced herself. "I'm Katrina. Nice to meet you Michiru." Katrina replied. Michiru grinned. "I guessed that you weren't Japanese. Where are you from originally?" Michiru asked. "I'm from the Soviet Union well Russia now." Kat answered. Michiru smiled a warm smile. "I visited there once interesting country. It's nice to make your acquaintance Katrina." Michiru told the other girl. The two girls just sat on the swings making the usual small talk that two people just meeting each other for the first time usually engage in. After a few minuets the first few drops of rain started to fall. "Do live far from here Katrina?" Michiru asked. "Just a few blocks from here. I'll be ok." She replied. Michiru grinned. "You'll be a drowned cat by the time you get home. Why don't you join me for a bite to eat?" Michiru offered to Kat. Kat seemed to think about this for a few seconds. She knew that if she didn't come home before the rain got really bad she'd worry her parents sick, but she also knew that Michiru was correct she'd never make it home before the rain really hit. "Come on I'll buy." Michiru added hoping to be able to spend a little more time with this fascinating new girl. That clinched it for Kat. "How can I turn down such a nice offer?" Kat asked rhetorically knowing that to decline would be considered rude. Besides Kat was all ready tired of shutting the rest of the world out of her life, and besides all that she was a bit hungry. They made it inside the diner just before the heavy rain started. The diner was known for its menu of decidedly American style cooking especially barbeque. The girls decided to split their order they ordered a full slab of baby back ribs. Kat ordered a garden salad on the side and Michiru had a bowl of New England style clam chowder. "So, Michiru what do you like to do in your spare time?" Kat asked as she took a bite of a spare rib. Michiru held up one finger as she had just taken a bite herself. "I like to paint and play the violin, but things have been happening in my life recently that I don't have nearly as much time to do those things anymore." Michiru sighed as she looked out the window at the pouring rain. "Nibiki used to love to play the flute, and I can play the clarinet pretty well. Sometimes we'd spend all night just sitting in her or my bedroom playing our instruments." Kat's voice cracked with emotion as she spoke and her eyes once again misted up. Michiru looked across the table at her companion an idea struck her. "Why don't you and I play together sometime?" Michiru asked mainly to get Kat's mind off her depressing thoughts. Kat dried her eyes. "You want me to play my clarinet while you're playing your violin?" Kat asked not really believing what she was hearing. Michiru just smiled and nodded her head. "I'll even show you some of my paintings as well." She said as she took another bite of her ribs. By the time that the girls were finished eating the rain had died down to a slow drizzle. Michiru paid the bill as she had promised. "It was great meeting you Kat. I hope that we can see each other again soon." Michiru said as she extended her hand to Kat. "Yes, it was a pleasure I hope we can meet again soon." Kat replied as she shook hands with Michiru. Kat started walking back home. Michiru grinned to herself as she watched the tan haired girl walk away. "She's quite the looker." She said under her breath as her grin turned into a smile. With that Michiru started to follow the girl. Her interest in the girl was not purely friendly, nor sexual but Michiru would have to admit to those being factors. Michiru sensed an energy emanating from her. Michiru wasn't sure but she figured that maybe she was one of the three people that was a carrier of a pure hart crystal, or maybe better yet her partner that she had been searching for, for the last three years. 'It would be nice if that girl was really was Sailor Uranus then I wouldn't have to be alone all the time, but it would be sad if she was a crystal holder then she'd have to die she seems like a sweet enough girl.' Michiru thought to herself as she continued to follow Kat. Kat was feeling a little overwhelmed by everything that had just happened. She had to know what it was she was feeling from Michiru was she a Sailor Senshi, or maybe an enemy? Kat hoped that Michiru wasn't an enemy. She seemed so kind and caring reminded her a lot of Nibiki. Kat couldn't deny the physical attraction that she felt towards Michiru. Her thoughts turned to how beautiful that Michiru looked everything about her, her hair, her eyes, her skin, and her slender body. Kat had only had feelings of that nature towards one other person and that was Nibiki. In truth Kat had fallen head over heals in love with Nibiki, but Nibiki didn't really feel the same way. Yes, Kat did get a few kisses from Nibiki, but that was about as far as it went. This new girl Michiru however seemed to have an enchantment all her own. As Kat walked closer to home she started thinking that maybe she was just looking at Michiru through a depression filled romantic haze and that the energy she felt from her was nothing more than her imagination running wild. Michiru stopped when she saw Kat walk into a fairly good-sized house. "That must be where she lives. I need to keep my eyes on her she could be in real trouble if she's one of the pure heart holders.
Elsewhere:
A man was cloaked in shadow he preferred the shadows to the light. Ever since that day that he and his daughter almost lost their lives in that dreadful explosion everyone had died that day, but due to the power of an unknown power he and his daughter lived. Now that power ruled his life and hers. His mission was simple find three objects of power that resided inside human hearts. Well, simple in theory anyway because in a city of millions and a world of billions to find three people with the right hearts would be like finding a one millimeter needle in a hay stack the size of Alaska. The odds were stacked against him but he would find a way to prevail. Between his two loyal servants and his witches five he would find a way to prevail and to bring the evil into the world. One of his servants stood just behind him and to his left. She stood at five feet and 11 inches, she had shoulder length brass colored hair, and her eyes were pea green but looked cold and lifeless. Indeed many would say that she looked like an animated skeleton with a full head of hair. Her voice was a soft soprano. This time the woman didn't know how to react to the man covered in shadow she had never failed him before, but then again her diamon pods had never had to face anyone like that Sailor Star Dancer before. "Well, Thornite did you get the crystals?" The man asked, his tone sounding conversational and casual. "No, Doctor Tomoe there was interference this time. Some girl called Sailor Star Dancer. She exhibited awesome powers even greater than our own heart snatchers, but she was killed in the battle so she will no longer be a threat to us. She did manage to destroy my heart snatcher so all the heart crystals that she did extract were returned." Thornite reported to Dr. Tomoe. "So, I see you failed me. Well, not to worry since the competition was eliminated then there is nothing to be scared of after all nobody can rival us in power." Dr. Tomoe started to laugh. Thornite joined in. "That one girl Katrina Asamov, shall I go after her again? After all my last diamon pod was unable to complete her work before that wretch Star Dancer interfered." Thornite asked. "Yes, go after her she maybe one of the three that we're looking for." Dr. Tomoe said as Thornite walked out of the lab to retrieve one of her diamon pods. "Once I get all of the heart crystals for Dr. Tomoe I will rule the world by his side for the rest of all time." Thornite chuckled to herself. She picked what she considered to be the best of her heart snatchers for this particular job, and walked out of the lab to steal a heart crystal.
Outside Kat's House:
Michiru stood guard in the tree across the street from the house that Kat had walked into. So far there had been nothing but if Michiru could still trust her instincts then that wouldn't be the case for much longer. Michiru almost hated doing this she felt like a peeping tom but she had to keep a close eye on this girl. If she wanted to get the three heart crystals for herself, and save the world from the evil that threatened it, and she wanted to see if her other hunch was correct and see if indeed this girl was her long lost partner Sailor Uranus. After several long and boring hours still nothing had happened. Well, at least nothing out of the ordinary. Michiru was beginning to wonder if her flawless instincts did indeed have flaws after all. It was almost dark now and all that happened was Michiru getting sore legs. "I can't believe that I wasted my time like this." Michiru scolded herself, but just as she was beginning to climb down from her perch she spotted Kat walking out of her house. 'Wonder where she's going?' Michiru thought to herself as she finished climbing out of the tree. Once again the teal haired girl started to follow Kat. Kat had stopped in a small florist shop and picked up a small bouquet of flowers. Then she made a stop at a local cemetery she placed the flowers on a grave, and talked to the air. "That must be her friend's grave. I feel terrible for spying on her like this, but I can't afford to take my eyes off her." Michiru whispered to herself. Kat turned her gaze in Michiru's general direction almost as soon as Michiru had finished speaking. Then something unexpected happened. Kat waved for Michiru to come over to her. The teal haired girl reluctantly walked over to Kat. "Michiru I'm surprised to see you here." Kat said as she wiped away tears from her eyes. Michiru stumbled over her words for a few seconds. "I just saw you walking and wanted to make sure you were doing ok." Michiru finally managed to say. Kat blushed and answered that she was doing fine. From outside the cemetery Thornite watched. "Don't worry about missing your friend Katrina Asamov because you'll be joining her very soon. I'll give the dead their respect but once you come out of that graveyard your heart is mine." She muttered under her breath. "You know Michiru it's been only three days since Nibiki died but it's felt like a lifetime. These last three days have been the loneliest three days of my life." Kat said as tears continued to fall down her cheeks. Michiru sighed and gently put a hand on Kat's shoulder. "I know that you feel lonely Kat, but the longer you keep it inside of you the worse it will get. It can kill you Katrina if not physically then mentally and emotionally, and that's no way to live life. I know that we just met but if you ever need someone to talk to I'll be there for you. I know I can't ever replace your friend nor would I want to even if I could but I will be there if you need me to be." That said Kat's mismatched eyes met Michiru's blue ones. "Thank you Michiru I need to hear that. I need to be reminded that I'm not all alone in this world." Kat told Michiru as the two girls embraced. Thornite grew more impatient as she watch the two girls. 'What is taking them so long? Don't they know that people might think things that aren't true about them, or do they even they even care what others might think?' Thornite thought to herself. Kat and Michiru walked hand in hand the rest of the way out of the cemetery. "It's about time I was beginning to wonder if they'd ever stop hugging long enough to walk." Thornite grumbled as she readied her diamon pod for action. When Michiru and Kat were out of the cemetery Thornite was standing in front of them. "Greetings Katrina Asamov, well I have good news for you, you won't have to be mourning your friend for too much longer. You should be happy to know that you will be joining her in a few moments. Right after I take your heart." Thornite laughed as a cloud of sand began to swirl around Kat and Michiru. 'My hunch was right she is a holder of a pure heart talisman, but I can't transform in front of her and the enemy.' Michiru angrily thought to herself her mind racing to find a way out of this. What Michiru didn't know was that Kat's thoughts were almost exactly echoing her own. "Michiru get away from here I don't want to see another friend get hurt or die because of me. This psycho wants me so get out of here!" Kat screamed at Michiru. "But, Kat." Michiru began to mockingly protest. In truth Kat had just given Michiru the out that she needed. "Don't argue just go." Kat repeated her pervious statement. Michiru began to run but told Kat that she would bring help. "Mistress do you want me to take that other girl too?" Kat heard a female voice speak as the small sand storm began to die down. "No, this girl is the only one that we need." Thornite said with a sadistic smile on her face. Michiru managed to find a place that she considered a good place to do what she had to do. "I'm sorry Kat you seem like such a nice girl but if your death means that the world will be saved then I have no choice. The only down side of this mission is that I know that three people must die, but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Michiru reminded herself not for the first time. She quickly drew out her transformation stick. "Neptune Planet Power, Makeup!" Michiru shouted as her transformation to Sailor Neptune began. She felt the familiar power seep into every cell in her body power that made her more than an ordinary mortal human. Her only regret with having this power was that she couldn't use it to save the three people that must die in order for the entire world to be saved. Michiru chided herself for having such thoughts as she ran back to see what was going to transpire with Kat. What Michiru saw sort of surprised her. Kat showed no outward signs of fear instead she looked angry like a person possessed by rage and hatred. "So, it was you that sent that thing that killed Nibiki well thank you for saving me the trouble of having to find you!" Kat shouted at Thornite and Sand Storm. A small microphone headset appeared on Kat's left ear. "Dancer Star Power, Makeup!" With that phrase uttered Kat's first transformation into Sailor Star Dancer began. A dome of white star shaped energy surrounded Kat's body. To be completely honest Kat was amazed at the entire process of transforming. She knew that her clothes had disappeared but she could feel new clothes cover her body. She felt energy run through out her entire body energy that made her stronger, faster, and more agile than any normal human being. When the dome of star shaped energy finally subsided Sailor Star Dancer stood ready to begin her first battle against the forces of evil. Sailor Neptune stood in a stunned silence. 'Amazing! Kat is a Senshi? If I hadn't seen it for myself I never would have believed it because I can barely believe it now!' Came Michiru's amazed thoughts. "She may not be the Senshi I was looking for, but somehow I know that she can help me find Sailor Uranus." Michiru whispered to herself. "You, you can't be Sailor Star Dancer she died. I saw her die! How can you be Sailor Star Dancer? Tell me now!" Thornite screamed at Kat. "I wish I knew how it happened myself, but all I know or care about right now is that it did happen, and now I will take you and your patsy down." Kat warned Thornite and Sand Storm. Before Kat could make a move a cloud of sand blinded her. She tried to get out of it only to find that wherever she moved the sand followed. 'It must be that sand bags doing.' Kat thought as she struggled against the onslaught. It was now becoming difficult to breath. Michiru had seen all that she was able to stand. She knew that she was going against her own better judgment but she also knew that if she wanted to complete her mission she could not keep fighting alone she needed every ally that she could get besides if Kat was a talisman holder then Michiru could always get it after she found Sailor Uranus. "Deep Submerge!" She commanded her attack to life and a globe of teal colored water energy shot toward Sand Storm. The attack hit the creature on its right arm, and its arm immediately disintegrated. Sand Storm let out a cry of pain. "Who dares?" Thornite yelled to the as of yet unseen attacker. "I am Sailor Neptune and I fight for elegance against all those who follow the path of evil." Sailor Neptune said as she walked into plan sight. "You've won this round Senshi but next time that girl's heart will be mine whether or not she is a Senshi. Sand Storm withdraw now." With that spoken command both Thornite and Sand Storm disappeared. "We got lucky they were taken by surprise, but she won't give up till she gets what she wants namely your heart." Neptune told Star Dancer as she helped her to her feet. "And now that she knows that you're a Sailor Senshi she'll be much more careful the next time." Sailor Neptune finished her comments. Kat looked at Neptune with a mixture of relief and bewilderment on her face. "I'm glad you're here. In truth I didn't know if I could win or not you see this is the first time that I've transformed. In truth I'm not even supposed to be Sailor Star Dancer." Kat said as she dusted some sand off her vest. Michiru stood there silent for a few seconds. "Now I understand why you transformed in front of the enemy. First rule of being a Senshi never let the enemy know who you really are." Michiru scolded. "Thanks I'll remember that next time." Kat replied. "Do you think that they will come after me again?" Star Dancer asked. "Since I stopped them before they could get your heart I'd stake my life that they will try again." Neptune replied then her expression turned dour and she let out a sigh. "Sadly, if you do have one of the pure heart crystals I won't be able to return it to and you will die, but your death would not be in vain because your death would bring me one step closer to finally being able to defeat the deadly silence that is threatening our world." Neptune added. Sailor Star Dancer looked at Sailor Neptune in silence for several minutes. "I'm not sure what to think about that, but if my death means the world lives then what choice do I have." Star Dancer finally spoke. Neptune smiled at hearing that. She never would have guessed that anybody save herself and Sailor Uranus would make such a statement. "Listen, I need a partner until I can find Sailor Uranus, would you like to help me out Kat?" Sailor Neptune asked locking her blue eyes on Kat's mismatched violet and blue-green ones. "How do you know my name is Kat?" Star Dancer asked with a perplexed look etched on her face. "I saw you transform, and we've only spent most the afternoon with other." Neptune revealed to the amazed young woman in front of her. "Michiru?" Kat asked not believing what she had just been told. Kat was teetering on the edge of a dead faint. Her mind was nearly totally shut down from the shocking revelation that she had just received. "Yeah, Kat it's me Michiru now listen we need to get out of here. We've got quite a few things to discuss." Michiru stated bluntly. Michiru began to walk away and called for Kat to hurry up. Kat followed Michiru into an alley way and then in between two buildings that had all their windows bricked up. "Transform back into your human self." Michiru told Kat as she herself transformed. Kat quickly followed suit. Kat hadn't spoken a word in all that time her mind still in shock and disbelief that this new friend of hers was a Sailor Senshi. Michiru indicated for Kat to follow her once again. "Don't worry Kat I don't live far from here." Michiru said with a smile on her face. The shock that had taken control of Katrina almost magically evaporated. "You mean I get to see where you live?" Kat asked with an edge of excitement in her voice. For Kat this was almost too good to be true. Michiru chuckled at Katrina's comment, and nodded her head. It didn't take long before they walked up to a small apartment complex. Kat was looking around and saw a small playground and a swimming pool both of which were well lighted. They soon walked into a small one-bedroom one-bathroom apartment. "This is a nice place Michiru." Kat said as she looked around the apartment. "Thank you, but I didn't really bring you here to look at my apartment. We need to talk. There are quite a few things that you should know, need to know if you're going to survive as a Senshi." Michiru pulled a chair out from her dining room table and motioned for Kat to sit down. Michiru took the seat directly opposite from Kat.
Elsewhere:
Thornite was pacing around a small barely lit lab. Sand Storm had reverted back to her Diamon Pod from to repair the damage that she had sustained during the sneak attack from Sailor Neptune. Thornite knew that she had to be careful in approaching Katrina Asamov seeing as somehow Katrina was Sailor Star Dancer, and with this Sailor Neptune showing up she'd had be doubly cautious. The only thing that Thornite could think of doing was getting the two split up attract Sailor Neptune's attention elsewhere and then when Katrina had her guard down go in for the kill. The one big problem with that plan was she risked losing two Diamon pods should things go badly, and she knew that Doctor Tomoe would not stand for that. Thornite dreaded what kind of consequences that would await somebody that had to bear the word of that kind of failure. Thornite then censured herself for having such thoughts. She knew that she must succeed in her next mission or else she would suffer the wrath of Doctor Tomoe himself, and that was just not something that Thornite wanted to do. She decided that she would keep this second failure of hers a secret. She would go out as soon as Sand Storm had finished her healing and retrieve the heart crystal of Katrina Asamov. Thornite began laughing. "I will vanquish all of Doctor Tomoe's enemies, and I will retrieve the Holy Grail and awaken the Messiah of Silence and of Evil." Thornite said through her maniacal laughter. A laughter that echoed all through out the lab. Unbeknownst to Thornite Doctor Tomoe looked on in silence. 'Well, she's definitely got spunk. I think I'll give her another chance.' He thought to himself. As he walked back into his own lab.
Michiru's Apartment:
Kat had listened very intently to every word that Michiru had spoken to her. Michiru even told Kat that she would do some practice battles so Kat could get used to the new power that was now at her command. At one point Michiru told Kat that a Senshi that didn't know how to control her power was as dangerous to the world around her as the enemy or maybe even more so. Kat called her parents to let them know that she would be staying over at a friend's house that night and not to worry about her and that she would be home in the late morning or early afternoon. Kat knew that this day did indeed mark a new beginning in her life. She had always been told since the time that she was a little girl that life was the most unpredictable force in the entire universe. These last few days had shown Katrina that life was indeed unpredictable and now it was about to get even more so. Kat knew that she had been lucky in her first battle as a Senshi, but she also knew that she couldn't depend on luck alone. Because she was also told since she was a little girl that a person's luck would always, always run out sooner or later, and usually sooner than later.
TO BE CONTINUED.