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)
************************************************************************
THE FOURTH LIGHT (BY INVID HELLCAT)
CHAPTER 2: DANCER AND NEPTUNE
Michiru's Hose:
Kat was sleeping but not very soundly. The dream that had haunted her
for the last three days was once again rearing its ugly head, and once
again for the fourth night in a row Kat woke up sobbing. Crying for
her lost best friend, crying for her lost innocence. This time Kat
felt something different than in previous nights. Kat felt arms
wrapped around her and soothing words being spoken to her. When Kat's
sobbing finally subsided enough for her to collect herself she threw
her own arms around the person holding her. "Katrina you're all right
it was only a nightmare." Michiru was saying as she was gently rocking
Kat back and forth. "Michiru it was the same dream again. I loved her
Michiru, and now she's gone I'll never see her again." Kat squeaked
out her voice mostly getting choked by her sobs. Michiru wasn't really
sure how to react she had never really known anybody who had lost such
a close friend, or maybe in this case a lover. Now at that Michiru was
just guessing but with the way that Kat talked about Nibiki it would
make one stop and think. Michiru just repeated herself telling Kat
that she would be fine and that she needed to get some sleep. Kat
slowly started to calm down her breathing became more slow and
controlled. "Michiru please don't leave me. I just..." Kat started but
never finished as she lost her voice and just hugged Michiru tightly.
Michiru kissed Kat on top of her head. "I won't go anywhere Katrina.
I promise." Michiru whispered as she held Katrina as tightly as she
could. It was only a few minuets before Kat had cried herself back to
sleep. Michiru stayed true to her word she didn't leave Kat's side for
the rest of the night. When the morning broke Katrina was the first to
wake up. Kat looked to her left and saw Michiru still sleeping. She
smiled to herself and brushed a stray hair off of Michiru's forehead.
"Thank you Michiru for not leaving me." She whispered as she slowly
got out of bed. Michiru began to stir and sat up. "Good morning
Michiru." Kat said as she smiled brightly. "Good morning Katrina."
Michiru yawned. "How are you feeling?" Michiru asked concern rather
obvious on her face. "I'm doing much better thank you, and Michiru
thank you for not leaving me last night." Kat responded as Michiru
walked up and hugged Katrina. Michiru headed for the kitchen and
started to make breakfast. Kat was sitting at the dining room table
and browsing through a small stack of supermarket tabloids most of
them featured a cover story about the Sailor Senshi. Kat couldn't
help but wonder why Michiru wasn't involved with the other Senshi.
When they had talked about the subject of working with the other
Sailor Senshi, Michiru had bluntly told her "They'd just get in our
way." Kat hadn't broached the subject since then, but the wondering
remained. She had been pondering over Michiru's answer, but every
possible solution to her query only seemed to bring up more questions.
"They'd just get in our way? What does she mean by that?" Kat muttered
under her breath as she continued to browse the stack of tabloids.
Well, Kat knew that all of that could wait for another time, she had a
mission to fulfill no make that she had two missions to fulfill one
was finding these pure heart crystals, and the other was finding the
long lost queen of her best friend. Kat was hoping that she could use
one mission to accomplish the other. She snapped out her little
reverie when she heard Michiru's voice asking her if she'd like some
coffee. "Yes thank you." Kat replied. A couple minuets later Michiru
walked into the dining room carrying a plate of French toast, and a
coffee pot with two coffee mugs. Michiru set the food down on the
table and took her seat across the table from Kat. "Help yourself I
made plenty." She said as she took a few slices of the French toast
and put it on her plate. Kat did the same. Each of the girls poured
herself a cup of coffee. Kat took a sip of the coffee. "This coffee is
good. Where'd you get it?" She asked as she took another sip. "I got
it from a friend of mine in Costa Rica he owns a farm that grows
coffee beans." Kat looked rather impressed by this fact. The two girls
continued to eat their breakfast and talked about various things. When
they were done eating the one question that Kat knew was coming was
finally asked. "So, are you ready to start your training Katrina?"
Michiru asked. Kat looked Michiru straight in the eyes. "Yes, I am
ready." She replied with more enthusiasm and boldness than she was
really feeling. Kat knew that to be of any use to anybody as a Sailor
Senshi she would have to know what she was doing, and at this point
she was truly flying not only blind but deaf as well. She had to do
this for Nibiki's sake she had to learn all there was to know about
being a Sailor Senshi. She had nearly been defeated in her first
battle as a Senshi, and as Michiru had told her not even a half-day
ago in this business defeat equals death, and death was not an option.
From what Michiru had told her the very existence of the universe was
at stake unless those heart crystals were found, and the Holy Grail
restored to it's rightful owner, and from what she had learned at the
glimpses of Nibiki's memory an entire world was at stake if its queen
was not found. Death truly was not a valid option there was far too
much at stake here, and Katrina was not going to let that many people
down.
Elsewhere:
Thornite and Sand Storm were planning their next move. Thornite was
hoping that indeed the third time would be the charm and they would
finally manage to retrieve Katrina Asamov's heart crystal. She hated
the thought of failing Doctor Tomoe for a third time in as many
chances, but this target was rather interesting after all she tipped
her hand that she was a Sailor Solder. This meant that they would have
to be very careful about how they approached her. She was too powerful
to take on in a head to head fight, so they had to use a much more
subtle tactic to win this one. Plus the fact of that other Sailor
Senshi showing her face didn't help things either. Unless Thornite
missed her guess Sailor Neptune would be very close by and waiting to
pounce at the first sign of trouble. Sailor Star Dancer would be hard
enough to deal with but if Sailor Neptune was there as well then it
would be damn near impossible. Thornite's plan was simple she would
take two heart snatchers with her, Sand Storm to steal Katrina's heart
and a second one to fight off Sailor Neptune. Thornite knew that
Doctor Tomoe was beginning to lose patients with her, so she
desperately needed a win here. It was so frustrating to Thornite that
since the start she was met with nothing but easy victory then when
the first Sailor Dancer appeared it all seemed to go south rather
quickly, and now she had not only the new Sailor Dancer to contend
with but Sailor Neptune as well. Thornite was trying not to let her
frustration get the better of her because she knew that could lead too
many foolish mistakes if she did. The one question on Thornite's mind
was why were the Sailor Senshi just now getting involved? It was a
mystery for another time. She would beat them it didn't matter if
there were two or twenty-two she would beat them all, and take their
hearts in the process.
Outside of Tokyo:
Michiru and Katrina were standing in an open field with not a single
living being anywhere in sight. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and
the only sounds that could be heard were birds chirping off in the
distance. It was warm but not overly so. The ground was still damp
from the rain yesterday. Katrina was more nervous about what she was
going to be doing in this field than about anything else she had ever
done in her life. Katrina knew that training with Sailor Neptune was
preferable to on the job training at the very least Michiru should be
able to answer any questions that Kat would ask, and Katrina had many
questions to ask. Michiru was on the opposite side of the field
setting up what looked to be archery targets. Michiru had her own
thoughts about what would be transpiring today, and truth be told
Michiru was just as nervous as Katrina was. Michiru's main concern was
that Katrina's performance would be less than stellar. When Michiru
has completed setting up the targets she walked back to where Katrina
was waiting. "OK Katrina the first thing that you're going to be
working on is focusing your attack power. Depending on what you want
to do with an enemy will determine how much power you put into an
attack. For the most part you'll be wanting to destroy an enemy so use
your full power, but there maybe times you'll need to get information
out of your adversary so then use only as much power that you think
you'll need to in order to stun your opponent." Michiru instructed as
she drew out her transformation stick. Katrina listened to every word
that was spoken. "Now Katrina get your transformation stick and
transform." Michiru ordered. Kat looked at Michiru and shook her head.
"I don't have a transformation stick. I've got some kind of microphone
headpiece that just appears over my ear." She said as the
aforementioned headset made its appearance. Michiru saw the headset
and couldn't help but wonder just what kind of Sailor Senshi that
Katrina was. Michiru thought that she remembered something about a
group of Senshi in the Silver Millennium that used other means of
transformation but she wasn't sure and she really didn't care at the
moment. Anyway Michiru threw her hand holding her transformation stick
over her head. "Neptune Planet Power, Makeup!" Michiru felt the
familiar rush of power course through her body. The power of water
guided by the planet Neptune made her stronger than an ordinary human.
After the initial rush of power had subsided the Senshi of Water
Sailor Neptune replaced Kaiho Michiru. Katrina knew that she was next.
The microphone extended down to near Katrina's mouth. "Dancer Star
Power, Makeup!" Katrina also felt a rush of power. The power felt
all-consuming like it was taking over her body. A dome of star shaped
light surrounded her, for a few brief seconds Katrina could tell that
she was nude but that feeling quickly left her as she felt her Star
Light Senshi attire cloth her body. Katrina was now wearing a light
brown leather mini-skirt; a brown sleeveless vest and a light brown
bikini top covered her torso, black boots that extended to mid-shin
were on her feet. Her hair was now in a pony tail, and light brown
knee and elbow pads covered those respective body parts, and a yellow
gold tiara adorned her forehead. Her transformation complete Katrina
Asamov was now Sailor Star Dancer. Katrina felt even more nervous than
she did before she transformed. Kat felt like she was about vomit
either that or wind up wetting herself. Kat felt more nervous about
this training session than she did about staring down Thornite and
that heart snatcher yesterday. She was afraid that she would screw up
or find out that she's not good enough to handle the responsibility of
being a Senshi. But she knew how much was riding on this not just her
survival but also the survival of the entire universe, or at the very
least the survival of the Earth and Nibiki's true home planet. She'd
find a way a to get though this. She didn't have a clue how she would
do it but she knew that she would somehow someway. Sailor Neptune
didn't give Star Dancer much time to think about that dilemma. "O.K.
now listen closely here's what I want you to do the blue targets I want
you to do as little damage as possible to them, the yellow ones I want
damaged as much as you can with out destroying them, and finally the
red targets I want totally destroyed. Now get to work." Neptune
ordered as she watched Sailor Star Dancer start to call her power into
play. "Star Tranquil Scorch!" When Sailor Star Dancer spoke that
phrase a yellow beam of light shot out of her hands. After all the
targets had been attacked. Neptune went to check out the results. She
was very pleased with what she saw in front of her. "Well, I'd say
that you passed this test with flying colors." Neptune announced to a
very relieved Star Dancer. "I'm glad you think I did well Michiru."
Star Dancer replied almost shyly. Sailor Neptune seemed to go stiff as
a board for several seconds. She closed her eyes for a second as a
zephyr gently blew her hair. Star Dancer looked blankly at Neptune for
a few seconds. "What is it Neptune?" She whispered seeing the teal
haired girl look rigid. "The sea is crying out. Trouble is brewing."
Neptune quickly replied. The two Senshi stood back to back looking for
anything that might seem out of the ordinary. It didn't take them long
to find it, or rather it didn't take the trouble long to find them.
"Lovely display ladies, but now how well do you think you can handle
the real thing?" Thornite's voice laughed. "Thornite, come out of
hiding and face us!" Sailor Neptune shouted. "Show yourself you
coward." Sailor Star Dancer added in. "All in due time girls but first
say hello to my associates." Thornite snapped back. Just then Sand
Storm and a second heart snatcher came seemingly flying of thin air.
Sand Storm going after Katrina and the second heart snatcher going
after Michiru. "It's a divide and conquer tactic, Neptune. They're
trying to split us up." Sailor Star Dancer yelled. "Star Dancer you'll
have to beat her on your own. I'll help you as soon as I can." Neptune
said, as she was being lead away from the battle. "Now you're mine
girlie. Give it up you can't beat me." Sand Storm warned. Katrina was
slowly clenching and unclenching her fists. "Maybe, maybe not Sand
Storm, but I'm sure as hell going to try. I've got two whole worlds of
people counting on me, and I will not fail them." Sailor Star Dancer
shot back. "Two worlds of people eh? Well, then I guess they're out of
luck as are you!" Sand Storm shouted back and unleashed an attack.
Star Dancer avoided the attack. Even though Kat had made such a bold
statement she still felt unsure of herself. She felt as if her speech
had been nothing but bravado. Even though she had passed Neptune's
little test this was different this target could counter attack. To be
blunt this target could very easily kill her. "Eat sand you pathetic
excuse of a Senshi." Sand Storm hissed. Sand slowly started to build
around Katrina. "No, not this time you freak!" Star Dancer shouted
back. "Star Tranquil Scorch!" Star Dancer's power came into play. An
intense beam of yellow light flew out of the Star Light Warrior's palm.
Sand Storm noticed the attack at the last possible second and avoided
it by inches. Star Dancer stood in shock she couldn't believe that her
attack had missed. Sand Strom just laughed. Kat had a sickening
feeling in her stomach that this was the end she wished that Michiru
was here to help her. At this point Michiru and her attacker were out
of sight. Sailor Neptune couldn't have planed this any better. This
was the opportunity that she needed to find out whether or not Kat
possessed a Pure Heart Crystal. Sailor Neptune figured that Sand Storm
would overpower the upstart Senshi. "I want your heart Sailor Neptune
give me your heart." The heart snatcher screeched. Neptune just smiled
and laughed. "That's not happening. Deep Submerge!" A teal globe of
water energy shot out towards the heart snatcher and hit it dead on.
The thing gave a scram of pain and then went silent. A key then fell
to the ground and a small oval shaped object fell out of it and
cracked open and a black almost shapeless form came out of the object
and then as quickly vanished. Michiru started to make her way back to
where she had left Sailor Star Dancer and Sand Storm. She had figured
that the battle was over by now and that Sand Storm was just now
beginning to take Katrina's heart. Once she knew for sure if Kat's
heart crystal was pure or not she'd destroy both Sand Storm and
Thornite. A small part of Michiru was hoping that Kat didn't have a
pure heart while Sailor Neptune could have cared less. If she didn't
have a pure heart then she'd give Kat her crystal back if she did then
she'd take the treasure and continue her search for the other two.
Sand Storm unleashed another attack but Star Dancer was able to dodge
that attack. She had no idea how she holding her own but she was. Sand
Storm tried a flying kick but in a blur of movement Star Dancer caught
the Heart Snatcher's leg and slammed it to the ground. Thornite
couldn't believe what she was seeing she was at a loss to figure out
how Sailor Star Dancer could have improved so much in so little time.
Thornite wasn't the only one confused Star Dancer herself had no clue
how she was doing the moves that she was doing, but whatever was going
on Katrina executed the moves like a master. She hit the Heart Snatcher
with a wheel house kick to the side of its head. This kick stunned the
creature and sent reeling back several paces. Sailor Neptune arrived
in time to witness the kick. Like everybody else she was amazed at
what she saw. 'So, much for me needing to ride to the rescue.' Neptune
thought to herself as she continued to watch. With the tide of battle
seemingly turning against her heart snatcher Thornite decided to lend
a hand. She with drew a small spherical object from her pocket and
threw it towards the Star Light Senshi. A blinding flash of light
exploded out of the object. This blinded and stunned Kat long enough
for Sand Storm to get a decent shot in. The Senshi hit the ground hard
the impact of the blow and the fall knocking the wind out of her. "It
was fun while it lasted little girl. Now your heart is mine." Sand
Storm cruelly laughed. As the effects of the blinding flash wore off
Sailor Star Dancer could see that Sand Storm was standing over her.
She could see a black star shaped light begin to form on her forehead.
She closed her eyes figuring this was the end. She could feel tears
welling up in her eyes. She had failed; she had let her best friend
down. She had let down two worlds that were counting on her. "I'm
sorry Nibiki I failed you. I'll be joining you soon." She whispered.
Time seemed to stop with those words. Kat had no idea what she was
looking at but it looked to be some kind of castle. She could see a
lone figure standing in front of it. She was dressed in a simple light
blue sundress. Kat knew immediately who that figure was. "Nibiki what
is this place? Am I dead?" Kat asked. Nibiki stood silent for a few
seconds then spoke. "No my dear friend you're not dead yet. Just
remember what I told you when I gave you my power. You've been
wondering how you fought so well. You've got some of my memory and
fighting skill. Now remember I told you that would know what to do and
when to do it well now is crash course time. You know what to do and
now is the time to do it. Most of the enemies that you will be facing
will be very unforgiving of your mistakes you must be equally as
unforgiving of there's. You can do this. Believe in yourself and in
your power and you will win this battle. Good-bye my friend and
remember I will always love you." Nibiki said as she kissed Katrina on
her forehead. In the next instant Kat was back on the battle field.
"Yes, you'll be joining your friend in a few seconds. The pain won't
last very long." Sand Strom gloated. Sailor Star Dancer smiled. "Not
if I send you to hell first monster." She quipped as she lifted her
right hand of the ground. "Star Tranquil Scorch!" She commanded her
attack to life once again. This time Sand Storm didn't have time to
react and the yellow beam of energy hit her right in the chest. She
exploded with a scream of her death wail. A bag of sand landed in
between Star Dancers legs. "You'll pay for that Katrina Asamov. If I
can't defeat you I'll just go after your loved ones, but hear my words
girl you will pay!" Thornite swore as she vanished into thin air. Kat
felt a chill run down her spine she knew that even with her powers
that she wouldn't be able to defend her all family and friends. She
started the day frightened for herself now her fear turned to those
that she was closest to. Neptune came running up to Star Dancer. 'She
may be a more capable ally than I first thought.' Michiru thought as
she helped Kat to her feet. "Are you all right Katrina?" Michiru asked
with genuine concern. "Physically yes, but did you hear what Thornite
said? She going to go after my family and friends. What do I do now? I
can't save them all Michiru. Even if we spilt up we still can't save
them all." Kat cried as she hugged Michiru tightly. This was a totally
unexpected development Michiru had never thought that Kat would win
this battle today. She had expected to have dispatched Thornite by now
and continue her hunt of the pure heart crystals, but now she felt as
though she had to stay and help Katrina mostly because Kat had proved
herself a strong ally, somebody that Michiru could fight with instead
of just fighting for, and now Kat needed her help more than ever. She
would take down Thornite for Kat's sake this was now personal, and
just maybe in helping Kat protect her family and friends she might
just stumble onto the whereabouts of the three pure hearts. "I'm not
sure how but I promise you Katrina we will find a way to win and stop
Thornite. You're right we can't save everybody but we will save as
many as possible. I swear we'll stop her or die trying." Michiru
responded. Katrina looked Michiru in the eyes. She barely whispered
the words thank you. Even though Kat was scared for her loved ones she
knew that she would do the best she could. She was positive that
between her and Michiru that Thornite would be taken down and hard.
"Thornite you're living on borrowed time. I'll get you I'll make sure
you never hurt anybody again." Kat muttered under her breath. Kat had
a sense of foreboding that things were about to get worse before they
started to get better, but Kat was determined to ride the storm out.
She would prevail as the old saying goes what would not kill her would
make her stronger.
Elsewhere:
Thornite appeared in an empty lab. She was frustrated beyond her
comprehension she not only failed for a third time to capture
Katrina's heart crystal but lost two heart snatchers in the process.
Her only ace was knowing that Sailor Star Dancer and Katrina Asamov
were one and the same. That made hunting down Katrina's family easier.
One way or another she would get the heart crystal of Katrina. She was
almost hoping that Katrina's heart wasn't pure so she could obliterate
the crystal in front of Katrina's eyes just before she died. Either
way pure heart or not Katrina Asamov would die. If she couldn't get
Katrina head on she'd break her slowly. For all the frustration that
she had caused she deserved no less. "Enjoy the time left to you
Katrina because you're going to be leaving this mortal coil very, very
soon, and it won't be quick and painless either!" Thornite shouted to
her empty lab. She then went to work to start her plan to take out
Sailor Star Dancer in the cruelest way that she could think of.
TO BE CONTINUED.