Morbid Angel

The events of the previous day had left the senshi desperately worried about Minae and a certain white-haired Princess hiding in a closet.

"W-what if it’s contagious?" Annika wailed, her voice muffled by the thick wood door.

"It’s not contagious, trust me!" Lys attempted to coax her future mother from her hidden fortress.

Mika stood by giggling. "Don’t be so sure, Lys. It did affect Minae suddenly. What if it’s going around? Sort of like the Coruscant Flu - who knows? Annika might already be infected."

No words were necessary, as the frightened Bakuran girl was already crying... loudly.

"Way to go, Mika!" Lys mumbled.

"Listen, I think whatever is wrong with Minae is not a virus. Besides, in the future you are just the same crybaby..." Lysthea said.

"Lazy," Lys helped her twin.

"Insecure..."

"Clumsy..."

"Stubborn royalty that you are now!"

Small sniffles filtered through the closet. "Really?"

"Yes," Lys and Lysthea agreed. The lock clicked, and the heavy door cracked open. A very scared-looking Annika Nesicha appeared.

"Oh look!" Mika said, pointing to the window. They focused their attention on the person on the other side of the glass. Minae was jogging around the Naboo palace. She was jumping over obstacles and stopping only momentarily to take a drink of water.

The day before, Minae had begun to show traits that definitely did not belong to her. She was immaculately clean, her room was the cleanest in the palace, her clothes were wrinkle and crumb free, and she was always on the move. That morning, she was awake at 5.30 am, running and performing various exercises. For some senshi those traits were normal, but for Minae...

That was the exact reason why Annika’s knees were shaking as she watched the usually lazy and un-athletic Minae jump a hurdle.

"Just think, Annika, tomorrow that could be you!" Mika whispered.

"No!" Annika yelled. She ran from the room and disappeared. Mika was still giggling when she noticed the mean looks coming from Lys and Lysthea.

"It’s not my fault she’s naïve!"

"That’s true. And it is kind of funny..." Lys admitted. She and her sister giggled.

Meanwhile, Kyoko was extremely excited about something. She had discovered the answer to their problem; how to separate the spirit of Princess Kizi from the body of Minae.

Kyoko and Xarae had decided not to inform the rest of the Jedi that Minae was the soldier chosen to play host to Kizi. From the moment Xarae noticed Minae’s skin taking on the distinctive purple colour of the long-dead Kizi, she and Kyoko diligently searched for an answer. Pouring over book after book, some as ancient as Naboo itself, trying to find a way to kill Kizi. After days of seeming fruitless searches, Kyoko found something of particular importance. An old book with the crest of an early Naboo Queen lay hidden under a stack of unimportant books.

At the time it was easy to overlook, but Xarae felt a strong push from the Force leading her to the book. It was filled with strange symbols and an obscure writing that only Kyoko could decipher.

"I can’t believe it! This is a diary... of a Sailor Jedi?" the blue-haired girl asked questioningly.

"Do you think it could be a past life of yours? Was she Sailor Naboo?" asked Xarae.

"I don’t know... maybe. Listen to this." Kyoko read from the book:

6.298-1 - This morning was fought with unrelenting bravery. We were able to fend off the attack... but for how long?
8.1624 - I suspect the thief who has helped herself to my cookies is the visiting Bakuran Queen.

"Are you serious?!" Xarae smiled. Kyoko nodded, realising that some things never change. She read another entry:

12.1462 - Success! We combined our powers and became as one. The war is over.

Xarae looked intrigued. "Combine powers? What does that mean?"

"I think I know. Do me a favour - ask Boshi to order all the senshi to Naboo. Immediately."

Chakra passed Xarae on her way down the stairs. She saw the brunette woman turn and head toward her bedroom. Shrugging her shoulders, the small girl descended the stairs and saw Minae come through the front doors. She was sweating and slightly out of breath.

"Minae? What’s wrong?" asked Chakra.

"What do you want?" the girl yelled. Her eyes swirled in hypnotic spirals, and her voice was tinged with venom.

"I-I just wanted to make sure you were okay... that’s all. I’m sorry if I made you angry." The tears threatened to spill from her eyes as her bottom lip started to tremble.

Suddenly a thought occurred to Kizi; this little girl was literally bubbling with a tremendous amount of energy. The Princess only required a minimal amount to return to power permanently, and this girl would provide her with enough to make Kizi indestructible. Killing her now would be wasteful; Chakra should die under the nighttime sky in front of thousands of loyal supporters. A sacrifice would solidify her reign and prove herself to the few remaining doubters.

"Chakra, allow me to apologise. I’ve just spent most of the morning exercising and building my strength, so I’m somewhat tired."

"That’s okay Minae!" the young girl immediately brightened. She smiled and giggled.

"Why don’t you let me buy you something? Say some ice cream? Or a CD by N*aboo or the Bespin Boys? Maybe a small toy? How about it?" Once again Kizi tried to twist Minae’s facial muscles into a smile. She apparently got it right because she received a smile in return.

"That’s so nice! Thank you Minae! Just let me tell Nom!" Before Kizi could stop her, she was gone up the stairs.

Stomping her foot, Kizi cursed and shrugged her shoulders. By the time they realise they are both gone, it will be too late. She couldn’t help laughing to herself as a very happy Chakra bounded down the stairs with her shoes on and five Republic Credits.

"Annika gave me some extra money to buy some ice cream for her too, so we can’t be gone long, okay?"

"Don’t worry, it’s not as if we’ll be gone forever."

They had only taken a few steps away from the palace when Kizi placed her forefinger and thumb at the base of Chakra’s neck, causing her to crumble to the ground. Taking Chakra in her arms, Princess Kizi quietly ran through the trees leading to the clearing in the woods.

Somewhere deep inside her mind, Minae came to consciousness. She wasn’t sure where she was or why she felt like she was floating, but her mind was sharp and alert. She was surrounded by blackness and silence. She tried to stand up, but then realised she wasn’t sitting down. She wasn’t anywhere. Her mind seemed to be isolated and solitary. Where was her body? Panic flooded her thoughts; was she dead, in a coma, some sort of limbo? She couldn’t be sure. Then she remembered the dream she had been having, the dream of her mother.

Her mother, who died when Minae was a baby, had come to her in a dream and promised to take care of her. It was easy for Minae to fall into her mother’s arms even if it was a dream. Was this place still a part of that dream? If so, where was her mother... where was anybody?

At this same time, several ships were streaking through the stars in hyperdrive. Their destination: Naboo. Each ship was filled with more than a safe amount of people, but considering the importance of Xarae’s message, safety was temporarily discarded.

Sailor Tatooine sat in the back of the Jedi transport and pondered what could possibly be so important that all of the senshi were called for. Boshi stressed specifically that the Eternal senshi have to come; their presence was strictly required. Zyta ran that over in her mind... all of the senshi, especially the Eternals... why could Kyoko need them all, and for what?

"Sailor Tatooine?" asked Sailor Alderaan.

"Yes?"

"I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

"Me too."

Back on Naboo, Annika was beginning to suspect that a mystery was afoot. She tiptoed behind Kumoko, who knew she was there - she just wasn’t going to play her game. Yet Kumo-chan was smart enough to know that Annika wasn’t one to give up easily, so perhaps ignoring her wasn’t a good idea. Suddenly Kumo-chan spun to face the princess. Trying to duck into a nearby room but not noticing that the door was shut, her head connected with the wooden door with a loud crack. Kumoko rolled her eyes.

"Hime no baka. Baka, baka, baka!" the girl from Bespin yelled.

"How can you be so heartless? Don’t you care at all?!?!?"

With a heavy sigh, "Oh for pity’s sake, Annika, I’m sure Chakra will be back with your ice cream soon!"

"How do you know? I think someone stole it! Why isn’t she back yet, anyway?"

Kumoko was thankful at that moment, for the large wooden front doors flew open and a literal horde of senshi came pouring in. They were met by a very worried Xarae, Kyoko and Nom.

Xarae turned on her heel and informed Kumo-chan and Annika that they needed to transform and meet the rest of the Sailor Jedi in front of the palace in five minutes.

To see all of the senshi gathered in one spot was downright awe-inspiring. Everyone was there and confused. Xarae, Nom and Kyoko huddled to themselves and spoke in hushed whispers. After what seemed like an eternity, Kyoko, now Sailor Naboo, addressed the crowd.

"My friends - no - my sisters and brothers, I will not lie to you. We are facing possibly our toughest battle yet. I know that you are all aware of Princess Kizi and her followers, the Kiiroi Hane. What you do not know is that one of our own has been infected by the disembodied spirit of the Princess. Sailor Iridonia and myself are now convinced that soldier is Minae."

Gasps went up from the large crowd, and Sailor Dathomir looked even more worried. Sailor Broxan suddenly remembered seeing Chakra leaving with Minae, and she understood why Dathomir was upset.

"What can we do?" asked Sailor Tatooine.

"It’s too complicated to go into detail right now, but you will have to trust me. I have to be honest... some of us may not come back alive."

"Chakra is with her!" Sailor Bakura yelled. Annika loved Chakra as much as her own children and would gladly give her life to save her.

"I know. We will get both Chakra and Minae back safely, I promise." Sailor Naboo smiled weakly. She wasn’t sure if she believed herself. She glanced up at the darkening sky and once again saw the dark storm clouds surge and pile on top of each other. The wind was bitter and whipped around her shoulders. She looked at Sailor Iridonia and nodded.

Xarae closed her eyes and attuned every cell in her body to the will of the Force. Lead us, she urged. A soft tugging at the corners of her soul pulled her in the direction she knew was where Kizi and Chakra would be found.

"We go northwest," she said matter-of-factly.

It’s difficult for roughly sixty senshi to keep quiet, but they were aided by the storm brewing overhead. Thunder and lightning crashed around them, virtually cloaking them in noise. Small, cold raindrops began to fall on their heads as they approached a small outcropping.

Chakra could clearly be seen unconscious and tied to a tree, a cape of yellow bird feathers draped around her delicate shoulders. Sailor Dathomir had to be physically restrained. Sailor Naboo turned to Sailor Omwat.

"Can you and Annika untie Chakra without being seen? Do you think you can teleport her back here to us?" she whispered.

The girls in question nodded and joined hands. "Suku," they whispered. In an instant, they disappeared.

"As soon as you have her, come back here immediately," Naboo warned. Quietly, Annika and Kirana made their way through drunken revellers until they stood next to Chakra. Minae, now looking strikingly like Princess Kizi, sat in an ornately decorated throne. She smelled the air and looked in the direction of the two senshi. They froze.

Kizi stood and walked closer to the tree; she was inches away from touching Sailor Omwat, whom only Annika could see. If Kirana were to move now, the Princess would surely sense it. Both Sailors held their breath.

"Your highness!" one of the festival attendees screeched. He placed his hand on Kizi’s arm, which distracted her just enough for both Sailors to move to a safe position. Quickly they untied the ropes, and with Omwat on one side and Bakura on the other, they stretched around the tree and joined hands.

"Kieru!" they whispered again. This time, unnoticed, they were standing in front of Sailor Naboo and were fully visible. Sailor Dathomir immediately held her future daughter close to her chest, and the tears in her eyes were thanks enough. Sailor Bakura couldn’t help but notice that only a few senshi were standing there. Sensing her confusion, Sailor Naboo explained.

"We’re going to attack by combining our powers. The power of at least one Inner senshi, one Outer, one Guardian, and one Knight will be combined and channelled through the power of one Eternal senshi."

"Why an Eternal?"

"Because they are the only ones who can act as a conduit for this power."

Nodding her head, Sailor Bakura raised her wand and transformed into Eternal Sailor Bakura. She stood in the middle of a circle created by Sailors Naboo, Asteroid, Yavin, and Tuxedo Jedi. Thunder cracked across the sky and rain poured down upon their heads, obscuring their vision and making it difficult to hear. Lightning flashed, and Eternal Sailor Bakura could see the rest of the senshi standing in similar circles; they surrounded the area so there was no escape.

"Kizi!" Sailor Naboo yelled. The now purple-haired, green-skinned Minae spun around to face her enemies. Her eyes grew wide as she surveyed the battle ground and saw she was unquestionably surrounded. A small sound started in her throat and soon erupted into a vicious laugh.

"You can’t defeat me... not without killing your friend. And you forget that I have-" Kizi gestured to the place where Chakra used to be, and gasped.

"Where is the child?!?!?!?" Kizi screamed. She panicked only briefly before starting her laugh again.

Sailor Naboo whispered, "Get ready."

"So, you have the child. Take her! I don’t need her! I have another one of your friends... Minae. Or don’t you care about her?"

"Now!," Sailor Naboo yelled. One by one, they all clasped hands. At once, different-coloured auras began to glow around each senshi. The lights flowed into the Eternal senshi, who were now levitating several feet off the ground. Holding their hands in front of them, a white light poured out effortlessly and hit Kizi. She and her followers were instantly frozen in place.

Deep inside Kizi, Minae awoke again. She was scared. Something was wrong. She felt restrained and heavy. From a distance she saw the figure of a woman.

"...Mother?..." her voice echoed.

The woman turned her head to see Minae. Her form changed from her purple-skinned, green-haired appearance into that of a gentle-looking woman.

"Minae, darling. Go back to sleep."

"...Why? What’s going on? I feel strange..."

"Don’t argue with me!" Kizi spat. When she did so, her form flickered. And Minae saw her true form. She saw the evil woman for what she really was.

"...You’re not my mother!..." she screamed.

Suddenly, the woman returned to her real form and looked at Minae with hatred in her eyes. "So, you’ve finally figured that out, have you? You’re pathetic! You fell right into my trap, and soon you’ll die in it!!" Kizi used what power she had left to push Minae’s consciousness down deeper until she disappeared.

In the nighttime with the cold rain pounding hard on everyone, Sailor Naboo knew the time was drawing close. She shouted out, "Minae! You have to hear me! You have to be strong!! You have to force her out or you’ll die!"

The mind of Minae heard those words, and she decided to fight. She was betrayed by this woman; she was infecting her body. Minae refused to let this happen. She faced Kizi, but before Minae could do anything, she was hit by a fierce form of power. It knocked her down and drained her energy.

"Face it, brat! You’re going to be as dead as I am!" she laughed loudly.

"I am not going to let you kill me! I have things to live for. I’ve got friends and people who love me!" Minae screamed. A bright light overtook her body, and the spirit of Kizi was slowly edged out. Sailor Naboo saw Minae’s hair turn back to its brown colour and her skin return to its normal hue. The spirit of Kizi was visible and looked dazed. Minae’s body fell to the ground in a heap.

In one voice, all the senshi spoke, "Silver Galaxy Attack!" The lights coming from the hands of the Eternal senshi focused on Kizi with full power. Suddenly, a swirling black bolthole opened, and small wispy pink clouds flowed out. A woman’s silhouette stood in the middle of the large opening. Another figure, that of a young man, came from behind her and walked up to the spirit of Kizi.

"Sister, it took me generations to forgive myself and forgive you. I have moved on to the other side of life. If you turn on me now, you will be lost forever. Please take my hand and allow me to guide you into peace. It is over," Prince Vizi said.

Princess Kizi had tears in her eyes as she reached over and grabbed her brother’s hand. In a flash of light, they were gone. The power of the senshi returned to them, and the attack was done. Sailor Chibi Bakura and Sailor Broxan gasped at the sight of the woman still stoically standing in the bolthole.

"Ame..." they whispered. The woman in the centre of the opening looked at them, then at Sailor Bakura. She turned her nose up and turned her back, the hole closing behind her.

Eternal Sailor Bakura tiptoed over to them. "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing!" Lysthea said.

"Did you know that woman? The one that appeared in the bolthole?"

They looked at each other, then said, "No."

Sailors Iridonia and Dathomir were looking at the remains of Kizi’s followers. All of them had been reduced to skeletons. Sailor Dathomir shook her head.

"A powerful spell. These people were already dead. When Minae broke the spell over herself, she must also have broken the spell placed on these skeletons."

"So they were never alive?" Iridonia asked.

"At one time, yes. But not for some time. The spell was probably done when Kizi was actually alive."

Sailor Myrkr ran to Minae’s side and cradled her head. The rest of the senshi crowded around her and waited for her to open her eyes. They fluttered open and quietly Minae said, "Did anyone eat my doughnuts?" Everyone burst into laughter.