-Episode 09-



   Trish ran full out past the empty premises in front of Brekke's school, knowing without looking that the black-haired girl had already given up waiting for her. Because straight ahead of her was said black-haired girl, crossing the street with her brunette friend, what was her name? Jessica or something. The blonde shook her head; it was almost funny how terrible she was with English names, and yet nailed all these foreign ones on the spot.

   Her sprint slowed down to a trot, and from there Trish skipped the rest of the way, easily catching up to the two as they waited for a break in traffic in order to cross the street. The blonde halted herself just in time to avoid colliding with Brekke and her friend and yet somehow remaining unnoticed. She composed herself behind the two oblivious girls, straightening her shirt and brushing the stray hair out of her eyes, before neatly tapping Brekke on the shoulder. The opposite shoulder from where she was standing.

   ")What?(" Brekke grumbled, looking away from where the blonde was. Seeing no one, she continued to look until she had turned all the way around to where Trish stood, grinning. ")Trish! Du Schaumkopf!("

   Trish blinked, but then waved cheerfully. ")Hallo Brekke! What was that you said?("

   ")I called you a Schaumkopf,(" Brekke said slowly, smiling somewhat fiendishly.

   ")It's probably for your best interest not to ask,(" the brunette stated. ")You're Trish, right? Nice to see you again.("

   ")Nice to see you, too," Trish nodded, still trying to remember the girl's name.

   ")Me and Jen are heading home,(" Brekke informed the blonde. ")Would you like to join us?("

   ")Why not?(" Trish smiled, playing along; she would've followed the black-haired girl even if she had told her not to. ")I just have to be home by four, that's all.("

   ")Four?(" Jennifer unconsciously checked her watch. ")It's only a little after three. Unless you live on the other side of this district...(" the brunette trailed off and shrugged.

   ")Ah!(" Brekke cried, grabbing Jennifer's sleeve and trotting off, across the street. The gap they had been waiting for had finally appeared. The blonde hurried after.

   The three of them meandered down the street, chattering idly about trivial things. After a few blocks, they headed down a side street and into the backend of a small area of apartments. Brekke and Trish waved goodbye to the brunette as she disappeared inside to one such apartment. Then the blonde followed Brekke silently as they continued walking to the sidewalk.

   ")So you decided to frolic with Vic yesterday, hmm?(" Brekke eventually grumbled.

   ")Frolic?(" Trish blinked. ")I wasn't frolicking! I was just walking! Walking! With her...yes...ergh, I mean, to the shrine, Rei's shrine? I was walking with her to Rei's shrine, yes, to introduce her to the other girls, and to...um...and to get that info!" She grinned, "I found out how they would get there!("

   ")Lovely stuttering,(" Brekke snorted.

   ")I wasn't stuttering!(" Trish grumbled.

   ")Uh, no, uh, of course, uh, you weren't,(" the black-haired girl returned and stuck her tongue out.

   The blonde scrunched up her nose but didn't respond. Instead she looked down the street that they were just then crossing at what appeared to be the entrance to the apartment area. She stared for a moment at it, then glanced at Brekke, who continued on down the road they were on.

   ")Brekke?(" Trish hurried to catch up. ")The entrance is that way.(" She waved her hand in the general direction of it.

   ")Yup,(" Brekke stated.

   ")Then where are we going?(" Trish asked.

   ")Where did you think we were going?("

   ")I'm not sure, but I wasn't thinking of here,(" the blonde blinked. Then as an afterthought, she added, ")maybe that café?("

   ")So you weren't even contemplating going with me to my house and discussing the weather over a spot of tea?(" Brekke smirked.

   ")It didn't come to mind, no.("

   ")Well, maybe we could skip the tea,(" Brekke stated as she turned onto a path leading to the stairs of the next apartment building. ")I don't particularly care for tea, anyway. But we really should discuss certain current events.("

   ")Alright, alright,(" Trish shook her head and smiled, following the black-haired girl up the flight of steps.

   The blonde had to wait a few moments as Brekke fumbled for her key and unlocked the door before the two walked inside into a dark family room. Brekke flipped on the light switch to reveal a beige and gray-blue schemed room, moderately furnished with a couch, a few chairs, and a coffee table. Just off of the family room was the kitchen, separated by a bar. Opposite the door was a hallway that presumably led back to the rooms and bathroom.

   In the wall opposite the kitchen were two large windows, which Brekke immediately walked over to and opened, drawing up the blinds first. More light and a cool breeze pooled into the apartment.

   The black-haired girl looked around once, then tilted her head to one side and let out a wall-shaking bellow. ")VATTI! ARE YOU HOME?!("

   Startled, Trish gave a small squeak and jumped backwards, hitting the closed door behind her. Silence fell over the dwelling as Brekke tilted her head to the other side and listened to a response.

   When one didn't come, she shrugged and stated, ")I didn't think so. He's never home this early, anyway.("

   Trish blinked, realized she was tensed up for another loud noise, and made her relax. Curious, she asked, ")who's Vatti?("

   ")Vatti?(" Brekke stared, then laughed. ")Oh! Vatti is what I call my dad. Did you say you wanted something to drink?("

   ")No,(" the blonde raised both her eyebrows. ")But I would like something to drink. Do you have coke?("

   Brekke stopped halfway to the kitchen, to look back at the blonde, a look of amusement on her face. ")Coke? Sorry, fresh out. The hobos on the street stole our last batch.("

   Trish rolled her eyes. ")I meant the carbonated beverage, silly. Soda pop, then.("

   ")Good girl,(" Brekke smiled and continued to the fridge. ")Soda pop, soda pop, pop, pop...(" she muttered to herself as she opened the door and gazed in at the contents.

   ")Tell me what you found out," the black-haired girl demanded as she returned with two sodas and set them on the coffee table, beckoning Trish to sit on the couch.

   ")All together, not much,(" Trish shrugged. ")But maybe it'll make sense to you. The other soldiers use something called a 'sailor teleport.' I tried to get Usagi to explain it more, but all she would say was that the five of them stood in a circle and shouted that.("

   Brekke gurgled down some of her soda and then leaned back, tenting her fingers in front of her. ")Sailor teleport, eh? That doesn't seem too hard.("

   Without warning, the black-haired girl jumped up, crossed her arms in front of her, and yelled, ")Sailor teleport!("

   Moments passed and nothing happened. Shrugging, Brekke plopped back down on the couch. ")So much for that.("

   ")They were in a group,(" Trish pointed out. ")We should try it several times before we decide if it works or not.("

   ")Truth,(" Brekke nodded, tenting her fingers again. ")We'll test it later. First we have to get the explosives...("

   Trish waited for her friend to continue until she noticed that Brekke was pointedly staring at her. In monotone, Trish stated, ")And how will we ever get explosives.("

   ")Your brilliant friend has already figured that out,(" Brekke beamed.

   ")Who? Victoria?("

   Brekke twitched. ")I said your brilliant friend, not your imaginary one.("

   Trish smiled innocently.

   ")Anyway, my brilliance has led me to discover a large amount of plastic explosives, and within easy reach,(" Brekke grinned. ")Go on, ask where.("

   ")Where.("

   ")That wasn't really asking, but that'll do. At the base, of course.("

   Trish blinked. ")The base?("

   ")Why yes, the American base,(" Brekke returned. ")Of course they would have a ready, somewhat secret, supply of plastic explosives there. Not too many, but enough to rid ourselves of a pesky rock.("

   ")And how exactly do you plan on getting in there?(" Trish asked dubiously.

   Brekke rubbed her hands together. ")I have my ways. Which include a few inside friends, a bit of inside knowledge, and a blonde friend with fire.("

   Trish gave the black-haired girl a strange look. ")You're going to manipulate a few of the guards to get in, sneak around, and use me to destroy any opposition?("

   ")Yup!(" Brekke clapped her hands together and smiled innocently. ")Perfect plan, oder?("

   ")And you don't want to ask any of the others for help?(" Trish blinked incredulously.

   ")That would ruin all the fun.("

   ")You're blinking nuts,(" Trish shook her head.

   ")Yup.("

   ")When are you planning to carry this out?("

   ")I promised dad I'd stay home tonight,(" the black-haired girl tented her fingers again. ")So probably tomorrow night.("

   ")Alright,(" Trish shrugged, and glanced at the clock. ")When does your mom get home?("

   Brekke's eyes darkened and she tensed up. ")She doesn't.("

   Trish's eyes widened. ")Oh! I'm sorry!(" She suddenly noticed that the pictures on the walls only included the black-haired girl and a man she presumed was her father. She asked softly after a slight pause, ")are your parents divorced?("

   ")No, my mom is dead,(" Brekke stated coldly.

   ")Oh...(" Trish trailed, uncomfortable. ")I'm sorry...("

   ")Why should you be sorry?(" Brekke bit angrily. ")You didn't give her the cancer. You didn't give her the most idiotic doctor on that side of the world to treat her. And if you did, you'd be dead by now.("

   There were a few moments of awkward silence before the black-haired girl sighed and looked at the clock. ")Vatti will be home soon. I'd better start supper. Do you want to stay?("

   Trish squeaked, also looking at the clock. ")No, I'm sorry, but I need to go. Meet you at the park tomorrow?("

   ")Okay,(" Brekke returned.

   ")Bai bai!(" Trish cried and darted out the door.



   The blonde hurried down the street, knowing that she would be in already for enough of a scolding when she got home as it was. She took whatever short cuts she knew, and soon found herself darting down dark alleyways. She knew better than to do that, since dark alleys always tended to be the stereotypical place to be mugged, but her mind at the time was focused on something else.

   "Hello little girl."

   Trish froze and glanced behind her, looking for the owner of the guttural voice. She soon knew her mistake as she felt the cold blade of a knife pressed to her throat, and strong arms grab her from behind. She squeaked in fright and attempted to kick the man.

   "I wouldn't do that," he snickered, and the blonde felt something warm trickle down her throat as he pressed the knife harder against her skin. "And I wouldn't scream, either. Would be a shame to have to remove that pretty neck of yours so soon."

   "Wh-what do you want!" Trish squeaked. "I don't have any money! No money! No valuables! Nothing!"

   The man just snickered in response and began dragging her down towards the darker end of the alley. Trish whimpered, not knowing what to do and shaking with fright. She closed her eyes and prayed that she would be able to get away.

   A loud yelp from the man made her eyes snap open. The knife fell away from her throat and the man let go of her, even pushing her away as he backed up, a look of horror on his face. And rightly so, since he apparently only had an arm and a half left. Trish felt warmth at her feet and looked down to see a puddle of blood pooling from the other half.

   The hiss from her right brought everything clicking together, and she jumped out of the way just in time to avoid a sword blade slicing past. Eight red dots blinked at her angrily as the shadow brought up both of its long, thin swords to swing at her again. Trish squeaked and darted out of the way, fishing her black stone out of her pocket and holding it up.

   "Platos star power, make UP!"

   She transformed and leapt away from another attack by the shadow. A red glow caught her attention as she continued avoiding the swords of the demon, a glow that illuminated where the man had collapsed. The light seemed to be coming from a small, squashed-looking crystal, which was floating in front of another shadow, a small one with one black eye.

   The glow increased in brightness suddenly, enveloping the man. He floated upwards, hanging in the air like a lifeless marionette, his head tilted back. His mouth dropped open and a pale mist floated out, swirling in the air above him. The light suddenly failed, and Platos heard the crystal clatter as it hit the ground. The pale mist remained in the air for a few moments more, glowing softly with an inner light, before dissipating with a gust of wind.

   Sailor Platos meeped as she dodged the shadow again, backing up against the wall. The shadow advanced and the blonde was forced to dart behind the other demon. This made the first one hesitate, and Platos took the opportunity to call on her attack, ignoring the crystal beside her as it began to rise again, and glow.

   "Cyclone infer--!" Platos cried, and then abruptly stopped.

   One hand moved to her neck where a small dart had imbedded itself. Her eyes widened in surprise before her hands dropped limply to her sides and she collapsed. She remained conscious a few moments more to watch the crystal brighten in front of her and a malicious grin appear on the smaller shadow's head. Then darkness took her.



   Victoria chewed on lip as she twined the phone cord around one hand, a phonebook laid open beside her. After the fourth ring, a familiar voice finally answered.

   ")Hallo?(" Brekke grumbled.

   ")Brekke!(" Victoria exclaimed, closing the phone book beside her.

   ")Who - oh. Vic',(" Brekke's voice dropped a few notches in irritation. ")How did you get my phone number?("

   ")Phone book,(" Victoria stated. ")There really aren't that many 'Taylor's in Tokyo, thankfully.("

   ")I hate you,(" Brekke growled.

   ")I know,(" Victoria returned sweetly, and then her voice dropped as well. ")Look Brekke, you need to get down here...("

   ")What do you think was important enough to call me up and irritate me?(" Brekke sighed. ")Do you think I'm going to want to listen to you apologize? I'm busy right now, okay? Stalk me later.("

   ")Brekke, Trish is in the hospital.("

   ")What?("

   ")She's at Juuban,(" Victoria stated. ")They just took her out of intensive care, so family and friends can see her now.("

   ")What happened?!("

   ")I'll tell you when you get here.("

   ")But--!("

   Victoria hung up and rubbed her head; the black-haired girl wasn't any help at all, but she did have a right to know, since she was a part of the team. Even if she refused to acknowledge the existence of the team most of the time.

   The redhead returned to the small room, which seemed to be filled mainly with medical equipment. Attached to quite a bit of this equipment, Trish lay unconscious on a white bed, a white sheet pulled up to her chin. Her already pale skin blended with the sheet and her pale locks of hair didn't help to dispel the image of a ghost. If it wasn't for the heart monitor, Victoria would probably have mistaken her for one.

   Trish's host family was there as well, although only her mother currently stood in the room; the father and sister sat outside, waiting for the doctor to return. He had gone off to take care of his other patients, assuring them that the blonde was stable at the time. She wasn't sure if the doctor believed that as well by the grim expression he wore, but they could do little except wait.

   When she had arrived to find Platos dangling in the air, two shadows and a glowing crystal before her, she had paid little attention to the dart in the blonde's neck. She had immediately transformed and startled the demons, who then decided to leave. They grabbed their crystal and jumped up, and away into the sky, towards wherever they called home. Ypsos had stood there, perplexed, until Ora diverted her attention back to the white senshi, unconscious on the concrete.

   Only then did she see the dart, and worried that it might've been poison, she called the hospital on her cell phone and requested an ambulance. When asked what had occurred, she simply put it, "I found my friend unconscious in an alley."

   While waiting for the ambulance, she pried off Platos' white stone, making her revert to civilian form. The stone went into her pocket as she searched the area, just to make sure the shadows were really gone. Instead of demons, she found the man, missing an arm and lying unmoving on the ground. After checking his pulse, she was certain he was dead. At the time, she assumed it was from blood loss, but later the paramedics brought him with them, since they were perplexed as to how he died.

   The police, of course, had also been called, and they easily took the story of Trish being attacked by the man, and somehow slicing off his arm. They had been suspicious of Victoria at first, but since there was no evidence of her involvement aside from finding the blonde, they had to let her go. She was still scheduled for further questioning the next day, however.

   When she finally got away from the police, the ambulance had gone and she found herself walking. By the time she got to the hospital, Trish was in intensive care and nobody was allowed in to see her. Victoria had been relieved to hear that the dart had not contained poison, but her relief stopped short as they informed her that Trish had gotten a hefty dose of some sort of very strong tranquilizer, one they hadn't ever seen before. But it was potent enough to knock out an animal the size of an elephant within a few seconds; the doctors were not surprised that Trish's heart stopped a few times on the journey to the hospital, something they hadn't told the redhead until she was allowed to see the blonde again.

   Trish's heart monitor continued to go off as Victoria sat in the waiting room, oblivious. Now the blonde was simply in a coma, stable at the moment. They expected her to be that way for a while, as her body slowly ridded itself of the tranquilizer.

   Victoria glanced at the monitor, still steady, and leaned against the wall. For the most part, the excitement was over. Now they simply had to wait. A sudden, cold wave of anger swept over her, and she bit her lip again. Next time the shadows decided to show themselves, they would not get away.

   A soft knock at the door made her look up, and then over at the black-haired girl as she poked her head into the room. She waved feebly and slid inside when the redhead beckoned to her. Her eyebrows knitted together in worry as she cast a long glance at the pale ghost in between the sheets.

   ")Is she okay?(" Brekke whispered.

   ")For now,(" Victoria quietly nodded.

   The redhead grabbed Brekke's sleeve and led her out into the hallway, then down it a ways to an empty room. She shut the door behind her, leaned against a wall, and hurriedly explained what had happened. Brekke stared blankly at her as she went, her face twitching every once in a while. As the redhead finished, the black-haired girl clenched her fists and growled.

   ")Next time they decide to show up, they will not get away,(" she hissed.

   ")Agreed,(" Victoria stated, and then raised an eyebrow at the other girl. ")Trish has proven that it's not so easy to beat them alone now. Especially since they seem to be traveling in twos. Trish is slightly indisposed at the moment, so next time they attack, that makes only two of us.("

   ")Alright,(" Brekke groaned. ")I'll help you.("

   ")You'll help me?(" Victoria raised her other eyebrow and choked back a laugh. ")Let's just help each other. We'll be the team we're supposed to be, and we'll make those demons pay the next time they decide to show themselves. That appears to be our mission, anyway.("

   ")Our mission,(" Brekke mused, and then brightened. ")Speaking of missions, we could go ahead and blow up their base tomorrow, if your afternoon is open.("

   The redhead blinked in surprised. ")What? Blow it up? How do you propose that?("

   Brekke quickly laid out her own plan, grinning like a four-year-old who just discovered she could outrun her father when she's on her bike. Victoria kept her dubious expression throughout the entire explanation.

   ")You just...expect to be able to barge in there, grab plastics, teleport to the rock, and blow it up, somehow remaining in one piece the entire time?(" Victoria asked, incredulous.

   ")Yup.("

   ")You're nuts.("

   ")That's what Trish said, too,(" Brekke shrugged.

   ")And with good reason.("

   ")I bet it's better than anything you could come up with.("

   ")Such as sanely waiting until all four of us are together, at least?(" Victoria stated.

   Brekke opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by a knock on the door. The two dashed to the far wall as the door opened and a nurse popped her head in, looking around. ")Anybody in here?("

   The two held their breath and waited until the nurse shrugged and left, the door still open. Quickly, they left the room and hurried back down the hallway, sliding into Trish's room again, where things appeared unchanged.

   As they took up their position against the wall to wait for the doctor to return, Victoria whispered to the black-haired girl, ")promise you won't try out your crazy plan tomorrow?("

   ")Why?(" Brekke whined.

   ")Promise?(" Victoria insisted, narrowing her eyes.

   Brekke folded her arms in front of her and pouted, but gave in. ")Alright. But I can't say no to the next day.("

   ")I think you will by then,(" Victoria nodded.

   Brekke raised an eyebrow. ")And why do you think that?("

   Victoria grinned. ")Kairos will probably find a way to dissuade you.("

   The black-haired girl flared her nostrils and blinked in surprise. ")What? Kairos? Who?("

   ")Just meet me after school tomorrow.("

   ")Where? And you do know you're nuts, right?("

   ")You know where my school is,(" Victoria stated.

   ")Fine,(" Brekke rolled her eyes.

   The doctor interrupted their conversation at that point by returning.



   Interficio wiped off his blades on a discarded piece of cloth he had found in the corner as he watched Nex report to their master. He was mildly annoyed that she had ordered them to retreat so soon, for he was fairly confident that they'd have been able to easily beat the red senshi, as they had the white one and the disgusting man. The Shadow was content to wait until the next time, however.

   "That was smart of you to retreat when you did, Nex," Kaisha stated. "It is a historically proven fact that when one senshi is jeopardized, the others generally become more hostile. Besides, it will be good for them to worry and wonder what we are up to. We will let them worry and wonder needlessly for a few days. You deserve the respite, anyway."

   "Sss," Nex bowed. "Thank you, Massster."

   "Besides," Kaisha continued, "if we make them wait a while, they will let up their guard. They will tire of worrying and quit watching. Next time we attack, we will take them by surprise, and perhaps get away with one of the four before they notice." The orange-haired lady laughed and tented her fingers, "ooh! How delightful!"

   "Sss," Nex repeated, and bowed again.

   "Stop with the bowing, Nex," Kaisha snapped, losing her cheerful demeanor. "You disposed of one of the senshi already, didn't you?"

   "Sss," Nex answered, stopping herself just in time from bowing. "If ssshe doesss not die, ssshe will at leassst be unable to fight for sssome time."

   "Good," Kaisha stated, and then tilted her head back and to the side. "I think I hear Enshoku coming."

   With a loud thump, the orange-haired man fell through the hole in the roof to land on Atra, who was still condemned to stand in the patch of light. Enshoku jumped to his feet just as the Shadow gave a painful squawk, a plastic, white microwave in his hands. Awkwardly, he stumbled forward to stand next to Nex before Kaisha.

   The orange-haired lady eyed him disdainfully as he grimaced and held out the microwave in both hands. "I've got it!"

   "And?" Kaisha blinked.

   "And, um," Enshoku faltered, and then brightened again. "And now we can make the popcorn light and fluffy, as it should be!"

   "Well, then stop shoving it in my face and do as such," Kaisha stated coldly, arms crossed in front of her.

   Enshoku's face fell, making him look a lot like a hurt puppy as he turned away and shuffled over to an unoccupied corner to toy with the machine. Kaisha watched him go, her own face expressionless, and then returned her gaze to the Shadow before her.

   "A week, alright?" She went on. "Then we will strike again, when they begin their doubting."

   "Sss," Nex bowed, then promptly turned and disappeared into the shadows to rest.



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