• The Sailor Sirius Chronicles
• The Strength of Friendship: Chapter 4 & 5
• By Sharon

Shadow Galactica

Galaxia Palace

*****

Veronica slowly opened her eyes, wincing slightly from the pain that still throbbed in her head. She felt cold hard marble on the side of her face, and realized she was laying down sideways on the ground. With a painful groan, she righted herself up and tried to look around. It was so dark, Veronica still thought she had her eyes closed, and tried to lift her hands to her face to wipe off the slime and dirt that stuck to her face. But chains were still tied tightly around her middle, pinning her arms to the side.

"Oh, where am I?" she whispered to herself, her voice filled with fear. Just then, she felt something run over her foot and she let out a small scream of surprise and fear.

Tears spilled down her face, knowing it might have been the one thing she dreaded the most: Rats. *What in the world am I doing here?* she thought to herself, shaking her head to get herself together. "Ti!" she whispered, hoping no one else would hear her, where ever she was. "Ti? Are you here? We have to get out now! Tanya?" Silence was all she got back. Her eyes widened as a thought came to her. *She must have gotten away! Oh Tanya, wherever you are, please help me!* The taller girl began to shake uncontrollably as fear like no other entered her heart. What was to become of her, and if Ti didn't escape, where was she?

A door that she didn't know was there was suddenly flung open, and bright light flooded the dirty large room as two figures slowly walked in. One Veronica recognized from the strange happenings the park, making her gasp as the events returned to her mind. The other one was obviously the leader from the way she was dressed all in gold with a ruby in the middle of her crown and the air of command that surrounded her.

"Well, well, look's like our guest has finally decided to wake up and grace us with her pleasant company," sneered Sailor Lead-Crow, then laughed loudly at her own sarcasm. She stopped laughing, rubbing her hands together and looking at the girl on the dirty floor with greedy eyes.

"Who are you?" Veronica tried to yell, but she was so scared that it came out in only a high pitch squeal of a little girl. She took a deep breath, and started again "What am I doing here? I don't know what the heck this is about, but you'd better let me go, or else...."

"SILENCE girl!!" screeched the golden-clothed one, her eyes glowing red. She walked up closer to the girl and took her chin in her right hand, squeezing painfully. "You do not DARE speak unless I tell you to! You want introductions, fine. I am Sailor Galaxia, soon to be the conqueror and ruler of this galaxy, and the universe!" She lifted Veronica's head higher, and peered into her dark brown eyes. "And you my dear, are going to use your special abilities with the mind and spirit to help me!" Galaxia laughed evilly into the girls face.

"NOOO!! I won't do it! You..you can't make me!!" Veronica screamed, jerking her head out of Galaxia's hand. She crawled back against the walls, trying to put as much distance between herself and this crazy woman. The pain in her head grew in intensity, causing her to moan and double over. What was this person doing to her? Veronica felt nothing but pure evil from the two women, and it was enough to make her want to throw up.

"Can't MAKE you?" said Sailor Galaxia, her red eyes narrowing in anger. She walked up to Veronica again, grabbed her short hair, and dragged her up on her feet. The girl screamed in pain as Galaxia smiled. "I can tear you heart out right now, shove it down your throat, and make you feast upon your fear if I want!"

The woman raised her right hand and flicked it. The next thing Veronica knew, they were in a plane that was nothing but black space with stars shining down. There was fog and darkness everywhere, and in the center of the plane was a large table. On top of it was a young man with short black hair, fairly tall and muscular, and very handsome. Around him was a dark golden pulsating glow that seemed to be draining the life from him. He wore nothing but a pair of black skin tight pants.

Curiosity got the best of Veronica, and she looked the young man up and down. "Who IS that?" she asked in wonder to herself. She winced in pain as Galaxia shook her.

"That was an opponent who let his arrogance and overconfidence get the better of him. He put up a good fight on that plane, trying to throw those pitiful roses, but in the end, he couldn't defeat me." said Sailor Galaxia. She looked down hard at Veronica. "But it isn't him you should be thinking about. You should be honored that I chose YOU as my key in bringing this galaxy to it's knees! You, who can find me the one who hold true Star Seeds!" she laughed hysterically again.

"What the hell are you talking about?" shouted the girl, struggling to get out of Galaxia's grasp. "I told you, I am not helping you in your crazy plans!"

"Ha! We'll just see about that! Lead-Crow, the bracelets, if you please," smirked Galaxia, holding Veronica more tightly and smiling smugly.

"At once, Galaxia-sama!" smiled Sailor Lead-Crow. She outstretched her arms in front of her, and two broad golden bracelets appeared in her hands, glowing faintly. Lead-Crow began to walk slowly up to her, and Veronica could only widen her eyes in fear as Lead Crow's image overshadowed her. A few seconds later, a scream and stiffled muffles was heard by the other prisoners of Galaxia. Hopelessness filled their hearts at the new prisoner's scream, for they knew there was nothing they could do to help. They just listened silently.

Aino Residence

*****

"So your mothers were raised together in an orphanage?" asked Minako, sitting at the end of her bed and listening as Tanya was telling her story. Minako held one of her red heart-shaped pillows closer to her chest.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Tanya sadly, her eyes downcast. "My mother never really told me about her life. Everything I know about her now, I learned after she...passed away. You see, Veronica's mom and mine met at the city's orphanage, and they became best friends. My mom was placed there after her parents died when they came from Kenya. Our moms spent years there together before they were adopted, and when they meet again, Veronica was almost two years old. She made my mom her godmother, and then when I was born, she became my godmother." She sucked in a breath, "OH! Itai!!" Tanya screamed as she accidentally touched one of the still burning blisters on her arms.

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. Tears because of the burns and the memories she had of her long time friend. In all her young years, Veronica was the one constant thing in Tanya's life that helped her through the rough times. Times she wouldn't have made it through on her own. Especially that heartbreaking day when Tanya watched her mother die in the hospital. She sobbed once again at the painful memory of watching the doctors pull the sheet over her mother's dead body, her heart sinking more and more as she saw herself as 12 years old again and begging for her mother, tears streaming down her young face in rivers. It was Veronica who held her and comforted her through that rough time, and Tanya was never so grateful for a friend like that since then.

"Here, let me see to that," soothed Hotaru. She got up off the rug, walked over to the bed, and stretched her small hands above Tanya, barely touching her. Hotaru's hands glowed purple as she held them slightly above Tanya's wounds.

"What's she doing?" said Tanya, looking at the other girls in confusion.

"Shhh, it's okay Tanya-chan, let her finish," assured Ami, then nodded for Hotaru to continue. Soon, the blisters all became smaller and smaller, until they were almost gone. The pain slowly ebbed away.

"There, it's just a little gift I have," Hotaru nodded, her violet eyes shining. She ran a nervous hand through her short black hair. "I couldn't heal it all the way though, so I'd be careful,"

"Thank you, Hotaru-chan." Tanya smiled gratefully. After a long moment of looking at the younger girl with gratitude, Tanya turned serious eyes to the others in Minako's room. "Please, you guys have to help me find her! She's everything to me. We've been through so much..." Unable to say any more, Tanya paused to swallow the lump that suddenly grew in her throat. She looked at Rei, sitting next to Minako on the bed. "Ever since we were little, she's always had this...strange power to sense things, and with the spirits, sort of like you, Rei-chan. Could this be why Galaxia has taken her?"

Rei reached over and held Tanya's hand in her own. "It could be, but I can't say for sure. Someone with the abilities your friend has surely would have gotten that witch's attention. I promise you Tanya, we'll help you find Veronica, and we will bring her home safely," For emphasis, the black-haired priestess in training squeezed the smaller girl's hand, but before Rei could continue, a voice came up from downstairs.

"Minako..honey? Is your friend alright now? Should I call the doctor?" called up Minako's mother from the bottom of the stairs. After a minute, Mrs. Aino's blonde head peeked inside the room. Her beautiful features were creased with worry lines.

"Oh, errr.. no Mom, it's alright! She's okay now, see?" said Minako nervously, showing her mother Tanya on her bed. "We were just about to see her home. There's nothing to worry about, really!" She tried to smile reassuringly, not wanting to make her mother worry.

"Yeah Mrs. Aino, Tanya's a tough girl. It'll take more than a couple of burns to stop her!" laughed Usagi. She tried to make the thumbs up sign that Tanya showed her, but instead, did it sideways. Rei sighed, and hung her head shamefully, *Leave it Usagi to make light of a serious situation!* the raven head girled thought with annoyance.

Mrs. Aino smiled back. "Well, I guess not," She turned to look at Tanya, full of concern. "You, young lady, have to be very careful about lighting firecrackers! Next time, you might not be so lucky!" She winked at the smiling girl.

"HAI! Of course I'll be careful next time Mrs. Aino," said Tanya, feeling mothered for the first time in years. Mrs. Aino nodded her head in satisfaction, assured that the young girl was indeed alright, then went back downstairs. Just then, the communicator in Haruka's back pocket began blinking. She quickly pulled it out and opened it, and after a second of static, Atermis's white face appeared on the small screen.

"Oh thank goodness! Girls, you have to hurry! The Juuban Elementary School is being attack by some of Galaxia's Anima-Mates! They're being lead by some new....sailor or general, or whatever! Hurry!" Atermis's white fur was standing on end.

"Atermis, where's Luna and Marco?" said Usagi, going over to Haruka and sitting next down next to her so she can see him on the screen.

"Those two!" shouted Artermis, getting angry, "Ever since we got here to the Command Center, all they did was argue! They're worse than you and Rei-chan! I'm about ready to do them in!" In the background, there was shouting:

There was a huge bright flash of white light, associated with when they used their henshin powers together, and a few seconds later, it slowly began to fade. Out of the dying light ran the world famous Sailor Senshi, determination showing in their faces. In the middle of running, Sailor Mercury took out her mini computer and began typing in the command to pick up any abnormal power surges. What she got back seconds later on the computer made her stop dead in her tracks.

"Guys, hold on a minute. I just got back something you should see!" shouted the Water Senshi, looking at her computer intently and re-typing to make sure she made no mistakes. The read-out came back as before.

"What is it Mercury?" said Sailor Mars with concern, going back with the others and giving her a worried look. Mar's danger sense was also going off, but she didn't want to worry the others unless she was sure. More than once has her keen senses and Mercury's logic saved the team.

"Take a look at this. The energy read-outs and sources coming from the Elementary school is so high, it's off the scales! It's as though a whole mass of energy is being collected, plus extra energy being used to send it to something....or someone....in another dimension," She looked up at the other Senshi, worry marring her delicate features. "You might not like to hear this, but I think we're going to need alot of help,"

"Are you sure?" said Sailor Uranus, going over and taking the computer from Mercury's hands. The Magnificant Soldier looked over the small screen for a moment, then nodded. She gave the computer back to Mercury and turned to the others. She gave them each a hard look, "All right everyone, they might be tough, but we've beaten them before, and we're sure as hell going to beat them again! What say we teach them a lesson once and for all?"

Sailor Jupiter jumped up and gave out her own version of a battle yell, "YOSH!! I say, those Anima-Mates are going to wish they never messed with us!"

Sailor Moon ran up to Sailor Uranus and started pulling impatiently at her sleeves, "Come on everyone, let's go!" The team gave Sailor Moon a look of surprise. They had never seen their leader so eager to go into a fight! Yet in their hearts, they knew that Sailor Moon hated to see innocent people hurt, especially children, and that in itself made her forget her own fear. They nodded to each other, then quickly ran off towards the school.

*******Juuban Elementary School Playground

"HA! Where do you think you're going? Get over here!" yelled Sailor Fang as he grabbed a little boy by his shirt collar as he was trying to run away. He grinned, showing his massive overbite of fangs stopping just below his chin. The boy gave out a small shriek, and the servant of Galaxia placed a hairy hand over the boy's chest. The child's body began to glow, and suddenly, a tiny pink object flew out of him and straight into Sailor Fang's hand. The boy blew out a shaky breath, then went limp.

The creature threw the small body down to the ground like garbage, and began looking at the Star Seed in his hands. He chuckled slightly, then looked up, showing the crystal to Sailor Lead-Crow and her companions. They were floating in the air high above the carnage, looking at the other demons capturing the rest of the children and taking their Star Seeds. Lead-Crow smiled and nodded, hoping that it was the one they were looking for. The powerful Star Seed that would serve Galaxia well.

"It looks like your premonitions might be dead on, love," smiled Sailor Lead Crow, turning her head to look at the new recruit to Sailor Galaxia's Anima-Mates. Veronica, now dressed in black leather with a white cape and heavy make-up on, turned and looked blankly at Sailor Lead-Crow. She nodded once, then turned back to the mayhem that was happening below. The gold bracelets she wore on her wrists, which had erased her memories, began to glow brightly "I am...glad...to be of assistance." she said, her voice devoid of any emotions.

"HMMPH! "Glad to be of any assistance..." " mocked Sailor Aluminum-Siren, floating besides Veronica. She glared at Sailor Lead Crow, jealously burning in her eyes, "I bet I know what your plan is for her! You want to replace me with her as your rival...." She would have continued, but Sailor Lead-Crow shot her a warning glance.

"SILENCE! Remember, I am the teacher here, so you do not question me!! If it wasn't for me, you would have...." Suddenly, the Star Seed in the wolf-like demon flashed once, and began to turn black. Aluminum Siren and Lead Crow groaned in annoyance. Another blank!! Almost immediately, black ropes surrounded the little boy's body, and his body began to grow and morph. When it was done, the ropes fell away, and he was a 6 foot dog-like youma. He screamed loudly, and joined the other demons in capturing children.

"MARS FLAME SNIPER!" shouted a new voice suddenly. The women looked down in suprise to see who had dared intrude on their mission. One of the demons, who was about to grab a little girl, burst into flames when a fiery arrow hit it. When the smoke cleared a second later, eight teen-aged girls in sailor suits stood in a fighting stance, glaring up at them.

"Hold it right there, scum bags!" shouted Eternal Sailor Moon as she stepped forward. She raised her Eternal Tier and pointed it at them. "How DARE you come here and rob these children of the innocence they are entitled to. I will not let you get away with that. In the name of the Moon, and the Solar System, we are the Sailor Senshi, and we will punish you!" She looked around at the snarling demons. "And your UGLY pets too!"

"OH GREAT, not you Sailor Brats!" shouted Sailor Lead-Crow in an annoyed voice. "Well then, if it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you get. Demons, attack, and show them what a scum bag really is!" She laughed evilly and pointed at the Sailor Senshi to signal the creatures and her companions to attack.

Immediately, the demons charged full force on them. Sailor Fang went for Sailor Venus, giving her a sucker punch to the face, causing her nose to bleed. The Senshi of Love fell hard to the ground, but she recovered quickly. She jumped to her feet and glared at the monster, "That'll cost ya! VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!" The demon was hit with an enormous energy made of a giant heart, and disappeared in a burst of tiny gold hearts and scream. Venus then went for her next opponent.

Eternal Sailor Moon, seeing the dog-like monster that was once the little boy, rushed up to him. "Don't be afraid! I saw what happened, and I can turn you back!" She smiled nervously and nodded her head. The creature only snarled and swiped his long curved claws, intending to slice her.

The Moon Senshi barely ducked out of the way, and she rolled on the ground away from him. She got back up quickly, and with a determined look, raised her Eternal Tier. "STARLIGHT HONEYMOON THEREPY....KISS!" The healing energy raced toward the once human figure as he raised his arm again, and it hit him with a burst of light and feathers. "BEAUTIFUL!" he shouted, and within moments, the boy was returned to his original form. With a sigh, he fell to the floor. Sailor Moon rushed over to see if he was alright, unmindful of the battle around her.

Meanwhile, Sailor Mercury was busy trying to get out of a choke hold by a demon made of heated flesh. The heat burned painfully into her neck, but she somehow managed to jab her opponent in the ribs with her elbows. He let go in a painful grunt. "MERCURY AGUA RHAPSODY!" When the water energy burst onto him, he melted with a loud hiss, steam coming out from the pile of gunk that was left.

In all the chaos, each Sailor was too busy trying to fight off their own opponent to notice that a demon was sneaking up behind of Sailor Neptune just as she was shouted "NEPTUNE...DEEP SUBMERGE!!", blowing away her opponent. Suddenly he sprang up behind her with a blunt object. He knocked her hard in the back of her head, rendering her unconscious.

Sailor Saturn managed to see the disturbing scene out of the corner of her eye just as she finshed off her own opponent, but was too late to help her. Tears fell from her eyes as she watched her "mother" fall limp to the ground. "NOOOOO! M...MICHIRU-MAMA!" she screamed. She turned to the demon that attacked Neptune and raised her Silence Glaive high. She then brought it down in a heavy grunt, slicing the demon in half down his middle. Green blood spurted out from his plant-like body, half drenching the Soldier of Silence.

Seconds later, Sailor Aluminun-Siren jumped in front of Sailor Uranus just as she was about to go and help Sailor Saturn with Neptune, "And just where are you going?" She smirked evilly and flicked her hand. A sword magically appeared and glowed in it, and she wiped her long blue hair behind her, ready for a challenging fight.

Sailor Uranus looked her up and down, then smiled with amusment. "Bring it on! URANUS SPACE SWORD BLASTER!" shouted the Sky Senshi, calling forth her Talisman. Aluminun-Siren brought down her sword and lunged, aiming for Uranus's throat. But the taller Senshi quickly brought her jeweled hilted sword up to block the thrust, then raised her elbow and jabbed Siren in the face, knocking her down. Aluminum-Siren grunted in rage, then swiped her one leg under Sailor Uranus, knocking her feet from under her. Uranus landed and the dirt ground on her back, moaning with pain.

"Is that the best you can do, lowly human?" smirked the blue and white Mermaid senshi, laying the tip of her sword right on Uranus's jugular vein. "That's too bad. I thought you would be more of a challenge," With a cruel smile, she got ready to thrust.

"Too bad for you, blue freak, because you're about to be dusted! SIRIUS INFRARED LASER...DISINTEGRATE!" yelled a new voice. A massive beam of red laser light flashed over Sailor Uranus and struck Sailor Aluminum-Siren right in the chest. She flew backwards in a high pitched scream, and slowly started to disintegrate in a pile of black sand. When it was done, the sand blew away in the wind.

Sailor Uranus stared at Sailor Sirius for a moment in shock, then got up and hugged her hard.

"ACK! Uranus-chan...please....AIR!" gasped Sirius, feeling the precious air being squeeze out of her.

When the hug ended, Uranus stepped back and smacked Sailor Sirius in the butt. "Just what the HELL are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay away and leave this to us!" Disapprovement flashed in her eyes.

"OUCH!!" yelped Sirius, rubbing her behind, "Hey, cut me some slack, okay? I just saved your life, if you haven't noticed!" She looked up at towering Senshi, "Listen, I'm not about to let my friends get killed without me doing something about it. In my book, nobody messes with my friends and gets away with it." Uranus regared the smaller Star Senshi for a moment, then smiled and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Is everyone alright?" yelled out Sailor Moon, after just disintegrating the last of the demons that was attacking. She looked over at Sailor Saturn, who was kneeling down besides Sailor Neptune and lifting her head up. "OH MY GOSH! NEPTUNE!" she yelled as her eyes widened in disbelief.

Sailor Uranus quickly went over to join Saturn. She gathered the Sea Senshi in her arms and stroked her delicate face, memories of their times together flowing through her mind. "Come on Michiru, you know I can't lose you now. We all need you. I need you. Hotaru most of all," the tall Senshi whispered softly.

They had been through so much together, and the Sky Senshi just couldn't imagine her life without her best friend and Senshi partner. They shared a special bond that many people misunderstood, calling it only a "lesbian lifestyle", but Haruka and Michiru knew better. Let others think what they want, because to them, the relationship they had went far beyond sexual orientation. Yes, they loved and cared about each other very much, much more than normal friends did, and would even die for each other if need be, but there was more. If other people took the time to know them, instead of judging and labeling them a couple, they would see it was more about how their spirits were if it was one, and how they complimented each other in their personalities and thinking.

What the two had seen and went through while searching for the Talismans to stop the approaching Silence had only strengthened the bond of friendship they shared. It was something that very few people in the world had, and the two valued it with their lives. As a matter of fact, Haruka had no problems with and even liked some men. Despite the rumors, she just didn't like the popular, flashy and overconfident ones. Although she did get slightly jealous, secretly Haruka chuckled at the times Michiru even flirted with men, capturing them in her womanly spell. Admittedly, there was some romance mixed into their relationship because of the total respect and admiration they had for each other, but above it all, the two cared for one another as only the best of friends can, and could love men just as easily as other women do, and that was what mattered to them.

The blonde woman sighed with concern, and continued to stroke Neptune's soft hair. "I would try and use my powers to heal her, but I'm too drained!" Saturn sighed sorrowfully.

"Oh no, I was too late! I'm so sorry everyone," said Sailor Sirius, kneeling down besides the younger Senshi. Saturn looked towards her sadly, and shook her head to indicate that it wasn't her fault. Sailor Mercury stepped forward and knelt down to feel for Neptune's pulse on her neck, then ran the computer over her.

"She'll be alright, but she has a bad concussion. We have to get her help soon." she said, then also began stroking Neptune's hair. The blue-haired girl hated to see anyone get hurt, especially one of her friends. She knew if she ever lost one of her fellow Senshi, all the science and logic in the world would never make up for it. The green-haired Senshi of the Seas began to moan softly, her eyes fluttering.

"Sorry, but that request is denied!" shouted Sailor Lead-Crow's voice. In a bright flash, she appeared over them with Veronica, their eyes bright and filled with evil.

To be continued......

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