A woman stood before a window. She dug her long fingernails into her palms as she turned from tall window. "Why have you failed, Kurai?" She asked. Her voice was deadly quiet.
Kurai Ittou flinched. "I’m sorry, My Lady. The Salmar was strong, but there was yet again interference with my mission."

"Sailor Senshi?" The woman raged. "Why must they always interfere? Were you there, Kurai?"

"Yes, My Lady, but there was nothing I could do. Eight Sailor Senshi were there. I could not have-" Kurai stopped speakly abruptly as the navy-haired woman cut him off.

"Enough of your excuses, Kurai. Did you even think to check the human your Salmar picked?"

"My Lady, you must understand, there wasn’t time." Kurai started. "The Sail-"

"I said enough excuses, you insolent fool!" The woman shouted. Then her voice became quiet again. "I will not tolerate failure, my servant. Tonight, you will find another human to target. My pearl will be found. Do not disappoint me, Kurai Ittou."

"Yes, My Lady." Kurai bowed and hurried from the room.

The woman turned back to the window, her dark green cloak swishing in the now silent hall. She stared at the dark night. "I will get that pearl and this world WILL end."

*

Mizuno Ami arranged her books on a table in the library. She looked at her watch then sighed. It was ten minutes past four. Ten minutes after her tutoring session with a new student was supposed to begin. She shifted in her chair and brushed her short blue locks away from her face. A loud noise from the front of the library shattered the peaceful calm of the library. Ami jerked back in her chair as a girl tore across the library and skidded to a halt in front of her table.

"Hi!" The blonde greeted her. "Sorry that I’m late and sorry that I startled you! I didn’t mean to knock over that stack of books." She looked to the library doors where the librarian knelt picking up books that had been scattered across the floor. She shot the petite blonde a harsh look. The blonde made a face and turned back to Ami. "You’re Mizuno Ami!! I ran into you and your friends the other night!"

Ami regarded the girl for a moment then replied. "Hello O’Reagan-san. You need geometry tutoring?"

"Oh yeah, I’m math moron! Call me Shannon, please." She smiled winningly at Ami.

"Ok, Shannon-chan, let’s begin with today’s assignment." Ami grinned back. Something about Shannon’s manner seemed to make her want to smile.

The girls worked side by side for almost an hour until Shannon stretched and said "Geez, Ami-san! How can you stand doing this stuff! I think that’s about all I can take! Could we go for a walk or something? I should be able to finish the rest of my assignments on my own tonight."

"Yes, I think you have the basics you need for the rest of your work. A walk would be nice." Ami agreed.

The girls walked out of the library and down the street to the park. The wandered down the main path, enjoying the warm, sunny weather.
"So Ami-san, I hear you are quite the genius." Shannon said.

"I just do my work and read a lot, it’s not really a matter of being a genius." Ami replied, blushing slighty.

"You don’t have to be so modest. It’s obvious you’re smart if you can make me learn geometry." Shannon winked at Ami. Then she stopped walking. "Ami-san, do you hear that music?"

Ami listened for a moment, "Yes, it sounds like it was coming from over there. I think I may know who’s playing that." Ami led Shannon across a grassy lawn, and over a hill. A stone amphitheater spanned out in front of them. Near the edge of the stage, a beautiful teal-haired girl stood playing the violin. And just in front of the stage, what appeared to be a sandy-haired young man sat listening to the music. Shannon and Ami made their way down the aisle and took a seat a few rows behind the blonde.
"It’s just who I thought. The girl on stage is Keioh Michiru, she’s a very talented violinist." Ami whispered quietly so as not to disturb the graceful violinist.

Shannon nodded, her wide eyes fixed on Michiru.

And the girl sitting in front of us is Tenoh Haruka, she’s Michiru’s best friend."

Shannon broke out of her daze. She whipped around to look at Ami in surprise. "Girl?!" She said a little louder than she’d meant to. On stage Michiru stopped playing abruptly. She looked down at Shannon and Ami in surprise. Haruka turned around to look at them as well.

"Heh, heh. Sorry!" Shannon apologized foolishly. She swallowed, "I mean, I apologize. I didn’t mean to speak so loudly. Sorry to startle you."

Haruka’s features softened as she looked at the pretty, unfamiliar blonde. "Were you enjoying the music? Michiru-chan is very good."

"Oh! I loved it, it was very beautiful! You sound like a professional, Keioh-san." Shannon said adoringly.

Michiru smiled. "Thank you very much. Hello Ami-chan. Who’s your friend?"

"Hi Michiru-san, this is O’Reagan Shannon. She just moved here. I already told her who you and Haruka-san are."

Shannon smiled and bowed slightly. "It’s very nice to meet you, call me Shannon please."

"Ok, Shannon-chan." Michiru said sweetly. She looked to Ami. "Ami-chan, are you and the rest of the girls coming to my concert tomorrow?"

"Of course! Usagi-chan is very excited for it." Ami replied.

"Good." Haruka said. "You should come too, Shannon-chan. You seemed to enjoy Michiru’s music."

"Really? I would love to." Shannon’s eyes lit up excitedly. She looked as though she was going to start to dance around, but then she looked down at her watch. "Oh no! I have to be going, I’m late for dinner again."

"Do you know where your house is from here, Shannon-chan?" Ami asked.

Shannon looked around then turned back to Ami with a laugh. "I have no clue!"

"I’ll walk you there. See you tomorrow, Haruka-san and Michiru-san." Ami waved at the older girls.

"Yeah, bye Keioh-san! Bye Tenoh-san!" Shannon smiled, then started walking a little behind Ami.

"Goodbye." Michiru and Haruka said together.

Shannon and Ami made their way back across the park, the petite blonde chattering about Michiru’s playing the entire way.
"Wow, Ami-san. She was like you, only in music. A musical genius!"

Ami smiled, "Yes, Michiru is very good at playing the violin. And Shannon- chan-" Ami broke off abruptly as tall youma crashed through the bushes in front of them chasing a small boy.

"Well, that was unexpected." Shannon said, her eyes wide. Then her eyes narrowed and she turned to Ami.

"Go call for help!" Shannon and Ami shouted at each at the same moment.

Shannon laughed, "You go that way and call for help and I’ll go that way!"

Ami nodded hurriedly. *Good thing, Shannon wants us both to call for help. It’ll give me a chance to tranform to Sailor Mercury and call the girls!* She ran down the path.

Shannon pretended to run the other direction. She waited until Ami was out of sight, then ducked behind a tree. "Good thing Ami was willing to run for help. Gives me a chance to transform." She said out loud.

She thrust her fist into the air, "Electra Star Power, Make Up!" She threw her head back as she was lifted up. A yellow beam of energy spiraled down, surrounding her body. She thrust her arms outside of the spiral and as she did, white gloves wound their way to up her elbow ending in a shower of yellow light as three yellow rings appeared. The spiral tightened around her body, disappearing from top and bottom. Yellow boots appeared up her legs, ending in a flash of light around her calves. The spiral moved down her head, flashing a golden tiara, two star earrings, and spinning around her neck to form a choker. The spiral moved and with another brilliant flash a yellow sailor collar appeared. Two more flashes and her light green bow and yellow star-shaped brooch appeared on her chest. Then the spiral narrowed and smoothed a white bodice down to her hips where it stopped and materialized into a yellow skirt. Sailor Electra spun around and a final flash fixed a light green bow to her back. Spinning to face front again, Sailor Electra ended in a half-crouch with her fists up like a boxer, a cocky half-grin on her face.
Sailor Electra stood for a moment, then an ear piecing scream came from the area in front of her. "Just what I was listening for." She jumped up, catching a tree branch and kicked off, swinging straight through the bushes. To her surprise and also the youma’s, she landed in a heap on top of the youma. A small boy cowered on the ground just in front of them. "Why hello, Salmar! Just thought I’d drop in." Electra laughed, looking at the dark purple youma from her upside-down view. Kicking her legs free of the monster’s, Sailor Electra rolled her way to her feet.
She moved over to the boy, who screamed shrilly as she approached. "Woah! Calm down, kiddo! I’m the good guy!" She held her arms out. The boy’s eyes focused on her tearily, then widened. Sailor Electra was confused for a moment, then realization sunk in as hard blow to the center of her back knocked her flat. She gasped for breath and moved forward, scooping up the child, sheltering him. Electra felt the Salmar gathering negative energy. She looked furtively over her shoulder, and saw the red ball of energy forming.

*I can’t attack with this kid! Besides, where is Apollo with my bow?! Better just get some cover!* Sailor Electra thought to herself. She dove over a bench, rolling into a ball to protect the boy. She shut her eyes, then opened them as a bright teal and gold light surged across the ground. It struck the unaware youma, knocking her enery ball harmlessly into a tree and her into the ground. The Salmar leapt to her feet hissing angrily, only to be knocked flat again, as the combined attacks of Mercury and Jupiter struck her. Sailor Neptune, Sailor Uranus, and Sailor Mercury leapt into view followed by the rest of the inner senshi.

"Thanks minna." Sailor Electra said standing up, a little painfully, still clutching the child.

"Are you alright, Sailor Electra?" Sailor Moon asked with concern. "Yeah, I will be. Here hold this." She dumped the little boy into Sailor Moon’s arms, her eyes angry. Sailor Moon grabbed the child. He clung to her neck, this super heroine seemed to be a lot less rough than the last one holding him.

"SALMAR!!" Electra screamed, charging across the grass to the creature who was again rising to her feet. "Blinding Punch!" Her light filled fist crashed into the evil youma’s face. "That hurt you little -!" She started to chase after the Salmar who had been hurled into a tree from the impact of the blow, but she was knocked off course by a tall man with dark orange hair and blacker than black eyes. He sent a clear bubble-like energy blast into her side. Sailor Electra crashed into the ground. She tried to get up, but fell back to the ground, a gasping moan escaping her lips.

"Sailor Electra!" Sailor Moon cried. She set the whimpering boy on the ground and rushed forward. But she wasn’t quick enough.

Sailor Mars and Venus rushed forward and combined their attacks. "Mars Fire Bird!"

"Venus Cresent Beam, Smash!"

The mysterious man only laughed. He thrust his hands forward, the clear bubble moving forward to absorb the attacks. "Is that all? Try this on for size!" He sent out another bubble. It smashed into the ground, sending Venus and Mars flying. The other senshi all rushed forward.
"Fools!" The man cried, laughing evilly. "'You left the child alone!" The senshi turned around to see the child laying motionless on the ground, the Salmar standing over it, smirking sinisterly. "What color are his eyes?" He shouted to the youma.

"S-s-s, black, mas-s-ster" The Salmar hissed.
He cursed. "The Empress will not be happy. I leave you now, senshi. Finish them, Salmar!" He jumped into the air, disappearing in an orange bolt of lightening.

Sailor Electra sat up as she regained her breath. "That sucks." She leaned back on her elbows, "Sailor Moon, you have to finish the Salmar! It only responds to your attacks. Do it quickly."

Sailor Moon nodded determinedly. "Moon Healing Escalation!" The purifying energy washed over the park. The youma screamed hideously, then disappeared. The little boy woke up. He looked around, then started to whimper. Sailor Moon walked over to him, lifting him to his feet. "Shhh, you’re okay. Go back and play." She looked at his eyes, then sent him on his way.

"What color are his eyes?" Sailor Jupiter said aloud. "Why did he need to know that?"
"I don’t know, Jupiter." Sailor Moon said. "His eyes were blue when I looked at them."

"It’s good that his eyes were black when his energy was drained." The senshi all turned to look at Sailor Electra.

"What?" Sailor Uranus asked, stepping towards her.

"Well," Sailor Electra began. She was interrupted however. A small yellow dog burst through the bushes, panting. She jumped over to Electra, and licked her hand.

"Hey! Apollo! About time you get here. What took you so long, you doofus!?" Sailor Electra asked.

"I’m sorry, but do you realize how far this park is from our house? It’s a long way! Are you okay? And don’t call me doofus." The dog said.

The senshi gaped in shock.

"You can talk?" Sailor Venus asked.

"Of course. I’m Sailor Electra’s animal guide, most guides can talk." Apollo replied.

"You learn something new everyday." Sailor Mars said. "Sailor Electra, could you finish what you were saying?"

"Oh yeah. Apollo, I’m fine." She stood up, wincing slightly. "It was good that the little boy’s eyes were black when his energy was drained. That’s what the Salmar did, drain his energy."

"Yes, yes. We know that, but why did that guy care what color they were?" Sailor Jupiter cut in.

"That guy was Kurai Ittou, he works for the baddies. He was interested in eye color because what he is searching for is hidden inside of one person on Earth. When the person who possesses what he wants has their energy drained, their eyes will turn a white, pearly color." Sailor Electra answered. She looked around. The light in the park was a reddish-orange. "Oh my gosh! I have got to get out of here. I’ll explain more later! Ja ne!"

She began to run out of the park, "Holy cow, doofus! She’s gonna kill me!" She looked down at her dog.

"E! Don’t call me doofus!" Apollo cried.

"I’ll call you a doofus if I want to call you a doofus, Doofus." Sailor Electra grinned down at Apollo. Their banter continued until they were out of sight.

"Wait . . . " Sailor Moon held up her arm. "I guess we’ll just have to wait until the next attack to find out what Kurai Ittou is searching for."

*