Kaioh Michiru smoothed the skirt of her school uniform as she sat down in her seat in the center of the orchestra. She looked around at the other young men and women surrounding her, they were all dressed in different types of school uniforms. There were quite a few that were the same as hers, many of her classmates at Mujen School for the Gifted were in the orchestra with her. She also recognized two other uniforms, the Juuban school uniform and T*A Academy. None of her friends, however. She sighed and carefully took her violin out of the case.

"Good afternoon, students." The director greeted them. "I am glad you were all able to get out of class this afternoon to attend this final rehearsal. We will begin with our opening piece. Kaioh Michiru and Orena Adara please come and take your places at the front of the stage."

Michiru stood and began to walk to the front of the stage to stand next to the flute playing brunette. For the first number, Michiru and Adara had a duet. Michiru smiled at Adara, the beautiful girl was very talented at the flute.
The orchestra began the opening bars. The piece went along very smoothly, flowing through the music towards Michiru and Adara's duet. Adara began to play quietly, the soft, high notes floating through the auditorium. Then Michiru joined in, her violin intertwining with the soft flute music. The melody switched back and forth between the two musicians until the piece was over.

"Thank you girls. Beautiful job. That piece will be perfect tonight." The conductor smiled. "Let's move on to other pieces. They all need a little more work."

The rehearsal continued, all the students working very hard. At the end of the third hour the conductor gave all the students a well-deserved break. Michiru placed her violin in the case gratefully. She looked around, all the other students had already formed into their little groups of friends. Most of them had stuck to the students from their own school, but she noticed that Adara was making her way towards her. Michiru greeted her with a smile.

"Hello, Kaioh-san." Adara said. "I just wanted to say that playing my solo is much easier when I get to play it with you. You play so gracefully, that I can't help but play well, too."

"Why, thank you, Orena-san." Michiru blushed slightly. "You play beautifully too, and I'm sure it's not just because of me."

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Adara asked. "None of my close friends are in the orchestra with me."

"That would be just fine. I don't really have any friends here either." Michiru smiled and patted the seat next to hers.

Adara sat down with a sigh. "Not that I have that many friends anyhow. Just about my only close friend at school is Hino Rei."

"Rei-chan is a very nice girl. I'm lucky to have her as a friend, too." Michiru replied.

"You know her too?" Adara questioned. "Oh! I'm being silly, I knew that. I've seen you with her and her group of friends, Usagi and the others."

"Yes, Usagi and the other girls are very fun." Michiru smiled.

"I know. I wish I could spend more time with them, Usagi is forever inviting me to things with them. I am just busy, especially now." Adara replied.

"I understand. Well, you should be able to see them tonight. Ami-chan told me that they are all coming to the concert."

"Students! Please take your seats, we need a full run through of the concert, then you will be free until the concert." The conductor said taking his place at the front of the orchestra.

"Talk to you later, Kaioh-san." Adara waved as she headed back to her seat.

*

"Kurai! Come here at once!" The navy-haired woman shouted.

Kurai Ittou slid into the room. "Yes, Empress?"

"I understand that again you failed. You do realize that you can and will be replaced if you do not find my pearl, don't you?" Her cold purple eyes glared down at him.

"Empress, though the child was full of energy, he did not have the pearl. I picked him especially."

"Full of energy? My pearl does create energy, but I did not know it increased the energy of the holder. You had better be right on this." The empress snapped.

"My Lady, be assured that I have researched this fully. The holder of the pearl has to have a high energy level. I have chosen a very high-energy victim for my next attempt. To play a musical instrument, a human must expel great amounts of energy. There is a concert tonight and I-"

"Kurai, you are trying my patience. I do not care how you get my pearl, just get it! Kill humans, terrorize them, anything, just do your job. And don't let those Sailor Senshi interfere." The young empress cut him off.

"As you wish, My Lady." Kurai bowed and exited the room.

"So Appie, what should we do this afternoon?" Shannon looked down at her companion as they walked down the street.

"I dunno. We already got kicked out of your house for the afternoon." The dog shook her head. "You know, we really should wait to pull those pranks on your brother until after dinner."

"You're probably right, but did you see his face when I jumped out from his closet?!"

"Yeah, it was classic." Apollo smiled a doggie smile.
Shannon began to laugh and didn't notice how tense the small dog suddenly became. Apollo cocked her head to the side, the relaxed. She could feel the presence of someone very familiar, but she didn't want to alert Shannon, she would wait for the right moment. The two friends kept walking for a few blocks, then Apollo saw her chance. She raised her ears, and made a small growling sound.

"Apollo? What's the matter with you?" Shannon asked looking quickly down at her dog. Apollo didn't answer, her eyes were fixed on a tree just in front of them.

Shannon looked to the tree, then groaned. "Apollo! Just leave it alone!" But it was too late, Apollo had already sprung from her mistress' side and was tearing down the sidewalk after an unfortunate squirrel. "Stupid dog!" Shannon yelled, then began to sprint after her friend.

The blonde chased the dog and the squirrel down the street. She saw the tail end of her dog turn a corner so she turned on the speed. She wheeled blindly around the corner only to nearly crash into a another girl. While trying to avoid colliding with the girl, she failed to notice her dog sitting placidly in the middle of the sidewalk. She squealed as she tripped over Apollo and went headlong into a row of trashcans.

Apollo trotted calmly over to the trash-covered girl and winked. Shannon's mouth flew open in outrage, then she fixed her dog with a glare. "Apollo, I outta kick your a- " She bit back the curse word as the girl she had nearly crashed into peered over the fallen trash cans exclaiming,

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?!" The girl looked alarmed, but she also looked as though she was trying to hold back a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Shannon replied, picking trash out of her hair. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, you didn't even touch me. Here." She reached out a slender hand and pulled Shannon to her feet.

Shannon's eyes met those of the girl's as she regained her feet. They were a deep brown with a peculiar sparkle to them. Shannon's green eyes widened then went blank for a moment. She seemed to be deep in thought, suddenly realization sunk in and her face brightened. "Adara! I can't believe it's you!" She clasped the girl's hands and jumped up and down.

The brunette's face also brightened and she cried, "Shannon!" She pulled Shannon into a hug. "What are you doing in Japan?!"

"I just moved here! I didn't know you lived in Tokyo! When you left the U.S. you said you were moving to that one town, I forgot the name." She smiled a bit sheepishly.

"My dad got transferred again. It's been so long! Why didn't you ever write me?" Adara exclaimed.

"I lost your address. You should have written me, anyhow. It was your turn to write."

"No it wasn't."

"Yes, it was!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Ok, it doesn't matter whose turn it was. I'm just glad to see you. And it's good to know we can start up right where we left off before I moved away." Adara winked.

"Yep! Just like sisters again. By the way, it was your turn."

"Shannon!" Adara shoved her gently.

"Okay, okay." Shannon laughed. "Ugh, I need to go home and get cleaned off. I think I have somebody's lunch in my hair. I'm going to a concert tonight, so it might be best if I didn't smell like bologna."

"Oh! I'm playing in a concert tonight, the citywide school orchestra concert. I was just on my way home to get ready for it." Adara replied.

"Hey, that's the concert I'm going to!" Shannon exclaimed.

"What a coincidence." Adara said distractedly looking at her watch. "I need to hurry and get home to get ready. Meet me after the concert? Ask your mom if you can sleep over at my house, we have a lot to talk about."

"Ok, good luck tonight." Shannon said. "Bye!" She waved as Adara walked away and turned the corner.

As soon as Adara was out of sight, Apollo burst out laughing. Shannon wheeled around. "You!" She hissed.

Apollo wiggled her back end and sprang away in the direction of their house, still laughing. "You are not going to get away with that, mutt!" Shannon shouted, then started running after her.

*

Usagi pulled Shannon into the seat next to hers. "This is going to be great and so sophisticated!" She squealed excitedly.

Shannon grinned in response. She ran her fingers through her hair, and trying to rid herself of the feeling of being covered in garbage. She smiled ruefully, *I just know Apollo did that on purpose.* She turned to Usagi to tell her about her close encounter with the garbage kind when the center curtain rose and the conductor stepped to the center of the stage.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Tonight I have the great honor of presenting to you the Citywide School Orchestra. These young people have worked very hard and have much to show for it. So without further ado, here they are.”

The students began to file into the rows of chairs on stage. Each wore black dress clothing except for three students. A young man in a deep red dress shirt took his place behind a large set of chimes. Two girls, one brown-haired and one aqua- haired, also stood out. The brunette wore stunning dress of pale lavender. And the girl with the teal waves wore a beautiful,flowing cream-colored gown.

"That's Adara! And Kaioh-san!" Shannon whispered shrilly. "I wonder why they and that boy wore different colors than the rest."

Rei stuck her head out from down the row, "They are the soloists, so they get to wear different colors so they stand out. How do you know Adara?"

"She's an old friend." Shannon said vaguely, her eyes trained back on the stage as the opening number began.

The audience was held spellbound by thebeautiful, flowing music produced by the orchestra. Shannon's gaze was rapturous. There was something about music that always had that effect on her. She felt as though her entire body was involved with the melody, that somehow her soul was being expressed by the soft music of her friends' flute and violin. In what seemed like seconds to Shannon, the piece ended. She applauded energetically. Michiru and Adara bowed, then took their seats in the orchestra.
The second piece began. It was exciting and full of life. The middle section slowed down a bit and the soft sounds of the woodwinds swept through the audience. But something was pulsing underneath their sound, driving them faster and faster. Shannon looked back to see the boy in red playing the chimes with all his might. Suddenly the song broke into a rapid and joyful chimes solo. For as skinny of a young man as he was, the chime player played with strength, skill and energy that the entire audience could feel. The song sped up even more as the rest of the orchestra joined in again, ending in a crescendo of sound.
The audience was so caught up in the music that they didn't notice the dark man who entered through the back of the auditorium. He smiled evilly as he watched the boy on stage.
The audience broke into thunderous applause as the song ended. The soloist bowed many times before the audience stopped.
The conductor bowed to the audience when they finally finished clapping. "Thank you for your applause, he certainly deserves it. Hibikno Chaimu is a fine musician."

A black lightening bolt cracked above the stage and Kurai appeared clapping into the now silent hall. "Yes, very fine indeed. But his music stops here!" Though Kurai had orginally been in the back of the auditorium, he thought it would be more dramatic if he appeared over the stage. He smirked and sent several of his clear bubble-like energy blasts into the crowd.
Shannon and the rest of the girls jumped to their feet as soon as the evil man had appeared over the stage. "Run! Get out of the auditorium!" Usagi screamed. People were happy to obey. They ran screaming in every direction. Most of Kurai's blasts knocked harmless into the walls, but one hit the edge of the balcony above. It cracked, and began to fall. A woman screamed as she began to topple with the broken plaster toward the now empty seats below. Empty but one, Shannon and Makoto saw the little girl at the some moment. "I've got her!" Makoto shouted, shoving Shannon back in her rush to save the girl.

Two things happened at the same moment, Makoto dove and grabbed the child, rolling safely out of range of the falling balcony. Tuxedo Kamen appeared seemingly from nowhere, swooping through the air to catch the screaming woman. He landed and set her down a few yards from the girls. She mumbled a quick thank you and ran from the hall.

"Tuxedo Kamen-sama!" Usagi cried happily.

"I thought I felt the presence of something." Rei muttered, then looked quickly at the stage as another cry ripped through the air. She glanced back at Shannon, "Get out of here, we're right behind you."

Shannon nodded, glad to leave so she could transform.

In their distraction about the two girls, Kurai had begun to terrorize the musicians on stage. Michiru and Adara were hurrying to help the others off the stage.

"Adara lead that group outside. The rest are okay, but that guy is going to hurt Hibikino-san. I'll be out in a minute." Michiru said hurriedly.

"But-" Adara started to protest.

"Just go!" Michiru ran back on stage. She was met by Haruka. "Haruka, go transform, I'll distract Kurai until you and the others get there." Haruka nodded and ducked behind a curtain.

Adara gently but quickly shoved her fellow musicians off the stage and out the back door. He mind was racing and she kept fingering a small pink jewel swirl that hung around her neck. She turned to go back inside when she nearly tripped over Shannon's dog. "What? Apollo? What are you doing here? This is no place for doggies."

"Please don't call me a doggie, I hate when people do that." Apollo complained. "I know who you are, Adara." She added seriously. "You can wipe that incredibly false look of surprise off your face. And I know that you realize now that I've spoken who I am. Stop running from your past and get in there to help those people. You are Sailor Isis, so stop fingering your transformation pendant and transform already."
Adara tried to keep her surprised look intact, but found she couldn't when staring into the serious dark blue eyes of Apollo. She hung her head. "I knew I couldn't be normal forever." She sighed heavily, then set her face. "Thanks Apollo." She thrust her fist into the air, "Isis Star Power, Make Up!" A moment later the pink and purple clad senshi raced back into the auditorium.

She took in the situation in one glance. The Sailor Senshi were already on the job. They had not arrived in time to get Kurai from draining Hibikino, judging by the fact that the boy was lying motionless behind the orange-haired man.

She watched as her old friend moved forward. She would pick the right moment to step in. "You big dumb jerk!" Sailor Electra shouted. "Blinding Punch!" She flew through the air, but Kurai dodged and her punch glanced off his shoulder.

He glanced at the smudge on his uniform. "Stupid child." He smacked Electra across the back as she fell to the side of him. "That boy did not have what I wanted, but I'll give myself a consolation prize." He snapped his fingers. A smooth skined youma appeared before him. "Kill them." He said simply and dissapeared in a black crack of lightening.

"Whatever." Sailor Venus said. "Like these stupid Salmar things are even worth our time."

"I don't know Venus," Sailor Mercury said, looking through her scanner. "We've had trouble with these before. They only respond to-" She abruptly stopped speaking as a bright pink light flooded the hall.

"Deadly Shower!" The clear call rang out as thousands of brilliantly pink stars rained upon the youma. It hissed evilly, then wavered and disappeared.

"What the?" Sailor Jupiter cried.

Sailor Isis strode onto the stage. "Sailor Isis, defender of purity and the Soldier of Rain." She proclaimed.

The senshi all stood speechless. Another new soldier? How could she have destroyed that youma in one blast when they could not? Sailor Electra was not speechless for long, however. She emitted a small suprised cry then shouted, "Isis!" She giggled madly before flying across the stage to jump on the taller senshi.

"I'm guessing they know each other." Sailor Uranus said dryly. The other senshi nodded, looks of amusement and curiosity on their faces.

Sailor Isis leaned down to whisper in Electra's ear. "Stop bouncing around. Let's make a clean exit."

Electra stopped bouncing, nice exits were things she rarely got to do. "'K. Let's go." Both senshi raised their power levels slightly and vanished in a flash of bright pink and yellow.

"Woah!" Sailor Jupiter cried. "They just disappeared."

The others nodded. "Who is that Isis chick?" Venus wondered.

"Well, it's obvious she and Electra know each other." Mars commented. Sailor Mercury nodded. "She is also very powerful. And her powers are very pure. Look, he's already waking up." She motioned to Hibikino.

"Let's puzzle this out tomorrow." Sailor Moon yawned. "It's kind of late. And that was a tough battle."

"It was not." Mars stuck out her tongue. "Sailor Isis did all the dirty work and we barely touched Kurai."

"Sorry Ms. Pefect Mars." Sailor Moon returned sarcastically, sticking out her tongue. Both girls began sticking their tonuges out longer and longer at each other. The other senshi shook their heads and walked out of the hall.

*

"Hee hee." Sailor Electra giggled, as she and Isis appeared outside the back of the theatre. "I love doing that. I suppose they were all surprised. I would have loved to see their faces." She winked at Isis.

"I'm just glad you remembered how to do it. It's been a long time, Electra." Sailor Isis regarded Electra seriously. Electra's smile faded slightly. Isis could practically see the many hurt questions forming in her friend's eyes, she had indeed been gone a very long time. Suddenly an image came to her mind, two identical blonde girls. Electra had a twin! She remembered Antheia, but where was she? How could Electra be here without her? But, she knew that Shannon was Sailor Electra. It was in her eyes. And she knew Shannon did not have a twin. She lowered her head, suddenly overcome with guilt and terrible sadness. Something must have happened to Antheia after she had left their universe. She shot suddenly back to the present, Apollo's deep blue eyes were boring into hers, warning her not to say anything to Electra. Isis knew that all would be explained later.

Electra's form shimmered and when the light disappeared Shannon stood in her place. "So Isis, come on. I know you are Adara. It's so obvious!" She grinned, oblivious to Isis's thoughts. "Let's go to your house."

"Okay, Shan." Isis too powered down. She hid her confusion and sadness by plastering on a smile. "So how was my solo?"

"It was great!" Shannon began chattering as the two girls walked arm in arm down the street, followed closely by the small whitish-blonde dog.

*