Legal Gig: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is property of Toei 
Animation and Takeuchi Naoko. Project: Sailor Earth and The 
Utopian Chronicles are property of Tory L. Brown Any reference 
to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental, or the author 
just lost her mind for a second or so...

Characters: Sailor Earth/Sailor Utopia/Takanera Moshi, 
Tenchino Miko, Tenchino Moshi, Sailor Neo Earth, Sailor 
Paradise and Tenchino Hoshi belongs to Tory L. Brown.  
Should they be used without her permission, I just hope 
your insurance is paid up.

Arc Notes:
This arc may be longer than any of the others.  Because I 
stupidly wrote myself into a corner that now I gotta write
myself out of! Sheesh...

Now it's Ami-chan turn for me to torture her senselessly!

Ami: NANI!? O_O
Moshi: *snickers* Glad it aint me!
Tory: Oh you suffer too...partially.
Moshi: *face drops* NANI!?

*  *  *


                   ::T h e  U t o p i a n   C h r o n i c l e s::

                                By: Tory L. Brown 
                              (tory_brown@yahoo.com)

                           
     ::A r c  N i n e t e e n::

	The Icewoman Evolveth
	
	

	The sun shined down on students as they filed into 
the courtyard of Juuban High School.  On the roof of the 
main building, if someone stared hard enough, they could 
see the figure of a girl dressed in the fuku of a Juuban 
student.  Azuno Mimi laughed to herself as her form started 
glowing an eerie blue that slowly seeped from her body and 
infected the entire building.  

	The blue light edged its way down the sides of the 
building, washing over the walls in a sluggish wave.  The 
light eventually reached the ground, surrounding the students 
closest to the building.  Those that were sitting on the 
steps were infected first.  Eventually, it branched out to 
those standing in the courtyard.  Students stumbled and some 
even fell as the blue light infused with them.  The blue 
light spread to the edges of the courtyard and anyone that 
entered for schoolyard became effused with the blue light.

* * * *

	The second Moshi woke up for school that morning, 
she realized that something was wrong.  She couldn't put 
her finger on it, but something was DEFINITELY wrong.  
The first clue and big one at that was she was awake and 
alert nearly two hours before her alarm clock went off.  

	She always made sure to set her clock to the latest 
as possible to gain the maximum amount of sleep.  Of course, 
this often sent her in a complete and total frenzy each 
morning as she rushed to get dressed, and maybe she was 
late sometimes because she lollygagged at the breakfast 
table. 

	She rose and dragged a brush through her dark tangled 
locks.  Large violet eyes peered from underneath her thick 
bangs.  She cocked one dark eyebrow and stared at herself 
in the mirror.  Why was she up this early? She glanced over 
at Usagi who was still sleeping soundly.  Moshi frowned, 
how could Usagi get to enjoy the last 2 hours and here she 
was awake and alert?

	"Hmm, I wonder..." she thought as she tied the bow 
on the front of her school shirt.

	She packed her notebooks and stacked her books 
back on the desk. Back at home, Mamoru often yelled because 
they were usually thrown everywhere. She checked the lead 
in her automatic pencils for math and headed downstairs.  
Before entering the kitchen, she deposited the bag near 
the doorway.

	Still feeling somewhat confused, she padded into 
the kitchen where Kenji, Ikuko and Shingo were eating 
breakfast. Kenji was reading the newspaper.

	"Ohaiyo gozaimasu, Tsukino-mama, Tsukino-papa," 
she said as she sat down at the table. "Shingo-san,"

	Shingo blushed.  "Ano... you don't have to call 
me that, you know!"

	Kenji's blue eyes peered over the edge of the paper.  
"Nani? What are you doing up so early!?"

	Moshi shrugged.  "I dunno, something's just..." 
she paused, looking around the room as if searching for 
something. "not right..."

	Shingo laughed as he spoke.  "Onee-chan woke her 
up with the loud snoring!"

	Ikuko placed a worried hand on Moshi's forehead 
as she sat a plate before her. "Are you feeling all right?"

	Moshi nodded as she quickly polished off her breakfast.  
"Hai, I'm not sick or anything."  She stood up, dusted her 
skirt off.  "Well, I'm going to get a move on.  I still 
have some history homework to touch up, I could use the 
extra time."

	Ikuko walked her to the front door and handed Moshi 
her bento.  Moshi liked how Ikuko took the time to learn 
her favorite colors and wrapped the bento in a pretty 
yellow and purple swirled scarf.

	Moshi slipped into her school shoes and took 
the bento and her handbag.  "Arigato, Tsukino-mama!" She 
donned her light jacket and headed out the door. "Itte 
marimasu!"

	Ikuko waved from the doorway.  "Itte irassahi!"

	As Moshi headed down the sidewalk, she turned 
the corner and headed back to her apartment.  She had 
to talk to Mamoru, something wasn't right.  She checked 
her watch; he should be up now having breakfast.

	She headed down the street and rounded the corner. 
Just as she was doing so, she walked into Shi, who was 
twirling a finger in one long blonde ponytail.  Moshi 
almost felt like that she was walking into Usagi, but 
one look into the violet eyes told her differently. 

	"Shi? What are you doing here?" Moshi asked surprised.

	Shi twirled the ponytail once more before answering.  
"I...well... that is I came to see you.  I don't feel quite right."

	Moshi nodded.  "You sensed it too?"

	The blonde head bobbed in a nod.  "Hai, mama."

	Moshi sighed.  "You just left the apartment?" When 
Shi nodded again, she continued.  "Is Ru-chan up?"

	Shi nodded a third time.  "Hai, Mamoru-ojii and 
Mi-chan are having breakfast."

	"Good, I want to talk to him before class."

	"Hai, ikuyo, mama!" Shi said, grabbing Moshi's 
hand and heading back towards Azabu.

* * * *

	For Mizuno Ami, the day would start like any of 
her other school days.  She'd rise from her bed, minutes 
before her alarm went off.  She would look out the window 
and greet the pigeons that slept on her windowsill a good 
morning.  Only this morning, when Ami rolled over, instead 
of waking 15 minutes before it went off, she saw by her 
clock that she had exactly 15 minutes to be dressed and 
present for class. For what could probably be one of the 
very few times in her calculated life; Mizuno Ami, 
panicked.

	"IIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

	Ami usually had enough time to take a nice bath 
in the morning, but today she quickly showered and dressed.  
She ran around the room tossing notebooks into her handbag 
and making sure she had her homework.  

	Ami raced at breakneck speed into the kitchen.  
As usual, her mom left a sandwich on the table.  Ami grabbed 
it and headed for the living room.  She started gobbling 
her sandwich as she threw on her shoes.  She felt the 
throes of panic grow because she didn't know what to do.  
She'd never been late in all her years of school.  It 
came to her; Usagi was often late for school. What would 
Usagi do?!  Then it came to her.

	Run.

	Short blue hair flying wildly about her head, 
Ami streaked down the streets of Juuban as she ran for 
school.  Sweat clung to her hand as she wiped one across 
her brow.  "I hate sweating!" she panted.  "That's why 
I swim for exercise!"  As she rounded the corner that 
led to the school, she skidded to a stop.

	The schoolyard was still full of students just 
wandering around. Forgetting about being late, she spotted 
Minako and Usagi talking with the newest student in 
their class, Mimi.

	Relieved that she might not be too late, she waved. 
"Usagi-chan, Minako-chan?" she queried as she walked to 
the group.

	Usagi turned to her, a look of clear disgust on 
her face as her eyes narrowed with anger.  "What do you 
want, Azuno-san?!"

	Ami froze, did she just call her by that other 
girl's name?! "Usagi-chan, I think you've got it wrong.  
I'm Ami, SHE'S Mimi!"

	Mimi simply smirked at Ami, enjoying the slightly 
panicked look on her face.  

	Minako flipped her long blonde hair at Ami.  "So 
if you'll excuse us? We're going to class, Azuno-san."

	Ami could only watch in shock as her friends walked 
off with Azuno Mimi.  She rushed up and grabbed Minako's 
shoulder.  "Why are you calling me Mimi!?" she exclaimed, 
digging in her handbag and pulling out her scheduler.  
"Look, I'm Mizuno Ami, Ami!"

	Minako and Usagi peered closer.  "So you did steal 
that from Ami-chan!" Usagi cried.  "Give me that!" Usagi 
snatched the scheduler from Ami's hand, her nails raking 
across the blue-haired girl's skin.  Ami winced and drew 
her hand back, why were they confusing her with Mimi?

	"Why are you both acting like this?" Ami asked, 
fighting the tears that threatened to slide down her face.

	"Look," Minako started, putting one hand on her 
hip.  "It's pretty obvious you're just jealous of Ami-chan, 
but stealing her scheduler and pretending to be her is a 
bit much!"

	Usagi shook her head in contempt.  "The nerve of 
some people!"

	Ami covered her ears and shook her head in denial.  
"I'm Mizuno Ami, not her!"

	"Save it for the soap operas!" Usagi exclaimed, 
pushing Ami away from the group.

	"What's going on here?" Makoto asked as she came 
over to the group.  "Why are you pushing Azuno-san?"

	Ami looked at Makoto in disbelief.  Not Makoto 
too! What were they seeing that she wasn't?  "How can you 
confuse us! I'm Mizuno Ami, not her!"

	Usagi groaned.  "She's been like this ever since 
she walked up to us!"

	Makoto turned her hardened green gaze on Ami.  
"She's not causing any trouble is she?"

	Ami took a step back, Makoto had never looked at 
her like that before.  "I don't believe this..."

	Minako stared hard.  "Neither can we." A devilish 
look crossed the blonde's face.  "Let's take care of it 
then." She stalked closer to Ami, cracking her knuckles 
as she walked.

	Ami's eyes grew two sizes larger than normal.  
"Kami-sama..."

* * * *

	Moshi glanced at her wristwatch as she ran towards 
the school.  She still had 5 minutes, if she could make the 
stoplight, she'd be home free.  She streaked to the intersection 
and just her luck, the light turned green.  "YES!" she 
whooped, putting on an extra burst of speed into the school 
courtyard.

	She was fortunate enough to see the last throng of 
students entering the building.  She skidded to a stop and 
followed the last students inside.  She made her way down 
the row of lockers before stopping before the one with her 
name written in hiragana.

	Moshi slipped out her shoes and donned the 
soft-soled school shoes.  Since they were juniors this 
year, the toes were her favorite color, purple.  She put 
her shoes in and closed the door.  A soft sobbing noise 
reached her hears.  Someone was crying? Moshi perked her 
ears up and definitely heard the sounds of crying.

	"Moshi moshi?" She called, walking around the maze 
of school lockers.  She walked behind the last row when 
she came upon Ami crouched on the floor.  Her head was 
down on her arms and her shoulders shuddered.

	"Ami-chan?" Moshi asked softly.  She kneeled and 
put a hand on the shaking shoulder.  When she held her 
head up, Moshi felt a flash of anger.  The large blue eyes 
were moist with tears.

	Ami felt almost embarrassed to be seen like this.  
"Did you call me, Ami?"

	A lone dark eyebrow arched over the violet eye.  
"Of course I did.  You are Mizuno Ami, right?"

	"Oh, Mo-chan!" Ami cried, throwing herself onto 
Moshi and grabbing her in a fierce hug.  "Thank you!"

	"You've been up late again, haven't you?" Moshi 
asked, wondering if her friend decided to go nuts.

	Ami pulled back, reached into her pocket, and 
grabbed her handkerchief.  "It's been a weird day!"

	"Tell me about it, I woke up 2 hours earlier than 
usual!" Moshi scoffed.  
	
	"I woke up 2 hours later!" Ami said, dabbing at 
her eyes with her handkerchief.  "I've never been late 
for school in my life!"

	Moshi looked again at her wristwatch.  "We better 
head to class.  We shouldn't be in too much trouble since 
today is self-study."

	Ami nodded and ran her hands through her hair, 
trying to get some self-composure.  "Let's go."

* * * *

	At lunch, Moshi and Ami sat under the large tree 
in the courtyard.  Moshi wanted to eat first and investigate 
later, although Ami wanted to get right down to business. 

	"Honestly," Ami said as she ate her sandwich.  
"How can you want to eat first and then work.  This is my 
school life we're talking here.  Not only does Usagi-tachi 
think I'm Mimi, so do the teachers!"

	Moshi smirked.  "You did look mad when Sekano-sensei 
made you sit at Mimi's desk."  She quickly polished off 
the rest of her lunch.  She put her chopsticks back in 
the box and wrapped it in the purple and yellow scarf.  
She then stood up and dusted her skirt off.  "Let's find 
Haruka-san and Michiru-san and see if they're nuts too.  
If so, then we know something is up."

	Ami stood up.  "Good, let's go!"

	The two girls walked through the courtyard as if 
waiting for an attack.  The walked close to each other, 
bumping into each other every few seconds.  When they 
neared where their friends were sitting, Moshi switched 
sides, putting herself between them and Ami.

	As they walked past, Moshi heard Minako snort 
and Usagi even threw a piece of trash at them.  If Ami 
hadn't grabbed Moshi, Usagi would have caught a swift 
kick to the rear.

	"Remember, they're still our friends," Ami 
whispered harshly, dragging a huffing Moshi alone.

	Moshi groused.  "I don't care, I'd still kick 
her...just with love."

	Ami snickered.  "Wait, there they are!"

	Haruka and Michiru were sitting at one of the 
picnic-like tables the school had set up for upper 
classmen.  When they spied the two girls walking towards 
them.  Haruka turned her back and pretended to be in a 
deep discussion with Michiru.

	"Haruka-san?" Moshi asked as they approached the 
table.

	Haruka looked at Moshi.  "Mo-chan?"

	Michiru dabbed at the corner of her mouth with 
her napkin.  "Why are you hanging around with her?"

	Both girls' ears perked at the question.  "Her, 
who?" Moshi asked.

	Haruka sighed and glared at Moshi.  "With that 
girl who thinks she's Ami-chan."

	Moshi felt Ami shudder at her side.  Not them 
too?  "What's wrong with you two, can't you see this 
IS Ami-chan!"

	Indignation flared in the blonde's eyes as she 
stood up, towering over the two.  "Who are you to tell 
me what I'm seeing!?"

	Ami grabbed Moshi's arm as she saw the raven-haired 
girl's face turn red with anger.  "Never mind, let's get 
out of here."  With some force, she dragged the taller 
girl away, hoping to avoid a full fledge fight.

	When they reached the middle of the courtyard, 
Moshi yanked her arm from Ami's grip and stomped a few 
feet ahead.  Stopping and whirling around, she scrunched 
her face up in anger.  "What the hell is wrong with all 
of them?" she asked, waiting for Ami to catch up.  The 
two walked forward, heading back to the school.  "I 
mean---" She stopped mid-sentence and put a hand above 
her eyes.  Squinting, she saw a form on top of the 
middle tower of the school building.

	She gasped, grabbed Ami and ran for the steps.  
When they reached the steps, they could see faint 
splashes of blue tinted ooze clinging to the wall.  

	Moshi stuck a finger out to touch it and Ami 
quickly pulled her back.  "Don't touch it!  This could 
be the reason why!"  She dug in her pocket and pulled 
out her small computer.  "Cover me, I'm going to analyze 
this."

	Moshi nodded and stood in front of Ami.  She 
kept a keen eye on the schoolyard while Ami tapped 
furiously at the computer. 

	"Ok, got it.  Follow me!" Ami ducked inside 
the school building and led Moshi through the row of 
lockers until they were at the last row.  "That gunk 
on the building is some kind of hallucinogen."

	"Oh my goodness," Moshi gasped quietly.  "You 
mean like LSD?"

	Ami nodded briskly.  "Somewhat like it."

	Moshi slammed her fist in her palm.  "And I bet 
I know who did it. Come on!" she grabbed Ami and dragged 
her to the stairway.  The two ran up the stairs but 
slowed as they neared the roof.  

	"I saw someone on the roof before we came inside," 
Moshi whispered as she cracked the doorway.

	The two peered out slowly out the door.  Mimi 
was standing near the edge of the building.  Her form 
was glowing slightly.  More blue light seeped from the 
edges of her body and slid down the walls.  Having seen 
enough, the two pulled back inside and zipped down the 
stairs.  Once safely back by the lockers, the two panted 
heavily. 

	Grimacing, Ami wiped her forehead again.  "I 
haven't done this much running in my life!"

	Moshi laughed.  "Senshi business not counting?"

	Ami shrugged.  "I don't sweat during that."

	Pondering, Moshi added.  "Yeah, that is weird! 
I don't remember ever sweating while wearing my fuku."

	After a few minutes of silence and heavy breathing, 
Ami stood up and stretched.  "We better get moving.  We 
need our henshin wands."

	Moshi nodded.  "I agree, we could definitely use 
them."  She patted her pockets and grimaced.  "Crap, 
they're all the way on the third floor?"

	This time Ami grimaced.  "Drat.  We better get 
going then."

	"I don't think you're going anywhere." Mimi 
appeared from behind a row of lockers with a few students 
with her.  "I got a good thing going here and you two 
aren't going to stop it."

	Moshi froze and Ami bumped into her.  Both 
girls immediately took one step backwards. The two 
continued to back up step by step until they bumped 
into another wall of students. They both whipped 
around in fright, only to learn that it was Usagi, 
Minako, and Makoto joined by Umino, Naru, Yumi and Kari.

	"Ami-chan, I know you'd hate this," Moshi said, 
glancing at a frightened Ami. "but, RUN!"

	Moshi lunged between Usagi and Minako, dragging 
Ami with her.  The two girls made a mad dash for the 
stairs, taking them two at a time.  Racing down the 
hallway, Moshi looked over her shoulder to see Yumi 
and Kari clear the top step and stomping madly towards 
them.

	"KAMI-SAMA!" Moshi screamed, putting on a burst 
of speed, dragging Ami even harder.

	"I HATE RUNNING!" Ami cried as they cleared the 
corner.

	They ran a few more yards before ducking into 
their classroom.  They scrambled to their respective 
desks.  Moshi unceremoniously dumped the contents of 
her handbag on her desk.  The items clattered on the 
desk, scattering everywhere.  Eventually the white wand 
bounced out onto the floor, spinning to a stop at her feet.

	"I got mine let's go!" Ami cried, holding her wand up.

	"Me too, let's boogie!" Moshi exclaimed, throwing 
her wand into the air.  "Earth Infinite Power, make up!"

	Ami quickly followed suit and the two Senshi ran 
to the window, peering to the ground that loomed beneath them.

	"We can't jump to the ground, the other students 
will see us!" Mercury said, looking to Utopia for an answer. 
When Utopia didn't answer, she turned her attention back to 
the window.  What would be the best way for them to escape, 
they didn't have much time, she could hear the crazed mob 
stomping down the hallway.

	"Care to go for a little flight?" Utopia said, 
quickly changing into the fuku of the Utopian Knight.

	Mercury sighed, she didn't know if she was up to 
it, but what the heck.  "Let's go."

	Utopia hovered, grabbing Mercury under her arms.  
"Oof, need to cut back on the sandwiches in the morning."

	"Hey!" Mercury exclaimed feeling a bit miffed.  
"I don't weigh as much as you!"

	Utopia snorted as they cleared the window. "That's 
because I'm taller."

* * * *

	For the tenth time that day, Rei sneezed.  What 
bothered her was it wasn't allergy season, and she didn't 
have a cold.  Earlier in math class, the hairs on the back 
of her neck continuously stood on end.  Was something 
wrong? If so, why hadn't any of the other Senshi contacted 
her yet? Rei shrugged, if something was wrong SOMEONE 
would contact her.

	She glanced at her wristwatch, noting the time.  
"I'll give them another half-hour, if I don't hear 
anything by then, I'm calling."

* * * *

	The two lone Senshi stood on the roof of Juuban 
High.  Sailor Mercury and  Sailor Utopia hid behind the 
pigeon coops plotting what to do next. 

	"I could fly us both out of here, but that drains 
my energy greatly," Utopia stated, glancing at her golden 
bracers.

	Mercury sighed.  "No, that would be running away, 
we have to solve this now."

	Utopia headed for the door.  "We should at least 
lock this thing so no one else can come up here."

	"I don't think that would be necessary, you see, 
we are here." Mimi said, coming around the doorway, 
making Utopia freeze in her tracks.

	Mercury quickly turned her visor on.  From her 
view, Mimi's form shone a bright blue, the same blue that 
covered most of the building.  "At least I'm positive 
now she's behind this."

	"That's all I need," Utopia said with a smirk.  
"Ball..." A small spark of light appeared in her palm 
and grew to the size of a softball and once it reached 
its size, it flashed.  Utopia spun in a circle, heaving 
the ball to Mimi.  "Lightning!"

	Mimi laughed and smacked the ball away from her 
like an irritating bug.  "Dude, your powers, like, don't 
work on me." She laughed again and clapped her hands 
together, when she opened her palms, a small spear made 
totally of ice appeared between her hands and grew to 
the size of a lance.

	"Uh, Mercury? I can use your help here!" Utopia 
cried, ducking the spear Mimi chucked at her with all 
her might.  Utopia wasn't quick enough and the spear 
sliced one of her sleeveless shoulders.  A small spray 
of blood arced in the air, followed by a loud curse.

	"Utopia!" Mercury cried, rushing forward. 

	Mimi caught Mercury's movement.  "Oh no you don't, 
dude.  I need to you stay put!"

	Mercury froze instantly.  She couldn't move! 
"Nani!?" She looked down and saw her legs becoming 
encased in ice.  She heard Utopia curse again, and 
looked over. Utopia was becoming encased in ice too.  
Unlike Mercury who could face the frigid cold, Utopia 
could feel herself getting drowsy.

	The ice branched up both girls' bodies until it 
stopped at their necks.  "Mercury!" Utopia cried, craning 
her neck to see.  "Daijoubu?"

	"Hai," Mercury replied, looking over her shoulder.  
She was perilously near the edge.

	Mimi stalked past Utopia, flicking one of her ears 
with finger.  "I would play with Utopia, but she's not my 
target."

	Mercury's eyes grew large as the girl stalked 
closer.  "What do you mean?"

	"I mean, it's time for a little flight." Mimi 
giggled and shoved Mercury over the edge of the building.

	"MERCURY!" Utopia yelled.

* * * *

	Rei stood in the courtyard of T*A, the nagging 
feeling persisted even more.  She couldn't get in contact 
with any of the Senshi, not even the two Outer Senshi 
that attended Juuban.  

	"MERCURY!"

	Rei whipped around, swearing she heard Moshi's 
voice.

	"KAMI-SAMA, MERCURY!!!"

	Rei closed her eyes and was instantly greeted 
with the image of Moshi crying loudly.

	"I gotta get to Juuban."

* * * *

	"KAMI-SAMA, MERCURY!" Utopia screamed again.  
The sickening crunch of ice breaking greeted her ears.  
Her violet eyes grew wide as she continued to scream for 
Mercury, hoping she would respond, maybe free of her 
ice prison.

	"Ami-chan," Utopia whispered in a broken voice.  
Hot tears slid from her shut eyes, making tracks down 
her cheeks.  "It can't be..."

* * * *

	"Are you sure they came up here?" Shi asked 
her younger sister.  

	Miko nodded, her blue eyes growing large.  
"Definitely, I was just coming in from lunch when 
I saw it all happen."

	Shi put a hand on the door and noticed it wouldn't 
budge.  "Kuso, they blocked the door!"

	The two girls' ears perked when they heard their 
mother's voice calling for the fallen Mercury.  

	"Ami-oba!" Miko cried, throwing her weight against 
the door.  When it didn't budge, they both slammed against 
it.  Shi reared back a third time, when she felt a pair 
of hands grab her legs.

	"Shimatta!" Shi exclaimed as she fell face forward, 
her head connecting with the step.

	Miko turned around.  "Nee-chan?"

	Masses of students crept up the stairs with zombie 
like expressions on their faces.  Miko grabbed for Shi, 
but was pulled down the stairs along with her sister.

* * * *

	Transformed, Sailor Mars took to the rooftops, 
leaping from building to building.  As she got closer, 
she could hear Moshi crying louder.  As she neared Juuban, 
she could see Utopia on the top of the middle tower.  
Somehow, she was frozen in an awkward position.  Mars 
stopped and watched for a moment.  She could faintly 
hear Utopia screaming in rage, fighting to try and get 
her hands on the girl standing before her.

* * * *

	Mimi snickered at the colorful language Utopia 
was using.  "Dude, does your mom know you talk like this?"

	This only enraged Utopia further.  "I swear, if 
I get out of this you will be in pieces!"

	"La de da.  I've completed my mission.  Mercury 
is no more.  You're not even part of this equation." Mimi 
fluffed her dark blue hair.

* * * *

	Mars crouched and set a flame arrow.  If she did 
it right, she should be able to break Moshi's ice prison.  
Saying a small prayer, she let the flame arrow fly.

* * * *

	Utopia saw the flash of red from the building from 
across the street.  "Sailor Mars," she thought as she saw 
the flame arrow clip the edge of her frozen boot.  A small 
crack appeared on the edge and piece by piece, the frozen 
prison crumbled around the Senshi.

	Mimi's eyes grew round with fright as she looked 
around frantically.  She didn't see Utopia's fist come 
flying from the left, knocking her to the ground.

	"You bitch!" Utopia spat, rearing back one booted 
foot and connecting it to Mimi's midsection. Mimi moaned 
and curled in a protected position.  Utopia pounced on Mimi, 
turning her over.  She pulled one gloved fist back, preparing 
to slam it into Mimi's face, when a hand grabbed her own.

	Utopia looked up, and saw Mars holding her hand.  
"Mars..."

	"Don't do it, Utopia," Mars said, shaking her 
dark head.  "It's not worth it."

	Utopia ran a hand past her moist eyes.  "I know, 
I know.  I sorta lost it there for a second."

	Mars looked around the rooftop.  "Where's Mercury?"

	"Oh my goodness!" Utopia exclaimed. "Mimi pushed 
her off the building!"  She ran to the edge of the building 
and leapt to the ground.  Mars ran to the edge of the 
building and looked down and followed.  The two Senshi 
surveyed the ground around them.  There were pieces of 
shattered ice, but no sign of Mercury.

	"She's gone," Mars whispered brokenly.

* * * *

	When Mercury came to, she found herself in a barren 
field.  The icy winds blew hard, ruffling the ends of her 
skirt.  Standing up, frozen crust fell from her body, 
landing in wet piles beneath her.  "Where am I?"

	Mercury tried to check her computer, but the screen 
remained blank.  Trying her communicator, it was useless 
also.  The delicate blue eyelashes were frozen stiff.  
She turned on her visor, at least this allowed her to keep 
her eyes open without worrying about an ice shard flying 
into them.

	She trekked a few feet, her arms instinctively 
wrapping around her, but she wasn't cold.  "I'm not cold," 
she thought.  "I'm not even uncomfortable."  Putting a 
hand on her leg, it felt warm, not cold and stiff.  

	Now thoroughly confused, Mercury looked around 
again.  "Where am I?" she mused out loud. 

	"You are on your home planet," a voice said.  
"Welcome home, Princess Mercury."

	Sailormercury turned around to see a white carriage 
drawn by two pale blue horses, coming to halt before her.  
She walked to the side of the carriage and spied a woman 
wrapped in brown furs holding the frozen reigns.  "Who 
are you?" Mercury asked.  She couldn't see the woman's 
face because she was totally covered from head to foot.

	"It is me, Gaia," Gaia said from beneath her warm 
wraps.  "Forgive me for not greeting you properly, but 
this planet is too cold for me." A small sneeze escaped 
the Queen's lips, shaking the pile of furs.

	Mercury smirked and climbed into the carriage.  
"Is this where I lived so long ago?"

	"Hai," Gaia answered, snapping the reigns, forcing 
the two horses to walk into a trot.  "Someone waits to see 
you, I must take you there."

	One blue eyebrow cocked slightly.  "Who would be 
waiting to see me here?"

	"You shall see." Gaia tugged on the reigns and 
the carriage slowed to a stop.  With a great sigh, she 
clutched at the pile of furs and jumped from the carriage.

	Mercury looked at the grandness of the frozen 
castle.  Three tall spires made of ice were tinged a 
slight blue, similar to the blue in her fuku.  A grand 
archway of ice loomed before a long stairway of carefully
cut ice.  The railings for the stairway were intricate 
cut poles, baring the symbol of Mercury.

	Following the pile of furs that were Gaia, Mercury 
bounded up the smooth steps, amazed at how she didn't slip 
or slide across its smoothness.  Upon reaching the doors, 
the two glassy smooth iceways soundlessly glided open.

	The two quietly walked down the frozen hallway pass 
the numerous doors and paintings that decorated the hallway.  
One picture in particular caused Mercury to pause mid-step.  
The painting showed a young girl, dressed in a delicate silk 
gown, clutching onto the leg of a woman with pale blue hair 
and matching eyes.  On the top of her head was a crown made 
of ice.  "Mother..." Mercury thought, reaching out and 
touching the edge of the painting.

	"Princess," Gaia's voice said, interrupting her 
thoughts.  "Through here."

	Mercury walked to the end of the hallway and 
through the double doors.  The room was circular in 
fashion, the round walls covered with bookcases holding 
hundreds of books.  Directly across from the doorway 
was another set of double doors overlooking a garden 
enclosed in a hothouse.

	In the center was a large desk complete with 
matching chair.  The large chair swerved around and 
the woman from the painting stared at Mercury with same 
piercing pale blue eyes that stared at her from the picture.
	  
	"Gaia, thank you for bringing my daughter to me," 
the woman said, standing to her feet, the folds of pale 
blue silk slithered around her legs.

	"Suisei," Gaia said, deep from her fur wrap.

	Suisei laughed.  "I'd forgotten that these 
temperatures are extreme to anyone not of this planet."  
She waved a hand over a blue crystal that hovered over 
the center of the desk.  A bright light emerged from 
the ceiling.

	Gaia poked her head from the wrap, feeling the 
heat expand in the room.  She shrugged off the fur and 
sighed.  "That's a bit better."

	With a small smile on her face, Suisei walked 
across the room, holding her arms open.  "My daughter, 
how long it's been since I've seen you." The queen 
embraced the shocked senshi.

	"My mother?" Mercury stammered, feeling a sudden 
flood of memories and emotions.  

	Suisei pulled back, tears forming in the icy eyes.  
"This is going to be one of the greatest fights in your 
life.  With the help of Gaia, I have one last gift to 
bestow upon you."

	Mercury ran a gloved hand across her wet eyes.  
"What is it?"

	The queen walked back to her desk.  She leaned 
down and placed a blue box on the table.  Taking a key 
from her pocket, she unlocked the lid and opened it.  
Inside on a bed of pale blue satin, a golden harp with 
blue accents twinkled in the overhead light.  The slender 
hands held the harp.  "I know your attacks now center 
using a harp, but now your power will be more focused 
and stronger."

	Mercury took the harp from her mother, feeling 
it's cool weight in her hands.  The strings vibrated, 
emitting a soft sound.  Feeling the music, Mercury's 
henshin melted away leaving her clad in her school fuku.

	The mercury wand appeared in Suisei's hands.  
"You will now be able to call upon the powers of your 
castle, Castle Mariner to achieve your true form.  
Sailorstar Mercury!"  

	The wand hovered between Suisei's hands and a 
blue aura started shine softly.  The handle of the wand 
turned a pure white and the wings that decorated the top 
turned a pale blue.  The crystal detached from the top 
and exploded, leaving the golden symbol of Mercury, 
hovering above the wand.  Once done with its transformation, 
the wand floated over to its true owner.

	Ami grabbed the wand and was instantly transformed.  
Her new fuku was a close resemblance to the fuku of 
Eternalsailormoon.  She now sported two skirts, the bottom 
layer pale blue, the top layer a darker blue.  Two long, 
pale blue ribbons graced the tops of her now white boots.  
The trim of the boots was blue in the shape of a v with 
the symbol of mercury on the point. 

	Her gloves now extended beyond her elbows to the 
upper arms.  The front bow was now a blue heart, framed 
by a pair of paler blue wings.  Her choker remained the 
same color, but now instead of a star, a glyph in the 
shape of mercury decorated the choker.  On her forehead, 
the golden tiara was gone, replaced with the symbol of 
her planet burning bright. She still had three earrnings
in her ears, but now on the first earring was a blue stone
with her symbol hanging down.

	"Mother, I won't let you down." Tears slid down 
Mercury's face as she gripped the harp tight.  "I will 
do my best as Sailorstar Mercury!"

* * * *

	Utopia and Mars were utterly baffled at the sight 
before them.  The afternoon sun was quickly drying up the 
small remains of ice that lain before them.  There was no 
sign of Mercury.  Utopia was sure there would have been a 
much messier sight had Mercury been present at the time 
of the fall.

	"Maybe she escaped somehow, you know this is her 
element," Utopia said hopefully.

	Mars could do nothing but shrug.  "I don't...
 know."

	The two knelt and touched the ground, hoping 
(and praying) that Mercury was able to escape.  A shadow 
appeared at their backs, looming over them both.
"Looking for me?"

	The two turned around, both pair of violet eyes 
growing round with shock.  "Mercury!"

	Mercury, clad in her new fuku, grinned at her 
fellow senshi.  "You didn't think a little thing like 
ice would stop me?"

	Utopia was the first to reach her, grabbing her 
in a crushing hug.  "Oh, Ami-chan.  I was so scared that 
you were hurt!"

	Mars followed.  "I tried to get over here as soon 
as I could."

	The reunion was cut short as she school doors 
bursted open.  A group of students fell from the doors, 
piling on a pair of senshi in yellow and purple.  The 
remaining students clawed their way towards the Senshi,
nearly overtaking all of them.

	"Leave this to me!" Mars cried, whipping out a 
few ofudas.  "Akuryo taisan!"  The pile of papers attached 
to the students' foreheads, making them all fall to the 
ground bonelessly.

	Paradise and Neo earth squirmed their way to the 
top of the pile.  "Mimi is still on the roof, you'd better 
hurry before she escapes!" Paradise said, pausing for a 
breath of air.  A nasty purple bruise was under the white 
tiara.

	Utopia looked at her eldest daughter.  "How did 
you get that!?"

	Paradise shrugged it off.  "Nevermind that, we 
better get going!"

	Quickly changing to the guise of the knight, 
Utopia hovered over and grabbed Mercury by the upper arms.  
"You guys meet us up there, we've got a score to settle!"

	"Hai!" Neo earth replied, skipping nimbly over 
Usagi and rushing inside.  Paradise and Mars quickly 
followed.

	Mercury could hear Utopia growling under her 
breath, uttering a litany of curses.  Carefully, Utopia 
hovered near the edge of the roof.  She saw Mimi still 
lying on her side, cursing to herself.  Moving quickly, 
Utopia floated up to the roof, high enough where she 
could place Mercury on her feet.  Once that was done, 
she floated down and detransformed back to her senshi 
form.

	Mimi rolled over.  "Here to finish me off?"

	Mars, Paradise and Neo earth appeared at the 
doorway.  Utopia edged closer, holding a boomerang in 
her hand.  Mimi scrambled to her feet, holding her 
midsection.  

	"Great, I guess you are here to finish me off."  
She coughed and a bit of blood seeped from her mouth, 
falling to the collar of her school shirt.

	"I'm not going to do anything," Utopia said, 
letting the boomerang vanish from her hands.  "I'm 
leaving this honor to her." She jerked a thumb at the 
newly powered up Mercury.  "After all, you did shove 
her off the roof."

	Mimi's jaw dropped open when she saw the gold 
harp in Mercury's hands.  "Dude, it was just a joke! 
No need to get pissed!"

	Anger flashed in the blue eyes of the ice senshi.  
"Mimi, what you did was unforgivable." The harp started 
to vibrate, a soft sound coming from it.  "Since you 
encased me in ice, I'll let you see what it feels like!"  
The harp shook harder, it's notes growing with intensity.  

	By now, Utopia was standing near the other Senshi, 
watching in amazement.  Never in the time since she joined 
the team, had she seen Mercury so angry.

	Mimi staggered backwards, holding her good hand 
up. "Dude, please!"

	"Shine Snow Avalanche!" Mercury cried.  The last 
word boomed loudly, shaking the foundation of the building.

	It grew deadly quiet as a slow rumble started to 
build.

	Utopia's eyes grew large as she realized the force 
of Mercury's attack that was about to hit.  "HIT THE DECK!" 
she screamed, pouncing on Neo earth and covering her with 
her body.  Paradise and Mars followed, all covering each 
other as the felt flash of coldness as a blanket of snow 
covered everything in a 50 feet radius.

	Utopia heard Mimi's muffled yells as the snow hit.  
The girl screamed for a bit and then was silent.  Poking 
her head up, she saw snow covered the entire building 
and part of the courtyard.  "Sugoi!" 

	Mercury looked at the harp in her hands.  Snow 
was covering everything except her.  She never felt 
such power in her hands before.  "I did this?"

	"Hai, Kakkoi!!" Neo earth exclaimed, stumbling 
her way through the deep snow over to Mercury.  "I never 
get tired of seeing that!"

	Utopia grinned at Mercury.  "Feels good to power 
up, ne?"

	Mercury nodded with a big smile.  "Definitely.  
I feel now as if I could hold my own!"

	Mars smirked.  "Nice fuku!"

	"Arigato!"

	Utopia scanned the building.  "We'd better go 
find the others and get untransformed."

	The rest nodded and quickly changed back to 
their civilian garb.  As they walked throught the snow 
to the door, Rei paused by Moshi and tapped her on the 
shoulder.  "What's wrong now?"

	"There's just one thing I'm trying to figure out 
now," Moshi said, looking at her two daughters as they 
stood by the door.

	"That is?" Shi asked

	"Why the hell are you two blonde!?" Moshi exclaimed.

	The two blondes froze and glanced at each other 
with worry.  Rei and Ami on the other hand, paled 
considerably slightly.


Oshimai, da yo!

Next Arc: Bleach Bondes' Bombshell


*** JAPANESE USED IN ARC NINETEEN ***

-kun,-chan,-sama -- honorifics denoting, respect and/or affection.


Ano - Uh (verbal pause)
Arigato -- Thank you
Fuku - Uniform
Hai -- Yes.
Henshin -- Transform
Itte irasshai - Go and come back safely
Itte marimasu - I'm off, I'll return soon
Kakkoi - Cool!
Kami -- God.
Ne -- Said to elicit a verbal response. Sort of like Eh?
Ohaiyo gozamisu - Good morning
Onee -- Sister
Sugoi - Weird!

Other stuff

Suisei is the Japanese word for the planet Mercury 
Sui- meaning Ice/water Sei- the suffix for planet.  
SO she's Queen Suisei instead of just Queen Mercury ^_^