“Hiiiii-ya!” Makoto expelled, kicking the air forcefully after a series of punches. She then paused to wipe the sweat from her brow and catch her breath. She couldn’t believe how out of shape she was. Even after a week of using the school gym after hours, her old training regimen was proving to be too much for her. In fact, as the dull ache in her joints became apparent, Makoto feared she may have overdone it.

She knew that overcoming her fear of fighting wasn’t going to be a straightforward process, but she was still unhappy with her progress. It wasn’t just a matter of fitness either. Makoto could tell that her moves lacked power and precision. Apparently, even fighting imaginary opponents was giving her pause.

Suddenly aware of how tired she was, Makoto decided to call it a day. After all, on top of training every morning and evening that week, she hadn’t given up her day job, and that had become more stressful recently. The school had insisted that Mr. Mori take some time off following his hospitalization, so Makoto was spending a lot of additional time and energy assisting the class next door and their substitute teacher.

Most of the students had settled back into routine since Maladoll’s appearance, but their parents were another matter. Every drop-off and collection brought with it a hoard of concerned mothers and fathers, who pressed Makoto for information how their child was coping or what new safety measures the school would be introducing.

Some parents even questioned what Makoto had been doing during the attack, which she, of course, had mixed feelings about. She still felt incredibly guilty about what took place that day, but it wasn’t as if she had done nothing to protect the children. She may not have transformed, but she had certainly done as much as could be expected of a regular teacher in such a situation.

After downing some water from her water bottle, Makoto returned to the staff changing room, removed her karate gi, and took a quick shower before packing up her things and heading to her car. As tired as she was, it occurred to her that she hadn't visited Rei in days, so decided to stop by the hospital on her way home.

***

“Report, Jadeite,” Morgan ordered.

“Yes, Mistress,” the blonde man answered with a smug smile, stepping out from behind her chair at the meeting table, so he could be seen clearly by the other three Blood Moon Alliance leaders and their guards. “Energy collection has been going well—”

“Oh?” King Tanzan interjected. “I heard that a number of your warriors have been disposed of.”

“And I heard that the humans have been made aware of your activities,” added Commander Vardas.

Morgan frowned, annoyed by the other leaders’ rudely interrupting her servant.

“The humans have indeed noticed our operation,” Jadeite continued with a polite nod of acknowledgement to Vardas. “I’m afraid discovery was inevitable considering our energy requirements. Even so, while they send large numbers to intercept us, they are slow to respond. By acting quickly and decisively, the Youma have been able to gather what we need.

“The ones that make it back alive, you mean?” said Tanzan dryly.

Jadeite nodded to Tanzan this time. “We have lost a number of Youma to the cause, but they are easily replaced thanks to my mistress,” Jadeite simpered.

“I can create more than one a day with my magic now,” Morgan boasted.

“But why have they needed replacing at all?” Vardas asked. “Is it the Silver Crystal’s protector?”

“The humans may have played a hand in the Youma’s destruction,” Jadeite proposed, “but it seems more likely that Sailor V is responsible.”

“Corg?” Vardas spoke, and his new sub-commander stepped out from behind his chair.

“We detected the same huge energy signature as before on the day that two Youma were reported missing,” said the Raptillian with a lick of his lips.

“It’s worth noting that we have only lost two more Youma since that day,” Jadeite began. “After I started sending them out in pairs, there have not been any further losses. However, the Youma have since begun reporting the appearance of the human responders as well as strange weather conditions.”

“What does that mean?” Tanzan enquired with interest.

“I’m not certain yet,” said Jadeite, putting his hand on his chin. “It’s odd, though. It’s almost as if…”

“Continue, Jadeite,” Morgan instructed, notching her servant lost in thought.

“Forgive me, Mistress,” Jadeite said with a small bow, then addressed the leaders once more. “As a result of our operation, we have been able to continue powering the restoration chamber, and I’m pleased to say that Alexandri’s recovery has been assured. His recovery is now in the hands of the Argentian healers.”

“My best healers are working on him as we speak,” Tanzan stated. “It’s only a matter of time until he wakes up and tells us what he knows.”

“Energy reserves,” said the raspy voice of the hooded Desperre, apparently only concerned about the nourishment of his people.

Jadeite gave the Umbris Clan leader a polite nod, and explained, “Alexandri’s treatment has depleted our reserves. We don’t need to power the chamber anymore, so the Umbris no longer need to ration, but we do need to stock up.”

“If the humans are aware of our presence now, we may as well target a highly populated location,” Vardas suggested

“Wouldn’t it be wiser to wait until Alexandri wakes up?” asked Morgan. “We’ve waited this long, haven’t we?”

“As long as the Youma work quickly and get out before Sailor V shows up, I don’t see why we should bother being covert anymore,” answered Vardas.

“Agreed,” said Desperre.

“A highly populated target would take time, though,” said Morgan with a note of frustration.

“Send more,” Desperre responded.

“I concur,” said Vardas.

“Fine,” Morgan acquiesced, rising to her feet. “Jadeite, pick a location and prepare to dispatch a team of Youma.”

“Yes, Mistress,” he responded with a bow.

“Now, if we’re done here, I suppose I have work to do,” Morgan sulked, rising to her feet, and leaving the table with Jadeite in tow. She walked out of the room looking thoroughly displeased, banging the bottom of her staff on the stone floor much louder than necessary. “Send more? Is that all Desperre has to offer? Apart from the portal gems, what exactly is he contributing to this alliance? Aren’t I the one keeping his creepy clan fed? Aren’t I the one wasting my magic on creating disgusting Youma everyday?”

“You are most generous, Mistress,” Jadeite simpered.

“I’m starting to regret ever getting involved with these alien freaks! The Silver Crystal better be worth it!”

“I’m sure of it, Mistress,” Jadeite said in answer. “Your mother often spoke of its power. I may not have been around to see what happened, but we know that it was used to destroy her and the Dark Kingdom. If Queen Beryl hadn’t sentenced me to Eternal Sleep, I would surely have perished along with her.”

“I hope you’re right, Jadeite. My magic is nothing compared to my mother’s! It was all I could do to release you from your gem prison, but if the Legendary Silver Crystal has the power you speak of, I’ll finally be able to avenge mother and take my rightful place as Earth’s queen!”

“That will be a happy day, Mistress,” said Jadeite. “Until then, we must play our part in the Blood Moon Alliance.”

“I suppose so,” Morgan sighed as she opened a grand set of doors, arriving at their corner of the magnificent castle. “I must get on with creating a new Youma, Jadeite.”

“Yes, Mistress. Please leave energy collection to me,” said Jadeite, and after bowing, he headed to an adjacent room. The room housed the immense tank, the globe-like device that absorbed energy, and the wall of glass chambers, roughly a quarter of which now contained sleeping human occupants. Two Youma were currently depositing energy into the globe, which glowed dimly.

“Why have you retuned with such a pitiful amount of energy?” Jadeite snapped.

A Youma with scissors for hands answered fearfully, “Apologies, Lord Jadeite, we were interrupted. Our targets were obscured by fog, and soon after, we heard the sirens of the humans approaching.”

“Fog again?” Jadeite asked, his right eyebrow raised with intrigue. Then, remembering himself, he said, “Never mind, you can make it up to me. When the next two return, you’ll be heading out with them to a large-scale target. Give me your portal gem, so I can program the coordinates. Be sure to bring me lots of energy! And remember to look out for any special candidates to add to the wall.”

***

Upon arriving at the hospital, Makoto got out of her car and stretched, trying to relieve the tightness in her back. She had pushed herself too far, after all. Looking forward to taking a very hot bubble bath before bed, she decided to make it a quick visit. With a sad sigh, she couldn’t help thinking that Rei probably wouldn’t even notice.

Unbeknown to Makoto, just as she was entering the hospital, a hole in space was forming on the roof of the adjacent office building. The portal stabilized and several figures stepped out of the swirling blackness.

"So, that’s our target?” one of the four Youma remarked.

“Yes. It’s a human medical facility,” another with scissors for hands answered. “Just think; all those helpless targets gathered in one place and ready to contribute their energy to our cause… It’s almost too easy! Lord Jadeite will be pleased."

Inside the hospital at that moment, Rei Hino began to scream.