He pointed toward the bathroom. It took only a few minutes to find the box. Still dark in the room, Usagi was unable to see properly as she rushed back to Mamoru. She tripped over her own feet, spilling the contents of the kit in the process. She blushed bright red as she gathered the supplies. "Hehe... Sorry, Mamo-chan," she apologized.

Mamoru grinned through his pain. Usagi sat down next to him and prepared the first aid. Fearing it may be dangerous for her clumsy hands to work in the dark, he turned on the lamp next to him. With the light on, Usagi could see how ragged Mamoru looked. He hadn't even bothered to transform back into his normal attire, so there he sat in his torn and soaked tuxedo. She brushed her hand against his cheek and he gave her a tired smile. After removing his cape and jacket, she managed to clean his wounds and bandage him. When finished, she sat next to him on the couch. It wasn't long before he laid his head on her lap. Usagi ran her fingers through his black hair. "Usako," he whispered, closing his eyes. "I promise we'll get them back."

"I know, but until then, you need rest Mamo-chan."

Once he had fallen asleep, Usagi brought the blankets from his bedroom. She covered him, then kissed his forehead. "No matter how much I want to stay by your side tonight, I have to go home. I wouldn't want mama thinking I've disappeared."

With one last glance, Usagi turned off the light. She tip-toed out the door. She locked it, then turned to find Luna waiting for her. "You did a good job in there, Usagi-chan. I'm sure Mamoru-san will be alright," Luna assured, jumping onto Usagi's shoulder.

"Yeah, he'll be okay," Usagi replied, more for her own sake than to agree. She patted her friend gently on the head, then left for home.

In the Eclipsed Sun Kingdom, Polaris talked excitedly to Sirius, "You were amazing! The way you took care of those Sailor Soldiers and--"

"If you had done your job right I wouldn't have had to come at all. Excuse me, Polaris. The king awaits." He brushed past her in a cool manner.

Her face crumbled, reflecting the strong emotions she felt inside. Polaris' feelings overwhelming, and even though Sirius was angry with her, she wished to be with him. She tried to subdue her feelings when she saw her brother enter the room. "Polaris. Polaris, are you in here...? Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Forget it, okay?"

"No," he returned, lifting her chin with his index finger. "It's that man, isn't it?"

When his sister looked away he continued, "I just don't know what you see in him. He's a jerk. You should stop chasing after him."

"What would you know, Vega? You refuse to understand what it feels like to love a man." She pushed her brother away.

"Come on, silly. Father is waiting for us," he grabbed Polaris' arm, dragging her to the throne room.

Dionysus' voice boomed as they entered, "Finally! My followers, Erebus-sama was pleased with the sailor soldiers's capture. He now wants you to take them to Earth, so they may gather energy and do his bidding. My children," he looked at the bowing twins, "you shall be the ones to take them."

Alpha-Centauri walked into the throne room with four female figures trailing behind him. Darkness seemed to cloak them from the curious eyes of the twins. Centauri stepped away, finally revealing the girls. The blue-haired woman with the visor was the first to step forward. She bowed as she introduced herself, "I am the Soldier Mercury."

Then the raven haired one bowed, "I am the Soldier Mars."

The brown haired woman next, "I am the Soldier Jupiter."

Finally, the blonde bowed, "And I am the Soldier Venus, leader of the Dark Planet Soldiers."

Vega walked to the group. He eyed each one up and down as if inspecting them, stopping in front of Mars. "You hold the protection of the planet Mars, huh? The planet of war." He winked at her, "I've always liked tough girls. You're pretty. You wanna be a princess?"

Mars' back straightened. She turned her head away from him, trying to ignore the silly boy. Venus jumped beside Vega. Grabbing his arm, she fluttered her lashes at him, "Vega-san, don't worry about Mars. She just doesn't know a good thing when she sees it. I'd be more than happy to be your princess," she said as she leaned closer to his face. "You know... mine is the planet of love."

Seeing Venus closing in on Vega for a kiss, Dionysus interrupted the couple. "Enough! We don't have time for such nonsense. Go to Earth, now!"

Venus gave Vega a knowing grin before they left, "We can continue later."

It was lunchtime at Juuban Junior High School and the halls were filled with roaming students. Outside, Hogosha searched for Usagi. Finally, she found her sitting alone underneath a large tree. Noticing that her friend was not stuffing her mouth full of foods let Hogosha know the other girls' disappearance had hit her worse than expected. "Hey, Usagi. What's up?" she asked, trying to be cheerful.

"Where's Makoto-san and Ami-san? They're usually with you during lunch," she inquired, trying not to reveal her knowledge of their disappearance.

Usagi frowned, "They're not here."

"Rei-san's grandfather is really worried cause he doesn't know where she is. Not since yesterday," Hogosha informed gravely.

"Minako-chan, too. They're all..." Usagi's voice broke.

"Usagi...?"

A flash of lightening streaked across the sky causing the girls to snap to attention. They looked at each other in confusion, then to the sky once more. Not one single cloud could be seen. As sudden as the lightening has come, dark clouds began forming in the sky, veiling the brightness of the day. Thunder sounded, along with another flash of light. Four women in scarce black attire appeared. Chiffon skirts decorated their waists, and a broach of their designated planet color and symbol adorned their outfits. Although, they had undergone a remarkable transformation, Hogosha and Usagi recognized them immediately. A cold chill could be felt in the air as two other figures manifested near the hovering soldiers. "Students of Juuban, greet the new Dark Planet Soldiers, and meet your doom!" Polaris laughed.

"Jupiter, Mercury, drain all the bright energy these students have to offer. These students which have hurt you throughout your years."

"Yes, Vega-sama," they droned.

The two set to their task. Memories of when they had been shunned and teased, of a time before Usagi, filled their minds, increasing their rage. Their eyes were crazed as the madness dug deeper into their hearts. Students screamed in terror as the women attacked, draining all they encountered dry of energy.

Polaris then noticed Hogosha watching dumbfounded at the scene before her. The icy woman gave her brother one small glace and it was returned with a silent smile. Without a word or warning the twin attacked, driving Hogosha into the ground. The girl struggled, but Vega pinned her down, while Polaris' blue power struck her many times over. "Aaaaaaggghhhh... Usagi, quick, get out of here!" Hogosha yelled.

Usagi made no hesitation and ran around the corner of the building. She began to cry. "Ami-chan... Mako-chan... how could you do this?"

"Usagi-chan!"

Hearing her name, Usagi wiped her tears then searched for the source. Her cat bounded from the bushes. "Luna?"

"You've got to transform! This is no time to cry."

Usagi nodded her head firmly, "You're right. Moon Cosmic Power, MAKE UP!"

Leaving Luna safely behind, Sailor Moon hurried to where the fight was taking place. She called to the twins, "Stop right there! You have taken my friends and turned them against themselves and others. For this I cannot forgive you. I am the pretty suited sailor soldier who fights for love and justice, Sailor Moon. In the name of moon, I will punish you!"

Polaris scoffed at her, "Don't fool yourself Sailor Moon. They are doing nothing against their own will." Vega, releasing one hand from Hogosha's body, pointed to Sailor Moon, "My cute girls, take care of her."

Venus called out, "Passion DEATH!"

Successfully, Sailor Moon ducked the attack. The scorching, black heart flew on, sailing towards the twins. They released Hogosha while trying to deflect the powerful wave of energy. Hogosha, forgotten by her enemies for the moment, moved out of sight. She quickly transformed into Sailor Sun, then joined Sailor Moon. Just as they were about to power up, Jupiter shouted, "Black Lightening SHOCK!"

The shock hit Sailor Sun, knocking her away from Sailor Moon's side. She let out a loud moan as she tried to rise to her feet. The strength was just not in her and she fell back to the ground. "You must stop her, Princess."

"I don't know how. How can I? She is..."

"Use the power inside yourself," Sailor Sun pleaded.

Sailor Moon raised her eyes to the Soldier Jupiter, who was readying another blow. "Jupiter, please..."

The blast struck her with a great force, tearing at her uniform, but it only served to strengthen Sailor Moon's will. "I won't give up on you!" she hollered to her friend.

"Then you will die." Another blast hit Sailor Moon.

"Jupiter... I'm not giving up on you... because you have never given up on me... Please... be normal again..." Sailor Moon fell to her knees, taking short breaths.

Jupiter stopped her attack. "I... that voice..."

Venus, angry at the fallen sailor soldier's trickery, called upon her Passion Death. Mercury spoke to her comrade, "Don't let this one fool you, Jupiter. She doesn't care. No one here does. Liquid TURMOIL!"

The power dragged Moon back, her knees grass stained and bleeding. She still cried to them, desperation in her voice, "I do care! I do! You're all my friends. No matter what, we're still a team. We're always together.... You're my best friends! Please... don't do this anymore."

The soldiers Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus hovered silently above the crying body of Sailor Moon. The three stared at the sad, blue eyes of the moon soldier below. Confusion overwhelmed their senses. "Sailor... Moon...?" whispered Soldier Venus.

The blond grabbed her head as if she were about to faint. Venus struggled with herself for a moment, a bit unsure until it finally clicked. "I... remember!"

"Yes," Jupiter joined. "You are our friend."

"You've always been there. You've always been our friend." Mercury's void eyes filled with water. A tear rolled down Mercury's cheek. "I'm crying... Why?"

Taking out her wand, Sailor Moon called, "Moon Healing Escalation!"

The black uniforms melted away and were replaced with their school uniforms. Returned to normal, the three girls collapsed before Sailor Moon. "Ami-chan! Mako-chan! Minako-chan!" Moon exclaimed as she clutched each in a tight hug.

"Idiots!" Soldier Mars yelled at them, as she retreated with the twins. "Idiots..."

"Mars!" they cry out.

More than a week passed with no abnormal activities. Usagi, Makoto, Ami, and Minako met at the Crown Fruit Parlor. They sat at one of the tables, and discussed their options. Unazuki, Motoki's younger sister, brought them drinks, but did not stand around to listen. "Perhaps we should check out the Hikawa shrine," Minako suggested.

"Wouldn't Hogosha have mentioned if something had happened?" Artemis pointed out, from inside his cat carrier.

"Stupid, hush! You're not supposed to talk," Minako hissed. She smacked the top of the box. "We're in public."

Rubbing his sore head, Artemis thought to himself, "How should I know where we are when I'm in this stupid thing!?"

"He does have a point, though," Ami admitted.

Silence fell on the table as they contemplated possible ideas. It was a long while before anyone spoke again. "Should we watch her school?" Makoto inquired.

"They were working on the pains deep insise of us," Ami added.

"I doubt they'll attack another school," Usagi offered.

The girls looked at her inquisitively, very surprised at her musing face. "I don't think school is what bothers Rei-chan deep inside," Usagi explained.

Luna nodded in agreement, careful not to say a word. She gave Minako a side-long glance, then cast her eyes towards Artemis' crushed carrier. All at once, they sighed loudly, hoping to come up with some clue to what deeply troubles their lost friend.

It was late when they finally left the Parlor. Dusk had already settled in the sky and street lamps were just turning on. The girls did a double take at the sight of a line of blazing fire shoot from high above the buildings. It barely missed a couple passing them on the street. Terrified the civilians ran off, but before the raven haired soldier could follow after them she turned to face four school clad females. "Usagi-chan!" Luna yelled. "Transform!"

"Moon Cosmic Power, MAKE UP!"

The others then follow suit. "Mercury Star Power,..."

"Jupiter Star Power,..."

"Venus Star Power,..."

"MAKE UP!" To their horror, Minako, Ami, and Makoto did not change.

A black haired girl hovered above them. She gave the girls an evil grin as she growled, "Sailor Soldiers... Die!"

End Episode 09.