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The current future, the present of events this starts;
𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚜 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛...

A youma attack was already in progress.
Sophie sat at the table, sketching. Her pencil moved fluidly across the page, bringing to life yet another depiction of the Sailor Senshi. Lately, she had become fixated on them, constantly drawing as they appeared on television.



Yuki, meanwhile, sat across from her, seemingly immersed in her studies. In truth, she was using the books to block out the chaos outside—both the literal chaos of the youma attack and the growing uncertainty stirring within her. It was a Saturday morning, edging into the afternoon, and the television droned on in the background, playing the news.
Her fingers idly flipped a page, but her mind wasn’t on her studies. Instead, her attention snapped to the TV screen as breaking news interrupted the regular broadcast.




Yuki’s pulse quickened slightly. She had suspected the youma would resurface, but seeing it confirmed on live television only deepened her concern. Her trip to visit Addison, her sister, was supposed to be a normal getaway, but now, she knew she couldn’t leave unprepared. Addison was also a Starlight, and their Star Changes were connected—if Sophie had Yuki’s, it would allow Yuki to track her through Addison’s device.

Her hand instinctively slipped into her pocket, fingers closing around the small, star-shaped device hidden there. The Sailor Star Change. She exhaled softly, eyes flicking toward Sophie, who was still engrossed in her drawing, in a now distracted Sophie. Yuki nonchalantly got up and walked over to Sophie, pretending to be interested in her art. She leaned in slightly, to see what she was drawing, but in reality, she was setting up a swift move—what she liked to call the 'walk by and drop.' As she reached out, feigning curiosity about the lines on the page, her fingers subtly released the Star Change into the open side pocket of Sophie’s bag. It nestled beneath sketchbooks and supplies without a sound. Just as she was about to straighten up, the news broadcast shifted showing clips of transformations, catching her attention. If Sophie ran into trouble, Yuki would know instantly.

The thought of contacting both Addison and Liara crossed Yuki's mind—giving them a heads-up, filling them in on what had been happening, and making sure they knew that Sophie unknowingly had the Star Change with her. Sophie remained unaware of Yuki's involvement and everything connected to it.




"!!!!!!"

Sophie pressed her pencil down too hard, snapping the lead. Her head whipped toward the screen. "What?!"
The footage flickered to life, showing a burst of light engulfing the stage as the Three Lights changed before the audience’s eyes. The transformation had been caught on camera—undeniable, raw proof that they were Sailor Senshi. Sophie fumbled for her glasses, shoving them onto her face as she squinted at the screen. In the background, other Senshi rushed to the scene while terrified civilians fled. No sign of the Starlight she was searching for in the back of her mind though.

Without thinking, Sophie bolted upright, sending her sketchbook sliding across the table. Her heart pounded as she hastily packed up her art supplies and reached for her bag, then collected her artbook.

Yuki looked at Sophie, narrowing her eyes. "Soppphhh... what are you doing...?" She asked, in a tone that hinted 'I know you're about to do something stupid' with a sigh.

"It's them! The Sailor Senshi! I have to get closer, this is my chance to talk to them and find her! I'll start with the Three Lights, they are the clue that can take me to her!"

"Wait, what? Whoa, slow down—'her'? Who’s 'her'?" Yuki reached out in an attempt to stop her, but Sophie was already halfway to the door.

"Someone I met, she... saved me a few months back, she looked like them! Red hair! Gotta go!" Sophie quickly shouted over her shoulder as she dashed out.

Yuki stood there, frozen. Her gaze flickered back to the television. The screen showed the Three Starlights in battle stance, but her mind replayed Sophie’s words. The strawberry blonde-haired disguised Starlight blinked, staring at the door where Sophie had just exited. Then, her gaze drifted back to the TV, and she muttered to herself as the screen showed the Three Starlights. "Red hair?... It can’t be... Liara?" Yuki bit her lower lip in thought, trying to add the puzzle of Sophie's new obsession.

Her fingers tightened around the edges of her textbook, but then she exhaled slowly. She had other concerns. The sudden reemergence of the youma, the public reveal of the Three Starlights... things were escalating. This wasn’t just a random attack—it was the beginning of something much bigger.
Yuki’s cover as an 'ordinary student' had lasted this long, and she was determined to keep it that way. After all, Yuki was honoring Princess Nova’s wish to live a normal life—though that might change once Kira awakens fully. Yuki had no real reason to hold onto the device, since she wouldn’t transform with it again, but if things went awry, Yuki knew she’d hear from either Addison or Liara. That’s why it was easier for Yuki to leave the device with Sophie—she didn’t want anything bad to happen to her friend. It allowed her to keep track of Sophie without being too obvious about it.

~ ~ ~

Sophie stood impatiently on the train, clutching her backpack straps as the station’s announcement crackled overhead. Her heart pounded in her chest as the train slowed to a stop. This was it. She was one step closer to finding Liara by going back to the scene of the crime.
As the doors hissed open, Sophie was caught in the current of commuters rushing in and out. She pushed forward trying to escape, determined, eyes scanning for anything familiar. Her mind was still buzzing from the scene she had witnessed earlier on television—the Starlights transforming, Sailor Senshi, the battle, the fleeting glimpse of something—or someone—she couldn’t shake from her mind. She had wanted to ask Liara some questions ever since that day she saved her from those bullies.
She barely registered the noise of the station—the announcements, the hurried footsteps of people pushing past. Her focus was solely on the moment. Then—

Someone bumped into Sophie—or rather, Sophie bumped into someone—causing her to drop her artbook, opening it up to a page that she drew of the Starlights. She gasped; the impact snapped her out of her thoughts. It took her a few moments to register what had happened. She was torn between apologizing for not looking where she was going, and searching for her artbook, which contained nothing but Sailor Senshi artwork.

By the time Sophie noticed her artbook disappearing from sight, a hint of panic flickered across her face.



A gasp was let out "My artbook?!" she cried out loud to herself.

Nearby, a single pink cherry blossom petal fell, drifting gently before landing neatly atop Sophie’s opened artbook. Bianca, from her vantage point, may see it happen. The two girls were close enough to each other.
Sophie's shoulder bag she had around her shoulder, unmistakably an art bag, had paintbrushes poking out from its pockets, marking her as an artist. And now, that artist stood frozen, scanning desperately at the ground.

Sophie swirled around, glancing around before her eyes caught a girl picking up the open book.



"Ah, that's my artbook! Sophie whispered, then noticed the girl staring at her. Sophie narrowed her eyes as the woman spoke—her accent was quite thick, different, like she wasn't from around here, Japan.

Sophie struggled to understand the girl's accent, as she most likely didn't realise how thick it was. "E-eh? What...? I... don't understand her very well..." she thought, trying to replay what the girl in front of her had said. Noticing the girl had a camera, it was clear she had been coming from the location Sophie was about to enter. "Y-Your accent is...very strong..." Sophie mumbled with a confused expression, and thought again. "Wah! What's she saying to me?!"

Sophie was from Japan, and like many others, her English was quite good, too. "Ahh, um—ahhh! Thank you very much!" Sophie said, anything polite to answer back to, right?? Carefully taking the book from the girl. Seeing her give a wave, Sophie smiled and waved back. "Y-Yeah, see you around." A bit thrown off, she wasn't really sure what to say or how to even 'start a friendship.' Yuki was her only friend. Dumbfounded, Sophie had to grasp that the conversation hadn’t led to anything... bad.

Sophie turned around and glanced at the billboard screens flickering through images. They flashed highlights of today's events, including an appearance by the Three Lights.



A twinkle of determination crossed her face as she clutched the artbook tightly to her chest.

"I have to find them!" Sophie muttered to herself, looking forward in the direction she thought they might be. Suddenly, a thought leaped at her, figuratively speaking.



"Wait a sec..." she mumbled, having an epiphany. The girl she bumped into had come from the archery event!

A little hesitation came from Sophie, scared to approach her—a stranger—but she needed to try and find her knightress in shining armour, so to speak. Taking a deep breath, she suddenly broke into a run, chasing after the girl. "W-Wait!" Once caught up, Sophie placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment to stop her walking and catch her attention that she was calling out to her.

"Ah! E-Excuse me, I'm incredibly sorry to bother you again, but, um..." Sophie called out as she caught up, slightly out of breath. She pointed toward the way she had seen Bianca coming from originally.
"Ummm, you were just coming from the archery grounds, right? Did you happen to see anything by chance...? You know... the fighting? Who was there, their faces?! I'm not a reporter, I promise—I just... I'm looking for someone in that group. I'm searching without a map, and the trail keeps vanishing. Errm, is that how the saying goes?"
Pausing for a moment, Sophie had to shake that failed saying off as she continued to speak up.
"I-I'm not sure why, but I have this pulling feeling inside me, and I can't seem to ignore it. It's been on my mind since—"
Not finishing what she was about to say, Sophie only had a flashback for a second. Those memories were really something.




You could tell the desperation in her voice. Another thing Sophie was good at was oversharing when she was flustered, which was exactly how she was feeling. She stopped talking and frowned.



".....I... don't really know what I'm asking from her... but... If there is some sort of sign to help me somewhere, PLEASE guide me! I don't know what else to do! Anything! Anyone?!"

She thought to herself as she held her artbook so tightly to her chest, almost crimping it. Clinging to any form of hope she could. Sophie anxiously awaited the answer. It was quite busy, so talking out loud so publicly might not be ideal.

"I-I'm not sure why, but I have this pulling feeling inside me, and I can't seem to ignore it. It's been on my mind since—"



Sophie's eyes lit up with a 'tell me more' expression, maybe there was some sort of hope after all.



"She saw the youmas too...?" Sophie thought to herself while looking in the direction where Bianca was looking for a moment.



Sophie thought back to what Liara wore that night, it matched the brief description of what Bianca was saying. Before Sophie could get a word in, Bianca talked as if she had such a weight on her chest she needed to vent to someone.



Sophie felt like this was a story, a podcast of a crime, and was very engrossed in the story by this stage.



"The attire..." Sophie thought and opened her sketchbook. "It's...like this..." She thought, looking up at Bianca again.



Sophie stood there, trying not to let her mouth hang open. She sounded as confused about everything as Sophie felt. It was a lot of info. Also, trying to still grasp the girl's accent would take some time getting used to. Sophie bit her bottom lip and reached out to the girl. "I...think we should go somewhere less busy. Comeon, this way."
Looking around, Sophie gently pulled Bianca with her and walked down that same small corridor that led back to the archery grounds, though it was the shortcut Alita and Kira had originally taken. As they passed the posters Bianca had been talking about, Sophie stopped suddenly to get a better look at them.

"Hm? ...Kira... Kyudo?" Sophie said aloud. "That's the girl you saw, right?" Darting a glance back at Bianca, Sophie noticed there were heaps of posters of her now. "Isn't she the same girl who was on stage with the Three Lights and sang? There were rumors online that Yaten is dating her now..." Sophie pondered that for a moment before continuing to walk. Finally, they ended up in a quiet place where no one was around. They could talk freely.
"Heh, I'm sorry if I pulled you away from catching your train. I just wanted to get a better understanding of this... everything. By the way, I'm Sophie, and your name is...?" She smiled warmly for a few moments. Sophie looked down, let go of the girl's arm, and resumed holding her sketchbook as she took a deep breath.

"I..." Sophie hesitated, clutching her sketchbook tightly against her chest as if it could shield her from the haunting memories. "I'm looking for someone called Liara from that group... potentially. Three months ago, I was bullied—really badly."
Her voice wavered, breaking as she forced herself to continue, she took a deep breath to prepare herself to finally speak about what happened that day. "My grandmother was an artist. On my 18th birthday, she gave me a special pen, one that had been passed down through generations. As a child, I believed it was magical. It’s not, not really, but... she could always create the most beautiful things with it. I wanted to be just like her, to bring that same joy to others. She used to tell me— 'Draw your dreams, because they will never fade away.'"
Sophie let out a shaky breath, her grip on the book tightening as if it were the only thing holding her together. "The next morning, she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Since then, I've used that pen every single day. I had to attend college since I couldn't afford a house on my own, so I put the money from the house sale toward my tuition and a dorm. In my college classes... There were three girls, they made it their mission to ruin that for me. Knocking over my water bottle, pulling my chair out when I went to sit down, tripping me, spitting on me, whispering cruel things about my art as they walked past. And that was just the beginning."

She looked down, blinking quickly, but the tears still welled up. There were seats nearby, and she took one, carefully placing her art bag beside her before opening her sketchbook on her lap. Her hands trembled as she turned the pages, the weight of old wounds lingering, even in the new sketchbook.

"Then... they found out where I worked after college. A little café that was nearby the college. They started waiting for me after my shifts, lurking in the shadows until I came out. They shoved me against walls, hitting me when no one was around. I tried to run, but they always caught up to me." Sophie swallowed hard, her free hand shaking as it touched her hair. "...Three months ago, one night, they cornered me in the alley behind the café on my way home. They dumped out my art bag, kicking my supplies away like they were nothing. Then, right in front of me... they grabbed hold of my sketchbook. They tore my drawings, page by page, ripping my dreams apart like they were nothing."

Her voice cracked. "And when they couldn’t find my pen in the mess, they grew angry. They knew I had it. They grabbed me, pinned me against the cold brick wall, their hands digging into my arms so hard I bruised. They searched my bag again, then my pockets. I struggled—I tried to resist them—but they were stronger. They forced my coat open, hands yanking at my clothes, and then..."

Sophie’s breath hitched as she squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to push the memory away, but it only became clearer. "They found it. My grandmother’s pen. The one thing I treasure from her."

A sharp inhale. Her fingers curled tightly into her sleeves. "I begged. I begged them soooo much not to take it. I didn’t care if they hit me again, if they called me names, if they laughed at me. Just not that. But that only seemed to fuel them more."
She let out a shuddering breath, her shoulders trembling. "I couldn’t move. I just stared at the pieces falling like dead leaves at my feet. My hands were shaking so badly I couldn’t even pick them up. And then... they weren’t done."
Her fingers threaded over her shorter hair, more so the ends. "They pinned me down again. One of them grabbed my hair, twisted it in their fist,—before I could do anything—scissors sliced through it. I felt it fall around me, strands sticking to my tear-streaked face. They laughed. They were so proud of themselves."
Sophie swallowed back a sob. "They left me there. On the ground. Surrounded by shredded pages, broken dreams, and pieces of myself I could never get back."

Her voice was barely a whisper. "And that’s when Liara appeared. She must have been watching a good bit of the situation. Because out of nowhere, she was there. Like a force of nature, she stepped in front of me, her stance sharp, dangerous. She told them to back off. One of them hurled my scissors at her in a final act of defiance, but she caught them—like it was nothing. And that’s when they backed off. She wore everyday clothes, at that time."

Sophie wrapped her arms around herself. "She helped me up and told me her name. She didn’t say much after that... but she looked at me. And in her emerald green eyes, I didn’t just see kindness. I saw pain. A deep, aching kind of pain that mirrored my own."
She placed a hand over her chest. "Despite everything... I don’t know what else I was feeling that night. But the more I think about it... I think I started falling in love with someone I barely knew. She walked me home, held me close, and walked at my pace. It's strange but the pain I was in, I didn't feel it when I was close to her... she made everything seem better. The darkness went away."
Sophie looked up at the sky.

"...The next day, after work, it was night, raining. I was about to leave when I saw my battered up sketchbook sitting on top of my bag. I'm not too sure how it got there. When I opened it... I felt this warmth, like a hug. I don’t know if it was from Liara or my grandmother, but... all my drawings were pieced back together. And on the last page, there was a handwritten note: 'Draw your dreams, because they will never fade away.' But it wasn’t my grandmother’s handwriting."



A small, broken smile formed on her lips. "I believe it was Liara’s."

Sophie wiped her eyes, sniffling. "I cried when I read that. But that wasn’t all. When I stepped outside a few steps, something fell on my head. A small rectangular box. I opened it... and inside was my grandmother’s pen. My pen."
She reached into her bag, pulling out the silver mechanical pencil, holding it up for Bianca to see.



"I looked around, trying to figure out where it came from. And that’s when I saw her."

Opening her sketchbook, she flipped to a drawing and pointed at it, trailing her index finger down the page slowly.



"Liara... she looked just like them. The Three Lights. She had a long red ponytail, wearing black, shiny pieces of armor—just like you described. But her eyes..." Sophie’s voice quieted. "She looked so sad. Like she wanted to be the one to be saved."
Clutching the sketchbook to her chest, she continued, "I couldn't see her well enough as she was on a building looking down at me. She told me 'the bullies won’t bother you anymore.' Before I could even thank her, before I could say anything... she was gone. In a ball of light, like a shooting star in the night. I haven’t seen her since."
Sophie gently placed the pen back in her bag, then turned back to Bianca. "I can’t stop thinking about her. And every time I do, my chest swells, it tightens—I just want to reach out and hold her."

She looked up at the sky again. "Whatever she’s going through... It’s hurting her. She needs someone to talk to. But how do I catch a shooting star? How do I return that same kindness? How do I tell her that what she did meant everything to me?" Sophie held her mechanical pencil to her chest.

Sophie’s eyes shone with a quiet, unwavering determination as she met Bianca’s gaze. "I... don’t have proof that Liara is like the Three Lights. But that same sadness in her eyes... both times... I know it’s her. And I have to find her. The only people I can think of that might be able to help me are the Three Lights, they are the only clue so far, but... I don't even know how to get to them. That's why I came here to see if there was something, anything." Pausing, Sophie shook her head as she laughed at herself. "I don't know what she did to those three girls, they have ignored me since, don't even bat an eyelash at my existence. I'm invisible to them. I haven't even told Yuki this story either... Yuki is my roommate and a friend. She knows I have been getting upset lately, and I think she is catching on. To tell her I wanted to change how my hair was because it annoyed me really...really hurt. The lies I've told..."



"I'm scared to open up, yet...here I am with you. I guess we both needed to vent huh..." After that, she felt a little more at peace with herself. Sophie glanced a pained smile at the young female who was with her. "So... you-... you're a photographer? Were you here taking photos of anything particular...?" Sophie asked curiously, deep down, she wondered what sort of footage Bianca managed to get.

Sophie gave a long pause, still trying to grasp her accent, but she nodded, acknowledging Bianca's comment — she was right.



"Man...girly... man?" Sophie looked momentarily confused. She didn’t really understand exactly what Bianca meant. Maybe in Bianca’s eyes, she saw something different from what Sophie had seen, unable to fully understand, a puzzled expression was displayed on her face, raising an eyebrow. "Huh?"


"Bianca... Imma Fay Irvine?" Sophie repeated under her breath to make sure she got the name right. Since Bianca had offered her hand, Sophie smiled and shook it, even though her usual greeting in Japan would be a respectful bow.

"Sophie Yumeko. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bianca!" she said afterward. It was only fair that Bianca learned her full name in return.

After sharing her story with her new friend, Sophie wasn’t paying much attention to anything around her — or even to Bianca’s expressions anymore. She knew Bianca would be mad, upset, and full of other emotions, but it was also clear that Sophie was struggling to understand everything.

The wind picked up around them, though not too strongly — it gently moved Sophie’s hair like a wave, and her clothes ruffled softly in the breeze. Sophie didn’t notice anyone else nearby; she was stuck in her own bubble as she spoke. In some ways, she started to feel a little better having spoken about it out loud — something she had been bottling up.

In her mind, Sophie was ready to face the Three Lights head-on, but when that moment actually came, she wasn’t sure she’d be ready.
How can you accuse someone of something if you weren’t there to witness it yourself? Sophie had only seen images and videos on tv and online of what happened. Deep down, she was still unsure of herself and the truth — it was unfamiliar territory, and she had absolutely no idea what really went on.

The Three Lights would most likely be disguising themselves for a while. It was all they could do to avoid the media, lay low, but still be able to walk freely and get around.



"I'm scared to open up, yet...here I am with you. I guess we both needed to vent huh..."



"Hmm..." Sophie hummed, thinking about what Bianca said, giving Sophie some food for thought.



"Yeah, I guess so! So... you-... you're a photographer? Were you here taking photos of anything particular...?"



There was a slight pause as Sophie leaned in, concentrating—she had to listen carefully to catch what the young woman was saying through her thick accent still.
Sophie let out a warm, tinkling giggle that lingered for a few seconds before she shook her head with a flustered smile. "...N-Not particularly!" she stammered, pressing the tips of her index fingers together and then pouting, as if Bianca had just uncovered her most embarrassing secret.



"Ahh anyways… going back to the topic of Yuki? My roommate? Hmm… I guess if I told her what I just told you—well, sometimes it’s easier to open up to someone who doesn’t have a front-row seat to your everyday life. Yuki knows me too well, in a way. I worry she might think I’m just being overly sensitive, or overthinking things… or maybe she’d see it the same way you do. I don’t really know how to bring stuff like this up with her. She’s always so focused on her studies when we’re together. We don’t really talk about personal things much—just stuff like what we got on a test, or what we had for lunch… you know, the usual surface-level stuff." Sophie explained, but in a way everything she was saying she was trying to bring excuses and try to dodge the subject with Yuki if anything.



"...You know… I really wish I’d been here when all that happened. Any clue, even the tiniest fragment that could lead to Liara—it means everything to me." She sighed, slumping a little. "Ugh, I sound so desperate now…"

Sophie exhaled in quiet defeat. "I’m just… running out of ideas. And it’s not like the Three Lights are just going to magically show up when we want them to, right? What are the odds we’ll even see them again anytime soon?" Just thinking about it, she could already picture herself slipping into full-on fangirl mode—completely starstruck and off in la-la land the moment she was in their celebrity presence, completely forgetting what she needed to ask them. She paused for a moment, her eyes lighting up slightly over an idea. "Wait—I just had a thought!"

Her gaze flicked to her sketchbook. Turning toward her backpack, she rummaged through the front pocket, pulled out a pen, and carefully opened the sketchbook to a page with a sketch already on it, not caring she was going to ruin it. She tore off a corner with a soft rip, then scribbled her full name and email address onto the scrap of paper. Turning to Bianca, she held it out from where she sat.

"If there’s anything from today you can share with me—please, please email me! Even the smallest thing you can think of is better than nothing!" Knowing Bianca would probably need time to review all the footage and photos from the day to give her any information, Sophie brought her hands together in a pleading gesture, pressing them like a silent prayer. She shut her eyes dramatically.



"Pretty Please!"

The battle of everyone fighting side by side, determination plastered along every individual present. The look of feeling as though they were not giving their all could be seen and felt by everyone. They were doing everything in their power(s) to defeat the youma to no avail. And when it seemed all was lost. Alita, who had been keeping the barrier up around them all, protecting them against the odds.

Something changed. . . there was a new light pulsating off of Alita that had not been seen before.

"ALITA! STOP, PLEASE!" But the pleas from Star Catcher were either ignored or not heard of. Alita with her heels dug into the earth and her hands plastered against the barrier she had erected up to protect the senshi. Began to glow. The glow began to pulse just as Alita's body began to do the same.

Star Healer turned from where she stood and cast a glance towards Star Fighter and Star Maker wondering if they saw what she had seen. Alita's fixity of purpose to not allow the wrecking ball filled with all of their powers to break through the barrier. What happened next, floored everyone present.

"Libra... Loving Mirror Barrage!" As Alita shouted with all her might, conjuring up a strike in retaliation to the assault inflicted upon them. Healer stood there in shock and awe. How was it possible for Alita to have such an attack come from nowhere? She had not transformed like the Sailor Scouts. For Alita add an additional amount of power from within to dish out against the attack, was a sight to see! The moment the blast made impact with the barrier, the ground vibrated from the action as well as the surrounding area. Instead of the powerful blast breaking through it bounced off and boomeranged back in the general direction of where the Youma was. And as the blast made impact with the youma. The Youma made the most unheard of sound that could make a person's toenails curl. The sound was deafening. Watching the display of the youma finally being defeated was like watching fireworks going off, as the beast fizzled into nothing, before their very eyes. Star Healer found that she could not move from where she stood, as if. As if she had lead in her boots that kept her in place to the surreal display before all of them.



What happened next was the ill effects of adrenaline running out and draining Alita from her core. Star Healer's focus had settled upon Alita after the Youma was defeated. However, the moment she heard Kira calling out in distress, caused her to turn her attention to her. Watching how Kira was no longer trapped behind an enclosed global wall that had been protecting her from harm. Seeing her dash before everyone over to where Alita was standing. It was apparent that Alita was in a great deal of distress even though she had not said another word after defeating the youma.

As Kira approached Alita she stopped just short of where Alita was standing, only to reach downwards to the ground and retrieve something. Emerald eyes followed to where Kira reached downwards to see her lift something up that looked like a wand? As Kira's attention was drawn to the detail of the wand within her grasp, everyone's attention soon shifted to the sound of Alita coughing and choking on making every attempt to breathe. Respiratory distress was the first thing that entered Healer's mind as her gaze shifted over towards her friend! The lead in her boots sensation finally seemed to dissipate the moment she found herself able to move in swiftness. In an instance, Healer was at both Kira's side and before Alita just as Star Catcher caught a hold of Alita to help keep her upright and not lose her balance.

With an up close and personal inspection, she noticed the bright colored appearance of blood seeping past Alita's lips as she coughed violently. Her tiny frame was trembling within Star Catchers' grasp. The quiet pleas of apologies towards Liara could be heard, as her heart ached wanting to help her friend but unsure of what to do. Feeling as though she might overstep her position.



Healer then turned her attention towards Kira who looked just about mortified of what was happening to Alita. Moving to stand closer to Kira, to be there for her. Even though her focus was on her friend and her failing condition.

"I’m coming with you." The moment Star Maker spoke up about joining them, it was apparent that their mind was made up.

Kira departed at one point to make a mad dash to the car to retrieve something, as soon as she returned with what appeared to be a robe. As the robe was placed upon Alita's lap to help her conserve warmth versus being chilled to the touch. Star Catcher was already in position to take flight towards the stars when Alita spoke up surprising all of them.

"Wait... Liara..."

"Kira... no, Princess... there's... something I need to tell you... please listen..."

"Yes, anything you want, I'm here."

"The... next Zodiac Senshi...We passed her earlier... you have to find her..."

"W-What? What do you mean we passed her?"

"When we exited the archery building... you bumped into her... remember?... you said sorry..."

"That girl? You mean back then? She had... ginger hair? She was... holding something... uhh... a-a camera? I think?"

"Yes... find her...Princess... the time has come..."

"Alita, that's enough! Stop talking, please!"

"You need to go to the hospital now, Alita,"



Star Healer heard Alita speak towards her, which caused her to move forwards so that she could hear and understand the message that Alita was making a reference to.



Sailor Star Healers' eyes widened when she recalled the reference that Alita was talking about. Providing a subtle nodding of her head, acknowledging she understood and knew what needed to be done. Sensing she was being looked at Healer cast her gaze to the side to see another set of green eyes settle upon her. It was Star Catcher, with a slightly confused and distressed gaze tossed her way. Right now, was not the time for explanations, she would receive one in due time.

Alita's form shifted in Star Catchers arms. It was apparent that no more time needed to be wasted. Now was the time for Alita to get assistance for the shape she was in. There was one last glance she received from Star Catcher, before she and Star Maker departed. "We're going now. I'll be in contact." In an instant the trio departed in haste.

To put it bluntly, the whole surrounding felt numb. Star Healers' mind was elsewhere, lingering on what Alita said before she passed out. It wasn't before she heard words being spoken by Sailor Moon addressing Kira when the sound of people waking up from the battle did she realize that Kira had stepped away from their gathering to help render aide to her archery teacher. It was also obvious that she was doing her best to distract the teacher, by blocking them out of the picture. Kira escorted her teacher towards Liara's car and soon departed the battle field. Leaving the rest of them to ponder on their next steps.



"I think it would be a good idea for all of us to depart." Trading a glance towards Star Fighter then, "I don't think we need to provide more juicy gossip for the public, do you?" Before Healer was able to say something else. The sound of tennis shoes jogging and shuffling to a stop on the ground could be heard of someone approaching their gathering. It was Kira, it looked as though she must have forgotten something.



"Can I come with you?" Hearing Sailor Venus speak up kinda caught a few people off guard. Seeing Kira's expression shift from making a hard decision and deciding against it before speaking up.



Star Healer watched how Kira addressed Sailor Venus, in an apologetic manner. Kira looked up and away from Sailor Venus and towards her. And for a moment it appeared that they interlocked eyes. As brief as the encounter was, Kira was really trying to get out of there. If not to escape what just happened, to make sure that her teacher was alright from the ordeal she just went through.



"Kira-chan... We’re here for you. You don’t have to go through this alone anymore."
"I know...and thank you, it’s just... I’m still processing everything, but right now, Alita’s health is the most important thing to me. I need to be by her side."
"Of course, we’re here for you. All of us, Kira-chan. If you need anything, please tell us."
"I know hospital food really sucks, so I’ll make something for Liara and Alita and bring it over—if that’s okay?"
"Y-Yeah, that would really help. Thank you... I-I should get going, though."

Observing how the senshi were interacting with Kira then, Healer along with Fighter stood guard. Or at least it felt that way. Remaining quiet as the others spoke to one another trying to devise helpful plans for Kira and the others.



It was at that moment she realized that Kira glanced her way, causing her breath to catch in her throat. "I-I... I... um... I’ll see you... um... t-thank you again... for coming along. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay from here." The lead in her boots feeling returned. She felt frozen, unable to respond towards Kira. Why was that happening? Was it because of what Alita said to her? Feeling bad that she didn't chase after Kira then, as Kira took it upon herself to depart. Star Healer could only look down at the ground, feeling completely numb and frustrated that she didn't have a thing to say in return, that she didn't do anything to stop Kira from going. But... was that really her place to do so? Kira was in fact her own person.. and was the type of individual who once she put her mind in motion to do something, she would do so without permission from anyone else.

Star Healer figured at some point Star Fighter might punch her in the shoulder to make her wake up. But it never happened. Perhaps she too could feel that there was a change in things to come. Still feeling weighed down, she couldn't help shake the feeling that there was a legit reason why she needed to be there still.

"Jupiter? Can I help you bake? O-or Mars—should we make lots and lots of good luck charms? What can we do to help...? I know! Why don’t we look for the new Zodiac Senshi?!"

"Hm...I don't think so... I think that would be us interfering too much?"

It was then a sound from the bushes made its appearance known. It was Luna! She must had been there this entire time listening to everyone conversing with each other. "Chibi Moon is right, Sailor Moon. Kira should be the one to approach her; these are her people, their Princess. This is Kira’s responsibility and duty. We should focus on helping Alita recover. Perhaps once she’s stronger, she can share the knowledge we need..."

"I was the first to awaken, so perhaps fate passed down in the same way, and that's why Alita can remember everything..."

Liara's red car soon departed and the voices of the others became noise in Star Healer's thoughts, until she saw movement off to the side and it was Sailor Uranus moving beside Star Fighter.

"Should she be left alone...?"

Feeling the weight of someone casting their gaze at her, Healer looked up and met eye to eye with Star Fighter then. She knew that look all too well.

"Good question; I assume you’re going after her?"

Star Healer responded to Star Fighter then, "Yes of course.." Her response sounded heavy, like a 'but' was going to be added at the end of her statement but she refrained from saying it out loud. She frowned slightly as if trying to think of how she needed to follow.

"I don't think it would be wise decision to 'go as this'." Gesturing to her attire, "And going as Yaten would stick out like a sore thumb in the public eye. Especially since we let the world know our alter-egos'; if you follow?"

It almost sounded like Star Healer was stalling. She wasn't. She was trying to think about her actions here on out.

"If there’s anything I can do..."

"You know that I will be the first person that I call, thanks." Smiling appreciatively back at Star Fighter. That offer went both ways, if she needed hand as well.



Healer placed her gloved hands along her hips as she bowed her head in thought and devised of a plan. That was when her heroine in the shadows, Luna, stepped forth with a brilliant idea!

"I think we should meet Kira at the archery grounds. Why don’t we see if there’s anyone around who may have seen the person we’re looking for while we’re there?"

Lifting her head back upright, she agreed with Luna's thought process. "To help provide Kira the time she needs, in order to collect the items Liara requested for Alita." Thinking back to what Alita had said to her, nodding to herself. "When Kira's done doing do that task, we can meet up like you said Luna." Glancing back down at her attire, she knew that she couldn't go back to the archery grounds looking like this or in his concert attire. Something else would have to be done.

"Ah! Luna?! But you said Kira-chan should be going on her own, and now you are?!"

Upon hearing Sailor Moon chime in suddenly upset, Star Healer along with everyone else watched what transpired between the two. It appeared that Luna had already made up her mind. Without a second thought, Luna leapt off of the ground and landed securely along Healers' shoulders. As if Healers' shoulders were made just for Luna! heart



"I have to help awaken the Zodiac Senshi since there’s no celestial adviser... that I’m aware of. I also need to get there as soon as possible. And besides, I haven’t had much time with my friend."

If it wasn't apparent, there were adoring hearts lingering between Luna and Healer then. "Don't worry, Sailor Moon. We'll be in touch." Trading a smile back at Luna, emphasizing that it had been too long since they had an opportunity to spend time together. Especially when it came to doing 'detective work'. "It has been quite sometime since we've had an opportunity to hang out with one another." Providing a salute to the senshi scouts, her leader and back at Sailor Moon with a wink. Without a second to loose, the two of them departed within the blink of an eye. Star Healer being mindful of her friend, Luna, taking care of her on their flight to discover the Zodiac Senshi.

Just as Sophie pleaded with Bianca to give her the footage, at a time like this, another voice was heard—however, it wasn't human.
"Meow—meow!"
This made Sophie turn her upper body in the direction the voice came from.
"Hm? ...Ah! Look! Bianca!" She exclaimed.

As the cat approached them, Sophie leaned down to pet the black cat.



"Awwwww~ Hello there, lil kitty! Where'd you come from?"
Not long after, another voice was heard.



Looking up again from where she was leaning, Sophie shifted her attention to the girl approaching them.



As the girl came closer, Luna couldn't help but glance at Yaten and think:

"Sheesh, Star Healer?!, who would have thought?!"



A bit surprised, Luna had to focus and very subtly point her paw at the ginger-haired girl when Yaten made eye contact with the black cat.

Sophie watched as the girl arrived and came to a stop.



Sophie looked up at the girl, since she was still sitting.
"H-Hello there," Sophie said, her tone shifted from when she greeted the cat, bowing in return.



"N-Not at all! She seems really friendly!" Sophie beamed and smiled.

Sophie's gaze met the unknown girl's green eyes. For a moment, a flash of a small memory popped into Sophie's mind. It was Liara's gaze—those green eyes that had pierced Sophie the night she got her pencil back. It made Sophie remember again, but she couldn't understand why she was seeing it now, and to a girl she barely knew?
"Oh...?"



Her brain felt like it lagged a little. Having to look away to break the eye contact and then back again, Sophie thought it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.
"...Three Lights?" Sophie asked. Then she seemed to return to her normal self at the mention of the idols.
"Ah! Well... I wasn't here for that, sadly, but Bianca was—and I was actually just talking to her about it and getting all the details! I can't believe what happened!"

Sophie paused and clasped her hands together as she looked at the stage.
"I really wish I was here when it all happened. There are videos, and rumors going around that they’re really 'women', so we were just talking about that—and how Bianca caught it all on her camera!" Sophie added, gesturing to Bianca as she said her name.
"Oh! Oops... eheh—and my name is Sophie! What's your name? Are you a fan too? Who's your favourite?" she asked as she tried to include her in their conversation, realizing she had shared names without giving a proper introduction, then she started to ask other questions, giving time for her to answer. Looking back at Bianca, Sophie added,
"I’ve drawn the Sailor Senshi countless times—they’re always in the media. But those other girls…woman... they seem a bit different, and I can’t draw them very well. My drawings lately are always so incomplete; I get such an artist’s block when that happens, but it's happening more since..." Sophie paused, and mumbled "Three months ago..." Thinking back to that certain event again.

Sighing in defeat, Sophie continued as she gazed at the stage.
"...It must be so difficult for them in that moment...living under all that light, with everyone watching your every move. And then, to be faced with a decision that doesn’t just change your life, but ripples out to touch everyone around you..." Pausing for a moment, she turned back to the new girl.
"But I guess... when you love someone, like, truly love them....none of that pressure really matters in the end." Sophie offered a soft smile, the kind that held more meaning than words could ever say.



She wasn’t aiming anything at "Yaten", but more so expressing an understanding for Liara—and why she showed up the way she did. It was still hard to fully grasp, but there were many people today... and many things that needed protecting.

Thinking about that, Sophie stayed quiet. Her words echoed in her mind as she pondered. Her eyes drifted back to Luna in thought.
"Hm?..."
Noticing the bald patch on her forehead.
"Is... that a bald patch?" Sophie mumbled, which alerted Luna to look up at her as Sophie leaned down to get a better look.

"Uhhh, well, we knew each other from classes, so I'd say a year—but we've lived together for about six months now. We're still learning about each other."
The brunette looked a bit confused. "Protective? Do you think so? I just don't know how she would react if I told her everything..." Sophie bit her lower lip, contemplating.



In the conversation between Tenya and Sophie, at one point Tenya referred to Seiya as 'he', which made Sophie listen a little more closely to what Tenya was saying. Though Sophie was not suspicious at all — not at this stage, anyway.

"Seiya, huh?" A thoughtful "Hmmmm" escaped as Sophie seemed deep in thought at that answer, reflecting on the idol.
"Seiya's pretty cool... uh, handsome, I guess? I still can't really imagine Seiya as a girl though... I mean, Seiya comes off quite masculine to me. If Seiya were really a girl, would they change their name? I dunno, like Sei-chan, or SeiSei?... SeSe..."
She shook her head. "Nooo... that doesn’t suit at all!"

Sophie seemed quite serious about this, but she had trouble grasping the actual situation. She wasn’t entirely wrong, though—Seiya wasn’t actually their real name.



"Hm? Oh, I just noticed this cat's strange bald patch on its forehead, is all..." Sophie pointed for a moment at the black cat, looking at Bianca, then at Tenya, searching for some answer. But it was then that Sophie noticed Tenya's intense stare toward Bianca. Sophie started to feel a little out of place, but she couldn't really understand why.
Luna's tail flicked Tenya's ankle, almost asking for some back-up, but it would seem someone else came to save the day.



It was only then Sophie looked past Tenya and saw a familiar figure approach, walking gracefully towards the group. How Sophie didn't notice her sooner was a bit of a mystery, considering how close she already was.
"Hey... Bianca, look, it's that Kira girl from those posters." She nudged Bianca's arm to look past her. Sophie leaned a little bit closer to Bianca and whispered,
"Why is she coming toward us? Maybe we're not supposed to be here?" Thinking Kira might be about to tell them to leave, being an unsafe area still.



After Kira's shocking discovery about Alita's condition and how life-threatening it was, Kira felt an urge of panic rush over her. Gathering all the necessary belongings of Liara’s into her bag as she had asked, Kira took Alita's confidential papers along with Alita’s diary and held them in her other hand.
Kira felt sick to her stomach, but she had to brave that face when seeing Liara.

Exiting the house, Kira locked up and got into the car, placing the belongings next to her as she drove to the hospital. The archer went over the speed limit, rushing to the hospital.
She arrived and took out Liara’s bag with her, locking the car before turning to run toward the hospital.

Entering inside, Kira’s eyes scanned around as she stopped for a moment and thought to herself,
"Calm down. I can't have Liara see me this way—her, of all people."
Closing her eyes for a moment, Kira inhaled and exhaled before proceeding further. As she arrived on the floor Liara and Taiki were on, she wandered down a few corridors before finding them both sitting in the waiting room.
Kira's presence caused both disguised Starlights to look her way. Whether it was because they could both sense her presence was unknown to Kira.
"Hey..." Kira said, trying to hide the fact she had basically run her way to them. A few huffs came out, which made Kira swallow and stiffen herself upright.
"..Here's... the things you asked for," she said, placing the bag beside Liara's seat.
"Thanks," Liara replied.
"Have... the doctors said anything else?"
Liara shook her head. "Not really, no."
There wasn't that much time that had passed—it was still the same answer as when Kira was last told via text.
"I see..." Kira's voice still sounded concerned.
"Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as I hear something. You should probably go to..." Liara paused and spoke quietly, "Yaten..."
Taiki agreed and added, "Yes, she just used her Star Change, so she's probably gone to look for the Celestial Senshi."
"Y-Yeah..." Kira looked at Taiki. For a second there, she looked down for a moment and gave a nod.
"Mhm, I'll go... just... let me know if there are any updates, please," Kira asked, directing her attention to Liara again.

Liara had to break a smile for Kira’s sake, trying to reassure her.
"I’ll let you know. I promise."
Kira stood there for a few seconds before taking a few steps backward, then turning around as she thought,
"I gotta be strong. I just have to be—for Alita’s sake."
The archer made her way back to the car and drove off. She knew Yaten was at the archery grounds with Luna.



"Weird... there’s a presence right there but..." she thought.
As Kira approached the three—plus Luna—Kira stopped to observe the situation. None of the girls looked like Yaten?? Her eyes scanned Sophie, then Bianca, then Tenya. For a few seconds, Kira looked quite confused, as she couldn’t pick up exact presences yet.
"Uhhhhh—heyy... hey!" she said, seeing Luna first but realizing Luna couldn’t exactly talk.
Sophie was about to speak, breaking the awkward silence, but as soon as Kira got around to looking at Tenya, it wasn’t until she noticed the green eyes—giving Kira the only familiarity connecting to Yaten.

Kira’s eyes widened with shock at the choice of disguise Yaten had chosen, expecting to see a male rather than a female.
About to say "Yaten", she quickly diverted her words.
"Ya—YAY you’re HERE!" she quickly thought to herself, "Yaten?! What kind of disguise is that?!?!" having to shake her jaw-dropped expression.

A gasp came from Sophie's mouth, "Kira!" Sophie said, standing up from her seat. "Wowww! A superstar!" Looking at Tenya for a moment, Sophie added, "I didn’t know you knew Kira, Tenya!" Sophie was rather shocked about this.

"T-Tenya?! Y-a-t-e-n? What kind of name disguise is that?! All you did was rearrange your name!" Kira’s jaw dropped again for a second, trying to process this sudden information, acting as if her and Tenya were besties.
"Y-Yeah! Tenya and I go waaaaay back!" Placing her arm around Tenya's shoulder—rather than her waist—as if that would be too intimate and obvious.
"Wow! Really?! That’s so cool! By the way, you are such a star, Kira!" Praising the celebrity newcomer.

While Sophie was chatting, Luna peered up at Kira, and her tail seemed to subtly point at Bianca. Once the two made brief eye contact, it gave Kira the idea of who the Celestial Senshi was.
Causing Kira’s gaze to shift to Bianca, it wasn’t until then that she remembered seeing this individual as Alita and her escaped the crowd from the Youma.
A brief flashback came to her mind, but Kira didn’t vaguely remember her from back then.





"That’s right... I remember now. I bumped into her while Alita and I were escaping... so Alita noticed and knew straight away who she was? Even back then?"
Frowning, Kira looked at the ground, recollecting her memories to a time when Alita was awake. Looking back at Bianca.

Sophie was still chatting away but caught Kira’s attention when she asked about the Three Lights.
"So~ Kira, is it true? You're dating Yaten??"
Well, that escalated quickly—pulling Kira’s attention to the girl. "W-Wha—Sorry, what did you say?" The blush on Kira’s face made it quite obvious she was caught off guard.
"You and Yaten! Are you both dating? Or is that more rumors?" Sophie wanted to hear it from the source.
Kira’s mouth opened for a moment. "W-Well... uhhh..."
"Aww, come on. It’s not like Yaten is here, you can tell us! Right, Bianca?" Sophie teased.
"Wrong! She’s here!" Kira thought to herself, somewhat getting more flustered.
The nervous, pent-up feeling—like butterflies—came to Kira’s stomach, catching her off guard.
"Uhh... I-I..." Kira was nervous!
The archer quickly retracted her arm from around Tenya’s.
Being put on the spot, Kira knew Tenya’s ears were really Yaten’s.
"Aha—you’re so curious, aren’t you! What’s your name?" Swiftly changing the subject before she broke into a sweat.
The brunette had no issue telling her name, having a star like Kira take interest in her was quite nice. "My name is Sophie!" The girl smiled. She seemed quite carefree—like Alita, in some ways.

Kira questioned, turning toward the ginger-haired girl. "I heard you mention your friend here... Bianca?"
"This girl... she looks familiar... maybe from my past life? The more I look at her, it feels like I’ve met her before. It’s strange, I can’t wrap my head around it."
Kira didn’t mean to give Bianca the same sort of treatment Tenya had given her—the staring.

Kira’s eyes shifted to Sophie for a moment, then back to Bianca.
Sophie looked between Kira and Bianca—it was like Bianca had done something wrong?
"Uhm..?" Sophie commented on the situation as her gaze shifted to Kira. "Is there something wrong?"
Kira looked back at Sophie and smiled, shaking her head a few times.
"Oh no, not at all. Bianca just looks like... an old friend of mine," the archer said, then looked back at Bianca, noticing she had a camera bag.
"You were one of the photographers from today, right?" Kira questioned Bianca.
It was obvious Bianca had come from the archery grounds, so Kira turned her attention to Sophie, thinking of a way to separate them both.
"I’m sorry, Sophie, I came here to ask Bianca something private..."
Her voice trailed, looking at Bianca for a moment, then back at Sophie—hoping she could take the hint, still looking pensive and apologetic.
Luna also watched Sophie’s reaction.

It took Sophie a few seconds, but she could read the room well enough.
"Oh, OH! Yeah sure! Gotcha! I’ll, um... get going anyway. Places to go, people to find!"
She smiled, turning to her bag, and proceeded to unzip it. She placed it on the seat she had stood up from and was about to take her sketchbook to place it inside when she was greeted with a glowing beam of light.

"Huh?!"



Taken aback, Sophie’s eyes widened as her hand reached down to find whatever the glowing object was. She pulled it out while saying,
"What... what the heck... is this??"
Luna’s eyes widened as she thought to herself,
"Did I get it wrong...? It can’t be? I didn’t sense anything from this girl! How?!"




Kira wasn’t expecting to see another Star Change and traded a glance with Tenya, then back at Sophie again.
"That’s a Star Change! But... why is it glowing? Star Catcher, Star Fighter, Star Maker all had theirs... and Yaten... well..."
Looking back at Tenya again, she continued to think.
"She’s using hers right now! If this isn’t theirs... is... Sophie...?"
Pausing her thoughts, Sophie’s reaction was just as confused, it didn't add up.

Inspecting it, Sophie turned it over, trying to turn it off somehow.
"Where are the batteries? What even is this thing? No off button?" Sophie seemed to be trying anything that came to mind. Maybe shaking it a few times might turn it off? However, it was activated for a reason—the unknown Star Change seemed to be reacting to Yaten's. An unfamiliar presence that would no doubt alarm the owner of that specific Star Change. Whether or not it was placed in Sophie's bag on purpose, Yaten would likely be suspicious of this, as she knew it didn't belong to the others, knowing they all had theirs on them. So why did Sophie have this? Questions would surely be filling up in Yaten's mind.

The archer watched how confused Sophie was and asked,
"Where did you get that from?"
Sophie’s attention went back to Kira as her grip on the Star Change loosened.
"I-I have no idea. This isn’t mine... maybe it’s Yuki’s?"
"Yuki?" Kira questioned, and looked at Tenya concerned, then back at Sophie as she spoke again, keeping her concerned expression.



"Yeah, Yuki is my roommate. Maybe she meant to put this in her bag, and it got mixed up with mine or something?"
The archer seemed to be connecting dots in her mind, it started to make more sense, but still, why did Yuki put this so carelessly in Sophie's bag?
"Yuki... is her last name Hikari, by chance?"
Sophie’s eyes beamed, and she gave a nod. "Yeah it is! How’d you know that? Do you know her?"
Kira once again looked at Tenya, then back at Sophie. The archer’s answer would give Yaten a hint that it belonged to one of Liara's sisters.
"Sort of... she’s, uh... my friend’s sister..."
Kira didn’t want to give Sophie too many details—she could already tell from Sophie’s reactions that she wasn’t aware of Yuki’s second life.

The archer looked at Bianca and thought,
"This might be something Yaten will need to investigate... I doubt Yuki would want to see me. I’ll have to talk to Yaten about this later..."
She looked back at Tenya—her thoughts matched the expression she wore. It was quite a serious one.