Chapter 2 The next day, the rain continued as the meeting began to gather. The King, Queen, and thesenior senshi all had to be present. Sailor Pluto never attended these types of meetings, though. Every time a new senshi showed up, she did a background check, and was usually gone for a few days. King Endymion and Sailors Mercury, Jupiter and Venus were already there. Mercury wastelling them what she had learned about the "new girl." Neo-Queen Serenity and Sailor Mars werestill walking down the hallway. "I don't know what it is Mars; There's just something about her, oddly enough almostfamiliar, and I'm worried because I've never acted like this before. I mean, I'm known for mylegendary kindness, but I just can't act normal around her." "If your intuition is telling you there's something wrong with this girl, you should listen," Sailor Mars advised, "but I think for now we should get to know her better before making any assumptions." Serenity nodded as they entered the room and took their seats around the table. Mercury filled them in too. Mars, like the others, became interested immediately, but Serenity just sat back, thinking. Danielle entered the room transformed, but was still wearing the mask. The others stopped their talking and stared. On her shawl there were two canary yellow stripes. One was at the edge and the other wascloser to her neck; the bows were yellow too, the back one longer than ususal, noting super status. The clasps that held the shawl and front bow together and on the skirt, were dark purple with a black music note in the middle. She also had music note earrings and one on her choker. Instead of the usual longer gloves that other senshi wore, she had regular gloves that stopped at light purple wristbands. Her skirt had pink and purple stripes at the end, and her shawl, tiara gem, choker and high-heeled shoes were all purple as well . This tropical purple tone, curiously, almost identical to the royal purple shade of the tuxedo that King Endymion always wore. It wasn't much different than what they were used to seeing, but what caught them off guard was the fact that the whole middle of the white bodice was missing. It stopped right below her chest, and started again at the skirt. "I know, I know," Danielle whined, used to getting these types of looks, "The general senshi's outfit is a little different than usual, and I'm very sorry; I forgot to mention that I went super awhile back." Endymion was staring at her.....hard. He seemed to be the most intrigued after hearing about the mysterious stranger. Apparently he was receiving some sort of feeling from her as well. "From what I've heard, you have some pretty interesting attacks," Sailor Venus said. "Why don't you demonstrate for us?" Sailor Mars suggested, eager to see how this newcomer measured up. Danielle nodded. "I'll need room. Could we go down to the training grounds?" As they made their way, everyone felt an immediate sense of familiarity around her. <> <> <> <> <> The senshi were taking a liking to Danielle; she was very open and willing to answerquestions, even though whenever they got to certain points of her personal life, she became veryflustered; almost embarrassed. The girls just figured she didn't want to talk about it because of her husband though. The King and Queen were in the back of the line, watching the senshi chatting like schoolgirls and laughing. "She's becoming too comfortable with us," Serenity scowled. "What?" Endymion said surprised. "Usually people are nervous around the planet senshi and us, she's acting as if she already knows us or something. It's just that I-I don't get it. I just wish I knew. It's not necessarily her, it's this feeling. As soon as I figure out what it is, I can get rid of it, but she's just so.....hmm." "Serenity what is with you?" Endymion laughed. "There's just....something about her." Endymion watched Danielle laughing along with the other senshi, "Yes........There is." <> <> <> <> <> "Jupiter," Danielle called as they entered the gym part of the training level. "I assume you're the fastest?" "Why?" she smiled slyly, "Think you can outrun me?" "Chase me and we'll see," she replied teasingly. Danielle started to run across the room, and Jupiter followed. "What is she doing?" Sailor Venus whispered to Mars. "As far as I can tell, making a total idiot out of herself." Just then an upbeat, chase type music started playing out of nowhere. "Ohh, come on try to catch me. Ohhh, catch me if you can," Danielle sang along beautifully as she picked up speed. She was at least 5 feet away from Jupiter at all times now. "Look out! It's time the world was ready for a new thing. It's time I got ahead," She went faster, even Jupiter's lightning fast speed was no match. "Can bet nothing's gonna stop me, and I..." She jumped up and sat on one of the rafters in the 70 foot high ceiling. "Won't quit till I'm sittin' on the top." Everyone was staring up at her in amazement as she looked down at them proudly. "I'll never give up when the going gets rough. I know I'm gonna make it through," she jumped and landed squarely in front of Sailor Jupiter as the chase started again. "To just try will never be enough. I'll show you there's nothing that I can't do!" She bolted ahead faster, and the wave of energy knocked Jupiter to the ground. "Get up! Let's see what you're made of. Bring it on! You know I'm not afraid," she taunted in the song. Jupiter was getting angry. The Lightning Senshi ran faster, and caught up to about a foot away from Danielle. She powered up an attack. "Very impressive!" Danielle congratulated, then returned to singing. "There's no way that you can slow me down now. It's time to show you what I'm all about," Once again Danielle was far out of reach, and the lightning bolt blew right by her. Jupiter was ready to try another tactic. The music had reached a bit of a slower point, and she tried sneaking up behind Danielle while she sang slower to rest. "It's so close I can almost taste it. There's no way I'll ever look back," the Senshi of Song continued. Jupiter charged toward her. "It's so hard, but stopping's not an option. I'm gonna keep on," she turned to see Jupiter coming on fast. "Keep on, 'cause I believe," Seeing there was no other way out, a little blip occurred in the music, and Danielle transported to the other side of the room, "In me." The music ended. "I never thought anyone could get so close! Great job Jupiter!" Danielle smiled broadly. "She's been training," she thought. "That......was....quite a chase........huh?" Sailor Jupiter replied. "Wow! That was amazing!" Venus exclaimed. "That was only my escape song," Danielle boasted, "Wait until you see my attacks." "Why don't you take me on?" Mars stepped up. "I don't like this," Serenity whispered to Endymion. "No one's ever been able to outrun Jupiter; Lita's the most athletic senshi ever!" "I know! Isn't it phenomenal!" Endymion was fixed on the Senshi of Song. He seemed very interested in these new powers. He seemed to remember seeing them before, it was like deja vu or something. He definitely wanted to know more about This SEnshi of Song. Another song started as Mars powered up her attack. "Been on the losing side," Danielle sang in a deep, serious voice. "Mars fireballs, flash!" Sailor Mars called. A column of fire raged towards Danielle. "This time. I'll turn the tide," she simply put her palm out and pulled it slowly across her face, and the flames shot back to Sailor Mars, but she easily eluded them. "This time I won't give up, no baby. This time I'm in control. I want the whole world to know: Ain't nothing can slow me down this time," the singing senshi meditated. Another fire beam shot at Danielle. She dodged it, but the heat burned her hip a little. She yelped, but quickly bent down, closed her eyes and put her hand over the wound, "This weird faith is on my side," the red mark disappeared. "So you can sing for healing powers too," Mars said as she regained energy. "I'm giving all I've got, climbing each step straight to the top," Danni stood up. "Mars Celestial Fire, surround!" the Fire Senshi called A bunch of fire rings were flung towards Danielle. "And if the river's too wide I'll get through it," she put her hands out to the side, and the rings parted and shot to either of the side walls. Mars could tell Danielle was quick thinking and tried a stun charm to paralyze her, "I call upon the power of Mars, fireballs, charge!" "And if the mountain's too high, that won't stop this dream of mine," Danni raised her hand and the parchment flew over her . Now it was her turn, and if it wasn't for the mask, you could see her eyes glowing behind it. "I'm on my way, I've got a plan. I'm making my way anyway that I can." Two ninja stars popped out from Danielle's palms as she stretched her arms out in front of her and they flew towards Sailor Mars. She jumped out of one's path; only to step right into the other's. It gave her a bit of a cut on her cheek. Mars wasn't ready to give up, "Mars firebird, strike!" "So many times I've played in someone else's game. This time the game has changed, oh baby," Danni smiled as a burst of air shot out from Mars' fingertips, instead of her firebird, but the energy was still enough to knock Danielle down. "This time I make the rules. I won't be nobody's fool," she sang angrily, looking up at her opponent. Mars stood over her and gathered energy. "Ain't no one can hold me down this time," Danielle raised her hand and stood up; her eyes flaring under the mask. Mars hovered high in the air, without Danielle ever touching her. The others couldn't believe their eyes. She was right. Whatever she sang, no matter how impossible it seemed, came to life as long as she chose her words wisely! "There's a brand new strength I've found. Ain't looking back ain't backing out," she put Mars back on the ground. "This time around, I stand my ground. I live my dream. I realize the power lives deep in me," she cupped her hands and gathered a small blue orb of energy in front ofher. "Climbing each step, straight to the top!" She raised it above her head and spun to the ceiling; floating above Mars' head. It seemed that Danielle was in sort of a trance now. "Mars Flame Sniper!" Mars tried her strongest attack. Teh arrow gathered fire around it, and started heading upwards. "And if the river's too wide I'll get through it!" Danielle bent down, and the orb broke open, sending forth a monstrous geyser that doused Mars' attack, and crashed down; enveloping the fire senshi. "And if the mountain's too high, that won't stop this dream of mine," Danielle brought Sailor Mars back into the air as she let herself drift to the ground. "Mars!" Everyone screamed at the seemingly limp body. "What have you done?!" Serenity yelled. Danielle shook her head, and the rage suddenly disappeared. She brought Sailor Mars to the floor and laid her down. "Stop this game of mine." The music stopped, and Mars sat up, completely healed. The senshi were glaring at Danielle angrily, but Endymion just watched. He somehow knew she would bring Sailor Mars back, and that he could trust her; he hadn't been worried. It all just seemed so familiar. Perhaps she had something to do with the images he'd been getting at night... The new senshi saw the other's faces, and realized she'd gotten a little carried away. "Oh, come on! I'd never leave her like that!" Danielle looked around. "Well we didn't know that!" Sailor Venus scolded. "You shouldn't have scared us that way!" Jupiter joined in. Serenity just put her hand on her forehead and shook her head. "It's only training! You didn't have to be so hard!" Mars complained as she left. Mercury looked at Danielle, "I know you are only trying to help, but give us time to trust you before pulling another stunt like that," she narrowed her eyes. The girls left, but Endymion walked over to Danielle. She smiled at the memories that flooded back as he approached her, but then turned her head down. "I really screwed up this time, huh?" This was even stranger than with Neo-Queen Serenity, "Your highness." Endymion sighed, "I must admit, that was pretty dumb, but everyone's pretty much overreacting about everything at this point. We're still rather shaken up about the past few months. Just give everyone a little time to adjust. I mean, there's been all these strangers who have such strong, new magic that we've never even seen before, and apparently it's not going to end yet." Danielle nodded, "I came at a bad time, didn't I?" Endymion laughed at the look on her face. There was such a comfortable air around her. "Why don't I show you around the rest of the palace?" He asked. "Sounds great," Danielle was hoping he'd ask that.