Rescue?

No one had noticed Minako's disappearance.

Hotaru was still dozing on the overturned bookshelf, her breathing calm and even, her black uniform dirty and torn, but her face relaxed in sleep as if exhaustion had finally caught up with her. Rei – Sailor Mars – continued peering through the narrow gap in the barricaded windows, her eyes glowing faintly red in the half-darkness, searching the street for signs of danger. Usagi still lay on the floor, Chibiusa pressed tightly against her – the 18-year-old had buried her face in Usagi’s shoulder, her breathing now calm and deep; she was finally asleep, tears dried on her cheeks, her fingers loosely clutching Usagi’s uniform.

The night was nearly over. A faint gray crept along the horizon, the rain had stopped, and only a few remaining drops fell from the rooftops, splashing quietly on the asphalt.

Rei noticed it first: the vampires left behind by the horde were slowly retreating into buildings—they slipped into doorways, disappeared into basements, seeking shadows. This confirmed her suspicion: they avoided sunlight. A small, faint smile crossed Rei’s face—perhaps they still had a chance when day came.

She was just about to turn around to wake the others when engine noises broke the silence—deep, steady rumbling that grew closer, tires on wet asphalt, the squeal of brakes. Rei pressed her eye harder against the gap, trying to see farther down the street. Headlights cut through the darkness—crystal-white armored vehicles, gleaming, bearing the radiant crest of the palace on their doors. The palace guard.

“Wake up!” Rei shouted loudly and sharply. “Help is here!”

It took a moment to clear the barricade. Makoto was the first to jump up, shoving a shelf aside with one powerful push, wood creaking loudly. Usagi startled awake, Chibiusa whimpered sleepily and clung tighter to her. Hotaru blinked, her eyes briefly glowing violet before she oriented herself.

“Palace guard,” Rei said curtly. “They’re here. Let’s go.”

Cold morning air rushed in, fresh with the scent of rain and metal. Everyone stepped outside, blinking into the gray light of the approaching dawn. Three crystal-white armored vehicles stood in the street, soldiers in pristine crystal-white uniforms climbed out—helmets gleaming wetly, weapons at the ready, the palace crest shimmering silver on their shoulders. An officer stepped forward.

“Sailor Senshi? We’re taking you to the palace. It’s not safe out here.”

Only then did Rei realize Minako was missing.

“Minako… where’s Minako?”

Panic crept into her voice. They rushed back into the bookstore, calling her name, searching corners, behind shelves, in the back rooms. Nothing. No trace. Only the torn chair where she had been sitting, and a faint, sweetish smell in the air—arousal, sweat, something dark.

Chibiusa was in shock. “First Ami… now Minako too…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “We can’t just drive away… we have to search for her… please…”

The officer shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. Two districts fell during the night. The horde is spreading. We have orders to bring you to the palace immediately. There we can plan how to rescue your friends.”

Makoto clenched her fists. “We’re not leaving them behind.”

Rei placed a hand on Makoto’s shoulder, her voice cold. “We go to the palace. There we have information, reinforcements, a plan. Out here we just die.”

Usagi nodded slowly, her eyes red from crying. “We’ll get them back. Both of them. But we need a plan. We go with them.”

Only under protest did the Sailor Senshi agree—Chibiusa cried softly, Makoto growled, Hotaru remained silent and grim. Information about the other Sailor Senshi who were out alone—Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna—was also unavailable. Everything was still utter chaos since the beginning of the night.

The crystal-white vehicles started, engines humming deep and clean. The warriors climbed in, doors slammed shut. The alley remained empty behind them—only the rain continued to drip, and somewhere in the distance a soft, throaty moan echoed through the city.

The night was over.

But the darkness was stronger than ever.

And they had lost two sisters.

For now.