Heartsnatchers Chapter Six

Hotaru and her sisters were all in their common room watching cartoon DVDs together while Professor Tomoe and his wife were preparing to surprise them with a new sibling. After taping cotton wool to Kaori's arm behind her elbow, he took the syringe and added the blood to the mixture in the test tube.

Kaori walked over to stand by his side as he gently shook the test tube before holding it over the bunsen burner. “Oh Souchi. How I love to help you bring our children to life.”

“Yes Kaori. Do you hear little one? We love you even before you begin to exist.”

“Hello Professors,” said a bright, cheerful voice and they turned to see that Mimette had just entered.

“Hello Mimette,” said Kaori. “Our new baby's almost ready.”

Souchi cried in jubilation. “The test tube is beginning to break now.” As he spoke the pod inside expanded and burst forth as he turned off the bunsen's flame. He and his wife gently cradled the pod between them carrying it over to Mimette.

She placed it in her bag saying, “Eudial told me you were going to secretly make a sister without telling the others. I shall take care of her. The dear girls will have a wonderful surprise when I return.”

“Thank you Mimette. We can't wait to see her ourselves.”

Mimette was being guided once again by Mistress 9 and she left to follow the direction she was told to go with the pod.

As she approached Mr. Baxter's park Mistress 9 told her, “There is a huge event happening here today Mimette. A lover's competition. The winning couple will receive the honour of Heartland's Champions of Romance and will share a distinctive cup in the shape of a heart.”

“How lovely Mistress 9. Oh if only I had a boyfriend. I could have entered myself.”

As soon as she said this Mimette cringed in fear as the demon harshly rebuked her. “You have a job to do Mimette. Don't you dare go sidetracking yourself with your idiotic thoughts and fantasies.”

Mimette shuddered. “O-okay Mistress 9.”

Among the ten couples taking part in the contest were Serena's school friends, Melvin and Molly. Lita, Amy, Raye and Mina had all come to give them moral support, along with Serena herself. Serena was very excited for her friends, though she was also very disappointed. Darien had refused to enter with her or even attend. He still firmly insisted that until her grades improved they would not do anything together, romantic or otherwise.

Still she did in fact forget all about how upset she was with him when she saw the tenth and final couple approaching to join the others on stage. “Oh look girls. Here come Amara and Michelle.”

At Serena's cue they all drew their attention towards them. They were staring at each other and smiling. Michelle had her arm draped gently around Amara's.

Mina sighed. “I guess they really must be serious about each other since they've entered the contest. But Amara is still very hunky in his blue shirt and white trousers.”

“I must agree,” said Raye admiringly.

“He even reminds me of my ex-boyfriend.”

The others groaned while Amy laughed. “Now why am I not surprised you said that Lita?”

Lita shrugged. “Well he does a little. I think it's the way he combs his hair.”

Serena wasn't listening. She was drooling over Amara as he turned and smiled in their direction. She wasn't even registering Michelle who also smiled at her. Only Amara's handsome features existed to her.

Just then a woman's voice made announcement over a loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our lover's affection contest. Proceedings will commence in ten minutes. We wish all our contestants good luck.”

“Come on. Let's all sit in the front row,” said Serena to her friends. They agreed enthusaistically.

While everybody took their seats Mimette and Mistress 9 were standing nearby. Nobody could see Mimette though because she was invisible through a magic spell. Mistress 9 instructed her to stay hidden and follow her instructions. “At the end of the contest when the winners are preparing to receive the cup you walk onstage. We'll send the pod into contact with the cup and collect both their hearts.”

“I understand Mistress 9.”

The contest was underway with the first event. The honour of hosting the proceedings had been given to the well-known photographic artist, Peter Fisher. He was dressed in his very best clothing including green trousers, bright, purple coat, shiny, white shoes and a brown bow-tie. He addressed the audience with his microphone.

“Welcome everybody. Today these ten loving couples are going to compete to prove how deeply devoted they are to each other. These events are going to be a test of how strong their love and affection is mutually shared. So let's not delay and get started. What do you all say?”

The audience cheered and applauded in enormous volume. Molly smiled joyfully, though Melvin was feeling a little nervous. Amara and Michelle were also feeling nervous. Not for the same reason however. They had both had instinctive feelings that evil was going to be around, which was one of the reasons why they had entered. They were also certain that somehow this strange evil was connected with the object of their quest. But they were calmly balanced in their nervous tensions, ready to spring into action if required.

Peter went on to explain the first event. “All the girls will go behind this great big wall here on our stage and stick one of their hands through the heart-shaped holes. Their boyfriends will have the task of identifying which hand belongs to their girlfriends. Now let's take turns one at a time.”

Everybody took their places with ten hands sticking out in a row. Amara had the first go. He went straight to a hand and grasped it gently.

Peter went over with his mike. “Now here's a fellow who's very quick and certain of his choice. So tell us please whose hand you're holding?”

Amara was taken aback. “What?”

Peter gulped and said, “Let me put it better. What's the name of your girlfriend?”

Amara said, “You're getting rather personal.”

Peter was a little nervous. “Please. I didn't mean to offend. We only want to find out if you've guessed correctly in the event.”

A familiar voice behind the wall said, “It's all right Amara. He didn't mean any harm.”

Amara softened. “Very well. My best friend's name is Michelle.”

Then Michelle pulled a latch that opened up her section of the wall just like a door revealing that Amara had indeed correctly identified her hand and everybody cheered as Peter declared they had won this first round.

Then he called Melvin as the second contestant to have a go. He stared very hard thinking to himself, “Now which one of these hands belongs to Molly?” He rubbed his chin as he walked along the row of outstretched open hands with fingers spread out until his eyes caught one.

“Yes,” he thought triumphantly. “That's her.”

As he reached out and touched it Peter ran over. “So tell us your girlfriend's name.”

“Molly! I'm holding dear Molly's hand!”

However to Melvin's dismay the girl called out from behind, “Sorry you're wrong. I'm not Molly.”

Peter said, “Bad luck. You lose this first round.”

Melvin couldn't believe it. He pulled on the girl's arm dragging it through the hole. “But it must be her. She had a band-aid on her middle finger just like this. I'd recognize it anywhere.”

“Ouch! Stop it! You're hurting me!”

Peter took immediate charge to restrain Melvin. “If you don't settle down I shall have no choice but to disqualify you. Then what will your girlfriend think?”

That shut Melvin up. He dejectedly moved aside while the others all had their turn. In all six out of ten boyfriends guessed correctly. Then the girlfriends who were left came out through the wall's doorways, including Molly.

When he saw her Melvin couldn't help exclaiming loudly. “Molly I'm sorry! I thought I recognized your band-aid!”

She sighed. “Melvin. That was six months ago when I had a band-aid. My finger is healed where it was cut.”

Realizing that some people in the audience were laughing she hugged her blushing boyfriend saying, “But at least it shows you notice little details about me.”

Melvin was crying in her arms and people oohhed and ahhed sympathetically.

Peter regained control of the situation by saying, “Never mind. We all make mistakes Melvin. Let's carry on with the second event.”

In the front row Mina said, “Poor Melvin.”

Serena said, “Yeah. Can you believe anybody would make such a silly mistake? None of you know anybody who'd be so naive, do you?”
The other four looked at her, then at each other and fell silent. However Raye did say, “No comment,” and the others nodded.

Serena was about to ask them what they meant by that, but Peter announced the continuation of the contest and her attention was diverted to her friends mutual relief.

The second event was a three-legged race. The couples all left the stage with Peter and the audience left their seats to gather at the specially prepared race course. Each couple tied themselves together and stood at the starting line. They had to run side by side while balancing a ping pong ball on a tennis racket. The audience all cheered standing along the left side of the course. Amara and Michelle were the winners hands down not only finishing first, but never once dropping their ball. The others all had to stop while Peter and some assistants quickly replaced their balls. Melvin and Molly were last because technically they didn't even finish. Every second or third step at most Melvin would stumble and drag poor Molly down with him. He was very upset begging her pardon profusely though she was good-natured about it and hugged him.

For the third event they returned to the stage to sing a duet song of their own choice. Amara and Michelle grabbed the microphones and performed with an amazing natural talent. Just like they were professional singers. They were definitely the best and everybody cheered. Poor Melvin tried his hardest, but to Molly's embarrassment he kept forgetting the words to his part of the song they had agreed upon. He sighed afterwards. “I was so sure I could handle that song. I thought I had a fairly good idea of the lyrics.”

“Never mind Melvin. Never mind,” said Molly quickly hugging him once more.

All this time Mimette was still observing things under her magical invisibility. She was feeling rather sorry for poor Melvin and admired Molly for how deep her devotion was to keep forgiving him. She dared not voice this to Mistress 9 of course and she was snapped to attention as the demon suddenly talked to her. “It looks like that couple of the tall blonde man and the shorter woman with greenish-blue hair will win the contest. Be ready with the pod Mimette. When they go to claim the cup we will strike and capture them both and their hearts.”

“Yes Mistress 9.”

Indeed as the contest progressed Amara and Michelle continued to score number one in event after event. Serena and her friends had mixed emotions. They were very sympathetic towards Molly and Melvin, though at the same time they couldn't help feeling thrilled for Amara and Michelle.

Then Peter came onto the empty stage to announce the final event. “Ladies and gentlemen. It's time for the climax of our contest. We call this event “The Depth of Affection.” This is also unique because you, the audience, get to participate as judges. Each of our couples will have the chance to publicly express their feelings to each other and you will all cheer and applaud in response. The couple who illicit the loudest applause will win first place in this event. Let's start with our champions from the rest of the events, Amara and Michelle.”

Everybody cheered but Amara and Michelle did not emerge from behind the pink and white curtains behind Peter. He called out their names again. Still no response. Getting nervous Peter went to look behind the curtain and he came back to speak to the intrigued crowd of people.

“This is very strange folks. Amara and Michelle have completely disappeared.”

Everybody gasped and Serena and her friends exchanged surprised glances. Amara and Michelle had been going to win regardless of the outcome of this event because they had come first place in all the others.

Peter wiped his brow with his hanky and said, “Anyway we'd better go ahead without them and see who gets the cup now.” So saying he proceeded to call each remaining couple one by one.

After the other eight had had their turn finally Melvin and Molly were called. As they stepped out from the curtains Serena cheered. “Come on Melvin!”

“You can do it,” added Mina.

As Melvin turned to face Molly he started to walk towards her. Unfortunately he failed to notice that one of his shoelaces had come undone and he stumbled falling flat on his face.

Some people laughed and Lita said, “Oh no.”

“He's done it again,” sighed Raye.

Molly was mortified, but Melvin pushed himself up on his knees and began to speak. “Molly. I've stuffed up every event today because I'm such a klutz. I make no excuse for my faults and I won't blame you if you're ashamed of me. But Molly you mean so much to me. I love your red hair and your dazzling beautiful smile. I know I'm far from perfect but if you really like me despite my faults please give me a big hug to make me feel better about myself.”

There were tears in Molly's eyes. Joyful tears. She went over and helped him to his feet embracing him warmly. “Oh Melvin. I love you just the way you are. I'm your girl forever and ever and you are mine.”

“Oh Molly, my sweetheart.”

“Melvin my angel.”

Nobody was laughing now. Everybody had tears in their eyes. Including Peter and the other contestants. Even Mimette invisible on stage was silently weeping.

Peter wiped his eyes and said, “What do you all think?”

Somebody shouted out, “They deserve to win the cup for that magnanimous display of affection!”

Everybody else began shouting out agreement and the cheers were the loudest of all. Even the other couples felt the same and Peter said, “The judges are unanimous. Molly and Melvin. You win the title of Heartland's Champions of Romance.”

Melvin could scarcely believe it and Molly was overwhelmed with emotion. They both hugged and cried while applause thundered once again. Then as it quietened down Peter directed them. “Come this way please and claim your trophy.”

The glistening silver heart-shaped cup was placed on a pedestal brought out on stage and Molly and Melvin both walked towards it ready to take one of the handles each.

Mistress 9 said to Mimette. “The pod. Right now.”

Mimette gawked. “Th-that poor boy and,”

“MIMETTE!”

“Okay. Okay. Okay.”

Frightened Mimette levitated the unseen pod through the air and dropped it into the cup where it cracked releasing its inner living essence, just as the happy couple grabbed it.

Then a couple of things happened almost at once. The cup jerked itself out of their hands and hovered in the air as it transformed into a tall, beautiful lady in black leotards with hair as red as Molly's. Her high heel shoes had hearts on them, her hat was purple and heart-shaped and her chest was covered with a silver heart, the exact same colour and shape as the cup had been.

Everybody including Peter Fisher was fleeing in panic while Molly and Melvin were rooted to the spot in shock. But even as Mimette became visible, so too did the ghost of Molly's dear friend Nephlite. He had been silently watching the contest too and he moved to stand in front of her and Melvin to defend them.

The heart lady, of course, just hung in the air staring curiously like the equivalent of a mere toddler which she was. Nephlite was mistakenly expecting her to make an attack move and so he had a shock when he realized that Melvin and Molly were both trapped inside a magic bubble by Mimette.

“Help! Nephlite help!”

Melvin was stir-crazy. “H-h-hey! Get us out of here!”

“NO!” He shouted in dismay.

The Sailor Scouts quickly responded by transforming with nobody around to notice.

“MOON CRYSTAL POWER!”

“MERCURY STAR POWER!”

“MARS STAR POWER!”

“JUPITER STAR POWER!”

“VENUS STAR POWER!”

Mimette had barely had time to react in surprise to Nephlite, when Sailor Moon called out, “Release our friends! I'm the Champion of Justice who fights in the Name of the Moon and I shall punish you!”

Her friends all shouted together. “And so will we!”

Mistress 9 said to Mimette, “These silly girls will be better engaged in some dancing. Conjure up some partners for them.”

Mimette grinned. “Roger Mistress 9. That's one of my favourite spells.”

Before any of them were prepared Mimette waved her wand and suddenly they all saw five handsome men, finely dressed approaching them, requesting them to dance. They were only a witchcraft illusion created for their eyes only, but their sense of reality was clouded and even Sailor Mercury consented to dance with her “partner.”

Nephlite realized what was happening and tried to intervene. “No Sailor Scouts! Snap out of it!” However as he attempted to glide over to them, he felt arrested by a powerful force. He couldn't move. Mistress 9 had caught him and struggling vainly he was dragged over and sealed into the bubble along with Molly and Melvin.

“This spirit creature is very fascinating Mimette. We shall take him back with us and examine him with the coven. He may be useful to our future plans.”

At that moment the Sailor Scouts were all shocked as the men they thought they were dancing with turned into ghastly monsters and as they looked into their red, serpentine eyes, they could feel their brains begin to bubble and slowly rise in temperature as if they were on fire. Trickles of blood were seeping from their eyes and ears. They felt as if their heads would explode any minute.

Suddenly two figures came seemingly leaping from nowhere startling Mimette. They appeared a few feet behind her and she whirled around at the sound of their voices.

“I help those who fight for love and justice! I'm Sailor Uranus!”

“I also help those who fight for love and justice! I'm Sailor Neptune!”

Mimette was very surprised but quickly regained her composure. “Let me introduce you two to your own dance partners.”

She smiled raising her wand and two more men magically appeared.

However even as they began to make advances, Sailor Uranus shouted, “Forget it! We're not interested! We dance by ourselves! URANUS WORLD SHAKING!”

As Mimette was struck by the jarring blow her spell was broken and the other Scouts were released from the illusion that threatened to burn their brains out.

Blinking and wiping the blood from their eyes they gasped to behold Uranus and Neptune.

Mistress 9 said to Mimette. “On your feet. Let's go.”

As she rose she groaned. “Wh-why didn't you defend me?”

“I thought you'd be in control. Besides I needed to protect the Tomoe's child. If you took our mission more seriously you'd be much stronger and sharper-witted. Let this be a warning to you.”

With that the demon teleported them away along with the three prisoners in the bubble.

“No! Molly! Melvin! Nephlite!” Sailor Moon was almost in tears and her friends were also shocked. Next thing they knew Uranus and Neptune had vanished. They were upset about what happened to their friends but also confused. Uranus and Neptune had come to help them, yet the last time they had shown resentment when they had tried to give them assistance. What sort of people were they? They were also worried about Amara and Michelle. What had become of them?

Finally Hotaru and her sisters were wonderfully surprised as Souchi and Kaori had planned to meet their new sibling.

“Oh thank you Mummy and Daddy,” said Octave.

“We adore her,” cried Osoji.

“What are you going to name her?” Nekonelle asked.

Kaori said, “Those hearts on her are very lovely. She's to die for.”

Souchi suddenly clapped his hands joyfully. “That gives me an idea Kaori. How about we call her Dieheart?”

Kaori loved the name and so did their children.

“Welcome to our family Dieheart,” said Steering as they all hugged their little sister. Hotaru was getting to love her family deeply.

But meanwhile in the hidden underground lair Nephlite was furious trapped inside his bubble prison while poor Molly and Melvin stood next to the mechanic and the violinist in a state of living death. All four hearts beat side by side in the witches' crystal cabinet.