Sailors Scaloneta

by SailorMessi

Summary:

Usagi, Minako, Rei, Ami, and Makoto were enjoying a casual day when Usagi and Minako spotted Argentinian soccer stars Dibu Martinez and Lionel Messi on TV, instantly falling into a starry-eyed crush, much to the exasperation of Luna and Artemis.

Suddenly, Mimete hijacked the broadcast, gleefully announcing that the Witches 5 would steal the pure hearts of the entire Argentinian soccer team! The Sailor Scouts, with their new mission, headed to the stadium. Chaos ensued as Mimete, Eudial, Viluy, Tellu, Cyprine, and Ptilol tried to snatch hearts, with Mimete hilariously distracted by her crushes on all the players.

Now the Sailor Scouts have to save the players and their hearts.

Chapter 1

The scent of oven fresh cookies and cheap teen magazines filled the air of Usagi Tsukino’s bedroom, a chaotic paradise of pink furniture, discarded manga, and half finished homework assignments. It was a lazy afternoon, the kind that felt specifically designed for lazing about and doing absolutely nothing of consequence. Usagi, the room's owner and the universe's most unlikely champion of justice, was sprawled on her stomach across the fluffy pink carpet. Her feet kicked idly in the air, a testament to her profound state of relaxation. Beside her, in a nearly identical state of blissful indolence, was Minako Aino, her blonde hair a slightly more golden echo of Usagi's own iconic odango style.

Between them, propped up against a pile of pillows, was Minako’s tablet. On its brightly lit screen, a video replay of a recent football match was in full glorious high definition. Specifically, it was a highlight reel of the Argentinian national team. More specifically, it was a highlight reel focusing on two players in particular.

Usagi: "(Sighing dreamily) Oh, look at him, Mina-chan. The way he moves. It’s like a beautiful, powerful dance."

Minako: "(Pressing her hands to her cheeks) I know! And Dibu. So tall! So strong! Did you see that save? He flew like a majestic eagle. An eagle protecting his precious nest full of soccer balls."

Usagi let out another long, heartfelt sigh, her chin resting in her hands. On the screen, Lionel Messi, with an almost supernatural grace, weaved through a sea of opposing players, the ball seemingly glued to his foot. He was a whirlwind of precision and artistry, a genius at work. The video then cut to the team's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, affectionately known as Dibu. A giant of a man, he launched himself through the air, his gloved hands connecting with the ball just as it was about to breach the goal line. It was a spectacular, acrobatic save that had won the match.

Usagi: "(Gazing at Messi’s face in a freeze frame) He’s so cool and mysterious. I bet he’s really sweet and sensitive underneath that serious game face. He probably writes poetry about stars and kittens."

Minako: "(Pointing a finger at the screen where Dibu was roaring in triumph) And Dibu is so passionate! He’s not afraid to show his feelings! He’s like a knight, a big, strong, handsome knight who would fight dragons for you. Or at least, you know, fight really hard to win a soccer game for you. Which is basically the same thing."

Across the room, attempting to enjoy the peaceful afternoon in their own ways, were the other Sailor Scouts. Ami Mizuno, ever the diligent student, was trying to read a thick advanced physics textbook, though the constant sighing from the floor was making it difficult to concentrate on quantum mechanics. Rei Hino, sitting in a lotus position with her eyes closed, was attempting to meditate, a small frown line appearing between her perfectly sculpted eyebrows. Makoto Kino, the tallest and most physically capable of the group, was leafing through a cookbook, occasionally glancing over at the lovesick duo with an amused smile.

Rei: "(Without opening her eyes) Do you two have to be so loud? Your lovesickness is polluting the spiritual energy in this room. I can practically feel the air getting thicker with ridiculous fantasy."

Usagi: "(Rolling onto her back to look at Rei) It’s not a ridiculous fantasy, Rei chan! It’s true love! We’ve found our soulmates. They just happen to live on the other side of the planet and don't know we exist yet. It’s a classic long distance romance."

Minako: "(Nodding enthusiastically) Exactly! The best love stories are the ones with obstacles to overcome. Like geography. And the fact that we've never met them. Minor details."

Makoto: "(Chuckling) You have to admit, Rei-chan, they are impressive athletes. It takes a lot of strength and discipline to play at that level. I wonder what their training regimen is like. I bet they eat a lot of protein."

Ami: "(Pushing her glasses up her nose) Statistically, the physical endurance required is quite remarkable. The cardiovascular output alone is fascinating. I’ve read several papers on the biomechanics of professional football players. The precise angle of a kick can increase the ball's velocity by over fifteen percent."

Usagi and Minako just stared at her blankly, the science of it all flying completely over their heads. For them, it wasn’t about statistics or biomechanics. It was about the heroic figures on the screen, the modern day princes of the football pitch. On the windowsill, two cats were observing the scene with a shared sense of weary resignation. Luna, the sleek black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead, sighed a very humanlike sigh. Beside her, Artemis, the white cat and Minako's own guardian, mirrored the action perfectly.

Luna: "(In a low, exasperated tone only the girls could understand) Here we go again. First it was that pop idol, then the guy from the video game arcade, now it’s an entire soccer team."

Artemis: "(Shaking his head) Minako falls in love faster than Usagi can find a snack. It’s a frightening talent. At least this time her crush is a world class athlete and not a villain in disguise. I hope."

Luna: "(Twitching an ear) With our luck, you should never assume."

Suddenly, the video on the tablet was interrupted. The screen flickered, displaying a swirl of psychedelic colors before resolving into a new, unwelcome image. It was a television studio, garishly decorated in clashing shades of purple and yellow. In the center of the screen, preening for the camera, was a woman with vibrant orange hair. She wore a skimpy, star-themed outfit and a self satisfied smirk. It was Mimete, one of the Witches 5, the latest group of villains to threaten the peace of the world.

Mimete: "(Striking a pose) Hello, hello, all you darling fans out there! It’s your favorite rising star, Mimete, coming to you live with a very special announcement!"

The girls all sat up, their lazy afternoon instantly shattered. Usagi scrambled closer to the tablet, her romantic daydreams evaporating like mist.

Usagi: "(Gasping) It’s her! One of those weirdos from the Death Busters!"

Rei: "(Eyes snapping open, her meditative calm gone) What does she want now? Can’t they take a day off?"

Mimete: "(Waggling a finger at the camera) I know you’ve all been waiting on the edge of your seats for my next big project, and I promise you, it’s my most ambitious one yet! I’m tired of dealing with small time celebrities and local idols. I’m going international, baby!"

She giggled, a sound like nails on a chalkboard, and a graphic appeared behind her. It was a map of the world with a big, sparkling star over Argentina. Below it, pictures of the Argentinian football team flashed across the screen, lingering on close ups of Messi and Dibu Martínez.

Mimete: "(Clasping her hands together in glee) That’s right! My next targets are the superstars of the soccer world! The Argentinian national team! Their hearts must be absolutely bursting with pure, passionate energy. The kind of energy that makes you a global phenomenon! And I, Mimete, am going to collect every single one of those Pure Heart Crystals to offer to our magnificent Master Pharaoh 90!"

Usagi and Minako’s faces went from shock to horror.

Minako: "(Pointing a trembling finger at the screen) She wouldn't dare!"

Usagi: "(Her eyes wide with panic) Not them! Not my sweet, poetic Messi! His heart is too pure! It’s probably shaped like a perfect little soccer ball made of crystalline hope!"

Mimete: "(Blowing a kiss to the camera) So get ready, Argentina! The Witches 5 are coming to town, and we’re going to be the ones lifting the real trophy: your beautiful, shiny hearts! It’s going to be a spectacular show! Ta ta for now!"

The screen flickered again and returned to the highlight reel of Dibu Martínez making another incredible save. But the mood in the room had changed completely. The lazy, love filled atmosphere had been replaced by a tense silence. Ami was the first to speak, her voice calm and analytical as always.

Ami: "(Taking off her glasses and cleaning them on her shirt) Well, this is a clear and direct threat. Their objective is the Argentinian soccer team. Their goal is the acquisition of Pure Heart Crystals. The location is confirmed."

Makoto: "(Cracking her knuckles, a determined look on her face) Then there’s no question about it. We can’t let them get away with this. Those players are national heroes. We have to protect them."

Rei: "(Standing up, her expression grim) It’s a long way to go, but they’ve made it personal. No one messes with… well, no one should be messed with like that."

She glanced at Usagi and Minako, who were still staring at the tablet in stunned silence. Their faces were pale, their romantic fantasies cruelly hijacked by a B list supervillain.

Luna: "(Jumping down from the windowsill) The girls are right. We have to go to Argentina. This is a direct challenge from the Death Busters."

Artemis: "(Joining Luna on the floor) We can’t allow them to gather that many Pure Heart Crystals at once. The power they could generate would be catastrophic. Besides," he added, looking at Minako’s distraught face, "it’s a matter of principle."

Finally, Usagi and Minako looked at each other. The same thought, the same fiery resolve, ignited in their eyes simultaneously. This was no longer just about saving the world from evil. This was a rescue mission of the heart.

Usagi: "(Jumping to her feet, her fist clenched) She called my Messi a small time celebrity! And she wants to steal his heart! Unforgivable!"

Minako: "(Leaping up beside her, striking a dramatic pose) This is an outrage! An attack on love and sportsmanship! We will not stand for it! We will protect Dibu’s passionate heart from that tacky, orange haired menace!"

The five Sailor Scouts stood together in the center of the messy pink bedroom. Their purpose was clear. Their destination was set. The lazy afternoon was over.

Usagi: "(Pointing heroically towards the window) To Argentina! For love, for justice, and for the pure hearts of dreamy soccer players!"

Luna just sighed again, a deep, weary sound. This was going to be a very, very long trip.

Chapter 2

The flight to Buenos Aires was an eighteen hour ordeal of cramped seats, recycled air, and questionable in flight meals. For most of the journey, Usagi complained. She complained about the lack of legroom, the tiny bags of pretzels, and the movie selection which, tragically, did not include any documentaries about the lives of famous football players. Minako, seated next to her, passed the time by creating a detailed scrapbook. It was filled with pictures of Messi and Dibu she had printed out before they left, decorated with glitter, heart stickers, and handwritten captions like ‘Future Husband #1’ and ‘My Tower of Strength’.

Ami, ever prepared, spent the entire flight studying. She had downloaded dozens of files onto her mini computer: Spanish language tutorials, detailed maps of Buenos Aires, the Argentinian team’s training schedule, and sociological papers on the cultural significance of football in South America. She occasionally tried to share interesting facts.

Ami: "(Tapping Usagi’s shoulder) Did you know that the rivalry between the Boca Juniors and River Plate football clubs is considered one of the most intense in the world? They call the match the Superclásico."

Usagi: "(Mumbling through a mouthful of pretzel dust) That’s nice, Ami-chan. Do you think they have churros on this plane?"

Rei, in the aisle seat, spent the flight in a state of deep meditation, seemingly impervious to the drone of the engines and Usagi’s constant whining. She was trying to center her spiritual energy, preparing for the inevitable confrontation ahead. Makoto, meanwhile, had befriended the flight attendants, charming them with her polite demeanor and genuine interest in their work. By the end of the flight, she had secured extra cookies for the whole group and learned a recipe for Argentinian style stew.

When they finally landed at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, the wave of new sensations was immediate. The air was warmer, thicker, and carried the distant, tantalizing scent of grilled meat. The language spoken all around them was a rapid fire, melodic Spanish that was far more complex than the simple phrases Ami had been practicing.

Usagi: "(Looking around with wide eyes) Wow. It’s so… different. And loud."

Makoto: "(Taking a deep breath) It smells amazing. I think that’s an asado somewhere nearby. It’s a type of barbecue."

Minako: "(Clutching her scrapbook to her chest) We’re here. We’re breathing the same air as them. My heart is pounding like a drum solo."

Luna and Artemis, tucked away in their respective pet carriers, were providing tactical guidance.

Luna: "(Her voice a muffled whisper from Usagi’s bag) Okay, first things first. We need to find a place to stay and establish a base of operations. Then, we need to locate the team. According to Ami’s research, they train at a facility on the outskirts of the city."

Artemis: "(From Minako’s carrier) Right. We need to be discreet. We’re in a foreign country. We can’t just go marching in and announcing that we’re here to fight witches. We need a cover story."

Ami: "(Pushing her glasses up) I’ve taken care of that. I’ve booked us into a modest hotel in the Palermo district. It’s a nice, central neighborhood. As for our cover story, I suggest we pose as Japanese university students on a cultural exchange program, studying the global impact of football."

Rei: "(Raising an eyebrow) That’s surprisingly plausible. Good work, Ami."

Ami beamed, pleased with the praise. Their first challenge was navigating the airport and finding a taxi. It devolved into a comical scene of Ami trying to speak her carefully practiced, textbook Spanish to a taxi driver who spoke a rapid, slang filled dialect, while Usagi and Minako tried to communicate by pointing at pictures of Messi in the scrapbook. Eventually, a very confused taxi driver, possibly believing he was driving a group of superfans to a shrine, agreed to take them to their hotel.

The hotel was a charming, slightly faded building with a wrought iron balcony and a lobby filled with potted plants. After checking in and dropping their bags in the two adjoining rooms they’d booked, the girls gathered to formalize their plan. Ami spread a map of the city out on one of the beds.

Ami: "(Pointing to a large green area on the map) This is the team’s training facility. It’s called the Predio de Ezeiza. Security will be extremely tight. We can’t just walk in."

Makoto: "(Leaning over the map) So how do we get close to them? We need to be nearby in case Mimete decides to make her move."

Minako: "(Her eyes sparkling with an idea) Ooh! I know! We can disguise ourselves as sports journalists! I’ve always wanted to wear a fedora with a little ‘Press’ card tucked into the band. It’s very classic."

Rei: "(Scoffing) And what happens when they ask you to write an article? The only thing you can write about is how dreamy their eyes are."

Minako deflated slightly, pouting.

Usagi: "(Tapping her chin) What if we pretend to be a delivery service? We could bring them a giant cake! Everyone loves cake. We could hide inside it!"

Luna: "(Peeking out of Usagi’s bag) Usagi, this isn’t a cartoon. You can’t hide five people and two cats inside a cake. And you’d eat the cake before you even got to the front gate."

Usagi sighed. Luna was probably right about that. The planning session continued for an hour, with ideas ranging from the impractical (Makoto suggesting she challenge one of the players to a friendly arm wrestling match) to the truly bizarre (Usagi suggesting they use her Disguise Pen to turn into a soccer ball). Finally, a consensus began to form around a more subtle approach.

Ami: "(Circling a cafe on the map near the training facility) The players and staff often frequent this cafe for lunch or coffee before and after training. It’s our best bet for observing them without arousing suspicion. We can go there, act like normal tourists, and keep a lookout for Mimete or any other strange activity."

Rei: "(Nodding) That’s a sensible plan. It’s passive, but it allows us to be in the right place at the right time. We can take turns on watch."

Makoto: "(Smiling) Plus, I hear they have amazing medialunas there. They’re like sweet croissants."

Usagi and Minako’s eyes lit up at the mention of pastries. Their motivation was instantly renewed.

Usagi: "(Pumping her fist) Alright! Operation: Protect the Dreamy Soccer Players is a go!"

Minako: "(Striking a pose) We’ll call it Operation: Tango and Tactics! It sounds more dramatic."

And so, their mission began in earnest. The next morning, the five girls made their way to the cafe near the Predio de Ezeiza. It was a bustling place, filled with the aroma of strong coffee and freshly baked goods. They found a table outside that offered a clear view of the road leading to and from the training ground entrance. They ordered a mountain of medialunas, empanadas, and coffee, trying their best to look like ordinary, hungry tourists.

For the first hour, nothing happened. They saw a few staff members in team tracksuits come and go, but none of the star players. Usagi was starting to get bored, and Minako was re-reading her scrapbook for the tenth time. Suddenly, Makoto sat up straighter.

Makoto: "(Her voice low) Look. That bus."

A large, sleek coach with the Argentinian Football Association logo on the side was pulling up to the training ground gate. The girls held their breath. The door of the bus hissed open, and one by one, the players began to file out. They saw Ángel Di María, Rodrigo De Paul, and then, their hearts skipped a beat.

First came Dibu Martínez, looking even taller and more imposing in person. He was laughing at something a teammate said, his expression relaxed and cheerful. Then, out stepped Lionel Messi. He was smaller than they expected, but he carried an aura of quiet confidence that was captivating. He adjusted the strap of his duffel bag and headed towards the gate. Usagi and Minako were completely frozen, their medialunas forgotten in their hands. They stared, wide eyed and silent, as their idols disappeared into the training facility.

Minako: "(Finally whispering, her voice full of awe) They’re real."

Usagi: "(Nodding slowly, a single tear of joy rolling down her cheek) They’re even more beautiful in real life."

It was in that moment, as they were lost in their starstruck wonder, that they almost missed it. A woman with bright orange hair, wearing oversized sunglasses and a ridiculous sun hat, got out of a taxi across the street. She was trying to look inconspicuous, but she stood out like a sore thumb. It was Mimete.

Luna: "(Her voice sharp and urgent from inside the bag) Girls! Target spotted! Twelve o'clock! She’s heading for the gate!"

The dreamy looks on Usagi and Minako’s faces vanished, replaced by grim determination. Their pastry breakfast was officially over. It was time for the Sailor Scouts to get to work.

Chapter 3

Mimete sashayed towards the main gate of the Predio de Ezeiza with the misplaced confidence of a superstar walking her own red carpet. She had traded her usual revealing outfit for what she clearly thought was a clever disguise: a trench coat, the aforementioned giant sunglasses, and a floppy hat that looked like it had been stolen from a scarecrow in a high fashion magazine. She clutched a large, professional looking camera, convinced she looked exactly like a member of the international press. To anyone actually paying attention, she looked like a spy from a very bad 1960s movie.

Rei: "(Peeking over the top of her menu) She’s not even trying to be subtle, is she? That outfit is an insult to espionage."

Ami: "(Analyzing the situation) She’s likely planning to use that camera as a pretense to get close to the players. But security won't let her in without credentials. She must have a monster of the week prepared. A Daimon."

Usagi: "(Stuffing the last of her medialuna into her mouth) We have to stop her! My Messi is in there! He's probably stretching right now! It’s a vulnerable state!"

Minako: "(Wringing her hands) Dibu’s hands! His precious, goalie hands! What if her monster tries to give him a bad manicure? We have to protect his assets!"

Luna: "(Popping her head out of the bag) Calm down, you two. We can't just transform in the middle of a busy cafe. We need our own disguise. Usagi, your pen!"

Usagi fumbled in her pocket and pulled out her Disguise Pen. She held it up, her mind racing. What disguise would get them past security and allow them to intervene without causing a scene?

Usagi: "(Thinking hard) Okay, okay… we need to be people who are allowed to be on a training ground. People who belong there."

Makoto: "(Snapping her fingers) The groundskeeping crew! No one ever pays attention to the people who maintain the pitch."

Ami: "(Nodding in approval) That’s an excellent idea, Mako-chan. It’s logical and provides a legitimate reason for us to be on the field itself."

Usagi’s face lit up. It was perfect. She held the pen aloft.

Usagi: "(Whispering dramatically) Disguise Power! Turn us into… a team of highly skilled, yet humble, international groundskeepers!"

A swirl of pink light enveloped the five of them for a split second, so fast that no one in the bustling cafe even noticed. When it faded, their trendy civilian clothes were gone. In their place were practical, slightly grass stained green jumpsuits with the logo of a fictional company, "Sakura Garden Maintenance," embroidered on the pockets. They each had matching work boots and baseball caps pulled low over their faces.

Minako: "(Looking down at her new outfit with a grimace) Green is really not my color. And this fabric is so… sensible. Can I at least add a sparkly belt?"

Rei: "(Tugging her cap down firmly) No. You’re a humble groundskeeper, remember? Now act like one. Look at the dirt. Appreciate the soil."

They quickly paid for their breakfast and, carrying a few rakes and a bag of fertilizer they had materialized for effect, they walked purposefully towards the same gate Mimete was currently arguing at.

The security guard, a large man with a stern face and a thick mustache, was not impressed by Mimete’s act.

Security Guard: "(In Spanish, his arms crossed) No credential, no entry. I don't care if you are the Queen of England’s personal photographer. Rules are rules."

Mimete: "(In heavily accented, stilted Spanish she’d clearly learned from a bad app) But I am… very important press! I must… photograph the… foot balls. For the… news paper of… stars!"

The guard just shook his head, looking bored. It was at that moment that the five girls, now the Sakura Garden Maintenance crew, marched up. Makoto, being the tallest and most confident, took the lead.

Makoto: "(In surprisingly decent, polite Japanese, hoping the guard would be too confused to argue) Good morning. We are the specialist turf consultants from Japan. We are here for the scheduled soil aeration and root analysis."

She gestured to the perfectly manicured pitch behind the guard, then pointed to the bag of "Special Japanese Fertilizer" Ami was holding. The guard looked from the bizarre woman in the trench coat to the five serious looking Japanese groundskeepers. He didn't understand a word Makoto was saying, but they looked official. They had uniforms. They had equipment. They looked like they knew what they were doing. He did, however, understand the word ‘Japan’. Japan was known for technology and quality. Maybe this was some new, high tech grass treatment. He shrugged. It was above his pay grade.

Security Guard: "(Waving them through with a grunt) Go on, go on. Don't get in the way of the players."

The girls marched past him, trying to contain their smirks. They shot a triumphant glance back at Mimete, who was staring after them, her jaw agape in fury. Her ridiculous disguise had failed, while their equally ridiculous one had succeeded.

Mimete: "(Stamping her foot in frustration) Hmph! Fine! If they won't let me in the front door, I’ll just have to use the back door!"

She stomped away from the gate and skulked around the perimeter of the tall fence, looking for another way in. The girls, meanwhile, had made it onto the hallowed ground of the training pitch.

It was a stunning sight. The grass was a vibrant, perfect green, and the air was filled with the sounds of the game: the rhythmic thud of balls being kicked, the shouts of the players, and the sharp whistle of the coach. The Argentinian team was spread out across the field, running drills.

Usagi and Minako immediately forgot they were supposed to be humble groundskeepers. They leaned on their rakes, sighing dreamily.

Usagi: "(Whispering) Look at Messi go. He’s like a gazelle. A beautiful, soccer playing gazelle."

Minako: "(Clutching her rake like a microphone) And Dibu! He’s in the goal! He looks so focused. So determined. I feel a power ballad coming on."

Ami: "(Tugging on their jumpsuits, her voice a sharp hiss) Focus! We’re not here to swoon. We’re here to find Mimete and stop her before she unleashes a monster. Start acting like groundskeepers. Rake something!"

Reluctantly, they began to rake the already perfectly raked turf near the sidelines, trying to look busy. They surreptitiously scanned the area, looking for any sign of the orange haired villain.

On the other side of the field, Mimete had found her entry point. She reached into a hidden pocket in her trench coat and pulled out a small, black egg. A Daimon Egg. She found a discarded water cooler, the big plastic jug type, sitting near a storage shed. It was the perfect vessel for her brand of chaos.

Mimete: "(Cackling softly to herself) So, you think you can keep a star like me out? Well, get ready for my big debut! This will get their attention!"

She held the Daimon Egg up to the water cooler.

Mimete: "(Chanting) Daimon, awaken! Fuse with this vessel of hydration and spring into action! Become a true superstar of disruption! Emerge, Aquarion!"

She slammed the egg into the side of the plastic jug. It glowed with a sinister red light, and the water cooler began to tremble and morph. The plastic stretched and reshaped itself, growing arms and legs. The water inside sloshed around, forming a monstrous, gurgling face behind the plastic. Two spigots on its chest twisted upwards to look like menacing cannons. The cooler jug on its head tilted like a jaunty, deadly beret. The Daimon, Aquarion, had been born.

Mimete: "(Pointing towards the field) There! See those handsome men? They are ignoring me! Go out there and steal the purest heart you can find! Make them notice me!"

The water monster, Aquarion, let out a gurgling roar that sounded like a blender full of rocks. It stomped out from behind the shed and onto the pristine training pitch. The players stopped dead in their tracks, staring in disbelief at the creature that had just interrupted their passing drill. It was a giant, walking water cooler with a very bad attitude.

Rodrigo De Paul: "(Lowering the ball to the ground) Uh… Coach? Is this part of a new hydration training exercise?"

The coach, Lionel Scaloni, just stared, his whistle dangling from his lips, utterly speechless.

Aquarion stomped its plastic feet, splashing water everywhere. It pointed one of its spigot cannons at the closest player, Ángel Di María.

Aquarion: "(In a bubbly, distorted voice) TARGET ACQUIRED! PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR PURE HEART CRYSTAL… DISPENSED!"

A jet of high pressure water shot out of its spigot, aimed directly at the bewildered player. The Sailor Guardians, on the far side of the field, saw the commotion. Their time for subtlety was over.

Usagi: "(Dropping her rake) That’s it! No more Miss Nice Groundskeeper! It’s time to transform!"

The five of them ducked behind a row of neatly trimmed hedges, their hearts pounding. The first battle for Argentina had begun.

Chapter 4

Ángel Di María yelped and dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the jet of water that blasted a crater into the turf where he had just been standing. The other players scrambled back, their expressions a mixture of confusion and alarm. They were world class athletes, trained to handle immense pressure, but nothing in their careers had prepared them for an attack by a sentient beverage dispenser.

Coach Scaloni: "(Finally finding his voice, shouting at the security guard by the gate) Enrique! What is that thing? Is it some kind of prank from the Brazilian team? Get it off my field!"

The guard, Enrique, just shrugged helplessly, his hand hovering over his radio, unsure how to even begin describing the situation.

Aquarion, the water cooler Daimon, gurgled with delight at the chaos it was causing. It turned its attention to the next player, Rodrigo De Paul, and prepared to fire again.

Behind the hedges, the girls were ready.

Usagi: "(Holding up her transformation brooch) Everyone ready?"

The other four nodded, their faces set with determination.

Usagi: "MOON CRISIS POWER, MAKE UP!"
Ami: "MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
Rei: "MARS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
Makoto: "JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
Minako: "VENUS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"

In a blinding flash of incandescent light that was thankfully concealed by the shrubbery, they transformed. Their green groundskeeper jumpsuits dissolved into shimmering ribbons of color, replaced by their iconic sailor fukus. When the light faded, the five Sailor Scouts stood ready for battle.

Sailor Moon: "(Leaping out from behind the hedge and striking a pose) Hold it right there! Taking advantage of innocent, hardworking athletes is totally uncalled for!"

Sailor Mercury: "(Appearing beside her, her visor already scanning the enemy) Picking on people while they’re training is just plain rude!"

Sailor Mars: "(Her arms crossed, glaring at the Daimon) In the name of Mars, I'll chastise you for disrupting this practice!"

Sailor Jupiter: "(Cracking her knuckles) You overgrown water bottle! You’re going to get a taste of thunder!"

Sailor Venus: "(Winking and pointing, even in the face of danger) The beautiful guardian of love and beauty is here to stop your ugly rampage! Prepare to be punished!"

The entire Argentinian team, who had been backing away from the water monster, now stopped and stared at the five colorfully dressed teenage girls who had just appeared out of nowhere and were delivering a synchronized speech. Their confusion level, already at an all time high, skyrocketed into the stratosphere.

Lionel Messi: "(To Dibu Martínez, his voice a low whisper of disbelief) Dibu… are you seeing this too?"

Dibu Martínez: "(Nodding slowly, his eyes wide) I see it, Leo. But I don't understand it. Are they the half time show? Did they arrive early?"

Mimete, watching from the sidelines, shrieked in frustration.

Mimete: "(Stamping her foot) The Sailor Stupids! How did they get here so fast? No fair! This was supposed to be my show!"

Aquarion, the Daimon, was momentarily confused by this new development. It swiveled its jug head back and forth between the soccer players and the Sailor Scouts. Its programming was simple: find the purest heart. But now it had two groups of potential targets. It decided to stick with the original plan.

Aquarion: "(Gurgling) NEW TARGETS IGNORED. RESUMING PRIMARY OBJECTIVE."

It aimed its spigot cannon at Rodrigo De Paul again.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Shouting) Oh no, you don't!"

She moved with incredible speed, planting herself between the Daimon and the player.

Sailor Jupiter: "JUPITER OAK EVOLUTION!"

A storm of green energy leaves swirled into existence, forming a crackling shield. The jet of water slammed into the shield, dissipating harmlessly with a loud hiss. Rodrigo De Paul stared, dumbfounded, at the girl in green who had just saved him with a tornado of glowing leaves.

Sailor Mars: "(Taking aim) My turn! MARS FLAME SNIPER!"

She drew a fiery arrow of celestial flame and let it fly. The arrow streaked across the field and struck Aquarion square in its plastic chest. The Daimon staggered back, a blackened scorch mark appearing on its body. It gurgled in anger and pain.

Mimete: "(Panicked) No! Don’t just stand there, you useless appliance! Attack them! They’re the enemy!"

Aquarion, now following its master's direct order, turned its full attention to the Sailor Scouts. It aimed both its spigots and unleashed a massive torrent of water, like a fire hose gone wild.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her tactical visor glowing) It's just water! We can handle this! SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

A swirling vortex of freezing mist erupted from her hands, meeting the water jet head on. The two forces collided, and the water from the Daimon instantly froze, turning into a shower of harmless ice crystals that rained down on the pitch. Several players flinched as the ice clattered around them.

Nahuel Molina: "(Picking up a piece of ice) It’s freezing! What is happening?"

Sailor Venus saw her chance while the Daimon was distracted.

Sailor Venus: "VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!"

Her golden chain of hearts lashed out like a whip, wrapping around Aquarion’s legs. She pulled with all her might, and the giant water cooler teetered, its internal water sloshing precariously.

Sailor Venus: "(Grunting with effort) It’s heavier than it looks! It’s full of… villainous water!"

Sailor Moon knew it was time to finish this. The players were watching, completely bewildered. They couldn't let this fight drag on and reveal too much. She pulled out her Spiral Heart Moon Rod.

Sailor Moon: "(Striking her final pose) You’ve splashed your last splash, you big bully! It’s time for you to cool off permanently!"

The rod began to glow, gathering cosmic energy.

Sailor Moon: "RAINBOW MOON HEART ACHE!"

A torrent of shimmering, rainbow colored heart projectiles erupted from the rod, flying across the field in a beautiful, deadly arc. The hearts swirled around the struggling Daimon, enveloping it in a cocoon of pure, loving energy.

Aquarion: "(Gurgling in its final moments) REFRESHING…LY DEFEATED…!"

With a final, explosive pop, the Daimon shattered. The magical energy dissolved, and all that was left was the original, mundane water cooler jug, which clattered to the grass, now empty and slightly cracked. The black star of the Daimon Egg faded from its surface.

Mimete: "(Screaming in rage) NO! My beautiful monster! My ticket to stardom! You Sailor fools, you ruined my big debut! I'll get you for this!"

Knowing she was beaten, she threw down her useless camera in a fit of pique, turned, and fled, her floppy hat flying off her head as she ran.

A stunned silence fell over the training pitch. The Argentinian team stood frozen, staring at the spot where the monster had been, then at the five girls in sailor outfits, then at the discarded water cooler. The only sounds were the distant traffic and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the hedges.

Sailor Moon, panting slightly, stood with her rod in hand. She looked over at the soccer players, a proud smile on her face. They had saved the day! She expected cheers, applause, maybe even an offer of an autograph from Messi himself.

Instead, she was met with twenty five pairs of completely blank, uncomprehending eyes.

Coach Scaloni finally lowered his whistle. He looked at Messi. Messi looked at Dibu. Dibu looked at De Paul. No one had any idea what to say.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her voice a nervous whisper) Uh oh. I think we broke their brains."

Sailor Jupiter: "(Nodding) They look like they’ve seen a ghost. A very colorful, very confusing ghost."

Sailor Moon’s heroic smile faltered. This was not the reaction she was used to.

Sailor Moon: "(Waving awkwardly at Messi) Uh… hi? Everything is okay now! You can go back to your… uh… kicking practice!"

Messi just blinked.

Realizing they had lingered too long, the Scouts knew they had to make a quick exit before the questions started. And there were going to be a lot of questions.

Sailor Venus: "(Grabbing Sailor Moon’s arm) Come on! Let’s get out of here before they ask us to explain the physics of a talking water cooler!"

With a final, collective, and very awkward wave, the five Sailor Scouts turned and sprinted back towards the hedges they had emerged from, disappearing as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Back in their groundskeeper disguises, they slipped out the main gate, nodding politely to the still confused guard, Enrique. They didn't stop running until they were safely back in their hotel room.

Meanwhile, on the field, the Argentinian team was slowly starting to process the sheer insanity of what they had just witnessed.

Rodrigo De Paul: "(Walking over and cautiously poking the empty water cooler with his cleat) So… we all saw that, right? The little girls in the costumes? The fire arrow? The leaf tornado?"

Ángel Di María: "(Nodding, his face pale) The one in blue made it snow. In the middle of summer."

Dibu Martínez walked over to the crater the Daimon’s first water jet had made in the turf. He stared down at it, then looked up at the sky.

Dibu Martínez: "(To himself) They were like… magical mascots. Very aggressive, very effective magical mascots."

Lionel Messi, the captain, the leader, the man they all looked to for guidance, just stood in the middle of the field, a thoughtful, deeply perplexed expression on his face. He looked at the spot where Sailor Moon had stood, then down at the soccer ball at his feet. For the first time in his long and storied career, Lionel Messi was completely and utterly baffled. The beautiful game had just gotten very, very weird.

Chapter 5

Back in the relative safety of their hotel room, the girls collapsed onto the beds, the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbing away. Usagi immediately raided the minibar, emerging with a handful of tiny chocolate bars.

Usagi: "(Tearing open a wrapper) Phew! Fighting monsters before lunch is hard work. I need to replenish my energy."

Makoto: "(Stretching her arms over her head) That went… surprisingly well. No one got their heart crystal stolen, and we took down the Daimon pretty quickly."

Rei: "(Sitting on the edge of the bed, looking thoughtful) It was too easy. Mimete is an idiot. She announced her plan on television and her first attack was clumsy. The next one might not be so straightforward."

Ami: "(Pacing back and forth, her mind already at work) Rei’s right. Mimete has failed. Professor Tomoe and the other Witches 5 won’t be pleased. They’ll likely send another agent, someone more competent. Eudial, perhaps. Her methods are far more direct and technologically sophisticated."

Ami’s words cast a sober mood over the room. They had won the first battle, but the war for the Argentinian team’s pure hearts was far from over.

Minako, however, was not focused on the next villain. She was lying on her stomach, kicking her feet in the air, a dreamy look on her face. She was replaying the entire battle in her head, but from a very different perspective.

Minako: "(Sighing happily) Did you see the look on Dibu’s face when Jupiter saved De Paul? It was so intense! He was worried about his teammate, but also… intrigued. I think he was impressed by our power."

Usagi: "(Nodding enthusiastically, her mouth full of chocolate) I know! And when I did my Rainbow Moon Heart Ache, I’m pretty sure Messi was looking right at me! He wasn’t scared, he was… mesmerized. It was a moment. A real, romantic moment between a magical girl and a soccer god."

Rei rolled her eyes so hard she nearly fell over.

Rei: "(Sarcastically) Yes, Usagi. In the middle of a life and death battle with a monstrous water cooler, his first thought was definitely how romantic your attack was. Get a grip."

Luna: "(Jumping onto the bed beside Ami) This is what I’m worried about. Your focus is slipping. You can’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. The players are not your boyfriends, they are people we need to protect."

Artemis: "(Nodding in agreement) Luna is absolutely right. This isn’t a dating simulation game, Minako. This is serious."

Minako and Usagi both pouted, their romantic bubbles thoroughly burst.

Minako: "(Muttering) You guys are no fun. We saved them, didn't we? Can't we enjoy the small victories?"

Down on the training pitch, the practice had been officially cancelled for the day. The players were sitting on the benches, still trying to wrap their heads around the events of the last hour. Coach Scaloni was on the phone with the president of the Football Association, trying to explain the multi thousand dollar hole in his pristine training pitch. It was not an easy conversation.

Coach Scaloni: "(Into the phone) Yes, sir. A water cooler. It… exploded. No, I don’t know why. And then… well, this is the strange part… the J-Pop girl group showed up." A pause. "No, I have not been drinking."

The players, left to their own devices, were engaged in a heated debate.

Ángel Di María: "(Waving his hands for emphasis) They were ninjas! It’s the only explanation. Highly trained, very colorful ninjas who use magic. Maybe they are a secret branch of the Japanese special forces."

Leandro Paredes: "(Shaking his head) No, no. They were too young. They looked like they were on their way to an anime convention. They were cosplayers. Very, very convincing cosplayers with functioning special effects."

Rodrigo De Paul, who had been saved by Sailor Jupiter, had a different theory.

Rodrigo De Paul: "(Leaning forward, his voice low and serious) They weren’t human. They were spirits. Guardians of the pitch. Didn’t you feel that energy? The one in green, she commanded the wind. The one in red, fire. They are elemental beings sent to protect the spirit of the game."

This theory was met with a moment of thoughtful silence. It was, in its own way, as plausible as anything else they could come up with.

Dibu Martínez, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.

Dibu Martínez: "(A slow smile spreading across his face) I don’t know what they were. But I know one thing. They were on our side. The big one, the one in the skirt, she blocked that water thing. They took it down. I think… I think they’re our fans."

This idea resonated with the team. They were used to having passionate fans. They had fans who got tattoos of their faces, fans who traveled across the world to see them play. Why not have a group of fans who could shoot fire from their hands and command the elements?

Dibu Martínez: "(Standing up, a new energy in his voice) They were like our own personal cheerleading squad. A very, very effective cheerleading squad. I like them. They bring good luck."

The mood of the team began to shift from confusion to a strange sort of acceptance and even enthusiasm. They had just survived an attack from a monster and been saved by magical girls. It was the weirdest day of their lives, but they were safe. And as Dibu had pointed out, they had apparently acquired some incredibly powerful new supporters.

Lionel Messi had remained silent throughout the entire discussion. He was still sitting on the bench, slowly spinning a soccer ball between his hands. He was thinking. He had seen the look in Sailor Moon’s eyes when she had unleashed her final attack. It wasn't the look of a warrior or a spirit. It was the look of someone desperately trying to protect something she cared about. It was pure.

Messi: "(Quietly, to himself) Fans…"

He looked up at the sky, a faint, curious smile on his lips. Maybe Dibu was right.

Back at the hotel, the girls had ordered room service, deciding to lay low for the rest of the day. They were watching the local news, hoping for any information, when a special report came on. It was about the strange incident at the Predio de Ezeiza.

The reporter was standing in front of the gate, looking very serious. The camera panned over the hole in the turf and the discarded, cracked water cooler. The official explanation from the Argentinian Football Association was a "highly unusual, localized, and spontaneous gas explosion caused by swamp gas buildup under the pitch."

Rei: "(Snorting) Swamp gas. Right. That’s the best they could come up with?"

Makoto: "(Shrugging) What else are they going to say? That they were attacked by an evil water cooler from another dimension?"

The reporter then began to talk about a new rumor circulating among the team and staff. A rumor about a mysterious group of "guardian angels" or "lucky mascots" who had appeared to save the day. The camera showed a crude sketch, clearly drawn from memory by one of the players. It depicted five stick figures in skirts, shooting sparkles from their hands.

Minako and Usagi gasped and leaned closer to the screen.

Minako: "(Squealing) They called us guardian angels! Dibu thinks I’m his guardian angel!"

Usagi: "(Clasping her hands together) They drew a picture of us! It’s our first piece of fan art from a world famous soccer team! We’re officially their lucky mascots!"

Ami sighed, but she couldn't help but smile a little.

Ami: "(Pushing her glasses up) From a strategic standpoint, this is actually a positive development. If the team sees us as a friendly presence, it will be easier for us to operate around them without causing alarm."

Luna: "(Thoughtfully) She has a point. It’s an unconventional cover story, but ‘magical good luck charms’ is better than ‘suspicious teenagers lurking in the bushes’."

The mood in the room lifted considerably. Their secret was safe, and their cover, however bizarre, was established. They were no longer just Sailor Scouts on a mission. They were the official, unofficial magical mascots of the Argentinian national football team.

Usagi: "(Standing up on the bed and striking a pose) Don't you worry, my beloved soccer team! Your guardian angels are here to stay! We’ll protect you from all the swamp gas and evil witches in the world!"

The battle was won, and their reputation, in a very strange way, was secured. But as Ami and Rei knew, the real challenges were yet to come. Somewhere in the city, the forces of the Death Busters were already planning their next move.

Chapter 6

Deep within the shadowy confines of a temporarily rented, ridiculously opulent penthouse suite overlooking the city of Buenos Aires, the mood was tense. The remaining Witches 5 were gathered, and they were not pleased. Mimete was kneeling on the floor, sobbing dramatically.

Mimete: "(Wailing) It wasn't my fault! My Daimon was perfect! It was those meddling Sailor Scouts! They cheated! They used their sparkly powers and their annoying speeches and they ruined everything!"

Tellu, a green haired witch who was currently tending to a small, sinister looking potted cactus, didn’t even look up.

Tellu: "(In a bored voice) Your plan was foolish and your execution was clumsy, Mimete. You are an embarrassment to the Witches 5."

Viluy, the silver haired witch, was tapping away on a holographic keyboard, analyzing data from the fight.

Viluy: "(Coolly) The energy signature of the Scouts' attacks is consistent with previous encounters. Their arrival time was predictable. Your failure was 97.8% attributable to your own incompetence."

Cyprine and Ptilol, the twin witches, spoke in their usual overlapping, discordant way.

Cyprine: "You were too loud."
Ptilol: "And too flashy."
Cyprine: "You wanted the spotlight."
Ptilol: "But you just flopped."

The final member of the group, a formidable woman with fiery red hair and a lab coat worn over her sleek uniform, stepped forward. It was Eudial. She held a strange, pistol like device in her hand, polishing it with a cloth. She was the most senior and, by far, the most ruthlessly efficient of the Witches.

Eudial: "(Her voice sharp and cold, cutting through Mimete’s crying) Enough. Your failure is noted, Mimete. Professor Tomoe has been informed. You are off this assignment. I will be taking over."

Mimete stopped crying instantly, her eyes wide with shock and indignation.

Mimete: "(Jumping to her feet) What? You can't do that! I had a whole series of attacks planned! I was going to use a tango dancing Daimon next! It would have been fabulous!"

Eudial simply leveled a glare at her that could freeze lava. Mimete squeaked and sat back down, silenced.

Eudial: "(Turning to the holographic display, which now showed the schedule for the Argentinian team) Your approach was theatrical and pointless. Why confront them on a field where they are at their peak physical condition? Why use a monster that can be so easily identified and defeated? The goal is not to put on a show. The goal is to acquire the Pure Heart Crystal."

She tapped the screen, highlighting an event on the schedule for the following day: a team press conference at a downtown hotel.

Eudial: "(A cruel smile playing on her lips) We will strike when they are stationary. When they are relaxed. When their guards are down. We will not use a conspicuous Daimon. We will use technology. My new invention."

She held up the device in her hand. It was sleek, black, and had a menacing nozzle on the end.

Eudial: "I call it the Heart Snatcher W-2. It fires a targeted beam of negative energy that forces a Pure Heart Crystal out of the victim's body with maximum efficiency and minimal collateral damage. It is clean. It is fast. And tomorrow, I will use it to extract the heart of the most powerful player on their team: Lionel Messi."

A chill went through the room. Eudial’s plans were always cold, calculated, and terrifyingly direct. There would be no clumsy monsters or dramatic announcements this time.

The next day, the Sailor Scouts were once again on surveillance duty. Having learned about the press conference from the news, they had adopted new disguises. Using Usagi’s pen, they had transformed themselves into a team of hotel caterers, complete with white jackets and black bow ties. They were tasked with serving water and coffee to the dozens of reporters crammed into a hotel ballroom. It gave them the perfect vantage point to watch over the team.

Usagi and Minako were having a very difficult time staying professional.

Usagi: "(Whispering to Minako as she placed a glass of water on a table) Look, there he is! Messi is sitting right at the main table! He looks so handsome in a suit! So serious and important!"

Minako: "(Trying not to drop her tray of coffee cups) And Dibu is next to him! He fills out that suit so well. They look like kings. The kings of my heart."

Rei, disguised as a slightly more senior catering manager, shot them a warning look from across the room. Makoto was actually enjoying the role, arranging pastries on a platter with artistic flair. Ami was nervously scanning the crowd, her eyes darting everywhere, looking for any sign of a threat.

The press conference began. The coach and several key players, including Messi and Dibu, were on a raised dais at the front of the room, answering questions from reporters about their upcoming matches and their thoughts on the "swamp gas incident."

Dibu Martínez: "(Speaking into the microphone) The incident was… unexpected. But it brought the team closer together. We feel… lucky. Very lucky. Like we have some new fans looking out for us."

He winked at the camera, a subtle acknowledgment of his magical mascots. Usagi and Minako nearly swooned, and Ami had to poke them to keep them upright.

It was then that Ami saw her. A woman with striking red hair, dressed in the impeccable uniform of a hotel security chief, standing near the back of the room. She was partially obscured by a large potted palm, but Ami recognized her instantly from the data Luna had shown them. It was Eudial. And she was raising a strange, gun like device.

Ami: "(Her voice a low, urgent hiss) It’s Eudial! Back of the room, by the palm tree! She has a weapon!"

The other girls snapped to attention, their catering duties forgotten. They followed Ami’s gaze and saw the threat. Eudial was taking aim, the nozzle of her Heart Snatcher W-2 pointed directly at Lionel Messi, who was currently listening intently to a reporter’s question.

There was no time to get outside to transform. They had to act now.

Rei: "(Thinking fast) We need a distraction. A big one."

Makoto looked at the three tiered catering trolley laden with pastries, coffee urns, and glasses of water. A determined glint appeared in her eye.

Makoto: "(To Usagi) Get ready to grab Messi. I’ll make the distraction."

With a powerful shove, Makoto sent the heavy catering trolley careening across the ballroom floor. It gathered speed, rumbling like a runaway train, aimed directly at the press table.

Reporters screamed and dove out of the way. The trolley slammed into the dais with a tremendous crash. Coffee urns flew through the air, pastries exploded in clouds of powdered sugar, and water glasses shattered. It was absolute chaos.

In that split second of mayhem, Usagi moved. She leaped over a table, vaulted onto the dais, and grabbed an utterly bewildered Lionel Messi by the arm.

Usagi: "(In a panicked shout) Swamp gas! Again! Everybody run!"

Eudial, her aim ruined by the crashing trolley, snarled in frustration. Her moment of clean, surgical precision had been destroyed. The room was a swirling mass of panicked reporters and confused athletes. She had lost her shot.

She tried to take aim again, but now Minako was in motion. She grabbed a large silver tray of empanadas and, with the expert aim of a discus thrower, hurled it like a frisbee across the room. The tray spun through the air and slammed into Eudial’s hand, knocking the Heart Snatcher from her grasp. The device clattered to the floor and skidded under a table.

Eudial: "(Crying out in fury) My Heart Snatcher! You clumsy fools!"

She dove for the device, but the path was blocked by Rei and Ami, who were now "helping" to evacuate the panicked crowd, strategically directing them into Eudial’s path.

Meanwhile, Usagi was dragging a very confused Lionel Messi towards a service exit.

Messi: "(Trying to keep his balance) What? Who are you? What is happening?"

Usagi: "(Not looking back) No time to explain! Just trust the caterer!"

Makoto and Minako had done the same for Dibu Martínez, each grabbing one of his arms and hustling him towards the same exit.

Dibu Martínez: "(Looking down at the two girls in catering outfits) Wait, you’re not the… you’re not the magical mascots, are you? Your outfits are different."

Minako: "(Panting) We’re in disguise! It’s a long story! Keep moving!"

They burst through the service exit and into a brightly lit kitchen. Chefs and kitchen staff stared in amazement as five members of the catering crew rushed in, dragging two of the world’s most famous football players with them.

Rei slammed the door shut behind them just as Eudial managed to retrieve her weapon and fight her way through the crowd. Eudial wrenched the door open, her face a mask of cold fury, and found herself facing five determined "caterers" and their two very perplexed star player "hostages."

Eudial: "(Raising the Heart Snatcher) There is nowhere left to run. Give me the pure heart of Lionel Messi, and I will let the rest of you live."

Usagi pushed Messi behind her, standing protectively in front of him.

Usagi: "(Glaring at Eudial) You’ll have to go through me first, you big red meanie!"

The kitchen staff just stared, frozen in place, holding whisks and saucepans, as a standoff between a heavily armed corporate villain and a team of strangely aggressive caterers began in the middle of their workspace.

Chapter 7

The air in the hotel kitchen was thick with the smells of garlic, baking bread, and imminent battle. Chefs in tall white hats stood frozen like statues, their culinary tasks forgotten. A line cook holding a ladle full of simmering tomato sauce stared, his mouth agape. This was not part of their usual lunch service.

Eudial stood at the entrance to the kitchen, the Heart Snatcher W-2 held firmly in her hands. Her eyes were locked on Lionel Messi, who was peeking out from behind Usagi with a look of profound bewilderment.

Eudial: "(Her voice dangerously calm) I will not ask again. Step aside, you pathetic little food server."

Sailor Moon, even in her catering disguise, was not one to be intimidated.

Usagi: "(Planting her hands on her hips) And I won't tell you again! Find your own soccer player to bully! This one is under new management! The management of love and justice!"

Dibu Martínez, who was being shielded by Makoto and Minako, leaned down and whispered to them.

Dibu Martínez: "(In a low voice) Okay, I was right. You are definitely the magical mascots. The catchphrases are a dead giveaway."

Makoto: "(Not taking her eyes off Eudial) We need to get you two out of here. This is about to get messy."

Eudial sneered. She had no time for this. She adjusted a dial on the side of her weapon.

Eudial: "(To herself) So be it. If I cannot have the primary target, any pure heart will do for a demonstration."

She swiveled the nozzle of the Heart Snatcher and aimed it directly at the closest, most powerful person she could find: Makoto.

Eudial: "FIRE!"

A beam of sickly green and black energy shot out of the weapon. It moved faster than a kicked soccer ball, streaking through the kitchen air.

Makoto’s eyes widened. She instinctively pushed Dibu and Minako behind her, bracing for the impact. But before the beam could hit her, Rei acted. With a swift movement, she grabbed a heavy, cast iron skillet from a nearby stove.

Rei: "(Shouting a kiai yell) HAH!"

She swung the skillet with all her might, intercepting the energy beam. There was a deafening CLANG sound, and the skillet glowed red hot for a second before the negative energy dissipated. The skillet was left with a warped, smoking scorch mark in its center. The chef who owned the skillet looked like he was about to faint.

Eudial stared in shock. Her perfect weapon had been blocked by… cookware.

Eudial: "(Her voice sputtering with disbelief) You… you blocked it with a frying pan?!"

Rei: "(Tossing the ruined pan aside with a smirk) You should use better quality materials in your evil gadgets."

That was all the opening they needed.

Ami: "(Tapping a button on her disguised mini computer) Now!"

The fire sprinkler system in the kitchen suddenly roared to life. High pressure jets of water began spraying down from the ceiling, soaking everyone and everything. The chefs yelped and scrambled for cover. The floor instantly became a treacherous, slippery mess.

Eudial sputtered as the cold water hit her, her perfectly styled red hair drooping over her face. Her high tech weapon began to spark and fizz as it was drenched.

Eudial: "(Shrieking) My Heart Snatcher! It’s not waterproof!"

Makoto saw her chance. Using the slick floor to her advantage, she took a running start and slid across the wet tiles like a hockey player, aiming for Eudial’s legs. She executed a perfect slide tackle, a move the soccer players would have appreciated under different circumstances. Her feet connected with Eudial’s ankles, and the villain went down with a surprised squawk, landing hard in a puddle of water and what looked like spilled olive oil.

The Heart Snatcher flew from her grasp, skittering across the floor and coming to a stop near the industrial sized mixer. Minako, thinking fast, scooped it up.

Minako: "(Holding the sparking device) I’ve got the evil thingamajig!"

Usagi, meanwhile, was still focused on protecting Messi. She grabbed his hand.

Usagi: "(Pulling him towards a back door) This way, Messy-san! To safety!"

Messi: "(Allowing himself to be pulled along, a small, confused smile on his face) It’s Messi. Just Messi."

Usagi: "(Blushing) Right! Sorry! This way, just Messi!"

They scrambled out the back door and into a narrow alleyway. Dibu, Makoto, Rei, and Ami were right behind them, leaving a sputtering, soaked, and furious Eudial on the kitchen floor. Minako followed a moment later, clutching the captured weapon.

They ran down the alley, the sounds of the chaotic kitchen and the blaring fire alarm fading behind them. They didn't stop until they were several blocks away, hidden in the relative anonymity of a small city park.

They were all drenched, their catering uniforms clinging to them. Usagi was still holding Messi’s hand, which she only realized when he gently cleared his throat. She let go instantly, her face turning a shade of red that clashed with her wet jacket.

Usagi: "(Bowing repeatedly) I am so sorry for all the… uh… inconvenient dragging!"

Messi just looked at the five of them. He looked at their determined, rain slicked faces, their ridiculous bow ties, and their fierce, protective eyes. He looked at Dibu, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Dibu Martínez: "(To Messi, clapping him on the shoulder) See, Leo? What did I tell you? Best fans in the world."

Messi chuckled. A genuine, amused chuckle.

Messi: "(Nodding) They are… very dedicated."

Minako held up the captured Heart Snatcher. It had stopped sparking and was now just a dead piece of strange machinery.

Minako: "(Presenting it proudly) We disarmed the bad lady’s weapon!"

Ami: "(Taking the device and examining it) This is fascinating. The technology is far beyond anything publicly available. I need to take this apart."

Rei: "(Wringing out her hair) Well, that’s one witch down, but she’ll be back. And she’ll be angry. We ruined her suit, her hair, and her big plan."

Makoto: "(Smiling) And her favorite frying pan, probably."

A moment of silence passed as the two groups, the magical girls and the football stars, simply looked at each other. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a strange sense of camaraderie in its place.

Dibu Martínez: "(Breaking the silence) So. You girls are always going to be around to save us from… whatever that was?"

Usagi: "(Puffing out her chest with pride) Of course! We are your guardian angels! It’s our sacred duty to protect you!"

Minako: "(Striking a pose, even while soaking wet) We will shield your pure hearts from all evil! You can count on the Sailor Scouts!"

She immediately clamped her hands over her mouth. She had said their name. Their secret identity.

Luna’s head popped out of Usagi’s now sopping wet bag.

Luna: "(Groaning) Minako, you idiot."

Messi and Dibu’s eyes widened as they saw the talking cat. Then they looked at each other. Then they looked back at the girls. And then, simultaneously, they burst out laughing. It wasn't mocking laughter. It was a laugh of pure, unadulterated absurdity. They had been attacked by a water cooler, chased by a woman with a sci-fi gun, and saved by a group of caterers who were secretly magical girls with a talking cat for a boss. There was no other rational response.

Dibu Martínez: "(Wiping a tear of laughter from his eye) Sailor Scouts. Okay. I like it. It has a ring to it."

Messi: "(Shaking his head, still smiling) My life was much simpler yesterday." He looked at Usagi, his expression turning serious, but kind. "Thank you. All of you. For… whatever it is you’re doing."

Their secret was out, at least to the two people they were trying hardest to protect. But instead of panic or disbelief, they were met with laughter and gratitude. The situation was completely bizarre, but somehow, it worked. The bond between the Sailor Scouts and their chosen athletes had just become a whole lot stronger.

Chapter 8

After the kitchen confrontation, a secret alliance was formed. Messi and Dibu, now in on the "magical mascot" secret, promised to keep the girls' identities safe. They communicated through a special, encrypted messaging app that Ami had set up on their phones, a necessary precaution now that they were actively collaborating. The official story for their sudden disappearance from the press conference was that they had been escorted to a secure location due to a credible threat, which was, in a way, entirely true.

Eudial's failure was even more pronounced than Mimete's. She had not only failed to capture a heart, but she had also lost her proprietary weapon. Back in the villains' penthouse, the atmosphere was downright glacial.

Eudial: "(Pacing back and forth, her hair still damp) They are amateurs! They fight with cookware and chaotic catering supplies! It was a tactical fluke!"

Viluy: "(Without looking up from her calculations) A tactical fluke that resulted in a one hundred percent mission failure and the loss of valuable hardware. The data is undeniable."

It was Tellu's turn to step forward. She was holding a small, innocuous looking seed in the palm of her hand. A faint, dark purple aura pulsed from it.

Tellu: "(A smug smile on her face) Your methods are too… mechanical, Eudial. You rely on gadgets and direct confrontation. You have to be more subtle. More organic. You cannot attack the players directly. You must attack their environment. The place they feel most comfortable."

She held up the seed for the others to see.

Tellu: "This is a Hyper-Tellun, one of my most beautiful creations. When planted in fertile soil and activated with negative energy, it will grow into a magnificent, sentient plant. A Daimon of my own design. I will not attack the players. I will attack their precious field."

Cyprine: "The grass?"
Ptilol: "That sounds boring."

Tellu: "(Chuckling softly) Oh, it’s far from boring. My creation will infest the entire pitch. Its roots will drain the latent pure energy from the ground itself. Its vines will be as strong as steel. When the players step onto the field for their next practice, the field itself will turn against them. It will ensnare them, hold them, and present them to me like offerings on a green altar. It's poetic."

Eudial scoffed, but even she had to admit, the plan had a certain insidious elegance. It was indirect, unexpected, and it used the team's own sanctuary against them.

The next afternoon, the Sailor Scouts were once again at their usual observation post, the cafe across from the training facility. They were back in their civilian clothes, sipping submarinos, a popular Argentinian drink of hot milk with a chocolate bar melted inside it. They were in constant contact with Dibu via Ami's app.

Dibu: (Text message) All clear so far. Practice starts in 20. The guys are still talking about the ‘catering ninjas.’ De Paul is convinced you are all powerful food spirits.

Minako: "(Giggling as she read the message over Ami’s shoulder) Food spirits! I like that! I am the spirit of the mighty croquembouche!"

Usagi: "(Sighing dreamily) Dibu has such a way with words."

Their quiet afternoon was interrupted when they noticed a new groundskeeping van pull up to the gate. It was from a different company, "Verdant Vistas Landscaping." A single figure in a green jumpsuit got out. It was a woman with vibrant green hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Tellu.

Ami: "(Her eyes narrowing) That’s her. Tellu. One of the Witches 5. Her specialty is botany."

Makoto: "(Leaning forward, her expression serious) A witch who controls plants? I don’t like the sound of that. Gardening should be a force for good."

They watched as Tellu had a brief, seemingly normal conversation with the security guard, Enrique. She showed him some paperwork, and he, with a shrug, waved her through. She was carrying a single, small gardening trowel and a tiny bag.

Rei: "(Frowning) She got in awfully easily. Her cover must be better than Mimete's was."

Luna: "(From Usagi’s lap) She’s heading directly for the center of the pitch. She’s up to something. We need to get in there."

Usagi pulled out her Disguise Pen.

Usagi: "Okay, team! Back to the grind! Disguise Power! Turn us back into the crack squad from Sakura Garden Maintenance!"

In a now familiar flash of light, they were once again clad in their own green jumpsuits, armed with rakes and leaf blowers. They marched up to the gate, and Enrique, who was beginning to recognize the "Japanese grass specialists," waved them in with a familiar nod.

They entered the grounds just as the players were starting to emerge from the locker rooms, stretching and jogging onto the field. Tellu was nowhere in sight. She had been fast.

Ami: "(Her voice low and urgent) She must have already done it. Planted whatever she was planning to plant. Everyone, spread out. Look for anything unusual on the field. Disturbed soil, strange looking weeds, anything."

The girls began their "maintenance" work, trying to look casual as they scanned the pristine turf. The players started their warm ups, kicking balls back and forth, unaware of the botanical time bomb ticking just beneath their feet.

It was Makoto who found it. Near the center circle, almost invisible, was a tiny, pulsing purple flower that was definitely not part of the normal grass. It seemed to throb with a faint, dark energy.

Makoto: "(Whispering into her wrist communicator) I’ve found something. Center circle. It’s a plant, but it feels… wrong. It feels evil."

As she said the word "evil," the purple flower suddenly unfurled. At the same moment, all across the pitch, hundreds more identical flowers burst from the ground. A low humming sound filled the air, and the ground began to tremble.

The players stopped, looking down at their feet in confusion.

Nahuel Molina: "(Pointing) Hey, where did all these purple flowers come from?"

Before anyone could answer, the humming intensified. The grass around the flowers began to writhe and twist. Thick, thorny vines erupted from the soil, growing at an impossible rate. They snaked across the pitch like angry green pythons.

Coach Scaloni: "(Blowing his whistle frantically) Get off the field! Everybody off the field, now!"

But it was too late. The vines shot out, wrapping around the players' ankles. Ángel Di María cried out as he was tripped, a thick vine instantly coiling around his leg. Rodrigo De Paul tried to jump away, but two vines shot up and grabbed him by the wrists, holding him fast.

The entire football pitch had become a writhing trap of malevolent plant life.

Tellu appeared at the edge of the field, a triumphant, cruel smile on her face. She had discarded her groundskeeper disguise and was now in her Witches 5 uniform.

Tellu: "(Her voice echoing across the field) Welcome, gentlemen, to my beautiful garden! Isn't it exquisite? My Hyper-Tellun has taken root. Now, just hold still. The harvest is about to begin!"

The vines began to glow with a purple light, and the captured players groaned, feeling their energy being drained away. Their Pure Heart Crystals were being targeted.

From different points on the field, the Sailor Scouts saw what was happening. Their disguises were no longer needed.

Makoto: "(Her eyes blazing with fury) Nobody messes with a garden on my watch!"

With shouts of "MAKE UP!", the five girls transformed into the Sailor Scouts, their colored uniforms a stark contrast to the sinister green and purple of the possessed field.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Pointing at Tellu) You! You pervert the noble art of horticulture for evil! You've gone too far!"

Tellu: "(Laughing) On the contrary, my dear Sailor Jupiter. I am simply helping nature reach its true, dominant potential! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some hearts to collect."

She gestured, and a dozen thick, thorny vines detached from the ground and shot towards the Sailor Scouts like whips. The battle for the very soul of the pitch had begun.

Chapter 9

The training pitch had transformed into a scene from a nightmare. The once perfect lawn was a chaotic jungle of writhing, thorny vines. The Argentinian players were ensnared, struggling against the plant life that held them captive. Messi and Dibu, who had been on the far side of the field, were still free, but vines were rapidly slithering towards them, cutting off their escape.

Tellu stood on the sidelines, conducting her botanical orchestra of doom with sadistic glee.

Tellu: "(Cackling) Yes, my pretties! Grow! Flourish! Squeeze the precious energy from these athletes!"

The players cried out as the vines tightened their grip, the purple glow intensifying as their pure energy was siphoned away.

Sailor Jupiter was radiating pure, righteous anger. This was a personal affront to everything she loved.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Her voice booming across the field) Plants are meant to give life, not steal it! You’ve twisted nature to serve your greed, and I will not forgive you!"

She was the first to charge into action. A massive, thorny vine lashed out at her, aiming to crush her.

Sailor Jupiter: "JUPITER! OAK! EVOLUTION!"

Instead of a defensive shield, she channeled the energy offensively. The swirling vortex of electric green leaves shot forward, meeting the vine head on. The energy didn't just block the vine; it shredded it, turning the thorny appendage into a shower of green mulch.

Tellu’s eyes widened slightly. "Impressive. But you are one girl against an entire field."

She gestured again, and a dozen more vines converged on Sailor Jupiter’s position.

Sailor Mars: "(Taking aim beside Jupiter) She’s not alone! MARS! FLAME SNIPER!"

A fiery arrow blazed through the air, incinerating three of the attacking vines before they could reach their target. The smell of burnt chlorophyll filled the air.

Sailor Mercury was already analyzing the situation with her visor, her expression intense.

Sailor Mercury: "(Calling out to the others) The vines are all connected! They draw power from a central root system. The main nexus seems to be that first flower Mako chan found, in the center circle! If we can destroy that, we might be able to neutralize the entire network!"

Sailor Venus: "(Whipping her chain) Then let’s clear a path! VENUS! LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!"

Her golden chain of hearts shot out, wrapping around a cluster of vines that were creeping towards Dibu Martínez. She pulled, and the vines were ripped from the ground, writhing uselessly in the air before she slammed them into another group of approaching tendrils.

Dibu Martínez, seeing his chance, didn't just stand there. He was a goalkeeper. His instincts were to command his space.

Dibu Martínez: "(Shouting to Messi) Leo! They're creating an opening! We need to get to the center! Move!"

He began to run, his powerful legs churning, dodging and leaping over the smaller, slower vines. Messi, with his legendary agility, was right with him, dribbling an imaginary ball around the grasping tendrils as if they were clumsy defenders. It was a bizarre, high stakes training drill.

Sailor Moon, meanwhile, was focused on freeing the captured players.

Sailor Moon: "(Wielding her Spiral Heart Moon Rod like a weed whacker) Get away from them, you mean green bullies!"

She swung the rod, and bolts of pink energy shot out, severing the vines holding Rodrigo De Paul and Ángel Di María. They collapsed to the ground, panting but free, and quickly scrambled towards the relative safety of the sidelines.

Sailor Moon: "(Beaming at them) You’re safe now! Go get some orange slices and rest!"

Tellu was starting to get angry. Her perfect, elegant trap was being systematically dismantled by these garishly colored teenagers.

Tellu: "(Screaming in frustration) No! You will not ruin my masterpiece! I’ll crush you all!"

She stomped her foot on the ground, and a new type of plant erupted from the soil around her. They were massive, like giant Venus flytraps, with gaping mouths lined with sharp, thorn like teeth. They snapped and roared, turning their attention towards the Scoutss.

One of the giant plant monsters lunged at Sailor Mars.

Sailor Mars: "BURNING MANDALA!"

A ring of fiery mandalas appeared around her, forming a protective barrier. The plant monster slammed into it and recoiled, its leafy "skin" smoldering.

Another one snapped at Sailor Venus, who gracefully backflipped out of the way, her Love and Beauty Shock cracking like a whip against its stem.

The battle raged across the field. It was a chaotic symphony of fire, light, and vicious vegetation. Messi and Dibu, under the covering fire of the Scouts, had almost reached the center circle. The original purple flower was pulsing with malevolent energy, the epicenter of the entire infestation.

But Tellu wasn't going to make it easy. She directed the largest of her flytrap Daimons to intercept them. The monster roared, its huge mouth gaping wide, ready to swallow them whole.

It was Sailor Jupiter who saw the danger. Her eyes blazed. She had had enough.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Her voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl) Tellu! You wanted to see a plant’s true potential? I’ll show you!"

She raised her hands to the sky, and her tiara began to glow, a small antenna extending from its center. The sky above the training ground, which had been clear and blue moments before, began to darken. Ominous grey clouds swirled into existence, crackling with electrical energy.

Sailor Jupiter: "SUPREME... THUNDER!"

The air buzzed with power. The other Scouts, and the players, could feel the static electricity raising the hairs on their arms.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Pointing directly at the giant flytrap monster threatening Messi and Dibu) DRAGON!"

A colossal bolt of lightning, shaped like a roaring, celestial dragon, descended from the storm clouds she had summoned. It slammed into the plant monster with a deafening CRACK-BOOM of thunder. The Daimon was vaporized in an instant, leaving nothing but a patch of scorched earth.

The shockwave from the attack blasted across the field, causing the other vines and plant monsters to wither and retract for a moment.

Tellu stared, her mouth agape, her smug confidence completely shattered. She had been out-gardened. Out-powered by the very element she sought to control, amplified to a terrifying degree.

Sailor Jupiter stood panting, her body crackling with residual energy. She turned her blazing eyes from the spot where the monster had been, and fixed them on Tellu.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Her voice echoing with the power of the storm) You are finished."

This was the moment Sailor Moon was waiting for. The main threat was neutralized, and the central nexus was exposed. Messi and Dibu had reached the center circle.

Sailor Moon: "(Raising her Spiral Heart Moon Rod) It’s over, Tellu! Your evil garden is officially closed for the season!"

She aimed the rod not at Tellu, but at the pulsing purple flower at Messi's feet.

Sailor Moon: "RAINBOW MOON HEART ACHE!"

The stream of multicolored hearts flew across the field and struck the flower. The plant convulsed, and the pure, loving energy of the attack traveled down through the root system. All across the field, the vines and plant monsters glowed with a brilliant white light. They let out a collective, high pitched shriek and then dissolved into harmless, sparkling pollen that floated away on the breeze.

The field was back to normal, albeit with a few scorch marks and the dazed and confused Argentinian team scattered across it.

Tellu looked at her defeated plants, then at the furious Sailor Jupiter, then at the smiling Sailor Moon. She knew she was beaten.

Tellu: "(Scowling) This isn't over. I have other seeds. More powerful ones! You haven't seen the last of my creations!"

She threw down a smoke bomb filled with thick, pollen-rich smoke. By the time it cleared, she was gone.

Sailor Jupiter took a deep, calming breath, the storm clouds above dissipating as her anger subsided. She walked over to Messi and Dibu, who were staring at the scorched patch of grass where the dragon of lightning had struck.

Sailor Jupiter: "(A gentle smile returning to her face) Sorry about the mess. Sometimes you have to do a little aggressive pruning."

Messi looked from her kind face to the spot of utter devastation, then back again. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He just nodded, a look of profound and absolute respect in his eyes. He would never look at a thunderstorm, or a garden, in the same way again.

Chapter 10

The training pitch was a wreck. There were scorch marks from Sailor Mars’s fire arrows, a crater from Sailor Jupiter’s lightning dragon, and several dazed football players trying to figure out if they had collectively hallucinated the last fifteen minutes. Coach Scaloni had his face in his hands, already dreading the phone call he would have to make to explain why his field now looked like the site of a magical war zone.

The Sailor Scouts, having confirmed the players were all safe and the immediate threat was gone, had made another hasty retreat. They were gathered back at the hotel, and Ami had turned one of the rooms into a makeshift command center. Eudial’s captured Heart Snatcher was carefully disassembled on a towel on the floor, its components laid out in neat rows. Ami was studying it with an intensity usually reserved for her most difficult exams.

Ami: "(Using a pair of tweezers to lift a small, intricate microchip) This is incredible. The energy source is a synthesized crystal, similar in composition to our own transformation items, but corrupted. It’s designed to resonate with and forcibly eject a Pure Heart. It's crude, but effective."

Makoto: "(Looking at the pieces) So it’s like a vacuum cleaner, but for souls. Creepy."

Rei was pacing by the window, looking down at the city streets below.

Rei: "(Frowning) Two attacks in two days, each one more sophisticated than the last. Mimete was a buffoon. Eudial was direct and technological. Tellu was insidious and strategic. They’re adapting. They’re learning."

Minako was flopped on the bed, flipping through a fashion magazine she’d bought, though her heart wasn't really in it. The thrill of the battle was wearing off, replaced by a nagging worry.

Minako: "(Sighing) They’re getting more serious. Tellu’s attack was really scary. What if Jupiter hadn’t been there? Those vines could have… well, you know."

The unspoken thought hung in the air. They were winning, but the risks were getting higher. The Witches 5 were not just a group of bumbling villains. They were a team of specialists, each with a dangerous and unique skill set.

Usagi, for once, was quiet. She was sitting on the floor next to Ami, watching her work. The initial excitement of being a "guardian angel" to her crush was being tempered by the reality of the danger he was in.

Usagi: "(Quietly) What do you think they’ll do next, Ami chan?"

Ami paused her work, looking up from the dismantled weapon. She pushed her glasses up her nose, her expression thoughtful.

Ami: "(Picking up a notepad) Let’s analyze the remaining threats. We’ve faced Mimete, Eudial, and Tellu. That leaves two witches unaccounted for: Viluy, and the twins, Cyprine and Ptilol."

She started to write on the pad, creating a profile for each remaining enemy.

Ami: "Viluy is the scientist of the group. Her specialty is nanotechnology. Her methods are cold, logical, and precise. She won’t use giant monsters or flashy displays. Her attack will be subtle. Microscopic, even. She’ll try to infect them, to break them down from the inside out. She is, in many ways, my opposite. Logic and science twisted for evil."

The girls shuddered at the thought. A threat they couldn't even see sounded terrifying.

Ami: "(Continuing to write) Then there are Cyprine and Ptilol. They are the chaos agents. Their power is illusion and misdirection. They work in tandem to create powerful psychic attacks that turn people against each other. They feed on negative emotions: jealousy, anger, mistrust. They won't attack the players' bodies; they'll attack their minds. Their greatest weapon is discord."

Rei stopped her pacing. As the Scout with the strongest spiritual and psychic senses, the twins were her direct counterparts.

Rei: "(Her expression grim) An enemy that attacks the heart and soul. They’re dangerous. A sports team relies on unity and trust. If the twins can sow discord among them, the team will fall apart from the inside, making them easy targets."

The picture Ami was painting was a grim one. Their next opponents would be the most difficult yet. Viluy’s scientific threat would be a challenge for Ami’s intellect, and the twins’ psychic assault would be a battle for Rei’s spiritual strength.

Luna, who had been listening intently, jumped onto the table beside Ami’s notes.

Luna: "(Her voice serious) Your analysis is correct, Ami. This is the calm before the storm. The Death Busters have realized that direct physical attacks are failing. They will now resort to more insidious means. We must be more vigilant than ever."

Artemis added his agreement from Minako’s lap.

Artemis: "This means we can't just be reactive. We can't just wait for them to attack the team during practice. Viluy could try to infect their water supply, their food, even the air in their locker room. The twins could strike at any time, turning a simple disagreement into a full blown fight."

Makoto: "(Cracking her knuckles) So what’s the plan? We can’t follow them around twenty four seven. They’d get suspicious, even if they do think we’re their lucky charms."

A solution was needed. They had to be proactive.

Ami looked at the disassembled Heart Snatcher, then back at her notes. An idea began to form in her mind.

Ami: "(Her eyes lighting up with intellectual fervor) I can modify this technology. The energy source is corrupt, but the targeting system is advanced. I can reverse the polarity. Instead of a weapon that extracts hearts, I can create a device that detects them. A Pure Heart scanner."

Usagi: "(Her eyes wide) You mean like a witch detector?"

Ami: "(Shaking her head) Not exactly. It won’t detect the witches themselves, but it will detect the kind of negative energy they use to create their Daimons and power their attacks. It will also be able to scan for the unique, high energy signature of a Pure Heart Crystal. We can use it to monitor the team from a distance. If one of them is targeted, or if a witch’s energy appears nearby, an alarm will go off."

It was brilliant. It was the proactive tool they needed. It would allow them to give the players some space while still maintaining a constant, vigilant watch.

Minako: "(Sitting up, her interest finally piqued) Ooh, a magical heart-o-meter! That’s so cool! Does it have a cute design?"

Ami: "(Smiling) I’ll work on it. I can probably build the finished device into something inconspicuous. Like a phone charm."

For the next several hours, the hotel room was a hive of activity. Ami worked tirelessly, soldering and recalibrating the components of Eudial’s weapon with a jeweler's precision. Makoto, with her steady hands, helped her with the more delicate assembly. Rei meditated in a corner, focusing her senses, trying to feel for any disturbances in the city’s energy. Minako and Usagi were put on snack duty, which they took very seriously, making several trips to a local bakery for facturas, delicious Argentinian pastries.

By late evening, Ami was finished. She held up her creation. It was a small, sleek silver charm shaped like a crescent moon with a tiny blue gem in the center. It looked like a simple, cute accessory.

Ami: "(Handing the charm to Usagi) Here. You should hold onto it. When it detects a threat, the gem will glow and it will send an alert to all of our communicators. It has a range of about five kilometers."

Usagi clipped the charm onto her phone. It looked perfect.

Usagi: "(Beaming) It’s amazing, Ami chan! You’re a genius!"

They now had a fighting chance against the unseen threats to come. They had technology, they had strategy, and they had each other. But as they settled in for the night, a sense of foreboding remained. Viluy and the twins were still out there, lurking in the shadows of Buenos Aires, and their deadly games were about to begin.

Chapter 11

Viluy watched the data streams on her holographic console with cold, detached amusement. Tellu’s failure was, from a scientific perspective, fascinating. The energy readings from Sailor Jupiter’s lightning attack were off the charts. She saved the data for later analysis. Brute force, however, was not her style. It was messy, inefficient.

Viluy: "(To herself, in the quiet of the penthouse) The subject of a system is always its weakest point. Why attack the organism when you can attack the systems that sustain it?"

Her target was not the players' bodies, but their trust in the basics: their food, their water. Her weapons were her pride and joy: nanomachines. Microscopic robots, programmed for a single, malevolent purpose. She held up a small, sealed vial filled with a clear, colorless liquid. To the naked eye, it looked like water. Under a microscope, however, it was a teeming swarm of trillions of her tiny creations.

Viluy: "Phase one is infiltration. My nanobots will be introduced into the team’s water supply. They are programmed to be dormant until ingested. Once inside the host's body, they will proceed to phase two."

On her screen, she ran a simulation. An animated human figure drank from a water bottle. Tiny dots flowed into its system.

Viluy: "In phase two, the nanobots will activate. They will not cause pain. They will not cause any obvious symptoms. They will simply begin to systematically drain the bio-electric energy from the host’s cells. The result will be increasing lethargy, fatigue, and a general feeling of malaise. The players will think they are simply overtrained or coming down with a flu. Their performance will plummet."

She zoomed in on the simulation’s heart.

Viluy: "Phase three is the most elegant part. As the host’s energy is depleted, their Pure Heart Crystal will become unstable. Its energy signature will dim. Eventually, it will be so weak that it can be extracted with minimal effort and without any of Eudial’s crude, noisy hardware. I will simply be able to pluck it from their chest like a ripe fruit. It is the perfect, silent attack."

Her plan was already in motion. Using a sophisticated drone, no bigger than a fly, she had already breached the training facility's kitchen and deposited the contents of her vial into the main water filtration system that supplied the team's drinking fountains and water bottles. It was done. The trap was set. All she had to do now was wait and watch the data.

The next day, the team gathered for a light practice. The field had been hastily repaired, and the official explanation for the damage was a "freak lightning strike." The players knew better, and they kept casting expectant glances towards the sidelines, as if hoping their magical mascots would appear. The girls were watching from the cafe, as usual. Ami’s new Pure Heart scanner charm was lying on the table, its blue gem placid and dark.

Ami: "(Looking at the charm) All clear so far. No negative energy readings."

Rei: "(Sipping her coffee) That’s what worries me. Viluy is too smart to use the same kind of energy as the others. Her attack could be undetectable to this device."

The practice began. For the first hour, everything seemed normal. The players were running drills, their movements sharp and precise. They frequently took breaks to drink from their water bottles. Then, slowly, the changes began.

It started with Julián Álvarez, one of the younger forwards. He stumbled during a simple dribbling exercise, something he could normally do in his sleep. He shook his head, looking confused, as if his own feet had betrayed him.

A few minutes later, Nahuel Molina complained to the coach of a sudden headache and a feeling of profound tiredness. He was sent to the sidelines to rest. Then others started to show symptoms. Passes became sloppy. Players were breathing heavily after short sprints. A general wave of exhaustion seemed to sweep over the team. Coach Scaloni was baffled and worried.

Coach Scaloni: "(To the team doctor) What is wrong with them? It’s like they all aged ten years in the last hour. Is it the food? Did they all eat the same bad empanadas?"

The doctor was equally perplexed, checking pulses and temperatures, finding nothing clinically wrong. From the cafe, the girls watched with growing concern.

Makoto: "(Frowning) They look… tired. Really tired. It’s not normal."

Ami’s eyes were glued to the players. She wasn’t looking at their movements, but at their faces, their posture. The signs were subtle, but they were there. It was systemic.

Ami: "(Her voice low) It’s Viluy. It has to be. This is exactly what I predicted. A subtle, debilitating attack. It's not magic, it’s science. Twisted science."

The scanner on the table remained dark. Rei’s theory was correct. Viluy’s nanomachines operated on a different principle, their energy signature too faint and too diffuse for the scanner to pick up.

Usagi: "(Worried) What are we going to do? We can’t fight something we can’t see! How do we stop tiny little robots?"

Ami’s mind was racing, processing the problem at a phenomenal speed. How do you fight a nanotechnological threat? You can’t punch it. You can’t burn it. You have to disable it. You need an equal and opposite scientific force.

Ami: "(Her eyes widening) An electromagnetic pulse. A localized EMP. It would overload the nanobots' circuitry and deactivate them. But the pulse would have to be incredibly precise. A large scale EMP would fry every phone and camera in a five block radius. I need to get close. I need to scan one of them to get the exact operational frequency of the nanites."

This was a mission for Sailor Mercury. The practice was ending early, the players too exhausted to continue. They were trudging wearily towards the locker rooms. This was their chance.

Ami: "(Standing up) I have to go. The rest of you, create a distraction. I need to get into that locker room and get a scan of one of the players without them noticing."

It was a risky plan, but it was the only one they had.

Usagi: "(Holding up her pen) Leave the distraction to us! Disguise Power! Turn us into… overly enthusiastic souvenir sellers!"

In a flash, Usagi, Rei, Makoto, and Minako were transformed. They now wore brightly colored vests and hats, their arms laden with knock off Argentinian team scarves, oversized foam fingers, and plastic vuvuzela horns. Ami, meanwhile, used the pen to disguise herself as a member of the team's medical staff, complete with a white coat and a stethoscope. As the tired players filed out of the facility towards the team bus, they were suddenly ambushed by the world’s most aggressive souvenir sales team.

Usagi: "(Waving a scarf in Rodrigo De Paul's face) Hey, mister! Buy a scarf! Support the team! Special price for you, only one hundred dollars!"

Minako: "(Blowing a vuvuzela right next to Ángel Di María’s ear) Vuvuzelas! Get your authentic, ear splitting vuvuzelas here! Annoy your opponents! Annoy your friends!"

Makoto and Rei were using a more physical sales tactic, trying to force foam fingers onto the players’ hands. The athletes, already tired and confused, were completely overwhelmed by this sudden, bizarre assault of cheap merchandise.

It was the perfect distraction. Amid the chaos, Ami, in her medic disguise, slipped into the crowd of players. She "accidentally" bumped into Lionel Messi, who was trying his best to ignore the vuvuzela chorus.

Ami: "(In a professional voice) Oh, excuse me, Mr. Messi. You look a little pale. Allow me to check your vitals."

Before he could protest, she had pressed her disguised mini computer, which now looked like a medical scanner, against his arm. The screen, visible only to her, lit up with data. She wasn't reading his pulse. She was scanning for the nanomachines. There they were. Trillions of microscopic signals. She isolated their command frequency in seconds.

Ami: "(Smiling politely) Everything seems to be in order. Just a little tired. Make sure you stay hydrated."

She patted his arm and melted back into the crowd, her mission accomplished. She had the key. Now, she just needed to deliver the cure. And that would require a transformation.

Chapter 12

Ami raced away from the chaotic scene at the team bus, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and intellectual excitement. She had the frequency. She had the data. Now she needed to build the delivery system for her countermeasure. She ducked into a quiet alleyway a few blocks away, a safe spot they had designated for transformations.

Ami: "(Taking a deep breath) MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"

In a swirl of shimmering blue water and light, she transformed into Sailor Mercury. Her visor was already down, displaying complex equations and energy models. The plan was clear in her mind. She needed to generate a targeted electromagnetic pulse, calibrated to the exact frequency of Viluy’s nanomachines. It had to be powerful enough to disable the bots, but contained enough not to cause widespread electronic chaos.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her hands glowing with blue energy) I can’t use a standard attack. A physical blast of water or ice would be useless. I need to manipulate the energy itself. I have to create a new move."

She closed her eyes, focusing her mind. She visualized the energy flowing from her hands, not as a projectile, but as a wave. A wave of pure, disruptive energy. She pictured the nanobots in the players' bodies, their tiny circuits vulnerable.

Sailor Mercury: "(Whispering the name of her new creation) Mercury... Aqua... Pulse..."

Back at the team bus, the other four "souvenir sellers" were still causing a ruckus, successfully keeping the entire team distracted. Dibu Martínez was actually haggling with Makoto over the price of a foam finger, enjoying the absurdity of it all. Messi was politely declining a vuvuzela from Minako for the tenth time. Viluy was watching the scene remotely from her penthouse, a smug smile on her face. The players were weak, confused. Her plan was working perfectly. She saw the chaotic souvenir sellers as nothing more than a random, annoying part of city life. She had no idea they were part of the resistance.

Her console suddenly beeped. It was an energy spike warning. A very unusual one. It wasn't negative energy. It was a massive buildup of focused, computational energy. And it was coming from nearby.

Viluy: "(Frowning at her screen) What is this? The signature is… analytical. It's almost… familiar."

Sailor Mercury stepped out of the alley. She held her hands out in front of her, palms facing each other. A sphere of swirling, aquamarine energy began to form between them. It didn't feel wet or cold. It felt electric. The air around her crackled. She could see the team bus down the street. It was the perfect range. She focused all her power, all her intellect, into the sphere of energy.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her voice ringing with power) MERCURY AQUA PULSE!"

She thrust her hands forward. The sphere of energy did not shoot forward like a beam. It expanded, in an instantaneous, invisible wave. It washed over the entire area in a fraction of a second, completely silent, completely unseen. For a normal person, nothing happened. But for the players infested with nanomachines, the effect was immediate and profound.

On Viluy's console, every single one of her trillions of nanobot signals went dead at the same instant. A sea of green 'active' icons turned to red 'inactive'. Her screen was a solid field of error messages.

Viluy: "(Jumping to her feet, her cold demeanor finally breaking) What?! Impossible! A system wide cascade failure! All units offline! What could cause such a thing?"

On the street, Lionel Messi, who had been feeling a deep, bone weary fatigue, suddenly felt… better. A fog seemed to lift from his mind. The heaviness in his limbs vanished. He blinked, looking down at his hands as if seeing them for the first time.

Rodrigo De Paul, who had been leaning against the bus for support, straightened up, a look of surprise on his face. "Hey… I feel… okay now. My headache is gone."

All up and down the line of players, the same thing was happening. The lethargy evaporated. The exhaustion disappeared. It was as if they had all woken up from a bad dream.

Dibu Martínez, who had just successfully bartered Makoto down to five dollars for the foam finger, suddenly felt a surge of his usual energy.

Dibu Martínez: "(Flexing his arms) Whoa. I feel great! I could go run a marathon right now!" He looked at Makoto with suspicion and awe. "What was in that foam finger?"

The four souvenir sellers knew exactly what had happened. Ami had succeeded. They quickly wrapped up their "business," throwing the rest of their terrible merchandise into a bag.

Usagi: "(Waving cheerfully) Okay, sale's over! Thank you for your business! Go team!"

They scurried away before the players could ask any more questions, leaving behind a very confused but suddenly very energetic Argentinian football team. Coach Scaloni stared at his revitalized team, his jaw slack with disbelief. "One minute they look like they need to be hospitalized, the next they’re ready for the World Cup final. What is going on with this team?"

Sailor Mercury, watching from a distance, allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had fought science with science, and she had won. Her new technique was a success. She turned and headed back towards the hotel, her mission complete.

In her penthouse, Viluy was frantically trying to analyze what had happened. She re-ran the sensor logs, and finally found the source of the pulse. The data formed a clear energy signature. A signature she recognized.

Viluy: "(Her voice a low, furious hiss) Sailor Mercury… She didn't fight my creation. She cured it. She outsmarted me."

A cold, analytical rage filled her. This was no longer just a mission. It had become a personal intellectual contest. A rivalry.

Viluy: "Very clever, Sailor Mercury. You won this round. But nanotechnology has many applications. The next time, my creations won't be so easily disabled. The next time, they will adapt."

The silent war of science and magic had just escalated. And Viluy was already designing her next, more virulent, attack.

Chapter 13

The day after Sailor Mercury’s successful counterattack, an unusual calm settled over Buenos Aires. At least, for the Sailor Scouts and the Argentinian football team. Viluy, fuming over her defeat, had temporarily retreated to her lab to devise a more robust nanomachine, giving the heroes a much needed respite. The team's sudden and miraculous recovery was the talk of the Argentinian sports world. Pundits on television debated theories ranging from a revolutionary new sports drink to mass temporary psychosis. The players themselves just smiled mysteriously, occasionally glancing at the sky as if thanking their secret guardian angels.

To capitalize on this moment of peace, and to thank the girls for their repeated, life saving interventions, Messi and Dibu had arranged a small, private get together. It wasn't at a fancy restaurant or a public place. It was a traditional Argentinian asado , a barbecue, held in the quiet, secluded backyard of a house belonging to one of the team's trusted staff members.

When the five girls arrived, in their normal civilian clothes, the scene was warm and inviting. The air was filled with the incredible aroma of grilling meat. Several other players were there, including Rodrigo De Paul and Ángel Di María, lounging in lawn chairs, sipping yerba mate from traditional gourds. They were relaxed, out of their uniforms, just a group of friends enjoying a sunny afternoon. Dibu Martínez, acting as the asador or grill master, greeted them at the gate with a huge, welcoming smile. He was wearing an apron over his t-shirt that said "King of the Grill."

Dibu Martínez: "(Beaming) Welcome, our guardian angels! Or, uh, catering ninjas. Whatever you are, welcome! We wanted to thank you properly. No monsters or evil ladies with ray guns, I promise."

Usagi’s eyes immediately went to the massive grill, laden with sizzling steaks, sausages, and ribs.

Usagi: "(Her eyes sparkling) Wow… That smells… heavenly."

Makoto was also impressed. She walked over to the grill, her expert culinary eye taking in the scene.

Makoto: "(Nodding in approval) A beautiful setup. Good heat distribution. What kind of wood are you using for the smoke?"

Dibu and Makoto immediately launched into an enthusiastic conversation about grilling techniques, a bond forming over a shared love of cooking. Messi came over, a small, genuine smile on his face. He seemed much more relaxed and open than he did in front of the cameras.

Messi: "(To the girls) Thank you for coming. We don’t know how to thank you for… everything. So we thought we would share a part of our culture with you. Please, make yourselves at home."

What followed was a wonderfully normal and completely surreal afternoon. Ami, ever the analyst, got into a deep conversation with the team’s strategist about tactical formations, drawing diagrams on a napkin that were a bizarre hybrid of football plays and magical attack patterns. Rei, surprisingly, found a quiet corner with Rodrigo De Paul. He was genuinely curious about her "food spirit" theory and asked her questions about spiritual energy and meditation, which she answered with a surprising lack of her usual cynicism.

Minako and Usagi, meanwhile, had achieved their ultimate goal: they were hanging out with their crushes in a casual setting. They sat with Messi and Di María, who patiently tried to teach them the proper way to drink yerba mate, a ritual involving a shared gourd and a metal straw called a bombilla . Usagi took her first sip and immediately grimaced.

Usagi: "(Coughing slightly) It’s… very… earthy. Like drinking hot grass."

Messi chuckled. "It's an acquired taste. It’s good for you. Full of energy."

Minako, determined to impress, took a long, dramatic sip.

Minako: "(Sighing contentedly, though her eyes were watering slightly) It’s divine! The taste of champions! I feel its power flowing through me!"

Artemis, peeking out of her bag, muttered, "The only thing flowing through you is melodrama."

The food was served, and it was a feast. Piles of perfectly grilled meat, choripán sandwiches with chimichurri sauce, salads, and provoleta, a delicious grilled cheese dish. Usagi and Makoto ate with an enthusiasm that deeply impressed the athletes, who were used to large appetites.

For a few hours, they weren't Sailor Scouts and football superstars. They were just a group of young people, sharing food and laughter. They talked about their homes, their families, their dreams. The players talked about the pressure of representing their country. The girls, without giving away too many details, talked about the pressures of their own "extracurricular activities." Dibu pulled Minako aside at one point.

Dibu Martínez: "(His expression sincere) You know, that day at the press conference, when you threw that tray… that was the best-aimed throw I’ve ever seen outside of a stadium. You have a real arm."

Minako blushed from head to toe. "Oh, well, you know… it’s all in the wrist. A skill I picked up in my quest for love and beauty."

Later, Usagi found herself sitting with Messi on a bench, looking at the garden.

Messi: "(Quietly) It must be difficult. What you do. Being a… a guardian."

Usagi: "(Looking at her hands) Sometimes. It’s scary. And you have to give up a lot of normal things. But when you know you’re protecting people, protecting their dreams… it’s worth it. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Messi nodded, understanding in his eyes. He felt the same way about his own career. The weight of a nation's dreams was a heavy burden, but a precious one.

Messi: "(Smiling at her) I think… I understand."

In that moment, there was a quiet, profound connection between the clumsy, crybaby heroine and the quiet, legendary athlete. It wasn’t the dramatic, fantasy romance Usagi had imagined. It was something quieter, more real. A mutual respect between two people who carried the weight of the world on their shoulders, in very different ways. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the backyard, the party wound down. The girls were full, happy, and relaxed. They had successfully defended the team three times, and as a reward, they had been given this perfect afternoon of peace.

It was a reminder of what they were fighting for. Not just the abstract concept of "saving the world," but for these moments. For laughter, for friendship, for the simple joy of sharing a meal on a sunny day. As they prepared to leave, Dibu handed them a large container filled with leftover food.

Dibu Martínez: "(Winking) For the food spirits. Keep your energy up. We have a feeling we’re going to need you again soon."

His words were prophetic. They didn't know it yet, but in their penthouse high above the city, the final members of the Witches 5 were preparing their own special brand of chaos. The peace was about to be shattered by the most insidious threat of all: an attack on the team's very soul.

Chapter 14

The twins, Cyprine and Ptilol, stood before the large bay window of the penthouse, looking down at the sparkling lights of Buenos Aires. They were mirror images of each other, Cyprine with her vibrant blue hair, Ptilol with her fiery red. They moved in perfect, unsettling synchrony.

Cyprine: "The others have failed."

Ptilol: "They attacked the body."

Cyprine: "And the environment."

Ptilol: "And the water."

Cyprine: "They attacked from the outside."

Ptilol: "So predictable."

Viluy, who was still trying to debug her failed nanomachines, shot them a glare. "My methods were sound. Their guardian of wisdom is simply a formidable opponent."

The twins giggled, a discordant sound that set everyone's teeth on edge.

Cyprine: "But we won’t fail."

Ptilol: "We attack from the inside."

Cyprine: "Not the body."

Ptilol: "The mind."

They each held up a hand. A shimmering, ethereal energy, one red, one blue, coalesced in their palms.

Cyprine: "A team is a delicate thing."

Ptilol: "Built on trust and camaraderie."

Cyprine: "We will introduce doubt."

Ptilol: "And jealousy."

Cyprine: "A misplaced pass will become a sign of disrespect."

Ptilol: "A missed goal will become a deliberate act of sabotage."

Cyprine: "Their unity will crumble."

Ptilol: "Their hearts will fill with negative energy."

Cyprine: "And when they are at each other’s throats..."

Ptilol: "...their Pure Heart Crystals will be ours for the taking."

Their plan was simple and vicious. They didn't need a Daimon. They didn't need a gadget. Their own psychic powers were the weapon. They would turn the team's greatest strength, their unity, into their greatest weakness. The next day’s training session began normally enough. The players were in high spirits after their relaxing day off. The memory of the asado was still fresh, and the strange bond with their magical girl fan club had actually boosted their morale.

The Sailor Scouts were on watch from the cafe, but Ami’s scanner remained silent. The twins' psychic energy was subtle, a different frequency from the overt negativity of a Daimon. But Rei felt something.

Rei: "(Touching her temple, a frown on her face) The air feels… strange today. There’s a tension. A static I can’t quite place. It’s not strong, but it’s there."

On the field, the twins began their work. They were invisible, ethereal specters, floating just above the pitch, unseen by anyone except, faintly, by Rei’s heightened senses. They started small. Leandro Paredes made a sharp pass to Ángel Di María. It was a little too fast, and Di María just barely managed to control it. Normally, it would be a non issue. But as the ball hit Di María’s foot, Ptilol sent a tiny, red pulse of psychic energy into his mind. The energy whispered the word: Disrespectful .

Di María scowled for a split second, looking at Paredes. Why did he kick it so hard? Is he trying to make me look bad? The thought was irrational, and he quickly shook it off, but a tiny seed of irritation had been planted. Next, it was Rodrigo De Paul. He took a shot on goal during a drill. Dibu Martínez, with his usual flair, made a spectacular diving save. As Dibu landed, Cyprine sent a blue pulse of energy into his mind, whispering the word: Show-off .

Dibu got to his feet, and for a fraction of a second, his triumphant grin was replaced by a sneer. De Paul’s shot was weak. He’s getting sloppy. He’s not even trying. The thought vanished, but the seed was there. The twins moved across the field like malevolent butterflies, flitting from player to player, whispering their psychic poison. A missed tackle was painted as laziness. A successful dribble was framed as selfish ball hogging. Every minor, everyday friction of a competitive training session was amplified, twisted, and laden with malicious intent.

From the cafe, the girls could see the change in atmosphere. The easy camaraderie of the previous day was gone. The players were getting snappy with each other. Passes were met with glares instead of nods. There were more shoves, more muttered complaints.

Makoto: "(Frowning) They’re all on edge today. What’s gotten into them?"

Rei: "(Her eyes closed, concentrating) It’s the feeling. That static. It’s getting stronger. It’s like… it’s feeding on their frustration." She opened her eyes, a look of dawning horror on her face. "It’s a psychic attack. They're turning them against each other."

On the field, things were escalating. De Paul and Paredes got into a shoving match over a misplaced pass, yelling at each other until the coach had to physically separate them.

Coach Scaloni: "(Blowing his whistle furiously) Hey! What is wrong with you two? We are a team! Act like it!"

But his words had no effect. The psychic poison had taken root too deeply. The players were seeing insults where there were none, and malice in every mistake. The final straw came with Messi. He was on a brilliant run, weaving past three of his own teammates who were acting as defenders. He had a clear shot on goal. But at the last second, Julián Álvarez, his own teammate, slid in with a clumsy, aggressive tackle and took the ball from him. In a normal game, it would have been an overeager mistake.

But the twins were there. They sent a massive, combined pulse of energy into Messi’s mind. He wants your glory. He thinks he’s better than you. He’s trying to upstage you. Messi, the calm, unflappable leader, stumbled to his feet. For the first time, a look of cold anger crossed his face. He stared at Álvarez, who was now arguing with another player who was yelling at him for tackling their own captain.

The team was imploding. The beautiful game had become an ugly mess of accusations and resentment. Cyprine and Ptilol floated above the chaos, drinking in the negative energy.

Cyprine: "It's working beautifully."

Ptilol: "Their bonds are breaking."

Cyprine: "Their hearts are turning sour."

Ptilol: "Almost ripe for the picking."

In the cafe, Rei stood up, her chair scraping against the pavement.

Rei: "(Her fists clenched) I can’t just sit here. Their spirits are being corrupted. This is my fight. I have to cleanse the field."

Ami: "(Looking at her with concern) But how? Their power is invisible. You can’t fight it with a physical attack."

Rei: "(A fierce light in her eyes) I won't use a physical attack. I'll use a spiritual one. I have to counter their psychic venom with my own purifying energy."

Usagi: "(Standing with her) We’ll all help!"

Rei shook her head. "No. This is a battle of the senses, of the spirit. Your powers are different. I have to do this alone. But I need you to protect my body while I do it."

It was a dangerous gambit. She would have to enter a deep meditative state, leaving herself completely vulnerable.

Rei: "Get me onto that field. I will become the lightning rod for their hatred. And I will purify it."

The girls looked at each other. They trusted Rei. Her spiritual strength was immense. They nodded in agreement. The final battle for the team’s soul was about to begin, and it would be fought not with fists or fire, but with the power of the heart and mind.

Chapter 15

Getting Rei onto the field required another daring plan. Using the Disguise Pen, they transformed. Usagi, Minako, and Makoto became a trio of paramedics, complete with a stretcher. Ami became a stern looking team official with a clipboard. They rushed onto the field with an air of authority.

Ami: "(To Coach Scaloni, who looked ready to tear his hair out) Coach! We're from the Association's psychological wellness unit. We’ve detected extreme levels of stress on the field. We need to perform an immediate environmental spiritual cleansing to restore team harmony."

The coach was so exasperated and desperate that this bizarre explanation actually made sense to him. "Spiritual cleansing? Fine! Whatever! Try anything! Just make them stop yelling at each other!"

With the coach’s unwitting permission, the "paramedics" rushed to the center circle. Rei, in her civilian clothes, lay down on the stretcher, as if she were an injured player. It was all part of the act. But once she was on the field, her real work began. The other four girls formed a protective circle around the stretcher, pretending to check her vitals, but in reality, they were standing guard.

Rei closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, filtering out the angry shouts of the players and the frantic whistling of the coach. She reached inward, to the center of her power as Sailor Mars. She was not drawing on her fire, but on the quiet, intense spiritual energy that fueled it. The fire of the soul.

Rei: "(Whispering an ancient mantra) Rin, Pyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen! "

Her consciousness began to expand. She could see the field not with her eyes, but with her mind. It was awash in a sickly, pulsating aura of red and blue, the psychic venom of the twin witches. She could see the tendrils of this energy wrapped around the players' hearts, twisting their emotions, feeding their anger.

Above it all, she could sense them. Cyprine and Ptilol. They were like two discordant notes in a beautiful song, their laughter echoing on the psychic plane.

Cyprine: (A psychic whisper) Look, little sister. A new toy.

Ptilol: (Giggling) She feels different. She's trying to fight us.

Cyprine: How cute.

Ptilol: Let's break her first.

The full force of their psychic assault turned from the players and focused on Rei. A wave of pure malice washed over her. It was a torrent of negative emotions: despair, jealousy, fear, hatred. It was enough to shatter an ordinary mind.

Rei’s body tensed on the stretcher. A thin line of sweat beaded on her forehead. The girls watching over her grew worried.

Minako: "(Whispering nervously) Is she okay? She looks like she’s in pain."

Makoto: "(Her fists clenched) Stay strong, Rei chan."

In the psychic realm, Rei stood firm. She imagined her spirit as a steady, unwavering flame. The wave of negativity crashed against her, but her flame did not gutter.

Rei: "(Her voice echoing in the psychic space) You cannot defeat me with such petty emotions. My spirit is tempered by fire and discipline. Your hatred is nothing to me."

She began to fight back. She didn't attack them directly. Instead, she began to project her own energy. It wasn't an attack; it was a pure, cleansing hum. A note of harmony designed to counteract their discord. It was the clear, unwavering sound of a temple bell.

The players on the field felt it first. The red haze of anger in their minds began to thin.

Ángel Di María, who was about to shout an insult at a teammate, suddenly stopped. The anger just… evaporated. He was left feeling confused and ashamed. Why was I so angry? He’s my friend.

Dibu Martínez, who was glaring at his defenders, felt the animosity drain away. He just felt tired. What are we doing? This isn't us.

The psychic hum from Rei grew stronger. It was a warmth spreading across the field, a spiritual balm soothing the raw nerves of the team.

The twins felt it too. Her pure energy was like a piercing light in their shadowy world. It was painful.

Cyprine: (Hissing) Her energy… it’s so… clean. It burns!
Ptilol: She is trying to erase our work! Stop her!

They focused their power into a single, sharp psychic spear, aimed directly at the heart of Rei’s consciousness.

Rei felt the attack coming. It was a pinpoint of absolute despair. She knew she couldn't just block it. She had to transform it.

This was the moment she had been waiting for. She couldn’t transform physically, but she could transform her spirit. She called upon her guardian planet.

Rei: "(In the psychic realm) MARS CRYSTAL POWER!"

A column of pure, spiritual fire erupted around her psychic form. It was not a fire that burned, but a fire that purified. When the psychic spear of despair struck the fire, it did not shatter it. It was consumed by it. The despair was incinerated, transformed into pure, raw energy.

Rei then unleashed that energy. Not as an attack, but as a wave of cleansing fire.

Rei: "MARS! FIRE SOUL... BIRD!"

A magnificent bird of brilliant, cleansing flame, a phoenix of spiritual energy, erupted from her position in the center circle. It soared across the psychic landscape of the field, visible only to Rei and the twin witches.

The Fire Bird let out a cry that was the epitome of harmony and righteous spirit. It flew over the players, and as its fiery wings passed over them, the last vestiges of the twins' psychic poison were burned away. Clarity and remorse washed over the team. The arguments stopped. The players stood in stunned silence, looking at each other as if waking from a trance. The Phoenix then turned its sights on Cyprine and Ptilol. The twins shrieked in terror as the bird of pure spirit flew towards them.

Cyprine: It's too bright!

Ptilol: It's too pure!

The Fire Bird enveloped them. They weren’t destroyed, but their psychic forms were violently disrupted. Their connection to this plane was severed. With a final, discordant scream that only Rei could hear, they were blasted back to their physical bodies in the penthouse miles away. The sickly red and blue aura over the field vanished. The tension was gone. The air was clear again.

Rei’s consciousness returned to her body. She opened her eyes, panting, exhausted, but triumphant. She had faced the twins on their own terms and had won.

Ami: "(Leaning over her, a look of relief on her face) Rei! Are you okay?"

Rei: "(Sitting up on the stretcher, a small, tired smile on her face) I’m fine. And so are they. The witches are gone. For now."

The players were now gathered around them, their faces a mixture of confusion, shame, and awe. They didn’t understand what had happened, but they knew that the strange "paramedics" and the girl on the stretcher were somehow responsible for bringing them back to their senses. Messi walked forward, his expression serious. He looked at Rei, then at the other girls.

Messi: "(His voice quiet, but full of gratitude) I don't know how you do what you do. But thank you. Again."

The team had been saved from itself. Rei’s spiritual fire had burned away the discord and reforged their unity. But the battle had taken its toll on her, and the final, most dangerous confrontation was still to come.

Chapter 16

Back in the penthouse, the atmosphere was explosive. Cyprine and Ptilol lay on the floor, twitching and groaning, psychic feedback coursing through them.

Cyprine: "So bright..."

Ptilol: "It burned..."

Eudial, Tellu, and Viluy looked at their defeated comrades with contempt. Mimete, who had been relegated to serving drinks, just watched with wide, fearful eyes. They had all failed. Each one of them, with their specialized skills, had been defeated by the Sailor Guardians.

Viluy: "(Looking at her data console) This is unacceptable. We have failed individually. Our specialized, sequential attacks have been countered at every turn."

Eudial: "(Pacing furiously, her new Heart Snatcher Mark II in her hands) That meddling Sailor Mars! A psychic attack should have been undetectable, unbeatable!"

Tellu: "(Tending to a now drooping, depressed-looking cactus) Their teamwork is their greatest strength. They adapt and support each other."

A dark, ominous voice suddenly filled the room. It emanated from a large crystal ball in the center of the table, which now glowed with a sinister purple light. It was the voice of their master, Professor Tomoe.

Professor Tomoe: "(His voice dripping with disappointment) You have all failed me. Your individual efforts are pathetic. You have wasted time and resources, and you have produced zero Pure Heart Crystals. My daughter, Hotaru, remains weak. The Messiah of Silence has not awakened."

The Witches all flinched, bowing their heads in shame.

Professor Tomoe: "There will be no more individual attempts. There will be no more clever plans. You will attack all at once. Overwhelm them with your combined power. I am authorizing the use of the Omega-Level Daimon."

The Witches gasped. An Omega-Level Daimon was their ultimate weapon. It required a massive amount of power to create and was incredibly unstable, but its strength was immense.

Professor Tomoe: "You will attack during their next match. The stadium will be filled with thousands of people, their emotional energy a perfect catalyst. You will fuse your powers, create the Daimon, and you will not fail me again. Seize their hearts, or do not bother returning."

The crystal ball went dark. A grim silence fell over the room. This was it. Their final chance. Eudial was the first to speak, a fanatic gleam in her eye.

Eudial: "The master is right. We have been too cautious. It's time to unleash our full power."

Viluy nodded, her cold logic agreeing with the conclusion. "A coordinated, multi-front assault is the most strategically sound option at this point. The probability of success increases by 83%."

Tellu: "My finest seeds will be a part of the Daimon's creation."

Cyprine and Ptilol: "Our psychic energy will fuel its rage."

Mimete: "(Timidly) I… I can find it a really dramatic target?"

Eudial ignored her. "Then it is settled. At the friendly match tomorrow night against Uruguay, we will strike. We will turn their stadium into a hunting ground. And we will not fail."

The next evening, the Estadio Monumental was buzzing. Tens of thousands of fans filled the stands, a roaring sea of blue and white. The air was electric with anticipation for the match.

The Sailor Guardians were there, but not as spectators. They were perched on the highest point of the stadium's roof, hidden in the shadows, keeping watch. Ami's scanner was active, and Rei was focusing her spiritual senses. They knew the witches would make another move, and a high profile match like this was the most likely venue.

Usagi: "(Looking down at the vast crowd) Wow. So many people."

Minako: "(Sighing dreamily as the teams walked onto the pitch) They all look so heroic under the stadium lights. It’s like the opening scene of a blockbuster movie."

The game began. For the first half, everything was normal. It was a tense, exciting match. Argentina was playing well, their teamwork fully restored. Messi was a whirlwind of motion, and Dibu made several key saves. But as the second half began, Ami's scanner started to beep, softly at first, then with increasing urgency.

Ami: "(Her eyes wide) I'm getting a massive energy reading! It’s not just one signature, it’s five of them, all converging on one point!"

Rei: "(Her hand to her temple) I feel it too. It’s underneath the stadium. In the maintenance tunnels. They’re combining their powers!"

Down below, in a dark, cavernous maintenance sector, the five Witches 5 were gathered in a circle. In the center was their chosen vessel for the Omega-Level Daimon: the stadium's gigantic, diesel powered emergency generator.

Eudial: "Now! Offer your power!"

Each witch unleashed her energy. Eudial fired a beam from her Heart Snatcher. Tellu threw a handful of glowing, pulsating seeds. Viluy sent a stream of shimmering nanomachines. The twins projected waves of pure psychic malice. And Mimete... Mimete threw a signed 8x10 glossy of her favorite TV actor at it.

The energies converged on the generator. It began to shake violently, the metal groaning and twisting. It absorbed the energy, growing and morphing into a monstrous new form. It was a terrifying hybrid of machine and organic life. It had Tellu's thorny vines for arms, Viluy's nanomachines shimmering over its metallic skin like oil, and it pulsed with the twins' psychic rage. Eudial’s technology formed its core, a glowing red heart of pure negative energy. It was colossal, easily thirty feet tall. It was the Generator of Despair.

Generator of Despair: "(Its voice a deafening roar of grinding gears and distorted rage) PURE... HEARTS!"

It smashed through the concrete wall of the maintenance tunnel and began to claw its way up towards the field level, the entire stadium trembling as it moved. On the roof, the girls knew this was it.

Sailor Moon: "(Her face set with determination) This is the final battle. They’ve thrown everything they have at us. We have to stop that thing before it reaches the crowd."

Sailor Jupiter: "Let's go. It’s time to finish this."

With shouts of "MAKE UP!", the five guardians transformed, bathed in the glow of the stadium lights. They leaped from the roof, landing gracefully on the empty upper tier of the stands, ready to face their ultimate foe. The final confrontation for the fate of Argentina's beloved team had begun.

Chapter 17

The stadium floor began to buckle. A huge crack appeared in the turf near one of the corner flags. Panic started to ripple through the crowd as the ground shook violently. The players on the field stopped, looking around in confusion and fear. This was an earthquake of a very unnatural kind.

With a deafening roar of tearing metal and shattering concrete, the Generator of Despair burst up from beneath the pitch. It was a hulking monstrosity, a fusion of all the Witches' powers. Its thorny vine arms swiped at the air, its nanite skin shimmered under the floodlights, and its single, glowing red eye, the heart of Eudial’s weapon, scanned the stadium for victims.

Screams erupted from the stands. The festive atmosphere of the match turned to sheer terror in a heartbeat. People started to scramble, trying to flee, creating a dangerous stampede. The Witches 5 appeared on the edge of the crater, looking down at their creation with triumphant glee.

Eudial: "(Shouting over the roar of the monster) Yes! Go, my beautiful creation! Harvest their hearts! Show them the meaning of true despair!"

The Daimon raised one of its massive vine arms, preparing to sweep it through the stands, targeting thousands of innocent people at once.

Sailor Moon: "(Appearing on the field, her rod held high) Not so fast!"

The other four Guardians landed beside her, forming a line between the monster and the players.

Sailor Mercury: "Your rampage ends here!"

Sailor Mars: "We won’t let you harm these people!"

Sailor Jupiter: "You’re an abomination of science and nature!"

Sailor Venus: "And your show is officially cancelled!"

The players, who had been frozen in shock, stared at the sudden appearance of their guardian angels. This time, there was no confusion, only a dawning sense of grim reality.

Dibu Martínez: "(To his teammates) Get back! Give them room! They know what they’re doing!"

He started ushering the Argentinian and Uruguayan players towards the safety of the tunnel, becoming an unlikely field marshal in the midst of magical chaos.

The Witches 5 spotted the Guardians, and their smiles turned to snarls.

Mimete: "(Pointing a dramatic finger) The Sailor Stupids! They’re here!"

Viluy: "(Coolly) Irrelevant. The Omega-Level Daimon is unstoppable. Its power level exceeds their combined output by a factor of twelve."

The Generator of Despair turned its glowing red eye on the five small figures challenging it. It let out another deafening roar and swung its vine arm. It was a blow that could level a building.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Stepping forward) Not today!"

She slammed her hands on the ground.

Sailor Jupiter: "JUPITER! COCONUT CYCLONE!"

A furious tornado of energy erupted from the ground, meeting the Daimon's arm. The cyclone was powerful, but the monster's arm was like a mountain. The attack slowed the blow, but it didn't stop it. The arm smashed through the cyclone, continuing its path towards the Guardians.

Sailor Mars: "(Unleashing her attack) MARS! FLAME SNIPER!"

Her fire arrow slammed into the vine, causing it to smoke and smolder, but it did little to deter the sheer mass of the limb.

Sailor Mercury: "(Analyzing furiously) Its physical strength is too great! And its nanite skin is repairing the damage almost instantly! We can’t hurt it with conventional attacks!"

It was Sailor Venus who saw the true danger. The monster wasn’t just physically powerful. It was psychic. Waves of despair, the twins' contribution, were rolling off it, amplifying the crowd's panic and weakening the Guardians' resolve.

Sailor Venus: "(Clutching her head) The fear… it’s so strong. It’s making me dizzy."

Sailor Moon was feeling it too. The screams of the crowd, the sheer terror in the air, it was overwhelming. Her hands were trembling.

Luna: "(Shouting from the sidelines where she was hiding with Artemis) Don’t give in to the despair! That’s what it feeds on! You have to fight it!"

The vine arm was about to crash down on them. It seemed hopeless. But then, another sound began to cut through the screams. It started low, a defiant rumble from a small section of the crowd that hadn't fled. It was the sound of clapping. A slow, rhythmic, determined clap.

Then a chant began. "Ar-gen-tina! Ar-gen-tina!"

It was the team's most die-hard fans, the barra bravas . They were terrified, but their love for their team, their national pride, was stronger than their fear. They saw the Sailor Guardians, these strange beings fighting to protect their stadium, and they recognized them as allies. They began to cheer for them. The players, huddled at the mouth of the tunnel, heard it. Dibu Martínez heard it. And he joined in.

Dibu Martínez: "(Banging his hand on the tunnel wall, his voice a roar) VAMOS! VAMOS, SAILOR GUARDIANS! VAMOS!"

The other players, Argentinian and Uruguayan alike, joined the chant. The small pocket of defiance grew, spreading through the stadium. The sound of hope began to fight back against the sound of fear.

Sailor Moon heard it. The chanting, the cheers. They were cheering for her. For them. The trembling in her hands stopped. The despair in her heart was replaced by a surge of warmth and determination. She looked at the faces of her friends, and they were all feeling it too. The power of the crowd, the pure, passionate energy of tens of thousands of people, was flowing into them.

Sailor Venus’s dizziness faded, replaced by a radiant smile. "They’re cheering for us."

Sailor Jupiter’s fists clenched, her power surging. "Let's not disappoint them."

The monster's arm was inches from crushing them.

Sailor Moon: "(Her voice clear and powerful, rising above the chaos) We will not lose! We are the Sailor Guardians! We fight for love, for justice, and for everyone who believes in us!"

She raised her Spiral Heart Moon Rod. It began to glow with an intensity they had never seen before. It wasn’t just her power now. It was infused with the hope of the entire stadium.

Sailor Moon: "RAINBOW MOON HEART ACHE!"

The blast of heart energy that erupted from her rod was colossal. It wasn’t just a stream of hearts; it was a tidal wave, a radiant tsunami of pure positive energy. It slammed into the descending vine arm, and this time, it didn't just slow it. It completely disintegrated it. The Generator of Despair roared in pain and shock, staggering back from the force of the blast. The Witches 5 stared in disbelief.

Eudial: "(Screaming) How?! Her power level just increased exponentially! It's impossible!"

Sailor Mercury: "(A triumphant smile on her face) It’s not impossible! You draw your power from despair and hatred! But we draw our power from love and hope! And in this stadium, you are severely outnumbered!"

The tide had turned. Fueled by the passionate spirit of the Argentinian fans, the Sailor Guardians were ready to finish the fight.

Chapter 18

The stadium was a battleground of light and shadow. The Generator of Despair, its arm blown off by Sailor Moon’s empowered attack, was enraged. It focused its glowing red eye on her, and a beam of pure negative energy, an amplified version of Eudial’s Heart Snatcher, shot across the field.

Sailor Moon stood her ground, but it was Sailor Venus who intervened.

Sailor Venus: "VENUS WINK CHAIN SWORD!"

She created a blade of pure golden energy from her chain and swung it, deflecting the dark beam into the sky where it dissipated harmlessly.

Sailor Venus: "(Winking at Sailor Moon) My turn to play defense, leader!"

The monster, furious at being thwarted again, began to regenerate its lost limb. Tellu’s vines and Viluy’s nanites worked in tandem, weaving a new arm into existence.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her visor glowing) It's regenerating! We need to take out its power source! The red eye, it’s the core!"

The problem was getting to it. The Daimon was a fortress of flailing vines and raw power.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars worked together, a whirlwind of fire and lightning.

Sailor Jupiter: "JUPITER SUPREME THUNDER!"

Sailor Mars: "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!"

A dragon of lightning and a vortex of sacred flame slammed into the Daimon’s chest, trying to blast a path through its defenses. The monster roared, staggering under the combined assault, but its nanite skin held, repairing the damage as quickly as it was inflicted. It was a stalemate. They were powerful, but the Daimon was a constantly regenerating tank. The Witches 5, seeing their monster holding its own, regained their confidence.

Eudial: "Yes! See? Their power is fleeting! Our creation is absolute!"

Tellu: "Destroy them! Grind them into dust!"

The Daimon unleashed another attack. It opened its "mouth," a gruesome maw of twisted metal and gears, and spewed a torrent of sticky, black oil, a corrupted gift from Mimete’s contribution to the generator. The oil spread across the field, trapping the Guardians' feet, making it impossible to move.

Sailor Moon cried out as she found her boots stuck fast in the thick, gooey mess. "I'm stuck! It’s like super evil bubblegum!"

The Daimon raised its newly regenerated arms, preparing for a final, crushing blow. It was in that moment of seeming defeat that help came from an unexpected source. Lionel Messi and Dibu Martínez had not retreated all the way down the tunnel. They had been watching, feeling useless. But Messi was a strategist. He saw the stalemate. He saw the Guardians were trapped. And he saw one, tiny weakness.

The Daimon, in its rage, was focused entirely on the girls. It was ignoring everything else. Including the soccer ball that was still lying innocently in the middle of the field, just outside the spreading oil slick. Messi looked at Dibu. A silent understanding passed between them. It was a crazy idea. It was insane. But it was the only thing they could do.

Messi: "(To Dibu, his voice low and urgent) The eye. It's the target. I need a distraction. A big one."

Dibu nodded grimly. "You got it, Captain."

Dibu turned and sprinted back onto the field. He ran straight towards the colossal, raging monster.

Dibu Martínez: "(Roaring at the top of his lungs) HEY! YOU BIG, UGLY GENERATOR! OVER HERE! COME AND GET ME!"

The Daimon, and the Witches, turned in surprise. What was this human doing?

Dibu didn't stop. He ran to the side, waving his arms, making himself the most obvious, most annoying target possible. It was a goalkeeper's instinct: draw the attack. Force the shot.

The Generator of Despair, its simple programming identifying the new, aggressive threat, turned its glowing red eye towards Dibu and fired another beam of dark energy.

Dibu dove. It was a full stretch, world class, acrobatic goalkeeper's dive on the grass. The beam sizzled over his head, missing him by inches. He had bought Messi the second he needed.

While the monster was distracted, Messi moved. He sprinted to the soccer ball. The world seemed to slow down around him. There was only him, the ball, and the target: the monster's glowing red eye, thirty feet in the air.

He took a deep breath. He had kicked thousands of balls in his life. Free kicks, penalties, shots from midfield. But none were as important as this one.

He approached the ball. He wasn't just kicking it. He was pouring everything he had into it. His strength, his passion, his will, his pure-hearted love for the game. The ball began to glow with a faint, silvery white light. The pure energy of a heart that the witches had coveted so desperately was now being weaponized against them.

Messi: "(Whispering to himself) For my team. For my country. For my guardian angels."

He struck the ball.

It wasn't just a kick. It was a masterpiece. The ball flew with impossible speed and precision. It curved through the air, a white comet of hope, aimed directly at the Daimon's eye.

The monster was still focused on Dibu. It didn't see the attack coming until it was too late.

The glowing soccer ball slammed into the red eye core with the force of a cannonball. There was a sickening crunch of shattering crystal and a high pitched electronic scream.

The Daimon froze. Its limbs went limp. The light in its eye flickered and died. The nanites on its skin deactivated, and the vines went slack. The psychic aura of despair vanished.

The Witches 5 stared, their jaws hanging open in utter disbelief.

Eudial: "(Her voice a strangled whisper) It… it can’t be… He defeated it… with a soccer ball?"

The monster was paralyzed, its power core shattered. But it had not been purified. It was still a vessel of negative energy, ready to explode.

Sailor Moon, freed from the now inert oil slick, knew this was their one and only chance.

Sailor Moon: "(Raising her rod, its light brighter than ever) It’s over! For everyone's hopes and dreams! For the love of the game! It's time to send you to the scrap heap!"

Her power, combined with the pure-hearted energy from Messi's kick that now radiated from the monster's core, was the key.

Sailor Moon: "RAINBOW... MOON... HEART... ACHE!"

The ultimate attack, supercharged with hope and football magic, slammed into the paralyzed Daimon. The negative energy was overwhelmed. A brilliant white light filled the stadium.

Generator of Despair: "(Its final words a gurgle of static) GAME... OVERRRRRR..."

With a final, spectacular explosion that was completely silent and harmless, the Omega-Level Daimon dissolved into millions of sparkling particles of light that rained down on the field like purifying snow.

The battle was over. Silence descended on the stadium, broken only by the stunned gasps of the crowd.

The Witches 5 stood defeated, their ultimate creation destroyed by a combination of magical girls and the beautiful game. They had lost. Utterly and completely. They looked at each other, then at the triumphant Sailor Guardians, and without another word, they vanished in a flash of panicked teleportation, their mission a total failure.

The heroes had won.

Chapter 19

The aftermath of the battle was surreal. The sparkling dust of the defeated Daimon settled gently on the pitch. The crowd, which had been frozen in terror and then awe, slowly began to process the miracle they had just witnessed. A few hesitant claps started, then grew into a thunderous, roaring ovation that shook the very foundations of the stadium. They were cheering for the players, for the victory over the monster, and most of all, for the five magical girls standing in the center of the field.

Sailor Moon stood panting, her rod held loosely in her hand. She looked at her friends, their faces tired but triumphant. They had done it. They had faced the combined power of the Witches 5 and won.

Messi and Dibu walked towards them, their faces streaked with grime and sweat. The rest of the Argentinian and Uruguayan players followed, their expressions a mixture of shock, relief, and profound respect.

Dibu Martínez reached them first. He didn't say a word. He just swept Sailor Jupiter, the closest Guardian, into a massive, spinning bear hug, lifting her off the ground.

Sailor Jupiter: "(Squeaking in surprise) Whoa! Hey! Put me down, you big lug!"

She was blushing furiously, but she was laughing.

Messi walked up to Sailor Moon. He looked at the glowing soccer ball, which now lay on the grass, its magical light fading. Then he looked at her.

Messi: "(A tired, grateful smile on his face) I guess that was my one assist of the game."

Sailor Moon: "(Beaming at him, her heart doing flips) It was the best assist in the history of the world!"

The moment was broken by the sound of approaching sirens. The police, the fire department, the entire city's emergency services were finally arriving.

Sailor Mercury: "(Her voice urgent) We have to go. We can’t be here when they arrive."

Sailor Venus: "(Pouting slightly) Aww, just when we were about to get our victory parade."

They knew she was right. They had to maintain their secret identity, even if it felt like the whole stadium already knew who they were.

Sailor Moon turned to Messi and Dibu.

Sailor Moon: "(Bowing) Your pure hearts are safe now. The Witches 5 have been defeated. Our mission is complete."

Dibu, having finally put down a flustered Sailor Jupiter, gave them a mock salute.

Dibu Martínez: "Anytime you want to be our lucky mascots again, you just let us know. You’re welcome on our team anytime."

With a final wave to the players and a last look at the cheering crowd, the five Sailor Guardians leaped into the air, disappearing into the night sky in five streaks of colored light, leaving behind a stadium full of bewildered fans, a confused groundskeeping crew who would have a lot of explaining to do, and a legend that would be told in Argentina for years to come.

They returned to their hotel room, exhausted but exhilarated. They transformed back into their civilian clothes and collapsed onto the beds in a happy, tired heap.

Usagi: "(Sighing contentedly) We did it. We really did it."

Makoto: "(Stretching) I can’t believe we won. That thing was huge."

Rei: "(A rare, proud smile on her face) We fought as a team. We combined our strengths. That’s why we won."

Ami: "(Nodding) And we had help. The logical conclusion is that teamwork between magical girls and world class athletes is a highly effective strategy."

Minako was already on her tablet, excitedly scrolling through social media.

Minako: "(Gasping) You guys! You have to see this! We’re trending! #AngelesDelEstadio! That's 'Angels of the Stadium'! There are videos! Grainy, shaky videos, but they’re of us! And Messi’s glowing super kick!"

They all huddled around the tablet, watching clips of the battle, reading comments from people who swore they had witnessed a miracle. They were heroes. Anonymous, secret heroes, but heroes nonetheless.

Their mission was over. The Death Busters' plot in Argentina had been foiled. The next morning, they would pack their bags and fly back to Tokyo, back to their lives as ordinary students. But they knew they would never forget their time here.

Before they went to sleep, Usagi and Minako stood on their hotel room balcony, looking out at the lights of Buenos Aires.

Usagi: "(Sighing) I’m going to miss this. I’m going to miss… them."

Minako: "(Nodding, a wistful look in her eyes) Me too. It was the most romantic, most exciting adventure ever. We saved our true loves from certain doom."

Usagi: "(Gazing at the sky) Do you think… do you think we’ll ever see them again?"

Minako: "(Putting an arm around her friend) Who knows? But we’ll always have the memories. And the fan videos."

They both giggled. Their hearts were full. They had come to Argentina with silly, starstruck crushes, and they were leaving as proven champions who had fought alongside their idols. It was more than they ever could have dreamed of.

The next day, as a thank you and a final farewell, the team had arranged for a special VIP send-off for the girls at the airport. They were escorted through a private entrance to a quiet lounge where the team was waiting for them.

The goodbyes were emotional. Makoto exchanged recipes with Dibu. Ami gave the team’s coach a detailed (and probably confusing) analytical report on the structural weaknesses of Omega-Level Daimons. Rei received a small, carved wooden gourd from Rodrigo De Paul as a memento.

Finally, it was time for Usagi and Minako to say goodbye to Messi and Dibu. This was it. The final scene of their romantic movie. They had rehearsed this moment in their minds a hundred times.

Usagi: "(Taking a deep breath, her heart pounding) Messi san…"

Minako: "(Her hands clasped together) Dibu san…"

They were about to make their grand, heartfelt confessions of love. They were going to declare their undying devotion, ready to be either accepted or gently rejected.

But just as they opened their mouths to speak, the door to the lounge opened.

Chapter 20

The door to the private airport lounge swung open, and two women walked in, followed by a small troop of energetic children. One woman was strikingly beautiful with long, dark hair and a warm, radiant smile. The other was chic and stylish, with an air of sophisticated calm.

The beautiful woman’s face lit up when she saw Messi.

Beautiful Woman: "(Her voice full of affection) Leo! There you are. The kids were getting restless."

Two young boys, and a slightly smaller, third one, ran past her, launching themselves at Messi.

"Papi! Papi!" they yelled in unison.

Messi’s serious, heroic demeanor melted away instantly. He broke into a huge, beaming smile, crouching down to scoop the youngest boy into his arms and wrapping the other two in a hug. He was no longer a football god; he was just a dad.

Messi: "(Laughing as he ruffled their hair) Thiago! Mateo! Ciro! How are my champions?" He looked up at the woman, his eyes full of a deep, unwavering love. "Antonela. Sorry, we were just saying goodbye."

The other woman, the stylish one, walked over to Dibu Martínez. A little boy and a tiny girl, who was clutching a doll, were holding her hands.

Stylish Woman: "(Smiling at Dibu) Emi. Ready to go? Ava needs her nap."

Dibu’s tough, goalkeeper persona vanished, replaced by a look of pure adoration. He knelt down, and the little girl, Ava, toddled into his arms.

Dibu Martínez: "(Kissing the top of her head) Of course, Mandinha. And how’s my little man, Santi?"

The boy, Santi, grinned and showed Dibu a toy car.

Usagi and Minako stood frozen in place. Their mouths were still open, their grand love confessions dying on their lips. The words they had planned to say seemed to dissolve into dust.

Messi… with a wife? And three sons?

Dibu… married? With a son and a daughter?

Their minds couldn’t process it. The romantic movie that had been playing in their heads came to a screeching, calamitous halt. The film had snapped. The projector was on fire.

Ami, seeing the looks of utter devastation on their faces, quickly stepped in to do damage control.

Ami: "(To Antonela and Mandinha, with a polite bow) It is a pleasure to meet you. Your husbands are very great men. True heroes."

Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi’s wife, smiled kindly. "They are. But they are also a handful." She looked at her husband, who was now engaged in a mock wrestling match with his two older sons.

Mandinha Martínez, Dibu’s wife, chuckled. "You have no idea. Trying to get this one to relax after a match is a bigger challenge than a penalty shootout." She playfully nudged Dibu, who was making silly faces at his daughter.

The scene was one of perfect, chaotic, domestic bliss. It was heartwarming. It was beautiful.

And for Usagi and Minako, it was absolute torture.

Their dream bubbles didn’t just pop. They exploded with the force of a supernova, leaving behind only the cold, empty vacuum of reality. Their future husbands, their soulmates, the heroic knights they had saved… were taken. Very, very taken. They had families. Happy, beautiful families.

Minako’s eye began to twitch. A single, dramatic tear traced a path down her cheek.

Usagi’s lower lip began to tremble. Her big, blue eyes welled up. A soft, heartbroken whimper escaped her. "W-wives? K-kids?"

The other Guardians saw the impending meltdown. Makoto quickly stepped behind Usagi, ready to catch her if she fainted. Rei braced herself for the inevitable wail of despair.

Messi, oblivious to the emotional carnage he had just caused, stood up, holding his youngest son. He smiled at Usagi and Minako.

Messi: "These are our real good luck charms. My wife, Antonela, and my boys."

Dibu stood with his arm around Mandinha, his son clinging to his leg.

Dibu Martínez: "This is my number one team. My wife, Mandinha, and my kids."

It was the final, brutal, soul-crushing blow.

Usagi couldn't hold it in any longer. She let out a cry of pure, unadulterated heartbreak.

Usagi: "(Wailing) IT’S NOT FAIRRRRRR!"

Minako collapsed to her knees in a pose of classic theatrical despair, one hand clutched to her heart, the other reaching towards the ceiling.

Minako: "(Crying out) MY LOVE! MY DREAMS! They have crumbled into dust before my very eyes! Cruel, cruel fate!"

The players, their wives, and their children all stared at the two sobbing, hysterical girls, completely bewildered.

Luna and Artemis, hidden in their bags, both sighed in perfect unison.

Luna: "And there it is."
Artemis: "Right on schedule."

Ami and Makoto quickly grabbed the distraught duo, propping them up.

Ami: "(Bowing apologetically to the confused families) Please excuse them! They are just… very emotional! Very passionate fans! The joy of meeting you all is simply… overwhelming them!"

Makoto: "(Muttering to Usagi) Get a grip! You’re making a scene!"

They managed to hustle the two weeping girls towards the gate for their flight, calling out thank yous and goodbyes over their shoulders.

Rei lingered for a moment, bowing deeply to the Messi and Martínez families.

Rei: "It was an honor. Thank you for everything."

Antonela smiled graciously, though she still looked very confused. "It was… a pleasure to meet you all too."

On the plane, safely buckled into their seats, Usagi and Minako were still sniffling, sharing a family sized bag of tissues.

Usagi: "(Sobbing) All this time… he had a wife! A beautiful wife! And three adorable sons! How could he?!"

Minako: "(Blowing her nose dramatically) And Dibu! He looked so happy with his perfect family! It’s a tragedy! A romantic tragedy of epic proportions!"

Makoto, sitting next to them, patted their backs, trying to be sympathetic.

Makoto: "Come on, you guys. It's a good thing. It means they're happy and have people who love them. That’s a pure heart worth protecting, right?"

This logic seemed to get through to them, just a little. Their sobs subsided into hiccups.

Ami: "(Looking up from her book) Besides, statistically, long distance relationships with international sports stars who are unaware of your existence have a very low probability of success."

Rei: "(Without looking up from her magazine) Let this be a lesson to you two. Maybe next time you can crush on someone who is actually single. And maybe lives on the same continent."

Usagi and Minako looked at each other, their eyes red and puffy. Then, a small smile started to form on Usagi’s face.

Usagi: "You know… that idol group, the Three Lights, is having a concert in Tokyo next month…"

Minako’s eyes lit up, her heartbreak instantly forgotten, replaced by a new, shimmering hope.

Minako: "(Gasping) The Three Lights! Seiya is so mysterious and dreamy!"

They spent the rest of the flight planning their outfits for the concert, their crushed dreams about Argentinian football players already a distant memory.

Ami, Rei, and Makoto just shook their heads, sharing a look of weary amusement. Luna and Artemis went back to sleep. Some things would never change.

The Sailor Guardians flew home, leaving behind a country, a team, and a legend. They had fought monsters, foiled witches, and saved the day. And though their romantic fantasies had been hilariously and brutally crushed, they had forged an unforgettable, unbreakable, and very, very weird bond with the champions of Argentina. It was, in its own way, a perfect, ending.