Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Episode 3: Infinity 2: Ripples

The episode opens with the Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask confronting Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, two enigmatic figures who appear at the top of a staircase. Their expressions are guarded, a clear sign of the friction that exists between these factions of protectors. Sailor Uranus offers a confident smirk, while Sailor Neptune watches with an equally assured gaze, leaving Sailor Moon and her allies in a state of confused surprise. The new Senshi then float away into the night, their destination unknown, deepening the mystery surrounding their purpose.

Away from the main conflict, Chibi-Usa encounters Hotaru Tomoe, a sickly girl with a mysterious healing touch. When Chibi-Usa reaches out, a golden glow emanates from their hands, instantly mending Chibi-Usa's injured knee. Hotaru calmly explains that she's had this strange power since childhood, her quiet demeanor contrasting with the miraculous event. As Hotaru departs, Chibi-Usa looks thoughtful, clearly captivated by her new acquaintance, a connection that raises more questions than it answers.

Later, Hotaru is seen in distress, clutching her chest during an attack. Kaolinite rushes to her side, only for Professor Tomoe to intervene with an unsettling calm. He dismisses Kaolinite's concern, offering Hotaru a glowing amulet as a supposed cure for her seizures. The Professor's sinister smile as he leaves Hotaru to sleep, cradling the amulet, casts a dark shadow over his paternal care, hinting at a manipulative control.

The Sailor Guardians, along with Luna and Artemis, gather in their command center, struggling to understand the new Sailor Senshi. They review images of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune in their civilian forms, questioning their intentions and the harsh warnings they delivered. Sailor Moon is particularly perplexed by Haruka's aggressive challenge, while Chibi-Usa's thoughts drift to Hotaru's mysterious healing ability. The group recognizes a growing list of enigmas that demand their attention.

In a dark, ruined temple, Kaolinite gazes into a water mirror, her eyes gleaming with malevolence as she plots against the Sailor Senshi. She reflects on the strength of their light, which she believes is tied to the coming 'Ruin' mentioned by Master Pharaoh 90. Using the mirror, she attempts to divine the location of the 'Three Talismans,' which she believes are the source of this power. When her divination is interrupted, she reacts with frustrated anger, realizing someone else is also searching for these powerful artifacts.

Meanwhile, Tuxedo Mask is troubled by a recurring dream, a voice urging an 'awakening' and speaking of 'ruin' and 'three Talismans.' He ponders whether the dream is a call to action or a warning of impending disaster. Across the city, Sailor Neptune is also thwarted in her mirror divination, acknowledging an interference. She and Sailor Uranus share a moment of intimate understanding, reaffirming their grim resolve to find the Talismans, even if their efforts prove futile against a predetermined fate.

Tuxedo Mask begins investigating Mugen Academy, quickly discovering that its owner, Professor Souichi Tomoe, is the same man associated with a mysterious chart. He learns from Sailor Neptune, in her civilian guise as Michiru, that the Professor was expelled from academia and that Mugen Academy is sometimes called the 'Witchcraft Training Academy.' Their conversation is interrupted by an adoring fan seeking Michiru's autograph, causing Sailor Moon, observing from afar, to misinterpret Michiru's gesture of giving Tuxedo Mask concert tickets as something more intimate.

Later, Sailor Moon encounters Haruka Tenoh at an arcade, and the directness of Haruka's personality quickly leads Sailor Moon to suspect his true identity as Sailor Uranus. When Sailor Moon directly asks if he is a Sailor Senshi, Haruka laughs dismissively, making light of her mission and her friends. This provokes the arrival of the other Inner Senshi, who angrily defend Sailor Moon and her sacred duty. Haruka merely smirks, his intentions and allegiances remaining deliberately unclear.

The Inner Senshi gather for a casual lunch, lamenting their approaching high school exams, while Chibi-Usa enthusiastically shares news of her new role as class representative. The mood brightens as Sailor Jupiter reminds them it is Rei's birthday. However, Rei is absent, having chosen to train in the mountains for her fifteenth birthday, a decision that leaves her friends both confused and amused. This seemingly ordinary moment reveals Rei's dedication and hints at a deeper, spiritual awareness.

Back at the temple, Kaolinite continues her sinister machinations, detailing her plan to convert new students at Mugen Academy into vessels for her master. She dispatches her subordinate, Eugeal, to carry out this dark task. As she looks into her water mirror, a strong red light appears, signaling a significant event near Eugeal. Kaolinite interprets this as the 'Awakening' of the 'Three Talismans,' reaffirming her conviction that she must find and destroy them to prevent 'Ruin.'

While training under a waterfall, Rei experiences a premonition of the 'Three Talismans' and the impending 'Ruin,' expressing deep worry for what is to come. Her friends arrive to celebrate her birthday, finding her still troubled by her vision. Soon after, the Inner Senshi witness Haruka effortlessly defeat Sailor Jupiter in a judo match. Haruka then delivers a harsh, yet poignant, lesson: 'Can you protect someone important to you like that?' challenging their understanding of true strength and sacrifice.

Following Haruka's challenge, Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter transform, ready to prove their strength against the encroaching darkness. They confront Kaolinite, who appears with a confident smirk, dismissing their efforts. Sailor Mars unleashes 'Mars Flame Sniper,' and Sailor Jupiter follows with 'Jupiter Oak Evolution.' Their combined attacks overpower Kaolinite, who fades away after expressing surprise at their power, a temporary victory for the Inner Senshi.

As the dust settles, a pulsing dark orb is left in Kaolinite's wake, dissipating quickly and leaving the students unconscious. The Sailor Guardians look on in worried confusion. Suddenly, Sailor Uranus appears, floating in the night sky, observing the scene with a serious expression. He directs a cryptic 'Dumpling-head' at Sailor Moon, then simply flies away, leaving the Inner Senshi baffled and no closer to understanding his intentions or true allegiance.