Konnichi wa! *sidesteps to the left of the path of a ten ton anvil; dodges the nuclear missile* I'm really, REALLY, *extremely* sorry! Don't kill me! True I'm a just a *little* bit behind than I planned, but school was more than I expected. (sigh) Not a lot of people would care anyway, 'cause I don't think like my story... which I don't blame them. Probably because I take way too long to write. Sorry. Oh well... This part is just moving the story along, nothing really exciting yet. Still, if there anything I forgot to explain, or you think I made a mistake somewhere, then e-mail me at ironic_balance@hotmail.com. I hafta explain to ya though, I write in a very discoordinated manner. It goes something like this: write beginning, skip to near the end, write more of the beginning, start on the lower half of the middle, write end, finish beginning, finish middle. It doesn't look too choppy, does it? ^^;; Jerky yes, but choppy and disconnected no. Again, I have only the bare bones of Street Fighter, so if you're hoping to get some true information from this thing, it's not possible. In fact, I think I may be twisting up the general idea... I'm too lazy right now to be checking up on Street Fighter... I only saw an American dubbed Street Fighter movie... Why am I using Street Fighter if I don't know what I'm doing? I just want to! If you have a better clue than I do, please e-mail me with the suggestions or comments along with any flames. Also, I interface what the scouts and attacks are like from both the anime and the manga, so it's slightly off. On a personal question, do you think my writing gets worse and worse or is it just me? Well, as before, the italic thing doesn't comprehend on plain text, so I can't show you where they're thinking. It should be when it starts going 'I'... The marks < and > mean telepathy, okay? Legally Sailormoon and its respective characters don't belong to me, so don't sue me, thinking I'm trying to hijack someone else's brilliant work. The other character not associated with Sailormoon and Street Fighter ARE mine though! I think this is rate PG 13 now, probably, with all the language I really appreciate the people who have actually taken an interest in *my* writing for looking at it yet again, through all my faults and tardiness...*sniffles* I apologize for the confusion and inconvenience again. If you're wondering just why did I spend roughly six hours this morning on November 14th, to finish Part Three when I slacked my behind off for four months, you have Psycho-chan to thank. It's her birhtday tomorrow, but her party's today, so: HAPPY BIRTHDAY PSYCHO-CHAN!!!! Arigato for reading this long note! ^_~ Cassi aka Ironic Balance Yield Unto Thyself: Part Three Usagi barely registered the small group of delinquents as they dove away from her. She dismissed them easily, though she would have been worried about their interferrence before the transformation. She was more preoccupied with the deluge of information and power circulating inside her overflowing mind. Dimly she picked up the fallen locket, shuddering slightly. Kami, I knew so much stuff? Ow! How could I have stood it? She tried to sort more things out. Arrgh. First things first. I think I'm like spilling energy all over the place. I gotta have something on shields or something! She shook her head and desperately focused. Um, hey. I think I'm can twist this piece of something right here... A mental click seemed to snap into place, the effect was something like as if someone had thrown a light blanket over her, enveloping her tightly. Geez, Usagi thought as she got over her startlement. I hope I can make this more comfortable later. Then she flinched, energy resonace waves surging over her now delicate awareness. Even with the current preoccupied state of her mind she identified it. The Sailor senshi! she recognized with a flash of bitterness. Of course, they are connected to me and must have felt something was wrong! I wonder if this means any other energy sensitive person felt this... hmmm... never mind that! What am I doing standing here trying to figure something out! I gotta go! Baka! Wait, maybe I could figure out the effects of my transformation later... um, I just save this data somewhere in my mind. What am I doing? Uh, forget it. I'll figure it out later. Something tenious like a slender thread of space unraveled and linked to her aura, which Usagi now could see quite clearly. I think I got it. Now, how do I get out of here? A thought struck her. Teleportation? I haven't tried that for a long time though...alone anyway, with nearly zero resources. She felt the presence of great powers nearing. But then I can't afford to get caught either. She abruptly decided. Here goes nothing. She took up on the idea she was at home, safe and sound and definitely not in the darkness of the shadows in the park. Then she reached out and seemed to bridge something... A brief crackle and she disappeared soundlessly without a trace. "See anything?" Pluto asked Neptune who was gazing into her tailsman, the Aqua mirror, as the entire group of senshi raced over to 'the' park. "Iie," Neptune replied, gracefully leaping over a car," Nothing yet. Perhaps it's something else, not Usagi. I'm sure I could've seen her in the mirror." "Our powers have been known to malfunction before though," Mercury said sardonically, running up with them and keeping pace. Pluto blinked. "Mercury, do you think it's Usagi?" Mercury was silent, "I don't know. Considering what we've done and the powers she possesses... I don't know, that's all I have to say." Mercury sped up and leap away from them, catching up with the rest of the inner senshi who were pushing ahead of them. The outer duo ran quietly for a moment. "Pluto," Neptne said suddenly, her voice seeming to resound through the air, "Do you think she's right? Maybe we were a little hard on Usagi..." Pluto solemnly considered. "Iie," she said slowly, "Not really, for the safeguards of the future... iie. We did precisely what we needed to do." They went on. As they were close enough to actually see the park, Pluto grugdingly admitted, "Although we probably could have broken it to her more gently... I don't know what got into us. It's like I zoned out..." Within the Tsukino household a violent discharge of light fanned out in an explosion of silver beams. "Whoa," Usagi gasped, abruptly sitting down hard on the carpeted floor of her parent's living room. "I mean, whoa." Icy pricklings danced along her nerves, stinging like icy needles into her flesh. She shook uncontrollably, trembling like a leaf in high winds. She gritted her teeth. "Look at the bright side," she said sarcastically to herself, "I made it here in one piece." She doubled over in agony, a sickeningly feeling stuck in her stomach. Pain burned in her body, protesting with every move. "I think I might want to practice before I do long distance teleportation next time," Usagi muttered and then shutted up as even talking was having an effect on her pain- racked body. "Ohh," she groaned, attempting to stagger up. I think I'll just sleep on the floor today... it's not worth getting up and walking to my bedroom. Usagi curled into a ball and stayed very still, trying to lessen the pain as she drifted off into sleep. Hopefully it'll be gone by morning, she thought desolately, if not well... but if it is how am I going to handle school now? Maybe... I think about it later, I'm already getting a headache from this... Dimly she noticed something, Hey, the flux... it's gone. I barely made it back to myself, ano... 'old'... self... "See anything?" Jupiter asked Venus as they flitted among the trees in the park. "Nothing," Venus returned, disgusted with the lack of any signs of what had caused the odd feelings Rei and Setsuna had received, "Everything's perfectly normal. Perfectly quiet, perfectly perfect." "Hn. You getting frustrated too, huh? So am I," Jupiter swiped at a branch with a white-gloved hand as she crouched down and leapt to the grassy ground. A cool breeze wafted spiralling around them, rippling the dark emerald grass they stood on. "It's like that old saying, 'Too good to be true'," Jupiter continued, "I'd never thought I'd get to this moment, when I wish we actually had some opponents to fight with and kick butt. At least back then, we had an opponent to focus on TOGETHER, now there isn't any other opponent and we seem to be just fraying apart." She growled, and twitched menacingly, the little move signifying a restless lack of control. "Yeah, but you got to remember that other one, 'Be careful what you wish for', even though it's chances of becoming real is zero," Venus told her friend. Jupiter snorted, and both of them started as they heard Saturn's shout. "Over here! I think I sense something!" Saturn shout reached their ears faintly, though clear. Jupiter and Venus glanced at each other and sprinted toward Saturn's voice. "So what is the status of our facilities?" the dry voice questioned the rigid demon, kneeling behind her. "Everything's in good condition. The legions are three thousand, eleven troops per legion, thirty warriors per troop. The laboratories are functioning correctly, more soldiers are being constructed as we speak. Communications are working correctly, but for some unknown reason, we are unable to contact our great liege, Pharaoh 90. Energy levels-" the general reported quickly and efficiently, slightly nervous in the eerie dimness of his queen's quarters. Mistress 10 raised a hand. The demon stopped, somehow sensing it, even though he was staring at her back. He silently waited for any farther commands from his queen. "Is there any theory to why we are unable to contact our glorious leader, Pharaoh 90?" she said icily. "One," the general replied immediately," He has not enough energy to communicate with us, since the obvious failure of the assigned late Mistress 9 to retrieve heart crystals and herald his arrival to this dimension." "Ah, that would explain it. Then we will just have to remedy that, shall we not? Order your troops and prepare to devise a stategy to efficiently obtain the energy needed to get back into communication with our leader," Mistress 10 spoke softly to the general. "Hai, Mistress 10!" The general snapped to attention and bowed to her. He spun on his heel and marched through the door. Mistress 10 watched him leave silently and briefly toyed with the idea of having him disintegrated for being the bearer of the unsatisfactory news. She started slightly as a noise attracted her attention suddenly. A mere whisper brushed through the echoing vast chamber. The rustle of fine cloth on the cold tile floor, trailed lightly to her ears. A slight stiffled noise of what may have been ironic laughter drifted throughout the room. "Well, Kirlian..." a quiet voice murmured. She didn't move, she knew perfectly well who it was. Her long time assisstant and advisor, the only one who knew her given name. A 'friend'. "Erudite... so you've awakened," she acknowledged, "I suppose you have a different idea on why we aren't able to contact our liege?" "Hm. Well, no. I suppose the only reason why we are not able to call to him is the low energy rates. Of course, there is always the possibility he has been finally eliminated," the shadowed indistinct figure offered. The sharp intake of breath from Mistress Ten confirmed Erudite's nagging worry dwelling in the back of her mind. Erudite hissed softly," You're getting soft on me, if you haven't thought of that idea, my dear." Mistress 10 sighed," You've always been the strategist Erudite. I always wonder why haven't you taken over to command the troops more efficiently." Erudite frowned," Don't get sentimental on me, Kirlian. You know why I haven't taken over, you are the social one. I may be a tactical genius, but it's you who is more fit to lead. Besides, I hate socializing. You revel in it. Therefore you are the better commander, I'm content to stay in the shadows and guide you when you need me, my dear." Mistress Ten twitched, an actual genuine smile flickering briefly over her face. "Ariagto for the moral support, Eru-chan," she replied dryly, a touch of sarcasm graced her words, "but don't call me Kirlian. You really think Pharaoh 90 has been... defeated?" The last word tasted bitter on her tongue and was ladened with disbelief. Erudite replied with a straight face, "Well Lian-chan-" The nickname earned her a glare from electric emerald eyes. "-I account for all possibilites you know. Of course it's highly improbable in my opinion, he IS our great sovereign. He has been undeafeated and undenied from what he desires for- practically forever. However, keep that possibility in the back of your mind. We will of course gather all the heart crystals required to contact him, nothing will block us from doing that. If trying to contact him fails, then he probably is gone. He would answer to such a summons and energy transfer, including the great promise of entering this dimension. If he is..." Erudite's eyes narrowed and a deadly heartless glint lit dark eyes in a indestructible promise," I- we, will find the person responsible, and make it pay for destroying his glorious plans. Make it *pay*, then carry out our liege's plan ourselves. They are our life's purpose after all." "Hai, advisor," Mistress 10 solemnly," They are, remember that and don't get above yourself." A tinge of cold disproval graced her last sentence meaningfully. Erudite bowed," As thou will, my queen. Summon me should you ever need me, you know where to find me..." The cloaking robes rustled slightly and the figure seemed to melt into the shadows, vanishing with a whisper of malevolent giggling. Mistress 10 stared a moment where Erudite had been. She sighed mentally. As much as a show off as ever, she thought in annoyance at the boldness of her 'friend.' I should have her punished for such behavior if not for the invaluable information she gives me along with several occasions of... comfort in certain moods. Why do I ever put up with her? The thought was tinged with some amusement, which melted away quickly into cool calculation. Enough with that business. We must concentrate immediately on finding the purest heart crystals. " General!" she snapped shortly in summons. " So what did you find?" Uranus asked as she skidded to a stop, seeming to materialize from thin air, the result coming from her abnormal speed. Saturn frowned. " I'm not sure," she admitted," it seems to be a energy discharge residue." Pluto agreed. " It also seems to be something like a temperal displacement smoothed out," she commented, frowning in puzzlement. " Nanni?" Mercury asked, surprised. She took out her mini-computer from cross-dimensional 'storage', making it appear in her hand, and tapped furiously at the keys, trying to analyze the mysterious aftermath of residue energy. Flicking her sable haired over one shoulder, Jupiter peered over Mercury's slender shoulders, taking a peek. She quickly retreated with a sweatdrop on her head as she clashed face-to-face with obscene formulas. " Ano... Mercury. I'll just leave the technical stuff to you." Venus flickered over to Neptune who was gazing through the aquamarine hued mirror. It's reflective surface shone brilliantly in the hands of the outer senshi. " See anything, Neptune-san?" " Iie," Neptune sighed in frustration, twisting the mirror away. It threw off silver light, reflecting the moonlight of the evening's full moon... " Ura!" Jupiter excliamed, catching all of the senshis' attention," Wasn't tonight suppose to have a dark moon? Or was that a new moon?" Mercury sweatdropped," They're synonyms, Jupiter." Then she blinked her large gentain eyes, as she recalled the moon phase for tonight from the newspaper. " I believe you're right! Today was suppose to have a new moon phase... Odd." Saturn tossed her violet-black locks back from her amethyst eyes," You don't suppose that Usagi could have done this... do you?" " Iie," Pluto proclaimed, the Garnet Orb caught the light and seemed to glow deep inside as she waved it," this energy signature is different from hers. This much I can determine." Ami nodded absently, and closed her sky-blue mini-computer, standing up from her couch," Well, whatever this energy may be, or came from, it isn't dangerous in the slightest, and it is something like when we take and put back our things, like my computer." She held it up and then narrowed her eyes in concentration. It vanished shortly from her hand with a slight blue glow. "See? Basically it's harmless so-" "So we can go back home, get in bed, and figure this out tomorrow, right?" Mars cut in, standing off to the side feeling useless as her special senses couldn't feel anything. "Actually, wouldn't it be dangerous to delay investigating since this 'harmless' output of power managed to alert us over a couple of miles away? It's so strong..." Uranus spoke up. Mercury sighed and brushed off her short blue skirt. "Well, it wouldn't matter much if we just ignore it for now... I'm beat. Though I'd love to analyze the complications of this odd anomaly, I'll work better when I'm in tip-top shape. Nothing's happening yet...," Mercury reasoned, while thinking, Besides, I'm so worn out from that stunt we pulled with Usagi. I think the others who participated are tired too... "So I guess delaying for a while wouldn't hurt, ne? Pluto-san?" Neptune concluded for Mercury. "Hai, let's continue this tomorrow. Uranus? Saturn? Venus? Jupiter?" Pluto asked. "Okay," four disgruntled senshi replied in ragged unison. Sunlight fell across Usagi's eyelids, burning their image and presence into her senses. Usagi grudgingly opened her large eyes and was nearly blinded by the stream of brightness coming into the living room from the large window nearby. Oh, great. This is just what I need, Usagi thought sarcastically dazed and half-blind, as a film of color that shouldn't be there covered her line of sight. And on top of that, I think I'm- She doubled over, soreness clanging at all her senses. K'so. Shitmatta, everything hurts. Her nerves felt fried, and done over by a nice troupe of lightening bolts, Her skin was sensitive to every move and touch, signaling pain with every little less-than-gentle contact. She winced, and instantly froze. Kami. I cannot move thank you. Usagi grimanced, and with some effort took a peek at her less-than-reliable alarm clock. Her blurred eyes meet the reliable grandfather clock near were she lay instead of the small alarm clock she expected. 7:45 AM!!? I don't believe it! She flopped down and instantly bit back a yelp of pain. Itai! I don't care. I'm hanicapped and I will not go to school. I'm am in pain and I am not ashamed to acknowledge it. Why in hell do I hurt so much anyway? What happened yeste- Usagi thoughts froze in their tracks, connecting why she wasn't in her bed and why her alarm clock wasn't where she though it'd be. She was immediately shocked awake. K'so, that's right. I was... exiled. By the Sailor seishi of this solar system, my 'friends'. A bitter chuckle escaped from her lips and filled the room. Usagi ignored the pain. No other pain would ever amount to the pain the Sailor seishi had given her yesterday. Usagi started and slowly sat up, barely flinching at the needles dancing along her body. I can't believe I forgot... yesterday was June 30th. It was... my *birthday*... "Heh, heh. Kami," Usagi groaned. "My 'rebirth' was also on June 30th. My exile and awakening... it should be declared as a holiday, if anyone knew about it. I wonder if the seishi realize that they had done those things to me on my birthday... Kami." "Tsukino!" Ms. Haruna called from her desk in front of the classroom, marking attendence. Naru sighed with exasperation as she glanced over to Usagi's desk next to her. Geez, Usagi's at it again. I wonder how come she showed up so early last time... Oh well, she'll be here around noon... Naru paused, thinking about why she was actually thinking about Usagi. I guess I want to apologize to her for being so rude and impolite last time. I have no idea why I was acting so... so... snit-ish. She was probably in shock and hurt at the abrupt dismissal the Sailor seishi gave her... I really have to apologize and try to help her out of it... I still wonder why they think I am the real Princess. Is this just a setup for a test to Usagi? But then why would the seishi explain EVERYTHING to me? I don't know... Usagi... "Tsukino Usagi!" Ms. Haruna called again, an impatient edge to her voice. The sensei's sigh was visibly heard throughout the class. "Tardy again," she murmured half to herself and half to the class. Muffled snickers ran throughout the students and small sweatdrops adorned the rest of them who weren't. 8:35 AM Usagi noticed on her watch as she stretched out in her backyard, after breakfast. The pain was nearly completely gone, for which she was grateful. Not bad, the mutha of all pain vanished within an hour. Pretty cool... well... so what am I going to do now? There's nothing I can do about the ever- so-mighty Sailor seishi, not that I *want* anything to do with them, so... Usagi bit her lip, considering her options. She closed her eyes, the dusky long-lashes basked in the sun. I guess I'll try to recall my memories again and study them more carefully. Usagi bounced up and skipped over to the patio. She sat down on the floor. So how am I suppose to do this? Um... let's go with something I'm familiar with then. I'll just assume that pose Rei always uses when she mediates and that should work... Usagi reached into her skirt pocket and withdrew a silvery object. This will help too... She closed her eyes and slowly began to recollect forgotten memories that had been buried away, outlining information and relearning techniques with an ease that was frightening and utterly unrecognizable to anyone who knew her... The big clock resting above the large enterence of the school read 12:53 PM. It was lunch and now Naru was worried... Where's Usagi? She wondered, she can't possibly sleep this late now can she? Maybe, she's just avoiding me so that I can't find her anywhere... not that I blame her... "Hey, Naru!" exclaimed a perky voice, plopping next to her. Naru started, and looked hurriedly in front of her. "Ami-san?" she asked, surprised. "Hai, but it's Ami-chan," corrected the school genius, smiling pleasantly, though she looked slightly sleepy, "is something wrong, Naru-chan?" "Iie... matte. Ami-chan, have you seen Usa-chan anywhere? I'd like to speak to her..." Naru said to the puzzled blue-haired seishi. "Usa-chan? Why would you want to speak to her, Naru-sama?" Ami said in a shocked whisper. "Well, I- just wish to discuss something very important with her... between friends," Naru drawled nervously. "Between friends? Naru, you know we can't associate with her, she's unstable right now, and she might feel somewhat... violent," Ami said, trying to convince a dubious Naru. "Unstable? Usagi? What do you mean by that?" Naru questioned suspiciously," Did you do somethin' to her or what?" Seeing the slightly guilty look flash quickly by Ami's face, Naru paled. "You didn't. What did you guys do?" Naru's voice rose, slightly alarmed. "Shhh. As you are the Princess, I guess you should know. Four of us just pulled a trick to make sure Usagi stayed from us, nothing big. She's probably upset right now, but she'll get over it. You know how she is," Ami consoled. "What kind of trick was it? Ami..." Naru growled unpleasantly. The genius developed a sweatdrop on her head. "Um... we just told her to leave with some fancy fireworks. Don't worry about it. Dwelling on it will have no benefits. Besides, I'm certain Usagi will be tromping over here any second now and start chewing our heads off." "Haven't you've been listening to anything I've said? I asked where Usagi was, because she isn't at school. She never got here this morning in class. I thought she was just tardy again, but now it's so late..." "Nani? Honto?" Ami paused. "Well, she just probably needs time to cool off. She'll be back sooner or later." "Maybe. I think I'll pay her a visit after school-" Naru said. "IIE!!" Ami suddenly shouted. The entire quad area around them fell into silence as everyone stared at the quiet, sweet, school genius screamed in an apparent frenzy. Ami reddened. After a while, the students gradualy started speaking again, some students still taking a peek back at the two girls, wondering what was that all about. "What I meant," Ami continued in a more quiet tone," was that we through a lot of trouble and pain before deciding to pull that stunt." She ignored the fact that they decided to do it on the spur of the moment without any second thoughts, and continued, "And to just suddenly back out and comfort her will waste the seperation effort. It would be better if you'd wait a few weeks and then try to talk to her. She'll just probably forgive, but still keep her distance which is what we want, okay Naru? Just wait a few weeks." "Well, alright. But you better not do anything else to her okay?" Naru said to the senshi. "Sure, um... one more thing. Please don't mention this to the other four senshi who didn't participate." "What?! You mean they don't know? How am I- Oh, fine. But which ones are they?" "I can't say. Just don't mention it at all, okay? It was a secret project." "Ami, this is very un-" Naru started to say. She was abruptly cut off by a blonde whirlwind. "Oh my God!" Ikuko bolted straight up from her bed. "Huh? Darling? What's wrong?" Kenji fumbled for the light on the bedstand. He finally managed to click it on and the illumination lighted up the pitch-black room. "Usagi's birthday! How could I have forgotten?" Ikuko wailed. "Usagi's birthday? Honey, that's tomorrow!" Kenji said in surprise, with a slur in his voice. It had been an exhausting night. They had gone to see the volcanoes on a cruise tour and gotten back very late. He had just lain down for a while, starting to go to sleep when Mrs. Tsukino had bolted up. "I knew something was wrong!" Ikuko muttered," Dear, you forgot about the time zone..." Kenji started. "Oh-! That's right! That means, since it's going to be Usagi's birthday today," Kenji corrected staring at the AM reading on the clock next to the light, "Then is would have been Usagi's birthday in Japan yesterday! How stupid of me-" "I'm going to call her," Ikuko abruptly said. "She's probably feeling deserted. I think we should give her the hotel number too, so she could call us back." "Yeah, the phone should be over there on the coffee table," Kenji said sleepily. "Could you give a hug and a Happy Birthday for me, okay?" "Alright," Ikuko said, getting up and slipping into the slippers on the floor. "I'm calling right now, okay?" She tied the sash to her bathrobe. "Okay, hon." Usagi stumbled and nearly tripped. Whoa, who would call me at this time of day? Usagi wondered as she dashed to get the phone. Could it actually be mom? She raced to get it. Well, whoever it is, they nearly scared the crap outta me! The meditation thing was deeper then I thought, so when that ring broke my concentration it was like something dumping dry ice down my shirt while I'm in asleep in a warm bed... Ikuko waited on the other end, impatiently. Why isn't she picking up? She looked at the clock again, and slapped her forehead with her free hand. Geez, how stupid could you get? With the time difference, right now she should be in school... The sound of the phone being picked up shocked her out. "Moshi-moshi," a breathless voice answered, "Tsukino residence, who are you looking for?" Usagi panted, waiting for the voice on the other end of the phone. "Usa-chan?" a familiar voice asked. "'Kaasan!" Usagi squeaked in surprise. She had been hoping that her mother, well second mother, would call, but actually hearing her... "Usa-chan! I though you were suppose to be in school!" her mother's alarmed voice rang over the phone. "Nanni? Then why did you call me?" Usagi asked in a blurry, puzzled tone. "Um... I forgot, until a minute ago," her mother's sheepish voice came over. "Oh." "Young lady, why aren't you in school?" Ikuko huffed over the phone. "I didn't feel very good this morning," Usagi answered truthfully, "so I decided to stay home today." "Honto? Where does it hurt? Are you alright?" her mother asked in alarm. Usagi answered her questions, while thinking of the symptoms of a fever or something. "Usagi, I think you may have a fever. You should stay home until you feel better okay? I'll call the school office for you and excuse you from school until you feel better." "Alright," Usagi said in a very good imitation of a feeble voice," 'kaasan, did you just call to check on me? Or was it something else you needed to speak to me about?" "Ara. Hai, honey, I apologize. Happy Birthday, sweetheart, from all of us. When we get home, we'll bring you a present, okay hon?" Ikuko said over the phone. Usagi's eyes widened. They hadn't forgotten... her eyes started to sting with tears. "Usagi?" "Arigato gozaimasu, 'kassan! I'll wait for you to come back!" Usagi said, her voice quivering against her will. She wiped her tears away. "How is it like in Hawaii anyway? Is it fun?" "Very! It's sugoi! We've taken photos and everything, it was so nice of you to agree to stay home for us. Oh, yeah. I want to give the hotel's number to you, in case you want to call us for anything," Ikuko rattled off the number, and Usagi took it down. "Hm-hum. Got it!" Usagi said to her mother. "Ah, so how your friends taking to your getting sick?" Ikuko asked. Friends? "Uh, actually, when they stopped by this morning, I just told them I didn't feel so well. I didn't know it turn into this. I'll tell them as soon as possible..." "Okay... so, how's things going for you?" "Well," Usagi said, and engaged in a fairly long conversation with her mother for the next twenty minutes. Nani? Usagi-? Naru thought, registering the blonde. "Ami!" the blonde cried. Ami looked up startled. "Minako? What are you doing?" "Ami!" wailed the brunette racing up beside Minako. "Makoto? What-?" Ami was truly muddled now. "I can't believe it!" burst out Minako. "Yeah, I know. All of a sudden it hit Minako and me, during 4th period..." Makoto said. "Huh?"Ami mumbled. "Now I feel like scum..." Minako continued. "Guys, what's going on here?" Naru asked in confusion. "Ano... you didn't remember either?" Minako asked. "Remember what?" Ami asked, getting slightly annoyed. "It was Usa-chan's birthday yesterday," Makoto declared. Ami paled. Haruka banged her head against the wall. "I can't believe I forgot yesterday!" she shoutd in frustration. Michiru, still slightly shaky from the news, reached out and wrapped her arms around Haruka's shoulders. "Well, I forgot too, so..." "I can NOT believe I forgot it was Usa-chan's birthday yesterday! We're going to have to make it up to her!" Haruka growled. Michiru started. "Haruka, that's not a good idea..." "Huh? Why?" Haruka asked. "..." Michiru didn't answer. Haruka's eyes narrowed as she caught on, piecing together the little clues she'd previously ignored. "Michiru... I thought something was weird. What did you, Setsuna, Rei, and Ami do to Usa-chan yesterday? Michiru?" Michiru started and pulled away. Haruka caught her by the arm. "Michiru?" "Well..." Hotaru started in disbelief. "What? You did *WHAT*?!!" Setsuna avoided the little girl's boring gaze. "It was all for the best..." "I can't believe you did that to Usa-chan! And on her BIRTHDAY!!" Hotaru shouted, stunned. "I forgot it was her birthday yesterday... We were so preoccupied lately, it completely slipped my mind..." Setsuna mumbled, ashamed for once. "That's still NO excuse!" Hotaru growled, "How could you do that to an old friend of ours anyway? How could we call ourselves standing for justice when we treat our own TEAM MEMBERS that way? Plus, you pretended to be us behind our backs, without our permission to break Usagi's heart like that- how COULD *YOU*?!!" Setsuna stared out the window. "You HAVE to go over there to Usa-chan's right now and apologize!" Minako hissed. "HAI. You do. I can't believe you DID that behind our backs! What kind of person are you? I thought someone like you would never do that to a *friend*," Makoto growled. "Sa... You did NOT say you did that!" Naru said empathetically. "Ano..." Ami said tentively, then straightened up, "No, we're not going to do that yet." She held up a hand to stop Minako, Makoto, and Naru from bursting out. "You see..." "Iie, Ruka-chan, you can't do that," Michiru said calmly in contrast to Haruka's visible enraged trembling. "NAZE?!" Haruka snapped. "Because Usagi's probably in a very bad mood right now. Any attempt to try and make up with her will probably go sliding across glass," Michiru reasoned. "And how will you know that, until you try it?" Haruka said in an eeriely calm voice. "You know her personality..." Michiru replied, warily. Haruka's shoulders slumped slightly. "Michiru," she said conversely after a while. "Hai?" Michiru asked. "Michiru, I feel like I need to cool down for a while too, okay?" Haruka abruptly got up and sauntered towards the door, "I'll be back in a while." "Ruka-chan!" Michiru exclaimed, worried. "I think Usagi will be calm within a week, considering what you guys did. I'll make up with her then. Righteous with you?" Haruka closed the door behind her none too gently. Rei started in the hallways of her private school as her watch/communicater beeped. Glancing around and seeing nobody around, she quickly opened the device. "Rei here. What's up, Ami?" Rei asked seeing the unhappy Sailor senshi. "Rei... we have a problem. I think it would be best if you steer clear of Minako, Makoto, and Naru for now. Probably Haruka and Hotaru too. They're kind of upset..." Ami's voice trailed. Rei blinked astonished. "No... they didn't.... how did they find out? Ami? Ami, you didn't?" Ami looked down. "Well, Mina-chan, Mako-chan, and Naru-chan kind of asked in this- and I think Michiru and Setsuna accidentally-" Rei groaned. "-Uh-huh. Sure, no problem. Talk to you soon then, 'kaasan! Ja!" Usagi carefully placed the phone back into its cradle. Whoa, we talked for so long? Oh, well. It was great that we could, anyway. Usagi glance at the telephone number her mother had given her. Should I call her, or would it be a bad idea? Usagi thought about it for a while. I'll consider it later. For now I guess, I'll have to get back to my 'reviewing', Usagi started to walk back to the patio. For some reason, studying doesn't exactly scare me so much for some reason, it's actually kind of... interesting. Usagi froze at that thought. Oh my God, I'm not going to turn into something like Ami, now, am I? She shuddered. Actually, I can't believe I forgot even half of anything in my memories. Every rule and basic lesson was vital... Usagi pushed open the sliding door with a hand, she stared at the place where the ring should have been. A sardonic smile briefly twisted her lips. Ah, I wonder what Mamoru is doing right now... She walked out and sat down on a chair on the shaded patio. Next, I believe was telekinetic basics... "They will be functional within two days after we install them," the general said in answer to Mistress 10's question. Mistress 10 thought about it for a brief second. "Very well, install them immediately within each soldier we have and in every other soldier we will create," she ordered. "When they are operational, I want you to report immediately to me." "Hai." The general affirmed. Installing an artifical body part is risky, however we'll need that part to extract the crystals... It's worth the risk. Many may have some trouble with it, but then the newly created soldiers won't since it's a part of them when they are 'made'. If there is a problem, it'll only be a temperory setback. It's certainly better than using some form of tool that may be lost or something... Mistress Ten reasoned to herself. "Okay," Chun-Li muttered, staring at the stubborn computer seated in front of her face. "There will not be any problems. There will not be any problems," she chanted sarcastically to herself. She scrolled down the screen, while flicking a chestnut strand of hair away from her eyes. "Ohhh, man," she groaned. Tracking down this Sailor Moon person is more difficult then I thought it would be. There's been no clues on her since that huge blurry 'disturbance' a couple of months ago... No problem, we'll find her eventually. I'm positive on that... Chun-Li continued thinking as she typed more commands to the supposedly incredibly fast computer. "Well, now. Have you pinpointed the disturbance from yesterday?" the deep voice rumbled. "No, sir. However we've narrowed it down to somewhere in Japan, it'll just take a little more time and we can pinpoint the exact location, approximate time, source, etc." the scientist hastened to say. He couldn't help trembling the slightest bit in the intimidating presence of his leader. "Good for you," Bison said in his twisted voice," start on it immediately. I expect you to do all that in maximum two days allowing some delays, understood?" "Yes, sir!" Ryu held the black payphone receiver close to his ear, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Ring... Riing. Riinng.. I've gone over those scrolls yesterday, and I still don't believe of half of it. However, there this gut feeling I have that's telling me I chould check it out. My gut feelings are usually right, so... So I hiked up to the nearest town where I was training, Ryu thought ironically. "Hello, Masters residence, how may I help you?" a smooth masculine voice answered his call. Ryu cleared his throat a little. When was the last time I talked so much in one day? he wondered vaguely. "May I speak to Ken Masters please?" "Who is this?" the voice asked. Ryu paused. "Ryu," he said simply. "Ryu! You old priss!" the voice abruptly shouted in his ear. Ryu flinched, startled, nearly dropping the phone. What the- "Ryu?" the voice said again tentatively. Finally recovering himself, Ryu answered. "Ken? I thought one your butlers or something would pick up..." "Tch. I just got to the phone faster than they could. I'm bored to death here!" the boyish voice complained, "getting a call at a time like this is a miracle. One from you is a phenomenon. So whadd'ya ring me up for? Sparring? What?" Ryu sighed, I don't like to do this... "I need your help on something..." "Help?" Ken said incredulously, "Help? Wait, this is *the* Ryu right? If this is a prank call..." "I know you'd act this way," muttered Ryu," Never mi-" "Uh-Uh!" The voice empathetically exclaimed, "I was just kidding, man! Don't be such a wuss! Help? This is impossible to hear from you, I can't miss this! What do you need?" "Actually, it's this odd passageway I found," Ryu hesistantly began to explain. "Right, sounds like a novel..." Ken teased, settling down in his couch at his mansion in the U.S. "Hn." Ryu commented, then continued his sentence. Two days later... As soon as the bell rang at 8:15 AM Naru instantly looked at the door. K'so... Usagi hasn't been to school for two days! Where the hell is she? Maybe something happened to her... Naru worried anxiously. She wrung her hands in her lap, slightly bowing her head in disquiet as she did so. "Tsukino?" Ms. Haruna called. Hearing no reply, she flipped her pencil from behind her ear and made another mark on the attendence sheet. Naru abruptly stood up, clenching her hands, which were placed on the table. "Ms. Haruna, Usagi's been gone for so long do you think something's happened to her?" Ms. Haruna blinked in surprise, startled at the sudden move Naru made. "Oh, you didn't know? Usagi's feeling slightly sick, so she's going to stay home until she feels better. Her mother called the office and had excused her two days ago..." "Honto...?" Naru said stunned, "Gomen, sensei. I didn't mean to interrupt you..." "It's alright," Ms. Harna said, "I can understand your concern. I'm surprised that such a close friend like you didn't know..." She continued the roll call. Feeling sick? I don't believe that, she probably is just digusted with the others and me and pretended or something. Right? But then if she really is... Should I stop by after school? I am. Who cares what the Senshi say, Usagi is my friend so I'll go and check on her after school. Alone? Well, maybe Minako and Makoto would like to go as well... Usagi took a deep breath. The misty mountain air was very refreshing as in contrast to the more polluted air of Tokyo. Well, I think it's pretty cool that I got this far on my own! I think I could try teleporting to the moon in another couple of days or something, perhaps even out of this solar system. I imagine the data I had in my memories are slightly out-of-date. I'll have to start checking on the positioning and all that junk. She bit her lip thoughtfully, and then I'm still going to have to figure out that 'rearrangement of atoms' method. That could become very useful for later. As for now, I think I've just about gotten the ritual fast thing, I won't have to eat as much, perhaps not at all, anymore. Usagi gave a digusted grunt. I always wondered why I wasn't really able to move right, and tripping over things. Sheesh, I just needed some time to get use to Earth's gravity, it *is* FAR stronger than the moon's... Moving away from that line of thought, Usagi started to focus her concentration on the object she was hoping she'd create. Energy reflectors must be positioned in the correct codes along with the absorbers, or I'll end up as a roasted turkey whenever someone, any energy user, decides to pop off an energy beam at me. Within two minutes, she got it. Carefully Usagi secured the energy lines around her form, the completed energy shield and detector totally invisible to the untrained eye. It was also MUCH heavier than the automatic shield that had covered her when her memories had kicked back in. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. I'll get use to the weight, it's good physical training, Usagi tried to assure herself. Speaking of which, I really should start working on. I do need to practice back on the energy usages and techniques, but physical is also very important. Extremely so. I think Antarctica is a wonderful candidate for cold resisting... Hm. Who know the United States had such lovely scenery in some parts of their national forests! Usagi continued staring at the circling hawks swooping over the tall pine trees, while considering reviewing under the massive elm tree or returning back to Japan and thinking at her house. The drawback is it's more like nighttime here because of the time zone... I'll stay, she decided. She stared at the liquid green of the trees, filled with a slight awe. The rippling laughter of a flowing brook whispered close by. The soothing sound mingled with the rustles and movements of the trees along the stirring wind and bustling creatures around the forest. The light from the brilliant stars and moon fell down through the dark emerald leaves. It's much prettier here and quieter than those cars that go tearing down our street. It's not like anyone would visit me... Later that day, in the afternoon... "Zediv," Mistress Ten said invitingly. The general bowed. "Implantations completed. We will be able to move whenever you wish, my lady. Choose the target and give the command." Mistress Ten sat in silence for a moment. The target, she thought in chagrin. I forgot to think of which heart crystal to take! "That shall take a while," she said icily, masking her emotions with a skillful talent, "as for now, let's test out this exacting organ. Zediv, choose any target you would care for and test it out, then report to me with the results." "As you command," Zediv bowed. Zediv walked briskly down the hallway from Mistress Ten's quarters. In a while, after he was far away from there, he stopped short and let out a heavy sigh of relief. "K'so I hate it every time I go. For some stupid reason, she scares the shit out of me." He gave a slight grunt of displeasure and lifted up his cap a little. Why, do we have to wear caps with *these* uniforms? He thought in irritation. He inspected the metallic, strong, heavy, and *SCANT* fuku he was wearing as he continued to walk down to the nearest technician branch. The skimpy rig was fastened around his neck and waist with strips of smooth, reflective material. It heightened the demonic feature of his razor bladed, reptilian body, and bought out the glossy, scale-like texture of his skin. It left no doubt of his sensuous, masculine yet alien body. In short it would've been the equivalent of what a prostitute would wear, except a little more modest. He sighed. It looks okay, but I still wish we'd be able to design our own uniforms later. Zediv paused. What am I thinking? We're to serve Pharaoh 90! I must be still suffering from the long hibernation we had... Anyway- "Sir!" greeted the stationed guard sharply. Zediv nodded curtly and ordered, "Tell Soldier 523, Orion, to go to the last known location of Mistress 9 on that planet and test out the new extracting device!" "Yes sir!" Minako and Makoto walked in front of Naru, as they started to go and check on Usagi together after school. It's good that they agreed and decided to come with me. Naru thought, trying to keep up with the taller girls' longer strides. Maybe Usagi will listen and understand that whatever she saw wasn't real. Ami and the others haven't given much detail, but I don't think it could've been that bad... could it? Naru pondered the thought. They passed an Arcade without much attention. After a long while, Naru thought of something. "Hey, guys-" she started to ask. "AAHHH!!!" A horrifying shriek of pure terror rang over the still streets, stopping everyone in their tracks. "YAMETTE!" came the heart-stopping scream. The scream of a girl's. "LEAVE MY SISTER ALONE!!" shouted a frightened, but enraged masculine voice. Minako and Makoto instantly recognized it, from previous adventures and little off-time events. It was Motoki Furuhata; which meant the girl that had screamed was- "Ano?" asked Naru dazedly, confused. "K'so!" Makoto swore, and sprinted back towards the Arcade they had past. Minako followed close behind. "Masaka... Unakzuki?!" Minako asked breathlessly of Makoto who was moving far faster than any normal human should. "Looks like it," replied Makoto grimly. She braked sharly, sweeping her legs into a fighting stance and swerving her long, chestnut ponytail out of her way. Minako's golden hair flowed out beside her, settling down quickly below her slim waist. Both of them panted, slightly out of breath. They turned to see the situation and froze. "Shimatta!" Minako swore softly under her breath. "Henshin yo, Makoto!" "Hai!" Within a matter of seconds, Sailor Senshi Venus and Jupiter appeared upon the scene. They observed a very foreign, very big, and very HANDSOME demon that was attacking Unazuki mercilessly. Motoki was lying unconcious on the ground near the two. It was roughly around 6'5 with a lean, masculine humanoid body. It possessed a lithe whiplash tail, high prominent dragonlike face, bent-back legs, and glossy black scale-armor covered skin. It also sported several, no make that many, three feet or longer razor blades sprouting from various place, mainly the joints, of the alien body. Still, it was one of the more stunning demons Venus and Jupiter had seen, especially with the elegant revealing rig it wore... (Yeah, I'm shameless. Have a problem? ^^ ~C) Venus's jaw dropped. "Ara! Kaiwaii!" Hearts started floating around her head in admiration. Jupiter stopped herself from following Venus's example, shaking herself and reminded her sternly that it was the enemy. "How dare you attack innocent girls! In the name of Jupiter-" Jupiter started her standard speech for the newcomer alien. "And Venus!" interjected Venus, snapping out of her 'that-is-SO-cute' daze. "-I will punish you!" Jupiter finished dramatically, getting in the 'I'm- high-on-life' mood. The alien barely spared her a glance. It was busily fastening two sucker sporting tenatacles from the several razor bladed tentacles on its back to poor, struggling Unazuki's throat. "Get your dirty hands off of her!" Jupiter shouted. Orion was peeved. Man, how many crazy humans are there? He shifted uncomfortably, the implants were still killing him. They don't put a crimp on my anatomy, but they do hurt. Well, orders are orders. I have to try them out... Orion activated the implants. A bright flash raced along the suckers as they squeezed along he hollow of Unazuki's throat. She let a gurgling choke and fell limp. Orion yelped. He released her, tending to his suffering tentacles. he said grimly, A glittering twelve point star hung in midair before Orion's face. Orion grabbed the crystal. "I don't think so!" Minako yelled, getting over hearing the demon telepathically in her mind. "VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN ENCIRCLE!!!" Venus screamed. A chain of vibrant hearts lashed out encircling Orion, trapping his arms to his sides. Orion said, shocked. "No one messes with this solar system~!" Jupiter declared. "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!!" She hurled a crackling mass of electricity straight onto Orion's face. Venus continued while tightening the chain on Orion's body. "VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!!!" A deluge of brilliant energy in the form of roses, hearts, and light surged toward Orion. Orion was too stunned to react as he normally would. He took full impact on his body and vaporized. Before before vanishing on this plane of existance, he hurled one last transmission to his superior hoping that it would be intercepted... The outer senshi and the remaining inner senshi sensed it. The abrupt transformation of two senshi. Michiru excused herself from her tutoring class. Setsuna removed herself gracefully from the nurse's office at a school she was currently employed in. Hotaru quickly left the playground where she had been building kites with her friends. Haruka blasted off from her racing practice, apologizing hurriedly for leaving so fast. Rei dashed down from the temple to the disturabance she felt. Ami broke off her studies in computer programming. Mamoru jerked from his current position of watching Chibi-Usa, but uneasily settled down as he decided that the others could handle it. "K'so. That was too easy," Jupiter commented. "Did you see that surprised look in its eyes? We caught it off guard..." "Masaka... this feels so much like that time with Pharaoh 90..." Minako muttered uneasily, carefully taking the shining heart crystal in her hands. "It's creepy! Do you think we missed one from that time?" Jupiter was over at Andrew's side, gently trying to shake him awake. "You're right! It is like Pharaoh 90..." "Venus! Jupiter!" cried six voices. Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury came running up the path. Jupiter and Venus started. "Huh? Guys, what..." Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury skidded to a halt next to the scene. Mars stopped a little way behind, escorting a bewildered Naru. "What happened?" Uranus asked. "What's that?!" Naru pointed at the sparkling star in Venus's palm. "What's wrong with Motoki and Unazuki?!" Mercury and Mars asked worriedly, helping Jupiter try and wake them. "Masaka... that looks like a heart crystal!" Neptune exclaimed, wide-eyed. "Venus...?" Pluto asked. Huge sweatdrops adorned their heads. "Well..." Several hours pass as explainations were passed around. Usagi flinched, looking up sharply in nervousness as she felt a sharp twinge. What's that?! It feels like... Like Jupiter and Venus! Something's up- Wait. Why do I care? Usagi froze in her halfway up position, the sweet morning breeze of the woods swaying through her long golden hair. Because, unlike them, I care! She told herself firmly. Usagi teleported. Mamoru walked briskly down the steps, unwilling to leave Chibi-Usa even for the simple time it took him to retrieve the mail for long. Even though Luna and Artimas is with her, I still feel uneasy leaving her at all in her vurnable state... Mamoru thought fixedly. Especially since I felt the senshi transforming. I'll have to ask them later about what happened. He quickly inseted the key to his assigned 'mailbox' and headed back to his apartment, scanning them as he went along. Bills, bills, junk, commercial, auction, bills- hey! What's this? Mamoru stopped at one particular envelope as he got to his door. Getting a feeling of premonition, he slowly opened it. He quickly examined the contents of the short letter. "K'so!" Mamoru hissed suddenly. He quickly barged in his apartment. "Luna! Artimas! We- I have a problem!" Eight disgruntled Sailor senshi were seated around a low table in a temple. A brunette and a long- haired blonde stared straight in front of them. A short, blue-haired girl was busily tapping at what appeared to be a pocket translator. A raven-haired priestress was seated stonically, deep in thought. A sandy-haired woman was moodily going through every devisable solution in her head. A sea-green haired lady was examing a highly polished mirror. The dark violet haired teen and the dark emerald haired lady appeared to be half-asleep, which of course they weren't. I don't see what we can do here at the temple! We should have looked at the site of attack longer... At least Motoki and Unazuki are okay. Poor Unazuki... she got quite a scare. This is the second time too- Minako thought. This has something to do with the disturbance we felt three days ago, it has too! I knew we shouldn't have delayed in looking into that stupid thing- Makoto brooded. There has to be a reasonable conclusion for this similarity in style of attack. Perhaps they are related to Pharaoh 90? Hm, I wonder if- Ami analyzied. I wonder if it was such a good idea to coax of all them here right now, Rei thought uneasily. Their aura is screaming that they're in a very bad mood right now. Most of them anyway. It's impossible to concentrate- -Shove a tracer down an offensive demon's throat? Haruka mused. Plant an explosive along its body as it's leaving? How about- Michiru stared. This is not like Haruka, she thought uneasily. Normally I hate looking into her thoughts, but this- this is violent. I wonder if she really wants to commit homocide... Does have something to do with Usagi? I really hope I can do something about this... Pharaoh 90's work, Hotaru thought grimly. There's no mistaking it. I recognize all the key signatures. I wonder if the others can tell. She restrained an involuntary shudder. God, it was bad when Mistress 9 took over my body, I'm glad I got over it... But who are these new enemies with Pharaoh 90? I thought he was destroyed years ago... I wonder if Hotaru's okay with this... Setsuna pondered worriedly, peeking at the destructive senshi through her lashes. We have to get a clear answer soon. I'm glad we got Naru safely back home- The senshi sat in silence, before awkwardly discussing their notions for a while and then bidding each other goodbye and a promise to continue the dicussion at the temple tomorrow. Usagi frowned in puzzlement at the altered molecules of air in the certain area of the attack site. I wonder what's up, she thought quickly. Glancing around briefly to check if the coast was clear, Usagi set her hand over the place. Another experimental move, she thought whimsically. She gathered the changed threads of exsistance and tried to revert them to get an image of what took place. It worked. "K'so." Luna and Artimas tried to resolve the problem. They really did. It had no effect on fabricating a solution. "Well," Artimas spoke up, "Why don't you just go? It's not like there's anything important going on lately-" "And any of us can take care of Chibi-Usa-" Luna tried to soothe the matter. "Luna, Artimas, studying over there is going to take at least four years. If something does happen, it'd be terribly damn inconvient if I were in AMERICA!!!" The cats winced. "There's nothing to worry about though..." Luna reasoned. "So there's nothing to worry about! Just inform the scouts and leave. It's not worth turning down a rare second opportunity to go to America to wait for something to happen that isn't going to happen!" Artimas told Mamoru firmly. At that precise moment the phone rang. Surprised, Mamoru blinked and picked up. "Moshi-moshi?" "Mamoru-san," Ami's voice rang over the phone. "We have a problem-" Two very long, very studious, very panicking, very anxiety invoking days passed... Ryu was not happy. He was stuck on a cramped, musty, violently vibrating helicopter lumbering in the sky, weaving unsteadily across the ocean. For six to twleve hours, feeling like his transport was going to drop like a rock out of the air. Ryu was not happy. He shifted uncomfortably, ignoring the worst of the rough going. He WAS used to it. He focused instead on what Ken had said to him some hours ago... "-Yeah? Shit. Yeah, I think I can get him to check it out for ya since he's so up about those scrolls he found... What? Oh, all right, I'll ask him. Uh-huh. Sure, no problem. Call you right back after I'm done explaining what's going on to him. Right. Yeah, Ciao!" Ken hung up the phone he had been talking into for the last thirty minutes. He breathed a high sigh of relief and flopped more comfortably on the sofa he was reclining in. Ken peered lazily through a half-closed to look at the uneasily shifting Ryu, who looked and felt decidedly out of place in the grand surroundings of the mansion. Both of them waited silently for the other to speak up first. After a few minutes, Ryu hesistantly spoke up, his voice slightly rough from disuse. "Well?" "Well what?" Ken replied easily, cheerfully baiting him. "What did Chun-Li say?" Ken blew air through his lips in a phbbf noise. "She said quite a lot." Ryu frowned. "Take it easy! Loosen up, will you? Anyway, Chun-Li did hear about this Princess Serenity character you so interested in. About a week ago. She said she had been searching all the way down to Hell with no clear leads on where or who she really is so far. Supposedly, she's incredibly powerful. More than any Street Fighter there is and she *doesn't* need or use any martial arts techniques to be that way. Chun-Li claims that the data files they do have on her say that she can destroy the solar system and piece it back together with her supernatural, *magical*," Ken emphasized, "powers. Which is why Bison's looking for her." Ryu started, looking up sharply. "Bison?" he asked piercingly. "Uh-huh. And you've been just elected to undertake this dangerous mission to find this Moon Princess before Bison! The danger... it's just so- so *you* I thought you'll be ecstatic." Ryu did not look ecstatic. "...hn." "Hey, it's a prefectly good reason and resource supplier for looking for her right? Oh, yeah. Chun-Li wants to see those scrolls you're talking about too." Ryu spoke. "She can't. They vanished. When I was finished reading them, and about to look for the way out of the cave, an opening appeared and the scrolls just... swirled and disappeared in this bluish light." Ryu didn't mention that they had vanished as they swopped down on him like bats, in the area around his neck, swirling in on themselves like they were being locked up by some magical force in a cheap wizard movie. I have a suspicion that chain is still on me somewhere, Ryu thought uneasily. Ryu's hand went unconsciously to his throat. I don't feel anything, see anything, or sense anything on me, but still... Ryu expelled a sigh and decided to ponder over it later. He grimanced as the helicopter hit another air pocket. "Sorry about that!" the pilot hollered over the thrumping of whomping blades. "I'm trying my best to keep this hulk keep doing anything too bad! The trip should last for another couple of hours at most! Sit back and relax!" Ken's last sentences flashed into mind. "Yeah, anyway, you need to keep a very low profile. Bison knows you on sight, so you'll be toast before you can blink if he catches you. That's why you're going to that to Japan..." Ken gestured to a worn helicopter. "That's actually stronger than it looks, so wipe that look off your face! Well, go for it! I'll hear from you in a couple of days, okay?" Ryu had been extremely dubious at the "aircraft's" ability. That opinion hadn't changed. There is no way short of blasting this thing and falling into the sea am I going to *relax*, Ryu thought sourly. He closed his eyes in slight resignation and settled in for another few hours on the airborne torture chamber. I'm going to get back at Ken for this... "... last transmission from Orion before we lost contact is as follows: Failure! Failure! Implant usage sucessful, however unknown attackers with supernatural abilities have located me! They are hostile, repeat hostile-" Zediv broke off grimly. Mistress Ten was silent. "What do you make of this," she finished whispered, her low voice sending shivers down Zediv's endoskeleton. He didn't meet her eyes, the dark entrenched evil, no *dark power,* in the endless emerald depths was too much for him to handle, shaking him to his very core. Pulling himself together, Zediv answered quickly. "From what I see of Orion- Soldier 523 has been successful in using the implants to extract the heart crystals-" "No," she hissed in irritation, "about the superpowered attackers." "-and those attackers he ran into on Earth are this world's protectors. I think it is apparent that they may be the ones who had defeated the late Mistress 9 on her earlier mission. If they are, then they are to be approached with caution..." "Hn. I'm glad you aren't as incompetant as the former general," Mistress 10 said quietly. Then she stood gazing out the large portal that abruptly appeared in front of her. Zediv knelt there uncertainly, wondering whether to take it as a compliment. After several moments, the majestic form of Mistress 10 spoke. The small delicate full lips moved slowly and deliberately. "We'll just have to see about that. As for now, I've located a target whose aura is worthy of our time. This young lady..." The open door to darkness wavered between her and Zediv, a blurred image of a tall, suave, sandy-haired man, no woman appeared. Zediv looked up, and noted every detail, telepathically linking the newly received information to the collective mind for all the soldiers to access should they look up the data. "We will attack very soon. And should those 'defenders of Earth' appear, we'll be ready for them this time. Tell the soldier you're sending about this possibility and to use more secrecy until we've figure out these attackers abilities and their number. You have you assignment, Zediv. I expect results by the end of the day..." Zediv bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Understood. I'll send Soldier 07, Strike, to handle the matter this time." Mistress Ten raised an eyebrow from where she where languidly reclining in her throne. Her striking blood-red hair rustled, as if alive. "Isn't he one of the best?" "Hai. If he has trouble with these attackers, then we should be wary. However, as you well know, he is more powerful than the strongest of Mistress 9's cronies..." Roughly around 4:30 PM on July 5th... Usagi frowned. She studied the screens impatiently. Shimatta, she cursed silently in her mind. Two days and nearly absolute zilch. Hn... not a total loss on practicing mass conversion abilities though... She chuckled mirthlessly. Although it nearly took me twenty tries to get it right. Still, I think it was worth it. She gazed with renewed pride at the intensely sophisticated and complex computer systems she had fixed into her bedroom. I'll have to put it somewhere else later for secrecy but for now... Usagi stared in slight exasperation at the scanning porgrams she'd created. Reviewing's paid off, though I still have a *long* way to go... But, anything on this new enemy is nearly impossible to locate. They're probably located in a sealed pocket dimension or something of the like. The plane scanners haven't detected anything unusual with the surrounding matter, no dark energy was found in this entire solar system! Usagi sighed. I'm taking a break. I can't do anything else until the enemy makes another stunningly stupid appearance. She pushed herself wearily from one of the many keyboards occuping her desk and stretched. "Uh..." she grunted. "Well..." Usagi said dryly to herself, her soft sophrano ringing through the room, "I also think I may want to continue practicing the melodic arts again... how about piano? Flute? ..." At the word flute, Usagi suddnly remembered Alan and Ann. Humm... I wonder if I can locate them later and visit... Haruka sighed moodily, swinging onto her sleek motorcycle. I'm running a little late, she noticed grimly, the others probably are all there already... Hm. It's okay, I'll just lay on some speed and I'll make it no worse for the wear. She started up the engine, revving it up. I guess I shouldn't have stayed so organizing that upcoming track race on Sunday, but I guess- The sudden silence of the area suddenly registered on her senses. Hey, why's everything so quiet? I know those sparrows have a tendancy to sing around this time of day- A sleek, tentacle curled around her throat and waist, lifting her smoothly off her vehicle and throwing her off several feet the left into the same strand of tree Haruka had been contemplating bare seconds before. "Uh!" Haruka gasped, dazed by her abrupt fall. "What the-" She froze as the sight of the glossy alien registered. Isn't that one of the creatures that attacked Unazuki Furuhata two days ago? Apparently seeing that Haruka wasn't going to move the demon closed in on her, blades suddenly extracting themselves from several of ttentacles lining it's back, and striking towards her. Haruka quickly tried to dodge, halfway succeeding as some of the glittering edges missed. She stood up shakily, blood trickling from the neat thin lines marring her skin. Haruka reacted, flying forward with incredible speed, giving the demon hard punches to its abdomen, and lashing an inside high kick. The demon was surprised and gave her a slashing rake across her chest with his left arm's elbow blade. Haruka fell back and tried to reach for her transformation pen, but was suddenly shocked into submission, as the alien's chill hands suddenly closed upon her throat's pressure points from behind, knocking her out. Shimatta, Haruka thought, as she fell into darkness. There's poison... The inflicted cuts burned unmercifully. Strike remarked in his attached link to the collective mind, unbothered by Haruka's attacks on him, He moved the two specially implanted appendages around the target's throat and activated the suckers, while removing his hands, using his limber tentacle only to hold the female up. Strike reported, grimancing tightly at the agony flooding his nerves. He was cut off as the brilliant light of Haruka's star seed suddenly hit him. Its appearance stunned even him, one of the most hardened minds known to ignore gore and beauty. he remarked, his conditioning fraying wide open at the sight, He reached for the shining star. Usagi jerked back in shock, nearly dropping the cup of water she just poured. What- She shoved her chair away from the table she had just been relaxing in. They've struck again! She dashed to her bedroom, checking. The sensors were going wild, reading were pouring in. Usagi smiled grimly, Got 'cha. But who is their target this time? She sat for a moment pondering... reaching out the see if she could identify the energy signature. Her eyes snapped open. "URANUS!" "Hey, you guys," Ami commented worriedly, "Where's Haruka?" Rei frowned. "Yeah, she should have been here by now." Michiru pursed her lips thoughtfully, an odd chill forming in the center of her heart. Haruka? She thought worriedly, but felt nothing from their link. Then she remembered. "Oh, I just remembered! Haruka called me before I left for the temple that she might have to stay behind a bit to study something about soe track meet coming up." "Oh," said most of the other senshi at the same time. "Michiru," Hotaru said slowly, "don't you and Setsuna feel a little weird?" Hesitating, they both nodded, glancing at each other. Hotaru frowned. "Do you feel anything from your link?" "No," Michiru answered uncertainly. "Panic? Worry? Battle-feel?" "No, just nothing..." Pluto looked uneasy. "Well, let's see if anything happens later... As for now, let's turn to the problem at hand. Who are these new enemies..." Usagi flitted through the branches with an ease that would've made Neptune and Uranus jealous had they been in a position to appreciate it. "Shit, shit, shit, shitshitshit..." Usagi repeated the word over and over as she came into view of the demon with a lifeless looking Haruka on the ground next to it, apparently heavily injurned. Blood was slowly pooling from some serious wound that Usagi couldn't see yet. "Shit." She crouched on a branch uncertainly. "What the hell am I going to do?" she muttered to herself. "Hell, what am I doing anyway? It's not like I owe them..." She grimanaced, memories of Haruka mischievously ruffling her hair. "Odango." The echoing cheerful voice came into her mind. She sighed. "No, I don't owe tham, I owe it to myself. If I refuse to help, I'll lose something; if I do, I might not gain anything, but I won't lose that something..." Honor and loyalty, the words brushed lightly through her mind. The alien was looking around, his hearing obviously acute for Usagi's soft murmurings to be picked up. Telepathy, Usagi noted with interest. I'm going to stop him, but I still don't want them to know that I'm helping them. They might get the wrong idea... A disguise seems to be in order. Hm... this might actually be fun... Strike shifted restlessly, and moved as if to leave and ignore investigating the odd sounds he had picked up. "Hold it. LUNAR NIGHT DESCEND!!!" a ringing feminine voice rang from the trees. A blanket of darkness seemed to briefly cover a particular tree. When it vanished, *she* dropped to the ground. Silent and lethal. A stunning, tall, lithe woman meet Strike's eyes, seeming to be one of darkness herself. Long obsidian hair was plaited into a single thick briad that fell below her knees. Her two piece uniform was stunningly fitted, the raven skirt covereing halfway to her thighs, fanning out crisply. It was fastened with a golden chain, lined with tiny translucent pearls underneath, around her bare slender waist with a large circular Silver Crystal in the center. Her silver top had a jet-black Sailor-like collar fastened with a medium sized ivory pearl ringed with two tiny leaflets of shining gold. Similar pearls formed the hem for the tight silvery tank top. She shifted her knee-length, dark silver boots, swaying her long dark braid, and crossed her elbow-length, dark silver gloves, which had a slight flare at the open end like her boots. The dimming light fell across her pale, etheral face and caught the slim faceted hexagonal ruby in the center of her forehead, strung by a fine crescent linked chain framed by long elegant bangs of darkness. Her small mouth twisted ruefully, and her dark cerulean eyes stared straight into his soul. Endless, eternal, far-seeing eyes that froze his heart and stopped him where he stood. "Atashi wa Sailor Eclipse desu," she introduced. "Dare da?" Strike could only stammer out a reply, the charisma the dark lady emitted rivaled Mistress 10's. Is she one of the attackers that took out Orion? I wouldn't be surprised, she looks like she can take out Mistrees 10 herself... "Strike, I give you one chance to retreat, otherwise I will be forced to deal with you accordingly in the defense of Earth. " Sailor Eclipse whispered, the words, repeating on the wind. Strike retailated strictly, sending in a brief report on what he could see of the mysterious figure. The figure smiled sadly. "One with honor. Pity, but you harm the safety of Earth." She stood there waiting a moment. "Imperial Sky Condensation Block!" An enormous dome of clear energy surrounded her and the demon. "I offer you a fair fight." The demon hesitated and tried to teleport out. It didn't work, and it narrowed it's crimson eyes. "Yes. The only way out is by defeating me. Hajime!" Strike secured the heart crystal and charged. "Moon Eclipse Vengenance BLAST!!!" A light, comically polite, knock sounded from outside the dojo door where the Sailor senshi were debating. They all tensed, and Rei shrugged it off. "Grandpa~ I thought I told you I was studying with my friends right now! What do you want?" Silence, then the knock came again, more firm and insistant. Michiru shuddered then felt... "Haruka?!" She started for the sliding door, but Rei beat her to it and quickly yanked it open. An unfamiliar dark figure with a voluminous cloak of darkest ebony stood expressionlessly outside of the dojo. Thick lashed eyes looked emotionlessly at the unfriendly senshi. An icy wind blew up, rustling the thick leaves of the trees and causing the many sakura blossoms to fall silently around the night shrouded form. The senshi noticed the fire caught in the shimmering ruby placed on the forehead of the woman where their own tiara's jewel would've been displayed. Behind Rei, the sacred fire in the room flared, erupting from its steady crackling to a roaring inferno. The senshi all started, moving slightly away from it, Rei gasped and the lady blinked in slight reaction. "Dare da!?" Rei snapped unfriendly, unsettled by the sudden surge from the fire. "Anta Sailor senshi!" A wry smile twisted her pale lips briefly and she took a step back. "That's not your concern," her low, husky voice murmured darkly. "Your worries belong with her..." The cloak parted to reveal the ragged, still form of a very familiar face sprawled motionlessly in the mysterious woman's arms. A glittering crystal was sunk halfway into the sandy-haired woman's chest, not entirely melded in. "HARUKA!!!" Michiru shouted hoarsely, the others' shouts right behind her. Michiru surged forward and the figure obligingly transferred Haruka into Michiru's arms. The senshi circled Haruka instinctly and the woman took the opportunity to vanish quickly back into the disappearing glow of the fiery sunset. After seeing Haruka's heart crystal safely rejoin her body, some of the senshi suddenly remembered the dark person who carried Haruka back and realized she wasn't there. "Nani?! She's gone!" Makoto exclaimed. "I wonder who she was," Ami said tightly, still checking over Haruka's injuries. "Let's think about that after we make sure Haruka's okay, alright?" Rei's strained voice drifted over. They all turned their attention back to Haruka and anxiously watched Saturn move to heal her. Two days after the attack... An odd man deftly slipped into a payphone nearby. The coin he inserted glittering on the way into the slot, he pressed a number in quickly and waited. After the first ring, it was picked up. Total silence was at the other end. The man murmured softly, a hint of madness in his tone. "Hi~" he gushed in perfect English, "Tell the boss I've found it! For some reason the two items are separated but the scientist-man was right- My partner and I will move immediately, we should have the Princess delivered to you by the end of the day along with the Silver Crystal-" This isn't working. Mistress Ten meticulously analyzed. For some reason we're being stopped at evry angle... She thought stormily, a foul mood shrouded her form. She tapped her immalculate fingers lightly on the obsidian marble that formed one of the cold supports of her intimidating throne. She let out a sigh, and starting scanning for the next suitable target through her portals. ...Perhaps these foul-ups are Zediv's doing... however, eliminating him for no reason is dangerous besides unbeneficial. It takes too long for another to learn the routines and Zedivs the best so far... I think I'll try the next one myself. If it succeeds, then I'm going to have a few words with Zediv. If I'm no wrong about him, he should be able to sense my mood right now... He's smart. I don't think he'll be foolish enough to go against me in this situation. Mistress narrowed her terrifyingly beautiful eyes. Ah, here's a suitable person. His aura is most intriguing. The most promising yet... The wavering form of a muscular, stonic, young Japanese man wearing a traditional white dogi was displayed upon the screen. Haruka awoke dazedly to find Michiru sound asleep beside her bed. Nanni? Kami, it's been a day already! I didn't think she'd be this upset over this incident! Especially since we said nothing mattered more than the mission... Haruka's thoughts trailed off as she remembered the battle-riddled days of Pharaoh 90 and what they'd found in the end. Well, I guess some things matter more than the mission... She stared fondly, if slightly exasperated, at Michiru with her sentimental attitude. Unbidden, the carefree laughter of a silver angel flitted through her mind. "Ruka-chan!" the dim echo came to Haruka's ears. "Ruka-chan!" Haruka's eyes darkened. Usa-chan... "Ruka-chan!" Michiru's breathless voice broke into Haruka's downwinding thoughts. "You're awake!" For a long moment, Haruka thought she might start crying all over again like when Saturn finally patched her up and she had awakened. "Oh, stop it!" she told Michiru irritatedly. "I'm okay, so don't do that!" "But- But- You shouldn't be up so soon!" "What are you talking about? Don't you remember that we went to musical recitals in front of some few hundred people two hours right after being kicked around by Pharaoh 90's henchmen?" Haruka replied in annoyance. Haruka wasn't one who loved to be coddled. Realizing that Haruka didn't like being handled around as if she were something fraile that was to break any second, Michiru conceded that Haruka had a poiint in what she had just said. "Well, still," her voice abruptly becoming firm and resolute, "you're taking it easy today, no matter *what* you say! You're going shopping with Setsuna and me." Haruka's eyes widened. Shopping? I do NOT like this! "But I have an important track meet today!" Haruka saidd in protest. Michiru smiled smugly. "I took the liberty of canceling it earlier this morning while you were asleep." Haruka's jaw fell open. "NANI!!? Michiru! That was one of the most im-" "I don't care, racing in a narrow car at over 130 mph is not my idea of taking it easy. You're going shopping with us." "But-" "No buts. You're going." "Michiru!" Later in the afternoon... Lunar Disruption Execution, Starpoint Energy Liquify, Sea Star Tidal Wave Termination, Fire Star Nova Flare, Imperial Sky Condensation Block, Moon Eclipse Vengeance Blast, Stealth Elemental Unity Beam Strike, and that new diguise coded Lunar Night Descend, Usagi mentally ran through a list of the attacks she had in her possession. Not bad, she thought to herself in satisfaction, I'm improving. She shifted the bags of store-bought items she had, sighing. Well, I've got some new clothes, some new items that I may need for the teleportation tests, and I think I'll go restock the refrigerator next- A shadow fell across her. Usagi stopped where was, in the back alley she decided to cut through on the way to the market, and looked up to see the musculine woman, no man blocking her way. The dimmed light flickered off the shining razors fitted over his hands. "Konnichiwa! I believe you have something important that I want... Sailor senshi, or rather Guradian." Usagi's eyes widened. Ryu strolled down some of the more secluded streets quietly, deep in thought. He was still wearing his usual gear, despite the advice Ken had given to change ino something more appropriate for wandering around one of Tokyo's more finer areas. He lookd up as the sound of ifghting reached his ears and snapped him out of his reverie Nanni? Ryu stared, then pinpointed the source of noise in one of the alleys. He instantly headed that way, something in his instincts directing him to see what unpleasant situation was up. What he found was far less than unpleasant. Vega! What's he doing here!? He must be after the Princess too- who's that blonde he's fighting with? The blonde dodged Vega's slashing attacks, dropping the bags she had been carrying, a punch connected solidly and she was knocked into the brick wall behind her. Ryu stared, K'so that girl's going to be toast! I've got to help. He hesitated, but then that will blow my cover. That hesitation would guide him into the darkest truth. "Kisama!" the girl snarled in Japanese. A blinding flare of light stung Ryu's vision. Nanni? "AHH!" Vega shielded his masked face. It dimmed and Ryu saw a perfect curving crescent moon, tips pointing upward, shimmering violently in the center of the girl's forehead. The girl seemed very upset... "Lunar," a fist sized energy ball formed in her palm, expanding rapidly, "Disruption, "the energy cackled wildly, "Execution!" She screamed completing the phase, a powerful wave of energy that looked like it was capable to destroy the sun streaked toward Vega, who barely noticed in time and dodged. The girl gaped, not believing anyone could move that fast and recovered when she realized the energy mass was going to total some buildings. "Decrease to lowest intensity," she ordered, the globe shrunk and dimmed. As it impacted it decimated a couple of buildings, creating a crater with a radius of two miles. Holy- she must be the guardian of the Silver Crystal I'm looking for. She's looks kind of familiar, maybe I've seen her before, like on the newspaper. The girl saw Vega recovering and sprinted away. I'm going to have to go after her, whatever she has that Bison wants from her she still has. Ryu raced after her. She's heading to... the park? This is not going well. In fact it's the worst day I've had so far since last Sunday. First I find that I have to stop training for supplies, then I lost all of it when that dangerous crazy behind attacked me. He's physically strong, but sucks in supernatural abilities. That's the only advantage I have over him. She cursed inwardly, My magical training is going great but my physical state is pathetic. I should have done something about that. I *will* when I get out of this. What in hell does that ugly man want from me? Maybe it's because I'm carrying around the Silver Imperial Crystal or I'm the Moon Princess? She shrugged. Never mind. Whatever my physical state, I can run. I'll head for the nearest park. It'd be a safer place to duel. I can't believe how stupid I was in firing that energy ball at him and revealing myself, plus destroying a couple of buildings. With any luck, if the other Sailor jerks hear of it, they'll blame it on the guy instead of me, since they think I'm an invalid. Usagi chuckled mirthlessly. Ah, there's the park. There's almost no time to prepare. She felt the man going after her, through his moving ki. He's fast but not fast as me or enduring. Usagi spotted a tree and leapt for it, jumping ten feet and swinging onto a thick branch and crouching, recovering and building up her energy. Whatever this damn asshole wants I'm not going to give it up without a fight. Ryu chased after the girl and Vega. That girl can definitely run, he decided, it's a strain to keep up with her. But then, she had a lead. He saw her jump ten feet onto a tree in the park when he was a couple of yards away. He cursed as he saw Vega reach her before he did. Damn. Then he noticed the ominous huge shadow close by Vega and became extremely exasperated. Is everyone with Bison in on this chase? There's the ugly SOB again, Usagi noted. I'm ready for him. She tuned into his distinctive energy signature. No matter how fast he could move she'd know where he'd be. He immediately looked up as he reached the park. So he's not entirely stupid, or maybe it's just blind luck. "Come on down, Guardian," he said sinisterly. Dumb, leaking information so carelessly. So they're targeting the crystal, not me. They simply don't know I'm the moon princess or they think Naru is, either way is fine with me. "Yeah, right, whoever you are, I don't know what the hell you're talking about." Better play it on just in case. "I'm not a fool," the man snapped, slashing at the tree. It snapped, the trunk falling at his attack. You sure act like it. Man, he's strong. Fine, let's drop the act. "Like I'd really give it to *you*," she sneered at him as she nimbly landed, taking the impact easily. He slashed at her, and she dodged. Imperial Sky Condensation Block, the shield appeared immediately providing protection from his attacks. She placed it in temporary mode for the moment. Usagi studied him more carefully. He seemed surprised that he couldn't get to her. "Arrgh," he snarled slicing at the air that kept him from her. The weird man was wearing a 'Phantom of the Opera' mask, spandex pants, high socks, corny shoes and a slip-over-hand claw on his left hand with a couple of arm bracelets. His dark gold hair was in a braid. No wonder my first impression of him had been a demented female maniac. Abruptly the force field collapsed. What? It should have held for a minute longer- "Got you, you bitch!" Another crazy man crushed her in his arms. Geez, but is this day going well. Usagi berated herself. I should have noticed the other energy signature The man would have some backup- She twisted slightly to get a look at the man who had her. She froze, damn is he an ugly- "Let her go, Sagat!" a powerful voice commanded. Sagat, the one who had her, was tall and overloaded with muscles, which bulged from every single square inch of him. He wore only a pair of boxing shorts with some bandages wrapped around his arms and legs. There was a nasty scar slashing diagonally across his chest and he displayed a black eye patch on his left eye. Sagat was barefoot and *really* bald, not a single strand of hair. At the unknown voice she turned to look, as did Sagat. The new insane man didn't look absolutely demented. He was muscular to his frame and wore a slightly ragged white gi. He was sort of handsome, possessing very dark liquid brown eyes and a slightly lighter shade of rich earth colored hair. It was short, tousled, and thick with resplendent bangs slightly falling over his forehead. Also barefoot, he had a red ribbon around his forehead with some sort of combat gloves on each of his hands as well. He looked strangely familiar... "Ryu!" the ugly SOB who was holing her snarled. "Sagat," the one called Vega said in a low voice. "You know our orders..." "To hell with Bison orders!" Sagat growled, "Ryu, you're looking for the Crystal? We've located it first and we'll do the same with the Princess!" Usagi looked and felt seriously amused, These people have the weirdest names... As they spoke tensely to each other she took stock of the situation and planned her moves. Now, if this Sagat would loosen his arms a little... "Afraid to fight me face-to-face Sagat? Typical of you to hide behind an innocent girl," the one named Ryu sneered slightly. Sagat turned slightly purple and thrust her into the Vega's arms. "I challenge you! Let's see your honor!" Baka, Usagi thought inwardly. Starpoint Energy Liquify! she thought of the attack rapidly and shoved a finger at point-blank range into Vega's bare chest. For some unknown method, he had detected her and twisted to the side so that she had missed his heart. The blast went wild and only scorched him a little. Usagi didn't let it bother her for long. The only thing left for her to do was to react. So she did. The beam had *shocked* him enough so that she twisted easily and escaped. She readied herself. No more games. Usagi concentrated seriously this time, springing back quickly, avoiding Sagat who was squaring off with the other man named Ryu. I can tell Vega and Sagat certainly aren't friends, but Ryu... I'll sort it out later, right now it's trust no one. She levitated. I'm not going to miss this shot. Sea Star Tidal Wave Termination! she incited inside her mind with the best muffling effect she could make. A huge sprawling wave of liquid nitrogen integrated with freezing water and magical energy rushed toward the man, spanning about six meters. He dodged, it didn't do him any good. He shrieked when the water hit him and disintegrated into a flying mass of sparkling ice. Usagi didn't linger over her success, the fight wasn't over yet, and there were still two possible enemies behind her. She spun around alert, setting her perceptions to any kind of evolved life form. Everything, as of right now, is an enemy. She froze in shock as she realized something. Ryu was a friend, official evidence was pointing that out now. "Watch out!" she screamed unable to do anything as two elite-class demons came out from behind him and wrapped their segregated tentacles around him, cutting into his flesh deeply. He jerked back in surprise then spasmed wildly with pain, reacting instantly to the venom the demons carried in their blades. This could be a trap but if the man really is an innocent, but stupidly helpful bystander, it would be all my fault if he was hurt. I don't want that to happen, even if it demanded a couple of bruises from me, thought Usagi quickly and grinned. She was enjoying the workout in a sadist sort of way. Ryu blocked another punch from Sagat. It was hard to continue; he wasn't prepared for this when he went for a stroll. He concentrated very hard on Sagat, he's improved, but then so have I. He blocked another blow and threw one of his own. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl blast Vega into oblivion with some move he never saw before. The careless ease shocked him. I hope I can negotiate something with her about the crystal instead of facing off with her. It'd be much more pleasant. He saw her turn towards Sagat and him, her face breaking out into an expression of shock as she looked at him. "Watch out!" she shrieked at him. What is she talking about? I'm watching Sagat, very closely. Long, slimy tentacles abruptly pulled him away from his engagement. Hey- Ryu thought, razor blades sliced into his arms. He was held in place by the firm blades. It hurts pretty bad, but it isn't exactly excruciating, Ryu registered. Then pain attacked his senses. He jerked in involuntary reaction. He gasped slightly at the sudden agony coursing through his veins. Sagat, not noticing Ryu's attackers, whoever they were, threw in a hard thrust. It went unblocked and cracked along his temple. Ryu was instantly sent into darkness, away from the pain. His last thought was that he probably wouldn't wake up. Moments earlier... Mistress Ten looked through the crystalline observation pool. "Keen, and Mourn!" she ordered. came two answering telepathic answers. "The new target is there," Mistress Ten informed them, sending the data along the link. "Get him," she commanded. "Heard and obeyed," they said and vanished from their position in headquarters. That is very unfair. Sagat threw a hard punch at a restrained Ryu, faltering slightly as he *finally* noticed the demons. As a result the punch was slightly off. No kidding. If it was me, the sight of those creepy things would set my aim off too. Ryu seems to have taken 50% impact, the left demon holding him took the other 50. Usagi observed with interest. The demon collapsed, stunned temporarily by the impact. Ryu slumped over. She felt his life force, which was good. It indicated he was still alive. Privately she was surprised, since it took a lot to merely stun the demons. Usagi wondered whether if Ryu could have survived full impact. It looks like to me it would have broken his neck very efficiently. The other demon reacted and blew Sagat away, using its energy. It hesitated as if wondering if to help its partner and evidently decided not to. As the left demon had fell his blades sliced all the way down Ryu arm, leaving nasty cuts. The one still standing slid three tentacles around Ryu's waist and another around the upper part of his neck. It then placed a tentacle that was bare but possessing suckers on the lower part of Ryu's throat, across the hollow. Hey- they aren't going to, Kami. What's so special about him, that Mistress 10 wants his heart crystal? Never mind that. If they want it, I won't, sure as hell, let them get it. Lunar Night Descend, she transformed, belatedly. The suckers contracted and a stunning glow ensured. Ryu, even though unconscious, wrenched in pain and went completely limp. From the hollow of his throat a twelve-point crystal appeared. It was the usual, a dominant four-point cross and two small ones extending from each right angle with a small circular center crystal with the points nearly contacting with it. What was *different* though was that the points were clear and flashing silver instead of red and the center flared a cerulean blue instead of a sparkling white. It cast light for a radius of twelve miles. It made the sun look dim in comparison. Holy- it *is* different from all the others I've seen... That worried her, it also worried her that Ryu could die on her. The demon wrapped a slimy tentacle around the heart crystal. It seemed amazed at it as much as she was. It let Ryu fell to the ground, sliced up very badly. His blood pooled steadily over the ground he laid on. Usagi fervently hoped she could fix him up. I'm going to have to get his crystal back before I do anything. If I don't, any attempt to heal him will be useless. There's no use for it, Usagi thought inwardly, I have to use a verbal incantation. I just *hate* saying stuff aloud... "Stealth Elemental Unity Beam Strike," she screamed. A precise energy shaft lance toward the demon in the millionth of a second. It didn't miss. the monster screamed. It fell in a smoldering heap of excrement. The crystal hovered in perfect tranquillity. She moved. So help me, haul butt! Usagi thought to herself. She swooped and snatched the crystal. Unfortunately someone got there before her. It was ANOTHER crazy man. Usagi was near a critical mass point, her day was bad enough. She ran into four probable psychopaths, two demons, and had a hell of a hangover from yesterday's practice which she had stubbornly refused to admit earlier. In all she was not feeling very patient as she usually was. Still, Usagi realized later, it wasn't an excuse for what I did next. It was a breach of training. She cursed vilely in every single language she could remember at the moment that no one should ever know and snapped, "To hell with it! What about heart crystals?! All I want right now is to punch in your sorry excuse for a face!" Then she took a proper profile of the man and realized her last sentence was far too kind. The new man had a face that looked like a cross between a yak, a monkey, a mastiff, and a piece of wrinkled leather. She couldn't tell if he had any hair. He was wearing this kinky hat and a similar form of a military uniform. He was levitating as well as her. "Well, well," the heinous man said," what's this?" He picked up the crystal, examing it closely. "It omits a power I have never felt before. Hmmm," he then looked at Ryu sprawled on the floor and then at Usagi. He smiled with the vile mockery of a face and faced her. "Ah, so you are the guardian of the Imperial Crystal. Very impressive moves. I don't believe I've seen anything like them. I give you a choice. Join the Shadowlaw forces as my soldier or die." Usagi nearly fell over with the ridiculous meaning of the man's words. Due to the other idiots who attacked me... this is probably Bison. She clasped her head, moaning. "Headache. I most definitely have a headache." Usagi looked up at the staring man who didn't have a clue and said tiredly to him, "Listen... Buffalo, I am having a truly bad day," her voice rose steadily, "I have been mauled, annoyed, bruised, attacked, surprised, and it is more than I can handle! Hand the crystal over or else I'm going to take everyone's sorry carcass in a barbecue roast!" "My name is Bison and you will soon learn to obey me. Just how are you planning to dare try and oppose me?" Bison smiled even wider, revealing sharp canines and huge teeth. "I," Usagi said slowly in pointed emphasis, "have no patience for this." The crystal was suddenly encased with a clear circular shield along with Ryu. Very slowly, nearly gently Usagi uttered, "Fire. Star. Nova." She snarled out, shrieking the last word, "FLARE!" Bison's eyes widened and he instantly teleported, the blaze scorching him badly, which missed frying him in a space less than a hair. The recovering Sagat and other demon along with the corpse of the other alien were caught. Their last words were subconsciously spoken in unison as a sudden energy field engulfed them, OH SHIT! Well, that's that, Usagi thought tiredly, viewing the vast destruction she had wrought. Nothing I can do about it. I already released the damn energy resonance. Brilliant of me leaving a hole in the ground covering 5 miles square. I wonder if anyone will notice... Usagi broke out laughing in her mind. I'm losing it here, Usagi thought frantically, recovering fast. A sudden Sharp twinge in her mind made her wince. K'so. Ryu! Usagi turned hurriedly, facing him and lowered herself to the ground. She removed the shield hurriedly and checked him over. Usagi repeated herself yet again. K'so. He must have lost at least two quarts of blood! ? Overall injuries: a fractured skull, broken ribs, third-degree burns, severe slices, cut tendons, not to mention other fractures and bruises! I can't heal him in this state. I'd kill him if I used that light degree of energy! I'll need to use a healing chamber... but it'd take at least a couple of minutes to construct! I'll have to hand him to a hospital first for a short while so they can stabilize while I erect the chamber in... um... the basement. She decide getting up, Wait, his heart crystal! She called it to her the shield melted away and it hovered in her hand. She examined it closely. It's different from the others, all right! I'll examine it later. She allowed the crystal to sink back into Ryu's body. It flashed as it entered and Ryu's color improved slightly. To get a hospital to accept such a rude entrance without question means I'm going to have to make a known and trusted entrance, Usagi grimaced, and the only thing I have for that is transforming into Eternal Sailor Moon. Usagi stood up and spread her left hand, a gold brooch of a heart with an upward pointing crescent moon overlapping the end materialized there. And I thought I would never touch *this* thing again. Ha, fat luck! "Moon Eternal," she said raising the brooch over her head, "MAKE-UP" Ribbons of energy twined around her and transformed into a multi-colored uniform complete with spread wings. She picked up Ryu gently and went at a smooth dash to the nearest hospital... Setsuna's eyes snapped open wide, she had been resting on a bench while Michiru and Haruka were discussing where to go next to shop. Michiru stopped as she noticed Setsuna's unusual agitated behavior, "Setsuna, what's wrong?" "It's Usagi," Setsuna said in a strained voice, "she's transformed into Eternal Sailor Moon." "What! I thought we warned her off on that!" Michiru's shocked reply to Setsuna's sentence. "Actually," Haruka said leaning on the bench Setsuna was sitting, "I'm surprised she hadn't transformed before now. It's been a almost a week since we heard from her." "That isn't the point!" Setsuna said frigidly. "Then what is? What do you want to do? Chase after her? Capture her? What?" Haruka said coldly as she suddenly straightened up and shoved her hands deep into the pockets of the baggy silk pants she was wearing. "Haruka! You're not saying you still care for her, are you? She's a threat to us!" Michiru said empathetically to her. "In what way?" Haruka muttered rebelliously. Setsuna abruptly stood up, "We'll discuss this later, but now we have to see why Usagi transformed into Eternal Sailor Moon." Michiru nodded, and Haruka just stared pointedly ahead. "Haruka?" Setsuna said. "Yes, of course," Haruka finally said. "Michiru, we'll need the Mirror to locate her," Setsuna continued after Haruka's reply. "We need to transform?" Haruka said looking up at Setsuna. "It is best to, just in case," Setsuna said. A small wand appeared in her right hand, "Pluto Crystal Power MAKE-UP!" In a burst of energy waves encircling her, Setsuna seemed to melt into Sailor Pluto. Michiru held up her henshin wand as well, "Neptune Crystal Power MAKE- UP!" A circle of rushing water surrounded her and Sailor Neptune was standing there. Haruka finally followed suit and her transformation pen snapped into her hand. "Uranus Crystal Power MAKE-UP!" A circle of wind blown fire enveloped her and Sailor Uranus stood there. Michiru held out her hands and a glow shimmered between them. A gold framed, and aqua colored handheld mirror appeared in them. She gazed into it and said, "She's heading to a hospital..." "A hospital?" Haruka said incredulously," which one?" "This district's," came Michiru's answer. "Let's go," Setsuna swung the Garnet Orb, which had formed in her hands. She nodded at Michiru. "This way," Michiru stared to run, after a pause, with the mirror held in a hand in front of her. Usagi ran grimly with Ryu in her arms. This is stupid, she thought to herself. Tthe other attacked victim and senshi... I've didn't do anything big for them, leaving the senshi to handle it. What's so different about this time? She considered her own question. There's just something about this guy that seems familiar to me... someone I once knew. Could he be from the Moon Kingdom? She accessed her memories. No, there's nothing on him. But then he might have not been one of the memories I've downloaded into the locket. That probably means he wasn't very important, or that he meant a lot to me and I didn't want to risk him being found out to be used against me. If it's the latter, I'll am going to remember after he dies. And I certainly don't want that to happen. She leapt over a bench in her way. The hospital was finally looming up before her. She dashed to it, breezing past all obstacles. Usagi grew more anxious. Ryu, already she had gotten used to using his name, was slipping. Suddenly she sensed something. Oh crap! She cursed inwardly. They must have set a warning if I ever used this transformation. She felt them nearing her. You are NOT going to stand in my way. Ex-friends or no ex-friends. She was just going to have to speed up. She reached the entrance and pushed it open hurriedly. Attendants nearby gasped. Dimly she realized she was soaked in Ryu's blood. That was the least of her worries though. "You!" She said to the nearest doctor urgently," This man, he's hurt! A demon attacked him! He's severely injured, you have to get medical attention to him immediately!" "Ah, ah" the man stammered," of course. Nurse!" Chaos ensued briefly and they took him away hurriedly wheeling him in to see his injuries. Usagi turned away, This medical facility will only sustain him for a short while. I have to construct the chamber immediately. There's no time to waste. She went out and started to head back. "Deep Submerge!" A huge ringed ball of shimmering water smashed into her. She staggered back. K'so, talk about bad timing. I don't have time to play this out! Ryu's going to die if I don't get that chamber together! "Dead Scream," Pluto's voice came softly. A glowing violet ringed sphere surged toward her. She sidestepped it easily. I'm limited to this transformation's attacks with them watching. She spun her scepter in her grasp, I am not going to do that stupid power-up even if it kills me... "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" The flashing light blow knocked them down. Kami, Usagi thought in disgust, I don't have time for this! She launched herself up and de- transformed. She constructed a portal with a wave of her hand, leading directly to her house. She vanished inside it. I have to pull this together. Don't you dare die on me Ryu, after all that trouble you involved me in! "Uh... what?" Neptune looked up, burning with pain. Usagi was gone. Neptune staggered up, feeling intense agony from her battered body, how could she vanish like that? Neptune shook her head, muddled for once. Usagi's attack stung, Neptune knew what it was capable of though and was surprised that they weren't vaporized. Setsuna must have protected us, Neptune thought, slightly anyway. Usagi's reaction is astonishing! She never did that before! Or did she? I can't remember, it all happened so fast... Her eye caught on something," Haruka!" Uranus was facedown on the ground, unmoving. Neptune rushed over to her," Haruka!" She grasped her and turned her over. "Haruka!" she cried again, Uranus was breathing shallowly, her skin had an icy chill to it. "Oh... " Setsuna's voice came over," what happened," she croaked out, confused as Neptune. "Pluto!" Neptune cried, remembering not to call her Setsuna in time, a crowd had started to gather, puzzled at their condition. They obviously hadn't seen Usagi. "Uranus, she..." tears started to form at the corners of her eyes, Uranus had always been the soft spot in Michiru. Pluto turned puzzled eyes at her and they widened as they registered Haruka's form. "Oh, no. It must be because of the attack on her last time, I..." Flickers of memories of the fight started to re-submerge in Setsuna's mind. "- Must have not put a strong enough shield on us, but Usagi never reacted like that before!" She stood shakily up with the aide of the Garnet Key. " It doesn't matter now, we need to get Uranus to a..." She stopped short. They *were* in front of a hospital. In this state, everyone knew Uranus had been wounded and would connect the similar appearance of Uranus's true identity, Haruka Tenoh, should she suddenly arrive at a hospital, severely hurt. Setsuna cursed inwardly, but maintained a cool unfeeling mask of impassiveness. "We have to get her to Saturn!" I just hope she's up to healing Haruka again... Setsuna finished. Michiru looked up puzzled and abruptly made the connection as well. Panic flickered slightly in her eyes and she nodded quickly. Carefully she lifted Uranus up, staggering, and handed her to Pluto even though every sense in her soul screamed for her to stay with Uranus, to see things through and should anything happen. But this time Michiru refused to let it go. Usagi has gotten too many times in OUR way. Pluto had a rarely seen surprised look in her eyes, "Neptune...?" She said puzzled, her awkwardly supported Uranus. "I... I'm going to see why Sailormoon," Neptune put a sneer on the word, "came here. I'm going to make her sorry she had even heard of the Sailor senshi! She's going to pay for hurting Uranus!" Unreasonable hatred flared in her eyes. Neptune had never really like Usagi, Pluto reflected stunned. It was Uranus who had accepted her. I never thought she hated Usagi... still I would think that Uranus came before everything, that nothing compared against seeing that Uranus was all right first. Neptune must have seen the look in Pluto's eyes. "I know, but this time I have to see why, she might come back later to clear whatever she did up! I won't let her pass this time!" Vaguely both she and Pluto wondered what the crowd was making of this. It wasn't everyday they actually got to see a senshi in person, much less three, of which one was wounded. Pluto nodded, "Do what you think is right, I'll meet up with you later." She tapped the staff and a vortex spun around them from nothing and she and Uranus vanished. The crowd murmured. Neptune clenched her fists, shaking with rage. She tossed aquamarine hair back and stalked to the entrance of the hospital. The crowd parted before her, some flinching and losing their balance as they saw the terrifying expression in Neptune's eyes. She slammed the doors open and came face-to-face with... absolute chaos. People were running back and forth along the halls shouting instructions, she to listen intensely and hard before catching and distinguishing some of the sentences they were frantically saying to one another that were nearest to her. The farther away sentences faded completely into babble. "...are you kidding me? He has a three-inch long fracture in his SKULL. And of which is approximately an eighth of an inch thick! To this you want to just sew it up! What kind of..." " Five-inch long, one inch deep slashes around legs and arms, he's lost at least three quarts of blood and his systems are barely functioning... you did WHAT? What sort of training did you have to suggest that we should just cut him to pieces with transplantation!? You! Cancel that instruction for mass implantation immediately do you hear! You know the last moron who did that was sent to... " "...massive head trauma, he's going to have a hell of a concussion if he lives through this at the very least. A coma is more likely and death is the very worst case scenario... What did you say? Death is a more likely possibility and I'm an optimist? Hey! ... Well, then again you may be right about..." " severed tendons, damn is this thing to take a long time to heal, at least it's only around the arms... BECAUSE tendons are an important part of movement! What sort of..." "...several broken ribs of which one has pierced the lung. We have to maneuver it out immediately! WHAT! You asked the forensics team here!! The man isn't dead yet! What do you mean he's good as dead? You want to WHAT! Listen, bub. If you want to kill that man out of mercy or not it's going to be taken as murder with her if Eternal Sailormoon comes back to check on him and he's in the morgue with your consent. Just see if she cares that you did it out of kindness! You'll be lucky to leave the same direction this man is going..." Neptune eyes fastened on the man who had mention Usagi. It was a doctor talking to an aide who was looking rather pale at the prospect the doctor had sketched for him. The man probably has a handle on what's going on here, Michiru thought. She stepped forward and grabbed the man by the front of his lapels. She lifted him up a foot in the air with both hands. The startled man looked directly into her smoldering eyes, recognizing her. That was a mistake. He turned paler than his assistant did at the rage in Neptune's eyes. "Anata. What is going on here and how does Eternal Sailormoon have to do with it?" "Ah, well, Neptune-san. You see she came in here a couple of minutes ago with a severely wounded man who she claimed to have been injured by a demon. I was the one who intercepted her and we checked the poor fellow out. He has the worst possible condition you can imagine. If it were a normal case we would have terminated him gently, except with Sailormoon we are obligated to try and help until he dies. I mean, that is what we thought she meant." The man babbled on. "Who is it that was bought in?" Neptune asked, her mind working at a furious rate. Usagi must have bought him to the hospital... but why would she transform into Sailormoon just for that? If she were fighting the yoma it would make sense but for carrying him to the hospital? Why... would she do that? And how come she never showed up before? Haruka was correct on that point, Usagi had never showed up at battles against the demons before. We'll need to look into this... "We don't know. Not yet anyway, we're running a check out on the side, but that's the least of our worries. This man is dying rapidly, like I said before and-"the doctor continued. Neptune thought fast. "Where is he?" she asked. "Why he's in surgery. That's what all this commotion's about. Now if you're finished with me, Neptune-san, I was to get some hematologists here," the doctor answered, suddenly remembering what he was supposed to be doing. "No, I meant, where? What room," Neptune said impatiently. "What are you going to do?" the man said warily. "I just need to check him over to make sure he isn't possess by a demon or something like that," Neptune said sweetly, releasing the doctor's lapels. "Just think of the unnecessary casualties if a demon were to eventually emerge from an injured man..." "Come this way please..." the doctor suddenly decided to authorize Neptune's request to check over the injured man. "Okay. Lead the way..." Neptune trailed after the abruptly brisk-paced man. Usagi landed quite roughly at her house's basement. K'so. She sprung back up from the dusty tile floor, wincing slightly at the abuse her behind had taken. No more time, she thought tensely. She took a brief glance around the basement and cleared an area, tossing the junk carelessly aside with her telekinetic abilities. I'll just straighten this out later. The basement was already in bad shape, cleaning would be just what it needs... later. Having completed that task, Usagi then sucked in a deep breath and used her powers to construct and design a device that hadn't been made for years from the mass of air using a theoretical process that only she knew. This will take careful steps and consider, no existence patterns can be disrupted or else the whole thing will fall apart, taking a nice section of the house with it. But temee, it's so SLOW! Usagi grumbled to herself. The faint lines of a solid chamber, equipment, and monitors started to appear in the underground room. Neptune stared in shock at the devastated man. "Nani...?" she breathed, the rage ebbing away a little. "Vital signs?" a surgeon asked, snapping on gloves. "Not good," announced another grimly. "You said that she bought him in from a demon attack..." Neptune said to the doctor beside her. "Correct." "Did she say anything else?" "Well, no... besides asking us to help him," the confused doctor replied. "Do you know why she just left instead of staying?" Neptune pressed. "Iie. Is there a problem between you two?" the doctor asked, the idea slowly dawning on him. "No, of course not," Neptune lied through her teeth. "I was just wondering why she didn't contact us about it. From the look on the doctor's face, Neptune could tell he didn't really believe her. He opened his mouth to press the issue when an insistent force pulsed. Looking startled, he stopped. "Nani...?" Neptune realized it was coming from her and hastily willed her mirror into existence. It has to be Setsuna... "Pluto?" The grim face of the garnet-eyed senshi appeared on the reflective surfaces of the mirror. "Neptune. We need you. Saturn isn't able to support Uranus alone. Come immediately to the shrine." The voice was strained as the contact abruptly broke off. "Neptune-san?" the doctor asked questioningly, worried. The aqua haired woman had turned pale. "Nothing. This man is not possessed. I have other things to attend to, but... I'll come back to check on this man," Neptune spoke quickly. "Gomen nasai for the intrusion..." She bowed slightly and went out the door, swift as the surging sea. The doctor was more confused than ever, but relieved at the leaving of the intimidating senshi. Three. Two. One. Usagi counted silently. Now. A soft light glowed flickeringly, blanketing the entire room. Solid, real intruments were in place and ready for use. It worked. I'm ecstatic, really. Now, I have to get Ryu back before they actually operate him into pieces beyond repair... Usagi transformed again into Eternal Sailormoon and teleported once more to the hospital. "Okay, now. You have that X-ray done right? Yosh, doctors. Let's start operation..." a directing surgeon was saying. "Yamette!" a sudden female voice rang clearly. Startled, all of the operators present nearly dropped their tools, a very dangerous thing to do in a serious case like the patient they had. "Nani? Eternal Sailormoon? Didn't Neptune just leave..." Neptune? Usagi focused on that small bit. "Really? What did she say? I wasn't able to contact her." "She just checked this patient. Now, would you please leave...?" "Iie. No, you don't understand. I just checked with a person I knew who had healing abilities. She is able to help him. May I take him to her? He has a better chance there..." Dumbfounded the doctors stood there as Usagi scooped the comatose Ryu up, detaching all the tubes and equipment connected to him. "Chotto matte...!" one of them exclaimed, reaching with an outstretched arm. Usagi smiled at them and vanished in a halo of silvery light. Jaws dropped. One recovered and said solemnly," Gentleman, this episode never occurred. This clearly is a matter of the Sailor senshi and we should stay out of it." They all nodded their agreement, eventually, and wiped out the records. Neptune appeared at a dead run, shoving the doors open to one of the rooms at the temple, knowing Haruka's location through the special link they shared. "Haruka!" she gasped. Haruka's pale form lay motionless upon the futon someone had dragged out for her. Her usually glossy, dark golden hair was dull and a pale yellow. She was surrounded by senshi, glowing with the energy they were trying to transit to her. Cold sweat trickled down Pluto's face as she turned slightly at Neptune's explosive entrance. "Good," she gasped out, "Help... us give power to Saturn to try and help... Uranus..." Saturn knelt beside the futon, her aura flaring out, convulsing slightly. Saturn didn't even bother to look up, placing all her concentration on Uranus. Her ragged breathing spurred Neptune into action. Quickly finding a place between Rei and Minako, who were also sweating heavily, she roughly sat down and focused her energies Saturn. Her aura was visible with a heated aqua as she transferred her power. Kami, please, let my powers be enough to heal her... "No... use!" gasped Saturn hoarsely. "I can't-" "You can! You have to!" Neptune cried out. "Uranus needs you!" Saturn shuddered in exhaustion. Uranus... Usagi... help me! You were the real healer of the group... please... help me. Help Uranus... Usagi... Mamoru shoved insistently and finally managed to get the annoyingly resistant shirt to stay in his suitcase. Snapping it shut with a sigh of relief, he glanced at the clock. ... My flight's going to leave in a couple of hours. Should I really leave? The senshi could need my help... This whole heart crystal business makes me very uneasy. It's almost exactly the same as when we were fighting against Pharaoh 90... I think I should check with the others just in case. Mamoru drew out his wallet from his pants pocket. Not that they're incapable of handling themselves. Hm... I know I have Ami's number... Mamoru rummaged over his desk. Ah! Found it! He pulled out the strip of paper from his wallet. Walking over to the phone on the other side of the room, he paused as his hand rested upon the receiver. I have this strange urge to call Usagi... I wish... Mamoru shook his head, trying to clear it. What am I thinking?! He picked up the receiver and dialed Ami's number. Usagi gently hooked the looping wires around Ryu's athletic body and attached them to the monitors and life supports. There. That should do it, Usagi thought grimly, stabilizing vital signs. She gently clamped the metal prongs firmly against his head and tapped absent-minded at a keyboard nearby. The supplying mists swished in, light veiling the man from view of the hissing sound of specialized nutrient clear crystal top that covered him. She scanned the readings as she finished linking Ryu into all the wires that transited healing factors and elements into his body. She breathed a silent sigh of relief as the readings registered well within safe range of the healing chamber's abilities. Good. Now all I have to do is watch over him and wait... Usagi thought in satisfaction. Usagi... help me! You were the real healer of the group... please... help me. Help Uranus... Usagi... a haunting echo drifted over, caught by Usagi's keen telepathic abilities. Nani? Saturn? Usagi recognized the violet-eyed senshi's voice. What is... Uranus! Usagi could see through Saturn's eyes, see a pale, motionless form of a shallowly breathing sandy haired woman. She could see, the other senshi gathered in a circle around Saturn, giving all the energy they had, trying to save Uranus. Usagi realized a fact. It isn't enough. Kami, Uranus is *dying*. How... wait. The attack I shot at them. Uranus must've been too weak to block it off so she- K'so. This is *my* fault. Usagi cursed bitterly under her breath. Uranus... Saturn's power is waning, as well as the other senshi. They can't heal Uranus. The injuries from before are too severe and deep to be healed by their limited healing abilities. I have to do it. I can't go there myself, but through Saturn... Usagi reached out, exercising another technique and connected with Saturn's powers. She supported her and threw her healing power in a surging arc that probably left Saturn breathless with the sudden rush. Usagi sensed the amazement and renewed determination of Saturn's mind as she pushed her energies again, intent on healing Uranus. Usagi monitored her entire progress, the silent and unknown guide that led her on, mistaken for the subconscious. At least, she'll won't tell that I seem to have incredible new powers and that I seem to be seeing into their very minds. Usagi reflected bitterly. Too bad. It could've explained the weird person that showed up to save Uranus in the first place... Usagi unobserved, smoothly broke off her link with Saturn and gently rested her hands along the large, coffin-like shaft with the mist-hidden being inside of it. Now.. as long as nothing goes wrong, you'll be fine. Then you can explain to me why there were three bigot assholes screaming like parakeets that wanted to find me and the Silver Crystal. And came way too close for comfort in succeeding. Suddenly Saturn felt a new well of strength swell up within her and she desperately reached for it. It supported her and she gave it all she had to Uranus. Saturn could feel the tears and wounds that had downed Uranus seal shut and heal. The glow faded away from Uranus's body as she finally asorbed all the power the other senshi were attempting to feed her. The shimmering auras vanished and the senshi collapsed, detransforming on the spot. "Su...goi! Hotaru-chan!" gasped Ami. "Hai... arigato, 'Taru-chan!" Michiru panted. Tears glittered at the edges of her sea green eyes. Saturn's was gasping for breath. Even the surge of power had barely been enough. But... where did it come from? Saturn wondered suddenly. I know it could've have came from me... I already wasted a huge amount of my own energy on Uranus already... Usagi? Hotaru suddenly thought. Was it you? Usagi... The sound of heavy breathing from the power-drained senshi filled the still, cool air of the peaceful night. The sound of snoring came from a nearby adjourning room, harsh and loud. Sweat-drops dotted the senshi's heads, especially on Rei's. "Thank Kami-sama grandpa is such a heavy sleeper," she muttered, embarrassed. Bigger sweat-drops appeared. "..." Mamoru raced up the endless temple steps, wheezing slightly from his exertion. A few moments ago... "Moshi-moshi!" "Ano... Mrs. Mizuno?" asked a slightly flustered Mamoru. "Um... may I speak to Ami for a moment please?" Mrs. Mizuno blinked and looked suspiciously at the receiver. The husky, low voice of a young man's was hardly one she expected to asking for *her* daughter. "Who's this?" she asked, a note of something creeping into her voice. Something that could've been protective hostility. "Uh... I'm a study partner of hers for computer programming," Mamoru said hastily, which was technically true. "Oh!" Mrs. Mizuno's tone changed dramatically. "I'm so sorry, Mister...?" "Chiba," Mamoru supplied. "Watashi wa Chiba Mamoru desu. Hajimeshite." "Chiba-san, could you call later? Ami went in a big hurry out the door to some temple for something she said was a big emergency..." Mamoru fell dead silent. "Chiba-san?" Mrs. Mizuno probed. "Ah..." he said, carefully hiding the sudden worry sprining in his mind. "Yosh. Arigato, Mizuno-san. I'll call her later. Ja!" Mamoru hurriedly hung up. "K'so. What's happened?" Mamoru muttered to himself as he finally reached the zenith of the stone steps. He looked around and sensed a huge aftermath of energy emitted from one of the small temple rooms and unhesitantly charged inside. "Minna-san! Daijoubu ka?!" he shouted as he crashed past the doors.He stopped short at the sight of seven exhausted senshi and a peacefully sleeping one. "Mamoru?" asked Setsuna, regaining her breath slowly. "Setsuna? What's going on here?" Mamoru asked, seeing that something *had* happened, but had passed with little incident. "Oh, nothing much," panted Makoto slightly, "You just missed all the fun... that's all..." "Yeah," gasped Minako, sucking in another breath. "Fun? What are all of you guys doing here for? What's up with Uranus?" Mamororu questioned in frustration. "Oh, nothing much," Hotaru wheezed, her train of thought distracting by Mamoru. "Just trying to make sure Haruka-san didn't die on us..." "Nanni?!" "Well, it's like this," Michiru started to explain to Mamoru whose jaw kept dropping lower and lower as Neptune told him an absolutely *fake* story of how Setsuna, Haruka, and her had been attacked by one of Mistress Ten's demons and Haruka had taken the worst of the assault. With Mamoru's attention diverted to her words, she privately winked at the other senshi who looked absolutely incredulous at her story. They blinked and got the idea. They didn't say a word to contradict Michiru's tale. "Honto ne?" Mamoru dragged out slowly. I already made it as plausible as possible and he's still worrying? I wonder what would've happened if he knew that Usagi had been the one who attacked us... Michiru thought silently, observing Mamoru's preoccupied reactions. "Maybe I shouldn't leave Tokyo," Mamoru said grimly. "You guys will probably need my help. The university in America can always be applied to again later, but this-" "Iie! You've delayed for over a year already!" Michiru said empathetically. "You should go now! Mistress Ten is nothing we can't handle! You're leaving on that plane in two hours, so don't go 'I don't think it's such a good idea' again now!" "Hai!" Setsuna quickly agreed, seeing what Michiru had seen to make her fib about what really happened. "We can handle it, don't worry about it. Everyone will be fine." Mamoru looked dubiously and it was only after several repetitions of assurance that they manage to hustle him out the door, back to his apartment, send him to the airport and see him off. Mamoru threw a last worried glance over his shoulder as he walked up the boarding passageway. "Don't worry!" Ami said. "When you come back, it'd probably be all over! You can always call to check if you're so paranoid!" A small quirk twisted his mouth into a smile at Ami's words and he finally vanished into the plane. The senshi watched the airliner blast off and then all the senshi attacked Michiru and Setsuna. "What are you guys doing lying to Mamoru like that-" "What's the deal, here? There'd better be a very good reason-" Michiru sweatdropped and tried to ward off the senshi that were mostly assaulting her with the verbal questions. "Girls, girls!" Michiru hushed. "I will explain it to you. Mamoru can't be of any help here. He simply doesn't have to means to defend himself properly like we do so if he gets into the mess, what could he do that we can't? It's not risking the future king over something we can handle ourselves. He'll be safer in America than here." "Hai," Setsuna agreed simply. "That's it?!" Makoto exclaimed. "It makes perfect sense," Ami said shortly. "..." Hotaru said nothing. Then, "We should get back to Uranus, Rei, and Minako. I have a feeling all of this is leading up to something BIG. We shouldn't leave them alone. Nor-" She looked pointedly with determination at Setsuna, Michiru, and Ami, "Shall we leave Usagi out of this. As of now forth, she's one of us. We NEED her. You can't deny that." Silence greeted her proclaimation. "I don't deny it," Michiru said softly," but consider this: No contact has been done with her for nearly a week. For all we know, she could be one of the enemy by now." "And whose fault is that?" Makoto said grimly. "We all still owe her an apology." "That may be so, but we still need to check if she's safe-" "Which won't take up too much time," Setsuna placid voice soothed, forstalling Hotaru and Makoto's outburst. "I wonder where it went," Hotaru suddenly said. "Our loyalty to friends. It's strange considering. Why did Chibi-usa show up again and why isn't Diana with her? How come she always had the moon birthmark before? How come we decided it all added up to Usagi? No mattter how you put it, it all leads back to her." "And all the answers should reside with her too..." Makoto finished curtly. "Kami, we're all falling apart." A dark aura seemed to surround all of them. "Ojousan!" a small soft voice chirped. "Daijoubu ka? You shouldn't be so sad!" Makoto started, and stared face-to-face with a little girl. She smiled, her eyes turning into cheerful crescents. "Did your friend just leave? Don't worry! 'Tousan left too, but he always comes back! Your friend will too! Don't be so sad!" "Ano, Gekkei!" a woman's voice rang, "Don't bother the young ladies! It's not polite!" "?" Gekkei looked up, "Hai, 'kaasan! Gomen nasai!" She apologized sweetly to the emerald-eyed senshi. "It's alright," Makoto said, smiling for the first time in weeks. A ray of light seemed to shine on her from a dark and stormy sky. "Arigato, Kei-chan!" The girl blinked. "Do itashimashite!" She gave a cheerful wave and scampered off to a tall stately lady with long light brown hair. "..." Hotaru closed her eyes and smiled softly. Ami stared after the girl. "Hu," she said quietly, a slight smile forming on her lips. Setsuna and Michiru looked thoughtful. Minako looked worriedly over at Uranus's still form. Everything's normal. Steady pulse, steady breathing, but Kami I wish she'd wake up! The blazing fire crackled a few feet away, Rei was seated in front of it, deep in meditation. Minako felt like rolling her eyes. She can stay calm through stuff like this~ Typical. Minako brooded. "Hey, Rei!" Minako broke the silence, unable to stand it anymore. "Hai?" "Can you explain something to me?" "If I can." "Why the HELL did you do what you guys did to Usa-chan? Do give me none of that because-it's-for-the-ultimate-good crap, okay? Not to be rude or anything, but don't you remember when we died for her at the episode with Sailor senshi Lead Crow? What happened, huh?" Mianko asked, frustrated. "I don't know. I... Are you pissed at me or something?" "Hell, yeah! But you *are* my friend! And what are friends if they can't forgive? Aren't you Usa-chan's friend? You should try telling her straightforward instead of pulling something like that! She will listen!" "Honto?" "You'll never know unless you give it a try right?" "..." Minako sighed. I wish to Kami-sama the others would come back. I want to check on Usa-chan to see if she's alright... Seiya woke up. Oh man, I overslept again! What was I on last night? Did I try Yaten's attempt to make that wine thingamajig or what? But if I did, shouldn't the pain only be in my head instead of all over my body? And why are the walls so, so, blank? I thought I pasted them with pictures... "Oh..." someone moaned. Huh? Dimly, Seiya sensed Yaten's presence behind her. Yaten? What's she doing in my room? Hey, my room's not big enough to fit her in here... How- It clicked. "Usako!" Seiya jerked up, only to hunch over the crisp covers of her bed in agony. "Itai..." she gasped painfully. "Uh..." Yaten slowly pressed her hand weakly to her throbbing temples. "That was NOT fun." "Yaten! Seiya!" Kakyuu's shout made both occupants of the room wince. "You're awake! Sugoi!" The long-haired figure dashed in unceremoniously to attempt to smother both of them in a unladylike bear hug. Taiki was more restrained, gliding in gracefully. Her sharp violet eyes studied the figures carefully. "So, what happened?" she asked, guardly. "You make me feel so good about myself," Yaten's sarcastic voice cut in. Seiya grunted her agreement. Kakyuu frowned, biting her upper lip nervously. "Seiya? Yaten? What happened? Do you guys remember?" Both of them were silent for a moment then spoke up at the same time. "All I remember was-" "There was this ripping sensation-" They stopped, looking at each other wearily. "You go first," they both said in unison. Taiki privately smothered a laugh at their sudden cooperation. "Yaten, why don't you say what you felt first? It looks like it hit you pretty badly..." "Okay... well, when that wave hit, there was this huge tearing sensation." Yaten grimanced, fliching at the memory, "It felt like when you have a broken arm or something set wrong for a long time, and then something huge and brutally powerful suddenly decides to break it again and stick it back together right this time. Like a correction on a computer error, except the 'computer' was the prefabricated pieces of the universe, and the correction is a re- alignment of the basic energy threads making up the 'computer.' Still, the change was pretty slight and very smooth. I don't think anyone, except for star energy caliberated people or strong psychics, would have felt that adjustment correctly for what it was." "Such impressive vocabulary, Yaten," Seiya remarked offhand from her position on her back, "I never knew you actually listened to Taiki talk-" "Shut up," Yaten growled. A sweatdrop formed on Taiki's head. Looks like they're almost back to normal again. "What about you Seiya?" "Oh, so you do want to hear my side of the story?" Seiya commented, "Okay. Don't look that way at me! Geez, well, I didn't feel what Yaten's talking about, but-" Seiya hesitated. "Spit it out," Yaten advised, still feeling the afteraffects of the power wave to try for tact. Seiya sighed, but decided not to argue. "I saw Usako. Or Serenity-sama. In my mind of course, I don't know why, but we do have this small link to each other, though I'm not sure if she can feel it. It was just for a second, but I felt that something was horribly wrong. My image of her wasn't too clear, but it looked like she was crying and was in some kind of pain... Then I felt this sudden surge of enormous energy striking out. It felt like it was blasting me into pieces..." Seiya grimanced, "It was not a pleasant experience." Kakyuu wrung her hands. Taiki looked grave. Seiya and Yaten just laid there, waiting for the pain to subside. "Well," Yaten asked," Aren't you going to make some analytical proclaimation on what this is all adding up to?" Taiki smiled grimly, suddenly looking terrifying. "I take it back," Yaten muttered, unnerved. "In my opinion, what it adds up to is another trip back down to Earth where Eternal Sailor Moon is. From what Yaten is describing, and what Seiya has seen, it's self-evident that it has something to do with her," Taiki informed Yaten. "However, I don't think all of us have to go. Some of us have to stay to moniter the station." "I will stay," Kakyuu said softly, "I don't I can be of be much help in this matter, unless you think I should..." "Iie, Princess. You should stay here," Taiki said, smiling. There was a long silence. "If you think I'm sitting back here while there's something up with the Sailor senshi back on Earth, you're cracked," Seiya stated harshly. "I know I will probably have to go to make sense of what's occuring on Earth, but Yaten?" Yaten gave a disgusted snort. "As much as I would say I want to stay, I know my empathic abilities will be of some use. Plus I *AM* getting bored to death back here!" Taiki frowned. "One of us HAS to stay. We can't leave the Princess unguarded!" All three glared at each other. "Enough," Kakyuu said, "All of you go." "But-" all three of them started. "All of you are necessary. I am not defendless by myself, and I know you wish to see them again and make sure they're all right. Though I also wish I could go, my responsibilites are here, to guard this place in hopes of re- inhabiting Kinmoku." "But-" "No buts. This is an order. Go and make sure everything's all right. When you're satisfied, come back to me and tell me what has happened. And tell the Earth's senshi that I hope to come visit them one day..." Kakyuu murmured firmly. The Sailor Starlights lasped into silence, not happy at leaving their Princess behind, but unwilling to stay and not check on their friends. They prepared to leave for Earth. Luna looked concernedly over the restlessly turning form of Chibi-Usa. She moaned softly in her sleep, sweating soaking the sheets of the futon she laid in. Her breathing became increasingly rapid. "Artimas..." Luna hissed. The white cat sprang down from his watchful perch and pressed Chibi-Usa still. Or tried to. The moaning rose into half-shrieks. The half-cries were gargled words, unintelligible. "K'so!" Artimas swore. "Luna!" "Transform!" Luna snapped at him. She leapt down, turning into her human form in the blink of an eye. She gently held Chibi-Usa's thrashing down, as Artimas also transformed into human form. Choked sobbing comtinued, and Chibi-Usa's violent movements nearly threw both of them off, for all their supernatural strength. "We... can't hold... her!" Artimas gasped. "Wake her up!" "Hai...!" Luna returned. She reached out to shook Chibi-Usa awake. "'Tousan! 'Kaasan~!!" The heart searing shriek blasted at their sensitive ears. "Aahh!" Artimas and Luna clamped their hands over their ears, trying to muffle the sound and froze when they took a better look at Chibi-Usa. Dark chesnut hair streamed in a thick straight wave down the small girl's back. Brilliant hazel eyes shone with nerving reacking intelligience as they practically glowed in her pale delicate face. "K'so..." Artimas repeated himself. This is the first time she turned like this for so long! What's going on in the future to make her out like this?! The little girl shuddered and pressed damp hands to her temples, shaking her head confusedly. She stared in front of her unseeingly for a breif moment then focused on them. Her eyes lit up. "Nani?! Luna? Artimas? You guys are ALIVE?!" Alive? Luna thought, startled, an uneasy feeling stuck in her gut. "Sugoi! I thought that you two died in that latest explosion caused by-" A spasm jerked her frame and her features shifted again, resuming the chocolate colored hair and sapphire eyes. Chibi-Usa collaspsed back onto the futon, out. The two feline-turned humans sat for a moment. "Died-?" Artimas choked. "Kami... who did Naru marry in the future to set off this...?" Luna said frozenly. "Someone we can't let near her," Artimas said grimly. "Not only for ourselves, but for others. Whoever Naru married must have triggered off something big," Artimas's mind worked on the key word *latest* explosion," and terrible to produce *that* future." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- YAYYY!!! I'm Finished with Part Three!! Yosh! My next goal is to get Part Four out by January- *a brick thwacks on target* -but I'll try to make it sooner if you'd like. *winces* Itai. I've started a site that's been up since June 1998. You honestly didn't think I wasn't creative did you? Never mind, don't answer that. Well, if you're interested in taking a brief glance at it, it's at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/1385/ I'd love it if you'll drop by. There's not a lot up yet, but I'll tryin'. And then, perhaps I'll go take a two-week break before working on this story again- *BANG* -or maybe not. Now I know some characters are still kind of out of character (geez, that sounds corny...). Sorry, I'm trying to work out the kinks. My personal opinion is interfering unfortunately. And why didn't the general think intelligently as I cast him to be? He'd never dream that Pharaoh 90 got defeated by someone of course! ^_^; As to why Unazuki (aka Andrew's little sister) was chosen as the first target.... Well, it had to be someone they knew, and you couldn't really picture her *brother* screaming do you? Does anyone know what's Rei's shrine is called? Or what the Silver Crystal's Japanese name is? Oh! Sorry, but cramming he definations at the end again is so *uncool*, it takes a lot of time, so if you want the meaning to the Japanese words then go to my fanfic section of the site and there'll be explainations there! Thanks for reading my story again. ^_^ I hope you're pleased with the results this time, Psycho-chan!