"Opal! Jedite!" Amberite shouted. Her two generals came running.

"Yes, Queen?"

"Choose a Negamon, because I’m going to find a target."

"Are you targeting anyone in particular?" Jedite queried.

"I am looking for people who are under stress. When someone is under stress or anxious, his or her energy output increases exponentially. My staff detects anyone whose energy output rises beyond their normal. We target them, and suck their energy. Enough energy, and I can put my plan into action."

"We understand." Opal said.

"When I find my target, I’ll summon you."

"Yes, merciful amber-haired one." Opal said, bowing. Amber smiled. She found it humorous when Opal tried to suck up to her.

"Go before I get angry, Opal." Amberite said, idly looking at her fingernails (which were also amber-colored.)

Opal snapped her fingers and disappeared. Jedite turned, but Amberite stopped him.

"You are not allowed to help her."

"But she almost got killed last time!"

Amberite’s eyes glinted malevolently.

"I know. She has to fight on her own for a while. Then I might let you help again, if Opal’s efforts are fruitful."

She’ll be killed! How can you be so heartless?

"Jedite, get out of my sight. I’m getting sick of you."

"Yes, Queen." Jedite said, disappearing.

Amberite smiled. "I doubt that Opal will die. Sailor Moon is not one to kill her enemies; she prefers to heal them if she can. Dinozore, on the other hand…"

MEANWHILE:

"Darien!" Serena griped.

"What now?" Darien said calmly.

"I want this!" Serena said, pointing to a stuffed animal in a store window. Nick and Lita sighed.

"Serena, act your age." Lita said.

"I would rather not." Serena said indignantly. "This is much more fun."

"Serena, try to act your age." Darien said.

"Yes, Darien." Serena said.

"Sometimes Serena disturbs me." Nick said.

ELSEWHERE:

Opal sat atop the Tokyo Tower. She loved the view, which was why she showed up there so often. This time, she hovered above the tip of the tower. To a casual observer, it looked as if Opal was sitting on an invisible chair.

Opal looked out at the city spread out before her in all directions, and smiled.

"Soon we will rule this planet." Opal said, rather bored. "If only Amberite would summon me so I would know our target."

As if on cue, an image of Amberite appeared.

"Opal, return at once! I have found a target for you."

"Yes, Amberite." Opal said. Snapping her fingers, she disappeared back to the Neo-Negaverse.

LATER:

"Serena seems to be acting more immature than usual." Nick said, eyeing Darien.

"You’ll get no disagreement from me." he said. "It must be those new enemies."

"We’ve been through this before." Lita said. "So what’s different?"

"How often has an enemy’s monster been a Triceratops?" said Draca, who was leaning against a tree.

"Good point. How can we fight animals."

"Darien, as the saying goes, ‘fight fire with fire’. I know how the monsters should react, and I can come up with strategies to beat them. Serena can destroy them."

"I have a bad feeling about this enemy." Lita said.

"What else is new?" Nick said. "Every enemy has been bad news for us. Galaxia was the absolute worst."

"No argument here." Draca said. "In fact, I agree wholeheartedly."

"Of course, you lost your starseed to her twice, so you would know" Lita said.

"Don’t remind me." Draca hissed. Nick sighed, and then turned to Darien.

"Darien, something seems wrong here. You’d better look out for Serena and yourself. Opal is no pushover, you know."

IN THE NEO-NEGAVERSE:

Opal bent down on one knee, bowing before Amberite. Amberite nodded slightly, and gestured with her staff. The amber globe at the end started to glow, and an image appeared in midair. In the picture was a young man with black hair.

"Opal, this is your target; Darien Chiba. I need his energy for the construction of my crystal; drain all his energy!" Amberite boomed.

"Yes, Queen. I will bring you energy." Opal said meekly, averting her eyes from Amberite’s face.

"You may choose any Negamon you like for the job." Amberite said. "But come back empty-handed, and you will die!"

"Queen Amberite, may I accompany Opal on this mission?" Jedite asked, averting his eyes as well.

"Not this time, and that is final."

Jedite turned away from Amberite and clenched his fists.

Opal snapped her fingers and disappeared back to her quarters.

ELSEWHERE:

Opal stood in front of her crystal mirror. She admired her reflection for a few moments, then swept her hand over the mirror to activate it. She looked at pictures of all the Negamon Amberite had created. None seemed to be right for this assignment. Opal hung her head. This wasn’t easy! Then she saw the perfect Negamon for the job, Falcatus. It was based on a praying mantis, but had blades for hands, and sharp blades all over. It was incredibly fast and agile; all the better for fighting off Sailor Scouts! Opal laughed maniacally, and her green eyes sparked.

"I’ll win Amberite’s respect yet!"

"Oh, will you, Opal?"

Opal whirled at the sound of Jedite’s voice.

"Jedite! Of course I will. You’re just mad because she won’t let you go with me."

"You almost got killed last time. I have to protect you." Jedite said, concerned.

"If I don’t prove I can function without you, she’ll never let you help me again."

Jedite paused to think.

"Falcatus may be a good choice for this mission. Queen Amberite would like the heads of the Sailor Scouts. That would win her respect for sure."

Opal grinned wickedly. "I didn’t even think of that."

Opal disappeared in a flash of green energy.

THAT EVENING:

Darien yawned and stretched. He walked to the balcony of his apartment, and looked out for a few moments before turning to go back inside. He closed the door behind him. He hadn’t gone more than a few feet before there was the crash of breaking glass. Darien tried to turn around, but a heavy creature tackled him to the ground. It was getting dark, and Darien could hardly see the creature that was attacking him. Golden eyes gleamed, and the dim light seemed to glint off metal on different parts of the creature. The creature’s broad, clawed feet were pinning him down. The creature’s eyes started glowing red, and its metallic blades flashed. Darien cried out as the creature started to drain the energy from his body. He wanted to fight it, but he felt tired, so tired…

There was a hissing snarl, the sound of a collision, and the creature was sent flying, landing with a loud crash and the sound of splintering wood. Something else, eyes likewise glowing yellow, was standing next to Darien. He couldn’t tell for sure, but this one seemed human. Darien struggled to his feet and flicked on a light. He had to rub his eyes and look twice at the scene. A monster lay in the remains of what was once his coffee table! The man-sized reptilian insect lay stunned. It had blades in place of hands, three metallic horns as well as green spikes on its head; a long, muscular tail with curved blades on it; broad feet with reptilian talons, and a blade at each ankle. The creature had four insectoid wings, two on each shoulder. Darien turned his attention to the other creature in his apartment. This one was a Sailor Scout, Sailor Lacerta! She turned her head to look at Darien.

"Well, so you’re still alive."

"You didn’t come to save me?"

"Hardly. I want to fight that monster, not help you."

What a cold woman. Darien thought to himself.

The monster screeched and stood up, drawing the attention of both of them. The wings started buzzing, and the creature lifted off and flew out of the broken glass door. Sailor Lacerta hissed a curse, and streaked out of the apartment via the broken door. Darien was left standing in his apartment, staring blankly, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

THE NEXT DAY:

"Opal has gone TOO FAR!" Serena shrieked. Raye stuck her finger in her ear and grimaced.

"Serena, turn down the volume!" she complained. Serena whirled on Raye, eyes flashing fire.

"I will not! Darien just told me that he was attacked by a monster last night!"

"A monster?" Nick said. "One of Opal’s creatures?"

"That would make sense," Amy said. "Perhaps Opal found out who we are."

"Wouldn’t she go after Serena, then?" Holly said.

"Maybe." Raye said. "If she could stomach that whining."

"Raye! I’m having a major crisis here; Darien is a target of the Neo-Negaverse! Be a little kinder!" Serena shrieked.

"Maybe they won’t try that again." Mina suggested hopefully. "I mean, they gave up last night, didn’t they?"

"Not quite, Mina. Draca chased the monster across town last night. She saved Darien inadvertently." Nick said idly.

"How did you know that?" Raye asked.

"She told me."

"We’d better watch out for him." Holly said. "Maybe he can stay over at Raye’s temple. We’ll stay on the grounds overnight, and when Opal attacks; WHAM!" Holly grinned maliciously and slammed her fist into her other palm.

"It’s a good idea. Nothing inappropriate can be done with us all here, and if Opal attacks we can counter her."

Everybody stared blankly at Amy. Nick smiled nervously.

Sure, Amy, ruin my plans. A boy can’t get any time alone with his girlfriend with you around!

"Cirrus," Holly said. "Take a message to Darien, please."

"What do I look like, a carrier pigeon?!" Cirrus squawked indignantly.

Nick blinked, and his eyes started to glow green. "Cirrus, do it!"

"Fine!" Cirrus hissed, and flew away.

LATER:

Cirrus flew down, landing roughly on Amara’s shoulder, digging in his claws.

"Ow! Cirrus, don’t do that!" Amara snarled. Cirrus clacked his beak and hissed.

"I’m on a mission. I have to deliver a message to Darien Chiba. I thought you might be interested."

"Why would that be?" Michelle asked.

"It’s Sailor business. Darien was attacked by one of Opal’s creatures, and the Scouts are going to guard him at Raye’s temple." Cirrus said. If his face were capable, he would have smirked.

"Should we help?" Michelle said.

"No. Let the Inner Scouts do it." Amara said. "Cirrus, go deliver your message. And yes, you are a carrier pigeon."

Cirrus took wing, grumbling to himself. "You half-girl half-boy freak of nature, call me a carrier pigeon, will you…"

LATER:

Something flew in through the hole in the glass door, landing on Darien’s couch.

"What? Cirrus?" Darien said, startled.

"I have a message."

"Go on."

"You must come the Hino shrine as soon as possible. Serena and the girls will protect you from Opal’s monster when it attacks again." Cirrus said, preening the golden yellow fur on his body and tail.

"Well, I don’t have anything important to do tomorrow, so I guess I can-"
"Excellent!" Cirrus squawked. "I’ll tell Serena and the girls at once!"

Cirrus took off, humming a song to himself.

LATER:

"Oh, excellent!" Serena cheered, jumping into the air. Raye grabbed her shoulder.

"Cut that out. Haven’t you called your mother to let her know that you’re staying here tonight?"

Serena paused, assuming a meditative pose. "I guess I forgot."

Raye rolled her eyes. "You can use my phone."

"Amy, Mina, and Holly and I have already called our parents." Nick said.

"Yes, Serena, you can’t be so clueless all the time."

"Holly!" Serena shrieked.

"Am I too late?" Darien said, walking up the steps.

"Darien!" Serena shouted, beaming. She ran to Darien and wrapped her arms around him.

"Take it easy, Serena." Darien said.

"Enough, Serena, we have to plan." Amy said, trying to pull Serena away from Darien. She couldn’t do it.

"Serena, get over here!" Nick hissed, grabbing Serena and pulling her away from Darien by force.

"Nick, you traitor, how could you do this?!" Serena shouted, protesting the whole time. Nick turned to Darien.

"I had a discussion with Raye earlier. She said that you can stay in one of the spare rooms here."

A little later, Nick and the girls were having a discussion.

"Serena, try to be a little more mature. We have to make sure that Opal doesn’t attack Darien again." Holly said, wagging her finger at Serena.

"Try to focus on the problem at hand." Nick said.

Meanwhile, a figure leapt onto the roof, landing softly. Sailor Pluto looked up at the sky.

"Opal will attack this place soon. When she does, I’ll be here."

THAT NIGHT:

Serena sat in the doorway, trying to stay awake. She yawned, and her eyelids started getting heavier.

"Must… stay awake." Serena muttered. "Can’t let Darien get-"

Serena’s eyes closed, and she started snoring. Europa came back from her hunting trip (Which was successful, by the way) and slithered over Serena’s leg. Serena woke immediately, and almost screamed. Then she saw that it was just Europa, and relaxed. She turned to stare at the darkened grounds of the shrine, and started falling asleep again. Then a flash of movement caught her eye. She thought she saw two yellow eyes in the shadows. She rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again, they were gone. She shrugged. Then her eyes started closing, and soon she was sleeping again.

In a nearby tree, Sailor Lacerta perched. She had tracked Darien to this place, and was sure that the monster would attack him again. This time, she would sink her claws into Opal…

ON TOKYO TOWER:

On the roof of the observation deck, which still showed the marks of being repaired after another foe of the Sailor Scouts demolished it a long time ago, Opal and her Negamon were sitting.

"Falcatus, this would be a perfect time to attack them! All the Scouts are sleeping. However, that would be too predictable. We’ll attack tomorrow morning, when they won’t be expecting it."

"An excellent plan, Opal."

Opal whirled at the unexpected voice, and was shocked to see Jedite hovering there.

"Jedite! But Queen Amberite said-"

"I know. I kind of snuck under her radar to visit you. Unfortunately, she might just have seen me now, since she observes you when you go out on your missions."

As if on cue, Amberite’s image appeared in midair.

"We have a winner!" she hissed. "Now get back to D-Point now!"

Jedite sighed, and disappeared. The Amberite hologram turned to Opal and Falcatus.

"I hope you have a good explanation for why you don’t have the target’s energy yet."

"Yes, Queen. I plan to attack in the early morning. I can take those girls and that boy near our target by surprise."

Amberite paused, looking meditatively into the distance.

"An interesting plan. It had better work, for your sake." The hologram said, fading out.

"It will." Opal said, smiling slightly. She turned to the Falcatus.

"Come with me. It’s near dawn. We’ll make our way towards that shrine place."

LATER:

Darien got up, yawned, and started to walk outside. He opened the door and went outside. He walked on, out into the courtyard. Suddenly, without warning, Falcatus sprung out of nowhere. He hit Darien, knocking him over and pinning him. Falcatus’ tail whipped back and forth with anticipation. His eyes glowed, and he started to drain Darien’s energy. Darien tried to scream, but his voice seemed to be stuck in his throat. Opal appeared suddenly, floating above the ground. Falcatus turned to look at Opal.

"Don’t stop, you bladed insect, drain his energy now!" Opal shrieked. Falcatus turned his attention back to Darien and resumed draining his energy.

Opal grinned from ear to ear. Falcatus had drained almost all of Darien’s energy!

"Lacerta Bomb!"

Opal teleported, narrowly avoiding Sailor Lacerta’s attack. The attack hit the Hino Shrine instead. The building shook, and a wall caved in. Opal stuck her tongue out at Sailor Lacerta and sneered, failing to see who was behind her.

"Dead Scream!"

The attack hit Opal before she could react. She shook her head, injured but still on her feet.

"Falcatus, kill them!" she screamed.

Falcatus flew at Sailor Lacerta and Sailor Pluto, and started fighting the two of them. Opal stood over Darien (who was very weak by now). She lifted her whip over her head, preparing to finish off the target.

"Flower Beam!"

Opal squawked in pain as the beam of energy hit her. She dropped her whip, and whirled, to see more Sailor Scouts!

"How dare you hurt him!" Eternal Sailor Moon shouted.

"Not now, Sailor Moon." Sailor Mars hissed.

"Be quiet!" Eternal Sailor Moon said. "Anyway, I am Eternal Sailor Moon!"

"Sailor Mars!"

"Sailor Mercury!"

"Sailor Jupiter!"

"Tuxedo Raptor!"

"Sailor Venus!"

"Sailor Gaia!"

"Too many Sailor Scouts!" Opal said sharply. "I must modify my plan; Falcatus, get over here!"

Falcatus reversed direction and flew to Opal’s side. She whispered into the Negamon’s ear (Or at least where its ear would be were it a mammal), and Falcatus nodded. In a flash, Falcatus had a blade at Darien’s throat.

"Listen: Either you surrender or he dies." Opal cackled. "Now, put down your weapons."

Tuxedo Raptor put the Razor Fang down on the ground. Sailor Pluto dropped her staff, and Eternal Sailor Moon put her own weapon down. Opal laughed.

"I have the Sailor Scouts at my mercy!"

Sailor Lacerta snarled and charged, eyes blazing.

"Lacerta!" Tuxedo Raptor snapped. "Stop where you are!"

Sailor Lacerta hissed and skidded to a stop.

"Take one step closer, any of you, and Falcatus will kill his target."

"Target?" Sailor Gaia wondered.

"Darien!" Eternal Sailor Moon shouted.

"I have a plan." Tuxedo Raptor said. "Jupiter, I need your help."

"No problem. What help do you need."

Tuxedo Raptor leaned over and whispered into Sailor Jupiter’s ear. She nodded.

"Got it."

Tuxedo Raptor turned to Eternal Sailor Moon. "Distract Opal. I don’t care how, but just distract her. I’ll deal with Falcatus."

Eternal Sailor Moon nodded slightly. Opal didn’t notice, but Tuxedo Raptor did. Eternal Sailor Moon glared at Opal.

Sailor Jupiter and Tuxedo Raptor glowed dimly, then disappeared.

"What makes you think that you can just attack people with no regard for people’s lives?" she said.

"I can do anything I like. Soon, the Neo-Negaverse will rule this planet!" Opal cackled.

"I don’t think so!"

Opal whirled at the voice, and saw Sailor Jupiter behind her.

"Falcatus, kill!"

Falcatus drew back a blade to do as Opal commanded, when someone spoke from behind him.

"Take this!"

Falcatus turned, only to see the business end of Tuxedo Raptor’s fist. Falcatus reeled back, then screeched and lifted off. He flew high, then dove at Tuxedo Raptor.

"Love Gem Power, Shield!" he shouted. Falcatus crashed into the shield and bounced off. He hit the ground, then got up. Falcatus lifted off again, and was on Tuxedo Raptor before he could move. Falcatus slashed out with his hand blade, opening a wound on Tuxedo Raptor’s arm. Ignoring the pain, Tuxedo Raptor dodged out of the way. He dove, grabbing his Razor Fang off of the ground. He raised it just in time to block Falcatus’ next strike.

"Falcatus! Ignore him, kill Sailor Moon instead!" Opal shouted irately. Falcatus obeyed, flying at Eternal Sailor Moon.

"Fog of Secrecy!"

Suddenly, a fog enshrouded Sailor Moon.

"Eternal Sailor Moon, get your weapon!" Sailor Gaia shouted.

Opal tried to get her bearings, unable to see through the fog.

"DIE!" Sailor Lacerta snarled, springing out of nowhere and slashing Opal. Opal screamed in pain and blasted Sailor Lacerta with dark energy.

"Dead Scream!"

Opal whirled, and narrowly dodged Sailor Pluto’s attack. She grabbed her whip from where she always kept it, on her waist. She lashed it, and it wrapped around Sailor Pluto’s staff.

"Not this time." Sailor Pluto said. She tightened her grip on her staff, and finally wrenched Opal’s whip from her hands. Then Opal held her hands together. Dark energy began to radiate from her hands, and she fired it at Sailor Pluto. The staff flew from her hands, and she flew quite a bit further, crashing into some bushes. Opal smiled. Then she heard something strange behind her.

"Opal! You are going to pay!" Sailor Venus shouted. "Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"

Opal lashed out with her whip, countering Venus’ attack.

"Falcatus, kill them! I’m out of here!" Opal said, snapping her fingers and disappearing. Falcatus turned, blades glinting in the sunlight. He disappeared. Suddenly, he reappeared behind Sailor Moon, then blurred out of view again.

"What’s going on?!" Sailor Moon shrieked.

"Can’t you see him?" Tuxedo Raptor asked, puzzled.

"Of course not!"

"Nick, you can see where he is?" Sailor Jupiter said. "Can you stop him?"

"I’ll do my best, Lita."

Tuxedo Raptor leapt up, swinging his sword at seemingly empty space. Then that space blurred. Falcatus screeched in pain, now missing both of the wings on his right side. He crashed to the ground as Tuxedo Raptor sliced off the wings on his left side. Falcatus stood, then charged at Sailor Moon with incredible speed.

"Mars Flame Sniper!" Sailor Mars shouted, creating an arrow of fire. Falcatus saw it coming, and nimbly dodged aside.

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

The spray of electric leaves flew at Falcatus, but he deflected them with his blades. He altered his course to attack Sailor Jupiter. As he sprung, a pink rose sliced him across the face. Falcatus overshot his target, but landed on his feet and attacked Eternal Sailor Moon again, only to find himself blocked. His beak snapped fiercely, and his bladed tail lashed. He was among the Sailor Scouts like a whirlwind, slashing and kicking. His ferocious attack was successful. He sent most of the Sailor Scouts flying, then attacked Eternal Sailor Moon. She threw herself to one side, and Falcatus sheared a wing off the back of her sailor outfit. Eternal Sailor Moon stared wide-eyed.

"I warned you! That thing is dangerous!" Tuxedo Raptor shouted

Falcatus spun, and charged Eternal Sailor Moon once again.

"Shine Aqua Illusion!"

Just before Falcatus could attack, icy water enveloped him, freezing him solid.

"Now, Eternal Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mercury shouted. Eternal Sailor Moon nodded.

"Silver Moon Crystal Power…"

The ice shattered, and Falcatus charged right at his foes. By the time he realized what Eternal Sailor Moon was doing, it was too late.

"KISS!"

The attack hit Falcatus, disintegrating him. Immediately, Eternal Sailor Moon dropped her weapon and ran to Darien.

"Darien! Are you okay?"

Darien stood up, wobbling a bit. "I’m fine, Serena. A little weak, but fine."

Sailor Pluto stood up, brushing herself off. Without a word, she disappeared. Sailor Lacerta leapt onto the shrine’s roof, then out of sight.

"Why were Trista and Draca here?" Sailor Gaia asked, scratching her head in puzzlement.

"Draca was out for revenge. As for Pluto, your guess is as good as mine." Tuxedo Raptor said.

"I think that Opal is gathering energy, but to what end?" Sailor Mercury said.

"If we knew, we’d be better off." Venus added.

IN THE NEO-NEGAVERSE:

Opal cowered before Amberite, who was standing in front of her throne. Jedite was next to Opal.

"You failed!" Amberite hissed. "I should kill you right here! However, you gathered very powerful energy from Darien Chiba. You’ve collected more energy from him than what Varanus and Stampede got from many people. At this rate, I can form the crystal in a matter of a week or so."

"You mean you’re happy with me?" Opal said, hoping that it was true. Amberite laughed.

"Hardly!" Amberite said. "You fled from the Sailor Scouts, though I must say, you almost had them. I think you deserve a reward for once, and I know just what it should be."

Opal smiled from ear to ear. "You want to reward me?"

Amberite smiled maliciously "From now on, Jedite may assist you in your missions. However, be warned, as long as you bring me energy, I will tolerate you. But fail too often, and I will imprison you both in crystals for eternity!"

Amberite started laughing evilly, her eyes gleaming amber yellow in the light, amber hair swishing.

"You are dismissed."

ELSEWHERE:

"It seems that things have taken a turn for the weird." Serena said.

"You said that again." Mina said. "Opal is targeting people for their energy."

"I just thought of something. Opal keeps mentioning the queen of the Neo-Negaverse. Who is she? She’d have to be pretty evil to drain people’s energy." Holly said.

"You haven’t been with us very long, have you?" Lita said. "Before you joined, there were two enemies who drained energy."

"there were?"

"Yes." Amy said. "The Negaverse, and the Negamoon."

"Nick, why are you staring into space?" Lita asked. Nick, startled, blinked owlishly.

"Nothing that concerns you, Lita." Nick said, smiling disarmingly.