"You know, Kent, I love this window seat."  She also loved helping Greg pick out the reservations.  This meant she knew exactly where they were sitting.  She was but a booth away.  There was another empty one behind that, but she didn't know who was sitting there.  A shiny red corvette pulled into a parking space.
    "Lita, are you listening to me?"
    "Sure Kent, that was wonderful."
    "My goldfish died..."

    "Reservations for Darien and Serena," Darien said, and they showed him to a table.  Serena recognized Lita, and Lita recognized her.
    "Lita!" Serena said as the two ran to gibber with each other.  Darien sighed, and took his seat.
    "Serena! Where are you guys sitting?" Lita asked.
    "Right behind you! We can talk all night!" Serena said sitting behind Lita.  Lita felt crushed.  Where were Greg and Ami?

    Trevor stared in amazement.  Now the rabbit-looking one had entered as well.  Tuxedo Mask was here, too.  Were they on to him?  Where was Mizuno?
    Sighing, he ordered some spaghetti.  If just one more shows up...

    Greg and Ami slowly walked to the Café. It was a beautiful, tranquil night, not a thing could go wrong.  A large four-wheeled jeep flew by them.  Why did that seem so familiar? Ami wondered.
    "Ami, you'll love this place.  I mean, it's really formal," Greg said, adjusting his tie. He hated dressing up.

    Kent played with his tie.  He hated dressing up.  "Lita, are you ready to order?"
    "No, not yet." Where are those two?  She stared out the window.  That jeep hadn't moved since it pulled up.  She saw three guys in the jeep.  They seemed to be talking something over.  At one point she swore she saw one flash a knife.  So this was how bored she was; staring at strangers in passing cars and imagining knives.

    Raye pouted as she walked alone through the streets of Tokyo.  She wandered near a quaint little Café. Inside she spied Lita and Serena.  Raye wished her life were as easy as theirs were.  They didn't have Chad and Ekomin killing themselves in some macho sadistic ritual.  Oh well, Raye continued on her way.

    Trevor nearly screamed.  There was Mars, right outside!  That was it.  He was sure this was a trap.  He refused to eat the stringy things put in front of him.  The odd sauce didn't help matters any.  He wouldn't leave a tip.  He removed his tie.  He got odd looks.  No tip for these people!

    Greg walked in, and called for his table.  They were shown behind Darien and Serena.  Neither of them noticed Lita or Serena or their dates, however.  Trevor simply became even more suspicious.  Four of five.  If the fifth one showed up, he would destroy this place.

    Ami listened as Greg talked about how much he liked Tokyo.  Then he went on to the things he wanted to do.  Finally, when he finished, he left it open forum for Ami to talk.  "What were you going to tell me?"
    "Here's not the right place," Greg said.  "After dinner, in the park?"
    "All right."

    "Darien, this feels, weird.  It's like we know half the people in this Café."
    "I know how you feel Serena.  At least Andrew isn't here."
    Serena spied over and saw a mass of blue of hair.  Ami wasn't sitting over there.  There was only one other person with hair like that. Trevor.  "Darien, don't look now.  It's..."

    Mina peeked into the Café from outside.  This was all too perfect! She'd know what everyone was up to.  It was then that she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder.
    "Well girlie," said the heavy voice of someone Mina didn't know.  Mina spun around, not recognizing the muscle bound man, and absolutely sure she would not like where this was going.
    "If I were you," came a more familiar voice, "I'd let her go!"
    Rex looked up as a bag of trash hit him.  A weak kick from behind didn't hurt him, although it did prompt Rex and his trashy self to leave the alley.
    Andrew walked up to Mina.
    "You ok?"
    "Yes. Thank you Andrew."
    "Why are you sneaking around here?"
    "I'm..." Mina needed a quick recovery. "I'm hungry!  Wanna eat?"
    "Sure, I hear this place is great."

    "That can't be," Lita said, as Mina walked in with Andrew.
    "What's wrong Lita? I swear that's how it happened. Honest."
    "I'm sorry Kent.  This place isn't as private as I thought it would be."
    "That's ok.  I'm just happy being here with you."
    "That's sweet."

    Ami glanced around nervously.  What were these people up to?  It was possible that all of them schedule a visit here, but not Andrew and Mina.  Greg noticed she was looking rather red, and he hadn't said a thing.
    "Ami, you ok?"
    "Yes, I just need some fresh air," Ami said, as she excused herself and stepped outside.  She silently calculated the odds of this.  Then, she recognized the jeep.

    Trevor came over, and slammed a heavy fist on Greg's table.  The young boy simply gulped, and sat confidently.
    "What's your problem?" He asked.
    "How'd you know I'd be here?  What sort of game is this you're playing!"  Trevor silently placed a stone into Ami's purse.  He sat down across from Greg.  Lucky for him, no one else noticed him.
    "What can I say? Sometimes things just work out odd.  What do you want?"  Trevor again tried to exert his control over Greg.  His mind was just too complex for him to do anything worthwhile with, though, no matter how hard he tried.  "Come on, you can't hold yourself against me forever."  Another few minutes went by.  Where was Ami!?
    "That's it!  Just remember your days are numbered, Greg!"
    As Trevor left, Ami entered the Café again.  Greg really hated these people's timing.  It was then that he got an image.  A bright light; some horrible screaming.  He grimaced.  White, and black colored dots appeared.  Ami's face became obscured.

    "You know something, Boomerang," Farless asked.
    "What, Farless," Boomerang said, perfecting his throw.
    "We should overthrow Trevor. We could, you know."
    "I won't hear about this again, or I'll personally destroy you."
    "Just a thought," Farless said as he disappeared.  Boomerang quickly followed him.

    "Ami, I think we should we leave," Greg observed.
    "We've already ordered, though.  We might as well stay," Ami said.  That's when she spotted Trevor.  She cupped her mouth to keep from screaming.  Trevor smiled and waved at her.
    "I guess you saw."

    About twenty minutes later, Lita finished her food.  It was nearly eight.  Serena and Darien were nearing finishing, and Andrew and Mina had left long ago.
    "Kent, we should go soon."
    "Don't you want to talk with all your friends?"
    "Please, I'd rather die than this.

    "Darien, let's beat it."
    "Right," Darien said, as he wrapped the tip in tissue paper.  All three groups got up simultaneously, then sat down.
    "That... was creepy.  Let's stay till they leave, Serena."
    "I'm all for it."

    Trevor stared, then quickly disappeared.  This had gotten out of hand.  That was good enough.  The day was over.  Trevor needed to organize his three monsters. Ekomin had supplied him with only one more.  That one was draining that Greg boy of his energy.  Then it would strike.

    Matt ran from the oncoming jeep, but it slowly cornered him.  At that moment, a bang echoed from behind him.  What was that?  Couldn't he do anything without people trying to kill him! He spied Pierre's Star Café.  The jeep was about to stop when the young boy burst past it in a very slow run, as fast as he could go.  It wasn't very fast, but the jeep had to back up and steer its way out of the corner to give chase.  He made a beeline for the Café.
    The front door burst open as the boy entered.  An important looking official tried to stop him as he ran and sat with Darien and Serena, smiling sheepishly.
    "What do you want," Serena asked.
    "Well, promise to listen to me in full."  Greg noticed who had just run in.
    Rex pushed the doors open, and stepped into the Café.  He heard a screech, and turned towards the sound.  There was that punk girl.  He ran forward, but was stopped by Matt.  "Listen here! Your personnel vendetta thing has got to end! Can't you let people eat in peace!"  Rex grabbed a steak knife from Serena.
    "Listen punk... you owe us!"
    "I doubt it," Matt said, as Tyler and the third guy ran in.  The boy gulped.
    "Three on one... guys, be a little fair."  With that, Darien stood next to him. He took a defensive posture and watched the men.  "Listen here, no trouble, Ok?"

   Kent was about to stand up when Lita caught his arm.  "No, sit down."
   "Lita, they need my help! They're out numbered."
   "Kent, you can't go running to everyone else's fights.  Let them handle it."
   "You couldn't stop me if I wanted to."
   Lita sighed, and watched the fight.  It was then that she realized Greg had joined the fray.  What was going on?

    Darien clocked Tyler into his table.  The amount of weight and force crushed the table, spilling the contents of glasses and food onto Serena's dress and new pink shoes.
    Rex was beating his target much easier then his friend.  Greg felt another heavy fist knock him aside.  The next punch entered his midsection.  Blood covered Greg's face and he couldn't see straight.  He punched at nothingness, into the air.  At first it looked as though he would get clocked again, but Rex stumbled.
    Matt saw the green and silver streak fly from under Rex's legs.  The tall oaf fell forward, and with a little bit of luck Greg took him to the ground.  The third guy danced with Matthew for the most part, teasing him.  The third guy then heaved himself at the much smaller boy.  The two fell onto another's table, the couple at the table breaking away as the older student beat the much younger one to a pulp.
    The manager stormed out, and yelled at the fighters.  "All of you out! Out of my restaurant!  Get out!"
    Darien glanced sheepishly at Serena and Ami, followed by Greg and Matthew.  The three left, as did the three guys.  Serena and Ami sat next to Lita and Kent.  Serena's dress and shoes were ruined.

    "Ok, let's have it out here!"  Tyler yelled.
    Greg wiped blood out of his face.  "Get lost."
    "Let's go!"  Rex jumped towards Greg, who jumped back, shuffling away from the strong man.  The fight broke out again.  Darien and Tyler went at each other while Matthew and the third guy ran around, the boy desperately looking for somewhere to hide.  Greg stumbled around, weakened and bloodied.  He felt tired, and Rex pummeled him again.

    Ami stared out the window in terror.  "Lita! Do something! They're pummeling them!"
    Kent stood up, grabbed Ami's arm, and ran out.  Lita yelled at Kent, and told him to get back here.
    "Lita. Look.  No, wait, WATCH OUT!"
    A large, tired, sweaty, and now slightly cut third guy flew through the window.  Matt stared with a smile as a small dagger returned to his hand before striking Rex, prompting him to remove himself from Greg.
    Kent came and yanked the third guy up.  Ami let Greg lean on her for support and they ran towards the park.  Lita stared horrified at what had become of the 'perfect night'.  Serena began to cry about all the many problems she was having.

    Darien punched Tyler again, and the buff man dropped to the ground, nursing a bloody nose.  He looked over at his other two friends, who were also taken care of.  'Where was Greg,' Darien thought, 'He really needs to get checked on.'
    It was then that he heard the police cars.  Darien winced.

    {"Hi! Me again, nothing major happened to any of the fighters.  Matt paid everyone's bail and fine with some money from a few dull emeralds his brother had sold the day before.  Where does he get those?  By the way, the other brother wasn't in this part of the story.  You'll learn why soon enough.  Anyway, the 'Night That Wouldn't Die' isn't over yet! Sorry for interrupting!" Artemis}

    Greg sat on the bench, as Ami carefully wiped the last of the blood from his face.  True, she had chastised him about fighting, and told him he knew better, but he really liked the way she took care of him.  He enjoyed her undivided attention and the way she carefully ran her hand along his cheek.  Whether she knew it or not, she was turning him on.
    The blood only looked bad.  In truth, only a few nasty cuts along his eyebrow and cheek weren't giving him any problems.  Ami gave it professional care anyway.  'It could have been worse' she had told him several times.  It was about the time that Greg had learned that Ami only scolded him cause she liked him.
    Ami carefully tied the handkerchief around his head.  "But, on a positive note, Greg, you were really brave!  I didn't think you had it in you to fight. Next time though, don't.  I was really worried you may get hurt."
    "Thank you Ami.  You know, this feels nice.  I should get beat up more often."
    "Don't you even think about it!" Ami said, as she brushed some hair out of her eyes.
    "You know, your hair looks rather pretty in the moon light."  Ami sat down next to Greg.  Her face was turning a bright red.

    "Lita, you think Ami and Greg are going to be on speaking terms now?" Serena asked as she walked Lita home.
    "I don't know Serena.  All I know is that this certainly was one heck of a night."
    "Good night Lita.  Wait till Luna hears this!"
    "Don't tell her!" Lita screeched.  "She'll have a fit!"
    "What about Mina and Andrew?"
    "Yeah! She has some nerve!" Lita plopped down on her couch.
    "You think Artemis knows?"
    "No, and look at how she was dressed!  Looks like she was following somebody."
    "Good night Lita."
    "Same to you Serena."  Lita said, as the door closed.

    Trevor watched the two in his viewing globe.  That fight had really boosted the boy's energy output.  If Trevor could just let one more thing happen, one more activity that would expend lots of energy, that creature would be free.  Then, good-bye, Mizuno.
 

    Greg carefully held Ami's hand.  "Ami, I really have to tell you this.  I understand what you must be thinking, but this important.  I need to tell..."
    Before Greg could finish speaking two speeding motorcycles roared by, drowning out his words.  Ami tried her best to hear what he was saying, but made out nothing.  She saw his face turn sour, and him frown.  He hugged her guessing she hadn't heard.   He didn't want to hurt her.  She looked so innocent sitting there.
    The more Ami tried to understand what Greg was doing, the more she didn't.  Whatever he had said certainly had a negative impact.  She doubted it was the 'I love you Ami' comment Lita and Raye had hinted at.  But what could it be?  It was then when she noticed how close they were.  She got really nervous, really quick.
    Greg held Ami in his arms.  'This was how life was supposed to be!' he thought.  Why did his father have to move around?  Why did Ami have to be Sailor Mercury?  Why couldn't they just be two teenagers in love?  Not that Ami would openly admit it to anyone, and Greg found that just another of her alluring qualities.  That, and her blue hair, her odd way of talking... everything about her made him gaze in wonderment.  This was the perfect moment, Ami and him alone.  Nothing could spoil it.
 
    Trevor winced at the sight.  What disgusting thing was this?  That boy actually cared for her.  No matter, that was just the thing he needed.  The amount of energy between the two was more than enough.  Nothing could spoil his victory tonight.  Nothing.

    Then the psychic felt a burning pain, coursing through him and robbing him of his vision.  He tried to tell Ami, but apparently his voice was gone as well.  He fell back away from her as she screamed something unintelligible.  Her blue eyes brimmed with tears briefly.  Then her purse burst into flames, a bright maroon stone burning through it and dropping to the ground. Greg mustered everything he could, and, with psychic foreknowledge, pounced on Ami, moving her away from an explosion of light and pure energy.  He was out cold while Ami looked about, confused at to what was happening.
    "Greg? Greg.  Please, say something. Greg!"  Ami felt her blood run cold.  Greg's breathing had slowed.
    The young boy opened his eyes weakly and smirked.  "Ami, I really like this..." he said through a grin before passing out.  Ami screamed for him to answer her, gently shaking him.  She slowly rolled him onto his back, and stood up.  The monster was shaped like a lizard, but was larger and bright purple.
    "What do you want?" Ami asked, tears brimming in her eyes.  She grabbed into the remnants of her purse, and grabbed her shining blue pen. As the creature scuttled forward, the blue light shone around Ami.
    "Mercury Star... POWER!"  The light slowly rippled around her, and exploded in a bathing blue light.  Sailor Mercury stood defensively over Greg.
    The scuttling creature bore straight toward her.  She leapt at the creature, and grasped around its mouth.  She had to keep it from doing anything.  If it trampled Greg, he wouldn't make it.  She couldn't hold its mouth closed, and it began to roll, crushing her under its weight.
    Mercury knew she couldn't fight this thing, so she'd have to think of another way to get rid of it.  Releasing the lizard, she sent a few little bubbles its way.  The lizard snapped at the bubbles and then charged again.  This was what she wanted.  Carefully, her hands made complex motions.  Then, in one smooth move, her hands came apart and she leaped over the massive creature.  Landing behind it, she drew in all the energy she needed while the creature just dumbly turned, not knowing the danger it was about to be in.  "Mercury Ice Bubbles... Freeze!"  The icy coating of her attack clung to the lizard's skin.  It rapidly dropped its temperature and it slowly shrunk.  Soon, it was reduced to the small maroon stone again before popping into several small glittering fragments.  Sailor Mercury felt her power wash away, and in a minute she reverted to Ami Mizuno.
    "Greg," Ami cried, as she kneeled over him.  She gently listened to his heart, then his breathing.  What was going on?  Why was all this happening to her?  Why couldn't she just be Ami Mizuno?  Why must she also be Sailor Mercury?  If she wasn't, this would never have happened.  She carefully looked him over.
    The blast had done horrible things to his back.  The tissue was exposed in several areas. He was in serious need of some real medical help.  Ami couldn't do anything; she was awestruck by the power in that little creature.  What would she have done if Greg hadn't been there?  It would probably be her laying on the ground. She gently ran her hand down his cheek.  It was then that she heard the sound of motorcycles roaring her way. She got up and dashed in front of them, hoping to flag them down.  Chad barely managed to weave to the side, and pop his tire on odd maroon crystals.  Ekomin faired better, and dodged clear.  The helmet on the back of his bike was sent flying as he skidded along the ground.
    "Damn it girl!" Ekomin shouted at her. "What are you up too!?"  Why aren't you dead yet?
    "Please, get help."  Ami begged Ekomin, tears brimming in her eyes.  The silver haired man scoffed at her.  The sincerity in her voice stung him hard, but he ignored it.
    "Why should I help him? What's he ever done for me?" Ekomin asked, brushing Ami aside.  Chad carefully checked his motorcycle, then Greg.
    "Uh, Ekomin I think he's really hurt.  My bike ain't moving..."   His Chad accent trailed off.  Ami looked at Ekomin who seemed concerned about Greg, even if he did hide it.  A daring plan entered Ami's head.
    "Sorry, Mizuno." Ekomin said, as he stood up.  He turned to retrieve his helmet, adamant on not helping this guy.  "I'm not going to try to help... GET BACK HERE!"  Ekomin's shout was because while he had turned around, Ami had stolen his motorcycle, and with Chad's help propped Greg on it.  She knew practically nothing about driving it.  Chad, Greg, and Ami all piled onto the motorcycle and went roaring towards a hospital.  "Damn girl!  Can't you..."  It was then that he saw the shattered remains of a monster crystal.  "Damn!"
 
    ("I really hate to bother you, but this doesn't end 'The Night That Wouldn't Die'.  We've seen several sides of Ami I've never saw before.  We saw her loving, tender side, her angry, violent side, and her conniving, thieving side!  Boy! Could this get any better or what?  And what about that Ekomin guy?  Something ain't right.  Well get back to you're readings." Artemis.)

    "Chad, can't we get in trouble for this?" Ami asked, as she carefully cradled Greg.  She tried to keep his back from being exposed.  She tenderly held him like one held a newly found puppy.  Chad couldn't help but stare at the two.
    "Well... yeah.  I guess so."  Chad said in an empty Chad-like manner.
    "Just hurry, the hospital is just a few more minutes away." Ami said, as she prayed they got there in time.
    "I've been there a lot Ami.  I know the way."  Chad's accident record had reached total high the week before. It was only a matter of minutes before they reached the hospital.  Greg was rushed into emergency care.

    Chad sat quietly comforting Ami.  He really felt uncomfortable doing this.  He knew nothing about it, but here he was thrust into this position.  If he left to get one of her friends, she would probably bawl her eyes on the first person to come by.
    Finally Ami's mom came by.  "Ami, he'll be in surgery for a long while.  Thank you, Chad, is it? Can we have a moment alone?"
    "Sure Mrs. Mizuno." Chad said, leaving.
    "It's just, miss." Laura said, as Chad left.  Chad really hoped he hadn't hit a nerve with Ms. Mizuno.  Ms. Mizuno quickly went to talk with her daughter.  "Ami, darling you know better than to have moved him.  You should've called us.  I would've came and got him, immediately."  Ami sniffed, as she tried to hold her tears back.  She really tried, and her mom knew she should be alone.  Besides, Dr. Mizuno had patients to see.  "Oh, darling I don't want to worry you.  But I have to tell you the truth; we probably will never fix that tissue.  But most of the problem is the amount of debris and burns.  Second degree burns to his entire back.  He lost a lot of blood as well.  It really looks bleak.  How did it happen anyway?"
    "I don't want to talk about it."  Ami said, she collapsed into her chair in tears.

    Boomerang entered the hospital, preparing to deliver the message to Mizuno.  They were supposed to fight in three weeks, according to Trevor, but he wasn't going to fight her unawares.  Not to mention this current action on Trevor's side caused him to sicken.  He walked into Greg's room.  Ami looked up from his bedside, and reached into her purse.
    "I'm not here to fight, but to warn you... and say prayers for the wounded."
    "Why should I believe you?" Ami asked, feeling for her transformation pen.
    "I warn you that Trevor does enjoy the pain he is going to cause you.  I have warned you.  Prepare your steel."
    "What steel?"  Ami removed her hand; she felt an odd sense of trust in this man.
    "Prepare then your mind, your soul, and finally your body.  Do not fear, I will make it painless."
    "I don't want to fight."  She fell into a sullen state near where Greg would be put.  She couldn't care less about this demon.  That's what he was; he seemed and looked human, but Boomerang was a demon.  "Besides, you all want me dead."
    "Mizuno, Mercury, you have no choice in the matter of when we fight.  I have challenged; you must accept."
    "I don't want to fight."
    A puzzled look crossed Boomerang's face.  'Didn't want to fight?'  Did this boy's wounds crush her?  Or was she afraid of him? Maybe she knew she couldn't win?  Boomerang had to know why she didn't want to.  "I ask you Mizuno, Mercury why don't you want to fight?"
    "Why Boomerang do you want to?" Ami asked, the tears coming.
    "Because that is what I do!  I fight by my master's side.  I don't question his orders."
    "You are your own person!  Leave him!  Its clear you don't want to fight."  Ami cried into her hands.  "Go away... I don't want to talk to you."
    Boomerang sighed.  Kneeling he muttered a prayer for Greg.  Then the warrior disappeared in a spiral of yellow light.  Ami felt scared, wishing Greg was here for her.  He would say something that would make life easier for her.  Or hold her, or look at her in that endearing way.

 Chapter 7: Mizuno and Ryo