It was hard to believe that it had just rained an hour before; the sky was clear and brilliantly illuminated by the full moon and the stars. As Luna admired the moon's beauty, she noticed the miniature pool of rainwater that had gathered in the middle of the roof. "This is perfect," she murmured to herself as she approached the end of the small pool. Luna positioned herself so that she could see the pool reflect the moon, which was still low enough in the sky that it drowned out all the surrounding stars with its largeness and brilliance.
Luna called out to the pool, "Luna to Mission control. Do you read me?"
The water's surfaced rippled, distorting the image of the moon. As the water settled, Luna saw the image change form, revealing a white cat with a golden moon on his forehead.
"Luna! Is anything wrong? We weren't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"Artemis!" Luna felt hot tears fill her eyes.
"Don't tell me you called just because you're homesick," the white cat teased. "That's a misuse of her majesty's-"
"Artemis," Luna interrupted as she wiped her eyes, "things have taken a turn for the worse." Luna took a deep breath before she continued. "I'm here to request that we revoke the employment of Sailor Moon."
* * *
The phone rang.
Lily looked up from the book she had been poring over.
The phone rang.
She reached over the sea of books she had been studying from in order to try to answer the phone before the voice mail caught it. As she reached over, she accidentally knocked over the stack of note cards she had been writing out to help her study for her final.
The phone rang again.
Cursing under her breath, she brushed aside the last of the notecards in her way.
The fourth ring was about to start.
"Hello," Lily said breathlessly, mentally pushing aside her frustration.
"Lily? Hey, it's Eriko's dad. How's she doing?"
"Mr. Rogers! Hi," Lily whispered loudly. "She's still the same. I was able to get her up long enough for us to get to student death- er, I mean, student health. We got most of the paperwork taken care of, so she's all clear to go home early."
"So, they're going to let her take incompletes? That's great. I'd hate to see her have to make up an entire semester at this point. Were the doctor's able to diagnose her?"
"No, they weren't." Eriko groaned softly in her sleep. "But there were able to rule out mono and a few other diseases," Lily whispered more quietly.
"I take it that she's sleeping now. Well, then I won't keep you on the phone much longer. Thank you again for everything that you've done for my daughter, Lily. I'll see you later on this evening when I come to pick her up," Eriko's father concluded.
"Your welcome, Mr. Rogers. I'll see you soon." With that, Lily hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Eriko asked groggily from her loft.
"Your dad," Lily responded. She put the phone away before walking over to the side of Eriko's bed. "You should go back to sleep."
Eriko sat up in bed. "How much time do I have before he gets here?"
Lily didn't try to tell her to go back to sleep again. "A couple of hours, I think."
"Good." Eriko started to climb out of her loft. "That should give me plenty of time to pack things up and look for Luna."
"That pesky cat?!" Lily exclaimed so fervently that the force surprised both girls. "I don't see why you'd want to see her, especially after she abandoned-"
"She didn't abandon me, Lily." Eriko smiled ruefully. "Technically, she would've had to have been there in the first place before she could abandon me."
"Y'know what I mean! I don't think talking to Luna will do you any good! She can't do anything to help you!""
"I know," Eriko said quietly. "Or at least I'd like to believe that. It'd really suck if she did know how to help me, but didn't." Eriko walked over to her dresser and opened the top drawer, pulling out a small drawstring bag. She murmured to herself, "I wish I knew how to release the power in here�" Eriko pulled Nephlite's dark crystal, full of Sailor Moon's energy, out of the bag.
* * *
He was swimming in the pool. He slowly floated to the moon-reflected surface. She would be here soon: his princess. Anticipating her arrival, he quickly got out of the pool and dried himself, redressing in his proper attire. As he fastened the last buckle of his armor, he looked up and saw her. It wasn't his princess. He saw the outline of a girl with shiny long black hair standing on a ledge, looking out at the moon. He strode towards her, wanting to demand why she dared to be present on this sacred ground. As he approached her, however, his marching steps softened, and he realized that she was speaking to him. Unable to hear her, he moved closer. When he was finally close enough to touch her, she turned around partially and murmured the only thing that he could hear.
*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*
Boris's hand slapped down on the snooze button. Unwilling to awake, he flopped back down onto his futon. He started to doze again when a second alarm stationed across the room rang. Forcing himself to get up, Boris crossed the room and turned off the alarm. Squinting his eyes, he read the time, yawned widely, and left the bedroom.
Boris groggily made his way over to the kitchen and watched the sink fill up with water. He glanced over at the clock, realizing that he had about an hour before he would have to leave for work. He tried not to think about all the noise and the chaos of the restaurant, of how his manager would be breathing down his neck, of how all of the customers, especially the girls, would give him a hard time about his name.
He cursed under his breath as he realized that he was humming along to one of the songs he had heard at that party a couple of nights ago. What was the name of that band? he wondered halfheartedly. Must've been one of those so-called boybands. They all sound the same anyway. They were the Crap something... Still, he couldn't help humming along.
He looked down at the water without truly seeing it. He was still mulling over his dream. He thought about the only thing he heard the girl say. He wished he could have heard everything. Still, her voice haunted him, repeating, "�with you, I want to die."
* * *
Eriko laid in the back seat of her father�s Camry. She could barely keep awake. Her father had insisted that she lie down in the back, promising that they�d have plenty of time to talk after she�d gotten a bit more rest. Too tired to argue then, she was now grateful for her father�s understanding.
She gasped sharply. �Are you okay?� her father�s worried voice called from the front seat.
�Hmm,� she murmured. �Just a thorn�� She loosened her grip on the bouquet of roses that her friends had gotten her. They�d all promised to come visit once their exams were over.
�Maybe I should keep those up here,� Mr. Rogers suggested.
Eriko let out a rare laugh. �Where would you keep them?� She still thought it was silly that her father had made her pack so much stuff. She would only be sick for a short while. There was no need for her to pack most of her stuff. She would be returning to school in less than a month. Or at least she hoped she would.
Mr. Rogers laughed. �Well, there�s the cup holder.�
Eriko smiled, and forced herself to sit up. Her smile met her father�s through the rearview mirror. As she leaned forward, offering the flowers, her other hand gripped tightly to the seat as her body vehemently recoiled at having to move. She almost immediately collapsed back onto the seat.
Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw a black shadow moving under the passenger seat, but by the time she realized what she was seeing, she was already well on her way back to dreamland.
* * *
�Oishii!!� Quinn exclaimed. Several of Musashi�s patrons turned to look at the hungry girl.
Georgia laughed. �Shh! Everyone�s staring,� she chided.
�Including that dishwasher�� Lily mused.
The three other girls immediately turned their gaze to the guy working in the kitchen. The moment the three girls looked his way, the young man immediately turned his gaze back on the immense amount of work in front of him.
�There�s something about him�� Lily murmured.
Ann laughed. �You sound as gloomy and mysterious as Eriko. Where is she by the way?�
Quinn replied, �Didn�t you hear? She went home. She�s been incredibly sick for the last week.�
�Ever since that party�� Georgia trailed off.
�Wow! Wrong subject. This has got to be one of the gloomiest lunches ever!� Ann teased.
Georgia and Quinn laughed politely while Lily resisted the urge to narrow her eyes at Ann�s insensitivity. �I�m just worried about her, that�s all,� Lily said instead. �I hope she gets better soon��
�Don�t worry,� Quinn said confidently. �If anyone of us were to make an amazing recovery, it�d be Eriko. There�s something almost magical about that girl.�
�Wow, I didn�t realize she was that sick��
Lily tuned out Ann�s apology and the subsequent conversation as she returned her gaze to the young man obsessively washing dishes.
* * *
�E!� Dawn squealed over the phone. Eriko pulled the receiver back by about a foot. �How are you? I can�t believe you�re home from school already!�
�Well, I�m actually here on special leave��
�How come? Nothing�s wrong I hope.�
�Well, I�m just a little sick� a little run down.�
�Well, maybe you just need for me to take you out? Barnes and Noble sound good?�
�Nah. That�s okay. I barely have the energy to walk from my bed to the bathroom. �Out� seems like a bit much.�
�Wow, you really are sick! I�ll be right over.�
�Actually, I�d rather that you didn�t. I just got home 10 minutes ago. I just want to sleep today. I�m sorry. How about you come over tomorrow?�
�Sure! I�ll be right over after dinner. Want me to bring anything over?�
�Hmm,� Eriko smiled as she thought. �How about root beer and pixie sticks? And of course Reese�s!�
�Food of the gods. You got it!�
A minute after Eriko hung up the phone, her father walked into the house, a bag slung over one shoulder, and black ball cradled in the opposite arm
�Looks like we had a stow-away,� Mr. Rogers laughed.
Eriko took the bundle from her father. The cat purred in her arms. Eriko had to double check, but yes, the golden moon emblem was still on Luna�s forehead. �Looks like she likes you.�
Eriko laughed. �Maybe she�s just pretending.� Subconsciously, her hand went to stroke the soft black fur.
�Maybe a pet is just what you need in order to speed your recovery,� Mr. Rogers mused.
�Really?!� Eriko�s face brightened. �You mean, I can actually have a cat?�
�Looks like the cat has you,� he remarked as he noticed Luna nibbling on Eriko�s fingers playfully. �After I get you settled in bed, I�ll go shopping for a litter box and all the other necessary equipment.�
Scooping the cat in one arm, Eriko happily hugged her father.
* * *
Nephlite was fuming. His last visit to earth had gone horribly wrong. Not only had he failed in his objective, he had also gotten his arm injured and he had lost the dark crystal. His only comfort was that Sailor Moon probably hadn�t yet discovered how to release her energy from the crystal. At least she wouldn�t interfere with his future endeavors to steal energy. And there�s also the souvenir I picked up at the party, he thought as his hand subconsciously reached for the object in its subspace pocket.
�Nephlite,� the senior general called from a panel that magically appeared in the chamber. Nephlite immediately pulled back his hand �Your report.�
Nephlite bowed stiffly. �I�ve run into some interference from those two.�
�So I noticed.� Nephlite felt a ripple of fear run down his spine. �You need to recover the crystal as soon as possible. In the meantime, Her Majesty still requires energy.�
Nephlite bowed again. �I understand.�
* * *
�Are you still reading manga?� Eriko laughed incredulously. In the last day, she�d felt spent almost all the time sleeping, but unlike at school, the rest seemed to finally be doing some good. She now could move around the room enough to push piles of junk under her bed and into her closet.
�This is fascinating�� Luna murmured as she turned the page of the 12th volume of Sailor Moon manga. �To think that all this time you knew about us��
�Well,� Eriko called out from the depths of her closet, �I wouldn�t say that we knew about you. We knew a story that a woman in Japan had written. No one on Earth expected it to be true.�
The cat nodded absent-mindedly. With the last piled shoved away to a hidden corner, Eriko allowed herself to flop down on her bed. She breathed heavily from the exhaustion. Luna�s ears pricked up and she abandoned the book, moving to Eriko�s side on the bed. �Are you okay?� she asked worriedly.
�I�m fine,� Eriko smiled. After a moment, her face relaxed as she mulled over something that bothered her. �Luna, can I ask you a question?� The cat nodded. �Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? I mean, you hated me before, and frankly, I�m surprised that you aren�t yelling at me right now for being incredibly lazy.�
The cat bit her lip. After a moment she responded, �I�ve requested that your status as Sailor Moon be revoked.�
�WHAT?!� Eriko exclaimed, sitting straight up in bed. A second later she collapsed back down onto the pillows as the wave of dizziness took over her body.
Luna�s voice hardened. �I can�t be responsible for you dying.�
�I won�t die,� Eriko whispered fiercely. �I�m getting better. And once I�m strong enough to transform into Sailor Moon again, I�ll find a way to release the energy from the crystal. And then I�ll make Nephlite wish he�d never been born,� she concluded darkly.
Luna sighed. �There�s a big if surrounding all of this. And in the meantime, Metallia�s forces are moving.�
�What do you mean?�
�While you were sleeping this morning, I read the paper. Last night, someone attacked U-mall. They did a lot of structural damage ��
�That�ll probably improve the looks of the place,� Eriko interrupted
�� and dozens of people were seriously injured. They�re currently all being held at the university�s hospital.�
�That�s not good,� Eriko said grimly.
�What�s not good?� a voice called from the staircase. Luna quickly shot under the bed as Eriko and her had agreed earlier. Luna wedged herself between a fluffy Winnie-the-Pooh slipper and a bokun near the edge of the bed skirt so that she could peer out undetected.
Dawn appeared in the doorway. �Who were you talking to?� she asked gaily.
�Myself,� Eriko replied as she tried to get up once again. This time she succeeded in getting herself propped up against the headboard. �Took me forever just to get up here.�
�Yikes! That really isn�t good. But these should help to make things better!� She produced a bag from behind her back. Eriko smiled broadly as she felt herself feeling better already.
* * *
Eriko�s bed was covered with wrappers of various colors. On her nightstand stood two cups half filled with root beer, with a bit of pixie stix added for kick. Eriko was almost shaking from the sugar rush her exhausted body was experiencing. Or maybe it was because of Dawn�s acting.
�That was so romantic!� the brunette cried dramatically, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead. The next second she made a gagging motion.
Eriko laughed. �At least it isn�t as bad as the S movie. That is the definition of overly sappy.�
Dawn nodded with a grin. �Yeah, the R movie is still one of my faves too.�
�So wanna watch it again?� Eriko asked with a wink.
�No thanks!� Dawn exclaimed vehemently. She smiled. �You mistake me for the Sap Queen. That�s Quinn�s job.�
�So wanna help me finish this food before you go?�
The girls downed the remaining liquid in their glasses, but were unable to polish off the remaining junk food. �Looks like we�ll just have to keep that for the next time,� Dawn reflected.
�When can you come over again?�
�Hmm� I need to help my mom with taking care of the house tomorrow, and the next day I start work at the library again. Friday I�m going shopping for those last-minute presents. Think you�ll be up to seeing the outside world by then?�
�Hmm,� Eriko mused. �I think I�m probably going to have to pass. Today�s �cleaning� wore me out. There�s no way I could handle walking all over that building.�
�Well, if you change your mind, just call my cell phone Friday morning.�
Twenty minutes later, Eriko re-entered her room after having walked her high school best friend to the door. She dropped to her knees and looked under her bed for the black cat. �Luna?�
Eriko nearly screamed as the feline jumped onto her back. �Don�t do that!� she gasped breathlessly. �Are you trying to kill me?�
Luna giggled, surprising Eriko once again. It was the first time she�d heard the moon kitty express any sense of humor. Eriko let Luna jump off her back before she struggled to her make it under her covers.
�That was a good movie,� Luna commented. �It reminded me of something��
�Uh hmm,� Eriko murmured as she snuggled down in her warm bed. �What would that be?�
�I don�t know,� the black cat admitted. �But� I feel good now.�
Eriko smiled. �I know what you mean.� Eriko yawned sleepily. �Would you mind turning off the light, Luna?�
Eriko was asleep before the cat finished climbing the bookshelf to hit the switch.
* * *
�Hey!� Lily yelled after the black-haired boy walking from the closed sushi shop. Either he doesn�t realize I�m talking to him, or he�s blatantly ignoring me. I know there�s no way he can�t hear me. Lily raced after the boy with a gym bag slung over his left shoulder. As she ran around the corner, she ran right into someone.
Sprawled on the ground, it took Lily a moment to catch her breath after having the wind knocked out of her. �Sorry,� she gasped. Looking up, she was surprised to see the black-haired boy standing above her.
�Did you want to talk to me?� he asked coldly. He made no effort to help her up.
Lily gritted her teeth as she found her footing and brought herself up. �Yeah,� she grunted.
�Well, what is it?�
�What have you got over Eriko?�
�Over who?�
�Eriko. I saw you at that party a couple weeks ago. She obviously was trying to talk to you, but then that thing��
�I�m afraid I don�t know what you�re talking about.�
Lily looked up at him sharply. �Look. I know I saw you there at that party!�
�I was at the party, but no random chic named Eriko talked to me.�
Lily searched his face. His bright blue eyes just looked back at her coolly. Suddenly she gasped as the realization of who he was washed over her. He turned to walk away as Lily just stood there saying nothing. Finally, she broke the silence, whispering roughly, �You�d better take care of Eriko. She needs help, and as much as I don�t like it, you may be the only one who can do it.�
Confused, Boris turned around to question this strange girl about what she meant, but Lily was already walking away back up towards Franklin St.
* * *
Daemon Powerpuff Benny Way stepped back from the edge of the roof. A moment later, he was in Nephlite�s chamber.
�Report.�
�I followed the black-haired boy like you asked, master.�
�And is he that masked man?�
�I don�t know yet, sir.�
�So what good are you!?� Nephlite angrily threw everything off of his desk. Time was running out. Sailor Moon might recover at any time and they were still no closer to discovering her identity or that of the masked man�s. All Nephlite knew was that whenever Sailor Moon appeared, the masked man wasn�t far behind. But at least, he was fairly certain that the masked man was actually the boy who worked at Musashi.
He�d reviewed the footage of all the attacks that Metallia�s minions had attempted thus far. He concentrated on when Zoicite had unmasked the man. He�d watched the footage of that man�s face repeatedly before the tape mysteriously broke up. That face was awfully similar to the dishwasher�s. Plus, he was fairly certain that he�d seen the boy at his party.
The daemon coughed to get the general�s attention. �You�re still here?� Nephlite replied savagely.
�Sir. I did overhear a strange conversation between that boy and one of the girl�s you�d asked me to look for as well.�
Nephlite immediately cheered up. Maybe now he�d finally discover Sailor Moon�s identity.
After another moment of silence, Nephlite testily responded, �Well? Go on.�
�They talked about a girl named Eriko.�
Nephlite immediately pulled out a console. He hacked into the university�s information systems, finding out her background. After a moment of reading, he turned back to the daemon.
�Interesting. Tell me everything you heard.�
* * *
Lily pulled into the steep driveway. She hoped that Eriko would be feeling better. She hadn�t had time to call ahead. As soon as her last exam was over, she�d just piled all her stuff in the car and started driving home, yet somehow she found herself in Eriko�s neighborhood. Oh well, she thought, at least now I can see if she�s doing better. Plus, I want to talk to her about that guy�
Lily�s thoughts were interrupted as the door from the house to the garage slowly opened. The young lady bristled as she saw the black cat walk out onto the top step and meow at her. �Luna,� she muttered gruffly. Lily bound up the steps and walked passed the cat and into the house. She quickly closed the door behind her, but not quick enough, and the cat bound into the house.
�Lily!� Eriko greeted gaily.
Lily was immediately relieved to see her friend. The few days away from campus had done her friend a world of good. Sitting at the breakfast table, Eriko looked much healthier and more energetic, although a bit of weariness seemed to be resting on the older girl�s shoulders. In a moment, Lily had crossed the kitchen to stand in front of Eriko and embrace her tightly.
�You look great!� she said admiringly. �You seem to be getting better, Eriko!�
�Well, she�s still a long way from a full recovery,� the cat interjected as she settled herself on the table top.
Lily turned to glare at the cat. Eriko laughed. �It�s okay, Lil. Luna and I have come to agreement on a couple of things. Everything�s cool.�
Lily looked skeptically at her friend, but all the skepticism melted the moment she realized how peaceful her friend looked. She hadn�t seen Eriko this relaxed since before Halloween.
�So what have you been up to, hon?�
�Just sleeping mostly,� Eriko answered with a grin. �I also hung out with a friend from high school a couple of days ago. You remember Dawn, right?�
�Hyperactive girl who makes the most kick-ass chocolate chip cookies? How could I forget her!�
Eriko laughed again. Lily smiled to hear it. �Well, she wanted me to go shopping with her today, but I think I just wanted to stay away from the real world for a little bit longer.�
�Aw! I should have called before I came over! I�m so sorry ��
�It�s okay! I�m really glad to see you actually! Things are getting a little boring around here,� she confessed with a wink.
�Well where�s your dad? I�m sure he must love having you back early.�
�He�s out shopping, actually. Heh, maybe he�ll run into Dawn.�
�Where are they shopping? Is it down at that big mall in ��
*Ring*
�Excuse me,� Eriko apologized as she reached for the phone.
* * *
Dawn had handed her chai over to Kat as she had pushed the numbers on her cell phone.
�Hello,� a voice called from the other end of the line.
�Eriko!� Dawn cried in greeting. �Kat and I are at the mall now. How�re you feeling?�
�Better,� the other girl replied cheerfully. �Lily just dropped by to visit me. We were just talking.�
�Oh! If you�re feeling better, why don�t the two of you join us?�
�Well, I don�t know� we�ll see.�
�Okee. Hey! The reason I called is �cause the two of us were thinking that we should all chip in on Quinn�s Christmas present.�
�Cool. What were you thinking of getting her.�
�Well, we were thinking of ��
Dawn�s thoughts were interrupted as a teenybopper not to far from her suddenly screamed. Suspecting that the girl had just seen the ad at Camelot music for the latest Crap Puppies CD, Dawn was surprised when she turned around saw the monster standing in front of her.
* (* *
�DAWN!� Eriko screamed into the phone. �What�s wrong?�
�Oh my god,� was all Eriko heard before there were more screams and the line went dead. Eriko stood up quickly. Her brow was immediately covered in a cold sweat.
�What�s wrong?� Lily asked concerned.
�I don�t know, but it sounded like��
�An attack,� Luna completed gravely.
Eriko nodded weakly. She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out her compact.
Lily quickly grabbed the compact out of Eriko�s hands. �No!� she said with finality. �You can barely stand. There�s no way I�m letting you go fight.�
�No way that we�re letting you fight,� Luna corrected.
Eriko looked at down at her reflection on the table. Slowly, she began, �Dawn and Kat are my best friends. And, oh my gods, my father is there!� She looked up sharply at Lily and Luna. They felt themselves glued in place. �I won�t let Nephlite destroy everything in my life. I�m going.� Before they realized what was happening, Eriko grabbed the compact back from Lily and transformed.
As Sailor Moon strode towards the door, Lily finally found her voice. �Let me at least give you a ride to the mall.�
�No time,� the Senshi replied, but she stopped in her tracks. She quickly turned and bounded up to her bedroom. Luna and Lily could barely keep up.
�Calm down!� Luna warned. �You�re going to burn yourself out before you even get to Crabtree.�
Sailor Moon was sitting in front of her bureau, rummaging through the bottom drawer. �I�ll be fine. I feel stronger as Sailor Moon than I do as Eriko. I just need something�� After a moment, she triumphantly produced a crystal from her drawer. She pocketed it before she stood once more.
�Follow me in the car,� she said, not meeting the other two�s gazes. She sighed deeply. �If I�ve failed, look for the compact. Lily, you�ll be able to use it just one time. Destroy Nephlite for me, and make sure that everyone is healed.�
Before either cat or girl could respond, Sailor Moon jumped out the bedroom window and bounded towards the attack.
* * *
Tuxedo Mask crouched behind a collapsed part of Gap. He was starting to suspect that the Generals really had a vendetta against the store. He�d been able to pull the two customers and the store clerk out of the way just before ceiling had fallen on them, but they were now out hiding in the back of the store. This latest daemon was especially aggressive, destroying almost as much as he was stealing energy. As much as he wanted to help, he realized that Sailor Moon had been right. There wasn�t much that he could do against this creature. He�d just have to wait for the general to make his appearance. He�d have to watch and wait�
�Still sleeping on the job?� a voice teased as a hand was laid softly on his shoulder.
He turned slowly to face a tired-looking Sailor Moon. She was almost doubled over, trying to catch her breath. After a few moments of labored breathing, she lifted her head to smile at him. �I didn�t get a chance earlier to thank you��
�Don�t worry about it,� Tuxedo Mask replied curtly. He couldn�t let her distract him.
The Senshi bit her lip. �I also owe you an apology��
�I said don�t worry about it.�
Sailor Moon nodded. �Then can I ask you a favor?�
* * *
Nephlite hovered a foot above the second floor�s tiles. He was getting bored. If Sailor Moon was the heroine that he suspected her to be, then she�d have to turn up soon. Especially if his research was correct. Otherwise he could spend all day destroying and causing havoc, and it would all be for naught. At least the massive amount of energy that the daemon was collecting was a comfort to him.
He was about to call Daemon Powerpuff Benny Way to his side when he saw a bright streak flash towards the Daemon. Although the tiara made a direct hit, the Daemon was far too powerful to be undone by it. He simply picked up a nearby tree, and in his rage batted the tiara away, throwing the tree with it. Luckily, Nephlite didn�t notice the black shadow quickly moving the unconscious bodies out of the tree�s path. Daemon PBW roared and rushed towards Sailor Moon, but she deftly jumped out of the way, up to the second story. As she looked across the hall, she caught Nephlite�s eye. The Senshi�s face darkened menacingly.
�Sailor Moon,� the General laughed. �You have something I want.�
Despite her surprised at being called by name, she responded, �Likewise. Plus I owe you a bit more.�
�Let�s take this elsewhere�� The General began to run towards the center of the mall. Sailor Moon followed down her walkway. When they got to the main square, Nephlite jumped down from the second story. Sailor Moon, visibly tired, jumped to the statue of the Tasmanian Devil, and hopped down to the ground, standing about 20 feet away from her opponent.
�Let�s make it an even trade, Sailor Moon,� Nephlite offered. He pulled out the Moon Scepter. �Your wand for my crystal.�
�Forgive me for not trusting you. What�s the catch?�
�No catch. I swear that I�ll let you have the Moon Scepter. I just want my crystal.�
Sailor Moon bit her lip. �Okay. We�ll throw both items across the floor��
�Please, Sailor Moon. Let�s be adults. We�ll just walk to the middle and exchange objects.�
This wasn�t going according to plan, Sailor Moon realized with a flare of panic. She would just have to trust him. �Alright,� she agreed slowly and pulled the crystal from her hidden pocket.
Nephlite felt a ripple of anticipation as the two walked towards the center of the floor. Soon he would have the crystal and so much more.
The two stood two feet apart. �Okay,� Sailor Moon interrupted his thoughts. �That�s close enough. We swap now.� She proffered the crystal. A moment later he held out the Scepter. As their left hands moved to reach for their own items, Sailor Moon knew she shouldn�t trust the General. A second later, her hand closed on the handle of the Scepter. She gripped it tightly as she felt the General pluck the crystal from her right hand.
Before she could step back, the General�s right hand closed tightly on the Senshi�s left wrist, and he yanked her towards him. To tired to resist, Sailor Moon was helpless as Nephlite spun her around, grabbing her from behind, holding her tightly. �This time,� he whispered into her ear, �we won�t wait for your masked friend. Now I have you, the scepter, and the crystal. Let�s go my dear.�
�I think you�re forgetting something,� Sailor Moon responded coldly. �You have a crystal.�
�WHAT?!� he cried out in rage.
* * *
That was Tuxedo Mask�s cue. He emerged from his hiding place and threw the real dark crystal toward Sailor Moon as he called out, �USAKOOOOOOOO!�
Nephlite looked up in horror as he realized that the crystal was flying over towards them overhead. His surprised doubled, as the Senshi in his grasp suddenly seemed to come back to life, and forced his and her left arm upward until they aimed at the crystal. Sailor Moon then cried out, �MOON HEALING ACTIVATION!!�
A blast of white light shot from the Scepter, focusing on the crystal. The light formed a ball around the crystal that intensified so that soon the entire building was drenched in its brilliance. Tuxedo Mask turned his head and shielded his eyes as the light fell all around him. As the light dimmed, Tux slowly opened his eyes. Where the Daemon had been standing moments earlier, lay the slumped over form of Sam. He turned back to look at Sailor Moon and her assailant.
The Senshi elbowed the stunned General away from her and jumped to grab the power crystal as it fell to the ground. She landed on one knee, and surprised to see that while the healing had worked on everyone else, she still wasn�t healed. She quickly hid the Scepter away again before it could be stolen from her once more. As she caught her breath she heard Nephlite cry out in anguish. Sailor Moon turned in time to see the General pull out the fake crystal and hurl it towards Tuxedo Mask.
Tuxedo Mask raised his arm automatically to deflect the weapon. He gasped sharply as the stone tore through the fabric and embedded itself in his arm.
Sailor Moon made a sound that sounded like something between a cry and a choked sob. Before she knew what she was doing, she was on her feet. She rushed the General. He looked at her with a bit of surprise, but neither one of them realized what was happening as she thrust the cleansed power crystal into the general�s gut.
Nephlite choked. He looked down slowly and was surprised to see the blood on Sailor Moon�s normally white glove. As he looked up at her face, he realized that she looked as shocked as he felt. In desperation, his hand reached out. It grabbed between the young woman�s breasts and closed on what it sought. A white light was building where the Senshi had impaled him. With is remaining strength, he tore the compact off of her fuku.
Immediately Sailor Moon reverted back to Eriko. Exhausted from the battle, Eriko collapsed before she could see the light consume the General completely, ending with an explosion of brilliance.
Tuxedo Mask ran to Eriko�s side, reaching her just a moment after the compact hit the ground beside her. He raised the pretty half Japanese girl's head. �Usako!� he cried. He checked for a pulse and was relieved to find one. He was about to lift her up when he heard something.
*DUM DUM DUM DUM*
Someone was calling Sailor Moon on her communicator.