THE UNITY SAGA Part 2 By Sherri-Lee Thornton Rated PG Hi fellow fans! Here is Part 2, hope you enjoy it. The usual disclaimers apply. I claim no credit for the creation of Sailor Moon and friends/enemies. etc (see part l). I welcome all and any comments PS - I would like to thank all those who have sent e-mail - it is wonderful to hear from you. Special thanks to Renee Markowicz ##### Part 2 "Suspicions" Darien stepped out onto his balcony. A sharp wind rippled his singlet and blew black hair into his eyes. Gripping the railing firmly with both hands, he looked desolately at the moon, waning now in the pre-dawn glow. He had gone back to bed after the incident in the park, but sleep eluded him. Instead, he had tossed and turned the few remaining hours to daylight, unable to erase from his mind the look of heartache on Sailor Moon's face when he had rejected her yet again. He bowed his head, slamming a fist down on the guard rail, and squeezing his eyes tightly shut against the pain in his soul. "I'm sorry, Serena. I wish it didn't have to be this way,...but I can't take the chance - you mean too much to me." The sun heaved itself up over the horizon and the moon faded from view. ##### Birds carolled joyously, seemingly just outside her room. Another raucous cry joined the song- ravens? Lena lay in bed, listening intently to the chorus. She had been drifting in and out of sleep since dawn, waiting for her headache to fade. Her whole body ached for that matter - compliments of Taurid and an over zealous Sailor Mars. But more than that, the headache stemmed from a constant worry that nagged at her like an old fishwife. She had woken to find her jacket and trousers removed and she worried about the photograph. Voices drifted in on the summer breeze - sweet and girlish. Two of them rose above the others, arguing heatedly. "Aagh, Serena - give it a rest, will ya!" "Not likely, Rei. It isn't every day that the great Rei Hino is wrong and I'm not about to let it pass." "How do you know I *am* wrong. We don't know a thing about her. She could still be from the Negaverse - she is dressed in one of their uniforms ya know." "So?" The argument continued unabated, their friends obviously felt it was impossible to try to stop them. From the stories that Lena had heard, she gathered that these arguments were common, the rest of their team usually just endured in silence. Rolling over stiffly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, and pushed herself upright. She flexed her hands, then balled them into fists to test the extent of the damage left by Taurid's claws. The cuts smarted beneath the thick bandages that wrapped her arms from wrist to elbow and several stains of blood had soaked through. She grimaced, it was painful, but would probably prove to be more of an annoyance than any real hindrance. The door behind her slid open quietly, and Lena twisted about sharply, startled. Her muscles protested painfully at the sudden movement, and she cursed silently - not at her bruised body, but because she had allowed someone to approach unnoticed - two someones in fact. Ami Misuno and Mina Aino peered inquisitively through the open door. Lena had seen their pictures often enough to recognise them instantly, but they looked so young, so... innocent. "You are awake! Are you feeling Okay? - you certainly look a lot better than you did last night when the Sailor Scouts brought you here." Lena smiled inwardly at Ami's bending of the truth, but it was safer to go along with the charade. "I am fine, thank you," she replied, pasting a smile to her face. "Just a little sore." Ami smiled back, stepping into the room. "From what I hear, you were very lucky not to be killed." "Yes, I...." Mina followed Ami into the room, moving out of the doorway to stand beside her friend. Blinding yellow light flooded into the space that she had previously blocked, spilling across the floor. Lena cried out, covering her eyes against the brightness that pierced to the back of her head like a thousand hot needles. She turned away from the door, cowering. Ami hurried to her side, placing a hand on her rigid shoulder. "What's wrong?" she asked. "The Light... it is too strong." The blue-haired girl looked back at the door, a little confused. She saw only a soft patch of light, diffused by the enclosed verandah that ran the length of the entire building. But she was quick-minded, and remembered Serena saying that the girl had been a prisoner in the Negaverse. Prisoners were usually kept indoors, weren't they? Mina had guessed at the same conclusion and was already moving to close the door when Ami opened her mouth to ask her to do so. "It is gone, you can open your eyes now," Ami coaxed. Lena blinked rapidly, still dazzled. She looked up at Ami through watery eyes. "What was that?" she asked, frowning. Ami and Mina exchanged puzzled looks. "It was just the sunlight," Mina answered, sitting opposite her on the bed. "Sunlight? *That* came from the Sun? But... it is so bright. How can you stand it?" "What do you mean? It's like that every day. You said you were from the Negaverse. I know it's dark, but surely you must have *some* light," said Ami. "Of course there is light, but that..." she looked over her shoulder at the door. The light still shone through, diffuse and no longer harmful. "That is so different to..." She stopped, unwilling to share any more. "So different to what?" prompted Mina. "Uh, I guess it must just be a different kind of light to what I am used to," she covered. "It does get pretty dark in the Negaverse." "We will have to get you a pair of glasses to block out the light, until you are used to it again," Ami offered. Lena shifted on the bed so she could look at both girls and promptly changed the subject. "Where are my clothes?" "They were a bit singed," Mina explained, grimacing slightly. "Rei took them to be washed, but I think that jacket has seen better days." Lena's stomach lurched. "Did you find anything in them?" Both girls shook their heads. "No," they proclaimed in unison. "But Rei may have found something before she washed them, she has not mentioned it. Why?" Ami asked. "Ah - nothing important." Lena dismissed the topic by standing stiffly and stretching her long limbs. The two girls watched while she ran a hand through her tousled hair; one with the analytical eye of a future medical student, the other with the quiet concern of a caring soul who would have killed for a similar head of cascading waves on a recent date. "I would love a bath," Lena sighed. "A really long one, with bubbles and -" she caught herself, colouring slightly at her childish lapse. "No problem, you can take a bath and we'll rustle up some clothes," said Mina. "And some sunglasses," Ami added. "I am sure Rei must have some." "Have some what?" All three turned to the door where Rei stood, one hand on a robed hip, her black hair curling about her body. Lena retreated several steps, almost bumping against the wall and shielded her eyes. Inside she seethed. What was wrong with her? That was the second time in the last few minutes that she had dropped her guard. If any of them had been from the Negaverse she would be dead by now. But that was the difference, she realised. These girls were not from the Negaverse - they were the Sailor Scouts - her allies, her friends. She felt safe with them - something she had not felt in a long time. Another shadow loomed up behind Rei. "Hey! You're up!" Lita cried, her husky voice cheerful. "Hey you guys, stop hogging all the room." Serena pushed past Lita and Rei, her ponytails bobbing. "Watch it, Meatball Head," Rei threatened. "Come in quickly, and close the door," said Ami. "Huh?" grunted Serena. "What's up, Ami?" Lita queried, closing the door behind her obediently. Lena stood silently through the conversation, mesmerised. She only half-listened as Ami explained her sensitivity to sunlight, transfixed as she was by the five girls that now occupied the room. Her chest ached with an intense relief at seeing them - all together - alive. She resisted the urge to gather them all up in a huge hug. Instead, she focused on the girl at the room's centre. Serena, the Moon Princess; the key to all her hopes and dreams. She had found her at last. Her eyes really were an amazing blue. She practically shone with a hyperactive enthusiasm, a bubbling energy that threatened to boil over and scald anyone who got too near. Lena's gaze swept the rest of the room, checking off the occupants on a mental role-call; Rei, Ami, Mina, and... she almost hesitated in seeking out the final face, but berated herself for her childishness. Lita towered above the rest, listening intently to Ami. Lena swallowed hard against the lump in her throat, struggling to keep all emotion from her face, but Lita must have felt the weight of her gaze for she turned her head to look straight at her. They stared at each other across the room. Lita's eyes searched Lena's face and she frowned, like someone trying to make a connection between vague facts and an obscure idea. "I'd like to know how she did it too." It was Rei who spoke and all eyes turned to Lena. The connection broke - Lena dropped Lita's gaze, feeling suddenly exposed. She *was* wearing only her singlet and underwear afterall. She shifted her feet and crossed her arms across her chest defensively, but was saved the awkwardness of having to ask what they were talking about by a scratching at the door and a plaintive mew. Lita opened the door a crack for two cats to pad in - one pure white, the other a dark blue-grey - both had identical crescent moon marks on their foreheads. "Oh, Artemis," Mina sighed. "Where have you and Luna been?" "Yes, Luna, you are a very naughty kitty, wandering off like that," Serena chastised, waving her finger at the cat comically. Luna just sat on her haunches, tail twitching, a foul scowl on her dainty face, and did not deign to dignify the remark with even a meow. Serena turned back to the others. "So - what were we talking about?" she asked. "We were asking Lena how she was able to use Sailor Moon's crystal to open a portal," Ami supplied. "Yes, and why she was a prisoner," said Mina. "And how she knew Sailor Moon had the Crystal in the first place," Rei put in, frown firmly in place. Lena did some fast thinking, this could get difficult. She could not tell them the truth, not all of it anyway, or she would run the risk of upsetting events by giving them too much information. So, what could she do? Plead ignorance, that usually worked quite well. "Ah, how about we back up a bit first," she said. "You probably already know that my name is Lena. You have the advantage there because I have no idea who you all are." The lie tasted bitter in her mouth, but it was better than the alternative. "Oh, of course, how rude of us. I am Ami Misuno." "I'm Mina Aino, and this is my cat Artemis." "I'm Rei Hino." "Lita Kina." "And I'm Serena - Serena Tsukino, and this is Luna," Serena said, scooping up the hapless animal. Lena had bowed her head respectfully as each girl introduced herself and now straightened. Holding her arms tight against her sides, she bowed deeply from the waist. The guesture was meant for them all, but was directed specifically at Serena. "I am honoured to make your acquaintance, and thank you most humbly for your kind hospitality." This last part was for Rei's benefit and Lena could see from her expression that she was at least slightly mollified. "Now," Lena said. "Perhaps we should sit, this discussion may take some time." ##### "So... do you think we can believe her?" Mina asked the assembled group. The five girls and two cats had gathered in Rei's room and sat about the table on cushions, sipping tea and nibbling on fresh baked muffins. Serena had already devoured two muffins to everyone else's one and had her hand on a third. "I don't see why not," she mumbled through a mouthful, splattering crumbs. She swallowed noisily. "You guys didn't see her fight that monster - she could have died saving me." "I guess so," Rei conceded. "But she really didn't tell us that much. I don't know that I really buy that 'lost memory' story. How could she not remember who she was, why she was kidnapped or even who put her there?" "Yes, it is a little strange for her not to remember a thing from before this prison dimension," Luna agreed. "But if her story is to be believed, she has been under a lot of strain for a very long time, and I must say she doesn't look much like the Negaverse type. Still - I think we should keep an eye on her. What do you think, Ami?" The thoughtful Scout had been silent since Lena began her story. "Well - it's not unusual for extreme trauma to cause some forms of amnesia. She did know about the Crystal, even though she could not explain how,... she could have taken it from Serena as soon as she came through the portal or even while Serena was unconscious if she *was* from the Negaverse. Her explanation for her escape was quite interesting, I would like to make a study of her ability to channel power, and to be able to drain off energy the way she did is something we have only seen the youma and droids do - I did not think that a human was capable of it without some kind of tool." "Maybe she isn't human," muttered Artemis. "I trust her." For the first time since Lena had left for the bathroom, Lita spoke, tearing her eyes from the nondescript patch of wall that had captivated her attention for the past fifteen minutes. "I can't explain it, but I trust her and I think we should help her. She doesn't want to hurt us." They all remained silent for several seconds, even Serena, who Ceased her chomping for the space of a heartbeat. "Alright then," said Artemis. "We trust her - for now, but she mustn't know about your identities as the Sailor Scouts and we all agree to keep an eye on her." He was met by nods to the affirmative, except for Lita, who had already resumed her preoccupied examination of the wall. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Mina broke the silence. "Hey, Serena, where is Rennie today? I would have thought she'd be around here by now." Serena's face fell into a mournful pout. "No, she's gone off somewhere with Darien. It's just not fair - she gets to see him all the time." Her lower lip began to tremble. Rei, seeing Serena building up to yet another crying session sought a hasty exit. Standing, she grabbed up the dark sunglasses she had placed on the table earlier. "I think I'd better go check on Lena and take her these so she doesn't have to walk back with her eyes closed." She hurried from the room in time to miss Serena's explosive wail. ##### Lena closed her eyes and sank back into the warm water. Steam rose up around her, misting the windows and mirror. She concentrated on relaxing, on allowing the water to soothe away her aches, on calming her frantic thoughts. They could not have believed everything she told them. She had not explained any of her powers, but simply told them that she was able to manipulate certain energies and had been spying on the Sailor Scouts for a while in the hope that they would be able to help her escape. That would not satisfy them for long, especially not Ami Musino. But she could string them along with half-truths for as long as it was necessary - there were other, more pressing, concerns to worry about. The photograph was gone. With a few careful questions, she had been able to gain from Rei that there had been nothing in her clothes, and furthermore, that the jacket front had been sliced open. The pocket could have been cut open - the picture could be anywhere. Renewed panic rose in her chest and the tranquil eddies of steam felt suddenly suffocating, the moist air cloying. She calmed herself forcibly, knowing that her panic was irrational. She had developed an attachment to the photograph that was unreasonable and illogical. It was only a piece of paper - important at the time as a means as staying sane, but she had found them, she had the real thing. Besides, if she was successful in her mission she would have no need of it again. She probably would not even remember it. No - her main problem now was finding out who *was* behind her imprisonment - at least that much of her story was true - and how he had come to know so much about the reason for her mission. And why keep her locked up for so long? Hmm...staying free was also rather high on her list of priorities. She smiled, and tilted her head back to rest it on the edge of the bath. Her hair floated around her like fine silk. Free; she savoured the word. Free not only of the stone walls that had imprisoned her for who knew how long, but also of the dark, joyless world that had been her prison since birth. The thought sent a tingle of excitement down her spine. She recalled that first moment when she had awakened that morning; to hear the birdcall, real - not replayed from a scratchy old disc. And the smells! She had caught only a small sample on her way to this room, but the air had been so clear and the flower perfume so sweet and strong - nothing like the tiny plot that her mother had managed to keep alive in their little greenhouse. Her mother... Lena's lightening mood took a brutal turn, plummeting rapidly to black depression. Her last memories of her family were not pleasant ones. The reality of her situation hit once again with startling clarity, she ground her teeth together. She had a job to do and daydreaming about the birds would not get it done. She slid down, dipping her head under the water once more, and then heaved herself up, having to struggle against the sudden feeling of heaviness as her body left the water. She had towelled herself off and was wrapping another towel around her head when she heard the soft tread of slippered feet in the hall outside. At least her ears still worked, she thought ruefully. A polite knock sounded on the bathroom door. "Come in," she called, securing a towel around her body. The door opened a crack and Rei edged her head around the corner. She looked first to the bath, but seeing it unoccupied paned around to the vanity unit where Lena stood in front of the mirror. "Hi," she smiled. "I brought you some sunglasses, and a robe - just until we find you something else to wear." She held them out. "Thank you. You can come in," Lena said. "I was just about to redo these bandages." "Oh, would you like some help?" "Sure." Rei instructed Lena to sit down on a nearby stool and knelt in front of her to gently unwind the wet bandages, exposing the brutalised flesh. The sets of parallel gashes on the tops of Lena's forearms had just begun to close, the flesh around the slashed edges was inflamed and swollen. Rei inspected the cuts carefully. "There's no infection luckily, Ami did a good job, and you heal quickly." "We all do," Lena said without thinking, but instantly recognised her mistake and swore inwardly. "Huh? What do you mean?" "Um, I mean all of us from... from the Negaverse and the Moon Kingdom... the Sailor Scouts are fast healers I would suspect." "Is that where you're from?" asked Rei, studiously smearing ointment on Lena's cuts. "Where?" said Lena, attempting to play dumb. "From the Moon Kingdom, like the Scouts." "Ah, I am not sure... I mean - I assume so. I mean, I am sure that I am not from the Negaverse, so where else could I be from?" Rei seemed to think about that for a moment and began to wind clean bandage around Lena's arms. "Well, you could be from another planet, you can certainly do things that most humans can't." Rei looked up and saw the worried expression on Lena's face. Her naturally suspicious heart melted and a sympathetic smile smoothed away the contemplative frown on her face. She reached up, squeezing Lena's shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, we'll help you, and the Sailor Scouts will too." Lena smiled appreciatively, thankful that Rei had interpreted her expression as anxiety over her 'memory loss' rather than concern at being caught out. Boy, she sure hoped she would not be around when the fiery Scout found out the truth. ##### A swirling grey cloud appeared, coalescing into a two-dimensional oval, seven feet tall and three feet wide. The surface flashed and a cloaked man stepped through, seemingly from nowhere, to stand surveying the surrounding parklands. The ground beneath his feet was scorched, and looking around the open area, he spotted several other patches of burnt grass. A battle had definitely taken place, and recently - he could still feel the faint tingle of power, left by a significant energy discharge. There was no sign of Taurid. It did not take much mental effort for Pyrrhotite to conclude that he had been defeated in the battle. Their prisoner was a worthy opponent, that he had seen from observing her in the exercise yard. He would have to be a lot more careful and a lot smarter than his horned associate in order to apprehend her - especially if she had the help of the Sailor Scouts. Warned by the sound of approaching voices, he stepped back into the cover of trees, just as a group of young boys broke into the clearing. They threw a ball around for a few minutes, until one of them suggested going to the arcade and they ran off down the path. Pyrrhotite emerged from the trees and was about to call up another portal to find a more private location when a splash of white not far from the largest patch of scorched earth caught his eye. He stooped to pick it up, unfolding the stiff piece of paper. It was a photograph of a group of teenage girls, obviously all friends. They looked familiar, especially the tallest with red-brown hair, but he could not remember ever having met them. One corner of the picture was singed and a side had been nicked by something razor sharp. It very probably belonged to one of the combatants. Ruling out Taurid as an unlikely keeper of photographs, Pyrrhotite concluded that it could have been the prisoner's. If so, then she was even cleverer than he thought, to be able to keep it hidden for so long. He could see that the print was consistent with the photographic technology of this time, yet it was very old. He frowned, puzzled. He had been led to believe that she was from this time... how had she come by this picture? The Master could probably explain its origin, but... Pyrrhotite tucked the picture inside his jacket. It may be significant or it may not, best to hold on to it until he knew for sure. With a casual thought he created a portal and disappeared into its swirling depths... to reappear in a quiet alley in Jubaan. Here the bustle of the busy main streets was but a distant hum. A couple passed by the alley entrance but paid not the slightest attention to the tall young man partially hidden by shadow. "Droid Medusa, Report," he ordered into the air. The air behind his right shoulder shimmered and a lithe female biped materialised into the gloom. Her smooth skin was a mottled green, her hair a writhing mass of purple snakes - their forked tongues flickered madly. "You called, Commander?" she hissed. "Yes, Medusa. I have a job for you." "It isss alwaysss a pleasure to assissst you, Commander." "Good, I'm glad you feel that way because your next assignment could get dangerous." "Ha, there isss nothing that is dangerousss for Medusssa." "Humph. I want you to locate a girl. She goes by the name of Lena." He held up a small circular device, flat like a disc, activating it with his thumb. A holographic image appeared on the pad's flat surface. "This is what she looks like. Find her and report her location to me immediately." "Isss thisss all? I mussst merely find her - not challenge?" "Right, and do it quietly - I don't want her to know that you've found her. Is that understood?" "Yesss," Medusa said, although she looked anything but pleased about the order. "Be careful - she may be helped by a group of girls called the Sailor Scouts." Medusa looked insulted. "They will never know I wasss even here." A subtle glow enveloped her body and her outline shifted. Her seven foot frame shrank to a petite five foot-six, her purple snakes darkened to straight black hair, and her skin changed to a golden human tan; a light summer dress, white handbag and high-heeled pumps finished the whole ensemble. She smiled prettily, her impressive fangs now an acceptable length, and saluted lazily. "I'll be back soon," she said, and walked out into the street - just another shopper headed for the shopping district. ##### It was mid-afternoon. Lena had been sitting in the shade of a large old tree - one of the many that surrounded the temple - for the better part of two hours. Rei was occupied with chores and that old man - her grandfather - was cloistered away in one of the buildings with a young guy named Chad. Lena did not mind being alone here; the whole atmosphere was so wonderfully peaceful, and it gave her a chance to collect her thoughts. It had taken a while for her to get used to the sunlight, even though she wore Rei's dark glasses, but now she could not bare to leave it - she did not want to miss out on a single moment of warm sunshine or the sights and smells of a world teeming with every form of life imaginable. There was more to look at in this one small area than she had seen in her entire life - she felt like a child in a pre-Neo Tokyo museum, except there was nothing old or extinct about this exhibit - it was all very real. A fly buzzed her head and she slapped it away, at least that was one creature that survived in her world where there was certainly a lot of decaying matter for them to live on - unless things had changed dramatically since she had been gone. That thought brought her to questions that had teased her for some time. How long had she been gone? Was her world even still there? It had to be, there were still several days until the Event took place. She stared fiercely at a clump of grass, frowning at a hurrying ant that struggled valiantly under the weight of a leaf easily six times his size. She knew just how that felt. The ant at least looked as though he was up to the task - she, however, did not feel so confident... she was not even sure what the task was, for goodness sake! She shook out her clenched fists and lay back on the grass, staring up through the leafy canopy of her shade. Think Lena - what did The Wanderer tell you? He said that he had dreamed strange things just as you had, and that you must stop the Event from happening again. But then what? Would everything just sort itself out from there or was there something else she was supposed to do? She knew she was missing something - something vital that could loose her the war, but she just could not think what. "I just hope I figure it out when the time comes or the Overlord will enslave another world - not a cheery thought." She closed her eyes, folding her arms behind her head and sighed loudly. All she could really do for now was keep an eye on Serena and the others and play the part of a liberated gaol-bird - that should not prove too difficult, especially seeing as Lita and Serena were taking her shopping tomorrow - that could be interesting. ##### The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, the pink stain of its passing replaced by the glow of the thousands of lights shining from windows and street lamps. Pyrrhotite waited - impatiently pacing the length of an apartment building roof. It had been a long and frustrating day spent jumping from Tokyo to the Stronghold - to sort out some minor problem that his subordinates had almost steamrolled into a full-blown crisis - and then back to Tokyo the continue the fruitless search for a girl who was fast becoming the focus of all his impressive anger. He stopped his pacing at the roof edge. The breeze was strong up here - it wrapped his cloak around his body, silhouetting his broad shoulders. He folded his arms across his chest and glared out over the city with stormy-grey eyes, as if his piercing gaze alone could force the city to give the girl up to him. Girl - hmmh - technically she was only a couple of years younger than he, but her imprisonment in the Master's pocket dimension had seen her age not a day in three and a half years. He had known her for the past two, since he had stepped in and prevented her last, almost successful, escape attempt. The officer in charge had 'disappeared' shortly thereafter - none too mysteriously - leaving the post of warden unoccupied. Pyrrhotite had been the natural choice for his replacement. To date he was the Master's most accomplished officer - and he intended to keep it that way. Worthy or not - his opponent was no match for a hardened Negaverse General, she would not escape him for long. He fuelled his anger with this thought for a few moments more, preparing himself to be thoroughly enraged and imposing when Medusa finally arrived. She was fifteen minutes late - intolerable. A muted hum of energy announced her arrival, but Pyrrhotite did not turn, choosing instead to keep his back to her, his stance rigid and aggressive. "So nice of you to join me," he remarked snidely. "I'm late I know, but I found the most marvellous store. These humans call it a 'pet shop', and they were selling such plump little rodents - I had to stop and buy some - they were sssoo delicious," Medusa said, eyes gleaming. "I am not interested in your eating habits," Pyrrhotite said, half turning. "Did you find the girl?" "Well no, but I did find this gorgeous parasol. What do you think?" Medusa asked, twirling the dainty umbrella coquettishly. Pyrrhotite threw her a warning look and the droid had sense enough to see the danger in his eyes. "I sometimes think you have been given a little too much freedom in your programming. Perhaps you need 'readjustment'," he threatened, his voice low and hard. The parasol vanished. Medusa did her best to look appropriately subservient, but was only partially successful. Pyrrhotite was not surprised, nor even irritated by her behaviour - he expected it. She was arrogant and far too overconfident most of the time, but she got the job done - which is why he kept her around. She also followed orders. He turned back to the city. "Very well, we will have to try the more direct approach. The girl is very likely with a group of human soldiers called the Sailor Scouts. If you stir up trouble, threaten the lives of some of these pathetic earthlings, they will come running. Find them and you will no doubt find her." "At last, a task more to my liking. I am a warrior, not a mouse." "So I noticed," Pyrrhotite breathed drolly. "These humans are weaklings, it will not be difficult to crush them." "No! You must not harm the Scouts - just find the girl, I will take care of the rest." "But - of what use are they to us?" "Just do as you are told or you will be answering to the Master." Medusa stiffened. "Very well." "There is a gathering in the city called an 'amusement park', have your fun there tomorrow - there will be more than enough people to create a scene. Now go." Finding herself summarily dismissed, Medusa bowed curtly and dematerialised, leaving Pyrrhotite to his dark musings. ##### A high-pitched shriek pierced the rooms and halls of a neat two-storey home. "Hey Mom, have you seen my purse?!" "No, Serena," came the weary reply. "Have you tried looking under your bed?" "Under my bed? Why would it be under there?" "I don't know, honey - everything else is." Serena got down on all fours to peer under her bed, muttering to herself the whole time. "I'm going to be so late," she wailed. "You know, if you put your things away a bit more often you wouldn't always have to go looking for them like this," Luna observed primly. "But I *do* put my things away, Luna - I just can't remember where!" "Oh, Serena - you have got to be the most addle-brained teenager I have ever met!" Luna sprang from the bed onto the table and padded over to a pile of discarded school clothes. Reaching out her paw, she hooked the tunic with a claw and shook it out. A small cloth purse fell from the folds of fabric, landing on the table with a soft thunk. Serena's head popped up. "Luna!" she cried accusingly. "You knew it was there all along!" "Well of course I did." "Why didn't you tell me! I've looking for half an hour!" "You have to learn to be more responsible," the cat replied, unrepentant. Serena could see another lecture coming and decided not to stick around. "Okay, Luna, I've learnt my lesson and I'll be more careful from now on - promise." She snatched up the purse, tucking it into a pocket and headed for the door. "That's not the point, Serena, I -" "Later Luna, I've gotta book it, Lita will be waiting. See ya." "I'm coming too - someone has to look after Reenie." "Reenie?" Serena froze with her foot poised above the top step of the landing. "What has she got to do with it? She's going shopping with Mom and Sammy this afternoon." "Oh no she's not. Your mother has to take Sammy to a doctor's appointment and she's left you in charge of Reenie." "What!! Since when - no-one told me!" "Your mother told you last night after dinner, while you where playing the Sailor Moon game - don't you remember?" Luna asked, knowing with resigned certainty that she would not. "Hey, Meatball Head. Are you ready to go yet?" Serena looked to the bottom of the stairs at her tiny pink- haired 'cousin', and toyed with the idea of flinging herself off the stairs and flattening the little brat. "Stop calling me that you little fungus. There's no way you're coming with me." "I don't think you have time to argue, Serena," Luna pointed out with her usual maddening logic. "Didn't you say Lita was waiting?" "Aaahh, I'm so late!" Forgetting the argument she knew she would only lose, Serena bolted down the stairs, grabbed Reenie by the wrist on her way past and dashed out the front door, calling out as she flew by -"Bye, Mom, see you later." "Yes, dear, have fun," Mrs Tsukino replied to thin air. ##### The two girls arrived at the temple breathless and bickering. "Oh will you two please be quiet," Luna pleaded when they reached the top of the long flight of steps. "I've had about all I can take, and I'm sure Lena doesn't want to hear your petty bickering." "Sorry Luna," both girls apologised in unison, but proceeded to poke their tongues out at each other. Luna rolled her eyes and walked ahead. Serena let the fight peater out, she *was* the mature one afterall, and she could hardly expect Reenie to know when to call it quits. Besides, seeing the others and thinking about all the fun they were going to have in the city soon made her forget she was even annoyed at the brat. Lena was sitting with Lita and Rei on the steps of the shrine, with Luna in her lap. She looked up as Serena and Reenie approached and smiled warmly. Her robe had been replaced by a loose-fitting blue top whose long sleeves covered her bandages, and a pair of tailored beige pants; she was wearing low-heeled pumps and her mane of hair had been braided and hung over one shoulder. Serena blinked, she recognised the clothes as Lita's and apart from the fact the pant cuffs, usually rolled up a little when Lita wore them, sat comfortably on Lena's ankles, the clothes were a perfect fit. For all the ice-cream in the world she would have sworn the two were related. Reenie broke into a run, skidding to a halt in front of the three girls. "Hi Rei, hi Lita!" Turning to Lena she put on her cutest inquisitive face. "You must be Lena. Hi - I'm Reenie," she said, smiling winsomely. "Hello Reenie, it is very nice to meet you," Lena replied, offering her hand. Reenie took it, placing her small hand in Lena's. Serena approached at a sedate pace, puzzling over the similarity between Lita and Lena, but preoccupied as she was, she still noticed when Lena stiffened, gasping - so did the others. "Lena, are you okay?" said Lita. Lena shook her head slightly and released Reenie's hand. "Yes - I am fine, it is nothing." Strange, thought Serena, Darien had done the same thing once. Reenie was not the least bit concerned. "Can we go now - I want ice-cream!" She grabbed Lita's hand and pulled her to her feet. Lena followed, setting Luna carefully on the ground. "Are you coming, Rei?" Serena asked. "Nah - Chad and Grandpa are off somewhere and I'm stuck with all the chores." "That's too bad - it's going to be a lot of fun." "Gee thanks, Serena - rub it in why don't ya." "Oops, sorry, Rei. I'll see ya later, okay?" and she ran off after the others. ##### Lena lost count of the number of stores they browsed; she had seen more clothing, jewellery, and crystal in the past hour than she could remember seeing in the past eighteen years. The parade of unfamiliar sights and smells was all becoming a little overwhelming and she breathed an enormous inward sigh of relief when someone mentioned stopping for a drink. "Let's get something to eat too, I'm starved," said Serena. "I'm surprised you lasted this long, Serena," commented Lita, laughing. "Yeh, and where's my ice-cream, I've been waiting for ages." "So you have, Reenie, we all deserve a treat, and I know just the place to get one," said Lita. "Where?" asked Reenie, almost bouncing. "That great ice-cream parlour Ami took me to?" "Ahh, no - I think we'll avoid that one, I've got something better in mind," said Lita, eyes twinkling. "Why don't we go to the Fun Park?" "Oh Lita, that's a wonderful idea," said Serena, eyes the size of saucers. "What is a 'Fun Park'?" Lena asked. She was meet by a semi-circle of incredulous stares. "You've never been to a funpark?" said Reenie, "Well...," Lena faltered. Serena linked her arm through Lena's and began to walk. "Don't worry, we'll show you," she assured, pleased to be able to impart knowledge on a subject she was more than expert in. "Yeh girl, you're about to get an education," said Lita, taking Lena's other arm. Lena had this queasy feeling that things were rapidly going to get beyond her control. ##### "So what do ya think?" asked Serena around a mountainous pile of ice- cream. "Ummm - this is sooo delicious," she slurped, spooning in another mouthful. "I think this is the most marvellous place I have ever been to," Lena replied truthfully, awed by the amount of food that Serena had consumed in the past half hour. It was a wonder the girl was not bouncing off the walls of the small pavilion they were sitting in; that much sugar could not possibly be good for you. Lena took a sip from the glass of apple juice she had ordered, most of the other foods were far to rich for her starved palette, which had seen little other than bread, vegetables and water for the past few years - the meat they had served her in prison always looked a bit suspect and she had avoided it, imaging the poor creature it must have come from. Reenie finished her treat and began to squirm impatiently. "Let's go check out some more rides," she said. Lena looked from one pony-tailed girl to the other... they were as bad as each other - both hyperactive. "You can go ahead, fungus... slurp... I'm not finished yet - and this isn't something you can hurry... slurp." "I don't know, Serena, you seem to be doing a pretty good job at it," Lita teased; she was stirring the frothy remains of her milkshake with her straw, her cheek resting on the knuckles of her other hand. Lena leant back in her chair and stretched out her long legs, she still felt a little stiff and wanted to get moving again. "Come on, Reenie, I will go with you. We can give these two a few moments peace." "All right!!" The little pink-haired girl sprang from her chair and started off. She hesitated a moment later and turned back to Serena, one hand held behind her back, the other making its way to her mouth. "If... if that's okay with you, Serena?" "Huh?" Serena looked up - surprised. Her mouth hung open, her ice-cream momentarily forgotten. A warm smile spread across her face and she practically shone with happiness. "Sure, it's okay with me, Reenie. You two go have some fun, we'll catch you up in a minute." Lena stood gracefully. "Where shall we meet you, and when?" she asked, adjusting her glasses. Lita and Serena looked at each other, Serena shrugged her shoulders. "How about by the hot dog stand in say... half an hour?" suggested Lita. "It will be time to head home by then." "All right - have fun, and try to keep her out of the double choc fudge brownies," Lena smiled, unable to resist the dig. "Hey! Watch it!" Serena protested, but was unable to pull it off convincingly with a mouthful of chocolate chip ice-cream. Lena waved cheekily and turned to chase Reenie's rapidly dwindling figure. "Hey, Reenie, wait up!" she called and hurried off. They rode the Roller Coaster, took a spin on the Octopus, rode sedately around the Carousel on high-stepping silver ponies, and crashed madly about the Bumper Car arena. Lena soon found herself screaming and giggling as insanely as the rest of the funseekers that peopled the rides and sideshows. The time passed all too quickly and they were soon climbing aboard the Ferris Wheel for their final ride. The automatic safety bars locked into place on the doors, and the cogs and gears of the powerful motor whirred. Their carriage jolted, swaying gently on its mounting - and then they were away, soaring smoothly into the clear blue sky. Reenie sat close to the edge, peering down through the wide mesh at the people diminishing to scurrying bugs on the ground below. Lena relaxed back into the seat, closing her eyes, enjoying the touch of the cool breeze that whistled past her ears. They reached the apex, seemed to hang for a few brief seconds in mid-air, and then they were plummeting earthward, sailing by the platform and flying into the heavens once again. Lena thought back to the moment at the temple when she had touched Reenie's hand - she had not had much time to think about it before now. An image had flashed into her mind - alien, yet strangely familiar - a magestic tower of crystal, surrounded by pillars of bright light. The view had panned inward and she had almost caught a glimpse of something that lay within the tower's peak, but the image had vanished - as quickly and mysteriously as it had appeared. She puzzled over its meaning, debating whether or not to ask Reenie. She looked down at the youngster beside her who was still looking down over the park, and immediately shelved the idea - everyone had their secrets. Best to wait... and watch. The Wheel was on its third circuit, Lena noticed for the first time that the sun was sinking fast, turning the sky to a burnished pink. She had noticed the colour whilst watching yesterday's sunset, so unusual, so soft and serene. She had loved the sunsets back home, they were a purple slashed blood-red, dramatic, powerful. But this glorious blaze of rosy colour was even more appealing. So alien, yet so - right. She wished the Wheel would stop, so she could capture this view forever. She checked the face of Lita's borrowed watch - five minutes until they were due at the stand - this ride had better end soon. She looked to the control booth to see if the conductor was intending to stop the Wheel anytime soon. An ear-splitting shriek tore at her ears, sending a chilling shudder down her spine. Her senses sharpened instantly, thinking habitually of survival. Another scream followed the echoes of the first and was shortly joined by several others. Lena searched the ground, eagle eyed, but the Wheel dipped below the roof of the platform, blocking her view as they drew level with the panicked crowd. Up... go up, she willed the machinery. Reenie drew closer, a little unsettled. They cleared the platform again, rising up over the heads of the thinning crowd. Lena followed the line of fleeing people who were headed for the gates, searching the direction they had flown from. She located the disturbance not long after. Bolts of energy flew about a stageshow platform, flattening the props and gauging great holes in the surrounding concrete. From this distance, Lena could just make out the prone bodies of several people, all appeared to be glowing softly... energy drain. She caught sight of their attacker - a hulking green monster. Lena swore under her breath - they had to get down from here. If her guess was correct, that monster was Medusa - the First General's watchdog, and she never went out without her master. He was here somewhere, looking for her while his pet created a diversion. A sudden violent jolt threw her forward, almost spilling her onto the carriage floor, but she grabbed a side bar to catch herself, and managed to snag the back of Rennie's tunic with her other hand to prevent the girl from smashing her face on the hard metal edge of the opposite seat. The carriage continued to sway, quickly settling into a gentle rock. Well at least they had stopped, that meant the conductor was probably unloading passengers. Lena looked again to the control booth - it was empty! The man had bolted like a rat with the rest of the screaming crowd. The other passengers had begun to sense that something was amiss with the Wheel and Lena could hear their worried exclamations. It was all right for them, they did not have an angry Negaverse General looking to tear them apart. "LOOK! It's Sailor Moon!" Lena followed Reenie's pointing finger, and sure enough, there was the diminutive blond challenging the energy spitting Negamonster. Another Scout supported her, it had to be Jupiter - Serena and Lita would have responded as soon as they heard the screams. "That monster's toast now - Sailor Moon will stop it!" Lena did not share Reenie's confidence, not while she was suspended in a cage high above the ground, a perfect sitting duck. She got to her feet slowly, careful not to rock the carriage any further. Moving to the cage door, she tested the lock, rattling the bars. "What are you doing?" asked Reenie, taking her eyes from the raging battle. "I am getting us out of here," Lena replied calmly. "But the door is locked - and the man will let us down soon." "The man is gone, Reenie," said Lena quietly. "I want you to sit down and hold on tight - can you do that?" "Sure." Lena waited until Reenie was securely seated; she then stepped to the other side of the small carriage, took a firm grip on the vertical bars with both hands and sucked in a deep breath of air. Fixing her eyes on the door lock, she delivered a powerful sidekick to the fastening bar. The first kick bent the lock mechanism and forced a metallic groan from the surrounding supports; the second kick snapped the lock completely and brought forth an ear-piercing shriek as the bolts tore loose. The door flew open, smashing into the side of the carriage which bucked and swayed like a demented bull. "Wo-ow," exclaimed an astonished Reenie, wide-eyed. "Sailor Moon couldn't do that." "No, but I bet Sailor Jupiter could - long legs are for more than just whistling at," Lena grinned. She crossed to the open doorway and looked down. Their carriage had been descending but they were still over forty feet above the ground - not an easy jump. She looked up, craning her neck to get a clear view of the support girders. If she could get onto the thick metal wheel spoke from which their carriage hung, she could slide down to the Wheel's hub - she had noticed a maintenance ladder down to the ground from there. She glanced back into the carriage... Reenie. "Now what?" the girl asked. Leaving her was not an option. Lena approached and crouched down with her back turned to Reenie. "Climb onto my back," she instructed over her shoulder. "And hold on tight." Reenie locked her arms around Lena's neck and the tall warrior stood. Adjusting Reenie's weight on her back she stepped to the carriage edge and leaned out. "Try not to look down," she said, and swung out over empty air. ##### Sailor Moon dodged another blow from one of the Negamonster's snake whips, leaping sideways... and straight into the path of another hissing serpent. She screamed in revulsion as the scaly limb closed around her - pinning her arms to her sides. "Sailor Jupiter - Help!" she cried. Sailor Jupiter fended off another attack with a well-aimed punch. "All right Negasnake - you asked for it!" she cried defiantly, crossing her forearms in front of her. The lightening rod in her tiara rose into place and electricity flashed around her. "Jupiter... Thunderclap... ZA-AP!" ... and she let lose a powerful blast of lightening that ploughed into Medusa, sending the droid reeling. She howled in pain. "Take that, sleezoid!" shouted a triumphant Jupiter. Sailor Moon squirmed within the monster's grip, feeling it loosen, but the reprieve was only temporary. The hold tightened cruelly and she suddenly found herself struggling to draw breath; the wide-mouthed face of a snake's head rose to hover only a foot from her face. She tried to pull away, terrified by the feel of it's hot, fetid breath on her cheek. Medusa straightened, singed and battered - and a whole lot angrier. The shiny green of her skin changed, becoming an angry mottled red, the snakes on her head lashed out, hissing dangerously. The reptilian appendage that had enlarged to attack Jupiter now whipped out, catching the Scout off guard. Jupiter flung out her arms, grabbing the snake just below the head before it could sink its fangs into her throat, but its momentum knocked her off her feet. She lay pinned on her back, holding the snake off at arm's length, while Medusa hissed wickedly. A flash of red hurtled through the air, slicing through the leathery limb that held Sailor Moon several feet above the ground. The snake went limp and fell, dumping Sailor Moon amidst its piled coils. Frantically, she fought her way clear of the mass, kicking viciously at the lifeless head. Finally scrambling free, she scooted several feet backwards on her hands and backside. Medusa was screeching, enraged, looking murderously for the intruder. She found him standing at the edge of the open square. "You fool! No-one daresss to affront Medusssa," she screamed. "Until now," he said calmly. " Your days of terrifying the innocent are at an end. You have attacked those in search of fun and entertainment and you will not go unpunished." Medusa laughed. "Who'sss going to ssstop me, little man? You?" She laughed again, a cold cackle that ended in a chilling hollow hiss. The snakes on Medusa's head bared their venom soaked fangs. "Tuxedo Mask, WATCH OUT!" Sailor Moon shouted as the reptiles spat out a volley of acidic saliva. Tuxedo Mask sprang skyward, flipped in midair, and landed behind Medusa who spun around to glare at him through slitted golden eyes. "Ssstand ssstill, little man - I grow tired of this game and wish to end it." She attacked with a burst of energy from her outstretched hand; Tuxedo Mask deflected the blow with a spray of roses and dodged the next, but he was not so lucky a third time. The energy blast sent him sprawling, he would barely have time to react to the snake hurtling towards him. "My massster said I wasss not to harm the Scoutsss, but he said nothing about you, Flower Boy." Tuxedo Mask held his arm up in front of his face defensively. "Tuxedo Mask, NO!" Sailor Moon cried, leaping to her feet. "Mercury Ice Bubbles.... FREEZE!" A blast of frigid air slammed into the speeding snake, freezing it instantly - an inch from Tuxedo Mask's face. Sailors Mercury, Mars and Venus ran into the square. "Primo timing, you guys," said Sailor Moon, relieved. "Yeh, what kept ya," puffed Jupiter, still struggling with the beast's head. "Oh, you know what traffic is like at this time of the evening," Venus replied evenly. "Uhh, just get this thing off me!" "Sure thing. Venus... Crescent Beam... SMASH!" Sailor Venus' attack sliced the snake neatly from Medusa's scalp, and Jupiter flung it aside in disgust. Amid Medusa's screams, Sailor Mars brought her hands together and began to chant. "I call upon the power of Mars to vanquish this creature of the Negaverse - Mars... Celestial... Fire... SURROUND!" Her spinning disks of fire slammed into Medusa, whose agonised scream ripped across the courtyard. She writhed within the circle of dancing flame. "Quickly, Sailor Moon - use your Sceptre," Tuxedo Mask urged. "I'm on it," she replied, already holding up her hand to receive the Sceptre. She held it at arm's length and spun about confidently, powering up. "MOON... SCEPTRE... ELIMINATION!" Bright energy flashed across the short distance that separated her and the howling Medusa, bathing the droid in sparkling light - a sound like tinkling crystal drifted to their ears. "NO-OOO!" Medusa screamed again, but her cry faded away as her body disintegrated, falling into a pile of ashes. ##### Lena's feet touched solid earth and she released her hold on the rungs of the ladder. "See," she said to the small bundle on her back. "I told you it was easy." She grasped Reenie's forearms, prising them from their strangle hold around her neck, and swung the girl down, setting her gently on the ground. Reenie looked back up at their carriage, but remained uncharacteristically silent. "Come on, we had better go find Serena and Lita." Lena took Reenie's hand and jogged from the enclosure. The paved street outside was deserted - everyone had either fled or was in hiding. Lena stood in the middle of the street, indecisively looking from the direction of the gateway to the direction of the battle that Serena and Lita would be fighting. Medusa was dangerous, probably more than they could handle, but the droid was also an obvious lure and she knew she could be walking into Pyrrhotite's trap if she went to help them. It was unlikely that Medusa would actually harm them, or least not Sailor Moon - the Event was still several days away and she would have been ordered not to hurt the Scout. But what about Jupiter - was she expendable? Lena decided not to risk it. Tucking Reenie under an arm, she charged off in the direction of the battle. She had gone no more than fifty paces when a small dark animal darted out from the shadow of a game stand; another object, a small cat-faced ball, floated along behind it. "Luna Ball!" Reenie exclaimed. "Luna!" Lena echoed. Luna opened her furry mouth as if to say something, but merely meowed. Reenie wriggled in Lena's grip, eager to get to her Luna Ball and Lena put her down. The tall girl made another decision - necessity dictated that it was time to reveal a little knowledge. "Go ahead, Luna," she said. "What were you about to say?" Luna's jaw dropped, her eyes widened until Lena thought they were going to pop out of the feline's head. "Me-ow?" Lena dropped to one knee in front of Luna, capturing her gaze. "I know you can talk and would value your input right about now." "B-but...h-how do you-?" the poor flustered cat stammered. "I will explain latter. Right now I need to know what is going on. Have you come from the battle?" "Y-yes, I snuck into the grounds when I sensed trouble. Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter are having a hard time of it, but Tuxedo Mask has arrived to help them. I'm sure the other Scouts will be along shortly." "Good. Was there a man with Medusa - a Negaverse General?" "A General? No, but then I left as soon as I dared to come find Reenie - figuring that this must be some Negaverse plot to get her. But I'm starting to get the feeling that this has nothing to do with her at all," said Luna, eyeing Lena suspiciously. Lena gave the cat a sharp look, not much slid past this one. But how much information could she be trusted with? "How do you know the name of the Negamonster?" Luna asked. "And what is a General doing here - I thought we got rid of the Generals when we defeated Queen Beryl?" "That's really quite a naive assumption, cat." Startled by the voice, Lena jerked about, coming quickly to her feet. Pyrrhotite materialised barely fifteen feet away, hovering above them. Slowly, he descended, with arms folded across his chest, his short, golden hair brushed softly by the breeze of his passing. His cape was conspicuously absent - he was obviously ready for a fight. "Well - you *have* led me on a merry dance," he accused. "Not merry enough obviously - you still have that sour expression. It really does nothing for your rugged good looks," said Lena, no humour in her eyes. Reenie giggled. "Enough!" Pyrrhotite snapped. "I didn't come here for small talk." He stopped several feet above the ground. "Luna, get Reenie out of here," Lena said quietly, not taking her eyes from Pyrrhotite. "But, we can't leave you." "You can and you will." She looked down at the cat and smiled softly. "I will be alright." She returned her gaze to the General. "But feel free to send the Scouts in this direction." "Will do. Come on Reenie, quickly - we must go get the Scouts." Reenie followed reluctantly, looking back over her shoulder at Lena who could feel the girl's worried eyes on her. Her own eyes stared fiercely at Pyrrhotite. "You needn't worry, I have no interest in your little friends," he said. "Of course not - you have no interest in anything unless your master tells you to." "I am a General, I follow orders," he said through clenched teeth. "Oh, I am sure - and it got you through the ranks so quickly too, you must be the perfect puppet," Lena continued, baiting him. "BE QUIET, WOMAN," he yelled and lashed out with a flaming blast of energy from the palm of his hand. Lena dodged easily, leaping backwards with supple grace as the concrete at her feet exploded. "You should be thankful - it will be so much easier to kill me if you are angry." "It doesn't matter if I am angry or not, I will have no problem in carrying out The Master's orders." Pyrrhotite sent another blast in her direction which she avoided almost as easily as the first. The fiery assault careened into a stand, roasting the splintering structure to cinders. The Master? Good - she had a name to work with - a rather obvious one, but a name all the same. Somewhere, at the back of her mind, she sensed a familiarity about it. Now, if she could just keep him occupied and angry - and stay alive in the process, she might be able to goad him into revealing something else. Lena evaded another attack, diving sideways and coming to her feet in a defensive crouch. "You disappoint me, Pyrrhotite. I thought you were an honourable warrior. What happened to the man who would have baulked at the idea of attacking a defenceless opponent?" Lena said, adjusting her eye level to maintain her lock on Pyrrhotite as he lowered himself to the ground. "You mistake me for someone else, someone who CARES," he bit out, thrusting his hand forward again - and leaving himself wide open. Lena launched herself at him. Throwing all her weight behind her right shoulder, she slammed into his chest, following through with an elbow to his stomach. Rolling free of a possible tangle, she came smoothly to her feet, holding her arms defensively before her. Pyrrhotite lay clutching his chest for a moment - stunned - but quickly got up on one knee to glare at her. "Not so defenceless, I see," he admitted, and sent a sweeping burst of fiery energy in her direction. Lena realised a little too late that she was backed up against a booth and had nowhere to go. Unable to dodge the wide blast, she ducked under it, throwing herself forwards and only slightly outside Pyrrhotite's reach. She scrambled to her feet as his fist swung by her face. Her retaliation was swift. She grabbed his extended forearm and delivered a vicious kidney punch. "ARGHH!" His back arched, his face creased with pain. Lena faltered, her grip on his arm loosened as she hesitated, her fist stopping midway through the follow up punch. The look of pain on Pyrrhotite's face.... She released him, taking a step back as she watched him fall to one knee, breathing in ragged gasps. His bangs fell forward to cover his face so she could see only his mouth, his teeth clenched. "A-are-," she started, one hand moving slightly as if it intended to reach out to him, of its own volition or so it seemed to her mind. What did she care if he hurt? Her guesture was cut short, however. Pyrrhotite sprang, lightening fast. He was on her before she could take even a step back. Lena gasped, suddenly finding both her forearms held tightly in his powerful grip. She looked up into his stormy eyes, seeing not a hint of pain in them and wondered if it had been there at all. "You should know better than that - never let your guard down, I thought you'd learnt that lesson." He squeezed her arms for emphasis and Lena had to clench her teeth to keep from crying out as stabs of pain shot up her arms from the still tender cuts. "Well, what are you waiting for? Don't you have orders to carry out?" she spat, setting her jaw. "Quite right." Crackling energy sparked around Pyrrhotite's hands. Lena's pain intensified, she could not hold back the sob that escaped her lips, betraying her. He looked down at her arms. "Hey - get away from her, Creepazoid!" Both looked up, startled - Lena's heart skipped... Sailor Jupiter! The Sailor Scouts leapt down into the street, surrounding them. "If you know what's good for you, you'll let her go - NOW!" Sailor Venus threatened. "Ahh, the Sailor Scouts - how pleasant," Pyrrhotite snarled sarcastically. "That's right pal - we're the Sailor Scouts and we're here to shut you down. We don't put up with trash like you hurting our friends," shouted Sailor Mars. "You're outnumbered, so give it up and we won't have to hurt you," added Sailor Moon. "Oooh - I'm terrified," Pyrrhotite jibed, but his eyes flashed indecisively. Lena decided not to give him much of an option. She fell backwards, throwing all her weight down and pulling Pyrrhotite with her. Bringing up her knees, she dug her feet into his stomach and pushed, launching him over her head. She winced as her arms wrenched free of his grip. Pyrrhotite crashed through the circle of Scouts - Sailor Venus sidestepped to avoid his flying body. A short second later, however, his flight slowed and he dematerialised.... reappearing several feet directly above them. He glared at Lena, on her knees within the protective circle. Their eyes locked for a heartbeat, then the Scouts clustered around her. "You can't escape me forever, I'll be back," and he disappeared. Lena sagged back onto her heels, her head dropped to her chest and she blew the air from her lungs in a long sigh. She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and looked up. "Are you all right?" asked Jupiter, her large green eyes worried. Lena nodded and allowed Sailor Jupiter to help her to her feet. "Where is Reenie?" she asked. "Tuxedo Mask took her home," said Mercury. "And Luna?" "She went with them," said Venus. "Who was that guy?" asked Sailor Moon. "He was-" Lena looked at the youthful, inquisitive faces clustered about her and felt suddenly very old. Had she been this enthusiastic and innocent once? "He was, or rather is, the Master's Executive Officer. His name is Pyrrhotite, he was in charge of my imprisonment." "He's been sent to take you back?" Venus queried. "No - he has been sent to terminate me. He probably would have succeeded had you not arrived when you did - thank you." "That's what friends are for," said Jupiter. "Yeh, we'll protect you, Lena, and I know Serena and her friends will do everything they can to help you too," assured Mars. "They will be worried about you, you'd better get back to the temple," Sailor Moon said. "I must find Serena and Lita first and make sure that they are all right." "Ahh - We'll find them - why don't you go wait by the main gate," said Sailor Moon and the five Sailor Scouts left. ##### Pyrrhotite prowled his private chambers. He had failed - she had been his and he had squandered the opportunity to finish her. He flung himself angrily into a metal-frame chair, clenching his right hand and bringing it thoughtfully to his lips. His palm itched, the skin felt tight, he held it up for inspection. A red stain encrusted his palm - blood, her blood. He remembered the cry she had given when he had grabbed her arms. She had been hurt by him? No, he could not recall any tear in her clothing, the wound must have been Taurid's work. Their's would have been a battle he would have liked to have seen. He was pleased *she* had been the victor. Taurid was a mindless brute, he had certainly earnt his death. Pyrrhotite closed his fist again, not liking the direction his thoughts were taking. She is the enemy and she must be eliminated as the Master decreed. Now that was an ugly thought - the Master would be asking for a progress report soon. Best not to be around to give it. Pyrrhotite reached into his jacket, wincing as his abused kidney and ribs protested against the sudden movement. She sure did pack a decent punch, he had to admit. A vague thought surfaced... why had she hesitated? She could have done more damage - a lot more, but... he pushed the thought aside. If she was a compassionate soul then it could be made to work in his favour. He found the object he had tucked away earlier and examined it carefully. Yes, he had definitely seen two of these girls today, the tall brunette and the pig-tailed blond. He had taken special note of them because they had been running against the crowd - towards Medusa's little distraction. Medusa... his anger reignited. Those damned Sailor Scouts had cost him his best warrior, they were a serious obstacle - Medusa should have been more careful. He looked back at the photograph. Yes, he smiled as a plan took shape, Lena would not be able to resist this one. ##### "Are you sure she knew?" Artemis asked for what seemed the hundredth time. "Yes, quite sure," Luna replied yet again. She and Artemis were perched on the roof of Serena's house. The household below was dark and silent, everyone was fast asleep. "And you've said nothing to the others?" "No, I wanted to talk to you first. It's all just so strange." "I'll say. I knew that girl was hiding something, she can't be trusted." "But, Lita was so sure-" "I know, Luna, but she could be wrong and if so this girl, Lena, could be working for the Negaverse, they know who *we* are, remember." "Yes, but - I just can't believe that she's from the Negaverse. I sense no Nega-energy from her" "Humph - maybe, there's one way to find out." Artemis stood and leapt down onto the carport. "Where are you going?" Luna called after him. He reached the ground and headed out the gate. "To get some answers," he called over his shoulder. "Artemis, wait!" Luna yeowled, bounding down after him. "Wait for me!" #######