A SAILOR MOON FANFIC!

                              DARK FIRE!
                              BY DANIEL C. HARRISON 
                              CHAPTER ONE: DECEPTION! 
                          
     "Aino-chan..where are you going?"
     "Uhmm." Minako looked up at Meyo-chan. Meyo was looking back at her
expectantly.
     Minako gathered her things together. "I have to go see a friend,
Meyo-chan."
     "You are always taking off, Minako. You always spend time with one group
of people. Why don't you come with me to Sugi-chan's party?"
     "Gomen nasai. I can't Meyo-chan."
     Meyo glared at her. "You're going up to that temple again, aren't you?"
     "Hai." Minako stood up from the bench and turned to look at Meyo. Other
then the Sailor Senshi, Meyo was one of her close friends she went to school
with. And, she was popular.
     Meyo looked at her. "You know Minako who you remind me of?"
     Minako felt a sudden shiver up her spine. "Uhmm...who?"
     Meyo grinned. "Sailor V. You look like her."
     Minako took a step back. "Baka! Why would I look like Sailor V?! I'm no
crime fighter!"
     Meyo laughed. It didn't sound like the laugh of her friend. "You look like
you could be to me, Aino-chan. Why don't you come with me to the party? That
way we could all joke about this?"
     Minako felt sick to her stomach. What was wrong with Meyo. "I...I have to
go Meyo. I'll see you later."
     "Okay...see you later....Sailor V!"
     Minako stopped dead in her tracks. She turned to face her friend who was
grinning mischieviously. "Don't start rumors please, Meyo-chan."
     "But the truth isn't rumors, Aino-chan. You showed up in Japan about the
same time that it's rumored Sailor V disappeared from Europe. She was a really
famous person too."
     "Didn't you hear the reports? Sailor V was killed in an explosion."
     Meyo looked at her friend's face and smiled. "That's what the news said,
yes. But, her body was never found."
     Minako's fear grew. "Maybe there was nothing left to find. The past is
dead and so is Sailor V! Leave it alone! Why are you doing this to me?"
     Meyo shrugged. "Gomen. I was just trying to see what kind of reaction I
could get out of you. The new Sailor V movie is going to be out soon. Want to
come see it with me?"
     "If I have time." Minako's heart was pounding. Why the hell was she
afraid? "I really have to get going, Meyo-chan. I'll see you in school
tomorrow."
     Meyo nodded. "Hai, Aino-chan."
     Minako turned and started to run. Her blood ran cold as Meyo shouted. "By
the way...say hi to Sailor Moon for me okay?"
     She stopped and turned to look. Meyo was still standing there. "I don't
know Sailor Moon."
     "No..but Sailor Venus does! She appeared the same time that Sailor V
disappeared. Weird isn't it?"
     "Hai...very weird." Minako didn't wait. She turned and ran hard up the
street.
     Her legs pumping she increased her speed as her adrenaline flowed. How?
How did Meyo know who she was? And, what had brought this on? Meyo in all the
time she had known her had never treated her this way. It was almost as if she
was probing for information! Had Minako's fear been broadcast? Why was she so
scared? She fought back the fear as she ran onward....

     Meyo grinned as Minako disappeared from sight. She laughed and turned as a
shadowy form took shape. "Well done, my servant."
     Meyo's face went blank and, the woman smiled. "Now that I have an idea
this person is indeed Sailor Venus, I will follow her. She will lead me to the
others and, I can take them out with one swift stroke."
     "You need to do more then that, Nadi."
     Sorcerress Nadi looked up as a taller woman appeared. She was dressed in
green and purple, a huge silver staff in her hand. Her hair of blue and silver
constrasted with Nadi's simple brown short hair. "Sorcerress Vindala. I have
accomplished your wishes. After searching every blonde bimbo in Japan, I
believe I have located Sailor Venus."
     Vindalla laughed. "Excellent. I really believe that Beryl was a fool. She
never even tried a plan of this simplicity. No wonder the senshi defeated her.
It's a simple matter of demographics. We know that Sailor Venus was the last
senshi to join the team. Comparing that to the time that Sailor V disappeared
from England, we can conclude from this that, Sailor V came to Japan shortly
after. She would have to enroll in the local middle school to keep up her
personna and not be discovered. That narrows our search down to a very short
period of time. Sailor V and Venus are both blonde...and the names are similar.
Same height..build..everything matches. Now that we have rather alarmed this
Aino Minako, I feel sure you are correct. I want you to follow her, Nadi. Find
out where she lives. Who she has as friends. Everything. From there, we will
build a permanent plan how to destroy the Sailor Senshi. With them eliminated,
we can go on to other plans.
     "The Dark Kingdom will rule again." Nadi smiled evilly.
     "The Dark Kindgom is dead." Vindalla laughed. "There will be a new kingdom
and, it will be based on this world. I want you to get the information on this
girl as quickly as possible. Go now!"
     "At once, my Queen." Nadi saluted Vindalla and faded out.
     Vindalla looked at Meyo. "Arigatto, Meyo-chan. You have been very useful
to us. Now, you will return home. You will remember nothing of this. If
Aino Minako asks what you were doing, you will tell her you were joking around.
If I need you later, I will call again."
     "Yes, Sorcerress." Meyo turned and walked away as if in a trance.
     Vindalla smiled. It was too simple. What had caused Beryl and even Empress
Metallia to fail? They had been fools. All of them. Fighting the Senshi on
their terms was not the way to win. Subterfuge..undermining your enemy..that
was the way to win and destroy them. And, that was how Vindalla would win. She
felt more confident. Her thoughts went back...

     "Vindalla, this plan of yours to destroy the Senshi is useless. They are
far too powerful to fall for this."
     "But, Queen Beryl. It hasn't been tried. Not this way. The key is to find
out who the Senshi are, and attack them from within. Earn their trust then,
destroy them."
     "It's not what I want." Beryl laughed. "Besides, I have someone else in
mind that will accomplish what I want. You Vindalla, you have your own agenda!
Do not think to usurp me! Do as you're told and, I may let you live!"
     Vindalla looked down. Beryl was a fool. But, the fool was in charge. And
with her as Queen, the Dark Kindom would never win! "As you wish, my Queen."
she answered. "I will do as you ask..."

     Vindalla's thoughts returned to the present. Beryl was dead. Killed by
Sailor Moon at the height of her power. Even when Empress Metallia had come
from the Kingdom itself to increase Beryl's power, Sailor Moon had still won.
Princess Serenity. She was as formidable as her mother had been. Vindalla
remembered that day. The day she and others had attacked and destroyed the Silver
Imperium. It had been an easy victory..and a devastating defeat. But, Queen
Serenity wasn't here now. And neither was Beryl. This was her hour. When it had
become clear that Beryl and Metallia were defeated, Vindalla fled with her
closest supporters. There would be another time....
     And, that time was now! She was in charge now! Her plans would be the ones
carried out. Cold and calculating, she considered her options. Once she knew
who the Senshi were, she would earn their trust. That would be easy.
     "Ember, come forth!"
     Sorcerress Ember appeared. "You summoned me, Vindalla?"
     "I did. Sailor Mars is adept in the ways of fire. So are you. I want you
to develop a kinship with her once we know who she is. Find out all you can.
She appears to be a sensitive. Someone who can detect evil. Be very careful."
     "I shall not fail, Vindalla. If it's fire, I can control it. Sailor Mars
and I will become close friends."
     "Excellent. Wait until I summon you."
     Ember faded out. Vindalla laughed. "All too easy." Her insane laughter
filled the air as she faded out.....
    Minako out of breath stopped for a moment at the bottom of the hill before
sighing and climbed to the top where Cherry Temple awaited. She could see
Rei-chan out front raking leaves. "Rei-chan!" she shouted.
    Rei looked up. "Hi, Minako-chan! How was you're day today?"
    "Oh, school was the same as every day. Tiring. I have so much homework
that, I really don't think I'll be going to do much of anything this weekend.
Is anyone else here yet?"
    Rei glared. "Hai. Usagi-chan is inside slobbering over my comics again. She
really makes me mad, Minako-chan! I wish she'd buy more of her own!"
    "Now, now, temper, temper!" Minako smiled. "I really think you and her
should fight less. It would help all of us out."
    Rei shook her head tossing her raven dark hair. "I would argue less with
her if she would grow up more! I really can't believe she is our leader! A
Princess! Her of all people. Still...there have been times that she has shown a
different side of herself. More adult and not so scatterbrained." Rei looked
thoughtful.
    Minako giggled uncontrollably. "I guess I should help you rake some leaves
or something. I wouldn't want to make you mad and just go read all your comics
instead."
    Rei laughed. "That's okay. I'm almost done anyway. Why don't you go see if
you can get her mind into a serious mode for our meeting?"
    Minako nodded. "I'm surprised Luna and Artemis aren't here. They're usually
the first ones to show."
    "They've been spending a lot of time together by themselves." Rei grinned.
"I think it's love."
    "NO WAY!" Minako shouted. She blushed and then looked up. "Really? I know
Artemis has been in love with her for a long time. Maybe even since the Moon
Kingdom days. But, she has never shown much feeling for him other then a
friend."
    "Well, I think it's changing." Rei smiled again. "I'm about done. Go on
inside,  I'll be in after I get this last bit raked up. Ojiichan would have a
fit if I didn't."
    "Okay, I'll see you in a bit then." Minako walked past Rei and went inside.
    Rei continued to work when, she heard a noise. Looking up, she saw a
little girl crying. "Huh?"
    The girl continued to cry. Rei walked over to her. "Hey there, what's
wrong?"
    "I'm lost!" the girl cried. "I need my Mommy!"
    "Well, where is she?" Rei asked.
    "If I knew that, I wouldn't be asking!" the girl broke into tears again.
    Rei sighed embaressed. "Okay uhmm why don't you come inside? I'll get you
some ramen or something to eat and then we can try to find you're Mom. I'm sure
she can't be too far away."
    "I WANT MOMMY NOW" The girl screamed.
    Rei looked around. "Okay, okay, just relax. Come on, I'll get you some
ice cream instead of the ramen. You can pig out or something."
    "YEAH!" the girl laughed and hugged Rei. "Then we can find Mommy?"
    "Then we can find you're Mommy." Rei took her hand and led her toward the
temple. "What's you're name?"
    "Amber." the girl answered.
    "Amber-chan? Okay. My name is Rei, Amber. Nice to meet you. I'll do all I
can to help."
    "Arigatoo, Rei-chan. I like you. Can we be friends?"
    "Sure." Rei smiled. Suddenly she felt something. Something strange. She
looked around.
    "What's wrong?" Amber asked.
    "I...I don't know. I'm not sure but..." She smiled and shook her head. "It
doesn't matter. Come on, I'll get you a treat. I have some friends I have to
talk to really quick then, we can all try to find you're Mommy."
    "Yea!" The girl giggled and they went inside.
    As they entered the temple, Rei could hear incessant giggling from her
room. Oh no! Minako was supposed to calm Usagi down not get her wound up more!
Sometimes, Minako could be as scatterbrained as Usagi!
    Rei led Amber back to her room. "Hey Dumpling Head! Haven't you drooled all
over my comics enough?"
    Usagi giggling on the floor suddenly stopped and looked at Rei. "Why did
you call me that? I'm just trying to read the ones I haven't bought yet! You
are always so mean to me Rei-chan!"
    "Only when you deserve it!" Rei said acidly.
    "Well, if you only had more personality and you weren't so stubborn all the
time!" Usagi glared at Rei.
    Minako sighed. "Oh boy. Here we go again!"
    "Well if your baka dumpling brain wasn't the size of you're dumpling head
you'd have an ounce of sense to know, I don't like you reading all my stuff all
the time! Go buy your own!"
    Usagi got up and stuck her tongue out at Rei "Bleahhhh!"
    "Oh yeah? Blehhhhh!" Rei stuck hers out and almost spit.
    Usagi surprised noticed Amber for the first time. "Huh? Who are you?"
    "I'm Amber." The litle girl giggled again.
    "She's lost her mother." Rei explained. "After our meeting, I'm going to
help her find her. If you guys want to help, it'd be appreciated."
    "Sure we will." Minako smiled. "We'll find your Mom, Amber-chan, don't
worry. What's your last name?"
    "Tishobi." Amber grinned.
    Rei took her hand. "I was going to give her some ice cream while we took
care of things."
    "ICE CREAM??" Usagi shouted. "And you didn't even ask me! You are so mean
to me Rei-chan!"
    "Oh no." Minako slapped her head.
    Just then the front door opened and, Makoto, and Ami walked in. Ami
laughed. "Sorry were late. Makoto was helping an old woman and I just finished
an extra credit project I was working on. I need to spend more time in the
library I think."
    The girls all hung their heads. Makoto looked up. "Ami-chan, you already
spend more time there then anywhere else. Why don't we all go see the new
Sailor V movie together?"
    Minako looked down. "I don't think I want to."
    The girls all stared at her. "Why not?" Usagi asked.
    Minako was about to answer then saw Amber looking at her. "I don't know. I
just don't feel like it. I'll talk to you later about it."
    Ami looked at Makoto and, she shrugged.
    "Why don't we all have ice cream together?" Usagi suggested. "Rei was just
about to feed some to Amber-chan."
    "Amber-chan?" Makoto asked.
    Rei explained Amber's predicament to Ami and Makoto and, Ami sighed. "Oh,
you poor little thing. We'll help you, don't worry. Why don't you go in the
next room for now and, we'll be with you in a little bit?"
    Amber looked at each of them and nodded silently. Then, Rei led her back
into the dining room.
    Minako looked at Usagi. "Why don't you and Rei-chan get along better? "
    "Cause she is always trying to make me look like a baka!" Usagi sighed.
    "Usagi-chan..she doesn't have to most of the time." Makoto giggled.
    Usagi glared at her. "I don't want to talk about it."
    The girls all giggled. The door opened and, Rei walked in. "Okay, she's
happily eating. Now, we can discuss anything we need to."
    They all looked at each other. Silence filled the room. Ami sighed.
"There's nothing to talk about?"
    "Well..." Minako began.
    They all looked at her. She looked away quickly. "My friend Meyo-chan was
acting really strange today. I thought she was kidding but, I'm not so sure
now. I got a really creepy feeling."
    "Creepy?" Usagi bit her hand.
    "Hai." Minako leaned back. "She kept calling me Sailor V and then called me
Sailor Venus. She asked me to say hello to Sailor Moon too."
    "Agh!" Usagi looked scared.
    Ami leaned forward. "This isn't anything too major to be concerned about.
What made her come to this conclusion, Minako-chan?"
    "She said I looked like her. I didn't want to tell her how close she was. I
denied everything and laughed it off."
    Makoto sighed. "Well, who cares what she thinks? We can deal with it and,
we haven't kicked anyone since we finished off that ice witch months ago! I'm
itching for a good fight!"
    Rei laughed. "You're always itching for a fight Makoto-chan. Except when
you find another guy to cook for who looks like your old boyfriend."
    The girls all burst into uncontrollable laughter and, Makoto blushed.
"Well...what do you guys know anyway?"
    They all laughed again. Ami sat up. "Seriously though, we should look into
this. Why don't you watch your friend carefully and, the rest of us will also
be careful. Rei-chan, have you sensed anything strange?"
    Rei looked thoughtful. "Just a little bit ago, I thought I sensed something
but, I'm not sure what it was. Maybe we're all getting edgy or something. We
need to get out together I think."
    "Hai!" Usagi grinned. "I think for once I agree with you, Rei-chan! Let's
go see the Sailor V movie!"
    "I told you, I didn't want to." Minako glared at her. "I..I don't know it
just brings back bad memories."
    "But Sailor V is sooo cool!" Usagi laughed. "I really love the situations
she gets into."
    Minako sighed and Ami looked at Usagi. "Usagi-chan, maybe some other time.
I think we all need a break. Let's all go downtown and maybe do some shopping?"
    "That's a good idea!" Minako brightened up. "Hey, we can't do that though.
We need to find Amber-chan's Mom!"
    "Oh yeah! I forgot!" Usagi slapped her head.
    "You'd forget your dumpling head if it wasn't attached." Rei said.
    "See? She starts it all the time!" Usagi whined. "She is sooo mean to me!!"
    Ami shook her head. "We're getting off track here. And, has anyone seen
Luna or Artemis yet?"
    "They're off somewhere playing lovey dovey." Makoto grinned.
    Ami blushed. "Really?"
    "Hai, you didn't know?" Minako grinned. "Artemis and Luna have really
gotten close lately. I don't see much of him anymore."
    "I don't see much of Luna either." Usagi grinned. "I think it's wonderful
they finally admitted their feelings for each other."
    Suddenly, an explosion outside startled the girls! Ami jumped up and ran to
the window. A car had crashed across the street and, the building was on fire!
People were screaming!
    Makoto leaped up and stared out the window. "Oh crap! There's people
trapped up there! How fast can the fire department get here, Rei-chan?"
    "Not fast enough!" Rei took out her power stick. "We have to do something
now!"
    Minako nodded. She put up her wand. "VENUS STAR POWER..MAKE UP!!"
    Strands of light came forth and enclosed her in a warm aura as her clothes
transformed into her Sailor Venus garb.
    Makoto put forth her wand. "JUPITER STAR POWER..MAKE UP!"
    Jupiter felt herself spinning faster and faster as her blue jeans and
yellow shirt disappeared to be replaced by her Sailor Jupiter outfit.
    Rei put forth her wand. "MARS STAR POWER.. MAKE UP!"
    Fire surrounded her and, the strands of energy in her clothes transformed
her priestess shinto dress into her Sailor Mars uniform!
    Ami nodded. "MERCURY STAR POWER..MAKE UP!"
    Strands of energy that resembled water surrounded Mercury and she felt her
clothes slowly change from her pink dress to her Sailor Mercury outfit.
    Usagi looked at them and grit her teeth! "But I don't like this!"
    "Transform!" Mars glared at her.
    "OH alright." MOON CRYSTAL POWER..MAKE UP!"
    Usagi spun faster and faster like a helicopter as her clothes were replaced
by strands of energy and, her Sailor Moon uniform appeared. She felt herself
being lowered to the floor and, she blinked a couple of times.
    "Okay...let's save those people!" Jupiter opened the window and leaped out.
    Venus went next followed by Mars and Mercury. Moon hesitated a second
then followed them.
    As they exited, the door opened behind them. Amber entered and walked over
to the window. She smiled. "Perfect! I knew I was right! Ember, come forth!"
    Sorceress Ember appeared. The little girl transformed into Sorcerress
Nadi. "Nice job Ember. You're little diversion did exactly what I hoped it
would do. Reveal once and for all who the Sailor Senshi are."
    "Not all of them." Ember laughed. "We still have to find the outer senshi.
Vindalla's plan is working perfectly so far. We're going to have to be careful
now though because, they will be on their guard."
    "But they will be so concerned about helping the innocent that, they won't
have time to think about themselves. Until it's too late!" Nadi laughed. "Time
for us to switch roles. I have laid the groundwork for the friendship between
you and Mars. Now that you know which one she is, it will be that much simpler.
Look for a way to destroy them from within. We're all counting on you."
    "I won't fail." Ember smiled confidently. "The Earth will be ours once the
Senshi are eliminated. Vindalla will make an excellent ruler. And, we will be
given great reward for supporting her." Sorcerress Ember's shape changed and,
the little girl Amber stood in her place. She made a face. "I want my Mommy!"
    Nadi laughed. "Good luck, Ember. I'll see you soon" she laughed again and 
faded from sight.
    Ember walked over and looked out the window. She could see Sailor Mercury
using her powers to douse the flames. What did she call that? Shining Aqua
Illusion was it? Such a simple thing compared to Ember's own powers. She
watched Sailor Mars creating  a firewall across the roof cutting off the flames
from the rest of the roof. Controlling the temperature, Mars carefully pushed
back the flames that Mercury hadn't doused yet. Sailor Jupiter had climbed up
on the other side of the roof and was helping people down to Sailor Venus who
stood on a ladder. Sailor Moon was on the bottom supporting the ladder.
    Ember grinned as she heard sirens. Fire trucks were finally coming which
meant, the Senshi would be returning soon. She laughed and walked back into the
next room and sat down in the chair. She took a bite of the ice cream. "Hmm not
bad. I guess humans don't have all bad tastes."
    She looked up as she heard voices approaching. Smiling, she lowered her hea
on the table pretending to be asleep......

                            
                             
                             Chapter Two: Bonding!

     "Amber-chan. Amber-chan, wake up." Rei said.
     Amber lay there silently,looking as if she were asleep. Minako smiled.
"Poor little girl. She must be scared to death. We've really got to do
something to help her. Where should we begin?"
     Ami went over to Rei's phone. "We should be able to use the phone book as
a start. She said her last name was Tishobi. How many can there be in the phone
book? Of course, if it's unlisted or she's out of town, it will really be
difficult. Maybe we should take her to the police if we can't find her Mom."
     "That sounds like the best thing we can do." Makoto sat down and sighed.
"Are we going to call every Tishobi in the book then?"
     "Unless we have any better ideas, yes." Ami picked up the phone book and
opened it. She found four Tishobis. "Only four. This won't be very hard, if she
is local. After that, we can go to the police."
     Usagi reached across and pulled the ice cream toward her. Rei looked over
and glared at her. "Hey! That's for Amber-chan!"
     "Well, she's asleep and, I can't see it going to waste, can you? It'll
melt before she wakes up."
     "You are the most inconsiderate baka I ever met in my life!" Rei's face
turned bright red.
     Usagi grinned. "Waste not want not ne? " She took a bite of the ice cream.
     The other girls sighed and hung their heads. Rei looked away. "Any luck
Ami?"
     Ami had dialed three in the book while this went on. "No, I'm afraid not.
If this last one isn't it, we'll have to go to the police."
     They all waited as Ami dialed. She spoke quickly to someone then hung up.
She hung her head and turned back. "Nothing. None of the Tishobis in the phone
book knows her. We'll have to go to the police."
     Minako looked down at Amber. "Do we have to? I mean, I think she might get
scared if we do that. Why don't we wait a day and see if her Mom shows up or
word gets out over television about her missing."
     "Yeah, that's a little better I think." Makoto laughed. "We can take her
with us downtown tomorrow. Maybe we could buy her a toy to cheer her up
and take her to the video arcade."
     Usagi nodded. "That's a great idea, Makoto-chan. I could bring Chibi-Usa
over to meet her too."
     Rei smiled. "That's great, it would give her someone close to her own age
to play with. I wonder how old she is, I never asked her."
     Silence filled the room and, they all looked down at the little girl.
Minako sighed. "Maybe we should let her sleep tonight and take her around
tomorrow. If we're lucky by then, her mother will show up."
     "But where is she going to stay?" Usagi asked. "Here?"
     Everyone looked at Rei. Rei shrugged. "Why not? Ojiichan is out and won't
be home till later tonight. I'm sure she'll wake up in a little bit and, I can
entertain her for awhile. It's getting late and, we all have homework to do. We
better break this up."
     They all got up and, Usagi started to pick up some comics. Rei glared at
her. "What do you think you're doing, Usagi-chan?"
     "Well, I thought since I hadn't finished reading these I'd just borrow
them, if you don't mind."
     "I DO MIND!" Rei shouted. "When you are going to learn I don't like you
going through MY things!"
     Ami looked at each of them. "I think that we all need to get along better.
Rei, Usagi, please don't fight."
     "She irritates me!" Usagi turned away.
     "She has no consideration for others!" Rei turned the other direction.
     The other girls looked down. Ami shook her head. "Well, you two settle
your differences alright! We're supposed to be a team! And despite the fact you
two fight, you are friends! Right?"
     Everyone stared at Ami. It was rare for her to be this forceful. Minako
grinned. "Wow Ami-chan, you're really coming out of your shell! I'm impressed!"
     "So am I!" Makoto laughed. "Come on Rei-chan,it wont hurt to let
Usagi-chan borrow a few comics." She smiled at Rei.
     "Oh alright." Rei sighed and handed Usagi the comics. "Here, take them.
Just please don't spill food or drink all over them when your stuffing your
face okay?"
     "I'm always careful when I borrow peoples things!" Usagi glared at her.
"Why don't you try trusting people more?"
     "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ami shouted.
     The room went dead silent. They saw Amber stir. Ami blushed. "I have to
get going. Please settle your differences. See you later." She turned and
walked out of the room.
     "Ami-chan, wait up, I'll walk with you." Minako waved and went after her.
     Makoto shook her head. "You two need to quit this. Your really starting to
get to Ami-chan. I've never seen her like this. It must be all the stress she
is under. She's always studying and, being a Senshi on top of that, she doesn't
need you two fighting."
     Rei looked down at Amber. "Be careful what you say, Makoto-chan."
     Makoto nodded and turned to leave. She looked back. "Don't rip the comics
apart fighting over them. Sayonarra!" She smiled and left.
     Rei looked over at Usagi who stood there quietly. "Uhmm gomen nasai
Usagi-chan. Makoto-chan is right. We really need to get along better. I don't
know what got into me just now."
     Usagi nodded. "Gomen, Rei-chan. I..I wasn't thinking either. We really
upset Ami-chan. Let's not fight anymore, okay?"
     Rei smiled. "Okay." She reached down and handed Usagi a larger stack of
comics. "Here, take these too. You haven't even seen them yet."
     Usagi's eyes went wide. "Arigatoo, Rei-chan! I'll take care of them. See
you after school Monday if not tomorrow."
     "Hai." Rei watched Usagi leave then sat down exhausted.
     She looked over at the sleeping child. Amber Tishobi. There were no
Tishobi's that claimed to know her in town so, that meant she was really lost.
No telling where her mother was. Rei got up and sat down beside her. She
smiled and pushed the hair away from her brow. "Poor little girl. Your mother
must be worried sick about you. I'll take care of you. I promise."
     Amber stirred again and opened her eyes. "Ohh, Rei-chan!" She sat up and
looked around. "Where is everyone?"
     Rei smiled. "They all had to leave. We tried to find your Mommy but, she
wasn't in the phone book. Are you from out of town?"
     Amber nodded. "Yes but, I don't remember the town name."
     Rei sat up. "You don't? How old are you?"
     "I'm seven." Amber smiled. "And, my Mommy doesn't have a phone."
     "Oh. That explains things then." Rei looked thoughful. "How exactly did
you get lost anyway?"
     Amber looked at the table. "I don't know. I think I got off at the wrong
bus stop. We were visiting this city. My Mom is probably worried about me."
     Rei nodded. "Would you like me to take you to the police? Maybe they can
help."
     "NO!" Amber suddenly looked terrified. "I don't want to see any police!
I'm scared Rei-chan! You said you were my friend! Please take care of me and
don't leave me."
     Rei put her hand on Amber's shoulder. "I won't leave you. I know how
scared you must be. The last thing you need is to be stuck someplace where your
not very important. Besides, by tomorrow, your Mom will probably show up
looking for you or, it will be on the news. We'll find her."
     "Arigatoo!" Amber hugged Rei tight. "Your the best friend I ever had,
Rei-chan! You'll be my friend forever won't you?"
     Rei looked confused a moment then smiled. "You bet! I need to find you a
place to sleep then, I must attend to my Priestess duties."
     Amber smiled. "What kind of Priestess duties?"
     "Well," Rei got up and took her hand, "the normal things. I pray and I
look for things in the sacred fire that may help guide my path. It's a very
important part of my life."
     Amber giggled. "That sounds neat. Can I see where you pray?"
     Rei got a funny feeling. She looked down at the child's smiling face and
for a moment, a dark cloud seemed to pass before her eyes. She dismissed it and
nodded. "Sure, why not."
     She led the little child into the temple area where the sacred fire
awaited. As she did so, Amber's face contorted into a grin of pure evil....

    Rei failed to notice Amber's evil smile and opened the door to the temple
room. "Here we are, Amber-chan."
    Amber smiled innocently and stepped through the doorway. "Wow! This is
really great Rei-chan! I like it!"
    "I'm glad. Ojiichan has spent his life making it beautiful. Most people
though don't see this room."
    Amber pointed at the alter. "Is that the sacred fire you told me about?"
    "That's it." Rei went and knelt down before the fire. "Why don't you go
sit in the back of the room. You can watch me from there and, I'll answer any
questions you have afterward."
    "Okay." Amber grinned and did as she was told. She watched Rei pick up a
stick with special charms on it.
    Rei begin waving the charms back and forth before the fire. "Oh sacred
fire, please help me. Show me those who are most in need of my help. Show me
what I must do to protect myself and others against any evil I may encounter.
I implore you, sacred fire, why do I feel such tension in the air?"
    Behind Rei, Amber's face changed to a wicked grin. Her eyes glowed a
bright green and, she lifted her hands toward the fire.
    Rei gasped as the fire changed. A vision came forth. She could see Amber
crying and the little girl was lost. She needed friends and hope. She needed
to know she was loved. She had no one. Rei leaned closer to the fire, drawn
in by it. The vision shifted. She could see something else now. Sailor Moon
lying on the ground somewhere. She was bleeding and appeared to be dead! Rei
let out a sharp cry as, she saw another Sailor Moon standing over her, a look
of pure evil on her face! "Nooo." Rei gasped and fell back.
    She continued to stare at the flames. They changed again and, she saw
Sailor Jupiter being slammed into a wall. Her head was bleeding and, the
vision shifted. She could see Sailor Venus but, it wasn't the Venus Rei knew.
This Venus was laughing maniacally. "Prepare to die, Sailor Jupiter!" she
shouted.
    "NOOOOO!" Rei fell backwards, the vision fading. She gasped and behind
her she heard a whimper. Turning, she saw Amber crying. "Amber-chan!"
    "Rei...Rei-chan!" Amber sobbed. "Why are you so scared? What did you see
in the fire that frightened you so?"
    Rei got off the floor and went to Amber. She hugged her close. "It's
alright, Amber-chan. I'm fine. I...I just got a little shaken by what I saw."
    Amber held her close. "Rei-chan. Does..does you're fire always show the
truth?"
    "It has in the past." Rei whispered.
    Amber hugged her again. "I'm scared Rei-chan! What did you see that was
so scary? Please, don't ever leave me! Even when we find my Mom, will you be
my friend please?"
    Rei remembered the vision she saw of the lost Amber. She smiled. "I'll
always be your friend, Amber-chan. I promise you that. No matter what
happens."
    Amber hugged her again. "Are you done with the scary fire now, Rei-chan?"
   "Hai, for now." Rei got up and reached down to Amber. "Let's get some more
of that ice cream okay?"
    "Hai!" Amber giggled excitedly. Rei took her into the next room and fixed
them both some ice cream from the kitchen. As she sat down to eat, Amber
looked at her. "Rei-chan..what did you see in the fire? Did it have anything
to do with me?"
    Rei looked at Amber. Suddenly, she got that feeling again. A feeling
that, all was not right. Quickly, she looked around but, no one was there.
She turned back and, Amber was smiling. "Uhmmm no..it didn't really have much
to do with you, Amber-chan. I receive impressions through the fire and,
sometimes I just have to refocus and try to understand what's going on."
    Amber ate her ice cream quickly and yawned. "Can I have another bowl,
Rei-chan?" she smiled sleepily.
    Rei laughed. "I think little girls need to go to bed. We'll have tomorrow
to do that and, hopefully your mother will show up. We can go shopping too.
My friend Usagi-chan has a cousin just a little older than you are. I think you
two would be great friends."
    Amber frowned. "I don't need any other friends. I have you, Rei-chan!
You're the best friend in the whole world!"
    Rei smiled and nodded. "I like you too, Amber-chan. But, it's time for
bed now."
    Amber got out of her chair and, Rei led her to a guest room in the back
of the temple. She pulled back the covers and helped the little girl into
bed. "There we go, all nice and snug. I know you miss your Mommy but,
tomorrow things will be better Amber-chan. You'll see."
    I love you, Rei-chan. Please don't ever leave me."
    Rei hugged Amber close. "I love you too Amber-chan. I'll see you
tomorrow. Good night."
    Rei shut the door and sighed. Amber was a nice kid. She hoped she could
help her.
    Her thoughts returned to that disturbing vision she had seen. She had to
know! She returned to the temple room. As she entered, for the first time in
her life, she hesitated. She wanted to know how to interpret this vision but,
her fear was growing! What was going on...
    In the darkness of the bedroom, Amber smiled. Her form changed and, the
adult form of Sorcerress Ember appeared. Standing up, Ember stretched and
walked over to the window. This was too easy! Vindalla was a genius! Her plan
had been well thought out and carefully planned. Nothing could go wrong. She
would convince Rei that, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus could not be trusted!
The fact that Moon and Mars already seemed to fight would make it that much
easier! From there, internal torment would destroy the Senshi from within.
They would be so confused by what was happening that, before they could act,
Vindalla's final plan would be in motion. By then, it would be too late!
   Ember smiled and went back to the bed. She reverted back to her 
Amber form and opened her mind. She could see Rei in the Temple Room.
The bonding between them was complete! Now, the real fun would begin.....


                             
                              Chapter Three: Dark Chess

    Minako sighed as she walked down the sidewalk with Ami by her side. "I
don't think their fighting was anything to be concerned about Ami-chan. It's
just normal for them."
    Ami shook her head. "No, Minako-chan. I don't know what it is but, they
were really going at it this time. More than usual. There was more tension in
the air then in the past. Did you feel it?"
    Minako shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't want to get in the middle. You
were doing a good enough job of that." Minako giggled.
    Ami blushed. "I just got tired of it, that's all. Maybe the stress of
being a Senshi plus taking those tests I have coming up made me lose my
patience. I'm usually not like that. I have to get to the library tomorrow
and do some extra studying that way I can.."
    "Oh no you don't!" Minako put up her hand. "You're not going anywhere
tomorrow except for a day out with the girls! Hey, maybe we can make it an
all day thing too. Have dinner together. Maybe that's what Usagi-chan and
Rei-chan need."
    "The way they were going at it, it looked like they wanted to be apart."
Ami looked down.
    Minako was concerned. Ami seemed very depressed over this. "Hey, maybe
we'll meet some good looking guys! We're not in high school yet but, it's
about time we did!"
    Ami  shrugged. "I'm more concerned with my studies then getting a
boyfriend right now. I have to work harder if I want to be a doctor."
    "Your working plenty hard already." Minako laughed. "You bury everyone in
class! You need to relax more, Ami-chan. And, you are going out with us
tomorrow! No getting out of it, okay? We'll show Amber-chan a good time and,
maybe we'll get lucky and her Mom will show up. That would be good to see."
    Ami shrugged again. "I guess. I kind of think we should have gone to the
police with her. Her Mom may have already been there worried about her."
    Minako nodded. "True. But, what's a day? We'll stop by there tomorrow
while were out. Maybe the police will give us some good advice. And, if her
Mom hasn't shown up, we can leave word with them that we are taking care of
Amber-chan. That way, the police will have a contact when her Mother does
show up." 
    Ami grinned. "That's a good idea. I guess you're right, I need to relax 
more. Want to come over to my house for some dual studying? I can help you
with your homework if you want?"
    Minako laughed. "I could sure use that, Ami-chan. Arigatoo."
    "Sure." Ami seemed to be herself again and, that was a relief for Minako.
She had rarely seen Ami get so upset over Rei and Usagi fighting....
   
    Sorcerress Vindalla watched the two girls walk off from her invisible
position on the wall above them. "A boyfriend eh? This will be easier then I
thought!" She smiled wickedly. "Sorcerror Jikell...come forth!"
    The air shimmered in front of her and, a man hovered in the air dressed
in a black and white robe. "You summoned me, Vindalla?"
    "Of course. Our plan is in motion and going rather well. Sorcerress Ember
has put phase one of our plan into operation. We will now proceed with phase
two. I want you to enroll in the local school where Sailor Mercury is. Your
unique knowledge of the scientific aspects of this society will prove useful
in undermining her. It is very important that you occupy her so much that,
she has little time for anything else."
    "That will be easy enough." Jikell laughed. "When will the main
operation begin?"
    "When all the players are in position. We have already set up things to
put doubt within the Senshi. Your part will be to so occupy Mercury, she wont
be able to suspect anything wrong. Make no mistake, Jikell" Vindalla locked
her gaze with his. "The Senshi are not stupid! They are powerful, and,
Mercury is the brains behind them! I saw first hand what they did to many of
our kind when Beryl was stupid enough to go against them! You must be very
careful!"
    "Understood. What of the Outer Senshi? Have we determined their
identities as of yet?"
    "No, we have not." Vindalla swore. "That is the one hole in this entire
plan and, that is why every other aspect of it must be accomplished with
accurate precision! Let me worry about the Outer Senshi, Jikell. You
concentrate on Mercury. Romance her. Spend time with her. Give her whatever
she wants. Make her feel...special."
    Jikell laughed. "I'm very good at such things."
    "I know I can count on you, Jikell. Mercury and Venus are on their way to
your soon to be girlfriend's house right now. Why don't you put in an
appearance before they get there? Maybe she will even ask you inside."
Vindalla grinned.
    "Excellent suggestion, Vindalla. You are indeed a master of control. I
look forward to receiving great reward from assisting you with your
conquests."
    "With all of our conquests, Jikell. I am not Queen Beryl. I don't have a
god complex. If you stick with me, we all gain reward.
    "As you wish, my Queen." Jikell laughed and faded out.
    Vindalla smiled. It was going perfectly! Nothing would go wrong. She had
only one thing left to do. "Sorcerress Nadi...come forth."
    Sorcerress Nadi appeared. "I am here, Vindalla."
    "Good. I want you to watch Sailor Moon. Eventually, she will go to
Tuxedo Kamen, whoever he is. Once we know that, we will work on a way to
neutralize him."
    "But, didn't Queen Beryl tell you that?" Nadi asked.
    "Queen Beryl knew but died with that information. We will have to regain
it. Your job will be to undermine Sailor Moon. She already is a blithering
idiot but, we need to increase that. I want you to make her feel like such a
klutz that she has absolutely no confidence in herself! I want her to be
afraid to get out of bed in the morning!"
    Nadi snickered. "She's already half way there. I thought my talents might
be used for something more substantial. I could assist you in locating the
Outer Senshi for example?"
    "They are my problem, Nadi. Your task is more important than you think.
Sailor Moon despite her appearance is the leader of the Sailor Senshi. And
even though her and Sailor Mars fight, the other Senshi will quickly move to
protect her. They listen to her. Sailor Venus may be a problem too so, watch
her as well."
    "What of Sailor Jupiter?" 
    Vindalla laughed. "Jupiter is the easiest one of all. If things go the
way I predict, Mercury and Jupiter will hate each other. Fighting over the
same guy." Vindalla winked at her.
    "And the Senshi will be destroyed then. Reduced to a bunch of school
girls bickering pointlessly while we accomplish our final plans! Sheer
brilliance, Vindalla."
    "I won't call it that till I see the final results, Nadi. But, it does
appear to be a very promising plan. Go now and, keep Sailor Moon in your
sights at all times, unless I summon you."
    "A pleasure, Vindalla." Nadi faded out.
    Vindalla rose off the wall and watched at a distance as she saw Jikell 
change form and walk down the road toward Mercury and Venus. It was like 
Chess. Position your pieces..plan your attack. When it was time..strike!
Vindalla laughed and flew away into the night...
    
    "So anyway, that's how you work that problem, Minako-chan. It just takes
looking at the whole thing as a logical question and breaking it down into
parts. That's what I do to make it easier."
    Minako smiled at Ami and nodded. "You sure are good at math, Ami-chan."
    "I'll show you in more detail when we get to my house." Ami grinned.
    Both of them looked up as a young man approached them. His blonde hair blew
softly in the wind and he looked confused. He stopped just in front of them and
looked up and down the street. As they approached, he turned to them and
smiled. "Good evening."
    "Good evening." Ami answered shyly.
    "Uhmmm...I'm afraid I'm lost, girls. I'm new to the neighborhood. I just
moved here from France."
    "From France?" Minako smiled. "Welcome to Tokyo. I'm Aino Minako-chan and
this is my friend, Mizuno Ami-chan."
    Ami looked at Minako and blushed. Minako giggled.
    The boy nodded. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm King
Joquiam-san. Is it possible for you two girls to direct me to a good place to
eat? If you do, I'll be glad to treat you to something."
    "Uhmm," Ami began, "I don't know if that would be proper seeming as how we
just met but..."
    "But what she means King-san is, we accept!" Minako smiled at Ami.
    Ami stared at Minako who shrugged. She nodded slowly. "I guess that's
okay. But we were going to do homework."
    "I need to enroll in school tomorrow." Joquiam smiled. "Maybe I can look at
the homework and see how tough it is?"
    Minako grinned. "You're going to be new in school? What school?"
    Joquiam gave the name of a school and, Minako sighed. "That's Ami-chan's
school. Mine is a different one. Too bad."
    Joquiam shrugged. "Then perhaps I should be talking more about it to you
Mizuno-san?"
    Ami nodded. "I guess so. Let's go to the burger place near here,
Minako-chan. It won't be very much money for him."
    Joquiam grinned. "I'm glad to see you don't want to break my wallet. 
When I lived in Paris, things were different there. Getting used to this town
is a whole new ball game."
     "It won't be difficult." Minako grinned. "There are lot's of friendly
people here. You won't have any trouble making friends."
    "I hope not." Joquiam grinned. "I just met you two and, I consider you
friends already."
    Ami blushed and looked away. "Well, one step at a time, King-san."
    The three stopped in front of a popular hamburger place and, Joquiam opened
the door. "Ladies first?"
    Minako giggled. "Such a gentlemen. There are guys around here who could
learn a thing or two from you."
    "Perhaps it takes the talent of a former frenchman to show them?" Joquiam
winked at her.
    Minako sighed and almost blushed herself. Ami looked down and smiled.
"Arigatto, King-san."
    The three sat together and, Joquiam bought them huge burgers with all the
trimmings. For the next two hours, they conversed. Ami was amazed at how much
math Joquiam knew. It seemed incredible but, the boy knew just as much as her.
When the conversation turned to other things, he was knowledgeable about
astronomy and also medicine! Ami began to feel comfortable with him and, the
more they talked, the more Minako realized, she was a fifth wheel.
    Minako sighed and got up. "Well, it's been great meeting you, King-san.
Thanks for helping me with my homework. Ami-chan is really good  but, I have to
admit, you might be better." She winked at Ami. "I have to go Ami-chan. Good
luck and, don't stay out too late."
    Ami smiled and waved. "Okay Minako-chan. I'll see you tomorrow?"
    "Of course. I would never let you get out of that. You're too much of a
bookworm." She giggled.
    Ami watched Minako leave and, she noticed Joquiam staring at her. Looking
down, she blushed. "Uhmmm..there's no school tomorrow."
    "I know." Joquiam grinned. "Tomorrow is Sunday."
    "Uh huh." Ami looked at the table afraid to meet his piercing eyes. "I
really appreciate you treating me like this, King-san."
    "My pleasure, Mizuno-san. I have a favor to ask of you."
    Ami looked up and gasped as she saw how truly handsome he was. "Uhmm...what
is it?"
    "Would you call me, King-kun? I think we might know each other well enough
now for that."
    Ami smiled and blushed again. "I...I suppose so, King-kun." She looked up
and giggled.
    "Arigatoo, Mizuno-chan."
    Silence fell between them as neither seemed to know what to say. Then,
Joquiam sighed. "I...I haven't known you very long Mizuno-chan. But...may I
walk you home?"
    Ami looked up and nodded eagarly. "Arigatoo, King-kun. I'd like that."
    "Great. We can talk about all sorts of things. Please tell me all you can
about this city. Perhaps we can go out and, you can show a new person the
sights?"
    "Perhaps." Ami smiled again.
    Ami felt as if she were in a dream as she walked home with this handsome
young man. He talked about Paris..how beautful it was. He was so cultured that,
she couldn' help herself being drawn to him. When they finally reached her
home, she was sorry the walk had ended.
    "Well, it's been great meeting you, King-kun." she looked down again.
    "Mizuno-chan, may I see you tomorrow?"
    Ami smiled. "Well, I have a lot of work to get done and, if I didn't go out
with my friends, they would kill me. So, tomorrow isn't a good day. Maybe we
can eat lunch together at school? I can help you get enrolled, I know all the
teachers pretty well."
    Joquiam nodded. "I understand. I'll see you on Monday then, Mizuno-chan.
You've been very kind to me. I think I'm going to like this city."
    Ami giggled. "Arigatoo. I'll see you on Monday. Bye now." She turned and
went into her house. Just before she shut the door, she looked back at him and
blushed.
    Joquiam gave her a final wave and watched the door shut. As soon as it
shut, he walked away and, a wicked smile came to his face. "Vindalla was right!
This is too easy!" He laughed and, the man Jikell stood in his place. Raising
his hands, he flew into the air and was gone......


                            
                             Chapter Four: Indecision!

     Usagi smiled at Makoto as she arrived at her house. "Well, I'll see you
later, Makoto-chan. Arigatoo. Thanks for waiting for me."
     Makoto nodded. "I'm glad you and Rei-chan got everything sorted out,
Usagi-chan. I think we all need to quit bickering. It brings down the team."
     Usagi waved at her friend and watched Makoto walk off. She sighed and
opened the door.
     "Why isn't the house clean?" she heard her father shouting.
     "Because, I was out all day and didn't have time to clean it!" Her mother
shot back. "I don't get much help around here!"
     Usagi's eyes went wide. "Mom? Dad? What's going on?"
     Her mother glared at her. "Nevermind! If you have homework to do, you'd
better get on it now! I don't want to see you fail again, you hear me?"
     "Don't yell at her because your angry with me!" Usagi's father glared at
his wife. "You shouldn't take out your incompetence on the kids!"
     Usagi looked behind her and saw her brother cowering around the corner.
She stepped out of the room. "What's going on?"
     "Mom and Dad just started laying in to each other a few hours ago. For no
reason either! It's been really bad too. I'm scared, Usagi!"
     Usagi bit her lip and listened to the arguing. It was completely unlike
her parents to do this. They rarely fought. When they did, it wasn't even close
to the insane adults before her now. Their eyes were almost wild!
     Her father shook his head. "We can't go on like this! I'm going to go to a
hotel tonight! Maybe in the morning, you'll come to your senses! If not,
perhaps there is nothing between us anymore! You never do a thing to please
this family!"
     "I work just as hard as you do!" Her mother's voice was rising. "Fine! Get
out! I don't want to see you anyway!"
     Usagi ran into the room. "NO! Mom, Dad, please stop this! You've never
fought this way before! What is going on?"
     "Get out of here Usagi!" Her mother glared at her. "Go to your room! Both
of you kids, go to your room! NOW!"
     Usagi trembling backed away in fear. Her mother was out of control. She
felt tears come to her eyes and, she screamed and ran up the stairs. As she ran
into her room, she slammed the door and heard her parents continuing the fight.
     "Usagi-chan, are you okay?"
     Usagi looked up and saw Chibi-Usa on her bed. "No. None of us are. This
family is in terrible trouble! What happened, Chibi-Usa? Do you know anything?"
     Chibi-Usa shook her head. "I was upstairs reading and, I heard your father
come home. All of a sudden, he started yelling. Your Mom started yelling back
and, it just got worse. It looked like at one point, your Dad was going to hit
her!"
     "NO!" Usagi sobbed into her pillow. "This can't be happening! It can't be!
Where's Luna? I need to see Luna!"
     "I think she's still out with Artemis, Usagi-chan. What are you going to
do?"
     Usagi was trembling badly. "I don't know! I don't know! I've never had to
go through this before! If...if Luna isn't around, I need to talk to Mamo-chan!
Mamo-chan can help! He's got to!"
     Chibi-Usa nodded. "I know. I thought of that too. But, I didn't want to
just take off without letting someone know. I still haven't gotten my school
work done."
     "Neither have I. I'm not going to now! This is terrible!" Usagi burst into
tears again.
     Suddenly, the screaming from below hit a fevered pitch. Her mother
screamed out. "I WANT A DIVORCE!! I HATE YOU!"
     "NOOOOO!" Usagi screamed and leaped off the bed. 
     "Usagi-chan!" Chibi-Usa shouted. She watched Usagi yank open the door and
run downstairs. "NOOOO!" 
     Both her parents stared as she ran past her Dad and out into the night.
     "USAGI!" her Dad shouted. "GET BACK HERE NOW!"
     Usagi ignored his shouts and ran on into the night. So much indecision! If
her parents broke up, what would she do? She felt lost inside. She had to see
Mamoru.
     Usagi ran for several blocks feeling lost inside. At last she reached
Mamoru's apartment complex and ran inside. She pounded up the stairs and
reached the familiar door. She beat on it screaming. "MAMO-CHAN! MAMO-CHAN!
Please help me!!!"
     The sound of running feet from inside made her look up and, the door
opened. She stared through tear filled eyes into the face of the only man she
loved. Chiba Mamoru.
     Mamoru stared at her in shock. "Usako! What..what's wrong?"
     "Hold me! Please hold me, Mamo-chan! I need you!"
     Mamoru brought her inside and sat her on the couch. He hugged Usagi close
to him and stroked her hair. "Usako, what's wrong?"
     "My...my parents had a horrible fight! The worst I've ever seen! My Mom
said she wanted a divorce!" Usagi burst into tears again and, Mamoru sighed.
     Mamoru held her for a few minutes then, he got up and opened the
refrigerator. He brought Usagi a soda and smiled. "Drink this, Usako. You'll
feel better."
     "Do you love me, Mamo-chan?"
     The question took Mamoru off guard. "Eh? Of course I do! I always have!
Why would you ask such a thing?"
     "Because...because, right now, I'm not very sure of myself! I'm a klutz,
I'm no good in school! I always fight with Rei! My parents never fought like
this before! It must be my fault. I went to a Senshi meeting and, I got home a
little later then I should. I must be the cause of it all!"
     Mamoru held her as she sobbed against him. "Of course not, Usako. You
could never be the cause of something like that. There must have been other
reasons."
     "I don't know. I don't know, I don't know!" Usagi's tears fell against him
staining his shirt. "I wish we could get married now, Mamo-chan! I wish you
could just take me away from all this! I wish we could have lived happy in the
Silver Imperium! Why did it all have to end?"
     Mamoru nodded. "We can't always have what we want, Usako. We have to make
the most of our lives and, despite the fact you think less of yourself, I love
you more than anything! I always have, and I always will."
     Usagi smiled through her tears and closed her eyes. Mamoru bent down and
kissed her tenderly.....

     The air shimmered behind Mamoru's apartment complex and, two figures
appeared. Sorcerress Nadi laughed. "Hmmm look at the way he holds her. Want to
bet that he's Tuxedo Kamen?"
     Sorcerror Jikell grinned. "Seems to fit the pattern of what we know.
Sailor Moon has a special relationship with Tuxedo Kamen. The same sort of
relationship, Princess Serenity shared with Prince Edymion."
     Nadi nodded. "Exactly. Now that we are fairly sure who Tuxedo Kamen is, we
need to come up with a way to eliminate him."
     "True. By the way Nadi, taking control of her parents was a brilliant
idea. You can effectively destroy Sailor Moon's home life thus rendering her
useless. Her emotions will be her ruin."
     Nadi sighed. "Except for this anchor she is currently clinging to. We must
remove Tuxedo Kamen. We must make sure the Senshi do not have his wisdom to
draw from. The same with the Outer Senshi. Vindalla is handling that."
     "We could capture him." Jikell said thoughtfully.
     "No." Nadi continued to watch the two. "That would reveal our intentions
before we were ready. I have no doubt even if Vindalla is being careful that,
our combined powers could easily destroy the Senshi. But, this is Vindalla's
plan. She has reasons why she does things and, I have learned to trust her
wisdom."
     "As have I." Jikell grinned. "I must say, Sailor Mercury is most charming.
I enjoyed her company."
     Nadi looked at him. "You just remember she is the enemy, Jikell! Don't do
anything stupid or, you'll end up dead!"
     "Not to worry, Nadi. I know who's side I'm on. What shall we do about
Tuxedo Kamen?"
     "It would be interesting to test his power. I have never gone against him
in battle directly. A brief brush once. Perhaps we can see how he and Sailor
Moon react while under this kind of pressure?"
     Jikell laughed. "I have just the thing. Allow me?"
     Nadi laughed. "But of course, Jikell. Let's see what you can do."
She smiled wickedly.
     Jikell raised his hands outward toward the city and laughed maniacally...

     Mamoru hugged Usagi close gently trying to calm her. "Feel better now,
Usako?"
     Usagi nodded. "Hai. But, I don't want to go back home. You can't believe
how terrible it was! But, I left Chibi-Usa and Shingo my brother there to deal
with it. I'm a coward." She sobbed again.
     Mamoru pulled her gently away and looked at her. "Usako, I love you. It
doesn't matter to me how much you think you mess up or if you fail a test. I
love you for what you are. No one will ever keep us apart again."
     "You promise?" Usagi looked up at him.
     "I promise." He smiled at her.
     Suddenly, screams came from outside. A horrible roar came next and, a loud
crash.
     "What the?" Mamoru stood up and pulled back the curtains. People were
running in the streets down below and, he could see some sort of huge creature
throwing things. Two cars were slammed into each other as it pushed them aside
like toys! The creature was almost twenty feet high! "Oh no! Usako, it's a huge
Youma!"
     "No....No, not now! NO!" Usagi stood up and came to the window. She gasped
in fear as she saw the huge creature. "This can't be happening to me! Please
Mamo-chan, wake me up!"
     "We have to help!" He moved away from her. Smiling, he pulled a rose from
his jacket pocket. Colors surrounded him suddenly and, his clothes changed from
jeans and a light jacket to the familiar garb of Tuxedo Kamen! He smiled at
her. "I need Sailor Moon's help!"
     She nodded and reached down for her locket. "Twice in one day! What is
going on here? MOON CRYSTAL POWER...MAKE UP!"
     Tuxedo Kamen watched as, Usagi was bathed in a rainbow of colors and spun
so fast the eye couldn't see. Her clothes slowly changed from her school
uniform to the colorful costume of Sailor Moon! She felt herself lowered and,
she blinked twice smiling. "Let's go, Tuxedo Kamen!"
     Tuxedo Kamen opened the back window of his apartment, made sure no one was
watching, then dove out! Sailor Moon watched him glide downward then with a
shout she leaped after him!
      Sailor Moon hit the ground with a thud that knocked her on her
bottom. She gasped and looked over to see a huge creature throwing broken
parking meters through shop windows. Getting up, she saw Tuxedo Kamen nod
and the two ran together as one force toward the creature.
     "Hey you!" she shouted. "For love and justice, I am the Pretty Sailor
Suited Soldier..Sailor Moon! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
     The creature looked at her with it's burning red eyes and made what
sounded like a horrible laugh. Then, it let go with a blast of fire and
Sailor Moon leaped out of the way screaming.
     People nearby watched in awe as Tuxedo Kamen leaped on the creature's
back and slammed it several times with his staff. It turned trying to
remove him. "Sailor Moon!" he shouted. "Use your healing power now!"
     Sailor Moon nodded. She pulled forth her wand. "MOOOOON HEALING
ESCALATIOOON!!!!" She waved it several times as she spun and, Tuxedo Kamen
jumped clear as her wand cut loose and slammed a piercing force of energy
at the creature. It screamed several times and then shrank down to the size
of a mouse. It's shape changed to reveal an ordinary rat. "EWWWW" Sailor
Moon said.
     Tuxedo Kamen walked over to her and hugged her as cheers came from
around them. "SAILOR MOON! SAILOR MOON!" the crowd shouted.
     She smiled shyly and, Tuxedo Kamen chuckled. "See? Despite all your
troubles, your still loved."
     Sailor Moon hugged Tuxedo Kamen and, the two walked down the street
together.....

     Nadi swore several times. "She's better than I thought. I was hoping
that this mess with her family would so upset her, she couldn't even fight!
That is something I am going to have to work on!" Nadi swore again.
     "You heard Vindalla." Jikell laughed. "Don't underestimate the Senshi. I
didn't expect that creation of mine to win. I just wanted to see how effective
as fighters they are. Without Tuxedo Kamen, she would be confused. He was
telling her what to do."
     Nadi smiled slowly. "You're right of course. We must take him out. Perhaps
if we disable him badly, she will be so distraught with everything else that,
she will have nowhere to turn to." Nadi laughed.
     "Yes, with the other Senshi wrapped up in their own troubles, they won't
even have time for her. If Ember plays her role correctly, Sailor Mars soon
won't trust anyone!" Jikell grinned at her.
    "You return to Vindalla, Jikell. Tell her what we have accomplished. I will
continue to shadow Sailor Moon and make sure her life is a living hell!" She
laughed evilly.
   Jikell grinned and flew upward waving a final farewell to Nadi as he faded
into the night....

                            
                             Chapter Five: The Noose Tightens!

     Rei awoke on the floor of the temple room still in her clothes. She had
fallen asleep in there apparently while trying to gain more clarification on
her terrifying vision. The fire was never wrong. In all the time she had used
it to guide her in her search for knowledge, it had shown her the truth. Yet,
what it was showing her now each time she tried to use it was more terrifying
than anything she had experienced. No Youma or evil she had faced in the past
had prepared her for this! Sailor Moon was dead. The Usagi she had argued with
was a fake! Probably some new dark threat. But, if Moon was dead, what had
happened to the Crystal? That was important! Also, apparently Venus had been
replaced or somehow taken over. But if this was all true, why hadn't Venus and
Moon killed the Senshi already?
     Rei looked back toward the doorway. Amber! It had to be! Something was
special about Amber! The fact her fire told her that the child needed friends
and needed to be protected proved it! It reminded her of when Chibi-Usa first
arrived. But now, Rei didn't know what to do. For the first time in her life,
she felt doubt with her teamates!
     She got off the floor and prayed searching for an answer. None came. She
sighed and walked out of the room down the hallway to the room where Amber
slept. As she paused at the door, she thought she heard something. Slowly, she
opened the door and, her eyes fell on Amber who was still sleeping. She looked
up quickly as she thought she sensed a precense. Slowly, Rei moved into the
room. She was dead tired, but alert.
     She heard a noise and turned quickly ready to attack! There was no one
there. Rei was feeling sick. Lack of sleep and fear over what these visions
revealed was wearing her down. She looked down at the sleeping child.
     Amber stirred and opened her eyes. "Uhmmm, Rei-chan? Is that you?"
     Rei nodded. "Hai. Ohayoo Amber-chan. It's still too early for you to get
up. Go back to sleep."
     Amber smiled and closed her eyes rolling over in bed. Rei closed the door.
     Rei went back to the temple room. For what felt like the hundredth time,
she picked up her charms and kneeled down. "Please....oh please, Sacred Fire!
You have never lied to me before! Please..show me the truth! I must know the
truth!"
     The fire parted and, Rei beheld Sailor Jupiter being slammed over and
over. Then, she tried to get up as a beam of light tore into her. Rei gasped in
fear as once again she beheld Jupiter being torn to shreds! On a hilltop
nearby, she could see an evil Sailor Venus using her powers without mercy.
The vision widened and, it now included Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon had her
sceptre and was using it to inflict severe pain on some poor soul that was
screaming in agony. Rei tried to see who it was and, she gasped as she
realized, it was Tuxedo Kamen! "NOOOOO!" Rei almost fell over but, she stopped
herself. She would endure this horror because, the fire gave her the
impressions she needed. It revealed the truth. She saw Tuxedo Kamen being
tortured as he begged this Sailor Moon to stop. She laughed and fired one last
time blowing a hole right through him! "But...but the sceptre doesn't work that
way!" she said aloud. "This isn't Sailor Moon!" 
     The vision faded and, she collapsed. Breathing very fast almost
hyperventilating, Rei considered her options. Could she trust Ami? How could
she warn Makoto? She had to get the others together without Minako and Usagi or
whatever they were finding out! But no! They were all supposed to get together
today for a day out and maybe the night! Rei shuddered. Would those two use
this opportunity to destroy the Senshi then? But, from her vision, they would
be torturing to get information. Perhaps Usagi as baka as she sometimes was had
indeed outsmarted this new threat and hidden the Crystal someplace. Or, did
this evil Usagi already have it? Rei had to know!
     She heard the door open and, she saw Ojiichan enter. "Ohayoo, Ojiichan."
     Ojiichan looked at her. "Rei, what are you doing up this early? You
usually sleep till ten on Sunday's. Are you having trouble sleeping?"
     "I had a nightmare. And I came to consult the fire to open my mind and
show me the truth." She looked at him. "Ojiichan, I have a serious question to
ask. In our faith, we use the Sacred Fire to open our mind and show us the best
ways to live. Is that correct?"
     Ojiichan nodded. "Of course, Rei. You know that. I've taught you all I
know."
     Rei turned away and looked at the fire. "Has the fire ever lied to us
Ojiichan? Has it ever given a wrong impression?"
     Silence filled the room for several minutes. Ojiichan sighed. "No, Rei. It
has always helped me open my mind and find the truth. Why do you ask me this?
Have you seen something that greatly disturbs you in the flames?"
     Rei continued to stare at the fire. "It's nothing that concerns you,
Ojiichan. I need to try to sleep. If anyone calls for me, tell them I'll meet
them in front of the mall with Amber-chan at noon. Arigatoo."
     Ojiichan smiled and left the room. Rei sighed and got up from the alter.
It was confirmed. Both Ojiichan and her visions showed her the nightmare was
true. Usagi was dead. This evil Sailor Moon must be destroyed! And, if this
evil Sailor Venus was not Minako taken over..she must die as well. But the
biggest thing in Rei's mind as she went to her room and tried to sleep was, 
she must try to warn the remaining Senshi of this evil duo. And above all, she
must protect Amber-chan! Rei wiped the tears from her eyes remembering all the
arguments she and Usagi had been involved with. It was over. She would never
argue with Usagi again.....

     In the darkness of the bedroom at the end of the hall, Ember smiled as the
form of Vindalla took shape. "Ember, I'm very pleased with you. Everyone is
doing a wonderful job."
     Ember nodded. "Thank you, Vindalla. I am here to serve. It's a pity Queen
Beryl didn't listen to me and gain the use of my special talents."
     "That fool is dead. We are the new rulers. We are partners, Ember. All of
us. I am just the brains trying to bring us victory. You have Sailor Mars
around your little finger. Play it up with her."
     "Oh I plan to, Vindalla. I plan to have her ready to destroy the Senshi
should they even attempt to harm me. And the way she feels now, she will be
looking for a way to destroy Sailor Moon." Ember grinned.
     "Excellent. I'm still trying to locate who the Outer Senshi are. I'll be
in touch." Vindalla faded out.
     Ember assumed her Amber form and laid down to relax. She would let Rei's
feelings play on her now. She would let the fire do it's work. It would be
interesting to see how Sailor Mars would treat the others now that the noose
was being tightened...

     Rei awoke with a start and looked at the clock. Had it all been a dream?
It was eleven thirty in the morning. She was supposed to meet her friends at
noon in front of the mall. Climbing out of bed, she sighed and moved to her
clothes closet and put on a light blue dress. Normally happy about shopping
with the others, she was now filled with fear.
     "Rei-chan?" a voice said behind her.
     Rei turned and smiled at Amber. It wasn't a dream. It was terribly real.
She knew one thing she had to do. Get Makoto alone and talk to her! "I'm going
to meet friends today at the mall, Amber-chan. While down there, we can stop in
at the local police station and see if there's any word about your missing
mother. Are you alright?"
     Amber was trembling. "I don't want to go to the police. They scare me,
Rei-chan! Please oh please, don't make me go!"
     Rei sighed and zipped up her dress. Smoothing it, she sat down in a chair
at her dresser and brushed her hair. "But Amber-chan, you're Mom has probably
left word about you! Aren't you anxious to see her again?"
     "No, Rei-chan. My...my parents are mean to me."
     Rei stared at her. "What? What do you mean?"
     "They treat me bad. I never get to have any friends! I never get to do
anything I want! They aren't as nice as you are Rei-chan! You're the best
friend I ever had."
     Rei giggled. "Amber-chan, arigatoo. But, I just met you yesterday. You
must have other friends? Can you even give me an idea what town you live in?
     "I don't remember." Amber started sobbing and, Rei held her.
     "Don't worry, Amber-chan. I'll take care of you. I'll find your parents.
But yesterday, you kept screaming for your Mommy. Now you suddenly tell me
she's mean? Why is that?"
     Amber looked confused. "I...I don't know. I was scared. If I had
known you, I would have never yelled for her."
     Rei smiled. "Well, when we find your Mommy, maybe I can talk to her
about staying in touch with you. Maybe you can come over here and visit me
all the time unless you live too far away."
     "I want to stay with you Rei-chan."
     Rei nodded. "Well, we'll see, Amber-chan. We have to get going and
meet my friends. Come on." She smiled.
     As Rei got up, she felt a sudden dizziness. Grabbing the edge of the
dresser, she steadied herself. For a second, a dark cloud was in front of
her and, she thought she saw someone else instead of Amber.
"Amber-chan..I feel tired." Rei sat down again and, when she looked, she
saw the concerned face of Amber.
     The little girl looked like she was going to cry. "Rei-chan...are you
sick? I'm scared! Does this have anything to do with what you saw in the
fire?"
     Rei stared at the floor. "I don't want you to worry, Amber-chan.
Let's go." Rei got up and took the child's hand leading Amber from the
room....

     Twenty minutes later, Rei and Amber stepped off a bus in downtown
Tokyo and, she saw all her friends waving. Her eyes fell on Usagi. She
looked the same. There was nothing to indicate anything wrong. But, the
fire didn't lie. And evil did. As she held Amber's hand and crossed the
street, her gaze turned to Minako. Her smile certainly didn't betray
anything wrong. But again, the fire never lied!
     Rei smiled as she stepped up on the curb to join them. "Well, I can
see you guys started the shopping trip without me."
    Minako giggled. "Well, you didn't expect us to wait for you to show up
if you're going to be late did you? You need to be on time, Rei-chan."
     Rei shrugged. "I was up late last night doing some work in the
temple."
     "Well, let's go back in the mall then." Makoto grinned. "They have
this really neat store where you can buy new cooking stuff and, I want to
check it out."
     "That sounds good." Minako grinned. "After that, I want to check out
the new dress shop."
     Ami looked down at Amber. "Hello again, Amber-chan. I think before we
do any of that, we should stop by the local police station and see if
there's been any word from your Mom."
     "NO!" Amber shouted. "I'M NOT GOING TO A POLICE STATION! I WANT TO
STAY WITH REI-CHAN!"
     Ami stepped back surprised. "But, I thought you wanted to be with
your mother! Are you okay?"
     Rei stepped in front of Amber. "It's rather complicated to explain
right now so, I'll do it later. Why don't we go ahead with the shopping
trip anyway but while were at it, can I talk to you about something Ami?"
     Ami was silent a moment while the others looked on. Then, she nodded.
"Okay, Rei-chan." She turned to the others. "We'll be along in a moment."
     Makoto shrugged. "Okay. We'll meet you guys over by the dress shop then."
     "Fine, see you then." Rei watched the others leave keeping a close eye on
Usagi and Minako.
     "What did you want to talk about that's so important, Rei-chan?" Ami's
face showed her concern.
     Rei looked to make sure the others were out of earshot. She turned back to
Ami and observed her closely. Could she really trust Ami? If Ami was evil as
well, she would be trapped before she was ready to defend herself. Yet, the
fire had not shown anything evil with Ami. That had to mean she was okay.
     "Uhmmm Ami-chan, this is very important. Have you noticed anything strange
with Usagi-chan or Minako-chan?"
     Ami blinked surprised. "In what way? I can tell you, we're all a little
worried about Usagi-chan. She showed up today with Mamoru."
     "What do you mean?" Rei felt her fear rising. The scene of the evil Sailor
Moon blasting a hole in Tuxedo Kamen was fresh in her memory.
     "Usagi-chan's parents had a terrible fight last night. They are talking
divorce. She lost control and ran to Mamoru because, she didn't know where to
go. While there, some sort of Youma appeared in the streets and, they both
transformed and fought it off. She stayed the night with him."
     "Stayed the night?" Rei's eyes went wide. "But, how is he? Did he look
normal?"
     Ami's vision narrowed. "What do you mean by that, Rei-chan? Mamoru isn't
stupid enough to do anything with Usagi-chan."
     Rei's face turned bright red. "Uhmm no I didn't mean THAT Ami-chan. I...I
have to tell you something. I don't trust Usagi-chan or Minako-chan."
     Ami stared at her. "You don't trust them! But why, Rei-chan? They're your
friends! I..I know we argue sometimes and, you and Usagi are the worst! But,
what gives you a reason for not trusting them?"
     I...I feel it, okay? It's just something I know. I don't know how to say
it to you."
     Ami sat down on a bench pulling Rei down next to her. She looked quickly
at Amber who stood watching. "We're your friends, Rei-chan. They're your
friends! We...weve been together for a long time. At least talk to them about
whatever is bothering you. Usagi's life is in a shambles right now. Losing your
friendship would only make things more difficult for her."
     Rei remained silent and looked at Amber. Ami turned and did the same.
Amber's face changed and, she began to cry. She clung to Rei and, Rei
hugged her. "It's okay, Amber-chan. I'm not mad at you."
     Ami shook her head. "You need to find this girl's mother. I
really think we should go over to the police station now."
     Rei looked at Amber and, the girl shook her head emphatically.
"I don't think she's ready for that yet, Ami-chan. Her mother isn't as nice to
her as we first thought."
     Ami sighed. "I see. Well, nice or not, when she shows up, something will
have to be done. You can't keep this child Rei-chan! What's wrong with you
today? You don't trust two of your best friends and now you wont give up a lost
child! You're not telling me everything!"
     Rei nodded. Before she could speak, Amber glared at Ami.
"Why don't you leave Rei-chan and I alone! She's my best friend and, I'm not
going to let you take me away from her!"
     Ami sighed and looked down. "I want to help you Rei but, you need to tell
me what's going on!"
     Suddenly, a voice behind Ami said softly. "Mizuno-chan. I didn't expect
to see you here. Hello."
     Ami startled looked up into the eyes of Joquiam. Not expecting to see him,
she felt her heart's pace quicken. "King-kun! What are you doing here?"
     "I was doing some shopping of my own and, I happened to see you sitting
here with your friend. May I buy you lunch?"
     Rei looked up and saw this handsome boy smiling at Ami. She looked at Ami
and saw instantly there was something between them.
     "I'll see you later Ami-chan. Amber and I have things to do.
Tell everyone I'll see them later. Will you tell Makoto to stop by
later?"
     Ami sighed. "Hai. See you later, Rei-chan."
     Rei turned and walked away, Amber at her side laughing....



                            Chapter Six: Testing Process

     Ami watched Rei and Amber walk off down the street. What was the matter
with her? She was so...distant. Realizing Joquiam was still there, she looked
up at him and smiled. "It's good to see you again, King-kun. I'd love to have
lunch with you but, I'm out with my friends right now."
     "I see." Joquiam grinned. "May I see you tonight? We can go out to
dinner."
     Ami blushed and giggled. "Uhmmm King-kun this is happening way to fast for
me. In France this type of thing may be the norm but, here in Japan it isn't
that way. At least, not at my age."
     "Perhaps we can bend the rules on that, Mizuno-chan? I don't know what it
is but, I feel a connection to you. It's hard to explain. It's very rare I meet
anyone close to my intellect."
     Ami looked down and tried to find the words to express herself. She
sighed. "I..I have to go. But, I guess it's okay. Why don't I meet you at that
same restaurant we were at before this evening around seven?"
     "It will be my pleasure, Mizuno-chan. Arigatoo. I'll see you later
tonight." He smiled and waved goodbye.
     Ami watched him walk off then ran through the mall feeling like she was on
Cloud Nine. She had never felt this way about anyone since her first
boyfriend..and that had been brief at best. Joquiam was so suave, so
sophisticated! It was almost as if, he knew what she wanted in a man! His
intellect was every bit as intelligent as her's! Ami felt like her life was
beautiful.
 
     "Look at her face...she looks so happy." Socerress Nadi sneered.
     Vindalla watched Ami run through the mall with a cold calculating stare.
"Jikell is doing very well. He is distracting her but, not enough. If we aren't
careful, Sailor Mercury will become wise to us before we are ready."
     "Well, you sent Jikell down to distract her and, he did. So, what's the
problem?" Nadi laughed.
     "You're taking this far too lightly." Vindalla watched Ami rejoin the
other girls. "With Mars feeling the way she is, that will deprive them of her
abilities..hopefully. We must increase the feelings of hopelessness on Sailor
Moon. Her friends are helping her to deal with her current troubles. And, I
have yet to locate the Outer Senshi! This is very serious, Nadi! If we don't
find them, they could surprise us when we aren't ready."
     "Vindalla, relax. Things are going perfectly. In fact, I'd like to go to
Egypt and see how things are progressing there..."
     "Let me worry about our agents in Egypt, Nadi!" Vindalla turned and glared
at her. "Do as you're told! The only way this operation is going to succeed is
if there are no screw up's! I want you to put more pressure on Sailor Moon!
Breaking up her parents is not enough!"
     Nadi nodded. "My apologies. But, do I have to watch her every minute? She
is the least trouble of any of them!"
     "Don't underestimate her! She took out Queen Beryl!" Vindalla swore. "It's
time to see how effective we have been in damaging the Senshi. Go visit the Pet
Store, Nadi. See if you can create a few problems for the Sailor Senshi they
have to deal with. This will be good observation."
     "It's a pleasure to serve you, Vindalla." Nadi faded out....

     "Come on Usagi-chan, cheer up! It's not the end of the world. Maybe your
parents wont get divorced. We're supposed to be out having fun."
     Usagi sighed and nodded. "I'll try, Makoto-chan. Arigatoo. I..I just wish
all this wasn't happening! I don't know why it is! It's like things are coming
apart for me."
     Ami looked at her. "Yes, and not only for you. Rei-chan has developed some
sort of a fixation on Amber-chan. I just mentioned taking the child to the
police and, she got real quiet. Then, Amber-chan went into a fit. There's
something else too that seems odd."
     Everyone looked at Ami. She sighed. "I don't know what it is but, Rei-chan
has feelings of mistrust. I shouldn't be telling you this but, we're all
friends and, I feel something is wrong with her. Usagi-chan, what was the last
thing you said to her before today?"
     Usagi thought a moment. "We parted on good terms. She even loaned me extra
comic books to read."
     Makoto shrugged. "So why is she acting weird?"
     Ami looked at Minako. "Minako-chan, did you say anything to her recently
that would upset her?"
     "Of course not. I don't know what the problem is."
     Ami nodded. "Brace yourselves for a shock. Rei said she can't trust
Usagi-chan or Minako-chan. I tried to reason with her but, she was adamant on
this."
     Minako stared at her. "That's ridiculous! Why would she think that? What
have we done?"
     "I wish I knew." Ami looked at each of them as she spoke. "I almost feel
like she is latching onto Amber-chan and pushing everyone else away.
Makoto-chan, you're the exception. She asked me to tell you to come by the
temple tonight."
     "Just me?" Makoto shook her head. "I don't get any of this. But, I'll be
there to find out what the hell is going on. I'll let you all know once I do
know. Ami-chan, would you come along too?"
     Ami smiled and blushed. "Uhmm I can't. I have a date tonight." She
giggled.
     The girls all stared at her and, Usagi's mouth fell open. "A DATE!!! YOU
AMI-CHAN?"
     Ami looked at her. "Well, you have Mamoru. Why shouldn't I be able to go
out too?"
     "It's just that, you hardly ever have time for anything but books!"
     Minako laughed and smiled at Usagi. "Until now, Usagi-chan." She turned to
Ami. "Tell me, I wouldn't know this handsome young guy would I, Ami-chan?"
     Ami blushed and nodded.
     "Oh my! Ami-chan, he's so cute!"
     "Who? Who is?" Makoto looked from one to the other.
     Ami laughed. "His name is King Joquiam. Of course, we're getting almost
close enough for first names. Not yet though." She giggled.
     "I would of." Minako grinned. "He sure is cute. Congratulations, Ami-chan.
I hope it all works out for you."
     Ami nodded. "I hope so too. I haven't felt this way about anyone in a long
time. I was so giddy when I saw him that, I almost forgot about Rei-chan! I
hope she doesn't think I don't care."
     Minako laughed. "You need to get your head out of the books now and then,
Ami-chan. Maybe King-san will do that for you."
     Usagi smiled. "I'm happy for you Ami-chan. At least your life is going
good for you. About the only thing I have right now is all of you here and,
Mamo-chan."
     "Hey by the way, where's Chibi-Usa?" Makoto asked.
     "She's at a friend's house. I feel like I ran out on her last night. But,
she says right after I left, things calmed down. Dad stormed out and, that was
it. But, this morning before I left, Mom started screaming at me for no reason.
I feel like a total failure!" She looked down and tears fell.
     Ami leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Usagi-chan, we're all here for
you."
     Usagi hugged Ami then jumped back as a huge roar sounded. People suddenly
began screaming and ran through the mall past them.
     "What the hell is this?" Makoto grabbed a man. "Hey you! What's going on?
     "RUN!" he shouted. "There's some sort of horrible youma and their moving
this way!"
     "Youma! Here? OH crap!" Makoto let him go and grabbed Ami's hand. "Come on
everyone, we have to do something!"
     Usagi being pulled by Minako cried. "Oh no...no! NO!!! I don't need this
right now! I don't want it!"
     They stared at her. Minako let go and drew out her wand. "VENUS STAR
POWER...MAKE UP!"
     Minako spun upward and transformed quickly into Sailor Venus with a shower
of stars. As she landed, she turned to Usagi. "Usagi-chan! No time to feel
sorry for yourself! Transform now!"
     "JUPITER STAR POWER...MAKE UP!"
     Makoto with a hail of lightning transformed herself and landed next to
Minako. "Now's the time to fight! Let's go!"
     Usagi with tears in her eyes looked at them. "But, Rei-chan isn't here."
     "MERCURY STAR POWER...MAKE UP!"
     Ami swept into an array of colors and bubbles came flying down and smiled
at Usagi. "Come on Usagi-chan! We need Sailor Moon!"
     Usagi wept and fell down against the wall. "I can't! I don't want to deal
with this right now!"
     Makoto looked back behind her as she heard an explosion. "Crap! We don't
have time for this damn it! Quit feeling sorry for yourself, Usagi-chan!
We're a team!"
     Reluctantly, Usagi got up and pulled out her locket. "I..I can't. I'm
too upset for this."
     "The hell with it then!" Makoto shoved past her and ran out into the
center of the mall.
     Usagi watched as her friend leaped and was gone. She turned to
Minako. "I'm sorry! I can't do this I..."
     "YES YOU CAN!" Minako sighed. "WE NEED YOU! TRANSFORM!"
     Usagi held up her locket. "UHmm Moon Crystal Power.."she trailed off.
     Ami watched as nothing happened. "You've lost your faith! This is serious
Usagi-chan! We're all counting on you!"
     A scream made them all gasp and they watched in horror as Sailor
Jupiter came crashing to the mall floor near them.
     Ami leaped outward. "DOUBLE SHABON SPRAY...FREEZING!!

     A hail of cold came from her as she leaped barely clear of the youma's
giant paw!....

     Usagi gasped in horror as she saw two giant youma which resembled dogs.
Their eyes were red and, their heads almost touched the top of the mall roof.
     Sailor Mercury got up off the floor and stared at her. "TRANSFORM NOW!"
     Minako nodded to her and dashed forward. "VENUSSS LOVE ME...CHAAIN!!!"
     A blast of energy in the form of a chain fired from her finger and, it
swept around the youma encircling them. An explosion followed and, Venus gasped
as the two youma roared and moved toward her. "LOOK OUT!" She dived clear as it
tried to stomp her.
     Sailor Jupiter got up. "I'll get em! HIYAAAAAA!" She leaped with all her
strength into the air and onto one of youma's head. It snarled and tried to
throw her off and, Mercury gasped as she watched her friend ride it like a
bucking bronco! "Be careful Jupiter!"
     "I got it!" Jupiter shouted. She suddenly gasped as, the youma next to it
fired a beam of light from it's eyes striking her. "AGHHHHH! I can't see!"
GOD!!!!" Jupiter fell from the Youma and hit the floor.
     "JUPITER!!" Venus ran forward and covered her. She looked up as the Youma
approached. "Oh damn it! HELP!" She grabbed Jupiter's limp body and pulled
them both to safety.
     Usagi shook her head. "OH dear god. Please help me. "MOON CRYSTAL
POWER..MAKE UP!!!!"
     The locket began glowing and, Usagi found herself swept into blazing
colors as her clothes changed to become her Sailor Moon uniform. She landed in
the same place feeling drained.
     "HELP US!!!" Sailor Mercury screamed and darted to the right. She looked
up at the two youma. "SHINING AQUA....ILLUSION!!!"
   A huge blast of water poured forth from Mercury's outstretched arms and the
 wave struck one of the youma sending it crashing into several stores where
people were hiding. Several screamed and ran for their lives.
     Jupiter shook her head and tried to get up. "Damn it!." She stood up. "I'm
gonna kill this bastard!"
     "Be careful." Venus said behind her.
     Jupiter still groggy glared at the creature coming toward her.
THUNDER....DRAGON!!!!!"
     Hot lightning leaped from her in the shape of a terrible dragon and
slammed into the thing. It screamed and fell back. Behind it, the other one
got to it's feet and, it's eyes fired a broad beam directly at Venus!
     "LOOK OUT!" Sailor Moon shouted.
     Venus tried to get clear but screamed as the beam enveloped her. She cried
out in agony and collapsed.
     "NOOOOO!" Sailor Moon leaped forward. "MOOON PRINCESSSS...HALATION!!!!"
     Waving her sceptre all watched as she spun around several times and
launched a stream of energy at the two youma! They screamed as it bathed them
in it's golden light and, one collapsed into an ordinary dog.
     "SHABON...SPRAY!!!" Mercury shouted.
     Her attack flew past Usagi and struck the remaining youma which collapsed.
     Moon Pointed her sceptre again. "MOOON HEALING....ESCALATION!!!
     The second youma howled in a terrible scream and changed back to a small
dog. It lay down unconscious.
     Sailor Moon still panting from exhaustion looked over at Sailor Jupiter
who shook her head then ran to Venus. Sailor Mercury was cradling Venus in her
arms. "Venus? Are you alright?"     
     Sailor Venus opened her eyes. "I...I don't know. I hurt all over."
     "Damn it! You could have been killed!" Jupiter swore and got up. She
sighed and moved over next to Sailor Moon. "We have a problem. And that problem
right now is you! Sailor Moon, you can't hesitate like that! You can't let your
personal fears interefere with what we have to do! If you had transformed
sooner, Venus might not of been hit at all!"
     Sailor Moon stared at the ground and let her sceptre drop. The sound of
it echoed through the wreckage of the mall. "Gomen nasai." she whispered.
     Sailor Mercury had out her computer and was using it to check Sailor
Venus. She then held it up and frowned. "This is strange. I've detected
readings like this before. But, it can't be!"
     Jupiter bent down and looked at the computer. "What does it say?"
     Mercury adjusted the computer." The readings I'm getting off these two
dogs is consistent with the same ones I got from when we were fighting evil
from the Dark Kingdom!"
     Sailor Moon looked up and gasped. "NO! Queen Beryl isn't dead! Oh my god!
But..but I thought we killed her!"
     Jupiter swore repeatedly. "Not well enough I guess. We need to figure this
out and fast! NO wonder so many youma have been popping up lately."
       "I suspected as much." a voice said.
     They all turned to see Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Moon smiled and, he gave
her a hug. "Tuxedo Kamen. Thank god your here."
     Tuxedo Kamen looked at them. "I was about to jump in the fight but, you
managed to take them out before I had to. Nice job."
     Sailor Mercury nodded. "Next time though, we need to be faster." She
nodded to Sailor Moon. "Every moment counts."
     "How did you know the Dark Kingdom was back?" Sailor Moon looked up at
Tuxedo Kamen.
     "I didn't know but, from what I've seen, I was beginning to suspect.
The pattern of the youma was similar. I need to do some more research to
determine anything else of use. Sailor Moon, you look exhausted."
     Sailor Moon nodded. "I can't do anything right. My life is falling
apart."
     Jupiter swore and turned away. Mercury looked down at Venus and brushed
the hair from her eyes. Tuxedo Kamen smiled. "Sailor Moon, if that was the
case, the two youma would still be here. You just need a break." He bent
down and whispered. "Come over later. I'll make some dinner for us."
     Sailor Moon's eyes lit up. "Tuxedo Kamen...Arigatoo."
     He nodded and suddenly leaped upward. "I have to go. I hope Sailor
Venus is alright. If you need help, call me!" He jumped through an upper
window and was gone.
     Mercury sighed and shook Venus gently. "Sailor Venus...are you okay?"
     Venus nodded and sat up. "I just got the hell shocked out of me." She
grinned. "You're NOT missing that date tonight on account of me."
     Sailor Moon wiped the tears from her eyes. "I love you guys. I'll try
to be faster next time." She looked up at Jupiter. "Please forgive me."
     Jupiter sighed and sat down. "I forgive you. Just please don't freak
out like that again. We can't afford it. The Dark KIngdom! Damn it! And I
thought things were going to be normal someday. Oh well. Kicking them around
will be fun!" She laughed.
     
     Above them, Sorcerress Vindalla glared at the window where Tuxedo Kamen
had been. "You wanted another assigment Nadi other than following Sailor
Moon?"
     Nadi nodded eagarly. "I'm ready."
     "Sailor Moon's about to lose her anchor. I want you to take out Tuxedo
Kamen. Do it tonight before she gets to his apartment. Make sure it looks
like an accident. I'll follow her for awhile. I'm enjoying watching her
suffer. Once you take him out, resume shadowing her. I'll go after Sailor
Venus from there."
     "How do you feel this went?" Nadi sighed.
     "I see the seeds of doubt in Jupiter. Once Mars tells her what she
fears is true, I think they may bear some fruit. Deadly fruit." She laughed.
"Mercury is showing minor irritation. But, we just need to distract her.
I'll make sure Jikell has nothing but eyes for her tonight. He'll spoil her
so rotten, she'll be smitten with him instantly..if she isn't already."
     "We still have the problem of the Outer Senshi." Nadi continued to
watch Sailor Moon as she spoke.
     "You needn't remind me. I am beginning to get more than frustrated with
it. They haven't shown themselves as of yet. Also, those misfit cats are
gone. Another big concern."
     "Cats? How can cats be any concern, Vindalla?"
     "Once again Nadi, you underestimate. Leave all of this to me. Go
accomplish your mission and get rid of Tuxedo Kamen. If I'm right, Sailor
Moon will go completely over the edge". She laughed wickedly.
    "As you order, My Queen,." Nadi grinned and faded out.
     Vindalla swore. Nadi was a fool! She was surrounded by fools. If they
didn't work better as a team, it would all be over. Vindalla didn't show it
but, she was now greatly concerned that Sailor Mercury had discovered it
was Dark Kingdom elements at work. She smiled. Let them think they were
deaing with Queen Beryl again. She was far worse. The test had been a
success. The unity of the Senshi was crumbling!
     Vindalla laughed again and was gone.....

                             
                             
                             Chapter Seven: Dissolution

     Rei sighed and put more wood on the fire. She stepped back and looked into
it. It's glow was intoxicating. She wiped the tears from her eyes. Her day had
completely fallen apart. Now, she wasn't even sure if she could trust Ami-chan.
Even if she could, Ami appeared to have a new boyfriend and, she would want to
spend time with him. But this was serious! If the fire was giving her true
impressions and the real Sailor Moon was dead, she would have to do all she
could to defend herself. If in fact the real Sailor Venus was taken out, was
the Minako she had seen laughing today her friend or an expert copy? There was
nothing at all to indicate they were evil. When Rei had tried to open her mind
and understand, all she could see was a blankness. Amber's welfare was formost
in her mind. She wished she could talk to someone.
     "Are you going to add more wood to the fire, Rei-chan?"
     Rei turned and looked at Amber. For a brief second, she felt dizzy then,
it passed. "I must be getting tired, Amber-chan. No, it has enough wood now."
     "Are you going to do another fire reading?" Amber giggled.
     "No..I don't feel like it right now." Rei got up from the floor and picked
up a broom. Slowly, the began sweeping as she spoke. "I'm almost afraid to use
the Sacred Fire anymore. I'm afraid of what I will see."
     "But didn't you tell me you use the fire to help you understand your life
and how to help people?" Amber looked at her questioningly.
     Rei nodded. "I used to think that. Now, I'm not so sure."
     Amber smiled and took her hand. "Rei-chan, I really appreciate you being
here for me. I don't have any friends and, I need one. I don't know if my Mom
is going to show up for me. And, I don't think I want her to. I want to stay
here with you, Rei-chan. I want to be with you always."
     Rei hugged Amber close to her. "You musn't think that. I'm sure your
mother cares for you. She just doesn't know how to express it maybe. I used to
be very closed in too. But, I found friends to help me become more open." Rei
suddenly felt a wrenching in her heart. "And, now I'll never see them again."
     Amber pulled away and looked at her. "Rei-chan, what friends are these?"
     Rei bowed her head and felt the tears roll down her cheek. "I...I had two
good friends, Amber-chan. But now, I think they are dead. I want you to make me
a promise."
     Amber blinked. "Promise, Rei-chan?"
     "Hai." Rei looked into the child's eyes. "Whatever happens in the next few
hours or days, always remember I'm you're friend. I want you to remain safe in
case of trouble."
     Amber nodded and the room fell quiet. "Uhmm, Rei-chan?"
     "Hai."
     "Rei-chan...why do you care about me so much? Why do you care about
others?"
     "Because, it's the right thing to do. Even those we sometimes hate, we
must learn to forgive someday in our own way. I need to ask you something too
Amber-chan. Are you and your mother running from someone?"
     Amber bowed her head and nodded. "I...I didn't want to scare you off,
Rei-chan. You're my friend."
     "Is that why your mother hasn't come to find you?"
     "Hai, Rei-chan. I don't even know if she is alive."
     Rei gasped and hugged Amber close to her again. "I'm with you, Amber-chan.
I promise, I'll take care of you. I'll make sure nothing happens to you. I love
you!"
     Amber hugged Rei back and, she smiled.....

     Sorcerress Ember stared at the wall as she hugged Rei in her child form.
Sailor Mars was a fool! She had completely fallen for this child form! If Ember
wanted to, it would be pitifully easy now to snap her neck and kill her. Mars
would have no clue what to expect. But..but why was she feeling this way? Why
did Ember, fire warrior of the Dark Kingdom, feel almost compassion toward
Sailor Mars? She forced this feeling out of her. The plan! That's all that
mattered was, Vindalla's plan! She would do her part and not let these feelings
disuade her.
     "I love you too...Rei-chan." the child Amber sighed and closed her
eyes....


     Makoto looked at the dark clouds as she climbed Cherry Hill to the temple.
She was feeling more then a little apprehensive about this meeting and wished
Ami was here. Reaching the front door, she knocked loudly and waited till she
heard footsteps. The door opened and, Rei stood there. But, Rei didn't look
like herself. Her eyes were bleary and she had the wrong skin tone. She looked
as if she hadn't slept in weeks!
     "Hi, Rei-chan! I heard you wanted to see me?"
     Rei nodded and opened the door wider. "Please come in Makoto-chan. We need
to talk....

     Rei told Makoto everything. Her feelings, the fire impressions, the fact
Amber had someone after her. Her fears that two members of the Sailor Team had
been replaced by evil duplicates...
     Makoto listened quietly to all of it. When Rei finished she took a long
drink and coughed. "Damn it! Rei-chan, why didn't you tell any of us this
sooner? What makes you think this is right?"
     "I told you. The Sacred Fire never lies. It has never lied to me in the
past and, you know from our fire readings that, it has aided us in fighting
evil. I don't like it anymore then you do. I want to believe it is wrong."
     Makoto sighed. "Could it be wrong? Maybe you're interpreting something the
wrong way. My god Rei-chan! This is serious! You're talking about the end of
the Sailor Team. Dissolution! If we can trust Ami-chan, that leaves the three
of us. But, what about the Silver Crystal?"
     "If this fake Usagi has it, I don't know why she hasn't used it. My guess
is, the real Usagi hid it before she died. But your wrong. We aren't the only
ones."
     Makoto looked up. "The Outer Senshi. I forgot about them. We rarely see
them cause, they keep to themselves a lot."
     Rei nodded. "We must contact them and get them to help. And, we must find
the Silver Crystal."
     Makoto shook her head. "This is crap! I can't believe any of it! The
Sailor Moon who panicked today and didn't transform immediately mirrored Usagi
completely! Your getting something wrong! You have to be!"
     Rei glared at her. "Fine! I'll do another damn fire reading right now! I
wish you could see it too, Makoto-chan! But, you have to trust me! If you don't
who will you trust?"
     "I would hope we could all trust each other." 
     Rei got up and moved to the fire. "Amber-chan is asleep. I'm almost afraid
to leave her. There is evil. You said it yourself. The Dark Kingdom is back.
And for some weird reason they must be after Amber-chan. Very soon, I may have
to fight to defend her." She looked at Makoto. "I want to believe my friends
are themselves, Makoto-chan. But, do you remember when Mamoru was taken over by
Queen Beryl the first time?"
     Makoto nodded solmnely. "Hai. I remember."
     "This is far worse. Usagi-chan is dead. I saw her die! I saw the vision in
the Sacred Fire! I saw Minako-chan kill you! She had a look of evil on her face
that terrified me!" Rei began pacing. "Look at me Makoto-chan! I'm a nervous
wreck! Do you think if I didn't care I'd have you come here and babble all this
to you? Don't trust either of them! Don't turn your back on either of them!"
     Makoto nodded. "And Ami-chan?"
     "I haven't seen anything at all to indicate we can't trust her. She needs
to be made aware of how important this is though."
     Makoto looked up at Rei. "Okay. I'll talk to her. This is insane.
Usagi-chan's home life is a disaster right now. If she's not really Usagi-chan,
why would she be so torn up?"
     "Because it's an act!" Rei glared at her. "The Dark Kingdom are doing
everything they can to make us trust her! They're trying to make us feel
sympathy for her and bring down our guard."
      Makoto took another stiff drink. "I wish this was sake. I feel like
getting drunk right now. How can we prove this?"
     "Help me." Rei bent down and took her friend's hands. "Help me to
protect Amber-chan from them. Luna and Artemis are missing. They may
already be dead. I haven't confirmed it yet. I'm afraid to look into the
fire again. But, I know I will have to."
     Makoto stood up. "Okay. I'll try to reach Haruka tonight and let the
Outer Senshi know what's going on. Rei-chan please be sure on this. We're
talking about the end of the Sailor Team as we know it!
     Rei felt tears come to her eyes and she fell forward crying on
Makoto's shoulder. "I...I'm not wrong. The fire never lies."

     "What are you thinking about Mizuno-chan?"
     Ami looked up startled. She had lost track and been thinking about how
different things had gotten over the last two days. The appearance of the
youma, Usagi's home problems, Minako's troubles at school. Rei's weird
attitude. They were all adding up to something. But what?
     "I'm sorry, King-kun. I was just thinking about my friends."
     Joquiam smiled. "You're friends are very important to you aren't they? I
hope that someday I might be considered as such."
     Ami blushed and giggled. "You are important to me King-kun. In the short
time I have gotten to know you, I feel very close to you. We have a lot in
common. Do you play Chess?"
     "All the time, Mizuno-chan. But, I rarely find others who can give me an
enjoyable game. I imagine though you would not only play well but, you would
probably beat me. I have heard of your chess record."
     "I'm not that good." Ami blushed again.
     "Not from what I heard Mizuno-chan. But somehow, that name doesn't fit you
anymore. It seems too formal."
     Ami looked up and met his eyes. "King-kun..I..I don't know..."
     "Please..." he leaned forward and gazed into her eyes. "Please give me the
honor of calling you by your given name...Ami-chan." He smiled.
     Ami giggled and nodded slowly. "Very well...Joquiam-chan. Arigatoo. You're
showing me something I haven't seen in a long time. I can't describe it but,
this feeling I have is very warm inside. I find myself wanting to see you
more."
     Joquiam nodded. "I want to see you too, Ami-chan. Let's walk around the
lake."
     "I'd like that." Ami smiled and took his proferred arm and, they left the
restaurant and began walking around the lake. Ami looked up at him. He was
perfect. In every way, he was anything she could have wanted. She felt like
a princess. Maybe she had known Joquiam before. Maybe in her past in the Silver
Imperium she had been with him. "Joquiam-chan, are you looking forward to
school tomorrow?"
     Joquiam sighed. "If I can be in the same class as you, Ami-chan." He
winked at her.
     Ami felt herself being drawn closer to him. Slowly she felt him reach down
and take her hand. She didn't want to object. She wanted to hold hands with
him. Her life was so perfect now! "If you want during lunch, I'll show you
around tomorrow. Maybe we could even play some chess?"
     "Ami-chan as long as I can be with you, I don't care what we do. I have
not been this happy in years."
     Ami sighed and leaned against him.....

     Vindalla looked up as she noticed a form taking shape next to her. "What
the? Ember! What the hell are you doing here? Get back to your post!"
     "I had to see you Vindalla. I think we need to further convince Sailor
Mars and Jupiter that Amber must be protected."
     Vindalla snickered. "You really are getting into this dual role aren't you
Amber-chan?" She laughed. "What do you have in mind?"
     "I think Sailor Mars would go ballistic if Sailor Moon and Venus showed up
and tried to take me away from her."
     Vindalla considered this. "I don't want to remove you too soon. And, it
would look implausible if they were defeated too easy. I think you better get
back and further use your fire abilities."
     "She is getting suspicious I think." Ember sighed. "And, I'm not too sure
about it either."
     Vindalla stared at her. "You're not sure? What are you saying Ember! Are
you planning on turning traitor?"
     "Of course not, Vindalla! My loyalty is beyond challenge!"
     Vindalla nodded. "You are having thoughts of compassion for Sailor Mars
aren't you? Do not be taken in and fooled by the Senshi! Follow the plan and do
what I ask. It's the only way we will succeed. If you turn on me Ember, I'll
blow you out of existence! Don't forget that!"
     "I thought we were friends." Ember said quietly.
     "We are. But, I am also your Commander. We are all that is left of the
Dark Kingdom. If we blow this, there wont be another chance. We have a
strategic advantage right now. If Beryl had listened to me from the beginning,
we would all be reaping great rewards. But, she was a fool."
     Ember watched Ami and Joquiam walking. "So is she so in love with him now,
she is blinded to what is happening?"
     "I don't know. Return to your post Ember. I'll come see you if I need to.
I'll consider your idea but, it's too soon."
     "Very well, Vindalla." Ember faded out.
     Damn her! Vindalla watched the two below as her thoughts consumed her.
What was happening? Why couldn't they follow the plan without question? They
had never questioned her before. She led the elite. The Special Forces of the
Dark Kingdom. Why Beryl had been stupid enough not to use them was still a
mystery. Unless it was because Beryl felt so threatened that Vindalla would
usurp her that, she did all she could to undermine the Sorcerress power..and
any that had suppoerted her.
     But Beryl was dead. The plan would succeed. So far, it was working
beautifully. Ember needed to concentrate more. She needed to put any feelings
of compassion aside. She had always been the one that Vindalla had felt
uncertain of. Yet, her job in this operation was everything. Her special
ability to control fire was what was making this all possible. If Ember failed,
they would all fail. Vindalla was determined that they would not fail!
     She noticed Ami and Joquiam were walking back. He had matters well in
hand. She knew she could depend on Jikell. Only a few more days. They only had
to blind Sailor Mercury a few more days. By then, it would be too late.
     Vindalla smiled and flew upward. It was time for her to deal with Sailor
Venus. But first, she would watch how Nadi would finish off Tuxedo Kamen!
Nadi was a great warrior. But, like Ember, she had flaws. It would be
interesting to observe how well she fulfilled her mission....

                             
                             
                             Chapter Eight: Elimination!

     Chiba Mamoru sighed as he checked his bag and made sure all his books were
there. He was running late for his evening class and, getting Usagi to leave
had been harder than normal due to her home problems. It didn't make sense.
With the reemergence of the Dark Kingdom, he was now more on guard then ever.
No youma had appeared since that afternoon. Usagi was terrified. With all the
pressure she was under, he was glad he was there to help her. 
     Mamoru climbed on his motorcycle and fired it into life. After revving the
engine a few times, he pulled the clutch in and put the bike in gear heading it
down the road. He would really have to move fast if he was going to make this
class! Normally he was earlier then this. He shifted through the gears glancing
in his mirrors for traffic. He increased speed looking quickly at his watch.
It was later than he thought.
     Turning right onto the highway that would take him to the "Azabu Institute
of Technology" his college, Mamoru's thoughts returned to the earlier encounter
of that day. What was the Dark Kingdom's plan now? He hadn't noticed any of the
youma trying to steal energy. That was obviously not what they had in mind. So,
what was their plan? It frustrated him and, with Usagi's life coming apart, the
frustration was now increased. From what he had heard, Rei wasn't acting like
herself either. Was something happening to the Senshi?  Maybe he should
investigate further for the answer. Mamoru thought about it as he steered the
bike down the road.
     As he turned into a right hand curve, he downshifted slightly. Coming
toward him on the other side was a huge semi tractor trailer. Mamoru leaned
toward the inside to give it plenty of room to pass.
     Suddenly, he saw a flash and a woman laughed. "Surprise Tuxedo Kamen!
Prepare to die!"
     "What?" He stared at a woman flying beside him he had never seen before.
Before he could respond, she waved her hands and the motorcycle jerked into the
path of the oncoming semi! Before he could jump off, he slammed into it! Mamoru
felt severe pain and, his thoughts turned to Usagi before he lost all
consciousness.....
     
     Sorcerress Nadi laughed with glee as she watched the motorcycle fly apart
and it's rider flew off spinning through the air. His limp body fell over the
cliff and down the ravine. The semi slammed on it's brakes and jackknifed
spilling it's trailer contents everywhere. Nadi snickered. "Bye bye, Tuxedo
Kamen. That was too easy."
     "Make sure he's dead." a voice said beside her. She looked and saw
Vindalla smiling. "Nicely done."
     Nadi flew down and stood over the body lying face down, it's leather
riding outfit torn. She reached down and checked his pulse at the neck. After
several minutes, she laughed wickedly. "He's dead. Tuxedo Kamen is no more."
     "Excellent." Vindalla smiled. "Now go watch Sailor Moon. I'll deal with
Sailor Venus soon. Our plan is coming quickly into fruition, Nadi. We will soon
rule supreme!"
     Nadi raised her hand in salute and was gone...

     "GET OUT OF BED!" 
     Usagi pulled the covers over her head. She gasped as she felt a rough hand
grab her and throw her on the floor. She stared in fear at her mother who was
giving her such a terrifying look, it made Usagi cringe. "I SAID GET OUT OF
BED! YOU ARE THE MOST WORTHLESS LITTLE WORM I'VE EVER SEEN! WHY THE HELL DID I
EVEN HAVE YOU?"
     Usagi closed her eyes and kept trying to wish this terrible nightmare
away. But, it wasn't. It was real. "I...gomen nasai, Mom."
     "GET YOUR LAZY CARCASS UP AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL! NEXT TIME I'M NOT
GOING TO ASK, I WILL JUST POUND THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU!"
     Usagi glanced quickly at Chibi-Usa who had already leaped out of bed and
was getting dressed. She noticed her brother was running too. What had happened
to their mother? Why was she so uncaring now. "Mom, why..why are you being so
mean to us?"
     "YOU DARE TO QUESTION ME!" Usagi cried out as her mother slapped her face
hard. She fell on the floor and put her hand to her face. Looking up, she saw
her mother was furious. "GET OUT OF HERE USAGI! GET YOUR THINGS AND GO TO
SCHOOL NOW! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
     Usagi now crying quickly threw on her school uniform from the day before
and grabbed her books. As she ran down the stairs, she saw her brother at the
bottom. Fear was in his eyes.
     As she reached the front door still crying, she head her mother scream.
"AND IF YOU FAIL A TEST, DON'T BOTHER COMING HOME YOU WORTHLESS BAKA!"
     Usagi lost it. She broke into full hysterics and ran toward the only
safety she now knew. School was unimportant. She had to be with Mamoru! 
     She ran for blocks until she reached the familiar apartment building.
Hitting the stairs at top speed, she ran up and pounded on the door.
"Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan! Please, answer me! Mamo-chan."
     A door opened on the other side and, a man came out. "Don't you have to be
at school?"
     "I need to see Mamo-chan. Gomen nasai. Is he here?"
     The man bowed his head. "I'm sorry. You haven't seen this morning's paper
have you?"
     "Paper?" She took the paper he handed her with trembling hands. She
noticed his head was bowed.
     Slowly she opened it and beheld her worst nightmare on the front page.
Tears filled her eyes even more and, her body was wretched with deep sobs. "No!
NO! This isn't true! This can't be true! Oh god PLEASE DONT LET THIS BE TRUE!!!
MAAAAMOOO_CHAAAAN!" She screamed hysterically and ran almost falling down the
stairs. In her wake she left the paper still open..
                      "LOCAL SCHOOL BOY KILLED IN BIKE ACCIDENT!
                       Last night, Chiba Mamoru was killed by a
                       Semi tractor trailer when he lost control on
                       the Kambishiy Hwy. Doctors said he was killed
                       instantly......


     Usagi had lost track of time. She ran onward refusing to accept this
nightmare which had been thrust upon her. Mamoru dead? No! He couldn't die!
Tuxedo Kamen couldnt die! Prince Edymion couldn't die! She couldn't live
without him!
     She finally reached the hospital and ran panting up to the front desk.
"Excuse me. I'm here to inquire about that local boy who was killed last
night?"
     The nurse checked records. She smiled. "The paper exagerrated a little.
He is alive but barely. He won't last the day. I'm sorry, Miss."
     "Can I please see him? If he's going to die, I need to see him!"
     The nurse looked at the poor sobbing girl before her and nodded
reluctantly. "Since he has no family, alright. Are you family?"
     "His...fiance." Usagi said hesitantly.
     "I see." The nurse stood up. "Follow me, please."
     Usagi still wracked in mental turmoil followed the nurse into an elevator
and on the third floor, she was led to a dark room. Medical equipment was in
operation and, laying there bandaged and unconscious was Chiba Momoru.
     Usagi covered her eyes and stepped forward hesitantly. "Mamo-chan?
Mamo-chan, can you hear me? Please answer."
     "He can't." The nurse sighed. "He's not even breathing on his own. I'll
leave you alone with him. Gomen nasai." She stepped out and shut the door.
     For several moments, Usagi wept over him. She sat up and drew out the
Silver Crystal. "I won't let you die, Mamo-chan! You can't die! We have our
whole lives ahead of us! We have our future! You can't die!"
     She held aloft the Crystal. "MOON CRYSTAL POWER...MAKE UP!!!"
     Usagi felt herself changing in an array of colors to her Sailor Moon
uniform. As the transformation finished, she put the Crystal on Mamoru's heart.
"Please...please...let me...bring him back to me! OH PLEASE!!!!"
     For a moment, there was nothing. Then, the Silver Crystal began to glow
and it's glow spread outward. It fully bathed her and Mamoru in it's power and,
the room grew brighter with each passing second!
     Sailor Moon gasped and smiled with joy as, Mamoru suddenly moved and, his
breathing became more regular. His eyes flickered open.
     "Usako..." he whispered.
     "It's going to be okay, Mamo-chan. We're together now." She hugged him
close....

     For several minutes, Usagi held Mamoru close to her as his raspy breathing
filled the silence. Slowly as she wept, she changed back from Sailor Moon to
her original form. The light in the room from the crystal died away.
     "Usako..." Mamoru said whispering.
     "Mamo-chan. It's okay. Don't try to talk."
     "Usako..you must..must listen to me..."
     "I'm listening my darling. What is it?"
     "The..the accident..not..not an accident..." He closed his eyes.
     "Not an accident?" She hugged him closer and put her ear down to his
mouth. "What do you mean, Mamo-chan?"
     "I...I was riding and..and.."
     "Hai?" Usagi felt funny about this. "Tell me Mamo-chan! Why wasn't what
happened to you an accident?"
     Suddenly, Mamoru made a gasping sound and, he fell into a sleep. Usagi
stared at him for several moments. "Mamo-chan? Mamo-chan, are you awake?"
     She received only silence as her answer. Suddenly, the door opened and,
the nurse came in. She walked quickly over and looked at the readings on the
machines. "My god! He's breathing! How..how did this happen! He was dying!"
     Usagi pulled away and the nurse hit a button.Instantly several people
filled the room. One man pushed past her. "Hmmm, looks like he's going to make
it after all. Better tell that stupid newspaper to retract their story. I want
him in OR stat!"
     Before Usagi could say anything, they quickly moved Mamoru out of the room
and down the hall. "Ma..Mamo-chan."
     The nurse who had first come in smiled and hugged her. "It's okay, honey.
You're fiance is in good hands. He's going to make it now."
     Usagi nodded. "I want to wait for him."
     "Of course." The nurse led her down to a large waiting room and, Usagi 
collapsed in a chair.
     Usagi was exhausted. She didn't even think of the fact she was missing
school. She wouldn't of been able to concentrate anyway. What had Mamoru meant
by "not an accident?" What was he trying to tell her? Had someone tried to kill
him?.....

     Sorcerress Nadi angrily flew over the hospital watching. "I killed him!
Damn it! I killed him and, the little brat brought him back! How can that be?"
Nadi knew that, trying to kill Tuxedo Kamen now would be too risky. She could
always make it look like an operation error. But, Sailor Moon would probably
bring him back even then. No..there was no answer but the obvious one. The one
which Queen Beryl had even seen. They must have the Silver Crystal! If they had
it, Vindalla could use it against the Senshi.
     Nadi began plotting how she would take it......


                               Chapter Nine: A Secret Meeting!

     Usagi awoke from a troubled sleep suddenly. It had been a dream. A dream
of terror where she watched Tuxedo Kamen killed by someone she couldn't see.
Her mind was clouded with doubts and she was emotionally shot. What was
happening? No youma had appeared in the last several hours. Did this have
something to do with the Dark KIngdom?
     Usagi sat up as she heard her name paged over the intercom. Surprised, she
went to the front desk. The nurse handed her the phone. "Hello?" she said.
     "Listen to me." a voice said that was female and very low. "Leave there
and go to the park in central downtown..the one which has all the jogging
trails. Don't tell anyone."
     "Who is this?" Usagi asked.
     "Shut up and listen! When you reach the park, begin jogging along the
south trail. Do you understand?"
     "Hai, I do. Who is this?"
     "Keep jogging until your told otherwise." the voice went on. "This is life
and death."
     "How can jogging be life and death? My boyfriend is in the operating room,
I'm not leaving here!" Usagi was getting angry.
     "If you care about your boyfriend and your life, you'll do what I tell
you! Move now, Usagi-chan!"
     "How do you know my name?"
     The phone hung up.
     Usagi stared at it for several moments. She had a choice. She could check
this out and maybe walk into a trap..or she could stay here and ignore it. For
several minutes, Usagi sat and thought it over. Maybe this situation would shed
some light on what was happening. She decided to go.
     Usagi left the hospital and caught a bus for downtown...

     Sorcerress Nadi watched her closely. "Now, where is she going? And, what
was that phone call she got? I'd better follow her. If I'm lucky, Tuxedo Kamen
will die anyway and Vindalla won't be angry with me." Nadi flew over the bus
watching where it would go...

     The bus pulled up in front of the park Usagi had been told of. As
instructed, she joined many other joggers and began running along the south
trail. It was a beautiful day but, she felt somewhat out of place running in
her school uniform. She was supposed to be in school. The looks she got from
other people seemed to confirm that. She looked away and kept running.
     After several minutes, she noticed a female jogger with short blonde hair
and a red hat wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts, began moving up behind
her. The woman began to pass and was running beside her. Usagi looked over at
her and saw she was wearing sunglasses.
     As the two ran, they crossed a large wooded area. Usagi was thinking of if
she should say something when suddenly, a tremendous tidal wave came flying
over the top of her completely obscuring her and the other runner from view!
     She gasped as, the other woman suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into
the woods. "Dont talk!" the woman said.
     Several seconds later, they emerged on the other side where a yellow sport
car sat. The woman opened her door and shoved Usagi inside then jumped in and
fired the car into life! Driving like a maniac, she ran through two lights and
maneuvered her way around traffic, the whole time checking her mirrors as if
looking for something. Usagi in a frightened voice stared at her. "Ha..Haruka?"
     "Yeah, it's me. Don't say anything else, I have to get you out of the city
as quickly as possible!"
     Usagi stared at Haruka who she knew as Sailor Uranus. "Why are you driving
so fast?"
     "To get away from whoever the hell is shadowing you!"
     Usagi glanced around. "Shadowing me? What are you talking about? Where's
Michiru-chan?"
     "Covering our escape, Usagi-chan." Haruka turned hard onto a highway and
slammed the acelerator to the floor. The sport car jumped in speed forcing
Usagi back into her seat.
     Usagi looked quickly at Haruka. "Will she be alright? What's happening?"
     "She's a tough girl. She'll be okay.." Haruka's voice fell. "I hope...."

     Sorcerress Nadi screamed as a sudden tidal wave of water came at her. She
leaped clear and saw it crash into some trees on the other side of the road.
Quickly, she looked downward. Sailor Moon was gone! "Damn it! Where is she?"
Desperately, Nadi began scanning the park searching for the familiar long
pigtails.
     "HEY YOU! LOOKING FOR ME???" a voice called out.
     "Huh?" Nadi looked in the direction of the voice.
     "DEEEEEP SUBMEEERRGE!!!!!" the voice shouted!
     Nadi felt herself slammed with a force such as she had never experienced.
It forced her downward and she was plowed into the ground coming to rest in a
group of thistles. Screaming from the pain, she jumped up. She looked upward
and saw a woman in green and white laughing at her.
     "Sai..Sailor Neptune?" Nadi gasped out.
     Sailor Neptune laughed and nodded. "Stupid fool! Tell your boss whoever
he is that we're aware of what you're doing! You won't win, evil never does!"
     Sorcerress Nadi still groggy tried to get up. Sailor Neptune grabbed her
and slammed her hard to the ground. She smirked. "You won't be following me for
awhile." She jumped and ran quickly away....
     Nadi after a time managed to get up. She flew over the park but, there was
no sign of Sailor Neptune or Sailor Moon. She had failed. She silently wondered
if Vindalla would have her head for this foul up.....

     Usagi sat in silence as Haruka continued to drive the sport car south
along the highway. Eventually, they had left Tokyo proper far behind and
entered into a small country area. Usagi could see rice fields in the distance.
Haruka said nothing driving the whole time. She continued to look in her
mirrors frequently for any sign of pursuit. 
     After a time, she slowed down then did a U turn and went back two miles.
She turned left and went down a long dirt road to an old traditional style
japanese house. Haruka pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. "We're
safe I think. Let's go inside, the others are waiting."
     Usagi got out and followed Haruka. As they opened the door, Usagi gasped
and cried with relief as Luna came running up to her. "LUNA!"
     Luna nuzzled Usagi and rubbed against her. Usagi picked her up and sighed.
Luna smiled. "Usagi-chan, how are you holding up?"
     "My life is over! Everything is falling apart! My parents hate me, my
friends are upset with me, Mamo-chan almost got killed but I brought him back!
I'm so scared Luna!"
     "There's a reason for all this, Usagi-chan." a voice said.
     Usagi looked up and saw Meiou Setsuna smiling. "Setsuna-chan." she
whispered.
     Setsuna walked up to her and hugged her and Luna. Then, she led Usagi back
to a well furnished room. Artemis sat there by the fire smiling. "It's good to
see you again Usagi-chan." he nodded.
     Usagi looked at each of them. "This is where you have all been. Has
Michiru-chan been here as well?"
     "Hai." Setsuna led Usagi to a chair and sat down opposite her. "Tell me
everything that has gone on in the past few days Usagi-chan. Everything! Don't
leave out a single detail."
     Luna sighed. "With Usagi-chan that's going to be difficult. She can't even
remember to do her homework half the time!"
     "Hey!" Usagi glared at her. "I remember it, I just don't like to do it!"
     Setsuna glared at both of them. "We don't have time for this! Tell me
Usagi-chan..everything!"
     Usagi for the next hour related her experiences of the past few days.
Setsuna and the others listened intently. When she finished with Mamoru's
accident and what he had said to her, Setsuna nodded. "I agree with Mamoru. It
was no accident."
     Haruka sighed. "So what is going on then? Is it true what you said and why
you asked Michiru-chan and I to come here?"
     Setsuna nodded. "Exactly." She looked at Usagi. "Usagi-chan, are you
familiar with the term, "psychological warfare?"
     Usagi thought a moment. "I..I think I read about a situation like that in
a Sailor V comic book once."
     Luna sighed. "Oh brother!"
     Setsuna smiled. "Usagi-chan, please listen to what I'm about to say.
Psychological warfare is when your enemy uses what appear to be circumstances
against you to completely undermine your emotions. For the last few days,
perhaps longer, the Sailor Senshi have been under psychological attack! The
incident with your parents..does it not surprise you that they would be so
violent now when they have never been before? The fact Rei-chan seems to
mistrust almost everyone now? The fact Minako is possibly facing being exposed
as Sailor Venus at school? All of these things Usagi-chan lead to a pattern.
It's a deadly one that can mean only one thing. Our new enemies who are from
the Dark Kingdom know who you are. They know your identities!"
     Usagi gasped. "All of us?"
     "Well.." Setsuna looked at Haruka. "Fortunately no. When Luna told me she
felt evil upon returning home, she and Artemis came to see me. It confirmed
feelings of unrest I have had the last few days. I immediately contacted Haruka-chan
and Michiru-chan and had them come here to stay with me. This is the one advantage
we have over our enemies. They do not know who we are...yet."
     Haruka nodded. "It's important that we remain unknown. We decided after
seeing Mamoru-chan's accident in the paper that, we would try to contact you. It was
a good bet if they knew your identities, they would be watching you. So,
Michiru-chan and I thought up that little plan to get you away from them."
     Luna smiled. "It's a good thing it worked too. The night I came home, I
could hear Usagi-chan's parents screaming. I have never heard such hatred. I
felt such negative energy in that house, I dared not go inside. I saw
Usagi-chan suddenly run out the door and, before I could call to her, I thought
I saw someone on the roof. It was a woman. She followed Usagi-chan."
     Setsuna nodded. "That's why we didn't contact Mamoru-chan. You had already led
them to him and, we dared not show ourselves."
     "OH my god!" Usagi bowed her head and wept. "I led them to him! I exposed
who he is! If..if it wasn't for me, he would still be safe! OH GOD!" She bent
over bawling.
     Luna jumped into her lap and nuzzled her. "Usagi-chan! This is not your
fault! We are dealing with an enemy that is both powerful and very clever. You
can't blame yourself for this!"
     "Nor should you Usagi-chan." Setsuna took a handkerchief and wiped Usagi's
eyes. "Whoever this is, they are diabolically clever. They must have been
planning this for a very long time. I do not know how they learned your
identities. The most likely scenario would be to learn one then follow that
person secretly to the others. Just like they did with you and Mamoru. The
important thing to do now is find a way to defeat them. We must reverse this
destructive situation by narrowing down who our real enemies are."
     Usagi nodded. "I understand, Setsuna-chan. But, how do we do that?"
     "I would start by looking closely at this child that has so infatuated
Rei-chan. Was she in the room when you all transformed to help with that fire?"
     "Of course not! She was in the other room."
     Haruka nodded. "What was to stop her from coming in after you transformed.
Setsuna-chan thinks, and I agree, this Amber-chan is one of their agents. We must
get her away from Rei-chan and convince Rei-chan what is really going on."
     Luna nodded. "Poor Rei-chan. What else can we do?"
     Setsuna sighed. "That is the only clear evidence that they might have an
agent undermining us. The fact Ami-chan has a boyfriend may be nothing.
Although, she seems very pre-occupied now."
     "Minako's friend Meyo-chan appears to be controlled as well, just like
Usagi-chan's parents." Artemis commented. "Perhaps we can break the spell and
lessen that problem."
     Setsuna shook her head. "If we do that too soon, they will know we are
onto them. We must play the same game with them that they are with us. We must
move slowly but efficiently. Usagi-chan, you will need to return. Somehow
you're going to have to let Ami-chan know what's going on. She would be the
best to help you get around this situation. If you're parents scream at you,
ignore it and do what you are asked. I know you are upset but, you must be
brave." Setsuna smiled. "Princess Serenity...we need you now!"
     Haruka nodded. "We'll be there to help you soon. We're trying to learn how
many there might be and what their final plans are. Till then, you are all a
good smokescreen. While they stalk you, we'll be trying to stalk them."
     Suddenly, the door opened and, Michiru walked in. Haruka got up and they
hugged each other. "Michiru-chan! Thank god your safe!"
     Michiru giggled. "I saw one of them. I made her eat water and dirt. It was
fun."
     "Don't get careless." Setsuna said sternly. "You caught her off guard.
Next time, she may get the upper hand."
     Michiru nodded. "I understand, Setsuna. Now what?"
     "Now.." Setsuna looked at everyone.."Now we find a way to turn the tables
on our attackers!"


                             Chapter Ten: Expose!

     "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" Minako struggled into her fuku as she
looked up at the clock. She was so used to having Artemis wake her up, she had
forgotten to set the alarm! As she put her shoes on, she grabbed her books and
ran downstairs to the refrigerator. Grabbing a quick sandwich, she threw open
the door and ran hard down the road.
     Arriving, she looked up at the clock tower and smiled. "Hmmm I'm actually
ten minutes early. Guess things aren't so bad after all." Humming to herself,
her thoughts turned to Ami. She wondered how Ami's date with Joquiam had gone
last night. It was times like this, Minako wished she went to the same school
as the others. She felt happy for Ami. But, at the same time, Minako wished she
had a boyfriend herself. She was always thinking of when she was back in
England with Alan..her Sailor V days.

     "Ohayoo...Sailor Venus."
     Minako stopped in mid-step and turned. She saw Meyo her friend and two
other girls grinning at her. "Ummm, Ohayoo." She felt herself feeling cold
inside. "Would you please stop calling me that, Meyo-chan?"
     Meyo laughed and, Minako felt her fear return as the three girls
approached her. Meyo snickered. "Oh come on, Minako-chan! It's something to be
proud of! You know how popular Sailor V is! Sailor Venus is too close to her in
looks to not be her. Take away the mask, alter the uniform a little..and you
have Sailor Venus!"
     Minako blinked. "So? What does that prove? And, why do you keep bothering
me with it?"
     One of the other girls smiled. "Because Sailor Venus is our hero,
Minako-chan! She's even better than Sailor Moon! If it turned out that you were
Sailor Venus, we would be so honored to have you in our school!"
     Minako felt chills go down her spine. "Umm, Sigiyama...I really think we
should get inside, it's time for school."
     The girl laughed. "Of course. But, if you are Sailor Venus, I want you to
know I really respect you."
     Meyo grinned. "She is! And, I'm, going to prove it! In front of the whole
school, I'm going to prove it!"
     Minako shrugged. "You're welcome to try. But, I'm no super hero."
     The other two girls smiled and ran off. Meyo shook her head and moved till
she was directly in Minako's face. "Oh, I'm going to prove it, Minako-chan.
Trust me. And when I do, you're going to owe me."
     Minako glared at her. "What the hell is this? You're my friend! I thought
you we're my friend!"
     "Friendship parts where fame is involved, Minako-chan. You know I have
great aspirations to be a famous reporter. What better way then to start with a
scoop unveiling who the great Sailor V was...and who the incredible Sailor
Venus is? If I'm lucky, maybe I'll learn the other senshis identities as well."
     Minako looked at the clock. "Stop this! Stop it now! I'm really getting
angry and, we're going to be late for school!"
     Minako tried to push past Meyo but, Meyo held her with an unusual
strength. "When the times comes, Minako-chan, you won't have any choice. I know
how Sailor Venus thinks."
     "Leave me alone!" Minako broke away from Meyo and ran hard for the front
door. Tears were coming to her eyes and, she tried to force them back. What was
with Meyo? Was this..she stopped and stared at Meyo. Oh no! Was this a trap by
the Dark Kingdom? Was Meyo one of their agents? That would explain a lot!
Minako turned and ran for her class....

     Mid-afternoon, Minako was deep in her studies trying to conjugate english
verbs. This was actually very easy for her as, she already knew english. She
just had to define the proper nuances of it. She could hear people whispering
around her and, several times, she saw boys looking at her that had never
looked her way before. What was this? 
     As she finished up, the sensei came back in. "Alright everyone..lunch
time. Stand. Bow! Dismissed!"
     Minako watched as everyone got up. There were eyes on her and, as she
exited the classroom into the hallway, she saw even more people staring at
her. She stopped and looked at everyone. "What is this? What are you all
staring at me for?"
     One of the boys nodded to another and they looked at a magazine then back
at her. Minako glared at him and stepped forward. "What the hell is so
entertaining!"
     Minako grabbed the magazine and pulled it away from him. It fell to the
floor revealing it as a hentai book with a half naked anime drawing of Sailor V
giving a salute. Minako stared at it then back at the boys. They were turning
red with embaressment. Minako glared at them then at everyone else. "Your all
bakas! Every one of you! Leave me the hell alone!"
     Minako ran down the hallway feeling like she was under a microscope! She
rounded the corner and ran down the stairs. As she hit bottom, she turned
quickly as she thought she heard an explosion!
     Running back up, she looked out the window. People were screaming and,
fire was coming from four of the windows in the building that housed the chem
labs. "What's going on?" she said aloud.
     She looked around her. There was no one. She could hear people screaming 
from inside that building.
     She had to help! She drew out her transformation wand. "VENUS STAR..."
She stopped herself and lowered the wand. Like a thunderbolt it hit her! This
was a trap! This was an obvious trap to get her to reveal she was Sailor Venus!
But..but if she didn't help..people might die!
     She could hear fire trucks in the distance. But, would they get here in
time? What was she to do? Minako stared out the window noticing the flames were
getting higher. People were screaming more for help. And, some of them might be
friends. And..and Meyo wasn't evil. Even if this was a Dark Kingdom trap, she
had to save them! Minako raised her wand. "VENUS STAR POWER...MAKE UP!!"
     The familiar glow surrounded her and she spun faster and faster as her
clothes changed. Strands of energy flowed to join together as her Sailor Venus
costume. Her transformation now complete, Sailor Venus stood on the edge of the
window. Looking down she could see the opposite building totally in flames!
     With great strength she leaped the distance from where she was to the
enflamed building. Landing on the roof, she rolled to absorb the impact. She
aimed her finger at the doors. "VENUS LOVE ME...CHAAAAAIN!!"
     The energy blasted the door open and, she coughed from the smoke. Forcing
herself to go on, she made it down to the next floor where the the chem labs
were. She could hear people crying inside. "HEY! COME OUT HERE!" she shouted.
     "We're trapped!" a voice shouted.
     Minako forced her way through the smoke covering her mouth. It was getting
harder to breathe, if she hadn't transformed, she would already be overcome.
She reached the first classroom. Several students were cowering in a corner
from the heat and, two looked almost overcome. Sailor Venus aimed at the flames
and shouted. "GET DOWN!" She watched as the students obeyed then she shouted.
"VEEEEENUS LOOOOVELLY.....ATTACK!"
     The explosion of energy that leaped forth from her was magnified by her
feelings of desperation to save these people. The energy impacted with the
flames and blew them apart forming a corridor for the students. She looked at
them. "NOW! RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!!"
     The students still coughing and barely able to stand stood up and moved
through the corridor she had created. She moved to help them into the hallway.
It was a mass of flame. She turned to one of the boy's. "Is there anyone else
up here?"
     "No, Sailor Venus. Just us." The boy looked as if he were going to pass
out! She had to get them out fast!"
     She aimed at the fire now consuming the corridor. Dark Kingdom trap or
not, she had to save these people. Two of the girls had passed out and were
being held by the boys. "VEEEENUSSS LOOOOVE MEEE....CHAAAAIN!!"
     The chain of energy ripped through the flames blowing them apart as Minako
ran into it dragging the two boys and carrying the two girls! Minako
untransformed could have never accomplished this. But, as Sailor Venus, she had
more then enough strength.
     She reached the stairs but, again they were cut off by flames. She turned
to the right and kicked a door open. Paydirt! There was no flame here yet.
Quickly, she ushered everyone inside and closed the door. She winced as she
realized, the smoke was getting to her. She moved to the window. They were
three flights up but, it was their only chance!
     Sailor Venus turned to the tallest boy who seemed to be the most coherent.
"Alright, listen to me! I'm going to jump down first. Then, I'm going to catch
each person. You're going to have to throw them down to me! You got that? Then
you jump yourself!"
     "You'll never be able to do it!" He stared at her.
     "Let me worry about that! Just do what I said!" Sailor Venus leaped from
the window and landed on the ground hard, absorbing the shock. She felt minor
pain. Looking for something to cushion the impact, she saw the gym building
nearby.
She looked up. "Wait! Don't do it yet!"
     The boy nodded. "HURRY! THE FIRE IS AT THE DOOR!"
     Sailor Venus ran hard now noticing the hundreds of students staring at her
along with others. She didn't care. She couldn't let it interefere in what she
had to do. Breaking a window in the gym, she dived through and grabbed a large
mat. Pulling it behind her, she dragged it through the window and ran hard as
she could for the flaming building....

     Sailor Venus laid out the mat on the ground as hundreds of people
watched. She could hear the fire trucks getting closer. Damn them for taking so
long! She looked upward. "Alright! Throw them down to me!"
     The boy nodded and pushed out the first unconscious girl. Sailor Venus
watched her fall then caught her, gasping from the impact. She was getting
tired. "Next one!" she shouted.
     The boy continued to do this until three had been safely caught and, he
and another boy were the only ones left. The other boy looked down. "I can't do
it! I'm scared!"
     "I'll catch you!" Venus nodded. "Jump!"
     The boy grit his teeth and jumped screaming. Sailor Venus caught him with
growing pain to her shoulders and then looked upward at the last boy.
"Okay...now you!"
     The last boy jumped and, she caught him, feeling her legs give out. She
fell backward still holding him. She cried out in pain as her back felt like it
had been pierced with a knife!
     The boy got off her and, she sat up slowly. Several people ran to encircle
her while, senseis tried to push students back away from the burning building.
Sailor Venus rubbed her right shoulder and looked up as the first fire truck
pulled in.
     She stood up trying not to scream from the pain. All eyes were on her.
"I..I'm okay." she managed to gasp out.
     The crowd parted as she walked out. Two of the senseis came forward and,
the oldest boy she had received help from. She recognized the first sensei as
Mr. Yakamoto her last year sensei. "Sailor Venus, arigatoo! We are so thankful
that you happened by and were able to save our students!"
     The boy nodded. "Arigatoo, Sailor Venus. Gomen nasai. We were doing an
extra credit experiment in the lab when all of a sudden, it just blew up for no
reason. I've never seen anything like it."
     "Have the fire department look into the cause." Sailor Venus felt more
pain in her back. This was serious! "I have to go. I hope everyone is alright."
She started to walk away..
     "Minako-chan?"
     Tired and without thinking, she turned and answered, "Hai?"
     Her eyes grew wide as she saw Meyo and the two other girls grinning.
OH NO! She saw everyone look at each other. People began talking and boys were
staring at her in disbelief. Senseis wordlessly looked at her.
     "I...I have to go." she said quickly and ran hard as she could for the
opposite side of the school.
     "Sailor Venus! Sailor Venus, please wait!" she heard the older boy she had
saved running after her. 
     She continued running and as she ran, she jumped into the alley of the
first building she came to. Breaking into sobs, she felt herself transform back
and, immediately the pain increased in her back. She would have to go to a
doctor or something.
     "Sailor Venus?" she heard his voice.
     Looking up still in tears, she saw the boy smiling at her. He stepped
forward cautiously. "Aino, Minako-chan? Is it really you? I...I always thought
you we're cute but, this too?"
     Minako too upset to care looked at him. "Who are you? Leave me alone!"
     He smiled. "Gomen nasai, Aino-chan. My name is Tukumara Seisa."
     She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Tukumara-san. I've heard of you.
You're the Captain of the Tennis Club."
     "Hai." he smiled. "I knew your name but, you always seemed to keep to
yourself and, I never knew how to approach you. I can't believe you're Sailor
Venus! We're you Sailor V as well?"
     Minako put her head down. "It doesn't really matter anymore does it?
Too many people know. I'll probably have to leave."
     Seisa shook his head. "I don't want you to go, Minako-chan. Please stay.
So what if your Sailor Venus? Who's going to care? Your popularity is going to
be incredible! And, you saved my life and the lives of everyone in the
building. Not to mention all the other stuff I have heard you do with the
Sailor Senshi."
     Minako stood up. "I have to go. I can't stay here now. Gomen nasai,
Tukumara-san."
     "Please wait, Aino-chan!" He stepped in front of her. "I'll help you. I'll
try to help you discredit your enemies! Those girls that made you reveal who
you are when you were tired and weren't thinking. I owe you my life! I'd do
anything for you!"
     "Please leave me alone then!" Minako burst into fresh tears and ran out of
the alley and down the street. It was over. She was exposed! Given away by a
Dark KIngdom trap and her own stupidity for not thinking when she was tired and
in pain. The pain! Her back felt like it was on fire. She needed help. She
needed to talk to someone too. But, school wasn't out for another few hours.
Silently, she wondered where Artemis was. He had always been there for her, now
he was missing. In defeat she walked home.....

     Sorcerress Vindalla smiled. "And that's how it's done, Nadi. You see?
Sailor Venus exposed and emotionally destroyed. She will be of little use to
the Senshi now. Also, her physical injuries will magnify her vulnerabilities."
     Nadi nodded. "I understand, Vindalla."
     Vindalla smiled. "Now then. What we're you going to say?"
     Nadi bowed her head. "I don't know how to say this. Tuxedo Kamen is still
alive. Sailor Moon used the Silver Crystal to revive him."
     Vindalla sighed. "Well, I can't blame you for that. It's quite simple. We
will have to get the crystal from her. A minor setback. The time is soon coming
where we will confront the senshi directly. The operation is going perfectly.
If only we could pinpoint the Outer Senshi. But, it won't matter soon. You'd
better get back to watching Sailor Moon, Nadi. Don't leave her alone too long."
     "Uhmmm, Vindalla...my Queen. I...I lost her."
     Vindalla stared at her and, her anger rose. "YOU WHAT???" HOW COULD YOU
LOSE A SNIVELLING BRAT LIKE HER??"
     Nadi moved away as Vindalla glared at her. "I...I was ambushed.
By...Sailor Neptune."
     "SAILOR NEPTUNE!!!!" Vindalla screamed. She grabbed Nadi. "YOU...You...a
warrior of the Dark Kingdom..one of my strongest...you were ambushed??"
     "I'm sorry." Nadi bowed her head.
     Vindalla grabbed her and forced her to look up. "This is a serious mistake
Nadi! This is the type of foul up that Beryl would have imprisoned you forever
for! You would have joined Jedite and all the other Generals who were
failures!"
     Nadi cowered and silently prepared to meet her doom. Vindalla was
extremely powerful and could easily destroy her. She listened to the sounds of
the city below her, feeling as if she were in a shell.
     Vindalla turned away. "Major foul up! This changes things drastically! I
have to assume now that, Sailor Moon and the Outer Senshi have contacted each
other and are working together. Since we have no idea what their plans are, we
must assume the worst. I must see Ember! I want you to scour this city for
Sailor Moon! When you find her, don't leave her side! For anything! You got
that?"
     "I understand, Vindalla. Thank you for your patience with my
incompetence."
     "Incompetence is the word that fits you best right now, Nadi! I'm badly
disappointed in you! After talking with Ember, I must go to Egypt to make
sure things are ready there. We have two days left before we must make our
move."
     "It would help if we knew the entire plan, My Queen." Nadi waited for an
answer.
     Vindalla swore and glared at her. "Do you really think after the screw up
you just did I owe you anything??? YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!!!!"
     Nadi cowered again. "I...I thought it might be helpful if we knew.."
     "You'll find out when I tell you. This is an operation of the highest
secrecy. We don't depart from that! The fewer that know the whole plan, the
less that can be said should one of you be captured! NOW GO!!! FIND SAILOR
MOON!!!"
     Nadi's look of fear returned and, she faded out.
     Vindalla swore again. She had to hold them together. No matter what the
cost, she had to, or it was all over! 
     
     Amber looked up from her bed as a light filled the room. She saw the
transparent form of Vindalla. "Yes, Vindalla. I am here."
     Vindalla solidified and smiled. "Where is Sailor Mars?"
     "Asleep I think. She checked on me a little bit ago. I've been bored."
     "I can see that." Vindalla smiled. "I've thought about your earlier plan
and, I find it has merit. Make sure Sailor Mars and you are here tomorrow.
There will be a "visit" by Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus to collect
Amber-chan." She laughed.
     Amber grinned wickedly and, her eyes glowed. "I will be ready. The time
has come to turn Sailor Mars completely against them?"
     "Hopefully. If we're lucky, maybe even Sailor Jupiter." Vindalla laughed.
     "I will be honored to serve you, My Queen." Amber saluted Vindalla.
     Vindalla nodded and faded out.....



                              Chapter Eleven: Betrayal!

     "Oh damn it! I forgot my homework! Argghhh!" Makoto grumbled as she
entered the school grounds and realized her mistake. Great! She jumped as she
heard the clock tower. "OH NO!" She ran hard realizing she was going to be late
for class.
     As she reached the front door, she saw she was too late. Sighing, she
accepted defeat and went to the office before reporting to her classroom. As
she entered the office, she saw several students sitting there waiting to be
served. "Oh well. At least I'm not the only one." She stepped forward and took
a seat.
     "Ohayoo." a voice said to her.
     Makoto turned and about fainted. Staring her in the face was the most
handsome guy she had ever seen. "Uhmmm oh my..I mean, Ohayoo."
     "I'm new here." he smiled. "My name is King Joquiam-san."
     "Oh. Uhmm, Kino Makoto-san." she answered dreamily staring at him. Wow! He
looks just like my old boyfriend!
     The boy nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kino-san. I just moved here
from France."
     "Oh." Makoto thought a moment. The name was familiar to her. Where had
she heard his name before?
     "Well, welcome to Juuban Junior High School, King-san. I hope you feel
comfortable here."
     He smiled. "I already do. I met you didn't I?"
     Makoto blushed. "Uhmmm yeah I guess so."
     "Would you do a new student the honor of showing him around school so he
doesn't get lost?"
     Makoto felt like she was going to fly! "I'd love that King-san! You seem
very nice. I can show you pretty much everything here. Do you know anyone
else?"
     "Well, I did meet one girl who might go here. She was very nice but,
looking at you, I think you're much nicer." He smiled capturing her heart
instantly.
     Makoto nodded. "Uh huh. I...I really appreciate the compliment."
     "The truth is the truth. You're very beautiful, Kino-san."
     Makoto felt funny. "This girl..does..does she mean anything to you?"
     Joquiam shrugged. "I have to admit, she might be reading into it more
than I think. She is a very nice girl but, somewhat too quiet for me. I could
never get serious about her. Now you however.." He grinned. "I'll bet you
could cook up a storm!"
     "I sure can! I'm great at cooking and, I'd love to cook something for
you!"
     "King Joquiam-san!" a woman's voice said from the front desk.
     "Hai!" Joquiam got up and spoke to her. He looked at his schedule and
showed it to Makoto. "Are you in any of these classes?"
     "Yes pretty much all of them! This is great! I can show you the whole
school and, we can eat lunch together!" Makoto's face was almost glowing.
     Joquiam nodded and sat down. "I'll wait for you then."
     "Kino Makoto-san!" the woman said.
     "Hai!" She went to the desk.
     "You're late again, Kino-san! You need to learn to be on time more. Your
sensei will decide your punishment. Go to your class now. Since King-san
appears to have the same classes, you may get a lesser punishment for helping
him get acclimated."
     "I'll do that, Sensei! Arigatoo!" Makoto took the late slip and nodded to
Joquiam.  "Shall we go?"
     "I'd like nothing better." He followed her out into the hallway. As they
walked, he turned to her. "Do you have a lot of friends in this school,
Makoto-san?"
     She nodded. "I know quite a few people, King-san. I'll introduce you to my
friends."
     "Excellent." He smiled again. "May I call you Makoto-chan?"
     Makoto immediately blushed. "I...I guess so." She giggled. He was
incredible! He was so suave, so debonair! Better than her old boyfriend by far!
"May I call you, Joquiam-chan?"
     "Of course, my lady." he winked at her.
     Makoto felt as if she were in a dream. She didn't want it to end. At
last, they reached the classroom. "Uhmmm..." she hesitated. "This is homeroom
for us."
     He nodded. "I see."
     Silence fell between them then, she blushed and turned away. Opening the
door, she saw all eyes turn to her. Miss Haruna looked up from her desk.
"Kino-san! You're late. Invite the new student in, please."
     Makoto entered and, she walked to the front of the class. All eyes were
on her and Joquiam.
     Miss Haruna got up. "Class, I'd like you to meet a new student who was
just enrolled here." She took his admission slip and read it. "Please welcome,
King Joquiam-san....from France!"
     Makoto heard a gasp at the left side of the room and, she turned to look.
Was she still blushing? Her eyes grew wide as she saw Ami staring at her!
     Joquiam nodded. "It's a pleasure to be going to school with everyone. I
hope to bring a uniqueness to this place. And, I hope to get to know some of
you very well." He turned to Makoto. "Arigatoo, Makoto-chan! I appreciate
you're assistance." He smiled at her.
     Everyone stared at them and, Miss Haruna sighed. "Alright, save any of
that stuff for your own time. Right now, you're on mine."
     The class went back to normal as Makoto and Joquiam took their seats.
Makoto watched as he easily picked up on the math being discussed and, she had
to force herself not to look at him.
     Joquiam looked at her and smiled. Makoto failed to notice the shocked and
betrayed look on Ami's face as she forced herself to look away and into her
own books..

     The lunch bell rang. Everyone rose and bowed then was dismissed. As the
classroom emptied, Makoto smiled at Joquiam and went over to him. "How about
lunch now?"
     Before he could answer, a voice very quietly said behind her.
Joquiam-chan! What...what's going on? I thought we were going to have lunch
and I was going to show you around?"
     Makoto turned and stared into the face of Ami! "Ami-chan? Do you know
him?"
     Joquiam shrugged. "Hai, she does. This is the girl that I met the other
day. She showed me some of the town."
     Ami glared at him. "THAT'S ALL??? IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY!!"
     Makoto looked at one then the other. "Uhmm what's going on? I thought you
said nothing was going on between you two?"
     "There isn't!" Joquiam said flatly. 
     Makoto noticed there were several students in the area. This wasn't good!
     "Maybe we should take this conversation to another place."
     Ami was staring in disbelief at her. "What is going on here? I told you
yesterday I was looking forward to going out with him! What are you trying to
do Makoto-chan?"
     Joquiam looked at her. "Don't blame yourself, Ami-chan. I...I just
thought that you understood things between us weren't that serious."
     Ami felt the tears come to her eyes and, she choked back a sob. "YOU
THOUGHT? I cared for you! I allowed you to call me by my first name on our
second date!"
     Makoto looked at her. "Date?"
     "YES!" Ami glared at her. "Why did you do this to me, Makoto-chan? How
could you!"
     Makoto felt angry. "Wait a minute, Ami-chan! I didn't do anything! We just
met in the office. I asked him if he was serious with anyone and, he said no."
     Ami stared at Joquiam. "I....I can't...can't believe you! How could you be
so cruel to me?"
     Joquiam shrugged. "You read into it, I'm afraid. Gomen nasai."
     Ami took a step back. "So what now Makoto-chan? Are...are you planning on
seeing him?"
     Makoto looked at Joquiam. God he was cute! There was something about him
she had never felt before. "I wouldn't normally Ami-chan but, I guess you
thought it was more serious then it really was. I don't see the harm in dating
him."
     Ami gasped and tears came from her eyes. "YOU...YOU BETRAYED ME! BOTH OF
YOU!"
     Makoto shook her head. "Ami-chan, be reasonable! You're making this into
too much I think."
     "YEAH RIGHT!" Ami glared at both of them. "Have fun you two. I hope
you're very happy together. Don't talk to me, either of you! I need to be
alone!" Ami tore herself away and ran from the room.
     Joquiam shrugged. "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to hurt her. Honestly. She
just thought it was more than it was. She'll get over it."
     Makoto looked at the empty doorway that Ami had just run through. "I...I
guess so. I hope she'll be okay."
     "Please show me around, Makoto-chan. I'm sure she'll get over it." He
offered his arm.
     Makoto sighed and took it. He was so dreamy! She found it hard not to
like him. She could see why Ami was hurt. But, she obviously had made more of
a situation then there really was. Makoto shrugged it off....

     Jikell in his Joquiam form smiled wickedly! Vindalla would be pleased.
Sailor Mercury was so upset at Sailor Jupiter, she wouldn't even talk to her!
With any luck it would continue to add to the total destruction of the Senshi.
He wondered how the others were doing. And why did he feel so badly about this?

     Makoto looked from the roof and pointed out over the city. "You can get a
pretty good view from here."
     "I can see that." Joquiam grinned. "Looks like the fire department is
going to be busy today."
     "Huh?" Makoto looked where he was pointing. "Hai, looks like a building
on fire quite a ways off. That end of town is where a friend of mine lives."
     "I see." He sighed. "Makoto-chan, I kind of feel bad about Ami-chan. I
never really meant to hurt her. Perhaps we should go and see if we can reason
with her."
     "I don't think that's a good idea." Makoto looked at him. "She needs time
alone I think. But, I do need to talk to her anyway. I'll try later on after
she's had time to cool off."
     "Understandable. Well then, I'll leave it up to you for now. Shall we go?
Class will be starting soon."
     Makoto smiled and giggled, taking his arm. He led her from the roof as
dark clouds began to roll in....

     Late afternoon, Ami sat on a bench during one of her study periods looking
out over the school grounds. She felt someone behind her. "Hi...can I sit
down?"
     Ami looked up at Makoto and sighed. "I guess so. But, I don't have a lot
to say to you right now."
     "This is Senshi buisness I need to discuss. I meant to talk to you about
it sooner before this mess with Joquiam-san developed."
     Ami looked away as if seeing something that wasn't there. "I should have
known it wouldn't work out. It didn't before, why should it now?" She bent over
and sobbed.
     "Gomen nasai, Ami-chan. I didn't mean for this either. But, I need to talk
to you about Rei-chan."
     Ami looked up and wiped her tears away. "What about Rei-chan? Did you find
out what was troubling her?"
     "Hai. She told me the whole reason. Listen closely...."
     Ami listened intently with growing alarm as Makoto related the information
she had received. She pushed thoughts of Joquiam out of her head. "This is the
strangest thing. She thinks Usagi-chan and Minako-chan are dead and replaced by
evil duplicates? And she is basing all this on a fire vision she had?"
     "That's the bottom line, Ami-chan. She has other feelings too but, she's
more worried about Amber-chan than anything else right now."
     "That child." Ami thought a second and looked at Makoto. "Suppose..suppose
there was something strange about her?"
     Makoto sighed. "I'm not sure what to think anymore. I know her health
looks terrible."
     Ami now undistracted by thoughts of Joquiam continued. "All this weird
stuff started when Amber-chan appeared. What other events have occured since
then?"
     Makoto shrugged. "Usagi-chan's homelife being a mess. Minako-chan being
afraid of exposure at school. Luna and Artemis disappearing. This..." her voice
fell. "this dark cloud between us regarding Joquiam-san."
     Ami nodded. "Exactly. Makoto-chan, I'm noticing something here. All of us
are experiencing a series of events. Most seem to be bad. But, until today, I
had only wonderful feelings for Joquiam-chan. I didn't see these things before. I
was so distracted, I never took the time to examine them the way I do a math
problem. In math I break down a problem and look at it logically. Doing the
same with this, I'm getting a very bad feeling!"
     Makoto looked at her. "Ami-chan...are you saying someone is planning
all this out?"
     Ami smiled slowly. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Since I didn't
even think to suspect this because I was so in love with Joquiam..." her
voice trailed off. "Joquiam-chan. Oh my god!"
     Makoto backed up. "What? What is it?"
     "He showed up right about the time all this started happening. The
same time Amber-chan showed up. What if..."
     "What if...?" Makoto encouraged her.
     "What if there were a group of people working together doing
different things. It makes a weird sort of sense."
     "I don't follow you." Makoto scratched her head.
     Ami took out her computer and began scanning. "Makoto-chan..I'm getting
something very odd here. The same type of life energy put out by the Dark
Kingdom...on this campus!"
     Makoto gasped. "Joquiam-chan!"
     Ami nodded. "We've been betrayed! We've been set up all along! He's
played us both for prize fools! This has to be more than him! Amber-chan
must be one as well. We have to get to Rei-chan! We have to convince her, this
is all a plot! If Joquiam-chan talks to either of us, we'll pretend like we
don't know anything." She giggled. "If he hadn't pulled this jealousy act to
hurt me and destroy our friendship, I still would have been blinded! That's
what it's been all along. Whoever is behind this is very clever! It must be
Dark Kingdom warriors. But, how they could manipulate Usagi-chan's homelife, I
couldn't imagine. Unless...."
     Makoto swore. "Damn it! They must know who we are! This makes them our
deadliest enemies ever! They can strike at us individually or as a group.
Rei-chan must be completely won over somehow!"
     "We have to get to her Makoto-chan. Right after school, we'll head over
there. Don't even hint to Joquiam-chan that he overplayed his hand. This is
terrifying. Usagi-chan wasn't in school today. I wonder where she is?"......

                              Chapter Twelve: Turning the Tables!

     Usagi stood up and waited for the bus to come to a complete stop. As the
doors opened, she thanked the driver and walked the short distance to Minako's
house. It had been a long day! She desperately wanted to get back to the
hospital to make sure Mamoru was alright. But, the urgency of the plan that
Setsuna had laid out to her was clear. Since school was out, she had a good
chance at catching Minako home. It would have been easier to contact Ami but,
knowing that Ami might be with her new boyfriend, she had opted to talk to
Minako first.
     The meeting had been long. Both Luna and Setsuna felt that, the time had
come to flush out their enemies. Although everyone felt it was necessary to
keep up the illusion of ignorance, that did not mean they had to endanger
themselves anymore. Artemis had suggested that they stay in at least groups of
two. This would give them a better chance to defend themselves should they be
attacked directly. Since Usagi had no idea if she was currently being followed,
she knew being with Minako was a good idea.
     She knocked on the door and there was no answer at first. She tried again.
She heard what sounded like soft footfalls and, the door opened. She stared at
Minako who's face was stained. Her normally happy look was gone. "Minako-chan?
What...what's wrong?"
     Minako grit her teeth and fell forward on Usagi crying. "I...I've failed
Usagi-chan! I was outwitted today by the Dark Kingdom. There was a fire at my
school and, there were people trapped."
     Usagi nodded. "You turned into Sailor Venus to save them. Did something
else happen?"
     "My friend Meyo-chan..she..she turned on me! She waited till after I had
saved everyone and wasn't thinking. Then, I answered when she called me by my
name...in front of the whole school! I was a total baka! I could have played it
off but, I got upset and ran! Everyone must know Aino Minako is Sailor
Venus now...and was Sailor V! I'm useless to the team now, Usagi-chan! Everyone
knows who I am! It'll be all over the papers soon!" She cried harder and, Usagi
held her tight.
     "Minako-chan." she whispered. "We need to go someplace...noisy."
     Minako looked up. "Noisy?  I..I don't understand.."
     "Let's go to the Sailor V movie! It has lots of explosions and people
screaming..it'll be fun!"
     Minako was about to say no but saw something in Usagi's face that was
different. Usagi was acting goofy but, she was also serious. Only someone close
to Usagi would know. She smiled. "Okay, sounds good. Let me get my money."
Minako giggled and came back moments later. "I'm ready, let's go have fun."

     Sorcerress Nadi watched Usagi and Minako closely as they left. It had
taken her hours to pick up the trail again but, now that she had, she was not
about to let them out of her sight. She strained to hear what they were saying
but could only catch fragments. Something about the Sailor V movie? Wonderful!
How was she to hear and see what was going on in there? Nadi grumbled to
herself and silently followed them to a local theater. It would be hard to
observe them in the dark with all the noise. But, she had to try...

     Usagi waited until most people had gone in then, she smiled at Minako and
the two bought their tickets. Taking the chance to load up on popcorn, she
laughed. "See? I did get you to go to a Sailor V movie!" 
     Minako shrugged. "I guess you did." She laughed. "Just this once though.
I'm not the Sailor V fan that you are. The actress isn't as good as the real
thing." She winked.
     They took their seats and, the movie began. Usagi waited until Sailor V
appeared on the screen and, everyone in the theater cheered. She bent over to
Minako. "Listen to me closely Minako-chan. We have someone from the Dark
Kingdom watching us. That's why I asked you to come here."
     Minako smiled. "Someplace noisy. I understand. Go ahead."
     "I met with Setsuna, Haruka, and Michiru today. Luna and Artemis were
there too."
     Minako turned to her excitedly. "Artemis!" she whispered. "Is he alright?
Where are they?"
     "I can't say. But here's the plan....listen closely."
     Minako bent closer as explosions on the screen grew louder and Sailor V
began shooting villians....

    Sorcerress Nadi strained to hear but, there was so much noise, she couldn't
get a word. She saw the two in the darkness in the middle of all the din
laughing and whispering to each other. Sailor Moon was such a scatterbrain, it
was probably nothing important. Perhaps the time she was missing was nothing to
be concerned about. Vindalla was wrong. Even though Jikell was with Mercury,
her time would have been better spent helping him watch her. Or keeping an eye
on Jupiter. Sailor Moon was the least trouble. Nadi sighed and continued to
watch the two giggle and scream with delight, occasionally whispering to each
other......

     After a time, the Sailor V movie ended and, everyone began filing out. 
Sorcerress Nadi watched with anticipation as Usagi and Minako emerged. But, as
they came out into the bright sunlight, Usagi looked upset. Minako had her head
slightly down and sighed. "I was meaning to tell you guys this earlier but, I
just haven't had the courage. Seeing that movie kind of reminded me."
     Usagi looked up and nodded. "I don't understand why though, Minako-chan?
We need you! The Senshi need you! Please reconsider."
     Minako shook her head. "I've thought about this for a long time,
Usagi-chan. Talking with King-san about England the other day just made me more
homesick. I'm going to return there to live with old friends. I'm going to
resume my career as Sailor V."
     "But what about the youma that have attacked, Minako-chan? We're a team!
Please stay! We'll get through this!"
     Minako shook her head. "No, it's better if I go. Sailor V is thought to be
dead. It will be fun resurrecting her again and seeing everyone. Maybe if my
best friend and my old boyfriend broke up, I can get him back. Besides, you
four are tough. You can handle any youma without me. I'll write okay?"
     "Is this because everyone in your school knows who you are now?" Usagi
looked as if she were going to cry.
     "Partly. But also it's because, I want to be on my own again. It was more
of a challenge then being a team." Minako laughed. "To be quite honest
Usagi-chan, I don't need you! I don't need any of you! I'll ask Artemis to stay
though if he ever shows up. You guys could use his help."
     "YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN US??" Usagi shouted angrily.
     "In many ways, yes." Minako said calmly. "You and Rei-chan constantly
bicker, you act like little children! It's very annoying. Makoto-chan acts like
a baka everytime she sees any guy...very childish...and Ami-chan is to me
quite honestly, a stuck up snob! She always thinks she knows more then
everyone. And finally, Usagi-chan, I'm tired of you. I'm tired of your annoying
habit of gobbling food and acting ridiculous. To have you as leader of the
Sailor Senshi is laughable. I suggest you step down and let Rei-chan lead. I
would but, I'm going to return to England."
     Usagi's face was red with anger. "OKAY FINE THEN! LEAVE! WE DON'T NEED
YOU! And, by the way Minako-chan...I think your stuck up because, you can't
have your way. You think you should lead just because you were Sailor V! Now
you're running away!"
     "I'm not going to justify myself to you Usagi-chan! It's over! With my
identity revealed here, I no longer wish to be a member of the Senshi. I'll
leave and make my own destiny. Sayonarra. I'll write you a letter."
     Minako turned and started walking off. Usagi gasped and ran in front of
her. "You...you're not serious? You meant all that?"
     Minako glared at her. "I'd like to part as friends, Usagi-chan. Please
don't try to stop me. Tell the others for me okay? I won't be around much
longer."
     Usagi bowed her head. "Fine. Go ahead and leave. I don't care anymore."
     Minako sighed. "It's best this way. I have a feeling with Mamoru in the
hospital and maybe dying, the Senshi will never be the same anyway. Sayonarra,
Usagi-chan."
     Minako pushed her way past and walked off down the street....

     Sorcerress Nadi watched with glee as Usagi fell to the sidewalk and
started crying as Minako walked away. Sailor Venus was leaving! The destruction
of the Senshi had begun! She frowned. It seemed very sudden. They had been
friendly before going into the theater. Now this. But, Venus had said she was
trying to figure out how to tell Moon. Maybe it was true. No! It had to be
true! This was the beginning! Vindalla's plan was working perfectly! Nadi
laughed and faded out as she rushed off to find her leader....

     Usagi stared at the sidewalk and tried to see over her shoulder. She
couldn't see anyone watching her but, the "act" she and Minako had just put on
would certainly get the attention of someone. It was an enormous gamble! Usagi
hoped what Setsuna said was true. If they could fool their enemies into
thinking the Senshi were indeed disbanding, then perhaps they would reveal
their true plans prematurely before they were ready. In the meantime, the Outer
Senshi and Luna and Artemis would be trying to learn more using other methods.
     Usagi got up and, with fake tears ran hard as she could for Rei's. The
time had come to confront her. Turning the tables and defeating this deception
had begun.....

                              
                              Chapter Thirteen: Sailor VS Sailor!

    
     Rei sighed and watched the fire before her. Amber was asleep, or she hoped
she was. The little girl was so frightened. Rei had made her a promise that she
would take care of her. And, she knew she would. If necessary, she would die to
protect the little girl. For some unknown reason, she had developed a strong
bonding to Amber. Her mother had yet to show. But, that no longer mattered to
Rei. She would take care of Amber as long as was needed. She would be her
friend forever.
     Rei tried to concentrate. "Oh Sacred Fire...show me what evil may be
coming. Show me how to protect myself from it! Help me to protect Amber-chan!
Show me who I can even trust now!"
     The fire flickered brightly. A vision appeared. Rei gasped as she saw
Mamoru lying in a hospital bed. He was dying! NO!!! She was too late. Somehow
the evil that was manifesting itself as Sailor Moon had gotten to him!
     Rei wanted to leave at once. She wanted to see if he was alright. But, she
knew if she left the safety of the temple, her and Amber may very well face
attack. Rei had put special charms up around the perimeter hoping that it would
keep some youma out. She pushed away those thoughts and dried her tears that
now fell.
 "Show me Sacred Fire! Show me my enemies! I trust you!"
     The fire flickered again. This time, she saw what appeared to be two
shadowy forms on a roof. NO! IT WAS HER ROOF!
     Rei jumped back and looked upward. Quickly, she ran down the hall to
Amber's room. Throwing open the door, she saw Amber still sleeping. But, the
noise of someone on the roof was unmistakable now!
     Rei listened to Amber's soft breathing. Slowly she turned as she heard a
knock at the front door! Picking up the sleeping child, she carried her to the
temple room and sealed the doors. Rei quickly put a special charm on the doors
and said a hurried blessing. The knocking continued.
     Rei moved slowly to the door. "Who is it?"
     "Rei-chan, it's me, Usagi-chan! I wanted to know if I could borrow some of
your comic books! I brought back the ones you loaned me!"
     "I'm sick right now, Usagi-chan. Leave them on the doorstep and, I'll get
them after you've gone."
     A silence followed then, Usagi's voice answered. "Rei-chan, we're getting
a little worried about you. You left so suddenly the other day and didn't even
say anything. Please open the door and show me you're alright."
     Rei looked through the peephole and saw Usagi's smiling face on the other
side. There was no sign of Minako. "I'm just a little sick right now." Rei
said feeling more apprehensive by the minute.     
     "Is Amber-chan alright? Can I see her?"
     Rei glared at the door. "Why do you want to see her, Usagi-chan? She's
fine! Leave me alone please. I'll see you later."
     "Rei-chan...I want to see Amber-chan! I need to talk to you both!"
     Rei stepped back. "I said go away dumpling head! What part of no don't you
understand!" Rei looked up as she heard another noise. Turning quickly, she
spun around and saw Sailor Venus at the window!
     Rei stepped back. "What are you doing Minako-chan?"
     Sailor Venus made a smirk and dropped from the window ledge onto the
floor. She nodded. "Why don't you let Usagi-chan in so we can discuss this?"
     Rei looked at the front door then back at Sailor Venus. "I didn't ask you
to come in, Sailor Venus! You're being very rude don't you think?"
     Sailor Venus began walking toward her, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "So
formal Rei-chan. But, I guess that's the way it may be from now on. Why haven't
you talked to anyone lately?"
     "I haven't felt like it!" Rei backed up to the temple doors. She could
feel the evil in the room. "Please leave Minako-chan!"
     Suddenly, the front door blew open and slammed off it's hinges. Sailor
Moon stood there smiling. "Knock knock...anybody home?" She giggled then
stepped inside. "This place is going to need a major cleaning when we get
through!"
     Rei reached inside her temple dress. She felt her hand close around the
transformation wand. "What do you two want? Look what you did to my front door!
Usagi-chan, have you gone insane?"
    Sailor Venus laughed. "Let's cut to the chase shall we Rei-chan? We
found Amber-chan's mother. We thought it would be good publicity if we took
her back to her."
     "Since when are the Sailor Senshi interested in publicity!" Rei began to
pull her wand out.
     "We want Amber-chan, Rei-chan! Now!" Sailor Moon smiled so evilly that,
Rei knew now beyond a shadow of a doubt this was not Usagi! 
     "Never!" she declared. She held up her wand. "You're not touching her!
MARS STAR POWER...MAKE UP!!"
     Within moments, fire and strands of energy surrounded Rei
transforming her into Sailor Mars. Calmly, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus
watched and waited for her to finish. As Rei came down and faced them in
a fighting stance, Sailor Venus laughed. "You can't possibly stop us!
We're taking Amber-chan and, there's nothing you can do to prevent it!"
     "Just try me!" Sailor Mars pointed her finger together at Venus.
"FIIIIIIIIRE!!!! SOUUUUUL!!!!"
     Sailor Venus and Sailor Moon jumped clear as an explosion of fire
erupted from Mars and flew past them out the door. Sailor Mars turned to face
them. "Get out! Get out of my temple!"
     Sailor Venus got off the floor. "This is not the end of this,
Rei-chan! We're taking that child! Why don't you come outside and we'll
see who is the better Sailor!"
     Rei felt dizzy for a moment. In that instant, she thought she saw
someone else standing where Moon and Venus now were. This confirmed it!
They were indeed enemies! "I'm not leaving this place! Amber-chan will be
safe and, I'll see to it."
     "You can't hide in this temple forever, Rei-chan!" Sailor Moon laughed.
"You have to come out sometime. Either fight now or, we'll blow this place up
around you. Save us a lot of trouble and give us the child!"
     Rei grit her teeth. "I'd sooner see this all destroyed then give her up!
You can go die Usagi-chan or whatever the hell you are!"
     Sailor Venus smiled and walked out the door. "We'll be back,
Rei-chan. Trust me. We'll be back soon."
     Rei watched them walk out. She was frightened! She needed help badly.
But from whom?

     Rei gasped as suddenly, Sailor Venus turned and leaped at her! She
felt herself being slammed to the floor. Venus put a finger to her
forehead. "Prepare to die Sailor Mars!"
     "VEEEEENUSSSS CRESCENT......"
     Sailor Venus screamed in agony as a burst of energy slammed into her
side. She rolled across the floor and, Rei turned to see who had saved
her!
    "YOU'RE NOTHING BUT DARK KINGDOM SCUM! I AM THE PREETY SOLDIER SAILOR
CHIBI-MOON! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, AND ALL THINGS GOOD AND TASTY, I
WILL PUNISH YOU!!"
     Sailor Mars smiled. "Sailor Chibi-Moon! Where did you come from?"
     "I came over to see you and Amber-chan. But, I can see that you had
a bit of trouble! I'm ready to fight!"
     Sailor Moon stepped forward. "Get out of here Chibi-Moon. If you
leave now, you won't get hurt!"
     Chibi-Moon glared at Sailor Moon. "You aren't Sailor Moon! You
couldn't be! There's no love in your heart or soul anywhere! Who are
you?"
     Sailor Venus stood up. "She's someone who's going to blast you off
the face of this planet. AND SO AM I!!!!!"
     Venus pointed her finger and fired a broad beam of light forcing
Chibi-Moon to jump clear. Sailor Moon rushed past her and slammed into
Sailor Mars forcing her into the wall. "This is for calling me
dumpling head you little witch!"
     Rei forced herself away from the wall and slammed into Sailor Moon.
"YOU'RE NOT USAGI! YOU COULD NEVER BE! AND I'LL KILL YOU FOR KILLING
HER!"
     Sailor Moon gasped as she found herself being thrown like a rag doll
across the room and hit the floor. Sailor Mars approached her. "I don't
know who the hell you are but, you're never getting your hands on
Amber-chan! We'll defeat you like the scum you are!" She spun her arms,
"BURRRRRNING...MANDALA!"
     Sailor Moon barely leaped clear in time as balls of flame shot past
her and into the living room. The drapes caught fire.
     "OH NO!" Sailor Mars shouted.
     A scream caught Sailor Moon's attention and, she saw Sailor Venus
come flying past her. Venus crashed into a table and fell over. Chibi-
Moon walked up. "And don't mess with me again!"
     Before Sailor Moon could react, Sailor Mars grabbed her and slammed
her into the wall. "Look what you did! My living room is on fire! I'm
gonna kill you!" Sailors Mars punched Sailor Moon hard in the face. "I've
always wanted to do this when you pissed me off! Now I'm really gonna
slam you!"
     Sailor Moon shoved her back. "I don't think so Rei-chan! We'll be
back! Venus, let's go!"
     Mars and Chibi-Moon watched as the two leaped out the opposite
window and were gone.....

     Sailor Chibi-Moon stared at the window while Sailor Mars rushed into the
kitchen and grabbed a fire extinguisher. "I could sure use Sailor Mercury
about now."
     Rei aimed the extinguiser at the fire and pulled the handle filling the
room with foam as she put the fire out. Fortunately, it had been a small one.
Rei sighed and collapsed on the couch reverting back to her own form. Chibi-Usa
did the same. Suddenly, Rei jumped up. "Amber-chan!" She ran quickly and opened
the temple doors. "NOOOOOOO!" Amber was gone.....

     Usagi ran hurriedly down the street. She looked warily around her.
Something didn't feel right. Crossing the street, she gasped as suddenly a
strange woman appeared in the air. "Hello.....Sailor Moon!"
     Usagi backed up slowly. "Who...who are you?"
     The woman laughed. "My name is not important. Only my purpose. Soon, very
soon, you will all be destroyed. I don't know the final plan but, your
destruction is part of it. Already you are not trusting each other. Do not go
to the Cherry Temple. If you do, you may die! Rei-chan hates you with a passion
now. She will be out to destroy you and Minako-chan."
     "How do you know our names?" Usagi looked about her nervously.
     The woman continued as if she hadn't heard. "You have one chance. You will
have to stop the plot before it begins. Look to the country of Egypt. Tell
Sailor Mercury to use her computer to look for a great source of energy there.
Let the Outer Senshi know that, we are very poweful."
     "If your on the side of evil..why are you telling me this? Who are you?"
Usagi was flabbergasted.
     The woman smiled. "Someone who has reconsidered her position. I was shown
by one of you what love is. What true friendship is. Something I have never
known. I cannot stay longer, I will be missed."
     Usagi nodded slightly. "Will you tell me your name?"
     The woman closed her eyes. "When the time comes, you will know." She faded
out...

     Usagi thought a minute. This could be a trap. But somehow, she felt it
wasn't. Perhaps just like what had happened with Nephrite, one of these new
enemy warriors was actually good inside. She turned around and ran toward Ami's
house....

     Rei ran through the temple screaming. "AMBER-CHAN! Amber-chan, where are
you? Amber-chan! Oh damn it, they got her! I'll kill them!"
     Chibi-Usa moved about the temple looking for the child. Hearing a noise,
she opened the door to a closet and felt a wave of energy hit her. Just for a
brief instant, she thought she saw someone else. Then, her eyes blinked and,
she saw a child sitting on the closet floor just a little younger than herself.
"Rei-chan! I found her!"
     Rei rushed up and hugged Amber close. "Oh dear Amber, I was so worried
about you! How did you get out of the temple room? I know I sealed it."
     Amber smiled and nodded. "I'm okay, Rei-chan. I was scared cause I heard a
lot of noise. But now, I'm fine."
     Rei hugged her again and, Chibi-Usa noticed the child had dodged the
question. "Hey, you're a little younger then me. I'm Chibi-Usa, nice to meet
you."
     The little girl grinned. "Tishobi Amber-san. Nice to meet you too." She
turned back to Rei. "Rei-chan, I want you to know, I really like you. And...and
if those bad people who are after me come back, I'll do all I can to fight them
off."
     Rei sighed. "Amber-chan, you're very special. But, you're just a little
girl. I don't want anything to happen to you ever. Promise me the next time I
put you somewhere you will stay."
      Amber was about to answer when, suddenly the room filled with an evil
green light. Rei jumped back as, a man she had never seen before was
standing in the air. He looked at Amber. "You little bitch! Traitor! You
tried to tell our plans didn't you?"
     The child stepped back slowly. "Keep away from me."
     Both Rei and Chibi-Usa stepped in front of her. "GET AWAY FROM HER!"
Rei shouted.
     The man laughed. "Do you realize what you are protecting? Stupid
girls! She's one of us! And now, she will die for trying to tell Sailor
Moon our plans!"
     Rei confused looked quickly at Amber. "She's an innocent child! Keep
away from her or, I'll hurt you bad!"
     "I'm Sorcerror Kandow! You couldnt hurt me if you tried. Thousands of
years ago, I defeated you and your kind in the Silver Imperium! I also battled
Sailor Neptune and, I defeated her. You're no threat to me. But before you
try to protect this child, you'd better see her for what she really is!"
     Chibi-Usa looked at Amber. "She's a child..isn't she?"
     Sorcerror Kandow nodded at Amber. "Vindalla is aware of your
treachery. Because of you, this masquerade must end! Just when Sailor Venus
left too. Oh well. At least the Senshi when they finally battle us will be
short one warrior. And you'll be dead!"
     Before Rei could stop him, he fired a deadly green fireball into
Amber's chest! The child screamed and, Rei gasped as she beheld a
metamorphosis from child to adult! The adult woman dressed in green and
gold screamed on the ground and forced herself up. "You won't kill me
Kandow! You can tell Vindalla, her plans are over! I don't know them but,
they won't succeed!"
     Rei confused looked from one to the other. "This has all been a
deception!" She stared at the woman. "Am...Amber-chan?"
     The woman hung her head. "No Rei-chan...Ember. Sorcerress Ember. Fire
Warrior of the Dark Kingdom."
     Sorceror Kandow laughed. "And now a dying traitor! Goodbye Ember!!!"
     The blast he sent forth was enough to blow  Rei and Chibi-Usa backward.
Ember screamed as the deadly energy snaked around her body and drained her
life essence!
     Rei forced herself up. "You..leave...her alone!" she gasped.
     "Save yourself, Sailor fool." Kandow laughed again. "You've yet to meet
your destiny. We will destroy you without a second thought!"


                              Chapter Fourteen: Unmasking!
                              

    "I don't want to see you Joquaim-chan! You've hurt my friend! I think it's
best if we break off any plans of getting together. I think that you and
Ami-chan are much better suited for each other anyway."
    Joquiam nodded. "I understand, Makoto-chan. May we at least be friends? I
can't undo the hurt I have done to Ami-chan but, perhaps in time we can all get
along."
    Makoto smiled. "Of course, Joquiam-san. I'll still be happy to be your
friend. I'm sure Ami-chan will too. It may take some time but, I want you to
know that I forgive you and, I know she will too. What you did was rotten but,
it was perfectly natural for any male! You're all a bunch of jerks! In fact,
your no different from my ex-boyfriend!"
    Joquiam laughed. "I don't think I should feel good about that. But, I
understand your feelings. Is Ami-chan around?"
    "She left school already. I have to meet with her later. I'll tell her you
want to talk. Maybe if she forgives you, you two can get together anyway."
Makoto winked at him.
    "Perhaps. Arigatoo, Makoto-chan. I'll see you later." He turned and walked
down the sidewalk.
    Makoto walked the opposite direction and went around a wall. She smiled as
she saw Ami still scanning with the computer. "Well? Is he one of them?"
    "Most definitely, Makoto-chan. Now, we follow him! We see who he really
is."
    The two girls cautiously watched Joquiam go into an alley and moving
quickly, they shadowed him. For a few moments, he stood quietly then,
his form changed to a man with blonde hair and a black and white robe. Makoto
grit her teeth and prepared to dive in but, Ami held up her hand up and shook her
head. He seemed to be waiting for something.
    An instant later, a pale green light appeared and, a strange woman with
short brown hair appeared. "Jikell, things have changed,"
    "So I gathered from your message you sent to me. Shall I assume that
Vindalla needs my services elsewhere?"
    "Ember has betrayed us! The little witch has gone soft from her connection
with Sailor Mars! Vindalla sent me to tell you to proceed to Egypt. Join the
others there. Those of us left here will destroy most of the Senshi and deal
with the others later."
    "Understood. But..." he hesitated.
    "But what?" Nadi glared at Jikell impatiently.
    Jikell was silent a moment. "Is there a way we can brainwash Sailor Mercury
and spare her? She..she could be useful."
    Nadi laughed harshly. "Stupid fool! Have you gone soft on Sailor Mercury?
Don't make the foolish mistake that Ember has! She will die for it as a
traitor! Do you wish to join her? You know my powers outmatch yours!"
    Jikell shook his head. "No. You are correct. Vindalla's plan must be
fulfilled. For the good of us all."
    "Go to Egypt at once! That's an order!"
    Jikell watched as Nadi faded out and lowered his head.
    Ami stared at him, her mouth almost gaping. Makoto looked at her then
pulled out her transformation wand. "We have to take care of this guy! He's
definitely going down! Right?"
    Ami looked at her and nodded sadly.
    "MERCURY STAR POWER..MAKE UP!!
    "JUPITER STAR POWERR..MAKE UP!!!

    Jikell turned as he heard shouts and a rush of energy. A huge lightning
bolt flew past him and slammed into the opposite wall. He swore as he beheld
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury!
    "That was to get your attention!" Jupiter said smiling. She stepped
forward. "Making a little trip to Egypt are we, Joquiam-chan? I don't think so!
What's there waiting for you? Another Dark Kingdom? Who the hell is Vindalla!"
    Jikell sighed. "Don't try to stop me. I see you figured out who I am. Now
we're even. I have to go."
    Sailor Mercury moved past Jupiter. "Not before we end your little plot! You
have a lot of explaining to do! If you don't tell us now, we'll be forced to
make you talk!"
    "If I talk, Vindalla will destroy me. I don't want to hurt you, Ami-chan.
In the short time I have known you I..."
    "STOP IT!" Sailor Mercury glared at him. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! YOU HURT ME!
YOU STOMPED ON MY HEART!"
    Jikell looked down. "I am a servant of the Dark Kingdom."
    "You're nothing but a servant!" Jupiter swore repeatedly. "Who's Vindalla?
You better tell us!"
    "I have to go." Jikell started to fade...
    "MERCURY ICE STORM....FREEEEEZE!!!!!!"
    Jikell gasped in horrible pain as an unbearable cold hit him stopping him
in mid transformation. As he grit his teeth and fell on the ground, Sailor
Jupiter approached him. "I'll die before I tell you anything!"
    "That can be arranged, you dark scum! Time to warm you up!"
    "SUPREME THUNDER....."
    "NO!" Mercury dove in front of him.
    Jupiter stopped and stepped back. "What the hell are you doing Ami-chan?
He's the enemy!"
    Ami turned and looked at Jikell trying to get up. "Please talk to me. I can
help you, Joquiam-chan."
    Jikell nodded. "The name is Jikell...Sorcerror Jikell, Ami-chan. I'm your
enemy. And, I won't talk. You'll either have to destroy me. Or let me go."
    Jupiter nodded. "Fine! I've killed dark scum and other youma far worse than
you!"
    Jikell laughed. "Are you so sure? You notice, I haven't even tried to fight
you yet. I don't think you have a chance!"
    "I'm ready! An evil scum like you that treats women like what you did to me
and poor Ami-chan! That alone deserves payment!"
    Jikell held up his hand and, suddenly Jupiter was thrown back by an
incredible wind. Everything in her path blew backward at hurricane force and,
she herself was hurtled into a telephone pole. She groaned and tried to get up.
    Mercury gasped as he turned to her. "You see? You can't win. I care for
you, Ami-chan. I never wanted to hurt you." He stood up and held out his hand.
"Come with me. I can show you a new life."
    "A new life." Sailor Mercury fought back the tears. "A new life where my
friends are my enemies. A new life where I'm a slave to some witch from hell?
Never! I would rather die!"
    "Then you must die. But, it won't be from me, my dear. I could never hurt
you!"
    "YOU ALREADY HAVE!" Mercury stood up, the tears flowing down her cheeks.
"YOU ALREADY BROKE MY HEART! YOU ALREADY ATTACKED MY FRIENDS! WHAT MORE CAN YOU
DO TO ME? YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!"
    "Then kill me." Jikell said quietly. "If you don't I'm going to leave. And
next time we meet, I will be forced to fight your friends. Our little game of
deception is over. And though I care for you, I could never be a traitor. I'm
sorry."
    He began to fade. Mercury stood up and pointed her hands. The tears still
flowing from her eyes, she shouted, "SHIIIIING AQUA ILUUUUSION!!!!!!"
    Jikell screamed as a wave of ice cold water and energy slammed into him and
formed an ice block around him. He grit his teeth and, the ice exploded outward
sending fragments everywhere. 
    He turned to her weakened. "Is that the best you can do? It isn't good
enough. Not nearly!"
    Suddenly a wind began blowing. A voice seemed to echo from all directions
and Jikell looked up. "What the..?"
    "DEAD SCREAM!" 
    The whisper crescendoed to almost a roar and a sudden burst of energy
slammed into Jikell from the building above. It bored into him and, he
screamed feeling his body being burned from within. Still screaming, he writhed
on the ground staring at Sailor Mercury with a look of horror on his face.
    A woman with long green hair dropped from above. In her hand, she held a
staff with an orb on the end. She turned to Sailor Mercury. "You should never
hesitate when it comes to your enemies. Not even when you think they may turn
to good." She turned to Jikell. "Who is your master? Talk now or die!"
    Jikell gasped in agony as, Sailor Pluto dispassionately pointed her staff
at him. "I will not hesistate to kill you, dark fool! Talk now or die!"
    "Vindalla..." gasped Jikell. "Vindalla of the..." he closed his eyes.
    "TALK!" Pluto waited for an instant then, she pointed the staff, uttered a
single word and blew Jikell to pieces. Flesh littered the alley and, Mercury
turned her head feeling sick. The flesh faded away into energy.
    "Stupid fool." Pluto sighed. She looked up as Jupiter approached. "Are you
both alright?"
    Jupiter nodded. "Did you find out anything?"
    "Vindalla." Pluto seemed to be thinking. "Vindalla...of the Fedkel Umi!"
    "The what?" Jupiter blinked. Mercury was wordless, still numb from the
attack she had witnessed.
    "The Fedkel Umi were from what I have gathered, the elite "special forces"
of the Dark Kingdom. Sailor Neptune battled one and was soundly beaten. We were
close to being destroyed when, Queen Serenity used the Silver Crystal. I was
unaffected of course being the keeper of the gateway of time."
    "So who is Vindalla?" Mercury asked quietly.
    "The Commander of the Fedkel Umi. I often wondered why you never dealt with
them when Beryl and her generals returned. It might have been that Beryl feared
Vindalla. She is by reputation a very cunning warrior. I can see now what has
been happening. If we don't figure out her plot soon, we may never. For now, we
have to get to Rei-chan. From listening to your conversation, I am afraid that
Cherry Hill is about to become a major battleground if it hasn't already!"
    They began running. As they ran, Pluto continued. "I briefly met Vindalla
but, we have never battled. It will be interesting to see the results. I see
now why she did not attack directly. She may not have all her forces and, by
undermining us, it gave her an enormous advantage. Now that we have unmasked
her plot and killed one of her lackeys, she will be forced to deal with us
directly. The Fedkel Umi are deadly." She looked at Mercury. "We will need to
be a team and fight as one! Are you up to it?"
    Ami wiped her tears as she ran and nodded. "I'm ready. Let's get them!"
    Setsuna continued to look at her for a few moments then smiled. "You're
going to be alright, Ami-chan. Broken hearts mend. This situation is more under
control than it appears. If the Fedkel Umi try to steal the Silver Crystal, we
have already planned for that eventuality."
    "Where are Uranus and Neptune?" Jupiter asked.
    "They should be at Cherry Hill now. Sailor Venus will be arriving as well
but, we are holding her in reserve to make them think we are one less." Pluto
laughed. "They are fooled too easily..except for Vindalla. She is deadly."
    They continued to run, increasing speed....

     Usagi tired from running reached the front door of Ami's house. Opening
the screen door, she knocked several times until she realized there was no one
home. Where could Ami be, the library perhaps? Usagi moved quickly down the
stairs and down the sidewalk. She wanted to see Mamoru very badly but, Luna
and Setsuna had made it clear what her duty was. It was all she could do not to
turn and run down to the hospital when she reached the intersection for it.
Waiting for the light to change, she looked and saw the sun was going down. It
was later than she thought. She crossed the street and continued on.
     Suddenly, she heard a car horn blaring and, turning she saw Haruka's sport
car pull up. Michiru was driving. She waved Usagi over frantically. Usagi
opened the car door. "Michiru-chan! What's going on?"
     "Our friends have struck sooner than we thought! There's about to be a
major battle at Cherry Hill!"
     "Oh no! Rei-chan! What do we do?"
     Michiru made sure she was clear then slammed the accelerator to the floor
quickly shifting the car into higher gears. "Listen to me, Usagi-chan! We still
don't know who we are dealing with. Setsuna separated from us and went to
follow Ami-chan and Makoto-chan in the hopes they might discover something.
Might be a long shot, I don't know. But, Haruka-chan has been watching
Rei-chan's place and, the temple has been attacked! I'm sure whoever our
enemies are will soon appear in force. Haruka may already be engaged with them
trying to help Rei-chan! If they are outnumbered, they could be in serious
trouble!"
     ""I'm scared, Michiru-chan. But, I'll do all I can to help! We must help
Rei-chan! I...I saw one of them. She appeared to me a little while ago while I
was heading to Rei-chan's. She told me not to go there."
     Michiru looked quickly at her. "You saw one of them? What did she look
like? What did she say?"
     "She looked like someone maybe from the Dark Kingdom. She had that feel
but, she seemed a lot nicer. She told me she had discovered what love was and
had a change of heart. I didn't know if I should believe her but, I couldn't do
it alone. At least, I wasn't sure. I went to find Ami-chan."
     "I wouldn't believe this person." Michiru shook her head. "They are all
liars, it's been that way all along. Even when you all thought you could turn
others to good, you have discovered it doesn't work."
     Usagi thought about Nephrite but remained silent. Could another one of the
Dark Kingdom turn to good? Should she believe this woman? "I hope Rei-chan is
alright."
     "So do I. And Haruka." Michiru fell silent as the vehicle continued
on....


     The huge blast of energy made Rei scream as it forced her backward into
the far wall. Trying to get up, she felt enourmous pain. 
     Sorceror Kandow smiled wickedly. "Don't try to stand against me again you
stupid girl! Is this what Queen Beryl was so concerned about? I fail to see why
she lost! I should have stayed and helped her win!"
     Chibi-Usa wrapped her arms around Sorcerress Ember. "You leave us alone
before you get hurt!"
     Kandow laughed. "So Ember? Guarded by children are we? You can't even
stand and fight me! You realize, you must die for trying to betray us! I don't
know how Vindalla knew it but, she suspected you would all along. That's why
she never gave out our real plans. Very intelligent considering you did betray
us and Jikell might."
     "Jikell is in love with Sailor Mercury!" Ember stood up forcing back her
pain. "And, if you would take the time, you'd learn that we shouldn't be trying
to destroy these humans! We should be learning to co-exist with them!"
     "A foolish answer from a traitor. Do you think I care what you say? I was
sent to destroy you and these others. And now, I will."
     Kandow opened his arms and a huge burst of energy let loose catching the
ceiling on fire!
     "NOOOOO!" Rei struggled to get up. "The temple! You can't!"
     "What gods do you worship you fool?" Kandow laughed again. "This place is
going to be firewood in moments. You'd all better get outside before you burn
alive. Of course, then I will have to kill you anyway. Better stay here and
just burn alive!"
     Chibi-Usa screamed as the ceiling began to collapse. Before she could
move, Ember grabbed her and dove out the window. Rei followed after them
through the doorway.
     Rei turned and tears came to her eyes as she saw the temple in flames!
"NOOOOO damn you!" She looked upward and saw Kandow laughing. "I'm going to
burn you alive!" She put her fingers together and shouted, "BUUUUURNING
MANDALA!!!!!"
     Kandow swore as huge fireballs flew past him. "You're better then I
thought. But, not good enough. Let me show you what I can do while you watch
your temple burn!" He stared at her and, suddenly the trees behind her began to
sway. A groaning sound filled the air and, with a tremendous ripping sound, Rei
gasped as she saw the trees uproot themselves and begin walking forward. 
     "There's some firewood for your temple fire!" Kandow grinned evilly.
     Ember leaped back as a tree branch tried to grab her. "Chibi-Usa! Look
out!"
     Chibi-Usa screamed as a branch grabbed her around the throat. Feeling it
tighten, she gasped for air. "Help me!" she gagged out the words.
     Ember was about to move when, an explosion sounded along with the
shout...."WOOOOORRRRLLDD...SHAKING!"
     A huge ball of yellow energy with a ring formed around it crashed into the
ground and continued on. It tore through the trees and, Chibi-Usa gasped as she
was thrown clear.
     Rei turned and saw Sailor Uranus running. "Sailor Uranus!"
     Kandow looked down at Uranus. "Interesting. I've seen you before. You're
the one who is always with Neptune! Where is the little bitch? I was looking
forward to defeating her again!"
     Sailor Uranus glared at him. "I've never seen you before! Who are
you?"
     "Someone who's going to give you an early death. I'm Sorcerror
Kandow! Also known as Lord of Death. I am the most deadly warrior in the
Fedkel Umi!"
     Ember spat at him. "Don't let Vindalla hear that! She'll feel
threatened by you! Kandow, it's not too late! We can end this! You don't
even know what Vindalla's plan is!"
     "I don't have to know! Unlike you foolish traitor, I have full
confidence she will lead us to total victory! A new life as rulers of
everything!"
     Not while we're here!" Uranus shouted. "Surrender or die!"
     Kandow looked at her. "Sailor Uranus...in the battle of the Silver
Imperium, I almost killed your friend! I'm going to do the same to you
now!"
     The ground began shaking and, Sailor Uranus jumped as a huge
stalagmite sharp as a razor ripped through the earth where she had been
standing. Uranus grinned. "You'll have to do better then that! Sailor
Mars, Sailor Chibi-Moon! We must attack together! NOW!!!"
     Rei grit her teeth! "This is for what you did to my temple! 
FIIIIIREEEE SOOOOOUL....BIIIIIRD!!!!!!"
     A huge bird of fire formed and leaped forth as if lauched by a
rocket! Kandow screamed as it engulfed him!
     Sailor Chibi-Moon put forth her small sceptre!  "PIIIINNNKK
SUUUGARRRR HEARRRRT...ATTAAACK!!!!!!"
     A wave of energy leaped forth from her and joined with Mars fire bird
increasing the strength of the attack!
     Sailor Uranus nodded. "WOOOORRRLLD.... SHAKING!!!"
     The huge yellow ball ripped forth from the earth where it had been
thrown and aimed directly for Kandow! As it joined with the others energy,
a loud explosion filled the air!
     The energy faded and, Kandow was gone. Sailor Chibi-Moon smiled. "We did
it! We beat him!"
     Uranus nodded. "It looks that way." She turned to Ember. "Now for you!"
     "NO!" Rei leaped in front of Ember. "Don't hurt her! She's my friend."
     Suddenly laughter filled the air. They all turned to behold Kandow
smiling down at them. "Did my little act fool you? I'm sorry if I made it
look so easy. Did you actually think I would die that quick? What fools you
are! The final battle has yet to begin! This hill won't even be standing when
we get through! Prepare to dieeeeeeee!!!!!!!

     Rei screamed as a huge ball of energy engulfed them.......

                              
                              
                              
                              Chapter Fifteen: Battleground!

     Michiru expertly maneuvered the sport car around the truck in front of
her, narrowly missing the car in the oncoming lane. Usagi gripped her seat and
glanced at the speedometer seeing they were going well over the speed limit.
She gasped as Michiru punched the accelerator as they came to a light and drove
through causing two cars in the intersection to slam on their brakes!
     Michiru looked at her. "Listen to me, Usagi-chan! This is very important!
Setsuna devised a plan how to protect the Silver Crystal! It's very important
that these Dark Kingdom warriors don't get it! We must protect you at all
costs!"
     "I'm scared, Michiru-chan. But, I won't run away either! I almost did that
a few days ago in the mall when we were attacked. I let my feelings overcome my
better sense of judgement. My friends are important to me!"
     "You are what's important!" Michiru smiled. "We are guessing that they
will try to attack you the moment you appear and destroy you because, it was
you Princess who defeated Queen Beryl. If they take you out, they can get the
Silver Crystal! If that happens, we are all lost."
     "What are you planning to do?" Usagi asked concerned.
     "Listen..this is the plan...."
     Usagi listened with growing fear as the plan was laid out to her. She
didn't like it. But she could see it was necesarry......

     "Oh my god! The temple is on fire!" Sailor Mercury shouted.
     Sailor Pluto swore. "Damn it! We're too late! Come on, we have to help!"
     Sailor Jupiter nodded. "I'm ready! I'm gonna kill those bastards! I want a
piece of this Vindalla witch!"
     "Don't get cocky and irrational!" Pluto warned. "You're fighting warriors
of the Dark Kingdom you've never encountered before! And these warriors are
deadly!"
    "I'm ready!" Jupiter smiled. "Let's get em!"
     They began running up the hill. Ami puffed, tired from running. But, they
had little time left. Her thoughts returned briefly to the horrified look on
Joquiam's face. No...not Joquiam. Jikell he had said his name was. She knew he
had loved her even though he wouldn't betray his people. But now, he was dead.
Tears began to fall down her cheeks as they topped the hill. The burning temple
was in front of them!
     "Sailor Mercury!" Pluto grabbed her and looked at her. "You must bury your
feelings! The man you loved was an enemy! Now, we must destroy his people!
Unlike enemies you have fought in the past, these warriors know who you are! If
we don't stop them, they can strike at us unopposed day or night! We need you
and, we must fight as a team! Are you alright?"
     Mercury noticed Jupiter looking at her and nodded. "I'm ready! Let's show
them what the Senshi can do!"
     Pluto smiled then turned quickly running forward. She aimed her staff.....

     "We're trapped!" Ember gritted her teeth through the pain as the deadly
purple bubble enclosed around them. "I don't have enough strength to get us
out!"
     Rei felt the burning of the energy from the bubble pouring through. She
gasped for air realizing, she had never felt anything so painful. "I can't
move! I feel like I have no will to move!"
     Sailor Uranus looked through the bubble up at Kandow. "You're going to die
when I get out of here you dark devil!"
     Kandow laughed. "I told you I was not so easy to defeat! And, there's no
way to escape! This is the great Senshi warriors? I expected more of a threat!
You will die either from excrutiating pain, or lack of air! Either way, you
will no longer be a threat! In fact, you never were a threat! Merely a
nuisance while we go on to greater glory!"
     Uranus swore and concentrated her power. "We'll die anyway! What have we
got to lose? Sailor Mars, strike now!!!"
     "FIIIIIIIIREEEE.....SOUUUUULLLLL!!!!"
     "CRYSSSSTALLLL.....ATTACK!!!!"
     The explosion of fire ripped into the ball, burning into Mars! She cried
out and poured on the energy! Uranus sword appeared and, she swung hard into
the fire impacting the energy!
     The ball exploded outward sending Chibi-Moon into a nearby bush. Ember
rolled and gasped as she stared up at Kandow. "We're free!"
     "You're going to die Ember!!!" Kandow waved his hands together.
     "I'LL TAKE YOU WITH ME!!!!!" Ember flew upward with the last of her
strength and, the two met in the air just as Kandow fired! The explosion
sounded like a thunderclap and, the impact rent the sky with a terrible flash!
     "EMBER!!!!!" Rei shouted. She forced herself up.
     The two warriors struggled together now creating great heat as they
fought. The evil auras of purple and green energy intermixed lighting the
twilight sky as darkness fell.
     Sailor Uranus stood up. "We have to destroy them Rei-chan! They are evil
and, they know who you are!"
     "Not Ember!" Rei glared at her. "You don't know her the way I do! We have
to help her!"
     "YOU CAN'T TAKE THE RISK!!" Uranus shouted. "SHE'LL BETRAY US LATER!"
     "NO SHE WON'T!!" Rei shook her head. "I KNOW HER!!" Her voice fell. "I
know her. She isn't a child anymore but, her heart is what I feel! She has seen
the light and wants nothing more to do with evil!" Rei looked upward. "I have
to help her!"
     Suddenly, the sky filled with an evil aura and, Chibi-Moon pointed
upward. "LOOK OUT!!!!"
     Four women and two men appeared hovering in the air above them! The
tallest woman flew downward and pointed a large silver staff at the two
combatants. "Time to end this petty struggle!" She fired and, a huge explosion
blew the two apart. Kandow crashed into the ground and stood up shaking his
head. Ember fell and hit the ground near Rei. Rei shouted and ran to her,
covering her.
     "Get...get out of here...Rei-chan!" Ember choked out the words in agony.
     The woman smiled. "Sailor Mars! I have to congratulate you! No one has
ever been an elite member of my Fedkel Umi and betrayed me..until now!"
     Ember looked up at her. "You're plan is going to fail!"
     "Shall I be the judge of that? You're days as a warrior are finished
Ember!"
     Rei stared at the woman. "You're Vindalla aren't you? What are you trying
to do! You've hurt my friends! You tried to turn us against each other! You've
burned my temple! I can't forgive that!"
     "I wouldn't expect you to...Sailor fool! However, I don't think you know
who we are. Allow we to introduce us. I am Commander Vindalla...soon to be
Queen of this entire world! Above me here you see, the elite warriors of the
Dark Kingdom! The Dark Kingdom is no more because, Queen Beryl was a fool! I
however am not! And, my first act as Queen of this world and one day the
universe is to sentence the Sailor Senshi to death! Over a thousand years ago,
Beryl failed to listen to me when I gave her the ultimate plans to capture and
destroy the Silver Imperium! She again failed to listen to me, and use my forces
when she went against you! Now, she is gone...and you will deal with me!" 
     "And we'll destroy you!" Sailor Uranus glared at Vindalla.
     "Oh? Shall we see who is the stronger?" Vindalla fired a burst of energy
which blew Uranus off her feet. She laughed. "No contest. You're not even worth
my time."
     The wind suddenly picked up and, a whisper filled the air. Vindalla looked
behind her quickly. "What..?"
     "DEAD SCREAM!!"
     Vindalla cried out in pain as a sudden blast hit her from behind and
almost forced her from the sky!
     Sorcerress Nadi turned quickly. "Damn it! It's the others!"
     "SHIIINNNNGGGG AQUA ILUUUUSION!!!!!!"
     Nadi screamed as a huge vortex of water and energy slammed into her and
forced her out of the sky directly toward the burning temple! Creating a
shield, she stopped herself just before entering the flames!
     Vindalla glared at Sailor Pluto. "So at last we meet, Sailor Pluto! I have
heard of you. I've heard your intellect and strategic mind my come close to my
own! I will look forward to destroying you!"
     "SUUUUUUPREEMEEE....THUNDER!!!!!"
     The remaining four warriors shouted and scattered as a sudden blast of
lightning tore through the sky directly at them. Vindalla looked downward.
"Sailor Jupiter! Now nice to see you. Did you enjoy your brief love affair?"
She looked at Mercury. "Or did you? Where is my humble servant, Jikell! Or did
you yet know, we played you both for prize fools!"
     "Your servant is dead!" Pluto smiled. "They discovered him and I destroyed
him."
     Vindalla shrugged. "A pity. He was but a servant."
     Mercury glared at Vindalla. "YOU HAD NO RIGHT! HE WAS A GOOD PERSON!!!"
     "Precisely why I used him! But, the time for chat is over!" Vindalla
nodded to the other warriors. "SAILOR SENSHI....DIEEEE!!!!"

    Sailor Mars leaped clear as four of the Dark Kingdom Warriors fired
simultaneously! Sailor Mercury not so lucky let out a scream as she was caught
in the blast. "MERCURY!" Jupiter shouted. Jupiter ran to Mercury's side and,
prepared to meet the attack.
    Two of the warriors swooped down and one pulled an energy sword out of the
air. "I'm Sorcerror Telchin," he smiled evilly. "And you two are finished!"
    Jupiter screamed as Telchin swung his energy blade downward but, a sudden
push from behind knocked her away from it. She looked up and, Sailor Uranus
stood with her own sword.
    "Come on you scum! Let's see what you got!" Uranus swore at him.
    "A challenge...I hope it's a worthy one!"
    Uranus swung her sword and, the two energy weapons slammed together in a
brilliant flash! Vindalla laughed. "Teach this amature what fighting is all
about!"
    Telchin continued to press the attack and, Uranus swore as she realized she
was losing....

    Chibi-Moon screamed as one of the warriors made for her. "PIIIIINKKK
SUGGARRR HEEEART...." she gasped as she was hit before she could finish and hit
the ground. The warrior laughed. "I'm Sorcerress Aubel, little child. I think
you'll make a valuable asset to us." She picked up Chibi-Moon. "I'll take her
to Egypt, my Queen."
    "Excellent." Vindalla nodded. "Go prepare the way for us." She turned to
Sailor Pluto. "I've heard your a great warrior! Let's find out how great!"
    Sailor Pluto pointed her staff upward and Vindalla pointed her's at the
exact same moment. The two staffs fired and, both combatants were blown
backward. Vindalla shook her head trying to get her bearings as Pluto got off
the ground.
    Sailor Pluto looked quickly as she realized Chibi-Moon was gone! "SMALL
LADY!" She glared at Vindalla. "DAMN YOU! WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER?"
    "TO HELL!" Vindalla shouted. She flew down and, Pluto tore into her.
The two struggled hand to hand slamming their staffs together! Vindalla put
forth her hand and blew Pluto backward! "Enough of this! You're defeated, admit
it!"
    Sailor Pluto stood defiantly. She waved her staff. "DEAD SCREAM!"
    Vindalla shrieked as she was thrown backward into the dirt. Pluto moved
forward and jammed Vindalla hard with her staff. "You're going to pay for
this!"
    Suddenly, Pluto screamed as she was hit from behind! She fell and tried to
get up. Vindalla arose and kicked her hard in the face causing blood to flow
from her mouth. Pluto dazed tried to get up.
    Another warrior hit her with his own staff. "DIE SENSHI!"
    Vindalla smiled. "Well done, Rokin! Now, go kill Sailor Mercury! After all,
your powers are similar."
    Sailor Jupiter turned to meet the warrior coming toward her.
"THUUUUUNDER....DRAGON!!!!"
    The warrior tried to dodge but ran headlong into Jupiter's attack! He
shouted and was thrown back into the burning temple! His screams filled the
air!
    "BACAL!!!! DAMN YOU SAILOR JUPITER!!!"
    Jupiter turned and was hit hard by another warrior. She waved her hands
and, Jupiter was forced to the ground by an immense heat blast! "YOU KILLED MY
BROTHER!!" The woman continued to pound on Jupiter with an insanity! "YOU
KILLED BACAL!"
    "HE HAD IT COMING!!" Jupiter with new strength leaped off the ground and
grabbed the warrior by her hair. "AND SO DO YOU!" She slammed the woman hard
into the ground and kicked her. "SUUUUUPREMME....THUUUUNDER!!!!"
    The woman screamed as she was incinerated into ashes!
    
    Sailor Mercury still dazed tried to climb to her feet when, she was hit
from behind. Still trying to remain standing, she felt herself being lifted
into the sky and a man laughed. "Farewell Sailor Mercury! Too bad Jikell can't
see this!" He flew higher until he was over the burning temple and dropped her!
    Sailor Mercury screamed as she realized what was happening. She saw the
temple below being incinerated when, there was a flash of black and red!
    Someone caught her! She gasped and looked up into the face of Tuxedo Kamen!
    "Sailor Mercury, fire doesn't suit you. Time for a comeback, don't you
think?"
    He landed on the other side of the temple and turned to face the
devastation.
    Sailor Pluto was trying to struggle to her feet and, another warrior was
behind her. Vindalla was in front laughing. Tuxedo Kamen pulled forth a rose
and threw with deadly accuracy!
    "NADI! LOOK OUT!!!"
    Nadi hearing Vindalla's warning too late screamed in mortal pain as the
rose missile stabbed into her. She screamed again as two more hit and, she felt
her body losing strength. "Oh...I....H...Help me..."
    Vindalla caught her and glared at Tuxedo Kamen. "YOU! YOU'LL DIE FOR THAT!"
    "You already tried to kill me once!" Tuxedo Kamen swung his cane and
pointed it. "Idle threats do little for your already ugly disposition!"
    Vindalla seething slammed Sailor Pluto but, Pluto dodged and struck
Vindalla hard in the face. Vindalla swore and flew upward....
    
    Sailor Mars found herself facing Sorcerror Rokin. She looked down at Ember who was
barely conscious. "NO! YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING HER!!
BUUUURNINGGG...MANNNDALLAAAA!!!"
    Rokin dodged to the right then slammed into Mars with a powerful blast.
Mars  shook her head and tried to get up. Rokin picked up Ember. "It's time for
us to go."
    "NOOOO!" Mars leaped with a fury she had never known and grabbed Rokin
around the throat. Ember fell out of his arms and, the two struggled and fell
to the ground. Rokin punched Mars hard in her face forcing her to cry out.
Quickly he got up and picked up Ember. "Goodbye Sailor Mars! She will die in
agony!"
    Suddenly a noise grew closer. It sounded like an engine. Without warning, a
yellow sport car leaped over the hill and bore down on Rokin! "DAMN IT!!!"
    Rokin rose upward but, Mars pointed her fingers. "DROP HER NOW!!"
    "DIEEE!!!!" Rokin fired! Mars screamed as she was thrown back. 
    The car slammed to a stop. Sailor Neptune leaped out. She looked quickly
and saw Sailor Uranus in sword combat. She spun her arms and shouted, "DEEEEEEP
SUBMEEEEERGE!!!!"
    A tidal wave of water flew upward and slammed into Sorcerror Telchin
knocking him off his feet. The water continued and hit the temple extinguishing
the fire! Great clouds of steam and smoke arose from it.

    Vindalla turned as she heard a shout. She looked and saw Sailor Moon!
    "YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR VINDALLA! YOUR EVIL PLAN WILL NEVER COME TO PASS!! WE
ARE THE PREETY SUITED SOLDIER SENSHI! DEFENDERS OF LOVE AND JUSTICE!!! I'M
SAILOR MOON! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON I'LL PUNISH YOU!!!!"
    "Sailor Moon...at last!" Vindalla looked at Pluto and grinned. "Now we are
all here. LET THE REAL BATTLE BEGIN!!!!" Vindalla suddenly threw a wave of
energy at Sailor Moon and, Moon dove for cover screaming.
    "SAILOR MOON!" Jupiter ran toward her. She glared at Vindalla. "Let's trash
these devils!"
    Vindalla smiled as Jupiter was hit from behind and fell. Sorcerror Kandow
laughed. "Look behind you next time, Jupiter!" He looked and saw Sailor
Neptune.  "So....we meet again!"
    Sailor Neptune turned to face him. "I don't know you."
    "NO...but I know you! I almost killed you before!!!" Kandow fired a burst
of light and, Neptune jumped upward. "DEEEEEEP SUBMEEEEERGE!!!"
    The wave of water barely missed Kandow and, the two joined with a
cracking sound.
    Vindalla looked and saw Sailor Moon pull forth her Tiara. "MOOOOON TIAARA
ACTIIIIION!!!!"
    The tiara flew toward her! Vindalla ducked and watched it fly past. "Stupid
fool! Do you really think that..." she suddenly cried out in pain as the tiara
turned and hit her! Gasping  in pain, she pointed her staff at Sailor Moon.
"Two can play that game! DODGE THIS!"
    Sailor Moon screamed as the blast slammed into her and she felt her stength
leave. Someone caught her and, she fell back behind a wall. "Sailor Moon, it's
okay. I'm here."
    "Who...?" she whispered. She opened her eyes and beheld Tuxedo Kamen!
"Tuxedo Kamen...you're really here? I'm not imagining this?"
    "I'm here." He smiled.
    "AND SO AM I!!! DIE!!!" Sorcerress Nadi shouted.
    Tuxedo Kamen barely leaped clear as a sudden blast flew toward them. Nadi
laughed. "I'm going to finish what I started masked man! If a semi truck wont
do you in then, I will!"
    "My roses weren't enough to take you down?" Tuxedo Kamen stepped back. 
    "We're tougher then we look fool! We're not the warriors you fought in the
past. We're Fedkel Umi! The elite! Now die!!!!!!"
    She aimed her arms and fired! Tuxedo Kamen cried out and fell down. Sailor
Moon gasped as Nadi pointed at her. "NOW YOU SAILOR FOOL!!!"
    Before Nadi could fire, she was hit in the chest by a linked energy chain
accompanied with a shout, "VEEEEEENUUUSSS...LOVEELLYYYY...CHAAAAAAIN!!!!!"
    Nadi coughed and tried to get up as Sailor Venus appeared. Venus helped
Sailor Moon up and, she ran to Tuxedo Kamen. Venus turned to Nadi. "Time for
you to learn how to really fight!"
    
    Sailor Neptune groaned as she was hit again trying to block Kandow's
attack. Sailor Uranus was fighting Rokin and was unable to help. She saw the
wall Sailor Moon had fallen behind and dove for it. Tumbling over, she saw
Venus and nodded. "Take him on!"
    Venus leaped over the wall, "VEEEEEENUUUS LOOOOVELLY..ATTACK!!"

    Kandow was thrown back by the unexpected attack!
    Tuxedo Kamen nodded to Sailor Moon having recovered and followed after her.
    Neptune looked at Nadi lying on the ground where she had landed after being
hit by Venus. Nadi was almost unconscious. But, Neptune could tell  by the way
Pluto and Vindalla were fighting and the fact, half the Senshi were losing
strength, they were losing. She turned to Sailor Moon. "It's time for the plan.
Just in case Setsuna is right."
    Sailor Moon nodded reluctantly.....
    
    Sailor Moon leaped from behind the wall. She shouted to Vindalla. "I'M
GOING TO PUNISH YOU VINDALLA! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL USE THE SILVER
CRYSTAL!!!!!"
    Vindalla ducked Sailor Pluto's staff and nodded to Kandow. "TAKE HER!!!"
    Kandow fired a blast and hit Tuxedo Kamen! He waved his arms and, a purple
ball formed around Sailor Moon making her scream!
    Sailor Mercury still weak shouted. "USAGI!!!!"
    The ball began to fade away. Kandow laughed and looked for Neptune. She was
nowhere to be seen. "We'll destroy you later!" He saluted Vindalla and faded
out.
    The other Dark Kingdom Warriors as if on a prearranged signal withdrew and
faded out. Vindalla laughed. "You're all pitiful! But, it was a good fight. I
salute you as worthy adversaries! But, you are beaten! We have Sailor Moon! We
have the little Princess! And, I have my traitor!"
    Sailor Mars ran forward. "NO! EMBERRRR! USAGIIII!!
    "SMALL LADY" Uranus swore. "Damn you!"
    "If you feel your able to take us on, come to Egypt...and watch our
triumph!" Vindalla turned to Sailor Pluto. "You have a keen mind. But, it
doesn't come close to my intelligence! I hold the high cards now fools!"
    She flew upward."I shall enjoy torturing Ember, Sailor Mars! She will die
knowing she could have been a great warrior but, she chose to befriend you!
What a waste....until next time, Sailor fools!"
    Vindalla faded away and, Sailor Mars collapsed sobbing. Sailor Mercury
struggled over to her and, the two held each other.
    Pluto looked upward at the sky and nodded toward the wall. "They took the
bait. Sailor Moon, come out."
    Everyone stared as, Sailor Moon stepped out of the shadows into the
moonlight. Her head was downcast and, she looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Was that really necessary, Setsuna?"
    "Hai." Setsuna stepped forward. "Now we know fully who our enemies are.
And, they think they have the Crystal. They will now be concerned with their
plan and not us. We must devise a way to forever destroy them."
    Sailor Uranus stared at Sailor Moon then looked around. "Where's
Michiru-chan?"
    Sailor Moon hung her head and, Pluto nodded. "Michiru has been captured.
She used the Luna Pen to make them think she was Sailor Moon."
    "NOOOOOOO" Uranus swore and stared at the rising moon......
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                Chapter Sixteen: Reverse Deception

    The wind blew across the desert as the afternoon sun beat down on the
dunes. There was a low sound which filled the air almost like a humming then,
two figures appeared. Both held unconscious females which lay in their arms.
    Sorcerress Aubel laughed. "They weren't much of a challenge were they
Rokin?"
    Rokin looked down at Ember. "She was a fool to believe in them. I'm almost
going to be sorry to see her die."
    "Vindalla knows what she is doing. Let's get things set up."
    They flew toward the low hills and into the old tomb which had been trashed
by thieves and treasure hunters thousands of years ago. Aubel held up her hand
and, a wall opened to reveal a hidden chamber filled with riches. "Why do
humans put so much effort into these baubles? Absorbing energy is much more
efficient."
    "Perhaps. But you have to admit, the properties of this chamber make it an
excellent location."
    Aubel grinned at Rokin and put Chibi-Moon down. "So do you think we have
enough energy?"
    "Vindalla was quite specific as to what was needed. She is known for her
attention to detail and, I do not think she would make an error. She has been
an excellent tactician. I fully believe that, if she had been in command
instead of Queen Beryl, things would have been much differerent with the Senshi
the first time."
    Aubel laughed. "They were different this time! Even with the Outer Senshi
present, there was no contest. The others will be joining us soon."
    Rokin nodded and closed his eyes. "Yes, the room is full of dark energy. I
made sure that we were close enough to a major city that we could steal
whatever was needed in a pinch. Cairo is a good source. There is much conflict
going on."
    "What do you think Vindalla's full plan is?" Aubel wondered.
    "She is being very tight lipped. I suspect because, she wants to make sure
we have no more traitors." He looked down at Ember who groaned. "She seems to
be waking up. Shall I put her back to sleep?"
    Aubel laughed. "No. Let her see where her foolish path has led her. Can you
imagine? A friend to Sailor Mars? The very idea is laughable." Aubel snickered
wickedly.
    The room suddenly grew brighter and, Vindalla appeared followed by Kandow
and Telchin. The purple ball of energy containing Sailor Moon lowered to the
ground and disappeared.
    Sailor Moon opened her eyes and stood up. "Where..where am I?"
    Vindalla smiled at her. "Welcome to Egypt..and your tomb." She nodded to
the others and, Kandow waved his hands. Sailor Moon felt herself being held by
an unseen force. Chibi-Moon and Ember floated over to stand by her. Both
stirred and opened their eyes.
    "Agh! Where am I?" Chibi-Moon looked around at the huge statues on either
side of her.
    Vindalla lowered herself to the ground and walked over to them. She stopped
in front of Chibi-Moon and grabbed her chin. Forcing the child to look up she
nodded. "Little Child. You have no idea how sorry your going to be." She turned
to Sailor Moon. 
    "Give me the Silver Crystal. If you don't I'll kill her in front of you!"
    NO!" Ember shouted.
    Vindalla looked at Ember and slapped her hard across the face. "I want to
know something Ember. When you were getting close to Sailor Mars and realizing
you wanted to be a traitor, did you ever think about all I had done for you?
Did you remember the young warrior who wanted to serve and gain honors but no
one would even look at her? I took you under my wing, you little bitch! I
trained you! I encouraged you to gain control of your power! LOOK AT YOU NOW!"
    Ember nodded. "I remember. But, you need to understand something, Vindalla.
You taught me to use my powers for evil! To spread fear and hatred! I no longer
wish to hurt anyone. And, although I don't know your plan, I fear it will kill
my new friends as well as others."
    Vindalla slapped her again. "YOUR BRAINWASHED! Sailor Mars has found a weak
spot in you. I will take pity on your miserable life and ask you to turn away
from this path! If you do, I will never trust you but, I will allow you to
live! You are Fedkel Umi! An elite warrior! I offer you this mission...I want
you to leave here with Kandow and kill Sailor Mars!"
    "That is something I could never do. My feelings for her are..."
    Vindalla fired an energy bolt into Ember's chest making her cry out and
spit up blood. "Fine. Then, die like the traitor you are! I will waste no more
time on you!"
    Vindalla turned to Sailor Moon. "Last time. Give me the Crystal or
Chibi-Moon dies!"
    Sailor Moon with tears in her eyes reached down and unhooked the large
brooch containing the crystal. "I...surrender." She handed Vindalla the brooch.
    Vindalla laughed and held it up. "AT LAST!!! IT'S MINE!!! THE LAST PART OF
THE PLAN FULFILLED!" She smiled and turned to her warriors. "Now, you will
proceed to the next location. Kandow, you will remain here. Make sure this trap
does not fail. We are only hours away from total rule of this world!"
    "Trap?" Sailor Moon gasped.
    "Of course." Vindalla laughed wickedly. "Do you think I would be so foolish
as to divulge even a hint as to my real plan? Even the location is secret. I
only recently told those I could trust. You will all die here and you won't be
alone. I have spent much time and effort planning and directing this whole
operation. Nothing can go wrong. The Senshi will arrive to save you but, they
will die with you!"
    Vindalla rose upward. "It's time for me to leave you now to your deserved
deaths. I salute you Sailor Moon. Ember....you will die as you deserve. You
will learn what it means to feel a universe of pain! Chibi-Moon....enjoy what's
left of your short life!"
    "I shall complete preparations here and join you my Queen." Kandow bowed.
    Vindalla looked at the others. "Follow me. I will lead you to a new Dark
Kingdom! Ultimate Power is ours!!!"
    Kandow watched as the dark warriors faded out. He laughed and walked up to
Sailor Moon. "You surrendered very quickly. I knew you were a coward but, I
didn't realize how much."
    "I couldn't bear to see anyone else hurt." Sailor Moon looked down.
    Kandow smiled then, his eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute...there's something
strange here. You seem...different."
    Chibi-Moon looked quickly at Sailor Moon and, Moon turned away. "I'm
afraid, that's all. What are you planning?"
    Kandow walked away and spread his arms. "This entire room is infused with
rich amounts of negative energy. When discharged, this energy will react with
positive energy or even neutral in a very painful way. You feel as if your skin
is on fire. Also, a protective shield is in place...so the moment your friends
appear, they will all be trapped. Vindalla has planned it so, the pain will be
so intense, you will lose all reasoning. Primal anger will take over and...."
    "And...." Sailor Moon gasped. "We'll destroy each other! NO! I can't let
you!"
    "You can't stop us!" Kandow suddenly opened his palm and, a huge bubble
formed around the three. "Enjoy being the bait!"
    Ember gasped as she felt her body growing weaker. "I...I've got to help."
    "You can do nothing you little traitor, other then die the painful death
you have earned. The trap is set. Farewell...."
    Kandow faded out and, Chibi-Moon looked at Sailor Moon. "What are we going
to do?"
    "Blast our way out!" Sailor Moon suddenly looked determined. "DEEEEEEP
SUUUUUBMEERGE!!!!!"
    Chibi-Moon gasped as Sailor Moon faded away and Sailor Neptune appeared!
The blast of water slammed into the bubble but bounced back forcing Neptune to
the other side. the water and energy drenched Chibi-Moon and Ember and, Neptune
watched it evaporate. "Gomen nasai. I guess that isn't going to work."
    "YOU ALMOST DROWNED US!" Chibi-Moon shook her head. "You used the Luna
Pen? Why? Where's the real Sailor Moon?"
    "Walking into a trap along with everyone else! But, Vindalla took the bait.
She has the fake crystal."
    Chibi-Moon looked confused. "What are we going to do about this trap? We
have to do something before they get here!"
    "I don't know." Neptune looked distrustfully at Ember. "This better not be
a set up. I don't trust you!"
    "I'm not the one to fear." Ember felt weaker now. "I have seen the benefits
of being good and noble even if I die because of it. Kandow was correct in
saying, the negative energy will force the others to fight. They will be unable
to control themselves. We have to warn them!"
    Sailor Neptune swore as she realized time was running out.....

    Sailor Uranus turned and stared at Pluto. "You planned this didn't you? You
planned to have her do this! What the hell were you thinking Setsuna-chan?"
    Sailor Pluto remained unperturbed. She stood silently as Sailor Moon helped
Jupiter up from where she had fallen.
    "ANSWER ME!!" Uranus shouted.
    "It wasn't all her fault. We both had a hand in it as well."
    Uranus looked and saw Luna and Artemis come out of the bushes. Luna sighed
and stepped forward. "We had no idea who our enemies were. We needed to throw
them off."
    "We could tell by the way things were going, we needed an edge." Artemis
continued, "Just trying to fight them isn't going to be enough. These
warriors have already worn us down. None of you are at peak strength."
    "And they obviously planned this." Pluto looked at everyone. "Listen to me,
all of you. We are still being manipulated. By striking at us the way they have
and capturing Small Lady, we are again at a disadvantage. Our only choice was a
pre-arranged plan that Luna and I discussed earlier."
    "WITHOUT ME!" Uranus shouted. Her anger was evident.
    Pluto sighed. "Haruka-chan. We both knew that you would never allow
Michiru-chan to put herself in such danger. She agreed with us on this. Gomen
nasai. We did not mean to hurt you."
    "You should have consulted with me. We're a team."
    "True. But, we weren't sure how you would react and, Michiru-chan agreed
with us. She chose to put herself in this situation should it be needed. We
were losing. We needed to end the battle and put the situation back under our
control. By making them think they have Sailor Moon and the Silver Crystal,
they are less likley to worry about us. This will hopefully bring their guard
down." Pluto shook her head. "There is no easy solution to any of this. The
worst battle is yet to come."
    "What do you mean?" Jupiter looked surprised. "I took two of them out by
myself! They aren't that tough!"
    "You were very lucky." Luna said. "You threw one in the fire and, the other
was too angry to think straight."
    "Next time Makoto-chan, you will not be so lucky. You must watch your
temper." Pluto glared at her.
    Jupiter swore. "Look Setsuna-chan, just because you weren't winning your
fight doesn't mean..."
    "You were hit too, Makoto-chan." Mercury smiled thinly.
    "Well, true..." Jupiter sighed, "But, I was doing pretty well."
    Sailor Moon hugged Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan...what do we do now?"
    Tuxedo Kamen winced in pain and she pulled away frightened. "I'm okay." he
said.
    "You're still hurt aren't you?" she began to cry. "Mamo-chan, you shouldn't
be here! You should be resting.
    "I'm where I'm needed most." Tuxedo Kamen smiled. "I'm glad I'm here with
you. But, Sailor Pluto is right. We were losing that fight. And the fact they
have Chibi-Moon and Sailor Neptune now, we have no choice but to go to Egypt
and confront them."
    "Precisely what Vindalla had planned all along." Pluto looked at Luna and
she nodded.
    "Vindalla obviously has been setting us all up for some time. It shows in
the way you were all psychologically weakened. They followed it up with this
physical attack. We are not dealing with normal enemies. Sailor Moon, you must
be stronger! We must find out what they are planning and stop it!"
    "I'll try Luna. But, I'm scared. I'm really scared. Poor Chibi-Usa." She
buried her face in Tuxedo Kamen's shoulder.
    Sailor Mars looked around. "Don't forget Ember. We have to save her too."
    Uranus looked at her. "You have to be joking! Rei-chan, hasn't it yet
become obvious to you that, she is just like the rest of them? She used you to
play on your emotions and turn you against us. Now, you're ready to help her?"
    "She isn't like that!" Rei insisted. "She's changed! I know she has! I have
faith in her."
    Everyone fell quiet. Rei looked around feeling desperate. "Doesn't anyone
believe me? Nephrite changed! Why couldn't she?"
    Sailor Moon looked up. She wiped her tears. "She did try to warn me. She
was the one that appeared to me."
    "You see?" Mars glared at Uranus. "She's good now."
    "I'm not going to be taken in by her or any of them!" Uranus swore
repeatedly. "From here on out, it's war! If any of them even touch Michiru-chan
I'll kill them! In fact, since they know your identities, we have to kill them!
Even her!"
    "NO!" Mars grew angrier. "I tell you, she has changed! And if you try to
hurt her, you'll have to come through me!"
    THATS ENOUGH! Luna shouted. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!"
    Sailor Venus nodded. "We really have got to get going. We need to teleport
to Egypt and save our friends. There's no telling what kind of trouble they are
in."
    Pluto nodded. "Precisely why we must make sure we know what we are doing.
Think about it. Vindalla has gone out of her way to lure us to Egypt. This has
got to be a trap!"
    Artemis turned to Sailor Moon. "Usagi-chan, you're our leader. Although we
don't always treat you like it, this is your decision."
    Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "I...I haven't been this frightened in a
long time. But, if we don't go, we won't be able to save our friends. I know
Haruka-chan doesn't trust Rei-chan's friend and, Setsuna-chan is afraid
this is a trap. But, how else can we save them?"
    "We have no choice." Pluto nodded. "We have to try. I suggest that Sailor
Mercury use her computer to scan for anything that might be a danger to us.
It's our only protection."
    "I hope it's enough." Sailor Mercury opened up her computer and began
scanning. "The problem is, I think the range is limited. I'm not picking up any
disturbances although, the magnetic field of the earth appears to be slightly
different. Nothing significant though. I'll keep an eye on it."
    "We should all go on this mission." Artemis said. He smiled at Luna. "Maybe
we can help."
    Luna nodded. "I think so too." She looked at each of them. "We need to
teleport. It will further weaken us but, that can't be helped. Tuxedo Kamen,
please come with us."
    Tuxedo Kamen took Sailor Moon's hand and smiled at her. "I'm here to
protect you all."
    They all gathered together in a circle. Luna sat on Sailor Moon's shoulder
while Artemis sat on Venus's shoulder. Tuxedo Kamen stood by Sailor Moon and
they all concentrated.
    Artemis looked up as clouds in the sky parted. "SAILORS...TELEPORT!!!!"
    The air filled with a shimmering as all of the Senshi concentrated their
powers together. Stones began moving near them and, a wind came up. Then, in a
flash of colors, they lifted off the ground and were gone.....

    Unnoticed, Sorcerress Nadi looked from behind the wall where they had
forgotten about her. She smiled. The fools. They were headed into a trap but,
even if they figured it out, they would never escape. For unknown to them, the
trap was designed specifically to turn them against each other! And after what
she had noticed between Mars and Uranus, it was a sure bet those two would be
the beginning of the end for the Sailor Senshi!


                               
                               Chapter Seventeen: Mind Trap!

    "It's no use. I can't get us out." Sailor Neptune swore. "We don't appear
to be in any immediate danger except, our air will run out soon."
    "This bubble isn't supposed to do anything but keep us secured, Sailor
Neptune." Ember tried to concentrate. "We have to get out of here and warn our
friends before they arrive. I don't know how powerful Kandow has made this trap
but, you can be sure it is designed to destroy us."
    "And you were part of this plot!" Neptune glared at her. "How can I trust
you? This could all be a ploy to lure us into an even greater trap."
    "I think she's nice." Chibi-Moon smiled. "I don't get the same bad feelings
from her I do the others."
    "Arigatoo, Chibi-Moon." Ember felt weak. "I don't think we have much time.
But, I appreciate your faith. I don't expect either of you to trust me. It was
a terrible thing what I did to Rei-chan. I can only try to atone for it now by
doing what I can to escape. I have been disowned by my people. If I can't earn
your friendship, I have nothing."
    Neptune stared at Ember for a few minutes. "If you were generating this
bubble, how would you defeat it?"
    "This bubble was made with negative energy. However, it has to be a low
level because, we are not being harmed by it."
    "It repelled my attack." Neptune looked down. "How do we overcome it?"
    "Maybe..." Ember pushed against the dense energy and felt it give a
prickling sensation against her fingers. "Maybe if we can block out all
negative thoughts, that would deprive it of it's power."
    "Only thoughts about good things?" Chibi-Moon laughed. "I think I can do
that."
    "I'll try." Neptune sighed. "It's going to be hard given everything that
has happened. It's going to require me to trust you, Ember. If I don't those
negative feelings will remain."
    "True." Ember grinned. "Let's try it."
    The three closed their eyes and concentrated trying to think only good
thoughts. Neptune smiled as she remembered happy moments with Haruka.
A smile crept to Chibi-Moon's face as she thought of having ice cream with all
her friends. Ember remembered being in the temple and talking with Rei. The
feeling she remembered was so warm. The way Rei hugged her and soothed her, she
was just like a mother.
    Ember had never known her mother. Family relationships such as existed on
Earth had been unheard of in the Dark Kingdom. It was closer to being in
cliques..the more powerful survived. Thoughts of Vindalla and the others crept
in and, Ember forced them out. Rei-chan! Think only of Rei-chan! How kind she
was how trusting! Yes...Rei was just like a mother to her!
    "I feel something." Neptune said. "It feels like the energy is not as thick
when I push against the bubble."
    Ember experimented. "It's working! Keep thinking only positive thoughts!"
    But suddenly, there was a flash and, a teleport bubble appeared! Ember
looked quickly at it. "NOOOOOO! DON'T COME IN HERE!!!!!"
    
    The teleport ended abruptly as, the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen appeared over a
vast desert. Luna turned to Mercury. "Ami-chan. Use your computer to see if you
can detect anything that may lead us to them."
    Mercury scanned. "We're about fifty miles from Cairo now but, I'm picking
up strange trace elements of energy that I've used to identify Dark Kingdom
warriors. It's coming from some hills south of here about thirty miles away."
    "Let's get there then!" Jupiter growled. "I want a piece of Vindalla!"
    "I warned you not to be overconfident!" Pluto chastised her. "We may be
watched as we approach. I am sure this is a trap."
    "Trap or no, we have to save our friends." Sailor Venus replied. Let's get
there!"
    The Senshi flew in their teleport bubble over the desert and covered the
distance quickly. Soon, they could see some low hills in front of them.
Mercury used her VR visor. "I see what looks like the entrance of a tomb! There
appear to be trace elements of energy around it but, I can't tell for sure
what's going on."
    "We must be very cautious." Artemis warned.
    Slowly they approached the entrance. Sailor Mars looked at it keeping watch
for anything unusual. "I don't feel anything bad right now. I think I would if
there was a trap."
    "They've deceived you already, Rei-chan." Pluto glared at her. "Do not
think they won't be able to again! It is very important that we are not
surprised this time. Every one of us must be prepared to fight the second we 
arrive. Ami-chan, what do you see now?"
    Mercury looked down the dark corridor. "There's a hidden entrance at the
end of this. I think we should teleport beyond it and surprise them."
    "Good idea." Jupiter grinned. "Since we won't be opening any doors, we can
do just what Setsuna suggests and get the drop on them."
    "I advise caution." Setsuna warned.
    Uranus shook her head. "Let's do it! If we just crash in on them and hit
them hard and fast, they wont even see us coming! Michiru-chan is in danger
and, I'm going to get her out of there!"
    "We can't even tell if they are in there." Mercury answered. "I can only
get limited readings from the computer."
    "Well, we aren't going to find out anything just sitting here." Venus
sighed. "Let's do it!"
    Sailor Moon looked at Tuxedo Kamen. "I'm scared, Tuxedo Kamen. I hope we'll
be okay."
    "Sailor Moon, we're all with you. Every one of us will protect you the way
you have protected us in the past."
    Sailor Moon smiled and nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
    Together the Senshi concentrated and, the bubble faded out. They found
themselves appearing in a large room with many statues and ancient writing on
the walls of many colors.
    "There they are!" Artemis said." He pointed at a purple bubble in the
center of the room that held three females. "Let's get them out of there!"
    Just as the Senshi lowered themselves and began to drop the bubble, Sailor
Mars looked up. She could see Ember screaming something but, couldn't hear it.
    The next thing Rei knew was a world of pain! She screamed and fell over as
what felt like a thousand needles  was stinging her body all over. The other
Senshi did the same and, Tuxedo Kamen stood for a moment before he too cried
out and fell over gasping!
    Luna and Artemis looked around. "ARTEMIS!" Luna shouted. "THERE'S SOMETHING
IN HERE! WE HAVE TO GET THEM OUT!"
    Artemis ran over and jumped on Sailor Venus who was crying in pain.
"MINAKO-CHAN! MINAKO_CHAN! LISTEN TO ME!!!"
    Suddenly Sailor Venus turned over with a wild look in her eyes. She glared
at him. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!" She slammed Artemis hard and, he found
himself flying into a wall!
    "ARTEMIS!!" Luna screamed.
    Sailor Uranus had gotten up and was staring at Sailor Mars. "IT'S YOUR
FAULT! YOU TOOK MICHIRU FROM ME!!"
    "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH AMBER-CHAN??" Rei shouted back.
    Luna looked quickly at the bubble nearby. She could see Ember trying to
scream through it. Luna ran quickly over. Sailor Neptune crouched down and
tried to shout at her but, there was too much noise.
    Uranus slammed into Mars as the two pulled each other's hair and crashed to
the ground fighting. "What have you done with Michiru?" Uranus voice grated.
    Sailor Pluto got up and turned to Sailor Moon. "Why won't you take more
responsibility?"
    Sailor Moon glared at her. "What are you talking about!"
    "Your supposed to be a Princess! A Queen! Your nothing like you used to be!
You don't know what it means to rule a kingdom!""
    "DONT TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!" Tuxedo Kamen leaped in front of Sailor Moon.
    "Why? What are you going to do about it?" Pluto said acidly.
    Artemis shook his head and turned just in time to see Pluto swing her staff
at Tuxedo Kamen. He blocked it with his cane and, the two went down. 
    Sailor Mercury glared at Sailor Jupiter. She threw down her computer. "IT'S
YOUR FAULT! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT JOQUIAM-CHAN DIED!"
    "THE HELL WITH YOU!" Jupiter returned. "HE WAS THE ENEMY ANYWAY! HE WAS
JUST USING YOU!"
    "LIAR!!!!!" Mercury dove at Jupiter and the two struggled as Mercury tried
to choke her! "YOU CAN'T TALK THAT WAY ABOUT HIM!!"
    Jupiter slammed her across the mouth. "I just did! GET OFF ME!!!" She
shoved Mecury back and, lightning sparkled from her tiara. "SUUUUUPREEMEE....."
    "NO!!" Artemis dove at Mercury barely knocking her clear as Jupiter fired!
    "ATTACKKK!!!" The lightning flew forth and slammed into the wall. The
aftermath took Mars and Uranus down.
    Sailor Uranus got up and shook her head. "YOU STUPID BIMBO!!" She raised
her hand. "WOOOOOOORLD...."
    "DEAR GOD!!!" Luna screamed. She and Artemis both dove and shoved Jupiter
back as Uranus launched her own attack.
    "SHAAAAAKINGGG!!!!" The ball ripped forth from her and tore through the
ground flying upward. It slammed into the opposite wall and, two statues
cracked and began to fall! One came crashing down barely missing Venus!
    Sailor Venus glared at Uranus. "YOU TRIED TO KILL ME!!!!"
    "STOP THIS!!!!" Artemis yelled. He leaped on her. "Clear the anger from
your mind Minako-chan! This is a mind trap! It'll destroy us!!!"
    Sailor Venus grabbed Artemis by the neck and threw him down. "GET AWAY FROM
ME!!!" She pointed her finger at him. "CREEEEESCEENTTTT...."
    Artemis dove for cover as Venus let loose, "BEEEEEEAAAAMMM!!!!" The beam
shot forth and cut through a column in the far section of the room. It collapse
and, the roof cracked.
    "ARTEMIS!" Luna shouted. "IF WE CAN'T STOP THIS THEY'RE DOOMED!!"
    
    Sailor Neptune, Chibi-Moon and Ember screamed and watched helplessly as
their friends in their madness began to tear each other apart. Ember felt tears
come to her eyes. "Damn you Vindalla! This is your fault! We have to help
them!"
    Sailor Neptune shoved against the bubble. "NOO! Haruka-chan! Don't fight!
Don't do this! Listen to me!"
    "USAGI-CHAN!!!!" Chibi-Moon shouted. She stared up at Neptune with tears in
    her eyes. "WE HAVE TO HELP THEM!!!"
    Ember swore. "Even if we manage to eliminate this bubble, we'll be effected
by the same negative energy that is torturing them!" She gasped as she saw
Sailor Mars grab Uranus around the throat and choke her. "NOOOO!
REEEEIII-CHAAAN!"
    
    Artemis leaped clear as a blast from Jupiter almost hit him. He gasped as
Tuxedo Kamen fell backward and almost hit Luna. Sailor Pluto glared at him and
swung her staff. "I'll finish you!" she said wickedly. "DEAD....."
    "NOOOOO!!!!" Sailor Moon slammed into Pluto from the rear knocking her off
her feet. She picked up a rock and began beating Pluto in the head with
barbaric ferocity. "DON'T YOU TOUCH MY MAMO-CHAN!!!!"
    Luna crawled out from under a fallen column and ran over to Artemis.
"Artemis! Sailor Moon's healing! It's our only chance!"
    "The mind meld!" Artemis smiled. "Let's hope we can reach her."
    Uranus and Mars were rolling on the floor pulling at each others hair. Mars
shoved her off. "I'M SICK OF YOU!!! FIIIIIIIIREE...."
    Uranus gasped as a ball of flame began to form at Mars fingertips. 
    "RUN!!!!" Luna shouted slamming to Mars.
    "SOOOOOOOULLLLL" The ball of flame thrown off course by Luna flew straight
at Sailor Venus who screamed as it hit her! She fell over rolling trying to
douse the flames!
    "NOOO!" Artemis ran over to Venus who was crying and gasping on the ground.
Her skin was reddened. Artemis suddenly felt great anger. He turned to Mars.
"YOOOOU!! AGHHHHHHH!!!!" Running, Artemis dove at Mars face with his claws
extended.
    "ARTEMIS NO!!!!"
    Luna's screams went unheard as Artemis now seized by the negative energy
tore at Mars face. Mars screamed trying to cover herself and shoved him away.
    Mars tried to get up but, Uranus grabbed her and choked her. "THIS TIME YOU
DIE!!!" Uranus shouted.
    Luna ran quickly over to Sailor Moon as Pluto shoved her back and slammed
Moon in the face with her staff. Pluto aimed her staff. "You're no Princess!
You're going to die as an impersonator should!"
    Luna shouted as Pluto aimed her staff. "DEAD SCREAM!!!!!"
    "NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Luna dove at Sailor Moon just as Pluto fired!! The blast
tore through the air and, a blinding explosion erupted destroying everything....

    Luna gasped as the ceiling began to collapse. She saw she had barely shoved
Sailor Moon out of the way in time. Pluto's blast had rent a deep hole where
Moon had been.
    Luna took her paws and pulled Moon's head around to face her. "Usagi-Chan!
Usagi-chan! Snap out of this! We have to stop it!"
    Sailor Pluto shook her head from the shock of the explosion and prepared
to advance. Tuxedo Kamen suddenly threw a rose barely missing her! He dove into
her and, they both fell over a pile of stones!
    Luna slapped Sailor Moon's face. "WE NEED YOU!! LOOK AT ME!!"
    Sailor Moon opened her eyes and Luna concentrated. "That's it. The Luna
mind meld. Feel me, Usagi-chan!"
    Luna concentrated with all her power trying to get past the angry energy
that was clouding Usagi's mind. She could feel Usagi's fear underneath. It was
that fear that had made her vulnerable. "Come on Sailor Moon! Princess
Serenity! WE NEED YOU NOW!!!"
    Sailor Mercury slammed into Jupiter and drove her head into a wall. "YOU
TRIED TO TAKE JOQUIAM-CHAN FROM ME!!" She stepped back. "SHIIIIING AQUA
ILLLLUSION!!!!!"
    Jupiter screamed as the ice cold attack hit her and she went down
shivering! Mercury wild eyed stood over her. "NOW I'M GOING TO FINISH YOU!!"
Mercury shouted.
    "NOOO! AMI-CHAN!!!" Luna shouted. She tore herself away and concentrated on
Sailor Moon! No matter what happened, Usagi was their only chance! Luna linked
again ignoring the pain and anger she was trying to fight against. "Usagi-chan!
Listen to me! Concentrate on my voice!"
    "Lu...Luna?" Usagi whispered. Her eyes blinked. "What's happening to me
Luna?"
    "You're being subjected to a mind attack! Negative energy is very strong in
this room and, it's being used to prey upon anything you are feeling that will
react to it. Fear, anger, anything that isn't positive! Usagi-chan, we need you
to use your healing power! You must transform!"
    Sailor Moon sat up and gasped as she saw the evil around her. Venus was
lying gasping and injured on the ground. Mercury was pounding on Jupiter with
a large rock! Mars and Uranus were locked in deadly combat as Rei threw ofuda's
and, Haruka tried to kill Rei with her sword! Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Pluto were
punching each other and, Mamoru had Setsuna on the ground and was choking her.
Artemis was even affected trying to scratch at Mars as she dodged Uranus
efforts.
    "NOOO!" Sailor Moon pulled forth her sceptre. "CRISIS...MAKE-UP!!!!"
    The air shimmered and, Sailor Moon's uniform changed to her Super Sailor
Moon garb. Her golden crown circlet belt almost glowed as she completed the
transformation.
    Luna nodded. "NOW! Heal them quickly and rid this room of this energy!"
    Sailor Moon swung her sceptre around and felt the energy grow within her.
She pointed it outward to encompass everyone..."MOOOOOOONN
HEEEEEEAAALINGGG....ESSSSSCAAAAALLAAAATIOOOOOONNNNN!!!!!!!"
    The wave of power erupted forth from her sceptre and struck everyone in the
room. The Senshi gasped as their energy was taken from them and they all
collapsed. Tuxedo Kamen fell over and lay still next to Pluto. Artemis in mid
attack suddenly shook his head and fell into a pile of stones. He came out
covered in dirt his white fur now gray.
    Luna nodded. "WELL DONE!!! Now, free our friends."
    Sailor Moon saw the bubble with her friends and aimed her sceptre. "MOOOOON
SCEPTREEEEEEEE.....ELIIIIIMINAAAATION!!!!"
    Once again the energy erupted forth and slammed into the bubble containing
her trapped friends. The bubble glowed as if fighting the attack but, it soon
began to shatter. A small explosion rent the air and, Sailor Neptune,
Chibi-Moon and Ember fell to the ground.
   "CHIBI-USA!!" Moon shouted and ran to her.
   Sailor Neptune ran to Uranus side. "Haruka-chan!" She held Uranus in her
arms and wept.
    Sailor Moon after making sure Chibi-Moon was alright ran to Tuxedo Kamen.
"MAMO-CHAN!!" She hugged him and pulled his head off the ground.
    Ember feeling almost drained forced herself to get up and walked slowly
over to Sailor Mars. "Rei-chan?" She bent down almost collapsing. "Rei-chan,
please answer me!" Tears fell from her eyes. "REI-CHAN!!"
    Sailor Mars moved slightly and she raised her head. The smiling face of
Ember looked down at her. "Ember-chan." she whispered.
    "Don't try to talk." Ember whispered and held Rei close to her. "It's going
to be alright. I promise."
    Sailor Pluto raised her head and blinked trying to focus. "Dear god. We
almost killed each other. Usagi-chan, you saved us all."
    Sailor Mercury winced in pain as she saw Jupiter laying motionless.
"Makoto-chan?" Her eyes grew wide as she realized Jupiter wasn't moving. "OH
NO!! MAKOTO-CHAN!!!" Mercury crawled over to Jupiter and tried to wake her.
"This is all my fault!"
    "No it isn't." Luna said. "We've got to pull together. How badly is
everyone hurt?"
    Artemis with a look of shock on his face nudged Sailor Venus who was burned
and unconscious. "Oh no...Minako-chan! Minako!!!" He wept and tried to get
Venus to move. Venus remained motionless.
    Sailor Pluto struggled to her feet and looked at the devastation. "We have
to get out of this room. The ceiling could collapse any second."
    Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon pulled at Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan, wake up!"
Chibi-Moon wept.
    "This is very bad." Pluto swore. "In one stroke, Vindalla has rendered our
fighting ability useless! If they were to attack now, we wouldn't have a
chance!"
    Mercury pulled at Jupiter trying to wake her up. "It's no use! She's hurt
badly! Oh dear god, it's all my fault!" Mercury burst into tears and hung her
head.
    "Don't blame yourself." Luna turned to Pluto. "We have to get everyone out.
We're going to have to carry those who aren't able to walk."
    Sailor Uranus shook her head and struggled to her feet. "I...I'm okay now."
She hugged Neptune and turned to Sailor Mars. "Rei-chan can you stand?"
    Sailor Mars assisted by Ember climbed to her feet and swore as she felt
pain in her back. "I'm hurt. But, I can walk."
    "Forgive me!" Uranus bowed her head. "I cannot begin to atone for what I
did to you."
    "It wasn't your fault." Rei smiled at Ember. "Ember-chan, I'm glad your
safe."
    Ember nodded and ignored her own weakened body as she helped Mars toward
the doorway. "We have to get everyone out."
    As if in answer, the ceiling suddenly began to crack. Quickly, Pluto picked
up Tuxedo Kamen and, Uranus grabbed Venus. Neptune threw Jupiter over her
shoulder and, the Senshi struggled out just as the ceiling collapsed and tons
of rock fell nearly burying them as they left.
    The group struggled out of the tomb into the heat of the burning desert.
The injured were laid in the shade of the hillside as the others sat down
exhausted.
    Pluto looked at everyone. "We are in a crisis situation. Without Jupiter,
Venus, or Tuxedo Kamen, we are greatly reduced in strength. Furthermore, none
of us are in any shape to fight. We are drained and we need a rest. The problem
is, knowing what was happened thus far, it won't be long before Vindalla
strikes again! Next time, the Fedkel Umi may destroy us."
    The silence filled the air as the desert wind blew past them. Luna sighed.
"We can't return to Japan and wait for an attack. Who knows what Vindalla's
grand scheme is? I think it's safe to assume it's something far greater than
our deaths."
    "Hai." Uranus bowed her head. "I don't have much strength left. I know that
I couldn't fight on my own. This is just perfect! What the hell do we do now?"
    "Fight." Neptune whispered.
    Everyone turned and stared at her in amazement. Neptune looked at Sailor
Moon. "Princess Serenity, Vindalla will stop at nothing until she has
established a new and more terrifying Dark Kingdom once again. If we don't
fight, there will be nothing to stop her! You and the inner Senshi defeated
Queen Beryl and stopped them before. Vindalla with no one opposing her will be 
even more evil. She has shown no regard for life and, she even sacrifices her
own people!"
    Sailor Mercury nodded. "Jikell. She might have tried to save him if she
even cared. I agree. We can't let her get away with whatever she is planning!
Despite the fact we are injured and weak in strength, we have to continue."
    "She is evil." Ember answered.
    Sailor Mars looked at her. "Ember....how do we fight them? With our
strength reduced, is there any weakness we can use?"
    Ember bowed her head and stared at the sand. "Nothing. I can think of
nothing you haven't tried to stop them. Worse yet, I don't know what Vindalla's
plan is. She anticipated I might betray her and didn't reveal it to me. They
could be anywhere in the world now."
    Sailor Moon looked over at Tuxedo Kamen who lay motionless. Chibi-Moon was
beside him. "What can we do then? Even if we could fight them, we have no idea
where they are! Ami-chan, can your computer scan the whole world?"
    "Not without something specific." Mercury sighed.
    "But there is." Pluto smiled slowly. "The fake crystal."
    "Fake crystal?" Sailor Moon blinked.
    "When Sailor Neptune used the Luna Pen to look like you, I had already
given her a crystal to fool Vindalla with. This crystal is made of a substance
from when the Silver Imperium was at the height of it's power. I don't think
it's a substance found anywhere on this planet." 
    Sailor Mercury pulled out her computer. "I'm glad I didn't damage this when
I threw it down. What is it made of?"
    Sailor Pluto quickly told Mercury the composition of the crystal which
Vindalla had taken. Once she had the information, Mercury turned the computer
to maximum scan and slowly moved it in a circular direction. "I'm picking up
coordinates! They're being relayed now to the library section."
    Everyone watched with fascination as the computer began to give Mercury
the answers. "According to the coordinates, this places the crystal's current
position as in the country of Peru...South America!"
    "Peru?" Pluto looked at the computer. "She is definitely plotting
something. We need answers. I am beginning to suspect this tomb was not just to
be used as a trap for us. She was probably looking for information and after
she found it, she thought of using this as a trap."
    "We have to go back inside and see if we can find out anything!" Uranus got
up. "The problem is, what are we looking for?"
    Mercury continued her scan. A dark shadow seemed to cross her face. "I
don't know. But, whatever it is we better find it soon. Remember when I said
that the magnetic field of the earth had some sort of variation? It's
increasing!"
    Sailor Moon looked at her. "But, what would cause the earth to do that?"
    Pluto stared straight ahead into the desert as if seeing eternity. "A
manipulation of powerful forces. Matter and energy. Somehow, Vindalla is
controlling vast amounts of power! If we don't stop her soon, we never will!"
    "How can you be so sure it is her doing it?" Chibi-Moon asked.
    Ember looked over and nodded. "Our time has run out. She's preparing to do
exactly what she said to me. The creation of a new Dark Kingdom on this world."
                               
                               
                               
                               
                               Chapter Eighteen: 
                               Battle From a Thousand Years!

   
    Chibi-Usa looked up as a sudden groaning noise caught her attention. Tuxedo
Kamen opened his eyes. "Ch..Chibi-Moon?"
    "Tuxedo-Kamen!" She smiled and looked at Sailor Moon. "He's waking up
Usagi-chan!"
    Sailor Moon moved quickly to his side. "Mamo-chan." she whispered. "How are
you feeling?"
    "Like I hit another semi truck. I feel weak inside. And, I'm afraid my
injuries that were healed have been aggravated. I'm not sure I can fight."
    "Just rest, Mamo-chan." Sailor Moon bent down and held Tuxedo Kamen close
to her. "You don't have to fight anymore."
    Sailor Pluto looked at him and nodded. "It's as I feared. He's hurt too
badly to fight. If he hadn't been hurt before he might be able to. But, his
injury from before plus this attack have been rendered him powerless."
    Sailor Neptune moved over to Jupiter and turned her head. "She's still
unconscious. Ami-chan really laid into her."
    Sailor Mercury bowed her head. Pluto nodded. "Hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned." She saw Mercury look up and smiled. "You're negative feelings
were magnified, as were we all. It wasn't your fault, Ami-chan."
    A gasping sound caught everyones attention and, Sailor Uranus moved to
Sailor Venus. "She's awake! Minako-chan, can you hear me?"
    Sailor Mars looked at Ember then moved to Venus side. "Minako-chan, please
wake up. I didn't mean to hurt you."
    Venus coughed and opened her eyes slowly. "You're fire hurts Rei-chan! But,
I'm pretty tough." She smiled and tried to sit up.
    "Don't try to move." Uranus said.
    "If I don't move, we'll fry out here." Venus forced herself up and cried
out in pain. "My back still hurts from when I injured it at school. I think I
damaged it even worse fighting."
    "THAT'S TOO BAD...." a voice boomed, "BECAUSE YOUR GOING TO FIGHT OR
DIE!!!"    
    They all turned and saw Sorcerror Kandow above them. "How did you escape a
foolproof trap?" His tone was furious.
    Sailor Moon stood up. "YOUR TRAP HAS FAILED! YOU AND VINDALLA WILL NEVER
WIN! SURRENDER NOW! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE...THE PRETTY SUITED SOLDIER
SENSHI...TOGETHER WE WILL PUNISH YOU!!" She suddenly gasped and fell backwards.
    Kandow laughed. "It's a good thing I did come back and check. Now I will
have the privilege of personally destroying you!"
    Sailor Uranus glared at him. "Sailor Moon is right! You're the one that's
going to die!" She winced and shook her head as if in pain.
    "Feeling remnants of negative energy are we Senshi? Perhaps I didn't use
enough! No matter. If I can't get you to kill each other, I'll destroy you
myself!"
    Mercury jumped as Kandow launched an energy blast where she had been
sitting. Uranus swore and reached her hand up. "WOOOOOOR..." she coughed and
gasped falling down in the sand. "Oh no! I...I don't have any power!"
    Pluto looked at her. "This is very bad." She concentrated and swung her
staff around..."COME ON KANDOW! TAKE ME ON!"
    "As you wish!" Kandow laughed. 
    Pluto tried to jump as a blast of fire came at her. She felt the weakness
in her body take hold. "What...what's happening?" She avoided the attack but
fell breathing heavily on the ground.
    "You're energy is drained." Kandow smiled. "When you fought each other, you
used up your own power. I don't know how you got out of that trap but I assure
you, this is the end!"
    The Senshi watched as he rose his hands and prepared to destroy them.
Sailor Neptune stood up. She spun her hands and screamed, "DEEEEEEP
SUUUUUBMEEERGE!!!!"
    A sudden blast of water forming a tidal wave came from her and slammed into
Kandow. With a look of shock on his face, he tumbled back and rolled on the
sand!
    "She can fight!" Sailor Moon shouted surprised.
    "She was in the energy bubble!" Pluto looked at Kandow. "Now Neptune
while he's down, get him!"
    Kandow turned and gasped as Sailor Neptune slammed into him!  She quickly
followed it up kicking him hard. Kandow groaned and started to get up. Again
Neptune was there kicking him in the chest.
    Kandow swore and looked up. "Trying to finish the fight we began over a
thousand years ago? You won't win Sailor fool!"
    Neptune grabbed him  by the neck. "There's one difference!" her voice said
dangerously. "THIS TIME I'M NOT GOING TO LOOOOOOOOSE!!!!"
    Kandow screamed as she put her hands directly in his face and shouted.
"DEEEP SUUUUUBMEEERGE!!!!"
    His head was snapped back by the full force impact of the wave and, he spun
crazily like a rag doll away from her. The impact slammed him into the hillside
and he fell crashing down.
    "DON'T LET UP!" Uranus shouted.
    Neptune trying to maintain strength ran quickly over as Kandow began to get
up. As she reached him, he suddenly rose his hands and, a tremendous blast sent
her backward!
    "You caught me with my guard down." he said seething as he approached her.
"Now, I'm going to destroy you. You and all your friends!"
    Kandow in his rage fired blind missing Neptune. Michiru grabbed his hair
and threw Kandow hard into the rock hillside. Blood poured from his head and,
she slammed him again! 
    Kandow gasping fell down. Neptune raised her hands. "This is for what you
and all your dark friends have done! HIIIIIYYAAAAAAA!!!!!" Michiru with all her
strength poured her power into a tremendous blast...."DEEEEEEEPPP
SUUUUBMEEERGEE!!!!!!!"
    Kandow's life ended instantly as the impact of water and energy tore into
his body and the last thing his eyes saw was Sailor Neptune standing over him.
    "SHE DID IT!!" Chibi-Usa shouted.
    Sailor Pluto nodded. "We have come full circle. Sailor Neptune has avenged
her defeat while trying to defend the Silver Imperium. Now we must all somehow
regain our strength. And, although it may very well mean our deaths, we must go
to Peru. We must combine what's left of our strength to stop Vindalla!"
    "Not...not without me." a voice said weakly.
    "MAKO-CHAN!" Mars shouted. She made room as Mercury came over.
    "Mako-chan, are you alright?"
    Jupiter smiled. "I...I take back what I said about you needing to be
tougher Ami-chan. You really tore me up."
    "Can you sit up?" Pluto asked. "We need all our strength."
    Jupiter rubbed the back of her head and shivered slightly. "This heat feels
good. Ami-chan's power about froze me to death!"
    "Gomen nasai." Mercury bowed her head.
    "You must have really loved Jikell to feel like that." Makoto smiled.
    "Hai." Ami wiped the tears from her eyes. She quickly looked at her
computer. "The magnetic field has changed again. I don't think we have a lot of
time!"
    Sailor Uranus flexed her fingers and looked up. "This is strange. I don't
feel as weak as I did. Is it possible Kandow was doing something to us?"
    Sailor Mars looked at Ember. "Can your people do that?"
    "There are some that can drain energy without touching you. I have that
ability but, I would never use it unless I had to."
    "If you touch me, I'll pound you!" Uranus said.
    Sailor Mars glared at her. "Ember has proven herself. I think you can be a
little nicer to her."
    Sailor Neptune nodded. "She has been kind so far. I attribute that to you
Rei-chan. I will trust her." She looked at Uranus. "I ask you to do the same,
Haruka-chan."
    "We have to move now." Pluto sighed. "Can we all travel?"
    Sailor Venus gritting her teeth in pain nodded. "I can fight. It's going to
hurt me but, I can."
    "We're all hurting." Makoto said. She rubbed her arm. "I think I'm thawed
out enough now."
    Tuxedo Kamen sat up weakly. "I'll do what I can. But, I don't have any
strength left."
    Sailor Moon's eyes filled with tears. "Mamo-chan. I'm worried something
will happen to you."
    "I'm with you Usako." Mamoru smiled. "As long as I'm with you, we'll always
be together. No matter what happens."
    Luna looked at Artemis. "I'm afraid we won't have much of a future,
Artemis. I want you to know, I'll always love you."
    Artemis smiled and nuzzled Luna. "You talk like we've already been
defeated. I have faith that our Senshi will triumph. I have faith that you and
I will be together."
    Luna kissed him and nodded. She turned to Sailor Moon. "Usagi-chan, it's
time to face Vindalla. Are you up to it?"
    Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "As long as I have my friends and my
family, I'll be alright. We can't let Vindalla win...we have to try!"
    Uranus nodded. "We'll defeat her!"
    Sailor Venus and Jupiter supported each other and, Sailor Moon held onto
Tuxedo Kamen. Pluto looked at everyone. "Remember...this battle we must win!
Even if it means our lives!" She looked at Mercury. "What does your computer
show?"
    "I'm getting these really crazy readings...it's almost like...they are
there and then they are gone."
    Luna stared at her. "There and then gone?"
    "Hai." Ami frowned. "If I didn't know better, I'd say it resembled one
magnetic field over another. Almost as if two worlds were trying to occupy the
same space."
    "There and gone.." Artemis whispered. "A doorway!"
    Pluto stared at him in fear. "She's opening a portal! But, where does it
lead?"
    Sailor Moon looked up at the sky as the wind picked up and gasped. The
Senshi all turned to see why she had shown such fear. The sky which had been a
deep blue was turning into a soft purple..it seemed to be in state of
fluctuation. The purple then changed to black. The black was like an empty void
with no stars. It gave off a chilling appearance!
    "Her doorway is opening." Sailor Neptune said.
    "And if we don't close it, it will mean the end of all humanity!" Pluto
stared upward.
    Ember looked at Sailor Mars and felt terrifying fear. Fear as she realized
Vindalla's plan was coming to pass!....

     "Ember take my hand."
     Ember looked up and saw Rei looking at her expectantly. All of the Senshi
had gathered together in a circle once again to teleport. Tuxedo Kamen looked
tired but was standing on his own. Sailors Venus and Jupiter although injured
were ready. Ember smiled as she admired their spirit.
     She took Rei's hand and, Chibi-Usa took her other hand. She noticed
despite all that had happened, Sailor Uranus was keeping a watchful eye on her.
     "Mercury, were you able to determine from the computer what the
coordinates were?"
     Mercury nodded to Artemis. "I'll lead the teleport. Everyone concentrate
together."
     Pluto looked at everyone. "Remember. As soon as we come out of this
transport, we hit them hard and we hit them fast! It'll be our only chance
because, our strength is limited."
     All the Senshi nodded. Mercury closed her eyes. "Concentrate everyone."
     Once again the wind picked up and, rocks began to move around them. A
flash of colors flew up from the circle and, there was a flash as the Senshi
lifted into the unknown.
    
     Jungle birds that were usually prevalent had ceased. All wildlife in
the area of the ancient temple had been extinguished. A great darkness
filled the sky surrounded by what appeared to be a purple dark fire!
     Vindalla smiled as she watched the gateway to the ancient dimension
open! It had been a long search. Through ancient records she had managed
to obtain, Vindalla had determined that, the "dark pathway" used by the
Egyptian magicians and the Mayan Priests was one and the same. Whenever
this gateway was opened, it had enabled the magicians and priests to
obtain great power. But, they had never been able to maintain it! From
this and reading the hyroglyphics on the tomb of the Pharoah Amgomsis, 
she recognized the potential for a completely untapped power! Power that
if used properly could control a world! Queen Beryl being the fool she was
had never considered this. She had never studied or become familiar with
certain aspects of human history.
     Vindalla being a student of the "dark power" saw these things! And
now, they were within her reach. Opening a path to what was left of the
"Dark Kingdom" was foolish. This new path that would enable her to control
all was the way!
     "Concentrate!" she directed her Fedkel Umi. "Maintain the portal. The
dark energy will flow on it's own and, we will be the benefactors!"
     Nadi nodded. "And when the Sailor Senshi come?"
     "They are doomed." Vindalla laughed. "They have no idea what they are
walking into. If Kandow fails and they do come, it will all be for
nothing."
     "The great battle to destroy the Silver Imperium revisited." Nadi grinned
wickedly.
     "Yes, but this time, it isn't the Silver Imperium we're after. With the
conquering of this world and the fragile humans as our slaves, we will build a
new dynasty...and we will take the universe!"
     "HAIL QUEEN VINDALLA!"  Sorceror Rokin shouted. The other Fedkel Umi
echoed his praises.
     "A NEW DARKNESS SHALL RULE!" Vindalla shouted. "WATCH NOW AS THE PORTAL
GROWS! THE BATTLE OF A THOUSAND YEARS IS OVER! AND WE ARE THE VICTORS!!!"
     A sudden flash caught Nadi's attention. "VINDALLA! THEY'RE HERE!"
     Vindalla smiled as she watched the teleport bubble form. "Excellent. As
soon as they have completed transport...destroy them!"
     
     Sailor Mercury using her VR visor watched as the transport completed. "I
think we're here. Let's land and, I'll scan for any....OH NO!!!!"
     Pluto gasped as a sudden energy blast slammed into the teleport bubble
and, the Senshi caught off guard were thrown apart.
     "AHHHHHH!" Sailor Jupiter fell and crashed into a tree. She watched as the
others thrown different directions landed in various positions.
     Sailor Venus fell into a river and coughing up water pulled herself out.
She stared as she saw Sorcerres Nadi. Behind Nadi,. the sky was filled with a
purple and black nothingness that seemed to swallow up the sky. 
     "You surprised me at our first battle Sailor Venus. Now, it's my turn!"   
 Venus threw up her hands to protect herself as Nadi threw her backward with
a wave of her hand. Suddenly, the jungle became alive and, vines gripped
themselves around her. Nadi laughed. "I hope you like plants. I'm sure they
will enjoy digesting you!"
     
     Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon crashed together into a tree. Sailor Moon
groaned and started to move.
     "Don't get up on my account." a voice said.
     Tuxedo Kamen looked quickly and saw Sorcerress Aubel over them. "Damn!
Sailor Moon look out!"
     Sailor Moon screamed and, Aubel fired a blast into the tree. It caught
fire and Tuxedo Kamen grabbed Sailor Moon. As the fire reached them, he leaped
to the ground.
     "NO SAFETY HERE!!" Aubel shouted. Tuxedo Kamen cried out in pain as what
appeared to be a giant beetle with huge pinchers caught him. 
     "AGHHHHHH!" Tuxedo Kamen tried to force the insect to open but, it held
him fast. Taking a rose, he threw it with all his strength into the thing's
eye!"
     Screaming, the insect dropped him and, Mamoru rolled to safety. He gasped
as he realized he was in serious pain.
     "COME HERE SAILOR FOOL!" Aubel screamed.
     Sailor Moon darted inside the jungle and pulled off her tiara. She tried
to look through the trees. Seeing Aubel above, she grit her teeth and threw it!
     "MOOOOOOON TIIIIARRAAAA....ACCCTIIIIOOOON!!!!!"
     The tiara flew upward and Aubel gasped. Trying to escape, she screamed as
it struck her. Golden light surrounded her. Struggling, Aubel gasped as she
realized she was doomed. The tiara cut through her depleting precious life
energy and, returned to Sailor Moon.
     "NOOOOOOO!" Aubel screamed and, blew apart in a puff of smoke.
     "DUSTED!!" Sailor Moon shouted. She looked for Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan!"
     Running quickly to him, she avoided the dead insect that lay nearby....

     Sailors Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune stood back to back in what appeared to
be the center of an ancient city. Around them were what appeared to be living
plants snarling as they approached.
     "I..I'm getting weak!" Neptune gasped. "Those plants are giving off some
sort of energy draining effect!"
     "Stand ready!" Pluto ordered.
     With a sudden roar, the plants attacked. Uranus raised her hand.
"WOOOOOORLD.....SHAKING!!!!"
     The golden energy ball she created ripped from the earth and tore through
the plants that faced her.
     A laugh filled the air. "STUPID SAILOR SENSHI!!"
     Pluto looked up and saw Vindalla above them. "VINDALLA!" she shouted.
     "Your wasting your energy." Vindalla pointed upward.
     The Outer Senshi looked and beheld the growing maelstrom above.
     "The portal is opened. The portal to the ancient darkness that was once
used by magicians and priests to maintain their power. They could never keep
the portal open! But now, I have achieved the ultimate!" Vindalla laughed. "The
dark energy that is now filling this world will be a double edged sword. It
will enslave every living human on this planet. And, it's dark energy will
destroy you! The end has come and I have won!"
     As if in answer, lightning with no clouds flashed across the sky and,
thunder rolled.
     Vindalla laughed insanely. "YES! THE END IS HERE! AND I AM NOW YOUR
MASTER!!!!!!"
                              
                              
                              
                              
                              Chapter Nineteen: Orb of Light!

     Sailor Jupiter leaped from the trees down into the center just as plants
began to attack Chibi-Moon. "SUUUUUUPRRREEEEMEE.....ATTTACK!!!!!"
     "Mako-chan!" Chibi-Moon cried out and ran to her.
     "Let's finish em!" Jupiter shouted.
     "PIIIIIIINK SUUUUUUGARRRRR....HEEEEEEARRRRRT...ATTACK!!!!"
     Chibi-Moon waved her sceptre and, the attack leaped forth ripping through
the plants as the two warriors advanced.
     "Let's find the others!" Jupiter grabbed Chibi-Moon and they ran...

     "AGHHHH!" Sailor Venus screamed as the felt the plants cutting off vital
air. 
     "You're dead!" Nadi smiled. "I'm going to squash you like a grape!"
     "FIIIIIIIIIIREE......SOOOOOOOUL!!!!!"
     Nadi screamed as a sudden blast of flame ripped into her back. Crying out,
she flew upward and turned. Below, she could see Sailor Mars and Ember.
"So..the two fire warriors together! DIEEEEE!"
     Mars and Ember leaped back as her attack blew a huge hole in the earth.
     Nadi laughed. "Your of no account! We have already won!"
     Mars looked upward and saw the sky becoming a black void. The blue
atmosphere was being swallowed up by the second!
     Ember bowed her head. "They've done it. We're too late to stop them!"
     "Yes, and you'll die knowing you could have tasted victory with us you
little witch!" Nadi laughed. "How does it feel to be a traitor?"
     "Anything's better then being a part of this!" Ember tried to send an
attack but, her weakened body failed her. Breathing hard, she fell on the
ground.
     "VEEEEEENUUUS LOOOOOOVEEE MEEEEEE....CHAAAAAIN!!!"
     Sailor Venus with her last ounce of strength summoned her power and,
plants flew apart as the energy chain tore her free. Crying out, she fell to
the ground.
     "So your free." Nadi grinned. "Come to the center of the city. Watch our
triumph!"
     Sailor Mars and Ember helped Venus up as they saw Nadi fly off.
     "We've got to stop them!" Venus said trying to still breathe from being
crushed.
     "It's too late." Ember's eyes were filling with tears. "If we had only
gotten here sooner."
     "There's a way." the voice of Sailor Moon said behind them.
     They turned to see her and a hurt Tuxedo Kamen. Rei reached over and
helped her. "Can you stop this thing Usagi-chan?"
     "I don't know. But, we have to try. Let's go, Rei-chan."
     Together, the warriors moved slowly through the jungle until they came to
a clearing. Within the clearing, they beheld an ancient city. Before them was
what appeared to be a strangely shaped pyramid. At the base of it, the Outer
Senshi were locked in deadly combat with two Fedkel Umi above them!
     From the opposite side, Luna and Artemis appeared. Behind them, Jupiter
and Chibi-Moon entered the clearing.
     Vindalla looked up. "Well, isn't this perfect! We have almost everyone in
one place now." She glared at Pluto. "It was very clever of you to substitute
Sailor Neptune for Sailor Moon. By giving me a fake crystal, you only increased
my anger!"
     "SHIIIIIIINGGGG AQUUUUAAA....ILLLUUUUUUSIIION!!!"
     The sudden blast of ice water slammed Vindalla hard and, she hit the earth
like a bomb! Swearing she forced herself up and turned to see Sailor Mercury.
     "So...the little bitch who lost her boyfriend wants to play. How nice. Do
you miss him?"
     "YOUR GOING TO PAY FOR USING HIM!!!" Mercury shouted.
     Vindalla shouted and raised her hands. Ami felt some sort of energy slam
into her and she flew upward from the shock.
     "MERCURY!!!!!" Pluto shouted.
     Mercury felt herself descending and came crashing down into the jungle.
Dazed, she tried to get her bearings.
     Someone gripped her throat. "NOW YOU DIE SAILOR MERCURY!" 
     She tried to see through the haze as her air was cut off but, her strength
failed her and, she felt what was an ocean of oblivion take her. Realizing she
was dying, she thought she heard a voice.
     In her mind's eye, Ami turned and beheld a figure of light. 
     "Ami-chan, I'm with you."
     Squinting through what looked like a fog, Ami saw a man. Then, the vision
cleared and, Jikell was before her. "Jikell..." she whispered.
     "Ami-chan. I love you. I'll always love you. Take my strength. Feel my
power. Show Vindalla you can't be defeated!"
     "Jikell...I...I love you...I wish we could have been together."
     "Be with me now." He reached out his hand. "Use my power to destroy them!"
     Ami took his hand and felt a new strength. The oblivion that had taken her
faded and, she felt pain in her back as her vision cleared. She looked up into
the face of Sorcerror Rokin trying to kill her.
     With a sudden strength she had never known, Ami grabbed Rokin's hands and
forced them away!
     Rokin leaped back. "Still alive! Impossible!"
     "THIS IS FOR JIKELL!!! MERCURY ICE STORM.....FREEEEEEZE!!!!!"
     AGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Rokin's screams of terror filled the jungle as the
ice storm ripped through him! Gasping, he fell down and his eyes grew wide.
Mercury watched as he shivered uncontrollably and disappeared from sight....

     Sailor Moon reached down and opened her locket. "I'm going to try to close
the gateway!"
     The other Senshi looked at her quickly. Vindalla laughed. "You're Silver
Crystal might have worked in the beginning. But, it's too late!"
     Sailor Moon held aloft the crystal and, it began to glow. She concentrated
feeling it's power. "I won't let you destroy this world! I won't let you
enslave it!"
     "Pretty speech!" Vindalla snickered. "Let's see you do it!"
     Still concentrating, Sailor Moon suddenly heard what she thought were
shouts. Suddenly, someone hit her and, she felt the locket leave her hands.
     "NOOOOOO!" Falling, she hit the ground and looked upward to see Sorcerress
Nadi laughing.
     "STUPID FOOL!! NOW WE HAVE THE CRYSTAL!!!"
     Sailor Pluto swung her staff. "There is only one way to reverse this! I
hesitated doing it now, I have no choice!" She held aloft her staff.  
    "DARK DOME.....CLO...AGHHHHHHH!!!!"
     Sailor Pluto screamed as Vindalla's blast slammed into the Outer Senshi.
Nadi quickly flew down and shoved Pluto back taking her staff.
     "NO!" Pluto swore and tried to get up. Her body weakening, she fell to her
knees.
     Vindalla smiled. "Do you really think I would let you use such a command?
I did my research well, Sailor Pluto! I know your attacks! I know you are the
guardian of the gateway to time. And, I know that particular command you were
about to utter would undo all I have done! YOU HAVE FAILED! ALL OF YOU HAVE
FAILED!"
     "DAMN YOU!!!!" Jupiter shouted. Leaping she dove at Vindalla.
"SUUUUUPREEEMEE THUUUUNDER....DRAAAAAAGOOON!!!"
     Vindalla watched as the lightning dragon came toward her and raised her
hands. It turned one hundred eighty degrees and Jupiter's eyes grew wide with
fear as she watched her own attack slam into her!
     MAKO-CHAN!!!!" Chibi-Moon shouted.
     Jupiter crying and in pain came crashing down.
     Nadi held aloft Pluto's staff. "YOU SEE YOU FOOLS? YOU CAN'T STOP US!!!!"
     Sailor Mars looked at everyone. "Dear god. We have to stop them! Somehow,
we have to stop them! I'll try!"
     "Rei-chan wait!" Ember grabbed her. "If you do, you'll be hurt just as
bad. You don't have enough power!"
     Sailor Uranus struggled off the ground and glared up at Vindalla."I'm
going to kill you!"
     "YOu don't have the strength." Vindalla laughed. "Didn't you fools listen
to what I said? The energy now pouring through the gateway is making us
stronger. It is also counteracting your energy. In short you are getting
weaker! THERE IS NOTHING LEFT YOU CAN DO!!!"
     
     Ember stared at the blackness that filled the sky and saw the errie purple
with it. She saw the Senshi trying to stand but, with each passing second, the
energy was depleted. Fear took her as she realized the end was at hand....

     Sailor Moon turned to Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan! What can we do?"
     Tuxedo Kamen looked upward and grit his teeth through his pain. "They have
the Silver Crystal. Without it, there's no way we can close the portal! I have
to try!"
     "NO! Mamo-chan, if you do, she'll kill you!"
     He smiled down at her. "Usagi-chan, if we don't, we're all dead anyway.
I'm not losing strength the way you and the other Senshi are. I'm hurt but, I
can fight."
     Nadi nodded amused. "Let's go then masked fool! Let's you and I finish
what we started!"
     Tuxedo Kamen reached inside and drew out a rose. Leaping upward, he threw
it barely missing Nadi. He swore as his arm hurt.
     "Don't you see what this has all been about?" Vindalla laughed evilly. "By
wearing you down both physically and in the beginning psychologically, I have
ensured you're too weak to fight!"
     "That was your plan all along." Pluto glared up at her. "We aren't going
down without a fight! You'll have to kill every one of us!"
     "That will be my pleasure!" Vindalla launched a huge energy bolt that
slammed into the Outer Senshi. Neptune fell backward unconscious.
     "NOOOO! MICHIRU!!!!" Uranus bent down and held her. "YOUR GOING TO DIE YOU
WITCH!!"
     Uranus leaped upward and screamed as Vindalla met her attack. The ball of
fire surrounded her and Uranus crashed to the ground helpless.
     Sailor Mars stood up. "I have to try! I have to!"
     Ember watched as she saw Neptune and Pluto badly injured. She saw Tuxedo
Kamen collapsed in agony being held by Sailor Moon. She saw Sailor Jupiter
laying burnt and barely breathing with Chibi-Moon trying to help her. Her own
life energy was depleted. But, Vindalla had to be stopped. Then, Ember...fire
warrior of the Dark Kingdom...knew what she had to do!
     "Rei-chan..."
     Sailor Mars preparing to attack stopped. "Ember?"
     "Arigatoo Rei-chan. You've been so good to me. You and the Senshi have
been the best friends I have ever known."
     Sailor Mars bent down and took Ember's hands. "Ember, it's okay."
     "I deceived you. I lied to you. You thought I was a child in distress
and, you gave your love to me. You treated me with a love and a caring such as
I have never known. Rei-chan, you've been more then a friend to me. You've been
like a mother."
     Rei felt tears come to her eyes and she smiled. "Ember..."
     Ember felt a smile slowly creep to her lips. "Rei-chan...Amber-chan never
found her Mom....but now I think that she has."
     Sailor Moon stared in wonder at Ember. She nodded.
     Sailor Mercury came out of the jungle and saw Mars and Ember together. She
ran over to them. Above them, Vindalla and Nadi had turned to face the black
portal now no longer considering the Senshi as a threat.
     Suddenly, Rei's eyes grew wide with wonder as the adult woman before her
turned into Amber the child. "Amber-chan." she whispered.
     "I love you Mommy." Amber smiled and tears fell from her eyes. "I will
always love you. You taught me how to love. You taught me how to care. You
showed me what it's like to belong. Now let me show you how well your little
girl has learned."
     Rei felt Amber pull away. "Amber...what?"
Suddenly Amber leaped into the sky and flew straight at Vindalla! As she flew,
her form changed to that of an adult woman! "COME AND GET ME VINDALLA!"
     Vindalla turned and smiled. "FOOL! DIIIIIIIE!!!!!!"
    Mars screamed as she saw Vindalla fire a huge energy blast and, it consumed
Ember within. Then, suddenly, the blast changed shape and, it became the shape
of a ball!
     Sailor Pluto's stared in disbelief. "What?"
     Vindalla gasped as the ball grew in shape. "What's going on?"
     "She's coming straight at us!" Nadi said in fear.
     The energy ball increased in size and changed shape to become a net!
Vindalla and Nadi tried to fly upward but, the net caught them and changed
shape again trapping them inside!
     Sailor Mercury scanning with her computer turned to Rei. "It's her! It's
Ember! Somehow, she's used her fire ability to change form and trap them!"
     EMBER!!" Rei shouted.
     A voice boomed out of the heavens....
     "FOR MY FRIENDS!!"
     EMMMMMBEEER!!!" Vindalla shouted.
     "FOR REI-CHAN, MY MOTHER!!!"
     "BLAST OUT OF THIS!" Vindalla screamed.
     Vindalla and Nadi using their full power attacked their prison with a
vengeance,.. Ember could feel her life energy ebbing away with each strke!
     "FOR THE WOOOOOOORLD!!!"
     With her last shout, Ember now a ball of pure energy carrying Vindalla and
 Nadi shot upward at incredible speed straight for the mouth of the portal!
     "EMBER!!!!" Vindalla shouted. "If you take us through there, we'll be
trapped! We'll never get out! You'll be trapped with us!"
     "FOR MY MOTHER!" Ember repeated.
     "EMMMMBERR!!!!" Nadi shouted.
     SAILOR MOON..." the voice boomed from the energy ball. "ONCE I PASS
THROUGH THE PORTAL.....SEAL AWAY THE EVIL! SEAL IT FOREVER!!!!"
     The ball suddenly electrified with a horrible intensity and, Vindalla
dropped the Silver Crystal locket. Nadi felt Pluto's staff leave her fingers.
Both were thrust out of the bubble and fell to earth.
     Pluto reached up and caught her staff. Mercury caught the Silver Crystal
and gave it to Sailor Moon.
     "EMMMMMMBER!!! NOOOOO!" Rei shouted as tears flowed from her eyes. The
ball which was now Ember hesitated for a second at the portal. Then, it
disappeared into oblivion beyond....
     Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!"
     Holding aloft the locket she felt the power grow within her. It began to
glow and, the glow encompassed the air around her. A halo formed and, as she
increased strength, her uniform disappeared to be replaced by the white dress
of Princess Serenity.
     Tuxedo Kamen forced himself to his feet and stood with her. Sailor Jupiter
in terrible pain walked over to join them helped by Venus. Sailor Mercury
helped Neptune and Uranus. Chibi-Moon stood by Jupiter. Sailor Mars stood on
Princess Serenity's other side with Pluto. Luna and Artemis stood on each side
of the Senshi. Princess Serenity concentrated the crystal's energy toward the
dark opening that was pouring negative energy into the earth. 
     "I won't let her sacrifice be for nothing! Give me more strength!"
Princess Serenity concentrated harder as the crystal's energy flowed forth.
     "NOW EVERYONE!!!" she shouted.
     "MOOOON COOOOOOSMIC POOOOOOOOWERRRRR!!!!
     The Senshi shouted with one voice combining what was left of their
strength with Princess Serenity's. A great white light suddenly erupted forth
with incredible power brighter then the sun. The Senshi all watched in wonder
as the light slammed into the opening of the dimensional doorway.
     Rei felt the tears pour from her eyes as slowly the darkness began to
fade. Princess Serenity continued the assault until there was a loud crash of
thunder and, like the slamming of a door, the blackness was removed from the
sky! Just before the blackness disppeared, Rei felt what she thought was a
voice in her head. "Sayonarra....Mother. I will always love you...."
     The blackness was gone, the crystal's power faded. As one the Senshi all
collapsed and, Princess Serenity faded to be replaced by Sailor Moon. She lay
gasping on the ground.
     Sailor Venus panting turned quickly as she thought she heard a voice in
her head. "Sailor Venus...don't worry about having to leave Japan. Your fears
of your identity having been revealed were already settled.."
     Venus looked around but saw no one but her friends. Sailor Moon hugged
Tuxedo Kamen close to her and closed her eyes.
     Sailor Mars her strength spent lay sobbing on the ground staring up at the
beautiful blue sky. Somewhere on the other side of that void was Ember. If she
had survived, she was trapped...trapped for all eternity. Rei choked on her
tears. "Sayonarra....my daughter."
                              
                              
                              
                              Chapter Twenty: Eternal Love

    "I think it was Jikell." Minako said looking at everyone. A day had passed
since they had returned to Japan after defeating the Fedkel Umi and Vindalla.
"It felt like his voice but, I'm not sure."
    "So when you went to school today what happened?" Michiru asked.
    "It was strange..." Minako smiled. As she related the experience, her
thoughts went back....

    Minako sighed as she approached the entrance to Shibakouen Junior High.
Even after hearing the voice, she was prepared to withdraw and leave Japan now
that the whole school knew she was Sailor Venus.
    "Minako-chan!" a voice said.
    Turning, Minako saw Meyo and several other girls. "Ohayoo, Meyo-chan."
    "You were really something yesterday Minako-chan! You're the hero of the
school!"
    Minako looked over and saw the burned building. They still knew. Her
identity was compromised. She sighed. "I just did what I had to Meyo-chan."
    "But helping Sailor Venus the way you did was great! I mean, she's
fantastic and all but, you we're right there helping to catch people. You were
the one who went to the gym and got the mat! I'll bet Sailor Venus couldn't
have done as well without you!"
    "Huh?" Minako stared at Meyo in shock. "Helping Sailor Venus!"
    "You don't remember?" Meyo asked surprised. "I know you took an awful knock
on the head and had to go home early but, you're still great!"
    Minako smiled to herself. That voice! Had it been Jikell or Ember?
Something told her, it was Jikell. Somehow, his power had been used to change
the thoughts of everyone in the school. Her identity was safe! She would not
have to leave Japan after all. "Hai. I remember now." Minako laughed.
    "Aino-chan?"
    The voice surprised her and, Minako turned to see Tukumara Seisa smiling.
"Tukumara-san?"
    "You're were incredible the other day! I...I wanted to ask you.
Would...would you please eat lunch with me? I'd like to get to know you
better."
    Minako looked at Meyo and the other girls giggled. Meyo winked and nodded
toward Tukumara.
    "Hai. I'd love to have lunch with you, Tukumara-san."
    "Arigatoo. I'll see you here then." He smiled and walked off. Minako
thought she was going to fly and ran to class......

    "So you have a boyfriend now?" Usagi grinned.
    Minako's thoughts faded as she came back to reality. The wind across the
lake made her think of the darkness being blown away. "I hope so, Usagi-chan.
We really seem to like each other."
    "Congratulations." Michiru smiled. "I'd love to stay longer but, Haruka is
waiting for me. She said to say hello and we'll try to catch up with you some
other time."
    Minako and Usagi waved goodbye and Michiru walked away. Minako looked over
and saw Rei and Ami sitting on a bench across the park. "Do you think Rei-chan
will be alright?"
    Usagi sighed. "She's been awful quiet since we came back. Both her and
Ami-chan will need our support. I'm glad that Mamo-chan is okay too. He left
the hospital this morning but, they said he was okay. They called it a
miraculous recovery." Usagi giggled. "How's your back?"
    "It's better now." Minako smiled. "The whole thing is like waking up from a
bad dream. Looking at how pretty this park is and the beauty within it, it's
hard to believe Vindalla was ever real."
    Usagi nodded and looked over at Rei....

    "Sometimes I feel like she's still with me." Rei whispered. She turned and
nodded to Ami. "You understand what I mean don't you?"
    Ami looked down. "Hai, Rei-chan. I saw Jikell in my mind when Rokin was
trying to kill me. Somehow he gave me his strength and that's how I was
suddenly able to fight and defeat Rokin. Setsuna told me if she had known what
he was really like, she would have tried to sway him."
    "Do you feel anger toward Setsuna for what she did to him?" 
    Ami shook her head. "No. I think that at the time, it was the only course
of action. Jikell loved me very much. I could see it in his eyes. The way he
spoke to me...in his smile. But, he couldn't turn against his people the way
Ember did. I don't blame him for that. I loved him too much."
    "I don't think I'll ever be able to look at another little girl without
thinking of Ember." Rei sighed. "Someday if I have children of my own, I'm
going to name my first daughter Amber. Even though I feel like I have a
daughter already."
    The two girls fell silent and Ami looked upward. "Do you think she's
thinking of you right now?"
    Rei felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Hai. And I'll always be thinking of
her. Every time I use the Sacred Fire....she'll be with me."
        A sudden wind came up and Ami smiled as she looked upward. "I don't
think any of us will ever be alone again...as long as we have each other."
    The two girls looked across the water as the evening deepened and a new
moon rose in the heavens.......

                              The End!

    Authors Note: "Dark Fire!" was written for the enjoyment of Sailor Moon
fans everywhere. Since this is my second attempt at a fanfic and I am
relatively new to fanfics, please feel free to send me comments either over
Fidonet Anime echo or Sailor Moon Animenet. I can also be reached for personal
mail at Skyhawk%aurora@dranch.wolfenet.com
    Thanks to all who encouraged me while I was writing it. May the love of
Ember and Rei shine within your lives....

  Daniel Harrison 
  Nov 1, 1996