New Loyalties.

Riot paced the hallway, casting nervous glances towards Chaos' own realm. Something was wrong, and Riot was damned sure he wouldn't just wait around to find out from someone else. He stood in the eye of the storm, one of pink and white cherry blossoms, and then he was gone.

Riot appeared floating above the ocean's surface, and not more than twenty paces away was the illusionary realm, suspended in the air. He placed his hands on the walls and peered into the illusion, where he did see Shinrai, Sailor Moon, Chaos... "Shimata." and one of the dark warriors.

The elven lord pounded on the walls of the illusion to no avail. He then summoned a volley of his own magik to attack the barrier that kept him outside, but the walls did not yield. Looking within again Riot gasped in surprise as he watched Rampage, a fellow court member, be crushed into dust. A new found rage filled Riot as he summoned even greater magik to his will, "You _WILL_ open!" he shouted at the barrier of elven magik as he launched his own attack upon it. Riot laughed triumphantly as the attack struck the wall mercilessly. But when the smoke cleared he moaned in anguish, the wall was still there, and he could not get in to aid his fellow elven.

All he could do was watch, feelings of hatred, sadness, despair all filled him as he bore witness to the onslaught. A spectator to the carnage, as blow for blow was exchanged Riot realized that Chaos could not defeat the dark warrior, and his heart sank in light of this knowledge. Wintry blue eyes gazed upon the end of Shinrai, and they did watch Chaos fly at the warrior with a newfound rage.

Riot held his breath, Chaos was doing something. He noticed the crystal orb pass from Chaos to the princess, but for what? Then it happened.

The Lifespark was severed.

Riot spasmed in the air as the connection with Chaos was ripped from him, after a short recovery Riot rushed the wall pounding on it with a fury.

"Don't do it Chaos!" he yelled to the realm of illusion, but he desperate shouts went unheard as Chaos made a new connection with the Dark warrior. Riot now knew what Chaos' intentions were, and he didn't like it one bit. 'There's just one chance..' Riot thought to himself, and from the air he pulled out a magnificent sword, jeweled and crested with an eagle.

His father's sword. The air rippled around Riot as the sword glowed a hot bright white. The elven lord channeled his magik through the sword into the tip, and with a howl of anger he thrusted the sword into the wall. The tip of the sword was imbedded in the wall, but Riot did not have time to enjoy the small victory. He pulled the sword from side to side, trying to widen the small crack he had managed to make. Riot screeched in disbelief when the blade broke. The wall repaired itself and stood in defiance of Riot once more. There was truly nothing he, or anyone else could do.

He pounded on the wall with his fists clenched, he watched the elven Playking grapple onto the Dark warrior and blunge head first into a swirling pool of raw magik.

"CHAOS!" Riot screamed, and the illusionary realm buckled and shattered under the immense magiks. Riot had to shield himself as the realm exploded violently in all directions, and then it was over.

Riot watched with a new understanding as Shinrai and Chaos were finally united in a moment of beautiful sorrow. They faded from view and forever left the realm of the living. Yet now they would be living again, in a new and wondrous life in Arvanaith, or in the human Heaven, which even the two preferred.

After many moments of silence Riot looked up to see Usagi floating there within an illusionary sphere, completely protected from the destructive forces.

It was someone to talk to, someone who knew and understood the whole story. Riot approached Usagi, not as a Gamelord, but as someone whom felt a mutual loss.

* * *

Tuxedo Kamen leapt from rooftop to rooftop heading into the distance. Silently, he cursed his misfortune. It seems like his entire has been collapsing around him and there was next to nothing he could do about it. Despite all the assistance he's received from his friends, nothing seemed to deter the course he was facing.

The end of his life seemed to begin at the Masquerade Ball. Mamoru had been intentionally led away from Usagi so that a pair of elven misfits named Riot and Ruckus could play with her emotions. That in itself twisted his heart into a pretzel.

Now, in the light of recent events, that was the LEAST thing that happened. It wasn't until the next day that Usagi even became aware that she had been duped.

Then disaster reared it's ugly head once again as Usagi became (falsely) convinced that she was responsible for not knowing the difference. In her pain and sorrow, she left him, feeling unworthy of Mamoru.

His heart was sundered once again. Mamoru fell into deep depression that seemed bottomless. If it wasn't for Michael's blocking the power of the Elven Court, Mamoru would still be bemoaning his loss. Things even seemed to be looking for the moment as the Elven Influence was erased from Usagi and she became protected.

The joy was short lived as an old enemy reappeared and targeted the Three Lights for some reason. As Tuxedo Kamen rushed to their defense, things started to slide downhill once again.

Usagi had appeared at the concert to talk to the lead singer, who had attempted to seduce her in the past while Mamoru was off at school. The problem was, that no one bothered to tell Mamoru when he returned and finding out distracted him enough for the enemy to carry off Yaten Kou, the person Tuxedo Kamen was trying to protect.

To make matters even worse, his car had been towed away and Michael seemlingly vanished into thin air only to reappear at a hospital nearby with near-terminal injuries.

What was going on in the world?! These elves were as strong as the Deathbusters and more tenacious than the Amazoness Quartet. And now the Dark Kingdom, the people who had manipulated Mamoru's soul into fighting the Sailor Senshi, have suddenly sprung up. Were the two related in some way? No, that would be too much of a coincidence.

Tuxedo Kamen stood atop a water tower and surveyed the Tokyo nightline. He became lost in his thoughts and almost didn't notice the extra shadow being produced by the moonlight.

"Who's there?!" Tuxedo Kamen spun around to face his pursuer. His jaw dropped in shock. Standing before him looked like an older version of Sailor Moon, only dressed in a body suit and with smaller pigtails.

"Prepare yourself, Tuxedo Kamen!" The girl shouted. She tensed herself, but no attack came. Tuxedo Kamen was just staring at her. She growled in annoyance and threw an energy burst at his feet, causing Tuxedo Kamen to leap out of the way.

"Dammit! I know what you're going to say, you can't fight me because I'm too cute! I hate being cute! Why does everyone rely on my sisters Blossom and Buttercup, yet treat me like I'll just get in the way?"

Tuxedo Kamen's eyebrows were to the roof. What in the world was she talking about?

"I want respect too! I wanna be HARDCORE!!!"

She started glowing with raw energy and charged Tuxedo Kamen. Just as she was about to ram him, Tuxedo Kamen leapt over her, using her head as a springboard. Bubbles smashed against the water tower roof while he crossed the distance.

"Look, whoever you are, I'm not in the mood for this. Get lost before I have to hurt you." Tuxedo Kamen was about to turn and leave when Bubbles sprung to her feet.

With almost blinding speed, she crossed the difference between them and started thrashing Tuxedo Kamen within an inch of his life. She punched, kicked, slammed, noogied, indian burned, and basically beat him up.

Finally, the youma girl felt exhausted and sat down. Tuxedo Kamen was in a heap on the ground and in a lot of pain. A soft pop later, two more youmas appeared out of mid air.

"What are you doing, Bubbles?" The one with the green bangs asked. They turned and looked at the smoldering heap of Kamen and recoiled.

"Wow! You beat up Endymion! That's neat, Bubbles!" The one with the long orange hair said, clapping her hands.

"Really?" Bubbles asked. Her sisters nodded vigorously. They started praising her and Bubbles grinned broadly.

Just then, a rose shot through the air and grazed Bubbles's cheek. Everyone froze and a little trickle of blood formed on her face. The three Youma turned and glared at Mamoru who had an innocent look on his face. Tuxedo Kamen glanced from left to right and pointed to himself.

"Who? Me?"

A few minutes later, a severally thrashed Tuxedo Kamen dropped into the dumpster in the alleyway nearby. The youma left in a hurry.

"Ohhhh….................."

* * *

For what seemed like hours but was infact only minutes, Ruckus led Ami about the elven realm. He showed her places of such wonder that she had only dreamed of such a reality. From the huge galleries of paintings and sculptures, to the limitless library of ancient lore and hidden secrets, all the way to the gardens and forests that made up the entirety of the elven realm.

"Now I have something special to show you." Ruckus said with a smile, and with a snap of his fingers Ami found herself in a black void, barren of life.

Frightened but alert, she moved closer to Ruckus. "Where are we?"

"Why, your room, of course."

" *My* room?" repeated Ami, facing Ruckus directly.

"Well, it could be," he said, as he snapped his fingers.

A bright flash of light blinded her, when she could see again she gasped in amazement. The void had turned into something of an aquatic village, statues of sea creatures and merfolk were scattered about. The floor itself was done up in silver tiles and blue marble, with a small river bubbling through it. The two hovered just above a sea of aqua-green, as clear as crystal. A pair of dolphins jumped high over their heads, Ami giggled in delight as she was splashed playfully.

"Or if this doesn't suit your tastes, perhaps this will?"

The ocean fantasy was gone, replaced by what looked like a ranch. Many a horse galloped by, with a few cowboys trying to steer them into a stall. A man drew his horse up, and waved at Ami. The wave faded, as did the horse, and suddenly the ranch expanded into a stellar cosmos.

Ruckus and Ami seemed to be flying through an immenseness of space and galaxies. Brilliant stars of all hues flashed past them at incredible speeds, it was breathtaking to say the very least. Ami clung to Ruckus, as he said, "Yes, this could be your realm-"

"Or not."

Ami blinked a few times, and it was gone, replaced again by the black inky void. She turned to Ruckus, her gown shimmering from his own light, so they could see each other.

"I've left my home, my friends, what more do you want from me?"

"My dear, sweet Ami-chan...If you wish to dwell with us, you must become *like* us!"

Ami took a step back. "Y-you mean...become an elf?! Turn into an elf?! N-no, that's genetically impossible; you can't change one's DNA! And then there is the Senshi, they would terribly upset-"

"Just like you were when they hurt you?" interrupted Ruckus.

Ami stopped, as Ruckus came behind her. He put a hand on her cheek. "They hurt YOU, Ami-chan," he said softly.

Their eyes met, his wintry blue eyes pierced her very being and she was defenseless against his gaze. Within his eyes she saw her future, one of joy and delight, with him and the court of elves. She also saw within those eyes all of the paranoia she ever new. Ami saw her friends snicker behind her back, saying how she was the brainiac and without real feelings. A new sort of determination filled her being.

"They...hurt..me..." repeated Ami, her eyes glazing over a bit.

Ruckus looked deeply into her soul, "Hai, they did. You don't deserve that, with us you will never be betrayed. With us, your hurt will be no more."

Ami nodded. "Ruckus...I will do it. I want to be an elf."

Ruckus smiled, "Your henshin please?"

"My henshin, b-but why do you need my..."

"Sshh." Ruckus held out his hand again for the henshin.

Ami handed it to Ruckus reluctantly, as if she was losing something very dear to her. Ruckus smiled and examined it carefully. Finally he tossed it into the air and it flashed a bright white before landing back in his hand as a small crystal sphere.

With a quick flick of the wrist the sphere was thrown to the grown at Ami's feet where is shattered. A twister of blue-green energy swirled up from the shattered remains and encircled Ami in a funnel of power. Yet for all the magik that raged on around her, it was surprisingly calm and warm where she stood, in the eye of the storm. Small specks of bright light, like fire flies circled and gathered around Ami. Her clothes disappeared, and as if on cue the firelights filled her and was absorbed by her soft skin. A wave of warmth washed over her body, it felt as if pure joy had found its way into her heart. It was a moment of pure ecstasy like she had never felt before, and then abruptly the hurricane died down to reveal an aqua rose. It bloomed before Ruckus' eyes and there curled in the middle was a stunning elven girl.

Ruckus held up out a hand to the elven girl on the floor. "Daijbou?"

The elven girl turned, and gripped Ruckus' hand. He smiled at her with warm eyes, "Your elven name will be Caelestis. Named after the great elven city, which fill the gods with awe, and inspired all who saw it. As an elven, you must chose your own title."

'Caelestis' nodded, "Just call me Lady Ruin."

Ruckus let the title roll off his tongue, then smiled. "I like the sound of that. Ruin; the act of destroying or state of being destroyed.

As a new found elven, you will not be in the act of destroying, no longer the object of scorn or torment. Now that you are on our side, show me what you can do with your new powers."

"Impress me," he added, folding his arms.

"Lady Ruin" turned, and ran a hand over the tip of her pointed ear in thought, then slowly closed her eyes.

Ruckus suddenly became aware of moss at his feet, and pretty much as far as the eye could see. All types of vines, trees, and plants started shooting up from the ground, as Ruckus nimbly dodged it.

His eyes widened, as the ground beneath him tremble and rose up, creating tiny stone ruins. One, in the shape of a house, carved with flowers. Pillars were halfway sunk into the ground, on top or on their sides. Moss or the occasional vine hung over them. The realm became warm and misty with humidity, as a small hot spring formed over by the stone house.

Ruckus was starting to sweat himself, but not with the sudden temperature change; this girl had imagination, potential that needed to be reached!

But "Caelestis" wasn't through yet. Vines whipped out with branches to form intricate bridges, and a loft in a tree, should she choose to sleep there. Tendrils of beautiful lilys, all different arrays & styles adorned some of the trees, and a few pillars were draped in blue lilies themselves.

"Lady Ruin" opened her eyes, and turned to Ruckus with a smile. She let it drop; he was not there!

There was a whistle, she looked up. "Oh! Gomen nasai, I forgotten where you were!"

"That's...quite alright....."

"Caelestis" surveyed her realm with a scientist's eye. "Needs...animals!"

No sooner had she thought it, then birds could not be seen, but heard. Instead, blue and white tigers strolled into view, and sat at "Lady's" feet, purring. A black panther and its mate lounged over by the spring, as "Lady" laughed, with joy! Without any qualms, she jumped atop the tiger on her right, bareback. With a quick dig in the ribs, they headed over to Ruckus. "My lord, care for a run?" She smiled, then with a laugh. She had the tiger leap off the building, and she was racing through her own, private rain-forest.

Ruckus keeled over in pain as his own lifespark was severed from Chaos'. He stood back up and held a moment of silence with himself, the elven Playking was gone. He sighed heavily, then his demeanor changed and he chased after 'Caelestis' in the forest. Such was the way of elven. One whom lost his life was not long mourned, for they now lived in Arvanaith, all past pain forgotten as the wind stilled their hearts. Chaos was with Shinrai, and Ruckus was happy for him.

Ruckus ran beside Caelestis, a huge smile pasted across his face, despite what had just happened. It was important he kept this moment alive for her, for Caelestis. They raced through the forest in what seemed like eternal bliss.

Finally…Ami…was….happy…

* * *

It was sad.

But nothing could change what just happened...maybe it even was better this way.

Usagi looked at the ground, except there was no ground, only the ocean. After all the tears and the explosion, she realized something she didn't noticed before, and she was afraid to discover that the ocean surface was a good mile under her sphere.

"Now how am I going to get down?" She muttered.

Riot straightened up and composed himself. Then he put on an artificial smile, "Perhaps I can help you with that m'lady?"

Usagi recoiled in surprise but then relaxed a bit when she saw who it was. Another elven, just like Chaos. Riot looked out at the ocean, a wistful expression on his face. They shared a moment of silence, reflecting on what had happened. Finally Riot spoke.

"Chaos had always been a good friend, even a rival, but most of all he was a great Playking. The last of his kind." Riot crossed his arms, watching the sky for some sign of life. His gazed lowered back to

Usagi's.

"I have to admit, I was rather surprised when I found out about Chaos and Shinrai..."

Usagi nodded, "Chaos told you? But why aren't you angry? Surely such a relationship is looked down upon by your kind?"

"Hai, but Ruckus and I are different from most elven. Though we don't encourage such relationships, when true love is present we do not question its right to be. Rather, we accept it for what it is, and act accordingly. I did not know Shinrai very well, and even the many years with Chaos still left him something of an enigma. But what I did know was what they had together, I could see it in Chaos' eyes, and I knew in the end he would give us up for her. We will miss our Playking, and the elven court won't be the same without him, but it is best this way. And you? Will you miss them?"

"I didn't know them that much. But the couple of times I talked to Shinrai, she seemed to be a very good person...she was very nice with me, although she had this sadness in her eyes. And about Lord Chaos, well, I think he wasn't as bad as Sailor Earth told me. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be nice, too. Yes, I'll miss them."

"Love is a delicate and dangerous thing, it can make your life wonderful and full of joy. Or destroy you and leave you in a depression. Tell me, what do you know of love?" Riot asked.

"Shinrai was worried because of her feelings. But you can't change what's in your heart. It is something beyond your control." she sighed "But at the same time love is what makes you know that it's worth to be alive. Friendship, fun, family, those are things that surely can bring you happiness...however, among all those things, just love is what truly completes you." Usagi smiled.

Riot nodded. "Hai, I suppose that explains why so many will go through the tribulations, even giving up ones life for the love of another. Being the case of Chaos and Shinrai."

"I'm sure that now they finally feel free to love each other. No more ties with their other loyalties. Just the both of them," added Usagi.

Riot smiled sadly, this sacrifice had not been in vain, and for that he was assured it was for the best.

"I wonder what's going to happen, now that Lord Chaos is gone. Will it be more games? More fighting? I want everything to be fine...to be in peace. But I guess that's something impossible, as he told me." She said sadly.

Riot shook his head solemnly, "I am not sorry for who we are and what we do, princess. But if its any consolation, my brother and I never meant for such pain to befall you. We had to be sure of your love, and we now know it is true and pure."

Usagi was unsure what Riot meant by that, but she was sure she'd find out someday. "Now, what I have to do is arrange things with someone. That's something I have to thanks Shinrai and Chaos...maybe they can't hear me, but I hope they know how much they taught me tonight." Usagi stared at the stars for a short moment and silently added "Arigatou."

"You see, princess of the moon, if it were not for the fighting and conflict you would not have learned those things tonight. The confrontations we have teach and guide us, making us stronger and better people. That is in part the reason we play our games, though we have other reasons as well."

She looked back to Riot "That may be, but I am tired of all the conflict and I don't know how much more I can take. And I also have to apologize to a friend. She didn't deserve the words I told her...but I need to leave this sphere before."

"Well then I might be able to help you with that.." Riot floated towards Usagi and reached through the sphere, its borders rippling around his form. He picked her up as the bubble disappeared. He turned back to Tokyo, and the two flew through the sky. He just could have teleported, but he wanted to fly, the freedom of the sky helped to calm his heart.

Minutes later they arrived at the Tokyo Tower, Riot set Usagi down and brushed aside some lose hair in her eyes.

"Be strong, and never let go of the love you hold dear."

Usagi nodded with a sigh, she turned and walked away. Riot watched her go with a sad smile playing on his face.

"We'll be seeing you, princess of the moon." Riot whispered to the wind, and then he was gone.

* * *

"Sister..." A voice called her. She was dreaming and the voice came from the other side of the lake she was staring at.

"Shinrai?" Hisoka recognized the voice. "I can hear you, but I can't see you!"

"Shhhhh" The voice quietly asked for her silence. "You have to be strong now that you'll be alone"

"What do you mean?" but then she suddenly realized "No, you're telling me that you're..."

"Yes, my dear sister."

"No! Please, you're also leaving me?" Hisoka cried, tears sprouted from her eyes once more.

"Don't be sad, my dear sister." The voice continued. "Now I am finally complete. Now I can enjoy the love that was once forbidden, I'm fully happy."

Hisoka didn't understand what Shinrai was talking about. Once forbidden love? She had never known Shinrai had been in love with someone.

"If you're so happy, I want to be with you." Hisoka demanded.

"No you can't" the voice answered. "You have a very important mission now that I'm gone..."

Hisoka could see a very brilliant object coming from the other side of the lake. When it finally reached her, she could see it was a golden and silvered pen.

"The circle of the Four Moons is complete again" the voice stated "now, you are the warrior of the Decrescent Moon, Sailor Decrease Light. Now the Heart of Selenity can be obtained, again."

"Sailor Decrease Light? Heart of Selenity?"

"Please, help the Sailor Senshi in their battle against all the evil forces that are gathering...and protect our precious Princess"

"I don't understand."

"You will, my dear sister..." the voice muttered.

Then, Hisoka could feel something warm on her forehead, it was her sister's good bye. Hisoka couldn't see Shinrai, but she felt her presence. That last good-bye kiss cleared all her doubts. Told her the whole story. Gave her the power to become the new Sailor Decrescent, the senshi called Sailor Decrease

Light.

*

Her eyes opened. It was night still. She felt the silver and gold pen in her right hand and put it next to her heart. "Sayonara Shinrai...I know that you'll be the happiest now" she silently said. Hisoka tried to turn on the lights to see her henshin but...

"What the...!?" She exclaimed. She could see some lights that were coming from outside.

She walked to the window and saw what was happening. A huge bus had crashed with a light post almost in front of her house, and as a result all the lights in the city were gone.

"At least that means there will be no school tomorrow" she yawned and went back to bed.

* * *

The lights suddenly died and Usagi found that she couldn't see almost anything.

"What happened?" she asked herself.

Fortunately, she was a couple of blocks near her house and the moonlight was enough to get there. Unfortunately, she wanted to apologize to Ami and finally reconciliate with Mamoru, although she knew very well the hour was late...but now, it was something she couldn't do due to the unexpected situation.

"I'll have to wait until tomorrow..." she said as she silently opened the door of her house.

She went upstairs to her bedroom, changed her clothes and fell asleep almost as she closed her eyes.

* * *

Yaten Kou floated in a strange liquid, suspended in a large tube deep under the Dark Kingdom Palace. Her new uniform almost seemed to glow with dark energy.

Normally, something like this would have been done upstairs in Beryl's Chambers, but since Metallia was no longer around, that device didn't work anymore. Still, whatever one has on hand....

The youma on hand were working almost gleefully. They were the technicians for this device and hadn't had the chance to use it in thousands of years.

Jedite stood off to the side and watched carefully. Unlike other practices of converting a person to another form or frame of mind, the Dark Kingdom was the most advanced in working with a person's original form. They not only granted a new general the awesome might of the Dark Kingdom, but allowed them to still use their own powers.

Case in point: General Endymion. While his roses had the taint of the Dark Kingdom, he could still become Tuxedo Kamen. His Emotion of Influence, however, changed from Hope to Aggression at that time. Oh well. Not a normal side effect, but what is?

"How much longer will it be?" Jedite asked. The technicians looked up from their control panel and indicated to a wall with a countdown on it. It took a few moments for Jedite to make out the numbers, but it appeared that the countdown was almost over.

Jedite returned his attention to the occupant of the tube. Zoicite's uniform needed next to no alterations to fit Yaten Kou and Jedite was become more and more convinced there was a pun in there somewhere.

Finally, the countdown ended and the liquid started draining from the tube. Several Youma helped Yaten down from her position and waved a canister of smelling salts under her nose. Her eyes slowly opened and focused on her new surroundings.

"So, Yaten Kou, Granddaughter of Metallia, what say you now?"

* * *

Amanda opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling. She had that little nagging feeling in the back of her skull. Like several voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. Which meant one of two things. She either had the mad munchies, or the Negaverse was messing around in her universe again. So she put on her glasses and got out of bed.

After the 3rd Hot Pocket, the feeling was still there. So by elimination, it was the Negaverse. She threw on a pair of baggy overalls over her nightshirt, pulled on her socks and new Emerica shoes, and stepped out into the Tokyo night.

It was very warm for the middle of the night. But it was to be expected in a big city. The buildings sucked in a lot of heat from the sun during the day, and held it all night long. Amanda figured it was about 75 degrees, or, if you wanted to keep it in context, about 24 celsius.

Amanda didn't really like the metric system. It was just personal preference. She could knock a fly off a dog's ass at 200 yards. Not 200 meters.

Regardless, she walked down to her car on the street, a 1996 Volkswagon Jetta (black), and drove towards what felt like the strongest concentration of Nega Energy.

"On the highway, unpaved, goin' my way..." she mumbled along with the CD in the stereo, crusing through the dark, winding streets of 10th District Tokyo, which seemed to be the center of everything supernatural on Earth.

The place looked normal enough. Amanda drove by a Shinto temple up on a hill, a series of shops, couple schools, a lot of apartments...

And a demon. Scratch the normal part. Amanda pulled over and looked out the window. A squat, stupid-looking creature sat up top a 3-story apartment, scanning for something. Quite thoroughly, actually, considering his entire head spun around in a slow circle.

Amanda quietly stepped out of the car and knelt behind it, watching the monster sit there, head spinning just as nice as you please. Amanda tried to shut the door quietly, but it wouldn't close completely. So she tried again. Still wouldn't shut. So she gave it one last try with a little more force.

The door closed. And the demon heard it.

Amanda mumbled her favorite curse under her breath as the monster snarled and leapt off the building. It landed on all fours in the street and offered a toothy grin to Amanda. "Can I help you?" it asked in a surprisingly intelligent tone.

"Actually," Amanda replied, standing up straight, trying to look impressive despite her small build, "I'm looking for a concentration of Nega energy. You wouldn't happen to know where that is, would you?"

The hairy, doglike beast blinked its blood red eyes, apparently startled that she knew about the Negaverse. "If it isn't me, I'm afraid I can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"It's classified information."

"Well then," Amanda sighed, "I'll have to go find it myself." She turned and started to walk away.

"Not so fast," the creature mumbled. "Anyone who knows about us can't be allowed to live."

"That's okay," Amanda replied, gathering a ball of energy in her fist. "I was planning on dying eventually anyway." The energy ball approached critical mass.

"Good that you accept your fate." With that the creature let out a bizarre bark and leapt for her throat, claws unsheathed from its paws.

Amanda spun halfway around and let the energy ball fly from her hand. It jammed itself in the monster's throat, and sat for a split second before doing its impersonation of a fragmentation grenade. The thing's head exploded in a flash of dark energy, splattering blood, brain, and bone all across the street. The creature's body slammed to the ground and slid several feet before melting away in a haze of energy.

As the thing disappeared, its aura disappeared as well, and suddenly Amanda sensed something, a presence she'd not felt since...

It was coming from the hospital. No less than two poor schmucks had gotten the crap beat out of them by supernatural forces. Intriguing...

7 minutes 28 seconds later Amanda sneaked into a sterile hospital room that seemed to hold the largest concentration of energy, and peered behind the curtain.

There, in the beds lay two astoundingly familiar individuals. The shorter guy was on life support, and the black-haired guy didn't look much better.

Then it came to Amanda who these two were. "Eeee!! Michael! Mamoru!" These guys were in her Calculus recitation class at UCLA last year! Incredible!

But they were in bad shape. Michael's life signs were very low. What in Amaterasu's name happened to these guys?

"Uhnnnn..." Mamoru stirred. Amanda straightened her glasses, put on her biggest, bestest, cutest smile (he was kinda hot), and stood above Mamoru's bed.

He opened his eyes.

"Hieeeee!" Amanda gleamed. "Remember me?"

Mamoru gave her the fourth most bizarre look in the history of mankind, and fainted again.

Amanda frowned. "Was it something I said?"

* * *

Once, she was Mizuno Ami, nerd extrodinare. Blue-eyed wonder in physics, advanced trignometry, and essay writing.

Once, she was Ami-chan, to her mother, to her father, who were never home during the harsh years of school, leaving no one to teach her things like, "Birds & Bees". She had looked it up in a book.

Once, she was the defensive fighter of the Inner Planets, the analyst, the weakest of the team.

Once, she was ridiculed, beat-up, and had friends who scarred her with their verbal abuse, their lack of compassion and smarts, with only their looks, charms, and brawn to fall back on...

Once.....

Calestria's eyes took on a grayer tinge, compared to the blue as that of the old human girl, Mizuno Ami. Racing her tiger through the rainforest, she felt like she was leaving the old self behind, to...die....

She shook her head, goading the blue beast under her to go faster.

Ruckus was riding a similar beast, amazed that this Senshi had such a vivid mind, such creativity!

'And to think those Senshi pushed her right into our comfortable, waiting arms...They have no idea of the treasure that's buried in her.'

Calestria's tiger was aware of a huge tree that seemed to reach the heavens. It, being tired, made a bee-line for the tree. Calestria's eyes widened, as it shimmeyed sideways, and upwards. She cried out as she lost her grip, and was flung up-side down. She screamed and screamed.

Ruckus brought his beast to a stop, and couldn't help but laugh. Calestria had her first thought about levitation, and was somewhat successful...actually, she was hanging upside down.

"Put me down!" cried Calestria, waving her arms.

Ruckus held up hand. "It's not me, m'lady, but you!"

"ME?" repeated Calestria. She hung there for a second, then plummeted back down. Ruckus frowned, as she stopped short of smashing into the forest floor, hands over her eyes. He walked over to her.

"THAT, was me. You'll have to practice that of your own accord," he said, as Calestria rolled onto her back and stood, brushing herself off.

Calestria bit her lip. " I will, Ruckus."

"Ruckus-chan does just as nicely, ne?" he said, his demeanor turning friendly.

She gave him a smile, then nodded. "Alright...Ruckus-chan."

A thought happened by her... "Ruckus... Ruckus-chan, what exactly did you do with my old henshin, my old powers, if I may? And...when may I be more formally introduced to your Court…our Court?"

Calestria giggled. "Actually, where's Chaos? Does he even know what's transpired in the last few minutes?"

She looked at Ruckus, whose usual laughing eyes showed a flicker of sorrow. "Daijobu, Ruckus-chan?" she asked, concerned.

* * *

Havoc was sleeping amongst his stone ruins, a slab of stone which he preferred with a black comforter, his arm as a pillow.

Yawning in his sleep, he turned over, and patted his blade. Who cares if the others teased him, it WAS like a security blanket.

Havoc was having a really cool dream about pies and sailor Saturn and blades, when he suddenly was awakened by a sharp pain in his chest.

'WHAT THE -' he never finished his thought, as he was jerked backwards by pain, then hoved fowards. He gasped for air, clutching for his Blade.

He remembered this! The Lifespark! Havoc was going to die!!

But as soon as it started, it was over, leaving Havoc cradled up in his blanket and blade, wide-eyed and coughing...

"WAKE-UP!!" his voice rang out down the halls. "Come out! Get here!"

Havoc was in the Main Hall, wearing only a black pair of pants and boots, swinging his blade around. Technically, he had slept in, it was daytime, early afternoon in Toyko. But, he knew some of his fellow

elvens had to have slept in as well...ne?

Which brought something else to his attention, Chaos hadn't worked him up for class! ... Could the elves all had left for school

A groggy Hysteria came out, dragging a over-sized panda bear plushie..

"Havoc-chan, why *yawn* are you shouting??"

"Hysteria!" bellowed Havoc, scaring her. "Did you feel it?!"

Hysteria cried. "Why is Havoc-chan yelling at kawaii 'lil Hysteria?! WAAAAAAAH!"

Havoc winced, then fell guilty. "Gomen nasai Hysteriua."

She stopped crying.

Havoc asked gently, "Did you feel it? The LifeSpark, it was severe from me."

Hysteria nodded. "Hysteria-chan took two kawaii medicine-chans, and spelt through it until Havoc-chan yelled!"

Havoc spun. "And I don't see any sign of anyone else... think, Hysteria, was a major battle the court had in its schedules today?"

No reply.

"Exactly... what if we slept through it... our court could be dead, and severe the LifeSpark from us just in time, so there would still be court.

Hysteria wailed, "Havoc-chan! Don't say such un-kawaii-things when you're in your un-kawaii moods! They make Hysteria-chan depressed!"

Havoc shushed her. "What's that??"

He pointed up to the ceiling. In between the lamps signifying Mayhem and the twins' realms, another lamp appeared, a muted blue. "Ruin?" he read.

Hysteria looked herself, and said, "Ruin-chan??? Havoc-chan, who's that??"

"I don't know...You go and find out... I'll see if anyone IS here, like Carnage..."

So, Havoc went to Carnage's hall, while Hysteria launched herself with panda into the ruin realm.

* * *

After dropping Michael off at the hospital, Mayhem decided to spend time in a nearby park. He wandered for awhile, watching the humans pass by. He decided to leave the well-worn paths and go deeper into the inviting shade of the trees.

After walking for a short while, he pushed past one particularly stubborn patch of undergrowth, and stumbled into a small clearing. He stopped, his eyes widening in amazement as he quickly examined the grassy place. Stepping to the center, he shook his head ruefully, wondering over the coincidence that had let him find a glade so exactly like the one he had first met Chaos in. In size, shape and even the way the trees grew. It would be good to spend a little time here.

He let the quiet of the earth soak into his veins, calming him. Sitting on the slightly damp grass, he settled into a meditative posture. This place was perfect! And he wondered why he had never thought to duplicate it his own realm. He would most certainly correct this oversight as soon as he got back.

A small half smile appeared on his face as he let his thoughts drift to a subject that he had not had time to think of in far too long. His Lady Mercury. She really was perfect, but obviously didn't think this was true. But Ruckus had her now...this fact made Mayhem's smile disappear quickly enough.

~Make her into an Elven~ Mayhem shook his head ~What kind of game is that? I should never have let things get so out of hand.~

"Enough resting" he said out loud. "I have to much to do"

He stood up, prepared to summon his cloud, but a sudden sharp pain made him double over, gasping for air. ~What?! No, it's the Lifespark!~

He thought before the pain made him collapse to the ground. The shock broke his simple disguise spell, and it was an Elven Mayhem that hit the earth. He had been the first member of Chaos' Court, and the bond was that much stronger between them.

The pain ebbed long enough for him to cast a far-seeing spell on Chaos, a silver pool of water appeared beside him, and Mayhem could only watch in horrified silence as the spectacle of his friend's death and reunion with Shinrai occurred in the pool's reflecting surface.

As Chaos' soul faded away, the spell lost it's focus and with a flash of light and steam, the water was gone. Leaving Mayhem alone, curled up on the grass. For a long time, it was all he could do to just lie there, his mind blank. But then the shock wore off and the absolute certainty that he was now utterly alone took its place. Wrapping his arms over his head, he curled up even tighter, long heart rending sobs shook his body for, what seemed to him, a small eternity. Gradually they subsided, and he was able to relax his tense muscles enough to cast his teleportation spell. The cool mist deposited him right on his own bed, and he spent a long hour in his rooms before emerging.

The mussed, red-eyed Mayhem was gone, replaced with his usual calm, cold demeanor. He cast a glance up and down the hallway, but saw no one.

His eyes closed briefly, "And what hurts the most, my friend, is that you never told me about her..." he muttered under his breath.

He opened his eyes, and turned to walk to the meeting room, but a new lamp hanging from the arch of a hallway next to his, that he knew hadn't existed the day before, caught his attention.

"Ruin..." He read. "Who is this Ruin?"

Changing his mind, he instead walked into this new Realm....

It seemed that Ruckus was trying to come up with a tongue-in-cheek answer, which Calestria wouldn't stand for, he knew. Instead, a familiar aura let itself be known, and Ruckus relaxed again, letting it through.

~Saved by the mayhem,~ he thought, as Mayhem came inside the Realm of Ruin.

Calestria had briefly averted her eyes as well, wondering what was so difficult about telling her. Did Ruckus not trust her yet? Would she have to prove herself in another way?

Suddenly, she had a pretense that some..thing else, wanted to come in...but only Rei had omnisions like that...right?

Instead, she turned to see-

"Mayhem...." it all came out in one breath, almost like a sigh. The one elf she had let free as Mizuno Ami.

~Well, now I'm glad I did!~ she thought ruefully, ~And if I knew what was going to happen with the unleashing of this Court, I still would have done it!~

"Ohayo, Mayhem," she said shyly, taking a step back from the two males.

There was a brief pause between the three.

She threw her gaze up and around her new home... "Do..do you two like it?"

Ruin looked expectantly at Mayhem and Ruckus, expecting an answer about her handiwork. But it was all Mayhem could do to stare....Without a doubt, this stunning Elven woman was his Lady Mercury. But changed. Now she was Lady Ruin....not his at all.

But he knew she would want an answer, and so he hid his shock and carefully looked around. The lush jungle, flowers, animals; he considered them all. And turning back to her, he said "It's absolutely gorgeous." And it was the truth. This was the some of the finest work he had ever seen, and from a beginner in the Elven Magiks. She was extremely powerful, and that crystal illusion must have contained knowledge to let her master in moments what it took most Elves years to accomplish.

Briefly casting Ruckus a look that promised that they -would- talk later, he stepped up to Ruin and took her hand in his. Bowing over it, he gently kissed her hand and straightened up, smiling into her eyes.

"I am honored to meet you, Lady Ruin. You grace this Court with your very presence."

* * *

The three of them were together. It was their first meeting as a team since the Silver Millenium. At the beginning it seemed as if they didn't know what to say…so silence leaded the small room of the apartment they were. Maybe that was a silence of memories, everyone was recalling they actual and past lives, and how to proceed from now on.

"How's your arm?" Getsuei finally questioned, looking at Asahi's blindfolded arm.

"Pretty good actually…" He smiled "Thanks to a marvelous nurse"

"Well thank you, Asahi" Getsuei said, unimpressed.

Asahi took her hand and kissed it. "You deserve it"

Getsuei freed her hand and glanced at Asahi in disapproval. Asahi sighed. The more he tries the more she seems to take him away. But she was so beautiful and such a brave girl. She looked cold at the beginning, but she owned a gentle and passionate spirit. He knew it...how? He wasn't sure, but he still knew.

Hoshi watched the exchange, hiding the small pangs of emotions that ran through her. It was still the same as all those years ago, and yet things had changed. It was just hard to see, say what. She still wanted…but… "Asahi-kun, I'm glad that you're doing better." Hoshi smiled a little hesitantly before breaking into a wider smile. "I'm so glad that we're all back together! It's been too long. I've missed you." Her eyes filled with bright, unshed tears as she looked between them.

"I missed you, too. " Asahi hugged Hoshi tightly, the way brothers and best friends hug each other when they're finally together after a long time. "But you don't have to cry because of that..." he looked at her and cleaned some of her tears with his hand.

"You see, you look prettier now, sis." A playful smile was drawn in his face.

Two conflicting emotions rose with Hoshi. He truly did care for her, but she wanted more. "Even the little stars have their own light," she replied, sticking out her tongue, teasing and somewhat daring him to see further. But not giving him a chance to reply, she turned to Getsuei. "When do we get to meet the Planet Senshi? I'm so excited to see them again! Do you think they've changed much?"

"I don't think so" Getsuei smiled. "But I doubt they remember us..."

"Well, I've seen Serenity-hime. She was in a hurry...but at least she recognized me." Asahi said as he felt a little pain in his arm. "God, I hope the next door is not the one for Uranus! It was hard to fight against the Dark Sun Warrior."

"That's something we need to discuss with the Senshi. I don't know if the elementals are ready to protect the Planetary door they guard." Getsuei continued. "Two doors were indeed opened and closed...and the evil forces can attack again any time"

"I forget to show you that I have this" Asahi smiled, showing them the glittering silver key for the Door of the Sun."But what happened with the key of Galaxy?"

"It vanished. It exploded with the Dark Warrior's body." Getsuei answered. "Not to be opened again."

"So, we're going to see Usagi?" Asahi stared directly at her eyes.

Getsuei nodded silently, avoiding Asahi's gaze. Suddenly, a weird feeling in her heart told her that something unexpected was going to interrupt them very soon. And it probably wouldn't be pleasant.

* * *

Lights were still on at the trauma ward of the Tokyo General Hospital and the once active building became almost as silent as a tomb with naught but blinking lights and heart monitors going.

The extensive care unit was where Mamoru Chiba rested, after being placed in a near-body cast. His body had been shattered by his battle with the Youma who appeared out of nowhere and he faded in and out of consciousness. By now, he had given up on waking and had let himself drift back into a comatose stupor that seemed to double for sleep around here.

And that is where all the interesting stuff happened . . . . . . . .

Once again, Mamoru Chiba found himself in the marble walkway, floating in the sea of stars. A breeze blew its way through the void, yet Mamoru didn't feel cold. He looked left and right, trying to determine where he was.

"Welcome Prince Endymion. I've been waiting for you." Mamoru spun around at the sound of the voice, and found a set of stairs that weren't there before. "Come! We have much to discuss and not much time to discuss it."

Mamoru hesitated. That voice sounded eerily familiar, but it didn't sound like Nephrite, who'd visited him in his dreams before. Slowly, Mamoru walked up the flight of stairs.

As he walked, he started to notice many ghostly visions passing before his eyes.

Images of his life including, meeting a young Usagi in the hospital after the car crash that claimed his parents; the battles he fought as Tuxedo Kamen before consciously having control of his alternate identity; discovering he and Usagi were destined to be in a former life; giving Usagi an engagement ring before leaving for college; his brief time in the states where he met Michael, Amanda, and Ashe; fighting his doppleganger at the Masquerade Ball; and finally the thrashing he took at the hands of the Youma.

Mamoru finished climing the stairs and stood in a wide open, tile area. He looked around in anticipation.

"Who are you? Why are you showing me these things? Where is this?" As Mamoru finished shouting to the sky, two figures materialized before him. Two people that were very familiar indeed.

" Zoicite? Nephrite?" The former Dark Kingdom Generals nodded. They made broad sweeping gestures to encompase the whole area before Zoicite spoke up.

"Welcome, Prince Endymion. Ever since our deaths, we Generals have watched over you. Until now, we haven't been able to do much but since you have fallen victim to such foul play, we can talk at length.

Unfortunate as your injuries are, they have given us this time together." Zoicite and Nephrite started floating backwards and Mamoru followed.

"As for where we are," Nephrite said, "We're in your mind. Or rather, your subconscious world. Those images you saw before you were your memories, but you've already guessed that. It's time to begin telling you the Ancient Weapons."

"Ancient Weapons?" Mamoru asked, confused." Zoicite and Nephrite looked at each other and shook their heads.

"It is time to tell you about the revival of the Dark Kingdom, the ancient weapons of power, and what we know of the Elven Court." As Zoicite spoke, images started appearing over the star-lit sky to illustrate what he was saying.

"A long time ago, the Generals came across magical weaponry in our search for the Pandora's boxes. We immediately recognized them as some of the ancient weapons forged during the Gold Millennium." An image of four weapons appeared in the sky. The ones attuned to the Inner Senshi. Nephrite took over.

"While for some reason, we couldn't access their power, we found it might be wise to seperate them and hide them where only we would know where to look. It seems to have been a wise choice since they've remain sealed all this time." Images started appearing of four seperate shrines, each with a statue of it's respective General in front.

"Then I take it we should recover these weapons?" Mamoru asked.

Zoicite nodded and continued.

"After our deaths, we have been able to ascertain the true nature of these weapons and where the others are located. Apparently whoever forged them anticipated the elven return and which Senshi would exist in the present."

"Great!" Mamoru said. "Tell me where they are and I can recover them all. If these weapons are really that important, we should get them as soon as possible, right?" Mamoru's enthusiasm was cut short by the odd looks Nephrite and Zoicite had.

"That's not a wise idea," Nephrite said, "Let me tell you why. It appears that when I tried to pass on the location of the four weapons we had possessed, Jedite became aware of them at the same time. I don't know what's happening, but I think that the last two Generals are still linked to you the way we are. Any information we pass on, they become aware of. By the same token, Jedite's plans become known to us as well."

"Then how are we going to do this?" Mamoru asked.

"We'll tell you the location of one weapon at a time." Zoicite said quickly. "After you send someone to go get it, we'll reveal another one. For now, though, the locations of the four shrines will have to be enough for a start."

A world map appeared in the sky and four points became clearly marked. Sailor Venus's weapon was located at Kunzite's shrine in central Turkey. Sailor Jupiter's weapon was located in Nephrite's shrine in the Canadian wilderness. Sailor Mercury's weapon was located in Zoicite's shrine in Iceland. And finally, Sailor Mars's weapon was located in Jedite's shrine in southwestern Romania.

"Alright, I got all that." Mamoru said. The images in the sky vanished. Just as it appeared that Nephrite and Zoicite had everything wrapped up did the whole realm started quaking as if being shook by a large hand.

"What the hell is going on?" Nephrite yelled as he struggled to regain his balance.

"You mean, you don't know?" Mamoru said, as confused as the Generals were.

Mamoru, Zoicite, and Nephrite regained their footing and the quaking stopped. They looked around in utter confusion as the whole marble palace started to reshape itself.

"Something's wrong with Endymion, I can feel it." Zoicite said. After the reshaping stopped, a large archway. The three of them peered into the darkness and saw three sets of glowing eyes glaring back at them.

"What is all this, Zoicite?" Mamoru asked.

"I have no idea . . ." Zoicite shook his head as he took an involuntary step back. Nephrite, however, was not so easily frightened.

"We are not alone here. Someone or something else has started to seep it's way in. Show yourself!!" Nephrite raised his arm and fired a burst of energy into the archway, causing a small explosion. Three beings leapt out from the shadows and stood defiantly before Mamoru, Nephrite, and Zoicite. The one in the center wore a hood, but the other two were . . .

"Elves!" Mamoru shouted. "What are elves doing in my subconscious?" Zoicite started thinking for a moment before connecting with an idea.

"It's got to be the spell that Chaos cast! The crystal that you received to block the courts influence." Mamoru swallowed hard and nodded.

"The one Michael gave me. But I thought it was supposed to help me. Chaos must have lied!" Mamoru started getting worked up but Nephrite raised his hand to indicate otherwise.

"I don't think this was in the original spell. They have the stink of the Dark Kingdom about them. Prince Endymion, you're still suffering the taint of evil that you received as a General. It must be interacting with the spell that Chaos cast to create these shades. I'm willing to be those two elven characters represent people you loathe deeply."

"For all intents and purposes . . . " the first elf said.

". . . you can call us Riot and Ruckus!" the other elf finished with a smile.

Mamoru's lower lip curled into a snarl at the mention of the two elven twins who seem to have made it their mission to drive Mamoru to madness.

With a quick flowing motion, Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Kamen (wordlessly since he's in his subconscious) and readied himself for combat. Zoicite and Nephrite both prepared themselves for battle as well.

However, the two elves, instead of attacking, bowed deferentially to the hooded man in the center. The man was wearing some familiar looking armor and reached up to his head and flipped it back. Tuxedo Kamen, Nephrite, and Zoicite gasped in shock. It was Mamoru.

"I am General Endymion." The man announced. He looked exactly like Mamoru did when he was a member of the Dark Kingdom. It appears that the taint of the Dark Kingdom had manifested itself.

"You three are not worthy to stand before me! For the great crime of turning away from Queen Beryl, I hearby pass judgement on you. Riot! Ruckus! Carry out the sentence!"

"Yes master," the two elves said simultaneously. They leapt into the air for a better attack position and Nephrite and Zoicite followed suit. That left Tuxedo Kamen to square off against his Dark Kingdom

counterpart.

"Zoi!" Zoicite fired volley after volley of invisible energy blasts that Riot countered with his own attacks. The sky was lit up from all the strangely colored explosions.

On the other half of the precipace, Nephrite and Ruckus were locked in fierce physical confrontation. Both had the power to create swords out of thin air and were clashing.

"That leaves you and me." General Endymion said. He drew his sword and rushed at Tuxedo Kamen. Not to be caught the same way twice, Tuxedo Kamen crouched. General Endymion kept his guard high ashe charged, expecting a leaping strike. However, as he came near, Tuxedo Kamen dropped back and punted.

"Waaaaaggghhh!" General Endymion groaned as he flew into a pillar. Tuxedo Kamen drew his cane and started to trade attacks with Endymion.

Meanwhile, things were not going as well in the aerial combat. The elven shades had managed to use the teamwork the twins were so famous for to slam Zoicite and Nephrite into each other. The Generals were starting to get exhausted from all the fighting.

"D-d-dammit!" Nephrite swore. "We're getting nowhere! They're too fast!" Zoicite nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, but relax. I got an idea. Let's teach them that they're not the only ones who know good teamwork!"

Nephrite and Zoicite spoke in hushed whispers for a moment. Zoicite stayed put while Nephrite took off. Seeing what appeared to be a good opportunity, the elves raced to double-team Zoicite, leading them right into the trap.

"Gotcha! ZOI!!" Zoicite cried out and a hurricane of cherry blossoms suddenly appeared in the air.

"What the?! I can't see!" The elven shades shouted.

Riot and Ruckus were momentarily blinded by the swirl and their attacks went wild. Nephrite swooped in and kicked Ruckus in the back, aligning him so his attack hit Riot. As Riot hit the floor smoldering, Zoicite appeared over Ruckus and connected with an overhead smash, sending Ruckus crashing onto Riot.

"You're nothing compared to my power," Endymion growled. He had managed to knock Tuxedo Kamen's cane away and had him backed into a corner. He was about to deliver the deathblow when something strange happened.

An object shot through the air and imbedded itself in the marble floor. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the object. It was a white rose. Turning to it's source, they saw a man dressed in a white, almost arabian, garb standing on a ledge above them.

"Who the devil are you?" Nephrite growled. He was about to blast the new intruder when Tuxedo Kamen motioned to stop.

"That's ..... the Moonlight Knight! But, how is that possible?"

"The answer is simple," The Moonlight Knight said. "Tuxedo Kamen, I have always been a part of you. In the realm of your subconscious mind, I need nothing to bring about my presence. Mamoru, all the anger, resentment, and despair you have been feeling since the Masquerade ball ended have been amplified to such enormous degrees as a direct result of Chaos's magic and the taint of the Dark Kingdom you still have."

"The taint of the Dark Kingdom . . . " Tuxedo Kamen mulled that over in his mind. It would make a lot of sense. Everything was so out of control and he thought that it was Usagi's running out on him when he needed her the most that brought it about.

Nephrite and Zoicite landed next to Tuxedo Kamen while Riot and Ruckus joined Endymion at the other end of the platform.

"To release you from your agony and the taint of the Dark Kingdom, you need to purify your soul by destroying those three demonic entities. For that purpose, I shall open you to the physical expression of your power! Take this and use it wisely."

The Moonlight Knight raised his hand and Tuxedo Kamen suddenly felt the same rush of adrenaline that the Inner Senshi felt when the Moonlight Knight awoken their powered up attacks. He then vanished.

Nephrite and Zoicite looked at Tuxedo Kamen expectantly. Endymion, Riot, and Ruckus were getting ready to attack again. However, Tuxedo Kamen then slowly turned to face his assailants. He raised his hands and shouted.

"TUXEDO LA SMOKING BOMBER!!" A burst of energy followed by a massive explosion. Endymion, Riot, and Ruckus screamed and were vaporized by the power.

Nephrite and Zoicite watched with awe as the landscape of Mamoru's subconscious not only returned to normal, but seemed to be an even more pleasant place. The taint of the Dark Kingdom really was gone.

"Take care, Mamoru!" The voice of the Moonlight Knight said. "Perhaps we'll meet again."

Tuxedo Kamen faded himself and Zoicite and Nephrite were left to themselves.

A couple nurses who worked the trauma ward heard some sounds coming from the intensive care unit. As they checked in, they noticed that Mamoru seemed more at peace than he had ever since they brought him in.

* * *

The entire world was spinning as Yaten as she felt her knees buckle under her weight. Even though Yaten was the shortest of the Lights, she was overcome by her own nausea. It almost as if she had lost all strength in her muscles. She watched the floor with glassy eyes moving closer..

closer....

The youma quickly caught Yaten the arm before she hit the floor. Her eyes slowly began to focus as thoughts other then her turning stomach and aching limbs filled her head.

Why did they go through all this trouble just for her?

Why was her grandmother so important to them?

She remembered when she first came to this strange place. How the guy....

She faintly heard Ami call him, "Jedite" before she left.

Mentioned that Metallia had led them.

That was probably after she destroyed everything that Yaten held dear. A tear rolled down her cheek. No. No one cared about how she left then. Seiya, who had a similiar background, could never understand the pain that she went through.

And where the hell where they when she needed them the most?! When he was severely wounded and needed attention.

Did Seiya do anything? Noooooooo...He was too busy fighting.

Did Taiki do anything? Noooooooo....He was too busy playing "Acrobat"

She lifted her right arm up, practically to check for feeling, and practically to see if the wounds healed.

It was almost as if she was completely restored....

Of course, she has to guess at it since she realized she was wearing a dark gray suit embriodered with green trim.

It was then she realized that she knew where she was and what her answer would be.

She spoke softly, almost painfully keeping her head down so to not get her stomach any more upset then it already was. "Alright, you've got yourself a general" and with that, Yaten sat down.

* * *

Ayashi stood atop the ancient pillar -about 100 feet from the ground heightwise and gazed into the Omni cube with stone cold eyes.

"I see it, I just don't believe it..." she uttered. She had seen everything - the warrior, the Lifespark - everything, and yet, something inside of her refused to admit it...

The thing that frightened her most, however, was what the Dark Warrior had said to Sailor Moon..

"My mission is to kill the Princess of the White Moon. You are the leader of all the Sailor Senshi, you are the center of them. If you die there will be no hope."

Was it true? Was Nemesis dependant on this weakling? No, Aya refused this thought and hovered higher above the stone pillar, as silvery tears fell from her eyes, landing on the ground and freezing.

*Sniffle* "Im getting careless..." *sniffle* she thought. "...No matter who I depend upon, I will put an end to this - the Elves, the senshi. Ill restore this place back to its true glory!" With that, she slammed down onto the ground as the room froze over - revealing the icy image of the Nepherenia's hall of mirrors…

* * *

Raithe tapped her fingers on the arm of her throne impatiently. Wolf Shadow and Tiger Eye stood before her, anxiously awaiting her reply to their last posed question. Khayman watched her with his eyes half open, staring at her fingers. Khayman had been away for a few days, no one, not even Raithe knew where he had been, or what he was doing.

"Answer them." Khyaman ordered her.

Raithe shot him a dirty look. "You ask me what I plan on doing now that Chaos is dead?" She repeated the question, simply to anger Khayman more. "To that question, I have no answer....At least not now."

The two vampires groaned. Khayman reached over and grabbed her hand, the one that was tapping. She turned her head to look at him, his gaze was an angry one.

"What?" Raithe questioned, annoyance in her voice. "You expect me to always have some plan, to always be on top of everything that happens on earth."

"I never said that!" Khayman protested.

"Just do me a favor for once." She fixated her eyes on him, and smiled. "Let me do this my own way."

Khayman backed away from her, letting go of her hand. "And just what do you plan on doing?"

Raithe's smile grew. "Watch me." She snapped her fingers, and a small, dark brown haired Faery with a red and black cape, and a small black dress fluttered in.

"Yes, my empress?" The Fae asked.

"Emeraldas, I require your services." She waved her hand, and a quill and paper appeared before her. "I need you to tale this to the dwelling of the elven court of Chaos. You do remember where they live, do you not?"

"Doesn't every Faery?"

"Good." Raithe stood, picked up her gold goblet, and lapped the blood from it as she dictated her letter, and the quill wrote it.

To my dear, esteemed members of the Elven Court of Chaos,

I am sorry to hear of your leaders passing, and mourn his death with you.

However, from afar, we are still enemies, no matter who is in charge.

This is not the sole purpose for my letter. I wish, for now, to

Promote a time of peace between our kingdoms. I know

You all now must have many things to take care of.

Please reply to this letter as soon as you receive

it. Perhaps your thoughts will be the same

As my own.

Sincerely,

The Shadowdemon Empress Raithe

Raithe nodded, and Emeraldas carried the letter away. Raithe sat back down, and smiled to herself. Khayman's face contorted.

"You call that a plan?!"

"Shh.." She placed her finger over his lips. "Khayman my dear, you are over reacting." Raithe smiled, and took his hand. "And you're also shamefully drunk, I'll have to take advantage of you later."

The two vampire's chuckled under thier breath, but a quick glace from Raithe shut them up quickly. "Now, if you two will excuse me, I have something to discuss with Khayman. Go back to work, I need to know where that last crystal is."

Wolf Shadow and Tiger Eye bowed and exited the room quickly. Raithe turned and looked over at Khayman, who arched an eyebrow.

"Well?" Khayman asked.

* * *

Ruin blushed at Mayhem's complement; so far in her short visit, she had managed to impress two elves.

~Two very good-looking elves, I might add~ she thought.

In her mind's eye, Ruckus-chan looked kinda thin, not like a six-pack, and his appearance suggested that he was maybe an artist or a singer...

Ruin dropped her chin, thinking. ~Singer...Oh, yeah....Yaten Kou.... I wonder if he knows about my being missing...I wonder if any of the Senshi know. Why, they're probably scouring all of Tokyo as I

think!~

Suddenly, a annoyed presence filled her. Calestria couldn't understand it...but..the thought came back...

~No, they wouldn't look for me. Why would they do that, when I'm the weakness, I was the wimp...They probably are glad that I'm missing, one less thing to worry about...One....less...thing...~

Ruin was frowning, and the two noticed it. An anger began to form in her eyes, but she smiled, then looked at the two elves. "So, I here you guys are pretty cosmic with your old games of yore..."

Neither said a word, but Ruckus nodded.

Calestria put her hands behind her back, and closed her eyes, shakily rising off the ground, but smoothing out once she reached about two feet. A little unsteady, she sat in midair, and cross her legs, then her arms.

"So, who's going to teach me?"

Ruckus knew all too well that Mayhem would teach her, whether or not he was ready to deal with her.

Ruckus spoke in the elven tongue, fluidic and musical in nature.

"Well then I'll leave the two of you to get better acquainted, and Mayhem, we shall need to speak..." and because of the intricacy of the language, Ruckus could slip in small pieces of information without anyone else being able to tell the difference.

"...*about chaos* later." Mayhem nodded silently.

Ruckus bowed to the two and disappeared in a furry of cherry blossoms.

The elven lord paced through the conference room, his face distorting in any which way from numerous emotions and realizations. Chaos was gone, and that alone brought up more issues and problems than he cared to think about. What would become of the court without its leader, no one else would really do. And Carnage was a subject he didn't even want to touch on. There was just so much to deal with, but they would move on as he knew Chaos would have wanted.

Ruckus sighed, the days ahead did not promise the glory they used to.

A presence made itself known and Ruckus quickly straightened up and strengthened his perception magik. When he realized who it was, a look of total surprise adorned his face. Some how, with the annihilation of the elves and fairies folk races, a single fairy had managed to survive.

And it was right outside their realm asking permission for entry.

The small fairy appeared before Ruckus and smiled. She spoke with a beautiful voice that flowed like water.

"Greetings, I am Emeraldas and I bring a message for you."

Ruckus totally ignored the parchment she offered him, preferring instead to pay attention to her.

"Amazing, how did you survive? And what happened to the elven race, and of all our kinfolk, what caused this?" Ruckus asked anxiously.

The small faery nodded sadly, "I am sorry, I do not know. I was trapped within a crystal orb for a very long time. I was only recently released from my prison, and so I do not know."

Ruckus nodded solemnly, this time he took the message from the fluttering kinfolk. He read it carefully, not one emotion revealing itself on his face. When he was done he smiled playfully.

"Well then, such kindness should not go ignored. Tell Raithe that the Elven Court of Chaos accepts her peace-time proposal. As well as our thanks for her sympathies." Ruckus thought for a moment, "Also, tell her not to get any ideas, we are fully aware of what she might be thinking." he added jokingly.

The small faery bowed respectfully and disappeared.

A dark grin found its way up Ruckus' face, "We'll see who gets the drop on the other first, demon."

* * *

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a ruthless self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year old French prostitue named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that the genius posses and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap sack and beaten with reeds- pretty standard, really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I suggest you try it."

Ashe blinked a few times. "How the hell did you remember all that?"

Amanda smiled. "It's amazing what you can do with 17 hours of free time a day."

"Right." Ashe shifted his weight in his seat and took another look over Michael Florian's pretty-much lifeless body. To think that the boy could take a beating such as he received and live was a herald to the ridiculous amount of luck he had. Ashe leaned forward and poked him on the arm. Nothing. "So how did you find these guys?"

"A little luck, a little skill," said Amanda, "and the fact that these guys are practically dripping of supernatural energy. However," Amanda stood up and touched Michael's hand, "I don't know where this guy's been. It's different from Nega energy." Ashe started to pick at his fingernails. One of several nervous habits he possessed. "Well then, where WAS he?"

"If I knew," Amanda said impatiently, "I'd TELL you."

Her cell phone rang. "Phone's ringing," Ashe pointed out.

"Oh, gosh Ashe, I was wondering what that was." She flipped the phone open. "J'ello? Oh, hello. We were waiting for you."

"Who is it?" Ashe asked.

"Doctor N," she replied. "Now shut up."

"Mm." Ashe poked Michael again.

"There's a flaw in the plan," the Doctor informed Amanda.

"Like what?"

"Jedite."

"I don't like him very much. But didn't he die?"

"He was imprisoned. He escaped."

"That's bad."

"Yes. You'll have to work around him."

"Fine. So what ARE we supposed to do?"

"The supernatural stream is too full. You must clean it up."

"Right, how do we do that?"

"Elves."

"Elves?"

"Elves. Little pointy-eared bastards with sick senses of humor and severe powers."

"HOW sick?"

"Sick enough to nearly kill your friend there."

Amanda looked down at Michael. Poor guy. He WAS kinda cute. His anal-retentive attitude could use some work, though. "So what do we do?"

"Figure it out. I'll be in touch." Then he hung up.

Ashe passed her a peculiar look. "Elves?"

"Elves," Amanda replied as she put the phone away.

"What about 'em?"

"I dunno. He just said elves. Maybe Michael knows."

"So we get to wait some MORE?"

Amanda sighed. "Guess so." She sat back down and crossed her legs. "Wish I'd brought my Game Boy."

* * *

Stashia was angry. It seemed every time they opened a Malignant Door of Darkness, it was closed again. She thought the elementals weren't aware about their mission guarding the doors, but on the contrary, the elemental of 'day' destroyed the warrior of the Dark Sun and obtained the key. And the most powerful warrior, the one of the Galaxy, was destroyed by an elf along with the key.

"Sailor Tranquility!" Stashia called.

"You called me, Mistress of the Storm?" Asked Tranquility.

"I won't allow any more mistakes. Our Great Master won't be released if you continue failing! Find the next key holder and bring me the key which is in Prince Asahi's hands"

"Yes, my mistress" Sailor Tranquility nodded, but as she left the room she grinned evily. Her eyes were even colder. She laughed softly to herself.

"Soon, Stashia, it will be me the head of the Dark Blood Clan. Not you."

*

Meanwhile, in other place, Sailor Eclipse was casting a new spell she learned from old books. She concentrated all her energy and called the magic of the Soul Restoration, and along with it, the Soul Prison spell.

"Mistress Persephone, ruler of the Underworld...I call the Soul Restoration, free my sister from the evil hands that are possessing her..."

*

Stashia felt a terrible pain in her body, just as if her soul was being pulled away from it. "Damn Witch Hecate!" She yelled, out of breath. "I won't let that stupid Amy Elisabeth to come back. Never!"

She was sweating and she collapsed from her throne. She tried to regain energies but it was useless. Stashia knew the only way to stop the pain and stay alive was killing Sailor Eclipse. She disappeared of her chambers.

*

"I demand the Soul Prison, and the Averno Spell to seal the malignant spirit in my sister's body!" Sailor Eclipse continued. Her eyes were closed.

Suddenly, a dark twister appeared, and Sailor Eclipse tried to maintain the balance. The twisting fury was hurting her body and trying to break the spell. The evil black-haired young woman laughed "I'll kill you Sailor Eclipse!"

"Stashia!" she exclaimed.

* * *

The park, where the great fight against the Dark Warrior had taken place, was lonely that morning. Three figures were staring at the hole left by the first fireball of that demon during last night's battle.

"Why didn't you tell us, Shinrai?" Yuuki lamented. "We were sisters that time. Why didn't you trust us?"

An eternal silence answered the question. Ureshii cleared her tears and looked at the other two females. Her long red ponytail danced sadly with the rhythm of the wind...

"Dear Shinrai...no more you're with us. The four moons circle is forever broken." she said.

"We are incomplete. Shinrai, I'm sorry this happened..." Added

"I know you didn't deserved to die...but I can't understand how could you betray us, our queen!" a lot of frustration was in Yuuki's words. She was angry but at the same time her heart was hurt. Shinrai, a sister she used to have at the Golden Age, now dead.

"Love makes us do things without looking at the consequences" [Galaxia] replied. She had a memory of a fallen body she restored, and then lost again.

"But Lord Chaos was an elf! It was an impossible love!" Yuuki continued.

[Galaxia] and Ureshii remained silent. They knew very well that Yuuki was right. But still...

"You will never understand how much she suffered because of that." A young woman appeared from the trees' shadows. "I can't believe you don't comprehend she was tortured every night with dreams of the past...and after she had seem him again, the hours were of sadness and guilt. Even the Moon Princess could forgive and understand her, but you...who were her sisters...you can't pardon her. What am I saying, she didn't need your pardon. Love is not a mistake."

The girl with the sapphire eyes was crying as well.

"Who are you?" Ureshii asked.

The girl searched something inside her jeans' pocket. She showed them the glittering object: a silvered and golden pen with the shade of a Decrescent Moon. The violet-haired girl sighed deeply.

"I'm Akari Hisoka. I was Shinrai's sister in this age...and now I'm her replacement, Sailor Decrease Light."

" Akari..." Ureshii murmured. " The replacement for Shinrai?"

She glanced around at the other's faces. The sun had not fully risen yet, and Ureshii could not tell what the others were thinking. She looked at the ground and sighed inwardly.

Mei bowed her head and whispered, "Shinrai…" If only Shinrai could

hear what she was thinking… Thank you, and to be with the one that you love… When it felt so right… There are no words to describe it. Her heart throbbed painfully. Was he here now? She dearly wanted to see and embrace him, and then cry. For she had no right to judge, no right in anything. She let herself be taken over; she let the Chaos entity within her. It frightened her to think of then. If Sailor Moon haven't…

A slight chill filled her. Because of that, was right for her to lead anymore? But she couldn't run from her duties after all the things that she had done… She still had to tell her sisters. All she had told them was that she went by Mei Kenkon now and that she didn't remember everything from the past. But how was she to complete her tale?

"I'm sorry, Hisoka." Mei looked up and sadly at the one who completed their circle again. "Welcome, Sailor Decrease Light." She took a few steps and embraced Hisoka with her whole heart.

Ureshii smiled sadly as Mei and Hisoka separated from their embrace. She followed Mei's lead and welcomed Hisoka.

"Welcome, Hisoka!" She said, wiping away the last tear that was on her cheek. She smiled at Hisoka and looked backwards at the others.

"Excuse me, but how do we know you're not one of the elves?" Yuuki asked, walking up to Sailor Decrease Light. How do we know you're not from any of those 'evil' places, like the Dark Kingdom? Prove to us that you're Sailor Decrease Light, and I'll accept you."

'The circle is a fragile thing... look at how the death of Shinirai disrupted it... but the others want the "completeness" back again... so do I... but I don't want it to be shattered again...' Yuuki thought, staring at the new arrival.

"Well, how do you want me to prove I am Shinrai's replacement?! Do you want me to transform?! I can do so!" Hisoka yelled. At first she was angry of such lack of confidence...but it was understandable and she had to comprehend that their enemies would be capable of anything. And of course, be mad at her new partner wouldn't be the best way to start...

"Gomen nasai, I know that you can't trust me so easy. So how do you want me to show I am the new Light Senshi?"

"Go on then, transform as you 'say' you can do!" Yuuki shot back. 'Get ahold of yourself!' Yuuki thought, scolding herself. 'You don't want another enemy...'

"OK...I'll do that." Hisoka looked at the brilliant object her sister gave her in a strange dream. She closed her eyes remembering the words. The pen started to glow and she rised it to the sky: "Moonlight! Decrease Gold Power, make up!" She exclaimed.

The golden and silvered light enclosed her body and then disappeared to reveal the Sailor Fuku that Shinrai used to have.

Hisoka smiled: "Enough prove?"

Mei stood back and watched silently. She hadn't thought about the elves or any other evils that were running free right now. More she had gone on the feeling that it felt right that Hisoka was a part of their circle. If she interfered right now, then it would take more time for Yuuki and Hisoka to work things out. And she didn't think there was time for that. But seeing Hisoka transform made her wonder if she could transform into Full Light. She glanced at Ureshii to see how she was taking this.

Ureshii looked at her pen and to Mei. " Do you think we can transform?" She rolled the pen over and over in her hands, remembering when she transformed, and smiled.

" I believe we can."

Yuuki mumbled under her breath. "Nobody proves me wrong..." Yuuki walked closer towards the now transformed Hisoka. "It'll do for now, but don't think you've got my trust just yet! I'll be watching you, Sailor Decrease Light."

"If you want to..." Hisoka added, unimpressed. "So, can you explain me a little more about the enemy?"

* * *

Taiki & Seiya were drenched by the time they had made it to their apartment, but what really pissed Taiki off was that the sun came out RIGHT when they got home!

"Figures!", wringing his hat out on the floor.

Seiya dried himself off as best as he could, then stepped inside.

Both he and Taiki sat down in the middle of their living room floor. He pulled out his glasses, and began to examine some papers. He looked back up at Taiki. "According to this, we have to transform, and just call out to her mentally."

Taiki smirked. "Sort of like a Wizard of Oz deal?"

Seiya rolled his eyes and sighed. "Let's just do it, all right?"

Seiya reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his henshin. "Fighter Star Power, Make UP!"

Taiki nodded, pulling out his henshin. "Maker Star Power, Make UP!"

Both were surrounded by stars and lasers, transforming into their female counterparts.

"Now, Maker, think hard!" Fighter shouted.

"You don't have to inform me, jock," shot back Star-Maker, using the term loosely. Both closed their eyes and concentrated on a mental picture of Kakyuu.

Everything in the room stopped. It was as if time itself had been paused, and they had been removed from the boundaries of the normal world.

Then, the room was filled with a bright, white light. Then, a figure emerged from the blinding light. Fighter's eyes widened. "Is it...?" She glanced at Maker, who had a similar expression on her face.

"Kakyuu-hime.." she whispered.

Star Maker kneeled, as you always should in the presence of royalty. Fighter followed suit.

Kakyuu looked at Star Maker and Star Fighter, smiling, with tears in her eyes. She ran towards them and hugged them tight. "I miss you all...I really missed you, Maker, Fighter..." Kakyuu paused and looked around with a puzzled look.

"Ne? Where's Healer?" Kakyuu asked. Her heart froze. When she was in Kinmoku, she had sensed that SOMETHING had happened to Healer, but for her not to be here now, at her calling...

She gave Fighter and Maker a fearful look, and asked hesitantly "Fighter... what... what happened to Healer?"

Fighter hung her head. "S..she was...taken. We were in the middle of a battle, and she was abducted by some youma...I haven't heard from her since...I'm afraid something awful's happened to her, Kakyuu-hime!"

Fighter looked up at Kakyuu with tears in her eyes. "I...I felt so incredibly helpless, I..." She choked, unable to finish her sentence.

Kakyuu looked down at Fighter comfortingly. "There is a way to save her, you know."

Fighter's head snapped up. "What is it? No matter what it is, I'll do it."

Kakyuu nodded. "To save Yaten, you must be able to use your full powers. In order to do this, you must return to your original form."

Fighter's eyes widened. "You mean...I..I'd return to being female?"

Kakyuu smiled. "Yes. If you wish to save your friend, this is the only way to do it."

Figher was shocked. "I'd be female again..." she thought. "But, if it's the only way to save Yaten, I'll do it." Fighter nodded to Kakyuu. "I said whatever it takes. I'll do it."

Kakyuu nodded again. "Stand up, Sailor Star Figher." She commanded. Fighter did as she was told.

The princess approached Figher, and placed a single, slender hand on her forehead. Fighter was surrounded by a blinding light. Her fuku disappeared, and was replaced by a t-shirt and jeans.

Seiya opened HER eyes, and looked down. Yes, she was most defanenlty a SHE now. She examined herself in a mirror, twisting in front of it, examining her new "look."

Kakyuu supressed a laugh, and approached Seiya. "Seiya Kou, your mission will be not only extremely difficult, but extremely dangerous. Even if you do succeed, things will never be as they were before." Seiya nodded solemnly. "I know, Kakyuu-hime. But this is the only way to save Yaten, so I must do it."

Kakyuu snapped her fingers. "I almost forgot. You are needed, Seiya." She waved her arms, and an image of Hotaru sitting on a bench at a bus stop appeared.

Seiya gave Kakyuu a puzzled look. "So she's waiting for the bus. What does she need me for?"

Kakyuu just smiled. "Trust me, Seiya, it will all work out much better in the end. Why don't you drive by and pick her up?"

Seiya smiled. "All right, Kakyuu. I know you're hiding something from me, but I know you'd tell me if you could."

Kakyuu gave her a knowing smile "Thank you, Seiya. I will always be here for you. If you ever need anything, just ask me. I'll be watching you..." With that, Kakyuu-hime faded into the sky, smiling down on them both.

Seiya sighed and turned around, stuffing her hands in her pockets. Taiki grinned at her. "Hey, Seiya, you make a pretty hot girl!"

Seiya glared at Taiki, who had de-transformed & was snickering. What had she gotten herself into this time? Taiki laughed hard, unable to hold it in.

Seiya tried unsuccessfully to arch an eyebrow. "You're next, Taiki!"

"Ha-huh? Na ni?! Me too?!"

Seiya gave him a confused look. "Isn't this what you wanted as well? To help me find Yaten?"

Taiki crossed his arms, a little miffed. "Listen, Yaten IS foremost on my mind, but after switching back and forth for so long, people have gotten used to me...to suddenly appear female before the senshi, hell appearing before our fans! This isn't what I had in mind."

"Who cares about the band? With Yaten gone & the amphitheater orn up, we might as well break-up!"

"I CARE!" yelled Taiki. "Of course, given that your IQ is nowhere near mine, no wonder you didn't share this idea."

"It's for the team!"

"We don't HAVE a team anymore, Seiya!" shouted Taiki. "Why don't you let go of your woe-is-me-guilty trip? Those creatures would have pounded on all of us unless we had the help from those...pointy-eared things and some senshi!"

Seiya stuck her tongue out. "Help!? WE had it covered at one point! At least *I* fought against those monsters attacking Yaten in the first place! Where the hell were you? Prancing around the electric wires?"

Seiya regretted the words the instant they were out. Taiki looked like someone had given him a good smack on the cheek. He took a step back from Seiya, literally shaking with anger...

"Y-you really think...that I didn't..."

Taiki turned on his heel, and quietly put his hat on.

Seiya ran to him, and put a hand on his back. Taiki smacked it off, causing Seiya to gasp as she rubbed it.

Taiki didn't look at her as he said softly, "If that's what you wanted, fine. Consider the Three Lights dis-banded." He opened the door and walked outside.

Seiya ran a few steps after him.

"Taiki-chan! Gomen nasai! I didn't mean it! GOMEN NASAI!!!"

He froze, and said, "Be back later...Seiya..."

"Where? Where are you going?!" cried Seiya.

~To make an ass out of myself~, he thought. And then he walked down the road, ignoring Seiya's cries to come back.

* * *

At the Hospital, the doctors were healing...trying to heal the very harmed young man.

"What was his name again?" One of them asked.

"Mamoru Chiba..." said another one, he was looking any information about Mamoru in his wallet.

"His relatives know he's at the hospital?" Other Doctor asked. > "His relatives know he's at the hospital?" Other Doctor asked.

"What happened to those people who were here...that girl and that guy? I thought they were his friends..." A nurse interrupted.

"Don't know anything about them. Right now, we are trying to reach this guy, Michael Florian, to tell him about Mr. Chiba's accident. But no one answers the phone..."

"Here's another person...Usagi Tsukino...she seems to be his fiancée" the one who had Mamoru's wallet triumphantly smiled.

"What are you waiting for, have someone call her!"

*

RIIING!

"Moshi moshi" Usagi yawned as she answered the phone. It seemed someone out there didn't want her to sleep anymore.

["Would you please communicate me with Miss…Usagi Tsukino?"]

"Yes, you're speaking with her" she answered, a little confused. Who was calling so early and why?

Sooner that expected, her questions were answered. It was a doctor. And he told her that a very damaged Mamoru was at the hospital.

"What!?" Usagi yelled at the phone

["Calm down Miss Tsukino, we're trying to do everything possible to keep him alive"]

"ALIVE!!!!" Usagi exclaimed. She hung the phone and rapidly called someone she knew could help Mamo-chan thanks to her healing powers.

*

Hotaru looked up as she heard the phone ring. Putting her piece of toast on a plate, she jumped down from her seat at the counter in the kitchen and walked over to the phone. Standing on her tip toes, she reached up to the phone and took it off its hook."Moshi Moshi? Usagi-san? What? My healing powers? Now?" Hotaru managed to get in between Usagi's frantic sentences. "I guess I could get someone to take me... but Michiru-mama, Haruka-papa and Setsuna-mama are still asleep... I don't wanna wake them... I should be able to catch a bus to the hospital..." Hotaru said, mumbling to herself. "Look, Usagi-san, I'll be at the hospital in 30 minutes, ok? Ja ne." Hotaru put the phone back on the hook, wrote a note to her "parents" to explain where she was and what she was doing, and walked out the door and down the street to the bus stop.

*

Seiya hopped into her car, and drove down to the bus stop Kakyuu had shown her. She chuckled. "I wonder what Hotaru and Usagi's reactions will be when they find out that I'm female now."

She finally arrived at the bus stop, and pulled over. Hotaru gave her a puzzled look from the car, as if she didn't know her. Seiya rolled down her window, and took off her sunglasses.

"Hey, Hotaru-chan. It's me, Seiya. Need a ride?"

Hotaru stared at... her.

"Um, sure Seiya-chan" Hotaru said quietly, walking around to the other side of the car. She opened the door and hopped in. "I need a lift to the hospital, is that along your way?"

"Well, I think Usagi-chan is getting a lift with someone or something...

I think... but she said that she'll meet me at the hospital... so...no, one-way trip..." Hotaru replied.

"The hospital it is, then!" Seiya flipped her sunglasses on and shifted gears. They took off on the busy streets of Tokyo toward the local hospital.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, Seiya parked and insisted on assisting Hotaru to where she needed to go. When she started to protest, she just gave Hotaru a goofy grin. "I may be female, but I insist on escorting a lady to her destination."

*

As she reached the hospital Usagi ran fast. As fast as her legs could go.

Now that the death of Shinrai and Chaos opened her eyes, she knew that everything that matters on life is love. And she one way or another, betrayal or not, she couldn't be what she really was without him.

She tried to avoid it, excusing herself with that treason argument, but it wasn't enough. Now she knew that years passed, lives passed, but real love remains as the first day. It can't change, it hunts us like a thirsty ghost. And the love she shared with him was true as the fact she was breathing.

She just couldn't wait and when she ran upstairs, the path seemed eternal. But finally, it had ended. Her heart beating desperately, a nervous smile in her lips. She was breathing fast and anxiously. Usagi walked into the room and found herself in front of him. Actually, he was really bad. Usagi felt warm tears running through her cheeks.

"I love you..."

And then she said no more.

At that moment Seiya and Hotaru arrived. Usagi looked at them, first with surprise in her eyes: Seiya...female? Now that was weird! Wait, thinking better about it, it wasn't a big deal after all, considering Seiya's true form was that of a woman.

However she didn't pay much attention to that at the moment. There was something much more important for her right now.

"Hotaru, please, help Mamo-chan."

Hotaru looked at Mamoru, noting the many injuries that marked his body. 'I'm going to be tired after this...' Hotaru thought, as she walked over to Mamoru's bedside. As she walked over, she caught a glimpse of another person out of the corner of her eye, also in a bed.

'That's the person I gave the pepper lollypop to... Michael...' Hotaru sat down in a spare chair next to the bed Mamoru was in, and looked back and forth between the two males.

"I'll try Usagi-chan...then I'll try to heal Michael too." Hotaru said, pointing out Michael in the other bed.

Hotaru took Mamoru's hand, and focused all her energy through her hand, and into Mamoru's. She could feel the energy flowing out of herself, as she got weaker and weaker. It was like a leech sucking blood from it's victim, only the victim was giving it's blood willingly. Noting she was loosing a lot of energy, she quickly released Mamoru's hand, breaking the link, in order to save some energy to heal Michael. Looking up, Hotaru noticed Mamoru was beginning to awake. Hotaru got up, and staggered over to Michael's bed, exhausted from the lack of energy.

Hotaru, still standing up, gripped onto Michael's hand, and did the same to him as she did with Mamoru.

'Can't take anymore...' Hotaru thought, releasing Michael's hand. Collapsing to the ground, Hotaru noticed Michael had begun to awake, just before she fell unconscious.

* * *

Mayhem looked over his new charge, marveling silently over how well her transformation turned out. Ruin, for her part, just floated there and looked at him calmly. Finally he raised one eyebrow and spoke.

"Is there anything specific that the Lady would like to learn first?"

"I'd like to learn?" repeated Ruin, putting a hand to her chin.

Calestria thought about this for a moment. ~I might need to learn their powers now that my henshin is gone. I'll have to start from scratch.~

Calestria nodded. Lowering herself to the ground, she said "Attacks"

"Attacks…?"

This time she nodded more firmly. "Yes. If we are to play games, I need to know how to defend myself and attack."

Mayhem nodded his assent, and looked around. "Very well…but this is not the best place to train such things. Please, come with me…"

He held out his hand to her, which she took in her own after a second. Pulling her close, his cloud appeared and expanded to carry them both away.

Almost instantly, they reappeared in a large room, in appearance a traditional Japanese training room, woven mats and wooden walls gleaming a rich gold from the afternoon sun that eternally shone through its small windows.

Mayhem gestured around. "This is the practice room…it hasn't been used in decades. We all have already mastered our powers, and prefer our own Realms, but this room is basically indestructible. It will be perfect for our purposes."

Ruin looked, and was impressed at what see saw. It was more furnished than a dojo she'd seen where Makoto used to practice, but if this was the place she would learn how to pay back all those that had been cruel to her, then staying here would be no hardship.

Turning to Mayhem, she asked "Alright. How do we start?"

Mayhem smiled wryly at how eager she was to learn and throw her old life away….he couldn't help but wonder if he was partly responsible for that.

~No matter. If Lady Mercury did not want me around, Ruin most certainly will…Fate has thrown me another chance.~

He stood for a long minute, thinking of the best way to start her training. Out of habit, he pulled his Tarot cards from one long sleeve and began to shuffle them as he thought.

Quickly he selected a card at random and held it up. It was Burning Rain. His eyes narrowed as he showed it to her. "A water card. I think your element has not changed along with your race. We will concentrate on a water-based spell first."

"My element?" repeated Calestria. "I'm not a sailor soldier any longer; I haven't any elemental powers."

"Not so," said Mayhem. He stepped behind her and a little to one side, out of her line of fire. "You always had the power, and your transformation stick lets you access that. Now that's it's gone, your powers aren't harnessed in its primitive cage."

His voice assumed a soft, professor-like tone.

"You have the power to attack now, but it simply lacks a focus. We will work on giving it that focus. First, in your mind visualize your opponent."

As soon as he spoke, Ruin closed her eyes and assumed a look of intense concentration. To Mayhem's surprise, only a few feet in front of them, an incredibly ugly youma appeared. He summoned a Leviathan to deal with it when he realized that it was not moving. With a wave of his hand the watery monster vanished and he said "Open your eyes, Lady M… Ruin."

Ruin did, and stared at the illusion of the youma. Its form wavered for a second before she could steady it with her mind. It really was a horrible thing….a spider/woman in form, where it had skin, it was a sickly orange, and it's woman's head and shoulders tapered off into the lower body of a black widow….

"Very good!" Mayhem congratulated her. "I see you have a talent for illusions."

Ruin looked confused "I have a talent?"

Mayhem nodded. "Of course. That is an excellent illusion for your first one. Better than most. My talents lie with my Tarot and deception/hiding spells. I can't summon a decent illusion." He shrugged. "Never have been…"

The Elven lady smiled. A real talent, something she was good at, and it didn't involve school! Her concentration wavered however, and the spider youma vanished.

"What happened?" She asked, surprised.

"You lost your focus. Try it again."

Ruin closed her eyes briefly and summoned up the youma again. This time when she opened her eyes, she made sure not to lose her concentration.

"Good." Mayhem started up his lecture again. "Now, that you have an enemy, you can try to summon the power to destroy it. Deep inside you, where all your Elven magik rests, draw enough power to attack…"

"How do I know how much is enough?" Ruin interrupted.

Mayhem shook his head. "You just will, like an instinct. Elven who can't obtain that are not very good fighters…"

Nodding grimly, Ruin looked back to the youma. ~Then I won't fail. I can't. Not when so much is riding on me.~

Reaching into the same place she got the power to shape her own Realm, Ruin brought it to the surface of her body, her battle aura flaring into existence around her. It sparked brightly, throwing a blue-gray glow over the whole room. An unseen wind seemed to buffet her hair and clothes, yet standing only a few feet away Mayhem was unaffected.

"And the last thing," he continued, "..is to focus that energy at your opponent, and let loose. This is actually more difficult than it sounds, but try it and let's see what results you get."

Calestria pulled up one hand slowly, as if in a trance. Her aura letting off one last flash, blue energy leapt from her body to that of the youma. Most of it missed, and what did hit the target only crackled around it not really doing anything. Ruin's shoulders sagged at this perceived failure & looked highly annoyed but Mayhem laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"No, that is fine. I didn't think that you would get it on your first try. Battle Magiks are the hardest ones to master, and we have plenty of time to practice."

And they did practice. After a few hours and many illusionary youma later, Ruin had mastered many simpler attacks, and even a few defense spells. It had surprised both how easy it was to access her old

attacks like Shabon Spray & Shiny Aqua Illusion without saying the necessary words. Mixed with the magik she was given, many youma didn't stand a chance. But then, they were all stationary illusions to begin with.

They were now working on her main attack, a spell akin to Mayhem's Leviathans.

"I am very impressed with your level of skill and power. This is the last thing you have to learn and then it really is all a matter of practice and technique. Of course, there are -many- other types of spells for you to learn, but attack and defense are enough for one evening."

Personally, Calestria was tired, and sweating from all the pressure. "Alright, I'm ready to learn this last one," Ruin pushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes.

"This attack, cannot be based on the ones you have learned before. This is an attack that is uniquely -you-. It's always different for each person. And it is a trial by fire. All I can tell you is, when you need it, reach for the power, focus it as I've shown you, and with your mind, -shape- it. Let your personality give it form."

"I…understand," said Calestria, biting her lip, thinking.

"Then let's try it. But this time, I don't want you to create one of the weaker youma that you have been. Think of a stronger enemy that you have faced in the past. Someone you really would have like to have revenge on, it will help you focus."

Ruin thought over this, and stared at the center of the room.

Eventually, a new illusion developed. A tall man with shoulder-length white hair, wearing a dark gray uniform. The uniform was very familiar…..

"Who is that man? He is wearing clothes similar to the man I fought at Lady Mars' temple that day…"

"Mars?" repeated Ruin, whipping around, the image disappearing.

"When were you fighting at Mars's Temple?"

Mayhem looked at her, tensed, and thought maybe was not the best time to discuss it. Instead, he merely said, "I was walking toward your temple to visit Tokyo's surroundings. I had come across you in the grip of a man in similar attire."

Calestria's eyes closed, eyebrows down, as she thought about that day…

~ "I have you now!"

Ami struggled, but to no avail. Jedite had her, hands down.

Wouldn't anyone come to her rescue?!~

Suddenly, the scene in her mind was changed, as if warped somehow…

Ami saw a man viciously attack Jedite, and pummel him endlessly with magik and tarot cards. He fought for her, and was the only one who had helped.

Mars was on the sidelines, calmly watching it all-- "Figures.

Well, at least I didn't have to waste my energy saving her this time…"

Ami gasped. "N-na n?! THIS is how it happened? I thought Yaten had…"

"But it wasn't Yaten-san, was it?" came an echoing voice in her mind. "It was the elves that helped you, Calestria. They were looking out for you."

Ami's scene faded, as she was immensed in black, and repeated the words. "The…elves…they were watching out for me…"~

"Lady Ruin? Lady Ruin?" asked Mayhem, a little nervous at her long silence. He snapped his fingers in front of her face.

She gasped; she had forgotten to breathe! ~How stupid is that?!~ she thought as she retain her normal patterns.

"Daijobu?" asked Mayhem, genuine concern in his voice.

Ruin just stared ahead, making the image reappear. "His name was Kunzite. He was a General of the Dark Kingdom, which I thought the Senshi and I had defeated long ago…."

"Thought you had defeated?" repeated Mayhem.

"Yes. Sailormoon killed the Dark Kingdom's Queen, Beryl. And that was the last we've heard of them until another General showed up…Jedite…

I don't know how he survived, but if he's up and around, I bet the others still exist."

"Then it doesn't matter," said Mayhem abruptly, storing the information away. ~Jedite…I certainly will want to invite him to a game.~ "He won't be able to hurt you, once you have mastered your powers. But, until now…these illusions have not fought back. You need to practice >against a moving target. Now that you have summoned the illusion, I can manipulate it."

Sliding one card from his deck, Mayhem walked up to the quiet form of Kunzite and pushed the card into the General's chest. It sank in without resistance, and suddenly, Kunzite blinked and drew in a deep breath. Mayhem stepped quickly back as the construct took in its surroundings.

"Where...am I?" it asked, taking a step towards them. Ruin tensed up, but made no sound. Mayhem saw this out of the corner of his eye, and the illusion suddenly growled at Ruin. "Answer me! Where am I?

Answer me, or feel my power!"

It never got any farther. Ruin's hands had come up and she thought only of the things standing before her. She didn't even hear her own voice yell, "TSUNAMI MIRAGE!" Her hands came sweeping down and from her fingertips leapt a blue panther, its skin rippling like the surface of a disturbed pond as it bounded over and struck the illusion squarely in the chest. It brought up one hand, too late, and its death scream was cut off abruptly as the water animal punched a hole right through its chest.

Ruin held her palm to her forehead, panting for air, as both her construct and attack faded from sight. The sound of clapping brought her back to reality. Mayhem had a huge grin on his face.

"That was perfect! Wonderful!" he cried. "You have such a powerful attack. Can you do it again? Hurry, choose the first two opponents that come to mind!" He readied two cards for her illusions.

So when the figures did appear, he threw the cards before getting a good look at them. Both found their marks, of course, and the constructs breathed and opened their eyes before he realized who his and Ruin's magik had created. Sailor Mars and Star Healer…

Mayhem slowly backed off out of Ruin's line of vision. Quietly, he said, "Is there some reason why these two were conjured up, Lady Ruin?"

Ruin just gritted her teeth. "The one in leather, Sailor Star Healer uses something like light to attack. Sailor Mars uses fire. Make it life-like, please."

Mayhem was thinking about only letting them attack physically, but instead concurred with Ruin's wishes. The Healer illusion backed off as Mars charged first, snarling. Ruin was starting to attack but Mars got two hands round her throat, pushing her against the wall. Slowly choking, Calestria craned her neck to look at Mayhem, who was just silently watching, arms folded. Ruin was gasping, but her emotion was anger, as she turned back to Mars and her vice grip. She left her right arm trailed down to Mars's stomach, and let loose an artic blast that sent Mars sprawling. Calestria dropped to the floor, half-choked. She managed to garble out, "Tsunami Mirage," as an enraged panther threw itself at Mars, and ravaged the illusion. Healer charged the vulnerable Calestria, who merely rolled to her feet, causing Healer to throw on the brakes. Turning quickly, she shot out a beam of light from her hands, as Calestria rolled behind a table. It scorched the table, as she popped up and shot her own ice magik at the illusion with a yell. But, she had ended up freezing the wall. "Huh?"

"Gotcha!" yelled the illusion, pinning her arms over her head. Her hands flailed by Healer's face, but she couldn't bring her arms down. Healer's laugh echoed in her ears, and it was heart-breaking. Yet another insult, yet another constant reminder of how powerless she was…but not any more.

Mayhem was going to loosen the hold when he saw Ruin conjured up an ice block between her hands. Inside was the head of Healer, who dropped her grip. She squealed, clawing at it, as Calestria turned around and stared hard at her.

~I …can't…believe …you …didn't help me at the temple…you weren't there when I needed you!~

With a cry of "TSUNAMI MIRAGE!" Healer was gone…Ruin dropped to her knees, exhausted. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and flinched.

Mayhem stood above her, neither smiling nor frowning.

"That's enough for today. I suggest you go back to your realm and rest."

Ruin staggered to her feet, looking around, she realized that this room had no doors.

"But…how do I get back?" she asked.

Mayhem frowned slightly "I shall take you back." He scooped her up in his arms

"Hey!" Lady Ruin protested, "I can walk!"

"This way is faster, and our next lessons, I think, shall be teleportation."

And sliver mist carried them away from the scorched and broken room.