CHAPTER 4

The magic is back! A new power's born

Stashia was in her chambers,sitting at the edge of the bed.Beside her was Sarah, sleeping peacefully, with no sign of her massive injuries. She and two other Lower Minions of the Dark Blood had stolen her body from the morgue, and have changed it so that it was efficent enough for revival.
"Now, all it needs is a spirit," Stashia whispered. "But not Sarah's spirit. Something...less human."
"I can provide that for you, Mistress Stashia."
"Andraia,"Stashia said,turning around to smile coolly at one of her comrades,the Demon of Thunder and Lightning. "I was about to thank you for saving me from Eclipse's Soul Restoration spell."
"You know that I am one of your most solemn followers. I would never have anything happen to you, Mistress Stashia." Andraia's coal-black eyes turned to the corpse lying on the bed. "Now, about the child...I have a piece of my demon spirit. It will infect the entire body, and transform her into a warrior like ourselves. With the new senshi arriving, we need all the help we can get."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Stashia replied. "Give the spirit to me."
Andraia opened a small dark sack, and a black mist floated outward. Stashia gathered all of it in her hands, and absorbed it. She then stroked Sarah's forehead tenderly. Once again, the black claw symbol appeared on her forehead. Black lightning surrounded her body, and Sarah made a few gasping sounds as her nightgown transformed into a black, green, and silver senshi uniform. The black claw then faded away, replaced with a silver circlet with a lightning bolt on it. A long and slender silver whip coiled neatly around her right hand. Sarah's transformation was complete.
Andraia and Stashia stepped back as Sarah slowly opened her eyes, which had changed from brown to ice-blue. They were as cold as Stashia's, but had a deep fire that burned within the pupils.
"You are reborn, my dear sister," Stashia said emotionlessly. "How do you feel?"
Sarah looked confused, and scared. "I-I'm not quite sure how I feel. Okay, I guess, but different, more powerful. but what have I become? Where's June?"
"June's a traitor," Stashia hissed coldly. "And you must think of her as so. She let you die. June wasn't there to take care of you...to take care of any of us. All she cared about was her friends and her pitiful excuse for a boyfriend."
"June...a traitor...she left me alone to die," Sarah said slowly, her voice filling with rage. "She left me alone to die!"
"And for that, she must die. June is the wretched Sailor Eclipse, Mistress of the Dark Magic, a traitor to our clan, and to our family," Stashia said decisively. She turned to look at Sarah, who was trembling. "Will you take a stand and help me destroy her?"
Sarah looked down at her feet for a moment, as if she were still pondering whether or not to commit such a heinous act. When she raised her head, the fire in her eyes burned brighter, the fury choking the remnants of her humanity.
"Yes," Sarah whispered. "I will join you, as a new member of the Dark Blood." She lashed her whip outward and broke a vase in the far corner of the room.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sarah?"
"My name is no longer Sarah," Sarah said sharply, holding her whip threateningly. "From now on, I am known as Raven, Mistress of Thunder and Lightning!"
Stashia's lips curved in an evil smile. Her plan had been successful! 'I can't wait to see June's face when she sees her dear little sister, alive, but one of us!' Aloud, she said, "Andraia, be a dear and take Raven to the training hall. Help her master the full potential of her powers."
Andraia bowed and led Sarah into a mirror, which served as a doorway. They stepped into it, and disappeared.
'Not long now,' Stashia thought to herself, cupping her chin in her hands. 'June, your demise is at hand...'

*****************

Slipping quietly into the woods, June hurried down a dark and twisted forest path late at night. Tanrei was fast asleep, and didn’t notice June’s disappearance.

June remembered the conversation she had with the other sailors, during the Senshi meeting. ‘The girls need the ancient magic of the gods if they’re going to survive this long and arduous battle,’ June thought. ‘I sure hope they’re in a good mood.’

June veered to the right, diving into the thickness of the trees. She stopped in front of a cold stone slab on the ground. Taking out a silver box, June sprinkled a sparkling powder over the top of the cold slab, and with a snap of her fingers, the powder exploded. The slab was no more; before her was a pair of cellar steps that took her down to her secret temple. June picked up a torch, and slowly made her way down the curvy staircase. Once she disappeared around a bend, there was another flash of smoke, and the stone slab was once again in its usual place, covering the stairwell.

June found herself in a cavernous room, covered with scroll paintings that depicted war and destruction. Whenever June came here, she would avoid looking at any of the images, for they disturbed her greatly. Now was no exception. Just seeing the sight of bloody bodies reminded June of Sarah’s death.

"Man, you’re ready to lose it," June muttered to herself. "You’ve got to let it go, June. Nothing’s going to bring Sarah back. All you can do now is to destroy the ones that killed her." That thought brought June no comfort, for she knew that her enemy happened to be her triplet sister.

Shoving her thoughts aside, June sat on a cushion by a pool at the center of the room. Closing her eyes, she cleared her mind and focused on getting to her destination, which was to reach out to Mount Olympus, where her master, Zeus, resided with some of the other gods.

The pool of water began to ripple and glow as June connected with the mind of the mighty god. June’s eyes snapped open, and she leaned over to look into it.

Zeus’ face looked wise, yet young at the same time. He was smiling at her. "Why, Hecate, it’s been a while since we had a chat!"

June had to smile. Zeus made a point of showing off his sense of humor, when he felt like it. "Yes, it’s been a long time," June agreed. "However, I’ve come to you with serious business to discuss."

"I know." Zeus’ face grew serious. "Your sailor friends, am I right?"

"Yes. With the release of the Elvens, and the return of our old enemies, the Riders of the Dark Blood, my friends need the help of you and the rest of the gods. I ask of you to allow them the use of the Ancient Magic."

"The Ancient Magic…Hecate, that is a lot to ask of me. Being one of us, I would love to grant you the favor, but the Ancient Magic is powerful and unpredictable. Using it could bring them more harm than good. Remember what happened to Saturn in a battle during the Golden Millenium? She unleashed the Chaos element, the basis of her Ancient Magic. Saturn destroyed her enemy, but also the entire kingdom of Earth by accident. It took me three years to fully reverse the effects! Oh, yeah, and how about Mars? Unleashed the element of Fire, and burned down an entire civilization. I could go on! Neptune nearly killed her friends with an ocean flood…"

"Zeus, please! I know the girls very well, and I think this time around, they’re mature enough to handle this brand of magic! Besides, if they don’t gain it, I have a feeling they will not survive!"

"I know what you mean," Zeus said gravely. "But it is too risky."

"We must try," June pleaded. "For the sake of Earth, we have no choice."

"I can see that you care for your friends and your planet very much. For that, I will grant you your wish. However, you must know this: a strange phenomenon has occurred on Mount Olympus. With the arrival of the Dark Blood Clan, a forcefield of undeniable strength has left us unable to control the events on Earth. So, if the Ancient Magic gets out of control, I won’t be there to restore your planet. Make sure the Sailor Senshi use their magic carefully, and not to use their most powerful move, unless if all is lost. Their most powerful magic, as I’ve said before, is unpredictable, and I will not be able to help you if it runs wild. Remember that, Hecate."

June bowed her head in respect. "I will, Zeus. I thank you for your help."

"Have the Sailor Senshi come to Rei’s temple at midnight in two days. There, I will round up the rest of the gods and we will bestow the Ancient Magic on them. However, take heed that if the link is broken during the magic transfer, the Ancient Magic will be lost forever."

"I will make sure no one will interrupt the ceremony. Thank you again, Zeus."

"Good luck in disposing Earth of these filthy rebels. I will see you at midnight in two days." The pool began to ripple, and Zeus’ face became distorted. A beam of light shot out of the water, and there was a big splash. The lake calmed down again, and Zeus was gone.

"I hope nothing goes wrong," June murmured to herself, remembering Zeus’ words. "Or all hell would be breaking loose…"

What June wasn’t aware of, was the fact that Raven had been watching her while she entered her secret hiding place. In an invisible state, Raven followed June downstairs and had overheard the entire conversation. Not wanting to waste any time, Raven quickly hurried back to report to Stashia, who was waiting for her in the woods.

"So, they’re planning on calling Zeus and his pathetic playmates for help? To unleash the Dark Magic?" Stashia murmured to herself.

"Yes, Stashia, that is what I heard," Raven replied. She played with the silver whip wrapped around her hands. "What I also heard was that if the transfer was interrupted, the Ancient Magic would be lost forever. Which would leave them vulnerable, and ready for the taking." Her lips curved in an evil smile similar to her sister’s. "I think we should crash this little party, sister."

"I agree. Porthos!" Stashia yelled, waving one hand in front of her. A shadow appeared in front of her, who immediately knelt before her.

"Your command, mistress?"

"I want you, Andraia, and Raven to go to Rei’s temple at midnight, two days from now. An important transfer of power is to occur there, and we must stop it. Also, I want you to kill all of the Sailor Senshi, especially that brat, Sailor Moon. However, leave Eclipse alive, and bring her to me; we can use her to destroy the Ancient Senshi. Are my orders clear?"

"Yes, Mistress Stashia." The shadow rose, and it was caught in a gentle shaft of moonlight. He was a green lizard being, similar to the race Piccolo belonged in (if you guys have seen Dragon Ball Z, then you’ll know who I’m talking about), but more well-built, and ten times as powerful. Stashia smiled grimly. ‘My master will have his revenge, they will see to it…’

*****************

There it was, laying forgotten on the playground sands. No one really could have said it was discarded for no one could even remember having brought it to such a place. Forgotten perhaps but certainly not gone. It was in fact a beautiful child's toy, a porcelain doll with pale white skin and flowing black hair tied back in a braid.

Dressed in a small, tailor-made silken kimono, the doll was strangely out of place in such a rugged setting as a playground. Yet there it was, silent and waiting for the touch of a small child.

Cool night winds blew across the deserted playground, the surrounding trees rustling. The light of the crescent moon filtered through the scattered clouds, shadows parting to reveal the shadow wraith standing atop the jungle gym.

It studied the playgroud with alluring violet eyes, features of darkness slowly drawing human form. A smile. "Ara ara, it seems I was mistaken. This is Elven magik, not my own."

Sweet, seductive laughed echoed over the sands.

The doll's eyes abruptly opened, and inside those eyes of darkness flashed ancient Elven runes. And a sinister, automated voice cackled.

"Let's have fun!"

*****************

Another day presented itself to the city that would one day become legend. Warm rays of golden sunlight made their way across the cityscape of Tokyo, giving rise to life of the people living there. And giving way to further plans of the four Elven warriors who once again found themselves leisurely seated upon the roof of Tokyo Tower's observation deck.

Faint, haunting sounds of a flute echoed across the clear morning skies. His lips pressed against the seemingly delicate, glass instrument Chaos played a melody of the Elven homelands, now all but forgotten to the world.

He watched the city of Tokyo come to life all around them, a playing field almost too perfectly set up for them. For a moment curiousity of Rampage's activities entered his mind, but left just as quickly. The demon beast was old enough to take care of herself.

The last note from Chaos' flute hung in the air as if not wanting to end and let the silence of the winds reign over the city once more.

"I had almost forgotten what it was like to feel the morning wind upon my face," Havoc sighed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He was seated over the edge of the roof, the Blade resting upon his shoulders.

Chaos nodded. "As much as I do miss the sprawling valleys and forests of this world, I have to admit that seeing this incredible city of towers stirs something inside of me."

Havoc glanced over the side of the tower. "The view is breathtaking, is it not?"

Hysteria nodded enthusiastically. "Hai! Hysteria gets to see all the kawaii guys walking to school!"

The three Elven males groaned.

"She seemed fine when we first let her in," Mahyem lamented. "What the hell happened?"

He shook his head and began to play with his deck of cards once again, shuffling and practicing his tricks with the deck. He could still make an entire suit disappear with a gesture. And best of all he could play a sort of 3-D orgami with the entire deck.

The dragon he made was impressive until Hysteria sneezed, blowing the cards out to the streets below. Mayem gave her a thoroughly unimpressed glare as she giggled in embarrassment.

Havoc winced as the pain in his chest flared up again; beneath his jacket he was wrapped in bandages as his wounds from the fight against Saturn and Pluto healed. Chaos had before offered to use an illusion, but Havoc refused.

"I notice you haven't made this an official gathering of the Court," he remarked offside to Chaos.

"And have Hysteria make it into an official tea party of the Court?" Mayhem retorted. "Surely thou jests, Havoc."

"Besides, we still have the rest of our Court to assemble," Chaos said. "Riot and Ruckus, and Carnage are still trapped in their Pandora Boxes. And with Rampage already engaged in a game with a few Sailor Senshi, it's down to us four."

"You're sure about Carnage?" Havoc asked, voicing his own concern.

Chaos nodded. "It makes the game a helluva lot more interesting with her on the prowl. She's like the conniving, sadistic, younger sister I never got to have."

"Why would he even want a sibling like that is beyond me," Mayhem muttered aside.

Havoc laughed. "Hai hai."

"I'm also suggesting we take on human identities to find more humans to play with," Chaos continued, floating up into the air until he could stretch out his legs and stand.

"What's the scenario?" Havoc asked, cleaning his enormous Zanba sword.

"High school students," Chaos answered. "Besides, in Elven years we're all roughly that age."

"Most of the Sailor Senshi we've encountered so far appear to be in high school as well," Mayhem remarked, shuffling the set of cards with lightening speed. "Which one?"

Chaos opened his palm and a sphere of illusion came to life. He let it hover in the air, where a three-dimensional image of the chosen school appeared.

"Jyuban High," Havoc said, reading the sign. "Doesn't look all that impressive. Why this one, Chaos?"

"I'm not quite sure myself," Chaos replied with a shrug. "Elven intuition, I guess. Regardless of who goes, I for one will be attending this place. I hold little doubt that once Riot and Ruckus get out they'll be joining me. What about you three?"

The other Elven looked at the illusionary projection.

Havoc shook his head. "Gomen ne, Chaos, but I for one am respectfully declining. Can't do much devastation there without wiping the place out in a single fight."

"As do I," Mayhem said, flipping a card between his fingers. "I have already chosen my opponent. Perhaps once I've defeated her in my games I'll join you there."

Chaos nodded. "Alright." His smile faded as he slowly turned to face an almost sickeningly cheerful Hysteria. "And you?" he inquired.

Hysteria simply beamed and shrugged. "Hysteria can't decide! Both options are so kawaii!"

Mayhem sighed. "Baka."

"So what does Hysteria want to be?" Havoc inquired.

The kawaii little Elven happily bounced up and down, clapping her hands excitedly. "Oooooooh! Hysteria wants to be a kawaii idol singer!!"

Mayhem rolled his eyes. "I fear of being redundant if I say 'baka' again. Yet it's so tempting." He turned to Chaos. "So when do you intend to become a new member of this Jyuban High School?"

"Tomorrow, or maybe the day after that," Chaos answered, shrugging indifferently. "Gives me more of a chance to see how the humans of this time interact. Allows for my games to be a lot more fun to play."

"Practical," Mayhem admitted. "Very practical."

Chaos pushed off the ground, straightening his shirt out as he drifted in the air. "In the meantime, we have the last two boxes to locate and open."

Hysteria bounced up and down happily. "Oooooh! Hysteria will find the next Pandora Box for Chaos. It would make such a kawaii little present, ne?"

And with that Hysteria leaped from the Tokyo Tower, bounding from rooftop to rooftop, singing a song that probably had no meaning and was utter nonsense put to a musical tune.

"Ten centuries in a Pandora Box says she puts on another hissy fit or at the very least a display of teary waterworks before the day's out," Mayhem said.

Havoc shook his head. "What do you take us for, Mayhem? Idiots?"

*****************

It was already late into the afternoon and despite tracking down the magik radiating from a nearby Pandora Box, Hysteria was having no luck pinpointing it's exact location. She hadn't eaten all day, and as if to emphasize that point her stomach growled.

"Waaaaaaah!" Hysteria whined to herself. "All this looking for Pandora Boxes has made poor Hysteria so hungry! Do they want kawaii little Hysteria to starve?!"

Her stomach growled again, loudly.

Really loudly.

All the people on the streets around her stopped, gawking at her as her stomach growls seemed to set off a few car alarms. Hysteria blushed furiously and then disappeared from sight, setting off a few alarmed humans. She reappeared hovering in the air, searching for a restaurant, a take-out delivery boy, anything.

"Waaaah!" Hysteria exclaimed, putting on the waterworks. "Hysteria's going to starve to death! No one will be able to play her kawaii games anymore!!"

And then she smelled the delicious odour wafting through the air. Just one sniff made her mouth water uncontrollably. It was coming from an apartment complex nearby.

Hysteria's eyes widened. "Ahhh! Somebody's making a kawaii meal for Hysteria!" She laughed and decided to invite herself to dinner.

* * *

Makoto stepped back from all the bubbling pots, and the rows of various ingredients. With her friends stopping over for dinner, she had to make sure that everything was just right. If she was a perfectionist in anything it was in cooking.

"Ah!" she exclaimed. "This smells good!"

Now all that was left was making some chocolate cake for Usagi. Makoto thought about that for a moment. "Maybe I should bake Usagi a cake of her own so she doesn't eat everyone else's deserts."

She began adding the ingredients into the only clean, large bowl left in the kitchen. When the time came in the recipe, she cracked open and egg shell, letting the yolk spill out into the bowl.

A rather unpleasant odour came from the freed yolk.

Makoto choked at the smell. "I can't make a cake with this! How old are these eggs anyways?" She appraised the carton. "Best before...last month?!"

By now the entire kitchen was smelling of foul egg.

Makoto winced and made a face. "Yuck! These eggs smell so ancient maybe there's a Pandora Box hidden in the carton!"

For a moment she laughed at such a seemingly ridiculous notion. A Pandora Box morphing over the centuries into an egg carton? How childish could she get? Then again...Havoc had been in a lamp, Rampage in a music box and Mayhem in a book.

The idea of the egg carton containing an Elven mage was beginning to seem less and less outlandish to her. Makoto cast a wary glance at the egg carton, her nervous laughter tapering off.

"Could it?" she asked herself quietly.

She carefully stretched out her hand, trying to keep as much distance between her and the kitchen item as much as possible. A quick tap on the carton's lid produced nothing. Feeling a little more confident, Makoto stepped closer and flipped the lid shut.

"Baka," she chided herself, laughing. "What kind of an Elven warrior would hide in an egg carton?"

Makoto turned aroud and came face to face with a a smiling Hysteria.

"Boo!"

Makoto screamed and jumped back, recoiling as that playful word was breathed into her ear. "N-na ni?!" she exclaimed, grappling onto a frying pan, fully ready to smash this intruder into the next apartment.

The girl giggled. "Ohayo!"

Makoto felt her heart skip a beat; she may not have seen this girl before, but she had a good idea who the girl was. "H-Hysteria?" she stammered.

Was this a fight, a challenge to play an Elven game? Makoto found her transformation stick and tightly gripped it. She had to be ready in a moment's notice to become a Sailor Senshi. But it was up to Hysteria to make the first move.

"Hysteria smelled your food and got really hungry!" Hysteria exclaimed happily, nodding as if to agree with herself.

Makoto facevaulted.

This became one of the few occassions where she was absolutely speechless as Makoto watched Hysteria appraise the meal she had cooked. Hysteria clapped her hands together.

"Ooooooh! It's such a kawaii meal! But first, Hysteria has to stinky air out your kawaii little room!"

Hysteria promptly produced an oversized vaccuum cleaner, sucking up the eggs, the carton they came in, the cake batter and the bowl.

"Ah! Much better!"

Seconds later a set of chopsticks appeared in a kawaii poof! of smoke in the Elven girl's hands. Hysteria raised her chopsticks into the air, still beaming.

"ITADAKIMASU!"

And with that the kawaii little Elven proceeded to scarf down all of Makoto's meal. Makoto had to lean back as a spray of rice and other bits of food flew into the air. Within the span of half a minute Hysteria had polished off enough servings for three people.

"She eats like Usagi," Makoto muttered.

Hysteria burped. "Oops! Gomen nasai!" She hopped back into the air, tucking her legs beneath her. Hovering there in the air, Hysteria beamed once more at Makoto and waved.

"Bye bye!"

Seconds later Hysteria disappeared in an oh-so-kawaii poof! of smoke, leaving behind a load of empty dishes that needed to be washed.

A bemused Makoto blinked in stunned surprise. "What...was that?" She looked around the dirty kitchen. "Hey! You ate all my food! And who's going to clean this mess up?!"

*****************

The laughter of childhood innocence echoed across the playground, a laughter that haunted him as he appeared on the edge of the playground. Emerging like a ghost, the Wanderer touched down upon a tree branch overlooking the children.

"How long has it been since I laughed like that?" he asked himself quietly, lost in his own thoughts. Yet there were more imortant matters at hand to concern himself with. Crystal blue eyes from behind his shades scanned the playground.

"Iie," he said finally. "It's not here. The dragon jewel's not here." The Wanderer turned, eyes narrowing from behind his shades. "Shimatta. Then what magic is here instead?"

He stiffened, slowly and deliberately turning his head towards the sidewalk adjoining the playground. The winds abruptly rose, pulling at his tie and jacket.

"Another Senshi?"

There she was, a tall young brunette walking past the playground. "So now how am I going to cater their meal if Hysteria ate everything?" the tall brunette sighed.

The Wanderer cocked an eyebrow. "Kawaii," he remarked.

*****************

Makoto tried to stop fuming over Hysteria's appearance, but it seemed hard not to. That air-headed little Elven had eaten all the food she had made for her friends!

She sighed. "So now how am I going to cater their meal if Hysteria ate everything?" Stretching out her arms, she paused as she heard the laughter of small children.

Watching the young kids race around, completely forgetting their worries, helped Makoto forget about her own. Hysteria became a distant memory. She found her thoughts drifting to her own laughter and childhood dreams. One day, maybe in Crystal Tokyo, she would find herself as a bride.

"Some day," she said quietly to herself. "Some day."

She caught sight of someone in the trees, a silhouette of black and white. And shining blonde hair. Makoto blinked, shaking her head.

"Hey!" came the delighted shout of a small girl. "Look what I found!"

The little girl hoisted up into the air for all to see a beautiful, porcelain doll. A long, raven dark braid fluttered around the doll's pale face. The toy remained passive, its eyes closed as its arms and legs clattered around to the child's whims.

Makoto felt a sudden chill run down her spine. "Wha...what's this eerie feeling I'm getting?" she whispered.

Far above in the trees, the Wanderer's guard was suddenly raised. "That doll," he hissed. "That doll's the source."

The little girl remained oblivious, giggling and twirling around with her newfound playmate. "Wheeee! I'm going to name you Sumire-chan! You like that, ne, Sumire-chan?"

Abruptly the doll's eyes opened.

The little girl gasped, startled. She stopped twirling around, holding the doll in the air as the doll's dark eyes stared back at her.

"What's happening?" the girl cried.

"Let's have fun!!" came an automated if not gleefully sadistic female voice.

The seconds that followed were ones of sheer terror as the doll's hair ripped out from its braid, the hairs binding together and growing incredibly long, the ends swinging wildly about as they sought out the young children. Those closest screamed as the hair wrapped around their wrists, ankles and necks, hoisting them up in the air.

The little girl was in tears as the doll floated before her, the doll now surrounded by a glowing crimson aura. "Let's play!" the doll exclaimed.

"Shimatta!" Makoto exclaimed, leaping over the railing. She raced through the playground, dodging the attacking tendrils of hair. Makoto dove along the ground as a vicious strand of hair slashed her leg, drawing blood.

She rolled onto her feet, lunging for the doll.

The porcelain face and dark eyes turned and watched her draw closer. The possessed hairs didn't try to attack. The hairs drew away, giving Makoto a clear shot at the doll.

Makoto gave a loud shout as she shattered the doll's face with a merciless punch, her fist going straight through the head. The decapitated doll tumbled to the ground, the hairs going slack and releasing the sobbing children.

Gasping for air, Makoto knelt down next to the headless toy. "What in the hell are you?" she muttered.

She felt her heart skip a beat as among the broken remains of ceramic there was a polished sapphire gemstone. Makoto started to back away.

"Iie. A Pandora Box...."

The Wanderer suddenly appeared, a glowing and beautifully-crafted sword in his hands. One moment he was walking towards her and the fallen doll. The next he stopped dead in his tracks. "Elven magik," he said quietly. "Shimatta, it was only that...."

Trails of shining blonde hair fluttered around his face as he was caught in the winds, turning his back and disappearing just as sudden as he had first appeared to her.

Makoto shook her head. "What's going on?" she whispered.

Then she heard the laughter. Dark, malevolent laughter rolling across the winds. It was coming from where the doll had broken apart to reveal the seal of a Pandora Box.

The winds picked up, spraying sand in her face. Makoto shielded her eyes until the winds died out. As she lowered them she found a suddenly deserted playground.

"Where did the children go?" she wondered aloud.

The winds blew at the shifting sands of the playground, a small dune being washed away to reveal a sphere of illusion.

Makoto slowly turned as she heard the malevolent, female laughter begin anew. There, standing tall, dark and deadly was a young Elven woman.

Eyes of darkness yet with the shine of a black pearl gazed upon the city of Tokyo. The Elven woman's hair fluttered around her back, the ends tied together in a ponytail.

"So this is the future." The Elven woman gave a snort of disgust. "I can't say I'm very impressed by it."

Makoto's eyes narrowed. "Carnage."

With only two female Elven in the Court of Chaos and Hysteria already unleashed, it could be only her left. Carnage, the one they had all been warned about.

Carnage turned, the edges of her silken, billowing gown fluttering in the wind. Carnage fingered with the long necklace dangling between her breasts, smiling. "My, aren't we the prettiest little girl."

"Shimatta," Makoto hissed. Her hands found her transformation stick, gripping it tightly. By appearances alone, Carnage looked like the sort who had no qualms about killing even children.

Carnage took a step towards her. "I can feel a powerful magic radiating out from you. You can have the honour of being the first player in my new games."

That did it.

Makoto raised her henshin over head head. "Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"

Carnage watched with an almost bored expression on her face as Makoto transformed and reappeared as Sailor Jupiter. "Well, I suppose I should be impressed that of all people a Sailor Seshi released me. However I'm not. Though the irony of it all hasn't escaped me."

Carnage splayed her fingers, each nail suddenly protracting into a long and lethal blade almost a foot and a half long. Makoto felt her throat grow dry; this was not going to be the most pleasant of battles. An understatement to end all understatements.

Cascades of images flashed before Makoto's eyes, hundreds of rapid pictures of the children who had been attacked by the doll. Their tears and screams. Their terror come to life, their helplessness to defend themselves.

That only made Makoto even angrier. "You would dare try to harm innocent children like this?" she exclaimed. "By the power of my guardian planet, Jupiter, I won't let you get away with this! Yurusenai!"

Carnage grinned. "Don't patronize me, Senshi. I've killed girls who were far more younger and smarter than you." And then Carnage pounced, leaving behind her a wave of dust and sand as she lunged for Makoto.

Makoto reacted, leaping back.

She didn't move fast enough. Carnage's claws tore through her fuku, leaving behind thin jagged tears in her suit, each tear stained in blood.

Clutching her side as a numb throbbing radiated out from the wounds, Makoto tried to regain her senses. "Sugoi," she muttered through clenched teeth. Carnage's speed was incredible!

Fingers once again splayed, Carange let Makoto see her blood running down the blade-like nails. Carnage chuckled, slowly running her tongue up the claw, tasting Makoto's blood.

"It's all so easy I almost feel sorry for you humans," Carnage said. The shine in her black pearl eyes dared for Makoto to do something about this.

"I...won't let you harm...these children," Makoto growled. She raised her head, summoning her own powers. "I call upon all the furies of Jupiter to send this hellspawn back to where she came from! Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

She spun around, unleashing her attack in a volley of neon green projectiles and magic. Carnage tore through the attack, shredding it with frightenig ease. Amidst the explosion of light the Elven huntress emerged, slashing at Makoto's face. Makoto flinched, launching herself aside. Two clawtips managed to draw blood, one on her cheek, the other along her temple.

"Is that the extend of your powers, little girl?" Carnage inquired. "How pathetic."

Makoto shouted in rage, launching herself at Carnage. She threw punches, jabs, kicks; anything that might be able to hit Carnage. Nothing seemed to work, every attack she made only causing a whistle through the air.

Carnage's cackling echoed cruelly in Makoto's ears. Suddenly three claws raked themselves down Makoto's back. She screamed, toppling foward, feeling the warm rivers of blood running down her back.

Makoto stumbled, whirled and faced Carnage again.

Carnage lunged.

And amidst the blur of colours and light that was the Elven huntres, the dying sunlight cast a glare off his shades as the Wanderer watched the ensuing battle back amidst the branches of the surrounding trees. An emotionless face saw Makoto taking another blow from Carnage, sending Makoto hurling across the playground before crashing into the sand.

He flexed his hand and made a fist.

"She's too powerful," he said quietly to himself. "Without help, Jupiter won't survive."

*****************

She can't believe she was there on Earth. Finally, it seemed as if she had a place to belong. She had being the Senshi of all Galaxy, but finally she could tell she found a home. And she felt fine. Since the Chaos entity had left her body, she seems to be a totally new person.

She walked throught a park. All was so green and beautiful! She sit down under a big tree. Two old ladies were talking beside her.

"Did you hear about that incident at Furuya Toru's Party? It happened like two days ago..."

"Yes...but it seems like a publicitary trick....a man who was caught in a Pandora Box and then unleashed by the famous racecar driver Tenou Haruka. Isn't it kind of dumb?"

Galaxia felt something... a man sealed into a Pandora Box...why was it so familiar to her. She concentrated , trying to remember things...

"The Man said he was Lord Chaos.." one of the old ladies continued " the last of the Elven's playkings!"

They both started to laugh. And they continued laughing as they left.

Galaxia's mind was now a twister of memories. Lord Chaos...Elvens...suddenly, everything started to get clearer. She saw images....within her mind, images from somekind of Palace in a war.

She saw five women...four dressed in gold and silver sailor suits, sailor suits different from the ones the planet Senshi and the Starlights used. The fifth woman was like a queen...like a Moon Queen. Galaxia heard the sound of voices within her.

^This will be the most difficult battle in the Moon Hystory^ one with a long red ponytail said.

^The three Elementals died...my poor friends" another with orange hair surrounded.

^Be strong Sailor Shade...^ the Queen said.

^Where's Sailor Full Light?^ asked one with dark blue hair.

^She's with him. He got killed again, and I don't think she can't help him again.^ the one with light grey hair answered.~

The image then vanished.

"What's happening with me?"she asked herself

*****************

Makoto gasped, the air pulled out from her lungs as she struck another tree trunk. Her chest was on edge in agony, the trails of blood turning her pristine white fuku into matted patches of scarlet.

Sweat, dirt and blood covered her face, her bangs clinging to her forehead as with shaky legs she tried to stand up again. "She's too fast for me," she whispered hoarsely. "I can't see where she's coming from."

Carnage appeared right behind her, arm wrapping around Makoto's neck in a stranglehold. "Can a Sailor Senshi suffocate?" the Elven huntress hissed.

Makoto growled, reaching back and grappling onto anything she could of Carnage. Her fingers clamped onto Carnage's shoulders, Makoto hurling Carange over her head. Carnage tumbled into the sand.

Carnage coughed, surprised. "Ara, it appears this little kitten knows how to scratch after all." She opened her palm to Makoto. "Summon magik!"

Makoto screamed as the very air seemed to become shards of fine glass. She vainly tried to shield her body as it was cut by the barrage of harnessed winds. Her fuku was almost torn apart, her arms and legs now basking in bloodied cuts.

She dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by the pain and fatigue. Fighting to stay conscious, her vision started to blur as the Elven huntress slowly approached.

"The death of a thousand cuts begins with a single sting," Carnage stated. "You've felt my Razor Edge attack. Are you really giving up now?"

Carnage reached out, fingers wrapping around Makoto's neck. She was hoisted into the air, the life slowly being choked out of her. Makoto desperately fought for breath.

"How does it feel to have danced with the angel of death?" Carange asked in a quiet, savouring whisper.

There was so little air in her lungs that she couldn't say a word, yet within Makoto's eyes Carnage could read the confusion.

"I always as this of all my prey," Carnage said, leaning forward and licking the blood off Makoto's cheek. "It makes this final moment all the more delicious."

Makoto's eyes widened in righteous fury. She summoned every last ounce of strength left within her battered body. Carnage was stunned when Makoto's hands suddenly clamped down on her arm. The Elven huntress was even more surprised when the heel of Makoto's shoes connected with her chin, sending her neck snapping back.

Makoto almost laughed when she heard Carnage shriek in sudden pain. Yet with that last act she had already accepted her fate. There was no more strength for her left to fight.

"You little bitch!" Carnage snarled, whirling and unleashing another volley of her magik. Makoto's screams were in utter silence as she finally succumbed, collapsing onto the sand, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps.

Carnage's clenched fist crackled with dark magik as she prepared to level it into Makoto's face.

"SHIN'NE!!"

Makoto closed her eyes, barely able to fully understand any longer what was going on. She just wanted it to end fast. Her only regret was not being able to tell her friends how much they meant to her, how much....

Abruptly there was a loud thwak!, the air pressure from the strike blowing at her chestnut brown hair.

It took her a moment to realize she wasn't dead. Hesitantly she opened her eyes, and they widened upon seeing a set of knuckles so dangerously close. Carnage's arm was fully extended, her fist just a breath away from Makoto's face. But gripping Carnage's wrist and holding her back was Chaos.

"Back down," he said. "Right now."

In the background appeared Hysteria. "Wah! Hysteria's lucky she found Chaos when she did, ne?"

Carnage's eyes were wide in fury, her entire arm trembling to fight Chaos' hold and strike Makoto. But Chaos' strength rivaled hers, and there could only be a stalemate.

"This is unnecessary, ne, Carnage-chan?" Hysteria asked cheerfully. "We don't want to break such a kawaii little face!"

"This isn't the way we play our games, Carnage," Chaos said, his tone dark enough that should Carnage challenge him he would indeed fight.

Hysteria nodded, eyes still happing closed. "Hai! Let the kawaii little Senshi be for now, Carnage-chan!"

Makoto wearily looked from one Elven to the next. If she had thought before that she understood the situation, then now she realized she had not the slightest idea what was going on.

Carnage relaxed her arm, and Chaos released his grip. The second his fingers were loose Carnage growled and tried to deliver the death blow once more. And once more Chaos was quick enough to intevene.

"Perhaps you didn't quite understand me the first time," he hissed. "That's enough, Carnage!"

"Chaos...!" Carnage snarled.

"You'll get another chance," Chaos countered. "But this is neither the time nor the place for such a lethal game."

Hesitating for one more second, Carnage relaxed her attack. Makoto watched as the Elven stormed away. Chaos shook his head and knelt down next to her.

"Don't come near me," she whispered, feebly trying to fend him off. For all she knew this was still a trap, yet she didn't have the strength to fight it. She winced as the pain in her chest exploded again, almost unbearable to withstand. The agony forced her to fall onto her side, curling up into a fetal position.

"I'm here to help," Chaos countered, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Now hold still."

A crystal orb appeared in his open palm. "Shimatta," he muttered. "Broken ribs, ruptured organs, too many cuts and slashes to count. Carnage, you didn't have to injure her this badly."

With a snap of his fingers the illusion passed into her body. Makoto winced as she grew almost unbearably warm for a moment. It passed, and she was surprised to discover that her body was healed. In fact it felt better than before.

"You know," Chaos remarked with a grin. "You're quite cute when all that dirt and blood's off your face."

For a brief moment the Elven lord paused, glancing around the playground. His dark emerald eyes stopped upon seeing the spectre of a Wanderer's shadow.

Chaos stood up and walked back over to Carnage. "I suggest you choose your opponents a little better next time," he said. "You'll want to improve your fighting skills or else next time I might not be around to save you."

Makoto shot him an indignant look. What was this guy doing lecturing her?

"However," Chaos added over his shoulder. "You're a very good warrior, Sailor Jupiter, with a near unparalleled fighting prowess. I look forward to our next encounter."

"Na...ni?" she whispered, surprised.

Chaos paused in passing by Carnage. "It's time to go."

Makoto couldn't help but feel chilled by Carnage's black eyes. "Consider yourself lucky he intervened," Carnage hissed, glaring at her.

Before being escourted out by Chaos, Carnage shot Makoto a knowing look, as if to silently say "I warned you". And then both Elven disappeared, leaving only Makoto and Hysteria.

"Gomen nasai!" Hysteria exclaimed, bowing. "Carnage-chan can be so temperamental at times. Then again, she's been locked up in a kawaii little box for a few thousand years!"

And with a kawaii little giggling fit Hysteria vanished too.

Makoto shook her head, sighed deeply, and got to her feet. And then she felt someone's eyes watching her from behind. Slowly she turned. The Wanderer had emerged from the tree branches, now atop a jungle gym. He said nothing as the winds blew a silver cloak around his shoulders, his shining blonde hair dancing in the winds.

"You," she said angrily, stepping towards him. "I saw you earlier. You knew what was going to happen and didn't do anything!"

"On the contrary," he countered, snapping his fingers. The crystal in the sand shattered, and the sleeping forms of the children reappeared. None seemed to bear the injuries of the doll's attack.

"This fight wasn't mine," he stated evenly if not indifferently. "I was not the one to unleash it nor did it even concern me."

"Didn't concern you?!" she exclaimed.

He glanced away, lost in his own thoughts. "Only the dragon jewels are of importance," he said quietly to himself.

The sudden, dark dedication in his voice caught Makoto off-guard. "Dragon...jewels?"

Her attention was taken off him for but a moment, yet a moment was all it took for him to vanish like a fading dream or memory. All she could recall were his words, and a vague form of a seeming spectre clad in a black suit and wearing shades.

The Wanderer hadn't even given his name.

"Mako-chan!" came Usagi's frantic voice.

Makoto turned around to see Usagi and the other Senshi racing towards her. And in a fit of her usual elegance and grace Usagi tripped on the cement and topple over facefirst.

Ami winced and helped Usagi back up. "Are we too late?"

Makoto nodded. "Hai. Gomen ne, but I think I unleashed another Elven."

"Who?"

Makoto grimaced at just the memory itself. "Carnage."

"Carnage...did she want to play a game?" Usagi said.

"She wanted not to play a game but kill me..." Makoto's eyes filled with angry. "And that strange man didn't help at all..."

"Which man?" Usagi asked

"A blond guy who said he only care about this Dragon Jewels..." Makoto said "I don't understand it very well"

"Maybe they're the enemies the Moon Queen warned you about, Usagi" said Luna.

"Maybe...." Usagi felt that the strange man Makoto has met was somehow related to herself, but she didn't know why she was feeling that...maybe it was just a sensation of lonelyness waiting to be fullfilled, like if she needed an older brother...or maybe it was just her imagination...

"However," said Minako "you didn't look as a damaged senshi from battle..."

"That's another strange thing...the one called Chaos healed me…"

*****************

Havoc and Mayhem glanced up from their leisurely stances atop the Tokyo Tower to see reflections of themselves cast within the spheres of illusion circling them. Orbs flashed into balls of white light, and there stood Lord Chaos and Lady Hysteria.

"So where is she?" Havoc asked.

"Sulking, no doubt," Mayhem replied, not even bothering to look back as he shuffled his card deck. "Carnage can be such an immature, brutish child at times. We're just lucky she didn't choose to use her extreme magik."

Chaos nodded. "We would have known. If Carnage had used that half this city would be gone already."

"And there was this kawaii guy there too!" Hysteria piped up. "Oooooh, Hysteria blushes just thinking about him! Such silky blonde hair and handsome smile--"

"And an elegant black suit with a pair of shades over his eyes?" Havoc finished suspiciously.

Hysteria gave Havoc an curious expression. "Hm? How does Havoc know what he looks like?"

"That's the little bastard who interfered with my fight!" Havoc growled. "And this time he just backs away while Carnage is fighting? Unfair!!"

He delived a punch to the wall, grimacing as the pain stung his wounds again. However the blow was considerably strong enough to make a large hole in the steel structure.

"Yes, but as unfair as that may be," Mayhem pointed out. "our mystery guest isn't here to debate the issue. I suggest you let it go until the next time you meet him."

"You'll get your chance," Chaos said, trying to soothe his Elven comrade. "Patience, Havoc. He seems to be merely a wild card in our little series of games. Let him be for now. And if you will excuse me, I have some other business to take care of."

Chaos sauntered across the rooftop of the observation deck, leaving the others behind him, He paused as Mayhem drew closer from behind.

"You're going after him, aren't you?" Mayhem said quietly. "Our mysterious man in black?"

Chaos nodded. "I felt a very familiar chi coming from him. It's time I met our enigmatic stranger."

*****************

He stood atop the torii of the Shinto temple. There the enigmatic Wanderer watched the peace and solace of the grounds below. A few guests were paying homage to the shrine, unaware of the one watching them from above.

"Shimatta," he muttered. "You've already beaten me to a dragon jewel, haven't you, Empress?"

The whistling of the winds were his only response.

A solitary raven cawed and alighted his shoulder, perching there and watching as he watched. Then another joined, and he held out his hand so that the bird might rest upon his hand.

"Komban wa, Deimos, Phobos," he said.

"You're a hard man to keep track of," a voice remarked. "I had to sift through countless spheres of illusion just to track you down here."

The Wanderer slowly, unhurriedly, turned around. There on the other end of the torii was the Elven lord of Chaos. He showed no surprise to the sudden appearance of Chaos.

Chaos grinned. "Impressive. And here I thought I was the only master of illusions left in the world. It appears I was happily mistaken." He began to approach the Wanderer. "Now what shall I can I call you? It would be rather rude to simply say 'Hey you!' everytime our paths cross. And this makes the second time my Court has seen you."

The Wanderer returned to staring out at the temple grounds, saying nothing. Phobos and Deimos cawed, flapping their wings and flying to another part of the temple grouds.

"You may not be playing our games," Chaos stated. "but you're here for a reason that I can tell is somehow tied to these Sailor Senshi. We'll be seeing more of each other in the future, whether or not you like it."

Silence.

Chaos shrugged. "Yare yare. I guess I'll just call you Wanderer...seems to suit you just fine."

The Wanderer scowled, one hand balling into a fist. The faint presence of magic began to filter into the air, crackles of lightening arcing over his skin and sleeve.

Chaos sighed, sitting down on the torii and letting his one leg dangle over the edge. "I should remind you that as both masters of illusion, should we duel we'll vainly destroy the surrounding landscape only to restore it again. Fighting between us is pathetically useless, Wanderer."

"That doesn't mean I don't have a few other tricks up my sleeve," he replied.

Chaos waved that aside. "Havoc told me about your sword. In actually, Wanderer, I came here to pose you one question--though if Havoc knew you were here he'd try carving you up with his Zanba blade."

"You want to know why I intervened with Saturn's battle but not for Sailor Jupiter?" he inquired.

"Shimatta! You're single-handedly killing the art of conversation, Wanderer."

The winds blew at the folds of the Wanderer's jacket and tie, his blonde hair dancing around his face. A hand moved up to his shades, slowly lowering them from his face. Yet he was turned away from Chaos, and so the Elven lord ever saw his eyes.

"Sailor Saturn was but a young child," he stated. "I felt it cruel that destiny should have her play out such a violent role when she should be enjoying childhood innocence while she can. Sailor Jupiter has seen these things called love, war and death all before. She was ready to die for her cause if necessary."

The Wanderer started walking to the end of the torii. "Judge me all you want," he said coldly. "I doubt you'll get a reaction from me either way. You have not the slightest idea of what you've so blissfully walked into unawares. What you do here and now, Chaos, means nothing in the war that is to come."

Chaos cocked an eyebrow. "Now you have indeed piqued my curiousity, my dear Wanderer. Tell me then: what is it that I have so blissfully walked into unawares?"

The Wanderer tilted back his head. For the first time, he seemed to crack a smile. A dark, enigmatic smile. "You'll see soon enough, Elven lord. And when you do, you'll have wished you had never so much as glanced at it."

He took one last step, falling off the edge of the torii's frame. Yet when he should have dropped, he continued walking on the air, swallowed up by a veil of invisibility.

Chaos smiled in watching the Wanderer depart. "An interesting turn of events indeed, Wanderer. What secrets do you know about the future?"

He chuckled, opening his palm and blowing on a crystal illusion that leisurely floated across the air. "Everybody have fun...."

*****************

Cool winds were blowing across the city, and as a thousand stars shone overhead so too was there an eerie reflection brought to life by the lights of Tokyo. Here amidst these lights did he stand, silver cloak billowing behind him, the darkened shades over his eyes. Far below his perch upon the lofty towers of the City Hall he could hear the faint sounds of cars and people.

He glanced down at his left hand, in his palm three crystal spheres of illusion being twirled around by his fingers. The shimmer of the city was caught on their smooth, glassy surfaces. With his free hand he reached down and plucked out a single crystal. Gently it was lifted to his lips, a small puff of air from his mouth sending it floating leisurely into the night.

"Tokyo," he said quietly, its name but a dedicated sound upon his lips. The magics of old were rising up again, the auras beginning to crackle in the air. Soon it would finally begin.

The Wanderer stiffened abruptly.

"Come out from the shadows," he stated, still looking out at the city. "It's rude to lurk uninvited in such places."

"Long time, no death," a voice responded. "And still as sharp as ever, I see."

A dark smile tugged at the ends of his lips. "I see you've still managed to retain your macabe sense of humour after all these centuries, Thanatos."

The shadows behind him came to life, breathing and dancing and utter darkness becoming a thousand tiny shimering starlights. A cloak cut from the midnight heavens fluttered along the ground, concealing the soul beneath its folds. Two haunting white eyes stared out from the darkness beneath the hood draped over the figure's head.

A hand reached out from the folds of the cloak, pulling back at the rim of the hood. Out from the depths of the shadows emerged a grinning, lifeless skull. Hollow sockets stared out at the Wanderer, who had yet to face his guest. A second hand sifted through the robe, fingers grasping at the grey bone.

The mask was removed.

"How long has it been since we last encountered each other?" the young man behind the mask inquired. "Five hundred years? Six hundred?"

"Time doesn't matter," he replied. "I've grown numb to time and its passing." The Wanderer turned around, pushing the cloak away from his body to let it dance in the winds.

Thanatos' eternally enigmatic smile never left his face. The skull mask was tucked away as his hands disappeared back into the folds of his cloak of night. He was handsome despite the jagged blue scar running down his right eye. Long moss green hair was released of the mask's hold, tumbling far down Thanatos' back before being swept up in the winds.

"The past is what makes us who we are," Thanatos responded. "All that we are, that which we do, is based on our memories and our hopes to create better ones. Through this hope do we create our future."

The Wanderer's solemn gaze never wavered. "I wish I could say it was good to see you, Thanatos, but I doubt you're here to catch up on old times."

"Indeed," the Master of the Scythe agreed. "I would not have come unless it was indeed urgent. Yet one must not take such simple pleasures for granted, like witnessing the song of a moonlit heaven."

The death spectre glanced over his shoulder. "Ne, Hades?"

And then it appeared, its head rising up from behind the cloak upon Thanatos' back. Shimmers and shades of emerald and jade green were upon its back as with slitted cat eyes of sapphire it stared at the Wanderer. Twin sets of wings rose up around its body as with an elongated neck the dragon beast hissed, snapping its jaws. Its body was long, tapering, lmost like a worm's in form. Yet its width was no greater than that of a small house cat. The dragon beast's neck curled towards the Wanderer then back to its master, Hades growling affectionately.

"It's good to see you too," the Wanderer agreed. Eyes behind the shades focued on the ScytheMaster. "Thanatos, if all you're here to do is give me warnings then you're wasting my time and your breath. I'm going after the Empress, alone if I have to."

"Alone, you'd prefer," Thanatos countered. "This is not an easy burden for you to bear solely, and I for one still have you to understand your desire to walk through this alone. There are allies now who can ensure you find atonement...and revenge."

The Wanderer picked up another crystal twirling in his palm. "Iie. I can't face them knowing of what I did...what I almost became. None of them know about me, Thanatos. None of them know about her, either. I intend to keep it that way, with or without the consent of the Ancients."

"Don't be a fool!" Thanatos snapped, his long hair rippling in the winds. His outburst caught Hades by surprise, the dragon beast recoiling and shifting its perching stance. "You have no idea what the reprocussions of your actions here will do. The ripples of this battle will move further into the future than you could ever imagine."

"I could care less about the future," the Wanderer replied evenly, releasing the crystal into the heavens. "I've lived long enough to see it arrive day after day. I only want the Empress."

"Your thirst for vengeance is the very string she uses to pull you along like a puppet," Thanatos stated. "You must know by now that it's you she's wanted all along. You are still a pawn in her own dark dreams."

"If I'm damned then so be it," he answered. "It's because of her that I've existed for over a thousand years as an immortal. I cannot be human again until she is dead and the Stormsoul is shattered."

"Karasu, this--"

The Wanderer whirled, and even behind his shades Thanatos could feel the young man's eyes narrow at him. With but a look a chasm of silence opened up between them.

"You recoil as if the name and its birthright that are your own are loathsome demons," Thanatos said finally, carefully studying his friend.

The Wanderer turned away, opening up his palm and releasing the final crystal orb. "What would you know about demons, let alone mine?"

Thanatos approached him. "How long must you continue to fight this battle alone, Karasu? You keep in the pain and its nightmares only."

"To feel those nightmares reminds me that I am still human," he answered.

"Horrors do not always make you stronger; they can destroy you just as easily. Unless you release your sins of the past you will become that which you so now hate. The Empress will claim your soul, your magic and your dreams."

The Wanderer watched the city sprawled out before him. To become that which he so hated; it was happening all over again. "Did Chronos forsee that in his visions of the shifting sands?"

"How long has it been since someone said your name?" the ScytheMaster asked in response. "How long since you loved or felt the love of another soul?"

"You know as well as I do," he said. "That's the reason we first met. My immortaily piqued your curiousity."

"I remember it well enough," Thanatos agreed. "But the past is the past. It cannot be changed. Chronos would agree with me."

The Wanderer sighed. "He would." With a flick of the hand he shifted the silver cloak upon his back, turning to Thanatos. Perched atop the ScytheMaster's shoulder the dragon beast cocked its head, snarling yet not in aggression. Hades knew no forms of quiet purring.

"You want me to do something, don't you?" the Wanderer asked. "I'm not exactly the type to do favours, Thanatos. Friends or not, this is not what I came to Tokyo for."

He leaped up to the ledge, his feet just inches away from a flight to the earth far below. As he spoke his thoughts became less of the ScytheMaster and more of the mission he had dedicated himself to.

"She's out there, Thanatos. I can feel her veil of eternal night starting to take away the stars one by one. And unless I destroy the Soul of the Four Storms, the Senshi will have a lot more than just a gang of troublesome Elven mages to worry about. But what are you so adament about me doing?"

Thanatos extended his arm. Hades took the cue and scuttled around the arm and onto the ledge, leaving the two alone. The Wanderer held little doubt that the dragon beast would entertain itself with some poor fool unlucky enough to be working late and glance out their office window.

"You are well aware of both the Empress' presence and the Elven Court of Chaos in Tokyo," Thanatos said.

"To deal with Chaos and his childish antics is to waste my time," he answered coldly. "Time this world is running out of."

Despite the rather callous interruption, Thanatos continued. "Now there is a new threat. A new clan of dark Sailor Senshi are rising up to challenge the true warriors of love and justice. Chaos will not involve his court with them for now, and neither will the Empress; they are busy with their own affairs. If Earth is to have any hope for the future, it is essential that the Sailor Senshi--"

"Look," the Wanderer cut in. "As much as I do love a stirring speech, get to the damned point, Thanatos!"

Thanatos bristled, his patience wearing thin. "The Dark Rider Clan intend to stop the ceremony, leaving the Sailor Senshi defenseless. If that happens, it's only a matter of time before the Dark Riders, the Court of Chaos and the Empress carve up Earth among themselves."

The Wanderer brushed aside some of his stray, blonde bangs. "You want me to play bodyguard?"

Thanatos nodded. "Hai."

The Wanderer stifled an incredulous laugh, and then shook his head. "Not a chance. I'm not going to babysit them. They can handle themselves well enough."

His two eyes widened, pale white glaring at the Wanderer. An arc of flaming blue magic cut through the ledge in between them, forcing the Wanderer to step back. Thanatos extended his hand, a blazing pillar of fire erupting from his palm. The fires condensed into thick black smoke, and emerging from it to dispell the mists was a savage blade.

The weapon of the ScytheMaster.

Thanatos leveled the tip of the blade with the Wanderer's head, the double-edged point gently brushing against his cheek. "I have been patient up until now, Karasu, but you are certainly tempting me to prove myself as a master of the ancient magics and make you respect me once more!"

The Wanderer never flinched, but backed down none the less. "Yare yare, you never used to be this pushy, Thanatos. Besides, it's not exactly like you have the power to kill me."

"But I do have the power to hold you in oblivion until this is all over," Thanatos countered. "So don't get too cocky. We Ancients might not be gods, but we hold enough power and magic to rightfully assume such titles given to us by these other humans. What I have said is not a request."

He drew back the scythe, the crackling blade retracting into the pole shaft. The air grew deathly still for a few moments longer before the wind began again. "They will gather tonight to take control of their new powers. You must be there to ensure nothing goes wrong. Stay in the shadows all you want, but if a battle begins I do not want you walking away again like with Jupiter and Carnage."

As much as he hated to admit it, Karasu definitely felt scolded. The Wanderer bowed. "Hai."

Still sporting his enigmatic smile the ScytheMaster whistled for his minion. Hades scurried over to its master, curling around Thanatos' arm and then getting perched upon his back. The Wanderer watched in silence as Thanatos turned to leave.

"And I suggest you work on your disposition," Thanatos added, glancing over his shoulder. Now a grinning skull stared out to the city. "You would think that all those lessons in eloquence and royal decorum would have done something for your attitude."

The hood was pulled up, the dragon beast disappearing beneath the folds of starry midnight. Soon the stars upon his cloak vanished, and the cloak grew still in becoming a true shadow once more, leaving the Wanderer once more alone.

"Shimatta," he muttered, feeling slightly chagrined at the reprimand. Yet Thanatos' words had not lost their impact; his indifference hid how deeply he felt the sting.

The Wanderer shook his head. Fingers splayed open, he watched as a shaft of glowing blue light emerged from his right hand. And within the shaft of light appeared the sword. His weapon. The weapon given by her magic, her training.

"For the future...," he whispered.

Slowly he drew out his hand and slid the shades down from his eyes. Brilliant crystal blue stared out at the skyline of the city. The midnight hour was soon approaching. He saw his reflection in the shining blade of the sword, the face of a young man who had seen a thousand years of cursed immortality.

"Serenity-hime," he stated. "Perhaps tonight destiny shall have us meet."

*****************

Usagi was perplexed, surprised by the things that were happening. Since Tenchi appeared, she had met new people, new warriors and new enemies. And now they were going to receive the powers of the Gods! Well, June had told her she has the power of Goddess Selene within her, but it needs to be awaken. That was strange...

"Usagi-chan, are you ready to meet this midnight?" asked Luna.

"Don't know yet...well, this thing of meeting later at night makes me unconfortable...I have a bad feeling about this..."

"Usagi is scared, that's all" Rei said.

"I'm not! Well, maybe a little..."

Mako, Mina, Ami and Rei started to laught of Usagi.

"C'mon! We all be there..." said Ami.

"Even Mamo-chan?" an emotionated Usagi asked

"No…" Minako said and started to laught

*****************

"What do you think of this Ancient Magik?"

"Everything's fine if I can find and destroy Chaos..."

"Ruka-chan, try to control yourself..." Michiru took a long breath. "I'm tired of Chaos as you are, but we have to deal not only with him, there are five members of the court unleashed, and we can't forget the Riders of the Dark Blood...and the princess said we have a more powerful enemy."

*****************

"June-chan, do you need our presence tonight?...." asked Tenchi

"I prefer it. You know if something goes wrong, the Ancient Magik will be lost forever....the planet Senshi must be completely concentrated, and if an enemy attacks, I need you to protect the circle."

"Then, all of us will be there..."

*****************

Three hours before midnight, Raven teleported herself to her old bedroom at the appartment complex she and her family had stayed in. It was dark and quiet, and the window was open. A cool breeze blew in, rustling Raven's longish jet-black hair.

Raven sighed and sat down on her bed, picking up her old teddy bear. The one she had in her arms when...Raven shook her head. She couldn't really remember much of what had happened to her. The last thing she remembered was drifting off to sleep, and waking up in some weird chamber with a massive headache and a foggy memory. Raven looked into the teddy bear's eyes, pleading with it silently. 'Could you tell me what happened that night? I want to know why my own sister would desert Amy Elisabeth and I like she did...'

Suddenly, a montage of images flashed before her eyes. The vividness and power of them took Raven's breath away. She saw herself sleeping in bed, with her favorite teddy bear encircled within her arms. A shadow approached her, and kissed her forehead. The next thing she saw was herself flinging her body out of the window and plunging 35 stories to her death. Her own deafening screams filled her head, and Raven suddenly lurched over, contorted in pain.

"Oh, my God!" she wailed. "How could this have....I'm..."

"Hecate..." a voice in her head whispered. Raven raised her head quickly, her dark-blue eyes wide with fear. She saw another image flash before her mind: her crumpled body on the pavement, curled up in a fetal position. A figure was towering over it, her short black hair blowing in the wind, her red lips curved in a smile full of darkness and hate.

"June...June killed you...she hated you so much, she wanted to see you die," the voice whispered in her head.

'So, it really was June, after all,' Raven thought to herself, her anger rising once again. 'Stashia's not only fighting for Eclipse's traitorous actions, she's after revenge for my death.' Her dark-blue eyes, once filled with a flicker of warmth, hardened completely. She pounded a fist into her hand.

"I'll see to it that they'll all die," Raven hissed. "All of June's little friends. I want her to feel the pain I feel, so deeply in my heart..."

*****************

Fifteen minutes before midnight, the Sailor Senshi gathered at Rei's temple, including the Elementals who were to defend the circle Eclipse was supposed to create.

"Okay, you guys, stand back for a bit. I need to summon the Solar Circle." Sailor Eclipse took off one of black crystal earrings, and dangled it over a point she marked with red paint. It started glowing, and it shot a beam of energy at the point. A large black crystal sprung out of the ground, and a golden circle surrounded it. Around the circle was 9 symbols, one for each Sailor Senshi.

"The Solar Circle has been prepared," Sailor Eclipse said to the Senshi. "Now, find your symbol and stand in front of it. Have your Ancient Crystal in your hands, so I can direct the Gods' energy and fill them with the Ancient Magic.

The Senshi nodded and took their places, their Ancient Crystals in their hands. Eclipse took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. Without having to say anything, Eclipse gathered her energy together and focused it into the Black Crystal, which began to glow and crackle with the Senshi of Night's magic. Her tiara disappeared, and was replaced with the symbol of a silver key.

"Gods of Mount Olympus, accept my energy as the key to the Gateway of the Skies!" Eclipse stepped forward, and entered the energy field. A blast of white light shot into the sky, and opened a blue-coloured portal, created from 7 stars formed in a ring.

"Sailor...Senshi," Eclipse whispered, her voice revealing the strain her body was under. "Hold your crystals up to the sky...."

"All right," Sailor Moon said. She raised her diamond crystal into the air, and the rest of the Senshi followed suit. From the blue portal, 9 stars, each a different colour, shot downward, entering Sailor Eclipse's body. She let out a yell, and bolts of coloured light burst outward, striking the crystals, and filling each of the senshi's bodies with a strange power.

"I...feel stronger," Sailor Uranus whispered in awe, looking at her arms, which were glowing.

Raven, who was hiding in the bushes with Andraia and Porthos, turned and gave them a signal. With a roar, Porthos blasted out of the bushes, his body filled with golden energy.

Aqualise and Earth gasped to see this green monster flying towards them. With lightning speed, he grabbed both senshi by the neck and drove them into the ground, sending dirt flying everywhere. Porthos held them close, choking off their air stream.

"Let...go of me!" Sailor Earth gasped, and, using all of her strength, kicked Porthos in the stomach. It didn't faze him much, but he released Sailor Aqualise. Annoyed, Porthos lifted Earth into the air and threw her into a tree. There was a crash, and Earth slumped against the oak, unconscious.

"Aqualise Tidal Fall!" Sailor Aqualise directed a wave of water at Porthos. It made him lose his balance, and he fell backward. Aqualise created another wave, ready to crush him, when Andraia leapt from behind and released a bolt of lightning, that struck Aqualise in the back. The tidal wave disappeared, and Aqualise toppled like a pile of bricks.

"Now, my turn!" Raven launched herself into the air, and charged lightning into her whip. She lashed it outward, aiming for Eclipse's head, determined to stop the energy transfer, and sealing away the Ancient Magic forever.

However, she was too late. The gods had finished the transfer, and the portal closed. Everything reverted to normal. All of the Sailor Senshi, including Eclipse, fell to their knees, exhausted after being under so much strain.

Sailor Moon shook her head, trying to clear it, when she saw a flash. Jerking her head up, she gasped as she saw the whip still heading for Sailor Eclipse. "Sailor Eclipse, look out!"

It was no use. Sailor Eclipse reacted a split second too late, and, as she stood up, the whip drilled into her upper chest. Her eyes opened wide, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream. Raven, surprised, yanked her whip back, and Eclipse tumbled onto the grass, a pool of blood already starting to form around her.

"No!" Sailor Moon cried, rushing to June's side. After seeing Sarah die, she couldn't bear to witness another death. June wasn't going to die, she told herself. She'll be all right.

"Sailor Moon...God, I didn't expect this to happen," June whispered hoarsely. She smiled faintly, seeing the tears in her friend's eyes. "Don't cry, Sailor Moon. Everything's fine. I gave you your Ancient Magic. Our mission was successful..." She coughed, and a small spot of blood appeared at the corner of her lip.

"June, please, don't go!"

"I have no choice...Fate has already cut my thread...I'll be going soon...but please, be strong, Sailor Moon. Use the Ancient Magic, and teach those guys a lesson. Let the power protect you all...." June smiled one last time, then her eyes closed....forever....

Sailor Moon wanted to sob, but she knew that June was right. She had to be strong, for everyone else. She stood up slowly, watching as June's body was wrapped in shadowy mist as it disappeared into the night. Her eyes blazing, they fixed themselves on Raven, Andraia, Porthos, and Stashia, who had witnessed June's death. Stashia's face was pale, as if she hadn't expected this to happen, but she quickly recovered.

"What a heart-wrenching scene," Stashia replied with a cruel grin. "No more Eclipse...goodbye to the tratior. Now, the same shall come to you all!"

"Never!" Sailor Moon screamed with all her might. "We'll never submit to you!"

"Oh?" Stashia waved her hand, and out of the ground, came monsters of every kind; some that resembled rhinos crossed with alligators, dragons that were made out of the strongest of metals, and magical demons who could disintegrate structures with a snap of their fingers. The army stood at attention, waiting for their command to attack. "Would you like to die painfully, like your dear friend, or would you surrender, and have your deaths painless?"

"Like I said before, we're not going to submit to you and your companions! The Ancient Magic will decide that!" Sailor Moon raised her crystal into the air, and the other senshi followed suit. They started to glow, as each girl called upon her respective god to give them power...

"Serenity make up!" Usagi yelled. Colorful moons enclosed her body, as well as a rainbown light. Usagi transformed into a suit between the princess and the sailor one, with a yellow skirt. She wasn't wearing a tiara but the moon in her forehead.

"Water make up!" Ami followed. A waterfall came from her crystal and enclosed her body, a lot of bubbles appeared after her transformation. She was dressing her blue and light blue sailor suit without sleeves, and with golden reflections in the white body. She also had the symbol of mercury in her tiara.

"Fire make up!" A fire flame enclosed her body, Rei was dressing a red and purple sailor suit with the symbol of mars in her tiara.

"Thunder make up!" A lighteing thunderbolt came from the sky, and exploded in her crystal. Makoto was wearing the green and pink newest sailor suit. The symbol of jupiter glowing in her tiara.

"Love make up!" Pink and red hearts drew the lines of the sailor suit, and then dissapeared. The Venus symbol shined in Minako's tiara.

"Silence make up!" Purple and black light came from the ground and enclosed Hotaru forming a sphere. The symbol of Saturn in her tiara completed the transformation.

"Space make up!" Black and white stars danced around Haruka's body. The golden tiara with the symbol of Uranus was in her forehead.

"Ocean make up!" A wave splashed on Michiru's body. The Neptune Symbol in her tiara was aquamarine.

"Time make up!" A white light that flashed, then Setsuna was wearing the new sailor suit and the tiara with Pluto symbol in it.

"You think you scare me with the Ancient Magik?, you don't know anything!"

"You kill your own sister, I can't forgive you! In the name of Golden and Silver Ages, with the power of the Moonlight, I shall punish you!" Sailor Moon yelled.

"Stupid phrases is what you said, Sailor Moon, she deserved to die! Enclose of Darkness Typhoon Force!" Stashia screamed furiously. The lightining dark typhoon became from sky, Sailor moon had to be fast to avoid the attack.

"Mercury Splash Scream!" Ami sent her new attack to Raven, but she was faster enough to avoid the big bubble attack, that followed its path to a tree, destroying it. Sailor Mercury looked surprisely the power she had now.

"Good Job, Mercury, but you're still rockye in the matters of Ancient Powers!" said Stashia "Now, we're gonna finish with the Princess of the white Moon!" she laughted

"Serenity-hime..." the Wanderer thought between the Shadows.

"We won't let you!" Rei said.

"Stupid! You're too tired, you're weak of the Solar Circle...My demons will kill you!" she said. And the monsters started their attack.

**************

Between the trees, Tsuki Hikari watched as the new Sailor Senshi were surrounded by Stashia's beasts. They had fought valiantly, but Eclipse's death had left them shocked and unable to use the full potential of their powers. Hikari knew this, and also knew that she had to help them out.
'But I haven't been Sailor Half Light in a long time,' Hikari thought grimly. 'It's been 2 years since the death of my mother, and it was all my fault. All Sailor Half Light's fault. Even with all that power, I couldn't save my own mother.' Hikari looked down at her silver locket, which glimmered faintly in the moonlight. Just looking at the half star, with its sapphire moon, made Hikari feel sad. Sailor Silver Crescent (Half Light's other name) could never be complete without her partner, Sailor Luminessence. She remembered the bond they shared. After Sailor Luminessence's death, Hikari never felt complete. She felt as if she were missing half of
something. That was why she called herself Sailor Half Light; it reminded her of all that she lost when her friend Airashii died.
For a second, Hikari was caught in a reverie. She was back at High Rock, a scenic area of the Moon Kingdom. Hikari was injured; she was fighting Misty, and her superior swordfighting skills left her with a stab wound in her shoulder. She could no longer hold her sword.
"We have to fall back," Sailor Silver Light, one of her guards, said urgently. "Misty's forces have already taken over the East and West fronts. The palace is in danger. Your sister, heir to the throne, is in danger, Princess Lunar."
"Misty was just a distraction," Sailor Lunari, her second guard, continued. "The Raiders knew that you were one of the most powerful warriors, and decided to pull you out so their forces can claim other fronts of attack. It will be foolish to stay. I advise you and your army to pull back."
Hikari grimaced and held her arm. She really needed to get back. Her advisers were right. There was no way she could win this battle with Misty. She was too strong. "All right, Sailor Silver Light, I give orders to retreat back to the castle!"
"Oh, this is fun," Misty said sarcastically. "The all-mighty Princess Lunar, reduced to a cowardly child! I wonder what everyone else might think!"
"Shut up!" Sailor Luminessence yelled back. She clenched her weapon tightly. "Or I'll give you something to dance to!"
Misty wagged her finger mockingly. "Now, now, little child, bad tempers would get you dead before your 18th birthday!"
"No one ever says anything to the Princess!"
"She's not a Princess, she's a puppet!"
"Damn you, you b***h! Let's see you back up your words with action!" Leaping forward with a yell, Sailor Luminessence lashed out her silver daggers, trying to slash Misty in the head. Misty smiled, a grim, evil smile, and snapped her fingers. A funnel erupted from underneath Sailor Luminessence, wrapping around her and keeping her in the air. The current ripped her weapons painfully out of her hands. Sailor Luminessence gasped in surprise.

"Sailor Luminessence, blast yourself out of there!" Sailor Lunari yelled.
Misty stepped into the funnel without trouble, twirling her blade between her hands. She smiled evilly at the frightened young senshi, who had no idea what Misty had in store for her. Misty flipped Sailor Luminessence's body until her front torso was flat above Misty's head.
"Inexperience kills the kitten," Misty whispered.
Hikari had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen. Her whole body was alive and tingling, her nerves out of sync.
"Go to hell," Sailor Luminessence hissed back. Her eyes were full of steel, although deep down, she was afraid to die.
"Just where you're going," Misty replied angrily. Raising her sword upward, she speared it into Sailor Luminessence's chest, right through her locket.
"No!" Hikari screamed, seeing her friend's body arch backward, her energy and spirit leaving her. There was a bright blast of light into the sky, and Sailor Luminessence's silver ribbons unraveled, hanging loose in the billowing wind. Misty released Airashii, and she fell in a naked heap at her feet.
She remembered blacking out after that, the trauma completely taking the life out of her. She remembered lying in bed afterwards, her arm healing, her advisors telling her of the Sailor Senshi taking over the battle, about their victory, and about Airashii's funeral which occured while Hikari was in a coma. Hikari felt the pain again in her heart, raw and cold. Just looking at her locket brought it all back. Usagi's scream pierced into her dreaming mind, and Hikari snapped back into reality. Her cold blue eyes narrowed. Misty was back, as
Stashia, and she intended to help the Sailor Senshi, and save her niece. Also, she planned on getting her revenge, for June, for Amy, and for her mother, long ago in the Gold Millenium.
Hikari stood up, her heart and resolve firm. Raising her locket into the air, she yelled, "Silver Crescent Moon Power, Make Up!"
Her locket opened up, and transformed into a golden crescent moon. A ring of moonlight formed at Hikari's feet, and rose upward slowly as silver moondust. Her uniform magically formed: Like Sailor Galaxia's, made out of an extremely light and shiny plate armor. Her black hair was wound magically into a braid, and her silver tiara flashed on her forehead, with a sapphire stone in the center. On her lips was a sheer shade of pink lipstick. Finally, her silver blade appeared, and she posed behind a golden crescent moon. Sailor Half Light gripped her blade tightly, ready to fight. Before she went into battle, she snapped her fingers, and a silver
mask like Tuxedo Kamen's, appeared. Sailor Half Light slipped this over her face, her eyes showing through. Taking a deep breath, Sailor Half Light leapt for the roof, where she had a good view of what was happening.
The monsters were surrounding the Senshi in a ring. One of them had grabbed onto Usagi, and wasn't planning on letting her go. Sailor Uranus and Neptune were knocked out. The others were wrapped up with a strangling silk. The situation was fairly grim. Sailor Half Light saw a dragon in front of her, who was ready to spew
fireballs at the trapped Senshi. Raising her arms into the air, her sword flashed sharply. With a yell, Sailor Half Light slashed downward, sending a blade-shaped beam (similar to Uranus' Space Sword Blaster) at the dragon. An explosion occured, forcing the dragon out of the sky. It crashed downward, taking a few of the ground warriors with him. Sailor Half Light then threw her blade forward, and it struck the arm of the monster holding Moon Serenity. Its arm came off, and it howled in pain. Moon Serenity stepped hard on his toe, causing more pain, and she wrenched herself free.
"Moonlight Beam Attack!" From the palm of her hand, Sailor Half Light created a blast of massive, spinning silver beams that tore the silky binds off Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Pluto, Saturn, Earth and Aqualise. They fell to their knees in relief.
"God, I can breathe!" Mars said breathlessly. "Who was that?"
Her question was answered when a shadow leapt from the roof of her temple, grabbing her blade out of the grass. Sailor Half Light wiped it on the grass, getting the alien blood off it.
"Who the hell are you?!" Stashia cried out, repeating Mars' question.
"You should know," Sailor Half Light said coolly, "But I'll leave that to your imagination. I am the Senshi of the Lunar Darkness, but my victims refer to me as Sailor Half Light."
"Sailor Half Light?" Earth whispered to herself. "She sounds familiar..."
Porthos obviously wasn't impressed with Sailor Half Light's entrance. Growling, he created a beam of gold light (similar to Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon Attack), and shot it right at Sailor Half Light's head. Andraia followed with a blast of lightning, and Stashia added her wind. Raven just stood there, stunned, still disturbed after killing June. Sailor Half Light raised her arms into the air, and a dome of silver energy appeared, acting like a forcefield around her and the other senshi, absorbing the attack. However, the three continued to batter her shield. She turned to face Sailor Moon Serenity.
"I'll try to hold this up as much as I can, but you guys have to think of some way to stop these guys! Can't you co-ordinate an offensive or something?" She sounded a lot like a military commander. "You've also got to tend to your wounded here, but that can wait."

Moon Serenity was so shocked with Sailor Half Light's appearance and Eclipse's death, that she started to cry. "June..." she sobbed. "It was our fault. She shouldn't have...."
"Talking like that won't keep you alive!" Sailor Half Light snapped, her face showing the strain she was under. Her face then softened, seeing the pain in Usagi's eyes. "Usagi, be strong. There are many people counting on you to show your strength against these murderers." She turned away, trying not to show her own inner pain.
"Let the power protect you," Sailor Half Light continued, trying her best to hold up her shield. "Do what you need to do, and that goes for everyone still standing. Avenge June's death, for you must."
Moon Serenity saw the burning passion in Sailor Half Light's eyes. They reminded her of her mother's eyes. In fact, they looked like the eyes of the young girl in the picture Queen Serenity had showed her one day, before the war of the Silver Millenium.
'Sailor Half Light came here to save us. She's trying to save us now,' Sailor Moon thought, her heart filled with anger. 'I think we owe her something. We can't back down now, not with June dead!' She closed her eyes, and a tear run throught her cheek. "This is fo you, June" Usagi put her hands together "Selene SilverMoon Shade!" Usagi yelled, releasing an energy from her hands. It looks as a dust of small stars, all in a circle of the Moon Shade. Usagi directed the attack to the monsters in front of her. Then, she fell to her knees. She was weak as Stashia had said.

"Aphrodite's Flowering Tenderness!" Minako yelled and protected Usagi. The flowers of Magik exploded as they get to an enemy. Then, Minako fell, too.

"Ares' War Fury!"Rei screamed. The attack was a mixture of fire, rocks and knives. And again, after the Magik released, Rei fell.

Jupiter Thunder, Saturn Silence and Earth Shade fell after releasing their powers. Neptune Ocean and Uranus Space were still knocked. Pluto Time was the only one still stood, but she was receiving a lot of energy from the enemies, because she was protecting Usagi. Hikari tried to maintain the shield, but she wouldn't abble to do so in a few minutes.

"They're too weak, they won't survive without help" The Wanderer said to himself.

"My victory will be the End of this battle" Stashia said pleased. Pluto fell and Stashia took Usagi's throat and lifted her. Stashia tightened slowly. Moon Serenity tried to stop her, but she couldn't. "Good Bye, Princess!"

Suddenly, she felt the blood in her arm. She left Usagi, who crashed on the ground. Stashia looked the thing that made the wound.

"A Red Rose?" she asked. A fast man took the unconciuoss body of Usagi, and left her near Hikari. Hikari looked at the masked man, and then, she fell to her knees. She was tired, but still conciouss.

"You will take care of her, O.K.?" He asked

"With my life" Sailor Half Light answered.

"Endymion?" the Wanderer wondered.

"Who the hell are you?"Stashia yelled.

"I'm Tuxedo Kamen" Mamoru said

"Well, Tuxedo Kamen, you don't know who you're dealing with!" Stashia said.

"O.K., then I'm gonna kill the Moon Princess right now. The others will die right after her!" Stashia walked way to Usagi and Hikari

The Wanderer didn't know if he would jump and join the fight or stay as he was. He had the duty Thanatos gave him of protect the Senshi. That masked man didn't seem to be enough powerful for that Stashia. And the other girl wasn't in full conditions. "Well, I think I must do something to protect Serenity-hime and the Senshi". The Wanderer appeared just in front of Hikari.

"He looks so familiar" Sailor Half Light thought

"Another one!" said Stashia. "Well, this make things more interesting"

"I really think so" the Wanderer said.

He looks so familiar" Sailor Half Light thought

"Another one!" said Stashia "Well, this make tings more interesting"

"I realy think so" tha Wanderer said

The Wanderer's palm opened up, a shaft of blue light emerging to reveal a gleaming sword. He gripped the weapon, the Arashi, his Stormsword, glowing in the moonlight.

"I don't have time to waste on you," he stated coldly. "The only reason I showed up was out of respect for an old friend." He shook his head, eyes never leaving her. "I fear you as much as I fear death, Stashia. There's something else out there that could wipe you out with a snap of her fingers."

"More powerful than me?" Stashia demanded, bristling.

A smile tugged at the edges of the Wanderer's lips. "Serenity-hime," he said. "If you want to protect your world, then get rid of this witch. She's nothing compared to the Empress."

All the Senshi stifled a gasp of surprise.

"I can see through the illusions that protect your identities," he stated.

Usagi shook her head, though unable to say anything. What shocked her more was not that he seems to know who they were, but that he called her by her royal title. Only someone from the Silver Millennium could have known that!

"Who are you?" Uranus demanded, struggling to overcome the fatigue and fight. "Dammit tell us!"

From behind his shades, the Wanderer's eyes narrowed as Stashia was trembling in a growing fury. "Nothing?" she hissed. "My powers are nothing?" Her voice became an engraged scream. "SHIN'NE!!"

The Wanderer convulsed Porthos emerged in a blur of shadow and black, the minion’s hand punching right through his chest. Blood sprayed out from the Wanderer's mouth. His blonde hair danced around his face in a twisted form as if mourning his slow death. With a loud clatter the Arashi fell to the ground.

"If you're against us," Porthos whispered into his hear. "then the only thing you deserve is death. Consider this a favour I did it quickly."

Usagi's eyes were wide in terror. "No," she whispered. Not another one. Not another death....

Stashia cackled. "Was that the extent of your powers, stranger?" she taunted. "Was I the one not to fear because of my pathetic powers? You imprudent mortal, die."

Porthos' eyes gleamed as with a vicious retraction he brought out his hand from the Wanderer's chest. The Wanderer choked, his head snapping back and throwing the shades aside. Porthos chuckled, and then felt something in his palm. He looked down and saw that out from the Wanderer's hest she had pulled perfectly flawless, shimmering crystal sphere.

"What's this?"

Suddenly the Wanderer's hands clamped onto Porthos' palm, holding down the crystal. Porthos' eyes frantically locked onto the Wanderer's cold gaze.

"Don't...tempt me," the Wanderer snarled, crushing the crystal in both their hands. Porthos screamed as the shards sliced through his palm, leaping back as the Wanderer's body exploded in a storm of cherry blossom petals.

"What the hell is this?" Porthos demanded.

"It's called 'letting you live', you sorry excuse for a demon," the Wanderer replied, suddenly standing right in front of Usagi.

Sailor Half Light shook her head. "I know you," she said quietly. Damn, why did he seem so familiar to her? Who was it that he looked like...someone from the ancient world?

Everyone, especially Usagi was surprised to find him suddenly appearing right there, completely sidetracking their senses.

"A ghost?" Stashia wondered, staring at him.

"Hardly," he answered. "But don't be so quick to call me human either, Stashia. It's your move, and I warn you I have other more pressing matters to attend to."

Stashia's arms lowered, her dark magic fading. "So be it, stranger. But this is an insult I shall not soon forget."

"Mistress Stashia!" Porthos protested. His eyes pleaded with another chance for revenge. Murderous voices echoed inside his mind, urging his on.

Stashia shot Porthos a glare, telling her servant to back down immediately. "Don't you ever question my authority again, Porthos."

Porthos bowed. "Hai, Stashia."

Both slowly faded into darkness, Stashia's other warriors doing the same. The Waderer shook his head, his grip on the sword relaxing. "Shimatta," he muttered.

"Sugoi!" Minako exclaimed. She blushed. "And he's so cute too!"

His eyes narrowed and he turned around. "Don't," he snapped. "I want nothing to do with you Sailor Senshi. If you couldn't even handle a petty witch like Stashia or the Court of Chaos, then how do you intend to go on protecting the Earth?"

The expression on ever Senshi's face mirrored one as if they had been either slapped or betrayed. No one seemed to fully know how to handle his harsh words.

He turned away. "The Empress will destroy you all at this rate, and all I can do is sit by and babysit while watching it happen." In frustration he jammed the blade of the Arashi into the ground.

Usagi's trembling eyes were clouding with tears as each word cut deeper into her heart. She saw June dying once more, each second in slow, horrific succession.

June's soft voice echoed out her last words. "Don't cry, Sailor Moon. Everything's fine. I gave you your ancient magic. Everything was successful...."

"We tried out best!" Usagi blurted out. "Our friends may have died, but they fought for what they believed in! And if we don't forget them, they'll always be with us!"

He seemed surprised by her emotion, staring down at her with his own expression softening from its cold stare. "Serenity-hime," he whispered.

"If we don't forget them," she cried out. "their magic will always be with us! They were my friends! I won't let their memories end like this!!"

Her emotions moved the magics to tears. A shaft of golden moonlight erupted around her, winds blowing her long blonde ponytails in the air. The mark of the crescent moon burned brightly on her forehead, her own powers starting to manifest themselves.

Magic sought them all out, the brilliant aura flooding the park. The Wanderer stepped back, clutching his own forehead desperately as golden light escaped from between his fingers, knocking the shades from his face.

"No," he whispered. "Not here. Not this."

The Sailor Senshi were carried into the air, hovering peacefully with closed eyes as their tiaras faded away to reveal their own planetary marks. Auras of magik gracefully moved around them, sparkling rain falling to the ground.

"What is this warmth?" Rei whispered quietly.

"A new power is being born," Michiru said. "A new magic is opening up to us."

It was a chance to harness their newfound powers, to make amends for the past and give peace to the memories of their fallen comrades.

"The Earth," Usagi whispered. "shall be protected."

Another tremendous flash of light burned the Wanderer's shadow onto the ground, the shadow's eyes opening and watching the scene unfold. Through the eyes of a Wolf Shadow's darkness the Empress had been watching the entire time.

The Senshi were kneeling on the ground as night returned to dominate the heavens. They all were gasping for air, tired and exhausted from the entire ordeal. Yet at the same time the glow of pure hearts and magic could be seen radiating out from their bodies.

The Wanderer knelt down next to Usagi, staring into her face with the most passive expression she had ever seen. As if he was rediscovering his own magik in her. Gently she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It doesn't always have to be like this," she whispered.

A deafening tear through the earth echoed across the park. The Wanderer whirled as Stashia's attack tore through the ground towards them all.

"Fools!!" Stashia cackled. "Did you honestly think I'd simply back down like this?! "

Everything but his eyes were revealed in the incredible white light. He glanced down at Usagi, their crystal blue eyes seeing into each other's souls. In that moment she almost saw an ancient world from an ancient life, memories scattered and abandoned in his past. There was nothing but sorrow, regret and vengeance. The Wanderer smiled shortly:

"Take care of yourself Serenity-hime, we'll meet each other again…" then, as fast as he appeared, he left.

"Now that we have this homecoming party gathered, I really think we should continue where we left off.
Starting with this new fool." She pointed to Sailor Moon, then turned to Raven.
"You were a little quiet, dear. Why don't you show this girl what you've got?"
Raven was still stunned. Her mind was in a crazy mess; she couldn't think straight. 'Oh, God, Stashia wants me to kill again...no...I can't do it...please, don't make me do it...'
Stashia looked impatiently at Raven. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Seeing that sneer on Stashia's face reminded Raven of the night of her death. The shadow that kissed her forehead, that possessed her to jump off the building....had the same sneer! 'It wasn't June after all,' Raven thought, her stomach churning. Her eyes became clear for the first time, their blackness lightening into their original navy-blue. 'Stashia was the one who killed me...'
"Do it, Raven, finish her off!"
Raven started to scream. "No, no, I won't do it! I won't kill the princess just to satisfy your thirst for revenge!"
The Senshi, Sailor Half Light, and Tuxedo Kamen were stunned by Raven's outburst. Stashia, shocked and angry, glared at her.
"What? How dare you question my authority, sister?"
"I'll never be your sister, Stashia! You made me kill my dear sister, June, and...you killed me! That doesn't make me entitled to do anything for you!"
"Shut up, you fool!" Stashia slapped Raven in the face. Raven fell to the ground, tears streaking her face. She now knew that Stashia never cared about her at all. She only wanted to use her extraordinary powers to bring death and destruction to every living thing on the face of the galaxy.
"You can't make me!"
Immediately forgetting her duty to kill the Sailor Senshi, Stashia towered over Raven, and kicked her in the stomach. Raven rolled back, but she didn't utter a sound. The tears in her eyes showed how much pain she was really under.

"See? You don't even have the strength to get off the ground! So, you have the nerve to say such words to me? Say that I am your master, and I might spare you. Grovel on your knees and say it, or I'll send you to hell, where you belong!"
Raven's eyes suddenly grew cold. No one, and I mean NO ONE, ever ripped her dignity like that, and ever got away with it. Getting herself into a kneeling position, she looked into Stashia's silver eyes, and whispered, "Why don't *you* go to hell, Stashia? I'm not your poor little slave anymore. Go ahead and kill me: I'm not
afraid to die..."
Stashia looked stunned for a moment, then sneered. "Fine, have it your way. You weren't much help, anyway." She raised her arms into the air. "Typhoon Darkness Vortex...Engulf!"
Sailor Half Light gasped. The scene before her was almost identical to the scene in Airashii's death. She got onto her feet, wanting to leap in front of the now innocent Raven, but it was too late. The black vortex of wind suddenly rose from the ground, trapping Raven. It hissed and slashed, intended upon tearing their victim into
shreds.

"Raven..." Sailor Moon whispered. "Sarah..."
The vortex continued spinning for what seemed like eternity. No screams erupted from it...only silence. Everyone seemed frozen, waiting to see of Raven's fate. Suddenly, silvery winds started surrounding the black funnel, fighting it, and breaking it down. Black lightning shot out of the center, separating the black funnel until it no longer existed. There, standing there, was Sarah, out of Raven's uniform, and into a new one. It was a sailor uniform, in black, silver, and blood-red. Actually, it wasn't much different from Eclipse's uniform. Her hair, once very long and in a braid, was set to shoulder-length, layered, loose, and shining with blue highlights. Sarah's eyes were now totally clear, and a beautiful indigo. On her forehead was a lightning bolt symbol, glowing brightly.
"What? How is this possible? No one survives my deadly vortex!"
"You should know that I have more presence in the powers of nature than you do, Stashia," Sarah said softly.
"No! You're supposed to be dead! Andraia, Porthos, get her!"
The two warriors nodded and leapt into action. Andraia fired a quick lightning bolt at Sarah, who countered quickly with one of her own. Sarah leapt into the air and delivered a punch to Andraia's stomach, sending her to the ground. Porthos, who was floating in the air, saw Andraia fall, and he growled, slamming himself into Sarah's body. The two landed hard, and Porthos extended his claws, trying to tear at Sarah's jugular vein.
Sailor Uranus saw this, and threw herself at Porthos, using her incredible body strength against the demon. The demon was knocked off-balance, but he was still standing. Porthos threw an energy orb at Uranus Space, who dodged it effortlessly.

"I think I've had enough of this jerk," Sailor Half Light
muttered. "Moonlight Beam Attack!" She extended her hand and fired many swirling silver beams at Porthos, who used his cape to shield himself. However, one of the beams pierced into his heart. Porthos let out a groan, then fell to the ground. Green blood drenched the area around his cape, where he had been hit.
Andraia got up from the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. She glared at Sarah, then created a chain of lightning, that she lashed out at Sarah. Sarah jumped, but was caught in the ankle. She crashed back to Earth, grimacing in pain as the whip tightened around her ankle.The remaining demons still alive; the goat men, surrounded Sarah. With one yell, their maces came crashing down, ready to beat her death.
Suddenly, a shadow fell upon the frightened Sarah, and with its wings, it protected her. The maces pounded against them, and broke. The goat men looked at each other, surprised. "No one ever hurts my sister," a familiar voice said softly. "June!" Sarah cried out. The figure stood. It, indeed, was June, although she was wearing a long balck dress,like Quee Serenity's. On her forehead was a black moon, upside down. She
had a pair of black angel wings, and she was holding a long staff, with the Crystal of Hecate on the top.
"Dear sister," June whispered, kissing Sarah on the forehead.
"You're alive....I can't believe it...."
"Oh, God, I'm so sorry, June, why did I..."
"I'm not angry. I'm happy that you're alive and well. I have something to give to you, to stop these evil beings." Mistress Hecate waved her staff, and a sword appeared, slender and sharp. It was Eclipse's old sword, only this time, it had a lightning bolt on the handle. It dropped into Sarah's hands.
"You are no longer Raven," Mistress Hecate said. "From now on, you are the Senshi of Sagittarius, Sailor Cyclone. Now, teach those guys a lesson!"
Sailor Cyclone nodded, and held her sword into the air. Closing her eyes, wind howled around it, followed by a burst of lightning. She then pointed it outward, and yelled, "Cyclone Ferocious Thunder-storm Crash!"
For 30 seconds, the whole area was chaos. Wind was blowing in all directions, thunder, lightning, rain, and hail swirled around them all. Sailor Half Light, Tuxedo Kamen, and the Senshi combined their powers to create a shield around themselves. Andraia and the goat men were without protection, and they soon perished. The storm then calmed, and Sarah lowered her sword, and, tired, observed the destruction she had caused with her super attack.
All the trees around them were shredded, and the dead bodies of demons were strewn all over the ground.
Stashia was still alive, however. She was on her knees, her uniform torn, cuts and bruises all over her arms. Sarah, angered, charged forward, and raised her sword, ready to cut her head off, but Mistress Hecate stopped her.
"Do not let your vengence control you once more, Sarah," Hecate said softly. Sarah nodded, and backed away, while Stashia looked on in surprise. She started howling with mad laughter.

"You're weak!" she screamed. "You're all weak!" Still laughing, she surrounded herself with a funnel of wind, and disappeared.
Sarah, tired, fainted into Mistress Hecate's arms. Sailor Moon walked slowly to her, her eyes wide.
"You're alive, June?"
"Very much, yes," Hecate said with a sigh, observing the damage. "We must go into the temple. We have much to talk about."
Hikari and Tuxedo Kamen known they must leave now, and both of them dissapeared into the night.

Stashia returned to her dark room, and collapsed in her chamber. She was exhausted, and defeated. She had lost all of her advisors in the battle. 'How will I ever get my revenge on them now?'
Her eyes strayed on a white crystal lying by her bedside, surrounded by a white lily and a silver harp. Stashia's eyes narrowed. 'Yes,' she thought, the wheels in her head turning again. 'I will summon one of the most powerful Raiders still alive...Tranquility-sama...'

Inside the temple, de-transformed, all of the Sailor Senshi were settled in Rei's bedroom. Rei had her Grandpa make them some tea, while he and a few other temple workers observed the damage out in the courtyard.
June looked down at Sarah and Tanrei, who were sleeping soundly. She then turned her eyes on Usagi

"I was afraid that I wouldn't have arrived in time. Saturn was the one who ressurected me while unconscious, but it took a while before I could enter the mortal realm." She said softly.

"The important thing is that you're alive!" Usagi said happily.

"I felt so bad when I thought you left us, June" said Tenchi. "But thank's to Hotaru-chan, you're back"

"I did what I have to" Hotaru said.

"And I appreciate it so much…" June smiled at her. "But know we have to talk about many things."

"Which ones?" Ami asked.

June's smiled faded, and her face grew serious again. "While I was in the Underworld, I was told by Hades and Persephone of a big event, something similar to what Mistress 9 and Professor Tomoe tried to accomplish.
"They couldn't tell me much, but I know for a fact that the Raiders are involved, and it has something to do with the 12 Malaligned Gates of Darkness."
Setsuna gasped. "The Malaligned Gates? That's terrible"
"You know about this?" Usagi asked, curious.

Setsuna nodded gravely. "The Gates are points of dark power located all over Tokyo, forming a ring. I don't know the complete details, but if at least 6 of the gates are opened, they would send a blast of energy that would open a portal from a malignat realm to ours."
"Do you know where the points are located?"
June shook her head. "No one would know for sure. They shift constantly. However, you'd be sure to find one if the key happens to find it."
"A key?" Usagi looked confused.
"Yes. A human person holds the key within their soul. Once their energy strikes the gate, it would activate itself and suck the soul right out of the human. After that, the gate disappears again, but it is forever opened. That's why it's so important to be on our guard. It does take time for the gate to take away the Key Carrier's soul. If you can free the human, and then destroy the Gate, it would be closed forever." June sighed. "I wish
I could've brought better news."
"Don't worry, June, we'll be ready. Right guys?"
"Right!"

*************

Shimatta.

That was Chiisai's thought while walking in the heavy cold rain. She didn't understand why she forgot her umbrella at her apartment. But she couldn't do anything about that, and she kept walking slowly instead of running. She would be wet anyway.

A child in a window warned her that she might get a cold. Chiisai smiled at the advice. The small child was so innocent and pure, she liked the pure hearted people. It reminds her of the Times in the Silver Millenium.

But now, there wasn't Silver Millenium anymore. Sadly. And in part, it was her fault. She couldn't stop Queen Beryl's attack, and died. Now that she was back to life, she wouldn't let anyone to harm the Heir Princess.

Serenity-hime.

A flash came to her mind. She remembered the Palace. So bright, so pleasant. She was a child when she met Queen Serenity. She remembered as well as if she were there. She had smiled and knelt in front of her queen.

Well, she didn't care now of past.

She stopped suddenly. She felt like a strange sense of energy from somewhere. An energy from Royal Line.

Her dark glasses fell from her face with the strong wind.

She felt his power.

'No way' she thought, and continued walking. 'That's like thinking I will find Queen Serenity and all the people of the Silver Millenium here'

She smiled at the stupid thought.

But it wasn't an stupid thought at all. If she was alive and in that world, probably her partners were alive, too.

The Cosmic Trio.

"No, I can't believe it" Chiisai said to herself. She walked to the bus stop and waited it to come. But it seems as if the bus wouldn't like to appear anymore. A pink haired girl arrived and sat beside Chiisai. Chiisai looked at the girl with her brown eyes, eyes behind the dark glasses.

'Stellar'

Hoshi looked at the stranger at her side.

'Power, familiar power' Hoshi thought.

Chiisai took her dark glasses and put them away.

"Lunar!" Hoshi said surprised.

'She recognized me? One thousand years..but she did. Now I know the Cosmic Trio will be together again, someday...'

And at that moment Chiisai felt just as...

As Serene Highness.

As her royal self.

Like the pic-nic day at the flowering Lunar Eliseus.

She was a child in that moment.

"Serene Highness, you're alive..." Hoshi's eyes filled with tears.

"No more crying, Hoshi-chan. And remember, I'm not Serene Highness anymore" Chiisai smiled. "Have you meet with Solar?"

"Not yet, Chiisai-sama." Hoshi said

"And with the Planet Senshi?"

"No."

No.

But the time was closer.

She'll find Solar.

And then, she will reappeared.

They'll do.

The Keepers of the Magic.

**************

The brightness of the morning sun shocked Sorano Seishi into waking. Sitting up quickly, Seishi put a hand on her pounding heart. She had the strangest dream...about a young girl with a silver harp, dressed in a long gown of white silk, her long, raven hair, streaked with purple highlights, hanging in a braid to her waist. The girl's
song was so beautiful, Seishi had to stop her usual stroll in the woods to listen to it. The melodies were rich and vibrant, and it was as if her voice contained the harmonies as well. Seishi never felt an emotion so strong, listening to that song. She would live for that voice...she would die for that voice...
"Sei-san!" A bright female voice broke into Seishi's thoughts. Seishi turned, dazed, to look at the 10-year-old girl at her bedside. She just stared at her, and that look scared her to death.

"Sei-san, are you all right? You've been sick with pneumonia for the last two weeks, and all that time, you were acting like a zombie! Please, Seishi, tell me that you're all right, please!" Seishi smiled softly and patted her little sister on the head.
"It's so nice of you to be worried for me, Megami-chan. I'm okay, I promise. In fact, I'm going back to school today!" Megami clapped her hands and laughed.

"Yay! You get to walk me to school!" She danced around the bedroom, before exiting. Seishi giggled to herself. Her little sister could be so vibrant and bubbly sometimes. It annoyed her to no end on some occasions, but truly, Seishi loved that in Megami. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Seishi leapt off and sat at her night table. Her eyes fixed themselves on the reflecting glass. Seishi gasped. In front of her, was the reflection of the girl she saw in her dream!
'I'm really losing it,' Seishi thought to herself, turning away. When she looked at the mirror again, she saw her own reflection. Seishi smiled with relief. 'I was just imagining things. My sickness must've hurt me a lot more than I imagined!'

Hikari sat alone on the grass outside of Jyuban High School. She was deep in thought, and mainly depressed over June's death, and Misty's (Stashia's) escape. 'Another life gone for naught,' Hikari thought to herself, clenching her fist. 'God, when will I ever get over this pain? It's tearing me apart!'

"Hikari, why the long face?" A soft, melodious voice asked, breaking into Hikari's thoughts. Hikari looked up to see the soft-spoken Seishi standing in front of her.
"Seishi, you're back! Hey, how are you feeling?"
"A little better, I guess. Sleeping really took up a lot of my time." Seishi sat down beside Hikari. "Now, I'm usually not very good at reading people's minds, but I figure that you're depressed today."
Hikari's smiled faded, and she looked down at her hands, which were ripping blades of grass out of the ground. "You've got that right," she muttered.
"Care to tell me what's bothering you?"
"I can't. It's...personal."
"It's about your mother, isn't it?" Seishi sighed, her dark eyes seemingly far away and melancholy for a moment. "Hikari, when will you ever let that go? Your mother has been dead for 2 years. Surely you
must've..."
"But I can't!" Hikari cried out, tears spilling from her eyes. "My whole life has changed because of my mother's death! My sisters and I have been shifted to different foster families. I can't look at my foster mother without reminding myself of the loving single woman who took care of us single-handedly, when she should've sent us off for adoption! Seishi, you don't know what it's like to feel what I feel every single day! And witnessing June's death..." Hikari slumped against the tree trunk, crying. "Just seeing her die brought it all
up onto the surface..."
"Hikari-chan, I know what it's like to lose someone you love," Seishi said softly, putting a hand on Hikari's shoulder. "I've lost my mother in an avalanche, and I was completely alone. I know the pain you're going through, losing your mother, losing Airashii..."
Hikari gasped, her blue eyes wide. "How would you know about Airashii-chan?"
Seishi ignored Hikari's surprise, and continued. "And seeing a fellow comrade die in combat."
"How did you know June died that way?"
Seishi sounded like a zombie now. "But, you know, you shouldn't blame Misty for all the pain she's caused you. It's not all her fault. Take Airashii, for instance. She could've held her anger when Misty taunted
her. Instead, she jumped in with her immature intentions, and got herself killed."
Hikari looked really shocked now. She couldn't say anything. As for Seishi, she had no idea what she was talking about the entire time. It was as if someone else had taken control of her vocal chords, and was making her say these things. Before Hikari could reply to Seishi's strange and painful recollection, a shadow and an annoying voice towered over the two girls.
"Miss me, Hikari?"
Hikari groaned, her troubles put aside for the moment. Her eyes looked comtemptuously at Scott Morrow, a kid in the choir who bothered her like crazy for the first three months of school. Recently, Hikari had to reject a 'declaration' of love for her. Hikari knew that Scott was a nice guy, but he was immature, a year younger than she was, and by no means good looking. Just looking at his chubby face, set with an light mustache and heavy glasses, and the rest of the his chunky body made Hikari strangely sick.
"Scott, please, leave me alone, all right? I have no time to deal with you."
"But Hikari-chan, these past few weeks have been painful for me. I couldn't possibly live on without seeing your beautiful face at least 5 times a day..."
Hikari stood up. She was fairly tall, at 5'7", but Scott was taller (at 5'11"). Plus, the extra weight made him look larger in stature. Hikari inwardly gulping, hoping she would be able to intimidate this big toad.
"I've told you many times to go away! We can be friends, I don't mind that, but to tell you the truth, I have no romantic feelings for you, get it?"
Scott grinned. "You really do like me, don't you?"
"God, what does it take to get this message into your pea-sized brain? GO AWAY!"
"I'll leave...if you give me a kiss! And not just any kiss, but a long, sweet, heart-thumping..."
Hikari groaned, holding her forehead in exasperation. "How did I get myself into this mess?"
Seishi put a hand on Hikari's shoulder. "Hikari-chan, please. Let me handle this." She turned to Scott with a bright smile. "Scott, you wouldn't mind if I sing a bit of my solo for vocal class today? It's going to be evaluated by Mr. Hoover, and I really need an outside opinion. I promise, it won't take long, and you can get back to romancing Hikari later." Hikari's mouth dropped open in annoyance.
"Wait a second, you said you were going to..."
"Shush, Hikari-chan, I know what I'm doing." She turned back to Scott. "So, will you listen?"
Scott folded his arms, an impatient look on his face. "Sure, go ahead. Impress me."
'I'll do more than just that,' Seishi thought, suddenly seized by an outer force. She closed her eyes, and mentally picked a theme to sing. She took a deep breath, and began singing the love theme in the movie 'Titanic'. However, she added a few darker, more intimate melody lines to it, so she could get her sublimal message across. Hikari stood aside, moved by the beauty of Seishi's voice. 'I never knew she could sing like that,' she thought to herself. It's just so beautiful!'
The effect on Scott was slightly less positive. He was rooted to the ground, captivated by Seishi. However, a message was being fed into his brain, and it wasn't pleasant. 'Now for the harmonies,' Seishi thought to herself. She grasped them handily, and projected them into her voice, and made it seem as if there were many voices singing at once. Scott's eyes opened wide, and his face was contorted in endless sorrow. Wailing, Scott ran away from them. Seishi stopped singing. "What's wrong? He didn't like my singing?"
Hikari shrugged. "I don't know. But whatever you did, it made him go away."

With tears spilling out of his eyes and splashing onto his glasses, Scott ran blindly to a secluded corner of the school. The first bell had rung, and students were heading to first-period classes. He leaned against the brick wall, his heart contorted with pain.
'She doesn't love me,' Scott thought, tortured. 'Hikari never loved me, she'll never grow to love me. She loves someone else, some cute stud that bedazzled her when they first met. I can never compare to him. Hikari will never love me...no one will!'
Seishi's song had brought many things to light. It made Scott see how naive he was. It shattered his innocent outlook on life. Her song took his safety blanklet, leaving him cold and alone, in a cruel world. A world that he didn't want to live in. From his pocket, Scott produced a scalpel from Biology class.Sobbing quietly, Scott slashed both of his wrists, right in front of Usagi and Ami, who were passing by.

"Scott what did you do!?" Usagi asked.

"Leave me alone! I don't want to live anymore!" Scott said terribly depressed.

"Ami, get the nurse, hurry!" Usagi said. Ami didn't think it twice.

"I don't want any nurse! Let me die…let me" Scott cried out.

"Why Scott?" Usagi questioned.

"Hikari-chan, she never loved me, she won't love me. No one will love me! I'm a naïve. I'm alone… " he said, with broken voice.

"She worth nothing…you'll find a girl who will love you." Usagi said, trying to confort him.

"Never!" Scott tried to run but his legs trembled and he fell uncouncious. The nurse and Ami get to the place in the right moment.

"Thank you, Ami" Usagi looked at her friend. "Now Hikari-san will hear me!"

"What?" Ami asked surprisely, but Usagi had gone.

Hikari was alone, feeling confused by Seishi's knowledge about her personall things.

"Hikari-san, how can you be so cruel? He tried to commit suicide and it's all your fault, you…I never thought you were that kind of girl who just care for herself, and I'm so angry…" Usagi stopped. Hikari's was surprised like if she didn't know what Usagi was talking about.

"Don't tell me you didn't know what I'm talking about!".

Hikari was going to said something, but Ami arrived and stopped her:

"What's going on, Usagi-chan?" Ami asked

"This girl said to Scott that she never loved him, that no one will never love him. She said he was a naïve, she left him cold and alone." Usagi answered. Looking at Hikari with furious eyes.

"Wait a minute, I didn't say anything…"Hikari started

"Then he invented everything and was going to die because he believed his own lies?" Usagi interrupted her.

"What? Scott tried to..." Hikari was at a loss for words. Usagi nodded angrily, her blue eyes blazing.
"He had a scalpel and slashed his wrists apart! Now, no one would ever do such a crazy thing unless if they're really disturbed!"
Hikari looked very, very worried. "Where is he?"

"That doesn't matter now! What matters is why would you deny my accusations? They're true, aren't they? You drove Scott into..."
"Stop it, Tsukino Usagi! I don't need anymore of this from anyone! For the last time, I had no idea why Scott would act so stupid! If you want to ask someone, ask Seishi! She was the one who sung to him!" With that outburst, Hikari quickly ran away from Usagi, sobbing.
"Usagi-chan, you shouldn't have been so cruel to her. Hikari doesn't strike me as the girl who would say such things. Now, what about this girl, Seishi? Do you know her?"

Usagi frowned.

"Not really. She's that girl who hangs out by herself, with the dark hair and dark eyes. She reminds me of Hotaru, actually. It's worth a try. Ami, why don't you go back to the nurse's office and see how Scott's doing, while I track down Sorano Seishi."

While Seishi was running away, four girls were watching her behind the trees.
"So, we've found her," the first girl said. She was tall, a 5'10", with long, silky ocean-blue hair, and beautiful green eyes.Her thick hair was pulled back in a headband.
"Yes, the Princess of the Lunar Darkness," the second girl replied with a nod. Her long lilac bangs fell into her eyes, and she swept them back, her dark-blue eyes sharp and inquisitive.

"And she's safe," the first girl said with relief. "Our part of our mission has been sealed."

"Now for the second. I've sensed many energy fluctuations between the mortal realm and the Gateway of Darkness. Someone from the Dark Blood has summoned another Raider. After analyzing the energy ripples, I found that they had called on Tranquility." The third girl, who was dressed elegantly, looked grim, her silver eyes lowered. She was the shortest of the four, only at 5'3".
"Tranquility-sama? Didn't we heal her the last time we faced her, 2000 years ago? She was supposed to be reborn as a normal human," the last girl exclaimed. Her gold ponytail spun around her face as she shook her head.
"Yes, but somehow, the Raider who awakened her got hold of the Mystic Crystal of Tranquility. It went missing after the raid on Queen Placidity's palace. We must get Sailor Silver Crescent to stop her. She was the strongest, after..." The first girl sighed. They all knew who they were talking about.
"That wouldn't be wise," the third girl said solemnly. "She isn't in the right mental state to face someone as powerful as Tranquility."
"We don't want to endanger anyone else. Yet, we can't face her ourselves! Our powers...they were gone right after the raid..."
The fourth girl smiled.

"Not anymore, they're not." She fumbled in her purse, and revealed four lockets, each silver and in the shape of a crescent moon. In the center was a large gem, in the shape of a star.
The second girl gasped, her eyes wide. "Where did you get those, Kasumi-san?"

Kasumi smiled modestly.

"With the fire, our lockets were lost, but our Cosmic Jewels weren't. Basically, I used my constructing magic to re-assemble the Cosmic Jewels with a metal Stella found recently. I even had their powers evaluated. The special star metal has increased our powers twofold! Not bad, right, Kurayami?" She looked at the first girl, who was obviously their leader, hopefully. Kurayami nodded slowly.

"You've done a good job, Kasumi-chan. But right now, we must find this Tranquility. Tenshi, how advanced is Tranquility now?"
The third girl rubbed her forehead.

"The last time I checked, Tranquility is advancing fast on the poor girl she was inhabiting. She would surface momentarily through the girl's subconscious."
"Would it be too late to save her?" The fourth girl asked.
"I don't know, Shintai. But I know this: If we don't find Tranquility soon, we're in for a lot of trouble!"

Exhausted, Seishi sat and stared at the long line of students leaving Juuban Middle School. 'When is Megami going to get here?' Seishi thought, strangely irritated. 'I've been waiting for 10 minutes! Where could she be?' She tapped her foot impatiently, her dark eyes snapping at anyone who smiled or waved at her.

"Seishi, I'm here!" the little girl bounced to her angry older sister. She was holding a gerbil cage, and inside, two gerbils scampered and played with each other.
"What took you so long? And what is this?"
Megami looked queerly at Seishi, then answered quietly, "These are our class pets, remember? Itch and Scratch? Miss Cobourn let me take care of them for the weekend. It took me a little while to get everything prepared. I'm sorry if I'm late, Sei-san."
"Well, I was really pissed off," Seishi snapped, shocking Megami with her cold tone. "Now, come along. I have a lot of work to do, and I don't need to waste my time bringing a late girl home from school." She grabbed Megami's arm so savagely, the cage nearly fell from her grasp.
"Ow, you're hurting me! Seishi, stop!"
"Leave the girl alone!" Usagi cried, arriving at the scene just before Seishi dragged Megami into the wooded shortcut. Seishi snarled, the expression on her face vicious and cruel.
"Stay out of this, Odango atama girl! She's my sister, and I can do whatever I want with her!"
"Usagi-chan!" Megami cried desperately, recognizing her as her babysitter. "Please, help me! I'm scared!"
"Don't worry, sweetling, I'll get you out," Usagi replied soothingly. "Just don't panic!"
"Stay away from us!" Seishi yelled wildly. She quickly sung a high note, and Usagi felt herself being pounded into the ground.
"Seishi, stop it! You're hurting everyone! Why are you..."
"Shut up, you little brat! I hate rugrats who ask too many questions!" Seishi released Megami, but quickly began to sing a high, shrieking tune that caused her sister to be lifted slowly into the air. Megami screamed and began to struggle, but it was no use. Seishi stopped singing and snapped her fingers. With a whoosh, Megami was sent flying into a tree. The gerbil cage fell from her arms and landed onto the ground with a crash, killing Itch and Scratch instantly.However, when Megami hit the tree, it caused it to release a flash of red light. The tree turned black, and an evil grin appeared at its base. The branches began to move, and they surrounded the unconscious little girl. Her body began to glow,and a key-shaped symbol appeared on Megami's forehead.The release of energy knocked Seishi to her knees. She slowly raised her head, and started to laugh manically. Her eyes were glowing red, and a silver harp symbol appeared between her hands. Usagi slowly rose, her blue eyes widening.
"S..Seishi?"
"Seishi?" she mimicked, cackling. "You've got to be kidding! I'm free! Free from that wimp's little body!" She raised her arms into the air, and the harp symbol enlarged itself until it was about the size of her head. There was a huge flash of white light that blinded Usagi for a moment. When Usagi opened her eyes, in place of Seishi was a new girl that looked achingly familiar to her.It looked like Seishi, but not completely. Her black hair had grown longer, and pulled back in a braid Her eyes were now blue, but very icy-looking. The dress was white and strapless, and she wore a white choker with her harp symbol in the center. The harp between her hands transformed into a bow and arrow.
"Thanks to Megami, Tranquility is finally free," the girl said softly. Her eyes regarded Usagi with interest.

"Now to take my first victim..." She quickly aimed her silver arrow, and fired. It whizzed through the air, and landed right through the toe of Usagi's shoe. Usagi screamed in terror. Thankfully, all the arrow got was shoe; it went through the space between her toes. She yanked the shoe away, only to be faced with three other arrows, aiming for her chest and head. She quickly rolled out of the way, and Tranquility snorted in annoyance.
"Damn you," she hissed. "Hold still!" Tranquility began firing with careless precision. Usagi wobbled back and forth, each arrow nearly hitting her. Two arrows skinned the sides of her head, snapping the elastics that held her hair in an odango style. Her golden tresses fell loose, falling into Usagi's eyes. Usagi had no time to sweep them away; Tranquility was getting closer and closer to the mark. Usagi dived behind a tree. An arrow pierced the side of her ankle, and she bit her lip, trying not to scream. She felt blood run down her sock and into her shoe. 'I must contact Ami,' Usagi thought, taking out her communicator watch. She beeped for Ami, but there was no answer. Usagi slammed her watch in frustration. 'Oh, well, it looks like I have to do this on my own,' she thought, taking out her Ancient Magic crystal. 'I have to save Megami!'
"Serenity make up!" Usagi yelled. Just after those words, the transformation took place, and Usagi transformed once more in Sailor Moon Serenity. *Who's this new enemy?* Usagi thought as she took one of the arrows down on the grass.
"Where did she go!?" Tranquility's voice was getting closer.
"She's safe, but I can't forgive you tried to kill m..her!"
"Who the hell are you, Senshi?" Tranquility asked as she saw her opponent.
"I'm the pretty heir to Serenity's line. Sailor Moon Serenity! In behalf of the Golden and Silver Ages, with the power of the Moonlight I shall punish you!"
"So, you're going to punish me!?" Tranquility said, throwing one of her arrows, Usagi jumped and disspaeared, the arrow followed its path throught the trees.
"Never try to kill the Senshi of the Moon!" Moon Serenity said
"Where are you?!" Tranquility yelled angrily.
*This is my chance.* Moon Serenity thought "Selene SilverMoon Shade!" Tranquility smiled. She was a fast warrior and avoid the magik, the attack passed away.
"Good try,Senshi of the Moon. Never know the Senshi of this Age control the Ancient Powers. But the Riders will rule the universe!" Tranquility said
malignantly.
"Dark Blood Rider!? I thought Stashia was the only one left..."
"Misty is here? Sugoi!" Tranquility's voice reflected the evil happyness.
"I'll never let the Forces of Evil to control the Galaxy!" Moon Serenity said. And when she was going to sent her attack, a light flash came from Tranquility's Bow. Moon Serenity fell as she felt the pain in her right arm.
"Sailor Moon Serenity, you will die!" Tranquility laughted as she pointed at Usagi's heart.
"She won't die!" A voice behind said. She was a silver suited Senshi.

"Huh?" Tranquility turned sharply, her eyes widening. "Who's there?"
Sailor Half Light leapt from her position high up on a tree and landed beside Usagi. She gently touched the side of Moon Serenity's arm, and instantly, the wound was healed.
"Are you all right, Princess?"
"Yes. Arigato." Moon Serenity turned to face Tranquility. "Do you know who she is?"
"All too well. One of the most powerful Riders of the Dark Blood. She was been re-awakened." Sailor Half Light's eyes narrowed. "She wants to open up one of the Gates that June has told us about."
"And I will succeed!" Tranquility fired several arrows at the two senshi. Sailor Half Light quickly shoved Moon Serenity out of the way and created a quick shield to dissolve the arrows. Taking out her sword, Sailor Half Light swung it around in a full circle, creating a ring of light that she fired at Tranquility. It knocked her back, and her bow was blasted out of her hands.
"Shimatta!" Tranquility hissed. Sailor Half Light quickly ran towards Megami and the tree. Megami was moaning now, and her face was growing paler by the moment. Sailor Half Light knew that surrounding the tree was a forcefield. Luckily, she had a special scroll June gave her, which could break it. Holding it up, Sailor Half Light was about to break its seal when suddenly, she heard some singing.
Spinning around, Sailor Half Light saw Tranquility behind her, sitting by a silver harp. Narrowing her eyes, Sailor Half Light gripped her sword, ready to attack her, but somehow, the melody had attracted her attention. Her arms suddenly drooped, and she stood there in place, staring.
Sailor Moon Serenity watched in horror as Sailor Half Light's eyes closed, and she stood like a statue. She wanted to move, but somehow, Moon Serenity had no control over her legs! 'She's got me too,' she thought, panicking. 'What is planning on doing to us?'
Tranquility smiled evilly. Her Song of Hypnosis worked perfectly. The two had no control over their bodies, and she had control of Sailor Half Light's mind. 'It was just like Scott, that pathetic little weenie. They're so easy to manipulate! Now, to get rid of Sailor Half Light...' She strummed a minor chord, and began to sing a soft, haunting song in the key of A minor, which was designed to create hallucinations in Sailor Half Light's mind. With her other hand, Tranquility created a portal that led into a dark, eternal abyss: the Gateway of No Return.
Sailor Half Light opened her eyes again. She heard a familiar voice calling her name.

"Hikari-chan! I'm here!"
"A...Airashii?" Sailor Half Light rubbed her eyes, but there she was. Sailor Illuminessence was only a few feet away from her, glowing with silver light.
"Please, Hikari, save me! It's getting hot in here...." In an instant, Sailor Illuminessence was surrounded by a ring of white flame, and it was rising quickly.
"Hang on, Airashii, I'm coming!" Sailor Half Light began running towards her best friend, not knowing that she was running into a trap.
"No, Sailor Half Light! Wake up, it's a trap!" Moon Serenity yelled. However, Sailor Half Light was looming closer to the Gateway of No Return...she was almost ready to fall in...
"Moonlight Sterling Silver Ripple...Illuminate!" From an unknown source, big rings of silver light blasted from the sky, hitting Sailor Half Light, who cried out in pain. She fell to her knees.
A shadow emerged from the bushes, two silver daggers in hand. With a deft flick of her wrists, the shadow sent the daggers slicing through the air, striking the harp and breaking its strings. Tranquility screamed, and fell on her butt. Sailor Half Light and Moon Serenity were freed from Tranquility's spell. Sailor Half Light regained control of her arms and grabbed the scroll, but Tranquility also regained her balance. Infusing lightning into her arrows, she fired one at Sailor Half Light, striking her in the forehead and knocking her unconscious. Megami drew one raspy breath, then exhaled for the last time.Her soul had been fully drained, and she no longer lived. Her body turned to stone, and crumbled to the ground in pieces. The tree let out a husky cackle, before returning to normal.

"Oh, no," Moon Serenity moaned. "Poor Megami..." She turned
to see Sailor Half Light bleeding from her head. She looked dead.
"Not Hikari, too!" She rushed to her unconscious friend, and taking out a silk hankerchief to soak the blood. Hikari was still breathing, but she was bleeding fairly quickly, and there could've been brain damage.
"Allow me, Princess Serenity." The new senshi stepped out from the shadows. She was very pretty, with her short black hair and warm brown eyes. Her uniform was dark-green, with silver bows. Her daggers were at her sides, and she was holding a long silver wand with a crescent moon on the top. On the moon, was a rainbow
coloured crystal.
"Who are you?"
"Sailor Half Light's most loyal protector. She's mentioned me to you." She took out a bottle of clear liquid, and began bathing Sailor Half Light's forehead. The liquid hissed as it fell on her skin, but soon, the blood had been washed away, and the wound fully closed. Her broken tiara had reformed with a flash of light from the Moon Senshi's wand. "There. All of Tranquility's effects have been reversed. The bottle disappeared.
"Airashii?" Sailor Moon Serenity asked slowly. "Half Light told me a lot about a girl who died long ago, named Airashii."

The new senshi's eyes grew pained, and she nodded.

"Yes. I'm Airashii."
Sailor Moon Serenity seemed excited.

"Oh, Hikari would be so pleased to see that you're alive!"
"I...I can't stay." Sailor Illuminessence quickly stood up. Sailor Moon Serenity looked at her quizzically.
"Why?"
"I just can't. I've already caused her enough pain. If we reuinite again, I would only give her grief."
"You're already giving her enough grief for being dead, and now that you're alive..." Sailor Moon Serenity was quick to show her anger. "What so damned painful that you have to avoid her for?"
"You can't possibly understand," Sailor Illuminessence whispered, turning away. "I must go. Look after her for me. She might be older than you, but she's a lot more fragile than you think. And give her this." She tossed a shiny object at Sailor Moon Serenity. "Please, respect my wishes and do not tell her that I am alive." She walked away. Sailor Moon Serenity watched the shy senshi meld into the shadows, and felt like crying. How could she keep such a secret away from Hikari? Sailor Half Light moaned, and opened her eyes. She looked up at Sailor Moon Serenity, confused.

"Usagi-chan? What happened? Where's Tranquility? How is the girl?"
"Tranquility's gone, Megami dead. We were too late." Hikari closed her eyes in pain, trying to hide her sorrow. Another death. An innocent girl, gone, just like that.
"I was weak," Hikari whispered. "I couldn't put aside my feelings of guilt and sorrow to perform my duty. Now, one of the 12 Gates are opened."
"You were hit by Tranquility's arrow," Sailor Moon Serenity protested. "It wasn't your fault that we couldn't save Megami. Besides, you nearly died, but..."
"But what?"
"Someone saved you. She told me to give you this." Sailor Moon Serenity opened her palm. Dazed, Sailor Half Light sat up, and took the shiny silver chain from her hand. A heart-shaped diamond pendant shone in the afternoon sunlight. Hikari gasped, a rush of memories coming back. She remembered on the bright spring day when Hikari gave Airashii that as a birthday gift. The day before she was killed by Misty. The person who had saved Hikari knew something about Airashii. Hikari quietly tucked the necklace away, and smiled sadly at Usagi.
"Thank you for giving this to me. I remembered that one of my Imperial Guard told me that Airashii wore this when she was buried. Could it be that..."
Sailor Moon Serenity shook her head with difficulty.

"No. Airashii didn't save you. It was...someone who knew Airashii very well. That someone might know something about her."
"I must find him or her, then. I want to know how they got this. At least..." Hikari sighed. "At least I know that I've got something to remember Airashii by."

Usagi felt sad. She didn't want Hikari to suffer. But she made a promise she had to keep, even though she hate to.
"By the way, you said one of your Imperial Guards told you about Araishii's pendant... Why did you have Imperial Guards? Are you an Ancient Senshi?" Usagi said happily.

Hikari looked uncomfortable, and she averted her eyes.

"No I'm not an Ancient Senshi, Usagi."
"Then what are you?"
"I...I can't tell you that right now. Not without endangering you."
"Please, why are you keeping me in the dark about you? Why don't you just..."
"I don't have to tell you every detail of my life, you know." Hikari's voice went flat, and when she turned to look at Usagi, her blue eyes were cold. "Look, let's keep it that way between us, okay? I won't bug you anymore, as long as you keep your nose out of my business. Deal?" Without waiting for an answer, Sailor Half Light stood up to her full height, and, with a turn of her heel, she disappeared.

*****************

Yuuki was walking through the streets of downtown Tokyo. She seemed to always do this, one, because her parents were a doctor and a lawyer, and didn't have enough time to spend with her, and two, she didn't have any friends. She went to a boarding school out of town, one of the posh kinds, and hated all the girls who went to the girls-only school. But, with all those burdens, came her pride. No matter what happened, she believed in herself. She knew that she was one of the most prettiest and smartest girls in her school, and thanks to that, she had also developed her stubborness. She only believed in herself, and when she started something, she didn't stop until she got what she wanted.
She turned the corner, and saw the cutest guy she had ever seen, reading a book and heading in her direction. 'He's mine.' She thought to herself. She casually walked in the direction he was walking. They bumped into each other.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." She said, flashing him a big white teeth smile, battering her eyelids which contained her unusually silver colored eyes, and flicking her blue-black hair out of her face.
"Oh no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't walk and read at the same time!"
"Hey, I've read that book!" Yuuki exclaimed as she read the cover of the book he was carrying.
"Really? It's my favourite."
"Mine too!"
"It's funny, please don't take this an insult, but for some reason you seem like the kind of girl who would rather sit playing video games all day, than read a book."
"Oh no, I HATE video games. They provide no challange compared to a good maths problem."
"Funny, my girlfriend would argue with you about that."
"Girlfriend? What's her name?"
"Usagi Tsukino."

Yuuki thought. 'No way, the blonde haired bimbo that lives next door to me?'
"Wow, she's my next door neighbor!"
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Well, I better be going, maybe I'll see you again?"
"You can count on it." Yuuki started to walk down the street. 'Usagi his girfriend? That's impossible! Well, it doesn't matter, he'll be mine, no matter what it takes. Then she released, what's his name? Dammit, I knew I forgot something!'

*****************

It prowled around in the shadows near the tokyo tower. Not even the quickest of people could have caught her in thier vision; for she was to cat like for them. She didn't care. Not about them. Pitiful things these humans were. If they should all die within a short time, she wouldn't care. As a matter of fact, she would be the one to bring it about. She gazed around her as she hopped from shadow to shadow, trying to shield herself from the light. This world, as it was now was so strange to her, and she wondered why it was that Chaos was still roamning around, playing his childish little games. Hadn't be be imprisoned in one of Pandora's boxes? T'was no matter. She would purge the world of the remaining elvens at the same time the...other....inhabitants of this dreadful place. But first....she needed to find the three dragon jewels.
She had meditated on the thought, and came up with an area in which the tree that held one of the dragon jewels was. It was somewhere around the Tokyo Tower. All she had to do now, was find a tree. Any tree. Finding a sacred tree would be hard enough, but just finiding a tree was a task.

"Ignorant humans....destroy my darkend forests and hide my trees." She muttered.
After a few minutes of searching, she found a large tree, covered in markings she had never seen the likes of. Slowly, she put her hand on the tree. She closed her eyes and smiled, this was the tree. Her eyes still closed, she let the energy of the tree combine with her own, and she moved her hand down the trunk of the tree. She stopped for a second, and pulled her hand back. She had found it. Then, in a quick motion, she pulled her arm back, and then thrust it foward, into the tree. When she pulled her hand out, a red-violet jewel lay in her hand. She opened her eyes and stared down at it, almost amazed. Quickly, she teleported back to her cavern. Once there, she set the jewel down on a platform in the center of the room. She began walking around it, chanting something barely audible. As she began to walk faster, and chant louder, the jewel began to glow. Suddenly, she stopped. The glow died. But within seconds, the dragon jewel lifted itself up, and floated there, until it broke in half. Four streams of black colored wind flew out of it, and each one slowly materialzied into a being. They weren't human, but with a quick glance, one would think they were. Each with thier beautiful white skin and sharp fangs. Thier clothing was expensive looking, but something out of the 1800's. Two male, and two female. All four stood before their Empress now, bowing to her in surprise.
"Wolf Shadow, Tigers Eye, Andromeda, Stellar.....finally I have broken the seal put upon you." The empress said calmly.

"To think that all this time I had to be stuck in there with that whining coward Wolf! I'll destroy whoever it was that condemed me to that!" Tigers Eye yelled.
"A coward?! How dare you!" Stellar yelled, ready to jump him.

"Perhaps now you will continue to feed on rats!" Andromeda said, flipping her hair.
"Alright, all of you, shut up!! I have work for you four, so you better adjust to your new surroundings, and do as I say." Raithe commanded.

"Yes, my empress.." Both Tigers Eye and Andromeda bowed gracefully, and exited. Wolf Shadow and Stellar gave Raithe a cold look, and followed after them.
"Cocky little things they've gotten to be. But no matter, I'll get what I want still." Raithe said under her breath, and sat down on her throne.