Rei glanced at Riot and then the wall, with thoughts going through her head wondering what he meant. Could she trust him? Maybe not... But she was so curious...

Rei looked at Riot "I trust you..."

Riot smiled a mischievous smile. Reaching forward Riot touched the symbol on the white side of the yin-yang. The wall began to glow softly, and then rippled like water, as if the wall itself were alive. Then with speed and agility that would put Olympic athletes to shame, Riot picks up Rei and jumps into the wall and disappears, leaving the wall exactly how it was before.

Scenes from Rei's life seemed to flash by in still frames, holding for a second and then disappearing again. Happiness, sadness, hatred, longing, all feelings were displayed for the two to see. There was a sudden flash and all of that disappeared. As if they had never passed through that strange limbo, Riot finished his jump with skill and carefully set Rei back down again.

Pink delicate cherry blossoms rained down gently as the warm sun overhead cast curious shadows through the long rows of trees, tinted brown from an everlasting autumn. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, a cool flowery fragrance filled the air. Golden brown trees stretched out in rows extended to the horizon and beyond, hundreds of flowers decorated the sides of the brick-laden path. A mother holding her child and proclaiming her love faded into view,and then out again. Children playing together happily was, and then was no more. All around at random intervals past emotions flashed into life and faded out again. The entire ordeal could be described as beautiful, but that would be a poor description.

Riot: "This is our realm, my brother's and I, it is where we come to think, to play, and to relax."

Riot stretched his hands out wide as if he could hold the entire place within his hands.

With a smile on his face, "So, what do you think?"

Rei rubbed head. With all that childhood running through her head, she was extremely depressed.. She looked around and stood up and weren't near a cherry blossom tree. She looked around with amazement at the sorroundings...

Rei: "This is beautiful! I'm totally stunned! How did you do this? And why did you bring me here?"

Riot smiled: "Yes, it is beautiful, I find it is the only place these days that I find beautiful.."

Riot glanced around himself, a sad smile played across his face, his sandy blonde hair whipped around his face to the dance of the wind.

Riot: "How did I do this? No, actually a powerful friend of mine set this up for Ruckus and I. As for why I brought you here?"

Riot looked up to the sky, a few pink cherry blossoms landed on his suit and were swept away again by the gentle breeze.

Riot: "It is all I can do, to open hearts to true beauty, and because I sense a great deal of conflict within you. It is a gift I should say. Whenever you are feeling conflict within yourself, and need a place to be alone or here to talk to me, simply wish in your mind you were here, and here you shall be. But I must sternly warn you, if you tell anyone else of this, you will lose the privilege and all memory it every existed."

Riot smiled again, looking around for one last time at his brother's and his domain.

Holding out his hand: "Well, shall we then return to the ball?"

Rei nodded to Riot as she grabbed his hand and stood up. As she started up the place starting spinning around her as it grew faster and faster. Rei was so confused. She kept trying to find Riot but he was pinning so fast. Rei closed her eyes and fell onto the ground, unconcious.

Riot shook his head in disbelief, 'She should not have gone unconscious. Oh well.' Riot sighed to himself and carefully picked up the limp Hino Rei, then with acrobatic finesse he jumped into the air and disappeared, leaving his domain empty, save for the memories fading in and out.

Riot paused for a moment to laugh hysterically as a memory from Rei's past popped up, something about her perverted grandfather. Then a flash of light left the two at the ruin encrusted wall.

Taking off in a calm walk Riot made his way to one of the guest bedrooms. Opening the door Riot had to stop a moment to admire the detail. Whistling, "Whew, Chaos sure went all out on this one.' A pink and white bed caught Riot's attention, the drapes hung down lazily and added to its intricate design and elegance. Walking over Riot set Rei gently down on the bed, her raven black hair contrasting nicely with the pink and white laced pillows. Riot took a moment to admire her beauty, she looked so much like someone he once knew, then with a coy smile he turned to leave. With a snap of his fingers he disappeared from the room, leaving Hino Rei to rest peacefully.

* * *

Usagi turned around as she felt a finger playfully tapping on her shoulder. There before her, Mamoru, Michael and Hotaru stood a complete stranger dressed in a beautiful black suit and wearing a face painted with an ocean. No, it wasn't paint.

"Mamoru," Michael said quietly. "The waves in that guy's mask are *moving*."

The stranger bowed, his arms extending in the gesture, cloak draped over his hands. "Komban wa, Usagi," he said, removing his mask. "Care to dance?"

Usagi's eyes widened as the ocean and its kanji were drawn away, pulling the shadows with them to reveal two glowing jade eyes and long silver hair. It was Lord Chaos.

Minako walked over to Usagi's group and introduced Ruckus.

Usagi, meet Ruckus…He's my new *friend*…by the way where's Rei? Has anyone seen her?"

Ruckus politely bowed and with all the charm of a true gentleman, took Usagi's hand and kissed it gently. A barrage of memories flooded Ruckus's mind, from the distant past, a queen with an almost angelic look to her. Ruckus smiled as he let go.

Ruckus: "It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness."

Ruckus closed his eyes for a second and then looked back up.

Ruckus: "I do believe she is with my brother, I think I saw them go outside for a breath of air."

Looking around Ruckus made a quick mental note as to who was where, then turning back to the group he smiled.

Ruckus: "So how are you all enjoying the ball this evening? Chaos put a good deal of work into it and is very proud of himself."

"I should hope so. Illusions are a lot harder to fashion that you'd expect."

Ruckus tilted his head and saw Chaos there in behind the others. The mask of living oceans was slid down just enough to reveal part of Chaos' face and one glowing emerald eye.

"Ara, am I interrupting?" he inquired, carefully watching Chaos' reaction. Now was not the time to cut into one of Chaos' own games.A dark glimmer in his eye, Chaos shook his head. "Iie. By all means, introduce yourself. And please do enjoy my wondrous masquerade."

Ruckus nodded towards his fellow Elven. So that was it; Chaos was just making the rounds for the moment. He'd be back later on.Chaos turned and bowed before Usagi, the mask back over his face. "If

you will excuse me, I have other duties to attend to. But I'm certain we'll be seeing each other again before this night becomes day. In fact, milady, I guarantee it. I do trust you'll continue to enjoy my masquerade."

He stepped back, and was suddenly lost in a parade of masked revellers who were dancing and laughing towards one of the tables.

'Maybe Lord Chaos isn't as bad as Tenchi said' Usagi thought for a moment. She never saw him doing something evil as their past enemies did. But she didn't want to think about it right now, she just wanted to enjoy the ball.

"It's a wonderful place! But I guess I would enjoy it more if I had a dance. It seems I'm going to stay just looking at the couples" Usagi answered, looking at Mamoru.

Even Mamoru could take a hint...when it was properly applied with a sledgehammer. He turned towards his beloved Usagi and took her hand in his.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked with all the charm at his disposal. Suddenly, it was like Ruckus didn't exist as they moved out onto the dance floor. The orchestra was playing a slow dance and they moved to the music. Usagi sighed and placed her head on Mamoru's shoulder.

"I wish moments like this could last forever, Usako...." he whispered to her. Time seemed to stand still as the couple danced. The world just ceased to matter and it was only them, and the music.

Hotaru looked at Michael and noticed his disappointed look.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I think my date ditched me." Michael and Hotaru stood by the punch bowl and looked at all the freaky decorations that had been set up. Someone had gone to an awful lot of trouble to impress people...and it was working.

Well, it didn't look like Usagi and Mamoru were parting company anytime soon, and in all honesty he was starting to get bored. Ruckus smiled to himself, an idea forming in his head. Turning to Minako he bowed gracefully.

Ruckus: "My apologies ma'lady Minako, but I have business to attend so I must depart for the moment. But I make it a promise to see you again tonight."

Ruckus reached over, kissed her hand once more, and with a smile, skirted off into the crowd where, with a snap of his fingers, he disappeared.

Minako watches as Ruckus leaves

"Oh great now I am alone again, I wonder where Rei is she still hasn't come back yet. I hope she's ok"

Mako notices Minako standing alone and walks over. "Hey, Minako-chan! Having fun? (Nudges with her elbow.) Meet any cute guys yet?"

Actually, nothing that exciting has happened to me. No cute guys yet. I was sure this form-fitting dress would have the guys drooling all over me. (Smiles.)

**laughs**

"You would think it wold work on don't you, there are a lot of cute guys here. Maybe you should introduce your self around."

"Why go through such formalities?" came an all too familiar voice. "Beauty such as yours needs no introduction, only captivation."

Makoto and Minako turned around to see Chaos standing before then, bowing slightly. The mask of living oceans was in his hands and removed from his face, yet there was still enough shadow to hide his face in the darkness. Yet a pair of brilliantly glowing emerald eyes stared out at them.

"Komban wa," he said. "I do hope you ladies are enjoying my masquerade tonight. Now would either of you care for a dance?"

* * *

He shook his head, leaving the tedium of the ballroom. Too much fanfare and laughter. Indulgence was everywhere and even though he enjoyed Chaos' masterful illusions that grand ballroom was starting to look less and less attractive a place to remain.

"Yare yare," he muttered, shaking his head.

He was a warrior. A warrior had to be doing something other than strut around in a suit all night long. Maybe Chaos wouldn't object too much if he slipped out for an hour or two, back to his ruins where he felt more comfortable. Just a chance to clear his mind from all this spectacle. Hell, he couldn't even get anywhere near the Saturn soldier thanks to that group of friends she was with. He was certain they were other Senshi--or at the very least allies with the Senshi. And the fact that Chaos & Ruckus were there didn't help either.

The noise of the masquerade grew dim as he traveled down a solitary corridor, enormous stone arches high over his head. Even more were on either side of the corridor, allowing him to see endless ripples of

oceans. Gradually the echoes of his footsteps upon cobblestone were all that could be heard, followed closely by the waves splashing below. Moonlight seemed to be everywhere, even upon his face. The glow was soothing him already. Perhaps solitude was the answer he was seeking, not the sweat of battle. Or perhaps even a little of both. Either way, he could feel his tense body start to relax. He leaned against a block of stone just beneath an archway, watching the waves roll far into the horizon. His eyes narrowed, glancing back. He never turned his head to give the game away.

* * *

Taiki paused and turned around as he heard a frighteningly high-pitched voice calling after him. Slowly he turned around in his tux, trying to locate the mysterious girl who had been pursuing him. His eyes widened as he saw a kawaii young girl in a silken kimono and all too cute grin on her face bounding up to him. The napkin over his eyes were crushed as he tried to fight back the urge to flee in terror. Just what was she, anyways?

"Wah! Wait up for poor kawaii little Hysteria!"

Seconds later Taiki found himself stuck with a kawaii Elven girl latched onto his arm. "Hysteria's soooo happy she found such a kawaii guy in a kawaii tuxedo as you. You want to dance with Hysteria, ne? Ne?

Ne?"

"N-N-Nai ni?!" he hissed.

* * *

Raithe decided it was high time she found the host of this ball. What would the night be if she could not dance with so gracious a host? Raithe weaved her way accross the floor, and stumbled onto the man with the oceanic mask again. She eyed him over suspiciously, catching his attention.

"My dear handsome prince," She began sofly, in the voice of a tender and loving mother, "You look so very lonely without a soul to speak with. Would you care to dance?"

Chaos slowly turned around and found himself presented with a young woman wrapped in scarlet and shadows. Elegant gowns, beautiful eyes, different face. And an aura he could not mistake.

"So," he remarked, taking her hand and pulling her into the swirling mass of dancers. "You're my mysterious guest. I can never resist an invitation to dance from an enigma such as yourself. Now, what should I call you?"

He pulled her close against his chest and took the lead. She moved with the same skill and agility as he had, almost surprising him. A hand reached up and slowly removed the mask of living oceans from his eyes. Jade green eyes stared into hers. "This suits you much better," she purred.

Chaos couldn't help but smile. "Damn, you're good at this. My only question is: what do you want with me and my Court?"

He glanced up at the rows of archways all around them, trying to find a familiar illusion hiding secluded from everyone else. "Or is it even me you're here for?"

Raithe smiled a devious smile. Her eyes flashed for a moment before answering.

"You have questions...I can tell. They will be answered, I can assure you of that." She paused and looked at his neck for a moment, silently wishing she could just take him right now. "If you wish, you may call me Akasha; that is my name. Or, if you wish to call me by a more abstract title, you may also refer to me as 'The Queen of the Damned'."

Chaos chuckled. "Cute name. If I'm not called by my Court title, it's usually a wondrous variety of names that shouldn't be repeated in the presence of small children."

She paused again, a wave of thirst washing over her, she wouldn't be able to contain it much longer. She breathed slowly and heavily as she watched the artery in Chaos' neck pulse....and pulse....and pule.....it was going to drive her insane! Returning to her senses somewhat, she continued.

"I asked you of your intentions," Chaos said.

"My intentions at your ball?" She paused, as if to think of why she was even here. "My dear lord Chaos, I have heard much about you. Your games are quite renowned throughout my own kingdom. I have brought members of my own court here to observe what exactly it is you do." She smiled, and stared deeply into his eyes. "And I must say I am quite impressed. At both your skill with illusion, and how truly handsome you are."

Her fangs showed slightly as she spoke, and her skin paled a little each moment from the intense hunger. She continued to dance, keeping up with Chaos' fast pace, and waited for his reply.

Chaos warily tilted his head back, suddenly aware of the small fangs slowly poking out from the corners of her lips. First she had been enigmatic and alluring. Now she was enigmatic and frightening.

"And just how do you know about my games?" he inquired. "You're not a Senshi; that much I'm aware of. And you're nowhere near as nasty as Stashia...just yet, anyways. On the other hand you must be a few thousand years old to know that much about me."

Raithe leaned forward again. "Wouldn't you like to know, Chaos?"

Chaos shook his head, unable to contain his amused smile. "You are indeed a mystery, milady. Perhaps we have good reason to talk after this dance."

"Perhaps we do. That is, if you can find me Chaos. But don't worry, I'll make sure I find you."

His gaze drifted across the vast ballroom, catching stray bits of conversation and laughter. All this was indeed his creation, his game to play within. And now it appeared he had found someone worthy of becoming his rival tonight.

He froze, breaking their dance apart. Jade green eyes narrowed darkly as he stood still and watched a new face in the crowd slowly make her way down the central staircase. Chaos turned back to Raithe.

"I'm afraid we'll have to break our dance a little short," he said, bowing slightly to Raithe. "It would seem I have some other...guests to attend to."

At this his voice became a little darker, a little nastier. He turned, a group of dancers coming between him and Raithe. It was for but a moment yet it was all he needed. The next instant he was at the base of the stairs, stalking towards the one who had dared to reveal her face to him on this night of all nights.

Stashia looked down at the Elven lord, and an evil flicker appeared in her eyes.

Raithe stood there for a moment, letting the dancers weave thier ways around her. Suddenly, the wave that washed over her grew more and more intense, but now in combination with a pounding in her head. Her eyes flickered again, and she knew she was loosing her illusion again, but this time for good. She just hoped that loosing this ability wouldn't lead to something else later on.

* * *

The gallery was vast in its expanse, a central area in a sunken floor with black marble tiling. There were two stairs leading up to the high corridors that ran on every side of the gallery, separated from the corridors by a series of arches that curved overtop the stairs. These corridors, walls adorned with scattered paintings, led deeper into the labyrinth of other minor galleries.

The arches were still, and the second floor balcony was dark without a presence for the enchantment to illuminate the quiet room. High overhead the domed glass ceiling revealed the pale white glow of a crescent moon.

At the heart of the gallery was a set of three stairs that led into an enormous sunken floor. One could walk there if the had not problems with getting wet, for a large and beautiful fountain was there. The waters covered every last portion of the sunken floor, even swallowing up the last descending steps.

A few spouts of water were gushing forth from the mouths of dolphins or else water dragyns, and the waters themselves were full of small, colorful fish.

He stared down into these waters, finding himself absently watching the Elven mage who looked back up at him. Did his eyes really appear that saddened? A hand drifted across the crystal clear surface, sending forth ripples that caused the fish to scatter. He looked up to the domed ceiling, watching the quiet moonlight pour down overhead. Shades of blue danced all over the glass and stone as the waters shone the moonlight

into his eyes. Her reflection was in the fountain, and so he watched her. Vibrant blue eyes and shimmering blue hair. Yet this was just a captured image from his memory; he didn't feel very much like peering into the waters and see what she was doing now.

"Lady Mercury," he said quietly.

Mayhem shook his head and looked away. Perhaps he had done enough tonight. Perhaps he had already gone too far. He would never know unless he saw her again.

* * *

After the dance had ended, Mamoru and Usagi went back to the place they were originally at. The entire group who was there had gone off on their own. Mamoru was about to ask Usagi for another dance, when something tugged at the edge of his consciousness. It was a small thing, but it became irritating.

Excusing himself, Mamoru left to explore the building. While he was off on his little quest, a disappointed Michael and Hotaru went off in search of the punch bowl. Michael took a sip, shuddered at the strange taste, and suddenly decided he wasn't thirsty. He dumped his cup in the planter. All of a sudden, the fibicus suddenly went dead.

"What the hell....?" As he looked at the plant, a thought hit him. "Hotaru! Don't drink the punch!" He turned to the young girl. Her pupils were rapidly changing size and color.

"Are you ... are you alright?" He looked concerned. After half a minute, she seemed to snap out of the stupor. She turned back with a strange expression on her face.

"Why shouldn't I be?" she said with a distant voice. "I am going to RULE THE WORLD! MWA HA HA!!!" She cackled loudly and took off at a run. Michael proceeded to chase her throughout the building.

Meanwhile, Mamoru had reached the second floor. He walked down hallway after hallway, occasionally looking in a room. Hm…bedroom, bathroom, bedroom, grand piano, Rei unconscious on a bed, bedroom, bathroom, Michael hog-tying a maniacal Hotaru, bedroom...no, he couldn't seem to find what it was he was looking for.

Finally, he reached one room. It was a large living room, with a fireplace, a bearskin rug, and a crystal chandellier. When he was in the center of the room, the door slammed shut behind Tuxedo Kamen.

Mamoru didn't like this at all, he could smell trap all over the elegantly decorated room despite the overdone perfumes. From the shadows a figure stepped out dressed in a, well, dressed exactly like Mamoru.

"What is this?" Tuxedo Kamen stood posed, ready for anything.

The doppelganger only smiled, and pulled out a cane, which of course looked just like Mamoru's. Then with acrobatic finesse he leaped forward, flipping, and cartwheeling with twists and lunges towards Mamoru. Mamoru pulled out his own cane and prepared for battle. Ruckus flipped this way and that, his acrobatic antics seeming to be an art of their own. Finally Ruckus leaped into the air and flew towards Tuxedo Kamen with frightening speed. Mamoru braced himself for the impact.

It never came. The look a like faded out of existence just a few feet away from colliding with Tuxedo Kamen. Mamoru visibly sighed, but then tensed up again as he heard laughter all around, and then footsteps in the distance. Riot stepped out of the shadows; his ornate sword hung at his side. Suddenly they were in a stone cold room, though bright moonlight shined through the large skylight overhead. With a malicious grin Riot asked, "Have you ever danced with an elven in the pale moonlight?"

"Isn't that supposed to be the devil?" Mamoru looked confused.

"What's the difference?" Riot grinned.

* * *

Havoc braced himself as he saw a half-crazed Hotaru charging towards him. So tonight he was going to see some action after all! The Blade crackled as he started to gather his own magik.

Abruptly the power faded with the realization that she wasn't even dressed in her fuku of the Saturn Senshi. Something wasn't right. In fact she didn't even seem to be focused on him...or even noticing his presence for that matter.

"I am going to RULE THE WORLD!"

Havoc lowered his weapon, jabbing the tip into the floor, unable to contain the stunned disbelief as Hotaru raced right past him, hellbent for...well, he wasn't even sure that she knew where she was going.

"Ano...I'm over here," he remarked.

He turned his head as another figure came racing down the corridor. Havoc pulled out the Blade, readying himself for another possible fight. Just a few frantic steps behind her a young American man chased after

Hotaru. "Hotaru, get back here!"

"Catch me first, Michael! Ha ha!"

A rather stunned Havoc was left behind in their dust clouds as they disappeared down the corridor, echoes of her cackling and his shouts for her to calm down fading until all was silent once more.

He blinked in surprise. "What...just happened?"

* * *

In a flash Raithe was gone from the room, just as quickly as she had come. She walked through the halls outside, looking for someone, or something. She stopped. Raithe stood there, and let her illusion fade willingly, and went back to being the strange woman with no eyes. Her ears picked up the sound of someone walking towards her. A tall man, about 6 foot. He stopped to ask her if she was alright. She smiled and turned her head to face him. The man screamed as best he could, with a muffling hand over his mouth, and pearl white fangs sung deep into his throat. She drank every last drop of blood in his body, making sure not to spill a bit. And then in a fit of extacy, threw him down on the floor and laughed an evil, loud and maniacal laugh. She took a deep breath in, and with her long blood red nails, she shot her fingers into the side of his eye sockets, and forcefully ripped out his eyes. She smiled, looking as though she enjoyed that far to much. Using her nails, she gently placed the two new eyeballs in her empty sockets. She rolled her head and eyes around for a moment or two, and then opened her eyes. They looked perfect on her. Beautiful deep emerald green eyes. She smiled again to herself, and then looked down at the man she had just killed. She picked him up with one hand, and used the other to link his soul which had not escaped yet with the Stormsoul. The man's soul was immediately. She made her way back to the ballroom, not even looking back. Someone would find him, eventually. Then, she would be discovered by Chaos, for

knew far too much about Raithe not to. But until then, she was going to have some fun. She would wait until Chaos had finished his little encounter with this 'Stashia' person before trying anything. She wanted to watch this. And what better way to watch such an occasion with a brand new pair of eyes. She entered the ballroom again, and glanced around, looking for her four servants

* * *

Suddenly all of the music in the grand ballroom stopped, the sounds along with it coming to an abrupt halt as if awaiting her commands. Stashia walked down the stairway wearing her hair in elegant mounds of curls and she had on a Scarlet velvet gown and scarlet velvet elbow high gloves. She was also wearing a Tiara over her forehead. Stashia nodded to the curious revellers, all staring at her from behind their different masks. "Continue," she said in a coy voice. She was met midway down the stairwell by Chaos. By the menacing expression on his face she could tell that he wasn't impressed to see her there at his masquerade.

"And just what the hell," he growled. "do you think you're doing here, Stashia? You decide to cut into the games of my Court, and now you have the nerve to show up to my celebration--uninvited at that."

She gave him a mock sour face. "Isn't it obvious, Chaos? I'm the Princess of the Masquerade."

Judging by the reaction on Chaos' face, she might as well have slapped him. "I must have consumed far too much champagne already," he muttered, shaking his head. "What was that you so innocently said, Stashia?"

"I said I'm the Princess of the Masquerade," she answered, brushing past him. "Now if you please, step aside."

He growled as she deliberately bumped past his shoulder. She continued to saunter down the stairs, throwing one last coy glance in his direction. When this was all over, he'd have some choice words to say to her. The Elven Court of Chaos was no more push-over force.

And then a smile found its way onto his face. "Alright then," he said, watching Stashia become lost in the sea of masks and dances. "If that's the way you want to play, then by all means let's play dirty."

She laughed at watching the Elven lord of Chaos and the Senshi called her cross unfriendly paths. If not for her, would have never found entry before being detected by the rest of the Court.

Shadows of the surrounding archways moved around her, the folds of her silken dress. The crimson eyemask was moved away from her face, lights of the surrounding illusionary realm reflecting off the gold decorating her hair.

She could sense something changing in the air tonight. And if she were careful enough, it would be something she could take advantage of. Something to use to exact her revenge against the Senshi, against everyone.

Carnage faded back into the shadows of the archways, chuckling to herself. "Hai, Chaos. Play your little games. They'll all come to an end soon enough."

* * *

Determination etched onto his face, Ruckus made his way across the ballroom, dressed and looking like Tuxedo Kamen. His eyes searched for what his aura already knew, and there he spotted his goal. Like a pearl among countless oysters, the brightest shining star in the night, Princess Serenity stood to the side of the room anxiously awaiting Mamoru's return. Ruckus smiled and straightened himself, and then with the majesty of a king made his way towards Usagi.

Without a word Tuxedo Ruckus (grin) took Usagi's hand and led her towards the ballroom floor. With elegant grace he immediately stepped into a waltz, leading Mamoru's princess through the ancient art of dance.

Usagi was fascinated, she enjoyed that fabulous instant for a second...but a question was spinning inside her mind and she needed to know the answer.

"Why did you leave so mysteriously?" Usagi asked.

Ruckus put on his well practiced and mastered smile of pure love and affection.

Ruckus (In Mamoru's voice): "Something was nagging me at the back of my mind, but it turned out to be nothing. But let's not think about that now..."

Their eyes met, and with her guard down the ancient elven magik worked its way into her subconscience, melting away her curiosity and enforcing her feelings for Tuxedo Kamen. The couple seemed to radiate pure joy and happiness, Ruckus rather enjoyed the moment and his happiness was not the normal fabrication. He swore to himself that he had never seen a more beautiful woman, though he knew better. Couples all around stood for a moment to admire the dancing duo with aloft looks in their eyes. Ruckus smiled to himself thinking, 'This could hardly get any better!' Then he was admittedly corrected, for the music lost its pace and slowed to a romantic duet. Ruckus pulled Usagi closer as he knew Mamoru surely would have. He looked down into her eyes with a warm smile.

Ruckus: "The heavens themselves could not produce beauty as great as yours."

The music was like a gentle stream pushing the two towards some magnificent destination, an idea was already forming in his mind.

Usagi blushed lightly. She could just feel her heart beating with her emotions, and a deep love within her soul. The instant was so romantic for her, the music was like an eternal marvelous melody to her ears and she could say she was flying instead of just dancing. She smiled sweetly for who she thought was the one she loved.

"Mamo-chan..." she surrounded as she closed her eyes and put her head in his shoulder for a short moment. Nothing else mattered, everything was a dream she never wanted to wake up, and that masquerade that could have been a trap, had been transformed in the most pleasant of moments.

Usagi opened her eyes again and lifted her head, looking up to his eyes.

"I'm so happy..." she softly said.

Ruckus looked down and smiled warmly, "Me too my Usako.." He was suddenly glad he had overheard Mamoru say his special name for her earlier. Ruckus couldn't believe her blushing made her even more beautiful, he sighed inwardly knowing all to well that her love wasn't actually for him. That had only happened once before, when the feeling was mutual, and that girl had hurt him and his brother bad. Ruckus mentally shuddered and refocused himself back on Usagi. Her curled figure made him smile again, and he ran his gloved hand through her hair gently, he couldn't resist the urge. Ruckus mentally checked with his brother, knowing the time for pleasantries would be over soon enough.

* * *

Ami had finished crying a long time ago, and was lying on her back, legs through the balcony. Her mask was sitting on her chest, which slowly moved up and down with each breath.

It was wonderful, lying there, thinking about nothing but eternal blue, as far as her eyes could see...Her adventure with Yaten and conversation with Mayhem made two things very clear in her scientific mind.

1)She shouldn't have come to the ball in the first place

2) It was becoming more and more clear that men were not interested in Ami as a whole person. It was either her mind, her body, her powers, but never as...a whole woman, who was yearning for that side of affection and love.

Finally, Ami had an audible thought on her lips.

"This is bull. I didn't need to be here, and I still don't need to be here. So," she said, drawing her legs out, and swinging into a kneeling position. She pulled her bag of arrows and her bow back on her shoulder, and re-tied her mask. "I'm leaving."

With that, Ami marched up the archway's stairs.

By the time she reached the stop, she heard a voice pleading with Hotaru. She peeked into the room, to see a strange man tying Hotaru up to a bed post. Hotaru was giggling like a maniac...Or she was manacialy giggling, it was hard to say.

Ami rushed into the room, and pushed the guy away. "What do you think you're doing?! What have you done to Hotaru?"

The guy tried to stutter out an answer, as Ami thought:

~This guy's a tad weird, tying up young girls...unless he's not a guy...what if he's an enemy?~

Ami narrowed her eyes behind her mask, and told the man to back off as she went foward to untie Hotaru.

"Uh," Michael started, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I don't know what these elves Mamoru keeps talking about put in the punch, but it's already killed a house plant, and turned her into some sort of psycho." Michael counted down the five seconds for what he said to register with Ami.

"Five...four...three...two...one."

Ami had untied only one of Hotaru's ankles, as she stood and gave the man a look. "And how do you know Mamoru, may I ask? Or maybe what your name is first."

"FORGET his name, UN-TIE ME!!"

"Hotaru, you ARE well...right?"

Hotaru threw her head back, and promptly whacked it hard on the bed post. After swearing out her pain that made Ami blush, she shouted, "What does it matter, woman! Un-tie me, and I'll take you under my wings, the wings of the Great Hotaru, we'll rule together!! You, me, and the world makes three! MWA HA HA HA HA HA!!"

Ami took a step back in disbelief. "Just WHAT the heck has gotten into you?"

"Some punch, I believe," said the stranger.

Ami turned to face him, assessing options and data in her mind set. The way life was going lately, this might be another Elven game or...something else altogether.

Either way, she had to get Hotaru back to the Outers. She assumed they were here, since Hotaru wouldn't go to a party this late by herself.

Ami took up a defensive stance. "I'm taking Hotaru with me to find my friends. Don't you try anything silly." She began to untie the other ankle.

"Um....if you're looking for Setsuna, I think she's ditched me."

Michael knew he said something he shouldn't have as Ami spun around to give that weird stare again.

"Hoo boy, um...my name is Michael and I'm a friend of Mamoru's. Something really weird happened to Hotaru here after she drank the punch...it killed a house plant...and I think it's a really bad idea to let her loose before it runs out of her system."

"A friend of Mamoru's? Oh, really..." Ami paused again, as Hotaru giggled, commanding her to hurry up. ~I'll have to check this out with Mamoru later...but...Michael said that Hotaru is acting...rather weird...~

"HURRY UP, YOU FOOL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!"

That did it. "Hotaru-chan, hush!" Ami bent down to re-tie the linens, commenting to Michael, "I'm trusting you on Mamoru's behalf. Maybe we can find out what's in that punch-"

Suddenly, with a unusual strength that DEFINITELY wasn't Hotaru's, she pulled away at her wrists, and ripped the fabric in strips.

Ami stepped back in surprise, as Michael cried, "Great, she's lose again!"

With a high-pitch squeal, Hotaru tore out of the room, Michael barreling after her. She quickly shut the door behind her. Ami cried out in shock as Michael slammed face-first into the door.

"Michael!"

"Ouch..."

* * *

Among the sea of infinite smiles, there was one that stood out. The small ebony mask she hid her black pearl eyes with couldn't hide that fact that she was bored. The mild amusement about finally being in a proper game like old times had worn off quickly. But Carnage still felt good.

"Almost a change." She thought aloud, although no one could have heard her. A smile crossed her lips. Of course, the little things that she'd done to make tonight just a little more special still would entertain her for a while yet. Who ever drank the punch would get a surprise. But she ached to get her claws into something. Anything. She and Chaos rarely agreed on what a game should be like, but her ideal game had action, not mind-numbing pleasantries. She sighed. A flicker of motion caught her eye.

There she was. In a long black dress, Kino Makoto stood, smiling and laughing with her friends. An aged old anger formed in her chest. She hated having her games, deadly though they tended to be, interrupted...and here was her prey, not but 20 feet away. Carnage began walking towards her stealthily. So intent was she that she didn't notice a man walking towards her. He bowled her over like she wasn't there at all. Carnage was almost surprised at his appearance, with his deathly pale face, long golden hair, and arrogant smile. "And who the hell are you?" she snarled.

"Perhaps I should be asking you the same question." He took her hand gently and kissed it, only to have it pulled away forcefully by Carnage.

"I am Lestat." He said simply, running his fingers through his long wavy hair. "Would you care to dance...."

He stopped short, realizing he didn't ask her name. "I'm afraid I didn't catch your name."

Dancing. That was the last thing on her mind right now. She looked over to where Makoto was still standing with Chaos. Lestat caught her attention by clearing his throat.

"My name is Lady Carnage." She stated quickly. He seemed mildly amused by that, chuckling under his breath.

"What's so funny about that?" She growled, unsheathing the claws on her right hand. She paused, forcing herself to relax. The was neither the time or the place. Chaos wouldn't forgive her if she messed up his first game in three millennia. She crossed her arms, "Well?"

Lestat raised his eyebrows, and created a half smile with his face. He adjusted his collar before he spoke. "I assume I should take that as a yes."

He took her hand, and with a twirl led her on to the dance floor. He gracefully led the dance, despite the silent protest of Carnage. He stared at her, trying to figure out her mystery. Surely, he could almost see through her...but there was something about her....something so enigmatically beautiful....he had to know more about her.

"Well, my dear Lady Carnage. Tell me a little about yourself. Your existence intrigues me." Lestat smiled a vicious smile.

Carnage swallowed. Why was this man being so pleasant? She could feel her defences slipping. He was doing something to her. His pale blue eyes hardened. He must have not expected her find out so soon. But living with Riot and Ruckus and being the only intelligent female Elven available had taught her a fair bit about the ways of amorous men.

"Then let this intrigue you more!" She snarled, braking his grip and disappearing from view.

* * *

Shaking his head he returned back to the main ballroom. The entire night was turning into one big fiasco in his mind; he'd spent the best hours wandering aimlessly around the dancers and masks and doing essentially nothing. Those strangers skulking around in the crowd, and that mysterious woman who had confronted Setsuna did nothing but get him anxious and want to use his weapon.

"Now if Stashia would only show up this night would be complete," he muttered darkly. Why was he finding tonight so boring? Was there actually nothing for him to do?

On the other hand, he'd have to discuss in private with Chaos that little matter of why Hotaru was running around in a fit of crazed delusions. She was the one who could be his rival, and on tonight of all nights she wasn't even in her right mind to challenge his powers.A ripple of some sort of magik brushed past him, soft and quiet almost like a daydream. Except this magik causes his hairs to stand on end. The air was chilled, a sudden gust playing with the folds of his suit.

Havoc stiffened. "Na...ni?"

Fingers gripped his cane, the enormous sword blade emerging seconds later. As abrupt as he had sensed the magik it was gone yet not without a lasting chill in his entire body. The corridor in front and in behind were totally empty, but the source had been closeby regardless. Had he been in the ballroom Havoc suspected he would have never even felt that magik stirring.

He crouched low and then sprang from the floor, bounding effortlessly across the air and ricocheting off archways, ceilings, pillars, walls and floors. With one last vault into the expansive ceilings above Havoc landed at the doorway of an antechamber.

Distant din of the laughter and music of Chaos' masquerade echoed off the walls. Rows of fountains lined this pavilion of sorts. At the end of the pathways cobblestone became field grasses; he paused in catching sight of an elusive illusionary unicorn galloping in the corner of his vision.

It wasn't the unicorn he was interested in.

Havoc placed a hand upon one of the fountain rims, reaching out with his own magik. "No residuals," he remarked. Whatever had been here seemed to possess a power to wipe clean any traces of its existence.

Magik as strong as the one he had sensed would always leave some trace or aura behind. But not this one.He took a step back, pivoting about to study this antechamber. What was so important about this place? Why had he shivered moments ago when this chamber didn't even appear to be the source?

Havoc froze as the heel of his boot moved back and brushed against something. Slowly he turned around, brushing aside his bangs of blonde hair. Lying of the floor was the twisted remains of a human man.

"Kuso," he swore, kneeling down and laying the Blade to rest on the cobblestone floor. A dry and lifeless corpse was sprawled out before him. The man's eyes had been removed, yet with incredibly dark precision. No excessive blood and as far as he could tell. Hell, there was no blood, period--in the corpse or around it.

"Chaos is not going to like this in the slightest," he muttered. Abruptly an evil smile appeared on his face. Finally he might get a chance to actually fight someone...or something. His hand reached for the shaft of his Zanba sword as he sensed another presence. And whoever it was knew magik; their aura, no matter how carefully hidden in the archways above, was unmistakable. Havoc glanced up as someone dropped down from above, landing a few steps away from the corpse. Inquisitive if not cynical eyes of gray looked first to him and then down the body.

"Don't say a word, Mayhem," he stated icily, rising to his feet. "I didn't do this. But I guarantee you I'm going to have my own fun when I find out who did."

* * *

From its sheath came forth a magnificent sword, the golden hilt fully decorated with an assortment of expensive jewels that made it glimmer and catch the eye. The silver blade had ancient runes carved into the base, kept clean and polished so well it reflected like a mirror. The craftsmanship of the rapier sword was incomparable; its price would be beyond affordable to even the richest of men. Riot grinned, noticing the look on Mamoru's face.

"Like my sword, eh?" Riot grinned. Mamoru smirked a little at the elven ego. Have they ever heard of the word, "moderation"?

"Its nice, where'd you steal it?"

Riot suddenly frowned as if he was extremely unhappy with Mamoru, but then flashed a coy smile.

"It was a ... gift, from the former elven lord before I took his place."

Mamoru cursed himself for trying to antagonize the elf, while for the moment he did not think much of the elf, he didn't want to chance it.

"Why have you brought me here?"

Riot only smiled, raising the sword to his face and slashing away and down in the respectable manner before every duel. He then raised the sword in Mamoru's direction with obviously malicious intent.

"Shall we?"

"Why not? I have a few minutes before Usagi notices I'm missing. Let's rumble!"

Riot stood up from his battle stance and looked around curiously. "My cousin? Where?" He ducked just in time as Mamoru's cane swept over his head. Riot turned back to his opponent and shook one finger at him in the 'naughty naughty' manner. Raising his rapier again Riot leaped into the air and flew towards Tuxedo Kamen. Sword and cane clashed, sparks leapt to the right and left. Mamoru was stronger, but Riot was faster and so the battle continued. For the first part neither magic nor razor tipped roses were a part of the fight, each warrior used his skills and mind to defeat the other.

"If you were half as good as you keep bragging, you'd have cleaned the floor with me by now. What's the matter? Old age catching up with you?"

Riot smiled and preformed an ancient parrying technique that Mamoru had never seen, and with graceful ease Riot disarmed Mamoru.

"Are you so sure of that?" Mamoru slowly turned around.

"Looks like you got me." Riot cocked an eyebrow at this, but then smiled, shrugging the surprise off. "I was hoping you'd be more of a challenge, but what more could I expect from a simple human?"

Riot raised his sword to deliver the final blow when Mamoru turned quickly back around to throw a razor tipped rose at Riot. He quickly dodged to the side as the rose whipped past, catching a piece of hair and taking it along for the ride. Mamoru took advantage of the moment to grab for his cane. Riot put a hand to his head to realize he had lost a lock of hair to the rose. His wintry blue eyes became blood red and he flashed an evil look back at Mamoru.

"You did not just give me a hair cut!" Mamoru stepped back into a battle stance. "You really should stop living in denial." Blue lightning energy crackled around Riot's sword as he pointed it menacingly in Mamoru's direction.

"This is bad." Mamoru was sweating. While he was lasting longer than he had against Hysteria, it would only be a matter of time before his endurance runs out.

Riot swung the sword around while shouting, "WINDS COURAGE!" A gust of wind flew towards Mamoru, blue lightning arching across it. Placing all his energy in a new attack he was working on, Mamoru charged a rose with magical energy and threw it at Riot.

The two magics collided, but Mamoru's wasn't powerful enough and a patch of wind knocked Mamoru on his behind. Riot inwardly sighed, glad he didn't use full power, Chaos would not be happy if Riot had killed one of his guests so early on. Mamoru stood up and rubbed his sore rear, he had underestimated the elf's powers. Riot was sure Mamoru was worried, but if he was, he showed no sign of it.

"You fight well Mamoru, but not well enough. Perhaps I can give you an incentive; you care very much for Usagi yes? Well then I hope for her sake you put a little more effort into your fighting, ne?"

Mamoru suddenly straightened at the mention of Usagi and hatred reared its ugly head. In this case, it was Mamoru's cute face, except it looked like he was ready to kill. Riot only smiled thinking 'maybe he'll put up a good fight after all'.

Mamoru did not sense Usagi was in trouble like he normally does, but he was not going to chance it with that Tuxedo Kamen look a like running around.

* * *

Airashii widened her eyes as she regarded the girl in front of her. She absolutely knew her from somewhere...in her past. The look in Shinrai's eyes told Airashii that she recognized her too.

"It's been a while since we've met," Airashii said quietly. Her lips curved in a slight smile. "You're one of the imfamous Ancient Senshi, am I right?"

"Yes. I am Sailor Decrescent Light." Shinrai smiled warmly. She hasn't met with any other person from her past, not until then. "So, Sailor Illuminessence, I didn't imagine you were alive, too."

Shinrai looked momentary to the great Ballroom. Sadness in her gaze could be appreciated.

"At least they didn't try some of their dangerous games until now…I mean, the Elves" Shinrai took out her transformation pen and observed it silently, remembering the battles a long time ago.

"I've also felt other Auras here. Dangerous and powerful auras…but we must do nothing, just observe…" Shinrai was almost talking to herself, stopping her from doing stupid things like attacking the elves, although she felt urge to.

"Have you met the Princess of the Silver Age?" Shinrai changed the subject.

* * *

Mayhem took one last look into the pool. The name was still on his lips. Ami. He reached inside his formal Elven robes and withdrew his tarot cards. He held them up to the moonlight and whispered.

"Show me Ami."

A card slowly rose out of the deck of its own accord. Mayhems fingers hesitated before he took it out of the deck completely. It was the Elven Huntress, though it now looked like Ami, complete with her cute Robin Hood costume and quiver of arrows. Mayhem looked at the card and knew how he had gone wrong. Ami, the Huntress, was independant, brave, wise with the age of the moon itself. But what she hunted for was love.

Mayhem had approched her inproperly, and now she would always treat him as an enemy. But there was hope. If he could summon a positive counter sign, there could be a chance.

"Show me the Counter of Huntress"

The card rose. Suddenly a shock, like a cold wave of power stuck him from behind. The cards flew out of his hands.

"No." He cried silently as his cards scattered.

Mayhem gasped as his cards flew away. His silver-grey eyes were full of shock and sadness. He reached out his hand, quietly calling the deck back to himself. He put the tarot cards back in his robes, upset that

he had been so clumsy. They wouldn't give give him an accurate reading now. But about that feeling. Mayhem looked back towards the ballroom where the music and action had stopped.

"Whirlpool Portal." He said, waving his hand. He had to get to Chaos quickly, he knew this was not a part of the Playking's game.

A small drop of water appeared, spinning and growing, until that was a large whirling pool of water. He walked though, even though he disliked the sensation of the instant teleportation. But it was the fastest way to find Chaos, particularly if he was hiding somewhere.

* * *

Yaten sat slumped over at a bar, in a unknown part of the ball, staring at nothing. He racked his brains for a reason on why he had upset Amy.

"Goddammit...Why the hell do I have to be so insensitive?!", He asked himself over and over again. He wanted to say he was sorry, but it seemed that she had left him for whatever-his-name-was. A shadowy figure approached him from the opposite side of the bar.

"Ah...another broken heart it seems...A lot of that's been going around here.", The bartender laughed and shook his head sadly, handing Yaten a glass of punch.

"Here. This'll help you feel better..." Yaten looked at the glass with cynical emerald green eyes.

"How the hell is a drink gonna help?! I've seen all of my loved ones leave, for one reason or another...", The bartender nodded and winked at Yaten. Then his face grew serious.

"It might be poisoned..." He warned.

Yaten looked at the glass again. "Good. Poison: The ultimate cure for heart aches..." Yaten said wryly and drank the punch in one gulp, closing his eyes.

In his mind, he saw a happy family: A father, a mother, and three children. One of them, a girl, had bright green eyes and silver hair. Yaten recognized the child immediately as himself. She played happily on the star Healer until Queen Metallia attacked. Teen Yaten watched in horror as he was forced to relive the deaths of his twin brother and sister, his father, and finally his mother as she sacrificed her life to safe Yaten's. He watched the younger version of himself, sitting there, crying. He watched as the child, age 5 then, picked up her father's sword and prepared herself for her supposed demise, wishing fervently to be back with her family.

A tear rolled down Yaten's cheek as he recalled that day. Coming to his senses, he realized that he hadn't drunk poison. He was about to kill the bartender, but no one was around. Yaten wiped away the tears and sniffed. He really wanted this relationship with Amy to work, but if he couldn't be with a loved one in this life, then he would be with the ones in the afterlife. He looked at his winged henshin and nodded. He knew what he had to do.

In the main hall, senshi, elvens and shadow demons alike danced to the music. A shadowy figure looked on from a balcony, and slowly stepped out into the light. Emerald green eyes with a psychotic glow appeared as a black leather clad feminine figure emerged from the shadows.

Sailor Star Healer stared down at them, hoping that the acoustics were good enough to carry her request throughout the ballroom. "Attention, all of you!" he shouted to all the creatures in the room.

Seiya and Taiki glanced up at her and gave each other a worried glance.

"I am Yaten Kou, the princess of Healer," she continued in her darkest tone. "I challenge all of you to fight me to the death... That is, if any of you think you're strong enough to face me..." She stared down at them with a psychotic look in her eyes.

"Soon, mother, I will rejoin you...", She thought to herself.

Healer glared down at the crowd, who stared at her as if she had gone insane.

Silence.

She frowned and ripped a sword from it's place as a wall decoration and lept down, slashing away at the flora and causing them to nearly crash into the masked dancers. She continued her mad dash throughout the room, leaving destruction behind in her wake.

* * *

Chaos laughed, glancing over at Makoto. "Strange, my dear. I cannot help but wonder if we've met before. You seem so familiar--and yet yours is a face I certainly would not make a habit of forgetting."

Something was nagging at the back of his mind, not only with Makoto but with Minako as well. Certainly he had met Minako and that Usagi girl--who if he was right was now dancing somewhere with Ruckus--before, but then why did he almost recognize this tall brunette?

Chaos shrugged it off. "Ne, Mako-chan, would you ojbect if I asked you to dance with--"

"I am Yaten Kou, the princess of Healer."

He stiffened as a new voice caused the music and masqueraders to go silent. "Stashia," he growled, turning around. Jade green eyes widened

in surprise to see Sailor Star Healer standing atop the balcony, glaring down at the crowds.

"Yaten," he heard Minako whisper.

Chaos scowled. "Is it too much to ask for me to throw a party to end all parties, and have only me being the one to end the party?"

"I challenge all of you to fight me to the death...that is, if any of you think you're strong enough to face me," Healer stated.

Chaos glanced around the room. Ruckus was still somewhere with Usagi; Riot was probably taking on Mamoru then. Mayhem and Havoc were nowhere in sight. He could only guess where Rampage had disappeared to, and he knew Carnage would only sit back and watch with an evil smile on her face. And as for Hysteria...well, he was on his own for the moment. He turned and bowed slightly to Makoto and Minako, the mask of living oceans slipped back over his face. "Gomen nasai," he stated. "It would appear I have other unexpected business to attend to right now."

A heartbeat later he threw his cloak between himself and the two young ladies, as the rippling silken darkness dropped, the Elven lord had already vanished.

* * *

Meanwhile, the crazy Hotaru had made her way back to ball in time to hear Healer's challenge...

She stopped in the middle of the room, spotting a pair of unmistakable purple eyes.

Hotaru...

Sailor Saturn....

The Senshi of Death....

It was perfect!! Hotaru, especially now would not pass up the chance for a fight.

The Masqueraders stepped back, making a path between Sailor Star Healer and Hotaru.

"Firefly...I challenge you and only you to a fight to the finish!!!", Her voice boomed throughout room.

"Hold," came an even voice.

Out from the rows of masks and suits and dresses emerged the host of this gala event. The black cloak rippled as it was released from his shoulders and drifted to the floor. The dark tuxedo jacket was also removed to reveal an elegant white dress-shirt, the ancient Elven runes of "CHAOS" marked in crimson upon the back. Finally, his fingers moved up and grasped the edges of a living ocean and pulled it away to reveal emerald green eyes narrowed at Healer.

Lord Chaos released the mask, the living oceans floating leisurely into the air. With a gesture of his hand, a crystal illusion appeared in his palm.

"This is my masquerade and thus my affair," Chaos stated darkly. "If you want to disrupt it and tangle with someone, then you tangle with me, your gracious host."

He grinned for a moment. "I was unaware there were more Sailor Senshi my Court had to contend with. Are you game, my mysterious sold--?"

Seconds later Chaos abruptly found himself sprawled face-first across the floor, and sporting small footprints over his back. His eyebrow twitched as he peeled himself off the ground to stare at a fully transformed Sailor Saturn racing hellbent for...well, he could only assume it to be that Healer Senshi.

"I WILL BE THE RULER OF THIS BALL!!!" Saturn exclaimed, waving her glaive.

Chaos rubbed his temples, feeling a sudden headache coming on. "Just what is it about tonight anyways?" he muttered. "Everyone’s stealing my thunder. Now what’s the fun in that?!"

* * *

Mamoru decided to take the initiative and leaped to the side and rebounded off a wall to fly towards Riot with his cane outstretched, ready to cleave him in half. Riot casually stood there as pink cherry blossoms began to swirl around him ever so delicately. At the very last moment, Riot snapped his fingers. Mamoru stroke at empty space and hit the ground, rolling into a crouching stance as he surveyed the room for his opponent.

An amused chuckle assaulted his ears as he strained to decipher the direction in which it came from. Riot stepped out of the shadows, seeming to appear from nowhere. He spoke in a grave tone, despite the humor he felt. "You are a worthy adversary Tuxedo Kamen, but I'm afraid the time for games is over."

Lowering himself into a crane-like crouch, Riot prepared to launch yet another attack on Mamoru. His muscles visibly tensed as he was about to move, and then he paused for just the slightest second. After a quick communication with his brother Riot stood up and bowed in Mamoru's direction, saying "My apologies Mamoru, but I have business to attend, we should do this again some time! Ja ne!"

And just like that, with a snap of his fingers, he was gone.

"Damn! Where'd he go......oh, no! I left everyone back at the ballroom!" Tuxedo Kamen got up and raced out the door, trying to retrace his steps back to the ballroom where he left Usagi, Michael, and the others.

* * *

After a burst of strength, Michael threw the door open, and shouted, "HA!". In a second, the door slammed on the outside wall, and then quickly raced back to whack Michael in the face. Michael collapsed on the floor, dazed, before Ami helped him up.

This time, the door was kicked down by the two, and with another cry of, "Ha!" they raced in towards the grand hall.

"So, you think Setsuna might be able to cure Hotaru?" asked Michael as he ran.

"I don't know, but the sooner we get her to the Outers, the better. They would probably know what's going on. Speaking of Setsuna, where did you leave her last?"

"ME?! I didn't leave her anywhere! She left me in the lurch and I've been chasing Hotaru all night!" They turned a corner.

"I guess I was playing baby-sitter!" Michael continued. "All I know is that the punch is tainted, and Hotaru is showing symptoms of meglomania or something."

Ami was about to reply, when then ran into Tuxedo Kamen, coming down another hallway. "Look out!" she cried, but Michael and Tuxedo Kamen slammed into each other.

"Oh, kami-sama..." She said, holding a hand to her head.

Michael was helping Tuxedo Kamen up. He pushed his glasses up on his face, and asked, "You okay, Mamoru?"

"Never mind me, I have to get to Usako!" shouted Tuxedo Kamen quickly.

"Usagi-chan?" repeated Ami. "Whatever for?"

"I think the elves are playing a game with her."

"What?!" said Michael and Ami together.

The three busted into the hall to see a deranged Sailor Saturn whipping her Glaive around like nobody's buisness. Most of the crowd of masked guests had moved away from the two in the center of the

floor, as Ami saw through her mask that Saturn was fighting...

"YATEN?!"

"STAR-HEALER?!" exclaimed Tuxedo Kamen. He shook his head. "This is nuts. Why..."

"I'm telling you, it's whatever in that punch at the buffet table and the bar. It's almost the only thing to drink around here," said Michael.

"How come others aren't affected?"

"No one's been drinking or eating anything yet, just dancing and mingling."

"Well, you two handle that. I have to find Usako."

Michael turned to Tuxedo Kamen. "What am *I* supposed to do? Tackle her? She'll cut me to ribbons, no pun intended."

"Look, Mamoru, I'll take Saturn, Michael can grab Healer for me. Agreed? I'll see if the Inners can't pick up on my cue."

"That's fine, Ami, just you guys better do it fast!"

With that Tux, made his way through the crowd. Michael turned to the masked Robin Hood look-alike. "You're Ami? Sailor Mercury?"

"No time to talk small stuff...NOW!" With that, Ami raced into the circle.

* * *

Ruckus was enjoying the moment, but he was also unhappy about the many people attempting to interfere with his game. But it did not matter so much, Chaos would handle it, and Riot would be there soon enough, and as for now, the little princess was hanging on his every word like it was prophecy. Despite the loss of music and the stilled crowd, Usagi continued to look into Ruckus' eyes. The elven magik did its job, holding Usagi spell bound as if there was no tomorrow. Usagi sighed happily, the music was so perfect, maybe too perfect. Nothing around her seemed to matter, Mamoru was her world and she was his, she could not remember a happier time in her life, thanks to the magiks.

Ruckus knew his brother would be there soon enough, to rid him of the distractions that threatened to break his hold on Usagi. He smiled nonetheless, the ancient magiks were deep within her mind, holding with a strong grasp, unwilling to let her think of anything else. Ruckus knew the time was now, and he manipulated the magiks to work accordingly. The world around them seemed to shrink away into monochrome nothingness. The music was still there, yet it was an afterthought of a previous time.

Usagi gasped as she now noticed Tuxedo Kamen, her Mamoru, even more, if that was at all possible. Pure love and affection seemed to radiate from Ruckus like sunshine, warming her skin to his touch. Everything was perfect, like a fairy tale, but even better somehow. The moment was now, Ruckus knew the magiks were working at their highest peak, and no doubt Usagi was at his mercy. Ever so gently, Tuxedo Ruckus took Usagi's face in his hand and raised her to look into his eyes. He spoke elegantly, his voice like music, pleasing Usagi's ears. "I love you with all my heart, my Usako." And then it happened, Ruckus leaned forward and kissed Usagi gently on the lips. The magiks worked its way through his lips and onto hers. She sighed deeply, his kiss was as soft as cherry blossoms, or the petals of a rose. Yet at the same time burned with a passion she knew all too well. This was like no kiss she knew of before, and she knew the kisses shared between two people whom shared each other's soul. It was ten times the power, the passion, and the mystery of it all. The magik pushed the kiss into her subconscience, into her most cherished memories. Ruckus made sure the kiss would never, ever be forgotten, and with that kiss he implanted a subtle image of himself, tucked away deeply for a later date when he knew he might need to call upon her memory of this moment.

At that very moment, Mamoru had made his way back into the ballroom looking for Usagi. His brisk pace was evidence enough for the worrying feelings he felt, he simply *had* to find Usagi fast. He stopped for a moment to look in the direction he was sure she was, and thats when he saw it. His face vaulted as he saw the Tuxedo Kamen look alike kissing his princess, in the way only he kissed her.

The kiss was an eternal kiss, the kind that lasted forever, yet ended. Ruckus pulled away from Usagi, drifting backwards while his eyes transmitted the magik to put the final touches on her experience. Her heart pounded, she felt feverish, but that did not last. Mamoru stepped forward quickly to catch the doppelganger but was at lost when the Tuxedo Kamen look alike seemed to disappear in the crowd. Mamoru turned to Usagi, looking into her eyes. "Are you alright, Usagi?" Usagi didn't even hear him, she was in a dream like state that had her head spinning. Mamoru shook her gently, a worried look on his face. Usagi finally snapped back into reality, looking up to Mamoru she smiled like he had done something for her that she would never forget. Somewhere in the distance Ruckus smiled, "For now she will thank you for that moment, but when I show up again, it will be to collect my dues."

* * *

Makoto turned to Minako.

"Now that was weird. Who was that guy. Something seemed . . .strange about him."

Minako looks at back at Makoto.

"You know something, you're right, but what could it be? I thought he was a normal guy who entered our High, but who is he really?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe we better go keep an eye on him."

"I have to agree with you on that Makoto."

* * *

Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Saturn were circling each other, both with crazed sparks in their eyes and quite ready to spill blood across an otherwise spotless dance floor. That would no doubt raise hell with the cleaning. Chaos rubbed his head, staring with piqued interest at the ensuing melee. "Na ni?" he muttered in picking himself off the floor. "I could have sworn it was supposed to be Sailor Senshi against my Elven Court. Is there a civil war I wasn't notified about?"

Gentle cherry blossoms abruptly rained down next to Chaos and then seemed to collide together to form two living beings of some sort. Out from the swirling mass erupted Riot and Ruckus, their sandy blonde hair whipping around their faces, their wintry eyes staring intently on the psychotic sailor senshi.

Riot snapped, and his tux disappeared to be replaced by a white jumpsuit, decorated with wintry blue runes indicating the sign of 'Riot', the disorder and chaos ensued by the confusion of emotions. Simultaneously, Ruckus snapped his fingers, and his tux disappeared to be replaced by a similar black jumpsuit. Along the back and front were similar runes denoting the spirit of 'Ruckus', the disturbance of tranquility. Without flinching a bit Riot looked over at his fellow elven lord, resting his hand on the hilt of his ornate sword.

"You look like you could use a friend..." Riot stated ever so casually as he glanced in the direction of the sailor senshi and then back to Chaos.

Offering Chaos his help was dangerous and brave all at once. The elven lord of illusions would either reject them for suggesting that he would need help, or casually laugh it up and accept. Riot and Ruckus remained calm as they awaited Chaos' reaction.

Chaos nodded, getting back up. "What I think I need right now is a SWAT team," he remarked, loosening the cuffs on his dress shirt. "I was here flirting a few cute ladies and the next thing I know I'm a spectator." One of his eyebrows raised up as he caught a familiar scent from Ruckus. "Now which lady's perfume is that, Ruckus?"

"I'm not one to exclusively kiss and tell," Ruckus replied evenly, an enigmatic smile never leaving his face.

"Always the lady-killer," Riot said. "So tell me: what do you intend to do about those two?"

Chaos shrugged. "It would seem almost insulting to get involved in a game that really doesn't include us in the first place. However I'm not about to let this interfere with my ball tonight; when it gets out of hand can I trust you both to behave and try to soothe those two while I work crowd control?"

"C'mon, Firefly, I *know* you can do better than that. Or maybe you're not REALLY cut out to be a Sailor Senshi!" taunted Healer, thrusting at Saturn with the sword she had aquirred.

Riot raised an eyebrow at that. "I don't exactly think soothe is quite the appropriate word to use, Chaos."

Ruckus nodded. "Indeed. Sedation would be more like it. But what exactly would cause two Sailor Senshi to go rather ballistic in such a violent...manner...?"

All three Elven turned to each other.

"Carnage," they chorused.

Chaos rolled his eyes. "Note to self," he said, producing a crystal illusion. "Next time we throw a party ensure *before* the guests arrive that the punch has not been spiked."

He released the illusion, the orb hovering at first and then making its way leisurely across the crowds. Once it located the tainted food and drink, everything would be balanced once more. Though he had to give Carnage credit for making the gala more interesting than expected; Chaos made a mental note not to snap at her too harshly.

"I'M GOING TO RULE THE..." Saturn exclaimed once more.

"Yeah, yeah, the world, I know!" Healer snapped. "But y'see, shrimps can't run the world. You have to be over 5 feet tall, and I hate to break it to you..." Yaten dodged a swipe from the Glaive. "...but you're too short. Guess you'll have to leave it to me, won't you?"

"SHIN'NE! YOU AREN'T EVEN ATTACKING, YOU COWARD!!" It was true, Yaten wanted to die, and join her family, but not dishonorably. An anger rose within her. "Coward?! ME?! STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!!"

Chaos was unable to keep from grinning. "Strange," he remarked. "I could have sworn that all-out pandemonium was scheduled tonight for around half past midnight, and here it's only eleven."

"An hour and a half ahead of schedule," Riot said.

Ruckus grinned. "Damn, are we good or what?"

Suddenly Michael and Ami burst through the crowds, barrelling down at Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Saturn. They screeched to a halt as Star Healer fired her attack. Thanks to the almost adrenaline effect of the punch, Saturn dodged the attack.

"Oh, crap!" Pushing Ami out of the way, Michael barely had enough time to grab a silver tray from a nearby table and block the Star Sensitive Inferno.

"Think it'll actually work?" Riot inquired.

Ruckus shrugged. "Depends. How sturdy did you create those illusionary trays, Chaos?"

The shock nearly killed him and the impact carried Michael high into the air. While all this was happening, Ami managed to grab a vase and smash Saturn over the head with it.

Chaos winced. "Ouch. Havoc would have freaked if he had seen that happen to Saturn."

"Ooooooh!" As Saturn collapsed in a heap, Star Healer started to crash from the punch, and dropped to her knees. She got up and looked around. Where'd Michael go?

"A little help here!"

Ami slowly looked up...and nearly tripped over Saturn. Michael was sitting on top of the chandelier, in the middle of the Ballroom. He was grabbing the rope holding the Chandelier to the ceiling and sweating like the pig that knows he's dinner, praying it wouldn't break.

Just then, who should appear under the chandelier then Hell in a kimono herself. "WOW!! What a hunky guy-chan, swinging from Hysteria's kawaii 'lil chandelier-chan! Come to Hysteria!"

Below on the ground, Chaos, Riot and Ruckus all nearly cracked up in all-out laughter. Chaos ran his fingers through his ponytail. "The next few seconds should prove rather interesting."

As if on cue, the rope did break, and Michael leapt off of it towards Ami, and ended up smacking into her. Both tumbled down, as the crystal lamp headed down to Hysteria. "YAH!" she squeaked, and made a quick kawaii exit. The chandellier smashed on the marble floor into pieces.

Chaos gestured to Riot and Ruckus. "If you'll excuse me, now it's time to work my magik." With a snap of his fingers he suddenly appeared hovering over the crowds. His black suit and cloak had returned, and the mask of living oceans was upon his face.

The crowds grew silent once more, all attention now upon him. A hand reached up to the mask, fingers gripping the living waters and unveiling to the revellers the true nature of their host.

"Wasn't that simply spectacular?" he addressed the crowd. "I am your host tonight: his lordship Chaos, at your service. You all shall get to see what other games I have lined up for tonight, but for now, do dance and romance. I would expect nothing less in my masquerade."

He chose his final words, eyes scanning the crowds and locating a few familiar faces. A quick glance down at Saturn and Healer, and those two strangers who had intervened. He saw the odango-haired blonde with that Tuxedo Kamen character Riot & Ruckus had been playing with. He saw that woman who called herself Raithe. He caught the faint traces of that master of illusions, the Wanderer, still about in the shadows. And then his eyes caught sight of an elegant woman with long, wavy aqua-green hair.

"Everybody...have...fun."

Chaos' emerald green eyes seemed to glow as he watched over the crowd, his audience. The Elven aura of magik started to manifest itself around him. He stretched out his hands, in each open palm appeared a ball of fire and ice. With but a simple gesture the two opposing elements erupted into the air, hues of crimson and blue becoming the shapes of dragons that screeched and then collided. And in that explosive display of illusions, his lordship Chaos disappeared back into the crowds. As the magiks became mist and then clear air over the masqueraders, there was awed silence at the spectacle. What finally broke the stillness was clapping, slow and steady. Riot and Ruckus applauded.

"Always the show-off," Ruckus remarked.

Riot grinned. "Does that mean you've conceded defeat in trying to upstage him?"

Ruckus glanced around the ballroom as the entire crowd had now joined in thunderous applause and cheers. "Difficult, but then again we always did like a challenge, ne, brother?"

Riot nodded. "Most certainly."

Everyone else soon laughed while looking to see who had spoken, and applauded as Ami and Michael got to their feet. A few tossed quarters. Ami went over to attend to Saturn, while Michael cautiously pproached. Healer again.

While Ami over-looked Saturn, a girl's voice was heard over her head. "This girl is my responsibility, so do you mind telling me what's going on here?"

Ami turned, her sapphire mask glittering under the light reflections of the broken chandellier, and saw Michiru standing over, looking concerned.

"Michiru-san, it's me, Ami."

* * *

Mayhem watched the scene from his position on the balcony, his silver-grey eyes amusedly absorbing the actions of Lady Mercury and her bumbling male friend as they subdued the two crazy Senshi. He smiled slightly to himself, and clapped softly.

"Good show, My Huntress, good show."

Mayhem felt the shift of the Magiks before Hysteria appeared behind him.

She grabbed his arm with kawaii little tear-chans in her eyes, "Wah! Kawaii little hunk-chan that was swinging on the kawaii chandelier-chan tried to squash poor little Hysteria-chan!"

Mayhem sighed, "Baka baka." He rubbed his temples, "Hysteria do you know WHY the Senshi were acting like that?"

Hysteria grinned and nodded excitedly, "Hai! Hysteria-chan saw them drink kawaii little Carnage-chan's kawaii pink punch!"

Mayhem half-smiled, Hysteria was the only one who could ever get away with calling Carnage cute...mostly because Carnage didn't have the time to beat the stuffing out of her everytime she did.

"Her infamous party punch, huh? That had some very interesting effects at the last metting of the High Elven Court...of course, Elven Liquor has some strange effects on humans as well."

Hysteria grinned chichiri-like, "It's all so kawaii, ne? Ne?"

* * *

Upset that she had almost been fooled by that...voyeur, Carnage moved swiftly though the crowd to where she had seen Makoto. Chaos had moved away from them for some reason. She smiled, her pearl-black eyes narrowing. Makoto was known for her compassion and care for others feelings, so much so that she would fight to the death for them. Little did she know that fight to the death she would. Now, just to get the Senshi of Thunder to follow her.

Carnage relaxed, and prepared for a moment. Slowly she began to cry. Carnage allowed the hot tears to trickle down her face. Not many people knew that she had once been a fairly famous Elven actress before taking her Title. Her title had been the only that had kept her alive, while her Elven brothers and sisters died. But now these older skills would be just as effective as the ones she had learned before taking the training to become the next Lady Carnage.

She took a wavering breath and then ran forwards. Carnage let out a heartfelt sob as she burst between Minako and Makoto, shilding her face with her arm. She quickly ran out the room, her magiks triggering Makoto's kind heart and sympathy, while giving Minako the opposite reaction.

Makoto looked bewildered at the woman in front of her. Something seemed strange about her, but she oculdn't put her finger on it. One thing was for sure though, she definitively seemed upset about something.

"Um, are you alright? What's wrong?"

Carnage had to keep herself from smiling. She let out a heart-breaking sob.

"You ...you wouldn't understand!" She dashed away into one of the many corridors leading out of the main ball room, knowing that Makoto wouldn't stop following until she had an answer.

* * *

Lestat's eyes widened in surprise and disappointment. All he had wanted was a dance. He sighed, and continued to mingle, hoping to find some other gorgeous woman here. "Ah....well....the night is still young, I have things to do yet. Now....where is a voluptuous young woman when I need one...?"

He gazed around the room, and his eyes finally rested on Raithe. He was about to approach her, when he noticed she was looking straight at him. She did not look happy to see him alone. He studied her for a moment, and understood that she had been watching him dance with that woman, and then her leave in a tizzy. He found it hard usually to read her thoughts, but she must have wanted him to know she was disappointed. If not, she would have sent him a mental blast just for trying.

"Hmm....I wonder what her problem is."

* * *