Title: Flames Of Fury - Part I Author: Viper Inferno E-mail: viperdvman@hotmail.com Genre: Action Drama/Epic Rated: PG-13 Howdy Sailor Moon Fans. Welcome once again to the World of Y2V. I have another new fanfic for y'all to read. This fanfic takes place in the Sailor Moon season after "A Burning Bounty". I suggest you read that before this one. So let's see, Mamoru's kidnapped again, Titanius hates Kyodai (why wouldn't he), and now even Usagi's disturbed by the loss of Mamoru. Let's see where this goes in this fanfic, eh? So here's the Y2V... ...Disclaimer: As usual, Sailor Moon and most of the characters ain't mine, but to Naoko Takeuchi. And God bless that woman for creating such great entertainment for all of us with a lot of free time on our hands to enjoy. The English dub belongs to DiC Entertainment and Cloverway, and all I thank them for is bringing' it to America, nothin' more. But Russell Hino/Hino Kyodai, Tuxedo Inferno, Titanius, and Deanna Kokorono/ Kokorono Meijin are MINE (in a growling voice). So, please don't sue me. I'm just a lonely man who ain't got anythang but his pride. Well, y'all enjoy this fanfic and e-mail me. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Flames Of Fury By Viper Inferno Part I Queen Beryl's Chamber... Queen Beryl got up from her throne and looked about her chamber, with thoughts of world conquest always on her mind. Her many minions lined the walls of her chamber, faithfully awaiting instruction from either her, King Kunzite, or Titanius. Her minions meant as much to her as Titanius' medieval weapons in his chamber meant to him, only slightly decorating her chamber with their presence. She then looked to an open stone casket and smiled with pure joy, knowing a certain young man lied unconscious in it. She walked to it, still wearing the seductive grin that actually brought some beauty to that ugliness of hers, and stood over it. She looked at the unconscious Prince Endymion as his body and soul were being infused with Empress Metallia's dark energy. He wasn't going to break through this spell like the Mars Prince had broken through Queen Beryl's spell. "One day, Endymion, we will be together," she said in a little less seductive voice as she began caressing his face with her fingers, "When Empress Metallia's energy finally completes you, we'll be together. We'll take the Earth, side-by-side, as true lovers. And together, we'll destroy the Sailor Senshi and the Mars Prince. And together, we'll rule the universe as husband and wife, as the Dark Kingdom roam freely about the universe." She then swiftly bent down and kissed his lifeless lips, dreaming of the day those lips, filled with Metallia's dark energy, will return Beryl's kiss with all of Endymion's dark love. She stood back up and over Endymion's unconscious body, watching as Metallia's dark energy slowly erased all the good in him. There she stood over his pseudo-casket, thinking about how much she wanted him, both now and back in the Silver Millennium. She grew tired of waiting for the moment Metallia's dark energy would completely overtake him and prompt him to choose her over the Moon Princess. She was upset enough when she lost the Silver Crystal to Sailor Moon, but Prince Endymion meant more to her than any crystal that would grant her great power ever did. So a thought came to her mind. "Empress Metallia-sama?" she addressed. "Yes, Queen Beryl?" Metallia's voice echoed throughout the chamber. "We need Prince Endymion in our ranks soon if we are to free you and the rest of the Dark Kingdom," she said, "Can you go any faster in making him one of us?" "Bring me more energy, and then you can have your beloved Prince Endymion," Metallia demanded. "As you wish," Beryl replied. She walked back to her throne with Metallia's words fresh in her mind. She then sat down and thought about what Metallia had told her to do. 'So, she needs more energy to speed up the process,' she thought to herself, 'Then we must gather more energy. That will not only speed up the process of making Endymion mine, but also put us one step closer to freeing the Dark Kingdom. But whom to send? Titanius is too busy planning his conquest over the Mars Prince. So Kunzite is my best low-life for the job.' With that in mind, Queen Beryl acted on it. "King Kunzite!" she summoned harshly. At that moment, Kunzite teleported to Queen Beryl's chamber in front of her throne. "You summoned, Queen Beryl-san?" he replied, bowing before her in honor. "We need Endymion in our ranks now, but our Great Leader needs more energy in order for her to speed up the process," said Beryl. "Yes, but with all due respect, Your Highness, aren't Titanius and I your best warriors?" Kunzite asked humbly. "Yes, you and the bounty hunter are my best," she said in a rather low tone, before snapping at him with frustration, "But you know damn well that 3 great warriors are better than two!!!" Kunzite barely flinched as he maintained his composure throughout Queen Beryl's thunderous roar, "I understand, Your Highness. What do you propose?" Queen Beryl regained her composure and sat back in her throne. "Well, I have been planning some energy gathering for our ultimate goal, but our immediate need has made this planned mission more urgent," she explained, "So here's the plan: We want to strike an area where there will be a lot of people." "An all too common Dark Kingdom strategy," said Kunzite, "but only since recently." "Yes, my faithful servant. I have already selected the target. The department stores at Tokyo's major mall are holding their post-holiday sales. So many people will be filling the mall to take advantage of this sale. It'll be perfect for the mission," she went on explaining. "I shall begin planning how to carry out the mission at once," said Kunzite. "This mission is crucial. Don't disappoint me," said Beryl. Kunzite gave another bow before turning to leave and plan his next attack. Department Store... After a week long ordeal in each of their schools, putting up with the absolute worst their teachers can throw at them, finals week was finally over with. Now Usagi, Rei, and Minako are enjoying their week off between the semesters. So, with cash on hand from the Christmas season, they decided to take advantage of the major post-holiday sale and hit the department store, shopping for clothes. "You actually passed all your finals?!" Rei asked in surprise. "All 7 of them," Usagi cheerfully replied. So all that extra study time we made you do actually paid off, eh?" said Rei. "Now I can take the week off and sleep, and...," Usagi paused for a moment, with recent events on her mind. "Shop around and hang out at the Arcade with me," Minako finished, posing in a finely made black leather jacket, "So minna, how do I look?" Usagi and Rei looked to see the girl, dressed in a blue sweater, black skirt, and black leather boots halfway up her calves. The stylish black leather jacket complimented this outfit. "It looks perfect on you, Usagi complimented. "It'd look great on me too," said Rei, "Lemme try on one of those." She ran over to the rack of jackets that Minako was posing next to and finds a black leather jacket in her size. "C'mon, Usagi-chan, try one on," Minako invited. Usagi joined in after admiring how the leather jackets looked on her friends. After slipping herself into a fine-made black leather waistcoat, she shows it off to Rei and Minako. "Wow, that one looks great on you," said Minako. "Now we really look bad ass," Rei added. "Just like a group of ladies from the American 70's I used to watch back in England," said Minako. "Yeah," said Usagi as all three girls clasped their hands together and did the "Charlie's Angels" pose. After their escapades, they put the jackets back up, knowing they were too expensive, even after the post-holiday markdown. So they continued onward towards the mall, thinking they'll come back later. As they walked about, thoughts of recent events raced through Usagi's mind. Thoughts of the Dark Kingdom getting utterly ruthless made her think about them attacking during their week-long break. It was as if something in her was telling her that something big was about to go down. Then came the thought about their last bout with Titanius. She thought she had destroyed that gun of his, but the one he pulled out in that last battle really took a lot out of the Senshi. The end of the battle was what really hit Usagi in a soft spot. 'Damn you, Titanius, why did you have to take Mamoru from me?' she thought to herself, 'And all in your fight with Kyodai. He's more than just Tuxedo Mask and Kyodai's best friend.' "Hey over there," Minako called out as she ran off, interrupting Usagi's thoughts. "C'mon Usagi-chan, let's check these guys out," Minako called to her, waving her over. "No, you go on," Usagi said with little pep and a gloomy look on her face. 'He's Prince Endymion, my love from the Silver Millennium. Sure he teases me now, but I know that deep down inside, he's a wonderful gentleman, especially if Kyodai speaks highly of him. Rei noticed that Usagi was a little distracted, and that last conversation proved it. "Usagi?" she said, lying her hand on Usagi's shoulder, "Are you alright?" "Yeah," Usagi replied, still with little spark, "I'm alright." Rei didn't buy Usagi's rather gloomy response in the least bit. She only smiled, "C'mon Usagi. I know you better than that." 'She's good', Usagi thought. "You looked like something's been on your mind since we got here," Rei pointed out. "Well, looks can be deceiving, you know," Usagi rebutted. That was the last straw. Rei knew Usagi was hiding something. She only rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "Usagi, something is bothering you," she said as she turned and walked over to a nearby bench, "You practically scream it out." 'That ESP of hers never fails her,' she thought to herself. Usagi knew she was defeated. She closed her eyes and gathered all those recent thoughts, then let out a sigh and joined Rei on the bench. "I just can't believe he's gone... again," said Usagi. "We got him back last time. We'll get him back this time," said Rei. "But it's not just that," said Usagi. "I know," said Rei, cutting her off, "You lost someone you have grown to love." "Titanius does it all in his rivalry with Kyodai," said Usagi, "He not only took Kyodai's best friend, he took away my prince." "He took away an Azabu Tech student as well," Rei added, "And Titanius and the rest of the Dark Kingdom think he's just Tuxedo Mask and Prince Endymion." "He's a hard-working gentleman, a student who studies hard, and one who captured the heart of a princess," said Usagi as she sank down in the bench, almost coming to tears. Suddenly, the feel of a hand upon her shoulder drew a tear as she shut her eyes tight. "Usagi, he is a great man," said Rei, "Take it from the one who dated him." Rei let out a quick smile when Usagi looked up at her, barely cracking a grin of her own. "I assure you, as your friend and a Sailor Senshi, we'll fight to get Mamoru back. The Dark Kingdom doesn't know what they've gotten themselves into, taking a man from not only us, but from life itself." "Hey!!" Minako's voice called out. Both girls got up from the bench to see the beaming blonde running to them. "C'mon, let's go," she said, taking both girls by their wrists and leading them on. "Where are we going?" Usagi asked. "There's a huge sale at the Old Navy store," Minako replied, "Let's get there." Dark Kingdom Headquarters... Kunzite marched down the halls of the vast headquarters, with the sound of his boots echoing about the halls. As he paced down the halls, he wore on his face a look of determination as he was fully prepared for the next mission. He wasn't too thrilled about the mission, especially since he hated Prince Endymion, blaming him for Zoicyte's eventual death. His feelings toward him when Queen Beryl brought him back for that short time only proved that Kunzite had somewhat gotten over his loss. Yet, despite his hatred towards Prince Endymion, the energy he would gather for Queen Beryl would surely make him of the Dark Kingdom. That in itself to Kunzite would be somewhat of a repentance for Zoicyte's death. So after a relatively short time and a little effort planning the specifics of his mission, Kunzite was more willing and fully prepared for the attack. The planning was rather easy for him since Queen Beryl had already planned out what and where the mission would be. So there Kunzite marched, with full confidence in both his and Beryl's strategy. He then made it into the soldier's chamber, where surprisingly few soldiers stood ready for the mission. "So few of you to choose from," Kunzite commented, "Where are the rest of your buddies at? We have a mission and I need some of you for the job." "Killed in action," a voice answered from the doorway. Kunzite swiftly turned to see Titanius leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed and a straight face, staring him down, "If we had used youmas more in our recent missions, we'd still have some of those soldiers left. But thanks to those sleazy Sailor Senshi, and especially that damned Mars Prince, most of our soldiers are now in the morgue." "Zoicyte and I both rarely used youmas in our missions, and barely even used soldiers," said Kunzite, "You and the other 2 Kings were the ones who used soldiers." "Yes, I remember. We had our strongest soldiers before we took the Mars Prince," said Titanius. "And we lost them to the Mars Prince and the Sailor Senshi," Kunzite added. "When we did have the Mars Prince, he fried most of our soldiers. Some were fried under Queen Beryl's orders, some at his own free will. He'll pay for that," Titanius continued. "But you too blasted a few soldiers, showing off your new toy," Kunzite pointed out. "With the stronger ones dead at the hands of the Sailor Senshi, and that candy ass Mars Prince, all we've had left were a bunch of pussy ass excuses for soldiers," said Titanius. "Well, at least what we do have will work for this energy gathering mission," said Kunzite. "So, Queen Beryl wants more energy, huh? Probably to make Prince Endymion hers so she can have herself a nice little playmate in bed," Titanius joked, chuckling at his own humor. This attempt at humor didn't impress Kunzite too much at all. He only rolled his eyes and turned his back to Titanius. "Actually, she wants it to make Prince Endymion one of us so that he can't break through the spell like the Mars Prince did," he corrected. "So what does she want done and where?" Titanius asked, with thoughts going through his mind. 'If Prince Endymion is ours, he'll end up turning on his best friend. That'll make it hell for the Mars Prince and easier for me to kill them both.' "I'm going back to the mall to take advantage of the crowd gathering there," said Kunzite. So she gave you the mission instead of giving it to me," said Titanius. "After you took my last mission and used it in your vendetta against the Mars Prince, Queen Beryl thought this mission would be better off in my capable hands," said Kunzite, giving Titanius an arrogant grin. "Very well, best of luck to you," said Titanius as he turned his back and walked out of the chamber. "We'll see, Titanius, we'll see who can actually carry out a proper mission," Kunzite boasted. Department Store... Usagi, Rei, and Minako returned to the Department Store as they had earlier thought they would. Their adventures through the mall had gotten them a lot of post-holiday gifts, yet sucking them of half the cash they had on hand. "I can't believe you spend a whole 25,000 yen on room décor," Rei commented. "Hey, you were the one who spent 21,000 yen on CD's and novelties," Usagi argued, "Besides, my room could use a new look." "Yeah, clean," Rei poked back. "I keep my room clean," Usagi argued back. "And Minako-chan just has to get the latest fashions," Rei continued. Minako only tossed her hair in response, "What can I say? I was and still am one of the most talked about stars. Gotta be fashionable if I'm gonna be an idol, 'ya know." "Better yet Sailor V was a star. And was it worth the 35,000 yen you spent?" said Rei. "Well, at least we have some money left to finish our shopping here," said Usagi. There, the trio headed toward the women's section. Before they reached the petites' section, an armored man caught Minako's eyes. 'He looks familiar,' she thought to herself, 'But then again he's probably just checking a costume out. But why in the women's section?' So Minako walked off, leaving Usagi and Rei alone in the petites' section. Minako hid in a pants rack and took a better look at the armored man. His black armor covered is entire upper body, with his lower body clad in gray tights, black armor plates, and black leather boots. His helmet concealed is shady face, making Minako wonder what lies underneath. 'He's probably just a guy in a costume, probably from the Imperial Suites ballroom across the street,' she thought to herself, 'Yet, I wonder what kind of hunk is under that mask.' Her attention was diverted as another armored man caught her eye. This man looked different, wearing a full suit of armor that concealed every part of his body in black and blue steel plates. His helmet beared a visor, a serrated blade above and in the middle, and Texas longhorns. 'They must've just come from the costume party,' she concluded, 'But I've seen men like them who wore black armor.' Minako continued to look about from her hiding place in the racks, looking for more armored men and wondering who they were. 'I know I've seen that guy before,' Minako thought to herself, 'But who are they?' Her only response startled her as a hand firmly grasped her ankle. Minako screamed as the hand yanked her from inside the racks, knocking a few pairs of women's pants off of them. She quickly regained her bearings, finding herself hanging upside-down, and took a good look at who had grabbed her. "You go on, I'll take care of this one," a rather deep, hoarse voice commanded to a distant comrade. Minako found the culprit to be the very armored man she had first observed. Immediately after he barked the order, his eyes began to glow a bright purple under his helmet. "Your energy is mine," said the armored man. Minako tried desperately to wriggle out of his grasp, making it difficult for the armored man to keep a good hold on her. 'Damn, they're soldiers of the Dark Kingdom. I must transform,' she thought to herself as she continued to flail and thrash about. "Hold still you little brat," the soldier snarled. "Put me down, you pervert," Minako screamed as she swung her free leg at him, connecting with his armored face. With that, she broke free of the soldier's grasp and fell to the floor. The soldier regained his senses and drew his sword. "Tough little bitch, aren't you," the soldier said as he began to swing his blade at Minako. Minako acted on her Sailor V reflexes and quickly threw a clothes rack in the sword's path, clashing with it. "I'll just kill you before I feed on your entrails," the soldier growled. "The hell you will," a voice called out from behind, "Back off from my friend." Both Minako and the soldier looked back toward the other side of the aisle to find Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon, both with their arms crossed. "I won't allow you to terrorize a young girl on her quest for the latest fashions," said Sailor Moon, "And your armor and tights are hundreds of years out of fashion. In the name of the Moon, you'll be punished." "Damn, not the Sailor Senshi again," said the soldier as he paced toward the duo, "King Kunzite will not like this." The soldier charged at the duo, charging his armor with dark energy. His movements were quick and abrupt as he collided with the sailor-suited duo, scattering them about the women's section. "Crescent Beam!" Sailor Venus' voice chanted from behind. The soldier turned back to retaliate, but was too late as the beam blasted him, knocking him into another clothes rack and toasting his armor. Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars both quickly recovered and joined Sailor Venus. Meanwhile, the soldier removed a plate of armor from his chest, revealing an array of buttons and flashing lights. He then pressed and held one of the larger buttons, "Soldiers, the Sailor Senshi are in the women's section. Get here quick and let's get them." Anticipating the solder's reinforcements, the 3 senshi strike first. Sailor Mars is the first to attack, "I don't know how many of you there are, but in the name of Mars, I'll fry your tin can. Fire Soul!" With her pointer fingers locked on target, Sailor Mars cast a ball of fire at the soldier, striking him dead on the open panel, frying the circuitry and char-broiling the soldier within. "Nice shot, Sailor Mars," said Sailor Moon. "There are at least 2 of them," said Sailor Venus, "I don't know how many friends they brought." That question was answered as another soldier jumped from behind a counter and pummeled Sailor Venus with a dark purple beam of energy. He then backhanded Sailor Mars aside and made a beeline toward Sailor Moon before the senshi could react. As he neared her, he drew his sword and lunged at her. Sailor Moon quickly jumped, bouncing off his shoulder plate, out of harms way. She pulled her Moon Stick out and prepared a quick end to this bout, but was met by a few narrow misses from the soldier's swinging blade. As the soldier raised his blade again, Sailor Moon slid under him and behind him, then gave him a good kick in the back, sending him stumbling forward. The soldier regained his footing, turned back toward Sailor Moon, and prepared charge her again. Then, from out of nowhere, a beam of energy struck him from behind, draining him of his power and bringing him to his knees. "Sailor Moon, finish him off," Sailor Venus' voice commanded. Sailor Moon glanced in that direction to see Sailor Venus give a wink before running off, then charged her Moon Stick. She twirled about before aiming it at the stricken soldier, then fired a bright coherent beam of light, striking the dead on and disintegrating it. Just as she had destroyed the soldier, the sound of metal hitting asphalt tile from footsteps caught her attention. She instinctively jumped out of the way, and just in the nick of time as a large blade struck the floor with a loud clang, missing her by inches. "Sailor Moon, watch out!" Sailor Mars hollered as she had gotten a good look at the soldier, the very same soldier in a full suit of armor that Minako had earlier seen. The soldier swung and thrashed at Sailor Moon with a rather large Scottish claymore. Sailor Moon jumped out f the way again and joined her friends, only for them to be ambushed as another soldier narrowly missed them with a serrated long sword. "There's just no end to these guys," said Sailor Mars as she dodged the soldier's blade. "We could really use Mako-chan's help right about now," Sailor Venus commented, only to receive another near miss from yet another soldier's sword, "Ugh... especially if they do hand-to-hand combat." Meanwhile, Kunzite watched on from a hidden spot near the high ceiling as the soldiers ambushed the Sailor Senshi. "Perfect," he said to himself, "All 3 senshi have their hands full. Those soldiers should keep them busy for a while." He then looked down at the rather large numbers of people lying in the wake of the soldiers' energy draining. "Queen Beryl's going to need more energy if she wants her dear prince so badly", Kunzite continued, smiling at another thought that came to mind, "Hell, Titanius couldn't even get this kind of job done with how badly he wants the Mars Prince dead by his hands." From there, Kunzite continued to observe as the events of the battle unfolded. Sailor Moon took it to the full-suit while the other 2 senshi each took on one of the two remaining soldiers. She knew tat taking on a warrior with such a large sword was no easy feat. She stood on the defensive, dodging every attack the soldier threw at her as the he lunged, charged, flailed, thrashed, and fought to no avail. Sailor Moon had to end this defensive stand right there. So with her Moon Stick in hand, she jumped on top of a shelf of clothes and aimed it at her opponent. As she was charging her wand, the soldier took his large two-handed sword and swung it with all his might at one of the shelves' supports, slicing through it and causing the whole shelf of clothes to collapse, and Sailor Moon with it. Before she knew it, she was lying buried in a mound of wood, metal, and clothes. With Sailor Moon temporarily out of commission, the fully armored soldier decided to help his comrades with the other senshi. So with that, he firmly grasped his claymore with both hands and charged at the first Sailor Senshi he saw, Sailor Mars. Sailor Mars continued to fight brave and fight true against the second soldier. She had landed a fire shot on him earlier, which weakened him and slowed him down. This had evened the playing field even more for her as she was better able to avoid the soldier's quick shots. But the odds shifted against her as the full-suit slashed at her, ripping the front of her fuku right under the wire support, but narrowly missing the flesh underneath. She bolted out of the way and reassumed her battle stance. There, Sailor Mars and the two soldiers stared at each other, itching to go at each other. The full-suit tightened his grip on his sword as he was the first to step up. Sailor Mars ignited her hands in flames in response, ready to take him head on. As the soldier neared her, she slammed her hands together and prepared for her attack. But just as she clasped her hands together, the second soldier launched a ball of dark energy at her. Sailor Mars quickly vaulted herself out of its path as both the full-suit's sword and the energy blast struck right where she was. She landed near one of the registers where one of the dead soldiers lie and prepared for another attack. She had barely begun to charge her attack when the soldier launched a volley of energy at her. She backflipped out of the way, barely missing the volley as one of the beams grazed her leg. Just as she landed, another ball of energy struck her in the chest, knocking her into a pillar and to the ground, slightly dazed. Both soldiers approached the fallen Sailor Mars, with the full-suit taking lead. Sailor Mars struggled to move, with her fuku not only torn under the wire support, but also slightly scorched and tattered, as the full-suit was the first to make it to her. He stared down at her for a brief moment as she continued to struggle, while the other soldier stepped up next to her. "Finish her," the soldier ordered, "She'll be the first to die before we take her energy." The full-suit gave only a single nod in response has he held Sailor Mars' down by the neck with the tip of his foot, turned his sword the other way, and held the tip of the blade to her chest, right under the bow. With both hands, he swiftly lifted the blade and prepared to drive it through the chest of the fallen Sailor Senshi. Suddenly, a burning ghost appeared out of nowhere, right in front of the full-suit. "Boo!!!" the fiery specter shrieked as it stuck its tongue out and drooped its eyelid at the soldier. The soldier jumped back in shock as the spirit began flying around him, laughing maniacally at him. The full-suit took his Scottish claymore and flailed it at the fiery annoyance, but it was like slicing through air as the ghost kept right on laughing. The other soldier drew his sword, ready to help take out this annoying little spirit. He had barely taken a single step before an intense and burning force struck him in the side. The full-suit quickly turned his head to see his comrade burn to ashes and armor plates from a powerful beam of fire. He then turned to its origin to find a man in a maroon tuxedo standing in the middle of a nearby aisle, pointing the blade of his smoking sword where he had launched the beam of fire. He then turned back to the flaming ghost, only to have it grin and wave to him. "Bye-Bye!" the ghost said, laughing again as it disappeared. "Sailor Senshi, help Sailor Venus with that soldier," said Tuxedo Inferno, "This tank of a highlander's mine." Immediately, Tuxedo Inferno ran up to Sailor Mars, his flame sword still in hand, and stood between the gull-suit and his struggling sister. The full-suit immediately tightened his grip on his claymore and bum rushed his new opponent. Tuxedo Inferno merely stood still with his sword ready as the full-suit drew closer and closer. The full-suit then raised his blade, ready to clash with this prom night sideshow, and swung with all his might. Acting on his Silver Millennium training, Tuxedo Inferno quickly threw his blade in the way, their blades clashing as if it were right out of a movie. At that moment, Tuxedo Inferno and the full-suited soldier began their little fencing bout. Sailor Mars slowly regained her senses, still lying against the pillar. She began to look about and found the very person who had saved her from certain death clashing swords with the full-suit. Still struggling to even get up, she just lied there and watched as Tuxedo Inferno had begun taking the upper hand on his fully-armored foe. Meanwhile, Sailor Moon had already recovered after her fight with the fully-suited solder, digging herself out of the pile of clothes and toppled shelves, and had found Sailor Venus fending for herself against the other standing soldier. Though Sailor Venus was on the defensive, she was putting up a good fight against this speedy soldier. Then, she watched in horror as a mighty swing from the soldier's serrated long sword slashed right through Sailor Venus' mini-skirt like tissue paper. The sight of Sailor Venus falling to her knees, holding her thigh, brought even more concern to her. "Minako-chan!!!" she screamed as she swiftly removed her tiara. Almost instinctively, she eyed the soldier who harmed her friend with a killer glare, "Moon Tiara Action!" With an adrenaline-fed throw behind it, Sailor Moon's tiara slammed into the soldier's hand holding his blade, utterly slicing through it. The soldier's hand, still holding the sword, lie on the ground lifeless while his wrist poured green blood from the trauma. Sailor Venus removed her hand from her thigh, finding it covered in blood and merely a small cut across her thigh, yet still bleeding considerably and stinging with pain. She glared at the soldier, lowered her eyebrows, and pointed her finger straight at him. "Crescent Beam," she yelled, firing her crescent beam at her opponent's face, striking him through the visor on his helmet. That in addition to Sailor Moon's disarming was enough to disintegrate the soldier, leaving a pile of ashes and steel plates. Sailor Moon jogged over to Sailor Venus, still worried about her wounded friend. "Are you okay, Minako-chan?" she asked, taking Sailor Venus by the hand to help her up. "I'm okay, it's just a little cut," Sailor Venus replied as she got up. She then winced and grabbed her wounded thigh as the pain prompted her to fall into Sailor Moon's arms. "Or not," she grunted. "Come on, let's get you back down," Sailor Moon said as she sat her friend back on the carpeted floor. "I wonder how Tuxedo Inferno is doing," said Sailor Venus. "He's a great swordsman. He was the blessing we needed in this battle. Now let me take a look at that," said Sailor Moon, removing Sailor Venus' hand and revealing the rather small but deep cut, still bleeding. "Don't worry about Tuxedo Inferno, okay? He can take care of himself. Now hold still while I take care of this," she said, pressing her hand against Sailor Venus' cut thigh. She closed her eyes and summoned her healing powers, brought on by the Silver Crystal in her Moon Stick. The jewel on her tiara began to glow as a bright light shone from beneath her hand. Moments later, she opened her eyes and removed her hand. The cut had healed quickly with almost no scar. "Now let's check on Tuxedo Inferno," said Sailor Moon, helping her friend up. She had just begun walking in that direction when Sailor Venus stopped her, "Usagi-chan?" Sailor Moon turned around to see Sailor Venus' smiling face. "Thank you," she said humbly. "You're my Sailor Senshi, it's my job," Sailor Moon replied. Both Sailor Senshi continued on to Tuxedo Inferno's last known location. There they find him clashing swords with a doomed soldier. The had the soldier pinned against a wall as the full-suited solder tried desperately to defend himself. There, they also see Sailor Mars lying against a nearby pillar, trying once again to get back to her feet. With the soldier against a wall fending for his life against Tuxedo Inferno, Sailor Mars was really in no danger. Tuxedo Inferno continued thrashing and swinging at the full-suit, but to no avail as the soldier fought with every ounce of strength he ha. But the soldier could defend himself no longer as his claymore was being knocked side-to-side with almost no effort. Tuxedo Inferno struck the soldier's sword again, knocking it upwards and leaving the soldier wide open. With one mighty swing, Tuxedo Inferno sliced through a weak wrist joint in the armor, slicing off both hands and thus disarming the full- suited soldier. With the full-suit left disabled and his stubby wrists gushing with green blood, Tuxedo Inferno raised his blade, ready to end this match. "Flame Sword..." Tuxedo Inferno chanted as flames began to collect and ignite his blade, "Strike!" He gave his opponent one final slash, setting the soldier completely ablaze. After a moment of horrifying monster-like screams and running around on fire, the soldier fell to his knees. The fire extinguished in an instant, leaving behind only charred armor plates, no blood, no bones, no ashes, not even a lingering vapor. With the threat of the soldiers gone, Tuxedo Inferno walked over to Sailor Mars. "You okay, Rei-chan?" he asked, offering his hand to help. "I've felt better," she replied, taking her brother's hand as he helped her to her feet. She began examining her leg where the energy blast first struck her. Relieved, she found only a slight char on her right shin and no wound. "But that had to have been a weaker energy blast if I'm barely felling the effects from it anymore," she said. "At least we're all okay," said Sailor Moon, "Let's go home. I've suddenly lost the nerve to shop." All nod in response as they joined each other in the aisle and walked toward an escalator. But halfway there, a disturbing sight caught their attention. There before them lie a number of shoppers. Men, women, even children lie lifeless and scattered about. "What the hell happened here?" Tuxedo Inferno asked. Sailor Venus walked over to one of the women and placed her fingers on the woman's neck. "She has a pulse, but it looks like she's been completely drained of her energy," she observed. "Those soldiers must've done this," said Sailor Moon. "That must've been the reason why they were here," Sailor Mars concluded. "Oh? But that's not the only reason we're here," a dark voice echoed throughout the second floor of the store. All 4 looked up to see a familiar man in a gray suit and white cape, his silvery-blonde hair waving even in the absence of wind. "Kunzite!" they all gasped. "And you infidels killed the last of my soldiers," said Kunzite. "So you were the one behind all this," said Sailor Moon, putting her fist up as she stepped forward, "I won't let you get away with terrorizing these people in their post-holiday shopping." She then struck her trademark battle pose, "In the name of the Moon, you'll be punished." "Go ahead, Sailor Senshi. Those soldiers weren't my only minions," Kunzite gladly invited. He threw both arms out to his sides as his eyes began to glow bright white. With his dark powers, he summoned the evil spirits of the Dark Kingdom. The Sailor Senshi could only watch in horror as one of the people sluggishly got to their feet, their eyes glowing pure red. Immediately, the rest followed, slowly staggered toward the Sailor Senshi. "I trust you remember Zoicyte's powers when you fought against him," said Kunzite. Suddenly, the people began mutating into human/youma hybrids right before their eyes, sending more anxiety through the Sailor Senshi's veins. "And you do remember it was I who taught him how to turn people into youmas after draining them of their energy," Kunzite commented, "It's one thing I take pride in, one thing that made Zoicyte powerful, and something Titanius only wish he knew." Suddenly, the hybrids lunged toward the quartet. All four dodged them and immediately counter attacked. Sailor Mars blasted one with "Fire Soul", knocking it to the ground in smoke. Sailor Venus shot another in the side with "Crescent Beam", igniting it in pure light and knocking it unconscious. Tuxedo Inferno smoldered another hybrid with "Inferno Flame", char-broiling it and taking it out of commission. Sailor Moon removed her tiara and barely uttered the words before reason struck her. "They're people," she gasped as she hesitated with her attack, before completely giving in to reason. "Minna, stop!" she yelled, "We can't harm them." "What do you mean, Usagi," Sailor Mars protested, "They're attacking us. We can't just stand here and do nothing while we get our asses kicked." "Kunzite turned them into monsters," Sailor Moon argued back, "Deep down, they're people just like you and me." Then, one hybrid grabbed a hold of Sailor Venus. "Just shut up and throw the damn tiara," she ordered as she struggled to break free. "I can't!" Sailor Moon snapped, "I won't hurt the innocents they truly are." Meanwhile, Kunzite only shook his head as he watched his minions begin to overpower the Sailor Senshi. "Poor Titanius... can only drain energy, use weapons, and launch destructive energy. As resourceful as he is, he should've learned some more fighting techniques and gained some abilities. Hell, he should never have left the Dark Kingdom in the first place, or he had the chance to learn what Zoicyte had. That's where I'm better," he explained as another hybrid entangled Sailor Mars in its long, powerful limbs. "Usagi, stop lollygagging and start fighting," she snarled. Meanwhile, Tuxedo Inferno fought with all his might throughout the arguments and taunts, only to fall as three hybrids wrestled him to the ground and put him in a bind. "What kind of hero are you, Sailor Moon?" he questioned, "Why do you stand there while we're loosing. Kill the damn bastards and get it over with. But it was too late as Sailor Moon too fell victim to a half-nelson from one hybrid and a choke hold from another. "Good, my little servants," Kunzite praised, "Now give me their pure energy. We don't want to keep Her Majesty waiting." 'Damn, I can't stand this,' Sailor Venus thought to herself as she struggled to get one arm free. The male hybrid only squeezed tighter in response, his legs squeezing hers and one hand just brushing her breast. This prompted Sailor Venus to elbow the monster in the face. It winced, loosening up oh her, and allowing her to drive the back of her heel up into it's crotch. "You pervert," she yelled as the hybrid dropped her. With the hybrid too busy tending to a pulsating pain between its legs, Sailor Venus sent a roundhouse kick across its face, taking it out of the fight. She then turned to the two hybrids entangling Sailor Moon. Immediately, she aimed her pointer finger at one of them. "Crescent Beam Shower!" she yelled as she fired a barrage of crescent beams at the hybrids, striking them both dead on. The force from the blasts knocked then back and off of Sailor Moon, leaving them charred and smoking. Sailor Moon coughed and gasped for breath, but at least she was free. She then turned to Sailor Venus, "Dammit, I said we can't harm them. They're people." "Well what else was I supposed to do?" Sailor Venus argued back. Sailor Moon then changed her tone, "But... thank you, Minako-chan." "No sweat. Now that we're free, lets save the others and make these freaks of nature pay," Sailor Venus suggested. "How, by blasting each and every one of them to hell? I said I can't hurt the innocent people they really are," said Sailor Moon. "It's the only way," Sailor Venus argued. Sailor Moon quickly got fed up and grabbed her Moon Stick. "I can heal them," she said, "Remember how you felt when your big sister Katarina was turned into a monster? Remember how I wanted to make that monster pay for stealing your true love?" Sailor Venus only nodded in response as Sailor Moon continued. "You wanted me to save her from the misery Kunzite has bestowed upon her. It's the same with these people. They're no less human than Katarina. We've got to save them instead of blasting every one of them," she explained. "What do you want me to do?" Sailor Venus asked. "Just cover me, okay?" said Sailor Moon. Sailor Venus quickly tussled with a hybrid as Sailor Moon charged the Silver Crystal on her Moon Stick. "Moon Healing Escalation!!!" With that chant, she swung her Moon Stick like a baseball bat, showering the entire second floor with her silver stardust. There wasn't a person, hybrid, coat rack, even floor space that didn't receive a blast of stardust. The hybrids all began to smoke and burn when struck by the dust and light. They then glowed bright white before turning back into human form. Throughout the immediate area, the people lie completely unconscious, but free from Kunzite's dark curse. Tuxedo Inferno brushed the lifeless arm of an unconscious woman off of him before getting to his feet. His sister, however, had a man lying incapacitated right on top of her. She immediately pushed him off before regaining her composure. "About time you did something, Usagi," Sailor Mars scolded. "At least she took care of it," said Sailor Venus. "Damn you, Sailor Moon," Kunzite's voice echoed in the background before he reappeared down the aisle from where the senshi stood. "You kill my youmas, you kill the last of my soldiers, and now you perform exorcism on my hybrid minions. I've always hated you. After all, it was your beloved Prince Endymion who made Zoicyte do what he did. It's because of his ignorance that Zoicyte is dead," he explained. "Is that why you took him?" Sailor Moon sneered, "Just so you can have your little revenge for Zoicyte's death?" "Queen Beryl has other plans for him," Kunzite replied, "But now thanks to you, Queen Beryl's gonna be one pissed off bitch." "I see you couldn't even carry out a proper mission like you said you would," another dark voice echoed behind Kunzite. Both he and the senshi looked in that direction to see none other than Titanius himself, dressed in his usual black and red armor, walking toward them. "Looks like your capable hands have failed you again," said Titanius. "No one asked you to come here," said Kunzite, then pointing to Tuxedo Inferno, "There's the Mars Prince. Why don't you pester him for a while?" Tuxedo Inferno immediately put up his dukes, but Titanius only shook his head in disappointment. "Tsk, tsk. You know Queen Beryl's not gonna be happy about this. She'll have your ass for sure," he said. "It's all Sailor Moon's fault," Kunzite argued in a futile attempt to stand up to Titanius. "Yeah, sure. Blame it all in the bimbo," Titanius immediately struck back, "We'll see how Queen Beryl appreciates her missions in your capable hands when we return. And we'll see who deserves the respect." With that, Titanius threw down a smoke bomb, shattering it and masking them in a dense smoke screen. The Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Inferno coughed and gagged, But then could only watch as the 2 warriors' smoke screen dissipated. All they saw were the unconscious people scattered about as Kunzite and Titanius had escaped. "They must really hate each other," said Tuxedo Inferno. "I've seen it before," said Sailor Moon. "Yeah, remember Nephrite and Zoicyte? They really hated each other's guts to the point where Zoicyte had Nephrite killed so he could find the Silver Crystal for himself," Sailor Mars explained. "You mean they competed with each other?" said Tuxedo Inferno. "There's still a lot you need to learn about the Dark Kingdom itself," said Sailor Moon, "Now let's get out of here. Meeting at Makoto's, alright?" "Fine by me," said Sailor Venus as they all walked down the aisles and out of the department store. Makoto's Apartment... The buzzer in Makoto's kitchen sounded, accompanied by a rather mouth-watering aroma, let her know her steak dinner was done cooking. She stood up from her couch and walked into the kitchen. She pushed the knob on the timer to shut the buzzer off before she opened the oven door. Just as she had taken the stake out and placed it on top of the stove, there was a rather muffled knock at the door. Sure she was expecting Ami to be over for dinner later in the day, but now was a little early for her to be over. Instinctively, she walked across her living room and to the front door to answer it. Just as she slowly cracked the door open, in squeezed a couple of cats, one black, one white. "Luna, Artemis, what are you doing here?" Makoto asked. "The others are behind us," Luna replied, "Meeting here now." "Let me guess, the Dark Kingdom," Makoto immediately assumed. Luna only nodded her kitty head in response. "I knew they would strike on our week off," Makoto commented. "Just because it's your week off doesn't mean it's theirs," said Artemis, "They can strike at any time. Why do you think he tell you to keep your henshin pins handy?" Makoto rolled her eyes as she plopped down onto one of the couches, "Being a senshi can be hell sometimes. Vacations are always interrupted, classes at school are missed, park visits are terrorized, and even our love interests are thwarted." "But you always seem to find ways to live that double life," said Luna. "Yeah, you're right there," Makoto sighed, "Especially Usagi." She slouched back in the couch and crossed her leg over the other. Her green flower dress draped nicely over her crossed legs. Se then rested her head on her hands against the back of the couch as she awaited the other girls. The door was left open for them since Luna had told her they were coming. Shortly, there was a gentle knock at the door accompanied by a soft, sweet-sounding "Hello, Mako-chan?" "Come in, Ami-chan. It's open," Makoto replied as the petite blue-hair quietly made her way inside. Her attire was the first to catch Makoto's attention as her black turtleneck neatly brought out the contours of her body and her maroon skirt, cut just above her knees, fit closely to her thighs. She slipped off her black flats at the door effortlessly, being in skin-tone pantyhose. Her attire made Makoto wonder just what it was Ami was doing that she dressed a little less casually for. Yet, she had little room herself to think that since her sleeveless green flower dress wasn't any more casual itself. "I got the call from Luna, so I came here early," Ami said as she took her seat on the opposite couch. She sat with her legs neatly close together, laid her skirt down, and rested both hands in her lap. "Then you probably know why," said Makoto. "Nothing the Dark Kingdom does surprises me anymore," Ami replied. "We're here," Usagi's voice blared as she slid her boots off at the door and welcomed herself in, with the other two girls following close behind. 'And they look like they were out guy hunting at the club,' Makoto thought to herself, commenting to herself about Minako's blue sweater and black miniskirt, Usagi's pink and black blouse and black skirt, and Rei's tight red long-sleeve and black leather pants. Kyodai was the last to enter as Makoto noted his white polo shirt and black slacks after he had taken off his dark brown bomber jacket. 'But Kyodai always looks great, no matter how he dresses,' she thought to herself, cracking a smile. "At least I can fit all 3 of them in my car," said Kyodai, "Made for perfect cover as we removed our transformations." "So, shall we begin?" Usagi suggested as she and Minako sat with Makoto, and Rei and Kyodai sat with Ami. Kyodai's and Ami's eyes met briefly before Rei placed her self between them. Both tried their best not to pay attention to the other, especially with a more important matter at hand. This didn't fool Makoto, however, as she noticed both Ami looking away and Kyodai drying desperately to hold back a blush. Any watchful friend of theirs could sense their hidden feelings toward each other. 'I bet it'd be wonderful having those two together,' she thought to herself, 'They would sure make a cute couple.' "Yes, please do," Luna replied to Usagi, getting everyone's attention. "You fought the Dark Kingdom at the department store," said Ami, from what she heard. "Yes, soldiers to be exact," said Minako, "But there was something different about these soldiers." "They fought us hand-to-hand, something the Dark Kingdom's hasn't been well known to do," said Usagi. "And when they did use their powers, it was as if they were untrained in using them," Rei added. "How do you say they seemed 'untrained'?" Luna asked. "Well, they were reckless in the use of their powers, the strength of each blast was inconsistent and seemed out of their control, plus they didn't seem to rely on using them like most of the Dark Kingdom," Rei explained. "The blast that hit us was pretty pathetic," said Usagi. "Same with the one I was shot with," Minako agreed. "I don't know, the one that grazed my leg was weak, but the second one sure put me on dream street for a bit," said Rei. "Now why would they suddenly decide to send untrained soldiers? Makoto skeptically asked. "They were draining the shoppers' energy," said Minako. "That would explain their use of weaker resources," Ami deduced, "Energy draining hardly requires a lot of strength, especially if it's them versus common people. But then again, why those soldiers and not their usual youma?" "And five soldiers," Usagi added. "I've noticed that about all the soldiers we have fought lately," Rei explained, "The first ones we've fought, like the ones we fought the time we first met Tuxedo Inferno, were more powerful than even most of the youma we've fought." "I've fought a few soldiers before I first met the Sailor Senshi. They too were quite powerful, but not like the one we fought when we first met," said Kyodai. "I remember that first one we fought together," said Ami, "And I get what you're trying to say, every soldier we've fought since was weaker and weaker than the last, especially since Kyodai broke through Queen Beryl's spell. I think I still have the data in my minicomputer to prove it." Luna sat there and listened as they continued on describing the events of the battle. 'The Dark Kingdom sends five soldiers, weak and untrained soldiers, on a mission. They've been getting weaker and weaker since the Sailor Senshi first fought them. And now they fight what sounds like trainees. This must the last of their soldiers,' Luna began thinking to herself. 'But if this is true, why would they use the last of their soldiers to gather what sounds like a large amount of energy from a lot of people?' A thought then struck Luna like a bolt of lightning. Immediately, she turned to Artemis, "Artemis, I may have an explanation for their attack on the mall." Artemis hopped down from a couch and began following Luna into the kitchen, while the girls and Kyodai continue discussing the battle, right at the point the people turned into monsters. "What is it, Luna?" he asked. "Tell me something Artemis, you've seen this before as I have. Tuxedo Mask, or rather Prince Endymion is missing again. The soldiers have progressively been getting weaker and weaker, especially these 5 that attacked the department store. They're using those 5 weak soldiers to gather large amounts of energy all at once. Now tell me, does it sound like they're getting desperate?" she explained. "Actually, it sounds like they're desperately trying to reach a goal and using the last of their resources to reach it," Artemis replied. "Exactly, which means something big is about to go down. If they took Endymion once and used him to find the Silver Crystal, they can use him again for something even bigger. Now large amounts of energy means that the release of the Empress Metallia has to be drawing close," Luna explained. "Then we must double our efforts in finding the portal to the Dark Kingdom," said Artemis, "And if the Sailor Senshi thwarted this attempt to gather large amounts of energy, then if they really do need that much energy for something big, you can bet they'll be back to finish the job." "We must tell them," said Luna as she ran out of the kitchen and onto the empty chair at the head of the table, with Artemis joining her. "Where did you guys go?" Usagi asked, drawing everyone's attention to the two cats at the head of the table. "Sailor Senshi, Tuxedo Inferno, Artemis and I have seen something like this before and have concluded it to be something rather disturbing," said Luna. "If these soldiers have been getting weaker and weaker, and these five that you fought were mere trainees, then they must be using the last of their soldiers," said Artemis. "I figured these would be their last ones," said Minako, "Especially if they resort to such weak soldiers for a mission." "And they use the last of their soldiers to gather a large amount of energy. You know why you're fighting the Dark Kingdom, don't you? And you know why the Dark Kingdom seeks the energy from people, the Silver Crystal, and even you?" Luna inquired "To release the Dark Kingdom from Queen Serenity's prison," said Ami. "Exactly," said Luna. All six sat in silence, that very answer telling them what's going on. They all knew what all this meant, the very thing they all fought together to prevent. "They're going to release the Dark Kingdom?" Usagi gasped, breaking the silence. "You are finding the portal to the Dark Kingdom... aren't you?" Makoto meekly said. "We've been narrowing it down, but still have a number of possible places the portal could be located," Artemis replied. "We're going to have to physically search each and every one of those places," said Luna. "That could take days," said Makoto. "Sounds like we don't have days," said Rei, "especially if they're getting this desperate." "Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how our luck goes," said Luna. "Is there any way I can help?" Ami asked. "If you have a way of further narrowing down our choices, then by all means. You have your communicator, you can always contact us if you find something," said Luna. "But if you two are going to go out all this time to search, won't mother notice you're gone?" Usagi asked. "Make up some excuse, Usagi-chan. You're good at that, aren't you?" said Luna. "I noticed something else about the battle," said Rei, "It was about Kunzite and Titanius." "But Titanius didn't fight in this battle," said Usagi. "Exactly. Titanius has been after Kyodai ever since he broke through Queen Beryl's spell. He definitely has a score to settle with my brother, a personal vendetta. If anybody's in danger, it's Kyodai," Rei explained. "So what does this have to do with today's battle?" Makoto asked. "I mean that when Titanius showed up, he wasn't interested in Kyodai, even when Kyodai invited him to fight," said Rei, "He was more interested in Kunzite." "Yeah, all he did was taunt Kunzite and tell him what a bad boy he was," said Usagi. "Like Usagi had said earlier, that's something we've seen before," Ami, "Remember when we first saw Zoicyte?" "Wasn't he the one who killed Nephrite?" Makoto asked. "Yes, but before that he too taunted and insulted Nephrite just like Titanius seems to have done with Kunzite," Ami explained. "Don't tell me they're at each other's throats," said Kyodai, "If anybody in the Dark Kingdom was at each other's throats, it was me and Titanius while I was under Queen Beryl's spell." "They must have a little rivalry going, whether it be friendly or bitter," said Luna, "This may actually work in your favor. If it is a bitter rivalry, then that will hurt the Dark Kingdom's teamwork." "Something they were never good at in the first place, and Zoicyte and Nephrite proved it," said Usagi. "I'm tired," said Minako, "This battle and endless discussion's worn me out." "Anything more to discuss about the battle?" Artemis asked. "Nothing else I noticed," said Usagi. "Me neither," said Raye. "I only appeared after they've gotten the battle started, so no," said Kyodai. Usagi was the first to get up from the couch, with thoughts about the battle and the meeting boiling down to one subject. 'But one thing still bothers me. It's not just the battle, the Dark Kingdom, or Titanius, but they still have Mamoru,' she thought to herself, slowly walking to Makoto's front door, and wearing a gloomy look on her face. Luna caught Usagi's gloomy look and watched as she slid her boots on and walked out the front door. Luna quickly leaped off the couch, dashed across the table, and ran out the door behind Usagi. "Usagi-chan!" she summoned. Usagi stopped and turned to the black crescent-headed cat running to her. "It's him, isn't it?" Luna immediately assumed, referring to Mamoru. Usagi only nodded in response. "Don't worry so much about it," said Luna, "We're doing everything we can to find the Dark Kingdom. All you can do for now is live your life and fight the Dark Kingdom here. You're good at doing both." "I know, but it doesn't help get him off my mind," said Usagi, "I mean when I live my life, late to school, he always teases me. But when I fight the Dark Kingdom, he shows up in his tuxedo and saves me from doom, and encourages me to defeat them. Today, I didn't have that, no Tuxedo Mask so save me from those soldiers." "No, but you had Tuxedo Inferno," said Luna. "I know, but Kyodai's not Mamoru. He's not the one who teases me every time I get a bad grade, am late to school, or just being klutzy. And he's not the one has captured my heart," said Usagi as she sat down against a wall, tucking her knees close to her chest. "Usagi," said Luna as she rubbed herself against Usagi's legs like any cat would, "We're going to get him back, and I mean that. Just hang in there, be brave, and be strong. You'll make it." "Usagi-chan!" another voice summoned. Usagi looked up and to her left as she saw Makoto running to her, still barefoot. "Yes?" "The others have gone home already," said Makoto, "But Ami is staying over since she had planned to in the first place. She's worried about you." "Yeah, even Rei is worried about me," said Usagi as she turned back and rested her head on her knees. "Usagi," said Makoto, kneeling down and laying her hand on Usagi's shoulder, "We all are. And Kyodai doesn't seem to be taking Mamoru's kidnapping very well either. He doesn't show it, he never shows how he feels, but I know deep down inside he misses his best friend and is pretty pissed off at Titanius for taking him. You're not alone, Usagi. We love you, Usagi, and we're here for you." Usagi looked back up at her friend's emerald green eyes, smiling at her, "Come inside with us. I had just finished cooking a steak dinner before you came over. You can help us scarf it all down... in record time like you just love doing." "Oh Mako-chan," Usagi scolded, giving Makoto a gentle punch in the arm, "You're just as bad as Rei sometimes." Usagi got up and walked with Makoto back to her apartment, ready to enjoy a well-cooked steak dinner with her friends. Luna smiled at that sight, seeing just how close the Sailor Senshi really are together. "She's right, Usagi-chan" she said to no one in particular, "We're all here for you." -------------------------------end of part I--------------------------- Well, there's Part I, finally. It took me too long to write this story, but I assure you Part II will come out faster. Kunzite and Titanius have a good rivalry going themselves, but it's still nothing compared to the bitter one Titanius has with the Mars Prince. A nice episode-and-a-half's worth packed in Part I, ne? Just wait 'til I get Part II out, we'll see just how these rivalries go. Visit my website at: http://viperdvman.tripod.com All my fanfics are found there, as well as a whole site with everythang you could find in a Sailor Moon website, from profiles, to image galleries, to sounds, to music, and especially a whole section on the Russell Hino Epic. Y'all go there. It'll be a blast, literally ;) OOOOOOO O O O U O U BOOMER O U O U SOONER! O U O U OOOUOOO U U U UUUUUUU Have fun Sailor Moon fans, Viper Inferno