Title: Flames Of Fury - Part II 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 here the concluding part of "Flames of Fury". With the elements from Part I setting the stage, this part is bound to be entertaining. I still got Part II out pretty slow, but with work and everything, things are bound to go a little slow for great stories such as these. I ain't much for blabberin', so here's the Y2V... ...Disclaimer: As usual, Sailor Moon and most of the characters ain't mine, but belong 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 II Next Day, Crowns Game Center... "Not again?" Kyodai said as he had lost again to his soccer buddy Yoruno Obake in the Sailor V Challenge fighting game. This was one of Kyodai's favorite games to challenge others at, especially Obake. There were also the racing games and shooting games that they would challenge each other at. Racing games were another favorite of Kyodai, especially since he loved cars. Racing games, however, were something he enjoyed challenging Gabianni at more than he enjoyed challenging Mamoru or Obake. It must've been the their similar interest in cars. The arcade itself provided a place for Kyodai to unwind and indulge himself in interactive entertainment. Usually, he was with one of his few buddies there, whether challenging them at a game, cooperating in a game, or playing by themselves. But today, Kyodai was there with Obake to escape a much darker demon. For yesterday, Kyodai had fought against Kunzite and the Dark Kingdom's soldiers in what turned out to be a revealing battle. If that wasn't enough, it was last week's battle with Titanius that had brought on the demons in the first place. Not only was Titanius able to manipulate him, anger him, and even strike pain deep inside, but he also struck a major weak spot in taking his best friend from him. He had failed in protecting Mamoru from Titanius, and he had nearly failed in saving the Sailor Team from Titanius' deadly blaster. Had he not gotten that lucky break after Tuxedo Mask interfered with Titanius' torture session, he would've been the one gone and not Mamoru. It was his life-long mission as Tuxedo Inferno as a defender of good, and Titanius had taken that from him not once, but twice. The first being last week's battle with his near loss, and the other being when Titanius had taken him to Queen Beryl to make him one of theirs. That reminded him of when he was with the Dark Kingdom. He and Titanius didn't even work very well together. It was not just when Kyodai had turned on Titanius and blasted him with the flames of hell, but it was the arguments they had about their missions that started their rivalry in the first place. In the end, it was his dream about that last battle 1000 years ago alongside the Sailor Team that had reminded him of his mission to defend them, to defend all that's good. 'Titanius was right, I have little purpose without the Sailor Team,' Kyodai thought to himself. Obake had noticed that Kyodai had fallen into a near trance right in the middle of another game, which gave him yet another win. "Kyodai, what's with you?" he asked, yet still joking about the game, "That's the tenth time in a row I just whooped your ass." "I don't know, maybe it's just not my day," said Kyodai, covering up his thoughts, "Besides, you usually beat me at this game anyway." "And you still try be better than me," he said, "Besides, why aren't you practicing your moves on Mamoru?" That question brought back that thought of his best friend missing since the middle of last week. With the spring semester starting next week at Azabu Tech, Kyodai wondered if he and the Sailor Team can get him back before then. "I don't know where he's been," Kyodai answered, a little hesitant, "He hasn't called me since last week, nor has he even been home." "He must be out somewhere, on vacation with family or something," said Obake. "Obake-kun, he's an orphan. He has little family to visit, except maybe the orphanage," said Kyodai, "Besides, he was home all through Winter Break." Kyodai was doing a good job at covering up the truth, yet still barely hinting the fact that Mamoru really was missing, which Obake had just started picking up on. "He's not home, though he was all through break, you don't know of anyone he'd visit, and he didn't even let you know he was going to be gone," Obake summarized. "Sounds like he's missing to me," another voice finished. Both men turned to see Motoki approaching them. "You took the words right out of my mouth," said Obake. "He was supposed to meet me last weekend to go over our classes and find out where they would be," Motoki explained, "He never told me he was going to be gone." "That really sucks," said Obake. "Tell me about it," Kyodai commented, with the same thought of Titanius taking his best friend still fresh on his mind. "So what classes are you taking this semester?" Obake asked. "Mostly Poli Sci, Japanese, Math, and other classes. No classes dealing with my major yet," Motoki replied, "How about you, Kyodai-kun?" "Huh, what?" Kyodai said as he broke free from thoughts about Titanius and Mamoru. "Your classes," Motoki said. "Oh yeah, I have Poli Sci, Calculus, Beginning Particle Physics, amongst a couple others," he answered. "Taking one of the sophomore level classes, eh?" Obake commented. "You know I tested out of some of the freshman classes," said Kyodai. "Either of you guys have any classes with Mamoru?" Motoki asked. "I don't have any with him, though he does have Political Science like I do," said Kyodai. "Not for me," said Obake, "Azabu Tech isn't exactly a small college you know." More talk about Mamoru only brought back the thoughts about his rivalry with Titanius, and how he took Mamoru just to strike that weakness in him. "Hey guys, I got something I gotta do," said Kyodai, coming up with an excuse to leave the conversation, especially since he had enough of the constant reminders, "I'll see you guys later, alright?" With that, he turned and walked out the arcade's exit and to his car. Just before he had gotten to his old coupe, Motoki came walking out of the arcade, "Kyodai-kun." Kyodai turned around at that summon, "Yes?" "He really is missing, isn't he?" Motoki questioned. Though Motoki and Kyodai weren't really all that close at all, Motoki knew Mamoru was Kyodai's best friend, and that Kyodai was never this hesitant or evasive unless he was worried about him. "Like I said, he's been gone since last week and hasn't called me to tell me he was going out," Kyodai replied, still covering up the whole truth behind the matter. "I tried calling him myself, and all I got was his answering machine," said Motoki, "Besides, it's not like him to all of a sudden miss meetings." "I said I don't know what's with him, nor do I know where he could've gone off to," Kyodai said defensively. "But you do think he went missing," said Motoki. "Actually, it's not that I think he's missing, I know he's missing," said Kyodai coming up with more cover-ups, "I couldn't reach him at home, I couldn't reach him at his job, I couldn't reach him on his cell phone..." "Has your sister seen him?" Motoki asked. "Um... no," Kyodai replied, "They stopped dating a while ago, besides, it was only but a short while that they did date." "I just hope he's alright and makes it back before classes start again," said Motoki. Kyodai opened his car door and climbed inside it, "Yeah, I hope so too." 'We'll find him', he thought to himself as he closed the door and started his engine, 'We'll find him, and Titanius will burn in hell for it.' With those thoughts, Kyodai drove off, leaving Motoki back at the arcade wondering what's wrong with Kyodai. 'Poor Kyodai, this must be hitting him hard,' Motoki thought to himself as he turned and walked back inside the arcade. Usagi's house... The same dark demons of Mamoru missing at the hands of the Dark Kingdom that were haunting Kyodai certainly weren't showing much at the Tsukino residence. Usagi was out of school for the week-long break between the semesters and free of one worry on her mind. That only gave her more time to indulge in the finer things of life, such as shopping, eyeing fine dresses in store windows, hanging at Crowns, whether in the arcade or the restaurant, sleeping, and most of all hanging with friends. She was able to have some of that this week, since she, Rei, and Minako were out shopping for post-holiday gifts yesterday at the mall, even if it was interrupted by the Dark Kingdom. Today, she was having a more one-on-one moment with one of her friends. Ami had called her last night and offered to come over for a little friendly cheering up, something to take her mind of Mamoru for a while. Ami was always a good friend to Usagi, as were the other girls. While Makoto had cheered her up last night after the battle, Ami was going to cheer her up today, and hopefully take their minds off the Dark Kingdom and their possible immanent plans. So there on the bed in Usagi's room lied the blonde odango-headed girl, wearing her pink jumper, skirt cut just below her knees. Her bare feet were covered in under her bunny decorated blanket, especially with it being a little chilly outside. Ami was sitting on a chair at Usagi's desk in a white turtleneck, long blue skirt cut halfway down her shins, and white socks. "I still can't believe you passed all your finals," said Ami, remembering Usagi's excitement when those few days of tormenting trial had finally come to an end, "You see what all that studying we make you did for you?" "You just have to be proud of me," said Usagi, beaming. "I am," said Ami, "And it's even better when you're not whining about a 36 just because you decided to sleep in or daydream rather than crack open the books." "Hey, you could use a little time in entertainment yourself rather than constantly studying," Usagi retaliated with a little repartee, "Besides, don't you have that Urawa guy to be daydreaming about?" 'Ouch, that hurt,' Ami thought to herself, remembering her past fascination with the psychic Urawa, the boy who had fallen in love with her when he was attending Juuban Jr. High with her and Usagi. But since he had moved away, Ami hadn't thought of him much at all and even avoided the matter. "Actually, I was at Makoto's last night spending a little time with her and away from the books. Then there were those times at the mall during the Christmas season looking for the perfect gifts for Mother and you all. So you see, I don't spend all my time in the books," Ami explained. "And does that help you clear your mind a little?" Usagi asked, "I do it to clear my mind too." "Yes, it does. We all know you take time to relax from your studies, a lot of time. And when you do, it really does clear your mind, literally," Ami replied with her own sparkling repartee, almost giggling at her almost Rei-like comment. "Hey, that's Rei's job to say stuff like that, to tease me, to call me an idiot, to call me a crybaby," Usagi continued on. "Hey, somebody has to be there call you stupid, and somebody has to be there to help you look the opposite of it," said Ami. Usagi shifted her feet around under the blanket before she tossed a bit in the bed and turned to face the ceiling, resting the back of her head on her hands. "Yeah, the studies did help me a little," she said. With a week off from studies, and a week off from a tough, but successful week for her, Usagi can actually be lazy and daydream. She then looked back over to Ami, "Ami-chan, what do you do in your spare time besides study, when you do make time for it?" "Well," Ami hesitantly began, looking at the floor for a moment in a futile attempt to hide her face, then looks, "when I'm not studying Physics, Math, or medicine..." She paused for a moment, holding back a little on her answer and turning her head toward the ground just a little more. "Oh come on Ami-chan, you can tell me?" Usagi begged. Ami gave it little thought, as intelligent as she is, and came up with an approach to Usagi's friendly pressuring, "Usagi-chan, do you ever read books?" "Well, I read comics a lot, especially Rei's rather large collection..." Usagi replied. "No, no, not those," Ami interrupted, "I mean like novels, literature, things like that." "Oh," said Usagi as she began to think about some of the few books she has actually read. "You know, fantasy novels, suspense novels, romance novels, things like that," Ami added. "Are you saying you still read a lot even in your spare time?" Usagi asked, a little disappointed that all Ami seems to ever do is read. "It's those books that entertain me. Besides, you have to give me some credit for reading a few romance novels... OOPS!" Ami said, eyes wide open and covering her mouth with her hand as she had just bluntly blurted out her slight interest in love. "So you do read romance novels like Makoto and I do," said Usagi, grimacing at the fact that Ami had just stepped into the bear trap. She knew Ami had it in her. "Hey, I'm allowed to read love stories and stories about the perfect guy for a girl once in a while," Ami said in defense. "And I bet you daydream about that perfect guy sometimes just like I do," said Usagi, still with a bit of a smirk. "Well..." Ami hesitated, looking back at the ground trying to hold a blush back. "Come on, Ami-chan, you've been acting quite different lately, just like you did when Urawa was at school with us. There's another guy you're thinking about, is there?" Usagi teased. 'Damn, she's good,' Ami thought to herself, the blush finally peeking through, 'She knows me too well.' "Maybe. Am I not allowed to think about guys like the rest of you?" said Ami. Usagi only rolled her eyes before hitting Ami with another clue, "Rei noticed your change in behavior too. She told me about the students from Kyodai's school coming over to the junior high. Didn't you find at least one of them attractive?" "Some of them... maybe," Ami hesitated to answer, "But... aren't most college guys rather... cute?" "So it's a student at the Azabu Institute of Technology," Usagi deduced. She's one smart girl when it comes to girls talking about guys, especially since she can pick up on the very intricate details. "Tell me, who is he?" she asked with a little smirk. Ami only blushed even more, knowing exactly how Usagi's going to react when she tells her. So Ami only gave the silent treatment, hoping Usagi would buy it, but it was useless. Usagi saw right through that mask Ami was wearing. It only confirmed what Usagi was thinking. "Rei also told me about your little conversation at the mall before Christmas, about Kyodai observing one of your classes," Usagi urged even more, "She noticed how your tone changed when you talked about him." 'Oh my god, she knows,' Ami thought to herself, gasping noticeably, 'Rei didn't tell her, did she? About Kyodai?' She clasped her hands together in her lap tightly, still blushing, as she drew circles in the floor with her toe. "What about Kyodai?" she asked evasively. Usagi got up and hopped off the bed and in front of Ami, on her knees, knowing she's hiding the fact she likes Kyodai, "It IS Kyodai. You like Rei's brother." 'Defeated,' Ami thought to herself as the dagger ran her through in her mind. She looked at Usagi's face, showing her the now crimson face Ami had transformed into, "Alright, you got me, Usagi-chan. Sometimes you're just too hard to keep secrets from." Usagi then sat back and folded her legs Indian-style. She then rested her chin in her hands, looking straight up at Ami, "So tell me, Ami-chan. Tell me about it." She sat there and listened, knowing she had Ami right where she wanted her. There was no way Ami couldn't spill it now. "It's not that," said Ami, "I mean I did have some feelings for Urawa, but Kyodai is different." "How is he different?" Usagi inquired. "Well, it's not just his scores, but it's that he's great on the soccer field while achieving high marks in school," Ami slowly explained. "That can't be all, can it?" said Usagi, still urging Ami to spill more. "Actually..." Ami paused, before letting out a sigh, "...that's what started it." "Ooohh..." Usagi replied at the fact that she had just struck gold. "It's how he's into the lessons. He's into them as if they were the Ten Commandments preached by Moses himself. It's just that... look in his face, the way he wears it. And it's the same look he wears when he studies. It's the way those dark purple eyes of his scan the text, how they meet the eyes of the lecturer, and how they scream out his fascination with the subject," Ami explained. "Sounds like you really do have a crush on him," Usagi concluded. "Yeah, it's weird, really," said Ami, "Do I really look like that when I study?" "I wouldn't know, I'm not a guy," Usagi teased, "You tell me." "Maybe I do like him, in a way different than I felt towards Urawa," Ami explained, "Usagi-chan, could I really be falling into love?" "I don't know, but it sure as hell sounds like it," said Usagi. "True, but like I said, it's different with Kyodai. Kyodai also seems rather... lonely," Ami explained, "It's like his eyes say the world is interesting and filled with dreams, but they also say how lonely he really is in it and how he wants to show that wondrous world to that dream girl." That last comment drew a sparkle in her eyes, accompanied by a somewhat dreamy sigh. "Rei didn't tell me any of that," said Usagi, "She only told me about the spark in your eyes when you mentioned Kyodai." "I didn't tell Rei any of that," said Ami, "But now I wonder what the others will think of me if they find out I like Rei's brother." That very thought then struck her like a bolt of lightning as Ami jumped off the chair and in front of Usagi, taking her hands into hers, "Oh please don't tell Rei?" "Relax, Ami-chan, I won't," said Usagi, quickly pulling her hands away, "Actually, I think it's great. You and Kyodai would make a rather cute couple." "I don't know, you thought Urawa and I would've been a cute couple too," said Ami, "Sometimes I did think about that. But I don't know." The room fell silent for a moment, with thoughts going through both girls' heads, especially about Ami's feelings toward Kyodai. Ami tried hard to get her mind off that subject, since she had just spilled it all to Usagi, with something to get her mind off it all. "Hey Usagi- chan, what are you doing this afternoon?" "I'm taking a walk in the park, get some nice fresh air away from the house, malls, and the Dark Kingdom. You know, something to really clear my mind, help me think," Usagi replied. "Oh, then I won't bother you," Ami said before getting back up. She slowly walked toward the door out of Usagi's room, still thinking about how to get her mind off of Kyodai. When she reached the door, she turned to Usagi, "I'll be downstairs, alright?" "Okay, I'll be down in a minute," Usagi replied as Ami turned and began down the hall. Dark Kingdom Headquarters... Queen Beryl paced back and forth in front of her throne. Yesterday, she had observed the entire battle through her crystal ball. At first, she was rather impressed at how the mission was being carried out. She felt she had made a great decision putting the mission in Kunzite's capable hands. Sure, the soldiers were her weakest ones, but she was pleased to see how well they adapted to their lack of skill in their battle with the Sailor Team. But the perfect mission ended up being too good to be true when the Mars Prince interfered with the impending doom of the Moon Princess and 2 of the Sailor Senshi. Because of him, both Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon had been freed, allowing them to help the others finish off the last of her soldiers. Had it not been for him, Sailor Mars' energy would've been hers, and probably the others' as well, and would've added nicely to the collection of energy she already had. The mission, however, was only halfway completed. And that made Queen Beryl furious, both yesterday when she watched the battle, and right now as she paced about. In front of her throne was Kunzite, kneeling before her and not even laying his eyes upon her as he was full of shame. Not only had he failed in bringing Queen Beryl enough energy to make that playtoy Prince Endymion hers, he had also failed in destroying the Sailor Team and the Mars Prince. "Kunzite, your methods were ingenious," said Queen Beryl, "You and Zoicyte both have always been good at turning the humans into monsters and making them your weapons. But you didn't even consider the fact that the whole damn Sailor Team and even that Mars Prince would get involved. You underestimated the potential threat, and because of that, you let the mission slip away into failure." "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I would've had the mission completed if Sailor Moon had not shown up with her friends," Kunzite explained. "So now you blame your failure on her," Queen Beryl scolded, "Your ingenious plans, your soldiers adapting for their lack of skill, those all should've taken her down as well as the rest of the Sailor Team." "The hybrids had the others in their grasp, but it was Sailor Moon who defeated the hybrids and turned them back into humans," Kunzite explained. "Then you need to learn not to underestimate your enemy," said Queen Beryl, "Your problem in this battle was leaving that pretty little twit, thinking you had her incapacitated. I saw the whole battle with the hybrids. They were probably your best weapons in that they easily took the Mars Prince and the other Sailor Senshi down. But again, you underestimated them, seeing that one of them broke loose and freed that Moon Princess so she could finish off your hybrids." "I can make it up to you and gather more energy for you," Kunzite offered. "And what, fail at it again when the Moon Princess decides to show up? I think not. I'm sending in someone else who can take care of those brats, especially since recently. I still need energy to make Endymion ours permanently, so I'm sending Titanius to clean up your mess," said Beryl. Kunzite finally gained the courage to look up at Queen Beryl's face, "With all due respect, Your Highness, but won't Titanius end up using the mission in his fight with the Mars Prince if he shows up?" "No, but his blaster did a much better job at taking care of the Sailor Team than all 4 of you Kings put together. I need him to gather the rest of the energy I need, and I need him just in case those bratty Senshi show up," Queen Beryl replied. "And what if the Mars Prince does show up? Can you count on Titanius to finish the mission, or is he going to drop what he's doing and kill the Mars Prince?" Kunzite questioned. "You dare question my decisions," Beryl shouted, "Titanius is going to finish the mission you failed to complete, and that's final. Now, you're going to get the hell out of my face and go and tell him about the mission. You may be the best out of the 4 Kings, but you're still good for nothing except pissing me off. Now begone!" "As you wish, my queen," Kunzite calmly replied before rising to his feet and turning to leave the throne room. With Kunzite gone, Queen Beryl turned and slowly glided back to her throne. There, she glanced over to the open stone casket, wondering if her low-lifes will ever bring her the energy Empress Metallia needs to completely entrance Endymion with dark energy. "Kunzite only got the job half-done. If the pattern holds, then Titanius should only get it half-done too, that way we'll have all the energy we need. Let's just hope my little ingenuity works," Queen Beryl said to herself. She then turned to her crystal ball and began probing into the world outside, eager to see Titanius in action against the Sailor Team again, "Alright Titanius, let's see what you and that blaster of yours can do." Meanwhile, after Kunzite had left Queen Beryl's throne room, also feeling disappointed at his performance yesterday, he proceeded down the dark, rocky halls of the Dark Kingdom Headquarters. He resented the fact that Queen Beryl chose Titanius to finish the energy gathering mission, knowing that Titanius would no sooner than a blink of an eye turn the mission into a lure for the Mars Prince to fall for. But Queen Beryl wanted him to finish the job, so it was up to Kunzite to deliver the message. As he neared Titanius' chamber, Kunzite stopped for a moment to gather himself and regain his composure, for he'll need that energy to stand up to Titanius when his little bit of arrogance rears its ugly head. Gaining a little more confidence, yet still with shame lingering about, Kunzite proceeded to Titanius' door and decided to take the more aggressive approach. With the power of the muscle in his arms, he closed his fist and repeatedly slammed the heavy wooden medieval door. "Who the hell is that?" Titanius' voice shouted through the door, meeting Kunzite's aggression head-on. Kunzite had to think of a better response, and quick, "It's King Kunzite, now get your ass up and let me in before I have to blast this door in." 'Touché!' Moments later, Kunzite balled his fists up, ready for another aggressive verbal reaction in this little game he and Titanius were playing. But his verbal spar was met only with the bulky door slowly swinging open. "Come in, Kunzite. Make yourself at home," Titanius said, with only his black sleeve-clad arm waving Kunzite in being seen. Kunzite gladly stepped into the dimly lit, medieval-style room. Kunzite turned around to see his bounty hunter partner, clad in black slacks and a tight-fitting black long-sleeve shirt, closing the door behind him. "What is it you come here for?" Titanius asked. Kunzite pulled up a heavy wooden chair next to Titanius' armor and took his seat while he explained. "You know, if Sailor Moon hadn't shown up, I would be the one getting the praise and respect here and not you," said Kunzite. "And you still blame everything on that bitch who has her hair pulled up to tight," Titanius replied, "I know you're more powerful than that." "But you know the Mars Prince has foiled many numbers of your plans, stopped you short of victory, and deprived you of your moments of triumph," said Kunzite, "He even spat on you and insulted your power when he was one of ours." Titanius felt the blood beginning to boil in his veins at the sound of the Mars Prince's attitude when he was brainwashed by Queen Beryl. But that only fueled a response from him. "Oh, but my last bout with him ended in success. Even if I didn't kill him and bring Queen Beryl his energy to feed from and his body as a trophy, I still showed him just what it is I intend to do with him. Plus I took his best friend, Prince Endymion, from him. He's at his weakest now, and he'll think twice the next time he sees me and that," Titanius explained, pointing to his blaster resting against one of the pillars with that last comment. "I too almost had the Mars Prince begging for mercy before that brat Sailor Moon took out my hybrids and freed him from their energy- hungry grasp," said Kunzite, anticipating Titanius' next argument, "And wasn't it Prince Endymion who struck you just before you had the Mars Prince finished?" "Yes, but at least I got him back for cutting me short of claiming my bounty," said Titanius, "So why did you come here, other than bring back our game of one-upsmanship?" "Queen Beryl wants the mission finished, and she wants it finished now?" said Kunzite. "Yeah, she's probably eager to get him in bed with her," Titanius commented, "Why else would she want him one of us that badly?" "Let's see, to make him fight for us," Kunzite replied, "Besides, you are right about one thing, she's in love with him and has always been in love with him. She hates the Moon Princess even more than I do. I hate her because she and her little Prince both caused Zoicyte to do what he did to deserve death. Queen Beryl hates her because she steals his heart from her, something he has always done. She resents the fact that Prince Endymion has always chosen the Moon Princess over her. That's part of the reason I resent Sailor Moon, because she'll do anything for her Prince, and her Prince will do anything for her." "Sounds like she really has issues," Titanius commented, "So what does she want done to bring him to her?" "That's what she wanted me to tell you. It's your turn to have at the people and play with the Sailor Team for a while," said Kunzite, "She wants more energy, and she's now trusting you to get it for her." "Excellent. You see now who deserves the trust?" said Titanius. "She has faith in you and your blaster to get the job done. But personally, she has too much faith in you. Because unlike me, you'd drop the whole mission and turn on the Mars Prince the instant he shows up. Remember that your last mission was also an energy gathering mission, one in which you turned into a way to lure the Mars Prince." "Very true. I also used that mission to show off my new toy to him and the Sailor Team," said Titanius. "Be lucky that Queen Beryl is trusting you now with this seemingly crucial mission. She remembered what you did with that last mission you had, which is why she placed it in my capable hands first. Queen Beryl has misplaced faith in you and is risking failure by giving you this mission. It's up to you to prove that wrong," said Kunzite as he rose from his chair, "Good luck, Titanius. You're going to need it." With that last comment, Kunzite briskly walked to the door and opened it just wide enough for him to slide out. "Your capable hands, right," Titanius said to himself as he walks over to his armor, "You'll see what my capable hands can do, especially when that Mars Prince decides to show his candy ass up. I'll have both the energy Queen Beryl needs, and the head of the Mars Prince. HAHAHAHAHAHA!" In the halls, Kunzite turned his head at the sound of Titanius' maniacal laughs echoing about. "Humph, that guy's a loon. The Mars Prince is all he ever thinks about," Kunzite said to himself before continuing on toward his own chamber. Juuban District... With Ami back home for the afternoon, Usagi was all alone with only her thoughts. A number of thoughts had traveled through her mind, especially the little secret Ami had spilled to her about her feelings for Kyodai. But the thought that had always lingered about was her thoughts of Mamoru. She had never truly fallen in love with anybody, not even the very few guys she even had a chance to date. Mamoru was her first, but that wasn't the only thing on her mind about him. She and Mamoru had always gotten on each other's nerves, with him calling her "Odango Atama" and "baka", and her always yelling right back at him and making faces at him. She even gave him the finger on one such occasion, that showed him. But what really hurt was the fact she couldn't muster up the courage to tell him she actually liked him. So to escape those thoughts, she decided to take a long walk in Tokyo's Juuban District. There were things in the windows that would always make her dream, such as the fine jewelry at the OSA-P, the elegant party dress, the bridal displays, posters of Sailor V, the newest video game, the newest manga, and since she first became Sailor Moon, posters of the Sailor Team. It was these things that would always make her feel better, yet wishing she had some of those finer things in life for herself. The streets of the Juuban District were rather busy that day. A number of teenagers, along with adults, roamed the sidewalks. Some walked into and out of the stores, some drove off in their most prized possessions on wheels, while some eyed the window displays, with the same dreamy look she has always worn. But this horde of people came as no surprise to Usagi, knowing her school wasn't the only one out for the week between the semesters. Her first stop on her quest of dreaming was none other than the OSA-P store. A few people browsed about the display cases while Naru was busy tending to another customer. For a brief moment that seemed to last forever, Naru's eyes met Usagi's through the window separating them. Naru was the first to wave, with the customer paying no attention to her being distracted. Usagi happily waved back, with the cold wind blowing straight into the front of her jacket and meeting the bare skin under her jumper dress. Usagi shivered as she quickly took the jacket and wrapped both sides around her body, which only provided some protection from the wind. It was because her legs were bare for all the wind to strike as the goosebumps began to peek from underneath. Being in a pink jumper dress with only her short white socks and white canvas tennis shoes wasn't the smartest idea in the middle of winter. So she continued down the sidewalk, wrapped up tight in her light blue jacket, looking for something else to dream about. With the cold wind only half bothering her since it had just died back down, she decided to stop at another window display. She loosened her grip on her jacket and turned to look in the window display, only to see a few mannequins dressed in different styles of tuxedoes. Some bared a cummerbund, while another bared a vest, one similar to that of a superhero who would always save her from certain doom and remind her of her courage as Sailor Moon. It was that tuxedo that brought back some of the memories Usagi had gone out to try to avoid. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying her best to let all those memories pass through her mind all at once. She tensed her body up, clinched her fists, and squeezed her eyes shut tight as the more recent memories raced through her mind, especially the ones of Titanius leaving the battle, taking the fallen Tuxedo Mask with him. Usagi finally let out a huff of breath, throwing her fists down as the final thoughts went through her head. "Damn you, Titanius," she said under her breath before she continued on down the sidewalk. Obviously, window shopping wasn't helping in getting her mind of her troubles, so she decided to make her way out of the Juuban District through the large crowd of people. It was there she passed by the corner she usually turns on her way to school. She stopped for a moment and turned toward the way she usually goes toward school. How it felt good to be out of school for the week and free from worry over assignments, tests, and other grueling trials. Too bad the Dark Kingdom had already attacked once already, right at the beginning of their week off. If this pattern kept on going, she and the other girls would be more worn out from their break than from school. 'God, I hope Luna and Artemis are wrong about the Dark Kingdom, about their return growing nearer,' Usagi thought to herself. She then turned and started on her way, only to walk right into somebody face first. She backed off and looked at whom she had run into, with one thing on her mind being at that same spot she usually runs into someone on her way to school. "Couldn't you stand somewhere else for once you big..." she said before getting a good look at a somewhat familiar-looking guy. His long black hair and pine green eyes and shady face almost screamed out as that matching someone she knew, "Wait, you're not Mamoru-san." "You better watch where you're going, toots," the man said, "You might get run over." "I'm sorry sir," Usagi said, walking right by the man to avoid confrontation with him. After walking past him, she ran off, making sure he doesn't catch her. "Weird girl," the man said to himself before turning back to where he was going, "But isn't she that Usagi girl from Juuban Jr. High from when I was there? She sure as hell looks like her." The man began making his way to the park, pulling out a small electronic device for his activities there. Park... Usagi arrived at the park, where the immense lake glistened in the sunlight, giving the cold winter day a more bearable ambiance. A number of children in coats were enjoying their week off from school at one of the park's playgrounds, while other children roamed about the fields doing God knows what. In another field at the park, near the lake, were what looked like a group of college students playing a game of frisbee toss, while another group of college students played a friendly game of soccer not far from them. Usagi decided to walk along a concrete path circling the park quite a distance from the lake, hoping her seeing the people enjoying their week off from school would help her to enjoy hers better, without worrying about the Dark Kingdom. But nothing was helping her to get her mind off Mamoru. She knew she was head-over-heels for this guy since she discovered her identity as Princess Selenity and Mamoru's as her love from long ago, Prince Endymion. Everything around her was reminding her of the person she had lost, and her face showed it as she took her seat on an empty bench. There she watched as a group of children were playing a game of some sort, though it looked quite familiar to Usagi. "Fire Soul!" were the words from one of the children that screamed out what the children were doing. That actually gave Usagi a warm feeling, knowing just how legendary she and the other Sailor Senshi really were. She smiled as the children took to fighting pretend evil just as she and the other senshi would, but that smile disappeared just as quickly as it came. "The children, so carefree," Usagi commented to herself, "They don't have to worry about hope, dreams, and they especially don't have to worry about love." She sat there, resting her head in her hands as thoughts of Mamoru continued to run through her head. "Look, it's Tuxedo Mask," one of the children yelled, immediately getting Usagi's attention. "Mamoru-san?" she said as immediately looked up and around the park. All she saw was a small boy running toward the group in a Tuxedo Mask costume, almost a perfect replica of the costume the man himself wore. "Go away with your evil ways," the boy said in a near perfect performance, though his 2nd grade vocabulary doesn't even come close to matching Mamoru's witty speech, "How dare you tease the children while they're outside having fun." Usagi watched as the kid threw a fake rose at one of the kids pretending to be the youma the Sailor Team was fighting. Usagi closed her eyes as that same dark thought of Titanius taking Mamoru from her returned, drawing a single tear from her eye. "Damn you, Titanius," she gasped as she began to weep, "Kyodai isn't the only one you've upset." With that, she curled up in the bench and buried her face in her arms and knees as she let out her anger, sadness, and hatred in one loud wail. Meanwhile, Kyodai paced down the trail for an afternoon's walk to warm his blood from the wintry air. His dark brown bomber jacket kept him warm, and unlike what Usagi was wearing, his dark gray jeans kept his legs shielded from the wind. Though the weather was sunny and frigid, the park was full of life with the teens and children enjoying their week off from classes. But as Kyodai walked further down the road, the sounds of a girl's sobs drew his attention. In a park full of laughter and joy, the sounds of sadness would draw anybody's attention. Kyodai picked up the pace and headed in the direction of the weeping lady. His jog took him toward a bench by the trail, where all he saw was a girl in pink and light blue, with her face buried in her arms. The twin odangos proved to him that he didn't need a face to identify the teary-eyed girl. "Usagi-san?" he summoned. Usagi looked up, her watery blue eyes cascading with tears, to see another familiar face with a little bit of a smile, obviously trying to cheer her up. "What's wrong, Usagi-san?" he asked as she sat down on the bench next to her. Kyodai wasn't always the one who would offer a shoulder to cry on, especially with the fact he doesn't date very many girls, nor is he friends with many girls. But to him, Usagi was a close friend of his sister's, as well as a friend of Makoto's. It must be her friendship with his sister that made it easier for Kyodai to trust her. It must also be the fact he fights for her and alongside her while she's Sailor Moon and he's Tuxedo Inferno. "It's Mamoru," she whimpered. "I know, I'm upset about Titanius taking him too," said Kyodai, holding his own anger towards Titanius back, "But you two aren't even dating. I thought you two teased each other like children." "I know I'm not dating him, but you don't understand how much I want to date him," said Usagi between an occasional sniffle. "But all he ever does is tease you," said Kyodai, "He's told me about you a few times, and about your childish ways, though his teasing you is just as childish. He's a great guy, but I don't see how you could want to be with someone who's always teasing you and bullying you." "But there's more to him than that, and you know that," Usagi rebutted, "He has this hidden tenderness to him. And he also has a hidden desire for romance with that perfect girl. You've seen him as Tuxedo Mask, how he's so sophisticated in his dress and style, and how he holds in his hand a red rose, the symbol of love. Even his speeches make me dreamy." "You seem to see more in him than I do," said Kyodai, "I never thought Mamoru had that kind of love for romance. I always thought of Mamoru as one who took dating and romance lightly, kinda like I do." "I hated him at first. There were times I just wanted to slap the hell out of the man for treating a lady so rudely. But over time, through both my friends pressure and my own insight, I found myself falling in love with him, both as Mamoru and as Tuxedo Mask," Usagi explained, with another tear running down her cheek as she continued, "I fell in love with him, and I wanted to tell him how I felt about him, but all he ever did was tease me." Her tone changed from explanatory to a mellower and more whimpering tone as more tears ran down her cheeks, "He'd make fun of my schoolwork, he'd make fun of my hair, calling me "Odango Atama", he'd make fun of my personality, calling me a "baka", he made fun of my klutziness..." Usagi paused for a moment and shut her eyes tight, squeezing the tears free from her eyes and she began sobbing, "I found it hard to believe I was falling in love with someone who teases me and makes my life hell. And if I were to tell him how I felt, maybe things would've been so much better. But now I can't. I fell in love with him, but he only teased me. And now he's gone, all because Titanius wants to make your life hell." Those last sentences threw Usagi into an uncontrollable weep, throwing herself into Kyodai's arms. Kyodai wrapped his arms around the small girl in blue and pink as she wept into his chest through the unzipped opening in his bomber jacket. "Sshhhh..." he softly said as his left hand gently rubbed her back. Kyodai felt something in her, something that he felt in his sister whenever she mentioned Usagi. Though his sister was quite harsh and bossy towards her, giving her the same nickname Mamoru had been so fond of giving her, but he felt there was more to them than just a couple of bickering friends. It was that bond that seemed to make Kyodai so open to Usagi, and even comforting to her. And it was that openness that began drawing Kyodai out of his shell a little. "Usagi-san?" he said. "What?" she replied, calming herself down a little, though she still had a slight whimper in her voice. "Mamoru means a lot to me too. He and I have been best friends since high school and all throughout. To be quite honest, though I was a star athlete and the class president in high school, I didn't date many girls at all, nor did I have anybody I really called my true friend. Mamoru was one of few close friends I had, one who actually made the time to see me as more than just the star of the soccer team who all the students talked about," Kyodai explained, loosening his hold on Usagi. Usagi gently pulled herself back, looking into Kyodai's eyes and began drying her tears up, "You don't talk about yourself, nor how you feel very much, do you?" Kyodai paused for a moment, "No... not often. Somehow I feel... comfortable talking to you. Must be the fact you and my sister are close... and that she trusts you so much." Usagi began to crack a smile at the sound that Kyodai is actually a little more modest than he looks, "You don't need to say any more. He really does mean a lot to you, doesn't he? Or Titanius wouldn't have taken him to get back at you." "Believe me, Titanius knows exactly what he's doing to me by taking Mamoru, but what he doesn't realize is that I'm not the only one Mamoru means the world to," said Kyodai. Suddenly, the little comfort session was interrupted by a rather large number of police sirens speeding in the direction of the park. Kyodai quickly glanced in that direction to see some police cruisers already in the park, with police officers quickly jumping out with their guns drawn as more police cars sped into the park with them. Usagi looked toward there the cops were running to see a rather familiar character in black armor keeping other cops at bay while seemingly casting magic upon others, including park visitor, stealing their energy from them. "Kyodai-san, you better look over there," she said. Kyodai complied, only to see his very archnemesis attacking the people and police. "Damn," he cursed as he quickly got up, forgetting all about the blonde odango-headed girl he was comforting a moment ago, and dashed towards him. Usagi, on the other hand, quickly drew out her communicator. "Sailor Senshi, I need you at the park, and fast. Titanius is at it again," she said before putting it back into her jacket. With her hand still in her jacket, she pulled out her brooch. "Moon Prism Power, Make-Up!" During Usagi's rather long display during her transformation, Kyodai had already transformed into Tuxedo Inferno and was ready to take Titanius. She should really find a way to speed up her transformation, shouldn't she. While Titanius was busy keeping the cops at bay and draining the people's energy, Tuxedo Inferno picked up a rock, one as big as his hand, and hurled it at Titanius. It violently connected with his face just below his eye, knocking him to the ground and leaving a monstrous welt on his left cheekbone. Titanius lightly rubbed the welt on his face, feeling the intense pain surging throughout the left side of his face with that light touch. "Who the hell hit me?" he growled, looking at the police and wondering which of them hit him with the rock. "C'mon, which one of you bastards threw that rock at me?" he yelled again, trying to get a response from the cop brave enough to step forward. He then pushed himself to his feet and readied himself to punish the cop he thought threw the rock at him. "Over here, you idiot," a familiar voice said to him. Titanius glanced in the direction of that voice, and nearly blew a blood vessel in his head at the sight of his archenemy standing in an open field away from both the running people and the horde of police. Titanius seethed at the very man who threw the rock at him, and with perfect accuracy too, giving him something to think about with that welt on his face. Immediately, he threw both his hands in the air and summoned his dark powers, collecting its energy into a volatile ball. "Damn you, Mars Prince," he yelled as he threw launched it at Tuxedo Inferno with his anger fueling it. Tuxedo Inferno barely had enough time to escape Titanius' impromptu counterattack as it engulfed him and sent him down the field, smoking from the heat of Titanius' energy blast. "Damn you for getting that lucky shot off," Titanius yelled, throwing his arm in front and firing a bolt of lightning at the fallen warrior of fire, smoldering him even more and slowly burning his energy away. "Hey Titanius," another voice called to him, a more feminine voice that he had grown to hate. 'Dammit, it can't be that bimbo,' Titanius thought to himself, knowing all to well it was the voice of the very girl who's always getting between him and killing the Mars Prince. He didn't even have to look toward the people running from him to see that very girl standing between him and the extra horde of energy he could've gathered running away in terror. "Sailor Moon, how could I have known," he said, his blood boiling even more, "Every time I try to get the Mars Prince to show up, you always have to put yourself right in the middle of it. Why is it you can't just let me and the Mars Prince handle this ourselves?" "Because you drag the people of Tokyo in your little game of cat and mouse," Sailor Moon replied, lowering her eyebrows at her, "And it's a certain person you dragged in the middle of your little vendetta that not only has stuck your enemy, but also pissed this Sailor Senshi off. In the name of the Moon, you'll be punished." Titanius only shook his head violently in response to her boring little speech, "Damn, why don't you just be a good little girl and go home. This is between me and the Mars Prince." "You don't seem to understand, do you?" said Sailor Moon as she began to slowly advance toward him, "You took not only Tuxedo Inferno's friend from a long time ago, but you took someone who means more to me than your little dispute with Tuxedo Inferno ever will." "Fool, you have no idea what kind of hell that candy ass Mars Prince has put me through," Titanius argued back, clinching both his fists. "No, but I do," Tuxedo Inferno exclaimed as he joined Sailor Moon by her side, "I know exactly what kind of pain you've been put through." "And I bet you're really feeling it now, aren't you, Mars Prince?" Titanius reminded, "Because you know I have your best friend back at the Dark Kingdom. Without him, without that friendship that has made you and the Sailor Team so powerful, you're but a pathetic weakling dwelling on that what's now eating you alive." "I'm not going to let you take my Prince Endymion for your own little war," said Sailor Moon as she removed her tiara. "I thought I told you to go home, Sailor Moon," Titanius yelled as he threw his arm at her, blasting her with a fierce lightning and knocking her quite a ways back, "Now get the hell out of here and let the Mars Prince and I handle this." He then turned back to Tuxedo Inferno, whose fists were clinched so tight that they were trembling under the stress. "So, shall we begin?" said Titanius, pointing his finger at Tuxedo Inferno, "Starting with this damned mark you left on my face." From his fingers, he fired a beam of dark energy at Tuxedo Inferno, easily connecting with his chest and knocking him to the ground. Just as Titanius had gotten his shot off at Tuxedo Inferno, a bolt of lightning struck him from above, singing his armor and knocking him flat on his face. He slowly made it to his feet and turned back, having an idea who shot him from behind. It wasn't the cops, they're too busy watching Sailor Moon in awe and letting her do most of the work. "She was right, you know," said Sailor Mars. "You taking Tuxedo Mask not only pissed him off, but it pissed Sailor Moon off, and it also pissed us off," said Sailor Jupiter, whom Titanius had assumed blasted him with that bolt of lightning in the first place, "You mess with him, you mess with her, you mess with all of us." "Dammit, not the whole Sailor Team again," Titanius said to himself before turning his attention to the 4 sailor soldiers, "Look, this doesn't involve you. Now if you don't want your asses kicked, I suggest you take Sailor Moon and let the Mars Prince and I have our battle." "We'll see who's gonna be doing the ass kicking," said Sailor Venus as she raised her pointer finger, "Crescent Beam!" With that, she pointed that finger at Titanius and fired a beam of crescent light at him. "I'm not going to let you do that to our friend," said Sailor Mercury, "Shabon Spray!" She launched a volley of bubbles at the stricken Titanius, taking more out of the bounty hunter in black. "You're going to pay with blood for not only hurting Tuxedo Inferno, but also hurting Sailor Moon by taking Tuxedo Mask from them," said Sailor Mars, waving her arm at him, "Fire Soul!" Just as Titanius had gotten up from Sailor Mercury's attack, a wall of fire plowed through him, blackening his armor, as if it weren't already black, and vaporizing his cape. Titanius quickly got back to his feet and looked at his back where his cape used to be. "You infidels, these capes cost money you know," said Titanius, "These are limited edition capes imported directly from Europe. You don't just find these at any department store." "Your cape's gonna be the least of your worries after I get through with you," said Sailor Jupiter as the mini-antenna popped up from her tiara, "Supreme Thunder!" With the power of the thunder gods gathering into that mini-antenna, Sailor Jupiter swung her arms to her sides, launching an orb of lightning at the capeless bounty hunter of the Dark Kingdom, giving him enough of a jolt to knock him to the ground. Tuxedo Inferno drew his sword and slowly advanced toward his fallen opponent. With the fire burning in his veins, he slowly inched his way toward the man who not only made Usagi upset, but also pissed him off. Tuxedo Inferno raised his blade, his anger, his pain, his fear fueling the fire gathering into his blade. Just as he was about to set the fiery blade upon his foe, Titanius jumped up and blasted him in the chest with a sphere of dark energy, knocking Tuxedo Inferno back and causing him to drop his sword. "Fools, I see I'm going to have to teach you another lesson," Titanius said as he turned to the now 5 Sailor Senshi and pulled his blaster, "You know what this can do. So today's lesson will start with shooting the very one who burned my rare and expensive cape." He pointed his blaster at Sailor Mars and pulled the trigger, causing the blaster to make a low charging sound before releasing its furious beam at the fiery sailor senshi. The others were able to scatter, but Sailor Mars was barely able to move before the beam struck her and send her sliding across the field and into a police car as if a rocket had pushed her into it. Sailor Jupiter immediately turned her attention back to Titanius after he had gotten his shot off. 'No, not Rei-chan,' she thought to herself, almost out loud as she lowered her eyebrows at him, 'You bastard!' "Supreme Thunder Dragon!" With those words, fueled by her anger, her anger not just over Titanius shooting Sailor Mars, but also for what he's been putting both Kyodai and Usagi through, she summoned an electric dragon and sent it flying toward Titanius. Titanius, however, was quick on his feet and swift to react as he threw up his force field. Sailor Jupiter's fierce thunder dragon struck the force field, engulfing it in pure electrical power. But that power was only enough to not only drop the force field, but further fuel Titanius' rage. In response, he pointed his blaster at his electric opponent and pulled the trigger, charging his blaster before releasing it's raging fury. The beam struck Sailor Jupiter swiftly and accurately, drilling her through a gazebo pillar and into a large maple tree, nearly knocking the tree itself over with its freight train power. Meanwhile, Sailor Mercury stayed outside of Titanius' battle zone, with her visor donned and her minicomputer open, scanning his blaster. What was displayed on its screen not only brought surprise to the senshi of water, but also left her awestruck. "Oh my god," she exclaimed, "No wonder Rei-chan seemed so concerned with that crystal in his blaster. The power of the beam is but inferior to the power that crystal is putting out. And it's completely dominated by darkness." Sailor Venus stood by her, also stricken with awe at Sailor Mercury's description of the crystal powering Titanius' blaster. "I wonder how Rei-chan knew of that crystal before us," she said meekly. "We can ask her later," Sailor Mercury replied, "For now I need you to keep him busy so I can scan him some more." "Are you kidding?" Sailor Venus protested, "He kinda has us out- 'gunned' here." "just try to keep him from shooting the rest of us," Sailor Mercury suggested. "Very well," Sailor Venus complied, for she'd rather go down fighting, "But if he shoots me, he'll shoot you too." So Sailor Venus approached Titanius, whom for at that moment was oblivious to the two remaining senshi. As she approached her opponent, ready to match her powers against his blaster, a sword lying in the thick park grass caught her attention. 'Tuxedo Inferno's sword,' she thought to herself. Tuxedo Inferno's fallen flame sword gave Sailor Venus the feeling of at least some equality as she grasped its hilt in her right hand. "Titanius," she called out. Titanius turned, his blaster still in hand, armed and ready, and merely chuckled at the sight of Sailor Venus challenging him with a sword. "Let's settle this now," she said as she grasped Tuxedo Inferno's sword in both hands in battle stance, "You'll feel what you've put Sailor Moon through. Titanius' chuckles grew into a more subtle laugh in response. Sailor Venus gave a puzzled look, then became upset at Titanius' apparent mocking of her challenge, "What the hell is so funny?" Titanius' laughter ended as he gave his responce, "You really think you're going to take a knife to a gunfight?"" He thenshook his head in disappointment as he pieced together Sailor Venus' challenge and his response, "Idiot. You really are an idiot." Sailor Venus only grew angrier at Titanius' insult, "You've already pissed me off enough. I want a fair fight, a one-on-one duel. Don't you have a sword as well?" Titanius dropped the barrel of his blaster and drew his sword with that free hand. "Are you sure you know how to use that?" Titanius taunted, "That isn't exactly a child's playtoy." Sailor Venus charged at Titanius and attempted to skewer him. Titanius stepped to the side and deflected her attack, only to have her turn right back around and slash at him not once, but twice. Titanius dropped his blaster and clashed with his rather adept opponent. "As you see, I know damn well how to use one of these," said Sailor Venus before trying for another slash, clashing again with Titanius' waving blade, "It's a skill I learned a long time ago." Sailor Venus then tried for a chain of strikes, slashes, thrusts, and lunges, only to have them all blocked and deflected by Titanius' skillful swordsmanship. "Being the leader of the Moon Princess' senshi, it was kind of a requirement," Sailor Venus said before using her own display of swordplay, knocking Titanius' sword back and slashing him, cutting right through his armor and giving him something to think about underneath. "So there. Are you feeling her pain yet?" said Sailor Venus. Titanius winced in pain and clutched his chest as he stumbled back from that slash. "Not bad, not bad at all," he said, catching a glimpse of his blaster sitting a few feet near him, "The Mars Prince would be proud of how well you handle his sword. But I'll show you the pain he is about to feel." He swiftly rolled and picked up his blaster, then pulled the trigger and quickly blasted the surprised sailor senshi right into the horde of police, knocking a number of them over from the beams sheer force. 'Damn, I knew he would end up shooting her,' Sailor Mercury thought to herself, nearly dropping her minicomputer, 'But at least I've finished scanning. I hope Rei-chan can shed some light on this find.' Sailor Mercury put her minicomputer up, retracted her visor, and faced Titanius, preparing to make a last stand against this furious bounty hunter. Bit it was quickly met by a well-placed blaster shot to her chest, sending her sliding down the grass and through a couple of benches before settling down next to Sailor Jupiter at the old maple tree. "There, that's all of them. I hope that taught them a lesson. Now, where's the Mars Prince?" Titanius said to himself as he began scanning about the park. Then, the looks on the faces of the police changed as they pointed behind Titanius, some cheering at what they saw. Titanius quickly turned back to see what it was, but was met by a bright disk slamming into his wounded chest. Titanius let out a loud grunt as he was knocked to the ground, his vision blurring from the overload of pain. Not a moment sooner, his vision cleared and he sat up to find out who had struck him. His blood boiled, turning the pain in his chest into fuel for his maniacal rage, as he saw Sailor Moon standing right in the middle of the field, with the hated Mars Prince at her side. "Damn you, Sailor Moon," he growled as he slowly made it to his feet, "I should've just shot your ass when you first showed up. You never seem to leave me alone." Sailor Moon only stood fast, starring her opponent down. But Tuxedo Inferno had a different response as he threw arms to his sides, "Inferno..." A ball of fire hovered above his head as he quickly threw his arm toward Titanius, "...Flame!" Tuxedo Inferno's attack landed its mark, knocking Titanius back to the ground and causing even more pain to strike his chest. This didn't stop Tuxedo Inferno, though. Just as Titanius had made it to his feet, Tuxedo Inferno waved his arms in an awesome display of karate, "Inferno Fire Dance!" He dashed toward Titanius and danced about in a high-speed, fiery piece of choreography, striking flaming blows on the bounty hunter and taking even more out of him. For his next trick, Tuxedo Inferno engulfed his hands in flames and grasped Titanius' neck, then lifted his lying body off of the ground. As Tuxedo Inferno drew back his engulfed fist to strike another painful blow, Titanius mustered up his strength and thrust his palm into Tuxedo Inferno's chest, blasting him with dark energy and knocking him a short distance back. Tuxedo Inferno recovered from the hasty attack rather quickly and starred down at his dark and resourceful opponent as Titanius stood somewhat dazed from that fiery chain of attacks. Tuxedo Inferno reached into his back pocket, pulled out his now-famed voice synthesizer, and placed it to his throat. "You took him from us. You hurt us. You pissed us off, you bastard. And now, I will set your ass on fire... and make you feel our pain as it consumes you in its fury," he said in a deep, monotone, synthesized voice. He then replaced his voice synthesizer and ripped his mask from his face, revealing his eyes as they glowed bright orange. Around him, flames began ignite with sheer intensity as the warrior of fire held his arms to his sides and began to slowly raise them. "Inferno..." he began to chant loudly, sending chills down Titanius' spine, for he knew the hell he was about to face. "Everybody down!" Sailor Moon yelled to the police as she took cover with them behind their cruisers. "...Fury!!!" Tuxedo Inferno yelled as he threw his arm toward Titanius, sending an intense tornado of fire in his direction. The fiery cyclone covered an area the size of the park's enormous lake, giving Titanius the torture and burning sensation of being in the fiery pits of hell itself. The cyclone then cleared, leaving the exposed side of the police cars blackened and Titanius on the grass, completely unconscious. Tuxedo Inferno fell to his knees from the stress of using his most powerful attack as Sailor Moon ran over to him. "Kyodai-san, are you all right?" she asked. "Yeah, I've felt better," Tuxedo Inferno replied. Sailor Moon helped Tuxedo Inferno to his feet as Sailor Jupiter was the first of the senshi to reach them, with the still unconscious Sailor Mercury hobbled on her shoulder. "At least you fried his ass good," Sailor Jupiter commented. Sailor Mars was the next to join them, "Yeah, you sure showed him the hell you and Usagi have been put through." Sailor Venus was the last to join the group, right as Sailor Mercury began to awake, shaking the cobwebs out from Titanius' blaster. Sailor Venus turned to Tuxedo Inferno, his sword still in her right hand, and held the hilt out to him, "I think this belongs to you. I sorta... borrowed it and gave Titanius a good... sword fight." Tuxedo Inferno took his flame sword from Sailor Venus and magically placed it into his obsidian jewel ring. "You know how to sword fight?" he commented. "Uhh... Silver Millennium skill... kinda resurfaced," Sailor Venus answered sheepishly. Suddenly, a subtle laughter broke their little victory reunion. All 6 turned toward where Titanius had fallen to see him on his feet. He was slightly hunched over and clutching his chest with one hand, but nonetheless he was on his feet. "You won this battle, Mars Prince, but I have the energy that Queen Beryl wanted," Titanius began explaining, "We will fight again, Mars Prince. But next time we do, it will be just you and me. And your Sailor Senshi friends had better not interfere, because need I remind you that I have Prince Endymion. Since the Moon Princess holds him so dear and you hold him close as your best friend; if the Sailor Team interferes in our battle, I swear I will make Prince Endymion suffer in agony you have yet to realize before I make him drown in his own blood when I slit his throat and deliver you his severed head. So, Sailor Team, if you value his life as the Mars Prince does, stay out of our fight. We will meet again, Mars Prince. And when we do, it will end in hell." Those words struck all 6 warriors deep down and tore at their egos as Titanius threw a smoke bomb before disappearing. "He must really want you dead," Sailor Mars gasped. "And wants us out of it," Sailor Venus added. "He must want not only Kyodai-san's head and the bounty, but also the warrior's glory of winning a one-on-one fight to the death," said Sailor Mercury. "Come on, let's go home," said Sailor Moon before they all walked out of the park, with the police cheering for their victory as the warriors made their not-quite-so-grand exit. Later that day, at the park... Kyodai sat at one of the trail-side benches facing the lake. He sat with both his arms resting on top of the back of the bench and gazed toward the enormous lake, just above the horizon. His same dark brown bomber jacket he had worn all day kept him warm as the sunset was bringing more cold air to this wintry day. Next to him sat a girl whom he had been close to since he first met her. Though they had dated once, they still remained close as friends. She was the youngest of the few friends he had, but the fact she's lived alone and taken care of her apartment and herself for years made her seem more his age. There Makoto sat, resting her hands behind her head, also gazing above the horizon. "Nice sunset, isn't it?" she said rather calmly for it being this cold out. Though she was wearing a dark green skirt cut halfway down her shins and black flat slip-ons, leaving her bare shins and ankles open to the cold, she took toe cold much better than Usagi did. Her blue jean jacket also helped in keeping her relaxingly warm. "Yeah, brings back thoughts I've had for a while," Kyodai replied, "It helps relax me." "Today's been one helluva ride," said Makoto, thinking about the day's bout, "From the looks of it, this may not be such a good week off, thanks to the Dark Kingdom." "Believe me, I've had my good moments interrupted by their antics as well," Kyodai agreed. Makoto sat there and thought about the whole week. It wasn't just the fact the Dark Kingdom's been on the prowl that's made it a less than enjoyable week, bit it's what may be going down that's made this week no vacation. "Kyodai-chan, does any of this worry you?" she asked, looking over to him. "What do you mean by tat?" he asked, not even looking over to meet her eyes. "I mean what Luna and Artemis said the other day about the Dark Kingdom," Makoto reminded, "About how they're going to release the rest of the Dark Kingdom, and soon." "Yeah, looks like that'll be one helluva battle," said Kyodai, "But I'm worried more about getting Mamoru out of there before we strike them." "I know," said Makoto, "Once we find their portal, we'll get him back." "I hope so," Kyodai said as his eyes met Makoto's, "I really hope so, for all our sakes." Makoto took his hand into hers, chilled by the wintry air, and cracked a slight smile. "Trust me, we're all behind you. And Usagi's definitely behind you. You know, that was very sweet of you being there for her. She's more determined now to fight for Mamoru then ever," she said. She then leaned over and placed a soft, gentle, friendly kiss on Kyodai's lips before she snuggled into his arms, lying her head on his chest through the unzipped opening in his jacket. "Mako-chan," he said, pausing a moment as he held his friend in his arms, "What ever happened between us?" "You mean about us dating? I don't think about that much anymore," Makoto replied. "I mean why did we break up? Why did we even date? We could've been great just as close friends like we are now. We could've just as easily have been great as lovers," he explained. Makoto looked up at him, wondering about what he had just said, "Kyodai-chan, do you still love me, regret us breaking up?" Kyodai's eyes once again met hers, "Mako-chan, you're my friend. You're there for me, you see me for more than just a star soccer player who turns the ladies on. Of course I still love you. But as for our breakup, I don't know." He then glanced back toward the sky as Makoto rested back onto his chest, "For years I've searched for the girl in my dreams, the one from the Silver Millennium. Luna not remembering her doesn't help in the least bit. It must be that girl in my dreams that's the reason why I've never committed to a relationship with any girl." "You're still looking for her," Makoto concluded. "I just hope I find her soon," said Kyodai, "What if the Dark Kingdom's revived? What if we lose that fight? What if the world does end like Luna says will happen when the Dark Kingdom is released?" "You'll find her, Kyodai-chan," Makoto said as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "I have a feeling you're very close to finding her. Just follow that 6th sense you and Rei share, and then tell her how you feel." Kyodai let out a dreamy sigh, "I hope you're right." 'God, I hope Ami's the one. She's more like the princess than any girl I've met.' He closed his eyes, with Makoto still in his arms, as the sun finally slipped beneath the horizon and out of sight. Dark Kingdom Headquarters... "You have something for me" Queen Beryl asked, knowing why Titanius stood before her. She had seen Titanius' mission completely through on her crystal ball. She had witnessed Titanius gathering massive amounts of energy from the people and the police. She also witnessed the battle gone bad. Sure Titanius single-handedly wiped out the Sailor Team, but he failed to take the Moon Princess out, which led to him losing the battle to the Mars Prince. But it was the fact that Titanius completed the mission Kunzite had failed to complete that offset his loss to the Mars Prince. "Yes, my liege. I hope this is enough," Titanius said as he bowed before her, presenting to her a large sack filled with energy orbs. Queen Beryl snatched the sack from Titanius' outreached hands and opened it. It was like digging through a sack of pure gold doubloons as she easily dug out only 3 of the many orbs with one hand. "Well done, Titanius," she praised, smiling at the thought of Prince Endymion finally going to be hers, "This is more than enough. Not only will Endymion be ours, but this will be enough to finally release our great leader and the Dark Kingdom. You've done me proud, Titanius. You are dismissed. "Thank you, Your Highness," he said as he arose and turned to leave the chamber. "More kudos? That bitch is using me," Titanius said to himself on his way to his chamber, "I rejoined the Dark Kingdom so I could get the Mars Prince and claim my bounty. But she uses me tp dp her work and then blames me for losing to the Sailor Team. I don't want them, and I'm not in it for her pitiful little missions. Prince Ramón, Prince of Mars, you made it personal when you turned your back on me and put me through hell with that fiery cyclone. Damn you, Mars Prince. When I kill you, I'll make sure you see and feel the flames of hell I felt before you finally die. Mark my words, I'll be coming for you. And neither the Sailor Team nor that bitch Queen Beryl will stop me." ------------------------------end of part II--------------------------- There y'all go, another epidode-and-a-half's worth thrown into the concluding part of this story. Something's about to go down, right? And I ain't talking just the coming of the Empress Metallia and the rest of the Dark Kingdom. This definately adds more to the Titanius/Tuxedo Inferno conflict, doesn't it? I can feel the heat between those two, can y'all? This is only the second story in a series I will now call the "Blaze of Darkness Trilogy". Yes, I said trilogy. I'm still working on a way to end their rivalry once and for all, and I believe I can get it done in one final story involving Titanius and Tuxedo Inferno, with a lot of Sailor Senshi thrown in. For now, be on the lookout for the next and last fanfic involving this rivalry, along with other Y2V projects. The ending is coming soon, I will assure y'all that. E-mail me with comments, a'ight? 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