Title: Incinerated Minds Author: Viper Inferno E-mail: viperdvman@yahoo.com Rated: PG Howdy Sailor Moon Fans. Welcome once again to the World of Y2V. After a long, long, and very tough "vacation", I've returned with a new line of fanfics for y'all to enjoy that I've thought of in my 2 months of absence. It took me a bit to bring this one out, with work and all, and getting the final chapter to "Mind Over Fire" out. This is the third of my new line, one that came to mind during my "vacation". This one is sure to be quite entertaining for all you Ami-chan fans out there. We'll just see how this one goes, eh? So, with my new line of fanfics, here's the Y2V... ...Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and most of the characters ain't mine. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi, and I thank 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 CWI, and I thank them for bringing' it to America. But Russell Hino, Hino Kyodai, Tuxedo Inferno, and all his other identities are MINE (in a deep, dark, growling voice). Deanna Kokorono/Kokorono Meijin is also purely my creation. So, please don't sue me, I'm just a lonely man who's barely got anything, just workin' hard and payin' the rent. Well, y'all enjoy this fanfic and e-mail me. 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, and enjoy this fic, a'ight? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Incinerated Minds By Viper Inferno The fine aroma of freshly brewed cappuccino filled the air of the Crown's Restaurant. Few people occupied the place, being right after morning rush hour. Most of those who did fill the seats were college students between classes, though the nearest college was a junior college some short drive from there, and the local junior high and high school students, who were off for the day due to a professional day. Crown's was normally a popular restaurant, especially amongst teenagers, since the video arcade was downstairs and normally bustling with teens, especially during lunch and after school hours. But for some odd reason, few students were at Crown's that day. Most of them were either at the arcade or taking advantage of their day off and sleeping in. Mizuno Ami, however, decided to use this day off and broaden her horizons with a few magazines. Though her friends never thought of her as the type to read magazines, Ami often found some very good and educational information from some of them. Magazines like "Popular Science", "Popular Mechanics", "Discover", and "National Geographic" were among her favorites. Even Usagi was amazed at the size of her science and technology magazine collection, taking up an entire large bookshelf. Another subject of periodicals she subscribed to were her medical magazines. With her dream in life to become a great doctor, the medical magazines educated her, kept her informed of new breakthroughs in medicine, and highlighted the great achievements of certain jobs and people in medicine. It was her newest arrival of medical magazines that she had in her hands as she sat at Crown's. "Hi Ami-san," a familiar male's voice called to her. Ami looked up from her magazine to see a familiar short-haired blonde man placing her freshly brewed mocha onto the table in front of her, while holding a cup of coffee of his own. "Mind if I sit with you?" Motoki asked. "Oh no, be my guest," Ami politely answered as he took his seat in front of him. Furuhata Motoki always took any opportunity to talk to Usagi or any of her friends. In a way, he was close to them, ever since he first met Usagi when she began junior high at Juuban Junior High. It was through Usagi that Motoki had met the other girls. Their frequent visits to Crown's brought him and his sister, Unazuki, closer to them as friends. As time passed, Motoki became more to Usagi and her friends than just a hot guy they liked to drool over and fight over. He became more of a person they looked up to. Motoki worked hard at the restaurant and arcade to pay his way through college. It's a tough task for any young adult starting out in his life, but Motoki has endured thus far. Ami too admired his perseverance, and would sometimes ask him for advice on such matters. "So, what's on your mind?" Motoki asked, trying to spark up a little conversation after taking a sip of coffee. "Oh, just the usual with me," Ami answered, "studying and looking into my future career as a doctor." "Aren't you usually home or with the others when you study?" Motoki asked. "Yes, but now and then I like to get out of the house and be out somewhere while I study," Ami explained. "Sounds like me," Motoki agreed, "I too want to get out of the house sometimes and away from Unazuki when I study." 'It's quiet at home for me,' Ami thought to herself, 'It matters little if I study at home or outdoors. It's still quiet either way.' Motoki could see the look on Ami's face, as if something were on her mind. "You alright, Ami-san?" he asked, being the true friend that he is. "Yes, just gets old after a while," Ami replied, "I mean I love studying and all, but sometimes it's better to be studying with everyone." "So why not study with them?" Motoki asked. "Well, Rei's out on a weekend retreat, Kyodai's in classes, Minako's with her mother somewhere, Makoto's at jiu-jitsu practice, and for a girl who could use the study time, Usagi's downstairs at the arcade," she replied. "Well, why not drag her off those games and into some books with you?" Motoki wondered. "I don't want to drag her away from her fun just so I can have somebody to study with," Ami replied, "She's doing something she enjoys, and I'm reading something I enjoy." "Yeah, I guess you're right," Motoki agreed, seeing beyond her words, 'Sounds like she would rather do something else than study all the time. And she's uneasy about joining Usagi for some reason.' Just then, the door opened as another customer walked in. "I have another customer, I'll be back," Motoki said as he got up and headed towards his counter. He made it to the counter and glanced at the young lady that had just walked in. He immediately recognized her as one of the Azabu Tech students, and a rather uncommon customer. Sure she came by once in a while, but she had more of an indifferent approach to the day. She never talked a lot and she never smiled, despite Motoki's acclaimed hospitality. "May I help you, ma'am?" "Swiss Mocha, please," she answered in the impassive tone that Motoki had grown to known about her. He once again examined the customer as he took her order, watching as her face barely even moved. Her jade green eyes stood stern, and her lips never cracked even a grin. Her purple hair swayed as she turned away and walked toward a table after ordering her drink. 'Something must be up with her,' Motoki thought to himself, 'Everybody must be having a dull day, especially her.' Meanwhile, the customer sat at a table and began looking about the restaurant. After getting through two of her classes with much ease, she decided to take a short coffee break before driving back to the college for her next classes. She looked about Crown's to see those few people who were at the restaurant were mostly conversing amongst themselves. One man was sitting by himself next to a window, looking outside at the sunlit urban scenery, while a lone blue-haired girl in the middle of the restaurant reading a magazine stood out. 'She sure studies a lot,' the customer thought to herself, 'I know I study a lot too, but I would be using a junior high student's day off to do other things. Sure, I study a lot, but I have other things constructive to do besides study, even without much of social life. But I wonder where her friends are on their days off.' "Your coffee, ma'am," Motoki said, interrupting the customer's thoughts as he placed her coffee in front of her. "Thank you," she said as she took a sip from it and watched as Motoki made a beeline towards the lone blue-haired girl. She watched, as they seem to be engaging in a one-sided conversation. Motoki seemed to be the one doing most of the talking, while the blue-haired girl only looked up from her medical magazines to answer a few questions he asked. The customer knew this girl would rather be with her friends, or enjoying a social gathering. 'She studies too hard, as if she's depending on it to reach her goal as a great physician,' the customer thought to herself, 'I don't see why he's even trying to talk to her if she won't talk back. His attempt at cheering her up isn't working. It's as if her studies take priority over everything, even the opportunities she gets to spend time with her friends.' Motoki smiled as he got up and walked back to his counter to tend to the restaurant. 'Then again, I don't need a social life,' the customer thought to herself as the blue-haired girl turned back to her magazine. Ami wore a sadder expression as she turned back to her magazines. She knows her studies and her looking into her future career are important to her. Students at her old school and even students at Juuban Junior High when she first moved there often avoided her because she tended to turn to her studies rather than them. Sure, she would've loved to have spent the day with Rei at her retreat or with Usagi down at the arcade, but without any of the others it just wouldn't be the same. She let out a sigh as she turned back to her magazine. '"Your studies are important to you,"' a voice said to her in her head. She immediately looked up from her magazine and looked around the store, wondering where it came from. Seeing only the people in the restaurant and Motoki at the counter, she turned back to her magazine. '"But are they so important that you expend all your energy on them?"' the voice said again. Ami looked up again and began making a more detailed scan about the restaurant. One person she caught her attention as she was looking right at her jade green eyes at the other side of the restaurant. Ami's eyes widened at the familiar figure, 'What's Meijin doing here?' '"You seem to be throwing away your social life to achieve your dream,"' Meijin's voice said in her mind, '"I can see why your social life is weak as is mine."' Meijin then got up and headed towards the door with coffee in hand. As she made it to the door, she turned back to Ami and gave her one last look, with her usual straight face, before turning to leave. Moments later, Ami gathered all her magazines and walked towards the door. "Goodbye Ami-san, have a nice day," Motoki said as Ami walked on, not even turning to acknowledge him. He noticed her sad expression and wondered if it was just today, or if something was really getting to people recently. First that customer, and now Ami. Ami stopped after walking out the door and let out a sorrowful sigh. 'She's right,' Ami thought to herself, 'I do put my studies ahead of having a good time with everyone. I guess I'm just... used to it.' She shut her eyes for an instant, with all the thoughts going through her mind at once, before opening them again and continuing on her way. Meijin's apartment... Meijin sat at her dining room table, patiently waiting as her stir-fry dinner sizzled on the stove. Though it was still in the middle of the afternoon, Meijin cooked whenever she felt like having dinner. Time was of little relevance to her. While waiting on her dinner to finish cooking, she reflected on the morning at Crown's. Every time she went to Crown's and ordered from Motoki, there was always something she felt in him. What she had felt was familiar to her. It was like Motoki knew the same people she knew. That was only proven true this morning when he had sat with and talked to Ami. But there's more to Motoki than just him knowing Ami. So Meijin began thinking about others Motoki knew. Knowing how closely knit Ami is with her friends, they must stay together a lot, which certainly wasn't true this morning. She remembered feeling that in Motoki that he knew that Ami wasn't always alone like she was this morning, but often hung around the other Sailor Senshi. So she begins thinking about Motoki's possible connection with the Sailor Senshi. He seems to know Ami like a close friend, so he must be this close to the other Senshi as well. But Meijin knew she was looking too much into it. For all she knew, Motoki was like Mamoru in that he doesn't know that Ami and her friends are the legendary Sailor Team. But the fact he knows their civilian forms leaves the possibility for Meijin to learn more open. The buzzer on the oven sounded, letting Meijin know that her stir-fry dinner was finished cooking. She set that thought in the back of her mind and proceeded over to the stove. She quickly turned timer and stove off and removed the frying pan. She then sat back at the dining room table and served her meal, with thoughts about Ami herself still on her mind. She thought about how much Ami was actually like her. They were both highly intelligent, both working hard towards their goals, and both without much of a social life. It was those similarities and Ami's apparent flaws that remained on Meijin's mind as she had her dinner. That evening... Ami sat at the edge of a finely constructed concrete fountain at the botanical gardens. She glanced down at the reflection of a rather depressed Mizuno Ami. It had been a down day for her, not having anyone around, not even her mother. With her friends out enjoying their day off, and her mother on call at the hospital, Ami spent much of the day either reading and studying or regretting not going down to the arcade with Usagi. At least it would've given Ami a little more joy in the day, but no. All she ever does, all that she's used to doing, is reading and studying. She even does it most of the time she's with everyone. Even on the day she first met Kyodai, the day Rei had brought him to meet them, she was studying one of her textbooks for a major exam. Perhaps Meijin was right, Ami tended to choose studying over opportunities to bring herself a little joy that her friends tend to bestow upon her. Being with her friends made her feel good on the inside, but she hated to put her studies aside and begin faltering in her academics as a result. 'All I ever do is study, study, study,' Ami thought to herself, 'And as a result, I never get to spend the time I would like to with everyone. Damn, I should've taken Usagi up on going with her, even if it was just the arcade.' Often, Ami heard footsteps, as people would walk by her. Only one other person was at the fountain, sitting on the other side. Later on, even that person had gotten up and walked off somewhere else in the park. She looked around the park once in a while, observing the scenery as if she was looking for someone. Some hope still remained in her that something would happen to help brighten this dull day up for her. Then, another set of footsteps sounded right behind Ami. She looked towards them to see none other than the very person who helped her to analyze her problem. Her purple hair was lightly pulled into a lose ponytail, held by a large jade green hair clip. She wore a red blouse with black slacks and black oxfords, and her ever so common green spiral earrings. She had already noticed Ami sitting at the fountain as she had stopped and turned to her, "Starring at your reflection? Wishing you could've spent the day with somebody but didn't?" "You seem to know everything, don't you?" Ami asked. "What can I say?" Meijin replied in her usual tone, "You're both sad and regretful. I can feel it in you." "Empathic too, right?" Ami assumed. "I'm surprised you don't already know that by now," said Meijin. "So why are you here?" Ami asked. "I hardly know of you to be enjoying the scenery of the botanical gardens." "I think nothing of it," said Meijin, "Actually, I've been doing some thinking, as you seem to have." "What about?" Ami asked. "The days I've known you since we first met in battle, both on and off the battlefield," Meijin replied. "Aren't we enemies?" said Ami. "Yes, but as with Kyodai and the rest of the Sailor Team, I don't always choose to challenge you," Meijin answered. "So what did you think about?" Ami asked. "Us," Meijin replied, "You and I have a lot more in common than we realize." "I know we're both highly intelligent and academic achievers," said Ami. "Right, but there's more to us than just that," said Meijin, "Another significant reason we're enemies is because we share similarities. It's not just that you and I are both highly intelligent. We both work hard towards our goals. You study to achieve academically so you can become a great physician, and I research and practice the use of my psychic powers to become a master psychic. But, we both also have little social life." "But it's different between you and I," said Ami. "True. I choose not to have much of a social life," Meijin explained, "All it does for me is get in the way of more important things to do, such as my studies. Though I do socialize once in a while to help me adjust to a community, a social life is something I can live without." "But, you have no emotion, so it doesn't affect you like it does me," said Ami. "You, however, want a social life," Meijin continued, "It's like a part of you is missing because you want what you have little of. I don't understand why you study so much. You devote too much of your energy on it. That's where you're weak. You expend all your energy on studying, with a desire to be a smart young lady just so you can achieve your goal as a physician. I can already tell your excessive studies have taken priority in the past and have made others look down upon you. You spent very little time with people and all of it in your books, trying to achieve an unreachable goal and make yourself even smarter. And because of that, people have avoided you in the past." Ami began to feel a burning in her chest as Meijin seemed to be striking a soft spot. "When I saw you earlier today, you seemed to be repeating that as the restaurant clerk trying to start a conversation with you didn't even divert you from your studies. I'm also sure you could've spent time with one of your friends and not been so lonely. But you seem to be used to your studies so much that you chose not to be with that friend or talk to the clerk," Meijin continued, as the burning feeling had reached up Ami's throat, "You're trying too hard to be someone you're not. You're only smart because you read enough books and study enough statistics, and you dwell on that to the point that it has made your social life weak. My weak social life is by choice, but yours is weak because you have damaged it." Ami's eyes began to water throughout Meijin's one-sided conversation. "I only hope you realize that soon, or you'll forever be a loner," Meijin said as she turned to walk away. She turned back to her reflection in the fountain, gazing upon the weakling that she was. Her image on the water rippled as tears began dripping into the fountain. "She's right," she said to herself as the tears began streaming down her face, "It's all because I do nothing but study." Ami couldn't hold it back any longer. The burning in her throat became so intense, that she immediately threw her head into her arms and burst out weeping. Meanwhile, Mamoru walked down the botanical gardens after a long day of classes. Fridays tended to he his heavier days in classes, where he shared a couple of them with Kyodai. Even his efforts in achieving his dream to be a doctor can be painstaking. So he decided to spend his evening in a more relaxing environment such as the serene beauty of the many species of flowers. As he neared the fountain at the end of the gardens, the sounds of a girl's sobs caught his attention. He walked over to the fountain to see if there was anything he could do. But when he got there, the sight of Ami, with her face buried in her arms and shuddering as she wept, surprised him. 'I wonder why Ami seems so upset?' he asked himself. He walked over to her and sat on the edge of the fountain next to her. "Hey there, Ami-san," he said, letting her know he was there. Ami looked up at him, with tears still pouring down her cheeks and still shuddering a bit. "What's wrong?" Mamoru asked. "I just had a... disturbing conversation with Meijin," Ami replied. "Really," Mamoru said, shocked that someone like Meijin could say anything to hurt someone. Little did he know is that she is the kind of person who points out a person's flaws. But Mamoru doesn't know about Meijin's competition with the Sailor Senshi, especially in their civilian forms. "What did she say to you?" he asked. "Well," Ami began as she sighed, trying to calm herself down a little, "She and I are alike in a number of ways." "I know you're both smart people," said Mamoru. "Yes, and we both have a weak social life," Ami said as another tear rolled down her cheek. "What do you mean by that?" Mamoru asked. "She says because she chooses not to, she rarely ever spends time with people," she explained, "But she pointed out that because I study too hard, trying to achieve an impossible goal, that I often pass up opportunities to be with the others. She said I was the one who destroyed my social life through my studies, trying to be someone I'm not." "She said what?" Mamoru said, upset at what Ami had told him, "Why the hell would Meijin drag someone down like that just because she seems to think she's better than they are?" He stood up rather aggressively, confused and trying to piece together why Meijin was being a bully. He's never known Meijin to say or do anything to hurt someone else. But then again, he hasn't seen her in battle against Kyodai or the Sailor Senshi. "Don't let her say things like that about you," he said, trying to reverse what Meijin had said, "She's just being a bully." "No, no, no," Ami pleaded, with another tear rolling down her cheek, "She's right." Mamoru's aggression grew into more concern and desire to comfort, as Ami seemed to be confirming what she and Meijin had talked about. He sat back down as she began explaining to him. "I do study too hard," she said, "My intelligence only comes from my excessive studies. And because of it, I can't even get away from it to be with the others, fearing I would fall behind in my studies. She's right, I'm trying to be someone I'm not. That and my desire to have the social life the others have is what's made me weak." "Ssshhh..." he said as he took her into his arms and let her release that emotion into his shoulder. "I know you better than that," he said, "You're hardly a defeatist to me. Knowing you, you're the type who would stand up to Meijin if she challenges you academically." Ami just lied there, letting the rest of her sadness and frustration out in Mamoru's arms. Usagi would be jealous to see this. Ami then let up as Mamoru held her shoulders at arms distance. "She may be psychic, but she doesn't know you like I do. And she especially doesn't know you better than Odango Atama," said Mamoru, "Your academics are what make you strong. I don't care how others view intellectuals like us. You're strategic, analytical, logical, and you achieve great things with that great mind of yours. You didn't make top scores by your studies alone you know. It's what you do with that knowledge you gather, as well as what you do with your natural abilities. With it, I know you can achieve your dream. Meijin was wrong by saying you're trying to become someone you're not." Ami barely began to crack a smile, "Yeah, you're right, but what about my sociality? I put my studies ahead of everything, and everyone." "Not entirely," said Mamoru, "Your studies are important, but your friends are important too. It seems your friendship with that odango had done you well. You spend time with her, she seems to cheer you up, and your studying with her has helped her to bring those low test scores up. I'm surprised she hasn't rubbed off on you with that klutziness and immaturity." "You really think so?" Ami said, cracking a smile as the tears began to dry up. "It seems that way. She may be a great friend to you and a few others, but she can really annoy the hell out of me sometimes. And your other friends are there for you too," Mamoru explained, "Kyodai told me his sister used to bring you over quite a bit, and still does now and then. Your friends love is another thing you have. Since Meijin chooses to have no social life, that's one advantage you have over her. Your friends' love is another thing that makes you strong." Ami smiled as she threw her arms around Mamoru, giving him a quick hug since he is Usagi's destined love after all. "Thank you, Mamoru-san," she said, "I just regret not spending time with Usagi since she was home on our day off." "Go find her when you can. She could use someone like you," Mamoru said, making little hint about insulting Usagi, "I'm here if you need someone to talk to. And I'm know Kyodai's there you too." Ami got up and smiled, "I will. I might want to call her tonight. Thanks Mamoru-san." She then turned and walked down the botanical gardens where she last saw Meijin, 'But first, I have some unfinished business.' She walked about the gardens, looking for Meijin, the girl who so tried to make her look bad. Or maybe Meijin was only reminding her of her flaws. But Mamoru sure proved her wrong in some of the things she said. But Ami still had more to prove to Meijin, especially what that great mind of hers can do. It didn't take long before Ami caught up with Meijin. There, by the pond, stood the purple-haired psychic. Her back was turned, though, as she faced the pond, unaware that her little epiphany only made Ami more determined to prove herself against this psychic. "Meijin?!" she called out. Meijin turned to see a completely different look on Ami's face. It was a look not of sadness, but one more of anger yet determination. "What is it? You look as if the truth about you has angered you," said Meijin. "I may have my flaws, but so do you," said Ami, "It's what makes us human. You only helped to bring out my more competitive side. How dare you insult my intelligence." "I only said the truth," said Meijin. "True, but not all of it," Ami said as she pulled her henshin pen out, "Meijin, I challenge you to a battle. I'll show you the rest of what is true about me." "So you do have some spirit under that mask you tend to wear," said Meijin, then deepened her tone, "I accept. I'll let you transform." "You bet I will," said Ami before raising her henshin pen, "MERCURY POWER, MAKE-UP!" Sailor Mercury struck her battle pose after transforming. "We'll see who's inferior," she said. "I'll do my best to prove yours," said Meijin as her eyes glowed bright blue, "Psychic Beam." She threw her arms at Sailor Mercury, missing by inches as Sailor Mercury jumped out of the way. Sailor Mercury saw her chance and threw her arms out in front, "Shabon Spray!" With that, she released a dense fog about the botanical gardens, making it harder for anyone to see in the midst of this battle. She immediately tapped her earring, bringing up her visor. "Same tricks every time," Meijin said as she waves her arms to the sides, using telekinesis to literally blow the fog away from the gardens. She quickly looked around, but to her surprise, Sailor Mercury was nowhere to be seen. "Where did she go?" she asked herself, "She's one smart senshi indeed." Meanwhile, Sailor Mercury had jumped out of the way immediately after releasing the fog, figuring Meijin would quickly find her in it. She stood in the distance right next to one of the statues. With her visor and mini-computer, she scanned Meijin for possible weaknesses in her telekinesis and her environment for what she can use against her opponent. 'I can defeat her,' she thought to herself as she scanned Meijin's powers and devised ways to combat them. '"Ingenious move,"' Meijin's voice echoed in Sailor Mercury's mind. Then, Sailor Mercury's body began lifting off the ground and levitating towards where Meijin stood. She put her computer up and began scanning the area with her visor, finding something that might break her free of Meijin's telekinetic grasp. Fortune came her way as she noticed that Meijin had teleported under a tree, in plain sight of the statue where Sailor Mercury had hidden. "Shabon Spray, Freezing!" she yelled, sending freezing bubbles at a branch, freezing it on contact. The ice was thick and heavy enough for it to break the branch and send it crashing down, right on top of Meijin. That strike broke her telekinetic grasp, causing Sailor Mercury to fall into one of the flowerbeds. As Sailor Mercury got to her feet, Meijin was just getting to her feet from the icy branch attack. "You've gotten better, Sailor Mercury," said Meijin, "But we'll see how you deal with this." Meijin teleported away, not even reappearing anywhere where Sailor Mercury could see. She pulled her mini-computer out and began scanning the area around her. Meijin was nowhere to be found, not even on Sailor Mercury's computer. Perhaps Meijin had run away. That was proven wrong as a blip appeared on her mini-computer, revealing Meijin to be right behind her. Sailor Mercury immediately turned around, but a little to late as Meijin threw her arm towards the tree, sending Sailor Mercury flying into it. Sailor Mercury got up moments later, only to find Meijin teleporting again. Moments later, she reappeared, along with a dozen images of herself. "What?" Sailor Mercury said to herself, wondering which one was the real Meijin. Immediately, she threw her arms to the sides, "Shabon Spray, Freezing!" With icy bubbles flying about the gardens, most of the area was covered in frost. But they had no effect as all the Meijin images were still standing. Then, all their eyes glowed bright blue as Sailor Mercury's body lifted off the ground and went flying to the other side of the gardens, smashing into another statue. Sailor Mercury from the attack, still seeing the multiple images of Meijin. 'I wonder which one is her,' she thought to herself as she pulled her mini-computer out and began scanning them. "They're all illusions," she said as she then began scanning for the real Meijin. Her computer found her alright, but over by the hybrid roses near the crystal garden. 'She's good with her psychic abilities,' Sailor Mercury thought to herself. She threw her arms in front of her again and aimed at the illusions, "Shabon Spray, Freezing!" She then threw her arms in the real Meijin's direction, catching her off guard and freezing her in place. The illusions disappeared as Sailor Mercury began running towards the stunned Meijin. Right before Sailor Mercury had made it there, Meijin broke free of her icy bind with telekinesis. Immediately, she threw her arms in front of her, "Psychic Beam." She sent a beam of energy flying at Sailor Mercury, striking her hard and sending her flying across the gardens. Luckily, she landed in a patch of marigold, cushioning her fall. Sailor Mercury slowly made it to her feet and found Meijin walking towards her. She lowered her eyebrows as held her arms in front of her, charging her next attack. Meijin teleported again, reappearing right in front of Sailor Mercury with eyes glowing bright blue. "Shabon Spray!" she yelled, sending a constant volley of bubbles flying at Meijin before she could get any attack off. Meijin strained against the wind accompanying the continuous barrage of bubbles. The force was enough to break her psychic thoughts, thus preventing her from sending an attack out at her adversary. Sailor Mercury kept on strong, keeping the flurry of bubbles going and trying to push Meijin back and keep her from attacking. This proved to be working as the attack kept pushing Meijin further and further from her. Then, the attack lost effectiveness as Meijin threw her psychic aura up, protecting her from the bombardment. But it took much concentration from Meijin to throw that barrier up. It became a standoff as Sailor Mercury could no longer gain ground and Meijin couldn't get an attack off. Later, both warriors fell to their knees from their efforts, breathing heavily. '"Call this a draw,"' Meijin's voice echoed in Sailor Mercury's mind. Meijin was the first to get up, then began walking towards her adversary. "You've proven yourself against me," Meijin praised as Sailor Mercury made it to her feet, "You're intelligence makes you strong indeed. I was wrong about you trying to be someone you're not, because you do possess an impressive intellect like a certain Hino Kyodai I know." "I'm glad you too noticed that," said Sailor Mercury, "You too fought well tonight." "Our minds are indeed great, but you were right in that we are human and have our flaws," said Meijin, "You still concentrate too much on your studies, and at the same time trying to become a more social person. You were never much of a social person as was I. And with your studies, I doubt you'll have the time to develop a better social life. Study well, Mizuno Ami." With that, Meijin turned and walked away. Ami transformed back into her civilian form with those words on her mind. "I don't care what she says," she said to herself, "I have all the social life I need. I have everyone who loves me and cares about me, I have Mamoru-san who showed his friendship tonight, and I have Kyodai who shows his love. That's all the social life I need." With a better sense of confidence, Ami turned and walked toward the bus stop outside the gardens, ready to go home for the evening and call Usagi. Next day, Crown's Parlor... Ami sat at the corner of the restaurant, this time with no books to keep her company. There, she awaited Usagi for the little arrangement they had planned when she had called after returning home. She knew Usagi was always there and wouldn't let her friend down when she needed someone to lift her spirits. Ami closed her eyes and thought about what all Meijin had told her. Sure the truth hurts, but proved herself against Meijin. She then thought about what Mamoru had said to her. After all, it was his words that helped her realize what else was true about her. She is strong, and Meijin's discouraging words won't catch her like that again. "Ami-chan," Usagi's voice called out, bringing joy to the girl genius. She looked toward the restaurant door to see Usagi waving at her. Ami got up from the table and walked toward her best friend. "Hey Ami-chan, guess what I brought you?" said Usagi. Right then, Makoto and Minako walked in right behind Usagi. Ami embraced each and every one of them with joy. "I called them and told them we were gathering here for a friend in need," said Usagi, "Rei-chan is still on her weekend retreat, and Kyodai-san joined her on it last night. She told me to send her love to you." "Thank you, Usagi," Ami said as she held Usagi in a loving embrace. 'Everyone cares, especially Usagi. They may not always be there, but always give me their love like true friends,' Ami thought to herself. While still embracing Usagi, she looked to the other two girls, "So, since we're here, what do you all want to do today?" ----------------------------------the end------------------------------ Not bad, eh? I thought about having Meijin do a little competition with the other Sailor Senshi, or one of them in this case. Great minds think alike, and in this case make for a good battle. And since I'm an Ami-chan fan, she was the one I chose. But, her rivalry with Hino Kyodai will always remain the strongest. I also included Motoki, who was so woefully neglected in almost all my other fanfics, in this fic for any Motoki fans out there. Anyways, I hope all y'all Ami-chan fans out there enjoyed this fic. A nice little story outside my "Psychic Inferno" Anthology. So, with that, I should get started on my next project in my new anthology, featuring Meijin as the central villain. Enough of my Okie babblin', y'all e-mail me with comments, flames, and/or praises, a'ight? Viper V's to y'all. 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