AN: Hope everybody's enjoying the story so far. I know I have several of you who have been reading since the beginning so I'd like to take a moment and give you guys a shout out and a big thank you for your readership and reviews; Liseas; Metalgear; (both excellent writers in their own respect both of which inspired me to finally begin my fanfic. If you're done with my story and want more to read, check out their works they are all awesome). ctran03931, you kind of stumbled onto my story by just browsing around but, I am very glad to have you aboard none the less. Knowing that I have people who want to read, enjoy, and review my work is more rewarding than many would think but enough of my babble. The plot thickens as a desperate Eugile sets a trap for the scouts and will stop at nothing to have them out of the way. What happens when Nora finds herself cornered with no way out? Stick around and read on to find out.

Identities Revealed: Desperate Measures

Somewhere in the Bureau of Bad Behavior:

The phone in the lab rang several times before Eugile answered in her ever snobby tone. "Eugile speaking."

The man on the other end replied in a tone of frustration. "Tomoe here. You'd better have a good reason for your lack of progress in finding the treasures. I'm placing you on probation. You have three chances left to find the crystal treasures and bring them to me or you will be handing in your resignation. Am I clear?"

Eugile went pale and gave a shudder. Indeed, she had never been faced with potentially losing her job and possibly worse. She gave an audible gulp and collected herself before she spoke again.

"Yes, doctor clear as crystal. The only thing that's been keeping me from succeeding has been those awful sailor brats" she said almost nervously hoping to gain some sympathy. "Every time I get close; they show up to interfere." She continued.

"I'll send over a heart snatcher that should be able to help put an end to that problem as well as a holocomunicator and a little surprise that should get their attention. Just make sure you get rid of all of them and, after that, I don't want to hear any more excuses understand?" Tomoe's voice gave no hint of mercy.

"Yes, doctor. I'll get rid of those scouts then, nothing will stand between us and the crystal treasures. You'll see." Eugile finished hoping to earn some respect by showing enthusiasm under duress.

"Good. Now, get moving!" Tomoe ordered hanging up the phone with a slam forceful enough to crack it part way through. He turned laughing maniacally as he watched his machinery churn out another evil heart snatching monster.

Once the suitcase containing the monster, the holocomunicator, and Tomoe's "surprise" were loaded into the back of Eugile's SUV, Eugile got in, buckled up, and sped off on her mission to stop the scouts and save her job.

At the City Park:

"Yay! Higher, Darien, higher!" Rini cheered as Darien pushed her on a swing while Serena and the rest of the girls sat by a fountain watching and finishing the last of their ice cream cones. It had been Rini's suggestion to get ice cream and go to the park and she had jumped right on the swing as soon as she and Darien had finished their cones.

The sky was blue and the trees and flowers waved gently in the afternoon breeze. The atmosphere at the park could not be happier. "Do you think this is good for Rini? Growing up as a sailor scout and witnessing how evil enemies can be I mean. I'm scared that when she's an adult she'll resent me and all of us for not ensuring that she had a normal childhood." Serena said after finishing her cone suddenly deep in thought as she watched Rini play.

"What are you talking about, meatball head? Of course she won't resent any of us. She knows full well that we all love her and she wouldn't trade that for anything. She just learned of her powers a little earlier than we did. She would have ended up a scout no matter what. She's your future daughter remember?" Rei affirmed with a minor jab.

"Rei's right, Serena, even though Rini has seen her share of battles, she's never demonstrated anything but love towards all of us, you and Darien included. From what I've seen, the pair of you are right on track to being a very happy family and all of us, especially Rini are very proud of that." Ami agreed.

"Relax, Serena, it's not like you forced her to become a sailor scout. She was born with that power and it's always been her decision to use it or not." Lita chimed in.

"That's right. No point crying over tilted milk." Mina said encouragingly eliciting confused looks from the group.

"It's spilt milk." Amy corrected.

"Oh right. That makes more sense. Anyway, my point was Rini has chosen to be a sailor scout and has never voiced a complaint about it. She'd probably never stop being a sailor scout even if you asked her to so, there's no point in worrying about it." Mina finished with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks guys. It means a lot." Serena said gratefully.

Just then, Rini ran up and tapped Serena's arm.

"Tag! You're it! Can't catch me!" she laughed before darting off towards the playground where Darien stood smiling beside a tree.

"Why you little. Come back here!" Serena called playfully as she took off in pursuit, the scene eliciting laughs from the rest of the girls.

Before Serena could close the gap, however, the transparent form of Eugile appeared directly in front of her. Serna came to a halt with a gasp.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. The others had all taken notice of the holographic arrival and rushed to Serena's side with looks of consternation.

The hologram blinked a few times before speaking in Eugile's trade mark snobby voice.

"Attention, sailor brats, you've foiled our plans for the last time." She began.

"'We'll see about that." Lita jeered.

"You have two choices. One turn yourselves over to us and that means all of you. That way we can continue our work uninterrupted or two don't turn yourselves over and let your beloved city pay the price. I've taken the liberty of planting several explosives in several different parts of the city. You'll love their design too because not only will they pack a big bang but, when they explode, any and all pure heart crystals caught in the blast will be sent straight to us. We haven't used these so far because well, what's the point in taking over the world if there's no one left to rule over?" The hologram continued on without reacting indicating the message was prerecorded and the real Eugile was more than likely already lying in wait for her next target somewhere.

"Be at the roof of the Pay N Park parking garage downtown in one hour and do be on time. For every minute you are late, I'm afraid I'll have to trigger one the devices just to show you I mean business and, I'd hate for you lose your city in addition to having lost to me. One hour. Ta ta." The hologram finished with a laugh and blinked out of existence leaving the group stunned.

"What do we do?" Serena asked the group her voice shaking a little.

"I'll try to get a fix on and disable the devises. I'll first need to analyze any detonator she might have to see if I can get a frequency match." Amy said immediately.

"That's a good idea, Amy. No bombs mean no advantage for Eugile." Mina agreed with an anxious expression.

"We have to stop her as quickly as possible. Innocent people are in danger." Rei said urgently

"It's probably a trap but what choice do we have?" asked Lita.

"We'll beat her. I just know we will. We have to." Rini added determinedly.

"We'll have to be careful. No telling what she's got planned." Darien spoke in a steadying tone.

The entire group exchanged serious looks followed by nods of agreement.

"It's decided then. Let's get moving!" Serna said leading the way towards down town.

The same time at the local café:

Amara and Michele sat across from one another at a table by one of the windows. Michele sipped her tea while Amara took a gulp of coffee.

"You want to go see a movie later?" Amara asked.

"That sounds nice. What movie did you have in mind?" Michele questioned.

"I was thinking we'd go see Everest: I Max. A mountaineering team takes an I Max camera to the top of Mt. Everest. The scenery is supposed to be spectacular." Amara replied.

"Sounds perfect. We'll catch the matinee." Michele replied before turning to gaze out the window.

Amara did the same. It was tranquil and, they enjoyed looking out the window and watching the people on the sidewalk go by and the traffic make its way lazily up and down the street. The sun glinted off the windows of the buildings that lined both sides of the street sparkling like jewels.

The peace was shattered by the sudden appearance of a miniature hologram of none other than Eugile on their table. The red haired menace's recording repeated the same awful message as it's full sized twin did for Serena and the others. Time seemed to slow and none of the other customers or workers seemed to notice the stomach churning message.

Amara and Michele gave each other looks of utter dread as the message concluded and the miniature hologram blinked out of site.

"It's very likely a trap and a dangerous one but, we mustn't let her get the pure hearts." Michele said mournfully.

"We have to stop her. We'll try to get to her before the others become involved." Amara said as they rose from their seats and hurried out the door.

At the same time across town at Tokyo Central Inn and suites:

Nora walked along the sidewalk having just left the hotel building on her way to a nearby museum to oversee the unpacking of a painting she had done for the museum as part of a display of American art passing a six story parking garage with a sign that read Pay N Park above the entrance along the way. The painting had been shipped on a flight just after Nora's but had been delayed due to weather and the curator was anxious to unpack it and finish setting up the display before the exhibit opened the following day. Everything went well and after the exhibit was set up Nora thanked the curator and began to walk back to her hotel.

"Thank you for letting us have such a fine painting in our exhibit." The curator beamed warmly as Nora was leaving.

"No problem. I'll see you for opening day tomorrow." Nora waved as she proceeded along the side walk.

Several minutes later, as she was walking along, out of nowhere a hologram of Eugile appeared right in front of her. There weren't any people along the side walk and traffic continued to flow back and forth along the street. It was apparent that only she noticed the hologram.

"Attention sailor brats…" the message began. Nora listened as her anxiety grew.

"One Hour. Ta ta." Finally, the message finished and the hologram blinked into nothingness leaving a stunned Nora to collect herself and plan her next move.

"I'm nearby. I'll sneak over, survey the scene, transform, and use my communicator to warn the others, if they haven't gotten the invite already." She thought and proceeded hurriedly in the direction of the garage.

Nora was within view of the garage when she saw Serena and the others crossing the street and heading for the entrance. Amara and Michele were coming from a different direction and street than the rest of the group and both looked stressed. She continued toward the garage as she waved them down.

"Hi guys. What brings you here?" she asked trying to be friendly while covering up her own intentions for being there.

"My mom asked me to get a price listing for this place. We are taking a small vacation for several days next week and need somewhere to store our car." Serena lied attempting to conceal the real reason that she and the others were there.

"I was just picking up my rental. How about we go in together?" Nora offered noticing the worried looks on all their faces.

"Is anything wrong?" she asked.

"No. We were just in a hurry because I told my mom I would have the prices today and, she will flip if I don't get them in time so she and my dad can start planning." Serena covered.

They made their way in. Unbeknownst to them, they were being observed.

On the roof of Park N Pay:

Eugile watched from the roof as the group entered down below.

"Alright, that must be them. Seal all the exits, Trapper." She ordered a blue skinned, white haired, heart snatching monster with a body shaped like a man's and clad in khaki colored, English style hunting/safari clothes from the late 1800's-early 1900's and a monocle reminiscent of the same era. The black star of the heart snatchers was stamped on the right side of the chest of the shirt.

"Quite right." The monster replied in a British accent grinning beneath its thick handlebar mustache and set about barring up all the exits with the use of the musket he was armed with, using it to fire metal panels that instantly bolted shut any means of escape.

On the first floor of Park N pay:

"My rental is parked on the top floor." Nora said after Serena took a pamphlet containing price info from a stand against a wall beside the entrance to an elevator.

Nora got in and hit the button for the roof hoping the others would not follow.

"We'll go with you just in case the rental is a lemon. Amara could give you a ride to my house and you could use our phone to call the rental company." Serena said quickly as she and the rest of the group got in the elevator. "We can't let Nora get caught up in the battle. We have to get her out of here." She thought to herself.

"That's very kind of you." Nora replied with a warm smile. "I've got to ditch these kids. They're nice but, they wouldn't stand a chance if the heart snatchers have a trap planned." She thought inwardly.

After a few anxious moments in the elevator, the ding indicating they had reached the desired floor sounded and the doors slid open.

Before anyone could even take a step, Serena, who was closest to the door, was grabbed by her arm by a blue skinned hand. She let out a small shriek of surprise as she was pulled forward, out of the elevator.

"Alright, everybody out, now. No funny business, mind you." said a British man's voice.

As they exited the elevator Eugile and her heart snatching monster, Trapper, came into view. Trapper had his musket trained on the group.

"You'll make excellent bait for the sailor scouts. Nothing like the lives of innocent civilians for some extra motivation." Eugile laughed in her snobby manner.

"Who?" Serena asked playing dumb.

"Oh just shut up and stand there and don't do anything stupid or Trapper will blast you." Eugile snapped irritably before returning to watch the entrance for the sailor scouts with Trapper although Trapper kept his musket trained on the group.

"This is bad. If we don't do something, Nora and many others will be in danger. Nora will find out about us being sailor scouts but, we don't have any choice." Serena thought to herself.

"Guys we've got to stop her. I know we will have some explaining to do later but, we don't have any other way out of this." Serena addressed the group.

"You don't mean." Rei began and trailed off her meaning known to the others.

"You can't be serious." Said Amara in disbelief.

"I think she is but, we have no other options." Michele said anxiously.

"What do you guys mean? What are you talking about? Surely you don't plan on trying to take them on?" Nora asked confusedly.

Serena turned to Nora her face full of stress. "We don't have time to explain right now but, we're going to create a distraction of sorts and once we do, you need to get to safety, ok?" she said.

Nora nodded wondering what their plan might be and decided to remain close to try and help.

"Everybody ready?" Serena asked.

"Right!" everyone responded in unison and each called their planet's power.

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Mars Star Power!

"Jupiter Star Power"

"Venus Star Power"

"Uranus Planet Power!"

"Neptune Planet Power!"

"Moon Cosmic Power!"

"Moon Prism Power!"

In a flash of ribbons, light, flames, lightning, and waves the group took their scout forms with Tuxedo Mask at their side leaving a stunned Nora to process what just happened.

"It's them! They all just transformed right in front of me!" Nora thought to herself in shock.

"Nora, Get out of here! We'll handle this!" Sailor Moon said urgently.

"Right" Nora said feigning fear and obedience and ran off to take cover out of site behind a support pillar for a large water storage tank.

When Trapper tried to follow, the scouts blocked him.

"Your fight's with us!" Sailor Uranus antagonized.

"I'm afraid it's not going to be much of a fight." Scoffed Eugile as Trapper pressed a button on the side of his musket triggering the appearance of a large cage with tightly spaced bars surrounding the scouts and Tuxedo Mask.

"Crud!" Uranus exclaimed in agitation.

"Coward! Let Us Go!" Jupiter yelled in outrage.

Eugile laughed mockingly. "You didn't really expect me to just let you show up without a way of ensuring you can't interfere did you?" she jeered as she began to take a count of the scouts.

"We seem to be one short. Where's your puppy friend?" She asked.

"We don't know." Mars said with an angry glare mirrored by the others.

"Well, now, that just won't do." Eugile spoke with an air of mock sophistication. She pulled out a small remote.

"I'll try to analyze that detonator. See if I can't disable it." Mercury said hurriedly as she pulled out her computer and started scanning and typing.

"Come out come out wherever you are, Sailor Puppy. Unless you want me to start blowing the city to smithereens." Eugile threatened looking around in the direction Nora had fled. "I know you're around here. If you don't show yourself, not only will I hurt your city but your friends as well." she jeered in an evil tone as she took a few steps forward.

Trapper pressed another button on his musket sending an electrical current through the cage.

The group screamed in agony as they were shocked by the evil energy. The pain drove them to their knees and caused Mercury to drop her computer.

Nora watched anxiously from her hiding spot, agonizing over what to do. All the exits were blocked. Even if Nora transformed in hiding the flash from the light of her doing so would give her away. "I just know I'm going to regret revealing myself but, I can't just leave them." She thought to herself.

"All the exits are sealed so, if you're in here, there's no way out. I have the detonator. I have your friends. It's over Sailor Puppy." Eugile sneered.

Trapper unleashed another jolt of energy through the cage eliciting more screams from the scouts and Tuxedo Mask.

"That's it! I've got to stop her!" Nora thought to herself and stepped out of hiding.

"Stop it! Leave those kids alone!" Nora called as she stepped into view.

"No! Don't do it! Run!" Sailor Moon called weakly from the cage. The group watched dazedly as Nora confronted the evil Eugile and Trapper. Slowly, they got to their feet watching with dread Mercury collecting her computer and resuming her analysis albeit shakily.

"Stand aside. I'm not interested in you. It's the other sailor scout I'm after." Eugile said arrogantly dismissing Nora.

"I'm right here so, let's go!" Nora called as she pulled out her transformation wand from her pocket and called the Blue Moon's power.

"Sapphire Prism Power!"

In a flash of blue light, ribbons, and sand, Nora transformed into Sailor Sapphire Wolf.

Sailor Moon and the other scouts gasped as Nora transformed right before their eyes.

"She's Sailor Sapphire Wolf?!" a stunned Jupiter and Uranus exclaimed in unison.

"Should have guessed." Uranus added.

"Cool! Our new friend is also our new ally!" Sailor Mini Moon cheered.

"Last chance, Eugile. Let them go!" Sailor Sapphire Wolf ordered.

"Not on your life, Sailor Puppy!" Eugile shot back.

"That's it! If the detonator is destroyed, the bombs will be rendered inert!" Mercury said as her computer finished its analysis.

"Have it your way." Sapphire Wolf answered nonchalantly.

Suddenly blue sand enveloped the detonator and Trapper.

The sand yanked the detonator from Eugile's hand and threw it to Sailor Sapphire Wolf who caught it in her left hand her right controlling the sand holding the monster.

"Hey! No fair!" cried Eugile

"Plenty fair." countered Sapphire Wolf with a smirk as she crushed the detonator. The group summoned their attacks inspired by Sailor Sapphire Wolf gaining the upper hand.

"Shine Aqua Illusion!"

"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"

"Venus Love Chain Encircle"

"World Shaking!"

"Deep Submerge!"

"Pink Sugar Heart Attack!"

The combined force of the group's attacks coupled with a well-placed rose from Tuxedo Mask broke the cage apart freeing the scouts.

"Care to do the honors, Sailor Moon?" Sapphire wolf asked indicating the heart snatcher.

"Together!" she replied with a nod.

"Sapphire Burial!"

"Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"

The pair called their attacks finishing the monster with a crushing force of sand followed by a blast of pink energy in the shape of a heart.

"Now it's your turn." Sapphire wolf said darkly appearing suddenly behind Eugile and grabbing her arm behind her back with one hand and tilting her head to the side exposing her neck with the other. The others gasped in surprise.

Eugile's face was nothing but fear as she tried fruitlessly to twist free of Sapphire Wolf's grip.

Sailor Sapphire Wolf opened her mouth wide showing the two, pearl white fangs that she intended to use to deliver an extremely toxic venom. The tips of her fangs were a mere millimeter away from Eugile's neck when Sailor Moon suddenly yelled.

"Stop! Please!" Sailor Moon cried.

Sapphire Wolf looked up and spoke severely. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end this witch right here and now. One bite's all it would take."

"We aren't like them. Sure, she's evil but, if we destroy her then we're no better than she is. You said yourself, just because we have to fight them doesn't mean we have to use their tactics." Sailor Moon begged her eyes wide.

"You're not seriously suggesting she let Eugile go?" Uranus questioned in shock.

Sailor Moon took a deep breath and spoke decisively. "Yes, I am. We aren't monsters like them. We've won. It's over for now."

"Please, Sailor Sapphire Wolf. This isn't the way." Sailor Mini Moon made her attempt at pleading for Eugile's life.

"She tried to kill you all and destroy the city. How do we know she won't try again?" Sapphire wolf asked her rage subsiding a little.

"We don't but, we've proven we can stop her no matter what she does and that's what matters." Jupiter said confidently.

Eugile struggled in Sailor Sapphire Wolf's grip still trying to get free.

"Please, Sailor Sapphire Wolf, just let her go." Sailor Mini Moon pleaded once more.

"Fine." Sailor Sapphire Wolf said half shoving half throwing Eugile past the group to land on the ground a short distance away.

Eugile got to her feet shakily and dusted herself off looking up at the scouts reproachfully.

"Last chance, Eugile. Next time you're dead and I won't be so easily talked out of it either." Sapphire wolf warned in a cold tone.

Without a word, Eugile walked away. A moment later her SUV could be heard speeding away.

"Why would you think that we would want her dead?" Sailor Moon asked directly. "and, why didn't you tell us sooner that you were also a sailor scout?" she added almost pleadingly.

Sailor Sapphire Wolf looked at the ground her fists clinched by her sides. "I didn't plan on ever revealing myself if I could get away with it. I did not want to risk getting too close. I've had too many bad experiences being close to people." She spoke severely but underneath was a tone that covered a deep pain.

The group listened intently.

"As far as Eugile goes, I was trained in the military to never show any mercy to the enemy especially if they are very dangerous. I did this once only out of respect for your feelings. Next time, don't expect the same outcome. I spare only the enemies that seek to change from evil to good not those that never will nor want to."

"I thought we were together on this. I thought we were friends." Sailor Moon said almost pleadingly.

"Look, we want the same thing for now and that's to stop the heart snatchers. The only way to do that is to destroy them without involving any innocents. We just wasted a perfectly good opportunity to do so. I know her type, next time, it will be far more difficult to stop Eugile. Her kind never stops. They always have to BE stopped." Sailor Sapphire wolf tried to explain and reassure.

"You're just trying to cover up the fact that you lost control!" Sailor Uranus butted in angrily. The group went wide eyed remembering the last confrontation between the two. Sailor Sapphire Wolf turned a severe glare towards the scout of the sky.

"That's not fair and you know it!" Jupiter shouted.

"Who put you in charge of how we deal with the heart snatchers?" Mars added heatedly.

"Guys, this isn't helping." Mercury tried mediate.

"Mercury's right. We can't afford to be divided like this." Venus agreed. Neither Sailor Sapphire Wolf nor Sailor Uranus gave any sign that they had heard any of them as they glared at each other.

"I don't think this is so easily settled." Tuxedo Mask spoke warily noticing the agitated looks on both Sapphire Wolf and Uranus' faces.

"I cover up nothing. You've all known since our first encounter that I want to destroy the heart snatchers and that I don't want any innocents involved. I don't need any justification for anything I do." Sapphire Wolf shot back.

Uranus clinched her fist and took a step toward Sapphire Wolf. She stopped herself before getting ant closer remaining well outside of Sapphire Wolf's punching range.

"We warned you she was dangerous. Now, do you see why?" Neptune asked the other scouts.

Sapphire Wolf opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by Sailor Mini Moon of all people.

"STOP! Just because she doesn't exactly want to show the enemy mercy doesn't make her evil!" Sailor Mini Moon cut in with a yell taking the group by surprise. Just as suddenly as her outburst had come, the scout in training seemed to deflate, dropping her shoulders and looking at the ground.

"I get sick of them too." she continued. "I get sick of going into battle and worrying about losing one of my friends or a civilian." She went on looking up at each of them in turn.

"I get sick of thinking I'm going to have a nice, peaceful day only to have it ruined and, most of all, I get sick of enemies that just want to destroy and or rule everything just because they think they're better than everybody else." Sailor Mini Moon finished her confession leaving the group in stunned silence.

"Rini, I had no idea." Sailor Moon began using her real name in an attempt to be comforting.

"Don't." Mini Moon cut her future mother off holding a hand up.

"I became a scout to help stop bad guys and I would never dream of anything else. Part of what that means is making sure they will either turn good or NEVER come back. I agree with Sailor Sapphire Wolf. The first approach has not been working with the heart snatchers so, if you're against her, you're against me." She finished taking Sapphire Wolf's side with a bit of a glare towards Uranus and Neptune and a look challenging any of the others to debate her.

Sailor Sapphire Wolf was both caught off guard and heart warmed at the gesture.

There was a brief silence then, Sailor Sapphire Wolf spoke again.

"I want to be on the same side as you but, I cannot, will not give in to an enemy as evil as the heart snatchers. All I can do is hope you understand. If you need me, you know how to find me. See you all around." Sailor Sapphire Wolf left the group hoping things were a little clearer between them.

"We warned you not to trust her. The only hope is to find the crystal treasures." Neptune spoke coldly.

"If she loses control again, we won't hesitate to stop her by any means necessary." Uranus warned as she and Neptune also departed.

The rest of the group was left to hope that their next encounter with the heart snatchers would not bring as much tension to the surface as they let their transformations fade and headed for home.

AN: And so another chapter concludes. Hope everybody enjoyed it. Despite being fairly kind to the other scouts, I did not want it to be forgotten that Sailor Sapphire Wolf is an ex-soldier in this life and so has some habits left over from that (one being prone to simply destroying the enemy without question). The "what does Rini truly think of being a Sailor Scout?" angle is one I have been wanting to explore for a while. I hope it is clear that while no she does not resent not having a normal childhood, she does have her worries and frustrations. The next chapter will see the scouts pushed to their limits. Can the group avoid falling victim to yet another insidious trap laid by Eugile? What happens when Eugile runs out of chances? Well, now, you would not have much reason to keep reading if I told you, would you?