*Chapter 4: Jadeite's Final Attack*

*Usagi's POV*

I laid back on my bed completely worn out. It'd had been two weeks since Mamoru started tutoring me and combined with scout training, I felt like I was dying every night. Training made my muscles hurt and Mamoru made my brain hurt. One thing I can say for certain is that he makes things easy to understand. Even math. Plus, he was nice to look at and I wouldn't dear say it out loud but sometimes even nice to talk to.

"I'm glad Mamoru is tutoring you. It should prove to lessen the consist bickering you two do." Luna said standing over my latest test.

"You'd think that, but he still picks on me Luna. Plus, it's kinda fun to banter with him." I countered. I stretched across my bed grabbing my manga and began to read.

"Maybe if you put forth an effort to be nice to him, he would be nice to you. It is the golden rule you know?" Luna said in her best mom voice.

"Shut it Luna, I'm trying to read."

"Fine. Do what you want. Learn nothing." She sighed

-Beep-beep-beep-

I quickly pulled my communicator out of my pocket and flipped it open. Ami's worried face appeared in the little window.

"What's up Ami?" I asked

"A dark energy is amassing at the shrine. I'm on my way but I can't get a hold of Rei. Please hurry Usagi" Ami said snapping off the connection. I sighed.

"MOON PRISM POWER. MAKE UP!" I yelled. Warmth surged through me as the red ribbons laced around my now naked body. My body flowed with the transformation and glowed with a bright light from within me. At the end of the transformation my limbs started tingling with the power from the moon. This part always felt good even when I was worn out. Almost like a shot of adrenaline coursing through me. With my transformation complete I floated back down to my floor.

I quietly leapt through my window, my muscles feeling like lead. I run as fast as I can to the shrine. The burning in my legs pushing me to run faster. I could see the Shrine in the distance. I pushed harder until I started up the steps. These steps are always horrible to get up. I jumped 10 at a time hearing my scarlet boots echo off the pavement like a war drum and began to hear my friends screaming. A deafening growl almost stopped me in my tracks as I rushed to Sailor Jupiter's side. I finally got a good look at the Youma we were facing a jolt of fear ran through me. It had sickly yellow eyes, a crimson demonic face with razor like teeth, and even sharper claws. Jadeite was floating behind the Youma laughing menacingly as he watched the chaos he caused.

"It's Rei's grandpa. We can't hurt him. He's possessed by a rainbow crystal." Jupiter yelled.

"Got it!" I huffed. I moved to the side to get a good line of sight on him as he lashed out at Mars again. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up leaving her feet dangling in the air.

"MOON HEALING ESCALATION!" I managed to yell before something that seemed like a truck with brown hair slammed into me knocking me back. I heard Mars gagged screams as I scrambled to get back up. My blast had missed the mark. Jupiter had pushed me back before a deadly attack from Jadeite hit me. A loud thud turned my attention to a crumpled body on the ground. I guess my attack didn't completely miss after all. Fortunately for me, I hit Jadeite. No time to check on him I turned back to the Youma. Mercury and Venus had managed to pull the Youma of Mars and she was able to now conjure one of her fireballs. The attack singed the Youma's arm. I tried to form another attack, but all my energy was used up. I couldn't heal him. I needed more time to replenish my energy. He took off running towards the forest surrounding the Shine. We all ran after him but quickly lost him in the dense forest. We regrouped in a small clearing to get out bearings.

"DAMMIT!" Mars hoarsely screamed. "We have to find him. Thanks a lot Sailor Moon. You didn't save him!"

I slumped down to the forest floor as everything caught up to me. "I'm so sorry. I have no energy left Mars, but I promise you I will save him"

"It was my fault kind of. I pushed Usagi back without warning. Jadeite almost took her head off with an energy blast. I'm sorry too Mars." Jupiter added

"It will all be alright. We can track him down with my computer and we will change him back. Everyone needs to calm down and stay focused" Mercury said reassuringly.

"Yeah, we will fix this, and he'll be back to normal in no time. But I think we have a problem guys." Venus said.

"I hit Jadeite instead. He's passed out back at the shrine. What would my attack do to a general?" I asked. We started back towards the Shrine. Rei leading the way. She wouldn't look at any of us as we walked. Ami laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and kept pushing forward. We stopped in a circle around Jadeite. Rei kicked him hard in the ribs making him wince and cough.

"Get up asshole. Start talking" Rei said as she grabbed him up and made him stand. His short blonde hair was saturated with sweat and his grey eyes were glistening in the moonlight, almost as if tears were getting ready to form.

"Easy Mars. We don't want to knock him back out." Jupiter interjected.

"I don't understand. I don't know what happened." He started sobbing. "The darkness is gone. I'm free." He fell to his knees at Rei's feet. He started swaying and fell forward immediately losing consciousness.

"What should we do now? We can't just leave him here." Mercury said.

"What if it's a trick?" Venus added.

"We are going to tie him up in one of the guest rooms and interrogate him tomorrow. I'll watch over him tonight. Sailor Moon needs to rest before we go after grandpa." Mars said deflated.

I let my transformation fade as I made my way to one of Rei's guest rooms. Might as well stay here for the night as long as she didn't kick me out. I failed her and the rest of the group again.

"Rei, do you want me to stay here tonight so we can search as soon as dawn breaks?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah Rei, we'll all stay tonight and help you. We'll take turns watching Jadeite, so you can rest." Minako suggested.

"I guess that sounds fine to me." Rei said begrudgingly looking defeated. She went to grab some bedrolls and blankets for everyone. We all helped getting the room ready. Jadeite was securely tied up to Rei's bed. Rei demanded first watch and no one wanted to argue with her. I wouldn't be taking a watch because Ami said I needed all the rest I could get. The rest of us nestled in and quickly fell asleep.

Dawn approached sooner than I could have imagined. I mostly spent the night tossing and turning feeling horrible about the night's events. I woke up to the others discussing Jadeite. He had apparently woken up last night when Makoto took over guard duty for Rei and begged to help with the search. He pleaded for our forgiveness. We discussed it further as soon as everyone was awake. The others had all agreed it would be okay to let him go if his hands were bound. He promised to tell us everything he knew about the dark kingdom and the other generals. He also implored that we try to save them too. We still didn't completely trust that he was no longer the evil enemy that we've known.

We all transformed and made our way back to the forest. We started the search where we had last saw him last night.

"You ready girls?" I asked. "Remember to stay clear of his claws."

They replied with sharp nods.

"Also, I needn't to remind everyone to stay quiet, so we don't spook him or tip him off." Ami added

We started down a trail and soon found heavy footprints that started leading us in the right direction. We noticed bits of animal carcasses along the way. And blood. Lots of blood. With each step I started feeling sicker and light headed. Rei looked disgusted. There was a lingering smell of death and decay that hung in the air as we came to an opening to a small cave. We heard a rustling movement inside. Mercury pulled her computer out and start scanning the area. She nodded letting us know it was indeed Rei's grandfather. She put a finger to her lips telling us to tread quietly. We looked at Mars giving her a signal to attack.

"FIRE SOUL!" Mars screamed pointing into the cave trying to coax him to come out.

The Youma lumbered out of the cave with its knuckles dragging on the ground. It had darker spots around its mouth that I could only guess was dried blood making the creature look even more ghastly. It turned its eyes to Mars and lunged. Jadeite quickly stepped in front of Mar's and stood protectively. The Youma tackled him and sent him flying into a near by tree. Before the Youma attacked again Mercury leapt into action.

"MERCURY AQUA MIST!" Mercury yelled creating a thick fog around the area. Here was my chance.

"MOON HEALING ESCALATION!" I screamed. This time my attack hit him square in the chest and blasted him back into the cave with a cloud of dust.

We stood around the cave opening waiting with bated breaths. There in the dissipating fog was a small silhouette. Rei's grandfather stumbled out and fell to the ground, passing out. Rei rushed forward and fell to her grandfather's side.

"I can carry him back to the shrine for you if you untie me." Jadeite suggested.

"He did jump in front of you Rei. Maybe we should extend some trust." Ami suggested

"Okay, but we're watching you." Rei warned.

We made it back to the shrine in record time with Jadeite helping us. I had stumbled down a small decline about half way back. Jadeite had stopped and looked like he wanted to help me but realized he still had Rei's grandfather on his back. He instead gave me a look of concern and asked if I was okay. Maybe he really was changed.

"We need to call Luna and let her know what's up." Makoto said looking pointedly at Jadeite.

"I'll do it." Ami volunteered.

"I feel faint." I managed to squeak out before the hard ground came up and greeted me. The last thing I heard were the choppy voices of the scouts yelling my name.