Okay, this chapter features the episode "Amy's Mental Match" and will include another original idea.
Chapter Six- The Break Up
Nephlite sipped his tea as he surveyed the café's other customers. He saw Serena near the front talking to a boy about her age. He looked very uncomfortable while Serena chattered away. After a couple more minutes the blonde left, Luna right behind her. He returned to his survey, but soon his thoughts returned to the crystals and he was soon staring into his cup.
He was still connected to the Negaverse and as useful as the powers he got from it were, he lately found himself wishing he didn't have this connection. At that moment, he faintly felt Zoycite's frustration at failing and her determination to succeed this time.
"Excuse me."
Nephlite looked up to see the boy who had been with Serena. "My name's Greg. Can I join you?"
Nephlite nodded and as Greg sat down, decided to introduce himself. "My name is-,"
"Oh, I know all about you, Nephlite," Greg cut in.
Nephlite felt stunned. How did he know his name? He wasn't from the Negaverse and none of the scouts would slip up. "All right," he said slowly. "What do you know?"
"I know about Zoycite and why she's after me. I know what I will become. I know the monster inside me is still loyal to you. You must get my crystal before Zoycite does."
"It sounds as if you can see the future. Do you know where I should be to get the crystal?"
"Yes. It'll be by the lake in the park. There'll be a bench there, too. You need to get there soon."
"I will, Greg. Don't worry."
Nephlite stood behind a nearby tree, keeping an eye on the spot Greg had described earlier. He wondered which one of his warriors had been reborn as Greg. Neither one could see the future. It was clear Greg was born with that talent and it had somehow tapped the power of the crystal inside him.
He noticed movement nearby and looked over to see Sailor Mercury and an unconscious Greg. She placed the boy on the bench before wetting a rag and placing it on his forehead. Then, she stood by and watched over him. All Nephlite could do was wait. He sensed the moment he was looking for was getting closer.
A swirl of cherry blossoms appeared above the water after several minutes had passed, during which Greg had awakened and talked to Mercury. Zoycite had arrived and Nephlite paid strict attention to what was playing out.
Greg and Mercury had gotten up and faced the lake and Zoycite. The blonde had an arrogant smirk on her face and Nephlite wanted to wipe it off her face. If he timed it right, he would be able to do just that.
"You leave him alone," Mercury demanded.
"Sorry, but I require Bumboo's assistance," Zoycite answered.
Bumboo. Yes, that was definitely one of his warriors and still loyal, according to Greg. He was also stronger than the last two Shadows, but his loyalty to Nephlite would prevent him from attacking the scouts.
Zoycite held out the Black crystal, its energy pulsating outward and enveloping Greg. The energy and Greg were soon encased in a red cloud. That was when Nephlite began to move. He charged forward, leaped into the air, and knocked Zoycite into the water just as the crystal flew toward them.
Nephlite stretched out his hand, snagged the crystal, and grinned as he started to teleport. Before he completely vanished he heard Zoycite scream, "Nephlite!"
Nephlite reappeared behind the tree he had been hiding behind earlier and admired the yellow rainbow crystal in his hand. He succeeded! The scouts and he finally had one! He put it in his pants pocket before stepping out into the open.
Zoycite had left and Bumboo loomed over a trembling Mercury. This Greg must be pretty special to Mercury, Nephlite realized, if she couldn't bring herself to attack. She didn't need to, either.
"Bumboo, stop," he called out. The warrior paused in its tracks and turned toward Nephlite, who beckoned him with a gesture.
"He listened to you," Mercury said. "But, why?"
"Each Shadow Warrior pledged loyalty to one of the four generals. I have command of two and Zoycite has three. Jedite had two, but apparently their loyalties are changing since Jedite is in eternal sleep. Bobo was Jedite's, but he had decided to follow Zoycite."
Bumboo now stood next to Nephlite. The ex-general discreetly put a hand behind his warrior and gave a surge of electricity to weaken him, but not to hurt him. Why he had chosen electricity instead of another option, he didn't know, but it did the job, nonetheless.
"What did you do?" Mercury demanded, seeing the electricity arc over Bumboo.
"I simply weakened him. He would have been too strong for the Moon Wand to heal him. I believe from this point on, we'll have to weaken them before healing them."
Mercury nodded as Sailors Moon, Mars, and Jupiter arrived on the scene. Sailor Moon looked around, apparently expecting to see Zoycite while Mars and Jupiter eyed Bumboo warily.
"Okay," Sailor Moon said slowly. "what happened here?"
"It's all right." Nephlite reached into his pocket and pulled out the crystal, holding it up. "Zoycite didn't get the crystal and Bumboo here is loyal to me, even though I don't work for Beryl. I weakened him so you can heal him." Nephlite put the crystal back in his pocket and stepped away from his warrior.
Sailor Moon smiled. "Right. Moon Healing Activation."
"You failed me, again, Zoycite! I will not accept another one!"
"My queen, I would have had the crystal if it wasn't for Nephlite."
"He's…alive!?"
"Yes and he's joined forces with the Sailor Scouts."
"Well, we will have to take care of the traitor when the time is right."
"Yes, my queen."
In another part of the Negaverse was the Negaforce. It was where the energy Jedite and Nephlite had managed to collect went and it gave the residents of the Negaverse their powers. It also connected the residents to itself. Through Zoycite, it learned of Nephlite's survival and betrayal.
Beryl may wish to deal with Nephlite later, but I will not wait. Through his bond, I will infect him with a disease that will slowly and painfully kill him. The traitor will be dead in four days.
Nephlite twirled his straw in his glass nervously while Molly was in the bathroom. Now that Zoycite knew he was alive, it was too dangerous to keep seeing Molly. So, he met up with her after school and invited her out so he could break the news to her. The thing was he wasn't sure how to phrase it and he really didn't want to stop seeing her, but he loved her and wanted to keep her safe.
Molly returned from the bathroom and, as she took her seat, noticed Nephlite toying nervously with his straw. This concerned her. Why was he acting like this? He was always so calm and confident.
"Nephlite," she said softly. "Is something wrong?"
Nephlite stopped playing with the straw and looked at her. "Yes, there is something wrong. The evil society I had belonged to has decided to kill me."
"Oh, no! That's awful!"
"I'm convinced that they will do anything to lure me into a deadly trap. That includes kidnapping you. I will not allow that."
"What are you going to do?"
"Molly, I don't think we can keep seeing each other."
Molly recoiled slightly and her eyes started to tear up. "You-you mean you're breaking up with me?"
"Yes and no. I want to keep you safe from danger and once the assassins are taken care of-,"
"Nephlite, you jerk!" Molly interrupted angrily. She hadn't heard anything Nephlite had said past the word "yes." "I thought you loved me! But obviously you don't! I don't want to see you ever again!" Molly got up and stormed out of the café, leaving a stunned Nephlite behind.
Molly ran home crying and once in her room, picked up her phone. She needed to talk to someone and she knew just who to call.
Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
"Hello?"
"Serena?"
"Molly, what's wrong? You sound upset."
"I was at the café near the school with Nephlite and he dumped me! The jerk dumped me!"
"Oh, Molly, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
"Just be my friend, Serena. I'll see you in school tomorrow."
"Bye, Molly." Serena hung up and stood there, thinking. Why would Nephlite break up with Molly? He loved her. He would never be cruel to her. I better go see him and find out what's going on.
Serena entered the café several minutes later, spied Nephlite at a booth, and headed toward him. She plopped into the seat opposite him and prompted, "So, what happened?"
Nephlite looked up, startled by the sudden question. He had been thinking about Molly's outburst. He hadn't expected her to take it so hard. As he kept replaying the scene, he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He attempted to ignore it. Molly's reaction was probably the cause of that feeling.
He looked up when he heard Serena's voice. "Serena," he said softly.
Serena saw a world of hurt in Nephlite's eyes and felt bad for him. This proved that he still cared for Molly. "Nephlite, Molly called me several minutes ago and said you dumped her. What really happened?"
"Now that the Negaverse knows I'm alive, they will do anything to kill me. That includes kidnapping Molly again. I wanted to suggest that we not see each other until this matter is resolved. I believe Molly only heard yes when she asked if we were breaking up. My full answer was yes and no."
Serena nodded. "You wanted to protect her."
"I didn't think she'd take it so hard and she never wants to see me again." Nephlite's voice broke a little on the last word.
"That's awful. I wish there was something I could do."
"You already have: You listened to me. Eventually I'll be all right." Nephlite knew that it would take a while to get over Molly, but at some point in the future, he would recover.
The idea of the Negaforce taking revenge on Nephlite is a variation from the original story where I had Beryl manipulating his bond in order to kill him. The Negaforce's way of killing him is a bit more sadistic, but satisfying as you find out in the next chapter.