WAR GAMES
CHAPTER 7
Rebirth

Written by Darkpower
Rating: 14 (Dialogue, Violence, Language)


Rubeus had returned to the Dark Kingdom within the Youma holding room. He was expecting the room to be empty, but instead found that all of the Youma had returned from their search for Queen Beryl.

"What the hell?" he asked. "What are all of you doing here? I thought you were searching for Beryl like I asked you to."

"We were," said one Youma, "but we got a sudden call from a Queen Zoycite telling all of us to cease..."

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Queen Zoycite?"

"Yeah. We just decided to come back here until we could find out what was going on. Everyone was so confused about who was really in charge, so we wanted to make sure before we continued. We never know what kind of powers the person in charge has, so we wanted to make sure she didn't have a reason to use them."

"But you know who Zoycite is and what she can do!"

"She also holds Beryl's tiara."

Rubeus anger became concern. "Yes, I see your issue now. Metaria gave Beryl so much power from that tiara. If Zoycite has it and she knows how to use it, then you guys made the right decision not to anger her in any way. But I thank you for making me aware of the situation. I am calling off the search anyway. I know where she is, and that's the reason we now have a Code Red!"

Ambient noise was heard amongst the Youma, with questions of what the Code Red was about echoing across the room.

"We've never had a Code Red before in the Dark Kingdom!"

"We do now. Queen Beryl has betrayed the Kingdom and has sworn to assist the Sailors. She has turned her back on you, me, and Queen Metaria!"

"Sir," said a baritone Youma from the back of the room, "I always knew she would do so at some point." He pushed his way to the front of the room. He was a tall and muscular being with long charcoal hair and beet-red skin, and his crooked eyes were laid onto Rubeus as he continued, "I never trusted her, and I think I speak for all of us here when I say that we didn't like her in any way." The murmurs of the agreeing Youma once more reverberated.

"So you should be aware that this Queen Zoycite is Beryl's most trusted ally, right?"

"Yes, I was aware, and I wanted to continue the search. This other person was right, though. We couldn't risk her using that power on any of us. Even we are unsure about what she holds over us with that pathetic piece of jewelry."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. If it does for some reason, then you guys must first inform me of the situation. You only take orders from me and Metaria. You ignore anyone else. Is that clear?" The Youmas nodded. "Also, remember what I hold now." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Hizrounswa. "This simple crystal is what separates me and her. All I have to do is to fire this thing at her, and she's as good as dead."

"But boss, it looks like you could break that thing with how tightly you're holding it."

"Yes," Rubeus pondered, "you're correct. It'll be a bitch to carry around like this." He put his hand to his chin for a moment before calling out, "Drillbit!"

A short but heavy Youma with a drill for a left hand came forward. "What do you need?"

"Construct me some sort of gun. Something that I can use this Hizrounswa in. How about a gun where all I have to do is to select the level and then pull a trigger? Can you do that?"

"I've already got the image of your crystal in my head, Lord Rubeus. I'll get started on it right away!" He disappeared.

"Now, you, mister..."

"Eruptor!" the red-skinned Youma answered.

"Okay, Eruptor, how would you like to be the Youma who was able to show to your former master how to really make history?"

"Can I kill her?"

"I don't know if I have the clearance yet, but if I don't, you could kind of...make sure she's in the crossfire, in a way."

Eruptor smiled. "Of course, Rubeus!"

-xXXXXx-

There was a loft that stood several stories tall on a busy street in Juuban. It was a road that would lead right to the heart of Tokyo, but that didn't matter for a tenant of the blue building. On the balcony of one of the apartments, up on the fifth floor, a tall woman with short red locks looked upon the busy morning commute. Cars were humming with horns blaring, children were rushing to school in a noisy frenzy, and the morning sun was beaming onto the city. She had never seen anything like this. For the first time in such a long time, if not ever, she was watching life happen before her eyes. A small smile escaped as she made her way through the sliding door and back into her small abode.

This was also a first. A bedroom that actually had carpeting. It was blue, but it would have to do for now. She didn't have to pay too much for this place, and what a bargain she had gotten for it. It was furnished, though she could've found better things to fill it with. She had a small three-drawer brown dresser, an oak twin bed, a few pictures that she couldn't make out on the white walls, and a kitchen in the next room. It wasn't much, but she wasn't looking for anything glamorous; at least, not yet. In fact, she couldn't even get any other clothes. All she had was that long purple dress she had worn the night before, and that was somewhat torn from her fight last night.

As she looked to the dress that lay in a heap on the floor, thoughts of what had transpired danced in her head. "'I've made a decision, Rubeus. I'm no longer Queen of the Dark Kingdom, and it's by my choice. I've also told my Generals not to serve you. All you have is that wretch Metaria and whatever Youmas you've brainwashed.'" She also recalled slicing her own hair and throwing it towards the Tokyo Bay. Her past must be sleeping with the fishes by now. She did like that she didn't have to carry around all that extra weight. Short hair could accommodate her for now, maybe even in the future. She didn't know how she had done it, but the cut was in a perfect line.

She exhaled deeply and threw herself onto the bed, sitting Indian-style. She looked towards the dresser. On it was a very familiar photo of her family and herself smiling for the camera, one day before their fatal collision. Shedding a tear, Melissa Beryl shook her head. "Only thing is, where do I go from here? I'm so surprised that Sailor Moon trusted me with her tiara. I didn't think she would. I guess it's like I heard Queen Serenity say about her to Endymion. She is so forgiving. I don't know if she could ever forgive me for what I did to the Moon Kingdom. Hell, I don't even think she should...no, I take that back. I would love her to, but...ugh, I don't even know what to think." She hung her head. "I wish I had your guidance when she was offering her crooked deals to me. I could've refused them. I could've been stronger." She once more looked to the frame. "Mom, dad, I love you!"

-xXXXXx-

"It's a good thing I'm not going to be that far away from where you guys are," Reenie said as Casto and Serena accompanied her to the front of the Juuban Municipal Primary School. "I just hope Sammy's going to be alright with me not being there."

Serena knelt down next to Reenie. "I'm sure he will be. I heard he was doing a lot better now."

"He was trying to walk around to get his leg better last night because he thought he would have to fend for himself today."

"Ugh," Casto exclaimed. "He's taking such a long time to come around. If it's just anger that is making him hate his mother, then it's taking a long time. I thought it would be normal, but she's doing everything in her power to let him know it was a mistake. I'm starting to worry that it's something more than Rubeus' attack."

"I hope I can get to him and find out. He said it was alright for me to go and help you guys last night. He said that it would give him a chance to talk to his mom. I don't know if he did or not."

Serena would've commented if it weren't for Reenie's reminder about last night. She took a deep breath. "Reenie, you're not worried about what else happened last night, are you?"

"Why should I be? The guardian angel saved all of us. Why should I be worried? Rubeus has the crystal, I know. But it's not like we're going to let him use it. Anyway, I gotta go. I love ya, guys." She sped off into the building.

"We should get going, too, sis," Casto proclaimed. "We'll be late."

Serena was slow to get back to her feet. "Guardian angel? Still can't get over that."

"She said something about that when we battled Hammerthor. Never even considered it."

They began walking to school, which was only a few blocks away. Serena was still distraught. "I don't think she knows much about who Queen Beryl was."

"Seemed you didn't have much against her last night, either, sis."

Serena's stopped on a dime and sighed. "Casto, I won't lie to you. I think we can trust her."

Casto stopped as well and looked to his sister, "What do you mean?"

"You can't trust her, can you?"

"Never said that. I want to trust her." Casto moved his head sideways. "When I was hit by that cloud thing during the attack on the Moon Kingdom, I saw Beryl there. She was torn, in a way. It looked to me like, deep down, she really didn't want to do it at some times, and then other times, she was all about striking. I didn't have a chance to say anything when..." He was interrupted by a speeding car going in the direction of the school. "The hell? They do know this is a school zone, right?"

"I think it was headed for our school, and I think she was with...Molly?"

The two sprinted towards the school to try to get to the car. They were out of breath by the time they finally got there, only to see the car stop right at the front door of the school. Molly quickly got out of the car and nearly slammed the door off its hinges.

Both siblings heard the screaming of Molly's mother. "Don't you dare do that or you'll be restricted more, maybe for a longer period. You make sure you give your principal that note I gave you, too. I'll be calling him after I get back home, and I'll pick you up after school. I better not hear of any more altercations, or you will belong to me." The woman sped off as the two siblings ran to meet Molly.

"What was that all about?" Serena asked.

"I can't talk to you, Serena," Molly answered. "She told me not to, and she said she's making sure I don't."

"But why?"

Casto held his head. "Damn, we were so caught up in other things last night that I forgot to tell you, sis."

"About what?"

"Molly's been grounded. Don't know for how long."

"For a long time, she said," Molly continued.

Serena pouted. "What for?"

Casto began to speak when Mister Koa walked around to the front of the school from what appeared to be the parking lot. He only looked to Molly with a poker face before walking into the school without even a word. Casto gritted his teeth. "It's because of him. He went to Molly's house and somehow convinced her mother that she was being distracted by us."

He completely lied to her about everything," Molly added.

"What's the note about, Mol?"

Molly took the slip of paper out of her book bag and unfolded it to read, "I am rejecting Molly's request to change teachers for English. She is to be in Mister Koa's class for the remainder of his tenure. Do not let her converse with Serena, Melvin," she paused as she took a big sigh, "and especially Casto. Signed, Miss Baker."

"We're not doing anything to you, though, Molly," Serena objected. "Yes, you two are," a voice suddenly rang out. The group looked towards the door to see Mister Koa walking out. "Molly, I thought your mother told you not to talk to them. I don't want to hear another word coming from you to any of them, or it's an automatic detention, and I will inform your mother! I'll make sure that note gets to the principal. School's about to start. Let's go." Koa blocked any other path for Molly except into the school.

"Why do you care if she changes classes?" Serena yelled out, but there were no other words as the door leading into the school shut behind them.

"I don't get this," Casto said. "It's like he's trying to act like a father to her, but he would be a horrible one."

"Patty can't return soon enough for me. We need him gone real soon."

-xXXXXx-

It grew further into the day as Serena and Casto both returned home from what was a very uneventful day at school. That is, unless they counted the events that happened in the morning.

As they came into the house and went upstairs into Serena's room, they heard her phone ring. Casto immediately picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Casto, what's going on with Molly?" he heard Melvin ask on the other end.

"She was grounded because Mister Koa lied to her about us being a negative influence on her."

"Who is it?" Serena whispered.

Casto put his hand on the lower end of the receiver. "It's Melvin!"

"I tried talking to her all day, but she is completely ignoring me," Melvin continued. "She's never been like that before."

"It got worse. He told her mom that she wants to change teachers as a way to get out of trouble or something, and her mother bought every word of it."

"It isn't like her mother to just believe someone like that, especially when Molly was also in the school building when Mister Koa struck that student."

"Well, she's refusing to let her change teachers, and Mister Koa is acting like a father to her. A very forceful father who is only taking this whole restriction thing further than her mother is."

"Don't see why he should have a problem with her switching, but I'll see if I can ask around. Maybe he's got something planned for her. I'm worried about what he's trying to do, but we have to know."

Casto fumed as his hand gripped the phone tightly, but he only bit his tongue. "Okay, let me know if you find out anything."

"Okay. Thanks for telling me what happened. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Cas."

"See you later, Mel," Casto finished as he hung up the phone.

"Does he know anything about why?" his sister asked.

"No, but he said he'll try to find out. He's worried that Mister Koa has something awful in mind."

Serena trembled. "If he hurts her..."

"Serena!" she heard her mother call out. "Someone's at the door for you!"

The two siblings looked to each other, then left Serena's room. They looked downstairs to see Ikuko holding the door open slightly.

"Do you know this person, Serena?" Ikuko continued.

Serena let out a loud gasp. It was Melissa Beryl.

-xXXXXx-

"What the hell are you doing here, Melissa?" Serena asked quietly as Melissa joined her and Casto in her room. "How did you know where I lived?"

"Malachite mentioned this place, and Rubeus continued to attack your house before bragging about it," she answered from her seat on Serena's bed. "So I had an idea about where to go. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you."

"Oh no," Serena objected, "you're not. I'm just...my mother didn't know who you were, and I didn't expect you to come here looking for me."

"Yeah, Melissa," Casto added, "you're taking somewhat of a risk by exposing yourself like that."

"How am I, Casto?" Melissa asked. "I know I'm not very liked amongst any of you, but still, it's not like I want to go back or anything."

"We don't know that, though. You say that you don't want to serve Metaria or whatever you called her. But judging from how Rubeus has been acting, she must have gotten into his head good. Whatever control she has over her minions, she's convinced them, and if you're not careful, you'll be in her hands again."

"No," Melissa sighed as she got to her feet and walked over to the window. "Rubeus is just plain evil. Metaria doesn't even have to get into his mind to convince him. He's done that himself. As for me, I've just had enough of her lies and deceit at my expense."

"Let me ask you, then, Melissa," Casto began, "did you orchestrate the attack on Miss Haruna?"

"No. In fact," Melissa paused, "I healed her at the hospital." The two gasped as Melissa continued, "I couldn't stand seeing it. I was only telling Zoycite and Malachite to watch and make sure that Rubeus wasn't betraying us. I saw him go after Patrica, and I was screaming to them at stop him, but Hammerthor's shield made it impossible to hear me, though I could hear them. I couldn't get through to anyone when he went after the hospital. So that's when I thought that maybe Reenie would trust me because she didn't know who I was yet. I didn't mean to put her in harm's way, but it was the only thing I could think of."

"It was a smart move." Serena nodded. "Tell the one person who you knew didn't know that much about you or have anything against you about what was going on."

"So that's why you mentioned to Reenie that her guardian angel thanks her," Casto concluded. "You were her angel."

"Yeah, you could say that," Melissa sighed.

"Thank you," Serena breathed.

"Hmm?"

"I owe you a lot if you were able to do all of that for us. We all need Patty's guidance." 'In more ways than one, I'm afraid.'

"Thank you, but you don't owe me anything." Melissa walked past the bed and towards the door. "I don't deserve anything. It's just me repaying my debt to society."

"Nonsense," Serena growled as she jumped up from her seated position on the floor and grabbed Melissa's arm. "I didn't think you were a good person, but you've definitely convinced me otherwise. Actually," she paused to hum in thought before continuing, "I would love to know more about who you really are."

"It's not that good of a story, believe me."

Serena shuffled in front of her. "But I would love to hear more of it. None of our lives are exactly perfect, either. Listen, how about today, I take you around Juuban, just me and you, and maybe you can see some of the things you're missing out on."

"Sis," Casto interrupted, "you sure?"

She narrowed her eyes at Casto. "Of course I'm sure. Besides, I think she'll want to get some new clothes, anyway. I mean, I like the look and all, but I don't think too many people are going to just walk by someone who is in a long dress and high heels and think that there isn't some sort of formal gathering going on."

Melissa's eyes widened slightly. "Well, I did get some looks from a few guys. I didn't know if I should've been flattered or creeped out. That, and I think it's time I changed my look somewhat. Sure, Serena. I'll bite."

Serena leaped in the air. "All right!"

Melissa couldn't help but let a smile out. "When do we go?"

"How about now? I was planning on doing some shopping downtown, and I was going to call Molly, but she's got some family issues to deal with."

'You're telling us,' Casto thought.

"That, and I got all my homework done in study hall today, so we can have the whole day for us. C'mon, Melissa!" Serena softly gripped Melissa's arm and pulled her out of the door.

'Wow, Serena,' Casto continued in thought, 'Serenity was right about you. You're very forgiving. Though I don't know how much longer that trait will last, given the way Rubeus is trying to break you.'

-xXXXXx-

The afternoon sun was beginning to fall westward on Juuban, though to Serena and Melissa, the time it told wasn't of any importance. They walked down the road where Serena knew the Crown Game Center was located, though she didn't think Melissa was ready to go there just yet. She also knew of a certain store that was on this street: the Peaches Fashion Stop. It was a small store a few blocks away from the arcade. It had a pastel orange and white awning on its single pane windows and over the top of its door.

"Doesn't look like a clothing store," Melissa remarked.

"Trust me, it's one of the better places here, and you won't even have to break the bank to get some clothes for yourself."

"You think people will be scared of someone like me walking in here?"

Serena frowned as she put a hand on Melissa's shoulder. "No, I would hope not. People here in Juuban aren't going to be prejudiced."

"Every group has closed-minded people."

"Yes, and you're with someone who knows how to deal with them. Besides, there's someone who works here who is especially nice. She just started a month ago. Someone that might share your story a bit."

Melissa nodded as she followed Serena into the store. It was a small but organized place that had pastel orange walls and a small chandelier on the ceiling. Clothing was hung up on the walls as well as the circular racks around the store. She looked to her right to see the fitting rooms in back of the room, some inches away from the shoe area.

While Melissa kept looking at the scenery within, Serena walked to the counter that was to the center of the left wall. "Is she working today?"

Suddenly, a woman with auburn hair and baby blue eyes came out of a door. She was about the same height as Serena, though she appeared to be somewhat taller thanks to the pumps she wore. Serena recognized the woman immediately. "Avery, you were working today?"

Avery's head coiled back as she smiled brightly. "Serena, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you knew of this place. I didn't think that you would find out that I started my job here." She eyed Melissa walking up to the counter. "You! I think I saw you in the apartment building today. You just moved in last night, if I'm not mistaken."

"Woah," Serena exclaimed. "You mean you know Melissa?"

"Well, we haven't talked just yet, but she looked down. I thought she had a death in the family or something."

"No," Melissa answered, "though I feel like I have."

"What do you mean? Oh, wait, I think I know. Some guy she liked broke her heart. Happens to all of us."

"Not really."

"Avery, is there anyone else in here right now?" Serena asked.

"No. I'm the only one here. It's been dead today. Been like this for a while now. Wish the owner would advertise this place more to say that it's here."

"Melissa, do you want to tell Avery about your story?"

Melissa widened her eyes. "Wait, she's just a person working here. It would scare her if she knew where I come from and what I've been doing."

"Well, I think she needs to know because of who you had to deal with."

"What's going on?" Avery said with narrowed eyes.

"Rubeus escaped the UFO attack!"

Avery gasped. "Oh, my God! So that means that he might...?"

"Wait," Melissa interrupted, "you mean you know who Rubeus is?"

"You do?"

"He and I have been fighting for a while. It would set you off about me if you know everything that happened."

"Oh, no, Melissa. You should hear the story me and my sisters have. If you know Rubeus, then you should know our story. Maybe later tonight I'll introduce you to them."

"Okay, okay," Serena cheerfully interrupted. "Enough with all the gloom and doom. We came here to pick out some clothes for you, Melissa. Well, you'll be picking them out."

Melissa didn't waste any time as she jolted to the back of the store and began to look through the dark colored blouses and shirts. Serena rushed to catch up with her as she had already decided on three shirts: one red, one purple, and one black.

"Melissa," Serena said, "you still like those colors?"

"It's my family's color code," she answered. "We Beryls go back long before you were born on the Moon. It was always red, purple, or black. My mother was always in this gorgeous red dress, and my father was in a deep black coat with a purple shirt underneath. I always picked on him, saying he looked like the king in a deck of cards in that stuff. King of spades, I always called him...well, after dad, of course."

"Sounds like you had a close family."

"Loved them with all my heart." Melissa gave a heavy sigh before moving on. "Here we go." She laid her eyes on a pair of low-cut shoes. They had thick white shoelaces woven into black leather. She eagerly swiped them up into her hands from the display shelf and sat on one of the chairs near the fitting rooms.

She reached for her heels and took off one of her shoes before placing the low-cut version onto her foot. As she was doing so, Serena looked to the purple-laced heel that Melissa had removed. "Same size as I wear."

"I've had those for a while, though, so I might've grown since then." Melissa tied the black shoe and walked in it for a few moments. She braced the awkward balance of the flat shoe on one foot and the raised heel on the other. "Just perfect, though. It's a size seven."

"That's more of an athletic shoe, though," Avery said as she approached the two. "It's mostly for those who choose to do one of those extreme sports I keep hearing about."

"They're very comfortable, too. Just what I was looking for."

Melissa and Serena both tried on several other outfits of various colors and styles. Anything from high end skirts and blouses to simple casual jeans and t-shirts were tried. They spent nearly an hour shopping, and Serena was worried a half hour into the activity that Melissa was always attracted to the same three colors. However, Melissa suddenly tried on a knee-long blue silk dress with matching high heels that made her blush. She liked it so much that she decided to get the same thing herself.

An hour later, they went to the front counter to check out. Avery thought that they were going to clean the store out. Over twenty garments each were in their hands, which was probably going to break their bank. If only Avery could get these two in here every day. She rang in each article of clothing quickly and stuck them into one of an array of handle bags.

"Okay, you ready for the bad news, Serena?" Avery asked.

"I wouldn't ever be, but..."

"Two hundred fifty three!"

Serena was nearly floored. "Whaa...? I don't think I have..."

"Thought it would be more." Melissa grinned. Serena looked over to see what she could only describe as a huge wad of cash. She was stunned as Melissa paid Avery with some of the money, which went into the drawer just as quickly.

"What in the...?"

"And here we go," Avery smiled. "You two have a great day. And Melissa, before I forget..." She took a piece of paper and jotted an address down on it before handing it to her. "This is the apartment where me and my sisters live. Whenever you want to talk to us about Rubeus, come up and say hi. I think one of my sisters told me which apartment you're in, so if you want, we could always come down to greet you."

Melissa nodded and smiled. "Of course. Can't wait to hear your stories." She collected the four bags, handed two of them to Serena, and looked to Avery again. "Tell that owner of yours to get to telling people about this place. No one should miss it."

"Thank you!" Avery smiled as she watched the two exit the store, only to hang her head in concern a second later. 'Rubeus is...alive? No, Rubeus, I'll never let you take me or my sisters again.'

-xXXXXx-

Out on the sidewalk again, Serena turned to Melissa, still in shock. "Forgive me for asking, but where did you get all that cash from?"

Melissa stopped walking for a moment. "It was from some old things that I didn't need. Jewelry, furniture, stuff like that. I hit the jackpot on some old cosmetics I didn't need anymore. This one lady told me that they were very old and actually worth a lot of money because of how well they were preserved. I didn't know those things would be collectibles, but she gave me a ton of money for them."

"Why didn't you keep them, then?"

"I needed the money more. That was how I was able to get the apartment that I..." She was interrupted by a sharp pain in her index finger. It followed a loud crack. She quickly put down her bags and looked at her digit. "Shit! I knew I should've cut these things the second I left the Dark Kingdom." Although it wasn't bleeding, one of her long nails had cracked.

Serena saw the nail laying on the ground next to her feet, and cringed as she looked to Melissa. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I think so. I should trim these damn things after we're done."

"Actually," Serena smiled, "there's a place right near here that I think can do that and more for you. It's right around the corner. This salon gives great pedicures and manicures, and I'm sure they can fix you right up."

Melissa stared at her long fingernails for a few moments. "I never really liked them, but I didn't have a chance to do anything about it because I was too busy with her orders."

Serena looked at Melissa clenching her fists. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I think so. It's just that I did so many things I didn't want to do. I was told to do things that I didn't think I was even capable of doing."

Serena let out a heavy sigh. She recalled what her brother had said to her a week ago about her acting out of rage, and that everyone had a dark side to them. Maybe Melissa had a reason for her actions. "Do you remember why this person was able to reel you in like that?"

"I can't even remember the entire story right now, but I did forget about what really mattered to me. My love for the kingdom I once had, and the people that I cared for so much. I can remember some of what happened during my life, though it might be too depressing for someone like you to hear."

"Why wouldn't I want to hear it?"

"The sadness I would see from you would be too much for me to bear. I'm so used to seeing you cheery and happy. I don't think sadness fits you any. I'm very surprised that you are so eager to just trust me, though I'm very happy that you do."

Serena smiled as she looked into Melissa's eyes. "You saved my future daughter's life as well as Darien's. I don't think there's anything wrong with you. Everyone makes bad decisions." She jumped before grabbing Melissa's wrist. "Come on, now! Your masseuse is waiting."

Melissa let out a slight giggle as she let Serena tug her to move, although her mind wandered a bit before she began walking again. 'Future...daughter?'

-xXXXXx-

Inside the salon, Melissa could only let the images of her past race in her mind while a tall woman in a white overcoat, pants, and shoes clipped and filed all of her nails on her hands and feet. It was pure bliss to have this sort of treatment, though as she stared at the blue on all the flooring, walls, and ceiling, she still could not get the words "future daughter" out of her head. 'Serena, you're going to have a daughter? I...don't know what to say. Knowing me, I would've been angry to know that it will be with Darien, but now I'm...hoping that he's the father. I want him to be happy with you. I'm glad that I can finally just feel these things without worrying what she will do to me for expressing myself.'

"Melissa," Serena asked as she looked through her shopping bag, "how does it feel?"

"Been a while since I had this done, as you could probably tell. Not used to it. Hoping no one cuts my finger off or anything. I still need them."

"Don't worry. That's for me to do later!"

Melissa's cocked an eyebrow as her head tilted to look at Serena, who was sitting beside her. "I beg your pardon?"

Serena smiled as she tried to keep a straight face. However, she busted out laughing a few seconds later. The laughter was enough to get Melissa to crack up, as well.

"I'm sure it won't hurt," Serena continued, trying to contain her laughter, "too much."

"Yeah. Except for the blood that'll be squirting from my hands. Thanks for caring!"

"There," the female manicurist interrupted, "all done, and the digits are all ready for the upcoming amputation."

"Well, not just yet," Serena answered, "because I want to take you to the arcade next."

"Arcade?" Melissa asked. "Of course. No day is complete without beating my top score on the Sailor V game there."

"I didn't think a girl like you would play video games. But I can't wait." Melissa eyed her nails. They were now the same length as Serena's, only hers were about a centimeter longer. She grinned brightly at the handiwork that had been done by the manicurist, and then looked at her. "Thanks. You have no idea how much it meant to me to get rid of those nails."

"Usually cutting off nails that long can signify starting anew," the woman said.

"I think I've already done that, though. This was just further sealing the deal." Melissa got to her feet and grabbed her high heels from the shoe rack near the front counter. She then reached in her dress and pulled out her money, giving two hundred yen to Serena. "Here! Can you pay her for me so I can get dressed?"

Serena took the money, though with confusion. "What do you...oh yeah!"

"I want to get into something more comfortable now that I have the time. Can't wait anymore to try out the new look. If you don't mind, of course."

"Not at all. I'll just wait for you out here, 'kay?" Melissa nodded before grabbing her bags and heading to the women's changing room.

"She doesn't seem like the person who would want those nails," the manicurist said. "Is she a friend of yours?"

Serena nodded as she handed the woman the money. "We just met today. Can't believe how fast we hit it off. I feel like I've known her for ages."

"Some women are like that. I couldn't do that, but my sister could just meet someone on the street and have an hour long conversation with them. I guess it just goes with how willing you are to meet new people."

"Sometimes it just takes the right kind of people to have that happen. I'm sure you're the same way. Just need to feel it, that's all."

"I hope so. At this rate, I'll be single for the rest of my natural life."

"Ah, I think I know of someone who you might be able to..."

"Okay, Serena," they heard Melissa call out. "I'm ready!"

Serena and the woman both turned their heads to the door of the changing room. There stood Melissa, but now in a dark purple buttoned up, short sleeved shirt and black jeans. She walked over to the front counter as her skate shoes made loud echoes in the building.

"Wow, you look nice like that," Serena exclaimed.

"Thanks. Fits perfectly, too. At least my keen eye hasn't changed." Melissa turned to the manicurist. "Thanks for everything. And don't worry. All you have to do is to live life some more, and that skill will come on its own."

"Thanks, Melissa," the woman said with a nod. "I didn't know you heard me."

"Some people say I have ears like a bat. Sorry if it wasn't my business."

"Oh, that's fine, Melissa. You're welcome here anytime you need anything, too. You should stop by regularly to make sure that they don't get as long as they did."

"Thank you. I'll talk to you later, then." Melissa smiled as she and Serena left the store.

"I hope so."

-xXXXXx-

The sign above the door of the arcade read in big letters "CROWN GAME CENTER". As the sun began its decent into the mountains, Serena and Melissa both stood in front of the door to the arcade.

"So you came here every time you weren't fighting me?" Melissa asked.

"Well, not all the time. More like...well, most of the time."

Melissa slowly paced towards the door, which slid open automatically. There were a few people in the place when she walked in, and even fewer people playing the games available. She stopped a few steps inside the building, with Serena following her. She traveled her eyes across the length of the room at the many game machines that were neatly lined up in a row. The people playing the games sure did look like they were having fun, though they were more in the back of the arcade. On the back wall and to the left was a raised platform that had a counter on it.

Serena looked towards the counter to see a very familiar blonde male. "Andrew!"

Andrew shot his blue eyes towards Serena and her tall friend. "Hey, Serena! Long time no see! Thought you would never come back." He circled around the counter and raced down to meet them. "What was going on all this time? Heard you had some rough times lately."

"Yeah, you could say that. But things are a lot better now, I hope."

"Well, I prayed for your family to be alright after I heard about that madman attacking them like he did."

Serena's eyes widened. "You heard about that?"

"It kind of spread like a wildfire here. I don't think there was anyone that wasn't down after hearing about it. You were sort of a celebrity, though probably not the way you would've wanted."

While Serena was shocked that Andrew knew, Melissa was stunned for another reason. "Wait, Mr. Andrew? Someone attacked her family?"

"Oh," Andrew answered as he turned to the unfamiliar face. "Please excuse me. You must be a new friend of hers."

"Yes. The name's Melissa Beryl."

He nodded as he continued, "Well, I guess you should know, unless she told you already."

"She doesn't, I don't think," Serena stated. "I didn't know if you had found out yet, but someone tried to murder my family in cold blood. He was described as a man with a purple vest and spiky red hair."

'Rubeus?' Beryl thought. 'So that's why you hate his guts!'

"He put Sammy in intensive care, and his leg still hasn't healed up. For a while, we thought he wasn't going to make it." She gave a heavy sigh. "My dad also got shot, but not as badly. I swore on my life that if I ever found the man who did that..."

"I don't blame you, Serena," Melissa interrupted.

"Well," Andrew said, "I'm just glad Sammy's fine. Hopefully everything will return to normal for you. Seeing you with a new friend is a good sign." Andrew looked up and down the length of Melissa. She narrowed her eyes as she watched him move his head. "Interesting getup, though."

"Hey," Melissa harked, "I like this look!"

"Didn't say it was bad. I like it, actually."

"And I'm not looking right now."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm already taken. I'm with one of Serena's friends. She'd kill me if she caught me checking you out."

Melissa began to say something, but her eyes interrupted her by catching sight of one of the standup cabinets. "Serena, is that the game you were talking about?"

Serena looked to where her friend was pointing. It was a Sailor V arcade machine, with four joysticks and an array of buttons. "Yeah, the Sailor V game...though I like to sit down when I play." She pointed right in front of her. "That's the machine I usually claim."

"That standing one is a newer version we got last week," Andrew commented. "Supports four players, but it's supposed to be a bit more difficult to get through."

"Harder than the one I play?"

"One of the better players had a hard time getting through the first stage of the new one."

"I like a challenge," Melissa said. "I think I'll try it."

"Yeah," Serena agreed. "Bring it on!"

The two females got their change, approached the machine, and plucked the coinage into it. Within seconds, they were ready to begin. The masked female they knew as Sailor V was jumping, diving, and shooting to get through the stage. It was actually two of them, though, as one had a blue miniskirt and the other having a green one to identify who was who: blue was Melissa while green was Serena. Yes, it was drastically different from what the two would've remembered it as, and it was very difficult. However, with the two women combining their skills together, they were able to clear the first stage and move on.

"Hey, I guess we're the first to get through it," Melissa proclaimed.

"Did that one guy play solo?" Serena asked the observing Andrew.

"Yes, he did."

"I think there's a reason why this supports four players, then," Melissa answered. "You're supposed to only be able to complete it as a team." She turned her attention back to the game, where she was being attacked by another gang of thugs. "Ah, no you don't!" She pressed a quick combination of buttons. "Hell yeah!"

Serena was not hiding her enthusiasm, either. "Want some of this?"

Andrew watched as the two worked together to get through the second stage easily, even though the boss of that stage was what Melissa considered "cheap."

The third stage began, and they were quick to reach the halfway point when the screen began to display a bunch of binary codes and turn blue.

"What the hell?" Serena growled.

"Not again," Andrew grumbled. "These new machines do this, sometimes. They're alright for a while, and then they stop working."

Melissa didn't seem too concerned, though. "It should be able to let you see what's going on if you get into a debug menu."

"Hmm. I think it might have one. But how do you know about those?"

"I've worked with something like this before. These always have a way to get you to see what the problem is. You have to restart it and press these two buttons together when it starts up."

As Andrew saw Melissa demonstrate which two buttons did the work, he reached into the back and switched off the cabinet, waited two seconds, and then turned it back on. As soon as she heard the machine start, Melissa held down the two buttons on her blue side of the console. Within seconds, a bunch of tests on the characters and video colors were being run. It was when a screen test was being run that a message came up: "Warning: Dip switch positions not compatible with current version. Please either change the positions or inquire for an update." The message listed an address to receive professional service.

"I don't know too much about that type of thing," Andrew answered. "I just make sure everything is alright and put the out of order stickers up if they need them. I was hoping it would do this one or two times, which is why I didn't put the stickers up on this one."

Melissa looked in the back of the machine. There were several switches, in two rows of seven. "Andrew, press a button once and tell me what it reads."

Andrew did what she told him and read out, "Character limit. Fifteen. Difficulty level: Very difficult."

"I think we may have the problem right here." Melissa pressed a few switched before coming back to the front of the machine. "The difficulty level was so high that it brought out more enemies than the video settings were able to handle. It would normally be happening on the third stage, but I bet some people tried to rush through the stages to have the enemies follow them. You may want that update, too."

Both Andrew and Serena were standing stiff in shock—Serena more so than Andrew as she paced in front of Melissa. "I don't even know what you just said, but that was awesome."

Melissa smiled and nodded. "I thought so myself. Now, you'll have to restart it one more time in order for everything to take effect."

Andrew switched it off and then on again, the game coming back on without a hitch. "My God, you're a life saver."

"Well, don't celebrate yet. Don't know if it will change anything. I would test it before declaring victory."

"It's something I'll have to do tomorrow," Andrew answered as he checked his watch. "It's almost time to close this place. That other group left, I take it. Didn't even know they were gone." He then looked to Melissa. "Um, I know this is sudden and all, but I could use someone like you who knows something about these machines."

Melissa dropped her jaw slightly. "You mean you're offering me a job here?"

"Yeah. It wouldn't be too much of a hassle. Just a few hours during the day. It'll be good to get some money into your pocket. I don't know much if anything about how to do what you just did. This isn't the only one that I think something will need fixing."

"C'mon, Melissa," Serena cheered. "Take it!"

Melissa batted her eyes and brought out her hand. "I think you got a new employee." She and Andrew shook hands firmly.

"Thank you so much. You will be such a life saver. Tomorrow at noon. Think you can make it?"

"I know I can!"

"Okay, then, it's set. I'll have to go and do the necessary paperwork to get you started, and then you'll be ready to go. It's only until three, though, so don't expect to be here all day."

Melissa nodded. "Thank you so much. I wasn't even thinking about getting a job here, actually. I'm glad you said something about it. I'll be here."

"I think we should let him get to his work so he can close this place," Serena interjected. "Listen to me being the one who wants to leave."

"Yeah, things have definitely changed around here," Melissa sighed. "Anyway, thanks a lot, Andrew!"

"You're welcome," he answered as the two ladies made their exit. "I'll see you tomorrow."

-xXXXXx-

Melissa and Serena began to walk towards their next destination on a side street, away from the busyness of Downtown Juuban. The sun was setting, with the orange hue radiating across the sky.

"Melissa," Serena asked, "what kind of things did you have in the Dark Kingdom in order to know about all that stuff in the arcade?"

Melissa stopped dead after hearing the question, with Serena doing the same a few steps later. She looked back to see the former Dark Kingdom Queen cracking a small smile and exhaling slightly. "She didn't even know I had one."

Serena walked back towards her friend as her eyes narrowed. "Huh?"

"I loved that game. So much that I...kinda ordered the Youma who attacked the arcade a long time ago to get one of the cabinets and boards that they had tossed out. I only told him it would be for the machines we had in the Dark Kingdom in case we had an issue with the magic. But I really wanted to try the game out. I got hooked and I was using it to relieve some stress."

"I didn't think you'd get into that game."

"You'd be surprised at all I did while going after everything I had been trying to acquire. I needed something to get away from it all." Melissa shed a single tear that she let run down her cheek before continuing. "I forgot a lot about who I was during that time, Serena. I guess it's a sort of "if I knew then what I know now" type of thing."

Serena saw the tear as her mouth straightened. "Did you know about why you attacked that day?"

"I thought I did. I'm not so sure anymore, though. My doubts started the day I met Rubeus. I knew I couldn't trust the guy. I guess it also made me think about my own life. God, Serena, I thought I was the evil person, but I had my limits. I was so pissed when I found out he attacked Reenie."

"Did you know that he attacked my family before I said something to Andrew?"

"No, but I wish I had."

"Sammy was so close to death! I've never felt so much anger at one person before. I thought I could actually forgive him for a moment. I'm so stupid to think I could."

"Do you forgive me?"

There was the question that Serena had been waiting to hear. Although she didn't realize it at first, hearing it made her remember one of the many people she knew she could forgive, though she couldn't verbalize it through the shock of hearing the question so suddenly.

"Serena," Melissa continued, "I know you may not be able to accept it for whatever reason, but I want you to know that...I'm sorry. I didn't realize what I was doing until it was too late. I let my anger get the best of me, and I trusted someone I shouldn't have. If you can never forgive me, I will understand."

Serena looked into Melissa's eyes, which were filled with sorrow and despair. "Melissa, you've done more than what I think you had to do to gain my trust. I know you may need to work to get others' trust, but you have mine. That, and," she paused, "I forg..."

That was all she was able to get out as she was suddenly struck by a steaming red beam that hit her in the back. It made her double over in front of Melissa. The former queen quickly caught her and held her up to keep her from falling violently.

"Serena," she cried. Her breaths quickened as she felt the body slowly slide down. She responded by laying Serena down on the ground carefully.

"No, Queen Bitch," Melissa heard a baritone voice hark in front of her, "no one can ever forgive you for being such a triple-crosser."

The voice was one that she recognized immediately, and she fumed at who she now knew had fired his lava beam. "Eruptor!"

She looked up to see Eruptor staring down at the two as he paced towards them. "And I thought you two were beginning to finally patch things up. What about it, huh?"

Melissa rose to her feet with her body trembling. "You leave her out of this! It's me you want, and since you want a fight, I'll damn sure give one to you."

"Oh, but it's her that he wants, too!" She heard a frightening voice beckon from behind her.

She turned her head over her shoulder to see. "Rubeus! You dare show you face in my presence again?"

"Let's see," Rubeus said as he marched towards Melissa, "you betray your kingdom, betray your king and queen, you betray your people, and you'll probably betray Serena, too. You have some record with how much you've backstabbed them!"

"No, Rubeus! I didn't betray anyone! I'm just living for me for the first time in my life! All I want is to have that bitch Metaria out of my life!"

"But she's still your queen, Beryl! Or should I call you Melissa now? You see, I was looking through that room that you had while you were away on your little adventure some time ago! You had one happy family! Too bad they're gone, isn't it?"

Melissa only responded by spinning around and throwing a straight punch at Rubeus' face. He quickly jumped out of the way as he smirked. "Ah, so I hit a nerve!"

"Don't ever talk about them!"

"Or you'll what? Kill me? Well, more betrayal!" Rubeus circled around Melissa to join Eruptor, who was standing still, listening to his master. "Don't worry, Melissa. I won't have to soil my hands in order to kill you! Eruptor told me that he was loyal to you! Isn't that right, man?"

"Yes, Queen Beryl," Eruptor answered. "I admired you for laying waste to that good-for-nothing hellhole that Serenity thought she would have forever. You were a hero!"

"No, Eruptor, you're wrong," Melissa yelled. "That didn't make me a hero! That made me a coward! If you had any idea how much guilt I've held since then, you would see how much I loathe myself because of my actions! Yes, I know Serenity wasn't perfect, but I would never want to destroy anything like that!"

"Then why did you? You killed Serenity! You must've wanted it bad enough!"

"Because she was being used," they heard Serena say through gritted teeth as she began to fight back to her feet. "Anyone can be brainwashed by cowards like you who can't fight on their own!"

"So you really are going to forgive this witch for trashing the Moon Kingdom, is that it?" Rubeus barked.

"Yes! I've wanted to for so long, but I never got the chance!"

'Serena,' Melissa thought, 'thank you!'

"How foolish for you to forgive someone who will just betray you again?" Rubeus continued.

"Serena," Melissa said, "go and call your other friends. I can fight these two until they get here."

"Melissa, you don't have to."

"Don't worry, Serena. I'll be fine. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." Serena only nodded as she raced into a nearby alleyway. Melissa said to Rubeus and Eruptor, "I don't answer to you or to her anymore, Rubeus!"

"You made the biggest mistake of your life by betraying your people!" Rubeus jumped up onto a brick wall across the street from where Melissa was making her stand. "But I'll let Eruptor take you on."

"Rubeus, you're too kind," Eruptor shouted before shooting a huge red lava beam straight for Melissa. She jumped forward out of its path and attempted to kick him in the face. Eruptor dodged the kick and shot out a punch while he set his own hand on fire. She ducked underneath it and delivered a shoulder hit in his gut. It made him stagger back slightly, though he quickly fired a flaming beam from his left fist. It made Beryl have to jump to her left. As she did so, she readied her black stalactite projectile. She hoisted it over top of her head as she skidded backwards on her feet from the jump. She aimed it for Eruptor's heart, though he countered by firing his flaming beam once more, completely dissipating it.

While Melissa was battling the Youma, Rubeus' eye caught Serena with her communicator calling the Sailors. 'Yes, Sailor Bitch! Do exactly what I thought you would!' He smirked as his left hand patted his hip. There was something there for sure, though he opted to keep it hidden as he continued to watch the fight.

"You're never going to believe this, Luna," Serena whispered into her communicator, "but Melissa Beryl is fighting one of her own Youma!"

"Queen Beryl," Luna paused, "battling one of her own? I don't know if I can believe it!"

"He's calling himself Eruptor, and Rubeus is with him. Not sure what this is about, but Eruptor didn't seem to hold any sort of loyalty to Melissa. That, and he attacked me from behind with whatever it was."

"I'll get the others, but I want to warn you that not too many of us are sold on trusting her right now, if any. I don't trust her at all, and if it wasn't for you being involved, I wouldn't even bother. We'll be there as soon as we can!" The communication was terminated, even though Luna's last words made Serena sigh deeply.

'No, Luna, you can trust her.'

Meanwhile, Melissa was trying to hold off one of Eruptor's fire punches, even though it was burning into her hand. Eruptor countered with a stiff kick to her stomach, and then a fire punch to her temple. It made her fall to the ground, though she growled as she jumped back to her feet and charged into him with a heavy shoulder tackle that sent him falling on his back. He rolled to his feet and fired first a fire beam and then a lava beam. She dodged the fire one, but the lava beam caught her leg as she was jumping out of the way. She fell on her side with extreme force.

"You ready to die yet, Beryl?" Eruptor snarled through his teeth as he approached her fallen body.

"Go ahead, Eruptor," she answered, "kill me! It won't change a damn thing! You'll still be betrayed by the two people you think you can trust! You'll still be a jealous glory hog! I beg of you, destroy me and put the Beryl curse out of its misery!"

"Oh, I can arrange..."

"No, you won't!" Serena yelled as she stood straight and gazed diabolically at Eruptor.

"What's this?" Eruptor shrieked.

"I'm not going to let you harm one of my friends! Even one I just made today!"

'C'mon, Serena,' Rubeus thought as he clenched his hip to grab something from his belt line. 'Show it! Show that Silver Crystal! Did you forget already what else I now hold?'

Serena gripped her Moon Locket in her hand, her narrow eyes still glued onto Eruptor. Melissa's eyes were locked onto the young girl as she began to motion for her transformation, the brooch slowly opening.

However, as she was coming back to her feet, Melissa also caught a glimpse of Rubeus whipping out a small silver pistol with a square barrel. That was all she could see before she realized that he was pulling the trigger. As he did so, she saw a small black aura resonating from the back of the barrel, where the safety would've been. She recognized the aura immediately: the Hizrounswa. Rubeus was aiming right for Serena's Moon Locket, and he fired the gun as Serena began to call out, "Moon, Crystal..."

"Serena!" Melissa screamed.

Serena saw the bullet coming for the locket. She clasped it shut and was able to flip out of the way of the shot. She then looked to see Rubeus continuing to shoot his weapon at her. She had to jump and juke out of the way of each shot as quickly as her body would allow; she showed her flexibility in doing so.

"C'mon, Sailor Moon!" Rubeus growled. "Bring it out! Let me end you right here and right now!"

Eruptor fired another set of beams at Melissa. She quickly grabbed an empty tin trash can and threw it at him as he fired the beams. They melted the can, though his beams stopped short because of it, and he had to defend himself against the projectile. Melissa saw Eruptor ready another set of beams. 'We can't keep avoiding these things forever!'

Melissa put one hand high into the air, and a ball of purple energy formed within it. 'Time I started using this again. Hopefully I still remember how to perform it.' She held her other hand high, with the same batch of purple energy forming. A small amount of air began to blow upward as her hair was caught in the wind. She crossed her arms tightly to her chest with the spherical energy still glowing in her hands. She closed her eyes and made the energy grow, screaming, "Shadow Wave!" She reopened her eyes and suddenly threw her arms past each other, making the two energy balls collide together. They formed a full beam of pure purple energy in between her outstretched hands. She finished her call by screaming, "Strike!" The purple energy bar then streaked across the sidewalk and collided with Eruptor. The force from the Shadow Wave made him fly back and hit a wall.

She focused on Rubeus, who was still firing the Hizrounswa gun at Serena. The girl was growing extremely tired with all of her flips to dodge each shot, and Melissa knew she couldn't hold out much longer as the madman cackled.

"Dance, Serena!" he sneered. "Dance until you die!" Rubeus stopped firing, however, once he saw Melissa shoot her Shadow Wave at Eruptor. He shot his eyes right at the woman. "What a pity you used that on him. He was hoping you wouldn't resort to the Shadow Wave that he told me you once used on your foes. Now I know you still hold magic, and just enough for me to do you in with the Hizrounswa. You see, this new weapon has the crystal inside of it. All I have to do is move a lever, and I can pick whatever level I want. Let's see, Melissa. How about level six on your new pal?

"You hurt her, and I swear to God..." Melissa growled.

"Growing a heart for her, too? You weren't kidding!"

"She's shown me more of my human side today than I have seen in years!"

"The same girl you hated is the one who shows your human side, as you call it?"

"She has one," Serena yelled. "You have no idea what that even is anymore!"

As they were talking, Eruptor got to his feet and slowly began to ready another set of beams. Rubeus caught him doing so out of the corner of his eye and chose not to acknowledge it as he continued, "Neither does Queen Beryl! No feelings, no remorse, no pity for those she hurts! You call that a friend?"

Melissa began to speak, but before she could, she saw Eruptor fire his beam directly at Serena and panicked. "Serena, look out!" She turned and tackled her friend, saving her from the beams. However, Melissa wasn't as lucky. She was hit directly on the back by both beams, and Serena saw that she was badly hurt by the shots. Her back had been nearly charred, with the shirt she had bought earlier that day having been burned slightly.

"M-Melissa," Serena quivered. "Are you...? Please be alright! You didn't have to...!"

"Rubeus," Melissa growled as she slowly rose to her feet. She ignored all her pain as she stood straight, looking dead at Rubeus. "You have no idea how much I've gone through. I wouldn't wish my curse on anyone!"

"How is this possible?" Eruptor panicked. "She took both of my shots directly! How is she still standing?"

"She isn't human, Eruptor!" Rubeus answered. "She just acts like she is!"

Not knowing that the other Sailors had now arrived behind the two girls, Melissa continued, "How dare you think I can't feel? Live my life, Rubeus! Fail to stop a school full of kids being blown up from a terrorist attack! Hear that your mother and father, who you loved so much, were killed in a shuttle crash, all while you were ten and you knew that you were the next queen in line!"

As Melissa said the latter, Sailor Jupiter gasped loudly and took a few steps back. 'No! That's exactly how mine...!"

"Rubeus, don't you dare think that I wouldn't know what being human is like, because until you felt my pain and suffering, you never will know!"

"Oh, shut up! You're making me sick! Eruptor, maybe a few more beams will do the trick!"

"Ah yeah!" Eruptor exclaimed. "This time, I aim for her heart!"

'Serena," Venus whispered as she helped her back to her feet, "you alright?"

"Yes, I think so," she answered. "Just a bit worn out, though I would be a lot worse if it wasn't for her."

"You mean Queen..."

They were both interrupted by Eruptor firing shot after shot of his two beams. The Sailors jumped to get out of the way of the fire and lava.

"Shine Aqua Illusion!" Mercury shouted as she fired her tsunami attack at the monster. His bullets were quickly gone as a result.

"Mercury," Mars called out, "let's try that same thing on him!"

Mercury nodded as she jumped into the abandoned street to get back to back with her friend. "Shine Aqua Illusion!"

"Mars Celestial Fire! Surround!" Mars' attack combined with Mercury's to create the same blue flames that they used in Starlight Tower. The flame encircled Eruptor and had trapped him for a moment. He was able to jump up and out of the circle.

As he soared through the sky, however, he heard a male yell, "Vulture Attack!" Before he could react, he felt a hard smack on his chest. The blow made him fall straight down, colliding with the concrete below.

Sailor Vulture jumped to the ground as he smirked. "Yeah, that's how you extinguish a hothead!" As Eruptor fought to get back to his vertical base, Vulture looked to his sister. "Go ahead and transform, sis! We'll hold him..."

"No, Serena," Melissa interrupted, "don't worry! I'll finish him this time."

Everyone looked to her with confusion, especially Casto. "What are you...?"

He stopped talking as Melissa formed a stalactite crystal and hurled it at Eruptor. It struck him in the heart as he screamed out, "No, Queen Beryl! You will always be a triple crosser! The curse will never be broken!" He couldn't say any more as his black soul plunged out and crashed onto the ground. Melissa fumed as his body evaporated with his soul.

Rubeus let out a slight growl and snarled his lips. "This is ridiculous! I should just kill you all right now!"

He readied the Hizrounswa gun and began to fire. That is, until he felt a familiar strike on his wrists, making him drop the gun on the ground. "Tuxxy Boy again? That rose is becoming a damn habit with you!" Rubeus, however, caught someone else rushing at him from atop the wall he had been standing on. He never got a chance to react as he felt a firm kick right in his gut. It sent his back to the ground, with Mini Moon smirking at what she was able to accomplish.

"Just in time, as always," Vulture quipped.

Rubeus was inching for his gun when he heard Mask yell, "Don't you even think about it, Rubeus!" He stood straight on the edge of a two story brick building across the street. "I really don't care what your alliances are. As long as you continue to terrorize everyone you come across, we will stop you!"

"You don't understand, Tuxxy Boy, I've got more power now than any of you freaks put together!" Rubeus rolled to his gun and grabbed it. He pulled the lever down to level five and was ready to shoot.

"Sparking Wide Pressure!"

Rubeus saw Jupiter's attack coming and jumped onto the top of the wall. He looked around to see all the Sailors, Tuxedo Mask, and Melissa Beryl staring him down. He was clearly outnumbered, and he quickly grunted and disappeared before anyone could react.

"When all else fails," Vulture responded, "run like a scalded...huh?"

His eyes caught Melissa Beryl staggering as she held herself against the wall with her hand. She was clearly in pain from the shots she had taken from Eruptor. The other Sailors took notice of her pain, though Melissa didn't pay any attention to anyone, since she was not able to as she continued to wince with every step she took.

"She can take more than that, I'm sure," Sailor Mars claimed.

"I don't know, Mars," Vulture answered. "She looks pretty messed up."

"Another ploy to get the Silver Crystal?" Luna whispered.

"Not a chance," Serena said. "She took Eruptor's shots for me."

Jupiter looked to the rest of her party, and then to Melissa. She fought within herself wondering what she should do, but she soon raced over to the ailing woman and wrapped her arms around her. "You going to be alright?"

"I..I think..." Melissa said. She couldn't finish, however, as she collapsed on the ground. Jupiter's arms were the only thing that kept her on her feet.

Serena gasped and made a beeline to her fallen friend. "Melissa!" She also knelt down next to her. "You didn't have to do that for me."

"Yes, Serena, I did, and I wanted to. I don't deserve this..."

"Shut up, Melissa! You do deserve the help. Especially after all you did. Yes, I forgive you, and yes, after what you did today, I know I can trust you!"

"She," Luna paused, "trusts her?"

"Melissa, is it?" Jupiter asked. Melissa responded with a nod as she continued, "Sailor Vulture was right. He got you pretty good! You should see a doctor about..."

"No!" Melissa barked. "I don't need any damn doctor!"

"But you..."

"I don't feel comfortable yet going to any! I can't..."

"No, Melissa," Serena growled, "I'm ordering you to see ours right now!"

Melissa looked to Serena with a slight smirk. "Order?"

"Yeah! I am a princess, after all!"

Melissa widened her eyes a moment before letting out a slight chuckle. "As long as they only come from you and not that witch Metaria."

"She's never going to have you again as long as you have me as a friend."

Jupiter nodded. "And if you've got her as a friend, you'll have her as one for life!"

"And...as long as it's Mesta that you're talking about," Melissa said.

"Oh, yes," Serena quickly answered. "He's the only one my family trusts to tell them the truth."

'Trust,' Sailor Mars thought. 'It's something I can't understand. How can she trust Queen Beryl so quickly? I'm sorry, Melissa. I can't ever trust you. You will never be my friend.'

-xXXXXx-

Nephlite had been getting the final pieces of data downloaded onto the optical discs, which he previously hadn't known could be done. It was after this that he would be leaving the Dark Kingdom, though he didn't want to leave without Zoycite. She was still in the throne downstairs, acting as queen. Her resolve to continue to protect something that Nephlite thought and knew was already lost was something that he admired and despised at the same time. Beryl's final order to them was to live their lives, yet Zoycite saw living her life as making sure that Rubeus and Metaria didn't have their way. He was egging the machine to be quicker about this. It wasn't as long as he expected the transfer to be, though now it was slowing down. On the final piece of data, of course.

The observatory was where he felt safest doing this operation, though halfway into getting the last piece of data, he heard loud footsteps behind him. He gasped and froze stiff. Had to be Rubeus finding out that he was still here. Or maybe he had done another unthinkable act and revived Metaria from captivity. He didn't know what form Metaria would take. For all he knew, she could've been human after all, and had just held the most extreme of magical abilities. Regardless, he didn't need to be caught now trying to get some very important information that could be of great use in the years to come.

However, his nerves were relaxed as he instead heard Zoycite say, "Is it done yet?"

Nephlite gave a heavy sigh before answering, "Almost. I have to get this last piece of info onto the disc, and then I'm done."

Zoycite stopped pacing as she looked over his shoulder to see the terminal. "Then after it is done, you'll be leaving here?"

"Yes! I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

She sighed deeply as she turned and walked away a few steps. "I think I'm ready to, as well."

Nephlite's eyes shot up slightly as he turned to Zoycite. She hung her head and looked at the purple tiara.

"A long time ago," she continued, "I had a dream that I would become a queen someday. I was only a child back then, and I loved watching people like Serenity and Kishmel always being able to get people's trust and love."

"Kishmel was loved, but I'm not sure about Serenity. A lot of people adored her, but it wasn't like she was someone that was admired by everyone. She did have her naysayers."

"I know she wasn't perfect. But at least she was more of a queen than the person who is only saying she is now. Metaria is just some heartless vessel who wants to lay waste to everything she touches, and the way Rubeus admires her makes me sick. I thought that now would be my chance to show at least to whoever was left that I could be a queen, and that I could rule with a kind heart, just like the idols I have. But I've realized that there's nothing else here other than those that Rubeus is using and her."

Nephlite walked to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Did you idolize Beryl, too?"

"Yes, I did. I didn't know how she did it, but she was able to endure every single thing she went through and still put a smile on her face when she needed to. I was forever stricken by some of the things that I heard happened to her and her family. It was even more disgusting that someone would use such heartbreak and torment to brainwash her the way Metaria did. It's why I wanted to stay here. I know she would be happy if I could get this place back to its former glory." Zoycite shed a tear as she looked up to the ceiling. "But I know now that it was only a selfish desire of mine because I wanted to be a queen someday. Adam was right. I'm just too damn stubborn to know any better."

"I actually didn't think it was selfish. I thought it was foolish, but not selfish. It was something that you thought was right to do. She's a friend of yours, and you thought this was a way to show that you cared for her. I don't know how she would feel about it, though."

"She said that it was our choice if we wanted to stay and protect this place. Though now I'm believing there's nothing left."

Nephlite closed his eyes tightly. "The toughest thing for a queen to do is to admit when she has been beaten. But it's also the noblest thing to do. Her first responsibility is for the people of her kingdom, and when something happens which threatens the very fabric of it, it's up to her to make sure everyone is safe." He opened his eyes again as he made Zoycite turn to face him. "They are all serving Metaria now. I know from watching them in that holding room that they didn't care about Beryl in the first place. They wanted her to leave. They wanted to stab her in the back. They have no loyalty to us or to her. All they care about is Rubeus and Metaria. They would tell them to jump and they would ask how high. It's no longer safe here. The only person who you could even claim as your people would be me."

"I know that now. I was watching through that Red Room him asking Drillbit to make him his new toy. The Youma looked as though he was honored to have been asked to make it for him, and he didn't stop working until it was done. And Eruptor talked as though he just waited for the day that he could take Beryl out for good. That, and Rubeus is not only evil, but a smart man. He told them to ignore anything anyone orders if it's not from either him or Metaria."

"Eruptor was defeated, though. The Sailors took care of him. I also know where Beryl is now."

"Yes, I know. She's in Juuban with them. I never thought I would see the day, but I'm happy for her. That's where she wants to be. She's found a new life, and I think it's time that I found my own new life."

Nephlite was about to say something else when he heard the terminal spit out the optical disc. "There," he said as he retrieved it, "the final disc is done. Only took two of them."

"Anything important on them?"

"This will show absolutely everything about both kingdoms. The North Pole Kingdom that you mentioned this once was, and the Dark Kingdom. All the history and data are on these two discs. As long as we keep these safe, we will be able to know everything, and thus be able to combat what could happen in the future. No matter what, we need to always know where these two discs are. When I get a chance, I'm going to make some copies of them just in case. There's got to be something here that is of huge importance. There was just so much information that was on the terminals."

Zoycite tossed the tiara onto the ground. "Okay, Eric, let's go."

Nephlite turned to Zoycite. "We won't be able to come back once we leave. You have one more chance to change your mind."

"Yes, I'm positive. It's no longer safe here, and I can always work my way to a title of power that I'll earn, not inherit."

"Okay, then it's time. Let's go. And Rachel." Zoycite hummed slightly as she looked into Nephlite's eyes. "Find him again. You two deserve to be with one another. I wouldn't love anything else more than to see you two together again."

As Zoycite nodded, the two disappeared from the observatory room, and the Dark Kingdom, never to be seen there again.


Sorry for how long this took. Thanks for my beta, youroctober, for not only helping me with this fic, but also for her patience. It's hard when you get sidetracked.

Good night and good luck.