All right, I would like to make a few points with two reviews I recently received. First, all seven crystals have been found, so now it's a race to collect all seven between the Negaverse and the Scouts. Second, yes Malachite and Zoycite are a couple seeing as this is the NA version. However, this story's pairing is Nephlite and Lita/Sailor Jupiter. Now, with that done, the episodes in this story will be "Tuxedo Melvin" and "Sailor V Makes the Scene." I should point out that "Tuxedo Melvin" is actually the time frame for the first part of this story.
Chapter Ten- Sailor Venus
"Our enemies have four of the rainbow crystals. We must get them in order to obtain the Silver Crystal and unleash the Negaforce," Queen Beryl said, glaring at her number three general.
Zoycite bowed. "Don't worry, Queen Beryl. I'll get those crystals and I'll start with Nephlite." She held up the Dark Crystal. "Show me Nephlite's greatest weakness!"
The image of a girl with green eyes and a brown ponytail appeared and Zoycite smirked as she took in the information the crystal gave her. "Lita Kino. She'll help me get the crystals Nephlite's got."
"Allow me to deal with Nephlite."
"Are you saying you don't trust me, Malachite?"
"I trust you, Zoycite. But Nephlite knows your tactics. I have a plan. I'll kidnap the girl like you would. Nephlite will believe you're behind it and will be unprepared to face me. I'll get him to trade the crystals for the girl. Meanwhile, you will distract the scouts to keep them from helping Nephlite and to draw out Tuxedo Mask and get his crystals."
"Oh, Malachite, that's brilliant. Queen Beryl will be pleased when we get all four at the same time. Let's get started."
Lita hummed to herself as she chopped up vegetables for the dinner she and Nephlite were having. All seven crystals had been found and now the race to gather them together was on. She just wasn't sure how they could get the ones the Negaverse has.
At least they won't get Nephlite's, she thought. He's kept them with him at all times. Any monster would have to fight him in order to take them.
A knock at her door drew her attention. She checked the clock. Hmm. He's a little early. No matter! I'd rather have a boyfriend who's early than one who's late.
"One moment!" she called, setting down the knife and heading for the door.
She smiled brightly as she opened the door. "Hi, Nephlite! I-oh!" She broke off her sentence when she saw an unfamiliar man at her door. He had blue eyes, long white hair, and was wearing a familiar uniform.
The man raised a hand and a concussive blast hit Lita hard, sending her to the floor. Lita hit the floor and before she lost consciousness thought, He's from the Negaverse! Nephlite, help!
Malachite smirked as he picked up the unconscious girl, closed the door, and slid a note underneath it. That had been too easy. Nephlite was probably on his way, judging from the girl's greeting. He needed to get the trap set. He teleported from the scene, the unconscious Lita still in his arms.
Nephlite walked down the hall to Lita's apartment, feeling anxious. He felt like something was wrong, but he couldn't place it. Try as he might, he couldn't shake this feeling.
He reached the door and rang the bell. He didn't hear Lita's voice or her footsteps. He rang again and again he heard nothing. He checked his watch. He was a little early, but not that early. He was starting to feel concerned and decided to teleport in.
He appeared inside and looked around. No sign of Lita. Where was she? She had partially chopped vegetables on the counter and he knew she would never leave in the midst of preparation.
His attention was drawn by a folded piece of paper on the usually clean floor. He picked it up and opened it. He frowned as he read, "I have the girl. Surrender the rainbow crystals or she dies."
Lita. Don't you worry. Zoycite will pay for this! Nephlite clenched the note in his fist, electricity arcing over his fist and setting the paper on fire.
He pulled out his communicator. "Serena, I need your help." Instead of Serena appearing, it was Sailor Moon, which surprised him. "Sailor Moon?"
"Nephlite, what's wrong?"
"Lita's been kidnapped."
"I'm afraid the rest of us are in trouble. Zoycite set a trap for us."
Zoycite? How could she kidnap Lita and set a trap for the others? It doesn't make sense.
"All right," he said. "I'll save Lita. She's at the abandoned warehouse at the pier. Join me there as soon as you can." The note had contained the location before he burned it.
"We'll do that." The screen blinked off and Nephlite left to rescue his girlfriend.
As Lita came to, her first thought was, Where am I? She opened her eyes to see that she was in an abandoned warehouse. She further discovered that she was securely bound. She was unable to reach her power stick.
It took her no time to figure out why she was attacked: They were using her to get Nephlite's crystals. It was a low, dirty trick to her. If you want something from an enemy, you should have enough guts to face the enemy head-on.
Lita wasn't alone in the warehouse. The man who kidnapped her was there as well as two tough-looking monsters. None of them seemed to notice that she was awake. They were involved in their own conversation.
"Do you think he will come, General Malachite?" one monster asked.
"He will come. He cares a great deal for the girl," Malachite answered. His eyes flicked over to Lita. "Ah, she's awake."
Lita responded by sending a glare at him. Amazingly, he took her expression the wrong way. "Don't worry," he told her. "I'm sure Nephlite will give up his crystals to save your pathetic life."
As if on cue, the warehouse doors flew open and Nephlite entered, eyes sparking with fury. "Zoycite!" he yelled. "Where are you!? You're dead this time!"
"Zoycite couldn't make it," Malachite replied, stepping forward. "But will I do instead?"
"Malachite," he growled. "So, you and Zoycite are working together."
"Yes. She will get Tuxedo Mask's crystals and I will get yours."
"I wouldn't be so sure about getting any of the crystals."
"You think so?" He nodded to one of the monsters, who produced a sword and put the razor-sharp edge to Lita's throat. "Now, what was that you were saying?"
Nephlite looked at Lita, feeling helpless. Her emerald eyes looked at him, pleadingly but completely dry. If there was only some way he could free her so she could hide and become Jupiter, he would do it. But if he took a step toward her, the monster would surely kill her before he could take a second step.
Malachite floated toward him. "Just give me the crystals and I'll spare her worthless life."
"Her life is not worthless!"
"You've changed. You're acting more like these pathetic humans."
Nephlite said nothing, merely glared at his enemy. The truth was, despite his powers, he was human. It wasn't the bad thing that Malachite was making it to be. Of course, there would be no point in telling Malachite that.
The white-haired general held out his hand. "Hand over the crystals, now or she dies!"
He hesitated for a moment and then with a sigh of defeat, reached into his pocket. He pulled out his fist and opened it to reveal the yellow and blue crystals. He closed his hand, reached out, and put them in Malachite's hand.
Malachite teleported away the moment the crystals changed hands. The monster with the sword cut Lita loose and then he and his partner left as well. As Nephlite helped Lita up, the Sailor Scouts came into the warehouse.
"Are we late?" Mercury asked.
"Yes," Nephlite answered. "Zoycite teamed up with Malachite, the fourth general. He was holding Lita to get my crystals. He succeeded."
"You let him take the crystals!?" Mars exclaimed.
"He had no choice," Lita spoke up. "I had a sword at my throat and as soon as he had the crystals, Malachite left."
"Oh," Mars said softly.
"Well as least Zoycite didn't get Tuxedo Mask's crystals," Mercury added. "That was why she set that trap for us."
"I wonder what the fifth scout is like," Lita said as she and Nephlite continued making their dinner.
Nephlite knew what Lita was talking about. Luna mentioned a fifth Sailor Scout at their last meeting. He gave the vegetables in the skillet a light toss. "I have no doubt that she's nice."
"Yeah. I think you're right. I can't wait to meet her."
Lita wouldn't have to wait long. The next day, reports were made that Sailor Moon broke up an armed robbery. Nephlite had been at home when the story came on the TV news. He stared at the image on the screen. It almost looked like Sailor Moon, but the red parts of the clothes were purple. This Sailor Moon was a fake! Who was she? Could she be…the fifth Scout?
Nephlite was still pondering this when his communicator went off that afternoon. It was Serena. "Someone's pretending to be me and we're going to get to the bottom of this. She was heading in the direction of the pier."
"We certainly will," he replied. "I'll meet you girls at the pier."
Night had fallen by the time everyone had gathered together. Amy had also considered the fact that this girl could be the fifth Sailor. Serena was determined to face this girl and chew her out for impersonating her.
They located the fake Sailor Moon hanging from a crane with Malachite standing on a rooftop nearby. Nephlite suddenly had a bad feeling about the situation. But, if she was a scout, then she needed help. "We need to be careful," he said at last. "Malachite is cold and ruthless. He's also the toughest warrior of the Negaverse."
"Yes, we need to be careful," Amy agreed. "Perhaps, we need to come in from two sides. Nephlite, you could strike from there." She pointed to a storage warehouse near the crane. "The rest of us will transform and come in from over there," she continued pointing to Malachite's right.
"All right. Let's do it," Nephlite declared. As he teleported to his assigned post, he heard the scouts speak their transformation words.
He appeared in the warehouse, among some wooden shipping crates. He moved to the doors where he had an excellent view of the crane, but no one could see him. He still had a bad feeling so decided to choose his actions carefully. After all, it hadn't been all that long that Malachite had set a trap for him in order to get his crystals.
He then saw a black figure race toward the crane: Tuxedo Mask! He leaped into the air, cut the rope, and cradled the unconscious girl in his arms before landing on the ground. The moment he landed, a lightning bolt struck the crane, sending Tuxedo Mask charging into the warehouse he was in! He moved away from the door and into the shadows as Tuxedo Mask entered the building.
"It's all right now, we're safe. You'll be okay," Tuxedo Mask spoke to the fake scout.
The girl suddenly opened her eyes and Nephlite gasped. In spite of her disguise, he recognized her: Zoycite! It was a trap! He summoned his sword as he raced forward.
"Tuxedo Mask, look out!" he called even as he swung his sword and knocked the ice crystal Zoycite had summoned out of the woman's hand.
Tuxedo Mask leaped back from Zoycite and gave Nephlite a thumbs-up. "Thanks for the help," he said before heading for a hiding spot. Nephlite also hid. It was better to take Zoycite by surprise in this instance rather than face her head-on.
"You two can run, but you can't hide," Zoycite taunted. "I'll find you both!"
It turns out that Nephlite hid himself better than Tuxedo Mask did because Zoycite found the caped warrior and forced him out into the open. Zoycite had formed an ice sword and swung it at Tuxedo Mask who blocked it with his cane.
"Surrender the crystals!" Zoycite demanded, blasting a stream of cherry blossoms at Tuxedo Mask, causing his mask to come off.
Nephlite gasped as he saw the unmasked face. I know that face! He's the one I saw at that doll exhibit. What did Serena say his name was? Oh, yes, I remember. His name's Darien. I only saw him once but why do I feel as if we had met before that exhibit?
"Just surrender," Zoycite demanded again as she pushed the now glowing sword closer to her enemy's face.
"I'll never surrender," was Tuxedo Mask's answer.
"Fine. Have it your way."
Nephlite then sensed another presence nearby. He glanced about and spotted a figure in a window above. It was female and she was wearing a Sailor Scout suit! "She's the fifth Scout," he said softly to himself. "She has to be."
"You've got that right, friend," a new voice spoke up.
Nephlite looked behind and to his right to see a white cat with blue eyes and a crescent moon on his forehead. "Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Artemis, Sailor Venus's guardian."
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
The sound of Venus launching an attack caused Nephlite to turn his attention back to the battle. A beam of light cut through the air and across Zoycite's hand. Her agonized cry of "My hand!" brought him a sense of morbid satisfaction.
As Zoycite looked in Venus's direction, Nephlite saw Tuxedo Mask gather up his mask and slip away. By that time, Zoycite noticed her opponent was gone. She looked back up and so did Nephlite. Sailor Venus was gone and he had no doubt that Artemis went with her.
"They both disappeared!" Zoycite exclaimed. "No! This can't be! All the scouts are inside Malachite's dome!"
Nephlite inhaled sharply upon hearing that. The scouts were in trouble? He needed to help them! He focused on teleporting to where he last saw them.
Jupiter was having trouble staying on her feet. Malachite was too strong and the dome was proof of that. They were in serious danger this time. They needed help.
A strong pull was suddenly felt. It felt like a magnetic pull on her planet, Jupiter. She opened her eyes to see Nephlite rushing toward them, a sword at his side. He raised his weapon; the blade glowing white and electricity circling it, and he brought it down, cutting the dome and shattering it.
Malachite flinched as the dome shattered. He glared at Nephlite who stared back levelly, his glowing, crackling sword held down at his side. Clearly, Nephlite wasn't weak or powerless. I obviously underestimated him. I won't make that mistake again.
"Impressive, Nephlite," he said at last as Zoycite walked up next to him. He gave her a sideways look.
"I had Tuxedo Mask cornered when a Sailor Scout attacked me," she reported.
"Impossible. You can see that all the scouts are right here."
"Yeah, I see that." She appeared thoughtful for a moment and then she fired an angry glare at Nephlite. "You! You must have tricked me with some kind of illusion!"
Nephlite didn't answer. Zoycite knew he couldn't create illusions and illusions can't deal actual damage as her hand would testify. It was just ridiculous that she was trying to excuse her failure. The truth was she had gotten overconfident in her near-victory and distracted by Venus's attack and appearance. He knew personally that overconfidence and how being distracted can lead to defeat.
Malachite raised his hands. "You got lucky with my first dome, Nephlite, but I'll trap you with the scouts in another one that will be even stronger. You won't be able to break out."
"Stop right there, Nega-creeps," a female voice rang out.
"There it is!" Zoycite cried. "That voice. It's her again!"
Everyone looked up to a rooftop where a blond girl in a mask and an orange Sailor Scout suit stood. "Where'd she come from?" Malachite demanded as though someone could give an answer.
The girl leaped down to join everyone on the ground. She struck a pose before announcing, "I'm Sailor Venus and if you guys are looking to make trouble-" Venus paused to remove her mask. "Here it comes right back at ya! Venus Crescent Beam…Smash!"
Once again, Nephlite saw a beam of light flash through the air, but this time it hit both of Malachite's hands.
"Oh no, Malachite! Your hands!" Zoycite glared at the scouts and Nephlite. "You all will pay for this!"
"I don't think so," Sailor Moon said. "You guys are moon dust."
"Malachite! Zoycite! Return at once!" Beryl's voice suddenly thundered over the battlefield.
"We don't have the crystals Queen Beryl," Malachite protested.
Beryl's face appeared in the sky behind the generals and Nephlite was reminded of how scary Beryl can be when she's angry. Of course, he no longer had to fear her wrath.
"I know that," Beryl told Malachite. "But leave them be for now."
"We can win," Zoycite insisted.
"Zoycite, Never Question Me!"
"We better hit it," Malachite told his love.
"We're in for an earful," the coppery-blonde agreed. Both generals looked at their enemies.
"You got lucky today, but everyone's luck runs out," Malachite said. Then he, Zoycite, and Beryl's face vanished from sight.
"Sailor Venus," Jupiter said as the group stood on the walkway to the lighthouse. "I can't believe it. It's great to meet you."
Venus flashed a bright smile. "It's wonderful to be here." At that moment, a breeze sprang up behind her, causing her hair to blow sideways.
"Oh," Sailor Moon gasped. "Are you the Moon Princess we've been looking for?"
"I don't know," Venus replied.
Nephlite could see why Sailor Moon had asked that question because, at that moment, Sailor Venus certainly looked like a princess.
I want to point out that the pull Jupiter felt on her planet is my idea as far as I know. If it isn't, I give full credit to its author.