The night was still young when everyone returned to the castle and gathered in a large sitting room with comfortable furniture and a roaring fireplace. The Senshi had all reverted back to their civilian forms. Ami was busy filling in the outer Senshi of their situation. Amara Tenoh was highly suspicious of the gargoyles and refused to sit near any of them. Michelle Kaioh, on the other hand, regarded the gargoyles with a sort of polite indifference. Trista Meio seemed to expect the gargoyles and was as unsurprised by their appearance as was Rini. She had, however, none of Rini's exuberance. The only one of the outer Senshi to show any real interest in the gargoyles was Hotaru Tomoe who now looked Lexington over with a sort of detached curiosity.

"Is there something you want, little girl?" asked Lexington.

"Just to have a closer look at you," said Hotaru. "I've never seen a gargoyle before and you are very interesting."

Lexington shuddered. "I don't mind if you want to sit and talk with me, but just walking around me and staring at me like that is kind of giving me the creeps."

Hotaru hung her head. "I meant no harm," she said. "Forgive me if I have offended you."

"Its ok," said Lexington. He had a way with human children that none of the other gargoyles seemed to possess and quickly found himself answering all sorts of questions for Hotaru.

Goliath was trying to get as much information as he could out of this new gargoyle. She seemed too terrified of Goliath to speak to him. Goliath found it unusual that this gargoyle than fought savagely under Demona's control was actually rather timid when in her right mind. Mina and Elisa, who were watching Goliaths attempts at interrogation, were talking together in hushed tones. They walked over and Elisa injected herself between Goliath and the new gargoyle.

"Hey Goliath, Mina and I would like to try our own attempt at getting information out of her," whispered Elisa. "Just don't let anyone interfere."

"Are you sure you can?" asked Goliath. "She seems too alarmed to answer any questions right now."

"That makes it even easier," said Elisa. "Just sit back and watch. Broadway should recognize this technique right away."

Goliath nodded and stepped aside. Elisa knelt down next to the new gargoyle who was sitting on the floor with her hands bound while Mina stood over her with her arms folded.

"So," Mina said harshly to the new gargoyle. "What is it going to take for us to get you to tell us what we want to know? Starvation? Torture? You threatened a friend of mine tonight and I'm not too picky about what I do to you right now!"

"Hey lay off her," said Elisa. She turned to the new gargoyle that was backing away from Mina fearfully. "Hey, we're your friends here. I want to help you out but you've got to help me as well. There's no need to be afraid of me. What's your name?"

"My name is Ardat," said the gargoyle. "And I think I have every reason to be afraid of you right now."

"You bet you do, Ardat!" growled Mina. "What the hell kind of name is Ardat anyways?"

"Well I think Ardat is a lovely name," said Elisa. "Who gave you your name Ardat?"

"Our leader, Demona," Ardat replied to Elisa. "She named us all when we awoke."

"Ha!" shouted Mina. "See, she is loyal to our enemy! We should kill this abomination now before she betrays us to that monster!"

"No one is killing anyone!" Elisa said to Mina. "And Ardat isn't an abomination. She can't help being what she is."

This banter went on for some time. Everyone was watching this exchange with interest. Goliath stepped close to Broadway and whispered to him. "What are they doing? They should be cooperating to get information from her, not fighting each other."

"It's an interrogation technique called 'Good Cop/ Bad Cop'" said Broadway. "The bad cop tries to get the subject to resent them while the good cop steps in to defend the subject and create a feeling of trust. It actually works pretty well, especially if the subject is nervous. Trust me, in a little while Elisa will probably have Ardat eating out of the palm of her hand."

Broadway quickly proved correct as Mina and Elisa broke off interrogating Ardat who was on the verge of tears and Brooklyn stepped in to talk to her when Elisa beckoned him closer. Brooklyn led Ardat to another room as Elisa collapsed into an easy chair.

"So, what did you accomplish?" asked Goliath as he walked over to Elisa.

"Well, she's agreed to help us locate Demona and the source of the Harvesters, but she want to work out the details with another gargoyle. Brooklyn already has some rapport with her so I figure that he will have the easiest time getting her to join us. She seems rather taken with him."

"As does he with her," said Goliath. He could not help but smile. Brooklyn had gone through several romantic tragedies and he hoped that his young friend would not get his heart broken again. "So who are these new warriors who helped us earlier?"

"They are the outer Senshi," said Serena who was sitting nearby. They come to help us in times of need. Generally we can't call them, but they know when they're needed."…

-:-:-

It was some time before Brooklyn returned with Ardat. She was no longer backing away from everyone fearfully, but she was still very shy around everyone but Brooklyn. Brooklyn cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Ardat has agreed to take us to where the Harvesters nest," he said. "But, we in turn must promise not to harm any of her clan members. She knows that they are not in their right minds and cannot be held accountable for their actions."

"Agreed," said Goliath. He walked straight up to Ardat and extended his hand. "You are more than welcome to join our clan, if you so wish."

"Thank you, Goliath," said Ardat. She shook his hand hesitantly. "I will have to consider it once my clan is freed."

"What are the names of your other clan members?" asked Serena.

"My brothers are Asmodeous and Moloch; my sisters Lilith and Mora."

All of them named after Hebrew and Christian demons, thought Goliath. This was making him feel uneasy. "It is almost dawn. We must prepare for the rising of the sun."

As the gargoyles made there way up to the tower Goliath beckoned Serena to his side. "Please, come up to the tower with us and see to it that Ardat turns to stone with the rest of us when the sun rises. I have a suspicion that her origins may not make her a true gargoyle."

Serena followed Goliath and the others up to the tower. As the sun rose all of the gargoyles, including Ardat, turned to stone. Serena sighed and walked back down the tower steps. She needed all the sleep she could get for tomorrow night….

The following evening the inner Senshi were on the tower waiting for the gargoyles to awaken. The outer Senshi had left for the day but had promised to be there when the gargoyles battled Demona and the Dark Kingdom. As the sun set the gargoyles burst from their stone shells. Serena had though ahead and brought a trashcan lid and used it to keep from being sprayed with rock chips.

The gargoyles were pleased to see the Senshi waiting for them and even more pleased that Ardat had turned to stone with the rest of them. This seemed to dispel whatever fears Goliath may have had about her. He looked about and the smile faded from his face. "Where are the outer guardians?" he asked. "I was under the impression that they were going to assist us."

"Don't worry, they will be there when we need them," said Serena. "Trista has access to the gates of time and space and can appear whenever and wherever she needs to. The outer guardians have never let us down before. If they say they will be there, they will be there."

"And now it is time for our new friend to tell us where our enemy can be found," said Goliath. He fixed his gaze on Ardat who slowed nervously.

"You remember your promise, Goliath." She said. "My clan remains unharmed."

"I am a gargoyle of my word," said Goliath. "If I make a promise I do not go back on it."

Ardat climbed onto the wall and was about to leap. "Where is the dark-skinned human, Elisa? Will she be joining us tonight?" she asked.

"No, Elisa is on duty right now and has an obligation to protect this city," said Mamoru. "She cannot join us tonight."

This seemed to cheer Ardat up immensely. "So humans by their nature protect as well?" she asked.

Serena looked rather confused by this statement. Hudson chuckled and patted Serena's shoulder reassuringly. "She speaks of a gargoyle's inner nature lass," he said. "A gargoyle can no more stop protecting the castle-."

"Than breathing the air," answered Mina, Raye, Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, and Angela in perfect unison. Hudson scowled at them and Serena had to cover her mouth to suppress a snigger.

"We should get going while the night is still young," said Goliath. "I suggest you girls transform before we leave."

Moon Crisis Makeup!

Mercury Crystal Power!

Mars Crystal Power!

Venus Crystal Power!

Jupiter Crystal Power!

As Sailor Moon finished transforming she gazed in confusion at Darien. He and Rini were still in their civilian forms. Rini looked impatient and Darien looked both sad and embarrassed.

"Aren't you going to come with us Darien?" asked Sailor Moon.

Darien shook his head. "Trista and I had a little chat last night after you went to bed. I can't come."

"What?" Mamoru could practically hear the exclamation marks in her question. "What do you mean? And what does Trista have to do with this?"

"She told me of history yet to come," said Darien. "I can't tell you exactly what is to come. No one should no too much about their own future. She would only say that Rini and I cannot participate in this battle." He stepped forward and embraced Sailor Moon. "Please be careful," he murmured into her hair. "And follow your heart. You are not facing a contest of strength but one of will and love tonight. Remember that."

Sailor Moon buried her face into Darien's chest. "I will be careful. And I will remember what you said. One kiss before I go?" Darien bent down and kissed Sailor Moon deeply. For once, Sailor Moon did not care that everyone was staring at her. For one moment, she and Darien were alone in the world.

Darien pulled away all too soon for Sailor Moon's liking. "You need to go now," he said. "And trust the gargoyles. They will see that you come to no harm."

"Right," Sailor Moon said. She stepped onto the edge of the wall next to Angela. "I'm ready when you are, my friend."

Angela lifted Sailor Moon into her arms and leapt from the tower after Ardat. One by one, the gargoyles repeated the process with the rest of the Senshi. Soon there were seven specks fading into the twilight.

Darien stood and watched them go for a long time. Next to him, Bronx grunt-whined unhappily. "I know," he said, scratching Bronx behind the ears, "I'm worried about them too."