Hiya, chap 25 is here!
Thanks to aleric, tototo, jupiter2005, unknown reader and solaramber for awesome reviews.
You guys are awesome!
I finally answer a much questioned plot point of Usagi's parent's trust, and of course the story progresses.
So, enjoy and don't forget to review!

Crash and Burn

Chapter 25: Covering

"God…Usagi, you don't think he's behind the kidnapping and deaths" she whispered suddenly

Dammit.

"No" I said hurriedly, "That…that must be something else"

"But…" she whispered, then paused, as if her mind was putting the pieces together, "He first came here after the girls disappeared…and since then he's been saying you two are dating…"

I was so screwed.

She couldn't be allowed to hear it. She wouldn't believe the truth for a start. Not to mention if she did, she'd be freaked out, she'd-"

There was no point dwelling on it, I couldn't say anything.

I'd have to…

"He is threatening you, isn't he?"

I shook my head violently, "Yes, but it's not about that"

"Then what…?" she asked quietly, in such a hurt tone that I finally looked up at her. Her face was showing such extreme concern- something I had never expected to see again, not after the way Diamond had messed things up- that I felt sorry for her.

My eyelids fluttered quickly and I looked away, "Uh…" How did I start? How much did I say? I had already said that he didn't hurt me, which was good. Any more and she would insist on calling the cops. I needed to tell her enough to make her aware, but not enough to scare her.

"Usagi" she coaxed softly, "What's going on with Diamond?"

"I guess…I should start at the…beginning"

She nodded at these words.

"Right…so, I met Diamond two years ago, and things were just starting off with the girls…and I don't know, he fell for me or something…but I didn't like him in that way, but he didn't give up asking"

"Shingo mentioned that," Mom said softly, trying to tell me that she believed me explicitly now.

"So…last year, after Mamoru and the guys showed up…apparently it got to him that I loved Mamoru and the girls and guys more than I liked him"

"Did he do something that made you like- like that last year?"

I sniffed, "Diamond…framed me. He made everyone think that I did something…that I didn't" it was only a slight twinge to the truth after all

"And-" I continued, "Diamond said I couldn't tell them the truth, or he'd-I'd regret it"

My mother's eyes turned to steel, "Are you sure he hasn't hurt you, Usagi?"

"I'm sure" I whispered, "I think he's mostly talk. But…I don't want to test that theory. He backed down at the beginning of summer and my friendships were repaired. But then…they disappeared…and he wormed his way into my life…"

I paused, not looking at Mom.

"That night when he came for dinner, though…I almost died. I knew he was kind of obsessed…but I didn't think he'd push his way into my home life like that- making everyone believe that- turning all of them against me…"

That moment Mom's face fell in shame, but I didn't look at her. I didn't want to see her guilt, it was too much.

"…so that when I had no one else, I'd have to turn to him…"

I just kept staring at my fingers, they weren't shaking as much anymore. That made sense…since it couldn't have been me talking…surely I wasn't telling her these things…

"Usagi…"

I looked up slowly, to see her battling away tears, "Oh, baby, I didn't know…I'm so sorry-"

"I didn't want you to know" I assured her, "I kept it from you…I didn't think you'd find out like-"

"But I should have known!" she exploded, "I'm your mother, your blood- I should have sensed that something was wrong. I should have known something was wrong when I looked in your eyes…you were just so sad…and I just assumed you were grieving and that you were drifting from me…and I res-I resented you for it-" she broke off, horrified at herself. More tears welled up and I couldn't bear to cause her all this pain

"And all this time…"

She took a few minutes to calm down; to wrap her head around the omissions of truth I'd spun, "So, he's stalking you then…?"

Grimly I once again thought of telling her of all the other things that Diamond Torii had done; all that he was capable of. But I couldn't bring myself to see her crumble into despair like that again.

I shrugged, "I guess you could call it that"

She looked away from me, realization not wanting to dawn, "My God…I just can't believe- all those times he was here, he seemed so wonderful. So bright and happy and smart-"

"He is smart" I interrupted, "That's the problem. He knows just how to manipulate people. And he's a great pretender…"

"And beneath that warm exterior, he's a devilish boy" Mom finished, "Oh god…I never suspected anything…strange was going on"

I didn't want her to beat herself over it. It just wasn't worth it. She'd been clueless, but she'd been a victim of Diamond's manipulation, like so many others. It wasn't her fault. I may have believed that she'd be able to fight it off because she was my mother but this just proved that anyone could be manipulated by Diamond...but in the case of my mother, I think, had I been in her place, I would have picked Diamond over me any day…especially a moody, grieving me.

"We need to do something about it" Mom said decidedly, sitting straighter.

But I shot her down, "No- I mean…he's never done anything illegal…"

If she only knew.

"He's stalking you, Usagi! He's threatening you!"

"I just need to sort this out myself…I mean, now that he knows he can't fool you anymore, he'll definitely back down" Yea, right. " Before it was a secret that belonged to him and me, but now that someone else knows…"

She greatly disliked my decision, "But what if he-"

"He won't" I lied. Then shamelessly playing on her recent mistakes, "I know you haven't trusted me recently…just trust me to handle this, okay?"

Right on cue, her lower lip trembled.

I'd hit a nerve, "I can deal with him, I promise. If it gets out of hand, I promise I'll get help"

"It'll be easier now…that you're not inviting him around for milk and cookies anymore"

She had the decency to look ashamed of herself there. I mean, it was one thing for Diamond to come here when I was at home, but for Mom to invite him inside to gossip about how out of control my behavior had been…well that was just wrong.

She burst out crying and I mentally slapped myself for doing something so mean.

"I should have known" she sobbed, "Both you and Shingo were telling me he was bad news. But I wanted so badly for you to get back on track…without realizing he was the reason for your aloofness…"

I started comforting her.

"It's okay" I whispered, patting her back, "It's going to be all right…"

A very nasty thought occurred to me then. Something that had no right in this conversation, but it wouldn't be battled away.

If that gun had its way, things would never be alright…

Noticing that I'd turned the tables on the comforting, she gathered me in her arms. It was an uncomfortable position, but the closeness- after all this time- felt heavenly

"I love you, Usagi," she promised, stroking my hair, "I'm so sorry for not trusting you…for letting that creep convince me you were anything less than the amazing girl I know you to be. Please, forgive me…"

"Of course, Mom," I said hurriedly, "I love you too, and don't worry about it"

She choked on a sarcastic laugh, "I'll stop worrying once I get my hands on that Diamond, and wring his neck"

God…it felt so good to have her back…

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After having to reassure my mom that I'd be okay for about 10 minutes before she let me out of the house I hurried back to the guys' house.

I was hoping that Sapphire knew something that might help Naru.

When I got there, I was surprised to find Mr. Parker sitting outside, smoking diligently.

He gave me a swift nod, then looked away.

I deserved to be hated…

"I'm sorry" I said finally, "I'm sorry that that happened to Mr. Ford…I know you guys have been friends longer than I've been alive, and I'm sorry that I-"

"What are you apologizing for?" he asked, interrupting my apologies, "For showing us our mistakes with our sons, for saving our relationships, for saving my life?"

He flicked his cigarette away half-heartedly, and patted the step beside him. I sat down.

"Look, Usagi, I know I haven't been the nicest guy you've met, probably one of the worst actually-"

I opened my mouth to argue but he shook his head, "Let me speak, Usagi"

I nodded and he continued, "And the truth is, I'm not a nice guy, and I never have been, at least not to my wife and my son. But when we came here…it showed me everything wrong that I've done in my life. I abused those that I loved the most, just because I was hurting, I allowed myself to be swayed by the-" he rolled his eyes "-the dark side. And I regret it. And now I finally see what's important. It's you."

"Me?" I asked quietly

"You showed me what love is, along with my own son and nephews. I want nothing more than to- to make up for my past sins, and if that means fighting evil alongside you, I'm going to do it"

"I-"

"I wanted to apologize for my atrocious behavior, and hope that you consider me as an ally"

"Of course I do" I whispered, "But…I don't want you to get hurt too. I already killed your son and everyone else that I love-"

"By their choice. And if you allow me, this is my choice as well. To fight, to possibly die defending…defending the little good left in this world"

"I…you're asking me…?"

He nodded.

I looked away from his entreating eyes, the ones that reminded me so much of the boys that I loved.

Could I refuse this man's one desire? To defend the girl that his son had died for?

…I couldn't

"No matter how much I don't want to…I accept" I said slowly.

He smiled, and some of the worry on his face disappeared, "Thank you, Usagi. I will forever be gratified for your kindness"

I snorted, "Kindness? That's about the complete opposite of what this is. No. This is pure selfishness"

He shook his head, "No, it's kindness, because you're going against what you want to fulfill the wishes of another"

"What is it with you and your families constantly trying to make me feel good?" I asked, smiling slightly

He smiled back.

"Since you're the only…conscious member of the information party" I said, slightly mortified at the thought, "What else happened with Diamond's father?"

He sighed, looking away, "That man sees right through everything"

"What do you mean?"

"He knew I'd been affected by The Corruptor"

"What?"

"We all have been. Every single one of the families around you, even yours a bit"

I stared at him, unwilling to believe it.

"Haven't you ever wondered why our families are a wreck?"

"You mean…"

"Yes. Drake, Harumi, Victor, Adrian, Ayame, myself…all of us were somewhat affected by the Corruptor,"

"It's his fault that…that the guys' had such a crappy childhood?" I moaned, "It's my fault by association, isn't it?"

"No. We were the ones bent to his will. We were never as strong as our children"

"So then…even the girls' families…every single person in any way near me…they were hurt…" I said, tears coming to my eyes.

I didn't deserve to live. I was a walking, talking disease. It made sense. None of the girls had had a profiting family either. Rei's parents had left her with her grandfather ever since she was born, Ami's father had moved away so he could work while all her mother did was work at the hospital, Minako's parents had sent her away to live, first in England, then here, and Makoto's parents had died soon after she was born. The only person who even had a true family…was me….and even that had been seriously in danger recently.

"From what we heard…only those that were related to you back in the Silver Millennium and your own parents"

"And now, Naru and Motoki are getting hurt by association" I whispered, "And my parents?"

He bowed his head.

"Rubeus mentioned The Corrupter seemed to focus a lot on the family of his target…and Ayame mentioned that your parent's aren't happy with you"

"So Diamond and The Corruptor ganged up on my parents and destroyed their faith in me. That's just great. God, and you want to stay around me?" I asked, horrified

"This isn't your doing, not at all" he said as if it was obvious, "This has all to do with The Corruptor thinking that he can drive you to the dark with this"

I sighed heavily, "This sucks…"

"Let's see, we were up to the sword, weren't we?"

I looked around warily, almost expecting an anvil to drop down on his head, "Yea"

He got up, "Maybe it would be safer indoors"

"Took the words right out of my mouth, Mr. Parker"

"Please, call me Thomas, or Tom…just not Tommy, I despise the nickname Tommy"

I blinked, "Sure thing, Tom"

I joined him as he retreated inside.

An exhausted Ayame and Mr. Morrison were sitting at the kitchen table.

"Thomas!" Ayame cried, jumping up instantly, "I was-" she stopped, looking mortified, "Where have you been? Adrian was worried that something happened to you as well!"

Mr. Morrison rolled his eyes at this, then a grunt of pain came from him and I saw Ayame adjusting herself straighter, obviously after a kick at Mr. Morrison's shin.

"Yeah…I was worried" Mr. Morrison finally said, giving Ayame a harried glance, "With everyone being picked off like this…maybe it's best if we stayed together"

I gave Ayame and Mr. Pa- Thomas an amused glance. Guess old feelings were just coming back all around.

"Anyway," I said, stressing the importance of getting back to the important topic, "Where's Sapphire?"

"Still resting, Victor's with him" Mr. Morrison said, "He had a rough night, he kept waking up in the middle of the night shouting nonsensical things, but Ayame managed to get him calmed down every time"

I attempted to ignore the pride-filled glance that Mr. Park- Thomas gave Ayame.

"Shouldn't you guys be getting some sleep, you must be exhausted" I finally said

"Are you really advising us to get some sleep?" Mr. Morrison asked, a smile on his face.

I narrowed my eyes, "Yes, I am"

Ayame gave a small giggle as Mr. Parker gave a snore. They shared another glance.

I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, how about this, Mr. Par- Tom stays with me, Ayame gets some sleep and Mr. Morrison takes over Mr. Shaw's role of watching over Sapphire"

"I wanted to…check on how Drake, Naru and Motoki are doing" Ayame whispered

Order drained from me.

Mr. Morrison stood up, "C'mon, I'll take you to the hospital"

Ayame nodded and hurried after him.

I followed Tom into the entertainment room where Mr. Shaw was sitting in the dark, watching over Sapphire.

"Hey" he muttered when he noticed we were there, "Any change?"

Tom shook his head, "Still the same"

Mr. Shaw groaned, "Fuck… but, Drake's always been the strongest, he'll pull out of it"

He and Tom shared a worried glance.

Sapphire gave a light snore and turned over on his back.

I sat down at his feet and Tom joined me, "I was going to finish telling Usagi what we learned on our trip," he explained to Mr. Shaw

Mr. Shaw nodded and sat up straighter, looking attentive once more.

"We didn't learn that much about the sword before he completely shut down, but what we did learn was that you'll find it during…death"

"So…I have to die before I can destroy him?" I asked slowly

"He didn't say that" Tom said hurriedly, "He said that death…that death would give it to you"

"But that could mean anyone's death…or her death" Mr. Shaw said

I sighed, that was it…it must mean my death, maybe my dying would unleash my powers or whatever…

"Well, maybe I won't have to wait for old age," I finally said, "Diamond's more than eager to kill me"

"You are not dying" Mr. Shaw snapped before Mr. Par-Tom (wow, I really had to get down with calling him Tom sooner than later) had even opened his mouth.

"But if it's death that can save Light, then-"

Sapphire groaned and sat up groggily, "Wh-whas going on?"

"We're trying to figure out a way to stop the Corruptor" Tom said to him

"Not trying to figure out," I snapped, "I have to die, get that sword from wherever it's hidden and kill him"

Three pairs of eyes glared at me.

"Have you ever considered that if you die that Dark wins?" Sapphire asked

"Dark's going to win either way, the least I can do is make sure that C doesn't kill everyone I care about,"

"And what about Diamond then?" Mr. Shaw asked

"Holy crap! There are way too many things to do!" I groaned, "I need a checklist! Stop Diamond, stop Corruptor, save boyfriend" I said as the other three stared at me.

"Any ideas as to which you should do first, or would you rather die first?" Mr. Shaw asked sarcastically

I shot him a glare, then slightly ruffled, I added, "I wouldn't mind saving Mamoru…but he's stuck there…"

"But you got those girls out, didn't you?" Tom asked hurriedly. It seemed as if he was trying to draw me away from the thought of dying…and I couldn't blame him. Maybe dying just now wouldn't help anyone, Diamond would still be around, and even though he would be the winner of the game, he'd be eager to get revenge on those that had pissed him off by helping me. Meaning no one would be safe, least of all Mamoru.

"That was a…lucky strike" I said, "No idea how I did it"

"It's an interesting thought" Sapphire mused, "You don't even have your crystal, yet you can easily use your powers-"

"If you call easily when I or someone I love is in mortal danger"

"-I wonder if that would allow you to use your covering power"

"Eh?" I asked, clearly confused

"Diamond told you that only he could get through the door to Mamoru, I'm sure" he asked, and only seeing my nod as confirmation, continued, "But he forgot that as a crystal-holder you have the powers to mask yourself as another, exactly like he did-"

"-When he turned into Mamoru" I finished breathlessly, "Oh my god! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

He blinked amusedly at me, "I was on the run for my life"

"Oh, right"

"Um, think you could spare the humans with an explanation?" Mr. Shaw interjected

"Okay, I think I got it down," I said hurriedly, "All I need to do to get Mamoru is to turn myself into Diamond" –another shameless hint from my dream!- "Get to the place where he's locked up and get him out!"

"Exactly" Sapphire said proudly

I deflated slightly, "But I'm nothing like Diamond…can I really fool the door into thinking that I'm him?"

Sapphire mused quietly for a few seconds before, "You can take some of my powers, I mean, they're almost similar to Diamond's, it should be just enough to fool anyone"

"What about the crystal?" Tom asked quietly and we turned to him

"What about the crystal?" I asked him, not understanding what he meant

"If you're this strong without it, wouldn't you be stronger with it"

"But if she goes after the crystal, he'll know…so getting Mamoru out is imperative" Sapphire said as the rest of us thought it over.

Sapphire was, of course, perfectly right. Getting my crystal, if I could get it back, was second to protecting Mamoru and making sure he was safe. Maybe afterwards I could go get my crystal.

"How do I do it then?" I asked an excited Sapphire.

"Um…what about Diamond?" Mr. Shaw asked just then. We just looked at him.

"What if he goes to check up on this Mamoru…"

"She transports the hell out of there" Sapphire said

The plan was stinking the more we thought about it.

"Get him to sleep" Tom mused,

"So as long as he stays asleep, I'm safe" I groaned, "Not very safe, is it?"

"You've mentioned that he's drugged you…" Tom said just then

"CHLOROFORM!" I shouted excitedly, causing the other three to jump. I didn't apologize for scaring them, as my heart was thumping ecstatically with the thought that I could get Mamoru back.

Many, many tries and fails later, I was a complete twin of Diamond. Though I really should have changed my clothes before I started this; I managed to get to Kevin's room to change into some of his clothes. My heart gave a pang when I remembered that Kevin hadn't even worn any of these for such a long time…

Sapphire juiced me up with some of his power afterwards. It felt a little weird, but nothing like when Diamond would attack me, this power was more…light. I think it had something to do with Sapphire's willingness to help. I had never been more glad that Sapphire had chosen to side with me.

Mr. Shaw and Tom handed me the chloroform bottle that they had managed to procure…somehow. They had disappeared for a few hours and returned with it. I only hoped that they hadn't done anything illegal to get it, though all they'd said was that they had 'contacts'.

I had called my mom to tell her I was going to spend a little longer at the 'hospital' and as this needed no explanation she allowed me to.

"So, this is what you do" Sapphire said as Tom and Mr. Shaw watched me wearily as I paced in Diamond's form, "Get to Mamoru, get him out, and then attempt to get your crystal back. Once he realizes Mamoru's out, he'll know how and he'll put more defenses around the crystal, so this is a one shot thing"

I nodded once to show that I understood. My stomach was turning over at the thought of getting caught or worse…failing.

"Don't worry, Usagi" Tom said loudly, drawing my attention back to him, "We're sure you can do this"

I smiled warily, "Let's hope so"

Okay, Usa. This is it.

I waved a hand at them as goodbye and teleported away.

Don't screw it up.

Utter silence greeted me as I materialized in Diamond's living room. I nervously and silently rushed to the stairs, hoping that he was already asleep. The chloroform would knock him out for at least an hour, more if I gave him more. But Mr. Shaw had warned that one dose would be more than enough, I didn't want to accidentally kill Diamond…

I wonder, if he did die because of the chloroform, would that effectively stop the game. I mean, I wouldn't have killed him on purpose.

Something told me that he wouldn't die either way. I mean, dying from chloroform overdose- that's just lame.

As I went to head into his room, I stopped with a start. Not only was he not in here, but it was currently being reconstructed. I guess after my last visit –the one where I nearly made mincemeat of him- he needed to make it look like he was remodeling so as to not make the neighbors suspicious. Disappointed, I peered into the guest bedroom, hoping to find him there.

"Hey" someone gasped

I whirled around, my heart thudding, hands automatically on the bottle of chloroform- but it was just a young man of about 15 years of age. He was glaring at me but as he stepped closer and caught sight of my face, "Oh, Diamond! I'm sorry, I didn't realize- I thought you were asleep in the basement"

"What are you doing here?" I growled at him with the most impressive anger I could summon at the moment. It worked- he shrunk under my gaze- "I was- I was only doing what you told me" he said hurriedly and desperately, "Watching out for the girl"

"Seen her?" I demanded

He shook his head anxiously, "No, there's been no one"

"Good" I replied, "I don't think I'll need you here anymore. You can go"

He shifted nervously, "But you won't let me…remember? You did that spell to bind me to your service-"

"Right' I interrupted. What the hell, Torii?! "Well, I have business down here, so just go…and hang out in my old room. And remember, if you disturb me, you'll be very sorry"

He squeaked fearfully, nearly running into the room.

So basement it was then.

Staining a cloth with some of the chloroform and arming myself with it, I made my way closer to the door that led to the basement. I strained my ears through the door to pick up any signs of activity, there was nothing. Finally, I managed the courage to open the door, it squeaked loudly the second I did and lest it keep squeaking I hurriedly closed it again. I would have to teleport.

Another few seconds were taken to compose myself, and then I teleported. I looked around swiftly, hoping to God he wasn't awake-

And there he was, passed out on a couch, a half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, with a small TV playing on mute a few feet away.

Less concerned with being quiet now, I moved forward and pressed the cloth against his mouth and nose just to make sure he was definitely out of it.
A thought occurred to me just then. He had known that I had been going to Mamoru, who was to say that he hadn't put up an alarm system- or something like it- to make sure Mamoru didn't get out. What if it awakened him?

Shoving the stained cloth back into my pocket, I started frisking him, searching his pockets to look for the crystal- but it wasn't anywhere on his person.

Scowling bitterly at him, my mind went into overdrive thinking up of places that he might have kept the crystal. But it was hopeless, unless I knew exactly where it was, there was no hope of finding it, and getting Mamoru to safety. I was-

Usagi, get it together.

I kept thinking, breathing evenly. When I had been carrying around his power source, I'd kept it with me until I found an apparently safe place.

What if Diamond had hidden it so well that he wouldn't even had bothered to be concerned about it, assured that I'd never found it. Well, in that case…I would have to access the information.

Invading his mind seemed like a good way to do so

I remembered something Chaos had told me long ago- how entering someone's mind was a lot easier when they were asleep, because they were more vulnerable…I hoped this was the case. I had a feeling that after last time, Diamond might have taken some precautions to keep me out of his head.

Carefully touching his face, I willed myself to see his memories.

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It didn't go as planned. As I now discovered, if the mind was in R.E.M. mode, that's where whoever was invading would be sent. His memories were a distinct mess in the dream- he was dreaming and I was in his dream…I would never find my damn crystal.

…Unless I got the information of its hiding place directly from the mouth – Diamond's to be exact.

Feeling wired, I made sure I was still under my cover as Diamond- and then continued on my walk through his crazed mind. Finally, after dodging disjointed memories left and right, the dream started to take form.

Looking far too starry to be possible, the setting revealed itself to be the park, surrounded by a beautiful pond. I was a far off distance from the park bench, but I could see Diamond's head. The back of it to be exact.

Making sure not to be seen, I skirted silently closer to him. Just then, an unexpected form stirred next to him and I realized he wasn't alone. His arm was wrapped around someone, holding them tenderly against his chest. I crept closer.

"It's beautiful…" the girl whispered

…the girl was me

I saw him smile, content, "Yeah" he replied, looking at her, "It really is" He kissed her on the forehead, the hand of the arm around her stroking her hair. She moved into him further, gently kissing his throat. He sighed.

"I love you…" she whispered

He stiffened.

"No" he said sadly, "You don't"

She didn't say anything; just lay against him peacefully. Diamond looked at the pond sparkling with light, breathing evenly. He looked sad, but at ease.

Right up until he withdrew the gun from his jacket, firing six rounds directly into her forehead.

I fell back in horror as the force of the bullets plastered her to the bench, half of them penetrating the bench. Diamond got up, throwing the gun into the pond, shaking.

"There" he laughed horribly, his voice choked, "That wasn't so hard"

Then he turned around and saw me looking at him in a most unimaginable horror. The fake humor fell from his face as he too realized what he had done.

"What have you done?" I gasped. My gaze slid back to the lifeless form of myself, but I had to look away…there was so much blood…

He stared at me, there was no suspicion as he faced the copy gaping at him.

"Nothing" he whispered, looking back at the pond, "Not yet, anyway"

I climbed to my feet, trying to stop my shaking. I'd just witnessed my own murder.

He turned back to look at the small, broken girl beneath him, breathing hard.

Swallowing, I cleared my throat, "She's coming, you know…" I told him, "For the crystal"

"I know" he replied tonelessly, "She'll never find it"

I frowned at him, taking another step forward. He looked mystified by my proximity. "She might" I hissed urgently, "Give it to me. I will hide it for us"

"Where?"

"I know a place"

His look darkened, "Where?"

A flurry if intense words spilt from me- and I was unsure whether I had thought them up, or his own mind had given them to me- "There are places that even you cannot conceive. Beyond the comprehension of your unconscious mind. Give me the crystal"

A look of awe came to him, and he immediately held his palm flat. With a sparkle of dark light, the broach materialized in his hand. His eyes were locked with mine as he surrendered it. It glittered warmly, shining a bright silver light. I was terrified that as he passed it, it would give me away as its true holder. And yet, the moment I felt the cold metal on my skin, I knew I had succeeded.

I sighed in relief. Diamond still stared in wonder at me.

My eyes fell closed, "Are we…really going to do that to her?" I asked him softly

A coldness entered his voice, "I have to" he responded

I opened my eyes once more to find our surrounding changed. I was facing Diamond, a pane of wood around me, glass between us. It took me a moment to realize I was in a mirror.

I was just a reflection of Diamond.

"Why?" I asked softly, "Because of this game? Because we're afraid of losing? Or…because she doesn't want us?"

I saw his chest rising and falling erratically. His dark eyes full of badly concealed emotion.

Finally his gaze fell to the gun that had mysteriously returned to his hand and released a shudder.

"…I don't want to be evil" he whispered so quietly that I almost didn't hear him.

This startled me, "Why not?" I whispered back

"Because…if Usagi was in my place, she'd reject it. She wouldn't do the things…I've done. She'd fight to keep her innocence. But because I represent Dark, I'm forced to do evil…"

"She would fight it- she is fighting it, why can't we?"

His eyes smoldered in the deepest self-loathing I had ever witnessed, "Because" he snarled, "If I don't kill her, I lose the game. And I have to suffer"

I didn't reply.

"At least…" he murmured, "Once she's gone, neither of us can have her. A small consolation, if nothing else"

"Us?" I asked, confused, "You and I?"

"No," he scowled, "Me and him. I'd rather she were dead than with him"

My fingers closed tightly against my broach, "Well," I laughed, coldness in my heart now that I understood, "You may just get that wish"

And with a cascade of white light, I teleported away.

I teleported to where I could feel Mamoru waiting for me. This was the real test, getting through the door. Would it be fooled by my outward appearance and the small amount of Diamond's-like power? Could I do this?

Clutching my broach in one hand, I extended the other to turn the old-fashioned knob. A trickle of panic escaped me as it didn't budge, but then it creaked open.

Expectation began swelling me and I stepped through the door. I'd succeeded. I'd finally-

"OW!"

...which was expressed after I was punched viciously in the nose.

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Yay. For some reason i really like this chapter. but tell me what you guys think.

So, Chapter 26 will be up really soon and it'll tell you the answer of the mysterious punch. Sorry about that, gotsa keep my cliffhangers :)

Anyway, hope you guys liked it.
So please, REVIEW!
Thanks
:D