AUTHORS NOTES
DISCLAIMERS: Rights to Sailor Moon are owned by Naoko Taceuchi, Kondansha Publishing, Toei, DiC, Optimum Productions, Cloverway...am I forgetting anything?
This story is supposed to provide an alternate story line to the Sailor Moon series. It starts after the Sailor Moon R series ends (the Death Phantom is destroyed and Rini goes home to Crystal Tokyo). The next events are of my own creation and do not relate to the Sailor Moon S series (at least not intentionally).
I finished this fanfic over a year ago, before the S and SuperS seasons were dubbed in America. Please excuse any attack names that are DiC-ish, because that is what I had to work with at the time. ;) This story, after looking back, seems a cross between Japanese and American references. So, please excuse the term "Negaverse" as opposed to "Dark Kingdom", because the story focuses on Jedite.
Yes, I wrote "Scouts" instead of "Senshi" as well. My intentions are on the side of good, however, as I rectify this later on in the story!
Also, each part posted here will contain two chapters.
Anyway, please enjoy the story!
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CHAPTER 7
Serena did a double take as she looked at the sky's Lilithite, and the ground's Lilithite. Both looked identical, with the exception of the battle scars of the first one. "No way!" she shouted. "Two Lilithites?"
The Lilithite in the sky smirked. "You didn't really think I would go myself, would you?" With a wave of her hand, her double was levitated into the air. With the same hand, Lilithite made a fist, and the double dispersed into the air like dust. "I sent this clone here to steal your energy for me. Apparently, she couldn't do the job." She let loose a huge yawn. "So, I guess I'll have to do it myself."
"I can't believe this!" shouted Sailor Jupiter. "We spent all this time fighting a clone?"
"We have to put a stop to this!" yelled Sailor Mars.
"I'm with ya!" added Sailor Venus.
"It seems the only way out of this is the Sailor Planet Attack," suggested Sailor Mercury.
"Do you think you'll be strong enough without me?" asked Serena.
"We'll be okay," assured Sailor Mars. "You take cover."
"Okay," said Serena, a bit unsure of herself. She and Tuxedo Mask left the battlefield, stopping by the motorcycle.
Luna and Artemis came into view. "There you two are!" Luna shouted.
"It took us forever to find you guys," said Artemis. "What happened?"
"Well," began Serena, "the Scouts had the upper hand on Lilithite, but it was really a fake. The real Lilithite came out and destroyed the fake one, and now the Scouts are gonna do the Sailor Planet Power!"
"What a mouthful," commented Artemis.
Luna's dream came to her mind. The scenario had been very familiar. The Scouts cast the Sailor Planet Power, but it ended up destroying them. A worried look appeared on her face. "Is anything wrong?" asked Serena.
Luna snapped out of her state, and shook her head. "No, no, nothing…" she replied.
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"Everyone ready?" asked Venus.
"As ready as we'll ever be!" replied Mercury.
"All right! Let's go!" shouted Jupiter.
The Sailor Soldiers joined hands as they began to pool their powers together. "MARS STAR POWER!" cried Sailor Mars.
"MERCURY STAR POWER!"
"JUPITER STAR POWER!"
"VENUS STAR POWER!"
"SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!"
Four energy auras surrounded the Sailor Scouts, drawing from the very source of their powers. The auras around them grew brighter, and finally rose in a magnificent display. Even Lilithite thought this was impressive.
The four energy beams converged into one huge energy ball, and streaked toward the intended target in the sky. Lilithite just turned her head in disgust. "Pathetic," she muttered.
With a wave of her hand, the energy ball halted its progress in mid-air. All of the Sailor Scouts were shocked. "You can't do that!" Serena shouted.
"Face it, beautiful," said Lilithite without emotion, "I'm more powerful than all of you put together. You never stood a chance."
Mercury was confused. "No enemy was ever able to stop our energy attack in mid-air before," she said to the other Scouts. "How did she do that?"
"Easy," said Lilithite, tossing her hair back. "With this!" A familiar object appeared in her hand.
Serena recognized it right away. "My broach!" she shouted. "She's got my broach!"
"And the Imperium Silver Crystal!" added Luna, worried.
"Exactly!" Lilithite mocked. "Such a cute little toy you got here," she said, turning the broach over and over in her hand.
"Give it back, you creepazoid!" shouted Serena, trying to think of a good insult to throw at her.
"Of course, 'Sailor Moon'," said a sarcastic Lilithite. "I wouldn't have it any other way…oops!"
Lilithite "accidentally" dropped the broach…right into the suspended ball of energy. When Serena and the Scouts realized what was happening, it was too late. When the broach entered the energy ball, a giant explosion streaked across the sky. The light was so blinding that everyone had to shield their eyes.
After a moment, the light dimmed. Serena began to see things in slow motion for a moment. Pieces of her broach scattered around where she was standing. The Sailor Scouts, Tuxedo Mask, and the cats looking on with fear in their eyes. The Imperium Silver Crystal in the hands of Lilithite.
When time resumed it's normal pace, Serena couldn't move. Part of her told herself this wasn't happening. Part of her was filled with rage. Part of her was frozen solid. All she could do was fall to her knees and gaze at was once her transformation broach. Her life, in pieces on the ground.
Lilithite let loose a howling laugh of glee. "Ha, ha! My plan worked!" she beamed. "Looks like your 'Sailor Planet Power' thingee worked out after all! Now, my beloved, I will set you free!!!"
The Sailor Scouts couldn't say a thing. They just stared at the evil being hovering in the sky, holding what they were trying to protect for so long.
"I…..I can't believe my eyes!" stuttered Luna.
"My broach," muttered Serena.
"Now what are we going to do?" asked a bleak Artemis.
"My…broach," Serena muttered again, tears swelling in her eyes. Tuxedo Mask put a hand on her shoulder, and Serena couldn't hold it anymore. She laid her head on his shoulder, crying in frustration. Without even the chance of getting her broach back, she was totally helpless.
Lilithite raised the Silver Crystal high into the air as a portal opened up behind her. "Imperium Silver Crystal!" she screamed. "Heed my call! Release my beloved from his tortured bonds. Free him from his imprisonment. Break the seal!"
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Within the Prison of Lost Souls, a bright light flashed in front of Jedite's eyes. Within an instant, the light passed, and shards of crystal were flying around him. It took him a moment to realize that those shards were his former prison cell. "She did it," he muttered aloud. He took a few steps from where he had been standing. "She did it!" he beamed. "I'm free! I'm actually free!" After the notion of freedom finally sunk in, he gazed out toward a portal opening up to a cityscape. "Lilithite must be battling those blasted Sailor Scouts," he said. "Now it's time to defeat them once and for all!" He entered the portal, revenge one of his many tasks.
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All was silent on the battlefield. "Lilithite seems to be waiting for something," Sailor Mercury thought. "It's been a few minutes since she spoke that incantation."
Sailor Jupiter hung her head low. "I feel like I let Serena down," she said.
"I know what you mean," agreed Sailor Mars. "I never expected this to happen."
"I feel just awful," said Sailor Venus. "But we can't let this get us down."
"That's right," said Mercury. "Whatever happens, we're all in this together."
The other three nodded in agreement. They turned their vision toward Serena. She was hugging Tuxedo Mask for comfort while Luna and Artemis were trying to console her. They were going to help the cats, but noise came from inside the portal. A lone figure floated out to join Lilithite, laughing in a low, maniacal tone of voice. "Now I shall exact revenge on all who dare oppose me!" he shouted.
Mercury did a double take when she saw who was next to Lilithite. "That's…that's Jedite!" she shouted.
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CHAPTER 8
Sailor Mars gasped. "My visions…they're coming true!"
This was the first time that Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus had ever seen Jedite. "So that's what that Negacreep looks like," she remarked.
"He looks just like my old boyfriend….in an evil sort of way," added Jupiter.
"Now you Simple Scouts are in for it!" yelled Lilithite. "Jedite will be the one who'll lead the Negaverse to it's former glory!"
Lilithite handed the Imperium Silver Crystal to Jedite very carefully, as if it was a new born baby. Once he grasped it, he held it high into the air with his right hand. "Now we have taken what is rightfully ours!" he yelled triumphantly. Serena rose to her feet when she heard this. Her muscles tightened, her fists were clenched, and her teeth locked together. She still stood her ground, not letting her emotions get to her. "The Negaverse will rule all!" he started again. "And you annoyances will be the first to go…"
His gloating was cut short by a sudden pain in his right hand. So sudden that the shock forced him to drop the crystal. Lilithite came to his aid immediately, not noticing he dropped the crystal. Jedite's fingers ran with green blood. Something protruded from his palm, causing the bleeding. It was a red rose.
Tuxedo Mask was standing right under where the two enemies were floating. "The Imperium Silver Crystal was never meant for you!" he began. "The crystal belongs to the Princess of the Moon Kingdom. And I'm not going to let you take it without a fight.!"
"You again!" shouted Jedite, removing the rose from his wound. The wound seemed to heal instantly, as if it wasn't even there. He remembered Tuxedo Mask from all those times he saved Sailor Moon in the past. "But you can't help your 'Princess' this time! Not without this crys…" He then realized he no longer had the crystal. A scream of anger and disgust passed through his lips.
Lilithite turned his way again. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.
"The Silver Crystal isn't here!" he shouted in answer.
"What?" gasped Lilithite.
"I must have dropped it when that rose hit me!" he scowled in disgust.
"Don't worry!" said a confident Lilithite. "It can't have landed far. I'll go look for it."
When the Sailor Scouts heard that, they decided to take advantage of this situation. "We have to find the crystal before Lilithite does!" shouted Sailor Jupiter.
"Right!" answered the other three Scouts. They frantically joined Lilithites's search for the Imperium Silver Crystal, obviously not for all the same reasons. Each person began to lift garbage pieces and/or digging through the ground to see where it landed. Both sides hoped they would find it first…
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"You'll pay for that!"
Jedite fired a beam of dark energy toward the top-hatted hero. Tuxedo Mask retaliated by raising his cape to protect himself. His cape seemed to protect him from most energy blasts and enemy attacks.
"You think you can just lift your cape and discard my energy?" roared Jedite. "This is nothing! Feel my true power!" The beam intensified to nearly five times it's original power. Tuxedo Mask felt pain all over his body, but still managed to stand his ground.
"I won't…be defeated…that…easily!" Tuxedo Mask shouted, struggling to get the words out. He pulled out a rose to throw, but Jedite was ready. He put more energy into his attack until the beam was ten times more powerful than it once was. Tuxedo Mask's rose, mask, and hat seemed to evaporate into the energy. However, try as he must, he couldn't take the punishment any longer. He collapsed under the brutal strength of the beam. When he did, Jedite stopped the beam, partially because he needed to rest. When the beam ended, Tuxedo Mask was gone. In his place was a man dressed in a black turtleneck sweater, green jacket, and khaki pants.
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When Serena knew that her broach was gone, she felt frozen inside, and she couldn't move. But when she saw Darien fall under fire, she couldn't just stand by anymore. "THAT'S IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
This caught everyone's attention. Lilithite and the Sailor Scouts stopped their search for the Silver Crystal. Jedite calmly shifted his gaze to the former superhero. Even Darien weakly turned his head toward her.
One million emotions were coursing through her mind at once. A sudden rush of adrenaline flowed through her like water. "I can't take it anymore!" Serena shouted. "First you destroy my broach, then you try and destroy my boyfriend! I can't stand it anymore! Powers or no powers, you're goin' down!!!!!"
Sailor Mars was shocked beyond her wits, as were the other Sailor Scouts. "She's finally flipped!" she thought to herself.
Without thinking, Serena broke into a blind run for Jedite. She couldn't think of anything else but revenge for all the wrongs that had been committed against her and her friends. Anger clouded her thoughts, totally blinding her logic.
"SERENA!" shouted Luna, trying to get through to her. "Don't do this!"
"You can't do it by yourself!" added Artemis. "It's too dangerous!"
Serena didn't hear them. All sound seemed to cease for the moment for her. Even the Sailor Scouts, with all their desperate pleas for her to stop and to snap out of it, had no effect. She was going to teach Jedite a lesson, and she was going to do it herself.
Lilithite, sensing her "beloved" was in trouble, acted quickly. "Keep away from my guy!" she shouted, throwing a green energy bolt directly at Serena.
This caught her in the chest, sending her back ten or twenty feet, landing squarely on her face.
"Serena" shouted the Sailor Scouts, calling off the search to help their friend.
Jedite now had the Sailor Scouts right where he wanted them. "Now it's your turn!" he bellowed toward them.
As the Sailor Scouts ran to help Serena, they noticed they were running slower and slower, and not by choice. Sailor Venus was the first to stop completely. "What a minute," she shouted. "I can't move my feet!"
"Neither can I!" shouted Sailor Mars.
The other Scouts experienced the same thing. No one could move their feet. All four of them were trapped standing up. "What's going on!?!" shouted Sailor Jupiter.
Jedite developed a half-smile upon his face watching the Scouts struggle. "You honestly don't think I would let you run around freely, do you?" he cackled. "You two have been a thorn in my side ever since I first saw you!" he said, referring to Mercury and Mars. "And I don't particularly care for the rest of you, either. Now it's time to get rid of you pests once and for all!"
"We gotta…break free!" said Venus, struggling.
"I know….urgghh," added a discouraged Mars. "but Jedite has got us locked up pretty tight."
"There might…be a way," suggested Mercury.
"How?" asked a desperate Jupiter.
"It's a long shot," she began to answer, "but we might be able to use our transformation sticks for a power-boost. With that extra energy, we might be able to break free."
"I'll try anything once," said Venus.
"It doesn't look like we have much of a choice, either," said Jupiter.
"Well, let's get this over with!" said Mars.
One by one, they're transformations sticks appeared in their hands. As Jedite looked on, he couldn't believe it. His plan was working even better than even he dreamed possible. "You're digging your own grave, fools!" he yelled.
As the Sailor Scouts raised their power sticks high, a huge wind, created by Jedite, swept over them. With no place to move their feet, the Sailor Scouts' bodies were blown every which way but up. However, during the huge monster wind, they're power sticks were lost. When the Scouts realized this, they became very worried. With all the things that had gone bad in this battle, this was all they needed.
When the wind cleared, everyone saw Jedite standing on the ground with all four transformation sticks floating in front of him. No one, not even the cats, thought of making any false moves. Jedite held all the cards now.
The Scouts felt the ribbons that incased them within their Sailor Scout uniforms weaken and loosen around them. Jedite just laughed. "Face it, Sailor Scouts," he mocked. "You made all the wrong moves this battle. But don't worry your ditzy little heads about that. Now I shall make everything right!"
He called Lilithite over to his side, and each took two of the four power sticks; one for each hand. The Sailor Scouts could only watch in horror as the enemies squeezed they're transformational items hard. "Now Sailor Scouts," screamed both villains, "say good night!"
Ear-splitting cracks could be heard as the sticks snapped in two. Upon the star tops, the Planet Symbols disappeared, leaving only black circles within their centers.
The ribbons finally broke apart as well, reversing the Scout transformations into their normal clothes. The Scouts couldn't believe what was happening. Not even the cats. Within a few moments, the Sailor Scouts seemed to be defeated and helpless.
Suddenly, Jedite clutched his head and fell to one knee. Lilithite once again came to his aid. "What's wrong, now?" she asked concerned.
"I…need rest," he muttered. "I spent too long in that infernal crystal. I used up most of my energy in this battle." He lifted his head up. "We need to return to the Negaverse."
Lilithite seemed shocked. "But I haven't found the crystal yet!" she exclaimed.
"The Silver Crystal can wait," Jedite said. "It'll turn up somewhere." Lilithite helped raise Jedite to his feet. "Listen up!" he shouted. "Within twenty-four hours, I will have an entire army placed on this miserable planet! And with no opposition to stop us, the Negaverse will conquer all! See ya later, girlies!"
"Oh no…you don't" muttered a hoarse voice.
The Scouts looked back. It was Serena, still standing in spite of her fall. Her bottom lip was cut, with blood trickling down it. "Get back here!"
Serena tried to run again. Her friends grasped her arms, trying desperately to hold her back. "No, Serena!" shouted Lita.
"There's nothing we can do now!" added Amy, tears in her eyes, as well as everyone else.
"Let me go!" shouted Serena, struggling against them. "I got Negaverse trash to recycle!"
"You can't!" yelled Raye into Serena's ear. "Our powers our gone! You have to accept it!"
"She's right," said Mina. "We have to let them go for now!"
"NO! LET ME GO!" Serena kept shouting as Jedite and Lilithite stepped through another portal back to their home. When they were gone, the feeling finally sunk in. Her powers were gone, as well as the rest of her friends. The adrenaline gone, the only thing holding her together, she just fell to her knees, broke down, and cried.
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NEXT TIME...
The aftermath of the battle begins. With their powers gone, the options of the Sailor Senshi are very limited. Where did the Imperium Silver Crystal go? And if it's found, do the cats have a plan?
DISCLAIMERS: Rights to Sailor Moon are owned by Naoko Taceuchi, Kondansha Publishing, Toei, DiC, Optimum Productions, Cloverway...am I forgetting anything?
This story is supposed to provide an alternate story line to the Sailor Moon series. It starts after the Sailor Moon R series ends (the Death Phantom is destroyed and Rini goes home to Crystal Tokyo). The next events are of my own creation and do not relate to the Sailor Moon S series (at least not intentionally).
I finished this fanfic over a year ago, before the S and SuperS seasons were dubbed in America. Please excuse any attack names that are DiC-ish, because that is what I had to work with at the time. ;) This story, after looking back, seems a cross between Japanese and American references. So, please excuse the term "Negaverse" as opposed to "Dark Kingdom", because the story focuses on Jedite.
Yes, I wrote "Scouts" instead of "Senshi" as well. My intentions are on the side of good, however, as I rectify this later on in the story!
Also, each part posted here will contain two chapters.
Anyway, please enjoy the story!
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CHAPTER 7
Serena did a double take as she looked at the sky's Lilithite, and the ground's Lilithite. Both looked identical, with the exception of the battle scars of the first one. "No way!" she shouted. "Two Lilithites?"
The Lilithite in the sky smirked. "You didn't really think I would go myself, would you?" With a wave of her hand, her double was levitated into the air. With the same hand, Lilithite made a fist, and the double dispersed into the air like dust. "I sent this clone here to steal your energy for me. Apparently, she couldn't do the job." She let loose a huge yawn. "So, I guess I'll have to do it myself."
"I can't believe this!" shouted Sailor Jupiter. "We spent all this time fighting a clone?"
"We have to put a stop to this!" yelled Sailor Mars.
"I'm with ya!" added Sailor Venus.
"It seems the only way out of this is the Sailor Planet Attack," suggested Sailor Mercury.
"Do you think you'll be strong enough without me?" asked Serena.
"We'll be okay," assured Sailor Mars. "You take cover."
"Okay," said Serena, a bit unsure of herself. She and Tuxedo Mask left the battlefield, stopping by the motorcycle.
Luna and Artemis came into view. "There you two are!" Luna shouted.
"It took us forever to find you guys," said Artemis. "What happened?"
"Well," began Serena, "the Scouts had the upper hand on Lilithite, but it was really a fake. The real Lilithite came out and destroyed the fake one, and now the Scouts are gonna do the Sailor Planet Power!"
"What a mouthful," commented Artemis.
Luna's dream came to her mind. The scenario had been very familiar. The Scouts cast the Sailor Planet Power, but it ended up destroying them. A worried look appeared on her face. "Is anything wrong?" asked Serena.
Luna snapped out of her state, and shook her head. "No, no, nothing…" she replied.
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"Everyone ready?" asked Venus.
"As ready as we'll ever be!" replied Mercury.
"All right! Let's go!" shouted Jupiter.
The Sailor Soldiers joined hands as they began to pool their powers together. "MARS STAR POWER!" cried Sailor Mars.
"MERCURY STAR POWER!"
"JUPITER STAR POWER!"
"VENUS STAR POWER!"
"SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!"
Four energy auras surrounded the Sailor Scouts, drawing from the very source of their powers. The auras around them grew brighter, and finally rose in a magnificent display. Even Lilithite thought this was impressive.
The four energy beams converged into one huge energy ball, and streaked toward the intended target in the sky. Lilithite just turned her head in disgust. "Pathetic," she muttered.
With a wave of her hand, the energy ball halted its progress in mid-air. All of the Sailor Scouts were shocked. "You can't do that!" Serena shouted.
"Face it, beautiful," said Lilithite without emotion, "I'm more powerful than all of you put together. You never stood a chance."
Mercury was confused. "No enemy was ever able to stop our energy attack in mid-air before," she said to the other Scouts. "How did she do that?"
"Easy," said Lilithite, tossing her hair back. "With this!" A familiar object appeared in her hand.
Serena recognized it right away. "My broach!" she shouted. "She's got my broach!"
"And the Imperium Silver Crystal!" added Luna, worried.
"Exactly!" Lilithite mocked. "Such a cute little toy you got here," she said, turning the broach over and over in her hand.
"Give it back, you creepazoid!" shouted Serena, trying to think of a good insult to throw at her.
"Of course, 'Sailor Moon'," said a sarcastic Lilithite. "I wouldn't have it any other way…oops!"
Lilithite "accidentally" dropped the broach…right into the suspended ball of energy. When Serena and the Scouts realized what was happening, it was too late. When the broach entered the energy ball, a giant explosion streaked across the sky. The light was so blinding that everyone had to shield their eyes.
After a moment, the light dimmed. Serena began to see things in slow motion for a moment. Pieces of her broach scattered around where she was standing. The Sailor Scouts, Tuxedo Mask, and the cats looking on with fear in their eyes. The Imperium Silver Crystal in the hands of Lilithite.
When time resumed it's normal pace, Serena couldn't move. Part of her told herself this wasn't happening. Part of her was filled with rage. Part of her was frozen solid. All she could do was fall to her knees and gaze at was once her transformation broach. Her life, in pieces on the ground.
Lilithite let loose a howling laugh of glee. "Ha, ha! My plan worked!" she beamed. "Looks like your 'Sailor Planet Power' thingee worked out after all! Now, my beloved, I will set you free!!!"
The Sailor Scouts couldn't say a thing. They just stared at the evil being hovering in the sky, holding what they were trying to protect for so long.
"I…..I can't believe my eyes!" stuttered Luna.
"My broach," muttered Serena.
"Now what are we going to do?" asked a bleak Artemis.
"My…broach," Serena muttered again, tears swelling in her eyes. Tuxedo Mask put a hand on her shoulder, and Serena couldn't hold it anymore. She laid her head on his shoulder, crying in frustration. Without even the chance of getting her broach back, she was totally helpless.
Lilithite raised the Silver Crystal high into the air as a portal opened up behind her. "Imperium Silver Crystal!" she screamed. "Heed my call! Release my beloved from his tortured bonds. Free him from his imprisonment. Break the seal!"
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Within the Prison of Lost Souls, a bright light flashed in front of Jedite's eyes. Within an instant, the light passed, and shards of crystal were flying around him. It took him a moment to realize that those shards were his former prison cell. "She did it," he muttered aloud. He took a few steps from where he had been standing. "She did it!" he beamed. "I'm free! I'm actually free!" After the notion of freedom finally sunk in, he gazed out toward a portal opening up to a cityscape. "Lilithite must be battling those blasted Sailor Scouts," he said. "Now it's time to defeat them once and for all!" He entered the portal, revenge one of his many tasks.
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All was silent on the battlefield. "Lilithite seems to be waiting for something," Sailor Mercury thought. "It's been a few minutes since she spoke that incantation."
Sailor Jupiter hung her head low. "I feel like I let Serena down," she said.
"I know what you mean," agreed Sailor Mars. "I never expected this to happen."
"I feel just awful," said Sailor Venus. "But we can't let this get us down."
"That's right," said Mercury. "Whatever happens, we're all in this together."
The other three nodded in agreement. They turned their vision toward Serena. She was hugging Tuxedo Mask for comfort while Luna and Artemis were trying to console her. They were going to help the cats, but noise came from inside the portal. A lone figure floated out to join Lilithite, laughing in a low, maniacal tone of voice. "Now I shall exact revenge on all who dare oppose me!" he shouted.
Mercury did a double take when she saw who was next to Lilithite. "That's…that's Jedite!" she shouted.
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CHAPTER 8
Sailor Mars gasped. "My visions…they're coming true!"
This was the first time that Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus had ever seen Jedite. "So that's what that Negacreep looks like," she remarked.
"He looks just like my old boyfriend….in an evil sort of way," added Jupiter.
"Now you Simple Scouts are in for it!" yelled Lilithite. "Jedite will be the one who'll lead the Negaverse to it's former glory!"
Lilithite handed the Imperium Silver Crystal to Jedite very carefully, as if it was a new born baby. Once he grasped it, he held it high into the air with his right hand. "Now we have taken what is rightfully ours!" he yelled triumphantly. Serena rose to her feet when she heard this. Her muscles tightened, her fists were clenched, and her teeth locked together. She still stood her ground, not letting her emotions get to her. "The Negaverse will rule all!" he started again. "And you annoyances will be the first to go…"
His gloating was cut short by a sudden pain in his right hand. So sudden that the shock forced him to drop the crystal. Lilithite came to his aid immediately, not noticing he dropped the crystal. Jedite's fingers ran with green blood. Something protruded from his palm, causing the bleeding. It was a red rose.
Tuxedo Mask was standing right under where the two enemies were floating. "The Imperium Silver Crystal was never meant for you!" he began. "The crystal belongs to the Princess of the Moon Kingdom. And I'm not going to let you take it without a fight.!"
"You again!" shouted Jedite, removing the rose from his wound. The wound seemed to heal instantly, as if it wasn't even there. He remembered Tuxedo Mask from all those times he saved Sailor Moon in the past. "But you can't help your 'Princess' this time! Not without this crys…" He then realized he no longer had the crystal. A scream of anger and disgust passed through his lips.
Lilithite turned his way again. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.
"The Silver Crystal isn't here!" he shouted in answer.
"What?" gasped Lilithite.
"I must have dropped it when that rose hit me!" he scowled in disgust.
"Don't worry!" said a confident Lilithite. "It can't have landed far. I'll go look for it."
When the Sailor Scouts heard that, they decided to take advantage of this situation. "We have to find the crystal before Lilithite does!" shouted Sailor Jupiter.
"Right!" answered the other three Scouts. They frantically joined Lilithites's search for the Imperium Silver Crystal, obviously not for all the same reasons. Each person began to lift garbage pieces and/or digging through the ground to see where it landed. Both sides hoped they would find it first…
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"You'll pay for that!"
Jedite fired a beam of dark energy toward the top-hatted hero. Tuxedo Mask retaliated by raising his cape to protect himself. His cape seemed to protect him from most energy blasts and enemy attacks.
"You think you can just lift your cape and discard my energy?" roared Jedite. "This is nothing! Feel my true power!" The beam intensified to nearly five times it's original power. Tuxedo Mask felt pain all over his body, but still managed to stand his ground.
"I won't…be defeated…that…easily!" Tuxedo Mask shouted, struggling to get the words out. He pulled out a rose to throw, but Jedite was ready. He put more energy into his attack until the beam was ten times more powerful than it once was. Tuxedo Mask's rose, mask, and hat seemed to evaporate into the energy. However, try as he must, he couldn't take the punishment any longer. He collapsed under the brutal strength of the beam. When he did, Jedite stopped the beam, partially because he needed to rest. When the beam ended, Tuxedo Mask was gone. In his place was a man dressed in a black turtleneck sweater, green jacket, and khaki pants.
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When Serena knew that her broach was gone, she felt frozen inside, and she couldn't move. But when she saw Darien fall under fire, she couldn't just stand by anymore. "THAT'S IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
This caught everyone's attention. Lilithite and the Sailor Scouts stopped their search for the Silver Crystal. Jedite calmly shifted his gaze to the former superhero. Even Darien weakly turned his head toward her.
One million emotions were coursing through her mind at once. A sudden rush of adrenaline flowed through her like water. "I can't take it anymore!" Serena shouted. "First you destroy my broach, then you try and destroy my boyfriend! I can't stand it anymore! Powers or no powers, you're goin' down!!!!!"
Sailor Mars was shocked beyond her wits, as were the other Sailor Scouts. "She's finally flipped!" she thought to herself.
Without thinking, Serena broke into a blind run for Jedite. She couldn't think of anything else but revenge for all the wrongs that had been committed against her and her friends. Anger clouded her thoughts, totally blinding her logic.
"SERENA!" shouted Luna, trying to get through to her. "Don't do this!"
"You can't do it by yourself!" added Artemis. "It's too dangerous!"
Serena didn't hear them. All sound seemed to cease for the moment for her. Even the Sailor Scouts, with all their desperate pleas for her to stop and to snap out of it, had no effect. She was going to teach Jedite a lesson, and she was going to do it herself.
Lilithite, sensing her "beloved" was in trouble, acted quickly. "Keep away from my guy!" she shouted, throwing a green energy bolt directly at Serena.
This caught her in the chest, sending her back ten or twenty feet, landing squarely on her face.
"Serena" shouted the Sailor Scouts, calling off the search to help their friend.
Jedite now had the Sailor Scouts right where he wanted them. "Now it's your turn!" he bellowed toward them.
As the Sailor Scouts ran to help Serena, they noticed they were running slower and slower, and not by choice. Sailor Venus was the first to stop completely. "What a minute," she shouted. "I can't move my feet!"
"Neither can I!" shouted Sailor Mars.
The other Scouts experienced the same thing. No one could move their feet. All four of them were trapped standing up. "What's going on!?!" shouted Sailor Jupiter.
Jedite developed a half-smile upon his face watching the Scouts struggle. "You honestly don't think I would let you run around freely, do you?" he cackled. "You two have been a thorn in my side ever since I first saw you!" he said, referring to Mercury and Mars. "And I don't particularly care for the rest of you, either. Now it's time to get rid of you pests once and for all!"
"We gotta…break free!" said Venus, struggling.
"I know….urgghh," added a discouraged Mars. "but Jedite has got us locked up pretty tight."
"There might…be a way," suggested Mercury.
"How?" asked a desperate Jupiter.
"It's a long shot," she began to answer, "but we might be able to use our transformation sticks for a power-boost. With that extra energy, we might be able to break free."
"I'll try anything once," said Venus.
"It doesn't look like we have much of a choice, either," said Jupiter.
"Well, let's get this over with!" said Mars.
One by one, they're transformations sticks appeared in their hands. As Jedite looked on, he couldn't believe it. His plan was working even better than even he dreamed possible. "You're digging your own grave, fools!" he yelled.
As the Sailor Scouts raised their power sticks high, a huge wind, created by Jedite, swept over them. With no place to move their feet, the Sailor Scouts' bodies were blown every which way but up. However, during the huge monster wind, they're power sticks were lost. When the Scouts realized this, they became very worried. With all the things that had gone bad in this battle, this was all they needed.
When the wind cleared, everyone saw Jedite standing on the ground with all four transformation sticks floating in front of him. No one, not even the cats, thought of making any false moves. Jedite held all the cards now.
The Scouts felt the ribbons that incased them within their Sailor Scout uniforms weaken and loosen around them. Jedite just laughed. "Face it, Sailor Scouts," he mocked. "You made all the wrong moves this battle. But don't worry your ditzy little heads about that. Now I shall make everything right!"
He called Lilithite over to his side, and each took two of the four power sticks; one for each hand. The Sailor Scouts could only watch in horror as the enemies squeezed they're transformational items hard. "Now Sailor Scouts," screamed both villains, "say good night!"
Ear-splitting cracks could be heard as the sticks snapped in two. Upon the star tops, the Planet Symbols disappeared, leaving only black circles within their centers.
The ribbons finally broke apart as well, reversing the Scout transformations into their normal clothes. The Scouts couldn't believe what was happening. Not even the cats. Within a few moments, the Sailor Scouts seemed to be defeated and helpless.
Suddenly, Jedite clutched his head and fell to one knee. Lilithite once again came to his aid. "What's wrong, now?" she asked concerned.
"I…need rest," he muttered. "I spent too long in that infernal crystal. I used up most of my energy in this battle." He lifted his head up. "We need to return to the Negaverse."
Lilithite seemed shocked. "But I haven't found the crystal yet!" she exclaimed.
"The Silver Crystal can wait," Jedite said. "It'll turn up somewhere." Lilithite helped raise Jedite to his feet. "Listen up!" he shouted. "Within twenty-four hours, I will have an entire army placed on this miserable planet! And with no opposition to stop us, the Negaverse will conquer all! See ya later, girlies!"
"Oh no…you don't" muttered a hoarse voice.
The Scouts looked back. It was Serena, still standing in spite of her fall. Her bottom lip was cut, with blood trickling down it. "Get back here!"
Serena tried to run again. Her friends grasped her arms, trying desperately to hold her back. "No, Serena!" shouted Lita.
"There's nothing we can do now!" added Amy, tears in her eyes, as well as everyone else.
"Let me go!" shouted Serena, struggling against them. "I got Negaverse trash to recycle!"
"You can't!" yelled Raye into Serena's ear. "Our powers our gone! You have to accept it!"
"She's right," said Mina. "We have to let them go for now!"
"NO! LET ME GO!" Serena kept shouting as Jedite and Lilithite stepped through another portal back to their home. When they were gone, the feeling finally sunk in. Her powers were gone, as well as the rest of her friends. The adrenaline gone, the only thing holding her together, she just fell to her knees, broke down, and cried.
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NEXT TIME...
The aftermath of the battle begins. With their powers gone, the options of the Sailor Senshi are very limited. Where did the Imperium Silver Crystal go? And if it's found, do the cats have a plan?