Ch 3

Ch 3

And I'm here, to remind you,

Of the mess you left when you went away,

It's not fair, to remind me,

Of the cross I bear that you gave to me.

You, you, you oughta know…

-You oughta know, Alanis Morsette

"What are you getting at?"

Sailor Moon looked Kale square in the eye. "If Chibiusa and I win, you let us AND A-ko go."

"And if I win?"

Sailor Moon sighed. "Then we'll submit willingly."

Kale looked back at Dais. Dais grinned. "I fought Venus, don't forget. She lost."

Sailor Moon glared at him. "I'm more powerful than Minako-chan. Or are you afraid you'll lose?"

Kale stiffened. "You've got a deal," he said shortly. He nodded to A-ko, who grudgingly handed Chibiusa her locket. Chibiusa grinned.

"Moon Crisis Make Up!" she yelled, transforming into Super Sailor Chibimoon.

She and Super Sailor Moon grinned as Kale transformed into his armor. Kale grinned as well.

"It's much too bad you're afraid of the dark, Sailor Moon."

Sailor Moon smirked. "And it's too bad you can't beat a senshi."

Kale leapt into the air. "We shall see! Black Lightning Strike!"

Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibimoon calmly summoned their Moon Kaleidoscopes. The held them across each other, and held hands. The both opened their eyes simultaneously and yelled "Moon Gorgeous Meditation!" they both yelled, pointing the Kaleidoscopes straight at Kale. Kale dodged, though not too quickly, and lost his attack. Frustrated, he landed before them while the senshi smirked. Kale snarled and made a running start at them.

"I've got to come,"

"No!"

There was that worry creeping back into his voice again. She began to suspect that her injuries were more serious-much more serious-than anyone had let on. She struggled to sit up.

"Seiji," she said. "I want to know what injuries I've really got, or else I'm going out there and I'm fighting till the death."

Seiji blinked, and then nodded. "Okay, Mina-ko. But lay back down. I'll go get Touma."

Minako smiled, satisfied, and lay back down, wondering if the intense pain in her side had anything to do with her untold injuries. Seiji returned a moment later with Touma. Minako looked him straight in the eye.

"Tell it to me truthfully. How banged up am I?"

Touma sighed. "Well…there's the hairline fractures in your right leg and arm, the broken ribs, and the bruised liver. You were hit pretty hard."

Minako lay and let all this sink in for a second, and then nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Touma-chan."

Touma nodded silently, and walked out of the room. Seiji looked to Minako.

"Mina-ko," he said softly. "You're going to be all right?"

Minako flashed him a warm smile and nodded. "I'll be fine, Seiji-chan. You go and get Usagi and Chibiusa back."

Seiji smiled and kissed her softly. "You rest for now, and I'll have Usagi by your bedside in no time."

Minako grinned. "Oh, I'm sure I'll see Usagi soon enough."

"What are you getting at?"

Bertie shrugged. "I dunno…I was just wondering."

Avery raised an eyebrow at her sister. Bertie held up a peace sign and said, "Just between sisters, of course."

Avery sighed. "Well, there is this one really cute guy I like…"

"And?" Bertie said, goading her sister on. Avery played with Ben in her lap.

"Well, he's tall…strong, handsome, smart, confidant. He's got great muscles. Defined, but not huge. He's really a great guy."

Bertie smiled, nodding. "Mmm hmmm. And no names?"

Avery blushed. "You'd never let me live it down if I told you."

"Just like you never let me live down my crush on Dais? And look at what it's turned into. C'mon, maybe he likes you too."

Avery shook her head. "No…he's a little too arrogant to concern himself about me."

"Don't be too sure. Who is it?"

Avery sighed again. "Well, it's…Rubbeus."

Bertie's eyes lit up and she squealed with glee. "Rubbeus? Really?"

Avery nodded, turning crimson. Bertie grabbed her by the wrist. "Girl, you have got to come with me!"

Avery clung desperately to keep her nephew from falling and hurting himself. "What do you mean?"

"Don't ask questions, just come on!

Bertie led Avery through a mirror into Rubbeus' room, where he had been sitting reading a magazine. He stood when Bertie came through the mirror, dragging a protesting Avery with her.

"What the-"

Bertie stood Avery in front of Rubbeus. "I believe you two have some talking to do," she said in between fits of giggles. She then turned and left the room. Avery and Rubbeus looked at each other awkwardly for a moment. Rubbeus shrugged and said,

"So…want something to drink?"

Sailor Moon gasped as Kale pressed a gauntleted hand against her throat.

"Ready to concede defeat?" he growled. Sailor Moon looked at him.

"I'll never admit defeat."

She wedged her leg up between them and forced him off of her. She then began a series of high-powered kicks at Kale, who had to guard his face and back off. She leapt into the air and yelled "Sailor Moon Kick!" and smashed the heel of her boot into Kale's face guard.

Kale held his face, cursing. Sailor Moon summoned her Moon Kaleidoscope again and kicked him again, in the chest, forcing him down. She pressed the Kaleidoscope against Kale's throat.

"Are you ready to admit defeat?"

Kale began to chuckle. "Fool. You really thought we'd let you out?"

Dais walked over, picking up both the unconscious Chibimoon and prying Sailor Moon from Kale's chest just as she aimed a very good attack at him.

"You promised! You promised!" she yelled. Kale stood, straightened himself and grinned.

"I did nothing of the sort. I never promised or swore to anything."

Sailor Moon was fighting against Dais for all she was worth. "I should have known better than to trust you!"

"Shoulda but didn't," Dais responded. He smirked. "At least Minako had the brains to make me swear to my promise. Of course, I beat her anyway, so it didn't matter much in the end."

Sailor Moon was furious. She got a good hold of Dais' shoulder length wavy hair and gave it a good yank. Dais dropped her and Chibimoon, cursing. Sailor Moon picked herself up almost before she hit the ground and made for Kale, but Dais was quicker than that, and grabbed her before she crossed the distance between them. Sailor Moon elbowed Dais in the ribs, who yelled in pain, but kept holding her. She then kicked him in the shin and ground the heel of her boot into his foot. That made him let go a second time and Sailor Moon wasted no time going after Kale this time. She took off her tiara.

"Moon tiara action!" she yelled, hurling the golden disc at Kale. Kale managed to jump clear in time and the tiara returned to the senshi just as Dais grabbed her again and slung her over his shoulder.

Sailor Moon pounded hard on his back, but the grim faced Dais bore it. He looked to the side as Bertie entered, carrying her son. She looked at the scene.

"Oh my," she said. She took a good look at the tattered Sailor Moon, the badly bruised and beaten Kale, and her husband, who looked as if he'd just about had all the punishment he could take. Bertie tsked and sat her son down. She walked over behind Dais, facing Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon stopped beating on his back to look up at her. Bertie smiled.

"How about something to eat?"

Sailor Moon blinked. "Is this a trick?"

"No trick. I'm just trying to make sure my husband doesn't develop permanent back problems from the beating you're giving him."

Sailor Moon glared back over her shoulder at Kale. "He tricked me," she said simply, pointing. Bertie shook her head and tsked again.

"Horrid thing to do. Why don't we talk about it over, oh, a chocolate cake and tea?"

Sailor Moon grinned. "Fine with me. But somebody has to put me down first."

Dais set Sailor Moon down gratefully. Bertie smiled sweetly at Sailor Moon. "Now, let's see to that cake, hmmm?"

Sailor Moon looked from Chibimoon to Bertie. Bertie hit her head as if remembering something.

"Oh, of course! We'll see she gets special care, and that I promise. And I never break a promise, now do I, honey?"

"Of course not, love."

"See?" Bertie said, smiling. "Now, we'll go talk this thing over and Small Lady will be good as new by the time you get back. Come on," she said, taking Sailor Moon by the wrist and dragging her out of the room. Kale looked at Dais, who gingerly picked up Super Sailor Chibimoon.

"What just happened?"

Dais chuckled. "My wife just saved my back, pacified the angriest Sailor Moon I've ever seen, and is probably going to drug her tea and put her to sleep."

"Why didn't you hit her, knock her out the old fashioned way?"

"Because we've got to keep her in good condition. I nearly killed the last Senshi I lost my temper with. That can't happen with Usagi."

Kale nodded slowly. "I guess you're right…"

Dais nodded. "C'mon. We've got to get Small Lady back in good health. Bertie did promise, after all."

Kale chuckled and led the way to SickBay.

"So we go in at midnight?"

Haruka nodded. "Less people around that time. We shouldn't be seen."

Goku nodded as well. "There's also a good chance that the warlords will be resting around that time. Less chance of being pounced upon right away."

Bulma nodded. "That's about everything, then."

Haruka stood. "Right. Let's suit up."

She took out her transformation stick. "Uranus Planet Power,"

Michiru held up hers. "Neptune Planet Power,"

Setsuna followed suit. "Pluto Planet Power,"

The three of them chorused "Make Up!"

Haruka took a ball of light blue energy and spun it around her until it made a circle on the ground. The circle sent up a wall, which dissipated, leaving her body suit. A few more twists and turns, and she was almost fully suited up and paused a moment as the final touch was added: some light lipstick. She then struck her pose.

Michiru also took a ball of energy-blue-green-and spun it around her until it made a circle on the ground. The circle gave way to a circular wall of water, and underwater, Sailor Neptune was fully suited up except for her light lipstick. Then she, too, struck her pose.

Setsuna spun a pall of purple energy in the same fashion, which turned into a circular wall which then cascaded in from the top onto her. Fully suited, some red lipstick was added, and she then struck her pose.

Ami held up her stick. "Mercury Crystal Power,"

Makoto held up hers. "Jupiter Crystal Power,"

Rei held up hers. "Mars Crystal Power,"

"Make up!" they shouted in unison.

Ami took a ball of blue energy and pirouetted in place, twirling it around her like a ribbon. It was enough to cover her body, legs and arms. A flurry of bubbles and Ami was Super Sailor Mercury.

Makoto spun around with her stick held high. Surrounded by lightning, a flash of lightning went up her sides. Quick as lightning, she was Super Sailor Jupiter.

Rei spun around with her stick held high as well. Rings of fire surrounded portions of her body. They all closed in on her, and in a flash of fire, she became Super Sailor Mars.

The now fully transformed Sailor Senshi looked at everyone else, who had also made themselves ready.

Seiji turned to Jessy. "You and James stay here with Minako, Jessy-chan, in case she needs some help before we can get back."

Jessy nodded and smiled. "You can count on us, Seiji-chan."

Seiji nodded, and all twenty or so of them filed out the door. James sighed.

"Speaking of the fallen soldier, I suppose we should go check on her. I'll go up."

"James," Jessy said suddenly. James turned.

"Yes?"

Jessy smiled. "No more bad blood between us, okay? After you come down, we'll work out a foolproof plan to swipe that twerp's Pikachu."

James smiled. "You bet."

He headed up the stairs and was gone a few moments before running back down the stairs.

"Minako's gone!"

She moved stealthily behind the group of rescuers. It had been hard transforming without the others below her hearing her. It had been harder still for her to slip out just behind them as James went upstairs to check on her. But she had to help rescue her friend. She was, after all, the leader of the Senshi when Sailor Moon wasn't around. What kind of leader stayed in bed while their troops marched? She knew Seiji would be royally pissed with her for leaving her bed, let alone fighting, for a very long time. But she'd deal with him later, as she always did. Right now, she agreed with Sailor Uranus; the only thing that mattered was getting Sailor Moon and Chibiusa out of the Dynasty. A-ko too.

Avery blushed hotly and turned her back on Rubbeus, who quickly tried to apologize.

"Oh, geez, Avery, come on. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

Avery huffed. "Then why say it?"

"I wasn't thinking. Come on, you know I don't really think of you as a shrew."

Avery wasn't convinced. She still kept her back to Rubbeus, who put out a somewhat nervous hand out on her shoulder.

"Avery," he said frankly. "I think you're one of the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Avery cast a small glance over her shoulder. "Really?"

Rubbeus nodded earnestly. "Really and truly."

Avery turned back around and smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly. Rubbeus opened his arms and Avery stepped into them. Rubbeus closed his arms around her, and they stood there in that embrace for a few moments before Dais appeared silently behind them. Rubbeus barely turned his head to look at the warlord.

"Yes?"

Dais stifled a mean-spirited chuckle. "You said you wanted to know when we were ready to convert Sailor Moon and Small Lady. I do hope," he added. "That you will take more care with Small Lady this time. No shortcuts as last time, when the Senshi were able to convert her back."

Avery blushed. "How do you know about that?" she asked. Dais smirked.

"Are you kidding? I'd be surprised if even Team Rocket didn't know about that. Word travels fast in the crime world. You ought to know."

Avery's blush deepened. Rubbeus scowled to cover his embarrassment. "Was there anything else?" he asked icily. Dais nodded.

"There was. The Sailor Senshi and Ronins have started out to get their poor little princess back. Including the outer. I think we can get them all in this one."

"What about Venus? She was pretty badly injured from the last fight. Seiji probably wouldn't have let her come."

Dais chuckled. "When has that ever stopped her? She trailing behind the others in an attempt to stay unnoticed. I'd hate to be her when Seiji finds out, though."

Rubbeus chuckled as well. "Well, since they're on their way here, let's boost up security at all entrances. And get Sailor Moon and the brat into the chamber."

"Wait," Touma said suddenly, placing a hand out to stop the entire group. They were nearly to the Command Center. "I hear something behind us."

Everyone tensed. Seiji, at the back of the group, could hear breathing behind him. Labored breathing at that. Why hadn't he heard it before? Whoever was following them had a hard time breathing and following them. He whirled, sword drawn.

"Come out, whoever you are!" he yelled. The person walked slowly out of the shadows into the light. Seiji gaped.

"Mina-ko?!?"

Sailor Venus blushed. "Uh, hi, Seiji." She could tell Seiji was struggling to keep control of himself by the way his face was drawn. Shin walked slowly up beside Seiji.

"Coming with us will enable her to get her strength back faster," he said softly. Seiji took a deep breath and sighed. He looked up at Venus.

"Since we're almost to the Command Center, I suppose there's no way we can get you back to the house before daybreak. You'll have to come with us. But I don't want you using anything more powerful than your chain."

"But Seiji-chan…"

Seiji gave her a look and Venus fell silent. She was in enough trouble as it was. Seiji motioned for her to walk close by him and motioned to Touma, who led the group on.

As they walked, Seiji whispered fiercely "Why did you come? I thought I told you to stay home." "I came because my best friend and princess is in trouble. I'm doing what any good friend would do, and what is my sworn duty."

"You can't protect anyone if you collapse halfway into your 'Love and Beauty Shock'."

Venus bristled. "And you can't stop me from doing a thing I want to and you know it. So please don't even try."

"And if I do?" Seiji hissed, still obviously angry. Venus got even angrier. Her voice becoming like steel wrapped in velvet, she said,

"Then you'll be very sorry, Seiji-san."

With that she moved ahead in the group, leaving Seiji alone at the back. It took him a moment that she had used the suffix "san" instead of the usual "chan".

"Oh no," he muttered. "What have I done now?"

Katzie giggled. "Kale-chan, it's wonderful!"

Kale grinned. He stroked the baby Vulpix from its ears to its six tails. "I'm glad you like it. I captured it just for you."

Katzie looked at him, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Oh, Kale-chan. Really?"

Kale nodded. "Anything for my Katzie."

Katzie deposited the small fox pocket monster on the bed and kissed Kale, who gladly returned the favor. Katzie broke it off and grinned. "It goes so well with my powers, too. Oh, Kale, promise you'll help me train it."

"As I said, anything for you."

Katzie hugged him. "Oh, Kale-chan, you are the absolute best boyfriend- fiancé a girl could ever have!"

Kale hugged her back. "I'm glad you think so, Kat-ko. I'd hate to have you upset with me again. I might end up with nothing left."

Katzie giggled and kissed him. "I won't do anything like that again, Kale-chan. I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

Katzie grinned and leaned in to kiss Kale again when Bertie entered. The two of them jumped apart and blushed. Bertie shook her head.

"Oh, how cute! Look, you guys. The Senshi and Ronins are on their way. So we've got to be ready for them."

Kale grinned evilly at the thought of battle. "Are Sailor Moon and Chibimoon being conditioned?"

Bertie grinned as well. "Yep. So, all that's left is to lie and wait. And keep them from the chamber room, of course."

"Of course," Katzie said with a grin of her own. "And of course, I'll be wanting to take out that sassy little fire senshi out myself. I still owe her a rematch from the temple."

Kale suppressed a snigger. Half the reason was probably because Katzie wanted to make sure Kale never had any inclination to develop a crush on Rei again. Or any of the other Senshi, for that matter. Of course if all went well, soon the Senshi would be taking their orders from the warlords. He grinned again, he true evil warlord nature showing itself for the first time in so many days.

"The Sailor Senshi are done for."

"Careful!" Sailor Mercury caught Sailor Venus as she stumbled for the fourth or fifth time. She cast a worried glance at the other Senshi but said nothing. They all knew how absolutely stubborn Sailor Venus could be. Especially when it came to the Senshi. Sailor Venus gently shook off her friend's helping hand.

"Don't stop for me. Keep going," she rasped. Seiji walked up next to her and offered an arm to support her with, but Sailor Venus only stuck her nose in the air and moved away from him. They'd walked on like this for almost twenty minutes before Touma called a halt.

"This is where we'll go in. Seiji," he said, turning to the samurai of light. "Would you prefer to do the honors?"

Seiji chuckled and held his sword high. "Thunder, Bolt, Cut!" he yelled, bringing his sword down to the ground. As he brought it down, the space in front of them seemed to split like a ripped curtain. Sailor Mercury monitored the readings on her mini data computer.

"The area's safe. Let's go in."

They all filed into the rip, Seiji trailing them all. As Seiji stepped through the space, the tear behind them closed up while a low sinister chuckle sounded in the air.

"Oh, this is going to be sweet."

"Very," Rubbeus agreed. He turned to the four sisters. "But remember, we need the Ronins alive enough for Talpa to absorb their armor. The Senshi will have a choice: join us or die."

Katzie snorted. "One particular Senshi won't have that choice."

Rubbeus threw her a look. "I know you're angry, Katzie, but you cannot kill Rei. We may need her yet."

Katzie snorted again, but kept quiet. Bertie was the one who spoke next. "The only thing I'm truly worried about is the Outer Senshi. They're all very powerful, especially Uranus."

"Uranus can be dealt with," Avery said. "As all the Senshi can be dealt with. You just have to know how to do it."

"And you have a plan, I suppose?" Prizma asked. Avery grinned.

"As a matter of fact, I do just happen to have a plan. It's quite simple, as a matter of fact. The only thing we need is Neptune."

"It's way too quiet," Shou muttered. "They should have been upon us by now."

"Come to think of it," Shin added. "We should have seen some sign of Sailor Moon and Chibiusa by now as well."

"No, we shouldn't," Neptune said. She took out her mirror. "They know their tricks won't work on my mirror. They're trying to find a way to trick us without using visual deception, which is hard for them."

"Not so hard as you may think!" a voice yelled. The crack of a whip filled the air as Avery appeared and quickly wrapped her whip around Sailor Neptune, pinning her arms to her body. A quick yank and Neptune was struggling against the arm Avery held around her neck. Sailor Uranus took out her sword.

"Let her go!"

Avery smirked. "I doubt it. Come and get her, if you dare. You'll find her within the very center of the castle. And we'll be waiting!"

With that, Avery disappeared with Sailor Neptune. Sailor Uranus clenched her fists tightly and stood silent for a moment before falling to her knees and pounding the ground hard. "No!" she yelled. Sailor Venus laid a soft hand on her shoulder.

"We'll get her back, Haruka. In the mean time, we've got to keep going."

Sailor Uranus nodded silently and stood. She turned to Sailor Mercury, who was scanning the area. "Anything yet?"

Sailor Mercury had already begun to voice her answer when a sudden beeping made her stop short.

"Wait…yes! There's a strong energy identical to that of the Dynasty coming from that direction," she said, pointing to her right. Seiji looked off in the direction she had pointed.

"Well, I guess we go that way, then," he said. He set off in the direction Sailor Mercury had indicated, the rest of the group tagging along, with Venus and Uranus trailing behind, Venus whispering consoling words to Uranus as Uranus supported her.

"Let me go!"

Prizma smirked. "Not on your life, Neptune. You're going to receive the same treatment as A-ko and the other two Senshi we've got.

Neptune's eyes went wide. "Sailor Moon would never allow herself to be brainwashed by you!"

"Oh, but see, she already has," Bertie said, grinning. She clapped her hands and Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibimoon appeared both with evil grins on their faces. Sailor Neptune backed into a wall.

"No…it can't be!"

"But it is," Sailor Moon said, grinning wider. "And soon everyone will join us. From Sailor Mercury to Tuxedo Kamen-sama."

Sailor Neptune squinted at them, then she reached for her mirror.

"Submarine Reflection!" she yelled, aiming the mirror at the two Senshi. A light shimmered out of the mirror, and, upon impact with the Senshi, dissipated them. Prizma aimed a good jolt of her black lightning at Neptune, who shuddered as the lightning hit her and crumpled to the ground. She snatched the mirror from Neptune's limp hands.

"I wonder how she knew," Bertie murmured thoughtfully. Rubbeus picked up the unconscious Senshi.

"It doesn't matter now. Avery, what's the next part of your plan?"

Avery grinned. "Follow me."

"Your loyalty lies within the Dynasty…"

No! That wasn't true! She was Sailor Moon; her loyalty was to the people of Earth!

"You serve Talpa alone…"

She served no one! She was the Senshi of love and justice! She would never join the Dynasty.

And yet, with each statement, it became harder and harder to resist the soothing voice in her head.

"Let your guard down," it said, its voice flowing like silk. "And let us take away your hurt, your fears. We wish to help you…"

Sailor Moon almost did let her guard down, but then she remembered Princess Snow Kaguya, an evil ice witch, had told her the exact same thing about wanting to freeze the planet and add it to her collection. Badiyanu, a witch who had tried to have her Black Dream Hole engulf the planet, had said a similar thing about her coffin of dreams.

All they wanted was to destroy us, Sailor Moon thought. And the Dynasty is no different.

That gave her a whole new surge of power with which to resist the soothing voice in her mind.

"We almost had her!"

Dais sighed and looked through the clear glass covering at Sailor Moon. She was being even more stubborn than he'd anticipated. She'd almost let her guard down, but something had given her a huge new surge of power at the last second and she became strong enough to resist them again.

He looked to Anubis, who looked like he knew what was about to come. "Anubis, what happened?"

"I-I don't know," he said shakily. "Something the voice said must have tripped something in her mind that gave her strength to fight back. I don't know what it was."

Dais snarled. "Then we'll just have to approach this from a different angle. I want her memory wiped, and then I want her brainwashed. The voice can't trip a memory if there's no memory to trip."

Anubis grinned and turned to the monitoring station, making the necessary arrangements. "Now why didn't I think of that?" he said under his breath. He would have said it out loud, but he didn't want another volley of insults from Dais.

He turned Dais. "There's also a problem with Chibimoon. Apparently that botched job the Negaverse did has left traces of Black Lady in her mind that we can't erase."

"Then why erase it?" Dais said, shrugging. "Black Lady's allegiance is to the Doom Phantom and Wiseman follows the Doom Phantom. We'll have to provide her with a Luna-P, but that shouldn't be a problem."

Anubis grinned wider and made the necessary arrangements to Chibimoon's status chamber as well. He then turned to A-ko, who had been looking on.

"Go greet our guests. Keep them away from the castle as long as you can."

A-ko grinned, anticipating battle. She bowed. "Yes, sir!" she said enthusiastically before disappearing. Dais grinned as well.

"By the time they get finished with her, Sailor Moon, and Chibimoon will already be on our side."

"And this one," a voice came from the door. Dais turned to see Avery followed by Rubbeus carrying an unconscious Neptune. He grinned.

"Neptune too? This day just keeps getting better and better. I'll make up a duplicate to use as bait while Neptune gets her little treatment."

"Bubble, Spray!"

The area clouded with fog. A-ko twisted and turned, trying to catch a glimpse of her enemies. Venus knew she had to be secured. Usually, Sailor Moon's tiara would have done, but, as her mother always said, play the hand you're dealt.

"Venus Love Me Chain!" She yelled, securing A-ko's arms to her sides. Jupiter geared up, ready to take A-ko out. But Piccolo beat her to it.

"Special Beam Cannon Fire!" he yelled, sending a blast of energy encompassed by a spiral of energy straight at A-ko, who never quite knew what hit her.

Jupiter looked at Piccolo, who grinned. "You're not the only ones with a few tricks."

Jupiter grinned in newfound respect for the Namek. She turned to the fallen A-ko and kneeled, waving her hand in front of her closed eyes. She then opened an eye and looked into it.

"I think she's really out this time."

Piccolo picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. "And let's hope she stays that way until we can find a way to change her back," he looked to Seiji. "You were leading?"

"The battle's over."

"What?" Rubbeus roared. Avery shrunk back.

"Hey, don't kill the messenger…"

Rubbeus held her arms gently. "I'm not mad at you, Avery, but this was unexpected. Sailor Moon and Small Lady aren't ready yet. We need to find a way to stall them a bit longer."

"I suppose we could send out some water beasts to keep them busy."

Rubbeus nodded. "Do it. I don't want them anywhere near the castle until Sailor Moon and Small Lady are on our side."

"Oh man, look!" Shou shouted, pointing. Touma gasped as a score of water beasts came charging at them.

"We're never going to make any type of decent time now."

"How hard can they be to deal with?" Goku said, shrugging. Seiji glanced over his shoulder at him.

"Pretty hard. Each time we try to cut them down, two more rear up from the two pieces. And that's only if we cut them in half."

Krillin blinked. "Huh?"

Seiji looked at him. "Ever see the Sorcerer's Apprentice?"

"Yeah."

"Remember the broom?"

Krillin's eyes widened. "Oh," he said softly. He turned his attention the beasts coming at him. If that were true, then his destructo-disc wouldn't be of much help. The only thing they could hope for was…

"Hey, Gohan!" he shouted over this shoulder. "Think you can make a barrier?"

Gohan nodded. "I think so."

"Ready, then," Krillin said, powering up. Goku shook his head.

"If a barrier's all we need, than I can do it myself." He said. Krillin looked up at him and shrugged. "Whatever you say."

Goku began to power up, making all the pebbles around the group first rise into the air and then explode. With a battle yell, he powered up fully and brought the heels of his palms together.

"Ka-me-a-me-a, Ka-me-a-me-a. KA-ME-A-ME-A!" he yelled, letting lose with a powerful burst of energy he directed to form a dome-like barrier around them all. The water beasts pounded on the outside, unable to penetrate it. Shou looked at Goku.

"How long can you keep this up?"

"Depends on the strength of any attacks."

"Allow me to make up your mind for you," a deep voice yelled. Suddenly, a powerful burst of black lightning hit the dome. Goku staggered but the dome held firm. Kale appeared, laughing evilly.

"Quite impressive, Kakarotto. I must say, I didn't expect you to be this strong. But what else to expect from the murderer of Frieza?"

Goku's eyes flashed. "I'm no murderer!"

"Oh aren't you? Frieza was merely half the alien you thought him to be when you sent him to another dimension, wasn't he? And no match for you, I'm sure." "He attacked me."

"But, as I said, he was no match for you in your super sayajin state. You didn't have to kill him."

"Yes, I did!"

"Goku," Krillin said sharply. "Don't argue with this warlord. He's just trying to plant doubt in your mind."

"Tell me," Kale said, focusing his attention on Krillin. "Are you one of those representing the Lollipop Guild?"

Krillin grit his teeth. "Don't make me mad."

"And let's see," Kale said, going on. "We have the mime, the cueball, scarface, the little green man from Mars, the brat, and, oh yes, let's not forget our haughty sayajin scumbag who thinks he's a prince."

Vegeta bristled. "You're going to pay for that remark."

Kale smirked. "I doubt it greatly. It's hard when you can't see your adversary," he said, instantly plunging them all into pitch darkness. Seiji started. He knew this tactic all too well. He held up his sword.

"Thunder, Bolt, Cut!" he yelled, but nothing happened. Kale laughed.

"You're in my arena, Ronin. Which means you'll play by my rules."

A second voice chimed in. "Arena, you said? Then I want first crack at the puny little fire senshi."

Mars recognized the voice instantly. It was Katzie, and she sounded poed

She wondered why she had been singled out, until she remembered that Touma said that Kale probably had a crush on her. And since Katzie went out with Kale, she was probably going to take her anger at Kale out on her. She braced herself. Kale, however, saved her.

"No. Emperor Talpa wants all the Senshi alive and in good condition. Something I'm not at all positive I can hold you to."

Katzie chuckled in the darkness. "Very well. But if she hurts you, she is going to pay."

Ryo reached out blindly and grabbed Mars' hand. He drew her close to him and shouted into the darkness "If you want Rei, you'll have to kill me, first!"

"Ryo, no!" Mars whispered, fearful the warlord would take him up on his offer. Kale, however, only laughed.

"You are of no consequence anymore, Wildfire. We have a much stronger ally on our side now."

"You don't mean," Mercury gasped. Kale laughed.

"Yes. Even as I speak, Sailor Moon is finishing her conditioning. She'll be a much better pawn than A-ko ever was!"

Venus had had about enough of this. She gathered herself and concentrated on Kale's voice. As soon as she was certain she knew where it was coming from, she yelled to Goku "Goku, let the barrier down, now!"

Goku did it, and Venus immediately launched her attack. "Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"

The attack was right on target. Kale yelled out as he was struck. His concentration broken, the darkness shattered.

Seiji gasped at what he saw: Venus lying unconscious on the ground, apparently where she had collapsed after the attack. Kale cursed and brandished his sword.

"I'll finish what Dais couldn't," he yelled, swooping in for the attack. Seiji barely had enough time to move his sword in the way centimeters before the Kale would have struck Venus fatally in the heart. He looked his opposite straight in the eye.

"You're not hurting her or taking her anywhere."

Kale grinned. "You think so?"

Seiji forced Kale off of him and watched, exhausted as Kale leapt up to deliver the final blow. A large voice boomed, "Stop!"

Kale halted in midair. He looked to a large image of Dais. "What's wrong?"

Dais shook his head. "Don't kill them. Not yet."

Kale snarled. "Going soft on me?"

"Not at all, Kale. But I think this battle would be better fought closer to the castle."

"But what about what Rubbeus-"

Sailor Mars sucked in her breath. Even she knew better than to mention Rubbeus around Dais. Dais' expression twisted terribly.

"If Rubbeus has a problem with my plans, he can take it up with me. But this is my domain, not his. I call the shots," he turned to the small group. "Now, Ronins. We'll finish this on my terms. The Ronins and Senshi only, NO Earth's Special Forces, or else we kill all prisoners."

Ryo nodded. "Agreed."

Krillin held Ryo back. "Ryo, man, what are you doing?!? You're walking right into their trap."

"We know," Shou said softly. "But we have no choice if we're going to get the Senshi out of there alive."

"You guys stay behind and try to cure A-ko," Shin added. "We don't know how long we'll be."

Goku nodded. "All right, guys. Just be careful."

Sailor Jupiter grinned and winked. "Hey, no sweat. We've beaten the Dynasty in their own castle before."