Nephlite stood before his queen ready to report on his latest mission. Queen Beryl was getting quite impatient with the chestnut haired general and wanted answers as to why he had yet to find the Silver Imperium Crystal. The incident at the ball had left some in the Dark Kingdom, namely Zoicite and Malachite, to wonder if Nephlite was going soft on them. It seemed he was letting the affections of a teenage girl run his life.
"Nephlite explain your actions recently." Beryl demanded to know.
Nephlite dropped to one knee a bowed his head in an act that begged for forgiveness from his queen. Then after raising his head to once again face his queen Nephlite began recounting what had happened at the ball.
"My queen how was I to know the Senshi and that blasted Tuxedo Mask had the same idea as we did. I had no idea they would even be at the ball." Nephlite tried to explain.
Beryl watched the dark general squirm with disinterest and waited for him to continue his report.
"The treasure the princess had was not even the Silver Imperium Crystal. My link with my youma had informed me of that after she had probed the memories of the princess." Nephlite began, "But I have reason to believe that the first girl my youma possessed plays a role in finding the Silver Imperium Crystal. She has energy unlike any other I've sensed before. If I were to have a way to scan her body then I could see if she has the crystal contained within her."
Beryl took in what Nephlite had told her and considered his request for a moment. It was only fair that the dark general have a way of finding out if the girl he was seen with at the ball did indeed possess the Silver Imperium Crystal inside of her body. With a wave of her hand over her crystal orb Beryl called forth a black crystal capable of seeking out the Silver Imperium Crystal.
"Take this black crystal and go find your target Nephlite. With its power you will be able to find the Silver Imperium Crystal. I do not give out favors or assistance very often so consider yourself lucky. But I'm warning you this is your last chance." Beryl told him
Zoicite watched from the shadows as Nephlite received his black crystal. The effeminate general was furious. He felt as though he should be the one to receive the black crystal and search for the Silver Imperium Crystal. In his mind the queen was giving Nephlite one chance too many.
"I should be the one to receive that black crystal and go to Earth." Zoicite said.
A pair of strong arms found their way around the general's waist and pulled Zoicite close to the strong muscular body of the last of Beryl's generals Malachite. The taller general began soothing his life partner letter the smaller more effeminate man know that everything would work out for the best.
"You'll get your chance to shine in the eyes of our queen my beloved. I will see to that. General Nephlite won't even succeed in his mission this time. Beryl will have no choice but to order his death and then you will be the one to find the Silver Imperium Crystal for the glory of the Dark Kingdom." Malachite said as he held onto the effeminate general.
"Nephlite won't even know what happened to him when we finish with him." Zoicite replied with a wicked sneer and slight cackle.
********
Saturday had come once again to the Azabu-Juban neighborhood in the Mintako ward of Tokyo. The weather had become warm enough were the public pools could once again be open for business and it seemed as though everyone in Tokyo wanted to use them. And that was exactly what Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Naru were doing that afternoon. The quartet of friends was splashing around in the water getting in some quality girl time. They had asked Ranma to join them much to Ami's chagrin but the pigtailed martial artist said he just didn't feel like trying to squeeze himself into a girl's bathing suit again. For him once was more than enough.
"I don't see what the big deal is with your fiancé Ami." Rei commented.
"If you knew how he was brought up by his father then you would understand his apprehension towards female garments. If his father were to ever see him wearing something female he would claim Ranma wasn't a man amongst men." Ami explained, "I've never really understood why Saotome-san would say those things because I have yet to ask Ranma what happened when he first left for his training trip when he was younger."
Usagi decided to change the subject and direct the conversation towards her but before she could say something Naru jumped in and set the focus on her.
"I think I've fallen in love you guys." Naru announced out of the blue.
"Who's the lucky guy Naru?" Usagi asked curiosity peaked.
"It's Sanjouin Masato." Naru replied.
Ami, Rei, and Usagi started at the mention of the alias of the Dark Kingdom general. They knew the true nature of the millionaire playboy and he was bad news.
"Well your guy can't compare to mine." Usagi said with a goofy smile.
Rei and Ami looked at Usagi with a look that said we'll talk later while Naru just smiled at her friend happy that she had found someone too.
"All this talk about boyfriends and fiancés is bringing down my spirits." Rei said, "We need to change the subject."
Usagi thought about what Rei had said for a moment and decided she had a valid point the three of them had someone else in their lives now whether the other person was aware of it or not while Rei was still looking for the right guy to come along.
"I heard from Motoki's sister there's a movie coming out featuring Sailor V." Usagi said.
And for the next five minutes or so the girls got into a discussion involving Sailor V. When the discussion was over with the four friends who were quite wrinkly from too much swimming climbed out of the pool and headed for the lockers to get changed. Usagi decided to try and tell Naru about Sanjouin Masato. She wasn't about to let her friend get hurt by him.
"Naru can we talk?" Usagi asked her.
"About what Usagi?" Naru replied.
"It's about Sanjouin Masato. I don't think you should be seeing him." Usagi said.
Naru looked a bit upset at what Usagi had said and figured Usagi had said what she did because she was jealous of the fact that Naru was in love with a millionaire.
"You're just saying that because the guy you like isn't like my Masato." Naru replied, "I'd do anything to make my Masato happy."
With that said Naru went to her locker to get changed.
Usagi quickly went over to Ami and Rei to talk with them briefly before changing herself.
"Guys we need to talk about Naru." Usagi said.
"We were just thinking the same thing." Rei replied
********
Guardians of the Earth
Episode Nine: Anything for Love
********
Usagi, Rei, and Ami sat on the front porch of the shrine house. The Senshi trio needed to discuss the situation concerning Naru and Sanjouin Masato. When Naru told her friends the guy she liked was Sanjouin Masato the Senshi had to restrain themselves from yelling at her. They knew the true nature of the so-called millionaire. He was Nephlite one of Queen Beryl's elite soldiers one of her four generals.
"Guys I don't know what to do about Naru." Usagi said, "I tried telling her about Nephlite at the pool but she just thought I was jealous of the fact that Nephlite is older and acts like a millionaire."
"Usagi if you value the friendship you have with Naru you should go over to her house and try and get her to see how dangerous it is to be seeing Nephlite." Ami told her roommate.
"Ami's right. Even if Naru doesn't believe you right away she'll thank you in the long run. You'll be keeping her from making a big mistake." Rei added.
Usagi considered what her friends and fellow Senshi had said to her. She knew they were right but this was new territory for the female Saiyan she had never had to deal with a relationship problem before. Usagi just hoped she could get to Naru in time.
********
Zoicite stood in a darkened corridor somewhere within the main chambers of the Dark Kingdom waiting for the youma he had summoned to come. After a few minutes of waiting the sound of heavy shoes and staff striking the floor. Soon out of the darkness a hunched over figure in a heavy hooded cloak walked up to the effeminate general. Zoicite knew this was youma he had waited for.
"It's about time you showed up." Zoicite said.
"I am not as young as I used to be master." The youma replied.
The youma reached up and pulled off the hood to the cloak to reveal a wizened and wrinkled old woman standing before the general. This was one of Zoicite's oldest youma and by far his wisest.
"What you lack in youth you more than make up for in wisdom and ability. You are my strongest youma in the mystical ability department that is why I am entrusting this task to you." He told her.
The old woman cracked a wrinkled smile on her prune like face. She knew her place next to her master was still quite secure.
"Thank you my master. What is it that you wish me to do?" the old woman replied.
"I need you to go to Earth and find General Nephlite. He has in his possession a crystal with mystical powers called the Silver Imperium Crystal. Once you find him take the crystal from him and do away with General Nephlite however you see fit." Zoicite instructed the youma.
The old woman now understood what she must do and gave her master a slight bow while holing onto her wooden staff.
"I will do your bidding my master." The woman said before raising her staff to disappear in a flash of bright white light.
"The end will soon be upon you my dear Nephlite." Zoicite remarked with an evil smirk.
********
Usagi walked through the streets of Tokyo towards the OSA P jewelry store. After depositing her bag back at her dorm room and running into Luna Usagi headed off to try and talk to Naru about Sanjouin Masato. Usagi was going to give it another go at trying to talk some sense into her friend.
Walking up to the OSA P building Usagi stopped and took in a deep nervous breath. Looking at the building Usagi began to wonder if she could actually get the job done. I can't do this I don't even know what to say. Bulma fell in love with someone evil and look what happened they have a happy family, Usagi thought as doubt entered her mind.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea Luna." Usagi said as she began to turn away from the building.
Luna couldn't believe that Usagi was giving up so easily. It wasn't like Usagi to give up without a fight. What the young female Saiyan was doing went against everything Luna knew about her.
Following Usagi Luna could tell the young woman was heading in the direction of the Crown Game Parlor. Luna knew Usagi sometimes went there to talk to Motoki the young man whose family ran and owned the building and the businesses contained within. And as Usagi went inside the game parlor Luna found a branch in the nearby tree to wait and get in a quick catnap.
Usagi walked into the game parlor and saw Mamoru at the counter talking with Motoki. The young Saiyan was in a desperate need of advice and like it or not Mamoru just might be able to help. Walking up to the counter Usagi addressed the two friends using her best manors.
"Hey Motoki, Mamoru-san." Usagi said with a smile, "I was wondering if I could talk with you guys about something."
Mamoru was surprised Usagi hadn't addressed him by the nickname of Mamoru-baka she had given him when they first met. If she was being polite to him then it had to be very serious.
"What's up Usagi?" Motoki asked the younger girl.
"Can we go somewhere private to talk? I don't want anyone to overhear what I have to say." Usagi requested of the older boys.
"Sure thing. I can take my break now and we can go to the fruit parlor." Motoki suggested.
With that the trio headed up into the fruit parlor and sat in one of the small secluded booths. Motoki and Mamoru sat on one side while Usagi sat on the other. And after ordering some sodas from Unazuki Motoki got the conversation started.
"Alright Usagi what did you need to see us about?" Motoki asked her.
"I have a friend who has been having feelings for an older guy but this guy has been involved in some pretty questionable things." Usagi told the two friends.
Motoki sat back in the booth and nodded at Usagi signaling to the younger female that he had taken in what she had said.
"Let me guess you're afraid something might happen to your friend if she gets too involved with this guy." Motoki said.
"Yeah, and I tried to tell her he was bad news but she just wouldn't listen to me." Usagi began, "I had even went over to her building to try again but I turned right around because I just didn't know what to do. I have a friend who got into a relationship with guy who has a questionable background and they were able to make things work out. They now have a loving relationship and child together."
Both Motoki and Mamoru listened to what she had told them. Motoki took in consideration what Usagi had said about her friend from back home while Mamoru concentrated on the fact that the guy was involved in some questionable acts.
"Usagi maybe you should leave things be for a while and see what happens." Motoki suggested.
"That may be good and well but if you are truly her friend you should go over to her house and tell her what you know about this guy as soon as you can. Not everyone may be like your friend and her husband. She'll thank you in the long run." Mamoru said.
Usagi was surprised to hear that Mamoru agreed with Ami and Rei without even knowing what they had told her.
"That's what Ami and Rei said too." Usagi said with a smile, "I feel a lot better about things. Now how about we get your sister back here so I can order up some grub."
At the mention of food Usagi's stomach growled loudly. And when Motoki heard the amount of food Usagi was ordering from Unazuki he groaned knowing he didn't have enough to pay the bill.
"Usagi I don't have that kind of money." Motoki told her.
"Don't worry I just got my allowance for the month so I can pay for all of it." Usagi said with one of her big goofy grins.
********
Evening had come to the Mintako ward of Tokyo and the warm late spring air hung in the air as the young man drifted off to sleep. He had currently been on his couch doing a marathon reading session of Mark Twain's Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and the book was sprawled out across his chest while he slept. As the young college student slept peacefully on his couch he began to dream.
It was the same dream he had always been having lately. He was standing in the courtyard of the palace from his dreams below the balcony. The stars were once again out in the night sky and as he gazed up at the balcony he could see the familiar outline of his dream princess. Waiting in silence he heard the princess call out to him once more. He knew what she was going to say or at least he thought he did.
"You must help me. The Silver Imperium Crystal lies in pieces all over the city. Find those pieces and the crystal will be returned to us. It is the only way I can be free." The princess said.
"But how will I know were to begin?" he asked her.
"You will know my noble gentleman. And once you find them then we can both be free." She replied sounding so much like the girl he had kissed.
"Don't worry princess I will free you and then we can be together always." He told her.
And with that the dream ended and the young man woke up.
"So the crystal is in pieces and I have to find all of them before we can be together." He thought aloud knowing no one could hear him.
********
The peace of the evening had stretched far and wide over the Mintako ward finding its way to the OSA P. Naru's mother had long since closed the store for the evening and the mother daughter pair was enjoying a quiet evening relaxing in their own way. Naru was in her room reading a magazine article for teenage girls about love and romance and how you can tell if he is the one special guy. Mrs. Osaka was enjoying a nice long relaxing bath in furo soaking in a mound of bubbles. Each one was oblivious to the actions of the other.
As Naru continued to read her article the phone in her room rang. Thinking it was Momoko or Hikari Naru picked up the receiver and greeted the caller.
"Moshi, moshi." Naru said.
"Naru I'm so glad you're home." the obviously male voice replied.
"Masato-san is that you?" Naru inquired.
"Yes and I need to see you in the park as soon as possible. It's quite urgent." He told her using his best worried and scared tone of voice.
"Okay I'll be there as soon as I can. You wait right there." Naru replied.
Naru hung up the phone and grabbed her jacket running out the front door the apartment where she and her mother lived. Once outside Naru ran down the street heading for Juban Park where Sanjouin Masato or better yet Nephlite was waiting for her.
Arriving at the park Naru saw Sanjouin Masato standing under one of the trees waiting for her arrival. Put on a worried expression Nephlite began acting it up for the sake of the young girl.
"Naru it's so good of you to come." Nephlite began, "This just might be our last time together."
"What's wrong Masato-san?" Naru asked him.
"There are some really bad people after me and the only way I can get them to stop is if I find something called the Silver Imperium Crystal." He began, "You see that crystal has special powers that can stop these bad people from hurting me. If you know anything about this crystal I'd like to know."
Naru thought for a moment and couldn't remember ever hearing anything about a Silver Imperium Crystal. But to her luck she remembered her mother showing her a large crystal with a silver tint that had just come in from a big crystal and jewelry company. She wondered if this was the crystal Masato was looking for. If she got it from the store and brought it to him then maybe she could help him.
"I don't remember ever hearing about any Silver Imperium Crystal but I do remember seeing a pretty big crystal at my mom's store today. Maybe I could go and get that for you." Naru said.
"I would like that." Nephlite replied.
"Okay just stay right were you are and I'll be back soon." Naru instructed.
As Naru left the park to head back to the store Nephlite let a small sneer come across his face. This was going better than he had expected.
Naru used her key to the back door of the jewelry store to get inside. Once in she went to the main display case and crouched down so she was at eye level with the electronic safe her mother had. Using the three-digit combination Naru opened the safe and pulled out the keys to the display cases. Turning around behind her Naru was face to face with the large maple display cabinet in the center of the store. Using one of the keys she unlocked the wooden doors to the cabinet. Opening them Naru was greeted with the site of the large crystal her mother had recently acquired behind a locked sliding glass door. Using one of the other keys Naru unlocked the glass door and slid it open. Once opened Naru reached in and took out the crystal that was sitting on the dark blue satin pillow. With the crystal in her hands Naru ran out the back door and headed towards the park and Sanjouin Masato.
Naru was unaware she had just tripped the store's silent alarm system.
********
Mrs. Osaka had finished her bath and slipping on a pair of comfortable knit pants when she saw the light alerting her that the alarm had gone off. Knowing that someone had broken into the store downstairs Osaka-sama quickly went to the front door of the apartment to get her shoes on and go down to the store to wait for the security company and the police.
Walking to the store Mrs. Osaka noticed the back door had been left unlocked. Walking inside she could see that the glass front doors were still in one piece. That meant the culprit had access to the back door. Check the store for damage Osaka-sama noticed the wooden doors of the central display cabinet were left wide open. Going over to the cabinet behind the main counter she saw the electronic safe was wide open. Looking inside she saw no sign of the key to the display cases. Osaka-sama's heart began to sink into the pit of her stomach as she slowly turned around to see that the large crystal she had just acquired for the store was nowhere to be found. Putting all the pieces of the puzzle together Mrs. Osaka came to only one conclusion someone who knew the combination to the safe and had back door keys had stolen the crystal and that someone was Naru.
"Oh no Naru, what have you done? What have you done?" Mrs. Osaka asked the empty store as the tears began to roll down her cheeks.
********
Usagi and Luna were once again headed towards the OSA P building to try and talk to Naru. The black feline had told her young charge she would come along for moral support as the female Saiyan spoke to her friend. Usagi knew Mamoru and the other Senshi were right. She had to tell Naru just how dangerous Sanjouin Masato really was. And the sooner she told her the better.
As Usagi came upon the OSA P she saw Naru's mother standing outside the store talking to a man in brown uniform similar to the one worn by the Tokyo police. Osaka-sama looked as though she had been crying her eyes out and had a worried expression on her face. Something was definitely not right. Walking over to the elder Osaka Usagi intended on finding out what was going on.
"Osaka-sama what happened?" Usagi asked Naru's mother.
Mrs. Osaka turned her attention to the female Saiyan and began crying even more. It pained her so much to think that her own child would be stealing from her. She wondered what sort of trouble Naru was in that she didn't tell her about.
"Oh Usagi Naru went and stole a large crystal we had in the store worth four hundred thousand yen. I had just received it today and I haven't even insured it yet. It was one of the most expensive items in the entire store. She must have been in some serious trouble if she went and stole the crystal from her own mother." Mrs. Osaka explained to her daughter's friend.
Usagi heard what Naru's mother had said and knew right away what was going on. Somehow Nephlite had talked Naru into stealing the crystal for him. Usagi began mentally kicking herself in the pants for chickening out earlier that afternoon when she first came to the OSA P. She felt as though she had somehow allowed this to happen. Now I know how Krillin felt, she thought.
"Don't worry Osaka-sama I think I know where Naru might have gone. I'll see what I can do to get both her and that crystal back here in one piece." Usagi told her friend's mother.
Mrs. Osaka feigned a small smile when she heard what Usagi had said. Naru was lucky to have a friend like Usagi even if she hadn't known her for very long.
"Thank you Usagi. Please bring her back to me." Mrs. Osaka replied.
With that Usagi and Luna headed for Juban Park.
********
Naru had a huge smile on her face when she saw Sanjouin Masato still waiting for her at the park. The millionaire playboy was smiling when he saw that she had made good on her promise. In her hands was the crystal she had told the dark general about. Taking a look at it Nephlite could see that it had a silver tint to it when the moonlight hit it just right. There was a good chance this was the Silver Imperium Crystal. All he had to do was place his black crystal next to it to find out.
"May I see the crystal Naru? I need to test it with this smaller crystal." Nephlite requested.
Naru willingly gave the crystal to Nephlite thinking she was doing a good thing and was helping him out. Nephlite reached into his pocket and pulled out his black crystal and waived it over the crystal Naru had given him. The black crystal didn't respond to the other crystal in his hands. As he stared at the crystal from the OSA P in disgust Nephlite noticed a strange glow out of the corner of his eye. Nephlite turned towards Naru and noticed something strange happening.
The black crystal in Nephlite's right hand began to glow brightly. Somehow it was reacting to a strange energy coming from the lovesick girl. Raising the crystal in front of Naru it began to increase in intensity. There was something about this girl Nephlite wanted to investigate even further.
********
Usagi raced as fast as she could to the park without attracting attention. As they neared the park Usagi and Luna found an out of the way place so Usagi could transform. For Usagi being Sailor Moon had its upside because she could easily use her Saiyan abilities without being stared at. This way she could keep the promise she and Gohan had made after the Cell incident was finally over with, no public displays of their Saiyan sides. So far Usagi had been making good on her promise because it didn't include the Senshi of the moon. Raising her hand Usagi called out her henshin phrase.
"Moon Prism Power!" Usagi called out.
With the customary flash of ribbons and light Usagi became an agent of love and justice and a defender of the innocent Sailor Moon. And after giving her Senshi salute, which she thought was a bit on the goofy side and something the Ginyu Force would do, Sailor Moon headed to the park.
********
Sanjouin went to reach for the unsuspecting Naru. One way or another he was going to find out why the young girl radiated with this strange power. And just before his hand made its way to the girl's body a voice cried out in the night air.
"Leave her alone!" the familiar voice called out, "I am the sailor suited soldier Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon I shall punish you!"
Nephlite let a small chuckle escape his lips. The Senshi of the Moon didn't need to introduce herself to the dark general he was fully aware of who she was.
"There is no need to introduce yourself to me. I am fully aware of who you are." Nephlite said.
Sailor Moon hoped and prayed that Naru would listen to the Senshi of the Moon. The young high school student had refused to listen to what Son Usagi had to say but maybe Sailor Moon would be able to get through to her somehow.
"Osaka Naru do not be fooled by what this man tells you. He is a creature of pure evil. Sanjouin Masato is part of the Dark Kingdom. He is in reality General Nephlite one of the Dark Kingdom's elite warriors." Sailor Moon told her friend giving her the plain and simple truth.
Naru couldn't believe what Sailor Moon had said. She couldn't bring herself to think of the man she had begun to fall in love with as a heartless being out to destroy the world.
"No I don't believe it. I won't believe it. Sanjouin-san is not all the things you say he is." Naru yelled out to Sailor Moon choking back the tears.
Seeing that Sailor Moon was temporarily distracted Nephlite used the opportunity to get off a few blasts of dark energy at the female Saiyan. Raising his hand Nephlite called forth his power.
"Starlight Attack!" Nephlite called out.
Sailor Moon sensed the oncoming blast and braced herself for its impact. Sensing the dark general powering up for another attack Sailor Moon dodged the next blast mere moments before it hit the exact place where she had been standing.
"Blast that girl!" Nephlite yelled as he turned to where Sailor Moon now was.
Nephlite raised his hand and was about to attack Sailor Moon once more but just as he was about to fire off the blast two voices rang out in the park.
"Mercury Bubbles..." the first began.
"Mars Fire..." the second one added.
"Blast!" Mercury said.
"Ignite!" Mars finished.
The swirling flame was covered in the fine mist of bubbles and headed straight for the disguised dark general. Seeing the attack heading right for him Sanjouin jumped out of the way and preformed a roll to his left landing on his feet once more.
Sailor Moon knew she had to weaken the dark general before she could take him out. Placing her thumb and forefinger on the jewel in her tiara Sailor Moon charged it with her Ki for her signature attack.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon called out as she sent the tiara flying through the air.
Naru saw the glowing disk heading straight for Sanjouin. The young schoolgirl didn't know what she could do but she couldn't let the man she cared for get hurt. Stepping in front of the dark general Naru flung out her arms and waited for the attack to hit her.
"I'll protect him!" Naru yelled out defiantly.
Sailor Moon and the other Senshi saw what was about to happen. They couldn't let their friend get hurt by one of their attacks. Using the only course of action available Sailor Moon used her incredibly fast Saiyan speed and got in front of Naru and Sanjouin. When the tiara came near her the Senshi of the moon batted it away as though it were nothing.
"Naru please get out of the way. We don't want you getting hurt." Sailor Moon said.
"She's right Naru. We don't want any innocent people getting hurt." Mercury added.
Naru didn't move a muscle and stood her ground against the Senshi.
"No I won't leave! I'll give my life to protect him. Because I love him." Naru told the Senshi.
The Senshi and Nephlite couldn't believe what they were hearing. Naru admitted that she loved the dark general and would give her life for him. Once again the black crystal began reacting to the power within Naru. The crystal began to glow with a bright light.
Another flash of bright light filled the park and standing on a large nearby stone wall was a wrinkled old woman in a dark cloak carrying a wooden staff. The old woman saw the glow from the black crystal and thought that it was the Silver Imperium Crystal her master wanted her to get for him. Raising her staff the old woman addressed the dark general.
"General Nephlite I send you greetings from my master General Zoicite." The old woman said.
The old woman rushed Nephlite and Naru in an attempt to get the glowing black crystal from him. And as the youma headed towards them Nephlite called forth his attack to protect the life of Naru.
"Starlight Attack!" he called out.
The blast of dark energy hit the youma giving Sailor Moon time to get Naru out of the way. The old woman wasn't down for long. Raising her staff she called forth her own power and attacked Nephlite.
"Black Magic!" she said sending out a blast of dark energy from her staff.
Nephlite retaliated by sending forth a lesser blast at the youma defending himself. Sailor Moon had seen what had happened and knew she had to act fast and dispose of the youma and with her tiara out of reach she needed to use another attack. A well-placed Masenko would do the job nicely.
"Masenko-ha!" she called out aiming the blast at the youma.
The Ki attack ripped through the old woman turning her into dust. Satisfied the youma was no more Sailor Moon turned her attention to the dark general.
"Here I think this is yours. It wasn't what I needed after all." Nephlite said as he handed the larger crystal back to Naru.
"Thank you. I hope you find what your looking for." Naru replied when she had the crystal in her hands once again.
Nephlite turned as though he were about to leave the park and head for his mansion in the woods but the Senshi weren't about to let him go that easily. They still had business with the dark general.
"Naru has a bright future ahead of her and we don't want to see you ruining it." Mars said.
"Sanjouin-san please leave Naru out of whatever it is you're trying to do." Mercury pleaded.
"Please just walk away and forget her. I don't want to see Naru getting hurt." Sailor Moon added.
Nephlite let out a small chuckle. The Senshi expected him to just forget about his link to the Silver Imperium Crystal and Sailor Moon. They underestimated him greatly. Once Nephlite had a goal in mind he was determined to see it through to the end.
"Foolish Senshi! Once we of the Dark Kingdom get the Silver Imperium Crystal the world will be ours to command. Nothing will stop us from reaching that goal not even you." Nephlite told them.
And with that Nephlite general of the Dark Kingdom left the park and three very stunned Senshi.
********
Yeah! Another fine episode is out. Now as I write these notes on July 12, 2001 I figured I had best inform my loyal readers of what's going to be happening the rest of this month. (OMG one more month until I turn 26! Author does the happy dance.) In two weeks I will be going out east for a family wedding. Until then I will try and write my but off but don't expect anything from me over the remaining weekends for the rest of the month. I'll try and double up my writing efforts and post more updates of already written material. Sunday nights and Monday through Thursday will be your best bets to get new stuff from me for the rest of July you have been warned.
I realized as I was writing this I had a few minor points mixed up in the last few episodes. In the original Mamoru hasn't even figured out he's Tuxedo Mask yet. Well since this is an AU telling of the story and he already knows about being cape boy I'm leaving it at that. It will make his search for the crystal all the more interesting. I changed Nephlite's attack to what it should be because I want names and most attacks to be their originals. After the next episode things are going to start changing greatly and Sailor Moon's Saiyan heritage will be playing a big role and pose a big challenge as to how the rainbow crystal arc gets written. Once again I've left poor Ranma out of another episode (a sneeze comes from Kinmoko Hall) shame on me.
A quick word about a reference I made to Usagi realizing how Krillin felt deals with a few pivotal episodes in the original DBZ storyline. In the episodes in and around the one where Cell morphs into his perfect form Krillin smashes the controller for the cyborgs that Bulma had built to shut them down. After Cell sucked up Juuhachigou Krillin began to mentally bash himself for smashing the controller. And on more than a few occasions he told the others it was his fault she became a part of cell because he didn't have the guts to shut her down. The guy was in love can you blame him. That's why Usagi could understand what he was feeling when she thought Naru stealing the crystal was partly her fault. Just thought you needed a little refresher course.
What's up next in the batter's box for our heroes and our favorite male counterparts? This is the episode that features Naru and Nephlite at their finest. Break out the tissues and eat your weight in chocolate parfaits because the end is near, the end of Nephlite that is. Desperate to get the black crystal Zoicite sets in motion the end of Nephlite. Read the tearful goodbye in episode ten Death of a General. Remember like a general of the Dark Kingdom feeds on energy an author feeds on reviews. So keep feeding me the fresh juicy ones till I can't eat no more.
"Nephlite explain your actions recently." Beryl demanded to know.
Nephlite dropped to one knee a bowed his head in an act that begged for forgiveness from his queen. Then after raising his head to once again face his queen Nephlite began recounting what had happened at the ball.
"My queen how was I to know the Senshi and that blasted Tuxedo Mask had the same idea as we did. I had no idea they would even be at the ball." Nephlite tried to explain.
Beryl watched the dark general squirm with disinterest and waited for him to continue his report.
"The treasure the princess had was not even the Silver Imperium Crystal. My link with my youma had informed me of that after she had probed the memories of the princess." Nephlite began, "But I have reason to believe that the first girl my youma possessed plays a role in finding the Silver Imperium Crystal. She has energy unlike any other I've sensed before. If I were to have a way to scan her body then I could see if she has the crystal contained within her."
Beryl took in what Nephlite had told her and considered his request for a moment. It was only fair that the dark general have a way of finding out if the girl he was seen with at the ball did indeed possess the Silver Imperium Crystal inside of her body. With a wave of her hand over her crystal orb Beryl called forth a black crystal capable of seeking out the Silver Imperium Crystal.
"Take this black crystal and go find your target Nephlite. With its power you will be able to find the Silver Imperium Crystal. I do not give out favors or assistance very often so consider yourself lucky. But I'm warning you this is your last chance." Beryl told him
Zoicite watched from the shadows as Nephlite received his black crystal. The effeminate general was furious. He felt as though he should be the one to receive the black crystal and search for the Silver Imperium Crystal. In his mind the queen was giving Nephlite one chance too many.
"I should be the one to receive that black crystal and go to Earth." Zoicite said.
A pair of strong arms found their way around the general's waist and pulled Zoicite close to the strong muscular body of the last of Beryl's generals Malachite. The taller general began soothing his life partner letter the smaller more effeminate man know that everything would work out for the best.
"You'll get your chance to shine in the eyes of our queen my beloved. I will see to that. General Nephlite won't even succeed in his mission this time. Beryl will have no choice but to order his death and then you will be the one to find the Silver Imperium Crystal for the glory of the Dark Kingdom." Malachite said as he held onto the effeminate general.
"Nephlite won't even know what happened to him when we finish with him." Zoicite replied with a wicked sneer and slight cackle.
********
Saturday had come once again to the Azabu-Juban neighborhood in the Mintako ward of Tokyo. The weather had become warm enough were the public pools could once again be open for business and it seemed as though everyone in Tokyo wanted to use them. And that was exactly what Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Naru were doing that afternoon. The quartet of friends was splashing around in the water getting in some quality girl time. They had asked Ranma to join them much to Ami's chagrin but the pigtailed martial artist said he just didn't feel like trying to squeeze himself into a girl's bathing suit again. For him once was more than enough.
"I don't see what the big deal is with your fiancé Ami." Rei commented.
"If you knew how he was brought up by his father then you would understand his apprehension towards female garments. If his father were to ever see him wearing something female he would claim Ranma wasn't a man amongst men." Ami explained, "I've never really understood why Saotome-san would say those things because I have yet to ask Ranma what happened when he first left for his training trip when he was younger."
Usagi decided to change the subject and direct the conversation towards her but before she could say something Naru jumped in and set the focus on her.
"I think I've fallen in love you guys." Naru announced out of the blue.
"Who's the lucky guy Naru?" Usagi asked curiosity peaked.
"It's Sanjouin Masato." Naru replied.
Ami, Rei, and Usagi started at the mention of the alias of the Dark Kingdom general. They knew the true nature of the millionaire playboy and he was bad news.
"Well your guy can't compare to mine." Usagi said with a goofy smile.
Rei and Ami looked at Usagi with a look that said we'll talk later while Naru just smiled at her friend happy that she had found someone too.
"All this talk about boyfriends and fiancés is bringing down my spirits." Rei said, "We need to change the subject."
Usagi thought about what Rei had said for a moment and decided she had a valid point the three of them had someone else in their lives now whether the other person was aware of it or not while Rei was still looking for the right guy to come along.
"I heard from Motoki's sister there's a movie coming out featuring Sailor V." Usagi said.
And for the next five minutes or so the girls got into a discussion involving Sailor V. When the discussion was over with the four friends who were quite wrinkly from too much swimming climbed out of the pool and headed for the lockers to get changed. Usagi decided to try and tell Naru about Sanjouin Masato. She wasn't about to let her friend get hurt by him.
"Naru can we talk?" Usagi asked her.
"About what Usagi?" Naru replied.
"It's about Sanjouin Masato. I don't think you should be seeing him." Usagi said.
Naru looked a bit upset at what Usagi had said and figured Usagi had said what she did because she was jealous of the fact that Naru was in love with a millionaire.
"You're just saying that because the guy you like isn't like my Masato." Naru replied, "I'd do anything to make my Masato happy."
With that said Naru went to her locker to get changed.
Usagi quickly went over to Ami and Rei to talk with them briefly before changing herself.
"Guys we need to talk about Naru." Usagi said.
"We were just thinking the same thing." Rei replied
********
Guardians of the Earth
Episode Nine: Anything for Love
********
Usagi, Rei, and Ami sat on the front porch of the shrine house. The Senshi trio needed to discuss the situation concerning Naru and Sanjouin Masato. When Naru told her friends the guy she liked was Sanjouin Masato the Senshi had to restrain themselves from yelling at her. They knew the true nature of the so-called millionaire. He was Nephlite one of Queen Beryl's elite soldiers one of her four generals.
"Guys I don't know what to do about Naru." Usagi said, "I tried telling her about Nephlite at the pool but she just thought I was jealous of the fact that Nephlite is older and acts like a millionaire."
"Usagi if you value the friendship you have with Naru you should go over to her house and try and get her to see how dangerous it is to be seeing Nephlite." Ami told her roommate.
"Ami's right. Even if Naru doesn't believe you right away she'll thank you in the long run. You'll be keeping her from making a big mistake." Rei added.
Usagi considered what her friends and fellow Senshi had said to her. She knew they were right but this was new territory for the female Saiyan she had never had to deal with a relationship problem before. Usagi just hoped she could get to Naru in time.
********
Zoicite stood in a darkened corridor somewhere within the main chambers of the Dark Kingdom waiting for the youma he had summoned to come. After a few minutes of waiting the sound of heavy shoes and staff striking the floor. Soon out of the darkness a hunched over figure in a heavy hooded cloak walked up to the effeminate general. Zoicite knew this was youma he had waited for.
"It's about time you showed up." Zoicite said.
"I am not as young as I used to be master." The youma replied.
The youma reached up and pulled off the hood to the cloak to reveal a wizened and wrinkled old woman standing before the general. This was one of Zoicite's oldest youma and by far his wisest.
"What you lack in youth you more than make up for in wisdom and ability. You are my strongest youma in the mystical ability department that is why I am entrusting this task to you." He told her.
The old woman cracked a wrinkled smile on her prune like face. She knew her place next to her master was still quite secure.
"Thank you my master. What is it that you wish me to do?" the old woman replied.
"I need you to go to Earth and find General Nephlite. He has in his possession a crystal with mystical powers called the Silver Imperium Crystal. Once you find him take the crystal from him and do away with General Nephlite however you see fit." Zoicite instructed the youma.
The old woman now understood what she must do and gave her master a slight bow while holing onto her wooden staff.
"I will do your bidding my master." The woman said before raising her staff to disappear in a flash of bright white light.
"The end will soon be upon you my dear Nephlite." Zoicite remarked with an evil smirk.
********
Usagi walked through the streets of Tokyo towards the OSA P jewelry store. After depositing her bag back at her dorm room and running into Luna Usagi headed off to try and talk to Naru about Sanjouin Masato. Usagi was going to give it another go at trying to talk some sense into her friend.
Walking up to the OSA P building Usagi stopped and took in a deep nervous breath. Looking at the building Usagi began to wonder if she could actually get the job done. I can't do this I don't even know what to say. Bulma fell in love with someone evil and look what happened they have a happy family, Usagi thought as doubt entered her mind.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea Luna." Usagi said as she began to turn away from the building.
Luna couldn't believe that Usagi was giving up so easily. It wasn't like Usagi to give up without a fight. What the young female Saiyan was doing went against everything Luna knew about her.
Following Usagi Luna could tell the young woman was heading in the direction of the Crown Game Parlor. Luna knew Usagi sometimes went there to talk to Motoki the young man whose family ran and owned the building and the businesses contained within. And as Usagi went inside the game parlor Luna found a branch in the nearby tree to wait and get in a quick catnap.
Usagi walked into the game parlor and saw Mamoru at the counter talking with Motoki. The young Saiyan was in a desperate need of advice and like it or not Mamoru just might be able to help. Walking up to the counter Usagi addressed the two friends using her best manors.
"Hey Motoki, Mamoru-san." Usagi said with a smile, "I was wondering if I could talk with you guys about something."
Mamoru was surprised Usagi hadn't addressed him by the nickname of Mamoru-baka she had given him when they first met. If she was being polite to him then it had to be very serious.
"What's up Usagi?" Motoki asked the younger girl.
"Can we go somewhere private to talk? I don't want anyone to overhear what I have to say." Usagi requested of the older boys.
"Sure thing. I can take my break now and we can go to the fruit parlor." Motoki suggested.
With that the trio headed up into the fruit parlor and sat in one of the small secluded booths. Motoki and Mamoru sat on one side while Usagi sat on the other. And after ordering some sodas from Unazuki Motoki got the conversation started.
"Alright Usagi what did you need to see us about?" Motoki asked her.
"I have a friend who has been having feelings for an older guy but this guy has been involved in some pretty questionable things." Usagi told the two friends.
Motoki sat back in the booth and nodded at Usagi signaling to the younger female that he had taken in what she had said.
"Let me guess you're afraid something might happen to your friend if she gets too involved with this guy." Motoki said.
"Yeah, and I tried to tell her he was bad news but she just wouldn't listen to me." Usagi began, "I had even went over to her building to try again but I turned right around because I just didn't know what to do. I have a friend who got into a relationship with guy who has a questionable background and they were able to make things work out. They now have a loving relationship and child together."
Both Motoki and Mamoru listened to what she had told them. Motoki took in consideration what Usagi had said about her friend from back home while Mamoru concentrated on the fact that the guy was involved in some questionable acts.
"Usagi maybe you should leave things be for a while and see what happens." Motoki suggested.
"That may be good and well but if you are truly her friend you should go over to her house and tell her what you know about this guy as soon as you can. Not everyone may be like your friend and her husband. She'll thank you in the long run." Mamoru said.
Usagi was surprised to hear that Mamoru agreed with Ami and Rei without even knowing what they had told her.
"That's what Ami and Rei said too." Usagi said with a smile, "I feel a lot better about things. Now how about we get your sister back here so I can order up some grub."
At the mention of food Usagi's stomach growled loudly. And when Motoki heard the amount of food Usagi was ordering from Unazuki he groaned knowing he didn't have enough to pay the bill.
"Usagi I don't have that kind of money." Motoki told her.
"Don't worry I just got my allowance for the month so I can pay for all of it." Usagi said with one of her big goofy grins.
********
Evening had come to the Mintako ward of Tokyo and the warm late spring air hung in the air as the young man drifted off to sleep. He had currently been on his couch doing a marathon reading session of Mark Twain's Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and the book was sprawled out across his chest while he slept. As the young college student slept peacefully on his couch he began to dream.
It was the same dream he had always been having lately. He was standing in the courtyard of the palace from his dreams below the balcony. The stars were once again out in the night sky and as he gazed up at the balcony he could see the familiar outline of his dream princess. Waiting in silence he heard the princess call out to him once more. He knew what she was going to say or at least he thought he did.
"You must help me. The Silver Imperium Crystal lies in pieces all over the city. Find those pieces and the crystal will be returned to us. It is the only way I can be free." The princess said.
"But how will I know were to begin?" he asked her.
"You will know my noble gentleman. And once you find them then we can both be free." She replied sounding so much like the girl he had kissed.
"Don't worry princess I will free you and then we can be together always." He told her.
And with that the dream ended and the young man woke up.
"So the crystal is in pieces and I have to find all of them before we can be together." He thought aloud knowing no one could hear him.
********
The peace of the evening had stretched far and wide over the Mintako ward finding its way to the OSA P. Naru's mother had long since closed the store for the evening and the mother daughter pair was enjoying a quiet evening relaxing in their own way. Naru was in her room reading a magazine article for teenage girls about love and romance and how you can tell if he is the one special guy. Mrs. Osaka was enjoying a nice long relaxing bath in furo soaking in a mound of bubbles. Each one was oblivious to the actions of the other.
As Naru continued to read her article the phone in her room rang. Thinking it was Momoko or Hikari Naru picked up the receiver and greeted the caller.
"Moshi, moshi." Naru said.
"Naru I'm so glad you're home." the obviously male voice replied.
"Masato-san is that you?" Naru inquired.
"Yes and I need to see you in the park as soon as possible. It's quite urgent." He told her using his best worried and scared tone of voice.
"Okay I'll be there as soon as I can. You wait right there." Naru replied.
Naru hung up the phone and grabbed her jacket running out the front door the apartment where she and her mother lived. Once outside Naru ran down the street heading for Juban Park where Sanjouin Masato or better yet Nephlite was waiting for her.
Arriving at the park Naru saw Sanjouin Masato standing under one of the trees waiting for her arrival. Put on a worried expression Nephlite began acting it up for the sake of the young girl.
"Naru it's so good of you to come." Nephlite began, "This just might be our last time together."
"What's wrong Masato-san?" Naru asked him.
"There are some really bad people after me and the only way I can get them to stop is if I find something called the Silver Imperium Crystal." He began, "You see that crystal has special powers that can stop these bad people from hurting me. If you know anything about this crystal I'd like to know."
Naru thought for a moment and couldn't remember ever hearing anything about a Silver Imperium Crystal. But to her luck she remembered her mother showing her a large crystal with a silver tint that had just come in from a big crystal and jewelry company. She wondered if this was the crystal Masato was looking for. If she got it from the store and brought it to him then maybe she could help him.
"I don't remember ever hearing about any Silver Imperium Crystal but I do remember seeing a pretty big crystal at my mom's store today. Maybe I could go and get that for you." Naru said.
"I would like that." Nephlite replied.
"Okay just stay right were you are and I'll be back soon." Naru instructed.
As Naru left the park to head back to the store Nephlite let a small sneer come across his face. This was going better than he had expected.
Naru used her key to the back door of the jewelry store to get inside. Once in she went to the main display case and crouched down so she was at eye level with the electronic safe her mother had. Using the three-digit combination Naru opened the safe and pulled out the keys to the display cases. Turning around behind her Naru was face to face with the large maple display cabinet in the center of the store. Using one of the keys she unlocked the wooden doors to the cabinet. Opening them Naru was greeted with the site of the large crystal her mother had recently acquired behind a locked sliding glass door. Using one of the other keys Naru unlocked the glass door and slid it open. Once opened Naru reached in and took out the crystal that was sitting on the dark blue satin pillow. With the crystal in her hands Naru ran out the back door and headed towards the park and Sanjouin Masato.
Naru was unaware she had just tripped the store's silent alarm system.
********
Mrs. Osaka had finished her bath and slipping on a pair of comfortable knit pants when she saw the light alerting her that the alarm had gone off. Knowing that someone had broken into the store downstairs Osaka-sama quickly went to the front door of the apartment to get her shoes on and go down to the store to wait for the security company and the police.
Walking to the store Mrs. Osaka noticed the back door had been left unlocked. Walking inside she could see that the glass front doors were still in one piece. That meant the culprit had access to the back door. Check the store for damage Osaka-sama noticed the wooden doors of the central display cabinet were left wide open. Going over to the cabinet behind the main counter she saw the electronic safe was wide open. Looking inside she saw no sign of the key to the display cases. Osaka-sama's heart began to sink into the pit of her stomach as she slowly turned around to see that the large crystal she had just acquired for the store was nowhere to be found. Putting all the pieces of the puzzle together Mrs. Osaka came to only one conclusion someone who knew the combination to the safe and had back door keys had stolen the crystal and that someone was Naru.
"Oh no Naru, what have you done? What have you done?" Mrs. Osaka asked the empty store as the tears began to roll down her cheeks.
********
Usagi and Luna were once again headed towards the OSA P building to try and talk to Naru. The black feline had told her young charge she would come along for moral support as the female Saiyan spoke to her friend. Usagi knew Mamoru and the other Senshi were right. She had to tell Naru just how dangerous Sanjouin Masato really was. And the sooner she told her the better.
As Usagi came upon the OSA P she saw Naru's mother standing outside the store talking to a man in brown uniform similar to the one worn by the Tokyo police. Osaka-sama looked as though she had been crying her eyes out and had a worried expression on her face. Something was definitely not right. Walking over to the elder Osaka Usagi intended on finding out what was going on.
"Osaka-sama what happened?" Usagi asked Naru's mother.
Mrs. Osaka turned her attention to the female Saiyan and began crying even more. It pained her so much to think that her own child would be stealing from her. She wondered what sort of trouble Naru was in that she didn't tell her about.
"Oh Usagi Naru went and stole a large crystal we had in the store worth four hundred thousand yen. I had just received it today and I haven't even insured it yet. It was one of the most expensive items in the entire store. She must have been in some serious trouble if she went and stole the crystal from her own mother." Mrs. Osaka explained to her daughter's friend.
Usagi heard what Naru's mother had said and knew right away what was going on. Somehow Nephlite had talked Naru into stealing the crystal for him. Usagi began mentally kicking herself in the pants for chickening out earlier that afternoon when she first came to the OSA P. She felt as though she had somehow allowed this to happen. Now I know how Krillin felt, she thought.
"Don't worry Osaka-sama I think I know where Naru might have gone. I'll see what I can do to get both her and that crystal back here in one piece." Usagi told her friend's mother.
Mrs. Osaka feigned a small smile when she heard what Usagi had said. Naru was lucky to have a friend like Usagi even if she hadn't known her for very long.
"Thank you Usagi. Please bring her back to me." Mrs. Osaka replied.
With that Usagi and Luna headed for Juban Park.
********
Naru had a huge smile on her face when she saw Sanjouin Masato still waiting for her at the park. The millionaire playboy was smiling when he saw that she had made good on her promise. In her hands was the crystal she had told the dark general about. Taking a look at it Nephlite could see that it had a silver tint to it when the moonlight hit it just right. There was a good chance this was the Silver Imperium Crystal. All he had to do was place his black crystal next to it to find out.
"May I see the crystal Naru? I need to test it with this smaller crystal." Nephlite requested.
Naru willingly gave the crystal to Nephlite thinking she was doing a good thing and was helping him out. Nephlite reached into his pocket and pulled out his black crystal and waived it over the crystal Naru had given him. The black crystal didn't respond to the other crystal in his hands. As he stared at the crystal from the OSA P in disgust Nephlite noticed a strange glow out of the corner of his eye. Nephlite turned towards Naru and noticed something strange happening.
The black crystal in Nephlite's right hand began to glow brightly. Somehow it was reacting to a strange energy coming from the lovesick girl. Raising the crystal in front of Naru it began to increase in intensity. There was something about this girl Nephlite wanted to investigate even further.
********
Usagi raced as fast as she could to the park without attracting attention. As they neared the park Usagi and Luna found an out of the way place so Usagi could transform. For Usagi being Sailor Moon had its upside because she could easily use her Saiyan abilities without being stared at. This way she could keep the promise she and Gohan had made after the Cell incident was finally over with, no public displays of their Saiyan sides. So far Usagi had been making good on her promise because it didn't include the Senshi of the moon. Raising her hand Usagi called out her henshin phrase.
"Moon Prism Power!" Usagi called out.
With the customary flash of ribbons and light Usagi became an agent of love and justice and a defender of the innocent Sailor Moon. And after giving her Senshi salute, which she thought was a bit on the goofy side and something the Ginyu Force would do, Sailor Moon headed to the park.
********
Sanjouin went to reach for the unsuspecting Naru. One way or another he was going to find out why the young girl radiated with this strange power. And just before his hand made its way to the girl's body a voice cried out in the night air.
"Leave her alone!" the familiar voice called out, "I am the sailor suited soldier Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon I shall punish you!"
Nephlite let a small chuckle escape his lips. The Senshi of the Moon didn't need to introduce herself to the dark general he was fully aware of who she was.
"There is no need to introduce yourself to me. I am fully aware of who you are." Nephlite said.
Sailor Moon hoped and prayed that Naru would listen to the Senshi of the Moon. The young high school student had refused to listen to what Son Usagi had to say but maybe Sailor Moon would be able to get through to her somehow.
"Osaka Naru do not be fooled by what this man tells you. He is a creature of pure evil. Sanjouin Masato is part of the Dark Kingdom. He is in reality General Nephlite one of the Dark Kingdom's elite warriors." Sailor Moon told her friend giving her the plain and simple truth.
Naru couldn't believe what Sailor Moon had said. She couldn't bring herself to think of the man she had begun to fall in love with as a heartless being out to destroy the world.
"No I don't believe it. I won't believe it. Sanjouin-san is not all the things you say he is." Naru yelled out to Sailor Moon choking back the tears.
Seeing that Sailor Moon was temporarily distracted Nephlite used the opportunity to get off a few blasts of dark energy at the female Saiyan. Raising his hand Nephlite called forth his power.
"Starlight Attack!" Nephlite called out.
Sailor Moon sensed the oncoming blast and braced herself for its impact. Sensing the dark general powering up for another attack Sailor Moon dodged the next blast mere moments before it hit the exact place where she had been standing.
"Blast that girl!" Nephlite yelled as he turned to where Sailor Moon now was.
Nephlite raised his hand and was about to attack Sailor Moon once more but just as he was about to fire off the blast two voices rang out in the park.
"Mercury Bubbles..." the first began.
"Mars Fire..." the second one added.
"Blast!" Mercury said.
"Ignite!" Mars finished.
The swirling flame was covered in the fine mist of bubbles and headed straight for the disguised dark general. Seeing the attack heading right for him Sanjouin jumped out of the way and preformed a roll to his left landing on his feet once more.
Sailor Moon knew she had to weaken the dark general before she could take him out. Placing her thumb and forefinger on the jewel in her tiara Sailor Moon charged it with her Ki for her signature attack.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon called out as she sent the tiara flying through the air.
Naru saw the glowing disk heading straight for Sanjouin. The young schoolgirl didn't know what she could do but she couldn't let the man she cared for get hurt. Stepping in front of the dark general Naru flung out her arms and waited for the attack to hit her.
"I'll protect him!" Naru yelled out defiantly.
Sailor Moon and the other Senshi saw what was about to happen. They couldn't let their friend get hurt by one of their attacks. Using the only course of action available Sailor Moon used her incredibly fast Saiyan speed and got in front of Naru and Sanjouin. When the tiara came near her the Senshi of the moon batted it away as though it were nothing.
"Naru please get out of the way. We don't want you getting hurt." Sailor Moon said.
"She's right Naru. We don't want any innocent people getting hurt." Mercury added.
Naru didn't move a muscle and stood her ground against the Senshi.
"No I won't leave! I'll give my life to protect him. Because I love him." Naru told the Senshi.
The Senshi and Nephlite couldn't believe what they were hearing. Naru admitted that she loved the dark general and would give her life for him. Once again the black crystal began reacting to the power within Naru. The crystal began to glow with a bright light.
Another flash of bright light filled the park and standing on a large nearby stone wall was a wrinkled old woman in a dark cloak carrying a wooden staff. The old woman saw the glow from the black crystal and thought that it was the Silver Imperium Crystal her master wanted her to get for him. Raising her staff the old woman addressed the dark general.
"General Nephlite I send you greetings from my master General Zoicite." The old woman said.
The old woman rushed Nephlite and Naru in an attempt to get the glowing black crystal from him. And as the youma headed towards them Nephlite called forth his attack to protect the life of Naru.
"Starlight Attack!" he called out.
The blast of dark energy hit the youma giving Sailor Moon time to get Naru out of the way. The old woman wasn't down for long. Raising her staff she called forth her own power and attacked Nephlite.
"Black Magic!" she said sending out a blast of dark energy from her staff.
Nephlite retaliated by sending forth a lesser blast at the youma defending himself. Sailor Moon had seen what had happened and knew she had to act fast and dispose of the youma and with her tiara out of reach she needed to use another attack. A well-placed Masenko would do the job nicely.
"Masenko-ha!" she called out aiming the blast at the youma.
The Ki attack ripped through the old woman turning her into dust. Satisfied the youma was no more Sailor Moon turned her attention to the dark general.
"Here I think this is yours. It wasn't what I needed after all." Nephlite said as he handed the larger crystal back to Naru.
"Thank you. I hope you find what your looking for." Naru replied when she had the crystal in her hands once again.
Nephlite turned as though he were about to leave the park and head for his mansion in the woods but the Senshi weren't about to let him go that easily. They still had business with the dark general.
"Naru has a bright future ahead of her and we don't want to see you ruining it." Mars said.
"Sanjouin-san please leave Naru out of whatever it is you're trying to do." Mercury pleaded.
"Please just walk away and forget her. I don't want to see Naru getting hurt." Sailor Moon added.
Nephlite let out a small chuckle. The Senshi expected him to just forget about his link to the Silver Imperium Crystal and Sailor Moon. They underestimated him greatly. Once Nephlite had a goal in mind he was determined to see it through to the end.
"Foolish Senshi! Once we of the Dark Kingdom get the Silver Imperium Crystal the world will be ours to command. Nothing will stop us from reaching that goal not even you." Nephlite told them.
And with that Nephlite general of the Dark Kingdom left the park and three very stunned Senshi.
********
Yeah! Another fine episode is out. Now as I write these notes on July 12, 2001 I figured I had best inform my loyal readers of what's going to be happening the rest of this month. (OMG one more month until I turn 26! Author does the happy dance.) In two weeks I will be going out east for a family wedding. Until then I will try and write my but off but don't expect anything from me over the remaining weekends for the rest of the month. I'll try and double up my writing efforts and post more updates of already written material. Sunday nights and Monday through Thursday will be your best bets to get new stuff from me for the rest of July you have been warned.
I realized as I was writing this I had a few minor points mixed up in the last few episodes. In the original Mamoru hasn't even figured out he's Tuxedo Mask yet. Well since this is an AU telling of the story and he already knows about being cape boy I'm leaving it at that. It will make his search for the crystal all the more interesting. I changed Nephlite's attack to what it should be because I want names and most attacks to be their originals. After the next episode things are going to start changing greatly and Sailor Moon's Saiyan heritage will be playing a big role and pose a big challenge as to how the rainbow crystal arc gets written. Once again I've left poor Ranma out of another episode (a sneeze comes from Kinmoko Hall) shame on me.
A quick word about a reference I made to Usagi realizing how Krillin felt deals with a few pivotal episodes in the original DBZ storyline. In the episodes in and around the one where Cell morphs into his perfect form Krillin smashes the controller for the cyborgs that Bulma had built to shut them down. After Cell sucked up Juuhachigou Krillin began to mentally bash himself for smashing the controller. And on more than a few occasions he told the others it was his fault she became a part of cell because he didn't have the guts to shut her down. The guy was in love can you blame him. That's why Usagi could understand what he was feeling when she thought Naru stealing the crystal was partly her fault. Just thought you needed a little refresher course.
What's up next in the batter's box for our heroes and our favorite male counterparts? This is the episode that features Naru and Nephlite at their finest. Break out the tissues and eat your weight in chocolate parfaits because the end is near, the end of Nephlite that is. Desperate to get the black crystal Zoicite sets in motion the end of Nephlite. Read the tearful goodbye in episode ten Death of a General. Remember like a general of the Dark Kingdom feeds on energy an author feeds on reviews. So keep feeding me the fresh juicy ones till I can't eat no more.
