AN:  Let us get down to business.  On with the story!

Where Do We Strike

            With hands firmly joined, the two monarchs of Jupiter sent a final massive pulse of electricity through the alien engine.  Unable to withstand another attack, the mechanical device gave one last shuddering gasp before losing all power.  The great ship heaved and lost all forward momentum as its propellant gave up the ghost.  "That's all folks," cheered Makoto whose breath came out in great foggy clumps.  Noticing the fog, the others began to realize that the already cold temperature had dropped dramatically within the last few minutes.  One guess was all they needed.

            "I think our 'Lord Winter' has decided to show himself," Ami called from her computer terminal.  "Until we're in a more defendable position, I say we make a hasty retreat!" 

            "Oh, its too late for that," came a smoothly mocking voice from across the room.  The iceman a model in cold perfection, smiled as he watched the others scramble into less vulnerable positions.  With a single pulse of his dark energy, he sent the entire group crashing to the ground.  "Far too late."

* * * *

            Another wave of negativity crashed down, driving Minako to one knee.  "It's getting stronger!"  Wufei gritted his teeth and managed to help his friend back up.  With Quatre's help the three soon formed one of the most stable positions in existence, a tripod. 

            "You said that there was a way to combine attacks," shouted Wufei as he tried to be heard above the increasing roar of the tumor's beating.  Minako nodded as her answer was drowned out.   

            "Show us how!"  The men suddenly felt a power seeking to join with their own and the instinctively opened themselves to the familiar questing.  Fire, Love, and Purity joined into a brilliant spear that the three minds hurled at the mass of vileness.  The waves of negativity immediately slackened as a small portion of the thing shriveled beneath the attack.  Winded from the strain of using so much energy, Quatre stared at how small the damage they'd inflicted seemed when compared to the rest of the task before them.  "We're going to need reinforcements," seemed like the understatement of the millennium.

* * * *

            From his position on the floor nearest the iceman, it was Heero who saw Lord Winter's face as the cruel look of one who was enjoying torturing another melted into the expression of one in great pain.  The iceman's dark energy ceased sending hot pokers into Heero's nervous system as its master doubled over in agony clutching the space over his chest.  With a wild look of pure hatred, Lord Winter vanished with the words, "My Black Heart will never be vulnerable again!" 

            Wishing that he could remain sprawled upon the cold floor, Heero forced himself up.  "Looks like someone has found our enemy's weakness.  We've got to follow him."  For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the thrill of pride as he watched his fellow warriors stand up and begin to give chase only moments after receiving excruciating punishment, but then the moment was over and the chase was on!  Makoto gave him a small smile as they began to sprint after the escaping madman.

* * * *

            "No, Trowa," Usagi, back in her winged fuku, turned away from the passage that led towards the engine room.  "Our enemy is this way."  Puzzled, Trowa quirked an eyebrow at his Queen's unexpected seriousness. The moment was broken when Usagi pulled a face and shook her head.  "Can't you feel it?  The bad mojo radiating off this part of the ship is getting stronger with every step."  She began to run and was grateful when Trowa fell into step beside her.  She knew what Lord Winter had been boasting about.  She half expected a sign any minute to cheerfully read, This Way to the Gates of Hell.  Come what may, they had arrived at the point of no return.