A Knight Has Returned
Lita walked outside of the ballroom, looking for Raye and Chad. Ken followed close behind, not wanting to be away from her quite yet.
"I wonder where they are..." Lita said concernedly. "They've been gone for a really long time and I'm beginning to get worried."
"Lita, this mansion has very extensive grounds. They could be anywhere! Come on, let's go back inside and dance." Ken said, grinning at her worried expression.
Lita smiled back nervously, but still couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Ken didn't know the dangers the Negaverse could pose like she did. Evil could appear anywhere and at any time. She had no way of knowing if Raye had brought her communicator. Her own was tucked safely in her purse.
"So, are you coming with me?" Ken asked, holding out his hand.
"Yes, I'm coming." Lita said, still preoccupied.
She took his hand willingly, but looked back over her shoulder nervously as she entered the ballroom.
'Raye,' she thought, 'I hope you're okay. I've got a bad feeling...'
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Amy danced across the floor with Greg. She had been unable to stray from him all night and she had been having a world of fun. Suddenly, without warning, she felt strange. An evil presence was near... Amy could feel it now, strong and terrifying. She gasped and clung to Greg tightly as the fear gripped her, stealing her breath away. She hadn't felt this way since.... since the day she had been attacked. Greg had noticed her sudden movement and had stopped dancing. He looked at her anxiously, and then nodded his head in understanding.
"Let's go warn them." He said quickly. Amy nodded and took his hand, leading him toward Mina and Anthony.
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Leveler looked around her. Where was Twister? She had to be close! 'We're running out of time,' she thought. She was about to go looking for her when a rustling wind began to stir her shaggy pelt. She turned and saw Twister, who stared at her with a mystified expression.
"What?" Leveler asked. "What did you see?"
"Beauty..." She whispered. "This land contains beauty of the greatest kind. This world has so much to see." Twister said softly.
"Beauty? Here? This ugly place?!" Leveler asked, incredulous. "Are you crazy?"
Twister looked at her with obvious distaste, then shook her head as if to clear it. Her walk through the gardens had been simply exquisite. It would be hard to forget the colorful and pungent flowerbeds, as well as the gorgeous marble buildings and statues. It was sort of sad they had to destroy such a wide and lovely place... However, the beauty of the land was no longer important, she had her orders.
"Come," She said reluctantly. "We must tend to our duties."
Leveler grinned evilly. "Now you're talking!" She exclaimed, raising her fists high in the air before she brought them crashing down into the earth.
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Raye's feet finally touched the ground again and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was home. She felt a warm presence near her and noticed she still clutched Chad's hand in her own. She looked down at it self-consciously, and let go quickly. This was too soon, it was happening way to fast. She didn't love Chad anymore now than she had when she left her house tonight. He saw this and looked hurt, but tried to hide it.
"So," He began, looking down at his feet. "Maybe you should go take me to meet the girls now. I mean, as they really are..."
Raye looked at him, still having trouble believing he was Mars Knight. However, the upside was now she had more information to tell the scouts of their past- as well as a new knight to prove it true. But what about this love thing? Was she really supposed to love him? She looked at his somewhat dejected form and smiled. Somehow she knew he would not ask her for more than she could give. He was her friend first and foremost... and now he was also her fighting partner. Yes, it was time to meet the girls.
"Absolutely." She said grinning. Chad looked up and smiled uncertainly. "Chad, you're going to love being part of the team. The girls are great and trust me, it's always nice to know someone's got you back. Being a Sailor Scout has been on of the scariest but greatest part of my life." An uncomfortable pause followed, and Raye somehow knew exactly where his mind was. She sighed softly. "But about our past... I'm still not ready to love you. I don't think I'm ready to love anyone..."
Chad raised his eyes in surprise and Raye turned away. She stared at the clear and motionless surface of lake and began to speak again, her voice soft and sad.
"Chad... Do you think I'm able to love?" She paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words to say, and then plunged on. "I mean- I barely could do it then, why would I be able to now? Am I doomed to never return a man's affections and marry because I have to? Chad- I'm watching my friends fall hopelessly in love with their knights, but yet I feel nothing for my own. I'm afraid I'm empty Chad... Doomed to stay cold and heartless, to live a life without the passions of the strongest emotion in the universe." These words were choked from Raye's throat as tears streamed down her face. Chad gasped and enveloped her in his arms, pulling her close. He was ready to be her friend, if he could not be her lover.
"Shhhh..." He soothed softly. "You've just been hurt too many times Raye. You've never had a decent model of a man in your life, besides your grandpa, because your father was never around. Raye, it's not that you can't feel love... You're afraid to." He pulled back, looking her straight in the face, his hands placed gently on her shoulders.
"You're afraid to be depend on someone because you think that person will let you down or leave you like your father did. You never grew up around your parents love. You never got to see the eyes of your mother and father when they looked at each other. You never got to experience the romantic happy times that they could share and your grandfather couldn't show you that either." Chad said earnestly.
"It was my fault though, Chad. My mother died because of me, I killed her! How could I expect my dad to stick around after that? It's my punishment." She said dully. Chad's eyes turned to fire at her words and he shook her, hard.
"No! It is not you fault your mother died, and your father was wrong to leave you when you needed him the most! He left you with a very disciplined grandfather who was unable to give you the proper love and upbringing you needed. If you would've been a boy it might have been different, but you were a little girl and he had never raised one alone before. He did a beautiful job Raye, but he forgot to teach you that it was okay to trust someone!"
He stopped for a moment, realizing this was one of the longest and most important conversations he had ever had with Raye. She simply stared at him, wanting to believe, but still skeptical.
"Raye, I love you so much no words can describe it. If you let go of your fear, your pride, and your doubt, you will find the love you want so much. Whether that love belongs to someone else or to me, I don't care. I know you can love Raye... You just have to give yourself half a chance." He said softly, gazing deeply into her eyes.
Raye's tears fell from her eyes softly, and he wiped them away tenderly. She was suddenly reminded of their kiss on the Moon, and blushed deeply. He felt her skin warm considerably to his touch and he gazed at her, hopeful. She felt herself begin to lean forward, wanting to feel his lips on hers again. She wanted to be lost in an emotion so close to love she could taste it. He leaned forward as well, knowing she didn't love him, not yet, but not caring. All he wanted was to have her in his arms once more.
Their lips were mere inches apart when they were suddenly interrupted by massive explosions coming from the mansion. They jumped and looked quickly at one another, shock and apprehension on Chad's face. 'This is it,' he thought. 'I join the battle once again.'
"Chad! The mansion! We've got to help!" Raye exclaimed, taking his hand and breaking into a run. He followed her, meeting her stride for stride, as they raced towards the burning buildings and gardens.
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Mina's eyes darted around as the mansion began to shake around her. Explosions were happening outside and people were trying desperately to escape out the front doors. Greg was helping Amy up as a large man pushed her over in his hurry to get out. A sudden blast issued from the doorway and everyone standing in its path was thrown to the ground, unconscious.
Mina screamed as the door broke down and people around her were rammed into the ground. Serena leaned against Darien, clutching at him desperately as the swarm of people heading for the door threatened to trample her small form. Lita was screaming for Ken who had disappeared from her side. A small woman suddenly appeared in the doorway. Her white hair swirled around her and a breeze seemed to blow it up softly, rustling her skimpy dress. One would have mistaken her for a fairy if her silver-gray eyes hadn't been so cold.
A huge figure loomed behind her, hairy and hulking. It was ape-like and crawling with vermin. Lita recognized them immediately as the two she had fought against with Jupiter Knight. Why were they here? She thought immediately. Why this place? Her thoughts were suddenly answered when the woman looked at Amy, who stared at her with wide frightened eyes. The woman smiled maliciously.
"Hello Sailor Mercury." She began. Everyone gasped in surprise, gaping at Amy who stood still in shock. Twister laughed. "Don't look so surprised Sailor Soldiers. I am not stupid and I easily put two and two together. No one but you could've stayed conscious after my energy blasts." She said, laughing again.
The girls looked around them and realized they were the only ones standing besides their guardians. Lita scanned the fallen crowd for Ken, but found him nowhere. It was Mina who broke the silence.
"All right you guys! She knows our identities. Let's make sure she doesn't live to tell!" Mina exclaimed, taking out her transformation wand.
Amara and Michelle appeared in the doorway and readied their sticks. The girls nodded and did the same. Greg and Anthony reached for their stones, while Darien pulled out a single red rose...
"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER!"
"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER!"
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER!"
"URANUS PLANET POWER!"
"NEPTUNE PLANET POWER!"
"MOON ETERNAL POWER!" Sailor Moon finished.
The girls felt the pure energy of their planets engulf them as their transformation quickly took place. All stood for a brief pose at the end and stood ready while the boys transformed.
"VENUS PLANET POWER!" Anthony called out strongly, holding up his stone.
A brilliant yellow light burst from its core and enveloped him in a prism. The prism broke suddenly and beams of light shot into his body, filling him with pure energy. His black tuxedo was replaced with light golden armor that gleamed in the dim light. He had suddenly become prince charming.
"Show off." Greg muttered, grinning. He held out his own stone and called in an equally strong voice....
"MERCURY PLANET POWER!"
His transformation ended with a strong pose, and he stood there next to Venus Knight in his silver flexible armor completed with a black cape with blue lining. A broad sword hung at his side and he pulled from its sheath. The blade glowed a deep blue and felt cold even at its hilt. He readied himself for the first attack. The girls were just finishing their speeches when Chad and Raye suddenly burst through the door.
"Raye!" Sailor Moon called out. "Get Chad out of here! You need to get him to safety!"
"I don't need to." Raye answered, smiling a little at Serena's puzzled expression. "There's no time to explain Sailor Moon! He's here to help!"
Then, to the Scout's surprise, Chad suddenly took out a red stone, and called out unforgettable words.
"MARS PLANET POWER!"
The scouts gasped, and the knights did a double take. Memories of a red-clad knight flashed through their minds, and they suddenly remembered their friend and companion. They watched as a red light burst from his stone and enveloped him in a red prism. The prism suddenly shattered and turned into a blazing fire that swirled around him. The fire engulfed him and for a moment Chad felt a burning sensation, but it was replaced by a strange surge of power that left him breathless.
He opened his eyes to see his body dressed in a dark suit of armor. A heavy broad sword hung at his side and he unsheathed it tentatively. He gazed at the symbol of Mars that was engraved on the blade's surface and suddenly realized this wasn't a dream. His long hair was pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he was looking at a group of warriors that he hadn't truly recognized in a thousand years. He lifted shaking fingers to his forehead, unable to see the symbol that glowed there. 'This is unreal,' he thought.
Raye gaped at him, and even Twister and Leveler eyed him with interest. Raye recovered quickly and transformed. She came up next to Chad and took his hand. He looked at her and nodded. They were ready to fight.
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Ken gasped as everyone around him began to scream. He held Lita in his arms, but let go as he realized the origin of this power. It was the Negaverse. He looked at Lita who stood there terrified, but strangely alert. It was as if she wasn't afraid for herself, but for all the others around her. He quickly dismissed these thoughts, and concentrated on the explosions around them. This place was going to come down and these people needed help. Without another thought, he pushed Lita towards the door and raced for the back entrance. Most people in their panic had completely ignored the other exit.
He ran into a grove of trees at top speed. He gasped for breath and turned again to see two figures entering the ballroom- evil energy emitting from both in strong waves. He nodded to himself. It was time to transform.
He brought forth the stone that had started it all. It glowed brightly with an unknown green light and he grinned. He raised it towards the sky and called the words for his transformation...
"JUPITER PLANET POWER!"
He felt the electric energy of his planet wash over him and rejoiced in the power that flew through his veins. He looked towards the ballroom for a moment, and then raced towards it, unafraid of the horrible danger that lay within.
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"Well Sailor Soldiers... That was quite a light show you put on there, but now the real fight begins. I've come back to settle a score, and I will show no mercy." Twister stated, rising into the air. "Prepare for your final battle!"
She suddenly began to twirl and as she did a dark energy cloud began to grow around her. Debris from the floor began to rise and the soldiers beneath her clung together, willing them selves not to rise with the chairs, tables, and bodies that flew around them.
"She's amazing!" Anthony shouted, bracing himself against the whirlwind.
"Yeah, but she's not the only one we have to worry about!" Lita answered, gesturing to the gorilla-like figure that was collecting energy of her own. Her fists were high in the air, and dark energy was growing around them.
"Let's split up!" Amy shouted above the rising wind. "Sailor Jupiter and I will go after that thing," she said, gesturing towards Leveler. "The rest of you take the smaller one. She looks to be the most powerful." She turned towards Greg and Amara. "Mercury Knight and Sailor Uranus, will you come with us also?" Sailor Mercury asked, and smiled when both nodded. "All right, let's go!"
"Wait!" Sailor Mars shouted. "Let's get them out of this ballroom! They'll destroy it in a matter of minutes and we could all be crushed. Let's move this out to the parking lot, there's enough space and we won't damage anything."
The girls nodded and all ran for the door. Leveler and Twister stopped, but shrugged and transported to the lot- not wasting any of their energy in doing so. They had other plans...
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Sailor Mercury and her team made their way to the far edge of the lot and met the waiting Leveler there. Sailor Mercury stepped forward bravely, and addressed the disgusting monster in front of her.
"Surrender now Nega-trash, or face the wrath of an entire planet! Your kind has tormented my race for too long and it will not go unpunished! Let the power of Mercury teach you never to meddle with other people's worlds."
Leveler only laughed at her. "Fools! You walked right into our trap. Feel the power of the Negaforce!" She cried, and raised her large hands into the air. A wild cry suddenly issued from her throat that made the scouts cringe.
They suddenly cried out as demons issued from the sky in amazing quantities. Their bat-like wings were spread wide and their horrible teeth ground together. Their claws were splayed out, ready to tear away the flesh from the bodies of their victims. Their eyes were a fire red and glowed maliciously while their purple tongues hung loosely from their mouths. A horrible noise issued from their throats, strangled and high- a screeching gibberish that was terrifying. They seemed to laugh and scream at the same time. Sailor Mercury and Jupiter gazed in horrified fascination at what they were seeing, unable to react. Mercury Knight and Sailor Uranus were doing the same. Sailor Uranus came out of it first.
"Don't be afraid! Fight! We must fight!" She screamed, snapping her team out of their horror stricken state. They all nodded weakly and readied themselves.
Leveler stepped back and let her children put forth the wrath of the Negaverse. She turned to see Twister was using the same attack. 'Good job sister,' she thought, and then focused her attention once again to her battle. She watched as her minions came down on the scouts... She was in for some surprises as well...
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Mercury readied for the first onslaught and almost screamed as one of the monsters leaped towards her, teeth and claws ready. She reacted instantly though. She stepped back and powered up.
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!!!" she screamed, issuing her icy water blast to dissipate the horrible being.
She smiled in her triumph, but it quickly faded as another came at her. She readied herself again, and turned to see Greg fighting hard as well. He powered up suddenly and released a powerful attack.
"MERCURY BLIZZARD SPRAY!" He screamed, unleashing a blast of snow into a row of monsters and destroying them all. Sailor Uranus was doing work of her own.
"URANUS SPACE SWORD BUSTER!" She cried, running through a crowd of monsters. They all shrieked and fell to the ground in a heap of smoking bodies. She grinned triumphantly.
Sailor Jupiter, however, was having difficulties. The monsters had come at her in a swarm and were deaf to her cries for help.
"JUPITER OAK EVOLUTION!" She cried frantically, attacking the first group of creatures that came at her. They screeched horribly as they were blasted into dust, but there were more to come.
She was unable to stop the second swarm and fell forward, scraping her body on the rough surface of the lot. She screamed as a monster attacked from behind, raking its claws down her back. She tried to rise and another ripped at her stomach, drawing blood. She thrashed her arms violently as she was hit again and again, and heard the shouts of Amara and Amy as they tried to get to her, but they were stopped with enemies of their own. She hit the ground with a groan and screamed over and over as the monsters unmercifully continued to tear at her defenseless form.
Mercury Knight tried to make his way toward her but was thrown back by Leveler, who suddenly joined the fight. She lifted Mercury Knight off the ground and began to squeeze him, much in the fashion of Jupiter Knight in her first encounter with the sailor soldiers. He began to cry out as he felt his bones push together, threatening to crack.
He screamed again and tried to squirm out of the creature's grip, but she held him fast. He could hear Sailor Jupiter's terrified screams over the other sounds of battles and realized that somehow the two battles had merged. He could dimly hear the other sailor soldiers fighting Twister and her army. He squirmed roughly in an attempt to get away again as Lita's cries grew weaker and weaker.
'Oh God,' he thought suddenly, 'they want Lita out. That's why they attacked her first... she's one of our strongest fighters. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Mars will be next, I know it.' He suddenly heard a familiar voice, and felt Leveler's grip loosen a little on him, as if afraid. He opened his eyes a crack to see a familiar figure standing before them. A look of horror was on the stranger's face, but it was not for the multitudes of creatures that swarmed in front of him. It was for the girl that lay beneath them. He powered up suddenly and unleashed an amazing attack.
"JUPITER THUNDERBOLTS ELECTRIFY!!!" He screamed into the night, the sign of Jupiter glowing brightly from his forehead. A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky into his open hands. He brought them down suddenly and let loose the powerful electric currents... His enemies didn't stand a chance.
The electricity engulfed them and burned them from the inside out, leaving a smoky mess and rancid smell behind. He ran towards the bodies, not caring about the disgusting state they were in. His only concern now was the girl underneath it all. He dug roughly into them until he reached her body and found her unconscious, covered with severe wounds and dark bruises.
There were small, deep holes cut into her skin that he recognized as bite marks left from the creatures. Her suit was in ribbons in the back and front revealing long gashes on both her stomach and back. Her face was covered with small cuts and her legs were badly scraped. She looked so awful, and yet her beauty was still unmistakable. It was the girl who had fought with him the last time he had faced this monster. Tears of pity came to his eyes and he picked her up gently and looked towards the monster that held a young man in her iron grip.
He glared at the monster fiercely, but then gazed at the boy in open-mouthed surprise, recognizing him for some reason. He knew instantly he could trust him and wondered why. He looked down at the girl in his arms and gazed longingly at her. 'She reminds me of Lita,' he thought softly, and grinned a little. He softly put her down, and then turned back towards the battle with a terrifying look of rage and hatred.
He walked towards the massive monster that held the young man in its arms. He said nothing, but simply began to power up, pulling out a sword that crackled with electricity. The sign of Jupiter was engraved on the blade.
"JUPITER LIGHTENING SWORD SLASH!" He screamed suddenly, leaping high into the air.
He came down gracefully, bringing the blade down onto one of Leveler's great arms. The blade sliced through it like a hot knife through butter and she was forced to let Mercury Knight go. She clutched her bleeding stump to her chest and began to howl in horror and pain. The now dead arm lay at the floor, still twitching as if it didn't believe it was gone from its owner yet. Mercury Knight stared at it with horror and then at Jupiter Knight with admiration and awe. Jupiter Knight glared at Leveler coolly and then glanced at Mercury Knight, who jumped a little, under his gaze.
"You want to finish her off?" Jupiter Knight asked.
"Huh?" Greg sputtered in surprise, still not quite believing the guy had spoken to him. "Oh! Yeah, no problem." He said recovering, and fell into his familiar fighting style. He powered up...
"MERCURY ICE-SHARDS BLAST!"
He screamed, letting loose an amazing attack of piercing ice shards. Even Jupiter Knight was impressed. Leveler of course, did not get the better part of this attack. She suddenly looked up and let out her last scream before she welcomed oblivion. Mercury Knight didn't even flinch as her body fell to a crumpled heap on the ground and slowly disappeared.
He looked around to see Amy and Amara getting up in shocked amazement. The rest of the monsters were disappearing now that Leveler was dead. Amy and Amara had a few scrapes but nothing too serious. They were still ready to fight. They glanced at their friends on the other side who were not fighting the weaker of the two. They needed help, and badly. He glanced at Sailor Jupiter, who was in really bad shape.
"Go." Jupiter Knight said suddenly. "I'll take care of her."
Greg nodded affirmatively, wanting to know more about him at the moment, but knowing the fight was more important. He motioned Sailor Mercury and Uranus to follow him as he ran for the battle. They turned back once to gaze again at the green-clad stranger who hovered over their friend, but quickly focused their attention once again on the battle before them.
Lita walked outside of the ballroom, looking for Raye and Chad. Ken followed close behind, not wanting to be away from her quite yet.
"I wonder where they are..." Lita said concernedly. "They've been gone for a really long time and I'm beginning to get worried."
"Lita, this mansion has very extensive grounds. They could be anywhere! Come on, let's go back inside and dance." Ken said, grinning at her worried expression.
Lita smiled back nervously, but still couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Ken didn't know the dangers the Negaverse could pose like she did. Evil could appear anywhere and at any time. She had no way of knowing if Raye had brought her communicator. Her own was tucked safely in her purse.
"So, are you coming with me?" Ken asked, holding out his hand.
"Yes, I'm coming." Lita said, still preoccupied.
She took his hand willingly, but looked back over her shoulder nervously as she entered the ballroom.
'Raye,' she thought, 'I hope you're okay. I've got a bad feeling...'
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Amy danced across the floor with Greg. She had been unable to stray from him all night and she had been having a world of fun. Suddenly, without warning, she felt strange. An evil presence was near... Amy could feel it now, strong and terrifying. She gasped and clung to Greg tightly as the fear gripped her, stealing her breath away. She hadn't felt this way since.... since the day she had been attacked. Greg had noticed her sudden movement and had stopped dancing. He looked at her anxiously, and then nodded his head in understanding.
"Let's go warn them." He said quickly. Amy nodded and took his hand, leading him toward Mina and Anthony.
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Leveler looked around her. Where was Twister? She had to be close! 'We're running out of time,' she thought. She was about to go looking for her when a rustling wind began to stir her shaggy pelt. She turned and saw Twister, who stared at her with a mystified expression.
"What?" Leveler asked. "What did you see?"
"Beauty..." She whispered. "This land contains beauty of the greatest kind. This world has so much to see." Twister said softly.
"Beauty? Here? This ugly place?!" Leveler asked, incredulous. "Are you crazy?"
Twister looked at her with obvious distaste, then shook her head as if to clear it. Her walk through the gardens had been simply exquisite. It would be hard to forget the colorful and pungent flowerbeds, as well as the gorgeous marble buildings and statues. It was sort of sad they had to destroy such a wide and lovely place... However, the beauty of the land was no longer important, she had her orders.
"Come," She said reluctantly. "We must tend to our duties."
Leveler grinned evilly. "Now you're talking!" She exclaimed, raising her fists high in the air before she brought them crashing down into the earth.
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Raye's feet finally touched the ground again and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was home. She felt a warm presence near her and noticed she still clutched Chad's hand in her own. She looked down at it self-consciously, and let go quickly. This was too soon, it was happening way to fast. She didn't love Chad anymore now than she had when she left her house tonight. He saw this and looked hurt, but tried to hide it.
"So," He began, looking down at his feet. "Maybe you should go take me to meet the girls now. I mean, as they really are..."
Raye looked at him, still having trouble believing he was Mars Knight. However, the upside was now she had more information to tell the scouts of their past- as well as a new knight to prove it true. But what about this love thing? Was she really supposed to love him? She looked at his somewhat dejected form and smiled. Somehow she knew he would not ask her for more than she could give. He was her friend first and foremost... and now he was also her fighting partner. Yes, it was time to meet the girls.
"Absolutely." She said grinning. Chad looked up and smiled uncertainly. "Chad, you're going to love being part of the team. The girls are great and trust me, it's always nice to know someone's got you back. Being a Sailor Scout has been on of the scariest but greatest part of my life." An uncomfortable pause followed, and Raye somehow knew exactly where his mind was. She sighed softly. "But about our past... I'm still not ready to love you. I don't think I'm ready to love anyone..."
Chad raised his eyes in surprise and Raye turned away. She stared at the clear and motionless surface of lake and began to speak again, her voice soft and sad.
"Chad... Do you think I'm able to love?" She paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words to say, and then plunged on. "I mean- I barely could do it then, why would I be able to now? Am I doomed to never return a man's affections and marry because I have to? Chad- I'm watching my friends fall hopelessly in love with their knights, but yet I feel nothing for my own. I'm afraid I'm empty Chad... Doomed to stay cold and heartless, to live a life without the passions of the strongest emotion in the universe." These words were choked from Raye's throat as tears streamed down her face. Chad gasped and enveloped her in his arms, pulling her close. He was ready to be her friend, if he could not be her lover.
"Shhhh..." He soothed softly. "You've just been hurt too many times Raye. You've never had a decent model of a man in your life, besides your grandpa, because your father was never around. Raye, it's not that you can't feel love... You're afraid to." He pulled back, looking her straight in the face, his hands placed gently on her shoulders.
"You're afraid to be depend on someone because you think that person will let you down or leave you like your father did. You never grew up around your parents love. You never got to see the eyes of your mother and father when they looked at each other. You never got to experience the romantic happy times that they could share and your grandfather couldn't show you that either." Chad said earnestly.
"It was my fault though, Chad. My mother died because of me, I killed her! How could I expect my dad to stick around after that? It's my punishment." She said dully. Chad's eyes turned to fire at her words and he shook her, hard.
"No! It is not you fault your mother died, and your father was wrong to leave you when you needed him the most! He left you with a very disciplined grandfather who was unable to give you the proper love and upbringing you needed. If you would've been a boy it might have been different, but you were a little girl and he had never raised one alone before. He did a beautiful job Raye, but he forgot to teach you that it was okay to trust someone!"
He stopped for a moment, realizing this was one of the longest and most important conversations he had ever had with Raye. She simply stared at him, wanting to believe, but still skeptical.
"Raye, I love you so much no words can describe it. If you let go of your fear, your pride, and your doubt, you will find the love you want so much. Whether that love belongs to someone else or to me, I don't care. I know you can love Raye... You just have to give yourself half a chance." He said softly, gazing deeply into her eyes.
Raye's tears fell from her eyes softly, and he wiped them away tenderly. She was suddenly reminded of their kiss on the Moon, and blushed deeply. He felt her skin warm considerably to his touch and he gazed at her, hopeful. She felt herself begin to lean forward, wanting to feel his lips on hers again. She wanted to be lost in an emotion so close to love she could taste it. He leaned forward as well, knowing she didn't love him, not yet, but not caring. All he wanted was to have her in his arms once more.
Their lips were mere inches apart when they were suddenly interrupted by massive explosions coming from the mansion. They jumped and looked quickly at one another, shock and apprehension on Chad's face. 'This is it,' he thought. 'I join the battle once again.'
"Chad! The mansion! We've got to help!" Raye exclaimed, taking his hand and breaking into a run. He followed her, meeting her stride for stride, as they raced towards the burning buildings and gardens.
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Mina's eyes darted around as the mansion began to shake around her. Explosions were happening outside and people were trying desperately to escape out the front doors. Greg was helping Amy up as a large man pushed her over in his hurry to get out. A sudden blast issued from the doorway and everyone standing in its path was thrown to the ground, unconscious.
Mina screamed as the door broke down and people around her were rammed into the ground. Serena leaned against Darien, clutching at him desperately as the swarm of people heading for the door threatened to trample her small form. Lita was screaming for Ken who had disappeared from her side. A small woman suddenly appeared in the doorway. Her white hair swirled around her and a breeze seemed to blow it up softly, rustling her skimpy dress. One would have mistaken her for a fairy if her silver-gray eyes hadn't been so cold.
A huge figure loomed behind her, hairy and hulking. It was ape-like and crawling with vermin. Lita recognized them immediately as the two she had fought against with Jupiter Knight. Why were they here? She thought immediately. Why this place? Her thoughts were suddenly answered when the woman looked at Amy, who stared at her with wide frightened eyes. The woman smiled maliciously.
"Hello Sailor Mercury." She began. Everyone gasped in surprise, gaping at Amy who stood still in shock. Twister laughed. "Don't look so surprised Sailor Soldiers. I am not stupid and I easily put two and two together. No one but you could've stayed conscious after my energy blasts." She said, laughing again.
The girls looked around them and realized they were the only ones standing besides their guardians. Lita scanned the fallen crowd for Ken, but found him nowhere. It was Mina who broke the silence.
"All right you guys! She knows our identities. Let's make sure she doesn't live to tell!" Mina exclaimed, taking out her transformation wand.
Amara and Michelle appeared in the doorway and readied their sticks. The girls nodded and did the same. Greg and Anthony reached for their stones, while Darien pulled out a single red rose...
"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER!"
"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER!"
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER!"
"URANUS PLANET POWER!"
"NEPTUNE PLANET POWER!"
"MOON ETERNAL POWER!" Sailor Moon finished.
The girls felt the pure energy of their planets engulf them as their transformation quickly took place. All stood for a brief pose at the end and stood ready while the boys transformed.
"VENUS PLANET POWER!" Anthony called out strongly, holding up his stone.
A brilliant yellow light burst from its core and enveloped him in a prism. The prism broke suddenly and beams of light shot into his body, filling him with pure energy. His black tuxedo was replaced with light golden armor that gleamed in the dim light. He had suddenly become prince charming.
"Show off." Greg muttered, grinning. He held out his own stone and called in an equally strong voice....
"MERCURY PLANET POWER!"
His transformation ended with a strong pose, and he stood there next to Venus Knight in his silver flexible armor completed with a black cape with blue lining. A broad sword hung at his side and he pulled from its sheath. The blade glowed a deep blue and felt cold even at its hilt. He readied himself for the first attack. The girls were just finishing their speeches when Chad and Raye suddenly burst through the door.
"Raye!" Sailor Moon called out. "Get Chad out of here! You need to get him to safety!"
"I don't need to." Raye answered, smiling a little at Serena's puzzled expression. "There's no time to explain Sailor Moon! He's here to help!"
Then, to the Scout's surprise, Chad suddenly took out a red stone, and called out unforgettable words.
"MARS PLANET POWER!"
The scouts gasped, and the knights did a double take. Memories of a red-clad knight flashed through their minds, and they suddenly remembered their friend and companion. They watched as a red light burst from his stone and enveloped him in a red prism. The prism suddenly shattered and turned into a blazing fire that swirled around him. The fire engulfed him and for a moment Chad felt a burning sensation, but it was replaced by a strange surge of power that left him breathless.
He opened his eyes to see his body dressed in a dark suit of armor. A heavy broad sword hung at his side and he unsheathed it tentatively. He gazed at the symbol of Mars that was engraved on the blade's surface and suddenly realized this wasn't a dream. His long hair was pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he was looking at a group of warriors that he hadn't truly recognized in a thousand years. He lifted shaking fingers to his forehead, unable to see the symbol that glowed there. 'This is unreal,' he thought.
Raye gaped at him, and even Twister and Leveler eyed him with interest. Raye recovered quickly and transformed. She came up next to Chad and took his hand. He looked at her and nodded. They were ready to fight.
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Ken gasped as everyone around him began to scream. He held Lita in his arms, but let go as he realized the origin of this power. It was the Negaverse. He looked at Lita who stood there terrified, but strangely alert. It was as if she wasn't afraid for herself, but for all the others around her. He quickly dismissed these thoughts, and concentrated on the explosions around them. This place was going to come down and these people needed help. Without another thought, he pushed Lita towards the door and raced for the back entrance. Most people in their panic had completely ignored the other exit.
He ran into a grove of trees at top speed. He gasped for breath and turned again to see two figures entering the ballroom- evil energy emitting from both in strong waves. He nodded to himself. It was time to transform.
He brought forth the stone that had started it all. It glowed brightly with an unknown green light and he grinned. He raised it towards the sky and called the words for his transformation...
"JUPITER PLANET POWER!"
He felt the electric energy of his planet wash over him and rejoiced in the power that flew through his veins. He looked towards the ballroom for a moment, and then raced towards it, unafraid of the horrible danger that lay within.
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"Well Sailor Soldiers... That was quite a light show you put on there, but now the real fight begins. I've come back to settle a score, and I will show no mercy." Twister stated, rising into the air. "Prepare for your final battle!"
She suddenly began to twirl and as she did a dark energy cloud began to grow around her. Debris from the floor began to rise and the soldiers beneath her clung together, willing them selves not to rise with the chairs, tables, and bodies that flew around them.
"She's amazing!" Anthony shouted, bracing himself against the whirlwind.
"Yeah, but she's not the only one we have to worry about!" Lita answered, gesturing to the gorilla-like figure that was collecting energy of her own. Her fists were high in the air, and dark energy was growing around them.
"Let's split up!" Amy shouted above the rising wind. "Sailor Jupiter and I will go after that thing," she said, gesturing towards Leveler. "The rest of you take the smaller one. She looks to be the most powerful." She turned towards Greg and Amara. "Mercury Knight and Sailor Uranus, will you come with us also?" Sailor Mercury asked, and smiled when both nodded. "All right, let's go!"
"Wait!" Sailor Mars shouted. "Let's get them out of this ballroom! They'll destroy it in a matter of minutes and we could all be crushed. Let's move this out to the parking lot, there's enough space and we won't damage anything."
The girls nodded and all ran for the door. Leveler and Twister stopped, but shrugged and transported to the lot- not wasting any of their energy in doing so. They had other plans...
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Sailor Mercury and her team made their way to the far edge of the lot and met the waiting Leveler there. Sailor Mercury stepped forward bravely, and addressed the disgusting monster in front of her.
"Surrender now Nega-trash, or face the wrath of an entire planet! Your kind has tormented my race for too long and it will not go unpunished! Let the power of Mercury teach you never to meddle with other people's worlds."
Leveler only laughed at her. "Fools! You walked right into our trap. Feel the power of the Negaforce!" She cried, and raised her large hands into the air. A wild cry suddenly issued from her throat that made the scouts cringe.
They suddenly cried out as demons issued from the sky in amazing quantities. Their bat-like wings were spread wide and their horrible teeth ground together. Their claws were splayed out, ready to tear away the flesh from the bodies of their victims. Their eyes were a fire red and glowed maliciously while their purple tongues hung loosely from their mouths. A horrible noise issued from their throats, strangled and high- a screeching gibberish that was terrifying. They seemed to laugh and scream at the same time. Sailor Mercury and Jupiter gazed in horrified fascination at what they were seeing, unable to react. Mercury Knight and Sailor Uranus were doing the same. Sailor Uranus came out of it first.
"Don't be afraid! Fight! We must fight!" She screamed, snapping her team out of their horror stricken state. They all nodded weakly and readied themselves.
Leveler stepped back and let her children put forth the wrath of the Negaverse. She turned to see Twister was using the same attack. 'Good job sister,' she thought, and then focused her attention once again to her battle. She watched as her minions came down on the scouts... She was in for some surprises as well...
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Mercury readied for the first onslaught and almost screamed as one of the monsters leaped towards her, teeth and claws ready. She reacted instantly though. She stepped back and powered up.
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!!!" she screamed, issuing her icy water blast to dissipate the horrible being.
She smiled in her triumph, but it quickly faded as another came at her. She readied herself again, and turned to see Greg fighting hard as well. He powered up suddenly and released a powerful attack.
"MERCURY BLIZZARD SPRAY!" He screamed, unleashing a blast of snow into a row of monsters and destroying them all. Sailor Uranus was doing work of her own.
"URANUS SPACE SWORD BUSTER!" She cried, running through a crowd of monsters. They all shrieked and fell to the ground in a heap of smoking bodies. She grinned triumphantly.
Sailor Jupiter, however, was having difficulties. The monsters had come at her in a swarm and were deaf to her cries for help.
"JUPITER OAK EVOLUTION!" She cried frantically, attacking the first group of creatures that came at her. They screeched horribly as they were blasted into dust, but there were more to come.
She was unable to stop the second swarm and fell forward, scraping her body on the rough surface of the lot. She screamed as a monster attacked from behind, raking its claws down her back. She tried to rise and another ripped at her stomach, drawing blood. She thrashed her arms violently as she was hit again and again, and heard the shouts of Amara and Amy as they tried to get to her, but they were stopped with enemies of their own. She hit the ground with a groan and screamed over and over as the monsters unmercifully continued to tear at her defenseless form.
Mercury Knight tried to make his way toward her but was thrown back by Leveler, who suddenly joined the fight. She lifted Mercury Knight off the ground and began to squeeze him, much in the fashion of Jupiter Knight in her first encounter with the sailor soldiers. He began to cry out as he felt his bones push together, threatening to crack.
He screamed again and tried to squirm out of the creature's grip, but she held him fast. He could hear Sailor Jupiter's terrified screams over the other sounds of battles and realized that somehow the two battles had merged. He could dimly hear the other sailor soldiers fighting Twister and her army. He squirmed roughly in an attempt to get away again as Lita's cries grew weaker and weaker.
'Oh God,' he thought suddenly, 'they want Lita out. That's why they attacked her first... she's one of our strongest fighters. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Mars will be next, I know it.' He suddenly heard a familiar voice, and felt Leveler's grip loosen a little on him, as if afraid. He opened his eyes a crack to see a familiar figure standing before them. A look of horror was on the stranger's face, but it was not for the multitudes of creatures that swarmed in front of him. It was for the girl that lay beneath them. He powered up suddenly and unleashed an amazing attack.
"JUPITER THUNDERBOLTS ELECTRIFY!!!" He screamed into the night, the sign of Jupiter glowing brightly from his forehead. A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky into his open hands. He brought them down suddenly and let loose the powerful electric currents... His enemies didn't stand a chance.
The electricity engulfed them and burned them from the inside out, leaving a smoky mess and rancid smell behind. He ran towards the bodies, not caring about the disgusting state they were in. His only concern now was the girl underneath it all. He dug roughly into them until he reached her body and found her unconscious, covered with severe wounds and dark bruises.
There were small, deep holes cut into her skin that he recognized as bite marks left from the creatures. Her suit was in ribbons in the back and front revealing long gashes on both her stomach and back. Her face was covered with small cuts and her legs were badly scraped. She looked so awful, and yet her beauty was still unmistakable. It was the girl who had fought with him the last time he had faced this monster. Tears of pity came to his eyes and he picked her up gently and looked towards the monster that held a young man in her iron grip.
He glared at the monster fiercely, but then gazed at the boy in open-mouthed surprise, recognizing him for some reason. He knew instantly he could trust him and wondered why. He looked down at the girl in his arms and gazed longingly at her. 'She reminds me of Lita,' he thought softly, and grinned a little. He softly put her down, and then turned back towards the battle with a terrifying look of rage and hatred.
He walked towards the massive monster that held the young man in its arms. He said nothing, but simply began to power up, pulling out a sword that crackled with electricity. The sign of Jupiter was engraved on the blade.
"JUPITER LIGHTENING SWORD SLASH!" He screamed suddenly, leaping high into the air.
He came down gracefully, bringing the blade down onto one of Leveler's great arms. The blade sliced through it like a hot knife through butter and she was forced to let Mercury Knight go. She clutched her bleeding stump to her chest and began to howl in horror and pain. The now dead arm lay at the floor, still twitching as if it didn't believe it was gone from its owner yet. Mercury Knight stared at it with horror and then at Jupiter Knight with admiration and awe. Jupiter Knight glared at Leveler coolly and then glanced at Mercury Knight, who jumped a little, under his gaze.
"You want to finish her off?" Jupiter Knight asked.
"Huh?" Greg sputtered in surprise, still not quite believing the guy had spoken to him. "Oh! Yeah, no problem." He said recovering, and fell into his familiar fighting style. He powered up...
"MERCURY ICE-SHARDS BLAST!"
He screamed, letting loose an amazing attack of piercing ice shards. Even Jupiter Knight was impressed. Leveler of course, did not get the better part of this attack. She suddenly looked up and let out her last scream before she welcomed oblivion. Mercury Knight didn't even flinch as her body fell to a crumpled heap on the ground and slowly disappeared.
He looked around to see Amy and Amara getting up in shocked amazement. The rest of the monsters were disappearing now that Leveler was dead. Amy and Amara had a few scrapes but nothing too serious. They were still ready to fight. They glanced at their friends on the other side who were not fighting the weaker of the two. They needed help, and badly. He glanced at Sailor Jupiter, who was in really bad shape.
"Go." Jupiter Knight said suddenly. "I'll take care of her."
Greg nodded affirmatively, wanting to know more about him at the moment, but knowing the fight was more important. He motioned Sailor Mercury and Uranus to follow him as he ran for the battle. They turned back once to gaze again at the green-clad stranger who hovered over their friend, but quickly focused their attention once again on the battle before them.