Emerald shook Diamond by the shoulders vigorously. But Diamond didn't move. Her head slumped from side to side as she moaned in her sleep. "Enough, Emerald." Garnet said at last. "She's out cold." "Again?" Amethyst sighed. "She spends more time being knocked out than fighting!" She gave their leader a scowl before sighing. "So now what?" Sapphire asked. "Xavier's gone, at least. That's one good thing." "I wouldn't be surprised." Obsidian replied. "Didn't you feel that shock of energy that emitted from Sleeping Beauty, here? That was enough to kill if it was centered on a single being. Thankfully it wasn't, it was probably a reaction." "Some reaction!" Topaz snapped. "Sounding like some ancient creature and wiping out all the glass on this floor not to mention defeating an evil guy all on her own!!!! Jeez!" "We can't stay here." Tuxedo Onyx said tiredly, glancing around at the open spaces between iron plats. "I'd be willing to bet the enemy knew we were fighting here. Reinforcements could come at any time, and we're weak." "Point taken." Obsidian said, straightening. "Do you think you could carry Diamond?" Tuxedo Onyx smiled weakly. "Normally, yes, but now." He raised his hand to touch his pale cheek lightly. "I don't think I could carry a baby chick, let alone a human, no matter how thin." Emerald sighed. "So now what? I don't think any of us can carry her." "Need some help?" A deep voice asked from the other side of the room. Obsidian's eyes narrowed as she saw Storm, Thunder, and Bullet standing on the other side of the room. "What do you want?" Bullet smiled slightly. "Thought you might need some assistance." "We're fine." Amethyst said, cracking her knuckles slightly. Storm snorted. "No, you're not. Your leader's unconscious and none of you look strong enough to even dream of getting her out of here." "So?" Emerald asked, glowering at Storm, who glared back to a man. "Don't need your aid." Bullet shrugged. "Hey, no skin off our backs. Just thought you could use some assistance." Topaz smiled a little at him, the frown on her forehead disappearing. "We could, a little, but." "But we don't want help from a bunch of self-righteous bullies who show up to help almost nada!!" Sapphire put in, glaring. "Please." All eyes swung to face Diamond. She was very pale, but her eyes were open, and she was sitting up slightly. "Don't fight." She whispered, eyes dark. "The true enemy is coming. We must work together." Her voice was a harsh, ragged, ancient-sounding whisper. She did not sound like the bubbly girl the scouts knew. She sounded like a warrior who had seen too many fights. Her eyes closed as she breathed in deeply, then fixed them with a clear-eyed stare. "Please. Work together. Senshi and demon hunters. Girls and boys. Warriors and bounty-seekers." Storm opened his mouth, then swallowed hard and nodded. "I'll take the leader." He said roughly. "Anyone else need help?" The Senshi shook their heads, mercurial. They slowly helped their leader to her feet and supported her as Storm gently picked her up and held her in his arms. Thunder and Amethyst remained glaring at each other before Amethyst broke eye contact to turn away with a sniff. Diamond looked up at Storm, dark eyes seeing his face but not seeming to acknowledge it. "You've got a secret" was all she said before her eyes closed and her head tilted back as she lost consciousness again. Storm stared down at her, eyes opening in shock before a cold mask slipped on his face again. He looked back to find Emerald's curious eyes upon him. She was close enough to have heard what Diamond had said. Storm gave her a cold glare before turning away and walking towards the elevator. "Do you know what's wrong with Diamond?" Obsidian asked Tuxedo Onyx in a low voice as they walked forward. Tuxedo Onyx shook his head and replied in a low tone, "Divine power is my bet. That energy wasn't human." "Not human?" Obsidian snorted. "Diamond may be many things, but human she is." "Maybe." Onyx said, watching the girl's pale, listless face. "And maybe not." Obsidian snorted. "So what? She's an alien?" Tuxedo Onyx said nothing. He just eyed Sailor Diamond carefully. One blue eye opened and caught his. It slowly closed and opened again in a wink, then closed again. A small smile was evident on the corners of her mouth. As her mind slipped into blackness yet again, she fleetingly let her mind drift... I'm glad I didn't have to meet you today, Damon. I don't think I could have fought you. Chapter Nine

".You seriously were awesome, though, Angie!" Lacie said. It was that Friday, and the girls were in their training gym waiting to start their programs. Lacie was doing a vivid reenactment of yesterday's battle. She waved her hands energetically in the air, miming how the light had swarmed outwards. "A-and then, you spoke in that spooky voice and said those weird words, can't remember what they were." "Dommet kiel ammo dedutchoe, Sailor Senshi." All the girls stopped chattering to stare in amazement at Lune, who had been listening to their conversation carefully. She now fixed them with a piercing stare as Demetri stopped fiddling with the controls to saunter over to sit beside her. Lune turned her stare on Angie. "Do you remember saying that, Angela?" Angie nodded slowly. "I-I do. I remember." She frowned and bit her lip. "And-I know what it means." A silence fell over the group. Angie's hands were shaking slightly, and a anxious expression was outlined in her face and eyes. Rachelle carefully slipped her hand into Angie's tense one and gave it a squeeze before retreating. Angie relaxed, and looked calmly at Lune. "Have no fear, Sailor Senshi. Have no fear. That's what it means, isn't it?" Lune nodded slowly, not removing her eyes. Small volts of electricity seemed to be shooting from them now. Angie's eyes were growing distant again. "The language I spoke in-it wasn't from Earth, I know that. It's not familiar at all." Lune nodded again, eyes growing larger and more intense than ever. "But it IS familiar." Marisa said softly. "I can tell I've heard it before. Maybe once a long time ago-I don't know, maybe something from our past lives as princesses or whatever-" "Not your past lives." Lune said quietly. Marisa blinked. "What?" "Not. Your. Past. Lives." Lune repeated slowly, the familiar annoyed tone coming into her voice before Demetri gave her a look. Mary promptly grabbed Demetri as Angie grabbed Lune. They both shook their respective cat energetically. "What are you hiding?!" Mary yelled, ecstatically beating the crap out of Demetri before he embedded his claws in her hand and she dropped him. Demetri wheezed on the floor and gave her a look. "Cut that out! I get enough of it from your father!" "He's staying with you?" Angie asked, dropping Lune. "I didn't know that." "Yup!" Mary beamed. "Always wanted a cat." "What was that about your father?" Malorie asked curiously. "My father wishes to hit Demetri over the head with a large stick." Mary said happily, petting Demetri soothingly. "Almost did once too." Demetri sniffed. "If we could PLEASE get back to the topic at hand?!?!" Lune shouted. Angie winked at Elisha. "Now there's the Lune we know and love." Elisha giggled. Lune sniffed haughtily before her eyes turned deadly serious. "Tell me," she said to Angie, who was watching her impassively. "Who do you think you are?" Angie blinked. "I'm-Angela Kay Pirko. Human person. One of many weirdoes of the 9th grade." Lune shook her head. "No." Angie blinked again. "No?" "You're not Angela Kay Pirko or Angie or Ange." Demetri cut in. "But-I am." Angie said, feeling a strange sort of panic. "Aren't I?" "No." Lune said firmly. Puzzlement and fright were clear on her face before she relaxed and smiled. "Oh, I get it. I'm Sailor Diamond, right? Defender of the innocent, lady of love, reincarnation of Princess Diamond-" "No." Angie stared at the small golden cat with serious blue eyes. "Wh-what are you saying, Lune?" She asked, voice quavering. The girls beside and around her were silent and still, all eyes focused on the golden creature. For the tiniest of moments, Lune seemed more human than feline again. Then she moved slightly to walk calmly up to where Angie was sitting. She put tiny paws on her knees, looked the girl straight in the eye, and said slowly. "You are not Angela Pirko, and you are not the Sailor Scout you think you are. You aren't even human." Angie stared at her a moment, eyes bugging out of her head. The girls gasped. "Neither are you all." Lune said, looking from Rachelle to Mary to Elisha to Lacie to Malorie to Marisa and back to Angie. "Not one of you is human." "But-we look human." Mary said weakly. Lune snorted. "But do you act it? Do you feel it?" "Yes!" Elisha burst out, but there was uncertainty in her expression. "Have any of you ever gotten sick?" Lune asked sharply. No one replied in the affirmative, though there were some mutters in the negative. "Any teeth problems? Strange diseases?" Lune inquired again. "I need glasses." Elisha piped up. Rachelle and Mary nodded in agreement. Lune snorted. "That's only the human part of you. Soon you won't." Lacie folded her arms across her chest. "Okay, then, kitty-if we're not human, what are we?" Demetri came close to rub against Lune's side comfortingly. Lune took a deep breath. "You are Opalian." "Opa-whosit?" Marisa asked with a frown. "You are not the reincarnations of the seven Crown Princesses." Lune said firmly. "You ARE them." The silence was so deep that several crickets chirping outside shut up, feeling the tension in the air. After fifteen full minutes, Rachelle stirred and looked at Lune with an expression that was disbelieving, but eyes that were only halfway skeptical. "But Lune-we'd have to be-what? Thousands of years old!! If that's true- " she glanced around, "-then we all aged REALLY well. It's not possible." There were some muted laughs, but no one openly agreed with her. Rachelle didn't even seem to agree with herself, as she frowned down at the ground, half-consciously arguing with what she had said. "Everything in our lives for the past two weeks has been impossible." Malorie said, to everyone's confirmation. "Right about that." Mary said with a small laugh. "Cute guys noticing us, Angie being saved by a hottie, actually showing Hannah up-" "Yeah, and we just happened to save the world a few times in there." Marisa said with a grin. The giggles that followed broke the tension like glass shattering on a hard floor. Jokes and laughs were exchanged between the friends for a few seconds before things quieted down again. "Wow." Angie said finally, breathing out in a sigh. "Wow. I mean-I really am that majestic princess? We all really ARE the ones who did that sacrifice?" "We all really had those HOT dates at the dance?" Rachelle asked. "Except for Angie." Mary said with a snigger. Angie calmly grabbed a long clump of Mary's hair. "What was that? I must not have heard you properly." "I refuse to answer on the grounds that you may make me bald." Angie gave a last yank and let go. Mary massaged her scalp a little with a glare at her friend. Lune was blinking at them all. "You're not alarmed? Or frightened?" Malorie shrugged. "Well, sure we are. But-you know-we can't remember any of that. We can't remember our past lives-our past, I mean- just what you showed us. And that's not much at all." "Your memories will return, but might take months or years." Demetri said, staring at the girls seriously. "And when they do, it will be tough on you lot. The images you will see will not be from an outsider's point of view. They will be your own." "But-didn't they-we-die?" Elisha asked curiously. "Yes." Demetri answered promptly. "Oh." Elisha paused. "Um-then-uh-what happened to our souls? And our bodies? If I remember correctly, they faded away." Demetri sighed. "Both your bodies and souls were transported to a dream- like dimension instead of going to heaven or hell. Lune and I were assigned to watch them, our souls and bodies having arrived-sooner." There was the slightest hint of hesitation, of grief in his voice. But it vanished as swiftly as it had come. Marisa swallowed hard. "How did-how did you die?" "I was crushed under a pillar." Lune said, matter-of-fact tone faltering. "I remember." Demetri said, looking suddenly older. "I'll never forget it, either." Lune gave him a slight nudge of affection. "I died when the atmosphere on our planet evaporated." He continued, sighing. "Not at all a pleasant sensation. Something like having your lungs forcibly removed from your chest via large pliers." He shuddered a little. Angie slowly stood up, and then, to everyone's amazement, she bowed low to both cats. "I-I am sorry." She said softly. "I can't remember betraying our planet, but I apologize for being unable to save you." "It's all turned out much for the better, Diamond." Lune said, giving the girl a rare affectionate glance. "What seems like a bad decision at the time can be changed. Tables turn and fates are lifted up and put down. Your choice turned out to be the better one." Angie smiled a little sadly. Then she clapped her hands together. "All righty, folks! So, what shall we do today? Slay demons, fight evil hotties, learn more new horrible secrets about ourselves-such as we are actually vampires and have no souls and will therefore go to hell?" Lune thought for a moment. "Nope. No more horrible secrets today." * * * "It's kind of creepy." Elisha said an hour later. The group was near the school, eating ice cream and talking. "To think that we all existed thousands of years ago..don't you think that's creepy, Mary?" She looked in the direction of her black-haired friend. Mary was clearly not paying attention. "Over there!" She exclaimed, pointing at the college across the way. A tall, auburn haired man had just exited the front building. "He is SO cool." "Why?" Angie asked curiously, catching a chocolate ice cream drip. "Well, I hear that he NEVER gets in trouble for wearing that hat of his!" Malorie put in, watching the man adjust the said hat and glance around. "Not even in school or in churches! He wears it EVERYWHERE!" "Maybe he's like Professor Quirrel and has a face on the top of his head!" Lacie said eagerly. Everyone gave her a strange look before turning back to look at the guy. "Hmmmm.." Rachelle said, eyeing the man critically. "Not bad.in my professional opinion, I'll have to give him an eight out of ten." "WHAT?!" Mary and Lacie immediately screamed before pouncing on Rachelle and tickling her. "He's not!" Lacie yelled. "More like a ten!!" "Stop!" Rachelle gasped, giggling. "All right! Ten! Eleven! Whatever!" Mary and Lacie straightened triumphantly while the rest of the girls giggled. Rachelle stopped laughing suddenly to look up into the sky. "I agree with Elisha. It's-strange. I mean, think about it! We have seniority over practically everyone! We were around before Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Einstein, Washington-everyone." "And lord knows how old they were." Malorie grinned, chewing on a piece of gum. Rachelle remained solemn. A strange look was in her eyes. She sprang up suddenly and said quickly, "Excuse me, will you? I want to ask Lune something." Without another word, she ran off. Mary watched her go in some perplexity. "Now where's she off to?" * * * Rachelle entered into the gym, clutching a stitch at her side. "Lune!" She called. "Demetri!" A golden furry face peered at her from behind a large chair. "Gracious, Garnet, what's wrong?" Lune asked, turning the chair to face her. Rachelle walked hesitantly up to Lune, face troubled. "Um, Lune-you know how, we're like-thousands of years old? And you showed us our past when we first met you?" Lune nodded, seriously. "Um, then-" Rachelle hesitated, then went on in a rush. "That night-the night everything fell apart-some of us were dancing with guys. Were we-in love with them? Are those our one-timers?" Lune eyed her seriously, but said nothing in reply. "Because-if they are-" Rachelle paused. "I-couldn't have been in love with mine because-I love Kyle, don't I? I mean, he means the most to me in the world.and he knows I'm a scout." She bit her lip to see how Lune would react to this. Lune's eyes widened a bit, but she still said nothing. Rachelle went on, "Because-if the guy comes back-or exists now, or something-I don't want to hurt his feelings or anything. I really don't want to hurt anybody, but, I suppose I'll have to, won't I? Either my past or my present guy." A slow tear trickled down her cheek. Lune finally stirred and gave Rachelle a rare, warm smile. "I must say, Rachelle, you are most certainly the most caring person and scout I've ever known. You are almost exactly like Sailor Moon in that point." Rachelle blushed at the compliment. "As for your lover," Lune's brow furrowed. "Well, your guy-Kyle, you say? What does he look like?" Rachelle blinked. "Dark hair-almost purple. Dark eyes, deep, like the ocean. Tall, nice muscles, strong but not too muscular. Sort of pale, but very handsome, all the same." Her eyes went dreamy for a moment before the worry returned. She bit her lip as she looked at Lune. A high, bell-like sound pierced the room. Lune was laughing. "Oh dear, oh my stars-" She chortled. "What's so funny?!" Rachelle demanded indignantly. Lune giggled before attempting to keep a straight face. "It's just, my dear, well-take a closer look at your Kyle sometime. Or better yet, at what he can do." Her barely-concealed mirth exploded and she rocked back and forth on her paws, gasping for breath between gales of laughter. Rachelle couldn't get another word out of her. With a sigh, she left the training gym to return to her friends, mulling Lune's peculiarity in her mind. She heard her friends before she saw them. "Cut that OUT!!!" Malorie wailed amidst laughter. "Stop calling me a candy!!!! My name's Malorie! Malorie!!" "Sure, M&M." A voice-Oz-said promptly. There were resounding laughs punctuated by Malorie's wails. Rachelle grinned as her friends came into sight. Sure enough, Oz, Andrew, and Lance were with them, Oz teasing Malorie, Andrew laughing with Marisa and Mary, and Lance with his nose in a rather large book. "Hey, Rachelle!" Elisha said, greeting her with a wave and a giggle. She was peering over Lance's shoulder into his book. Rachelle saw him glance at her in annoyance before shifting his shoulders to block her view. Elisha promptly moved her head to a better angle. By the exasperation on Lance's face, Rachelle had the feeling this had been going on for a while. "Call me MALORIE!!!" Malorie yelled, hitting Oz on the top of his head in frustration. Oz laughed mockingly at her, a friendly light in his eyes. Rachelle saw this clearly, though no one else seemed to notice it. She blinked at Oz. Was he in truth hiding a crush on Mal? "Sure, Malorie." Oz said, mischievously. "Anything you say, Malorie. Would you like some fries, Malorie? Shall I carry you on my shoulder to the nearest watering hole, Queen Malorie?" "Stop it!" Malorie wailed, swatting his arm. "I'm calling you Malorie!" Oz protested, grinning. "You're being annoying and you know it!" Malorie cried. "Angie, make him stop!" Angie sighed, then winked at Rachelle who grinned back. "Go ahead, Mom." She teased. Angie sniffed in pretend outrage. "Ah! Scandalous! Early bedtime for you, junior!" She said haughtily, laughing. "Awwww, mommy, we don't wanna!" Mary and Lacie said in unison, Lacie having wrestled Elisha away from Lance. He gave her a look of gratitude. Lacie beamed at him. He colored slightly, then stuck his nose back down and pretended to be vigorously reading. Elisha gave Lacie a sour glance. "Your mother's right kids." Marisa said importantly. "Let her and Daddy alone." The girls shrieked with laughter. Even Malorie chuckled a little. Rachelle snuck to her side to whisper in Mal's ear, "I think Oz has a crush on you." Malorie flushed a deep rose, then raised her nose proudly. "And what if he does? It's no concern of mine." "Then why are you blushing?" Malorie at this moment took great interest in a beetle crawling on the ground and didn't reply. Rachelle giggled. "You like him!! Oooh, I'm going to tell him!" "You wouldn't DARE!!!" Malorie accidentally yelled out loud. Everyone stopped laughing to stare at her. Malorie's already pink face went a deep red. "Wouldn't dare what?" Mary asked curiously. "N-nothing." Malorie said hastily, clamping a firm hand over Rachelle's mouth and starting to drag her away. "Ozmph!!!" Rachelle squeaked from behind her hand. "Shut up!" Malorie yelled. "What?" Oz asked, having clearly heard his name. "Nothing!" Malorie cried, glaring fiercely at him, yellow sparks seeming to shoot from her eyes. Rachelle pried Mal's hand off her face to cry, "She likes-" Malorie's hand instantly came back down. "-mpmh!" "Shut up!" Malorie hissed. "Or I swear I will kill you and feed your guts to lobsters." "Not the lobsters!" Rachelle wailed. "Accursed crustaceans! Fine! I shall be silent as a tomb!" Malorie gingerly lifted her hand. Rachelle breathed deeply, and glared at her. "Honestly. No need to suck out my breath! You are like the plugged snorkel! Unbreathable!" "Sorry." Malorie said sheepishly, smiling falsely to the raptly listening crowd. "I wouldn't have told anyway." Rachelle said mulishly, feeling her lips slightly. "Wouldn't have told what?" A voice asked from behind them. Rachelle's breath caught in her throat. A feeling-half love that she was used to, half panic that she was not-rose in her stomach. "Hi, Kyle!" She squeaked, turning around. Kyle gave her a puzzled grin. "Hey, firecracker." He said smoothly. "What's up?" Rachelle blushed a little at the nickname. "Uh-nothing." She muttered, looking at the ground. The thoughts of both men were tearing at her soul. "Where's our greeting?" Marisa sniffed in injury. Kyle grinned. "Hey, Sea-goddess. Hello, all." He looked at Oz, Lance, and Andrew in puzzlement. "Hi." He said politely. "Um-who are you?" "I'm Osborne Tamahome-call me Oz-and this is Andrew Asahi and Lance Kino." Oz said formally, with a small smile. A look of mistrust was in all their eyes, as Rachelle noted with interest-and worry. "Kyle is my boyfriend." She said happily, thinking maybe that the guys thought he would steal one of the girls, though she wasn't sure if Andrew or Lance had a crush on anyone yet. Though Lance's blush was interesting. The wary look didn't lift. "Pleased to meet you." Andrew said, voice as stiff as Oz's. Kyle sensed this unfriendly attitude also. His pleasant look was starting to close into coldness. Marisa sensed the tension also. She smiled brightly at Andrew (his frostiness melted more than a little) and said gaily, "Kyle's a friend of ours! Rachelle's been going with him for-what did you say, Rachelle?" She asked, with a meaningful look at her. "Um-for about nine months now." Rachelle stammered, knowing she hadn't ever told them when they had gotten together. "That's right!" Marisa said happily. For some reason, the strain immediately lifted. Oz grinned at Kyle. "Cool. Rachelle's very nice." "Thank you." Kyle said coldly. Rachelle elbowed him slightly. Kyle! Sorry, he replied. "Um-I apologize for our-rudeness." Andrew said awkwardly. "You just sort of-looked like someone we knew. He came here a few weeks ago and-we really don't like him, so." He laughed a little. "Sorry. We cool?" He offered Kyle a hand. Kyle eyed it a moment before grasping it firmly and shaking. "We're cool." Friendly chatter resumed. But Marisa grabbed Rachelle elbow firmly and towed her away slightly. When they were out of earshot, she said in a low voice, "Why and how were you speaking psychically with Kyle?" Rachelle gaped at her. "You can sense-" "Yes, I can, and never mind!" Marisa said angrily. "I've grown stronger than you would think, but how is it you can communicate with your mind to a non-scout?!" Rachelle blushed and fiddled with the edge of her skirt slightly. "We've just-always been able to. A month into our relationship, we began sending our feelings back and forth to each other. Like if one was sad, the other would comfort them. It just sort of progressed until we could read each other's thoughts. It's almost like we share the same spirit now." Marisa's face softened, but the anger was still there. "Be careful. It's sweet that you can communicate like that-lord knows I'd like to with a guy." Her eyes drifted back to the group slightly before narrowing in on her again. "But you remember what-you know-said! We're very new at this! Someone could sense you doing this, and I'd be willing to bet they might recognize your aura!" Rachelle hung her head. Sadness flowed from her clearly. Kyle's head turned to look at the two, eyes sharp. What's wrong? Nothing. Rachelle said instantly, withdrawing a little. To herself, she thought, please God, don't let him find out my feelings. "You were doing it again!" Marisa hissed, smiling brightly at Kyle. "Stop! Now! Or I'll tell Angie!" "So?" Rachelle shot back. "She's not our mom!" Marisa grimaced. "Yeah, so? You know she can use the 'look'." Rachelle shuddered. "All right! No more!" Under her breath, she added, "At least not while you're listening." "What were you two talking about?" Angie asked curiously as they came back to the group. Rachelle, blessed with a sudden insight, said, "Just talking about how cute Andrew is." "NANI?!" Emerald yelled, swatting Rachelle hard about the head. "BAKA!!! EVIL!!! DIE!!" Rachelle fell to the ground under the rain of blows. "Ah! Angie! Kyle! Someone! Help! She's nuts!" "Marisa, what are you doing?" Angie asked, leaping forward to pull her off. "Let me go!" Marisa growled, lunging forward. "I'm-going-to-kill-her-with- my-bare-hands!" Her eyes seemed almost crazy as she broke free. Rachelle took off screaming. "HELP!!! KYLE!!! MARY! ANGIE!!! LACIE!!! MAKE HER STOP!!!" Lacie calmly put out a hand as Marisa ran by and caught her by the back of her shirt collar. Marisa's feet kept moving forward, and as a result, flew up in front of her. She landed on the ground with a clunk. "Ow!" She complained, rubbing her rear and giving Lacie a scathing look. "I almost had her! Why'd you do that?!" "Because no doubt there would have been several pieces of Rachelle when you were done with her." Lacie replied calmly, helping Marisa up and brushing her off in huge swipes that almost knocked her down again. "Watch it, muscles!" Marisa snapped as she nearly fell over from the force of one wipe. "Are you trying to make me a pancake?!" "With syrup and butter and whipped cream!" Mary said, skipping by with a giggle. Malorie watched her skip after Rachelle in amusement. "I don't know whether her head's damaged, she's insane, or both." "Definitely both." Marisa muttered, sweat-dropping. "All right, Lacie, I'm clean! Stop wiping!" Lacie gave her one last sweep before releasing her arm. Marisa immediately pounced on the returning Rachelle. "DIE!!!" "Oh, knock it off, the both of you." Elisha said grouchily. "Good lord. You're acting like two year olds!" "Curse all the feathered fowl!" Mary sang, skipping back past them and flinging herself onto the ground to stare up into the sky and wave her arms and legs like an overturned beetle. Everyone blinked at her a moment. "You are completely insane, do you know that?" Elisha asked. "Thank you, oh blueberried one!" Mary responded cheerfully, making snow angels on the ground, excepting the fact there was no snow. "Has she always been like-that?" Andrew asked, hesitantly. "As long as we've known her." Angie said cheerfully. "And since we've only known her for two weeks, I'd say yes." "Only two weeks?" Lance's brow furrowed. "But-you all act like you're best friends." "We are." All the girls, even Mary, responded instantly. "And you've only known each other two weeks." Oz stated, rubbing his forehead. "Yep." Oz sighed. "No wonder you are all nuts." "I resemble that." Angie sniffed indignantly. Marisa's scalp suddenly prickled. Rachelle's face was wiped of all emotions, and her eyes focused on some far away point. "Uh-oh." Malorie whispered, seeing this. "Bad guy?" Both nodded, slowly and synchronized. Malorie sighed, then edged over to Angie to tap on her shoulder and whisper in her ear. Angie's face went weary, then calm. She sauntered slowly over to Rachelle. "We need to get the guys out of here." She murmured quietly to the both of them. "Shellie-think Kyle can help?" Rachelle nodded, then looked at Marisa pleadingly. Marisa sighed, and nodded. "All right, I guess you can." "Can what?" Malorie asked, looking from Rachelle to Marisa. Rachelle grinned, then closed her eyes. Kyle? He was there in an instant. Yes? We've got trouble. You think you could get these guys out of here? Scout trouble? What else? Kyle, please-it's urgent. Kyle sighed, then nodded and turned to the three other men with a smile on his face. "Well, guys, um-I don't really know you that well, but I'd like to. Would you-like to come play some games at the arcade with me? To the four girls' surprise, Oz said instantly. "Of course. Love to. We'll leave M&M and Co. to their own devices." Malorie growled before giving Oz the finger and turning her back on him. "You can talk psychically to Kyle?" Angie asked in awe as soon as the boys were out of sight. Rachelle blushed and nodded. "We've just sort of always been able to." "Useful." Elisha pronounced, thinking. "Romantic." Malorie and Lacie sighed. "A sure sign you're a scout." Marisa said firmly. "Don't use it often, okay, Rachelle?" "She's right." Angie agreed. "Easy pickings for evil people to hear." "Especially your favorite, right, Angie?" Elisha teased. Angie promptly smacked Elisha's head. "Shut up! I hate him! He's evil, okay!? Jeez!" "Okay, don't have a coronary!" Elisha yelped, rubbing her head. "Yeesh!" "I kill the next person who says that, got it?!" Angie yelled. "Right!" Malorie said, sweat-dropping. "Absolutely!" "Not even dreaming!" "We are SO teasing her later." Marisa muttered to Rachelle. Angie glared at them. "Shut up and let's transform!" "Yes, ma'am!" Marisa said smartly. "Emerald Star Power-Make up!!!" There was a flash of green, and Sailor Emerald stood on the pavement before them. "BAKA!" Angie screeched, hitting her head. "Moron! Transforming where everyone could see you!" "No one did, though, did they?" Emerald asked smoothly, brushing off her arms a little. "It's like having sex in public places-exhilarating!" Rachelle said happily. Everyone stared at her. "And how would you know this, Rachelle?" Lacie asked, sweat-dropping. Rachelle blinked, then blushed profusely. "Um-Garnet Star Power, Make-up!" "I'm taking that as a refusal to answer." Elisha said dryly. Sailor Garnet appeared in a flash of fire and glared at Elisha. "Hey, I'm just saying what I've heard!" "Sure, you are." Mary snickered evilly. "Excuse me?" Angie said, waving her hands. "Can we please transform somewhere a little more private?! As in, say, bushes?!" "Picky, picky." Lacie grumbled, darting into the nearest large shrubbery. There was a flash of purple, and Sailor Amethyst shot out of the top of the bush and landed before them. "Next!" "I'm next in line to use the bushes!" Mary sang, leaping in. "She is very odd." Elisha muttered. Angie nodded fervently. There was a black flash, and Obsidian exploded out of the side of the bush. "Ooh, man, I needed to do that!" She giggled. "Gross!" Elisha scolded, sighing and making her way in through prickly leaves. There were a few mutters of "ouch!" then a flash of blue. Sailor Sapphire emerged, looking rather cross. "I got poked in the eye!" She complained. "I hate this job." Malorie giggled, then jump in the bushes. Almost instantly there was a flash of yellow-orange. There was a thud as Topaz's top half fell out of the bushes and hit the ground. "My foot's stuck on a root!" She whimpered. Amethyst bent down and yanked hard on Topaz's arm. She came shooting out of the bushes, knocked into Amethyst's legs, and sent her to the ground on top of her. "Ah, geroff!" Topaz yelled from under Amethyst's foot. "Sorry." Amethyst told her, standing up and pulling Topaz off the ground. Topaz gave her a look. She grinned. Angie sighed and rubbed her head. "I'm beginning to think Lune made a mistake making us the Sailor Senshi." "Hey, we weren't chosen, remember?" Emerald shouted. "We've ALWAYS been them!" "Oh, happy destiny." Angie muttered, making her way into the bushes. There was a bright flash of gold and white light. Diamond appeared, looking disgruntled. "And forth we go to save yonder world again." "Huzzah!" Obsidian said happily, bounding away across the pavement. "We're off to slay the demons! Yeah!" "Where are they, Garnet?" Sapphire asked, looking to where she was standing. Garnet and Emerald both closed their eyes. After a moment, Emerald said, "Near here. Other side of the school, wouldn't you say, Garnet?" "No-I think-closer to the college." Garnet said firmly, opening her eyes to look at Emerald, who shrugged. "How convenient." Amethyst said dryly, pointing to the college across the street. "Let's shake a leg, Senshi." Topaz said cheerfully, leaping high into the air and over the street. "You know, this whole long jumping thing can be a major convenience for pedestrians." Obsidian mused, leaping back and forth several times across the street. "Enough frolicking, more hurting evil peoples!" Sapphire complained, calmly landing on the other side of the street and grabbing Obsidian's arm as she came down again. "Aww." Obsidian said sadly. "I want to jump." "You can't." Sapphire said severely. "No more leaping, bounding, jumping, and/or air movement." "Ever?" Obsidian said, voice quavering. "Of course not." Sapphire said crossly. "Hello?" Diamond said, pushing her way between the two. "Enough, girls. We need to see what's up." "Obsidian-baka." Sapphire muttered, crossly walking towards the college. "Right. Where's the evil pain in the neck anyway?" "Inside, I believe." Garnet said promptly, Emerald nodding behind her. "Inside?" Sapphire said, sweat-dropping. "In this?!" "Yes-and make it fast!" Garnet suddenly shouted. "Hello! Big baddie! Let's move it, people!" "You heard her!" Diamond yelled. "Move it!" The Senshi broke into a run, dodging several college students to run into the main building. "Out of the way!" Topaz yelled. "Scuse me, pardon me, coming through here, folks! Scram!" The college students did not scram. They stared in amazement at the quickly moving troop of strangely dressed girls that speedily moved through the room. "Hey!" An middle-age man shouted as they passed. "You're not supposed to be in here!" "Tough, chuckles!" Obsidian called enthusiastically. "Special business!" The man gasped at her in outrage, and reached for a small whistle around his neck. He blew hard on it and yelled. "Security! Help! A break in! Security!" "Brilliant, Obsidian.." Amethyst sighed. "Get the security of this place after us." "Heck, we can handle 'em!" Obsidian said happily, dodging a young intern. "We are the mighty Jewel Senshi!" She paused at a particularly silent classroom, opened the door, and yelled, "WE ARE THE JEWEL SENSHI!!!!" to the silent group. They all stared at her as Obsidian merrily waved and darted on, closing the door with a bang. "Who was that?" A person in the class asked. "No idea." Emerald sighed as Obsidian rejoined the group. "Nutso." "Yes!" Obsidian yelled, a smile bright on her face. "Hah! That was exhilarating! Always wanted to do something like that!" "Wacko-" Sapphire began. "HIYA!" Diamond screeched, opening the nearest door, revealing another bunch of stunned student faces. She waved energetically. "Whatcha doing?!" "Studying." One of them managed to make out. "Cool!" Diamond said, waving again. "Bye!" She shut the door hard and burst into laughter as she sped up. "SHE'S RIGHT!" She screamed, catching back up with the group. "Man! Haha! Fun!" Sapphire hesitated, then glanced at the nearest door. "Oh, go on, Sapphire!" Obsidian said in encouragement. "You know you want to!" Diamond said tantalizingly. Sapphire quickly darted to a door, glanced around nervously, and put her head in. A dozen security guards blinked back at her. Sapphire slammed it shut and took off, gasping. "Yikes! Oops!" "What?" Topaz asked as they ran on. "Um." Sapphire said hesitantly. "Hey! You're unauthorized personnel!" All the security guards had burst from the room and were coming after them. "I think I entered the security lounge." Sapphire said with a groan. "Oh, great!" Amethyst growled, running faster than ever. "Stop! Halt! I have to put you under arrest!" "And he thinks that's going to make us stop?!" Emerald grated, sprinting away. "Baka!" "Shoot!" Garnet said, stopping abruptly. "Garnet-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Amethyst demanded. "We missed a turn!" Garnet said frantically. "Turn around, it should have been that last right-oh, no-" The security guards had seen them stop-and were now right in front of the place they had to go. "Fun time!" Obsidian chirped happily, going into a fighting stance. "Try not to hurt them, if at all possible." Diamond cautioned. "I don't want human lives on our hands." "Right." Amethyst said, cracking her knuckles. "No killing." "Or maiming!" Diamond said nervously. "Or fatally injuring! Or mortally injuring! Knock them out is all!" "Right, right." Obsidian said, waving her hand at Diamond. "Let's get them, Amethyst!" The security guards were standing to a man as Obsidian and Amethyst walked towards them, Diamond just behind, keeping a sharp eye on them, the rest of the scouts standing back slightly. A man who seemed to be the lead guard waved a gun at the black and purple haired girl. "Don't move! You are on private property! Now, you will come along quietly, and-" "Do guns hurt us?" Obsidian asked Amethyst. "I don't believe so." "That's what I thought." Obsidian grinned evilly at the security guard, who stepped backward slightly. "Hey!" He spluttered. "What are you doing-" "Super Obsidian Kick!" Obsidian yelled, making up a totally fake attack but managing to knock the gun from the guard's hand. Then she promptly kicked the side of his face, hitting his temple. The man moaned and slumped to the ground. "Super obsidian kick?" Amethyst repeated, leaping behind two men to knock their heads together, knocking both out. "What?" Obsidian said indignantly, kicking a man hard in the chest. "I thought it was creative!" Amethyst sighed as she grabbed the back of another man's neck and squeezed firmly. He dropped instantaneously. "It wasn't super. It was mediocre." "I resent that!" Obsidian snapped, flinging a man over her shoulder onto the ground. "Why?" Amethyst asked, elbowing a man in the gut and punching forward into another guard. "You think you're so good!" Obsidian growled, kicking a man hard in the shin and hitting the back of his neck. "I AM!" Amethyst yelled cheerfully, poking a man in the eyes. All dozen guards were flat on their backs by this time, moaning or unconscious. Obsidian glared at Amethyst. "Hot shot." "You didn't kill anyone, right?" Diamond asked, gingerly stepping over a knocked out guard. "Oh ye of little faith." Amethyst laughed. "No, no deaths. Now, come on! People could be drained by now!" "Hai!" Garnet exclaimed, leading the way. "Let's go!" "How much farther, Garnet?" Topaz asked as they speed onward. "Not far." Garnet responded. "Only a few-yipe!" She stopped abruptly, nearly falling over an unconscious woman lying directly in the hallway. "Fraternity party gone wrong?" Emerald wondered, peeking at the woman. Topaz bent down and sniffed near her mouth. "Doesn't smell at all like alcohol." "Energy drainage, then." Sapphire said grimly. "They've already started." "And there!" Topaz said, pointing ahead. More victims lay scattered about the hall, most looking unconscious, some looking almost dead. "Let's move it, before anyone else gets hurt." Diamond ordered. Silently the girls sped up, moving through the hall like shadows. Wordlessly, Obsidian pointed ahead to where a green haired head was bent over a young man. "Hello, Ivy." Diamond said quietly, coming towards the general. Ivy turned, dropping her victim, and beamed at them. "Oh, goody! Spike! Spike! They're here!" A familiar blond head looked up. Spike grinned. "Hello, there, Senshi." "Good morning." Obsidian said cheerfully, solemnity forgotten. "Lovely day, isn't it?" "Very!" Ivy exclaimed. "Chipper!" "Super!" "Wonderful!" "Rapturous!" "Ivy, love, shut up." Spike ordered, eyes never leaving the group. "Okay, we've gotten past the introductions." Sapphire said, pretending to be checking a small list. "Now it's time for us to do step two: fight!" "We're not here to fight today, love." Spike said softly. Emerald's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, then?" "Special mission today." Spike said, eyes locked on Diamond's face. Diamond shivered and stepped back slightly. Amethyst and Topaz moved in front of their leader. "And that would be?" Topaz asked carefully. Spike grinned, then looked at Ivy. "It's time, love. Time to use that nice power Ithengil gave you." Ivy cackled in delight, then her eyes turned and locked on Diamond's frightened face. "Come here, kitty!" She sang, pointing at Diamond. "What're they up to?" Amethyst murmured to Topaz. "What new power? Something funny's going on here." Ivy grinned wider. She suddenly shot up to the air and soared towards Diamond. The Senshi screeched and backed away, Emerald joining Topaz and Amethyst in front of Diamond. "I don't like this." She muttered to Amethyst and Topaz. "Ivy's got something up her sleeve, but what?" "Move, please!" Ivy sang, waving her hand at Emerald, Topaz, and Amethyst. A wave of energy lashed from her palm to strike them away. They hit the wooden wall with a crash, splintering the wood. Diamond gasped and tried to move, but Ivy landed before her, and quicker than she could blink, her hand had shot out to grab Diamond's front chest charm in the middle of her bow. Diamond gasped and tried to wriggle away. "Hey! Get off!" Ivy grinned maliciously. Green energy suddenly shot into Diamond's chest. She gasped in shock and alarm. There was a brilliant flash of green light that made every scout cover their eyes. Diamond let out a shriek. "My body!" Topaz looked up, and gasped. Diamond's entire body was beginning to fade away, so that only her faint outline was left. She gave Topaz one last look of terror before she vanished entirely. Her chest charm fell to the ground with a clatter. "What'd you do to her?!" Topaz cried, springing up and ramming Ivy hard with her shoulder. Ivy fell back, whimpering. Spike smiled at Topaz. "She's gone, pet." "Where?" Amethyst asked dangerously, standing also and clenching her fists. Spike grinned, showing all his teeth. "Into the future. To a world where she disappeared."