Spike was trying to think of the best spot to break through the plant shield when it evaporated into nothing. Emerald fell to the ground, tired and drained, face triumphant. She grinned at Spike. "Ooh, you're in trouble." Garnet was standing in front of all the scouts, face livid with hatred and anger. Her crimson eyes blazed fire. Spike began to launch an attack, but before he could even open his mouth, Garnet cried out, "PSYCHIC MIRAGE!!" Spike blinked. Garnet was.disappearing.a hazy image was coming up in her place.long yellow hair, swirled up into two buns..wings.bright blue eyes.. The Senshi stared at Spike as he stared at Garnet in horror, falling to the ground. Ivy was wailing in-fright?! Terror, almost?! Spike's dry mouth managed to choke out, "S-Sailor Moon.?" "Is he okay?" Obsidian asked, watching Spike stare at Garnet. "Mi ama esuko dondegai." Garnet said, not turning around. She was glowing a bright red now. With a deep breath, she murmured, "I-I have done my defensive attack." "You all right, Garnet?" Sapphire whispered, standing behind her friend. Garnet shuddered, then stood straighter, glow getting brighter than ever. "Hai." "That's yes in Japanese." Obsidian commented, looking at Garnet interestedly. "We're moving around the globe, here." Garnet began to move forward, past Spike, who slumped to the ground, terror evident still on his face. "My defensive attack," Garnet said slowly, and in a strange, musical tone, "is a mirage. They see what they fear most. Sailor Moon." "Wow." Amethyst murmured, waving her hand energetically in front of Spike's unseeing eyes. "That's pretty useful." Garnet did not reply. She merely came up to Ivy, who was whimpering and rocking back and forth. She looked at her for a moment before placing her hand on Ivy's forehead. A gush of black light flowed out of Ivy's head. She was screaming, flailing, unable to break away from Garnet's cold grasp. The black light began flowing up into Garnet's arm before she glared at it and forced it into the air. The moment it was released from human form, the light vanished. Garnet kept her hand situated on Ivy's head until all the light was gone. Ivy fell back with a cry, sobbing and wailing. Garnet looked at her coldly. Then, with a faint moan, she fell backwards and hit the ground, too weary to even be knocked out. Topaz carefully helped her sit up. "What'd you do?" Garnet gasped for air, but smiled grimly. "I took away that power-the power Ivy had to put Diamond into the future. I-I think that's our half of bringing her back. Now all we have to do is-" Her eyes rolled back into her head and she slumped, down for the count. "Wait." Sapphire finished, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "How'd she do that? That was seriously incredible." "All of us are getting stronger." Emerald said softly, leaning on Amethyst for support. "We're not the weak little beginners we once were. We're all becoming warriors, now. We're the Sailor Senshi." Obsidian laughed, completely breaking the mystical mood. "Uh, hello? Weren't we always?" "Now all we have to do is hope that Diamond can figure her way back." Topaz said with a sigh. "And let's just hope she can figure it out before she gets herself killed." * * * Diamond eyed the cylindrical elevator with some curiosity. She and two other men, both with heavy artillery, had been ascending for ten whole minutes. Weren't they ever going to reach the top? The top. She shuddered slightly. Okay, so she was going into immense danger. And it was more than likely she would die immediately. So what. Maybe if she died here, she could get home. The elevator doors opened with a whoosh. The two men silently dragged Diamond out. She noted, with a level of increasing foreboding, the black marble floor and large black pillars. Eerie statues were formed here and there. A thick mist lay on the floor in patches, like small clouds. Diamond watched these interestedly as the men led her roughly forward. She looked up finally to see an elevated dais, on which was a dark black throne, surrounded by the various generals. She half-smiled as she looked at each face, none seeing her, all looking bored. Spike, Jedin, Uther, Ivy, Katrina, Xavier, Damon. Her eyes focused on the woman sitting on the black throne. Her face was hidden in shadow, but bright red hair fell in long waves to her feet. A slinky, revealing dress clung to her body. Pale hands clasped the sides of the throne, blood red nails tapping impatiently. "Lady," One of the men began. "We bring to you a renegade, who was out after curfew and injured many of your loyal servants when she resisted our insistence she come with us." Diamond serenely looked up at the dark throne. "Hello, Rubian." She said calmly. The generals' mutters ceased abruptly. All heads turned towards her. Diamond smiled grimly. "Yes, and hello to you lot, too. I suppose it's been three years, though I can't remember it." Damon's face was very white. He shook his head at her and mouthed, "I told you to stay away!" Diamond ignored him. Her eyes were fastened on the red-haried woman. Rubian's fingers snapped. "Leave us." She said to the guards in a low, bell-like voice. The guards snapped their heels together and nodded, exiting quickly. Rubian seemed to be eyeing Diamond with interest, though she couldn't see her face or eyes. "So, the Lost Senshi rejoins us at last." She said finally. "How lovely. I expected you would, someday, due to Ithengil's plan." She gestured to a small, yellowish man beside her with a long staff, who cackled and leered at Diamond. "And Ivy's work." Diamond replied, jerking her hands apart and snapping the handcuffs. All the generals stiffened at the sound. Jedin licked his lips and gazed hungrily at her, whining a little. "Mistress, it's been so long since we've tasted Senshi flesh-" "I did not give you permission to speak, Jedin." Rubian said calmly, moving her head to look at him. Jedin was silenced abruptly, though he glared at Diamond still. "Bad dog." Diamond scolded, shaking her finger at him. Inwardly, she was screaming with terror. Rubian-murderer-she was deathly afraid of that red- haired woman. There was such an incredible aura of death and evilness about her that inside herself she cried fearfully, wanting to run far away. But the deaths of her friends and the rage that they brought was in her also. So she stayed silent, glaring first at Jedin and then at Rubian. "Well?!" She demanded finally. "Let the battle begin, already!" Rubian laughed a little. "As you wish, Diamond. But are you sure you want to?" A low laugh echoed through her generals, who settled back like they were at a sporting event. Damon remained tense, eyes filled with foreboding, willing her to go away. "Bring it on." Diamond said firmly, bending her knees and clenching her fists. Rubian clapped her hands, one, twice, three times. "So be it. Your first opponents." She gestured in front of her. Five shadows had appeared before Rubian, pulsating in the air. They grew larger and larger, until they were the size of humans. In a black flash, the shadows vanished from the things' faces. Features became clear and bright, and suits clearly formed. Diamond gasped in delight and joy, tears coming to her eyes. "GUYS!!!" Obsidian, Topaz, Amethyst, Emerald, and Sapphire looked down coldly at her, eyes revealing nothing. Diamond ran up to Topaz and hugged her fiercely. "I'm so sorry I left you guys, honestly I didn't mean it-oh, man, I thought you were dead!" Tears streamed from her eyes as she grasped Topaz by the shoulders to look in her eyes. SMACK!! Diamond fell back to the ground, flung by the force of Topaz's blow. Her eyes opened wide in shock and betrayal as a thin stream of blood fell from her mouth. "Topaz-chan..." She whispered, eyes full of tears. "Why? Why would you hurt me?" A low laugh echoed around the room, and not all of it was from the generals. Her friends-her beautiful, wonderful, alive friends-laughed also. Laughed at her pain. Topaz looked Diamond in the eye, still laughing. A jolt ran through Diamond's body as she realized that Topaz's eyes-once that pretty amber shade-were now black, and empty. Like holes. So. This was what Rachelle and Damon had hid from her. Her friends were truly gone. They had deserted her side. They were evil. Tears streamed down her face as this realization hit. She crumpled into the ground, tears gently falling down her face. "What's the matter, Sailor Diamond?" Rubian taunted. "Can't fight your little friends? They're mine, now. All mine. I suppose you think that maybe a part of them is still in there? Oh, how very wrong you are, indeed!" Diamond wiped her eyes, and stood, glaring not at Rubian but at the creatures laughing at her. The bodies that had once held the souls of her friends. They stopped laughing to glare at her with blank eyes. "Maybe you were once my friends." Diamond said slowly and clearly. "But no longer. I will fight you guys in fair one-on-one combat. Who's first?" The evil Senshi leered at each other before Topaz stepped down from the elevated platform to smirk at Diamond, eyes still so horribly dark. Diamond bit back a sob as she went into a fighter's stance and glared at Topaz. "Let's get this over with." "Ready?" Rubian asked, a snicker in her voice. "Begin!" Topaz immediately launched herself at Diamond, grabbing at her throat. Diamond backed off, wishing with all her might that Topaz might miraculously wake up and recognize her. A blow to her temple blew away this hope, and with an angry growl, Diamond's knee rooted itself in Topaz's gut. Topaz did not grunt or gasp, just shoved Diamond away and continued fighting. That was what hit it home. Topaz always had some sort of reaction to being injured. Coldly, Diamond grabbed this fake Topaz by the hair and yanked her to the ground. Topaz's head hit with a crack. She let out a small gasp, but reached up to grab Diamond's wrist and jerked her down to the floor hard. Diamond yelped. Roughly, she rolled on top of Topaz and held her arms at her sides with her knees. Topaz savagely struggled, biting at Diamond's knees. "Witch." Diamond said savagely, aiming her hands at Topaz's heart. "Golden Halo Attack!!!" Just before the attack hit Topaz, the look in her eyes changed. The darkness suddenly melted to a yellow gold. Diamond stared at her eyes, horror dawning on her face as the attack penetrated Topaz's heart. She scrambled off her and knelt by her, praying what she had seen wasn't true. Topaz's amber eyes looking up at Diamond, a smile on her dying face. "Hiya, Ange." Diamond choked on tears. "Topaz! Oh my God, Topaz!" Topaz reached out to grasp her hand. "Thank you, Diamond. I'm free again. I'm free of that prison." She smiled again, eyes clouding over. "Now, try to find a way home, eh? So we can rewrite this future." She breathed deeply, then laid her head back on the ground. Her body began to vanish into yellow and orange sparkles that floated up and away into the night sky. Diamond stared at the ground, eyes prickling with tears, heart beginning to split at the edges. "Topaz." Two friends gone.four left..Diamond turned tear-filled eyes on her comrades, then looked at Rubian, who smiled at her. So, that was her plan. Break her before she killed them all. Well, she wasn't going to fall. She would kill all of her best friends right here and right now. She straightened and glared at the group. "Next." Sapphire sidled forward, smiling evilly at Diamond. She said nothing, just went into a fighter's stance. Diamond wiped away a tear as she looked at her lost friend. Then she slowly moved into her own stance. "Ready." Rubian said, voice a triumphant cackle. "Begin!" Sapphire did not move first, this time. She began circling around. Diamond mimicked her movements. The two circled each other, watching the other's movements carefully. Diamond finally charged Sapphire with a yell. Sapphire calmly moved to the right, sticking out her foot. Diamond tripped over it and landed on her face. Sapphire laughed, then said, in a cold, jeering tone, "You always were a big klutz, Di-mond." Diamond stood, spitting out blood from where her lip had split. She angrily turned to face Sapphire to see her smirking at her. Without a word, she charged again. Sapphire moved to the side, but Diamond moved with her, hitting her in the breastbone with her shoulder. "Icy Darkness Blast!" Sapphire yelled, spinning away and aiming at Diamond. A horrible jet of black ice hit Diamond. She was freezing all over-outside in winter with just a bikini-stuck in a freezer-Antarctica-she shivered and said, through chattering teeth, "G-golden-Halo-At-ttack!" The light from her attack both thawed her out and made Sapphire dodge away as it flew past her. She smiled cruelly at Diamond. "Pathetic. Can't you do better?" Diamond winced, then pulled back with her hand. The halo stopped turning, reversed direction, and flew at Sapphire's back. Sapphire let out a cry as the attack came through the other side of her, breaking through the blue bow. Her eyes flashed blue as she fell to the ground. Diamond knelt by her, already knowing what was coming. "Hey, Elisha." She whispered, squeezing her hand. Sapphire smiled up at her, blood gushing from her chest. "Hello, there, Diamond." She coughed, spitting out blood. Diamond carefully cleaned it from her lips, then gazed sorrowfully down. "I'm so sorry-" "Never mind!" Sapphire whispered, impatience slightly on her breath. "It's your charm, Angie. One of them-god, I can't remember-one of your charms- enchanted-keeping you here-" She swore and looked cross. "Darn it! I can't remember!" Diamond grinned at this familiar temper even as tears sprung to her face. Sapphire sighed, then smiled at Diamond, eyes as blue as the sea being hidden under closing eyelids. Sapphire's body exploded into many shades of blue light that swam around Diamond for a moment in comfort before disappearing up into the heavens. Diamond let tears swarm down her cheeks as she stroked the ground where Sapphire had lain. "Next." She said finally, looking up with dry eyes Emerald stepped forward, black eyes boring into Diamond's. She bit back a whimper as she remember how pretty Marisa's eyes had always been. Sea- green, with flecks of forest.But this Emerald was not her friend. She moaned a little before going into a fighting stance. Emerald did not move. She remained upright, looking at Diamond. "Ready?" Rubian's hateful voice came. Diamond ground her teeth. "Begin!" An incredible psychic force hit Diamond like a gale. Emerald was glowing black, staring at her with those terrible eyes. "Glad Garnet's not evil." Diamond muttering, trying to rearrange her mind back into order. "Otherwise I'd be brain-fried." Emerald did not laugh, or even register that she had heard. She continued to blast her mind with wave after wave. Diamond closed her eyes, screaming inside her head, nerves and thoughts being torn apart. Too much for you, Sailor Diamond? Emerald asked inside her head. Diamond ground her teeth. You wish. Emerald only smiled, a smug, evil smirk. Anger boiled in Diamond's heart. Concentrating, she began to attempt to force back the power coming at her. Emerald's grin turned to shock as a line, half gold, half black and green, formed between them. Diamond pushed with all her might in her mind, causing the gold line to move forward, inch by inch. Emerald forced it back, pushing also. Diamond struggled, wincing, trying to hold her place- Emerald let out a chilling cry as Diamond's gold line suddenly gained several feet. And-for a tiny instant-her eyes flashed green. Diamond stared, wondering what was happening. "Get..out..!" Emerald said in a low, slurring voice, green eyes flashing. ".get.out.of.me!!!" "Stop it, Emerald!" Emerald snapped again, eyes going black. "You no longer exist! Go back into the corners of our mind!" "My..mind!" Emerald slurred again, eyes flying back to green. ".I.will.be.free.of.you.yet! By.death.if.need.be." Her eyes looked across to Diamond, conveying every sense of imprisonment. Slowly, Diamond began to make her way forward. "You can't win!" The other Emerald shrieked. "I have control!" "It's..my.body!!! I.know.it.better..than.you.do!" Emerald shot back in anger. "I..always .resisted..you..you..slimy..evil.thing!" Diamond crept closer, praying the other half of Emerald wouldn't notice what she was doing. It seemed she didn't, for she shrieked, "You gave in like all the others did!" "I.was.last.if.you'll.remember!" The real Emerald snapped. She turned her eyes to look at Diamond. A small smile flew across her face. Please, Diamond. I want to go to Topaz and Sapphire. Diamond raised her hand, placing it close to Emerald's stomach. Evil Emerald finally saw her. She yelled, "You stay away!" and tried to move back, but her feet weren't cooperating. Evil Emerald flailed about, yanking at her feet. "Come off it, Emerald! If I die, you'll die!" "Good!" The better Emerald cried. "Diamond, now!" "Golden Halo Attack!" Diamond yelled, aiming for Emerald's stomach. Her whole body gave a great shake as the halo went into her. The blackness completely vanished from her eyes, and Emerald lifted her arms triumphantly even as her life's blood rushed out of her. "Free! I'm free!" She wrapped her arms around Diamond's neck and squeezed as she began to sink to the ground. "You saved me! You saved me!" She sat back on the ground as Diamond lowered herself also, supporting Emerald's shoulders. "It's so good to see you!" She sobbed, hugging Diamond tightly. "Oh, it's so good." She coughed a little, and smiled blearily. "Even if I am dying, I guess. I was the last to give in to Rubian's influence, Dimes. Aren't you proud?" "Very." Diamond whispered, lying her friend back on the ground, tears wet on her cheeks. Emerald beamed up at her. "I fought it, didn't I? Nearly beat it! Hah to all evil!" Her eyes closed but her mouth kept working. "Go back to our time, eh, Dimes? Brave as I was, I'd rather not have worked for Rubian." Her mouth twitched and stopped moving as her arms that had been so tight on Diamond's neck relaxed and fell to the floor. Even in death, Emerald smiled. Her body gently exploded into green illumination that wove up to the ceiling, out of a window, and gone. Diamond sighed and looked at the two remaining Senshi. "Next." Amethyst strutted forward, flexing her muscles and cracking her knuckles. Diamond winced at the familiarity of this mood that Amethyst had done so many times going into battle. Amethyst moved into a strong fighting stance as Diamond did also, tears already falling. "Ready?" Rubian asked brightly. Diamond found herself longing to tear her throat out and kick that red-haired witch across the room. "Begin!" Amethyst launched herself at Diamond like Topaz had done. Diamond dodged, but Amethyst spun and nailed her to the side of the head with a kick. Diamond hit the floor hard, head first. She groaned and began to kneel, but another kick nailed her stomach, causing her to curl up. A different blow hit her unprotected head. She jerked backward, blood spewing from her already bleeding mouth. She feebly turned away from Amethyst, only to receive a strike on her spine that made her arch in pain. Amethyst chuckled a little, as did all the generals, watching Diamond lie there, shaking in pain. Diamond narrowed her eyes, hearing them laugh. She leapt up into a crouch and swung her leg, knocking Amethyst off her feet. Diamond then stood up all the way, glaring at her purple-headed opponent. "You always were the best fighter, Amethyst." Amethyst growled and leapt up, hitting Diamond with both her feet. She fell back with the girl's weight on top of her, hitting the floor hard. Amethyst was on her in an instant, pounding her stomach and face. Diamond wriggled under her, trying to avoid to rain of blows, gasping a little. Amethyst grimly kept on, beating her body black and blue. Diamond yelped as one particularly hard punch landed in her solar plexus. She reached up and grabbed Amethyst's shoulders, shoving her off and then scooting back slightly. Amethyst grabbed her foot quickly and yanked her back, twisting the foot as she came. Diamond cried out as she felt her ankle bend. Something snapped in her lower leg. Fiercely she let a punch fly at Amethyst's face, poking two fingers in her eyes. As Amethyst spluttered and rubbed her eyes, Diamond moved back to examine her injury. Not broken, but sprained, assuredly. And there was no time to heal now. Slowly, unsteadily, she got to her feet, testing her weight on the injured foot and wincing. Amethyst's black eyes glared up at her, watering slightly. She leapt up and tackled Diamond, knocking them both down. Diamond began scratching at her face, yanking on purple hair. Amethyst was punching her again in the stomach, but now Diamond was kneeing her gut blow for blow. The two clawed at each other like madmen, yanking hair and biting and punching. Diamond sunk her teeth into Amethyst's shoulder and hung grimly on as Amethyst scratched up the back of her neck. "Owph!" Diamond muttered through her mouthful of Amethyst's skin and muscle. She let go to breath and punched backwards, hitting Amethyst's nose. Amethyst stopped clawing and the two flung themselves away from each other, licking wounds and eyeing their opponent angrily. "Evil." Amethyst spat. "Look who's talking!" Diamond retorted. Someone was clapping. Diamond didn't turn to see, but it sounded like it was Jedin or Spike. She hated this. This was just some sort of sport for these creeps. Dueling Senshi. Amethyst leapt at her again. Diamond didn't move to block or get away. She just let Amethyst hit her and roll her around on the floor, pounding her head and chest again. Amethyst looked down at her, black eyes suspicious. "Why won't you fight?" "I'm tired." Diamond responded, stretching out on the floor. "Give me a moment and I'll be back on my feet again." "I'll kill you first!" Amethyst swore, raising her hand to do an attack. "Everlasting Love Purify." Diamond said calmly. Golden light shot up around her in a haze. She felt her ankle get jolted back into place and her bruises and scrapes melt away in one brilliant flash of pain. She kicked Amethyst away from her and stood, refreshed and ready. "Okay. Now we can fight." Amethyst stood, staring at her, bleeding from her shoulder and sides. "N- not fair!" She gasped. "Life's not fair, honey." Diamond said peacefully. Then she flew at Amethyst, hitting her hard in the stomach with a punch. Amethyst fought back, but her amazement at Diamond's apparent foul play was making most of her blows weaker. Whereas Diamond, with her injuries healed, attacked with a zeal. Amethyst finally fell backwards, bleeding from many places, lying on the ground. Diamond stood over her, eyeing her coldly. "This is ending." She growled, looking down at Amethyst's form. "But now. Golden Halo Attack!" Amethyst screamed her rage and defiance as the halo flew into her heart. The blackness faded from her eyes as they returned to their familiar purple hue. She grinned at Diamond wearily. "Hey, there, fearless leader." "Hey, Lacie." Diamond replied, kneeling by her friend and stroking some of her wounds. "I-I'm sorry I had to hurt you so bad." Amethyst waved her hand at Diamond. "Nah, I've felt worse." She claimed, as blood pooled on the ground around her and her breath came in ragged gasps. "You liar." Diamond said with a small smile. Amethyst grinned again before lying back and closing her eyes. Her body faded into purple and pink lights that swirled up, but instead of going towards the ceiling, moved towards the generals. It paused before Jedin and seemed to slap his face, jerking him from side to side. Diamond could have sworn she heard Amethyst's laugh as the purple lights moved up and away into the sky. Diamond blinked back tears, then looked at the generals. "Next." Rubian clapped her hands as Obsidian made her way down from where she was to stand before Diamond, not smiling or even moving. "Obsidian here is my very favorite scout." Rubian said smugly. "The leader of my band. And the strongest." "Oh yeah?" Diamond challenged. "And why was that?" "She's so close to us naturally." Rubian said with a malicious smile. "And also the fact she was the only one to come willingly." "You liar!" Diamond hissed at the throne. "Obsidian would never!" "She did." Rubian cackled. Diamond swore, but Rubian was already saying, "Ready? Begin!" Diamond's eyes focused back on Obsidian. Obsidian's eyes had always been that dark shade, but they had never looked so cold or so unfeeling. Mary's eyes had always been full of life and joy at everything. And partial insanity. But these eyes were harsh, and cruel. Diamond sighed and moved her knees back and forth a little. "I've been waiting for you, Sailor Diamond." Obsidian said, voice distant. "I knew you were coming, and I knew it would be up to me to defeat you." "So now you're psychic?" Diamond asked, cocking her head. "Thought that was Shellie's job." "I am the leader of the Senshi." Obsidian said coldly. "After you abandoned us." "I didn't abandon you!" Diamond snapped. "I was forced away! And leader of what Senshi?! You and I are the only ones left alive!" "Whose fault is that?" Obsidian asked coolly. "I'm not the one who killed them." With a yell, Diamond charged at Obsidian, who smiled in satisfaction. She raised a hand and shouted, "DARK SOULSTEALER SURROUND!!" Diamond's body was flung backward at the force of the black energy coming at her. It tore at her head and body, scratching her face and neck. She hit the far wall with a crack and slid to the floor, gasping, panting. She wanted to get up, but her limbs failed her. All she could do was lie there, and breathe. Just breathe. The click-clacking of boots on marble made her looked sideways. Obsidian was walking towards her, smiling cruelly. Feeble, she attempted to rise as Obsidian stood over her. There was an incredibly fast and strong kick to her face that made her head jerk back and strike the wall again. Another blow to her stomach propelled her into the wall, making it crack. She struggled to breathe, lungs laboring for air. "BLACK NIGHTFALL DESTRUCT!" Obsidian shouted, pointing at her. Another attack came roaring at Diamond. She couldn't move, couldn't evade it, just had to lie there, screaming in pain, letting black energy fill her senses, tear at her sanity, rip at her emotions. Obsidian-chan, my friend..stop.please.She looked up into Obsidian's indifferent face, eye full of pleading tears. Please. The attack didn't stop. It went on and on, pounding at her, destroying her. Her screams filled the room as blood starting to pour from thousands of tiny cuts all over her. She whimpered pitifully, not caring about the generals' laughs she knew would be there..like she could hear them anyway.. Emerald's face popped up in her mind, smiling at her as sea-green eyes closed. Go back to our time, eh, Dimes? Amethyst's head and grin. Hey, fearless leader. Sapphire's angry face. Darn it, can't remember! Topaz's soft smile. Let's rewrite this future. And Garnet's face, which was for an instant an old woman before it faded to the Garnet she remembered. Come on, Angie. You're our last hope. Don't let this happen. Diamond shuddered, but slowly closed her mouth, trapping in her cries. And gradually, very, very slowly, she began to stand up. The generals' catcalls, that she could now hear clearly, stopped abruptly. Obsidian's eyes narrowed in shock and anger. Diamond slowly straightened her back until she was standing fully upright, letting the attacks batter her and hurt her, but ignoring it. She glared at Obsidian with hatred. The attack abruptly stopped with a wave of Obsidian's hand. Diamond's shoulders sagged a little in relief before she went stiff again, eyes locked onto her last opponent's. "You can't win." Obsidian said softly. "Want to bet?" Diamond retorted, clenching her fists. "I'm your true leader, Obsidian. You can't beat me." "I'm the leader now." Obsidian asserted, smirking. "You're old news. And you're jealous of my new powers." She raised her hand to let a small ball of black cloud whirl in it. Diamond just looked at her. "So, you need more powers and a powerful super- queen behind you to beat me?" She asked. Obsidian's leer vanished. "I do not." "Sure seems like that, leader." Diamond said sarcastically, spitting on the ground in disgust. Obsidian's punch knocked her off her feet. She hit the wall, but before she could fall, Obsidian had grabbed her bow and flung her back across the room. She slid for several meters, wincing and rubbing her face. "Bor-ing." Obsidian sang smoothly, coming towards her. "I had expected more from you, Diamond." The self-assured look was back on her face. Diamond rose again slowly, wiping the blood trickling from her mouth. "And how's Tuxedo Onyx, Obsidian?" She asked, insight coming to her. Obsidian froze, eyes blacker than ever. "Did you kill him, or were you just laughing when he died?" "SHUT UP!" Diamond found her cracking her back against the wall again before she could move. Obsidian's cockiness had turned into a cold, raging fury. She picked Diamond up again and flung her at the line of generals. They all split apart and Diamond crashed into the wall just behind them. She crumpled, slowly sliding off the wall, as all the generals laughed and moved out onto the floor with Obsidian. Diamond began to stand and move back to the floor when her knees failed. Bile rose in her throat and she vomited blood. Obsidian laughed, as did her cohorts. Xavier had one arm draped around her neck, and she snuggled into him. Diamond glared at her, wiping her mouth. "Snuggling up to a general, Obsidian? You never did answer my question. What happened to Tuxedo Onyx?" Obsidian said nothing. She merely glared hatefully at Diamond. Diamond knew she had struck her major nerve. She moved down towards the group, staring at Obsidian. "Did he die for you? Did you try to save him and fail? Or maybe you did kill him. Look at you, all buddy-buddy with a general. What would Demetri have said?" "They're dead." Obsidian said coldly, hatred coursing in her voice. "And you're joining them, you witch." She raised her hand, but a strange, reckless feeling was in Diamond's veins, now. She moved out onto the floor, facing the group, eyes blazing. "I suppose he'd be real proud of you now, huh, Obsidian?" She asked. "Leader of the Senshi, won by joining with Rubian, bully, smooching with Xavier-you've just risen to the height of everything!" Obsidian moved forward, freeing herself from Xavier's grasp, face a mask of cold loathing. A warmth was filling Diamond's veins. Her stare melted into a serene look as she raised both her hands. "Good-bye, Obsidian." She aimed at the group. "SHINING METEOR SHOWER!!!!" Dozens of tennis-ball sized light bolts shot out of her hands and zoomed at the group, showering them with golden light. Obsidian, who was in front, took most of it, gasping in pain as they hit her torso and abdomen. A few shots hit the generals, who hissed as the light ate away at black armor and cloaks. The barrage continued, firing from Diamond's hands. Tears were streaming down her face as she pounded Obsidian again and again until a familiar spark came back into her eyes and she fell to the ground. Only then did she end her fire. The generals moved away, back to behind Rubian, as Diamond ran forward to hold her friend. Obsidian was crying. Sobbing, practically. "Diamond." She cried, blood leaking from many wounds. "Oh, Diamond, I'm so sorry." "Hey, it's all over." Diamond said soothingly. "Just-just relax." Tears fell down her cheeks too. Obsidian shook her head fiercely and sat up slightly, propped on her elbows. "No, no! Diamond, you don't understand! I-I did come willingly!" She began wailing slightly, choking on tears. Diamond froze, staring at in shock. Obsidian blubbered on, "I-I had to! She had Tuxedo Onyx, a-and she said she w-would kill h-him if I d-didn't come to h-her side. S-so I did, but then-" Her voice broke. "She k-killed him anyway! I-I couldn't stop her, I couldn't save him." Her voice trailed away into helpless sobs. Diamond hugged her friend in relief. "Hey, hey, it's okay! I would have done the same, Obsidian. Shhh, it's okay, hush now. I'll go back, and none of this will ever happen, okay? Calm down, it's okay." Obsidian quieted, blood flowing from her wounds. She took a deep, shuddery breath, and let it out very slowly. Her elbows slipped from under her as she went limp. Diamond didn't seem to notice. She went on, stroking her friend's hair. "It'll be okay. I'll go back, a-and I'll stop this! I won't let you guys d-die! I-I love you all! Oh, God, Obsidian," she broke down and began screaming. "Obsidian! Mary! Don't leave me! Don't leave me here alone, you're my last friend, please, Obsidian, don't go!" She hugged her friend's body fiercely, sobbing, tears mixing with her blood. Obsidian's body faded into shimmering black light that looked like the nighttime sky. Diamond tried to hold it, but it was insubstantial, and her arms slipped through it. "NOOOOOOO!" She wailed, heart finally breaking as she clutched her hands to her chest. "Obsidian! Obsidian!" The lights glittered together as they floated up and away, leaving her behind. Diamond sobbed and sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks in a river, heart aching for all her friends. She shuddered, feeling like she would fall apart. "My friends." She whispered. "My sisters." A low laugh made her turn around, eyes filled with hate. She locked on the dark figure on the throne, who was chuckling to herself. "Well, well! Nicely done, Miss Diamond." Diamond stood, clutching her fists, hatred like she had never known before running through her like poison. There was a roaring sound in her ears as she stared at Rubian laughing at her. Laughing at her friends, her sisters. "WITCH!!!!" She finally exploded, running at the dark throne, tears streaming down her face. "You absolute witch!" A blast of energy flung her back as a shield formed around Rubian. Diamond ignored the pain shooting up her hands and pounded on it, kicking and screaming. "Stop that, you foolish girl." Rubian ordered quietly, motioning with her hand. Diamond was forced back by a jolt of energy. She glared at Rubian, eyes blazing gold. "I had never dreamed," Rubian said softly. "That you could so easily take away my five best warriors." "Easily?!" Diamond demanded, feeling faint. "And they're not yours, witch. They're mine. They've always been my friends and my warriors. Just because you owned their bodies doesn't mean you owned their souls." "How touching." Rubian sneered. "Enough chitchat. Jedin! Uther! Damon! Up front, boys. Take care of her." Diamond glared at the enemy generals who sidled forward. Damon seemed to be thinking hard. Diamond sighed and bared her neck. She couldn't handle three. She couldn't handle one. A flash of Sapphire's face flew through her mind. It's your charm, Angie. One of them-god, I can't remember-one of your charms-enchanted-keeping you here.Ivy's face zoomed at her, triumphant. She had grabbed something.her center charm.in her bow. Diamond looked down at her charm. It was glowing a dark green. So that's it! Diamond thought ecstatically. I break this, I go home! Damon caught her eyes. She pointed to her center charm and mimed breaking it. Damon's eyes brightened in realization. He nodded as a black sword appeared at his side. He grabbed it, and charged with a yell, point aimed at her heart. Diamond didn't move or attempt to shy away. She stayed perfectly still, watching it come closer and closer. "Hah!" Jedin yelled, swerving in from the right. "No you don't, Damon! She's mine!" He aimed a large mace at her head. Diamond ducked just as it came zooming down, and there was Damon's sword, right there- "STOP!" Rubian screamed. "Hold it! Damon, no! Don't break that charm-!" Too late. The sword tip rammed into the charm and through it, into Diamond's body. She gasped as pain flooded through her-but more importantly, the charm was radiating green light that was flooding the air around her. Damon quickly drew out the sword as she fell to the ground, clutching her chest. Her hand came away bloody. She stared at it, a smile lighting up her face as she looked up at Damon. "Thank you-but why'd you help me?" Damon chuckled a little as he stepped back. "This future's no fun. I like it more fighting than ruling over everything." "Idiot!" Rubian raged, flinging a bolt the size of a cow at Damon. He stiffened, eyes going wide, and then vanished into nothing but a cloud of smoke. Diamond stared at it, tears coming again to her eyes. Then she grinned. It doesn't matter. I'm going home! Everyone will be alive! Rubian was standing now, and walking towards her. Fury made the air around her shiver. She picked up Damon's sword that had fallen from his grasp and raised it towards Diamond's head. Diamond stared at it in disbelief. No- not now-please, not now- Rubian spitefully swiped at her. Diamond closed her eyes, felt the sword on her skin- Rubian choked out a yell. Diamond looked down in time to see herself starting to fade away-and the sword go right through her. She gasped, then smiled up at Rubian, who was screaming. "You whelp! You ruined everything! My future-my world-" As Diamond watched, she began to melt, like a candle under extreme heat. Darkness flooded around her vision, leaving the only the disintegrating Rubian. She continued shrieking, glaring at Diamond who was vanishing rapidly. "You little brat! I'll get you! I'll get you! I'll-" With a final slurp, she was gone, and Diamond was whizzing back through the dark tunnel, wounds healing, eyes clenched shut against horrible winds that screamed in her ears. WHUMPH! A hard surface knocked the wind out of her. She lay against it, breathing, not daring to look around. "Diamond?" A young, female voice asked. "Diamond, it IS you!!" "Garnet?" Diamond asked hesitantly, squinting up. Garnet beamed down at her. "Of course, you silly goose! You're back! Where'd you go? The future? What was it like-" Garnet managed no more, for Diamond had grabbed her hand and yanked down, flinging her to the floor. Before Garnet could react Diamond was hugging her fiercely, kissing the top of her head. "Garnet!" She sobbed. "Oh, Garnet! Garnet! You're alive!" Garnet smoothed her friend's hair, properly terrified. "Whoa, Diamond! Diamond! Chill out, girl! What happened?" "Yeah, what'd you see?" Topaz asked, kneeling beside them. Diamond raised her head to see her. "Topaz!" And she was off again, clutching her close, burying her head in yellow hair and sobbing. "I'm sorry I had to do it-I didn't know-oh, my friends!" "Is she okay?" Sapphire asked, bending down to look at Diamond. "Sapphire!" Diamond exclaimed, tearing flowing freely. "You helped me! It was you! You saved us! You gave us the clue-you brainiac!" She tore Sapphire down and kissed both her cheeks before hugging her fiercely. "Yuck!" Sapphire said, wiping off her face. "Sicko! Why'd you do that?!" Diamond laughed, hugging all the three. Emerald and Amethyst knelt also, trying to calm her. "Now, Diamond." Emerald said patiently. "What happened-" "You fought it!" Diamond grabbed Emerald's arm and drew her into a hugging headlock. "You fought it, Emerald! You're so strong-I couldn't believe it- I'm so proud!" Emerald patted the clutching arm, choking a little. Amethyst blinked. "Diamond, are you-" "Amethyst!" Diamond laughed and stood, dragging everyone up with her and squeezing Amethyst's stomach in a tight hug. "Oh, god, you fought so well. You were so strong! Wonderful!" Amethyst looked puzzled, but smiled as she patted Diamond's head. "Um, hello?" Mary asked, politely. "You're acting crazier than me, Angie! You okay? Were you attacked by wild ducks?" Diamond let go of all her friends to turn and look at Obsidian. She was standing, looking confused but happy. Diamond edged a step towards her, then, to everyone's surprise, flung herself on Obsidian's shoulder and began sobbing her heart out. "Oh, Obsidian-oh my god-you were so brave-you sacrificed yourself for Onyx- I'm so sorry-I didn't want you to go-you meant so much-oh, man!" She wailed, clutching at Obsidian's neck and shoulders. Obsidian patted her head comfortingly. "Hey, it's okay, Diamond. It's all okay. Now, what the heck happened? Is this going to take a while?" Diamond laughed, wiping her eyes and moving away. "Oh, god, Obsidian, it's going to take a week." Then she drew all her friends in tightly, hugging them fiercely, never wanting to let go.