Spike threw Damon against a large pillar not away from the altar. Jedin
and Uther, behind him, cracked their knuckles.
"What are you doing, Spike?" Damon asked guardedly, not liking the look in
Spike's eyes.
"I want to know what you're playing at, Damon!!" Spike snarled, pounding
his fist into the marble an inch from Damon's head.
Damon didn't even blink. "Playing at?"
"I saw Diamond hugging you, damn it!!" Spike roared. "More, I saw you
blush!! You didn't kill her, and it was the most perfect opportunity you
could ever possibly have!!"
"Have off!" Damon snapped as Spike raised his hand again.
"Why, damn you?!" Spike said, more in bewilderment now than in anger.
"Damon-you're an ally, and one of the best damn fighters I've ever seen.
But you haven't even used half of your reserve against these brats!!
Why?!"
Damon struggled for a moment with the words. "It's-it's hard to explain-"
"You like her." Uther said, voice cold and precise. "You are in love with
Diamond."
Damon tried to laugh this off, but the look in his eyes told differently.
Spike hit his forehead with his hand. "Gah, why didn't I see this
before?!" Then, to Damon's amazement, he began laughing. "Hah! Oh,
Damon, I was worried it was something bad?"
Damon blinked. "This isn't-bad?"
"Very curable." Spike said with a chuckle. "You just need to see our Lady
for a little refreshing." He steered Damon out from behind the pillar and
towards Ithengil, who was reading from a hologram of runes.
"Yes, what is it?" Ithengil asked, spotting them.
"Master Damon here needs some cleansing." Spike said, grinning and
clapping a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Seems to have a bit of a lust-crush
on Sailor D."
Ithengil stared at Damon a little too long with his yellow eyes, making
Damon shift uncomfortably. Finally he waved his staff. "So be it." Two
enormous doors behind them opened into pure darkness.
Damon began to shake slightly. Spike backed away as Damon made his way
inside. The two doors slammed shut behind him. Damon swallowed, and
turned to face what he knew would be there.
Spike listened intently. After a few moments, he smiled. "Good, she
didn't kill him right off. Always a good sign."
"Spiky, love." Ivy cried, coming forward excitedly.
"What is it, bit?" Spike asked, bending his head. Ivy whispered
frantically in his ear for a few moments. Spike grinned, patted her head,
and turned to look at Ithengil. "We have found," he announced, "the human
identities of three of the Therinan."
* * * Oz fumbled with the key trying to get into his apartment. His hands were shaking convulsively, blood splattered all around them. Finally he got the stupid thing in the slot. He wrenched the apartment door open, stumbled a few paces into the room, and collapsed on a dark green leather couch, not caring that a stream of his blood was making its way from his shoulder onto the cover. He laid his head back to stare at the ceiling. God curse it. Why'd he have to go and get injured in that stupid fight against Ivy! He had flatly refused to go to hospital-the doctors might have suspected something, seeing as how the wound was made by a supernatural blade. He didn't know what kind of info might show up on the tests they did-and the last thing he wanted was to be cooped up in a hospital. And to have been so weak-in front of those he was supposed to have been protecting-he felt like a clumsy idiot. He remembered the way Diamond and Topaz-Topaz, of all people-that babe-protecting him after he'd been injured. Path-et-ic. He was pathetic. Stupid, stupid, stupid! And now Ivy probably knew who he was-oh dear. "There's no use worrying about it now." He told himself out loud. "Yes, you made yourself look like an idiot. Well, you are one, so that settles that. As for Ivy-" He winced and rubbed his shoulder. "No. Healing first." Gingerly, he removed his shirt from the bloody mess to get a good look at the wound. It was a hideous deep gash in his shoulder, going right through his flesh to the other side. Somehow seeing it made the pain intensify. Oz winced, then carefully looked deep within himself and slowly drew in a breath. A twinge of yellow-orange energy pulsed at his fingertips. He directed it towards the wound, gasping as the light entered him. The next five minutes were spent in a painful agony until finally he withdrew the light, panting. The wound was still there-large and horrible-but the bleeding had subsided somewhat, though the ache remained. He was no near as skilled at this as Diamond was, and he wished fervently that she hadn't been so devoid of strength and energy. Something fizzed in the air in front of him. His head snapped up and he stared at the air a few feet in front of him. It was glowing a deep black for about four feet around. As he watched, Spike's face suddenly appeared in it. It looked down at him, the mouth opened, and out came Spike's cold, drawling voice. "Hello there, Bullet. Or shall I call you Osborne Tamahome? It seems so much more formal." Oz stiffened, straightening and glaring at the air. Okay, this was bad. "What do you want, Spike?" He demanded. "Tut, tut." Spike scolded. "So rude. Just thought we might be able to have a nice little chat!" "What do you want." Oz stated coldly, not wanting to listen to the cocky general's self-praise. Spike's smile vanished into coldness. "Alright, Ozzie, listen up. We know who you and your two little buds are, and this message is being sent to them also. At one in the afternoon tomorrow, you are to go to the Sunset Tower." A sneer appeared on his face. "We want to have a little talk with a few Therinan members." "And if I refuse?" Oz asked, tossing his red hair to the side of his head. A picture of Sailor Diamond and Sailor Topaz, blood running down the sides of their faces, appeared where Spike had been a second ago. Topaz's eyes were open, and she seemed to be staring pleadingly at him. Diamond's eyes were closed, and her face pale in death, mouth open slightly. Oz shielded his eyes from this sight as the other Senshi joined the first two, all bloody, all dead. Oz shouted and threw a pillow at the site. The pillow went through the mirage, but Spike's face appeared again, smiling cruelly. "This hasn't happened.yet." "Hurt them and I'll kill you!!" Oz swore, raising his hand. "Just be at the Sunset Tower tomorrow at one." Spike ordered, beginning to disappear. "And be warned, Bullet-we are stronger than we appear, and our depths have not been plumbed yet." With that, he vanished. Oz leaned his head back again, wincing as his wound pained him again. He got up and went to look out of his window, thoughts running through his mind like quicksilver.
* * * Malorie skipped happily along the sidewalk, munching on a cookie. Thanks to the "vandalism" done to the cafeteria, school would be closed for an indefinable amount of time. Malorie snorted. Sure. The cafeteria was 'vandalized' like the Empire State Building was 'somewhat tall'. She giggled as she remember the look on Lune's face when they had reported that they had destroyed the cafeteria. She blinked as she recognized the red-headed figure a few feet in front of her, hunched over like he was carrying a great weight. She sniggered slightly to herself. Now was time for a little payback on Oz's part. She began to creep up behind him. Oz moved blindly ahead, glancing at his watch. Twelve forty-eight. Not a lot of time. He gazed ahead to the tall building a few blocks away, then sighed, rubbing his shoulder. Malorie crept slowly up. Oz seemed preoccupied with something and didn't turn around. With a fiendish grin, she raised her hand, and brought it down on Oz's shoulder with a THWACK! Oz gritted his teeth to stop a yell of pain that was inspired from his shoulder, which had flared up suddenly. Behind him, he heard a sarcastic voice say, "Whoops! Sorry, carrot-head, thought I saw a bee!" Oz smiled a little, then turned around to face Malorie. She was expecting anger, smoothness, even name-calling right back. She smiled in anticipation. She had some good insults planned this time! "Thanks, I hate bees." Oz said calmly, rubbing his shoulder. Malorie gaped at him like fish, eyes wide open. "Huh?" She said sophisticatedly. Oz half-smiled again. Malorie. M&M. One of the few people he let himself care about. She was gaping at him, obviously surprised he didn't tease her. But he didn't feel like it, today. The fact was, this could be the last time he'd ever see her. "I said, thank you, I hate bees." Oz said, reaching up to close her mouth for her. "Oh." Malorie said in confusion, working this over in her mind in puzzlement. "Um-aren't you going to-call me names?" Oz sighed. "Not today, Malorie. I have somewhere I've got to be." Without another word, he turned and began walking away, slightly quicker than before. Malorie stared at him leaving. "He-he called me Malorie." She said in perplexity. Something caught her eye, and she looked down at her hand. She gasped as she realized that the hand she had used to hit Oz with was covered in- blood?! "Oh, god, he's really hurt!" She whispered, letting her hand fall to her side and staring after the quickly departing figure. She wrestled with her thoughts for a few moments, then took off after him, bumping and knocking into people, not even caring, just keeping her eyes focused on the swiftly walking man.
* * * Oz checked his watch. Twelve fifty five. Perfect. He stared nervously out at the large building not five yards away, and took a deep breath. "Okay. Okay. You can do this, Oz. Just try for once not to be a coward." He ran a hand through his hair, working up his courage. Suddenly, out of nowhere, something gently touched the back of his neck. Oz swung around and grabbed whoever it was, throwing them against the alley wall. The attacking person shrieked and covered its head. "Oz! Calm! Down, boy!" "Malorie?!" Oz demanded, adrenaline and-thankfully-courage flowing through his system. "What the heck are you doing here?!" Malorie straightened angrily and glared at him. "Hey, chill out, all right?! It's just-when I hit your shoulder-well-" She raised the hand with drying blood on it grimly. Oz caught his breath and stared into Malorie's somber eyes. "Oz, that looks painful. And serious! Shouldn't you get medical help or something?!" Oz's fierceness melted into-nothing. "I'm glad you're worried about me, M&M, but really, it's nothing. Just a little sore spot. Now, please, go away, I've got to meet some people." His breath caught as he spotted Lance and Andrew across the street, and without looking back at Malorie, began walking away. If he thought he could get rid of her, boy was he wrong. One, Malorie knew very well this was not some simple paper cut. Two, the dreaded nickname had been uttered. "I got an A in health class, you jerk!!" Malorie yelled as Oz crossed the street without looking back. "I know when something's bad and when it isn't!!" Oz didn't even turn his head. Growling and cursing, Malorie crossed the street in pursuit. Oz nodded to Andrew and Lance, relieved to see them looking as scared as he felt. "Hey, guys." "Hey, Oz." Andrew took a deep breath and looked up. "What happens next? Do you think they'll just incinerate us immediately, or is there something else at hand here?" "I don't think we're going to be killed." Lance said quietly, pointing up. A golden bubble had materialized in the sky and had started to come down towards them. Seconds before it would touch them, it slowly split into four separate bubbles. Each bubble came down to envelope a separate person. Oz did a double take. Wait a minute-four bubbles?! "What the heck is this thing?!" A voice shrieked from behind them. Oz turned, gasping. "Malorie, get out of here!" "I wish I could!!" She replied in a screech, pounding on the walls of the suddenly solid bubble. "What the-why are they taking her also?!" Lance demanded. "Malorie, why are you here?!" "I followed him!" Malorie yelled indignantly, jabbing a finger at Oz. "And what the devil is going-" There was a pop, and the bubble containing her vanished. "Mal!" Oz cried, pounding on his bubble's wall. "Oz, chill." Andrew ordered, voice choked slightly. Oz obeyed, hands clenched and trembling. There was another pop as Lance's bubble vanished also. Oz had the briefest instant to feel horrified before he felt himself dissolving away.
* * * Malorie landed on something hard with an "Ooof!" She rubbed her rear end and looked around. "Dear God." She was sitting on the floor of the lobby of the Sunset Tower. It was completely dark, and all the windows and doors were locked and barred. Lance appeared beside her, bubble gone, as did Oz and Andrew two seconds later. She looked at Oz questioningly, trying to hide the desperate fear she felt behind her eyelids. "Um-what's happening?" She asked, voice trembling only slightly. Apparently her fear was not as well concealed as she thought. Oz took one look at her, then came over and gently put a hand on her shoulder. "I wish we hadn't gotten you into this, M&M. I don't think you're going to like what happens." Malorie stared at him a moment, emotions flashing across her face. Worry, concern, fear, anger all swirled around as she looked at him. Finally she took a deep breath, and said sternly, "Don't call me M&M." Oz laughed hard for a few seconds before grasping his shoulder and then wincing. "What did you do to yourself, anyway?!" Malorie demanded. "You can't accomplish that with something like scissors or even a knife! Least, it's have to be a BIG knife jabbed in several times!" "None of your business, and it's really too hard to explain." Oz muttered. Malorie opened her mouth indignantly. "So you did show up!" A voice said from the other end of the room. Malorie swung around, horror etching itself across her pretty face. I know that voice! She thought desperately. But-could it be?! Spike stood, grinning rather toothily at them. Ivy and Uther stood beside him, Ivy latched onto his arm, Uther standing sullenly. Spike's eyes narrowed as he saw Malorie. "Who's that?" Malorie gasped for air, terror deep in her veins. Slowly she reached for the bracelet on her wrist. Suddenly Oz was in front of her, glaring at Spike. "Back off, Spike! She's a bystander. She has nothing to do with this. Your stupid bubbles managed to catch her also, though." Malorie stared at Oz. How did he know Spike?! Spike ran his tongue over his lips, looking at her like she was a hamburger. Fear pervaded for a moment longer before anger took its place. She stuck her head out from behind Oz and stuck her pink tongue out at Spike and blew a raspberry. Spike grinned. "Brave human. We will not harm her." His eyes narrowed as he looked back up at Oz. "Our business will not be done here. We will meet you on the top floor of this building." With a low laugh, he, Ivy, and Uther vanished. "How do we get there?!" Andrew roared to the empty room. "Stairs?" Lance suggested, pointing at the flight near them. "Or elevator?" He gestured to the other end of the room. "What's going on?" Malorie asked, worry deep on her face. "Why are you guys associating with that?!" Oz laughed harshly. "Way too hard to explain, Mal. Don't think you'd believe us anyway." "Try me." Malorie retorted, crossing her arms. "Later!" Andrew said sharply, pointing to the walls. Large ice blue spikes the size of motorcycles were beginning to spring out of the walls. They crackled and shifted back and forth. Suddenly the ones farthest away, near the stairs, began shooting out and plowing into each other, razor sharp points glinting in the little light there was. "Run!" Andrew ordered, taking off towards the elevator. "Towards the elevator, quick!" Lance charged after him. Malorie stood frozen, staring at the advancing shooting spikes. Someone suddenly grabbed her hand and began pulling her swiftly along. "Come on, Malorie, run!!" Oz shouted. Shaking herself, Malorie took off, sprinting after him. Andrew had the elevator doors open and was waving frantically at them. "Come on, come on!!!" It was only a few paces ahead-but those spikes were gaining so fast-
Oz caught her around her waist and flung her the next five feet into the elevator. She hit the back wall with a crack and moaned. Oz took a tremendous leap to land in the elevator, Lance banged the "Doors Close" button, the elevator doors slid shut, and the elevator started up. Oz leaned back against the elevator walls, sighing in relief. Malorie was shaking slightly. She stared at him with wide eyes. "All right, all of you spill. What the hell is going on here?! Do your parents know about this?!" "Don't have any." Oz said calmly. "We don't have anything." He took a breath and let it out slowly. "I guess that's where this should all start." "Should we tell?" Lance whispered in his ear. "Not all. Just most." Oz murmured back. He cleared his throat at looked back at Malorie's puzzled eyes. "Mal-" He took a deep breath. "God, you're not going to believe this, but I'll try. On our eighteenth birthday, all of us, Lance, Andrew, and me, woke up without a damn clue about who we are." Malorie stared at him, eyes filled with shock. "Weirdest case of amnesia the doctors had ever seen, they said." Oz said with a bittersweet laugh. "Not only did we remember anything, there was no one who remembered us, no files, no data, no record, nothing. Not even a family. We only remembered each other, vaguely. We felt connected. So we've stayed together, and we came here." "Why here?" Malorie asked. "We're not exactly the biggest city in the world." "A compulsion." Andrew said, taking up the story. "Drawn here by something." "And why are you involved with-" She swallowed. "Him?" "Not by choice, I can assure you." Lance said dryly. He was not taking part in the story but choosing instead to watch the elevator go up by floors. "We-think he can help us remember some things." Andrew said carefully. "And they-he-asked us to come here today." "Understand this, M&M." Oz said suddenly, leaning towards her. "You have no idea what kind of hell our life is like. We have no idea about who we are, if we belong anywhere, friends, family-nothing. Like an alien spaceship just sort of dropped us here one day all ready for life. You get me?" Malorie nodded slowly, biting her lip. Her "Don't call me M&M" was half- hearted. Then she murmured, very, very quietly, "I know hell of a lot better than you might think." The elevator suddenly jolted back and forth and stopped. "Uh-oh." Lance said in the silence that followed. "Not good." "What's Spike doing?" Oz asked Andrew. "Nothing good." Andrew said grimly, reaching up towards the emergency trapdoor at the top of the elevator. He wrenched it open, and looked up into blackness. Ivy's voice echoed down the elevator shaft, tinkling like a bell. "Tiiiime to plaaaay with kiiiitties.." Her voice echoed a few times before fading away. Malorie shivered, hugging herself tightly. "I don't like this at all." She muttered. "Look!" Lance yelled, pointing up. A spark of green was visible twenty floors up. As they watched, it expanded into a green flame that began shooting down the shaft towards them. "Damn!" Andrew swore. "Damn, damn, damn!" Oz glanced at Malorie apologetically. "I'm sorry we drew you into this, Mal." He said sadly, giving her a slight hug. Malorie said nothing. She stared at the green flame, choices running through her head. I don't want to get flame crisped, but to transform in front of them would mean trusting MORE people with my secret, but Oz is nice-but then, Jedin seemed nice at first. Oh, god. Similar thoughts were flying through Oz's head. We can't transform here in front of her! But, then, if we don't we'll get killed-but it's more that likely we'll be dead anyway-but Mal shouldn't have to suffer this-He sighed at glanced at her. She doesn't deserve this. She doesn't need to be dragged in. The flames were getting incredibly close now. The generals' laughter could be heard echoing down. "That's it!" Malorie said suddenly, grabbing her bracelet and holding it tightly. "No fun getting toasted!" The men stared at her as she determinedly raised her charm. "You're going down, Ivy! Topaz Star Power-Make Up!!!!!!!" Oz yelled as the elevator was filled with a bright yellow-orange light that swarmed around, blinding them. Dimly, he thought he could make out Malorie's figure, but he had to shield his eyes quickly. Just as suddenly as it had come, the light was gone. Oz sighed in relief, then turned to look over at Malorie. She was gone. Sailor Topaz stood there instead, staring angrily at the advancing flame. "Malorie?!" He gasped, staring saucer-eyed at Topaz. Topaz turned to look at him. She slowly grinned and gave him the V-for- Victory sign. "Hello, Oz. Surprised?" "Extremely." He choked out. "How can you be a Sailor Scout?!" "Gee, thank you so much for your confidence." Topaz said sarcastically. She looked up to see the flame not five feet away. "Ahh! Bright Whirlwind Gust!!!!!" The golden attack hit the green fire, batting it back and extinguishing it. Topaz quickly leapt up onto the top of the elevator and reached a hand back down. "Come on!!" Oz hesitantly took it. With surprising strength she yanked him up, then reached back down for Lance and Andrew. "Come on, hurry! The ropes on this thing might have been fried by that blast!" There were a few muffled snaps from above. Topaz urged them over to a wall and kicked the two doors that the elevator should have stopped at open. Oz, Lance, and Andrew all tumbled onto the brightly lit floor. The elevator swayed back and forth, jerking Topaz into the far wall away from the safe passage. "Mal! Grab my hand!" Oz yelled as the elevator ropes broke. Topaz grabbed onto a ledge as the elevator dropped out from underneath her and went falling away. After a few moments she heard it crash faintly on the bottom floor. She struggled for a better hold, gloves sleeping on the ledge she had. "I so do not like this!" She yelled, voice echoing around the shaft. "This didn't come in the job description!" "Mal, can you jump?" Oz called. "I'm not 'Mal', I'm Sailor Topaz, thank you!" Topaz retorted, struggling to turn herself around to face them. She winced as she saw that the gap was six feet-and the floor was soooo far away... "Come on, Topaz!" Andrew said encouragingly. "You can do it!" Topaz gulped a few times, then pushed off with all her might. She sailed across the gap and flew into Oz. They fell to the floor, she on top of him. They stared at each other, noses an inch apart, breathing in synchronism. "Oops." Topaz muttered after a moment, face beet red. "Sorry." She quickly scrambled off him and brushed off her skirt, clearly not looking at him. Oz's face matched his hair as he got up also and looked away. Lance elbowed him and grinned. "We've got to get to the top." Andrew ordered. "Come on, let's move. Stairs this time, though." "Agreed." Topaz said, moving towards the stairs that were right next to them. "Let's move." In a few minutes, they had reached the top floor. Topaz pushed the door open gingerly, fists clenched, ready to attack. She looked back at the men behind her. "Stay close. I'll protect you lot." Oz snorted at this, and muttered to Andrew, "Does this seem the tiniest bit ironic, or is it just me?" Andrew shushed him with a smack. Topaz looked about the darkened room suspiciously. "Hey, Spiky!" She yelled. "Come on out and fight!" Nothing happened. Topaz peered about the room, a sweat-drop beading on her head. "Hello! Oy! Spiky!" Still nothing. "Um." Topaz turned to look at them. "He did say top floor, right?" Oz made his way out from behind her and stood staring determinedly at the darkness. "We're here, Spike." He said clearly. Green and black flames erupted in the center of the room. Slowly, Ivy, Spike, and Uther emerged from the flames, not seeming to care that the fire roared around them, licking at their cloaks and armor. "Nice entrance." Lance commented. Spike's eyes opened wide in surprise as he saw Sailor Topaz. "What the-" "I don't know what you're doing with these men, but I'd advise you stop manipulating them!" Topaz snapped, going into a fighter's stance. "I'm Sailor Topaz, Senshi of the Wind and of the Yellow High Heels, and in the name of oxygen I will punish you!" Oz, Lance, and Andrew almost fell down. "What was that?!" Oz spluttered. Topaz looked at him, confused. "Was it okay?" Spike gaped at her for a few moments before throwing his head back and letting out a full-throated roar of laughter. Topaz glared at him. "What is so funny?!" She demanded, hands on her hips. "Your speech, for one." Oz muttered. Topaz smacked him on his shoulder. "Shut up." Spike stopped laughing long enough to blink at her. "It's just-very amusing." He chortled at last. "Here we are, coming for a different quarry, and a Sailor Scout tumbles right into our laps." "You leave her out of this!" Oz snapped, throwing in arm in front of Malorie. "We had a deal, Spike! You don't harm her!" Spike looked at Oz in amusement. "I said I would not harm the human. That- " He pointed at Malorie. "Is not human. Nor is she a young girl." Oz looked at Topaz, eyes narrowed. Topaz blushed a little, and for a brief instant, her face changed, growing older and more beautiful. It was only for an instant, and then she was herself again. "I am Opalian." She told him simply. "And-god, you're not going to believe this- " She laughed a little. "I'm ten thousand years old." Oz was fairly sure that his eyes were the size of plates. Topaz laughed at the expression on his face. "I aged well, didn't I?" She asked brightly. "That would be the understatement of the century." Oz managed to make out, staring at her. "She is one of seven High Princesses." Uther said in a bored tone. "Now, Spike, do you mind hurrying this up?" "Excellent idea." Spike said, pointing at the three men. "But would you all rather get a little more comfortable?" "Comfortable?" Topaz wondered. "Um-what are you talking about?" "He means us, Topaz." Oz said quietly. Topaz turned around, laughing. "Oh, get real. What, are you going to conjure up-" Her voice died in her throat as she stared at Oz. A red-orange rose was in his hand. She remembered that rose. She had caught a glimpse of it as she struggled to stay conscious, and it stayed with her, for some unknown reason. "No way." Oz smiled a little at her. "My turn for a surprise." He closed his eyes and concentrated. Tendrils of orange light wrapped themselves around Oz's clothes. Slowly, the jeans he was wearing changed into black, silky pants. The long-sleeved shirt vanished into a short tunic with black cape flowing back from it. A black mask curved around his features, and his orange hair seemed to glow like fire. Topaz's jaw was hanging open. "I do not believe this." She stuttered. "You-you three- " Storm and Thunder smiled a little at her. Bullet calmly closed her mouth for the second time that day. "Stop gaping like a bullfrog." "Shut up." Topaz muttered, rubbing her head. "This is way too confusing." Bullet's green eyes went wary as they looked across at Spike. "All right. What do you want with us?" Spike smiled in that way that made Topaz shudder. Vines of black energy spiraled up from the floor, wrapping around the Guardians' arms and legs. Bullet yelled as he found himself getting flung back hard into a wall. More snakes of black energy tied him there, stinging him with small shocks of electricity that made him yelp. Storm and Thunder found themselves in similar predicaments. "Oz!" Topaz cried, fear on her face. She ran over to the wall and began trying to free him from the tendrils of energy. But the coils lashed out at her when she attempted to touch them. Biting her lip, Topaz doggedly continued, letting out a small cry as one lashed out to strike her face. "Mal, stop it!" Bullet ordered in a low voice. "Get away, please!" "No way!" Topaz growled, sticking her chin out stubbornly even as she winced in pain. "I'm going to get these things off-ow!" She recoiled and clutched at her hand that had been cut to the bone. "Ow!" "You can't free him." Spike said coldly from behind her. Topaz swung to glare at him. "What the devil do you want?!" She yelled, teeth bared like a wildcat. Spike smiled. "How much would you give for his safety?" He asked calmly. All color drained from Topaz's cheeks. "Blackmail." She whispered, voice filled with fear. Then again, "What do you want?" In her mind, she began reaching out across the city. Diamond! Jewel Senshi!! You guys, help! The Sunset Tower, top floor! Quick! Help! "All of you." Spike said clearly. "Here. Within an hour. You hand over your identities and transformers, and these three go free." He eyed her slightly, and a terrible look came into his eyes. "Or there are other possibilities." His tongue trailed suggestively over his lips. Bullet slammed against his binds with all the strength he could muster, ignoring the pain as his wound tore open again. "Damn it, Topaz, don't be an idiot!!" He roared. "Don't you dare!!" Topaz swallowed hard and stood tall. "I'm not going to bow to your arcane wishes, Blondie-Boy, so forget it." She glared at him, clenching her fists. "But-my transformer- " Bullet strained against his binds, hatred deep in his eyes. "Topaz!" He yelled in anguish. "Topaz, don't you dare! Not for us! Please, god, not for us!" Topaz turned around to stare at him. He was somewhat shocked to see her eyes had changed from bright blue to amber-gold. She gave him a smile, then her eye slowly lowered in a wink. Bullet stared at her. What the devil was she- "BRIGHT WHIRLWIND GUST!!!!!" Topaz roared, whirling around and thrusting her hands at Spike. The attack took him by surprise and he drew back quickly, knocking into Ivy and Uther. Topaz sprinted towards them, her power already glowing again in her hands. She threw it at the group before leaping away as Spike struck out at her. "I am never," she growled from a safe distance. "Ever going to give up. You want my transformer?!" She tossed her head defiantly. "Then come get it, Spiky!" Spike replied with a violent outburst of energy. Topaz ducked as it raced over her head, then cried out as a blow from Uther hit her in her gut, propelling her back into the wall. Her fuku was scorched black on the stomach area. Ivy's green fire wreathed around her head, scratching at her face. Topaz rolled away from the flames, wincing as her felt her skin burn and crisp. Guys.She begged in her mind. Please.I can't do this alone. "Darkness Arrow!" Spike yelled, pointing at her. Topaz shrieked as the blast hit her smack in the center of her bow. She went flying back to hit the wall beside Bullet. He was swearing profusely. "Topaz, get out of here! Don't bow to his wishes! He's going to kill you!" "I am a Sailor Soldier!" Topaz gasped, standing and leaning against the wall. "I have to protect every one." She turned to smile at him. "Even you, carrot-top." "How touching." Spike muttered, coming forward, black lighting a horrible blossom in his hand. "End of the line, Topaz." He said, grinning at her. Topaz unsteadily stood and placed herself in front of Bullet, glaring angrily. Spike's grin grew wider, and he raised his hand. "So long-" CRASH!!!!!! The tower's glass ceiling suddenly exploded into thousands of shards of glass that came twinkling down like fireflies. Something much larger than the glass pieces landed also, golden hair flying about her shoulders. Sailor Diamond slowly rose from her kneeling position, glaring at Spike. "Your entrance was good, hers was better." Thunder commented. "Leader of the Jewel Senshi, protector of the stars, I am Sailor Diamond." Diamond growled, placing her hands on her hips. "Scout of Fire and Flame!" "Scout of Water and Ice!" Garnet and Sapphire jumped down through the ceiling hole to land beside Diamond. "We will punish you on behalf of Opal!!!" The three ended. "Diamond!" Topaz cried, knees shaking in relief. Diamond smiled. "Hi, Topaz." Her eyes sharpened as she looked over the three bound men. To their immense relief, she nodded and smiled at them also. "You all owe us a very long story." She told them. "Granted." Bullet replied gratefully. Diamond turned ice eyes on Spike, glaring at him coldly. "We do not make deals with nega-trash, general." She said in a low voice. "I'd advise you keep that in mind." "Oh! So dangerous!" Spike mocked, smiling cruelly. "Perhaps you'd like to talk to someone you're-friendlier with?" He snapped his fingers, and a black fire soared up beside him, revealing another figure. Diamond gasped. "Damon!" She cried, stepping towards him, arms open. Cold, empty black eyes flashed over her, no hint of warm blue affection in them anywhere. Damon seemed cold and aloof, far away and empty. Diamond stopped moving and watched him cautiously. "Damon?" "Blackness Hail." Damon said coldly. Black bolts the size of baseballs jagged out of the sky and struck at Diamond, hitting her all over her body, cutting her open and wounding her. They swarmed around, hitting all over her skin, making her face red with blood. She arched herself in pain with a cry. Sapphire gasped. Garnet clapped a hand over her mouth. "DIAMOND!!!!" Topaz screamed. Diamond moaned as she slumped to the ground, pain defined in every fiber of her being. Crying, Garnet raised her hand to point at Damon. "Scorching Flameballs Fire!!!" A black shield formed around him before the balls of fire could touch him. The attack flew back at Garnet, who dispelled it with a wave of her hand. Black clouds began growing in the sky above their heads. Black electricity flashed across the sky like lightning. Harsh winds began picking up, cutting like a hot knife across skin and flesh. "We're going to take this world into hell." Spike said, an insane grin lighting up his features.
Why yes, this chapter IS a lot like how Usagi met Mamoru! Okay, so sue me. It was late, I was tired, and I couldn't think of a better idea. Eh.
* * * Oz fumbled with the key trying to get into his apartment. His hands were shaking convulsively, blood splattered all around them. Finally he got the stupid thing in the slot. He wrenched the apartment door open, stumbled a few paces into the room, and collapsed on a dark green leather couch, not caring that a stream of his blood was making its way from his shoulder onto the cover. He laid his head back to stare at the ceiling. God curse it. Why'd he have to go and get injured in that stupid fight against Ivy! He had flatly refused to go to hospital-the doctors might have suspected something, seeing as how the wound was made by a supernatural blade. He didn't know what kind of info might show up on the tests they did-and the last thing he wanted was to be cooped up in a hospital. And to have been so weak-in front of those he was supposed to have been protecting-he felt like a clumsy idiot. He remembered the way Diamond and Topaz-Topaz, of all people-that babe-protecting him after he'd been injured. Path-et-ic. He was pathetic. Stupid, stupid, stupid! And now Ivy probably knew who he was-oh dear. "There's no use worrying about it now." He told himself out loud. "Yes, you made yourself look like an idiot. Well, you are one, so that settles that. As for Ivy-" He winced and rubbed his shoulder. "No. Healing first." Gingerly, he removed his shirt from the bloody mess to get a good look at the wound. It was a hideous deep gash in his shoulder, going right through his flesh to the other side. Somehow seeing it made the pain intensify. Oz winced, then carefully looked deep within himself and slowly drew in a breath. A twinge of yellow-orange energy pulsed at his fingertips. He directed it towards the wound, gasping as the light entered him. The next five minutes were spent in a painful agony until finally he withdrew the light, panting. The wound was still there-large and horrible-but the bleeding had subsided somewhat, though the ache remained. He was no near as skilled at this as Diamond was, and he wished fervently that she hadn't been so devoid of strength and energy. Something fizzed in the air in front of him. His head snapped up and he stared at the air a few feet in front of him. It was glowing a deep black for about four feet around. As he watched, Spike's face suddenly appeared in it. It looked down at him, the mouth opened, and out came Spike's cold, drawling voice. "Hello there, Bullet. Or shall I call you Osborne Tamahome? It seems so much more formal." Oz stiffened, straightening and glaring at the air. Okay, this was bad. "What do you want, Spike?" He demanded. "Tut, tut." Spike scolded. "So rude. Just thought we might be able to have a nice little chat!" "What do you want." Oz stated coldly, not wanting to listen to the cocky general's self-praise. Spike's smile vanished into coldness. "Alright, Ozzie, listen up. We know who you and your two little buds are, and this message is being sent to them also. At one in the afternoon tomorrow, you are to go to the Sunset Tower." A sneer appeared on his face. "We want to have a little talk with a few Therinan members." "And if I refuse?" Oz asked, tossing his red hair to the side of his head. A picture of Sailor Diamond and Sailor Topaz, blood running down the sides of their faces, appeared where Spike had been a second ago. Topaz's eyes were open, and she seemed to be staring pleadingly at him. Diamond's eyes were closed, and her face pale in death, mouth open slightly. Oz shielded his eyes from this sight as the other Senshi joined the first two, all bloody, all dead. Oz shouted and threw a pillow at the site. The pillow went through the mirage, but Spike's face appeared again, smiling cruelly. "This hasn't happened.yet." "Hurt them and I'll kill you!!" Oz swore, raising his hand. "Just be at the Sunset Tower tomorrow at one." Spike ordered, beginning to disappear. "And be warned, Bullet-we are stronger than we appear, and our depths have not been plumbed yet." With that, he vanished. Oz leaned his head back again, wincing as his wound pained him again. He got up and went to look out of his window, thoughts running through his mind like quicksilver.
* * * Malorie skipped happily along the sidewalk, munching on a cookie. Thanks to the "vandalism" done to the cafeteria, school would be closed for an indefinable amount of time. Malorie snorted. Sure. The cafeteria was 'vandalized' like the Empire State Building was 'somewhat tall'. She giggled as she remember the look on Lune's face when they had reported that they had destroyed the cafeteria. She blinked as she recognized the red-headed figure a few feet in front of her, hunched over like he was carrying a great weight. She sniggered slightly to herself. Now was time for a little payback on Oz's part. She began to creep up behind him. Oz moved blindly ahead, glancing at his watch. Twelve forty-eight. Not a lot of time. He gazed ahead to the tall building a few blocks away, then sighed, rubbing his shoulder. Malorie crept slowly up. Oz seemed preoccupied with something and didn't turn around. With a fiendish grin, she raised her hand, and brought it down on Oz's shoulder with a THWACK! Oz gritted his teeth to stop a yell of pain that was inspired from his shoulder, which had flared up suddenly. Behind him, he heard a sarcastic voice say, "Whoops! Sorry, carrot-head, thought I saw a bee!" Oz smiled a little, then turned around to face Malorie. She was expecting anger, smoothness, even name-calling right back. She smiled in anticipation. She had some good insults planned this time! "Thanks, I hate bees." Oz said calmly, rubbing his shoulder. Malorie gaped at him like fish, eyes wide open. "Huh?" She said sophisticatedly. Oz half-smiled again. Malorie. M&M. One of the few people he let himself care about. She was gaping at him, obviously surprised he didn't tease her. But he didn't feel like it, today. The fact was, this could be the last time he'd ever see her. "I said, thank you, I hate bees." Oz said, reaching up to close her mouth for her. "Oh." Malorie said in confusion, working this over in her mind in puzzlement. "Um-aren't you going to-call me names?" Oz sighed. "Not today, Malorie. I have somewhere I've got to be." Without another word, he turned and began walking away, slightly quicker than before. Malorie stared at him leaving. "He-he called me Malorie." She said in perplexity. Something caught her eye, and she looked down at her hand. She gasped as she realized that the hand she had used to hit Oz with was covered in- blood?! "Oh, god, he's really hurt!" She whispered, letting her hand fall to her side and staring after the quickly departing figure. She wrestled with her thoughts for a few moments, then took off after him, bumping and knocking into people, not even caring, just keeping her eyes focused on the swiftly walking man.
* * * Oz checked his watch. Twelve fifty five. Perfect. He stared nervously out at the large building not five yards away, and took a deep breath. "Okay. Okay. You can do this, Oz. Just try for once not to be a coward." He ran a hand through his hair, working up his courage. Suddenly, out of nowhere, something gently touched the back of his neck. Oz swung around and grabbed whoever it was, throwing them against the alley wall. The attacking person shrieked and covered its head. "Oz! Calm! Down, boy!" "Malorie?!" Oz demanded, adrenaline and-thankfully-courage flowing through his system. "What the heck are you doing here?!" Malorie straightened angrily and glared at him. "Hey, chill out, all right?! It's just-when I hit your shoulder-well-" She raised the hand with drying blood on it grimly. Oz caught his breath and stared into Malorie's somber eyes. "Oz, that looks painful. And serious! Shouldn't you get medical help or something?!" Oz's fierceness melted into-nothing. "I'm glad you're worried about me, M&M, but really, it's nothing. Just a little sore spot. Now, please, go away, I've got to meet some people." His breath caught as he spotted Lance and Andrew across the street, and without looking back at Malorie, began walking away. If he thought he could get rid of her, boy was he wrong. One, Malorie knew very well this was not some simple paper cut. Two, the dreaded nickname had been uttered. "I got an A in health class, you jerk!!" Malorie yelled as Oz crossed the street without looking back. "I know when something's bad and when it isn't!!" Oz didn't even turn his head. Growling and cursing, Malorie crossed the street in pursuit. Oz nodded to Andrew and Lance, relieved to see them looking as scared as he felt. "Hey, guys." "Hey, Oz." Andrew took a deep breath and looked up. "What happens next? Do you think they'll just incinerate us immediately, or is there something else at hand here?" "I don't think we're going to be killed." Lance said quietly, pointing up. A golden bubble had materialized in the sky and had started to come down towards them. Seconds before it would touch them, it slowly split into four separate bubbles. Each bubble came down to envelope a separate person. Oz did a double take. Wait a minute-four bubbles?! "What the heck is this thing?!" A voice shrieked from behind them. Oz turned, gasping. "Malorie, get out of here!" "I wish I could!!" She replied in a screech, pounding on the walls of the suddenly solid bubble. "What the-why are they taking her also?!" Lance demanded. "Malorie, why are you here?!" "I followed him!" Malorie yelled indignantly, jabbing a finger at Oz. "And what the devil is going-" There was a pop, and the bubble containing her vanished. "Mal!" Oz cried, pounding on his bubble's wall. "Oz, chill." Andrew ordered, voice choked slightly. Oz obeyed, hands clenched and trembling. There was another pop as Lance's bubble vanished also. Oz had the briefest instant to feel horrified before he felt himself dissolving away.
* * * Malorie landed on something hard with an "Ooof!" She rubbed her rear end and looked around. "Dear God." She was sitting on the floor of the lobby of the Sunset Tower. It was completely dark, and all the windows and doors were locked and barred. Lance appeared beside her, bubble gone, as did Oz and Andrew two seconds later. She looked at Oz questioningly, trying to hide the desperate fear she felt behind her eyelids. "Um-what's happening?" She asked, voice trembling only slightly. Apparently her fear was not as well concealed as she thought. Oz took one look at her, then came over and gently put a hand on her shoulder. "I wish we hadn't gotten you into this, M&M. I don't think you're going to like what happens." Malorie stared at him a moment, emotions flashing across her face. Worry, concern, fear, anger all swirled around as she looked at him. Finally she took a deep breath, and said sternly, "Don't call me M&M." Oz laughed hard for a few seconds before grasping his shoulder and then wincing. "What did you do to yourself, anyway?!" Malorie demanded. "You can't accomplish that with something like scissors or even a knife! Least, it's have to be a BIG knife jabbed in several times!" "None of your business, and it's really too hard to explain." Oz muttered. Malorie opened her mouth indignantly. "So you did show up!" A voice said from the other end of the room. Malorie swung around, horror etching itself across her pretty face. I know that voice! She thought desperately. But-could it be?! Spike stood, grinning rather toothily at them. Ivy and Uther stood beside him, Ivy latched onto his arm, Uther standing sullenly. Spike's eyes narrowed as he saw Malorie. "Who's that?" Malorie gasped for air, terror deep in her veins. Slowly she reached for the bracelet on her wrist. Suddenly Oz was in front of her, glaring at Spike. "Back off, Spike! She's a bystander. She has nothing to do with this. Your stupid bubbles managed to catch her also, though." Malorie stared at Oz. How did he know Spike?! Spike ran his tongue over his lips, looking at her like she was a hamburger. Fear pervaded for a moment longer before anger took its place. She stuck her head out from behind Oz and stuck her pink tongue out at Spike and blew a raspberry. Spike grinned. "Brave human. We will not harm her." His eyes narrowed as he looked back up at Oz. "Our business will not be done here. We will meet you on the top floor of this building." With a low laugh, he, Ivy, and Uther vanished. "How do we get there?!" Andrew roared to the empty room. "Stairs?" Lance suggested, pointing at the flight near them. "Or elevator?" He gestured to the other end of the room. "What's going on?" Malorie asked, worry deep on her face. "Why are you guys associating with that?!" Oz laughed harshly. "Way too hard to explain, Mal. Don't think you'd believe us anyway." "Try me." Malorie retorted, crossing her arms. "Later!" Andrew said sharply, pointing to the walls. Large ice blue spikes the size of motorcycles were beginning to spring out of the walls. They crackled and shifted back and forth. Suddenly the ones farthest away, near the stairs, began shooting out and plowing into each other, razor sharp points glinting in the little light there was. "Run!" Andrew ordered, taking off towards the elevator. "Towards the elevator, quick!" Lance charged after him. Malorie stood frozen, staring at the advancing shooting spikes. Someone suddenly grabbed her hand and began pulling her swiftly along. "Come on, Malorie, run!!" Oz shouted. Shaking herself, Malorie took off, sprinting after him. Andrew had the elevator doors open and was waving frantically at them. "Come on, come on!!!" It was only a few paces ahead-but those spikes were gaining so fast-
Oz caught her around her waist and flung her the next five feet into the elevator. She hit the back wall with a crack and moaned. Oz took a tremendous leap to land in the elevator, Lance banged the "Doors Close" button, the elevator doors slid shut, and the elevator started up. Oz leaned back against the elevator walls, sighing in relief. Malorie was shaking slightly. She stared at him with wide eyes. "All right, all of you spill. What the hell is going on here?! Do your parents know about this?!" "Don't have any." Oz said calmly. "We don't have anything." He took a breath and let it out slowly. "I guess that's where this should all start." "Should we tell?" Lance whispered in his ear. "Not all. Just most." Oz murmured back. He cleared his throat at looked back at Malorie's puzzled eyes. "Mal-" He took a deep breath. "God, you're not going to believe this, but I'll try. On our eighteenth birthday, all of us, Lance, Andrew, and me, woke up without a damn clue about who we are." Malorie stared at him, eyes filled with shock. "Weirdest case of amnesia the doctors had ever seen, they said." Oz said with a bittersweet laugh. "Not only did we remember anything, there was no one who remembered us, no files, no data, no record, nothing. Not even a family. We only remembered each other, vaguely. We felt connected. So we've stayed together, and we came here." "Why here?" Malorie asked. "We're not exactly the biggest city in the world." "A compulsion." Andrew said, taking up the story. "Drawn here by something." "And why are you involved with-" She swallowed. "Him?" "Not by choice, I can assure you." Lance said dryly. He was not taking part in the story but choosing instead to watch the elevator go up by floors. "We-think he can help us remember some things." Andrew said carefully. "And they-he-asked us to come here today." "Understand this, M&M." Oz said suddenly, leaning towards her. "You have no idea what kind of hell our life is like. We have no idea about who we are, if we belong anywhere, friends, family-nothing. Like an alien spaceship just sort of dropped us here one day all ready for life. You get me?" Malorie nodded slowly, biting her lip. Her "Don't call me M&M" was half- hearted. Then she murmured, very, very quietly, "I know hell of a lot better than you might think." The elevator suddenly jolted back and forth and stopped. "Uh-oh." Lance said in the silence that followed. "Not good." "What's Spike doing?" Oz asked Andrew. "Nothing good." Andrew said grimly, reaching up towards the emergency trapdoor at the top of the elevator. He wrenched it open, and looked up into blackness. Ivy's voice echoed down the elevator shaft, tinkling like a bell. "Tiiiime to plaaaay with kiiiitties.." Her voice echoed a few times before fading away. Malorie shivered, hugging herself tightly. "I don't like this at all." She muttered. "Look!" Lance yelled, pointing up. A spark of green was visible twenty floors up. As they watched, it expanded into a green flame that began shooting down the shaft towards them. "Damn!" Andrew swore. "Damn, damn, damn!" Oz glanced at Malorie apologetically. "I'm sorry we drew you into this, Mal." He said sadly, giving her a slight hug. Malorie said nothing. She stared at the green flame, choices running through her head. I don't want to get flame crisped, but to transform in front of them would mean trusting MORE people with my secret, but Oz is nice-but then, Jedin seemed nice at first. Oh, god. Similar thoughts were flying through Oz's head. We can't transform here in front of her! But, then, if we don't we'll get killed-but it's more that likely we'll be dead anyway-but Mal shouldn't have to suffer this-He sighed at glanced at her. She doesn't deserve this. She doesn't need to be dragged in. The flames were getting incredibly close now. The generals' laughter could be heard echoing down. "That's it!" Malorie said suddenly, grabbing her bracelet and holding it tightly. "No fun getting toasted!" The men stared at her as she determinedly raised her charm. "You're going down, Ivy! Topaz Star Power-Make Up!!!!!!!" Oz yelled as the elevator was filled with a bright yellow-orange light that swarmed around, blinding them. Dimly, he thought he could make out Malorie's figure, but he had to shield his eyes quickly. Just as suddenly as it had come, the light was gone. Oz sighed in relief, then turned to look over at Malorie. She was gone. Sailor Topaz stood there instead, staring angrily at the advancing flame. "Malorie?!" He gasped, staring saucer-eyed at Topaz. Topaz turned to look at him. She slowly grinned and gave him the V-for- Victory sign. "Hello, Oz. Surprised?" "Extremely." He choked out. "How can you be a Sailor Scout?!" "Gee, thank you so much for your confidence." Topaz said sarcastically. She looked up to see the flame not five feet away. "Ahh! Bright Whirlwind Gust!!!!!" The golden attack hit the green fire, batting it back and extinguishing it. Topaz quickly leapt up onto the top of the elevator and reached a hand back down. "Come on!!" Oz hesitantly took it. With surprising strength she yanked him up, then reached back down for Lance and Andrew. "Come on, hurry! The ropes on this thing might have been fried by that blast!" There were a few muffled snaps from above. Topaz urged them over to a wall and kicked the two doors that the elevator should have stopped at open. Oz, Lance, and Andrew all tumbled onto the brightly lit floor. The elevator swayed back and forth, jerking Topaz into the far wall away from the safe passage. "Mal! Grab my hand!" Oz yelled as the elevator ropes broke. Topaz grabbed onto a ledge as the elevator dropped out from underneath her and went falling away. After a few moments she heard it crash faintly on the bottom floor. She struggled for a better hold, gloves sleeping on the ledge she had. "I so do not like this!" She yelled, voice echoing around the shaft. "This didn't come in the job description!" "Mal, can you jump?" Oz called. "I'm not 'Mal', I'm Sailor Topaz, thank you!" Topaz retorted, struggling to turn herself around to face them. She winced as she saw that the gap was six feet-and the floor was soooo far away... "Come on, Topaz!" Andrew said encouragingly. "You can do it!" Topaz gulped a few times, then pushed off with all her might. She sailed across the gap and flew into Oz. They fell to the floor, she on top of him. They stared at each other, noses an inch apart, breathing in synchronism. "Oops." Topaz muttered after a moment, face beet red. "Sorry." She quickly scrambled off him and brushed off her skirt, clearly not looking at him. Oz's face matched his hair as he got up also and looked away. Lance elbowed him and grinned. "We've got to get to the top." Andrew ordered. "Come on, let's move. Stairs this time, though." "Agreed." Topaz said, moving towards the stairs that were right next to them. "Let's move." In a few minutes, they had reached the top floor. Topaz pushed the door open gingerly, fists clenched, ready to attack. She looked back at the men behind her. "Stay close. I'll protect you lot." Oz snorted at this, and muttered to Andrew, "Does this seem the tiniest bit ironic, or is it just me?" Andrew shushed him with a smack. Topaz looked about the darkened room suspiciously. "Hey, Spiky!" She yelled. "Come on out and fight!" Nothing happened. Topaz peered about the room, a sweat-drop beading on her head. "Hello! Oy! Spiky!" Still nothing. "Um." Topaz turned to look at them. "He did say top floor, right?" Oz made his way out from behind her and stood staring determinedly at the darkness. "We're here, Spike." He said clearly. Green and black flames erupted in the center of the room. Slowly, Ivy, Spike, and Uther emerged from the flames, not seeming to care that the fire roared around them, licking at their cloaks and armor. "Nice entrance." Lance commented. Spike's eyes opened wide in surprise as he saw Sailor Topaz. "What the-" "I don't know what you're doing with these men, but I'd advise you stop manipulating them!" Topaz snapped, going into a fighter's stance. "I'm Sailor Topaz, Senshi of the Wind and of the Yellow High Heels, and in the name of oxygen I will punish you!" Oz, Lance, and Andrew almost fell down. "What was that?!" Oz spluttered. Topaz looked at him, confused. "Was it okay?" Spike gaped at her for a few moments before throwing his head back and letting out a full-throated roar of laughter. Topaz glared at him. "What is so funny?!" She demanded, hands on her hips. "Your speech, for one." Oz muttered. Topaz smacked him on his shoulder. "Shut up." Spike stopped laughing long enough to blink at her. "It's just-very amusing." He chortled at last. "Here we are, coming for a different quarry, and a Sailor Scout tumbles right into our laps." "You leave her out of this!" Oz snapped, throwing in arm in front of Malorie. "We had a deal, Spike! You don't harm her!" Spike looked at Oz in amusement. "I said I would not harm the human. That- " He pointed at Malorie. "Is not human. Nor is she a young girl." Oz looked at Topaz, eyes narrowed. Topaz blushed a little, and for a brief instant, her face changed, growing older and more beautiful. It was only for an instant, and then she was herself again. "I am Opalian." She told him simply. "And-god, you're not going to believe this- " She laughed a little. "I'm ten thousand years old." Oz was fairly sure that his eyes were the size of plates. Topaz laughed at the expression on his face. "I aged well, didn't I?" She asked brightly. "That would be the understatement of the century." Oz managed to make out, staring at her. "She is one of seven High Princesses." Uther said in a bored tone. "Now, Spike, do you mind hurrying this up?" "Excellent idea." Spike said, pointing at the three men. "But would you all rather get a little more comfortable?" "Comfortable?" Topaz wondered. "Um-what are you talking about?" "He means us, Topaz." Oz said quietly. Topaz turned around, laughing. "Oh, get real. What, are you going to conjure up-" Her voice died in her throat as she stared at Oz. A red-orange rose was in his hand. She remembered that rose. She had caught a glimpse of it as she struggled to stay conscious, and it stayed with her, for some unknown reason. "No way." Oz smiled a little at her. "My turn for a surprise." He closed his eyes and concentrated. Tendrils of orange light wrapped themselves around Oz's clothes. Slowly, the jeans he was wearing changed into black, silky pants. The long-sleeved shirt vanished into a short tunic with black cape flowing back from it. A black mask curved around his features, and his orange hair seemed to glow like fire. Topaz's jaw was hanging open. "I do not believe this." She stuttered. "You-you three- " Storm and Thunder smiled a little at her. Bullet calmly closed her mouth for the second time that day. "Stop gaping like a bullfrog." "Shut up." Topaz muttered, rubbing her head. "This is way too confusing." Bullet's green eyes went wary as they looked across at Spike. "All right. What do you want with us?" Spike smiled in that way that made Topaz shudder. Vines of black energy spiraled up from the floor, wrapping around the Guardians' arms and legs. Bullet yelled as he found himself getting flung back hard into a wall. More snakes of black energy tied him there, stinging him with small shocks of electricity that made him yelp. Storm and Thunder found themselves in similar predicaments. "Oz!" Topaz cried, fear on her face. She ran over to the wall and began trying to free him from the tendrils of energy. But the coils lashed out at her when she attempted to touch them. Biting her lip, Topaz doggedly continued, letting out a small cry as one lashed out to strike her face. "Mal, stop it!" Bullet ordered in a low voice. "Get away, please!" "No way!" Topaz growled, sticking her chin out stubbornly even as she winced in pain. "I'm going to get these things off-ow!" She recoiled and clutched at her hand that had been cut to the bone. "Ow!" "You can't free him." Spike said coldly from behind her. Topaz swung to glare at him. "What the devil do you want?!" She yelled, teeth bared like a wildcat. Spike smiled. "How much would you give for his safety?" He asked calmly. All color drained from Topaz's cheeks. "Blackmail." She whispered, voice filled with fear. Then again, "What do you want?" In her mind, she began reaching out across the city. Diamond! Jewel Senshi!! You guys, help! The Sunset Tower, top floor! Quick! Help! "All of you." Spike said clearly. "Here. Within an hour. You hand over your identities and transformers, and these three go free." He eyed her slightly, and a terrible look came into his eyes. "Or there are other possibilities." His tongue trailed suggestively over his lips. Bullet slammed against his binds with all the strength he could muster, ignoring the pain as his wound tore open again. "Damn it, Topaz, don't be an idiot!!" He roared. "Don't you dare!!" Topaz swallowed hard and stood tall. "I'm not going to bow to your arcane wishes, Blondie-Boy, so forget it." She glared at him, clenching her fists. "But-my transformer- " Bullet strained against his binds, hatred deep in his eyes. "Topaz!" He yelled in anguish. "Topaz, don't you dare! Not for us! Please, god, not for us!" Topaz turned around to stare at him. He was somewhat shocked to see her eyes had changed from bright blue to amber-gold. She gave him a smile, then her eye slowly lowered in a wink. Bullet stared at her. What the devil was she- "BRIGHT WHIRLWIND GUST!!!!!" Topaz roared, whirling around and thrusting her hands at Spike. The attack took him by surprise and he drew back quickly, knocking into Ivy and Uther. Topaz sprinted towards them, her power already glowing again in her hands. She threw it at the group before leaping away as Spike struck out at her. "I am never," she growled from a safe distance. "Ever going to give up. You want my transformer?!" She tossed her head defiantly. "Then come get it, Spiky!" Spike replied with a violent outburst of energy. Topaz ducked as it raced over her head, then cried out as a blow from Uther hit her in her gut, propelling her back into the wall. Her fuku was scorched black on the stomach area. Ivy's green fire wreathed around her head, scratching at her face. Topaz rolled away from the flames, wincing as her felt her skin burn and crisp. Guys.She begged in her mind. Please.I can't do this alone. "Darkness Arrow!" Spike yelled, pointing at her. Topaz shrieked as the blast hit her smack in the center of her bow. She went flying back to hit the wall beside Bullet. He was swearing profusely. "Topaz, get out of here! Don't bow to his wishes! He's going to kill you!" "I am a Sailor Soldier!" Topaz gasped, standing and leaning against the wall. "I have to protect every one." She turned to smile at him. "Even you, carrot-top." "How touching." Spike muttered, coming forward, black lighting a horrible blossom in his hand. "End of the line, Topaz." He said, grinning at her. Topaz unsteadily stood and placed herself in front of Bullet, glaring angrily. Spike's grin grew wider, and he raised his hand. "So long-" CRASH!!!!!! The tower's glass ceiling suddenly exploded into thousands of shards of glass that came twinkling down like fireflies. Something much larger than the glass pieces landed also, golden hair flying about her shoulders. Sailor Diamond slowly rose from her kneeling position, glaring at Spike. "Your entrance was good, hers was better." Thunder commented. "Leader of the Jewel Senshi, protector of the stars, I am Sailor Diamond." Diamond growled, placing her hands on her hips. "Scout of Fire and Flame!" "Scout of Water and Ice!" Garnet and Sapphire jumped down through the ceiling hole to land beside Diamond. "We will punish you on behalf of Opal!!!" The three ended. "Diamond!" Topaz cried, knees shaking in relief. Diamond smiled. "Hi, Topaz." Her eyes sharpened as she looked over the three bound men. To their immense relief, she nodded and smiled at them also. "You all owe us a very long story." She told them. "Granted." Bullet replied gratefully. Diamond turned ice eyes on Spike, glaring at him coldly. "We do not make deals with nega-trash, general." She said in a low voice. "I'd advise you keep that in mind." "Oh! So dangerous!" Spike mocked, smiling cruelly. "Perhaps you'd like to talk to someone you're-friendlier with?" He snapped his fingers, and a black fire soared up beside him, revealing another figure. Diamond gasped. "Damon!" She cried, stepping towards him, arms open. Cold, empty black eyes flashed over her, no hint of warm blue affection in them anywhere. Damon seemed cold and aloof, far away and empty. Diamond stopped moving and watched him cautiously. "Damon?" "Blackness Hail." Damon said coldly. Black bolts the size of baseballs jagged out of the sky and struck at Diamond, hitting her all over her body, cutting her open and wounding her. They swarmed around, hitting all over her skin, making her face red with blood. She arched herself in pain with a cry. Sapphire gasped. Garnet clapped a hand over her mouth. "DIAMOND!!!!" Topaz screamed. Diamond moaned as she slumped to the ground, pain defined in every fiber of her being. Crying, Garnet raised her hand to point at Damon. "Scorching Flameballs Fire!!!" A black shield formed around him before the balls of fire could touch him. The attack flew back at Garnet, who dispelled it with a wave of her hand. Black clouds began growing in the sky above their heads. Black electricity flashed across the sky like lightning. Harsh winds began picking up, cutting like a hot knife across skin and flesh. "We're going to take this world into hell." Spike said, an insane grin lighting up his features.
Why yes, this chapter IS a lot like how Usagi met Mamoru! Okay, so sue me. It was late, I was tired, and I couldn't think of a better idea. Eh.