Epilogue

"So, it was a failure..." Skeith growled.

"Only the main objective," Raida insisted. "The secondary objective was still achieved...the senshi have suffered a psychological shock the likes of which has never been accomplished. I would think even the death of their leader pales in comparison to this," she finished with a smirk.

"I'm inclined to agree," Jadeite nodded, looking away from their surviving prototype. "While it was an expensive success, the prize will be well worth it. We'll simply have to remain incognito for a bit longer before we make our presence truly known."

Skeith nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Quite interesting, though...how that recorder on our survivor ceased functioning shortly after the battle began," he mused.

Raida shrugged. "Probably just a lucky shot by the senshi...or he was pushed to his limits sooner than expected, which created a feedback dump that shorted out the recorder. At this point, it's impossible to tell."

"Not to mention pointless," Jadeite added, turning his gaze on Skeith. "Besides, we have more important matters to attend to. Thanks to our sleeper agents, we've been able to gather a steady, undetectable supply of energy. At this rate, it will take some time before we have enough to bring sufficient numbers of our youma from the Negaverse. I want you to start drawing up plans for our assault. Raida, you will do your best to continue production of your cyber warriors; I expect that the next batch will prove to be deadlier than our previous two. I have a special mission in mind for them."

Raida grinned devilishly and winked at her sovereign. "Of course, my lord. How long do I have?"

The emperor thought for a brief moment. "At most, a year...but I would say that eight to ten months is more likely."

Raida frowned slightly. "I can have one ready in that amount of time...one FULLY ready, anyway. Others would be ready as well, but they would be far less efficient than the one. I don't even think that they would be up to the prototype's level."

"Fine. Just see to it that we have that one ready on time. I want all that data inputted and optimized...whatever you have to do to get it working beyond specs. Understood?" Jadeite asked.

"Completely, your highness."

Just then, a lizard-like youma approached the trio, and bowed respectfully. "Forgive the intrusion, but we have just received word from Source M. He has some very interesting news that you might wish to hear."

Raida nodded, and looked to her emperor, who gave his own nod of assent. Thus assured, the red-clad woman walked to a monitor and activated it...revealing the youthful face of Medivh.

"Greetings, Medivh...I presume this call is worth the risk?" Skeith questioned smoothly.

The young wizard grinned ferally. "I think you'll agree that this was worth 150% of the risk. It would seem that senshi Venus has resigned her post."

"Venus...the one who killed our cybernetic unit?" Jadeite asked eagerly.

"The very same, m'lord. Raida's plan worked better than one could have anticipated, I think. She left only an hour ago, and Serenity herself just made the announcement."

Restraining himself with a degree of difficulty, Jadeite nodded slowly as a smile spread on his features. "Excellent. This will give us more breathing room to plan our strategy, as the senshi will be focused on finding a replacement for their friend." Straightening, he added, "Keep us updated on any further changes, Medivh...and in eight months, I want you to keep us informed regularly on the queen's schedule."

"Emperor? Begging your pardon, but...may I ask why?" the teen asked.

"Simple...our next unit...will be her executioner!"

---------------------------------------------------------

Later...

Jadeite slowly entered his chambers, his face showing an uncharacteristic softness. Stepping to the side of one of the beds located inside, he asked softly, "How are you doing?"

The figure lying there shifted slightly, turning its eyes to the Negaverse emperor. "Jadeite..." the figure whispered in a melodic, feminine voice.

"Ssshhh...don't try to talk if it hurts. I just wanted to see you, and how you were doing," Jadeite whispered, while gripping the figure's hand.

Closing its eyes, the figure sighed. "I'm...fine...for now..."

Jadeite smirked arrogantly as he reached down and stroked the prone figure's hair. "You always were a bad liar, Tethys," he whispered.

The youma's eyes crinkled as she smiled in response, though only other denizens of the Negaverse could pick up on this, due to her lack of a mouth. "Is that so? That doesn't seem to have changed how you feel about me..." she teased lightly.

"True enough...I just thought you'd like to know that we're very close to our goal now. Soon, the Ginzuishou will be ours, and we can rule both worlds as King and Queen," Jadeite promised. "And...we can cure your sickness, along with the wounds you suffered."

Tethys sighed, closing her eyes. "Jadeite...you know I love you. But...why do you not ask the senshi for their help? Despite who we are, I feel that they would be willing to help us in this matter..."

The emperor shook his head, gritting his teeth angrily. "No...I won't go to them, asking for help like a dog. I want them to suffer as I have, for years on end; first, with not knowing you were still alive, and then enduring Eternal Sleep for so many centuries. I can't forgive them for that..." he stated bitterly.

Tethys opened her eyes, and placed a hand on Jadeite's. "I understand, love. I felt the same pain when I learned what had happened to you...and while I'm not sure this is the correct path, I want you to know that I love and support you, regardless."

Taking her hand and gently kissing the back of it, Jadeite smiled at his companion. "This victory...this final victory over our accursed enemies, my dear Tethys...I dedicate to you."

Author's Notes: WOW! I finished this one within 5 years! Woo-hoo! And what a cliffhanger, too! At least one question has been answered: why Sephiroth was in the world of Sailor Moon! It's like I tell a LOT of my friends: "Everyone I put in a fic has a reason for being there." Anyway, Enemy Within? has officially been FINISHED! The next installment is called Sailor Moon: Endgame, and we can pretty much guess already what some events are going to be. Be forewarned, however; not everyone will make it through alive! Also, look for familiar senshi to appear in there...I have plans to bring in the Starlights, Kakyuu, and the Asteroid Senshi...perhaps more! And what about that ninja? Why did he aid the senshi? Well...you'll find out why in the next installment! Anyway, that's all. A BIG round of thanks goes to the following people: All of my reviewers, for their kind words and criticisms princess5775, for her threats to keep me on task Phenix Wind, for her encouragement and help in keeping Saturn(her favorite) in character...though I did err in one spot... frostblast, for tossing out ideas, and being a general sounding board Heimdal86ed, for his critiques and ideas and the people at ff.net for allowing me to post my works. Hopefully, this will continue to be an outstanding professional relationship!