Mercury Twilight and Executioner's Law

by KingofMercury

Executioner's Law begins on Chapter Nine. Chapter Eighteen is now up. Sailor Moon and Executioner square off in a high-stakes main event. The prize? The future of Tokyo!

3. chapter two

CHAPTER TWO: THE DAY THE UNIVERSE STOOD STILL!

Dark Mercury sat down and tore the main panel off the side of the Chronometer. The Chronal Watchtower on the Planet Pluto was a supercomputer that logged and stored all information regarding recent time jumps and chronological activities. In the memory banks of this computer, she would find what she was looking for. The whereabouts of Sailor Moon in the time stream!

Charon had been the Guardian of the Watchtower, and a close personal friend to Trista. Killing her was almost as satisfying as killing Sailor Pluto would be. Too bad she wasn't around to see her do it.

"Welcome back, Sailor Pluto," said the Chronometer. "Password confirmation please."

DM hissed out her breath in annoyance. A password. She should have suspected Sailor Pluto to be so careful about her property. She tapped a control on her gauntlet. Instantly, a tiny hatch in the gauntlet opened up and two wires snaked out of it and plugged into the data port above the control panel. She began to hack the codes from the central mainframe using these two wires. The hacking software in her gauntlet she added in case of any situations such as this. She was glad she did, for the information stored in here was vital. The part of her that was Amy Mizuno licked her lips in anticipation. Despite the delay this was causing her, technical problems always got the genius side of her consciousness excited. Cracking the codes to the Chronometer was a real thrill.

Minutes went by, before the computer finally surrendered the codes to her. Instantly, the CPU bypassed the password and the main screen opened up.

"Enter your search preferences Sailor Pluto," the computer spoke.

"Computer," said Dark Mercury. "I want you to perform the following operations. First I want you to change over all memory and information from user name: Sailor Pluto, and transfer to the new file which I will open now under user name: Dark Mercury."

The computer resisted, but her hacking ports quieted the resistance and forced the Chronometer to perform the operation.

"Next," she said. "I want you to remove the password currently in use and add the one which I will now feed you." The computer spent a moment replacing the password.

"Confirmed," said the machine.

"Next I want you to add a self destruct protocol for anyone who fails to guess the password after only one try, or who attempts a hack again. I don't want anyone but me getting into you anymore."

The computer ran through the necessary operations, and completed her command. "Confirmed."

"Okay," said Dark Mercury, rubbing her hands together. "I want you to access your memory and locate the subject designate Sailor Moon: originating from the year 2945, date: July 23rd. Find, now."

"Searching," the computer accessed its memory and whirred and beeped for minutes on end, before answering finally. "The subject that has been designated is no longer in the mentioned date. She has been transferred by Sailor Pluto to another date. Specifically: July 23rd, 1999 A.D."

"Yes!" Dark Mercury said. "So that's where she sent her, clever girl! But now that I know where she sent her, Sailor Moon and anyone else who gets in my way will be annihilated!"

Shutting down the computer, she retracted her hacking wires and teleported back into the time stream.

* * * *

Sailor Pluto felt a tear escape her eye as she realized that Charon, the one person who had been her companion in the lonely job of being time's guardian, was now dead. She didn't need visual confirmation, she just knew it in her heart. Like a big hole had been opened where once all was whole and complete.

She wanted to go and make Dark Mercury pay for the death she caused, but she knew that if she revealed herself to Dark Mercury before her plan was implemented, she could jeopardize trillions of lives! Already time was decaying! She had to help the 20th Century Sailor Senshi defeat Dark Mercury or all would be lost forever! As it was, she was flying by the seat of her pants here! Charon would understand. It was what she would have preferred she do. That thought was her only comfort. That and the promise she made to herself that she would find a way to destroy Dark Mercury once and for all.

Sailor Pluto produced a list from within her uniform. She had downloaded this list long ago in preparation for an event such as this. The list contained a group of people who could possibly have the power to stop Dark Mercury: Jedite, the Sailor Starlights, the treelings Alan and Ann, the Nova Senshi, and Galaxia. She was now implementing this plan, headed for the current location of Jedite. She hoped she could convince him to join, for his assistance might possibly be the most important to the mission.

Jedite's power, like Dark Mercury's, originated from the Negaverse. It was her theory that when placed in the same vicinity, the powers of the Negaverse would negate itself, like the poles of a magnet being repelled by a similarly charged magnetic pole. It might not be as she calculated, but still, she had to operate as if that were the only option. Jedite was a powerful warrior anyway, so his assistance could be a valuable commodity.

Accessing the dimensional portal, she set her destination for the land of eternal sleep.

* * * *

Sailor Moon groaned as she opened her eyes for the first time. Lita moved over next to her head and grabbed onto her hand. She looked on as her friend pushed back the curtain of unconsciousness.

Serena's eyes came into focus as she turned to look at the latest visitor. Her eyes widened in surprise, then she relaxed as she saw it was Sailor Jupiter.

"Y-you... came to... see me?" she struggled to talk.

"Yes," replied Lita. "How are you, Serena?"

"Feel... l-ike a mack truck hit me," she said, smiling weakly. "You... don't know how... good it is that one of... you managed to find... m-me."

"Don't sweat it, Serena," replied Lita. "Just try to relax, don't speak. You need your strength to recover."

"Th-there's no... time for that. No time f-f-for... rest. I need... to... tell you... something. I need you to l-listen."

Lita leaned in closer. "Is it about the bastard who did this to you?"

"The... woman who... did this is... on her w-way." Serena gasped. "She...will... do the same...to you. if you do... not heed m-my warning!"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from her," said Lita. "Just tell me what you need us to know about."

Serena's vision became distant as she replied. "D-Dark... Mercury. She is... the one who did this! Listen... c-carefully, Sailor Jupiter. Sh-she is... S-sailor Mercury... from... the future. I come from the future as well! Sometime years from... now... years even...f-from my time... she betrays us, the Sailor... Scouts and... kills every... one of us! She... crashed my... wedding... and made... me like this." She went into a fit of coughing as she struggled to speak. The inside of her respirator became red with chunks of clotted blood.

Lita didn't believe what she had just heard! Amy? The enemy? That didn't make any sense at all. This had to be a fake Sailor Moon, or else why would she tell such awful lies? Then again, if she was being duplicitous, she was doing a great job. She decided to test her.

"What you're telling me, Serena, is unbelievable. I can't trust you for your word, unless you can prove you're really Sailor Moon."

"F-f-fair... enough," she said. "I know that you are Lita Kino... You w- wanted... to become a master... chef when... you grew up... which you w- will by the... way. Y-you're future husband... will be... a gentleman named... Charles... Your... friends are... Amy, Mina, Raye, Amora, Michelle... and Hotaru. Also known as... Sailors... Mercury... Venus... Mars... Uran...us... Neptune and... Saturn." Sailor Moon collapsed from exhaustion, sweating just from the effort of talking. "S-so... exhausted," she sighed.

Lita felt tears coming to her eyes. "You ARE Sailor Moon. But that means that Amy IS the one who did this, because you would never lie to me, or to any of us. But how can that be?!"

"I will... tell you everything... you need to... know," Serena said. "B-but I need... to be... healed first! B-b-bring... the present... Sailor Moon... here... and have her... heal me with... her crystal!"

Her heart monitor was beeping like crazy from her efforts. Lita put a restraining hand on her friend's forehead. "Rest. You need to rest. I'll get Serena over here right away!"

Sailor Jupiter turned away from the bed and flicked on the wrist communicator again. "Mina? Mina?! Come in! This is urgent!"

Mina's face appeared in her communicator. "What is it, Sailor Jupiter?"

"You need to get Serena over here right away!" exclaimed Lita. "The Sailor Moon at the hospital is the real deal, but she says she's from the future. Listen very carefully! The person who injured her is coming soon! We need to heal this woman so she won't get killed when she arrives!"

"How do you know we have Serena?" asked Mina.

"I put two and two together, Mina," Lita replied. "Look, it doesn't matter! All that matters is that Sailor Moon's future self is hanging by a thread! She could die, Mina! And then we won't have a clue what we're up against when this woman shows up!"

"Do we know who it is?" asked Mina, concerned.

"It's too long a story to explain right now, and even I'm a bit vague on the issue. Just get your butts over here! I suddenly feel very exposed up here!"

Mina put her hand up. "Okay, okay," she replied. "I'll tell the others to hurry up! Over and out." The screen went blank.

Sailor Jupiter turned back to Sailor Moon's body, to see she had fallen into a fitful sleep.

It's better that way, she thought, sitting back down again. She needs rest to recover.

* * * *

This place would be Hell, thought Sailor Pluto, if it wasn't so darn cold!

The place she was referring to was the land of eternal sleep. It was a fitting place for a frozen wasteland that made the Moon of Nemesis look like Miami Beach. The land was featureless save for the scattered boulders and ice rocks that littered the landscape. Some of those ice chunks had the still, frozen figures of exiled Negaverse minions captured inside them. Not one of those unfortunates had any looks of peace on their faces.

Sailor Pluto offered up a brief prayer, then raised her Garnet Rod. "Rod of time, rod of dreams," she whispered. "Take me to the place where the one known as Jedite rests in eternal sleep."

The rod shuddered slightly, then took on a life all its own as it left her hands, hovered for a second, then floated off in one direction.

Sailor Pluto followed the Rod as it sought out the person she had named. She looked in grief at all the tortured souls who had ended up here. Some looked human, others less so, but she felt sorry for all of them. No one deserved such a fate, not even killers like Jedite! The sad thing was, they were all put here for punishment for failure, by dictators such as Queen Beryl and Mistress Nine.

She came upon the ice in which the prone body of Jedite rested after some distance. He was stuck in a pose of terror, his arms thrown up as if to block some horrible energy. No doubt this was his final position before Queen Beryl merrily left him to wallow in eternal nightmares.

Sailor Pluto placed a hand on the surface of the ice coffin. She wanted to free ALL the occupants here, but that would be counterproductive and dangerous. Many would be mentally unbalanced after all this time spent here. Others would just as soon kill her the minute she set them free, or would go off and become a threat to prosperity later on. She would not be responsible for that. Jedite was the only one who was allowed freedom. And if he misbehaved, he too would be returned to his sleep.

Steeling herself, Sailor Pluto raised the Garnet Rod over her head, and swung a blow at the ice covering. The coffin cracked and glowed purple. The crack widened on its own, and broke apart. In seconds, the enchanted ice was shattered by her stroke, and the once stiff body of Jedite became limp and collapsed onto the ground.

Jedite lay there for a couple of heartbeats, and then he came to. He raised his head and looked about him, a stranger in an alien landscape.

"Where?" he shuddered. "Where am I?"

"You are in the land of eternal sleep," Sailor Pluto replied. "You were sent here by Queen Beryl over seven years ago. Do you remember?"

Jedite searched his memory. "Yes," he said back. "I remember." Looking up with blurry eyes, he saw Sailor Pluto. "I was supposed to sleep for all time, as punishment for failure. Who are you?"

"I am Sailor Pluto, the Guardian of Time" she said. "I am the one who has freed you from your icy prison."

"Y-you did?" Jedite seemed shocked. "But you are a Senshi," he looked her up and down. "People like me are your enemy. Why have you done this?"

"The Senshi of Earth need your help," said Pluto.

"Earth? Earth!" Jedite's eyes narrowed hatefully. "You mean Sailor Moon?! Are you out of your mind? Why should I help her?! The very woman who is responsible for imprisoning me here!!"

"Because this crisis could be the end of us all," said Pluto. "And it is Queen Beryl who sent you here."

"You insult me," Jedite snarled. "Of course I know that. But Beryl wouldn't have done it if that Sailor wimp hadn't gotten in my way! Where is Beryl anyway? So that I may pay her back!!"

"Don't waste your time. Beryl is dead! They are all dead!" said Pluto impatiently. "You need to help me in my mission Jedite, because what is happening threatens all existence! That is the only reason I freed you from here. You may have the power I need, but you are not indispensable, I COULD return you to your prison!" The Garnet Orb on top of her Rod began to glow.

"No!" said Jedite, throwing up his hands. "I have no doubt you can return me to my prison, but answer me this. Who would we be talking about here? Who is powerful enough to frighten even the Guardian of Time?"

"The woman responsible for the current crisis is named Dark Mercury. She is an evil incarnation of Sailor Mercury, who hates Sailor Moon with a passion. She has embarked on a mission of revenge that has shaken the foundations of reality. If she is not stopped, reality itself will crumble!"

"Sailor Mercury?! That blue haired geek that I almost killed that one time?!" Jedite seemed incredulous, then he burst out laughing. "AHAHAHAHAHA! I GO TO ALL THAT TROUBLE TO KILL THE SAILOR SCOUTS, ONLY TO HAVE THEM GET KILLED BY ONE OF THEIR OWN?!! HOW IRONIC!!"

Sailor Pluto grew angry. She swung her Garnet Rod and smacked Jedite in the head with it. Jedite went flying and hit a nearby rock. The breath whooshed out of him as he slammed into it, and before he could recover, Sailor Pluto had her rod about his throat and pinned to the ground.

"This maniac killed billions of lives in her quest to wipe out reality thousands of times over, and you DARE MAKE LIGHT OF IT?!!"

Jedite struggled, but to no avail. "What makes you think... I care?" he challenged. "Sure you freed me. But so what?! You didn't do it for me. And besides, this Dark Mercury chick sounds like my kinda woman. Tell me why I shouldn't just shake her hand for doing what even Queen Beryl couldn't accomplish?"

"Because Dark Mercury still carries the memories of Amy Mizuno, of Sailor Mercury." said Pluto angrily. "She'll remember you only as an enemy, and hate you just as much as she does Sailor Moon. Besides. you forget who holds the keys to your prison!"

"Hmmmph," Jedite snorted, "Guess you have a point there. But why me? Why go to all this trouble for me?"

"Your powers may just negate hers," said Pluto. "Your presence there could tip the scales in our favor. But don't overestimate your importance, for I have backup plans. I merely thought you deserved a chance for redemption, but if you try to join her or even kill any of the scouts out of anger, you will go back here immediately and spend the rest of your life having nightmares about Queen Beryl sending you here."

"You're COLD lady! I have to admit I like that! You're not like other Senshi." Jedite struggled no longer. He looked at the ground, his eyes said that he didn't like being treated nor used this way, but he also saw that he had no choice in the matter. His life was now in her hands. "Alright!" he snapped. "But let's get this abundantly clear: I'm not doing this for you, or for those cursed Sailor Scouts! I'm doing this to earn my freedom! Don't think I'm your friend for a minute!!"

Sailor Pluto released him. "You? My friend? Hah!" she scoffed.

Jedite stood up and smoothed the wrinkles in his uniform. He turned toward her. "So," he said. "What do you want me to do now?"

* * * *

Tokyo tower was easily the tallest freestanding structure in the world, and the pride and joy of Japanese citizens everywhere. It was also a huge tourist attraction. People from the farthest corners of the globe came just to dine and gaze out of the observatory deck near the top of the tower. On clear days, one could almost see the curve of the Earth from way up there.

Thursday was a busy day for the tower. Thursday was near the beginning of the weekend, and business was picking up. Many nationalities from corporations or just school field trips dined up here on this day. It was also sunny and clear, the perfect conditions for anyone who wanted to look down upon the Earth for a while.

On this day, however, there would be nothing but tragedy. A blazing white light appeared on the observation deck, out of which a tall woman dressed in black, with long blue hair emerged. People gazed and pointed in awe at the uncommon sight. Dark Mercury merely snorted in contempt and walked to the nearest window. She threw a table out of the way, and switched on her computer visor.

Scanning the city for Sailor Moon's unique energies, she settled upon two locations. One of the powers was headed up Main Street toward a location uptown. That had to be the 20th century Serena, for the 30th century Serenity was gravely injured and would show as a stationary and faded power level.

She found the one she was looking for at a place called the Hidiro Yamaha Care Center. Interesting, she thought. That's Sailor Jupiter's old workplace. She would head there next.

The people behind her were pressing in with cameras and pointed fingers. They were annoying her, so she powered up and let loose with a blast that shattered the observation deck and killed everyone on it. Snickering evilly, she took off and started flying toward the hospital.

* * * *

"Did you feel that?!" Amara perked up.

Michelle and Hotaru looked at her. "Feel what?"

Amara put the stick she was roasting marshmallows on down and walked over to a clearing in the trees nearby. From there one could get the best vantage point of Tokyo at the foot of the mountain. Michelle and Hotaru glanced at one another in curiosity and got up to follow her.

"Amara." Michelle put a hand on her partner's shoulder. "What is it you felt?"

Hotaru drew a sharp, deep breath. "Death!"

Michelle looked at Hotaru, who was looking in the same direction now as Amara was. She followed their gaze until she saw the black cloud of smoke drifting lazily up from the center of Tokyo! She gasped. "An explosion?!"

"I have a bad feeling." Amara said quietly. "We should go. Our friends may need our help."

* * * *

'Crown Video Arcade' was nothing more than a run down entertainment center located along Jyuban Mall Road. It wasn't a very impressive store, and the faded sign, painted, not neon lit, showed that it was also of some antiquity. Even the games inside it were out of date, and the only reason the store kept on as well as it did was the fact that no one had erected any other arcades on this end of town.

It may not have been much to a lot of people, but for Darien Chiba, it was a place of memories, where his friends met sometimes just to talk. One particular friend, Andrew, worked there almost every day. He was now laid out on the floor, spilling the guts of the 'Sailor V' adventure game console. A piece of paper on the black screen said "Out of Order." Darien stood next to Andrew's legs, fondling a small black box in his hands.

"I just don't know, Andrew," he said. "I want to ask her, but every time I see her I wimp out."

Andrew looked as if the machine were swallowing him with his legs hanging out of it. His voice was muffled slightly as he replied: "Chill, Darien. It's not like you are the first one to ask a woman to marry her."

"Then what's wrong with me?" Darien asked, looking at the ring inside for the umpteenth time that day. "I feel like such a dork! I love her, but I'm still scared stiff!"

"Don't sweat it, Dar," said Andrew. "I had the same feeling when I asked Rita to marry me. It's totally natural for a man to feel this way. Trust me I know. Believe me when I say it's worth the anxiety and the sweat."

"You really think so?" Darien put the box in his shirt pocket.

"Yeah, dude," Andrew began groping for something. "Hey, could you hand me the Phillip's screwdriver?" Darien handed him the tool, and he went on. "I've seen you and Serena together. You guys were made for each other! Do it and stop torturing yourself man!"

"You just want me to leave you alone," said Darien accusingly.

"Well, yeah, honestly I do," Andrew laughed. "But you know you're still like a brother to me."

"Yeah, I know," said Darien. "You're right. I gotta stop pussyfooting around and ask her!"

"Good," said Andrew. "That's done with then. Now let's talk about something else! Did you see the baseball game last Saturday...?"

* * * *

Lita was just about to step out and get a drink when Sailor Moon suddenly flew awake from her disturbed dreams.

"My God!" she exclaimed. "My God, she's here! SHE'S HERE!!"

Lita rushed over, trying to calm her. "Shhhhhh!" she said insistently. "Who's here?"

"DARK MERCURY! SHE'S HERE!! SHE'S HEADED RIGHT THIS WAY!!" Serenity began to cough uncontrollably, a look of sheer terror in her eyes.

At that moment, the glass of the window exploded inward and showered the room. Lita dove to cover Serenity's prone body, as a piece of glass slashed her in the cheek, opening a small cut on her face.

Lita looked up as the glass stopped flying everywhere, and saw the object of her friend's worst fears.

She was dressed in a leather uniform, all in black, with long blue hair and a face that looked exactly like Amy's. She smiled in a menacing way as she took in the occupants of the room.

"Knock, knock, Lita," she said, giggling insanely. "Looks like I arrived too late to stop this jabber mouth from talking. Guess that just means I'll have to destroy the both of you now!"

Lita gaped. "The resemblance is remarkable!" she said aloud. Then she snapped out of her shock. "No! I don't care who you are! You're not my friend!" She took her transformation pen out of her pocket. "JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER!!"

Dark Mercury only laughed. She extended her robotic hand and flexed the claw-like fingers menacingly. "Oh, this is too good! Come one then, Sailor Jupiter! Let's have some FUN!!"

* * * *

On the far side of the Milky Way Galaxy... Farther than the most distant star visible to Earth. Lay the ancient world of Kinmoku. More appropriately it was dubbed: The Planet of the Senshi! Almost all the surface was covered in flowers, and waterways, and rocks of bright red hue. The Planet had two Continents. On only one was there any hint of civilization. The city of Alpha Senshi was a sprawling metropolis that covered almost 30% of the Planet's landmass. It was so huge that the entire populace lived there and nowhere else!

This was the planet of the Senshi! All those who wore the Sailor uniform had originated from this planet at some time in the history of the universe! Alpha Senshi, its capital, was the Mecca of Sailor Senshi across the cosmos! Even its first deserters, who were the predecessors of the Silver Millennium, owed their birth to this world. And although the oldest buildings in the city had been around since the Universe was half its present size, their appearance was one of magnificence and majesty!

Its copper and gold sheathed buildings glimmered and reflected the light of its parent Star. The air was free of pollution, and birds and insects of stunning variety and colors flew over the highest structures of Alpha Senshi, though the highest buildings easily reached well into the stratosphere of their world! Beauteous hanging gardens decorated the city buildings, as did a gigantic area near the royal palace where the trees themselves formed living places for the wealthier residents. The natural park could have easily covered the city of New York twelve times over! In terms of sheer area, the city could have been laid neatly over the continent of North America on Earth!

The nearly one billion year old city had been built for millions of Senshi to live in! For whenever a Star, a Planet or virtually any celestial body was born, a Sailor Senshi was created as its Avatar to protect it.

But every civilization has its ruler, and at the center of the city, in the largest and grandest building, was the Palace of Princess Kakyuu. She was the ruler of this city and of the Senshi the Universe over. Helping her run the city, at her side, located in a building slightly smaller than the Palace, but no less opulent, was the most powerful Senshi the Universe had ever known: Sailor Galaxia!

Galaxia was a woman of impressive stature and reputation. Her red/gold hair hung to her waist, and golden armor shaped her Senshi uniform. She was the wise woman of the Planet. She had her eye on the Universe, via a supercomputer that monitored the cosmos. Even now she stood at the monitor, watching, with deep concern, the events that were unfolding on the planet Earth.

Standing with her were five Senshi who were only less powerful than Galaxia herself. They were the Nova Senshi. Sailor Nova Beetelgeuse, Sailor Nova Hercules, Sailor Nova Proxima, Sailor Nova Sirius, and Sailor Nova Orion. The looks on their faces mirrored the concern etched on Galaxia's profile.

"The cosmic balance tilts," Galaxia said darkly. "And even I cannot know the why of it!"

"It is this Dark Mercury," said Nova Proxima, the wisest one. "She is unwittingly destroying the Universe with her activities."

"Perhaps NOT so unwittingly, Proxy," said Galaxia thoughtfully. "As intelligent as she seems to be, it is possible she has thought of something we haven't."

"She's cracked, Senshi Prime," said Sailor Nova Orion. "A blind Senshi could see it!"

"I do not doubt her sanity is long gone, along with all her human compassion," Galaxia replied. "But she is incredibly dangerous! So dangerous that even Sailor Pluto came out of seclusion and took direct action to try and stop her!"

"So even the Guardian of Time is concerned. Well. that's certainly something to think about," Sailor Nova Beetelgeuse said sagely. "I suppose you've been in contact with her?"

"Less than an hour ago she sent me this message," Galaxia reported, " it said: 'Our time is doomed! A madwoman named Dark Mercury marches backward through time in a rampage of revenge against Sailor Moon! I have tried to stop her, but her power is astronomical! This is a crisis for ALL who care for their lives! All of History will collapse if we don't join together now to stop this menace!' She then sent me some images of Dark Mercury's rampage. It is. quite unsettling!"

"Let's see it, Galaxia," Proxima urged.

Galaxia pressed a button, and the hologram shifted to that of a flashback video. In it, the madwoman, Dark Mercury, could be seen brutally murdering the Sailor Senshi of Earth! Over and over again she tore them to pieces. And every single time, as she finished with one day of destruction and murder, she would advance her fleet to the previous day, and kill again! Perhaps most frightening was the number of horrible methods of carnage she employed!

"Yikes!" Sailor Nova Sirius exclaimed. "It's like she's inventing murder as she goes along! I didn't know it was even possible to rip a person's spinal column out like that!" She indicated one of the video clips.

"Well. there's no longer any doubt in MY mind, Galaxia!" Proxima concluded. "This woman MUST be stopped!"

"I agree, and so we must go where we're needed, as the Senshi always have," Galaxia put her fingers to her chin in deep thought. "I will send the Sailor Starlights on ahead," she decided. "They will offer immediate assistance to Sailor Pluto and her allies. We'll follow immediately once our plans are complete."

Sailor Nova Hercules stirred. "What about the 'Trinity'?" she asked Galaxia.

Galaxia looked up at Hercules. "No. It is not yet their time to return to their home world. Besides, I don't plan on leaving Kakyuu behind defenseless."

"Why not leave the Starlights here to protect the Princess?" asked Proxima. "Send the three of them on ahead instead. They deserve to play a part in this crisis!"

"No." Galaxia shook her head sadly. "Alas this operation will require the utmost delicacy and precision! I need Senshi who have worked with the Earth Senshi before. They do not know the 'Trinity' yet, and they would not know how to work alongside them. The Starlights have fought with Sailor Moon before, and therefore they would be better as assistants."

"They'll be terribly disappointed." Proxima sighed.

"Trust me, Proxy," said Galaxia heavily, "I know. I know."

* * * *

Jupiter reacted with swiftness borne both from years of fighting evil and her own martial arts background. She leaped backward from Sailor Moon's prone body, trying to draw Dark Mercury's fire. With an evil smile, she raised her arm and fired a blazing ball of blue-black energy at Jupiter. Even in combat readiness, Lita barely avoided the blast. It hit the opposite wall and left a gaping hole in it. Outside in the lobby and the adjoining rooms, cries of shock and horror punctuated the blast.

I've gotta take this fight outta here! Sailor Jupiter reasoned. She'll kill someone at this rate!

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" a bolt of lightning struck Dark Mercury. The villain threw up her arms and deflected the assault easily. It left her off guard for just a second, and a second was all that Jupiter needed. Leaping out the window, she tackled Dark Mercury in midair and sent both of them plummeting to the street below. Dark Mercury practically snarled in annoyance, and gave her a punch that would have decapitated lesser mortals! Jupiter lost her grip and fell to the street, slamming into a parked car from almost thirty stories up!

Sailor Jupiter was too stunned to move. She could still hardly process the thought of fighting someone who resembled her best friend so much.

What I'd like to know, she thought, is why this happens? Why didn't Sailor Pluto tell us anything of this nature?

There was no time to think now. Dark Mercury had arced around and was now streaking down to where she lay, intending to flatten the Senshi. Jupiter narrowly got out before Dark Mercury smashed the car to smithereens with the impact! In dodging, Jupiter rolled into the middle of the street. Cars and trucks slammed on their brakes and caused multiple pileups on both sides. People on the street ran outside to watch the battle.

She's got me flat-footed, thought Sailor Jupiter. This is no good, I've got to regroup, cause as soon as she's done with me, she'll kill the Queen!

She decided to talk her down for a moment. "So you're Dark Mercury, huh? Neo-Queen Serenity told me about you, but I didn't want to believe it... until now."

"So she's telling stories about me already?" Dark Mercury faked being hurt. "And here I wanted to make a good impression."

Sailor Jupiter actually found that slightly amusing. Smiling grimly, she said: "Funny, lady. I don't know if you really are Amy's future, of just some overblown fake, but I don't care. I'm gonna take you down hard!"

Sailor Jupiter went on the offensive, or at least she tried her level best to. Dark Mercury almost negligently brushed aside her assault like she was a fly then gave her a punch that sent her crashing through the display window of a store across the street! The glass cut her in several more places, sending tiny lances of pain all over her body. Frightened customers deserted the store, running for their lives.

"Ouch! Fat lot of good that did! This isn't good," she said as she hit the floor.

Dark Mercury laughed. "I always liked your spirit, Lita. You begin to realize the odds are too much, yet you fight anyway."

"You know my name?"

"Of course I do," said Dark Mercury. "I'm Amy, remember?"

Sailor Jupiter got to her feet, swallowing a lump in her throat. She'd suspected all along that her opponent was just in disguise as Amy to throw her off, but no one other than her friends knew her real identity.

"Alright, you have my undivided attention," she said, holding up her arms in surrender. "Why are you here? How the hell can you be Amy?!"

Dark Mercury smiled wickedly. "I can see your inner turmoil. It's written all over your face. Let's just say that I am Amy and leave it at that. As for my mission, didn't Neo-Queen Serenity already tell you?"

"I know you want to destroy her, why?" Sailor Jupiter knew her friends were close by, so she needed to buy time. She sure couldn't do the job by herself!

"She's all that stands in my way of revenge," said Dark Mercury. "I hate people who stand in my way."

"That's not what I meant--"

Dark Mercury launched herself at Jupiter, laughing. "All you need to know is that I'M the bad guy and YOU'RE dead meat!"

Jupiter fell under the assault and her meager defenses were shattered by Dark Mercury's powers! Sailor Jupiter lay on the ground, nursing a bloody nose, waiting for the finish. She couldn't even summon the energy to move fast enough to avoid her opponent anymore.

The finish never came.

All of a sudden, a blast of fire and ice hammered Dark Mercury in the back, knocking her into the far wall. She recovered swiftly and whipped around to face the four new Senshi who stood next to the window.

"Are you alright?" asked Raye, as she pulled Jupiter up to her shaky feet.

"Fine," said Jupiter shortly. "Just glad you're finally here."

"Alright, Nega-trash!" Sailor Moon began. "It's time you met the Sailor Scouts! I stand for love, and I stand for justice! I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and in the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"

Dark Mercury laughed. "Oh, God! That is so OLD! Don't you ever get tired of saying the same recycled bullshit over and over, Serena?!"

"That voice!" Sailor Mercury said.

"Is your own," replied Dark Mercury. "Surprise, everyone! I, Amy Mizuno, will punish YOU on behalf of the REVENGE! Hah!"

The scouts recoiled from her, unwilling to believe their eyes.

Sailor Mercury shook her head. "No! This... this can't be! You can't be... real!" She hid her face in her hands and began to sob.

Dark Mercury only laughed. "Hahahaha! I don't think I'll ever grow tired of seeing the same looks on your faces!"

"How is this possible?" asked Luna.

"I don't know," said Artemis. "Maybe Sailor Pluto knows?"

"Sailor Pluto is dead!" said Dark Mercury. "I killed her with my bare hands!"

"You're a liar!" shouted Sailor Moon. "You're just a cold blooded fraud who wants us to believe your nonsense! I know for a fact that Sailor Mercury would never betray us! Never in a million years!"

"Oh, so, Serena?" asked Dark Mercury, grinning from ear to ear. "What if I were to tell you that Amy is secretly in love with your precious Darien, and plans one day to steal him for herself?"

Serena gasped and looked at Sailor Mercury accusingly.

"Shut up!" yelled Sailor Mars. "You're just saying that!"

Sailor Mercury's expression told a different story however. She looked at the ground shamefully. "It's true," she said sorrowfully.

"WHAAAAT?!!" Serena fairly shrieked.

"I AM in love with Darien," Mercury said. "But she's wrong about my feelings! I don't want to steal him from you!" she looked at Serena with watery eyes. "I would never do anything to hurt you, Serena!"

Serena calmed down and nodded. "You're right, Amy. I don't know what got into me there."

"Jealousy as usual," muttered Mars.

Dark Mercury just scowled, crossing her arms. "I don't lie habitually, girls," she said menacingly. "But as I said to your Sailor Jupiter before, I have no intention of telling you WHY I am the way I am. All that would make me happy is to see all of your body parts smeared on the streets of Tokyo!"

"Such evil!" Mina shuddered. "What could possibly have happened to make her hate us so?"

No one could answer. Dark Mercury attacked again. She let loose a blast that sent the Sailor Scouts backward through the broken store window. Following them out, she fired again. The scouts dodged, and a good thing they did, because each blue-black energy shot left a hole the size of a small car in the pavement!

"Don't let her put you on the defensive, girls!" Sailor Jupiter shouted. "We need to attack head on all together!"

All of a sudden, a news chopper flew overhead. Dark Mercury glanced at it evilly, and then cackled as she fired a gigantic ice crystal at it. The poor newsmen didn't get out of the way in time, and the ice punctured the gas tank. In the blink of an eye, it went up in a blazing fireball!

"No!" shouted a horrified Sailor Moon. Sailor Mercury broke down again, unable to handle the truth of the evil before them.

* * * *

The Planet of Vanna was a forested world, resembling a gigantic tropical jungle. The trees on this Planet were three times the height of Earth's Redwoods, and the climate was humid and wet most of the way around. Because of its proximity to its sun, it had no polar ice caps, yet the sun itself was so tiny that it didn't bake the planet dry, as ours would have.

Alan and Ann had settled here about four years earlier. Their tree was set upon a small mountain overlooking a broad valley, where the sun set over it every evening. The distant ocean could also be seen, and the Treelings had decided that this was the most beautiful spot on their small world. There was no other civilization on the planet, though there were many exotic animals.

Ann stroked a solid white Torabird that was perched on her finger. The bird was beautiful though normally very shy. The reason it was sitting on her hand was due to the hypnotic notes of Alan's flute, which the animals here seemed to enjoy. It was a wonderful surprise for Alan, who thought his flute would be useless after he gave up his Cardians. He played with all his heart, not only for the bird, but for his beloved Ann as well.

He stopped abruptly as he felt that suddenly they were not alone.

"What is it Alan," asked Ann, releasing the Torabird.

"The Tree is saying that there's a new presence on this planet. Outsiders have come here."

Ann got to her feet to look around. "Are they anywhere nearby?"

"I don't know," said Alan, the hairs on the back of his neck rising. "And I cannot sense whether they are good or bad."

"How many?"

"Doomtree says only two right now, but that could change."

The two stood at the crest of the mountaintop, trying to get a sense of danger. Ann distinctly felt the outsiders now. One seemed agitated, but overall, calm and collected. The second one seemed like pure concentrated anger and hate! What was disturbing was that these two completely different personalities were moving together in their direction.

"Alan," Ann said. "I can feel them, but..."

"I know," he replied. "One of the entities seems peaceful, even friendly, but the other is like a focal point of darkness!"

"What's more," said Ann. "They're moving together in a group. How could such clashing personalities cooperate in such a way?"

Alan cocked his head. "Doomtree?"

After a moment, he straightened his head. "I see..." he trailed off.

"What did he say?"

"Doomtree says we should let them approach, for he says that the friendlier power is the one in control right now."

"Could that change?" Ann shivered.

"Maybe, who knows?"

Tense minutes went by as the Treelings waited. They felt the powers approaching them as if they knew right where they were. Finally, they appeared from the edge of the woods. One was carrying a staff of shaped like a gigantic key. She had dark green hair and red eyes, and had on a black and white Senshi uniform. Her face was calm, matching her personality, but there was urgency in the back of her thoughts that threatened to break the calm. Her eyes seemed serene, yet they were pinched slightly with grief. She was stunningly beautiful!

"Alan, do you see?" asked Ann. "That woman is a Senshi! Could she be in league with our friends from Earth?"

"Possible..." Alan murmured.

The man walking behind her was tall and strong looking. He wore a uniform of grey, with white shells on each shoulder and black boots. His hair was blonde and his eyes blue, and was extremely handsome but for the fact that he did not attempt to hide his apparent anger. This man was dangerous, why he traveled with this other girl was beyond comprehension.

"Greetings Alan and Ann," said the leader. She bowed politely. "I come in peace, with a matter of grave urgency. I am Sailor Pluto, Guardian of the Gates of Time and the Senshi of dreams. This is my partner, Jedite, of the Dark Moon Kingdom."

"Partner?" Alan looked at the angry man, who met his eyes challengingly. When he looked away, Jedite smiled in contempt.

Sailor Pluto passed a weary hand over her eyes. "Events have forced us together I'm afraid. The same event calls for you, Alan and Ann, for your friends the Sailor Scouts are in deadly danger!"

Ann gasped. "You mean... Darien?"

"And Serena?" Alan cried.

"All of them," Pluto replied. "In fact I think it's safe to say that what happens on Earth may well threaten all existence."

Alan looked over his shoulder for a second, then turned back and nodded to her. "Yes, Doomtree says he's felt it too."

"Will you help us?" asked Sailor Pluto. "We need your help. Your friends need your help!"

Ann looked at Alan longingly. "Alan, my love. Will we help her? We'll get to see our friends again, and this event concerns us as well."

"I would go even if it didn't threaten the entire universe," Alan replied. "There's no way I would let my friends suffer at the hands of some evil fiend!"

"Thank you," said Sailor Pluto, smiling. "We'll make another stop on the way back to Earth, but once we get there, your assistance will be greatly appreciated."

"Can we get out of here, now?" asked Jedite sullenly. "This place is so peaceful it makes me sick!"

Alan was angered by Jedite's comments and was about to retort when an orb of light descended from the sky and approached Sailor Pluto. She looked questioningly at the orb as it came to a stop right next to her. An image appeared in the center of the light. On it, a woman with red hair tied back in two looping tails, and a crown on her head began to speak.

"This is the Kakyuu Princess calling Sailor Pluto. I have a message from Galaxia. She is on her way to Earth with the Nova Senshi to do battle with Dark Mercury. The trip will take approximately twelve hours from sector Y12. The Starlights meanwhile are on their way to you. Once they arrive, you will be able to get to Earth sooner because of your powers. Galaxia says that you must buy time for her, for she is the only one with the raw power and desire to stop her. That is all." The image faded out and the orb went dark and flew away again.

"Fascinating magic," said Ann, watching it go.

"Not magic," said Sailor Pluto. "Just very sophisticated technology."

"She said the Starlights are on their way?" Jedite asked. "So what do we do until then?"

Sailor Pluto turned to look out at the setting sun. "We wait," she said softly.

* * * *

Sailor Earth looked at Galaxia. Even her calm demeanor seemed strained.

"I don't understand," she said. "The biggest threat to the Universe since Chaos and you still refuse to send us to Earth?"

"Understand, Diana, I didn't come by this decision lightly," Galaxia replied calmly. "The Senshi of Earth need help from sources they know and trust. They do not know you three, and so they cannot possibly trust you as implicitly as they do the Starlights. Also, I need Senshi I can trust to stay behind and protect Kakyuu. After the Nova Senshi and the Starlights you three are the most trustworthy in my eyes. You should be honored."

"Honored?!" Sailor Solara sat at the window, looking out at the city of Alpha Senshi at Sundown. "Why should we be honored with being kept away from our home?! We have served you for fully ONE THIRD of our lives, Galaxia! That's over a thousand years! How long until you decide you no longer need us?!"

Galaxia frowned. "Your debt is not quite yet repaid, Solara! This was my call! You cannot badger me into changing it!"

"Galaxia, we remain behind under protest!" Sailor Stratus added. "You can't keep us cooped up forever. As much as we are indebted to you. as much as we have enjoyed living on Kinmoku. this is NOT our home. and we will NEVER be at home here! And one day, you may just find that we're NOT there to be at your beck and call!"

Sailor Earth crossed her arms. "Galaxia. We will obey this one last time. We too love the Princess, and will protect her as you asked. But we have talked this over amongst ourselves. IF you are sure you wish to leave us behind, while our own System falls under attack by this evil, then I declare that when we have fulfilled this task. our debt to you is hereby cancelled!"

Galaxia looked thoughtful. "You're absolutely right. It IS unfair. If it were possible for you to come I would not hesitate in drafting your help. But the situation is delicate. Some feelings must be discarded for the greater good. But I do agree with you, Diana. When this all over, if you fulfill this task I have given you, menial though it is. I will grant you the absolution you desire."

"You swear?!" Solara snarled.

Galaxia opened the door and paused, looking at the three of them before she departed. "I swear on my mother, and on my honor!" She exited before any of the three could utter another word.

Sailor Stratus had tears in her eyes. She sat down at the edge of her bed. "We're like prisoners on this Planet!"

"No, Alora. I believe Galaxia. She has never before sworn on her mother. In fact for as long as we've known her I've never even heard her mention her mother at all. This time I think she's telling the truth." Diana sat down next to her.

Sailor Solara stood up and looked at Earth. "I will die before I become her slave! If she is lying, I will kill her!" Andrea stormed out of the room.

* * * *

"Moon Tiara Action!" Sailor Moon called, as she tossed her tiara like a boomerang at Dark Mercury. She simply smiled, caught the tiara and tossed it away in contempt.

"Your toys are useless!" she shouted.

Sailor Mars went next. "Mars Fire Ignite!" a fireball spiraled out of her fingertips and straight at the enemy. Dark Mercury deflected the fireball and blasted her back. The blast knocked Mars for a loop.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!" The combined attack arced toward Dark Mercury. Astoundingly, she just raised her arms and blocked the shot. It moved her, but that was it.

"Sailor Mercury," shouted Jupiter. "Your turn!"

Sailor Mercury just stood there, staring in fear at her future self. Her eyes were haunted beyond comprehension.

"Dammit!" Sailor Jupiter ran at Dark Mercury to fight her again. Sailor Moon pulled out her Cutie Moon Rod and fired with all her strength at Dark Mercury. Knowing she couldn't block both attacks at once, she leapt into the air and blasted the street beneath Sailor Moon's feet. As she fell, Sailor Moon fired blindly into the air. The blast missed Dark Mercury and took out a neon sign near one of the stores. It exploded in a shower of sparks. More bystanders scattered in terror.

Sailor Jupiter leaped up leveled a kick at Dark Mercury's face. She not only dodged the move, she grabbed Jupiter's leg, swung her around a bit, and threw her against the concrete wall of the hospital. The mortar and cement cracked under the impact!

"Sailor Mercury, snap out of it!" Venus shook her friend. "We need a little help here!"

"I-I can't!" said Mercury. "I can't do it! This can't be real!"

"It IS real, Amy!" Sailor Venus shouted, noticing that Dark Mercury had taken notice of them.

"Oh, God! Here she comes!"

Dark Mercury flew straight at them, fists glowing with power.

"She'll kill us if we don't move it!" Venus warned. Mercury looked up, then seemed to react slowly. Too slowly, she wouldn't be able to avoid the impact!

The impact never came, Sailor Mars, recovering from the burn on her chest, flew through the air and deflected Dark Mercury with a knee to the kidney. Dark Mercury yelped in pain, as her course was deflected just enough to smash into an idling mail truck. Envelopes and packages blew out of the hole now in the side of the vehicle.

"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!" Mars cried as she let loose with a barrage of fire rings. They hit the truck and ignited the drifting mail like tinder. Seconds later, the fuel in the truck exploded, shattering the remains.

"YEAH SAILOR MARS!" Sailor Moon yelled.

"ALRIGHT!" the other scouts echoed enthusiastically. Sailor Mars smiled. Did she do it?

No!!

Dark Mercury ran out from the flames virtually unscathed, and charged at Sailor Mars. She blocked a thrown fist, but was tripped by Dark Mercury's sweeping kick.

"That's incredible!" said Sailor Mercury in shock. "She must be more powerful than anyone we've ever faced!" She took out her computer visor and began to read the symbols on the screen.

"We need help," said Sailor Jupiter, struggling to her feet. "SAILOR MOON!"

"What?" asked Sailor Moon, paralyzed with fear.

"We need more help!" Jupiter shouted. "We need your future self to be healed so she can help us!" Sailor Moon nodded and in a flash, wings sprouted from her back. "I'll fly right up there!" she exclaimed.

Dark Mercury had been holding off the combined efforts of Mars and Venus when she overheard their plan. "Oh, no you don't!" she said, blasting the two Senshi away as if they were nothing.

Sailor Moon took off, with Dark Mercury hot on her heels. She fired several times with her Kaleidoscope Wand, but couldn't shake her. Dark Mercury caught her ankle and pulled her down. She cocked back a fist to punch her with, but then, a rose came flying out of nowhere, and smacked her in the eyes.

"Aaaack!" she cried, clutching at the spot she was hit in. "I should have known HE would show up sooner or later!"

"Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask called from his rooftop perch. "Fly! Fly as fast as you can!"

He leaped off the roof and fell straight toward Dark Mercury with his cane raised menacingly. He seemed uncaring of her resemblance to Sailor Mercury, as his only concern was letting Sailor Moon get to the wounded Serenity.

Serena alighted upon the fiftieth floor, through the gaping hole that was once the windowpane. She saw Princess Serenity lying amidst a machine littered room, with shards of glass all over the place and another hole on the other side of the room. It was a good thing Lita took the fight outside, or else this whole building would have fallen down around everyone's ears by now!

Serenity stirred and looked over at Sailor Moon. "P-please..." she said weakly. "Help... me..."

Outside, Tuxedo Mask swung his cane like a bludgeon, but Dark Mercury coolly dodged his attacks, smiling at him. Seeing the direct approach wasn't working, Tuxedo Mask went downstairs to her legs. He did a sweep kick that took the legs out from under her. However, she did a back flip and managed to land on her feet anyway.

"You're pretty spunky, Darien," she said. "I always liked that about you the most."

"I doubt a devil like you truly admires anything," Tuxedo Mask replied, aiming a kick at her chest. Dark Mercury grabbed the foot and pulled him close.

"My dearest Darien," she said softly. "You don't know how much your words hurt me," and with that, she kissed him right on the lips. Darien struggled against it.

"You leave him alone you damn bitch!"

Dark Mercury turned and, much to her surprise, found herself clobbered by a giant wave of icy water. It threw her against the wall, and froze her into ice. Sailor Mercury stood next to Tuxedo Mask, clenching her fists in anger.

Dark Mercury busted free of the icy prison. "What's the matter, Amy?" she taunted. "Did I strike a nerve?"

Sailor Mercury struck back, with a 'Shine Aqua Illusion' attack. This time, Dark Mercury was prepared and blocked the attack with her bare hands. Then suddenly, for no apparent reason, Dark Mercury flew into a rage and blasted both the Prince of Earth and the Senshi of Mercury across the street. Darien landed on the windshield of a parked car and spider-webbed it!

At that moment, things took a definite turn for the worse! The police responded to the calls from civilians about the battle and within minutes an army of police cars and helicopters were in the vicinity. News vehicles were close behind them. Some brave police officers fired their weapons at Dark Mercury, attempting to bring her down. However, technology is no match for magic, and the bullets bounced off Dark Mercury's body. Her dark powers protected her from that at least.

"NO!" screamed Sailor Venus at the new arrivals. "Go back, you have no idea what you're dealing with here!"

Dark Mercury, laughing all the way, showed them just what they had gotten into. She began destroying squad cars and helicopters left and right. Officers and news reporters ran screaming from the barrage.

"Don't run! DON'T RUN!! WHERE'S YOUR FEEBLE COURAGE NOW?!" Dark Mercury slashed her arm downward and a wave of energy poured down the narrow street like a river and smashed through everything! Buildings, Cars, Choppers, Human bodies; Nothing was spared from the shockwave! The blast literally leveled the entire block! Not a single living thing stirred afterward!

The four Senshi and Tuxedo Mask attacked all at once, deeply angered over her act of mass murder! They poured all they had into their various fighting skills and hammered away at the enemy!

Dark Mercury dodged feverishly, barely avoiding the quintuple assault. Finally, Sailor Mars got in a chop to the ribs that knocked the wind out of her. Immediately, that opened up holes for the rest of the scouts to land blows. For a long moment, they had Dark Mercury right where they wanted her, landing blow after blow to her body. Dark Mercury was being battered, but she was also getting madder and madder. Finally, she yelled at the top of her lungs and cut loose with a ground zero explosion that threw all the Senshi off of her!

"You'll all pay for that!" she shrieked. "Starting with the little people!"

She now fired her entire arsenal at the few bystanders who remained. The scouts were winded and could not move for the moment. They watched with tears of horror as she slaughtered the very people they were sworn to protect by the dozens, just to get back at them.

Suddenly, the ground began to quake, cracking the pavement of the street and sidewalks. Dark Mercury looked around suspiciously. "This earthquake is not my doing," she said to herself.

The ground open and a geyser of aquamarine water blasted up out of the ground and hammered into Dark Mercury. "Aaaargh!" she shouted in surprise.

"No one kills people in MY town!" shouted a deep feminine voice.

"Someone needs to teach you that life isn't something that you can just throw away like garbage!" said another female.

"Death comes to everyone, but you kill before it's supposed to come," said a younger voice.

"So in the name of Uranus."

"In the name of Neptune."

"And in the name of Saturn."

"WE WILL STOP YOU!"

From the rooftops high above, three women dropped down to the street. Sailor Uranus, Neptune and Saturn helped the other scouts to their feet.

"Sorry we're late," said Uranus.

"Yeah, we were kinda out of town," said Saturn.

"We're just glad to see you," said Jupiter, getting shakily to her feet.

"We're a bit sore, and more than a bit flatfooted," said Mercury. "But now that you're here we have better odds against that... that..."

"Don't worry, Mercury," said Sailor Venus. "Even after knowing who she is, I still can't believe you would ever betray us."

Sailor Mercury shut her eyes and a tear came trickling out. "Let's just stop her," she said.

"Where the hell is that meatball head?!" Sailor Mars fumed.

"Right here, Raye," said a voice behind them.

The scouts turned as one and looked to see two Sailor Moons. One was the Serena they all knew, the other one was slightly older and more mature looking. Other than that, they were pretty much identical.

"I haven't had my head spinning this bad since we went to the 30th century that one time!" said Sailor Venus her eyes wide with wonder. "Never thought I'd see a day like this!"

"It's great to be back in action," said the older Sailor Moon. "But none of you are powerful enough to stop this madwoman, I'm afraid. I've learned a few more tricks since this present time, I almost stopped her in the 30th century, I want one more chance to pay her back for killing my friends!"

"What do you mean your friends?" asked Sailor Uranus.

Dark Mercury landed again. "Hahahahah!" she laughed. "Yes, Serena! Why don't you tell them about your friends? I want to hear it myself! A- hahahahahaha!"

Serenity scowled at Dark Mercury. "I come from the year 2945, specifically the date of July 23rd. That is the day that I was to marry Darien."

"Wow, really?" asked Serena, hearts in her eyes. "Darien did you hear that?!"

"Serena, shut up!" said everyone else.

"Anyway," Serenity continued. "The Negaverse attacked that day, laying waste to Tokyo and killing hundreds of thousands. Nevertheless, we might still have won, until SHE showed up to fight us." Everyone looked over at the smiling Dark Mercury. "That evil maniac took out FOURTEEN Sailor Senshi, laughing all the way! We never had a chance to regroup from the shock of facing our own best friend! We were defeated, and even I didn't pull out all the stops until it was too late. I was saved because Sailor Pluto transported me through time back to the 20th century. I assume it was because she wanted me to warn you guys so you would be more prepared.

"I know it didn't work out that way. She arrived before I could tell any of you. I have no clue as to why she's done all this, but one thing must be done here and now! We must stop her from advancing through time like a knife through butter. We need to draw the line at this time!"

"My God!" said Sailor Saturn. "I had no idea."

"None of us had any clue," said Sailor Jupiter. "But we did pretty well so far. Well... none of us died at least..."

"She was only playing with you," said Serenity. "She's toying because she knows you're not as powerful as the versions of the Senshi she's fought in the future. But now that the cat's out of the bag, she won't hold back anymore! That's why I need to fight her first. If I can weaken her, wear her down at least, you guys can have a better chance."

"You sound ready to die, Serenity," said Serena, concern etched on her face.

"I hope it won't come to that," said Serenity, "but if it does, then I'll do my best to take her down as much as I possibly can!"

"Wow," said Serena, admiring her future self. "You're a lot braver than I am. Part of me wants to run away."

Serenity turned toward her. "I want to run away too, Serena," she said. "But someday, just like I did, you'll learn that there are far more important things, and that running away NEVER solves a problem."

"Will she learn to grow up too?" that was Sailor Mars.

Serenity smirked at Raye. "Who said I ever grew up, Raye? I'm just more serious than usual. Having your best friends killed before your eyes would be enough to change ANY person."

"Touching," said Dark Mercury. "But warm fuzzy feeling time's over. Are you gonna fight or scatter like you should?"

Sailor Uranus cracked her knuckles with a glare. "So... THAT'S Sailor Mercury?"

"Don't think of her as such," said Serenity. "And don't hold the Amy you know now responsible for her. The more I get to know her, the less like Sailor Mercury she truly is!"

She began to walk toward the enemy. "And be ready to back me up if I fail," she called over her shoulder.

"Good luck, Sailor Moon," said Sailor Neptune.

"We're right behind you," said Sailor Jupiter.

Serena watched with teary eyes. "This... this really may be our last battle, huh?" The others only looked at her, then, saying nothing, turned to watch.

Night had fallen over the Planet Vanna, but still the Starlights had not come.

"Where are they?" Jedite asked, pacing impatiently.

"Calm yourself, Jedite," said Sailor Pluto.

"How can you be so calm?" asked Alan. "I'm about ready to jump out of my skin! We should be back on Earth fighting the enemy."

"I agree," said Ann. "This is almost a waste of time. How good are these Starlights anyway?"

"The Sailor Starlights are among the best fighters in the universe," said Pluto. "Trust me, we need to wait for them here. Once they come, I'll be able to access the Time Stream and bring us to Earth in no time."

Jedite continued to pace. "I hate waiting," he growled.

"Just sit down and relax," said Pluto. "There's nothing more we can do until they arrive."

"I don't want to help," said Jedite. "I just want to get this whole mess fixed so I can get back to revenge!"

"Revenge against whom?" asked Ann.

"You want to know?" Jedite stopped, a teasing glint coming to his eye. "Fine, I'll tell you. I want to kill your friends the Sailor Scouts and everyone they love!"

Ann leaped to her feet in anger. "Why?" she demanded. "What did they ever do to you?"

"Once, I was their enemy," Jedite said calmly. "I tried to defeat them but they kept on winning. Kept on pulling victory from the jaws of defeat. Finally my Queen grew impatient and she banished me to another dimension! It's because of those rotten Sailor Brats that I ended up sleeping for half a decade in the most cold, and unforgiving place in the cosmos!"

"But you're out now," said Alan. "And your precious Queen is dead. Tell me, how bad is sleeping for only five years? I can think of worse things."

"WORSE?!" Jedite shouted. "WORSE?! Let me tell you just how bad it was! How would you feel if you were punished for doing your job to the best of your ability? To be banished to a place where you sleep forever and actually have memory of the entire process?! How about a five year nightmare about being defeated over and over by the same group of people? I tell you it feeds your hatred all the more!"

"You say you did your job to the best of your ability?" asked Sailor Pluto, still calm.

"Yes! I pulled out all the stops and they still beat me," Jedite replied sullenly.

"Then it's not their fault, Jedite," said Pluto. "It's your own. And worst of all, you know it deep down inside. They didn't succeed... you failed. And that fact is tearing you apart, for you have never failed at anything in your life."

Jedite glared at Sailor Pluto. "What gives you the right to read me like you do? Just because you freed me? I'd gladly go back rather than listen to you spew nonsense!"

"No," said Pluto. "You'd rather hide from the truth for all eternity than face the reality and move on. You are set in your ways, Jedite, and you need to learn that all people fail, even Queen Beryl, and you need to move beyond that failure and not dwell on it."

Jedite opened his mouth, then shut it again. He glared at Pluto, but just turned away and walked to the edge of the cliff. "I don't have to listen to this bull," he murmured.

"No," said Pluto to his back. "I suppose you don't." Unbeknownst to Jedite, she was smiling. She knew she was cracking the shell he had erected around himself for centuries in evil.

Minutes went by, when suddenly, three stars seemed to disconnect from the canvas of the sky and fall toward the ground.

"Look at that, Alan," said Ann. "Three shooting stars!"

"Those aren't ordinary stars," said Sailor Pluto. "The Sailor Starlights have finally arrived!"

The stars descended to their position, and as they approached, they took on increasingly human shapes. They all wore the same uniform, rather revealing Alan reflected, and had their hair tied back into ponytails. They looked alike save for the three different hair colors. One had black hair, the other brown and the third one white. They landed gracefully and inclined their heads toward Sailor Pluto.

The black haired one walked forward. "Sailor Starfighter, Sailor Starmaker, and Sailor Starhealer reporting for duty, SIR!" she saluted with a grin.

Sailor Pluto smiled, a large sweat drop appearing over her head. "It's... uh... good that you're all here," she said. "Let's now go to Earth, where the real battle awaits."

With no more words between them, the seven of them stepped into the portal that Sailor Pluto traced with her Garnet Rod. Instantly, they stood in a stormy mass of clouds and lightning. The Treelings clung to each other nervously. They had never experienced the Time Stream. Jedite too looked around in wonder.

"Big storm," said Saiya dryly. "And me without my umbrella."

"Shhhh!" her two comrades shushed her.

"Welcome to the Gate of Time," said Sailor Pluto, indicating a large wooden door standing before them. "The portal to all timelines and dimensions. Once we walk through this door there's no turning back." She pulled a smaller key from her key chain at her waist. Sticking it in the door, with a thunderous groan, the door opened.

"Everyone hold hands," Pluto said. "And whatever you do, do not let go of that person until we arrive at our destination."

Everyone complied, even the recluse Jedite, who grabbed onto Pluto's hand and Yaten's. The white haired woman turned her gaze at him for a second, and then smiled. "Hey there, sexy!"

Jedite recoiled in surprise, blushing slightly. Yaten only turned away, looking like she'd just delivered a funny joke. "Let's do this," she said, steeling herself.

"Everyone got somebody?" Sailor Pluto asked.

"Yes," everyone said back.

"Then here we go, to the year 1999!" The seven warriors entered the gate, and it slammed shut behind them with a booming sound.

Neo-Queen Serenity and Dark Mercury stood facing each other like gunmen from the Wild West movies. The area around the Hidiro Yamaha Care Center had long been considered one of the nicest areas in Tokyo, now it more closely resembled Beirut! Craters pocked and pitted the street. The hospital building and several neighboring buildings showed cracks and holes in their walls, as well as more than a few broken windows. Nearly all the cars and trucks in the vicinity were smashed beyond all recognition! A war had definitely taken place here, but it was far from finished yet.

Dark Mercury cracked her knuckles eagerly as she measured up her opponent. Serenity stood stock still, looking more mature and determined than she could ever remember her being. The part of her that was Amy was slightly impressed.

The other Sailor Scouts huddled next to a pile of trashed vehicles, watching with a mixture of dread and anticipation as the battle began once again.

Serenity broke into a run as she rushed Dark Mercury, her fists blazing with energy. Dark Mercury reacted in kind, stepping into a defensive posture. She was expecting a head on assault, and that's just what Serenity knew she couldn't do. Her angelic wings sprouted from her back and she took off just inches in front of Dark Mercury. She flew straight up, and her opponent seemed surprised, but didn't let the sudden move distract her. She took off in pursuit with her teeth gritted.

Serenity flapped her wings with all her strength, going higher and higher into the air. She passed the tallest high rises, and even surpassed the clouds themselves, but still Dark Mercury pursued her. The moment came at last when Serenity stopped and turned. Taking out her Silver Moon Rod, she fired an awesome blast of pure energy!

Dark Mercury dodged the attack of course, and Serenity went straight for the opening, using her powers to boost her strength, she dove in and delivered a vicious punch across her enemy's cheek.

Stunned, Dark Mercury lost her flight ability for a second and fell back toward Earth.

Serenity had her off balance, and struck again, this time with both legs in a double kick.

Dark Mercury was now completely in free fall. Rocketing back to the ground faster than a comet.

Serenity followed, grabbing Dark Mercury by both arms, pinning them to her side, she pushed the momentum still harder and faster, until sonic booms could be heard for miles around as they broke the sound barrier!

The ground rushed up in no time. Spotting a condemned building just inside the Suburban area, she aimed their fall toward that building, and then, at the exact moment, released her payload and swooped away. Screaming, Dark Mercury fell, out of control, into the foundation of the building! The force of the impact first rocked the structure, then caused it to crack and crumble under the strain. With a roar, the entire twelve-story hotel collapsed onto the very spot Dark Mercury had crashed!

Serenity did not satisfy herself with that. She aimed again with her Kaleidoscope Rod this time and fired. "Moon Gorgeous Meditation!" The rubble was pulverized to dust beneath the blast, sending a cloud of smoke billowing into the air for blocks in every direction!

There! Thought Serenity as she settled to the ground. That HAD to do something to her!

* * * *

The other scouts watched the two disappear into the sky. Sailor Mercury had accessed her computer visor again to keep track of where the energy readings went.

"It's too bad all of us can't fly," said Sailor Venus.

"They're coming down again," said Amy. "But at the rate they're going, they'll come down many blocks from here."

"Just do the best you can, Amy," said Neptune. "We'll follow them as best we can. We have to be ready to back Sailor Moon up."

"There!" said Amy, pointing to the west. "They just landed in the suburban neighborhoods near the park."

Raye gasped. "That's right near Cherry Hill!"

The scouts began to run as fast as they could. "These power fluctuations are incredible!" said Amy, reading the symbols on her visor. "Princess Serenity's power level just spiked to near astronomical heights! Dark Mercury's power dipped for a second but is slowly rising again."

"Even if we run we probably won't make it in time to make a difference," said Sailor Uranus. "That's practically the other side of town from here! Let's say we pile into my car and take the highway! It's parked just a few blocks down."

"Great idea, Amara!" Neptune gushed.

The Senshi headed south along Shoden Road until they came to Amara's yellow Jaguar. It was parallel parked outside a private bakery.

"Quickly, everyone! Get in!" Uranus shouted, leaping into the driver's seat.

"Hold it right there! Everyone FREEZE!!" a man's voice bellowed.

The girls turned to see an elderly officer standing outside his vehicle with a gun pointed at them. He had his teeth gritted in anger. "You don't make a move! You girls were involved in that destruction just a few minutes ago! The dispatcher says the whole block is wrecked, and over a dozen officers are down!"

"Officer! The woman responsible is headed toward the Industrial District!" Mercury warned him. "We're trying to stop her! You could help us by letting us go and fight. And call for backup. It would be good of you to evacuate the area!"

"Great! People are watching!" Mars exclaimed. Indeed everyone on the street was now fixed on them. Sirens were drawing closer.

"I said don't move!" the officer yelled, clicking his safety off. "I swear! The next time any of you moves I WILL fire! For all I know, YOU could be the enemy!"

"We don't have time for this!" Sailor Saturn held out her hand toward him. "We have no choice but to get him off our backs before more police arrive to stop us!"

"Right!" Mars stepped forward.

"I SAID DON'T MOVE!!" the police officer fired, but the bullet ricocheted off an invisible force barrier! He lowered his gun fractionally and gaped at them in shock.

"Thanks, Saturn!" Sailor Mars charged and kicked the gun out of the poor man's hand and knocked him unconscious with an elbow. "Sorry I had to do that," she said to the unconscious officer. "But we don't have time to be gentle."

People on the street reacted in fear and began to run inside their buildings. Many store owners bolted their doors and lowered their shades. As if these feeble securities gave them a sense of safety.

"Get in!" Sailor Moon shouted.

The eight of them piled in Amara's car and with a screech of tires they were off.

* * * *

The dust settled to the ground very slowly as Serenity walked among the wreckage of the hotel. She heard police sirens off in the distance slowly approaching. Cars on the streets had screeched to a halt because of the demolition. Serenity suspected that several neighborhoods might have just lost power judging from the downed telephone poles.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet buckled and swelled. Rays of blue- black light came out of the cracks in the rubble. Serenity jumped out of the way as Dark Mercury blasted out of the ruins and flew up into the air.

"THAT IS THE LAST TIME I LET YOU HUMILIATE ME, PRINCESS!" she snarled. "I WILL TEAR YOUR HEART OUT WITH MY BARE HANDS FOR THAT!"

Serenity got to her feet, shocked that all that effort had done little more than bruise her opponent! Nevertheless, it was progress. However, she couldn't use every building in the city as a weapon against her, so she would have to find another way. Single handedly, Dark Mercury had already caused an incredible amount of damage! Who knew just how many people were killed by her hand?!

A movement out of the corner of her eye caused Serenity to take her eyes off Dark Mercury. She saw Jets and Helicopters filling the sky, at least fifteen of each, overhead! Along with the police vehicles rolling in, there were several trucks filled with troops, and tanks. It was the Japanese National Guard!

Dark Mercury screamed downward toward Serenity. The Queen, who had been looking at the army units rolling in, was caught unawares. Dark Mercury punched her across the street, into the wall of an adjoining apartment complex. Serenity felt her head pounding from the hit. Stars swam in her vision.

"Target Alpha is out of the way," said one of the Jet pilots. "Fire at will! Fire at will!"

The Jets let loose their missiles and machine guns on the woman below. Dark Mercury saw the rockets approaching, and toggled the switch on her metal arm.

Immediately she teleported amidst the flying machines! The rockets smashed into the ground harmlessly.

"Whoa! How'd she do that?!" she heard one of the pilots say.

More rockets were fired, but Dark Mercury dodged them all. Some of them she caught and redirected to other planes, others she obliterated with her powers. Once the ammunition was spent by nearly all of them, she went on the attack. She bulldozed her way through the jet formations like a bullet through a glass window. Moving with quickness not even the veteran pilots could match, she destroyed the machines one by one!

Tanks and machine guns on the ground opened fire, and Dark Mercury responded by taking one of the nearby helicopters, tearing off its Rotors, and flinging it down toward the scattering soldiers.

Many would have died had not Serenity flew in and intercepted the falling machine. Setting it and its frightened pilots down gently, she looked in at the crew. "For God's sake! Can't you see you're in danger here!? Get out, and get everyone out of Tokyo before she kills more people!" Without another second wasted, Serenity launched herself straight at Dark Mercury.

This is insane! She thought as she engaged Dark Mercury again. Don't those idiots realize they're just getting in the way?!

The two powers met with a resounding boom! They fought tooth and nail, hand to hand, their efforts watched with awe by the people below. Soldiers, Cops and civilians filled the streets and began rooting for Sailor Moon. Dark Mercury was no longer playing. The look on her face and the viciousness with which she struck at her opponent told Serenity that she wasn't going to hold back any longer!

In a repeat of what happened in the future, the balance of power slowly shifted again in Dark Mercury's favor as the fight wore on. Serenity needed to think of a way to hurt her again. An idea came to her when she saw an oil refinery near the old Industrial District. Serenity disengaged and took off in that direction. Dark Mercury looked shocked that her opponent would run away, but she immediately gave chase.

Down below, the scouts arrived just in time to see the two flying away again.

"Holy COW!!" Venus was looking at the toppled hotel, the damaged apartment building, and the virtual PILES of what were once military machines! "This is turning into a NIGHTMARE!!"

"Uranus! We have to stay close to them!" Neptune shouted from her seat.

"I know, I know!" Uranus put the pedal to the medal and screeched off at high speed toward the east.

"It won't be long now." Sailor Moon trailed off.

"It won't be long before what?" asked Jupiter.

"The whole world will be watching this one," Mercury agreed. "Our secret's out. We're all that stands between Tokyo. no, the entire WORLD. and total annihilation!"

* * * *

At Gadoki Industrial Oil Refinery, the air raid siren began to blare over the work yard. Workers who were unaware of the coming threat stopped in their tracks and looked around as if to try and see what could have set off the siren. Police cars pulled through the gates. A loud voice boomed over the speaker system:

"Attention! Attention! This complex is in imminent danger! This is NOT a drill! Please evacuate the area in an orderly fashion! I repeat, this is NOT a drill!!"

The workers put their tools down and began to head toward the exit, wondering what could possibly be happening for this alarm!

* * * *

Lyle Yoshii rode in his Channel Six-News Helicopter, along with his partner Dan, who shakily held the camera to his eye, and the pilot, Freddy. They followed the fighters, but at a great distance. Lyle wasn't willing to martyr himself like the newsmen who had been shot down over the Hospital.

"Try to zoom in as much as you can," he said to Dan. Lyle flicked on his microphone and began his report.

"As the two remaining fighters: one of which seems by her actions to be a protector of this city and another unidentified enemy, battle over the skyline of Tokyo, the fight begins to drift over to the Gadoki Industrial Complex just outside town. The facility is being evacuated by Police and Army officials, and the facility is, mercifully, a safe distance from any residential area. Reports are sketchy as to the whereabouts of the rest of the brightly costumed Sailor Girls, who were reported as having a difficult time with the mysterious terrorist when the fight began at the Hidiro Yamaha Hospital."

* * * *

In countries around the world, the news was just coming into home television sets. News stations all over turned their morbid attention on the escalating war in Tokyo. Though few knew about Sailor Moon internationally, they began to privately pray that the mysterious heroine would stop the madwoman in black.

In Great Britain, one news report said: "In a shocking development, the city of Tokyo, Japan is being literally demolished by the rampage of a mysterious woman who is reported to have also caused the explosion at the Tokyo Tower earlier this afternoon. Tokyo officials say that the woman she is combating is fighting this woman in an attempt to stop her. No one knows for sure who this girl is."

In the United States, the reports were just as sketchy. "It's like something out of a Comic Book, folks! We don't yet know who these mysterious fighters are, but the images we're receiving via Japanese News Networks filming the event live as we speak indicate that one of the superpowered fighters is definitely responsible for much of the damage inflicted on the beleaguered city. The one in dark blue and black appears to be the villain, while the one with the. what I can only guess look like Angel's Wings on her back. appears to be trying to halt her merciless rampage. Rumors of other similar costumed heroes have surfaced, but no one knows where they have gone. Many fear they were defeated. We'll keep you posted as these amazing events continue to unfold!"

Other stations worldwide offered their opinions as to what was going on, but one thing was certain. The events in Tokyo were capturing the attention of the entire world!

* * * *

Serenity landed in the abandoned Oil Refinery and turned to meet the charge that Dark Mercury was bringing behind her. Away from the reaches of bystanders, Serenity allowed herself to cut loose, again going all out as she had in the 30th century. She blasted the ground underneath Dark Mercury, and tackled her as her opponent jumped.

The two smashed into a gigantic oil storage tank and the container started to spew petroleum all over them. They were covered in gooey oil in seconds, but they still fought, not caring about the slick conditions. The fight went literally all over. Dark Mercury punched Sailor Moon through a pile of I-beams, while Serenity countered by kicking her into an idling Crane.

"You can choose the battlegrounds, Serena!" said Dark Mercury. "But it won't make a lick of difference to me! I can and will kill you once and for all, and this time your precious Sailor Pluto is not around to help!"

Serenity felt her anger rising at the mention of her friend's name. Another victim of this maniac! Reaching deep down inside herself, she pulled a lever on the trash compactor. The gigantic machine rumbled to life. Dodging a few more thrown punches, Serenity dove over her opponent's head, then gave her an awesome kick in the back. The kick sent Dark Mercury sailing into the trash compactor, where the compressors squeezed down on her, straining with the effort. Finally, the compactor pressed down all the way and the machinery went silent.

Serenity once again found herself standing still, waiting for any signs of life. Outside the refinery, Amara's Sports Car screeched to a halt. The Police and Army Soldiers turned and watched in awe as eight brightly colored Sailor-suited women leaped out of the overflowing vehicle and ran without so much as a word to them into the yard!

"Uh, shouldn't we uh.?" asked one soldier.

"No. I get the feeling those girls need to be in there right now, Eddy." Said his Sergeant.

"Those must be the allies the radio broadcasts are talking about," said a Police Captain. "I don't like being relegated to a second-class status in this situation, but. The woman inside has caused unbelievable damage! I think this is slightly out of our league."

* * * *

"Sailor Moon," said Sailor Mars. "Is she finished?"

Serenity looked at the newly arrived Senshi. "I doubt it," said Serenity, looking suspiciously at the trash compactor. Why wasn't she coming out?!

"She's under all that? Wow! You really landed a haymaker that time, Serenity!" the younger Sailor Moon whooped.

"Oh, no!" said Serenity, looking over at Serena. "There's bound to be footage of this, you shouldn't let yourself be seen with me at the same time!"

"It won't matter anyway if we don't defeat Dark Mercury," said Sailor Saturn.

There was a banging noise and a sound like a muffled explosion from the compactor.

"Here she comes!" exclaimed Sailor Mercury.

The scouts dove out of the way as Dark Mercury burst out of the wall with a shower of twisted metal. She flew straight at them.

* * * *

Lyle flicked on the mic again. "In a startling turn of events, there appears to be not one, but two Sailor Moons battling this maniac!" he turned to Dan. "Please tell me you're still getting all this," he said off the record.

"I am," Dan replied, zooming in. "I wouldn't miss this for the world! This is one hell of a battle! Like something out of Anime!"

"You can say that again." Lyle turned the mic back on. "Amazingly, though she took what appeared to be an astonishing hit, the evil maniac is back on her feet and pounding the newcomers."

* * * *

"You crazy BITCH!" Sailor Uranus shouted. "Why don't you stay down?!"

"Hell will freeze over before I fall to the likes of YOU!" Dark Mercury waved her finger at Amara. "Come and get me if you want a crack!"

Before Serenity could stop her, Amora activated her Space Sword attack, and rushed Dark Mercury in burning frustration. Dark Mercury leaped up into the air and blasted at Sailor Uranus with a dark rendition of Sailor Mercury's Bubble Spray. Sailor Uranus dove out of the way then leaped up to catch Dark Mercury. She simply smiled in contempt and flew even higher. Sailor Uranus cursed herself for not being able to fly as her leap arced out and then declined back toward the ground. In free fall, she was wide open.

Dark Mercury aimed another burst at her.

"Oh, God! NO!!" Serenity moved to intercept the blast, but didn't have a chance to fire before a bright purple blast smacked into Dark Mercury from behind. She smashed into the Earth, creating a crater about two feet deep and six feet wide!

"Wow!" said Tuxedo Mask. "Someone clocked her good!"

Everyone looked up to see a most incredible sight! Sailor Pluto hovered in the air, holding her Garnet Rod menacingly. Next to her were six warriors that the Sailor Scouts had not ever expected to see again in their lives. The three Sailor Starlights, looking ready to mix it up. Alan and Ann, their one-time enemies who were now good friends. And the sixth was the most unexpected! General Jedite, long forgotten Commander of the Dark Moon Kingdom, was up there as well, his arms crossed, with a scowl on his face. That face brought back bad memories for Serena and the other Inner Senshi.

Dark Mercury scrambled to her feet and looked into the sky. Her eyes widened in shock.

"IMPOSSIBLE!!" she screamed in consternation.

Sailor Pluto and the others descended to the ground, and met with the Sailor Scouts. "It's good to see you're alright," she said to Serenity.

"Oh, Pluto!!" Serenity sobbed, rushing into her arms. "I thought you were dead!"

"I only lead her to believe that," said Pluto, turning to the others. "I'm so happy you were all able to hold out this long against a creature of her power! I have brought some people who may be of further help in dealing with Dark Mercury."

Sailor Pluto turned toward the raging Dark Mercury. "Didn't Charon tell you to make sure I was dead?" she taunted her.

"Impossible!" Dark Mercury raged. "I vaporized your remains to dust and scattered them to the winds of time!"

"Then your hatred continues to blind you," replied Pluto. "For you obviously forgot that I could use a decoy of myself to make you think I was dead!"

Dark Mercury realized her mistake, and flew into a storm of fury that kicked up debris and flung it away! She charged at them, her fists glowing with more energy. "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU JUST AS MUCH AS SAILOR MOON! I... WILL.... KILL YOU!"

Sailor Pluto got into a defensive posture, ready to take the assault head on, but Jedite stepped in front of her "SURPRISE!!" he shouted, and punched Dark Mercury backward across the length of the yard and into an idle bulldozer.

"It appears your powers do not negate hers as I was hoping it would," said Sailor Pluto. "Nevertheless, I feel we can still win. Unbeknownst to Dark Mercury, an ally approaches who can easily match her power in terms of sheer ferocity."

"Who's coming?" asked Serena.

"You'll see," she said, smiling.

"Cancel the rescue party, because when I'M done with her there won't be anything left!" Jedite cracked his knuckles, not even breaking a fraction of a smile. He was in a BAD mood, and he didn't care who he had to take his frustration out on!

"That's quite the uppercut you got there, tough guy!" Saiya laughed to Jedite. "Shall we go forth and wreak havok?"

"No," said Sailor Pluto. "Let's see how Jedite handles this." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Jedite, for stepping in like that."

Jedite whirled on her. "Don't think I did it because I have any good feelings in me. Cause when I'm done with her, I'm coming after you guys!"

Jedite took off after Dark Mercury.

"I don't believe you thought you could trust that slime ball," said Raye, glaring at his back.

Sailor Pluto smiled as she saw him attack. "Actually, Raye," she said. "I believe that of all the minions of Queen Beryl, he's the one with the biggest heart deep down." Sailor Mars looked skeptical, but watched the two powers go at it.

* * * *

"More allies have arrived, it seems, to help the Sailor Scouts in their battle against their opponent," said Lyle, watching all the action with wonder. He flicked off the mic for a second. "I swear if this isn't prize- winning footage, I don't know what is!" he said to his cameraman.

* * * *

Jedite faced off against Dark Mercury next.

He flew at the spot he had thrown her, only to find she had disappeared. He puzzled for a second as to where she'd gone, when he detected a ripple of energy off to his right. He looked just in time to see Dark Mercury striking with a glowing fist. He dodged barely in time, and saw the fist pulverize solid steel. Dark Mercury recovered and went on a fierce offensive. It was all Jedite could do to block her punches and kicks.

Sailor Mercury watched with growing fear and anger as Jedite and Dark Mercury fought. All this time she had stood silent vigil over the battle, barely ever taking part in the fighting. She had been paralyzed by the notion of her future self becoming such an avatar of evil! She wanted to know what happened to trigger her hatred to consume her and her friends. What did it all have to do with her deep feelings for Tuxedo Mask? She glanced over at her friends, all of them, as they too followed the fight with their eyes. How could they not hold her responsible for all that had happened here? How could they fight her future and still trust her present self?

As if sensing her pain, Serena walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right?" she asked.

"No," said Amy. "But then, why should I be? What happens, Serena? Why will I eventually become this. this. twisted psycho?!"

"That's not certain," said Serena. "I don't believe you could ever turn on us like that."

"The proof is out there, Serena," Amy gestured to the fighting. "Right there. Killing, destroying, hurting! She wears my face, has my memories and knows all our weaknesses. She IS me! There is no doubting it now." Amy put her hands to her face and sobbed.

Serena didn't know what to say anymore. She simply put her arms around Sailor Mercury and embraced her. A few of the others had overheard the conversation, and looked at the two Senshi, acutely aware that for some people, this battle would leave far more emotional scars than physical.

"Well! I have to admit you're one of the LAST people I thought I'd ever see again!" Dark Mercury said as she and Jedite were locked hand to hand and staring at one another. Each fighter was trying to push the other off balance.

Jedite smiled. "I hear tell that you're actually Sailor Mercury's future self. If that's true. then I must admit I'M rather shocked. After all, I always thought you were a GEEK!!"

Dark Mercury scowled. "At least I'M not a burned-out HAS-BEEN!!"

Jedite snarled and released his grip on Dark Mercury's wrists. He jutted out his elbow and smashed it into her ribcage before spinning and kicking her through another oil tank. Once again oil spewed forth from the rupture. Jedite grinned evilly.

"Burn in Hell, Queen Beryl," he muttered to himself. "With this act I shall achieve absolution!" Jedite fired a blast of energy at the oil that was spreading out and ignited the black fluid into flames! In seconds the entire tank went up in an earth-shattering explosion that shook the very ground!!

* * * *

"Um. Are you sure this isn't getting out of hand?" the helicopter pilot, Freddy asked shakily. "There might not be a Tokyo left when this fight finishes!"

"Maybe not, but this is bloody FANTASTIC!!" Lyle shouted. "We're witnessing History here, people!" His two companions looked at him like he'd lost his mind.

* * * *

"This is getting ridiculous!" the Commander in charge of the Japanese Forces in Tokyo shouted as flames shot skyward in a towering mushroom cloud. "I want another missile bombardment on the way, dammit! These girls are going to destroy the whole damned city!!"

"I don't think we want to risk losing any more pilots, Colonel," said one of his subordinates, hiding behind a parked Hummer. "Those girls we just saw go inside may be the only ones who can stop that woman!"

"I hate this." the Colonel growled. "I should have become a fisherman like my Dad, but NOOO.."

* * * *

All the Senshi and their allies were sprawled on the ground. When Jedite walked back toward them, they glared at him.

"Are you trying to kill us all, you damn lunatic?!" Sailor Uranus shouted at him.

"Oh. YOU'RE still alive!" Jedite replied coldly. "Don't think I'd regret it if I. accidentally. hurt one of you girls. If you can't take the heat then get the hell out of here and let me finish the job myself!"

"You mean she's not dead, even after all that?!" Sailor Mercury exclaimed.

Jedite looked at the blazing inferno he created. "No. it's never THAT simple." he murmured.

Sure enough, the wreckage began to move, and Dark Mercury walked out of the blaze. Her clothes were burned and smoking from the heat, though they weren't destroyed by the explosion. She must have raised an energy shield just before the explosion. At any rate, the only apparent injury she took away from that horrendous explosion was a bloody mouth!

She spat a mouthful of blood hatefully. "It's too bad. I had no quarrel with you. until you CREATED ONE!!" Dark Mercury was airborne and missiling straight at Jedite full speed before her sentence was even finished!

Jedite met her charge and held his own. He was powerful, very few people throughout History could claim having beaten Jedite in a head to head confrontation. Yet Dark Mercury's power had progressed to unbelievable levels. Though she was starting to feel the effects of a sustained battle against stubborn opponents, she still slowly turned the tide against Jedite. In a repeat of a pattern that had pretty much gone on all day, Dark Mercury overpowered her opponent and began beating him mercilessly. However what happened next was something NONE of the Senshi, even Pluto, had expected!

Dark Mercury grabbed Jedite by the throat and lifted him in the air.

"Sailor Pluto is truly a fool, Jedite," she said to the struggling warrior. "For if she had any inkling of the workings of the Nega-force, she would have left you in your icy prison, where you belong!"

With those words, she began to glow with a black aura. Jedite struggled painfully, then cried out in pain. His aura glowed brightly black as well, but then faded, as Dark Mercury's grew more pervasive.

"Great God!" said Pluto in horror. "She's absorbing his powers, his very life force!"

"What does that mean?" asked Tuxedo Mask.

"It means she is growing more powerful with every erg of energy she steals from him, and that Jedite will die if we don't do something to help him!!"

Jedite's energy aura was now almost depleted. He cried out in anguish as his powers were forcibly extracted from his body. He could feel the coldness of death creeping up on him, and try as he might, he could not break free from the absorption.

"Sailor Pluto! Somebody! Anybody!" he screamed. For the first time EVER, Jedite was afraid! "HELP ME!!!"

Sailor Mercury could take no more of this! With streaming tears, she took off running and charged straight at Dark Mercury!

"LET HIM GO YOU EVIL COWARD!!" she screamed. "LET... HIM... GO!!" She fired everything she had at Dark Mercury, funneling her own energy outward in one titanic jet of ice water. Dark Mercury was so absorbed in the draining of Jedite's energy that she never saw it coming. The jet of water slammed her like a train going through a mountain, plowing her back into the flames burning where the oil tank used to be!

Amy's attack was a one-time thing. She put all her strength into that one shot. She fell to her knees in the smoking carnage, not caring about anything but that she had released her shame and anger, as well as her powers in that blast. She felt better, but knew there was a wound inside her that would never heal from this.

Jedite lay on the ground, with barely enough energy left to blink his eyes. With a tremendous effort, he turned his head toward Sailor Mercury. "Y- you... saved... m-my l... life...," he seemed surprised that anyone would do that for him, particularly an enemy.

Sailor Mercury met his eyes and replied: "I couldn't sit by and watch her take any more lives. I just couldn't. Not even yours!"

Dark Mercury emerged from the spurting fuel pipe, rubbing a sore spot on her right side. That was the side that Sailor Pluto had cut her in the time stream. It was now reopened by Mercury's blast of water. Unfortunately, Dark Mercury's powers were now boosted beyond what they were before, and she used that extra energy to heal the gash in her side. She was steaming mad!

"I'm sensing too much power from her!" Raye gasped. "She's taken Jedite's energy and used it to not only refresh her own reserves, but she's now actually STRONGER than ever! Even with our numbers we can't beat her in this state!"

Pluto narrowed her eyes. It looks like I committed my last error, she thought dismally. I truly had no idea she could absorb dark energy into her being like that. Poor Jedite. I'm so sorry!

"You will pay for that, Amy!" Dark Mercury hissed. "You will pay with your last breath!"

"NO... SHE WILL... NOT!!"

Dark Mercury turned at the sound, and saw Sailor Saturn leap around her backside, and grab her arms in a full nelson. She shouted and struggled mightily, but could not get the right leverage to escape the hold.

"DAMN YOU!" said Dark Mercury. "When I get free of this, I'll tear your stinking little head off your God damned shoulders!"

"SATURN! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Sailor Uranus.

Hotaru looked over at the dumbstruck Senshi, and a tear came to her eye. "I'm going to put an end to this once and for all," she said smiling. She seemed to have resigned herself for something huge.

Sailor Uranus got the picture immediately. "What?! What are you saying?! Saturn, stop that talk this instant and get your butt back over here!"

"I don't understand--" Serena said.

"My God!" Sailor Pluto said. "NO! Not the forbidden power! She'll destroy us all!"

Everyone gasped.

"What is her forbidden power?" asked Ann.

"It is the power to destroy worlds!" said Sailor Neptune tearfully. "Surely she realizes she can't do that move here!"

"Of course I know that," said Hotaru, still smiling. "That's why Trista's going to transport me to the time stream, to contain the blast."

"No!" Trista yelled. "I won't do it, now let go so we can form another plan!"

"I won't," said Hotaru, tearing up as well. "This is the only way, and you know it!"

"PLEASE, HOTARU!" Serena screamed. "DON'T DO THIS!"

The other scouts protested and screamed as well, but their threats and pleas fell on deaf ears. Hotaru struggled to retain her grip. She was loosing her leverage!

"She'll kill me anyway once she gets free," she said to them. "If I'm to die, I want to take this monster down with me!"

Jedite and Sailor Mercury watched from some distance away. Jedite was shocked as he viewed the proceedings. "She... w-wouldn't..." he trailed off.

Sailor Mercury only shook her head. "Of course she would. That's what it means to be a Senshi. To save lives no matter what the cost. Just watch her, Jedite."

The scouts continued to protest, but Sailor Pluto watched silently. She saw that Hotaru was right. There was no choice.

"Trista, please!" Hotaru pleaded. "You need to do this now!"

Sailor Pluto nodded and raised her Garnet Rod up. "God forgive me!" she sobbed. "I must do it!"

"NO!" Sailor Uranus charged at Sailor Pluto. "I WON'T LET YOU, I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL HOTARU!!" Tuxedo Mask intercepted her charge and restrained her for all he was worth.

"Uranus, please!" he said. "You know that this is the only way!"

"NOOOOOO!!!" Sailor Uranus gave a soul-wrenching cry of anguish as Sailor Pluto opened the gates of time and forcibly transported Saturn and Dark Mercury to the Time Stream. After that, she collapsed in grief. Sailor Mercury felt the strength go out of her legs as well. The others only stood in shock and grief! The full weight of what Sailor Saturn had done only just dawning on them.

"Such... s-such... courage!" exclaimed Jedite in a mixture of reverence and shock.

Sailor Mercury sobbed next to him. "Yes. If only I'd had the strength to do it myself earlier. It may never have come to this!"

* * * *

In the timestream, two figures materialized, one holding on with all her strength to the other.

"You wouldn't do this!" screamed Dark Mercury desperately. For the first time since she'd started this whole campaign, she felt genuine fear. "You can't kill me with even your powers!" But there was no certainty in her voice, and that's what scared her.

Hotaru smiled as she began to glow. "This is it, Dark Mercury!" she said, clamping down even harder on the desperately struggling villain. "WE CHECK OUT TOGETHER!!"

The light reached a blinding glow as the power built up to its climax. Hotaru felt herself reach the maximum limit, then cried: "DEATH REBORN REVOLUTION!"

The silence of the Time Stream was shattered with a blast that rivaled a Supernova! A shining light and senses shattering explosion penetrated the darkness and fog! Two powerful entities were consumed at the heart of the blast. A brief scream was immediately cut off. The blast reached a crescendo, and then receded again.

And then there was silence!