Nan Falls! Callisto's Memories Return

"You had better have a good plan this time, Nan. Remember, this is your last chance. If you fail, I will have no trouble replacing you," Magasasu, back in his own body once more, said to his general. The man bowed to his lord, who was sitting in his throne, an annoyed expression on his face.

"I am currently working on it, my lord." Magasasu looked over at Sesshou, who was unconscious and laid flat on a stone in the corner of the throne room.

"We can use him to our advantage, a bargaining chip, if you will. Use him to get the Silver Crystal...as well as Callisto." Nan looked surprised.

"Callisto, my lord?"

"Yes. I still want her. See that it is done, Nan, or there is another certain general that can take your place." Nan's eyes widened.

"You don't mean...?"

"I'm afraid he does." A man with stark white hair and silvery eyes appeared from a dark corner, a cold smile on his face. The other general's eyes narrowed this time.

"Hoku."

"You'd better not screw up, Nan. Although, I must say that I look forward to taking charge of this operation. I already have several plans in mind."

"Well you can forget them because I have every intention of getting what our Lord wants," Nan snapped.

"Enough." Both men hurridly shut their mouths and bowed. "Hoku, you are not in charge; Nan is. You may carry out your plan as you see fit."

"Yes, my lord." Nan bowed and, after throwing a smug look to Hoku, disappeared.

"My lord, are you sure it is wise to allow him such an important role?"

"Do not question my judgement, Hoku. And Nan brought me the girl once; I have faith that he can do it again."

(Cut)

Peiti sat in hers and Jirian's room, listening to Jirian play her guitar. "I wish I could remember what happened with Magasasu... But all I can remember is seeing Sesshou... I'm pretty sure that Magasasu had possessed him..." Jirian gave her friend a sympathetic look.

"I know how you feel. We'll get this all sorted out eventually." Peiti nodded.

I guess you're right... That's a really pretty song, by the way. When did you write it?" Jirian blushed.

"The day after you came back."

"Oh, you mean the day you sat outside, making out with Yaten for a half an hour?"

"Shut up!" The brunette laughed.

"I'm sorry, but I'm entitled to mock you." Just then a pillow caught her in the face and laughing still, she threw it back. Soon pillows were flying around the room, problems momentarily forgotten.

(Cut)

"What do you mean I need someone with me?" Peiti stared in shock at the ten women and three men standing around her. "I refuse! Besides, Jirian is always with me anyway!"

"But you still need someone else, Peiti-san. We don't know why Magasasu wants you, so we must be careful." She threw her hands up in defeat.

"Fine! Who's going to be my shadow today?"

"We volunteered," Mako-chan said, her and Minako stepping forward.

"You should be safe with them; they're two of the strongest scouts we have," Haruka said.

"If they don't get distracted by shopping," Rei added with a smile. In reply, the two girls pulled faces at her.

"It won't be so bad, Peiti," Jirian said to her friend, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We just want to be sure you're safe." Peiti smiled a little, laying her own hand over Jirian's.

"I know. Arigato." She sighed. "And I'm sorry I can't be more help to you guys."

"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault," Usagi said.

"Artemis and I are going to do some research on what you were able to tell us," Luna said from her place in Ami's arms. "Hopefully we'll come up with something."

"Good idea. Puck, you help too," Jirian said, digging the monkey-mouse out of her pocket, much to his disappointment.

"Do I have to?" he whined; Jirian gave him a little shake.

"Yes! And if you don't, I'm going to let Elara eat you!" She held him up in front of the fox who licked her lips. Puck squealed and began to struggle.

"Okay! Okay, I'll help!" Everyone laughed as Jirian triumphantly set the animal down next to Artemis.

"Darn. Almost had a free meal," Elara said. Luna jumped down from Ami's arms.

"We'll work on it and tell you what we find," she said as she and the other three animals trotted off, Puck riding sulkily on Artemis' back.

The Senshi got a good laugh out of the sight and they turned, heading for school.

(Cut)

Nan carefully watched the senshi's routine for the next few days, trying to figure out how to try to get what his lord wanted. Though why his lord wanted the girl in addition to the crystal made no sense to him, he was going to do so anyway.

He finally found an opportunity one-day when the only ones around Peiti were Jirian, Usagi, and Ami. The three girls were sitting outside chatting while Peiti was at her archery club. Smirking to himself, Nan floated down to land just outside the entrance of the building and walked in quietly.

Peiti was standing at the drinking fountain, getting some water. She suddenly straightened and spun. Her eyes went wide when she saw Nan. "Why are you here?" He smiled a little.

"I'm here to offer you a trade; Sesshou for the Silver Crystal." Her eyes narrowed.

"I don't think so. As much as I want him back, the silver crystal isn't mine to negotiate with. Now leave!" His smile turned into a smirk.

"Oh I will...after I get what I want."

(Cut)

The senshi outside heard cries of terror from within the archery building. Eyes wide, they saw Sailor Callisto and Nan exchanging attacks.

"So much for the lull! OBERON CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"MOON ETERNAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

Glowing lights surrounded the three girls and a moment later, they emerged as Senshi, ready to fight.

"Hey, you!" Nan turned his head and his eyes narrowed.

"Where there is one, there are more."

"You're damn right!" Oberon cried, dashing in front of Callisto, sword in hand. "And there's no way you're getting her or the Silver Crystal!"

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Senshi." He rose higher into the air, sending a tongue of flame spiraling towards them.

"MERCURY AQUA RHAPSODY!" The two attacks collided and the fire turned to steam before it even got close.

"Don't think that's going to stop me!" Before any of them could move, a ring of fire had sprung up around them, much like the one he had trapped Peiti and Sesshou in before.

"OBERON DIAMOND HAIL!" Oberon flung one of her most powerful attacks at the wall but the flames simply absorbed it and leapt higher.

"Go ahead! The more you attack the wall, the higher the fire will rise!" Nan said from his place above them, a triumphant smile on his face. "I'll burn you three useless Senshi to ash and take the Silver Crystal from your corpse, Sailor Moon. And you, Sailor Callisto, will be returning to my lord's side."

"I'd rather be dead!"

"Careful. That can be arranged."

"His power has to be coming from somewhere." Mercury touched her earring and her blue visor slid across her eyes.

"It's hot! Ami-chan! Hurry!" Sailor Moon cried, backing away from the slowly-closing ring.

"That's it! Oberon! Aim for the pendant!" Mercury pointed to the flame-shaped pendant hanging from the general's neck.

"No problem! OBERON HAILING WIND!" Nan cried out, throwing his arms up in front of his face. The concentrated attack struck him directly in the chest, throwing him from the air. There was a loud cracking sound and his necklace hit the ground, shattered. The ring of fire around the four Senshi died.

Nan gasped when he saw the broken ornament. Without it...

"Nan!" His head shot up and his eyes widened when he saw Magasasu hovering in the air above him, a less-than-pleased look on his face. "I see you have failed."

"My lord—"

"I don't want to hear your excuses. I'll deal with you after I clean up this mess." He landed gently on the ground, cape swirling around his shoulders. He smirked at the Senshi. "Ah, how lovely to see you all again. I believe I have something that belongs to you." He snapped his fingers and another general—this one in white—appeared, an unconscious Sesshou floating beside him.

"Sesshou!" Callisto screamed.

"This one is useless to me and, as such, I'd be more than willing to give him up...for a price of course." Callisto's eyes became slits.

"Nan already tried that bribe and I'll tell you what I told him: NO WAY." Magasasu sighed.

"Then you leave me no choice. I guess I'll just have to kill your friends and take you and the crystal by force. And I guarantee that I won't be as easily defeated as Nan." The man jumped into the air, flinging his hands outwards. Acidic smoke surrounded them, making them cough and cry at the same time.

"Where is he?" Oberon managed between hacking coughs.

"Right here." The girl looked up in time to catch a fist in the face that sent her flying.

"Oberon!" Callisto coughed, trying to find her friends. She coughed again and thought she saw someone ahead. She ran forward, straight into Magasasu. "You!"

He chuckled as he gripped her arms. "You're mine now." Her eyes narrowed.

"Not a chance!" She flipped up, slamming her foot into his chin. He growled and lunged for her, only to be stopped by none other than Nan himself.

"Don't you DARE lay a finger on her." Callisto stared at him in amazement.

"What?!" Magasasu roared. "How dare you say that to me!"

"Because I finally remember who she is." Nan glanced over at the shocked senshi. "I'm glad I got to see you grown up..."

"What are you talking about?" He shook his head and turned back to Magasasu.

"My lord, I do not wish to hurt you."

"But I wish to hurt you!" He flung the man away, ripping the crystal from his body. Nan cried out in pain. "Now, for you my dear..." Callisto drew her bow and fired an arrow at him. It passed through his shoulder, slowing him enough for her to get back to her friends who were now visible in the fading smoke.

When Hoku saw her he frowned. He turned to the other senshi and gave a little bow. "I will take care of you brats later." Then he was gone. Peiti reassured herself that the others were alright. Then, she spotted Sesshou.

"Sesshou!" She ran over to him. "Sesshou?"

"He'll be out for a while." She turned her head to see Nan standing there.

"Why are you still here?"

"Shear force of will. I wanted you to know who I was before I die." Callisto frowned.

"And who ARE you? The enemy..." He shook his head, touching her hand.

"No. I'm your father." She frowned again, then gasped as memories came flooding back. The other Senshi gathered around her.

"What did you do to her?" Oberon demanded, sword ready.

"He gave me my memories... I was his daughter...I didn't live long...but just the same..." Nan nodded, smiling a little.

"I loved you and your mother very much... I'm just sorry that I couldn't have helped you more..." He winced a little, clutching his chest.

"What's wrong?"

"I won't last...I'm glad I got to see you..." Then, he keeled over...dead.

"Papa!" Callisto began to sob, falling to her knees beside the dead man, pulling him into her arms.

"Damn you." They looked up as Magasasu snarled at them from his place above them, his hand clapped over the wound Callisto had inflicted on his shoulder. "Don't think I'm going to let this little incident slip by unnoticed. From now on, none of you will be safe from my wrath, not even you, Callisto. I hope you are all prepared to face your fate." Smoke rolled over them again and when it cleared, Magasasu was gone.

Callisto turned her attention back to the man in her arms, cradling his body gently. Then, slowly, his body disintegrated, turning to ask in her hands, much to her horror.

"Papa!" Tears flowed faster down her cheeks as she knelt there, her head bowed. Oberon knelt beside her friend, hugging her tightly. Sailor Moon bent down, retrieving something from the ground and placing it in Callisto's hands: Nan's broken necklace.

When she saw it, she just cried harder.

(Cut)

"Traitorous bastard!" Magasasu kicked over a table, shattering it. He threw Nan's crystal to the ground, grinding it to dust under his boot. He turned to face Hoku, eyes blazing. "You bring me their heads! Oberon AND Callisto's!"

"You no longer desire her, my lord?"

"She caused one of my best generals to turn against me and I will not stand for it. Bring me both their heads and the Silver Crystal and your rewards will be great. If you fail, your punishment will be worse than death." Hoku bowed low, a hand over his heart.

"Unlike my predecessors, I will not fail, my lord. I have several plans lined up already and they will succeed. I will pick off the scouts, one by one if I must."

"Do whatever you deem necessary. I just want that crystal!"