Note: it was written a couple of years ago, with the old judging system and old favorites yet...

Finally the doomsday fell upon the main heroes. As Beryl promised, the participants hadn't time even for spying on the rivals, not to mention other entertainment. As a result, only Beryl observed the whole picture. She enjoyed the mere fact that for two months her hyperactive generals didn't bother her with their follies.
Beryl noticed the red-head among women, but did not fall off her throne. Once she had seen Zoi in SailorMoon suit and was immune to the sight. Another thing puzzled her. Why is the little rat alone? Where's Kunzite? If he's neither on ice nor among the coaches, why in hell was he missing the briefings all that time?
Zoisite performed compulsory program perfectly, and for the first time in decades Japan was hoping for the gold by talents of Zoisaito Sakura.
Well, Japan was puffing with pride in that season, for it's team did well in other categories too...

Beryl didn't know where to spit. Watching the free program of dance pairs she had spat over everything within her reach. Sure, the masked tuxedo with sailormoon brat did not make an enjoyable sight. That very urban myth (and I.Kalman's "Princess of Circus" music) was chosen for the theme of performance by Japanese pair Naru and Masato Sanjoin.
Nephrite agreed wholeheartedly, but had no other choice. Naru agreed to make up a pair with him on three conditions: first, she was choosing theme and costumes, second, she performs under his surname (not to be recognized by the relatives), and third, after the victory the surname remains hers (i.e. he marries her.
Neph nodded for each point readily, he didn't mind even wearing the Tuxedo Mask's garb during the whole championship. Well, the mask came handy: Masato Sanjoin didn't appear without it, or the spectators would have wondered that the men in Japanese dance and regular pairs looked absolutely the same.
Don't worry, Naru didn't learn skating urgently. She had just lost some weight after such innerving events, and Neph was able to carry her in arms for the 5 minutes of performance. Besides, dance skating differs from regular one by the lack of complex tricks like lifts, throws, pair jumps etc. All the 5 minutes Naru was hanging around the neck of her fiance and depicting ardent sentiments. The result was 5.8 for technique (thanks Nephrite) and 5.9 for performance (owing to the damsel.
"I am so glad, my darling!" Naru screeched hilariously swinging a little golden disc on a ribbon, while Nephrite was tugging her into wardrobe in their hotel room.
"Dream on". The Star Lord tore off the disgusting suit and rushed beck to the stadium. On the next day he should perform in the final stage for pairs. Japanese pair, Kino Makoto and Maxfield Stanton had all chances for victory too.

Then Beryl did fell down off her throne. A general of Dark Kingdom in full uniform (just with skates instead of high boots) and a senshi (Makoto did not have troubles with the choice of dress either)! Total Silver Millenium with accompaniment of Devil's Trill of Tartini.
But the Queen did not have a chance to come to her senses. She fell down again when after an graceful pair spin the girl raised her partner aloft with ease, made a 'swallow glide' and crossed the rink like that. Where is his lordly dignity!
We should say, the Star Lord was flabbergasted too when he felt soaring. He had not even time to show indignance properly as the music went on, next elements should be done, over a dozen of times a throw was scheduled, and he would not fail.
After a jagged step track the pair took a run. The partners were counting times and drew slightly each other closer by elbows. Nephrite chose deliberate points of the maiden waist which he would grip in a moment and fling her fa-ar.
The second X came, Neph grabbed- emptiness, as he was flying by a low trajectory, and only the snatching gesture helped him to keep balance.
The spectators burst in applause. A woman carrying her partner was no wonder, it was even fashionable a couple of years ago. But a throw.
With the last violin trill Mako hung onto him to kiss him with joy. No one doubted the identity of winners among pairs. Half-strangled Nephrite recollected that he promised to marry this one too. Why had he done it? She has been ready for anything even free of charge. Probably it had become a conditioned reflex after Naru.
Who cares. In his pocket lay a text of one telegram to-be-sent to two addresses in Tokyo: "I'm sorry. I promised to marry another woman. Your liar".

Zoi wasn't pouting, mourning lost independence or feeling down anymore. Maybe there was no life for him without Kunsaito-sama, but when the Ice Lord was with him, even at distance, the world spread open for him, and everything was possible. Fire Lord could nor discern where his own thoughts ended and the music of B.Streisand's "Woman In Love" began.
The reporters were quietly sniffing into their microphones, but didn't fail to mention the refined technique. No one else in the category could jump so high. No, Zoi-chan overdoes it with levitation, Beryl thought looking into her sphere. She was drooping on the back of her throne, as she had cramps in all sitting surfaces already.
The last accords faded? the first applause burst, after some bowing Zoi went to pick flowers and toys. Spectators could be delighted, but it is referees who assign points. Zoisite glanced over the row of bald and combed heads stuck to the monitors. Only the last one raised his head. "Everything will be fine", his silvery eyes said. Zoi skipped breathing for about five seconds. Then he turned back, embraced tenderly the heap of teddy-bears and hurried to the "corner of tears and kisses". There he sat down and shone literally, till the results were announced. And sure someone took care that they were the best ones.

On the day before the last one, during men's free program, the public had some rest from surprises. As usually, it was either Yagudin or Plushchenko. Jadeite chose the last one, probably, for the unity of blondes worldwide. Now the Glitch Lord was standing at the barrier, while all eyes, photo- and video cameras on the stadium were recording the perfect, plastic and enchantingly expressive performance of Zhenya Plushchenko. Jadeite was proud of his masterpiece. A human being can make a mistake, and only an illusion is totally perfect. If he had chosen some unknown person from Japan or Pakistan as the prototype of illusion, referees might have gotten suspicious. And a favorite's victory is a norm.

"Tetis, report. Over", Beryl asked her communication bracelet at the wrist.
"Great, your majesty! So much exultation and emotions! There will be enough energy both for reawakening king Metallia and for plastic operation for him. Over.
"Ah yeah, I kinda noticed Nephrite's mug, or what? Over.
"Your majesty, my sensors detected intrusion of Dark Lords five times. But I'm sitting in the last row and can't see a thing, some crazed fans are waving a banner the size of their country"
"How five"
"W K"
"Wha"
"Who Knows!.. Oh yes, over.
"Don't leave the post till the last spectator! Out.
Beryl sprawled all over the throne. The meeting should begin in five minutes.

Against the custom, Zoisite arrived first and hovered in air, fumbling a round of golf instead of his curl.
A minute later Jadeite stepped forward from the hyperspace, holding with fingertips a golden round in a plastic bag for material evidence. The Queen thought if it was a good moment to faint, but dignity won.
Jad leered at his colleague and felt afflicted.
Then Nephrite fell off the teleport, all decorated with gold as an Indian raja.
"Mmy K-kween!" he had started celebrating double victory long before. "I, twice champion... demand aaa...what?.. hm, rum? N-no, I had that already. A, award"
Beryl was trying to hide from the crazy reality behind her ball. The sizes would not help her. I should consider a diet, she whined in thoughts. Preferably at a resort with mental specialization. If Kunzite brings now.
Kun appeared inaudibly, and nothing golden was ornamenting him, except Zoi-chan, of course. The Queen sighed with relief, and even got an idea.
"Well done, guys! Now to the prizes. What was that I promised? A personal cable channel? You are welcome! My personal channel is at your disposal, the address is: Royal Bedroom, Work hours from evening till morning. Please bring pop corn with you. And you may come in without knocking.
The Lords froze.
"Well, we... never mind", Jadeite answered for himself and Nephrite. "We did it just by and by, to teach Zoi a lesson, not for a reward..." And they disappeared.
"Zoi-chan, let's go", Kunzite opened teleport too. "The night is so beautiful today. I'll invent something till the next winter Olympic games".

"What happened to men nowadays! You can't lure them", Beryl groaned. Somewhere in Tokyo Makoto and Naru received the telegrams and were crying over the same problem.