Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. But all the angels are in heaven, and few of the fools are dead. James Thurber

While Elysion had been away, the remaining senshi had gathered in a room. They were all suited up and the advisors stood to the side. Luna was worried the most over it all. She knew that they would return, but it didn't quiet her apprehension of leaving like this. Most of their powerful warriors were in comas. Still, she had to have faith. That is what her charge had asked of them all. They all had to have faith in her.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait for Elysion to return?" Artemis asked staring at them with his bright emerald eyes, "After all, she could be a big help."

Cosmos shook her head, "No, she would only be in danger."

'You don't really want her help.' The small voice said, 'You never liked her, why would you want her? After all, she is the reason why your friends are in the hospital.'

Cosmos breathes out slowly before looking at them.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"Hai." Came the response.

They concentrated their powers while holding each other's hands. Their auras glowed around them as papers rustled in the room by an unnatural wind. Things around them started to float a little before they all shouted, "Sailor Teleport!"

They rose in the air before the group disappeared all together.

"Oh Artemis." Luna leans up against the white cat while their daughter was still staring at the ceiling. "I hope they'll be alright."

Artemis nuzzled her licking her cheek comfortingly, "Luna, all we have to do is believe in them."

"That's right, Mama." Diana pipes up moving over towards them. "We have to believe."

They reappeared in darkness. That's what it seemed to them; nothing but darkness in every direction.

"Alright, guys" Venus said holding her chain in her hands, "be on guards. Mercury, where are we?"

The blue haired woman was already typing away on the small computer with her visor down. She said nothing for a while, even as they heard the familiar cackle of Lady Avon.

"My sensors pick up that she's right ahead of us." Mercury said. "Venus, try and get her with your beam. Count six to the right."

Counting silently Venus moves her hand slowly before she got to the right part. "Venus, crescent beam!"

The light pierced through the darkness and the cackles were cut short by a scream.

Suddenly the darkness faded away and the dim light replaced it. Lady Avon was standing there rubbing her hands and scowling, "Wretched senshi." She hissed.

She was clad in the skimpiest of outfits. Really all there was to it was something that looked like red underwear- the thong kind- and a fancy coat over her torso that seemed closed over her bosom. Her dark green hair was swept up in a complex curls. There were gems sprinkled throughout her hair.
Golden eyes narrowed at them as she summoned her staff. The long metallic staff with a simple orb on top. "You'll pay for that!"

"Jupiter Oak evolution!" Jupiter launched her attack at the woman.

"Banshee wail!" Avon's orb glowed a deep green before she pointed it at them. The sonic wail disrupted the energy that was being thrown at her.

At the same time, something moved quickly and Venus screamed out loud.

"Venus!" Cosmos and Neo Moon cried out.

The senshi of love and beauty fell forward gasping on the black marble floor. They didn't get a chance to see what had happened but it was clear that her starseed had been taken.

The dark figure flitted out again this time aiming for Mercury. Terra warrior caught on to this saying, " Celestial bomb!"

The golden orb went soaring towards the person who leapt out of the way.

"Kreature!" Avon growled, "How could you miss?"

Kritra said nothing, her face showed nothing as well. In her hand glowed the yellow starseed of Sailor Venus.

"If you had kept your magic up, harlot, then we would have them all by now." She told Avon finally before looking at the group. "But that matters not. We can take the starseeds at our leisure now."

She was clad in leather black pants that were tucked neatly into her boots. Her shirt was more of a vest that left her arms and her mid section bare. Her mini braid hair was swept up in a high ponytail that nearly reached her shoulders. Tattooed on her upper arm was an odd band of leaves. At her side was a sword and on the other was a gun-like weapon.

"Kritra," Terra Warrior said, "You do not wish to do this." He knew she didn't. The look on her face and how she held herself…and in her eyes all spoke of reluctance.

"All you have to do is give us the starseeds of our friends back and let Cosmos heal your brother."

"Heal me?" This time Jamil appeared wearing all white formal shirt to his pants and shoes. His dreads were pulled back into a low ponytail with a white band. He laughed at Terra Warrior. "Heal me? I do not need such a thing, my king."

He said 'king' like it was an insult then an honorific title. Walking over towards them he snaps his fingers.

Stupid…stupid sol senshi. He thought as the shadow ropes tied around them. How did they defeat all those other invaders was beyond him.

"Now, Lady Avon, dear Kritra," He said turning towards them, "Finish the job, but I wish to keep the king's lil family alive…" Jamil glances over his shoulder at them with a small smile, "for now. I do believe, I'll have a little drink. Avon, you may join me. Kritra don't forget to put them somewhere…comfortable."

Avon's face lit up with pleasure. Perhaps now, he was truly noticing her! Preening a little as he left she waited for a moment before saying to Kritra, "I'm sure you can handle this, Kreature." She walks towards the side of the room, "I've got to look my best for Lord Jamil." With that the green haired woman left the room.

Kritra said nothing to all this only waited for the sounds of the clicking heels to disappear. Sighing inwardly, the dark woman moved over almost mechanical like towards them.

"Don't you have a mind of your own?" Jupiter's fist clenched, "Why are you taking orders from them?"

She didn't answer as she passed them to the other side of the wall. She did something on the wall before pressing her hand against it.

The wall moved to reveal the machine; in it's golden glory. Already, the slots for the starseeds was nearly full, saved for a few more. She placed Venus next to the Mars and turns her back to the machine.

'So that's where they keep them.' Cosmos though, moving a little. How would they get out of this? She had to rescue them…but how?
Watching almost helplessly, as Kritra came towards them she says, "Stay away from them!" There was a bubbling in her heart. She could do this. She could rescue her friends and family. All she had to do was…was…

Jupiter's agonizing scream filled the room and they watched her fall side ways on the floor. "Don't…don't give…up..." She whispered until her emerald eyes became unfocused.

"Let us go!" Neo moon says, tears already streaming down the teen's face. "Why are you doing this? Don't you care for Elysion? I know she wouldn't want you doing this!"

The only answer to that was Mercury's scream. Though hers lasted a little longer then Jupiter and Venus, nevertheless, they were painful to hear.

After putting the two crystals away and sealing up the machine once more, Kritra finally looked at them, " On your feet."

They didn't move. Terra Warrior had positioned himself in front of his family. "Let them go Kritra." He says to her, "Please, send them back to earth."

Staring into those eyes, the same ones like her daughter's; she wavered a little before shaking her head. "What is done is done." Her eyes harden a little, "Now, on your feet or I shall drag you out."

"Do your worst, you conniving bitch." Cosmos said almost before she realized the words flew out of her mouth.

They looked at her as she continued, "You tricked my husband, and begotten a child with him! You kept that a secret from us for years and then you leave her on our doorstep? What kind of mother are you?"

Kritra didn't respond verbally but she did back hand the white senshi so hard, that blood was dribbling out of the side of Cosmos's mouth before she hit the floor. She then grabbed Cosmos by her pigtails.

"If you don't wish to be dragged as well," she glared at them, "Then start moving –now-."

For a moment, Terra warrior stared into her eyes before nudging his daughter to move.

Neo Moon took hesitant steps, not to Kritra's liking as she pushed Terra into his daughter.

"Move faster, first hall on your left." She ordered. And so that was how it was.

Neo Moon leading the way and Kritra dragging Cosmos by her hair. Probably the only blessing out of any of it was that Cosmos was out cold.

"Truly, if there is evil in this world, it lies within the heart of mankind." - Edward D. Morrison, Tales of Phantasia