The clock struck eight as we all left Baker Street. Holmes and Miss Mars left first, with Holmes hailing a cab to go to a vegetarian restaurant while Miss Moon, Mercury, and myself traveled behind. We three lounged about the restaurant until Holmes and Miss Mars emerged looking as friendly as possible. Holmes's acting ability came in handy at this point, for he was engaged in an animated conversation with the girl. Mars even took his arm in an attempt to look convincing as they strolled down the dark street. As they passed the corner, I hailed a hansom.

"Come, girls. Up we go," I said. "I"ll tell the driver to keep a distance." Miss Mercury sat next to me in the vehicle while Miss Moon was perched on the opposite seat, hands folded anxiously. I turned to the Guardian at my side.

"Miss Mercury, I have a question about this pen I hold," I began. "Surely just using it as a writing instrument won't produce anything instantly. Or am I mistaken?"

The girl thought for a few moments. "It's hard to say," she replied. "The Mystical Silver Crystal follows the heart of its wielder. If the heart is earnest and courageous, peace will come. But if it is held by someone selfish, cowardly, or deceitful, it can become a horrible weapon. Beyond that, it's just a bauble."

I inhaled deeply. "So my convictions determine its power," I surmised. "Miss Moon, what are your thoughts?"

The blond girl didn't answer. Instead, she gazed out the window, before turning to slowly face me.

"Miss Moon?"

"Doctor Watson," Sailor Moon said at length, "does Mr. Holmes usually take big risks like this when solving mysteries?"

"Holmes has an excellent reason for everything he does," I replied. "Starting fires to lure a criminal out of hiding, sitting in the dark waiting to ambush a poisonous animal, and sometimes in large affairs, he even faints from exhaustion when his iron constitution gives out."

Miss Mercury looked thoughtful. "Reminds me of when I fell asleep in night class after over-doing my studies since early that morning."

I smiled. "It's no wonder Holmes finds you a kindred spirit, my dear," said I. "You both are people who live for their work. Holmes would find himself in an inappropriate atmosphere without a great challenge." I paused as memories continued to surface.

"As a matter of fact," I continued, "Holmes even conducted an experiment once to prove a theory regarding a fearful, toxic substance that put both our lives at risk."

Miss Moon gasped, putting her gloved fingers to her lips. "That's awful! How could he do that to you?"

I raised my hands. "It's alright. If I hadn't joined him, Holmes would have carried out the experiment alone, and I would have never left him to his own devices. If there was danger, we faced it together as partners. And as you can see," I concluded, grinning broadly,"we did escape with our lives, safely and wiser for our experience."

Miss Moon sighed. "You must care for him a lot," said she. "That's good."

I flushed at the compliment. "Miss Moon, Sherlock Holmes is himself a good man. Despite his flaws and cold attitude, he's the best and wisest man I've ever known. One recent case I penned as "The Three Garridebs" involved a forger and murderer, and as Holmes and I confronted him, I was shot in the leg."

My young wards in the hansom listened wide-eyed and intensely. I patted my trouser leg with the remembered sensation and continued.

"It was merely a scratch, but Holmes smashed the butt of his revolver across the villain's face. Holmes looked at me with shaking lips and dimmed eyes to see if I was hurt. He was afraid for me. I dare say, if I had died in that cellar, Holmes would have killed the man with his bare hands to avenge me."

I felt Miss Mercury shudder beside me as I recounted my tale, but Miss Moon just stared with glazed eyes. It was as if she was either daydreaming, or sunk in the deepest of thought.

"Why would Mr. Holmes look that way?" the blond girl murmured to herself.

"Sailor Moon?" Miss Mercury stared at her friend.

"Why would he kill someone then and there, without having the police take him away? Why commit murder for you, Doctor, making his career stop, his honor be destroyed, his very life taken away by the death penalty? Why would he throw all that away?"

Miss Moon's eyes continued to narrow, her face scrunching in concentration. "His work, his honor, his life-all tossed out for you-oh, yes!"

We all leaned forward as Miss Moon clapped her hands with a broad smile.

"I've got it! Doctor Watson, he loves you!"

My cheeks grew hot at such bold words. The term "love" certainly wasn't something I would associate with Sherlock Holmes, who looked upon the softer emotions with a jibe and a cold sneer.

Miss Mercury spluttered in embarrassment. "Sailor Moon!" she scolded.

Miss Moon laid back in the seat, looking crestfallen and disappointed. "So I'm wrong?"

I chuckled in spite of myself. "Not at all," said I, looking out the cab's window absently. "I suppose Holmes does love me, in his own way. Years of devotion and service culminating in that one moment. It was worth the injury to see that look of deep care on his face." I turned back towards the blond Guardian.

"But it took me nearly twenty years to see that. That's not the case with you, is it, Miss Moon?" I leaned forward to take her hand. "You saw the depth of love and loyalty in his heart the moment you laid eyes on Mr. Holmes, didn't you, my dear?"

Now it was the girl's turn to blush. Miss Mercury nodded in agreement.

"Oh, yes," she replied. "Sailor Moon may be emotional and a crybaby, but she sees goodness in nearly everyone."

Miss Moon smiled confidently. "Yeah, I did," she assured me. "Mr. Holmes's manner is cold, but his heart is warm and giving. That's why he gives so much of himself to justice, like we do. Since we have that in common, I understand and care for him very much. So you don't need to worry, Doctor Watson. We'll protect you both, I promise!"

I was speechless for a moment, and with a sudden burst of fervent passion, I nearly lept from my seat in awed gratitude. Grasping her hand firmly in mine, I felt moisture dim my vision.

"Bless you, my child," I said softly. "Bless you!"

The tenderness of the moment was broken by the hansom turning a corner.

I glanced out the window.

"We're nearly there."

I felt my spine straighten and my nerves thrill, and the two Guardians in the carriage looked sternly at each other.

"The battle begins." Miss Moon said. "Ready, Mercury?"

A nod was given in response, and the hansom rolled to a halt. The three of us disembarked, and I saw not a too far distance away, Holmes and Miss Mars still in their nightly stroll. We followed some meters back, keeping a close eye on our surroundings. Holmes and the girl had just turned a corner, when I caught sight of a young man leaning against a light post. He stirred, tipping his hat over his eyes as he began to walk in the same direction.

Miss Moon, Mercury and I all began to walk faster as our instincts were roused. I also noticed Miss Mars and Holmes slow in their pace. Suddenly, Miss Mercury thrust her arm out causing us to stop.

"What's wrong?" Miss Moon asked. Miss Mercury put a finger to her lips as we observed. The young man was getting closer to Holmes, when Miss Mars turned on her heel and raised her hand. There was a small slip of paper in her hand. A flame vester, I surmised, but when the girl gave a yell, I knew the game was up.

"Evil Spirit, BE GONE!"

There was a cry as the younger stroller stumbled. My jaw dropped. It was a woman's voice, and and as the ulster hat fell from the owner's head, a flurry of a autumn red hair spilled out. Holmes lashed out with his cane, thrusting it at the stranger's throat.

"Mimete of the Witches Five, I believe?" he declared.

The Guardians and I stared at this revelation. She had followed Holmes and Miss Mars disguised as a man, the clever creature! Mimete had her back to the wall of a brick building, glaring at Holmes.

"You needn't look so chagrined," Holmes continued, glancing briefly at Miss Mars. "It was this lady's intuition that revealed you. Indeed, I have witnessed too much in my profession not to realize the value of a woman's impressions. They are more important than the conclusions brought by analytical reasoning in this case."

Miss Mars smirked. "Thanks," she replied curtly.

"Damn you!" Mimete tried to wrench herself free, but Holmes lunged forward and seized her arm.

"I shall break it if you continue to struggle," Holmes threatened. "I really must congratulate you, madame. You are the second woman to deceive me with male costume."

Mimete's scowl softened. "Oh really? " she sneered. "Who was the first? Was she pretty?"

Holmes' grip tightened on his swordstick. "She predominated and eclipsed the whole of her sex," he replied proudly.

Mimete's eyes brightened as she sarcastically continued her verbal barrage. "Oh yeah, Irene Something-Or-Other, wasn't it? I heard she had a face a man might die for. Speaking of which, daimon, show yourself!"

Mimete promptly threw her gaze towards the opposite side of the street, and we all whirled. But rather than the hideous wolf creature we faced yesterday, the only person who appeared was a constable on the beat. He was fresh faced, twirling his club when he eyes caught the trouble.

I cursed under my breath and turned to Miss Mercury. "Stay here, I'll get him out of the way," I said. Approaching the constable swiftly, I tried to explain the scene before him wasn't that of a young woman being accosted, but a man acting in self defence of his lady. But I froze in my tracks as I heard Miss Mars cry out to me.

"Doctor, stay away from him!"

Looking briefly over my shoulder, I saw Miss Mars face's tense in alarm, and Holmes with a look of incredulity. Turning back towards the lawman, I saw that he too had a look of confusion. Suddenly, his expression changed as his eyes rolled back, his mouthed grimaced horribly.

"Help me," he groaned. My first instinct was that the man had some contagion, but when he opened his eyes again to look at me, it was I that turned sick. The sight was enough to make me wretch, for his eyes were milky and sullen, his flesh turned a mottled purple. His mouth tore open and mounds of bloodied, foreign flesh spilt forth, until it consumed an area four times the man's size. The human being had all but melted away, and in it's place….

"It's another daimon! Run, Doctor Watson!"

I turned and did so, sprinting on tip-toe for my life, and as I reached Miss Moon and her companion, seized their hands.

"We have to get out of here!" I cried, forgetting myself as the sheer size of the monster made my legs nearly give way in terror. This second daimon had an elongated body like a snake with horny, gnarled flesh that pounded the ground as it writhed about. It had no mouth, yet a hideous, high screech came from a batch of sharp protrusions on its head.

I stared dumb with horror as the young women marched forward, shielding me with their tiny forms. I lunched forward to pull them aside, but Miss Moon looked back at me with a hardened gaze.

"You have a job to do, Doctor, and so do we," she proclaimed as she turned to her friend. "We got to transform, Mercury!"

Both girls clutched at their chests, and in their hands they suddenly held golden trinkets. Clasping their palms together as if in prayer, they both cried out a very strange command.

"Mercury Star Power…MAKE UP!"

"Moon Cosmic Power….MAKE UP!"

Mars Star Power….. MAKE UP!"

The girls bodies seems to light up and spark, temporarily blinding me. Mere moments had passed, when I saw the Sailor Guardians standing before me in their sailor-suited battle dress. They stole glances at each other as if to silent exchange reassurances, then Sailor Moon and Mercury ran headlong towards the enormous monster. Sailor Mars still stood by as Sherlock Holmes' protector, although she was clearly apprehensive about her friends safety as well.

All I could do was sit powerless, horror filling my eyes. The creature slithered and screeched, growing and stretching in size as Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury performed their elemental attacks. Once a discus appeared in Sailor Moon's hand, and she hurled it deftly at the monster's head.

"MOON TIARA….ACTION!"

It struck it's mark, but it only served to anger the daimon even more. Its snakish temper roused it to even greater magnitude in strength, and it lashed out, causing Sailor Moon to fly backwards violently on the ground.

"Sailor Moon!"

I heard Sailor Mars cry out for her teammate, still standing by her post at Holmes' side. Holmes meanwhile, still held the witch Mimete at bay, refusing to turn his back away for a second. I could see his face turn grey with derision and persistence, knowing it was all he could do was keep his hands on the villainess. But when he heard Sailor Mercury shout in pain yet again alongside a hideous crash of debris, his instincts forced him to turn his head.

The crimson serpent daimon had been lunging time and again at Sailor Moon and Mercury, and I could see the girls wounds reopen with the strain. The witch Mimete gave a small grunt as she wretched herself free from Holmes, but made no effort to escape, preferring to gloat silently as her monster continued its onslaught.

Holmes glared at Sailor Mars. "Go to them!" he ordered.

Sailor Mars whirled, her face torn with indecision. Finally she cursed under her breath, crouched on her haunches, and tore off the ground towards the fray. Her gloved hand traced a fiery circle, and Mars thrust her arms outward at the creature. Half a dozen orbs of fire enveloped the Guardian as she shouted:

"BURINING…. MANDALA!"

The offensive seemed to work, for the daimon serpent crashed into the building opposite with the force of a train. The dust and rubble moved and shivered under its weight, and I watched with cold-blooded revulsion as its tail crept it way to the Guardians, knocking them all down like insects. I glanced around me in apprehension. Where the blazes was Sailor Neptune? Surely she didn't forget her role in this, but I remembered her cold taciturnity back in Baker Street, and cursed myself for having trusted her.

I started to run back to Holmes, but the witch Mimete lashed her hand out, and I found myself flying backwards, my limbs flaying. I landed hard on the ground, feeling a sharp twinge in my leg where my ankle had twisted painfully. At the sight, Holmes snarled, mortified as he witnessed the battle's savagery and the attack on my person. He turned to Mimete angrily.

"Call off your beast! Now!" he roared.

Mimete looked back at Holmes with a coquettish, infuriating smile. "Why should I?"

Holmes' voices suddenly grew soft and dangerous. "Because I have something you want," he rasped, his eyes contracted like two sharp points of steel. "The Sailor Guardians lives, in exchange for my soul?"

The auburn-haired witched clapped her hands in pleasure. "I knew it!" she cried happily. "I just knew your heart would be perfect! Reading between the lines paid off! All that talk of reason and analysis was just a silly front! I've got you now!"

Holmes looked disgusted at this deposition, and followed Mimete's gaze into the alleyway behind them.

"Well, you heard him, Lycanthy," Mimete said casually. "Do what you were created to do, like a good boy."

I looked in the same direction, and every muscle in my body tensed as the wolf daimon's growl emerged from the alleyway. Heavy footfalls followed, and as the monster loomed over Holmes and its mistress, it spoke in a hideous, perverted form of human speech.

"Sherlock Holmes," it threatened, "I, Lycanthy, will have your pure heart that serves the god of justice!"

Holmes unsheathed his sword from its scabbard. Pointing it directly at the beast, he issued one final, fierce ultimatum.

"Then have at thee, monster!"

Those brave words gave me the means to screw my own courage to the sticking place. I reached into my pocket and pulled out both crystal pen and paper, my mind set on a single phrase. Scribbling furiously, I wrote the words:

'At that moment, the monster disap-'

"Doctor!"

That warning cry came from Sailor Moon herself, and I looked upward. The enormous snake daimon that had been assaulting the Guardians had somehow comprehended my plan of action, and was hurtling itself towards me even as my writing was interrupted. The brute was as fast as a train, and my feet froze. There was no way to escape it in time!

Crying out, I flinched for my final moment, but just as abruptly, the monster stopped as a loud, shot-like sound hit my ears. I stared in horror as the beast, who was merely gazing in dumb awe at the object at my feet. For some reason, it alone had caused the daimon to hold back its attack.

It was a flower. The bloom had seemingly burst forth from the ground, or perhaps, was thrown with such force its stem broken through the cobblestone to stick up resolutely in place, like a thing of beauty keeps ugliness at bay. It appeared to be a tea rose, but of unusual color and vibrancy, its petals golden with sky-blue tinged borders. The serpent monster stirred when it realized the rose itself was harmless, but as it crouched, a form appeared before my eyes. It was a tall person, black and proud, his shoulders draped in a velvet cape and black evening tuxedo. The most peculiar thing was his face, for his blond hair was augmented by a white mask about his eyes.

"Who the devil are you?" I demanded. The stranger merely shot a glance in my direction, for his attention was focused on the beast. His ears perked at the sound of booted feet, and I glared as I saw Lady Neptune approached the scene, still in her walking dress. She unashamedly put her arms around the fellow.

"Glad you could join me," she said.

"Nice dress," was the response. I gasped in surprise. The masked figure was a woman! Such a voice belonged to one, yet she carried herself with the air of a gentleman. She casually removed both top hat and mask, then raised her hand in the air.

"Uranus Planet Power….MAKE UP!"

A flurry of hot wind rushed around me, bringing up dust and debris. I heard the other lady cry out as well, in a voice echoing confidence.

"Neptune Planet Power…MAKE UP!"

I was utterly at a loss when two more battle-ready women stood before me, facing the serpent monster. Just how many Sailor Guardians were there? Probably as many as there are stars int the heavens, I marveled. This fifth fighter was clad in a dark blue sailor collar and golden chest bow to match her manly haircut. I immediately deduced her name as Sailor Uranus when turned to her fellow Guardian.

"Let's go, Neptune!"

Both took to their heels, taking a running start before lunging at the creature, it's slithering, creepy form following them as a new target. The sight before me was simply too fantastic, and I saw both Sailor Mercury and Sailor Neptune fling watery orbs at the monster.

"DEEP….SUBMERGE!"

Neptune called out as she launched her power in a flourish, enveloping the creature in ocean water. Again and again the Guardians lashed out, attempting to exhaust the creature, but its strength seemed limitless.

I could only gape in amazement, and I blush to admit that my orders in this business were all but wiped from my mind in that moment. The unearthly screeches of the beast reverberated like thunder, and the yells of the Sailor Guardians echoed and bounced off the building's windows. Fire and water was hurled at the creature unceasingly, making it hiss and strike at them like a snake. Only one odd sound make me break my attention from the war scene. It was a strangled croak, coming from several metres away. Instantly I realized it came from human lips, and I turned in horror.

The wolf-like daimon was standing up at its full height, towering over Holmes. Its hairy arm was outstretched, yet its claws remained hidden. Instead, a shape emanated from its paw, viscous like ink, yet straight and firm. It was a form darker than the darkness, pulsating like a living thing. It took me a split second to divine its purpose, for it had pinned Sherlock Holmes to the spot, causing him to writhe in agony on the ground!

"Oh! Good God in Heaven!"

It was a dreadful cry he gave-it made the breath freeze in my throat. This was not just physical anguish. Every intangible part of the man was being torn out of him. Capacity to reason with imagination to theorize. Acquired learning and familial traits to observation and deduction, even memories and emotions unbeknownst to me were irresistibly being drained away. Desperately I tried to stand, but the sharp pang in my leg prevented me. Falling to my knees, I crawled frantically like a worm to where my friend lay twisted and tortured.

But Holmes looked at me desperately, pleadingly, shaking his head. All I could do was stare heartbroken, deaf to the cries of Guardians calling my name. Wonder and terror tore at my features as Holmes's body twitched, then his head sunk deep onto his breast.

Sherlock Holmes lay still. From his prostrate form, a candle-like flame appeared, the crystallization of his soul within. Apparently the daemon had the ability to give deep-seated human characteristics physical attributes, for I observed mist, then sand-like elements clump and bunch together. The final evolved shape resembled a multi-pointed crucifix, and I bit my lip at the sight to hold back tears.

"Murder and sacrilege! Hideous thief!" I cried.

The witch Mimete, who had been gazing with cruel delight at Holmes' soul crystallizing before her, snapped her attention to me with irritation.

"Oh, what does it matter?" she demanded. "Sherlock Holmes only cares about his work. He's not known for the strength of his affections, only his great brain in solving mysteries. Why should you worry about a part of Holmes' being that he never uses anyway? His pure heart is like a mere appendix; useless really. But the Death Busters will make great use of it to awaken the Messiah of Silence, so it's not a total waste!"

I was trembling in fury as Mimete turned towards the crystal, looking as excited as a child with a new toy.

"Come to Mommy!" she gleamed, but as she approached it, a hot wave passed through me, and I wrote desperately in my notebook. The crystal pen spilled out in silvery ink, and I wrote the single word:

Repel

All my heart went into that one word, for I would never allow Holmes to be touched by such a creature. I heard Mimete cry out as the heart crystal shone with a sudden spark, causing the witch to pull her hand back in pain.

"Hey, that's not fair!" she shouted. "The crystal's right here! So why can't I touch it? Why can't I touch it?!"

The woman was shrieking with vile temper to the point of blindness.

I cringed and struggled to my feet, vowing to take this chance. Ignoring the pain, I yelled like a lion and charged, determined to take Sherlock Holmes' soul crystal and keep it safe. But suddenly I felt a pair of strong arms grab me from behind, and to my horror and surprise, I was lifted off the ground. Sailor Uranus had seen my desperation and held me fast as I found myself in a distant alleyway.

"What are you doing?" I cried. "Sailor Uranus! Let me go! His soul-!"

"Shut up, you fool!"

A well placed kick to my knee made me howl in pain and I crumpled to the ground. Sailor Uranus stepped forward even as I glowered in rage. She raised her hand up, and a bright light appeared in her palm. The wolf daimon Lycanthy growled and Mimete just laughed seeing my helplessness, but suddenly Sailor Uranus bent down low, slamming her fist into the pavement.

"WORLD…. SHAKING!"

A tremendous, deafening roar seemed to come from the Guardian's hand, and I was nearly blinded. I heard a hideous scream, and the daimon beast and Mimete were burned instantly by the blaze, their flesh and bones disintegrating into ash. With both those dangers dealt with a single blow, I felt a blessed wave of relief. But where did the soul crystal go? Sailor Uranus seemed to be searching for it, when a screech from the serpent monster made us both look up.

The creature had gotten even more vicious, and the Guardians continued to be beaten down. Even Sailor Neptune's arms looked violently contorted with broken bones, making her abilities useless. Sailor Uranus cried out in horror and rushed to join her comrades. I felt helpless and angry to the point of despair as all five Guardians struggled before my eyes. I shuddered, suddenly retreating to Baker Street in my imagination, longing for home, yet knowing I had to fight until the end. But how?

My gaze shot suddenly to Holmes, who was still lying motionless. My brain was a maelstrom at that moment, with the words of Sherlock Holmes and the Sailor Guardians pounding in my memory, like two opposing elemental forces of nature fighting for mastery.

"The Mystical Silver Crystal follows the heart of its wielder."

"My brain has always governed my heart."

"He loves you."

"Love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to true, cold reason."

Damn it! I pounded the cobblestones in furious desperation and fear. Internally I begged for Holmes' forgiveness. For he was wrong. Love doesn't exist to oppose logic; it compliments it. Surely it must be so! And I was going to prove that, no matter what I had to do! Possessing myself in patience, I gritted my teeth to shield my mind from the chaos around me.

In my mind's eye, again I pictured our sitting room, Sherlock Holmes in his wicker chair with the familiar smell of tobacco and Mrs. Hudson's steak and kidney pies. An odd sense of peace and warmth centered in my chest dulled the pain in my limbs, and I took up the crystal once again. I strove to remember my classics training from childhood, learning of myths long forgotten. Do I dare place my faith in those ancient persons, planets, and their beautiful Guardian soldiers? I wrote with calmness, suddenly not caring if I met my Creator in the next moment. Thankfully, the angels must have protected me, for when I finished, my eyes stung with tears and I could scarcely read the words I had written down. My best recollection of the final prayer-filled verse is this:

Mercury, god of divination and eloquence, so called for the planet and its Guardian of pure water, grant her strength!

Mars, god of war, so called for the planet and its Guardian of fire, grant her strength!

Jupiter, god of the sky, thunder and Pantheon king, so called for the planet and its Guardian unseen to me, grant her strength!

Venus, goddess of love, beauty and victory, so called for the planet and its Guardian unseen to me, grant her strength!

Caelus, named as Uranus for the planet and its Guardian, as the god of heavens watches, give her strength!

Neptune, god of the sea,so called for the planet and its Guardian, grant her strength!

Saturn, god of renewal and liberation, so called for the planet and its Guardian unseen to me, grant her strength!

I summon all the gods named and unnamed, the fire of all the stars and planets unknown to man on this earth, and to the pure light and heart of Selene, so called for the moon in the night!

Descend! Bless the Sailor Guardians! And save us all!

I could no longer restrain myself, and I cried out the final stanza from the deepest, desperate part of my heart. As I did so, the crystal pen in my hand turned hot like iron, and it fell from my grasp. But rather than hitting the ground, it remained elevated, then shot off directly out of view. I followed its path upwards, until my eye reached the black night and the moon, large and full. It seemed to glow even brighter in that moment, and as a marveled at the sight, all five Sailor Guardians, accompanied by several other coloured flame of green, orange and violet, all gathered and rose.

It appeared as if Sailor Moon herself was standing atop some type of pillar that cast no shadow. The breath escaped my chest as I realized each Guardian was touching their young ward as she stood on a column not of stone, but of light. How her flesh became so buoyant I cannot fathom, but Sailor Moon merely glanced at her celestial namesake with expectant gratitude. She raised both hands upward in one last, beseeching gesture, but unlike myself, her voice was strong with faith.

"Moon Crisis…..MAKE UP!"

Due to the sheer distance between her and I, the cup-like object that Sailor Moon held aloft in her hands was unknown to me. Nevertheless, like before in a singular transformation, sparks of light surrounded her, and when they faded, she stood defiant with shoulders back. I saw her raise the same crimson scepter from the other night, and I clenched my teeth in doubt. Dare she use the same method twice, when the daimon could easily deflect or dodge?

My worries were, of course, ill-founded. The daimon was utterly frozen when the light of the moon held it fast, and Sailor Moon spun on her heel, thrusting the weapon out.

"By the power of this holy light, graced by Silver Millennium, be gone!" she declared in a loud voice. "No longer shall hope, or pure souls to take!

Rainbow…Moon…. Heart…ACHE!"

Indeed with that cry, the spectrum of full colours seemed to wrap itself around the monster. It gave a shrill scream as it fell into itself, and I covered my ears. The beast's blood-red body tensed, then faded to gray, lifeless and silent. A lonely breeze blew past me, reached the hideous scene before my eyes, and the daimon's body was swept off like the remnants of a burnt log. It was gone.

The silence of that victory made me slump in the alleyway, and it was all I could to gather up what little strength I had left to get to my feet. The Sailor Guardians were all standing firmly on the earth now, and with two large leaps, Sailor Mars was at my side, putting my arm around my shoulder.

"One moment," said I, reaching for my notebook. Flipping to the last page where I wrote that godly summons, I stared in bewilderment, as the words literally suffered the same fate as the daimon. Every phrase seemed to be written in grey soot, for they blew off the page as if they had never been written at all. I groaned in disappointment, and Sailor Mars smiled.

"Your words did their work, so let them go," she remarked gently. I shrugged in nettled agreement, but suddenly looked around in alarm.

"The soul crystal!" I cried. "Did you see it fall? Who has it?"

Sailor Mars led me from the alley slowly and pointed to the other Guardians, led by Sailor Moon. I looked her over in surprise. She still had that same wise, yet innocent face as before. And yet, how changed! Her costume had become more gaudy with wide shoulder decorations and golden threads lining a white short skirt. The bow on her back was nearly translucent and of enormous size, making it seem like huge wings. She stepped softly towards the far building where Sherlock Holmes lay, holding her hands close to her. A soft, glittery sound seemed to come from an object in her hands, and as her eyes met mine, she revealed the pure-hearted crystal to me, undamaged.

"There it is!" I cried, breathing an immense sigh of relief. "The soul of Sherlock Holmes, everything the man is, all compacted into that precious little-ah! Handle it gingerly, I beg you!"

"Doctor," Sailor Mercury raised her palms to me, gesturing me for calm. "You can trust Super Sailor Moon to return it safely. Just follow us."

I blinked, repeating the new name of the Guardian before me. "I suppose the "super" prefix suits you now," I remarked. "You have risen above, literally and figuratively, before my very eyes."

Sailor Neptune, who cradled a broken arm and her lover, Uranus, smirked. "Ever the writer," said she.

I looked on as all the Sailor Guardians lined up behind Super Sailor Moon, who walked slowly towards Sherlock Holmes. He was still lying on the ground, and the sight of it made me dreadfully apprehensive. Was the man truly dead, or would I witness the same miracle that Sailor Mercury had described to us that morning? It was a solemn procession, and I hardly dared hope, lest my nervousness betray my uneven steps. Sailor Mars still held me aloft, and we all observed Super Sailor Moon kneel. She reached out with both hands, and I could clearly see the flame that encompassed the crystallized soul. It levitated, flickered, and then to my surprise, suddenly blew out.

"It's gone!" I gasped. Turning to the Guardians in confusion, I clenched my teeth. "Where did it go?"

"Doctor," Sailor Neptune began. The utter cold-blooded tone of her voice made me tense with anger, and whirling upon them, my eyes blazed in panic.

"Where did he go?!" Shoving my way past, I seized Holmes' hand, already growing cold to the touch. My arms were around him in an instant, but his body being too heavy and slack with death for me to lift caused me to groan in furious distress.

"Crystals!" I shrieked. "Crystals and miracles! Augh! Dear God, no, no no!"

I was nearly mad with rage and grief. I heard several of the Sailor Guardians step forward either in concern or alarm, believing I had either succumbed to despair or would lash out in my insanity, attacking the very women who had saved my life. I very nearly would have, if a sudden shudder beneath me hadn't grabbed my attention. This was followed by a loud, pained gasp from Holmes himself. His eyes were open, and he was gulping down air like a man nearly drowned. Blessed night, he was alive!

"Thank goodness," Super Sailor Moon breathed. "I wasn't too late."

I barely heard those words, as my mind was set on my friend. Holmes looked about him, then gazed wide-eyed at me. His lips were shaking, his cheeks white as chalk, yet he still maintained some degree of control.

"Watson," said he, in an wavering voice, "would you be afraid to sleep in the same room as a lunatic?"

"Not in the least," I replied dumbly.

Holmes gave an immense sigh of relief. "Ah, that's good," said he. "For I fear, my dear fellow, that tonight-" he breathed deeply to steady himself,"-I may have gone slightly mad."

Despite my shock, I chuckled lightly. "No, Holmes, you haven't lost your mind. You haven't lost anything. You're here. You're all he-"

I choked on my own words and collapsed, weeping with relief. I heard Holmes moan slightly, though I cannot be sure whether it was from discomfort at his condition, or annoyance at my embarrassing display of emotion. Nevertheless, I felt his exhausted arm fall about my shoulder, attempting to comfort me. Eventually I calmed down, and coughed in a vain effort to get into a normal state of mind.

"My dear Sailor Guardians," I began, turning my face upward," please accept my apol-"

I stopped short, for I realized I was talking to no one. There was no other person on the street, save for Sherlock Holmes and myself. No heeled footfalls were heard to signal their departure, not even a gush of wind or a whistle. I glanced back at Holmes for an explanation, and all he did was shrug.

"Disappeared Watson," said he, with finality. "Disappeared."

Again, I sighed with relief. I cared nothing for the fact we sat on the kerb like drunken ne-er-do-wells in the middle of the night, or that my ankle was twisted and swelled. Gazing thoughtfully at the black sky, one couldn't help but notice the moon, fuller and bigger than usual.

"You know," I remarked wearily,"most legends regard the moon with unease, seeing it as an omen of ill-fortune or impending madness. I don't know about you, Holmes, but I will forever look upon that milky orb with gratitude."

Holmes' shoulders shook slightly as he chuckled in agreement. "Yes," said he. "Tonight demands great appreciation for life's bizarre events." He looked up at the moon with me. "It is beautiful."

"She was beautiful," I responded, recalling how splendid Super Sailor Moon looked as she floated to earth like a feather to provide the happy ending I longed for. Holmes grunted as he shifted on the pavement, and resting his head on my shoulder, muttered before nodding off.

"Was she? I didn't notice."