Double Jeopardy

Chapter 30: Ami to the Rescue

As the portal closed behind Ami, Rei looked around the vast room feeling uncomfortably out of her element. All she could make out in the darkly lit room was crisscrossing catwalks like the one she now stood on, cables, some kind of cool vapor coming out of pipes, and entirely too many computers for her liking. The more she looked at it, the more she wasn't entirely sure even Ami could fully understand this place. But then, Ami had said that much herself. "There's aren't any guards?", she asked.

Ami shook her head as she leaned over the railing while taking a look around the room. "No. I doubt they expect us to be able to, nor would anyone expect us to be crazy enough to do what we are doing. Plus the room is so deep in the building that guards would logically be posted at entrances, exits, and check points since they would be wary of an outside threat, and not just appearing out of thin air in a lab like this."

"Well, you know what they say. Sometimes crazy brings the chickens home," Minako said sagely. "It's not what I expected, to be honest. I was thinking it would be a little more ... showy? It just looks like a bunch of wires and walkways to me. I was thinking there'd be a big dark carpet, some columns, maybe torches, you know, some kind of grand entrance way. Not ... some kind of disorganized pile of junk. Kind of a letdown, really."

Ami shrugged and said, "It is mostly experimental technology I think. I doubt the designer gave much thought to its architecture while she was working on it."

"What do we do now?", Asked Usagi as she took in her new environment.

Satisfied that there wasn't anyone else in the room, Ami switched off her visor and started walking down the stairs to the laboratory's floor. She didn't want to admit it, but she didn't really have any strategies in mind. She had no idea where Makoto or Mamoru would be in this massive building, nor how to go about searching for them. She wasn't even sure if their communicators would be picked up by the Sekkou if they had to use them or not. One thing she did have an idea for was how to at least know where they where going, which if nothing else, would help them to find their way back to the portal chamber.

Once the six of them got to the bottom of the stairs, Ami started to head to a computer terminal. "I suppose the first thing we need is a map. I'll hook my micro super computer up and download the blueprints for the structure. The top third of the building isn't done, so the plans won't be any use to us up there, but I do not foresee any reason we would need to go up, anyway."

"You sure there's no security? It just seems like they'd want to protect this thing since I would think it would be very important to them." asked Luna as she jumped up onto a desk to get a better view of the room and continued to look around, expecting someone to jump out of the shadows and catch them red handed.

Ami sat down at the work station and pulled her min computer out of her pocket. After she hooked it up to the terminal she opened the browser and was greeted by a bland window with green letters that read:

PASSWORD PLEASE:

Rei said, "That won't be a problem for our Ami-Chan." She hit her fist on the desk and said, "Crack it!"

Artemis gave a feline equivalent of a shrug and said, "I think Rei's right. Besides, it's a good starting place. Go ahead Ami."

PASSWORD PLEASE: MA09101978

ERROR: Password Incorrect

WARNING: You have two more attempts then security will be notified

Minako said nervously, "That looks like a problem. Do you think that's a problem? Because I think that's a problem."

Ami groaned then pinched her eyebrow as she tried to think of a password she would put on a system she didn't want anyone to get into. She hated this kind of thing.

"Uh ...", Usagi said as she looked at Ami, momentarily stunned by the fact that her friend had actually answered something wrong. "At least it gave us a warning. Might as well give it another try?"

PASSWORD PLEASE: THX1138

ERROR: Password Incorrect

WARNING: You have one more attempt, then security will be notified

Minako said carefully, trying not to insult her, "You know, Ami, maybe this isn't such a good idea. Let's leave it alone. We can always think of something else."

Ami stared at the screen another moment, feeling perplexed. She'd been sure one of those would have been the code since Amy had almost certainly been the one to set up the system. She realized that there was a possibility she'd gotten the first code wrong when she typed it in, as Amy had a different last name. But the more she thought about it, the less safe it would seem to use just her own initials reversed with her date of birth as the password anyway, as it may be too easy to guess. So the second time, she'd gone with the password she used on most things that weren't important to her since it was something of a little inside joke.

At the moment though, she failed to see the humor in it.

As Ami typed in a new, final password, Artemis said quickly "What are you doing! We don't need a map this bad, Ami. We can figure something else out! It's not worth-"

Everyone cringed as Ami hit the enter key.

PASSWORD PLEASE: KL12051978AA09101978

PASSWORD ACCEPTED

Good Morning Amy Anderson

As the screen was replaced with the desktop and Ami started downloading the structure blueprints to her mini computer, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Rei asked as she looked at the long string of numbers and letters, "How did you guess that?"

As Ami watched the green bar slowly increase in size indicating the percentage of the plans downloaded, she said, "I figured if I wanted to keep someone out, I would use Makoto and my birthday, with the first and last name initials reversed, since it would form a 20 digit pass code. So … I did that with Lita and Amy's names instead." She sat back in the desk chair, not wanting to think about how they would have gotten out of here if she had guessed wrong.

Just as everyone was starting to feel like the odds might be in their favor, they heard the entrance door slide open. Minako whispered just loud enough for them to hear, "Damn! I knew our luck was too good. Um ... Hide!" They scattered about the room, ducking into the first places they could find that would conceal them.

From their hastily found hiding places in the shadows of various equipment, inside closets, and under desks, they could hear Ray say as the door opened, "And, you're sure you heard someone in here?"

"Yes, I'm sure of it." Lita said, feeling irritated that anyone would question her judgment on such matters. "I swear it sounded like someone was in here."

From her hiding place under the desk she had been working at, Ami pulled her transformation wand out of her pocket, and carefully reached up to move her mini computer off the desk. Ever so gently, she pulled the chair so that it was in front of her to better keep her out of view from searching eyes. Just as she finished doing so, she saw two pairs of black boots come into view.

"Well, what did they sound like if you heard something?" Ray said, sounding only half interested.

Ami saw one pair of boots turn toward the other and heard Lita say, "I'm not sure. It's … It's difficult to hear clearly through the door." When Ami saw the boots disappear from view, she loosened her grip on her transformation wand. Then her eyes went wide when she heard a loud clang from across the room.

"See!? I told you someone was in here! If no one's here, what the hell do you think that was?" Lita said as the two Sekkou headed toward the sound.

From their hiding place inside a cabinet, Luna glared at Artemis, waiting for an answer. "Sorry," he whispered, "My tail has a mind of its own sometimes!"

"Quiet!", hissed Luna as she tried to dig her claws into the steel cabinet door to hold it closed, "They'll hear you!"

When the two Sekkou reached the storage cabinet, Ray picked up a circuit board off the floor. "Here's the source. Looks like your slob of a girl has been leaving stuff out again. It probably was just set carelessly on the edge of the cabinet and fell off." She turned to the taller Sekkou then put one hand on her hip and held out the offending board for Lita to examine.

"Well ... I still swear I heard someone." said Lita.

"If you and Amy are so worried about security, you should post a guard or install security cameras."

After pausing to look around another moment Lita said in frustration, "Fine, you know what? Forget it! Lets go. We have bigger things to worry about right now anyway, like what we're going to do with their Tuxedo Mask. Beryl is going to kill us all if she finds out!"

Just as they turned back toward the door, they heard something else clatter to the floor near a different terminal.

Minako squeezed her eyes shut, and braced her arms and legs tighter against the steel pipes, suddenly aware of how exposed she was if they looked up. She had shimmied up between two large coolant pipes bracing her feet to keep herself from sliding down and thinking that if she was high enough up they wouldn't look for her. Before climbing up, she had put her transformation wand in her mouth and held it with her teeth, but as soon as she got to where she wanted to be, she could feel it slowly slipping until it inevitably fell. Her wand seemed to fall almost in slow motion to her.

It sounded far louder than she thought it would be when it hit the ground.

Lita spun back around and started searching the shadows for the source of the new sound, but as soon as she did, Ray grabbed her shoulder and said angrily, "That's enough! This place makes all kinds of sound with all this garbage and equipment in here! It's just your imagination. Lets get going! We don't have time for this nonsense anyway!"

Minako carefully opened one eye and watched as the door slid closed behind the two of them, then let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She waited a moment to make sure they where gone then stepped out and said, "That was close. I think the coast is clear." She watched as Ami pushed the chair out of the way and the cats climbed out of their hiding place in the locker.

Then she heard rustling in a supply closet as Rei growled, "Get your arm out of my face Usagi!" Realizing they where stuck, Minako opened the door quickly stepping aside as the two tumbled out. Rei was still complaining as she untangled herself from Usagi saying, "You are so lucky I was able to hold you still! Do you have any idea how close that was?! Everything would have been over if they saw us!"

Usagi pulled herself to her feet and said, "But they have Mamoru! How are we supposed to find him in this place? What about Makoto? Even with a map we don't know where they are!"

Rei was just about to argue with her when Luna spoke up. "Usagi is right. We're just going to be wandering an endless deadly maze, even with the map. Our best bet is to follow them." She shifted her eyes as she looked between the four Sailor Guardians and said, "Well?! Do I have to tell you what to do like you're back in middle school?"

Artemis stood on top of a cabinet just above Luna and said, "Transform!"

Their transformation wands appeared in their hands as Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Minako nodded and said in unison, "Right!"

"MOON ETERNAL POWER!"

"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER!"

"MARS CRYSTAL POWER!"

"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER!"

"MAKE UP!"

Bright pink, blue, red, and yellow energy wrapped around the four of them as their now familiar transformation continued.

"No matter what happens, I won't give up on Mamoru or my friends!"

"Love and friendship are even more important to me than math!"

"I'll follow my friends to banish evil no matter where we have to go!"

"Broken hearts and shattered dreams can't be left in this state!"

The light faded, and the four stood in their Guardian outfits, ready to take on whatever was ahead. Usagi leaned down to rub between Luna's ears and said, "You two had better hide here. We'll be back for you. I promise."

Luna nodded and said, "We'll see you when you return. Now hurry up or you'll lose them!"

They ducked out into the hallway just in time to see Lita turn a corner. Contrasting with the darkness of the portal control room, the hallways where actually brightly lit and painted a stark white color. Even just from this one junction the place looked like a high budget rat maze of corridors and rooms of varying size. Ami turned on her visor and pulled out her mini computer again as she said, "We need to follow them … but keep our distance at the same time. Keep a lookout for guards, maybe even Youma. We're going to have to make this up as we go so try to stay close."

Ami used her super computer's map display and the sensors in her visor to keep track of Ray and Lita. When she said they would follow at a distance she hadn't been kidding. They stayed several turns behind them in order to avoid being seen, quietly shadowing the unsuspecting Sekkou. There where a few close calls with guards, but they managed to avoid being seen. After about 15 minutes, Sailor Venus said quietly, "We've been very lucky so far."

Rei leaned to look down the next corridor Ami indicated and said suspiciously, checking to make sure they didn't have an unexpected surprises to deal with, "Yeah … our luck's been a little too good, don't you think?" She stepped out cautiously then gestured for the rest to follow.

Usagi went around the corner and said anxiously, "You don't think they somehow know we're here do you?"

Ami watched Minako go around the corner as she said, "No. So far there's no sign that they're aware of our presence. If they were, they would stop us right about-"

With no warning, a heavy blast door slammed down behind her friends. They turned around as Sailor Moon yelled, "NO! SAILOR MERCURY!" She pounded on the door with her fists and yelled, "How do we get to her?!" There was a small thick glass window that allowed them to see Mercury pounding on the other side of the door, desperately trying to get it to open. She looked at her friends on the other side and gave a helpless shrug. Unsure of what to do next, Venus and Moon tried to find a way to somehow lift the door while Mars felt along the edge looking for a panel or controls of some kind.

There was a quiet pop of static as the intercom system activated. Dark Sailor Saturn's laugh could be heard before she said, "Welcome Sailor Guardians! I have been expecting you." The four of theme backed against the door, trying to be as close together as they could despite being separated as she continued, "I know why you are here. I must commend your bravery. Dare I even say you have been worthy opponents!" She laughed again as she said, "It pains me to inform you your cause is lost. If you surrender now, I'll make this quick. If not … I will just have to deal with you one on one myself."

Rei shook her fist at the speaker and said, "Surrender? HA! You had better come get a piece of me first!"

Trista's voice said calmly, "All in good time, Sailor Mars, all in good time, but you will have to wait your turn. The best way to defeat a creature is to remove the head first. Now, if you'll excuse me … I need to deal with Sailor Mercury." Then the intercom clicked off on their side.

Mercury beat frantically on the door trying to open it, unable to hear what her friends where reacting to. When they all helplessly turned to look at her she stepped back a moment and slumped her shoulders as her confidence started to sap away. Doing the only thing she could, she brought up the map on her mini computer, put the last location she had for Lita and Ray on it, then pressed it against the glass. She could hear the muffled sound of her friends beating on the other side again, so she looked over the edge of the computer through the window and yelled, "GO! There's nothing you can do for me now anyway! Go save Tuxedo Mask! I'll find Makoto and meet you back at the portal!" She wasn't sure they could hear her but she could see Sailor Moon crying and pleading with her despite her words going unheard, while Mars consoled her and Venus studied the map. Once she was sure they understood its information, she pulled it away and pointed down the corridor.

She watched them as Sailor Mars tried to tell her something. Then Sailor Venus tried moving her hands a bit trying to indicate something that Sailor Mercury just wasn't getting. Sailor Mercury shook her head and said, "Get moving! I'll be fine!". This time Sailor Venus gave her a respectful nod then her cheesy old Sailor V salute and started to guide Usagi away as Rei gave her one last look before moving out of sight. She said quietly as she forced a courageous expression on her face if only for herself, "... And … good luck."

Then the lights on her side of the door clicked off all along the corridor. She spun around looking into the darkness and saw a door slide open, spilling light out as the intercom clicked on. "Mighty Sailor Mercury, I'm honored you would come so far. Welcome. I have a special surprise waiting for you. I bid you to join me."

Ami swallowed before saying, "Whatever you are playing at, you are not going to win. We have dealt with bigger threats than you."

"Bold words for one who has already lost." The intercom switched off, leaving her to wander into the darkness alone.

"I Just don't know what to think, Biggs. Our jobs are full of boredom, guard duty, and constant drills." He huffed, leaning on the door frame casually looking at his partner. "Most boring job in the world, but at least it pays, right?"

Biggs sighed, rubbing her helmet as if it where her forehead and said, "Well, yeah. I just wish we would see some action is all, you know Wedge? It's bad enough we work long hours, but when they keep us this long past our shift …aw, this sucks. We don't even get overtime pay since we're salary, too."

Wedge slumping his shoulders a bit then said, "Yeah. Hey, I put the paperwork in for that raise today."

His partner perked up then said, "Well, that's something at least. Think you'll get it?"

He sighed then said "I don't know … sometimes I just think- Hey, look alive. Looks like the brass is coming."

The two snapped to attention as three Sekkou ran down the long corridor. They skid to a stop … looked at the guards a moment ... then huddled up together and started talking.

Biggs said quietly, "Oh wow! It's them! We-we never see the Scouts this far down in the base. Hey, fix your helmet! You gotta look good! Maybe this'll help you get your raise!"

Wedge straightened his helmet and stood back at attention, then quickly buffed his chest armor while they talked before snapping back to attention as the three Sekkou walked confidently past them. One of them, was it Dark Sailor Mars? It was! She glared at him. Him! He nodded in acknowledgment, staying quiet unless spoken to, allowing them to pass.

After several heartbeats, Biggs cautiously leaned a bit toward her partner from the other doorway saying, "W-why nod your head? Aren't we supposed to stay still if they walk by?!"

Wedge leaned ever so slightly toward her and mumbled, "It's a sign of respect. Gotta stand out to look good, you know? Besides –oh hey, quiet! I think they're coming back!"

The two guards snapped to attention as the three Sekkou ran past in the opposite direction as fast as they could, this time not giving the two guards a second look.

Biggs let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as she said, "Thankless job, huh?"

"Yeah," Wedge said, "but man, did you see us?! We looked good! I'll be sure to put in a word for you when I get an accommodation." He paused then said, "Hey … were they wearing new uniforms? The white look is nice!"

They stood in silence again, slowly starting to return to their usual less casual attitude before they heard the sound of several footsteps running down the hallway as 5 guards ran past them.

After they where alone, Biggs looked at Wedge and said, "... Any idea what that's about? Think we should go with 'em?"

"Oh hell no, Biggs." Wedge said, "We're going to do our jobs, stand right here, and keep this place secure. Don't want to get in trouble like the last time we had a drill, right?"

Wedge nodded and said, "Right. Well … whatever it was, it didn't involve us."

Usagi looked at Rei as she ran and said, "I thought you said they would ignore us if we just kept looking important!"

Rei glared at her and said as they ran, "What do you want me to say? It was going to work until it didn't!" She huffed some of her hair out of her face as she yelled to Minako, "I'm starting to think we made a wrong turn at some point! Weren't we supposed to turn at that last left?"

"How should I know? We've been off Ami's map for a while now! I have no idea where we are! I swear every hallway looks exactly the same!" She saw a room up ahead and said to her companions, "Quick! Let's duck in here and this time, be quiet!"

The three of them quickly activated the door controls, ran into the room not caring what was inside. As soon as the door sealed behind them they were enveloped in total darkness. None of them moved as they listened to the soldiers run past outside. After waiting a few more minutes, Minako whispered, "I think they're gone. Now … let's try to figure out where we are and try to approach this sensibly. See if you can find a light switch or-or-or something."

They heard Usagi whisper loudly, "Lightswitch?! I thought you wanted to keep the lights off!"

Usagi said, "No no no, we need to turn on the lights. Can't see anything with them off, right?."

Rei and Minako heard Usagi whisper back again, "No! OFF! We need to keep them off! It may turn on hidden cameras."

Rei and Ray still continued searching for the switch as they said in frustration at the same time, "Knock it off! You're being paranoid! I think I found- Oh no."

Rei strained her eyes as hard as she could, still unable to see anything except inky solid black … but she knew who was there as her hand bumped into Ray's. No one so much as moved for several heartbeats. It was Ray who finally flipped the light switch and stepped back. As their eyes cleared, the three Sailor Guardians could see that they were in an astonishingly large construction materials supply room. Even with the lights on, the room was dimly lit. Unlike the perfect white of the hallway, in here was dull concrete floors, several rows of shelves, pallets of shrink wrapped supplies, tools, and heavy equipment. They could also see Dark Sailor Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter standing in front of an unconscious Tuxedo Mask, who they had placed on a pallet of boxes.

Dark Mars was within arms length of Rei.

Mina said quietly as everyone stared at each other momentarily shocked, "Well then … This is awkward, isn't it?"

With no way to find her friends, Sailor Mercury kept following the trail Dark Sailor Saturn kept setting before her. A light would flicker on and she would walk down the corridor until she reached it. Then another light would activate as the one she was under turned off. After that a blast door would shut behind her. She knew it was a trap of some kind of course, but her opponent had been very careful. There was really no option but to walk right into it, one passage way after another, the pattern continuing several times.

So this time when she stepped toward the lit section of passageway, she was surprised when the bulkhead door slammed down behind her, the light switched off, and … nothing happened. No light, no new pathway, no gloating from Dark Sailor Saturn, just silence. Sailor Mercury stepped forward despite being totally blind, ready to meet whatever challenge awaited her head on.

She was about to turn on her visor when Dark Sailor Saturn's voice, now in the hallway with her said, "That's far enough."

The light switched on the length of the hallway as the Sekkou of Destruction loomed almost shadow like with her solid black Sekkou uniform against the brightness of the pristine walls and floors. Once her eyes adjusted, Mercury realized she was trapped there. No doors, no exits. Just two bulkhead doors separating the section of hallway with the two of them trapped together.

Sailor Mercury stopped, watching her opponent for a moment before saying cautiously, "I have to say I was not expecting you to arrange a fair fight. This … does not strike me as your style."

Dark Sailor Saturn laughed, saying, "So observant, aren't you! If you survive, I may have to keep you for use as my personal calculator." She held the Silence Glaive before her, casually resting her weight on it as she smiled at the Guardian before saying, "You're right of course, this won't be fair at all. Though, not for the reason you think." She narrowed her crimson red eyes at Sailor Mercury before the bulkhead door behind her opened as she said, "Dark Sailor Europa! You should join us for this auspicious occasion!"

Sailor Mercury's eyes widened as she saw Dark Sailor Europa step into the corridor from behind Dark Saturn as she whispered her lover's name, "Makoto!"

Dark Saturn stepped back and out of Europa's way as she said, "She can't hear you of course. All she hears are my orders and Beryl's will now. There's no room for things like love or pity. No feelings or desires at all, really, the very life sucked out of her and what not. Why, I doubt she even knows you're here." She looked from over the fallen Guardian's shoulder as she said, "So you see, in a sense, She belongs to me now."

Sailor Mercury walked forward ignoring Dark Saturn as she said, "Mako-chan, it's me, Ami-chan. I … I have come to take you home. I know you can hear me. Please … please say something! Anything!"

Dark Sailor Saturn smirked as Dark Sailor Europa stared off into the distance expressionless while Mercury continued to plead with her despite getting no response. She tightened her hand around the Silence Glaive as she said eagerly, "Now, my lovely minion … I want her to suffer! Kill your beloved partner! And … oh, do it nice and slowly, won't you? Grant her a coward's death!"

A tremendous explosion rocked the room as Sailor Mars's attack slammed through several rows of shelving. "All I'm saying is if we had planned this better things would have gone smoother, that's all!"

"We should have thought about how to go about all this with Ami before we got this far!", Sailor Moon said. "Who's crazy idea was this to go this fast without a plan, anyway?"

Venus and Mars both spared a quick glance to Sailor Moon before saying at the same time, "YOURS!"

Then Sailor Venus's eyes went wide before she knocked Sailor Moon to the ground behind a large crate as she yelled, "Get down!"

Sailor Mars didn't hear the warning in time and was slammed by a ball of electricity from Dark Sailor Jupiter, sending her crashing into a pallet of boxes full of nails and screws. Sensing a lull in the fighting for a moment, Dark Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury all moved to better position themselves for the next salvo as Dark Sailor Mercury said, "Last chance you three are going to get before we paste you all over the floor in here. Surrender!" She waited a moment then yelled, "Now, damn it!"

Sailor Mars crawled out of the boxes toward her companions, staying low to avoid getting hit by another attack. Once she reached them she asked, "How's it looking?"

Sailor Venus peeked out from the crate the three of them had gathered behind for cover quickly then looked at Sailor Moon and Mars as she said, "Well … they have us cornered."

Mars grimaced in pain as she touched her side, then examined the blood on her fingertips as she glanced at Minako, laughing and anxiously saying, "Aw, Those poor bastards." She wished she meant it. "I suppose we should be glad they haven't called for their guards, I guess. What the hell are we going to do now?!"

Sailor Moon looked at the two of them then said, "Do either of you see Mamoru?"

Sailor Venus started to look around the crate then quickly jerked her face back when Dark Venus's whip lashed at her face. "Uh... no. Can't say I could get a good look at the moment. I'm open to suggestions, because this crate isn't going to block them when they're done toying around and decide to actually come after us." She searched her companions' eyes then said quietly, "Any suggestions?"

Sailor Moon closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at the two of them saying, "The way I see it … we only have one option."

"And what's that?", Sailor Mars asked.

Sailor Moon replied, "We … we talk to them." She leaned ever so slightly toward the edge of the crate and said loud enough for everyone to hear, "We're coming out!

Dark Europa finished off her flurry of punches by bringing her knee up and slamming it into Sailor Mercury's stomach before letting her slide to the ground. As Dark Saturn laughed, Europa picked her victim up by the throat and started squeezing, cutting Mercury's pained cry off to a quiet rasp.

"Now now, Europa. There's no need to be rude. Let's give her just a moment. It would be cruel to kill her without giving her a chance to say her last words." Dark Saturn watched Mercury clawing at Europa's hands as she tried to free her throat from her iron grip another moment as she smiled and said, "Release her. I do so want to hear her beg for her life before the light leaves her eyes."

Europa obediently let go of Sailor Mercury, letting her tumble to the unyielding floor, then returned her mindless attention to someplace in the distance as Sailor Mercury gasped for breath. Mercury slowly stood up, rubbing her neck and took a moment to collect herself before turning her bruised face to look into Dark Europa's eyes.

Then ... she de-transformed and placed her transformation wand on the ground as she whispered to Europa, "No more plans. No more attacks, fighting, or begging." She cleared her throat and added, "None of that matters now." As she stood back up she continued, "I … I won't fight you. It's … it's ok, Makoto. It really is." She swallowed then stepped forward as she said softly, "I know … that somewhere deep inside is that strong, kind, sweet woman I fell for. You're doing your best. So …" She reached out and delicately held Dark Sailor Europa's black gloved hands in hers as she said, "I love you, Makoto Kino. I love you … no matter what happens." Then, she stood on her tiptoes to give her lover a gentle kiss, not caring if it was a welcome gesture or a sweet goodbye. She just wanted her to know and felt her heart swim with joy knowing that at the very least, she'd gotten the chance to tell her.

Somewhere deep inside her, Sailor Europa felt a spark flash within her. She stumbled backward slightly, blinking ... then shook her head.

Dark Sailor Saturn glared at her and shouted, "Europa! That's enough! Finish her!" Then Dark Saturn stepped back, holding her weapon with both hands defensively as Europa doubled over, screaming in pain. Bright light began to surround Dark Sailor Europa, slowly starting to engulf her form. Dark Saturn glared at Ami and growled, "What have you done?!"

Ami ignored her and knelt down, wrapping her lover in her arms tightly to reassure her, not caring about the bruises or tears staining her cheeks. As Sailor Jupiter quieted down she slowly moved to return the hug. She looked into Ami's eyes for a long moment drinking them in, not fully aware of where she was or what had happened since the cemetery as she whispered to her, "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that."

"Oh, Makoto!" At a loss for words Ami cried and clung to her not wanting to ever let her go again. It was several minutes before they realized Dark Sailor Saturn was nowhere to be seen, and that the security doors had all opened. Once they did, Ami helped Makoto to her feet.

Dark Sailor Mars blinked then said, "Have you all lost your minds!?"

Sailor Moon looked at each of the five Sekkou and said, "Am I wrong?"

Dark Venus glanced at Rei a moment before turning her attention to her fellow Sekkou saying, "... She does have a point. It's probably our best option. We know what Beryl will do to us when she finds out. When she learns we let Guardians come here with their own Silver Crystal … Bring them to her or not, even Trista knew it was a bad idea. Everything will be over!"

Dark Mercury said, "But … our plan! We had a plan! A simple, fool proof plan! Capture them!" She pointed at the Sailor Guardians as she continued, "Bring them here one by one, have Beryl convert them … then harness their power to defeat her! It could still work! We even have them all here now!"

Dark Jupiter put her hand on her wife's shoulder sighing before she said, "Amy … It's over. There's no way to keep this quiet. Beryl probably already has the security reports and is planning what to do to us right now. Even if she doesn't, it's only a matter of time before Dark Sailor Saturn sells us out to her for more favor, and until she does she would only use this to control us worse than Beryl. Sailor Moon is right."

Dark Sailor Moon rushed forward yelling, "NO! NOT AGAIN! You can't take him from me!" She started powering up an attack and screamed, "NONE OF YOU CAN!" She directed the attack at Sailor Moon as she yelled out, "PUNISHING HEART- AH!" Just before she could finish her attack, there was a flash of red that streaked past her hands, cutting them. She turned in the direction it had gone to see the rose jammed into the ground near her feet before turning her attention to the voice above as she gasped, "Tuxedo mask!"

Tuxedo Mask stood on top of a piece of construction equipment stored nearby looking down at her as he said, "Trying to force a song bird to give up her love is impossible. Anyone willing to try is in need of redemption!"

He gave her a disapproving glare before jumping down and landing in front of Serena. He winced at the pain from his broken ankel, but managed to keep his balance as he said, "You truly loved him. You want him back and would do almost anything to make that happen. I like to think most of us here, Sekkou or Guardian can see the hurt in your eyes. But ..." He reached out and gently held one of her hands as he said, "Even if you managed to keep me here somehow secreted away from Beryl … deep down, you know I'm not him, no matter how much you would want it to be so. I could only ever be a hollow substitute. An empty reminder of the hole I could never fill."

Dark Sailor Moon started to protest … then felt tears run down her cheeks as reality sunk in past the madness. "What else do we have left then? What else can we do?", she cried. Dark Venus, Dark Mars, Dark Mercury, and Dark Jupiter walked over to her, watching her as each searched themselves for an answer.

It was Dark Sailor Venus who spoke first as she looked at Rei. "We … We could run but ..." she cleared her throat before saying, "This is our fight. Legendary Silver Crystal or no … we stay and fight! If nothing else ..." She met Rei's eyes across from them as she said, "It will buy you time to try to figure out how to leave."

Dark Mars nodded seeing the reasoning herself as she turned to look at the guardians and said, "But we can't fight without your help."

Dark Mercury thought it over as she looked at Sailor Moon and said, "The Silver Crystal."

Dark Jupiter held Dark Mercury close to herself as she looked at Sailor Moon as well and said, "Can ... you heal us?"

Sailor Moon nodded saying, "Of course."

The dark soldiers gathered closer to Serena, each with their own thoughts and reservations about the idea, until Dark Sailor Moon looked at Usagi and said, "Do it, Sailor Moon!"

Sailor Moon held out her arms as her Legendary Silver Crystal appeared in her hands. She smiled at the Sekkou before holding it above her and shouting, "Moon Healing Escalation!"

A powerful blast of bright yet soothing light blanketed the Sekkou. Just like everyone else who had been cleansed by the crystal, they each shouted, "REFRESH!" before weakly sliding to their knees, momentarily drained. As the light dissipated, the change was instantly noticeable in them. Not just because the black of their outfits had turned white … but because as they stood, they each helped each other back to their feet. No bickering, scheming, or arguing … save a grumbled complaint at Serena from Ray that this is what they should have done from the start.

Several of the Sekkou … now Scouts started to cheer and hug each other, taking a moment to celebrate feeling free for the first time in over a decade, until Amy spoke. "I hate to ruin the moment," she said shyly, "but we are going to have to move quickly if we are to have any chance to succeed." She placed a hand on Mina's shoulder and said, "Guide them back to the Rainbow Control Room then join us back here. We will make our move as soon as you return."

Mina looked at her and said, "Are you sure?"

Ray nodded as she gave her a smile, saying, "We'll be alright for that long. Besides … you have someone you need to say goodbye to."

Mina walked over to Minako, Rei, Mamoru, and Usagi saying, "I … I don't know what our chances are, but thank you. No matter how this ends for us we will always appreciate it and-" She was cut off by Rei squeezing her into a hug while fighting back tears.

Rei cried into her shoulder, "It's not too late for you to come with us."

Mina held her tightly then said, "You know I can't. I don't belong there any more than you belong here. Besides … I have to do this. But ...", she pushed Rei back enough to gently raise her chin with her hand and wipe at her tears with her thumb before saying, "I can at least walk you home."

The five of them stepped out into the hallway as Usagi, helping Mamoru to walk fell back from Rei and Mina, allowing them to walk alone a moment. She said to Minako, "You've been quiet."

Minako watched Mina and Rei as they walked in front of her before responding, "It's … it's just not very fair for either of them, is it?"

Usagi watched the pair for a moment and said as she thought about Serena and her losses, "I suppose some times it's not about fairness. I... I want to try to think of it as being about what time they have together. Maybe that's enough?"

Mamoru sighed as he adjusted his mask saying, "It will have to be."

When they reached the door to the Rainbow portal control room the Sailor Guardians de-transformed, now sensing their part in this was at an end. Mina turned and gave Rei a long kiss, finally allowing tears to fall from her eyes. She pulled herself away as Rei started to say, "We could help you! If we stay and fight we-"

Mina pressed a finger to her lips silencing her as she said, "This is our fight, not yours." She looked into her eyes a moment then said, "Stay safe, Rei. When you think back about me … well … just know I would have liked for things to have gone differently. Now … go on. Your friends need you." She gave a small shrug and a weak smile as she said, "Destiny, am I right?" Not wanting to keep her friends waiting, she left before Rei could say anything.

Rei started to follow her … but realized Mina was right. It was best to let each other go quickly. Besides, there was probably little time left before things got chaotic here. Slowly, she turned to join Minako, Usagi and Mamoru as they turned to open the door to the portal room. The moment the door to the portal control room slid open, Usagi let out a loud elated shout of joy before running into the room. She just screamed incoherently like a small child as she ran right to Makoto.

Makoto smiled as she hugged Usagi and said, "Took you guys long enough!" As Usagi continued to squeeze her, Makoto said to her friend, "It's … it's ok. I'm ok."

Mamoru asked, "Where's Ami?"

"Up here!" Ami said, smiling down at them from up the stairs near the portal's framework as she kicked down a bundle of cables toward Makoto. "Just a few more adjustments and we'll be ready to go. Makoto! Go ahead and plug in that last power cable!"

As Makoto started connecting the last of the cabling Ami kicked down to her from above, Rei asked, "Are you sure this thing will get us home?"

Ami nodded and said, "Yes. I went back into the logs and found the procedure that Serena used to pull me through. There was a major complication requiring some re-wiring since we won't have reflections for it to lock on to. Getting the math right was difficult … but with some fancy programming … and a lot more power it should stay open long enough for all of us to get through so long as we all step through together." She hesitated before adding, "It will almost certainly blow the power to most of the lower level of this building and fry the frame and every piece of hardware in here in the process, though."

As Minako gathered Artemis and Luna, Rei blinked, still rubbing tears out of her eyes as she said, "Wait … should? What do you mean 'should'?"

Ami shrugged slightly and said, "I have never done this before so … I am working purely on theory, incomplete manuals, and the computer's mainframe backups. It is our only chance, and we get one shot at it." As Makoto finished the last of the cable hookups Ami said, "Alright! Flip that red power switch by you on my mark, Mako-chan, and we are ready to go!"

Ami waited until the others where gathered up by her before she said, "Punch it!"

Makoto flipped the red switch, and started running up the stairs toward them as every computer in the room powered on. There was so much energy flowing through the room that they could almost feel it. The air was filled with the loud hum of generators, something that sounded a bit like circuits starting to burn, loud exhaust fans turning on ... then the portal itself flared to life in a bright purple flash. Ami reached out for Makoto's hand as she said, "Let's go home!" She looked between her friends now gathered up as she said, "Ready?"

Then Dark Sailor Saturn's unmistakable voice filled the room from the doorway as she yelled, "FORGET IT! YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" Then she stabbed the Silence Glaive into a massive generator near the door! The moment she did, every computer monitor in the huge laboratory exploded into bright flashes of sparks, electricity started arching up and down power cables and through terminals, several power connections popped wiring free from small explosions as circuit breakers failed and the portal winked out of existence as smoke and the smell of burning circuit boards filled the room before everything was plunged into pitch black darkness.