Chapter 10

I was the first to the scene of Valentino's most recent attack, but Sailor Mercuy, Sailor Jupiter, and Tuxedo Mask weren't far behind me. As much as I knew that Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus were working under Valentino's command, it still pained me to see them attacking helpless victims, their lips drenched with blood. It was a far worse feeling than when Tuxedo Mask had been brainwashed. Still, I swallowed hard and stepped forward to face Valentino. "Still think you're cool stuff, don't you?" I challenged.

Still looking a bit weakened, Valentino stood up to face my challenge. "I assume you still think you are able to defeat me? Can't you see that I have already taken two of your pals as my victims? Maybe you would like to join them instead!"

"That is highly doubtful," Sailor Mercury said, standing beside me. "There is nothing that would make Sailor Moon a bloodthirsty monster like you."

"Even if it meant you could be with your friends?" Valentino laughed, "Just think, eternal youth! The power! Sailor Moon, you could end the miserable life of a human and join me, if you just surrender."

"I don't need to surrender to the likes of you to achieve those things. I have already seen a glimpse of my future!" I replied, feeling my rage boil inside of me.

"Is that so? The future is apt to change, you know," Valentino chanted, "Perhaps the future you saw was clouded by your idealism."

"Never!" Sailor Jupiter shouted, "How dare you accuse Sailor Moon of such a thing! Her thoughts may be clouded by idealism, but the visions of all of us are not!"

"Thanks, Sailor Jupiter," I said, a little ticked by her statement on my thoughts.

"Just keeping it real, Sailor Moon."

"None of that matters!" Sailor Mercury interrupted. "Our goal here is to defeat you, Valentino! In the here and now! And also win our friends back so we can live our lives out in peace." Raising her arms, Sailor Mercury made her first move, "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

Valentino attempted to avoid her attack, but still received a large portion of it on the right side of his body.

"Sailor Jupiter, aim for his right side!" Mercury announced.

"Got it!" Sailor Jupiter responded and continued shouting, "Supreme Thunder!" without hesitation.

Again, Valentino attempted to block the attack, but felt his right side crippled. He collapsed to the ground, attempting to keep his eyes open and focused on me. Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus, seeming to be not much more than drones now, crouched beside their master. "Go on, girls," Valentino said, "Show those wretches what we can do."

Without a word, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus stood up and faced us. I bit my lip. I wasn't sure what my new power did and didn't want to hurt them. Even still, I need to try to win them back. I can restore them with the silver crystal, even if I kill them now. I summoned my new wand. It easily came forth in my hand, sending the power of the Moon Kingdom through me. I lifted it high above my head. "Please, by the power of the Moon Kingdom, let my friends come back to me!" I paused, taking care to aim the beams towards Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus, "Everlasting Moonlight!"

In a shower of light beams, the attack enveloped Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus. They became frozen in place, their eyes opening wide before their entire bodies went slack. Sailor Jupiter and Tuxedo Mask quickly rushed to their sides and lifted them up to take them home. Valentino reached his hand out, "No! My darlings…" for a brief moment, he almost looked sadden as he saw Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars carried away from him.

I turned towards Valentino. He certainly looked vulnerable. I raised my wand, ready to attack. "Stop,…Sailor Moon," I heard from behind me, barely above a whisper. I slowly turned and saw Sailor Mars eyes come open. She looked very weak, "He has…a good heart…" she continued, "he can be saved. Use the crystal."

I looked towards Sailor Mercury, unsure of what to do for my next move. She nodded, "Do the same as you have to Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus before you try to restore him, just to be safe."

"Okay," I responded. I turned my attention back to Valentino, who certainly seemed less foreboding than he had just moments ago. I raised the wand above my hand, "With the power of the moon, I will try to save you. Everlasting Moonlight!" I shouted. The beams swallowed Valentino, making his body seem to disappear. As the light receded, Valentino slumped to the ground. At this point, I heard Sailor Venus speak up, "Now, before he is gone…"

I held my hands up to my brooch, palms together. I closed my eyes, "Silver crystal, grant me the power to heal this man and restore the good in him." I felt a warmth transfer into my hands and slowly opened my eyes to see sheer red ribbons emerge from the crystal, enveloping Valentino's body. In another shimmer of light, his body jolted before the ribbons unraveled and disappeared. Sailor Mercury carefully made her way over to Valentino's side and felt his wrist. She looked up at the rest of us, "He has a pulse. It's slow, but it's strong."

Carefully, Sailor Mercury rolled Valentino on his side to reveal a much more handsome face than any of us had noticed during the attacks. His hair, which had appeared muddied and dark, lightened to a silky chestnut color, barely long enough to fall into his eyes. Color returned to his face and displayed his chiseled cheekbones and full lips. "Let's get him somewhere safe until he comes to," Sailor Mercury finally decided. By this point, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus, while still a bit shaky, were able to stand on their own feet and walk slowly back to Darien's apartment. Tuxedo Mask lifted Valentino onto his back and carried him back.

"That was perhaps the most satisfying defeat of any enemy we've ever had," I said, feeling much more cheerful that my two friends were back and we had managed to save the life of an enemy and return him to a state of normalcy.

"Don't be so sure, Sailor Moon," Sailor Mars warned.

Sailor Venus continued, "There's more than just him who are out to attack the city, not to mention cities around the world. He was just impatient and jumped the gun on the attacks."

I felt my heart sink in my chest. "So, we won't be having any peace for a while, will we?"

Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus slowly shook their heads together. "I'm afraid not Sailor Moon," Sailor Mars said, "this is only the beginning."