An Unfortunate Spell

Minako tossed her honey hair over her shoulder like a large, shimmering sheet. She could tell people looked at her – thought she was beautiful – but right now, she only had eyes for keeping Makato from making a fool of herself. 'Back at it with Motoki . . . again! If it's not Usagi, it's Motoki. Why can't someone else do the baby sitting today? Where is Rei . . . she always keeps them in line better than I ever do.'

Makoto's laugh jarred Minako from her thoughts. She turned to watch the senshi twirl the end of her pony tail absently when leaning over the edge of the counter to talk to Motoki. "Any chance we can leave?" Minako asked as she walked over. "I have work to do tonight, and my mom is going to yell at me if we're out much longer."

Makato continued to ignore her friend for a few moments. Minako took the time to tap on heel on the ground like someone might drum their fingers on a table. Finally, Makato turned and said, "What's with you? Not having a good time?"

Minako sighed. "I don't like this place much. I'm know you enjoy it, but I want to go. Please, Makato?"

"Wait outside . . . I'll be out in a minute," Makato said, even though she'd already turned back to try and get Motoki's attention. With a disgusted sigh, Minako turned and walked out of the arcade. Walking away from the glass front of the arcade, Minako chose a spot against the brick wall of the neighboring building, right beside the arcade exit, to prop herself against a wall while she waited for Makato. Fortunately, the warm evening air kept her from having to put a coat on while she waited.

'I wonder how she does it; why do I feel like I'm the only one who worries sometimes? Is it because I live with Artemis? No, if it were that, Usagi would be a basket case!' Minako giggled at her thoughts, but her laughter dissolved into a sigh. She craned her neck upwards to stare at the pink and orange sky that made the glass and the steel gleam with hot fire before night came.

Crash!

The explosion of the front window sounded like someone jumping into a pool, but intensified, so the sound grated like nails on a chalk board. Minako covered her head to try and protect herself against the shards of glass, but she felt little, jagged pieces pierce the black of her bare legs. Standing up, after the initial commotion, Minako saw a beam of black light shoot into the shattered store front and pull someone out.

'The Negaverse! I bet this is Kunzite again,' Minako thought, and she felt bile rise up in her throat as her heartbeat quickened. Then, charging through the empty window front, Makato never stopped moving. Minako followed her gaze, and there, standing in an alleyway across the street, stood Kunzite with his victim slung over his shoulder.

'Better follow,' Minako thought as she drew her wand and went to step into the back alley to transform.

"Where's she going? Minako, what's Makato doing?"

"Motoki, go back inside," Minako pleaded. "I think she saw ho broke the window, that's all. She'll – "

Before she could get another word off, the young blonde man raced across the street after Makato. 'Damn him! I have to hurry!' Minako thought as she turned and ducked down where no one could see her. "Venus Power, Make Up!"

The changes hit her like a jolt of sunlight into her veins. She shimmered, and an older, stronger spring seemed to merge with hers when she transformed. Into the alley stepped a young, pretty girl, but out of it charged a golden warrior. Venus bolted across the street, and thankfully, too many people gathered around the broken window to notice the girl charging towards the alley.

When she turned the corner, Venus found Sailor Jupiter facing off against Kunzite. 'That's who he took,' Venus realized as she saw a person trapped in a black ball of energy. Then, Venus's eyes drifted over to Motoki, who leaned against a wall, as if he'd just dodged a blast, and suddenly, Venus realized he probably had.

"Get out of here!" Jupiter shouted as she turned to Motoki. Minako saw the concern in her eyes, and then, Minako looked up at Kunzite's wolf like smile and realized he saw it, too.

Kunzite launched an energy bolt towards Motoki, but Makato jumped in front of it. Minako watched as the tentacles reached out and enveloped her fellow senshi. Makato screamed as the electric energy of the blow wracked through her body. "Let her go! Venus Crescent Beam . . ."

Before she could launch her attack, Kunzite pulled Jupiter to him and used her as a shield against Minako's attack. The blond senshi dropped her hands, and her mouth stayed open, not knowing what she should say.

"Let her go!" Motoki shouted as he got up from the wall and charged towards Kunzite. The general laughed and flung out a hand. Motoki flew like a rag doll across the alley and smashed into several garbage cans before smacking the wall with a hard thud.

"Monster!"Minako screamed as she turned and ran towards Motoki. "I'll . . ."

"You'll what? Let me tell you what I'm going to do," Kunzite stated in a sharp voice. "You tell your princess this: Baryl will have the Ginzuishou, that precious crystal to rule all worlds, one way or another. Bring it to me, and you get your friend back."

With a crackle, a black tare ripped through the fabric of their world, and Kunzite disappeared through it. However, all Minako could see was him disappearing with Jupiter, who had gone unconscious in his arms. When he was gone, really gone, Minako leaned down and felt Motoki's pulse, and her own pulse quickened when she didn't feel his flutter.

"No, no . . ." Venus's pleading turned into tears as she pulled Motoki forward, only to feel the stickiness on the back of his head. "No . . . this is al l wrong. It's my fault. Please come back to me. By the power of Venus, come back to me."

Venus leaned over and kissed the boy on the forehead, and when she did, she thought she felt a warmth under her lips, like somehow flew on the coals of a fire. Venus pulled away and looked at Motoki for a moment, still fearing the worst, and then, his eyelids fluttered. She gasped as he exhaled with a sputter.

Motoki's eyes blinked open, and for a moment, they didn't focus on her, but when they did, his jaw slipped open. "Princess?" Motoki asked in a horse voice. "Venus . . . Princess Venus?"

Venus blinked rapidly, unsure if her ears played tricks on her. "What are you . . . Motoki, how do you know -- "

However, Motoki bolted upright, almost fell, but caught himself on the wall. "They're still close. We have to go. Come on."

Venus shook her head, unsure of what to do. 'Is this another one of Kunzite's tricks? No . . . this is too inane. Not his style . . ' Venus jumped as Motoki reached out and tugged her arm. Then, Venus came to and pulled away from him. "What right do you have . . . how do you know this? Tell me!"

The blonde man turned to her with a hardened, stern expression on his face. "Get me somewhere . . . safe. Let's go someone private. My . . . . my apartment? I can explain some of it there."

Venus nodded awkwardly as she stood there and took a moment to relax. Becoming Minako again felt like shrugging off a large, glittering dress and stowing it in a draw. When she opened her eyes, Minako felt diminished, and she found herself staring right at Motoki. 'He doesn't seem bothered by that at all . . . . what does he know?' Minako wondered, but she followed him when he motioned her to come. Minako jogged a bit to keep up with Motoki's long, quick strides. As he walked, Motoki's head kept snapping around, as if he expected a youma around every corner. Finally, when her feet began to ache, Motoki finally stopped; he began to fumble in his pocket, and then, when his hands reappeared, he held a key.

"You look surprised," Minako commented as Motoki stared down at the key.

"I don't know these things," Motoki muttered as he, nevertheless, walked forward and opened the door to his apartment. 'Oh gods, he's crazy! That bump . . . and he's seen me transform! What am I going to do to explain this . . . '

"Get in!" Motoki hissed as he waved Minako to follow him indoors. With slow, hesitant steps, Minako entered into the little apartment with rust colored carpet. Motoki threw off his arcade robe and paced around the room, as if trying to convince himself the other side of the room would still exist when he walked away from it.

"Motoki . – "

"That's not my name," the man snapped, and then, he stopped his pacing and locked his gaze on Minako. The senshi felt her heart pounding in her ears as she stared at him, and she was aware she'd reached for her transformation pen again.

In a low voice, which shook as she spoke, Minako said, "Tell me who you are, then. You know my secret. I want to know what happened in the alley."

The man's eyebrows shot upward, and suddenly, he seemed to become aware that he'd behaved badly. He made a gesture for Minako to sit on one of the chairs, and only after he said down did Minako take a seat opposite of Motoki. Now that they sat, facing each other, the young man leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry. I have no idea what happened, but I can tell you that I am not this Motoki. I . . . I remember some of the things he does. I can't speak this language, yet I can because . . . because I am him. You can call me . . . Lir. Yes, that will work for now, princess."

"Don't! Keep calling me Minako, okay?" the senshi explained, even though she couldn't put her finger on why 'princess' irritated her so much. Regaining her composure, Minako asked, "Just . . . are you from the Moon Kingdom, too? Is that . . . did that help you remember?"

Lir leaned his head to one side, as if tilting his body would help him understand Minako's words better. His grey eyes stared off into a place beyond Minako. When he answered her, he began in a low, steady voice. "I am from your time, yes, but not . . . not your kingdom. If that is not clear . . . what do you remember?"

Minako bit her lower lip. "Just the final battle . . . what killed us," she muttered.

Lir leaned forward, and Minako fought the shiver that rolled through her body at his this new man made Motoki's usually affable persona so serious and brooding. "You don't remember your family? Your kingdom? Nothing?"

Minako shook her head. "No . . . I think the queen wanted it that way."

Lir shook his head vigorously. "That shouldn't be," he muttered more to himself, and then, he looked up at Minako and asked, "Nothing . . . nothing at all?"

"I told you," Minako's voice began to rise, "I don't remember! Stop asking me!"

Lir leaned away from Minako again, and the young senshi stood to leave. "I have . . . they took Sailor Jupiter. I have to alert the others to get her back."

However, Lir also stood up, but when he went to put a hand on Minako, she pulled away. Even as she glared at him, Lir explained in a calm, level voice, "I am sorry. I scared you earlier. What I should say, what I mean to say, is that I am at your service. I can . . . I know things. I can help you get your friend back."

Minako relaxed a bit and sized up the man staring at her. After quickly wetting her lips, Minako said, "Stay here. I'll be back. I do need to tell Artemis and Luna what happened."