SailorStar9: Nya? Chapter 19 goes up and only one review! Let me assure you, that several characters will receive individual character development moments.

Koganei Kaoru (From her 'Ice on Mercury' fic): Sweet!

SailorStar9 (Side-glances): What are you doing here?

Kaoru (Pouts cutely): I get bored without reviews.

SailorStar9 (Mutters): Review glutton.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, well except the pairing.

Chapter 20: The Glass Ace

Glass Heart. Misugi mused as he took his medicine. Tomorrow, we fight Nankatsu FC. My big battle with Oozora Tsubasa. Even if my heart breaks, tomorrow, I will not regret it. Oozora Tsubasa, I believe you will be my last opponent. The best choice.

The next day…

The semi-finals begun.

"I'm here." Misugi called to his teammate who passed the ball to him, as Ryo blocked his path to the goalpost.

Misugi wrestled with the ball, before passing it to his incoming teammate, who then sent the ball into the net with a header.

Morisaki quickly grabbed the ball before it entered.

"That was close." Ryo muttered.

"Amazing." Tsubasa was stunned. "Misugi does it all."

"Attack." Morisaki tossed the ball out.

Misaki caught the ball and headed straight towards the Musashi field.

"Misaki, they're coming over." Ryo warned as Misugi dashed towards him.

The two fought over the ball, with Misugi snatching the ball away.

"Run, Ichinose." Misugi told his teammate, having bypassed the Nankatsu defenders. "Go for the goal."

"Yes, Captain." Ichinose replied as Misugi passed the ball to him and he fired his shot, the ball missing its mark as it hit the post bar.

Morisaki released the ball into the center of the field, as both teams fought for the ball's possession.

"We must get a point this time." Misugi gained control of the ball, having cut in-between the 'Golden Combo'. He then stopped in his tracks as Tsubasa caught up with him, both captains fighting over the ball.

Not bad, Misugi. Tsubasa mused.

Tsubasa, I've been waiting for this moment. Misugi thought as the two fought over the ball.

It's too early. Misugi winced, Tsubasa having knocked his elbow into his chest in the struggle.

"Misugi…" Tsubasa blinked.

"Tsubasa, I'm going." Misaki reclaimed the ball. "Run as fast as you can."

"Okay." Tsubasa took off after his 'Golden Combo' partner.

Not yet. Misugi told himself. You mustn't stop. The game has just begun. Yes, please stop. He pleaded with his weakened heart. Good. Be good. Be very good. He sighed in relief as his heart stopped pounding.

"Tsubasa." Misaki passed the ball to the dashing Tsubasa.

Tsubasa caught the ball with a slide and sent the ball into the net, the Musashi keeper saving the ball.

Okay, I'm going. Misugi focused. It must work this time. He swore, claiming the ball the keeper tossed out. I can't let my illness beat me. I can't lose. He promised, getting past Takasugi. I will not lose. Tsubasa, just wait and see.

"Stop him!" Tsubasa shouted. "Stop him."

"Come on." Misugi challenged as the three Nankatsu defenders came forward. "I'll break through."

Misugi is very bold. Tsubasa noted as Misugi bypassed one of the defenders.

Dodging the other two defenders, Misugi then fired a 'Flying Drive Shot' into the net.

"That was fast." Teppei gawked.

"Getting a goal just like that." Ryo was awed.

"Misugi is really good." Tsubasa admitted. "But there are 11 players in soccer. We haven't lost yet. We'll get the point this time. Let's do it." He encouraged his team as the whistle sounded. "Misaki." He passed the ball to his partner as the match restarted.

"Noguchi, Kudo, go block Tsubasa." Misugi instructed. "Listen, in the end, the ball should go to Tsubasa. Go block Tsubasa."

If we watch Tsubasa, then we'll get the ball. Misaki mused, stopping in his tracks, seeing Tsubasa marked by three players. I need to think of a way to break through the defense. Okay, let's dribble.

"Okay, Misaki." Tsubasa broke free of his opponents. "Here."

"Okay, pass it to Tsubasa." Misaki passed the ball over.

"Good one." Tsubasa was poised to receive the pass when Misugi intercepted, stealing the ball.

"They saw it." Misaki gasped as Misugi led his team on the attack.

"Nankatsu still has us!" Mamoru charged forward, Misugi having made a long pass to his teammates in the front. Jumping, he passed the ball to Urabe via a header.

"Come on, Taki." Urabe passed the ball to the running Taki.

"Nankatsu has been around for 11 years." Taki remarked.

"Surround him." Misugi barked. "You're falling behind. Can't let him get the pass."

"Taki, here." Misaki took his position.

"Come on, Misaki." Taki passed the ball over.

"No, Tsubasa is surrounded." Misaki paused, seeing Tsubasa was cornered. "Kisugi, it's yours!" he passed the ball to the incoming Teppei.

Teppei then passed the ball to Tsubasa via a header.

Can't track a high ball. Tsubasa mused. Okay, I'm going. He jumped up. "I'm the best in Nankatsu!" his foot connected with the falling ball. "Go!" he sent the ball flying into the net, via a 'Rolling Overhead Kick', pulling the equalizer.

Dad, Mom. Misugi thought. Did you see that? Good, huh? That's my last opponent, Tsubasa. No matter what, I must defeat Nankatsu.

Just then, the whistle sounded, signaling the end of the first half.

In the hallway…

"Tsubasa." Aoba voiced, alerting the cousins of her presence.

"Yayoi?" Ami blinked. "Didn't expect you see you here. What's wrong?"

"I transferred." Aoba replied. "I'm now the manager of Musashi FC."

Outside…

"What?" Tsubasa gasped after Aoba informed the cousins. "Misugi has a heart problem?"

"Yes, actually the doctor forbids him to play soccer." Aoba confirmed.

"And?" Ami pressed.

"He's been playing 10 minutes each game." Aoba confessed. "That was the condition for him to be in the game."

"10 minutes." Tsubasa's eyes widened.

"That serious?" Ami gaped.

"Yes." Aoba replied. "Only the coach and I know about this. Captain plans to make this game his last. Tsubasa, please. I hope you can let him win. Please." She pleaded.

"How can this be?" Tsubasa was stunned. How can Misugi have a heart problem? I don't believe it. Misugi is so good.

"Please." Aoba repeated her request.

Misugi has a heart problem? Tsubasa was still shocked.

Back in the present, in Japan…

"Guys." Rei started.

"Rei?" Minako blinked.

"Leave please." Rei requested.

"Are you okay?" Makoto asked.

"No..." Rei muttered in agony. "Please, leave before... AAAAAARRRGGGHH!"

Minako gasped as Rei fell to her knees, clutching her head, eyes closed. Something was causing her a great pain, but what was it? Before the Senshi could ask her, however, they saw her outfit change into her Senshi suit. And as she opened her eyes, hey could see they were not the same. She looked at the assembled Senshi coldly and stood up.

"Wha...?" Hotaru blinked.

"You should've run while you could," Mars said. "Fire Soul!"

"Flaming Spear!"

Uranus rolled on the ground barely missing Mars' attack. It was clear she was not playing, clearly the dark mana had taken over her and she was trying to kill them. But she was also worried about the shrine, since Mars had set several trees aflame already.

"Flaming Spear!"

She used his sword to deflect the attack this time, and leapt at Mars, taking her by surprise. "Space Sword Blaster!"

Mars was knocked back but stood up, smiling coldly. "So Wind Girl wants to play rough... Okay then." She charged forwards and kicked the Senshi in the guts. "Goodbye. Flaming Anger!" she rose her hands and a massive ball of flames formed over them. She brought her hands down fast, causing the ball to crash into the ground, a trail of small flames burst from the ground

"Deep Submerge!" Neptune's water attack blasted the flames off, dousing it. "Now, where were we?"

"You were about to die." Mars snapped. "Mars Magma Flood!"

The Ocean Senshi leapt aside as a wave of molten metal and rocks rushed by, melting concrete, cars and trees on its wake.

"Aww I missed." Mars pouted. "Never mind, I'll try again. Magma Flood!"

"Flood Gate!" streams of water encircled Neptune and were absorbed into Neptune's body, before being released in a massive tidal a second later. The attacks hit and cancelled each other. "We gotta stop her somehow." She noted.

"Saturn Requiem Mist!" Saturn's fist was covered by a ghastly white mist as she aimed it at Mars. The mist shot out from her hands, surrounding Mars, and the evil Senshi screamed in pain. She then fell to one knee and panted.

"Venus Cosmic Chain!" Venus summoned her chain, swinging it in front of her body. The chain started shinning with light energy and she tossed her chain forwards with amazing speed, wrapping it around Mars, trapping her.

"Jupiter Eternal Power!"

"Uranus Eternal Power!"

Light shot from both Senshi's bodies into Mars' body, the healing waves fading out after several seconds.

SailorStar9: Holy, are the Senshi going to come out of this battle, alive?

Hao: Not necessarily, near death experiences have drastic effects on one's growth, often awakening hidden potential.

SailorStar9: Really, so I suppose spending a few minutes in hell does the same?

Hao: Well yes, but it's not for the faint hearted.

Lu: Damn right, I should start charging admission.

R&R or be charged per view!