Reloaded

by Sokai

Everyone yearns for a new life at one time or another. For one particular girl and her five, fellow friends this desire comes to full fruition, as they suddenly find themselves experiencing the adventure of a lifetime . . . or two.

8. Act 6, Finale

Reloaded

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of W.I.T.C.H. - I leave that honor up to Elisabetta Gnone. Nor do I own one of Takeuchi Naoko's most beloved manga/anime/live action series, "Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon." However, I can and DO claim to own this story and its inspired ideas FROM said series, in addition to the original song, "Starlit Destiny," which may/may not be habitually featured later within future chapters.

Note: Sorry for the monstrous, unexpected delay to post the second, much longer half and finale to Act 6, my Lovelies! Every time I tried to sit down to finish editing all of the remaining, thirty-seven pages, Life just kept getting within the way, in all honesty . . . namely, Evie related stuff. =)

(Did I mention that yet within any of my recent story notes, by the way? That Gray-Ham and I found out last month that we are having the girl we always knew Little Evie to be! And man, is she a super mover and general gymnast nowadays. HeHe)

At any rate, I hope you enjoyed the first half, which those of you who bothered to leave a review appeared to have!

Now please to be enjoying the conclusion to what methinks is my longest, or second longest act yet!

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This chapter was created/written in February 2012, and updated/posted in November 2014.

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ℓ Act 6 (Part II/Finale) ℓ

After another hour or so of song, dance, and general good comfort to be had amongst themselves, the Guardian Soldiers, including Csilla all piled into the golden elevator which led them into and out of their separate, secret home base, and began exiting The Musical Star Café once they'd reached the main floor.

However, right as Elyon was the last to exit the elevator, and make her own way toward the now relatively packed café, something immediately caught her eye.

Within the left hand side, where the establishment's customer service station was always, bent down in front of an open utilities closet door nearby was Cedric . . . who curiously appeared to be busying himself with something seemingly important.

And although she did feel a tad guilty for immediately wanting to nosy about her crush's business, Elyon simply could not help herself, as she quickly found herself abruptly hanging back from her former group and allowed them to completely exit the café without her.

Placing herself behind a nearby marble pillar as a way to better conceal herself, knowing full well that if Cedric even caught just a glimpse of her he'd promptly know it to be her (an observation which she'd normally take great pride within upon any other occasion, of course), Elyon then carefully leaned forward a bit in order to get a better view of what the older man was doing, all while at the same time doing her best to look as inconspicuous as possible.

Immediately, it felt as though time had completely stopped to the petite blonde, her heart nearly halting as well as her blue eyes widening the moment they watched Cedric straighten his posture . . . and held up a red-lined, black tuxedo cape in front of him.

Rationally, Elyon could, and probably should have simply taken it with a grain of salt, witnessing her secret beloved curiously be within the possession of one of, if not the most distinctive and memorable piece to Tuxedo Kamen's overall ensemble.

And she honestly would have . . . had it not been for the rather large, diagonal tear within the bottom right hand side of the cape, which happened to be the exact same location and appearance to the gash left upon Tuxedo Kamen's own mantle the previous evening. . . .

Elyon was prone to, at times, forgetting about a good many things, but she certainly hadn't about that.

And now, just like that, she had found him . . . and it was someone who had always been right underneath her nose and secretly one she had hoped it could, although never dared believe it to be.

Until now.

"Cedric . . . is Tuxedo Kamen," Elyon breathed within mixed disbelief and titillation, practically within a complete daze, as she continued to watch Cedric carefully inspect the torn piece of clothing hanging delicately in between both of his hands.

Even though it had been dark at the time, the overall adrenaline still making its way throughout her entire system as a result of her thankfully concluded battle with that canine resembling Entity last night, coupled with the immediate, although by now regrettably expected departure of her rescuer, Elyon could still distinctly recall seeing the very same blatant tear to Tuxedo Kamen's cape while she was briefly running after him, before Sailor V had unexpectedly intervened. . . .

It was something she hadn't bothered to pass mention to to her fellow Guardian Soldiers, mainly because she hadn't felt it held any sort of relative bearing to their primary reason for holding their meeting in the first place that morning, but also due to the fact that she'd harbored a great sense of guilt, as well as blame for it.

If I just been able to finish off that stupid Entity fast enough, then Tuxedo Kamen . . . Cedric wouldn't have had to dive in front of me the way he did in order to protect me, Elyon worriedly thought a moment, biting down onto her chap stick covered lip, while suddenly feeling her feet begin to carry her toward the unsuspecting blonde. What if . . . more than just his cape had gotten damaged? What if he had, as well? I . . . I have to know . . . I have to talk to him, and let him know that I now know it's him. . . .

Before Elyon could open her mouth, however, the sudden familiarity of Will's voice called out to her, causing her to look over in time to watch both she and Taranee returning back inside of the café, presumably to collect her.

"Hey, you all right, Elyon? Taranee and I were about to part ways when we'd all then realized that you were no longer with us," the red haired tomboy said within a hushed voice as she curiously kept her distance from both girls, an odd behavior they might have wondered about had they not already witnessed Will do so in the past whenever out within the thick of public with them.

And it also did not at all help that a few of the various café's inhabitants were already beginning to focus their previously separate attention the trio's way, which only managed to further Will's, and even Taranee's still remaining hesitance to be out within the open for too long, proving to all three of them that not only did the girls' separate reputations around Heatherfield still precede them, but that there was still quite a ways to go before either girl learned to ignore them and become much more comfortable within her own skin . . . no matter where that happened to be.

Elyon, who by now no longer took it so personally to see either friend behave within such a manner, merely smiled sheepishly at the pair before attempting to pull them off to one side in order to hopefully remain beneath Cedric's radar.

However, given that her very unique name had already been uttered aloud, even within a semi packed, and relatively noisy vicinity, she had a strong feeling that her infatuation had managed to hear Will speak it, nonetheless.

And, sure enough. . . .

"E-Elyon? Elyon, where – Oh! There you are! I never expected to see you in here this early! What are you doing . . . in the corner like that?" Elyon could hear Cedric's usually cheerful voice ask from behind, causing her to temporarily cringe and almost regret his having found her, much like he usually would.

But now that's totally even more romantic, since he always manages to find me as Tuxedo Kamen, as well, she couldn't help but muse with a small, but growing blush and smile, before quickly turning around to face the tall young man.

"E-Er, hi, there, Cedric! Good morning! I didn't know you worked Sundays now, too!" the short girl spoke as calmly , and as casually as she could, which was becoming increasingly difficult to do considering she had just moments before learned that the absolute love of her life, and the man who was . . . someone special to her, at best, were actually one in the same. "I was j-just, uh . . . having a quick breakfast with my friends, Taranee and Will, here, before heading to the m-mall! Maybe even purchase a new . . . tuxedo for my dad for Father's Day, too! Nothing odd or secretive about that! Nope!"

She knew she was pushing it, making up that strange lie like that, and not even because they were all very well aware that Father's Day was all the way in June, and it was still only October.

No, it was because Elyon was now feeling a bit torn upon whether or not she really should confront Cedric about whom he really happened to be . . . and dropping horrible clues to her not so subtly alluding to the notion that she now knew it, herself, honestly wasn't helping.

I mean, if he wanted me to know it was him all along, he'd have told me from the very beginning . . . right? Unless, maybe he has his own reasons, like sort of like the kind Will, Taranee, and I all have to not let anyone know we're Guardian Soldiers, the dishwater blonde attempted to rationalize within silence, biting down onto her lip once more as her conflicting emotions of wishing to do 'the right thing,' or spilling her guts warred on inside of her.

"Is . . . that right? Well, I-I guess I won't keep you ladies, then," Cedric responded a bit unsteadily at first with an amused grin, before suddenly snapping his fingers and pointing directly toward Elyon. "O-Oh, wait! Would you mind holding back a minute with me, Elyon? There's something I wanted to ask you. . . ."

Both Will and Taranee exchanged quiet looks of utter perplexity toward one another, primarily over the entire situation unfolding before them, as well as Elyon's curious behavior around The Musical Star Café employee . . . more so than usual, anyhow, before the pair decidedly stepped around their friend and Cedric to politely excuse themselves.

Elyon, meanwhile, could barely contain her complete, and utter joy to be alone with him, especially now for the first time with the knowledge of his true identity.

And not to mention that it sounds like he's about to tell me something really important! This could be it! she thought with increasing excitement, although she did her best to appear as unaffected as possible on the outside.

"U-Um, sure, no problem, Cedric! What's . . . What's on your mind?" she asked a bit breathlessly , only just then realizing that she had been holding in her breath through her rattled nerves.

She briefly took a chance to look over Cedric's shoulder, as awkward as that was considering the drastic height difference between them, in order to see if he had carelessly left his torn tuxedo cape out for any one of his fellow employees, or even customers to see or possibly seize.

Good, it's gone . . . wherever he'd quickly stashed it, Elyon thought with a deep sigh of relief and smile, looking back into Cedric's dreamy, cerulean colored eyes in time to catch him flash her a brilliantly dashing grin.

"All right! Well, Elyon . . . I was actually wondering if you weren't busy next Saturday by any chance?" the good-natured young man asked with a growing simper, making Elyon's heart nearly stop within utter flabbergast as a result, as she watched him curiously beginning to appear nearly just as nervous as she. "I only ask because . . . well, when I was busy cleaning up my apartment last month, I'd actually managed to find an old season pass to 'Angel Park' that I'd gotten when I was still working there last year, before coming to work here. Anyway, I was super happy I managed to find it again, and especially since it's actually about to expire next month when the park closes down for the season, because it's . . . helped me to decidedly summon up my courage and do something I've been wanting to do for quite a while, now, really. . . . And it would really mean a lot to me if you'd be a part of it, Elyon. I know how much you really enjoy theme parks."

Oh, my God! I can't believe this! First, I get to meet Sailor V within the flesh last night, then I find out that Tuxedo Kamen is Cedric, out of all the millions of people he could have been, and now, he's actually, finally asking me out on a date! This is the best weekend of my entire life! Elyon thought, practically a mile a second, positively bursting at the seams as she struggled to contain her absolute euphoria at the overall reality of the situation placed before her.

It had taken several moments before she could finally find her voice again, her face embarrassingly scorched, she was sure, before she could manage a quick, regrettably high pitched squeak of, "Y-Yes!"

Cedric, ever the charming and understanding individual she always knew him to be, merely chuckled within relief before clapping his hands together.

"You will? Oh, great! And, hey! Bring Alchemy along, too! She likes amusement parks, as well, right? And your other friends, Taranee, and, um . . . W-Will? Right! The more, the merrier! Okay, so see you, next Saturday, around . . . noonish, all right? Great!"

Elyon could only watch in stunned silence as the proverbial key to her heart gave her one last award winning smile before bidding her a fond farewell, her own previously excited grin slowly beginning to droop.

How had their premiere date shift so quickly from a private, utterly romantic affair, to a sudden group outing, and all under three seconds flat?

Elyon felt her feet slowly drag her out of The Musical Star Café like a mummified creature, her ears barely registering the busy, usual sounds of prosperity within the streets around her, nor the sudden, renewed call of her name by her companions once more.

"Elyon, hey! . . . . E-Elyon? You all right? What was all that about inside with . . . I'm sorry, I've forgotten his name, again," Will asked within lingering confusion as both she and Taranee approached from either side, with Csilla hurriedly bringing up the rear.

"His name is Cedric, Will. . . . He's . . . well, a very special someone to Elyon, I believe," Taranee attempted to explain as craftily as she could with a small smile, feeling that it was at least all right to let the blonde's obvious attraction to the older man be freely known, versus the possible pull she had toward Tuxedo Kamen, as Elyon had never tried to keep the former a secret since day one of the girls having begun hanging out.

At this, Will merely nodded slowly within accumulative comprehension, a faint but growing smirk forming upon her naturally tawny face.

"Ahhh, okay, I get it, now. Well, no wonder you wanted us out of there so you two could be alone. From the looks of things from out here, anyway, it seemed as though you both were discussing something pretty important . . . am I right?" she lightly teased with added inquiry, folding her arms across her chest just as Elyon suddenly began to slowly walk on ahead.

"H-He . . . well . . . he asked me out on a date," she finally spoke, voice barely above a murmur as she continued walking, her friends following along.

At first, in truth, she did feel a bit . . . well, more than a bit deflated that Cedric had, for whatever reason, invited far too many people to their supposed-to-be-profoundly-romantic-and-life-changing date.

However, the very moment Elyon had said it aloud . . . "date," the realization that the tall blonde had actually made one with her at all completely washed away all of her previous negativity and disappointment.

For, the next thing any of them knew, including Elyon, herself, she abruptly let out an utterly elated squeal at the top of her lungs and whirled around to face her fellow comrades, causing not only them, but quite possibly the entire street and even beyond to stare within alarm.

"Ohhh, my God! Oh. My. Godddd! Cedric just asked me out on a date! Me! Elyon Brown! An actual, real life date, can you believe it? I think I'm going to faint!" she prattled on with abandon, passersby looking on as though she sorely needed to be certified, while Csilla, Taranee, and Will could only (weakly) grin and bear the painfully embarrassing display.

After a few more moments had passed, and the extremely giddy teenager had simply been allowed to carry on within her quite public antics without a care, Csilla, having been around both Elyon, as well as Cedric the most amongst her friends, was understandably the most surprised and first to question the unexpected event.

"H-Hold on, now, Elyon! Cedric . . . the one who works at the café, and also the one both you and your friend Alchemy appear rather keen on . . . invited you out somewhere . . . with romantic intent?" she asked as quietly as she could, taking care, as always, not to draw too much attention to herself whenever choosing to speak openly within public.

Although the small feline had not meant any sort of ill will, nor intended to sound as doubtful as she now was, nonetheless, Elyon immediately stopped within her open prancing and stared hard at her mentor, quite obviously having taken offense.

"So, wait a second. Are you asking me if it actually happened, because you find it sooo hard to believe that someone like Cedric could possibly find an interest within someone like me, Csilla? Is that it?" she questioned, a bit too harshly, as she continued to peer down at the effortlessly taken aback animal stood before her.

". . . . I'm thinking what Csilla was probably more so on about was the fact that you're only fourteen-years-old, and that guy's, what? Like . . . at least twenty-one, or something," Will slid into the unexpected debate with a mildly serious facial expression, her obvious general empathy toward animals apparently beginning to kick in as she carefully bent over to scoop up the now plainly stunned silent cat into her arms within comfort.

At this, Elyon sharply waved a hand within dismissal.

"Tch! 'Age ain't nothing but a number,' as the saying goes . . . I think! And anyway, I'm going to be fifteen in just a few weeks, thank you very much, 'Miss Buzzkillington,'" she huffed, although she took care to give a playful sticking out of her tongue momentarily in order to show the normally guarded tomboy that there wasn't any sort of bad blood between them now. "Besides . . . if you're so worried about the age difference, Cedric was . . . clever enough, yeah, that's it . . . he was clever enough to invite you guys along!"

Elyon watched within mild amusement as both her fellow Guardian Soldiers raised eyebrows toward her last statement, while her previous, inner turmoil over that fact quickly and steadily made peace with it.

Maybe that really was the reason Cedric has taken care to invite Alchemy, Will, and Taranee to our date next weekend, she mused, biting down onto her bottom lip as her mind then shifted onto actively trying to recall what the age of consent currently happened to be within the state of Florida, to be safe.

Taranee was the first to openly react to this news, her insides churning with great discomfort, although more so toward the notion of impeding upon a would be romantic excursion.

"U-Um . . . apologies, but Cedric would like us – And I am assuming you mean simply Will and I, as I can't imagine him having wished to add even Csilla into the equation – to accompany you two during your . . . date? As what, pray tell: chaperones, or decoys?" she couldn't help but pose the last question, beginning to wonder more and more now just how 'normal' the otherwise generally respectful and pleasant Musical Star Café employee truly was.

Will couldn't help but chuckle at her new friend's comment, before nodding within avid agreement.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Elyon, but the more you tell us about this, the more it just seems . . . off, I guess," she stated as the group then resumed their walk, gently stroking underneath a steadily calming Csilla's chin. "I mean, with all due respect, here, but . . . it's bad enough that this guy is feeling pretty . . . 'balls-y,' I guess you could call it, to be asking you out like this, but how's it going to look when he's out and about with an entire gaggle of underage girls on each arm on Saturday? Didn't really seem to think this one through, that one. . . ."

Elyon threw her hands up into the air, seemingly within defeat, as she continued to lead the way down the crowded street.

"Ugh! Would you –! I just –! Okay, just listen, all right? Cedric told me he was busy cleaning up his apartment the other day, found his old season pass to 'Angel Park' where he used to work before 'T.M.S.C.,' evidently, and then asked if I wouldn't want to hang out there next Saturday at noon!" she attempted to explain as coherently as she could, the natural desire to defend her beloved effortlessly bubbling to the surface. "And before you even say a word, thanks, he asked me out to there, specifically, because he's paid enough attention to me in the last year of our friendship to remember how much I absolutely adore theme parks! And I think that that's just extra sweet and romantic for him to have made our first date together so personal! Now! As for . . . also making our first date together rather . . . 'crowded,' well I'm sure he only did that because he was too shy to keep it on a one-on-one basis, that's all! I mean, I know I'd be super nervous to ask him out for the first time, after all – W-Which I still so could never do, oh, my God, no. . . ."

While the overall equation of the admittedly curious situation still did not fully add up to any of them, it was now clear to Elyon's three companions how much it truly meant to her that her blatant crush had apparently at last taken notice of her within a romantic sense. And although that possible fact, alone, did leave rather unsatisfying tastes within each of their mouths, none said anything more upon the issue by way of continued doubt, or the true intent behind Cedric's seemingly innocent invitation.

Instead, each female merely nodded slowly within feigned understanding, before Csilla was the first to offer as generic a followup question as possible.

". . . . So, then . . . I suppose, knowing you, you will wish to 'shop 'till you drop' within preparation for your big . . . date, hmm, Elyon? The date which also includes both Will and Taranee, as it were," the fluffy feline posed the inquiry with a faint, albeit nervous smile, her natural instincts as the girls' protector overriding her desire to spare the pigtailed girl's feelings any further.

Thankfully, however, Csilla could not readily sense anything malicious in nature concerning Cedric's unexpected invitation, despite the obvious hangup of what she, having been on Earth for quite a while now, now understood to be rather . . . taboo in nature.

She did wonder if she should let her charges be aware that the factor of age had never really been that much of an issue from where she originally hailed, in truth, or instead simply allow them to carry on within their ongoing concerns over the matter.

No. For the time being, at least, methinks it would be best to remain mum about all of that. . . . There would be far too many questions to naturally follow, and too little answers to be had, Csilla reflected within silence, lightly nodding to herself with added conviction as she brought her full attention back onto the situation at hand.

"W-Well . . . yeah, yes, of course, Csilla! But, I mean, it is an amusement park, so I can't obviously go all out with whatever outfit I'd end up choosing. And of course, there'll be lots of water rides, and rides which go super fast, up, down, and around, so we'll have to factor those elements in, as well, in terms of no fancy hairstyles, and no granny-type of swimsuits. . . . Ohhh, now I'm a complete wreck! I have no clue what to wear! Thank God, all the more now, that you guys and Alchemy are coming along! I think I'd probably lose my lunch from sheer nerves, alone!" Elyon said with the usual animated gusto, rifling off her mental list upon each finger of her right hand, before mentally cursing herself at the accidental mention of her best friend and her now confirmed attendance.

True, she had intended, at some point . . . maybe perhaps next Friday, a day before the shared outing, to inform both Taranee and Will of her childhood friend's coming along; however, she hadn't planned on doing so on the very same day Cedric had just asked her out in the first place.

Well, I was just wondering earlier if I could ever invite everyone to hang out simultaneously sometime, so I guess now's my chance to find out if it's actually possible, the dishwater blonde mused with a shaky smile before turning her head a bit to gauge both girls' reactions to the news.

Will appeared undaunted by it, continuing to walk alongside the shorter girl with a neutral expression upon her face, while gingerly carrying a returned to silence Csilla within her strong arms. Although not outright . . . friends, as it were, Elyon hadn't honestly expected much of a reaction by way of the negative from the redhead, as Will had appeared to have grown . . . at least accustomed to seeing Alchemy every day at lunch back in school, alongside the rest of Elyon's other friends.

The trio in question still had yet to eat together, if and when Will would decide to make an appearance within the courtyard at all, despite Elyon's not so subtle attempts to better unify her 'two worlds;' however, communication, however brief, generally remained positive enough between both redheads in passing, and now even from the rest of the blonde's separate companions, as well . . . if no longer looking upon Will as though she were to pull a knife out on them at any moment was 'positive,' anyhow.

Still, it was one thing to make forced pleasantries nearly every school day for a mere one to two minutes; it was something else entirely to be stuck spending possibly an entire day carrying on as though things were not undeniably awkward and strained between specific individuals. . . .

Elyon began to wonder if any of this was a good idea, after all, as she then focused upon her bigger concern: Taranee.

She did not have the same luxury as Will of seeing Alchemy most days and more or less getting used to her presence, as she attended a separate school to all three girls. And then, moreover, there was the blatant observation that, for whatever reason, whenever her best friend was openly mentioned, indeed vice versa, it was as though Elyon had let loose a volley of the most unforgivable string of words imaginable. . . .

She'd wanted to finally ask them both, outright, what exactly was it about the other which made each girl so . . . pensive?

Nervous?

Angry?

No, not angry . . . she didn't think, anyway.

But she did know it wasn't normal, and was certainly concerning the heck out of her to always see, especially within Alchemy, someone who had always been so welcoming and understanding, almost to the point of being angelic, or otherworldly.

She truly wished she could better understand what was possibly running through each friend's minds about this, though, and maybe now, with a possible opportunity to do just that, she finally could. . . .

That is, assuming Taranee did not readily make up some sort of excuse not to come along, anymore, as Elyon had the strong feeling she suddenly might.

Sure enough. . . .

"E-Er . . . when is this all to take place? Next Saturday? W-Well, I'm actually not sure I -" the shy intellectual began in between uncharacteristic stammering, lightly wringing her hands together within furthered nervousness, before Elyon desperately interjected.

"- Please don't, Taranee! Please don't back out on me, all right? I-I know . . . that is, I guess I know, or have noticed that whenever Alchemy is brought up you just sort of . . . bow out of the equation, and I really do want to understand why. . . . And I also know that you're not exactly . . . soul mates with her or anything like that, either, Will, but . . . m-maybe if we all went out together . . . finally . . . then we could all be friends, and put whatever hangups there are behind us," she pleaded with practically doe-like eyes as she looked from Taranee, to Will, and back again.

Whether or not she was yet aware of the emotional, almost drug-like and honestly eerie effect she continued to have upon both girls, it was not certain to either. Nonetheless, the desired result was effortlessly achieved, Elyon could then see, as both Taranee and Will's faces melted into an expression of mixed sympathy and submission.

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You will so not regret it!" Elyon happily cried before practically pouncing onto both girls simultaneously, pulling them into a group hug, within which Csilla was regrettably sandwiched. "O-Oh, sorry, Csilla! Here, I'll take her, now, Will! We have to start heading back home, anyway, so I can finish up my homework – As if I can concentrate, anyway – and then call up Alchemy to tell her all about this! See you guys later! Come on, Csilla!"

". . . . She's getting to be really good at getting us to do things we might not be too thrilled at doing, and then feel like sheer crap if we don't or might not want to – Well, me, anyway," Will commented aloud with a faint smirk as both she and Taranee now stood off to the side and watched their at times unnaturally jubilant companion speed off into the distance with a possibly now motion sick Csilla bobbing up and down within her arms.

Although Will hadn't honestly expected much of a reaction to her semi lighthearted statement by way of laughter, or even an active addition, she did at least think that Taranee would have given one of her usual friendly smiles and nod, while looking after the pigtailed girl with undeniable fondness as she normally would.

This time, however, Taranee looked anything but amused.

". . . . Taranee? Are you okay?" Will hesitantly asked, feeling a bit awkward as her mind went back to Elyon's earlier comments concerning Taranee and Alchemy's apparently strained . . . 'relationship,' as it were. "Is . . . that is, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, obviously. You know I'm generally the last one to force opening up upon anyone, of course, but . . . you seem pretty stressed out, now, and Elyon did pass mention to something about you and -"

"- N-No, no! I'm quite all right, thank you, Mi – I mean, Will, sorry," the Guardian Soldier of Mars abruptly assured, her natural reservations clearly flaring up once more as both girls effortlessly caught her momentary reverting to referring to Will by her last name once more. "I'm just . . . not really too keen on amusement parks, or . . . the rides, rather, that's all."

That wasn't honestly a lie, despite Taranee's obvious desire to throw the generally observant girl off the scent.

Throughout the overall commotion, it had clearly escaped Elyon's mind to even stop to ask if either friend even enjoyed going on exceedingly fast rides, which unnecessarily had to throw in loops, abrupt turns, and even sometimes the added bonus of going backwards.

Taranee was fairly positive that someone like Will, at least, how she carried herself, anyway, hadn't any qualms over any of those sorts of things, and was probably secretly looking forward to next weekend, all things considered. And while she, herself, would most likely stick to simply walking about the park, while maybe going on a slightly more tame water ride or two . . . maybe, this was all assuming she would even show up, after all. . . .

Will, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel distinctly skeptical by the other girl's news, raising a bright red eyebrow as she unavoidably sized her up.

She was curious, there was no denying that . . . but she wasn't going to push.

And it wasn't because of the obvious hypocrisy in doing so, either, but due to the . . . peculiar sort of . . . Will didn't want to outright label it as a 'bond,' but that particular connection was there between them, she felt, different to what she already felt toward Elyon, which in and of itself was quite the special feeling to begin with.

At least, this was what she thought, anyway, ever since both she and Taranee had taken a chance with their similarly well guarded emotions, and had actively chosen to distribute it between one another within the privacy of Will's abode several days prior. . . .

It had since then left her feeling not only overall a bit more relaxed to be around each of her new friends, individually in addition to as a collective, however it also . . . perhaps made her feel maybe not quite as alone, or even misunderstood as before.

Because someone who appeared as 'well put together,' as perfect, almost, as Taranee could somehow seem to just . . . get it, and at times also feel quite alienated, even if the circumstances between them were stark differences, it suddenly made Will feel . . . she didn't want to say 'hopeful,' but perhaps a bit less burdened where her overall life was concerned. . . .

And so, as though a bit indebted to the other girl which, in fair truth, she technically was, Will gave a light, forced shrug and soft smile as she then stated, "Well, hey. I obviously don't know the overall setup of this particular theme park, having just moved here and all – Which, remind me to remind Elyon to pass over the directions to the place some time before next weekend – but they generally have something for everyone, you know? So if rides aren't your thing, we'll just find something else to occupy our time, while Elyon occupies hers with . . . that Cedric dude. . . ."

Astute as she naturally was, Taranee appeared to effortlessly read between the lines of Will's declaration, as her once contemplative facial expression then began to melt away into one of extreme gratitude.

". . . . Y-Yes . . . I suppose that would be quite possible, indeed, Will . . . thank you," she expressed in kindness with a slow nod, shyly reaching up to readjust her dark eyeglasses. "I, um . . . I guess I will see you next weekend, then, if not before. Have a good day!"

Will casually stuffed her hands into the pockets of her navy colored khaki shorts, momentarily rocking back and forth upon her heels before turning to begin walking within the other direction.

"Mhmm, guess you will, then," she replied with another smile, waving goodbye and started off, before another added thought came to her. "O-Oh, and Taranee? I wouldn't . . . I wouldn't worry so much, you know? I mean, it's just one afternoon inside an amusement park; what could possibly happen?"

---

". . . . Well, here we are, again. . . . It's always such a pleasure."

Deite bit down, exceedingly hard, onto his bottom lip in order to further suppress the bubbling rage and daring resentment which currently swirled deep within him as he remained, bowed respectfully before his powerful master's throne and obediently listened to the beginnings of what was undoubtedly to be yet another barrage of reprimanding putdowns . . . for what regrettably felt like the umpteenth occasion, to them both.

Except that this time, with great misfortune for Deite, as well as contrasting jubilation for his malevolent ruler, he was quite certain, the red haired general had an unwanted audience within his newfound rival, Zoi . . . who apparently was granted enough leniency to stand just off to the side of their shared lord's throne, and quietly propped himself up against the wall.

Deite was at least thankful for the surrounding, never-ending darkness of not simply the vast throne room, but the entire palace, as well, as he could be the tiniest bit spared any further public shame and humiliation by Zoi being unable to properly gaze upon him as a result.

Everything had been working according to his own design before he'd come along!

. . . . Well, perhaps not entirely so, as Deite had had unfortunate hiccups along the way well before the raven haired general's arrival, courtesy of Sailormeridian, and her recently added comrades, Sailors Mars and Jupiter . . . but he wasn't one to split many hairs.

As far as he was concerned, every last one of them was responsible for his continued failures, and come hell or high water, he would have his ever lasting revenge!

". . . . Do you remember when you tried to kill the Guardian Soldiers – What was it, now? Twice? Thrice? Ohhh, and how we've all laughed, and laughed upon each failure . . . except, I wasn't laughing," Deite struggled to will himself to listen to his master's ongoing verbal abuse, evidently choosing to go down the quite sarcastic route this time around. "Under the circumstances . . . I believe I have been shockingly . . . nice, wouldn't you say, Deite?"

It had taken every last ounce of the fiery tempered Dark General's willpower to suppress the sigh which so desperately yearned to escape past his pursed lips in that moment, before instead nodding hurriedly within agreement to every last word.

"Y-Yes, of course, Master! It is as you say, absolutely! A-And I am, as always, humbly begging your forgiveness, once again!" the redhead spoke with intermingling fear and abashment, as his mouth filled with the bitter taste of ongoing failure, one this time still being readily witnessed by the continually silent Zoi.

If only he possessed the gift of shape-shifting right within that moment, or, at the very least, the ability to drastically reduce his own size. . . .

Deite then dared to straighten his posture a bit and rested his deeply rich, brown eyes pleadingly upon the flax haired monarch's throne, knowing to hope for an ounce of mercy, and have it be seen resonating from him to be fruitless, however looking for it all the same.

He was, of course, unfortunately all too right, as he, and even Zoi, he was quite positive, watched with frightened eyes as their master's right, bejeweled hand suddenly balled up and began to shake with obvious fury, before eerily beginning to glow a pitch, soulless black hue.

". . . . I may not possess all the powers I had so long ago, but I am not completely without a few tricks up my sleeve!" the fair haired man suddenly boomed, his traditionally lax nature abruptly reaching a fever pitch as he raised his glowing fist into the air, before opening it into an overturned palm.

He then quickly closed it once more, before curiously making a sharp, jerking motion back toward himself, in the same instant that Deite let out a bloodcurdling scream as he collapsed onto the cold ground, clutching desperately at his heart.

Zoi could only simply remain where he was with profound helplessness, as he was forced to watch his fellow Dark General suffer and cry out within agony at the literal hands of their truly malicious sovereign, who merely continued to make rough squeezing motions with his now closed and quaking, magically infused fist.

Although the sable haired young man was fairly certain that Deite greatly resented his summoned presence to his renewed tongue lashing, Zoi, himself, had had the distinct inkling that there would be more to their master's avid insistence that he be there, as well.

And now, he knew.

He saw it, and, if he were to be perfectly honest with himself, could outright almost feel it, as well, somehow.

This was not only Deite's current punishment, but his own within the near possible future if he, too, dared to once again fail within his own, separate efforts to locate The Mystical Star of Threbe.

Both Generals' ruler was, if nothing else, a man full of 'subtlety' and tact. . . .

After what honestly felt like a tortuous eternity, to both Zoi and undoubtedly the active victim, Deite, the latter's painful screams were at last given a reprieve, as the pale faced overlord's right fist abruptly ceased within its magical glow, and became quite limp at his side . . . almost as though nothing had ever transpired in the first place.

His facial features appeared to mimic that very notion, as well, as Zoi felt himself staring within utter disbelief over how quite nonchalant his master now resembled, almost looking quite bored, in fact, as though it were Deite to have just then done him a disservice.

Although Deite, himself, was rather malevolent in nature, as well, even Zoi could not help but to silently agree with himself that it would have to take quite the soulless individual to consciously attempt to . . . crush another being's heart, watching as their life rapidly began to bleed away right before their eyes . . . before then proceeding to carry on as though none of it had ever occurred. . . .

". . . . Now, then . . . where were we? Ah, yes! We were in the middle of my deciding whether or not I should slit your throat, here and now, before you so foolishly decided to patronize me," the blonde haired, ruthless man remarked without missing a beat and a cavalier wave of his hand, the very same which had just moments before wielded such tremendous power.

Deite, in between raspy coughs, and shaky, searing inhales and exhales, did his absolute best to maintain his overall composure and limit his display of the otherwise undeniable agony he continued to feel, lest his ruler decided to finish what he'd so pitilessly started.

Taking in a few more harrowing breaths, the wounded redhead took ample care within crafting his next response, as he weakly struggled to pick himself up from off of the ground.

". . . . N-No, my master! I would n-never . . . t-that is, please forgive me for having done so," he began within fragile defense, before realizing it to be the better choice to simply speak the truth, this time.

He did not believe his heart could literally take it, otherwise. . . .

"I-I . . . I know that I have failed you, time a-and time again, all in thanks to t-the Guardian Soldiers -"

"- As well as your avid idiocy, yes, go on," Deite was forced to listen to his monarch throw in the unnecessary jibe, quite obviously with unbridled delight, knowing full well that there was not a thing the younger man could do about it.

"E-Er . . . y-yes, of course, Master! I truly am sorry for this," he stated weakly, bowing within renewed respect as his wounded heart then skipped a rather painful beat within immense fear that the vicious man before him would be able to see through his partial prevarication.

Whether he had or not, Deite was uncertain, as the cornflower haired sovereign thankfully appeared to prefer to let it slide, before clearing his throat to speak upon another matter, instead . . . one which admittedly made the redhead's blood grow cold.

"Perhaps, Deite, the reason for your continued shortcomings is not due to your lack of dedication and loyalty to the Dark Kingdom, and myself . . . but instead due to your now split attention between our cause, as well as your . . . unhealthy focus toward that one Guardian Soldier in particular. Who was it, again? Yes, of course! Sailormars. . . ." the older man revealed with obvious delectation, trailing off with added tact in order to further punctuate precisely what he was driving at.

To make it fully known to his lackey that not only was he keenly aware of his burning desire to do away with the Fire Guardian once and for all, specifically, the maroon themed Dark General perhaps wished to do so for another reason, altogether . . . one separate from the 'simple' gnawing of continued, sound defeat by her flame infused hands. . . .

And, before the blithering dolt could dare feign ignorance, the unopposed monarch chose to continue, lazily twirling a few strands of his sea of free flowing locks around his finger as he did so.

"I have it upon good authority – My own – that you have been harboring quite the strong want to be rid of that Guardian Soldier, primarily, quite possibly before anything else were to get done," he started with a purposefully bored voice, although his cool, blue colored eyes held a strong evenness about them as they rested firmly upon a rather perplexed looking Deite. "And I also have it upon good authority – Again, my own – that the reason you'd like for nothing more than to rid yourself of her presence for good is no longer for the simple fact that she has thus far been the one to best you most and quite thoroughly, even more so than that . . . admittedly pesky Sailormeridian, or their latest companion. . . . No, no. Perhaps it might have to do with the little . . . 'tête–à–tête' you two had shared all those weeks ago at a certain ball. . . . Hmmm, I do so wonder . . . and hope, for your sake, that this is not the case. . . ."

Deite would have let out a gasp within that moment, if only it would not hurt so greatly, nor possibly award him with even more pain from his superior.

What was he to do, though?

Attempt to verbally maneuver out of his ongoing, precarious situation, or to simply concede the truth . . . one which even he, himself, dared not fully acknowledge up until that moment?

It mattered not, within either event, at least, not to his master, as both Dark Generals nervously watched as a quite chilling smile began to slowly form upon the older man's face.

". . . . Tell you what you can do to win back my favor, my dear Deite," he began with uncharacteristic kindness lacing his otherwise, generally acrid voice, ". . . you can either seek out this Sailormars directly, and do away with her once and for all, yourself . . . or, do not bother returning. . . ."

---

". . . . So, tell me again why I'm even here, when it's sadly clear to me now that Cedric went and chose you over me?"

Elyon was already feeling quite nervous that entire, already generously warm and very sunny Saturday morning, and especially so during her shared bus ride over to Angel Park with her best friend. But now, she was beginning to feel twenty times more rattled at witnessing poor Alchemy's uncharacteristic, and increasingly sour disposition unfold the longer they both stood, waiting for their shared crush to arrive, outside of the already crowded theme park's entrance.

It had been difficult enough to confess to the auburn haired girl that not only had Cedric more or less professed his mutual, romantic feelings toward Elyon, and not her, but that he apparently wished to basically rub it in her face by having her tag along.

Elyon had been so excited on her way home last Sunday after it had all happened, she hadn't honestly stopped to truly think about what such a turn in events would do to her childhood friend.

She did know Alchemy, through and through, however, that much was certain.

She knew that, in spite of her own personal affections for the tall blonde, she would push through it and be happy for Elyon.

However, after the initial shock and adrenaline rush began to wear off, which unfortunately hadn't happened before she had frantically called up her best friend to unleash every last detail without a care, Elyon's hindsight began to kick in.

True, Alchemy had gone ahead and agreed to come along and, true, she had expressed . . . seemingly genuine happiness for her over the telephone, as well as later on that school week.

Seeing her that morning, though, meeting up with her at the bus stop and spending that forty-three minute ride together, forced to make idle chitchat while keeping her own exhilaration to a low simmer the entire time (which, of course, hadn't been at all easy to do), Elyon felt herself actually . . . regretful, a tiny bit, at having convinced the other girl to come along.

After all, if it were me . . . sure, I'd still come and support Alchemy, but . . . I know that I'd be absolutely crushed to have to watch her carry on with the same guy she was well aware I liked, as well. . . . Maybe . . . Maybe all of this was a bad idea, she thought with increased concern, biting down hard onto her peach glossed lips before turning from the busy amusement park's entrance to look upon her visibly pouting friend from behind.

". . . . Alchemy, I . . . I'm really sorry about all this. I mean, I honestly didn't bother to give it much thought, how precisely it would make you feel to come along like this," Elyon apologized sheepishly, suddenly feeling completely naked as she then began to awkwardly grip at her for once lightly styled, free flowing hair, as well as the mildly 'fancy,' overall ensemble she currently had on. "A-And . . . it doesn't help at all that I've gone ahead and gotten . . . dolled up for this, too. . . . If you want to leave, I'll perfectly understand. In fact, we'll both go, together. I mean, we're still a bit early, and I-I highly doubt Cedric's even going to show up, anyway, and -"

"- One, you look perfectly fine, Elle! Like a picture! And no, it's not too much," Alchemy interrupted her flustered friend with a faint, but growing smile, shaking her head as she gave the smaller girl's rose colored, lace and 'shark-bite' hemmed tank top, and white denim shorts with pink daisy stitchery near the waistline a quick once over. "I kept telling you that 'less is more,' and I was right, wasn't I? After all, just because this is so obviously a date – And I know dates when I see them – doesn't mean we have to be too obvious with our excitement over the fact, you know? Gotta leave things to the imagination . . . or so reads all of my cousin's magazines and romance novels, anyway. . . . Besides! When Cedric gets here, and takes one look at you, especially with your hair down for a change, there's absolutely no way he'll be able to resist getting down on one knee and proposing! O-Or, you know, at the very least ask you to be his girlfriend and whatever."

Elyon couldn't help but smile broadly at the very real possibility of such a joyous event happening, and all within a matter of minutes or so (assuming Cedric still decided to show up, that is), rather than the mere, hopeful fantasies both she and Alchemy would share together throughout the course of the last year.

"Y-You . . . really think so? Ohhh, I don't know, Al! I still think that this was a really bad idea! I should have said no out of respect to you, o-or told Cedric that I don't think it'd be a good call to invite you along!" she sighed roughly, her momentarily calmed nerves completely shot once again the more she continued to think about their upcoming situation.

"What, and blow my cover over liking the guy, as well? Nooo, thank you! Especially not now it's so totally over for me. It bums me out, sure, but I can better live with the rejection so long as it stays a private rejection, savvy?" Alchemy teasingly scoffed with a dismissive wave of her hand, smoothing down the front of her comparatively simple, sky blue colored "Think Happy Thoughts" tank top.

Elyon giggled softly at the display, only then realizing the not so subtle message her best friend had been giving her that entire morning via her chosen attire, feeling her chest unclench as she slowly began to realize that things were still all right between the two of them.

"Well . . . so long as you're absolutely sure about this, then . . . so am I! But I don't think I'll be going on any water rides, though, I'm sorry," she said with another smile, before her cheeks grew a soft pink as she referenced the fuchsia, polka dot 'tankini' she currently had on underneath her overall ensemble.

Alchemy rolled her lime colored eyes at this, before playfully stamping her right, black flip flop into the ground.

"Argh! Would you –! For the last time, you look justttt fiiiinne, E! You body is not shaped like a 'freaking potato,' as you kept putting it when we tried on half the city's worth of swimsuits all week! And whether or not you do choose to strip for your – Our man, which sounds soo wrong, now – you will still not look like a 'freaking potato,' and he will be all the more smitten with you! All right? Now, look sharp, because here he comes . . . I think!"

Elyon didn't even have enough time to properly react to the extremely suggestive innuendo her at times bold friend had verbally laid out for her, as she then followed her gaze behind her in time to catch Cedric walking hurriedly around the corner and up the packed street toward Angel Park where both girls patiently stood.

At least, she thought it was Cedric, given the greatly familiar and dreamy looking sea of sun kissed locks was no longer there on his head, and draped around his shoulders and back. . . .

Instead, it was now cut extremely short, especially at the sides and back, while the very top carried the most hair, which appeared to be combed or brushed back into a clean and polished sort of look.

". . . . W-Whoa . . . and you honestly think he isn't going to ask you to be his girlfriend today? The guy went completely all out for today, even as far as cutting off his deliciously delicious hair and turning it into . . . even more deliciously delicious hair!" Alchemy excitedly gave in rushed whispers against Elyon's left ear, the two girls doing their best to resist jumping up and down as their dual dreamboat steadily came closer and closer.

Elyon was about to respond, feeling herself within an absolute daze at the breathtaking, and almost slow motion effect Cedric appeared to be having over everything and everyone around him as he continued to approach . . . when suddenly it were as though a needle had been taken to the lighter than air bubble she'd been encapsulated within, the moment her blue eyes unexpectedly met with an increasingly familiar green. . . .

"O-Oh, no . . . please, God, nooo! Tell me this is not happening!" she cried out with immediate disgust, ducking behind the slightly taller Alchemy, who naturally peered over her shoulder with utter perplexity.

"W-What the –? Elyon, are you all right? This is a good thing, all of this! You're like, thirty seconds away from a 'happily ever after' moment!" she stated with a mixture of lingering jealousy, but overall good nature, turning her body around to face a still very much cowering Elyon.

"Nooo, no! You don't understand, Alkie! I-I think I just saw . . . no, unfortunately, I know I just saw Cedric w-with -"

"- Alchemy? Elyon? Hey, you two, good morning! Well, afternoon in about . . . ten minutes, or so! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, all the same!" both girls abruptly heard the man in question unknowingly interrupt from behind Alchemy, who turned to properly greet their habitually jovial crush. He then paused a moment, before extending his hand to his left as he continued, "Oh! This is my friend, Caleb. Caleb Cipes. We used to work at this park together, and met before that when I was in my last year at university and we saw each other around campus. Don't let his nonchalant demeanor fool you ladies: he's got a heart of gold, this guy. And is very smart – Sometimes too smart, for his own good, if some of our shared classes were any indication."

While Alchemy shifted her attention between her old infatuation, and quite possibly her newest one with extreme intrigue, Elyon didn't bother to hide the look of absolute disdain she effortlessly felt etching itself onto her face, at the same time she was doing her absolute best to hold her focus onto Cedric, and Cedric, alone.

Of course, she was quite certain that by doing so, the fellow blonde might begin to wonder if he had said or done something to greatly offend her, the way she carried on with her contorted facial expression; however, she honestly couldn't help herself.

It was official.

She was positively, absolutely, one hundred percent convinced now, without a doubt, that the universe truly despised her.

It had to, if it kept thrusting her into various unfortunate, and usually quite uncomfortable situations with this stupid guy!

Caleb, Caleb, Caleb!

Everywhere Elyon seemed to go, now, there he was!

She turned around, there he was!

Who knows, she might have eventually been able to forgive his repeated appearances and overall rude and disrespectful behavior toward her given time . . . but now that he was here, here on all days and all places, and of all people to somehow know as well?

This was the final straw!

"W-What are you doing here? Why are you doing here? I-I mean -" Elyon cried out in between stammers before trailing off, unable to stop herself as her frustrated emotions bubbled to the surface, quickly shifting her gaze to glare extremely sharp daggers very close to Caleb's soul . . . assuming he even had one.

"U-Um . . . did I miss something? You two . . . already know each other? Small world!" Cedric began a bit shakily, before broadening his momentarily faltering smile into a strong grin.

At this, Caleb at last spoke, lazily moving his habitually uncaring looking green eyes from Elyon and her curiously blushing companion, to Cedric, and then settled them squarely back onto a deeply frowning Elyon.

". . . . If you can call her constantly ramming into me everywhere I go, basically stalking me, as a result, and then usually whining about something stupid 'knowing each other,' then sure . . . whatever," he delivered with as much dismissive tact Elyon had already been bracing herself for, causing her to tightly clench her teeth within her mouth.

She didn't even bother to respond to this as she forced herself to look, and then turn away, doing her best to calm herself down and look on the bright side . . . if there even was one to be found anymore.

He's just a miserable cretin, Elyon! We know this! Always will be, seems like, if not even a freaking amusement park can bring him any sort of joy! J-Just . . . stay calm, breathe, and do what Alkie's t-shirt says! You're here to be with Cedric, not Caleb! Ignore him! she silently coached, firmly nodding to herself for an added bonus as she felt what she thought was Alchemy's hand upon her shoulder, but looked up to meet her eyes with Cedric's, instead.

"H-Hey . . . is everything all right? I-I don't . . . honestly know the kind of relationship the two of you have, but it's like I said: Caleb . . . he really isn't a bad guy, and . . . he's had it pretty rough, you know? And out of respect to him, I won't say anything more, but . . . just know that anything he says, especially how he might say it, generally isn't truly what he means . . . if that makes any sort of sense," he spoke softly so that neither of their companions could possibly eavesdrop . . . which caused Elyon to completely zone out, as she instead focused upon the very real fact that Cedric was leaning excessively close to her, and that the musky, incredibly irresistible cologne permeating from off of his white linen shirt and beige cargo shorts was rapidly making her feel quite intoxicated.

"Mmm . . . hmm. . . . It's no worries, Ceddy . . . I-I mean, Cedric!" she started out within a dream filled murmur, openly revealing her very private nickname for the man, before quickly correcting herself, her face now completely ablaze as she leaned away from him within apology.

". . . . Huh . . . so that's what this is about," Caleb muttered underneath his breath, softly groaning within mild annoyance as both he and Alchemy continued to watch the two blondes carry on with one another.

Alchemy, who had 'conveniently' moved a bit closer to the tall brunet, managed to overhear him, nonetheless, and nodded excitedly, even though the ongoing sight of seeing her first real crush basically flaunt his obvious feelings for her best friend in front of her still continued to sting a bit.

"Y-Yep! Today's that sort of day. . . ." she confirmed with another nod and shy smile as Caleb looked down at her a moment, before they both looked back at a blatantly blushing Elyon and happily smiling Cedric. She then looked back at him and softly added, "O-Oh. And I'm Alchemy, by the way. . . . H-Hi!"

Caleb sighed gruffly at this, before shrugging.

". . . . Not like I care, obviously . . . but it would have been nice to have gotten a head's up about every last detail going on today. I only came at all as a favor to Cedric. . . . Oh, and uh . . . hey, Alchemy," he stated with another shrug and fold of his bare arms as he continued to look on, and began to frown deeply as he curiously felt a sort of tugging and pulling sensation upon his heart.

It was an interesting sort of feeling, one he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it nonetheless continued to pester him as the seconds passed . . . especially the longer he gazed upon Elyon.

Or, more specifically, Elyon's overall get up.

He hadn't really taken in what she was wearing, or how she looked throughout the previous commotion between them before now, but then, why would he?

It was Elyon, for God's sake.

He may not have known her the way Cedric obviously did, the poor fellow, but Caleb was pretty sure anything concerning that crazy girl wasn't really worth the time to be bothered with . . . especially not the way her tank top and shorts actually seemed to flatter and bring out her lightly tanned complexion. . . .

. . . . Or the way her normally chaotic and pigtailed sandy colored mop was let loose and settled . . . prettily enough onto her shoulders, much in the way it had when last Caleb had seen her.

That was when she was frantically roaming about the streets, looking for a friend of hers she'd apparently had quite the squabble with . . . which made him briefly wonder if the one currently standing a bit too close to him for his personal liking (and who also possessed a rather unique, well no, weird name much like Elyon, herself) was the same friend.

If it was, it was clear the two had patched things up, which . . . curiously made Caleb feel oddly pleased to see, especially given how concerned and upset Elyon had appeared to him at the time. . . .

What?

What was the matter with him today?

Who the hell cares about Elyon, what she thinks, what she feels, and damned sure whom she likes? Caleb mentally scolded himself, sharply shaking his head and jamming his calloused hands into the pockets of his black colored shorts. Just let her do her thing, while you do your thing, and we'll leave it at that!

As Alchemy was about to speak again, desperately thinking of anything at all to follow up with, especially given the curious tension she'd then felt beginning to build within the surrounding atmosphere, both Cedric and Elyon then rejoined them, as Cedric cheerfully asked, "So! Are we ready to head inside? Oh, wait, that's right! Elyon, where are your other two friends? You did invite them along, as well, right?"

At this, Alchemy suspiciously narrowed her pale green eyes toward her suddenly cowering best friend, whose nose began to wrinkle as she bestowed onto her a very guilty facial expression.

"E-Er, right! About that. . . ." Elyon started, more so to Alchemy than anyone else, flashing the other girl a sheepish grin and was about to continue on, when all four of them suddenly heard hurried footsteps from behind Caleb and Alchemy.

"E-Elyon! Hey, sorry . . . we're late, but Taranee and I decided to come together, and . . . my place is a little out of the way, so. . . ." Alchemy was extremely surprised to witness Will Vandom and Taranee Cook suddenly stroll up to the previously small group, as the tall tomboy quietly explained the pair's slight tardiness.

It wasn't even so much the fact that either girl, neither of whom the auburn haired girl admittedly really knew, were evidently invited along for Elyon and Cedric's big date, as well.

She . . . supposed she could live with that. Well, at least more so on the side of Will, with whom she was beginning to share an awkward, at best, and weakly constructed sort of . . . acquaintanceship, thanks to Elyon's continued insistence of sharing her lunch period back at school with the girl if and when she'd even show up.

And as for Taranee, well . . . given that she did not attend the same school as any of the other girls, Alchemy saw even less of her than she did Will . . . so that particular association had yet to receive any sort of concrete label.

However . . . if Alchemy would allow herself to be perfectly honest, especially at this point in the game, now that she'd given all of it a lot more thought, she would personally refer to it as rivalry.

Refer to Taranee as her rival.

And the saddest part was, she didn't even know why!

Well, no.

Alchemy supposed she sort of did, now.

Even though neither girl had even spoken more than a few words to one another the one to two times they had met, Alchemy could immediately sense within Taranee something she did not within Will . . . at least, not so far, given how extremely stonewalled that girl preferred to keep her overall emotions whenever Alchemy would see her.

It was desperation. . . .

Except, not the sort of pathetic kind of desperation, really.

No.

Alchemy was slowly beginning to understand that it was . . . more like a terrible yearning which had emanated from the studious girl, a yearning to have a friend.

To have Elyon. . . .

And for whatever reason, no matter how much she tried to bite it back down inside herself and tried to rationalize it, it was obvious that none of these emotions was ever going to go away until she either finally talked it out with Elyon, directly, and let her know precisely how her newfound, seemingly already tight friendship with Taranee was troubling her, or . . . finally duked it out with Taranee, herself.

No, no.

Now she was just being silly.

Maybe, though . . . now that all three of them were someplace together, again, Alchemy could take some time today to sit them both down (heck, and maybe even Will, as well, just in case she too was suddenly getting any ideas to move into Alchemy's territory) and make them understand that while she hadn't any qualms about Elyon branching out and making new friends . . . the title of 'best friend' was always going to be hers, and hers, alone. . . .

Somehow, though, Alchemy had the slightest inkling that that would not sit well with Taranee . . . nor Elyon, possibly, the more she thought about it.

Damn it. I didn't even say or do anything yet, and already I feel guilty! And why should I, when someone conveniently never even told me that other people would be coming along? the russet haired teenager reflected with mounting aggravation, primarily toward the fact that her childhood friend just always seemed to have a certain way about her, one which could easily invoke immediate guiltiness and a wish for repentance, whether or not there was fault to be had.

Twelve years on together, and Alchemy would have thought by now she'd have had a better handle at resisting Elyon's subconscious manipulation by now. . . .

Before Alchemy could further think about any of this, nor even openly remark upon the newfound developments, she immediately found herself being rushed by a quick blur of blonde, as Elyon politely excused the two of them before pulling them off to one side.

"O-Okay, okay, now, before you even get upset with me for not telling you this entire time that Cedric had also included Will and Taranee on our date – W-Which, really, now, I'm beginning to wonder if it even is, anymore, at the amount of invitations he'd apparently doled out, here – I only didn't b-because I . . . well, honestly? I was really afraid that you . . . might not want to come, anymore, if you heard that they were. . . ." she trailed off within apology, periwinkle colored eyes beginning to twinkle with deep emotion, which caused Alchemy to exhale heavily to see.

There it was again.

Just like that, she immediately lost her previous sense of slight betrayal over her friend's lack of forthcoming, and actually felt like she should now be the one to beg for forgiveness.

". . . . Every time! I just don't know how you do it! . . . . It's a good thing I love the heck out of you, Elle, I swear," Alchemy remarked with a shake of her pixie cut head, softly chuckling a moment over the profound look of confusion which then suffused onto the shorter girl's face, before hurriedly pressing on as the guilt regrettably continued to settle in. "What, uh . . . What exactly did you mean by I wouldn't . . . want to come if I knew that Will and . . . Taranee would be here, as well?"

At this, Elyon, bless her, softly bit down onto her lip as she discreetly chanced a glance toward their awaiting group, relieved to see that, for now, at least, each of them were keeping busy, with Cedric and Caleb having apparently gone on ahead to take care of everyone's admittance, while Will appeared to be speaking about . . . something, something which seemed to curiously cause Taranee much distress.

At least, for a moment, anyhow, as a few seconds later her face greatly relaxed as both she and Will let out what looked like a long exhale.

Elyon couldn't help but smile at that, wondering for a bit if that hadn't been the two of them attempting to coach and reassure one another that being here together, being anywhere together, and out within public really was just fine, and that it was something to enjoy, not fear. . . .

". . . . Well?" the naturally friendly blonde heard Alchemy ask expectantly, causing her to refocus her attention back onto her primary friend as the happy expression upon her face then effortlessly washed away and melted into one of sadness.

"I-I . . . well, I know now is totally the worst time to even be talking about any of this, especially with everyone here and we're all meant to be having a good time, but . . . I just sort of feel like . . . I don't know. Ever since I first mentioned . . . Taranee's name, for example, and have been making it known that she and I are friends, now, you . . . well, have seemed to meet it with such resistance. And . . . I can't understand why," Elyon at last confessed what she'd been carrying within her heart for weeks, now, feeling too fearful of witnessing anger or any sort of pain within the other girl's eyes to readily gaze into them just yet. "I-I mean, we . . . you and I, that is, we did make a promise together before this year started that we'd try to make as many new memories and new experiences as possible, didn't we? And . . . that included making new friends to help share those things with. . . ."

This was it.

No more pussyfooting around the issue any longer, or holding her tongue out of respect for her dearest friend's feelings.

It was finally time to be completely honest. . . .

This was what you wanted, after all, Alchemy thought to herself, her mind momentarily wandering back to just several minutes prior, when she had been privately debating over doing the very same thing.

And so, with a shaky exhale, she finally let loose, not only how she'd been feeling about Elyon's newfound relationships, but also how Alchemy had been feeling about their own, lately. . . .

"It's just – ! Okay, so like . . . I know what we promised each other, and you're right! This is the year! We're high school Freshmen, now, moving onto bigger and better things! And it's great and wonderful, a-and . . . wow! Only . . . lately, it's just been feeling like it's been more so . . . your year. Your new experiences, and 'bigger and better things' . . . better friends, even, maybe," the auburn girl began with immense energy, the weight of keeping all of her emotions in for so long already lifting, before she trickled off into an extremely embarrassed murmur.

But, even though she now felt that way, even though she knew full well how much hearing all of this was undoubtedly bothering Elyon to know that not only was one of her companions hurt, but by her own doing, Alchemy couldn't stop now. . . .

"I-It's . . . It's almost like you've taken some sort of . . . I don't know. Magic potion, or something, the way it's seemed like just overnight you've accumulated this sea of new friends and new activities left and right all the time, now – A-And don't bother saying no to this, because it's the truth. It has to be, since most times I've called the house, lately, your folks are always telling me you're either out at the library getting tutored by . . . Taranee, or, more recently, out somewhere else with both she, and Will, with all three of you seeming to be so extra buddy-buddy. . . . A-And how is that one even possible, when, as far as I've always seen, Will can't stand to be around anyone for too long for them to even get to know her, let alone hang out with her," she continued, a bit accusatory this time, making an unnecessarily rough gesture with her left hand toward the pair in question. She then finally looked back at Elyon, light green eyes practically boring holes into her head as she whispered, "Just . . . please, Elyon. Be honest with me. I-I . . . know that, clearly, yes, I've been jealous – That I-I am jealous of them both, but . . . only because I don't want . . . to be replaced. . . . B-But, i-if . . . if there's something else going on . . . something I should maybe know about, o-or maybe can help you with if it's something serious, God forbid, then . . . I can't do that if you don't let me continue to be the best friend I've always been to you. . . ."

She meant every word.

She did.

And Alchemy truly did simply wish to understand what was going on within her friend's seemingly new life, help her through it in any way that she could, and then later on maybe have a nice, good therapeutic cry about it.

. . . . In private, perhaps.

However, Alchemy couldn't help but to feel that much more guilt-ridden, as she knew that having thrown in that last bit about she being Elyon's greatest friend, and not Will, not Taranee, wasn't completely necessary in order for the other girl to fully understand where she was presently coming from.

But . . . maybe, it couldn't hurt, if it'd mean finally getting to the bottom of every last detail concerning Elyon Brown, be it new, old, secret, or otherwise.

Regardless, in spite of all of this, Elyon could find no words . . . none which would quench not only Alchemy's, but also her own burning desire to at last come clean about what she, Taranee, and Will have really been doing during majority of those made up outings force fed to not only her parents, but to her other friends, as well.

She knew what she wanted to say, of course . . . however, even without the ever watchful eyes of Csilla (who was most probably lurking about nearby at that very moment, anyhow, knowing her), Elyon knew that if she did take the chance right then to reveal her secret, magical identity, the wise feline would undoubtedly reproof her for days on end later on for it. . . .

Besides . . . this secret is no longer mine, alone. I can't just unanimously decide for the three of us to tell Alchemy – Tell anyone – anything about it like this, the blonde silently weighed in upon her possible options, feeling her blue eyes beginning to water as the budding leader within her regrettably took over, and made her do the right thing, instead.

At least, the right thing within possibly everyone else's eyes but her own. . . .

"I . . . There's nothing going on, Alkie, c'mon!" she started as cheerfully as she could, inhaling sharply as she forced out a playful scoff to help further along the overall, misgiving illusion. "Don't look at me like that! I'm serious! O-Okay, yes, it's . . . true that I have been spending a bit . . . fine, a lot more time with Will and Taranee lately . . . but it's only because I really, really like them. I truly do. I know that the both of them have pretty unwarranted, and unwanted reputations of being unapproachable, or being just plain . . . 'weird,' I guess, but it's not true at all! And, besides! Even if it were, I wouldn't care, and you of all people should know that best of all about me! A-And . . . as for, well, my vanishing acts a lot lately, as well, I'm really sorry about that, Alchemy. Really. I suppose I was just so caught up within . . . trying to get to know the both of them better, and getting them to come out of their shells a bit more that I didn't even really stop to think of how much I was alienating the rest of my friends in the process. . . . That's why I'm really looking forward to today! Because with everyone here, together at last, we can all get to know each other more, and, if nothing else, get the overall awkwardness out of the way, once and for all!"

It wasn't Elyon's ideal truth, not the full truth, anyway, but it was a start.

A start to something . . . hopeful, perhaps.

And, if nothing else, now, the lines of communication will . . . for the most part, anyway, become much more open amongst all of us . . . I hope, she mused with a genuine smile toward Alchemy this time, her heart beginning to swell with intermingling relief and the familiar, familial sort of love she knew to possess for the girl, as she watched her slowly begin to return the kind gesture.

". . . . All . . . All right, E. I'll trust you on this whole set up, today . . . and that there really isn't anything else going on," the auburn haired girl began with a light nod, suddenly smirking a bit before adding, ". . . but I'm still your number one best friend, no matter what, let's let that be clear. . . ."

Elyon couldn't help but giggle at this, joyfully wrapping her right arm around the slightly taller girl's waist and gently squeezed as she slowly led her back to the remaining party.

"Oh, absolutely no question!" she gaily agreed with a firm nod and playful salute toward her childhood friend as they continued to walk, feeling for the first time within that past week that she was at last ready to completely enjoy herself, as well as to embrace anything which might happen next. . . .

---

Why was Taranee still here? Was there even a point, anymore?

Sure, they had all walked about the amusement park together for the first half hour, or so, before splitting up into two trios, and then later, pairs.

The idle chitchat had been agonizingly awkward to get through within the beginning, true, with Elyon doing majority of mediating, and naturally so, given that the main thing the five remaining party members of that afternoon's excursion had in common was knowing her.

However, perhaps it had been a mixture of the petite girl's normally inviting nature, as well as the generally fun atmosphere surrounding them all which, seemingly within no time at all, everyone slowly, but surely began to engage one another from time to time without much issue, forging, at the very least, a mild, dulcet sort of rapport amongst themselves.

That is, amongst everyone, really, minus Elyon, herself, in addition to that boy she continually found herself running into, and thus could not stand for whatever reason: Caleb.

When it came to the two of them, evidently choosing to stay as far away from one another was an absolute must, with virtually no verbal communication made directly between them, Taranee did notice.

And it certainly wasn't all that difficult to manage, given the whole point of today was for the young blonde to spend as much time with and around Cedric as possible, after all. And if Will, or even herself, at times, were not engaging within momentary conversation with the younger man of apparently few words, anyhow, then Alchemy seemed rather keen upon monopolizing the rest of his time.

Still.

Even with all this having been going on, more or less without a hitch, and . . . she supposed she was actually managing to have a relatively good time, even with the very real possibility that her only recently under control psychic powers would suddenly go haywire again, and she'd be forced to suffer through channels of endless torrents of fellow theme park goers' monotonous thoughts . . . Taranee couldn't help but feel great unease, all the same.

At times, she wasn't honestly sure if it really wasn't simply just her clairvoyant gifts threatening to act up at any moment, or perhaps the natural social anxiety both she and Will unfortunately shared as the overall cause.

And maybe it was.

Lord knew just how many people were within Angel Park at that very moment, and counting. It was enough to make anyone, not just herself, to become downright claustrophobic.

And it also didn't really help much when Will, bless her better intentions, was frequently asking how she was "holding up" every twenty minutes or so, it felt like.

But Taranee couldn't get upset about it, even if she'd wished to.

After all, if not for Will and her reassuring emails and general pep talks during that past week, in addition to the continued guarantee that the redhead was still going to go, herself, Taranee most definitely would not have shown up at all.

Well, no, she would have, if only not to let Elyon down . . . but she probably would have feigned ill at some point by now and gone home.

All the same . . . being there, now, at all, and willing herself to remain and do the complete opposite of what she would normally was taking a great deal out of Taranee, at least emotionally.

. . . . And it didn't help that she had barely gotten to spend enough time with Elyon, either, her main motivation for even coming along within the first place.

Granted, it was still pretty early, and this was . . . more or less a date of sorts for the two jovial blondes amongst them, although they both did seem to still continue to try to make it a point to include everyone within their special time all the same, so Taranee supposed she honestly couldn't truly complain.

However, it seemed a little too . . . advantageous that at any time Elyon appeared to be heading her way, either to say something or to do something with her next, Alchemy was suddenly right there, ready, willing and completely able to take her place. . . .

And, at first, it merely left Taranee feeling completely understanding, at last able to personally witness the immense bond she was well aware the two girls possessed.

Now, though, she was feeling positively riled. . . .

Wasn't the whole point of a group outing was to go about it as a group, within equal or at least fair enough parts?

That was how they were meant to be, anyway, as far as Taranee knew, given that she obviously had never experienced too many similar events, herself . . . not before Elyon had come into her life, anyhow.

However social gatherings were meant to carry on, clearly, Alchemy hadn't received that all too important memo. . . .

And although her blatantly disrespectful behavior truly was beginning to wear thin . . . it was honestly the way it was making Taranee feel which was worrying and stressing her out, more than anything else.

It was making her become . . . enraged.

And Taranee very rarely grew angry, for nearly anything within her life.

She'd gotten sad a whole lot within contrast, no question, but angry. . . .?

The only other instance she could recall ever feeling as such was . . . when she was Sailormars, fighting against the poisonous Deite.

And that realization, alone, dearly alarmed her.

Because she could remember how . . . different being that upset made her feel, how becoming Sailormars in general was making her feel. . . .

Taranee Cook was generally a pacifist, preferring to let things pass unnoticed, and perhaps to even suffer in silence if worse came to worse.

Sailormars, however, seemingly preferred to take matters into her own hands, being bold and daring, and was overall completely unlike her civilian counterpart.

It was an observation which had come late to the normally quite astute teenager, and had actually been brought to her attention at all by Elyon within passing not too long ago, who had been pleasantly raving and carrying on about each Guardian Soldiers' abilities once more at the time.

And in the beginning, Taranee had initially brushed the notion aside, having yet to personally catch any sort of so called shift within personality.

However, there was no denying it now.

And so many questions were frantically racing through her mind, as a result.

Was it really Sailormars trying to come to the surface within an attempt to encourage the generally withdrawn Taranee to take a firm stand against Alchemy's unwanted behavior, the way Taranee was quite positive by now that her super powered form would have done by now?

And if so, did that mean that her Guardian Soldier and normal halves were somehow two separate . . . entities, so to speak, or was it merely paranoia, after all?

A large part of her actually hoped that that was the case, the latter, as it would raise far too many new inquiries versus feasible answers for even the intellectual girl to handle, otherwise . . . none to which the girls' sagacious feline mentor, Csilla, would openly provide, Taranee was fairly certain about now, as she was slowly beginning to take note of the mystical animal's apparent preference to reveal or explain only just enough of anything in order to temporarily suffice. . . .

Regardless . . . analytically, Taranee would have to be strongly inclined to assume that she most probably was, well, overly thinking things, something she did a lot of within the general sense, anyhow.

After all, neither Elyon nor Will had yet to display any stark contrasts to their every day personalities, versus those of Sailormeridian and Sailorjupiter.

The blonde was still every bit as caring, likeable, and loyal within either form, while the tomboy was still rather naturally cautious, although quite gallant and already greatly protective of both her new companions just as much as Sailorjupiter was, whether or not Will, herself, was readily aware.

But . . . obsessive thinking or no, or whether it truly was her more capable, super heroine side at work, it was still Taranee being the one currently afflicted by such turbulent emotions, and was, for once, left at a loss at how to vanquish them.

. . . . Should I confront Alchemy, or try to let it, and as a result, hopefully my ire, slide? Is she even aware of what she's been doing? she began to ponder further as she wandered absently into a nearby ladies' restroom, alone, as Will had just then temporarily departed her side in order to procure a few snacks at one of the many concession stands littered about the amusement park.

She then started to wonder if it even mattered any longer to possibly bring it up to her undesired competitor, as the overall focus of the group's jaunt appeared to have just then shifted, anyhow, as Alchemy had suddenly wished to go on the monstrously sized Ferris wheel looming within the nearby distance with Caleb, specifically . . . whom, while appearing generally neutral about the request before departing with the increasingly excited girl, did seem to make it a point to shift his attention onto Elyon, as though . . . perhaps oddly hoping she might have, for whatever reason, objected to the idea, Taranee had curiously observed.

It was a notice quickly forgotten, however, as before she could have possibly protested, or finally made an active play for Elyon's quality time right then, Will was suddenly the next to decide to break away from the remaining group, making it a point to take Taranee along for the proverbial ride.

". . . . It was pretty obvious the reason her friend, Alchemy finally up and left Elyon to go on that ride with that Caleb dude was because she's trying to give Elyon her 'in-moment' with Cedric . . . although I'm beginning to suspect that Elyon's best friend probably has her own secret, romantic agenda planned, the poor boy," Will had explained after having caught Taranee's perplexed, perhaps even slightly irritated facial expression once the two had parted ways with their diminutive, blonde comrade. "Besides, I'm starting to feel a bit peckish, anyway. So why not take advantage for a bit and grab something to eat in the meantime, all right?"

And so there it was, Taranee once again finding herself up the creek without a paddle, this time by her own friend's hand. . . .

"I think . . . I think that once Will gets back with the food, I'm just going to finally excuse myself from this silly -" she whispered to herself while gazing blankly within the bathroom mirror before her, her breath suddenly getting caught within her throat as she curiously heard her name being called from outside . . . and from someone who sounded vaguely familiar. . . .

". . . . Taranee."

W-Who . . . Is that . . . Nigel calling out for me? B-But how . . . and here? Taranee rapidly thought, her mind unable to find a valid explanation, while her feet were already within hot pursuit of finding one before she could stop herself.

". . . . Taranee."

As soon as Taranee exited the restroom she immediately found him within the crowd, the same, deep chocolate colored eyes she'd found herself becoming so lost within when they had first met, and possibly again during their shared waltz upon the occasion of Princess Étáin's masquerade ball . . . if that truly had been him, after all. . . .

He was finally back within her life, after all this time . . . and although her rational side should have done more to question the young man's abrupt appearance, especially during such an otherwise stressful day for her, right at that particular moment Taranee was more than willing to welcome any form of emotional relief, or perhaps good luck. . . .

And so, without another thought, she quickly took off after Nigel's curiously retreating form, the both of them easily swallowed up by the surrounding assemblage, right as Will had just then returned with the girls' meal. . . .

---

This is like a dream . . . being out, on my very first date ever, and somehow managing to have been lucky enough to share it with my wonderful Cedric . . . Tuxedo Kamen, Elyon inwardly swooned for what felt like the umpteenth time during that so far emotionally prosperous afternoon, as she gently squeezed the large, plush brown teddy bear the young man in question had purchased for her an hour prior within one of the amusement park's gift shops. I still can't believe how amazing all of this is . . . even with an 'audience' tagging along. Still, not even that fact, like stupid Caleb being here, as well, has been able to dampen our romantic moment. . . .

Despite the overall confidence within her current train of thought, Elyon regrettably began to feel the broad smile which had been habitually plastered across her face for majority of that day thus far suddenly falter, as the small, but nonetheless nagging feeling of doubt once more threatened to return to the surface.

It had been there, that emotional botheration, for the last . . . at least, half hour or so, as far as Elyon had cared to allow herself to reflect upon it, anyway.

After all, she'd been having a pretty good time, otherwise, with not only just Cedric, alone, but with the rest of her friends, as well, whenever Elyon had been able to tear herself away from the dreamboat long enough to do so.

Still . . . there was something . . . she didn't wish to outright label it as . . . 'wrong,' no, as that would certainly be far too hasty.

No.

However, whenever Elyon would consciously make the connection, or remind herself that she was not just spending time with Cedric, anymore, but also his alter ego, Tuxedo Kamen, she . . . couldn't help but feel as though something was suddenly amiss.

Was it nerves?

Paranoia?

Perhaps it was merely the simple concern over making a complete fool of herself at any moment in front of the tall drink of gorgeousness . . . gorgeousness, times twenty-thousand, now, in Elyon's esteemed opinion, now that she had by now gotten used to Cedric's unexpected, although very much appreciated makeover. . . .

Maybe it's just all in my head, and I'm just working myself over too much, after all, the petite girl mused with a light sigh, giving her now most cherished possession another squeeze, this time for comfort.

She then looked across the white picnic table where both she and Cedric were currently sat, alone, having decided to rest a bit due to their various activities that day, and grab a quick beverage within the nearby food court.

Elyon had admittedly felt a bit worried that the others might have wanted to do the same the moment Cedric had openly suggested the idea that they all take a breather twenty minutes prior; however, she was relieved to see that she truly had some of the greatest friends in the world, as Alchemy had 'conveniently' wished to go ride the nearby, and quite astronomical Ferris wheel, thankfully dragging along a generally inert looking Caleb on her behalf, she supposed . . . although Elyon wasn't honestly sure if the auburn haired girl was even yet aware of the full extent of her distaste for the guy.

That, and Alchemy had seemed rather eager to take him off of her hands, regardless, she did notice.

Elyon couldn't help but shiver at the fleeting, possible thought of her best friend actually finding Caleb, of all people, to be attractive, before immediately thrusting the morbid idea down into the recesses of her mind.

She then instead briefly focused upon her two remaining friends, Will and Taranee, and remembered how perfectly timed they, too, had other places to be . . . although Taranee, at least, hadn't seemed all too thrilled within doing so.

In fact, when she looked back upon her overall day even further, Elyon began to slowly recall various moments in which her naturally astute friend had appeared a bit . . . off.

Then again, so had Will from time to time, the more she thought about it.

Elyon had meant to outright ask if the both of them were all right, but besides having found it a tad overwhelming to successfully bounce around between each of her companions thus far, and somehow still fit in enough one on one time with Cedric, she honestly assumed it primarily had to do with both girls' aversion to being out within the public eye.

And then, simply assuming rather than going right ahead and personally verifying as she normally would made Elyon suddenly feel like a complete jackass, a truly lousy friend, and . . . downright selfish.

Ugh! Maybe it really was a stupid idea to bring along my friends on my first date . . . even if it had been Cedric's suggestion in the first place, she silently bemoaned as she once again mulled over the day's overall setup, her previously calm (or, calm as to be expected) disposition beginning to fall apart at the seams. I mean, seriously, here: Why did he? I know I thought it might have been because he was too shy or nervous to be alone with me today, but . . . so far he hasn't really acted any differently toward me than he normally does back at 'The Musical Star Café.' More than that, he also . . . also hasn't really given off any sort of sign or indication that he's . . . romantically interested, or that . . . he's actually Tuxedo Kamen, either. . . .

And just like that, Elyon suddenly wasn't honestly sure which of those painful observations bothered her most. . . .

She felt her blue eyes slowly becoming pricked with unshed tears at this, her heart pounding distressingly within her chest as she began to wonder if all of this hadn't been just a big waste of time, if she hadn't been making a fool of herself all afternoon by taking bold chances here and there with carefully timed flirtations which might have been all for naught.

But then, she also started to wonder why her currently mounting upset was even extending toward the possibility that Cedric might not be the inscrutable Tuxedo Kamen, after all, as well. . . .

Was it merely because, in one fell swoop, not only would her hopes of finally having the romantic affections of her longtime crush be devastatingly dashed, but also her hopes of having finally found her habitual, and elusive savior?

Or . . . was there something more?

Was Csilla really right, all along, within her previous assumptions that the reason hers, and now also, Sailor V's strict advisory to stay away from him altogether continued to bother Elyon so greatly was because she . . . might have feelings for the masked man?

She hadn't wanted to think about, in all this time, for too long, as it would always make her feel as though she would somehow be betraying Cedric, and the feelings she'd harbored for him during the past year.

But, now . . . now that she was sat there, quite literally, and faced with the prospect that maybe there never had been a chance between them . . . Elyon truly had to wonder. . . .

"Elyon? Are you all right? You look a little bit upset. . . . Should I not have asked that question?" Elyon suddenly heard Cedric cautiously ask at his seat across from her, his voice riddled with concern.

It honestly made Elyon's heart skip a beat and immediately renew with hope to listen to, and she couldn't help but smile within appreciation for it, in addition to just how Topsy-turvy her teenage hormones truly could be at times.

"H-Hmm? O-Oh, um, I'm fine, Cedric, thanks! I was just thinking about . . . how much of a nice time I'm having with you, and how bummed out I'll be when it's over," she managed to quickly think on the fly, although there still was quite a bit of truth to her words. "N-Now, what was your question, sorry?"

In fact, I think I have a few questions of my own, Elyon thought, her wishy-washy emotions once more at play as she suddenly felt empowered, wanting to get to the bottom of everything which may, or may not be going on between the two of them once and for all. Enough of this wondering forever! I have to know, right now, if he really does like me! And if he's Tuxedo Kamen, after all!

Elyon watched with increased avidity as Cedric took a quick sip of his purchased soda, before carefully setting it back down onto the table between them and smiled.

"My, you sure know how to make a guy feel special, don't you?" he asked within jest, unknowingly causing the already discomposed teenager before him to grow lightheaded within affect. "But, uh, anyway . . . I was just asking about the kinds of things you like. You know, personal interests, hobbies, that sort of thing. But then, I guess I didn't really need to ask that, when I already know that one of your greatest loves is Cornelia Hale, and her music. Oh, and . . . Sailor V, drawing, and . . . chocolate, I believe."

And Csilla and Sailor V both want me to stay away from this guy? Elyon mused with a faint scoff as she grinned happily, all of her previous concerns continuing to melt away, while allowing herself to get lost within their obvious bonding moment.

Her face then began to grow quite hot as she realized that Cedric was also apparently aware of her growing passion for art, a fact which she preferred to keep to herself for the most part, as well as for the time being, as she had yet to feel fully confident within her drawing capabilities.

"W-Wait, you . . . How did you know about my . . . liking to draw sometimes?" Elyon asked shyly, tucking her sandy blonde head down a bit automatically as a result.

Cedric merely smiled warmly at this.

"Well, to be perfectly honest? I didn't. That is, not until you just now basically confirmed it for me," he explained with a light nod, causing a few of his newly cut, and slicked back locks to lazily fall against his forehead, which only made Elyon desperately wish to openly squeal all the more. "I've only seen you come into the café a couple times with a sketchbook stacked on top of your schoolbooks and the like, so I just assumed, you know? So, how long have you been an artist, and when will I get to see any of your work?"

Elyon immediately shook her head, a bit too roughly, perhaps, the back of her neck growing blistery and prickly with embarrassment as she smiled sheepishly at the now befuddled looking man across from her.

"O-Oh, no! I-I mean, I . . . don't really draw, though. I mean, not seriously or anything like that. Certainly not well enough to show anyone . . . show you of all people," she responded nervously, wanting more than anything to rewind time, or, at the very least, slap herself within the face over having just then placed her foot squarely within her mouth.

Please don't notice what I just said! Pleasssse don't notice what I just said! Elyon frantically chanted within her head, the previous notion of being bold and letting her feelings finally be known already beginning to dissipate.

Cedric, unfortunately, appeared awfully intrigued by his friend's choice of words, as he slowly raised an eyebrow and flashed her a playful grin.

". . . . Really? Is that so? And what would be so bad if I, 'of all people,' did see what you've drawn so far?" he asked with an unexpected wink and twinkle within his blue eyes, almost as though suddenly privy to a secret Elyon clearly had yet to learn.

Oh, gosh . . . is he . . . Was that flirting? Is he actually flirting with me, now? . . . . Finally? Ugh! This is all so confusing! Elyon silently wondered with great exasperation, unsure whether to feel outright elated or further perplexed over the man's apparently sudden romantic interactions. Just keep it together, Elyon! Deflect as much as possible, and then turn the tables on him by asking him how he feels about you!

"I-I never. . . .! I mean . . . it wouldn't be bad for you to see my artwork, Cedric, no. . . . Well, maybe it would, b-but only because I think it's basically crap right now, like I said," the blonde replied with a faint smile, shakily reaching out for her own, momentarily forgotten soda before taking a quick sip of it. "I, uh . . . I'm probably really only into it for . . . right now because of my mom, I guess. I don't remember if I ever told you that she is an art curator and conservator. Yeah. So . . . it's most likely just always being around all these really . . . honestly wonderful works of art whenever I go visit her at work, or whenever she might bring a few home to work on within her studio that I . . . sort of feel inspired to try my own hand. U-Uh, at drawing, not restoring them, like my mom does . . . yeah. . . ."

Elyon hadn't honestly realized how lost she had gotten within the moment over reflecting upon her recent hobby, and over the real joy it'd brought her, thus far.

That is, she hadn't realized, not until she looked up from the bright red soda can gingerly cradled within her left hand in time to catch Cedric looking upon her with profound . . . admiration?

Pride?

Elyon couldn't truly put her finger upon it, however Cedric was presently feeling; however, she only knew she could no longer hold his gaze because of it.

So much for keeping it together!

". . . . That's . . . really something, Elyon. No, really. I think that it's pretty awesome that you've already seemed to find something which truly makes you happy, something which could possibly turn into something more later on down the road, you know? I remember when I was around your age, all I really had taken interest within were . . . video games, I guess. And maybe lizards, too . . . for a little while, anyway," Cedric complimented with a chuckle at his own expense, causing Elyon to look up and follow suit, although she felt her nose lightly wrinkle over the unfortunate callback to their difference within age.

"You? Video games? I mean, I know Alchemy and I like to talk to you about the latest Sailor V games out from time to time, but I never really pictured you to be the . . . gamer type," Elyon commented with a growing smile, before it gave way to another giggle upon having caught the other blonde's playful look of offense. "I-I just meant that you've always given off this . . . extreme air of complete and utter sophistication, I guess. Opera, caviar, Shakespeare . . . art museums, which . . . I guess might explain your interest within seeing my work."

Cedric let out a hearty laugh at this, lightly shaking his head.

"Oh, wow! You are probably . . . the second person to think that way about me, honestly! What was it, the previously long hair, or that old pair of glasses I used to wear before I got my contacts? You know, the ones which made me look like a librarian, or something?" he asked with another chuckle, causing a feeling of general comfort and overall enjoyment to wash over Elyon, as she felt both her body and nerves beginning to finally relax once more. "I'll admit, though, that you're not entirely wrong about those assumptions. I mean, I do enjoy going to the opera every now and then, which, if ever you get the chance to go, yourself, I highly recommend seeing 'Carmen' as one of your first – Highly riveting and emotionally stirring! E-Erm, anyway . . . and yes, of course I also dust off a good Shakespeare play every now and again – A lot of my college courses, my English lit classes, to be specific, naturally required it, anyhow. As for the caviar, though . . . we'll have to work on that one. Oh, and I didn't want to see your artwork because I also happen to admire great works of art, myself, but because I'd like to get to know you better, that's all. What could be a better way than that?"

I don't know . . . maybe if you kissed me, instead, Elyon couldn't help but muse with a soft blush, her eyes wandering down to Cedric's lips a moment as a result. Ahh! This is getting to be too much! It's now, or never, Elyon!

Inhaling sharply, Elyon looked Cedric squarely within his eyes as she then stated, "C-Cedric, there's – ! There's something I have to know . . . have to say, rather, if that's all right. . . ."

And then, Cedric suddenly grew serious, himself, as he slowly nodded, seemingly within avid anticipation for her to continue, Elyon briefly thought, before he, too, then surprisingly spoke up, himself.

"All . . . right, Elyon. Well, wait. There's actually something I'd like to say, myself – First, if you wouldn't mind," he revealed slowly, causing Elyon's skin to grow tingly, blood surging with heated excitement over the possible implications.

This is it! He's finally going to confess his feelings! I don't know why I ever doubted him for even a second! she thought with mounting giddiness, fleetingly marveling over how she quite possibly could have set the world's record for most times her emotions have shifted within the last fifteen minutes or so.

"O-Of course, Cedric! By . . . By all means!" Elyon barely managed to squeak out before nearly losing complete control of her verbal senses, her heart pounding violently as she then caught sight of a faint rouge curiously dusting Cedric's smooth visage.

"All right . . . well . . . honestly, I just really wanted to thank you for agreeing to come out with me today, Elyon. It's . . . truly meant a lot," Cedric revealed slowly, a warm smile playing about his lips as a faraway gaze began to overtake his sparkling blue eyes.

Oooh, I so know that look! That's how Alchemy says I always look whenever I'm around him! That's totally the look of true love! This really is it! Elyon giddily mused with an impatient tapping of her left, sandaled foot from underneath their shared table, and feeling less than three seconds away from saying for Cedric what he so clearly wished to now express to her.

Before she could, however, the increasingly nervous young man thankfully continued.

"I'm sure you probably thought, or still do think it's a little . . . well, odd, to put it bluntly, for a twenty-three-year-old guy to ask his fourteen-year-old friend – In addition to other fourteen-year-old girls, at that – to hang out in the first place, let alone at an amusement park of all places," Cedric shakily reflected with an awkward chuckle, playfully slapping a hand to his forehead as he pressed on. "Hindsight's a bitch, isn't it? B-But, uh, anyway . . . I invited, well, 'everyone,' so you wouldn't feel nervous to be around me, or out of place. And I asked you to come with me at all because . . . well, I've always admired you, Elyon. No, seriously. Well, both you, and Alchemy, of course, but . . . you, especially. I mean, true, you may be young yet, but you've always seemed to possess . . . I don't know. A sort of . . . 'old wisdom,' almost, o-or spirit about you underneath that overall bubbly, and generally carefree nature. And being around that, being around you, has always given me great comfort and peace of mind since you and I first met. . . . You have that sort of way with people, did you know that?"

Elyon honestly felt like she could have died right then and there, and been at complete peace with it, she was feeling that high and up on a cloud, somewhere.

True, a few of her loved ones and friends had commented once or twice in the past concerning her so called people-person abilities, something which she usually brushed off for the most part, as her own personal hangups and shyness at times utterly prevented her from seeing the whole picture, regardless.

However, never had she heard herself be described so . . . poetically, before, or so uplifting and . . . truly romantic. . . .

I have to tell him I love him back, now, or I'll burst! Elyon screamed within her head as she crisply sucked in her breath before opening her mouth to speak.

"C-Cedric, I -"

"- N-No, please, Elyon. Just one more minute, and then I'm all ears. I just want to get it all out," Cedric regrettably cut her off once more, raising his hand into the air as he did so. "I . . . don't know if you know this, either, but today is a really special day for me . . . I hope. And having you here has given me a great deal of courage to do . . . to say what I need to say. . . ."

At this, Elyon catapulted out of her seat and nodded vigorously, mimicking Cedric's earlier action by lifting her own hand up to stop him, this time.

"Y-Yes! I do know, Cedric! And I completely understand, and agree! I-It's actually what I've been trying . . . been wanting to say to you, myself," she gushed with brief confidence, before her overall anxiousness overwhelmed her and suddenly her mouth felt incredibly dry.

Her growing discomfort for having readily put herself on the spot only grew all the more when she watched Cedric's previously happy, albeit equally nervous expression melt into one of sheer perplexity.

"U-Um . . . you do? Wait . . . you've been wanting to say . . . what to -"

"- Oh! There you are! It is a miracle I managed to find you within this crowd! You could have made it a bit easier on me, you know," an unfamiliar, female voice suddenly called out from behind Elyon, causing her to jump within alarm . . . while Cedric, it curiously pained her to witness, immediately rose to his own feet and beamed from ear to ear as he maneuvered around the table.

She had yet to turn around to see whom the newcomer could be, but somewhere deep down, she already knew.

And she wanted to die. . . .

"A-Ah! Rebecca! You made it! And you found me! F-Found us, right where I said we'd be, waiting! G-Great!" Elyon excruciatingly listened to Cedric suddenly sound very un-Cedric like, and more like a goofy, lovesick teenager . . . much like herself. "I'm so glad you were able to get off work today to come enjoy the park! A-And you look . . . breathtaking, as always. . . ."

It was like a knife was being repeatedly thrust into Elyon's already shattering heart, the longer she continued to stand there, back still turned to Cedric and the unknown arrival, clearly already fading into the background and forgotten by them both.

This . . . can't be happening, Elyon barely managed to piece the painful thought within her mind, as her periwinkle eyes effortlessly began to swell with tears which dangerously threatened to fall once more. N-No, Elyon . . . not in front of Cedric and . . . whomever this woman is. Wait until you can get away, and then you can cry out your misery in private. . . .

Unable to stop a sniffle from escaping past her lips, regardless, Elyon quickly put on a brave face and, with as steady a smile as possible, turned around to finally greet Cedric's female companion.

The very moment she did so, however, immediately made Elyon wish she could have turned back around, however for much different reasons than the obvious, which regrettably continued to unfold before her.

She couldn't quite put her finger upon, or precisely pinpoint the feelings this 'just-had-to-be-tall-slender-and-exotically-gorgeous' young woman was currently making her feel, but it was . . . almost sort of the way Csilla had after they had first met formally within her bedroom, upon the occasion of Elyon having first transformed into Sailormeridian.

It was an odd . . . 'tingling,' or backwards sort of queasiness, one which appeared terribly eager to grow the longer the teenager continued to hold her gaze with the warmly smiling, amber eyed goddess.

God! Even her freaking eyes are exotic! A-Almost cat-like, even, too, Elyon continued to silently assess the woman named Rebecca's physical attributes, while simultaneously battling with the inner feelings, both emotional as well as physical, she was unknowingly afflicting onto the blonde.

Before Elyon could have mustered up a few words within greeting (although she wasn't honestly sure she was currently capable of such a feat), Cedric, being the naturally polite individual he was, decidedly then took the initiative.

"Um, Becks, I would like you to meet my friend, Elyon Brown! And Elyon, this is Rebecca Rudolph, my . . . my g-girlfriend," the other blonde started off relatively strong, before his voice nearly faded into nothingness as his continuing nerves appeared to get the better of him . . . especially once he slid his gaze back onto his significant other at his side, and began to smile uncontrollably all over again. . . .

Rebecca hadn't seemed to mind, nor did she even notice, perhaps, as she appeared to prefer keeping her focus upon the much smaller girl before her, instead.

". . . . So you are Elyon, hmm? Cedric has told me an awful lot about you, you know," she stated with a renewed simper of her own and honey eyes twinkling with great intrigue, as she slowly tucked a few strands of pitch black hair to her inverted bob hairstyle behind her ear. "Now that I'm finally meeting you in person, I almost feel as though . . . you and I have known one another for what feels like a millennium, really. . . ."

Elyon primarily heard more than actually comprehended anything which the seemingly polite, older woman was currently saying to her, as the spell she had curiously been under a few moments prior effortlessly shattered the moment her ears translated what Cedric had just said.

Had revealed.

The only word which honestly mattered to her at the moment.

'Girlfriend. . . .'

Realistically, she probably should have seen it coming, well before this day. And perhaps she had, what with the habitual feelings of unease and overall doubt over Cedric's intentions toward her.

Still, the hopeful dreamer within had somehow convinced her to hold on, if only for just a little bit longer, as one way or another, she'd have found out Cedric's true feelings for her, while he would at last know hers. . . .

And I guess I was right about that, Elyon thought with devastating misery as reality continued to rapidly settle into focus, quickly reaching up to bat away a tear which regrettably managed to escape from her watery eyes.

The first of many. . . .

Ever the perceptive one, or at least, for anything else but how his young friend had always felt about him, Cedric nonetheless managed to catch Elyon's overall change within demeanor, if not the water works continually making its way to the surface of her normally happy eyes.

"H-Hey, Elyon, are you all right? You don't . . . don't look so well," he observed with a look of great concern upon his face, as both he and, surprisingly (or not so surprisingly, within Cedric's opinion, Elyon was deplorably sure) Rebecca rushed to the secretly heartbroken girl's side with the intention to comfort.

However, the otherwise kind gesture naturally did anything but as Elyon had to habitually suck in quick, sharp breaths as quietly as she could in order to further keep her desperate want, no, need to cry at bay a little while longer.

After another shaky inhale, the dishwater blonde then quickly looked up at both young adults on either side of her and smiled as strongly as she could, before unconsciously backing away.

"Y-Yeah, of course! I-I'm just thinking that that . . . soda and pretzel you bought me aren't really sitting well for me at the moment, is all," Elyon hurriedly concocted, somehow managing to smile even wider as she forced herself to look at the sickeningly beautiful Rebecca in order to finally respond to her. "B-But it's . . . truly nice to meet you, though, Rebecca. I honestly . . . never knew you existed. I-I mean, Cedric never mentioned he had a girlfriend before, in all this time. T-That is –! Never mind, I'm s-sorry. . . ."

Despite it clearly being out of friendliness, the nearly melodic chuckle which then escaped past Rebecca's lips, did nothing to soothe Elyon's flaring embarrassment, nor continued pain . . . and it did not at all help to watch Cedric's face suddenly begin to turn a deep red within that moment, clearly sharing within his friend's abashment.

"Is that so? Well, that's all right. I suppose my . . . natural 'secrecy,' I guess you could say, and want to keep certain matters within my life private has rubbed off a bit onto Cedric, then. At least, within that regard," Rebecca calmly responded within explanation, her amber eyes happily shifting between Elyon, and onto her now mortified looked boyfriend next to her.

"A-A-Anyhow! Now that you're here, sweetheart, you can finally meet the rest of Elyon's friends, as well as my own, Caleb, remember? We'd better get a move on, then, and see if we can't catch up to them!" Cedric quickly cut in, so painfully eager to change the rather awkward subject, hesitating a moment before shyly seizing a softly smiling Rebecca's hand, before both returned their attention back onto a now slightly shaking Elyon.

That was the final straw.

As though learning that the former love of her life was now off the market, indeed never on it to begin with for God only knew how long in secret wasn't torturous enough, watching Cedric continue to stumble about like a foolish schoolboy while around his obvious beloved was simply too much for Elyon to bear.

And now that he cruelly (albeit unintentionally) held the woman's hand within his right in front of her, it was the final blow to her utterly crumbled heart. . . .

Before she could even stop herself, Elyon suddenly heard herself rapidly stammering out, "Y-You know what? I-I'm actually really, really not feeling well, now, s-so I'm just gonna head to the restroom, instead, o-okay? You two go on ahead and I-I'll just meet you a little later!"

This appeared to snap Cedric back to reality, as perhaps the concerned 'older brother' within him then took over as he released his girlfriend's hand, and took a step toward Elyon with a light frown upon his face.

"W-What, wait. Are you sure, Elyon? If you're not feeling well, then maybe I should take you ho -"

"- N-No! No, I'll be . . . I'll be fine soon enough, Cedric! I'm just gonna maybe splash some water onto my face, and then catch up to the rest of you! S-See you later!" Elyon interrupted with yet another forced smile and nod, before quickly whirling around within her spot and took off like a speeding bullet into the vast crowd surrounding the former trio . . . without her teddy bear.

The teddy bear Cedric had gotten her as what she had thought to be a symbol of their blossoming love. . . .

However, it no longer mattered whether or not Elyon had it, nor did she currently care.

She no longer cared if she made a scene, or appeared rude to either Rebecca or Cedric, whom she could vaguely hear calling after her within vain, as she continued to make a hasty exit from such a disastrous predicament.

The only thing which mattered was getting to that bathroom, wherever the nearest one was, anyhow, and lock herself inside so that she could finally, fully express her increasing anguish through her now steadily falling tears until there were none left. . . .

Unfortunately, Fate appeared to have quite the sense of humor, as right when Elyon was about to head toward the ladies' room which had then thankfully come into view, she'd managed to catch the oncoming sight of Will now heading toward her.

Oh, God, not now, please! I just want to be alone! Elyon exclaimed within her mind, knowing by now that even the emotionally guarded tomboy would undoubtedly ask what was the matter, and not leave her side until she either spilled, or felt better about having done so. I can't handle facing anyone right now, I can't!

"H-Hey, Elyon! At least I found you, again! Have you seen Ta – ! Elyon? E-Elyon, where are you going?" Elyon heard Will call out to her above the sea of fellow patrons as she began to jog toward her, before her previously calm voice shifted into one of intermingling confusion and concern as she was then forced to watch the blonde's swiftly withdrawing back.

"T-There just has to be some place within this park I can hide out for a while!" Elyon said to herself in between wet, sobbing hiccups as she continued to run away from yet another friend for the second time within a few minutes, doing her best to embarrassingly shield her rapidly reddening face from open view at the same time.

While she was fairly certain Will would understand her unexpected actions once everything was explained to her later on . . . if everything was explained to her later on, the only thing which currently mattered to Elyon was finding somewhere to be as alone as she presently felt. . . .

---

"There just has to be some place within this park I can hide out for a while!" Caleb muttered to himself as he walked as quickly as he could, as far away as he could from both the Ferris wheel, as well as Alchemy.

He almost feared, however, that he would not be able to move fast enough, not the way that that 'eager beaver' of a girl had so far continued to prove herself capable of keeping up with him every step of the way since first arriving to the park that afternoon. . . .

The things he did for friends.

If it hadn't been for Cedric and his honest, desperate plea for him to accompany him during "what could be the most important day of my life," according to the older man, Caleb would have never stepped foot onto the grounds of Angel Park ever again.

He couldn't stand having worked there, pretty much every single day during the past year, primarily due to his never really having been the 'people person' type . . . not that his current, much better, and better paid job afforded him too too many opportunities to lay low, either, within hindsight.

But, hey.

At least he didn't have to deal with screaming, obnoxious children every which way, anymore.

His vile Kryptonite.

That, and apparently super clingy girls who didn't know how to take a hint. . . .

It was bad enough that Caleb had to give up his day off to willingly (more or less) place himself within an overall less than ideal situation, and all within the name of love, at that (which was something he generally never truly believed much within, to begin with).

But the day only got that much 'better' the moment he realized that he'd be directly sharing it with a small gaggle of stupid, teenaged girls, something which Cedric conveniently neglected to mention. . . .

Well, no.

To be fair, that one girl . . . Taranee, Caleb believed was her name, seemed all right.

Quiet, and as though she, too, didn't really want to be at the park any more than he did, but all right. And he was pretty sure he'd already met her once before, anyhow, and hadn't any issues with her then, either.

And then there was that super tomboy, it seemed like, Winifred or whomever.

Now, Caleb could definitely see himself hanging out on any random day of the week with that chick, based upon the general, "I don't honestly give an eff" sort of attitude she seemed to possess, or at least was doing a pretty good job of conveying toward the randoms constantly passing by that afternoon, anyway.

She was almost like a female version of himself, as . . . honestly backwards as that sounded, and yet was so oddly 'refreshing' to observe.

But then, there was the other redhead, who was sadly nothing like the taller one.

Alchemy . . . who'd made it an avid point that Caleb dare not forget, nor mispronounce her name, much to his 'delight,' in addition to making sure she stayed glued to his side for majority of today's outing. . . .

Honestly, if the restrooms here were coed, Caleb wouldn't be at all surprised, albeit quite mortified, if the blatantly interested girl followed him into the only place he'd been so far able to shake loose of her constant presence.

Well . . . it wasn't as though Caleb believed her to be an outright, terrible catch, or person, no, within all . . . mild fairness to her.

He just . . . wasn't interested.

Not even remotely flattered to have 'some random chick' fawning over him, either.

But, it wasn't entirely all Alchemy's fault, though.

Caleb just wasn't really on the look out for any sort of dating prospects with anyone at the moment, nor was there anyone who had yet to catch his eye too much . . . which was probably a good idea, considering the moonlighting sort of gig he currently had going on on the side.

It would otherwise most likely be rather difficult to shake off his girlfriend, if she were as . . . intense as Alchemy, for very long in order to go running off somewhere within the city to hopefully finally locate The Mystical Star of Threbe as Tuxedo Kamen, after all. . . .

Besides, it was pretty much over well before it had any sort of legs to stand on between he and Alchemy the moment he both saw and realized that her apparent best friend was none other than Elyon Brown. . . .

About how many more times was Life going to rewind time, and once again cause him to run into one of, if not his currently least favorite individuals to associate with, anyway?

Not even a relatively innocent excursion with a former college buddy was safe, it seemed, nor did it no longer seem even feasible to remain Cedric's friend, considering he was kind enough to drop the bomb that both he and Elyon were companions, themselves.

Why, Caleb didn't think he'd ever fathom.

Unless Elyon somehow had more to her than what he'd personally witnessed, thus far, he was pretty sure she would remain as every bit of one dimensional as the brunet had always viewed her to be since day one.

None of it, her presence, that is, honestly mattered to Caleb anymore by now, anyway, seeing as the normally vexing blonde had been thus far far too busy preoccupying both her time and energy onto Cedric, primarily, and making certain he realized she was there and looking . . . pretty, he guessed.

. . . . Not that Caleb had suddenly changed his mind and now thought that that was how she looked, presently, or otherwise.

Course not.

It was merely what he surmised that Elyon was hoping Cedric thought of her, based upon the way she was dressed and the obvious flirting Caleb would catch her do from time to time.

When he bothered to re-acknowledge her presence, that is . . . which he really didn't do much of, anyway.

After all, Elyon had certainly been doing her part to pretend Caleb didn't even exist, let alone was there, along for the ride of what she clearly believed to be a date of some sort . . . not that that observation bothered him.

It didn't.

Neither one, in fact, but especially the latter, given that Caleb personally knew of the day's true intent all along, thanks to Cedric's frantic phone conversation with him about it several weeks prior, after all.

Maybe if the brunet actually gave a damn . . . or wasn't being so thoroughly ignored by her, he might have actually bothered to give the flirting-but-failing Elyon the head's up so that she could finally save herself the trouble.

However, Cedric's love life was his business, and his problem (despite his consistent attempts to get Caleb involved within it far more than he ever should be, that is).

If one chick's feelings had to be dashed in order for him to ultimately get what he came here today at all to get, then so be it.

. . . . Strangely, though, that thought didn't really appear to be sitting well with Caleb, especially after he'd taken a look at his watch to catch the time just then, and realized that it was nearly 'showtime' for Cedric.

Frankly, it was an honest miracle he'd been able to think at all, considering he'd only just managed to survive an entire Ferris wheel ride, trapped alone, with the sometimes shy, but ever chatty Alchemy talking his ear off for the past fifteen minutes. . . .

While he did appreciate vaguely catching that she had been within her own band not too long ago, and that the two evidently shared a slightly similar taste within music, it was still way too much, way too soon for Caleb to handle.

Girl talk overload.

Thank God for the general gullibility of the female species, or else Caleb would still probably have Alchemy nipping at his heels right then, instead of agreeing to see him a bit later, after he'd made a quick, but "very private phone call" to one of his truthfully nonexistent relatives. . . .

And so there he was, alone, finally (so to speak), faced with his increasingly uncharacteristically concerned thoughts for a person he generally couldn't care less for, rather than the much needed breather and peace he'd been hoping for.

Why the hell do I, or should I even care, though? People get their hearts broken all the time, every day. I'm sure there are at least thirty other people here today who are also currently getting 'dumped,' so why should Elyon be any different? Caleb thought with fairly loose logic, a light, but growing scowl forming upon his tanned face as he kept on blindly walking to whatever destination his feet ultimately led him to.

It was severely stupid that he was even thinking about any of this.

It was severely stupid that he was even thinking about Elyon to begin with, again, and that he continued to do so despite his best efforts to shift his mind elsewhere.

This is a complete waste of time! I'm just gonna bail, now, and apologize to Cedric later on about it. I've paid my dues for long enough, Caleb mentally decided, a bit callously, before beginning to will his body toward a nearby exit, when he suddenly realized it had subconsciously brought him to the park's currently closed and refreshingly quiet (and thankfully so) amphitheater.

Now this was a place, the one place of Angel Park which hadn't really bothered Caleb too much, despite its generally intended, and habitual use of packed, loud, and obnoxious various shows and other forms of entertainment.

During the downtime when it wasn't, however, it had become a haven of sorts for the general loner when he'd still worked there, just sitting upon the stage or within the empty stands to gather his thoughts . . . thoughts which were usually quite stressful, or doleful. . . .

He hadn't been back there since he'd quit over a year ago, or even really thought about the place, again, so he honestly wondered what would compel him to journey there, subconsciously or not?

And then, he heard it.

The faint, yet undeniable sound of crying. . . .

Although he did make it a point to avoid any and all situations and people which might involve doing so, Caleb could easily recognize the sound of great pain when he heard it.

It was an emotion he was regrettably quite familiar with, himself. . . .

"Wh . . . Where is that . . . coming from?" Caleb cautiously whispered to himself, an eyebrow slowly raising within mild intrigue as he carefully approached the sizable amphitheater.

Ignoring the naturally vacant seats at the moment, he crept ever closer to the equally empty stage, where the disembodied, wailing sobs curiously began to grow louder.

A deep plum curtain was currently drawn down, shielding majority of the vast platform from view and protecting it while it was not within use . . . which Caleb slowly began to surmise that it was currently also acting as shelter for another reason, the closer he approached. . . .

Knowing that there was a relatively cozy, man made and scenic pond surrounded by a platoon of various trees and other sorts of foliage behind the actual stage's overall construction, Caleb had a feeling that whomever was attempting to hide out in peace would most probably be somewhere down around there, instead.

And that was why the normally emotionless young man felt confident enough that he would not be noticed, as he slowly pulled the deep velvet material of the curtain aside in order to finally see exactly whom it was who was currently being so worked up, and why. (Although why he even cared to find out was still greatly beyond him. . . .)

Caleb nearly felt his heart jump into his throat when his green eyes startlingly rested upon the familiar sight of none other than Elyon, whose back was thankfully his greeting as he continued to watch her carry on within her mysterious mourning song of sorts.

". . . . I-I d-don't know . . . wh . . . what I honestly b-believed would happen b . . . b . . . between us! O-Of course he has a g-girlfriend! Someone as g . . . great and wonderful like that should ha . . . have someone as beautiful as . . . Rebecca! N-Not . . . not some pathetic, t-teenaged lo . . . loser like me!" Caleb could only just manage to catch the petite blonde viciously cry out to herself in between deep, hyperventilating sobs within the distance, managing to appear somehow even smaller and helpless to him than she normally did within the process.

And, for some unknown reason, yet again, it honestly bothered him. . . .

Especially listening to the harsh insults Elyon had directed toward herself without hesitation.

But, why?

Why did she keep making him think or feel things he generally never did, let alone over someone like her?

And it wasn't as though this should even surprise me, seeing her crying over her obvious rejection from Cedric. I already knew this was coming, after all, Caleb did his best to mentally reassure himself with a faint nod, although increasing frown, as he felt his body wish to turn away from the honestly private scene, while his eyes remained stubbornly glued to Elyon's overall fragile form straight ahead.

It honestly wasn't any of his business, though.

And even if he wanted it to be, which of course, he didn't, it wasn't as though the heartbroken girl would welcome his presence, nor anything he might have had to say about the overall matter.

Just walk away, Caleb. . . .

Before he could even take an actual step, however, the sudden, unexpected ringing of what sounded like a cellular phone startled him, temporarily distracting him from his very brief resolve to remove himself from both the area, as well as Elyon's private affairs.

Quickly ducking behind the curtain he continued to remain stealthily behind, Caleb waited a few more moments before slowly reopening the thick fabric in order to chance another look toward the suddenly very quiet girl within the distance.

"H . . . Hello? Csilla? W-Wait, what's . . . what's going on? . . . . No! Hold on, I'm coming!" Caleb curiously watched as Elyon spoke into the blue colored cellphone she presumably had pulled out from one of her pockets moments prior, her overall demeanor almost eerily morphing from one owned by an emotional, incapable wreck, to that of one with sudden, and very unexpected strength.

What the hell was that about? And . . . 'Csilla?' Wasn't that the name of the cat with . . . Sailormeridian and Sailormars during the evening of Princess Étáin's royal ball? Caleb began to think, struggling to piece together what was now unfolding, before a sudden, rather alarming hypothesis then arose. But, wait . . . then that would mean. . . .

As though a mind reader, Elyon, within that next moment, unintentionally satisfied the young man's mounting curiosity, as she hurriedly put her cellphone away and appeared to cautiously look about her surroundings briefly (and apparently could not see Caleb's head just barely poking out from behind the velvet stage curtain), before crying out, "Meridian Eternity Power, Make Up!"

Caleb felt his mouth slowly fall open, eyes instantly becoming blinded by a sudden explosion of swirling light, with various shades of blue beginning to bleed through as the seconds continued to pass, and Elyon could no longer be clearly seen.

As quickly as it had begun it was over, however, and as the multitude of illuminations died down to nothing but a few trailing sparkles here and there, Caleb suddenly found himself face to face with none other than Sailormeridian. . . .

Sailormeridian.

The young woman whom he had initially lamented running into at every turn recently, nearly throughout his ongoing quest to retrieve The Mystical Star of Threbe, before said lament slowly graduated to begrudging respect to . . . something he still truly could not firmly place a finger on, besides putting it down as a fleeting sort of attraction. . . .

The woman whose life he would save on occasion as Tuxedo Kamen and, during one particular instance, had saved his within return.

And the woman whom Caleb had actually, at one point, momentarily compared to the girl in question, believing that the two shared vaguely similar eyes, as well as possible spirit. . . .

He was now faced with the undeniable truth, whether or not he liked it:

Elyon Brown and Sailormeridian were one in the same. . . .

Feeling quite befuddled, and rather queasy all at once, Caleb mutely watched as a firm look of unwavering, fiery resolve suffused itself onto El . . . Sailormeridian's face (an expression which he would never before believe ever capable of forming for someone like her, especially given the way she'd been carrying on just minutes prior), before she abruptly took off running toward destinations unknown.

Unable to stop himself, Caleb hurriedly rushed out from behind the curtain to properly watch her go, swallowing hard before at last finding his voice.

". . . . Y-You've . . . got to be kidding me."

---

This was the last thing Alchemy ever expected to have happen to her, to anyone, while out at an amusement park.

That instead of merely thinking, for a few minutes at most, that she might die, thanks to whatever thrill-seeking ride she might have chosen to go on that day, there was now an extremely strong possibility that she really would perish . . . and at the hands of one of, if not the most threatening individuals she had ever faced within her entire life. . . .

It was becoming increasingly difficult to think at all, the more the perilous moments trudged on, and her trepidation only further magnified as a result; however, the one thing she kept on focusing upon and wishing more than anything was that she could reclaim those few, precious minutes from earlier, and somehow convince herself not to allow her curiosity get the better of her and follow a mysteriously behaving Taranee into the otherwise temporarily sealed off 'House of Mirrors. . . .'

If she hadn't wanted to finally clear the air between the two of them, now that the quiet girl was at last without her bodyguard of sorts, Will, and that Alchemy, herself, was also alone for the time being (primarily because she could not find her impromptu 'date' of sorts, Caleb, much to her chagrin), then perhaps she would still be safe and sound, with the strong chance of going home to see her parents at the end of the day . . . not crying profusely, and shaking uncontrollably while reflecting upon how much anguish they would go through to learn that their only child was gone. . . .

But it still wasn't Taranee's fault . . . or was it?

It was honestly so very difficult to comprehend, nor believe, anything which had been transpiring amongst the three of them . . . or rather, amongst Taranee, and the red haired demon of a man who was currently holding Alchemy hostage, ever so slowly squeezing the life out of her, almost tauntingly.

Alchemy was simply within the wrong place, at the wrong time, and was now merely collateral damage, to both parties, it almost seemed like.

No, that was perhaps unfair of her to believe, even within her petrified state, as while she had yet to make any sort of active move, Taranee did appear undeniably concerned for the safety of someone whom, up until that very moment, hadn't thought very much of her. . . .

Is this my punishment, to be murdered by this psychopath, with the only one who could possibly save me being my rival for Elyon's friendship? Alchemy thought deplorably, renewed tears of utter despair effortlessly filling her lime colored eyes and trickling down her reddening face.

Even if she could somehow manage to free herself from the ridiculously strong grasp of her captor, she could barely recall where the entrance to that vast, and hopelessly empty fun house maze was, let alone somehow find its exit.

The only thing Alchemy could do now was pray . . . pray for a miracle, or for a swift, and merciful end to her tragically short life. . . .

---

"So? What's it going to be? Either give up your transformation ring, and life energy here and now, or your friend here will give up her own. . . ." Taranee gritted her teeth harder and harder as she listened to Nigel . . . no, Deite, viciously spit at her with pure venom within his brown eyes . . . the eyes she'd only just before believed to be truly kind and mesmerizing, before both them and he surprisingly morphed into the utter monster she was regrettably more familiar with.

How did it even come to this point, to not only learn that the boy she had only met once, possibly twice before and had made her feel things she'd never had before, was suddenly also the person she both loathed and feared the most?

How had her psychic abilities not picked up upon the fact that it was all a trap?

What truly had been the chances to have finally bumped into 'Nigel' after all that time, and within such a crowded setting where it was quite easy to get lost, or never notice something or someone at all?

She really should have, at the very least, followed her basic, human instincts, instead of allowing her excitement and emotions get the better of her and charged after his withdrawing form, straight into the closed off 'House of Mirrors!'

Straight into her impending doom. . . .

If you had followed those instincts, then you wouldn't be within this very serious mess, not only without backup, but with an innocent to save, as well! Taranee silently remonstrated herself, her body quaking with intermingling fright and mounting anger for the second time that day, à la Sailormars.

Unfortunately, however, Sailormars would not be able to assist her, if Deite had anything to say about it. . . .

Taranee's eyes then shifted onto a positively petrified Alchemy, the last person she'd have expected to see within that moment, or whom would have apparently followed after her inside, for whatever the reason.

Her heart honestly went out to the girl, and toward her own, undeniable fear, as it was not too long ago when Taranee, herself, had been within that very same predicament . . . her own life rapidly flashing before her eyes as Deite aggressively continued to threaten to squeeze the very last breath from her body. . . .

It was for that reason, alone, that she absolutely had to do something, with or without her powers, or regardless of how she might have personally felt about the russet haired girl, and vice versa . . . but how?

If I make a move and transform, Deite might very well follow through with his threat and kill Alchemy! But if I don't . . . then we're both most likely going to die, anyhow, the naturally logical girl mentally wrestled within her mind, struggling to formulate some sort of plan, choosing to dismiss the glaring fact that a civilian now knew of her formerly well guarded secret, as it was now already too late to do much about it. I can only hope that either Will or Elyon take notice of my absence and come searching for me, and soon. . . .

"H-How . . . How did you ever learn of my true identity? On t-that . . . that day when you'd captured me before I first transformed, you -"

"- Left before you could? Good eye and memory, but it didn't mean that I didn't have ears and heard what was being said by that stupid cat, and your fellow Sailor-Annoyance, Sailormeridian before I'd gone. I eventually put two and two together after that, the longer I thought about it, and the more I thought about you . . . or should I say, your alter ego, and how positively delicious it was going to be when I finally received sweet retribution for all the misery you've both put me through ever since our first encounter!" Deite roughly barked as he clearly was becoming increasingly unhinged, his eyes curiously flickering a brief image of what appeared to be . . . honest hesitance, before it was swiftly drowned away by renewed ire.

Several droplets of saliva nauseatingly landed onto a continually whimpering Alchemy's cheek within that moment, who now began to desperately gasp for fleeting breaths as the violent man renewed his attempts to choke the life from her body.

"Now, I will not be denied my vengeance a moment longer! Relinquish your ring and your life, or forfeit hers!"

This was it.

No more stalling, and no more hoping.

No matter what happened beyond that point, the only thing Taranee knew for absolutely certain was that Alchemy would not be made to suffer a moment longer.

She was going to save her, no matter the cost. . . .

---

"T-Taranee! Al . . . A-Alchemy? No!"

Both Sailors Meridian and Jupiter, in addition to Csilla couldn't believe what they were now stumbling onto as they rounded another endless corner within that infernal amusement park maze, and at last managed to locate their missing Guardian Soldier comrade . . . only to find her deathly pale form crumpled helplessly upon the ground, with an evilly smirking Deite looming over her body.

And next to her, much to the surprise and horror of Sailormeridian, especially, was Alchemy, whom also appeared to be every bit upon Death's Door, as well. . . .

"Sailormeridian! You have to do something, and quick! Both of their life energies have been siphoned! You have to heal them, now, or else it will be too late to save them!" Csilla cried out after quickly assessing the situation, as the Dark General abruptly broke out into raucous, almost delirious laughter at their expense.

"'Save them?' There is nothing left to save, you fools! At this very moment, their energy is helping to serve my master and His ultimate goal! And it's all thanks to me!" he remarked with profound delight, before unceremoniously stepping over both Taranee and Alchemy's dangerously still bodies, and raising his right, gloved hand to reveal yet another triumph against his foes. "Look familiar? Seeing as your companion will no longer need this where she's headed, I figured I might take a little trophy for all my hard work. . . ."

Sailormeridian inhaled sharply as her blue eyes met with what she immediately recognized to be Taranee's transformation ring, the deep red symbol of Mars brilliantly shining against the multitude of lights within the fun house.

"H-How? Give that back!" she cried out fruitlessly, both her overall fear and feelings of helplessness increasing tenfold as each second preciously ticked on.

Nothing like this had ever happened before.

As dangerous as every other mission as a Guardian Soldier had been up to that point, somehow they were always able to make it through.

Together.

But, now. . . .

Maybe if I hadn't been so busy bawling my eyes out over Cedric, and fawning over him all day, then none of this would have happened. . . . I should have never forced my friends to come out with me, today, Sailormeridian regrettably thought as tears began to blur her vision, feeling utterly unsure of how to act next.

Sensing her leader's effortlessly dissolving conviction, alongside her only just recently acquired, overall confidence right along with it, Sailorjupiter quickly took a step forward, hands already beginning to glow an intensified emerald as she cried, "Sailormeridian, snap out of it! Now is not the time to be giving in! I'll take care of getting Taranee's ring back, while you focus upon healing her, and Alchemy!"

Before either Guardian Soldier could act, however, Deite suddenly roared with pain and hunched over, cradling the hand which had only previously held onto the magical piece of silvery jewelry within question, as a mysterious and dark lavender illuminated, disc shaped object suddenly launched through the air past the girls' heads, and straight toward its obviously made mark.

Although also feeling greatly stunned, Csilla was thankfully the first to recover amongst the trio of females, as she then wasted no time within swiftly charging toward Taranee's precious transformation ring where it had landed in between a still recoiling Deite's feet, scooping it up carefully within her tiny mouth before making an abrupt u-turn and returned to her charges' side.

"Now, Sailormeridian! Do as Csilla and Sailorjupiter say and save your friends, while we take care of Deite!" roughly instructed a voice from behind the trio, a voice which Sailormeridian would now recognize from anywhere. . . .

She didn't need to turn around to know that it was Sailor V who was quite suddenly, and quite surprisingly upon the scene, nor did she yet bother to acknowledge her properly, even when she felt the fellow blonde settle at her side after quickly catching the fast approaching discus which had just then returned to her.

The only thing which mattered now was to bury down her fears and do as she was told, before it truly was too late for her friends . . . for any of them.

"Meridian Healing Escalation!" Sailormeridian exclaimed as soon as she summoned forth her light blue, and crystal star topped wand, harnessing its restorative power in order to magically mend Alchemy and Taranee both in time.

Within that same instance did both Sailor V, as well as Sailorjupiter seize that all too important opportunity to act, simultaneously releasing offensive attacks toward a now recovering Deite in order to keep him subdued, if not finally defeat him, altogether.

"Supreme . . . Thunder!"

"Crescent Beam!"

Unfortunately for the Dark General, however, he was able to regain his composure just in time to catch the powerful surge of violent lightning interweaving with a thick, intense beam of golden energy heading straight for him.

Before he could react, the sickening sound of bones crunching was heard, even over his renewed screams, as both magical attacks fiercely barreled into his chest with expert precision, causing him to be effortlessly ripped from his feet and slammed blindly into the series of floor length mirrors behind him.

Only Sailor V bothered to continue to maintain a firm, icy gaze upon the seemingly down and out Deite, whose turn it was to suddenly appear quite battered and lifeless upon the ground, while both Sailors Jupiter and Meridian immediately rushed to Taranee and Alchemy's still unconscious bodies.

Each Guardian Soldier gingerly grabbed onto the fallen victims and began dragging them as far away from the perilous scene as possible, although it was certainly a bigger challenge for Sailormeridian to do than it was for Sailorjupiter, courtesy of her naturally bestowed physical strength.

"D-Did . . . Did it work? Are they going to be okay?" Meridian frantically asked in between tired grunts, carefully setting Alchemy's limp and sickeningly cold body back down onto the ground a moment, before looking up at a quickly advancing Csilla, who then carefully dropped Taranee's transformation ring into Sailorjupiter's open palm.

"Y-Yes . . . Yes! I sense that they will both recover . . . given enough time and rest. You did it, Sailormeridian," the mystical feline praised, after taking a brief moment to assess the impaired duo's vitals and overall appearance.

Both Sailorjupiter and Sailormeridian breathed a deep sigh of relief at this, especially once they thankfully saw the color and felt the physical warmth slowly, but surely beginning to return to their incapacitated companions.

Even though neither girl had yet to awaken, so long as they were definitely going to live and were now safe, then that was all that currently mattered.

There was only one more loose end to tie up. . . .

"You!" Sailormeridian suddenly heard Sailor V hiss within surprised anger, causing the remaining females to look up in time to see the other Dark General whom the Guardian Soldiers had briefly met about a week prior, Zoi, appear beside the still quite motionless Deite.

Zoi merely gazed upon each female with a neutral expression, before slowly raising a gloved hand into the air, which naturally immediately made Sailors Jupiter and Meridian spring to their feet within preparation for attack.

However, nothing ever came, as instead Zoi appeared to use his own magical capabilities to teleport his fallen comrade's broken form into his now outstretched arms.

Without so much as a word both he and Deite were suddenly gone, only Zoi's now signature, wavy mist of dark violet energy left within their wake.

"H-Hey, what?" was all Sailormeridian could manage, feeling both simultaneously confused, yet greatly alleviated that at least one of the Dark Generals appeared to have enough sense within him not to continue battle against their mutual foes who still outnumbered them, even with Taranee currently out of commission.

Apparently deeming the coast, and overall situation to at last be clear, Sailor V finally lowered her guard long enough to turn to face the group of women behind her.

Sailormeridian honestly expected to see a relieved smile upon her personal heroine's face, followed by a verbal pat upon the shoulder for successfully doing as she'd earlier been told.

Instead, however, the shorter blonde let out a quiet gasp, as she suddenly felt even smaller than she usually would, as she watched as Sailor V coolly walked past both Guardian Soldiers and Csilla with a stern frown partially hidden behind the bold, deep lavender Venusian mask placed firmly upon her face.

". . . . I can see why you're all so sure that she might be our princess," Sailorjupiter quietly whispered to herself, not terribly impressed with the lengthy blonde's sudden change within attitude, although not honestly offended by it, as returning her attention back onto her actual comrade, Taranee, was far more important.

Not to either Sailormeridian, or Csilla, however, as both suddenly took off after the retreating woman, managing to catch up to her just as she had rounded the nearby corner.

"S-Sailor V, wait! What's the matter? We won!" the dishwater blonde stated with an uneasy smile, both she and Csilla not fully understanding what it was which had their potential monarch so bent out of shape.

That is, until at last she spoke.

"An extremely narrow victory, you mean, all because you'd hesitated for far too long," Sailor V returned evenly with yet another deep glower, as she turned back around to share it with the other women before her. "If you had healed them right when Csilla had first told you to do so, Sailormars might have been awake by now. Moreover, if she had not been so gullible enough and smitten to fall for Deite's glamored trickery, none of this would have even occurred!"

For a brief, fleeting moment, Sailor V, herself, actually appeared deeply bothered by her own words, especially the last of them, as her facial expression softened into what looked like genuine, personal concern for the Guardian Soldier of Fiery Passion and Wisdom, despite never previously meeting before now.

It was gone as soon as it appeared, however, effortlessly washed away from view and replaced with yet another admonishing stare, as Sailor V pressed on before either Sailormeridian or Csilla could speak up, although it did not honestly look as though neither wished to make the attempt, regardless.

"This time it was pure luck that everyone survived, and right when I was honestly beginning to believe that each of you have made great strides as Guardian Soldiers – You, especially, Sailormeridian!" the taller blonde continued to reprimand, turning on her heel as she began her renewed exit, before quickly adding, "I'm not always going to be there, 'on call' to intervene, like today. I have my own affairs to contend with. . . . Csilla, I expect you to train these girls a lot harder from now on . . . that is, if you wish to stand a chance against the Dark Kingdom from here on out. . . ."

And with that, Sailor V finally took her leave, breaking out into a light jog as she confidently maneuvered the rest of the way out of Angel Park's fun house maze, and onto places unknown. . . .

Despite currently feeling rather abashed due to that unexpected tongue lashing, Csilla was the first to find her voice, nodding slowly as her tiny, blue-grayish ears began to hang low within shame.

"I . . . Sailor V has a point, and . . . I'm sorry for it, Sailormeridian. . . . I honestly believed that I was guiding each of you girls along as soundly as possible, but . . . perhaps I should find a way to push you all a bit more, and much more effectively, this time," the sapient feline apologized quietly, clearly taking Sailor V's words dearly to heart most . . . because if any of her charges had perished during battle, it ultimately would have been Csilla's fault, due to her overall poor tutelage. . . .

Sailormeridian, still reeling a bit at having been told off by a person she still held within the highest regard all the same, shook her head at this, offering a weak smile of reassurance toward her furry friend.

"N-No, Csilla . . . Sailor V was right, but . . . she was right about me. . . . I did hesitate way too long before acting, and right when it truly mattered," she stated softly, swallowing hard as her mind fought against reliving those deadly moments all over again.

"But you made your move and saved them both, so that's all that truly matters. Forget about what 'The Maybe-Princess' said," Sailorjupiter chimed in from behind, suddenly appearing from around the corner with Taranee, as well as Alchemy gingerly secured within each of her strong arms with ease, both girls thankfully now awake, although not completely.

Sailormeridian's eyes immediately lit up with utter elation, hers, and perhaps even Csilla's own personal woes falling into the background, at least for now, as the pair rushed to the redhead's side.

"Oh! Taranee! Alchemy! You're both awake, and okay! I'm so relieved!" she gushed, reaching out to take Taranee into her arms this time, while Sailorjupiter maintained her firm, yet gentle grasp upon the auburn haired girl, who could barely keep her eyes open as she gazed confusedly about her surroundings.

"Shh, shh . . . don't try to speak, Taranee. . . . We'd better hurry and get them some proper medical attention, now, girls," Csilla quietly advised, lulling the still terribly weakened intellectual pupil back into silence upon catching her attempt to speak.

As all five females made the trek back out of the mirrored maze as quickly as they could (with Csilla leading the charge and both Sailors Jupiter and Meridian receiving the hesitant, although granted 'O.K.' from her to go ahead and de-transform before exiting, in spite of their civilian, Alchemy, still being present among them), they were currently being watched, unbeknownst them, from afar by a familiar, and currently quite afflicted presence.

". . . . Thank God she made it out of there," Caleb murmured to himself, watching from a safe distance and with a concerned frown upon his face as a small, but growing group of equally concerned fellow park goers rapidly descended upon Elyon and her friends.

Their collective strength appeared to give out right within that moment, as Caleb was only just able to catch sight of the quartet of girls collapse onto the ground, before those willing to assist them immediately took over and presumably called them an ambulance.

A rather large part of him felt extremely guilt-ridden for not going after Elyon as Tuxedo Kamen as he normally would have (especially given that his suit was once again at the ready within his car, thanks to Cedric having repaired his 'costume' for him earlier within the week), instead choosing to let the petite teenager fight her own battle simply because he now knew her to be Sailormeridian . . . a fact which still admittedly bothered him greatly.

The thought to 'do the right thing' honestly had crossed his mind several times since the very moment Sailormeridian had left his sight, even following after her, albeit slowly, as he continued to struggle over his ultimate decision.

And he truly was about to go in to help within any way possible, when the sudden and unexpected appearance of Sailor V charging into the 'House of Mirrors' building after the fellow super heroine abruptly stopped him from doing so.

. . . . When I saw Sailor V go in, I honestly thought that Sailormeridian would be all right . . . but now it seems like my hesitance to help, in spite of whom she turned out to be, has her paying the price, Caleb silently lamented, continually feeling uncharacteristically affected by the current turn of events.

He looked on for a few moments more, no longer able to see any one of Elyon's companions, nor herself anywhere, before abruptly turning within the opposite direction and began to make a hasty exit out of the vicinity, and at last out of the amusement park, altogether. . . .

---

- End of Act 6

---

(A.N. Well, geez. Everyone's feeling guilty and "Oh, my God!" about something right now, huh? Even Caleb. Who knew? LoL

And yep, honestly couldn't be bothered, for once, to come up with a made up theme park name, so just 'borrowed' the name of the one Usagi and company went to, themselves, within 'Act 7' of the live action series. =)

Ooh, ooh! And twenty points to Gryffindor, or whichever, whomever, doesn't matter, who realized the song I was referencing through Phobos's beginning dialogue during his shared scene with Deite and Zoi. =p The super duper dork and gamer within me couldn't resist. Hey! There goes a clue for ya, right there! LoL

And another twenty points if we also caught the random, little allusions to canon Ceddy, during his 'getting to know you' chat with Elyon, as well!

….I'm generous. LoL

But I'm also quite sleepy, as well, and probably missed other things I wanted to point out, or fix but my droopy-poopy eyes regrettably missed.

Thirty-seven pages is a lot for a sleepy pregnant woman to manage, at the moment, sadly.

No worries, though, my Lovelies: It'll 'hurt' and greatly annoy ME to possibly notice later on, than it evvvvvvvvvvver will you, trust...

Grumble, grumble...

And upon that loopy, super exhausted note, in case you couldn't already tell, LoL, Little Evie and I bid you a good day, afternoon, evening, morning, whatever!

Just have yourselves a good one! =) )