CHAPTER 22

In his apartment Darien woke up with a start. Sitting up in his bed he gasped for breath with the shock of the dream he had just had. The very same sort of dream he'd been constantly having. He threw himself out of bed and ran to the kitchen for a drink of water. After he'd calmed himself he looked at the glass in his hand and thought, "What can that strange dream mean? There is always that strange-looking castle where a princess in shadow looks down upon that man in the top hat, tuxedo and mask from a small open window in the wall. She always says, "Tuxedo Mask. Please find the Silver Imperium Crystal. Then we can finally be together once more," and he promises her he will get it."
Darien set his glass down upon the table, went back to his bed, sat on it and buried his face in his hands. "I can never see myself in the dream at all. Unless I'm supposed to be that mysterious man she calls Tuxedo Mask." He raised his head and shook it hard. Then he struck his forehead twice with his palm. "If only I could clear up this mystery. It's driving me crazy."

Later that following day Serena was very depressed at school. It wasn't that she received another detention with Miss Haruna or anything like that however. It was because Molly was still absent from her schooldesk. When she lost her dear friend Nephlite she had retreated into her shell with grief and mourning. That had been three days ago now on a Sunday night and Molly had never gone back to school at all. Her mother was so deeply worried about her and was trying her very best to help her recover. But it seemed as if Molly would never be the same again.

When the last class was over Serena just so happened to cross paths with Melvin on the way home. "Why Serena. What's with the long face?" He asked her gently. "Have you failed another examination?"
She sighed. "No I haven't Melvin. I'm simply feeling so down in the dumps about Molly. She's so badly depressed and I don't know how to help her."
"Oh. Is that why she hasn't been at school this week? That is sad news," Melvin replied.
"Yeah." Serena gave another deep sigh.
"Tell you what," Melvin continued. "How about the two of us go over to visit her and try to cheer her up?"
Serena was very reluctant about this. "Does Molly really need to hear any boring talk from you about snails and inchworms?"
"BORING?" Melvin was a little bit incensed.
"Whatever. Okay we'll go but I'm warning you. If you say anything that's boring you'll be burnt toast for breakfast." She clenched a threatening fist but Melvin just laughed it off and said this in return.
"Hey don't worry. I've been picking up tons of great jokes on the internet. I'll be anything but boring."
"Jokes," Serena thought to herself. "Great. I wonder if being anything but boring includes stupid or crazy." She did not say this out loud though because she didn't want to upset Melvin while Molly was in this fearful state of mind.

So they both let their respective families know where they were going and then they went to visit Molly. When they knocked on the door Molly's mother answered. "Hello Mrs. Baker. Serena and I have come to see if we can try to cheer up Molly." Melvin smiled and raised his hand in a thumbs up gesture.
"I certainly hope she will at least let us see her," Serena added.
Molly's mum had tears of joy in her eyes. "You're both so sweet to think of her like this. I will let her know she has visitors. Come inside with me and good luck."
When they all went to see her in her room Molly was still morose. Though she did smile acknowledgingly and say hello to her friends. Her mother said she would let them all spend some time together. "I'll just prepare some soda pop and bring it in to you," she added.
"That sounds cool," said Serena.
"Yummy thanks." Melvin eagerly licked his lips.
"Thank you mum," said Molly.

As the visit progressed Molly didn't say very much while she was sipping her drink. Serena and Melvin tried to make her laugh.
"Oh Molly. You really should have been in gym class today. Melvin became entangled with the volleyball net. It was hilarious."
Melvin took a swig of his drink and spoke retaliatingly. "Yeah. But that only happened because a certain clumsy person with long, yellow hair tied in pigtails tripped me up and made me stumble."
Molly didn't even bat an eye so Melvin tried a new tactic. "Hey Molly. How about a joke?"
Serena quickly intervened. "Not a joke Melvin. Don't you have any tasty items of news instead?"
Melvin looked at her. "You want news? Okay then. Here's something really big."
"Throw it out there then Melvin," Serena exhaled in relief.
Melvin turned back to Molly and said, "Guess what? I heard that the millionaire Maxfield Stanton recently vanished without a trace."
Horrified Serena reached out and grabbed Melvin from behind covering his mouth. While he was struggling she groaned. "Why did I ever agree to let you come with me?"
But far from being offended Molly said, "Melvin. Serena. It really is such a beautiful day. Why don't the three of us go out walking around town?"
Serena was amazed. "You really want to go out Molly?"
Molly turned smiling. "Yeah. It will do all of us some good. Then maybe later we can go see that recent Sailor V movie."
As Serena released Melvin he blurted out, "I love Sailor V. That sounds awesome."

Meanwhile Luna was briefing Amy, Raye and the new member of their team Lita at the Cherry Hill Temple. Amy asked, "Do you have any idea what the Negaverse was up to the other day when they turned that fellow Joe into a beast Luna?"
Before Luna could answer Raye added, "Yeah. From what we've heard about the battle from you and Lita it was rather weird. There was no indication obviously that they were gathering energy from anybody. What could the point of it have all been?"
"This is a very good question girls and I wish I knew what the answer was. Currently it's a mystery." Luna was very perplexed but Amy went on with another point.
"And if what Serena told us is correct. About how she thinks she saw a glimpse of our old enemy Titus before she disappeared, well that's even more mysterious. If she's still alive Jedite may be as well."
Lita was confidently smug. "Bring these people on. I think we can handle them. You have me to help too. I assisted Sailor Moon very well in the last battle and you others weren't even present."
Raye couldn't help feeling a little resentful at Lita's seeming to be a bit big-headed. But she held her tongue and controlled herself.
"One more question Luna." Amy began rubbing her chin as she spoke. "How can we handle things if the Negaverse is suddenly turning random victims into homicidal maniacs? How can we tell where they may strike next before somebody gets hurt or even worse?"
"The Crescent Moon Wand that I gave Serena for turning Joe back to normal also has a built-in radar device." Luna explained, "When agents of the Negaverse are anywhere in the city it will detect them and begin to beep directing us where to find them. When it does we must act immediately anytime night or day to try to catch them before it's too late."
"Do you think it's really a good idea to give it to Serena for safekeeping?" Raye asked. "She's not terribly responsible you know."
Luna nervously answered, "Now I think she has begun to improve since I first knew her. But if you girls want to elect one of you to be leader in her place then tell me so now."
"You'd take the wand off her?" Lita was almost shocked but Luna went on.
"I don't really want to. I believe she deserves a chance to prove her leadership worthiness. But if you all think otherwise, I will respect your wishes. Now what do you all think?"
Raye shut her eyes and made a grumpy facial expression. She griped, "I think she's too whiny to be leader. If you ask me I'd make a much better candidate."
Amy was optimistic however. "You are right though Luna. Serena has come a long way."
Upon hearing this Raye scowled and looking at Amy began to telepathically channel her powers of persuasion and influence. Without realizing what was happening to her Amy suddenly went into a daze and said slowly, "Um. But still I really think Raye would be a far worthier choice."
Raye smiled looking innocent. Her magical deception in the matter had worked very well.
"Oh, you think so Amy?" Luna was disappointed but she said, "Very well then if you all agree we shall have to tell Serena the truth."
"No, I disagree." Lita's voice rang out loud and clear as she rose to her feet. "She has strong courage even if she doesn't always know it."
Raye was incensed and stared at Lita concentrating very hard. Luna was very pleased at this supportive response but when Lita began to clench her teeth and put her hands against her temples she became concerned. "Lita? Have you got a sudden headache? What's wrong?"
Lita said nothing. She just groaned while Raye did her best to infuse her sorcery upon Lita. She was struggling too with the effort but finally Lita screamed, "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
She pulled her hands away flinging her arms wide open and Raye was knocked over backwards by the force and Amy began to shake her head like she was trying to wake up from sleepiness.
"What is going on?" Luna demanded to know.
Lita pointed an accusing finger at Raye as she struggled to sit up. "It was Raye. I could feel her magically trying to invade my mind in order to psychically make me recant my decision. I bet she did the same to Amy."
Amy also asked, "What happened to me? I thought Serena deserved at least an opportunity to prove herself."
Luna was very annoyed with Raye. "How could you stoop to such low-down back-handed tactics?"
Raye tried to excuse herself, "I said Serena is a whiner and I'd be a better leader."
Lita yelled at her, "But manipulation in itself is not a respectable leadership quality!"
"Oh Raye. You should be ashamed of yourself," Amy moaned with a frown.
But Raye was determined that she was justified in this situation and just folded her arms, turned her back and began to sulk.

Ignoring her Luna said to Lita, "Call Serena on your communicator. She ought to be here as leader."
"Righto Luna." Lita pulled out her device and spoke into it. "Come in Serena. Come in."
Serena's voice replied, "I'm here Lita. What's happening?" She was out walking with her friends and had excused herself to duck into the restroom of the nearest store when she had felt her communicator vibrating in her pocket.
Lita explained, "We're all at the Cherry Hill Temple and Luna's been discussing the concerns we have with the strange activities of the Negaverse recently. Why don't you join us?"
Serena thought for a moment before replying. "I'd really love to but at the moment I have far more important things to think about. I'm going to go see the new Sailor V movie with Molly this afternoon. Surely you can manage without me until tomorrow. Bye now."
As she switched off her communicator she thought to herself, "I have to think about Molly. Luna and the others will understand of course."
But Luna and the others were rather distraught. "There you see what I mean?" Raye crowed triumphantly. "Is that what you consider devoted leadership Luna?"
Luna, Lita and Amy were very upset. "We must find her and talk some sense into her," Luna stated firmly.
"You girls come with me."
Lita and Amy agreed and stood up but Raye stubbornly stayed hunched up in contempt. "I will not go Luna. It's a waste of time. If you're all smart you'll declare me the new leader immediately."
"Raye. What's the matter with you?" Amy cried.
"I don't believe your attitude," Lita added with contempt.
"There's no time to argue. Let's go now. If Raye won't join us we'll have to leave her. We must track down Serena's whereabouts and warn her of the possibilities before the Negaverse makes a new move."
"Okay Luna."
Raye watched as the other two ran off behind Luna. She gritted her teeth and shed angry tears. "If they insist upon looking towards that clown then the Negaverse may well triumph one day." She sobbed with wounded pride and a little bit of fear. Raye may have been behaving childishly but the truth is she was deeply concerned about everything as she saw it. She didn't want the forces of evil to destroy them and their home planet and as she sat sulking she began to weep mournfully.

At that moment Serena, Molly and Melvin were passing the graveyard on their walk. Melvin shuddered, "I don't like graveyards. They're so eerily silent. No computers anywhere. Hey, follow me girls and have a look at that amazing bridge nearby. I can tell you exactly how they constructed it."
Melvin walked away not realizing that the girls were not following him. They were staring at the rows of tombstones and Molly was trembling and starting to sob. "This brings Nephlite back to my mind. I wonder if he can see me now? Oh Serena. I miss him so much."
As she began to cry Serena tried to comfort her. "Please don't cry Moll."
Just then Melvin came up from behind and made Serena jump. "Hey! I have a suggestion girls. How about instead of going to that movie we all visit the insect museum and look at bugs? Doesn't that sound fascinating?"
All in all Serena would rather spend the rest of the day in detention with Miss Haruna in preference to Melvin's brilliant suggestion as he thought. Besides Molly didn't need it at the present time for sure but before she could reply to him she realized that Molly had disappeared. "Hey. Where did Molly go?" She and Melvin both looked around perplexed.

Meanwhile Queen Beryl was reminding her servants that they had no time to waste. "There are still six more Rainbow Crystals for you to find."
Zoicite and Titus bowed. "Yes your majesty. We shall set out immediately. Titus quickly locate the second Crystal host."
"Of course General Zoicite." Titus rose to her feet and conjured up another projected image in mid-air like before. "Mighty Negaforce. Guide me to another Rainbow Crystal carrier."
This time the image of a charming, tall man with a handsome face and a thin moustache appeared. He was dressed as a priest and carried a Bible in his hands.
Queen Beryl said, "Zoicite. Titus. You both know what to do."
"Yes Queen Beryl." They both transported to confront this priest.

But somebody else was already confronting the priest. While Serena and Melvin were desperately trying to find Molly she was in the last place they would think to search. The graveyard. Molly had caught a glimpse of the priest wandering among the tombstones with his Bible and had slipped away to speak to him. "Excuse me Father. May I have a word with you please?"
The priest turned and smiled at her. "Yes my dear. What can I do for you?"
Molly bowed her head. "I have a close friend. But he died. We hadn't known each other for very long, but we became very good friends."
Molly reached into her pocket and pulled out the makeshift bandage torn from her pajamas. "This is the only thing of his I still have." Her voice started to falter. "But I'm afraid that I might forget him, or he'll forget me."
The priest chose his words very carefully. "If his memory is firmly embedded in your heart, then you'll never forget him. Now as for his forgetting you, I'm sure he could never be capable of that. He understands that you miss him, but he wouldn't want you to be sad all the time, would he?"
Molly knew this was true but she dropped to her knees. "Nephlite wouldn't want that of course Father. But it's just that I feel so lost and all alone."
"But you're not alone." The priest walked closer as he spoke comfortingly. "I saw you earlier when I was passing the edge of this graveyard with two of your other friends. Another girl and a boy. They seem to care about you very much. You really need their support in this time of grief and loss."
Molly looked up into his face. "I understand. Thank you Father."

Suddenly a voice yelled out, "You'd better forget Nephlite."
Molly and the priest turned their heads to see Zoicite and Titus. They had been listening invisibly and under Zoicite's prompting had fully materialized.
Molly gasped. "Did you know Nephlite?"
"That traitor. He got what was coming to him." Zoicite laughed with sarcasm and Molly recognized her.
"You were the leader of those bad people who kidnapped me. Nephlite rescued me, then later you killed him." In a rage she sprang to attack her. Zoicite seized her arms and twisted them painfully. The priest was horrified. "Stop or I'll call the police."
Titus was astonished. "Did General Nephlite really," she began but Zoicite cut her off.
"It's none of your concern Titus. Just grab the Rainbow Crystal and turn the host into another savage beast. This girl will soon be taking up residence in this graveyard."

Melvin and Serena had split up and were going in opposite directions calling Molly's name. Serena was very upset wondering where she could have vanished to in such a hurry. Then the wand inside her carry bag started to make a beeping noise. Before she could take it out to examine it however she heard someone call her name. "Serena. Sailor Moon."
Turning she gasped to see Nephlite's disembodied spirit. "N-Nephlite!"
"Sailor Moon. You must follow me. Molly's in terrible danger. Quickly there's no time to waste."
The ghost floated towards the graveyard and Serena thought she'd better transform and follow. "Moon Prism Power. Aw. I hope this doesn't mean I'll have to miss the Sailor V movie."

Back to Molly she was still incapacitated by Zoicite and as Titus lunged towards the priest he was suddenly very fearful. Not knowing whether Titus was just a crazy woman in a creepy costume or literally a demon, he started to make the sign of the cross when she seized him and shoved her hand into his chest locating the second crystal and pulling it out. "The second crystal is ours General Zoicite." But as she held it up a rose suddenly flew through the air and the stem hit the crystal with point blank precision. As Nephlite and Sailor Moon arrived they saw Tuxedo Mask swoop down from nowhere, snatch the crystal where it lay on the ground and jump away before Titus could figure out what had knocked the crystal out from between her finger and thumb.

Neither Zoicite nor Titus noticed Sailor Moon at first. Zoicite was shouting at Tuxedo Mask. "Give that to me."
But he put it in his pocket saying, "I don't see anything that indicates it belongs to you so I claim it."
Sailor Moon broke the silence as Nephlite's ghost faded away. "Stop right there. Release that poor girl. I'm the champion of justice and I will punish you."
"Sailor Moon. Not you too." But before Zoicite could attack Titus rushed over to her in a panic.
"General Zoicite. The priest is beginning to change. If we don't get out of here we'll be killed along with the rest."
Zoicite realized this was correct as the priest, who had been squatting on his knees shuddering and moaning transformed into a monster with vulture wings, legs and feet and with thick gloves on its hands like boxers wear.
"Yeah. Yeah." Zoicite dropped poor Molly to the ground as she spoke. "Okay, we'll be back when he returns to normal and we'll take the crystal from the masked Cape-boy's pocket when he's dead."
And the two villains de-materialized just in time as the priest jumped to his feet, swinging his arms and snarling like an animal just like Game Machine Joe had done.

The monster priest pointed one arm at Sailor Moon and the glove flew off spinning very fast towards her face. Even Tuxedo Mask was taken by surprise and he shouted, "Sailor Moon! Duck!"
Sailor Moon screamed but she dived aside prompted by the sound of her hero and protector's voice. The glove struck a tombstone shattering it to chunks among white powder and vanished re-appearing on the priest's hand.
Before Tuxedo Mask could make a move Molly suddenly jumped to her feet and stood in front of Sailor Moon screaming, "Leave her alone you big bully!"
"Molly no!" Sailor Moon was horrified. So was Tuxedo Mask. The monster was preparing to launch its glove again. There was no way he could save both Molly and Sailor Moon. He could only grab one of them. They were too far apart.
The monster gave one of its animalistic roars and sent its glove flying. Molly screamed but Melvin came out of nowhere running at her and tackling her to the ground out of the way. Seeing what had happened Tuxedo Mask made his move really fast. Sailor Moon half rose and screamed as she saw the missile that had missed her friends still heading her way. But as the ground was churned up as if by an explosion Sailor Moon opened her eyes to find herself flying through the air in Tuxedo Mask's strong arms. "You saved me." She crooned admiringly.
But as they alighted on the ground he said to her, "If you can contact your other friends I suggest you ask them for back up help. I must draw the monster's attention away from the other two."

Sailor Moon knew this was the smart thing to do. As Tuxedo Mask called out tauntingly to make the priest turn away from where Melvin and Molly lay on the ground she used her communicator to call Lita.
Lita, Amy and Luna had been searching madly for her and when they heard what was going on they all ran as fast as they could to get to the graveyard.
"Hurry you girls," Luna urged.
"Yeah. There's no time to waste," agreed Lita.
Amy puffed as she added, "I hope we can get there in time. The graveyard is a good half hour away when walking briskly. Even with us running as fast as we can it may still take us half of that time to get there."
"Don't think about it Amy," panted Luna worriedly. But quietly she thought, "Please Serena. Use your wits well."

At that moment Sailor Moon was getting Molly and Melvin to their feet while Tuxedo Mask had caught the priest's attention. "Hurry you two. Get as far away as you possibly can."
Poor Melvin had hurt his arm when he'd tackled Molly to safety and it was bleeding. He groaned but was able to stand and run towards the exit. Molly turned and thanked Sailor Moon. "That's okay but please get out of here now. Follow Melvin before it's too late." Sailor Moon urged her on.
As Molly ran she heard a voice say her name by her side. She turned and gasped at the face she saw floating nearby. "I will never forget you Molly. I will always watch out for your safety. You're in my heart. Always remember."
She struggled to find words while she was still running and gulped. "Thank you Nephlite. I won't ever forget that."
Nephlite faded away once more as Molly kept on running after Melvin. Soon the two of them were out of the graveyard area and they staggered to a nearby public bench and sat down together trying to catch their breath.
Back where they'd left her Sailor Moon was dodging attacks alongside Tuxedo Mask. Unfortunately in all the excitement she had forgotten all about the Crescent Moon Wand, particularly since Zoicite and Titus left it was no longer beeping. How much longer could she and Tuxedo Mask keep dodging? They were slowly losing their breath while Tuxedo Mask was desperately twirling his cane to deflect multiple barrages of gloves bursting from the maniacal priest's hands she noticed two things he'd dropped in the scuffle. One was the second Rainbow Crystal. The other was a heart-shaped locket on a neck chain.

As she picked them both up Luna, Lita and Amy all came running into view. "Transform now!" Luna commanded.
"Jupiter Power!"
"Mercury Power!"
To Sailor Moon's joy her friends transformed and the priest's attention was captured by the two new targets. As he turned aside from Tuxedo Mask and charged snarling and growling the other Scouts acted immediately.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast." Sailor Mercury took the beast by surprise with the sudden biting chillness of her spray and stopped him in his tracks just as he was about to launch a glove at them. Sailor Jupiter took her cue next.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash."
The blast shocked the priest knocking him off his feet and onto his back.
"Are you okay Sailor Moon?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"Yes I am. Thanks."
Sailor Moon then remembered about her Moon Crescent Wand inside her bag and just as the creature that the priest had become was starting to recover she fished it out. "Moon Healing Activation."
The wand's healing powers enveloped the priest and in a flash he was back to normal, falling back down again with his Bible on top of his chest.

"Well done Sailor Moon." Tuxedo Mask congratulated her.
She cried out urgently, "Wait. Don't disappear so soon. Look. I think you dropped a couple of things."
She held out the crystal and the locket in her hands and Tuxedo Mask realized that he had almost lost the prize he had been fighting for. Walking over to her outstretched arms he said, "Thank you. I need to take this." He pocketed the crystal and hesitated with his hand hovering over the locket. "But you may keep that star locket. I feel inclined to give it to you as a gift."
Sailor Moon was astonished. She barely had time to thank him before he ran away. Luna and the other girls came over to see what he'd given her. Looking closely they saw that the middle of the star opened up and it began to play beautiful tunes just like a music box. "That's lovely Sailor Moon," said Sailor Mercury. Everybody thought it was adorable.
Sailor Moon thought for a minute then stated, "I don't know why but this seems rather familiar."

Tuxedo Mask stood concealed in a quiet secluded alley way. As he stared at the Rainbow Crystal in his hand he began to shimmer. Then his mask and other elegant clothing disappeared revealing himself as Darien in his everyday attire. "It's true." He exclaimed excitedly. "I am Tuxedo Mask. Just like in the dream. Now I just need to figure out who the mysterious princess is." He pocketed the crystal once more and walked to his apartment deep in thought. Inside his pocket though he was unaware, one of the Seven Dark Shadows was still trapped. A secure prisoner.

It was a little over an hour when Zoicite and Titus returned to the graveyard. The spell should have worn off the priest by then and they were expecting to find Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask and Molly all slaughtered and the poor priest out of his mind with shock and terror if he hadn't fled in a wild panic. But to their own shock there were no bodies at all.
When the priest had woken up the Sailor Scouts had explained to him that they had taken care of the evil ones who had attacked him and that Molly was also safe.
"Praise the Lord." The priest had exclaimed kissing his Bible and looking up into the sky. "You Sailor Scouts must be Heavenly Guardians. Thank you and also thanks be to the Almighty."
Just like Game Machine Joe, he had no recollection of what happened while he was a mindless, out of control, deadly monster.
Upon viewing the vacant scene Zoicite moaned. "Sailor Moon and Cape Boy must have thwarted your plan Titus. Cape Boy must now have the second crystal."
Titus began to sob. "Oh my boyfriend. My boyfriend."
"Oh shut up Titus. This is all your fault. Turning the crystal carriers into maniacal beasts to kill all witnesses was your stupid idea. The Scouts may have intervened the first time. That's why Sailor Moon turned up this time to interfere. So you have drawn attention to our activities and cost us the second crystal and second Shadow."
Hearing all this horrible accusation while she was weeping and thinking about her boyfriend trapped in eternal sleep made Titus retaliate with venom in her voice.
"Don't you talk to me like this. I want my Jedite you heartless hag."
Zoicite seized her hair. "Stupid jerk. You only care about that idiot Jedite."
Titus fought back pulling her own hair. "I thought you'd be understanding. What if you were in my position with General Malachite in my dear Jedite's place?"
"Don't try to deny your responsibilities for messing up our mission."
The two Negaverse women de-materialized to report their failure inevitably to Queen Beryl cursing, kicking, pinching and pulling each other's hair all the time.

As for Melvin and Molly, Serena had met up with them again after saying goodbye to the priest and she had changed back into her civilian identity. She found them sitting on the bench together. "Hey Molly. Melvin. I was wondering what had become of you two."
"We were attacked by more of those evil forces hanging around our city Serena. But Sailor Moon saved us," Molly explained as Serena sat down next to her.
"Oh, that's good to hear that she was around to save the day. But Melvin. What's that on your arm?" Serena gasped as she saw the bloodstains upon something tied around his injured arm.
"I was hurt bad in the attack Serena but Molly tied this around the wound to staunch it," Melvin answered.
"Molly. Isn't that the bandage you used on Nephlite?"
It was indeed the strips that Molly had torn from her pajamas that fateful night but she smiled as she said to Serena, "Yeah. But he would want me to use it to help Melvin. He saved my life at a crucial moment during the incident in the graveyard."
Melvin blushed and laughed slightly embarrassed but Molly continued, "Besides Nephlite is not really fully gone. He lives in my heart just like all my closest friends. And I know that he is still watching over me."
"Oh how sweet," Serena beamed.
"Well girls. Unfortunately we've missed the movie. It began over 45 minutes ago," said Melvin looking at his watch. "But what about that suggestion I made earlier about visiting the insect museum? That stays open for another two hours."
Serena was aghast but she was even more horrified when Molly turned to Melvin, smiled and replied, "I'd like that very much Melvin. It will do me some good to take an interest in learning about something such as bugs. Let's go Serena."
"Oh no!" Serena moaned to herself. "What a sickeningly boring way to end the day." She walked behind her friends dragging her feet and wishing she could switch off everything else around her. "I knew it was a big mistake to allow Melvin to come along with me to cheer up Molly."

Finally Amy and Lita were walking off by themselves with Luna curled up in Lita's arms. Luna groaned. "I'm very worried. Serena will probably begin wondering why Raye didn't come. Then I may have to tell her the truth. That Raye wants to be leader instead of her."
"Don't worry," Lita said. "I'm sure that deep down Raye really believes in her too."
"Yes," added Amy. "In any case I feel confident that she will eventually come to see sense. Serena is a true friend."
Luna felt cheered up by these words. "Yes. She does indeed have a big friendly heart."