CHAPTER 24

Queen Beryl sat on her throne and gave a command in a loud voice, "Zoicite. Titus. Present yourselves."
Zoicite and Titus bent on one knee beside each other in front of their monarch's throne. Their faces were covered in frost bite sores and they had just had soothing cream rubbed upon them. Malachite had tended to Zoicite while the Dream Dolly had tended to Titus.
Queen Beryl addressed the pair of them, "You have both failed me twice. Why is it that our enemies have two of the first three Rainbow Crystals? We've only rescued one of our great Shadow Warriors. You'd better improve your performances or I'll think of something else for the Doom and Gloom Girls to do to you. Getting your faces dunked in freezing cold water for a couple of hours was a rather tame punishment compared to what I will come up with next if you fail me again."
For the time being Zoicite and Titus were united in their pleadings. "Queen Beryl. We won't lose any more crystals," Zoicite promised.
Titus added, "I will help General Zoicite succeed for the sake of my sweetheart Jedite."
She hardly cared about the pain and torment whenever she thought of her lover Jedite. He was lingering in that transparent cocoon Queen Beryl had sentenced him to. Titus was upset for him and promised herself that she would recover and free all the Shadow Warriors to get him finally released.
Queen Beryl sternly glared at them both. "Well get to it. I want results."
"Yes Queen Beryl."

Serena and Luna were sitting on a riverside public bench quietly discussing what they had finally learned about the latest strategy of the Negaverse from Amy's friend Greg. In spite of Raye's protests it had been agreed upon that as leader Serena would keep the Rainbow Crystal they'd captured among her other pieces of personal jewellery in the little box she kept tucked in the back of the top shelf of her bedroom cupboard for safekeeping. But Luna had been wondering why Tuxedo Mask had kept a crystal for himself.
Serena rolled her eyes and rebuked her when Luna had asked her what her thoughts were.
"Come off it Luna. Just because Tuxedo Mask has claimed a crystal doesn't mean he's secretly in with the Negaverse. How can you even think such a thing of my hero hunkster?"
"I never said he was working for the Negaverse Serena," Luna started to object when Molly's voice called out.
"Hey Serena!" She was running up to the bench Serena and Luna were sitting on.
"Hi Moll. How are you?" Serena waved at her joyfully.
Molly pulled up to a halt, her face glowing with enrapturement. "You must come with me Serena. I have a wonderful surprise."
Serena jumped to her feet. "Is it something to do with food?"
"No but believe me. It's awesome."
"All right. But it had better be nearby an ice cream parlour."
To Luna's horror as Serena snatched up her bag, threw it over her shoulder and ran away behind Molly, something flew out of it. It was the Crescent Moon Wand. Instead of having it tucked all the way inside with the zipper firmly done up, Serena had just had it sticking out of the top of her bag and she never even noticed as it went soaring off.
Luna lunged off the seat and grabbed it with her paw as it bounced right up to edge of the walkway. It almost had fallen through the bars of the railing where it would have disappeared with a splash into the river. Luna had stopped it just in time. She was at her wits end. "She could have lost this precious wand. When is that girl ever going to learn responsibility?" Luna scooped it up in her mouth and turned to stare in the direction Serena had run off with her friend Molly.

Molly took Serena to an art gallery exhibition where they met Melvin. The three of them browsed the paintings together while Molly explained, "These paintings are all the work of a magnificent artist named Lonny Lanai. But the strange thing is that Lonny never makes public appearances. Nobody has ever seen Lonny. People are not even sure whether it's a man or a woman. But the paintings are widely renowned and admired."
"Incredible. Those pictures are the coolest I've ever seen." Serena drooled at the images of women in pretty ballroom gowns, lovely full moons and bright starlit nights and handsome male figures in capes and other such elegant outfits.
Melvin said, "Take a look at this one girls."
Molly and Serena beheld an extraordinary painting of a masked man in a tuxedo throwing his cape over a pretty girl with long yellow hair underneath a huge crescent moon. Melvin went on to say, "That girl in this picture looks a little bit like you Serena. What do you think?"
Serena stood with her mouth open and her eyes wide. Her hands went up to her face to stifle the sound of her exclamation.
"Serena. Are you okay?" Molly asked with concern while Melvin was taken aback by this unexpected extreme reaction.
Serena composed herself and replied, "I-it's all right. I agree it does look like me. I was amazed at the resemblance that's all." But inwardly she thought to herself, "Yes it looks a bit like me all right. And that reminds me of Tuxedo Mask without his top hat. But I can't understand what really gave me a start. Why it suddenly feels like the scene in that painting has a familiarity to it. When did I and Tuxedo Mask ever have an encounter together quite like that?"
All this time a young woman with brown auburn hair tied up in one ponytail and large glasses was roaming through the crowd taking close looks more at the other people than the paintings. Suddenly she noticed a man through the glass window outside who was glancing at a replica of the painting Serena and her friends were looking at on a poster advertising the exhibit. It was none other than Darien. He had been walking past and the picture had grabbed his attention.
"What's this?" He thought to himself. "She looks familiar." Then he gasped and cried out as he realized what the picture had reminded him of. "Incredible. She looks just like the girl I see in my dream."
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning round he saw that the woman had hastened to go outside to speak with him. "Pardon me sir. But may I ask you for a special favour please?"
Darien was surprised to be accosted by a strange lady but he politely stammered, "Uh. S-sure. W-what can I do for you?"

While they were talking Molly caught a glimpse of them. "Hey Serena," she pointed towards the scene outside. "Isn't that the fellow you can't stand, Darien?"
Serena glared in disgust. "Yeah. That's the creep all right."
"Who's that lady talking to him?" Molly added.
"I don't know. But I'm going to find out the juicy details."
"Serena. Where are you going?" Molly cried.
"When I tell Raye about this she'll be so mad she'll give that creep such a savage rebuking his eardrums will burst. See you later you two," she waved to her friends as she exited.
Molly sighed. "What a ditz she can be."
Melvin blushed. "True. But I like her just the way she is. Say do you think if I study hard and learn how to paint like Lonny Lanai, I may be finally able to impress Serena and win her heart?"
Molly tried hard to keep a straight face as she replied to Melvin, "You never know. Miracles do sometimes happen."
Meanwhile the woman was telling Darien that she was a local artist. "I'd really like you to pose for me please."
"Well uh." Before Darien could think of what to say Serena ran up and started jeering at him.
"You're sprung Darien."
"What's your problem Meatball Head?"
"The problem is going to be all yours Darien. The next time I see Raye I'm going to spill the beans on how you are cheating on her behind her back."
But then to Serena's surprise the woman suddenly grabbed hold of her arm. "Hey. Let me go." She spun her head to stare her in the eye and she smiled as she apologized.
"I'm sorry. I know this may seem rather abrupt but I need your assistance. I need you to model for me."
Serena was excited and astounded, "Meeeeee! Model for you?"
The woman explained that her name was Peggy Jones and she wanted the pair of them to sit for a special portrait she wanted to paint. Serena was super keen and Darien shrugged and said he'd be happy to help.

After calling her parents and letting them know what was happening Serena went with Darien and Peggy to her home and work studio. It was a very charming house with a huge glass sliding door at the back overlooking a most magnificent flower bed full of red, white, pink and golden yellow. Serena cried, "Wow. It's beautiful. Like a painting itself."
As Darien took a seat Serena took a glance around the pictures that were propped up against the walls. "Hey," she said taking a very close look at one of them. "These look similar to the paintings at the gallery. Peggy, are you related to Lonny Lanai?"
Peggy blushed a little as she responded, "Well actually Lonny Lanai is really me. When I first began painting I went by my real name but when I had my first exhibition people were unimpressed. Then I began producing this new series of artwork under the name Lonny Lanai and went undercover. I found people loved my paintings. Plus they were intrigued by the mystery about me. I'm now a big success."
Serena was shocked. "But doesn't it make you feel sad that nobody knows your real identity? Your fans can never get to meet you. You're never interviewed in magazines or on television. It just seems so very wrong."
Peggy grinned. "Well it would have been nice to be able to reap the full benefits of my fame. But at least I am selling my work so I can afford to keep painting. Besides I'm not an overly attractive woman."
Peggy set a pink silk-laced cushion on the seat next to Darien. "Why don't you have a seat here?"
Serena was aghast. "You mean to tell me you want me to sit next to that, that THING?"
Darien smirked at her, rolling his eyes. "Hey what were you expecting Meatball Head? We're posing for the same painting aren't we?"
"Oh no. This isn't my thing after all. Sorry I'm out of here."
Peggy stood in her way as she prepared to run for the door. Her hands held out entreatingly as she pleaded with her to stay.
"No. No. Please don't go. I've had this really great idea for a painting but I've been searching for the right models. And now I've found you. Can't you just stay long enough for me to make the preliminary sketch? I draw very fast. Really I do."
Serena's heart softened as she looked into Peggy's begging eyes. "Oh very well. I suppose I can endure it for a little while."
Peggy thanked her profusely as she sat down next to Darien.

Serena cheered herself thinking about how jealous Raye would be to hear about this at least. But as she stared at Darien she thought to herself, "I suppose Darien is kind of handsome but he's still an annoying jerk. Raye must have an extremely numb brain to like him so much."
As she turned her glance away from him Darien laughed to himself thinking, "She is cute and rather graceful. For as long as she can continue to avoid falling on her face that is."
Peggy also sat down picking up some canvas and a crayon. "This shouldn't take too long. Try not to move until I say I'm finished okay?"

After about one hour Peggy said, "You can move now if you want. Help yourself to some of my biscuits. I'm just putting the final touches. Thank you."
Serena didn't need to be told twice about the biscuits. As she was eating she asked if she could take a look at the canvas. Peggy said it would be fine and Serena was awestruck. Peggy had sketched a marvellous drawing of a charming man and attractive young woman caressing each other with a very grand building in the background. "That's wonderful Peggy."
Darien, who was still seated said, "I'm amazed. You made it through this whole session without clutzing out. Incredible."
Serena blew a raspberry at him and called him a dweeb. Then turning her attention back to Peggy she asked what sort of things she thought about while she painted.
"I often think about trying to make people happy and how to bring them together in unity. Many of my ideas come to me in dreams then I convert them into reality through my artistry with the assistance of the models I find."
"You're so blessed with your gift of painting Peggy," Serena smiled then her expression changed. "But I still think it's sad that hardly anybody knows you."
Peggy cheerfully replied while finishing her preliminary sketch, "I really don't care. As long as people like what I do. But you probably wouldn't understand. You're very smart and attractive. You've got everything."
"I do?" Serena didn't know what to think of this but Darien scoffed.
"The only thing you don't have is co-ordination. Anyway maybe Peggy has the right idea. Staying undercover means less chance you'll get hurt. Fame and romance are way over-rated."
Peggy gasped at hearing this but Serena was incensed. She ran over and grabbed a painting from the group stacked against the wall that had suddenly caught her eye. She held it up in front of him. "Oh yeah dweebster. Take a look at this painting and tell me it does nothing for you inside."
Darien rose out of his chair gasping, his mouth wide open, his eyes protruding almost ready to shoot out of their sockets.
"Hey. Don't go all hyper," Serena was taken aback by his unanticipated massive reaction.
The painting was of a man in elegant clothing giving something shaped like a star to the open hand of a beautiful woman with long yellow hair with what looked like a castle in the background and a large crescent moon in front of it. It had done something deeper inside Darien than Serena realized. It looked so familiar to him.
Peggy said, "This painting is one of my favourites. I was inspired by a legend my grandmother used to tell me. The legend says that these two lovers were part of a glorious kingdom of people who lived on the moon and one day they had to part because of a terrible invading threat. He's giving her his locket so that she will never lose rememberance of him and the special place he holds in her heart."
"A star locket? That is amazing Peggy." Serena was reminded of the star locket Tuxedo Mask had given her. Could that legend be partly true? Was her mysterious past connected with it?
"Yeah. Amazing indeed," said Darien who was also wondering if this was part of the solution to figuring out his lost background.

Later Darien said goodbye and Peggy thanked him once again, but Serena accepted Peggy's invitation to stay for dinner. While they ate Peggy told Serena that she would be working on the finishing touches to the painting so she could add it to her gallery the following day.
"You mean it Peggy? I'll have my face used in an art show?" Serena was excited.
"Yes and I cannot thank you enough for helping me Serena."

Afterwards when Serena said farewell she couldn't help saying her mind to Peggy one more time. "Listen Peggy. Thank you for dinner. The apple pie was superb. But I just want to say that you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You say you're not glamourous enough to come open publicly but that's not true. Your fans will love to meet and talk to you."
"Oh Serena. Do you really think so?"
"I know so Peggy. There's no way you could paint such beautiful works if you weren't beautiful inside and out. Don't judge your looks so harshly."
Peggy had a face that was still not so sure. But Serena hugged him warmly. "Just think about what I've said dear Peggy."
Peggy hugged her back and smiled. "All right. I'll think about it Serena."
As Serena left waving goodbye Peggy gave a cheery wave from her doorstep. Could Serena be right?

At that moment Titus and Zoicite were looking at her face back at the Negaverse. "This young artist is the fourth Crystal Carrier General Zoicite."
"Let's go then Titus," Zoicite shook her fist determinedly. "I hope you have better powers of control if we need to make her into a monster. This next Shadow Warrior must come home."
"I won't fail again General Zoicite." Titus didn't really care about the threat of facing the Doom and Gloom Girls anymore. She loved and missed Jedite so much that she was more upset for him then for herself. She promised him that she would succeed in the end.

Serena was very excited as she ran home. "I can't wait to tell my parents the exciting news," she cried out loud. Suddenly she heard a voice she knew well.
"Hold it!"
She pulled up to a sudden stop. "Is that you Luna?"
In reply Luna jumped down from the top of a nearby wall with the Crescent Moon Wand in her mouth. She spat it out at Serena's feet. "Look at this."
"Hey. Where did you get this second wand Luna?" Serena bent down and picked it up while she asked her question.
"That's not a second wand Serena. It's the very same original one that flew out of your bag earlier when you ran off with Molly today. I've been searching all day for you to give it back to you."
"What? I never even realized it was missing Luna."
"I know. You're way too careless with it Serena."
Serena looked at the wand in her hands then down at Luna. "Are you very disappointed in me?" Her face had a very sheepish expression.
"Well you must realize that when you lost it you nearly sent it falling into the river. None of the other Sailor Scouts would ever have made such a mistake if the wand had been entrusted to them."
"And what is that supposed to mean Luna? That you don't think I should be the leader anymore?" Serena looked and sounded annoyed by what she saw as a personal attack.
"I never said that Serena. I'm only saying you need to take your responsibilities more seriously. That's what Lita, Amy and Raye would do."
Serena threw a fit. "I'm sick of you always comparing me to the others. You're so mean Luna."
Turning around she ran off with the wand held tight in her hand. In spite of her tantrum Luna couldn't help feeling a little impressed.
"It actually seems like she's beginning to get a bit of backbone. I thought she'd surely burst into tears like she usually does."

Serena had run off in a grumpy huff. "I'm sick of all this criticism. I'll just tell them if they don't think I'm worthy to be leader they can take this wand back and choose who among themselves is..."
But Serena's rant was cut off by the wand beeping. "The Negaverse is around," she gasped in horror. Forgetting all her anger she ran off again where the wand directed her. "I must find them wherever they are."

Peggy was horrified as Zoicite and Titus stood in the middle of her glass back door which Zoicite had just smashed. "W-what do you want? If it's money I,"
Zoicite cut her off, "Oh it's something much more valuable we're after."
Peggy gasped and became angrily defensive. "You're a pair of art thieves. You want my paintings. I won't let you have them."
"Titus. Get her." Zoicite commanded but Titus was gingerly trying to mind her step and grumbling.
"I wish you had found a way to break the lock rather than smash the glass. My feet could be cut." That was true. Titus' single piece of blue body clothing that covered everything except her head and arms was definitely no protection for her feet.
Zoicite groaned and slapped her forehead in exasperation, "Then you should wear proper shoes."
But somehow Titus managed to safely avoid all the glass pieces and then she threw herself upon Peggy who had her fists up ready for combat. However like most Crystal hosts she was overcome by the power of Titus' touch as she grabbed her and plunged her hand into her chest.
Serena arrived huffing and puffing outside just as Titus extracted the crystal inside Peggy and threw it to Zoicite who caught it.
"Poor Peggy," she thought to herself. "It's hopeless."
Then she shook her head. "What am I saying. I'll get help." So she used her communicator to alert Luna and the other Scouts to the trouble and told them where to come immediately.
Then she prepared to transform. "I swear I'll dust Zoicite and Titus. Moon Prism Power."

While Peggy lay on the floor moaning and blubbering with shock Sailor Moon made her presence known. "Hold it. How dare you attack this wonderfully talented artist? I am the Champion of Justice, the Sailor of the Moon and I will punish you both."
Zoicite clutched the crystal and sneered, "You're going to eat those words Sailor Moon. Do it Titus."
Titus had already responded while Sailor Moon was admonishing them. Peggy screamed and writhed as a barrage of dark magic surrounded her. When it had dissipated she was gone and standing in her place was a monster with eagle's wings and a hideous hawk-like face. She opened her sharp, wicked-looking beak and let out a terrible squawk.
Sailor Moon drew back in frightened shock. "Oh no. What have you done to Peggy now?"
Titus was feeling rather nervous remembering how Greg had resisted her attempt to control him. But she gritted her jaw and concentrated hard as the bird monster raised her arms revealing long, sharp, menacing talons where her fingers should have been. She approached Titus step by step and cold sweat ran down Titus' face. However she was really in control and the beast turned away from her to walk towards Sailor Moon.
Zoicite was also trembling unsurely but to her great relief Titus directed the Peggy beast safely past her and focused all her attention on Sailor Moon personally.
Sailor Moon quickly stepped back in a sudden moment of panic. "Peggy wait a minute. I'm Serena. Your friend. Remember?"
But in the form of the beast Peggy had no recollection of her humanity or her friendship with Sailor Moon's other identity and she rushed through the hole in the glass door slashing with those wicked talons and screeching loudly. Sailor Moon did a very quick retreat running away with a cry of panic. She desperately leaped over the wall of a construction area next to Peggy's back garden where a huge building was in the process of being put together. Flapping her wings the monster flew over after her. Fortunately all the workers had signed off for the evening and gone home. Sailor Moon was on her own.

Zoicite laughed gleefully hugging the crystal to her chest. "Let's go and make sure Sailor Moon is killed Titus. Queen Beryl will be so pleased." She ran off without waiting for an answer while Titus frowned at all the shards of glass.
"I don't want to risk trying to pussyfoot my way through that again." So saying Titus made herself vanish re-appearing outside just behind Zoicite. The two of them propelled themselves forward soaring through the air to a vantage point on one of the steel girders above. They had to make sure Sailor Moon had no opportunity to gain the upper hand and heal Peggy. Currently Sailor Moon was desperately twisting and dodging and running about to avoid getting torn to ribbons while Peggy lunged and swung her arms at her. At one point the talons caught one of her long yellow plaits and Sailor Moon screamed as she felt the brief pull. A few strands of her hair fell to the ground. "Where are my friends?" She screamed, "I have no time to stop and get the wand out or she'll be upon me."

While Zoicite and Titus observed the fight with satisfaction Sailor Moon finally stumbled over her own feet and fell on her face in the dust. As she twisted around she saw Peggy's talons relentlessly bearing down upon her. "NOOOOOOOOO!" She wailed and shut her eyes tight.
But instead of the sensation of being clawed to pieces she felt herself being picked up quickly and flying through the air. Opening her eyes she found that Tuxedo Mask had swooped down, snatched her up in his arms and given another superhuman leap through the air. There were grooves cut in the ground where Peggy had only just missed striking them both.
"Once again you have saved me dear Tuxedo Mask," cried Sailor Moon adoringly as they landed a few feet away.
Tuxedo Mask looked up and saw Zoicite with the Rainbow Crystal in her hand. She said to Titus, "I must protect our prize. You make sure Sailor Moon is finished off." With that she darted off further through the construction leaving Titus to take control over the monster.
As Tuxedo Mask set Sailor Moon down he said to her, "Take care. I must retrieve that crystal."
With that he jumped up and flew off in Zoicite's direction before Titus knew what was happening. She didn't have time to worry about him though. Tuxedo Mask was the responsibility of General Zoicite now. She exerted all her concentration to keep Peggy focused upon attacking Sailor Moon. She saw that she had the wand in her hand. "I must do something," she thought. She jumped down to the ground concentrating with all her strength upon controlling the beast and also using more of the Negaforce's dark magic to summon up three hideous orange and brown speckled snakes. They shot out at Sailor Moon in front of the Peggy monster and the shock made her drop the wand. Her shriek of despair was music to Titus' ears as the three sets of fangs prepared to plant themselves in her like pins in a pincushion.

But just then a familiar voice called out, "Mars Fire Ignite." The magic snakes were promptly incinerated as the fire glowed hotly around them. Sailor Mars and the other Scouts all dropped out of the sky alongside Sailor Moon. Luna was in Sailor Mercury's arms and she jumped to the ground.
"We're all here Sailor Moon. Okay Scouts. All stand together," Luna commanded as she moved to the sidelines.
Titus was taken by surprise and momentarily lost her control. The Peggy beast suddenly chose her as random target in her frenzied instinct to kill and Titus gasped in terror, "No! Stop!"
Just in time she halted Peggy as she was preparing to swing her deadly talons at her. "Not me. Attack the Sailor Scouts."
Titus' knees were knocking together from the close call but by her power she turned Peggy away from her towards the others.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Sailor Mercury disoriented the monster with a cold spray of her bubbles. While the beast shivered with the chill Sailor Jupiter made her move next.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"
The thunderbolt severely crippled one of the monster's wings making it screech in intense pain. This was the very first time Titus had clearly seen a glimpse of this new fourth Scout and it un-nerved her very badly. She decided she had better retreat while they were concentrating on fighting the bird beast that was once the artist Peggy Jones. Sailor Jupiter's attack looked dangerously powerful. Titus didn't want to tangle with her right now. She disappeared into thin air while Luna cried out for Sailor Moon to use her wand. Sailor Moon ran and retrieved it from where it had fallen.
"Quickly Sailor Moon before she attacks again."
"Okay I'm on it Luna. Moon Healing Activation!"
In the twinkling of an eye the terrible bird was gone and Peggy Jones fell to the ground in a dead faint. As the Scouts all knelt down around her, Sailor Moon prepared to climb the building construction. "All of you stay here and watch over Peggy. I'm going to see if I can help Tuxedo Mask get that crystal from Zoicite."
"You won't go alone. I for one insist on coming with you," declared Sailor Mars but Sailor Moon was adamant.
"No. I command you all as your leader to stay with Peggy. Tuxedo Mask and I can handle Zoicite ourselves.
Sailor Mars scowled and gritted her teeth but Sailor Jupiter told her, "We must obey our leader."
"Yes we must," agreed Sailor Mercury.
Sailor Mars looked at them, then at Sailor Moon and finally at Luna's stern gaze. She reluctantly bowed her head. "Very well."
"Good. Make sure nothing else happens to Peggy while I'm gone." With that Sailor Moon ran off to find her quarries hoping with all her heart that Tuxedo Mask was all right. Perhaps he may have already defeated Zoicite and he would give her the crystal plus the other one he had captured earlier to store away with the other one hidden in her room?
But Sailor Mars still thought wearily to herself, "They should replace her with me as leader. Nothing will ever change that."

All this time Tuxedo Mask and Zoicite had been having a showdown on the steel girders. "I want that crystal," Tuxedo Mask adamantly yelled as he duelled with Zoicite twenty stories above the ground. He had converted his cane into a short sort of sword while she brandished a long shard of a sea-blue substance with a point on one end.
"You'll never get it Cape Boy," Zoicite savagely grunted while she fought with one hand, the crystal clutched tightly in her other. She gave an incredible jump over Tuxedo Mask's head landing on the other side of the girder.
Tuxedo Mask spun around brandishing his weapon. "I'll get it all right." With that he took one step towards her but she took him by surprise summoning up a barrage of her energy that flew in his face blinding him with a loud cry of "ZOI!"
Sailor Moon managed to track them down just in time to see Zoicite throw the deadly sharp-tipped weapon straight at Tuxedo Mask's face with a shout of "Die Cape Boy!"
She was aghast and quickly followed her instincts to save him. "MOON TIARA MAGIC!" She sent her tiara flying, not to attack Zoicite, but aiming for the projectile. The spinning disc hit and vaporized Zoicite's weapon only seconds before it skewered Tuxedo Mask through his head. Zoicite cursed but she vanished back to the Negaverse with the Rainbow Crystal safe in her possession.

Tuxedo Mask blinked and shook his head to clear his eyes. "Sailor Moon. Thank you for saving me."
She ran over to his side. "You're welcome. Are you all right?"
He smiled. "Yes I am."
As Sailor Moon made her way closer to him she accidentally dropped the star locket which snapped open upon landing on the girder and began to play its lovely tune. She and he both bent down as if to pick it up. They looked at each other, their hands both poised over the locket while it played.
"Do you want this back Tuxedo Mask? You dropped it in the cemetary during that fight. Does it mean a lot to you?"
Tuxedo Mask recalled that painting Serena had shown him with the man giving a similar locket to his sweetheart. "Yes it does," he admitted.
"Where did you get it from Tuxedo Mask? Is it connected with the Moon Princess? Do you know her?"
"No." He picked it up. "That is I don't as far as I currently know."
Then he closed it shutting off the music and put it in Sailor Moon's hand. "Look why don't you just keep it? I really don't need it anyway."
"If you're really sure then thank you very much." Sailor Moon turned on her charm and grinned from ear to ear as she spoke next, "There's something else you could give me. That Rainbow Crystal you have."
She was completely taken aback by his answer.
"Sorry. I will never give that to you. Those crystals are my personal goal and I'm determined to get the ones that the Negaverse captures back from them come whatever stands in my way. You may as well know that eventually I also want the crystal you have and if you won't give it to me I'll fight you for it if I must."
"B-but I thought you were on our side!" Sailor Moon couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"I am on your side so far as we both oppose the Negaverse. But when it comes to my own business nothing will prevent my success. Not even you and the other Sailor Scouts. Bear that in mind please."
With that Tuxedo Mask made his departure soaring away with superhuman ability through the air, his cape flapping in the breeze behind him.
As Sailor Moon watched she said, "All of a sudden he's so cold just like Darien." Then she did a double take, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head. "But there's no way he can be Tuxedo Mask. Still I wish I knew why he suddenly wants the Rainbow Crystals for himself?"

Zoicite and Titus met each other back at Queen Beryl's throne where she awaited them. Zoicite held up the crystal. "Your majesty. We have brought you another crystal at last."
She smiled. "Very good. Give it to Titus then."
Titus took it and as she concentrated another Shadow Warrior was released oozing out of it. He bowed respectfully to Queen Beryl who welcomed him back home. "Now go and join your comrade inside Titus' personal quarters. We still have five of your number to recover before you can lead us to conquest of the universe."
"As you command my queen." Malachite, Dream Dolly, Ramwoir and the Plant Trio all cheered as the Shadow departed the presence of the throne room.
Queen Beryl told her two servants, "Get busy. I want the rest of them together very fast."
"Yes Queen Beryl." Zoicite and Titus spoke in unison and bowed on their knees before her. Titus was thinking hard to herself though. This Sailor Scout they called Jupiter seemed like an extremely formidable foe. She would have to be very wary. She knew the identities of the original trio though she had kept that information to herself out of spite to Queen Beryl. She had no idea who Jupiter was and she needed to think of some way to trap or destroy her.

As for Peggy, like the Crystal carriers in general, with the exception of Amy's friend Greg, she had no recollection whatsoever of the events during the time she was under the spell of Titus. Sailor Moon and the others made haste to carry her unconscious body back to her home before she woke up. There they revived her slowly with wet sponges pressed against her forehead and told her she had been knocked out by the two art thieves but fortunately they had happened to be passing by and had chased them off. Peggy was deeply grateful to them, though she could never have imagined the real reason she had to thank them. They all left after verifying that she would be all right.

The following day Darien and Serena formed a truce to go and visit their mutual friend at her house. Peggy welcomed them in. "Please don't be alarmed by the broken glass door at the back. I had a couple of thieves break in and attempt to steal my paintings last night."
"Oh Peggy. What happened?" Serena cried feigniing ignorant shock.
"That's terrible," added Darien.
"I didn't lose anything. That team of super-heroines known as the Sailor Scouts came to my rescue. They were awesome." Peggy beamed with joy and Darien and Serena grinned too.
"Well that's a wonderful relief Peggy," said Serena.
"Cool," Darien agreed.
Peggy continued, "When they left I shifted all my art into my bedroom and locked the door to protect it. I have two new pictures ready to add to the exhibit today. Let me show you."
Peggy went to her bedroom and brought out two canvasses in lovely frames. "This is the painting you posed for." She drew their attention to the top frame she was carrying.
"Peggy. It's gorgeous," Serena stared admiringly at the finished picture and its amazing colour. "You did a wonderful job."
"I'll say she did," laughed Darien. "Everybody will know it's based off of you for sure. Peggy made the meatballs tied up in your hair so perfect."
Serena was angry for a short moment. "I'm glad I will never have another reason to sit by your side again," she hissed at him. As usual all he did was smile at her to her indignation.
Before Serena had a chance to fall into her rant and rave mode Peggy carefully lifted the first painting and tranferred it underneath the second one revealing something that caught the attention of both her and Darien. It was a self-portrait of Peggy herself showcasing her head and shoulders. She was wearing the very same blue and white striped top she had on at that moment and she smiled out of the canvas with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Y-you painted this?" Serena was amazed and so was Darien.
"Yes Serena. I thought about what you had been saying to me and decided to come out in the open. There's no more Lonny Lanai although if any of my fans call me that as a nickname I really don't mind. The point is all my work is stamped with my real name Peggy Jones. And everybody will know who I am from now on."
"Good for you Peggy. Put those paintings carefully down somewhere so I can hug you please," Serena was very thrilled for her friend. Peggy placed the pictures down onto a table and she and Serena enjoyed a big affectionate friendship embrace. Darien grinned quietly thinking to himself, "Serena continues to make me wonder. I still have a strange feeling about her and this incident has made it even stronger. What is the reason for this? Is there any connection with the princess in my dream? I must figure out this puzzle somehow."