[Scene: The interdimensional void supernatural beings travel through to teleport. Zoi is headed for Metalia's lair in Washington DC, but is stopped short by a blast that knocks him skidding across the marble floor of a hotel lobby.]

Death Phantom: You think, I, Wiseman, an Incarnation of Chaos can be thwarted so easily? You forget I am a GOD.

[The Death Phantom rises his arms. The lobby darkens as walls, furnishing, pretty much everything is blown apart]

[Zoi is flung against a marble pillar, where chains of dark energy snake around him pinning him into place.

Death Phantom: There is no use groveling. My patience with you has reached its limit.

[The chains begin to constrict with crushing force]

Death Phantom: I should have kept to my original plan to torture and kill you to avenge the deaths of my followers, but at least now I have your mother as a consolation prize.

Zoi: YOU LEAVE MY MOTHER ALONE!

Death Phantom: Irreverent to your last breath. I accept now that your mind can not be molded, not through natural means, nor supernatural. How ironic it is that the very gift that make you attractive as a slave also render you completely unsuitable.

[As the chains crush him Zoi notices a column of purple light forming behind the Death Phantom]

Death Phantom: No matter. I will retrieve your mother from the corpses of your loved ones. Unlike you, she is beyond the first blush of youth, but as a human she is better suited for breeding in captivity. Once she is thawed and her womb has been vacated, it will be easy to create another like you, maybe more, before I dispose of her as well.

[A man appears from the column of light, swinging a huge poleaxe right at the Death Phantom. The blade passes through him harmlessly, and the Death Phantom turns to confront the newcomer]

Death Phantom: Nephrite. You really think that axe is going to harm me?

Neffy: [sweating profusely] No, I do not. But I can't just stand here and do nothing. [swings again with the same result]

Death Phantom: Oh? Why can't you?

[Neffy fights with the skill of a master gladiator, but it does no good against an enemy who has dematerialized like a wraith]

Neffy: [sweating intensifies, still swinging] Because, he's family, goddamnit.

Death Phantom: No. That is not right. Allow me to probe your mind for your true motives.

Neffy: [Still fighting] Please. Just let him go.

Death Phantom: [chuckles] How fascinating. So your elder brother Kunzite had tricked you into placing a curse upon yourself, forcing you to protect Zoisite at all costs, even if it means your own life.

Zoi: WHAT?

Death Phantom: Oh, you didn't know about that...? Of course you wouldn't. It would be kinder for you to think he was protecting because he bore you some hidden affection or had a glimmer of goodness in his heart...Shall we test the limits of this curse?

[The Death Phantom Raises his arms and all the smashed wood in the lobby is drawn to Zoi's feet as if by a magnet. The Death Phantom holds out one finger and Zoi's legs are engulfed in greenish flames.]

[Neffy stares with a sickened look on his face until Zoi starts screaming in pain. He drops the axe and rushes to Zoi, pulling at the chains.]

[The Death Phantom chuckles as Zoi passes out. Although it is clear Neffy is being burned just as badly as Zoi, he makes no sound and shows no sign of retreating as he fights vainly to rescue Zoi.]

Death Phantom: I've seen enough.

[The flames vanish, leaving Zoi slumped unconscious and badly burned. Neffy stares at the Death Phantom with loathing, but still works on freeing Zoi.]

[The Death Phantom waves his arm and Neffy's burns are miraculously healed.]

Death Phantom: Listen carefully. I will give you one chance to save his life. A very slight chance, but it is a chance, the only way to save him. [to Zoi] Wake up. I'm not finished with you.

[Zoi's eyes pop open, and his breathing is labored but his injuries remain]

Death Phantom: [to Neffy] Gather your brothers. Kunzite and Jadeite. Bring them here. Right now. Tell them whatever lie you want, but neither they, nor Metalia, nor anyone else must suspect you are luring them to their deaths. Do this. Assist me in torturing and killing you and your brother Shitennou, and there is a very slight chance I will let this one live. Hurry...those burns look serious. He might die from his injuries alone if you tarry for even a moment.

Neffy: [teleporting away] God damn you.

[Zoi stares at the Death Phantom. Breathing hard in the smoke filled chamber, with pain and hate]

Death Phantom: The poor fool. He knows I am lying, but he has no choice but to obey. I did lie, of course. You will die... Or maybe not? Are you as willing to sacrifice your beloved Kunzite as you were your beloved humans? Those trapped in the flames, with no way to safety. They are probably dead already.

Zoi: [through pain clenched teeth] Go to hell.

Death Phantom: Haven't you accepted by now that I cannot be killed? And since I cannot be killed, I cannot be defeated.

Zoi: Metalia can defeat you.

Death Phantom: What good will that do her? She can't kill me and it won't bring her sons back after I have slaughtered them. All it will do is take up her time. Time that would be better spent cultivating suitable replacements...You know, I think I will let Kunzite live a while. To humiliate him. A fool as proud as him might find glory in Death. But in the degradation that comes with the lowest forms of enslavement? Yes, I think I will make you watch-

Voice: *Ahem*

[They turn and see a pair of shapes emerging from the smoke in mylar coverall. The two peel back their hood and goggles, before crossing their arms and giving the Death Phantom an admonishing look.]

El: Would you mind keeping it down in here? We are trying to work.