(note) This is the "action" part with the ending later on down. - JB


---

Darien was looking all over the district when he felt that Sailor Moon was
in trouble. Without delay, he ran to the scene of the disturbance.

---

The Mad Chef, undaunted, turned to Sailor Moon, and started throwing larger
knives at her; half a dozen at a time. Serena managed to roll out of the way
as the knives embedded themselves into the wall. The Mad Chef created
another one of his huge axes and approached slowly. Suddenly, Artemis sprang
from a nearby shelf, blinding the Chef for a moment, and forcing him to drop
his huge axe to free his hands to get Artemis off, throwing Artemis across
the room. The Chef created another axe, and fired it straight for Sailor
Moon, now trapped in a corner. Sailor Venus thought her Crescent Beam might
be able to get to it in time...

The axe was sliced in two. The blade halves embedded themselves into the
wooden floor to both sides, leaving a single red rose deeply planted into
the floorboards. Tuxedo Mask was standing atop a low wall below which Serena
had been sitting, as the axe had been thrown at her. "I am Tuxedo Mask! You
have no place to hide, monster!" Sailor Moon just looked up, dreamy-eyed.

The Mad Chef took a couple of steps back, then raised his right hand. To the
horror of all, the essences of the former patrons flew out of their bodies,
and then, even more terrifying, the bodies rose up, with glowing red eyes,
arms outstretched, and advancing, zombie-like, to attack the Senshi. Serena
exclaimed, "What do I do NOW?"

"Venus Love-Me CHAIN!!" Sailor Venus used her gold chain to entangle the
zombie-like creatures, or at least most of them. Tuxedo Mask used the
opportunity to throw a rose at a large light above the Mad Chef, or rather
at the single metal rod attaching the light to the ceiling, severing it
cleanly. The light fell on the Mad Chef, ruining his concentration. The
zombie-like creatures fell to the ground.

---

"He's weakening, Prometheus." Frost pointed out this fact with cold accuracy.
"The energy has been transferred. The main objective was accomplished."
Prometheus thought that was victory enough today.
"Still, it is unfortunate that the souls will likely be released," Frost said.
"Agreed. But that is for others. My mission is to collect energy."
Prometheus saw no point in continuing to watch the scene of battle.

---

Tuxedo Mask said to Sailor Moon, "Alright, now!" Serena nodded, and used her
sceptre to finish off the monster. The Mad Chef screamed, and turned to
dust. The souls were returned to the bodies, though the patrons were still
unconcious, and weak.

Artemis said to everyone, "Not bad. You handled that rather well, Sailor
Moon." Sailor Moon thanked Artemis for his kind words.

Tuxedo Mask jumped down from his perch, and walked a step closer to Sailor
Moon. She had no idea what to expect. She was just glad that everyone was
okay, and was still excited because of the battle.

Tuxedo Mask reached into his cape, and said, "Sailor Moon, I wanted to give
you this..." he then pulled out, to Serena's enormous but heartfelt
surprise, a bouquet of roses, just like he had planned it: a single white
rose in the middle, with red and pink roses all around. She managed to
stammer, "They're... beautiful..." Tuxedo Mask told her, "I just wanted to
remind you that I still care about you, and no matter what happens, I'll be
here." Serena just held the bouquet close to her heart, and was staring at
Tuxedo Mask, filled with emotion.


Sailor Venus was watching aside them, with Artemis beside her. She thought
it was all really great. She said, "That's sooo romantic..." Artemis
replied, "I think I'm going to be sick." Venus turned to him and retorted,
"You be quiet." Then she turned back to the romantic scene, and continued to
watch, dreaming of her own romantic fantasies.

Tuxedo Mask turned to leave, but before moving on, said, "Maybe we could go
out sometimes." That really lifted up Sailor Moon's spirits. She asked,
"Really???" Tuxedo Mask just smiled, then turned, and left. Serena just
sighed, hearts in her eyes.

---

That evening, the Sailor Senshi, Luna, and Artemis were all together at
Lita's apartment, discussing the day's events. The scene deteriorated into
petty squabbling.

"So," Lita pushed on, "is there a wedding date set?" Serena blushed, and
said, "Of course not. We're just going out on a date sometimes." Rei asked,
"You mean, you don't know WHEN?" "Well," Serena retorted, "it's not like I
_asked_ him... he just said "sometimes", and I thought he meant soon..." Amy
said, "So you're going steady, now, right?" Rei added, "That's a switch."
Serena just stuck out her tongue. Mina added, "It was sooo romantic the way
Tuxedo Mask gave her those flowers..." All the girls just sighed, putting
themselves in that position. Mina thought that maybe this Alex character
held possibilities, too, but she kept her mouth shut. She didn't need any
competition, especially from Lita.

Luna said, "I can't stand all of this romantic talk. I'm going just outside
for a little fresh air."
Artemis asked, "Would you mind if I went with you?"
"ARTEMIS!"
"Well, I don't like this romantic stuff either..."
Luna said, "Well, alright. Just to get away from all this racket."

The cat's ears perked up. Not because they heard something, but because they
didn't hear _anything_. They looked up behind them, and saw all five girls
right above them, all staring down at the scene. Lita teased, "Maybe
Serena's not the only one going out on a date..."

Luna turned completely red (a feat, mind you, for a black cat) and yelled,
"ENOUGH WITH THIS ROMANCE GARBAGE ALREADY!"

(The End)