Hi, 

This is my first OFFICIAL posting to the mailing list.  Now I don't know if
any of you have heard of me, but I go by the penname of Toshiro Seiji or
Toshiro-san.  I have produced the Mousse's Flip Side series to RAAC.  Part
3 has been sent numerous times, yet it hasn't been posted on the newsgroup.
 Anyway, I'm presenting my next fanfic venture that is based off of a
Sailor Moon RPG that I partake in.  We have a website, that is almost
completed and plan to have an extensive sdvertisement campaign in order to
publicize our game's story.  I hope you guys like it.  Send all C&C's to
kcross@bgnet.bgsu.edu.  PS . . . it's REALLY BIG!

Thanks.

************

Our story begins in the Dark Kingdom Throne Room.  Presently no one is
there except for a young woman.  If one would look closely to her face, she
would seem to be only 14 or 15 years of age.  In actuality this young
woman is over a thousand years old.  Her  long brown hair waves as she
paces the Throne Room, impatiently.   Her name is Alexandrite, one of the
Dark Kingdom's head generals.   She's awaiting the arrival of Queen Beryl,
the woman who has practically raised her as a mother since before she can
remember.  She had been recently summoned for Beryl has finally decided to
implement plans that would gather energy for their great leader, Metallia.

*I can't believe she summoned me, when SHE isn't even here!* Alexandrite
thought.

"That looks like a nice comfortable chair.", She thought, looking at
Beryl's Throne. "I'm  sure Queen Beryl wouldn't mind if I just rested in it
for a little while."  Alexandrite began to walk towards Beryl's throne, but
then suddenly stopped.

"I can not possibly be stupid enough to actually sit on her majesty's
throne!" She said to herself.

"That's debatable," a voice rang out from the proximity of the throne.  The
voice was a very soft, very low, very mellow male vocal.  What seemed to be
a figure of solid, clear glass shifted slightly in the throne as color
began to wash into it.  Alexandrite had not even noticed the nearly
invisible form sitting in the throne.  The "unblending" revealed
Chrysolite,
smiling wryly at Alexandrite.  He uncrossed his legs and stood from the 
throne, where he had been sitting for an unknown time.

His dark purple hair hung over his left shoulder, kept in a ponytail by a
silver ring.  His sapphire blue eyes burned against his pale skin as he
stepped forward from the throne--they almost seemed to see through
Alexandrite.  He had a lithe body--not especially muscular but very well
defined and quite toned.  Every move he made was a testament to his
agility.  Suddenly, vertical bands of jade green light began to surround
him.  This "static" spread into his body, which promptly disappeared with a
soft buzzing sound.  He reappeared beside Alexandrite in a similar manner,
chuckling as he adjusted his uniform.

A prompt turn of his body had him facing Alexandrite--their eyes only a
foot apart.  "THAT was a very careless maneuver, my dear.  You won't last
long in her majesty's service with such impudent behavior.  A general is
always at attention--in this of all places," he smiled as he gestured to
the dark,
cruel room around them.  "I'll overlook your transgression *this time,* but
if it happens again I'm afraid I'll have to inform Queen Beryl--and she
isn't nearly as understanding as I."

With a smile on his face, Chrysolite strode several yards from Alexandrite
and turned to face the throne.  He folded his hands in front of his body
and gave a final glimpse to Alexandrite before turning his attention to the
empty throne.  He awaited the arrival of his liege with a cold, expectant
smile.....

Alexandrite was not pleased with Chrysolite's 'treatment' of her.  *How
dare he!* She thinks.  "That arrogant bastard thinks he's better than me! 
I'll show him differently!"  She quietly fumed while they both awaited
Queen Beryl's entrance. 

>From the shadows a distant voice says, "Must you always talk to yourself
like that?  Our queen has ears and eyes both seen and unseen." Nephrite
walked calmly from the shadows and stood next to the throne.  Shooting
Alexandrite a spiteful glance, he muttered, "I'll bet you don't even have
any good ideas on how we're going to get our energy!  Yet you have time to
fantasize about sitting on our queen's throne?"      Nephrite slowly walked
up to her and put his hand on her arm, "If I had any doubts of your
loyalties, I would get rid of you in an instant." 
 
He slowly released Alexandrite's arm and turned to face the throne.  In a
stern voice he added, "Don't EVER let me start to doubt you or your
abilities.  While the stars tell me you will have a great influence in our
future, it's says not of your role in it."

Twice Alexandrite had been reprimanded for her dreams of one day ruling
over the Dark Kingdom.  She did not take the first very well, and she is
taking the second even worse.  "My ROLE in our future will be glorious, for
your information! Much better then yours is going to be!" Alexandrite
fumed, sounding 
much like a selfish teenager.  

Nephrite had always been amused at the way he could get under Alexandrite's
skin.  This proved to be no different from all of the other times he had
done this to her.   Chuckling softly, he turns to face Alexandrite once
more.  He puts on a charming smirk and says, "It's good that you are
confident in your future, hopefully you will  live long enough to be of use
to Queen Beryl."  
    
He spares a look at Chrysolite.  Out of all of the generals, Nephrite
considered Chrysolite to be the one with the most secrets.  The one who
couldn't really be trusted to be a part of the team.   He puts those
thoughts aside and  notices Alexandrite is still glaring angrily at him. 
He decides to have more fun with her.  *How I love doing this to her!*  He
thinks to himself.  "Hrm... with spunk like this, maybe you'll do good
after all, 
don't you agree Chrysolite?"   Without waiting for a reply, Nephrite
started to trace 
astrological signs in the air, as if trying to occupy his mind from the
tedium that surrounded him.  
*My Queen . . . Why have you summoned us here?*  He thinks quietly.

Finally Queen Beryl materialized into the Throne Room.  The Generals bowed
deeply before her as she sat, saying, "What is thy bidding, Beryl-sama?"  

"I have new orders for the three of you." she says. "All of  you are to
work together on this mission.  You are to gather energy from the people of
Earth to release our great leader.  I don't care how you get the energy,
just get as much as possible!  Do you understand?"

Chrysolite stood with his feet together, his right fist against his left
shoulder, and his left arm at his side.  His tone was one of deep respect
and patriotism.

"I hear and obey, my liege.  The glory of the Dark Kingdom shall be
incarnated with the rebirth of our leader!  And with your power and wisdom
to guide us, nothing will hinder our quest!  I look forward to this
project."

Chrysolite bowed deeply, smiling darkly as he almost heard Alexandrite's
and Nephrite's thoughts of disgust.  *Those two are not to be trusted . . .
I must keep my eyes on them.*  

At that moment Alexandrite dematerialized in a blur of green and blue
lights, that seemed to swirl about her.  She rematerialized in her own
quarters.  Walking over to a black marble table she picks up a strange
looking stone.   She looked at it, taking in every detail of it.  Half of
the stone was blue and another half was green, it slightly resembled the
Third Planet of this star system.  The stone had been in her possession for
as long as she can remember.  When she actually was a teen she remembered
having it.  For some reason though, whenever she would try to remember
anything about her childhood she would receive sharp pains in her head and
her memory would black out.   The stone softly glowed in her hand, after a
few moments of staring at the stone she came up with a plan for energy
draining.  "I've got it!" she exclaimed abruptly, "The perfect plan to
gather energy!  It can't fail! .......I know Queen Beryl told me to work
with Nephrite and Chrysolite, but I can do this by myself, and then I'll
get all the credit!"  A noise was heard in her chambers and she panicked. 
Placing the stone back on the table she searched her quarters.  Finding
nothing she sighs to herself.  "It must have been just my imagination.  Now
to work on my flawless plan." she whispered.
***********

Chrysolite materialized in his own chambers in a buzzing flash of vertical
jade green light.

"Good," he thought, "she didn't find me."  It had taken discreet
positioning to teleport, as she had already become alerted to his motion. 

He gazed around his personal quarters--a few dark, cold rooms filled with
decaying clockwork objects.  He strode swiftly to a large stone table
covered in mechanical objects.  A music box of a ballerina caught his
attention.  He lifted the object to see the dancer, limp and lifeless on a
tiny stage.  Her once bright pink dress had faded to a dull gray, reflected
in Chrysolite's sapphire blue eyes.

His eyes lit with a torrent of power as a translucent blue flame surrounded
the music box, which lifted itself from his hands.  The device began to
play its tune, as the dancer began to move--slowly and jerking at first,
but soon progressing into a fluid if somewhat disorganized dance, as if the
tiny woman was a marionette.  The box itself began to crumble away, but the
flame grew, as did the dancer.  The ballerina was soon standing before
Chrysolite in a sinister rendition of her former existence.  The ghostlike
flames
receded as the living doll placed its right fist upon its left shoulder and
dropped its left arm to its side.

"What is your command, master?"  Her voice was choppy, as if it were a
music box tune.

"To collect the energy of the indigenous creatures of Earth--the humans. 
We shall select exactly where I wish for you to go momentarily."  The
dancer followed Chrysolite in a manner growing far more dignified, her
beauty a far cry from her former existence.  Chrysolite stopped before a
marble sculpture of four clawlike hands rising from the floor.  The hands
met at the wrists, and the fingers cupped inward as if they were holding
something.  A ghostlike rendition of the Earth appeared, held by the marble
fingers.  The
globe soon gave way to a picture of an island known as Japan, which in turn
gave way to an otherworldly rendition of Tokyo.  "This city will be your
hunting ground, specifically here" he said coldly, pointing to a theater,
which subsequently appeared in full detail above the city map.  "Bring me
their energy, my dear.  I mustn't fail the queen."

"Yes, master."  Chrysolite chuckled softly as she faded away to Earth like
a
dematerializing spectre.....

His laughter stops as he feels a telepathic message from Queen Beryl
calling him back to the Throne Room.

*******

All of the generals felt the telepathic message but Alexandrite was the
first to appear in the Throne Room.  After bowing to Queen Beryl again, her
thoughts drift to  Nephrite and Chrysolite.  She found Nephrite acceptable
given their *past* together, but found his constant attempts to get to her
very bothersome.  If not only for the fact that he always succeeds in doing
so.  Chrysolite is another matter entirely.  She's never even tolerated him
ever since the day he joined up with the Dark Kingdom.  His background
information is unknown and he's always hiding things from all of the other
generals.  It seemed to Alexandrite that Chrysolite would also do anything
to better his position of power in the Dark Kingdom.  Even if it came to
undermining the other generals in the process.   She started to contemplate
using her extensive telepathic abilities to delve into the minds of the
other two, when  Nephrite walked in.  He chuckled slightly as he saw
Alexandrite standing there already in front of the queen.  "You called, my
queen?"  *I'll let these fools work on whatever plan they wish to try, but
MY plan will succeed... without their help!*  Nephrite looked around the
room, trying to guess what kind of an entrance Chrysolite would make to
compensate for his tardiness.  
 
Tilting his head to one side, Nephrite threw a quick smile at Alexandrite
and then turned his attention back to Beryl.  *Poor child!  I bet she'll
take the blame when their plan fails.  Chrysolite is no fool, he'll say it
was her blundering that was the problem.  Too bad really, she has
potential.
 Maybe I should..*  But his thoughts were cut off as Alexandrite shifted to
her other foot uneasily, obviously bored at waiting for their companion.  


Vertical jade green beams of light appeared between Alexandrite and
Nephrite, and were soon followed by the materialization of Chrysolite,
already on one knee, head bowed.  "I apologize for my tardiness, your
eminence.  I was in contact with one of my agents.  I humbly beg for your
forgiveness."

" Good now that all three of you are here, I would like the three of you to
tell me of the plan you came up with to gather energy.  You three have
worked out plan, haven't you?"  Queen Beryl said.   Nephrite,
Chrysolite, and Alexandrite stood silently.  Queen Beryl could feel their
fear of her anger, and she treasured every second of it.  "You three HAVE
been working TOGETHER, haven't you?  Those were your
orders."  she sneered.

Chrysolite was the first to answer.  He sensed the fear in the others and
said,  "No majesty, we have not.  Since Nephrite was busy and Alexandrite
seemed to show little interest in working as a team, I took the liberty of
creating a plan for us.  The Dark Kingdom needs energy--and energy it shall
have.  Your
gracious opportunity to assist in the reincarnation of our leader is an
honor words cannot describe, your eminence."  Chrysolite smirked inwardly
at the idiocy of his "partners."

"That's not true your, majesty! I was completely interested in working as a
team, they were the ones that weren't interested!" Alexandrite lied. 
Alexandrite glared at Chrysolite, then decided to 
send Chrysolite a little mental message.  ^Next time keep quiet, or
I'll....How do you know I wasn't 
interested anyway?^  The message she telepathically sent Chrysolite hadn't
turned out as well as she thought it would, and regretted doing it. 
Alexandrite turned to attention back to Beryl.

"Your Grace, if you want us to work as a team, I'm completely willing.  I
live to follow your orders." She said, desperately trying to make herself
look better in Beryl's eyes.

A sudden swirling of light diverted the group's attention as Zoisite
appeared. He walked directly over to Beryl and gave a flourishing, overdone
bow. 
        
"Your majesty, please excuse my late arrival." , he cooed lovingly at the
Queen. "I am prepared to follow whatever orders you may have." This said,
Zoisite looked down upon his three rivals, inwardly sizing
each one up, an infuriatingly smug smile etched upon his face. 

"Your lateness is forgiven, Zoisite. Since several of you seem reluctant to
work as a team," Queen Beryl said, while staring down Nephrite and
Alexandrite, "I will separate you into two teams. Zoisite
and Chrysolite shall be one team.", she paused and looked approving at
Zoisite and Chrysolite, "And Nephrite and Alexandrite shall be the other
team.  Now when you come up with plans, tell me about them.  Nothing can
stand in the way of the resurrection of our great leader."

Chrysolite stood and strode gallantly to Zoisite's side.  He, too bowed
to Queen Beryl--but with more formality and submission.  "My queen, I am
honored to work with Zoisite.  As I mentioned before his entrance, I had
already devised a plan to compensate for the.....lack of interest of
Nephrite and Alexandrite.  I have already taken the liberty of sending an
agent to the city of Tokyo on Earth to gather energy.  She should be in
place by now--Zoisite and I shall bring you a boundless supply, your
majesty."

Alexandrite fumed as Chrysolite mentioned her lack of interest. He was
hiding something, she could feel it.  

Chrysolite turned to Zoisite and smiled politely.  "Shall we go and make
plans, Zoisite?  May I suggest my personal quarters--some areas simply lack
privacy." Chrysolite stole a quick, knowing glance at Alexandrite before
laying his hand on Zoisite's shoulder--and teleporting them away in a storm
of vertical
jade green static.

Alexandrite gave Chrysolite a spiteful smirk just has he left. "Majesty, I
AM interested, unlike Chrysolite said. And I'm sure Nephrite is as well.",
Alexandrite said, this time with sincerity, "Your Grace, you must know that
I would give my life for the Dark Kingdom." something inside her felt
strange as she said that, but she ignored her feeling and continued. "I
have a plan, your grace, if you and Nephrite would care to hear 
it." Alexandrite said, she paused, turning to look at Nephrite, she sweetly
said, "And I'm sure Nephrite could help with any flaws my plan may have."

"Yes, do tell us of your plan, Alexandrite." Queen Beryl said as she smiled
bitter sweetly at her.
*********

Chrysolite and Zoisite materialized in Chrysolite's chambers.  The two
walked past stone and marble tables, shelves, and pedestals covered in what
looked to be the failed projects of long-dead tinkers.  Broken, faded
clockwork devices, some opened up to reveal their tiny gears littered much
of the free surface area.  In the center of Chrysolite's largest room was a
statue of four clawlike hands rising from the ground.  The hands touched at
the wrists, turning the four arms into a single pillar which reached just
above Chrysolite's waist.  With a wave of his hand, Chrysolite resummoned
the map of Tokyo, the targeted theatre floating above it.

Zoisite's lip curled in disgust at Chrysolite's lack of taste. This he
quickly masked and changed into an expression of pleasure as Chrysolite
turned to him.

Chrysolite turned to Zoisite with a slight smile on his face.  "I have an
agent in place at this location.  She will collect life energy from those
who attend her performances.  As she drains her audience--they will simply
feel as though her brilliant performance has exhausted them.  They will
file from the theatre as unwitting assistants of the Dark Kingdom!  Your
job is to increase the attendance at said theatre and watch over Number
237's progress."

Zoisite twirled his blond hair around his gloved finger as he smirked
devilishly.  "A brilliant plan, Chrysolite." he remarked with a dazzling
smile. "I'll make sure that everyone in town turns out to see our famous
ballerina!" Chrysolite took Zoisite by the arm and began to lead him
towards and through an open door flanked by two marble tables covered in
old mechanical toys.  "If you feel the need to speak to me or ask for
assistance, please do not hesitate to call."  With these words, Chrysolite
stepped back into his chambers and closed the door.

He picked up a small clock, its glass dome cracked and its face smashed. 
After gazing at it for a short while, he sighed, set it down on a nearby
pedestal, and teleported to Queen Beryl's throne room to inform her of his
plan.
**********

"Hrm.... It sounds like an interesting proposition.  Young people are FULL
of energy, ripe for the picking."  He smiled crossly, "It's in need of a
little filling out, and proper plotting... but not a bad plan at all."
He straightened up suddenly, fist clenched into a ball, "Yes!  I am quite
sure that THIS plan will be the one to succeed!  With Alexandrite's fresh
outlook and my experience, we are sure to gather more energy than any plan
THEY can come up with."  Nephrite bowed excitedly to his liege and then
turned to Alexandrite, an eager gleam in his eyes.  "Shall we adjourn to
your quarters?  We must discuss how to improve your plan... and I don't
want Zoicite copying anything we come up with......"

"Of course, let us go there now. I can't wait to get started. With your
help, Nephrite, I'm sure this plan will be flawless." Alexandrite spoke
softly.  The two reluctant partners teleport to Alexandrite's quarters.  
"So what are your ideas on some improvements for the plan, Nephrite?" 
Alexandrite asked.  Unbeknownst to them Chrysolite was in the shadows
listening.  He replays in his mind how he came to be there . . .
********

Chrysolite materialized in Queen Beryl's throne room.  He bowed formally,
and spoke with great reverence.

"Your exhaltedness, I have devised a plan which should bring you vast
amounts of life energy.  I have an agent in a place of what the humans
refer
to as 'ballet.'  It is a form of organized dance.  Zoisite seemed a bit
short for ideas, so he has gone to supervise the project on Earth."

Chrysolite dropped to one knee.  "I am at your disposal, your eminence."

He smiled deeply, and laughed inwardly at the three fools he was to work
with.  He then teleports into the shadows of Alexandrite's quarters as he
had done before.
**********

Alexandrite's senses perk up as she felt that someone was watching.  She
tells herself that she's imagining things again and  listens to Nephrite's
suggestions.

"Your plan is good child, but it lacks polish.  We need to be
inconspicuous... gather the energy slowly, and then when it is too late for
them to fight it, suck them all dry!"  The gleam re-entered his eyes as he
spoke in a soft, but gradually increasing volume.   "I believe we should
proceed as follows.  I should take the role 
of a substitute teacher, and you that of a STUDENT."

 "Let's face it, I look the part... but you are far too young to be
convincing as a teacher.  We can replace the teachers I substitute for with
youma, and slowly take over the school!  Your main task would be 
to monitor the students' reactions to our draining of their energy.  If
anyone begins to suspect, they can meet with untimely accidents that will
ensure they don't talk."  He paused to catch his breath, obviously excited.
  "With my looks, all the girl students will fawn over the new substitute
teacher, and you my dear," he paused ,"will have no problem infiltrating
the ranks of the student body with your beauty.  Make as 
many "friends" as you can, and drain them whenever you get the chance! If
we drain a little at a time, we can take over the energies of not a few
classes, but the whole school!"

Nephrite opens a portal that shows him the school in question . . . .
"Juuban Junior High . . ."
**********

Toshiro Seiji presents . . . .

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon - Under An Alternate Moon. 
	        Knight Rise - Episode 1
	Stage Fright!  The Ballerina of Death!!!

**********

The sun is shining brightly down on Tokyo.  The birds are singing a lovely
song into the air, adding to the serenity of it all.  It's still early on
in the morning, the sun only an hour old from its rising in the east.  All
of the children are busily getting ready for school. 

"AAAAAAAAAA!!!"

 Well all of them except one . . . .

"I can't believe I'm late again! MOTHER! Why didn't you *wake* me?!"

 *Sigh* "I did, Usagi, and you said you were awake."

"But I always say that! Gotta run!"  With her hair streaming behind her
like twin comets, Tsukino Usagi left her house and sprinted for school. 
"No fair, no fair!  Why do they always have to put mornings so 
*early*?" She gritted her teeth and accelerated, tearing down the
sidewalk...

Juuban Junior High.  An institute of learning.  It's home to some of the
most 'interesting' students in the district.  They range from bullies,
geeks, cuties and total weirdos.  In one teachers classroom, are some of
the most interesting.  Umino, a glasses wearing geek who can get
information on anyone within minutes.  Naru, the best friend of Usagi who
adores shopping and guys as much as Usagi does.  Even Usagi herself is
considered 'unique' for obvious reasons.  Justin Tsuki was sitting in his
classroom in his normal seat by the 
window when the bell rang. As if he had done it before, he looked out the
window in time to see Usagi fly like a rocket through the main doors in a
desperate attempt to turn back time and be in her seat before the bell
rang. *Won't that girl EVER be on time?* he thought to himself.

*********

Zoisite materialized in a large auditorium. The stage was polished oak,
with large red velvet curtains hanging at the sides. Rows and rows of
cushioned red seats spanned the floor, even more crowding the three
balconies.  Zoisite remained floating a meter above the stage, wiping a
speck of dust off
his pristine gloves.

"Number 237..." he called out with a noticeable lack of interest. 

"Here, master." came a grating voice from the shadows backstage.  A thin
woman stepped partially into the light as Zoisite floated nearer to her.
She was slim and fair, her blond hair piled in a bun upon her head. Number
237 was decked out in a pink satin leotard with a large ruffled tutu.
Garlands of
flowers floated amongst the tulle in the tutu, matching the wreath crowning
her head. A brief jade green light illuminated her eyes as she presented
herself to Zoisite.

Zoisite looked on with more interest. "Is everything prepared?" he asked.

"I am ready, master." replied the ballerina in her deep, grating voice that
did not seem to match her small frame. 

"Fine...then...." remarked Zoisite offhandedly, clearly deliberating
another agenda. "Your first performance will be tonight." 

Number 237 started to leave, the stopped at Zoisite's abrupt comment. "Er,
where's the costume room?" asked Zoisite in a way that seemed as if he had
never asked at all. Number 237 smiled and pointed at a door to the side of
the stage. With this, she vanished. Seconds later, Zoisite followed suit,
reappearing among rows and rows of gowns and flowers. Zoisite's eyes lit up
like a child in a candy store as he starting taking them off the racks.

***********

The day had passed quickly and the students at Juuban Junior High dispersed
for the day.  Usagi and Naru are walking down a street together.  Usagi was
unfortunate to have received her test that she had recently taken.   You
see, Usagi was not very . . . adept when it came to academics.  To put it
mildly . . . she didn't do to well in just about anything!  

Naru walked at her side, staring at a piece of paper in her hand in
amazement.  She let out a low whistle.  "Thirty seven, huh?  That's pretty
bad."

"'S better than I usually get..." Usagi mumbled defensively.
  
  "Gonna tell your mom?"

Usagi sighed.  "I don't have a choice.  I've got to bring that back with
her signature."

"Maybe if you got Umino to forge it for you..." The brown-haired girl's
voice trailed off as they both contemplated what the school nerd would
likely want in exchange.  "Maybe not," Naru-chan admitted.
They rounded a corner, and Naru slowed to a halt as Usagi continued on. 
"Hey, look at this."
 
"Hmm?"  Usagi looked up, then gasped in delight.  A fancy theatre stood
just across the street, marquee lights blazing and brightly colored posters
covering every square inch.  Large banners declared a "GRAND OPENING".

    "Wow!" Usagi cried as she ran to get a closer look.  "A ballet theatre!
I LOVE the ballet!"  Her pupils changed into large pink hearts.  "I hope
they're doing one with a HANDsome male lead." She 
giggled happily.  Naru had her hands on her hips, gazing up at the signs in
confusion.  "You know, I could almost swear this wasn't here this morning."

 The hearts failed to vanish. "Oh, come ON, Naru-chan. The sign says Grand
Opening, see? That means it's new. Hey, look! The first showing is
*tonight*!  I can hardly wait!"

 "With a grade like that?  You'll be lucky if your mom lets you in the
house at all."  The hearts finally receded, to be replaced by a blue
teardrop on Usagi's forehead.  "Anyway, didn't you spend the last of your
money at the arcade?"

Usagi dropped to her knees weakly.  "Oh. Right. I forgot."  She sighed
loudly, then stood up and took her paper back. "Well, time to go face the
music, I guess... and I don't mean the ballet."

Naru patted her on the back reassuringly.  "Okay.  See you tomorrow, if you
live." With that, the two friends parted ways...
**********

Justin Tsuki arrives home shortly after leaving school.  He opens the door
to the large house that his family owns and steps inside.  Taking off his
shoes he says, "Tadaima! (I'm home!)."   Justin is not surprised when no
one answers him.  It's the typical response one gets when they live alone. 
Justin has been on his own for quite sometime now.  His parents and his
sister were both killed in a car crash when he was younger.  He was the
only one to survive.  In the Will of his parents, Justin was left with the
family house and fortune.  Justin comes home after school every day and
practices his Martial Arts techniques.   Changing into workout clothes he
heads for his gym to practice.  In the middle of the third hour of his
practicing, Justin receives a sharp pain in his head.  He screams out in
agony and lowers himself to the floor.  While he's writhing in pain he
starts to see flashes of  what looked to be like people in weird outfits. 
Males and Females, dressed in an assortment of 'colorful' outfits.  The
some of the females wore Sailor suits with these ridiculously short skirts.
 One wore a cape that flew in the breeze dramatically.  The males all wore
some sort of armor and they had swords, looking like medieval knights. 
Then one really caught his attention.  A man dressed in Ninja garb that was
unlike any he'd ever seen.  The man looked at him and  sent a chill down
Justin's spine.  For the man . . . . had no pupils.  

Just as suddenly as the pain had struck him, it was over.  He was left with
the memory of what he saw along with names.  "Venus . . . Mercury . . .
Mars . . . Jupiter . . . Uranus . . . Neptune . . . Saturn . . . Pluto." 
Justin said out loud.  He knew that they felt oddly familiar to him but he
didn't know why.  One other name stuck and felt more at home with him than
any.  "Moon . . ."  He rises off of the floor and goes to take a shower. 
While in the shower he starts to remember more and more names.  "Andromeda
. . . Starfire . . . Endymion . . . Alexandria . . ."  He says as the hot
water runs over his body.  His heart stops at the mention of the last name.
 "Alexandria . . . "  Justin  steps out of the shower and cleans himself
up.  He dresses in casual clothing and heads out the door.  Heading for the
park, he wonders why all of those weird visions came to him all of a
sudden.  *What could they possibly mean . . . and who was that weird man
the foggy eyes?*

"He is you . . ."  A voice says suddenly.

Justin whirls around and sees a lovely woman with very dark hair with green
highlights.   His eyes widen as he recognizes her from his vision.  "Pluto
. . . ."

************
At the Crown Center Arcade . . . .

Usagi, after spending all of her money on the just released Sailor V video
game, leaves the arcade and waves goodbye to the cute guy that works there.
 "Ja ne Motoki-chan!  I'll see you tomorrow!"  

Motoki waves and says, "Bye Usagi-chan!"  The doors close in front of him
and Usagi droops her head, finally coming back to the real world.  "Ah! 
What am I gonna do!"  She says.  "My mom's gonna kill me!  This test is a
disgrace.  I'll never get to go to that ballet!!"


"Hey, your hair looks like two big meatballs!"  A voice says from behind
her.

Usagi gags then turns slowly to face the guy who dared insult her on one of
her worst days.  She gets ready to bite the guys head off, when she catches
a glimpse of who insulted her.  A young man, in his late teens stands
behind her.  He wears an olive sportscoat with black shirt and slacks.  He
takes off the shades and Usagi is temporarily stunned by how handsome his
face is.  *Wow . . . he's got the most GORGEOUS eyes!  BUT . . .  he's
still a jerk for talking about my hair and . . . urk!*  She's startled as
the young man grabs the test out of her hand.

"What's wrong with your test? No one gets a score that low!"  He starts to
laugh at her loudly.

All romantic feelings that were inside of her go flying out of her. "Give
me that!" she demanded, grabbing her test and shoving it in her bookbag. 
"First of all, you had *no business* looking at that!  Second, there's
absolutely *nothing* wrong with my hair! I don't know who you think you
are, but you obviously have no manners! Why don't you just grow up!" She
pulled down her lower eyelid and stuck her tongue out at him.  "Nyeahhh!"  
 She spun around and walked away, realized she was going the wrong way,
then walked back past him filled with both anger and embarrassment.

The boy just laughs at her again and walks on his way.  *Heh . . . she's
cute, just a little bit on the ditzy side!*

**********

That night in the theater . . . .

A full house greeted the new ballet on opening night.  The audience entered
the theater, bubbling over with excitement.  The ballerina started to dance
shortly after.  Her movements could be only described as . . . mechanical
yet enchanting.  So enchanting that the audience could not help but be
captivated by her dance.  All eyes were on the dancer as she moved across
the stage in various pirouettes and swan jumps.  They failed to notice that
the Ballerina was not all that it appeared to be, for her eyes glowed a
light jaded green.  Number 237 slowly sapped the energy out of the audience
throughout the performance.   After the show the crowd lazily made their
way out of the theater doors, while normally all of the critics and fans
would have found the performace supremely lacking, the energy drain that
Number 237 had done effected their perception making them all think that it
was the best ballerina ever seen since Barishnikov!  


Chrysolite teleported backstage in the theatre just as the dazed, exhausted
audience began to file out.  *Good,* he thought, *a full house.  I must
begin plans on another outpost at once.....or at least after I put Zoisite
in charge here.*  "Number 237!  Zoisite!  Report at once!" he called, with
a demanding air.

Number 237 stepped from the shadows nearby, her eyes a luminescent jade
green.

"How was opening night?"

"Excellent, master.  We have collected half of the energy from 2000
people--the equivalent of 1000 full bodies," her mechanical, yet somehow
sickly musical voice rang out.

"Wonderful!  Now where is Zoisite.....ZOISITE!!!  REPORT AT ONCE!!!!!" 
Chrysolite's eyes blazed with frustration and anger as he became
progressively more annoyed.  "237--where is he!"  

"He has not issued a command since entering the dressing room, master."

Becoming agitated at the audacity of Zoicite's ignorance of his summons. 
Chrysolite teleported directly into the women's dressing room, only to find
 Zoisite in a long blue silk gown.  His voice was mocking as he said,
"Well, well, well.....getting all dolled up for Kunzite?"  Without waiting
for a reply he continued, "I have decided to allow you to be in command
here--I will begin the setup for another collection site.  Soon the city
will be covered with them!  The only danger to my plan is the presence
Alexandrite and Nephrite.  In addition to the supervision of this
collection site, I expect you to hinder their efforts at Juuban Junior High
School.  I will soon be able to join you in that area--after my new
collection site is established.  With multiple, fairly self-sufficient
sites, we can concentrate on the failure of Nephrite and his young protege.
He will be posing as a substitute teacher, and she as a student. 
Concentrate on slowing or halting their progress--237 can take care of
herself.  I'm off to speak to Queen Beryl"

As the jade green beams of light began to form, Chrysolite stated darkly,
"And Zoisite--don't EVER ignore my calls again....."

**********
In the Dark Kingdom Throne Room . . . .

Chrysolite materialized on one knee, head bowed, before Queen Beryl.  He
raised his head as he spoke with a tone of great reverence.

"Majesty, Number 237 has gathered the equivalent of 1000 human bodies.  She
should continue to do so, as Zoisite is in charge of keeping attendance up
at the theatre where she is stationed.  With your permission, I would like
to set up additional energy collection sites--the next at a restaurant.  I
wish to replace the piano player with one of my agents to drain the humans
who dine where she is stationed."

"You have done  excellent work, Chrysolite.  Permission is granted for you
to continued with your energy draining plan." Queen Beryl replied.  *Soon,*
She thought, *We'll have enough energy to resurrect our
great leader.*

***********

The next morning . . . .

Justin Tsuki sat in his seat in his classroom.  Haruna-sensei had not
arrived just yet so he stared blankly out of the window.  His mind drifts
back to last night and his encounter with that strange woman . . . . 

*********

"He is you . . ."  A voice says behind him.                                
               
	
Justin turns around and sees a beautiful woman with dark green hair
standing behind him.  He recognizes her as one of the women from his dream.
 "Pluto . . . . Sailor Pluto?" He says.   Upon speaking her name Justin
suddenly becomes weak in the knees. 

Pluto comes up to him and catches him.  "Take it easy . . . Prince
Justinius."  She helps him over to a bench and sits him down.  She too sits
down and asks, "Are you alright Prince?"  

Justin was already weak in the knees from his instant knowledge of the
person sitting next to him.  When she called him 'Prince'  it threw him
over the edge.  "No I am not!  And why are you calling me 'Prince'?!  I
have no kingdom that I rule over!"

Pluto gives him a gaze that seems to bore straight into his soul.  "No . .
. you do not.  But one thousand years ago . . . you were the Prince of the
Moon Kingdom . . . Justinius."

Justin start to feel the pain enter his head again, but it is not as strong
as it once was.  He cannot take his gaze off of Pluto as she tells him the
story of his past life.  Tells him that he had a sister, Serenity, who
would have become the ruler of their home, the Moon Kingdom.  Pluto reveals
to him that both he and his sister had their own separate courts, comprised
of the children of the planets of the galaxy.  Mercury, Venus, Mars, and
Jupiter.  The other planets, Uranus, Neptune and the planet from which she
hailed, Pluto, were a part of the court, but were kept busy with other
duties.  

 The Princess' court had hidden powers that were only used in the time of
need.  They could transform into the legendary warriors . . . The Sailor
Senshi.  The Prince's court could also transform into forms allowing them
to use their hidden powers.  They would become The Knight Senshi whenever
they transform.  Both groups were led by the Prince and Princess in their
altered forms.  Princess Serenity transforms and becomes Sailor Moon, the
fighter for love and justice.   The Prince of the Moon, Justinius became
the Moon Ninja, the man in his vision.  The Knights were named as
peacekeepers of the Kingdoms in the Silver Millennium, and had many
adventures.  Although it was not totally supported, Princess Juno of
Jupiter, accompanied her brother, Prince Seijan on his missions with the
Knights.

They had been in a long struggle with their enemies . . . the Dark Kingdom.
 The Kingdom of Earth, and the Royal Guardians were our only allies against
them.  Princess Alexandria of Earth , the fiancee' of Prince Justinius
hadn't been heard from in weeks.  They feared that she had been killed.  In
truth though Alexandria had been captured and brought to the side of the
Dark Kingdom.  Justinius had flown into an uncontrollable rage at hearing
this news and went on a rampage.  One day a large battle raged on the moon
between the Dark Kingdom and Queen Serenity's forces.  Several losses were
suffered by both sides, but everyone on the Moon Kingdom was killed. 
Prince Endymion of Earth, the fiancee of Princess Serenity, and
Alexandria's brother,  was also killed in the battle. That day Queen
Serenity gave her life force and used the Ginzoishou (Silver Crystal) to
send  everyone into the future to live in peace and be normal children. 
But recently the Dark Kingdom have started up their actions once more and
the Sailor and Knight Senshi are needed not only to fight them . . . but to
fight against a much greater evil.  

Justin didn't know who this lady was.  She came out of nowhere and told him
that he was the prince of a long lost civilization and that he had a
sister, also a fiancee'.  Yet he accepted every word as the truth.  Soon
afterwards the strange woman who he knew as Sailor Pluto got up to leave
him.  She said something about monitoring the timestream so that certain
meddlesome kids don't throw it all out of whack.  But she asked him to
start
recruiting the other senshi for battle.  She said that he would know them
for whenever he meets one, their symbol will come to him in the head.  Then
just as suddenly as she appeared, she disappeared.  Justin sat at the bench
for a few hours to soak in everything that was said to him.  Then he went
home and slept.
***********
Nephrite in the hallway, preparing to enter the class that he had taken
over.  The teacher, Ms. Haruna, had suddenly fallen ill, thanks to a quick
energy drain.  While he drained her energy he put a spell on her so that
energy would gradually be drained from her body everyday.  Therefore, she
would not be able to come to work the next day, or any other day.  Nephrite
straightened his attire and walked into the class. 

"Hello students, Haruna-sensei is out sick today... I'll be substituting
today.  My name is Nathan Effrite, and I hope that we can all become good
friends.  I just started here, so if you'll take it easy on me... I'll try
to take it easy on you.  As I take roll, why don't you all tell me a little
about yourselves."

Just as Umino was about to stand and present himself. . .
 
A young girl walks into the class.  She's wearing the typical school
uniform and her hair is a wavy brown.  

 Nephrite scowled, mumbling to himself before walking over to greet the
late student.  "May I help you?"

 Seeing a blank and questioning look on the students face, he walked over
to his role book... "You look lost, you must be the new student Ms. Haruna
was telling me about!  Let's see... Alexandria..."

Justin, who was still in his reverie as Nephrite walked into class, comes
out of it when he hears the name.

"Is that your name?"  The girl shakes off her blank stares and nods her
head slowly.  Nephrite straightened up and looked at the class, "I assume
you will not be tardy habitually from now on.   Correct?"

The girl nods an affirmative, but if one looked closely you could see that
she was mumbling something under her breath.

"Now class, let's say hello to our new student, Alexandria Knight.  Why
don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"

"Uh...,", was all Alexandria could say, having been completely unprepared
to
answer questions about herself. She knew she was going to have make
something up and fast. 

        "Well,um...I'm 15 years old....and...,"she continued, trying to
think of stuff as she went along, "I live by myself."  *There that she be
good enough.* she thought.

Justin was completely captivated by this new girl.  Her name was
Alexandria, and that gave him enough reason to think that she may be his
lost love from the Moon Kingdom.  But he also wonders again about what
Pluto had said to him last night.  'She was never heard from again.' was
what she said.

"Thank you Miss Knight, you may take the seat right there as we seem to
have an absent student today.  I'll have to get another one for you
tomorrow as this class is full."  Nephrite says.  "Now, shall we get on
with the lesson?  Um . . . . Mizuno Ami?"

A young girl with dark hair and blueish highlights stands up and says,
"Hai!"  

As Nephrite asks Ami what the current lesson plan is Justin receives a
vision of Ami.  Justin stares and stares at her.  Then the symbol pops into
his head.  "Sailor . . . . Mercury . . ."  He whispers.  

"Are you all right?"  A feminine voice asks.

Justin comes out of his daze and gazes to the seat next to him.  In it is
the new girl, Alexandria.  She's now the one doing the staring.  Justin
starts to feel many mixed emotions as he looks at her.  It felt like joy, 
and sorrow, and an overwhelming sense of evil at the same time.  He
manages to stutter out, "Y-y-eah I . . . I'm fine."  Before he fixes his
gaze solely on her.  Alexandria just stares at him for a couple of seconds
then turns her head to the front.  *Maybe  . . . maybe she is the one.* 
Justin thinks.  

Alexandria sits nervously in her seat.  She shifts every few seconds and
then casts a glance at Justin every time she shifts.  *What is it with that
. . . . boy.  Why is he staring at me like that?*  She thinks.  Her gaze
goes to Nephrite as he teaches a lesson to the students.  *Is he on to
Nephrite?*  She takes another look at Justin, who's still been staring at
her.  She blushes a bit then says, "Could you  . . . not stare at me like
that?"  She still fidgets in her seat as she looks at him.  *What am I
feeling here?  Why is this . . . human seeming so attractive to me!  No
human can ever hope to be my mate!  So why am I feeling what I am about
him?*

Justin continues to stare at her, until he's startled by the door opening. 
And the person behind it sends a cold sweat running down his spine.  

Usagi staggered, out of breath, to her classroom door.  "Gomen Nasai
Haruna-sensei," she sighed as she made her way to her desk without really
looking
around.  "It won't happen... again..."  It finally dawned on her that, A)
Ms. Haruna has turned into a man, and B) someone was sitting in her chair. 
She looked between the two, the picture of perplexed confusion, then
noticed Naru nearby.  "Um, Naru-chan...what's going on?"

Naru rose from her desk and timidly gestured towards Alexandrite, "This is
Alexandria Knight; she's a new student." She blushed, every inch the
lovesick schoolgirl. "Mr. Effrite, our substitute teacher, gave her your
seat since you weren't here." Here Naru snuck a dreamlike gaze at Nephrite.
 Naru sat back in her seat, and smiled darkly as she straightened the bow
she was wearing.

Usagi's entrance to the room was just too much for Justin.  He felt like he
was going to scream from the overwhelming feelings he was getting from the
people in the room.  He raised his hand but then just got up and dashed out
of the room looking a little pale, making him look like his silver blonde
hair.

Alexandria looked on in puzzlement as Justin left the room.  She felt it
weird that a boy would turn pale like that whenever he looked at someone. 
*Something's up here.  I'd better check this out.*  She glances at Nephrite
who was staring back at her.  He nods to her and she also leaves the room
following Justin.

Usagi watched, more than a little confused, as first Justin then the new
girl Alexandria slipped out the classroom door.  She looked around, just to
make sure... then, in a streak of yellow hair sat in her desk.  *I may not
know what's going on,* she thought to herself happily, *but at least I get
to sit down while it's happening.*
***********

Chrysolite carefully observed his map statue.  With a wave of his hand, the
theatre dissipated, and a posh restaurant from the map of Tokyo beneath
took
its place.  His site selected, Chrysolite strode into one of his other
rooms--and moved directly to a small toy on a cold gray marble table.

A small brass key lay near a model piano.  Attached to the piano bench was
a doll of a young girl in a faded green Victorian dress, slumped over the
keys.  The doll's back was open to reveal a collection of cogs and gears.

Chrysolite's sapphire eyes began to glow with power as a pale, ghostly blue
flame surrounded the toy before him.  The doll's door closed slowly, as the
key lifted from the air to enter the small of her back.  The key slowly
turned as the tiny girl lifted to a more appropriate posture.  The
enveloping flame enlarged as she began to lift her arms up and down,
banging tiny keys soundlessly and the toy began to float at Chrysolite's
eye level.  The key and piano disintegrated as the young doll began to
enlarge herself.  As the flame began to dissipate, a beautiful woman stood
as tall as Chrysolite, in a forest green dress that bordered on "slinky."

"Number 549--Follow me."

She walked choppily, as if uncomfortable with the idea of working legs. 
"Yes, master."  Her voice was pleasant, but monotone.

Chrysolite gestured to the floating restaurant.  "This is your target. 
Destroy the entertainer there and take her place.  Every evening--drain
half of everyone there's energy."

"Yes, master."  She moved with growing grace and spoke with growing charm. 
Soon she would be able to sing beautifully, and work the pedals on a real
piano as well.

"I will be checking on your progress.  We require vast amounts of energy
for the queen."

"Yes, master."  She faded away to Earth as Chrysolite smiled darkly.  

<Yes, indeed.  Soon I will have sites all over the humans' pathetic city!>
*********

Justin was washing his face in the bathroom, hoping to regain some of the
color in his cheeks.  *My mind feels like it's going to burst!*  He thinks
to himself.  "Ami . . . Mercury.  Usagi . . . .my . . . sister."  Justin
says silently.  His body threatens to throw up as many different feelings
flood through him.  Controlling himself, he then shifts his thoughts to
Alexandria.  *Who is she really?  Is she my lost love?  If she is why do I
feel so much evil coming from her?*  He thinks to himself.  He sits down on
the ground and closes his eyes.  He fails to notice that a golden crescent
moon is now shining on his forehead.  He also fails to notice . . . that
he's not alone.

Alexandria had been following him since he left the class.  As she saw him
enter the bathroom, she quickly shed her 'earth disguise' and teleported
into the bathroom.  Cloaking herself from him, she watched him silently. 
He heard him say "Ami . . . . Mercury.  Usagi . . . my sister." out loud. 
She wondered what could possibly be so special the girl with the strange
hair.  Then she watched in wonderment as he sat on the ground and a golden
crescent moon shined on his forehead.   She was so startled that she nearly
gave her presence away.  *Oh my . . .*  She thought.  *He's from the Moon
Kingdom!  I thought they were all dead!  How can this be!*  She struggled
with the idea of telling Queen Beryl about her discovery but smirks and
thinks to herself, *What Beryl doesn't know . . . won't hurt her.*
******
Back in the classroom . . .

Nephrite wasn't having a good day after all.  He placed a stern look on his
face and looked for a victim for his wrath.  "Ami!  Why aren't you paying
attention to my lecture on greek mythology?  It's a wonder Haruna-san
isn't insane from all the strange goings on in this class!  What would you
say to a detention miss?"

Ami couldn't believe it.  Never in her life had she been the trigger to set
off an angered outburst from the teacher.  *A . . .detention?  I've never 
. . . had a detention!*  She thinks.  Ami's eyes tear up very quickly and
one escapes her eyes, but she quickly wipes it away before anyone could
notice.

Nephrite was about to lay into her again, but he saw the hurt expression
and tears rimming her eyes.  *Dammit... I can't let them get to me.  I have
to keep my act up!*

"THAT'S IT!"  Nephrite slammed his hands down on the desk, shocking almost
all of the students.

 Nephrite smiled his best fake smile and addressed his class, "I've come to
a decision students.  Today isn't a good day to study.  Why don't we all go
out and relax outside for a little bit to clear our heads?"

 Seeing the shock and confusion on the students' faces, Nephrite added,
"Everyone come back in twenty minutes, and try to be ready to learn
something when you return... ok?  Mrs. Haruna will be back in a 
few days, and I want to make the most of our time together."

The students all pile out of the room, but he holds Ami and Usagi behind. 
Usagi was not very happy about it, but she managed to hide it pretty well. 
Nephrite says to Usagi first, "Tsukino. . . " He pauses to check his role
book then looks back up, " . . . Usagi?"  Usagi nods her head in
affirmative.  "Well Tsukino-san . . . why were you so late in getting to my
class this morning?"

Usagi had been dreading this question, but she did know it was coming, so
she prepared one of her usual responses. "Um... well, sir..."  She took a
deep breath.  "I didn't mean to be late, I honestly and truly *tried* to
get here on time, I even left home early to do it, but I just got
interrupted on the way, and I'll try not to let it happen again, and I
thought I was paying attention, I mean, more attention than I usually pay,
not that I never pay attention in class, but, you know..." She finally runs
out of steam. "Like that."

Nephrite was about to give a response when Alexandria opened the room door
and said, "Excuse me, Effrite-Sensei.  I need to talk to you.  It's
important."

Nephrite gave her a smirk, then turns back to Usagi and says, "No detention
. . . this time.  But don't let it happen again!  Now go and enjoy your
break."  He adds a fake smile for effect.  Usagi jumps for joy and races
out of the room past Alexandria.  Alexandria then enters the room and
closes the door.  Nephrite goes to the window and looks out to the tennis
courts.

Alexandria speaks up first saying, "Nephrite . . . I have found something
very interesting!  I have found . . ."

Nephrite interrupts and says, "That Zoicite is here?  I know.  Go and check
out the tennis courts for me.  I need to regroup and think about our plan."
 

Alexandria's a bit miffed that she was so RUDELY interrupted.  "That's
_NOT_ what I was going to say!  I was going to say that . . ."  She's
interrupted once again by Nephrite.

"I said GO!  Check out the tennis courts and do not question me!"  Nephrite
says.

Alexandria angrily walks out the room, making sure to slam the door on her
way out.  She shifts back into her Dark Kingdom uniform and teleports to
the tennis courts.  Upon arriving she sees Chrysolite she hides in some
nearby bushes.  Then all of a sudden, Chrysolite vanishes.   *He must have
been waiting for Zoi!  He is here somewhere!  I'd better scan all of the
students in the class to see which one it is!*  She thinks.
*********

Justin sees Usagi leaving  the room, a look of relief on her face. He
ignored that for now and tried to open the door. Locked. He tried to peer
through the window but there didn't appear to be anyone there.  He decided
to deal with the problem of Mr. Effrite and Alexandria later so he caught
up to Usagi.   "Usagi, did you notice anything strange about Naru today?
She didn't seem normal."

"It's funny you should ask that," she said softly.  "She was acting kind of
strange this morning, but don't 
ask me to explain more than that."  She shook her head.  "I don't know.  
Maybe she's just in a weird mood."  She straightened up and walked off,
waving. "Bye Justin-chan!  I'm off to enjoy my break for the next fifteen
minutes!"  Usagi leaves the building and sees something funny in the tennis
court.  She thought she saw a strange boy standing in the tennis court but
paid no attention to it.  She started to walk away when she heard her name
being called.

Alexandrite saw Usagi enter the tennis court and recognizes her as the one
that Justin had mentioned in the bathroom.  *Well now.  I can find out for
myself what is so special about this girl.  Besides, Nephrite did says to
make friends!*  She thinks.  Shifting back into her 'disguise'  she chases
after Usagi as she leaves the tennis court and calls out her name.  "Usagi!
 Usagi, wait up!"  She calls out.
*********
Elsewhere . . . 

Naru waited until all the other students had passed her, then ducked into
an empty doorway.  She then faded away amongst  pink hearts, reappearing
some distance from the tennis courts, shielded from sight by a wall. She
felt another presence and recognized who it was right away.  "I'm here
Chrysolite." 

Chrysolite regarded Naru-Zoi with the same look of contempt he would have
used had the general stood before him in his true form.  Chrysolite had
disguised himself as a regular school boy with short hair.  For all intent
purposes, it seemed as if Naru was meeting with her boyfriend.

Naru-zoi just looked at him seductively and twirled her hair.  She then
started move her body in suggestive ways, as if she was trying to taunt
Chrysolite with her body.  She smiled a smile that only said lust on it.

Chrysolite's anger became apparent when he grabbed Naru-Zoi fiercely by the
arm.  He squeezed the host's limb tightly as he drew the body to him,
twirling it into the folds of his arms.  He cocked his head and lowered
in towards her neck, and whispered "I hope, Zoisite, that you are not
trying
to seduce me--such a venture would be foolish regardless of who you were to
possess."  He pulled his head back, laughed good-naturedly, and drove his
head back towards Naru-Zoi's neck to remove the presence of a few nosy
students who happened by.  As they left, he spun her/him away from him,
gripping both of her/his arms tightly.

After glaring into Naru-Zoi's eyes, Chrysolite took him/her by the hand and
led her/him to the edge of the grounds.  He leaned against a wall and
motioned for Naru-Zoi to do the same.  He folded his hands behind his
head, uncomfortably running his fingers through his now short hair.  He
turned his head to his left as he spoke to her in a voice difficult to read
his mood from: "I have a few questions for you.  One, how do you plan to
hinder Alexandrite and Nephrite?  Two, how do you plan to increase the
ballet's attendance?  And three, what in the name of Metallia took you so
long to get here?"

"I plan on giving tickets to this host's friends, but other than that there
are no more possibilities here.  Tonight I will be leaving this body and
start to advertise the ballet at the theater."  Naru-Zoi responded. 
"Nephrite and Alexandrite do not look as if they will be starting their
operation for quite some time, so there is no need for me to be here."  She
starts to walk away when she turns her head back to Chrysolite and says,
"As for your other question . . . do not worry about where I am . . . You
are not my master!"  With that Naru-Zoi disappears in swirl of cherry
blossoms.

"We shall see, Zoisite.  We shall see....."

His eyes narrowed as he removed his ring from his hand to undisguise
himself.  As the fuchsia energy returned him to his original body and
general's uniform, he silently fumed at Zoisite's insolence.  After he
stepped from the ring, it floated to his hand, which Chrysolite moved to
the back of his head to bind the deep purple hair spilling down his back. 
The ring constricted around his hair to create the familiar ponytail, which
Chrysolite moved over his left shoulder.  He smiled slightly as the
vertical beams of jade green light began to surround him.....


********

The rest of the day passes pretty easily.  Alexandrite thought about all of
the things that happened to her today.  *I met that Justin guy.  He's from
the Moon Kingdom, but I'd like to know how since all of them are supposed
to be dead!  Then there's that Usagi girl.  A strange one she is!  As I
talked to her she implied that Justin and I were romantically involved. 
And even though I hotly denied it, I still couldn't help blushing!  Why?  I
have no feelings for that Moon Kingdom scum!*  She thinks to herself.  Then
she receives a message that says that Kunzite is now on the roof of Juuban.
 She quickly teleports to the roof and bows saying, "You called
Kunzite-sama?"

"Hmph.  It's about time."  He stood from his 'chair.' and settled to the
ground.  "Queen Beryl wants a report on your activities as of late.  I must
admit I'm eager to find out exactly what you're planning myself."

He turned his back to his fellow general, looking over the school grounds. 
"So, Alexandrite, exactly what have you and Nephrite come up with?"

"As of right now? Well we haven't exactly gathered a lot of energy yet, but
we're WORKING on   it." Alexandrite replied, then she looked down. 

"Then I suppose you want me to tell this to Queen Beryl."

"This plan just needs time, Kunzite-sama.  And I believe that Zoisite and
Chrysolite are trying to sabotage our efforts to further themselves in her
majesty's eyes." Alexandrite said as she looked up at Kunzite innocently.

"Indeed."

That message certainly gave Kunzite pause.  "Most interesting.  And have
you any PROOF that they are doing so?"  He almost sounded apprehensive.  He
thought to himself, *Because if you do, then I'm not sure exactly what I'm
going to do.  Our... relationship has not gone well as of late... Perhaps
it is time I sever all connections with Zoisite once and for all.*

"I haven't actually seen Zoisite, Nephrite and I think he's posing as a
student.  I did however, see Chrysolite at the tennis courts and he seemed
to be waiting rather impatiently for some one. After waiting awhile
Chrysolite dematerialized."  Alexandrite sighed as she finished, hoping
that Kunzite wouldn't be too upset at her implicating Zoisite in the
sabotage of the plan.

"I see."  He nodded gravely.  "Very well, I will return to Queen Beryl. 
Expect my return within the day."
Kunzite then wraps his cloak around himself, but pauses before teleporting.
 
*************

Now the view shifts to another school across Tokyo.  An all girls school .
. . T*A Private Acadamy.  It's the end of the school day and all of the
young girls are anxious to get home and go out with their friends.  One
girl though doesn't exactly feel that way.  It's not that she doesn't like
shopping.  She loves it in fact.   It's just that she has other duties to
attend to, like helping her grandfather take care of the Hikawa Shrine that
she
lives in.  She waves to her friends and leaves for home.  "See you tomorrow
Rei-chan!"  One of her friends say.   "Bye Shori!  See you later!"  She
says.  Hino Rei, age fifteen, makes her way back to the temple.  "I'm home
Grandpa!"

"Rei-chan . . . you're home!"  Says her grandfather.  He rubs his hands
together mischievously.  "Have you brought any of your *young* girl friends
with you?"

As Rei hangs her coat she lowers her head.  Her eyebrows start to twitch
and her jaws clamp together.  A large sweatdrop adorns her forehead.  "NO
GRANDPA!! I HAVE NOT!!"  She storms off to her room and shuts the door. 
"What a lecherous old man!  What did I do to deserve such a grandfather!" 
She says.  She starts to take off her school clothes then stops to look at
herself in the mirror.  *How come I can't ever find a guy to be happy with?
 All of the other guys are scared of my psychic abilities.  Then there's
that no good Chad!* She shakes her head and says, "No.  Don't think about
him!  It hurts too much!"  She finishes taking off her clothes and changes
into her priestess robes.  Everyday people come to take in the beauty of
the shrine.  But most of the time people come to pray for good fortune or
things like that.  All throughout the day Rei carries on with her duties as
normal, until a certain girl comes to visit the temple.  She's nearly the
same height as Rei but wears a short coifed hairstyle.  Her hair is almost
blueish in nature, and she looks to be really studious.  Walking over Rei
says, "Konnichiwa!  Welcome to the Hikawa Jinja!  Can I help you?"

Mizuno Ami turns to face the question posed to her.  "Hmm?  Oh, I was just
taking in the beauty of the temple.  It really is something!"  Ami looks
around the courtyard more then looks at Rei.  Between the two they feel a
closeness to one another.  They both speak each others names at the same
time, which causes them both to laugh.  After a few seconds of hearty
laughter Ami bows slightly and says, "I'm Mizuno Ami.  It's nice to meet
you!"

Rei smiles and returns the gesture saying, "I'm  Hino Rei, but please call
me Rei-chan.  It's so nice to meet you Ami-san."

"Oh please don't be so formal, Ami-chan is just fine by me!"  Ami replies. 
She looks around the temple once more then turns to make small talk with
Rei.  As the two talk, both start to open up more and more about their past
experiences.  They become fast friends.  "Say Rei-chan . . . would you like
to go shopping or something today?"

"Sure!  I'd love to!"  Rei says.  "Just let me go inside and get changed." 
She runs inside and comes back out five minutes later wearing a yellow
shirt and a  light blue dress.  The two pretty girls leave the temple and
head for the shopping district.  After shopping for an hour the two girls
head back to the temple.  On the way they are pursued by a black cat.  

After coming to the temple the two girls prepare to part ways, when the cat
comes up to them.  "Kawaii!"  both girls say.  Rei bends down to pet the
cat, who purrs in response.  Ami does the same then stands up.  "Well
Rei-chan, I have to get home so I can catch up on my homework!  I'll see
you tomorrow!"

"Okay Ami-chan!  Bye!"  Just as the two turn around to leave in opposite
directions . . .

"Wait!"  

The two girls turn to face each other.  "Did you  . . .?"  Both start to
say.  Then they hear something clear it's throat below them.  They both
look down and see the cat looking at them.  "Ano . . ."  Rei starts to say.


"Yes?"  The cat responds.  

Both girls promptly faint away.

*************

Some time later, the two girls awaken on the steps.  They slowly raise up
to a sitting position on the steps.  They slowly turn to look at each
other, Rei speaking first.  "Ami-chan . . . did you see . . .?"

Ami catches on to what Rei is about to say.  " . . . a black cat that
talked?  Yeah I did.  But that's impossible right?"  Both girls nod and
start to laugh softly.

"Actually . . . it's not."  says the voice they heard before.  

They both stop laughing and quickly turn around to see that the black cat
is now sitting two step above them.  They both scream out loud.  "Aaaahh!
It's a talking cat!"  

"Calm down!  It's not that bad!"  says the cat.

Rei starts to look visibly upset.  "It's not that bad?!?  You're a talking
cat!  What are we supposed to say?  Oh it's nothing, just a talking cat!" 
She says sarcastically.

"Well . . . no but . ."  The cat starts to say.

"I think that we were just surprised that's all."  Ami says, trying to calm
down.

"Just surprised!  We nearly jumped out of our skins!  And all you can say
is ' we were just surprised'?!"  Rei says excitedly.  

"Please try and calm down . . . I'm only talking to you because there is
something important that you two need to know."  The cat says to them.  The
cat looks around and says, "Is there a more private place that we can go
to?"

The two girls get up and lead the cat to the living quarters of the Temple.
 Heading for Rei's room they look around to see if her grandfather was
lurking about.  Seeing that the coast was clear they quickly go in and
slide the door shut.  The cat sits on the bed and the two girls stand in
front of it.  "My name is Luna."  She says.  "I am a cat that was given the
task of reawakening the Sailor Senshi, legendary warriors of the Moon
Kingdom."

"Moon Kingdom?  What's that?"  Rei asks.  

"The Moon Kingdom was a peaceful kingdom that existed one thousand years
ago on the Moon of Earth.  The times were peaceful, but there were times
when the Senshi were needed to fight evil minions on Earth.  The Moon
Kingdom was in alliance with the Kingdom of the Earth and helped protect it
from evil.  One day, the Kingdom of Earth was destroyed by an evil force
called Metallia and her Earth avatar, Beryl.  After overturning the Earth,
Beryl's forces made their way to the Moon and attacked.  The Sailor Senshi
and
their counterparts, the Knight Senshi valiantly tried to defend the Moon
Kingdom from Beryl and her newly formed Dark Kingdom, but eventually . . .
they lost."  Luna's head drops a bit as she goes over the story.

"Oh . . . how sad."  Says Ami.  "But Luna . . . what does that have to do
with us?"

Luna's head raises,  "I was just coming to that."  Luna jumps into the air
does a couple of somersault and lands on the ground.  Two objects appear
out of thin air, and land on the bed in front of Luna.  They appear to look
like pens with golden tops.  At the top they have a hoop with funny looking
symbols in the middle. .She pokes one paw at each of them.  "You two . . .
are part of the lost Sailor Senshi team."  She points at Ami with her paw,
then points at the blue wand, and says, "You are Sailor Mercury, Ami."  

Ami's eyes widen with shock.

"You, Rei, are the fiery Sailor Mars."  Luna says to Rei, as she points to
the other wand.

"Nani?!  This is too much!"  Rei starts to lose it.  "First there's a
talking cat, then that same talking cat tells me that I am some long lost
super-powered warrior!  There's no way that can be true!" She says.

Luna is starting to become impatient with Rei's show of distrust.  "Oh
really?  You've accepted that I'm a talking cat!  If you don't believe me,
then pick up this pen and say "Mars Power, Make-up!"

*This is absurd!  But there's no harm in trying is there?* She thinks. 
Bending down Rei picks the pen up off of the bed and looks at it closely. 
"Hmmph!  This is crazy, but I guess it won't hurt to try."  She holds the
pen up and says rather unenthusiastically, "Mars Power, Make-up."  Energy
explodes from the pen and Rei is surrounded by hoops of fire.  The hoops
close in on her and become a part of her.  As the fires go out she stands
in a short red skirted, Sailor fuku, and red high heels.  A purple bow is
attached to her chest, a red jewel holding it in place.  She looks herself
over and her eyes bulge out.  "Wha-  I . . Tha . ."  Sailor Mars looks at
Ami, then at Luna.  "The story is true?"  Luna only nods her head in
agreement.  

Ami looks Sailor Mars up and down.  "Sugoi! (WOW!) You look great
Rei-chan!"  Ami looks at the pen that was designated for her.  "I suppose
that my henshin words are Mercury Power Make-up?"  In response Ami's pen
also comes to life and surrounds her with energy, covering her with
translucent blue bands.  After they merge with her, Ami stands as Sailor
Mercury.  Wearing a similar outfit to Sailor Mars but with knee high blue
boots, and a light blue bow fixed with a blue jewel.  "Uh . .  I guess so!"
 Ami looks herself over, then tugs on the skirt.  "I just wish that this
skirt wasn't so short!"

Luna chuckles a bit, and says, "Well . . . you couldn't really fight well
if they were knee length now could you."  

"How do we change back Luna?"  Sailor Mars asks.  Luna tells them that they
only have to press the jewel on their bows.  They do and are instantly
changed back into their normal clothes.  "How many other Sailor Senshi are
there besides us?"

"At present there are 7 other Sailors that are a part of your team.  The
Knights have representatives of nearly every planet"  Luna says.  

Ami is puzzled as to what this could mean.  "What do you mean Luna?  I
don't understand."

Luna sighs.  "Each Sailor and Knight were the children of their respective
planet.  Your planet, Mercury . . . did not have a Knight representative,
for you were an only child.  There is no Mercury Knight."  Luna says sadly.
"Just as there is no Neptune Knight."

Ami can't help but feel a little loss at these words.  She was an only
child . . . she had no sibling to share things with.  Perhaps if she had
more of a feeling of what he or she was like then she might have cried, but
she did not.  "Oh . . . I see."  

Rei puts an arm on Ami's shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze.  "I'm
sorry Ami-chan."  After a second Rei says, "Luna . . . do you know who my
brother is then?"

"Your sister . . ." Luna corrects her.  "You are the only one to have a
sister out of all the Sailors.   And no, I have no knowledge of who she is
now."

Soon afterwards Ami heads for home, but not before she tells Rei that she
will stop by tomorrow.  After feeding Luna some milk, Rei settles in for
bed.  *A sister . . . I have a long lost sister!  I wonder what she's like
. . . and these other Senshi.  I wonder if one of them was in love with me
. . . and me with him.* She thinks.  Yawning, she turns onto her side and
falls to sleep.

**********

The next day proceeds as normally as normal can get around Tokyo.  In
Juuban, Nephrite is a little more engrossed into his role as a teacher and
starts to get along with his students. Then there was a knock at the door. 
Someone near the door opened it, revealing a frost blond-haired, green eyed
girl in a school uniform there.  "Uh...hi," she said. "I'm Landra Ti'Lyra
and I was just transferred here from a private school. It had to do with
perpetual lateness and the fact that I have a rare disease called
homework-itis. That is, I don't do it."

"Welcome . . . . Ti'Lyra-san."  Effrite-sensei thinks about her name for a
bit, finding it a bit . . . unique.  "That's an interesting name.  Where
are you originally from?"

Landra looked at her feet shamefacedly. *Damn! Any question but that!* she
thought, carefully shielding her thoughts VERY tightly.  Landra Ti'Lrya is
not who she seems.  She is over one hundred thousand years old, and is the
Princess of a lost civilization.  Only a few of her kind exist anywhere in
the Universe.  Her alien heritage gives her other powers and senses that
humans do not have.  And those senses are telling her that the person
before her is also not what he seems.  So she did the only thing she could,
short of vaporizing Nephrite's atoms across the cosmos.  She lied.  "Um..."
she said. "I don't remember." Elaborating on this pseudo-truth, she
continued, "You see, when I was six or seven, there was this awful fire in
my house-or so the doctors said-and I completely lost my memory-except for
my name-and none of my family made it out. The doctors were amazed that I
survived, even without my memory." To add effect to her story, she started
cry forcibly.  "I wish I could remember what my mother looked like..." A
week ago this would've been true. A few days, even.  All the while that she
was spinning this sob story she probed Nephrites mind and gathered as much
information as she could without alerting Nephrite of her illegal access. 
She found out who Nephrite is and who he works with and for.  She also
learned of their plans to drain the whole school of it's energy within the
next week.  After getting this info she quickly cut her link and wiped the
tears from her eyes.  "I'm sorry about that. It's just that I- I'm. You
know, it's still not something I like to really talk about anymore." 
*There,* she thought. *I just hope he never noticed that.*

Nephrite on the other hand, did notice her little 'transaction'.  And he
assumed that she was working for Chrysolite and Zoicite.  But for all
pretenses he went along with her 'story'.  "I'm very sorry for your loss...
It must be horrible for you.  I only hope you regain your memory someday." 
Nephrite looked almost sympathetic as he turned to the chalkboard.  *I
can't believe they sent a spy after me.. have they no honor?  Have I spied
on their endeavors... yet?  Nooooooo.  I'll have to try and expose their
actions to Queen Beryl.  She must be made aware of their true intentions!* 
He thinks.  Landra moves to a seat located right behind Justin's.  "Now
class... let's discuss the roles of the planets in Greek Mythology."  He
began to write the names of the planets down on the board, automatically
putting the planetary symbols next to each.  
Absent-mindedly he listed the moon as well, the symbol of the crescent moon
next to it.  He caught himself too late and decided to run with it.  "Now..
you may be asking yourselves, 'why list the moon as a planet?'  Well.. you
see people have always been fascinated with the moon, and therefore there
is a lot of myths written about it.  Far more than any of the actual
planets.... "

Ami and Justin payed very close attention to this particular discussion,
since it was directly connected to their heritage.  Each gains a little
insight on the 'mythology' of their homes.  Effrite-sensei tells the class
that he will be going over each planets individual mythologies in the next
week.  Class passes normally until the lunch bell finally rings.  Usagi and
Ami eventually get together and start to eat together. Ami brings up a
question to Usagi.  "Are you doing anything after school today?  I keep
hearing things about this new ballet in town.  Everyone's saying that
whoever goes there, comes out emotionally depleted!  It must be really
good!"

Usagi is about to respond when Naru walks up.  "It is a great ballet!  I
went there already and it was a great show!  Here . . ."  She hands the two
of them tickets to the ballet.  The tickets say that they can be used on
any day that the ballet is in town.  "I bought two tickets for the both of
you!  Don't worry about the money.  Consider it a . . . gesture of
friendship!"

"Wow!  Thanks Naru-chan!  That's awfully nice!"  Usagi says happily.  Her
face droops down and says, "My mom probably won't let me go until Friday
night, but I can still use them!  Why don't you sit with us."  

Naru looks grim and shakes her head no.  "Iie. (No.)  I can't stay . . .
uh.  I
have other things that I have to take care of now.  I'll see you later
Usagi-chan.  Ami-chan."  She waves goodbye and walks into the school.  

"Hmm . . . that's weird.  She shouldn't have anything to do at this time of
day."  Usagi says.  She shrugs it off and looks at her ticket.  Her head
starts to fill with thoughts of handsome, male ballerina dancers, running
around stage in tight spandex outfits.  One of them pirouettes over to her
and kneels in front of her, kissing her hand.  She swoons and the dancer
spins her into his arms and moves in for a kiss.  Usagi is spaced out for
the rest of lunch.  

Ami waves her hands in front of Usagi, but receives no response.  She sighs
and sits back.  Looking at her spaced out friend, Ami smiles.  *Usagi's
such a good friend.  When I first came here she treated me as an equal
instead of an outcast just because I am an intellectual.  She's so funny .
. . she may not be the smartest person in the world, but I'm getting this
feeling that she must be protected at all costs.* She thinks.  *Could she
be . . . part of the mission that Rei and I are on?  I wonder . . .*
**********

In the Dark Kingdom . . . .

Chrysolite appears before Queen Beryl and kneels on one knee.  

"My queen, with your permission, I would like to create another energy
collection site for the glory of the Dark Kingdom.  Number 237  has
collected the energy equivalent of  900 humans, and Number 549 should
collect approximately the worth of 400 full humans tonight, in addition to
237's regular 1000.  A third site will bring us even closer to the
resurrection of our great leader.  I humbly beg for the chance to further
our cause, your excellency."  Chrysolite chuckles quietly to himself as
Beryl starts to speak in response.

"Yes, do proceed, Chrysolite.", Queen Beryl replied, "Your plans seem to
work quite well."  Beryl smiled at him.  Thoughts of how she would rule the
earth danced in her head.

Before Chrysolite can teleport Kunzite appears in the Throne Room. 
Kneeling before Queen Beryl he says, "My Queen, I return with the report on
Alexandrite and Nephrite.  It would appear that the two of them have not
put their plans into motion and are wasting precious time.  Alexandrite
claims that their plans need more time to be used effectively.  I feel that
this is not necessary and would like to request the approval to become
their 'supervisor' in their operations.

Queen Beryl frowns making her appearance more menacing.  "That is not good
news at all.  If they do not produce energy soon, I shall have to abandon
their plan."  She thinks for a moment then speaks again.  "Kunzite . . .
you have approval to oversee their plans.  Make sure to watch Alexandrite
closely."  She says to him.  "She has a hidden potential that she is not
yet aware of.  

Chrysolite smiled warmly as if to agree, internally fuming at Alexandrite
and her plan.  <She MUST NOT succeed,> he thought, <everything depends on
her failure.....>

Kunzite notices Chrysolite's obviously forced smile and thinks to himself. 
*Okay Chrysolite . . . let's see how you like THIS!!*  Kunzite addresses
Queen Beryl again saying, "My Queen, I would also like to request that I
become the supervisor of Chrysolite's project as well."

Chrysolite stops smiling and starts snarling at Kunzite.  *That bastard! 
How dare he presume that I need any help!  Especially HIS!!* He thinks.

Queen Beryl looks skeptical for a moment then says, "Alright . . . but I
believe that Chrysolite is doing a great job already.  Maybe with your
addition to Kunzite's team, energy production can double!"

Kunzite bows to her deeply and says, "Thank you again my Queen.  I shall
serve you well!"  After coming up from the bow, he makes his way over to
Chrysolite.  "I would have words with you . . . meet me at Juuban.  NOW!" 
he says in a whisper.  Both turn and bow to the Queen, then teleport away
from the Throne Room.

Kunzite appears on the roof of Juuban, just as the bell rings again,
signaling the end of lunch.  He takes a quick glance around the roof and
notices that Chrysolite has not yet joined him.  

No later did Kunzite glance around the roof again than did he notice a
storm of vertical, jade green, staticy beams of light appearing and
disappearing in a soft buzzing sound.  Inside the fairly cylindrical shape
made by the light, another, tighter group of light began to form, this time
in the vague shape of a humanoid form.  The outer light dissipated as
Chrysolite became apparent in the central group of light.  the buzzing
ceased as Kunzite's fellow general stood before him, feet together and arms
crossed behind his back.  He smiled cruelly as he said, "How kind of you,
Kunzite.  I was certain that you would desire to spend your free moments
with Zoisite.  He's spent all of *his* free moments at the ballet looking
nice for you.  Now, what brings you, the *finest* general in the Dark
Kingdom, into my *lowly* presence?"  Chrysolite stared at Kunzite with
fierce sapphire blue eyes, almost as if he were looking *through* the
general.

Kunzite frowned.  "I don't need your sarcasm, Chrysolite.  I want answers
that you have."  He settled to the ground, and walked up to his
contemporary's face... glaring him straight in the eyes... *Perhaps a
gamble would be worth my time,* he thought.  "So," he snarled, totally
unafraid of anything the other general might attempt.  "Would you mind
telling me what you and Zoisite have been doing at Juuban Junior High
School?"

Chrysolite smiled sarcastically, internally congratulating Kunzite on his
gambit.  His eyes danced with tiny flecks of jade as he spoke with dark
intensity, "I cannot be held accountable for my partner's irresponsibility,
Kunzite.  Your.....friend shows a remarkable lack of ability to stay on
task.  I came to Juuban to ask him what plans he had for the ballet. 
Attendance is essential for energy collection.  I wish Alexandrite
and Nephrite great success in their mission here."  Chrysolite spoke to
Kunzite as if the head general was a small child, "Metallia requires
energy--and it is our duty as generals of the Dark Kingdom to provide her
with it.  The source is irrelevant, and it would be foolish to attempt to
hinder her resurrection on the grounds of petty rivalry."  He turned his
back
on Kunzite to look over the grounds of Juuban as he continued, "If Queen
Beryl's other generals are too insecure over their own inability to gather
energy that they must squabble amongst themselves, the Dark Kingdom as a
whole will suffer.  Which brings me to my inquiry regarding *your*
interrogation--"

Chrysolite whirled around to face Kunzite, and strode to face him.  His
eyes blazed with a fury of jade green as he showed no signs of stopping his
progress toward the head general.  Chrysolite stopped only a few inches
from Kunzite.  Their eyes locked, a tiny distance apart, as Chrysolite
finished in a dark, almost threatening tone-- "do you question my loyalty?"

Kunzite's anger flared for a split second.  *HOW DARE HE IMPLY THAT I...
that I... heh.*  He then smiled broadly.  "Of course I do."  His cold grey
eyes stayed locked directly with the fiery green of Chrysolite's.  "I
question the loyalty of any and all generals of the Dark Kingdom,
regardless of their deeds.  I question them every moment I can spare, to
ensure our victory.  And when I hear of ANY events that could POSSIBLY lead
to difficulties in achieving our goal, I question all involved.  The return
of Queen Metallia is my one goal, and that one alone."

His face contorts itself into a snarl.  "So, I question any general who
would leave their sphere of influence to affect another.  Zoisite was here
to attract students to the ballet."  *According to you,* he silently
amended.  "I can accept that.  You were here to check on him."  *And his
progress in whatever plans he had.*  "That is logical.  But I feel I must
point out one fact."

"I expect loyalty and humility towards our queens from everyone, regardless
of their ranks.  Anything counter-productive to their glory is, in my eyes,
treason.  And as a General in the Army of the Dark Kingdom, it is my right
and duty to seek out traitors and deal with them accordingly.  Without
proof that you and Zoisite were not traitors, I could only hypothesize that
you were, and act on my knowledge as such."

Chrysolite's hands balled into fists at his sides, his arms growing more
tense as Kunzite's monologue progressed.

"Therefore, I questioned your loyalties because IT IS MY RIGHT AND DUTY TO
DO SO.  And I intend to continue doing so," he said with a smirk.
 
Emulating Chrysolite's debasing mannerisms, he scoffed, "Do you understand
me, Chrysolite?  Or must I repeat it, more slowly?"

*I should kill him now,* he thought to himself, totally infuriated with
Kunzite's mocking attitude.  A conscious, forced effort drained the green
from his eyes, returning them to their usual sapphire blue.  His shoulders
and arms relaxed, but Chrysolite still spoke with an air of indignation as
he nearly spat into Kunzite's face, "Oh, no, Kunzite.  I understand you
perfectly.  I understand that your cowardly actions, insecurity, and
current difficulties with Zoisite are a liability to your effectiveness as
a general.  Holding everyone around you under constant scrutiny does
nothing but hinder *our* effectiveness--one general with nothing useful to
do is more than enough."

Chrysolite turned from Kunzite as he walked to the ledge of the building. 
As he walked, he asked, "Do you know of chess?"  He stopped, balancing on
the ledge of Juuban, his ponytail down his back from the sharp turns he had
been making.  He threw it over his left shoulder and adjusted it as he
continued to speak, "I do.  And I play quite well.  So do you, it would
seem.  But I only have one thing left to say to you, Archgeneral Kunzite of
the Army of the Dark Kingdom--"  He turned his head over his right shoulder
as he finished, a dark smile on his face, "Check."  The soft buzzing of his
teleportation slightly masked his chuckles, but not so much that they did
not reach Kunzite a few yards away.

********

The school day was winding down and Nephrite was letting everyone study
amongst themselves in class.  Alexandria sat in her seat, recalling her
talk with Kunzite.  Then she rose out of her chair and went over to
Nephrite.  Nephrite leaned over slightly to listen what she had to say. 
Alexandria bent down to whisper in his ear, "We need to talk . . . I had a
meeting with Kunzite at lunch."  She stood up straight and looked around
the classroom for any nosy people.

Nephrite rose out of his chair and addressed his students.  "Class, I will
be out for a few minutes.  Usagi and Ami . . . please watch the class." 
Usagi nearly jumped out of her seat over being made a monitor.  Ami just
looked at Nephrite and nodded to him.  Nephrite turned and headed for the
door.  Before he can reach the door, a young man opens it and walks to him.
 He smiles at Alexandria and at Nephrite.

Bowing slightly, the young man says, "Excuse me sensei.  I am a new student
to your class.  I am Toshiro Seiji from Osaka."  Seiji looks around the
classroom and comes to focus on Usagi's hair, then to her face.  He smiles
at her, but quickly turns his attention back to Nephrite.  

"Welcome to the class, Toshiro-san.  I am Effrite Nathan."  Nephrite says. 
Looking around the room he notes that there is a deficiency in desks.  *Hmm
. . . I'll have to order desks for tomorrow . . . ten . . no nine should
do.*  he thinks.  "It would seem that we don't have a desk available for
you right now Toshiro-san.  But please try and make yourself comfortable. 
I must also ask that you try to refrain from being tardy to my class, for
tardiness will not be tolerated."  He said this in a soft fashion . . . not
too harshly but enough to get the point across.

Seiji bows again slightly and says, "Gomen nasai Effrite-sensei."  He
raises his head to look at Nephrite.  "I promise that it shall not happen
again."  He stands up straight again.

Nephrite smiles at him and says, "That's okay.  Just make sure that it
doesn't.  Now if you'll excuse me, Knight-san here,"  He gestures to
Alexandria to his left, who smiles at Seiji, "needs to talk with me. 
Please ask Mizuno Ami or Tuskino Usagi,"  Both girls look up and raises
their hands, Usagi a little too excitedly. "For instructions on our
assignment."  After that Nephrite and Alexandria step into the hall,
closing the door behind them.  
**********

Usagi noticed the new boy enter the class, and immediately her *Cute Guy*
alarm blared to life.  *Ooh!  He's so CUTE!!*  Usagi thought.  Her eyes
looked him over.  Seiji wore the standard black Juuban Uniform for boys. 
He hand what seemed to be nice creamy skin.  His hair silky black hair was
cut close in the back.  His face was framed by bangs on both sides that
reached his ears.  She hadn't had the chance to see his eyes so she had no
idea what they looked like, but if the rest of him was any indication,
they'd be beautiful!  She heard Effrite-sensei call her name, albeit
mispronounced, and she excitedly raised her hand in the air.  

Seiji made his way over to Usagi slowly.  He was nervous for he's not
entirely comfortable around girls.  Especially CUTE girls.  He stops in
front of her desk and says, "Hi . . . um . ." the nervous effects his
speech.  Leaving at a loss for words.  Eventually his brain tells him what
to do next, " . . oh yeah . . my name's Toshiro Seiji.  I'm new to class
and to this town.   Uh, Effrite-sensei said to ask you what we're studying
now."  His nervousness envelops him again.  He dreads the next question. 
"Uhm . . . do you think that I can sit next to you?"  He quickly adds. 
"It'll be just for today!  I promise I won't be a pain to you."  

Usagi looked into his Emerald Green eyes.  *Oh . . . my what lovely eyes!*
she thinks.  She considers her options.  She looked to her left; Justin. 
She looked to her right; Umino.

No contest.

"Oh, Umino-kun..." she says sweetly.

 "Yes, Usagi-chan? WAAAAH!"  Umino collapsed to the floor in a twitching
heap as Usagi roughly pushed him out of his chair.  She then looked up at
Seiji brightly.  "I think this seat's unoccupied!"

As Seiji sat in the recently-vacated chair, Usagi thought about his other
question.  "Um... well, we were reading chapter 37.  Right?  Or maybe 73. 
Or maybe it was chapters 3 through 7."  She laughs.  "Oh 
well, it'll all be the same when the bell rings!"
********

"You what?!" Alexandrite yelled, "Why can't I stay in the Dark Kingdom?! 
They'd never know the difference!"

"Because it'll help with the illusion of you being a 'regular girl' and not
a 'General of the Dark Kingdom'."  Nephrite says.  "I mean think about it! 
You're making friends!  They'll want to spend some time with you!  You NEED
an earth place to reside in.  That way we won't raise any kind of
suspicions!  I'll be getting a place of my own as well so don't be upset.
I've already started on a way to gather energy.  Enough to show that our
plan will win out in the end.  I'm going to have to get some thought
blocking crystals to keep people from prying into our plans, but even those

don't work one hundred percent.  Surface thoughts will still leak through."
 
He warily looks around them to make sure no one is eavesdropping on 
them.  Turning back to Alexandrite he says, "Now what did Kunzite say to 
you?"

Alexandrite thought about this question for a while, and saw that their was
no need to elaborate too much.
"He just said he'd be back with the day." she replied matter of factly.

Nephrite cursed underneath his breath and says, "Well he's no doubt giving
his scathing report to Queen Beryl, making us look bad in her eyes."  He
puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder and says, "Don't worry . . . I'll
straighten it out with her tonight."  Returning to the door to the
classroom he says, "Be on your guard around him though . . . he's sneaky."
*******

Meanwhile . . .

Umino angrily picked himself up off of the floor an dusts himself off.  He
would ask Usagi for his seat back, but he could see that she'd be no help
since she was falling all over that new guy.  Feeling frustrated he plops
down on the floor next to her.  Grinning evilly he decides to indulge in a
little payback on the dumpling head.    Running his hand up her leg he
says, "Gee Usagi... you really should SHAVE a little more often...!"

Usagi becomes visibly upset at this statement.  "What?! WHAT did you say,
you little VERMIN?!!  How... how DARE you...!!!"  Usagi grabs her bookbag
and, using it as a club (which is the only practical use Usagi has for her
books at any rate), pummels Umino into insensibility.

She puts her books back on the desk and sits there for a moment, eyes
closed.  "What a cruel, cruel thing to do to such a delicate flower on the
verge of womanhood," she says softly.  She turns and looks at Justin
imploringly, revealing huge, glistening eyes. "Can't you tell what he's
done?"  Not seeing any sympathy there for Justin is now conversing with
Landra.  Undaunted, she turns to Seiji, tears welling.  "Can't you SEE how
he's dishonored an innocent young maiden taking her first steps in a cold,
heartless world?!"  She lowers her eyes, sad and pensive, staring at
nothing.  "I'll never be able to show my face here again.  I will be forced
to live in shame and derision for all eternity!" She sits quietly like
that...

..for a full ten seconds.  "NO FAIR!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" 

Ami, who was just then coming back to talk to Usagi, is actually forced
back a few steps by the strength of the wail.  Tears fountain from Usagi's
eyes in a continuous stream.

Umino begins to regain consciousness.  "U... Usagi-chan..."

Without missing a sob, Usagi pummels him to the floor once more, this time
for keeps.

Seiji stares in amazement as Usagi wails and wails, without taking one
breath.  *Geez!  How can she do that!!* he thinks.  He reaches over and
tries to console her saying, "Usagi-san . . . he's just acting like a
jerk.  Don't pay any attention to him.  I . . . I think you have nice
legs."

Usagi sniffs some more and starts to wail a bit less.  She smiles faintly
at Seiji's comment.  Then she became even more reassured as Justin rushed
over to console her as well.  Then Alexandria, who had just returned with
Nephrite, came over to her.

"It's alright, Usagi. He's just a moron anyway, you shouldn't let him get
to you like this."  she said sympathetically as Usagi sniffs.

"Yeah, don't worry, Usagi-chan. He won't bother you anymore. And if he does
I'll give him a one way trip out the window," Justin says, glaring at the
unconscious Umino.  Usagi calms down some more and smiles at Alexandria and
Justin.  Justin returns the smile to her and finally notices Seiji. 
Another vision enters his head.  This one different than the others.  The
symbol of Jupiter enters his head.  Behind the symbol is a sword.  *Maybe
he's one of MY court!  One of the Knights!!*  he thinks.  Walking around
Usagi's desk he extends his hand and says, "Hi . . . I'm Tsuki Justin! 
Welcome to our class!"

Seiji smiles at Justin and takes the warm hand, shaking it lightly.  "I'm
Seiji . .  Toshiro Seiji.  I just moved here from Osaka.  It's nice to meet
you Justin.  I hope that we become friends!"  Which is just what he'd been
feeling from Justin and himself.  Some kind of close bond that just
radiated friendliness.  

Meanwhile Ami frowned upon the now waking Umino.  "Umino-kun . . . how
could you say a
thing like that?!  You, of all people, should know how *sensitive* Usagi
is!  And I originally thought you were a nice guy!  Now I've lost my
respect for you. You do not deserve to sit in a respectable chair.  Sit in
the corner.  On the floor.  With your back to the class.  NOW!"

Everyone in the class was stunned at Ami's speech.  Normally Ami would
NEVER raise her voice with anyone.  But she felt that she couldn't stand by
as a fellow young woman was insulted so rudely!  She had to do something. 
And she received applause for it.  Lots of applause!  Ami blushed at the
sudden attention and turned her attention back to Usagi.

"Don't worry about Umino. Don't lament over this; you know, intrusive
thoughts *can* lead to depression.  Just get over it, and you'll feel
better."  Ami handed Usagi a tissue, and Usagi blew into it . . . hard. 
"Are you okay now?" Ami asked. Usagi nods gingerly.  Ami stood up and
walked over to the new boy, who was introducing himself to Justin.  "Hi,"
she said with a smile.  "Sorry to intrude, I just want to say that you
should get used to Usagi's crying;  it's more frequent than her receiving
detentions!"  She smiles at him again.  "I'm Ami!  Mizuno Ami!  What's your
name?"

Seiji could feel the nervousness starting to envelop him again. The other
cutie in the class had approached him, and addressed him.  HIM!  He
couldn't believe it.  All his life no girl had ever talked to him . . .
WILLINGLY.  Unless it was because she wanted something from him.  But she
seemed very warm and kind. Ami flashes a bright smile at him and he can't
help but return it to her. Slowly the tight nervousness ebbs away leaving
him free to talk. "Hi Toshiro Seiji!   I'm from Osaka" He looks at Usagi
who's now calmed down. He can't help but smile at her innocence and says,
"I don't mind Usagi's crying.  I think she's cute anyway whether she's
crying or not." He smiles inwardly to himself, knowing that he has made
some good friends in a city that he's not at all familiar with.  "I'm glad
that I met you . . . .all of you. I really need friends since I'm new to
town. Hey maybe we can hook up some time soon and go to an arcade or
something. I love to play games and read manga!" He spares a glance at the
disgruntled Umino, shaking his head. "You really handled that baka over
there Ami! I admire the way that you just took charge of the situation. You
seem to be a pro at this teaching stuff! Are you sure Effrite-Sensei isn't
subbing for YOU?!" He then flashes a smile at Ami and chuckles a bit.

Just then Naru entered the class and says, "I'm sorry I'm late,
Effrite-sensei..." she gasped, "I don't feel...so...good...". Naru
collapsed dramatically in the doorway.   Unseen by anyone in the room,
Zoicite teleports directly out of the possessed Naru.  *This girl has
served her purpose . . . it's time to go back to the theater and sell more
tickets.*  he thinks.  Leaving the disoriented Naru behind, Zoicite
reappears in the backstage dressing room of the theater.

Nephrite's Dark Kingdom instincts would've let the human girl rot, but then
he remembered that he's playing substitute teacher to these students.  So
that meant that he had to at least seem a little bit concerned about it
all.  Rushing to Naru's side he kneels down next to her and cradles her
head in his lap.  Putting a hand to her head, he feels a high fever raging
inside of her.  But it seems to be rapidly receding, almost as if her body
had been put through some kind of stress.  Looking up to Alexandria he
says, "Knight-san, please fetch a cup of water for Naru.  Hurry!" 

Usagi comes running over, Umino's transgression against her completely
forgotten.  Kneeling down quickly in concern for her friend she starts to
shed tears again.  "Naru-chan!"  She cries out.  Usagi looks at Nephrite
saying, "What's wrong with her Sensei?!" 

"It's just a slight fever Tsukino-san . . .  She should be coming around
any minute now."  Nephrite replies in a reassuring tone.  Alexandria comes
back with a small cup of water and gives it to Nephrite.  He thanks her and
tips the cup up to Naru's lips.  A little water seeps in and Naru coughs
softly from taking in too much.  Her eyes flutter open a few moments later
she looks at Nephrite then to Usagi and back to Nephrite.

"W . . who.  Who are you?"  Naru says.  Sitting up a bit, she looks at
Usagi.  "Usagi-chan  . .. who is this man?"  

Usagi is perplexed by Naru's question.  "H . . he's our substitute teacher,
Effrite-Sensei!  He's been here for the past two days!  Don't you
remember?"  she says to her.

Naru holds her head, still feeling a bit woozy.  "N . . no I don't think I
. . .."  She trails off and shakes her head in an attempt to raise the fog
in her mind.  

Usagi becomes concerned again and puts a hand on Naru's.  "Naru-chan!  You
have to be okay!  I'll use the tickets you gave me to take you to the
ballet!  Just please be alright!"

Naru looks at her, puzzled.  "Ballet?  What  . . ballet?  What are you
talking abou . . ."  She doesn't finish as she loses consciousness again. 
Nephrite picks her up and moves towards the door.

"I'm taking her to the nurse . . . everyone . . ."  He notices the worried
look in Usagi's eyes.  " . . . stay here.   Tsukino-san would you like to
assist me?"  

Usagi nods her head and the two of them head off to the Nurses office.  
Seiji watches the two of them walk out of the door and turns back to Ami. 
"I sure hope that Usagi's friend is okay."  Umino walks away from the wall
and goes over to the door.  He stays there while everyone goes back to
their desks and study for the next fifteen minutes.  He doesn't even notice
the bell ringing signifying the end of the school day.  But he DOES notice
all of the students run him over in a rush to get out of the door.  None of
them even spare even a worried glance his way.   
*************

Nephrite stands outside the nurse's office pacing.  Not so much out of
concern for Naru... he knew she would pull through.. but because she had
obviously been possessed. *Who did it?  Zoisite... or the rogue?* he
thought.  *Damn, I need to get in there.  I won't have some bastard messing
with 
MY students to spy on me!*

Usagi walked out of the office, concern written all over her face. 
Nephrite patted her on the shoulder and smiled, "She'll be fine
Tsukino-san... give her a call later.  I'll stay with her until her mother
comes."  Usagi nods and walks back to class to gather her books and head
home.  

Nephrite walked inside and sat next to the bed, "Naru... do you remember
anything strange happening before this afternoon?"  Naru shook her head,
and Nephrite put his hand on hers. Focusing his powers he feeds a little
energy into Naru's body, to make her feel a little better.  "Don't worry...
I'm sure everything is going to be fine.  Really." he says.  

Naru smiled a little and went back to resting.  "Thank you for staying with
me Effrite-sensei.  I'm sorry I don't remember you... you're very nice."

Nephrite blushed furiously and smiled.  "Th... thank you."
***********

"Usagi!  Usagi wait for me!"  a voice rang out.

Usagi turns around and sees Seiji approaching.  "Oh hello Seiji-kun . . .
what's up?"  she says.

Seiji catches up with her and walks by her side.  He becomes nervous a
little then says,  "How's your friend doing ?  What's her name . . . Naru?"

Usagi nods in agreement and says, "Yes . . . she's doing better.   Her
mother's coming to pick her up in a little while.  I'm going to call her
later just to check up on her."  They walk down the hall together towards
the door to the school.  Seiji can't help but stare at Usagi.  It almost
looks as if he has stars in his eyes.  When they get closer to the door,
they both notice that Justin is now conversing with Alexandria.

". . . wondering if you want to grab a bit to eat."  Justin had been
saying.  And before Alexandria could actually answer him.  Usagi
interjected . . . in her usual manner.

Suddenly grinning, Usagi dashes forward and loops one arm around Justin's
neck, the other around Alexandria's. "You don't have to say anything; I saw
it all!"  The two glance at each other over Usagi's head.
 
"Aw, come on!  I think it's wicked cool!"  As a group of students begin to
walk toward the exit, Usagi walks backward before them.  And, amazingly,
doesn't hit anybody; the other students of Juuban Junior High have long
since realized Usagi's damage potential, and tend to give her a wide berth
when she's doing something silly like this.

Usagi takes a deep breath.  "Alexandria comes to class for the first time,
and sees Justin.  Their eyes meet; it's love at first sight!  Unable to
bear being separated, they flee from the classroom to be in each other's
arms."  Usagi blithely fails to note Justin's perplexed expression, or the
way Alexandria keeps getting redder and redder.  "But they know they cannot
stay away from class for long so, to prevent suspicion, they part ways and
return to the classroom.  But when they get there, Alexandria realizes she
has been too forward, and flees in embarrassment!  When she returns, she
sees Justin being reprimanded for leaving class.  Quick as lightning,"
Usagi gestures theatrically; an older student spots the warning signs and
ducks beneath her flailing arm, "she THROWS herself of the new teacher's
mercy, begging him to be lenient with her one true love!"  Her eyes are
absolutely filled with bright pink hearts.  "It's straight out of a
storybook!"

"Usagi, why do you always make something big out of nothing?" says Justin 
Nervously he looks around him to see if anything Usagi had been said was
heard to anyone else.  Unfortunately for him others had heard Usagi's spiel
. . . and he felt really embarrassed.  Looking for Alexandria to help him
he
received it from another source.

 "Come on Usagi, I think you're embarrassing them! I had no idea you were
the romantic type!" Seiji says warmly to Usagi. "I think he was just asking
her out as . . . a friendly gesture!  That isn't so bad is it?"

Justin and Alexandria both give a sigh of relief as Seiji gives them an
assist.  Alexandria feels more relieved than Justin though.  Because deep
down inside . . . to her it seems as if she's faced this kind of situation
before.  A long time ago, she just can't place where . . . or when.

"Yeah, I just feel hungry and I really think Alexandria looks pretty. . . .
HUNGRY!"  he says.  "Yeah she looks pretty hungry and that was all." 
Trying to get Usagi out of his hair he adds.  "Now shouldn't you be getting
home . . . before you mom thinks that you got ANOTHER detention!"  Justin
looks at Alexandria and just starts to notice that her hand is softly
glowing.  He stares at her hand for some time, until Alexandria herself
notices her hand was getting a little hot.  Justin diverts his eyes just in
time, before Alexandria could catch him looking.  

Waving his comments aside he says, "Yeah whatever!  That's just the same
old stuff for me anyway!  I get detentions all the time.  What REALLY ticks
her off is when I bring home a bad test score! Boy, I'd better not be late
anytime... soon... after... that..."  Usagi's voice drops to a whisper as
she recalls the events of that 
morning... being physically thrown out the front door... her mother's
scowling face... the warning to "come straight home, and I mean STRAIGHT
home!"

"Uhm . . . I've gotta go everyone!  Catch ya later!"  Usagi says.  She
breaks all known speed records as she races on her way home.  

Alexandria hadn't even paid attention to Usagi's departure as she
concentrated on the warm feeling in her hand.  Opening it we now see that
she'd been handling a Dark Kingdom Energy Crystal.  A crystal that seeks
out any potential energy that would best serve Queen Beryl and Metallia. 
But in all of her years of being with the Dark Kingdom, she'd never
recalled a time that a crystal shone so brightly.  Not wanting to draw more
attention to herself, she quickly puts the crystal in her bookbag and says,
"I'd love to grab that bite to eat Justin . . . if you're still offering
that is."

Justin looks at her strangely for a minute then shakes his head and says,
"Oh!  Sure Sure!"  He faces Seiji and says, "Thanks for the assist man.  I
really appreciate it."  

Seiji shrugs his shoulder and says, "Hey we're friends right?!  Think
nothing of it!"  Walking past them he waves goodbye to them both saying,
"Have a good time you two!  See ya later!"  With that he walks out of the
school yard and heads for home.  

Justin extends his arm out to Alexandria in a gentlemanly gesture.  "Shall
we go, my lady?"  He says in a mocking voice.

Alexandria can't help but smile and take the offered arm in hers.  "Why
yes, kind sir.  Let's be off!" 
*********

Inside the Hikawa Jinja, Rei is sweeping up some of the leaves in the
courtyard.  She wears her traditional priestess robes, and seems very
content with her job.  She takes a break when she sees Ami coming up the
stairs.  Smiling she calls out, "Hi Ami-chan!"

Ami smiles back at her friend as she makes her way over.  "Hi Rei-chan 
what's up?!"

Rei shrugs saying, "Not much.  I still can't believe what Luna told us
yesterday!  It's just so . . . unreal!"

"Yeah I know what you mean!  I'm having a hard time believing it myself.! 
But we did see for ourselves that it's the truth!"  she replies.  Walking
over to the deck on the Temple house, Ami sits down.  Rei comes over and
stands near her, leaning on her broom.  "Where is Luna anyway?" Ami asks.

"Oh she's around . . . she said that she had to get acquainted with the
area.  Something about 'reconnaissance' or something like that."  Rei says.
 "So do you think you've found anyone else who could be . . . Sailors like
us?"

Ami sighs and says, "No . . . I haven't a clue.  It's kind of hard, because
I have no idea what to look for in a Sailor Senshi.  Our teacher is
currently going over different myths and all of their relations to the
planets.  I've learned a lot about some of the planets.  Mostly about mine
though.  It would seem that I am protected by the planet with water power. 
And that wisdom runs through anyone associated with the planet Mercury."  

"Have you learned anything about Mars perchance?"  Rei asks.

"Iie.  I haven't."  Ami says.  The two talk more about their destinies when
Rei's grandfather approaches.  He grins widely at the sight of Ami and
comes over.  

"Well Rei-chan . . . who's this?!"  he says a little excitedly.

Rei humbly introduces Ami to her Grandfather.  Who quickly takes her hand
and says, "I'm Rei's Grandfather . . . the owner of the Hikawa Jinja!  If
there's anything I can do for you . . . ."  He starts to rub Ami's hand.  

Rei's quick temper flares and says, "NO Ojii-san!  I don't think she NEEDS
anything right now!"  

Grandfather Hino looks at Rei for a second then lets go of Ami's hand.  Ami
gets a tear of nervousness on the back of her head and says, "No . . .
thank you sir.  I'll let you know as SOON as I need anything!"  Then Luna
approaches and jumps up into Ami's lap.  

Rei smiles and says, "Oh Luna!  You're back!"

Grandfather Hino frowns and says, "Rei-chan . . . where did you get this
cat?"  He stares in wonder at the crescent moon on Luna's forehead..

Rei moves closer to rub Luna's head, who purrs in return.  "I found her
yesterday Ojii-san.  She sorta . . . followed me home!  And I couldn't
leave a poor homeless cat out in the street so I let her stay!  Can we keep
her?  Please?"

Grandfather Hino moves to Luna and bends down to get face to face with
Luna.  Some may have found this to be a deliberate attempt to get closer to
Ami's legs, but in truth it seemed as if he was studying Luna closely. 
Luna just stares back at him getting more nervous by the second.  After his
eyes roam all over Luna (or is that roam all over Ami's skirt) he rises and
says, "I don't see why not."  He starts to move away then turns to Ami
saying, "Please come again miss!  And Rei-chan . .  don't put your chores
off for too long!"  With that he moves off into the shrine to meditate.  

Luna sighs with relief.  "That was close!  I was afraid he'd kick me out on
the streets!"  

Rei smiles and inquires where Luna had been to.  Luna answers, "Well I was
scouting around more to see if I could find anymore senshi, but I came up
empty.  I really need to find Sailor Moon . . . I am supposed to be her
guardian."

Ami wonders why their leader might possibly need a guardian.  Reason would
suggest that the leader of the team is usually the best warrior on the
team.  "Why would Sailor Moon need a guardian Luna?"

Luna tries to remember faintly, but can't exactly put her finger on it.  "I
can't exactly remember . . . I just remember that it was something . . .
special about her that she needed guidance."  She looked at the both of
them and asked if they  had met any new senshi today.  Both of them had
answered no to her question.  Luna put a serious look on her feline face. 
"That is unfortunate.  We need to hurry and awaken all of the sleeping
Senshi!  Something big is going to happen soon.  Something with the Dark
Kingdom, although I can't figure out where they would choose to strike
first."  Ami tells Luna about how rumors were flying about the new ballet
in town.  And how that all of the audiences would go into the theater
normal like.   Then after the ballet ended all of the people would seem
drained. 

"Hey I've heard about that ballet!"  Rei says.  "It's the one that's about
two blocks away from the shrine right?"  Ami nods her head.   "A lot of my
friends at school have gone to it.  But the day after they went, they would
be dead tired in school!  It's the weirdest thing.  Maybe that's were they
are gathering energy."

Luna nods her head in agreement.  "I know that you two are SERIOUSLY
undermanned, but as Sailor Senshi it is your duty to investigate this
ballet.   But how to get you two in . . ."  

"Well a friend of mine at school gave me a free ticket at lunch today.  I
could ask if she has another ticket . . . or we could just go buy one." 
Ami says.

Luna jumps down off of Ami's lap and turns to face them both.  "That's
great Ami!  Check into it.  I'm headed there now to check out this
theater."  Ami and Rei says goodbye, and Luna races off to the theater.
**********

Nephrite cursed himself for letting the situation come to this.  These past
few days haven't been going as smoothly as he had planned.  He found
himself wishing that he'd chosen to be a banker instead of a teacher! 
Closing his briefcase, he closes and locks the door to his third level
classroom.  Slowly he walks down the stairs, occasionally pausing from his
planning to say goodbye to the other facilitators of the school.  Coming
outside he unlocks his bike from it's chain and places the briefcase in a
rack on the side of it.  Soon he is pedalling at high speeds towards his
new apartment, deftly avoiding any accidents with any pedestrians.

Nephrite begins to grin devilishly to himself, and pulls his energy crystal
out of his pocket.  Gradually he starts to drain the energy of various
people as he zooms by at his current pace.  "Hrm... if I keep going at this
rate, I may just send youma riding around on bicycles all day!"  he says. 
Laughing at his own little joke, he thinks to himself, *I still have to set
up the crystals in the school.  I can do that in the morning.*

Up ahead Nephrite sees a newsstand and begins to slow the bike to a stop in
front of it.  Picking up one of the many newspapers and a magazine he
fishes out money from his pocket.  "Here you are . . . . 800 yen."  he
says.

 "Thank you sir..."  The clerk eyed him warily and asked, "Are you gonna
check out that new ballet?  I hear that it's emotionally DRAINING and I
know how you young people like that sort of thing."

Nephrite looked puzzled, "Ballet?  There's a ballet in town?  I didn't
know that."

The clerk nodded, "Yes... just opened recently.  This strange ballerina
gave me some tickets earlier... I'm looking for someone who could use them.
 You look like you need to unwind... would you like to go?"

Nephrite smiled and shook his head, "No... that's ok.  I don't have time
for things like that."

The old man looked nervous, "Oh... c'mon.  Take the ticket.  Stress can
lead to gray hairs if you don't get rid of it."

Nephrite shook his head again, "No... I have to see someone tonight. 
She'll be very angry if she finds out I was out enjoying myself instead of
working."

The old man grabbed Nephrite's shirt and began to beg, "Please, PLEASE go! 
It's bad karma for me to let these tickets not be used!  Don't make me go
into my next lifetime with the weight of unused tickets on my spirit!!"

Looking around him, Nephrite noticed that a crowd began to gather from all
of the commotion.  Becoming a little embarrassed,. snatches the ticket from
the old clerk, and climbs on his bike again.  Putting his newspaper and
magazine in the rack with his briefcase, he puts up the kickstand.  "I
swear!  Some people are just too pushy!"  he says as he rides off.  Looking
back at the news stand for a moment he thinks, *Still . . . that old man
seemed REALLY familiar?  I wonder where I could know him from.*

*********

Usagi had been constantly doing Mach 1 on her present course for home, when
she rounds the corner and hits something like a brick wall.  Giving a
slight yelp she falls back and lands on her backside, legs spread with her
skirt up on her knees.  She shakes her head trying to get rid of the stars
flying around her when she hears a familiar voice.

"Yo . . . odango atama! (Dumpling head)  How ya been!"

Usagi stopped shaking her head, and focused on the voice.  It was male . .
. and kind of deep.  Looking up, her eyes fall upon the face of the same
boy she hit with her crumpled up test two days ago.  Arching her eyebrows
downward she says, "My name is NOT odango atama!  It Usagi!  Tsukino Usagi!
 Remember it!"

"Yeah yeah whatever odango atama."  he says back to her.  "Name's Chiba
Mamoru . . . and I must say, that's an interesting position your in now!"

Usagi looks down and finally notices her legs spread wide open to Mamoru,
her skirt up on her knees, giving him a little peep show.  Not enough to
show panties mind you, but it's getting there!  Blushing at her unfortunate
position she quickly jumps to her feet and brushes her skirt off.  Mamoru
laughs loudly at her, and Usagi becomes upset.  Giving him a raspberry she
storms off and says, "Jerk!"

After finally reaching home she picks up the phone and calls Naru's house. 
"Hi!  It's Usagi!  How's Naru-chan? . . . . Oh that's good.  Can I talk to
her?"  After a moment Naru comes to the phone.  "Hey Naru-chan I'm glad
you're feeling better . . . oh don't worry about it, we're best friends
right?  Say I just wanted to say thanks again for the tickets to that
ballet . . . . Naru-chan, of course you remember the ballet!  Remember at
lunch?  You gave Ami and I tickets, and said we could use them whenever we
wanted! . . . . . I guess you just can't remember it yet.   You did give us
the tickets though . . . .

Usagi's mother comes in and says, "Usagi get off the phone!  You have
homework to do!"

Usagi sighs and says, "I gotta go Naru-chan.  See you at school tomorrow .
. . bye."  Hanging up the phone Usagi walks upstairs and starts to do her
homework.  Within ten minutes she's already reading a manga on her bed. 
Her homework completely forgotten.

*********

Landra Ti'lyra had been walking down a street with no destination in mind. 
All of a sudden she had an urge to stop in her tracks and go into a dark
alley.  Alone.  Behind her a voice sounded.

"Landra . . ."

Whirling around, Landra's eyes fall upon a short man.  Not being scared or
impressed she flatly says, "Who're you?"  

Unruffled by her apparent lack of awe he answers.  "Such directness will
lead nowhere good. I'm Demandir Ai'Cryssan. I need to talk to you on urgent
matters."

*Demandir?  I've heard of that name . . . I'll test him out just in case
it's a trap.*  She thinks.  "Demandir eh?  I've heard of one called
Demandir."  Landra couldn't help but notice that Demandir had easily gotten
through her psychic barriers.  For although he was talking into her mind,
her shields were STILL up.

Demandir smugly smirked at Landra, his victory in convincing her of who he
was a success.  "Are you quite done now little one?"

"I suppose that you are who you say you are."  Landra says.  "What do you
want?"

"First of all, I know you are Sailor of the Dark Stars.  Let's just say
that it is in my best interests to have The Sailor of the Dark Stars active
right now.  Second of all, you have already discovered agents of the Dark
Kingdom. I am here to aid you . . . .for now."  Demandir says to her. 
"Last of all, I am going to take you to a place where one of the Dark 
Kingdom generals has planted an agent. It is a restaurant and the agent is 
a- piano player, I believe. You must stop her. I'll be taking you there. I 
won't help you...yet, unless you prove to be completely inept, which I 
doubt."

"I have no choice in the matter?" Landra asked.

"Surely," he said. "You can do this willingly, or unwillingly.  I would
prefer the former as opposed to the latter, but it IS, after all, your
choice."

"Thanks `awfully`. Lead on then, great sorcerer," she said with heavy
sarcasm.

"Gladly,"  he responds.
*******
Nearby . . . .

Justin and Alexandria walked towards the restaurant.  Alexandria's thoughts
were on her crystal, and how strongly it reacted to Usagi, Seiji, and
Justin.  She didn't want to seem to out of her walk with Justin so she
pushes that thought aside.  As the two walk along they pass the Theater
were the ballet is taking place.   A strange looking ballerina stood out
front, passing out free tickets to the populace.  Tickets were thrust into
their hands as they passed by.  The ballerina stared hard at Alexandria as
they went off.  Looking back at the ballerina, Alexandria thinks to
herself, *That almost looked like . . . THIS IS WERE THEIR OPERATION IS!!!*
 Suddenly feeling like spying on their rivals operations Alexandria turns
to Justin.  "You wouldn't by any chance want to go to the ballet after
we're done here, would you?"

Justin thought about it.  He really wanted to know more about his
companion, but he did remember that he was going to seek out Sailor Pluto
for more answers to his many questions.  "I'd love to... but I have a
meeting to get to and I really can't miss it."

Justin and Alexandria finally arrive at the restaurant.  A nice looking
place, serving western style food along with Japanese cuisine.  Justin's
reawakened senses were making the hair at the back of his neck stand on
end.  Looking around he notices a person at the piano, playing a soft
melody.  But the melody felt oddly draining on ones energy.  His senses
again stood on end as he gazed at the performer. "There is something
strange about this restaurant. I have a feeling that we shouldn't have come
here..."

"Don't be silly."  Alexandria responds.  "Let's go sit down okay?"  Justin
just nods still sparing a few glances at the piano player.  As they go by
another table, we notice that Demandir and Landra are sitting at it. 

"All right," Landra said, "we're here. Now what?"

"We wait," Demandir said, his eyes sparkling, "until-" He was abruptly cut
off by a commotion at another table.

"And I tell you waiter, that I want coffee! C O F F E E!" A young
dark-haired woman was yelling at a waiter. Her eyes, Landra noted, were an
incredibly bright sapphire blue. Demandir looked at her and would have
paled, had that not been quite impossible. His cup, a very delicate china
teacup holding some VERY caffinated tea, snapped in his hand. "Damn," he
said absently, "Guess I'm gonna have to pay for that."

"That's right, COFFEE! Not a mocha or a latte or a cappiccino or an
espresso, COFFEE! Just plain instant COFFEE! Do you get that?"

By that time, the manager had come up to her. "Excuse me, Ms-"

"Lareie. Aileidriana Lareie." At this Demandir let the shards of the cup
trickle through limp fingers.

"Excuse me, Ms Lareie, but you're causing a little bit of a disturbance. 
I'm sure that if you sit down quietly this can be straightened out. I'll
give you anything on the menu free of charge. You can listen to our
wonderful piano player. She plays such moving songs, they seem almost
draining."

Aileidriana's eyes snapped up at that. "Why yes, I think I will stay. I'll
have a mocha cappiccino."
With that she settled down in her chair with all the imperiousness of a
queen.

Demandir looked off at one of the other tables, searching for a specific
set of eyes. When he found them, he mouthed the words "be ready".

"Go," he said to Landra. "Go to the washroom and transform. I'll make sure
the people here don't see you."

Landra hesitated, then ran off in the direction of the washrooms, keeping a
careful eye on the piano player.

Number 549 played her piano, slowly sapping the energy from everyone in her
proximity.  The gears spun madly within her, the cogs and springs in her
hands working madly to keep her fingers dancing across the keys.  In two
hours and thirty-six minutes she would have to stop and allow her healing
systems to repair minor internal damages.  An abdominal gear and ankle
spring were loose, and a small crack had developed in a gear in her right
forearm.  Her black hair hung down over her shoulders, contrasting sharply
with the green of her dress.  Her almost china doll skin lacked sweat, and
had little contrast with the silver chain which hung around her neck.  From
the chain dangled a symbol of three squares turned on their corners--linked
together in a triangular pattern.  She continued to play as the energy she
collected was transferred to her master--and his.....

>From their table Justin saw a familiar face rise up and sneak away.  *Hey
that's Landra over there!  I wonder if she's feeling what I feel?  Well . .
. it doesn't hurt to ask.*  "Landra" he calls out.

Landra walked over to Justin and 'Alexandria'. "He-ey, Justin! Got a hot
date tonight?" she asked with a combination of a grin and a smirk on her
face. "So, whaddya want with me?" she asked with an odd lilt prevailing.

First of all," Justin said with an embarrassed smile, "I had to deal with
that 'hot date' stuff with Usagi, please don't you start it. Secondly," he
turned serious, "there is something majorly wrong here. We're leaving. 
I think you should, too."

"Leave?" she said incredulously. "I could NEVER do that! Y'see, that's my
uncle," she gestured back to Demandir, who waves.  "and he's been looking
for me for years and he's also studied some things concerning amnesia!  He
may know a way to get my memory back!" Out of the corner of her eye she saw
Demandir move his hand rapidly in a horizontal line and closing it abruptly
in a fist, indicating that she should cut the conversation short. ~In a
minute, Demandir,~ she thought at him. ~I need to talk to Justin about
something first.~ 

~Make it quick. The piano player's draining everyone here!  This better be
DAMNED important!!~ he replied.

~Temper, temper.~ she thought sarcastically.

~Coming from you, that's hilarious. Hurry UP, now.~ 

"Justin," Landra said, "I need to talk to you. Alone."

"Uhm . . ." Justin looks at Alexandria, who nods at him.  "Okay, let's go."
 
Landra grabbed Justin by the arm and dragged him about ten feet away from
Alexandria. "Look," she said. "You've got to stay away from Alexandria. I
cannot and I will not explain why, but realize that every minute you spend
with her will put yourself into danger. It sounds crazy, but it is the
honest-to-goodness truth." Her expression became urgent.

"I know there's something strange, maybe evil, about her, but something
tells me that she isn't necessarily bad. I just can't believe that she is
dangerous." Justin says to her calmly.

"Fine. Don't believe me then. The after effects of your choice are out of
my
hands now."

Justin hoped Landra knew what she was doing. He looked at his watch and
realized that he should really get going to the meeting in the park with
the long-haired woman.

"Alexandria, I have to go somewhere. Sorry for leaving you like this. See
you tomorrow in school," then on an impulse, he leaned over and gave
Alexandria a kiss on the cheek. He looked down at his shoes, embarrassed,
the he said a quick goodnight and ran off.

Alexandria blushed.  She put her hand to her cheek and stared in the
direction that Justin had run off to.  *Why . . . why do I feel this way? 
I am a general of the Dark Kingdom!  I don't have feelings for him!  He's
from the Moon Kingdom!  He's the enemy . . . isn't he?*  Alexandria thinks
to herself.  Her mind ponders on it for a while, then focuses on what she
was to do next.  *Oh yeah . . . I have to go and check in with the people
I'm going to be living with on this planet!*  she thinks with disgust.  *I
just don't see why I have to associate with these humans!*  Walking down
the street she finally comes to the place of residence.  Looking up the
tall stone staircase, she whistles.  "Not bad . . . could be better, but
still not bad!"  Looking to her left she finds the sign of her new home for
the time being.  "Hikawa . . . Jinja . . .hmph."  After looking up the
staircase again, she slowly starts her ascent.
********

After the two had left, Landra went back to the bathrooms and waited.

Demandir watched in satisfaction as she did so. ~Kharin.~ he thought at the
other sorcerer. ~Are you in position? I'm ready to go.~

Demandir's mind was subsequently joined by another consciousness.  He
recognized this 'other' to be Kharin his friend and associate sorcerer. 
~Yeah, I'm ready, too.~  Kharin sends to Demandir.  ~You're gonna put them
all to sleep, right? There's a sorceress out there and it won't work on
her. I scanned her and even though I'm no tester, I'd place her magic
resistance level at about one-seventy-five, two hundred percent there, and
you're what-two-twenty-eight?~  

~Two-thirty,~ Demandir sends back.  ~And I don't INTEND to put her to
sleep. In case you didn't
notice, she's crystal-marked. She's one of the nine Guardian-Defenders! 
One of the Crystal Sailors.~

~No, I'm afraid I didn't. Which one?~

~Blue. The Ice Crystal.~ Demandir replies.

~BLUE? The FATED ONE? So soon?~ Kharin remained silent for a moment, then
he sent back,  ~Demandir, you don't HAVE her crystal!~

Not sounding too worried, Demandir says.  ~It'll turn up.~

~Stop being so f---ing optimistic!~

~I'm not OPTIMISTIC, I'm FATALISTIC! There is a difference there!~

~If you're gonna put them all to sleep, I'd do it now!~

~Of course.~ Demandir got up and walked over to the shadows. He pushed his
ponytail back down his back. Then he pulled off his black silk gloves and
reached into a pocket hidden in his cape. He pulls out a silver ring with a
fairly large diamond surrounded by ten emeralds and places it on his right
ring finger.
Reaching into another pocket he pulls out a silver hoop earring with a
diamond at the end. This he put on his right ear. He raised his hand, waved
it, and people started to drop to the ground, or just drooped their heads
onto their tables, sometimes with comic results, especially where one
elderly lady's head dropped into her bowl of soup.

Sensing that her cover had been blown, Number 549 whirled her head in a 160
degree rotation.  After surveying what was happening with her optic
sensors, She rose from her seat and whirled the rest of her body around. 
"All interference must be removed from operation.  May hinder mission
efficiency"  she says to all present.  

The woman who had said her name was Aileidrianda stood up and said
triumphantly "I KNEW there was something wrong with the piano player!"

Demandir's sorcerer senses alerted him that someone was invisibly floating
near the ceiling.  It could only be one person . . . ~Landra, it's time!~
Demandir telepathically sent. 

Number 549 turned to Aileidriana, it's eyes glowing with jade green energy.
 "Must eliminate all interference.  Target acquired . . . activating Attack
mode . . ." it said.  Number 549's body surged with energy, rendering the
nice dress it had been wearing to shreds.  The surface of her skin pales to
a whitish color.  The rest of her body is scantily clad in a black bodice. 
It's hair flies around it as if there were a high wind in the restaurant. 
Her fingers extend and sharpen into claws.  Her face no longer has a mouth
but a voice could still be heard.  "Initiating attack plan A . . ."  Slowly
it advanced on Aileidriana.

Backing up a few steps, Aileidriana reaches up into the air and closes her
eyes in concentration.  Moments later, a swirl of snowflakes flow around
the raised arm.  The snowflakes then assume a form, like a pole extending
from her hand.  In the next second the form solidifies into a
midnight-black glaive.  She takes a defensive posture against Number 549,
who was still advancing.

Landra cut the spells holding her up in the air and her invisibility. 
Demandir observed Number 549's flaw in concentrating on one target and
decided to capitalize on it.  ~Now, Kharin!~ he sent to the hidden
sorcerer.

In the far left corner of the restaurant, the air ripples and a
silver-haired, garnet-eyed man appeared. In his right hand is a beautifully
crafted golden bow.  Raising it up he places an arrow in it.  The arrows
tip has a odd, bulbous shape to it.  Kharin released the bow quickly at
Number 549. The odd arrow sailed over to it's arm and exploded, blowing off
the it's left arm and showering Landra in a rain of broken gears,
smoldering metal and soot from the gunpowder. Landra tried to brush it off
her now silver Sailor of the Dark Stars suit, but it stuck. 

Number 549 stops it's advancement on Aileidriana, and looks at it's arm. 
"This unit has been damaged.  Left Arm is now useless.  Structure integrity
down to 75%."  It says.

Demandir's gaze was firmly fixed on Aileidriana, then turning his attention
back to Number 549, he says, "Yoush!  Iku zo!" (Alright!  Let's do this!)
Reaching to his left side with his right hand, he pulled on a sword hilt
that hadn't been there a minute ago, releasing an elegant saber.  Balancing
it his hands with the blade facing him, he raised it upwards.

Midnight black Old Elvish runes appeared on the blade and a silver light
engulfed Demandir, forcing
him to his knees and his head up. The strap holding his hair in a ponytail,
snaps and releases it, letting it flow wildy in the surge of power.  A
silver star appeared on his forehead, indicating the fact that he was the
bearer of the first of the three legendary Sarian Relics, the Star. 
Abruptly, the light ceased. He stood up, taking the blade by the hilt with
his left hand and drawing with his right hand the blade on his
right side. Laughing uncontrollably, he got up and readied himself to join
the fight.
		
Aileidriana's focus was still on Number 549.  She relaxed a bit as the
machine stopped to survey the damage it had taken.  Then she tensed up as
Number 549 turned it's attention back on her to finish the job.  Her grip
on her glaive tightened and she raised it to strike when a bright blue
sphere of light formed on the end of her Glaive.  She nearly dropped the
blade from the shock, her focus is broken temporarily. The sphere of light
grew more and more dull until it stopped glowing and left a crystal on the
tip.  The crystal, light blue in color, was about two and a half inches. 
Since it was on the tip of her glaive and Ailiedriana wasn't in complete
control of herself, the crystal fell from the tip.   Before it even hit the
ground, it was snatched by something that moved like lightning. Demandir
stopped abruptly, triumphantly holding the crystal. Extending it out to
Aileidriana, he said "Take this and say 'Ice Crystal Power, Make Up'"

"Why?" she said.

"It is absolutely imperative that you do so." Being his usual enigmatic
self, he did not elaborate.

"Oh, all right," she said, taking the crystal. "Ice Crystal Power, Make
Up!" Before Aileidriana could react the crystal once again glowed with
light
for a moment.  Then it exploded with light enveloping her.  Snowflakes and
Ice crystals surrounded her body.  Then a gust of icy wind whirled all over
her body and solidified into a silver sailor bodice, with an ice blue
collar.  Another gust of wind wrapped made it's way up her leg and wrapped
around her hips and pelvis making an ice blue skirt.  Whirling around,
Aileidriana found herself with a black cape on her back that stretched to
her knees, and a black bow on her chest.  One last gust of wind split into
two and formed her ice blue boots and gloves. The snowflakes surrounding
her formed into her silver tiara.  The ice crystal she held was now
imbedding into it.  The ice crystals around her formed into her Glaive. 
Then Ailiedriana opened her eyes.  Whirling her glaive and body around in a
360 she stops and puts one hand on her hip.  Sailor Ice Crystal has been
born!  

"Not bad," Demandir said calmly. "You DO know what to do, right?"

"Of course," Aileidriana said, unruffled. 

"Fine," Demandir said. He brought his left boot up behind him and pulled
out one of the two knives in it. Number 549 had been getting too close and
Demandir threw one of the knives through into it's chest pushing it back. 
By this time Sailor of the Dark Stars and Kharin had come up behind it..
"Now, Aile...Sailor Ice Crystal," he said to Aileidriana.

Sailor Ice Crystal nodded and whirled her glaive in continuous circles. 
Numerous balls of blue light started to surround Number 549's body.  The
bewildered machine's sensors picked up the balls and caused it's host to
stare at them.  Sailor Ice Crystal stops her glaive from whirling and slams
the unbladed end on the ground, yelling "Ice . . Bombuu . . . Exuplosion!!"
The balls of light explode all around Number 549's body rendering her
without another arm and a partially blow off head.

Demandir had reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out hundreds of
tiny diamonds, then threw them into the air. "Diamondo . . . .  Rain!!" he
shouted none too loudly. The Diamond multiplied  into thousands and
cascaded onto the body of Number 549, making it resemble swiss cheese..

Number 549's vocal systems, have been long since destroyed.  Internally
though it's processor read through the damage report.  "All weapon systems
offline . . . Arm units have been severed.  Structural integrity at 15% . .
. Initiating upload process.  Sending energy intake to main energy bank . .
. . . ."

Kharin said nothing. He just raised his left index finger into the air and
a crystalline laser appeared there. He lowered his arm to the horizontal
and the laser flashed out at Number 549.  Small explosions started to rack
it's body and the gears left inside started to make Number 549's body spasm
wildly.

Sailor of the Dark Stars decided to finish the job herself, "Staa . . .
streamuu . . . Strikeuu!!" Millions of stars flashed at the monster in a
continuous stream. The attack was too much for Number 549's deteriorated
body to take and it's body exploded.  The restaurant managed to stay in one
piece though.

"I say we get the hell outta here," Kharin suggested.

Three nods stated that they agreed with that. With a frowned look of
concentration, Landra's Sailor of the Dark Stars suit was replaced with her
school uniform. Aileidriana did the same and was back in her black silk
dress.

"I need to talk to you. Alone," said Demandir to Aileidriana and Kharin to
Landra in unison.

Landra and Kharin moved off in one direction and Aileidriana and Demandir
in another.
*********

If there was a way to tell time in the Dark Kingdom then Chrysolite would
realize that it's now early Friday morning.  But since he has no sense of
time in this realm he doesn't care about that.  Instead he concentrates on
compensating for the untimely termination of Number 549.  It was time to
implement the wish granted him by Queen Beryl.  It was time to set up yet
ANOTHER energy draining site.  But this one must be well hidden and be
maintained a bit more efficiently.  *I don't know how Number 549 could have
malfunctioned . . . . nothing on this earth could possibly.  Wait . . . it
couldn't be them!  It's too early!  No!  It must've been a malfunction . .
. nothing more.*  he thought.

With a wave of his hand, a section of his chambers were illuminated with a
green wireframe representation of Tokyo.  "Now where should this site be
constructed . . . there are so many places with potential . . ." Chrysolite
said out loud.  Putting a hand to his chin and cradling his elbow with the
other hand he thinks.  With but a thought the wire frame city scrolls and
scrolls westward, until it stops on what seems to be a school yard. 
Zooming
in on the site he observes the schools clock tower.  *There!  That's an
ideal place!*  The wireframe flashes the kanji for the schools name.  "T.A.
Private Girls' School."  

Turning away from the wireframe, Chrysolite walks over to a pedestal not
too far away.  Reaching to the pedestal he picks up an old clock.  The
clocks face was dull and grayed with age, the wheel with a sun and moon
upon it had caved in.  One hand was frozen place at the five, the shorter
hand hung limply, swaying as Chrysolite turned the device over in his
hands.  Nodding to himself he turns back to the wireframe, then teleports
to the aforementioned clock tower.

After the jade green static had faded away from his teleportation,
Chrysolite observed his surroundings.  He felt at home within the dusty,
dimmed confines of the clock tower.  Lifting the old clock to his eyes
again, his sapphire eyes surge to life with energy.  A pale blue flame
surrounded the old clock, which was now levitating in the air.  Gradually
the timepiece grew larger and larger making it large enough to fill the
clock tower, overtaking the face currently there.  The clock itself
adjusted itself to the correct time.  Chrysolite spoke to the clocks
internal processor to give it orders.  "Number 057 . . . you will drain
only ONCE a day at Noon.  You are to intake a quarter of the total energy
present.  Begin operation now"  The clock responds by starting to tick the
time away.  Chrysolite chuckled to himself and teleported away.
**********

Later after school had let out Usagi ran back to her home to finish her
homework.  She wanted to go to that ballet and tonight NOTHING would stop
her.  Not even her homework!  Hitting the door to her house she slams it
shut and spares not a word to anyone, racing up the stairs and into her
room.  She throws her books down and starts to do the homework immediately,
her brow knitted with determination.  
**********

Justin walked quietly by himself back home.  He was let down for Sailor
Pluto had not shown herself last night in the park.  He resolved that he'd
just have to go and wait her out again tonight.  He had too many questions
that are unanswered.
**********

On his way home Seiji had passed the theater where the ballet is.  Some
strange looking ballerina had pressed two tickets into his hands, telling
him to bring a friend with him tonight.  *Just great . . . All of my new
friends are busy tonight!  I never even got a chance to ask Usagi to go out
with me!* he thought as he walked along.  *Hah!  Who'm I kiddin'!  No girls
ever wanted to go out with me EVER!  Not even my ONLY friend in Osaka!* 
Seiji sighs audibly.  *No one'll EVER go out with me . . .*  

Seiji continues on his way home, once again passing the Hikawa Jinja.  He
stops again and looks up to the top of the stairs.  *Hmm . . . maybe I'll
go up there and PRAY for a beautiful girlfriend!  Yeah that's what I'll do
. . . on my way to the ballet.*  Seiji continues on his way home.
**********
While up in the Jinja . . . .

Ami and Rei sit down on the porch with Luna sitting in front of the both of
them.  "Oh!  So you felt something coming from the theater?"  Ami asked.

Luna nods her head twice.  "Hai . . . some kind of strong energy. 
Definitely menacing . . . and you said that they've been there since the
beginning of the week?"  Ami nodded her head.  "Well we've got to stop
them!  They've already collected a lot of energy from a lot of people!  You
two are going to have to go tonight!  Back up or no back up!  We must stop
this!  I'll be there with you on the outside observing, and like I said
maybe there will be some senshi there to back you two up after all."

Rei and Ami agree upon it and plan on a time to meet up with one another. 
Ami leaves shortly after to go home and get ready.  Rei goes back to doing
her chores.  Over an hour and a half later Rei stops her chores and goes
inside to take a bath and get ready.  After her bath she goes to her room
and puts on her body fitting knee length red dress.   Looking at herself in
the mirror she sighs.  She's beautiful and she can't come to grips that she
can't find a decent boyfriend to treat her right.  *There was Chad but he .
. . he . . .  NO!  I won't think about him . . . I must move on with my
life.*  She thinks to herself.  Grabbing her red purse she heads out of the
door.  Only to meet her grandfather in the hall.  

Looking her up and down he says, "Where are you going looking so nice?" 

Rei smiles at him.  "There's this new ballet in town  and Ami-chan and I
are going to go there together."

Grandfather Hino smiles back at her.  "Oh really!  Can I go too!  I'll bet
that Ami-chan will look really nice and I want to see he-  uhm . . . I mean
I want to see the play!"  

Rei narrows her eyes, then sighs.  "No Ojii-san I don't think you can go .
. . I uh . . only have one ticket!" she says.  Grandfather Hino looks
slightly disappointed then smiles again. 

"I was only kidding Rei-chan!  Have fun dear!"  Grandfather Hino says.  Rei
bends down and kisses his cheek and says goodbye to her Grandfather.

Rei makes her way to the stairs, thoughts of future boyfriends on her mind.
 Starting down them quickly she doesn't look where she is going and hits
something pretty hard.  Then hears many thumps, as if something was falling
down the stairs.  Looking down she sees someone lying in a heap at the
bottom of the stairs.  She rushes down the stairs and says, "Oh my gosh! 
I'm so sorry!  Are you okay?" 

The heap unfolds itself then brushes itself off.  The heap was a young boy
who looked about her age, wearing a black and white checkered vest, with
black pants.  "Of course I'm not alright!  Why don't you . . " the boy
trails off as he looks at Rei.  

"I'm sorry I . . ." Rei also paused as she looked at the boy.  He was quite
possibly the CUTEST boy she had ever seen in her life.  She had to know
more about him.  "I'm Rei . . . Hino Rei.  I live and work up at this
Temple . . . I don't know if you've been there or not, but anyway what's
your name?"  Rei was really nervous around him.  His lovely emerald green
eyes were making her weak in the knees.  When he spoke again.

"My name's Seiji . . . Toshiro Seiji" he said.
**********

In a house not far away, a young girl looks at her wardrobe.  *What to wear
what to wear?*  the girl said.  *I don't want to go to this ballet being
the only one wearing jeans in a sea of skirts and pants!  I also don't want
to be the only one with a skirt in a sea of jeans!  Oh what to wear!  What
to wear!!*  After ten minutes she puts on her hunter green velour t-shirt
that matched her eyes.  After running a finger through her long flowing red
hair, she pulls it into a ponytail with a green bow.  Then sitting down at
her dresser she starts to apply some make up to her face.  "I don't know
why I'm doing this," she said to her reflection as she applied mascara. "I
haven't got a boyfriend to impress. I haven't got any friends, period."
     
"Talking to yourself again, Noodlepuss?" another girl says at the door.  On
the door we see a sign written on the door.  Akinori.  

 Akinori glared at her older sister through the mirror. "Were you raised in
a barn, Fungus?"

"Noooooo." Her sister, Jacqueline replied with a smirk. The impression of a
cow's lowing was impeccable.
   
Akinori rolled her eyes in disgust, her hand reaching for her trusty tennis
ball. "You know the drill. Until the count of three. One..."

"Mom sent me up here to tell you..."

"Two..."

"to be careful at that ballet tonight."

"Three!"

Jacqueline slammed the door while Akinori was still winding up.  Akinori
chuckled to herself.  It was the most effective way she'd found to get rid
of her.
   
Collecting her ticket, a jacket and some emergency money, Akinori made her
way to the front door.  At the telephone table she could still see the torn
up second ticket that she had received.  Frowning, she recalls how she
ripped up the ticket since there was no one to go with her. Saying goodbye
to her parents, she set out on foot for the theater. For the second time
that day, her stomach fluttered with fear and anticipation of something
out-of-the-ordinary about to happen. 

**********

"So Seiji . . ." Rei says.  "Where's your girlfriend?  Someone as cute as
you must have one right?"  Rei internally kicks herself for asking such a
stupid question.  *He's gonna get mad!  I've ruined my chance! Oh no!* she
thinks.

"Actually . . .  I don't have one Hino-san."  Seiji says back.  Looking to
the floor he says,  "I don't have that many friends."

"Oh . . . that's a shame.  I think you're very cute and you'll find a
girlfriend in no time!"  Rei says.  *And I hope it's me!*  Without
realizing it she starts to blush at what she was thinking.  

"I hope so Rei-san . . ."  

"Rei-chan."  Rei interrupts.

"Rei-chan . . . I hope so Rei-chan." Seiji says.  Then he remembers the
tickets in his pocket and decides to put the other to good use.  "Listen .
.  Rei-chan.  I've got an extra ticket to this ballet in town, and I don't
have anyone to go with . . . would you possibly want to go with me?" 
*PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! SAY YES!!!  PLEASE! PLEASE!
PLEASE! PLEASE! SAY YES!! PLEASE!* he went over in his mind. 

Rei smiled brightly at Seiji and immediately goes and wraps one of her arms
in his.  "I would LOVE to go with you!"  *YES!  HE ASKED ME OUT!!!* she
thought in her mind.  

Seiji would've jumped for joy but he feared that Rei would think him weird.
 *YES!  SHE WANTS TO GO OUT WITH ME!!!  YESS!!!!*  he thought in his mind. 
Then he smiled as Rei wrapped an arm in his.  Together they move off
towards the theater, making small talk with each other.
*********

"Mom! I'm going out!" Usagi called.

"Oh, no, you're not," her mother growled, blocking the doorway.  "You
haven't done your homework yet."

"I did so!" she said back.

"Then show it to me," her mother said triumphantly.  But Usagi had come
prepared. She pulled her hand from behind her back  and gave several sheets
of paper to her mother, somewhat smugly.  Her mother glanced at them, then
gaped.  "You... you actually did  your homework? Without being asked?"

Usagi nodded.  It was her secret weapon, the one thing she knew would get
her out of just about anything.
It worked, too.  Her mother leaned against the wall, stunned.  Usagi
slipped around her and, wearing one of her better dresses, headed for the
ballet.
*********

"Wh... what old man?  No old man works here!" the clerk at the newsstand
said.
  
Nephrite cursed loudly as he jumped on his bike again.  

*Two more miles till I get to the ballet!* he thought.  *Damn... this is
taking too long!*  With a sudden determination, he pulled out his crystal
and began draining people as he passed.  This time taking a full quarter
of their energy as he went.
   
*If there's trouble... I'll need all the energy I can get!  What the hell
could be wrong?*  A full two blocks before he reached the ballet, he
stopped draining  and began to pedal at a still fast, but not insane speed.
 Suddenly, he stopped.

"Ah.. so you DID come.  Good for my karma after all."  The little old man
stood on the corner, looking smugly at him.  Sweat poured down Nephrite's
face as he glared down at the little man.  "You don't remember me, do you
Nephrite?  Oh well, no matter.  It's what's going to happen in there," he
pointed to the theater, ".. that you should be concerned about."

Nephrite walked his bicycle over to the man and asked in a puzzled tone,
"Who are you, and how did you know my real name?"  

The man shook his head grimly, "No time now.  You have to get to Kunzite. 
He's waiting in front of the auditorium.  Go...  the stars know all." 

Nephrite grabbed the man with both hands and growled, "See here you
little..."  Suddenly, the old man was gone, and so was his bike.
  
"Wha... "

Nephrite screamed in aggravation and rushed off to meet Kunzite,
desperately trying to make himself look presentable so he wouldn't stick
out too badly.

He noticed a man who looked strange from the corner of his eye, and went
with his instinct.  *The hair is different, and the clothes... but I know
Kunzite when I see him.*

"Excuse me sir, do you know when the ballet starts?" he says to him.
**********

Usagi waited impatiently.  For once, she had been early - and was now stuck
in line until the doors opened.  As she tapped her foot and glanced around,
something about the crowd struck her as odd... and then 
she realized what it was.

The people around her weren't your average group of ballet fans.  There
were a few tuxedos, true, but also several more casual outfits,  including
more than one person in jeans and t-shirt.  There were also LOTS of
students.  Before Usagi could really think about this, though,  Ami pushed
her way over.

"Hi Usagi-chan!  Are you here by yourself?"  Ami says.

"Hi, Ami-chan!   Yeah, I'm here by myself . . . maybe I shoulda asked Sei .
." She stops her speech as she watches Seiji walk up . . . with another
girl on his arm.

"Oh... hi, Seiji!" She said to him.  *Gee!  For a new guy in town, he sure
works fast!  And there's something about that girl!  I don't know what it
is though . . .* She thought.

"Hi Usagi!"  Seiji says back.  

"I see you've been busy," Usagi giggled, nudging Seiji in the ribs with a
grin. 

"Well . . . Rei-chan sorta just *bumped* into me.  You could say that we
HIT it right off!" he says.  "It just happened less than ten minutes ago .
. . but I can tell I REALLY like her!"  He says looking in Rei's eyes.  Rei
just smiles back at him then faces Usagi.  Extending her hand she says,
"Hi, I'm Hino Rei."

 Usagi held out her hand.  "Hi, I'm Tsukino Usagi.  You know, I get the
feeling that we've met somewhere... wait a minute."  Usagi's eyes bulge. 
"I remember now!  You're that pretty girl who works at the Hikawa Jinja!  
So you've snatched up Seiji-kun eh?  I'm happy for you two!  I wonder if
we're all sitting near each other?"

Usagi compared her ticket with the others. F6... F7... F8... G7.  Suddenly
Usagi developed a blue teardrop, and moved her thumb; the ticket actually
read AG7.  

Waaaaay at the back.

*No fair!* Usagi thought to herself.  *Naru gave me a bum ticket!* She
looked about to burst into tears again when the theatre doors finally
opened.

"Come on Seiji!" said Rei, grabbing his hand.  All of them walked into the
theater together.  Usagi split up from them and went to the back of the
theater, tears still welled up in her eyes. Ami, Seiji and Rei found their
seats and all sat down. "Seiji, do you like ballet?" Rei asked, trying to
get comfortable in the old seat.  Tucking her hair behind her ears, she
lays her head on  Seiji's shoulder.

"I don't  really pay attention to ballets . . . but I'm always willing to
try something new."  Seiji says.  He looks into her eyes, and smiles.  "I'm
glad I met you Rei-chan I've never had a girl like me of her own will.  I'm
glad you're different."

"Why not?"  Rei says.  "I don't know why any girl wouldn't like a nice,
sweet guy like you!  I'm surprised."  The two settle down as the ballet
begins . . .
*******

Number 237 nearly flew across the stage, the joints in her waist and
shoulders developing hairline fractures from the wear of the dance.  Only
seventeen minutes and fourteen seconds until intermission, however, when
her healing systems could repair the damage.

As the climax of the act approached, she whirled furiously, her leaps
dazzling the eyes of the audience.  Men danced around her, their violent
leaps and twirls symbolic of the carnage over the life of the
princess--her.

Soon, only two dancers remained on foot--this meant that there were only
ten minutes remaining.  As they waged war for her, Number 237 slowly began
to drain a quarter of the energy of the audience.  By the time a third man
appeared--the sorcerer and villain of Act II, she had accomplished her
goal. As the false lightning and thunder flared, the prince dancers fell to
the floor--and she into the arms of the sorcerer.  The curtain began to
fall as her eyes lit a furious jade green.  She began to transfer the
energy she had collected to her master as the audience began to catch its
breath.

Number 237 moved to her feet with a slight rattle from her internal
workings.  The dancers faded from view, their illusion pointless with the
curtain drawn.  The green faded from her eyes as her body began to repair
itself.  A silver broach on her costume caught a light backstage, causing
the three interlocked squares to sparkle ominously.  In fifteen short
minutes, she would be ready to resume the illusion, the performance, and
the harvest.....

**********

Intermission  . . . . .

Everyone in the theater doesn't even notice the curtain lower.  They were
too busy trying to keep themselves awake.  Not that the ballet was boring .
. . but the audience were severely DRAINED.  Even Kunzite and Nephrite
themselves were drained . . . and they were none too happy about it!  They
both found it difficult to even rise from their seats in the balcony.  "How
charming!"  Kunzite says.  "Zoicite and Chrysolite showed no remorse for
draining our energies!  I'll just HAVE to thank them for that!"  Nephrite
nodded in agreement. "Come on . . . let's go and find them!"  As the two of
them got up, people all over the theater decided on the same thing.  They
needed some air.  A crowd began to gather on the outside of the theater.

Below the balcony in the back row, Usagi sat sleepily.  She nearly passed
out a number of 16 times!  Half of them were voluntary . . . the other half
weren't as welcome.  *I need some air . . . to clear my head.*  she though
to herself.  Straining very hard, she eventually reaches her feet and made
her way outside.  Usagi made her way over to the corner of the theater to
rest herself.  Closing her eyes and sighing, a crescent moon appears on her
forehead.  Of course no one saw this happen since they were all so tired .
. . all that is . . . except one.
*********

A few rows ahead Rei, Ami, and Seiji sat dazed in their seats.  Ami sat up
a bit and says, "Do you guys want some air?  I need to clear my head."  Not
waiting for the others she gets up and heads outside.  Ami starts to feel
lightheaded.  *That . . . that ballerina . . . her moves.  They . . . they
didn't seem fluid . . . almost mechanical!  Could that be the thing Luna
had warned us about?*  Ami moves a few more steps out the door, moving away
from the crowd of people that had gathered outside.

Turning her head she sees Usagi resting against the corner of the theater. 
She also saw the crescent moon on her forehead, but couldn't muster the
strength to call out to her, only managing to say "Sailor . . . Moo . . ."
before she passed out.

Usagi noticed movement near her and opened her eyes to see Ami falling
forward.  "Ami-chan!"  She rushes over to catch her in her arms, and drags
her off to a nearby bench.  "Ami-chan!  Speak to me!"  then she hears
another voice behind her.

"Sailor Moon! Thank goodness!"

But nobody was behind her.  Searching all around her, Usagi's eyes finally
rest on a black cat sitting before her on the ground.  It had a yellow
crescent bald mark on its forehead.

"I need you to come over to the alley now!" the cat demanded.

Usagi blinked.  It took all of her will not to faint right then and there. 
She looked at the cat again and noticed now that it was frowning slightly. 
>From what she knew of animals, that is NOT possible! For some reason
though
she follows the cat into the alley next to the theater.  After going far
enough back to make sure they wouldn't be seen easily, she lifts the cat to
eye level.

"Okay.  This has been a long, strange week, and a talking cat just makes it
plain strange!  I don't think I'm dreaming, but I can't think of any other
explanation." 
Her voice begins to break at this point. "Between Naru's strange behavior,
the ten thousand new students, that creepy Effrite-sensei, and running into
that snake on 
the way home, I have had just about ENOUGH OF THIS!"  She begins to shout, 
genuine tears in her eyes.  "Now I want some ANSWERS, and I want them NOW! 
Otherwise LEAVE ME ALONE!"

She puts Luna down on a convenient crate, obviously struggling to keep from
crying.
********
Backstage . . . . 

Zoisite's eyes flickered to the door dispassionately. He stretched and
leaned back in his chair, resting his head against his folded arms. The
familiar, infuriatingly smug smirk played itself upon his lips as he
placed his feet up on the desk and crossed his legs calmly. He gestured 
briefly at the door, which swung open obediently. 

"Good day, gentlemen." he greeted the figures at the door, inclining his
head politely. "Won't you come in?" he asked sweetly

Nephrite smiled, *Now this is different!* he thought.  *He's NEVER this
nice!*  After entering the room after Kunzite he closes the door.  Turning
back around he gazes all around the office, then says "So... I see you've
set yourself up here pretty nicely.  A nice office, a DEDICATED troupe of
dancers, and all the energy you can drain."  He looked around the room and
asked, "Where is Chrysolite?"

Kunzite surprisingly remained silent, given his . . . relationship . . 
with Zoicite.

Zoisite took his legs off his desk and leaned forward in his chair, resting
his head upon his hand. "I do not know Chrysolite's whereabouts at this
time." he said, twirling a lock of hair offhandedly. His eyes darted to
Kunzite leaning against the wall, then back to Nephrite, taking in every
detail. "You gentlemen look rather.....weary." he mused, the tiniest hint
of malice accompanying the sentence. 

Kunzite decided that he couldn't let that remark go unchallenged. "Hmph,"
he grunted.  "Interesting that you make that observation."  His eyes were
turned away from Zoisite, trying to avoid any emotional content to his
comments.  *Stick to the job,* he reminded himself.  *Be mechanical,
mathematical, and systematic*  "Now, I know you quite well.  Why did you
not instruct the droid to avoid draining us?"

Before Zoicite could speak, he blurted, "No excuses about not knowing we
were in the audience.  Even without your abilities, you would have known I
would be here.  And even through this guise, you would have seen the true
me."

Zoisite swiveled his chair around, his back turned to Nephrite and (more
specifically) Kunzite. *If you are blind to me....I will be blind to you.*
he thought darkly. "Number 237 was instructed to drain the audience's
energy.  The two of you were well aware of this." His tone became darker.
"If you felt possessed to come and observe the ballet, so be it. You knew
that the audience would be drained, yet you remained . And now you're
telling me that I should have altered Number 237's specific instructions so
that the two of you could enjoy the ballet!" He suddenly swiveled around to
face the generals, his eyes dangerously flat. "What we have here,
gentlemen, is not a fault of mine . . . but of yours." 

Kunzite fought the urge to lash out right then and there.  The Queen's 
chief general had to keep his cool... no matter what.  Or who.

"I can see how you think your logic is foolproof.  Without all available 
information, you would obviously think us foolish enough to stand by 
while you drain us dry.  How little you know."

Kunzite decides to break his own rules, and stare directly at Zoisite. 
Much to his dismay, he found only a back turned to him.  Still, he
continued forcefully... "Nephrite has made a significant investment of time
at Juuban Junior High School.  He was most disturbed to learn that a
sizeable amount of his students are attending tonight."  Kunzite frowned
inwardly at the small lie, but suppressed the truth deep within himself,
farther than he believed Zoisite could reach.  "By draining them, you
SEVERELY hamper his progress at Juuban!"

"Now," Kunzite said with a wave of his hand, "This could be all a very
convenient coincidence.  But I know better, Zoisite.  I listened closely
before the ballet began.  A great many attendees claimed to have been given
their tickets... at school... AND on the streets!  Now," he continued with
more than a hint of sarcasm, "I am certain that you and Chrysolite had
nothing to do with this."

"It would be SUCH a shame if you did... Queen Beryl would not be pleased to
learn that you were attempting to sabotage the Juuban operation."
**********

Somewhere near the theater walks a very lost Koda Akinori.  She curses
under her breath as she's sure she takes another wrong turn.  Being new to
a town does present these kinds of problems . . . and Akinori is hating
every second of it.  *Kuso! (Damn!) Why'd I have to go out tonight anyway! 
It's nothing but a STUPID ballet!  A ballet that could have lots of cute
guys . . . and those ballerina dancers*  Akinori starts to get starry eyed,
when she put on a very determined face.  "Yoush!!  I'll find that ballet if
it's the last thing I do!!"  she says.  Looking up the street she spies
Justin walking towards the park.  She only saw him from the back but his
wild white spikey hair just attracted her to him.  "Well . . . what's he
doing?  Let's go see!"  she forgets all about the ballet and starts to tail
Justin into the park.  

As Justin enters the park, the hair on the back of his neck starts to stand
on end.  Turning himself around he notices rustling in the bushes when he
receives another flash of a symbol associated with a slight picture of a
shapely woman in a black unitard, red vest and scarlet cape.  The woman
wears a hood which hides all of her face except the lips.  She hold a long,
golden bow in her hands.  The vision ends but the symbol stays fresh in
front of his eyes.  The Symbol of Mars . . . with a sword behind it. 
Justin smirks at the knowledge of finding another person that is a part of
his court.  He just shrugs off the vision and sits at a nearby bench,
making sure that it is within earshot of that same rustling bush.

Sailor Pluto then showed up out of nowhere to sit next to him on the bench.
 "I am pleased that you came Prince Justinius . . . I'm sure there are more
questions that you have."  she says.  

*Prince Justinius .. . . * Akinori thought in the bushes.  Her first
reaction would have been to laugh at such a silly sounding name, but she
didn't because it sounded a little too familiar to her.  *Prince Justinius
. . . why . . . *

Justin nods his head and says, "Yes I do . . . I mean you've answered a lot
of them, but I still have more questions that have to be answered.  Like do
you know where I should start looking for the people in my court?  I've
found some of the Sailor Senshi . . . and I have some suspicions but I
have no idea what to do!"

Sailor Pluto calmly says, "I am the Guardian of time.  Normally I would not
be able to tell you such things, but since these two events are going to
happen today, I may inform you about them."  She looks at the bush nearby
and smiles to herself.

"What two events?"  he says back.  In the bush Akinori listens intently.

"Tonight . . . The awakening of two of your Knights will occur.  The
Knights of Jupiter and Mars will be awakened soon.  If you transform then
your memories will come out a bit more easily."  she says in response.

Justin stands up and closes his eyes, searching inside of himself for his
transformation words.  Deep in his heart the words come forth.  His eyes
open in a flash and  he says out loud, "Moon Shadow Power!  Make-up!!"  His
blue eyes start to drain in their color, becoming a hazy grey mist.  Grey
smoke billows from his feet and crawls up his body, transforming him inside
and out.  Then a golden light explodes, and the mist is gone revealing the
Moon Ninja!  Now his mind fills with memories filling in the blanks for
him.  He know knew who his Knights were and who the Senshi were.  And one
of his Knights were already nearby.  Turning to face the bush he says,
"Come out Nori . . . I know you're in there." 

While the Transformation had happened, Akinori should have fainted, but she
was too mesmerized to actually do so.  And when the person who now stood
before her called her out, she obeyed without question.  Thousands of
images started to fill her head, and it was causing an overload, but slowly
she started to put things together .  She was a warrior . . . she lived to
protect the man before her, The Prince of the Moon.  The only problem is
she did not know who she was!

"I know who you are."  Moon Ninja says.  "You are the legendary archer of
fire . . . you are the Knight of Mars.
***********
Outside the Theater . . . .

Rei and Ami tiredly sit together at the bench, nearly passing out from
exhaustion.  Seiji comes out a bit later, holding his head.  He looks at
Rei, and sits next to her.  Rei instinctively leans against him putting her
head on his chest.  "I'm so tired . . . don't know what's happening here." 
Rei says.  

"You guys okay?  You look kinda sick."  A female voice says.  Seiji is the
only one who can look up at the new voice and sees a tall woman, who looks
about 17 or 18 years old.  She has lovely looking green eyes, not unlike
his own green eyes, her brown hair is tied into a ponytail.  

*Wow . . . what a beautiful looking girl!* Seiji thinks to himself.  "Um .
. . well we're feeling a little tired.  That ballet . . .there's something
weird about it!  It's like the energy was drained out of us during the
first two acts!"

"Really?  That's strange . . . Here.  Have some cookies.  I made them
myself."  the girl says.  

"Arigato Gosaimasu . . . uhm.  I never caught your name . . . "  Seiji says
as he takes the cookies.  Handing some to Rei and Ami he takes a bite. 
Delicious!

"I'm Makoto . . . Kino Makoto.  It's nice to meet you !"  Makoto says.  In
her mind she's hoping that the girl sitting next to him isn't his
girlfriend, for she found the boy she was talking to VERY cute.  Much like
her old boyfriend.

"Seiji . . . Toshiro Seiji.  It's also nice to meet you Makoto-san."  He
looks at Rei and Ami while they eat their cookies.  He decides to say their
names for them so they don't have to be rude.  Gesturing to Ami he says,
"These are my friends . . . Mizuno Ami," Ami waves.  "and Hino Rei."  Rei
smiles and waves.  "These cookies are great Makoto-san.  You sure are a
good cook!"  He smiles at her.

Makoto smiles back and says, "Thanks . . . I really like to cook food.  So
are you guys feeling any better?"

Rei looks up and smiles.  "Hai . . . The sugar in the cookies are giving us
some more energy.  Thanks a lot."  She leans over to whisper to Ami. 
"We've gotta transform and find out what's going on!  What should we do?!"

Ami, who's not as recharged as Rei and Seiji, says, "I'm not up to finding
things out just yet.  You check them out a bit.  I'll be in to back you up
in a few minutes."  Rei nods then stands up taking Seiji's hand.  "Come on
Sei-chan.  Let's check things out okay?"  Walking with Seiji to the Theater
entrance, she turns back to say.  "It was nice to meet you Makoto-san." 
Then the two of them enter the Theater.

As the reach a fork, the two of them split up to check things out further. 
Seiji going left and Rei going right.  As she walks down the corridor
leading backstage, Rei ducks into a bathroom.  "Mars Power!  Make-up!!" she
says.  After transforming into Sailor Mars she exits the bathroom, her
energy fully restored.  She runs backstage and opens a door finding Number
237 waiting to go backstage.  

The machine wastes no time and immediately starts to drain whatever energy
Sailor Mars has.  But Sailor Mars manages to get off an attack first. 
"FIRE  . . . . SOUL!!"  a spiral of flame shoots out at the mechanical
ballerina.  Number 237 reacts by sidestepping the flame and continues to
drain Sailor Mars at a extremely fast rate.  Eventually it gets to be too
much for her and Sailor Mars passes out.  Number 237 has no time with which
to finish Sailor Mars so she ties her up and leaves her for later.
*******
In the alleyway . . . .

Luna looked up at Usagi, stunned.  The temporal transfer had fogged up her
memories somewhat, but as she recalled Sailor Moon had been a bit of a
crybaby and a complainer.  The last thing Luna had expected was this kind
of angry outburst.  Perhaps she had been wrong all along...

Then she noticed the tears in Usagi's eyes, real tears this time. *The poor
girl is scared half to death!* Luna realized.  *And what she said... she
has to be linked to all of this somehow.  She's Sailor Moon, I'm sure of
it... now if I can only make her understand.*  Luna lowered her head.  "I'm
sorry, Usagi... I wish I could have done this in a better way.  But there's
no time.  The people in that theatre are in very real danger!"
 
"Danger?"  Usagi asked with a half-sniffle.  "From what?"
 
Luna sighed.  "It's a long, long story.  Let me tell you the basics..." 
She waits a moment then continues.
    
"A long time ago, Sailor Moon lived in the Moon Kingdom.  There she served
Queen Serenity with her companions, the Sailor Senshi of Mars, Mercury,
Jupiter, and Venus.  Each had an item that gave them access to great
powers... and this..."
 
Luna abruptly leapt into the air, performing a somersault and trailing
bright sparkles.  The sparkles spun together... and reformed into a
beautiful gold brooch with four tiny gems imbedded in the front. 
The brooch fell into Usagi's stunned hand.  "...belonged to Sailor Moon
herself."

Usagi looked from the brooch to Luna as the cat continued.  "But soldiers
from the Dark Kingdom attacked, and in order to protect everyone, Queen
Serenity gave her life to transport one and all to the 
future, to be reincarnated in human bodies.

"Now the Dark Kingdom is attacking Earth, and the Senshi are the only ones
who can stand against them."  Luna sensed Rei's transformation into Sailor
Mars inside the theater.  She looked up at Usagi.  "The Dark Kingdom is at
work here, and I think they have agents at your school as well.  Rei is
already inside, fighting against them as Sailor Mars.  I'm sorry about your
friend, but if you want to protect her, if you want to help the people in
this theatre, you *have to trust me!* Please!"
 
Usagi stared at the cat, then gazed at the brooch.  *To help Naru-chan...
to help everyone... I have to try!*  She wiped the remnants of her tears
away, then looked at Luna and nodded once.

Luna smiled. "Usagi-chan!"

Gripping the brooch tightly, Usagi looked up at the full moon, somehow
sensing that once she stepped upon this road, she could never leave it.
"What do I do?" she asked in a whisper.

"Repeat after me: Moon Prism Power! Make Up!"

Usagi said nothing for a moment.  *For Rei... and Naru-chan...* She took a
deep breath.

"Moon Prism Power! Make...UP!"
 
Usagi began to glow with an inner light, her fancy dress fading away to be
replaced with a white and blue sailor-fuku, the brooch set in the middle of
the large red bow in the center.  The skirt was extremely, even
embarrassingly short, and the long red boots did little to cover her legs. 
White gloves appeared around her hands, and a gold tiara materialized on
her head.  Even her "meatballs" changed, gaining red crystal ornaments of
some kind.  She was surprised beyond belief when the transformation finally
ended.  

"I go out in PUBLIC like this?!  Well, I guess it's not too bad... don't
care much for that big bow on the back, but..."
 
Luna fell over.  "Usagi!"

"Hmm? Oh! Right."  Sailor Moon looked down at the guardian cat.  "Lead the
way!"
***********

Seiji currently snoops around backstage, looking for some clue as to what
is truly going on in this theater.   Soon he comes upon a door that is
marked 'MANAGER' and goes there to put his ear on the door.  


"So, Zoisite... why did you not instruct the droid properly?" 

"Number 237 was instructed to drain the audience's energy.  The two of you
were well aware of this. If you felt possessed to come and observe the
ballet, so be it. You knew that the audience was drained, yet you remained
in the audience. And now you're telling me that I should have altered
Number 237's specific instructions so that the two of you could enjoy the
ballet."  

*These guys are behind the energy draining! I would go in but I'm not
stupid! There's more than one in there and I can guarantee that they would
kick my butt. I have to wait until I can find some help!* Seiji thinks and
he quietly sneaks off as the heated argument continues. *I must find Rei
she's in more danger than I believed!*

As he moves through the corridor he passed a mirror.  The reflection caused
him to stop and look at it as he went by.  He noticed that his forehead was
glowing slightly.  Walking back he pushes up his bangs to get a better look
at his head.  There was a faint symbol glowing on it.  The symbol of
Jupiter w/ a sword behind it!  Inside of him Seiji could feel something
stirring.  "What's . . . this symbol?  What's going on?"  he says to
himself.  Memories flood his head telling him partially what he needs to do
. . . and what he needs to say.  "Knight Thunder Power! Make-up!!"  he says
out loud.  Instantly the symbol explodes with energy that courses all over
his body.  Seiji closes his eyes, as multiple bolts of lightning struck his
body.  One huge bolt hits him and reduces his clothes to black tights. 
Then another bolt hits his chest to give him gleaming white armor.  In the
chest portion the Symbol of the Jupiter Knight rests.  A long flowing,
green cape is clamped to his armor.  Another bolt hits his side and gives
him a belt with an elegant scabbard and sword hilt.  Unconsciously he
brings
his hands forward and a bolt separates hitting his hands and feet, giving
him white gloves and boots.  The symbol on his forehead glows bright then
turns golden and spreads out giving him a golden tiara with a emerald jewel
in the middle.  Opening his eyes, Seiji looks down at himself and says,
"WOW!! I'm a superhero!!!  TOO COOL!!"  His thoughts then travel to Rei and
her potential danger.  Forgetting about the wonderful occurrence, he runs
to
the other corridor that Rei had gone down.
************

Sailor Mars slowly wakes up after being out for five minutes.  Looking
around, she finds that Number 237 had left her where she was.  She tries to
get up on her own power, but finds her hands and feet tied up tightly.  *I
need some help, or else I'll be in trouble!  I'd better call for Seiji to
help me . . . never mind that he doesn't know who I am . .. I just hope he
isn't mad at me!* she thinks to herself.  "SEIJI!!  Seiji help me!  Please
help me Sei-chan!!"

After a minute of calling out the door bursts open.  "Seiji!" says Sailor
Mars, but when the dust clears it's not Seiji standing in front of her, but
Jupiter Knight.  Sailor Mars is surprised to find someone else here like
her.  After Jupiter Knight releases her she says, "Who are you!  What're
you doing here!"

Jupiter Knight wasn't in the mood for small talk, he just wanted to find
Rei.  "I could ask the same of you lady!  I'm Jupiter Knight . . . and I
want to know what you've done with Rei!" he says to Sailor Mars.

Sailor Mars backs up a bit.  She couldn't really tell him yet . . . for she
didn't know exactly WHO he was.  He could be another bad guy even though he
said that he's one of the Knights she's heard about.  "I . . . I don't know
where she is!  I didn't do anything to her . . . but that's not important
right now!  We've got to stop the ballerina from going on with the next
acts!  It's behind all of the energy draining around here!"

Jupiter Knight nods saying, "I know . . . I overheard the people behind
this operation they were back in the Managers Room let's go and get them!" 
Sailor Mars would've answered when another girl like her came in.  This one
was dressed in a blue Sailor Fuku, with short blueish hair.  "What is this!
 A Sailor Girl convention!"

Sailor Mercury walks over to Sailor Mars and looks skeptically at Jupiter
Knight.  A voice in her head suggested that he was one of the Knight
Senshi, but she wanted to be on the safe side.  "Who are you . . . I am
Sailor Mercury and this is Sailor Mars."

Jupiter Knight says his name then tells Mercury the situation.  All three
of them head for the managers office.  Jupiter Knight steps forward to push
open the door and confront the persons inside.   "Let me handle this . . .
I'm wearing armor so if it's a trap I should be able to handle a surprise
attack better than you two."  The two Sailors nod their heads.  Taking out
his sword he opens the door and steps in finding . . . . a couple of guys,
one of which was his teacher and a ballerina in a yellow tutu.

Effrite-sensei stepped cringed back and says, "Who . . who are you!  What
are you doing here?!!"  Cringing back further he says, "D . . Don't hurt
us!  We'll do anything you want!!"  

Sailor Mars could see right through the ploy and starts to warn Jupiter
Knight when . . .. 

"Uhhhh......" Jupiter Knight stammers and gets a sheepish grin on his face
as wide as Texas.  "Sorry buddy , heh heh! I ahh.. thought you were someone
else, yeah! That's it I thought you were someone else and now that I know
you're not him... or is it a her, I'm not sure cuz the person I'm looking
for I've never seen and you're definitely not that person so I guess we'll
be going now uh.. Bye!" Jupiter Knight quickly closes the door on Nephrite
and turns around, breathing a sigh of relief, only to face a couple of
angry Sailor Senshi. "What! What did I do!" is all he can say. 

"You know perfectly well what you did mister 'let me handle it'. Why don't
you let a pro do it. Mars approached the door, *shoving* the Jupiter Knight
aside. She quickly opened it and...

The other man, Kunzite in disguise, says, "I don't know what you are, but I
would strongly suggest you think twice before trying anything..."  *It
can't be!* he thought, *It's impossible!  We killed the Senshi!  They're
gone!  This isn't happening!*  His fear was genuine at seeing a young woman
who, apparently, was immortal...

"And *why* should I take orders from you?" Mars replied, taunting him. "I
would watch it if I where you or else..." and to prove that statement, Mars
shouted, "FIRE ....SOUL!!" A beam of fire was hurtled towards a lamp in the
room. The lamp burst in flames and soon disappeared. She looked back at
Kunzite.

Zoisite stared aghastly at the Senshi for a moment, then quickly altered
his expression into one of innocent, wide-eyed fear. He cowered behind
Nephrite and Kunzite, shaking uncontrollably and even managing a cold sweat
to bead on his forehead. 

Suddenly Sailor Mercury burst into the room, and began to speak with the
other senshi.  "Guys!  The third act is about to start!  We've still got to
stop that ballerina!!"

<What the hell is this?  The senshi are dead... D E A D.  I killed...
wait... who did I kill?>  Kunzite's eyes clenched as he tried to conjure up
the lost memories.

Feeling a bit bold, he looked to Mercury and asked in a pleading tone, "Who
are you people?  Why are you disrupting our beautiful ballet?  You aren't
going to hurt us, are you?"

Sailor Mercury frowned at the disguised Kunzite and says, "Your ballet is
evil!  You are sucking out the energy from defenseless people!  And that
can not go unpunished!"  Sailor Mars intervenes saying, "We have no time
for you slime now . . . we must stop your evil ballerina!

All of them leave the men behind and go off to try and stop Number 237. 
*If they stop the ballet, which I'm sure they will . . . it'll be a fitting
punishment for Zoicite AND Chrysolite.  Measures will have to be taken so
that they don't interfere too much!* Kunzite thinks.  *But first . . .*  He
extends a hand to the ballerina and says, "A truce . . . for now at least."

In a swirl of cherry blossoms, the form of Zoicite takes the place of the
ballerina.  He takes Kunzite's hand firmly in his grip saying, "Truce." 
Turning to face Nephrite he says, "Chrysolite MUST be notified!"

"Let me handle that," Kunzite said as he pulled his cloak about him.  "You
two... get some Youma and test those Senshi.  Let's find out if they truly
ARE who they claim to be."

With that, he closed his eyes, and extended his senses outwards...
calling... "Chrysolite, return at once to the ballet.  Our little game will
have to be postponed... for it would appear we have a common enemy once
again."

"The Sailor Senshi have returned."
**********

Jupiter Knight and Sailor Mars and Mercury stand in the wings of the stage,
observing Number 237 prepare to start the third act.  "We've got to stop
them!  What are we gonna do?!"

Sailor Mars glares at Jupiter Knight, then says, "YOU'RE probably gonna
chicken out!  WE . ." She gestures at Mercury.  " . . are gonna handle this
thing!"

Jupiter Knight returns the glare.  *What is HER problem!  She can't be mad
about what happened back at the managers office!  Bakame! (Idiot!)  It's
not my
fault!!  I was anxious!*  he thinks to himself.  "Oh what're you gonna do?!
. . . There ain't no lamps for you to set on fire!!"

Mars gets up in his face saying, "Listen bud!  I'm better at this than you
are!  So why don't you leave before you get hurt!"

"Hey Hot Stuff!  I don't need your help in trashing this thing, so why
don't you and Sailor Mercury stay back so you wont get hurt!"

"DON'T . . . CALL ME HOT STUFF!"  Sailor Mars growls at him.  She would've
slapped him, but she had a Mechanical Monster to take care of.  "Look, if
you've gotta stay then stay!  But just shut the hell up and start helping!"

*Why that . . .!  I can't believe she just . . .!  THAT'S IT!!!  I'm gonna
KILL this monster!!!*  He stands there and gazes at Sailor Mars.  *She acts
just like all of those other girls back in Osaka!   They treat me just like
dirt . . . all because I'm alive!*  His hard gaze softens up.  Sailor Mars
loses her cold glare at Jupiter Knight and looks a tad concerned for a bit.
 *She thinks I'm a weakling!  A nobody!  Well I'll show her!  I'll show
them ALL!!!!* Turning his head to face Number 237, Jupiter Knight takes
out his sword again.  But this time the blade starts to glow with a light
green energy.  "YAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!"  Jupiter Knight runs out onto the stage
and jumps high into the air.  "THUNDAAA SABAAA SLASH!!!!!"  A wave of
energy seem to streak off of the sword as Jupiter Knight swings in a
downward motion towards Number 237.  The energy wave slams into it's back
and sends it flying to the floor just as the curtain opens.  Jupiter Knight
lands in a close proximity to Number 237 and looks into the crowd.  

"Get out of here!  This ballet is evil . . . and I swear on my honor that
it WILL be shut down now!"  he tells the crowd.  Most of the audience heard
him and started to leave the theater in a hurry.  The other people that
didn't hear were already knocked out.  Jupiter Knight doesn't have much
time to worry as Number 237 regains it's footing.  A startling
metamorphosis takes place.  Number 237's eyes glow red and it shifts into
attack mode. Feet together, she angled out her heels, and lifted onto her
toes.  As she
went en pointe, her arms lifted to right angles with her body.  Her arms
then bent at the elbows, moving her hands back in towards her chest.  Her
pale flesh began to quiver at the joints of her body.  Soon, long silver
blades erupted from these locations.  Long blades extended outward and
slightly upwards from her knees (front and back), hips, and elbows.  This
call was answered by more blades from her heels (which moved
back from her feet like skis), stomach, the small of her back, (both of
which were outward and slightly downwards), and her shoulder blades.
Finally, a crown of ten blades erupted from her head at regular intervals,
catching the lights on stage with menacing effect.  The broach at her neck,
three triangularly interlocked silver squares turned on their corners,
glowed a menacing jade green as the transformation finished.

"Wha . . . what the hell?!"  Jupiter Knight says.  Then smirking at the
newly transformed mecha-youma he says, "You think all that extra metal will
help!  Think again!"  Raising his sword once more, the blade charges with
more energy.  He brings it down the middle of 237's body.  Number 237 was
ready for this attack and twists to one side letting the wild arc of energy
go by.  Then she locks her eyes on Jupiter Knight, her eyes glowing a
fierce blood red.  Then without warning she starts to spin madly like an
out of control top.  Jupiter Knight barely had time to react as the living
buzzsaw made it's way towards him.  At the last possible moment he jumps
back to the others waiting on the wings.  "How are we gonna defeat this
thing!  It's like it has no weak points!"  

Sailor Mercury touches her ear and her VR visor appears over her eyes. 
Multiple readouts of Number 237 show up in front of her.  She reads them
all and thinks about finding a weak point for the mecha-youma.  In moments
a blip appears on Number 237's feet.  "Her feet!  Aim for her feet!  That's
the weak point!"  she says.  

Jupiter Knight nods his head then turns his head towards Sailor Mars. 
"Okay Hot Stuff!  It's you and me!  Wait for my signal!"

Sailor Mars becomes visibly irritated, a vein appears on her forehead
pulsating.  "OOOOOOOHH!!  Don't call me Hot Stuff!!"  she yells at him. 
Nevertheless she gets ready to receive the signal.

Jupiter Knight steps back out on stage and says, "Hey youma!  I'm here to
steal the spotlight from ya!  Come and get me!!"  The still spinning
mecha-youma turns its trajectory and starts to come towards him.  He jumps
over to the other side of the stage to give himself more room.  Charging up
his sword again he swings it at the top.  "Thundaa Sabaa Slash!"  the
energy arc hurtles towards Number 237 and makes an impact.  Number 237
stops spinning and takes the attack head on.  No damage is visible to the
eye.  Jupiter Knight just yells, "NOW!!"  

Sailor Mars comes onto stage bringing her hands together, "FIRE . . . . .
SOUL!"  she says.  A stream of fire streaks out to Number 237's foot.  The
youma reacts and tries to jump out of the way, but doesn't get out of the
way totally and falls to the ground, it's foot singed.  "Ya ta! (I did
it!!)"  She says.  

Jupiter Knight jumps in the air saying, "Alright!  Way to go Hot Stuff!"

Sailor Mars drops the happy attitude and says, "Don't call me that!!"

Number 237 quickly gets back up.  Acquiring Sailor Mars as a target it
starts spinning again, this time towards her.  Sailor Mars starts to become
frightened but steels herself and fires another stream at Number 237, but
this time the fire has no effect on it.  Sailor Mars didn't know what to do
next.  Jupiter Knight sent energy attack after energy attack at the youma,
but the blades on the body of it provide too much protection.  Sailor
Mercury fires her Shabon Spray at the youma but it doesn't slow down. 
Sailor Mars becomes cornered on one end of the stage, when a voice calls
out.  

"HALT!!!"

Jupiter Knight stops his attack and looks up.  Number 237 and Sailor Mars
also look upwards to find . . . Sailor Moon perched above on a backdrop. 
"You mechanical monster . . . you simulate the beauty that is ballet and
turn it into evil and ugliness!  I am the Beautiful Soldier Sailor Moon. 
And on behalf of the Moon I will punish you!"

Number 237 would've cut Sailor Moon in half, but she was out of reach.  All
it could do was stand there, it's red eyes blazing at her new target. 
Jupiter Knight takes this opportunity to strike at the youma while it's
guard is down.  He yells, "Thundaa Sabaa!  Triple Stariku!"  Three arcs of
energy fly out towards Number 237's feet and they all connect solidly.  The
youma's foot is blasted off and it loses it's balance.  

Sailor Moon wastes no time and takes off her tiara.  It starts to spin in
her hands making a golden disc.  "Moon Tiara . . . ACTION!!"  She tosses
the tiara at the downed youma who starts to regain her it's footing.  It
makes no sound as it is hit by the tiara. With a final burst, all unsent
energy was sent directly to her master--and through him to Queen Beryl. 
She stumbled forward, almost unable to retain her balance, as the
exhausted Senshi looked on expectantly.  With a sudden jerk, her torso
reared up to a proper posture, her cracked face totally devoid of emotion. 
The blades which had not fallen from her body in the fight shook tediously
in their positions, dancing the stage lights around the theatre.  The blade
from her right hip fell to the stage floor with a clatter as her eyes
flashed on and off in the shade of jade green with which the Senshi by now
were familiar, as if whatever power, whatever internal mechanism, powered
her had finally started to wear down.  Then, with a final, unanswered
click--the light faded from her eyes forever.  The ballerina stood, rocking
forward as if to fall.

Then it happened--another click, audible only to the finest ears among the
Senshi, marked the end of the youma.  Number 237 exploded in a ball of fire
and spare parts which blew a fuming hole in the stage--and her entire
general proximity.  The flaming parts bounced across what remained of the
stage as fire caught the curtains and the wood of the theatre.  Her silent
death cry was given life in that of the Senshi as the theatre in which they
stood, and nearly three hundred unconscious people lay, began to burn with
a speed and intensity few could believe.....

All of the Senshi were blown off of their feet.  Sailor Moon feel from her
position on the backdrop and landed on her butt.  "Ouch!" She called out. 
Luna comes up onto the stage and says, "Good Work Sailor Senshi!  You've
done well."  She was about to say some things to Jupiter Knight but only
found the empty space where he had been..  *I'll have to find him later.* 
she thinks to herself.  Turning her attention back to the Sailors she says,
"We've got to get all of these people out of here!  Before the fire
consumes them all!"  The senshi nod their heads and move to get all of the
people out.  
*********
In the Managers office . . . .

"I'm telling you there is NO WAY they could still be alive!  We killed them
ourselves!  ALL of them!"  Kunzite says.  

"And yet we saw with our own eyes that they are VERY much alive, Kunzite! 
So what are we going to tell Queen Beryl?!  She will be incredibly
displeased with this news."  Nephrite says.  

Kunzite was just about to answer when jade colored static filled a small
area in the room, announcing the arrival of Chrysolite.  Soon his form
solidifies, his face twisted in rage.  "What the hell is going on here! 
What do you mean the senshi are alive?!"

Kunzite steps up and holds a hand out to the door.  "Three of them were
just in here!  They've left to destroy . . ."  He never gets to finish as
an small explosion sounds from nearby.  Chrysolite gasps as he receives all
of the energy from Number 237 in one huge surge.  Kunzite looks around the
room then back at Chrysolite.  "What the hell was that?!"

Chrysolite scowls at the door.  "It seems that you were telling the truth .
. . for that explosion marked the end of Number 237!  Those accursed Senshi
destroyed her!"  He angrily whips his head back at the other generals. 
"Measures must be taken!  We've got to stop them before they can ruin
everything we've built here!"

Nephrite steps up and says, "Wait a minute!  My students are out there! 
I've got students out there!  My operation will be jeopardized!"  Shifting
into his earth disguise he quickly leaves the room and head out to save his
students from the fire.  

When he reaches the lobby he sees that many people are still in the
theater.  He starts to make his way in to look for Usagi and Ami when
Makoto comes out.  She doesn't see him at all for she carries two people
out the door.  Nephrite froze in his position as he watched her pass. 
Memories long buried inside of his subconscious come forward.  We see
pictures of Nephrite and another woman standing happily together on a
palace terrace.  In Nephrite's hand is a beautiful ring, which he puts on
the woman's ring finger.  The woman's face is hidden but one can notice
that she is VERY pregnant.  They embrace each other as Nephrite wept with
joy.  That vision ends as another comes.  The very same woman is in an
elegant bedroom as Nephrites steps through the door, a sword in his hand. 
The woman stands in terror and back against a wall.  Her voice rings
through his head as the vision plays out.  "No Nephrite!  Fight it my love,
please!  For me!  For our chil . . . ."  The voice stops as Nephrite's
sword is seen in her heart, his other hand moves to touch her stomach.  As
it the hand feels the flesh there it starts to glow softly.  The woman
screams loudly as the vision fades from Nephrite's mind.  No longer caring
about his students, Nephrite starts to take in too much of the smoke in the
building and starts to cough loudly.  He makes his way outside even as his
vision blurs.   Outside he see Makoto set the two people down on the ground
and turn to him.  Upon seeing her face Nephrite promptly passes out.  
*********
In the park . . . .

Akinori stared at Moon Ninja, unassurance written all over her face.  "Mars
. . . Knight?  That is who I am?"  She looks to Sailor Pluto then back to
Moon Ninja.  "But I still don't know who I am besides that!"  

Moon Ninja just looks at Sailor Pluto, who turns her head to face Nori. 
"You are Princess Noriya.  The Knight of Mars and guardian of Prince
Justinius.  You also have a younger sister . . . Princess Reianna, or
Sailor Mars." 

 "Princess? I was a princess, and an older sister?" Akinori says.  Deep
within her, an unknown power started to awaken within her body.  "I need to
transform . . . to awaken my powers.  How do I do that?"  She asks Sailor
Pluto.  

"The feeling is inside of YOU, Noriya . . . I cannot tell you how to do
so."  Sailor Pluto says.

Akinori braced her feet slightly apart, bringing her palms together in
front, elbows out. The motions felt comfortable. Nori took a steadying
breath, willing her fluttering heart to still.
     
"SPIRIT OF FIRE... MAKE-UP!"

The moment the final word passed her lips, two columns of fire leapt out of
the ground on either side of her. They twined together, forming a double
helix that encased the young woman.  Within the blazing pillar her
silhouette was visible, locked in the transformation pose. Moon Ninja and
Sailor Pluto watched as red flames licked up around her ankles, her knees,
heading for her face, leaving change in their wake. When the tongue of
flame
reached her heart,it burst outward, and the two strands of the double helix

closed, encasing Akinori in fire. One second later, they simply stopped, 
spiraling away into the night sky.
     
Left standing on grass that showed no scorching, was the fully-transformed
Mars Knight, clad in a black, long sleeved unitard, with a red vest and
knee boots, and black gloves. She wore a knee-length black cloak swept
around her shoulders, the hood drawn up. Slowly, Nori reached up and swept
it back.  She, like the Scouts, was crowned by a golden tiara set with a
red jewel. Her eyes flashed, a short flash of green fire, and all was done.
     
The final remnant of the dam broke, the memories rushing in.  They dropped
into the slot, and it all made sense. She remembered the day she had taken
her oath as a Knight Senshi, kneeling before the Queen and swearing to
protect her only son with her life. The fire of her promise lit again
within her heart, and she knew now why she had died upon the moon. The Mars
Knight had taken a blow meant for the Prince. The face of the attacker was
vague, but she felt sure she would know it if... no, *when* she saw it
again. After she had fallen, that person had turned their evil upon the
Prince, and taken his life as well. It still stung to think she had died in
vain. 
    
"I remember now." Mars Knight said to the warriors standing in front of
her. "I wield the power of Mars, in the name of the Moon Kingdom, to
protect her only son...."
     
The three talked for awhile, reliving the past, discussing the danger of
the present. Then they realized what time it was and parted ways. 
     
"Sailor Pluto," Mars Knight says with a bow. "Thank you for all you have
done.  I appreciate it  I will see you in school Justinius-oji. (Prince
Justinius)  See you soon."  Copying the stance she had taken to transform
she calls out "Spirit of Fire, take me home!"
 
The double-helix of fire appeared around her again, remaining for only a
moment before going out, then Mars Knight was gone.  Moon Ninja smiled as
he no longer felt too alone.  He too wanted to thank Sailor Pluto, but
found her gone when he looked in her Direction.  Shrugging to himself he
closes his eyes and concentrates.  In a puff of smoke, Moon Ninja leaves
the park.
**********

Fire Trucks and Ambulances surrounded the heavily fire damaged Theater. 
Outside, Nephrite is being fed oxygen by a paramedic and is slowly
recovering.  Litters of audience members lay on the ground, still
exhausted from the energy drain.  Off to the side Usagi and Luna are
conversing.  "Usagi-chan . . . I need to live with you.  I am your guardian
and I cannot do an effective job of that if we live in separate homes."

Usagi nods her head and places Luna on her shoulders.  "Well then  . . . We
should be heading home."  Usagi starts to walk away from the theater,
thinking about everything that happened in there.  Ami and Rei in their
Sailor Mars and Mercury forms talking with her after the fire is put out. 
Jupiter Knight fighting with Number 237.  She glances at Luna on her
shoulder then  raised her head to look at the Moon above her.  "This is all
so weird to me ya know."  

Luna yawns a bit loudly.  "Don't worry Usagi-chan . . . It'll  all come
back to you soon."

Usagi had more questions but Luna was already fast asleep.  Usagi smiles to
herself and continues on her walk home.
**********
At the theater.

Rei and Seiji wave as Ami walks on her way home.  Then the two of them also
move off towards Rei's Temple.  

"Rei-chan, I'm so glad that you're okay!  I was so worried!"  Seiji says to
her.  

"Well I was worried about you too Sei-chan!  That fire could've killed you
and we could never have . . ."  Rei stops.  She's not sure how far this
relationship with Seiji will actually go.  She hopes that it will go far,
but she didn't want to build her hopes up too fast.  

Seiji takes one of her hands into his and says, "Don't worry . . . I'll
always be here for you Rei-chan."  

Rei starts to blush but makes it all go away as she stares at him.  *This
might be it!  He might be the one for me!*  she thinks to herself.  As the
two of them come to the stairs of her Temple.   Rei stands on one, putting
her face level with his.  The two of them just look at each other for a few
moments when Rei breaks the silence.  "Sei-chan . . . I want to see you
again.  I really like you a lot."

Seiji wanted to leap over the moon at the news.  *A girl!  A beautiful girl
actually likes me!  Oh boy!*  he thinks.  He manages to keep his inner
emotions from showing on his face, and manages to give her a smile.  "I . I
like you too Rei-chan.  I like you very much!  And it would be my pleasure
to see you again.  And I want to do it very soon."  he steps closer.  "I'm
afraid that I will miss you . . . a lot."  

Rei melts inside as she gazes at his sweet smile.  When he steps closer,
she too steps closer.  And even though she blushes slightly, she moves even
closer and kisses Seiji on the lips for a few moments.  It was one of the
sweetest she'd ever received from any boy.  And it sent her heart soaring
to heights that it hadn't reached in a long time.  As the kiss ends Rei
says goodnight and goes up the steps.  Seiji on the other hand . . . is
frozen in place.
*********

Across town at T*A Private Academy . . .

The bell in the clock tower sounds ringing in the witching hour.  Atop the
clock tower stands a brooding Chrysolite.  His face still contorted with
Rage he says mostly to himself.  "Sailor Senshi . . . you have no idea what
power you are truly dealing with.  Your second trips to hell will be swift
. . . for my grand plan . . ."  Chrysolite's eyes starts to glow jade
green.  " . . . will be ruined by no one."  He starts to lose the evil
glare and starts to smile maliciously.  Then he starts to laugh out loud as
the screen fades to black.

The End . . .?  Not by a long shot!

---------------------------------------------------------------------


	Sailor Moon: An Alternate Moon-Knight Rise

	Produced by Toshiro Seiji and Michael J Rook

            Based off of a Sailor Moon RPG

		    Edited by Jonna Eggl
	                    Stephanie Zuroff
                          Michael J Rook

             Directed by Toshiro Seiji

                          ---Cast---

Tsukino Usagi/Sailor Moon			Sarah Frese
Hino Rei/Sailor Mars             	 	Stephanie Zuroff
Mizuno Ami/Sailor Mercury			Naomi Raymundo
Tsuki Justin/Moon Ninja			      Mike Nelson 
Toshiro Seiji/Jupiter Knight		      Ken Cross
Ti'lrya Landra/Sailor of the Dark Stars   Tonya Bezpalko
Laraie Aileidriana/Sailor Ice Crystal	Tonya Bezpalko
Demandir					      Tonya Bezpalko
Kharin						Tonya Bezpalko
Nephrite					      Micheal J Rook	
Alexandrite					      Alexandra Stone
Chrysolite					      Benjamin Briggs
Zoicite					      GIEU
Kunzite                                   Jason Metcalf
Queen Beryl					      Angela Wornstaff