Disclaimer: The concepts of Spiderman are the creation of Stan Lee and 
Sailor Moon is the creation of Nako Takeuchi. No money is being made 
from this and no such intent should be inffered.



"Europe should have more countries."
-George W. Bush.


"I don't get it," Naru said as she and Usagi walked to their class after 
walking Ami to hers. "What does treating Ami and Spiderwoman like two 
separate people do?"

"Nothing right now, but down the road, plenty." Naru looked liked a 
poleaxed cat and Usagi sighed. "As near as I can figure, Ami blames 
herself for Shinnie biting the big one. She had the power but refused 
the responsibility to use it."

"With Great Power comes Great Responsibility?" Naru asked.

"Something like that. Anyway, she created Spiderwoman to live up to that 
because Ami failed."

"And Ami hates to fail." Naru said, understanding dawning.

"Bingo. And she's a control freak when it comes to herself. So I'm going 
to use that. I'm going to treat them as separate people. Force them to 
define themselves as Ami and Spiderwoman. Ami, the human with gifts, and 
Spiderwoman the psycho. Once that's done, I'll plant the notion in Ami's 
ear that giving up half her life to Spiderwoman is losing control. 
She'll take it from there."

"Are you on crack or something? That has to be the stupidest plan I've 
ever heard."

"Trust me, Naru. Come on. How many times have I been wrong?" Usagi asked 
expansivly.

"We don't have an hour and a half." was Naru's sardonic reply.

****
If Spiderwoman bothered with such things like emotion, she would be 
upset. Even as Ami browsed ScienceWorld looking for the chemicals needed 
to make the webbing and talked shop with one of the clerks, Spiderwoman 
was turning the conversation with the Tsukino girl over and over, 
studying it. Something was wrong. Everything Ami knew about her 
suggested that she was up to something. But try as she might, 
Spiderwoman could not fathom what it was.

At that point, her Danger Sense began buzzing a warning and Spiderwoman 
realized that the clerk was just standing there with a blank look on her 
face. In fact, the whole store was like that. Except for...a youma 
standing on the counter, arms wide. This youma was more human looking, 
with a bulbous looking pod on each shoulder that seemed to be pulsing 
with its own rhythm. The people nearest it began to collapse, as though 
exhausted.

Without a second thought, Spiderwoman reached for Ami's cell phone, a 
gift from Usagi from last Christmas. Usagi was on speed dial.

The phone rang once and then Usagi answered. "Thank you for calling 
Akitas R Us, your one stop bestiality supply store. This is Bukkake 
Hentai, how can I help you?"

"Youma at ScienceWorld." Spiderwoman said simply and hung up. Tossing 
the bag behind a stack of case mods, she touched the watch.

****
"Well that was considerate," Usagi said as she put her phone away and 
flagged the waitress, completely ignoring the hostile stares from some 
of the other customers and the staff, who apparently had no sense of 
humor.

"Who was it?" Naru asked.

"Ami's other half. Fun is happening and we are not part of it."

"Well then. There must be rectification of this grievous oversight 
immediately."

"Agreed."

"Excuse me, Miss." The two teens looked up as a man approached. He was 
slightly balding, wore glasses and had a bad mustache. The word manager 
was written all over him, figuratively speaking. "Your method of 
answering the phone was rude and completely inappropriate and I'm afraid 
I must ask you to-" Usagi handed him her credit card and his eyes 
widened as he saw the name written on it. "-please accept these discount 
coupons. Your meal is, of course, free."

"Bootlicker," Naru muttered under her breath.

"I love eating at dad's shops." Usagi said to Naru.

****
Spiderwoman leapt high as a server rack rocketed through the space where 
she had just been to hit the youma in the chest.

"Sorry I took so long," Sailor Moon called. "There was traffic on the 
rooftops. Pigeons, if you want to know. Nasty buggers. I think one of 
them tried to grope me." She ducked as the youma ripped a register from 
the counter and hurled it at her. "Hey! My dad's company makes those!" 
The youma threw another register. "Damnit!" The youma threw a third 
register. That one Sailor Moon caught and threw back. The youma dodged 
it and the register crashed into the clothing racks, scattering bills 
and coins everywhere as the impact broke the drawer mechanism. 
"Asshole!" Sailor Moon shouted as it disappeared into the store's 
cavernous aisles.

Spiderwoman said nothing, but fired a line of that gray stuff and swung 
off into the tops of the shelves.

"And I'll be in Scotland before ya," Sailor Moon sang to herself and 
jogged after the youma.

At the counter, a blond man dressed in a blue gray uniform faded into 
view. Grabbing one of the registers, he lifted it with one hand and 
turned it over. On the bottom in black lettering on a white sticker was 
a simple statement; "Proudly manufactured by Tsukino Industries."

The man smiled.

****
It was the laughter that caused the people on the street to look up.

But by then, he was already gone.

****
Luna shook herself as she stood on the shelving after getting into the 
store through the ventilation shaft.

There was work to do and she set off along the shelving.

****
Sailor Moon leapt high and landed on the shelving as the Youma rushed 
through where she had been standing. Looking, up, she saw Spiderwoman 
jimmying open a skylight, Ami's bookbag in hand.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Sailor Moon demanded.

"As you remarked earlier, the youma are yours to deal with," Spiderwoman 
replied flatly. "To protect this city, I delayed it until your arrival." 
The skylight swung open and Spiderwoman froze then flung herself at 
Sailor Moon, carrying them both off the shelving as the ceiling fell in, 
knocking the shelves down onto the youma which cried out once as it was 
crushed.

Coughing, Sailor Moon waved her hand before her face to dispel the dust 
and dirt as the whine of a turbine reached her ears. As the dust 
settled, she saw a strange figure. It wore a sleeveless, legless 
bodysuit of garish purple over green body armor. Its hands and feet were 
covered by gloves and boots in that same purple and a dunce cap like hat 
was on its head, also in that same purple. At that point, Sailor Moon 
realized that it was somebody in a costume. The face was a mask. Red 
lensed eyes, long pointed ears, and a mouth fixed in an insane, teeth 
baring, open mouthed smile. It sat on what looked like some sort of 
flying broomstick, except that the stick was made out of metal and the 
bristles were a set of exhaust pipes.

"Hello, Sailor Moon, Spiderwoman," the creature said. Sailor Moon 
frowned. There was something familiar about the creature's voice.

"Who are you?" Spiderwoman demanded.

"I thought I'd leave my name up to the press," the creature replied. The 
broomstick lunged forward and Spiderwoman went flying backwards as the 
creature planted its foot in her chest. The creature threw some kind of 
sphere at her which expanded into bands that bound Spiderwoman hand and 
foot. Then it faced Sailor Moon. "Let's talk. Your power, my genius. 
Already thanks to the Bugle's publisher, the citizens are beginning to 
hate you. But, between the two of us, we could rule this city and all of 
Japan. It wouldn't matter what they thought. The sheep would be ours. 
Power would be ours. Their fates in our hands." The creature moved 
closer and it's voice dropped. "Not to mention the other...benefits."

"Go to hell, Pointy Ears," Sailor Moon replied.

"Very well." The creature pointed its finger at her, there was a bright 
flash,  and Sailor Moon was knocked backwards, sliding over the smooth 
cement tile.

"What happened to telling me to think it over?" Sailor Moon coughed as 
she stood.

"You're not the type to change your mind are you?"

"Well, no."

"There you go then." With the that the creature threw what looked like a 
metal bat at her and Sailor Moon ducked and rose just in time to have 
its fist catch her across the jaw.

****
Spiderwoman stirred in time to see the green man pick up Sailor Moon and 
throw her over the shelves and heard the thud of her body landing on the 
floor. Then with a hum, the creature followed and Spiderwoman heard more 
sounds of fists and feet colliding with flesh. Teeth gritted under the 
mask, Spiderwoman struggled to get free. But the bonds held firm. 
Spiderwoman redoubled her efforts and as she did, she felt a cold 
burning sensation on her forehead.

"Sailor Mercury!" gasped a voice. Spiderwoman turned and saw Usagi's 
cat.�Luna standing on a shelf. The cat leapt down and picking up a small 
blue pen with her mouth, set it in Spiderwoman's hands. "Quickly," Luna 
urged. "Say Mercury Power Make Up! Do it! Sailor Moon needs help!"

While Spiderwoman could have cared less, Ami was another story.

****
At this point, we must take a few moments to discuss Planck's Constant, 
Magic, MPD, and Moon Cat psychology.

In layman's terms, Planck's Constant describes the constraints that keep 
everything functioning within the bounds of physical laws. So long as 
the constant is in effect, a human being able to say, shoot beams of 
destructive force from their eyes and suffer no ill effects is nothing 
more then fantasy.

Magic, however, is nothing more or less then the complete and total 
disruption, by randomization of Planck's Constant. Although this 
disruption is measured in nanoseconds or less, in that time period, 
anything is possible. Even after the disruption is over, the changes in 
the universe is permanent. However, similar disruptions, or spells, if 
you prefer, can often have an odd effect if they happen without careful 
planning. One totally unforeseen by the caster.

As for Ami, Usagi had not quite guessed just how split Ami's personality 
already was or how far it had gone. One must recall that a month had 
passed between Gendo's death and the night Spiderwoman had begun 
operating. By then, she had already defined herself as Spiderwoman and 
Ami Mizuno. Alpha and Omega. Two completely different people who shared 
the same body.

As for Luna, we must note that cats, and Moon Cats in particular are 
among the most focused and single-minded creatures in the universe. As 
anyone who has ever lived with a cat will tell you, if, for example, a 
cat wants a nap, then they will have a nap where and when they want. 
Luna was no exception. Her duty was to find, awaken, and train the 
Sailor Senshi so they could find the Moon Princess. Furthermore, Usagi 
had not told Luna that Ami was Spiderwoman, or about her theory 
regarding Ami's mental state. Even if she had, it might not have made a 
difference. Luna had a job to do and she had every intention of doing 
it...regardless of minor details like mental health.

-Where?-

-Sailor Mercury?-

-Ano...-

-You're the spider guardian.-

-Oh my...-

Ever notice that it's always the minor details that screw things up?

****
A hand like a steel vise grabbed Sailor Moon by the throat and hauled 
her up.

'Stupid Usagi," she mentally berated herself through the pain. 'You kept 
trying to fight this loon like a youma. Just because it's wearing a 
hideous shade of purple doesn't mean it's stupid. Has no design sense 
yes, but not stupid.'

"I would ask you if there were any last words, Sailor Moon," the 
creature said, "but since you've yet to say anything interesting..." 
It's fingertip began to glow.

Something flashed across her field of vision and the creature dropped 
her and grabbed it's wrist as sparks shot from it. "Hold on, Sailor 
Moon!" A man's voice cried.

"Ice Blast!" a woman's voice cried. And as Sailor Moon blacked out, she 
saw what looked like Ami in a blue and white sailor fuku.

When she woke, she was strapped to Spiderwoman's back and they were 
swinging over the city. Sailor Moon looked down, vomited, and then 
blacked out.

Through a haze, she heard Ami and Naru talking, but then she passed out 
again.

She awoke to feeling something heavy on her chest that vibrated with a 
noise like a rumbling purr. She was sore all over and spots danced 
before her eyes for a few moments before fading away. "I feel terrible," 
she said and then turned her head to look as Naru leaned over.

"She lives," Naru said and lifted Luna off Usagi's chest. "Can you sit 
up?"

"I hope so," Usagi replied and did so, realizing that she was still 
Sailor Moon. She somehow managed to muster the concentration to change 
back to Usagi and swayed as her body returned to normal. "I feel 
terrible," she said again. "Where am I?"

"My place. Spiderwoman brought you here. She was acting funny too. She 
dumped you on the bed and took off again." She handed Usagi some aspirin 
and then went to her closet. The cousins spent so much time together 
that each had a stash of clothes at the other's place. Naru straightened 
and turned back to Usagi, school uniform in hand. "Get dressed. I'll 
call for the car. I think that for you, walking is a bad idea today."

****
Ami stared as Spiderwoman and Sailor Mercury argued with each other. 
They were filmy and indistinct as they stood in the room near the bed, 
but they were there. Ami grabbed her head and moaned softly. She had 
just woken up from some sort of daze and the memories of what 
Spiderwoman had done, what horrors she had committed, danced before 
Ami's eyes. She could feel the blood on her hands, the skin was raw. Ami 
had washed her hands a dozen times, but she could still see bits of 
blood on her hands. "Unclean," she whispered. "So unclean."

"Stop that," Sailor Mercury snapped. Ami looked up guiltily. The fuku 
clad teenager stood before her. "You're no more responsible for what 
Spiderwoman did then I am."

"But I am her."

"No. You're nothing like her and you know it."

"This is foolish," Spiderwoman growled and her mask vanished and Ami 
shuddered back as her own empty eyes stared at her and Mercury. "We 
should have been out punishing scum last night instead of coddling her 
weak conscience."

"No. We should not have," Mercury said reasonably. She laid a hand on 
Ami's shoulder, comforting. "Ami is one of us, like it or not."

"And what about Gendo?" Spiderwoman demanded. "What about his vengeance?"

"This has gone beyond vengeance," Mercury said in that same maddeningly 
reasonable tone. "I feel the pain of Gendo's loss the same as the two of 
you, but matters have changed. Nothing justifies putting Ami through 
this."

Ami let out a choked sob and leaned against Mercury, trying very hard 
not to think about what was happening.

"Everything justifies it. Ami is weak. Gendo demands vengeance. If she 
could avenge him she would. But she can't." She leaned over to Ami and 
whispered. "Weak."

"Now that's enough," Mercury said sharply, her tone knife sharp. "You're 
to stop abusing her."

"Who will stop me, Mercury? You?"

"If need be."

There was a knock on the door, and Aunt Mai's voice called. "Ami? Are 
you okay?"

Mercury glanced at Ami and then shoved her towards Spiderwoman. "Keep 
her quiet. I'll handle this." She and Spiderwoman both vanished and Ami 
felt herself leave her body and watched as she got up and began 
gathering their bathing things as the door slid open.

"I heard voices," Mai said.

"Just the radio, Aunt Mai. It was a debate," Ami watched herself say. 
She tried to call out, but couldn't. It was as though a hand was across 
her mouth.

"Sounded lively," Mai mused and then she sighed as she saw the bed, the 
sheets rumpled slightly. "Slovenly," she murmured as she smoothed out 
the rumples.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Mai. I was thinking about my economics test."

Mai smiled and gave her niece a hug. "I understand, just try to be more 
thoughtful in the future. Now bathe, get dressed, and come downstairs. 
Breakfast is almost ready."

"Yes, Aunt Mai."

As the door closed, Ami slid out of Spiderwoman's grip and curled up 
into a ball on the floor humming tunelessly.

"Pitiful," Spiderwoman said softly as Sailor Mercury laid her hand on 
Ami's forehead.

"Sleep," the Senshi whispered and Ami slid into blackness.

"That was clever," Spiderwoman said. "Now how do you propose we make it 
through the day without her?"

"I can do it," Mercury replied as she laid out a school uniform and then 
picked up the basket of shampoo and soap and grabbed a robe.

"You?" Spiderwoman asked. "Don't make me laugh."

"Is that a note of scoff I hear?" Mercury asked archly. "I thought you 
were emotionless."

Spiderwoman made a hissing noise and then fell silent.

****
Usagi and Naru got out of the car and watched it pull away before 
stepping through the academy's gates. The aches had left Usagi's body 
and she felt fit as a fiddle.

"Ahhh," she said, stretching. "Another day in the hallowed halls of 
Juuban Academy...and if I shoot myself in the head I'll never have to go 
through another one."

Naru let out a snort of laughter and shifted her grip on the large 
shopping bag she carried.

"What's that?" Usagi asked.

"Ami has a game today, remember? After school?"

"Oh yeah." Usagi snatched the bag from Naru and peered inside. "No air 
horns?"

"In my bag. Along with the inflatable beach ball."

"I knew I liked you for some reason."

"Bah," Naru retorted. "You just want me around so you can pick up guys."

"Well there's that too--Hey! Ami!" Usagi waved as Ami walked through the 
front gate and then her eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong?" Naru asked.

"She's walking different," Usagi said. "That's not Ami--or Spiderwoman." 
Like a shot, she ran over to Ami, throwing an arm around the girl's 
shoulders as Naru took Ami's other side. "Ami!" Usagi called out! "Have 
we got a deal for you!"

"It's a perfume that smells like fish," Naru said as she and Usagi 
steered Ami towards a grove of trees. Both girls ignored the amused 
stares of their fellow students. By noon the school grapevine would be 
full of rumors that Usagi and Naru were up to something and they would 
likely be banned from the cafeteria for a week or so...again.

"And salt," Usagi said. "Can't forget the salt."

"Just think of all the boys who are into saltwater fishing who would 
come running if you wore this stuff." Naru said as the three of them 
entered the grove.

"Who the hell are you?" Usagi demanded.

"You may call me Mercury," she replied. "Ami is...absent right now."

"Absent? What do you mean, absent?" Mercury made a small gesture and 
Usagi and Naru felt their jaws drop as a filmy, indistinct image of Ami 
laying on the ground in a fetal position, apparently asleep. Spiderwoman 
stood nearby, glaring at them. "She's asleep, or perhaps dormant is a 
better term."

"How..." Usagi managed to ask.

"We're not really sure," Mercury replied. "But I am Ami Mizuno...in a 
sense. I seem to be a sort of middle ground between Ami and Spiderwoman. 
It's all very confusing."

"I told you it was stupid plan," Naru said as she slapped the back of 
Usagi's head.



-Steve "Komodo" T.
http://livejournal.com/users/pandoras_closet
http://livejournal.com/community/aberdawnknights


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