SailorMoon's Fate: The Vica-Versa Tale of Tuxedo Mask

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SAILORMOON'S FAITH: THE VICE-VERCA TALE OF TUXEDO MASK

The Fate of Sailormoon:

The Vice-versa Tale of Tuxedo Mask

"Come on, Amy," said Mina, "did you find out anything about Rube and the entrance to the Negamoon? We need the info fast."

Amy was rapidly and impatiently typing in her mini-data computer as she replied to her friends, "Well, these things take time. I promise that I'll let you guys knows of what's new about Rube and the Negamoon."

Serena and the rest of her friends were at Raye's temple trying to conduct a analysis about the Negamoon. Serena was looking over Amy's shoulder, but at the same time was reading one of Raye's comic books without notifying her. She suddenly started to laugh. Everyone else jumped to Serena's sudden laughter and stared at her.

Serena showed the comic to her friends and pointed out, "Can you believe how funny this part is! It's a killer!" She laughed hysterically.

"Hey, that's one of my new comic books! I haven't read that one yet!" cried Raye.

"Then you won't mind if I keep it," responded Serena.

"No way, Serena!" disagreed Raye. She jumped and tried to grab her comic book away from Serena.

Luna sighed, "Oh boy."

"Here we go again," chuckled Artemis.

Lita, Mina, and Amy just sighed, but Amy just went back to her analyzing on her mini-data computer.

* * *

Back in Rube's headquarters of the Negamoon, he was thinking evilly,

"Hmm, it is near the time where I am desperate to have Sailormoon on my side. I need her, so I could defeat the rest of the Sailorscouts. I want to see Tuxedo Mask suffer without his girlfriend in sight. Yeah, sounds fishy; I'm practically in love with a human being; a particular beautiful one that happens to annoy me in the future!" He paused from thinking, and then continued,

"That Sailormoon; caused me so many problems, including her pretty scout friends. My brother Rubius was so close to be rid of her when Droid-Hypnotica casted an eternal sleeping spell on her. Unfortunately, Tuxedo Mask was notified, and she was saved. Ooh, I just hate the smell of defeat! Now, I have to plot out my plan to capture Sailormoon and perhaps destroy the other scouts, too. As I recall, Queen Barrel has set captured Tuxedo Mask before to be on her side. Maybe I'll use the similar method that she used to capture Sailormoon. Heh, I can already picture Tuxedo Mask's expression when I capture this blonde. Let's set this to work. All I need to do is to lure the Sailormoon, the Scouts, and Tuxedo Mask in one place to let my plan work all at once. I'll need the perfect people and set up. This is going to be a treat! Once I get Sailormoon, I'll have the silver crystal and I'll get that kid Renee!" Rube chuckled, and agreed with himself, "YES!"

* * *

The next day, the girls met again at Raye's temple.

"Hey, Raye," suggested Lita, "why don't you do a fire reading? Maybe that will be a faster way to find out what the Negaverse is up to."

Raye, who was dressed in her temple robe, nodded, "Oh sure, but I think that only fire could tell me so much. I mean, Amy's little mini-data computer probably has more exact measures to this Negaverse."

"Yes, well I think my computer might not be able to have enough memory to go so fast," replied Amy.

"Hey you guys," requested Mina, "why don't you and Amy do the analysis? We can have more information that way."

"Good idea," spoke up Serena.

So all of the girls followed Raye into the fire-reading room. Raye sat down on the fire-reading mat while her friends sat on the cushions behind her. Raye crossed her legs, closed her eyes, got her hands set, and then concentrated her powers. She commanded to the fire (which was a big flame partly surrounded by lined-through stacked round branches which were the size of an average wrist),

"I call upon you, fire of Mars; lend us your strength; tell us more about this Negaverse, our enemy." She did some hand movements and then paused as she concentrated harder. Suddenly, the fire wildly flared up higher and stronger. There was a wisp of fiery air that flared at Raye but she didn't open her eyes. She said to her friends without turning around to face them,

"The fire could get some reading on the entrance to the Negamoon where Rube is. It seems that the main one is right around here, at this temple."

Serena sat up straight as she asked, "Do you see any attacks near this temple soon, Raye? Do we need to guard this temple often?"

"Hold on," replied Raye. She did some more concentrating and then replied to Serena and her friends,

"I think I saw an attack around this time in the future. It seems like the next battle is going to be a few days from now, but I'm not so sure. And I'll be well rounded if there's anything suspicious lurking around this temple. I usually should have some vision when something majorly bad happens."

"Alright," answered Mina and Serena.

Raye sat up straight and replied, "I don't think that the Negaverse could open up the hole to destroy anything when I'm up here. Good thing that school's over and I could watch this place often."

"I think that we could use Mercury's VR-Visor to scan the place. It came in pretty handy quite a few times," suggested Lita.

"It might work. We've got to give it a try," persuaded Serena.

Mina glanced over at Amy and the rest of her friends.

"But you guys," reasoned Mina, "we have to transform to use Mercury's VR-Visor to scan this area."

"Oh well. It doesn't matter," replied Amy. "As long if it has something to do with Sailor business, it doesn't matter, right Luna?"

Luna glanced at Artemis and then answered, "Right, Amy."

"Yeah, I say go for it," responded Artemis.

"Why don't we all transform? That way we could guard each other," suggested Mina.

"Alright," agreed everyone. Everyone then transformed.

"Mars, star, power!"

"Mercury, star, power!"

"Jupiter, star, power!"

"Venus, star, power!"

After the girls finished transforming, they jogged outside to the place where the hole was detected. Mercury stepped forward and turned on her VR-Visor. She started to scan around the place as well as she was using her mini-data computer. The rest of the scouts split up in that open area behind the temple and started to search for anything that seemed suspicious. Since it was near night time, the temple started to get dim and started to darken up.

After of what seemed to be a long time, Mercury spoke up.

"Wait you guys, I think I have something," Mercury called out. She typed in some more information into her computer and then replied, "My computer says that the strongest force of weird energy is located there, in open of the grove of birch trees. Maybe we should search over there."

""Alright Mercury!" congratulated Venus.

"Yeah, great job!" complimented Sailormoon.

All of the scouts then followed Mercury as she walked toward to the detected area. They were all on their best guard for anything from the Negaverse.

* * *

Meanwhile, Rube back in the Negaverse was spying on the scouts.

"So, the Sailorscouts detected and found the main entrance to the Negamoon to part of my headquarters," snarled Rube. "They want to pay me a visit? Maybe this plan is working out better than I thought. All I need to do is to keep them out of here! I need to get to the scouts first and get them. I then would separate take Sailormoon back with me here. Maybe if I'm lucky enough, I could lure in Tuxedo Mask and get him too! He always shows up just in time to save his precious Sailor girlfriends! Finally, I'm gonna get him! Him and the rest of those pretty Sailorscouts! Then, the power of the Negamoon can take over Crystal Tokyo!"

* * *

After a while of tracking and examining the area of where Mars and Mercury detected, the scouts were about to give up when Rube appeared before them.

"Hello, Sailorscouts," greeted Rube, evilly.

The Scouts jumped as Jupiter interrogated, "What are you doing here?"

Rube stood straight up and answered, "I just wanted to say good-bye to all of you scouts, since I'm gonna destroy you now!"

Jupiter looked angered.

"Think again, butt-head!" she declared. "All good-bye to whoever it is, is you!"

"Yeah, you and your Negamoon are going to be gone!" cried Mercury.

"Prepare your world to eat flames, Negacreep!" proclaimed Mars.

"And we'll make sure that you and your world never bother us again!" assured Venus.

Rube just chuckled, "Pathetic. All of you Sailorscouts are no match for the power of the Negamoon. I'm really going to enjoy destroying all of you, especially you, Sailormoon!"

Sailormoon backed up, scared.

From out of nowhere, a familiar voice cried, "Try to bother someone else, Negaskum! Leave the girls out of this!"

Just then, Tuxedo Mask jumped down from a nearby tree and stood in front of the Scouts.

"Oh, but I have a special place just for you Tuxedo Mask! I've been waiting fro this moment for a long time! This is going to be a treat in the future of Crystal Tokyo!" Rube retorted.

"Huh?" asked the Sailorscouts and Tuxedo Mask.

Rube flew up in the air and opened a porthole. He gestured toward it.

"Go on in, Sailorscouts and Tuxedo Mask!" offered Rube. He himself then disappeared.

The Scouts and Tuxedo Mask looked at each other as they nodded their heads in agreement.

"We're on our way!" declared Sailormoon.

The Scouts and Tuxedo Mask ran into the porthole. After they entered, the dimension was black. No one could see anything. But suddenly, there was a pink flash of swirling light. Everyone shaded their eyes as they paused from running. After they opened their eyes, they saw that they were in a foggy, illusional place.

"Where-- are we?" asked Sailormoon.

"Yeah," agreed Tuxedo Mask.

Mercury turned on her VR-Visor and took out her mini-data computer. She started to examine the place. After a few moments, she replied, "It looks like we're in a multi-complex dimension, like a time-morph and negative space. Looks like our duel with Rube and his Negamoon is about right here."

Sailormars peered over Mercury's shoulder. So did the rest of the Sailorscouts and Tuxedo Mask. Suddenly, Mercury looked up ahead of her.

"Hold it," halted Mercury.

"Huh?" asked everyone.

"Some type of life form, straight ahead," pointed Mercury.

Venus glanced at her friends and suggested, "Well, let's go check it out, you guys."

"Right," agreed everyone.

"Sailormercury," called out Tuxedo Mask. Everyone started to run toward the detected place.

"Yes, Tuxedo Mask, what is it?" responded Mercury.

Darien kept up in running along with the other Sailorscouts, and then asked, "I'm getting a bit confused. We are looking in for a duel with Rube right? But where exactly are we going?"

Mercury kept typing and scanning while she was running and responded, "Well, we're hoping to find Rube and duel with him. I detect some weird power from a strange dimension from my computer. We'll be there shortly."

Sailormoon, who was practically ready to rest, requested, "Good. When we get there, I want to rest. I getting pretty tired."

"Hang on," said Jupiter.

Mars, who was using her vision and mind power, then pointed out, "We're almost there. I can feel it! My power says that this is going to be a strange cause to be in."

"Yeah, let's hope that this duel with Rube and his henchmen isn't going to be too dangerous," replied Sailorvenus, almost out of breath.

After a few more minutes of rapid running, the Sailorscouts and Tuxedo Mask stopped. They realized the atmosphere that they have just been in has just changed into an eye-confusing and primarily dark place. Mercury stepped forward, and continued to analyze the place. Sailorjupiter had prepared herself in fighting stance and strolled around. Sailorvenus casually walked around and examining the place. Mars calmed and relaxed herself, closed her eyes, and just then tried to feel if there were any strange powers there in place. Sailormoon just backed up with Darien, but they also helped the other Sailorscouts to keep their guard up.

Suddenly, a pink cloud bursted before them as everyone froze. Rube appeared before them.

"So Sailorscouts, are you all ready to lose? Finally, I'll be rid of you all!" testified Rube.

Sailormoon stepped forward bravely, and talked back, "Don't be so sure! We'll fight to the end, Negacreep! We'll see who's the losers!"

Rube lowered himself and snorted, "When I get you Sailormoon, I could then finally have the Silver Imperium Crystal! And I could have you fighting be my side! Now what do you say, come with me now, so I won't douse your friends. It'll save a lot of time!"

"I'll never work for you!" cried Sailormoon.

Rube then scowled, "You'll regret that you didn't come with me, Sailormoon! I'll make sure of it!" He then disappeared.

"Huh?" asked everyone.

"Where did he go?" questioned Darien. Everyone looked around.

All of a sudden, six dark shadows formed before everyone. The Scouts and Darien took fighting stance. The creatures just charged forward slowly. From out of nowhere, Rube appeared again, saying, "Enjoy the smell of defeat, humans!"

Sailormoon, who was in front of everyone, gasped, "Ewww! Those creatures have disgusting tree branchy arms!"

"Well, we're going to fight them, Sailormoon!" replied Tuxedo Mask, impatiently.

"Ready?" Sailormoon inquired.

"Ready!" responded everyone else.

Jupiter stepped forward and cried, "Sailorscouts CHARGE!"

All of the Scouts as well as Darien charged toward the Negaverse monsters. The monsters then vanished. Suddenly, an ugly sounding whistle sounded,

"Yoohoo! Over here, humans!"

The Sailorscouts and Darien turned around. Gigantic branches strapped Mars and Mercury.

"Ahh!" cried Mercury and Mars.

Darien gasped and then tore out his long, sharp, staff. He lengthened it, and started to slice and dice the large, tough branches. He could only slice bits of bark off.

"I can't cut this!" cried Tuxedo Mask.

"Let me try," volunteered Sailorjupiter. She stepped forward and took her fighting stance. Jupiter then jumped and slammed her strong boots onto the middle of the branches. The branches cracked and partially broked.

"Whoa, Jupiter," complimented Tuxedo Mask, "that was some kick you sprung!"

Jupiter, who was still on top of the branches, thanked, "Thanks, but that hurt my legs a bit."

Mars replied holding on to her branch, "You almost got it, Jupiter! Try it again!"

Jupiter jumped down from the branches and rubbed her legs. She replied, "I don't know if I could do that again. That hurt my legs. I could try to use my karate kicks and arm slams."

"Well, give it a try!" inquired Sailorvenus.

"Yeah, go for it!" replied Sailormoon and Tuxedo Mask.

"Alright, here it goes!" readied Jupiter. She set her legs and arms.

"Hee-yah!" cried Jupiter. "Haiiiiiiiiiiiii-yyyyyyyyyah!"

After about five kicks and arms slams, the branches were almost completely broken. Jupiter paused, out of breath while her legs and arms hurt. Tuxedo Mask took this cue as he flung his staff and slashed the remaining branches. Mars and Mercury were then freed. But then, the creatures appeared again, charging slowly forward.

"Ok---ay," stammered Venus, "so what do we do now?"

Mars said from behind, "We destroy them!"

"Right!" agreed everyone.

Mercury confronted, "Prepare to be eliminated, Negaverse creeps!" She stepped forward as she ordered, "Mercury, ice-star, BLAST!"

Lita clenched her fist as she fumed, "Right! Jupiter, Thunder-claps, ZAP!"

"Mars, celestial, fire, SURROUND!" commanded Sailormars.

"I'm in for this!" cried Sailorvenus. She stood forward and cried, "Venus, love-chain, ENCIRCLE!"

When the scouts were finished, Jupiter cried, "Sailormoon, that's your cue!"

"Oh, right!" redeemed Sailormoon. She raised and waved her ceptor, "Moon, ceptor, ELIMINATION!" The creatures were destroyed and they vanished.

"Great job, Sailormoon!" complimented Darien. He then ran over and hugged her.

"Thanks!" responded Sailormoon.

Then, Rube appeared, "This duel isn't over yet, Sailorscouts! Be surprised, the real action takes place right back in your world!" He disappeared again.

"Hey, that was sort of a weird duel," replied Venus. "Why did Rube send out these monsters when he knows that we could beat them?"

"Probably because he wants to confuse our minds so that when we go back to our world, we won't be able to fight him," pointed out Darien.

"Huh?" asked the scouts, looking at him.

"Well, it's pretty obvious," explained Darien again.

"You do have a point, " pointed out Sailormoon.

Mars suddenly gasped.

"What is it?" asked Darien.

"I feel a strange power coming toward us," explained Mars. "There's a strong, chilly wind coming."

"At us?" repeated Sailormoon.

Mercury turned on her VR-Visor and started to scan the place again.

"Hold on a second, you guys," requested Mercury. She whirled around behind her and pointed, "It's behind us and in front of us!"

"Uh-oh," commented Sailormoon. The Sailorscouts and Tuxedo Mask swirled around as they felt the strong wind come closer. All of a sudden, a strong pink flash of light flashed about. Everyone shielded their eyes and body, including Tuxedo Mask, who used his cape. The wind sent straight at the Scouts and Darien as they were thrown backwards into the ashy fog they were in before when they first got here. Everyone landed on their backside. Sailormoon was the first one to sit up, rubbing her head and behind.

"Ouch," she emphasized.

Mars rubbed her head and asked, "Are we back out into the fog of where we started?"

"Yep, it looks like it," answered Venus.

Mercury sat up, and so did Darien and Jupiter.

"It looks like Rube is giving us the message to get out and back into our world and dimension," replied Mercury.

"Well then," said Tuxedo Mask, "which way?"

"Yeah, which way?" asked Jupiter.

Once again, Mercury turned on her VR-Visor and took out her little mini-data computer and started to search. After a few minutes, she answered, "I think I have it. My calculations say that our world is at north north west which is---that way." She pointed in the direction.

"Well, let's go!" suggested Venus. Everyone started to sprint back to their own world.

"Be on your best guard, everyone," said Raye. "Rube mentioned that the most action and dangers affecting us is close to where we get out and when we get out."

Finally, after of what seems miles of running, they came upon the dark porthole of where they started. Everyone started to walked through very slowly and very much on their guard for any sign of danger. All of the scouts were way ahead of Sailormoon and Tuxedo Mask, who were the last to climb through. Darien allowed Sailormoon to set her hand on the back of his shoulder as Sailormoon followed behind him, who was the last scout and person to climb out. Without anyone noticing (not even triggering Mars visions at the moment), Rube appeared. He thought, "Now's my chance to get Sailormoon. She's the last one to get out. I could get her, and then the scouts won't be able to do anything about it. And perfect, Tuxedo Mask could be right next to Sailormoon when he sees to her end of being a Sailorscout." He took out a very sharp weapon and aimed.

When everyone climbed back into their own world, Rube struck as he stabbed Sailormoon on the back of her right side. Sailormoon let out a shrilling cry, like no one has ever heard before.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" cried Sailormoon.

This time, Mars did have her vision, and cried, "Sailormoon, look out!"

She was too late. Sailormoon was already stabbed. After when Tuxedo Mask heard Raye's cryout, he felt Sailormoon's grip on his shoulder tighten and then slide down his hack as she collapsed onto her knees, swaying. Darien realized what he saw and heard, and he swirled around to what seemed like slow motion. As he swirled around, he cried, "Sailormoon? Sailormoon! NO!"

He caught her in time as Sailormoon then lay in his arms, motionless for a moment. Darien could see that Sailormoon's right side of her costume was rapidly stained with rosy red blood.

"Sailormoon!" cried the rest of the scouts. They rushed to Sailormoon's side as fast as they could. It seemed that they couldn't ever get there. Meanwhile, Tuxedo Mask frantically tried to wake Sailormoon.

"Sailormoon! Sailormoon! Wake up!" cried Darien. He took Sailormoon's wrist and shook her. "Sailormoon!"

Sailormoon suddenly opened her eyes, and stammered, "Now-- I know what-- it-- felt like when you been-- through this when Zoisite got you."

"Hang on, Sailormoon," begged Tuxedo Mask. He was practically crying. He lifted her up slowly and replied, "We'll get you to the hospital, and then you'll be okay again. Don't give up."

Sailormoon slowly shook her head as she tried her best to keep her eyes open. She secretly slipped the Imperium Silver Crystal into Tuxedo Mask's left tux pocket. Then, she raised her arm up and promised, "I'll--always--remember and love you--, Darien. You-- and the-- rest of the-- Sailorscouts." She dropped her armed and fell into blackness. Darien fell onto his knees and cried, "No, NO! Sailormoon, keep with me! You can't leave me!"

The other Sailorscouts came running.

"SAILORMOON!" they all cried out. Rube just cackled, "Ha, ha, ha! Too bad, Sailorscouts!" He especially glared at Tuxedo Mask, and replied, "Isn't it great to see your girlfriend slip away from you with your own eyes?"

Tuxedo Mask was crying, mostly inside, but he was also was really angry.

"You'll pay for this!" fumed Darien. You could tell that he was crying.

"You're going to pay for this!" promised Mars.

"Mars, Fire---"

Rube just said, "So long Sailorscouts!" He threw a bolt of lightning at the Sailorscouts, hurting them immensely. Then, he blew them back right over at the cement platform courtyard of the temple, screaming at the top of their lungs in horror. The Sailorscouts just lay there, unconscious.

"No, not you Sailorscouts, too!" cried Darien. He looked at where Rube was, but he disappeared. He glanced all around, still on his knees holding Sailormoon. Suddenly, Rube appeared right behind Darien without Darien noticing. Rube kicked a painful kick right on Tuxedo Mask's back.

"Ah!" cried out Tuxedo Mask. He let go of Sailormoon and fell back onto his back. Rube gladly lifted up Sailormoon into his arms and glanced down at her. The kick that Rube slammed at Tuxedo Mask didn't cause him to be unconscious, fortunately. He slowly got up, rubbing his back. He just realized, "Rube, give Sailormoon back! Give her back!"

"Not a chance, Tuxedo Mask!" shouted Rube. He kicked his rough boot at Darien's head. Darien tried to block, but he just fell forward onto his stomach, just about unconscious. Darien was hurt, but he redeemed himself, "I'm not giving up! Not until I get Sailormoon back!"

"Oh, yeah?" retorted Rube. He threw a gust of wind and lightning bolts right at Darien, and he was sent right to where Mars was lying with her face to the side. This time (he wasn't wearing his hat and mask at the moment), Darien's right side corner of his head was bleeding a bit. He struggled to get up, but he could only look up as Rube was standing there, chuckling, "See- ya' Tuxedo Mask, or should I say, 'Neo-King Darien!' You lost!" Rube kicked Darien on his wound on his head, and spun around, and disappeared with Sailormoon in his arms.

Darien tried to stretch his arm, and he managed to whisper, "Sailor--moon! Ser--rena!" He dropped his arm and fell into his unconscious state. Darien just lay there, motionless, along with the other scouts, which he presumed, are killed.

* * *

Back in Rube headquarters, Rube lay Sailormoon down onto a counter top. He then gasped evilly and happily, "I did it! I got rid of those Sailorscouts, and Tuxedo Mask! I could just leave them there, without me caring. Oh well, I got Sailormoon! Yes!"

* * *

After close to an hour, Sailormars woke up. She couldn't really get up, because she was so dazed, dizzy, and has a pounding headache. She could raise her head, so she pressed her arms to raise her upper body up. After a few minutes, she saw her surroundings in full sight. She groaned and moaned as she tried her best to look around. She was majorly bruised, and she realizes that she probably sprained her right ankle. Mars also has scratches and cuts.

"Oh no," whimpered Mars. As she looked around, she saw that her friends were immensely hurt, too. When she turned to her right, she saw that Darien was lying there with his head turned away from her on his stomach with his arms and legs sprawled out. There were also several big prints of blood on the ground around him. Mars tried to get up, but her legs felt really hurt. She then tried to crawl, but her knees were bruised too badly. So, she had to drag herself by paddling to Darien, grunting and groaning every time she made a drag. She shook him, and whispered, "Darien?" No response.

Mars tried again. She got close enough to be over Darien and shook harder and longer, speaking louder. "Darien? Tuxedo Mask? Are you alright? Darien?" Still, no response.

Sailormars, with tears of sadness and pain, stood up as best as she could. She collapsed the first time, but she tried again.

"Ow, my ankle!" screamed Mars. Somehow, her scream didn't seem to be as full as ever before. She tried to not register in the pain as she turn Darien over on his back. Then, she gasped. Raye noticed that Darien was bleeding on his head with his blood gushing down his right side of his face.

"No, no," Raye tried to assume. "Darien, you couldn't be killed. You just could not be killed. Please, don't let this happen to Darien again! Please, no! Oh, if Mercury was awake, she would know what to do!" After a few minutes of crying, she realized, "Wait, every single time Mercury sees a hurt person, she feels their pulse! Maybe I should try Darien's." She felt his pulse, and it seemed to be a bit unsteady. She then grabbed onto Darien's right arm with a firm grasp.

"I've got to get you to my temple, Darien," decided Raye. "Oh, if the rest of the Scouts were awake, they could help Darien inside! Oh, what am I going to do!"

Then, Mars had an idea. Even though she sprained her ankle, she could partially walk and crawl. She dragged herself back to where the other scouts were lying and tried to wake them up. She gently, nudged her friends with her foot, trying not to feel the fate of the pain.

"Jupiter? Come on, Jupiter," pleaded Mars. She then tried the other Scouts, but they ignored Mars. Mars, now real tired because she lost quite a bit of blood also from a wound to the head, dragged herself back to where she was before, where Darien was. She once again tried to wake him, but he wouldn't register. Sailormars collapsed of pain and exhaustion (and not to mention sadness) right on top of Darien. She started to weep and weep.

"I can't believe this! We lost! It can't be true! This isn't fair!" Sailormars wept. She cried until she felt a warm little nudge on her side. She looked to her right and saw Luna and Artemis standing there.

Mars sniffled, "She's--gone. Sailormoon's gone! All of the Scouts and Darien over-- here were seriously beaten by Rube. I don't know that if they're alright." She wiped her nose, and continued, "I'm--sorry, Luna and Artemis."

Luna stepped forward sadly, and soothed, "It wasn't your fault, Sailormars. When I saw you and the rest of the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask lying here, I knew that something was seriously wrong. So, Artemis and I bolted over here as fast as we could."

Artemis stepped forward, trying not show his tears of sad emotions. He replied, "We have to get the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask some help."

Sailormars stopped crying and responded, "You're right. We've got to get help, but we can't take them to the hospital. The people there would find out our true identities." She looked over and around the place. Suddenly, she had an idea.

"Wait! I think that we could take them to my temple. My fire-reading room is still open," suggested Raye.

"Good idea!" admitted Luna.

"Yeah, we've got to get them inside as soon as possible," pointed out Artemis.

All of a sudden, Jupiter started to wake up. So did the rest of the Scouts. Tuxedo Mask still remained unconscious while the Scouts moaned and groaned as they tried to sit up. Jupiter sat up as best as she could. You could tell that she had a lot of scratches on her. Her hair was messed up and she had dirt marks everywhere, The other Scouts had just about the same injuries. Mercury probably has twisted her neck, and Venus has probably twisted her knee and a cut on her forehead; the same place where Darien's was.

Luna glanced behind her as she questioned, "Are you girls alright?"

Jupiter replied, "Ouch. I'm still dizzy, and I still feel pain."

"So do we," answered the other Scouts. Venus looked at Mars.

"Mars, are you okay?" she asked.

Raye sat up sideways over Darien and look at Venus with her left eye closed.

"I got beaten real bad," started off Raye. "My right ankle has been sprained, I'm bruised and scratched all over, I got slammed in the head, and I feel real dizzy, plus I also have a very pounding migraine. But we've got to get Darien back into my temple. Looks like he's injured the most; inside and outside."

"But how are we going to get him inside your temple?" asked Venus.

Jupiter sat up straighter as she suggested, "We all could try to drag him inside. I usually could probably lift him up myself, but my arms and legs feel like their paralyzed with pain. I could probably just drag, not lift."

"We all could help each other," replied Mercury, brushing her face. She looked at Mars, and asked her, "Where's the closest room we could take Darien into for aid?"

Raye sat up and thought for a second. She then answered, "Well, the fire-readng room is open, and it's just about connected with my room. It's right over there." She pointed to the building at her right.

Mina brushed her skirt and replied, "Well, let's go then!"

"Right!" agreed everyone.

Sailorjupiter and Sailorvenus started to lift up Darien and his upper body, taking an arm each as the rest of the Scouts took his legs. After about three-quarter ways to the entrance, Mars collapsed on her knees.

"My ankle really hurts," explain Raye. "I can't go much farther."

The Scouts laid Darien down for a second. Mercury came over to Mars and examined her ankle. Mercury responded, "Mars, we have to get Tuxedo Mask inside, or he'll be much worse. Maybe I could find a piece of wood and rope for your ankle."

Mars resisted, "No, you're right. We've got to get Tuxedo Mask inside. I'll care for myself a little later."

"Are you sure?" asked Mercury.

Mars gently pushed Mercury away and slowly got to her feet.

"Venus, maybe you should also watch Darien's head. That's where the injury's at," pointed out Mars.

Everyone got their positions again and they started to drag Darien inside. After a few more minutes, they laid him down onto Raye's bed and covered him up with covers. Mercury went and examined Darien and ordered, "Raye, see if you and Lita could find several washcloths, rolls of bandages, antibiotics, cotton, and you know, anything else for aid. Mina, you can help me here. Grab several thick napkins from Raye's room and gently wipe off some blood. You keep in touch with Darien's vital signs, and I'll try to examine his wounds." Everyone set to work. Just as Mercury promised Raye, she quickly went out and found a piece of wood for Raye. She ran to find her in her bathroom right next door. Mercury offered,

"Here, Mars, sit down. I want to see if I could help your ankle."

Sailormars did as she was told to do after she washed the blood off her face and bandaged her forehead, but she asked, "Who's looking after Darien?"

Mercury took out a bandage roll and examined Raye's ankle.

"Venus is, Mars," replied Amy. She then explained, "Raye, from my experience, your ankle has been badly sprained. I could help you keep it together for a while, but you really need to go to a doctor and have it fixed. All of us, if we have any questions, we need to go to the doctor."

Sailorjupiter stopped taking out aiding products and questioned, "What about Darien? If he's injured the most, then we need to get him to a doctor as fast as possible. We don't want the same thing from the incident when he was attacked by Barrel to happen again."

Amy looked up at Lita as she was wrapping some bandage on Mar's ankle.

"Yeah, maybe he should have a check-up, just in case," replied Mercury. After a few more minutes, Mercury strapped the piece of wood onto Raye's ankle with some strong bandage tape. Raye then slowly stood up. She wobbled at first, but then she looked alright again. She tried to walked around. Raye looked relieved.

"Thanks Mercury," replied Mars. "I can walk straight again!"

"You're welcome, Mars," responded Mercury. "This is the best tool I could use to hold your ankle together for now. We really have to get you to the doctor." Mercury swung her head around several times until she her s big crack on her neck. She looked relieved from pain and replied, "Well, I fixed my neck. I could fix your wounds too, Jupiter."

"Thanks, Mercury," thanked Jupiter. She knelt down for Mercury to examine her wounds. She just washed them and placed some antibiotics and bandages on them.

"Now, we have to help Venus. Her knee is twisted," suggested Mercury.

Mars gazed to her side to watch the shadow of the fire in the fire-reading room flare. "We've got to help Darien, though. He's probably getting worse. We don't know."

The Scouts hurried back to Raye's room where they saw Venus on her knees wiping some blood from Darien's face. Mercury kneeled down and took out some herbal ointment. She applied some on the wound with a Q-tip, spreading it gently and evenly.

"Sailorvenus, is Darien doing any better?" asked Mercury.

Venus (who already fixed her twisted knee herself) scooted back and briefly explained, "He's doing just fine. His vital signs are steady and working normally, and he's breathing okay."

"That's good news, so far," said Mars. Feeling tired and painful, she slowly helped herself to sit onto a nearby cushioned chair. She stretched out her injured ankle as much as she could.

Jupiter took her cue to hand Mercury the cotton balls.

"Thanks, Jupiter," thanked Mercury. She stretched them out and placed them together, layered. Mercury then placed them inside a full-size gauze pad and placed it carefully and gently onto Darien's wound. A couple of times, the girls heard him groan and moan, and he often winced in pain. Mars came over and held his hand tightly and firmly.

"Jupiter, can you hand me the bandage rolls?" requested Amy. She went back to tending Darien's wound.

Sailorjupiter scrambled to snatch several rolls and gave them to Amy.

"Thanks," thanked Amy.

"Ummhmm," replied back Jupiter. She still just stood over and watched Mercury to learn and inherit the knowledge. Mars and Venus did the same, but Sailormars just stayed where she was, holding Darien's hand.

"Sailorvenus, can you come hold and lift up Darien's head for me? I need to strap on the bandages," explained Mercury.

"Sure thing, Amy," spoke Venus. She did as Amy requested. Afterwards, she gently and slowly laid Darien back down. He went to sleep after that, and so the Scouts went to the fire-reading room next door, leaving the fire in Raye's room on, and collapsed onto the ground.

"Man, I'm tired and...everything's.. going black," acknowledged Jupiter. She fell unconscious. So did the rest of the Scouts.

All of them managed to not get injured more, but they did fall into a restless, painful sleep. Everything in the temple then became silent (except for the cackles of the the fire) as the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask fell asleep, trying to hope that the Negaverse won't come looking for them soon.

* * *

Now back in headquarters, Rube started his feeding of dark energy and thinking into Sailormoon. Sailormoon was lying on an evil designed counter top.

Before he started to feed the dark energy, he felt around Sailormoon for the silver crystal.

"Huh? This is absurd; Sailormoon always carried her Imperium Silver Crystal with her!" cried Rube, angered. Then he realized, "She must have gave it to Tuxedo Mask right before she collapsed into blackness! Ooh! Oh well, after when I transform Sailormoon into an evil person, she could get that crystal back for me, since she is a powerful warrior."

On the edges of the table were claws sticking way out. Slowly, Rube aimed his both hands at Sailormoon and commanded evilly, "Dark energy of the Negamoon! Fill this girl warrior with dark energy and knowledge! Let this spell never be broken!" Forces of dark and chilly winds swirled everywhere and finally into Sailormoon. Afterwards, there was a strike of black lightning, and Sailormoon sat up with her warrior costume totally changed into a black revealing version. She had an evil look in her eyes as a black upside down crescent moon appeared on her forehead. She chuckled and smiled evilly.

* * *

"Where am I?" asked Tuxedo Mask. He wasn't wearing his mask or hat, yet he looked around. He just then realized he was in a weird dimension; all bright yellow in one place with rocky and high cliffs and all gray, black, dark, and foggy in another. He looked around.

"Hello? Sailormoon? Sailorscouts? Is anyone here?" Darien called out. He was on his guard as he cautiously explored his surroundings. Suddenly, he heard some familiar girl screams. He glanced around quickly and then saw the Scouts.

"Help us! Help us, Darien!" begged the Scouts at different times. They were frantically trying to hold onto a cliff, which was breaking off little pieces and was cracking up. Darien saw them and came sprinting to them.

Sailormars tried to hand Darien her hand.

"Please, Darien," sobbed Mars, "please help me." He tears were streaming down her face.

"Help us, Darien! Help!" pleaded Venus. Her legs were dangling worse. All of the Scouts started to lose their grip and started to slip. They kept trying to hold on.

"Darien!"

The Scouts' voices were echoing everywhere. Darien tried to cover his ears. He then shook that thought off. He then put out his hand to help each one of the Scouts.

"Here!" ordered Darien, frightened. "Give me your hand!"

"We--we can't!" panicked the Sailorscouts.

Suddenly, the ground began too shake violently. Darien smacked flat on his face. A powerful force sent Darien away from the cliff, making him land skidding on his back.

"DARIEN!" cried the Scouts.

He yelled, but he tried to go against the wind back to the scouts. He observed that the cliff began to crack and break.

"Sailorscouts!" Darien cried. By the time he got to them, the cliff broked, and all of the Sailorscouts (screaming) plunged all the way down to whoever knew.

"NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" cried Darien.

A familiar annoying evil voice snickered, "Isn't it nice to see your beloved girlfriends plunge to their deaths!"

Darien turned. It was that Negacreep Rube, and not only that, he was still holding the injured Sailormoon with one of his arms. He suddenly disappeared with Sailormoon.

Darien wasn't bound to give up; so he scrambled back to the cliff where the Scouts fell.

"Sailorscouts! SAILORSCOUTS!!!" shouted Darien.

Darien's eyes snapped open. He was sweating and gasping for breath.

"Ow," he groaned. He felt his wound and found a bandage on it. He tried to redeem himself from his frightening dream. He was crying, but he wiped his tears off and looked around.

"What and where is this place?" asked Darien. He looked around and saw a dimmed warm fire still flaring. The fire light reflected on some pandas and other stuffed animals in the room. There was an electric piano and a familiar looking temple robe that he always sees Raye wear draped over a desk with pictures of Serena and her friends, plus Raye's grandpa and what looks like another picture of Raye's parents. Darien sat up, but he fell back again because he was so dizzy.

"Gosh, I need an aspirin," blurted Darien in the dark, rubbing his head. He sat up again and stood up, walking around the big room. He tried to find things to guide him to stand up.

"Is anyone here?" called Darien. He kept feeling his bandage.

"Huh, I wondered who helped patch up my wound. Whoever did it ...." he didn't finish his sentence. He walked next door into what he thought was the bathroom. It was the fire-reading room. Darien saw that the Scouts had fallen unconscious again. Suddenly, there was moan from in front of the fire. Then realized where he was; he was inside the Cherry Hill Temple!

"Hey, this is Raye's temple! I've seen this place before!" exclaimed Darien. Then he thought again. "Well, no duh, the last battle was fought here." He started to feel hurt and sad inside again. "Oh, Sailormoon, where are you? What has Rube done to you?" He placed his head in his head in his hands for a moment.

From in front of the fire, there was a moan again. Darien looked up, startled.

It turned out that Sailormars woke up. She sat up and rubbed her head.

"Huh?" she asked. She then remembered what happened and looked up. She was astonished, very relieved and happy.

"Darien? Darien!" cried Raye. "You're alright! You're awake! Do you know where you are?"

Darien glanced and saw Raye.

"Oh, Mars! You're okay! Of course I know where I am. I'm at your temple," responded Darien.

Mars was filled of tears of happiness. "You're not hurt that badly! I'm so glad!" She tried to get up and walk to him, but she ended up limping because of her ankle.

Darien rushed over to Sailormars and helped her stand up.

"I'm fine, thanks. Who helped with my injury anyways?" asked Darien.

Raye blushed a bit as she gripped onto Darien's strong, warm, firm hand.

"Mercury helped patch up your wound, Darien," answered Raye.

Just at that moment, the rest of the Scouts woke up and sat up. They glanced around and saw Darien.

"Hey, Darien! You're okay!" pointed out Venus, pulling down her skirt.

"You're going to be okay!" assured Mercury.

"You're back!" replied Jupiter.

Darien laughed a bit, but winced a bit in pain. He rubbed his head.

"Do you want an aspirin, Darien? I think I have a package," suggested Mercury.

Darien looked at her and nodded, "Thanks, I think I could really use one." He turned to Raye and the Scouts and asked, "What exactly happened after the--- the battle?" He clenched his teeth awkwardly to fight off the tears in his eyes.

"Well, I think Sailormars could fill you in on that story since she was probably the Scout that witnessed most of it," suggested Jupiter.

"Yeah," agreed Venus.

Mars told everyone first, "Well, grandpa and Chad are probably sleeping, so why don't be go to the sitting room? There are some drinks and food in there."

"Alright," agreed everyone.

Everyone then followed Raye into the sitting and kitchen room, where everyone sat down. Raye took out some Asian styled cups, made some tea, and served some little soft cake tarts that had creamy white whipped cream on top with a cherry, strawberry, and some other assorted berries and sliced kiwis (in case you want to know, Raye made them fresh just that afternoon when her friends came over). Everyone took a cup of seaming and hot comforting tea.

Venus then put her cup down, and asked everyone, "Uh--guys? Why are we still in our warrior costumes? We're not in battle anymore."

Everyone stopped drinking their tea and looked down at their costumes. They just realized that they hadn't changed yet.

"Yeah, why are we still in our warrior costumes anyway? Thanks for pointing that out, Venus," nodded Mars. She and the rest of the Sailorscouts changed back into their regular clothes.

Darien, who just noticed, asked Raye, "Raye, what happened to your head? Don't tell me that you got the same injury that I have."

Raye smoothed her bandage and answered, "My injury wasn't as bad as yours. I just got a big cut because I slid across the pavement on my head when Rube attacked." She looked at Darien, whose head looked down and real sad. She realized what she just said.

"Oh, Darien! I'm sorry; I shouldn't have mentioned 'when Rube attacked!' I didn't realize that you were hurting for Sailormoon."

Darien looked up at Raye and the girls as he tried to smile as best as he could. "It's alright, girls. I'm going to be okay."

"You sure?" asked Venus.

Raye put her cup down and then realized she hasn't answered Darien's question about after the battle.

"Uh, Darien, I just realized something. I forgot to answer your question about after the battle with Rube. Do you want me to answer, or do you want me to not tell because of..." She didn't finish her sentence.

Darien looked at Raye and the rest of the girls, and then answered, "Well, since I asked, maybe I should know, just in case it could help in getting Sailormoon back to us again." He tried to make a grin.

"Hey, Lita," mumbled Raye, "Maybe you and the other girls could also bid in on this story." She looked at Luna and Artemis. "You could help, too, Luna and Artemis."

Luna stepped forward. "Well, maybe Raye will start the story and the rest of us will build along."

Raye nodded and started to explain, "I think it was about forty-five minutes later that I started to wake up. When I did, I realized I was right next to you, Darien, and next to Jupiter also. All of the Sailorscouts were just lying there, hurt. When I awoke, I was in a lot of pain as you could tell. Then I saw that you, Darien, had some blood around you, and I was scared. I dragged myself to check on you because I couldn't stand up because of my ankle and my knees were bruised too badly. I turned you over, and saw that you had a big bloody gash on your forehead, and the blood was gushing down your face. I felt like giving up, and so I cried but realized that no one would give up. I tried to wake the scouts, and then Luna and Artemis came along."

Luna and Artemis stepped forward. Luna bid in, "I think I could take over here. I questioned Mars several questions because I saw what had happened before she awoke."

"That's when Jupiter and the rest of the Scouts woke up," chimed in Raye. "And that's when we discovered that everyone's okay except for you. That's when we all decided to take you to my temple. The only rooms that are open at this moment are the bedrooms and the fire-reading room. We all had to drag you into my room and aid you. You really should thank Mercury since she's the one that saved your life with her knowledge from medical class at school."

Amy blushed.

"Well, in that case, thank you Amy for aiding me, and thank you all you Scouts for helping also," spoke Darien.

"Oh, it was nothing," replied Amy, still blushing.

"Yeah, we were glad that you weren't too seriously hurt and you didn't lose too much blood," said Mina.

"Yeah, I mean you scared us to make us think that you were gone from us," broke in Lita.

"Which brings us to this point," pointed out Raye. She then tried to stand up, but her ankle still was hurt real bad. Almost collapsing, Darien lended a helping hand.

"Raye, I think that you should go to the hospital for treatment," suggested Darien. "I think all of us have to go if our injuries are serious. Maybe we should all go just to have a check-up. I think a doctor should take a look at my head and take a few X-rays to make sure that everything's okay inside." He rubbed his wound.

"Good idea, Darien," replied Amy.

Mina suddenly gasped so loud that it startled everybody.

"What's the matter, Mina?" asked Lita.

Mina turned to everyone and tried to speak softly.

"You guys," started off Mina, "uh, Darien, I know that this might make you sad because this might remind you of Sailormoon, but didn't Rube mention that once he gotten Sailormoon, the Imperium Silver Crystal will be his?"

Everyone gasped.

"D--d--does that mean that we lost?" asked Amy. Her happy face suddenly turned pale.

Raye bit her tongue as she tried not to cry. Lita and Mina looked down onto the ground, with their beautiful eyes full of tears.

Surprisingly, Darien looked like he shook off his sad phase. He reassured, "Wait! Don't think that we lost, because we didn't!"

All of the girls looked up, astonished.

Darien took something out of his left pocket of his sport coat and clenched it in his hand.

"Rube didn't win yet," assured Darien.

"How do you know?" asked Amy.

"Yeah, how?" chimed in Lita.

He opened his hands, and there lay the Imperium Silver Crystal!

"Darien, you didn't..." Raye didn't finish her sentence.

"No, of course not!" defended Darien. "I just realized I had it because I feeling my left pocket for my wallet picture of all you girls and I felt a round rock inside my pocket. I saw a shine reflect in my face, and that's when I knew that it was the Crystal because only this crystal could ever have a shine like that."

Lita smiled for the first in a long time.

"Well, looks like Rube is furious and hasn't won yet!" replied Lita. She tried to sound as pleasing as she could.

Everyone else tried to smile too, but they all felt really sad still because it just wasn't the same without Sailormoon.

Lita perked herself up and asked, curiously, "Darien, do you know how the Crystal got into your pocket?"

Darien froze as he tried to think. He looked flush from all color in his face as he thought. He didn't want to rewind the incident when Sailormoon was attacked, but he had to in order to find out how the Crystal got into his pocket. Then he saw it, after a flash in his head, a plain black and white vision.

He glanced at the girls and replied, "I saw it."

"Huh?" asked the girls altogether.

"What did you see?" asked Amy, precociously.

"I remember -- I remember feeling my left tux pocket being gently pulled open. Right after Sailormoon was attacked, she must have known that she was going to be away to Rube, so she probably slipped the Crystal in my pocket for us to take care of it and not Rube to take it," explained Darien. He tried to sound as convincing and okay as he could.

Amy stood up and replied, "Well, maybe Luna and Artemis can help identify where Sailormoon is and how we're going to get her back." She took out her mini-data computer.

"Darien, can I see the Crystal for a moment?" requested Amy.

Darien tried to smile as best as he could without hurting and answered, "Okay." He handed Amy the Crystal.

Amy took it and placed it right in aiming range of her computer. She started to type and analyze. After a few minutes, Amy explained,

"Guys, I can't say that I have anything to help get Sailormoon back, because there isn't."

The girls and Darien himself looked down and sighed all together. Darien's eyes started to form tears. He quickly brushed them away. Raye came over and placed her soft hand on his back and soothed, "Darien, you can't go on being sad like this forever. I know you miss her, but we're trying to get her back."

Mina tried to look into Darien's eyes as she spoke, "Yeah, we're not going to let that creep Rube take away our friends, or any of us. I promise you." She put her hand on top of Darien's. He looked up at Mina and replied, "Thanks. I'm going to need that." Mina then smiled a reassuring and beautiful smile.

Amy came over to where Raye was and responded to Darien, "And I'll use my computer as well as my research to help."

Raye promised, "And for sure, I'm going to use the Sacred Flame to help me do my share."

Lita stood up with a fist up. She promised, "And when we find Rube, I'm going to knock him out black and blue, permanently. I'll show him what we're made of." She swung a few impressive karate moves as she continued, "And I'm going to make sure of it."

Darien couldn't help looking up and laugh a bit from his crying.

"That's the first time I felt a little better," he pointed out, "but the whole sadness thing won't go away very quickly."

Lita stood next to Darien and patted his back. She clenched her teeth in anger, "Rube is going to be sorry that he took away Sailormoon. He's really going to get a real beating for hurting her and our friends."

Raye stood up as she started to gather up all of the cups and the tarts on the little table. She said to everyone, "Hey you guys, why don't you stay overnight here? I have enough room here. It's really late at night anyways, and I don't want you guys to all the way back home from here. This temple is pretty faraway from the rest of the city and residential areas."

Darien and the rest of the girls agreed immediately as they glanced at each other for assurance.

"Sure," replied Mina. "Thanks, Raye."

"Anytime," answered Raye. She carefully and quietly washed and put the cups away as she threw away the extra tarts leftover. She glanced at Darien and suggested to him, "Darien, maybe you should sleep on my bed. I could sleep in this room with the rest of the girls. You should probably sleep on a bed because of your head injury, and I don't want to cause anymore problems." She smiled a convincing smile.

Darien whispered, "But Raye, won't that make you feel really uncomfortable? I mean, this is your temple. I'll be fine out here."

Raye grinned more as she shook her head, "Yeah, but still, I want to see overnight results. Besides, Amy here or anyone of us has to check on you and your wound. Which reminds me, maybe we should change your bandages and put fresh ones on before you go to bed. It'll probably make you feel better."

Darien sounded sad, but again, he couldn't help smiling.

"You win, Raye," answered Darien. "I sure sometimes can't argue over you." He glanced at his watch. "It's about 11:00 p.m. Maybe we should all start heading to sleep."

Raye giggled, "All right. I'll get some extra sheets, blankets, pillows, and cots. If any of you need anything, let me know."

Lita stood up and replied, "Raye, maybe we should help you. We don't want you overwhelmed and overtired." She smiled.

Raye nodded in agreement, "Alright, sure. Maybe I could use a hand after all."

The girls and Darien started to head to the storage closet, where extra robes, towels and other extras are stored. They each took a share and walked back to where their designated place to sleep for the night is. Raye took out some temple robes and clothes and handed them to her friends.

"Darien, you and the girls can have one of these robes to sleep in if you don't want to ruin your clothes that you're wearing right now," suggested Raye. "If you want, you could also shower before you sleep."

"Thanks, Raye," thanked Mina, "I think I'll use a robe just in case it gets cold."

"Yeah, but I would like to probably wash my face if not showering, but a shower would be nice, since I feel sweaty and dirty," spluttered Lita. She tried not to say anything that will hint about Sailormoon.

"I'll just wash up," blurted Amy.

"Me too," joined Darien.

"Okay, then it's settled," replied Raye. "How many of you want to borrow these robes?"

Just about everyone answered yes.

"Darien, you do want one?" questioned Raye.

Darien hesitated and then agreed, "Okay, sure. Why not?" He took a white and blue robe from Raye while the rest of the girls wore red and white. Everyone took their turns to wash up while Raye and Amy (before their turns to wash up) helped put out more pillows, blankets, sheets and towels. Amy stood before them and counted.

"Good, I think we have enough for everyone," remarked Amy. She glanced at her watch and rejoined, "It's about 11:30."

Raye set up the last pillow and said, "Whew! Yeah, I think we're ready."

Suddenly, Lita and Mina came to the room in Raye's robes.

"Whew, that was a refreshing shower," stated Lita. "That made me feel a lot better from my scratches."

"Yeah," agreed Mina. She looked around. "Where's Darien?"

"Huh?" puzzled everyone at the same time. Raye stepped forward and went to the entrance of that room and looked out into the hallway.

"Yeah, where is he?" she added. She stood a little ways outside and called out as quietly as she could. "Darien?"

Meanwhile, Darien was in Raye's room while he heard her call. He stepped outside into the shaded hallway and answered, "Raye? I'm here, in your room."

Raye and the rest of the rest of the girls went there.

"Sorry, Raye," apologized Darien, "I was just changing into your robe. I think it's almost a perfect fit."

Raye and the rest of her friends started to giggle uncontrollably.

"What? What's so funny?" complained Darien.

The girls stopped giggling and Raye reasoned, "You look just like Chad."

Amy quickly added, "And we meant that in a good way."

"Oh," said Darien.

Amy strolled over and asked, "Darien, did you change your bandage yet? If you didn't, I could help you."

He shook his head slightly but then winced in pain. He briefly rubbed it.

"I didn't change it yet, but I think you should because you know how to," replied Darien.

"Well come along then," reminded Amy. She gently grabbed Darien's arm and led him to the bathroom. When they got into the bathroom, Amy ordered, "Sit down Darien. I can't quite reach your height yet."

Darien obediently sat down. Amy then started to unwrap the old bandages carefully, trying not to hurt him. Once in a while, Darien winced in pain as his wound still hurts. He just sat there staring in space, remembering of what the last part of the last battle was like. Inside, he starts to cry, but outside, he tries to hide his expression as best as he could. He bit his tongue, trying not to cry. Raye, Lita, and Mina were carefully opening tubes of ointment and anesthetics in the bathroom. Darien's expression seems to show because Raye asked, "Darien, are you okay?"

He didn't move, nor did he say a word. Raye stopped of what she was doing and asked again, "Darien? Are you okay?"

This time, Darien woke up from staring into space.

"Sorry, Raye," apologized Darien. "I was just thinking about some stuff."

Raye and the other girls already exactly knows what Darien was thinking about; the last battle with Rube.

After a few minutes, Amy have finished patching up Darien's wound. She held onto Darien's shoulders and stared into his eyes as she asked, "There, does that feel better? The whole patching is new."

Darien raised his hand feel his patch as he acknowledged, "It's perfect. Thanks, Amy."

"No problem," marked Amy. She handed him a pain-killer. "Here, you should probably take another one of these. They'll help your head feel better."

Darien took it and obediently took it as he gulped down some water. He got up.

"If you girls don't mind, I'd like to take a little stroll before I hit the sack," replied Darien.

The girls permitted, "Sure."

When Darien walked out, Raye whispered to her friends, "Hey you guys, I think that Darien's taking this pretty hard. We should watch him."

Lita then hung her head as she spoke, trying not to reveal her own tears and sadness, "Yeah-- well, I'm still-- pretty sad about it too." She choked down a sob.

All of the girls looked down as pearls of tears formed in each of their eyes.

"How are we ever going to get Sailormoon back?" asked Mina, with her voice pale.

Amy and Raye started to weep, but Amy pulled herself together.

"Guys, we've got to help Darien," Amy resumed.

Raye straightened herself up too and joined, "Yeah, I mean, he's the one who's going to suffer the most, because of who and what he lost."

"Let's try to help him go through this the way we helped Serena when Darien was the one who was taken," suggested Lita.

"Yeah, he probably needs his friends the most at this time," acknowledged Mina.

The girls nodded their heads in agreement as they went out to look for Darien. They practically searched everywhere before they found him at the temple gong making a wish and at the interior courtyard, looking up at into the stars. The girls watched him from inside the hallway, sadly and concerned. They then turned to face each other, nodding their heads in agreement that they should go over. So quietly, they strolled over to Darien. Raye and the others each placed a comforting hand on Darien's shoulders.

Darien, without turning around, acknowledged, "Aren't they beautiful, girls? They shine like diamonds in the light. Sailormoon must be watching us, if I'm not mistaken."

Raye also stared at the stars and replied, "Don't say that, Darien. Sailormoon isn't gone from us. She's with us, and yes, you're right; she's watching us. She wants us to help her get out of Rube's--whatever."

Amy emphasized, "Darien, not to cause you anymore grief, but Sailormoon went through the same thing when you were gone. She was crying all the time, but after us helping, she knows, that you'll always remember and be with her. She was determined to get you back."

Darien stopped looking at the stars and then glanced over at the moon.

"Every time I see that moon, it makes me sad and feel for her," he explained.

Lita crouched down next to Darien and stared at the moon with him.

"And like we promised, we'll get her back," reminded Lita.

Mina crouched down on the other side, and joined, "We'll do our best, like when we got you back. We'll get her back, no matter what it takes."

Darien looked at all of his girl friends and smiled with tears in his eyes, feeling his head injured wound. His smile reassured the girls that he's going to be all right, even though he's going to be sad for quite a while.

"I know," he answered. He went back looking at the sky, and so did his girl friends. "I know."

(To be continued...) The End!!!