A/N: I’m changing the manga version a bit because if the girls get captured one by one, then it will ruin the big surprise at the end. I was perhaps a little too faithful to the manga in the last chapter, so I’m trying to change things up a bit.

THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! I’M UP TO 42! I’m super excited.

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Enjoy the chapter!

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Sailor Venus stepped around the corner after her henshin. “Hold it right there! I don’t know who you think you are, but you can’t just attack people like that! I am Sailor Venus, and I will punish you!”

Koan just laughed at her. “Give it your best shot, little girl.”

“Venus Crescent Beam!”

A beam of light shot towards Koan, who merely dodged it and continued to laugh mockingly. “My turn,” the evil woman said, shooting her own dark beam towards a helpless Sailor V.

Suddenly, from nowhere appeared a man in a black suit, pushing Sailor V out of the way of the beam. “Tuxedo Mask?” asked Sailor Venus breathlessly. “Shouldn’t you...”

“You were in danger first,” he interrupted. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to any of you if I can help it.” He stood up to face the enemy.

“Mercury Shine Illusion!” Sailor Mercury appeared as well, and dowsed Koan in streams of water.

Koan became angrier. She began to wave her hands in preparation for another attack, but by this time, Sailor Moon had gathered her strength. Holding out her rod, she called out, “Moon Princess Halo!” A shining light erupted from the end of the scepter, blasting Koan into oblivion.

As soon as the light cleared and the shadows disappeared, a strange-looking man with a black crescent on his forehead came around the corner. “So strong you are…to just blow away Koan like that…” he spoke in admiration.

“Who are you?” demanded Sailor Mars.

“Me? I am Crimson Rubeus…of the Black Moon. This is merely a warning. We will be watching.” In a flash of black smoke, he left their sight.

“That was strange,” remarked Sailor Venus. “I wonder what they want…”

“Hi everyone!” announced a very tired-looking Sailor Jupiter. “Aw, don’t tell me I missed all the fun…” she whined.

Mars raised her eyebrow. “Depends on your definition of fun, Jupiter.”

A group of people began to shout. “What was that light? What’s going on?” The murmurings began to get louder.

“We need to go,” stated Tuxedo Mask. “Those people are starting to get curious.”

“Back to the shrine?” suggested Sailor Moon. They all nodded, and began to leave. Demorphing as they went around the back of the building, they emerged to the front and found a certain pink-haired little girl.

“Chibiusa?” the girls chorused.

“What are you doing here?” inquired Usagi. The girl didn’t speak a word. “What did you see?” Chibiusa stayed silent, but tears began to well up in her eyes. “Tell me! Do you know those people? You do! I know you do! They’re your friends, aren’t they?” She lunged for the girl, but Luna stepped in front of her.

“Usagi, stop,” ordered Luna.

“But Luna!” Usagi exclaimed. Chibiusa turned around and ran in the opposite direction. “She’s getting away, Luna!” Just then, she noticed a glimmer around the girl’s neck as she ran away. “That pendant of hers…I didn’t notice before…it looks a little like a Crystal…” she noted. “Could it be our Crystal?!”

“Usagi, we’re not going to be able to interrogate Chibiusa if you yell at her. You’re not going to get any information from a little girl who is scared. I’m sure she knows something, but we don’t know what it is yet. And it isn’t fair to assume she is the enemy,” Luna said.

“But she saw us…I know she knows who we are!”

Luna sighed. “That may be a problem. Maybe not. In the meanwhile, let her be. You all need to get home and get some rest. I’m sure this new enemy isn’t going to be an easy one.”

“Right then.” Usagi nodded, looking after where Chibiusa had run off to.

Mamoru stood at his balcony, watching the clouds move over the city. “Looks like it’s going to rain,” he said to no one in particular.

A lot of things were going through his mind. On the one hand, there was Rei, who supposedly was his true beloved Princess. He was supposed to be there and be her protector…and her lover.

He pounded his fist against the balcony. But there was Sailor V…or rather, Usagi. It didn’t seem fair…he had fallen in love with her beauty and her style…as silly as it had sounded to fall in love with an arcade character. Mamoru knew that something was different than last time when he was Tuxedo Mask. Surely he didn’t have these feelings for that girl back then. Maybe…something about her appearance…it was different…Maybe they got new uniforms, Mamoru thought. He could have sworn she didn’t have a orange fuku before…

A crack of lightning flashed through the sky. Mamoru sighed and went inside his apartment just as the rain began to fall. He heard a knock on his door. “Who is it?” He went over to unlock the door. Opening it, he found Luna standing before him. “Um…can I help you?” He pondered how she was able to knock as a cat.

“I need you to come with me,” she said. Without question, he followed her out of the apartment. They went downstairs and out into the rain. She led him to Chibiusa, who was sitting on the side of the sidewalk getting more soaked by the minute.

“Oh…” Darien pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her.

“I’m not sure how long she’s been out here,” said Luna, “but I’m sure she’s scared. Won’t you let her stay with you for the night?”

“Sure, okay.” What did he know about taking care of little girls? But Chibiusa needed someone’s help…and Usagi was certainly upset with her. Picking her up, he carried her up to his apartment. She looked at him with her big red eyes, then closed them, going straight to sleep. He set her on his bed, tucking her in. Sighing, he closed the door behind him. “I guess it’s the couch for me tonight…” He couldn’t but think though of how much Chibiusa reminded him of Usagi. Maybe that was why he did not mind having the little girl over...it was like having her here.

But you must not think that, a voice in his head told him. You are with Rei-chan.

It’s not fair.

Rei-chan’s not so bad. Sure she gets a little jealous, but what girl doesn’t get that way? Just think of all the wonderful moments you’ve shared already…a nice date….a walk in the park…sharing a milkshake…you feel strange when you are around her, right?

That’s love.

Chibiusa turned around in the bed. She couldn’t help but hear her father’s words whisper in her ear… “Sailor Moon is invincible.” But if she was so invincible, then why did she get hurt today? Sure, she beat the enemy, but she got hurt. And those terrible people…they have come to this time…but why? Do they want the Crystal too? But the girls…even they don’t know where it is…

A piercing scream echoed through the apartment of Chiba Mamoru, causing him to sit straight up from his sleeping position on the couch… “Chibiusa…” he whispered. He didn’t know what it was, but he felt a need to protect her, and that scream scared him to his very core. He went into the room where he had laid her, and saw her crying. “Chibiusa? Are you all right?”

The little girl opened her eyes and calmed down upon seeing him. “I think I will be,” she said very quietly.

He sat down next to her on the bed. “Bad dream?”

She nodded. “Mamoru…do you know…if Sailor Moon…is powerful?”

“Of course. Invincible—that’s what she is.”

“Then maybe she can help Mama…” Chibiusa yawned and stretched out to sleep again. After making sure she was tucked in again, Mamoru went back to his couch. He glanced at the clock on the radio—5:30 a.m. Too early for coffee…he figured he might as well go back to sleep.

Usagi heard knocking on the front door. Getting up from the couch, she answered it and was surprised to see Mamoru and Chibiusa standing on her front step. “Chibiusa! So that’s where you ran off to…” Usagi and Mamoru’s eyes met for a moment, before Usagi turned away with a blush. “I’m glad he brought you home. I’m sorry I yelled, okay? But you and I need to have a talk…”

“Chibiusa!” Usagi’s mother squealed. “Ah, you’re home! I was so worried about you! Come, have some cookies and milk!” She practically dragged Chibiusa to the kitchen, leaving Mamoru and Usagi by themselves.

“I guess your parents really like her,” stated Mamoru as he stepped through the front door.

Usagi nodded, closing the door. “A little too much sometimes.”

“Did you notice Chibiusa’s necklace?” he asked.

“Yeah, a bright crystal. I felt strange, calming energy when I was near it. That, and there’s something that looks like a little key next to it. I figured it was a house key to wherever she actually came from.”

Mamoru replied, “That may be true, though I don’t know where her real home is.”

“Neither do I.”

“Just give her time, okay? She’s just a kid.” Mamoru smiled at her. “You were a kid once…or maybe you still are…”

“Hey! No fair, Mamoru!” She playfully punched him.

Mamoru pretended to be hurt. “Ow, the great Usagi has punched me! Whatever shall I do!” he mocked.

“You keep it up, and I’ll show you,” she promised.

Mamoru chuckled. “Well, I just came by to drop off Chibiusa. And pick on you. Both are done. I have to go to Rei’s now.” If he didn’t know better, he would have sworn a look of disappointment crossed Usagi’s face. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Wait a minute. You and I need to talk too.”

“About what?” asked Mamoru, though he perfectly knew well what it was going to be about.

“Us.”

“There wasn’t really an ‘us’.”

“I should correct that. You and Sailor V, then.” Usagi crossed her arms and searched Mamoru’s face for an answer.

Mamoru looked down. “I thought you were my Princess. I honestly did. I messed up—and I’m sorry if I got your hopes up.”

“It’s all right, just don’t do it again. But can you make me a promise?”

“Sure.”

“Can we be friends?”

Mamoru met her eyes. “Of course.”

The girls were meeting at Rei’s shrine again. “Honestly, no offense Rei, but can’t we meet somewhere else?” asked Makoto.

“Like where?” Rei inquired.

“Like my place.”

“Last time I went to your place, a monster attacked,” replied Rei.

Makoto shrugged her shoulders. “That wasn’t my fault.”

“Look, girls, we have more serious problems than meeting places,” interrupted Luna. “Rei, tell them what happened at your school.”

Rei took a deep breath. “I went back to school today…and those nuns…the ones with the moons on their heads…they disappeared! Kate swears they were abducted, but I have no idea. If they were, it was by the UFO we saw just as Koan showed up.”

Minako spoke up. “So Koan and the UFO are related? Then our enemies are…aliens?”

“But they looked human,” pointed out Ami.

“True,” replied Luna, “but they could still be from a different world. Ami’s computer hasn’t picked up any strange energy all day, but you girls should keep your eyes open.”

“Of course we will,” said Makoto.

Usagi looked at her watch. “Hey, Ami, didn’t you have to go to the school--?”

“Oh! I almost forgot! I’m going to be in a chess tournament!” the blue-haired girl announced.

“All right! That’s our Ami! Always smart and all that stuff…” cheered Minako.

Ami blushed. “Anyway, you can come watch if you like. It’s a public tournament.”

“Wouldn’t that make you nervous?” asked Usagi.

“I’m already nervous as it is. I was requested by someone…a famed chess-player herself.”

“Oh wow, that’s amazing. I’m sure you’ll beat her,” encouraged Makoto.

Ami shrugged. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to jinx it. Anyways, I really do have to go. I’ll see you all later!” She gathered her purse up and walked out of the shrine.

“We should go support her,” suggested Usagi. “It’s not often when Ami gets the spotlight.”

Rei nodded. “Good idea. Plus, we’ll all be together if something happens.”

“Ami, welcome!” greeted a large man with a small black bowtie. “It is good to see you! I am glad you have come.”

“Of course Rayuko-senshi,” replied Ami with a bow, “I would not turn down such a request.”

“Ha, I’m sure. This is your challenger, Beruche. She’s not from around here, but she is a great chess player in her own right.” Rayuko gestured towards the woman behind him. She had white hair that had a tinge of blue in it. It was braided all the way down to her waist. She was dressed in a conservative light blue dress. She smiled broadly at Ami, though Ami felt a very cold and disturbing aura around the woman. Regarding her cautiously, she bowed politely to her. Beruche did the same. “I’ll let the two of you get to know each other before the tournament. I’ll be back in a few minutes!” With that, the man left the room, leaving Ami and Beruche alone.

Ami began to wish immediately that the man hadn’t left. Beruche’s voice broke the silence. “So you are the girl genius?”

“That’s what they say, I guess,” answered Ami.

“Don’t be so modest…I’ve done considerable research on you.”

Ami was stunned. “You have?”

“Yes, and I know for certain one thing.”

“What is that?”

“That you belong in the clutches of the Dark Moon!” Beruche whipped off her dress, revealing a skintight ice blue suit that barely covered her upper body.

“What?”

“That’s right, I know who you are, Sailor Mercury. There aren’t many girls who walk around with little blue computers and have blue hair like you. Honestly, how hard is it to figure out?”

“But we’ve never met.”

“I was in a UFO way above your head. You didn’t see my crew and me spy on you little girls fighting my sister. I shall avenge my sister too!”

Ami put her hands behind her back and took a note from Usagi’s book. She began to beep her signal.

“Ami’s in trouble!” declared Makoto. “We’re all out her waiting for her in the lobby, and she’s somewhere else, needing our help!”

“And obviously she can’t talk freely,” observed Rei, “or else she would have said something. Come on, let’s ask that man where she is.” She walked over to Rayuko, who was walking into the room. “Excuse me, sir, where is Ami? We’re her friends and just want to wish her luck.”

“Ah! How wonderful! Ami is so fortunate to be so popular! She is just down the hall. If you’ll excuse me, I need to set up the table…” The man ran off in the other direction.

“Let’s go,” Rei said. The four girls burst into the room where Ami was.

“Ah, so all of you came,” Beruche said. “It’s so nice you want to watch your friend die!”

Usagi snapped, “Not if I can help it. Venus Star Power! Make-up!”

“Mars Star Power! Make-up!”

“Moon Cosmic Power! Make-up!”

“Jupiter Star Power! Make-up!”

Ami held her henshin pin out too. “Mercury Star Power! Make-up!”

After their elements transformed them, the senshi gathered together and cornered Beruche. “You all look so different…” she remarked. Then she started giggling, as if enjoying some private joke.

“What’s so funny?” demanded Sailor Moon.

“N-nothing….hehehe….I just realized something…but I’ll let you girls figure it out later.” She raised her arms up, shouting, “Crystal Ice Blast!” Shards of ice shot at the girls, leaving them very cold and shivering.

“That’s just not right,” muttered Makoto/Sailor Mars. “I’ll fix her. Mars Burning Mandala!” Orbs of fire shot at Beruche, who, being in a corner, was unable to dodge the attack.

“Aiieeee! That’s hot! Oooh, you’re going to pay for that!”

“Not if I can help it,” stated Sailor Moon. “On behalf of the Moon, I am Sailor Moon!” Beruche giggled again. “I don’t care how funny you think it is, you can’t deny that you are going to be defeated.” Sailor Moon called silently upon her scepter, which appeared in her hand. “Moon Princess Halo!” A flash of light erupted from the scepter, distintegrating Beruche into cosmic bits.

“Well, that was pretty easy,” remarked Minako/Sailor Jupiter.

“Say so yourself,” said Usagi/Sailor Venus, “but look!” She pointed down to her leg, which was frozen into an ice cube.

Sailor Moon chuckled. “That sucks.”

“So not funny, Rei. Mars, can you?”

“Sure,” Sailor Mars answered. She bent down and called her fire power to melt down the leg.

“This is so embarrassing…” Venus muttered.

Sailor Moon rolled her eyes. “Still not as bad as the fruit monster.”

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Sorry no cliffhanger. I figured the chapter was long enough.

Besides, two Sisters down…aren’t you excited?

Raven028: *Waves back* Thanks for the review. Feel free to comment anytime!

Li: Yes, hurrah. I’m getting busier though, so maybe the updates won’t be 3 times a day ;)

Princesa de la Luna: I can’t wait to see what happens either. Maybe that’s why the chapters are so long XD

Moon pincess: You do realize your name is misspelled?? Just wondering, but thanks for the review!

Lostinthought92: Thanks and welcome to the story! Demando’s just going to kidnap one scout this time around. It makes things easier for me :P I’m not lazy, it’s just going to be complicated enough as it is.

And it is heartbreaking, because I love Mamoru/Usagi! So all this time, every time he feels he has to be with Rei, I just want to scream at him. Literally.