Turning the Tables (novel)

[Lady Serenity]

Author’s Notes
Don’t own Sailor Moon. Never have and never will. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, but the characters Corrine, Kelly and Janice are mine.

The idea for “Turning the Tables” came from when I was watching “A Friend in Wolf’s Clothing.” I kept thinking of what if Neflite did survive. The longer it has taken me to write this fic, the better my ideas are getting.

Zoycite is female in this fic. I do prefer male Zoisite but this helps me to make sure that Malachite doesn’t have any possible chance of pairing up with Sailor Venus/Mina. I’m a major fan to the Manga with the Generals+Scouts expect for Neflite, he has to stay with Molly. Right Moon Momma. I have a bad habit of pairing the scouts to men. This way none of the scouts goes with the Generals in case I ever do a sequel or another fic dealing with this one.

Some parts in the story go with the episodes “Molly’s Folly”, “Jupiter Comes Thundering In”, “Too Many Girlfriends”, “Sailor V Makes the Scene”, “A Reluctant Princess” and “The Past Returns”.

The rating for the story is PG for Romance (a few mushy kissing scenes), fights (more on the lines from the show), and a little violence.

Thanks to Moon Momma for editing the story and for her wonderful suggested ideas.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 1 – Silent Invitation

Here in chapter 1 there are some parts, which are not my idea. I have the authorization to use parts of Moon Momma’s short story “Interlude”

Sailor Moon and her two sailor friends destroyed the youma. Neflite was still stunned after saving Molly. He had no idea why he did it. He just felt the urge to protect her from the monster. But what puzzled him even more was Sailor Moon. She, more or less, saved him from the youma, Yasha. He knew the youma came from Zoycite but of course he didn’t have the proof.

Neflite watched as Sailor Moon ran over to Molly. She knelt down and cushioned Molly against her lap. Looking down, Neflite felt a sudden feeling of kindness. He had never had this feeling before, at least not that he could remember.

He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and was about to disappear before the scouts could question him. But before leaving he noticed a small round object in his pocket. Lifting it out he saw that it was the jewel Molly stole from her mother. He knelt down in front of Sailor Moon and placed the jewel in Molly’s hands and then stood up to leave.

“Wait, Neflite. Where are you going? What about Molly? Don’t you care about her?” Sailor Moon asked as she saw he was about to leave.

“I saved her life,” Neflite said. He turned back to Sailor Moon.

“Yeah right. I’m not talking about that.”

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t you have any heart?” Sailor Mercury asked

“There’s no point in talking to him about heart.” Sailor Mars stated.

“Ha. You people are so sure of yourselves. But once we find the Silver Moon Crystal, the Negaverse will finally rule the universe.”

“Silver Moon Crystal? What is that?” Sailor Moon asked him. Luna, who was just a few feet away from the girls, wondered the same thing. Except she remembered hearing about the crystal.

“So you girls just keep fighting for your lofty truth and justice. Because very soon the Negaforce will be taking over. See ya.” He walked away laughing and then disappeared.

“Ah. Maxfield,” Molly moaned. She was starting to regain conscious.

“Umm…Molly,” Sailor Moon started. She saw a flashing light out of the corner of her eye. Looking up she saw a falling star. I wish, I wish oh shooting star. If Neflite really cares for Molly, help him conquer the bitterness in his heart.

For a few minutes longer Molly rested against Sailor Moon until she was fully awake. The first thing she focused on was Sailor Moon. When she remembered the fight and saving Maxfield, she noticed he was no longer there. She bolted off Sailor Moon in a panic.

“Where’s Maxfield?” she asked desperately.

“He left, Molly,” Sailor Moon answered her.

“Where?” she asked.

“Molly, what is important here is that you understand that Maxfield is a dangerous man. That isn’t his real name. He is trying to kill us and destroy the world,” Sailor Mars answered. Sailor Moon was at a loss for words.

“If he’s evil then why did he save me?” she argued back, tears starting to burn her eyes.

“That is a mystery,” Mercury said.

“Come on, Molly, let’s take you home,” Sailor Moon offered, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder.

“No! He is kind and gentle. He would never hurt me,” she cried. She pulled away from Sailor Moon’s hand and ran off, tears falling freely.

“Molly, wait!” Sailor Moon was about to go after her but Sailor Mars stopped her.

“Let her go.”

“She’s my friend.”

“Sailor Moon, in her present condition she doesn’t want to hear anything. She just witnessed Neflite trying to kill you. That in itself tells her he is evil. She just doesn’t want to believe it,” Sailor Mercury said.

“Yeah, but she could be hurt, it is after midnight,” Sailor Moon stated.

“If Neflite does have any feelings for her, he’ll keep an eye on her. He saved her life and you saved his,” Sailor Mars assured her.

“I only saved Neflite, because if I didn’t destroy the monster, the monster would have gone after Molly again,” Sailor Moon said. Or did I save Neflite for that reason?

****

Molly ran down the street. She stopped for a moment to find that the scouts did not follow her. She continued on, this time walking. The tears were clouding her vision. Suddenly she felt something in her hands. She had a death grip on it. She looked at it to see it was the crystal she had given to Maxfield. She put it back in her pocket.

She sniffled as she walked, letting the tears run freely down her cheeks, while she wondered if any girl had ever been as confused about love as she was. Maxfield Stanton was so handsome and sophisticated; she could hardly believe that someone like him would ever notice her. Something strange always happened when she was with Maxfield. But now…she just didn’t want to believe he would be that evil. His voice, his touch, the way he looked at her, were all so gentle. And though he was twice her age, she felt, deep down, an elemental, instinctive connection to him, something that she could never express in words but was undeniably there. Surely he had to feel it, too.

Behind her she heard the purr of a car engine at low speed, slowing down beside her. Belatedly she thought of kidnappers, and looked over her shoulder at the car. It was a red Ferrari. She stopped walking, and the car stopped next to her. Maxfield reached over and opened the passenger side door. No words passed between them; they simply looked at each other, until Molly decided to accept the unspoken invitation. She got into the car, fastened her seat belt, and closed the door.

They drove in silence through the city to the wooded foothills. At the end of a long, winding dirt road, a huge old mansion showed in the headlights through the trees. Maxfield pulled the car up near the front door and shut off the engine. The mansion and its surrounding pine trees looked ghostly in the moonlight.

He got out of the car first, came around, and opened her door for her. Then, with a hand lightly placed behind her shoulders, he guided her into the house. He didn't touch any buttons or switches, but lights came on and soft jazz music began playing from a sound system somewhere. This ground floor was one huge room. The room was decorated in lavish green leathersofas and chairs. Tables were also around the furniture. At the opposite end of the room were French double doors. Against one wall was a liquor shelf. Maxfield took off his jacket, then poured himself a glass of whiskey over ice. After looking Molly over with a calculating eye, he poured about an inch and a half of white wine into a goblet and handed it to her. She knew what wine tasted like but didn’t have it every often, only at weddings and other special occasions.

Still without saying a word, Maxfield opened the French doors and guided her out onto the patio there. It was really more of a balcony, since the ground sloped away at the back of the house and from here one could look into the middle height of the trees a short distance away. He left the doors open so that the music drifted outside.

Molly leaned against the railing, looking out into the woods, which were dimly lit by the light from the house. Maxfield also leaned against the railing, sideways, facing her. There was a soft clink of ice as he sipped his drink. He finally spoke. "Why did you do it?"

She looked at him, “I don’t understand.”

“You understand more than you let on. Why did you risk your life to save mine? You must know the power of Sailor Moon’s tiara trick.”

“Yes, I have seen her use the tiara,” she said thinking back to all the days Sailor Moon saved her with her tiara. She wondered why Maxfield’s voice was now deeper than before. Now it sounded a little rough but still had kindness in it.

“You must have been frightened.”

“Y-- yes I was a bit. But I knew she would find a way to stop it.”

He turned to look at the woods, “It scared the hell out of me.”

“Well what scared me more was what would her tiara do to you. I’ve seen the tiara destroy creatures.”

“Why would it scare you more?”

“You heard me telling the Sailor Scouts.”

“Yes, I did. But I want to hear from you.”

“Well…it’s because I love you.” She had forgotten the glass of wine in her hand. She took a sip of the wine and it tasted like nothing she ever tasted before. It was sweet on her tongue.

“Humph. I’m incapable of love.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

“How can you say that. You saved my life tonight.”

"Sailor Moon tried to warn you about me, didn't she? You saw me try to kill her and the other Scouts tonight. And you must have noticed that I've got a wild reputation around town."

“Yes and I don’t want to believe it.”

“Well you should. I am an evil person.”

“That’s a lie. If you were an evil person, like Sailor Moon and you keep saying, then why did you bring me here.” She walked over by him. “My heart tells me I’m on the right path.”

“And what path is that?”

“You,” she answered bluntly.

“Molly, like I said I’m incapable of love. I serve evil, steal energy and hope for world domination. What would your heart say to that?”

He was facing her now, and she met his eyes. "It says that liars are best at lying to themselves. You wouldn’t believe how many people I met who had evil hearts and they are now my friends."

Abruptly, he turned away from her, and went to the railing at the far end of the balcony. They stood in silence for a long time, until a new song came on, a dreamy, sophisticated Big Band ballad. Molly heard Maxfield walk over to her. He took her hand and turned her to face him. "Will you dance?"

She smiled her answer, and set her drink down on top of the rail. He took her into his arms, and they began to dance. This was different from the formal waltz they had shared at the Diamond Embassy ball; this was closer, more casual, more intimate. Maxfield's right hand was at the small of her back; with his left hand he held her right hand against his shoulder. Her left hand gripped at his right shoulder, entangled in his long hair. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, he pulled her closer during the course of the dance until she could rest her head against his chest as they moved together. She closed her eyes and hoped she wouldn't start crying. If there was to be one perfect moment in her life, this was it, dancing so close with Maxfield under the moon and stars, alone except for the trees.

Too soon, the song ended; he held her a few seconds longer, then let go. He was still standing next to her, and she asked, "What was that song called?" She wanted to make sure she always remembered it.

"Moonlight Serenade, by Glenn Miller." After a moment, he added wryly, "How appropriate."

The mood was broken. Molly walked back to her drink on the rail. She picked up the goblet, fiddled with it, set it down again.

"I'll take you home now. Do you want to finish your drink?" Maxfield asked.

“No, not really. I don’t drink wine very much,” she said a little shy.

“I figured you didn’t drink wine much. Just set your glass down. It will be picked up later.” With another light touch on her shoulder he led her back to the car. He helped her get in before driving away. On the way back to the city, Molly leaned her head against the seat, trying to keep her eyes open. She didn’t realize how tired she was until they left his home.

Neflite was holding her hand, she didn't seem to notice but at least she didn't object. He wasn’t quite sure why he held her hand. But holding her small hand in his huge one, it gave a sense of peace. He hadn’t felt peace in a very long time, not since before Queen Beryl attacked the Moon Kingdom.

Maxfield stopped the car in front of the jewelry store. He got out and opened the passenger door for Molly, then walked her to the private entrance that led to the second-floor apartment where Molly lived with her mother. They faced each other. Maxfield brushed his fingers along Molly's jawline. "I wish I could know what you know, Molly," he whispered.

“Just follow your heart. Your heart will lead you on the right path.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek quickly. She gasped a little, surprised. He pulled away, went back to his car, got in, and drove away. Molly stood, watching the taillights disappear into the city night. "You are a good man, Maxfield Stanton, even if you don't know it," she whispered. She quietly walked into her home. She knew her mother would still be up wondering where she was.

“Molly, where have you been?” her mother asked with relief.

“I’m sorry mother, but someone was in danger and I thought your crystal would help but it didn’t. Here’s the crystal back. I’m tired right now, I’m going to bed.”

Molly turned and headed for her room. She put her pajamas on, got in bed, and fell asleep when her head hit the pillow. Her mother came in to check on her to find her asleep. She wanted to talk some more about tonight. But she guessed it had to wait. When she left the room and closed the door, a tall man stood behind the door. He was no longer wearing a suit. He was wearing his Negaverse uniform. He strolled over to Molly and watched her sleep. He had put a sleep spell on her so she would be able to sleep before school in the morning. He looked down at her sleeping form and kneeled down. He brushed a few of her bangs out of her eyes.

“What are you doing to me?” he whispered. “Every time I’m around you, I get these feelings that I never felt before.” He really wanted so much to erase her memory of him attacking Sailor Moon. But he couldn’t find the heart to do it. He created a chair with his powers to sit and watch her sleep. He too fell asleep.

Before the sun started to rise, he awoke. He knew she’d be up not long after the sun rose. So to be sure she wouldn’t see him, he left, returning back to the Negaverse. But before leaving, he left a small gift behind, a single white rose by her head.

As he entered his own set of rooms, in his small castle, Zoycite hovered in mid air waiting for him.

“Well, well, well,” she mocked. Neflite swung his head up in the air to find the little pipsqueak.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Neflite demanded.

“Just thought to let you know that Queen Beryl has lost her patience.”

“Why would you care to tell me?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why don’t you go back to your little love nest and leave my troubles with her majesty,” Neflite snarled.

“Ohh. You will pay for that remark,” Zoycite hissed and disappeared.

After Zoycite was gone, Neflite went to the throne room and had an all out bitch session with her majesty.

“Neflite, you have failed again!” Beryl roared. “You used precious amounts of energy and didn’t even capture any of those scouts! You are as incompetent as Jedite! I think it’s high time to appoint someone new for the job. You fail one more time, you’ll suffer the same fate as Jedite, understand!”

“Yes, your majesty,” Neflite said, bowing. He took a quick glance to his left and saw Zoycite, silently chuckling. Anything further Queen Beryl said, Neflite didn’t hear. He was silently vowing to get his revenge on Zoycite, that little pipsqueak.

When Neflite was back in his small castle, he went over to his wine cellar and poured himself a goblet of wine and then went and sat down on his throne.

He wanted to come up with away to get rid of Sailor Moon but all he could think about was Molly. He kept thinking how her hair smelled like fresh wildflowers when they danced, how her skin felt when he kissed her cheek. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.

He knew it was foolish for him to kiss her but he couldn’t stop himself. When he had kissed her cheek he wanted so much to kiss her lips but couldn’t bring himself to do it. It was like fate was pointing him down a different direction or worse yet the power of the stars. Finally, after a few hours of thinking of Molly, he started wondering how Sailor Moon knew Molly. He tried to come up with his own conclusion.

Zoycite was behind one of the pillars listening. Zoycite was trying to find a weakness to be able to destroy Neflite. After a little while of listening she almost heard Neflite mumble Molly’s name but Zoycite heard Queen Beryl call her and left her position, promising to be back.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 2 – Day Out

When Neflite finally decided what his next plan was, he teleported to Molly’s bedroom window. Zoycite followed him. Zoycite heard everything Neflite said to Molly. When Neflite left Molly, Zoycite decided to set a trap for him. She called upon three of her youma to finish off Neflite. The three youma kidnapped Molly and left a ransom note behind, on her bed.

Neflite, as Zoycite knew he would, went to her rescue. When he got to the abandoned basement bar he knew that it was a trap, created by Zoycite to get his black crystal. He attacked the youma and they fled. With the sword he had used against one of the youma, he cut Molly’s ropes.

“Are you ok, Molly?” he asked softly.

“Yeah, I think so,” she said, shaken.

“Come on, let’s get you out of here before they come back with reinforcements.” Before Molly had a chance to get up, he picked her up and started carrying her home.

As they were about to pass a park, Molly noticed Neflite was wounded. He put her down and she led him into the park to tend to his wounds.

Once they were at a spot under a tree, Neflite realized he did have strong feelings for her. And now that he knew he did love her, he wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity to feel what love was. He had no clue in how to react or even how to show his feelings but he was willing to learn. They had their first real conversation but the conversation was cut short when the youma attacked them. One youma had branches of thorns for an arm and she used her arm as a weapon that pierced Neflite’s shoulder.

Just as the youma were about to finish Neflite off, the Sailor Scouts showed up and finished them off. For the moment the scouts stood away from Molly.

“What should we do?” Sailor Moon asked quietly. “He’s dying and she really loves him.”

“I have one idea,” Sailor Mercury said. “We take the thorns out. Get the thorns out and he’ll be able to heal himself.”

“Let’s go.” Sailor Moon went up to Neflite. “Molly, we can save this man.”

“You can?” Molly sobbed.

“Sailor Moon’s right,” Sailor Mercury came up. “We need your help. All four of us pull out the thorns and he’ll survive.”

The four girls pulled with all their might and were able to get the thrones out.

Neflite was surprised that the scouts saved his life. Once the thorns were out he could feel his body start to heal itself. He tiredly looked over at Molly as she threw down the thorn she pulled out and crawled over to him and sobbed in his lap.

“It’s ok, Molly,” he soothed. He used his good arm to stroke her hair. When Neflite was strong enough to teleport, he gently pushed Molly off him.

“Sorry to do this, but I need to know if the Negaverse thinks I’m dead. I have to go now but I’ll be back to talk. Sailor Scouts, please take Molly home.”

With that, he teleported. Sailor Mars was very suspicious about his exit but didn’t want to alarm Molly. She was already shaken up.

“Come on, Molly, let’s get you home. We’ll help you get into your bedroom without having your mother see you.”

It didn’t take the scouts long to get Molly home but it did take a bit to get in the bedroom window. When Molly was safe in her room, she quietly went back to bed as a shadow in the room placed a sleep spell on her and then left once again.

****

The next day, Molly was taking a walk alone in the park, wearing her school uniform. She had skipped school today without her mother knowing. Just one look at her face and people could see that she was troubled. Last Night, he had came to her and told her the truth about him, that he was actually a Negaverse warrior trying to destroy Sailor Moon, not a big time multi-billionaire. She was shocked to hear that the man she fell in love with was actually Sailor Moon’s greatest enemy. She was now starting to wonder if she could trust him, would he actually leave the Sailor Scouts alone now? Would he leave the Negaverse for her?

As she was walking, it never occurred to her that she could have been followed. She led herself to the spot where Neflite almost died the evening before. Sitting down next to the tree where they had their first real conversation.

Molly wondered why Neflite left so suddenly the night before. But all she could think about was what if he went back to the Negaverse?

As Molly sat, she listened to the birds above, not realizing a tall figure had come up beside her. The tall figure knelt down and lightly touched her shoulder. When she felt the touch she jumped in fright. She turned to see that the owner of the hand was Neflite. He was dressed as Maxfield Stanton. She let out a sigh of relief.

“Nef--Maxfield,” Molly gasped.

“Hi, Molly. The Negaverse thinks I’m dead. You can call me Neflite. But when we are in public, please call me Maxfield. That is up until I know Zoisite is not a threat,” Neflite said as he sat down beside her.

“I’m glad you’re all right.” Molly suddenly felt shy. She had no idea why. Maybe it was because she knew he felt the same as she did though he didn’t come out and say that he loved her. But she could tell. The way he was kind and gentle and told her the truth about him, she knew. She just wasn’t sure what he would do now.

"Thanks,” he said. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“I didn’t feel up to it. I know all I would have done was think of you and what happened last night. I would have ended up in detention like my friend, Serena.” She looked at him. “Funny. Serena was telling me the other day how evil you are… or I mean were.”

“What do you mean?” Neflite asked knowing full well what she meant. He had found out who Sailor Moon was. And he also knew that she was trying to tell Molly to stay away from him.

“Well, how would Serena know who you were? Unless she knows Sailor Moon very well.” Molly pretty much answered her own question.

“Well, maybe she does.”

“Neflite. You’re holding something back aren’t you?” she asked. She didn’t really know why, but she could sense he was only half telling her the truth.

Neflite looked at her, mesmerized by her eyes. He sighed, knowing he was being defeated in this conversation. “Yes, Molly. I am holding something back. I know Sailor Moon’s true identity.” He heard her gasp. “But I’m not going to tell you her secret. It will be up to her to tell you.”

“How did you find out who she is?”

“With your help. I’m not going to get into that. I’m also not going to allow anyone to know who she is either. She saved my life last night and for that I owe her my life.”

“So this evil society…” Molly started.

“The Negaverse,” he answered the place’s name.

“Right. So this Nega-verse won’t find out who she is?” she asked. She had a hard time rolling the word off her tongue.

“If they do, they will do it their way. May I ask what are you doing here?” he asked. He wanted to put an arm around her shoulders but wasn’t sure if he should since she was a little nervous.

“I needed some time to think. But I don’t mind the company.”

As he leaned against the tree, sitting closer to her, she leaned her head on his chest, giving him the invitation to put his arm around her. He automatically placed a gentle arm around her shoulders.

“You shouldn’t be here alone. There are a lot of dangerous men who roam around the park at this time of morning. They would take advantage of you and I wouldn’t want to see you hurt by them.” He squeezed her shoulder pulling her closer. She had to place a hand on his chest so she wouldn’t fall on his lap.

“Before my mother and father divorced we used to live in a house beside the park. I would get up every morning to watch the sunrise. My father was a park keeper. It was so beautiful taking a walk in the wet grass with no shoes on.” She giggled at the memory.

“You walked with no shoes on?” he asked, baffled. He thought of an idea as he looked at her.

“Yeah. It was fun. I would love to take a walk in the wet grass, but the grass is now dry,” she said disappointed.

“I know where there’s still some damp grass. Come on.” He gently pushed Molly off of him so he could stand. As he stood, he took Molly with him. She was a little puzzled at what he was doing.

“Where are we going?” she asked as Neflite grasped her hand and led her away from the tree.

“As I followed you, I found a secluded spot with damp grass. ”

He led her to a hidden area surrounded by trees. In the middle of the area was a small lake. It actually looked more like a pond than a lake. A cool wind blew through the trees.

Molly gasped at the wonders of this little area. She could see the dew on the grass and feel the wetness go through her shoes. Suddenly, she had the overwhelming urge to remove her footwear and run in the grass. Looking to Neflite she could tell he was waiting for her to decide what she was going to do.

Still holding on to his hand, Molly removed her shoes. She had a little difficulty since she had to depend on Neflite for balance. Once her shoes were off she couldn’t stop giggling. The wet grass was tickling her feet. Molly released her grasp on Neflite and started to run around. Neflite chuckled at her appearance. She looked a child on the first day of summer.

“Oh this is…great,” she said, huffing and puffing, after a few minutes. He was still chuckling.

“Come on. It’s fun,” she said. She ran up to him, grabbing his hands to join her.

“Alright. Alright,” he said. Again she defeated him. Once his shoes were off, he slowly walked around. The grass felt soft and moist on his bare feet. He never felt so relaxed before. Before too long he was running with Molly enjoying the feeling the wet grass gave him.

After a small amount time of running, Molly was running so fast that she didn’t realize she was coming up to the lake. When she did notice she tried to stop. But the slippery grass wouldn’t let her. Neflite saw her slide down to the water. He knew the lake was deep and he teleported to her knowing he didn’t have time to reach her.

In the last moment before she fell in, she started to scream. Her scream was cut off short when Neflite grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. As she came at him, he lost his balance due to the wet grass. He fell to the ground on his back with her on top of him. It took her a few moments to realize Neflite saved her again. When she realized she was not in the water she started to laugh. He was puzzled for a moment and then he laughed with her. They were still breathing heavily from running.

She soon realized the position she was in and stopped laughing. Her whole body was completely on top of him. She looked at his eyes and suddenly started to tremble. She felt like she was filled with electricity. He felt the same way. There was only one response to their position.

He brought his hands up to either side of her face, caressing her cheeks. With his hands on her cheeks, he slowly brought her face closer to his. Her eyes widened in surprise and then closed as his lips lightly touched hers. The kiss was gentle, almost barely touching. He moved her face back a bit to see her tremble, her eyes staying closed. He moved back to her lips, pressing a little harder than before.

When her lips touched his the second time she was overjoyed. She instantly kissed him back. She never thought a kiss could ever be so sweet. The kiss seemed to last forever. But all too soon Neflite pulled her away.

He looked at her with love and longing. He could see a blush rising in her cheeks. Before her blush was completely showing he rolled her around, so that now he lay on top of her.

“Molly, I have to tell you something. Something I wanted say last night but didn’t have the chance to.”

“What?” she asked nervously, even though a radiant smile was clearly on her lips.

“I…” He was having a hard time in getting the words out. “Molly, I…have fallen in love with you,” he finally got out.

She gasped in response. Before she could say anything he was kissing her once again. This time when they kissed she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. When they parted, Neflite looked at her once more and then removed himself off her. She felt a little disappointed but disregarded it, thinking it was better this way.

“Neflite, how can I trust you after you’ve lied to me?” Molly asked when they both sat in the damp grass.

“I know it will take a bit to trust me again, but I believe I have started to prove to you that you can trust me.”

“How?”

“I just saved you from the lake.”

“Yeah, I guess you're right,” she said. Molly then saw grass stains on his pants. “Neflite, you have grass stains on your legs.” She pointed to the side of his leg.

He looked to where she was pointing. “That’s ok.” He placed his hand over the grass stain and within seconds the stain was gone.

He looked at her and had the urge to kiss her again but decided against it. She was an innocent girl and he was taking advantage of her. When he saw her blushing once more he realized that he was the first person to ever kiss her.

“I’m sorry, Molly,” he apologized.

“For what?” She looked at him, startled.

“For taking advantage of you. For kissing you.”

Her blush was even becoming redder. “Well, that is ok,” she said softly. “I liked it.”

“I know but…what? You liked it? But I’m assuming I’m the first person to ever kiss you.”

“You are,” she said shyly. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me. Ever since the night I protected you from Sailor Moon’s tiara I’ve wanted to kiss you.” She turned her head away with embarrassment. “But I figured you didn’t want to be kissed by a teenager who didn’t think she knew what love was.”

“Oh Molly, you don’t really know how many times I’ve wanted to kiss you,” he said to her. He placed his hand under her chin, moving her chin to face him. Her eyes were facing down. “Molly, look at me.”

She looked up, tears of happiness were threatening to fall.

“I love you. In fact I always have since the first day I met you. But I ignored the feeling, not sure what it was until last night.”

“Oh Neflite.” She jumped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him. He wrapped one arm around her waist, the other tangled into her hair.

“Oh Molly.”

They sat like that for a while. After, when the grass started to dry up, they sat in each other’s arms enjoying the sunny day. They spent most of the morning talking and listening to the birds. She told him about her family. In turn he told her about the many annoying missions he had to do before meeting Sailor Moon. Around lunchtime they decided to leave the park. They went to a fast food restaurant where no one would know her.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Molly showing Neflite all her favorite sights. At one point of the day they passed a tennis court and Neflite had another idea. One part of the tennis court was an area for people to practice tennis without an opponent. Neflite took her over there and showed her all he knew about tennis. Molly was showing him what she knew.

“No Molly,” he chuckled. It was the fifth ball that she didn’t even get over the net. “Here, let me show you.”

He went up behind her and grasped her tennis racket. She gasped in surprised.

“You hold the racket like this.” He placed her right hand on the bottom of the handle, placing the racket between her thumb and index finger and her left near the top of the handle. “Now, when the ball comes towards you on the left, remove your left hand and twist your body and move your feet to the left. Most of the time you will have to move far over to the left.”

He slowly showed her how to move with him behind her. “Yes. That’s good. Now put your left hand back on the racket.” He waited until she was done. “When you need to go to the right, of course you remove your left hand once again, move your feet and twist your body to the right. Again when you go to the right you will, most of the time move far to the right.” Again he showed her how it was done.

She turned her head and looked at him, her head moving closer to his. He took the invitation with pride. His lips caught hers in a searing long kiss. They dropped the racket at the same time; Molly turned her body to face him.

When Neflite released her, she quietly picked up the racket and practiced for a little while longer with him behind her. Once she had the hang of it he left her side so she could practice by herself. Through out the practice session they shared a couple of long kisses.

On their way back to Molly’s home they stopped by a café and Neflite treated her to a Chocolate Parfait. They both shared the parfait and had a great time. By the time Molly would be due to arrive home from school, Neflite walked her home and escorted her to her apartment. They didn’t want to leave each other but really had no choice.

Before he parted he said, “Molly, I had a great time. Thank you for showing me your favorite places.”

“You're welcome. I had a great time too.”

“Would you like to go out tonight?”

“You mean on a date?” she asked stunned. He nodded. “I…I would love to. But my mother...”

“Didn’t you say this morning that there is a dance tonight at your school?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’ll be your escort.” He winked.

“That would be lovely, but I honestly don’t have a dress. It is a masquerade spring theme dance and Mom and I were going to go out this afternoon and buy a dress.”

“I’ll pick you up at six.” He had the beginnings of a goofy grin.

“Thank you. Well, I better get in before Mom starts to worry.” She was about to open the door when Neflite swung her around and kissed her. Her arms automatically were around his neck.

The kiss was long and deep. She was surprised at how gentle he was to her. He gently parted her lips with his and slowly slid his tongue in her mouth. She gasped in shock but immediately responded. After a few more moments they parted and he left her at the door. He looked back in time to see her fingers moving across her lips. She blushed once again and went inside.

****

Around five thirty, Molly was dressed and ready to go out on her date with Neflite. She wore a simple but elegant strapless dress. The dress was made of silk, with a crinoline slip, and went to the floor. The gown was decorated in small pink flowers. She had a flowery mask with a handle. The handle was detachable so the mask could be worn on the face. Her hair was done up in a French twist with a vine of artificial flowers going down either side of her head and crowning at the top.

When she was ready she told her mother that there was a fundraiser at the tennis club and she won a date with Maxfield Stanton. A little lie wouldn’t hurt. Just as Neflite said, he was at the door at six. Her mother, of course, was the one to answer.

“You must be Maxfield Stanton,” she said, giving Neflite a good look-over. He was a very handsome man with his white tux and a white mask on his face. He removed his mask so Mrs. Baker could get a good look at him. His other hand held something but Mrs. Baker couldn’t see it.

“Yes, I am,” he said. “Is your daughter ready?”

“Yes, she is. Molly, Maxfield is here.” Mrs. Baker was a little worried that Molly was going with a man over twenty.

“Thanks, mom,” Molly called from down the hall. She emerged a few minutes later. Neflite was in complete shock. Molly looked like a beauty queen.

“Hello, Molly,” Neflite managed. It took him a few moments to get his bearing. “There is a limo waiting for us, down stairs.”

“A limo,” she squealed for joy. Her mother gasped.

“Yes.” He lifted his hand to reveal a small white box. “And this is for you.”

Molly tentatively grasped the box and opened it to reveal a beautiful small wrist corsage. “Oh Maxfield, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Neflite went to her and placed the corsage on her left hand. “Shall we go?” He lifted his arm up for her link her arm with. “I will have her back just as soon as the dance is over.” With that, the two left for the dance.

Before going to the dance Neflite treated her to a lovely expensive dinner at the Country Club. The club was decorated in lavish furniture. Each table had two candles. Molly and Neflite were seated in a small booth, looking at the menu. When the waiter came over, he was puzzled as to why Maxfield Stanton would bring a teenager to the Club.

“What would like tonight, Mr. Stanton?” the waiter asked, eyeing Molly very closely.

“I would like to have tonight’s special and for the lady,” he looked over to what she wanted.

“I will have the same. Thank you.” She was not surprised that he would be known here.

“For drinks bring a bottle of your best non-alcoholic beverage and wine glasses.” The waiter was still confused but complied anyway.

“What is the special?” Molly asked after the waiter left. “How often do you come here?”

“It is ham covered in plum sauce with rice and meat balls dipped in sweet and sour sauce. There is also a side dish of lobster and a salad. Any kind of salad you want. Oh, and of course the finest selection of the best deserts in town. The answer to your second question is I am very popular here,” he said. “When the waiter comes back with the drinks he’ll ask what kind of salad you want. I'll have the usual. Which is caesar salad. What would you like? They have every kind of salad you can think of.”

“I guess…I will have caesar salad too. It’s my favorite salad.”


When the waiter came back with the drinks he asked what they wanted for salads, just as Neflite said he would. As they waited for their meal, they held hands across the table, in between the candles. About twenty minutes later their meal was brought to them.

They spent the rest of the hour enjoying their wonderful meal. During the meal one server came over with a huge box for Molly. She knew automatically that the box came from Neflite. When she opened the box she was completely surprised. The box contained a dozen red and white roses.

“Oh Maxfield, they’re beautiful.” She smiled. "Thank you."

“You're welcome. You can put them in the car when we leave. Would you like to go for a walk?”

“Sure. I’d love to.”

Neflite asked their waiter to bring them the bill. When the bill was paid they left. Neflite carried the flowers out. When they reached the car, Neflite stopped Molly from getting in.

“Wait. There is a garden I want you to see.”

When she had the flowers back in her hands, she gently placed them on the seat of the limo. She turned back to Neflite and kissed him.

For the next hour, Neflite took her for a walk in the beautiful garden owned by the Country Club. It was a beautiful walk with a couple of romantic kisses. He showed her all the different types of flowers and told her what they meant. The garden's beauty bedazzled her. By eight o’clock they arrived at the school. Everyone was shocked to see a limo pull up and Molly get out. Serena and her scout classmates, in regular form, were especially surprised to see her with Neflite, let alone the limo. Even their dates were in shock.

All the girls noticed Maxfield Stanton. He was at their school in person with Molly. They were all jealous to see Molly with a multi billionaire. But she didn’t care. She was happy to be with him. The girls tried to get Molly away from Neflite so they could flirt with him but it never worked. Serena and her friends would always keep the girls away from Neflite.

“Neflite, there is someone I want you to meet,” Molly said before the dance began. She grasped Neflite’s hand and headed towards where Serena and the others were.

“Serena, I would like you to meet Maxfield Stanton. Maxfield this is Serena, Amy and…” She introduced and looked at the tall brunette. Molly never saw her before.

“Lita. I just started school here this morning,” the tall brunette said. What a hunk. He looks like an old boyfriend.

“Hello Serena.” He bowed, in courtesy. Serena nodded her head in acknowledgement. She was glad that Neflite did not tell Molly who she really was. Serena’s date had seen Neflite walk over to her and became more than a little jealous when he saw her talking with Neflite. He decided to find out what Serena was doing.

Serena saw her date come near and when he was close enough she introduced him to Maxfield. “Oh Maxfield, this my date, sort of, Josh. Josh, this is Maxfield, Molly’s date.”

“As in Maxfield Stanton?” His eyes bugged out of his head.

“Yes.” Neflite said. “Would you like to dance, Molly?”

“Would I? You bet,” she exclaimed.

The rest of the dance was just perfect for Molly. She was a little scared she would trip with the gown on. She had never danced in a gown.

During one dance Molly was getting sore feet from her heels.

“Molly, what’s wrong?” Neflite asked looking at her eyes and seeing she was in pain.

“My feet are starting to hurt,” she said.

“Well, I have an idea,” he gestured.

“What?”

“I will levitate you. And you know I have powers. Your feet will be off the floor but just enough so no one else will see.” Molly jumped a bit when her feet went off the floor. When she was levitating, she was even closer than she was before. Neflite was able to see her tremble.

“Molly, are you ok?”

“I’m…I’m scared you are going to drop me,” she said, voice quivering a little.

“Molly, I won’t drop you. I promise. I love you.”

She looked up into his eyes and saw the truth dancing in them. After a few minutes she allowed her body to relax, trusting his strength to hold her up. Most of their dancing after that was done with her in the air.

Molly and Neflite left at eleven o'clock, an hour before the dance ended. He wanted to take her for another walk before they would part for the night. Before they went on their walk, Molly took off her shoes and left them in the limo. But just to make sure she wouldn’t step on the cold pavement, Neflite picked her up and carried her through the park until he reached their destination of the soft grass.

They walked to the spot where they admitted their feelings and then walked to the secluded area where they shared their first kiss. Their walk was quiet, just enjoying the night sounds.

“Neflite, I had a wonderful day,” Molly said when the reached the lake.

“Yes, I had a wonderful day myself being with you,” he said back. He turned and faced her, taking her chin into her hands. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier day.”

“Being with me, you will see lots of happy days.”

“I know. I love you so much.” Before she could say anything his lips covered hers, wrapping his arms around her. He wanted so much to twine his fingers into her hair since her hair was in a French twist. Her fingers, however, were twined in his hair. The kiss lasted for a while. When they separated, their breathing was a little faster than normal.

“Look, Neflite.” Molly pointed behind them. He turned just in time to see a shooting star. “A shooting star.”

“Well, you know what that means. Make a wish,” he said turning to her. She stood there for a moment wishing. Neflite in turn wished as well.

I wish for peace and happiness with Neflite. No more of this evil place. I want them gone for good, she wished.

I wish to spend the rest of my life with this young woman beside me and have family, he wished.

Shortly before midnight they were back at the limo. Before leaving the park they shared one more long deep passionate kiss. Just as Neflite promised Mrs. Baker, Molly was back at her home shortly after midnight. He escorted her to the door and without any words, kissed the side of her cheek. He knew Mrs. Baker would out come the door. He had seen her through the window when the limo pulled up.

When Mrs. Baker did open the door, she saw Neflite heading down the stairs. She didn’t know why, but she had good feeling about the man who took her daughter out. She sensed that Molly would be safe with him. Little did she know, that the power of the stars was protecting Molly from any harm.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 3 – Scouts’ New Ally

Down in the depths of the Negaverse, Queen Beryl had her minions assembled before her. She had heard a rumor that Zoycite had Neflite killed and now she was about to find out the truth. She hated the idea that it was Zoycite who struck the blow but she was pleased that she didn’t have to do it. If she had to, it would have taken a lot of energy. She had used a lot of energy when she placed Jedite in Eternal Sleep.

“I’m assuming that Neflite has been destroyed,” Beryl said.

“Yes, my queen,” Zoycite said. “He became a traitor. He went to the young girl, Molly, and told her that he wanted to help the Sailor Scouts defeat the Negaverse.” Zoycite took a quick glance over to her left to see Malachite arrive.

“And you sent three of your youma to destroy him.”

“Yes. And I confiscated his black crystal, which he tried to use to locate the Imperium Silver Crystal.”

“Give it to me,” Beryl demanded.

Zoycite held the crystal out in her hand. The next minute it was in front of Beryl’s hand. This action didn’t surprise her.

“Where are your youma, Zoycite?”

“The Sailor Scouts had showed up and destroyed them,” Zoycite growled. “But not before Neflite was pretty much dead.”

“Good. Now leave and be prepared for when I need you to find the silver crystal,” Beryl said.

Zoycite and Malachite left. When no one else was in the throne room, Beryl teleported to the Negaforce’s chambers. She looked up at a huge red bubble. Kneeling down, Beryl heard a voice. She looked up to see the Negaforce speak.

“Why are you here?”

“My master, Neflite has been destroyed. We now have his crystal that he used to try and locate the Imperium Silver Crystal.”

“Good. We’ll use his crystal to locate it ourselves. Now be gone and leave the crystal so I may study it.”

“Yes, my master,” Beryl said as she bowed. She placed the crystal on the ground and teleported back to the throne room.

****

At her home, Molly was doing her homework but had lost interest. She had a ton of homework, since instead of going to school on Friday she had spent the day with Neflite. For the last fifteen minutes she had been thinking about the auburn haired man. Before she had known his true side, he was always kind and sweet, and now she knew why he was distant to her when they were near each other.

“What is wrong with me?” Molly asked herself. “Here I am going crazy over a man twice my age. He is cute. But a lot older than I am.”

“Molly, are you done with your homework yet?” Molly’s mother called from outside her door. She had been waiting for the past hour for Molly to finish her homework. They were going to go down the street for pizza.

“No, mother,” she said. “Why don’t you go without me?”

“Molly, I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“That’s ok. I’ll make sure all the doors and windows are locked.”

“Ok. Then you better come out and lock the door behind me.”

Molly came of her room and walked to the front door with her mother. When her mother was gone, Molly made sure the door was locked. She went back to her room to finish her homework. As she sat on the bed, the lights dimmed. She closed her eyes, suddenly knowing something or someone was in the room.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hello.” It was a familiar voice.

She opened her eyes to see Neflite standing beside her. “What brings you here?”

“To see you,” he said. “So you’re catching up on homework?”

“Yes. Since I skipped school Friday, I have a lot of homework.” She stood up as Neflite wrapped his powerful arms around her for a hug.

“I’m going to talk to the Sailor Scouts, but I need your help, since your friend Serena knows Sailor Moon. I want you to tell Serena that I want to talk. I will meet the Sailor Scouts in the park tomorrow after school. Afterwards, I’ll take you out to play tennis.”

“Oh, Neflite, that would be good. What is it are you going to tell the Scouts?”

“That I’m going to help them defeat the Negaverse.”

“But it may take them a while to trust you.”

“I know but I have to do something, I don’t want to see you hurt. One way not to see you hurt is by helping the Scouts defeat the Negaverse.”

“Neflite, I have a question for you. You said last week at your weird mansion that you were incapable of love. Why did you say that?”

“Because, Molly, before I met you, I didn’t know what love was. But after that evening, all I could think about was you.”

He looked into her eyes and became mesmerized. Still looking at her, his hand came up to rest at the bottom of her chin. Slowly but gently, he raised her chin and leaned down until their lips met. The kiss was brief but sweet. When he moved away, her eyes stayed closed for a brief moment.

“I have to go before your mother gets back, and you have homework to work on.”

“Before you go, where are you staying?”

“Right now, in a place where time doesn’t exist. It’s called a time flux and it’s the only place the Negaverse can’t find me.”

“What stops the Negaverse from finding you when you’re in the city?”

“I'm being careful to not use my powers,” he said. “If I teleport or use the power of the stars in the city, they’ll find me. If I’m teleporting back to the time flux, not even a small amount of energy surge would be detected.”

“Neflite, please be careful,” she said wrapping her arms around him.

“Molly, please,” he said.

“I know,” she said, reluctantly pulled away. “I just had to feel your arms around me again.”

When Molly was at arm's length, Neflite started to walk over to the window. “Molly, before I go I just wanted you to know again that I love you.”

He turned back to her, to see joyful tears run down her cheeks. He bent down and kissed her again. This time the kiss was long and passionate. When they parted, he said, “I love you now and always.” With that he was gone.

“I love you too, Neflite.”

****

After school the next day, Neflite met up with Serena, Raye and Amy, in regular form, in the park like he said he would. It didn’t take him long to realize that Raye and Amy were Mars and Mercury in regular form.

“Did Molly, by any chance, follow you?” Neflite asked when the girls met up with Neflite.

“No. She said she’d wait at the café for you. You didn’t tell her, who I was, did you?” Serena asked.

“No. It will be up to you to tell her. It is your secret, not mine. But I would suggest you tell her. She’s involved in this just as much as you are. Zoycite will try and use her to get to you scouts. She may even play on Molly’s love and con her into revealing me as being alive.”

“Who’s Zoycite?” Amy asked.

“Zoycite is another general. She’ll more than likely be my successor. She is very manipulative and vindictive. She does have a lover, surprisingly. So more than likely she and Malachite will work together a lot. Malachite is the strongest warrior of the Negaverse.”

“Why did you ask for this meeting?” Raye asked impatient.

“I want to help you defeat the Negaverse. I know it will take a while to trust me but in order for me to protect Molly, the Negaverse has to be gone.”

“How can you help us?” Amy asked. “If the Negaverse thinks you're dead…”

“I’ve been in a time flux. From there I can spy on the Negaverse. I can give you information about what they are doing, and you can be ready.”

“Why should we trust you?” Raye snapped.

“I haven’t harmed Molly or gone to the Negaverse to tell them who you are. Like I said, it will take a while to trust me but I’m willing if you are.”

“If we agree to what you’re suggesting, I want you to do something for me. Protect Molly,” Serena said.

“You don’t need to worry about her. I will protect her with my life.”

“Serena, how do you know he’s telling the truth?” Raye asked. “He’s lied many times.”

“Raye, you weren’t at the school dance Friday night. I believe he’s telling the truth. He wants to become our ally.”

“What?” Raye gasped.

“Serena’s right,” Amy said. “I was at the dance and from what I’ve seen, Neflite is in love with Molly and he’ll do anything for her. He even went up to Serena and acted like it was the first time he'd ever met her.”

“Think about what I said. Right now I promised Molly that I would take her out to play tennis and I’m going to. See I have a limited time here on Earth. Until I know Zoycite is not a threat to me, I can’t stay on Earth for more than eight hours.”

“Well then, how come you spent a whole day with Molly on Friday and then took her out for the evening?” Serena asked.

“The power of the Stars protected me. They are the ones who brought us together and Friday night sealed our fate to be together. I must go before it gets too late.”

“Bye, Neflite,” Serena said.

As Neflite began to move away from the little group, Amy thought of another question. “Neflite, wait.”

He turned at the sound of her voice.

“How will we be able to contact you to let you know of our decision?”

“Tell Molly. I will be seeing her at least once a day, everyday.” With that said, he left before anyone else could say anything further.

“Luna won’t like this,” Raye said.

“There is only one way to find out,” Serena said. She was looking in the direction where Neflite headed. “I can tell he wants to protect Molly. He won’t harm her. He never harmed her physically, only mentally.”

“What about the time he drained her energy, Serena?” Raye said.

“That was before. But remember I told you,even when he drained her energy, he caught her before she completely collapsed to the floor.”

“Yeah but he also threw her to you,” Raye argued.

“He knew I would catch her,” Serena argued back.

“Enough, you two,” Amy said. “Neflite knows what he has done and Molly forgives him for being evil. Don’t forget she saw first hand that he was trying to destroy us.”

“Amy’s right,” Serena said. “Molly watched Neflite try to destroy me before you guys showed up and she still wants to be with him.”

“I still don’t like it. Lets consult with Luna first before we do anything,” Raye said.

****

“What?” the black cat yelled.

When the girls left the park, Serena had stopped at home, with Amy, while Raye left for the temple. Serena and Amy had picked up Luna and then headed to the temple to discuss what Neflite had said.

“Yes, Neflite wants to help us defeat the Negaverse,” Serena said.

“No,” Luna argued.

“Luna, I totally agreed with you,” Raye said. “It could be just another trap.”

“But he seems sincere.” Serena spoke up in Neflite’s defense. “He’s never really hurt Molly and she believes him. Even after everything he’s done to her. She even knows about the day he drained her energy at the mall when he disguised himself as Tuxedo Mask.”

“Serena, I don’t like it,” Luna said.

“Luna, he never went back to the Negaverse, he knows who I am. He can destroy me at any time without my knowledge.”

“True,” Luna said. She looked at the leader of the Sailor Scouts and then to Raye. Raye was in shock to see Luna side with Serena.

“Don’t forget,” Amy said, “he hasn’t even told Molly who Serena is. In fact, he told Serena to tell Molly herself.”

“I think we should give Neflite a chance,” Serena said.

“With your meeting today, did you guys sense any disturbances about him?” Luna asked. She was actually directing the question at Raye.

“Actually, I didn’t sense any bad vibes around Neflite,” Raye said.

“Amy and Serena, how about you?” Luna asked.

“I didn’t sense anything,” Serena said.

“I didn’t either. In fact, I had concentrated my powers to use the computer behind my back and the results were not disturbing. I even ran a lie detector, and it said he was telling the truth,” Amy said.

“Then it’s agreed we team up with Neflite?” Luna said.

“Yes,” Serena said. “Neflite also said to contact Molly when we came up with the decision. Let’s head over there and tell Molly as Sailor Moon, Mars and Mercury.”

“That’s a good idea, Serena,” Luna agreed. “It’s best to go as scouts since you say Molly knows Sailor Moon and Serena know each other.

The three girls transformed, and headed over to OSAP Jewelry store. When they arrived, Molly was sitting in her room alone.

She heard a light tap on her window and went over to it. She pulled her curtains away from the window to reveal the scouts. It made Molly gasp. When she was over the initial shock, she quietly opened the window.

“Sailor Moon,” Molly said. “What are you doing here?”

“Molly, we’re here so you can give Neflite a message for us,” Sailor Moon said.

“We are going to join forces with Neflite,” Sailor Mercury said.

Molly’s eyes widened in happiness. “Oh, that is so great. He’s going to be here soon. He took me to the tennis court for an hour and then he had to leave. But he said he’d be back later.”

“Well, Molly, just be careful. We better leave before he gets here and your mother comes in,” Sailor Moon said.

“Thanks, Sailor Moon,” Molly said. Molly watched them leave as they jumped from building to building.

“Oh, Neflite you are going to be happy when you get here.” Molly waited in her room for two hours before Neflite did show.

“Hello Molly,” he said. The sound of his voice startled her.

“Neflite! You scared me,” Molly said, getting up off her bed.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to come and apologize for leaving when I did.” Neflite walked over to the bed and hugged Molly tightly. “I can’t stay long, I met the keeper of the Time Flux.”

“I understand. Well, I have some good news. Sailor Moon has decided to join forces with you,” Molly said happily.

“That’s great.” He pulled Molly closer to him and kissed her. “I have to go now. But I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”


“I love you too, Neflite.” They kissed one more time and then he left. After he left, she got ready for bed. Just as she was about to get in to bed, she found a single red rose laid on the pillow. Molly touched the soft petals and smiled. Picking the flower up carefully, she whispered, “Thanks, Neflite.” She put the rose with her first one and went to bed.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 4 – Entrance of Jupiter

Molly and Serena were walking to school when a tall brunette showed up. Molly recognized the girl as the same girl she met at the theme dance last week. After thinking for a moment, Molly remembered her name was Lita. In the daylight, Molly was able to get a good look at what Lita looked like.

“Hi, Lita,” Serena said.

“Hey Serena,” Lita said back.

When Lita caught up to Molly and Serena, Serena continued. “Lita, you know my friend Molly.”

“Yeah, we met at the dance last Friday night. You had one of the most good-looking guys there. Where did you guys meet?”

“Oh…well…” Molly blushed. Serena held her breath, wondering how Molly would answer that question. “We met at a tennis tournament a little bit ago,” Molly said.

“What’s his name again?” Lita asked.

“Maxfield Stanton,” Serena answered when Molly was blushing so much she couldn’t speak.

“Maxfield…Maxfield…is that the man who runs a multi-billionaire company and is a tennis coach?” Lita asked. Molly nodded.

“We better get going to class before I get a detention again,” Serena burst out and fled down the street, barely dodging the other people walking.

“Whoa, what was that all about?” Lita asked.

Molly recovered from her blush and answered, “Serena does that all the time. Usually she ends up in detention.”

“Oh. Well we better get going ourselves.”

“Yeah, you're right,” Molly said. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a man in a business suit. She looked more closely to see he had long hair. She couldn’t tell what color hair he had, since he was standing in an alleyway, but she knew who he was and smiled at him. She saw him smile in return.

“Come on Molly,” Lita said, grabbing Molly’s arm.

****

Zoycite and Malachite stood in front of the queen wondering why she had asked both of them to the throne room. Zoycite was very pleased with herself, as she was finally able to get rid her rival.

Malachite could not understand why Zoycite and Neflite were rivals. All he knew was that they hated each other. Sooner or later he would convince her to explain why she hated Neflite so much.

“Your majesty, is it true that our seven shadows were locked into seven crystals?” Zoycite asked, having enough of the silence.

“Yes, Zoycite. The Imperium Silver Crystal was split into seven rainbow crystals, which hold our seven shadows. Now the crystals are in seven humans who have no memory of their former life. Zoycite, I will entrust you with the great mission of retrieving the seven crystals. You will use this,” Queen Beryl said. She threw a black crystal at Zoycite. Zoycite caught it in mid air.

Zoycite looked at the crystal. This was Neflite’s. Her majesty wants me to find the crystals with this.

“This crystal is now able to home in on the crystal carriers,” Beryl said.

“Yes, my queen,” Zoycite said, bowing. She stood back and threw the crystal up in the air. “Star Crystal, show us the first Crystal Carrier.”

A wind came up from the crystal as a picture started to form. When the image came in full view, the wind died down. It showed a man, who wore glasses.

“This man shall be the first,” Zoycite said. She disappeared in a shower of cherry blossoms, looking for her target.

****

At the end of the school day, Serena and Molly were talking, waiting for Lita to show. Every once in a while Molly would take a quick glance around the school grounds. Serena was starting to get annoyed and decided to ask Molly what was on her mind.

“Oh, I’m sorry Serena. I was just wondering if Neflite is going to show up today,” Molly said.

“Molly, from what you’ve told me about Neflite living in a time flux, he might not be here right now. But I assure you he will see you before the end of the day.”

“I know. But I would like to see him waiting for me.”

“Hey, guys,” Amy said as she came up beside them.

“Hi Amy,” Serena said.

“I really have to get going but I just wanted to remind you not to forget about the study session today at your place.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Serena said.

Serena watched Amy leave as Molly thought to herself, Serena probably will forget, knowing her.

“Hey, Serena,” Lita called from the school door.

“Hey, Lita,” Serena said back.

Lita run up to Serena

Molly saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see a red Ferrari pull up to the front gate of the school. Molly gasped.

“Molly, isn’t that…” Serena said. The three girls watched as someone got out of the car. He turned to face the girls.

“Maxfield!” Molly shouted for joy. Without even thinking, she ran up to Neflite, not even saying good-bye to Serena. By the time Molly reached the car Neflite had his arms opened for her to run into his embrace.

As Serena and Lita watched the whole romantic scene take place Lita spoke again.

“She must sure like him and he likes her. Except for this morning, every time I’ve seen Molly, he’s been with her.”

“They do love each other. It’s amazing they made it this far. I had heard bad things about him and tried to warn Molly to stay away from him. In the end she did find out that he does have some dark secrets but her love for him has made him a different man.”

“You mean he has somewhat of an evil past.”

“Yes. But enough about Ne--Maxfield. Do you want to see where I like to hang out a lot after school?”

“Sure,” Lita said.

The two girls left just as Neflite helped Molly into the car and drove away.

****

As the girls got to the Game Center Arcade, Serena started to look for Andrew and Lita asked who Andrew was. Just when Serena thought she saw Andrew, her other friends showed up.

“Serena, didn’t you forget something today? Like study time?” Raye said, annoyed.

“Oh…I forgot,” Serena said. Serena looked at her new friend Lita. “Lita, you know Amy and this is my other friend Raye. I forgot I was supposed to meet them after school today at my place. Raye, this is my new friend Lita.”

“Yeah, Amy was telling me about her earlier,” Raye said. “It’s nice to meet you, Lita.”

“Likewise,” Lita said. “Whose cat?” she asked when she saw Luna lying on Amy’s shoulder. She walked over and started to scratch Luna’s head.

“Oh, she’s mine,” Serena said. “Her name is Luna. And it looks like she likes you.”

The girls chatted some more until they heard some sort of commotion and turned to see a crowd surrounding one of the games. When the girls went over, they saw a young man with black rimmed glasses and a baseball cap, winning a bunch of stuffed toys from the machine. They heard people talking about the guy and found out his name was “Game Machine Joe”.

Lita took one look at him and instantly had a crush. She breathed, “He looks like my old boyfriend.”

Serena looked at her new friend and couldn’t believe what she just heard. “Earth to Lita. Come in Lita.”

“Huh…” Lita said, looking around. “Oh, sorry, Serena.”

“I hate to say this but I have to get going,” Serena said.

“Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sure.” Serena took Luna off Amy’s shoulder and then headed out. Raye and Amy left too, leaving Lita staring at Joe.

She watched Joe play a few more times, then he left. Lita decided to follow him to talk. As she was following him, a disturbing feeling came over her. She had the strangest feeling that Joe was in danger.

When she caught up with him, he was being attacked by a woman in a strange gray uniform. Lita jumped in between Joe and his attacker.

Serena found Lita tackling the woman. When she had left the arcade, she had an uneasy feeling about Lita and came back to try to find her.

Serena noticed the woman’s uniform. “Oh no. She’s from the Negaverse!”

“She must be Zoycite,” Luna said. She was remembering what Neflite had told her about Zoycite. “She fits the description that Neflite gave us.”

“You're right. Hang on Luna, Zoycite just ran off,” Serena said.

Serena ran over to Lita. “Lita, are you ok?”

“Yeah, but…Joe!” Lita ran over to where Joe was but he just pushed her off and left. Trying to figure out what in the world that was all about, Lita followed after him and Serena followed her.

****

Serena and Lita followed Joe to a nearby café. Serena convinced Lita to talk to Joe and invited her for a coffee. But then suddenly Zoycite showed again and Joe fled. Zoycite pushed Lita and dove through the window to chase after Joe. Serena saw part of the commotion and went to see if Lita was all right again. But this time Lita left, mad.

“Serena, I think you should go after her,” Luna said when they got outside the restaurant.

“Why?”

“Well, for one thing, the Negaverse is after Game Machine Joe for some reason and we have to find out what that is.”

“I know what it is,” a voice said from behind.

Serena turned at the voice, to find herself face to face with Neflite.

“Neflite!” Serena gasped.

“I don’t have much time. I was in the café with Molly when I heard the window shatter. I left Molly at our table. That warrior is Zoycite, the one I’ve been telling you about. I’ve been listening in on Beryl. They are after what is called Rainbow Crystals. Somehow, when they are combined, they become the Imperium Silver Crystal. The seven crystals have the Negaverse’s seven Shadow warriors trapped inside. They are almost stronger than all us generals together. The only problem is the Rainbow Crystals are in seven humans.”

“We'd better hurry,” Luna said. She dashed off down the street, Serena not too far behind.

Neflite went back inside before Molly started wondering where he was. He knew he was going to tell her what the problem was anyway. When he got back to their table Molly was sitting there worried.

“Molly there’s nothing to worry about. I had to talk to Sailor Moon and tell her what was going on, I mean why Zoycite was here, after that man.”

“I hope he’s going to be all right,” she said.

“He should. Do you want to get out of here?”

“Yes. Let’s go the park,” she said.

“Ok. I could use some peace and quiet after what happened here.”

“Maxfield. Wasn’t that the same woman that tried to kill you last week?”

“Yes, Molly. She’s the one who tried to kill me.”

Hand in hand Molly and Neflite left the café and headed to his car to go to the park. When they got to the park, they sat under the tree where Neflite almost died and allowed themselves to calm down. Neither said a word. Neflite was calming down from his fears that Zoycite had found him and Molly from her fears of knowing how strong and cruel Zoycite could be. After a while they fell asleep in each other’s arms, dreaming of the future.

Meanwhile, the stars above were watching them. They didn’t want any harm come to either one of them. It was the stars that brought them together and they weren’t about to let their hard work go to waste.

A while later, Neflite and Molly awoke. He knew it was time for him to leave but before he left, he took Molly home and gave her a quick kiss before heading out of her dimension.

****

In another park, Lita watched in horror as Joe got turned into a monster and Zoycite laughed at her for being a fool. The monster started to attack Lita. She dodged the monster’s attack. While Zoycite was laughing, Serena and Luna showed up.

Serena transformed into Sailor Moon and went to attack the monster.

“Well, well, well. The Moon brat decided to show up. I was starting to wonder if you were going to show,” Zoycite mocked. Zoycite commanded the monster to attack Sailor Moon. In anger, Lita picked up the monster before he had a chance to turn his attack on Sailor Moon. When she had the monster over her head, a symbol glowed on her forehead.

“What?” Luna gasped. “She’s Sailor Jupiter!”

Luna did a back flip in the air and a transformation wand appeared. Luna then ran to Lita as Lita threw the monster towards Zoycite. Zoycite easily dodged the monster coming towards her.

“Lita, here, take this!” Luna shouted as she tossed the wand towards Lita, on the ground.

“You can talk?”

“There’s no time. Hold the wand in the air and shout Jupiter Power!”

“JUPITER POWER!”

When Jupiter looked at herself she was amazed.

“Lita is Sailor Jupiter?” Sailor Moon wondered. “Cool.”

“SUPREME JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!”

A lighting bolt came out of her hand and hit the monster.

“Sailor Moon, he’s Joe!” Jupiter yelled to Sailor Moon.

“What?! How am I to turn him back to normal?”

“With this,” Luna said. She did another back flip and a crescent wand appeared. “Sailor Moon, you can use this to cure humans who have been taken over by evil powersNow shout, Moon Healing Activation.”

“All right,” Sailor Moon said. She positioned herself, “MOON HEALING ACTIVATION!”

In a matter of moments, Joe was back to normal.

“You scouts!” Zoycite hissed. “But I have the crystal.” She disappeared in a spiral of cherry blossoms.

“Wow, Lita…I mean Sailor Jupiter. Welcome to the team,” Sailor Moon said.

The two girls heard a groan and turned to see Joe starting to get up. He looked at the two girls, and then he saw Sailor Moon take Jupiter’s arm and jump in the air.

****

Not too far away, Sailor Moon landed a little hard on her feet.

“Ouch.”

“What is going on, Sailor Moon?” a voice said.

Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter turned to see Mercury and Mars.

“Lita is a Sailor Scout, Sailor Jupiter. Lita, you know Amy and Raye. And I’m Serena.”

“Wow. You guys are the Sailor Scouts? Unbelievable.”

“We have a new problem,” Luna said. “Zoycite, the one Neflite mentioned, is trying to get the Rainbow Crystals from seven humans. There are seven Shadow warriors trapped in the crystals. And when the Rainbow Crystals combined they will form the Imperium Silver Crystal.”

“Who’s Neflite?” Jupiter asked.

“He’s an ex-warrior of the Negaverse. The evil we just were fighting,” Sailor Mercury said.

“We saved his life, last week. He's also known as Maxfield Stanton, and that's what we call him in public,” Sailor Moon said.

“You mean Molly’s boyfriend used to be one of those evil people?” Jupiter asked, astonished.

“Serena, it’s not your place to say anything,” Mars grumbled.

“That’s ok, Mars,” Neflite said as he came out of the shadows.

The three girls turned in surprise.

“I watched the whole fight and Sailor Jupiter, you are good. You’re good at dodging Zoycite’s attacks.” He smiled at Jupiter. “Molly doesn’t know that her best friend is Sailor Moon and I’m not going to tell her.”

“Mr. Stanton…” Jupiter started.

“Please, in private it’s Neflite.”

“Right. Neflite, how come you’re not with the Negaverse any more?”

“Sailor Jupiter, the scouts saved my life and I don’t want Molly hurt. So I’m helping you girls to fight,” Neflite said. “I must go now. My time is up for today.”

“Ok. Thanks, Neflite, for everything,” Serena said as she detransformed from Sailor Moon. The other girls did the same.

“Like we agreed, I’m your ally.” Neflite disappeared as he said his final words.

“Well girls, it’s time to get going,” Luna said. “We have much to do and talk about. Let’s meet at the temple to discuss the next strategy.”

Serena picked up Luna, and the other three girls left.

****

Before Neflite left for the time flux, he made a quick stop at Molly’s apartment. When he arrived, she was busy doing her homework. She felt a wave of power and knew it was Neflite.

“Hi, Neflite,” she said.

“Hi. I can’t stay long. But I just wanted to let you know that Sailor Moon foiled Zoycite’s new plan but lost the rainbow crystal. The Negaverse now has one of the seven crystals. There is also a new scout in the group. Sailor Jupiter.”

Molly stood up and ran into Neflite’s open arms. “Neflite, please be careful. I love you.”

“I will, and I love you,” he said. He lifted her chin and gave her a quick kiss and then left.

When he was gone, the stars used their powers to put a protection over her. They knew Molly was endangered. After Neflite left, Zoycite appeared in Molly’s room. She was observing Molly from one of the shadowed corners. How could the girl be so happy after watching her beloved die? She wanted to find away to ruin her life but didn’t know where to start. But before Zoycite could do anything, Queen Beryl called her. Before leaving, Zoycite made a vow that she would come up with a plan to ruin the little twit'slife.

Meanwhile, Molly sat on her bed, thinking about Neflite and her future. She was hoping that Neflite would help the Sailor Scouts defeat the Negaverse and he could remain on Earth. She soon dozed off, dreaming of her one true love, Neflite.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 5 – Neflite Has a Plan

The stars above were watching Molly and Neflite, very closely. But they weren’t the only ones watching the young couple. A young woman, holding a staff, was watching the young couple with interest. She was the one who helped Neflite to be able to live in the time flux. Suddenly the window she looked through changed its view to another two people. This time these two people were not a couple and were about to collide into each other.

The woman smiled, as she knew what their destinies were. Soon they were going find out what they really were to each other.

****

Serena was slowly walking on the street, wondering why Tuxedo Mask was very rude to her the night before. She wasn’t really paying any attention to where she was going. All she could think about was Tuxedo Mask and his words to her the evening before. “Sailor Moon, I want that crystal you have and I’ll stop at nothing to get it.”

“Why did Tuxedo Mask say that? I thought we were on the same side. If we are then why did he say he wants our crystal?”

Not too far away, Darien was coming towards her. He had his head bent down, wondering why he acted the way he did to Sailor Moon. “I didn’t mean to say it like that. But those crystals are my only hope of finding my past.”

Darien looked up and saw Serena. “Oh great, there’s Meatball Head. I wonder what she’s up to this time. It looks to me like something has made her upset.”

He watched her for a few minutes longer until he noticed that she was headed right towards him. Before he knew it, she was right in front of him. He tried to dodge her but she walked straight into him. She fell to the ground with a thud.

Just as she was about to start crying, Darien spoke to her in his usual mocking tone.

“Can’t you walk and enjoy the scenery at the same time, Meatball Head?” Darien joked.

Serena recognized that voice. Oh no, it’s Darien. Great! Just what I need. “Why, do you have to be around when I fall?”

“Serena, is something wrong?” he asked with concern.

“No, nothing is wrong,” she snapped. She suddenly looked up at Darien and realized what he had just said. “I’m sorry, Darien. I am having a bad day and don’t want to talk about it.”

Darien was about to make a snappy comment back until Serena apologized. “Well, can you tell me a bit what’s on your mind?”

“Well…there’s this guy, who’s been helping me in…in…homework and yesterday he was very cold to me.”

I guess I'm not the only one who was being a jerk last night. I hope Sailor Moon isn't as upset as Serena is. “It sounds to me like he was just having a bad day.”

“Yeah, maybe you're right.” Wait a minute; Darien and I are having a civil conversation. Something is wrong with him. I've got to get out of here before I say something about last night. “Darien…” Serena was trying to think of a way to fool him so she could leave. Then a thought came to mind. She remembered that he was dating Raye. “Darien, isn’t that Raye up the street?” she lied.

“Where?”

When he turned his head, Serena made a mad dash to the nearest alleyway without being seen.

“Serena, I don’t see…” Darien turned back to Serena but she was nowhere to be seen. “Raye.”

Serena? Serena?” he said as he looked to his sides. “That little sneak. She just wanted me to turn so she could leave.”

“Hello,” a young woman said from behind Darien.

Darien turned to find himself face to face with a beautiful, tall woman with long black hair. “H--hello.”

“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Serena,” the woman said.

“How do you know Serena?” Darien asked.

“I heard you mention her name and she mentioned yours. From what I could tell, she was scared that you would start insulting her again like you did when she walked into you.”

“How can you tell?”

“Well, I have been watching Serena for awhile and know when she’s upset and…”

“You are following Serena?” Darien was starting to get angry that someone was following Serena. Why do I even care about Serena? he thought to himself. Come on you moron, his inner self said. You might tease her but you still do care to what happens to her.

“Darien, it’s not like that. Let’s just say, she’s in some sort of trouble and I’m the only one who can help her. I’m protecting her from that trouble. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Listen, lady. I don’t know who you are or what your game is…” Darien said angrily.

“Ok. I get the picture. I’ll go now, but we’ll see each other again.”

The woman turned and walked away. When she reached the alleyway two other young women greeted her.

“What was that all about?” the taller of the two women asked.

“He just doesn’t understand his destiny. Serena’s upset at him.”

“What do you mean?” the shorter woman asked.

“Serena and Darien are Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask and don’t know each other’s identity yet.”

“Does Neflite know who you are?” the taller one asked again.

“Yes. He knows who I am.”

****

In their little castle, Zoycite and Malachite were preparing to search for the next Rainbow Crystal carrier. The new carrier was Rita Blake, a research student from the school’s Biology Department. Zoycite was conning up her next plan to seize the crystal.

“Zoycite, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Malachite said. He was sitting on his throne with Zoycite beside him.

“Yes?”

“Why did you have such a hatred for Neflite?”

“Malachite, why would you ask something like that?” She seemed angered by Malachite’s question.

“I've been wondering why you hated him so much for the past 1000 years or more.”

Zoycite stood and walked a few feet away from Malachite. “It’s complicated.”

“How so?” Malachite also stood and walked behind her.

“Well…this has actually been going on since before we met. I once was in love with his twin brother, the general I told you about that was killed before you came along. Somehow, Queen Beryl knew I was in love with him and she killed him just out of spite.”

“That doesn’t make sense. If Beryl killed him then why didn’t she kill me and what does that have to do with Neflite?”

“For starters, my sources told me that it was Neflite who told Beryl about my love. She didn’t kill you because you are her strongest warrior. She needs you. Now let's go and get Miss Blake.”

Over in the shadows was an invisible window to another dimension. The watcher on the other side of the window was quite shocked to hear that his weaseling rival had blamed him for his brother’s death for over 1000 years. But the shocking thing about it was that he was not the one who had his brother killed.

“So, someone in the Negaverse had Kefnite killed,” Neflite said. “It’s time to find out how he died.”

“Neflite,” someone said from behind. "It’s not good to watch too long. The Negaverse will sense the rift.”

Neflite whipped his head around to see a beautiful, tall woman with long black hair.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Neflite said, giving a sigh of relief.

“Sorry. But I thought you should know, soon you won’t need to stay here any more.”

“Why?” he asked, puzzled. He now saw two other young women behind her.

“Soon, Queen Beryl will get fed up with Zoycite’s failures. And she’ll kill her.”

“Good.” Neflite seemed pleased with the new set of information.

“Neflite, Zoycite was not always evil. She was a good woman. In fact she was an Ambassador to Queen Serenity before she became evil.”

“What do you mean?” Neflite asked.

“It’s too complicated to explain right now,” the woman said.

“Damn it, Zoycite is my enemy and that makes Molly a prime target. So that should give me a right to know.”

The woman sighed,“Alright. You do have a right to know. You and Zoycite were once best friends. You were an Ambassador to the Earth. One day Queen Serenity saw something crash on the Earth and asked Zoycite to investigate. You were on the Moon for the first time and offered to go with her. I was ordered to follow to be sure you were telling the truth about your connection with the King and Queen of Earth. Queen Serenity had a hard time trusting people from Earth because of her power.

“So I followed the two of you. When the two of you got to where Queen Serenity sent you, you were ambushed. Queen Beryl had sent some of her minions to Earth to capture you. I tried to help but it was too late. You were gone. When you were attacked I knew that you were trustworthy. And we never saw you again after that until the final day of the Moon Kingdom.”

“What about Malachite and Jedite? If Zoycite and I were good…”

“Malachite and Jedite were once good, too. In fact they were your and Zoycite’s successors before they disappeared much the same way. Malachite and you were from Earth and Jedite and Zoycite were from the Moon.”

“With a second chance, I think Zoycite and Malachite once again could be good,” one of the young women said. She had long bluish-greenhair.

“I don’t understand.” Neflite was confused. "And what about my brother?"

"You never had a twin brother. Once Beryl brainwashed you, she duplicated you to have a twin brother. As for understanding, give them a second chance,” the first woman said. “Now, I do believe Molly is waiting for you at the park with her one of her friends.”

“Damn, I forgot,” Neflite cursed and left in flashing swirls.

“He’s definitely in love with that girl,” the taller woman said.

“Yes he is. That is why he’s living here until Zoycite isn’t a threat. Now I have to get you two back to Earth before you’re missed.”

With a wave of the woman’s staff, the other two women disappeared in silver glitter.

****

Serena and Molly were sitting in the park waiting for Neflite. Molly was starting to get worried that Neflite might have been caught. Serena was trying to comfort her but wasn’t getting very far. Then suddenly Serena remembered Darien and their discussion earlier.

“Oh, Molly. I forgot to tell you. I had another run-in with Darien earlier."

“Again. How come, most of the time it’s always him that you’re running into?”

“I don’t know.”

“Maybe it’s fate.”

“Molly, don’t say that,” Serena snapped. “I can’t even stand the guy.”

“Are you sure? You’re always telling me when you literally run into him.”

“Molly, don’t joke. It’s not funny,” Serena whined.

“All right. So what did he say this time?”

“Well, that is the really weird part. We actually had a civil conversation. There were no wisecracks or even name-calling. I actually apologized for snapping at him and told him partially what was on my mind.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Well, Tu…er I mean a friend was very cold to me yesterday and I don’t what to do about it.”

“How did you get away from Darien? From what I could tell when you found me, you were out of breath, like you just ran away from someone.”

“Well, I did. I ran away from Darien. I told him Raye was behind him. When he turned his head, I bolted.”

“You bolted from where?” someone asked.

Both girls turned to see Neflite.

“Neflite!” Molly said joyfully. She ran into his embrace. “I was worried about you. What happened?”

“I lost track of time when I was spying on the Negaverse,” Neflite said.

“Neflite, you know my friend Serena.”

“Of course. How are you today?” he asked Serena.

“Not good. I ran into Darien and had a civil conversation. I bolted before things went way weird.” Serena took a quick glance towards a hill behind Neflite and saw someone who looked very familiar. “Molly, is that who I think it is?” She pointed up the hill.

Molly looked to where Serena was pointing. The person spotted Neflite and the girls and started heading towards them.

“Serena it looks like…” Molly said.

“Darien!” Serena squeaked.

Just as Darien got in hearing range, Serena turned and ran in the opposite direction. Neflite turned just in time to see Serena’s bobbing hair go over the other side of the hill.

“What is up with that girl?” Neflite asked.

“That is what I’d like to know,” Darien said.

“Hi, Darien,” Molly said. “Darien, this is Maxfield.”

“Hello, Maxfield. Molly, why did Serena just run as I showed up?”

“She told me you guys had a civil conversation.”

“That’s why she’s running,” Darien said finally realizing what was going on. For a moment, Darien thought about what happened in the street. She's right. We actually talked without arguing or insulting each other. Scary.

“Oh well, I have to go to work soon anyway,” Darien said. And hopefully no one from the Negaverse will try and go after another crystal. Darien left without so much as a goodbye.

When Darien was gone, Neflite asked, “How do you know him?”

“Well, I don’t know him that well. I’ve only met a few times when Serena would smack into him. He’s always calling her names, hardly ever calls her by her name. It’s weird, you know. I think they like each other and don’t even realize it.”

“Like how I’ve been in love with you since we met but never realized it until the evening I almost died.”

“Yeah,” Molly said. She felt Neflite’s hand lightly grasp her shoulder and pulled her towards him. She looked up to see Neflite starring at her. She turned her body to face him as he started leaning down.

“Molly, I love you,” Neflite whispered when his lips were mere inches from hers. She didn’t have time to say anything back. His lips consumed hers in a long passionate kiss.

When Neflite moved away from her lips, he could tell she was in a dream like state. When her eyes opened, the proof was there in her eyes.

When Molly recovered from her kiss she asked, “What is the Negaverse’s next move?”

“They found the next crystal carrier. It’s Rita Blake.”

“Who’s Rita Blake?”

“I’m not sure. Just that she’s a research student from a school’s Biology Department,” Neflite said.

Molly suddenly noticed that Neflite was acting distant. She was a little confused. “Neflite, we have made a promise that we would not lie to each other or keep major secrets right?”

“Yes,” Neflite said slowly. He was puzzled why Molly asked that.

“Why do I get the feeling that you are keeping something from me? Dealing with you and the Negaverse?”


Neflite’s eyes widened in surprise. How is she able to know when I’m keeping something from her?

*Because you and she are connected*

What do you mean by connected? Neflite asked the stars in his mind.

*To put it in simple terms. You two are soulmates. You’ve been bonded from the first time you met each other over 1000 years ago. You met her during the time of the Silver Millennium. She was actually a Duchess from Earth*

“Neflite, is something wrong?” Molly asked, looking up at his face.

He looked down at her and smiled. “No, I’m just having a silent conversation with the stars.”

“Oh. Can you please tell me what it is you’re not telling me?” she said.

“All right. As I was spying on that little weasel, I found out why she hates me so much.”

“Why does she?”

“On the Moon I had a twin brother, Kefnite, and he was killed by Beryl because Zoycite was in love with him. She has blamed me for his death ever since.”

“You had a brother?!” Molly was surprised.

“Yes, but that was 1000 years ago. And you remember the woman I told you about?”

“The one who’s allowed you to live in the time flux?” she asked.

“Yes. Just just told me that my brother is actually a duplicate of myself. And before I came here I was part of the Silver Millennium, Zoycite and I were best friends. Zoycite was an Ambassadorfor the Moon and I was an Ambassador for Earth.”

“Zoycite…the one who tried to kill you?” Molly was shocked.

“Yes, and as I was walking into the park, I decided that I’m going to try and help Zoycite.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to try and convince Zoycite to be good.”

“Neflite!”

“Molly, please. You convinced the scouts to give me a second chance just because of your love for me. With Zoycite on the scouts' team we should be able to take out Malachite and the rest of the Negaverse.”

Molly was silent.

“Molly, I love you and I’ll make sure no harm comes to you. The woman who is helping me will make sure that no harm comes to you. Not to mention the stars as well.”

Neflite grasped Molly’s hand and together they both silently walked out of the park to his car.

****

When Zoycite did find Rita, Rita’s boyfriend Andrew was with her. That didn’t matter to Zoycite; she was going to get the crystal. Just when the crystal was in Zoycite’s possession, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon showed up. Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter watched as Rita turned into a monster. Zoycite left just as the monster started to attack the Sailor Scouts. Not too long after Zoycite left, Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury showed up. Tuxedo Mask once again came out of nowhere and saved the Sailor Scouts, and Sailor Moon was able to turn the monster back into Rita.

In the shadows three people watched the whole scene. One watched from his castle in the Negaverse and the other two watched from two nearby alleyways.

The one in his castle turned to see his love reappear.

“Queen Beryl is not going to be pleased that you failed to bring back yet another one of the shadow warriors.”

“Those Sailor brats are going to get it one of these days,” Zoycite said angrily. She clenched her fists. “So I take it you watched the scene from here?”

“Yes, and I see that you have the crystal, at least.”

“Yes, I do, but we still have to get the ones that Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask have.”

“Another day for that, my love. Right now, we have to take it one day at a time and have another lecture with Queen Beryl.

****

In the time flux, Neflite’s helper had called upon her two friends again. She had to discuss Neflite’s plan. This time, she sent her Garnet staff to call her friends to where she was.

“Why did you ask us here, Trista?” the taller one asked.

“Amara, we may have to help Neflite,” Trista said.

“Why?” Amara’s companion said.

“Neflite is about to do what we suggested. He's going to try and convince Zoycite to the other side.”

“That will be dangerous, and if we help our cover could be blown.”

“That is right, Michelle. But we don’t really have a choice in the matter. We are together to help the scouts and to be around when the Moon Princess is discovered,” Trista said.

“All right, Trista. What is it that you need us to do now?” Amara asked.

“For now, I need you to stay low and then when Sailor Venus finally comes to town, start making the scouts think there are still more Sailors to be found.”

“What?” Michelle said in shock. “You want the scouts to know there are still more of us?”

“If Queen Beryl learns Neflite is still alive, she will find away to posses more strength. If that occurs, Sailor Moon and the others won’t be strong enough to fight Beryl. Not even if Neflite is able to change Zoycite. They will need our help as well.”

“What about Molly?” Amara asked.

“Molly will be protected by the stars. But if Beryl wins the stars will be destroyed. So will the rest of the world.”

Trista turned back to her window to the Earth realm and watched Neflite with his love and soulmate, Molly. She was able to see that he truly loved her. His love for Molly was what was making Trista really try to save the world. Even if it meant showing the Sailor Scouts that there were three other Sailors. As she stood in silence, Amara and Michelle had a quiet discussion about how they would hint to the Sailors that there were more scouts.

Trista wanted so much for this to work, that she feared the outcome if they failed. Crystal Tokyo would not be born nor would a small Sailor Scout. Trista continued to watch Neflite and Molly having dinner at the Country Club and dancing. As she watched them, she became more determined not to fail and convinced herself that failing was not an option. They couldn't fail.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 6 – Surprises

Molly waited for Neflite, as usual, by the gate of Cross Roads Junior High. As she waited, Serena came out of the school, proud that she didn’t get a detention. This was the third day in a row. Lita and Amy were behind Serena, chuckling at Serena’s display of happiness. Serena was jumping around like a kangaroo, shouting. When she settled down, she realized Amy and Lita were walking over to Molly. With a squeal, Serena quickly caught up with them.

“Waiting for Maxfield again, Molly?” Lita asked as she got to the gate.

“Yes,” Molly said. “He said that he was going to take me somewhere today and that it’s a surprise.”

Lita heard some noise coming from up the street. She looked to see a red Ferrari starting to slow down as it came closer to the school. “Is that him pulling up now?” Lita asked.

“You bet,” Molly said excitedly. Her favorite thing, besides Neflite kissing her, was riding in his car.

“Molly, I don’t want to be a burden, but can Maxfield give me a ride home?” Serena asked.

“I can’t see why not,” Molly said. “But why would you want a ride home?”

“Well, I’ve been trying to avoid that conceited jerk and I don’t want to run into him,” Serena said.

“Are you sure that is the only reason? I bet you just want to know how it feels to ride in a fancy car,” Molly chuckled. Lita laughed as well.

“I do not,” Serena said, mouth dropping. Molly knows me too well. I do want to ride in the car because of that reason but also to stay away from that jerk.

Neflite stopped the car and walked up to the girls. “Hello, ladies,” he said.

“Hello, N--Maxfield,” Lita said.

“Hello,” said Serena and Amy.

“Maxfield, Serena would like a ride home,” Molly said.

“Sure,” he said. “Would any of you girls would like to have a ride home?”

“No, thanks,” Amy said. “I have to go to computer class in a half hour. I'd better head on over now.”

“Amy, I can give you a ride to your class,” Neflite said.

“No, that’s ok. It’s only a couple blocks and I like the walk.” Amy turned and with a wave good-bye, she left.

“I’d love to have a ride,” Lita said.

Without a word, Neflite opened the passenger door and moved the seat back to help Serena in. When she was in, Neflite then helped Molly into the car and shut her door. He went over on his side of the car and helped Lita in.

Over on the other side of the schoolyard, three older teens watched Serena and Lita get into Neflite’s car. They had been watching for the past week, as Molly would leave with Neflite. They couldn’t believe that Molly had such an attractive boyfriend. They so wished that they were the ones getting a ride home in his car.

“Listen you guys, we have to do something. We're more popular than she is. She doesn't deserve such a good-looking guy,” one of the girls said. She was clearly the leader of the three. She was a little taller than Lita, with short green hair. Her two friends stood beside her. The second was about the same height as Lita and had long blue hair in a braid. The third was the smallest, with long purple hair.

“Not to mention,” the second girl said in a dreamy tone, “he’s got a really nice car. I’ve always wanted to ride in a Ferrari.”

“Yeah, me too, but what can we do about it?” the third girl asked. “Molly always waits for him by the gate every day.”

“The way we do it is by convincing Miss Baker that he’ll pick her up somewhere else then we go for a ride in his car saying we’ll show him where Molly is,” the first girl said.

“You will do no such thing,” someone said from behind.

The girls turned to see two young women. One was tall with short blond hair and the other was shorter with long bluish-green hair. The women looked less than pleased at the girls' idea.

The taller one, who spoke the first time, spoke again, “You do anything to harm Molly, and I’ll personally rearrange…”

“Amara, they are only teens. Not too much younger than we are,” her companion said.

“Being young is no excuse for trying to steal other people’s boyfriends, Michelle.”

“H--how do you know Molly?” the first girl asked. She was starting to get a little nervous when Michelle spoke Amara’s name. The name sounded very familiar.

“That is none of your concern,” Amara said.

“Hey, aren’t you that high school girl from Mugen High School, Amara? And you must be her cousin Michelle,” the second girl said.

Amara and Michelle both nodded as first girl gasped in surprise. Now she knew where she heard the name.

“We’re awfully sorry,” the second girl said quickly. “Please forgive us. I’m Janice and these are my friends, Corrine and Kelly.” Corrine was the tallest and Kelly was the shortest.

“Janice!” Corrine, the leader, snapped.

“If I were you girls,” Michelle said, “I’d start heading for home before Amara does get angry.”

“Yes, yes. Of course,” Janice said. Janice grabbed both of her friends' arms and started walking towards the gate of the school. When the girls were gone, Amara continued.

“Do you think they’ll listen?” Amara asked.

“Wouldn’t doubt it. Even though you don’t have a bad reputation, the people here at Cross Roads believe you do. With that, they should listen,” Michelle chuckled.

“Yeah you’re right. Let’s head back,” Amara said. Both girls walked behind the school to the back entrance.

****

When the three girls got down the street, Corrine snapped her arm away from Janice. Corrine was furious that Janice grabbed her arm. Corrine felt it should have been herplace to back away. She looked over at Kelly and saw that Kelly waited until Janice released her arm.

“Why did you do that?” Corrine asked angrily. “I am the leader of this little group.”

"Corrine, Amara and Michelle are those girls from Mugen School that we've heard about. You know, the really tough ones." Janice said.

“Yeah, I know that. But that doesn’t mean you get to decide what we do.”

“Corrine,” Kelly said. “Amara has a reputation like Lita for hurting people but Amara punches them.”

“Excuse me, girls,” someone said. The girls turned, thinking it was Amara and Michelle again. But to their surprise it was a woman dressed in some sort of gray uniform. Her long copper-blond hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. Some strands of loose hair flowed freely around her face. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation at your school about getting rid of Molly Baker.”

“How could you hear us?” Kelly asked.

“Oh, I have my ways,” the woman said. “If you’re interested, I have a plan to get rid of Molly.”

“How so?” Kelly asked.

“Before I say, I have to know first, will you help?”

“Count us in,” Corrine said.

“Good. We’ll be in touch.” The woman started to leave.

“Hey, wait,” Janice said. “Who are you?”

“The name is Zoycite,” the woman said as she walked down the street and into an alley. Now I have a plan to ruin that brat’s life with help of mere humans. I do wonder, why do they want to get rid of the girl so much? But soon that isn’t going to matter, when Beryl gets the Silver Crystal. Zoycite laughed to herself.

“Zoycite, what are you doing?” Zoycite turned and saw Malachite.

“Finding a way to ruin Neflite’s brat,” Zoycite said.

“Zoycite, remember our training, never attack in vengeance. That is what kept the Negaverse from being able to destroy Queen Serenity’s power. Queen Serenity was able to trap us but couldn’t completely destroy us. Beryl was thinking too much about revenge and didn't plan carefully enough. If Beryl had attacked the Moon Kingdom in a different way, the Sailor Scouts wouldn’t exist.”

“What do those damn Sailor brats have to do with the Moon?”

“They are reincarnations from the Moon Kingdom.”

“Malachite, my plans for Miss Baker do not have anything to do with vengeance. For some reason, she is happy and I’m going to destroy her happiness. Those girls will help me ruin Molly’s life for good,” Zoycite chuckled. “Not even those Sailor brats can do anything for Molly.”

“You better be right. Now we better get back to the Negaverse. Queen Beryl has assembled another meeting.” Malachite flung his hands towards a wall and a warp hole appeared. Both Negaverse generals walked through the rift just as someone looked down the alley. But by the time the person got to the location of the warp hole, it was gone.

“Trista.” The person turned to see Amara and Michelle.

“There you are. What are you doing down here?” Michelle asked.

“I just felt a dangerous vibe coming from this alley. I feel Molly is in danger,” Trista said. She continued searching the alley.

“Well, it can’t be from the girls that we encountered at the school,” Michelle said.

“No, that isn’t it. This feeling is more dangerous, like the Negaverse. Even my Garnet Orb is warning me that Molly could be in danger.”

“Why would the Negaverse want her?” Amara asked.

“I don’t know. I just don’t know,” Trista said.

“If you would like, we can watch her more closely,” Michelle suggested.

“I don’t know if that will be enough. We better get going,” Trista said. “I’ll take you two back to Mugen School and then I have a meeting to go to.” She grabbed her Garnet Orb and twirled it around the three of them. Within moments the women were gone.

****

Neflite was just dropping Serena off when her father came home from work. Since Serena was the last person to get dropped off, she sat behind Neflite so he could help her out without disturbing Molly. When she got out of the car, her father glared at her.

“Dad!” Serena squeaked. “It’s not what you think.”

“Oh yeah? What am I supposed to think? I see my daughter getting out of a car with a man’s help,” he said.

“Hi, Mr. Tsukino,” Molly said. She had stepped out of the car to help to clear things up. “I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Maxfield Stanton.”

“Maxfield Stanton!” he gasped. He was quite surprised to actually meet Maxfield.

“Hello, Mr. Tsukino. It’s nice to meet you. The girls have told me a bit about you. Unfortunately, I have to rush off because I have some plans with Molly. So I’ll see you later, Serena,” Neflite said. He turned to help Molly back into the car.

“Ok, Maxfield,” Serena said and started walking towards the house.

When Neflite was back in his car he asked, “Molly, why was Mr. Tsukino so quick to judge?”

“You get used to him after awhile. He’s very protective of his daughter. Yeah, he knows that Serena is turning into a woman and there is nothing he can do about it. But he wants to keep his little girl as long as possible. It won’t surprise me if he comes down hard on Serena’s first boyfriend. If her boyfriend can get through her father’s barriers, that is when Mr. Tsukino will let his guard of Serena down.”

“He’s just a father caring for his only daughter,” Neflite said, summarizing Molly’s explanation. “Well, we better get to the park.” He shifted the car out of park and drove away.

“Neflite, why are we going to the park?” Molly said confused. “I thought you were taking me somewhere special.”

“We are. To get there, we have to go the park,” he said smiling.

“Oh,” she said, allowing herself to relax as Neflite put on some soft classical music.

****

Zoycite was watching her human helpers from her castle. She already had a plan in mind for the humans to carry out for her. She was about to go and meet up with them when Malachite came in the room.

“Queen Beryl has found out about your plans and she is expecting that this will be a trap for Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask to get the crystals,” Malachite said.

“This will bring Sailor Moon and her Sailor friends into the action. When Sailor Moon finds out that Miss Baker has been kidnapped, she’ll go and look for her. She will not expect the Negaverse until it’s too late.”

“This is where your human workers come in,” Malachite smiled. When he trained Zoycite, he taught her never do things herself. Always get someone else to do your dirty work.

“They are the big part of my plans for Miss Baker,” Zoycite laughed. Cherry blossoms surrounded Zoycite and she disappeared.

Before she was completely gone a single cherry blossom fell to the ground. It was always Zoycite’s way of saying I love you to Malachite. When she reappeared, she was in front of a café where Corrine, Kelly and Janice hung out a lot after school. When she entered she noticed some people were looking at her because of her uniform. Zoycite looked at the people with a glare, which made them go back to what they were doing. In a matter of seconds, she found the girls and walked over to their table.

“I wonder who Zoycite is.” Zoycite heard Corrine say.

“I’m someone you never cross or question,” Zoycite said. The girls looked up from their chat.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what do you mean by getting rid of Molly?” Corrine asked.

“Turning her world upside down, is all you need to know. Now, if you will come with me, it’s time to put my plan into motion.” Zoycite turned and headed back out with not even a second glance at the girls. She knew they would follow.

Once outside, Zoycite watched as Corrine paid the waitress, then the three girls headed outside. When they reached the café doors, Zoycite continued until she entered a nearby alley.

“Why are we in an alley?” Kelly asked.

“For privacy,” Zoycite hissed. She was starting to get annoyed at all the questions. These impudent humans are driving me nuts. They are just as annoying as Cape-Boy. “You are to capture Miss Baker. I really don’t care how you do it, just get her.”

“What is your part in the plan?” Janice asked carefully. She could tell that Zoycite was getting tired of all the questions. She looked at Zoycite’s eyes and saw them flicker at her question, and backed away a bit.

“Your part of the plan is to get her. My part…is to make her life a living hell,” Zoycite laughed mechanically. The three girls backed away, suddenly afraid of Zoycite.

“What if we won't do it?” Corrine snapped, which stopped Zoycite's laughter but not her smile.

“Then I’ll make your life a living hell,” she hissed. “Now go and do your job.”

As the girls backed out of the alley slowly, Zoycite continued, “Don’t think about crossing me, I’ll be watching you.”

The girls turned and ran the rest of the way out of the alley. When they got to the street, they turned to see that Zoycite was gone. The girls now feared for their lives. And there was no way out of the deal.

****

When Neflite had arrived at the park, he took Molly over to where they had admitted their feelings the day after Zoicite tried to kill him. They were there for a while when suddenly the wind stopped and the chirping birds fell silent. Molly started to tense up.

“Molly, everything is ok,” Neflite said as he felt her tension.

She looked up and saw some pink clouds forming not too far away. “Neflite,” Molly trembled, pressing herself close against him.

A hole formed in the middle of the pink cloud, and a woman came out of it. She stood tall while her Garnet Orb floated above her to close the cloud.

When the cloud was closed, the woman spoke. “Hello, Molly. My name is Trista, Gate Keeper of Time. I am the one who allows Neflite to live in the time flux.”

Molly gasped in surprise. This was what Neflite wanted to show her. He wanted her to meet Trista. She looked up at him to see him smiling at her. She couldn’t help but smile back. She looked back at Trista.

“It’s nice to meet you, Trista,” Molly said. “Thanks for helping Neflite.”

“I wish that the timing was better but I have some disturbing news,” Trista said as she looked at Neflite. She walked up to Neflite and Molly. “I have a bad feeling that Molly is serious danger, possibly from the Negaverse.”

“What?!” Neflite hissed. Molly gasped in horror.

Trista continued, “What would be the possible reason why the Negaverse would want Molly?”

Neflite thought for a moment. “Probably because of me.”

****

Over in a nearby bush, Corrine, Kelly and Janice sat watching. They had just arrived when Trista had closed the time gate closed. They couldn’t hear what was being said, except for Neflite when he hissed.

“I’ve had these in my laboratory for a few weeks and always wanted to try them out,” Kelly said, showing her friends a couple of white balls. Kelly was a science nut. She especially loved inventing weapons.

“What are they?” Corrine asked.

“They are smoke bombs,” Kelly said. “A lot of Ninjas use these. You throw them on the ground and it explodes into smoke.”

“Well, we better get this over with,” Janice said.

Kelly got herself into a position to throw one of the smoke bombs directly at the feet of Molly’s group. As soon as she threw the bomb, she heard Molly, her boyfriend, and the other woman start coughing. When Janice and Corrine heard coughing, they ran over as fast as they could and grabbed Molly. Janice had to grab one arm and cover her mouth and Corrine grabbed the other arm. When the smoke cleared and Trista and Neflite stopped coughing, Neflite gasped in terror. Molly was gone.

****

When the smoke bombs came flying over the bushes, Trista looked up just in time to see them. When the bomb hit the ground, right in the middle of the group, it exploded into smoke. Everyone started coughing.

Neflite tried to yell out Molly’s name but the smoke was making him cough too much. When he realized it was no use to yell her name he tried looking for her. It was hard for him to look when he was still coughing and with the smoke in his eyes.

Trista tried to get rid of the smoke but when she started coughing, she dropped her Garnet Orb. With Garnet Orb on the ground, she couldn’t get rid of the smoke until the smoke disappeared on its own.

In the confusion, Molly tried to find Neflite but something grabbed hold of her arms and someone gagged her with their hand. She tried to struggle, but something hit her head and she lost consciousness.

****

Zoycite and Malachite watched from in their castle and was quite amazed at how the humans were able to get Molly so easily. Malachite was quite pleased with Zoycite about choosing humans who could do the job. He never knew humans could be good at kidnapping. He now realized how he had underestimated the fighting abilities of humans.

Zoycite was quite pleased with herself. She had known what humans could do it but it surprised her when Kelly had thrown the smoke bomb. So that is how those balls are used. Too bad we didn’t have them. We could have snagged those crystals, using those smoke bombs on the scouts. When Molly was quite a ways away from Trista, Zoycite turned to Malachite. He nodded in agreement that it was safe to teleport to the park. She floated up towards the ceiling and teleported in cherry blossoms.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 7 – Entrance of Venus

Zoycite re-appeared in a tree above the bush that Kelly hid behind. She waited to reveal herself until Janice and Corrine had Molly behind the bush. When they were all behind the bush, she noticed that Molly was unconscious. This was going to be even better for her. She was quite pleased at her plan. This was definitely going to bring out the scouts and Tuxedo Mask. Zoycite knew Sailor Moon was close to Molly and would risk her life to save Molly’s.

Zoycite jumped out of the tree, scaring the girls. When she landed, she gave the girls an evil, disapproving look, to scare them even more.

“H--here is Molly,” Janice said nervously.

“Good,” Zoycite said. “However, why is she knocked out?”

“Sh--she was struggling too much.” Corrine trembled. “If I hadn’t knocked her out, she would have escaped. She is strong.”

“Excellent. I love it when people don’t know what’s going on around them until it’s too late.” Zoycite smiled in satisfaction.

Corrine looked at Zoycite in shock. She jumps out of a tree looking like we did something wrong while she actually was just scaring us even more. Corrine looked at her friends, and they were just as afraid as she was.

“Zoycite,” Kelly said, trembling. “Do you need us for anything more?”

“You will take Molly to an abandoned warehouse not too far from the park. There you will wait for me.” Zoycite turned around and walked away from the group. She walked behind a tree to teleport back to the Negaverse. She wanted to teleport back in front of the girls, but decided against it. It would be better if she teleported after she had Molly in her grasp.

“I wish I never got involved in getting rid of Molly,” Corrine said. “All I wanted to do is have a ride in her boyfriend’s car. Then this woman comes along, doesn’t tell us anything about her involvement with Molly, and then gets us to kidnap her.”

“Corrine, will you just shut up!” Kelly said. “We already know you're regretting ever getting us involved, but it’s something we have to deal with and we all agreed to this. So it’s just as much your fault as it is ours.”

“I just hope Michelle and Amara don’t find out,” Janice said.

“Janice, let’s not think about that right now. We have to get Molly to that warehouse before we’re caught. I just wonder what exactly this Zoycite is going to do with Molly? She has said that she is going to make her life a living hell, but how?” Kelly said nervously.

“Ok,” Corrine said. “But first let’s wait until Molly’s boyfriend leaves,” Janice said. “It will be easier that way to get Molly out of here.”

****

Neflite stared in horror at where he last saw Molly before the smoke bomb hit the ground. He could see Trista kneeling on the ground to pick up her Garnet Orb and the object that created the smoke. At the moment he was too horrified to speak or even really pay attention to the object. His hands clenched in fists as it dawned on him who took Molly. “Zoycite!” he growled.

“What?” Trista said getting up off the ground. She knew that this wasn’t really a good place to talk about the Negaverse but there was no way that she was going try to convince him to move to better grounds in state of mind.

“Zoycite did this! She has Molly!” he growled.

“I do believe you, that Zoycite may have Molly, but I have to disagree that it was Zoycite who threw the smoke bomb,” Trista said. Neflite looked straight at her.

“What do you mean?” he hissed.

I mean, look at this.” She held out what was left of the bomb. “This is a smoke bomb, used mostly by Ninjas. Zoycite or anyone else in the Negaverse would know what they are but not what they do. Zoycite probably got someone else to capture Molly for her.”

“That means she’d know I’m alive,” he growled.

“Not necessarily,” Amara said coming out from behind a tree, Michelle beside her. “If she knew you were alive, she would have jumped out and killed you in front of Molly.”

“The three teens that we saw earlier are probably Zoycite’s assistants,” Michelle said. Neflite was a little confused. Michelle continued looking straight at Neflite, “Earlier, we interrupted their conversation about them wanting to get of Molly, so they could get a ride home in your car.”

“Why would they want to do that?” Trista asked.

“From what Serena has told me, all the girls at Cross Roads envy Molly for having such a good-looking boyfriend,” Neflite said angrily.

“That would be their motive,” Trista said. “But what’s Zoycite motive in wanting Molly?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out,” Neflite hissed. He started to walk away but Trista stopped him.

“Neflite, it isn’t safe for you to look for Molly. If Zoycite doesn’t know you are alive, she will surely find out that you are, if you go after her. It’s better for the Sailor Scouts to handle this.”

“Trista is right,” Michelle said. “The Sailor Scouts will be able to get Molly back. You have to stay low.”

“How the hell can I stay down low when the woman I love has been kidnapped by my rival! I can’t believe I ever thought of trying to convince her to switch sides,” Neflite said angrily.

“Neflite, you could still change her. It’s just going to take time and effort,” Trista said. “Remember, you were once best friends.”

“Let’s worry about that later. Right now we have to tell the scouts,” Amara said. “And I have an idea. Neflite, you are the only one who can approach the scouts. You must tell them what happened without mentioning us. When they know, you will have to stay in the time flux until Molly’s back.”

Neflite stood clenching and unclenching his fists. He knew Amara was right. He had to stay low. The scouts had no idea that there were three more Sailor Scouts, and they couldn’t go and tell the news to the Sailor Scouts. It would have to be him. Still clenching his fists, he looked straight at Trista with Amara and Michelle beside her. “All right.”

“Neflite,” Trista said. “You will be able to find Molly without even really looking.”

“Yes! That’s right,” Neflite said, remembering the window in the time flux. He backed away from the three women. When he was a little distance away, Trista held out her Garnet Orb towards Neflite as reddish-pink swirls surrounded him. In matter of seconds he was gone. The Garnet Orb protected his teleportation from being detected. She figured Zoycite was nearby, and she was shielding Neflite from Zoycite.

****

Janice, Corrine and Kelly waited behind the bushes for Neflite to leave. After Zoycite left, they looked around the bushes and saw Amara and Michelle show up. This frightened the girls. A few minutes later, they looked and Neflite was gone. They could see Amara and Michelle leaving the park with the woman who had been with Neflite.

Corrine let out a sigh of relief when Amara was leaving. Now the girls could get Molly out of the park with no problems. Once Amara and Michelle were gone, the girls carefully carried Molly out of the park. A few times they had to hide in the bushes, when they saw passersby. It took the girls a half hour to get Molly to the entrance to the park. At the entrance, there was a path that led away from the street. It was probably the same path that led to the abandoned warehouse.

Heading to the warehouse on the path was a little easier. They didn’t have to dodge anyone. The hard part was getting through the overgrowth across the path. They could tell that the path hadn’t been used in years. Every few minutes, the girls traded the job of carrying Molly.

When they finally got to the warehouse, they were quite relieved. Before entering, they looked at the building. There were boards covering up the windows and doors, but one door and one window looked liked it had broken into.

“Zoycite wanted us to bring her here. Why?” Corrine asked.

“Corrine, don’t you ever watch action movies? Warehouses are always the best place to do any exchange of any kind. No one would try and look for her here,” Janice said.

“Do you know, I don’t think Zoycite knows she has a boyfriend. I’m getting the distinct feeling that he could get involved in this,” Kelly said.

“Of course he’s going to get involved. His girlfriend has just been kidnapped!” Corrine snapped.

“That’s not what I mean!” Kelly snapped back. “Yes, we are going to get blamed for kidnapping, Amara showed up after we kidnapped Molly, and she might have seen us. But what I mean is that I think something is going to happen between Molly’s boyfriend and Zoycite.”

“Let’s just get her inside before it gets too late and Zoycite gets angry,” Corrine said.

“I just thought of something,” Janice said. “What if Zoycite is like a witch or something?” Janice looked at her friends like she was crazy. “I mean, listen to what we’ve heard about Sailor Moon. She has enemies that are powerful. What if Zoycite is her enemy?”

“Get real,” Corrine said. “Sailor Moon’s enemies are able to disappear at will and shoot some sort of power out of their hands.”

“Corrine. Janice does have a point,” Kelly said. “I’ve noticed a few times that Zoycite doesn’t seem like your average human who’s out for revenge. We all have seen her eyes glow at point or another. And I don’t think it was the sun shining off her eyes.”

“So now we could be in a whole lot of trouble,” Janice said to herself.

Corrine and Janice picked up Molly once again and carried her inside. Kelly dragged Molly over to a corner as Janice and Corrine looked around the warehouse. When Kelly had Molly in the corner she looked around too. The warehouse was dim, and kind of eerie.

****

The Sailor Scouts in human form were at the temple having a scout meeting when Neflite teleported in the room. When Raye sensed another presence, she turned on her heels, ready to slap the intruder with her broom. Neflite caught her swinging hand easily.

“Hold on, Raye,” Neflite said angrily.

“Neflite,” Raye snapped, “don’t sneak into the room unannounced.”

“Neflite, what’s wrong?” Serena asked, noticing that the tone of his voice wasn’t meant for Raye

“Molly’s been kidnapped,” he said flatly.

Everyone gasped.

“Zoycite has some humans to do her dirty work now.” With even looking at the scouts, he released Raye’s hand and continued. “Molly and I were in the park when a smoke bomb came at us from nowhere. When the smoke finally cleared Molly was gone. I have reason to believe that Zoycite or anyone else from the Negaverse doesn’t know how smoke bombs work, so that means that humans did it. Probably those three popular girls from your school, Serena.”

“I knew those girls were up to no good,” Lita hissed. “I kept saying to myself that those girls were going to do something to Molly.”

“Neflite,” Serena said softly. “What are you going to do now?”

“I want to go and tear Zoycite apart,” Neflite said.

Before he could continue Amy joined the conversation. “Neflite, that would not be advisable. Zoycite doesn’t know you are alive.”

“I already know that, Amy. I’m going to stay in the time flux, while you scouts find Molly. But I must advise you to be very cautious; Zoycite is very manipulative and sneaky. She has two advantages in this situation. I figure she wants Molly because of her love for me and wants you four dead at the same time.”

“Neflite, we’ll be cautious. Before you leave, why don’t you take us to where Molly was kidnapped. From there Amy could do a scan of the place to see if there’s any traces of the Negaverse around,” Serena suggested.

Neflite looked at Serena as well as the others. They couldn’t believe that Serena actually said something that made sense.

“Wow Serena. You better watch it. Your brain might explode,” Raye said sarcastically.

“Oh, Raye, why don’t you keep you big mouth shut! My best friend is missing and I do have a brain, I just don’t like to use it!” Serena snapped.

Serena’s comment gave Neflite a short chuckle. Raye and the others were surprised at Serena’s outburst.

“Serena, there’s always something new about you that amazes me,” Neflite said.

“Thanks,” she said. “Now, what are we waiting for? Let's get to the park and get Molly back before the Negaverse has a chance to do anything to her.”

“Let’s turn the Negaverse into dust!” Lita said.

“Right!” Raye and Amy said. Amy picked up Luna and placed Luna on her shoulder.

We’ll teleport, it’ll be faster,” Neflite said. He gathered the girls around him and all five, along with Luna, disappeared in red swirls. When they reappeared, they were not too far from where Neflite had disappeared from the park.

“Well, here we are. I have to get back now. Hope you find something, and soon. Over there by that tree is where it happened.” He pointed. Neflite backed away from the girls before teleporting back to the time flux, without the girls noticing. When he was gone the girls ran over to where he had pointed.

Amy was the first person to reach the tree. She pulled out her pocket computer and her fingers started dancing over the keys. Lita and Raye started scouring the area while Serena stood beside Amy.

“Hey guys,” Amy said. “I think I have something.”

“What is it, Amy?” Serena said before allowing Raye to have the chance to say it. Raye and Lita ran over to Amy and Serena.

“There’s residue on the grass about five feet away,” Amy said. “It must be where Neflite and Molly were standing when the smoke bomb came at them.”

“So now we have to figure out where the bomb came from,” Lita said. “And probably from there we’ll find a clue as to where they took Molly.”

“That’s precisely what I had in mind,” Amy agreed. Amy looked at Serena and saw that she was totally lost. “If we find where the bomb came from, we might find out where Molly got carried off to.” Amy summarized what she and Lita said to Serena, but made it sound like she was talking to everyone. Serena understood that time.

Amy walked over to where the residue was and her fingers to dance on the computer again. Within minutes the computer pinpointed where the bomb came from. “Guys, the bomb came from that bush over there.” Amy pointed to the bush that Kelly had thrown the bomb from. The girls ran over and started to investigate.

For an hour they tried to find where Molly was taken but they couldn’t find anything. Many times they passed the path that Corrine and her friends took with Molly, but it had disappeared. There were no traces of where the path was. They were about to give up when Serena found a shoe. She knew it was Molly’s school shoe.

“Guys, I just found Molly’s shoe,” Serena said. “But the shoe is in the bush. There is no way anyone could have taken her in the woods, there’s no path.”

“Hold on, Serena,” Amy said. Amy’s computer started making the noise it made to indicate the presence of magic. “My computer’s telling me this was once a path and there’s a magic residue all over the leaves. Much like…”

“The Negaverse,” Raye finished. “There’s no way to get through there before night fall.”

“There’s nothing we can do here. Surely Zoycite would not keep Molly at whereever the path leads to. I’d suggest heading back to the temple and figuring out a plan. Zoycite would have a plan for us,” Lita said.

Serena still looking at the shoe in her hand as Luna said, “Let’s split up. Being together might not help. If we split up, we might find Molly or come up with a plan. Besides we can’t do anything more here.”

The four girls agreed and with Luna on Amy’s shoulder, Raye and Amy headed off in one direction, Lita and Serena headed off in another.

****

Meanwhile, behind a huge tree were Amara and Michelle. When Trista had left the park Amara and Michelle had stayed behind, knowing the scouts would be along looking for clues as to where Molly was.

When Amara and Michelle noticed that the scouts were splitting up to head in different directions, they silently agreed to follow them. Amara followed Serena and Lita and Michelle followed Raye and Amy.

****

In their castle, Zoycite and Malachite watched the girls. They had watched how the girls got to the warehouse. It amazed Zoycite how the humans were able to hide from the people in the park.

“These humans are smarter than I gave them credit for,” Malachite said. He was amazed how the girls found the path Zoycite created so easily.

“Yes, they are. It wouldn’t surprise me, when the Negaverse takes control of this world, if Queen Beryl keeps the smart humans alive for her convenience,” Zoycite said.

“Now, Zoycite that is assuming a lot about the queen,” Malachite said. “Let’s get to that warehouse before those girls catch on to us. They are already questioning you, since one of them is starting to tie you to the scouts.”

“Nothing can spoil my success in getting Molly,” Zoycite smirked. Usually she would have been angry with humans who found out who she was but this time it wasn’t going to matter. With a hug, Malachite and Zoycite teleported to the warehouse.

****

In the time flux, Neflite watched in anger as Zoycite and Malachite chatted. Though he could not hear what was being said, he knew it was about Molly. As he watched Zoycite, he became frightened for Molly. He had no idea what they were planning for her.

Then he noticed Zoycite was looking in a mirror of the outside world. From what Zoycite was looking at, he was able to find where Molly was. But he had to wait to find out what the little weasel was up to. He knew now, he had to find those girls he had seen in Zoycite’s mirror and question them. Suddenly he saw Malachite and Zoycite disappear and knew they were going to that warehouse.

****

As the girls waited, they were starting to wonder just how long it would be before Zoycite would show up. They didn’t know how long they been in the abandoned building when they heard noises coming from outside. They assumed it was Zoycite.

To their surprise, when Zoycite entered the building she wasn’t alone. There was a man beside her. He was dressed much the same as Zoycite. The only difference was he wore a cape.

“Nice place,” the man said.

“Perfect place for exchanges,” Zoycite said, looking at the girls. She saw Molly was still unconscious beside the girls. “I think it’s time to wake up our prisoner.”

Zoycite stretched out her hand. At the tips of her gloved fingers, a black energy ball started to form. The girls didn’t know what to do. They watched in terror as the black ball surrounded Molly. When the ball was gone, Molly was regaining consciousness.

“Who are you?” Corrine asked, trembling. “You're from the Negaverse, aren’t you?”

“How very perceptive,” the man said. He watched Molly wake. “This is the teenager that Neflite fell in love with?”

As Molly regained consciousness, she heard Neflite’s name mentioned in a voice that was unfamiliar to her. She opened her eyes and found herself lying on the floor in some building. She remembered the smoke bomb and someone grabbing her, and then her mind was a complete blank. When her eyes were focused on the person who said Neflite's name, she realized that he was from the Negaverse. Oh no, the Negaverse. Do they know that Neflite is alive? If they did then I wouldn’t be here.

“Well, hello, Molly,” Zoycite grinned. “You are the perfect trap for the Sailor Scouts.”

Malachite went towards Molly but before Molly could escape, Malachite had a hold of her with his powers. “It’s no use to run away from the Negaverse.”

“What are you going to do with her?” Kelly asked, shaking.

“That is none of your concern.” Zoycite walked over to Malachite and in flashing swirls, Malachite, Zoycite and Molly were gone.

The girls looked at each other, frightened at what they just saw. They just couldn’t believe that they just had helped the Negaverse. Over in another corner, there was a noise. They turned just in time to see Neflite materialize.

The girls screamed.

Neflite looked over. Looking at the girls, he knew that Molly was no longer here. He clenched his fists. “Damn you, Zoycite!” he yelled in the air.

He walked over to the girls and noticed the girls were too scared to move. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just tell me what I want to know,” he said. “Where is Molly?”

Kelly looked at Neflite and recognized his face. “You’re her boyfriend.” Kelly’s friends turned to her in shock.

“That’s right, I am. And if you don’t tell me where Molly is, she may never come home.” I wouldn’t put it past Zoycite to never release her.

“Zoycite took her,” Janice said quickly.

Neflite turned to her. “Where? Where did she take her?”

“I don’t know. A man was beside her and they both disappeared, taking Molly with them,” Janice continued quickly.

“Damn!” he yelled. Without even thinking of the girls, he teleported back to the time flux. The girls were now in total shock. The man they were trying to get their claws in had magic. This was a man, they realized, not to mess with.

****

Later that day, Serena and Lita were taking a walk in the city, trying to find a way to get Molly back. They had heard from Neflite that he found the girls who captured Molly and that Molly was in the hands of the Negaverse.

The two scouts were walking by a building when they heard male screams coming from above them. Looking up, they saw a man dangling from a broken rope. Suddenly the rope broke and the man started to fall. But before he had the chance to hit the ground, Sailor Moon swung out of nowhere on a rope, caught the man, and landed on a tarp over an entrance of a restaurant. Serena and Lita both watched in shock. When Sailor Moon had the man on the tarp, she stood and shouted, “You're safe as long as I’m around.” Sailor Moon then leaped into the air to the top of the building and then ran off.

Serena crumpled to the ground, “She can’t be Sailor Moon. That’s my job. She can’t, she can’t, she can’t!” she wailed.

“Serena, will you please quit your wailing!” Lita said. “You have got your communicator, haven’t you? We have to call the others now.” Lita heard Serena whimper a yes.

Not too far from Serena and Lita, a young teenage girl watched Serena whimper about something. From all the commotion, she couldn’t hear what Lita and Serena were saying. She knew, however, that it had something to do with seeing Sailor Moon, and she also knew that the Sailor Moon who saved the man wasn’t the real Sailor Moon.

****

Malachite was standing on top of a roof of a building. In the distant he could see Sailor Moon, the imposter, jumping from one rooftop to another. He smiled, as he knew this plan would work. Not too far from him was Molly. She was sitting of the floor of the roof, tied up.

“You’ll never get away with this!” Molly yelled.

Malachite turned to Molly. He gave her an evil glare, which made her be quiet. “If you don’t keep your mouth shut, I’ll make you wish you never met Neflite. Too bad he’s dead. It would have been a real treat to see the look on his face after what is going to happen to you,” he laughed.

Molly gasped in horror. She had no idea what the Negaverse was capable of. She didn’t believe that he’d rape her but she was afraid of what they could do. She had heard a bit about torture in the Negaverse and it frightened her to the bone.

“Soon the universe will be no more. Only the Negaverse will prevail,” Malachite said, turning back to the city. “Come on, Tuxedo Mask, show up like you always do, to save your precious Sailors, and then finally we’ll have the last two crystals. Queen Beryl will be ecstatic.”

****

The four Sailor Scouts were walking near the pier, chatting, when suddenly they heard screams. They went running to the source and found the imposter Sailor Moon tied up and being raised by a crane. A man stood on top of a roof nearby. They recognized him from the Negaverse.

The scouts transformed and appeared in front of Malachite. Malachite was quite pleased that they showed up. Now he could put his plan into motion.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you all for the first and, let me assure you, very last time.” Malachite held out his hands at arms' length. A black power came out of them and created a black dome around the scouts. The scouts tried to destroy the dome but nothing would work.

Before Malachite jumped down from the roof, he turned and teleported Molly to one of the storage buildings. When she was in a storage building, Malachite jumped down and started to make the dome become smaller.

In the meantime, as Malachite had the scouts captured, Tuxedo Mask found the imposter Sailor Moon tied up on a crane. He had no idea that she was an imposter, so he rescued her. When they landed on the ground, Sailor Moon created an ice crystal in her hand and stabbed Tuxedo Mask in the right shoulder. He asked why she was doing this and she revealed herself as Zoycite. Zoycite created another ice crystal as Tuxedo Mask ran and hid behind some boxes. He soon was drawn out of hiding.

When she saw him run out from behind the boxes, she attacked him with her cherry blossoms and made his mask come off. Suddenly a beam of light came out of nowhere and hit Zoycite’s hand, causing her to drop her weapon. Zoycite looked up to where the beam had come from. When Zoycite turned back to Tuxedo Mask, he was gone.

A few minutes later, Zoycite approached Malachite and started to speak with him. As she talked to her love, she looked at Sailor Moon and knew Sailor Moon saw her. What Zoycite said, disappointed Malachite. She was also disappointed with herself. She lost Tuxedo Mask because of another scout. A few minutes later, Zoycite spoke loud enough for Sailor Moon to hear.

“Tuxedo Mask, where are you hiding? Don’t you care about your little fan club? Come out right now, or they’ll be history. Do you hear me?” Zoycite hollered.

Sailor Moon could not hear anything more. She was in too much pain and too busy trying to fight the power that was going to crush her and her friends.

Tuxedo Mask, holding his wounded shoulder, was hiding behind some crates when he noticed Sailor Moon was down on the ground in pain. He came out from behind the crates. “I’ll give you the crystals.”

Malachite and Zoycite turned at the sound of Tuxedo Mask’s voice.

“Ha, ha. I knew you’d finally see it our way. Now hand over the crystals before it's too late,” Zoycite said.

“He’s not handing you anything, Nega-creeps,” a female voice said.

Everyone looked up to try and find the voice. Malachite looked up further when he heard the same voice say, "I'm up here." Everyone watched as the girl, dressed as a Sailor, jumped from the building.

“I’m Sailor Venus,” the girl said. “And if you're looking to make any trouble here it comes right back at you. VENUS CRESCENT BEAN SMASH!” Venus’s beam hit Malachite’s hands and destroyed the dome. Minutes later, the scouts could see an image of Queen Beryl demanding that Malachite and Zoycite return to the Negaverse. They left, saying that the scouts were lucky.

“Thanks for saving us, Sailor Venus,” Sailor Moon said. All the scouts forgot about Molly.

“Yes,” Sailor Mercury said. “Now we’re finally a full fledged team.” Suddenly, reddish swirls started to form with a man in the middle of it. Sailor Venus and her guardian cat, Artemis, were about to attack.

“Wait, Sailor Venus!” Sailor Moon cried. “He’s not an enemy. He was, but not anymore.”

“What?” Venus said.

“That is right,” Neflite said. “I hate to break up these pleasantries, but we have to find Molly.”

“Oh damn,” Sailor Moon cried.

Sailor Mercury got out her pocket computer again and started calculating with it. “Hey guys, I found something. There’s a body inside the third storage building.”

Neflite and Sailor Moon wasted no time; they went running to the third building with the other scouts behind them. They all entered the building about the same time. Neflite a quick sweep of the room and found Molly. She was tied and gagged. Her hair and clothes were a mess. Neflite ran over to her, undid the ropes and embraced her. She started crying.

Sailor Moon decided to leave the couple alone when she noticed they were passionately kissing. She pushed the others out of the building shutting the door, as the passionate kiss became a deep kiss full of love.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 8 – Zoycite Finds Neflite

The scouts once again stood by end of the pier, talking with the newest addition to the Sailor Scouts. They were talking about what their next move would be. Sailor Moon couldn’t really hear what was being said. She was too busy thinking about Molly being back in Neflite’s arms. Neflite, in her opinion, had turned out to be a good ally to them. Though she kept wondering how long Molly and Neflite were going to stay in the building, embracing.

All too soon, Sailor Moon heard her name being called but she didn’t want to answer. She was just thinking how glad Molly was to see Neflite. Suddenly she heard her name real loud and realized that it was one voice you couldn’t ignore, Sailor Mars.

“Sailor Moon weren’t you just listening?” Sailor Mars yelled.

“No,” Sailor Moon yelled back noticing that Sailor Venus was gone.

“Before you two girls start fighting again,” Luna said, “we have to discuss some things. Sailor Moon, we are going to have a scout meeting at the temple tomorrow.”

“So why couldn’t you hear that?” Mars argued.

“Maybe because I’m too busy thinking about my friend. Molly has spent most of this evening with those Nega-creeps and now she is back in the arms of the man she loves,” Sailor Moon said, ignoring Mars's tone of voice.

“Sailor Moon, we all were worried about Molly today,” Sailor Mercury said. “You just have to remember that we are Sailors and have to do our best to keep the Negaverse from getting a hold of the universe.”

“I know, but she is my best friend. I’ve known her since we were kids,” Sailor Moon said.

“Yeah and you still act like one too,” Sailor Mars said under her breath.

Sailor Moon snapped her head at Mars ready to make a come back when Sailor Jupiter spoke. “Hey guys, I think I see something coming out of the building now.” Sailor Moon whipped her head around and recognized the mop of hair on her friend’s head. Without even thinking, all the scouts but Sailor Mercury went running to the building. Sailor Mercury walked over.

****

Over behind a bunch of crates were Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. They had watched the whole scene with the Negaverse take place. When Malachite had the Sailor Scouts trapped in the dome, Uranus and Neptune were ready to blow their cover but suddenly Sailor Venus had shown up.

“Well, Trista said Sailor Venus would show up,” Sailor Neptune said.

“Yes, and she came just at the right time,” Sailor Uranus said. “Tuxedo Mask was also in trouble but Venus saved him too.”

“That is true,” Neptune said. “But now that Sailor Venus is here, Trista wants us to slowly reveal ourselves.”

“Yes, I know. But the question is, how do we do that?”

“Maybe Trista will be able to tell us,” Neptune said. “Right now, how about questioning those teens who took Molly?”

“Good idea,” Uranus said.

Uranus and Neptune, still hidden behind the crates, turned and walked away just as the Sailor Scouts had noticed something coming out of one of the buildings. They had to get out of area soon anyway or they would have been caught.

****

In the third building, Molly and Neflite were still embracing. Molly couldn’t stop her tears of joy as she kept kissing Neflite, passionately. This time the kiss was full of love and devotion. She never knew a kiss could actually give so much meaning as this one did.

Neflite didn’t want to let Molly go. He wanted to kiss the life out of her but he knew that they would have to break free sometime soon. He reluctantly ended the kiss but not the embrace. For the first time that he could remember, Neflite cried openly.

Molly was astonished to see Neflite cry, but knew that they were tears of joy. She reached up her trembling hands to wipe the tears off his checks. “Neflite, I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said. His eyes inverted down.

“Neflite, what is wrong?” she asked.

“I…just…” his voice became angered. “I wonder why that weasel wanted you?”

Molly gasped at his anger. “She…she noticed that I was happy again and she wanted to put a stop to it,” she quietly said. “Please, right now, let’s not talk about that, I’m here with you and that’s all I want to think of.”

“I guess I can manage that,” he smiled, trying to put aside what Molly just been through. He wanted to rip out Zoycite’s eyes for doing this. “Can I ask one more question, does that twit know I’m alive?”

Molly thought for a moment of whom he was talking about. “No. She still thinks you're dead.”

“Good,” he said with a relief. “I think we allowed the scouts to wait long enough. How about we go and join them and then I take you home?”

“Ok,” she said happily. The mention of home had lifted her spirits.

Neflite stood up and before he had himself completely balanced, he grabbed Molly’s hands and raised her to her feet. She was a little wobbly from the trauma of being held captive but it soon passed as Neflite placed his arm around her shoulder and started leading her to the entrance of the building.

They were outside for less than a minute before the scouts came running over to them. Neflite noticed that Sailor Mercury was the only who didn’t run. As soon as the scouts crowded around Neflite and Molly, Sailor Moon started hugging Molly. Mercury wasn’t far from reaching them.

“Please, Sailor Scouts,” Molly, said getting annoyed at Sailor Moon hugging her. “I am very tired right now and Neflite is going to take me home.”

Sailor Moon stopped hugging Molly, realizing that it wasn’t a good thing to do. Molly did not know who Sailor Moon was and it would be a serious problem to have her find out at this point that Sailor Moon was actually her best friend. She does need to know. Neflite is right about telling her.

“That is actually what we all should do,” Sailor Mercury said. “We all need sleep after this. Neflite, if it is at all possible, Molly might feel safer if you stay with her.”

“I don’t plan on leaving Molly alone,” Neflite said. He picked up Molly and walked away from the scouts.

“That is one stubborn man,” Sailor Mars said.

“Stubborn and in love,” Sailor Jupiter said. “Let’s head home before the Negaverse gets back.”

The four girls changed back to normal and walked home together.

****

Amara and Michelle walked to the park and scoured the area for the path. Trista told them there was a path that led to the abandoned building where the teens took Molly. As they scoured the area, Trista showed up.

“The path is right here,” Trista said pointing to the overgrown path.

“How could the girls get through there with Molly?” Amara asked.

“Zoycite.” Trista’s voice was flat. “Amara, what is your plan for those teens? I know that they think you have a bad reputation.”

“I haven’t given it much thought about what I would do to those teens,”Amara said. “First we have to make sure they are ok. Zoycite might have threatened them.”

“But, Trista, you mustn’t forget, here in this time people who kidnap do not go unpunished,” Michelle said.

“I know and I have a plan for that,” Trista smiled. “They won’t ever think of kidnapping again.”

Michelle giggled, “From that smile, I don’t doubt it.”

“Let’s head back to the time flux,” Trista said. “Neflite is calling me. Then we can get to the warehouse from there. I’m pretty sure that the girls are still there. They watched Neflite teleport.”

“Then they’re really scared now,” Amara smiled.

Amara and Michelle came closer to Trista as she swung her Garnet Orb around. Within seconds they were back in the time flux. Trista backed away from Amara and Michelle and used her Garnet Orb again, this time to go to Molly’s apartment.

When she appeared in Molly's room, she was in the shadows. Neflite didn’t notice her at first. He was sitting on Molly’s bed brushing strands of hair away from his face. Trista could tell Molly was already asleep. She watched him for a moment before revealing herself.

Trista tapped her Garnet Orb lightly on the floor. Neflite whipped his head around ready to attack but saw that it was only Trista.

Neflite got up off the bed and walked over to her. “Trista, don’t do that,” he whispered.

“Sorry,” she whispered back. “I heard you calling and I came.”

“Is there any way that I can stay with Molly for the night?” he asked. “After being with the Negaverse, she’s too scared to be alone.”

“Well, Neflite, you have been on Earth for a while today,” she said. “I would have to get Amara and Michelle down here to create a stronger protected field over you.”

“At this point, Trista, I don’t care if they see me. You watch me all the time anyway and the Negaverse is no match for the Scouts of the Outer Solar Scouts.”

“Neflite, I must warn you that it isn’t safe. The queen of the future won’t like that.”

“Listen, I don’t think she’d mind, knowing that I was protecting her best friend from danger. They probably already suspect that something is up, since Molly is so happy all the time. And there is no way to stop her from being happy. She loves me.”

“Alright, I’ll see what I can. I’ll try and put a protected barrier around you, but I can’t guarantee that it will work until morning.”

“Good.” Neflite walked back over to Molly and sat on her bed once again. He was going to be damned if Zoycite tried anything again.

Trista watched Neflite protecting Molly for a few minutes longer. He was right; it was best for someone to watch over her. But Trista knew she was also right, Zoycite could find out that Neflite was still alive. Trista swung her Garnet Orb around her and vanished.

When Trista reappeared in the Time flux, she was surprised to see Amara and Michelle ready to go. Behind the two scouts was the window to the outside world and from the window Trista could see the warehouse.

Trista again swung her Garnet Orb as Michelle and Amara came closer and the three disappeared and reappeared in front of the warehouse. Amara was the first one to break away from the group. She ran up to the door and broke down what was left of it and barged in.

When she barged in, Trista and Michelle heard three screams.

“Well, it didn’t take Amara long to find the girls,” Michelle said as she ran into the building. Trista was beside her. When they reached Amara, they could clearly see the teens were frightened out their minds.

Trista walked up to the teens before Amara did. “Listen. I won’t hurt you. What you did was wrong and you will be punished. But right now, we just want to know what Zoycite said to you three about Molly.”

“Trista, I think they are too scared to even talk,” Amara said, and then addressed the teens. “I don’t intend to hurt you either, but we need to know what it is that Zoycite wanted Molly for.”

Janice stood, trembling. “She…she said…that…” Janice looked at Trista and saw concern for Molly in her eyes. This gave her enough courage to talk. “She said she wanted to make her life a living hell.”

“How?” Michelle asked coming forward so that Janice could see her.

“We don’t know,” Corrine said nervously. “We saw them take…Molly and disappear. When they were gone, Molly’s…boyfriend came…much the same way they disappeared.”

The three scouts looked at one another, wondering what they were going to do now. The teens had seen Neflite teleport. Amara had an idea and walked closer to the girls, “I think you’ve learned your lesson. But whatever you do never speak to anyone but us about how Molly’s boyfriend came here.”

“We…we…we won’t,” Corrine trembled.

“Good,” Trista said. “Now, I want you to come with me. We are going to take you girls home. Your families are probably worried.”

Trista helped the teens up one by one. When everyone was standing, Trista led the way outside. Amara and Michelle waited until the teens followed Trista and then followed behind them.

****

In Molly’s room, Neflite sat on her bed. It had been an hour since Molly fell asleep. Outside the window, someone watched. She was quite surprised to see her archenemy was still alive. He had been alive for a while and she had never known. This was going to be good news to tell her queen.

In the room, Neflite felt a presence, a dangerous presence. He knew that now his cover was blown. Soon the Negaverse would know that he was alive. Neflite stood, and before turning to the presence outside the window, he placed a sleep spell on Molly.

When Molly was under the sleep spell, Neflite turned to the window, “All right, you little weasel! I know you are outside. Show yourself!”

“Well, well, Neflite. I didn’t think you would notice me.” Neflite watched as cherry blossoms formed and Zoycite appeared in the room. “It’s a surprise you actually survived the thorns.”

“What’s it to you? I knew you would find me. I knew you would come after Molly again!” Neflite snapped

“Better keep your voice down, you might wake your precious girlfriend,” Zoycite said sarcastically.

“Why don’t you drop the act? You don’t care about Molly, or anything else for that matter.”

“You're right, I don’t,” she said. “But now that you are alive, I think I’ll just let you live for now and watch you die when we take control,” she laughed, and disappeared.

When Neflite knew Zoycite was gone, he went back to Molly and removed the spell. He sat back on the bed. He thought about what Trista had said, that he and Zoycite were once best friends, and if he was able to get Zoycite on the good side it would help the scouts to defeat the Negaverse.

“I have to get Zoycite over onto our side,” Neflite said to himself. “I know that little weasel won’t tell that bitch queen for a couple days. This will be my opportunity to convince her to switch sides. But how?”

“Neflite…Neflite…” Molly moaned in her sleep.

“It’s ok, Molly. I’m here. You’re safe. No one will hurt you,” Neflite vowed.

“Neflite…hold me,” she said in her sleep.

Neflite was quite surprised that Molly would ask him to hold her in his sleep. He saw her eyes open suddenly. “Neflite, please hold me.”

Neflite looked at her, stunned. She really wanted him to hold her. Before she was able to say anything further, he laid down beside her, cuddling her to him. Within minutes she was back to sleep. He looked at her sleeping face and saw a smile. He soon fell asleep holding her in his arms.

In the shadows, Trista watched the two sleep. She had come back after getting the teens back home. Not long after arriving in the room, she sensed that there had been evil in the room not too long before she arrived. She knew that the evil she sensed belonged to Zoycite. Zoycite knew Neflite was alive and had allowed Neflite to know it as well. What surprised Trista was that Neflite hadn't attacked Zoycite. She was going to find out why, but not now. She left, allowing Neflite and Molly some privacy.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 9 – Zoycite Joins

Molly awoke the next morning, with Neflite beside her. For a moment she didn’t understand why Neflite was sleeping beside her but then she remembered she had asked him to hold her. Still lying down, she watched his sleeping face. Looking at his face, it was hard to imagine that he had once been a villain who fought against the Sailor Scouts. Molly laughed softly, which woke Neflite.

Neflite opened his eyes to stare into her beautiful blue-green eyes. Both Molly and Neflite became lost in the intense stare they gave each other, until Molly’s alarm clock went off. Neflite looked over behind her and saw that it said seven o’clock.

“I guess it’s time for you to get ready for school,” he said, looking back at her as she turned the clock off.

Molly noticed that something was wrong. He usually didn't look at her sadly like that. “Neflite, what is wrong?”

Neflite was surprised that she knew something was wrong. Even as I look at her she knows I’m keeping something from her. He looked away from her towards the window. There was a lovely view of the city from her bedroom window.

Molly sat up. “Neflite, what is wrong?” she asked again.

Neflite looked back to her. There’s really no other way to say it, is there? “Zoycite,” he turned away, “knows I’m alive.”

Molly gasped. “H--how?”

“After you fell asleep, she came back, probably to finish her job. When she got here, she saw that I was sitting on your bed. I had placed a sleep spell on you so you wouldn’t awake,” he said.

“What is going to happen now? That queen of the Negaverse will know now, and kill you,” she said as tears started to stream down her face.

“Don’t worry, Molly,” he said, brushing away her tears. “One thing I do know about Zoycite, she tries to get rid of trouble before Beryl finds out. If she can’t get rid of the trouble, then she tells Beryl but not before then.”

“What do you mean?”

“Zoycite will not tell Beryl right away that I’m alive. She’ll wait a day or two and try to get rid of me. But I have a plan to stop that.”

“What will you do?”

“I’m going to try and convince Zoycite to switch sides. I’ve been thinking about this for a bit. If I can keep Zoycite from telling Beryl for as long as I can, it will work. Beryl is already getting fed up with that weasel’s failures. Beryl will kill Zoycite if it keeps up. Then I will save Zoycite’s life and give her the choice.”

“Neflite,” Molly said, cuddling close to her man. “I hope you can help her. If she lives and you can't help her, she'll kill you.”

“No need to worry, Zoycite won’t kill me. Trista will make sure of it,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I have to get going. You have to get ready for school and I need to find out if Trista knows about Zoycite.”

Neflite removed his arms from around Molly and lifted her chin with one hand. He bent closer to her and kissed her soft lips. Quickly, Molly wrapped her arms around Neflite's neck and he put his arms around her again. When they stopped kissing, Neflite stood and teleported back to the time flux.

When Neflite re-appeared, he could see Amara and Michelle were already there. He looked around and found that Trista wasn’t there. “Where’s Trista?”

“Last night after we found the teens still at the warehouse, we took them home,” Michelle said. “When we got back here, Trista told us that we wouldn’t be going to school tomorrow and left again.”

“Just to see how Molly was doing, I looked into the mirror and saw you and Zoycite,” Amara said. “I’m assuming Trista knows about you and Zoycite. She’s probably busy trying to come up with a plan to keep you alive.”

“Either that, or she is in the future,” Neflite said.

“Why would she be in the future?” Michelle asked.

“She’s under orders to keep me alive. She’s probably talking to her queen about what to do next.”

“What do you know of our future queen?” Amara asked.

“Probably as much as you. I know she is the Moon Princess and she will have a daughter. Crystal Tokyo will come under attack by the Negamoon,” Neflite said. “But this is not something I want to discuss. Molly is on Earth, unprotected against Zoycite and I've decided to try to convince Zoycite to join the good side.”

“How do you intend to do that?” Amara asked. “Are you going to stick with your first plan? Convince her on her death bed?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Neflite said. “When Zoycite is pretty much dead to the world, I’ll get Trista to keep her alive. I will then give Zoycite a choice, either die or join the Sailor Scouts.”

“Hope you realize that it’s going to take a bit to convince Zoycite to our side,” Michelle pointed out.

“Yes, I know. I haven’t completely thought about what I’m going to do. But it’s the only thing I can do to protect Molly and myself.”

“Well, since Zoycite knows you are alive, she probably isn’t going to go after Molly anymore,” Michelle said.

“Oh yes she will. Zoycite never tells Queen Beryl anything right away when something goes wrong with their plans for world denomination. She tries to solve the problem herself, if she hasn’t solved in two days, then she notifies Queen Beryl.”

“We can monitor Molly from here, and I don’t think Zoycite would attack Molly in broad daylight at school,” Amara said.

“That may be so, but I would like to be at her school if and when Zoycite decides to make trouble,” Neflite said. Neflite turned and was about to teleport back to Earth. “Contact me when Trista returns.”

Neflite turned back to Amara and Michelle. He looked at Michelle as she was about to say something but he didn’t hear what she wanted to say. He vanished before she got the first word out.

****

In the future, in Crystal Tokyo, Sailor Pluto was escorted to the throne room by one of the king’s guards. There she waited for the presence of her king and queen. When they entered, an announcer said. “Their majesties, King Darien and Queen Serenity.”

Pluto bowed on one knee, her Garnet Orb laid on the floor. She waited until her rulers were sitting on their thrones before rising with her Garnet Orb.

“Your majesties,” Sailor Pluto said. “I’m not sure if you are aware of what is happening in the past, but Zoycite now knows that Neflite lives.”

“Yes,” the queen said. “We know.”

“I request your next orders,” Sailor Pluto said.

“What has Neflite done so far?” the king asked.

“Last night was when Molly was kidnapped by the Negaverse, and Neflite has been watching her all night. He allowed himself to be discovered. I tried to put the strongest protection on him as possible but it didn’t help.”

“Pluto, even if you were able to protect Neflite, Zoycite still would have found out. She spied on Molly often enough that she would have seen Neflite sooner or later,” the queen said.

“I am under the impression that Neflite wants to convince Zoycite to join the good side,” the king said. “He is probably going to go through with the plan. But I’d also suggest he try to convince Malachite to join the scouts' side.”

“I left Amara and Michelle in the time flux,” Pluto said. “Do you still want me to have them reveal themselves earlier than they were supposed to?”

“Yes,” the queen said. “They will be needed to help fight the Negaforce. Every new change in the past makes the Negaforce stronger.

“Soon Sailor Moon is going to learn that she is the Moon Princess, and she will need a lot of help to become a good ruler and to defeat the Negaforce.” The queen always found it hard to refer to her younger self as someone else. She knew her husband knew she felt this way even though she never came out and said it.

“Your majesty, what do you want the Outer Sailor Scouts to do?” Pluto asked.

“Help Neflite however you can in completing this task,” the king said. “Since Neflite is going to convince Zoycite to come over, he must do the same for Malachite. You, Uranus and Neptune must reveal yourselves as Sailors so that you can help Neflite convince Malachite to join the good side.”

“Another thing, Pluto, Gate Keeper of Time.” The queen usually only used Pluto’s full title in urgent situations. “Zoycite will try to capture Molly again. You mustn’t allow that to happen.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Pluto bowed once again. As she bowed, King Darien and Queen Serenity stood and left the throne room. Pluto stayed kneeling until the guard announced, “Their majesties, the king and queen, have left the throne room.”

Pluto stood with her Garnet Orb in hand and left for the time flux. When she arrived back in the time flux, she transformed back to her normal self.

“Any new progress?” Trista asked Amara and Michelle.

“Neflite was here and he said to contact him when you got back,” Amara said.

“Where were you?” Michelle asked.

“I had to talk to the king and queen. They have new orders for us. We must help Neflite convince Zoycite to join our side and help bring Malachite over as well. Then we'll have Beryl's strongest warrior on our side. This is especially important since with every change we make in the flow of time, the Negaforce grows stronger. We'll need to reveal ourselves in order to help Neflite bring Malachite over to our side.”

“How in the world are we going to do that?” Michelle asked.

“I don’t know. First, let’s concentrate on Zoycite,” Trista said. “Where is Neflite? I’ll go tell him what's going on.”

“I believe he's watching Molly at school. He believes that Zoycite is still a threat to Molly,” Amara said.

“She is. Zoycite knows Neflite is alive. She’ll do whatever is necessary to get rid of Neflite before Beryl knows,” Trista said. “Amara and Michelle, I’m taking you back to Earth to follow the scouts.”

Amara and Michelle stood and walked towards Trista. When they were close enough, Trista raised her Garnet Orb and all there disappeared.

****

During the school day, Molly sensed Neflite’s presence. She had the feeling that Neflite was protecting her. When lunchtime rolled around, Neflite had his car parked outside the gate, waiting for Molly. When she got outside, she automatically ran up to Neflite.

They shared a long kiss before getting in the car and driving down the street. They went to the nearest fast food restaurant and ordered out, then drove to the park.

At the park, Neflite made a little picnic with a blanket and the food they bought.

“Oh, Neflite, this is a nice surprise,” Molly said when she finished eating her burger.

Before Neflite could speak, someone else said, “Nice and terrible if you ask me.”

Neflite and Molly looked up to see Zoycite floating in the air. Neflite grasped Molly and got her behind him.

“So you are going to allow your girl to watch you die,” Zoycite smirked.

“You won’t even get near me or her,” Neflite growled. He saw something came out of a tree behind Zoycite. It was the Garnet Orb that Trista always carried.

Zoycite turned just in time to see the staff smack her in the face, and fell to the ground. When she recovered from her fall, she stood back up. She looked at the tree and saw a shadowy figure in a Sailor suit.

“Damn you, scout!” Zoycite yelled, thinking it was Sailor Venus again.

Neflite was about to grab Zoycite when she disappeared in a swirl of cherry blossoms. Neflite cursed and then went back to Molly, who was shaking.

“Are you all right?” Sailor Pluto asked as she jumped down from the tree.

“Yeah, I think so,” Molly said. “Thanks.”


“No problem,” Pluto said.

“The king and queen want me to help you get Zoycite, and we have to bring Malachite over as well,” Pluto said. She looked at him as he was about to start asking questions. “With every new change in the past, the Negaforce becomes stronger.”

“Damn!” Neflite said, and turned to Molly. “Let’s get you back to school, your classes will start again soon.”

Molly nodded. As Neflite and Molly hurried to the car, Pluto cleaned up their little picnic and put it the car. With a wave goodbye, Pluto disappeared to the time flux, and Neflite put the car into gear and left for the school.

****

After school, the Sailor Scouts were waiting for their leader Serena to arrive so they could start a scout meeting. Serena was even later than usual, and they were starting to get worried about where she was.

Over behind some bushes at the temple, Amara and Michelle watched the scouts. Not too long after they got there, they had seen Sailor Venus, in normal form, show up. They heard her announce her name was Mina. Before too long, the Sailor Scouts left to check out the Starlight Tower. Mina had sensed some strange vibrations going on at the tower. Amara and Michelle followed them.

When they all got to the Starlight Tower, they saw that the beautiful tower had become ugly, dark and twisted. It was something that only the Negaverse could conjure up. They knew they were racing against time to save Serena and Darien, who were trapped in there. It took them about an hour to climb the stairs to the top. When they reached the top floor, they could see Sailor Moon beside Tuxedo Mask, who they now recognized as Darien. Tuxedo Mask was lying on the floor, fighting for his life, and Sailor Moon was kneeling beside him.

"We're too late!"

Not too far from Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask was Zoycite, smirking.

They scouts watched in awe as the Imperium Silver Crystal appeared and Sailor Moon was revealed as the Moon Princess. Zoycite was shocked and furious. She was about to attack when Princess Serena used the Crescent Moon Wand and knocked her out.

While Zoycite was unconscious, Princess Serena and Darien remembered their life on the Moon, and that Darien was actually the Prince of Earth. But all too soon, Malachite appeared. He helped Zoycite get up and then wrapped a red dome around Darien. Then Malachite, with Zoycite in his arms, disappeared along with Darien.

Amara, Michelle and Trista stood behind the scouts and watched the whole thing unfold. It was no surprise to them that Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon were Prince and Princess. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were going to be the rulers of Crystal Tokyo. What surprised them was that the Negaverse took Darien; they never knew that the enemy captured Darien. The Outer Sailor Scouts were brought back to reality when they heard the scouts start talking.

“So what do we do now?” Sailor Jupiter asked.

“We have to find away out of here,” Sailor Mercury said.

“I hope Sailor Moon will be all right,” a voice said. The scouts looked up to see Neflite.

“How long have you been here?” Sailor Mars asked.

“Just got here,” Neflite said. “I can’t stay long. Zoycite is about to be killed by Queen Beryl. I have decided to go with my plan to convince Zoycite to join the good side. But I have to hurry. I have to do this before Zoycite’s life energy will be gone. After this, you will need to be ready to fight Malachite.”

“Wait, Neflite,” Sailor Venus said. “Can’t you get us out of here?”

“No. I can’t. If I leave by myself, Beryl won’t detect that I’m still alive,” Neflite said. “Don’t worry though, you will get out of here, I promise.”

Neflite disappeared before any of the scouts could say anything more. He re-appeared right beside Amara.

“Are you ready, Trista?” Neflite whispered.

“Will be,” Trista said. “Amara and Michelle, I’ll get you two out of here, but keep watch on what’s left of the tower.”

“Right!” Amara and Michelle whispered. Trista swung her Garnet Orb above the scouts’ head and they disappeared. Only Trista and Neflite were left in the tower.

“Let’s go, Neflite.” Trista and Neflite disappeared in red swirls.

****

In the throne room of the Negaverse, Queen Beryl was very angry with Zoycite. Zoycite had tried to kill Darien twice when Beryl had said to bring Darien to the Negaverse.

“Now, Zoycite, explain your behavior regarding Tuxedo Mask,” Beryl said angrily.

“Please, your majesty,” Zoycite pleaded.

“First the ice crystal and then the elevator. Did you think, I wouldn’t know!” Beryl heard something come out of Zoycite’s mouth but she wouldn’t listen. “You’ve disobeyed me for the last time.”

Beryl moved her hands from the crystal ball in front of her. A ball of energy started to form. Beryl could hear Malachite trying to say something but she didn’t listen to anyone. The ball of energy hit Zoycite squarely in the chest. When she saw, to her satisfaction, that Zoycite would be dead within the hour, she stood.

“Let that be a lesson, Malachite,” she said.

“Yes,” Malachite said, turning back to his queen. You bitch. You didn’t even give her time to explain.

He watched as Beryl left the throne room. When she was gone, he ran over to his lover.

“Zoycite!” He picked her up as tears threatened to fall from his eyes. Before they could, he disappeared to his own castle. He laid Zoycite down on a stone bed.

“Zoycite, please forgive me. This is all my fault,” he cried.

“Hold me,” she said weakly, opening her eyes. She could feel Malachite lifting her to a sitting position. “You warned me about seeking revenge and I didn’t listen. Just promise me one last thing, Malachite.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t forget me,” she said in her final breath.

“I will never.” He hugged her then gently laid her back down and stood back up. “Good-bye, my love,” he said when he left the room.

In the shadows, Trista and Neflite waited. As Zoycite said her final words, Trista held out her Garnet Orb to keep Zoycite alive by a thread. It was the only thing she could do to make Malachite think Zoycite was dead.

When Malachite was gone, Neflite and Trista went over to Zoycite. Neflite picked her up. He had disgusted look on his face. “I can’t believe I’m picking her up.” Trista, using the Garnet Orb, teleported all three of them back to the time flux.

When they were in the safety of the flux, Neflite made a bed appear from the mist in the time flux. By now, he was good at making whatever furniture he needed from the mist.

“All right, Neflite,” Trista said. “Stand back while I bring Zoycite back. She will be quite weak. But strong enough to speak.”

As Neflite stood back, Trista threw the Garnet Orb above Zoycite. The Garnet Orb went into a horizontal position above the barely-living General. A golden glow radiated off the Garnet Orb onto Zoycite.

As the glow shone on Zoisite, Neflite could see that one of her hands was starting to move. Before too long, the Garnet Orb stopped glowing and returned to Trista’s hands. When her staff was back in her hands, she started to collapse. Neflite swiftly caught her.

“Thank you, Neflite,” she said weakly. “The Garnet Orb took more power than I thought. Can you just take me over there so I can rest?”

Neflite picked her up as Zoycite started moaning, and placed her down on another cloud bed. When he was about to go back over to Zoycite, Trista grabbed his arm. “Remember what I said, Zoycite must join our side.” She released Neflite and he went over to Zoycite.

When he was back beside Zoycite, she opened her eyes. At first she had a fearful look, then her expression turned to confusion. Where was she and why was Neflite beside her?

“You are in a time flux,” Neflite said coldly. He wanted to rip her apart for what she had done to Molly, but this was the best way to protect Molly. “Now, you will listen to me and listen good. There is no way you can return to the Negaverse. Beryl thinks you're dead. If it weren't for the Gate Keeper of Time, who is also a Sailor Scout, you would be.”

Neflite watched in amusement as Zoycite looked at him, shocked. “What, no back talk?”

“Nelfite!” Trista hissed.

“Sorry,” he said, but didn’t sound it. “See, there are three more Sailor Scouts besides Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Sailor Moon. The other three are Sailor Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Trista, who is known as Pluto, used her powers to keep you alive. You are still very weak right now.

“Now, if you want to stay alive you will join the Sailor Scouts. When we get the chance, we will bring Malachite over to the scouts' side. If you refuse, you will never be able to leave this time flux and regain the rest of your strength.” Neflite was lying but it was the only way he had a remote chance to convince Zoycite to join the good side.

“Why the hell would I join the scouts?” Zoycite croaked.

“Zoycite,” Trista said. She had regained some of her strength, and now went over to Neflite. “This will be hard for you to understand, but you were once a good person and an Ambassador to the Moon from Earth. You and Neflite were once best friends.”

“What!” Zoycite jumped up but fell back on the bed in pain.

“Until you’ve regained enough strength to stand, you will have to stay lying down,” Neflite said. “You are barely alive, even though Trista has given her most of her strength to keep you alive.”

“Neflite, stand back again. I’m going to help Zoycite remember,” Trista said.

“Trista, that isn’t wise,” Neflite said in protest. “You are still a little weak.”

“I know, but what choice do we have? The king and queen specifically told me to have Zoycite join our side one way or another. The mirror to the outside will show Zoycite’s journey.”

Trista sat down beside Zoycite and made Zoycite clasp the Garnet Orb. Zoycite fought as hard as she could but it was no use, Trista was still fairly strong even without all her strength. When Zoycite finally gave up, her eyes went cloudy, as did Trista’s. Both of their minds started to travel back through time.

For the next couple hours, Neflite watched in the mirror as Trista showed Zoycite the past. To him it was also an enlightening experience. Neflite saw his past life as an Ambassador. He saw himself with Zoycite on Earth, carrying out a lot of missions together. At one point he saw himself in love with a beautiful redhead. She seemed of high stature, from the appearance of her clothes. She could have been a princess or a duchess. He knew he would have to find out who the redhead was; she looked a lot like Molly. There was only one person who could answer that, and that was Trista.

When Trista, still in the trance, raised the Garnet Orb, both she and Zoycite awoke from the trance.

“I’ll leave you two alone to talk,” Trista said. She got up and left the room.

Zoycite, still too weak to move, stared at Neflite. “I remember I was an Ambassador to the Moon.”

“Yes, you were,” Neflite said.

“We have to get Malachite over as well.”

“I know,” he said. “By morning you should be stronger.” Neflite turned and teleported back to Earth.

Zoycite exactly where he was going. “I never even had time to tell anyone that he was alive,” she said to herself. “Which is good, I think.”

Zoycite closed her eyes and for the next hour thought about her life now. She had just silently joined the Sailor Scouts and would help Neflite defeat the Negaverse. She was in total shock from the whole ordeal. She could even still feel the pain of when Beryl’s energy ball had hit her chest. Before too long, Zoycite fell asleep thinking of how to help the scouts.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 10 – Molly Learns the Big Secret

A couple days went by and Zoycite was starting to move around the flux. She had met Amara and Michelle and had a hard time believing there were three more Sailors. Being around Sailor Scouts was quite strange for her. Before, she always wanted to kill the scouts but now she was siding with them. It took a lot of control to keep from attacking them and Neflite.

When Zoycite was strong enough, Trista showed her how to use the mirror to the outside world. Zoycite then spent most of her time alone, watching Malachite. She knew he missed her badly, just as much as she missed him. Now she understood Neflite and Molly’s relationship. At one point when she and Trista were alone, Trista told her about Crystal Tokyo and who the king and queen would be.

Zoycite was sitting on a sofa that she made when she heard a sound. She looked up from staring at the floor to see Trista.

“Hello, Zoycite,” Trista said, walking towards her.

“Hello,” Zoycite said. “So, do the scouts on Earth know that I’m still alive?”

“Yes, and so does Molly. When Neflite comes up, he’ll be taking you down to Earth. You still have a lot of bitterness towards the scouts and I can understand that. But it is now time for you to leave the flux. ”

“How will you get Malachite?”

“Before we can get Malachite, the scouts have to wear him down.”

“Meaning what exactly?” Zoycite said in frustration.

“Meaning, he has to almost die like you did.” Trista sat down beside Zoycite. “Listen, I know it’s not easy being around the scouts and Neflite. I know it was hard for me to talk to Darien when I met him on the street and not refer to him as ‘your majesty’. It was the first and only time I've met him. Serena, on the other hand, has never even met me. But she will, her future self wants the Outer Sailor Scouts to reveal themselves.”

“When I was dying, at what point did you use your powers to keep me alive?” Zoycite asked, bringing up a new topic.

“When you said your final words to Malachite, I used the Garnet Orb to hold on to your last thread of life. I could only go that far without anyone from the Negaverse, noticing that you were still alive.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Amara said, coming around a darkened corridor. The walls of the flux made it look like it was one big room. The doorways were concealed, and the flux was actually an invisible labyrinth. “But Neflite will be arriving shortly. He’s just entered the park with Molly.”

“Oh, just perfect,” Zoycite said, a little irritated. “Just what I need, to see the girl I captured the other day.”


“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Amara said. “She understands. Being around Molly is just going to take some getting used to. Just as it’s going to take time to get used to us.”

“Amara is right,” Trista said. “Now, there is something you must keep to yourself. So far only you and Neflite know about us. Molly has met me but she doesn’t know who I am. You mustn’t tell the other scouts about us. We will be revealing ourselves, but first we have to make them suspicious. You will also have to work with Neflite.”

Zoycite nodded, not too sure if this was a good idea after all. But what could she do? A Sailor Scout and her rival saved her life. And there was no way back to the Negaverse, since they thought she was dead.

****

Molly and Neflite were taking a walk in the park. Neflite had just picked her up from school and he was explaining why they were going to the park. Neflite was going to teleport to the time flux and bring Zoycite down to Earth. Molly had been angry when he told her that Zoycite was still alive and that Zoycite was going to be hanging around with her, but she understood why.

“Neflite, I have to tell you, I don’t like this. She tried to kill you and she kidnapped me,” Molly said, remembering when she was held captive.

“I know. I want so much to break every bone in her body, but Trista has been ordered to have Zoycite join our side and I have to help. I feel the same way you do. But there isn’t anything we can do about it.” Neflite stopped walking. “Stay here, I’ll be back soon with Zoycite.”

When Neflite disappeared, Molly walked over to the closest tree and sat down to wait. Even though she understood why Neflite was doing this, she didn’t want to believe it was happening. Zoycite had threatened to ruin her life and happiness.

When Molly was being held captive, there was only person she feared more than Zoycite, and that was Zoycite’s lover. She didn’t know much about him. But she knew that Neflite would protect her.

****

When Neflite appeared in the flux, he saw Zoycite talking with Trista. He stood, silently, until Trista waved her hand, allowing him to know she knew of his presence. As he got closer, Zoycite glared at him.

“Trista must have told you by now that we will be working together,” Neflite said. “I hate it just as much as you do, but she did save your life and we were once friends.”

“Neflite,” Trista said. “Zoycite hasn’t regained all her strength. So you will have to help her teleport to the surface.”

Neflite rolled his eyes, “Alright. Come, Molly is waiting for our return.”

Zoycite hesitated before standing, then walked closer to Neflite.

As Neflite was about to teleport with Zoycite, Trista stopped him. “Neflite, before you leave,” Trista said, “I need to tell you, the time flux will now be closed to you. It was only opened for you to keep away from Zoycite. Now that she is here with us, there’s no need for it any more. I will find Zoycite a place to stay.”

“Understood.” Red swirls surrounded Neflite and Zoycite and they disappeared.

When they were gone, Trista turned to Amara and Michelle. “The same goes for us. I will not be staying here either. We’ll go to Earth and stay.”

****

On Earth, Molly stood up when Neflite and Zoycite reappeared. When the swirls were gone, Molly took a step backwards. Before she could back up too far, Neflite went to her side. He placed an arm around her for reassurance.

“Molly, no matter how much Zoycite wants to hurt me, she won’t,” Neflite said. “We are allies now. Come, we’ll take you home and then Zoycite and I will find the Sailor Scouts.”

“All right,” Molly said.

After they started walking towards the entrance to the park, he took one glance back so see that Zoycite was behind him.

“How are we getting there?” Zoycite asked. “Surely you’re not going to teleport us to your girlfriend’s home then to wherever the scouts are. Queen Beryl will know we are alive.”

“That’s right, Zoycite. That is why we aren’t going to teleport. We are going by car.” Neflite looked at Molly and smiled.

Molly was confused at why Neflite smiled. But then it hit her; Zoycite was amusing him.

“What? I’ve never driven in a car,” Zoycite said.

“Well, get used to it,” Neflite said. “There’s the car. Come on,” he said, opening the door for Molly and Zoycite.

****

At the temple, the scouts were having a meeting, Serena was down in the dumps about Darien being kidnapped by the Negaverse and no one was going to say anything to her. They were afraid if they said something that it would hurt her more than she already was. Not even Raye felt like making any wisecracks or criticizing Serena. She had hardly eaten anything since she got back from the tower, and hadn’t had anything to eat all day.

Though Serena looked like she was in another world, everyone knew she was listening. They were talking about ways to get Darien back. It was the only thing that Serena would listen to.

“Before we can get Darien back,” Mina said, “we have to first find out what they want with him."

“We already know the answer,” Neflite said as he came into the room.

The girls whipped around, and Serena looked up. She saw Zoycite standing behind Neflite, still a bit weakened. Serena glared at Zoycite.

Neflite saw the glare. “Serena, glaring isn’t going to bring Darien back any faster.”

“What do you mean you know the answer?” Raye asked.

“Queen Beryl found out that Tuxedo Mask is actually Prince Darien of Earth, so she asked Malachite and me to retrieve him,” Zoycite said. “She wants him to fight on the side of the Negaverse. She always has. She’s actually had an obsession with Prince Darien since the Silver Millennium.”

“Darien would never agree to that,” Serena said. It was the first time since she had spoken since the Starlight tower was destroyed.

“You’re right, Tuxedo Mask would never agree to it,” Zoycite said. "But Beryl will probably brainwash him into doing whatever she wants." She looked at the scouts in their normal forms. She couldn’t believe that these girls, whom she had seen in the city on more than one occasion, were the Sailor Scouts.

“So what do we do now?” Mina, who was sitting next to Serena, asked.

“The only thing we can do,” Neflite said. “Wait.”

“I’m getting real tired of waiting!” Serena snapped. “Darien is in the Negaverse and he will never call me ‘Meatball Head’ again.”

“Meatball Head?” Zoycite questioned. She held back a chuckle at the nickname.

Neflite looked at Mina for the first time, “Are you the new scout Sailor Venus?”

“Yes,” Mina said. “And you must be Neflite. The scouts told me how you survived. I’m quite amazed that you would help the Sailor Scouts, after everything you’ve done to try and kill them.”

“That is something I’ve been wondering,” Zoycite said as she walked into the temple.

“The scouts and Molly pulled out the thorns,” Neflite said. “They saved my life. I owe them. And I love Molly. Oh, and Serena, I do believe it’s time for Molly to know the truth about you, that her best friend is a Sailor Scout. I know she is starting to get suspicious, especially after you hugged her the other night.”

“How do I tell her?” Serena asked. “Go up to her and say ‘Hey Mol, I’m a scout and now Darien is in the Negaverse’. I don’t think that is appropriate.”

“Serena, I’ve had enough of your negative thoughts,” Raye said. She looked Serena straight in the eye. “Ok, so we now know that you and Darien are destined to be together. But until the fight in the tower you and Darien were always throwing insults at each other. We will get Darien back, but we need our leader to be strong.”

Serena looked at Raye and knew she was right. She was the leader of the Sailor Scouts. Just as Neflite and Zoycite had to accept each other as allies, she had to accept what had happened to Darien and be strong to get him back. But she didn’t think she could do it.

Zoycite was quite surprised at how the scouts acted when they were in normal form. ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself’ Zoycite remembered what Amara had said to her about her comment to Molly. Zoycite walked further into the room and stood by Serena. She watched as Serena averted her eyes from Raye to Zoycite.

“Sail…Serena,” Zoycite said. “I understand exactly how you feel. Malachite thinks I’m dead and yet I’m not. As much as I want to kill you, I’m not going to. I’ve agreed to be an ally and help defeat the Negaverse.”

“Zoycite is right,” Amy said. “Neflite is the one who saved her life. Probably the best way to tell Molly is to have a heart to heart talk with her. Neflite would be there for support.”

“You're right, Amy,” Serena said, standing. “Neflite, take me over to Molly’s so I can tell her.” Without even a second glance at her friends, she walked outside.

“What about Zoycite?” Lita asked. She was sitting over by Raye at her little table, keeping a cautious eye on Zoycite.

“She will stay here. Molly isn’t quite comfortable around her. And I understand that none of you are either,” Neflite said. He turned and followed Serena.

****

On the ride over to Molly’s, Serena sat quietly. She had to gather her thoughts about how she was going to tell Molly that she was Sailor Moon and a Princess of the Moon. She knew Neflite would help her, and would help Molly cope with it.

As they got closer to OSAP, Serena started to get nervous. She looked at Neflite with fear in her eyes. “Neflite, what if Molly gets so mad she doesn’t want to be friends anymore?”

“Serena, she could get mad but I don’t think it will end your friendship. You are too important to her. She already knows that you are keeping a secret, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Molly suspects you of being Sailor Moon.”

“I know, but what if she doesn’t suspect?”

“Serena, don’t make more out of this than is necessary. If you want, I can take you to the park, drop you off, and bring Molly there so you to can have a chat.”

“Yeah, that is a good idea,” Serena said. Neflite could still hear the sadness in her voice from losing Darien.

Serena watched as Neflite pulled into a parking lot then turned and headed in the other direction. She soon realized that they were going to the park where Neflite almost died.

“Neflite, do you two come here often?” Serena asked when Neflite parked and turned off the car.

“Oh yes. This is where we go all the time after school, if not to the tennis court or back to her home right away.”

When they got out of the car, Neflite lead Serena to the tree where Neflite and Molly had their first real conversation. When they got to the tree, Neflite said, “Stay here, I’ll be back soon.”

He turned and left Serena at the tree. It didn’t take him long to get back into his car and drive to Molly’s. As he got to OSAP, he could see many people going in and out of the store. He chuckled to himself as he remembered reading in the papers that there was going to be a special sale for a few days. Maybe I’ll buy a gift for Molly after Molly finds out about Serena.

As he got out of the car, he decided to take the back stairs to the apartment. Molly's apartment door was at the top of the stairs. He rang the doorbell and soon Molly answered. She gasped at seeing Neflite. This was an unexpected visit from him and he didn’t usually use the door. She threw her arms around Neflite and hugged him.

“I’m glad to see you too,” he said, pulling Molly’s arms away from around him. “I wish, though, it was to take you out or something. But Serena is waiting in the park for us. She has something to tell you. Something important.”

“I wonder what it is,” she said.

“You’ll see.” Neflite grasped Molly’s hand and led her to the car. When they got to the park, Serena was still where Neflite had left her.

“Hey, Serena,” Molly said coming up to her friend.

Serena turned to see her friend. “Hi, Mol.”

“I’ll leave you two alone for a few minutes,” Neflite said and walked away in the opposite direction. He stood a distance away so he wouldn’t hear them, but could still see them.

“Molly, I have something important to tell you,” Serena started when Neflite was far enough away from them.

“Yeah, Neflite said it was important,” Molly said.

“Well…for starters…” Serena’s thoughts started to jumble.

Molly noticed that Serena was nervous. When Serena was nervous, she would end up talking too fast. “Serena,” Molly said. “Take a minute to calm down so you don't say what you are going to say too fast.”

“Ok.” Serena and Molly were quiet for a few minutes. “Ok, Molly, this is going to be hard for you to understand and accept and I should have told you a long time ago.”

“What is it?”

“There’s no other way to say this, is there?” Serena took a deep breath, closed her eyes and said, slowly, “I’m…I’m Sailor Moon.”

Molly gasped and Serena opened her eyes. When she looked at Molly, Molly had her hand over her mouth.

“You…you are Sailor Moon,” Molly said stunned, slowly removing her hand away from her mouth.

“Yes,” Serena said. “I’m sorry for not telling you…”

“It’s ok, Serena,” Molly rushed on as the news sank in. “I understand.” Molly was still stunned but she knew it was true. That is why Sailor Moon hugged me the other night and why Neflite would always talk to Serena and why I was to go Serena with anything that dealt with Sailor Moon. And she always thought there was something familiar with the hair.

“Y--you do?” Serena was now baffled.

“Well, Sailor Moon, I mean you hugged me the other night, and Neflite always told me to go to you whenever I needed to contact Sailor Moon.” Molly smiled. Serena was at a total loss.

“I…I thought you would be mad at me for not telling the truth sooner,” Serena said.

“What’s to be mad about? You are Sailor Moon. All this time you were protecting me from the Negaverse.”

“Oh, Molly,” Serena smiled in happiness. She wrapped her arms around her friend in a big hug. “But there is something more I need to say.”

“What is it?”

“This will be easier to say. See, not only am I Sailor Moon but I’m also a legendary princess. I’m…I’m the princess of the Moon.”

Molly looked at Serena in shock. “Y--y--you are…a…princess.”

“Yes,” Serena smiled. She hugged her friend again.

Neflite saw Serena hug Molly and knew that they were done talking. He went back over to the girls. When he got closer to the girls, he could see that Molly smiled even more. Now all the secrets are out.

“I told you everything will be fine,” Neflite said to Serena.

“Thanks, Neflite. You have become a true friend to the scouts and Molly,” Serena said. “Let’s get back to the temple. Zoycite is still there, and it’s time to put the past behind us…”

Serena’s smiled faded. This didn’t go unnoticed by Molly. “Serena, what’s wrong?”

“Darien is actually Tuxedo Mask, as well as a prince, and he was captured by the Negaverse,” Neflite answered for Serena.

“Oh Serena, I’m sorry,” Molly said, thinking of how much Serena/Sailor Moon loved Tuxedo Mask. She took her friend back into her arms. Serena started to weep.

Over behind the bushes were the Outer Sailor Scouts. They had watched as Serena told Molly that she was Sailor Moon and a princess. Now they saw the princess cry in her friend’s arms. They were quite surprised that Molly didn’t react angrily about Serena being Sailor Moon.

Trista, Amara and Michelle watched for a few minutes longer, until Neflite and Molly helped Serena back to Neflite’s car and they drove away to the temple. In silent agreement, the Outer Sailor Scouts followed Neflite’s car. They had to reveal themselves soon to the Inner Sailor Scouts.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 11 – Enter Evil Darien

The Outer Sailor Scouts had stayed at the temple when Neflite and Serena left for Molly’s. They were keeping a close eye on Zoycite, making sure she wouldn’t do anything. Trista had made sure that the Inner Sailor Scouts would not find them.

“Trista,” Michelle said. “Why did Serena and Neflite leave earlier?”

“Serena is going to tell Molly the truth about her and the Sailor Scouts,” Trista said. Suddenly Trista felt a surge of power rip through her. She collapsed to the ground.

“Trista!” Amara and Michelle whispered aloud but not loud enough for the scouts inside to hear. They ran over to Trista’s side.

“Are you all right?” Amara asked as she got behind Trista. Amara braced Trista up against her legs.

“I’ll be fine in a minute,” Trista said. “That happens when I get an urgent message from the queen.” Trista looked around. “Quickly, we must get out of here. Serena and Neflite are almost back.”

Amara and Michelle helped Trista to her feet. Trista used the Garnet Orb to make the three women disappear from the deck. They reappeared in the parking lot.

“Amara, can you drive me to the park?” Trista asked. “I have to talk to Neflite.”

“Yeah, sure,” Amara said.

“Good. You guys can go back home until you hear from me.” Trista looked at her fellow scouts as they nodded. The three scouts got in the car and drove away just as a red Ferrari pulled into the parking lot. Trista recognized the car as Neflite’s. She looked at Neflite as he looked at her.

****

Serena and Molly were in the back seat of the car. As Neflite parked the car in the parking lot at the bottom of Cherry Hill Temple, Serena was telling Molly of all the dangers she had to go through and how she got in and out of the house in the middle of the night without being seen. Molly was amazed that that Serena had been through so much.

“Serena, I wish you had told me sooner,” Molly said. “I might have been able to help.”

“Molly, you helped enough,” Serena said. “You taught Neflite how to love.”

“That I have to agree with,” Neflite said as he opened the door to get out and then helped Serena out. After Serena was out, he went over on the other side of the car and helped Molly.

“Molly, remember my friends Raye, Amy and Lita are Sailor Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. Plus now there is a new friend, Sailor Venus. Her name is Mina,” Serena said.

“I understand. It is going to be weird being around most of you guys now, knowing that you are the Sailor Scouts,” Molly said.

Serena turned and started up the steps to the temple. Before Molly could follow, Neflite came up beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. When they got to the top, Serena led them to Raye’s room.

Serena was the first one to enter Raye’s opened door. When she entered, the other scouts looked at her. She paid them no attention as she made her way back to where she sat before. As Serena sat, Molly and Neflite entered.

Molly looked around the room and saw Zoycite standing by where Serena sat. Molly flinched against Neflite. This was going to be difficult for her, being around Zoycite. Neflite placed his other arm around her waist for reassurance.

The scouts were all watching Serena and they didn’t see Molly and Neflite enter. Mina was the first one to notice Molly’s presence.

“Welcome, Molly, to the scout meeting,” Mina said to Molly.

The other scouts turned and looked at Molly, surprised to see her. Raye noticed her discomfort and knew it was because of Zoycite.

“Molly, you may sit over on my bed,” Raye said, getting up off the bed.

“Ok,” Molly said. Still pressed against Neflite, she and Neflite walked over to the bed and sat down. Raye sat down at her table.

“Any new plans since I left?” Neflite asked.

“No,” Zoycite said. “All we’ve been doing is staring at each other.” Zoycite looked at Serena. I sort of know how she feels. I can’t see my love either.

“How about we get some food,” Lita said, standing up from sitting on a cushion on the floor. “It’s almost six and I’m starved. How about I cook up something.”

“Yeah, that would be good,” Raye said. “Why don’t you make one of your famous meals?”

“As long as isn’t chili,” Neflite said.

“What is wrong with my chili?” Lita asked as she placed her hands on her waist.

“Nothing, just that Molly doesn't really care for spicy foods,” Neflite said.

“All right then,” Lita said. “How about chicken?”

“Yeah,” Mina said. “I like chicken.” She looked at her leader with sadness. I hope eating will help Serena feel better.

“Ok. Amy, how about you help me prepare super,” Lita suggested.

“Sure, Lita. I like to cook when I’m not reading,” Amy said. Lita and Amy left for the kitchen and Raye’s room wasn't as crowded any more.

Neflite looked at Molly and whispered in her ear, “Molly, I have to leave again. Trista wishes to speak with me. Please don’t tell the scouts about Trista.”

“Ok,” she whispered back. “But what about…her?” It was obvious that she meant Zoycite.

“She’ll do nothing. Trista was the one who brought her back.”

Neflite removed his arms from around Molly and stood. “I have a couple things I need to do before supper is ready. I’ll be back for supper, though.”

“Hmmm…ok,” Raye said. “Is Molly going with you?”

“No, she can stay here,” he said. He started to walk out. “When will supper be ready?”

“In about an hour,” Luna said. She was curled up beside Artemis on a cushion beside Mina. She kept a close eye on Zoycite.

“I’ll be back by then,” Neflite said as he turned the corner outside Raye’s room.

When Raye knew he was gone she said, “I wonder what he had to do.”

“Don’t worry,” Molly said. “He’s just got some errands.” Molly looked up at Zoycite. She realized Zoycite had been watching her when Neflite stood and left.

As they stared at each other it dawned on Zoycite where Neflite went. Of course, she thought. He went to see Trista, that Sailor Scout of time.

Molly snapped her eyes away before anyone noticed she was staring at Zoycite. She hoped Neflite wouldn’t be long talking to Trista.

****

Neflite got to his car and drove off to where he and Trista usually met on Earth, McKenna Park. He had received a mental message from Trista, when Molly sat down on Raye’s bed, to meet him in the park. He wondered what Trista wanted to talk to him about.

It didn’t take him long to get to the park, though he had to go across town. But the streets weren’t busy and he sped through the city. When he got to the park, Trista was waiting for him in the parking lot.

Neflite got out of the car and walked over to Trista. “You asked me to come here?”

“Yes,” Trista said. “I’m assuming you saw us leave the temple. Tell me what Molly’s reaction was when she learned Serena is Sailor Moon.”

“She was a bit shocked but understood why Serena never told her before,” Neflite said. He was getting really curious as to why Trista asked him here.

Trista looked at Neflite and could see that he wanted to know why he was here. “The queen has just informed me that Molly isn’t out of danger yet.”

“What?” Neflite gasped, as he clenched his fists.

“Molly isn’t in any danger from Zoycite, but she is in danger. The queen didn’t go into detail about what she meant by it.”

“How can you talk to the queen without going to the future?” Neflite asked unclenching his fists.

“She sends me mind messages,” Trista said. “There is something that both the king and queen know and they are not telling me. I'm worried that it's something to do with Darien. I had no idea that Darien would be captured and taken to the Negaverse.”

“Maybe if you knew everything that was going to happen, the future may not come to be,” Neflite said. “Does the queen have any idea why Molly would still be endangered?”

“I believe she knows why, but I also believe it could be Malachite. He did try and threaten Molly.”

“I’m still trying to find out what he said to her,” he said. “Molly won’t tell me. She says it was too frightening for her.”

“I don’t know what he said but I have an idea.”

“What do you think he said?” Neflite asked.

“Neflite, think about it. Malachite is a man and she is a young woman.”

“He wouldn’t dare,” Neflite hissed as he clenched his fists again.

“I don’t think he would,” Trista said. “But he would make threats that he would. That is one way to ruin a girl’s life. Make threats about sex and rape to a girl, and now the girl is afraid. But the Sailor Scouts showed up and Malachite couldn’t continue his threats that he obviously wouldn’t carry out.”

“Why do you say he wouldn’t stoop that low?” Neflite growled.

“I don’t think Zoycite would be impressed that her lover slept with her enemy’s girl. Zoycite would rip him to pieces.”

“Good point,” Neflite said, but his anger was still clearly visible. “But why would Malachite still be after Molly?”

“Simple, to finish the job that Zoycite started. There is one way to find out what Malachite said. Ask Zoycite.” Trista turned away for a moment. “Also, Queen Serenity wants me to have your help in revealing us.”

“That is the other reason why you asked for me,” Neflite commented to himself. “I was starting to wonder how you were going to reveal yourselves. How about we continue talking about this another day. I have to get back to the temple. Lita is cooking supper.”

“One of these days I have to try her cooking,” Trista said.

“Don’t you get to try her cooking in the future?” Neflite chuckled.

“Yes, but I haven’t in a while,” Trista chuckled backed. “You’re right. It is getting late. Before you head back to the temple, can you give me a lift to Amara’s apartment? I’m going to stay with her.”

“Speaking of places to stay, where will Zoycite stay?” Neflite asked as they started towards the car.

“What about the mansion you created?” Trista asked. “I know it’s still as you left it. Maybe the two of you could stay there and try to work out your differences.”

“I could try, but I don’t really want to share my home with my rival,” Neflite said as he got to the passenger side to help Trista in the car.

“Well, Neflite, you can’t class her as your rival anymore,” Trista said.

“I know, but…” Neflite said, at a loss for words. He shut Trista’s door and went to his side of the car and got in. He started the car and drove away.

“Neflite, she won’t do anything,” Trista said. The rest of the trip to Amara’s apartment was quiet.

****

Queen Beryl sat on her throne, waiting for Prince Darien to enter the room. She had Tuxedo Mask placed in a brainwashing machine and had waited to hear when it was done. It had taken a couple days to completely brainwash Tuxedo Mask and give him new memories and a new name, Prince Darien, his name from the Moon. As she waited, she asked for Malachite to be present.

Malachite was not happy about having to go to the throne room, especially when he found out that Tuxedo Mask would be joining him soon. He had to hide his disgusted look from his queen. He needed to find a way to get his revenge on her without her knowing what he was planning.

When Malachite heard a click of boots behind him, he turned to see Tuxedo Mask, dressed as his old self, Prince Darien. When he stopped walking, he was right beside Malachite, which Malachitedidn’t like.

“Welcome, Prince Darien,” Queen Beryl said as she watched him bow to her. “There is much work to be done. You two are to get the Imperium Silver Crystal back from Princess Serena.”

“Yes, my queen,” Prince Darien and Malachite said.

“If you need help, Malachite, Prince Darien will assist you.” Beryl looked at Malachite, who was slightly shocked. Malachite’s reactions were amusing her.

“I won’t need any assistance, your majesty,” Malachite said. “I work well alone.”

“What do you have planned, Malachite?” Beryl asked, ignoring his comment.

“I’m going to trick Sailor Moon. The plan is almost ready to go into action,” Malachite lied to his queen. He hadn’t even thought of a plan yet but he had his youma doing his planning for him.

“Good, you may proceed,” Beryl said.

Malachite bowed and without even a second glance at the queen, he teleported back to his castle. As he stood in his castle, he allowed his stern and confident face be replaced by anger and sadness. There was no one to share his castle with now.

“Minto!” Malachite called. He was calling one of his youmas. After the Star Light Tower crumbled, Malachite had Minto scour the area to see if there was any way to trick the scouts.

“Yes, my lord.” Malachite heard a hiss. He looked down on the floor to see a snake slither to his feet. But soon the snake turned into a humanoid.

“What have you found?” Malachite demanded.

“I found this lock of hair,” Minto said showing her master the hair. “It’s too golden to be anyone else’s but Sailor Moon’s.”

“Excellent!” Malachite said, snatching the lock of hair. “I will lure Sailor Moon into a trap by using her hair. I will use that new beauty salon as bait. You have done well, Minto,” he laughed.

“Thank you, my lord,” Minto said. She turned back into a snake and slithered away.

****

After supper at the temple, the girls decided to head for home. It was getting late and they had school the next day. Molly reluctantly went with the girls. She wanted to stay with Neflite but he insisted that she go with the girls.

When the girls were gone, Raye started to clear away the empty plates and Neflite decided to help her. While Raye and Neflite straightened up the room, Zoycite sat on the floor wondering what her life was going to be like. She had to admit that she had a pretty good evening with the Sailor Scouts.

“What are you thinking about?” Raye asked Zoycite.

Zoycite turned her head to see the scout of fire sitting beside her. “That…” Zoycite looked at Neflite and realized that Raye was just being concerned. “I was thinking about my life.”

“Oh. I guess it will be different for you now. Though I noticed you had a lot of fun tonight,” Raye said.

“Yeah, I did. I never knew you scouts would have any enjoyment, especially when you fight all the time,” Zoycite said.

“Well, we can’t stop living our lives just because we have to save the world,” Raye said. “Well, I think it’s time for the two of you to leave.” Raye was now addressing to both ex-generals. “I have school tomorrow.”

“Ok,” Neflite said. “Zoycite, let’s go.”

Zoycite glared at Neflite for ordering her. She stood anyway and went with Neflite. The two generals walked in silence to Neflite’s car.

When they reached the car, Zoycite spoke. “Why did you command me?” she snapped.

“Zoycite,” Neflite sighed. “The scouts don’t know of Trista and I have needed to tell you that she wants both of us to stay at my mansion.”

“What? The mansion? Surely the Negaverse would catch us there,” Zoycite said.

“Not necessarily. Besides you, only two of my youma knew of the place. But now only you know about it. My youma were destroyed when you told Beryl I was dead.”

“How do you know that?” Zoycite looked at Neflite very suspiciously.

“I used the window from the time flux to the outside world. That is how the scouts were able to foil all your plans and how I was able to find Molly.”

“So you are the one who pretty much killed me. I failed the queen because of you telling the scouts,” Zoycite snapped. Though Zoycite had no powers to use, she was ready to strike at Neflite anyway.

“Both of you, enough!” The two ex-generals turned to see Trista standing behind them.

“Trista, I thought you were at Amara’s,” Neflite said.

“I was. But I felt a disturbance and had Amara drive me over. She is over there in her car.” Trista pointed behind her. “Zoycite, you say that it was Neflite’s fault that Beryl tried to kill you. But you can't really blame him. He had agreed to help the scouts. And he is not the only one to blame. Myself, Amara and Michelle also spied on you and the Negaverse.”

Zoycite stared at Trista in disbelief.

“I’m starting to get tired of your selfishness towards Neflite, Zoycite, and I want it to stop,” Trista said. “We need you to help defeat the Negaforce and you are the only who will be able to bring Malachite over to our side.

“Zoycite, I’m about to tell you something that you are not going to like.” Trista walked over and leaned against Neflite’s car. “Before I came to the past, you and Neflite were already dead. No matter if Neflite helped the scouts or not, they still would have beaten you. That was actually the original past.

“But Queen Serenity, also known as Sailor Moon in this time, always regretted that Neflite died. She asked me to change the past but only to the point of defeating the Negaforce. I had warned the queen that it would change the future but she didn’t care.

“As I kept Neflite alive, the future started changing and Queen Serenity was able to feel herself dying. She found out that in the past the Negaforce was able to destroy the scouts so now she wants the Outer Sailor Scouts to be revealed earlier than expected.”

Both Neflite and Zoycite were stunned to hear that the original future didn’t have them in it.

“Without your interference Zoycite would have died anyway,” Neflite said to himself out loud.

“Not to mention, you would be dead too,” Zoycite said to Neflite.

“Yes,” Trista said. “Zoycite, the queen needs your cooperation. Please, until you get your powers back and understand the scouts, just go along with Neflite.”

Zoycite didn’t know why, but she understood what Trista was saying and nodded. “All right.”

“Good. Now please stay at the mansion. It’s the safest place for both of you. When this is all over, you may live your life the way you want to.” Trista turned and left for Amara’s car.

Neflite heard Amara start the engine when Trista got near. He watched Trista get in the car and Amara drive away. Neflite turned to Zoycite to see her watching the car pull away.

Zoycite knew Neflite was looking at her. “Where do I start?” she said softly.

“What?” Neflite asked.

“From what Trista is saying, I have to be the first one to make peace with the scouts. Where do I start?”

“With Serena. She seems to be the one who understands and will give a helping hand.”

Zoycite turned to Neflite. “She’s in so much pain now. I don’t think I should start with her.”

“All the more reason to start with her. She is the leader of the scouts and she has a soft heart. You both are going through the same thing. Pain.” Neflite turned and opened the car door.

Zoycite walked over to the other side of the car and got in.

****

After school the next day, Mina went over to Serena’s home. She knew her leader was not in the best of moods. During her visit, Mina took out Serena’s meatballs and brushed her hair. Serena thought it was nice and soothing.

Mina told Serena about a new hair salon that had just opened up and thought it would be a great idea to go and check it out. Serena thought that was a good idea.

While they were at the salon, Mina had noticed something fishy about the place. Her suspicious were confirmed when she was attacked sitting in one of the dryer chairs. Serena, at the time, was getting her hair washed when suddenly the barber stopped washing her hair and attacked Mina.

Serena soon found out that the barber was actually a youma. Serena crawled into another room, avoiding the youma attacking Mina, who was still in human form. She had to transform into Sailor Moon, and quick, but she couldn’t do it right in the main part of the shop. There were still people in the shop, but they were quickly losing consciousness.

When Serena, transformed, appeared back in the room, the youma realized her mistake. She and her barber minions were now attacking Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon managed to get outside just in time to see all the barber girls transform into one youma.

All too soon, Sailor Moon was about to be history. She closed her eyes, ready to die, but suddenly she was flying in someone’s arms. She opened her eyes to see Tuxedo Mask. When Tuxedo Mask let her go, he demanded the Imperium Silver Crystal from her.

Sailor Moon was shocked that Tuxedo Mask didn’t even remember her. When she got over her shock, her Sailor friends finally showed up and attacked the youma. Sailor Moon used her Crescent Moon and turned the youma back into the hairdressers.

When the women were back to normal, Sailor Moon was about to say something to Tuxedo Mask but he disappeared before she could say anything.

“Sailor Moon, are you ok?” Sailor Venus asked.

“Yes,” Sailor Moon said in a distant tone. “What is wrong with Tuxedo Mask?”

“He’s been brainwashed.” The Sailor Scouts turned to see Zoycite show up. “Sailor Moon, he doesn’t even remember you, or even being Tuxedo Mask who always helped you.”

“Then why did he save me from the youma?” Sailor Moon asked. She noticed that Zoycite was talking to her in a tender voice. She looked behind Zoycite and saw Neflite and Molly show up.

Neflite went over to the other scouts and said something to them. Sailor Moon was puzzled about what he could have said. She watched her friends leave the scene. Now it was just her and Zoycite.

“Let’s go somewhere and talk. Malachite could show up,” Zoycite said.

Sailor Moon was a little baffled, but she complied. She walked beside Zoycite to an alleyway in silence. At first she was asking herself why Zoycite brought her to an alleyway halfway down the alley. Then it hit her – Zoycite had brought her to the alleyway so she could transform from Sailor Moon back to Serena.

When Serena was back to normal, Zoycite continued walking. Serena soon found out that Zoycite was heading to a park. When they got to the park, Zoycite sat on a bench. Serena sat beside her.

Zoycite was the first to speak. “Serena, I know how you feel. You lost a love and so did I.”

“Yes, I understand that,” Serena said. “But you actually lost more than me. I just found out that Darien is still well, but he just can’t remember me. You can’t even see your love because he thinks you are dead.”

“You are right on that one.”

For a few minutes Serena and Zoycite sat quietly.

“I never knew you girls did other things beside foil our plans,” Zoycite said to end the silence. “And I actually had fun last night. Especially when your friends started the pillow fight.”

“It can be fun when we are at the temple. But most of the time, Raye and I are always arguing. We argue about almost anything. When we fought you, Raye wanted to be leader. I can’t really blame her but now that I’m actually the Moon Princess that has all changed.”

“Which one is Raye?”

Serena chuckled. “Raye is the one with black hair.”

“Oh,” Zoycite said. At first she was puzzled as to why Serena was chuckling but soon Zoycite was also laughing.

“Zoycite, can I ask you a question?” Serena asked.

“Sure.”

“You may not be able to answer this, but do you think we’ll get Darien back?” Serena asked, looking Zoycite in the eyes.

For a moment Zoycite stared into Serena’s big blue eyes. “I’m sure we’ll get him back. Neflite and I are going to bring Malachite over.”

“Really?” Serena said, shocked.

“Yes. You girls have a huge battle ahead of you and you need all the help you can get to beat the Negaverse.”

“Thank you, Zoycite,” Serena said. “Even though just a few days ago you were our enemy, you are a nice person. The scouts are going to have a hard time accepting you. It was easier to accept Neflite, since his heart was starting to become good.”

“Yes, I know. But with your help, I will be able to accept myself as part of your group.”

“Let’s get going. I haven’t eaten much and I’m starved,” Serena said, smiling. She stood up from the bench and started to walk to the entrance of the park.

Zoycite wasn’t long in following her. Before Zoycite caught up to Serena, she glanced over by a tree and saw Trista and her gang.

****

“Zoycite saw us,” Amara said. Amara, Michelle and Trista were casually standing around a tree that was close to where Zoycite and Serena sat. They weren’t close enough to hear them, but they were watching the two as they talked.

“That doesn’t matter,” Trista said. “What matters is that Serena trusts Zoycite now. Zoycite will now have an easier time accepting and being accepted into the group.”

“Have you spoken to Neflite yet about how he is going to reveal us?” Michelle asked.

“I spoke with him earlier when he was waiting for Molly. He hasn’t thought of anything yet, but I know he will soon. When he’s not with Molly, he’s thinking of a way to reveal us.”

“I can’t believe how different Tuxedo Mask is now,” Amara said. “But he saved Sailor Moon.”

“Though he has been brainwashed, his heart will always belong to her,” Trista said. “His inner self knows to protect Sailor Moon from harm. He doesn’t even know why he did it. And he’ll probably do it again.”

****

In the future, the king and queen watched their past. Trista had no idea how right she was about Tuxedo Mask in saving Sailor Moon again. The king and queen looked at each other and smiled.

They knew Trista, Sailor Pluto, would protect their younger selves. And now she had help. Neflite and Zoycite were now on the good side. The queen had accomplished her task; she had saved Neflite’s life and in the process convinced Zoycite that the scouts were not bad.

Even though Zoycite was now with the scouts, the king still wasn’t sure if the future was now out of danger. There was still the chance that the Negaforce would be too powerful even with all three ex-generals to help the scouts fight. He hoped his queen had done the right thing in having Neflite brought back to life.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 12 – Scouts Learn of the Other Scouts

When Neflite and Zoycite arrived at the mansion from Raye’s temple, Neflite took a walk on the grounds, around the mansion. He had been trying to think of way to reveal the Outer Sailor Scouts. The longer he thought about it, the harder it was to come up with a plan. After thinking for a long time without having any ideas, he changed his thoughts to his beautiful redhead, Molly. Molly was the love of his life. She was the one who helped him to become a good man.

Neflite’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard a noise coming from up ahead of him. He cautiously stepped up to a huge tree, where the sound was coming from. Behind the tree, Neflite could see something white.

“Neflite, please stay where you are,” came a woman’s voice from behind the tree.

“Who are you? And how do you know my name?” Neflite snapped.

The woman stepped out from behind the tree. “I am Queen Serenity from the future.”

Neflite stood, barely breathing, when the woman announced her name and stepped away from the tree. His eyes searched her face. “S…Sailor Moon…” Neflite stumbled.

“Please, that is not my name anymore. I decided it was time for you to meet me.”

Neflite stood silent, not sure what to do. He was face to face with Trista’s queen and she was beautiful. Neflite was astonished how beautiful Serena would become.

“I cannot stay long, but I want you and Zoycite to have access to the Time Flux to be able to spy on the Negaverse and help my younger self and my friends to stop them. The entrance to the flux will be in the room where you consulted with the stars when you were a Negaverse warrior.”

“How do you know about that room?” Neflite finally said.

“That, for now, must remain a secret. Please, Neflite, the future hangs in the balance. I must go now before I’m missed. Please only speak of my presence to Zoycite and the Outer Sailor Scouts. Serena mustn’t know of the future.”

Queen Serenity turned and a portal opened up. Through the portal, Neflite saw a city that looked like it was made of crystal or something resembling crystal. Neflite stood for a while longer after Serenity left before going inside the mansion to tell Zoycite about the queen.

****

A few days after Queen Serenity’s visit, Neflite and Zoycite were sitting in the mansion, waiting for the Outer Sailor Scouts to show up. Neflite had finally thought of a plan to reveal the scouts. As they waited, Zoycite was getting impatient. She always hated waiting. But she had learned by now how important it was to wait and be patient.

Just to amuse herself, Zoycite thought about how easily the Sailor Scout leader, Serena, had forgiven her.

Neflite looked over at Zoycite and saw the bemused look on her face. “Zoycite, what is so amusing?”

“Huh?” Zoycite looked over at Neflite. “Just how easy it was to gain Sailor Moon’s trust. Do you know, that could be her undoing.”

“You're right, she does trust too easily. She had a crush on Jedite whenever Jedite was collecting energy.”


“Yes, but Jedite didn’t even know who she was.”

“I remember one of Jedite’s fights, the one with the cruise ship. Anyway, he had mentioned that this one girl who hung over him like a wet blanket seemed familiar. When he saw Sailor Moon, he knew who the girl was.”

“That may be true, but Sailor Moon used that disguise weapon of hers to look like that when she was on the cruise ship,” Zoycite said.

The two ex-generals were so immersed in their conversation that they didn’t hear a car pull up to the house and three women get out and enter the mansion. The three women looked at the two ex-minions of the Negaverse and were quite surprised that they were actually been getting along.

Zoycite heard a soft feminine chuckle and turned to the sound. “Hello.”

“Hello, Zoycite,” Trista said, “and Neflite. What were you two talking about? I’d have to say this the first conversation I've seen where the two of you weren't at each other's throats.”

“We're talking about how Serena is always so trusting,” Neflite said. “Zoycite was saying how Serena’s enemies could pull the wool over her eyes, if they knew who she was.”

“Yes, Serena can be too trusting,” Trista said.

“Nice place,” Amara said. She was looking at the nice leather furniture Neflite had around the big room. “Hard to believe you actually would stay here when you fought the scouts.”

“Neflite, didn’t you bring Molly here once?” Michelle asked.

“Yes, I did.”

“How long ago was that?” Trista asked. She sat beside Neflite on the sofa. She looked to her other scouts as they sat in the love seat.

“Molly was here before you came to the past,” Neflite said.

“I came to the past the evening you were supposed to die. I gave Mercury the idea of pulling out the thorns, through telepathy,” Trista said.

Neflite gasped. He was surprised that it wasn’t Mercury who came up with the idea of the pulling the thorns out.

“So, Zoycite, are you able to use your powers yet?” Amara asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even tried,” Zoycite said.

“Zoycite, some of your powers should have returned by now, but only the simple ones,” Trista said. “You will probably be able to float and teleport, and perform some of the easiest tricks that you know. I strongly suggest you not try to teleport yet, because the Negaverse might find you.”

“What do you mean, easiest tricks?” Zoycite asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“The ones we were first taught,” Neflite said. “Magician tricks.”

“I hated doing them,” Zoycite grumbled. “But you say I should be able to levitate.” Zoycite concentrated and lifted herself up. When she was a good distance up, she placed herself in a sitting position and crossed her legs. “Much better.”

“Did she always used to do that?” Trista asked Neflite after watching Zoycite float a few minutes.

“Always. It’s one of her most annoying traits besides her laugh,” he said.

“We really don’t have time to waste,” Amara said.

“Amara’s right,” Trista said. “What is it you wanted us here for?”

Neflite stood up, motioning for Zoycite to come back down. Zoycite floated back down into the chair she had been sitting in.

“I have an idea about how to reveal you three to the scouts,” Neflite continued when Zoycite was back in her chair. “Queen Serenity, from the future, opened the portal to the time flux and Zoycite has been spying on the Negaverse. We are able to see Malachite’s next plan to trick the scouts.”

“How is Zoycite able to get to the flux?” Trista asked.

“The queen has created an opening here at the mansion,” Neflite said. “When the scouts are lured into the first part of Malachite’s trap, you three go too. Then, when the scouts realize that it’s just another trap, they will fight Malachite’s latest youma.

“You guys will need to stay in the shadows, in your Sailor forms. The scouts will need to fight Malachite themselves. When the fight is over, allow yourselves to be seen by the scouts while still staying in the shadows.”

“Like you were doing the time I found out Neflite was still alive,” Zoycite said. “Trista, you had used your Garnet Orb to knock me down. I thought you were Sailor Venus.”

“Do that a few times," Neflite continued. "Just to get the scouts wondering. Then, finally reveal yourselves when you know that Malachite won’t be returning.

“That would work,” Michelle said. “And it will still give us the element of surprise against the Negaverse.”

“What is Malachite’s next plan?” Amara asked.

“He’s planning on using two ice skaters for his next trap,” Zoycite said. “I believe he already has them under his control.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road,” Amara said. “When Trista contacted us, we were over at the temple, watching Raye. She got a call from Serena to meet her at the skating rink.”

“Let’s go!” Neflite said.

****

Neflite, Zoycite and the Outer Sailor Scouts got to the rink just in time to see Sailor Moon heal Malachite’s latest victims.

Just as Neflite had suggested, the Outer Sailor Scouts transformed and stood in a darkened corridor inside the arena, waiting for the scouts to notice them. In the meantime, Neflite and Zoycite went to help the scouts off the ice.

“Where were you guys?” Mars snapped when she saw the ex-generals come onto the ice.

“Trying to come up with a plan to rescue Tuxedo Mask,” Zoycite said as she helped Sailor Moon.

Neflite went over to help Jupiter. She seemed like she was in pain. When Neflite got to her, he realized that she had been hurt in the fight before she transformed.

When Sailor Moon got off the ice, she heard a distant sound. She looked up to one of the shadowed corridors leading out to the lobby of the arena and saw three people.

“Scouts, look!” Sailor Moon shouted. She pointed to where she was looking. The other four scouts, Neflite and Zoycite looked up.

“It looks like three girls,” Mercury said. “Wearing sailor outfits.”

As the scouts looked, Neflite and Zoycite gave each other a quick glance of approval that the plan worked. The two generals looked back up again to see that the three girls were gone.

“They vanished,” Venus said.

“How is that possible?” Sailor Moon said. She took a step forward and almost fell on the ice. Zoycite grabbed her arm before she fell.

“The first thing I think you scouts should do is get the hell out of here,” Zoycite said.

“Good idea,” Jupiter said. With help of the ex-generals, the scouts made their way out of the arena.

The Outer Sailor Scouts sat up in the rafters. When they were spotted, as part of the plan, Pluto had used the Garnet Orb to transport them up to the rafters, above the scouts.

“Well, Neflite’s plan worked,” Neptune said.

“Yes, now the scouts will suspect the possibility that there are more scouts,” Uranus said.

“Come on, let’s get out of here before we are seen by workers,” Pluto said. She swung her Garnet Orb and the three girls were gone.

****

After Neflite and Zoycite had the scouts out of the arena, Zoycite stayed with the scouts as Neflite went off on his own for a while. He wanted to be alone.

As he drove around the city, he passed OSAP. He remembered that Mrs. Baker was having a sale and he decided to take a look and buy something for Molly.

In the store, Mrs. Baker was getting ready to close up for the evening when she heard a sound coming from behind her. She turned to see Neflite. “Hello, Mr. Stanton,” Mrs. Baker said. “Come to see what’s on sale?”

“Actually, yes,” he said. “I would like to get Molly something.”

“Speaking of Molly, she’s upstairs if you want to see her.”

“Maybe I will after I buy something for her.”

“I’m about to close up for the evening but you may stay and pick something out for Molly,” Mrs. Baker said.

“Thanks,” Neflite said. He turned and started looking at all the jewelry. Mrs. Baker went to lock the doors to the store. Neflite couldn’t believe how beautiful the jewelry was. Then it hit him; he didn’t know what Molly liked in jewelry.

“Mrs. Baker, may I ask you a question,” Neflite said, turning back to Mrs. Baker. She was still over by the doors.

“Sure, what is it?”

“I have no idea what Molly would like. Do you know what she likes?”

“I’m not sure. All I know is that she loves all the jewelry here,” Mrs. Baker said as she walked over to Neflite. “I’ve noticed, though, that she’s had her eyes on a nice earring and necklace set. Let me see if I can find it.”

Mrs. Baker walked over to the area where all the jewelry sets were and started looking over the earring and necklace sets. For a few minutes she looked at them, trying to remember which one Molly really liked. As she looked, Neflite came over beside her.

“Ah, here it is.” Mrs. Baker went over and grabbed her keys from the counter by the cash register and went back over to unlock the window to the case with the jewelry set Molly liked. She picked up the setand placed it on top of the table for Neflite to take a look at.

He was amazed at the beauty of the jewelry. The earrings were nice dangly pair. The tops were a small aquamarine stud. Attached to the stones were small gold chains and at the bottom was a larger aquamarine. The necklace was a long gold chain with a large oval aquamarine flanked with two smaller ones.

“This is perfect, I’ll take it,” he said.

“I had the feeling you would.” Mrs. Baker took the set and placed it into a black velvet box, which she then put in a regular blue box. “Here you go. I know she’ll like it. May I ask when you are going to give it to her?”

“When I go upstairs,” he said. “I'll go right now.”

“Ok,” Mrs. Baker said. As she watched him leave out the back door, she knew she could trust him completely. Whenever he was around, she only felt good things about him.

****

Neflite made his way up the back stairs of the apartment and rang the doorbell. Molly said, "Come in, the door is open." He took the invitation and walked in. When he entered, Molly was sitting on the sofa watching a TV program.

Molly turned to see her love standing in the doorway. “Neflite!” Molly jumped off the sofa and ran to him. When she was in Neflite’s arms, they hugged for a few minutes then he set her back on her feet. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you much since Zoycite joined the scouts.”

“Trying to come up with a plan to defeat the Negaverse.”

Neflite placed both of his palms on her checks and gave her a rain of kisses all over her face before settling on her lips.

Molly wrapped her arms around his neck and he put his arms around her waist and lifted her up again to kiss her. The kiss was messy and full of love.

All to soon, his lips moved away from hers and he set her back down on her feet.

“Wow,” Molly breathed. “Where did that come from?”

“Just wanted to tell you that I missed you, and I want to give you this,” he said. He handed her the box he just bought downstairs.

“For me?” Molly couldn’t wait to see what it was. She opened the box to reveal a black velvet case. She opened the case to see the jewelry.

“Neflite,” she gasped.

“I bought it downstairs,” he said watching her surprised look.

“It’s beautiful.” For a few minutes, she looked at the jewelry and realized that this was what she wanted. “Mother helped you, didn’t she?”

“Actually yes,” he said. “I heard from Serena that there is a dance this Friday night, another theme dance. How about you wear the jewelry to the dance.”

“You bet,” she said excitedly.

“Good,” he said. “I hate to say it, but I have to go now. I’ll take you out for lunch tomorrow.”

“Ok.”

Neflite kissed her one more time before leaving.

****

The next few times the scouts fought Malachite, they saw three women, in the shadows, at the end of every fight. They were getting very suspicious that either there were more scouts, or that a trap was being set for them. They were starting to argue about which of those it might be, but by now, even Sailor Mercury, who thought at first the three women were scouts, was starting to think it was a trap.

On a cold winter day, the scouts had just finished another battle, this time in an amusement park. Prince Darien was after Greg, the third Rainbow Crystal Carrier. When the scouts showed up, Malachite appeared. He had been watching Prince Darien. At the end of the fight when Malachite retreated, Sailor Moon was able to heal Prince Darien, but after she brought back his memories, the Negaverse took him back.

Over in the shadows by one of the rides stood the Outer Sailors.

“Pluto, I think it’s time to reveal ourselves,” Neptune said.

“Neptune’s right,” Uranus agreed. “Soon the Negaverse will be too strong for the scouts.”

“You're right,” Pluto said. “Let’s go.”

The three Sailor Scouts left their hidden spot. As they neared the Inner Sailor Scouts, they could hear Sailor Moon whining,“I thought we had Tuxedo Mask back.”

“Sailor Moon, whining isn’t going to bring Darien back,” Mars snapped.

“Buzz off Mars,” Sailor Moon snapped back. “I healed Tuxedo Mask.”

“That may be true.” The Inner Sailor Scouts jumped at the sound of the voice. They turned to see three more Sailors come up to them.

“What the…” Sailor Moon jumped in surprise.

“Don’t be alarmed,” Pluto said. “I am Sailor Pluto, Gate Keeper of Time. These are my friends Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune.”

The five girls gasped.

“Neflite and Zoycite know of our existence,” Pluto continued. “In fact, I was the one who helped Zoycite live.”

“I know it’s hard for you scouts to understand,” Uranus said. “But we are on the same side.”

“Because Neflite and Zoycite lived when they should have died, the Negaforce has grown in strength. We weren’t supposed to reveal ourselves until much later. You wouldn't be able to defeat the Negaverse if we waited any longer. That is why we are here.”

“I get it now,” Mercury said.

“Well, I don’t,” Sailor Moon said.

“Sailor Moon, we’ve been seeing these three scouts for the past few weeks, in the shadows,” Mercury said. “I remember Neflite saying that soon we will have help defeating the Negaverse.”

“And here’s the help,” Jupiter said.

“Wicked cool,” Venus said. “The Negaverse doesn’t even know about you three so that gives us an advantage.”

“Yes, Sailor Venus, that is correct,” Pluto said. “I must warn you, though, I’m not really from this place.”

“What do you mean?” Mars asked.

“I’m from the future,” Pluto said.

“The future!” the scouts said at once.

“Yes,” Pluto said. “Uranus, Neptune and myself will explain more about ourselves later. But right now, we'd better leave. I have a strong negative feeling about this place. We shouldn't stay much longer.”

“O…ok…” Sailor Moon said. The eight Sailor Scouts left the amusement park and headed to the temple.

In a time window, the king and queen watched as queen’s past self found out that there were three more Sailors. The queen was quite pleased that the Outer Sailors decided to reveal themselves. Now it was going to be easier for the scouts to defeat the Negaverse.

There was still one more matter to worry about. Malachite. Neflite and Zoycite still had to bring him over. But the queen wasn’t too worried about that. She knew that soon Malachite would die and then Pluto would keep Malachite in the living world and so Zoycite could convince him to join the scouts.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 13 – Zoycite Lives

After the Outer Sailor Scouts revealed themselves, the eight scouts went to the temple and transformed back to normal form. They were now sitting around outside, since it was too crowded in Raye’s room, as Trista told the Inner Scouts about her and the Outer Sailors.

“So you see,” Trista said. “You scouts weren’t supposed to meet us, but when I helped to keep Neflite alive, the Negaforce became stronger, which led us into having to reveal ourselves.”

“Yeah, you’ve said that once already,” Raye said impatiently. “So what do we do now?”

“We all help Zoycite convince Malachite to join our side,” Amara said.

“Are you crazy?” Lita said. “Malachite almost killed us this evening.”

“That may be so,” Trista continued. “But when Malachite learns that Zoycite is alive, I know he won’t tell Beryl about her. By the way, just so you'll know, Beryl killed Zoycite, and on Zoycite’s last breath, I intervened to keep her alive.”

“You kept her alive!” Serena burst out. “I thought it was Neflite.”

“Neflite led you to believe that he did it all by himself,” Trista said. “But he had no choice. He couldn’t tell anyone about me. However, Molly has met me but she doesn’t know who I am.”

“How did Molly meet you?” Serena asked.

“It was the day Molly was kidnapped by the Negaverse,” Trista answered. “In fact, it was minutes after we met that the girls from your school captured her.”

“Have those girls given Molly any more trouble?” Amara asked, amused.

“Actually, no,” Serena said. “Whenever the girls see Neflite they quickly walk past us and head the down the street, without saying a word.”

“That still puzzles me,” Amy said. “Why are they now so scared of Neflite?”

“They saw Neflite teleport,” Michelle answered. “I would be scared too if it was the first time I saw someone disappear without a magician’s box.”

“I’m having a hard time believing this. Let me see if I've got this straight,” Lita said shaking her head. “You, Trista, are from the future and you helped Neflite to stay alive and there’s more Sailor Scouts. This is getting weird.”

“Yes, Lita,” Trista said. “Well, we better go.”

“If any of you girls would like a ride home, I can fit two more in my car,” Amara said.

“Ah…sure,” Serena said.

“Serena!” Raye snapped.

“Raye, they are scouts and they even said that Zoycite and Neflite know them,” Serena said.

“Raye, Serena has a point,” Amy said. “Molly even knows Trista. I’ll go with you.”

“Ok,” Amara nodded.

“Amara, I’m going to take the long way home,” Trista said. “So someone can take my place.”

“I will,” Mina said.

Mina, Amy and Serena left the temple, following Amara and Michelle to the parking lot. When they got to the car, the three Inner Scouts got in the back. When Amara pulled away, the ride to the Inner Scouts’ home was quiet, except for Serena's sighs. A few times she even sniffled and wiped her eyes. Amara guessed that Serena was thinking about Darien.

When Serena was the only Inner Scout left in the car, Amara decided to break the silence. “It’s hard to believe that you are the Moon Princess.”

“Yeah, it is,” Serena said. “I still can’t even believe it. Even when I turned into the Moon Princess, when the Negaverse first captured Darien," her voice shook and she had to wipe away another tear, "I couldn't believe it."

“I understand how it must have felt finding out that you are the Moon Princess,” Amara said.

“Do you know where I live?” Serena asked.

“Yes,” Amara said. “Trista had asked us to watch you guys. A few times we were ready to give ourselves away when you were fighting.”

“Oh,” Serena said.

The rest of the trip to Serena’s home was silent.

****

Zoycite was quietly watching Malachite in the time flux. She was spending most of her time there trying to find a way for the scouts to help Malachite. The more she watched, the harder it was to keep herself hidden. On a couple of occasions, she actually went into the Negaverse to watch Malachite sleep, but she made sure she was back in the flux before he awoke.

“Any luck in finding a way to get him?” Neflite asked as he came up behind her.

“No,” Zoycite answered. “The only thing I do know is that the queen is getting very irritated at him, for failing.”

“It’s not Malachite’s fault that he’s failing, it’s actually Tuxedo Mask’s fault. He’s the one who keeps interfering in Malachite’s plans.”

“And so are we.”

The two ex-generals fell silent. Leaving the flux, they both went back to the mansion. When they got back into the mansion, Zoycite asked, “Is there a dance coming up?”

“On Friday,” Neflite answered. “It’s another formal theme dance but this time it’s a fundraiser for SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It’s only for Cross Roads Junior High School.”

“Serena was telling me about the last masquerade dance. She had a goofy date that she didn’t even like.”

“Yeah, and he got jealous when Serena was talking to me. I don’t think she’s going to have a date this time. She’s still quite depressed about Tuxedo Mask.”

“Hello.” Neflite and Zoycite whipped their heads around to see Trista sitting in one of the leather chairs.

“Trista, don’t do that,” Neflite snapped.

“Sorry, but I thought to let you know that we have revealed ourselves to the scouts,” Trista said as she stood up.

“How did they react?” Neflite asked calmly.

“Shocked, suspicious,” Trista said. “Especially when I told them that you two already knew about us.”

“Where did you just come from?” Zoycite asked.

“The temple. Amara and Michelle took three of the girls home and I came here. Any plans for Malachite yet?”

“Queen Beryl is getting tired of Malachite. She may very well kill him since she really has no use for him anymore,” Zoycite said.

“So, we need to get to him first, before Beryl,” Trista said. “Soon, Beryl is going to be strong enough to strike.”

****

It was late Friday afternoon, and Molly was in her room, deciding on what outfit to wear. Neflite had given her some money, so she and her mother went out shopping a few days beforehand and bought three evening dresses. The dance was a fundraiser for SIDS, and had a blue theme. Everyone had to wear blue. It would be beautiful, Molly thought, with everyone wearing a hundred different shades of blue.

“Molly, honey,” Molly’s mother said from outside the bedroom door. “Your date will be here soon.”

In a quick decision, Molly decided on a nice light blue halter gown. The gown was slim fitting to the waist then flared out into a chiffon skirt. The back went midway down. Looking over herself in her floor length mirror, Molly couldn’t help but blush. Neflite was going to be surprised at how pretty she looked.

Molly looked over on her dresser and remembered the jewelry Neflite had bought her. He wanted her to wear the jewelry at the dance. She just got the earrings and necklace on when she heard voices in the other room. Neflite was there. She was so happy now that she could call Neflite by his real name. She just wished she could tell her mother the truth about Neflite.

Molly took another quick look in her mirror and then walked out in the other room.

****

“Mr. Stanton, It’s nice to see you again,” Mrs. Baker said.

“Hello, Mrs. Baker. It’s nice to see you,” Neflite said. “Do you know…” He stopped dead short as he looked up and saw Molly emerge from her bedroom.

Mrs. Baker turned and watched as her daughter entered the living room. Mrs. Baker smiled at Neflite's shock at how Molly looked.

When Molly stood beside her mother, she blushed.

For a few minutes Neflite wasspeechless. "You look wonderful," he said in a quiet voice that Molly never heard before from him.

“Thank you,” Molly blushed even more. She grabbed her long coat that matched the dress.

“Well, you two better get going. I know you have something special planned for my daughter, Mr. Stanton. Have a good time.”

Mrs. Baker watched the couple leave. When they were no longer in the room, Mrs. Baker leaned against the door, smiling. “Maxfield, you are a wonderful man to my daughter,” she said to herself.

****

When they were outside, it took Neflite a few more minutes to get over the shock. When he had his composure back, he silently offered his arm to Molly and she took it gracefully. They walked down stairs to the limo that waited for them.

Once outside, Molly could see a woman standing by an opened door of the limo. When Molly got closer, she could see that it was Zoycite. Her hair was down and she was wearing a simple blue long sleeve dress. Molly was confused.

Zoycite noticed the confusion. “The Scouts suggested I come to the dance to keep an eye out for Malachite. He could take an advantage of the dance for one of his plans.”

Zoycite turned and got in the limo. When she was in Molly got in and Neflite behind her. When the three were seated, the limo drove away.

“Where are we going?” Molly asked.

“Dinner before the dance,” Neflite answered her. “The Country Club.”

“What is the Country Club?” Zoycite asked.

“It’s a restaurant,”Neflite answered. “Molly and I went there before the last theme dance.”

“Oh,” Zoycite said. “I suppose you want a dinner for two?”

Molly silently watched as the two ex-generals, rivals, talked like civil people. Then it occurred to her that they were starting to become friends. “Actually Zoycite,” Molly said. “It would be nice if you came as well and besides we can’t leave you to eat in the limo.”

Both Neflite and Zoycite looked at her, stunned. Molly was going to actually give Zoycite a second chance. After a minute, they shrugged and continued talking.

****

At the dance, Serena was waiting outside for Neflite’s limo to pull up to the school before she walked in. Her ex-date from the last dance was at the school and she didn’t want to be with him this time.

When she saw the limo pull up, she relaxed. When the limo stopped, the driver opened up the back door to allow Neflite to step out. When Neflite was out he helped Molly out and then Zoycite.

“Hey, Serena,” Molly said. “What are you doing out here?”

“Avoiding my date from the last dance. I can’t remember his name and I know he’s looking for me,” Serena said. “As long as I stay by you guys, I’ll feel fine.”

“How about I have two dates?” Neflite joked. “If Molly doesn’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t mind,” Molly said. “Serena could use some cheering up anyway.”

“Huh?” Serena was confused.

“Zoycite and Neflite told me what happened a few nights ago, about how you almost had Darien back,” Molly said. “I’m really sorry.”

“I know,” Serena said. “But I am going to get him back. Molly, do you mind if I get one dance out of your handsome man tonight?”

“As long as I get the first dance,” Molly said.

Both girls started laughing. Neflite looked to Zoycite and saw that she was holding back a laugh. When the girls had shared their laugh, Neflite offered his arm to Molly. When her arm was linked with his, Neflite then offered his other arm to Serena, which she took.

****

During the dance, guys couldn’t keep their eyes of Molly. But Molly knew Neflite would protect her and she loved it when he became protective.

While Molly and Neflite were having their first slow dance, Serena and Zoycite were sitting at a table.

“I know I suggested you come to the dance,” Serena said. “But it still doesn’t seem right that you are here.”

“I know the feeling, Serena,” Zoycite said. “But I have the strangest feeling that Malachite is going to be here.”

“But if he does show up, you can’t let yourself be known. If he finds out that you are alive…”

“Even if he did, he wouldn’t tell the queen,” Zoycite interrupted. “Malachite blames the queen for my death and he doesn’t like her anyway. I’m actually counting on Malachite finding me. Then he would know that you girls are good people who can help him.”

“I don’t think that is wise,” Serena said. “If Malachite finds out that you are alive, he will find out who we are.”

“Not necessarily. Anyway, I’m going to take a walk around the school, to make sure there aren’t any Negaverse sightings.” Zoycite stood up and left the dance area just as the slow song ended. She took a quick look at Molly and Neflite and knew now that she made the right decision in joining the scouts.

When she got outside, it was nice and quiet. This dance was the first time that she ever been in a crowded room with a lot of music. It took her a few minutes to adjust to her surroundings. As she was looking around, she noticed the three teenagers that helped her kidnap Molly.

Deciding that her disguise would protect her identity, she went over to the three teenagers. “Hello,” Zoycite said.

The girls turned at the voice. The voice sounded familiar but the woman it belonged to didn’t look like the Zoycite they knew.

“Hello,” Corrine said. She noticed that Zoycite was not from Cross Roads Junior High. “You’re not from here, are you?”

“No, I was invited to the dance,” Zoycite said.

“Welcome to Cross Roads Junior High School,” Janice said. “I am Janice and this is Corrine and Kelly. What’s your name?”

Zoycite thought for a moment. If I tell them who I am, they'll run away. I have it; I’ll tell them a different name. “My name is Zoe.”

“Sorry to make this short, Zoe, but we are just about to head inside, we got sick of seeing Molly dancing with her…boyfriend.” Corrine said.

“Yeah, and her dress is a showstopper,” Kelly said.

“Well talk to you later, Zoe,” Janice said. The three girls left Zoycite.

“They are still quite jealous,” Zoycite said.

“And you are quite lovely,” a masculine voice said. “A perfect candidate for my plan.”

Zoycite turned to the voice and she was facing Malachite. Zoycite gasped as she looked at him.

Malachite cocked his head wondering why she would gasp like that. Though she did look familiar, but he couldn’t place where he might have seen her before.

“Surrender your energy to the Negaverse,” Malachite stated flatly.

“Malachite, don’t!” Zoycite shouted.

“What?” Malachite gasped. “How do you know my name?”

“Damn!” Zoycite cursed. “Malachite, it’s me, Zoycite!”

“Zoycite! How is that possible? I watched her die.”

“The Sailor Scouts saved my life. I’ve been fighting on their side.”

“What?”

****

Amy and Lita were taking a walk outside when they heard Malachite shout. They saw Malachite and Zoycite standing by the gate.

“Damn,” Lita said. “Amy, call the scouts, and let’s get the hell over there!”

Amy grabbed her communicator. “Guys, we have a problem! Malachite is here!” Amy turned off the communicator so she could transform. “I hope they heard me.”

“I hope so too,” Lita said. "JUPITER POWER!”

“MERCURY POWER!”

The scouts transformed as Malachite and Zoycite confronted each other.

[Lady Serenity]

Chapter 14 – Malachite Leaves Beryl

Zoycite and Malachite stared at each other for a few minutes. Malachite was stunned; he couldn’t believe that Zoycite was alive and that the Scouts had helped her. He was also surprised at the fact that Zoycite had her hair down and was wearing a dress. He had never seen her wear a dress.

“Z…Zoycite. Y…you’re alive?” Malachite said.

“Yes,” Zoycite said. “And I have been working with the Sailor Scouts. We all used to be on the same side, Malachite. We don't have to be the Scouts' enemies. Se…Sailor Moon forgave me and has given me a second chance.”

“Sailor Moon!?” Malachite was taken back at the name.

“Yes, Sailor Moon,” Zoycite repeated.

****

Lita and Amy waited, transformed, until Serena could join them. For now, they knew Zoycite could take care of herself. When Serena did emerge from the school, Neflite and Molly were with her.

“Malachite is here?” Neflite hissed.

“Yes,” Mercury said. “And he knows that Zoycite is alive.”

“I have an idea.” The scouts turned to see Trista. Amara and Michelle weren’t too far behind.

“What do you mean?” Neflite asked. He was getting used to Trista popping up unannounced.

“This is the perfect opportunity to convince Malachite to come over to our side. Then, when we have him convinced, we can come up with a plan to make Beryl think he’s dead. He will have to be hurt, almost dead.”

“He’ll never agree to that,” Molly said.

Neflite looked over at her and saw her shaking. He took off his coat and placed it over Molly’s shoulders. “Molly, maybe you should go inside where it’s warmer.”

“No, I want to stay with you,” Molly protested.

Neflite saw the determined look in her eyes and knew she wasn’t going to budge. “All right, but stay close to me, and if Malachite attacks, get behind me.”

Molly nodded and snuggled against him.

“Trista, you are the one who is saying we need Malachite,” Sailor Moon said. “So, what do you propose we do?” Sailor Moon had decided to allow Trista to lead the group in this situation. All Sailor Moon wanted to do was kill Malachite for threatening Molly, and Trista wanted him alive.

“Amara, Michelle, and I will wait a few minutes longer to see what develops between those two over there and then go up to them, transformed,” Trista said. “We will have to injure him, but Zoycite may try to stop us. If she does, that will give us the chance to prove to Malachite we are the right side.”

****

Malachite starred at Zoycite in disbelief. Sailor Moon would never forgive someone who tried to kill her.

“Why would Sailor Moon forgive you?” Malachite said angrily.

“Because I knew exactly how she felt. She lost the one man that she loved and I did too. Neither one of us could touch the man we love.”

Malachite glanced behind Zoycite to see three of the Sailor Scouts come running. Zoycite turned and saw that Jupiter was about to use her power. Zoycite grabbed Malachite’s arm and stood in front of him.

“Scouts, don’t,” Zoycite said. “This may be what we need.”

“Zoycite, he came to use the dance for one of his plans,” Jupiter said.

“I know,” Zoycite said. “Why do you think I came? I knew he'd be here.” A little further away, Zoycite saw the Outer Scouts, Molly and Neflite.

Malachite looked in that direction and saw Neflite and Molly approaching the scouts. “Can it be?” Malachite gasped.

“Yes, Malachite,” Zoycite said, turning back to Malachite. “Neflite is still alive.”

Malachite looked up as Sailor Moon walked over with her Moon Wand in hand. “So you finally decided to hand over the wand. I’ll gladly take it off your hands.”

“No way, Negasleaze,” Sailor Moon said angrily.

“Malachite, stop this!” Zoycite cried out. “What Queen Beryl has done is wrong.”

“Zoycite, I’ll never forget that queen tried kill you. But all the generals were there on that glorious day when we trashed the Moon Kingdom.”

“You were there,” Sailor Moon gasped. She turned to Neflite as he nodded.

“We might have been there to destroy the kingdom,” Neflite said. “But before we were in Beryl’s services we used to be allies to the Moon and Earth. Zoycite and I use to be good friends.”

Malachite jumped back at this new information. He suddenly saw something move behind the scouts. Three more scouts appeared.

“What the hell?” Malachite said. “Eight Scouts?”

“Yes,” Sailor Uranus said. “There are eight scouts.”

“Malachite, I am Sailor Pluto,” Pluto said. “I can help you understand what Neflite and Zoycite are trying to tell you. I am the Gate Keeper of Time. I was never reborn like the other scouts, because I never died.”

“Malachite, I’m going to show you what your life was like before meeting Queen Beryl,” Sailor Pluto said. She took a step forward. Malachite was about to teleport but Pluto swiftly swung her staff around the whole gang. They all disappeared from the school.

****

They all found themselves standing in a meadow of beautiful flowers. Zoycite released Malachite to stare in awe at the place, as did the others. All Malachite could do was stare at Pluto.

“Where are we?” Sailor Moon asked.

“We are on Earth, in the exact spot where we just were, but 1000 years ago,” Pluto said. “None of you generals can use your powers.”

“We’re in the past!” Sailor Jupiter burst out.

“Precisely,” Sailor Pluto said. “In fact, we’re in the time when you scouts were the same age that you are now.”

The scouts looked at Pluto in disbelief.

Malachite looked at her, “You’re Sailor Pluto, personal time keeper to Queen Serenity.”

“Yes, that’s correct,” Pluto said.

Suddenly everyone heard a sound, and looked in the direction it had come from. They saw a young man and a young woman who looked exactly like Neflite and Zoycite drawing close to them.

“Don’t worry, they can’t see us,” Pluto said. “Zoycite, Neflite. Meet your younger selves, Ambassadors to the Earth and the Moon.”

“What?!” everyone said.

“Listen closely,” Pluto instructed.

The younger Neflite and Zoycite came close enough that the scouts could hear them easily.

“What are you doing here?” the younger Neflite asked.

“I’m here to escort Princess Serena around Earth. Right now she is with Prince Darien,” the younger Zoycite said.

“Have any of the other princesses joined her?” Neflite asked.

“As a matter of fact, yes. The Princess of Venus and the Princess of Jupiter are with her. They are her personal guardians,” Zoycite said. The younger Zoycite saw Neflite looking around. “Are you looking for something?”

“I was hoping to see Duchess Margaret.”

Neflite looked at Pluto. “Duchess Margaret?”

“Neflite, she’s standing right beside you,” Pluto said without looking at him.

Neflite and Molly looked at each other. “I…I lived in this time?” Molly asked.

“Please, keep quiet,” Pluto said. She looked over at Malachite as he watched the whole scene unfold before him. “You will see something that is going to shock the hell out of you.”

Before Malachite could react to Pluto’s comment, another voice came from where the younger Neflite and Zoycite were walking.

“Hey, Zoycite,” said a young man with short blond hair. “What you are you up to?”

“Jedite,” the younger Zoycite said. “Just talking to my best friend. Jedite, meet Neflite, the Ambassador from Earth. Neflite, this is Jedite, another Ambassador from the Moon.”

“Greetings,” the younger Neflite said. “Welcome to Earth.”

“Thank you,” Jedite said and then turned to Zoycite. “Zoycite, the Princess is looking for us.”

“Before you go, I would like you to meet another Ambassador from Earth,” the younger Neflite said. Neflite looked behind him to a man approaching. “Jedite, Zoycite. I’d like you to meet Malachite. Malachite, meet two Ambassadors from the Moon, Zoycite and Jedite.”

“Hello,” the man with white hair said, and gave a slight bow. “I’m on my way back to the castle. How about I join the two of you?”

“All right,” Zoycite said. The three Ambassadors turned and headed off in the direction that Jedite had come from.

When the younger Neflite was alone, the scouts watched a young woman came running along the opposite path towards Neflite. She wore a green velvet gown, and her red hair cascaded around her shoulders. She caught up to the younger Neflite and they embraced in a long passionate kiss.

Sailor Moon looked over at Molly, stunned. She couldn’t believe her best friend lived in this time as a Duchess. Then she looked at Malachite.

He was in complete shock. He had seen his younger self, who was an Ambassador from Earth and a great friend of Neflite's. He didn’t know what do say about this.

Sailor Pluto swung her Garnet Orb around everyone. Instantly, they were back in the parking lot at the school.

“Scouts, Molly and Neflite. Go back into the school and enjoy the rest of the dance. Uranus, Neptune. It’s best for you two to leave,” Pluto said.

Still looking at Malachite, Sailor Pluto could hear the scouts leave. Before too long only she, Malachite and Zoycite were left.

“Malachite, now that you have seen your past,” Pluto said, “I can help you.”

“What?” Malachite asked, confused.

“She means,” Zoycite said, “give you a second chance. Like she gave me.”

“Why would you give me a second chance? I destroyed the Moon Kingdom.”

“But you were brainwashed when you did that. Just like Tuxedo Mask is now,” Pluto said.

“How can you…?” Malachite started to ask.

“You have to be almost dead for your commitment to Queen Beryl to be over,” Pluto said. “If you want to be with Zoycite, you have to trust my judgment and cooperate with me. The scouts would have to kill you, and on your last breath, I would keep you in this world. That is what I did with Zoycite.”

“Zoycite was still alive when I thought she was dead,” Malachite said. His anger started to rise.

“It was the only way for me to make Beryl believe she was dead,” Pluto said. “Do you want out of Beryl’s service and to fight for what is right?”

Malachite’s anger left him as he looked at Zoycite. He could see in her eyes that she wanted him to agree to what Pluto was saying. He turned from the girls and thought for a few minutes about what he had seen of the past. Still with his back turned, he said, “All right.”

Zoycite smiled but didn’t move an inch towards Malachite. She looked at Pluto, silently asking her what to do now.

“Malachite, as long as I’m with you, Beryl will not detect you with the scouts,” Pluto said. “I’d suggest that you to come with me while Zoycite stays here for the rest of the dance. Zoycite, go inside and tell the scouts that we’ll be at Neflite’s.”

“Do you want them to go over there after the dance?” Zoycite asked.

“No. There’s no school tomorrow, so they can come over then. Don’t worry about Uranus and Neptune. I’ll contact them. Now, Zoycite, it would be best for you to step back a few feet so you don’t get caught in the pull of the Orb.”

Pluto raised her Garnet Orb and Zoycite backed away. When Pluto knew that Zoycite was a safe distance away, she swung the Garnet Orb around herself and Malachite. Malachite turned to Zoycite as he faded from sight. When they were gone, Zoycite went back inside the school.

****

Inside the mansion, Pluto and Malachite reappeared. Pluto went into another room, leaving Malachite alone to look around. When Pluto was in the other room, she contacted Amara and Michelle.

“Amara,” Pluto said into the phone. “Come to Neflite’s mansion as soon as you can. I’ll explain when you get here.”

“I take it, it deals with Malachite,” Amara said. “We’ll be there first thing in the morning.”

“Good.” Pluto hung up the phone, transformed back to normal, and walked back into the main room. Malachite was standing out on the balcony.

She walked over to him. “Nice view.”

“Yes, it is,” Malachite said turning to her. He was a bit surprised that Pluto came up to him in her normal form. “Zoycite told me about this place but never had the time to show me. She was always trying to find a way to ruin Neflite.”

“Zoycite told me,” Trista said.

“Why are you in your normal form?”

“You have agreed to cooperate. I saw no reason why I shouldn't detransform.”

“I could be tricking you.”

“I don’t think so. You know Zoycite is alive and you will not do anything to allow the Queen to know of her presence. You may call me Trista.”

Malachite looked at her, not surprised at her logic. He would never allow Zoycite’s presence to be known to Beryl. “Trista,” he said, repeating the name.

“Make yourself comfortable. Zoycite and Neflite will be here in a couple of hours.” Trista left Malachite on the balcony.

****

First thing in the morning, the scouts headed over to Neflite’s mansion. As usual, Serena was the last to arrive. She had overslept, this time because of the dance. She had only woken up when Amara came to pick her up. Now, still feeling sleepy and confused, Serena stared at Malachite. She couldn't believe that he was here as an ally and not an enemy.

Malachite also couldn't believe the situation. He knew at the first sight of Serena that she was Sailor Moon, and he wasn’t going to do anything about it. This was too strange to him.

When everyone was assembled in the main room, Trista began the meeting.

“I asked you to come here because we need to find a way to get Malachite away from the Negaverse. The only way to do that is for him to almost die like Zoycite did.”

“Killing Malachite,” Lita said, “I mean, almost killing Malachite is the only way to free him from the Negaverse?”

“Yes,” Trista said. She looked over at Malachite. For the first time in a while, Malachite was able to hold Zoycite. Trista could tell that he was going to cooperate.

“I’ve been thinking all night,” Malachite said. He was not used to speaking to the scouts on friendly terms. “The only way for Beryl to think I’m dead is by striking me like you’re going to kill me. Pluto-Trista can hold on my life like she did to Zoycite.”

“How would we do that?” Mina asked. “You, Malachite, would have to give some sort of resistance so the queen thinks that it’s real.”

“Yes, that is what I would have to do,” Malachite said. He sat for a few minutes in silence, remembering what Trista had told him about the original future and that none of the Sailor Scouts knew about it. “I have an idea. I will do something unexpected and provoke you to attack me.”

“What is that?” Neflite glared at the white haired man.

“If I’m to do this right, I will have keep you all in the dark. But I will let Trista know what I’m going to do so she’ll be ready for anything.”

“That is a good idea,” Trista said. “For this to work right, I will have to know what Malachite is planning. See, in order for any of you scouts to kill him, you will have to be angered. Then Beryl won't guess that he is faking his own death.”

“Sounds good, when will we do it?” Lita asked.

“How about tonight?” Malachite said. “I can give you the spot where we have a direct warp hole to the Negaverse.”

“Have the fight in the Negaverse?” Amy asked.

“It would be the best way for Queen Beryl to actually think that Malachite is dead,” Zoycite said.

“I have to agree with Zoycite,” Trista said. “When Zoycite died, Queen Beryl couldn’t feel my energy keeping her alive. But since Neflite died on Earth, Queen Beryl couldn’t feel his death. Though she was certain Neflite was dead, she hadn't felt his death the way she felt Zoycite's.”

“Whatever. Let’s do it!” Serena said.

“Serena!” Raye snapped. "Don't be in such a rush! We want to make sure we do this right!"

“Raye, I want to get this done and over with and get Darien back, now!” Serena snapped back. Before long the two girls were arguing. As they argued, the rest of the scouts left the room. Only the generals stayed behind, waiting for the argument to end.

“Do they do this all the time?” Malachite asked. “This seems like the evening when they tried to trick me by making me think that the scouts were splitting up and Sailor Moon wanted to go to the Negaverse.”

“Yes,” Zoycite said. “They do this all the time. Up until the Serena was revealed as the Moon Princess, Raye thought she should be leader.”

“But Serena has come a long way,” Neflite said.

“Neflite, I want you to know something,” Malachite said. “I’m going to take Molly hostage.”

“What!” Neflite snapped, and swung around on Malachite to glare at him.

“Now, before you get protective and try to kill me yourself, just listen to me” Malachite continued in a calm voice. “Taking Molly hostage will be the most effective way to get the Scouts to kill me. I’ve heard that the scouts have only used a fraction of their power, and when a friend is injured their powers increase. Trista will know about this and you all can keep a close eye on me.”

Neflite looked at him very suspiciously.

“Zoycite showed me the time flux window and how you were able to foil my plans,” Malachite said.

“Molly is my life and I love her,” Neflite said angrily.

“Yes, I understand that,” Malachite said. “But in order for the scouts to defeat me, they need to be angered in a way I’ve never seen them.”

“Malachite has a point.” The generals turned to the voice to see Trista standing behind them. “Neflite, I can protect Molly, and she will know about this so she won't have anything to worry about. In fact, I can have Amara and Michelle stay with Molly when she is held captive.”

“How can they be in the Negaverse?” Neflite asked. His anger was dissipating.

“They can be on Earth,” Malachite said, snapping his fingers. “I take Molly hostage and take her somewhere where she will safe and can have the other two scouts with her. She wouldn’t be anywhere near the Negaverse.”

Neflite looked at Trista and saw her genuine trust in Malachite. “This is what you meant by Molly was still in danger and that the queen couldn’t talk about it.”

“Yes, I believe so,” Trista said.

“Queen? What Queen?” Malachite asked.

“I’ll fill you in later,” Zoycite said. “Right now let’s shut those girls up and get this show on the road. The best time to do this is tonight.”

****

Early that evening, Molly was sitting on her bed waiting for something to happen. Neflite had told her that she was going to be part of the plan to bring Malachite over to the good side but she didn’t really know what it was. All she knew was that Amara and Michelle were going to be with her.

Suddenly she heard a noise coming from her window. She went over to her window, wondering what it was. She couldn’t see anything through the glass and opened the window. A sudden wind came into the room, throwing Molly to the floor.

Before she could get up, a woman with green skin and fangs appeared in front of her. Molly gasped in horror as she realized what was happening. Though she knew this was the plan that Neflite told her about, she still was afraid of the woman. The woman bent down and grabbed Molly. Molly struggled against the woman’s strength. In the struggle, her hair ribbon came out and fell to the floor as Molly and the woman vanished.

Molly’s mother entered the room and found Molly gone. She saw the open window, then glanced at the floor and saw Molly’s hair ribbon. Realizing that Molly had been kidnapped, she ran out of the room and called Maxfield Stanton. Molly had told her to call him if anything were to happen to her.

****

Neflite was in the living room, waiting, when the phone rang. He answered; by the time he had finished talking and put down the receiver, Zoycite had entered the room.

“What is it?” Zoycite asked.

“Molly. Need I say more,” Neflite said through clenched teeth. “I just gave Mrs. Baker the number to contact Sailor Moon. It's the number to a pager I gave Serena.”

“Neflite, you knew this was going to happen. She's at the old warehouse where she was first held captive with the teenagers. Amara and Michelle are there with her. We’ll go to the time flux and you can watch over Molly.”

Neflite nodded and headed to the time flux. Zoycite was at his heels.

****

When the Sailor Scouts heard Molly was kidnapped, they knew right away that it was Malachite. It angered Serena that Malachite used Molly as bait; they headed straight to where Malachite had said the portal to the Negaverse was. The portal was right where it was supposed to be, behind the Arcade where Serena hung out a lot.

The scouts jumped into the portal and started heading down a tunnel. Before too long, they found Malachite.

“Welcome, Sailor Scouts,” Malachite snarled. He knew the scouts were going to be coming but he had to put on a show just in case Queen Beryl was watching. She loved to watch battles.

“What did you do with Molly?” Sailor Moon yelled.

“She’s quite safe, I assure you, for now,” he smiled.

Sailor Moon knew Molly was safe and that Malachite was putting on a show but it angered her, Molly had been through enough because of him and now he was holding her hostage somewhere. "Where is she, you creep?"

“If you ever want to see her again, you'd better hand over the Crescent Moon Wand, now!” Malachite said.

“You’re never getting my crystal!” Sailor Moon yelled.

“Didn’t your mother teach you never say never?” Malachite swung up his hands and a blast of black energy knocked the scouts of their feet.

As the scouts fell, Sailor Moon lost her grip on the Moon wand. Malachite dove after it but before he could it, the wand and the scouts disappeared. Malachite wondered at first where they were but then he remembered, Trista had told him that the spirit of Queen Serenity was going to show the scouts the final days of the Moon Kingdom.

While the scouts were learning of their past, Molly was sitting in the abandoned warehouse, scared. She didn’t know where she was. And there was no one around but the youma who captured her. Suddenly she heard a sound coming from outside. The youma turned from Molly to be confronted by two Sailor Scouts.

“What the…?” the youma said.

“It’s not what the, it’s who the,” Sailor Uranus said. “I’m Sailor Uranus.”

“And I’m Sailor Neptune and you are about to become dust,” Neptune said. “NEPTUNE DEEP SUBMERGE!” In seconds, the youma was destroyed. She didn’t even have time to scream.

“Oh, am I glad to see you,” Molly said in relief.

“Sorry we’re late,” Uranus said. “We had to make sure the scouts found Malachite.”

“Where am I?” Molly asked.

“You are in an abandoned warehouse,” Neptune said. “You were here once before, but you were unconscious. Don’t worry though. Neflite is probably watching you as we speak. I believe he and Zoycite are in the time flux, keeping an eye on us. Neflite will come here after Malachite appears to die.”

“Oh.” Molly turned and looked for a spot to sit in. “It’s chilly in here.”

“I know, we brought you a blanket to wrap up in,” Uranus said. She went outside for a minute and came back with a blanket and some food. “Neflite wanted to make sure you had a snack or two while we wait.”

“Thanks,” Molly said. She grabbed the blanket and cuddled up on the floor, away from the door but still in what light there was in the room.

****

In the tunnel, Malachite waited. It was a couple hours before he saw the Imperium Silver Crystal return. A bright light came from the crystal and then the scouts appeared in the tunnel.

“Well, well, well,” Malachite mocked. “You’re back. Finally got to see your past.”

The scouts started attacking him. Just as Malachite had said he would do, he resisted their attacks. Finally Sailor Moon saw that her friends were starting to get hurt and she couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood and walked closer to Malachite, holding the Crescent Moon Wand in hand.

Holding it high above her head, she concentrated her energy on the silver crystal. Suddenly she started to glow. Malachite had to shield his eyes from the glow. Enraged by the light, Malachite materialized a silvery-pink energy boomerangand threw it at Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon quickly swung her wand, making the weapon bounce off the wand. It flew back towards Malachite, and its sharp end buried itself in Malachite’s chest. He gasped as his strength started to leave him. He was dying just as they planned he would.

Shocked, the scouts watched him and waited. In the last moment, when they thought he was dead, Sailor Pluto came out of the shadows.

“Sailor Moon,” Pluto said, “quickly share your energy with Malachite. I had to wait longer than I thought to grab his life. Queen Beryl was watching but now she isn’t. I’ll lose him if you don’t give him some energy.”

Forgetting her anger, Sailor Moon ran towards the fallen man and held him close against her chest. She grasped his hand and clapped it onto the wand to allow the silver crystal to heal him. For several minutes, the scouts watched Pluto and Sailor Moon work to save their enemy's life.

“We did it,” Jupiter said. “He’s no longer part of the Negaverse.”

“Let’s get out of here,” Pluto said at last. “Scouts, gather around me and I’ll transport us all to Neflite’s. Once we're there, Neflite will go and get Molly.”

“What?” Sailor Moon burst out, a little weak. “You knew that Malachite took Molly and so did Neflite?”

“Yes,” Pluto said. “But we don’t have time to discuss it now. We have to get out of here before my energy is detected.”

The scouts quickly gathered around Pluto. The gatekeeper swung her Garnet Orb around everyone and they disappeared. They reappeared in the main room of Neflite’s mansion. Pluto saw Zoycite staring at Malachite. Sailor Moon was sitting on the floor bracing Malachite against her. His skin was pale and Zoycite could tell that he lost a lot of energy.

“Sailor Moon is sharing her energy for now. I need you, Zoycite, to go and tell Neflite that Malachite is here.”

Zoycite hesitated at first but then complied. When she entered the time flux, Neflite took one look at her and knew that Malachite was in the mansion.

“About d**n time,” Neflite said. In reddish swirls, Neflite vanished to go get Molly.

****

Molly was asleep on the floor when Neflite appeared. Sailor Uranus and Neptune looked at him as he smiled.

“Malachite is at the mansion,” he said. “I’m taking Molly home.”

He walked over to Molly and shook her awake. Molly’s big eyes opened to see her man kneeling beside her. She gasped and threw herselfinto his arms and hugged him.

After several minutes, Neflite pulled away from her a bit, just long enough to look at her before bending down to give her a long passionate kiss. When he finally had to catch his breath, Neflite pulled away and picked Molly up. They left the warehouse with Uranus and Neptune following.

Now that Malachite was their ally, there was only one mission left. Destroy the Queen Beryl and the Negaverse.