The Adventures of the SOL

 "Maybe that will teach you to play soccer in the castle," Mina shook her head, glaring at Hotaru and Serena, "I swear, you act like children sometimes.

 "So what, at least we know how to live," Hotaru said and stuck her tongue out at Mina who rolled her eyes.

 "Get a maid in here to clean this up," Mina ordered her, pointing to the mess, "I'm sure Rei will also want to know about this."

 "As if I'm telling her," Serena said, looking panicked all of a sudden, "Hotaru you kicked the ball, you tell her."

 "If you had caught it the vase wouldn't have broken," Hotaru folded her arms in front of her chest, "You tell her."

 "Rei's not going to bite you," Mina scolded, "Just tell her, or I will."

 With that Mina walked out of the library, stepping over the ball.  Serena and Hotaru looked at each other with a sigh and Serena called out, "Party pooper!" to the already gone Mina.  Mina walked out towards the stairs where Amy and Lita were sitting on the bottom steps talking.

"Have you seen Rei?" Lita stopped her.

 "No, I was just about to go look for her," Mina replied, pausing on the stairs, "Why?"

 "Just thought you should know that she's still asleep," Amy told her, cradling Koty on her lap, "We were about to go see if everything was alright."

 "Still asleep?" Mina asked and looked up at the grandfather clock, "It's one o'clock!  That's bad even for her."

 Lita shrugged.  "We figured she spent a late night last night."

 "You people," Mina rolling her eyes, feeling aggravated and walked up the stairs.  Lita and Amy watched her walk by and then continued their previous conversation, never mentioning that if she had stayed up late it wasn't with them.

 Mina made her way to the hallway where their bedrooms were and walked down to Rei's.  She knocked softly on the door first but there was no answer.  She knocked a little louder and still there was no sound from the bedroom inside.  Finally Mina opened the door and peeked her head inside.  She looked around but couldn't see whether or not Rei was in her bed for the fabric hanging from the canopy.  She snuck forward and moved back the fabric to see Rei sleeping deeply.

 "Rei wake up," Mina instructed, "Rei."  She began to shake her but nothing happened.  Mina, starting to worry shook her as hard as she could.  Rei's eyes snapped open and she jumped up with a small yell.  Mina jumped back in surprise and Rei looked at her wide-eyed.

 "Some thing wrong?" Mina asked timidly.

 "Huh?" Rei asked and rubbed an eye, "Oh, no, no not at all.  Sorry.  What time is it?  What happened?  Something wrong?"

 "One o'clock," Mina chided, returning to herself, "You've slept way past into your schedule.  If you get any farther behind…"

 "Yeah, yeah," Rei said, a little cranky, "I'll make a note of it.  Sorry I slept late.  If you'll excuse me I need to get dressed."

"Okay, but when you get out…"

 "Okay!" Rei snapped and Mina rolled her eyes, walking out.  Mina all but slammed the door behind her as Charlie walked by.
"Something wrong?" he asked as Mina fumed.

 "She's being a Princess again," Mina sighed, "It's awfully hard to assist her when she refusing to do half of the things she's suppose to."

 "You know, those things she refuses to do usually don't effect anyone one way or another if she does or doesn't do them," Charlie pointed out, "Besides, no one said you had to assist her."  Mina glared at him and he held up his hands in defense.  "She's only fifteen, give her a break.  Let her have a little bit of fun before she has to go and live out the rest of her life."

 "I suppose," Mina sighed.

Later that night all of the SOL had managed to accumulate into the lounge.  Rei was the only one who seemed to be quiet that whole day.  It had been the dream she had that night; it had been the exact same dream Rais had about Sarcuse and Sharondia.  She had seen his and then she had it for her own in the manner that everyone had theirs.  Why did she and Rais have the same dream when everyone else's was different?

 She looked over at Koty who was, again, hiding behind the arm of the couch looking at Chiru.  Chiru the Vampire was sitting on the couch and would smile at him every now and then.  Finally Amy took him to the side and began whispering something to him.  He nodded and she handed him something that Rei couldn't see.

 Everyone grew quiet as Koty walked over to Chiru and cleared his throat.  His face was bright red as he looked down at his feet.  "Miss Chiru," he said, "Would you go out on a date with me?" he asked and handed her a small flower.

 Lita and Serena both looked at each other and watched Koty.  "How cute," someone remarked.

 Chiru gave him a small smile.  "Of course, Koty," she said and sat him on her lap, "I would love to.  Thanks for the beautiful flower."

 Amy stood next to Rei as conversation resumed.  "She's a bit old for him," Rei said looking up at her with a quirky smile on her face.

 Amy shrugged.  "It's not like they'll be going out on a real date and besides, at least he won't be shy around girls when he grows up, right?"

 "Maybe that's a bad thing," Rei said and Amy laughed.  Rei grew quiet again, thinking.  Suddenly her vision faded and she saw an explosion.  A demon.  She could see fire and then…

 "Rei!" someone yelled, "Are you deaf?"

 She saw Hotaru staring expectantly at her and all the rest of the SOL watching her.  The room was silent.  Her grip on her chair was tight and her knuckles were pale.

 "Something wrong, Rei?" Charlie asked.

 Rei didn't reply, she just stood up and ran.  "Hey wait!" they called after her but she was already out of the lounge and running for the door.  They all got up and followed her.

 "Take Koty," Amy said to Chiru, "Stay here."

 Chiru nodded as Koty was thrust into her arms.  Amy then chased after the rest of them, whistling for Sady who came bounding out of her room.  They all chased after Rei who was headed straight for the forest.

 Lita pulled herself onto a nearby tree and ran among the branches until she was right on top Rei, who was still running.  She jumped and tackled Rei.  They rolled a little while until Lita was on top and pinned Rei down.

 "What are you doing?" Lita growled as Rei stared at her wide-eyed.

 "Get off!" Rei yelled and shoved her off, "Something is happening!"  With that she kept running and Lita followed, not trying to stop her this time.

 "Where exactly are we going?" Serena asked Mina as they ran.  Mina didn't answer.  She thought she knew but she didn't want to be right.

 Suddenly they came to a halt, looking to the sky.  They could see smoke drifting up through the air from out of the forest.  "Is that fire?" Rais asked.

 "I think it is," Charlie said gravely, "Rei must have picked up on it.  Come on."

 "No," Mina whispered and called TK from her necklace.  He bound forth and stood.  Mina crawled on his back and they bounded forward towards the fire.

 Rei reached her destination and stopped in shock.  She had come to a small house, but it was on fire and there were signs of a great struggle outside of it.  She and Mina were the only ones who knew how to get out here.  This was the house of the prophets.

 "Ran?" Rei called, choking slightly on the smoke drifting from the door, "Omi?  Donavan! Are you out here!?"  She stared into the flaming door for a sign of life, seeing none.

 "Rei?" Lita asked, looking around with eyes wide, "What's going on?  Whose house is this?  What if there's someone inside?"

 "There's not," Rei said, "Come on."

 Rei ran around to the other side of the house.  Before she could also turn the corner, Lita heard Rei yell, "Stop!"

 She turned the corner and saw a demon standing over a person.  Lita gasped.  That person was Donavan Crossfire.  He was unconscious and not moving.  The other boys also lay unconscious at the demon's feet.

 The demon herself was tall and smirking.  Her wings were stretched out the surround her and she smiled as Rei approached.  "I was waiting.  I was going to leave.  What took you so long?"  Rei was burning with anger.  Lita made to move towards her.  She was glaring at the demon with such anger that there were tears in her eyes.

 "You'll regret this!" Rei called and jumped forward.

 "I wouldn't do that," the demon said and lifted Donavan by his shirt.  She had a small dagger at his throat.  "You see, we realized that you were just too strong.  So we decided that there were other ways to deal with you."

 Rei's breathing was heavy.

 "Omi!" they heard and Mina jumped off of TK and started to run towards him.

 "No Mina, don't," Lita said, and grabbed her before she could advance.

 "But Omi!" Mina cried out, "Let me go, let me go!"

 "Stop Mina!" Lita said helplessly, refusing to let her go, "You can't do anything for him right now!  Stay still!"  Mina stopped struggling and Lita saw a tear go down her cheek.

 "How touching," the demon laughed, "We knew that your closeness to these boys would lead you to try and save them, and from that little display I suppose we're right."

 "Let them go," Rei growled, "They have nothing to do with me!"

 "They have everything to do with everything!" the demon cried gleefully, "My queen has already figured out their secrets.  And they are the perfect bait."  Just then everyone else caught up.  They all froze where they stood.

"What's going on here?" Charlie yelled.

 "I don't know what to do.  This is so sudden," Rei whispered, "I don't know what to do."  She looked up helplessly at the demon.

 Amy walked forward and put a hand on her shoulder.  "There is nothing you can do just yet.  Wait for it.

 Rei hung her head.  Serena was staring in horror at the site of Ran, hurt, lying on the ground but made no move to save him.  She saw the demon and didn't dare risk his life.

 "You're going to pay for this you Halloween decoration reject!" Hotaru called but the demon seemed unperturbed by this.

 They all watched to see what would happen next.  "Now that you're all here," the demon said, "I am to tell you this.  Come to the Evilopolis castle tomorrow.  All of you, including that little vampire girl, but no one else.  If you don't do this than they'll all be dead before you can say 'prophet.'"

 "That's not fair, let them go!" Rais yelled.

 "Be there," was all she said and disappeared taking the prophets with her.

 "Ran!" Serena yelled and shook her head.  Hotaru put an arm around her and she began to cry.  Lita held onto Mina as she cried also.  Lita looked over at Rei, her eyes asking what they should do.

 Rei fell to her knees but did not cry.  Amy stood behind her.  "I'm so sick," Rei said slowly, trying to contain her rage, "I'm so sick of the people I care about being hurt."

 "We'll get them back," Amy said, sinking to her knees next to her, hugging her, "As long as we have a chance I know we can get them back."

 "I shouldn't care," Rei said, shaking her head furiously, "They never told us anything about themselves.  We hardly knew them, but…"  Amy looked up at Mina and Serena, then at the rest of them who all held a certain amount of sadness in their eyes.  Even Charlie, who trusted them the least of anyone.

 "But we liked them," Amy told her and laughed a half-hearted laugh, "Even that cocky Donavan.  They were fairly nice.  They were only doing what they thought they were supposed to do.  They all had good hearts and not ones we should just leave there."

 "You're right," Rei said and stood up.  Mina had stopped crying but Serena still was sobbing at the loss of Ran.  Rei walked up to her and took her by the shoulders.  "Stop it!"  Serena stopped but only because she was shocked at Rei's strict behavior.

 "But Rei…" she sniffed.

 "I said stop it!  We have no time to sit here and cry about it!" Rei shouted.

 "Rei…" Hotaru said but Charlie had a hand on her shoulder and she stopped.  Rei looked over all of them.

 "All of you," Rei said, "We are obviously walking into a trap.  We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and look forward.  Now come on."

 Everyone looked at each other and followed slowly.  Serena was the only one who lingered.  She walked forward into the battlefield and saw an object.  It was Ran's hat.  She picked it up and held it to her chest.  A few more tears flowed freely down her face and she turned around and walked back to the castle with everyone else.

No one even bothered trying to sleep that night.  Chiru greeted them with concern on her face and Koty in her arms.  They sent him to bed and informed Chiru with heavy hearts as to what was going on.

 Chiru had only met one of the boys and that was Ran, but she automatically agreed to come.  They all waited through the night sitting silently in the lounge.  Rei stood at one corner facing the wall with her arms crossed.  She did not speak to anybody.  Mina sat on the couch with her knees pulled to her chest.  She was worried about Omi.  In her mind she could see him standing over her in his bed, him leaning in to kiss her…

 Serena sat in another corner holding Ran's hat in her lap.  Amy watched everyone, wishing someone would speak.  Lita was picturing Donavan in her mind.  She did not feel for him as Mina and Serena felt for the other two, but she had pitied him the day she met him.  She sympathized with him now and wondered how they were all holding up.

 Charlie seemed to not be thinking about anything, only sipping at a cup of tea and staring straight ahead.  Rais sat on a chair, leaning forward on his sword, thinking.

 Chiru was being herself and staying quiet on the couch.

 Hotaru was the one who was going crazy.  "I can't take it anymore!" she burst out. "Let's just go storm the castle now and get them back!"

 "You know that's dangerous," Lita snapped.  Everyone was a little surprised at the sudden break of silence.

 "We have about as much of a chance if we go when they want us to!  This way they won't be expecting us, so maybe we have an advantage," Hotaru growled.

 "It won't work," Amy stood up, "We need to go when they asked us.  Otherwise they'll kill them.  We should stay here until daybreak."

 "But I can't sit here anymore!" Hotaru glared at all of them.  Rei hadn't moved from staring at the wall. "While they're in Creton's hands.  We should go while we have the element of surprise."

 "Hotaru's right," Mina nodded, standing up, "Maybe if we go now we can surprise them and get away with the boys…"

 "I'm sure Creton is keeping watch to make sure we don't come early," Rais told them, shaking his head, "He doesn't take chances."

 "You would know wouldn't you?" Hotaru snapped coldly, "You'd think being Creton's lackey all those years would have taught you something in the least bit useful so we could get rid of him!"

 Rais didn't reply but looked away.

 They all broke out fighting.  Rei, still sitting at the wall made no move to stop any of them.  Chiru didn't join, she simply watched, unsure what she should do.

 It was Serena who broke it up.  "Stop it, stop it all of you!" she shouted, covering her ears, "I can't stand to hear you argue.  Please stop it."

 "All you care about is your boyfriend!" Hotaru spat and Serena ducked her head down and began to cry all over again.

 "That's ENOUGH!!" Amy shouted, so angry everyone froze, "You better stop before you say something you can't take back, Hotaru!  We're all anxious, that doesn't mean we need to be at each other's throats because of it!  Sit down!"

 "Amy's right," Charlie told her, and Hotaru started to say something, "Before you start in on me being Creton's son, I want you to think really hard.  We're supposed to be friends and partners.  Stop fighting and wait for daybreak, then we'll leave."  Hotaru was silenced and she sat down.  She thought about apologizing but was humiliated by the thought.  She had spoken without thinking.  She hadn't meant it.  Still...

 Amy walked over to Rei who was still at the corner.  "What are you doing? In case you haven't notice your Society is arguing over there.  You're our leader, you're supposed to keep the peace.  This isn't like you Rei..."

 "Let them get it out now," Rei said monotonely, "It'll avoid problems later."

 "What kind of excuse is that?" Amy growled, "While you're over here feeling sorry for yourself, as you so distinctly told us not to do, your people are fighting and you don't care."

 "Maybe I don't, so what?" Rei snapped.  Amy was silent and turned away.  Rei turned from her wall and walked towards the door, "The sun's about to rise, let's go."

 "Finally," Hotaru said and stood up to follow.  Everyone got up and followed her.  They made their way quickly through Reptopia and to Evilopolis.  They came towards the town and no one wanted to go farther, but they knew they would have to.

 As they looked out over the town Rei stood next to Amy.  "Amy, can I ask you something?" she said and Amy looked at her, still angry.  She was going to say no, but something had changed in Rei's face.  She seemed worried.

 "I suppose."

 "If something should happen to me, I want you to take over okay?" she said quietly, "I don't think anyone else could be a better leader than you could.  So lead the SOL if I'm gone."

 "Gone where?  Rei, don't say things like that," Amy told her, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Nothing is going to…"

 "Shh," Rei held up a hand to silence her, "I'm telling, not asking.  If something happens to me, you will be leader, understand?"  Amy looked at her and saw that Rei needed her to say yes.

 "Yes," Amy nodded, "Whatever you wish, Your Highness."  Rei nodded and they started forward.

 "Stop!"  They all turned around but they only needed to hear that over-dramatic tone to know who it was.  Rei groaned and rubbed her temples.  This is the last thing she needed...

 "I am Cron!  What is your purpose here?" he asked them and they all stared at him.  He was standing with his head held high and his chest swelled out.  His assistant was standing behind him nodding at everything he said.

 "It's none of your business," Hotaru growled, clenching her fists.  The other girls moved closer to her.  In her current state she might have attacked. "Go away Cron."

 "It is dangerous down there, perhaps you kids need assistance?" Cron said making a muscle and staring at it.

 "Bite me," Chiru growled.

 "You, the Vampire Girl, prepare to be smote!" Cron said, recognizing Chiru.  Suddenly, though, Rei was standing in front of him.

 "Go away Cron, this does not concern you," Rei said, not loudly but in a low and calm tone, "Leave now."

 Cron looked at her and shrugged.  "I agree, it is none of my concern.  I will leave now."

 "But boss…"

 "Come Squirrel, we shall continue our business elsewhere," Cron said and they walked away.  Rei watched them surprised and turned to the others with a mystified look on her face.

 "That was a little too easy," Rei said.

 "At least he's gone," Charlie told her, "Come on, Rei."

 Rei frowned but turned around anyway.  They made their way slowly through Evilopolis.  It had to be the only city that seemed to have no inhabitants.  The glowing eyes that looked at them were it's only people, and they could hardly speak.  They made their way up the twisting path that led to the castle.

 They appeared at its gates and stared up its walls.  The drawbridge was let down and day had broken but it was still dark.  The sun could have not risen and they would not have known the difference.  Rei paused at the gates, unsure as to what they would find.

 "Come," she whispered and everyone followed her, tense and ready for an attack.  At the doorway the demon who had kidnapped the prophets stood in the door and she greeted them now.

 "So you have come," the demon nodded, "Excellent.  Follow me."

 They followed her down the first and biggest hallway.  It was too dark to see very well and Rei squinted in the darkness to pick up where the demon was going.  She led them to the large doors of the Evilopolis throne room.  They stared up at them, remembering them to be much smaller last time.  There was a rumble from outside and Serena whimpered.  Rei stared up without fear and then turned to the demon.

 "Well?"

 "Well what?" the demon asked still smiling.

 "Are you going to let us in or is this not where we're suppose to be?" Rei asked, "I would rather get this over with."

 The demon's smile faded.  "Impertinent brat." She said and pushed open the doors of the throne room.  Rei stepped inside, everyone else following her.

 "So we meet again for the last time," Creton said from the darkness.

 "Funny, I've heard those words before," Rei put her hands in her pockets, "You almost got me last time but I'm at full strength this time."

 "Still as defiant as you always were," Creton said.  They couldn't see him at all, but his voice drifted towards them.  Rei looked around for any sight of the prophets, worry overfilling her.  "You're looking for the boys, hmm?" Creton asked and she realized he must have been able to see her.  "Well, here you are."

 Suddenly there was light from one side of the room.  Rei turned around and gasped.  Like some un-Godly crucifix they were all strung from crosses, their arms tied to them.  None of them moved; they were all unconscious.

 More light revealed Creton in his throne, smiling at them.  He was watching as though it was a game or a sport.

 "Let them go!" Amy cried out.

 "Did I ever say I would let them go?" Creton asked, "I don't remember that being part of our agreement."

 "Show me your face you coward!" Rei yelled and Creton could be heard laughing.  Rei was distracted from it because she could see Donavan moving.

 He looked up slowly, looking weak and tired, but he was smiling.  "So you came," he said with some effort, "I tried to tell them you wouldn't.  Why'd you have to prove me wrong?"

 "Donavan…" Lita said, then yelled, "Hold on, we'll save you!"

 "Don't bother," Donavan said, "Save yourself."  He collapsed again.

 "Resilient," Creton commented, "But they're fighting on the wrong side.  I would have at least thought the youngest one wouldn't survive but even he surprised me."

 "Enough talk, what is it you want Creton?" Rei shouted.

 "What I want?  Oh dear, you know what I want," Creton said, "But this isn't about what I want, it's about what she wants."

 "What are you talking about?" Rei asked.

 "Have you not heard the mentions of the Queen?" Creton asked, laughter in his voice, "I now work for her and what she wants is fairly reasonable.  She wants to see all of you dead."

 "Tell her to use her imagination," Hotaru growled, making a fist in his direction, "Because that's as close as she'll get."

 "You talk of her as though she is no force to be reckoned with," Creton said, "She will be able to destroy you all."

 "Let's see her try," Rei said.

 "Oh she isn't ready yet," Creton smiled at her, watching her every move.  Rei's heart started to pound from fury and fear. "We're waiting for something."

 "For what?" she growled.

 "Wait with us," he said, "You'll find out."

 "I'm tired of your games!" Hotaru yelled, "Let's get this over with!"  She ran forward and the others shouted for her to stop.  Suddenly from the side something swooped over her.  Rei cried out but it was too late, they couldn't see Hotaru in the darkness.

 "Hotaru!" Rei shouted but there was no answer.  Suddenly from where the prophets were held captive another cross was lit to reveal Hotaru hanging from it.

 "Yes, that was what we were waiting for," Creton said.

 There was silence for a moment, the only sound was Rei breathing deeply, and trying to fight of the familiar rage that once again threatened to overwhelm her.  Serena took a frightened step backwards and was suddenly separated from the rest of the group.  They heard her scream behind them but she wasn't there.

 "Serena?" Mina asked hysterically.

 Once again a light came on to reveal Serena hanging from a cross.

 "Stop this!" Rei yelled, looking at Serena, "What does it take to stop this?!"  She glared at Creton but his eyes held no sympathy, no mercy.

 "You'll see, all of you has a weakness," Creton told her, waving towards Hotaru and Serena, "We can lure you out one way or another."

 Just then another light came on in a far corner.  There was something that looked like a small and black lump there.  After a moment they realized it was some kind of animal.

 "Sady?" Amy cried, "No, I left her at home…"

 She began to run forward.  Lita ran after her to stop her, not thinking about leaving the light.  "No Amy don't, it's only an…!"  Too late the light went off and Amy and Lita joined the others on the wall.

 That left Charlie, Rais, Mina, Chiru, and Rei.  Four down, five to go.

 "What about the rest of you?" Creton asked, "Who is next to join our collection?"  He began to laugh and the sound hollowed out Rei's heart.

 Just then a black shape flittered over to the crosses and the demon that had led them in was staring at Omi.  She took out the dagger and smiled over at them, winking.  She prepared to slash Omi's throat.

 It was more than Mina could stand.

 "Omi!" she shouted and ran that way.  Something else flew down and carried her from sight.  Rei tried to go after her but Charlie held her firm.  Mina, too, appeared on the wall.

 "What a likely group," Creton said, "My son, my former servant, and my worst enemy.  But which is next?"  Charlie held onto Rei's shoulder tightly, looking around himself for the next attack.

 "Rei look out!" they heard and Rei saw the black figure come towards her.  She felt someone shove her from behind.  It was Rais.

 Instead of her he was carried away.

 "No, Rais!" Rei said, collapsing on her knees, "Stop this Creton, it's me you want not them!  Let them go and you can kill me."

 "Tempting but I'm working for someone else now," Creton said, "Now my son, but bring him to me, I have other plans for him."

 "NOOO!" Rei cried but was too late to stop it.  Charlie was hit from behind and placed unconscious next to Creton's throne.

 Chiru looked around herself and saw one of the creatures fly towards her, but she smacked it away.  Rei started to help her but suddenly Chiru was overwhelmed before she could even reach her.  Rei didn’t look as another light came on to reveal Chiru.

 Rei stood in the center of the room, alone.  She was easy pickings now.  So why didn't they attack?  She wasn't that much powerful than anyone else.

 "You want to know what we were waiting for," Creton said, "Now you know."

 "What is it you want from me?" Rei asked, turning around.

 "Just…" a voice said, "You."

 Rei looked around herself but saw nothing.  Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and there was an orb of light sitting near Creton.  Beside it stood Set, the man they had fought with before.  He looked at the Princess, looking mournful, but said nothing.

 "Creton," the voice snapped, "You have made plans for that boy next to you.  Carry out what you will, I want all of them taken care of before we use the Princess."

 "With pleasure," Creton said.  He placed a hand forward and Charlie woke up suddenly.

 "Charlie!" Rei called but Charlie's back was turned to Creton.  Creton put a hand forward and place it on top of Charlie's head.  Charlie's body seemed to almost light up and he let out a cry.  Creton smiled.

 "No!" Rei cried and began to run forward but something swooped down and knocked her down.  She sat up and stared.  It was like Charlie was disappearing slowly.  The light traveled up Creton's arm faster and faster.

 Rei gasped.

 Creton's mouth was moving as if in chant.  Rei tried to move forward but was prevented again.  She had remembered something Charlie had told Rais.

 "With a chant and a lot of concentration, we could merge into one body."

 "No, Charlie!" Rei sobbed.

 It was too late.  With a blast of light Creton stood before Rei, except he was different.  He seemed taller, larger and stronger.  His hair was a lighter shade of green and his eyes matched the color of Charlie's.

 Rei sank to her knees. She started to cry but something built up inside of her and she could no longer contain it.  The rage she had fought down since she had first encountered Creton was finally released.  A weapon appeared in her hand. The glowing orb, the one that all of them could use and had at least once before.  She had almost killed him with it.  Now she did not lose herself but was wide-awake.  She held the orb up and aimed it at Creton.

 "Kill me and you shall never see your dear Charlie again," Creton said.

 Rei stopped.  Charlie was in there, somewhere.  The attack disappeared.  She stood there, unsure what she should do.

 "It is time," the voice said again and Rei saw Set, but something was different.  He was looking at Creton tight lipped.

 "What are we going to do, My Lady?" he asked.

 "You shall see," the voice replied.

 The orb flew to the middle of the room and stopped.   A yellow line spread from it and began to form a shape.  It made itself into a large star in the middle of the floor.  Then it formed a great circle around the star.  Rei gasped.  It was a sign of powerful magic.

 "Stand in the middle of the star and we will spare your friends," the voice said.

 "Liar!" Rei hissed.

 "Then we shall destroy them now," the voice replied coldly.

 "You won't," Rei shook her head, "You need me to stand inside that pentagram.  If you kill them you never will."

 "I can if I force you."

 "I'll kill myself first," Rei said, smiling.  There was a long silence.  Rei smiled again and shook her head.  "You don't believe me do you?"

 "I believe you," the voice said, "So we are at a stand still.  I have your friends, you cannot leave.  But yet you refuse to stand where I have asked you to."

 "Maybe we should fight to see if you can get me into that star," Rei said, "Unless you fear my power."  The orb returned.  She could fight this woman.

 "I fear not," the woman said, "I would surely kill you and I cannot have you dead.  Maybe if we killed them one at a time instead of all at once.  Then would you come."

 Rei stared up at the wall and hung her head.  She was supposed to be able to protect her friends, and look what had happened.  She was standing alone because she wasn't strong enough to save them.

 "Rei…"

 She looked up with a gasp.  It was Hotaru.  "Give her one for me, Rei," she said with a smirk.  Rei felt a tear run down her cheek.

 Rei looked at the glowing object next to Creton.  She didn't know what she was.  She couldn't begin to understand what would happen to her when she walked into that pentagram.  But whatever it was it didn't matter.  She had made a vow to her father to protect her friends and she would not let him down now.

"Fine," Rei said, glaring at the ground, her eyes closed tight.  "I'll do it!  I'll do it but you have to let them go!"

 "No!" she heard before the queen could reply and knew it was Amy.  She didn't look at her face, she couldn't stand to.  "Stop Rei!  Don't do it!  Save yourself!"

 "I have to," Rei was shaking but she was determined, "I have to.  I made a promise to my father to protect you guys, and if this is what it's going to take then this is what I will do."  She smiled sadly up at Amy.  "You have to go back to Koty and Sady.

 "You can't!" Serena said weakly, "I won't let you!"

 "You have to French-fry," Rei said, looking to her, smiling with tears running down her face. "I'm sorry."

 They were all awake and watching her sadly.  Rei took a step towards the pentagram and they all shouted for her to stop.  Suddenly Rais's eyes flashed red and the bonds that held him to the cross snapped.  He fell to the ground.  Several of the creatures flew at him but he had his sword drawn and slashed at them before they could attack.

 "Rais don't!" Rei cried.

 "You can't have Rei!" Rais yelled, ignoring Rei.  The orb turned on him and knocked him backward with a small blast.  He hit the wall and was unconscious.

 "Fool," the voice said, "Will you listen to your friends and let them parish or will you save those close to you?  It is your choice Princess, and it must be made quickly."

 Rei nodded and started towards the pentagram.

 "Freeze fools, for I am Cron, Defender Against Darkness!" they heard and Rei gasped as Cron stepped forward.

 "Who?" the queen asked.

 "Cron!" he cried and Rei shook her head.

 "Leave you fool!" Rei shouted, "Leave while you still can!"

 "Not when the weak need my protection!" Cron said and stepped into the light.  Behind him Squirrel was still nodding.

 "Yeah so watch out for Cron," Squirrel said.

 "How very amusing," the voice said, "Have you come to fight me?"

 "Exactly!" Cron shouted, "Prepare to meet your doom, Witch!"  With that he stepped forward but before anything could touch him it was Rei who stood between them.

 "You need to leave," she told him quite seriously.

 "No harm will befall me little girl," Cron smiled at her.

 She sighed in frustration.  "You just don't get it do you?!" she yelled, "You have to leave immediately.  This fight does not concern you."

 "Please, Princess, let him stay."

 Rei snarled at the voice but then felt herself pushed aside.  Cron had shoved her aside.

 "Die!" he cried and ran towards the orb of light.  He made it pretty close to the orb when it sparked up, ready to attack.  Rei looked up and found herself on her feet and running after him.  He was almost there when, almost in slow motion, Rei caught up with him.  She stopped as the orb began to fire at him and did the only thing she could.  She fired a blast at him and sent him flying to the other wall.  Everything paused for a moment and Rei gasped.

 She looked down and saw she was standing right in the middle of the pentagram.

 "At last," the voice said, "At last my time has come."

 Before Rei could move she froze into place unable to move at all.  The center of the pentagram rose up in a great blast of light.  Rei's head shot up, her back arched, and she screamed.  Laughing from the orb could hardly be heard over the sound of the wind.  Rei's body lifted in the air and she stopped screaming.  The light seemed to fill her.

 The orb shot forward.  The others watched in horror.

 "At last!' the voice cried again.

 Cron sat up and watched in awe.  The orb changed itself from a sphere and spread out underneath Rei.  Something black seeped out.  Rei was still frozen in place.  No one knew what was going to happen but they feared for Rei's life.  Everyone except Creton, who looked on with a smile on his face.

 It all sank into Rei.  Then as soon as it had started, all the light from the pentagram faded.  Rei fell to the ground in a heap and the pentagram began to fade.  The room was filled with a heavy silence.

 Cron began to run for the door and he and Squirrel escaped form the scene.

 Rei lay on the ground not moving.  Until finally she raised her head.  And she was smiling.  "At last," the voice repeated, "At last."  But this time the voice came from Rei's own mouth.

"What is it Cloud?" Jade asked, looking up at the light coming from towards Evilopolis.  He shook his head.  They gave each other a look and hurried on their way.  They had been on their way to pay Rei a visit when they saw the light coming up from Evilopolis.  They were almost to Lizerton and they ran the rest of the way, fearing the worse.  All of Lizerton was empty.  They had run from the light in Evilopolis.  Jade was shocked at the sight.

 She ran down the empty Lizerton streets with Cloud trying to keep up.  She reached the castle and saw it was as empty as Lizerton had been.

 "But what about Rei?" Jade asked Cloud who shook his head sadly, shrugging.  Jade walked up the stairs calling the names of the SOL.  She received no answer and she continued to walk down the hall.  She started to leave when she felt Cloud tug at her cape behind her.  She turned around and he pointed to his ears, indicating he heard something.  Jade stood as still as possible and they heard two sounds.  One was the soft crying of a child and another was a buzzing sound.

 The child seemed closer.  Jade walked forward to the sound and slowly opened a door.

 "Amy?" they heard and Jade looked inside and saw a boy sitting alone in his room.  When he saw her, a stranger, he screamed and jumped off the bed.  He tried to run past but Jade caught him.  He cried and struggled against her.

 "Calm down," she said soothingly, "What's wrong?"

 "Stay away!" he screamed, "Amy!"

 "Amy is a friend of mine," Jade said, and he looked at her, "I'm a friend of the SOL's.  I am a SOL member.  Who are you?"

 "I'm Koty," he said, quietly, remembering to use his talent for knowing good from bad, "And Amy and Rei and everyone else are my mommies."

 Jade nodded.  Cloud began to pull at her cape again and Jade knew why.  The buzzing sound was getting closer.  Jade stood up.  "Okay, Koty, we're going to get out of here, okay?" Jade asked and Koty nodded.

 They made their way to the door.  When Jade opened it she gasped.  There was a big black shapeless army coming towards them.  There were maybe twenty coming towards the castle.  Jade growled and held Koty closer.

 They approached.

 They were sharp and had all edges that formed their bodies into the shape of some slightly man like beast.  The only features they had on their faces were two glowing eyes.

 "We have come for the child," one said in a voice as dry as leaves in the fall.

 "Too bad," Jade said, holding Koty away from them.  He whimpered.  There was recognition in Koty's eyes as he watched the creatures move closer.

 "Now and no harm will come to you," the voice said.

 Jade put Koty down in front of Cloud.  "Hold on to him Cloud," Jade said, 'I want you two to run."

 Cloud nodded.  He was only a couple of inches taller than Koty but he took him by the hand and began to run.  The black things started to chase him but Jade stepped in front of them.  "Want them, go through me!"  Jade was smiling.

 "Very well," the thing replied.

 It attacked but Jade fired a blast of red fire at it.  It melted into a puddle and sank into the earth.  She whipped out a silver sword from nowhere and cut down the next one.

 "Earth Shatter!" she cried and the ground shook under their feet.  Chasms in the earth opened and took the creatures into them, then closed.  That left four.   One jumped and cut across her face.  She winced and cut it in half with the sword.  "Wind!" she shouted and took out the last three.

 They disappeared and Jade sighed in relief.  They weren't so big.  She began to run the same way that Koty and Cloud had run.  They were waiting for them in the forest.  "Let's go," Jade said, "We have to find someplace safer.  Great evil has come into play here."

 With Koty between them they ran out of the Nymph Forest in search of refuge.  Before they could leave Cloud's hearing picked up another sound.

 "Yip yip yap yip!" came the sound.

 "A dog?" Jade asked and a little concerned she pulled out her sword.

 "Sady!" Koty corrected, jumping forward.

 Sady was leading the way.  Behind him came TK the Panther holding a hurt squirrel in his mouth.  A black cat was on his back standing over a little bird.  Koty waved and Sady ran forward, licking Koty, glad to see him.

 TK stepped forward to Koty.  Koty was small enough to stand at eye level with the panther.  TK opened his mouth and dropped Cere the squirrel into his hands.  Cere wasn't hurt badly, just unconscious.  Koty took the squirrel and held it tightly.

 "What are we suppose to do with all of them?" Jade asked.

 "Amy and Mina will want them back," Koty answered, "We have to keep them with us.  But they're smart they'll be okay."

 Jade nodded.  With Cere in his arms and the rest behind them they started to move.  TK stayed where he was.

 "TK?" Black, the cat, asked him from on his back, "What's wrong?  Aren't you coming?"

 "I have to stay here," TK replied, turning around, "Take Nary and go.  Sady can protect you if you get in trouble."

 "Are you sure?" Black asked, jumping down.  'Nary hopped down and landed on her head.  Black sat down and looked up at the much bigger cat.

 "Mina and the others are in trouble," he said, "I must find them.  Go with the humans and Sady.  You'll be fine."

 "Be careful," Black replied.  'Nary rode on her as she caught up with the rest of them.  Jade, Cloud, and Koty heard none of this, not able to understand animals.  TK turned back into the forest and went the opposite direction.

 They all left.

 Lizerton was without a soul.

 Rei was staring at her hands.  She was smiling.  But she was not Rei.

 "Rei?" Lita asked softly.

 She smiled up at them.  "No," the voice from the orb replied, "I am once again Queen Calypso.  I am once again with a body."

 "Not Rei's!" Amy shouted, struggling, "You can't have her body!  Get out!  Get out!!"  She tried to pull at her bonds but to no avail.

 "I wouldn't have it any other way," she smiled, "Let them down, I would like to kill them while they still have a chance to run."

 They dropped them from the crosses, the prophets last.  Serena saw Ran land and bounded over to him to see if he was okay.

 "Hey Doll," he smiled, "Sorry if I worried you."

 "Oh Ran, I hate you," she said, smiling.

 Mina helped Omi stand and Lita and Hotaru assisted Donavan.  If they would die they wanted to die on their feet in dignity.  Amy started to walk towards Rais, still unconscious on the other side of the room, when the Queen's voice stopped her.

 "All at once or one at a time?" the Queen asked.  She looked like Rei…

 "Just do it, you have already destroyed one of us," Amy growled.  The queen looked at Amy who only glared back.

 "I'll destroy you first then," the queen said and aimed a finger at Amy's heart.  She smiled and was about to fire when a look came over her face.  She seemed to be arguing with herself.

 "No!" she cried and the voice was Rei's.  The blast that the Queen had fired was shot up at the ceiling instead.  Her other hand flew forward, unwilling of the Queen and she cried in Rei's voice, "Transport!"

 "No, Rei!" Amy screamed as a bright light over took all of them.  They had to shield their eyes.  Amy knew they were separated in the spell.  They all landed by themselves unconscious in different places far away from Lizerton.

 "Stupid Princess!" the Queen shouted, then took a deep breath, "No matter, they will have their turn soon enough."

 "What should we do with this boy," Set asked of the unconscious Rais.

 "Hmm," she smiled, "Put him in the dungeon, he may be of use yet."  Two demons carried Rais away.

 "So the chosen ones have been defeated," the Queen smiled, "All and well, I shall have no distractions when I destroy this world."  She laughed and the birds in the trees took flight with all the other animals.  The Nymph Forest was emptied and the land surrounding Evilopolis became dark and barren.

 The Battle of Light and Dark was beginning once again.

Chapter 24