Chapter 9
*********
Let The Games Begin
*******************

Jedaite stopped a scant ten feet away from Darien and Luna, jumping
behind a pillar. He watched, as they did, while Moon leaped through the
air, and slammed her Sceptre into Zoeisite's head. He bit back the urge
to applaud the young heroine. Zoeisite's rashness and love for revenge
had gotten her into this, and Jedaite would of just loved to leave her.

However, he knew that Erkyre and Malachite, especially Malachite, would
do far worse damage to HIM, then Moon would do Zoeisite. And he did so
want to stick around for awhile, see Moon and her little band of Scouts
get what was coming to them, to finally get his revenge againist Beryl.
To see that lovely mortal girl again...

'Enough musing...', he thought to himself sharply. Right now, he had to
get Zoeisite and himself out of here, NOW. He heard a frightened mutter
in the shop across from where he was hiding. With two strides, he was in
the shop, and facing a nervous, sweaty security guard, who was hiding
behind a stack of merchandise.

Jedaite let out a disgusted growl. 'Coward, hiding here when things in
his cush job got a little scary.' he thought with a frown, as he grabbed
the shocked guard by the shirt. He pulled out his spare crystal, one he
had always kept for emergencies.

"Plea...Please don't...hurt me...", the guard said with strangled voice.

Jedaite smiled, and simply stuck the crystal to the man's forehead. The
energy was drained in a millisecond, and the guard slumped to the ground,
as Jedaite formed a portal. He looked back as he stepped through, and
sneered, "Now that didn't hurt a bit, did it?"

The guard didn't answer, as he lay on the floor, unconcious. Jedaite
shrugged, and dissapered through the black slit of a portal.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Zoeisite groaned, trying to back pedal away from Moon's sceptre and
deathly look. 'Oh it can't end like this...Malachite....I need you!' her
mind screamed, as she felt her back hit the wall. She looked up and
whimpered slightly, as Moon's sceptre bore down on her chest.

For a moment, a flicker of something like pity touched Moon's eyes, but
only for a moment. 'Too much misery you've caused me Zoeisite...',
thought Moon to herself, as she ran through the gestures, 'Too much
heartache and pain for me to show you mercy...'

"MOON..." the blond girl cried out to the heavens, to her celestial
familiar. Lita looked over at the others, then upwards to Luna and
Darien. All had the same, confused look. What was Serena doing? Was she
going to heal Zoeisite? Lita shakily got to her feet, as Mina, Ami and
Raye watched Serena with some sort of fascinated horror.

Lita looked at her, and said, "Do you really think that the Serena we
know and love would EVER be the same if she commited MURDER?" The tall
brunette leapt into action and charged for Moon, worry and determination
in her eyes. Raye pulled herself up and followed. The phrases...

"Jupiter Power!"

"Mars Power!"

...echoed off the stone walls, soon followed by...

"Venus Power!"

"Mercury Power!"

Darien yelled, "Don't do it Serena!", as he leapt from the third
floor railing, Luna clinging precariously to his shoulder. In mid-air he
changed, and seconds later Tuxedo Mask landed on ground, and charged for
her.

Serena was lost in her own rage, her own personal mission. "Never Again
Zoeisite...You won't ever do harm to my friends or I Ever Again...." she
muttered, as she started to scream out the last phrase,
"ELLLLLIMMMIIIIIINNNAA---"

She was cut off by Jupiter hitting her low, and Mask hitting her high,
all three of them tumbling to the ground. Luna had leaped off of Mask's
shoulder, and ran over to Artemis. "Are you all right?", she asked
worriedly.

Artemis managed a weak grin. "Now since when were you interested in MY
state of health?" he joked lightly, as he pulled himself up unto four
legs.

Luna huffed, "And who said I was inquiring about YOU?" She turned to the
the jumbled threesome. Moon was struggling to break loose, as Jupiter
and Mask held her arms tightly, both of them looking grim.

"Let Me Go!!" Moon wailed. Zoeisite, suddenly realising her great change
in fortunes, tried slide away, but was flanked by Venus and Mercury.

Mars came and stood in front of her, a dark smirk on her face, saying in
a low voice, "Now where do you think YOU are running off to?"

Zoeisite's only reply was to slump down againist the wall, helplessly
looking around. 'I guess Jedaite left me...' she thought to herself
desperately, 'Can't blame him though...my own stupid rashness got me
into this mess..._again_.'

Still, she looked into the shadows with a glimmer of hope.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jediate stood in the portal, with just a slit of it open. Through the
purple haziness, he could see the two Cats arguing over something
trival. Moon was tense, as Mask and Jupiter, looking like sentries,
stood over her. Moon glared over at Zoeisite with a look that could
only be described as pure hatred. Mars, Mercury and Venus were,
unfortunatly, guarding Zoeisite like three hawks.

He sighed deepily, and thought to himself, 'Looks like a hit and run
manuever to me...I'll have to go in shooting..' He couldn't help smiling;
he always enjoyed the rush of first battle. With a wild whoop, he threw
open the portal's recesses, and leaped into the mall square.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At first Artemis thought he was seeing things, that he had hit his head
harder then he thought. He saw the young blond man dressed in the
Negaverse uniform of a general, but for the life of him could not recall
the name. "SCOUTS! Look out Behind you, it's---"

"JEDAITE!!", screamed out Luna in complete surprise. She had
little time to say anything else, as he starting throwing balls of purple
energy at all of them. Luna was grabbed by the scruff of the neck by
Artemis, as they both tumbled away from the blast.

As three balls of purple energy flew towards them, Jupiter and Mask
leaped to one side, as Moon leaped upwards and out of the way, just
barely. Venus and Mercury hit the dirt, while Mars managed to get out a
strangled, "Mars Fire Ignite!" before having to retreat.

Jediate leaped out the way of the flames, and as the Scouts all
scattered, he flipped into the air neatly and landed by Zoeisite. He
picked her up roughly and slung her over his shoulder. Zoeisite's eyes
fluttered open. "Je...Je...Jedaite...you came back for me..." she croaked.

Jedaite snarled, "That I did, and you'd better be grateful! Of
all the _foolish_, _idiotic_ things to do..."

Zoeisite murmered, "Perhaps you can save me first...then reprimand me
later?"

He looked around; the Scouts were quickly getting past the shock of the
sudden attack and were preparing to open fire on them. Jedaite cursed, and
said, "You may have a point...", as he opened another portal and stepped
inside.

Moon managed to be the first one to get to her feet. She looked over at
the fleeing Generals, and pointed at Jedaite, yelling, "STOP RIGHT
THERE, NEGASCUM!"

Jedaite took about thirty seconds to look back at Moon, Zoeisite slung
over his shoulder like a sack of potatos. He raised an eyebrow and
commented sarcastically, "You have GOT to be Kidding..."

And with that, the portal closed.

Moon stamped her foot, her face a mask of rage and anger. She turned to
Mercury. "Can you get a fix on his postion?" she growled.

Mercury typed for a moment or two into her computer, and said, "They've
rematerialzied near one of the Arcades downtown..."

Moon looked at the others, and commented with a serious tone, one that
surprised her fellow scouts, "Think you're up to doing a Sailor
Transport...and trashing that NegaSlease?"

The four scouts and Mask looked at one another for a long moment. It was
Mask who answered for all of them. The Prince of Earth bowed and said,
"Sailor Moon..ours is not to question why. Ours is but to do, and try not
to die." He smiled, and finished, "Lead on, my Princess.."

From left to right, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter nodded their
heads in agreement. The Moon Princess looked over to her Moon Cat advisor.
The black cat looked over at Artemis, who nodded, and then back to Moon.
With a surprising harsh tone, Luna answered, "Let's go kick some Negaverse
Butt!"

The other Scouts laughed at this, but quickly sobered.  They organized,
and in one minute, they were in the Circle, with Mask and the two Moon
cats in the center. With a great cry, the Sailor Scouts yelled, "SAILOR
TRANSPORT!"

In another minute, there was nothing left there but rubble and an empty
mall floor.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jedaite rematerialized in alley beside the Arcade, and rushed to the
front, ignoring the bystanders who all stared at his odd "outfit", and
the unconcious woman he carried, simliarly clothed. He 'felt' the
prescence of Erkyte and Malachite here; they must be upstairs. He walked
inside, and past the Arcade's patrons, most of them now unconcious. At
least this part of the venture had been successful. However, he did not
relish explaining how the second part failed...

From across the street, the green haired woman noted the appearance of
Jedaite and smiled. "Only a few minutes more..." she muttered to herself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Malachite and Erkyte looked around, feeling very pleased with
themselves. Most of the patrons of this small cafe were now slumped on
the ground. Waitresses were lying face down on tables and on the
counter. Malachite turned to Erkyte and grinned widely, "Looks like
we'll have PLENTY of energy for Queen Metallia..."

Erkyte was about to cheerily respond, when Jedaite burst through the
door and ran towards them, sidestepping past unconcious customers. He
stopped at their table and uncermoniously dumped Zoeisite into Malachite's
lap. He looked at Erkyte, and said calmly, "We have a problem. With a
capital P."

Erkyte managed to keep his cool, and say just as calmly, "The Sailor
Scouts?"

Jedaite chucked darkly and said dryly, "NO, that would be with a capital
S...but yes, they are the problem at hand. As in, they will probably be
here in a matter of minutes..."

Malachite craddled Zoeisite in his arms and murmered, "Who did
this to you, my love. WHO?" He looked up at Jedaite, his cold blue
eyes demanding an explanation.

Zoeisite moaned, "The Moon Brat....", as Malachite brushed the gash on
her forehead lightly with his fingertips, frowning deeply. He kissed her
hand lightly, and she smiled up at him weakly. Smiling back, he looked
up at Erkyte, worry written across his face. Erkyte was looking at
Jedaite for some sort of elaboration.

Jedaite nodded, adding quickly, "IT was the Moon brat, and it
_was_ amazing...Moon LEAPED from three stories up, and flew through the
air. She clubbed Zoey on her way down...then went into a roll and landed
on her feet. I have NEVER seen Moon show so much...GUTS." He shook his
head ruefully, and added, "Absolutely Amazing...."

Erkyte let out a sigh of exasperation, and glared at Jedaite, saying
harshly,  "So we'll give her the Scout of the Week award. Right now I
suggest we beat a stragetic retreat; as Moon and her buddies will not
waste ANY time following you here..." 

Jedaite nodded and headed for the door. Malachite gently picked up
Zoesite in his arms, whispering words of comfort to her, as he strode
out after Jedaite, careful not to jostle her. Erkyte followed them out,
grabbing the crystals on his way. They glowed a deep purple, and he shoved
them into his pocket. "At least we have these...." he muttered to himself.

Jedaite called back to them, "I'll start the car...hopefully we will
just miss them!" He ran through the door and stopped dead, staring.
Malachite soon followed, and stared as well. Erkyte, the last one out,
muffled a groan to himself. They had be caught.

For standing before them, was Sailor Moon. On either side of her, stood
the Sailor Scouts, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Mercury. Erkyte glanced
upwards and saw Tuxedo Mask standing precariously on one of the many
phone poles in the area. A slight breeze drifted through the area,
causing the girls skirts and hair to flutter rather heroically in the
wind. Mask's cape blew around him, and in his hand a red rose was
poised, ready to be thrown. All together, a very poignant, and for the
Generals, discalming sight.

It was Moon who spoke first, her cold blue eyes raking over each of the
Generals, stopping on Jedaite. She said in a cool tone, "When I say...STOP
NEGASCUM, I mean STOP." She raised her hands to the sky, as the others
followed, preparing to blast them all back to the Negaverse with their
planet powers.

They stood like that, facing each other off. The four scouts backing up
their Princess, with her Prince standing above them like a watchful hawk.
The Moon cats stood in background, fur raised, mouths in feline snarls.
Across the street, three of the four generals stood, Zoeisite being
carried by Malachite. Malachite and Jedaite both stood slightly to one
side, flanking Erkyte. And as the battle stood, it looked like the
Generals were about to take a very bad beating.

Jedaite cursed under his breath, moving back slightly. Malachite moved
to protect Zoeisite from the blasts. They both looked at each other,  then
to Erkyte, who, for a moment, seemed paused in thought. Then something
flicked in his green eyes.

He stepped forward and bowed slightly, saying, "Why...we will gladly
stop..." Smiling darkly, he took out a purple crystal and hid it in the
palm of his hand. He continued, "However, the question of the moment
is...will my Youma?"

And with that, he tossed the crystal to the ground. It burst apart in
phoof of purple smoke and crystal fragments. He stood calmly, one hand
outstreched, and concentrated on the smoking mists. Under his control, the
mists formed a huge fifty feet tall Giant, made of pure purple sparkling
crystal. Sharply faceted and lethal looking, it loomed over the Scouts
with a sinster look in its yellow eyes.

Erkyte turned and smiled viciously at Sailor Moon, saying in a low tone,
"Now, you have two choices...You can go after us, or you can go after the
Youma. Granted we would be more fun to take out. However, leaving the
Youma 'unsupervised' will probably result in the destruction of this area,
and many innocent mortals as well. Your choice, Sailor Moon ....vengence...or
duty?"

Moon didn't answer, her eyes were filled with the sight of this huge
glass monstronsity. The other Scouts gasped slightly, looking up. Mercury
tapped into her computer furiously, and said quickly, "We have no choice
Sailor Moon! If my computations are right, this...this thing can destroy
this area in a matter of minutes!"

Mars snarled slightly, "So we're just going to let them get away?"

Jupiter looked at Mars, and said, "It's either them...or hundreds of
innocent bystanders..."

Mars snarled again, but said nothing. Venus turned with angry blue eyes
at the now smug four generals, and yelled, "This is FAR from over
Negaslease!"

Malachite, now supporting Zoeisite as she ran along weakly, and Jedaite
had already dissapered down an alley. Erkyte, turned, and smiled at the
orange scout. "Of course it isn't, Sailor Venus....however the next time
we meet, it won't be us running...."

And with that, he dissapered around the bend.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The four Scouts then turned to their leader, who, after shaking herself
out of her frightened daze, nodded. "SPREAD OUT!" Luna yelled from the
sidelines, as the giant youma started for them. It brought it's fist
down, causing the scouts to leap out of the way, as it's fist crashed
through pavement and left a crater there.

Mercury yelled, "We have to find a way to keep it away from the
people...and off balance as well..."

Jupiter snorted, "Easier said than done!" , as the giant's fist smashed
down, causing them to leap out of the way again.

Venus turned to Mars, who had landed close to her, and cried, "We have
to get the people out of here! They're like sitting ducks! If we don't
move fast, people are going to die!"

Mars, looking past Venus, and turned a deathly shade of white. "Too
late....", she whispered hoarsly, pointing with one gloved finger.

Moon, leaping out of the way of another fist, heard Mars's muttered cry
and watched in terror as a group of school children ran behind the
monster. Almost like predatory cat, the giant turned to the children, and
raised its huge glass hand. However, instead of smashing down at the
children, it let out a leathal spray of crystal daggers.

And all Moon could do was stand there and scream,
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Ooooooooooohhhhhh...", muttered Zoeisite, as she ran weakly behind
Jedaite and Malachite, still holding her head. She started of thinking
of all the really EVIL things she wanted to do to that Moon brat.
Chopping off those damned meatballs, and shoving them down her throat,
was the first thought. Then there were so many others..

Coming across an intersect alley way, two female voices could be heard
chatting happily. "So anyways...", Molly continued, "There Melvin and I
were, standing in this amusement park, watching one of those shows...you
know, the live action ones...."

Cissa listened, laughing now and then at Molly's ex boyfriend's
insane antics. While walking home, Molly had said, "Let's take this
shortcut through the alleies! It's perfectly safe durin daylight, and it
will get us to my Mom's jewelry shop ten minutes faster...."

Cissa had agreed, and so there they were, walking along, coming up to
another turn, when suddenly two men rushed by, both dressed in grey
uniforms. Both Molly and Cissa stopped at the mouth of the alley, watching
the men run by. They turned to each other, and shrugged. That was when
Zoeisite, still lost in her revenge fanasties of Moon, and a large stick,
ran full head into them. They all tumbled to the ground in a mass of
people and shopping bags.

Molly, after hitting the ground, turned over and started blurting out
apologies, "Oh geez...we're sorry...we were just standing there like
goons! We should of moved out of the way..."

Zoeisite, who had tripped, and fallen into a wall, stood in the
dim light and grumbled, "Just watch where you are going next time..." as
she moved into the light, her green eyes glaring.

Molly squinted, and looked at Zoeisite more carefully. A flicker of a
memory came to her....A Man. A beautiful man, a man she loved, really
loved. Not like the rebound thing she had had for Melvin, but a true,
lasting love. His dark curly hair, his deep blue eyes, that mellow
voice. A man she knew was long dead. Those man's last words rang in her
ears, as she watched him die in her arms..."I'm sorry Molly...I lied to
you again. I guess we'll never get those parfaits..."

And there was the woman who made Nephlyte a liar. The woman who
had him killed, by those strange plant things. "Nephlyte..." she murmered,
as she stood, red hot rage running through her veins.

Zoeisite, a little dazed, shook her head a bit. She was
clear-headed enough though, to see the young girl with the blue ribbon in
her hair, stand, eyes bright blue. And to see this girl's fist fly towards
her face. Then she saw stars.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the daggers neared the children, there came a sudden cry of, "Venus
Meteor Shower!" Venus stood, her hands outstreached, the golden balls
flying from her hands.

At the same time, what seemed like dozens of roses flew through
the air. Tuxedo Mask landed in front of the children, guarding them with
both staff and cape. Both attacks hit the crystal daggers, smashing them
to fragments. The giant turned with an angry cry, to find Sailor Mercury
standing below him.

"Mercury Bubbles...FREEZE!" the blue scout cried. The bubbles swarmed
around the giant, so as it moved forward, it slide, hitting the ground
with a loud crash. Mercury smiled, and said coolly, "Sorry, didn't mean to give
you the COLD shoulder...."

Mars grinned at Mercury, and yelled, "Nice shot...now let's see if I can
'warm' him up...MARS FIREBIRD STRIKE!"

The giant turned onto it's side, trying to blast Mercury with it's
daggers. The holy fire bird flew through the daggers, and smashed off
the giant's hand. Unfortunately, it also melted the patch of ice that
kept the giant prone on his back. It stood again, and roared.

Jupiter looked at the water, and grinned, "Well Mars....looks like he
didn't like your 'fiery' affections...perhaps I can 'electrify' his
life...JUPITER THUNDER DRAGON!"

The dragon leaped from the green scout's hands, and turned the
crystal giant into a sparkling show. It screamed again, and fell to it's
knees, broken. Moon stepped forward, and grinned. "Now...", she said, her
voice dripping with sarcasm, "To end the pun fest...people say my voice is
glass shattering...well, let's see what my sceptre can do...MOON SCEPTRE
ELIMINATION!"

The blast hit the creature right on the forehead, and it was, as Moon so
thoughtfully said, "Mooooooooooooooooon Dusted..."

Mercury's alarm on her computer went off, and she hit on her visor. A
grin lit up her face. "Guys, the scans read that there is still massive
Nega energy around here. That means...", she left the sentence open for
interpretation.

"That our charming friends haven't gotten as far as they might of
liked...", said Sailor Venus with a grin. The Sailor Scouts smiled at
one another, and followed Mercury as she followed the computer's scanned
map.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Molly smiled darkly as Zoeisite flew backwards and hit the wall. Ahead
of them, Malachite had stopped when he realised that Zoeisite was not
behind them, and came running back. Erkyte, who was behind Zoey, increased
his speed. Cissa sat there, somewhat dazed. Why the hell had Molly hit
that woman?

Molly was suddenly grabbed by Malachite, harshly by the arm. He growled
into her face, "You're going to pay for that...you little bitch..."

Molly had hardly anytime to react, as suddenly as Malachite stood there,
squeezing her arm, then he was slumping to the ground, holding the back
of his head. Cissa stood over him, a loose piece of plywood in her hand.
Erkyte came behind her, and said lowly, "You're going to regret you did
that, little Human."

Cissa swung around, her grey eyes meeting Erkyte's green ones with equal
animoisity. "We'll just see about that, now won't we....", she replied,
holding out the board in a defensive manner. At both of their throats,
the small crystals, both light and dark, sparked and glowed.

A yell came down the far end of the alley, "THERE THEY ARE!!!" Erkyte
looked up to see the Sailor Scouts coming at them at full speed.
Malachite, already recovering, had grabbed Zoeisite and was running for
the end of the alleyway.

The white haired general screamed back to Erkyte, "Come On! This battle
can wait for another day!" Erkyte frowned, but he ran after them, with
one last dark look at Cissa. They reached the end of the alley, expecting
to see Jediate. What they saw, was not a welcome sight. Tuxedo Mask stood,
a rose in his grip. His smile was cold, and his tone icy, "NOW, were you
thinking of running off again?"

Erkyte and Malachite looked at one another, then behind them. The Scouts
were coming up steadily. In front of them was Death in a White Tie and
Tails. The odds were not good. Then they heard the screeching noise, and
looked up the street. At the corner, sat a black Mercedes 950, its
smooth engine rumbling. It seemed like it was sitting there, waiting for
something. Then with with a purr from the engine, it shot forward,
straight at Tuxedo Mask. The elegantly clad hero leapt out of the way as
the car screeched where he was standing.

The Mercedes did a 180 turn, and stopped, right in front of the three
generals. The driver's side window rolled down, and Jedaite's smiling
face appeared. He leaned on the window frame, and said amusedly, "Pardon
me...but would any of you have any Grey Poupon?"

Erkyte and Malachite didn't comment, as Malachite shoved himself and
Zoeisite into the backseat, and Erkyte slide across the hood and threw
himself into the passenger side. Jedaite revved the engine, and the car
jumped forward. Zoeisite managed to spit out, "Where did you get this
car? We had the beat up Ford Sedan..."

Jedaite chuckled, and said, "I realised I have a wonderful talent for
'lifting' a car...and this one seemed VERY nice. Having Dark Side
talents could make me a very rich man in the stolen parts business...."
as he made the car screech to a halt at the end of the block.

The Scouts, and Tuxedo Mask, stood glaring at the black car.,
frustration and anger appart in their expressions. Jedaite called out of
the still open window, "Thanks for the laughs...We really MUST do
this again sometime..." And with that, the window rolled up, and the
Mercedes roared out of sight.

Moon muttered, almost to herself, "Oh don't you worry...there will be a
next time...I promise you that..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Far above them, kneeling on a nearby roof, the green haired woman smiled
to herself. The breeze whipped through her hair as she slowly stood, and
nodded. "Let the Games begin...." she thought to herself, and with that,
she turned and dissapered...