Chapter Four: The Fight                                            



The next evening all of the Sailor senshi were gathered at Usagi's house and were waiting for Luna and Artimus, hoping to get some positive news. The two cats suddenly came running up from the direction of the warehouse district and breathing heavily, "Nothing yet. It looks like they may not come."

Usagi looked at Luna and shook her head, then looks at the others with a confident glare, "They'll come, I know it."

"Well, we had better go over there and wait for them. Nothing else we can do." Haruka pointed out and looked at Michiru with an oddly worried look.

All of the others nodded in agreement but Artimus looked at Usagi and saw she was preoccupied, "Are you okay, Usagi?"

With a startled look, she looked to him for a moment and smiled weakly, nodding with a confident aura, "Yeah, I'm okay. Tonight, we're going to save all of our friends."

"That's right. It'll only be you four, so each of you will be taking on one of the Shadow senshi. Try and help them, but rescue the others first. Only with the other's help will we have a chance of getting them back." Luna said and looked between the four girls, trying to be as confident as she could.

Michiru was the one to step forward and hugged herself lightly, smiling over at Usagi, "We can get them back, I know it. Even as dark as they've become, they're still our friends deep down inside."

"The Ginzuishou will be the key. All of you will have to get them where Usagi can use it on them."

Usagi nodded to Luna and closed her fist tightly, looking out at the others as well, "If we can save them all, the Omega Master will be next to go down."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Usagi. Fighting the Shadow senshi won't be a walk in the park." Haruka said dryly and crossed her arms, dreading the time when she will have to face off against her closest friend.

"We won't even have to fight them! Our friendship will make them realize that they're on the wrong side. We'll all be together again!"

"It's almost midnight. As much as I want you to be right, we still have to go and face them. Let's just hope that some small part of them are the Shadow senshi we knew."


"Are you still here?"

Sailor Mercury's clone appeared in the silence of the library but Dark Shadow Mercury didn't even look up at her, just kept reading his book and speaking over the cover, "Just finishing this chapter." She smirked at him and walked over slowly, dropping down on his lap with a thud and snuggling up to him. He peered out from around the book at her and sighed, a bit annoyed, "What are you doing?"

After taking the book from his hands, she trailed her finger around on his chest, a smile on her face, "I thought we could spend some time together before you go off and destroy those pesky Sailor soldiers."

"I don't have the time to fool around."

With an annoyed huff, he grabbed his book back and opened it once more, practically ignoring her, which made her a bit angry, "What's wrong? Ever since the Sailor senshi were brought here, I haven't seen you nearly as much."

This subject made him sigh and close his book, deciding she wasn't going to leave him alone about this, "Well, I have been quite busy. Keeping your clones away from them and making sure they are fine for tonight. Maybe if you would have told the Omega Master to keep his clones in line, we could've spent more time together."

"So your saying you've spent all of this time with them?"

Her raise in tone made him look at her with a smirk and shake his head lightly, "Jealousy is hardly becoming of you. Remember, all you are is a copy of her, so from a certain point of view, I have been spending time with you."

It didn't exactly make her feel any better and she quickly stood out of his lap, turning her back on him, "Don't you have to go now?"

Obviously not bothered by her anger, he nodded and placed the book down on a table next to him, "Now that you mention it, yes." Rising from his seat, he stretched and smiled at her, raising a thoughtful finger, "You know, you would do well to be more like her. She really isn't as petty as you are."

"Don't you mean pretty?"

"You are her clone, you look the exact same."

"I know, but before you told me that I was more beautiful."

"Did I? Well, I suppose I lied." Smiling with a casual tone, he shrugged lightly and disappeared from the room. She stomped her foot in anger, then looked at a mirror hanging on the wall, tilting her head and looking at the reflection.

"Hmmph, well I think I'm better looking."


The four Sailor senshi were gathered in the temple all alone except for the Prism, waiting for the time when they were going to return as promised. The Dark Shadow senshi suddenly appeared next to the Prism and looked at them, Dark Shadow Mars speaking as usual, "Ready?"

Sailor Mars's eyes never left him as she nodded slowly, glad to finally leave this place, "Yes, let's go."

A light glow came over the Prism and a voice filled the air only so the Shadow senshi could hear it, "You four know what to do."

"It's a no brainer, destroy the Sailor senshi."

The Prism was obviously annoyed at Dark Shadow Venus's casual demeanor and huffed in anger, "Don't get arrogant! Why do you think none of the others have ever defeated Sailor Moon? They got too confident. Beryl, the Animates, Galaxia, they all underestimated her and the other senshi."

"Don't forget the mighty Omega Master." The occupant of the Prism really didn't like that statement by Dark Shadow Mars but he casually walked down to where the Sailor senshi were and looked over them all one last time, "All of you are in satisfactory condition. Are you ready?"

They all nodded and but Dark Shadow Jupiter wryly smiled, holding his hands behind his back and tilting his head, "Too bad you four won't be able to help them." They all looked at him and wanted to question that, when he suddenly threw his arms out and a gathering of white balls of energy filled the air, then soon zapped down energy on them all. The energy bolts struck each senshi and caused them to disappear, soon leaving only the Prism alone in the room.

"Keep an eye on them, make sure they don't fail." The Prism said and two figures stepped backwards into some shadows, disappearing as well as insurance for the Omega Master.


Long after the sun had set, the Sailor senshi arrived at the warehouse district, set in the dreaded task of facing their former allies. It was nothing but a huge area of old warehouses that had been either abandoned or were being used during the day for unloading and loading of goods. Super Sailor Pluto moved her hand down her staff a bit and looked around, feeling a bit relieved at the location, "Well, I'm glad they chose a place where there isn't any people. I would hate to have people getting hurt in our fight with the Shadow senshi."

"That's good news, right? Shows maybe there's still some good in them?"

Super Sailor Uranus looked at Super Sailor Moon for a moment and gave a comforting smile, then looked back over the area, "Did Tuxedo Kamen say if he was going to come?"

"I have a feeling that if we need him, he'll show up."

It was well past midnight and they were standing in silence when a cold wind suddenly picked up, filling the area with a whistling sound between empty parts of the buildings. Just as they all got a bit uneasy about this sudden wind, it started to blow even harder and made the buildings come alive with horrible sounds of hormony from the exposed beams. Sailor Moon puled on of her ribbons of hair from her face and yelled in a frantic shriek, "What's with this wind?" Suddenly, out of the sky, blasts of orange energy started to hit all around them, tearing up the ground as they struck. The barrage of energy did send them all scattering to dodge them all, but not one of them seemed to find their targets. Just as sudden as they started, the blasts stopped and the wind died down to a slight breeze, just as it was before. Oddly, a whistling noise still remained floating about and Super Sailor Neptune recognized it, immediately, diving over to Super Sailor Moon and pushing her out of the way.

"Watch out!"

Right as they started to fall, a blurry object whizzed where Sailor Moon's head was and she yelped, staring off at the departing object with a shrill in her voice "What was it?" Sailor Neptune didn't answer as she was looking around wildly, trying to guess where the object would come next. Suddenly, the whistling got loud again and she looked to her side to see the blur headed right for her. She didn't have enough time to move and all she could do was watch the blur as it arrived at its target. Suddenly, Sailor Pluto threw her staff in the way and deflected the object away from her, saving her from a gruesome death. Letting a breath out in relief, she looked at Sailor Pluto and thanked her, then looked around for the object once more.

The object went flying from the collision but suddenly a hand appeared and captured the object. They all looked to find Shadow Mercury holding his triad and he landed on the ground lightly, smiling lightly at them all. He was standing across from them as he lowered it to his side, impressed by their evasion and nodding his head a bit, "Very impressive."

Sailor Moon looked around quickly, then back to him with an anxious look in her eyes, "Kurai! Where are the others?"

Her tone caused him to smirk at her and look to the side slowly, "Which others? These others?" They followed his eyes and found Shadow Mars standing to the side of them, watching them silently as if he had been there the entire time. Almost feeling another presence, they looked the other way and found Shadow Venus standing the opposite of him.

"Hello, ladies."

The voice caused them to spin and find Shadow Jupiter behind them, his arms crossed over his chest. Shadow Mercury laughed a bit sadistically and got their attention once more, "Or these others?" This time he looked in a different direction and they followed his eyes once more, finding the other Sailor senshi in an energy field setting on the ground away from them.

From inside the field, Sailor Mars leaned against the side and yelled out loudly, "Sailor Moon! We're all okay."

The sight of them made Sailor Moon feel so much better, but she soon looked over to Shadow Mars with a commanding tone, "Let them go!"

"You know what you must do."

"And I told you, we won't fight you. You're our friends, can't you remember that?"

His trademark look remained in his eyes and he let out a soft breath, brushing his hair away with a thumb, "Don't try to turn us. It won't work this time, Sailor Moon."

"Yamito, let us help you. We can use the Ginzuishou to make you better."

This time it was Shadow Jupiter who spoke and oddly severed this line of talking between the two, giving Shadow Mars a bit of a look, "She's just trying to kill our fun." Without any response from him, he slowly looked to the Sailor senshi and quirked a devious brow, "Having ethics is such a drag. You all really should try being bad, it's much more fun."

"Indeed. Besides, the proclaimed Messiah isn't exactly as good as everyone hoped she would be, " Shadow Mars added and almost seemed to ignore the look he got from his comrade. His remark, however, did hit Sailor Moon hard and she twitched, looking at him in a huff.

"What does that mean?"

"All of those times you tried to cheat on exams. Always trying to good, with little done. Being greedy and self-centered."

The list that was being named made her sneer at Shadow Mars, but it was even worse when Shadow Venus decided to add a part of his own, "Not to mention all of the crushes you have, despite your thing with Mamoru. Why, I can even think of a certain somebody here that you......"

"Suteki, you pipe down before I come over there and strangle you!" Her sudden interruption made him grin widely and laugh, though he promptly received a glare from Shadow Mars as well. Heaving as she looked at him, she couldn't believe what she told him was coming back to bite her in the rear, "Just because I've been a little bad doesn't mean I'm bad. At least I didn't turn evil like some people!"

"Being a little bad is still being bad. After some of the little tidbits you've told me, I personally wouldn't want to follow you. If I were the Sailor senshi, I'd want to lose the squid-haired blonde. It's almost a joke how you all follow her, ya know?"

"My hair does not look like a squid!"

Finally Luna and Artimus jumped in from the side and saw what was going on, and intended to put a stop to it. Luna shook her head and looked to the girls, yelling out loudly, "They're trying to divide us! Don't listen to them."

"Ahhh, the guiding felines. Never has such tuna breath ever been so wise."

Artimus looked at Shadow Mercury in a huff and took great insult in that, the fur along his back sticking up a bit, "I don't even like tuna! I prefer sardines."

The way the situation spiraled down into a yelling contest started to get onto Shadow Mars's nerves and he stepped forward, making everyone quiet and look at him, "Enough small talk. Do you want them or not?"

"Of course we want them back!"

"Then earn them." As he stood in the middle between the two groups, a red aura formed around him and he brushed some hair from his face, those dark eyes locked onto Sailor Moon. The air seemed to radiate with an immense heat and testified to his power, and seriousness in this matter. Still not one to give up, Sailor Moon stepped forward and pleaded with him once more, holding her hands out to show she wouldn't take arms against him.

"Wait, don't do this! Yamito please! Listen to me!"

This time he wouldn't answer and the air was sweltering by now, making everyone, including the other Shadow senshi, start to sweat and squirm. Wiping some sweat from her brow, Sailor Uranus gave Sailor Moon a quick look, pointing out the obvious, "Forget it, Sailor Moon! They aren't listening and we're going to have to fight them."

"Finally, someone who can see the seriousness of the matter. Jupiter?" Not exactly liking being called, Shadow Jupiter miffed a bit and walked out next to the source of all the heat, giving him a slightly annoyed look. Shadow Mars didn't move and trained his eyes on Sailor Uranus, "I think it only fair we give you two the first shot. How about it?"

"Works for me. It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

The challenge was bittersweet, and she looked to him slowly with a reluctant look in her eyes. Oddly, the idea made her smile a bit and she looked him over once, almost like she had the first time they sparred, "Maybe with your new powers, you may be able to keep up with me, Kage. Think you have chance, big guy?"

Her usual attitude made him grin and step off to the side, a playful glimmer appearing in his eyes, "I almost hate to have to embarrass you in front of everybody. Call me soft, but I still have a special place for you. It'll break my heart when I end your life."

His threat was surprisingly sincere, but she just turned and walked to the side, listening to him speak the whole way. As they got a fair distance from the others, she stopped but didn't turn back to him, but just stared off into the distance of buildings and towers, "We don't have to do this, Kage. I've never wanted to fight you for real."

"I'm afraid we do, my dearest Sailor Uranus. The fact of the matter is," As he trailed off a moment, his hands raised up in that unique fighting stance he used, and his peat green eyes focused on her as he spoke with a vicious smile, "This fight has been long coming! We'll see now who's the better fighter!" A sudden movement made her look to him quickly but it was already too late, he was right next to her. Almost by reflex, she stepped back in her stance and threw a sloppy punch at him, which was exactly what he expected. Catching her arm tightly, he winked at her and fell backwards, taking her with him. As his back planted onto the ground, she felt his feet set into her back and, with a powerful extension, he sent her flying into the air above him. Laying on his back, he watched her go up and smiled, then disappeared only to reappear above her, catching her by the leg and holding her there a moment, "You're not fairing so well, my friend." Before she could react, he suddenly let her go and watched her falling towards the ground, an ambiguous look on his face. As the ground came speeding towards her, she managed to turn in the air to land, but clenched her teeth as she imagined it to be a hard landing. Much to her surprise, he appeared once again right behind her, grabbing her from behind and holding her arms at her sides so she couldn't move them. To her further shock, a blast of air underneath them slowed their fall and they both hit the ground softly, remaining on their feet but with him still holding onto her. Struggling a bit to get free, she turned her head and stared at him a moment, completely confused by his actions so far.

"Why did you catch me?"

Her question genuinely made him wince and was silent a moment, though never released his grip on her. After a moment of thinking, he leaned closer to her ear and spoke with a cold tone, "I don't know. I guess I still care about you. That's why.....you have to die, Haruka." His comments made her feel the same hope about them as Sailor Moon did, though she would pursue that hope in a slightly different manner. Stepping back quickly, she bent forward and hurled him over her back, freeing her arms and body at the same time. Not to be brushed off so easily, he quickly planted a hand down and sprung over to his feet, quickly turning around to face her once more. What he found was a smile on her face, and her expression seem to make him a bit uneasy, "What are you smiling about?"

"This darkness isn't as strong as you think it is. At least, you're a lot stronger than it is, Kage. Let Sailor Moon help you. You and I.......we aren't meant to fight like this."

For a moment, it seemed her words made a slight impact on him, but were soon brushed away as he shook his head and raised his hands out in front of him, "Sorry, this is how it has to be. Look at it this way, Sailor Uranus, I consider you to be one of my best friends. So, isn't it ironic that it'll be me that kills you?" Placing his fists together in front of him, he suddenly pulled his hands aside and seemed to rip an object from the air. Sparse lightning bolts ran along the awesome blade of his sword and he twirled it once in his hand, presenting it to her like a gift, "It's almost romantic. Two best friends fighting each other to the death by blades because the one has fallen into the darkness, thus becoming the other's mortal enemy. Something for someone to write about long after we're gone, wouldn't you say?"

His casual attitude about this made her a bit angry and she didn't even take a defensive stance, but just stared at him fiercely, "This isn't a story, Kage! You know I don't want to fight you, but you're giving me no choice!" With her passionate pleas, her Space Sword was soon presented to defend herself and it all made him smile contentedly, moving his sword quickly into a stance to attack.

"No one understands what we have, you and I. When it all ends, one of us will be heartbroken, and the other dead. The funny thing is......I almost hope you win."

His last comment took her off guard, though she had little time to react to it. As the last word left his lips, he sprang into a full charge at her and yelled, bringing his blade at her with final intent. Though she had dreaded this moment ever since she had seen those spiky strands of white hair, she brought her own sword up to defend herself. What followed was the beginning of a twisted fight, all set in motion by that first clang of the two blades.


Back with the others, things had already began between the two groups of senshi. In all of the chaos, the remaining Sailor senshi had become separated and engaged by the enemy, once a treasured friend. Sailor Pluto had found herself ironically facing the one Shadow senshi she had hoped she would not, Shadow Venus. It struck her that they might have planned this all out, but the fact was a little inconsequential at the moment. Keeping her staff out as a deterrent, she watched him closely as he paced in front of her, a wry smile on his face. The situation was not to her liking, "What do you intend to do, Suteki? Kill me?"

"Yeah, that's the basic idea. You think that one guy you keep avoiding to talk about would be pissed off I did that? This....Jikan?"

The question made her smile and she gave him a genuine warning, "I doubt you wish to find out. All the charm in the world wouldn't save you from that fate."

Coming to a slow stop, he faced her now and shrugged lightly, raising his hands up slowly, "It's a risk I'm willing to take. Here's an attack you haven't seen for a while. This time, it's a little stronger." With a playful wink, a glow appeared along his raised arm and he was quick to use it, throwing his arm forward at her, "Venus Passion Link!" The glow suddenly extended into a long whip of energy, uncurling at her at a greater speed than she remembered, and it took a bit of effort to dodge the attack. Quickly rolling out of the way, she left the whip of energy sail past her and slash into the side of a building, making the stone and glass shatter into rubble. The whip ran along the side of the building and succeeded in halving the building, sending it crashing down into itself. Then the energy made its way back into place along Dark Shadow Venus's arm and he held his arm up in front of him, looking past it to her with a grin. Watching the building come down on itself, she looked back to him and rose up to her feet, shocked at the amount of power his attack had grown by. Seeing her reaction made him giddy and he suddenly threw out his arm again, this time to flash her a peace sign, "Well, whaddya think? Wasn't that cool?"

She couldn't help it, and a smile managed to force its way across her face, though granted it was a weak one, "Suteki, you never fail to make me smile, even in this situation. It makes me sad to think that you'd use that power to hurt people."

"Eh, at least it's something to do. Besides, just between you and me, this is all just a way to break into my modeling career. Make a name for yourself by burning down Tokyo! Pretty good idea, huh?" She couldn't tell if he was serious or being sarcastic, and a large sweatdrop rolled down the back of her head as she stared at him silently. Getting no response, he miffed a bit and set his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disappointment, "Alas, you won't be there to see it, Setsuna. Unfortunately for you, the boss says we gotta off all of you Sailor senshi. Too bad, too, I always did like your designs."

"When you refer to the 'boss', do you mean Shadow Mars or the Omega Master?"

Her comment made him blink, then laugh and lift up his hand, shaking a finger at her, "Ouch, that was below the belt, Sailor Pluto. You know the only person I follow is the guy over there facing squid girl. You know, I always wondered what those two talk about in times like this." By now, his attentions had wandered over to Shadow Mars standing in front of Sailor Moon, both of them apparently lost in their own little conversation. Sailor Pluto couldn't help but gaze over there as well and took her attention away from her own battle. This time, it would cost her. As she looked back to comment, she was met with a dozen blasts of orange energy sailing towards her, barely giving her enough time to blink before they were right upon her.


"You disagree with the path I have chosen."

It was the understatement of the century, and Shadow Mars's comment was met with a sour look from Sailor Moon. Standing a mere foot away from him, she looked up into those dark eyes and spoke with a very weak tone, "This isn't right, Yamito. You are supposed to be fighting the Omega Master, not working with him. Why the sudden change? What made you do this to you and the others?"

A light gleam of regret filled those eyes and he blinked slowly, still just staring back down into those baby blue eyes so full of hope, "Have you ever committed yourself to one thing alone, and then watched as you failed miserably at it?" She didn't understand at all and he continued on, the loathing in his voice becoming more apparent, "When Sentaku died, I vowed to avenge him. Then I was presented with my curse. I could only avenge his death partly, by killing my own clone, Kiga. In effect, I killed myself as well, leaving his true murderer still alive. I proved my own power wasn't enough to fulfill my vow, and now I've given up what little of my soul I had left, to wait until the time when I could kill the Omega Master. Only my darkness can do what I cannot."

The confession made her stare at him speechlessly, and she had now more hope that he could be saved than before. Reaching out, she grabbed onto his arm lightly and shook her head a bit, almost not believing it, "You're doing all of this, until you can find a way to kill the Omega Master? Do the others know about this?"

Her touch made him pull away a bit, though still remained where she could hold onto his arm, "No, their darker sides have them now. To add to my sins, I've convicted my friends to a horrible fate of being dominated by their darkness. Sentaku would shudder to see what I am doing, but this is the only way I can think of to avenge him. The ends, Sailor Moon, will justify the means."

"And if the means includes killing innocent people!? What if the means includes killing your friends? Or Rei?" He stood their silently, not even attempting to defend himself at the moment. Pulling on his arm fiercely, she made him look back at her and she stared up at him with flames of her own burning in her eyes, "Silence won't cut it this time, Yamito! You have to talk to me! Tell me how far this will go before you'll stop!"

Getting a response she didn't expect, he suddenly threw his arm to the side and with it, threw her to the ground harshly. Visible flames reflected in his dark eyes as he stared down at her, showing obvious signs of anger through his usual cold demeanor, "It will end when the Omega Master is dead! Everyone who dies saves those billions upon billions of people throughout the universe that he will eventual find and destroy. You don't understand, Sailor Moon. You can't possibly understand what's at stake here. He has to be stopped, no matter the cost."

"I can't believe what you're saying, Yamito. You.....you're no better than he is."

The words were like a brick that hit him in the head. As she sat there on the ground next to him, she knew she had said something that really hit deep inside of him. Staring at her with an open mouth, he ran those thoughts through his head a hundred times, and each time made him believe more and more that she was right. Still, his pride made him clench his teeth and face her, looking down at her with malicious intent, "You've just crossed the line, Sailor Moon. For that, you die here and now."


Although Sailor Neptune was motionless as she faced Shadow Mercury, her face was tensed up and her eyes were moving quickly to find the source of his smile. His hands clasped behind him gingerly, he waited and watched, as if the entire thing was merely entertainment to him. Suddenly, the familiar whistling sound started to grow in the distance and his eyes moved to the side, though he spoke right to her, "You seem tense. Something the matter?"

"Kurai, this whole triad business is getting very old. Is it all you can do?"

Taking in those words for a moment, he shrugged lightly and reached his hand out, speaking in a dry tone as he looked back to her, "If it bores you, then I can eliminate you another way." His triad smacked into his hand and he lowered to his side, the blades retracting into it with a quick sound, "I would hate to be a rude opponent." Letting her guard down a bit, she let out a slow breath and weakly smiled at him, glad to see at least some part of him was still in control. Then her thoughts were shattered as he suddenly ripped his hand up through the air and sent the triad flying at her once more. In the middle of its flight, those terrible blades extended once more and the entire thing became a blurring saw, training down on her like it was being targeted by his icy blue eyes. The deception had taken her off guard and the triad threatened to do as he promised, to kill her where she stood. If not for a figure welding a cane, it would have done just that. Landing before her, Tuxedo Kamen quickly deflected the triad away with his cane and sent it flying towards the field that held the other Sailor senshi. Sailor Venus had just happened to be watching closely when the triad struck the field right in front of her face, making her shriek and jump backwards to the other side of the field. The energy from the field sent bolts of lightning all around the triad and it soon fell to the ground, losing its ability to return to its owner. The affect it had on Sailor Venus drew the other senshi inside to the scene and watched intently as Shadow Mercury looked to his triad with a weary look in his eyes. Shaking his head in disappointment, he soon trained his icy stare on Tuxedo Kamen and spoke in an annoyed tone, "Fashionably late as always, I see."

"I like to make them wait. It makes them appreciate me."

His musings struck a smile across the dark senshi's face and he pulled tight his glove a bit, idly making some conversation before he made a move, "Indeed. I know Shadow Mars is eager to see you again."

"The feeling isn't mutual. Why must you fight the ones that seek the same thing as you? You should working together to stop the Omega Master."

"Your righteous speeches really do bore me. As I see it, Tuxedo Kamen, you speak far better than you fight."

"Maybe that's something we share in common?"

The insult ran deep into Shadow Mercury's chest and he lowered his hands at his sides, finally understanding why his comrade disliked him so much, "If I were a less refined person, that would have made me angry and sloppy. Unfortunately for you, it only made me angry. I suppose I'll make Mars angry for killing you. Hm, oh well."

Taking a moment to tighten his glove once more, Shadow Mercury shrugged and let out a slow breath, then lunged forward to attack. Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Neptune both got ready for the assault, when another figure appeared on the scene between them. Shadow Mars stared at his friend coldly, and caused him to skid to a stop in his assault, his icy blue eyes wide with nervousness. The other two watched in silence as the leader of the Shadow senshi slowly brushed some hair from his face, closing his dark eyes slowly.

"Surely you weren't going to fight Tuxedo Kamen when you know that I have a score with him first? I shouldn't even entertain the idea, should I, Mercury?"

For the first time since any of them, including the spectators trapped in the energy field had witnessed, Shadow Mercury's refined voice broke down and he spoke with a shaky tone, "N-no, of course not. I would never step on your toes."

His command over the others always so apparent, Shadow Mars looked at him a moment longer, then nodded once and slowly turned to Tuxedo Kamen, an almost satisfied gleam appearing in his eyes. Obviously happy to get a chance to face his rival, he got an almost sadistic tone in his voice as he took in a slow breath, "You have just saved her life again, Tuxedo Kamen, and you didn't even know it. I was about to kill her when you appeared. One has to admire your timing." Slowly looking to the side, Tuxedo Kamen followed his eyes and looked at Sailor Moon, lying on the ground with her eyes closed, but still breathing. Although she didn't look like he had even touched her, she was still out cold and Tuxedo Kamen gasped, looking at her with obvious concern.

"Usako!"

"Careful, human names and identities can be poison when their are ears about. In any case, you won't live long enough to worry about what happens to her. I can honestly say, it'll give me great pleasure in watching you burn, Tuxedo Kamen." Those masked eyes still burned with anger as he looked back to the dark senshi, his hand grasping around his cane tightly. Shadow Mercury watched his leader silently and furrowed his brow, some strange sensations about him trickling up his neck. With Sailor Moon down, the other senshi still trapped in the field, and two of the remaining four wrapped up in their own battles, the fight that had plagued the senshi for weeks was turning out to be as horrible as expected, both physically and emotionally. And now, the real fight was just beginning.


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