Chapter Nine: Old Friends Returned     


The reunion between the Shadow senshi was bitter and cold as the two who were once thought as lost returned only to show great contempt for the others. Looks of hatred could be seen in their eyes as they looked out over their former companions, especially as they looked at Shadow Mars. Although Shadow Mercury and Shadow Venus looked more surprised than anything else, Shadow Jupiter stared at the two with an equal displeasure as they showed him. Shadow Mars remained quietly apathetic. The reaction they received was more than they hoped as Shadow Uranus stepped forward and stared out over them all with his dark blue eyes.

"Surprised?"

Either too angry or too shocked to respond, the Darkened Shadow senshi were quiet even at the question. It was Shadow Mercury who finally spoke up to his old friends, "We thought you both were dead. How did you escape the Omega Master and get to this dimension as well?"

"Kurai, you are the only one of the four who could truly stay innocent. It's a pity we have to kill you as well."

Shadow Neptune looked almost affectionate as he looked over Shadow Mercury though the hatred in his eyes never fell away. It brought an odd look on Shadow Mercury's face but the leader of the Darkened Shadow senshi finally stepped forward and took his responsibilities, "No matter how much the Omega Master has polluted your minds by now, you both are still one of us......Shadow senshi until the end. You know we would have saved you if we'd have known of your existence."

"Yamito, you're not the true leader of the senshi, so don't pretend we would ever follow you. It's fortunate that Sentaku died.....so that he wouldn't have to see what you've done in his absence. " Being the closest to him Sailor Mars could feel the angry swelling in him as he took their insults. Even as she watched his face remain solid and emotionless, she could sense how badly he hated to hear those words. He also said nothing which made a bitter smile come over Shadow Uranus's face as he continued, "After you left us at the mercy of the Omega Master, we were given a last chance to live. We gave him our star seeds and now only live because of these damned collars!" On both of their necks were dull, silver collars that held to their skin tightly. A single jewel in the back glowed at all times and testified to their terrible truth, "So now we serve him. We will kill you Shadow senshi not because he told us to, but because you made us into this. Puppets!"

"Killing the Sailor senshi will only add to the sweetness because we know how dearly you care for them all. Didn't I once tell you all that girls are going to be your downfall?" Shadow Neptune added and clasped his hands behind him gingerly while stepping forward a bit with one foot.

All of this was making the Sailor senshi just watch between the two groups and wonder what kind of history they had. The two finally brought one of the Darkened Shadow senshi to his end and he stepped forward with a challenging glare to them both, "You both got what you deserved. All those times you picked your own side and played us to your advantage were just waiting to be paid back. I hope those collars fit nice and tight on both of you dogs." It brought all eyes on him but Shadow Jupiter didn't much care. A glare passed between him and the two, laced with history and grudges that seemed to just scream out with bad blood. Sailor Moon looked at Shadow Jupiter with a swallow and had never seen him this worked up over anything. He obviously didn't care much for either of them before. They both became a bit steamed and he seemed to enjoy that, "What, did I make you mad? It's been too long since I got to blow some steam off about you two. I don't know which idea I like better, you being dead or made to serve that moron in the Prism."

"Kage, it will be a pleasure to kill your lover right before your eyes. Then I'll impale you with your own sword.....kind of like before. How has that scar healed, anyway?"

Shadow Uranus finally pushed the last button and a swirl of lightning started to surge over the body of Shadow Jupiter. As he got ready to let lose an attack on them in his rage, Shadow Mars flashed him a glance and spoke up in a very loud voice, "Kage! Calm down for a moment! You'll gain nothing from blindly attacking them now. You'll have your time after I find out what they know."

Although he was reluctant, Shadow Jupiter glared at the two and lightning around him started to fade away, although he remained tensed up so when the time came he could attack without regard. Shadow Uranus straightened his short blonde hair with his hand and glanced over to Shadow Mars with a smirk, "What we know? We know everything! How do you think the Omega Master was able to use your Shudo to zap you last time? We told him about it."

"Then you both are traitors. You'll go down with the Omega Master by our hand. I only hope your spirits will be freed from this bitter existence that we've given to you."

Shadow Mars seemed almost concerned about them but his words resounded with cold intent. His concern mattered little to them both and Shadow Neptune crossed his arms pettily over his chest, "Save your pity, Yamito. It'll be you who dies this day. I hope you can face Sentaku when you meet him." Suddenly a very cold wind started to cut through the air and it made all of the senshi get ready for a fight. The eight clones also began to stir a bit more and Shadow Neptune laughed lightly as he raised up one hand in front of him, "The Omega Master had far more time to advance our powers than you four. Let me show you how much."

"Bring it on!"

Shadow Jupiter eager to face them and stood at the front of them all, just waiting for the opportunity to take some of his anger out on them. Shadow Neptune powered up with a smile and a blue point of light appeared above his palm. It made Shadow Jupiter grin and lightning started to circle around him in a swirl of white light. The Sailor senshi didn't exactly know what their place in this would be and many of them just watched for a moment. Sailor Mars did happen to glance up at Shadow Mars and saw he didn't let his aura fade away any. Shadow Neptune smiled a bit as he said the words for his attack in a quiet voice, "Thermocline Surge."

While Shadow Jupiter seemed confident of his power, Shadow Uranus just watched him and smiled while Shadow Neptune slowly raised up the point of light before his lips. His lips circled into a small hole and, with a single breath, he blew out a massive energy ball that took everyone by surprise. Of course Shadow Jupiter had seen the attack before but this time it overcame him faster than he could have ever predicted. Even with his own attack forming around him the blue energy struck him and knocked him away like a pebble in a swift river. The energy didn't end there, however, as it continued on to the rest of the surprised senshi. The next two it struck was Shadow Mars and Sailor Mars. Even the power of Shadow Mars's aura was quickly pushed aside as they both were thrown away from each other and to the ground harshly. From there the energy hit the ground between Shadow Venus and Shadow Mercury, the following explosion sending them both away from the rest of them and causing the rest of the Sailor senshi to take cover from the onslaught. The affect was the senshi were all scattered away from each other and some of them had massive chunks taken from their egos. Shadow Neptune slowly lowered his hand and seemed very amused by it all.

"Well, that went rather well. I hope I didn't kill any of them yet."

Shadow Uranus just laughed a bit as he watched and nodded slowly at the achievement. Despite the affections shown towards him Shadow Mercury was the first to launch a counterattack as he got back to his feet, "Victory will not be that easy!" A dull blue glow of his own appeared on his hands and he held them together for one moment, his eyes locking onto Shadow Uranus, "Mercury Glacial Deception!" Throwing his arms out to the sides made the energy fly off in opposite directions but slowly curve their way back towards each other. Shadow Uranus smiled a bit as the two came together at his sides but never impacted him. Both he and Shadow Neptune disappeared from their path and only a quick flash of light concluded the end of Shadow Mercury's attack. Those icy blue eyes darted around for them but it was his senses that found him. He could just feel them behind him but it was another voice that alerted him as well.

"Look out, Kurai!" Sailor Mercury called out as she struggled to her feet as well. Shadow Mercury clenched his fist and could feel that they both were just smiling at him. Soon enough he spun around and threw a fist up at Shadow Uranus, though a blade was protruding from the inside of his palm as well. Shadow Uranus moved his head to the side and dodged the attack, though his attentions came on the triad that was clenched in his fist now. With a smirk he grabbed Shadow Mercury's arm and punched up into his stomach powerfully. It was so powerful, in fact, that Shadow Mercury lost all of his breath and stood there a moment with surprise in his eyes. As he fell to his knees, he clutched his stomach and his triad fell to the ground with a thud. Shadow Uranus looked a little disappointed and he stood straight with that same smirk on his face.

"I'm sorry it had to be like this, Kurai. It's a pity you had to follow him." Shadow Neptune gave a remorseful glance from behind but Shadow Uranus still dropped his hand to his side and opened his palm. An orange glow appeared on the ground next to him and bubbled with energy aimed at Shadow Mercury's weakened body. Before he could use his attack, however, Shadow Jupiter jumped between them with a determined grin.

"This'll be like old times!" Sliding his feet apart set him up to attack Shadow Uranus and that's exactly what he did. Throwing a quick elbow into his face made him stagger a bit and opened the door for a skillful spin kick that Shadow Jupiter landed right into his chest. The strike was strong enough to send Shadow Uranus flying away but Shadow Jupiter wasn't done yet. Quick stepping a little put him right next to the shocked Shadow Neptune and he grabbed him by the shirt, then threw him over his shoulder to get them both away from Shadow Mercury. Then it was back to his main target. In the ending of the motion he used to throw Shadow Neptune he sprinted after Shadow Uranus with fists ready to attack once more. Shadow Uranus was just getting to his feet as he got to him but held a small surprise on store. Just as Shadow Jupiter reared back to attack Shadow Uranus flipped his hand through the air and yelled out his own attack while it formed on the ground next to him.

"Global Eviction!" The orange spot next to him suddenly erupted as a massive energy ball ripped from the ground and into the body of Shadow Jupiter. The energy was enough to knock him back into the air where another figure was waiting eagerly for him. Shadow Neptune floated motionlessly for a moment and got a small, deranged smile on his face. Then he used his Thermocline Surge attack once more and it sent Shadow Jupiter back into the ground. As Shadow Neptune floated down next to the small crater, Shadow Uranus looked down into it with a grin. Shadow Jupiter was lying silent in the shallow crater and showed no signs of motion.

"Kage?" Sailor Jupiter squeaked out couldn't find herself moving for a moment as she waited for him to move out of the crater. The moment for the two Shadow senshi standing at the rim of the crater was short lived as a siege of blasts came out of nowhere and start to strike them. Everyone looked to see a recovered Shadow Venus using his Gatling Blast attack with a grim look on his face. Although the attacks did make some damage to the two, Shadow Uranus covered his face with one arm and dropped the other to his side quickly. Another Global Eviction attack ripped from the ground at his command and started to press through the Gatling Blast attack quickly. Much to his surprise Shadow Venus found the large blast coming through his own and striking him right in the hands. The force of his own attack and the foreign one blasted him away and into a tree, splitting the trunk down the middle and making it lean to the side a bit. Shadow Venus shook off the attack slowly and looked up angrily while blood streaked down his face from a gash above his eye.

"They're as annoying as ever." Shadow Neptune quipped and rubbed the affects of the blasts from his arm. Shadow Uranus was feeling a bit satisfied with disposing of them like that but a look of dread suddenly came over his companion's face, "Uranus, aren't we forgetting someone?"

"Mars Fire Wall!" Came the voice from in between them. They both looked just in time to see a wall of fire hit them both and send them skidding away at the mercy of it. Both attacks struck the brush and burst into flames, though the targets didn't seem to appear in that fire. Shadow Mars stood looking between both fires while he waited for something.

"You did it!" Sailor Moon cheered loudly to him but he didn't look so confident about that. Those dark eyes moved around for the enemy and the Sailor senshi watched with anticipation. Suddenly a swirling blast of orange and blue energy came from behind and struck the mighty senshi's back, making him yell out in pain at the combined power of the two attacks. His uniform shredded at the impact and he soon fell to his knees. With a lingering look to the Sailor senshi, his face suddenly became relaxed and he fell forward to the dirt, revealing the two remaining Shadow senshi to smile victoriously behind him. Sailor Moon stepped forward and looked to Shadow Mars with a wild look in her eyes, "Yamito, no!" The Sailor senshi were aghast at the Shadow senshi being defeated so quickly but one of them couldn't stand to stay there any longer. Seeing Shadow Mars hit the dirt sent Sailor Mars over the edge and she suddenly came sprinting out of the others with flashing eyes. It grabbed the attention of the two remaining Shadow senshi but that was exactly what she wanted. When she had gotten closer to her fallen lover, flames danced around her body and she skillfully used her Flame Sniper attack on Shadow Uranus. Feeling overconfident led him to make a mistake and though he moved out of the way of her attack slightly, a part of the flames did cut across his shoulder and both ripped his uniform, and drew blood on his body. Shadow Neptune blinked in shock at the attack and Shadow Uranus glared at the offender angrily, placing a gloved hand across his wound.

"You little witch. How dare you attack me like that."

Sailor Mars finally got to the wounded Shadow Mars and stood between him and the other two, a fierce determination in her eyes. The flames burning in those violet hues testified to her commitment to protect him and she stood ready to fight off any further attack on the object of her love. Soon enough, however, she was joined by the rest of the Sailor senshi in protecting him. With a light smile on her face, Sailor Moon glanced over at Sailor Mars, "She's not alone. We'll all stop you from hurting our friends."

"Well, let's make this more interesting them." Shadow Uranus quipped and snapped his fingers loudly. The eight clones that had accompanied them finally moved as they jumped into positions around all of the other senshi. Instinctively the senshi faced the clones and got ready to battle, but Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon never looked away from the two collared senshi. Shadow Uranus glared evilly at them and waved his hand through the air slowly, "You'll all die to protect those four. I hope they're worth it."

"My Yamito is worth any price. Try and hurt him again and you'll find that out."


Sailor Venus decided to break away from the others and make a run for the weakened Shadow Venus over by the tree. As she ran over towards him, however, she saw a clone with the large hammer as her hands also making its way over to him. Then she was terrified to see the clone's hands start to glow and it threw one of its hammers right at him to finish him off. The hammer transformed into pure energy as it sped toward him and left a trail of light behind it as it flew. Still a bit woozy from hitting the tree made Shadow Venus see the blast a little fuzzy. By the time he figured what it was, the attack was too close from him to dodge and his blue eyes shrunk a bit at the sight, "Whoa! Not good!" Then much to his surprise Sailor Venus jumped in front of him and faced him with a broken smile. He had to blink once before the hammer slammed into her back and made her scream out in pain.

After the blast she just fell forward into his arms and caused him hold on to her tightly, "Minako!" Her labored breathing made him even more worried and he looked down at her with wide eyes, "Why? Why did you do that?" The question made her smile weakly and look up at him with her own beautiful, blue eyes. Seeing the concern in his eyes made her feel nothing of the pain and she reached up to push her slender fingers through his hair.

"Because I love you, baka blonde."

The two shared a moment that reflected their lost past and everything else almost seemed to fade away for a moment. That is, until another blast ripped into her body and made her yell out once more in pain. This time she barely held on to conscienceness and Shadow Venus slowly looked up to the approaching clone. She had regenerated the hammer along her hand now and laughed lightly at the two, "How sweet. The lovesick Sailor senshi sacrificing herself for the Shadow senshi that has renounced her love." Anger stirred in Shadow Venus's eyes but the clone wouldn't give him a chance to act on it. The clone let out a high scream and threw her arms forward once more, sending another hammer towards the two. Before the blast could get to them Shadow Venus held the girl in his arms tighter and they both disappeared. The blast annihilated the tree they were under and the clones was surprised at his burst of strength, "Well, not as weakened as I was lead to believe." He appeared a little ways away with Sailor Venus and held her weakly in his arms.

"I never renounced it. I just forgot. Now I remember and that spells trouble for you, clone."

The clone started to walk toward them with its hands glowing again and laughed shrilly at his words, "I can kill you both with one blast. This will be so much fun!"

Suddenly Shadow Venus felt something touch his arm and he looked down to see Sailor Venus grasping it lightly. A smile was on her features and she seemed able to move now. Setting her to her feet softly, he kept her arm over his shoulder and helped her stand, "Can you stand?"

She just nodded to him and was able to stay on her feet, though she kept her arm over his shoulder and held to him tightly. The two exchanged a stare for a moment but the clone suddenly charged at them and shrieked loudly. Shadow Venus quickly looked up to it and an orange glow appeared at his free arm to defend. Then he heard the whisper that made him smile a bit, "I believe in you, Suteki."

"Venus Passion Link!" The energy was hurled forward at the clone all the while he held to her tightly. To the clone's surprise the energy wrapped around her waist and started to cut into her body. Before she could yell out in pain the energy severed her in half and turned her body into nothing more than vapor and simple hammer which fell to the ground. Disposing of the clone made Shadow Venus waver a bit but Sailor Venus did her part to hold him steady this time. The two actually stood there with the other helping them, but their eyes were far away as they looked at each other.

"Tell me you love me, Suteki." She cooed and placed her hand on his cheek softly. The bizarre question made him blink and he slowly looked away for a moment, like he couldn't do as she asked. His reaction hurt her a bit and she lowered her hand while she looked away as well.

"Time to end this little scene!" A voice called from their side and they both looked to see three more clones approaching them quickly. Two of them had the long tentacles growing from their wrists and the other had the spikes growing from all over his body. Shadow Venus seemed a bit glad they were interrupted and he slowly let go of Sailor Venus to face them all. In his weakened state Shadow Venus knew he'd have a problem with them and even with her help, they were set to lose this battle. Still, he protected her as she protected him before and a Gatling Blast appeared on both of his forearms.

"You three are in for a whoopin'. If you think you can beat the fabulous senshi of Venus, come get some." The three clones started towards them both from three sides and Sailor Venus placed her back into his, though some of the reason being she was still a bit weak from the attack.

While he threatened off two of the clones with his arms, she eyed the third and called over her shoulder to him, "Can we beat them?"

"Of course we can. I'm not about to let some clones touch that beautiful face of yours. Or that body......whoo baby!"

His ability to make her smile still amazed her and she did exactly that. Looking back forward to the third clone gave her a determined look and she got ready to do her part. Suddenly another figure appeared right next to them and they both looked to Super Sailor Pluto with surprise in their eyes. She just eyed the clones as well but got a warm smile on her face, "It's good to see you both have worked through this together. Would you mind some help with these three clones?"

"It's good to have you here, Pluto. Minako was worried that wouldn't be able to beat these guys alone. I, of course, was always confident."

Both of the Sailor senshi smiled and shook their heads, then returned to the task at hand. The clones had slowed their approach a bit but never stopped. Sailor Venus did manage a small comment though, "Baka blonde."


Super Sailor Moon suddenly found herself avoiding the attacks of two of the modified clones. Being separated from the others made her nervous and she grinned nervously while she watched the armored clone circle her slowly. To her rear was another of the clones with the hammers attached to his hands so the both of them spelled trouble for the singled out senshi. Suddenly the clone to her rear threw her arm forward and launched a glowing energy hammer at her. Sailor Moon turned just in time to see the attack and step back in shock. Fortunately for her a root was right behind her foot and she toppled backwards when she stepped. The attack went right over her head and caused the other clone to leap out of the way quickly. Rubbing her backside didn't seem to make the stinging go away and she suddenly cried out in a whiny voice, "Ouch! Where did that root come from!?"

Then the armored clone lunged forward after her dodge and reared back one of her clawed hands to strike the whining senshi. It was a red rose that struck the armor on her hands and caused her to stop in her attack and cover the wound. Tuxedo Kamen landed next to the oblivious Sailor Moon and protected her from both clones adamantly. Sailor Moon blinked and looked up to him, not aware that she was just saved from a brutal attack, "Tuxedo Kamen! Did you come to help me up?"

Her innocence caused him to smile and help her to her feet though the two clones became a grim threat once more as they circled to two. Suddenly Shadow Uranus and Shadow Neptune appeared before them all and warded off the clones with fierce glares. Shadow Uranus waved them both off and returned his evil glare to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, "The glory of killing Sailor Moon will be ours. You go finish of the others." The clones nodded quickly and disappeared off to do as they ordered. It left the four to face each other and made Shadow Uranus smile widely, "You do look like the Omega Master, Tuxedo Kamen."

"An unfortunate coincidence."

Shadow Neptune idly shook his head and crossed his arms lightly once more, "I wouldn't think that of it. The Omega Master may be a pretentious pig, but he is also very powerful. You should admire such power."

"Forgive me if I don't."

"You're very brave. Too bad you can't protect from us all alone." Shadow Uranus quipped and they both got ready to create their energy attacks. The two Shadow senshi used their respective attacks and sent them hurling at Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. However two other attacks that seemed similar came in from different directions and destroyed both of their attacks. Sailor Neptune landed in next to Sailor Moon while Sailor Uranus stood next to Tuxedo Kamen, both ready to protect Sailor Moon as well.

"He's not alone. You two won't kill anybody while we're around."

Sailor Neptune's words made Shadow Neptune smile lightly as he studied his counterpart intently. Shadow Uranus just waved them off lightly and didn't seem the least bit concern about them at all, "Well, this should be interesting."


From the bushes at the side of where the action was taking place a single figure stood with a dark intent in his presence. In his hand he held a crystal shard and it glowed with murky black powers. Stray light from the fighting illuminated the face of Fukusha and he seemed very put off at being left out of this fight. His clones eyes stared at the sitting figure of Sailor Moon and even laughed a bit at the fact she was unaware of his presence. Soon he lifted the shard up and pointed it at her, a fierce glow building around it like a bullet. As his hand dropped away from it the shard floated for a moment and gathered more power, which made Fukusha grin widely, "Sailor Moon dies by a mere clone. We'll see now who the Master favors." His shot was clear and the shard just rippled with enough power to end Sailor Moon's life. That was when a higher power intervened. Suddenly Fukusha froze as he heard a swish of the air and felt an odd feeling flow through his body. His face was frozen in terror and suddenly, the spectacles that were in his face fell off from being cut at the bridge. A thin line ran from the top of his head and went all the way down into the darkness the bushes provided. Then just like that, Fukusha faded into a whisp of vapor and blew away in a light wind. A figure was all that was left behind him and a magnificent blade that sat on a staff was pulled back into the darkness of the woods. The figure was hidden in the shadows but a gloved hand reached out and closed around the shard slowly. Pulling it into the shadows with him the figure watched the battle a moment and soon let a quiet voice fill the air around him.

"The request is done. It is not your time yet, Sailor Moon. You have much to do still. As I have honored your mother then and now, so will I honor you in the future."

With those words spoken, the figure disappeared in ribbons of violet energy. Only the woods around where he was remembered his presence ever being there. And only one of the eight Sailor senshi felt his intervention. As she held her own staff of similar construction, a smile came over her face at his brief contribution to the battle. She would certainly have to thank him later.


Sailor Jupiter disregarded everything else and made a straight line for the shallow crater in the ground. Coming up over the rim she looked down at the still motionless figure of Shadow Jupiter. As she hopped down into the crater she fell to her knees at his head and cradled it softly while she spoke in an affectionate tone, "Kage? Can you hear me?" Almost as if she affected him by the sweet sound of her voice, he stirred a bit and it made her smile lightly, running her hand through his spiky hair a bit. Suddenly a large spike stuck into the ground right next to his body and startled her greatly. She looked up to find a clone with huge spikes on its body glaring at them viciously. Not about to let something else hurt him further, she laid his head back down gently and rose to her feet. In a quick motion she jumped out of the crater and used her Oak Revolution on it, but it jumped out of the way quickly to avoid destruction. The evasion quickly annoyed Sailor Jupiter and she formed her attack one more time, "Hold still, you little bug! Jupiter Oak Revolution!" Once again the clone evaded the attack and set ready to battle once more. This time she resolved to do this the hard way and charged at the clone swiftly. A skillful siege of kicks and punches failed to strike the clone as well, though the clone seemed to be doing all it could just to avoid them. Suddenly a poorly placed kick awarded Sailor Jupiter with a cut across her leg from one of the many spikes on the clone. She quickly jumped back and held the cut with a wince, though the clone seemed very amused by it.

"I bet that really hurt. How about more?" The clone's face twisted in to a grin and he placed his hands together in front of him. Some of the spikes started to fly off of its body and cut through the air quickly towards Sailor Jupiter. Although she was able to dodge most of the spikes, a few raked across her skin and cut her open, not to mention tearing up her fuku in the process. As she fell on her back the top of her fuku began to fall down and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest to hold in place. A little embarrassment came over her face as a blush and the clone started towards her with a devious look in his eye, "Lovely. Don't cover up, my pretty. Serve a purpose before you die."

That comment made her face burn with anger but both of them were suddenly startled by an object flying in between them. The sword stuck into the ground loudly and made the clone stop in his tracks, eyeing the awesome blade slowly before looking to the side. Sailor Jupiter looked as well and found a pissed off Shadow Jupiter standing at the rim of his crater. The clone stepped back a bit as he started towards her with those peat green eyes never moving from the spiky clone. When he got to her he glanced down to her a moment and noticed her fuku slipping a bit. With a slow motion he moved his hand across the knot in his belt, then slowly undid it and pulled the white fabric from around his waist. His black shirt fell open as he did and he held the belt out to her with a determined look on his face.

She tenderly reached up for the belt and looked up at him with longing eyes, "Kage, I...."

"I won't be long."

With that he left her the belt and started towards the clone once more. His open shirt now revealed his trim body and tensed up with the idea of defending Sailor Jupiter's honor. The black fabric waved across his lightly bruised skin and the product of his hard training reflected in the ripped curves of each tendon and muscle that adorned his body. The clone just readied for an attack and watched with fear building in his eyes. Shadow Jupiter's gloved hand closed around the handle of his sword and he pulled it from the ground quickly as he walked by it, letting the blade ring a moment in the dull air. Then in a skillful display of speed he spun the sword around a few times and moved his body in a motion that flowed perfectly with the razor-sharp blade. The sword came to a halt along the back of his arm and he faced the clones turned a bit to the side, though his glare never left it. The anticipation of destroying this clone for what it did manifested itself as tiny bolts of lightning that surged through his spiky strands of white hair, "Her body is sacred. Scum like you aren't allowed to enjoy it. You're going to have to die now. Good-bye."


By the time Shadow Mars had stumbled to his feet, the others had already began the fighting around him. His anger at being put down like he was came out as a sweltering heat that filled the air around him. Soon those dark eyes pierced out from his own strands of hair and fell upon Sailor Mars fending off a modified clone. She was handling herself well against the armored clone and it caused that anger around him to subside a moment. He felt oddly serene watching her fight and he became distant in his own thoughts as he did. The struggle in him between the darkness and his own spirit had taken so much of his concentration that he had barely begun to see what he could possibly have with that single girl. She had pursued him even during his darkest time and still seemed to smile at his failures. It seemed he would have much to make up to her.

All of his thinking came to an abrupt stop when another figure appeared next to him. The clones yelled loudly as he swung both hammers at the silent senshi but never would have expected what happened next. Both powerful hammers struck a barrier of energy around him and came to a pounding halt. The clone couldn't believe his eyes and stood frozen with its hammers on the barrier. Those brilliantly dark eyes moved slowly to the clone and a single instant passed where Shadow Mars found himself eager to do this. All his pent up rage was released in a single burst of energy from the barrier that protected him. The following burst of light filled the night air and grabbed everyone's attention, if only for a second. The clone was instantly set aflame and burned away into nothing more than a swirl of vapor. Feeling much better now, Shadow Mars shook off the pleasure he felt and looked back to see Sailor Mars's progress. Just as he turned, however, Sailor Mars landed right on top of him and made them both hit the ground hard. She found herself laying right on top of him and blinked a few times at their situation. On the other hand, he merely looked up at her with a light tone to his voice, "Hello, Sailor Mars."

"Yamito? A-Are you all right?"

"Yes, though a battle is hardly a time for such activities." His wry face made her jump up off him and pull her skirt down a bit, though a tinge of red couldn't help but rush across her face. He also stood up and didn't go without noticing her embarrassment, "Who gave you the little air ride?"

Glad he changed the subject, she looked to their side and her eyes fell on the other clone that had come to face her, "She did."

Those dark eyes moved along her glare and he looked upon the most advanced clone that he had seen. The armor on the body of it would make most attacks useless and the claws it possessed on its hands would surely make short work of any senshi not prepared. Even with all that coming to mind, he let out a light sigh and tilted his head, "You were beaten by this? Not very impressive."

"Oh, and I'm sure you can do better?"

Their bickering was cut short by the clone charging forward at him and holding its claws ready to cut him up. Shadow Mars just idly pushed some hair from his face with his thumb and waited for the attack, "Yes, I can."


"Are you all right?"

Sailor Mercury's face was heavy with worry as she came to Shadow Mercury's aide. She could barely keep herself from smiling a bit at being able to speak to him again without the sparks flying around them. The strike that had disabled him for a moment was still reeking havoc on his insides but he managed to stand back up and straighten out slowly. Those icy blue eyes slowly moved to Sailor Mercury and he coldly observed the look she had on her face. Ultimately a wave of embarrassment came over him and he ran his hand along his stomach lightly, "Well enough. If not for Kage, however, I don't think I'd be standing here now."

"That's okay, Kurai. Not even Kage could beat those two."

Her consoling words didn't make him feel much better and he winced when he took a deep breath. As she saw the pain rush through him she stepped over quickly and placed her hand on his arm tenderly, hoping to help with the pain. His eyes opened to look on her hand and a single moment passed where he wouldn't look up at her. The heat of other battles raged around them but the two existed outside of all that for a moment. Sailor Mercury felt her heart race as his hand came up over hers and she could only watch him with a fearful look in her eyes. Although his hand rested on hers for a moment, it soon lifted it off his arm and he stepped past her without a word. The pain of it made her face tighten a bit and she held that hand across her chest. Shadow Mercury just kept walking and never looked back at her. It was only a scream from behind him that broke his blank stare. He quickly turned around and saw her held high off the ground by a clone's tentacles, "Ami!"

"Kurai!" Came the wild voice as she reached out in vain to grab him. Dark bolts of energy suddenly started to surge into her body and made her scream out in pain, but also caused a deep anger stir in the eyes of Shadow Mercury. The sight of her in pain made him clench his teeth and stare coldly at the laughing clone.

"Let her go!" The clone didn't even give him a glance as it continued to enjoy hurting the Sailor senshi it possessed. It was enough to break Shadow Mercury's wit. He suddenly found himself charging right at the clone with a full head of steam, and he could hardly dismiss the fact that he felt like Kage right then. The fact was he really didn't care. His mind was set on freeing the girl he had betrayed and renounced though none of those thoughts crossed his mind either. It was then the clone did turn his attention on him and hurled his other tentacle out towards his charging figure. Before Shadow Mercury could react the tentacle had wrapped around his waist and began to send the same energy bolts into him as well. The pain overwhelmed him at first, but then he saw Sailor Mercury yelling out in the same pain. The sight was enough to focus his intentions and he slowly grabbed the tentacle which held him, "You wish to hold hands?" A blue glow started on his hands and spread all the way up the clone's tentacle, leaving it frozen solid. The clone reeled back in pain as the tentacle shattered and Sailor Mercury was dropped from the other to the ground.

Shadow Mercury stumbled a bit as he regained his freedom but quickly ran over to the collapsed Sailor Mercury. His disregard for the clone would have certainly caused to act otherwise, but this situation was special. As he cradled her body to him gently, her blue eyes opened and she looked at him with a weak smile, "Thank you, Kurai."

Her tone made him wince slightly and he stared at her silently for a while, just letting so much run through his mind quickly. Then he let out a slow breath and held her a bit tighter, "I'm sorry, Ami.....for number of things." It couldn't have made her any more happy and she just nodded to him. Then the clone made itself present once more as it swung its last tentacle around behind them. For the first time in along time a smile came over Shadow Mercury's face as he looked down at her, "Let's ice this clone."

In a quick motion Shadow Mercury rose to his feet and spun around to face the clone. An object slid from the ground near them and floated through the air quickly to his waiting hand. Stray moonlight caught one of the three blades of his triad and Shadow Mercury eyed the clone one last time, then hurled the triad through the air at him. As he threw it Sailor Mercury stood next to him and used her Aqua Rhapsody attack to energize the triad with a bright blue glow. The clone looked on in terror as the triad went right through its body and froze it still, then making it shatter into pieces that let a dark vapor seep out of. The triad came back to Shadow Mercury's hand and he gripped the weapon tightly as he watched the vapor fade away in the wind. Then his attentions moved to the girl at his side and a warm smile crossed his features. She could just feel him smiling at her and returned the gaze along with the smile.

"We do very well together, Ami."

Next Chapter: Escape!