"Shine aqua-" Sailormercury was thrown into the air before she could finish her attack. A figure dressed in blue caught her, landed, then sprang to safety.

"Blue Mist." His voice was steady and calm, sending a protective barrier around himself and the girl he held in his arms.

"Crescent beam!" Sailorvenus shouted from the trees as she landed softly next to the couple. The beam of light headed for the demon but was batted away at the last possible moment. "Is she ok?" she asked the man.

"Yeah, she'll be fine. Worry about yourself until Usagi and Mamoru get here," the man replied coldly.

Sailorvenus nodded and continued her attacks.

Around her there was only destruction. Sailormars lay awkwardly next the wall of a building; to her left was her protector, Mars Knight. Jupiter Knight held Sailorjupiter close to him, his hand pressed to her forehead, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. He himself was injured; blood ran from above his eye and down the side of his face as he gripped his girlfriend tightly.

Sailorvenus fell to the ground beside them, blood trickling down the side of her mouth. Jupiter Knight stared in horror at the gruesome scene before him. Never before had the senshi had this hard of a time with an enemy, at least not in his experiences with them.

"Time to die…" The youma fired a huge attack at the remaining senshi. A golden disk followed by a rose deflected the attack somewhat. "What? More senshi?!"

"Stop right there! I will not let you destroy love. I am the pretty suited soldier Sailormoon, and on behalf of the moon, I'll punish you!" An elaborate rod appeared in her hands. "Moon princess-"

A rush of black threw her to the ground, landing on top of her and absorbing the attack. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama.." Usagi whimpered.

The demon laughed. "Ha! The famous Sailor Senshi, I thought for sure you'd be a tougher foe than this!" it taunted arrogantly, its fangs dripping with saliva with every word.

"Baka!" she yelled, shoving him off. Rage burned in her eyes as she turned to her enemy. "Moon tiara action!" she screamed, throwing her glowing tiara through the air. The demon caught it with a hand and laughed once more.

"Ha! You think you can defeat me with this little toy?"
Sailormoon grinned evilly. "Tiara!" she commanded, "trap her!"

The youma blinked in surprise as the golden disk surrounded her, pinning her arms to her sides. "What?!"

Her rod twirled in her hands. "Moon princess-" anger burned within her, summoning power she never knew existed, "halation!" The demon screamed as the energy tore her body apart, a most unearthly sound that forced Usagi to cover her ears. The sound vanished and she heaved a sigh of relief, dropping to her knees.

"Usako.." her head snapped up and she turned towards its source. Tuxedo Kamen was standing over her, holding his right arm, his mask gone.

Sailormoon looked up at him. "You are so stupid!" she yelled furiously. "You could've gotten yourself killed! Didn't you listen to what Pu said?" her voice broke, and her tears threatened to return.

Tuxedo Kamen moved toward her, but she turned her attention to the fallen senshi. Slowly but surly they were all getting up, moaning and groaning the whole way, but they were alive. Again she sighed, yet her fear returned when her gaze rested on Sailorjupiter. "Mako-chan!" she yelled and ran to her friend's aid.

"The bleeding won't stop!" Jupiter Knight said franticly, gripping onto Jupiter tighter and tighter, not wanting to let her go.

Tuxedo Kamen appeared behind him, and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Shinosaki-kun, we'll take care of her," he said softly. Sailormoon nodded reassuringly.

"The Sailor Senshi, you proved to be more of a challenge than I originally thought." A man hovered over them, his face shielded by inky shadows. He chuckled evilly to himself. He watched as one by one the senshi turned to look up at him. There he was, that bastard who took her away from him. His evil grin quickly turned to a hateful sneer. But then he saw her-the angel of his dreams.

"Who are you!" Sailorvenus demanded of the stranger. Her normally bright features were twisted into hatred.

"My name is of no importance," the man retorted. "I simply come to collect what is mine, and destroy the vermin who took it away from me." His voice changed with his features-going from cold to frigid.

"Are you the one who sent that demon?" his angel asked harshly. He couldn't help but smile, she still had her spirit, even after she was taken. Seconds passed; he offered no answer, just admired her beauty. "Oh hell, who cares if you did or didn't! You're toast!" She began to concentrate on an attack.

"Wait," the man said coldly. "I'll make you a deal-I stop sending demons, and you," his eyes narrowed in on Tuxedo Kamen, "fight me. Looser dies."

Mamoru stepped forward, letting his hand drop from his arm. Usagi ran to him petrified and grabbed his arm. She shook her head 'no' fervently. 'I'll go,' she mouthed. Mamoru moved to stop her but again she shook her head. She planted a quick kiss on his cheek and searched his midnight blue eyes. "I love you," she whispered in a voice that was barley audible.

Her fists clenched and she turned to the man who now rested on the ground not more than a yard or so away from her. "Here are my conditions: 1. I win, you leave, and you never try and attack again. 2. You tell me who you are," something tugged at the back of her mind, "and you show me your face," she finished.

"Fine," he retorted. His gaze softened somewhat as he looked at his angel. You can't fight her-you know it. If you kill her you'll never forgive yourself, his mind tried to reason. "I choose the weapon." He paused for a moment. "Swords."

Mamoru's face paled. There was no way that she could win.

Sailormoon gave her enemy an evil grin. "Agreed." She closed her eyes as her fuku melted away, bringing her identity of Princess Serenity forth. A memory of long ago flooded her head.

The memory faded away; Serenity was now back in the 20^th century. She smiled a little at the remembrance. It was a fond one for her. Her enemy was ready to fight. A sword whose hilt was encrusted with diamonds appeared in her hands. She turned to face Mamoru and smiled a thank you.

The battle began.

Tuxedo Kamen melted away and Prince Endymion surfaced. He said a quick prayer for his love as he watched her fight her battle.

His words echoed through her head. Expect the unexpected, her mind repeated. The man struck the first blow; he came at her with the hilt of his sword and swung the blade around. Serenity was hit by the blade and was knocked backwards on the ground. Now he had gravity on his side. Baka! Why are you such an Odango Atama!

Power surged through her. She focused all her strength on getting out of the box she was in. With one smooth motion and a loud cry she shoved her enemy off of her and used gravity to her advantage. Her blade was at his throat. "Now," she demanded, clutching her side and breathing heavily. "Show me who you are; tell me your name."

"A deal's a deal, Angel." The man smiled weakly and the inky shadows faded away. Serenity gasped in surprise. Her eyes widened and she almost dropped her blade. "My name is Andros."

Endymion's eyes widened and he staggered back a few steps. It was like looking into a mirror. "Brother…"

"Endymion…" she whispered. Her hand holding the sword quivered. No! her mind screamed. Remember what Endy told you. Don't hesitate. She regained her senses. "Leave," she told him coldly.

Andros got up slowly, never taking his eyes off Serenity. I will have you, he vowed. "Till we meet again," his voice faded as he disappeared.

To Be Continued…

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