AUTHOR WORDS: Now this is my fifth fanfic attempt (and the only one I've finished... Hurray!)! Like my previous UNFINISHED story "The Limit", this one was developed after long times having friendly anime reviews and esoteric chat with myself. This story holds a lot of thinking and rewriting. I do apologize if it seems dark, but that's how the main idea goes. I am afraid this fanfic does have some violence. In addition I do apologize if this story goes trough unseen Sailor Universe paths (I do insist, it's a dark situation from a dark point of view). This story takes place after the S series. I'm assuming that so far the Outer Senshi are around (their appearance is short and almost irrelevant I must say). Quite a lot of things I'm screwing up; I'll appreciate if you keep that in mind before flaming. By the way, I can be reached at akinz@geocities.com or even at jarc@acnet.com. DISCLAIMER Sailor Moon and almost each and every character on the story do not belong to me (ask Naoko Takeuchi for further information...)! I was inspired by several readers when I wrote this, yet that the way this story develops was my idea! () are used for comments. <> are used for character thoughts (there are several of this *-*). A Sailor Moon Fanfic... The Fall. By: Akin Z. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Usagi! Where are you!?" "Geez Rei, I'm on my house! What's wrong?" "There's an evil being somewhere around the docks, I believe it's a Dark General, and a very powerful one!" " Why did it had to appear when I was for once doing my homework..." "USAGI!" "Ok, ok! I'm on my way! Geeez... You're grumpy!" "" "Ummm Rei? We'll meet at your place, right?" "Right..." "OK!" How many times have I recalled those words? I've lost count so far. They still sound rather fresh, almost as if they were said just moments from now... A lot of times I've wondered if perhaps there was a way... ******************** "Hurry up Meatball Head! We'll left you behind!" "I'm hurrying I'm... Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" (Noise made by trashcans being knocked by clumsy girl) "Sailor Moon! Get up you klutz!" "Bwaaaaa! You're so mean... BWAAAAAAAAA!!!" (Collective sigh and sweat-drops made by the remaining girls) "You didn't have to be so hard on her, Mars!" "Come on Venus! She's a clumsy crybaby!" "BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" "Come on Moon... Mars didn't mean that..." (Sniff... Sniff) " (Sigh) We'll better get going girls..." " Fine Jupiter... Let's go!" I do remember clearly how we, the Sailor Senshi, began that fateful mission. For us it was already a common task; I mean we were running trough dark alleys and jumping from buildings to buildings, on our never ending quest to preserve love and justice. That time our destination were the abandoned warehouses at the docks... I remember that night fairly well. There was no moon, the sky was cloudy and dark. Tokyo's port was almost abandoned; those who worked around were surely at home, having a well-deserved rest at their family's side. Only a lonely night sentry could be seen from time to time, yet there were not enough of them to feel the warm feeling of mankind. It was already a bad omen, and I have recriminated myself several times for ignoring it. Eventually we reached our destination. We approached a warehouse carefully (because of our experience we couldn't behave carelessly). After a quick glance we went around the building several times, each of us inspecting it in our own way. I mean, Ami had her computer out, while the others were doing her best to check for anything unusual. I did my soul stuff carefully, eventually I learned as much of the place as I could learn. Finally, we had a meeting on a neighbor building. "So what do you think Mercury?" Makoto questioned; her eyes glued on the building. " Well... From my scans I have learned it's a common warehouse, build with concrete and steel, no unusual readings from the materials at all. It's not an abandoned one, there are sign of maintenance. Right now it's been used to store steel beams and wiring; no unusual readings from them also. There's only one entrance, and it's the main entrance. I cannot read energy fields, and I just don't like this..." "Foes?" Minako asked this time. "Only the evil source so far. A human-like being that seems to be waiting for something at the far end of the warehouse..." I was the one who gave this last answer. With the exception of Makoto, the girls looked uncertain. "How strong is it Mars?" Minako questioned. "His energy reading is strong... More or less like a Negaverse General..." "What are we waiting for? Let's mood-dust him!" Sailor Moon bravely encouraged. "His self-confidence..." "???" "He's just there, waiting for something. There's no fear on him... No anger, no hate..." I stopped to recheck one more time, yet my perception did not change. "I can feel only amusement." Silence ruled for several moments, while my friends digested the news. I was thinking hard about our course of action; I mean, what were we supposed to do? It was unlike for us to go against somebody whose only sin was to have an evil aura. "I'll tell you what..." Minako finally requested our attention. "I'll go with Jupiter and we'll see how he behaves. If something goes wrong, you'll help us and we'll finish it... OK?" "Sounds good to me..." Jupiter agreed, with a contagious enthusiasm. "Mmmm... OK!" Usagi also seemed to approve the plan. I did not really approve it. I mean, things were just too weird to just go have a friendly meeting with an evil creature. Yet they were right about one thing... I could not bring myself to just blast him. What happened next was the first sign this was not going to develop as we expected. "Tsk, tsk... Am I truly being that unfriendly I wonder..." Now that was not one of us! We turned around in shock, trying to pinpoint the voice's source. "Afraid little girls?" The voice was deep, unnerving. "So far I have done nothing but to sit and wait you know..." "Where are you?" Mako shouted, almost summoning her Thunder Attack. "Show yourself!" "At the warehouse, where else? I though you already knew that..." What a fool for not noticing before! "He's talking into our minds!" Gasps were heard from almost everybody. "Hold your thoughts!" I commanded hopelessly. I was very good at that, because of my priestess training. Unfortunately, I knew that not even Ami had such control over herself. I was worried for a brief moment he had managed to learn more than he had to know. Fortunately, he seemed not to be interested. "Fear not Sailor Mars, I am not a mind reader." The voice announced, this time the amusement was clear as water. "I can see you, I can hear you, I can talk to you... But I will not read your minds, worry not about that..." "Can't or Won't?" I answered back. "Does it really matter little girl? You have my word I won't." That was not very reassuring. What choice did we have, however? "I'll tell you what..." The voice talked again. "Why don't you join me in the warehouse so we can have a friendly, nice chat? I do have snacks if you are hungry." Silence for a moment. We were not going to fall into it! It was obviously a trap! "You are not serious!" Venus yelled angry. "Do you really expect us to trust a monster like you?" Silence for another moment. It didn't last long. " I believe you have been fighting too much for your sake Sailor Venus... Has life treated you that badly?" It stopped a moment before continuing, the voice was still deep, yet even more amused. "I am willing to bet you do NOT have a boyfriend..." A chuckle was noticeable after his last words, I bet he was laughing. I could not help but to smirk slightly, I bet most of my friends were amused also, I mean, Usagi even giggled! "THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO BLAST HIM!" Mako had to restrain Mina from rushing into the building. "JUPITER, LET ME GO!" She yelled while struggling. "Cool down Venus!" Mako said trying to calm her, yet holding a smile on her face. "Now, now..." The voice resounded again. "That was a joke Sailor Venus... Where did you left your sense of humor? At home on ethanol? I do apologize for hurting your feelings, though..." "You'd better..." Mina cooled down a little. "Yet it seems I was right... You DO not have a boyfriend!" Just great. The evil creature we had been so scared of had a SICK sense of humor. "I'll kill him slowly and painfully..." That was all that Mina said. "Who are you?" Usagi finally asked, in a rare moment of lucidity. Silence reigned for several moments while we stood there, expecting an answer. We felt uneasy, yet not afraid of the voice anymore. I mean, it was just too... friendly! Unlike any evil monster we had fought before! The evil aura was still there however. "My name doesn't really matter Sailor Moon. Long time has passed since the last time I used it..." This time I felt something else on his statements... Loneliness, maybe? It was hard to identify... "... Yet I am willing to answer each and every question you may have on mind. I will not, however, unless you do agree to have dinner with me..." "No kidding!" Mina said in no time. "We are not gonna fall for it, got it?" " Let's see... How do bad guys behave on situations like this..." I believe we almost face faulted. "Now look..." It said after a short pause. "I do promise you I will not harm you while our meeting takes place. Of course you do have to promise you will not harm me while our meeting takes place. Once it's over, however, you'll better watch out, because I'll do my best to beat you, better believe it..." No one reacted, for we were stunned by his sentences... What kind of foe he was, anyway? "We do not know if your word is good enough!" I finally explained. The silence that followed my sentence was very long. We just stood there, exchanging glances and expecting an answer. I took my time and checked on my companions, my friends from a millenium. Makoto was anxious, I knew from the way she behaved. I mean, she was expecting something to happen (an explosion may have made her happy). Minako was also on the same state, yet she was also annoyed (of course, I didn't blame her). Ami was still scanning with her computer. I told myself. Usagi was just confused... Who could blame her? "You do have my word young ladies... For my honor as a fallen Knight... That I will mean no harm to you for as long as our meeting lasts!" Those words, said with resignation... I was stunned by the obvious sadness behind them... I had developed a basic empath ability, yet it was hard for me to pinpoint emotions, unless of course they were really strong. This man was an emotion ore... Just a moment from now he was amused, now there was not a bit happiness on him... Yet there was evil within him, a very strong one... I felt a dark soul that was, if true unhappy, filled with dark and scary emotions... Like the emotion you feel when you enjoy crushing a bird you have petted on your hands... I did not trust him. Not at all... "We'd better not go..." I said quietly... "He's dark... His sense of honor must be twisted..." The girls turned to me with shock on their faces! Could it be they were almost convinced? "What do you mean Mars?" Usagi was the one who asked the question. I refused to meet her gaze. I just stood staring at the warehouse. "Itﳠhard to explain..." I began... "I'm tired of this Sailor Senshi..." "I've been trying to be nice, yet you are not willing to give me a chance, tsk, tsk, tsk...." "Now this is a typical bad guy threat! If you refuse to have the meeting under my conditions, I do swear for my honor left that I will become insane enough to begin a horrendous night of dead and destruction! I do swear I will break free of each and every sign of humanity I may have left to hunt down each and every living being around me! The hell itself will fear my wrath, I do swear!" His voice this time was hard, ruthless... I felt his emotions clearly; even non-empaths could feel his darkness... Oh God, he was serious! I heard gasps. I believe I gasped too! I checked on my friends again... They were frozen in terror! Even Mako had lost her brave stance. "You won't dare!" Mina yelled, her fear evident. "Try me, Sailor Venus!" "We'll stop you" Mako also cried, trying to keep her fear from surfacing. "Maybe you will..." He said as if deep in thought. "Then again, how many good guys shall I kill before I wonder... Just imagine: The city on flames, buildings falling, people running... Men, Women and Children, lying on the streets bleeding hard... Begging for me to kill them to end their misery... A nightmare, a hellish spectacle!" He stopped suddenly, but not for long. "I was never good at making pictures, but I believe you got the point..." He said almost in a relax. "Loved ones may be the ones on it you know..." "Choose now Sailor Senshi... And choose wisely..." His voice dropped to emotionless. I used the timeout to check on my friends once again. True, there was fear on their hearths, yet I felt determination. Usagi, however, was shaking violently... She was holding her moon rod desperately, as if it were a sort of Talisman, she must have summoned it without thinking. I did not know what to do. I bet no one of them, from Ami, to Mako, to Mina, knew what else to do. "You are serious, aren't you..." Usagi finally asked. It was not really a question. "Yes I am... Choose now, Sailor Moon..." Usagi glanced at us this time. We knew what she wanted to know. With a nod, we agreed. Usagi smiled sadly before speaking. Her shaking had stopped. She was resolved. "We're going in..." She said firmly. "The main door should open Sailor Senshi..." Was all he answered. ******************** We approached the building carefully. We did our best to stay alert, seeking for any booby trap, for anything that could mean trouble. However, we found none. We reached the main entrance with nothing unusual happening. It opened slowly as we arrived. By instinct, we moved away as it opened, for the inside was dark and we didn't want to present a target. Nothing happened. The lights turned on, and the place was filled with the soft light of neon. There were enough lamps to provide enough light to see, but not enough to feel comfortable. The place was creepy, because the shadows did not gave it a warm touch. We entered the building. As we stepped inside, we heard the soft sound of the door's mechanism. We turned and saw how the door slowly closed itself. Focusing forward, our eyes were greeted by the sight of metallic stuff. There were large piles of steel beams, aluminum sheets and several types of wiring. The piles were carefully placed, and there were paths between them to move to the back of the building. We moved forward. There was a path between several steel piles that look secure enough. First Makoto went trough it, carefully checking for any anomaly that could meant trouble. Then Ami followed, her computer still on hand, making sure there were not surprises. I followed them, with Usagi and Minako just behind me. As we reached the other side, we were greeted with a sight that, although we expected it, it was still not what we really expected. Behind a really worn desk, we saw a man on his early twenties lazily resting on an armchair. His arms were resting on his stomach, and by his posture, I believe his legs were lazily stretched under the desk. Almost as if he didn't care a thing about the world. His clothing, on the other hand, was impressive, if not regal. He wore a sort of metallic headgear, made with some silver material, which covered his forehead and head sides. His upper body and both arms were also covered by some sort of armor: silver, plain and simple. Chain clothing could be seen under the plates. His hands were covered by gloves, with metallic knuckles. No weapons were visible, but that was because of our poor point of view. The man itself had his good looks. His skin was toasted and rough; I believe the last time it was rosy was when he was a baby, an eternity ago. His face features were hard, yet kind of handsome. His nose was rather fine. His mouth was standard. His eyes were dark. In addition, he had a build that spoke of muscles miles away. He was not a mountain of muscles, yet his body was several times over the average common guy. In all honesty, he did not seem to have considerable amounts of fat on his body. Although he seemed to be peaceful enough, we kept our distance mostly by mere instinct. "Good evening young ladies! I am truly unworthy of seeing such unblemished beauty; for you to gave me such an honor I feel certainly honored...." I felt as if he was overreacting; I found it more annoying than funny. "You do brighten my humble hideout indeed; I do apologize for being such a poor host..." He snapped his fingers. "Please do accept my hospitality for a while, for I truly want to feast you... For now at least..." He grinned. As we waited for his next move, a rusty wooden chest rose from behind him, and slowly levitated until it reached the right side of the desk. We stood mouth agape as a carpet, hand made and exquisite looking, gracefully came from it and extended itself over the desk. Porcelain plates followed; also cups, napkins, silver forks, even a silver candelabrum came flying as well. In no time, the now good-looking table was set and waiting. From the shadows, five wooden chairs floated ghostly. They approached and set themselves on their proper place, at the desk's side. Another finger snap and the candelabra lighted. "Please take a seat..." He politely suggested, his hand gesturing for us to do so. We exchanged a quick glance, uncertain whether or not to play a part on this charade. "Those are currently ordinary chairs, fear not..." He said, this time with a slightly annoyed smirk. "You shouldn't refuse someone hospitality that rudely!" "Surely you do understand our hesitance..." I explained. "I do. But I'm not vile enough to trick you so... unmercifully..." He grinned again. "It's just not my style..." We still hesitated long enough to make him sigh. I didn't feel any evil coming from the chairs, and Ami's scan seemed to show the same. After a quick glance at each other, we finally agreed to take a seat. Makoto sat on the chair at the left end, while Minako sat at the opposite. Usagi had to seat in the middle chair, while both Ami and me took our places at her side. Ami was at Makoto's side, while I stayed at Minako's. Our guest approved our move with a nod, then he snapped his fingers again. A silver fountain rose, followed by a spatula. Gracefully, the fountain's cover revealed a well decorated frosted cake. It seemed tasty I confess, it's cover was a white layer covered with liquid chocolate and pieces of walnuts. The spatula began to cut small portions of it, stopping only when it reached the sixth portion. Then it placed each portion on flying plates. Finally, the plates set themselves in their proper place. There were five for us, and one for our host. A delicious smell filled the air as a silver pot raised and levitated ghostly in front of us. It began to fill the cups in front of us in no time. From the aroma and appearance, I expected it to be chocolate. "Enjoy yourselves..." He finally said, taking his cup and raising it up to his lips in order to taste his work. I studied his expression carefully as he took a small sip from the cup. His stance relaxed a lot; I could say that because he closed his eyes lazily. We exchanged glances. Who was going to try it first? I mean, Ami's scans seemed to be unsuccessful, but who know what kind of trap those cups could hold? As an answer, Usagi's hands moved to hold her cup. "Wait Sailor Moon!" Minako yelled in no time. Did she have to say it that hard!? Usagi almost jumped up! And her words angered him! I mean, his stance was the same, but his aura changed drastically! I had to give a hard stare to Minako so she could understand she had to behave herself. Things were already too tense; we couldn't risk him to become angry! "Sorry..." A penitent Sailor Venus said embarrassed. He accepted her apology with a nod. Then he focused on his cup one more time. And we exchanged glances again. Makoto was the one who decided to try it first. She carefully took hold of her cup and raised it to her lips. We stayed expectantly as she took her first sip, eyes closed. She savored the liquid for a long period of a couple of seconds... Her hands became unsteady as she opened her eyes in shock! I almost believe we had been tricked! But her features softened almost as quick. "It's delicious!" She said, eyes shinning. "Thank you Sailor Jupiter..." He said, still eyes closed, yet holding a smile. Usagi took her cup and took a big sip in no time! Her features changed from frightened to pleased in a second. I feared she had gone back to her well-known childish nature. Her cute face, however, was well worth the trouble. I focused on my own cup. I took it and raised it up to my lips. The warm liquid proved to be one of the most delicious beverages I've ever tasted. It was chocolate with no doubt, yet it was the best chocolate I ever had. Ami and Minako joined us at last. We enjoyed our meal for a while, alternating between sips from chocolate, bites from the cake and compliments to the cook; compliments he accepted with a charming smile and proud eyes. The cake had a milky consistence, and also had a flavor I had never tasted (like sweet vanilla), yet it tasted great! "What's your name?" We stopped eating as we heard the sentence, for it was Usagi the one who asked it. He stopped drinking and focused on her. "Believe me, it really doesn't matter Sailor Moon..." He answered. "But we have to call you by some name..." She explained. He became thoughtful. After a gulp of chocolate, he finally answered. "Call me Rekees..." "Is that your real name?" Makoto asked this time. "Of course not..." He said as he played with his fork. "I stopped using my real name a millennia ago..." He had claimed to have lived for more than a thousand years!? Just impossible! "Excuse me..." Ami asked as politely as she could. "When were you born?" "A lot of time has passed Sailor Mercury, the date does not matter so far..." He answered. "I have memories from my childhood with no doubt..." After a sigh he continued. "Are those real memories or perhaps fragments of imagination that have placed themselves as my memories I used to wonder. Right now I know they are real. After all, they have made me what I am..." "Are you willing to hear a story, Sailor Senshi?" He questioned. I at least, nodded. "You see..." He continued, once he noticed he had our attention. "I was born in a beautiful kingdom, the type of kingdoms that seems to go alive from fairy tales. Father was a woodsman, while mother was the typical housekeeper. I was a second child, for I had an older and a younger brother..." "I sometimes remember their faces. You see, I used to miss them a lot..." He stopped until his cup was refilled. By a floating jar, no less! "The kingdom was peaceful and quiet. People lived a quiet and simple life. People were carefree and happy. I was carefree and happy..." He snorted. "Such an utopia could not stand for long of course. A dark power rose and attempted to conquer the kingdom. You see... This was the typical good-vs-evil struggle..." He gave a short, quiet laugh. It was not a happy one. "Wanna hear a tale?" He asked, not really expecting and answer. "Years ago, a similar evil tried to conquer the Kingdom, but it was stopped by the Hikari Senshi, the defenders for love, truth and courage!" Reekes laughed again, this time a lot more bitterly. "Hikari Senshi?" I questioned. Could there be a connection between the Sailor Senshi and those "Hikari" ones? "An Hikari Senshi is a special kind of Senshi. They are bestowed with the power to fight and conquer true evil, not just the typical villains sometimes lure around... An Hikari Senshi is a Senshi who has become one with the whole, who has conquered his greatest challenge, who has gained the ultimate wisdom, who has proved himself beyond the limits! It's somebody whose will cannot be unsurpassed by anyone! Hah!" His words were said in such a sarcastic tone they sounded like an insult. He had almost screamed when he said his last sentence, so he cooled down a little by drinking a very large sip from his cup. "Funny if you think about it ladies..." He continued with a smirk. "Hikari Senshi were nothing but a tale when those events took place. They were extinguished." "Extinguished?" I asked with curiosity. "How did it happen?" "Easy Sailor Mars. When the Hikari Senshi finished their last known adventure, they made a mistake. They let the world become peaceful. Bad guys were extinguished by the time they finished their job, so there were very small threats around. And do you know what does happen to people when the environment gets too peaceful? Tsk, tsk..." "Are you saying peace is not a good thing to achieve?" Good old Minako questioned annoyed. "Sort of Sailor Venus!" He cheerfully answered. "Sorry if I hurt your feelings..." "It can't!" "The Hikari Senshi disappeared because they were no longer necessary..." He paused to get a deep breath. "After their difficult victory over the forces of evil, the few who survived were honored as heroes. They were an example to follow. The first years provided them a lot of seekers to preserve the line. Unfortunately, most of them had as motivation desires such as knowledge, adventure or just curiosity instead of seeking what an Hikari Senshi is supposed to achieve... What happened? Simple. Just a few of them managed to become Hikari Senshi. As time passed, the holders for this wisdom slowly decreased in number... Until the last Hikari Senshi finally laid down and died..." Rekees finished his chocolate and let the cup on the table. We were silent, expecting him to continue his story. "Think about it..." He finally continued, using his hands to give his story more vivacity. "When there is a crisis, people do focus on solving the crisis. They build their physical and mental abilities. They seek not only knowledge, but sometimes wisdom. That interest, young ladies, builds what people call evolution..." "However, an Hikari Senshi is usually the result of several THOUSAND years of PROPER evolution! And I mean proper, because if he evolves the wrong way, if he chooses the "common" paths, he will never achieve it even if he's looking for it! This evolution, however, can be lost in just a few centuries! An Hikari Senshi does carry a lot of soul searching behind, think about it! Do you know the chances for an Hikari Senshi to be born in a world, from the billions that coexist in the universe? Virtually zero!" These last sentences he said almost snapping. We were expectant, almost breathless. "Anyway..." He continued as he calmed down. "What I told you was my version of the tale. Their tale, I heard it from my grandmother. The other stuff you heard comes from my mind. Believe me, I have had a lot of time to think about it..." Silence prevailed again. I hardly noticed it, being thoughtful about his words. I wondered. Being a priestess gave an idea about what he has been talking about, yet I couldn't imagine somebody like them. "Did the Evil ones win?" Usagi broke the silence, focusing once again on his original story. Her words surprised me. She seemed to be more focused than usual. "Why of course not!" He answered proudly. "I was the hero who saved the world and restored peace once again!" We stayed breathless. Now that was an unexpected statement for him to say, given the current situation! "You are not..." Minako began, pointing at him. "An Hikari Senshi Sailor Venus? No, of course not..." "Then how could you..." "Let me finish my story..." He politely interrupted her. "Maybe the Hikari Senshi were extinguished, but the Kingdom was not defenseless. There were Knights, after all, who were well versed in both fighting and mystical arts in order to provide a good fight. Unfortunately, the Kingdom had a hard time fending off the army of nasty demons that rushed the Capital City. At any rate, victory did not seemed to be on their side, so the time came when the final assault took place..." Reekes stopped his story and closed his eyes, while lazily stretching himself. I could not help but notice he was telling the events as if he had been a watcher. As if I had said it, his storytelling mode changed abruptly. "Back then I was one of those weird guys who used to daydream a lot more than usual. Living in a environment where the worst fate for a guy was to die for natural causes surely makes people soft. I believe I was certainly soft back then..." "Yet I have my heroic ideals. Because I wanted to protect my people, I joined naturally the improvised army that had to defend the Kingdom at all costs. My brothers and I were already good fighters; one of them was a Sage, while the other was a Fighter. I was known to be a Ranger, and together, we became a force to be feared of..." "If you are curious to know, I was the weakest of the three..." He smiled when he noticed our astounded expressions. Just how strong is this folk supposed to be!? "Together we gained some fame among our comrades." He said almost casually. "Big brother was skilled in mysticism and sorcery, like a Sage should; while little brother relied more on his physical ability and fighting skills, like a Knight should. On the other hand, I was an average fighter and magician, yet nowhere as good as my brothers were." "Bak then I must say, I had an strong interest in becoming an Hikari Senshi; it was a dream I had few people shared. I had studied hard about the ways of the Soul, so I was confident I was going to reach my goal on time to be useful..." I noticed his stance changed from relaxed to tense in a blink. His next words did not surprised me at all: "I was wrong..." His words, however, made my friends to shake noticeably. Even the silent Ami, who was the one besides me who had stayed kind of cold, was visibly perturbed. I felt hard depression. This guy was an emotion source like no other I had ever met. I even felt sympathy toward him, yet I could not ignore his darkness. "We were among the leading defense force when a demons force attacked the Capital." He continued after an uncomfortable silence. "Children and Elders were relatively safe behind the Palace walls; also the Kingdom's strongest wizards had gathered on the Palace's Main Hall, working on what I believe was the strongest spell made in a long time." He took his time to recheck us again, making sure we were paying attention. "If you are wondering, most neighbor towns and countries were already devastated..." "Didn't you know who was leading the evil forces?" I asked. "Not at that point Sailor Mars." He answered. "Let me continue and those questions will be solved." "The fight, I believe I'll better describe it as a carnage, was perhaps the hardest one I've ever been involved. I will not ask you to imagine it because it was not a sight for young girls to see..." Reekes studied us again; we were doing our best to stay calm. Usagi, however, was shaking like a leaf. I briefly wondered whether or not to hold her. Ami, however, passed from though to action and held her hand, providing Usagi with the comfort she needed. I thanked her silently, for I felt uncertain whether or not to become emotional at this point. "We were giving our best, better believe it..." He finally continued. "They attacked again and again, and each time we held them back. Yet the foes we had to fend off were quite a lot..." This time he seemed highly perturbed, his emotions were betraying him. "Eventually we began to lose space. At this point, the city was mostly in ruins and the streets were furious battlefields. At last, we had to seek refuge at the palace. Needless to say, they did attack the palace with no mercy at all..." "Just imagine our position..." He requested. "We were tired; if we, human-like-beings have a weakness, it lies in our fragile bodies believe me. We were running out of morale, our concern for our folks was what kept us on our feet. Our youngest, most inexperienced comrades were already dead, and we were already holding wounds. Yet we did not give up. Our only hope lied within the hands of the Magicians who were working on the Main Hall. We had to protect the Hall at all costs. Our lives were expendable in order to protect the ones we cared for..." "I believe such a scene must be kind of familiar for you, am I mistaken?" He questioned with that smirk of him I already disliked. It was. I wondered. A heavy silence ruled the place for a while, as we digested those last words. "Anyway..." He resumed his story. "Back then my squad was bravely defending the corridor that served as the main access for the Main Hall. Our force had divided in several groups; some of them to defend the Palace while the others were bound to protect the civilians. Eventually, however, teams had to retreat..." "The situation was rather simple. Seven hard warriors, including my brothers, compounded my team. We were perhaps the strongest warriors of the Kingdom. If demons could be afraid, they would be of our rage I can tell. Then again, did you know demons are usually afraid of nothing? If you didn't, then you know now." "At last we had the Hall's main door just behinds us. We understood that the end was near, then again, dying to defend our loved ones was a glorious thing to do, am I mistaken?" None of us answered. "As defeat reached our minds, we received a mental plea by the Great Sorcerer. Something like a: 'Please do hold a little longer brave warriors... We're almost done...'" "What were they doing?" I asked curiously. "I understood they were gathering magical power to vanish evil from the land. That was what we trough they were doing, yet they were also pinpointing the evil source position. I believe their true intention was to release a huge magical blast to crush the evil source..." "By your words, I believe the plan didn't work properly..." "It didn't..." A short pause again. He crossed his arms as he got ready to continue. When he raised his eyes again, they were emotionless. "The plea worked as an incentive for a minute as least..." He continued. "I remember how suddenly, a huge energy blast knocked me back to the door I had been defending. The hinges could not resist both the magical and the physical pressure, so it gave up with a load crash. I remember to have felt a lot, and I mean a lot of pain. In case you are wondering, the blast crushed, and I mean crushed my right shoulder. I had been tasting blood; what amazed me was the amount that filled my mouth in such a short time..." "As I fell to the floor in pain, I learned that the enemies were going to pass our defense in a blink. As I painfully tried to get back to the fray, I noticed what so far was the result of the magician's work. Most of them were down because of energy blasts similar to the one that had knocked me. Those who still were on their feet were terrified, because the power they had been gathering was becoming dangerously unstable because of the lost of human resources to contain it. It was nothing but a spark powerful enough to burn the whole country!" He stopped and gave us a smile. An ironic smile that was everything but reassuring. "Guess what I did?" He asked, with false cheerfulness. We did not say a word, expecting him to continue. "Come on!" He encouraged us. "What would you have done given the situation?" "Not to give up and keep fighting?" Makoto answered carefully. "Why, that's quite an answer!" He proclaimed snapping his fingers. "What else to do but to keep fighting until our last breath has come out! How glorious!" He laughed again, with little humor. "Even when I noticed that our cause was hopeless, I refused to give up! I tried to stand, yet my legs were not responding as they should. I tried to summon every bit of strength left, yet I was out of it. For a second, maybe two, I heard cries and demonic yowls. According to the fates, we had failed..." "I refused to accept it... I refused to let the lives of those who fought alongside us go to waste! We had to win, we just had to!" "Yet what could I do, I had no strength left. I had managed to stand up, yet with an injured side and little energy, I was nothing but a sitting duck on a gallery. It was then when I witnessed the fall of my youngest brother..." "The image of his falling body falling down because of a deep slash across his chest was more than I could handle... I needed power, I needed to be powerful enough to vanish this evil from the wold for all the times!" "And so, I used my last reserve to dash the spark that had been waiting for my touch the whole time..." A glass filled with water broke our attention to his story by floating and placing itself on its waiting arm. He drank the content in no time, and got ready to resume. No a single word was pronounced, for we were shocked by the turn of events. "The first sensation I felt when I tried to assimilate the power was pain. Deep, sharp pain that reached every fiber within myself. My body twisted like a marionette and I even felt as if I was on fire. Yet the sensation of having so much power within my reach was an ecstasy... A delicious, if unbearable sensation..." "Before passing out I summoned every bit of will I had. If I was going to save everybody, I had to gain control over such a force of human nature. It took me a few moments before I blew everything out! My body had proven to be not enough to hold it, so I released the excess the best way I could. The magical burst virtually blasted the whole kingdom; each and every demon within a radius of a mile was turned into ashes. The light flash lasted for several moments before dying at least." "By then, I was struggling to keep the remaining power within myself. I knew I couldn't keep it, yet I couldn't release it. I was certain that the Main Hall and maybe the whole city had been devastated by the blast. How many survivors were around, I had no idea. Yet I knew I had to protect them, I had to let them live. And releasing another blast was going to be like a finishing touch." "It was then when I received a though from perhaps a remaining magician. I learned who was the evil one responsible for the death and destruction. Even more important, I learned where he was..." "And so I reached his hideout and released my remaining power. Little I remember about how I reached it or what I did it; my only memory of the evil one was his final cry of despair..." "Later, and I mean several days later, I woke up to find myself in a comfortable bed being treated by who will be my future wife. The next day I was taken to a big celebration. Even trough several men have died because of my actions, I was honored as a hero, they even said that my line would be remembered forever!" He snorted. "Even my youngest brother recovered and my family became very proud of me. A very nice scene indeed!" "Eventually the world climbed back to prosperity. By all standards, a happy ending was everything this story needed, am I mistaken?" After that last question we were not sure he wanted to be answered, Reekes just laid back on his chair and focused at us with that amusing expression that so far held more irony than real happiness. His eyes check and rechecked us for several times. I wondered about my friend's thoughts, for his last part of the story was intended to melt even the hardest heart on earth. However, the way he said it made me think there was something fishy behind the tale. He stood that way for several moments until Ami finally spoke. "What happened?" He smiled cutely. "Well..." He explained, going back to storytelling mode. "Here comes the amusing part of the tale young ladies... Ready to hear it?" I believe we all nodded. "You'll see..." He continued once he noticed our approval. "After those events took place, I decided to settle down for a change and have a family." He smiled cutely for a change. "My wife to be was really beautiful, and I expected things to go from good to better. I worked hard to build a small house and I settled as a woodsman and carpenter. In no time I was ready to accomplish my goal..." "I got married a few months later. My first years as a husband proved to be really nice, I'll say in all honesty. My wife loved me dearly, and we had little to ask life for. I mean, there was nothing we wanted we didn't have." Quite a romantic fellow. Under different circumstances, I believe I would have feel tears flowing from my cheeks. The girls, however, were holding their own much better than I expected it. Even Usagi... "It was after my daughter and second child was born that I felt that something was not right..." He paused darkly. "I had noticed that I had become strongest and more agile since the crisis time, yet I did not gave it more attention than a mere thought. Being infused with so much power, I had concluded, was expected to have an effect on my body. Yet other than enhancing my body there didn't seem to be unusual symptoms after six long years..." "I was at home, cuddling my newborn child, when I did yet another check on myself. A mirror was placed in a table just in front of me, and I studied my features once again. I found nothing unusual, and I focused my attention to my wife, who was at the kitchen making dinner. She was like a angel. I couldn't help but wonder how much she had changed after our marriage. She was very young back then, 21 to be exact, and now she had grown to be a beautiful woman..." He did choose this time to close his eyes to deal with his thoughts once again. Boy he loved to make melodrama! "I realized then..." He finally explained. "That I had not been aging..." Now that was an unusual declaration! "You don't age!?" Mako and Mina said in a chorus. "Not at all..." Was all Reekes answered. "But... But how!?" Ami ventured this time. "I was not sure back then..." Reekes answered. "Now I know that, when I was infused with the power, my desire to become strongest did a lot more than just to enhance my physical strength..." He shrugged. "I believe that my desire to refuse death powered a change within my body. It is not hereditary I have learned, yet unfortunately it's deep infused within myself." "I don't understand..." Usagi questioned. "Living for a long time is such a bad thing?" His laugh, carefree for a change, was something we again didn't expect. "Why, you really don't have an idea, do you Sailor Moon?" Reekes explained amused. " I was not bestowed with long live, I was bestowed with INMORTALITY!" I stared fascinated how his face turned into a mask filled with amusement and sarcasm. No words were heard for a while, until he stopped his chuckling. "You'll see..." He finally said. "At first it was nothing but a shock. When my wife learned, however, she told me she didn't care, she told me she loved me. When my family learned, they were shocked, yet they did not pushed me aside. When people learned, they accepted me the way I was..." "Then again, time passed... My wife began to grow old and the time came when she died. I witnessed how my son and daughter grew up and eventually married their couples and eventually they died. In short, those who knew me from my youngest days eventually turned to dust..." "All that time I expected to get older, I expected to get at least one white hair... And I learned that it was not going to happen..." "Do you have the slightest idea about what I am talking you about?" He questioned before answering his own question. "Of course you do! I believe you were destined to live for a millenium or so, am I mistaken?" "How do you know?" Minako asked. "I have my sources..." Reekes resumed his story after a very short pause this time. I was beginning to feel tired, and I confess I wanted the 'meeting' to end so we could go home. "As time passed the people whose ancestors once honored me finally pushed me away, I didn't resist when they told me to leave the Kingdom. I had little reasons to stay, so I left to take a tour around the world. Most of those times I expend alone, doing nothing but learning and researching in the mystical and fighting arts. A couple of evil followers threatened the world from time to time, yet long ago I had swore as a Knight to defend the world that even then was losing it's meaning for me. My skill had become unmatchable, so I had little trouble protecting my world, even if my actions were nothing but untold adventures..." "Finally the day arrived when I learned that I could leave the world that so far had become nothing but boredom. Since that day, I have been traveling from here to there; never stopping for long and usually being nothing but a watcher..." "Fortunately, unfortunately by some I am afraid..." He stopped in an attempt to be dramatic. "I have decided I do not want to be watcher anymore!" He smiled darkly. "Aren't you happy for me, Sailor Senshi?" His declaration was said with a tone that vanished every bit of charm he somehow had gathered during his talk. "What do you intend to do?" Usagi asked. For her to behave so... seriously, I would have though she was at princess mode. "Oh, nothing peculiar..." He answered reclining on his chair, with an almost casually air. "I've decided that to kill you in order to take over the world may be an enjoyable experience for a change! Who knows? I have little things to occupy my free time you know..." "You can't be serious..." That same though crossed my mind. "Why not?" "That's wrong!" "So?" For a change, Reekes was deadly serious. And Usagi was also unusually serious. I told myself quite impressed. "I'm afraid you can't give me a reason for behaving, am I mistaken Moon Princess?" "How much do you know about us?" Usagi questioned, avoiding the obvious. "Why, I've been watching you for a while!" He explained with a smile. "I reached your world when it was still very young. I would have leave it alone, but events proved to be really interesting!" "I was there when Beryl destroyed the Silver Millenium. I saw mankind grow and develop; I also witnessed your reborn and victory over the Negaverse!" He made a short pause before continuing. "Ail, Ann, Chibi Usa, Wiseman, Sailor Saturn, Pharaoh 90; I know of them all! In short, I've seen each and every battle you've fought..." "Yet Queen Beryl was the only one who actually knew of my existence... She told me quite a few things I do have to admit..." "You worked for the Negaverse." Minako deduced. "Not at all Sailor Venus!" He answered acting as if scandalized. "When I met her first, I told her I was nothing but a mere watcher. She was not pleased by my answer, I mean she even tried to blast me, can you believe it? I had to..." He paused again as if choosing words. "Teach her not to mess with me..." "I met her again when you were reborn. That time, however, she asked me to join her pathetic dark force!" He chuckled. "You should have seen her face when I told her to go to... a place far away..." "And she let you leave!?" Mina questioned. "Just like that, both times!?" "You are saying as if she had a choice." He explained. "Her choice, for you to know, was to actually face me in angry mode. I can advise you that is not a wise choice to make, and I believe she learned that the first time." "Now that I think about it, I wonder if perhaps I should have joined the Negaverse..." He played a thoughtful scene none of us found funny. "They would have won with no doubt given the circumstances!" He cheerfully answered himself. "Then again, I didn't... I don't feel like to serve somebody for a while..." He stopped again. This time silence lasted for half a minute, mostly because none of us knew what to say. "I can't believe it..." Those words were said by a very depressed Usagi. "I mean, you could have helped us when we needed help, and you didn't..." She meet Reekes curious glance with her sad one. "You don't care anymore Reekes?" "No." His answer was just plain and simple. "Have you forgotten!?" Makoto asked this time, letting her feelings go out. "Those times when you had a friends, even a family?" "I haven't." Reekes said casually. "I once had feelings of care and love Sailor Jupiter... For my family and friends, and I cared for them deeply, like no one else. And you know what I got in return for my feelings? Bitterness, That's what I got..." "You don't understand what I've been trough..." He told us even trough we were in shock. "My 'life', if that's a name to describe it, it's nothing but eternal boredom! I've been on my feet for more than a thousand hundred years! I've been from here to there, watching, helping, caring sometimes, feeling sorry for myself. I've seen almost everything universes has to offer!" "And I just feel like I can't stand it anymore..." He finally explained, his face down. "What did I do to deserve such a punishment; was it because I had to let my people die?" He raised his head in sadness. "I once learned life was unfair, yet I did not expected it to be unfair enough not to let me go!" "We can help you Reekes..." Usagi said with sympathy. "Please let us help, we can be your friends..." "Save your pity princess..." Reekes said with a smile. "I once took a similar offer, and right now I feel it did little for my sake. But thanks anyway! I will keep in mind that you are trying to be helpful!" I studied his face as closed his eyes. He stretched his neck lazily before opening them again, then he smiled once again before raising his hand to snap his fingers again. The wooden chest we had forgotten rose again, and the objects over the forgotten desk began to float in to it once again. Once the desk was empty, he finally stood up. He was not only strong, but also tall! His height was just below the two meters! "I believe this meeting is over..." He announced as he stretched his powerful members. ******************** Oh my god! I screamed to myself. I stood up as fast as I could! My friends did the same as they seemed to have realized the true meaning of his words! The desk moved away, following the chest to a dark corner. Our chairs followed them in no time. We took battle stances quickly and I studied my surroundings as fast as I could, recriminating myself several times for not doing it earlier. I noticed we had quite a lot of space to maneuver, unfortunately unexplored. I cried to myself one last time before focusing again on Reekes, who by now had stopped stretching himself and was focusing on us. "You tricked us!" Ami said at last. "I didn't Sailor Mercury. I gave you my word I was not going to hurt you for as long as our meeting took place, and I keep my word! A shame you didn't realize about it until now, I mean look at you!" He said with his arms crossed. "Like ducks on a shooting gallery, this is going to be fun!" We stepped back. By instinct, I tried to push Usagi behind myself for protection. "This is unfair!" Mako cried as she gave a step forward, her guard up. "Don't you have any honor left?" "Why I did promise I will do my best to beat you! And I will keep my word!" He took a fighting stance, his left arm raised in front, his right just ready to develop a blow. "Ready Sailor Senshi!" He cried; his face obviously excited. Makoto had stepped besides me, and her arms were crossed and ready to send one of her trademarked lightning sparks. By now, Reeke's smiling face was an annoyance I wanted to get rid of. My mind screamed. I had to finish him fast! I raised my hand to build my fire rings as Makoto began her chant. The flash came unexpectedly! With a cry, I lowered my hands down to my eyes as I stepped backwards, almost stumbling! I was not the only one, for my friend's cries proved that they had fell on the same trick. I realized as I tried to regain my sight. I didn't have time to wonder about it because a very hard blow knocked me down. I fell to the floor and hit a wall shoulder first as a sharp pain filled my body. my mind explained as tears began to freshen my eyes enough to see again. At last I opened my eyes and tried to focus on the noises I heard. My vision finally cleared enough to show Reekes holding a helpless Sailor Mercury by her throat. Her body was trashing wildly trying to get a single breath; her face was a mask of despair I just couldn't stand! With a cry I got up and rushed him trying to get a good one. Unfortunately he noticed my move. As I tried to nail him, he grabbed my arm and threw me over Makoto, who was just getting up. He made his move with such an ease, that I felt more humiliated than surprised. We both fell as I felt even more pain as my head hit one of those steel beams that were piled around. Even trough I felt blood flowing, I tried to get up again. "LET HER GO!" I heard as I fought to get on my feet. The voice I heard came from Usagi. Raising my head, I saw both Usagi and Minako charging toward Reekes. In a second they were almost over him; Usagi had jumped to deliver her trademarked Moon Kick, while Minako had attempted to deliver a tackle. Yet they did not touch him. Almost nonchalant, Reekes just jumped back avoiding their attack. As he was in the air, he threw Ami's body over them, knocking them back with a painful thump. By then I was on my feet again. Makoto was on her feet also, so we moved to defend our fallen friends. I kneeled down to help them up, while Makoto bravely shielded us from our foe. I checked them quickly, it seemed Usagi and Minako were mostly dazed. Ami however, was lying on her side gasping painfully. Her eyes were teary and her body could not stand still, so I tried to comfort her my best while trying not to let my guard down. It took little time for Usagi and Minako to get on their senses. Usagi quickly helped me to ease Ami while Minako joined Makoto in the defense line. Although my attention was mostly on Ami, I noticed Minako had hurt her knee. They needed my help, so I stood letting Ami to Usagi's care. Reekes was just a few meters away, leaning on a wall, his eyes closed and both his arms and legs crossed. He was virtually ignoring us, and his smirk was something that enraged me badly. I considered attacking him again, yet I knew my efforts were surely going to be a waste if I didn't synchronized with my friend's powers. So I stayed and tried to offer a brave front, ignoring the fact that my head's injury was screaming for my attention. For a minute, maybe two, nothing happened. It was when Usagi and a still-shaking Ami joined our line that Reekes's voice was heard again. "Too much for the Sailor Senshi, Am I mistaken?" His smile... I just hated it! "I'm disappointed with no doubt young ladies..." He said as he opened his eyes. "True that I expected you not to be even a challenge, yet I've seen children fight much better than you do..." We did not answer. Instead, we slowly surrounded him, until he was in the middle of a semicircle. "Tell you what I'm going to do..." He said getting straight again. By mere instinct we stepped back. "I'll give you a chance. Use your powers and try to finish me. If you fail then I'm afraid you will find the experience painful, am I clear?" Again we held our tongue. We quickly exchanged glances and decided to follow his "generous" offer. "VENUS LOVE-ME CHAIN!!!" Minako cried as she released her attack. The chain got entangled in Reekes's raised left arm. Now it was our turn! "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!!!" Makoto called as she threw her lightning ball. "SHINNING AQUA ILLUSSION!!!" Ami yelled releasing her frozen water. I held back because I knew Reekes was going to try to avoid them. I was right, he freed himself from Venus grasp and was soon in the air. Now it was my turn! "BURNING MANDALA!!!" I cried. "MOON SPIRAL HEARTH ACHE!!!" I heard Usagi cry as well. Our combined power reached him in a mere fraction. Yet I saw him use the wall behind him to jump over the blast. However instead of describing the parabola a jump is supposed to follow, he dashed the floor and reached it in no time, just behind us. He grinned with excitement, and then he attacked! I saw him charge Makoto. God he was fast, I mean, in a mere second he was over her! Yet Makoto was a skilled Martial Artist, and with unbelievable speed, she released a punch that would have knocked him down if it had landed... But it didn't, because he just ducked under her. He punched Mako hard, just below her rib cage. Time seemed to stop, I can remember Mako's body stay still for a mere second, her face revealing more shock than pain. She must have been surprised he had passed trough her defenses that easily. The force of the strike send Mako just a few steps away. And then she fell. On her knees first, coughing a large amount of blood as she held her injured abdomen desperately. On her side a second later, her large eyes fully opened, her mouth bloody, her body shaking... "MAKO-CHAN!!!" I heard Usagi cry. Carelessly she rushed at her side with tears on her own eyes. It was then when I focused on the bastard again, I had been just too shocked to react. He had just stepped back and soon was hand crossed a few meters away. I felt a renewed anger fill my body. It blinded me, I just wanted to hurt him badly! I was not the only one, because Mina joined me when I focused my attack. I held my hands and focused every bit of flames I commanded within me. "BASTARD!!!" I cried as I blasted him with the most powerful flame I could command. "TAKE THIS!!!" I heard Minako cry as she released her most powerful beam attack I've ever seen her summoned. Our combined power surged forward and enveloped him in it's fury! The pile of steel beams behind him were thrown back because of the brute strength of our blast. We heard them crash obviously half-meld at the other side of the warehouse, yet we keep our power flowing in blind rage. I didn't know we had so much power within ourselves; right them I didn't give it a damn! It was when our attack started to subside that I realized we could not have nailed him so easily. I turned to Minako; it was then when I saw him. "MINA!" I cried as I rushed toward them. I felt pathetically slow as I moved my limbs. It all happened too fast. He grabbed Minako's right arm and twisted it in a sharp move. She cried as pain suddenly hit her. As she held her injured arm she took a full roundhouse kick that turned her beautiful face into a bloody mess. She fell at last; once in the floor she did not look like she could get up again... By then I was over him, anger overpowering my senses. In madness I tried to nail him; several times I punched and kicked wildly, getting angrier as he successfully avoided each strike. My vision had become blurred, because of my tears and blind rage. I don't think five seconds passed since I began when I felt him grab my ankle. My memories from there are excruciating pain. First when I felt him twisting my feet. Second when I felt him cracking my ribs. From there I felt only pain as he strike me again and again. Even trough I must have screamed, I believe I heard somebody calling my name... my brain had time to explain. Suddenly it ended. My battered body fell and hit the ground, yet I found very difficult just to think straight because of the unbearable agony I felt. Eventually my brain registered familiar cries... I recognized the owner. I believe I heard Usagi cry her name too... I tried to focus on the name... on the meaning it had for me... Yet the more my brain clarified, the worst I felt. Eventually I learned just the bad shape I was in. I was laying head down, and my body twitched. It hurt a lot, my chest, ribs, leg and jaw unusually bad. I felt something cold and thin grab my waist. Then I felt several wires seizing my limbs. They raised my body from the ground and keep it still. It was then when I realized my eyes were closed. I painfully attempted to open them, my vision was blurred and even the small lights around felt really uncomfortable. I saw something twitching... As I focused on it, I found out it was Usagi, still as Sailor Moon. She was fighting against the wires that held her limbs painfully still. As my vision become clearer, I saw her pretty face crying in despair. Those cries finally registered inside my trobbing brain. She had been calling our names it finally registered. The wiring suddenly tightened and she screamed as her flesh was tortured and her limbs were painfully stretched. Her agony was what send me back to my senses. "Usagi..." I rasped as I commanded my body to move. It was then when the wiring holding me also tightened and held my arms in a strong, painful grip. I clenched my teeth and refused to cry again. I fought them for some seconds before exhaustion won over me. I did not took my eyes away from Usagi, however... "So everybody's conscious again! Your endurance is certainly impressive, little girls!" That voice... Something I have learned to hate so much, I felt insane! "Yet was I too much for the Fighters for Love and Justice, the all mighty, Negaverse Slayers, Sailor Senshi? Jeez, I am truly something, don't you agree?" I focused on the voice source. There he was, standing before us, mocking at us. I was so angry I struggled some more, just to find I couldn't even move my fingers. I tried to learn where my friends were, yet I could only see Usagi. "I will take your silence as a 'yes'..." He continued as he stepped and stood facing Usagi. He extended his gloved, blood-covered hand and grabbed her hearth shaped brooch. He quietly admired it in silence for a moment; Usagi was terrified, and her fear just angered me a lot more. At last he pulled sharply, ripping it from her suit. Her sailor suit dissolved in a ribbon display revealing the blue blouse and white shorts she must have wore before I summoned her. I tried to break free once again, to not avail. "Bastard..." I rasped. Reekes did not seemed to be interested on Usagi anymore, not even as she detransformed. He ignored me as well, his attention was focused on the brooch. At last he opened it, revealing the crystal inside. He smiled as he turned to Usagi. "I will have lied if I had said that it is hard to believe such a small gadget holds such an amount of power..." He played with the brooch as he continued. "Actually I do agree, this interesting... item seems to have been build by a master on the area. I have seen powerful crystals several times, believe me princess. Yet no one as well made as this one." He shrugged. "What I find hard to believe is that Queen Beryl was unable to take it; I mean, she had both power and an army. Can you imagine her face right now princess? She must hate me for refusing to join her club..." "Anyway..." He said with a sigh. "The bad guy manual says I am supposed to kill you now, else you will somehow beat me by using some untold tricks you must have... What do you think?" "Reekes please!" Usagi begged, her face pleading. "Stop this, you can't do this!" A blade suddenly appeared on his hand, then Usagi shrieked. A moment later I felt a burn across my left cheek... "Of course I can princess!" He said drawing another blade from somewhere. "For once, I am doing what I want to do!" My hearth almost stopped when I saw him wielding his weapon in front of Usagi's face. "DON'T TOUCH HER!" I heard Makoto cry in rage, before a cough dropped her voice down. "If you do I swear I'll kill you!" He turned at her and smiled evilly. He threw his blade at what I believe was Makoto's direction. I did not hear her cry, and I wondered briefly how bad he hurt her. "I might not hurt her, fear not..." Reekes said as he stepped back. Then he motioned at Usagi. "See? She is virtually unharmed..." The wires around Usagi suddenly were loosened, letting Usagi fell to the ground. As soon as her feet touched the ground she rushed toward us. Crying in despair, she pulled the strings that held us captive, trying to freed us from the wires with no result, hurting her hands in the process. "You must release them!" Usagi finally begged. Reekes just stood there smiling evilly. "This is the deal. I will let you go unharmed princess. I will even return the Ginzuishou once I am safe; I even promise I will not cross your path anymore..." "However, I will take your Royal Guard's life in return..." Usagi's expression became hard when she heard his words. "I will not go without them!" "Of course you will not..." Reekes nodded with a smirk. "Here's another deal princess: If you can provide a decent challenge, then I will free the senshi of your preference... If you do fight real well, I might spare them all." "I am afraid I might kill you if you choose such a path princess..." He finished. "Of course, my other offer is still available, in case you are interested. Sorry if I don't have any other offer, but I am already bending my word, and losing my honor might be bad for my reputation... " "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!" I cried even trough just breathing hurt a lot. "You must go!" She turned at me in shock. "Usagi..." I heard Minako said weakly. "Please!" "Go Usagi..." I heard Ami beg this time. I could not see Makoto, yet I believe she must have nodded. And I feel real anguish when she walked toward me. With her hand, she gently caressed my cheek and smiled. "Usagi don't!" I said as I struggled. "You can't risk your life that way, you must go!" She ignored my plea. She focused at some point at my side and finally left me. I struggled some more as she tried to soothe my friends. I heard them beg and cry, Makoto even threatened her. And then she walked away from us and faced Reekes, who had been watching the whole scene with a neutral expression. With her hand she cleaned her tears and finally spoke. "I will not go without my friends..." She said simply. "USAGI YOU STUPID DITZ YOU CAN'T..." I was interrupted when a piece of cloth suddenly tightened around my mouth effectively stopping my words. I tried to break it free as tears flowed freely trough my cheeks, yet it was too strong. I felt myself raising up to the ceiling slowly until I just reached it and stayed still. Usagi didn't turn around. "So I see..." Reekes agreed with a nod. "Now you do understand, it was your fault they were beaten..." What the heck he was talking about??? "However I don't think Usagi Tsukino will be a challenge at all, so I will better return you your brooch..." He said as he held it on his hand. The crystal within it suddenly rose and floated ghostly for a moment before his massive hand surrounded it. "Of course, I will keep the crystal to make things a little more interesting!" He said hiding the crystal somewhere inside his armored arm. "The brooch shall allow you to transform and fight, however. I do expect you to do your best, princess!" He then threw the brooch back at her. She held it up as soon as she got it back. "MOON COSMIC POWER!!!" Trough teary eyes I saw how Usagi bravely transformed, getting ready to fight for our lives. I prayed for somebody to come and help us. The Outer Senshi, Tuxedo Mask... They probably knew the princess was in danger! The light show did not last long. As soon as she finished his transformation, Usagi got into a fighting stance and got ready to fight. "Let's begin..." Reekes said calmly, also getting in a fighting stance. They just stood there for some seconds or so, before Usagi drew out her moon rod. "Moon Spiral Hearth Ache!!!" She cried. With a smile, Reekes jumped over the blast. My brain cried again. What surprised me was that Usagi quickly drew her hand to her forehead while tracking Reeke's path down. She didn't give a warning this time, and released her Frisbee straight at the airborne fighter. I expected his body to be hit yet it did not happen. He twisted just enough to let the weapon pass even when it returned. He landed at the exact spot he had been a moment later, this time he had a smile of approval. "Very good!" He complimented her with a fake surprised face. "In all honesty, I didn't expected you to unleash such a battle plan!" He sidestepped the blast she suddenly threw. "And no warning this time! Quite impressive princess!" "Because of your efforts, I will allow you to leave this place now in company of the senshi of your preference!" He said as he stood casually. "Deal, princess?" "I will not leave my friends behind!" She said again, without taking his eyes from her foe. "Oh dear, how brave..." Reekes got into fighting stance again. "Because of my newly found respect for you, I will fight seriously this time..." And saying so, he side turned as he cupped his hands just at his waist side. "SHOGEKIHA!!!" Usagi barely escaped from the blast that almost blew the concrete wall just behind her. She had no time to counter as Reekes suddenly was over her. She didn't have time to react when his fist suddenly crashed against her ribs. I forgot to breathe as she fell and landed on her knees, holding her side. Reekes landed far enough to raise his hand at eyes level, his index hand pointing at her. "LASER BEAM!" He commanded, emulating Minako's attack. Usagi just had enough time to escape the blast that left a burning mark on the floor. She got on her feet quickly and got herself ready to counter. "MOON SPIRAL HEARTH ACHE!!!" She cried again, this time with a tone of despair. This time, however, Reekes jumped over the beam toward her. Usagi barely had time to summoned and release a tiara before he was over her again. His hand suddenly flashed revealing a huge spark. "RAIKOUKEN!" Usagi cried in agony as her body twitched because of the electric wave that blasted her body. Her cry burned trough my core, and I could not bear it anymore. I struggled again, this time with such a spirit I gave little attention to the cuts the wiring began to dig on my skin. I had recovered myself a little so I commanded the fire within myself as I struggled free. I had to help her! And then an excruciating pain burned trough my head! I tried to fight it, yet it became unbearable enough I would have screamed if not for the clothing on my mouth. I don't know how long it lasted when it suddenly ended, leaving me completely wasted. "Do not interfere!" I heard him command on my head. I tried to focus again on the fight, and though my vision was again blurred, it turned out to be clear enough to see the rest of the encounter. It seemed like Usagi had recovered enough to stand still, if trembling. Reekes was just in front of her waiting, and she tried not to disappoint him. With a cry she tried to hit him with her rod. Reekes just parried it with his left hand, and began to catch the wild strikes she delivered from there. Suddenly he just snatched the moon rod from her hands and threw it over his shoulder leaving Usagi defenseless. Then she hit him fully on his stomach. Being one of the few parts he had uncovered by his armor, she expected it to be a weak spot. He just smiled. Then he punched her square on the face. My hearth stopped again when I heard her cry as she hit the ground, hard this time. She was badly injured this time, and I felt new tears coming from my eyes. I angrily cried within my mind. "Because of your efforts..." Reekes began again. "I will let you take your two favorite senshi with you..." "I do strongly suggest you to think carefully this time, because I don't think you will get a third..." I pleaded, even though she could not hear me. Again I felt despair over myself when I saw her painfully getting up to face him once again. "I will not leave ANY of my friends behind..." She said shakingly as she struggled to get up. This time Reekes did not wait for her to get on her feet. He stepped nonchalant and grabbed her by her front bow. I felt my insides burn when his hand crashed against her belly. Usagi's eyes opened in pain as she coughed blood, the same way Makoto did just a while ago. I felt my hearth being thorn away as he grabbed her shoulders, and crashed his armored knee against her hurt abdomen again and again. With each strike, Usagi threw even more on her insides. I cried in despair again and again... I struggled again fiercely, this time my cuts were bleeding profusely. Suddenly the pain arrived and I screamed, not even the clothing stopping it from being heard. Once I opened my eyes again I saw Usagi battered body being strangled. He held her with just one hand and kept tightening her throat harder and harder. My mind keep saying as I cried freely. It was then when Usagi suddenly raised her leg and kicked him square in the jaw. She kicked him two more times before her body refused to cooperate again. Reekes, I must say, seemed unfazed by her attempt. However, he smiled and freed her throat from his grasp. He placed her on the floor, and with his hands he grabbed her right leg. Then he cracked her knee savagely, freeing bone from flesh. Her agonizing cry burned again trough my soul. I couldn't take my eyes from the horrendous display just below myself. Then he raised her again and punched her chest in a sadistic display of strength. She twisted with no control, yet she did not cry this time. It was when he raised her body over his head when my despair, my feeling of failure, reached their maximum point. Making sure we had a clear view, he held her broken body up for several moments. Then he raised his knee as her body fell. I watched in morbid fascination as her back made contact with his raised thigh. The sickening cracking sound I heard a moment later resounded like thunder inside my head. Then her body hit the ground and stayed there, twitching a little, then laying still. "So princess... I believe you managed to save yet another helpful comrade. Now the question is... Shall you left with three grateful friends, or shall you fight for the fourth?" My mind cried as my rage burned. "What, you did lose your fighting spirit so soon?" He pushed her a little with his armored foot. "Oh boy, that is certainly a shame..." I felt the wiring descending slowly. As soon as it was at his level, Reekes walked toward us. "You know Sailor Senshi..." He said casually, ignoring my... OUR hateful eyes. "She actually proved to be a rather interesting challenge! I mean, she fought with her whole hearth, ignoring her safety just because of her love for you... It is something I do find amusing, don't you? I mean, she reminds me of myself!" I wanted to get rid of that evil smile of his. Nothing in the world would have made me happier. "Now I do have to get rid of only one of you, if I am going to fulfill my word. Who shall I kill I wonder, now that she has nothing to say to sort the matter..." He studied us for some seconds, in fake studying. Then he focused on me and smiled darkly. "I am afraid you are going to be the one, Rei Hino..." He said as he placed in front of me. "Nothing personal, it's just that you are the only Inner Senshi who may try to track me once this is over. After all, you were the one who sensed me around, am I mistaken?" I gave him my hardest stare, filled with hate. He only smiled. "In case you are wondering..." He said conversationally. "The Outer Senshi did not arrive on time because I took care of them first. No, I didn't hurt them, fear not. Also I kept Chiba Mamoru out of this, mostly because I cannot wait for him to learn what happened to his loved Usako. It's going to be something to see!" "And you will find your cats safe and drugged inside a wooden cage somewhere around Minako's house. Weren't you surprised when they disappeared suddenly yesterday? You didn't expected them to be busy attending cat business, did you?" A ghostly object floated from the darkness and reached Reekes side. It was a cased sword. "I would love to stay and chat, but I am afraid I would like to enjoy the night left a little more. It's two o'clock, just the perfect time!" He took the sword case and got ready to unsheathe it. "Fear not, I will make it quick and easy. Just a chop and you will be free..." "Farewell Rei Hino!" He said as he freed the sword. He then got ready to deliver the final blow. I swore. Suddenly, as I waited for his strike, Reekes turned around and focused on the broken body of Usagi. I could not help but to focus on her again. I saw her hand move. "Princess, why don't you die for once?" Reekes asked impatiently, resting his sword on his shoulder. "You are out of the contest for good!" Painfully she raised her head and focused on Reekes. Her face was unrecognizable because of the injuries, yet she still had a flash of strength within her. I was too astounded to think clearly. Reekes then focused his attention to his gauntlet. The Ginzuishou suddenly fell and hit the ground. Slowly, it rolled until it reached her pleading hand. "OK girl, you summoned it, you got it. Now what are you going to do?" He said crossing his arms, his sword still on his hand. As a response she morphed into her Princess Serenity attire. It began to turn reddish as soon as it appeared. "Moon..." She began with a raspy, weak voice... "Crystal..." He did not move at all... Didn't bother to espace... "POWER!" She cried, as hard as she could. The crystal reacted at her command and a white blast suddenly engulfed Reekes, making him grunt. He was dragged away from us, yet he managed to keep on his feet as the Crystal's blast burned his body. And then he began to advance, attempting to reach her. "Now princess..." He said as he stepped toward her. "You don't really think this child trick is going to stop me, do you?" The blast suddenly increased its power. I found difficult to distinguish his silhouette as he stopped. "Much better..." He grunted. "I do have a lot of power also, want to see?" He wielded his sword forward and send a greenish blast that countered Usagi's moon beam effectively. They kept their fight for a while until it became obvious he was taking the upper hand. "It's just a matter of wills princess. The one with the strongest shall win!" I mentally cried. I focused each and every bit of my strength left in enhancing Usagi's blast. I felt a little surprised when I felt Ami join my effort, followed by Mina and Mako. They were as weak as myself, yet together we could do it. I felt our beam strengthen itself until the place was blown by a light that ended blinded us all. From Reekes I heard not even a scream as his presence suddenly vanished. The metal that tied my limbs suddenly became loosen and I fell to the ground exhausted. As soon as I felt myself free, I tried to get up to get to Usagi's side. My broken leg, however, prevented me from doing so. Instead, I crawled as fast as I could, ignoring my aching leg and ribs. Makoto reached her first and kneeled before her. She was a mess like myself: her body was all cut, her front suit was a reddish mess and by judging the way she held her stomach, she must be hurting like hell. Yet she carefully turned Usagi's body and rested her head on her lap. Tears were coming freely from her brown eyes, and her face was a mask of anguish. "Usagi..." She begged, her voice choked. "Usagi please answer me!" I finally reached her side, just at the same time Mina and Ami did. Mina was holding her broken arm, completely unaware of the bloody mess her face was. Ami seemed to be in good shape, until I noticed that her right hand was broken and that she had trouble breathing. We gathered around our fallen leader crying in despair. Ami tried to feel for a hearth beat as I held her hand trying to reasure herself, myself, that she was going to be OK. I saw something fall to the ground. It was dark and small. The magical item, that had saved the world for several times, was this time completely drained. "Mako-chan..." That voice, raspy and painful turned my attention immediately. "USAGI!" I cried in joy. She was alive! "Rei-chan..." She said as she tried to focus on me. I learned horrified, that she was agonizing. "Usagi hold on!" I begged as I held her hand desperately. "Ami, let's take her to the hospital!" "Mina-chan..." I heard her whisper as we tried to get her broken body straight. "I'm here Usagi!" She said as cheerfully as she could, a hard thing to do because she was as badly hurt as we were. At last she tracked Ami, who was desperately trying to stop her leg bleeding. "Ami-chan..." She said with relief. "I'm... so happy you are safe..." "Usagi don't give up now..." Minako begged, her voice shaking. "We need you..." As a response, she gave us that cute smile we had learned to love so much. "NO!" I pleaded. "DON'T YOU DARE LEAVING US!!!" "I'am sorry..." She rasped, her eyes losing their spark quickly. Again tears were blinding me. I held her hand fiercely, refusing to let her go. "It's cold..." She whispered as her gaze got lost. Mako held her fiercely as if she was a child, her hot tears falling on her cheeks, cleaning traces of blood from them. "Tell Mamo-chan... that I... I..." ******************** "USSAAAGGGGIIIIIIIIIIIII!" I cried as something inside me gave up and died. My painful cry resounded on the warehouse for a while until it finally vanished. I gave myself entirely to my grief; my companions also cried in despair the lost of our dearest friend. "Usagi..." I must have said her name several times as I sobbed. "You stupid ditz, I told you not to do it..." The world loses any meaning for me just then. I cried and begged and threatened her before breaking down completely. Time seemed to stop for a long time as I held Usagi's hand; a hand that slowly was losing its warmness. How long did we stay grieving our lost before we heard him again. "Princess..." That voice... THAT VOICE! I turned and saw him. He was there, on his feet, unable to breathe without falling but standing still. His armor had been crushed and now I could only see pieces of metal imbedded on his skin. His body was badly burned and he was bleeding. Yet he was still alive, and he still had that smirk... "So you saved all your friends..." He said weakly, stepping forward. "Yet you could not beat me..." He laughed, his voice feed my rage until it became unbearable. "What a shame... I certainly expected you to do it!" He stepped toward us and I began to lose sanity. He laughed again, and that was the final straw. With a cry I summoned all my firepower left. Using my left arm I steadied myself to release the bits I still have, then I send toward him my final fireball. The girls also followed my example. Ice, Lightning and Light also blasted him, in our final attempt to get rid of him. He laughed insanely as he was turned to dust. When the smoke cleared, only ashes remained were he once had stood... ******************** Now that time has passed, I still grieve the lost of my best, true friend I ever had. The girl with the purest hearth I will ever meet. My clumsy, fool... dear and brave Usagi... Makoto died shortly after the fight. It was because she was so badly wounded on her insides, that no medical help was enough to help her. We were there when she left us to join Usagi. We cried for her as well, even though we know that Usagi's not alone. The brunette fighter that protected her like no other has joined her in the afterlife... Ami recovered, if not completely. She lose most of her hand's motions, also her health will be delicate from now on. She studied hard and graduated as a Doctor with honors. She now works at the hospital her mother now directs. From time to time we meet and talk, but she always has little to say. I don't think I've seen her smile since Usagi's death... Minako stayed with us for a while until she decided to go back to England. I know little of her know, mostly because she left without a word. I've learned from the Outer Senshi that she has joined the Interpool and now she travels around the world getting in lots of dangerous missions. She's fearless they told me; I believe she's trying to emulate Usagi's courage... Mamoru said little when he found out her love had been killed. He was devastated and no matter what we did we couldn't help him. One day he disappeared. We searched for a while, but eventually we learned he was not going to be back. I do understand the pain he fell. Up to this day no one has a clue about his whereabouts... When the time comes, I'll ask Usagi for forgiveness for letting Mamoru down... The Outer Senshi were speechless when they learned about our loss. We learned that they had been abducted while they were visiting Greece. They recovered from a drug-induced dream in time to be there when Makoto died. Of course, Haruka slapped me and called me a loser in several tones; I believe she would have beaten me if Michiru had not been around. While Michiru and Hotaru cried a lot and had to be reassured, Haruka and Setsuna stood there stoically dealing with their pain. Setsuna left after Usagi's and Makoto's burial. I knew her well enough, and trough her emotionless face I learned she held not only sadness, but also fear. I believe she was afraid of the timeline "paradox effects" Usagi's death were going to trigger. No one has seen her since then... Haruka and Michiru left to Europe while Hotaru stayed behind to finish High School before entering a prestigious University in order to become a doctor; she's studying right now. Haruka and Michiru have visited from time to time, mostly to check on Hotaru. Haruka has never forgiven us completely, and certainly not herself. Michiru has proven to be the strongest among us, because so far she's the one keeping Haruka sane... Usagi's family was devastated when we told them about the fate of their daughter. We told them about their daughter's true identity, and they did not take it well. At first we though they were not going to forgive us, yet we were wrong. They have supported us a lot, maybe a lot more than we deserve. Sometimes they even come and pray at my temple, and I feel honored they now think of me as an adoptive daughter. I think it's because what Usagi meant to me... Chibi Usa? No one has ever... Will never see her again... Because of my injuries, I had to give up my dream to be a singer. And so I am currently living at the temple grandfather left when he died of age. Yuichiro has proven to be a big help, and I am currently considering whether or not to accept his recent marriage proposal... Luna and Artemis do live at my temple now. They have suffered a lot more than they let us know. I believe it's because they were also abducted and were unable to warn us of the danger. I already talked with them several times, but they have learned to ignore my words. Luna has proven to be a good house cat, but Artemis has been restless since Minako left him to return to England. He usually runs away and returns from time to time, most of those times with injuries. I already scowled him for seeking trouble around town, yet he's an adult cat and a very stubborn one... Sometimes I wonder about Usagi and how different things could have been given different circumstances... I have recriminated myself several times for taking my friends out on that horrible night, but now I know we had no way to avoid our fate. Usagi did what she felt she had to do... About Reekes? I have wondered for a long time about him. No one knows that I felt his soul get grateful when we killed him. He managed to make me feel his gratitude for being the cause of his death. I do understand a little about him now... Yet I cannot feel but hate when I remember his dark smirk... --------------------------------------------------------------------- AUTHOR FINAL WORDS: I feel like I owe the reader some explanations about this story. There are quite a lot so far: * About Reekes: A friend once told me he was too whimsical to understand his motives. And he was right, he became evil because of a mere whim. Actually being whimsical is maybe Reeke's main feature. And remember what good old Rei said: "Reekes is a fountain of emotions". After living for so long, you can expect a guy's attitude to eventually change. Think about it, inmortality has ill effects on even the most virtuous fellow. A man unable to die usually began to lose his good nature. It's not that hard to understand, I mean, seeing those around getting nowhere end up being extremely boring. With boredom, comes antipathy. With antipathy, comes bitterness. His motives for facing the Sailor Senshi? As I said, he was just bored. He had little to do and decided to cause some trouble just to have some long forgotten fun. It's a pleasant sensation to be free of those rules that force you to behave once in a while, am I mistaken? Did he want to get killed? Sort of. He did not want to kill himself; yet he actually didn't minded being killed at all. In any case he knew the Inner Senshi were just too nice to follow such a request, so he had to force circumstances. Don't misunderstand him, had Sailor Moon failed, he probably would have shrugged before walking away. Yet I can tell you, he did a very good job convincing Usagi to give her best. I could write a whole essay based on Reeke's personality, so I believe I will leave it for now. Until later, I mean! ^-^ * About the battle. I wondered for a while whether or not to kill Usagi. Then I realized unless the main core of my story changed, Usagi had an insignificant chance to survive. I can tell you, the Sailor Senshi's fate was to lose. Knowing them, I concluded that they were not a match against such a skilled warrior; I mean, none of the Senshi had the training, skill and knowledge required. Their only chance, I can tell you, was to release the big weapons as quick as possible (with Sailor Moon leading the attack). A shame we know Usagi is just too nice to do something so harsh! Usagi's behavior was kind of expected (Reekes knew that too, and that lead her to her death). The Inner Senshi behaved as expected also. Finally I do apologize. I killed Makoto... (I do think she is the most beautiful Senshi; when I wrote that part I hated myself!) Sorry about that, but no many humans around can withstand the fatal hit she received. Fine, she's super human; Reeke's also I'm afraid. There are many Martial Arts that involve fatal blows and believe me, Reekes had time to learn some of them. * About the Outer Senshi: They were dispatched by Reekes before the fight began. * By the way... No, Sailor Pluto had no way to prevent what happened. Time Physics do say something about Time Paradox I believe. According to those laws, it is not possible to mess with destiny because... it is not possible, am I correct? Then again, laws do have exceptions I have learned. It happens that Reekes's action was not a "temporal anomaly". He didn't even belonged to that time. He actually didn't belonged to their world! He explained he camed from a different world. That was true, then again, he came not only from a different world but also a different space line (I believe Universe is the appropriate word)! Did he forgot to mention it? Sorry about that... ^-^ Think about Universes as bubbles that float in a very, very large empty place. Those inside a bubble have no way to know what the heck is happening in a different bubble. From time to time, bubbles do connect and traveling between them is possible. Usually such an action carries a lot of trouble (The Balance Principle). However, under appropriate, RARE circumstances, a trip between them can prove to be not only easy, but also noticeless (knowing how, that is!). If the Balance Principle, however, has to be keep; some rules have to be followed. The main rule Reekes obeyed was to stay out of the way. The only one who learned about his existence was Queen Beryl (she never said a word about their interview). And Reekes made sure not to interfere with history as it was written. He just stood there as a watcher until he decided just not just watch anymore. In short, Setsuna had not way to know a complete stranger had decided to change her history. She may have suspected somebody was around, had she been sensible enough. By itself such knowledge is useless unfortunately. True, Reeke's actions will eventually unleash the Paradox Effect. What will happen then? The Timeline may split if lucky, the whole Universe may collapse if unlucky. A shame the Universe is that simple, don't you agree? * A penny if you do know why did I name my story: "The Fall". Two pennies if you can guess why I named Reekes "Reekes"! ^-^ --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Death is an illness, so it can be cured..." Spanish geneticist. "Life is an illness, and eventually it gets cured..." Me. "An Hikari Senshi strength lies on his will... Because of, they are invincible!" Akin Z. The Shinrei Tankyuu. "What does a soul needs to become bitter? Sometimes just bad luck and a little time..." Me. "No one is born as a bad guy, the environment is the main responsible! How can you blame somebody, when it's not really his fault?" Akin Z. The Shinrei Tankyuu.