Daniel Amsler amslerd@globalserve.on.ca Tuxedo Dan NefCanuck on Undernet #sailormoon -------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's Notes: Yes, here it is folks! Because you wanted it! (Or at least didn't say you *didn't* want it! :P) another chapter! I'm going to add a bit to these notes this time around. First off I want to thank everyone who's been taking the time to send me comments. I appreciate them all, good or bad they help me improve my product to you! Another round of thanks goes to all the fanfiction authours out there. You've insipired me as well to try my hand at this and I think it's time I mentioned that! And a special thanks goes out all my friends on the UnderNet channel #sailormoon (I'm on most weeknights as NefCanuck) and last but certainly *NOT* least to Devin deGruyl AKA TheKid without whom I'd probably be just another fan, his love for the show (and anime in general) inspired and heightened my devotion to Sailor Moon and anime as well. All comments to: amslerd@globalserve.on.ca Copyright Notice: Sailor Moon is copyright Naoko Tenchi and is being used without permission (I hope that no one takes offense!) and I reserve all posting rights. Note: Sailor Pluto = Susan Sailor Uranus = Erica Sailor Neptune = Michelle Chapter 9 "Whose Reality is Right?" (Deal with the devils) A few days had passed since the adventure in the future. Daniel was uneasy, he found himself dwelling back on the words of his future self. Unable to concentrate he had asked his boss for a few days off. His boss had been only too happy to oblige, things were slow and he could see that something was bothering him. As he left the store he realized that he wouldn't be able to do anything with Mina as she was still in school. Daniel shrugged "I guess it's fate" oh how right he was. Deep in the Arctic, an old foe was steaming... "Blast! Without more energy I'll never be able to lay claim to my slave!" Metalla seethed, it had been several months since she had been defeated by Sailor Moon and Daniel and with each passing day her anger grew more intense, so intense had it grown by this time that she failed to notice the presence in the cave with her for several minutes. She whirled to face the intruder "Who are you? How did you get in here?" The intruder chuckled softly "I am Rubeus, and I bring an offer of a partnership" Metalla looked insulted "With you? What could a pathetic creature such as yourself have to offer me?" Rubeus ignored the slight and continued "Oh, I think you'd be interested if I were to offer say, an unlimited supply of energy for your cause?" Metalla perked up at that but her paranoia ran deep "What do I have to do to earn such a valuable prize?" Rubeus smiled "That's the best part, for all you have to do is promise to destroy the Sailor Scouts and that fool Daniel!" Metalla was interested but still unsure "Why are you offering *me* this chance? Wouldn't it be simpler to take all the energy your offering me and destroy them yourself?" Rubeus smiled "True it would be easier, but I have heard that throughout the galaxy that Metalla's wrath was something to behold and it seems a shame to let all that anger go to waste for something as simple as a lack of energy. Do we have a bargain?" Metalla thought about it "Agreed, but this will take time, I have a grand scheme in mind, it will take both time and energy but I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results!" Rubeus smiled "Excellent, here is the energy conduit device, it will be fully active in three days! Plan well!" and with that Rubeus disappeared! "Indeed I shall fool, for not only will I destroy the Scouts and make Daniel my slave but I will find out where this unlimited energy source is and take it for my own!" Metalla chuckled evily to herself. Rubeus reappeared in his ship hidden over Tokyo and made his way to the Wiseman's room "I have done as you commanded Wiseman, Metalla has been given the device. Has she reacted as you expected?" "Indeed" the raspy voice entailed "She has already started making her plans, including plans to betray you and seize the 'unlimited energy source' for her own" Rubeus looked unconcerned "The fool doesn't realize that we control the energy source right here and as soon as she has completed her task we can cut her off instantly!" Wiseman looked unimpressed "This plan had better work or I may be forced to take a more 'personal' role in this operation!" Rubeus gulped silently, he knew what his fate would be if in fact this happened "Your will shall be done! Hail Wiseman!" Rubeus intoned and the Wiseman's form vanished. Daniel woke up the first day of his mini vacation blissfully ignorant of the plot against himself and his friends and lazily looked at his alarm clock "11:30? May as well get up, the arcade opens at noon and I could use the target practice!" Soon Daniel was dressed and headed towards the Crown Arcade. Daniel found the arcade already opened by the time he got there, but there were few people as it was a school day and they had just opened. Relishing in the free space he found he wandered over to a pinball machine, plunked in his money and began to play. So engrossed in his game was he that he failed to register the person watching him, until that is they bumped the machine, causing him to lose his last ball! Daniel turned around ready to growl at the person who cost him his last ball and came face to face with Erica! Daniel subdued his anger as best he could "What was that for Erica?" Daniel inquired. Erica smirked "I wanted to get your attention and I didn't feel like waiting til you were done!" Daniel grimaced inwardly "Why does she always cop an attitude?" he sighed to himself, to Erica he spoke again in a neutral voice "Okay you got my attention, now what?" Erica kept the same smirk on her face "I thought you might want to try and beat me at a *real* game" Daniel was puzzled "What do you have in mind?" and Erica took Daniel by the arm and dragged him to a Daytona USA machine set up for two players. Daniel took his arm back forcefully "What's this about Erica? You've got something more on your mind than a simple arcade game." Erica spoke again "You'll have to agree to race me to find out what. Deal?" Daniel shrugged, he figured he could at least hold his own with her, if he got two concessions out of her "Ok" he spoke "Deal, but I want two things." Erica was puzzled "What?" Daniel spoke "Choice of track and the right side seat" Erica thought about it "Sure" and they made their way to the seats. Erica slid into the left side seat, fiddled with the seat adjuster and waited for Daniel to do the same, what she saw caused her to raise an eyebrow. Daniel had positioned himself so that he could operate the gas & brake with his *left* foot and leave his right leg dangling over the side of the machine, it looked uncomfortable to Erica to say the least. She was snapped back into reality as she heard him choose the track, he had chosen the 'beginner' track, eight laps around a representation of the Daytona International speedway. Erica thought "Too easy!" and her confidence grew when she noted that he had chosen the automatic transmission versus her choice of manual. Erica thought to herself "I could probably do this with one eye closed!" and she steeled herself as the command to start the engines was shouted. By this time a crowd had gathered, they knew of Erica and her racing career. Daniel knew that she enjoyed racing but had no idea the caliber of opponent he was about to face off against. He was about to find out... As the game released the cars from automatic control Daniel found he'd been unlucky enough to be placed in second but he held firm in his resolve that Erica wasn't about to make him look like a fool. For Erica's part she held the lead with an easy confidence but snuck glances in her rearview mirror that told her that Daniel wasn't the push over he'd first appeared. At the end of the third lap things were getting interesting, lap traffic was coming into play and Daniel was using the other cars to slingshot past the computer controlled opponents. Erica noted with some alarm that he was in fact catching up and looked to be about to pass her! It seemed unthinkable, but as Erica concentrated on her opponent she missed the accident that happened in front of her! Her eyes grew wide as saucers as she realized what was coming, frantically she jabbed the brakes and geared down, hoping to avoid what was sure to be an awful wreck. Daniel for his part got off the gas and prayed, for he knew that a big crash usually collected both cars. Erica watched helplessly as her car tumbled wildly while Daniel seeing the path ahead cleared stood on the gas! This had given Daniel a lead but he knew that the race was just five laps old, three laps was a long time to go. Erica sawed at the wheel like a possessed person, cutting in and out of traffic like a shark, Daniel saw this and could only hoped she ran out of race before she ran him down. It was the final lap and Daniel was holding onto a slim margin, several times he had watched Erica come up from behind and make what looked like deliberate attempts to hit him! Daniel thought to himself "Whoa, she's really playing for keeps! Hope I can avoid her kamikaze driving style just a bit longer!" For it was now the final lap and as they rounded the final turn Daniel prepared for the turn as he always had, releasing the gas just enough to start a slide and then jumping back on the throttle... Erica saw her chance. She kept on the throttle long enough to hit Daniel and send him careening into the wall! Daniel went numb with anger "She did that *deberately* to me!" and Daniel seethed as Erica's smirk returned as she looked to be cruising to an easy victory... But the racing gods had decided to get even... For even as Erica smiled in the glow of victory, a car that had escaped her notice came up from behind and delivered a smack into her car's right rear quarter panel! Daniel couldn't believe it even as he had gathered the car back up as soon as he had been able and was able to score the victory with Erica limping to the line in second place! The crowd couldn't believe it! Though many had claimed Erica had been robbed there were murmured voices in the crowd of things like "She only got what she gave" and "The better person won" Daniel for his part only got out of his seat and made only a cursory acknowledgment to the crowd as he thanked Erica for the fine race and left the arcade. Erica for her part sat in stunned silence, this had never happened to her! She *always* won! Daniel made his way to the park "That one plays for keeps she does!" he thought to himself as he settled down to enjoy the view of the lake. Daniel having dozed off was awoken by the sound of someone calling his name, he glanced around and found Erica was the source of the hail! Daniel thought to himself "Maybe if I ignore her... " but it was not to be. He soon found himself being hovered over by Erica, obviously she meant to intimidate him. Daniel wasn't interested, so he looked up with unblinking eyes "Can I do something for you Erica?" Erica looked down with a practiced glare "No-one has ever beaten me in that game" Daniel smirked "Does this mean your here to present me with a trophy?" Erica was struck dumb, no one talked to her like that! Daniel looked at her and thought to himself "Obviously I did something she wasn't expecting, wonder if she'll expect *this*" and with that he got up and started to leave! Erica started when she realized Daniel meant to leave. "Hold it!" Daniel turned around "Yes? What do you want?" Erica was seething now "I don't know how you beat me back at the arcade and frankly I don't care but *no-one* talks to me like that!" Daniel spoke again, this time his voice dripped with sarcasm "I beat you cause you assumed... You assumed, that because of my *difference* I'd be easy pickings. You assumed, thanks to your dirty trick you had the race won. Remember the saying that goes "Never assume because you make an... " Erica cut him off with a snarl "Shut up! I don't have to listen to you and if you don't watch your mouth... " she left the threat unverbalized. Daniel was more amused than angry by this time and simply said in a flat tone "I've never hit a woman before, please don't make me start" Erica growled and started towards Daniel. Daniel thought to himself "Oh geez, I must have really pissed her off. I wonder how much I can do with the ring without anyone figuring out what's going on.. " Just then another voice called out "Erica! Stop that!" it was Michelle, inwardly Daniel groaned "Oh boy, two on one, the odds just keep getting better" Michelle however was not interested in re-arranging Daniel's anatomy, she spoke lightly "I'm sorry, Erica doesn't like to lose and sometimes takes it personally" Daniel heaved a visible sigh "It's okay, I probably didn't exactly play 'Prince Charming' when she cam around either" Erica growled "Got that right you little... " Michelle raised an eyebrow and Erica cut herself off, "Listen, would you like to come for lunch, seeing as how you don't seem to be too busy?" Daniel spoke "Um, I wouldn't mind but Erica here... " and he gestured towards the simmering Erica. Michelle was non-pulsed "Nonsense, I insist" and with that the group walked out of the park and towards a split level that looked to Daniel as though it cost more than he was ever likely to make in his entire lifetime! Shortly Daniel found himself on the receiving end of a fine lunch and as he rested in the living room he chanced to glance around and saw a picture of Erica & Michelle with a little girl. Daniel was curious and went to look at the photo, Erica saw what he was doing but said nothing. Daniel looked at the photo, the girl didn't look anything like either of the two women so a close relative wasn't likely. Erica took Daniel's puzzled look as an opportunity "That's Holly, we 'adopted' her while her father was in the hospital" Daniel looked up from where he had been staring "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snoop, she's very cute" Erica smiled, the first time she had in Daniel's presence, Daniel thought to himself. Aloud to Erica he said "She has a nice smile" Erica spoke again "We miss her, but since her father got out of the hospital they've been spending some "family time" together. Erica spoke again "I've been wondering about something Daniel" Daniel looked at her "Yes?" Erica continued "You've never even asked any questions about the relationship Michelle and I have, most people have at least one or two questions" that was an understatement, often times the pair had found themselves on the end of some pretty strange looks and verbal assaults. Daniel looked straight at Erica "I didn't think it was any of my business. Being *unique* in my own right I appreciate that some people resent having to answer questions about things that are nobody's business but their own" Erica nodded slowly "I see, I guess I never thought of it that way" Daniel smiled "Hey, you've never run into anyone like me before either!" and the pair laughed at the shared joke. Suddenly he heard the strains of a violin, Erica's smile broadened "I believe that's our cue" and with that the two made to the room that Michelle used for practice. Daniel was mesmerized, Michelle played the violin as though she had been born to, Daniel found himself unconsciously swaying to the melody. Suddenly he heard a piano being played and realized Erica had joined Michelle in playing! Daniel sat giving rapt attention to the pair, marveling how well their playing complemented each other. As the last strains of the beautiful melody died away Daniel clapped appreciatively "Bravo! You two are terrific" Michelle smiled "Thank you, your a wonderful audience" Erica spoke "Did you ever play an instrument? You seemed to be keeping the beat very well for a casual listener" Daniel smiled sadly "Yes, I used to play the trumpet before I kept running into lung problems, haven't played in... " and suddenly he found himself catching a trumpet tossed his way by Erica! Daniel looked at the trumpet and then at Erica "But I just said" Erica smiled "Come on! Doing it *once* won't kill you!" Daniel was hesitant "But it's been so long.. " Michelle spoke up "You don't have to, I apologize again for Erica's headstrong nature" Daniel shook his head "No, let me see if I remember anything, besides I think my lips could use the tone up!" and he laughed as he cleared his throat and pursed his lips. Daniel began with the scales, easy and it would help him dig up the finger and lip combinations for the various notes. Erica looked at Michelle with a questioning glance but Michelle shook her head. Daniel was at least warmed up now and so he announced his choice of selection "It's from a favourite show of mine 'Harlem Nights'" and with that he began to play... At first he was unsteady, like trying to ride a bicycle after having not ridden in years, but slowly as his confidence level built up he began to find the strong quality notes that he had once played, he noted to himself that the burning sensation he used to get while playing was absent. He glanced at the pair and noticed that they too like him were gently swaying with the music a sign that he had indeed found his long lost talent. As the final note drifted off he found the two women clapping enthusiastically. "Excellent! You are really good!" Michelle enthused, Erica agreed "Who would have thought?" she smirked. Daniel found himself blushing "Hey, I haven't played in a long time, this was just a piece I used to play a lot" Michelle shook her head "No that was talent and soul in that piece. I've heard it played before but you put a lot of energy into your playing" Daniel smiled "Thanks" and he made to give the trumpet back. Michelle shook her head "Keep it, we have no use for it since neither Erica or myself play it" Daniel beamed "Thanks, now I have a surprise for Mina!" and the group laughed. Suddenly the group heard a crackling noise from the other room! They ran into the room and the sight that Daniel saw made his blood run cold! It was Metalla still in Beryl's body and she was in the room!" Daniel looked again, no she wasn't *in* the room herself, just a projection of some kind. Daniel calmly spoke to Metalla "What do you want? Obviously your not here to critique my musical talents!" Metalla chuckled evily "No indeed! I come to offer you a last chance to surrender peacefully to me!" Daniel was defiant "And if I refuse?" Metalla smiled again "Then I lay waste to this wretched planet until you do! Starting with your beloved Mina!" Daniel felt his anger rising "You lay one finger on Mina and so help me I'll pull you apart piece by piece *without* my ring!" Metalla was unimpressed by Daniel's show of anger "You have three days, if you don't surrender by then I'll come back and you'll be begging me to take you under my wing!" Daniel spat back "Rot in hell!" and Metalla dissipated chuckling evily "Remember three days, oh but I'll be keeping my eye on you until then" Daniel looked at Michelle & Erica "I think I'd better get over to the temple. Would you care to join me?" Erica and Michelle agreed, though they didn't know who this 'Metalla' person was, the way Daniel had spoken indicated that she was a serious threat. It was time for the Scouts daily meeting, all were present save Daniel & Serena "Where is that meatball brain?" Rei steamed. The other girls looked at each other "Detention?" Mina queried, Amy shook her head "Don't think so, wait there she is now!" and Serena came puffing up the stairs "Sorry.. (gasp)... didn't think... (wheeze)... it was that late" and she plopped down in an exhausted heap. Mina smiled "That's one down now where is Daniel... " she was cut off in her question by the sound of a car screeching to a halt at the bottom of the temple steps. Curious the group went outside, it was Daniel and he was accompanied by Erica & Michelle! The Scouts looked among each other, they remembered how abrasive Erica was towards Daniel at the Christmas party, to see them together acting like friends meant something was up. Mina bounded down the stairs to meet Daniel "What's up?" Daniel kissed Mina lightly on the cheek "Trouble with a capital T! Let's get to the meeting room and I'll tell you all about it!" Mina was worried, the look on Daniel's' face was of someone who had seen a ghost! As the group settled down and acknowledged the presence of the two outer planet Scouts Daniel began "We've got a major problem, Metallas' back!" the other Scouts shivered especially Serena, they knew what kind of trouble Metalla was "What did she say?" Amy queried. Daniel spoke again "She told me surrender within three days or she'll tear apart the Earth until I do!" Mina looked wide eyed "Is that all?" Daniel spoke again "No she also said that she would be 'keeping an eye on me' whatever that means" Rei looked thoughtful "She's up to something obviously but that three day deadline bothers me, what so special about three days from now?" Amy was busy punching keys on her computer "The only thing my computer comes up with is the fact that the moon will be at its farthest point from the Earth. Serena asked "What does that mean?" Amy sighed "I wish I knew" Mina spoke again "Does this mean Daniel's in any immediate danger?" Amy sighed again "I don't know, it all depends what Metalla meant by 'keeping an eye on him'" Lita spoke next "That tears it! from now on Daniel your not making a move without one of us or Tuxedo Mask shadowing you! Daniel didn't like where this conversation was leading "Hey wait a second! I'm *more* than capable of handling myself! You seem to forget I'm not just some guy off the street" He was cut off by Luna "We realize that Daniel, but don't forget the only reason you got back was Sailor Moons' tiara, you can't take Metalla by yourself!" Daniel looked at the cat grumpily "Yeah but how are you guys going to protect me during the day? I mean you all have classes and things! Darien's at work and Erica & Michelle probably have other plans that didn't include baby-sitting me!" Daniel smiled to himself as he noted the downcast expressions on the others faces, in truth the idea didn't bother him all that much except that whoever was shadowing him would likely face the same amount of danger if not more. Suddenly Serena jumped up! "I've got it! If we skip school for a day in groups of two we'll be able to keep an eye on you with no problems" Serena, Mina, Lita and Rei seemed agreeable to the plan, Amy looked like she wanted to be sick at the thought of skipping school and Daniel looked like he wanted to be anywhere else! "Wait a second here, skip *SCHOOL*? Serena have you blown a fuse or something?" Daniel queried "I'm sure you can't afford to take a day off school in any event, let alone to baby-sit me!" Amy nodded her head in silent thanks to Daniel's statement, but Lita was quick to counter "No way, your safety is important enough to do this! Besides, it'll give you a day with Mina" she grinned slyly. Daniel shot her a look that would kill small animals! "Not fair!" he mumbled "Alright I don't like this at all but if you think it's the only way... " Amy spoke up "Darien should be back from work by now right? Let's have him come over and see what he thinks!" Serena enthused at that idea and went dashing for the temples phone, shortly she came back with a dejected expression on her face "I just caught him as he was leaving, apparently he's been selected for some sort of 'work experience' program and he'll be out of town for the next two days!" Daniel sighed "Well at least he'll be back in time if Metalla sticks to her schedule.. Wait a second, why are you all looking like that at me?" Mina spoke up "Well, since you won't have Darien at his place to watch over you we've got to come up with somewhere for you to sleep for the next two days!" Daniel's eyes grew wide "No way! Nein, negatory, not a chance! I'm staying right where I am thank you!" Mina looked at him slyly "Well then I guess *someone* will have to move in with YOU until this blows over!" Daniel looked about ready to faint "Rock and a hard place" he grumbled "Okay where am I gonna be sleeping the next two nights?" Serena said "Well, my place is out, no way would my parents go for *that*" Amy spoke up next "My mother probably wouldn't understand either" Rei laughed at Amy "Your mother would have a coronary if she knew you were jumping around in leotards firing off bubbles! Anyway, with Chad here the guest room is filled" Mina frowned "My place doesn't even have a cot!" (Daniel thanked the stars for that, the prospect of staying with Minas' parents probably scared him as much or more than staying with Metalla!) Lita spoke up "That leaves my place! Don't worry Daniel there's plenty of room and the couch is a fold out" Daniel groaned weakly "Oh I can see this is gonna be LOADS of fun!" Mina smiled "I'll ask my parents to see if I can sleep over at Lita's place" Daniel brightened considerably at that "On the other hand... " and with that the meeting broke up. Back at Darien's apartment Daniel was stuffing things into an overnight bag as Mina & Lita watched over him. Daniel grabbed clothes & toiletries and suddenly stopped as a major problem rose to the surface of his mind. Lita called to him "Hey! you okay?" Daniel turned even as he began to flush "I just realized I don't have any pajamas or anything like that... " and Lita & Mina returned his blush in kind! Lita laughed "Well, I think we'll dig up something at my place as a substitute! It's getting late and I'm sure your hungry" Daniel's stomach chose this moment to growl "I think it heard you mention food" Daniel laughed as the group made their way out of the apartment. Metalla had been viewing the apartment and began to worry as she saw her quarry making to leave! "Blast I need to be able to track him, as soon as the conduit is 100% operational I want to be able to attack!" she said this because she realized the chances of Daniel surrendering willingly to her were remote indeed. Looking at her energy reserves she made a decision "I'll need something to keep him occupied until I'm ready. I know just the thing!" and with that she drew a circle in the dirt and began chanting: "daed eht morf esira etihcalaM" The sky turned ebony black and with a crash of thunder and a rumble of the Earth Malachite, strongest of Queen Beryl's' former generals stood once more. "What? How did I?, the last thing I remember... " "SILENCE" Metalla roared "You are now under *MY* control!" and Malachite started as he realized this was not merely his Queen but a being of far greater power.. and far greater evil "Malachite reporting my Queen" Malachite bowed stiffly. Metalla laughed "I prefer 'Your Regent' but on to more important matters. There is a being who is with the Sailor Scouts who must be kept distracted, I don't want you to hurt him yet, just keep him busy" Malachite raised a frosty eyebrow "and the Scouts?" Metalla rumbled "They are yours to do with as you will, but make sure that whatever you do Venus suffers the most cruel fate you can imagine!" Malachite saluted "It shall be done my Regent!" and with that he disappeared, cape fluttering behind him. Metalla laughed to herself "Excellent, with Daniel thus distracted my real plans can be brought to fruition, and she made her way to strange device with a glowing substance in it. Back at Litas' Daniel and Mina had been treated to a fabulous meal and were making small talk as the three of them set about doing the dishes. Daniel smiled "Lita, if you don't open a restaurant someday I'll be very surprised, that was excellent!" and he covered his mouth as a small burp escaped his lips. Lita blushed "I'm glad you liked it, it's what I do well and I like it when people are happy with my food" Mina took the dish that Daniel dried and set it back in the cupboard "I only wish I had your skill Lita, when Daniel and I are married I want him to be happy with my cooking too!" Daniel nearly dropped the dish he was in the process of drying "Hold on there Mina, let's not rush anything! Besides if you don't learn to cook there's always take out!" and he grinned. Lita looked at him "You don't know how to cook?" Daniel shook his head "Unless it's Microwave pizza I'm lost in the kitchen!" Lita laughed, "Looks like I'll be giving you two lovebirds a group class in cooking!" and the group broke up in giggles as the last dishes were dried and put away. The group made their way to the livingroom and Lita turned on the TV "Let's see what's made the evening news... " and as the sound was turned on they heard the panicked voice of the announcer "a madman has started attacking the citizens of Tokyo! he's firing what appear to be boomerangs into the crowd and they're slicing anything the come in contact with to ribbons!" and the camera panned up to a shot of the being causing the devastation. It was Malachite! Daniel bolted up "I'll bet my mask that's one of Metalla's thugs let's go!" and he was out the door and transformed even as the call came in on their communicators. Malachite was bored, he was doing what was asked of him, causing enough devastation to warrant the attention of the Scouts "I wonder if the Scouts new friend is going to show up?" Suddenly he heard an unfamiliar voice should "Stop where you are you platinum blond bozo! I am Lord Light and I order you to cease this attack against the defenseless citizens of Tokyo!" Malachite laughed "Fine then fool I'll attack you instead!" and with a cry he unleashed an energy beam at Daniel! Daniel hopped over the beam "Nice try but I think you'd better stick to throwing boomerangs at helpless targets!" and he advanced on Malachite. Malachite remembering his orders turned to leave when he was confronted by the five Sailor Scouts who had defeated him in the Arctic! He smiled as he remembered the other part of Metallas' orders and threw his boomerangs at them! Daniel was too far away and could only watch in anger as the blades swiped at the Scouts! Daniel leaped over Malachite's' head and stood between him and the fallen Scouts "Try that again blondie and I'll be seeing just how far I can ram those boomerangs.... " and the threat died on his lips as Malachite disappeared in a swirl of energy. Daniel turned his attention to the Scouts, they had been knocked unconscious by the mysterious force that propelled the blades and had been cut as well and were bleeding in several places along their arms & legs "Blasted suits offer no protection" Daniel mumbled to himself as he created a series of gurneys for the Scouts to ride on and disappeared back with them into the night. Back at Lita's place he set about the task of finding the first aid supplies and was rewarded with a bottle of iodine and some bandages. Daniel scowled "This is gonna sting, but it's all she has" and he set about cleaning the wounds, disinfecting them and dressing them. He had finished everyone except Sailor Mars. When they had fallen they had somehow managed to hold on to their Sailor identities. As Daniel began cleaning her wounds she began to stir and he noticed from the groans that the others were reviving as well, returning to his task he began to dab a small amount of iodine on the wound... and was rewarded with a scream of pain and a slap to the face for his efforts! Struggling to clear his vision of the stars in them he returned to Rei "Welcome back to the land of the living" Rei looked up in horror as she realized what she did "I'm sorry, it's just that it hurt so much!" Daniel smiled down, "No problem, can I finish the job or are you going to smack me again?" Rei laughed "Don't worry I know what to expect now, press on!" and with that he finished the job as gently (and as quickly) as he could. Mina was fully awake by now and laughed weakly "I thought the deal was we were supposed to protect *you* not the other way around!" Daniel chuckled "I have a feeling that you'll be doing a lot of that in spades in the next while" The Scouts detransformed after Daniel had given them all strict instructions to head to bed when they got home "Yes father!" they chorused at him and giggled as they left. Now it was Daniel's turn to be exhausted, he had played nursemaid with the Scouts until... he looked at his watch, it read 2:30 in the morning! Checking on both Mina and Lita once more he settled on the couch and decided that he wouldn't bother even trying to pull out the mattress hidden in the couch. As he drifted to sleep one thought ran through his mind "What will tomorrow bring?" What *WILL* tomorrow bring? Tune in for chapter 10 of: Whose Reality is right 10(Send in the Clone)