Author's Notes: Yes, here's another chapter folks! (I'll keep writing em as long as you don't complain! :) Things get nasty fast here (Cross & Double Cross maybe even a Triple Cross???) :) 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 Sailor Moon: Whose Reality Is Right? Part Five Daniel stood with his now bandaged hand off in a corner of the apartment, after having told the others the contents of the note he seemed to shut down emotionally responding to nothing. The others were trying to come up with ideas on how to get Mina free from the clutches of Beryl. Lita spoke first "I say we show up at five at the Tokyo Tower and treat Beryl to a dose of Sailor Scout Power!". Amy shook her head "No, that's probably just what Beryl is *EXPECTING* us to do. Daniel is what Beryl wants, if Beryl sees us Mina's probably as good as dead!" Rei spoke up "Amy's right! We have to try and find out where Beryl has Mina stashed *BEFORE* five o'clock!" Serena was enthusiastic about Rei's plan "That's a *GREAT* idea Rei, and this way I won't even miss dinner!" Luna just sighed "That's Serena for you, her best friend is in danger and she's worried about missing a meal!" Serena caught the cat's caustic comments and started the snuffling that was the warning before the dam burst "Luna... why are you being so MEAN!" and the Scouts could only sigh as 'Hurricane Serena' unleashed her patented waterworks everywhere! Erica remarked "*This* is our future Queen? We're doomed!" Ignoring the slight the other Scouts clustered around Amy and her data computer as she struggled to come up with a tracking program for Mina's bio-energy signature. Darien moved over to where Daniel stood motionless, almost as though he were a mannequin in a department store. Darien spoke softly "We'll get her back! The other Scouts won't rest until they've figured out a way to get her back safe and sound!" Daniel turned to face Darien, who involuntarily stepped back as Daniel turned with a face that was a twisted mask of rage and heartbreak "No, this is *MY* fight! Beryl wants me. Amy said it herself, anything other than me showing up at five o'clock and Mina pays the price! You see this ring?" Daniel held up the ring he had given Mina "This says to me that Beryl doesn't care HOW she gets what she wants as long as she does! She'll cut through the Scouts & you like a hot knife through butter to get to me!" By this time Daniel's raised voice had attracted the attention of the other male in the room, Artemis "Now Daniel, just stop and think! Jedite and Metalla wanted you as a slave right? Who's to say that isn't Beryl's ultimate objective?" Daniel stared at the cat as if he were insane "Ex-CUSE me? This is MINA we're talking about here! I thought you were her *GAURDIAN* for crying out loud! How could even *THINK* about putting her into any kind of danger??" Artemis shrank back at Daniel's barely concealed fury but tried again "Daniel, remember 'The needs of the many...'" Daniel cut him off with a glare that spoke volumes "Don't even *THINK* about pulling that 'Mr. Spock' routine on me! Besides which, I'd give my life a thousand times over to ensure Mina's safety!" Daniel made a move towards the apartment's door. This did not go unnoticed by the others Serena spoke up first "Where are you going Daniel? We need to get a plan together to save Mina! Daniel looked at Serena & smiled a sad smile "No need, I'm going to go to the tower as the note demanded. Mina should be back here no later than 6 o'clock!" The others looked at him with a mixture of respect, understanding... and determination "No" Rei spoke up "Your not going to throw your life into the hands of that madwoman Beryl! You don't even know that Beryl will release Mina" Daniel faced Rei with a cold, hard smile "Wrong Rei, I *CAN* do that and she *WILL* be free! I'm gonna make sure of that with my life!" Lita started to move towards Daniel "C'mon Daniel, let's be reasonable about this..." that was the last thing the Scouts saw as Daniel's ring suddenly flashed with a white hot light, blinding them! Daniel spoke up "I'm not going to let Mina's friends put themselves in danger. I'm truly sorry about this but I couldn't deal with it if you were hurt trying to save Mina if I can help it." and with that Daniel left but not before sealing the apartment in a golden box! Daniel walked off holding the ring in his hand "Mina, I swear you *WILL* be free. Even if it costs me my life!" He looked at his watch, it read 11:30 "A few hours to kill, I should go and thank the jeweler who made this ring and try to calm down before my meeting with Beryl..." and with that he wandered off in the direction off the OSA^P jewelry store. Meanwhile Metalla was fuming "JEDITE!" Jedite appeared looking VERY nervous "You called my Queen?" Metalla rumbled "Where is Beryl! She was supposed to be back with our prisoner *AGES* ago!" at that Jedite appeared to break out into a cold sweat "Uhm, I did as you asked and put a trace on Beryl, she seems to have gone off in her own personal direction..." Metalla nearly brought the cavern down upon them "WHAT?? EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" Jedite explained that according to the spy drone he had ordered to follow Beryl she hadn't procured Daniel as instructed but rather had captured Mina/Sailor Venus. Jedite spoke as Metalla grew hotter and hotter with anger "The odd thing is my Queen, after the Scouts and Daniel awoke there appeared to be some sort of discussion, argument and Daniel left sealing the other scouts in the building they were in!" Metalla broke into a huge grin "PERFECT! The hot headed fool has given us the opportunity we need to capture him!" Jedite spoke again "But what about Beryl and her refusal to follow orders?" Metalla rumbled "Leave that traitor to ME Jedite! Now be off with you!" As the Scouts eyes cleared the saw what their predicament was. Daniel had sealed the apartment with his golden energy so that none of the Scouts could interfere with what he planned to do. Rei spoke first "We have to get out of here! If we don't catch up to him before five he'll be walking willingly into what's probably a trap! C'mon Scouts transform!" and in a blinding flash of light both the Inner and Outer Scouts donned their fighting garb. Tuxedo Mask was first to try, a thrown rose bounced of the energy field like a rubber ball, a swing of his cane sent it flying in the opposite direction nearly striking Sailor Moon! Then came Sailor Jupiter who unleashed a "Jupiter Thunderclap Zap" at the energy field and saw it merely be absorbed by the field. Sailor Mars took out one of her banishment charms and attempted to break through using her mystical energies but because the energy that made up their prison was not evil in nature it had no effect. Sailor Mercury had been monitoring the others attempts and called them together "Guys, it's not going to work, the energies are incompatible about the only Scout who would stand a chance of breaking this force field is...." 'Venus' thought the group glumly. Sailor Pluto had been concentrating on her own thoughts when she suddenly snapped out of her revere and spoke "Well, since we can't overcome this forcefield physically, what about my time based powers?" Sailor Mercury started calculating "Yes, it's theoretically possible for you to open a portal and get out of this energy box, but it will leave you *very* weak and you can only take one person with you! You'll likely collapse as soon as you come out of the apartment" Sailor Pluto smiled a tight smile "Understood, now who do I take with me..." Sailor Moon spoke up "Me" the other Scouts looked at her as if she were crazy, Sailor Mars spoke "Your crazy meatball brain! You'll never stand a chance against Beryl" Sailor Moon turned as if struck "Rei, even though I'm not exactly the best or the bravest fighter you *know* I'm the most powerful and that's what Daniel needs as his backup even if he's too stubborn to realize it!" Sailor Mars & the group agreed glumly with Serena's surprisingly firm & accurate analysis. Tuxedo Mask stood next to Sailor Moon "Be careful Serena, I don't want to lose you" Sailor Moon hugged Tuxedo Mask tightly "Don't worry muffin, I will be" and a quick kiss later Sailors Moon & Pluto stood together in the shadow of the Guardian of Time's Garnet Staff. Sailor Mercury spoke "Ok Serena do you understand what you have to do? It's 3:30 now, you'll have to get to the Tokyo Tower as soon as possible and scout out a location from where you can attack if Beryl tries a double-cross!" Sailor Moon nodded with a look of determination on her face "Got it! and your gonna keep trying to find a way out of this box on your own right?" Sailor Mercury smiled "Yes, I have my data computer working on it as we speak. Good Luck to you both!" Sailor Pluto nodded to Sailor Moon "Here we go" and with that she activated the mystical Time Key and Sailor Moon could only think of Mina in Beryl's clutches and Daniel about to fall prey to them and say to herself "I'll make sure your both free of her clutches I swear it" Sailor Moon suddenly found herself laying outside Darien's apartment, they had made it! She turned to talk to Sailor Pluto and could only gasp in shock as she saw the weakened Scout laying on the ground fatigued to the point of utter collapse. Sailor Moon tried to rouse Pluto "C'mon, wake up this isn't funny!" Sailor Pluto stirred with a Herculean effort "It's up to you now Sailor Moon. Just remember Daniel is only doing what he's doing because he doesn't want to see anyone else get hurt. Much like yourself he'll put others needs before his own, now go!" and with a final sigh Sailor Pluto lapsed into blissful unconsciousness. Sailor Moon got up and said "I'm coming Daniel, whether you want me or not!" Daniel walked into the OSA^P jewelry store "I wonder if Serena's friend is here today?" Daniel heard a strange accent that could almost pass as coming from a native New Yorker "Yep, Molly's here all right!" he smiled to himself and with that he walked further into the store. Suddenly he heard a scream and a menacing laugh. "Great, Jedite, just what I *DIDN'T* need! Better change into my work clothes." and with that the familiar wash of power came over him and he stood again as Lord Light. Jedite saw Daniel appear "Ah, it appears the fly has come to the spider quicker than I'd hoped! Crystalus get him!" Daniel stepped back as a being made of what appeared to be the purest diamond stepped into the light and began to advance on Daniel "My master demands that I capture you! Give up quietly and you will suffer no pain!" Daniel's features were a grim mask of determination "I don't think so you overgrown Cubic Zirconia! Take THIS!" and Daniel unleashed a torrent of pure energy at the creature... which promptly was reflected right back at him! Daniel moved but not fast enough "ARGH!" and Daniel crumpled into a smoking heap. Jedite laughed "Pathetic, without your Sailor fan club your useless!" Daniel growled and stood up shakily "That reminds me you creep! WHERE'S MINA!" and he launched himself at Jedite with a feral snarl! Jedite was caught completely off guard and the two crashed into a display case scattering watches everywhere. Daniel grabbed Jedite by the collar of his jacket "I'm only gonna ask this once more creep and if you don't give me the answer I want your time is up! WHERE IS MINA!" Jedite only laughed "Crystalus TAKE HIM!" and with that the monster approached from behind and wrapped Daniel in a bearhug! Daniel could only gasp as his air supply was restricted by it's crushing grip! Daniel could feel himself passing out "Only one chance, can't affect this thing directly with my powers, how about an indirect assault?" and with that he aimed his ring towards the roof and proceeded to bring the roof directly above himself and the monster down upon them! Daniel could feel the monster & the added weight of the roof on top of him but he also felt the monster trying to break free. It was a futile gesture as the weight of the roof proceeded to do with his powers couldn't and crushed the monster to dust! Daniel got up breathing raggedly and saw Jedite who had been laughing merrily until he saw that Daniel was moving and his monster was nowhere in sight! Jedite looked nervous now "Wait, don't do anything rash, I'm sure we can discuss this like calm & rational people.." Daniel shot a white hot beam at Jedite and managed to catch him in the shoulder. Jedite screamed "ARGH! Metalla help me!" suddenly a black presence filled the store "Your pathetic Jedite! Beryl was right to dump you into a sleep crystal! I leave you to your fate!" and with that the cloud disappeared. Jedite was *REALLY* nervous now as a bruised and battered Daniel made his way towards him "Listen, Beryl has Mina, I know where Beryl has her hidden..." Jedite babbled. Daniel cut him off with a snarl "Forget it creep, I don't do deals with the likes of you! Frankly I think I like Metalla's idea" Jedite went wild now looking for an escape and grabbed Molly as a hostage "Forget it you pathetic human. I'm *NOT* going back into a sleep crystal! Your going to let me leave here and this human here" he indicated the struggling girl "Is my insurance of that..." those were the last words he spoke as Daniel proceeded to wrap him in a sleep crystal from behind! As Jedite realized what was happening he tried to attack his hostage but in the moment that he was distracted by the realization of what was happening to him Daniel snatched Molly from his grasp and Jedite's face was twisted in the crystal into a final mask of rage and fear. Daniel turned to the shivering girl he held in his arms "Are you all right Miss...?" The girl spoke shakily "My name is Molly. What did you do to him?" Daniel released the girl as he spoke "I merely put him back where he came from it seems and where he didn't want to go..." Daniel turned to leave "Wait" Molly called out, Daniel turned around "Yes?" The girl came closer to his arm "Your hurt!" Daniel looked at his right arm, while it was normally not the prettiest sight in the world anyway it was made more grotesque by the pieces of concrete imbedded in it mixed with blood. Molly spoke "We have a medical kit in the back of the store for emergencies. C'mon" and Daniel allowed himself to be led into the back of the store to get cleaned up and patched up. It was 4:30 by the time Daniel got out of the store, as soon as he was clear of the store he transformed back into his civilian clothes "From the frying pan into the fire. Hope Beryl's not looking for a fight..." Back at the apartment the Scouts had resigned themselves to letting Amy work at a solution with her data computer. Suddenly it gave off a shrill beep. Rei leapt over to where Amy had been working "Has your computer found a way out of here?" Amy shook her head "No, not exactly" Rei was not in a particularly patient mood "WHAT DO YOU MEAN *NOT EXACTLY* AMY??" Amy shrank back a bit at the sight of her friend losing her composure and spoke again shakily "What I mean is that the power level in our 'cage' has dropped by some 65%! It *should* be possible to overload the force field now if we hit it with our powers..." Rei brightened "Great! Everybody huddle up!" and Amy proceeded to let the others in on her discovery. So the groups stood ready with their attacks behind a pile of hastily arraigned furniture to be used as a barricade, for Amy had indicated that the overload might get a bit 'explosive'. As the Scouts recited their attack phrases and Tuxedo Mask threw his rose at one spot on the far wall their massed energies hit the wall and instead of dispersal or the energy bouncing back against it's wielder there was a *SMASH* much like a giant mirror being broken and the forcefield fell! As the Scout congratulated Amy on her discovery Lita asked a disturbing question "Amy, *WHY* did the forcefield suddenly lose power like that?" Amy shook her head "I can only guess but he must be diverting the power somewhere else, perhaps to himself..." as the others took in that knowledge, Tuxedo Mask ran for the door "We'd better get moving Scouts! It's already 4:30, if we want to get there before the fireworks start we'd better move it! (and help Serena)" he thought to himself grimly. As Daniel approached the Tokyo Tower he noticed how for a kilometer radius around the base of the tower nothing stirred "Obviously Beryl wants this to be a 'private' conversation" he winced a bit as his arm swung against his side "Well, I'd better get going it's 4:45 now... wait a second who's that going towards the tower??" he peered off in the distance at the lone figure making her way towards the tower "Great, Serena somehow got out, I'd better stop her before..." but it was too late as a ball of red energy appeared around Sailor Moon and transported the screaming girl up to the top of Tokyo Tower. Daniel sighed to himself "Looks like the negotiating process just got harder, better put it in gear" and he made his way closer to the tower. Daniel saw the elevator that tourists normally used with it's doors open in invitation "Don't think so Beryl... I'm not making it *THAT* easy for you!" and with that he transformed and let the power course through him. Daniel proceeded up the tower by jumping up among the girders making his way swiftly to the observation deck, the ultimate destination of that elevator anyway. Daniel smiled to himself "Hope Beryl doesn't mind that I made my own way here" and as he scanned the deck for signs of either Sailor Moon, Mina or Beryl down below the Scouts had gathered. Sailor Mercury scanned the tower with her visor "Hmm, I see Daniel up on the observation deck but nobody else..." Sailor Jupiter snarled "Great it *WAS* a trap, let's try raising Daniel on his communicator and warn him!" Tuxedo Mask spoke up next "Then where's Sailor Moon? She was also supposed to be here..." Sailor Mars suddenly grabbed her head "Guys! I sense great evil you'd better..." and suddenly the entire Tokyo Tower disappeared! The Scouts could only gasp. Luna spoke "Looks like Daniel got that one on one confrontation he wanted after all" Daniel had passed out when the tower had been removed from it's location and woke up to find himself still on the Tokyo Tower but not *in* Tokyo! Daniel muttered "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto..." and he suddenly heard a scream "Mina? I'm coming!" and with that he took off in the direction of the screaming. Mina having found herself in a dungeon chained to a wall had decided to play possum and see what she could learn when suddenly Sailor Moon appeared in a wash of red energy on the floor! "Sailor Moon! What happened?" Sailor Moon stirred "Mina? Is that you? Your all right!" Mina sighed "If you call being chained in a dark dungeon all right... Where are the others and Daniel?" Sailor Moon brought Mina up to speed on what had happened with Daniel trying to keep the other scouts 'safe' and her escape with Sailor Pluto. Mina smiled "I'm going to have to have a talk with him about that, you only wanted to help him... What's that thing moving beside you?" Sailor Moon spoke up "What... EEEKKKK! SPIDER! EEKKK!" Mina couldn't put her hands to her ears and only sighed in exasperation. Daniel came to the edge of an imposing building "Great, why can't villains ever hold captives in nice sunny places? Time to knock & announce myself I guess" and with that he aimed and fired off a blast of energy at a door he found. The blast did nothing, not even a scratch! Daniel sighed "Okay plan B" and he floated up to an open window. "Looks like Beryl was expecting me, better be on my guard" and as he landed in the hallway a monster came charging at him! The monster looked like a French chef but with eight arms! "Must prepare food really fast!" Daniel thought to himself. The monster growled "My master Beryl commands you to come with me or else Sailor Moon and the girl will suffer!" Daniel started to protest but thought of what Beryl might do to them "Okay freak, lead on..." Mina finally had enough of Sailor Moon's hysterics "SAILOR MOON GET A GRIP!" Sailor Moon stopped short hearing the screaming directed at her. "Sorry Mina but I *HATE* spiders..." Mina spoke again, "Ok but now we have to concentrate on getting out of here! Can you break these chains with your tiara?" Sailor Moon nodded "Sure just hold your arms out from the wall as far as possible" Mina did as instructed as Sailor Moon got into position "MOON TIARA MAGIC!" and her tiara turned into the familiar glowing missile and proceeded to slice open Mina's bonds. Mina dropped to the ground rubbing her wrists "Thanks now let me get dressed 'VENUS POWER'!" and Mina transformed into Sailor Venus and did a Venus Crescent Beam against their cell door which exploded in a shower of wood. Sailor Venus spoke again "Okay, now we find a way out of here!" and the pair took off in a direction they hoped led to an exit. Daniel looked around and could only shudder as he sensed the stench of dark magic and evil throughout "Great, now all I need is for Dracula to show up" Suddenly his 'guide' stopped in a large chamber with what appeared to be a pair of thrones in the far wall, one of which appeared to be occupied. Daniel gulped and stammered out "Hello?" Suddenly the darkness lifted from the occupant of the throne and revealed it to be Beryl! "Hello Daniel, or do you prefer 'Lord Light'?" Beryl purred seductively. Inwardly Daniel shook like a bowl of Jell-O but he knew that to show any weakness to Beryl was to invite disaster "Daniel is fine, now how about you let Sailor Moon and the girl go?" Beryl smiled an oily smile "Certainly" Daniel was puzzled, it *COULDN'T* be that easy. Beryl continued "All you have to do is agree to join me as my consort, as you can see I've prepared a throne for you already" Daniel groaned inwardly as he knew that if he agreed to Beryl's terms Earth and possibly the universe was doomed to fall under this madwoman's control, but then he thought about Mina and his resolve crumbled. Daniel nodded "You win Beryl, but first they go free!" Beryl nodded and motioned to a servant "In the meantime come and join me, you'll find the throne I've prepared for you very comfortable" Daniel started in the direction of the throne with Beryl smiling a grin of satisfaction. As Daniel got nearer to the throne he could only hope that he was doing the right thing "I'm only doing this for Mina & Sailor Moon, if there was any other way..." A sudden commotion caused both Beryl and the nearly seated Daniel to turn to look what was happening. A golden beam of light entered the chamber illuminating it as bright as day! Daniel smiled "Sorry Beryl but I think the deal has just been voided!" and he leapt away to join the fight! Beryl screamed in frustration "NO! I was *SO* close! What went wrong?" Suddenly a voice spoke "You double crossed me Beryl, *THAT'S* what!" Beryl turned white as a ghost "Metalla? Is that you?" Metalla appeared as a blot of Dark Energy in front of Beryl "Of course it's me! How dare you disobey me and try to usurp Daniel's power for yourself!" Beryl stammered "Well, he's here now, if we work together we can capture him and turn him to your glorious cause" Metalla chuckled darkly "No, you've disobeyed me for the last time PREPARE TO DIE!" Beryl shrank away eyes closed, awaiting the blast that never came. Instead the shadow came closer "Metalla, what are you doing?" Metalla laughed "I'm going to take over your body and expel your soul from it, leaving me in control of your body and your soul... well let's just say you'll have other things to worry about!" Beryl screamed as Metalla entered her body and began the process of expelling her soul. Meanwhile Daniel leapt to the hall where he had seen the battle raging and found Sailors Moon & Venus surrounded by three monsters! Daniel shouted "HEY UGLIES! Why not pick on someone in the mood to fight?" and Daniel created three bulls who ran into the monsters and imbedded them into the walls! Daniel rushed over to Moon & Venus "Are you two all right? Looks like Beryl underestimated you guys again!" Sailor Moon smiled "The bad guys never learn... LOOK OUT! as the monsters had broken free of the wall and charged the group again. Daniel looked at Sailor Venus "Let's get rid of these three goofballs!" and Daniel & Sailor Venus proceeded to barrel through the monsters with their powers leaving a pile of dust on the floor. Sailor Moon pouted "Hey! You didn't leave anything for *ME*!" Daniel smiled "I don't think those were Beryl's only pets. Let's get out of here!" Moon & Venus looked at him "How?" Daniel smiled "I think I've figured out how to open a portal back to Tokyo. Hold on." The sky began to darken even further as Daniel gathered his powers and began to open a portal near the site of the vanished Tokyo Tower. Metalla had just finished taking over Beryl's body when she turned her head in the direction Daniel had gone "No, he's trying to escape! I can't follow him back to Tokyo yet!" and she flew off in the direction she had seen Daniel go. She caught up to Daniel just as he opened the portal and Sailor Venus had stepped through it. Daniel turned and noticed Beryl approaching "OK Sailor Moon get through that portal!" Sailor Moon shook her head negatively "No, I have to help you!" Daniel pushed Sailor Moon through the portal "I'll be right behind you! GO!" and Sailor Moon went reluctantly. Daniel turned around "Beryl it's over, just let it go, I don't want to hurt you!" Beryl laughed an unearthly laugh that was not her own "Fool! Beryl is gone! Only I, Metalla, remain in this body" Daniel blanched visibly now "Look, I don't know who you are and I don't care but I'm warning you, leave my friends and the Earth alone!" Metalla laughed "I'm afraid that's not possible, you see I brought you here with the help of that fool Jedite so that we could use you to take over this pathetic planet, and if it weren't for the scouts untimely interference I would have succeeded by now! You are *MINE*!" and she advanced towards him with Dark Energy crackling from her fingertips. Now Daniel was worried, if he closed the portal to concentrate on Beryl ("Metalla" he reminded himself) he might not have enough strength to open another portal back to Mina & the others. Back on the other side of the portal Sailor Moon emerged to meet the group assembled around Sailor Venus, "Amy quick, can you tell me if I can send an attack through that portal?" Sailor Mercury looked at Sailor Moon with a puzzled expression. "JUST TELL ME!" Sailor Moon commanded with all the force she could muster. Sailor Mercury turned on her visor and scanned with it and her data computer "Yes, it should be possible why..?" Sailor Moon turned towards the portal MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION! Daniel was on the ground writhing in agony now as Metalla proceeded to batter him with Dark Energy in attempt to get him to close the portal and submit to her will. Daniel refused to yield and was suffering for it, his clothing was tattered and his skin was beginning to blacken under the assault. Daniel thought weakly "It looks like this is it... I'm sorry Mina, guys, I failed.." when suddenly he heard 'Moon Scepter Elimination' coming from the other side of the portal! The effects were immediate as Metalla was unprepared for the magical assault "AIEEE!" she screamed a few back as if hit by a truck! Daniel smiled and dragged himself to the portal as he emerged from behind him came a voice "This isn't over, not by a long shot! I'll be back!" Daniel muttered weakly "Promises, promises" before he passed out. Daniel awoke with a groan "Oh geez, anyone get the number of the house that hit me?" he struggled to get up when he realized he wasn't anywhere near the Tokyo Tower. He looked around and found he was back in Darien's apartment bandaged pretty heavily. "Boy I must have taken a beating, where is everyone?" He looked over at the night table and found a silver bell and a handwritten note "For service please ring the bell" Daniel shrugged "Well, here goes, maybe I can get some answers" and he proceeded to ring the dainty little bell, unfortunately in his condition it sounded like Big Ben! Daniel grunted "I hope whoever did that shows up!" Suddenly a figure came into the room and giggled "I'm sorry, I didn't figure on you having a headache" Daniel could only gape, for there stood Mina in a nurse's outfit! Daniel regained the power of speech "Mina! Oh I'm glad your all right! What happened?" Mina smiled "Well, after Sailor Moon did her 'Moon Scepter Elimination' you came crawling through the portal muttering something about "Promises, promises" we got you back here and you've been unconscious until now". Daniel nodded in understanding "Uhm, how long was I out?" Mina smiled "About two days, you really took a beating there!" Daniel winced as he tried to take a breath "Yeah I noticed, waitaminute what are you *DOING* here in that get up anyway?" Mina laughed "Well, we've all been taking shifts looking after you and I thought I might as well look the part! Oh by the way the others told me to tell you that if you *EVER* pull a stunt like that and try to shut them out when they're trying to help you they're going to... How did Serena put it 'Use *YOUR* butt for practice kicks!'" Daniel smiled "Agreed, if Serena hadn't done what she did... Oh Mina I was so scared something was going to happen to you... Are you angry with me for shutting out your friends?" Mina smiled "A little but I can understand in a way why you did it, now let me call the others & let them know your awake..." Daniel stopped Mina from using her communicator "Hold on, I have a couple of things to give you" and with that he put the ring back on Mina's finger. Mina smiled "And what was the other thing you wanted to give me?" Daniel smiled "Just this" and he proceeded to kiss Mina deeply. Mina broke away laughing and said "Ok, *NOW* can I call the others?" Daniel smiled "Indeed, call away!" Daniel & the Scouts survive their first challenge as a team but what new threat endangers them all from the distant future & the present? Stay tuned for Chapter 6 of "Who's Reality is Right?"