Raye had just received a phone call from Mina. Mina had sounded very ecstatic about something, but Raye did not know what about. She decided to visit Mina. Raye ran out of Cherry Hill Temple as fast as she could. She nearly fell flat on her face! But she didn't. After all, she wasn't Serena. On her way to Mina's house, Raye ran into Nephlite and Dolomite. Well, not really. She saw them, but they did not see her. "This is not good," Raye thought. "I should see what their up to, but I've really gotta go to Mina's." Raye continued on, wondering what exactly was going on. Nephlite and Dolomite were still talking in the alleyway. "Nephlite," Dolomite said. "I don't feel comfortable about this." "Why not? You just keep your mouth shut, and everything will be all right." "But what if Natas comes looking for us? What then?" "I've read into Natas. Despite his tough exterior, he has a conscience. I have a way of manipulating anything with a conscience." "And what about you? Do you have a conscience?" "I'll let you figure that one out," Nephlite said as he looked away from Dolomite. "In the meantime, get some new clothes. You don't want to look like a reject." Nephlite changed his clothing to that of his alter-ego, Maxfield Stanton. "Just what am I supposed to do?" Nephlite turned to Dolomite. "Just what I did." Dolomite changed his clothing to that of an executive businessman. "Now choose a name." "How does Skippy sound?" "Like you're a jackass." "How about Marvin?" "It's better. Now, get out of sight. If Natas comes looking for you, don't fight it. It's better to die quick." "Why's that?" "You really are a moron, ya know that? Less pain." Nephlite walked away. Dolomite walked to the nearest pharmacy. He felt it best to get some painkillers. * * * * * * * * * Zoisite and Malachite were alive and together again, and that made them happy. They were Nephlite's personal bodyguards, and that made them unhappy. "Malachite, why do we have to be under Nephlite? He's proven once before to be a traitor." "Zoisite, my love, I don't have an answer to that. But I think it's best if we do not question Natas. I need to study him." "And then what?" "If at all possible, we rebel. I would rather not serve someone who would trust Nephlite." "Oh, Malachite." Zoisite and Malachite embraced and kissed. * * * * * * * * * Sylvite was sitting beside the remaining ashes of Cashia. She was thinking about Nephlite, and her feelings toward him. She realized that she probably didn't have a chance. Someone as valiant as Nephlite must already be taken right? Right. But Sylvite would have been disgusted to find out who had stolen Nephlite's heart. Natas walked up to Sylvite. She did not notice him at first. When she did notice him, she quickly stood, and bowed. "My lord. What do you bid of me?" "Sylvite, I have one simple request. Make sure that no one tries to double cross me. If they do, kill them." "Yes, my lord," Sylvite said, not knowing that she had just said she would kill her former lover, and the one she hoped would be her future lover. * * * * * * * * * Raye arrived at Mina's house, out of breath. She knocked on the door, and Mina answered. "Thank goodness you're here! Come on inside!" Mina pulled Raye inside before she had a chance to respond. "What is it, Mina?" "I just got a phone call from Serena, and she and Darien broke up!" Raye was shocked when she heard this. "So, who dumped who?" Raye asked. "Darien dumped her!" Raye didn't say a single word at this. "No," Raye thought. "It wasn't him." At that time, Raye heard someone knocking at the door. "I'll get it," Raye said. She walked to the door, and opened it to see Nephlite. "You!" "Shh! I'm not who I used to be." "How do I know?" "Listen, I'll explain everything once I'm sure I was not followed. May I come in?" "Sure." Nephlite walked into the house. "How did you find me?" Raye asked. "I walked out of an alley, and I saw you. I decided to follow you." Raye and Nephlite went into the room where Mina was, which was the living room. "Who's this?" Mina asked. "My name is Maxfield Stanton." "It's OK," Raye said. "She's a Sailor Scout." "Raye!" Mina shouted. "In that case, my name is Nephlite, and I used to be a general for the Negaverse. Don't worry, though. I'm a good guy now." "Good. Then I don't have to kill you," Mina said. "You're blunt. I like that." Nephlite explained what all was going on, and how he did not want to be a part of it. But, if he had to, he wanted to be a good guy, and help the Sailor Scouts. "Well, Nephlite," Raye said. "I think you should talk to Serena. She seems pretty upset. She thinks Darien dumped her." "I will talk with Sailor Moon. But first I must see Molly." "I understand," Raye said. "But what about Dolomite?" "He has no interest in the events taking place. He only wants to have a clean start." Nephlite was only partially correct in this. Dolomite had no interest in the events taking place. He merely wanted to rule the world by himself. * * * * * * * * * Molly Baker was watching her favorite soap opera on TV. It was Days of Our Lives. She was completely wrapped up in the show. She was wrapped up so much that she did not hear Nephlite knocking on her door. She didn't even hear him yell that it was him. Nephlite heard her crying, and thought she was ignoring him. Actually, she was crying about the way the episode was going, but Nephlite did not know that. How could he have known? Instead, he thought she was crying because of him. Had he done something wrong? Or had she just grown tired of him? Nephlite decided to knock again. He simply *had* to talk to her. He pounded on the door. This time, Molly heard. "Who is it?" Molly asked after turning the volume down. "Maxfield--er, Nephlite." Molly was surprised, then angered. "I don't know who you are, but it's not nice to play jokes like this on someone!" "Molly, please! It's not a joke! Just open the door. I need to talk to you." Molly decided to open the door. When she saw Nephlite, her jaw dropped. "Nephlite..." "Oh Molly. I have so much to tell you. May I come inside." Molly made a gesture, indicating that he was allowed inside. Nephlite told Molly about everything that happened, and about everything that was going to happen. "It doesn't matter, as long as I'm with you," Molly said. "I have an idea," Nephlite said. "Why don't we have a chocolate parfait?" "Oh, Nephlite...you remembered." "How could I forget?" * * * * * * * * * Sylvite was watching Zoisite and Malachite. They had been away from the rest of the group far too much. She was spying on them, and overheard a startling conversation. "Malachite, we have to act now! If we wait too long, Natas will be too powerful to stop, and we will be stuck serving under that son of a bitch Nephlite!" "Zoisite, calm down. Remember what happened the last time you acted hastily," Malachite said, referring to her death. "I know, but last time I was wrong. This time I know I'm right. We have to act now!" "Zoisite, I only need to study a little more. Once I confirm that Natas is not too strong, we will rebel, I will rule the Universe, with you at my side." "Oh, Malachite." Sylvite decided she would have to kill Malachite and Zoisite. * * * * * * * * * Dolomite was walking along a street in downtown Tokyo, when he saw Serena. She saw him, and they both remembered what had happened to them recently. Dolomite wanted revenge for his death, so he attacked Serena. He made a void appear between his hands, and blasted her into a telephone pole. She was weakened greatly, and had bruises over 70 percent of her body. "You bitch! Why did you have to kill me!?!!" he yelled. Too weak to respond, Serena just moaned. "I have a message from Darien. Fuck you!" Dolomite ran away, for fear of a mob attacking him, and he did not want to expend too much energy. Many people saw what happened, and called the hospital. She was rushed to the ER, and received immediate treatment. Serena was then listed in poor condition, one step above critical condition. She was allowed one visitor at a time. The first to visit was Raye. "Serena," Raye said, "I heard about--" "Raye, he's stronger now. He managed to do this in one blow." "What? How...how can that be?" Raye thought for a moment, then came to the only reasonable answer. When Natas resurrected him, he was made more powerful. That was logical, wasn't it? Yeah, logic. As if anything in the Scouts' lives had logic anymore. The only things that made sense anymore was the fact that the world kept on turning, and every living person still could breathe, eat, and drink. "Serena, just take it easy. We'll figure something out." Raye left, at Serena's will. Amy then entered. "Hey Serena, long time no see. I wish it was under better circumstances." "Amy, what is going on?" "I have no idea." This was ironic, since Amy was supposed to be the brains of the outfit. "I'll do my best to figure it out." "I know you will," Serena said with a smile. Amy left, and the other Scouts visited Serena one at a time. Serena then fell into a deep sleep. She had a dream. It was a dream about everything that was going on with Darien. (BEGIN DREAM) Serena saw Darien, her lover, in the woods. He was in the form of Tuxedo Mask. She saw him stare at her, the run into the woods as fast as he could. He distanced himself from her, and she began to weep. Tears ran from her eyes, down her cheeks, and fell onto the ground. Then, she saw him again, and a black rose flew into her chest, and her blood fell where the tears had fallen. She whispered "why?" He replied "because I hate you, as I hate the world." (END DREAM) Serena awoke with a spring. She shot right up in bed. "This can't be happening," she said to herself. "It just can't." * * * * * * * * * Raye, Mina, Amy, and Lita were at Raye's temple, trying to figure out what to do. Artemis and Luna were there, too. "Guys, do you think it's possible that Natas has taken over Darien?" Amy asked. "It's just not natural that he broke up with Serena." "I know," Raye said. "But what if he really IS doing this? I mean, what if Darien really doesn't want to be around Serena? What then?" "I have no idea," Amy said. "Well, I think it's time we teach Natas who the boss is," Lita said. "Who does he think he is, anyway?" "Probably judge, jury and executioner," Artemis said. "He probably has enough power to wipe out the world now, or at least half of it." "Yes," Luna said. "We have no idea how powerful he is." "Then let's find out!" Mina shouted. "We won't get anything done like this!" "We should wait for Serena to heal," Raye said. "What?!" Mina asked in surprise. "YOU want to wait for SERENA?" "I know we've had our differences it the past, but we're really solid. We have a really strong friendship, and besides, I don't think we'll fare well without her." "But what if Natas attacks?" "Then it's already too late," Artemis said. "So we're just supposed to sit idley by while the world gets destroyed?" Lita asked in disgust. "No," Luna said. "We wait 48 hours for Serena to recover. By then she will be strong enough to fight as Sailor Moon." The others agreed. While this was probably not the best strategy, it was the only available option. The Sailor Scouts would wait. And they would pray. To Be Continued......
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