(Realm Sagas: Story Ten: Twins) by: Chandra Rooney ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Legal stuff {for all the legal stuffies!}: Sonic & Knuckles, and all related characters are copy-right of Sega and Archie comics. Sailor scouts are copy-right of TOEI animation, co. ltd. KTE, ETK, and Masked Echidna are copy-right of KTE. Vampire Sephiroth is copy- right of Vampire Sephiroth. Moon the Echidna, Gabriel Shadows, k.a. Echidna, Tonia Hedgehog, Leslie Fox, The Chaos Knight, Sailor Evil, Sailor Moon E, Sailor Vega H, Sailor Phoenix F, Sailor Darkness, Sailor Negativity, Belladonna, Kit, Ember, and all other original characters are copy-right of Chandra Rooney. All the characters and ideas presented are my own, unless otherwise noted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: Location: A Meeting room in the Mobotropolis Palace Realm Location: Sailor Vega H's Home Realm The two human girls were getting up from off the floor. The dark-eyed one, with her bluey-black pony-tale and the blond one with her light green eyes. "Tonia...Leslie...you two must be Realm Protectors," Gabriel Shadows managed after the shock wore off. He blinked green eyes and nodded. "Yeah, you must be." "No wonder the wand was going insane," Masked muttered. "Two in one shot." "It seems things continued on without me," a voice said. Masked turned to see the female silver echidna with the large, dark blue eyes. "Madame Moon, you're awake." "That's stating the obvious," she clasped his hands. "As soon as the dust settles, I promise I'll get you back to normal, Masked." Masked looked down at his dark silver fur, then replied carefully: "Thank-you, Madame Moon, but I think other matters hold more importance now." Moon's eyes found Tonia and Leslie. "This is Princess Tonia and her friend Leslie Prower," Gabe introduced, smoothing back black hair. "Two more Realm Protectors we found." "I have an announcement of my own," Moon said. "I know where the Realm Destroyer's Head Quarters is... and I can take us there tonight!" "That's fantastic!" Tonia exclaimed. "If you'll pardon my curiosity, your majesty, I couldn't help but notice that you and Madame Prower seem quite unconcerned by your shift to human form," Masked said. "When I-" he stopped, then began again. "When I think of becoming human, it makes me quite uncomfortable." Leslie just laughed. "Once you're a Sailor Scout, nothing surprises you, Masked." "But how did you find out, Moon?" Gabe asked. "To be perfectly honest," Moon smiled slightly. "I haven't been asleep the entire time. I awoke an hour ago, and went for a walk. I managed to catch site of ETK and Kit going into a vacant building. I suppose I simply caught a lucky break." Gabe laughed. "This girl. There is simply no stopping her." He hugged Moon. "Just the same, I'm glad to see you. Welcome back to the land of the living." Moon looked surprised; then, after a moment, she warmly returned the embrace. "It's good to be back." Masked knelt down by the red, five-year-old echidna. "What's the matter, k.a.?" He asked quietly. "You've been at me all morning to go see Moon. Now that she's awake, you're just going to hide behind me?" k.a. looked up at him with eyes the same color as Moon. "That's not Moon." Masked blinked. "What are you talking about, k.a.? Of course it's Moon." k.a. shook his head. "No it's not. That's not my sister." Masked patted k.a.'s shoulder. "Go on over there, kid." k.a. walked over, hesitantly, and tugged on Moon's hand. "k.a.!" She exclaimed, dropping down to give him a big hug. "Oh, I missed you!" His suspicions melted away. "I missed ya too Moon! I was scared that you were gonna die!" "Die? Me?" She laughed. "Oh, I couldn't do that! Who would sing you to sleep if I died?" Masked cast a quick over at Shadows. The expression on the vampire's face clarified what he'd been thinking. Moon didn't sing. "You never sing me to sleep," k.a. informed her. "I don't?" She asked awkwardly. k.a. shook his head. "Never?" k.a. shook his head again. "Well, I guess that can only mean one thing... I'll have to start." "Really? You will?" k.a. asked, excited. "I like it when people sing! My Daddy useda sing me to sleep!" "Did he?" Moon asked. She began to tickle k.a. Masked snickered. For some reason he couldn't picture Dimitri singing. "Stop Moon!" k.a. said, laughing. "Do you have my wand, little one?" she asked. He nodded, still laughing. "Mista Masked took it and KER-FLASH!! Missus Tonia and Missus Leslie got zapped and they turned human!" Moon picked up k.a. She turned to the two newest Realm Protectors. "Sorry I didn't acknowledge you earlier. Welcome to the team." Tonia blinked, then smiled. "No problem. Talk about nice timing. Here we were just talking about Sailor Evil, and you show up. You must have some kind of radar on that witch." "You've been introduced to everyone?" Moon asked, oddly choosing to ignore the comment. Tonia nodded. She gestured to Leslie. "This is my friend Leslie Prower." "A pleasure." Moon nodded to the other girl. "Now, about tonight..." The rest nodded. The reunion was over. It was time to get down to business. They had Anti-Sailors/Realm Destroyers to stop. The group of six became quickly caught up in discussing and planning. They didn't notice the silver-haired figure sneaking off through the shadows. Chapter Two: Anti-Sailors/Realm Destroyers Head Quarters "Back so soon, Sailor Evil?" ETK asked. He pushed his hat, identical to KTE's, off his eyes, and stood up. He was the only one Sailor Evil put full trust into, the only one that knew the *whole* plan and he was damn proud of the fact. "Did something go wrong? Where are the Realm Protectors?" "Outta my way, clone," Sailor Evil hissed, shoving him aside. "I have to have a little chat with Vampire Sephiroth." ETK watched the door slam. Usually Sailor Evil was pretty civil...occasionally even nice to him. Something must really be wrong. "Hate to be you right now, Sephy," he muttered. "Hate to be you." Vampire Sephiroth looked up with green eyes as Sailor Evil came in. He waited, watching her storm and pace. "Something wrong, my dear?" "I thought you said you took care of Sailor Moon E," she hissed, dark blue eyes blazing, long silver hair disheveled. "I did." He replied, unmoved. "Then you tell me why she is planning with the other Realm Protectors to attack us tonight as we speak." "What?!" He nearly fell out of his chair. "You saw her? Impossible. You must be mistaken." "So now I'm a fool, am I?" She demanded. "You think I can't recognize Moon the Echidna?" Vampire Sephiroth stood, shaking his head. "It's obviously a trick of some kind." "Who? Who could do such a thing?" He frowned. "Damn you, Sorceress." "You know who it is? Tell me, dammit!" she cried. He met her eyes. "I know of only one who possesses the power to create such an illusion. *If* the trick is as well crafted as you claim it is." "I was *this* close to her," she gestured to the mere inches between them. "I watched her come out of the room, go down the stairs, walk into the room, and talk to all of them for a good twenty minutes." He made a decision. It altered his plans, but he had to investigate this. "Take me to the palace. I wish to observe this. If it is who I believe it to be; I will be able to see through the illusion." "Good," Sailor Evil agreed. "We can hear their plan while we're at it." Chapter Three: Location: the Palace "We have to hit them hard and fast," Gabe said. "Agreed," Moon nodded. "The element of surprise is a key advantage." "They're not so tough," Leslie protested. "Those two Anti-Sailors are push-overs," Tonia agreed. "I'll admit Sailor Evil's no trouble when you know her weak spots," Gabe added. "Maybe so, Sir Shadows," Masked spoke up. "But that Ultima attack was no stroll through the park for myself. I doubt it was for you either, Madame Moon." "I'm glad you raised that point, Masked." Moon said. "Sephiroth *is* a threat. A *very* dangerous threat." "Why?" Tonia asked. "You can see those Ultimas coming if you keep your head up." "Cause he's mean!" k.a. cried. "An' scary! Right Moon?" Moon patted k.a.'s head. "Very mean." She paused. "Sephiroth is older than any of you realize. Ancient, and very evil. He kills with no remorse. Goddess only knows his reasons for aiding the Realm Destroyers. But whatever they may be, they cannot be good." Vampire Sephiroth watched the silver female from outside. He blended into the shadows by the window. He narrowed his eyes. "Yes, do warn them of me." "Do you know who it is?" Sailor Evil asked, coming closer to him. "I'm scared, Moon," he heard the small red echidna say, cuddling closer to her. "Don't worry, my little one." She patted his head, reassuringly. "He won't hurt you. Not if I have anything to say about it." "Of course," Vampire Sephiroth sneered. "You're so protective of your children. I should have known you'd make an appearance after I trapped Sailor Moon E in the materia." "Sephiroth? Who is it?" Sailor Evil asked. He turned to her, remembering what he'd seen earlier. I should destroy this one too, he thought. I vowed vengeance on *all* of them... But no, he couldn't. It was impossible for him to harm her without doing harm to himself. "Sephiroth?" He turned to her. Just the same, best to watch her eyes carefully when he told her. See if they betrayed her. "An immortal sorceress I know from far in my past. One of the first Realm Protectors. Her name is Belladonna." Sailor Evil looked away. "You know the name, my dear?" He inquired in a convincingly, yet completely false, innocent tone. She swallowed. "The name means nothing to me." He touched her left cheek lightly. "Don't lie to me." She flinched. "Stop that. Why do you keep doing that?" He took both her hands. "My dear, you should not hide things from me." "I...I don't know what you're talking about." "You feel it, the Soul Bond. You can't deny you feel it. It is what drew you to me in the first place. It is why you made me a vampire. It is why you simply didn't just leave me for dead." Sailor Evil closed her eyes and nodded. "So why don't we try again, soul bond?" He asked. "Do you know the name 'Belladonna' ?" She nodded again. "Yes, I know it." "That's better." He looked back through the window, smirking at the silver female. "Play your games, Bella. It will make no difference. The Realm Protectors are doomed." Sailor Evil turned and ran off. When Vampire Sephiroth finally caught her, she was far off into the Royal gardens. "You can't hide from me, my dear," he called out. "So you don't need to. I know who you are." She appeared in the shade of an Ivy-covered maze wall. "How do you know the name?" he asked. She hesitated. "Soul bond...?" She swallowed. "It's the name of my birth mother." "You're sure you can find the way back to the place, Madame Moon?" Masked asked. "As soon as k.a.'s in bed," Moon nodded. Gabe looked confused, then met her eyes. "Of course. Once k.a.'s in bed and the Chaos Knight finds us." "Did you see him, Moon?" Leslie asked. "Tuxedo Mischief told me that the Chaos Knight was going to look for the Anti-Sailor base, too," Tonia added. "I did see him," Moon replied. "And I told him to meet us at the building once it's dark." "I suppose we relax till dark, then," Masked remarked. "Of course it is," Vampire Sephiroth replied softly. "And that would make the Realm Protector Moon..." "My twin sister," Sailor Evil finished, looking away, ashamed. She played with the ivy. He caught her hand. "This changes nothing. So long as you promise me it doesn't." "What does that mean?" She asked. "You've admitted your blood ties to them," he replied. "That means nothing," she snapped. "Nothing at all! I know my duties as leader of the Realm Destroyers. I'll kill anyone who stands in our way. Queen Hecate-Chaos wills it." "And you would swear loyalty to her above your own family?" "She raised me. I am a *vampire*. And that means she is my Queen." She pulled away from him. "And don't you dare question my loyalties to the team. I live to complete my duties." "Does that include the duty of an acknowledged Soul Bond?" Vampire Sephiroth asked, an amused look in his eyes. "What are you talking about now?" She demanded. He smiled and quoted: " 'To my Soul Bond I shall wed, 'And to no other the vow be said.' " "It's 'and to them alone the vow be said' ," she corrected softly. "There are numerous versions," he shrugged. "The words change, but the meaning is the same. Only to your Soul Bond can you marry. Once a bond has been acknowledged, no other can make you happy." "I know that!" she hissed. "How do you know that?" He looked caught off-guard. Then he said simply: "I'm older than I look, and I know many things." "Damn it all," she muttered. "Why can't things ever be simple?" He looked at her. "Life *isn't* simple. Life is a tangle of intermingling strands. Chaos, confusion, complexity... it's all part of the Beauty of Life. Once you live as long I have, you can see that. And the pointlessness of it all." "Tell me how old you are." She said softly. "If you know... my moth-" she stopped. "If you know *her*, you must be a lot older than I am..." "Tell me your name first," he replied. "What?" He took her other hand. "Sailor Evil is a title. It isn't a true name. Tell me your birth name, and I'll tell you how old I am." She was quiet a moment. Then she mumbled something. "Louder. I didn't hear that." "My name is Star," she snapped. He kissed her hand. "Power and Strength always, may time not touch you. It is an honor, my lovely Star." She blinked. "That first babble... where did you hear it? That's a traditional greeting of Silver Echidnas..." "I told you," he put an arm around her. "I know many things. Now, let's go back and prepare for these Realm Protectors." Chapter Four: Location: Somewhere in the Silver Echidna Home Realm "He's coming to!" "Oh, bless me, Snow. Was it really necessary to hit his Grace so hard? I don't think she'll be happy with this at all..." "Button-up, Frost. The Lady gave me permission to do whatever was necessary to see him returned." "But beaning him over the head with a club?" Frost asked. "It seems so crude. I doubt she'd approve of such primitive methods to be used for retrieving her only child." The male silver echidna moaned. He opened his eyes, and sat up, putting a knuclawed hand to his aching head. The single band of white fur around his neck rose and fell as he inhaled and exhaled. "Snow? Frost?" He mumbled. "I should have known you two were caught up to your dreadlocks in this." The two white echidnas flinched. "Do pardon us, your Grace, but your mother was very clear about your return here." Frost, the female, began. "I really didn't think I hit you that hard, Sir." Snow, the male, added. "You didn't think you had twenty years ago either. I may be getting older, but my skull isn't getting any more dent-resistant," he muttered. "So I've been drug home, have I?" "And restored to true form, your Grace," Frost added. He looked down for the first time. "I see. So I'm to be silver again, I am?" He paused, then continued sarcastically. "And whom do I owe this great favor to?" "Watch your tone," A voice replied sharply. The silver female with the pale violet eyes in the faint green gown waved a finger. "And 'drug you home' not a moment too soon. Not only were you insisting on denying your true heritage to both yourself and one of your children, but you made plans to attempt a marriage out of Bond! My son, your father rolls in his grave! How did you expect to accomplish such an union? You know what would happen. You would be unable to make the vow. It would only result in bringing your life- lie down on you harder." He swallowed. "So I wasn't abandoned over 400 years ago? Things I do matter to someone? Well, now that's a surprise." "Lady Azalea," Frost began. "He might still be groggy from the transformation process..." Lady Azalea closed her eyes. "He has never been more clear headed." She paused. "You truly believe you mean these things? Your words do wound me, my son." His twilight blue eyes softened. "Forgive me, Mother. I... it's still hard to forget." Lady Azalea opened her eyes. "I know my son." "So this is why you've brought me back after all this time?" She nodded. "Snow, take my son to his chambers. See he is properly dressed." Chapter Five: The Palace Sailor Vega H's Home Realm The silver echidna held the small red one close, rocking as she sang softly. "Close your eyes, little one, And do not fear. I'll be by your side Always standing near. "So let your eyes close, little one, Rocking in my arms. Heaven's Powers watch over you Keep you safe from all harms." k.a. had grown still as she sang, but his eyes had become sharper and more alert. There was too much depth and knowledge inside them. They were not the eyes of a five-year- old. Much the same way the eyes of the female were too old to belong to a sixteen-year-old. She held onto the little one a while longer, till he started to squirm. k.a. was asleep all right, but Knuckles Ash was awake. She let him go, rose and fetched the Blade of the Guardian. Then she silently handed it to him, and left. Tonia and Gabe were waiting outside the door. "Are we ready?" Tonia asked Gabe. "Yes." Gabe said. "Just as soon as Moon comes out, and Chaos gets here." Moon stepped outside. "He's asleep." "Good," Gabe said. "Let's get this party started." Chapter six: Anti-Sailor/Realm Destroyer Head Quarters The Chaos Knight was waiting for them when they reached the building in question. "Are we ready to kick some Anti-Sailor butt?" He asked. They nodded. Masked didn't make any gesture of acknowledgment, but he was being careful what he did. He didn't want to have his mask short-out or fall off while he was fighting. He owed Sephiroth for that Ultima blast. They stepped into the building. It was one large room, a couple smaller ones. Standard issue warehouse. "Awful quiet," Sailor Phoenix F remarked. "Maybe they're asleep," Sailor Vega H suggested. The lights flashed on. The Anti-Sailors stood there, waiting. Vampire Sephiroth close to Sailor Evil. Sailor Negativity and Sailor Darkness on either side. "Sailor Vega H, Sailor Phoenix F, Tuxedo Mischief, Chaos Knight, Masked Echidna, and Sailor Moon E?" Sailor Evil smirked. "What a surprise." Vampire Sephiroth continued to stare coldly at Sailor Moon E. "ETK, Kit!" Sailor Evil yelled. "Bring in the guest!" The green fox, and the clone drug a struggling red echidna forward. He was about 18, and dressed royally in a rich-looking robe. "The Island Prince!" Sailor Vega H cried. Sailor Evil laughed. "Yes, that's right, Vega. And what do you think would happen if his majesty was harmed?" "It would cause a war between the two kingdoms," Sailor Moon E answered, but her eyes never left Vampire Sephiroth's face. They had locked gazes when the lights had snapped on, and seen nothing but each other since. "And destroy this pitiful world through such a war," Vampire Sephiroth added coldly. He smiled. "I would very much like to watch that happen." "You're one sick, twisted son of a-" Tuxedo Mischief began. "Ignore him." Sailor Moon E instructed. "Sailor Negativity, Sailor Darkness," Sailor Evil began. "Take care of Sailor Vega H and Sailor Phoenix F! And DON'T SCREW UP THIS TIME!" "Masked, Chaos," Sailor Moon E's eyes flashed over to them. "Can you handle ETK and Kit?" They nodded. "Don't worry your majesty," Masked called to the Echidna Prince. "We'll see that you're taken from these villains unharmed." The prince gave Masked an odd look. "A *silver* echidna?" "I'm not usually silver," Masked began. "It's a long story, your majesty." "One I hope you'll refrain from sharing until we're all removed from harm's way," the prince replied. "I've got Kit," Chaos whispered. "You can take ETK, right? Watch his moves... you know them better than anyone. And vice versa." "No problem," Masked replied. "I've got him covered." ETK made a little sound, and backed away. Masked advanced, following him. "Get as far away from Kit as you can, your majesty," Chaos Knight said. He cupped his hands, and a green ball of energy began to form. Kit looked mildly interested. "Green light...scary. I think Ember and Julie-su got better powers. Somebody cheated you, brother, cheated you big time." Chaos looked up. "Is that so?" He threw the ball of energy at Kit. It hit the green fox square in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Prince Alan of the Floating Island blinked. "Ancient Walkers! I've only heard of one who possessed such powers..." "No time for small talk, your majesty," Chaos interrupted him. "You can fight, can't you?" "Yes, of course," Prince Alan replied. "Good." Chaos pointed to Sailor Phoenix F. "That young lady would surely be greatful for any assistance you can provide." "And you?" "I'll be assisting Sailor Vega H." "You know we simply have to stop meeting like this," Sailor Phoenix F joked. Sailor Darkness just glared. "CHAOS ECLIPSE ATTACK!!" The echidna in robe knocked her to the ground. "Pardon me, m'lady, but I simply can't allow this to continue." "PHOENIX FIRE SCORCH!!" The flame devoured the energy ball. "Now that is something you don't see everyday," Prince Alan muttered. "Hit her!" Sailor Phoenix F cried. "We have to keep Sailor Darkness outta commission!" "I can't hit a lady..." Prince Alan began. "Never mind, I'll do it myself," Sailor Phoenix muttered. She karate-chopped Sailor Darkness. "My Dad insisted that I take a self-defense course," she explained. "Oh...well I suppose you can never be to careful these days," Prince Alan managed. "A good thing you listened to him." Sailor Phoenix grinned. "You're not so bad, y'know? Help me tie her up, would ya?" "NEGATIVE CHAOS STRIKE!!" Sailor Negativity hadn't stopped flinging lightening bolts at Sailor Vega H since Sailor Evil had yelled for her to attack. "Looks like your friend just went down over there," Sailor Vega H told her, ducking another attack successfully. "Sailor Darkness isn't the brightest light in the house," Sailor Negativity snapped. "Probably why she's name what she is!" Chaos Knight joked. A ball of green energy slammed into Sailor Negativity. "STARS DISKS SECURE!!" Sailor Vega H cried as soon as Sailor Negativity hit the ground. The star disks spun out, but instead of slicing and dicing, they tied tight ropes. "Nice move," Chaos remarked. "I don't recall Sailor Moon E telling me about that one." "It's a new one," Sailor Vega H smiled. "Nice move there yourself. That's your special talent? Energy spheres?" "I have talents you can only dream of," Chaos replied smoothly. She slapped his face. "I don't appreciate that look in your eyes. Make yourself useful and help us make sure these Anti-Sailors stay put this time." Masked and ETK had ended up duking it out in one of the smaller rooms. Masked wasn't exactly sure how or when they'd gotten in it, but he didn't care. At first, he had easily managed to dodge ETK. He could pretty much counter-move any move the clone made. But now ETK had started using the same trick against him. "Y'know," ETK began. "You fight an awful lot like KTE." Masked ducked and sucker-punched ETK's gut. "I'll take that as a complement." "I'm...not..so sure that's a good thing," ETK gasped. "Seeing how he's dead and all." Masked knocked ETK onto his back. "Do you have a point?" ETK paused, trying to catch that breath that had been knocked out of him. "Call a truce for two minutes and I'll tell you..." Masked considered. "All right, but if this is some kind of trick..." "Strictly on the level," ETK managed. "Here it is: KTE and I are genetic doubles, as you probably know. Almost like identical twins, but I'm not supposed to be capable of compassion or sympathy. I'm not supposed to be able to get sentimental." "Yes, I'm aware of all this," Masked replied. "Get to your point." "Well, if all that is true, then why did I get...upset at the news? Why did I feel like I'd lost something?" Masked didn't even want to considered this. "Probably because you're a faulty clone." ETK growled. He leapt up, grabbing Masked. "Don't call me that! I *hate* it when people call me that! Just because I wasn't born by conventional means..." "You weren't *born* at all," Masked replied. "You were *created*." ETK slammed him up against a nearby wall. "Does that give me any less of a right to be alive?" He slammed Masked again. "Answer me! Does it?" The mask was pretty much protecting his head but it was banging looser and looser with each hit. "I never said that..." Masked began. He was going to continue. Try to say something to clam ETK down, but then the worse happened. A final slam, this time throwing his side up against the wall. The switch on the mask was thrown, a dreaded whirl of electric motors, and the face plate rose. ETK was still busy knocking him against the wall, and didn't noticed until the clang of mask falling on the ground sounded. "Hey..." ETK began. "Wait just one minute. You mean the whole time it was-" He never finished. Masked threw his head forward, head-butting ETK. The clone dropped to the ground. "Please tell me he won't remember this in the morning," Masked muttered, retrieving the mask. He slipped it back on, and tapped at the switch. Then he frowned, and tapped again. "Damn, damn, damn!" he cursed. The face-plate wouldn't lower. "Okay, don't panic...you can handle this..." He took off the mask again. He looked quickly out the window to the small room. Sailor Darkness and Sailor Negativity were tied up. Kit was laying unconscious beside them. Sailor Vega H, Sailor Phoenix F, Prince Alan, and Chaos Knight were all keeping an eye on them. He looked to the other direction. Tuxedo Mischief was holding his own quite well against Sailor Evil. He flung another blood rose, and it hit home. But Sailor Moon E seemed to be having problems. She and Sephiroth were still just looking at each other. Neither one had moved. "C'mon, Moon," he muttered. "Don't just stand there, do something!" He looked down at ETK knocked out cold. He looked at the non-functioning mask in his hand. Then, he sighed, and closed his eyes. Concentrate.... <> Vampire Sephiroth's voice rang through her head. "I know you also. It's saddens me to see you still haven't found the desire to seek redemption, Sephiroth." She spoke out loud. "Give the materia to me." He laughed coldly. "Now why should I do that?" She smiled thinly. "It will happen soon. Don't you realize what day is soon upon us?" He laughed again, this time his reply dripped with sarcasism. "The day when I am returned to my rightful self? I'll deal with it when it comes." Her eyes turned hard. "Give me the materia or it will happen a lot sooner." "Your magicks cannot touch me, Bella," he replied. "You should have listened to Ashrire-kuh." "And you shouldn't have killed him." She replied. "And you shouldn't be masquerading as your daughter," Sephiroth replied, smiling. "And you shouldn't have turned her into materia." "Oh, but I enjoyed. I think I'll go after that boy of yours next." She raised the Silver Crescent Moon wand and energy slammed into him. "Come now, Bella, is that all you have to offer? A little energy beam? I'd except such from an untalented little wretch as Moon. Such a shame, she had great promise, coming from such a powerful House. But, that's what happens when you give yourself to someone of mixed blood. Human completely kills the magick.." The wand began to glow. "Human may *block* the magick, but once it is tapped, it begins to flow freely. Soon there will be two who can assault you with it Sephiroth." Sephiroth noticed an itching feeling in his muscles. "Don't even bother trying Bella..." he clenched his teeth. "I worked the spell," it was no longer Moon's voice. Sephiroth looked up, she'd abandoned that form for her own. The tall female silver held the wand higher. Her hair woven into a single, large braid fell behind her shoulders, brushing the floor. The small slit in the long, navy gown flapped. She narrowed silver eyes at him. "I can undo it..." He laughed, but it was a superficial laugh. His confidence was failing him. "Give me the materia, Sephiroth, or I'll pry it from your changing hands." "I suggest you listen to the lady!" someone cried. The red-haired, green-eyed human lunged forward and slammed a sword into Sephiroth, then he pulled it out again. "That was from the Masked Echidna! How do you like it pal?!" Sephiroth moaned, touching blood flowing from the wound. "Impossible...how can this be?" "Hand over the materia like Belladonna said, or you'll have another one to worry about!" the boy snapped. "Sailor Evil!" Sephiroth cried. "I suggest we make a retreat!" Sailor Evil looked over at Vampire Sephiroth cringing on the floor. "No! I will *not* retreat this time!" As she spoke... a strange buzzing noise filled the room. "What is that?" Sailor Vega H cried. Tuxedo Mischief cursed. "Looks like *your* Queen's decided to step in and save you, Sailor Evil." The image of Queen Hecate-Chaos appeared, and she looked none-too-happy. "Realm Destroyers, you will come to my palace at once!" Sailor Evil cursed but yelled to the other Realm Destroyers. "Prepare for realm transportation!" Vampire Sephiroth sneered. "I suppose we'll have to save this for later, Bella." "Not so fast pal!" Jack lunged forward and grabbed for the materia attached to his masamune. Vampire Sephiroth laughed as he and the other Realm Destroyers faded away. "Go on, little fool! Only I can reverse the materia spell!" "Yeah, well... I still got it from you! So there!" Jack yelled. "Jack?" Tuxedo Mischief was walking over. "You're alive!" "Who are you?" Chaos Knight asked Belladonna. "Where'd the Masked Echidna go?" Sailor Vega H asked. Belladonna held up her hands. "Patience children. One question at a time!" "Could someone please explain what's going on?" Sailor Phoenix F asked. "Of course," Belladonna nodded. "I am called Belladonna. I am Moon's mother. I was impersonating her in order to help you defeat the anti-sailors. You see, Sephiroth imprisoned her in a materia. But, unknown to him, I can free her." "All right, that explains that much..." Chaos Knight began. "But where did the Masked Echidna go?" Sailor Phoenix F asked. "His...uh...mask broke." Jack said. "He...uh..." "Went back to my home realm to have it repaired. I'll be leaving soon myself. All I need to free Moon is located there." She paused. "So is your father, Sir Chaos." "My dad?" Chaos blinked. "Take me with you, Belladonna. Please?" "I thought you might ask. I would like to invite you all to come," Belladonna smiled. "Well, that sounds good to me," Jack replied. "Count me in." "Count me out." Tuxedo Mischief replied. "No offense, Madame Belladonna, but that place isn't for me." "We can't leave," Sailor Vega H added. "At least not till we sort things out here." "Then you shall remain here," Belladonna told Tuxedo Mischief. "Jack and Sir Chaos shall come with me." "We'll come back after Moon's okay," Jack told them. "We can plan things from there." "If it's all right with Sailor Vega H that's fine by me," Tuxedo Mischief replied. "You can stay, I'll need all the help I can get to explain this to my parents..." she replied. Belladonna nodded. "It is decided then. Follow me, Jack, Sir Chaos." "What about k.a.?" Sailor Phoenix F asked, as they began to leave. "He...uh, went on ahead with the Masked Echidna." Jack replied. "See you guys soon." "Later," Chaos waved. "Behave yourself, children." "Look who's talking!" Sailor Vega H cried. She turned to the others. "We should get moving ourselves." "Think they'll be all right?" Sailor Phoenix F asked. "Belladonna will take care of them." Tuxedo Mischief replied oddly. "She always does." to be continued... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cast: Sailor Moon E/Moon: can Belladonna free her from the materia? Chaos Knight/k.a.: why is his dad in bella's home realm? Tuxedo Mischief/Gabe: Why didn't he want to go with Bella? KTE/Masked echidna: can Bella turn him red again? Sailor Vega H/Tonia & Sailor Phoenix F/Leslie: what exactly are they going to tell their parents? Sailor Evil/Star: She is Moon's twin sister. Vampire Sephiroth: How does he know Bella? What was Bella doing to him? Sailor Negativity/Ember: lousy fighter Sailor Darkness/Julie-su: same Kit: same ETK: Does he now know who the Masked Echidna really is?