Molly's mother stared about herself with wide eyes, frightened eyes. She was being roughly led along long, dark passageways of what she presumed was stone. The walls were strangely rippled, as if they had oozed there, and solidified. Sparse, dark violet lights didn't do much to spare her feet from stumbling on the uneven floor, and falling, turning her shins and knees into a nest of bruises. Her arms were black and blue as well from the unforgiving grips of the things that hauled her along behind the cold-eyed man. Her captors weren't slacking their pace any. Not only that, but they seemed to take an inordinate amount of glee in her falling every few steps. The last time she had fallen, she had been half-dragged for several feet until she could scramble her feet back under her.

Abruptly, the mad pace slowed and the sneering man turned back to face her, the smile he wore sending shivers down her spine. "You are fortunate, Human; you are about to meet Queen Beryl. I suggest you be on your best behavior, if you wish to live long."

Mrs. Baker swallowed and wisely held her tongue as she was shoved rudely from behind to enter a huge room after the man. It was difficult to keep herself from staring at the shadowed crowds of other creatures that thronged around the room. It was partially like a nightmare--or like some of the Bausch paintings she had once seen. Creatures right out of horror films on late-night television sneered and poked at here. Abruptly, they were free of the crowd, and she found herself tossed roughly to her knees on the floor before a throne sitting on a dais. Mrs. Baker stared, looking at the enthroned woman incredulously. "Miss Corwyn?"

"Silence!" snarled her captor, cuffing her roughly and sending her sprawling to the ground.

She slowly picked herself up, wincing as bruises pulled, and looked at the cold-eyed woman above her. Her first impression was very wrong; though there was a strong resemblance, there was no way that this woman could be the calm leader of the musicians her daughter had befriended.

The woman would likely have been tall, had she been standing. Red-brown eyes glared at her as the woman's slender, clawed hands drummed idly on a black crystal sphere which stood on a strangely decorated staff before her. "Well, well, Mrs. Baker; so nice of you to join us here." Molly's mother could only stare mutely. The enthroned woman sneered, "I must apologize for bringing you here; I really don't like being this unprofessional, but when you are dealing with Traitors and the Kae'ayla, what else can you expect?"

"Traitors? Ka--Kae--"

"Joerdan--take her to--the Black Lake. That should be a good place to hold her." The woman's face spilt into a cruel smile. "You did leave that message for Her at the place of this human's capture, didn't you?"

The dark-haired man who had brought her to this place smiled thinly, bowing low. "Of course, my Queen."

* * * * * * * *

Malcolm sighed as he stepped through the Portal and back into the dining room of their house, tugging at the wyvern shed until it turned back into the soft folds of material. Keeping out of the way of the others coming through the portal, he tossed the cloth over the back of his chair at the table and poured some of the sherry from a decanter on the sideboard into a crystal tumbler, sipping at it carefully. Once his hand stopped shaking, he turned back to watch Bridgette emerge through the portal last, looking once more completely human, dressed once more in the dark-violet suit she had worn to dinner.

Sighing, she raised her hands and spread them in a curious manner, and the portal stretched, then vanished like the image of a television being switched off. She frowned a moment, brow wrinkling as she looked around, rubbing at the back of her neck, but shrugged, sighing as she sat heavily in her chair, resting her elbows on the table, face buried in her hands. Malcolm grimaced and crossed over to her as everyone else worked on getting off the wyvern-shed and sat at her feet, placing his free hand gently on her leg.

Everyone else took their seats and looked around at each other, the uncomfortable silence growing. Finally, Darien cleared his throat a little nervously. "So--how do you--ah--start wars and things? Keep this Balance going?"

Bridgette glanced over at him momentarily, then she stood, running a gentle hand over Malcolm's cheek as she turned to peer out the window with an unreadable expression, seeming deeply troubled and distracted. "I don't specifically. As I said, we have to work through humans as much as we can. All it takes is a wrong word here, the wrong letter delayed or lost." She frowned, smiling sourly. "We inspire; think of us as Muses of a sort." Her brow wrinkled as she peered more intently out of the window, one hand raising to lay flat against the glass as she stared out into the darkened gardens.

"Bridgette; Muse of Mayhem," muttered Jared, weakly trying for humor.

Bridgette glanced over at him sharply, staring with wounded darkest-blue eyes, while Zoë winced and swatted Jared's shoulder reproachfully. Finally, she shook her head, "I suppose I am in a way, Jared." The distracted look on her face was suddenly replaced with a grim frown. Straightening, she turned and glared out the window, raising her voice, the words tempered by a dark anger. "*Yen! Hir!*"

The locket lying on her chest abruptly flared with brilliant green light, then faded to normal. Bridgette turned and stalked out the door, skirts and hair flying in her wake as everyone scrambled to their feet and followed her through the house and out into the back gardens. "What's going on?" panted Mina, trotting to keep up with Bridgette's long strides.

"An intruder. Yen is detaining him," Bri said matter-of-factly.

"Yen? As in your guardian, Yen?" Rei asked, remembering the frozen corpse.

"Aye," Bridgette stopped suddenly, hands resting on her hips, eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What is Yen?" asked Rei, voice toned to a whisper, nervously looking around.

"Uh--Rei--I think it's that," ventured Ami weakly, pointing a finger in the direction Bridgette was glaring.

Rei turned to see--an Oriental dragon curled around the house. He was a brilliant mix of verdant greens, shimmering elegantly in the moonlight, streamers falling from his jaws. And he had something dangling delicately from his teeth. Mina turned to say something to Bridgette--and stared at the medallion.

The medallion was a simple quartered circle; the dragon was gone.

The dragon leaned down and put the limp figure gently on the ground, raising his great head back up to just below the level of the roof. Bridgette wandered over slowly, and looked at the small shivering heap that the dragon had left--and then winced. She quickly crouched at the still figure's side, picking up the head to rest in her lap, slender hand stroking the hair and removing a pair of glasses and setting them to the side. "Bloody hell; just what I need," she muttered, her hands remaining gentle, none-the-less.

Molly moved closer hesitantly, kneeling beside Bridgette as Malcolm knelt by her too. Molly leaned closer, peering at the limp figure, and gasped. "Hey! It's Melvin!"

"Melvin?!" Serena gasped, eyes growing huge as everyone moved closer, staring. "What's he doing here."

The dragon's head lowered to rest on the ground looking strangely embarrassed. "Lurking in the bushes with a camera," the dragon said, the rumbling voice sounding apologetic. "I believe I badly frightened him, Bridgette, but I swear to you, I did him no more harm than causing him some few bruises."

Bridgette chaffed the unconscious boy's wrists, shaking her head a little. "No, Yen; it's all right. I should have looked closer before sending you after him. Beryl has me jumping at shadows again."

Malcolm blinked, picking up the locket and staring at it a moment. "You've--worn a dragon around your neck all these years?"

"He goes where he is needed," Bridgette said as Melvin began to stir a bit.

"He was on the gate," Mina said suddenly. Everyone except Bridgette turned to look at her, and she giggled uncomfortably. "When we first came over to dinner--there was a dragon on the gate."

"Yes, you're right," Bridgette agreed gently as Melvin's eyes flickered open.

"Uh--what happened?" he moaned, grimacing and rubbing at his eyes blearily.

"You fainted--" Bridgette said wryly, as the dragon vanished to become an engraving on her locket once more. "--in our bushes."

"Uhn."

Bridgette frowned again, raising her head to stare at the glittering stars above. "Something's wrong; there is something very wrong."

"What?"

Melvin stared at them all as he sat up. "What are you people, some sort of demons? Are you after Molly and Serena like the other ones were, 'cause if you are, I'll--"

Nathan snorted. "That's something I've heard before," he said, raising an eyebrow at Serena.

"Look, Melvin, go home," said Rei. "You don't want to get involved. Believe me."

"I already am! I developed my pictures from the school today. I posted them on the Internet!"

Bridgette stilled and turned and looked at him, her eyes picking up a faint glow again as her hand reached out and gently but firmly took a hold of his chin, tilting his head up to look into her glaring eyes. "What pictures?" she said, her voice flat.

"Of the fight; the real fight, with all the magic! The one that was like something outta a Sailor V movie or something." He jerked his chin free of Bridgette's suddenly slack grip and stared, grabbing his glasses and jamming them on his face. "Who are you people? And what do Molly and Serena have to do with you guys--and the Sailor Scouts?!"

Molly glanced back at Serena, then bit her lip. "Melvin--Sailor Moon and I have been friends for awhile. And Nathan is--"

Bridgette eyes flashed again, and she darted a hand out lightning fast, grabbing Melvin's shoulder in a firm grip, peering into his eyes intently. "You posted pictures on the Internet? Of me, using my powers?"

"Yeah," he stammered, unable to look away.

"Oh bloody hell!" She released his shoulder, turning back to the house, face taught in worry. "Aevon! Naraew! Go! Check the homes of these girls. Make sure their families are all right!" she called tensely.

"Naru?"

"Naraew," Bridgette corrected, turning her eyes back to Melvin again, obviously worried. "A fire bird, Malcolm."

"Fire bird?" asked Melvin.

"You have just put everyone here in great danger, Melvin. That picture may cause a lot of pain; I did not have my illusions up; she will recognize me." Her voice trailed off in intense pain, eyes closing. Then she turned swiftly, releasing Melvin's shoulder. "Everyone, inside. Now."

* * * * * * * *

The little bird alighted on the windowsill, preening nervously at its long, glorious tail feathers. Although the size of a sparrow, the tail feathers trailed behind it nearly a foot in a gleaming red and gold display. It let go of its feathers, hopping about. With an irritated chirp, it tried peering into the jewelry store warily.

Below it, a sleek cat stalked, keeping to the shadows. The little bird pecked irritably at the steamed glass.

And the cat sprang.

And howled, streaking off down the alleyway nursing a singed paw.

The bird ignored the would-be attacker and fluttered up to the second story, peering into the residence that was above the store. Something wasn't right here. The bird's wings twitched, and with a puff of smoke, it was suddenly inside, perched on the back of a chair and looking around the living room with intent little eyes. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, the bird fluttered through the doorway, checking the hall.

It let out a high pitched screech, and vanished in a small gout of flame.

* * * * * * * *

Jared looked at Nathan and Molly where they were curled up together on the sofa, she in his lap, Nathan's portfolio open on their laps, head close together, his low voice murmuring explanations of his sketches and paintings. Shaking his head, Jared chuckled, sidling up to Zoë with a melodramatic sigh. "Why do I feel like I'm drowning?"

Melvin, his eyes fixed on the pair as well, turned and shot Jared an angry glare. Jared stuck out his tongue, and then let Jedite come to the surface long enough to return the glare fiercely enough that the boy looked away hastily, paling. Zoë shrugged and went over and patted Melvin's shoulder a little. "No need to scare him, Jedite; hell--he's already gotten the fright of his life from Bridgette in a bad mood."

"No, she's more worried than anything, I think," corrected Malcolm, sitting down in a chair, sipping from a full wineglass. "I doubt Bridgette gets angry that easily from what she's told us. And I've never really seen her angry ever."

"Wha' makes y'say tha', Mal?" asked Nathan, lifting his head a little, his hair falling into his eyes. "I mean, she a' much as admitted as t' how she got angry an' did in th' ones attackin' 'er home." He gestured helplessly.

"I don't think that we can blame her for that; none of us can." He pushed silvery hair from his eyes, gesturing with the hand that held his glass of cognac. Sighing, he cocked his head at Nathan. "Seriously, Nate--can you honestly say that you would act any differently if someone came in and started killing us? Killing Molly? Wouldn't you have done what she did? Struck back without thinking?" Nathan paused, then nodded, pulling Molly closer to his side in a warm hug as Malcolm paused to sip at his drink as he glanced sideways at Zoë. "I felt like that last time--when Beryl killed--" he sighed and downed the rest in one gulp, getting up and heading for the decanter again, Zoë flinching and looking at her feet.

Rei blinked, then sighed in frustration. "Great." She flopped over on her cushion, perching her chin on her hands, kicking her legs. "So why are we sitting around here?"

"Bridgette was worried that Melvin's pictures may have gotten us into trouble in some way," Malcolm said, sighing and replacing the stopper of the decanter and leaning against the wall. "She thought that Beryl might attack your families, since you are safe here, so she and a few of her little creatures went to check it out."

"But why is she trying to get at Bri and not us?" asked Mina. "I mean--we’re the ones Beryl wants, right? Or you guys at least, since you used to at least partially work for her?"

Jedite came to the fore, moving Jared's body to sit stiffly in a chair, fingering his chin speculatively. "I think Beryl's hatred of Bridgette runs deeper." Everyone turned to look at him, Melvin in no little confusion. "Think for a moment. Beryl's and Bridgette's hatred goes back longer than I can even begin to think. But they can no longer face each other directly, according to what Bridgette says; therefore, strike as close as possible--where it will hurt the most."

Malcolm nodded finally, pursing his lips and sighing. "True, Ja--I mean, Jedite. And she likely couldn't come directly after us again--or the scouts, since Bridgette has likely layered us with more protection than Fort Knox. So--go after the next closest thing."

"Which mean's everyone's families, instead," Lita said flatly. She sighed, "Well, she's a bit late for mine."

Jared took over once more and stood, going over and wrapping the younger girl in a warm hug, sighing, "Still it makes sense. And she would have to go after your families, since the four of us--our families are long since dead."

"Really?" Luna blinked, looking over at Nathan curiously. "I only thought that Jared's, Malcolm's, and Zoë’s parents were dead. How did yours--"

Nathan sighed, raking a hand through his hair, eyes pained. Melvin blinked and looked furtively over at the pile of bloodied, discarded bandages lying on the table with his sling. "They were out sailing, and were caught in a storm. I was 11. I didn't go with them, because I was camping with Mal that night." He sighed deeply, rubbing at his forehead.

Molly snuggled closer, slipping gentle arms around him and stroking his back a little. Melvin straightened. "What are you all talking about? Who is Beryl?"

"You stumbled over something, Melvin," Ami said with a sigh, "You'll likely wish you had never even seen a camera before long."

"Huh? I fought nasty things before!"

"And nearly gotten killed every time, if I remember right," Lita said sarcastically. "Melvin--you're a sweet kid, but you're getting in way over your head."

"Huh?"

Everyone flinched as a slight explosion echoed up the chimney from the fireplace. The flames curved up strangely, shifting through a myriad of colors, then parted like a petal, revealing a tiny bird nestled in the inferno. Rei jumped up, eyes huge, and the bird fluttered out of the fireplace, hovering in the middle of the room and screeching agitatedly, long streamer-like tail feathers streaming sweet-scented smoke. Malcolm cautiously approached it, then flinched back. "Bloody hell! She's hot!"

Rei stared, then laughed and grinned, moving past Malcolm and standing before the hovering bird, her eyes lock on its. The gleaming eyes fixed on her, then it settled serenely onto her arm, with a graceful little flutter. Bird and girl stared firmly at one another for several minutes, then Rei blinked, wincing and raising her other arm to rub at her nose as if in a little pain. She glanced at the bird again, questioningly, and the little head bobbed an affirmative. "Damn! I can get the words, but I have no idea to the meaning. She seems fairly upset and--"

The bird seemed to sigh in frustration, and fluttered up off Rei's arm, leaving two bird-foot-shaped burn marks in the sleeve of her dress. The bird fluttered over and hovered over Molly a moment, chirping agitatedly, then fluttered back to Rei looking her in the eyes. "Something up with Molly?"

There was a soundless explosion of air, that ruffled everyone's hair, and suddenly Bridgette stood there. The bird chirped excitedly and quickly fluttered over to her. Bridgette stared for a long moment while the bird sang excitedly, then Bridgette let out a string of liquid words that could only amount to curses, no matter what the language. "What is it?" asked Nathan in alarm, standing, pulling Molly closer to his side.

"Beryl did the obvious, as usual." Bridgette's eyes flared in fury, spouting off another stream of curses, the little bird perching on her shoulder. "She took Molly's mother."

Molly's hand flew to her mouth in shock. "What?"

"We'll get 'er back, Mol'," Nathan said, clutching her close, face pale.

Bridgette sighed. "I must ask for your help; I cannot face Beryl directly, and she knows this as well as I. So she will try to work to do as much harm as she can through the sides."

Lita smashed her fist into her palm, eyes flashing eagerly. "Let's go kick her butt into the next century--again!"

"Not far enough for my taste," snarled Malcolm with a fury that startled even himself, silver eyes cold.

Melvin blinked, then whipped off his glasses and polished them jamming them back on his face and staring. "Huh? You girls can't fight!" He flinched away from Lita's and Rei's suddenly deadly glares. "Well--maybe those two can fight, but--"

Bridgette turned her eyes on him, and the boy squeaked to a sudden silence. "I suggest you keep quiet about things that you do not understand. You have played a large part in causing this, boy. And I had thought better of you; you should know that gender plays no part in determining the worth of people." Melvin blushed, ashamed, nodding. "Besides; these girls are more qualified than could ever imagine to fight Beryl and her forces; even Molly is." Molly lifted her head off of Nathan's chest, staring and blinking at Bridgette in confusion. "Now; we must go to the Negaverse, obviously, to prevent her from hiding in there and sending out nothing but hordes of her youma. I suggest we play up you four's former lives to the fullest; keep up the act of animosity between you and the Scouts. Any of your former followers that you might know of, or even some ambitious ones willing to fight against Beryl if the main blame will be directed elsewhere, we must find and recruit." She sighed deeply, rubbing at her forehead. "We are going to need every little bit of help we can get?"

"Why? We've licked them before!" Serena said cheerfully, picking Luna up and snuggling her with a bright smile.

"Yes, but at the cost of all of your lives, if you'd remember," Bridgette countered, wryly. "And she held no hostages last time, either--that alone increases the danger ten-fold." Serena paled and gulped. "Besides, facing the minions of the Negaverse on their home ground is going to be very different from what you knew. There is no Cord going across the worlds to hide the violence of what actions you will have to take. The deaths will not end in glitters of ash, Serena; there will be blood, there will be screams. War has never been pretty, and it never will be." Serena blanched, pressing her face into Luna's side.

"Jeez--scare the hell outta me to, while you're at it, Bri," Jared said, shivering and sitting on a sofa.

Bridgette flinched, but made no apology, turning to stare out the window.

Malcolm downed the rest of his drink, and tossed the glass moodily into the fireplace, not noticing the way everyone flinched when the glass shattered, and the flames flared from the remained drops of liquor. "I thought I had put that life behind me," he said quietly, closing his eyes tightly and clenching his fists.

Bridgette sighed, moving away from the window and laying a gentle hand on his stiff, hunched back. "I'm sorry, Malcolm; if there were anyway to avoid this, I would do it in a second. If there were some way to--" She sighed, shaking her head and removing her hand from his shoulder, turning and looking at the floor. "All of you must put on your former selves--we need as much surprise as we can get."

Zoë glanced at Nathan uneasily. "But if that's so, I--"

"I will explain as we go, Zoë. You will all need to change your appearances slightly, back to what you looked like when you before your other selves died serving Beryl. The age difference is easy enough to ignore, but Nathan and Malcolm will have to grow their hair out again. Jared--"

"Oh--damn!" He glowered and kicked his feet a little, then sighed deeply and nodded. "You win, Jedite; I guess I lose the hair anyway." He sighed and snorted, muttering, Lita leaning over to hug him tightly.

"Don't worry, Jar'; I'm sure we can grow it out again once this is over," Zoë soothed. "I mean, we got Bri on our side, remember?"

Jared paused, then grinned and cheered up a bit. Malcolm, however, frowned. "And what about Melvin? He can hardly go home; I'm sure Beryl is waiting to nab anyone who leaves this place. And what would he do here?"

Bridgette sighed, and glanced speculatively at the boy for a long moment. Finally, she nodded once, pushing her hair from her eyes with a sigh. "He will stay here and guard the Portal." She leveled her gaze on him, but there was a faint hint of humor lurking in her gaze. "But this time, I think he might need something a bit stronger than 'spicy shrimp.' "

* * * * * * * *

Mrs. Baker shivered convulsively, huddled against the bars of the stone cage she had been put in, staring in shock at the dark lake before her, her body wedged in the corner furthest from the oily substance. The liquid in it wasn't water; it was somewhere between oil and black pudding--and it moved itself, not with internal currents, but as though a bored animal twitched restlessly where it lay.

Earlier, she had seen a few of the dark creatures that inhabited this place dragging a screaming figure to the edge of that lake. She shuddered, choking back bile, and trying not to remember, but the images flashed through her head over and over again, no matter how hard she tried to block them. After only a few hours there, she already figured that the nightmares that flashed over her eyelids every time she dared closer her eyes was probably courtesy of this awful place.

Unbidden, the gory scene she had witnessed earlier played itself out again before her eyes, dancing in the dark, rank air before her. Again, she saw the creatures shoving the poor man/creature closer to the shore, the victim screaming in terror and wailing for mercy the whole time. When they had gotten a few yards away from the suddenly broiled edge of the lake, they had thrown the unfortunate down, attaching the ends of hooked poles to the loops set on the side of the shackles the blubbering creature's legs, pushing him ever closer to the shore line. As she had watching in morbid fascination, the liquid had seethed up, almost frothing with an aura of expectant glee rolling from it, and formed into a long tentacle with black, razor-sharp talons rising from it every few inches. They had given the poor victim one last shove towards the waiting tentacle, then dropped their poles--

--and the tentacle had struck--but it didn't kill.

Instead, it pierced the chained figure through the gut, another tentacle stabbing viciously through his leg, and it had hooked him back towards the lake. Ever so slowly, it dragged the screaming, figure towards the edge, his hands clawing vainly at the gravel, leaving trails of dark blood from the wounds and the tearing ends of the fingers. As the figure's foot had touched the edge of the lake, it had--laughed. His screaming cut off into choking burbles as he had been dragged under the surface.

And it didn't end there. The screams started again as the unfortunate had emerged, somehow stuck to the surface, but not sinking in the center of the lake. And then, the lake had--eaten him; slowly, like acid eating at metal. And all the while, that horrible, burbling laughter had rung in the thick air.

Shivering uncontrollably, she looked over at the 'lake' again. It churned and bubbled restlessly about twenty feet away from her, occasional tentacles reaching out and questing towards her. But they fell short.

Barely.

At least Molly was safe.

* * * * * * * *

"I don't see why Molly has to go!" began Nathan, shoving his newly lengthened hair over his shoulder a little irritably, his eyes deeply worried, the jacket of his uniform hanging open.

Bridgette sighed, looking up from straightening the collar of Malcolm's jacket and gazed at him, eyes pleading for understanding. "Because--Beryl knows how much she means to you--and therefore to me, Nathan. The moment she is out of my presence, Beryl will know, and she will attack."

"But what about the protections you put on her?"

"I'm withdrawing most of the shields and wards I have out, Nathan, except the ones personally on you that your own life forces maintain. I haven't had a chance to do anything so permanent on Molly or the other girls; so once they leave those that are built into this house, they are in danger." Sighing, she ran her hand through her hair. "Besides, we are going to need all the power I have, and all that any of you has."

Malcolm leaned casually against the wall, with his arms crossed over his chest, the cloak tossed over one arm. He, at least, seemed to be fitting into the part--if only his eyes hadn't held genuine concern as he regarded her. "What are we supposed to do, then?" he asked, looking around at his friends.

"We are going to need help; even the most powerful beings can be overrun by a mob. I am not worried about myself; I can't die, but--" She shrugged sighing. "I am summoning what help I can to meet us there, calling in as many favors as I can," she glanced at the four musicians, looking tired. "Remember, I need the four of you to try to remember any of the natives or other minions of the Negaverse who might be more loyal to you than to Beryl. Try some of the older ones--some of the ones who were once human."

Zoë blinked. "Once human? I didn't think that there were any of those--" she stopped, emerald eyes growing thoughtful.

Bri spoke gently, turning to look out the window once more. "Beryl's decision to destroy us was not unanimous amongst her people. In actuality, there were several factions, including some neutrals that weren't sure which way to go to ally themselves--until Beryl's Things had begun to warp their world, that is, but by then it was too late. So, they all found themselves warped along with their world, as Beryl tends to warp everything else she touches."

"What about the NegaForce--that thing she was always talking to?" asked Jedite suddenly, taking over from Jared who was grumbling to Mina and Lita about his hair.

"Her name is Metallia; she was a promising human archmage that Beryl managed to corrupt." Bridgette spread her hands, sighing. "She is trapped and bodiless for now; forced to tell Beryl what to do to continue her plans and to feed her the remaining energy of that world. Beryl has always been jealous; and knows that Metallia could possibly overpower her or out-think her at least. But, thanks to the Curse, Beryl is forced to be in a position of leadership, so she must keep her alive somehow." Bridgette sighed deeply. "If Metallia comes into this, I can handle her easily enough."

Jedite blinked at her, then sighed, spreading his hands helplessly. "As for minions and youma who are 'loyal'--Lady, I fear that having the words 'youma' and 'loyal' together in the same sentence is a contradiction in terms, at least where the Negaverse is concerned."

Bridgette shrugged a little, hand reaching up to toy with the medallion in a strangely comfortingly familiar gesture of restlessness. "They only need to have a hate of Beryl that might override their better senses. Either that or more respect for you than Beryl."

"Lady--fear of Beryl and her famous temper can give any creature a large heap of common sense."

Zoë snorted. "Hmm; well--I know a few who'd band together if they weren't the only ones--safety in numbers, you know? And maybe one or two--" she trailed off, thinking, fingering her chin as she perched cross-legged on the edge of the table.

"An' what 'bout Zoë an' I? Are we supposed t' suddenly get along?" asked Nathan wryly, idly running his fingers through Molly's hair.

"Not necessarily, Nathan--there was too much animosity between the two of you while you were under Beryl's sway, for it to have been totally overcome. But none of you were foolish enough to know that it would be badly against your chances for survival to _not_ ally yourselves against Beryl. Obviously," Bridgette said, leaning against the mantle, arms crossed, "the three of you had to shove aside your differences for survival reasons, since Beryl will assume that all of you are traitors, since Jedite is free, and 'Nephrite' is still alive. But, argue all you want; the more the better--keep up the act."

Nathan flinched, then sighed, leaning over and pressing his face into Molly's hair a moment, then straightening again, grimacing. "Just bloody lovely. I 'pologize a'fore 'and, Zoë an' Mal'."

"Me too." Zoë said softly, moving over and hugging Nathan fiercely for a moment. Then she pulled back, grinning suddenly. "Actually, this could be fun."

"Speak for yourself," said Jared darkly, staring into the fire and looking uncomfortable in the uniform, his hand idly playing with the newly shorn ends of his hair.

"And just where do we fit in?" asked Ami, licking her lips nervously.

"Simple; where else would these four turn to, with Beryl against them, but her arch-enemies."

"Great."

Malcolm sighed. "We have to do this; I don't see any other way." He bit his lip, glancing at Zoë and Bridgette, then sighed. "Of course--it's--not going to be easy."

"But Molly--"

Bridgette shook her head gently, and stayed Luna's comment with a gentle, raised hand. With a calm expression, she pulled the chain of her locket over her head, crossed the room, and carefully it over Molly's neck, lifting her hair gently out of the way and then smiling faintly. "Take Yen, Molly; he will protect you should things get too bad." She placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, as she looked into her blue-green seriously. "As for other protection--I can give this to you, if you wish: I can awaken the latent powers in you, giving you abilities rather like the Scouts here."

Molly blinked. "Abilities? Like the Scouts?"

Bridgette spread her hands. "Think--all of the planets had a Scout except Earth. The Moon had one--" she shrugged.

"Sailor Earth?" asked Artemis flatly. "But all the Scouts were there in the past! How could you--"

Bridgette shrugged. "I can give her powers outright, of course, but it would disrupt less this way; altering the past a little is no problem. Not to mention that this way, Beryl won't see her sticking out like a sore thumb." Artemis sighed and nodded a little. "Besides, Artemis, I don't mean for her to be the only one defenseless."

"What about the cats?" asked Mina, scooping Artemis up and hugging him tightly to her chest. "I mean, they--"

"They are cats," Bridgette said, a faint hint of humor creeping into her eyes, "and that has it's own power, but I have already supplemented it as I have enhanced each of your powers."

"What do you mean 'supplemented' our powers?" asked Lita, sitting up sharply from her sprawl on the carpet before the fire at Jared's feet.

"Just that, Lita; they are much the same, but they are much stronger, and can be deadly--even Ami's bubbles. Be careful; they are stronger than you may remember. Also, you each have a new power, which will come to you, including the proper use, should the need arise."

"You sure they will?" Lita asked warily, rubbing at the back of her neck.

"Aye."

Everyone blinked blankly at Bridgette for a long moment, but finally Molly nodded, her jaw firming in resolve. "I--sure; what do I have to do?" She fingered the locket on her chest a moment, puzzling over how the chain had shrunk to fit her perfectly. "I have to help save Momma. And--well--I mean--I seem to wind up in these battles anyway--" she cast a half-smile at Melvin, then blushed and grinned at Nathan, who had the grace to blush in return.

Bridgette nodded, hiding a smile behind her hand. "Done, Molly." She laid a hand on Molly's shoulder, almost a caress. Molly felt a strange inner twist, as though her soul was reshaping itself to a newer, larger form. She shivered, closing her eyes, lights dancing on her eyelids, then jumped as she felt a weight suddenly appear in her hand. Startled, her eyes flew open, and she looked down to see one of the transformation pens like the other Scouts used. "I--"

Serena trotted over and hugged her friend tightly, smiling and chatting in low, excited tones with her. Darien watched them a moment, then approached Bridgette cautiously. "Miss Corwyn--if Molly's now Sailor Earth, and each of the Scouts were princesses of their planets--"

"Don't hurt yourself trying to think, now, Cape Boy," Zoë sneered. When everyone turned to stare she grinned broadly and giggled. "Just practicing! How was that?"

Nathan chuckled, throwing his arm around her shoulders with a grin. "Cute, Zoë. I thought 'bout drownin' ye; you've it down perfect."

Zoë giggled again and winked broadly, hugging back and smiling. "Sorry, Darien--uh--you were saying?"

Bridgette shook her head with a faint smile. "You are right, of course, Darien. That little 'gift' makes things complicated in the time schemes. Don't worry about that; it will right itself. And even if it didn't, it would be my problem to fix, as I was the one who caused it."

"Oh--I just thought I might have a sister, or something," Darien hoped his voice didn't sound as bitter as he thought.

"You do, in a way, Darien; just not this lifetime," Bridgette said with a smile.

Molly paused a moment, looking between Bridgette and Darien, the understanding dawned in her eyes, and she smiled and reached out and squeezed Darien's hand. The older boy looked startled, then smiled gratefully, giving her hand a squeeze in return.

Jared's features creased into a frown too serious for anyone but Jedite. "Something troubles me, Lady."

"Which is, Jedite?" Bridgette inquired calmly.

"Joerdan is ambitious, and he is no fool; he would have told Beryl of the four of us--"

"Do you think that Beryl would let it be known that four of her most powerful minions have escaped her? She and he will be one of a very select group that knows of your supposed return. I wouldn't worry about opposition on a large scale; at least not at first."

Jedite paused, then nodded sagely. "No. No, I suppose you're right. But if we are to be Traitors anyway, how can we expect to find any--"

"There are not many if any who followed Beryl out of loyalty," Malcolm said dryly, arms crossed over his chest, face black. "I would have--" he bit off his words, startled at the heat in the simple phrase.

Bridgette moved over to him, face shaded in concern, and he put his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly for a moment, face pressed into her shoulder as she sighed and stroked his hair soothingly. Zoë glanced at him, concerned, then sighed, tugging at the bottom of her jacket, straightening it. "Well--we might as well get this over with."

Bridgette nodded, not letting go of Malcolm until he pulled back to stand by Zoë, nodding his readiness. Bridgette raised her hands, twirling one arm and gripping something that slowly faded into view. It was a long staff of some dark wood with intricate runes spiraling up the rod and splaying out to become a dragon's claw, gripping a dark red, fire opal. She handed the staff over to Melvin. "Should anything other than one of us emerge, simply point the staff at them; it will know what to do."

"Uh--okay," Melvin said warily, taking the seat the Jared vacated as he watched Bridgette turn to the doorway, face set in concentration.

Everyone sighed as one and got up, moving to range themselves behind Bridgette, keeping close. As the glittering Portal slowly wove into existence, Malcolm poked Nathan in the side, attempting a smile. "We get to use your wine reserves for the Victory Party," he said, smiling, silver eyes warm. "You've always had good taste in booze."

Nate blinked at him, then grinned. "Fine," he said wryly, eyes sparkling as he gathered Molly close against his chest, "so long as we meet this mob in your quarters; you and Zoisite always were into the creature comforts."

Jared muttered grumpily, fingering the shorn ends of his hair. "I don't care if we meet in the damned throne room, so long as Zoë doesn't start laughing."

Zoë chased him through the doorway, shaking a fist in mock outrage as Bridgette ushered everyone through.

* * * * * * * *

"Nice place you have here," said Rei wryly, glancing around the slimy-looking walls that made up Malachite's and Zoisite’s quarters in the Negaverse.

"Stuff it, Mars," said Lita in good-natured annoyance, putting her hands on her hips.

Malcolm sighed inwardly, but on the surface, he assumed a deadly angry glare. "If you do not like it, Sailor Mars, you could step outside; I am certain that the wild creatures that roam these passages would be glad to discuss the neighborhood with you."

Rei blinked, then thought about the churning darkness outside the thin, but almost alive-seeming walls. "Never mind," she said quickly, managing to hide the shake to the words under a snarl. She flopped onto a "chair" and forced away a grimace at the feel of the cold stone against her legs.

Just then, Jared/Jedite came in followed by a cloaked figure and put on a good show of glaring distrustfully at Malachite. "Here is Memnon, as promised, Lord Malachite," he said stiffly, gesturing for the cloaked figure to join the group of milling youma that grouped nervously to one side.

Malachite nodded curtly, "Very well, Jedite." The youma glanced at the glaring silver-haired man and shrank back quickly, melting into the crowd.

Jedite sneered again, looking at the scouts with a look of such distaste that Lita's eyes widened. "Nice company you're keeping, Malachite."

"Shut up, whelp," Malachite snarled.

"They're getting into this, Serena whispered to Luna, hiding a grin.

"Hush!" the cat snapped back, putting her ears flat and hissing at Malachite a little.

Before Jedite left, he turned slightly, and Jared took over long enough to throw a hidden wink at the scouts.

* * * * * * * *

"Why have you gathered us here, Lord Malachite?" asked a tall, female youma dark blue skin and hair that looked was colored like a peacock's tail. "And how did you survive, anyway?"

"My methods are mine," Malachite snapped, glaring and crossing his arms again, raising a silver brow and daring her to continue with her questions.

Zoisite, floating cross-legged several feet up, laughed, sending a grin at Jedite when he winced. Nephlite snorted from where he leaned against a wall wearing a dark scowl on his face, shifting a little closer to Molly defensively. "You mean you snuck away, oh Brave Lord Malachite."

Malachite shot him a glare that could have melted steel. "As if you fared any better, Star Gazer!" He snapped, eyes narrowing dangerously. "You had to rely on these--these children to save you!"

"Hey--these 'children' kicked you butts last time I checked," countered Lita, obviously enjoying herself, eyes sparkling.

Before Malachite could snarl out a reply, there was a flare of light, and Bridgette made her entrance, a small crack of thunder silencing the crowd. In her hand, she held a blackened stalk of one of the only plants that grew in the Negaverse, and her expression, if anything, made the worst of the glares being exchanged in the room look like love pats. "Queen Beryl!" gasped one of the youma as the crowd of youma cowered back, dropping into bows.

Bridgette's eyes flared in anger, and she shot out a hand, grabbing the youma who had spoken roughly. "I think not," she snapped, glaring into his eyes with her darkest blue stare.

The terrified youma shrank away. "I--I see you are not, Lady. Forgive--"

Bridgette released it, only the scouts seeing the sick look on her face as she set the creature back down almost gently. "Plans have changed."

"Now see here, you--" began Zoisite, landing on the ground with an angry thump of her boots.

"Now you see here! I didn't waste valuable energy dragging you back to this world to hear you argue with me," Bridgette snarled.

If they hadn't forewarned them about her role, the scouts would have been shocked at the cold tones Bridgette used. As it was, Zoë took a couple of steps backwards, thumping into Malcolm's chest, his hand automatically catching her. "What's changed?" asked Nephlite calmly, a faint smile curling his lips as he glanced superiorly at Zoisite.

Bridgette held the stalk of the plant up before her. "We are not going to attack Beryl's forces as we initially planned." Her eyes flared a moment, and the dark, limp stalk suddenly straightened and turned green, a brilliant, dark purple flower unfolding from the stem as the roots reached down, cracking through the stone of the floor.

The room went completely silent as the plant leafed, turning into a lush carpet of the strange purple flowers--a dazzling cross between a lily, a rose, and a glass sculpture. "We are going to restore the Negaverse to what it was before Beryl destroyed it." Her glowing dark eyes leveled on the crowd. "And you are all going to help."