The sixth Scout arrives, and we have a new General to deal with. But, what about Zoicite and Malachite? And is Darien going to be safe when Beryl knows who he is?

Sailor Moon is copyright (c) 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation (c) 1995 DiC Entertainment

That night, Luna and Serena had a serious talk. “Do you think that Tuxedo Mask can be trusted with the Rainbow Crystals?”

Serena opened her Star Locket and listened to its haunting melody for a moment. “Luna, I think that he’s on our side. Every time that I’ve wanted to quit, he shows up and says just the right thing to make me believe that I deserve to be Sailor Moon. I just hope that the Moon Princess feels the same as he does. Even in our fight today, he was there for me.”

“I hope that you’re right about him. But I know for sure that you do deserve to be Sailor Moon. You’ve come a long way since I first met you. Goodnight Serena … sweet dreams.” Luna yawned before settling down on the bed for some shut-eye.

Serena closed her Locket and rested it under her pillow with her Transformation Locket. “Good night Luna. And thanks for believing in me.”

* * * * * * * *

Later that same night, Molly answered the front door of the mansion to a gruesome sight. Malachite was carrying Zoicite’s weakened body. The tears in his eyes told her that Zoicite didn’t have much time left. Molly took up command for the first time. “Girls! I need you all to help with this. Some of you signal the others to bring the Scouts here immediately. The rest of you help keep Zoicite alive until help arrives. Malachite, go get something to drink that isn’t alcoholic, and don’t argue with me - she’ll need you sober later on.”

“I see why Neflyte loves you so much. You never give up, do you?” Malachite finally asked as her handed his love over to the youmas of his one-time worst enemy.

Molly blushed hotly at that. “Not if I have the choice to keep on fighting.”

Neflyte came downstairs, shocked at the sight of Zoicite clinging to life on his and Molly’s couch. “Molly … Malachite, what happened?”

“Beryl discovered that Zoicite has grown impatient with the witch’s unfulfilled promises, and wanted out - like you. Beryl accused her of treason and attacked her with dark energy. Somehow, Zoi jumped towards me at the very last possible second. Otherwise she would be dead already. She said something about a visit that warned her to jump towards me at that moment. Can she be saved?” His voice gave away his exhaustion and underlying fear.

Serena spoke up, startling them into realizing that she and the other girls had arrived. “That’s what we’re here to do. And we don’t give up on possible friends that easily.”

Raye smiled. “In fact, we don’t give up on anything that easily.”

“So I have seen. Thank you all.” Malachite didn’t really realize that he was talking to the Scouts - yet.

Molly ran up to the other girls. “We’d better hurry if we’re going to help.”

“Right. Time to transform girls. MOON PRISM POWER!”

“MARS POWER!”

“MERCURY POWER!”

“JUPITER POWER!”

“SOLARIS POWER!”

In minutes all but one of the Scouts were standing there in front of Malachite. They took a huge risk by revealing who they were every day without knowing whether or not he would tell Beryl. But, when making friends under such circumstances, it can be a good show of faith and trust.

“I’ll never tell,” he muttered in his shock.

Zoicite gasped painfully, “Neither will I.”

“Rest, Zoicite. We’ll take care of you,” Solaris whispered as she brushed a few stray hairs from the woman’s pale face.

Sailor Moon nodded with a gentle smile on her face. Then, taking out her Crescent Moon Wand, she cried out, “MOON HEALING ACTIVATION!”

Slowly, Zoicite’s breath became steady and more even. Her color returned and she seemed to be resting comfortably.

“Zoicite? Zoi?” Malachite was terrified that it hadn’t worked.

Solaris checked for a pulse and was relieved to find one that was slowly gaining in strength. Then she turned back into Molly. “She just needs some sleep. It took a lot out of her. Looks like you could use some sleep too.”

“Why?” Zoicite had struggled to wake up again. “Why would you help me after I almost took away your love?”

Molly gently rubbed the weary woman’s forehead. “Because, you were only acting the way Beryl wanted you too. I know you’d never hurt my Neflyte on purpose like that otherwise. And the only way to make friends is to forgive and move on. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, I know someone who has been worried about you for a week will want to talk with you.”

That was all Zoicite remembered before sleep finally claimed her.

* * * * * * * *

Jasper appeared before Beryl the moment that Malachite left with a dying Zoicite. “Pathetic little weakling. Oh, his precious lover is dying. If she’d done her job it wouldn’t that way. Queen Beryl, I know I can get all those crystals back, and then get rid of Tuxedo Mask once and for all.”

"I don't want to get rid of him now." Beryl said. She had special plans for him. She still held tightly to her old memories and knew who Darien really is … or was, rather.

Jasper, on the other hand, was new and didn’t know many in the courts before their exile. "But he wants those crystals, my queen."

"I've decided to bring Tuxedo Mask here. He can be of great value to us." What she really meant was that she wanted him there. She wanted him at her side.

"But we don't know who he is." Jasper whined.

Beryl grimaced. This new General was becoming annoying quickly. "You don't, but I do. Now, be quiet and listen to my orders."

* * * * * * * *

Darien rested against his door once he finally made it home. He had tried to put off that his shoulder was too hurt, and had even hid some of the pain from Sailor Moon. But he was weak from the loss of blood. Jasper had cut him deep during the fight, and it still burned.

The fact that Moon had felt his pain made Darien wonder more if maybe she was the Princess in his dreams. But, if that were so, why hadn’t she said anything to him? Maybe she was confused by the dreams as well. He remembered how long it took him to realize that he was Tuxedo Mask.

Then he remembered how scared she had gotten once they were all in the dark energy dome. He hated when she got so upset about her leadership capabilities. He hated that he hadn’t seen Jasper rustling them all into it.

"I can't believe I was so stupid . . . getting cut by that energy blade and then falling into Jasper’s trap instead of rescuing the others. Grr. Almost got the Scouts and Neflyte toasted. If it weren't for Sailor Venus, we would've all been killed. Why was I so blind? I should have seen that dome coming at me and got out of the way.”

As he got up to sit on his couch, he didn’t notice the bloody mark he left on the door. The wound was worse than he at first assessed. But he hadn’t come up with a good enough story to go to the hospital yet.

The television flickered on by itself, showing a picture of Jasper. "Nice place, Darien."

"Huh? How did you find me?"

Jasper grinned, which turned Darien’s blood to ice. “You didn't think you could hide from the Negaverse forever, did ya Darien. Or should I really be calling you Tuxedo Mask?"

Somehow they now knew his secret identity. Damn! He’d have to get some help on this one, somehow. "What do you want, Jasper?"

"We're both tired of chasing after the Rainbow Crystals, so I propose a duel. You and me, winner takes all."

Jasper was trained Negascum, which meant he had something hidden up his sleeve. "I don't believe you."

"Oh, I'm serious. What's the matter, Darien? Scared to fight me without your Sailor pals and General along? Is that it?" Jasper taunted.

Darien was in no mood for taunts. "I'm not afraid, of you or anybody from your world."

"Good. Then meet me at the Starlight Tower at five o'clock this afternoon. Come alone, and bring the crystals with you."

Right then Darien wished he had left the real crystals with Neflyte and taken the fakes himself. Too late now. "Right. I'll be there."

"And Darien, maybe you should have a doctor look at that shoulder. Don’t want to make the victory too easy for me, do you? Ha, ha, ha, ha." Jasper shut the television off.

Darien sat there and watched the sunrise fill his apartment with light. He thought to himself, "Starlight Tower at five."

A duel with Jasper in one of the tallest buildings in the city, on his own. Darien was not treasuring the thought. And he had less than twelve hours to heal before the battle.

* * * * * * * *

Well, Beryl seems to have lost another two Generals. Man the pay cuts must have went deep this pay period. LOL

And did ya think I was going to cut out the threatening Darien scene? I’m mean (cutting out Zoicite being attacked by Beryl) but I’m not Beryl level malicious!

Let’s see just how good this can get. Hmmmm?