The Great Log Posting: Arc I

[Halbarad]

In a fit of insanity, I'm getting around to cleaning up and posting the logs of the original Sailor Moon game. I'll be making several topics - one for each major arc - and everything that I have IRC logs for will be posted. If any of the old players still have logs and can fill in holes that are missing, I'll be quite happy to fill in the gaps that currently exist.

And with no further ado, the logs...

[Halbarad]

[12:22] <Usagi-chan> -----
[12:23] <Makoto> "Lately? He's been looking at her like that for a while, I thi..." Makoto pauses. "Wait, are you trying to switch subjects on me?"
[12:23] * Usagi-chan flashes Makoto a brilliant smile. "Would I do something like that?"
[12:25] * Makoto glares at Usagi, before softening up her expression. "C'mon, Usagi! It can't be anything that bad!"
[12:25] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It's not, but it's really not something I should be talking about, at least not yet."
[12:26] * Makoto ponders on that. "Not yet, huh? So when -would- it be okay?"
[12:26] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I don't know exactly yet, it depends on what the person I was talking to decides and when."
[12:28] <Makoto> "Hmph, well, I can wait, I guess..." Makoto says, a bit grumpy about not getting in on the gossip
[12:34] * Ninja_Ami stops by the arcade, and decides to check up on her game scores. Noticing Usagi and Makoto, she calls out in greeting.
[12:34] <Ninja_Ami> "Heya guys."
[12:34] <Usagi-chan> "Oh hi, Ami!" Usagi gets up to greet the blue-haired girl, sensing an escape route.
[12:35] * Makoto looks over at Ami, and returns the greeting, "Hey Ami, what's up?"
[12:35] <Ninja_Ami> "Nothing. Just gellin'."
[12:35] * Ninja_Ami takes a seat beside Usagi.
[12:37] * Usagi-chan sits back down. "Let's get another round of cocoas-mine's kinda gotten cold." Usagi flags down Motoki, who is talked into bringing over three more cups of hot chocolate.
[12:38] <Ninja_Ami> "So what are you guys doing here?"
[12:40] <Makoto> "Just hanging around, really. I didn't feel like doing homework," Makoto says, a bit sheepish in reply to the girl genius.
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> "I was just talking with someone a while ago, and decided to stay and play a few games before I went home."
[12:41] <Ninja_Ami> "Makoto..." Ami sighs, shaking her head.
[12:42] <Makoto> Remembering that Usagi-chan mentioned she'd been talking to Rei on the communicator, as well as to get away from Ami's lecturing, Makoto asks, "Say, what were you and Rei talking about? This secret you can't share with me yet?"
[12:44] <Ninja_Ami> "Hmm?" That got Ami's attention.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan takes a sip from her cocoa. "If I TOLD you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, would it?"
[12:45] <Makoto> "Hey, you were talking about it with Rei! You can't tell me you can't share it with me and then say you were discussing it with Rei!" Makoto complained.
[12:47] * Usagi-chan fumes a bit. "Maybe it's Rei's secret, you ever think of that?"
[12:48] <Ninja_Ami> "She has a point, Makoto. You wouldn't want anyone telling your secrets would you?"
[12:50] <Makoto> "Hey, I'm just curious. Usagi seemed a bit depressed over it, so I asked," Makoto says defensively. "Besides, I didn't know it was Rei's secret, until she said so just now."
[12:51] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I really wish I didn't have to keep it a secret, Mako-chan, but I have to for now. Just promise me you won't go asking her about it yourself - she's having a hard time right now."
[12:55] <Makoto> "Hey, sure, no problem," Makoto says pulling her hands up, before looking at Usagi with a somewhat worried expression. "Still though, don't pile all of other people's problems onto yourself, Usagi-chan."
[12:57] <Ninja_Ami> "She has a point Usagi," Ami says, taking the girl's hand into here own and looking into her eyes. "You shouldn't try to take all of other people's problems as your own."
[12:57] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Don't worry about me, Mako-chan. But if you REALLY want to make me feel better, I might be soothed by some of your homemade cookies..."
[12:58] <Makoto> "Heh," Makoto says, perking up at the request. "You have yourself a deal, Usagi-chan."
[12:59] * Usagi-chan turns to Ami. "Hey, I'm Rei's friend - if I can do something to help her out, you bet I'll be there for her! Same goes for you guys, too. But right now I want some cookies to be there for me!" Usagi grins.
[13:00] <Ninja_Ami> "Heh. Same old Usagi," Ami smiles, letting her hands return to her drink.
-------------------------------
[15:02] * Usagi-chan answers her communicator. "Hi... uh, who is this?" Usagi stares at the screen for a minute. "Wait... is that you, Herb-san?"
[15:03] <Princess_Herb> "Eh?" Princess_Herb looks confused.   "Who else would it be?"
[15:04] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you're not usually a girl-not that I've seen, anyway. This is that curse thing that Luna was talking about, right?"
[15:05] <Princess_Herb> "Oh, right.   Yes, this is my girl side.   Nian just tipped a vase-full of water over onto me by accident, whilst going for the TV remote."
[15:06] * Usagi-chan giggles. "And they say cats are graceful. Anyway, what's up?"
[15:09] <Princess_Herb> "I decided to try your advice to have some fun, so I went to spar with some top-flight martial artists I know of by reputation.   I think this probably wasn't what you had in mind, upon reflection, especially since I ended up duelling a martial artist specialising in dragon-fighting martial arts."   Princess_Herb winces and holds something wickedly sharp and pointy up to the televisor.
[15:09] <Princess_Herb> "And he stabbed me with this during the fight.   It's a sword made from an ancestral dragon tooth."
[15:10] * Usagi-chan gasps. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you too much, I hope-do you need help or anything?"
[15:11] <Princess_Herb> "Feh...   It's just a scratch..." Princess_Herb says.   "I barely passed out at all."
[15:12] * Usagi-chan sees that Herb doesn't seem too worried about his injury, so she subsides. "Well, if you're sure you're okay... Did you have fun, aside from the dragon slayer guy hitting you?"
[15:13] <Princess_Herb> "No, that really put an early end to my day out, hime-sama."
[15:13] <Princess_Herb> "The really weird thing is that the magic on it had a side-effect...   I got visions of what I think was the distant past, but only very fleeting ones."
[15:14] <Usagi-chan> "Oh really? What kind of stuff did you see, something like the Moon Kingdom?"
[15:16] <Princess_Herb> "I don't know what it was, but it was a very beautiful place.   There was a palace and astonishing gardens, but I can't say if it was the moon or not.   I was thinking that maybe if someone could figure out how the effect worked, we could replicate it without the necessity of actually stabbing me in the side."
[15:17] * Princess_Herb grins "Nian says he's investigating it, for what that's worth."
[15:18] * Usagi-chan thinks for a moment. "Maybe Rei-chan or Ami-chan could figure something out. If it's got anything to do with visions, I'll bet Rei can figure out what's going on, and if it was something else, Ami's got everything else covered."
[15:22] <Princess_Herb> "Oh, there was something else.   Nian suggested that it might come in useful for killing any ancestral dragons that the Dark Kingdom had managed to subvert back up on the Moon.   He says he was joking, but it could be a fragmentary memory trying to surface,"   Princess_Herb scowls, "it's hard to tell at the moment."
[15:25] * Usagi-chan scrunches her face up with the effort of making a decision. "I guess... holding on to it makes sense; if he's wrong you can always throw it out later, and if he's right, we might need it."
[15:26] <Princess_Herb> "I can't throw it away.   The dragon-slayer guy said that he would come back to challenge me for it when he got more skilled.   I didn't have the heart to tell him I was only using a fraction of my true powers." Princess_Herb looks a little sad at that.
[15:29] <Princess_Herb> "Anyhow, I guess I'd better talk with your ouji-sama later, and find out if he has any ideas what I should do for fun in Tokyo that doesn't involve being stabbed.   Maybe when I come and see how the temple rebuilding scheme is coming along next."
[15:30] * Usagi-chan thinks about Mamoru's usual routine. "I've got a better idea-why don't you talk to Motoki down at the arcade? Mamoru's not exactly known for being a party animal or anything."
[15:40] * Princess_Herb considers that. "OK, I'll ask him. Whatever he says has got to be better than Nian's ideas..."
[15:41] * Usagi-chan giggles. "The all-wise and all-knowing mooncats sure can be wrong about a lot of stuff, can't they?"
[15:43] <Princess_Herb> "Their information is probably rather out of date, after all."   Princess_Herb smiles.   "Anyway, that's all I have for now, so I'm going to hang up now and try and heal a little.   I'll see you around, hime-sama."
[15:45] <Usagi-chan> "Good to talk to you, Herb-chan! Take it easy for a while." Usagi closes the connection.
[15:48] <Usagi-chan> -----
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another day passes in the life of the Sailor Scouts...Some dream of nice things like wounded Princess Herb...some dream of others, like Minako. Some even dream of the impending Dark Kingdom threat - Artemis.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> But in fact, it's Luna that gets the jump on the day...
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "WAKE UP, USAGI!" With that shout, the cat gives Usagi a poke that even the sleepyheaded girl can't ignore.
[10:42] <Usagi-chan> "OWWW! Luuunaaa, why are you so mean to me?"
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's time for school, Usagi! In TEN MINUTES!"
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "OhmygodI'mgonnabelateAGAIN!!!" Usagi gets herself ready for school in near record time, and even manages to grab her lunch before zooming out the door at top speed.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go out, you trip over the door frame, landing face first on the outside welcome mat.
[10:46] * Usagi-chan sits up and wails for a minute. "Waaaaaaah, that hurt!" A few seconds later, she realizes that she's STILL running late and manages to scramble up and take off again, limping slightly from a bruised shin.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get up, you are momentarily blinded by a flash of light.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> A second later, it is gone like dust in the wind...
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> But your skin crawls oddly...
[10:48] * Usagi-chan stops dead in her tracks. 'What in the world just happened? No time to worry now, I've gotta gooooo!' Usagi takes off yet again, apparently trying to set a land speed record.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhlie, as Usagi tries to race to school on time and almost makes it, Rei is just getting up in the morning...
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk out side in the cold morning air, Rei, you are taken off guard by a sudden, strong flash of light. Your supernatural senses light up like a Christmas tree, sending shivers down your spine.
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Oh no..." Rei breathes in a horrified whisper, extending her senses to locate the evil which has no doubt returned.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel a weak, but lingering sense of evil all around the city like a dark afterglow.
[10:52] <Rei-chan> "This is very bad..." Rei mutters, but unwilling to start panicking... yet. Instead she hurries into the main Shrine to kneel before the Sacred Flame and see if she can divine any wisdom from it. "This is just what I need today..." she remarks sarcastically.
[10:53] * Rei-chan tries to calm herself and meditate upon the Fire.
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you kneel before the Sacred Flame...you find yourself unable to focus on the fire, no matter how hard you try. Every time you start to lose yourself, something nags at the back of your mind...
-------------------
[19:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The sword shines all the while, puzzling you with it's strange light.
[19:48] * Usagi-chan glares at the new couple. "Excuse me for interrupting, but we DO have to figure out how to stop the end of the world here."
[19:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis sniffs at the sword. "It smells like Herb..." he mutters.
[19:50] * Rei-chan looks away from Usagi, her expression a mix of shame and anger.
[19:50] <V-chan> "I am so not sniffing that."
[19:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis looks at Herb. "What exactly is this?"
[19:53] <Princess_Herb> "It's a sword made from a dragon-tooth.   When I was stabbed with it, I had visions..." Princess_Herb grimaces.
[07:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really?" Artemis asks, curious.
[07:40] <Rei-chan> "What kind of visions?" Rei asks, with some interest.
[07:41] <Princess_Herb> "I don't really know; a beautiful palace, set in delightful gardens." Princess_Herb looks embarassed for not having more exciting visions
[07:43] <Rei-chan> "Hmmm..." Rei looks thoughtful for a moment, before her head suddenly snaps up. "Damn, I just remembered I still have all those wards set up from Sunday. Give me a second to activate them so we can at least have some privacy in here..."
[07:43] * Rei-chan takes a moment to centre herself, before chanting to activate the wards that had been placed around the room then forgotten after Usagi had used the Crystal.
[07:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You feel the wards activate.
[07:46] * Rei-chan nods in satisfaction. "I should have remembered them before... but at least now we won't get spied on."
[07:47] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," she extends her hands out, "Can I see the sword?"
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Vision of a palace, eh?" Artemis says. "Nothing more specific than that?"
[07:50] * Princess_Herb passes over the wickedly pointed, evil, evil dragon-killing blade
[07:50] <Rei-chan> Carefully handling the sword, Rei bites her lip as she tries to sense any specific supernatural emanations from it.
[07:51] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:51] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[07:51] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:51] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[07:52] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[07:52] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:52] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a strong, powerful aura around the blade. Further down, there is an ingrained power that seems to come from the very core of the weapon.
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first is a hostile energy, almost trying to reach out to Herb
[07:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The second does the same, but it feels more benign.
[07:54] <Rei-chan> "Hmm... there's some sort of power coming from the blade... I don't think it likes you, Herb. And there's something else, deeper inside... I think it likes you, though..." Rei tells the Dragon Prince.
[07:55] <Rei-chan> "I can't really tell you anything about the vision, though," she adds, apologetically.
[07:58] * Rei-chan carefully hands the sword back to Herb.
[07:58] <V-chan> "Is it safe for Herb to use?" Minako asks, uncharacteristically serious.
[07:58] * Princess_Herb nods "Maybe Mercury-hime could inspect it with her computer, when she has time?"
[07:59] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure... the blade itself seems very dangerous to him, but that other energy I felt... I don't think that means him any harm."
[08:01] <V-chan> "That's okay, then!" Minako smiles, nodding. "So, do we plan now?"
[08:03] <Rei-chan> "Well... we don't really know what to expect when we arrive, so it's hard to really plan ahead for that," Rei says. "We might have to fight through a horde of youma to even get close to Beryl, or we might arrive right in front of her..."
[08:04] <V-chan> "That's why we should--" Minako blinks, and glances at Rei sideways. "She can't listen now, right? For real?"
[08:05] * Rei-chan frowns slightly at the implication towards her wards, but nonetheless tries to sense if any hostile presence is currently observing them.
[08:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense no watching presence.
[08:07] <Rei-chan> "No, this room is sealed," Rei says, "They can't spy on us."
[08:08] <V-chan> "Great!" Minako pats Rei's shoulder. "Then, how about this? We'll go in two groups, teleporting over to the moon at once. And since that makes us kinda tired, we just show off our madly elite fighting skills honed from years of gaming and fighting crime! Then, we'll get our second breath and take down Beryl and that other thingy with her."
[08:08] * V-chan smiles. "Simple, yes?"
[08:09] <Princess_Herb> "I agree; I have plenty of martial arts weapons at home, if anyone needs them, but I plan on using this sword." Princess_Herb smiles.   "Even if there are no Dark Kingdom dragons to kill, it retains the ability to put knife-sized holes in youma."
[08:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei?" Your grandfather says from the door of the room.
[08:10] * Rei-chan blinks. "That's... a pretty good plan," she admits. "Herb has that sword to use, and I remember you creating a sword from your compact once... And of course, I have my wards!" She then turns at hearing her grandfather, "Yes, grandfather?"
[08:10] <V-chan> "And you have fire!"
[08:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You might want to turn on the television," he says.
[08:11] <Usagi-chan> "What about me, though? I can't exactly bash people over the head with my wand."
[08:11] * Rei-chan suddenly gets a very bad feeling as she turns on the TV.
[08:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> ...And at this current time, we are still unsure of what the disturbance downtown is, but the police have closed off most of the area, and witnesses report several 'monsters' roaming the area..." That snatch of news comes from a morning anchor person, along with the logo of BREAKING NEWS.
[08:13] <Rei-chan> "Dammit!" Rei curses, "They beat us to it... Well, we can't let this go. We need to stop them before we can counterattack," she says, standing up determinedly.
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Several monsters?" Luna asks. "Not just...one?"
[08:14] <Usagi-chan> "Do we have any idea how many there are?"
[08:15] <Rei-chan> "Only one way to find out. Everyone, transform!" Rei calls, holding up her transformation pen and crying "Mars Power, Make UP!"
[08:15] <Usagi-chan> "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[08:16] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Make UP!"
[08:16] <Princess_Herb> "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!"
[08:17] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense the exact location of the current youma attacks.
[08:17] * V-chan wraps up a golden chain around her waist.
[08:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing out to downtown Tokyo, you feel a small but strong pocket of pure Dark Kingdom energy,
[08:18] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, they're all concentrated in downtown Tokyo. They haven't spread out, but they feel pretty strong," Mars informs the others grimly.
[08:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[08:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you race to downtown, the population drops off as people move in the opposite direction. Soon, all you see are policemen...
[08:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go deeper in, you run into a line of them. They seem to be preventing people from coming any further.
[08:22] * Sailor_Moon leaps over the line of policemen without breaking her run. "Sorry officers, but we've got work to do!"
[08:23] * Sailor_Dragon flies over gracefully
[08:23] * Sailor_Mars continues running, athletically leaping over the line of policemen with no effort.
[08:23] * V-chan uses her acrobatic skills to jump over the cops gracefully, and runs after Mars.
[08:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you race onward, ignoring the policemen's cries, you soon come across a youma on a now abandoned street. A fish like creature with legs, it sees you and immediately attacks!
[08:24] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+9
[08:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+9 and gets 10."
[08:25] <V-chan> roll 1d6+11
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[08:25] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[08:25] <Sailor_Dragon> eoll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:25] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 15."
[08:29] * Sailor_Dragon attempts to skewer the fish with the Cutie Dragon Sword
[08:29] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[08:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon skewers the fish, leaving a nasty gash in it's arm and chest!
[08:31] <Sailor_Moon> "Moon Tiara Action!"
[08:32] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[08:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tiara cuts through the youma, reducing it to a pile of dark dust! Dusted!
[08:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a howl as it fades away, the youma dies.
[08:34] <Sailor_Mars> "That was easy enough," Mars remarks, trying to sense the next closest youma.
[08:34] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's hope all the rest are that easy."
[08:34] <V-chan> "My speech," Minako whines. "My beautiful speech...."
[08:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +1 mod.
[08:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[08:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 3."
[08:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[08:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+1 and gets 11."
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The energy around is becoming more and more oppresive, but you can sense several youma ahead and to the side, roaming. Also...a disturbance from where they seem to be pouring in from.
[08:36] <Sailor_Mars> "They seem to be coming in from a central point, but there's a few roaming around... I think we need to worry about stopping them arriving before we get the others," Mars, says as she starts to run towards the disturbance.
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, we have to stop them," Luna agrees.
[08:38] * Sailor_Moon follows Mars at a run without bothering to answer the cat.
[08:38] * V-chan runs alongside Mars, mumbling something.
[08:39] <Sailor_Mars> "What's that?" Mars asks, hearing the mumbling.
[08:39] <V-chan> "My new speech," Minako replies. "In case we don't get to make our other speeches."
[08:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sprinting down to the next street, you see six youma, all modeled after medievial swordsmen - except that they're furry, like dogs. A few people lie around, either dead or wounded by the puddles of blood they lie in. Also, there is some property damage.
[08:40] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm sure we'll recieve enough inspiration to come up with a good speech or two today," Mars replies cheerily, before becoming ashen-faced at the sight of the dead people around the youma.
[08:41] * Sailor_Moon blanches at the sight of the dead and injured, then her face hardens into a grim expression.
[08:41] <V-chan> "You hurt all those people! DIE! CRESCENT BEAM!" Minako screams, shooting at two adjacent youma.
[08:41] * Sailor_Mars comes to a halt, her expression contorting into furious rage. "I won't forgive this!"
[08:41] <V-chan> roll 2d6+2
[08:42] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[08:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> One ducks out of the way but the other is clipped by the beam, taking a chunk out of it's hide!
[08:43] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+9
[08:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[08:44] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[08:44] <V-chan> roll 1d6+11
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[08:44] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+11
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 17."
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> 16
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[08:51] <Sailor_Moon> "How dare you hurt all these people! Moon Tiara Action!"
[08:51] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+11
[08:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+11 and gets 19."
[08:52] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The one reamed by the Crescent Beam manages to dive out of the way, but the other one is not so lucky, taking a direct hit from Moon's Tiara!
[08:56] <Sailor_Mars> With an expression of focused rage, Mars calls upon the Fire which she controls, summoning flames around all the dog youma to set their filthy fur on fire!
[08:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-1
[08:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-1 and gets 2."
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The flames burst on all of the, and you can see fur begin to burn!
[08:59] * V-chan attacks the same two youma, determined to bring them to justice first. "Crescent Beam!" Minako cries out, sending a beam of golden death at the duo.
[09:00] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[09:00] * CyWyrm --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 6."
[09:00] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 8."
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a final whimper, both the injured youma fall to the beam! They dissipate on the concrete, as if they had never been.
[09:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The youma, racing forward, reach the Senshi!
[09:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> One swings it's wicked blade at Minako, and the other at Usagi!
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> And while Sailor Venus sidesteps, Sailor Moon leaps up to avoid the metallic stabby!
[09:05] * Sailor_Dragon steps forward to attack the youma trying to strike down Sailor Moon with the Dragon Cutie Blade
[09:05] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[09:05] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your strike hits blade as the youma deftly parries the attack!
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The final two youma, finally having reached the promised land of Sailor flesh, attack!
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> (Mars and Moon, respectively.)
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mars avoides the blow, but Sailor Moon is not fast enough...but...With a thunk, the blade is knocked away by a rose!
[09:08] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How disgraceful that youma attack the city! I will not allow this!", he shouts. "Go, Sailor Moon!"
[09:09] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+9
[09:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+9 and gets 12."
[09:09] <V-chan> roll 1d6+11
[09:09] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[09:09] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+11
[09:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[09:10] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[09:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[09:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[09:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[09:13] * Sailor_Moon targets the two youma closest to the senshi and hurls her tiara again! "Moon Tiara Action!"
[09:13] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Both youma are struck by the Tiara, causing them to stagger back in agony!
[09:16] * V-chan glares at the youma that tried to swing its blade at her, and retaliates with another Crescent Beam against it and its friend.
[09:16] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[09:16] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 9."
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:17] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:17] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You ream two more youma, and one falls, never to get back up!
[09:19] * Sailor_Dragon flies forward to strike down another youma
[09:19] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[09:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a slice, the head of the next youma falls to the ground, as does the body a moment later!
[09:21] <Sailor_Mars> Summoning the element to which she is bonded, a great gout of fire erupts from Mars' outstretched hand. As she closes her fist over it, the flame resolves into a 4 foot long narrow length. Nodding in satisfaction, she then moves to finish off the nearest sword wielding youma with fiery vengeance!
[09:21] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[09:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> THe next youma falls to a tearing, flaming slash!
[09:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The last one, burning and injured, takes another look before running straight away!
[09:24] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:25] <Sailor_Mars> Letting her flame blade dissipate, Rei holds up her two clasped hands and yells "Fire Soul!" shooting a spiralling fireball at the youma's back!
[09:25] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[09:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your fireball slams into it's back, reducing it to dust!
[09:25] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[09:25] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> AS the final youma falls, you look around. Bits of fire from the battle burn, and a few bloodsoaked bodies lie around.
[09:26] <Sailor_Mars> Trying not to look at the corpses nearby, Mars then tries to get a fix on the centre of the disturbance which is sending youma into Tokyo.
[09:27] <V-chan> "We'll do what we can for them later," Minako says. "Let's stop the rest of the youma."
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Artemis agrees. "Let's keep going."
[09:29] * Sailor_Moon swallows hard and nods.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Sensing ahead, you can tell the main disturbance is close. Perhaps another block away after a turn...
[09:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, it's just a block away. Let's hurry!" Mars says, before taking off at a run towards the disturbance.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Running to and past the turn, the 'disturbance' is seen.
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> A portal, perhaps as wide as a long limosine and tall as a one story house, twists and turns in the middle the street. Shops and boutiques are flanked by a small horde of youma by the portal, at least 15.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> More seem to be coming, you notice.
[09:35] <V-chan> roll 1d6+11
[09:35] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+11 and gets 12."
[09:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+11
[09:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 15."
[09:37] <Sailor_Mars> "The Earth is not a place for youma to ravage! For Fire and Passion, Sailor Mars will stop you!" With that, Mars summons a massive incandescent ball of flame to erupt right on top of the portal entrance to disorient and burn the assembled youma.
[09:37] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[09:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10."
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The huge ball of fire bursts, causing shouts of pain and disorientation.
[09:44] <V-chan> "Carrying the protection of the star of beauty, Venus, I am the Senshi of Love, Sailor Venus!" Minako announces, posing, as she takes place between Sailors Moon and Mars on one side, and the youma guarding the portal on the other. "And for ruining my beautiful invasion plan with your own, prepare to be punished!" She points her right index finger at two of the youma, and cocks an imaginary trigger, sending a Love Crescent Shower at them.
[09:44] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 9."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack slams into two of the pained, burned youma, dusting both of them.
[09:47] * Sailor_Dragon dives on one of the youma, attempting to kick it into a group of the others
[09:47] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[09:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack connects, sending one youma caroming into three others!
[09:55] * Sailor_Moon glares at the youma. "If you think for one minute we're going to let you do what you did to the Moon Kingdom again, you've got another thing coming! The Senshi of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon, will punish you!"
[09:56] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:03] <Sailor_Mars> Holding up her transformation pen, Sailor Mars focuses her spiritual power against the Dark Portal in an effort to seal it.
[10:04] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[10:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10."
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your pen crackles with red energy as you focus your will...With a small shout you didn't even know you made, you throw all you have at the portal. You can feel it buckle and begin to shrink.  It's then that your world explodes. A massive force, scary in it's pure level of power, thrusts back from beyond the portal. You feel your will being shredded like toilet paper as the portal swells again and the mental backlash comes at you.
[10:08] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[10:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[10:09] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[10:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 8."
[10:09] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[10:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 7."
[10:09] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[10:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> A burst of dark energy erupts around Rei, sending her flying backwards. She bounces on the street 20 feet away once, and lays unmoving. Her face is twisted in a grimace...(40 damage and you're out like a college student after a bender.)
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> To the others - A visible dark energy is beginning to seep out of the portal now...tendrils are leaking out, and moving around the street.
[10:13] <Sailor_Moon> "Rei-chan!" Moon gasps in horror as Mars is hurled away from the portal. Recalling what she did to create the shield, she tries to clear her mind and focus on the light of the crystal in her mind, willing it to close around the portal like a vice.
[10:14] * V-chan looks at the scene in horror, before throwing her all against the portal in vengeance, helping Sailor Moon.
[10:14] * Sailor_Dragon concentrates and uses the primal dragon energy of her own soul to buttress the sexy soldier, Sailor_Moon
[10:16] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[10:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You grasp the light in your mind...it comes to you easier this time, almost as if it wants you...
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can feel it in your mind's hand, ready to be thrown...
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel your fuku slip and melt away as another, older dress clads your body.
[10:20] * Serenity-hime recalls the fragments she can remember of the fall of the Moon Kingdom. "I won't let you do it again!" With that, she hurls the energy in her hand at the portal.
[10:21] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[10:21] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Projecting the energy you see in your mind, you toss it forward at the darkness...They meet with a clash of light and darkness, dueling for position in the streets of Tokyo and above1!
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, you push and are pushed back and forth, unable to immediately dispel the darkness back into the portal.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:22] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[10:22] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a wave of your wand, the light pushes the darkness back into the portal! Now, to close the portal before the darkness comes again...
[10:24] * Serenity-hime shapes the light of the crystal in her mind, picturing it squeezing the sides of the portal together until it seals completely.
[10:25] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+1
[10:25] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+1 and gets 13."
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> You squeeze...and push...and finally, the portal closes, a final backlash of energy blinding you. When your eyes open, Usagi Tsukino is lying on the pavement.
[10:26] <Sailor_Dragon> "Damn it all!" Sailor_Dragon cries in frustration
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around, you see the few youma left are injured and confused. They seem more interested at gaping at where the portal was than attacking.
[10:28] <V-chan> Throwing a quick glance Rei and Usagi's way, Minako glares at the group of youma where Herb kicked his opponent earlier, and flings a Love Crescent Shower at their entangled bodies; all four of them. "Let's end this quickly!" she yells to Herb.
[10:28] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:28] <Sailor_Dragon> "You've hurt the Moon Princess! Prepare to die!" Sailor_Dragon shouts as she lifts herself into the air and calls down a mighty ki blast upon the youma.   "Soaring Dragon Spirit!"
[10:28] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The youma die without resistance, falling like they had no energy left to begin with.
[10:29] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[10:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:31] <V-chan> Seeing all the youma dusted, Minako calls out to Herb, "Please check on Usagi!" before rushing over to Rei's side.
[10:31] * Sailor_Dragon looks at the unconscious princess to see how badly she's hurt
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus - Rei is ashen faced and unconcious, but she is breathing. She has what looks to be several large bruises forming, and a gash on her forehead.
[10:32] * V-chan cradles Rei's head in her lap, staring at it.
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon - Usagi is cold, and barely breathing. She looks like a corpse more than a breathing(Barely) human being.
[10:34] * Sailor_Dragon puts her ear to Usagi-chan's chest to listen for her heartbeat
[10:34] * V-chan eventually shakes her head, resolving to deal with the situation first. "Herb, I'll take Rei back to the shrine," she calls out to the other conscious senshi. "How does Usagi look?"
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can almost hear one...it's there, but distant...and you're afraid it's fading.
[10:35] <Sailor_Dragon> "Mostly dead..."
[10:35] * Sailor_Dragon gives Usagi mouth-to-mouth to see if that helps
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do so..."USAGI!" You hear Tuxedo Kamen shout as he runs to her side.
[10:36] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:36] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:37] * V-chan attempts to use her compact to disguise Rei as herself, in civillian guise.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kneeling gently, he touches Usagi's face...
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks to Sailor Dragon. "We have to help her, quickly!"
[10:41] * V-chan raises to her feet, and gathers the disguised Rei up in her arms, heading towards Usagi quickly.
[10:42] <V-chan> "Mamoru, Herb, we have to try and teleport to the hospital Ami's mother works at," Minako says, arriving.
[10:42] <V-chan> "Can you hold Usagi, Mamoru?" she asks.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course," he quickly says.
[10:43] <V-chan> "Herb," Minako diverts her attention towards the other senshi. "Take our hands, and concentrate on that hospital."
[10:44] <Sailor_Dragon> "I don't know anything about it, V-hime, but I'll try"
[10:44] * V-chan quickly describes the place she wants to get to for the benefit of the other two.
[10:47] * V-chan brushes a strand of Rei's hair away from her forehead, and concentrates on getting to the hospital she specified.
[10:47] <V-chan> "SAILOR TELEPORT!" Minako cries out desperately.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a flash of light...you find yourself in a bathroom.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> All of you feel bone tired from that one last exertion...
[10:48] * V-chan looks around for a way out of the bathroom.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a public bathroom, and the door out of the empty men's room is easy enough to find.
[10:48] <V-chan> "Let's go!" Minako calls over her shoulder, rushing outside and taking a look around.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> You find yourself close to the Emergency department, a sign says.
[10:51] * V-chan rushes towards the reception desk there, and yells for help.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> A nurse comes out, looking at you in shock. "Wha..." she starts.
[10:51] <V-chan> "Two girls got caught in the crossfire!" Minako tells her anxiously. "You have to help them before it's too late!"
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Crossfire? Nevermind!" she says, quickly shouting out for help and examining Usagi. "The girl here is in shock!"
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The doctors whisk away Usagi and Rei back away with speed.
[10:56] * V-chan grabs her two allies, and drags them away before any questions could be asked about what happened.
[11:03] * V-chan heads away from the emergency ward, using the stairs to go up a level. Then, seeing no one on the stairway, she drops her transformation, motioning for the others to follow her lead.
[08:33] <V-chan> "Wait a sec," Minako tells Herb and Mamoru, before getting her communicator and calling Ami.
[08:34] * Ninja_Ami answers.
[08:35] <Ninja_Ami> "Venus, what's up?"
[08:35] <V-chan> "We've had a lot of trouble," Minako replies, frowning. "How are things over there?"
[08:36] * Ninja_Ami runs a scan, looking for any more youma.
[08:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - After the last youma you KO'ed, you detect no more.
[08:38] <Ninja_Ami> "We're all clear over here. What happened? Where are you?"
[08:38] <V-chan> "Ami, things got pretty bad on our side. The youma were easy, but that... that thing, with the black tendrils... he knocked Rei out, and then hurt Usagi pretty badly. We managed to close the portal and fight it off, but Rei's unconscious and Usagi went into shock. We had to do an emergency teleport to the hospital your mom works at. Now...." Minako sighs. "Now we have to run damage control."
[08:42] <Ninja_Ami> "The hospital. I'll get Jupiter and meet you there."
[08:42] <V-chan> "No, wait!"
[08:43] * V-chan shakes her head. "Can you take Usagi's place at school? If you have some disguise item, just like I do."
[08:45] <Ninja_Ami> "At school?" Ami sounds a bit uncertain. "But if she's hurt shouldn't we all be there for her and Rei?"
[08:46] <V-chan> "Do you want her parents to find out?" Minako asks, grimacing. "How would we explain it to her? Or to the hospital staff? Or to her teachers and classmates?"
[08:46] <V-chan> "I'll take care of Rei, and Mamoru... he's here for Usagi."
[08:48] <Ninja_Ami> "Er, right. I can do that. You want Jupiter there at least?"
[08:49] <V-chan> "I don't know." Minako grimaces again. "I don't know, okay! Just... do what you think is right. I'll call you later, Ami."
[08:49] * V-chan ends the call.
[08:51] <V-chan> "Well, that's the plan," she says, sighing. "Herb, I saw you disguise yourself on a few occasions, so maybe you could pretend to be a janitor or nurse and hang around the emergency ward?"
[08:52] <V-chan> Sighing, she takes out her cellphone. "Damn, I need to call Rei's grandfather, too."
[08:52] * V-chan dials the number for the shrine.
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello," Yuuchiro says. "Hikawa Shrine."
[08:53] <V-chan> "Umm, may I talk to Rei's grandfather?" Minako asks.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei's grandfather? Sure, hold on." A few minutes pass before the line is picked up. "Hello?"
[08:54] * V-chan takes a deep breath. "Mr. Hino? Could you... could you come to this hospital?" Minako asks him quietly, giving directions. "I'll meet you downstairs."
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hospital?" he asks quietly. "Is..Rei...?"
[08:55] <V-chan> "She'd be okay!" Minako says quickly. "But, well, things didn't go so well, and...."
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," he says, far away from the normal perverted airs he puts on. "I'll be there soon." *Click*
[08:58] * V-chan takes her ribbon out of her hair, letting her tresses go free. "I'll be waiting downstairs, I guess," she tells Herb and Mamoru. "Take care...."

[Halbarad]

[09:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------------
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako and Grandfather Hino soon meet and go up to Rei's room, after wrangling some info from the front nurse. Rei is in a private room, bandaged and sleeping quietly. Her face still has an unpleasant look to it, as if she's having a bad dream.
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile, Mamoru stays with Usagi...and soon enough, you think you hear Kenji and the rest of her family coming to the hospital room.
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hours pass...it's nearly time for classes to let out for the day...
[09:09] <faux-Minako> As time passes, Rei's movements become more energetic, with her tossing and turning in her bed. Suddenly, she sits bolt upright, her eyes flashing open with an expression of stark terror on her face.
[09:10] * V-chan grabs Rei's hand.
[09:10] * faux-Minako looks around breathlessly, her eyes not really seeing what is before her.
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up from the magazine he was idly perusing, Rei's Grandfather looks up. "Rei!? Are you alright?"
[09:10] <V-chan> "Rei, you're in a hospital," Minako tells her, before wincing. "I also disguised you. It seemed like a good idea at the time...."
[09:11] <faux-Minako> "Wh... what happened?" Rei asks, shivering.
[09:11] <V-chan> "We won," Minako tells her reassuringly. "The portal is closed, and all the youma are destroyed."
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You did good, Rei," your grandfather says, nodding.
[09:12] <V-chan> "So, Rei... how do you feel?"
[09:12] * faux-Minako pulls up her knees and clasps her hands in front of them. "It was so awful... I... I don't think I can describe what I felt there." Tears of shame begin to track down her cheeks. "I never had a chance against something so powerful..."
[09:13] <faux-Minako> "Did... did Usagi use the Crystal?"
[09:13] * V-chan isn't sure what to do, before hugging Rei.
[09:13] <V-chan> "Yes," Minako whispers. "She didn't have a choice."
[09:13] * faux-Minako doesn't really respond to the hug, not seeming entirely there.
[09:14] <V-chan> "You'll be okay," Minako says reassuringly.
[09:15] <faux-Minako> "I... I know it's name now... it was inside my head. I was nothing to it..." the distressed miko sniffs. "The leader of the Dark Kingdom is called Metallia..."
[09:16] <V-chan> "So now we know what to put on the headstone," Minako jokes. "C'mon, we'll definitely win the next round, too."
[09:18] <faux-Minako> "No..." Rei looks away from Minako, "You can't begin to imagine how powerful it was... It swatted me aside like I was nothing..." She then looks at Minako very intently. "I had a vision a while back. I saw it, it destroyed the entire Earth, and killed everyone." she says matter of factly.
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your grandfather pats your leg comfortingly, not speaking but merely smiling peacefully and reassuringly instead.
[09:18] <V-chan> "The Earth seems okay to me," Minako quips. "Besides, wasn't it in that vision that I was killed? By Endymion and Kunzite?"
[09:19] <faux-Minako> "Yes... yes, Endymion and Kunzite where there, too..." Rei says distantly. "But Kunzite is dead, and Endymion is back on our side?"
[09:20] * V-chan nods happily. "Don't you see? We're winning!"
[09:20] <V-chan> "There's no such thing as a future set in stone!" Minako continues with conviction.
[09:21] * faux-Minako looks doubtful, but doesn't reply. After a long silent moment, she speaks. "So, how is Usagi doing?" she tries to change the subject.
[09:21] * V-chan looks away in discomfort.
[09:22] <faux-Minako> "She... she's okay, isn't she?" Rei asks insistently.
[09:23] <V-chan> "Yes," Minako responds. "We got her to the hospital in time. Mamoru is with her now."
[09:24] <faux-Minako> "She's in hospital?!" Rei cries in disbelief, before looking away in shame. "It's all my fault. If I was stronger..." she lets the thought trail off, as she thinks of how it would be impossible for her to be strong enough to match Metallia.
[09:25] <V-chan> "At least you could do something instead of standing there and watching," Minako says bitterly.
[09:26] <faux-Minako> "Yeah, a lot of good I did," Rei says, her voice filled with self reproach, before swinging her feet off the bed. "I want to see her."
[09:27] * V-chan bites her lower lip. "Maybe you should check out first? And, umm, transform back?"
[09:27] * faux-Minako notices a strand of blonde hair obscuring her vision as she gets up. Curiously, she fingers it. "What happened to my hair?"
[09:27] <V-chan> "Well, I wanted to protect your identity, so...." She plays with her hair, curling it around a finger.
[09:28] * faux-Minako fingers her face, feeling it to be different than it should be. Acting on a hunch, she tries to do what she normally does when transforming back from her Sailor Mars form.
[09:29] <V-chan> "Neat, huh?" Minako asks, laughing nervously.
[09:29] <Rei-chan> "Okay, so where is Usagi?" Rei asks, not wanting to get sidetracked.
[09:30] <V-chan> "Follow me," Minako says simply, and leads the way, relieved that Rei wasn't mad at her.
[09:30] * Rei-chan follows, her eyes darting uneasily towards the shadows as she does so.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your grandfather follows as well, staying quiet and to the back.
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Down the hall is Usagi's room. She is laying on the bed, her parents nearby. A IV machine is hooked to her arm, and she makes no motions except for gentle, slow breathing.
[09:32] * Ninja_Ami walks into the room just as the others get there.
[09:33] * Makoto follows shortly after Ami.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru is also there, and it seems as if he and Usagi's father have been trading evil eyes and odd looks throughout the day. Mamoru looks relieved when you finally show up.
[09:34] * Rei-chan goes over to stand next to Usagi and strokes her forehead, praying that Usagi's sleep is less troubled than her own had been... "She's... going to be okay?"
[09:35] <Rei-chan> "Right?" Rei asks, more insistently.
[09:35] <V-chan> "You bet she is," Minako replies firmly.
[09:35] * Ninja_Ami checks Usagi's chart.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The doctors said she went into shock," Her mother says. "But they say she'll be okay once she wakes up..." Hopefulness is evident in her voice.
[09:37] <Rei-chan> "Yes... she's strong, she'll be okay..." Rei says, starting to sound more distant again.
[09:38] * Rei-chan feels something in the back of her mind, and tries to sense any evil in the area.
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Make a Soul check
[09:39] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:39] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense EVIL in the hospital...it's close...
[09:40] * Rei-chan suddenly looks around, totally panicked. "I sense a dark presence nearby!" She pulls out an ofuda, but fumbles and drops it.
[09:41] * V-chan frowns, and looks at Rei's grandfather. "Can you sense it?" she asks him.
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hum?" Shinji says, looking at Rei funnily. So does Mamoru and the rest of Usagi's family.
[09:42] * Rei-chan turns a very hurt look on Minako as she picks up her ward and moves by the door, trying to localise the feeling she got.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I sense nothing," he murmurs to Minako. "Maybe you should go lay down some more, Rei," he says soothingly.
[09:42] * V-chan shakes her head. "No, I believe Rei-chan," she says, and takes out her compact, looking at the people in the room with it.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Besides the confused looks of Usagi's family, you see nothing unusual. No illusions to be seen.
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "You can't feel it?!" Rei asks disbelievingly, "But it's so strong!" She continues trying to get a fix on it.
[09:43] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+1
[09:43] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 6."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense no evil around you.
[09:44] * Rei-chan suddenly blinks and deflates. "It's gone now..." she looks around like a lost child, "I... I was so sure..."
[09:45] * V-chan goes over to Rei and pats her shoulder. "She's watching us all the time," she whispers to Rei. "She's playing these games with us."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps we should call a nurse for Rei," Kenji says. "She looks unwell," he sounds uncomfortable and rather creeped out.
[09:45] * Rei-chan nods distractedly, "Yes... yes, that must be it... they're playing with me..."
[09:45] <Ninja_Ami> "Rei," Ami says sympathetically.
[09:46] <V-chan> "Hey, you weren't there!" Minako snaps at them. "Leave Rei-chan alone!"
[09:46] * Rei-chan puts a hand to her head, "I think maybe I should get some fresh air..." with that, she unceremoniously walks out of the room.
[09:46] * V-chan follows Rei.
[09:47] * Ninja_Ami sighs.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi has such strange friends, that dumpling head..." Shingo mutters.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> After Rei and Minako leave, her family turns back to Usagi.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> They are subdued, and obviously distressed.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> In particular, her mother seems on the border of tears as she plays with the front of her dress.
[09:53] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi, please wake up soon," Ami thinks, glancing at her friend's mom.
[09:54] * Makoto nods. "Wake up soon, I have those cookies I promised ready..."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You brought cookies?" Ikkoku asks. "Thank you..."
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So...do any of you know how this happened? The hospital said she was brought in, in shock," Kenji starts.
[10:00] <Ninja_Ami> "No sir," Ami begins. "I didn't know anything until Minako called."
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see..." he murmurs. "God, what was the girl doing? Why now..."
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi..." her mother murmurs, sniffing.
[10:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I...Usagi..." she chokes out, starting to cry.
[10:05] * Makoto walks over to Usagi's mother and pats her in the back.
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kenji walks over, gently holding Usagi's mother as she begins to cry. "Usagi will be okay..." he softly says to her.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do any of you know what happened?" he asks, as he cradles his wife.
[10:09] * Ninja_Ami shakes her head sadly.
[10:10] * Ninja_Ami walks over to Usagi and takes her sleeping hand. "She'll be alright. Usagi is strong."
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, I believe so to," Grandfather Hino says. "I'm sure Usagi will be back to driving Rei crazy at my temple soon."
[10:13] * Usagi-chan flutters her eyelids weakly and groans softly.
[10:14] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi? Usagi!"
[10:15] <Usagi-chan> "Where am I?"
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "USAGI!" Her family seems to shout at one, congregating at her bedside.
[10:16] <Ninja_Ami> "You're in the hospital, Usagi. The doctors say you went into shock."
[10:16] * Usagi-chan blinks, trying to collect her memories. "Did... did I do it?"
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do what, Usagi?" your father asks, peering at you. "Are you alright?"
[10:19] * Ninja_Ami squeezes Usagi's hand a bit, hoping to bring her mind up to speed.
[10:20] * Usagi-chan takes on a worried look as another memory drifts to the surface. "Is... Is Rei all right?"
[10:21] <Makoto> "Usagi," Makoto says with a small smile at seeing her awake and surrounded by her family. Walking over to her side as well, she holds up a bag of cookies. "I have your cookies, as promised."
[10:21] <Makoto> "Rei's okay, she's outside with Minako."
[10:26] * Usagi-chan relaxes back onto the bed. "Thanks, Mako-chan..." As if for the first time, she notices her family there. "Daddy? Mom? What are you doing here?"
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We came as soon as we heard you were in the hospital, Usagi," her mother says. "Of course we'd be here."
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, we're right here for you, Usagi," her father chimes in also.
[10:28] <Usagi-chan> "You shouldn't worry about me... I'll be okay..." Usagi's voice drifts off as she slips back into a doze.
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We'll protect you, Usagi," Mamoru says, smiling at her as she falls asleep.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few more hours pass, these more peacefully. Nurses come in and out, checking on Usagi and saying that she is looking better now.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei and Minako come back shortly after Usagi falls back asleep.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the afternoon slips away, all three Tsukinos happen to be out of the room to get a bite for a quick dinner.
[10:35] * Usagi-chan opens her eyes slowly and yawns, taking a moment to get her bearings.
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi?" Mamoru says. "How are you feeling?"
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Usagi," Rei says a bit nervously as she sees the blonde wake up.
[10:36] * V-chan gives the other blonde a friendly wave.
[10:37] <Usagi-chan> "Really, really tired." Upon hearing Rei's voice, Usagi turns towards her and smiles. "Rei! You're all right! I was so worried about you..."
[10:38] * Rei-chan examines her feet carefully as she replies. "I'm so sorry, Usagi. If I was stronger, you wouldn't have needed to use the Crystal..."
[10:39] * Prince_Herb gives Usagi-chan a bunch of yellow roses.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you alright yourself, Rei? You still don't look so good," Mamoru says, frowning. But before you even reply, he's back to Usagi.
[10:40] <V-chan> "You look fine," Minako reassures her, playfully slapping Rei's arm.
[10:40] * Rei-chan clenches her fists at Mamoru's not so veiled insult, before brightening a bit at Minako's reassurance.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Rei - you couldn't have known it was that strong. You did your best, right?"
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "Yes... my best..." Rei agrees sadly.
[10:42] * Usagi-chan weakly reaches out and accepts the roses from Herb. "Thank you, they're beautiful."
[10:42] <V-chan> "We all did our best," Minako agrees. "But we weren't all together. United we win, alone we stumble and fall?"
[10:42] <Ninja_Ami> "Something like that," Ami agrees.
[10:43] <Prince_Herb> "You're welcome, hime-chan.   What you did today was extraordinary." Prince_Herb says
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, you stopped the portal," Mamoru says. "I don't know if all of the rest of us together could have."
[10:44] <V-chan> "Maybe we could," Minako muses. "I'll have to ask Artemis...."
[10:45] * Rei-chan folds her arms around herself as she remembers her experience trying to match wills with Metallia...
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, I don't mind a bit. That crystal is powerful, but man does it pack a wallop when you use it." Usagi leans back and sighs tiredly.
[10:46] * Rei-chan smiles slightly, glad that at least Usagi wasn't affected by Metallia like she had been...
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, how did the rest of the battle go?" Mamoru asks this of Ami and Makoto, who he hasn't had a chance to talk to yet.
[10:47] <Ninja_Ami> "We kill youma good," Ami jokes.
[10:47] <Makoto> "They didn't stand a chance," Makoto says confidently.
[10:48] * Usagi-chan glances around the room. "What happened to my mom and dad? I thought they were here before..."
[10:49] <Makoto> "They went out while we kept watch, Usagi-chan," Makoto says.
[10:49] * Usagi-chan groans softly. "I don't know HOW I'm going to explain this one to them..."
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They wanted some dinner and felt that as long as we were here that you were safe," Mamoru says.
[10:50] <Ninja_Ami> "On the bright side, you passed your English test today."
[10:50] * V-chan smirks.
[10:51] * Usagi-chan looks puzzled. "Huh? How did I manage that?"
[10:52] * Ninja_Ami turns her head and coughs. "A miracle."
[10:53] * Usagi-chan looks back and forth between Ami and Minako before shrugging.
[10:53] <V-chan> "A certain genius took your place at school, so you wouldn't get in trouble," Minako helpfully explains.
[10:54] * Usagi-chan gives Ami a grateful smile. "That takes care of school, I guess... but what do my parents know?"
[10:55] <Ninja_Ami> "Not much. You went into shock. You asked about Rei when you last woke up. Other than that, nothing I should hope."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They've been asking, though," Mamoru says.
[10:56] <Makoto> "They basically ought to know you tried something with Rei from what you said," Makoto says.
[10:58] <Makoto> "Well, if they were paying attention seeing as you just woke up, anyhow," Makoto amended.
[10:58] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes. "I made a real mess of things this time, didn't I?"
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "No, you saved us all," Rei says firmly.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You did fine, Usagi." Mamoru says this comfortingly, holding her hand.
[11:00] <Ninja_Ami> "You stopped the evil from winning. You did good, Usagi," Ami replies.
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, but Rei-chan got hurt and I wound up in the hospital. I don't want to see any of you guys get hurt."
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi? You're awake!" The cry of Usagi's mother from the doorway gets your attention.
[11:04] <Ninja_Ami> "We're tougher than that!" She lifts Makoto's arm and squeezes a bicep.
[11:05] * Rei-chan swallows the comment she was about to make as Ikkuko enters.
[11:05] * Makoto reddens at Ami's action. "Ami!" Makoto says a bit embarrassed.
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> She hurries over to Usagi's bed and leans down. "How are you feeling, dear?"
[11:05] * Usagi-chan breaks into a weak grin. "Hi mom... guess I overslept again today, huh?"
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi..." she says. "Always getting into trouble..."
[11:07] * Usagi-chan looks away from her mother. "Guess I've got a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You do...what happened, Usagi?" she presses. "I'm worrried about you, dear. You've had such a hard month or so."
[11:11] <Usagi-chan> "I remember... being on the way to school, then it's all mixed up after that. What did the doctors tell you?"
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They said you were brought in during the incident downtown..." she trails off. "Usagi...people died there today...I'm just glad you're okay...." she starts crying softly, hugging Usagi.
[11:12] * Usagi-chan sits up in the bed slowly, putting one hand to her head. "Wow, kinda dizzy..."
[11:12] <V-chan> "People won't be dying after tomorrow," Minako mutters quietly.
[11:13] * Rei-chan grimaces at the unpleasant reminder of the fatalities. "Looks like I broke my promise..." she whispers almost inaudibly,
[11:13] * Usagi-chan looks at Minako and nods slightly.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei is officially released from the hospital shortly after, and allowed to go home for the night. Despite wishes from elsewhere, Usagi's doctors insist that she spend the night for observation.
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi's parents complain but lightly, then seem happy that Usagi is safe and sound at the hospital.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> And another night passes, this one without incident. The news is covered with stories about the 'Tokyo Incident', as the papers are calling it.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The death count is estimated at 12, with millions of yen of damage.
[11:20] * Prince_Herb reads the papers to look for any mentions of sailor senshi
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The official story is that a group of revolutionaries attempted a hostile attack on Tokyo but were repelled by the police.
[11:28] <V-chan> "Ready to take on those revolutionaries, Rei-chan?" Minako attempts to joke.
[11:29] * Rei-chan looks at Minako with tired eyes, having not slept well at all last night. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replies, trying to sound confident.
[11:30] <Usagi-chan> "We'll put an end to it today, Rei-chan. I promise."
[11:30] * V-chan spreads her arms wide, turning around in a half-circle. "All this," she says. "We're going to defend this city, this world."
[11:31] * Rei-chan nods distantly, extending her senses to try and detect any evil in case the Dark Kingdom try another pre-emptive attack.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan grins. "Beats having Umino try to tutor me for history, that's for sure."
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Soul check.
[11:32] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[11:32] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense nothing...the city feels quiet.
[11:33] * Rei-chan nods. "Well, now's as good a time as any. Everyone ready?" she asks, sounding only a little bit uncertain.
[11:33] <V-chan> "You know how we get tired when we teleport?" Minako asks suddenly.
[11:34] <Makoto> "No, seeing as I've never done the teleport, I wouldn't know," Makoto answered with a shrug.
[11:34] <V-chan> "Well, when Mamoru, Herb and I teleported with Rei and Usagi, the two of you were unconscious. It was a bit more tiring, but it got me thinking. Well, afterwards. Not right then." Minako shakes her head. "Anyway, why not try it again?"
[11:35] <Rei-chan> "So some of us just come as passengers?" Rei clarifies. "That might be a good idea, so some of us are fresh when we arrive."
[11:35] * V-chan nods excitedly. "Exactly, Rei-chan!"
[11:35] <Usagi-chan> "Okay then, who's going to teleport and who's going to be the passengers?"
[11:36] <V-chan> "Rei, Usagi, Herb and I are the only ones who really practiced the teleport," Minako replies. "Not to mention together, with one another."
[11:36] <Rei-chan> "That works," Rei nods.
[11:36] * V-chan smiles. "Let's try it, then?"
[11:36] <Usagi-chan> "I'm ready when you are!"
[11:36] <Ninja_Ami> "Sure thing."
[11:36] * V-chan transforms.
[11:36] * Rei-chan takes a deep breath, holding up her transformation pen before crying "Mars Power, Make UP!"
[11:37] * Usagi-chan holds her brooch as she shouts the words of the transformation. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[11:37] * V-chan offers her hands to Usagi and Rei.
[11:37] * Sailor_Mars smiles slightly, feeling a bit more confident in her Sailor Senshi form as she takes Minako's offered hand.
[11:38] * Ninja_Ami raises her pen. "Mercury Power, Make UP!"
[11:39] * Makoto grasps her transformation pen as she too transforms with a cry of, "Jupiter Power, Make Up!"
[11:39] <V-chan> "Let's concentrate on the old Moon Palace," Minako suggests. "We should have the best memories of it."
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good luck, girls," Luna says.
[11:40] <V-chan> "Take care of things on this end, Artemis," Minako tells her cat.
[11:40] <Sailor_Moon> "Thanks Luna. Next time you see us, we won't have any more Dark Kingdom to worry about!"
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We will...come back alive, Minako. Please."
[11:40] * V-chan smirks. "V-chan never loses!"
[11:41] * Sailor_Mars refrains from commenting that she has no recollection of the Moon Kingdom whatsoever, but uses the images she recieved of the Moon when Metallia entered her mind to help pinpoint the Dark Kingdom's lair.
[11:41] * Sailor_Moon takes Venus' and Dragon's hands.
[11:41] * Sailor_Mars takes Sailor Dragon's hand.
[11:41] * Sailor_Moon concentrates on her strongest memory of the Moon Kingdom, the balcony just outside the princess' chambers.
[11:42] * V-chan concentrates on her memories of the palace.
[11:43] <V-chan> "SAILOR TELEPORT!"
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a flash of light and wind, the outside world vanishes! You feel yourself flying, moving towards something upward!
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> For a moment, in odd slow motion, you see yourself on a cratered, gray surface. Massive cold and pressure assails you for a moment...but...your eyes are drawn to Usagi and her Crystal. With a flash of light, the cold, pressure and darkness fade away! In it's place is a courtyard in what looks to be a dark, twisted version of the palace. Shadows dance across the walls as motes of light flicker about. No monsters are seen about offhand.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> A cold courtyard. It is paved with black dull stone, and a fountain that gushes no water sits in the middle.
[11:46] * Sailor_Mars lets go of Dragon and Venus as she looks around cautiously, extending her senses to take in the aura of the place.
[11:46] * Sailor_Mercury summons the Mercury computer and scans.
[11:47] * Sailor_Moon looks around and racks her memories for anything resembling this place.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - The moment you send your senses out, you feel your mind being assaulted by darkness in all directions! An enveloping gloom covers the area and converges on your mind!
[11:47] * Sailor_Mars shudders and clutches her head, cutting off her supernatural senses as quickly as she can.
[11:48] * V-chan holds Mars steady.
[11:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Such a strong dark energy..." she whispers in awe.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - After a few blips and bloops, your computer gives you an error message - UNABLE TO ANALYSE AREA.
[11:48] <Sailor_Mars> "It's everywhere... I can't tell where to go..." Mars says, her tone adopting the same distant manner she used after waking up in the hospital yesterday.
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you adjust to the area, you notice it is mildly cold, but not terrible. The walls around you are of a more reflective black stone, and they add to the low level of light.
[11:49] <Sailor_Mercury> "Feh, the computer won't be any help. We're going in blind?"
[11:50] * V-chan materializes a sword from her compact. "Sure."
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up, you see that the sun sheds a weak, pale light to the area. The sky is bright with stars, however, twinkling like dying embers in the darkness of space.
[11:50] <Sailor_Moon> "Well, we can't stay here. Come on, this way is as good as any." Moon starts walking towards the nearest doorway, keeping her eyes open for any movement or sound.
[11:51] * Sailor_Mars follows Moon, her eyes furtively darting towards every shadow.
[11:51] * V-chan walks near Sailor Moon, ready to leap to her defense at the first notice.
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[11:52] * Sailor_Jupiter follows as well, her eyes also darting around, ready to protect her friends.
[11:52] <V-chan> "Mercury, can you scan for lifesigns or illusions nearby?" Venus asks, without looking back.
[11:53] * Sailor_Mars suddenly shrieks and falls to her knees, covering her ears. "No... No!" she mumbles, extending her hands to try and ward off the darkness which surrounds her.
[11:54] <Sailor_Moon> "Mars!" Moon rushes to Mars' side and wraps her arms around the panicked senshi. "It's okay, Rei-chan... there's nothing here."
[11:54] * V-chan looks around for any attack, torn between doing that and being there with Usagi, helping Rei.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> V-chan - while creepy, the area holds no threat that you can see.
[11:55] * Sailor_Mars clutches her ears and screams even louder, her head falling to the floor as she writhes as if in pain.
[11:56] * V-chan drops her sword to the ground, and hugs Rei close to her.
[11:56] <Sailor_Mars> "Get away..." she wails weakly, trying to ignore the commands in her head.
[11:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[11:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10."
[11:56] <Sailor_Moon> "Rei! Calm down, it's going to be okay!" Usagi gives Rei a tight squeeze. "We're here for you."
[11:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Minako...? Usagi...?" Mars says tremulously, the words of her friends beginning to get through the horrid voice of Metallia in her mind.
[11:58] * V-chan brushes Rei's hair soothingly.
[11:58] * Sailor_Moon nods. "It's okay, Rei, I won't let them hurt you no matter what."
[11:58] * Sailor_Jupiter keeps looking around, in case something is drawn by Rei's passing screams.
[11:59] <Sailor_Mars> With a supreme effort of will, Mars comes back to herself. "I... I'm okay..." she sniffs, "It's fading now..."
[12:00] * V-chan pecks Rei on the cheek. "You did great fighting it off, Rei-chan!"
[12:00] <Sailor_Mars> "She's so strong..." Mars whispers, standing up on wobbly legs.
[12:00] * Sailor_Moon nods. "If anyone can beat this, you can, Rei-chan."
[12:00] * V-chan grabs her discarded sword.
[12:02] <Sailor_Mars> Firming her stance, Mars tries to show some confidence. "I won't let them beat me. We have to protect the Earth," she says determinedly.
[12:02] <V-chan> "For Earth and chocolate milkshake!" Minako announces.
[12:02] * Sailor_Mars suddenly shivers and looks around.
[12:02] * Sailor_Moon stands up next to Mars. "So let's go get rid of them once and for all!"
[12:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Let's go," she says uneasily.
[12:03] * V-chan nods, and walks next to Rei.
[12:03] * Sailor_Moon nods slowly, then starts back for the doorway she was heading to before.
[12:04] * Sailor_Mars follows Moon.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk through the large, ornate doorway, a hallway of sorts appears. This seems to be a more functional walkway than anything else, simple black walls and motes of light show the way.
[12:05] * Sailor_Moon halts for a moment to listen for anything in the hallway.
[12:05] * Sailor_Mars pauses as well, looking around warily.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can almost hear rustling, like a bug skittering across the floor, or wind blowing across a desolate moor...
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around, you see the shadows cast by the dim light, but nothing else.
[12:07] * Sailor_Moon takes her wand in hand and starts down the corridor again slowly.
[12:08] * Sailor_Mars follows, ready to react at the slightest hostile action.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hall way goes a bit more, to another door. This door is made of a dark, varnished wood and looks heavy.
[12:09] * Sailor_Moon moves towards the door and listens again.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> You hear...nothing except the breathing sounds you and the other Senshi are making.
[12:10] * Sailor_Moon motions the other senshi to move closer to her, then slowly opens the door-trying not to make it squeak.
[12:11] * Sailor_Mars moves next to Sailor Moon, ready to meet whatever is on the other side.
[12:11] * Sailor_Jupiter nods at Sailor Moon's motion and follows closely behind Mars.
[12:11] * V-chan is, as always, by Rei's side and ready for action.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door opens smoothly, and into what looks to be a large kitchen.
[12:12] * Sailor_Mars enters the room and looks around.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Wood burning stoves, counters and old cooking instruments are lined about, under a large coat of dust.
[12:12] * V-chan blinks.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - You have the sudden flash of giggling in here, eating cookies with a brownhaired girl. Makoto - vice versa, with a blonde haired little girl.
[12:13] <V-chan> "Guess Beryl orders out."
[12:13] * Sailor_Moon glances over at Jupiter.
[12:13] * Sailor_Mars looks around for any other exits from the kitchen.
[12:13] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks as the memory from the past hits her, and looks towards Sailor Moon too.
[12:14] <Sailor_Moon> "Cookies?"
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a small door to the left that looks like a service door and a larger, two door affair like what goes out of a fine restaurant's kitchen.
[12:14] <Sailor_Jupiter> "You got hit with that memory too?" Jupiter asks.
[12:14] <Sailor_Mars> "The big door is more likely to take us towards where Beryl will have set up shop," Mars thumbs towards the larger door before moving towards it.
[12:15] <V-chan> "Let's make a delivery to Beryl, shall we?" Minako asks, walking towards the larger door and listening to what's beyond it.
[12:15] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:15] * Sailor_Moon nods. "This place is seriously creepy though." Moon nods to acknowledge Mars and moves towards the door.
[12:15] <Sailor_Mars> "It's too quiet," Mars agrees. "They know we're here..."
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Suddenly, a clattering sound echoes out in the abandoned kitchen! Looking over, you see a set of rusty, old knives fell to the ground just now.
[12:17] * Sailor_Mars puts a hand over her racing heart at the noise. "Definitely playing with us," she mutters angrily before pushing the doors open and entering the next room.
[12:17] * V-chan follows dutifully.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ahead, a large hall way with another set of double doors is ahead. The hall is not overly long, but long enough to muffle any noises from the kitchen.
[12:18] * Sailor_Moon follows Mars and Venus into the hallway, still glancing back at the kitchen.
[12:18] * Sailor_Mars gestures for her companions to follow as she walks over to the next doorway.
[12:18] * V-chan gets to the next doorway ahead of Rei, and opens it.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next doorway opens, revealing a huge dining hall. Long, long, long dark oaken tables spread out, enough to seat a thousand. On the other side of the hall, a table set horizontal to the others and with a throne at the head sits. Oddly, unlike the rest, it is dust free.
[12:20] <Sailor_Mars> "They must use this room..." Mars muses, running a finger along a spotless table.
[12:20] * Sailor_Moon walks towards the head table, feeling oddly attracted by it.
[12:20] * V-chan imagines a scene of youma eating cafeteria food there, and giggles.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> All - A flashing fragment of memory surfaces, of a grand ball, dancing, food, laughing...birthday party?
[12:21] <Sailor_Mars> "Wha-?" Mars brings a hand to her head, startled at getting her very first memory of her life in the Silver Millenium.
[12:22] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Another memory," Jupiter states quietly, looking at her friends.
[12:22] * Sailor_Moon nods in agreement. "A party... but I don't remember whose."
[12:22] * Sailor_Mars nods, before shaking off the memory as irrelevant. Instead she focuses on looking for other exits from the room.
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And your last memory," A familiar voice chuckles.
[12:22] * Sailor_Mars whirls at the sound of the voice.
[12:23] * Sailor_Moon whirls to face the voice.
[12:23] * Sailor_Jupiter whips around to look at the sound of the voice, ready to fight.
[12:23] * V-chan turns towards the voice, readying an attack.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The royal chair shimmers, and in it appears Kunzite. "Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, Sailors. It's been...too long, I think. Far too long for this."
[12:23] <Sailor_Mars> "Kunzite?!" Mars says, startled, "I thought we finished you off?"
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, you did fairly well for a bunch of Sailor Failures," he says, laughing, "But to think you could defeat the strongest of the Dark Generals? HA!"
[12:25] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:25] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:25] * Sailor_Mars firms her stance. "I'm ready to give it a second shot," she growls, thinking of the injury she recieved from him and how to repay him once again.
[12:25] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:26] <V-chan> Having been readying herself to attack as soon as she faced the Dark General to whom the voice belonged, Minako lets loose a huge number of laser beams at him, calling out "Love Crescent Shower" as her greeting.
[12:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kunzite does not attempt to dodge, instead flickering as the attack hits the chair he's sitting on, tearing a large chunk of it away.
[12:26] <Sailor_Mars> "An illusion?"
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, eager I see!" he laughs again. "But worry not...we have eternity to settle our differences, Sailors...No one leaves the Dark Kingdom, girls...no one..." he finishes as the image fades away.
[12:27] <V-chan> "Seems like we did defeat him, if all that's left is a pathetic ghost," Minako boasts.
[12:27] <Sailor_Jupiter> "You ran away last time, this time you've got nowhere to run. You're toast, Kunzite!" Jupiter shouts at the vanishing figure. "Illusions won't help you in the end!"
[12:28] <Sailor_Moon> "Maybe no one leaves the Dark Kingdom... but there won't BE any more Dark Kingdom by the time we're done here!"
[12:28] * Sailor_Mars dismisses the pathetic figure of Kunzite from her mind. He's nothing more than a lackey, after all.
[12:29] * Sailor_Mars suddenly shivers at the voice whispering in her ear, "No... I'm nothing like you!" she yells out.
[12:29] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:29] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:30] * V-chan feels emboldened and revitalized by scaring the strongest of the Dark Generals into a shameful retreat.
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning, you see the tables are now adorned with food - the skeletons of what look to be men in armor. With a flash, you recognize the armor of the Moon Palace guard...
[12:31] * V-chan overturns the nearest table in anger.
[12:31] * Sailor_Moon turns away from the gruesome sight, a single tear running from the corner of her eye.
[12:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Come on," Mars says brusquely. "No use standing around." She then looks for the exits from the room.
[12:31] * V-chan follows Mars, gripping her sword tightly.
[12:32] * Sailor_Jupiter follows as well, wishing to move away from the room.
[12:32] * Sailor_Moon hurries after Mars, a tight expression on her face as she wipes the tear away.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are several exits, on the other three walls of the room. (Barring the kitchen wall.)
[12:35] * V-chan walks over to the rightmost door, and opens it, peeking beyond it.
[12:36] * Sailor_Mars pauses in contemplation, trying to sense which door will take them to Metallia, without fully opening up her senses like she did earlier.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> It leads into a small sitting room, perhaps to sit people before they make their grand entrance.
[12:36] * Sailor_Moon looks through the door opposite the kitchen entrance.
[12:36] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:36] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:36] <V-chan> "Mine's clear," Minako announces.
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense...nothing ahead. You think. Maybe.
[12:37] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "I can't tell which way we should go..."
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Moon - Your door leads into a dingy hall way. It looks like a simpler entrance than the previous.
[12:39] <Sailor_Moon> "Nothing special here... looks like it might be a servants' entrance?"
[12:39] <Sailor_Jupiter> "We'll just check them all then, Mars," Jupiter says as she checks on the last door.
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The last door...refuses to budge. The ornate, paneled door does not move in the slightest to your pushes.
[12:40] * Sailor_Mars follows Jupiter. "Need a hand?" she asks, trying to help push it open.
[12:40] * V-chan moves over to Jupiter, curious.
[12:40] * Sailor_Moon walks over to where the other three are attempting to open the last door.
[12:40] * V-chan tries hacking at the door with her sword.
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door is strong, and you only leave a small, shallow cut across the wood.
[12:41] <Sailor_Mars> "I wonder..." Mars muses, considering that it might be more than just the door being locked, she tries to sense if there is anything supernatural holding it in place.
[12:41] <V-chan> "Let's set it on fire!"
[12:41] * Sailor_Moon places her hand against the door, unsure of what else she could do.
[12:42] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense the door is bound by the massive, evil presence behind it...ARGHHHHHHHH!
[12:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Everyone get back!" Mars yells, leaping away from the door and holding her arms up. "Mars Snake Fire!" she screams, sending the massive vipers head flying at the door and the presence behind it.
[12:45] * V-chan leaps back, readying an attack in case something's behind the door.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The viper bashes against the door, reducing it to burned rubble. Behind it, you find...another sitting room, like the previous one.
[12:46] * Sailor_Jupiter leaps back as well, worried over Mars reaction
[12:46] * Sailor_Mars carefully enters the room, looking for any sign of what she sensed.
[12:46] * Sailor_Moon barely manages to scramble out of the way of Mars' attack, snuffing out the smoldering ends of her hair after she gets out of the way.
[12:47] <V-chan> Minako rushes past the blasted doorway, and tries to swing the next door open.
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, you find...nothing unusual. Even the overwhelming sense of evil is a bit lighter in here, almost mockingly so.
[12:51] * Sailor_Mars bangs a fist against the wall. "Stop toying with me!" she yells angrily.
[12:53] * Sailor_Moon shudders at something and covers her ears. "No..."
[12:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi...?" Mars turns a worried glance at her friend, recalling what Metallia has been doing to her, and wondering if Usagi is now experiencing the same.
[12:54] * Sailor_Moon collects her senses and looks at Mars. "Is that... is that what you've been hearing?"
[12:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Metallia? She's getting to you, too?" Mars asks, rushing to Moon's side.
[12:56] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "No... it sounded like Beryl to me."
[12:57] <Sailor_Mars> "No... I could handle it if it was Beryl," Mars says quietly. "Beryl is just a lackey. Metallia is the thing that destroyed the Moon Kingdom. The thing Beryl wants to release again."
[12:57] <Sailor_Dragon> "I sense...nothing."
[13:02] <Sailor_Moon> "It doesn't matter what its name is. We'll defeat whatever the Dark Kingdom throws at us!"
[13:02] * Sailor_Mars nods doubtfully. "So which way do we go?"
[13:03] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Any way should lead us to them eventually, so I say we just go through here," Jupiter says.
[13:03] * V-chan agrees, and heads through the door she opened
[13:03] * Sailor_Moon nods, and follows Venus closely.
[13:04] * Sailor_Mars follows Minako. That door had to be sealed for a reason, after all.
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next door leads a wider hallway, decorated with old, ruined paintings and shattered works of art. Occasional doors break the black walls, and distantly, you can see another doorway opposite.
[13:06] * V-chan heads towards the doorway on the other side.
[13:06] * Sailor_Moon glances at the artwork as she follows Venus down the hallway.
[13:06] * Sailor_Mars follows behind Venus, remaining alert for any possible ambush.
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Moon - One of the pictures freezes you in your tracks. An unruined painting of Queen Serenity adorns the wall - one of her dead and bleeding on the floor, her dress gone and her body...descrated.
[13:08] * Sailor_Moon stops dead in her tracks and draws in a long, shuddering breath.
[13:08] * Sailor_Jupiter stops behind them as Moon stops and looks at what she is staring at, also drawing in a deep breath at the sight.
[13:09] * Sailor_Mars turns to see what has stopped the others, and blanches. "Those monsters..." she breathes.
[13:09] * V-chan turns towards the commotion, and walks towards the picture, slashing at it with her sword.
[13:09] * Sailor_Moon turns away from the painting, a grim expression on her face and unshed tears in her eyes. She stalks past Venus and opens the door without waiting for the others.
[13:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The painting falls to ribbons easily enough.
[13:09] * Sailor_Mars turns and quickly follows Moon.
[13:10] * V-chan runs up to Mars and Moon.
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The end of hallway door opens into a large ballroom. Another flash and another tickle of a birthday party...of dancing with Rei and Minako...of laughing with Makoto and..someone else...
[13:14] <Sailor_Moon> "So many happy times..." Moon says to herself quietly.
[13:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting in the center of the room, you see a chair with a white dress over it. It looks familiar...
[13:16] * Sailor_Moon walks over to get a closer look at the dress.
[13:16] * V-chan looks for other exits.
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you approach...Dancing...again...Mamoru?
[13:17] * Sailor_Moon slows down, trying to get hold of the fleeting memories floating through her mind.
[13:17] * Sailor_Mars casts a worried glance at Moon.
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> They flirt through you mind like the motes of light flutter around the palace...as hard as you try, you cannot catch them.
[13:18] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head and walks to the chair.
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a start, you remember wearing this dress and dancing...dancing with Rei and Minako, then with...
[13:19] <Sailor_Moon> "Why can't I remember?" Moon puts a hand to her head.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking at the dress...you can almost remember.
[13:20] * Sailor_Moon picks up the dress and inspects it.
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you pick it up, memories flood in...of that night, the dancing, the birthday party...the bleeding, the crying, dying cold...as the dress begins to ooze blood, staining it's white color.
[13:22] <Sailor_Moon> "No!" Moon throws the dress to the ground and steps back in horror.
[13:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi!" Mars quickly moves over to the other girl.
[13:22] * V-chan whirls towards Usagi's shout.
[13:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking again, you see that the dress is unstained and unbloodied.
[13:23] <V-chan> Seeing that Usagi is alright, Minako picks one of the five doors in the room, and heads to open it.
[13:23] <Sailor_Moon> "It was... I remembered the night the Dark Kingdom attacked." Moon shudders, recalling the horrible images that went through her mind.
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, you see another service hallway.
[13:24] * V-chan checks the next door, going clockwise.
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next door leads into a ornate sitting room,w ith beautiful chairs and tables.
[13:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't get bogged down in the past, Usagi. We're fighting to make a new future for everyone," Rei says, with some semblance of confidence.
[13:24] * V-chan checks the rest.
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> A flicker of memory hits Minako...
[13:25] <Sailor_Moon> "I know... It was just..." Usagi's voice shakes.
[13:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting in the royal ballroom's parlor, you remember chatting with Ami about palace gossip...and laughing about Makoto's publically botched date incident...and how she got revenge in a most unladylike fashion.
[13:26] * V-chan chuckles at the memory.
[13:27] <Sailor_Mars> "Remember, you are Usagi Tsukino. Not some dead girl from thousands of years ago. Don't fight for a dead kingdom, Usagi. Think of the bright future we have on Earth," as she speaks, Mars feels her own spirits lift at getting out her thoughts on the matter.
[13:28] <V-chan> Not finding anything interesting behind the other doors, Minako returns to the room where she got a fragment of a memory, stepping in cautiously.
[13:28] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath, then stands tall. "You're right, Rei. I am Usagi Tsukino, and I've got everything to live for." She turns and gives Rei a fierce grin. "But I'm also Princess Serenity, and I'm going to make the Dark Kingdom pay for what they've done to me and my friends in the past!"
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The chair seems to beckon you...you remember sitting on it before, a long time ago.
[13:29] <Sailor_Jupiter> "C'mon, let's keep moving guys, the longer we dwell on the past, the more time Kunzite and the Dark Kingdom has to prepare for us," Jupiter says as she moves after Venus.
[13:29] * V-chan obliges the chair, trying to jog her memories.
[13:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Just remember that we do have a future after this is over," Mars cautions, before following Jupiter.
[13:29] <Sailor_Moon> "I know, I'm not going to forget. I think we're headed towards the apartments next, past where Minako is now."
[13:30] * Sailor_Moon follows the other senshi into the sitting room where Venus is.
[13:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Will that take us towards the throneroom? I bet that's where Beryl has set herself up."
[13:30] <Sailor_Moon> "If I'm right, the throne room is just past there."
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus - You remember laughing so many balldays away here between dances...so many small memories appear.
[13:31] * Sailor_Mars nods grimly, mentally psyching herself up for the impending confrontation.
[13:31] * Sailor_Moon places a hand on Mars' arm. "Remember, Metallia CAN be beaten. She wouldn't be trying to mess with your mind if she wasn't afraid of that."
[13:32] * V-chan stands up, and explores the room some more.
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the room, a memory hits Makoto.
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> You remember pushing the far wall with your friends...a passage back to your guest room straight from the ballroom.
[13:32] * Sailor_Mars suddenly pauses. "I never even thought of that..." she whispers, shocked. "You're right. We can, and we will win!" she says, now burning with fierce determination!
[13:33] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks at the memory and quietly moves towards the far wall, and pushes experimentally on it.
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> As of their own accord, your hands find just the right spot on the wall, revealing a push back wall that reveals a dark, narrow hallway.
[13:34] * Sailor_Jupiter calls out for the others' attention.
[13:34] * Sailor_Moon stares at Jupiter in shock as she stands before the newly-revealed passage. "How did you know that was there?"
[13:34] <Sailor_Mars> "Where does this lead?" Mars asks, walking over to Jupiter.
[13:35] * V-chan tries to check the visibility in the tunnel, muttering about not bringing a flashlight.
[13:35] <Sailor_Jupiter> "I just...remembered," Jupiter said. "It heads to my room. My old room."
[13:35] * Sailor_Moon nods. "You lead the way then." Usagi moves to follow the tall senshi.
[13:36] * Sailor_Mars likewise follows.
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hallwas takes a few turns and goes on a ways, before coming to a dead end. There is a ring on the wall, as it to be pulled to move the segment of wall in front of you from this side.
[13:37] * Sailor_Jupiter frowns, not quite remembering, and pulls on the ring to see if that would get them to the room.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> It pulls, if a bit rusty. Inside...A very thin layer of dust covers a large, if simple bedroom. A single bed, a closet and a few tables take up the room. If not for the tiny bit of dust, it could be used today.
[13:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto -  You frown. This is your room, but...it's far different.
[13:40] * Sailor_Jupiter tries to jog her memories looking around
[13:40] * V-chan looks around, trying to find some pictures of baby Jupiter.
[13:41] * Sailor_Mars goes to the bedroom door, then pauses and looks at Jupiter. "Something wrong?"
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus - No pictures.
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Jupiter - Nothing but a few fleeting fragments of what the room should look like.
[13:42] * Sailor_Moon glances around the room with interest.
[13:42] * V-chan pouts cutely, and then walks outside.
[13:42] <Sailor_Jupiter> "It's...different. Wrong. This is my room, but it just doesn't -feel- like it," Jupiter says, not quite sure if that makes sense.
[13:42] * Sailor_Jupiter shakes her head and tries to remember how to get to the throne room from here.
[13:42] <Sailor_Mars> "They probably redecorated. Maybe the generals took over the senshi's rooms," Mars shrugs, "Anyway, no time to sightsee. We should move on."
[13:45] * Sailor_Moon nods and heads for the main door to the bedroom.
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you open the door, you feel yourself suddenly slowed by an increase in the dark aura that pervades everything.
[13:45] <Sailor_Moon> "I don't like this..."
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hallway is even darker, and the darkness seems to... move and writhe of its own accord.
[13:46] * Sailor_Mars shivers, pulling out a ward and chanting, "Rin, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen... Akuryo Taisan!" to try and disperse the evil energy from their immediate presence.
[13:46] * V-chan covers Rei's flank, holding her hand pointed at the darkness.
[13:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei -  You throw your ward, only to have it fall feebly to the ground as it leaves your hand. It curls up and vanishes.
[13:47] * Sailor_Moon tightens her grip on her wand, willing the darkness to go away.
[13:47] <V-chan> "Love Crescent Shower!" Minako cries out, letting loose an attack at the darkness.
[13:47] <Sailor_Mars> "This power... its overwhelming..." Mars whispers, feeling her ward being dissipated so easily.
[13:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The darkness writhes and twists again...and then, a light pulses in it, and it fades away.
[13:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's another grand, large hallway ahead. As if leading to something...
[13:48] <Sailor_Mars> "I think we're very close..." Mars whispers, beginning to slowly walk down the hallway.
[13:48] * Sailor_Jupiter cautiously begins to move forward, certain the darkness was there for a reason.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you look ahead, the giant visage of a skull is ahead, dark and brooding. A stairway leads up the mouth of it...
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a body at the base, but it's too far to make out.
[13:49] * V-chan heads towards the body cautiously.
[13:49] * Sailor_Mars approaches, trying to determine the body's identity as she gets nearer.
[13:49] * Sailor_Moon follows the rest of the senshi, a bit behind the others.
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get closer, you battle to keep your stomachs in check by the foul, terrible odor coming from the body...as you gasp in shock. Princess Serenity lies there, broken and dead. Flies feed on her body and roaches crawl from her ears and mouth...
[13:51] * V-chan gasps in horror.
[13:51] * Sailor_Jupiter gets a disgusted look and turns away
[13:51] * Sailor_Moon stares in shock.
[13:52] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:53] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: Do-over
[13:53] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:53] * Sailor_Mars recoils, but then firms her expression. Abruptly, the corpse bursts into intense flames and turns to ash within seconds.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well done, Sailor Mars," Kunzite's voice comes from nowhere. "I see that you can now destroy bodies with ease!"
[13:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Shut up, you monster!" Mars yells, furiously.
[13:54] <V-chan> "Like we did with yours?" Minako yells.
[13:55] <V-chan> "Ghosts like you should just go to hell!"
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit above where the body was, Kunzite appears. "Well, then? Care to try again? Or would you rather bow to us, Mars?" his grin is nasty and vile, and shivers you to your core.
[13:56] * V-chan flings her sword at Kunzite.
[13:56] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:56] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:56] * Sailor_Mars doubles over, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe...
[13:56] * Sailor_Moon narrows her eyes and glares at the general.
[13:57] <Sailor_Moon> "Mars!" Moon dashes to Rei's side and crouches down next to her.
[13:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The sword flies left of the General. He laughs idly.
[13:57] <V-chan> "Laugh this off! Crescent BEAM!"
[13:57] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:57] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:58] * Sailor_Mars tries to say someting to Usagi through her ragged breathing, but fails to get the words out...
[13:58] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+6
[13:58] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+6 and gets 14."
[13:58] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: Do-over!
[13:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+6 and gets 14."
[13:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel your electric power coil around Kunzite, shocking him as the Crescent Beam bores a hole through Kunzite's chest! With a plop, he shimmers and turns into what looks to be an amorphous blob before dissipating. But Rei...
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a soul-shattering scream, Rei flies a few feet off the ground, her tiara breaking in half and falling to the ground she just left. The symbol of Mars appears, and the red of it bleeds away like blood, leaving a scorched scar of the Mars symbol where the red sigil rested before.
[14:03] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Mars!" Jupiter screams as she turns to look at her friend, worriedly.
[14:03] * Sailor_Moon jerks away from Mars in shock. "MARS!"
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, her body hits the ground, as if a video set in slow replay.
[14:04] * Sailor_Moon runs to Rei's side. "Mars! Are you all right?"
[14:04] * V-chan rushes to Rei's other side, dropping to her knees.
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei's eyes pop open...and they are now blood red, with pale yellow irises. Her hair, to your shock, flies straight upward and turns bone white.
[14:05] * V-chan shakes her head in denial, and holds her compact over Rei's body, trying to use it to help her, like it did to all those hurt people in the water park or to Endymion.
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, her body starts to shake. As if gripped in a bad case of the shivers...
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> And vanishes in a flash, gone from Minako's hands.
[14:08] * V-chan slams her fist against the ground, yelling in anger.
[14:08] * Sailor_Moon drops to her hands and knees. "Rei-chan... no, not you too..." A tear falls to the ground.
[14:09] * V-chan rises from the ground, and takes off in a run towards the skull.
[14:09] * Sailor_Jupiter frowns and curses, but looks at the down Moon. "Look, we have to keep moving and find Rei, Usagi! Move!" Jupiter shouts as she runs after Venus.
[14:10] * V-chan runs at top speed through the entrance.
[14:10] * Sailor_Moon manages to rise to her feet and almost blindly stumbles after the other two senshi. "Rei-chan..."
[14:11] <Sailor_Dragon> "Hell's teeth..."   Sailor_Dragon mutters and flies after the Queen
[14:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, you reach through the skull's mouth. Ahead of you in a throne room, with the corners dark beyond the area in front of the throne. Beryl sits on the throne, her eyes closed and hands moving over a crystal ball.
[14:13] * V-chan lets fly with a Love Crescent Shower at Beryl, still running towards her.
[14:13] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[14:13] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[14:13] <Sailor_Moon> "Beryl..." Moon glares at the red-haired witch ahead, an uncharacteristic fire burning in her eyes.
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attacks goes forward, only to stop at the last moment, deflected by a shield of darkness. "Sailors!" she shouts, opening her eyes.
[14:14] * V-chan materializes another sword, keeping on her charge.
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> You rush forward...and are pushed back by a strong, firm force, sending you backwards.
[14:15] * Sailor_Jupiter stops running to catch Venus, looking at the redheaded woman with disgust.
[14:15] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Venus, are you alright?"
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just a bit too late, girls," she says, smiling and showing lots of white, sharp teeth.
[14:15] <V-chan> "DIE!" Minako yells, getting back on her feet, and rushing Beryl again.
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, Minako is pushed back, this time harder.
[14:16] * Sailor_Jupiter catches Minako again, and shouts to Ami, "Mercury, what's stopping us from getting to Beryl?"
[14:16] <Sailor_Dragon> "V-hime, we need to act as a group to break down her defences." Sailor_Dragon says
[14:16] <Sailor_Moon> "Where's Rei?" Usagi's voice is cold, cutting across the dark in the chamber.
[14:17] * V-chan snarls at Beryl.
[14:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In the loving hands of another," she says, looking at Minako, then Usagi. "As I shall be, momentarily. PERISH IN MY OWN PRISON!" she shouts, her voice louder than anything you have heard before. She vanishes, and the ground is taken by quakes. "DIE IN YOUR WRETCHED, RUINED KINGDOM!"
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ground quakes violently, making it difficult to move. You hear the sound of breaking stone and rock...and dust beginning to fall from the roof.
[14:20] <Sailor_Moon> "Quick, grab each other's hands!" Usagi grabs the two hands nearest her, those belonging to Minako and Makoto.
[14:20] * V-chan lets go of Usagi, and calls out Rei's name.
[14:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> You try and reach the other, but feel

[Halbarad]

[08:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blinking...waking up...Looking around, you find yourselves lying on a cold stone floor.
[08:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's marble, and not the gloomy black stone of the Dark Kingdom's palace you were in before..in fact, it's pleasantly warm here.
[08:25] <Sailor_Moon> "Where... am I?" Moon is sharp as ever upon awakening.
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting a good look around, you see that you and the other Sailors are lying in what looks to be...the courtyard of the Moon Palace. The real one, not the mockery the Dark Kingdom one was. Sitting on the edge of the fountain is a silver haired woman with wings, watching you with a sad smile.
[08:28] <V-chan> "What's up?" Minako asks, waving at Serenity. "Did we come at a bad time?"
[08:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "Where are we?" Ami asks, looking around. "What happened?"
[08:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Princesses," the woman says, sadness in her voice matching her smile.
[08:30] * Sailor_Moon stares at the woman. "Queen Serenity... Mother?"
[08:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It has been a long time since I saw you, Serenity," she says, smiling with more happiness now. "A long time indeed. Fate does not find you well, does it?"
[08:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "Queen Serenity," Ami breaths in awe.
[08:32] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep sigh. "THAT's a major understatement."
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Queen looks up, to the beautiful blue ball that is Earth. "Even now, Metallia begins her attack on Earth," she murmurs.
[08:33] <V-chan> "It'd be great if we knew how to stop her," Minako says sarcastically. "Got some priceless advice for us?"
[08:33] * Dragon-hime blink-blinks
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Stopping Metallia?" she begins, sighing. "I believe that the Crystal can, but I fear that Princess Serenity is not strong enough to do it now."
[08:36] * Sailor_Moon looks at her toes in shame.
[08:36] <Dragon-hime> "What about all of us together?   There must be plenty of spirits residing in the ruins of the Silver Millennium to provide her with the support she needs."
[08:37] <V-chan> "Ah, great. How about returning us to the Earth, so we could die in a suitably heroic fashion?" She snorts. "And don't think I'm ungrateful for the rescue. I appreciate it, I really do."
[08:37] <Sailor_Mercury> "Venus!" Ami says sharply.
[08:37] <V-chan> "What, 'Mercury'?" Minako asks.
[08:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You still have spirit, Princess Venus," she says simply.
[08:38] <V-chan> "I'm no princess," Minako replies, shrugging. "I'm just a normal girl, just like Rei."
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Even with that spirit, Princess or not, can you truly say that you can defeat Metallia now? How about all of you?"
[08:39] <Sailor_Moon> "Does that mean it's useless, that we shouldn't even try?" Usagi looks up with tears in her eyes.
[08:39] <Sailor_Mercury> "We can. We have no other choice," Ami states simply.
[08:39] <V-chan> "And that's bull. Nothing's useless, not before you try."
[08:39] <Dragon-hime> "We can still win.   The skies have not yet fallen, nor the earth swallowed us up."
[08:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I thought that at first," she says, still looking at Earth. "I thought I could stop Metallia by trying, or keeping her sealed forever, or even managing to slow them down enough for you to grow into the role of Princess..."
[08:41] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Some princess I turned out to be... I couldn't even save my best friend."
[08:41] <Sailor_Mercury> "If you could bind her for so long, why couldn't you kill her?"
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I tried...but her force was even stronger than what I could conjure from the Crystal...even the greatest tool we had was a failure against her. Binding her with the last of my life was the only way to give us another chance..."
[08:44] <V-chan> "So can you be useful to us or can't you?" Minako snaps at Serenity. "Do you know where Metallia is now?"
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She is between worlds now as her servants pillage Tokyo for the energy to move her to Earth," she says.
[08:45] <V-chan> "Of course she is," Minako deadpans. "Okay, then. Question number two. Where's Rei?"
[08:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> She turns to you and smiles that same sad smile. "Leading a squad of youma terrorizing Tokyo. Are you surprised, Princess, that she couldn't resist Metallia?"
[08:47] * V-chan grits her teeth.
[08:47] <V-chan> "Send me there right now!" she demands, marching up to Serenity.
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you...do all of you wish to go back to Earth?" she says. "If you wish to fight...I will not stop you, but I pray that you do not suffer overlong."
[08:49] * Sailor_Moon looks up at the Queen. "I'd rather die down there knowing I did everything I could to save Rei and stop Metallia than sit here and do nothing!"
[08:49] * Sailor_Mercury is shocked and a bit disgusted by the Queen's attitude.
[08:50] <V-chan> "I want to... I want to see her again," Minako says, suddenly downcast. "The rest can do whatever the hell they want." She raises her head to glare at Serenity. "Now, if you really can, send me to where Rei is now!"
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is this the wish of all of you?"
[08:50] <Dragon-hime> "If you don't have any better ideas, then we must.   But first, tell us everything you know about her weaknesses and anything that might help us kill more youma."
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Metallia? Weaknesses?" she chuckles.
[08:54] * V-chan taps her foot angrily.
[08:54] * Sailor_Moon smiles grimly. "I wouldn't laugh. I know she's got them - no one is completely invincible."
[08:54] <V-chan> "Look, you can talk about weaknesses, or have a friggin' tea party while I'm gone."
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If she has a weakness, then it is only that she cannot be stopped." she suddenly falls to a full, somewhat disturbing laugh. One that segues into tears.
[08:55] <Dragon-hime> "No way, V-hime. We should do whatever it is we do together."
[08:56] <Sailor_Mercury> "Sailor Moon, we should go. The longer we stay the more powerful Metallia will get. The Moon Kingdom may have died, but the Earth still has a chance."
[08:57] * V-chan materializes a sword. "Not as good as these things go, but it should do," she says, making a few practice swings with it.
[08:57] * V-chan points it at Serenity. "How much longer do I need to wait and hear this defeatist talk?"
[08:58] * Sailor_Moon looks straight at the former Queen. "Send the rest of them back."
[09:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The rest of them? Very well..." she says, looking at the rest. With a flash of light, they vanish into the sky.
[09:05] * Sailor_Moon looks at the queen and shakes her head sadly. "I can see why Metallia's causing problems again. Did you ever think you could beat her?"
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I did...I did..." she whispers. "But...harsh experinece has taught me otherwise..."
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Please...don't go...This is all I have left, but it can still keep another from what Metallia has, I think..."
[09:07] <Sailor_Moon> "And what experience is that? A few thousand years of sitting around and regretting the fact that you couldn't save the Moon Kingdom?"
[09:08] <Sailor_Moon> "Did you ever even TRY to do anything after you sealed her?"
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I tried..." she sighs..."I see you still have hope left. You are going to try?"
[09:11] <Sailor_Moon> "You're damn right I'm going to try!" Usagi glares at the Queen. "You know, you could be right. I might not be strong enough to beat Metallia. But guess what? Neither were you! And I'll keep fighting her until I take my very last breath-it's better than sitting around, surrounded by illusions of what I've lost, kicking myself because I didn't try hard enough!"
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks at you like a man might look at a little boy declaring he would take over the world. "Very well, Serenity. Try, then."
[09:15] * Sailor_Moon disappears in a bright flash of light, leaving the queen alone in her sanctuary.
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Serenity...you fool..." the Queen murmurs, the last thing you hear.
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first thing you notice is the smell of burned wood and charred flesh. A miasma hangs in the air, the afteraffects of a macabre barbeque.
[09:21] * V-chan looks around for Rei.
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you cough, your eye manage to take in what looks to...be the burned out shell of Rei's temple.
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> No one is around, at least no one up and moving. A few charred bodies are seen laying about...
[09:22] <Sailor_Mercury> "No," Ami whispers.
[09:22] * V-chan runs towards the ruins of Rei's temple, calling out her name loudly.
[09:23] * Sailor_Jupiter looks around with disgust, keeping her eyes out for danger as she follows after Venus.
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> To your cries, you hear a weak moan from the edge of the temple grounds.
[09:24] * Sailor_Moon runs towards the source of the moans.
[09:24] * V-chan rushes towards the source of the moan.
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lying on the ground, Yuuchiro lays, his clothing burned ruins. Mid level burns cover his chest and arms, and he looks to be in a fair bit of pain. "Help...oh God, help..."
[09:26] <Sailor_Moon> "Yuuichiro!" Moon kneels down next to him, to see if there's anything she can do for him.
[09:26] <V-chan> "What happened?!" Minako exclaims, taking in his injuries.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Monster attack," he gasps. "They burned everything."
[09:27] * Sailor_Mercury keeps an eye out on the perimeter.
[09:27] <V-chan> "Rei..." Minako pauses. "Rei, where is she?"
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dunno..." he murmurs, wincing. "I haven't seen her since yesterday..."
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mercury - Besides the burned trees, the perimeter is quiet.
[09:29] <Sailor_Moon> "Do you know if Gramps is all right?
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dunno..." he says again. His eyes are glazed from the pain, and he looks like he's out of it.
[09:29] * V-chan stands up, and walks away, getting her cell.
[09:29] * Sailor_Moon places one hand on his forehead and holds the wand in her other hand. The crystal glows briefly.
[09:30] * Sailor_Mercury summons the Mercury Computer and scans for youma in the city, looking for the largest clusters.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Yuuichiro's burns fade, and his eyes close, peaceful breathing taking over.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - The city is overrun with youma! And the energy level is off the charts!
[09:31] <V-chan> "The phones don't work," Minako says angrily, throwing the phone on the ground.
[09:31] * Sailor_Moon heads away from Mercury and Venus to look for Gramps or any other people on the temple grounds.
[09:32] * Sailor_Mercury scans specifically for Silver Millennium energy.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Moon - You do not find any other people, beyond corpses.
[09:33] * V-chan takes out her communicator, and tries to call Rei.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mercury - The area is drenched in energy...finding a single signal is difficult, and will take time to sort anything from the overlay of DK energy.
[09:35] * Sailor_Mercury leaves it scanning.
[09:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Why hello, Minako!" Mars says cheerfully through the communicator, sounding more than a little unhinged.
[09:40] <V-chan> "Rei-chan!" Minako exclaims. "I'm so glad you're okay! When... when you disappeared--" She shakes her head. "Where are you, Rei-chan?"
[09:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, I've been here and there," Mars waves to the burning buildings and rampaging youma behind her. "So much to do in Metallia-sama's name!"
[09:42] * V-chan blanches. "No... NO!" she shouts. "Resist her, Rei-chan! I know you can do it!"
[09:43] <Sailor_Mars> "Why would I want to do that? Metallia-sama has made things so clear to me!" Mars idly points off screen, and a large explosion followed by screaming is heard.
[09:43] <V-chan> "Then I'll make it even clearer!" Minako yells. "We need you! I need you!"
[09:44] <Sailor_Mars> Mars' false cheer instantly dissipates, and she snarls at Minako. "Like I needed you earlier and you did nothing!" she then returns to the unsettling smile, "But that's alright. I'm much happier this way."
[09:45] * Sailor_Moon looks up with a grim expression, then starts running out of the temple grounds without a word.
[09:45] * Dragon-hime follows, sword in hand
[09:45] <V-chan> "I'm sorry, Rei-chan," Minako says dejectedly. "Give me one more chance! C'mon! Tell me where you are, and I'll be there right away! We can talk, face to face...."
[09:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Yes... talk..." Mars' grin becomes predatory, "Why not. I'm just heading over to T*A Academy. Why don't you see if you can catch me before I burn it?" Her face then disappears as she closes the connection.
[09:46] * V-chan contacts Sailor Moon on the communicator.
[09:47] * Sailor_Moon answers, still obviously running. "What is it, Venus?"
[09:48] <V-chan> "T*A Academy. Rei needs you there, Usagi!" Minako yells, before closing the communicator, and breaking off in a run towards the school.
[09:49] * Sailor_Moon changes course in mid-stride and starts running at full, "oh god I'm going to get detention" speed towards Rei's school.
[09:50] * Sailor_Mercury scans Yui~ to see if he'll be ok left alone for a bit.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - He seems to be alright, and should be fine.
[09:51] * Sailor_Mercury follows the others at a distance, formulating a plan.
[09:51] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[09:52] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> You rush towards T and A academy, passing by scenes of horror and destruction. The few police cars you see are wrecked husks, signs of the attemps to protect the city.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get to the gates of the school, you see Rei floating over another bonfire...
[10:01] <Sailor_Mars> "You're late," she tuts, disapprovingly. "I got bored," she then indicates the merrily burning school.
[10:01] <V-chan> "I came as soon as I could, Rei-chan," Minako says, walking towards Rei unsteadily. "I'm sorry you got bored waiting."
[10:02] * Sailor_Mars floats down, her ghoulish yellow eyes boring into Minako. "Yes, I'm sure you did."
[10:03] * V-chan nods. "I promised to protect you, but I failed when it mattered the most. You must hate me now, don't you?" She looks at the ground, unable to meet Rei's eyes.
[10:03] * Sailor_Moon dashes onto the school grounds. "Rei-chan!"
[10:04] <Sailor_Mars> "Yesss..." Rei hisses, "You were a very bad girlfriend, Minako-chan."
[10:04] * V-chan raises her head. "What can I do to make up for it? What can I do, Rei-chan?"
[10:06] <Sailor_Mars> "Hmm..." Rei taps her chin thoughtfully, her bone white hair blowing in the gentle breeze. "I think... you can... DIE!" She suddenly whips up her hands and yells "Fire Soul!" blasting a spiralling fireball at Sailor Venus!
[10:06] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:07] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6
[10:07] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[10:07] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:07] * CyWyrm --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:08] * V-chan barely twists out of the way, looking at Rei with wide eyes.
[10:09] <V-chan> "Do I have to die?" she asks the other girl sadly.
[10:09] * Sailor_Moon runs at Rei-chan, shouting. "No! Rei-chan, stop! You don't have to do this!"
[10:10] <Sailor_Mars> "All who oppose Metallia-sama shall perish!" Rei crows.
[10:10] <V-chan> "If you want me to die..." Minako trails off, and takes a deep breath. "I won't stop you. I love you, Rei-chan."
[10:10] <V-chan> roll 2d6+3
[10:10] * CyWyrm --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[10:11] <Sailor_Mars> "No..." Rei shakes her head, almost feverishly, "You're lying! You don't love me!"
[10:11] <Sailor_Moon> "Yes, she does!" Moon swallows. "I've seen the way she looks at you-she really does love you!"
[10:11] <V-chan> "But I do," Minako says, stepping towards Rei awkwardly. "I just do. Don't you remember?"
[10:13] * Sailor_Mars takes a step back, clutching her head. It almost seems like they are getting through to her, but then her head suddenly snaps up, her yellow eyes almost glowing with hatred. "Stop lying to me! I'll kill you!" she screams, lunging to attack Minako with her hands which are suddenly wreathed in flame!
[10:13] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:13] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:15] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:15] * CyWyrm --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:15] * V-chan doesn't move, but instead closes her eyes, and concentrates on her compact, hoping it would help Rei-chan.
[10:17] * Sailor_Mars falters as she approaches Minako, the flames in her hands guttering out... "Mi... Minako..." she whispers softly.
[10:18] <V-chan> Golden rays of light erupt from Minako, covering Rei in a warm cocoon of soothing energy, as her Love Crescent Shower attempts to save Rei.
[10:19] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[10:19] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[10:20] <Sailor_Mars> Rei shakes off the light, "Get away from me!" she shrieks, disappearing from view, only to reappear floating above the Sailor Senshi.
[10:21] <Sailor_Moon> "Rei-chan, please! Let us help you! We only want our friend back!"
[10:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Shut up!" Rei commands, "I don't need friendship! All that matters is Metallia-sama!"
[10:23] <Sailor_Mars> "And she commands your death! Fire Soul!" Rei then blasts a fireball towards Sailor Moon!
[10:23] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:23] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:25] <Sailor_Moon> "Everyone needs friendship, Rei-chan! We can't live our entire lives alone-we've got to have other people we love and trust to share things with. I trust you, Rei-chan; would you please trust me?"
[10:26] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:26] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:26] <Sailor_Mars> The fireball dissipates before reaching Sailor Moon, and Rei clutches her head as if in pain.
[10:29] <Sailor_Moon> "Let me help you, Rei-chan. I just want my friend back, more than anything else!" Moon holds up the wand. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[10:29] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:29] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:29] * Sailor_Mars is distracted by her inner turmoil, and makes no effort to defend.
[10:31] <Sailor_Mars> The light washes over her, and her expression rapidly shifts from regret to anger as the forces inside her battle for dominance.
[10:32] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:32] * CyWyrm --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:32] * V-chan tries her own purifying attack on Rei-chan again.
[10:33] <Sailor_Mars> "NO!" Rei suddenly screams, a blazing coronoa of flame surrounding her! The fire lashes out indiscriminately towards the other senshi!
[10:34] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:34] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-2
[10:34] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-2 and gets 3."
[10:35] <Sailor_Mars> Suddenly spent, Rei plummets to the ground, landing heavily and gasping for breath, her bone white hair slicked with sweat.
[10:36] * V-chan drops to the ground a moment after Rei, reverting back to her civilian guise.
[10:37] * Sailor_Mars doesn't move, tears beginning to spill out of her violet eyes.
[10:39] <Sailor_Mars> "What have I done...?" she chokes, looking at her hands and picturing the blood of all she killed on them.
[10:42] * Sailor_Moon stands, slightly scorched but smiling beatifically. "It's all right, Rei-chan. It doesn't matter what you've done; you're still my friend - OUR friend, no matter what. I'll do whatever I can to help you; all you have to do is ask and I'll be there for you, right there with you." Sailor Moon holds up her wand, the crystal sparkling.
[10:43] * Sailor_Mars sobs wretchedly, feeling utterly ashamed at being offered such forgiveness after what she has done.
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> All - You feel a gentle light, from the crystal, flow into you. Hope springs up with vitality, and you feel your body rejuvenating...
[10:44] <Sailor_Mars> Turning slightly to face the gutted T*A Academy, Rei focuses on her innate link with the flame, quelling the angry blaze she so recently started.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Life and energy flows freely, filling your exhausted bodies with life again.
[10:45] <V-chan> Minako's fingers twitch, and she opens her eyes.
[10:46] * Sailor_Mars stands, unwilling to meet the eyes of the other senshi. "Beryl is at Tokyo Tower... and so is Endymion..." she says quietly.
[10:47] * Sailor_Moon moves over and embraces Mars. "Then let's go take care of them, together."
[10:48] * Sailor_Mars slips out of the embrace, "Don't touch me, Usagi. I'm a monster."
[10:48] <V-chan> "Did we do it?" Minako asks. "Did we bring her back, Usagi?"
[10:49] <Sailor_Moon> "No you're not. You're Rei Hino, and you're the best friend I've ever had." Usagi smiles as tears slip down her cheeks.
[10:49] * Sailor_Mars starts sobbing. "I promised. I promised you I wouldn't let anyone else die... Today I killed more people than the rest of the Dark Kingdom combined!"
[10:49] <Sailor_Mercury> A youma enters the area from behind a nearby wall, fangs and claws disappearing as Mercury drops her disguise.
[10:51] * V-chan stands up, and looks for Rei and Usagi.
[10:51] * Sailor_Moon takes Mars in her arms again. "I know, Rei, I know. But it's okay, you couldn't control yourself. I know it wasn't really you that did all that."
[10:52] <Sailor_Mars> "But it was!" Rei cries, "She was in my head, telling me what to do, but it was me who did it! And it felt good!" Again she escapes Usagi's grasp, shuddering in revulsion.
[10:53] * Sailor_Moon places her hand on Rei's shoulder. "Rei..."
[10:54] * V-chan sees Rei, and heads towards her, slowly at first before running. "Rei-chan!" she yells, tackling the other girl in a glomp.
[10:55] * Sailor_Mars smiles slightly at the show of affection, before her expression hardens. "Don't, Minako... I don't deserve this," she says, prying the other girl loose.
[10:55] * V-chan tightens her hold on Rei. "I'll never let you go again! Ever!"
[10:55] * Sailor_Moon smiles at the sight. "You may not deserve it, Rei-chan, but you're getting it anyway."
[10:56] <Sailor_Mars> "Please... don't make this any harder," she pleads with the two blondes, "I'll just hurt you both. It's better if you have nothing to do with me."
[10:57] <Sailor_Mercury> "Don't say that Rei-chan," Ami speaks up.
[10:57] <V-chan> "I don't care if you want to hurt me! Really! Just don't leave me," Minako pleads, repeating quietly, "Just don't leave me...."
[10:57] <Sailor_Mars> "It's the truth! I'm not even human anymore!" Rei insists, holding up a strand of her still white hair. "You don't want anything to do with a monster like me."
[10:58] * V-chan suddenly moves her head towards Rei's, kissing her.
[10:58] <Sailor_Jupiter> "You're unhappy with what you were forced to do, that sounds human enough," Makoto says.
[10:58] * Sailor_Moon giggles at the sight. "Looks to me like Minako still wants something to do with you."
[11:00] * Sailor_Mars turns her head away from the kiss, her expression pained. "Please... All I'll do is hurt you if we continue like before."
[11:01] * V-chan firmly grabs Rei's head with her hands, and turns it back, before kissing her again.
[11:01] * Sailor_Mars doesn't resist this time, but doesn't really respond either.
[11:02] * V-chan wraps her arms around Rei, still kissing her.
[11:04] <Sailor_Mars> Hesitantly at first, Rei begins to respond, wrapping her arms around Minako and putting as much passion into the kiss as she can. Then, just when it seems like it could go on forever, she pushes the other girl away and backs off, looking anywhere but at Minako.
[11:05] <Sailor_Mars> "It... it won't work. Please, lets just go fight Beryl and end things..." she says almost desperately.
[11:06] * V-chan blanches. "I'm... you don't like me anymore?"
[11:07] <Sailor_Mars> "I do like you... more than I thought it was possible... And, that's why I know you deserve better than a monster like me," Rei says hesitantly.
[11:08] <V-chan> "A monster?" Minako snaps. "What the hell makes you a monster? The white hair?" With a flash of light, her hair becomes white as well. "Is this better?"
[11:08] <Sailor_Mars> "Stop it," Rei says in a small voice, flinching away.
[11:08] <V-chan> "Stop what?!" Minako yells. "I like you and you like me. That's all that matters!"
[11:09] <Sailor_Mars> "What if it happens again?!" Rei yells, suddenly furious, "What if next time you can't stop me?!"
[11:10] * V-chan flinches. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything, Rei-chan," she says in a small voice. "But I'll try my best from now on! Better than best!"
[11:11] <Sailor_Mars> "I can't take the risk that I'll hurt you," Rei says, trying to sound firm, but her voice wavers.
[11:11] <Sailor_Moon> "I won't let it happen again, so don't worry, Rei-chan." Usagi has a determined expression. "It never would have happened in the first place if I'd been doing what I was supposed to do."
[11:12] <V-chan> "I can't take the risk of living without you!" Minako exclaims.
[11:14] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm too dangerous to be around!" Rei protests, feeling that she's fighting a losing battle, but unwilling to tell them the real reason she is doing this.
[11:14] <V-chan> "The hell you are!"
[11:15] * Sailor_Moon looks straight at Rei-chan. "I'm willing to face that danger if you are too."
[11:17] * Sailor_Mars deflates. "I... things will never be the same as they were..." she sighs, "We'll... we'll see how things are after we beat Beryl and Metallia, okay?" she asks, hoping to just get off this topic.
[11:18] <V-chan> "No, it's not okay!" Minako disagrees vehemently. "Serenity fought with that attitude, and she lost, Rei-chan!"
[11:18] <V-chan> "You have to fight this supposed destiny with all you have, no matter the odds!"
[11:19] * Sailor_Moon places a hand on Minako's arm. "You're right, but Rei-chan is too. We can work this out later; right now we have Metallia to deal with."
[11:19] * Sailor_Mars feels a pang in her heart at those words, but it can't erase the memory of all the people she killed, and the knowledge of how she has to atone.
[11:19] * Sailor_Dragon whispers to Usagi "It's true; I think Serenity was defeated in her mind before she even started to fight"
[11:20] * Sailor_Moon nods to Sailor Dragon.
[11:21] * V-chan shrugs off Usagi's hand. "I don't care about Metallia!" She directs a pleading look at Rei. "I would back off if you told me you hated me. But I can't leave things like that!"
[11:22] * Sailor_Mars sighs in defeat, deciding to just be honest. "I don't deserve to live, Minako. After we beat Metallia, I'm going to atone for what I've done today."
[11:23] <V-chan> "You... don't deserve to live?" Minako gasps, covering her mouth with both hands.
[11:23] <Sailor_Mars> "Look around!" Rei yells, "I can't even count how many people I killed today! You think I can just go back to my normal life after this?!"
[11:23] * Sailor_Moon growls. "I don't want to hear that kind of talk from you, Rei Hino. We're going to go from here and defeat Metallia, and then we're all going to sit down and have a long talk about what happened."
[11:24] <Sailor_Dragon> "...in Hawaii." Sailor_Dragon affirms
[11:24] <Sailor_Mars> "I... I'll do everything I can to help you against Metallia. But after that..."
[11:25] <Sailor_Moon> "After that we'll talk."
[11:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Words can't bring back the dead, Usagi," Rei says coldly.
[11:25] <V-chan> A blank look comes over Minako's face. She walks towards her discarded sword, and picks it up. "How many?" she asks Rei emotionlessly.
[11:26] <Sailor_Moon> "And neither will you 'atoning' for them, so quit talking about it." Usagi snaps.
[11:26] <V-chan> "Make a guess. How many? Dozens? Hundreds?"
[11:27] * Sailor_Mars flinches at Minako's words. "More than a hundred..." she whispers, tears pooling in her eyes as she remembers what she had seen. What she had done.
[11:27] <V-chan> "More than a hundred?" Minako asks, repeating. "Is that how many I have to kill?"
[11:28] <Sailor_Mars> "WHAT?!" Rei suddenly spins towards Minako, a wild look in her eyes.
[11:28] <V-chan> "Will that be enough?" Minako asks, her voice rising. "A hundred? Maybe two?"
[11:28] <Sailor_Mars> "What... what are you talking about?" Rei asks, nervously backing away from Minako.
[11:29] <V-chan> "How many people do I have to kill before you stop pushing me away, Rei?!" Minako yells.
[11:29] <V-chan> "How many do I have to kill to make you see that it wasn't your damn fault?!"
[11:30] <Sailor_Mars> "What?! And then you you think we can just be a happy pair of mass murderer lovebirds? Is that it?!" Rei yells back, crying freely.
[11:31] <Sailor_Moon> "She's willing to do anything for you, Rei-chan."
[11:31] <V-chan> "It was my fault we went there!" Minako yells angrily. "It was my fault I couldn't save you then! Shit, I couldn't even save you now, without Usagi!"
[11:32] <V-chan> "If you're guilty for what you did when Metallia made you do it, then who's guilty for putting you in that situation in the first place?!"
[11:34] <Sailor_Mars> "You never made me become Sailor Mars, Minako. I knew the risks when I tried to close that portal. If I was stronger, maybe..." she shakes that thought off, "But 'what ifs' don't count! What matters is what happened. And it was no one's fault but my own!"
[11:35] <V-chan> "It's my fault we went to the Moon! It's my fault I ignored the way your image looked in my compact! It's my fault I didn't even try to help you with the portal!" Minako laughs hysterically. "We haven't even BEGUN listing all my faults!"
[11:35] <Sailor_Moon> "And it's my fault for letting you even try that by yourself, Rei. I may not have your senses, but even I could tell that was way too big for any of us to handle alone. So it's my fault that Metallia got hold of you in the first place."
[11:37] <Sailor_Mars> "What, so you're supposed to just spend every moment babysitting me, is that it?!" Rei says incredulously. "Bull. We're a team, but you need to be able to depend on me as much as I depend on you. I won't accept you blaming yourself for what I let happen to me!"
[11:38] <Sailor_Moon> "Then YOU stop blaming yourself! You didn't know what was going to happen any more than the rest of us did! Get off your own damn case, Rei!"
[11:38] <V-chan> "If one life will atone for everything," Minako says quietly. "If one life is enough to make up for all of Metallia's evil...." She points the tip of her sword towards her chest, holding it by the blade with both arms.
[11:38] * Sailor_Mars suddenly vanishes, reappearing in front of Minako and batting the sword away. "Don't you dare!" she growls.
[11:39] * V-chan slaps Rei. "Don't YOU dare, then!" she yells at her. "I'm not outliving you, Rei-chan!"
[11:39] * V-chan grabs hold of Rei.
[11:40] * Sailor_Mars flinches at the slap. "I..." she takes a deep breath, considering things, "Maybe you're right... maybe I can find some other way to make up for what I did today... But, I don't think I'll ever be the same Rei Hino you knew..."
[11:41] <V-chan> "I'll get used to the hair," Minako says quietly, brushing her hand through it. "And we'll find a way to make it all better again. I swear. I won't break this promise, Rei-chan."
[11:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Maybe... maybe we can get through this..." Rei concedes, embracing Minako, "I just can't help but feel I don't deserve any happiness in my life after what I did..."
[11:44] <V-chan> "Happiness?" Minako snorts, laying her cheek on Rei's shoulder. "I'm a high-maintenance girl. It'll be pure torture, Rei-chan..." she whispers.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go on, a small earthquake rocks the ground.  A wave of unpleasant feeling energy passes over and past you, like a spreading wave.
[11:45] <V-chan> "I think that's our cue," Minako deadpans.
[11:45] * Sailor_Mars breaks the embrace, "I really think we should think about attacking, now..." she comments.
[11:45] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Where are they again?"
[11:45] * V-chan nods, and pecks Rei on the cheek. "Let's give them hell!"
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Beryl's set herself up at Tokyo Tower. I captured Endymion earlier, he's with her..." Rei says, unwilling to look at Usagi with that admission.
[11:46] <V-chan> "We saved him once, we'll do it again!" Minako exclaims.
[11:47] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "I suppose I really shouldn't be all that surprised... that stupid witch has been after him for ages, after all. It's time to put an end to this, once and for all! Are you guys with me?" Moon shouts.
[11:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "To Tokyo Tower!" Ami chimes in, happy to be doing something again.
[11:47] <Sailor_Mars> "I'll give it everything I've got!" Rei swears.
[11:48] * V-chan smiles, and pats Rei's and Usagi's shoulders.
[11:49] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Let's get going then, before the youma and Beryl destroy the rest of our home," Jupiter says.
[11:51] <Sailor_Dragon> "Now we're cooking with gas!"   Sailor_Dragon says...
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> You race down the streets. This area is burned out still, and no youma are seen, only a few bodies.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you progress closer to downtown, the wreckage becomes more extensive, and darker. Houses begin to look sooty, roofs like black slate, and the streets like walking on the night sky.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see no youma, and you understand why - This is ruin, already fallen to the Dark Kingdom.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you finally turn a corner to a small clearing, you see the Tokyo Tower in the sky - a twisted version of it, with towers and rooms hanging off it madcap, a surreal painting come to life.
[11:56] * Sailor_Mars grits her teeth, silently vowing to make them pay for what they made her do. "Reminds me of what Zoicite did to Starlight Tower," she comments.
[11:57] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "Are you guys ready?"
[11:57] <Sailor_Moon> "And you remember what we did to THAT little funhouse." Moon smirks.
[11:57] * Sailor_Mars grins savagely as she nods.
[11:57] * V-chan flings a stray strand of white hair away from her face.
[11:59] <Sailor_Mercury> "Heh, let's rock." Ami dashes toward the edifice.
[11:59] * Sailor_Mars follows at a run.
[11:59] * Sailor_Jupiter follows after Mercury and Mars
[11:59] * Sailor_Moon takes off after Mercury, pigtails flying.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rushing through the darkened streets, you finally reach near the base of the edifice. In front of it, three youma stand guard. One is a man/lion creature with a huge maw and face, the second is a mix of a computer console and human and the last is a green skinned girl wearing a bikini.
[12:04] <Sailor_Dragon> "You have desecrated this place of entertainment and wonder. This cannot be permitted. Prepare to be punished in the Dragon's name!"
[12:04] <Sailor_Moon> "This is it, guys! There's no way we're letting these jerks get in our way now!" Moon turns to face the youma. "Move it or lose it, slimeballs! I'm Sailor Moon, and on behalf of the Moon, I will punish you!"
[12:04] * Sailor_Dragon makes a speech, whilst the other senshi's scriptwriters are still working
[12:05] <Sailor_Mercury> "You hurt my friends. You attacked my planet. Prepare yourself for divine retribution, Senshi style!"
[12:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:07] <V-chan> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:07] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:07] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[12:07] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:07] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:07] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:09] <V-chan> "I'm Minako, and this is my city you're invading," she says, pointing a hand towards the youma in a bikini and another one next to it. "Nice to meet you. Love Crescent Shower!"
[12:09] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[12:09] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 11."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The computer console like creature skitters away on it's odd legs, out of the way. The bikini clad woman, however, is not fast enough and is reamed by Venus's attack!
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a yelp of pain, the bikini clad woman fades away into dust!
[12:14] <Sailor_Jupiter> "For all the carnage you've caused, prepare for a shocking experience. Supreme Thunder Dragon!" Jupiter shouts as she launches her attack at the computer.
[12:14] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The youma, still out of place from the last attack, is consumed easily by your Thunder Dragon!
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> With an electric sizzle, the youma falls apart, turning to dust as it's parts hit the floor!
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a roar, the lion opens its mouth, sending forth a line of sharp teeth flying out at Sailor Jupiter!
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:17] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:18] * Sailor_Jupiter attempts to jump off to the side and away from the path of the incoming youma teeth.
[12:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:18] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack misses, leaving several gashes in the street!
[12:22] * Sailor_Dragon grins, since the lion youma is now wide open for a flank attack, and attempts to gut it with her Flying Sword of the Dragon.
[12:22] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ki goes out, cutting out a large chunk of the beast's flank. It roars in pain, but is still up.
[12:25] <Sailor_Moon> "Glutton for punishment, huh? Try this on! Moon Tiara Action!" Moon hurls her tiara at the lion-man.
[12:25] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tiara cuts through the monster's maw, sending it to the ground and its doom!
[12:26] <Sailor_Moon> "Moondusted!" Moon cries in triumph.
[12:26] <Sailor_Mercury> "Let's go!"
[12:26] <Sailor_Mars> Wasting no time now that the youma are down, Mars approaches the tower, looking for an entrance.
[12:27] * Sailor_Moon continues up to the tower. "So how do we get inside this thing?"
[12:27] * V-chan turns to the blue-haired girl. "Ami?"
[12:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, I just teleported, but there should be an entrance..." Mars says thoughtfully, "If not, I can always make one."
[12:28] <Sailor_Mercury> "The elevator, I would guess."
[12:28] * Sailor_Mercury scans!
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your computer blips and bloops, a sound that has become familiar lately. After about a minute...No entrance detected.
[12:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "...Or not."
[12:30] * Sailor_Mars cracks her knuckles. "I'll be back in a second," she says, phasing through the wall and searching for where it is thinnest.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> A small section is relatively weak...a concentrated energy blast could get you inside. Maybe.
[12:32] * Sailor_Mars returns to the exterior. "Found it," she says, indicating the weak spot before yelling "Fire Soul!" and blasting it!
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wall buckles and shakes...and finally, a small hole is formed.
[12:34] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, it's a tight fit, but we can make it, right?" she says before squeezing through the hole.
[12:36] * V-chan follows Rei quickly.
[12:36] * Sailor_Mercury follows V-chan.
[12:36] * Sailor_Jupiter follows after Mercury.
[12:37] * Sailor_Dragon takes up the rear.
[12:37] <Sailor_Dragon> "If Sailor_Jupiter can get through, anyone can!"
[12:37] * Sailor_Moon scrambles through the hole. "Wait for me!"
[12:38] * Sailor_Jupiter slaps SD as she comes through the hole for that comment, her face red.
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, it is dark and cold. The basic infrastructure of the tower remains, but you can see no elevators. Only stairs.
[12:39] <Sailor_Moon> "Don't tell me we have to WALK all the way up this thing..."
[12:39] <Sailor_Dragon> Sailor_Dragon looks surprised. "But you are the biggest of us?"
[12:39] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, looks like the stairs. Aren't you glad for your daily exercise, Usagi?" Mars turns to Usagi, barely managing a smirk,
[12:39] * Sailor_Dragon flies up
[12:39] <Sailor_Jupiter> "You don't say things like -that-, Herb!" Makoto says, still a bit embarrassed by how it sounded
[12:39] * Sailor_Moon fumes. "I swear I'm going to get you for that later, Rei!" With that, Moon starts for the stairs.
[12:39] <Sailor_Dragon> "Why not?" Sailor_Dragon asks, looking perplexed
[12:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Hold on!" Rei rushes ahead, "I'll take point. There might be traps," she cautions.
[12:40] * Sailor_Jupiter shakes her head, "No time for this, we'll discuss it after we beat Beryl, alright?"
[12:41] * Sailor_Moon nods. "All right, but be careful."
[12:41] * Sailor_Mars nods, starting on up the stairs.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairs creak as you step on them, as if they are old and about to fall apart.
[12:43] * Sailor_Mars winces slightly at the creaking, but continues on regardless.
[12:43] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:43] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you rise on the stair, the air becomes heavy and the level of light drops quickly. About a story up, it's nearly pitch black.
[12:45] * Sailor_Mars extends a hand, willing a bright flame to appear in it.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The light flickers off the walls, lighting you way.
[12:45] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:45] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit farther, and the normal stairs take a turn, branching out from the wall into a open area, much like old style church stairs. A central, spiral hole between the stairs as they cling the wall shows that a fall would be most unpleasant.
[12:47] * Sailor_Mars enters into the open area, carefully surveying her surroundings.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairs are narrow enough here to where two people could not safely stand side by side, and the same rickety creak is heard.
[12:47] * V-chan follows Rei.
[12:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, be very careful guys," Rei cautions, slowly advancing up the narrow stairs.
[12:49] * Sailor_Jupiter nods at Rei's advice
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you start to ascend again, a breeze starts blowing... a few steps later, this picks up into a small wind, defying the laws of air as it gets stronger and tries to push you back.
[12:50] * Sailor_Mars creates an energy barrier in front of herself to block the wind from passing and getting to the others!
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wind pounds against it, but it holds...
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> And make a dodge attempt, Minako. +2 mod.
[12:51] <V-chan> roll 2d6+2
[12:51] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[12:51] * Sailor_Mars continues upwards, appreciating the irony of using the powers she recently gained to thwart the Dark Kingdom.
[12:53] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[12:53] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 11."
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a sudden rustling sound and Minako yelps! Out of reflex, she jumps and avoids a claw swipe, only to land on the edge of the stairs, rocking downward and about to fall!
[12:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Minako!" Rei spins and grabs her by the wrist.
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Moon, make a dodge roll, +2 mod.
[12:55] * V-chan holds onto Rei's hand, trying to regain her balance.
[12:56] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[12:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Moon - As you watch, you are surprised by a painful slash at you side. Whirling, you see a youma claw coming out of the wall, having just taken a chunk out of your side!
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> (20 damage)
[12:58] * Sailor_Mars sees Usagi coming under attack and cries out in shock, letting the flame in her free hand die, she whips out an ofuda and throws it at the claw!
[12:59] * Sailor_Moon cries out in pain as the claw slices through her fuku and side.
[12:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:59] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:00] * Sailor_Moon staggers in pain, coming precariously close to the edge of the stairs.
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hand sags and goes limp as the ofuda is attached.
[13:01] * Sailor_Jupiter moves to grab Moon before she falls
[13:01] * Sailor_Dragon flies up and holds onto the pretty soldier Sailor Moon
[13:02] <Sailor_Mars> Seeing Minako is once more stable, Rei lets go of her and reignites the flame in her hand.
[13:02] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:02] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the light returns, you see that the entire wall is writing and moving, metal shifting and claws appearing at various points.
[13:03] <V-chan> "Freeze the wall, Ami!" Minako exclaims, readying an attack in case that doesn't do the trick.
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do so, another claw appears and reaches out for Rei!
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Normal dodge roll.
[13:04] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[13:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> The claw digs into Rei's leg, causing blood to flow and her to stumble! (20 damage)
[13:05] * V-chan is the one to grab onto Rei this time.
[13:05] <Sailor_Mercury> "Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Ami yells, trying to incase the walls in ice.
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ice coats the walls, the hands and wall stop moving as ice covers them completely...and the stairs.
[13:06] * Sailor_Mars breathes a sigh of relief at the claws being nullified, before slapping her head as she sees the treacherous stairs are now covered in ice.
[13:06] * Sailor_Mercury uses her EC to force the ice on the stairs into water vapor.
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ice melts away, the droplets falling off the stairs and down to the floor below.
[13:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, lets go. I think we're close," Rei says, ignoring her bleeding leg as she continues up the stairs, making sure to hold her flame away from the walls.
[13:15] * Sailor_Moon nods, holding her hand to her bloodied side and grimacing as she follows Rei.
[13:15] * V-chan follows Rei, looking worriedly at her wounded leg.
[13:15] <Sailor_Dragon> "I can carry you, Usa-chan, if you're hurt..." Sailor_Dragon offers, chivalrously
[13:15] * Sailor_Jupiter follows after the others, while looking cautiously in case they encounter more youma on the way up
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> You continue your climb...despite it being dark, no more trouble is had. Finally, you reach the top...
[13:16] * Sailor_Moon smiles weakly. "Thanks, Herb-san, but I'll be okay, really."
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around, you see a tiled throne room, similar to the one from before. Beryl sits on her throne, with the same crystal ball. Her eyes are open, however, and a large smile is on her face.
[13:18] * Sailor_Mars dismisses the lighting flame, entering the room ahead of the others and taking a ready stance.
[13:19] * Sailor_Moon narrows her eyes as she catches sight of Beryl.
[13:19] <Sailor_Mercury> "We are the pretty yada yada you know the rest. Where is he?" Ami cuts straight to the point.
[13:19] <V-chan> "Yo!" Minako greets Beryl casually. "Long time no see."
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Welcome to Earth, Sailors," she says, still smiling.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> From behind the throne, another voice comes. "And welcome to my kingdom, brats," Endymion comes from the shadows, kneeling besides Beryl.
[13:21] * Sailor_Moon clenches her teeth as she sees Endymion.
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes her hand and kisses it, as Beryl smiles more.
[13:21] <Sailor_Mars> "You ready for round two?" Rei glares at Endymion, feeling a surge of regret at her earlier actions, but forcing it down. Now she needs to be confident.
[13:21] <V-chan> "Time to die," Minako says simply. "Crescent Beam!"
[13:22] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:22] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack flies to them, stopping when a barrier intercepts it. You see her crystal ball glow softly as it does so.
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think not," she says. "Now is the time that I reign supreme, finally!"
[13:24] <Sailor_Moon> "Maybe in your wildest dreams, you witch. It's not happening today!"
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[13:24] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[13:25] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:25] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[13:25] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+11
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 14."
[13:25] <V-chan> roll 1d6+11
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+11 and gets 12."
[13:25] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+1
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+1 and gets 6."
[13:27] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[13:27] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "DIE, SAILOR MOOOOON!" she shouts, her voice full of a deep, burning jealousy and rage. Black electricy gushes from her crystal ball, hurtling at Sailor Moon!
[13:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[13:30] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The electricity crackles out, but Sailor Moon leaps to the side, narrowly avoiding her fate!
[13:33] <Sailor_Moon> "Damn you!" Moon pulls out the Lunar Rod, aiming for Beryl's crystal ball. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[13:33] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[13:33] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6
[13:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your attacks SLAMS into the barrier, light gushing from it as the blast and the barrier meet...and finally, with a thunderclap, the barrier and her crystal ball explode!
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glass shards go into Beryl, and she shrieks as they dig into her face and arms!
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Queen Beryl!" Mamoru cries, looking up at her now bleeding face.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a steely hiss, he draws his sword. "For the honor of Queen Beryl!" he says, charging at Sailor Moon!
[13:40] <Sailor_Mars> Using the same trick she used to take him down earlier, Mars vanishes from sight, reappearing behind Mamoru and reaching out to drain him of energy!
[13:40] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Endymion dodges you, racing for Usagi!
[13:42] <V-chan> "Love Crescent Shower!" Minako cries out, stepping in front of Usagi, and sending her attack at full power against the re-possessed Endymion.
[13:42] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:42] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> He waves for a moment, but breaks through, still hellbend on Usagi!
[13:44] * Sailor_Mercury dashes toward Mamo-baka and slides, trying to kick his feet out.
[13:44] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[13:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He stumbles over your trip, and falls flat on his face!
[13:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ha...it's TOO LATE!" Beryl yells, despite the blood flowing down her face and from one of her eyes. "Metallia arrives!" To punctuate her words, the ground shakes violently, and the the wind begins to blow.
[13:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, shit..." Mars says, expressing her feelings concisely.
[13:48] * Sailor_Mercury gets to her feet. "Moon, save Tux-boy now!"
[13:48] * Sailor_Dragon stabs Beryl through the head
[13:49] <Sailor_Mars> Her expression hard, Mars suddenly vanishes once more, appearing above Beryl and forming a flaming sword as she falls towards her with a vicious overhead swing!
[13:49] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailors Dragon and Mars rush forward, impaling Beryl's head twice!
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a gush of blood, her body goes limp.
[13:50] * V-chan calls out "Love Crescent Shower!" and covers Endymion with golden rays of energy.
[13:50] * Sailor_Moon shouts in a panic. "Moon Healing Escalation!" Waves of energy fly towards the prostrate Endymion.
[13:50] <Sailor_Mars> Keeping the flame sword in hand, Mars shoots a worried look towards Moon. "What are we going to do now?"
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, there is no struggle. Mamoru's armor fades away back to his jacket and slacks.
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> And as it does, another quake happens, this one violent.
[13:51] <V-chan> "Wake up, Mamoru!" Minako yells, slapping him awake.
[13:51] * Sailor_Mercury rejuvs.
[13:52] * Sailor_Mars shivers, as the feeling of overpowering evil hits her. Luckily there is no attempt at possession this time, but it is still very unsettling.
[13:52] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[13:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> A vast feeling of darkness, despair and hatred fills the room. The light sources in the room vanish suddenly, as if snuffed out.
[13:53] * Sailor_Mercury moves toward Moon. "I don't think we're alone anyomre."
[13:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Beryl's body glows, giving light to the room. It flies up and out as the sense of evil become palpable to everyone.
[13:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the skin turns pale white and her hair extends as her body swells and grows...rapidly.
[13:54] * Sailor_Mars backs away, holding her flame sword up defensively.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it does so, the body goes backwards, destroying the throne room's outer wall, late day sunshine pouring in.
[13:54] * Sailor_Moon swallows hard. "Looks like this is it guys..." Moon tries to keep her voice from shaking.
[13:54] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:54] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:54] <Sailor_Mars> "I believe in you, Usagi," Rei says simply.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The body grows and grows, finally reaching a level of several stories high. The eyes open, black dots on the white face.
[13:54] <V-chan> "We'll settle this once and for all," Minako says grimly.
[13:54] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:54] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:55] <Sailor_Mercury> "This is it. I love you guys."
[13:55] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> A overwhelming sense of utter loss and hopelessness hits you.
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel your knees buckle and jelly up, and your stomach twist in knots.
[13:55] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[13:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her eyes look at you. "Time to die, Princess..." the words are spoken in a mix of Beryl's high pitched, grating voice and a softer, darker tone.
[13:56] * Sailor_Mars shivers at the familiar voice of Metallia.
[13:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[13:57] <V-chan> "Time for revenge, bitch!" Minako yells spitefully.
[13:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Raising her hands, sparks of black energy begin to form around Beryl's(?) hands...
[13:59] <Sailor_Moon> "There's no way we're letting you take this planet, Metallia! No matter what it takes, I'll stop you here and now!"
[13:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Everyone, lets join our powers together!" Rei calls out, stretching out her hands to the two nearest senshi.
[13:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:59] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:59] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[14:00] * V-chan donates all her energy into the attack.
[14:00] * Sailor_Mars starts to glow red as she gives her all to this effort to save Earth.
[14:01] * Sailor_Moon is surrounded by a soft white glow as she begins to focus her energy with the other senshi.
[14:02] * Sailor_Jupiter also donates all her energy to the attack as she glows green, her hands holding tightly onto her friends
[14:02] * V-chan glows golden, her white hair floating upwards, energy coiling in waves around her body.
[14:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Sailor Planet Attack!" Rei yells, channeling all the energy she can muster towards destroying Metallia once and for all.
[14:03] * Sailor_Jupiter shouts "Sailor Planet Attack!" alongside Rei as she channels her all
[14:03] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Sailor Planet Attack!" Minako yells.
[14:03] * Sailor_Moon glows brighter and brighter, and in a flash is replaced by the Princess Serenity.
[14:04] * Sailor_Mercury uses her brain to figure out where Beryl/Metallia's weak spot is, since the cop isn't working.
[14:04] <Serenity-hime> "Moon Prism Power! Sailor Planet Attack!"
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> The will of your combined might surges forward...
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "FEAR, FAILURES! THE END IS HERE FOR YOU!" A pure waves of black comes from her hands, falling towards you!
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attacks meet in the center, clashing visibly!
[14:06] * Sailor_Mars grits her teeth, straining with all her might to defeat Metallia.
[14:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, your attack is being pushed back by the might of Metallia...it moves further and further back

[Halbarad]

[14:11] * Sailor_Jupiter gives a smile as she begins to fall to the ground, totally drained of her energy, and the transformation slipping away from her body.
[14:11] * Usagi-chan collapses on the ground in a dead faint.
[14:11] * Rei-chan slumps to the ground, barely keeping awake to see if Metallia is truly gone.
[14:12] * V-chan stumbles, and drops on the ground, smirking as she recalls the sorry sight of a sobbing Serenity.
[14:12] * Sailor_Dragon looks around to see if this place is about to collapse anytime soon.
[14:12] <Sailor_Mercury> "Usagi! Makoto! Rei!" Sailor Mercury runs to check on them.
[14:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sure enough, the tower begins to shake...
[14:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> And with a final burst of light from where Metallia was, you find yourself back in the -normal- Tokyo Tower, on the observation deck.
[14:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Crystal glows one last time and dissapears, the wand as well.
[14:14] * Sailor_Mercury looks out over Tokyo from the tower to see what she can see after checking on the three.
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The city looks fine in the late afternoon shine, a bustling city, not a burned out mockery of Tokyo. The breeze feels fresh and good to your tired, sweaty face.
[14:16] <Sailor_Mercury> "We won," Ami says quietly.
[14:16] <V-chan> Minako's fingers twitch once more, for the third time that day. She tries to sit up, raising her body on one hand.
[14:16] * Makoto slowly begins to stir at the sound of Ami's voice. "Did we? That's good..." Makoto whispers weakly, her eyes having difficulty opening.
[14:16] <Sailor_Mercury> "... WE WON! HAHAHAHAHA!" She laughs, shaking her fist in the air. "You hear that? We won!"
[14:17] <Sailor_Dragon> "The cost, though..." Sailor_Dragon says, glancing at Rei and Minako
[14:17] * Rei-chan sits up slowly, touching a hand to her forehead where the burnt out scar of the Mars symbol disappears.
[14:17] * Rei-chan tries to sense Metallia's evil.
[14:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You sense...nothing. No evil at all, not in yourself or in the city or above.
[14:17] * V-chan looks around hurriedly, until she sees Rei, and glomps her.
[14:18] * Makoto slowly manages to start getting up, groaning at the lack of energy she still feels.
[14:18] * Sailor_Mercury detransforms.
[14:18] * Rei-chan breaks into a tired grin. "We did it... we really did it..."
[14:19] <V-chan> "And you're back to normal, Rei-chan!" Minako says, barely able to hold her excitement.
[14:19] <Ninja_Ami> "Do you guys smell that?" Ami asks.
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You did?!" Artemis says. "What the hell?! Where am I?!"
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning, you see three very confused mooncats sitting in a corner, trying to figure out where the hell they are.
[14:19]<Ninja_Ami> "That's the smell of a job well done."
[14:19] <Rei-chan> "Well, my hair is still funky," Rei grins, "But I can live with that."
[14:20] * V-chan smiles. "We have matching hair now!"
[14:20] <Ninja_Ami> "We came. We saw. We laid down the law."
[14:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What happened, Prince," Nian asks, as confused as Artemis.
[14:20] <Ninja_Ami> "YOu guys have to see this," she says, indicating the viewing area.
[14:21] * Makoto begins to slowly move towards Usagi's still body. "Usagi?"
[14:21] * Usagi-chan rolls over. "Just five more minutes, Mom..."
[14:22] * Rei-chan giggles at Usagi's words. "Ah, hard to believe, but she's really the saviour of the entire world." Getting up, she walks over to the sleeping blonde, "You did great, Usagi. I knew you would."
[14:22] * Makoto sighs with relief as Usagi moves, and goes sit back down gingerly.
[14:23] * V-chan sees that Usagi is covered, and goes to check on Mamoru.
[14:23] * V-chan pokes him with her foot. "Yo, still alive?"
[14:23] * Sailor_Dragon scoops up Nian
[14:23] <Ninja_Ami> "Hey, were'd Mamoru go?"
[14:24] <Sailor_Dragon> "We beat Metallia, by being more virtuous than she.   I'll tell you the whole story later."
[14:24] * Rei-chan notices the pristine condition of Tokyo, and suddenly runs to the edge of the observation deck, looking to see if she can see Hikawa Shrine.
[14:24] * Sailor_Dragon frowns "And don't call me 'prince' when I have boobs."
[14:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You cannot quite see the Temple from here, but the surrounding area looks good.
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around, you see Mamoru is curled up against a wall, as if he's taking a nap in public.
[14:25] * V-chan squats down next to Mamoru, and slaps him repeatedly, the sound resounding through the observation deck.
[14:25] <V-chan> "Wakey, wakey."
[14:25] <Rei-chan> "It's... everything is normal!" Rei says, her voice rising in volume with her glee as she realises the ramifications.
[14:25] * Makoto snickers as she watches Venus try to wake up Mamoru
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmmm....Usagi?" he murmurs, opening his eyes.
[14:26] <V-chan> "Wrong ex-blonde," Minako smirks. "Nice to see you join the Land of the Do-Gooders. Again."
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi?" he leans forward, hugging Minako. "Oh God, you're safe!"
[14:26] * Rei-chan suddenly notes Mamoru, "Hey! Hands off my girlfriend, buster!"
[14:27] <V-chan> "You really should do something against those kidnappings. It reminds me of that manga I read--" Feeling Mamoru hug her, she responds automatically by punching him in the face.
[14:27] * Rei-chan nods in approval at Minako's quick reaction.
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ouch!" He blinks, holding his nose. "Huh? Minako?"
[14:27] <V-chan> "Like my new look?" she asks, twirling a strand of white hair.
[14:28] * V-chan stands up and back, walking to wrap an arm around Rei. "I'm taken, though. Tough."
[14:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...yeah..." he says, still sounding confused. "Is Usagi alright?"
[14:28] * Rei-chan nods, putting an arm around Minako. "Usagi is just a little sleepy."
[14:29] <Sailor_Dragon> "She thinks she's still in bed; I envy her..."
[14:29] <V-chan> "Boy, am I looking forward to school tomorrow," Minako voices.
[14:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting up, Mamoru walks to Usagi. He kneels down, looking at her sleeping form.
[14:29] * Rei-chan gives a quick glance to check that T*A Academy is indeed there.
[14:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is, you think. And, with a frown, so is Kotono.
[14:30] <Rei-chan> "Oh man... I still need to talk to Kotono..." Rei says, deflating.
[14:30] <Ninja_Ami> "Who?" Ami asks, finally getting herself under control again.
[14:31] <Rei-chan> "Maybe she'll give up when she see's the new look?" she asks, looking at Minako and twirling a strand of white hair in her fingers.
[14:31] * Usagi-chan stretches and yawns, then sits up, blinking groggily.
[14:32] <V-chan> "Maybe she'll give up if I demonstrate a Crescent Beam?" Minako jokes.
[14:32] <Rei-chan> "None of that," Rei jabs her in the ribs, "If it weren't for Kotono, we probably wouldn't have admitted our feelings."
[14:33] * V-chan looks uncomfortable. "Not so soon, anyway. You're right."
[14:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi!" Both Luna and Mamoru cry out.
[14:33] <V-chan> "Are you busy today, Rei-chan?" Minako asks suddenly.
[14:33] * Rei-chan notes the look and gives Minako a quick kiss. "Well, I always say 'what ifs' are for losers. So lets not worry about that. And I think my schedule is free enough."
[14:34] <Ninja_Ami> "Hey Mako-chan, when we get to your place how about some more of those melons?"
[14:34] * Usagi-chan breaks into a smile at the sight of her advisor and significant other. "Hi guys..."
[14:35] <V-chan> "Great!" Minako enthuses. "I want to introduce you to my folks!"
[14:35] <Makoto> "I'd have to buy more, Ami. The ones I had are gone," Makoto replies.
[14:35] <Rei-chan> "Your folks?" Rei suddenly looks nervous, "Will they be okay... with, y'know..." she blushes.
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you feeling okay, Usagi?" Mamoru asks, gently touching your shoulder.
[14:36] <V-chan> "They're very cool!" Minako gushes. "They never refuse me anything, not when I ask them really nicely!" She gives a bright smile.
[14:36] * Usagi-chan nods. "Yeah, just reeeeeally tired. We did it though, didn't we?" Usagi looks around at her friends and smiles.
---------------------
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking and busing through Tokyo, you see building and cars, just like any other day. Except today, as you remember turning many of these to ash or seeing the results of Rei's work secondhand.
[09:39] * Rei-chan is still unsure if this is all a dream, as she takes in the familiar sights with a sense of disbelief.
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> At the steps of the temple, you see things are normal as ever. The fact that you burned your home to your ground mentally clashes with the fact that it's standing and normal, down to Yuuichiro brushing the steps.
[09:42] <Rei-chan> "Yuuichiro!" Rei yells running up the steps towards him.
[09:42] * V-chan waves, greeting him with, "Hey, Yui-chan!"
[09:42] * Rei-chan stops just short of hugging him, but has a wide smile as she sees him looking none the worse for wear.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Rei," he waves, holding the broom with one hand. He stops the wave after a moment, double taking at your hair. "REI! Your hair!" he sputters. "What happened to your hair?!"
[09:44] <Usagi-chan> "All those years of dealing with Gramps finally got to her." Usagi giggles.
[09:44] * Rei-chan falters slightly. "Ah..." she says, deflating instantly. "I... figured it was time for a new look?" she offers lamely.
[09:44] <V-chan> "It's a good look," Minako adds.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ummmmmm..." he sputters out. "Yeah, it looks cool, Rei. Like one of those goth girls!" he says, nodding and smiling, trying to recover his proverbial balance.
[09:46] * Rei-chan grimaces, not liking the comparison at all. "Yeah, well... is Gramps around?"
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's been out all day. Something about recruiting pretty girls for the temple, the same as always," he says. "Say, did you and Minako get the same thing done?"
[09:47] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be back in a minute, Rei-chan. I'm just going to go get my bag, I left it inside this morning."
[09:48] * Rei-chan sighs in relief. "Just so long as he's okay... wait up, Usagi," she then calls, following Usagi up the stairs, only to stop right in front of the Torii.
[09:48] * Rei-chan very hesitantly tries to sense the holy aura of the temple.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You feel the aura of the temple. It's the same as always, yet...it feels different to you on a level. Almost like a antithesis to the day so far.
[09:50] * Rei-chan swallows nervously, before stepping onto the holy ground, almost expecting to get burnt as she does so.
[09:50] * V-chan shrugs, staying behind to talk to Yuuichiro. "Not really. Say, do you need shrine maidens that badly?"
[09:50] * Usagi-chan sees Rei's discomfort, and stops to speak with her. "You going to be okay, Rei-chan?"
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei's grandfather thinks the temple does, anyway," Yuuichiro says.
[09:51] * V-chan nods. "I agree. It would be much more convenient." Thinking for a moment, she adds, "For you guys, of course."
[09:51] <Rei-chan> "I... I just can't help but remember what I did... The place is back to normal, but I'm different..." she says, looking at Usagi like she might start crying.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan wraps Rei up in a hug. "It'll be okay, Rei, I promise."
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, some help would be nice, especially since Rei skips chores so often lately," he says half to himself.
[09:53] * Rei-chan breathes a long, shuddering sigh. "I suppose I haven't been struck down yet," she says, indicating the Torii she has passed.
[09:53] <V-chan> "I'll be a shrine babe!" Minako exclaims suddenly, patting Yuuichiro on the shoulder. "There, all better, right?"
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You will?" Yuuichiro blinks. "Cool!"
[09:54] <V-chan> "It's settled, then!" Minako chirps.
[09:54] <Usagi-chan> "See? The spirits or whatever don't hold anything against you." Usagi smiles. "Now come on."
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says uncertainly. "I think I'm going to need a long talk with the Sacred Fire to try and sort this out..."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a soft click of claws, Phobos and Deimos land on Rei's shoulders, looking at her with their bird eyes.
[09:56] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Looks like they still think you're pretty cool, too!"
[09:57] * Rei-chan smiles softly, reaching up to pet the birds. "Hello Phobos, hello Deimos, I hope you two can forgive me," she says quietly.
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The birds squawk, and fly off towards the temple.
[10:00] * Usagi-chan smiles and nods to Rei. "I'm going to go get my bag, and then I think I'm going home. I've been worried about my parents ever since we got back, and I can't WAIT to see them." Usagi waves to Rei and dashes into the temple.
[10:00] * Rei-chan sighs. "I think they're agreeing that I need to talk to the Sacred Fire... I'm going to get changed, then I'll probably be meditating for a while. I need to work through this... somehow..." she trails off as Usagi dashes off.
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, and Minako," Yuuichiro says, rustling in his robes. "I have something for you,"
[10:01] <Rei-chan> Shrugging, Rei heads towards her room so she can get changed into her miko robes.
[10:01] <V-chan> "Oh?" she asks curiously.
[10:01] <V-chan> "It's not one of those flasher things, is it?"
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is this yours?" he asks, producing your cell phone. "I found it on the grounds today."
[10:02] <V-chan> "Ah, thanks!" Minako exclaims. "I broke it here, but--" she examines the cell, taking it. "I guess it still works. Weird."
[10:02] * V-chan pockets the cell.
[10:02] * Usagi-chan retrieves her schoolbag and stops outside Rei's closed door. "Give me a call if you need anything, Rei-chan! Byeeee!" With that, Usagi heads out of the temple and down the stairs to where Minako and Yuuichiro are talking.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," he says, scratching his head of hair. "Sure, Minako."
[10:03] * V-chan notices Usagi, and waves at her. "Can I walk with you?" she asks.
[10:03] <Rei-chan> Having redressed, Rei heads over to the temple to meditate on the Sacred Flame.
[10:04] * Usagi-chan smiles at Minako. "Sure, I'm just going home to see my parents. Come on!" Usagi starts walking away from the temple grounds.
[10:06] * V-chan says goodbye to Yuuichiro and follows Usagi, walking by her side.
[10:06] * Usagi-chan stretches as she walks. "Man, what a day. We did it though, didn't we?" Usagi looks at V-chan and smiles.
[10:07] * V-chan nods. "And it's all thanks to you, Usagi."
[10:08] <Usagi-chan> "No way, I couldn't have done it without you guys backing me up. You guys deserve just as much credit for this as I do."
[10:08] <V-chan> "Not just that." Minako stops, and looks at Usagi.
[10:09] * Usagi-chan stops and turns towards Minako as the other girl halts. "Hmm?"
[10:10] <V-chan> "Without you, we wouldn't have Rei-chan back with us now," Minako says, sighing. Then, she hugs Usagi unexpectedly. "Thank you."
[10:11] <V-chan> "If you ever need anything," Minako says, squirming. "Well, not anything anything, but aside from that something anything, gimme a call, okay?" She stops babbling, and steps away, looking at her feet.
[10:14] * Usagi-chan smiles. "You don't need to thank me for that - I'd do the same thing for any of you, or for anyone you care about. The fact that it was both just made it easier." Usagi giggles a little bit. "It's still a little weird getting used to the idea of you and Rei... but I'll manage somehow. You take good care of her, Mina-chan."
[10:14] * V-chan flashes the other girl a confident smile. "Of course, Usagi-chan!"
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, and one last thing... Are you going to leave your hair like that?" Usagi points to Minako's white locks.
[10:19] <V-chan> "Oh, that?" Minako asks, raising a few white locks with her palm and looking at them, before letting them go. "I might as well go back to normal," she says, letting go of the disguise.
[10:20] <Usagi-chan> "Um... that's not quite the same color it used to be..."
[10:21] * V-chan blinks, and catches sight of her long hair. "Weird." Twirling in her place, she asks Usagi, "Does it suit me?"
[10:22] * Usagi-chan gives her a critical look. "It's not bad, just not what I'm used to. It's a really pretty color though."
[10:22] <V-chan> "Thanks!" Minako says enthusiastically. "Besides, I'm used to silver hair. It'll be a blast!"
[10:25] * Usagi-chan looks a little puzzled. 'Used to it? I wonder why?' With that thought, she smiles. "Anyway, Mina-chan, I'll see you later-I reeeally want to get home and see my parents!"
[10:26] <V-chan> "Have fun!" Minako voices. "And don't wonder why! It's not important!"
[10:27] * Usagi-chan waves to Minako and dashes off towards her house. "I didn't think I said that out loud, did I?"
[10:27] * V-chan looks at Usagi run off, before heading home. Taking out her cellphone as she walks, Minako dials the first number on the speeddial. "Ooshige-oneesan?" she says, as the call is answered. "It's me. Listen, can you scrap all those plans? I've got a totally different concept for Eternal Snow." She listens patiently for a few minutes, before smiling sadly. "Don't worry. It'll be a hit."
[10:30] * Usagi-chan continues running towards her home, thinking about the events of the day. One thing is still bothering her-the empty feeling inside after the fight with Metallia. She wonders if it has anything to do with the disappearance of the Crystal...
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you race home, you run into Shingo. He's coming home from school, his backpack rustling as he escapes from school for another day.
[10:33] * Usagi-chan trips headlong over her younger brother, true to form. She looks up to apologize, and her face breaks into a grin. "Shingo-baka! I never thought I'd say this, but I'm soooooo glad to see you!" With that, Usagi scoops him up in a hug right in the middle of the sidewalk.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "GAH! You idiot!" he shouts, wiggling in the hug. "Let go of me, you big dumpling head!"
[10:36] * Usagi-chan clamps on to his arm and starts dragging him home behind her at a run.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Man, Mom and Dad are going to kill you, Usagi!" he shouts as you drag him. "Your teacher called last night, and you're in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!"
[10:38] <Usagi-chan> "I don't caaaare!" Usagi singsongs. "I'm just so happy to be HOME!"
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You'll be home for the next two months, cat breath!" Shingo teases. "Mom was ready to ship you off to boot camp!"
[10:41] <Usagi-chan> "Right now NOTHING can ruin my good mood, not even you, Shingo-baka!" Usagi runs the last few yards to her front door and bursts in. "I'm HOOOME!"
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "USAGI TSUKINO!" Your mother roars from the kitchen. You haven't heard her like this since the time you flooded the entire second floor. "Where have you BEEN, young lady?" she asks when you come into the kitchen. "Away from school for TWO DAYS, and you didn't come home last night!"
[10:45] * Usagi-chan ignores her mother's outburst completely and grabs her in a giant hug. "I'm soo glad to be home, Mom! You wouldn't believe what the past couple of days have been like..."
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll BET!" she says. "Where have you been?" she asks, a bit more tenderly. "Your teacher called two days in a row about you, and we were worried sick..."
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> "I promise I'll explain everything, and I really DO have a good reason. Where's Daddy?"
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> She lightly hits you on the head with her spatula. "Usagi, are you pregnant? Doing drugs? Having a relationship? In a gang?" she asks, panicking.
[10:48] * Usagi-chan giggles. "No, no, sort of, and sort of. But it's not what you think."
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, we'll wait for your father to get home. But until then, you are staying right HERE," she says, pointing to a kitchen chair with her spatula.
[10:49] * Usagi-chan steps back and smiles. "Right now, there's no other place I'd rather be, believe me."
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother watches you for the next few hours, preparing dinner and keeping up a semi normal veneer of conversation. Finally, your father arrives home, bedraggled and tired. "Usagi!" is his first word when he enters, followed by, "You are in SO much trouble, Usagi!"
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> "Daddy!" In a repeat of her earlier performance, Usagi envelops her irate father in a hug.
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Woah!" he says, nearly toppled over by the blonde ball of energy.
[10:58] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, I promised Mom I'd tell you guys where I've been, but first I need to ask you a question. What happened over the past couple of days besides me being gone?"
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not much," Ikkoku says. "It's been quiet this week, no monster attacks or troubles." she says.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan nods and takes a deep breath. "Okay, I'll tell you where I've been-and I swear on my next year's allowance that I really am telling the truth, but I know it'll be hard to believe at first."
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay..." Your father says, bracing himself for what you're about to say.
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> "SHINGO! Get in here, you need to hear this too!" Usagi yells.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm playing video games!" he shouts back.
[11:04] <Usagi-chan> "I don't care! This is really important!"
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But I'm at level 8 of Sailor V versus the Mafia!" he complains.
[11:06] * Usagi-chan fumes. "I'll be right back..." Usagi storms out into the living room, dragging back a struggling Shingo by the collar.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "HEY!" he yips as Sailor V meets her end via a Mafia machine gun.
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> "All right, it's time to come clean." Usagi takes a deep breath, then looks straight at her parents. "I'm Sailor Moon."
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "..." is the collective reaction, followed by loud, raucous laughter.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, that's good, Usagi," Shingo gasps. "Like you could be Sailor Moon!"
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dear," your mother says between chuckles, "Perhaps you should tell us the truth?"
[11:09] * Usagi-chan hangs her head. "Fine, I didn't think you'd believe me. Moon Prism Power, Make UP!" Usagi lets the transformation wash over her, enveloping the blonde in a cascade of ribbons and light as she changes into the Soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon!
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, silence fills the room...until the thunk of your mother and father both passing out breaks the silence. Meanwhile, Shingo stares at you with wide, unblinking eyes, like a picture.
[11:13] <Sailor_Moon> "Mom! Dad! Are you all right?" Moon rushes to her parents' side to make sure they didn't hit their heads on anything.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> They look to be okay, just out cold from fainting.
[11:15] * Sailor_Moon runs to the sink and gets a glass of water, tossing some in each of their faces to try to bring them around.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do this, Shingo manages to graduate to the level of 'gasping like a fish out of water'.
[11:16] <Sailor_Moon> "Shingo! Get over here and help me, will ya?"
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite your words, he keeps staring and gasping. Bright kid.
[11:17] <Sailor_Moon> "And I thought dealing with Metallia was tough..." Moon mutters, still trying to revive her parents.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmghhg." Is what your mother says after being splashed. Your father is much the same way.
[11:18] <Sailor_Moon> "Are you two okay?" Moon wears a rather worried expression.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah..." Mom murmurs, staring at you in shock.
[11:22] * Sailor_Moon pulls her rather dazed mother into a hug. "It's still me, Usagi Tsukino. I'm still your little girl."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother touches your face. "Really...you're really Sailor Moon?"
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Pokepokepoke* she pokes your cheek three times, like you're an illusion.
[11:24] * Sailor_Moon smiles, tears trickling from the corners of her eyes. "I really am. I'm Sailor Moon, for real."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow...I never...My clumsy girl is Sailor Moon..." Your Dad says, shaking his head.
[11:26] * Sailor_Moon giggles. "Daddy..."
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's...that's why you were gone from school so much? Why you were always sleeping late?" Ikkoku inquires.
[11:29] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Youma didn't exactly stick to attacking after school and on the weekends."
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's you the TV always goes on about...." she says again, still disbelieving.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "NO! YOU CAN'T BE SAILOR MOON! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! IT'S A TRICK! A LIE!" Shingo shouts, running out of the room.
[11:33] * Sailor_Moon giggles. "I know, it's weird to see myself and the other girls on the news! I'm kind of surprised no one ever picked up on the hair though..." Usagi picks up one of her long pigtails. "It's not like this hairstyle is exactly common..."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Now that you mention it..." Kenji says, "Why didn't I ever think of that? I remember thinking a few days ago how strange your hairstyle is."
[11:36] <Sailor_Moon> "There's a reason for that too, but let's get Shingo-baka back in here to finish listening first." Moon removes her tiara and smirks. "Oh Shiiingooo...."
[11:38] * Sailor_Moon grins and hurls her tiara. "Moon Tiara Action!" Moon directs the tiara to capture Shingo and bring him back into the kitchen.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tiara streaks out, nabbing Shingo and dragging him back.
[11:41] * Sailor_Moon laughs at seeing her annoying little brother get dragged around by her tiara. "Okay, enough fun." She makes a motion and the tiara releases Shingo and returns to her hand.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo rubs his side from where the tiara grabbed him. "I won't believe my sister is Sailor Moon!" he says, crossing his arms.
[11:43] * Sailor_Moon tweaks his nose. "Well, it's true whether YOU believe it or not." Usagi sighs. "Now for confession number two, and there's a long story with this one. Are you ready for another little shock? I'm going to change again."
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you finish your latest speech, you hear a soft gasp from the kitchen doorway. Turning, you see Luna, eyes wide.
[11:48] * Sailor_Moon hides a guilty expression at the sight of her advisor. "Sorry Luna... I should probably have told you before I started this."
[11:49] * Sailor_Moon turns back to her parents. "Don't. Faint."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Told your cat?" Your mother asks again, twitching. "Are you sure you aren't distressed, Usagi?
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "
[11:50] <Sailor_Moon> "Believe me Mom, I have never felt better in my life than today."
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really...." she says for the third time.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your parents still seem to be in shock, you notice.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> As is Luna, who is having a silent conniption fit at what you said.
[11:56] * Sailor_Moon walks over and scoops Luna up in her arms. "Go ahead, Luna, chew me out for being a dumpling head. I'm just tired of keeping secrets and besides, I don't see any more reason why I need to at this point. And I am NOT getting grounded for saving the world!"
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna looks at you, somewhat annoyed and somewhat understanding. "Hi," she says to your parents.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Twitch Twitch Twitch*
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> If you didn't know better, you'd say your parents were having a small seizure.
[11:59] * Sailor_Moon drops Luna and goes over to hug her parents. "I'm sorry for dropping this on you like this..."
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> After much gaping and gasping at your identity, your parents managed to get out into the living room to sit down - not a bad idea, all things considered.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> They are looking at you like you're a rare creature, escaped from a zoo rather than their daughter. Clearly, things aren't settled yet.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Your cat...talks?" Kenji says, eyeing the feline. "You're Sailor Moon and your cat talks..."
[09:56] * Sailor_Moon giggles. "You should have seen my reaction when she first started talking to me."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Pleased to meet you, Mr and Mrs Tsukino," Luna says, hopping onto the table in front of the couch. "I'm Luna, Usagi's guardian Mau."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Guardian...Mao?" your mother asks.
[10:01] <Sailor_Moon> "Ma-u. We usually just call them mooncats, or cats."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mooncats? I need to lay down," Your mother says again. "This is so strange..."
[10:14] * Sailor_Moon kneels on the floor next to the couch and takes her mother's hands. "I'm so sorry, but I couldn't tell you for so long... Please forgive me."
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why didn't you," your father asks, still shaking his head as if he's in a dream.
[10:21] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Because if anyone found out who I really am, they could have gone after you guys to get to me, and I didn't want to put you in danger like that."
[09:42] <Ana-away> After more ado, your parents have finally calmed down a good deal.
[09:43] <Ana-away> "So, what do you do being Sailor Moon? Do you run around and beat up monsters in that outfit all night?" That's the question your father asks you when he gets his wits back.
[09:45] * Sailor_Moon smiles. "Not unless they're out running around in the middle of the night. Usually we don't go looking for youma-that's what we call the monsters we've fought-unless we hear about one causing trouble."
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh."
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you do anything else?" Your mother asks next. "Besides fighting monsters?"
[09:47] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Not really unless you count training with the other senshi."
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Other Senshi? That's right, the other..." Your mother says, then blinks hard several times, as if doing mental math and coming to what should be an obvious conclusion.
[09:52] <Sailor_Moon> "Yeah, the group of friends I've started hanging out with more recently are the other sailor senshi. Ami-chan, Rei-chan, Mako-chan, and Mina-chan - oh, and Herb-san too."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your father looks at you oddly. "You girls are...normal, aren't you?" he suddenly asks.
[09:55] <Sailor_Moon> "Of course! Well, as normal as it gets for magical soldiers sworn to protect people from evil, anyway." Usagi giggles.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I mea...no, nevermind," he says, paling and shaking his head.
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So...will you be off to fight monsters now?" your mother asks. "Is that were you were the last few days?"
[10:01] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "I don't think we'll have to fight anymore after this-that's part of why I decided to tell you guys now. But yeah, we spent the past couple of days taking care of the source of all the youma attacks over the past several months."
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You won't be fighting anymore?" Your mother smiles at that, and lets out a breath.
[10:05] <Sailor_Moon> "I hope not! If anything else ever comes up I plan to be ready for it, but it looks like the worst is over now." Usagi returns her mother's smile.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank goodness," she says happily. "So you'll be safe now..."
[10:10] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Even if anything else DID ever happen, I've got all the other senshi to help me, and they've all promised to protect me. So you don't need to worry about anything."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi..." your father starts, composing himself. "I'm...proud of you." he says simply.
[10:11] * Sailor_Moon simply breaks into a wide smile and gives her father a tight hug. "Thanks, Daddy..."
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes...I'm proud of you too, Usagi. You really weren't just slacking off at school and sleeping too much."
[10:14] <Sailor_Moon> "Oooh, you have NO idea how much I wish I could have said something at school-although I probably still won't. It's not like I could get you to write me notes that said 'Excuse Usagi for being late all the time, but she's been having to save the city a lot lately.'"
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, your teacher was rather angry - as I recall, you ran out from the hallway and skipped two more days after that?"
[10:18] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "That was when we figured out that the shield dropped. Things... really got messy after that." Usagi sighs.
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Messy? What happened?" Your mother asks.
[10:23] <Sailor_Moon> "It's... I'm not exactly sure what's happened now, to be honest. As far as I can remember, two days ago a portal opened in the middle of downtown and a bunch of youma wrecked the place. Yesterday, we went to the Moon and fought, and when we got back earlier today most of Tokyo was in ruins. But apparently you guys don't remember anything like that happening."
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...yeah, I don't remember anything like that..." Ikkuko says.
[10:27] <Sailor_Moon> "Maybe Ami can figure out exactly what happened... I'm just glad that everything's back to normal."
[10:30] * Sailor_Moon relaxes, letting her transformation slip.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope so," your father says, still shocked. "And do we need to set a place at the table for the cat now?"
[10:31] * Usagi-chan gives Luna an evil grin. "She can stick to table scraps, same as always."
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi!" Luna wails, giving you a evil look.
[10:32] * Usagi-chan grabs Luna and starts rubbing her between the ears. "I'm only teasing, Luna, geez..."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Cat at the dinner table..." Mom mutters. "Oh dear..."
[10:33] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You don't have to do anything special for Luna unless you really want to, Mom."
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What silverware would Luna use," your mother murmurs, already having lost herself in thought.
--------------
Insert the infamous T*A expulsion here!
--------------

[Halbarad]

[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> After getting away from what is likely your former school, you eventually end up at Rei's temple.
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's getting on towards late morning now, and what happened has begun to sink in...
[09:20] <V-chan> "Another week, another school." Minako sighs.
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "Wonder how grandpa is going to take this... I had such a spotless record, too..."
[09:21] <V-chan> "Me too, actually."
[09:22] * Rei-chan turns to Minako, "Why did you mouth off to the headmaster, then? We probably could have gotten through it without too much trouble if you hadn't."
[09:23] <V-chan> "I couldn't help it!" Minako wrings out her hands. "I think nuns just get on my nerves!"
[09:23] <Rei-chan> "And here I thought you liked religous types," Rei jokes half heartedly.
[09:23] * V-chan snorts. "They're all looks. Except one."
[09:25] * Rei-chan sighs, "So... any idea what we're going to do now? My dad might kick up a fuss, but I really can't see T*A ever letting me back, no matter how much he bribes them..."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei!" As you walk onto the grounds, Yuuichiro calls you. "You're home early," he says as he walks up from sweeping the front steps. He doesn't seem to have heard your conversation with Minako, as he's giving you his goofy, slackerish grin.
[09:26] <V-chan> "Umm...." Minako scrunches up her forehead. "When I was trying to decide, I was thinking of applying to Mugen, but I ended up going for T*A."
[09:26] <V-chan> "Oh, hi, Yui-chan," Minako says, waving.
[09:26] <Rei-chan> "Hi Yuuichiro, I got the day off school. Kinda," Rei says, blushing. She then turns to Minako, "Mugen? What's there?"
[09:26] <V-chan> "Another escalator." Minako shrugs. "Want to check it out?"
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? I thought you went to a real bummer school. How'd you get the day off?" he asks.
[09:27] <Rei-chan> "They kicked me out," Rei says, looking at her feet.
[09:28] <Rei-chan> "But, I guess I could see about transferring to Mugen..."
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "WHAT?!!?" Yuuichiro sputters, dropping his broom as he triple takes. "Kicked out?! REI?!"
[09:28] * Rei-chan blushes profusely.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What a bummer..." he gasps. "I'd have never...oh man, your grandfather is gonna kill ya, too."
[09:31] <Rei-chan> "Ah... I'm sure he'll see things my way once I explain..." Rei says, optimistically.
[09:31] * V-chan winces. "Umm, should I go and hide?" she asks Rei.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow...what did you do to get kicked out, Rei?" he asks as he bends over to pick up his broom.
[09:32] * Rei-chan blushes. "Ah, well... it's kinda complicated," she says, pushing her index fingers together, "The school... didn't approve of my... lifestyle."
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Lifestyle? Like being a temple girl?" he asks, rubbing the back of his head, confused.
[09:34] <Rei-chan> "Uh... oh, hey! I better go and tell Gramps, right?" Rei grabs Minako and dashes up the stairs past Yuuichiro.
[09:34] * V-chan is pulled along, waving at Yui-chan again.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uh...sure, Rei," he says, still confused as you run by.
[09:36] * Rei-chan looks around for her grandfather.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around the temple grounds, you find your grandfather on the phone. His face is unusually serious... "Uh huh, I see.." he says, speaking into the phone.
[09:37] * Rei-chan pulls Minako along as she heads over towards her grandfather.
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, yes, I understand..." he says into the phone, his forehead scrunched up.
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> He continues to issue short, non-descriptive responses into the phone. Nothing that tips his hand about what he's talking about.
[09:39] * Rei-chan fidgets slightly as she waits.
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, thank you for the call," he replies, hanging up the phone.
[09:40] * V-chan has a strong desire to run away.
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "Ah, hi Grandpa," Rei says nervously, "I kinda have something I need to tell you..."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning to you, your grandfater breaks out into tears. "Oh Rei, what dishonor you bring to our family!" he sobs.
[09:41] <Rei-chan> "Ah..." Rei says eloquently, thanking her lucky stars that he doesn't know the half of how dishonoured she is.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What shame!" He goes on, ignoring your little ah. "What calamity!"
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "It's really not that bad," Rei attempts to console him.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The old man is fully wound up. "Not that bad? Oh, REI!"
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> He goes into full sob mode, tears and dramaticisms flowing freely.
[09:45] <Rei-chan> "Calm down, Grandpa! It's hardly the end of the world! We fixed that yesterday!"
[09:46] * V-chan nods hesitantly.
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Expelled from school, Rei! What a mark on the family's honor!" He goes on. It's unclear to if he's sincere or just carrying on, but either way...
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "I can't help it if they're a bunch of small minded bigots at T*A!" Rei yells, "There are plenty of other schools out there."
[09:48] <V-chan> "They're bigots and God hates them," Minako agrees.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> He calms down. "Huh? They said they kicked you out for setting desks on fire, Rei," he says, a bit surprised at your words, dropping the teary act.
[09:49] <V-chan> "Lies!" Minako exclaims.
[09:49] <Rei-chan> "They kicked us out because we're gay!" Rei replies, putting an arm around Minako. It's not really the whole truth, but it's her story and she's sticking to it.
[09:50] * V-chan nods. "Together, and very happy."
[09:50] <Rei-chan> "That desk went on fire of its own volition," she adds, not sounding as heartfelt.
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your grandfather's face falls into a mask that can only be called a mask of whattheFUCKedness. "Gay?" he says, like the word is new to him. "As in, you and her..." in a small voice.
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He makes a rather crude diagram with his hands to accent his words.
[09:51] * Rei-chan bops him on the head. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, are you," he demands.
[09:53] <Rei-chan> "Yes, but you don't need to be crude about it!" Rei snaps.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That means...oh, woe! No great-grandchildren!" he wails.
[09:56] <V-chan> "Well, not necessarily," Minako mumbles, blushing.
[09:56] * Rei-chan blinks. She hadn't thought of that. "We can adopt?" she looks at Minako for confirmation.
[09:57] <V-chan> "That too," Minako agrees evasively.
[09:58] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, the headmaster called us lesbian witches and said horrible things. I'm glad to be out of that school if that's their attitude," Rei says, sounding very firm.
[09:59] <V-chan> "Yeah!" Minako adds. "I'm not a witch!"
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, Rei..." your grandfather starts, seeming a bit unsure how to continue... "Do you have...pictures?"
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> He grins, moving away from you.
[10:00] * V-chan blinks. "Pictures?" she asks.
[10:02] * Rei-chan turns very red. "You... pervert..." she growls, remembering what she had seen when Metallia had changed her yesterday...
[10:02] * V-chan pokes Rei. "Say, do you know what your grandfather's talking about?"
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Says the girl who likes girls," your grandfather teases, dancing out of your way.
[10:03] <Rei-chan> The red haze dissipates as Rei blinks at Minako. "You know... pictures of us..." she copies her grandfather's earlier crude gesture, "Doing stuff."
[10:04] * V-chan blushes. "We're too young for that, Rei-chan!"
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "Damn right we are!" Rei says fiercely.
[10:04] * V-chan nods. "Kissing is fine."
[10:05] * Rei-chan nods. "Let's not talk about this right now, okay?"
[10:05] * V-chan shrugs. "Sure thing, Rei-chan!"
[10:06] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," Rei says, turning to her grandfather, "We're going to start looking into other schools we can transfer to now. Minako suggested Mugen, so I guess we can check that out first..."
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, be that as it may," he says, serious again, "You did get thrown out of school."
[10:06] <V-chan> "It's a school with a really impressive history!" Minako enthuses. "If Rei-chan didn't go to T*A, I probably would've tried going there instead."
[10:07] <Rei-chan> "Aside from this, my record is spotless. Any unbiased observer could see that the headmaster at T*A just threw me out because he's a bigot." Rei says confidently, "I won't have trouble finding a new school."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Or having one found for you," your grandfather points out.
[10:13] * Rei-chan sighs. "Yeah, dad will probably step in to make sure I go to an 'appropriate' school," she says disgustedly.
[10:13] <V-chan> "I don't really mind where I go, if it's with you, Rei-chan," Minako says with a smile. "And I'll do better next time, honest!"
[10:15] * Rei-chan gives Minako a slightly dubious look, but refrains from commenting.
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your grandfather sighs. "Rei, Rei, Rei. No pictures and getting kicked of school..."
[10:16] <Rei-chan> "Come on Grandpa, it's not the worst thing that could happen," Rei says in a semi cheerful tone.
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, you could end up alone and unloved, Rei, and only have a cat to keep you company," he says.
[10:30] <V-chan> "No way!" Minako exclaims, glomping Rei.
[10:30] * Rei-chan chuckles, "I think that answers that, grandpa..."
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's early in the evening now, perhaps 5:30 PM. The sky is darkening quickly, as it does in early winter. The snow from the day is still around, and more is starting to fall from the black sky. The wind is picking up, and it looks to be a bad night outside.
[10:37] * V-chan arrives with Rei at a small two-story house, its roof painted blue. "I did that," Minako says with pride, pointing and smiling.
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "It looks nice," Rei says, shivering in her thick winter coat.
[10:38] * V-chan opens the gate for Rei, and invites her onto the property.
[10:38] * Rei-chan heads on in.
[10:39] <Rei-chan> "Brr... I hate the cold," she says, "Though I suppose with my hair like this I look like Yuki Onna from the story..."
[10:40] <V-chan> "You know, I could do something about it..." Minako mentions hesitantly, heading inside.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "The hair?" Rei blinks, before frowning. "No... it's a reminder to me..." she says quietly as she steps inside and removes her shoes.
[10:41] * V-chan gets her slippers, and offers a spare pair to Rei.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you enter, you hear the voice of your mother. "Is that you, Minako dear?"
[10:41] * Rei-chan hangs up her coat and puts on the offered slippers.
[10:43] <V-chan> "Yeah, Mom," Minako replies. "There's something we need to talk about...."
[10:43] * V-chan motions for Rei to follow her, and heads towards her mother's voice.
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," she calls out from the kitchen. "How about over dinner, it's dumplings tonight."
[10:44] * V-chan chuckles, replying, "Sure!"
[10:44] * Rei-chan gives a silent prayer that Minako's parents will take the expulsion well as she follows Minako deeper into the house.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go deeper, the smell of cooking dumplings and vegetables is in the air...in the living room, a shortish Japanese man sits, watching TV.
[10:46] <V-chan> "Hi, Dad!" Minako greets.
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi, Mina," Minako's father says, glancing up from the TV. "Have a good day at your new school?"
[10:47] * Rei-chan quietly waits to be introduced, then flinches at Mr Aino's question to his daughter.
[10:47] * V-chan sighs. "No," she says, grimacing. "I'll have to change schools again."
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Again?" he turns off the TV and motions for Minako to sit down. "What happened, Mina?"
[10:47] <V-chan> "It's a really bad place, and the principal's a meanie!" She stomps her foot. "He called me a lesbian witch!"
[10:48] * Rei-chan starts to feel really uncomfortable.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He did, did he," he says quietly. "Oh, and I'm sorry," he says, looking at Rei. "Who is your friend, Minako?"
[10:49] <Rei-chan> "Rei Hino," Rei bows politely, "It's nice to meet you."
[10:49] <V-chan> "That's Rei-chan, my girlfriend!" Minako announces brightly. "Can she stay for dinner?"
[10:49] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes bug out at Minako's introduction.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, that's nice, dear," he says. "Did you bring any other hip girlfriends over," he smiles, like he's trying to be cool and 'in with it'.
[10:50] * V-chan shakes her head. "Rei-chan's the only one for me, Daddy!"
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He frowns. "That's nice, dear, but you should have more friends. It's not good to keep to yourself..."
[10:51] * Rei-chan coughs delicately, but otherwise stays silent.
[10:51] <V-chan> "Oh, I misunderstood!" Minako laughs. "Sure, I have lots of friends!"
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then you should bring them over, too, like you did with Rei," he says. "We'd be glad to have guests."
[10:52] * V-chan nods. "Sure, I'll do that. So, is dinner ready yet?"
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ask your mother...and I think we'll need to talk about your schooling over dinner," he says, a bit more serious. "We can't have you leave every school in Tokyo, dear."
[10:53] <V-chan> "If you help me get into Mugen, Daddy," Minako says pleadingly, "I won't need any other school! Just one more, okay? Please?"
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh...alright, Mina. Just promise not to leave this one, okay?" he says, smiling the indulgent smile of a father.
[10:54] * V-chan nods again. "Of course not, Daddy! I'll be good!"
[10:55] <Rei-chan> Deciding to change the subject, Rei speaks up. "So, Mr Aino, what do you do for a living?" she asks, feigning genuine interest.
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I work in the software field," he says. "Nothing fancy, but it keeps Minako and Yuri well taken care of...mostly, anyway."
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "Really? That sounds interesting. What kind of software do you work on?" Rei asks, still sounding interested, even as she lets her mind wander. The subject is hardly something she can muster enthusiasm for, but it pays to be polite.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I work on software applications for..." he goes on, easily enough nodded to politely.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit of this polite chit chat... "Dinner is ready, Minako! Ken, dinner's ready!"
[11:02] * V-chan grabs Rei's hand, and skips towards the dining room.
[11:02] * Rei-chan follows, smiling.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The eating room is a muted, small affair, but with ample table space.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> After getting started...
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, Minako, this is your friend Rei?" Yuri Aino asks nicely.
[11:03] * V-chan nods. "Yes, this is Rei-chan!"
[11:04] <Rei-chan> "It's nice to meet you," Rei says politely.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's an honor to have you in our household, Rei," she says, nodding. "How did you meet Minako?" her question smacks of small talk and a bit of parental prying.
[11:07] * Rei-chan considers her reply. Deciding to entirely skip the 'Sailor Venus saved us from Zoicite' bit, she starts with how she first met Minako's civilian identity. "She came to visit the Shrine I run with my grandfather. We got to talking, and just sort of became friends right away," There, that's safe enough, right?
[11:07] * V-chan nods. "Speaking of Rei-chan's shrine, I've applied as a priestess trainee there!"
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, you are a temple girl?" your father asks.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A priestess trainee, Minako? You've never been really spiritual before," your mother notes.
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "You have?" Rei turns to look at Minako in surprise, before looking at her father, "Ah, yes. I've been living there with my grandfather since I was a little girl."
[11:08] <V-chan> "I've never been properly motivated before," Minako asserts.
[11:08] * Rei-chan makes a mental note to discuss this properly with Minako in private later on.
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How wonderful," Ken says, nodding politely.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Motivated, hm? Are you and Rei good friends?" your mother asks.
[11:10] * V-chan smiles widely. "Are we ever!"
[11:10] * Rei-chan blushes slightly and nods.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That nice, dear," Her father says, still smiling. Your mother glances at you, Rei and then your father. "Oh, shoot. I forgot the dessert. Ken, can you go run out and pick up some whipped cream?" he nods, setting aside his plate and leaving.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> After he leaves the house, Minako's mother turns to her. "So, dear," she starts.
[11:12] <V-chan> "Yes, Mom?" Minako asks.
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ah, how exactly close to Rei are you," she asks the question delicately.
[11:13] <V-chan> "She's my girlfriend, Mom," Minako replies simply. "Didn't Daddy tell you?"
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her eyes narrow. "No, he didn't. So, you and her are lesbians?" she asks plainly.
[11:14] <V-chan> "Yes, but we're not witches!" Minako says defensively.
[11:14] * Rei-chan fidgets uncomfortably.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you and Rei serious, Mina dear? This isn't just something that you saw on one of your cartoons, is it?"
[11:15] * V-chan looks hurt. "Of course not, Mom!"
[11:16] <V-chan> "I... from the first time I saw her, I mean...." Minako fishes for words.
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "We're very serious about each other, Mrs Aino," Rei says firmly.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How serious?" she pries, without trying to hide her intent. "And, Rei, is this your first, ah, girlfriend?"
[11:18] <Rei-chan> "Ah, yes... I admit I was a bit surprised at first, but..." she shrugs helplessly, "I can't help feeling about Minako the way I do."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmmmm," she says. "And Minako, are you sure about this? Are you a total lesbian or bi?" she asks Minako flat out.
[11:22] * V-chan almost falls out of her chair at the question, but then rights herself and shrugs. "I'm neither! I'm in love with Rei-chan!"
[11:23] * Rei-chan feels all warm and fuzzy at that declaration, but a little bit sad that she can't express her feelings as confidently as Minako can.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, you are straight, but you just happen to love another girl?"
[11:25] * V-chan ponders. "I never felt that way about another girl before. But I'm embarrassed around them, sometimes." She looks genuinely puzzled. "What do you think, Mom?"
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think that I'm surprised that you aren't marching in a gay rights parade about now," she says dryly, but with a small movement on the corner of her mouth that could be a smile.
[11:27] * V-chan frowns. "Maybe I should. The principal was really mean to us today, Mom. That's not right...."
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> She pales a bit. "No, no, I was joking, Mina dear."
[11:28] <V-chan> "Oh, okay then!" Minako brightens up. "And there are other schools!"
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Other...schools?" she starts.
[11:29] <V-chan> "Daddy didn't tell you anything, did he?" Minako asks, sighing.
[11:29] <Rei-chan> "The headmaster at T*A didn't approve of us... they called my grandfather, didn't they call you?" Rei asks, slightly puzzled.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, he didn't. We didn't get a call...perhaps I should check the answering machine, Mina?"
[11:30] <V-chan> "He yelled at us, and called us lesbian witches, and then God set his desk on fire, but they lied and called it sorcery."
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> She puts down her fork, and stops poking at her food, which she had been since the conversation started.
[11:30] * V-chan sighs again. "I don't think I like T*A Academy."
[11:31] * Rei-chan flushes guiltily at mention of the desk.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What happened, Minako? From the beginning...and don't lie," she says, quite strongly. "I think it sounds like we need to have a long talk, just the three of us."
[11:32] <V-chan> "You and Daddy will help me move to a better school, won't you, Mom?" Minako pleads. "I honestly didn't do anything bad!"
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We'll see, dear," she says, pushing her plate away. "How about we go out for some tea or cocoa before Ken gets back?" It's not really a question, either.
[11:33] <V-chan> "Umm, okay, I guess." Minako glances at Rei. "Coming, Rei-chan?"
[11:34] * Rei-chan nods, pushing away her plate. "The dumplings were delicious, Mrs Aino," she compliments, trying not to sound too stressed.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm glad, Rei," she says as she gets up. "I'm sure Ken will finish up and put away the food."
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leaving the house, you see that snow is picking up.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Let's just go to Mayami's Cafe, Mina," she says as she opens the car doors.
[11:38] <V-chan> "Fine by me."
[11:38] * Rei-chan gets in the back seat silently.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The drive goes by peaceably enough, which means relative silence.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once out of the neighboorhood, you quickly find yourselves at a nearby cafe, a small little local place.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once you are in and set up with a warm mug of your preferred hot beverage...
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, what exactly happened at the renowned T*A Academy, girls?" she says after a sip of her tea.
[11:41] <V-chan> "I just saw some girl confess to Rei-chan in the hallway and hug her and I came to break them up because Rei-chan didn't want her but that girl didn't take no for an answer, and I ended up telling that other girl to leave and so did Rei-chan and she finally left, but the principal called for us and said we were in trouble and a nun was there," Minako says in one breath.
[11:42] * Rei-chan looks at Minako, slightly impressed that she got all that out without pausing for breath.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Take a breath, Minako" - her term for slow down and repeat yourself - "and try again, okay dear?"
[11:43] <V-chan> "Then, that nun was glaring at me and I got really nervous because nuns make me nervous and it's a Catholic school so there are lots of nuns there, and I started babbling, which I sometimes do when I'm nervous," Minako continued, not hearing her mother's request. "And I thought he would be perfect for Ooshige-oneesan so I asked if he was single and I guess he wasn't."
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She plays with her stirring spoon after she says that, patiently waiting for Minako to express herself fully.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako," she reaches over and lightly grasps her shoulder and very lightly shakes her, "calm down."
[11:44] * V-chan sighs, and turns pleading eyes on her mother. "I really didn't do anything bad, and he called me a witch!"
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "Ah..." Rei shoots a worried glance at Minako before speaking up, "What happened is that a girl at the school confessed to me a few days ago, just before Minako did, actually. Today I was trying to let her down gently, but it all went horribly wrong..."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You must have a way with the girls," Yuri murmurs to Rei. "Now, Minako. Take a breath, calm down and start over. Slowly, tell me what happened."
[11:46] * Rei-chan glowers briefly at being dismissed from the conversation before huffily drinking her tea.
[11:46] <V-chan> "Well, this girl was really pushy, and it hurt a lot seeing her cling to Rei-chan, so I just tried to get her to let go," Minako replies, downcast.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The girl who was confessing to Rei?" Yuri asks, tapping her spoon on the edge of the table after leaning back and letting go of your shoulder.
[11:49] * V-chan nods slightly. "I told her she couldn't have Rei-chan, and Rei-chan told her she didn't like her, and she ran away."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I...see. That doesn't sound like much of an incident, does it?"
[11:49] * V-chan nods, stronger this time. "I thought so too!"
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "We got pretty loud..." Rei says embarrassedly.
[11:50] <V-chan> "We did?" Minako asks, glancing at Rei.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh?" she notes, turning to Rei. "How loud were you three?"
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "There was a lot of yelling and crying... we drew a big crowd..." Rei says, blushing.
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? It must have been a prime preformance."
[11:52] <Rei-chan> "Everyone else seemed entertained enough," Rei says bitterly.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sips from her tea, still eyeing Minako.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see. And how did this lead to your falling out with the Headmaster?"
[11:53] <V-chan> "Beats me," Minako replies. "I still can't figure it out."
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you sure, Minako? Surely such a fine, bright girl can figure how that lead to your premature exit from such a nice school." she needles Minako, smiling. "Right, dear?"
[11:55] <Rei-chan> "Well, we got called to his office, and he asked about our... relationship. Then things got a little heated and he expelled Minako. I said if she left, so would I, but he tried to stop me by bringing my father up... then everyone was basically yelling and then the desk caught fire and he called for security..."
[11:55] * V-chan sighs. "I told you, Mom. All I did was ask if he was single, because Ooshige-oneesan was saying the other day that she loved red-haired men with steady jobs."
[11:55] * Rei-chan slaps her head, wishing Minako would learn when to shut up.
[11:56] * V-chan looks innocently at Rei and her mother.
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...sigh..." She audibly sighs. "Tell me everything, Minako. From the start, and no artistic editing."
[11:57] <V-chan> "That's all," Minako says with a shrug. "Then, he said some pretty nasty things about Rei-chan and her father."
[11:57] * Rei-chan doesn't think that's exactly what happened, but decides not to bother saying anything.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Her father, hm? Rei, is your father an issue in this at all?" she asks. "Is your father someone worth insulting?"
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "He didn't so much insult my father, but bringing him up was something of a sore spot with me..." Rei shrugs, feeling the familiar anger whenever she has to think about him.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see. Rei, what exactly did he say about your father?"
[12:01] <Rei-chan> "When I said I would leave if Minako did, he said he'd get my father involved. My father is an important politician, and doesn't really have anything to do with me at all. I've lived with grandfather ever since my mother died." As she speaks, Rei feels her anger become tinged with melancholy. Her shitty family life is not something she enjoys discussing.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ah, I see." she says, letting the matters drop. "So, T*A is not an option anymore, Mina?"
[12:02] * V-chan sighs. "I'm sorry I'm so much trouble to you and Daddy, Mom."
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's alright, Mina. We'll just have to get you in a new school. One you'll stick with."
[12:04] * V-chan nods. "I... I just want to go to school with Rei-chan. It doesn't matter which one, if we're together."
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Aww..." Rei blushes and reaches over to hold Minako's hand.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps Juuban Middle, Mina?" she asks. "That's reasonably close, and has a decent reputation."
[12:06] <Rei-chan> "My father will probably insist on sending me to another 'elite' school," Rei says bitterly, "That seems to be all he cares about from me."
[12:06] <V-chan> "Can we try Mugen, then?" Minako asks suddenly. "It's even more 'elite' than T*A, and they treat students much better, from what I heard!"
[12:07] <V-chan> "I'm sure Rei-chan's father won't mind this, then, and... and I'll study really hard to get in!"
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "He probably won't raise a fuss if I try to get in there on my own... I hope."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mugen?" Your mother asks this as she puts down her finished cup of tea. "I'm not familiar with the school. Are you, Mina?"
[12:08] <Rei-chan> "I know it's a fairly new school, and supposedly hard to get into, but I don't know anyone who attends there..." Rei says thoughtfully.
[12:09] <V-chan> "When I was researching other schools, I heard of it and investigated further," Minako explains. "The students are on an entirely different level than public schools, and the teachers are very nice and considerate. It doesn't matter who you are... just what you can achieve."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see. It sounds like a purely academic academy rather than a school. Can you get admitted, Mina?"
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "Heh, we can ask Ami-chan to help us study for the entrance exam," Rei says confidently.
[12:12] * V-chan bites her lower lip, thinking for a long moment. "I'll.... If I have to, I'll give up singing for it," she finally says.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're serious, Mina," Yuri quietly says.
[12:12] * Rei-chan looks at Minako in surprise.
[12:13] * V-chan shrugs. "Kinda uncharacteristic of me, right?"
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well...If you want to, you have my blessing," she says. "Just don't wreck your life over this, okay Mina? Okay?"
[12:15] * V-chan moves across the table and hugs her mother. "Okay...."
[12:15] <Rei-chan> "Hey, with the smartest girl in Japan to help us study, we'll do fine, Minako," Rei insists supportively.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother hugs you back. "Yes, Mina..."
[12:16] <V-chan> "I'll study lots!" she announces.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope so..."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And," she says. "Shall we go home now? It's getting worse outside."
[12:17] * V-chan nods. "Let's."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing out the window, you see that it's a full blown snow storm now.
[12:18] * Rei-chan shivers. "Oh man... I hate snow."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Arriving through the snow at Minako's house, you find dinner put away...and on the kitchen floor is a very full and stuffed Artemis.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi dear," Ken says. "Since you left, I gave the rest of the leftovers to the cat."
[12:20] <Rei-chan> "Artemis sure seems happy," Rei notes.
[12:20] <V-chan> "Artemis will get fat like that," Minako says, snickering.
[12:20] * Rei-chan giggles.
[12:20] <V-chan> "Marshmallow kitty...."
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis looks up at Minako, and gives you a momentary evil eye before stumbling up...and staggering out of the room.
[12:22] <V-chan> "The snow's getting kinda strong," Minako says, looking outside worriedly, before glancing at Rei. "Mom, about Rei-chan...."
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's fine, Minako," she says, finishing your sentence and answering for you.
[12:24] <V-chan> "Yay!"
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "Ah, thanks," Rei says, a little surprised. "Can I use your phone to call grandpa?"
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Certainly. It's in the hallway."
[12:24] * V-chan shows Rei to the phone in the living room.
[12:24] * Rei-chan calls her grandfather to tell him where she's staying.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Desipite a snicker or twelve, your grandfather merely says yes.
[12:25] * Rei-chan hangs up. "He says it's okay," she tells Minako.
[12:26] * V-chan grins. "It's great!" Her face falling somewhat, she adds, "It's the first time someone's stayed over in forever."
[12:26] <Rei-chan> "Heh..." Rei laughs nervously, "Um, where will I be sleeping, exactly?"
[12:27] * V-chan blushes. "Well, we have a guest room...."
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that's best," Rei hurriedly agrees.
[12:27] <V-chan> "I decorated it myself!" Minako comments.
[12:28] <Rei-chan> "Cool. So, what'll we do now, then? It's still fairly early," Rei points out.
[12:28] <V-chan> "We could go and tease Artemis, or I could show you the room, or we could just... talk, I guess."
[12:29] * Rei-chan nods. "Oh yeah, I was meaning to ask, what was that you said earlier about becoming a trainee priestess?"
[12:30] <V-chan> "Well, you know how we all came to the shrine yesterday, and I stayed behind to talk to Yui-chan?" Minako asks. "He mentioned that your grandfather was looking for some girls to help at the shrine, and I figured I'd help out. It's the least I could do."
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Well, I guess we can always use a bit more help, especially with new year coming up. We'll probably get harassed by gramps a lot, but he'd do that whenever you visited anyway."
[12:32] <V-chan> "I'll be brave," Minako says stoically.
-------------------------------

[Anastasia]

I'm going to make comments as I go along. Read and enjoy, I know it's a kick for me to read these after all this time.

---

Wow. Ninja Ami as a name feels weird and wrong after all this time.

[12:35] <Ninja_Ami> "Nothing. Just gellin'." - Mmm. You know, there are some rough lines and styles present. The vernacular was new and unpolished to us, but this line stands out as an early example of >_<. A pure text line with no descriptors, bad current slang that didn't fit Ami and a nick that vaguely annoys me in retrospect. (Nothin' on Panda.)

Usagi flags down Motoki, who is talked into bringing over three more cups of hot chocolate. - Why did I merge the Crown and Fruits Parlor again?

Wow, Merc's Makoto is better than I remember. A lot better. Her lines early on feel good and very close to the Makoto lines she drew early on. There is a very strong voice speaking, and I hear it.

Oh, the first Herb apperance in the logs. I'd forgotten all about that dragon tooth sword.

[19:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis sniffs at the sword. "It smells like Herb..." he mutters. - After all these years, I find myself wondering. What DOES Herb smell like, anyway?


[07:51] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:51] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[07:51] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:51] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[07:52] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[07:52] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:52] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7.

Ugh. Remind me to shoot myself. It makes logs more annoying to read when it's not said what exactly all the rolling is for. Why the hell did Rei get a crit then have to roll again?

[08:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You might want to turn on the television," he says. - Ugh. I should've sold that line with some sort of expression. Live and learn.


[08:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sprinting down to the next street, you see six youma, all modeled after medievial swordsmen - except that they're furry, like dogs. A few people lie around, either dead or wounded by the puddles of blood they lie in. Also, there is some property damage. - I first put aside any furry cracks. That said, this game sure started getting serious toned right off the bat. This wasn't the first time NPCs died on camera or off, but you can just see the mood and seriousness of the girls up up a notch. I suppose it did exactly what it should have, for better and worse.

Wow. Rei really did get bitched by Metallia's portal something proper. I'd forgotten how savagely direct that beating was.That was a real backhand. Poor Rei-chan. This also sets the mood for what is ahead, Metallia isn't playing around any more. Pressure cooker element 2, go! Reading to the end of the scene, you can feel the heat coming fast and hard. It's no wonder cracks showed, is it?

Reading Rei's commentary about Metailla? One, Ker-rack is the sound Rei-chan's pysche makes as it's torn apart. Secondly, I really wish I had the PM of what went down there. Damn. Eb, do you remember what your modus operandi was in that scene? On the good side, Eb really worked his ass off to sell Rei having a breakdown. Just the little things - her totally over the top reaction to failing a soul check and 'sensing' evil. The way she even drops her ofuda really sells it all.

---

I'm taking a short break after reading up to Usagi waking up in the hospital. I've already hit the first point that comes to mind; there are several rough spots compared to how we RP nowadays. Also, the pure pressure is palpable, it contrasts very nicely to the often slower burn of Redux's pressure.

Secondly, the main advantage of starting in mid SM comes to light. There's already a strong bond between all the girls, something which is a huge advantage to start with. All the stress they were under only cemented this.

---

[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The official story is that a group of revolutionaries attempted a hostile attack on Tokyo but were repelled by the police.
[11:28] <V-chan> "Ready to take on those revolutionaries, Rei-chan?" Minako attempts to joke.

Was the scene setup here lost somehow or done in the oOC room? Weird.

I'm still proud of the empty castle stratgem Metallia employed. Not only was it a vicious little trick, I really feel like I sold it to the hilt. This is the first piece of GMing that I've read in this log that I go 'I'm proud of this'.

...holy shit. I'd forgotten how overwhelming Rei's transformation and defeat was. Just holy shit.

Wow. I read all the way from Rei's transformation to the end of the last battle. Just...just...words fail me. That was intense on a level I'd forgotten. Utterly stunning and overwhelming to read, yet ensnaring and filled with kickassedness. I'm going to pause this here, as I'm not sure what to say. Wow.

[Ebiris]

Arc 1 stuff

Picking and choosing at various points raised...

Ninja_Ami did bother me, because she was so... not Ami. I'm not quite sure what Panda had in mind with the mysterious jewel thief background, although I do recall frequent OOC comments as to what would happen if the other senshi (especially Sailor V) found out. I'm glad that stuff was retconned out.

As for Rei's reaction to Metallia, if you've ever read Lovecraft you'll have an idea of what I was aiming for - in Rei's conception (at this point, before she got more intimate with the Demon Goddess), Metallia was this huge inconcievable *thing* that utterly defied human comprehension. The mere act of trying to comprehend it, and the arrogance of thinking she could defeat it only to be turned aside with the merest flicker of Metallia's will, was quite enough to break the miko's spirit. From the portal right up until she was taken, Rei was clearly not in a fit state of mind for anything, and I'm glad it shone through.

Agreed on the point about the senshi already being a tightly knit group in game-1 - it made things a lot easier for us, RPing wise, and is something really missing from Redux.


As a last note for myself on rereading the logs, the conversation with Queen Serenity is a lot more wrenching in retrospect - probably because of my affection for Queen Serenity in Redux, even if the two Queens have nothing in common beside the name (in more whimsical moments, I sometimes like to wonder about the connection, though - if Redux' Queenie would have been an ancestor of the game-1 royal family, or a grown up Chibi Usa in some really convuluted time travel scenario...)

[Anastasia]

Agreed on the point about the senshi already being a tightly knit group in game-1 - it made things a lot easier for us, RPing wise, and is something really missing from Redux.

That's my one gripe with Redux(Albiet a strength at times) is that there weren't any predefined relationships. It's harder to get a fully group mentality at times.

As a last note for myself on rereading the logs, the conversation with Queen Serenity is a lot more wrenching in retrospect - probably because of my affection for Queen Serenity in Redux, even if the two Queens have nothing in common beside the name (in more whimsical moments, I sometimes like to wonder about the connection, though - if Redux' Queenie would have been an ancestor of the game-1 royal family, or a grown up Chibi Usa in some really convuluted time travel scenario...)

As I touched on in PM with you today; I believe Queenie 1 and Queenie are as different as Usagi-1 and Usagi-2 relatively. Take that however you please; relatively.