Sailor Moon S: Like The Diamond She Is: Act XVIII

"Infernape...?"

Ash and Pikachu looked up into Infernape's eyes, finding nothing but darkness and wrath. This was one of their good and loyal friends now taking on an evil side.

Trista had already became an enemy, but now one of his very own Pokemon? To witness this tore Ash's heart in half. It was something he'd have to acknowledge and deal with face-to-face.

Just what had the Death Busters used to make him so huge? This challenge was nothing Ash or the Sailor Scouts had ever dealt with before.

"This can't be possible!" Mercury thought out loud.

"Well, as you can see, it a hundred percent is," Lola replied, "So while you losers all deal with this, I think I'll find a good seat to watch."

Without further ado, Lola zipped away and out of Crossroads City, and could be seen on its grassy outskirts setting up a chair to sit in. Then she revealed a giant bowl of popcorn and soda.

The Sailor Scouts were obviously no match for Infernape with his increase in size, so the villain was going to enjoy watching this battle the best she could.

"Let's see what Sailor Moon does 'now'!" Lola scooped a batch of popcorn and tossed it in her mouth.

For what seemed like seconds, neither Infernape or his opponents moved. This situation had already became awkward. Usually Sailor Moon would obliterate her foes with her Moon Spiral Heart Attack, and it'd be concluded, but with this Pokemon's size... chances were it would fail miserably.

Finally, some citizens walking by noticed Infernape and let out fearful screams, cars blared their horns and tried turning around to escape, and Lola enjoyed it all; this was only the beginning to Sailor Moon's potential demise.

"Even I know there aren't Pokemon this big back where you live, r-right, Ash?" Sailor Moon gulped.

"No..." his eyes never moved, "No, they're aren't."

Infernape however took his sight off Ash and prepared to make destruction. He first raised his humongous foot to stomp on one of the defenseless cars. The sound of of car alarm and glass shattering jabbed everyone's ear drums.

"There's a giant monkey terrorizing our city! Someone call the army! Navy! Anyone!"

Even with Infernape's super growth, the Sailor Scouts couldn't just remain still.

"Luna! What should we do?" Sailor Moon turned to the feline.

Jupiter interjected, "Infernape's gotta be at least fifty times stronger than all of us combined!"

"Ash," Mini Moon clasped her hands, "Isn't there a way you can order him to stop?"

He thought over what his younger ally just said. The fact of not considering her idea sooner made him want to slap himself in the face. Ash was Infernape's owner after all!

"Wait, I think I could! Thanks, Rini!"

So with Pikachu right beside him, Ash cleared his throat as Infernape kept giving him an evil glare.

"Infernape!"

"Pika Pika!"

The fire type Pokemon ceased then looked down at a tiny dot who was yelling his name.

"Stop destroying this city! We need to find a way to return you to normal-"

A Flamethrower was unleashed before Ash could finish his plea.

"Aaahhh!" Both Ash and Pikachu hopped away from their spots to avoid Infernape's fearsome attack. When its flames made contact with the ground, the cement melted away like butter.

"The cement melted away like ice cream!" pointed out Artemis.

If any person got burned by that fire, then they'd be gone for sure.

"This can't go on!" Sailor Mars declared, "Luna, have you thought of something we could try?"

"There's only one way to stop Infernape's rampage." Luna left her response there, then leaped in the air and did a flip to reveal a pink wand topped with a crescent moon.

Sailor Moon picked it up from the ground and studied it.

"This is the Moon Stick. You can use it to return Infernape to his normal state, but it won't have any effect unless he's weakened."

"So this calls for a distraction then?" spoke Sailor Mercury.

"Yes, and because of your element, we really need you to stay out of harm's way."

"Alright." The water soldier looked at Jupiter and Venus, "You two, I'll need your help distracting Infernape while I weaken him with my water."

Sailor Mars understood that her powers wouldn't be effective at all, so she took a different objective. "Mini Moon and I will help the citizens evacuate."

"Where does that leave me and Pikachu?" Ash interjected.

"Keep trying to talk to Infernape."

After Mars said this, she and Mini Moon hurried into the opposite direction, meanwhile Sailor Venus and Jupiter called out to Infernape and started leading him away. While the remaining comrades followed, Ash found himself frozen stiff with speechlessness. Could his words really hold enough warmth and care to reach Infernape's brainwashed mind?

"No... I know it'll work! I just have to believe in myself!" Ash thought as he began after Infernape. "I know he's still inside of his body somewhere. I can't give up, just like I still can't give up on Trista!"

For a Pokemon the size of Godzilla, Infernape ran at a pretty good pace. Both Jupiter and Venus were hoping Mercury could send a gush of icy water already.

"Why did they have to make him into a giant? I'd take a Daimon over this any day!" Venus whined.

"Complaining about it won't make the situation any better," Jupiter tried her best to hold her tongue from cursing.

The reason Mercury seemed to lag in her action was because she'd equipped her Mercury Visor. Unfortunately, the intelligent device exploded and made her wince at the pain because Infernape's energy readings exceeded its scale.

She stopped running and looked down at her ruined tool.

Just what had they really done to him?

"This goes beyond everything in science!"

There wasn't any time to dwaddle their and think over Infernape's supernatural growth.

Mercury shook her head to erase this thought and readied herself while regaining speed.

"Super... Mercury..." A globe of water five times the size of a beach ball was summoned and glowed with intensity. This was besides her normal technique; instead more power was placed into this move. "Aqua... Mirage!"

And like that, the globe split into multiple streams and headed for its target.

Ash, Pikachu, and Sailor Moon as their comrades attack rushed towards Infernape. The giant Pokemon only had to look out the corner of his eye to see what was coming, but the water had already engulfed him.

Mercury knew what would happen next. She watched her opponent struggle to break free while the water began glowing blue.

There was no doubt in Ash's mind that this move would fail. His friend would take a lot of damage, but he would become fatigued, and then could be freed with the help of Sailor Moon.

As everyone awaited for the Aqua Mirage to finish its course, they had to look away and cover their eyes because water along with light had exploded. It was like an extraordinary white flash.

The Mercury Aqua Mirage had never resulted in this fashion before. But more energy was placed into it, and the skill had became much more effective because of Infernape's background.

Moments later, everyone uncovered their eyes and discovered what their plan had obtained them. Lola realized things had became too quiet once she uncovered her eyes. Why wasn't she hearing any rampage go on, or the helpless screams of one of those Sailor Losers?

There was nothing for Ash or the others to say as Infernape had been indeed weakened. When least expected, he started to grow weary and had trouble standing. Soon he would collapse to the ground.

"Uhhhh, guys, I think we should move!" Sailor Moon yelled as she and Ash started to move out of harm's way. They would've been the ones to be squashed if they hadn't. So why wasn't Mercury running away?

"Mercury!" Jupiter saw that the aquatic soldier had fell to her knees and was panting for breath. Her eyes appeared to have lost their color and become dull.

"Oh no!" cried Artemis, "That attack must've used up all of her energy! Someone hurry and grab her before she gets squished!"

Venus and Jupiter started to rush over to their lone team mate in a means to scoop her off her feet and follow their friends to safety, however someone with a familiar cap made it before them.

Venus exclaimed with surprise, "Ash!" as he ran towards Mercury and took her into his arms.

Infernape was so close to smashing them, but finally landed with a loud thud as soon as Ash got out of his space. The magnitude in Infernape's fall sent Ash flying, so he tightened his grip on Mercury in hopes of not losing her.

Everyone else suffered from the harsh rumble, and the buildings Infernape landed on top off crumbled into the ground like pebbles. There was no telling if people had escaped from those buildings in time.

Mars and Mini Moon along with the escapees suffered as well. Some citizens landed flat on their faces, on top of each other even, but thankfully Mini Moon was clutched by her older friend and remained in her arms. However she could hear the fire warrior grunt in pain.

"Mars! Are you alright?"

"Yeah.. it's nothing," Mars revealed a deep scrape on her knee, but tried her best to sound calm.

A few of the citizens rose from the cement and noticed the destruction Infernape had caused. With the atmosphere being so quiet, they couldn't help but feel paranoid.

"Does that loud thud mean that giant primate is dead?"

"Someone must've called the army and so they took care of it!"

"No! We need some bandages to cover that and-" Before Mini Moon could take her by the hand to help her up, Mars stopped her. A tiny smile managed to light up her face in the midst of this horrible mayhem they were experiencing. Just why was she smiling?

"It's alright, Mini Moon."

The pink heroine really tried to decipher her friend's smile, but at that same moment, a young man stepped over to the Sailor Scouts and studied Mars's injury. "Are you sure you're alright? I 'do' have a first aid kit."

"Yes, I fine. Thank you," Mars struggled but was able to stand on her own feet, "You and the other citizens still need to evacuate. Me and my friend here will check if that monkey is gone for good."

So the young man watched the heroic duo begin walking away. The red girl really did try walking with the scrape on her leg.

Lola couldn't be patient anymore. She set down her bowl and raced towards the city to see what happened to the fight that was supposed to end Sailor Moon forever.

Sailor Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Pikachu, and the Moon Cats ended up receiving scrapes or scratches along their body. Only Sailor Moon landed on her side and felt as if she cracked her hip bone.

"Ow!" the leader whined as she gingerly rubbed her waist, "That fall really caused trouble for everyone!"

"Oh no!"

Venus's colleagues quickly faced her as she gasped and was seen holding her tiara with both hands. There had to have been something wrong with it for her to behave worriedly, then Luna noticed the error.

"The jewel in her tiara is gone!"

"Huh?" Artemis took a step closer to view this for himself. "Oh, I see! Don't worry. It'll reappear the next time you transform."

"Honest?" Venus asked with teary eyes.

"Yes, although I didn't expect that to be why you were so upset."

"I 'am' the soldier of Beauty, aren't I?"

Artemis became startled and backed away in fear when she barked these words at him. "Well, not just of that," Artemis rubbed his head sheepishly.

"Uhh, guys, instead of chit chatting, shouldn't we get back to healing Infernape?" interrupted Jupiter.

"Right!" Sailor Moon ran towards her target with Venus and Jupiter behind her. Meanwhile Artemis and Pikachu stayed behind with Ash who was now sitting up and had Mercury in his arms.

Pikachu neared his face towards her but didn't have any reaction.

"She's out-cold," stated Artemis. "After we take care of this, we need to get her home and have someone watch over her."

"I'll do it," volunteered Ash.

The Pokemon Trainer saw the astonished reactions from Artemis, but he was serious. This whole event had been partly his fault, so he would do everything in his power to make up for it; surely they could understand that. Pikachu knew that for certain.

"Now remember... draw a circle around your entire body. And put your heart into this." These important words from Luna lingered beside Sailor Moon as she rose the Moon Stick above her head; especially that last sentence. Without her heart, this magic would be pointless.

Jupiter and Venus stared at her and prayed in their minds that this wand would do its work.

Mars and Mini Moon approached them from the left intersecting road, and went over to Ash saw their ally was unconscious.

"What happened to Mercury?" Mars asked while Mini Moon knelt in front of the blue soldier.

"She used all of her energy to weaken Infernape and now she's knocked out," Ash explained in a low tone as he stared down at her pale face. "Your leg!" Why had it taken him or the others this long to not see? "Are you alright? That look's really bad!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu added as he stepped towards their friend's knee.

"No, I'm alright, really. Hm?"

Mars turned her sights towards Sailor Moon as she heard the first words to her healing sound out, so Ash and the others looked as well.

"Moon... Healing..."

Lola wasn't much farther now. A few more seconds and she would be on the sidewalk where Infernape lay fainted.

"... Escalation!"

The circle of glitter shimmered brightly. Rays and spheres of light originated after and headed straight towards Infernape.

This was the moment everyone waited for.

Slowly the glow enveloped Ash's enormous Pokemon while his body remained motionless. Sailor Moon was surprised at her own move. She didn't think it could be so magnified, but Luna assured her.

"What the?" Lola got the chance to witness this bright phenomenon, realizing her opponents won. And now they must've been returning that monkey of Handsome's back to normal.

"No! This wasn't how it was supposed to go!" She thought in frustration, "They must have a secret weapon to have taken him out in so little time. But what is it?"

Ash wanted to see his Infernape morph back to his regular size, but he had to cover his eyes because of the blinding light that resulted from Sailor Moon's tactic.

Regardless, everything was closer to normal now. He would be reunited with one more of his friends, and more able of defeating the Death Busters.

Townspeople who were told to flee noticed the same light peek through open sidewalks; having no idea whatsoever as to what this was. Hadn't the monkey been annihilated?

When Lola uncovered her eyes, she saw Sailor Moon holding the weak Infernape in his arms like an infant. By the expression on his face, he was sleeping. So getting rest was all the primate needed.

"Infernape...!" Ash wanted so badly to embrace his buddy, but Sailor Moon instead walked over to him and handed the Pokemon to him while she receive Mercury.

To see Ash's face light up with new found joy made the Sailor Scouts almost weep with happiness themselves. He'd been so determined of recovering his pals, and now had only three more to go.

Lola didn't know what made her feel worse: Being easily outsmarted when the odds looked great for her, or hearing what the Professor would say when he found out.

"Awwwwww... he's so adorable when he's asleep!" Venus thought out loud.

"You could say that again!" added Mini Moon.

"I'm so happy for you, Ash!" Jupiter put in her thoughts, "Now we only have three more to go, then you'll have all of your Pokemon back."

Ash smiled up at Jupiter and nodded in total agreement. As long as they kept believing and stood together, all of their friends would be back in no time.

Lola was ready to raid on this conversation of her foes', but her ears picked up police sirens coming from blocks away.

"Uh oh! Getting arrested is that last thing I need."

And like that, the Death Buster vanished from the area.

When Ash shot his head up and heard the cars as well, different citizens approached him and looked directly at the creature in his arms.

"Isn't that the monkey that wrecked our city?" They didn't know how it became small, but they knew it to be the same monster. "Why are you holding it?"

Why Ash didn't see anything like this coming, he didn't know. But his friends started to crowd around him as a means of defense, so he tightened his grip on Infernape.

"Let us explain! This isn't the monkey you saw wreaking havoc!" began Sailor Venus.

"Yeah," included Jupiter. "Besides, this one's smaller. It couldn't be the same one."

"Oh yeah?" a female citizen stepped towards Jupiter. "Then how do you explain the light that just flashed a few minutes ago?"

More people crowded around the Sailor Scouts with their questions; too many at that. They felt these teenagers had a whole lot of explaining to do, and to make themselves clear, they contacted the cops.

Still sitting down, Ash and Sailor Moon grew scared on how to escape this situation. The police were getting closer, and more civilians barked in their faces. They and the other heroes felt like the only people in the world, like everything was spinning and there wasn't enough time to make sense out of it.

Out of nowhere though, a smoke bomb was thrown into the area to cloud everyone's vision. Sailor Moon and each of her friends were ordered by two familiar voices, "Hurry before the cops show up!" And since Mars had her injury, she could feel herself taken into someone's arms and carried like a bride. In the midst of her frustrated frown, it didn't take a genius to realize it was Uranus.

Of course, Rei's friends thought she should sit on Ami's couch while Ami herself rest on her bed. They were just glad to have escaped from the police in the nick of time, but Amara wasn't going to pretend their situation wasn't urgent to be changed.

Because of Infernape, Ash almost got caught and most likely could've been handcuffed for further investigation; the last thing anyone needed right now.

Amara still remembered when she dropped him off at Lita's house and began to wonder just what had it been that made Trista recruit him. Now she still believed different against that.

So being serious, she took it upon herself to suggest that Ash stay in hiding while the Sailor Scouts handle everything. She knew he wouldn't agree to that; not when his Pokemon were in danger. But they didn't have any other choices.

It'd been bad enough that townspeople noticed Infernape and grew mighty suspicious. Amara and Michelle were sure their main team would be fine without him. It wasn't a topic they were trying to be harsh about, but Amara was becoming tired of feeling like Michelle and her were wasting time.

Who was positive if Sailor Moon wanted to obtain the Pure Hearts to save the world from silence anyway? That was an important task also.

If Ash kept battling with them, chances were he would get noticed, or more of his Pokemon would get snatched up. Things were difficult enough.

In the end, Michelle and Amara ended up leaving Ami's apartment to walk away from the rash and defiant tones their friends were giving. It wasn't like they could ever agree on anything to begin with; Sailor Pluto had been the link, but now she was disconnected from between them.

"Luna... I'm not so sure this will be a good idea."

Later that night, the Moon Cats whispered a conversation in order to not wake up Rini. For someone who helped citizens flee from the city, she'd done a lot, and deserved rest.

"And why is that? I don't see any problem with it," Luna spoke with honesty.

"We can't be for sure about this when the Queen might not agree. She doesn't have time to watch over Ash."

"I fully understand that, but what else can we do? Trista has already been kidnapped. We don't want that to happen again..."

"... so, how do you suppose the Queen can help him then?"

"That will be something for us to find out."

Artemis needed clarification about this. He looked at Luna with his perplexed expression until she said something, but footsteps entered the atmosphere before they could finish.

"We'll finish this tomorrow," Artemis confirmed as he escaped through the open window.

After that moment, a familiar blond stepped into her room with a bath robe on. Luna could smell the rosy, flowery scent of her shower gel.

"Luna? Were you talking to someone?"

"Oh no, just thinking out loud like I normally do," the feline answered nervously. "And I suppose you just took a shower."

"Yeah! The new shower gel my mom sent me smells so lovely."

Serena expected the mood hanging in the air to improve, but it only became silent and awkward. She'd had so much to bark at Amara after the older woman left Ami's place, but maybe it was for the best that she hushed up.

Seconds later, Serena decided to sit on the edge of her bed and part her lips. "You know... I really don't see how things got like this... just days ago Trista wasn't against us. And now Ash has to hide. As Sailor Scouts, can't we do better than this?"

Luna sensed the frustration in the girl's tone. Why couldn't they be doing better than usual? It was great that Sailor Moon successfully performed her Moon Healing Escalation hours earlier, but she seemingly lost her touch with her Moon Spiral Heart Attack.

That move was always supposed to work. She was Sailor Moon, defender of Love and Justice. But things changed now.

Maybe then... this saga was a battle they couldn't be their best in.

Whatever Tomoe was going to yell out, she was ready. It wasn't the first time she'd returned with a failure. But this time, it didn't make any sense at all.

Infernape was a giant, and they were tiny. Even with all of their powers combined, he shouldn't have been taken down.

The more she thought about it, the more her brain ached.

And to make matters puzzling... he didn't even get upset. Was he on cloud nine? Lola deliberately mistook Sailor Moon yet again, but the Professor only grinned.

"This job gives me too many hours," Lola thought, wondering how she should spend her break.

"I don't think you understand the situation at all, my dear." It was after Tomoe said this and started walking towards Lola when she acted and began stepping back. Why was he looking at her like that? Maybe there was bits of popcorn on her face. Well, she wouldn't hesitate to wipe it away; but didn't feel anything.

His footsteps never wavered.

"Uhhh... why are you walking towards me?"

"By now I thought it'd be obvious, Lola. Every mission I've sent you on, you've come back with nothing but failures. I had no wishes of wasting those first two Daimons, but now they mean nothing to me."

The mad scientist revealed a white object from his pocket.

"Because now I'll be able to have another go at it."

Lola knew how things would end the moment he pulled out that egg. She turned on her heel to make a break for the door. Her heart began to thud repetitively.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Tomoe smirked.

"No! You're crazy!" After making this remark, Lola thought, "I need to get out of here!"

She reached the door and didn't bother shutting it. It was only a matter of time before she reached the parking lot and found her miracle to escape in.

Her heart beat faster. Beads of sweat trickled down her face.

Oddly enough, Tomoe stopped walking and handed the Daimon Egg to Project Ruby.

"Make sure she doesn't escape."

Again Kaorinite spied on this from behind a wall and felt that sense of overwhelm hit her again.

After two failures, the Professor saw it as a perfect fit to make Lola his next test subject. Humans would become his projects. Unfortunately this desire started brewing thoughts Kaorinite didn't want.

Since she wasn't called up to missions anymore, wasn't there a slight possibility that he would use her next? Make her the next of his new army of Daimons? To work alongside that green-haired tramp?

No, Kaorinite didn't want to think too rash. The Professor would 'never' do that to her. She was already on his team and capable of fighting.

"Hmmm..." an interesting idea came to mind, so she moved away from her spot and left the room; this time it wouldn't fail either.

Lola ran her fastest without caring if her sides burned for a break. She made her way into the floor with the white van on it and hurriedly reached for her pocket.

That Professor Tomoe had turned out to be nothing more than a madman who needed a psychiatrist, Kaorinite a woman letting jealousy break her down and needing to confess her feelings, and Project Ruby, simply an extra problem to worry about.

Lola knew the female would stay on her tail. One slip up and her mind would be handed over to Tomoe.

"Lola, I know you're in here. Come out, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Too bad for Trista, Lola was already in the car, turning it on with her key.

"Being a test subject isn't as bad as it sounds. Take it from me."

"Psh! Shut up!" Lola revved her car up, switched to reverse to move out of the parking zone, then went full speed towards the exit. Her captor stood in the way, but Lola didn't have time to worry. She would be hit, but Lola would be home free.

Although Project Ruby stepped out of the way and followed right after.

It was dark outside, but with the headlights on, Lola still could make her way around. She didn't think about if she would get pulled over for speeding.

"What?" She viewed her rear mirror and noticed Project Ruby. How someone could dash in heels, Lola had no clue whatsoever.

"Grrrrr! I need a plan!"

This speed chase was ridiculous. Professor Tomoe was serious about his plan. And as of now, Lola realized she wasn't serious about being his employee.

Sure, she wanted something to do for money. And Death Busters had one spot empty, not to mention their pay was exceptional. But none of that mattered now.

Any other day, Lola probably wouldn't have met Sailor Moon, or see someone else's girlfriend and have her heart broken.

Altogether, these events were a humongous nightmare.

This wasn't the way she should've went. All that talk of her going to school and opening a bar must've been flushed down the toilet. Even the situation with her uncle helping her find a job.

It stupefied the adult to realize her mistakes when she was being chased by a madman's minion. All those conversations with Eugeal on the phone surely could have put some sense into her. Why had her ego had to grow so large and lead her to this point? Why not go through life like any normal teenager, instead of fighting girls in Sailor Suits and working for psychopath scientists?

Those days were something a kid might like to watch on television, but to experience them firsthand needed second thinking.

She wanted to wake up from it all.

After reckless maneuvering, Lola reached the entrance to the intersection and zipped past any cars who may have already been on. So what if they got upset and honked their horns at her. They should've taken notice of the tall woman jetting after her.

The freeway didn't slow her down. This called for a the secret weapon that been included by the thanks of Eugeal.

Lola shifted her eyes to where the powered jets's button was located, but found a white note taped beside it. At a hectic time like this, Lola didn't understand why someone would put a note inside this van. But then she read it, and all those thoughts changed while her throat became dry and she froze in cold fear.

I knew you'd try to use this car

"What?" She couldn't control her trembling fingers, or agape mouth.

... so this whole time... the minute he learned he could use humans... he decided to use her as a test and knew she would disagree. He just immediately decided this since she hadn't completed any missions... but behind her back? Just who was this Professor?

Freaked out and too overwhelmed by this note, Lola didn't pay attention to the upcoming cliff until moments later.

"Huh?" A shrill scream came from her mouth as the car drove off the road and headed straight for the crashing waves below.

There was nothing she could do whatsoever but scream until her voice broke. Project Ruby saw where this was going and stood on the edge and watched Lola fall to her watery death. Once she splashed, the vehicle started to sink.

During that time, Lola tried desperately to break free.

How had she ended up here?

Her graduation... parents and siblings arrived, uncle showed up, and Eugeal had came as well. Everyone was so happy that she had finished what some couldn't, and would be on her way to a four-year university in England.

She was confident about that bar idea of hers; everything would be lit up nice and folks would be able to sit down to nice, cold drinks and upbeat music.

But hanging around the wrong people, and getting involved with Death Busters led thi innocent girl away from that golden dream...

And what about Andrew?

"Andrew..."

Thinking of him gave Lola more of a reason to not attempt unlatching the door. She had her hands on the lever, but now had removed them.

Even throughout high school, she hadn't found that special guy... and now, her chances seemed just as slim. He noticed her costume at that party, but wouldn't get to see the real her.

"Andrew...!" As Lola held her breath, she had only one wish before letting the water invade her lungs... to see his face one last time before she chose between Heaven and Hell. For him to not make the same mistake as her... to do what normal adults should.

An inner voice warned her over and over again to not let herself die like this; to stop crying and get out of the car already... to give herself another chance with Andrew... but she already closed her eyes and was granted her wish...

Project Ruby very well knew what'd taken place.

Turning around to walk away, she turned on her phone and made a call. "Professor... I'm afraid your future test subject has left us."

"Is that so?" His voice sounded a bit tense, but he calmed down afterward. "Well, no matter. Come back to the lab so we can talk about your mission."

When Project Ruby ended this call, police suddenly approached the area and started to get out of their cars. She walked on through as if nothing happened, putting her phone back in her lab coat pocket.

TO BE CONTINUED IN...

-SAILOR MOON S: ASH THE FOREVER-

End of Act XVIII

ThoughtfulTikal: Well? Comments?

Batthan: Gosh... when you said twist, I didn't think the twist would be like this.

ThoughtfulTikal: Yeah, I figure she's not needed so much for the next season anyway.

Batthan: Next season?

ThoughtfulTikal: Of course! And I know it's going to be expected soon. We'll see what happens. So, until next time in... SAILOR MOON: S ASH THE FOREVER!