[The camera swings into the Mental Library(tm), where Tommy and LilTigre
are obviously staying out of Cerina's path.]

Tommy: (low voice) Cerina's kinda in a bad mood today, what with the
author being sick and her having PMS....

(A giant semisweet chocolate bar suddenly bashes him into the floor.)

Cerina: Dammit, I DO NOT HAVE PMS!!!! Baka....

LilTigre: Um, Cerina-neechan? There's a fic we were supposed to review
yesterday....

Cerina: (glowering) Aw, hell.... all right then.

On Tue, 17 Feb 1998, The Eternal Lost Lurker wrote:

Since our good friend Rhialto loves disarrayed subject tags and
extensive author's notes so much, before we get to the chapter, I'd
like to say a few things about act 4 of Onna: Red Side.

Cerina: I like a guy who's not afraid to piss other people off.

First of all, the reason this act is taking so long to write is,
quite frankly, I'm still working out ideas for the three Shadows that
Lady Mirage has unleashed upon the Magic Knights. I know *who*
they're going to possess, I'm just working out the details of the
possession, how tough they'll actually be, and things of that nature.
That's to say nothing of the event which will occur in China: the
second *major* battle of Onna: Red Side. I'm sure by now many of you
have already figured out who the Knights will be facing in China. All
I am willing to say about that right now is that I'm taking artistic
license with that entire part of the original manga storyline, so
expect a vast difference from the original. I'll be keeping the
important details...attacks, locales, the opposing team...mostly the
same as the manga, but the battle itself, and conditions and events
surrounding it, will be altered. I expect that particular battle to
last no fewer than two *long* chapters. 

LilTigre: Oooohh.... fun! More stuff to MST!

Tommy: (faint voice) Could someone please peel me off the floor?

Further notes: I'm taking a cue from some of the great
producer-directors of our time, so expect a cameo appearance by
Lurker in an upcoming chapter. 

All: *snicker*

Tommy: Yeah, I can just see it; "Hikaru looked up from the campfire to see
a purple-suited man streak through the trees across the clearing. Angry
screams of 'Honou no Yaaaa!' and fire bolts followed him as an exact
duplicate of Hikaru, in full armour, chased after him, yelling something
about 'Usagi clones.'  Hikaru blinked several times, then shrugged as the
pair disappeared from her sight. 'Must be from eating Akane's cooking last
night.'"

up production after this chapter. Chain messages and chain letters
are the same thing--don't post either one to the FFML, please. When
you flame, flame responsibly. When you reply to a flame, reply
responsibly. Posting a short spam message separately from a larger
message such as a fanfic chapter *does* consume more bandwidth than
combining them into one. Word processors are your friends--use them
to remove bothersome author's notes from fanfic chapters. No smoking
pot in the theater unless you've brought enough for everyone. All
crying children should be deposited in the receptacle in the lobby.

All: *snicker again*

And now, for your reading pleasure... 
--------------------------------------------------------

	***Interlude: aboard the NSX***

Tommy: The what?

Cerina: (whaps him) It's a ship, baka. Don't you ever read manga
summaries?

	Lady Mirage giggled evilly to herself as she observed her scrying
crystal. "What a crop of fools...they don't even know how to control
their magic," she laughed. "There should be no trouble in getting rid
of them." She was silent for a moment, the only sound in her chambers
being the hiss of her breathing apparatus. "Those blasted Magic
Knights, however...have returned to their own world. Why?" She
paused. "It doesn't matter. I owe the Water Knight," she spat
venomously. "I owe her a high price, indeed." 

LilTigre: She threatened to cut off her water and electricity if Mirage
didn't pay her bill on time.

	Mirage slid open a drawer on the desk, and retrieved a small pink
case. She sighed mechanically as she opened it. "I only have two of
these left," she said quietly. "But it's worth spending one, to get
rid of those horrid wenches." Reaching into the case, she removed a
small, perfect pink pearl, which shimmered softly. Reaching up with
her other hand, she pressed two fingers into the leather surrounding
the pink crystal in her mask, and gently pulled the gem away. There
was a slightly wet sound as the leather and crystal parted
reluctantly from the scarred, pitted flesh beneath, revealing a
small, hollow metal cylinder within an otherwise empty eye socket.

LilTigre: Eeewwwww.....

Cerina: (mouth stuffed full of chocolate) Mmmph amthumt cun uff-

(A giant pack of Midol crushes Cerina.)

Voice: Quit giving away info on the megacrossover!

She regarded the pearl a moment longer before gingerly placing it
into the open end of the cylinder, and sealing it away behind the
crystal patch again. After a moment, the crystal lens began to glow,
and a quiet hum emitted from behind it. Amplifying her voice, she
called out, "Corsica! Camaro! Cavalier! Come forth, I command you!"

Tommy: She's calling cars? What is this, CarRanger?

(The girls punt him into LEO.)

	Three shapeless forms slowly appeared in the room. "Yes, Lady
Mirage," they said in disturbing voices which sounded for all the
world like a chorus from Hell.

Cerina: Or like Marilyn Manson, same thing.

	"I am using a great deal of my power to send the three of you to the
world of the Magic Knights. You will possess powerful bodies, find
the wretched children...and destroy them, at all costs."
	"Understood."

LilTigre: (snaps a salute) Yes, sir!

	The hum from Mirage's crystal eye became louder. She glared, for
lack of a better word, at the three shadows, and a broad wave of
carnation-hued light emitted from her gaze, washing over the formless
figures. After a long moment, the beam faded away, and the demonic
presences were gone. Mirage sank into her chair heavily, the hiss of
her breathing apparatus increasing in pace. "Die, whores from the
other world," she spat. "Die, for turning me into
this...abomination."

Cerina: Hey, think of it this way, you can now go to masquerade parties as
Spawn!
 

	Chapter 22: A Grilling over Lunch
	Hikaru sat on a bench near a foodseller, smiling as Hikari happily
munched on a pork bun she'd just bought. "You were starving, weren't
you?" she asked the wolf. Hikari looked up at her, barked happily,
and returned to his meal.

LilTigre: Translation: "Yeah, yeah, shut up and let me eat already!"

	The redhead stroked the animal's back as he ate. Hikaru sighed. "I
wish...I wish I could take you with me this time, Hikari. But...I'm
so afraid you'd get hurt..."
	Hikari nuzzled Hikaru's hand, and looked up at her inquisitively.
She smiled sadly. "I know you can take care of yourself pretty well,
and you like to protect me...it's just, we don't know what we're
going to run into over there."

Cerina: I don't think you *want* to know.

(A loud scream is heard, and Tommy suddenly splats into the floor again)

Tommy: (under his breath) definitely PMS...

	Hikari seemed worried, as though he understood. Hikaru forced
herself to cheer up, and stood up. "Well, if you don't want anything
else to eat, how about we get back home to meet the guys?"
	Hikari barked happily. Giggling, the redhead led the wolf back to
the Shidou dojo.
	Unnoticed by either, a yellow light flashed briefly from behind a
hedge, and a soft sound hinted at a presence.
	"Puuu...."

LilTigre: It's Agent Double-O Puu, hard at work for the Royal Family of
Cephiro....
 

	*****

	"Shouldn't they be back by now?" 
	"They did say they'd return the same instant they left...has
something happened, Tendou?"
	"How should I know, Saotome?" 
	The two father sat worriedly at the shogi board. Nabiki rolled her

Cering: "The two *fathers*"

eyes. "Oh, please. Do you honestly expect them to just show up in the
blink of an eye?"
	"But...remember the other two girls that went to that other world?
They did..."
	"Do things *ever* go that smoothly where Ranma is involved, Daddy?"
Nabiki said coolly.

Tommy: Point.

	Soun considered that for a moment. "This is true," he conceded. He
returned his attention to the shogi board, his concern over the delay
completely forgotten. 
	The door opened, and a loud voice proclaimed, "Hark, for the noble
presence of the Blue Thunder graces this humble abode! Forthwith I
require the attention of the housemaidens!"

All: (rolls their eyes)

	Nabiki rolled her eyes. Kasumi emerged from the kitchen. "Why, hello
Tatewaki-kun!" she said as she approached the entrance. "What can we
do for you today?"
	"Ah, fair Tendou Kasumi, I bid you good day," Kunou said. "I beseech
thee, Kasumi-san, where might I find thy younger of kin, the
beauteous Akane?"
	"I'm afraid she's not home at the moment," Kasumi said. 

Cerina:" ...but leave a message and I'm sure she'll be back soon to beat
you up again." *beep*

	"Canst thou tell me where I might find her then?"
	Nabiki groaned, and stood. "Kunou-chan, you won't find her around
here. She's gone off with the rest of the martial arts bunch on some
silly quest or other. We don't know when to expect them to return."
	Kunou narrowed his eyes. "A quest, you say? I was not made aware of
this quest. Tell me, Tendou Nabiki, did the cretinous--"
	"Yeah, yeah, Ranma's gone too," Nabiki said. "You expected
otherwise?"

Tommy: *sigh* Nabiki's cute, but gawd, what a bitch!

Cerina: You expected otherwise?

	Kunou glared at Nabiki, then raised his bokken. "I bid this
household farewell, for I must journey now to discover the
whereabouts of Tendou Akane, and free her from the heinous
clutches--"
	"You forgot the pigtailed girl," Nabiki supplied helpfully.
	"What!? My innocent flower of fire is among the company of the demon
as well? I must make haste immediately! Farewell!" With that, Kunou
left.
	Nabiki sighed, smacking her forehead. "Stupid...I should have made
him pay for the info up front..."

Cerina: She's losing her touch...

	"Was that really neccessary, Nabiki?" Soun asked.
	"You'd rather have him hanging around *here* all day?" Nabiki
replied.
	Soun considered that for a moment. "You have a point."

	*****

	Lantis strolled down a sidewalk in the shopping district of Juuban,
looking with interest at the items for sale in the shops. Passing an
electronics store, he paused to watch a television that was playing
in the window. "They even have vidscreens on this world," he mused. 

Cerina: Damn, he's cute! (pauses) Well, not as cute as some other guys I
can think of..... (drools)

Tommy: (shakes his head) Who let you watch Blue Seed again, hmm?

	There was what appeared to be a news bulletin on now. He listened as
the anchorwoman described a train which had overturned on the
outbound tracks of the Juuban station. He frowned.

	"I can't believe it," Umi fumed. 
	Fuu sighed. "It happens sometimes, Umi-chan," she said. 
	"One good thing about Cephiro," Umi ranted, "spirit beasts never
derail, crash, or run out of gas." Fuu giggled.

LilTigre: Don't they get hungry?

Cerina: *Spirit* beasts, dear. I don't think spirits have to eat.

	"Ne, what are you doing here anyway? What's up?" Umi asked.
	Lantis made a vague gesture. "We came here to visit Hikaru's
family."

Tommy: Uh oh....

	"NANI?" Umi gasped.
	"Hikaru decided to let her brothers know she's alive," Lantis
continued. "And she's going to go out to lunch with them, before
leaving again."
	"She just met them again after two years, and they're going to let
her go again that easily?" Fuu wondered.

Cerina: No, they'll just beg her for money, then let her go.

LilTigre: (whaps Cerina) Leave Fuu-chan alone!

	"Or shadow us all the way to Nerima, and further to China," Fuu
agreed.
	"Do you think that will be a problem?" Lantis asked.
	"Most likely," Umi said. "If any trouble pops up, they'll be in
danger."

Tommy: And then they'd have to babysit them.

	"SASUKE!" bellowed Kunou. "Present yourself!"
	Sasuke dropped from a tree and prostrated himself at Kunou's feet.
"Sire, I have information on the whereabouts of Tendou Akane and
Saotome Ranma!"

Tommy: Sire? I don't think Kunou's royalty....

Cerina: ...but I'm sure Kunou gets a kick out of being addressed in that
fashion.

	"Speak, Sasuke."
	Sasuke pulled out a photograph showing the group which had departed
for Cephiro, handing it to Kunou. "They all gathered near the Tokyo
Tower, and then just disappeared!"
	"Saotome is not among their company," Kunou mused. He gasped. "Ye
gods! He must have done something unspeakable to them! Oh, the hell I
can only imagine he must have banished them to. I must find the
knave, and slaughter him, to free my loves from the dimension of
evil!"
	Sasuke grew a sweatdrop three times his body weight, and was
promptly crushed beneath it.

All: *snicker*

	"More, Sasuke! I must know more!"

Tommy: More! MORE!!!

Cerina: (whips out her naginata) Are you being a hentai, Tommy-chan?

Tommy: (gulp) N-no, no, not at all, heheh....

	Sasuke nodded. "Well, a few minutes after they disappeared, I saw
those two girls--" he pointed at Umi and Fuu in the picture, "--along
with Saotome and another fellow I didn't recognize, came down from
the Tower, and headed off in the direction of--" he checked a pad he
held in one hand, "--Juuban, I think."

LilTigre: (singing) Juuban, city of Senshi.....

	"Juuban, eh? The scoundrel thinks he can escape my justice by hiding
in another part of the city? Methinks he thinks wrongly, indeed."
Kunou disappeared into the mansion, and emerged a moment later
carrying a sheathed katana. Tucking the sheath into his sash, he drew
the blade and hoisted it over his head. "By this holy sword, I shall
dispose of the evil Saotome Ranma, and undo his treacherous magicks!
I, Kunou Tatewaki, the Blue Thunder, SWEAR THIS!" 
	A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, striking Kunou's
katana. The kendoist collapsed in a smoking heap.

Cerina: Instant bar-be-que.

	Sasuke blinked. "That's odd...there are no clouds in the sky..." He
looked up. "Well, except for the one..." His eyes widened.
"What--what *is* that?"
	A small, roiling black cloud of vapor descended towards the fallen
kendoist. It hovered ominously above Kunou for a moment, and Sasuke
felt a chill as he heard a whispered gibberish emitting from the dark
mist. Then, it plunged down, enveloping Kunou, and seeping into his
pores. 

Cerina: It's... it's...

LilTigre: what?

Cerina: It's the evil Stridex pad of Doom!!

(Tommy and Liltigre groan.)

	Sasuke rushed to Kunou's side as he began to groan. "Master Kunou?
Sire, are you alright? Master?"
	Kunou rose to a sitting position, rubbing his head. "I'm...fine,
Sasuke," he said. Groaning, he rubbed his eyes for a moment, then
opened them, blinking.
	Sasuke gasped. Kunou's dark eyes had become several shades lighter,
and were glowing faintly. "M--master..."
	"Silence, Sasuke. Guard the estate. I have a mission to carry out,"
Kunou said, rising to his feet. Sheathing his katana, he strode
purposefully off into the city. 
	Sasuke shook his head. "No good could come of this," he said
quietly.

LilTigre: Naw, you don't mean that, do you?

 
	*****

	Kakeru, Masaru, and Satoru stood outside the dojo waiting for
Hikaru. All three were cleaned up, groomed, and dressed in nice
slacks and shirts. Hikaru smiled when she saw them. "You three look
nice," she said. They smiled back at her. "I'd change, but I'm afraid
I don't have anything with me other than more of the same," she said,
indicating her Chinese clothes.

Cerina: And here we have Hikaru modeling our new line of unisex,
one-size-fits-all clothing from China.

	As soon as they were well away from the dojo, a fat white bunny
hopped out of a bush and bounced into the building. Hikari looked up
as Mokona appeared. 
	"Puuu," the white creature intoned with a serious expression on its
pudgy face. Its gem flickered yellow. Hikari yelped and took a step
back. "Puuuuuu..." Mokona said softly as a pale yellow beam slowly
emerged from its gem. Hikari stared at it nervously, but didn't move,
sensing that the creature didn't intend any harm. The beam touched
Hikari's forehead.
	Seconds later, the wolf's eyes widened, and it began whimpering.

LilTigre: Did Mokona just hurt Hikari?

Cerina: I dunno... I hope not.

	"This is a good place to eat," Umi said.
	Fuu nodded. "Yes, I've been here before as well. The food is
excellent."
	The trio was greeted by a hostess, who showed them to a table.
"Welcome to the Akabara," the hostess said. "I'll have menus brought
out to you shortly."
	The Akabara was a popular hangout for teenagers and young adults in
Juuban, with its peaceful atmosphere, delicious food, and moderate
prices. The three seated themselves, and began scanning the menus,
with Fuu and Umi explaining the dishes to Lantis.

Tommy: This is fried dog, this is sauteed cat testic-

(Cerina kicks him in the crotch. Hard.)

	"That train accident?" Kakeru said. "I heard about it on the news
while I was getting dressed."
	Fuu nodded. "That's right."
	"Why were you headed to Nerima?" Satoru asked. 
	"We have one more member in our group, a skilled martial artist
who's traveled across China before," Hikaru said. "He lives in
Nerima. We're going to get our supplies there," she said. 

LilTigre: They have factory outlet stores. Gotta love 'em.

	"So, you're expecting to encounter a lot of danger over there?"
Masaru asked after everyone had ordered their food.
	Hikaru shrugged. "We hope not, but you never know, especially in the
part of China we're headed for."
	In Hikaru's head, a soft voice murmured, <Baka! You shouldn't let
them know exactly where you're going...> Hikaru blinked. 
	"Where is that?" Kakeru asked.
	"Qinghai province," Hikaru said, before she could stop herself.

LilTigre: Uh oh...

<BAKA!> "Lots of mountains and such there, you know. Animals, such as
that. Maybe a bandit or two. That's all." 
	<Much better.>
	<I hate lying...>
	<You didn't lie. We'll run into all that kinda stuff there. It's
just that we'll probably run into other stuff too, considering what
else is around there...>
	<So I was lying.>
	<Well...maybe just a little.>

Cerina: Don't worry, you can go to Liars Anonymous when you get back.

	"Hikaru-chan? Are you alright? You seem a little out of it," Satoru
said, leaning forward with concern.
	"Oh, I'm fine," she said. "Just thinking."
	Umi whispered to Fuu, "Something's up. You don't think...?"
	Fuu nodded, and whispered back, "I think they intend to follow us to
China..."

Cerina: That's pretty obvious...

	"What are you two whispering about?" Masaru asked. The two girls
blushed, and stammered for a moment.

LilTigre: There goes their secret sex talk...

Cerina: Where did you ever hear about stuff like that?!?!??!???

LilTigre: (innocently) From you and Tommy-niichan when ya'll do there
MSTs. Why?

(Cerina blushes.)

	Curiosity over their whispering was thrown aside as the food
arrived. The meal was accompanied by less intense conversation,
mostly Lantis' comments about the food, questions from the brothers
about his homeland and the kind of food there, and questions about
Umi and Fuu...mostly about the day Hikaru had vanished, which made
them both rather uncomfortable. 
	"So, why are you going to China again?" Kakeru asked.
	"There's an...artifact," Hikaru said. "We need to retrieve it and
take it to...a sage we met," she said. <I hate doing this, I hate
it...>
	<You're not lying now. The Mashin *is* an artifact, and Clef *is* a
sage...>

Tommy: (chipmunk voice) Sage? Ain't that a spice?

Cerina: it's... Clef Spice!

(LilTigre whaps her with a bar of chocolate.)

	"What sort of artifact? Is it related to what happened at Tokyo
Tower?" Satoru asked.
	Hikaru shifted uncomfortably. "In a way," she said quietly.
	"Satoru-san...gomen nasai. None of us...none of us really feel
comfortable talking about that just yet," Fuu said gently.
	Satoru shot Hikaru a pleading look, but decided to drop the subject.
He vowed silently to himself, however, that he would get to the
bottom of this business. One way or another.
	"What about this person going to China with you?" Kakeru asked. "The
one you're meeting in Nerima?"
	"Well," Hikaru began...

Cerina: He's an aquatranssexual with three fiancees, an idiot father...
 

	...and was interrupted by a loud shout, and several panicked
shrieks. "FORGIVE ME, PIGTAILED GIRL!" shouted a voice, as a dark
blur crashed into and through their table. The Knights and Lantis
ducked to the side frantically as a katana sliced cleanly through the
chair Hikaru had been occupying only a second earlier.

All: o_O

	"What the HELL?" Satoru shouted. 
	<That's what I wanna know,> Ranma chimed inside Hikaru's head.
<That's Kunou, but somethin's wrong with him...>
	Hikaru looked at the kendoist, and blinked. There seemed to be an
aura of blackness clinging to him. He was clad in black robes, and
weilded a katana. He gazed at her with piercing green-brown eyes...
	<Hey, Ranma-kun, something's wrong with his eyes. Look.>
	<With his hair too. When did Kunou go grey?>
	Kunou's hair had become shot through with thick streaks of iron
grey. His formerly dark eyes were now a greenish-brown...and were
glowing. 

All: O_o

	"Hikaru-chan! RUN!" Kakeru called.
	Diners and service staff of the Akabara began fleeing for their
lives as a corona of dark energy flared around the kendoist in their
midst. "Magic Knights," Kunou said, his voice now distorted with a
nightmarish, whispering reverb, "it is my duty to destroy you, and
avenge my master."
	The three Magic Knights blinked. "Anou..." Hikaru said.
	"How could this person know we are Magic Knights?" Umi wondered.
	"He must have been sent here by our enemies," Fuu said.

Tommy: Yup, Fuu's the smart one.

	"But...this guy's *from* this world!" Hikaru said. "He goes to
Ranma's school!"
	"Maybe he's possessed or something," Umi said.
	Lantis nodded. "This boy has all the markings of a victim of a
Chevuro demon."
	"Chevuro demon?" the Knights echoed.

Tommy: The Chevuro demon, a fast new possessed car from the wonderful
people at Chevrolet.

LilTigre: Are those funny clouds how that car got so crazy in Stephen
King's book?

	Hikaru gasped. "LEAVE MY BROTHERS ALONE!" she shouted. Kunou ignored
her. She sighed, and stared at her right hand, trembling in rage.
"Alright then," she said. "Ignore THIS! HONOU NO....YAAAAAA!!"
	Satoru, Kakeru, and Masaru forgot their fear of the swordsman
momentarily and watched, wide-eyed, as a rush of flames erupted from
Hikaru's outstretched hand, searing the backside of the demonic
warrior. Kunou screeched, a disharmonic tangle of agonized sounds,
and was flung over the three brothers, crashing into the railing of
the dining area.

All: YES!

	Kunou began to rise, eyes glowing as he steadied himself and
retrieved his katana.
	"Clear out, guys," Umi said to the trio of Shidou brothers. "Things
are gonna get pretty intense." The three girls slid the gauntlets
onto their arms. The guys gasped as a different-colored suit of
full-plate armor appeared on each girl, bedecked with gems and
ornamental designs. With bursts of wind, water, and fire, a sword
formed in each girl's hand. Hikaru's face set in a determined scowl
as she faced the rising enemy.
	"I don't know who you are, or who sent you," Hikaru said, "but
you've put my dear brothers in danger. I won't forgive you for that."

Cerina: It's a helluva better speech than Sailor Moon's.....

	The demon cackled most unpleasantly. "Then you have decided to fight
me, Magic Knights?"
	"We sure have!" Umi called.
	"Very well then," the demon said. "It will be more sporting this
way. I am Cavalier, and I've been sent to kill you."

Tommy: Cavaliers suck. The author's mom had one, and it broke down at
least once a month....

	"Sent by who?" Fuu asked.
	"Oh, if only you knew!" Cavalier chuckled. "But you'll never know,
because I'm about to cut off your pretty heads and add them to my
bowling ball collection." He charged.

Cerina: Bowling balls? Oy vey...

	The three brothers, who had moved away, screamed as black energy
swirled around Cavalier's sword. 
	Hikaru gave a yell, and charged. Cavalier lowered his stance, and
attempted a rising slash. Hikaru brought her sword up and parried,
then slashed across Cavalier's torso. The demon howled as her sword
left a gash in his side. Hikaru ducked and rolled away from the
demon.
	"Be careful," Lantis said. "You don't want to injure him too much,
if he's possessed by a demon. You'll end up killing an innocent
person."
	<He's right, Hikaru. As bad as Kunou is, he doesn't deserve to die
like this.>

LilTigre: Dipping in acid, maybe, but not this...

	Hikaru frowned. "How can we drive out the demon?"
	"Knocking him unconscious should do it," Lantis said. "If that body
is weakened without being killed, the demon won't be able to hold on,
and will have to abandon him."
	"What will stop it from possessing him again, or someone else?" Fuu
asked.
	"I will," Lantis said.
	"Alright then," Umi said. "MIZU NO...RYUU!"
	Cavalier leapt into the air as the dragon of water tore through the
space he was occupying. His sword, glowing black, slashed down into
the dragon, dissipating it.

Cerina: Ouch.

	Fuu raised her hand. "Imashime no kaze!" The Winds of Reprimand
whirled around Cavalier, binding his arms to his sides. He roared in
rage as he struggled to break free. 
	Hikaru walked up to the demonic swordsman, and scowled. "Leave this
poor boy alone," she whispered. "And get out of our world, or we'll
destroy you."
	"Bite me," the demon hissed.

All: *giggle*

	Lantis motioned for the group to clear away from the unconscious
kendoist. He held his hands before him, and with a flash of light,
the nautilus hilt of his sword appeared in his hands. With a sharp
crackle, the blinding beam of light that formed the sword's blade
emerged. The brothers gasped.
	"What the hell is *that*?" Kakeru asked.
	"It's some kind of lightsaber," Masaru breathed.

Tommy: Lantis, Jedi Knight.

	"What's wrong, Umi-chan?" Hikaru asked.
	Umi pointed down the street, where five figures approached rapidly.
	Everyone except Hikaru and Lantis gasped. "The...the Sailor Senshi?"
Kakeru wondered.

All: (singing off-key) Here they come to save the day, sailor Senshi's on
their waayyyy....

	"That's funny," Mercury said, scanning the area. "I'm not detecting
the dark energy anymore."
	"There's been a magical battle here," Mars said. "I can feel it."
	"So can I," Venus said. 
	"And we missed it? That sucks," Jupiter commented.

Cerina: Yeah, what she said.

	Mere moments after their departure, the grey-haired, green-eyed
youth rose from the ground, picking up his katana. He groaned, and
his eyes began to glow faintly. "You'll...pay, Magic Knights," he
said. "You haven't seen the last of Cavalier." He staggered off into
an alleyway, and melded into the shadows.

LilTigre: Poor Kunou...

Cerina: Yeah, the guy was insane, but still.... 
 	

	"This is insane," Masaru said. "We can't possibly let her go to
China, or back to that other world!"
	"We can't stop her, either," Kakeru said. "You saw what the girls
and Lantis did to that...that demon. If we tried to stop them--"
	"Hikaru-chan would never threaten us," Satoru said. "--I don't
think."

Tommy: Don't push her.

	"Yeah? Well what about Lantis?"
	"He seems to have strong honor," Kakeru said. "I don't think he'd
try to harm us either."
	"Still," Masaru said, "we've got to do *something!*"
	"And we will," Satoru said. "We'll do what we already planned to
do." They turned to face the rest of the group.

Cerina: Hoo boy, are they in for it when Hikaru finds out...
 

	"Hai, I will," Hikaru said. "I promise." Hikari padded over to her,
and nuzzled her, whimpering sadly. She hugged the wolf fiercely.
"I'm...I'm sorry, Hikari," she said. "I...I don't want to go again,
but I have to. I wish I could take you with me...I just can't.
It's...it's going to be dangerous...you might get hurt..."
	Mokona suddenly appeared, and bounced over to the two of them.
"Mokona looks...solemn," Umi said, then smacked herself. "What am I
*saying!?* Mooouuu....don't tell me I'm starting to understand that
stupid bunny!"

All: *snicker*

	"Puu," Mokona said harshly to her. It returned its attention to
Hikaru and Hikari. "Puuu, puu puuuu." 
	"What is it, Mokona?" Hikaru asked, turning to the white rabbit.
Mokona looked at Hikari, and the wolf looked back, not flinching as
it had before. Hikaru looked between the two animals. 
	"What's going on?" Umi asked.
	Lantis frowned thoughtfully. "Mokona appears to be up to
something..."
	Mokona's jewel flared yellow, and a wide beam enveloped Hikari.
Hikaru gasped, but held her place, trusting Mokona. Hikari didn't
move, didn't make a sound. 
	"What...what's going on here?" Satoru asked.
	The beam from Mokona's jewel began darkening in color, through
orange, towards red. After a few long moments, the flame-red beam
faded. Everyone gasped.
	Hikari had become a bit larger, and appeared stronger. His fur had
turned the same shade of red as Hikaru's hair, and his eyes were now
red as well. The red wolf looked around, a mischevious twinkle in its
eyes. It threw back its head and barked...sending a small gout of
flame into the air. The three brothers fell over. Fuu and Umi gaped.
Hikaru blinked, then giggled. "I get it now," she said, beaming. She
hugged Hikari, then Mokona. "Mokona made Hikari stronger, so he can
come with me!" 
	"Puu!" Mokona said. The others blinked.

LilTigre: Sugoi!

	Across town, in Nerima, two shadows flitted about frantically, as
though searching for something...

Cerina: That doesn't bode well.....

Tommy: Really nice job on this part, Lurker, We'll be waiting for the next
parts.
 

The Eternal Lost Lurker
insatiably horny rampaging fanfiction demon

(As the camera fades, two voices can be heard..)

LilTigre: Cerina-neechan, what's "insatiably horny" mean?

Cerina: Tigger, you're a little too young for that...

EternalLostLurker@worldnet.att.net
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/9502

If you've ever earned frequent belcher miles,
you might be a redneck.
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Jess, the LilTigre =^_^=