Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Within ❯ The Acquaintance Part II ( Chapter 3 )

The Acquaintance

Part II

Disbelieved, Usagi stared the girl and the boy long enough, until she shifted her attention to Mamoru and Andre. Suddenly she took Mamoru's hand and pulled him quite a distance from the others. The Russian girl watched them lazily, while the brown-skinned boy looked at Andre, who shook his head.

"Mamo-chan, where did you get these people? What are they doing here?" Mamoru quickly lifted his hand in exasperation, trying to stop Usagi. Then he said,

"Usako, hold on! I don't know how they could come here, however I think we can't leave them in this strange place…" Usagi cut his sentence impatiently,

"You think? Oh, that's great! Why is always you who doing the thinking? You are not even asking me, not a single word! I never heard you ask, 'Usako, may I doing this or that?' or 'Usako, can I ask your permission?' I'm not a wallpaper, Mamoru Chiba, and I'm not a child anymore…" Losing his patience, Mamoru snapped,

"Usako, I think you're getting irrational now! Look, I'm apologizing to not telling you about Andre, but it is not my decision! Kami, I hate to fight with you in the middle of the jungle!"

Hikaru watched the couple's fight incredulously, and then he turned to Lantis,

"I wonder if we will argue like them, Lantis…is it a sign of love or otherwise?" The Mage Knight didn't answer.

Ami breathed in relief after Rei finally calmed herself. She watched the strangers around him; somehow she felt out of place. It was almost like the first time she met Usagi…and the other Senshi. The blue-haired girl wondered if she could make new friends. She rarely went out everywhere with other people, except her friends. Probably she was too…confined with them. Why not? She was comfortable with them, and she has not intends to change it. Ami watched Mako who stood quite a distance from her, and smiled. Well, the relationship between them still intact, though some began to suspicious with that. While she still deep in thought, the brown-haired girl sat not far from her,

"Is it a busy day, isn't it?" Ami almost jumped when the girl spoke to her, and then she asked back,

"Excuse me, may I…know your name?" The girl merely smiled and offered her right hand,

"Fuu Hououji, that's my name…wait, I know you! You are… Ami Mizuno! Yes, you are!" Ami's face blushed to faint red when Fuu said her name with excitement,

"I read the news about you! You are the brightest student and best chess player in Juuban High School…" Ami tried to evade the subject; she didn't like to be the object of attention. She replied gently,

"Don't always believe what the people say, Ms. Hououji! In fact, you are also well-known…" Fuu smiled in return,

"Ah, people always to exaggerate everything! Honestly, I don't see myself so high…it is an honor to meet you!" As she spoke, Ami listened attentively and began to think,

I like her; she doesn't feel inferior though she know who I am…she treats me like a colleague! Something that can relate with… The brown-haired girl continued,

"I really wish that we can be the friends…however some people likes to compare both of us in unfriendly terms, but I believe that you are not taking them seriously. What do you think, Mizuno-san?" Suddenly, Ami shook her hand and answered,

"It is nice to know you, Hououji-san…even an honor to have you as my friend! I believe we have so much in common!" Then both girls laughed playfully, as Rei and Umi watched the event in disbelief. When they turned to each other, they instantly threw a disgusted face and turned away.

"Haay, it seems so crowding here…" Makoto commented, while stretching her hand upward in boredom "What do you think, Mina?" The yellow-haired girl didn't answer, as she watched Lantis. However her fantasy ended when the brunette knocked her head around,

"Hey, don't stare him like that! I believe he already belongs to someone…" Mako pointed at Hikaru, who held Lantis' arm tightly. Mina quipped, as she touched the lump on her head,

"Mako, why are you not like to see someone happy? At least, let me fantasize myself with a handsome hunk!" Her friend only shook her head only,

"Why don't you try with Andre for example?"

"Too serious!" Then Mako pointed the brown-skinned boy,

"With that boy…"

"Too young, beside don't you heard what Rei say about him?" The brunette almost laughed,

"Come on, I thought you are not taking her word seriously!" Mina answered,

"Well, I have to keep my reputation!" Then she turned to the brunette with a mischievous smile,

"Mako, I bet you can't talk with the boy without using your punch!" Startled, Mako answered,

"Oh, yeah! How about Taiki?"

"How about Haruka? You almost beat her out of the crap…" The brunette girl frowned,

"Yeah, after she did it first to me! Oh, so you think I already lose my charm to attract the younger men?

What are you going to give if you lose?" Thinking hard, the yellow-haired girl replied,

"I will treat you at the Crown café for 1month, if I lose! And you! What do you give if you lose?"

"I will cook for you up to 1 month, if I lose! So, do we have the deal?" They slapped their palm upward,

"Deal!" Afterward, Mako rose and walked toward the boy, before she turned back and give a gesture that signaled 'watch me'. Mina gave a thumb up.

Hotaru watched the brown-skinned boy with curiosity. She judged that the boy must be the same age as her. From outward appearance, he looked rude, compared with the Japanese, yet she sensed something unique on him. She thought deeply, when Makoto Kino went to approach the boy. Suddenly Hotaru felt a surge of emotion inside her,

What happened? I never feel this before! Am I jealous to Jupiter? Nonsense! I don't feel anything to the strange boy… She wasn't the only one who feels the change, as Setsuna watched her. The Guardian of Time turned her attention to the boy.

Meanwhile, Fuu and Ami still deep in their conversation; they discussed anything they know and sometimes exchanged information about each other. The platinum-haired girl merely poked a dead trunk beside her, while ignored her surrounding. Then the girls turned to her. Fuu asked,

"Mizuno-san, why don't we try to introduce ourselves to her? She looks lonely and nobody among us make to the first move…" After gave a glance to the girl, Ami nodded in agreement,

"You are right, Hououji-san! Let's come to her!" Both girls went close to the Russian girl. The girl mildly surprised with their coming, yet she continued like nothing happened. Fuu opened the conversation with English,

"Miss, what is your name? May we know your name?" The girl stared them blankly. Ami continued,

"It might sounds strange for your custom, but we're really have good intentions. At least, we can familiarize with each other…" Fuu nodded, while the Russian still didn't answer. Now they were getting nervous; the girl seemed wouldn't respond nor budged to their approach. Finally, Fuu introduced herself,

"My name is Fuu Hououji, and here is my friend, Ami Mizuno!" Slowly, the girl answered,

"Jezycka, that's my name but you can call my English name, Jessie Cross," Without thinking, Fuu and Ami offered their hand simultaneously to her and said,

"Nice to meet you, Jessie Cross…" As they realized their mistake, Jessie rolled her eyes to the sky.

The brown-skinned boy kicked pebbles around him; he really felt out of place and upset with the changes around him. Then he crouched on the ground, while watching the jungle. Suddenly, a shadow covered him and he said impatiently,

"OK, what do you…" He was unable to continue the question as a tall, brunette woman stood in front of him. He was stunned with her appearance, not mention to her beauty,

Damn, she is taller than me and…sexy too! I never know that the Japanese girl can be so beautiful like her…almost like a goddess, no…like the girl in the manga I read at Jakarta! His musings were broken by a gentle voice

"Am I disturbing you?" Shook his head, the boy immediately stood up and faced her. He began to mumble, trying to find the right sentence,

"Er, no! I'm all right…sorry for my rudeness! I don't mean to…" Mako smiled as he tried hard to apologize, while she mused in,

He looks so cute when he confuse…probably it wasn't a mistake to take Mina's challenge after all!

She said, "That's all right! From your appearance, you are not a Japanese…" The boy responded,

"Yes, miss! I'm an Indonesian…Oh, no! I forget to introduce myself! My name is Ray…Ray Evans!" Now it was Mako's turn to get confused,

"Rei what?" Ray was getting nervous now; even he started to perspire heavily,

"My name is…Ray! R-A-Y!" However, the brunette had a hard time to spell his name due to the homophony of name with Rei. She managed to spell 'Rey', that the closer she could get…silently, she cursed,

I wish I study my English well, so I won't have difficulty to spell anyone's name! It is embarrassing to spell the name incorrectly in front of the cute boy like him… Smiled sheepishly, Mako introduced her name,

"I'm Makoto Kino, but my friends calls me Mako…" Ray instantly rubbed his hands to get rid the annoying sweats, before he shook her hand,

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Kino…I'm honored…" While shaking his hand, Mako turned back to Mina who looked displeased with the event. She made a mock whisper to her, which sounded ' you lose'. At the same time, she watched Ami and Fuu with a pained smile.

Back to the quarreling couples, Mamoru finally said,

"Usako…perhaps we'll discuss this after we're going back to Earth!" Suddenly, Usagi grinned sheepishly,

"Er, Mamo-chan, there is a slight problem with that…we can't going back to Earth," Mamoru shocked beyond belief as he heard those words,

"What? How come? Are you certain of that, Usako? I thought you could use your Sailor Teleport…"

"It doesn't work! Pluto said that there is a barrier around the planet, which blocking us from using the Sailor Teleport…" Sighed, he simply couldn't think what else gone wrong. Having a fight with his fiancée over Andre was worse, now stranded on a strange, unknown planet with the girls and several strangers was more than he could bear. Then Usagi hugged him and asked,

"I'm afraid! What shall we do, Mamo-chan?" Mamoru stroked her hair gently and smiled. He realized that the outburst was evoked by her jealousy to Andre. She couldn't imagine that she must compete the affection from him. He hugged back, while pondered the moment when they met for the first time at Silver Millenium. For their love, they had passed many ordeals, including the Galaxia incident. Then he said,

"Usako, I'm apologizes for being angry with you…I ask you to try to acquainted with Andre. He's a good boy; once you know him you will like him. Probably, we can do the same with the others and I see that they have made some new friends, including you." The yellow-haired girl turned her sight to Hikaru who waved to her, and then to Ami and Fuu who still talked with Jessie and Makoto with Ray. Reluctantly, she looked at Andre, before turned to the man whom she loved so much,

"I will try, Mamo-chan…I will try!" When they joined with the others, Haruka came closer to them. From her look, Usagi realized that she want to talk something with Mamoru. She said,

"I'm going ahead, Mamo-Chan! I'll talk with Ms. Shidou!" He nodded only, before Usagi left him with the tomboyish girl. He turned to Haruka and asked,

"Oh, Haruka, do you have something to talk?" She didn't wait to speak; instead she asked,

"My Prince, what is the American boy doing here?" Hinting tone of suspicion, Mamoru replied tactfully,

"Haruka, Andre is my friend! I don't know how he can join us here, but I 'm assures you that he isn't a threat to us…" However, the short-cropped girl answered,

"It isn't his place…is he know…" Mamoru already countered,

"I appreciated your concern to Usagi's safety, Haruka! Yet, there is nothing wrong with Andre; I can guarantee that!" She didn't ask further, and then she left Mamoru to join with Michiru. The green-haired girl asked,

"He doesn't believe you?" Haruka merely watched Andre suspiciously,

"It isn't his place, he can become a problem…what do you think, Michiru?" Michiru replied,

"Probably you're right, but we must not too hasty to judge him until it is proven otherwise…" When she left, Haruka muttered between her breaths,

"The only things worse than this are the Americans…"

The mysterious figure watched them through the throbbing eye relief; he witnessed everything that transpired. He merely nodded when watching Ami and Fuu together with the Russian girl. He waved his hand, instantly the picture was replaced with Ray and Makoto chatted.

"Hmm, another visitors! I wonder what kind of people they are? Everything already set in place…the only thing we have to do now is waiting…patient like a spider…"

At the forest, everyone but Lantis tried to acquaint each other. Ami began to introduce her new friends to Usagi,

"Usagi, here is Fuu Hououjii! As you know, she is Ms. Shidou's best friend!" The brown-haired girl shook Usagi's hand warmly,

"It is nice to meet you, Ms. Tsukino! Probably we can know better!" The yellow-haired girl smiled in return. Now it was Jessie's turn. When she came closer, Usagi felt the goosebumps at her neck,

"Her name is Jessie Cross, Usagi! Perhaps you might have some problem, since Ms. Cross' custom is greatly different from us…but she's quite communicative!" Usagi offered her hand, but Jessie merely stared her with disdain. She felt the ice blue eyes bored deeply inside her mind; even now she began to afraid. Trying to break the ice, Ami said,

"Ms. Cross, probably you find Usagi is not like the rest of us, however she's a nice girl!" Usagi cut her instantly,

"You don't have to tell that, Ami-chan!" At the same time, the Russian shook her hand and said,

"Nice to know you, Ms. Tsukino!" Usagi stunned with the reaction, before replied,

"N-nice to meet you, Ms. Cross…" Before she recovered, Mako already came with Ray. At the same time, Ami felt a sting of jealousy when she saw them. After what happen a while ago, Usagi felt a little relaxed. She said to her friend,

"Hi, Mako-chan! It seems you got another boy with you!" The brunette smiled nervously,

"No, just a new friend! Usagi, let me introduce you with someone… Ray, come here!" The boy came forward; it was oblivious to Usagi that he was very nervous. Then she gave him a smile to lighten the situation.

"Ms. Tsukino, my name is Ray Evans and I'm an Indonesian…" The word ticked Ami and Fuu, as they began to pepper him with questions,

"Indonesia? Is that close with Bali? I read about it at the geography book! They said it is a nice place to go! Is that so, Mr. Evans?"

"Yes, is it true they called it "the Emerald of Equatorial Region'? By the way, is it true that it is the place of the extremists?" Ray was dumb-founded with those questions until Makoto stopped them,

"Ami, look what you have done! You scared him!" Ami was stunned with those words. Heard that, Usagi chuckled only. They already knew Makoto's attitude when it came about boys. She have to admitted that the boy might looked rude for the Japanese standard, but he knew how to carry himself politely. She found out that she liked him better than the Russian. Then Mamoru came,

"Usako, how is it now?" She explained,

"You're right, Mamo-chan! They are not bad after all! By the way, where is Andre?" He pointed to Andre who listened the conversation between Ray and the other girls.

Without hesitation, Andre shook his hand, "I'm Andre Stevens! Glad to meet you!" The boy replied,

"And I'm Ray Evans, nice to meet you!" Then everybody clapped their hands, while Jessie sniffed only.

Few moments later, they walked around the forest to find a nearby settlement. In unanimous decision, the girls (not including Magic Knights and Jessie) chose Mamoru as their leader temporarily. Lantis simply acquiesced with their decision. However, the band found out that going out from the jungle was not easy as they thought; even Ami and Fuu did little to alleviate the problem.

"It is much easier if we have a compass!" Rei complained, "Probably the one who summoned us here, don't think that we are landed in the middle of the jungle!" Ami tried to calm her,

"Rei, complaining will do nothing for us!" Then she watched Jessie scraped the tree barks and stone around them. Fuu asked her,

"Ms. Cross, what are you doing?" Slowly, the girl rose up and explained,

"I'm trying to find some moss or lichen around this place. Those plants don't like direct sunlight and prefers damp places, if we find it we may know where is our direction is." Suddenly, Ami realized something,

"Ms. Cross is right! The lichen and moss is used to grow to the western direction, since they avoids the sunlight! It is the basic training for the jungle survival, why didn't I think that before?" Jessie continued,

"There's something else you should know, Ms. Mizuno! Ms.Hououji!" Umi gave the girl a mocking surprise,

"Which is?" The Russian was unfazed with the treatment, even she said,

"Do you notice something wrong with this jungle? It isn't an ordinary jungle…" Hotaru agreed,

"She's right! I didn't hear any sounds since we arrived here; there is no sounds of singing birds or insects…"

Setsuna added, "It looks like the place is already abandoned…" Lantis interrupted,

"Or dead…there is no living things around!" Everyone gone silent, before Rei broke it,

"Will you stop with the nonsense? Do we must believe what the girl say?" Ami instantly defended Jessie,

"Rei, that is unfair! Ms. Jessie just told what she thinks necessary!"

"Oh, yeah! It seems it isn't necessary for me!" Then Umi joined the fray,

"So do you know the better idea, wise guy?" While they fought verbally, Jessie inhaled deeply. Meanwhile, Andre sensed something wrong and turned to the right side. Mamoru immediately asked,

"What's wrong, Andre?"

"I feel something approaches us…very fast and strong! It comes to our direction right now…" Without warning, Haruka also asked him. Her tone looked wary,

"How do you know that?" The boy watched her, but then he continued hesitantly,

"I…just feel it…" Yet, Haruka still unconvinced with his words. Not for long, the heavy thumping and creaked twigs was heard from Andre's direction. The first who responded to that is Lantis. He warned,

"Be careful, something's coming to our direction!" He immediately prepared his sword and went to protect Hikaru, meanwhile the Outers and Inners circled Usagi and Mamoru in a casual formation in order to make them not oblivious. Jessie and Ray simply stay behind the others. Slowly but sure, the sound was getting closer and everyone felt their tension rises. Suddenly, the bush in front of Andre was brushed aside and something leaped forward.

"Get down!" Before it hit Andre, Haruka has pushed the American to the ground. Andre was taken aback with the action. Whatever it was, it moved very fast to be seen with ordinary eyes. When it turned to Hikaru, Lantis opened his first attack, but it evaded the attack easily and made a long leap behind Hikaru. The red-haired girl almost pulled her sword, but a voice stopped him,

Don't do that! I won't harm you… Stunned, she didn't pull the sword. Her action surprised Umi and Fuu. But then everyone's attention turned to the mysterious thing that attacked them. Hikaru gasped in shock as she saw the object that almost hit Andre and her, because it was a large lion. The difference is the lion's mane looked like a furious flame, while the fur was glowed like a burning brazier. The beast had taken a defensive stance by put its paws in front and stared Hikaru Shidou intensely. Usagi shook with fear, while Mina and Ray looked terrified. Lantis rushed to her side and ready for anything worse. Andre still stunned with what happened, he looked back to Haruka who rose slowly. She left him without saying anything, before he managed to say,

"Thank…you…" Peeked behind Lantis, Hikaru watched the burning lion intensely,

It reminds me with my Mashin, Rayearth! What similarity it has with Rayearth? For a moment, nobody moved nor spoke; they still maintained the same stance. Then the lion let a loud roar, followed with a grow,

OUTLANDERS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN ANDERION? Everyone surprised to hear that, somehow the creature has spoken to them telepathically. Hikaru instantly asked,

Who are you? What are you? The lion turned on her and its eyes stared her cautiously,

I 'M CALLED LEYON, THE COURAGEOUS LION! YOU HAVEN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION YET! Then Usagi stammered,

"Er, s-someone called us to come here…" The beast called Leyon, turned its sight to her, but then turned to the rest again,

THE SUMMONNER? HE HAS CALLED YOU? IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE, LEAVE THIS PLANET IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS NOT YOUR FIGHT! Suddenly, it turned to Pluto and both of them locked sight,

Why? Are we in danger? If so, what is the danger? Leyon didn't respond; it grinned to Pluto as to comment her ability to speak telepathically. Slowly, he relaxed its stance and began to turn away from them,

IT IS UP TO YOU! DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU! STAY AWAY FROM DARKSPYRE, OR ELSE YOU WILL MEET FATE WORSE THAN DEATH ITSELF…Before the lion left, Hikaru shouted,

"Wait, what is Darkspyre? Why can't we go there?" Leyon turned back,

STAY AWAY FROM DARKSPYRE! BEWARE OF THE OVERLORDS! Then it ran away, leaving them in confusion! Everyone returned to the sense when Rei yelled,

"Let's follow the lion! It may know the way out!" Before Usagi could warn her, the raven-haired girl already pursued Leyon. Didn't want to lose, Umi followed her as well. Usagi turned to others, especially Hikaru and Mamoru,

"We must follow them! Probably Rei-chan has a point! The lion might know the way out here!" The red-haired girl nodded in agreement, while Mamoru said,

"Be careful, Usako! We don't know what waiting us there, but you're right!" Haruka, Setsuna and Hotaru also expressed the same sentiment. Not for long, everyone followed Rei and Umi. Jessie only sighed,

"Why are they too rash in doing something?" Then Andre asked her,

"Do you feel something wrong?" The Russian turned to him,

"No, there is nothing wrong with the beast, but it will be if our friends keep following their judgment…"

Now it's Ray's turn to comment, "It is already wrong since the beginning!" Nobody spoke again, as they started to follow the others.

Meanwhile, Rei and Umi already gone ahead and locked in a heated argument,

"Hey, stay out from here! It is not your problem!" The blue-haired girl mocked,

"Oh, yeah! Try me! You are not going to win!" Gritted her teeth, Rei replied in the same fashion,

"We'll see that!" So intense the bickering that they failed to see someone in front of them. When they did they shouted simultaneously and…crashed to each other! Just at the time when Usagi and the rest arrived. They surprised to find Rei and Umi sprawled to the ground, touching their bruised face and lump. However, they were more surprised as they saw a boy and a girl not far from them. The boy has a blond hair, while the girl has black hair. Both children wore strange-looking costumes, almost like a crossover between Indian and Mongol costumes. Usagi and Hikaru moved forward to Rei and Umi, followed by Ami, Mako and Fuu,

"Rei-chan, are you all right?" Ami asked the raven-haired girl, "Are you hurt?"

Rei answered, "No, only a little bruise! I hope she got the worse!" Umi replied,

"In your dream, s(^(^)(^+)(!" Usagi turned to the children who still scared with them, and Mamoru came closer to them. The yellow-haired girl said to them,

"Don't worry, we won't hurt you! Are you lost?" The blond haired boy nodded only, then Fuu and Mako joined them,

The brunette asked, "Who are they, Usagi?" Usagi shook her head; she was at loss,

"I have no idea! I don't even know if they can speak Japanese or English," Ami suggested,

"Perhaps we can use sign language to make ourselves clear," Everybody nodded,

"Do it, Ami-chan!" Then the blue-haired girl started to use the sign language, though a little bit confused the children watched her with curiosity. As Ami made a gesture toward herself and the mouth, signaling the introduction, the girl answered hesitantly by pointing herself and then her brother,

"Siratyl…Lezon…" Mako immediately commented, "I think that is their name. Ami, ask them if they saw a lion passed here…" When Ami asked them, the children merely shook their head.

"No, they didn't see anything! The only thing they know is they are lost and wanted to go home…" The blond boy started to cry, before his sister calmed and wiped his tears. Usagi touched with the event; even she and Hikaru almost cried as well. Then she said,

"Ami-chan, ask them where is their home…we'll bring them there!" When Ami asked Siratyl, she answered by pointing to the northeast direction,

"I think their home is located at the northeast and there is a city there!" Suddenly, everyone's face beamed,

"A city? That's good news! What are we waiting for? Let's go!" However, Setsuna stopped them,

"I'm sorry, but the beast warned us to not go there…" Instantly, Mina protested,

"But, Setsuna, we talk about a city here…the lion didn't mention that!" Then Jessie continued from nowhere,

"She's right…the warning won't be given to us if it doesn't has a point!" Everyone was silent, like a grave, as the Russian stared to the children with a penetrating cold look. The blond boy instantly hugged Usagi, while the girl hid behind Mamoru. Jessie said,

"I wonder how these children are get lost here…are they accidentally lost or doing it in purpose? If the forest has nothing lives here, much more the children…" Unable to hold her irritation, Usagi rose and stared the platinum-haired girl angrily,

"Are you say that we must leave them here? Is that so?" The Japanese was quite taller and older than her, yet Jessie said unflinchingly,

"You are the one who say that, not me…" Usagi merely knuckled his fist, trying to stop herself from kill the insolent girl. Ami quickly intervened them,

"Stop it! Usagi, forgive Ms. Cross! Sometimes she's quite frank in speaking…something we don't have in Japan," Then she turned to Jessie,

"Jessie, I hope you do understand that we want to go home and need a shelter badly. If these children really have a home, probably we can accompany them until they find their house! We simply can't let them inside this forest…" The Russian didn't answer; she merely went away. Breathed in relief, Hikaru clapped her hands and said,

"So, let's go now!"

Not for long, the Sailor Senshi and Magic Knights followed Siratyl's direction to the city. After spent three hours walking, finally they have arrived at the city. It was beautiful from above the hill. The houses looked shining and bright, while the most prominent building has a crystal-like structure floated above it. The city has surrounded by a huge wall. They were stunned with such view, since nothing could be seen on Earth.

"By Kami! Am I dreaming?" Usagi exclaimed with surprise, "It is beautiful than Tokyo!"

Ami nodded, "It is a fabulous city…I must admit that!" Mina added,

"I wonder if they have a handsome hunk inside…"

Fuu watched the city with admiration, "It is remind me to…Cefiro…and Felio…"

Umi and Rei stunned with the view, while the Outers and Lantis surveyed the city carefully.

Suddenly, they heard something behind and saw Andre knelt on the ground. The American's face looked sick, while Ray tried to help him. Mamoru hurriedly ran toward him, much to Usagi's irritation. He asked,

"Are you all right, Andre?" Andre answered though he looked pale,

"I…I'm all right, Mamoru…just feeling nauseated only…" Then Michiru came to them and offered something,

"Here is some aspirin, I hope it can help you…" Andre took some pills and swallowed it immediately,

"Thanks, Ms…" The green-haired woman smiled in gentleness, before introduced herself,

"Kaiou, Michiru Kaiou…or Michelle in your language." Slowly, Ray and Mamoru helped him standing again, and at the same time he thought something,

It doesn't make any sense; the city is filled with black mana! It is almost suffocates me, but Mamoru and the rest don't affected at all. Shall I tell them? Yet, he noticed that Haruka still watched him like an eagle. It was obvious that she didn't like what her partner did to him,

No, they'll be suspicious to me…With Ms.Tsukino's jealousy to me. I don't want to add another problems!

When they entered the city, the street was crowded with hustle-bustle and busy people. Yet they seemed ignore their presence. While everyone watched the surrounding, only Ray who took a little distance from Mako.

Strange, the people here are looks real…but then why they didn't care with us? Something is funny here… Suddenly, he bumped with an old people wore a tall turban. He almost pushed away,

"I'm sorry…I didn't see you!" the turbaned man simply ignores him and left him like nothing happened,

See, something funny is happened here…

Not for long they stood in front of the gate, Siratyl and Lezon gestured toward it with some excitement. Mako commented,

"I believe this is their house…" Everyone stared to the tall building where the crystal-like structure floated above. Fuu merely held her chin, thinking about the place,

"The building is more likely a palace…I wonder who are they," Usagi answered,

"It doesn't matter, the important thing is that we help the children come back safely and then ask the way out…am I right?" The Senshi nodded, except Setsuna who looked doubtful. The Time Guardian watched the building cautiously; she didn't even notice Usagi came closer,

"Setsuna, are you all right?" Jolted, the older woman answered,

"I don't know, Princess! The place is looks safe, but I still doubt this is to be true…"

"Come on, what make you say so?" The dark-skinned woman didn't answer, instead she turned to Andre who looked pale than usual. He leaned at the wall not far from the gate; Jessie and Ray were around him. Then Ray asked him,

"Mr. Stevens, are you sick?" The American answered lazily,

"I feel my head almost splitting up…something is not right in this place…" Then Haruka said sarcastically,

"Probably you want some aspirin…" Jessie sensed that her word didn't show much sympathy to Andre though she spoke that. Immediately, Mamoru said,

"Andre, Usagi and I will enter first, while you stay here. Ms. Cross and Mr. Evans will be with you…" Andre and Ray couldn't hold their surprise, when heard that. The American tried to protest,

"But, Mr. Mamoru…" He couldn't even finish his word when Mamoru added,

"Just in case, Rey. We promise to get you back once we meet with the children's parent…" Meanwhile, Jessie looked to Ami and Fuu, and then asked,

"Are you going too?" The brown-haired girl said with carefully,

"Ms. Cross, we just check the situation first. Once safe, we'll get you here…beside Mr. Stevens needs your help for awhile," Ami patted her shoulder,

"Don't worry, we'll be fine! Nobody will leave their friends behind…" Though doubtful, Jessie decided to against her initial instinct to stop them. Finally she said,

"Be careful then…" Both girls smiled before they entered the gate with others, leaving those three behind. Slowly, the gates closed with a loud thud. Andre and Ray could only watched it helplessly.

The Senshi and Magic Knights astonished with what they saw as they walked along the passage inside the palace, however they reminded themselves that the only thing they want is to going back to Earth. They hoped to find some answers once they met the parents of those children. So preoccupied they are with their thinking that they failed to notice the sinister smiles on the children.

Not for long, they entered a huge hall. It was circular-shaped and a large throne stood alone in the middle of the hall. Mina exclaimed,

"Wow, it's nice place! I believe this must be the place for the King!" Usagi and Hikaru nodded in agreement, while Ami, Fuu and Mako looked the surrounding with amazement. Meanwhile, Setsuna, Haruka, Hotaru, Michiru and Lantis stood close to the wall. Umi also watched the place as well, however Rei looked restless.

At the same time, a purple mist crept around the place. Siratyl sat on the throne playfully, while her brother sat at the pedestal around the throne. Suddenly, the Shinto Priestess screamed aloud and held her head tightly. Inside her head, the violent vision passed with such incredible speed. She could only note the most disturbing among them, a huge, throbbing eye! It stared her with hunger…then everything was dark!

When she awoke, everybody surrounded her, including Umi Ryuuzaki. Gently, Usagi asked her,

"Rei-chan, what happened? I never see you like this; do you get another visions again?" Instantly, Rei grabbed her arms tightly and said hoarsely,

"We must leave this place! The place is not safe…this is a trap!!" Mamoru and Lantis looked each other with surprise. Setsuna started to worry and noticed that the hall already filled with the purple mist. Usagi was hesitated, yet she knew that Rei's vision never failed them. Then she said,

"We must leave this place immediately!" Mako called her,

"The children are disappeared!" She turned to the throne and saw nobody there. Haruka shouted,

"Princess, we must leave now!" Hikaru turned to Lantis, who nodded and immediately went to the door.

To their horror, the door closed with a loud bang and a terrible laugh echoed inside the hall…

Author's note: Watch the fateful battle of the Sailor Senshi and Magic Knights for their life in 'Closing the Trap'!