Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Looking Up To You ❯ Ninjetti's Last Stand ( Chapter 17 )

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the characters, blah, blah, blah.

NOTE: This story takes place after Sailor Stars, however, I haven't seen Sailor Stars, so forgive me if I miss a plot point or two. Also, I'm gonna go for American attack names here… *begs forgiveness from the purists*

NOTE TWO: This chapter is EXTREMELY long, clocking in at over 5,000 words. You might want to grab some snacks for this one.

---

In a dark torture chamber within Scion's castle, Letine was chained to the wall and covered with several large cuts and bruises.

"Why is this happening to me…?" Letine sobbed. "It's all because of those Sailor Senshi…"

Suddenly, a loud noise came from the adjoining room, followed by the sound of someone shouting.

"Wha?" Letine said, meekly raising her head. Alexis ran into the room, carrying his katana, which was dripping with blood. "A…Alexi?"

"Letine, what have they done to you?" Alexis said, running over to the wall and slashing Letine free of her bonds. "Letine…"

Alexis gently picked up Letine in his arms and cradled her.

"Big brother…" Letine sobbed. "I'm… done for…"

"No, you'll be okay!" Alexis said. Letine's body began glowing with black healing energy, but it was apparent that Letine wasn't going to recover.

"Ninjetti… the one Scion was talking about… he came… he tortured me… Alexis… big brother…" Letine gasped, her breaths short and staggered. "I'm so glad… you escaped… brother…"

Letine's eyes closed. Her breathing stopped. A single tear began to fall down Alexis' cheek.

"Little sister… Letine…" Alexis sobbed. "I'll kill Ninjetti and the Senshi! Then I'll come back here and kill Scion! I'll kill them all! I'll avenge you! I'LL AVENGE YOU!"

---

Meanwhile, Sammy and the five Senshi continued to run through the streets. Sailor Jupiter collapsed onto the ground.

"Jupiter!" the other Senshi shouted.

"I can't go on… lost too much blood…" Jupiter gasped. Sailor Mars collapsed onto the ground next to her.

"My legs hurt so bad…" Mars said. "Sorry…"

"We'll have to carry them to safety!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"Alright!" Mercury said. Mercury and Sammy lifted up Sailor Jupiter, while Moon and Venus lifted up Sailor Mars. They carried the two injured Senshi behind an alley and then sat down to rest.

"Guys, I have to go," Sammy said, standing up.

"Why?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Without my sword, I'm no help to you guys!" Sammy said. "I'm gonna go home and get it!"

"Sammy, you should probably stay at home," Mercury said. "Ninjetti's extremely dangerous."

"Ami, there's no way I can do that!" Sammy said. "I know he's dangerous, that's why I have to help you beat him!"

Before any of the Senshi could say anything, Sammy turned and ran out of the alley and toward his home.

"He could get hurt…" Mars said weakly. "Ninjetti's too dangerous…"

Sailor Mercury stood up.

"Guys, I'm going to follow Sammy to make sure Ninjetti doesn't get him on the way home," Mercury said. "I'll be back!"

Mercury ran out of the alley and began to follow Sammy home.

"Maybe we should hide Mars and Jupiter somewhere safer!" Venus said.

"Alright," Moon said, dragging Jupiter and Mars behind a dumpster. "Venus, you stay with them! I'll try to hold off Ninjetti!"

Sailor Moon ran out of the alley.

"Darn it, why's everyone leaving?" Venus said. "It's dangerous!"

"Unnh…" Jupiter groaned. "We'll try to heal as fast as we can…"

---

Ninjetti leapt from building to building, looking for any signs of the Senshi.

"When I find them…"

Ninjetti looked down toward the street.

"Nothing…" Ninjetti said. "Wait a second."

Suddenly, Ninjetti saw a flash of red, white, and blue out of the corner of his eye.

"That's the leader…" Ninjetti said. "Sailor Moon."

With a great burst of speed, Ninjetti leapt in front of Sailor Moon.

"Ninjetti!" Sailor Moon gasped.

"You shall die," Ninjetti said evilly, taking out his katana and pointing it at Sailor Moon's chest.

---

Meanwhile, Sammy had finally reached his house. He walked up to the window leading to his room and leaped up, barely grabbing the windowsill. He climbed through the window and rolled into his room.

"Whew," Sammy breathed, rolling over to his bed and feeling for his sword. "Eh? My sword's gone!"

Sammy stood up and scratched his head.

"Now where-" Sammy said before he saw his mom, holding the sword and staring angrily at him from across the room.

"Sammy, what's this?" Sammy's mom asked, holding up the sword. She noticed Sammy's golden costume. "AND WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?"

"Mom, I know what it looks like, but-"

"Sammy, you know you're grounded, and you snuck out anyway," Sammy's mom said. "Sammy, I don't know what you're doing, but-"

"You want to know what I'm doing?" Sammy yelled. "I'm wearing this costume because I'm a superhero, and right now, you've got my sword!"

"Sammy…" Sammy's mom said, shaking her head. "You've been doing a lot of weird stuff over the past few days, and I don't know what's going on…"

"Mom, I'm telling the truth!" Sammy protested. "I know it's hard to believe, but-"

"Is that why you came home hurt a few days ago?" Sammy's mom asked. "What were you doing-"

"I-"

"He was saving my life," said a voice from behind Sammy.

"A- er, Sailor Mercury?" Sammy said, staring into the eyes of his blue-haired friend. Sammy's mom turned around.

"Excuse me?" Sammy's mom said. "I've heard of you before… you're one of the Sailor Senshi! You've been on the news quite a few times…"

"A few days ago, I was abducted by a terrible villain," Mercury said. "Sammy saw the abduction and pursued the villain to the place where I was being held. He used the sword you're holding to defeat the villain and save my life."

Sammy's mom turned to her son.

"Sammy… is this true?" Sammy's mom asked.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Sammy said. "I bought this costume so I could protect Sailor Mercury… I'm really sorry that I've been sneaking out, but-"

Sammy's mom dropped the sword and burst into tears.

"Sammy…" Sammy's mom sobbed. "I… I… I'm so sorry I didn't believe you!"

Sammy ran up to his mother and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's okay, mom," Sammy said. "I wouldn't believe me either…"

"Sammy, I love you so much… I was worried about you!" Sammy's mom cried, sobbing on her son's shoulder. "Sammy…"

"Sammy, your mother really does love you very much," Mercury said. "Maybe it's best that you stayed here and didn't get hurt…"

"Sailor Mercury, I can't," Sammy said. "I have to protect you."

"You really don't have to protect me, Sammy," Mercury said. "You're so strong… you've done enough already. I'm sure we can defeat Ninjetti by ourselves…"

"Sammy…" Sammy's mom sobbed. "I don't… I really don't want you to go… but… I want you to be able to make your own decisions…"

"Thanks, mom," Sammy said. He turned away from his mother and picked up his sword. "I don't want you to lose me… but… I don't want to lose Mercury. Mother, I…."

"He really loves his mother, and she really loves him," Mercury thought. "But Sammy still wants to protect me anyway… I wouldn't want him to get hurt…"

Mercury's eyes widened.

---

"Oh, Ami, that wasn't me…" Sammy said. "I was consumed with anger… vicious hatred… I… I…"

Sammy sobbed uncontrollably. Sailor Mercury picked him up and cradled her in her arms protectively, oblivious to her own pain.

"Anger is natural, Sammy…" Mercury said. "You cared about me so much, and when you thought I had died…"

"Ami…" Sammy said, looking into the water Senshi's eyes. "I… I…"

"What is it, Sammy?" Mercury asked. "It's okay…"

"I love you," Sammy said.

---

"Mrs. Tsukino," Mercury said, looking at Sammy. "Actually, maybe Sammy should help us fight Ninjetti… just this one last fight. I'll protect him with my life."

Sammy turned to Sailor Mercury.

"She's so unselfish and giving," Sammy thought. "Ami wouldn't… wait a second…"

"Mom," Sammy said. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go… I promise I'll return."

"Sammy," Sammy's mom said. "I… please, please be careful…"

Sammy ran up to the window.

"I promise to protect Sammy!" Mercury declared.

"Oh, please don't leap out the-" Sammy's mom said before Mercury and Sammy both leapt out the window. "Window…"

---

Sailor Moon stared down the vicious Ninjetti.

"Alright, you ninja freak! You may have hurt my friends, but I will punish you!" Sailor Moon shouted nervously.

"Die," Ninjetti said, running toward Sailor Moon. The Senshi was barely able to leap out of the way as the ninja ran past.

"Holy cow!" Sailor Moon shrieked. Ninjetti turned around quickly and ran back toward Sailor Moon.

"Die!" Ninjetti shouted. Suddenly, a rose landed in front of Ninjetti. The ninja stopped cold. Tuxedo Mask leapt in front of Ninjetti, pointing his staff at the deadly ninja.

"You attacked a hospital filled with sick and injured people, and now you're attacking my true love?" Tuxedo Mask shouted angrily. "That won't be tolerated!"

"Oh, Tuxedo Mask…" Sailor Moon sighed dreamily.

---

Sammy and Sailor Mercury ran down the street until they arrived back in the town center.

"Ami, why did you tell my mom that?" Sammy asked. "I thought you-"

Mercury pulled Sammy into an alley.

"Sammy, I have something very important to ask you," Sailor Mercury said, looking directly into Sammy's bright blue eyes.

"What is it?" Sammy asked. "Is it about-"

"Yes, it is," Mercury replied. "Sammy… what you said… you said that you…"

"I did," Sammy said. "And I do… love you, I mean. Ami, I know you already have a boyfriend, and that I'm almost three years younger than you, and that I'm not nearly as smart or as handsome as Greg, but… I don't know. It was like a spell had been cast over me. When Serena first introduced me to you, I thought you were nice, and that you looked nice, but…"

Sammy began to twiddle his thumbs.

"That day at the beach… I saw you in that beautiful blue swimsuit, and I looked into your beautiful blue eyes, and… you were so nice. Your voice, and your smile, and your personality… always so caring… when Tiger's Eye pushed me out of the raft into the water, I thought I was a goner! I passed out, and when I woke up, I saw you… breathing life back into me… you gave so much of yourself to save my life!"

"Sammy, I-"

Sammy's eyes began pooling with tears.

"Tiger's Eye asked you why you saved my life… you said I was your friend… you had to help out your friends no matter what… Ami, you're such a caring and giving person! You're a true friend! And it was then that I… that I…"

"You fell in love with me," Mercury said. Tears streamed down Sammy's cheeks.

"And then Tiger's Eye had you strapped to that board! I tried to save you, but I failed! I was knocked out so easily… when I woke up, you said that I saved your life… but I know you were just saying that to be nice. But still, you don't know what that meant to me… Ami… Ami, you're like an angel from heaven… I don't deserve someone like you… Greg does… that's what I thought when I first saw Greg… he's nice and smart too, just like you. You're soulmates, and I'm just some stupid kid! But Ami, I love you! I don't know why, but I do!"

Sammy turned away from Ami.

"Oh no, that sounded so weird…" Sammy sobbed. "You never want to talk to me again, do you?"

Mercury walked over to Sammy. She sat down in front of him and picked up his hands in her own.

"Sammy, I never thought you were a stupid kid," Sailor Mercury said. "You're easily one of the nicest people I've ever met! You're just as nice as Greg, and just as smart, I know it!"

Mercury looked down.

"I shouldn't have kissed you… in Alexis' chambers…" Mercury said. "I think I sent the wrong message to you, and…"

Sailor Mercury looked back up at Sammy.

"I'm so, so very sorry," Mercury said. "But… I don't know what it is, but the way you feel about me… I… I feel the same way about…"

"About Greg," Sammy said. "I knew it…"

"Sammy, I don't know how to explain, since you explained it so well," Mercury said. She giggled slightly. "Imagine that… Ms. 300 IQ Ami, not being able to explain something…"

Sammy laughed.

"Sammy, I guess the thing between me and Greg… it's destiny," Mercury said. "That's the only way I can explain it…"

"I knew this would happen," Sammy sighed.

"Sammy… oh, Sammy," Mercury said. "I know…"

Mercury's eyes began to water.

"This will crush your heart, but… I can't say it…" Mercury sobbed.

"Let's be friends?" Sammy said. "I'd love to be friends with you! But… I mean… it sounds…"

"So final?" Mercury sobbed. "Sammy…"

"Ami…" Sammy sighed, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. "I-"

Sammy gasped. His face changed into an expression of pure terror.

"Sammy, what's wrong?" Mercury asked.

"It's… it's…" Sammy stammered.

"Alexis," Alexis said, staring into Sammy's eyes. Sailor Mercury turned around and gasped in horror.

"Oh my God," Mercury exclaimed, staring at the dark figure of Alexis. "OH NO!"

---

Tuxedo Mask swung his staff at Ninjetti's head, attempting to knock him out. Ninjetti leapt over the staff and kicked Tuxedo Mask hard in the chest, knocking him back several feet. Tuxedo Mask landed on his back.

"No!" Sailor Moon shouted. Tuxedo Mask quickly leapt to his feet. He took out a bunch of roses and tossed them at Ninjetti. Ninjetti spun his sword around, slashing the roses into pieces.

"What a wimpy attack," Ninjetti said. "Throwing roses… what a coward."

Ninjetti leaped at Tuxedo Mask and slashed at him with his katana. But this time, Tuxedo Mask was able to parry the attack with his staff.

"I may not be as strong as you, but I am fast," Tuxedo Mask said. He leapt back, and then spun his staff, hitting Ninjetti in the side of the head. Ninjetti winced, but was barely fazed by the attack. Ninjetti slashed at Tuxedo Mask again, this time managing to slash across Tuxedo Mask's arm. Tuxedo Mask cried out in pain, and Ninjetti jabbed Tuxedo Mask in the stomach with the hilt of his sword. Tuxedo Mask doubled over, clutching his stomach in pain.

"Who's the fast one now?" Ninjetti taunted, pointing his sword at Tuxedo Mask's neck.

"Don't… you… TOUCH HIM!" Sailor Moon screamed. "Moon… Blessed… Hallation!"

Sailor Moon pointed her henshin stick at Ninjetti and fired a deadly stream of Moon magic at the evil ninja. Ninjetti turned around and fired a wave of evil energy out of his hand, blasting Sailor Moon's attack right back at her and knocking her to the ground.

"You'll both die," Ninjetti said.

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Sailor Venus shouted. A golden chain wrapped around Ninjetti's neck and began to choke him. Ninjetti quickly sliced the chain in half, causing it to disappear.

"Where are your friends?" Ninjetti asked.

"You won't find them," Venus said. "They're healing as we speak. But I know that the three of us can hold you off!"

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask stood up.

"That's right!" Sailor Moon shouted. "You can beat us up, but we'll never surrender!"

"We'll destroy you!" Tuxedo Mask said, still breathing heavily from the blows he sustained earlier. "Count on it!"

"I keep squashing the flies, but they always return to pester me," Ninjetti said. "Guess I have to break out the pesticide."

---

Alexis stared into Mercury's eyes.

"Just as beautiful as they were when I left…" Alexis said. He floated down to Sailor Mercury. She stood up.

"Touch me, and I WILL kill you!" Mercury shouted angrily. "I don't know how, but-"

"Where are the others?" Alexis asked.

"None of your business!" Sammy shouted, pointing his sword at Alexis. "Where's Letine?"

Alexis' face turned red with rage. He slapped Sailor Mercury across the face, hard. Then, he grabbed her, turned her around, and put his katana to her throat.

"Letine is dead, and it is all your fault!" Alexis shouted. "Because of you and the Senshi, we were sent to the torture chambers!"

"You deserved it," Mercury said through clenched teeth. "You perverted bas-"

Alexis pressed his sword against Sailor Mercury's skin, causing a tiny trickle of blood to run down the front of her neck.

"LET HER GO!" Sammy screamed.

"WHERE'S NINJETTI?" Alexis yelled. "TELL ME OR SAILOR MERCURY DIES!"

"Why are you so interested in Ninjetti?" Sammy asked.

"I'll tell you why," Alexis said, still pressing the sword into Mercury's neck. "Ninjetti is the mercenary that Scion hired to destroy you and the Senshi, but he was also hired for another reason. He was the first dark soldier assigned to torture us. I escaped before he could reach me, but he had already begun… with Letine."

"Like I said, she deserved-" Mercury began.

"Ami, don't make him mad…" Sammy advised.

"Letine was my little sister," Alexis said. "Ninjetti… he… he tortured her to death! Letine is dead now!"

"If we help you avenge Letine, you have to promise to let Ami go," Sammy said. "Actually, I know you wouldn't kill her. You just can't resist-"

Alexis took his sword away from Ami's neck.

"Lead me to Ninjetti," Alexis said. "And be quick about it."

Without warning, Mercury spun around and kicked at Alexis. Alexis grabbed Mercury's foot and slammed her into the wall, hard.

"Ami!" Sammy shouted. Mercury slumped against the wall.

"Unnh…" Mercury groaned. Alexis put his hand on her head.

"What are you doing?" Sammy yelled. The cuts and bruises on Mercury's face and neck disappeared. She stood up.

"Thank you," Mercury said before realizing who she was thanking.

"Wait, you can heal?" Sammy asked.

"Yes," Alexis said.

"We have two people you really need to heal," Sammy said. "Follow me!"

---

Meanwhile, Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon, and Sailor Venus were preparing to fight against Ninjetti.

"This guy is tough," Tuxedo Mask said. "Have you fought him before?"

"He attacked us at the hospital!" Sailor Venus said. "Mars and Jupiter got hurt really bad, so we hid them behind a dumpster to heal. Mercury and Sammy went off somewhere, but they haven't come back yet."

"Are you through talking?" Ninjetti shouted. "Now… die!"

A huge wave of energy exploded outward from Ninjetti, slamming into the three heroes and bringing them all to their knees.

"ARGH!" Sailor Moon screamed. "It feels like an inferno!"

"I can't take this much longer!" Sailor Venus yelled.

"Come on, guys… fight it!" Tuxedo Mask shouted. The three heroes began to stand up inside the fiery wave of energy, but the wave intensified, knocking all three of them down again.

"In ten seconds, the wave will consume you all," Ninjetti said. "Have a nice trip into the afterlife."

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

The three attacks slammed into the huge dome-shaped wave, disintegrating it. Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Sailor Jupiter ran up to the other two Senshi and Tuxedo Mask, helping them to their feet. Sammy followed, running over to Sailor Moon and holding his sword.

"You guys okay?" Sammy asked.

"You healed fast," Sailor Venus said, looking at Mars and Jupiter.

"We had a little help…" Mars said.

"You're not gonna believe who healed us," Jupiter said. She pointed toward a tall man with long, black hair. Sailor Venus, Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask all emitted a collective gasp.

"Alexis!" Sailor Moon shrieked.

"I'm not here to help you, I'm here to avenge my little sister Letine by killing Ninjetti," Alexis said. "When I'm done, I will kill all of you."

Ninjetti turned to look at Alexis.

"You're one of the weak soldiers that Scion sent to face the Senshi originally," Ninjetti said. "You and that witch girl I killed. What was her name again?"

"Letine," Alexis said. "Now…"

A dark light passed over Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Tuxedo Mask. Their wounds disappeared.

"No way," Sailor Moon said, looking down at herself. "I'm fully recovered…"

"So am I," Sailor Venus said. "What's going on here?

"I told you, I'm here to fight Ninjetti, and you're going to help me, although I won't need it," Alexis said.

"I'll destroy all eight of you," Ninjetti said, pointing his sword at Alexis. "I'll start with you."

Alexis smiled.

"Take this!" Alexis shouted. "For my sister… Dark Lightning Storm!"

Alexis fired a powerful blast of several powerful bolts at Ninjetti. Ninjetti stuck his sword out to block the attack. The lightning bolts bounced off of the sword and hit the ground in several places, some of the bolts barely missing the Senshi.

"Hey, watch it!" Sailor Moon shrieked. Ninjetti lunged at Alexis and slashed at him with his sword. Alexis swung his sword in the way to block the attack. The two katanas clashed with a mighty clang. The warriors pulled back their swords and slashed again, causing the swords to clash a second time.

"Not bad," Ninjetti said. "A lot tougher than your pathetic sister."

"Shut up!" Alexis shouted, slashing at Ninjetti again. Ninjetti parried, and again, the two katanas clashed.

"They're almost even!" Sailor Mars shouted.

"No," Mercury said, scanning Alexis and Ninjetti with her VR Visor. "They may look evenly matched, but-"

"But what?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Ninjetti's energy level is twice as high as Alexis'," Mercury stated. "I think he may be toying with him."

"What?" Sammy said. "Uh oh…"

Alexis slashed at Ninjetti again, but this time, instead of parrying, Ninjetti disappeared. Alexis looked around.

"Where is he?" Alexis yelled. Suddenly, a powerful foot crashed into Alexis' back, knocking him to the ground. Ninjetti stood over Alexis with his sword raised.

"Goodbye," Ninjetti said.

"Not likely!" Sammy yelled, kicking Ninjetti away from Alexis. Ninjetti flew back a couple of feet, then somersaulted up into the air and landed on the other side of the fallen soldier of darkness, staring at Sammy.

"You're also a quick one," Ninjetti said. "But your time ends now!"

Just then, Ninjetti tripped and fell to the ground, hard. Alexis stood up and kicked Sammy back.

"Hey!" Sammy shouted, standing up. "I thought you were on our side!"

"Stay out of my way!" Alexis yelled, picking Ninjetti off of the ground and slashing at him with his katana. Ninjetti parried the strike, causing the two katanas to clash yet again.

"I've had enough of you!" Ninjetti shouted. "Ninja Sever!"

Ninjetti leaped back and held out his sword. Suddenly, four images of Ninjetti appeared alongside the evil ninja. The dual images all pointed their swords at Alexis.

"Look out!" Mercury screamed. The four dual images left Ninjetti's side and rushed at Alexis. Alexis swung his sword at one of them, but the sword passed right through the image. The image's sword, however, proved to be much more deadly. The sword cut across Alexis' face, making a large gash. The four images all brought their swords to bear on Alexis, slashing him multiple times before disappearing, leaving Alexis in a crumpled, bloody heap on the ground.

"Now for the killing blow," Ninjetti said, running at Alexis and raising his sword.

"Mars Flame Sniper!" Sailor Mars shouted, blasting Ninjetti back with a deadly arrow of flame.

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!" Sailor Jupiter shouted, showering Ninjetti with leaves, wood, and lightning.

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Sailor Venus said, launching a brutal chain at Ninjetti.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" Sailor Mercury shouted, blasting Ninjetti with multiple waves of freezing water.

"Argh!" Ninjetti yelled, the attacks hitting him and knocking him to the ground. "You've gotten stronger. Not much, but…"

"My dark healing…." Alexis groaned, slowly rising to his feet. "Gives a temporary boost of power, you see. Just temporary, but it's enough to take you down… heh heh."

"How can you still be standing?" Ninjetti yelled.

"Moon… Blessed… Hallation!" Sailor Moon shouted. Waves of deadly dark energy showered Ninjetti. This time, the waves seemed to hurt Ninjetti a bit more than they did before.

"That does it!" Ninjetti yelled. "You're all dead!"

Ninjetti ran at Alexis again. Suddenly, a golden-costumed boy leaped in front of Ninjetti and stabbed at him with his sword. Ninjetti stopped just short of the sword and leaped back.

"Only I get to kill him," Sammy said, staring into Ninjetti's eyes. "And you."

Sammy ran at Ninjetti and swung at him several times with his sword. Ninjetti managed to parry each attack, but now it appeared that he was struggling to block Sammy's slashes.

"What's going on?" Mercury said, scanning Sammy with her VR visor. "His power… it nearly matches Ninjetti's!"

"Another side effect of the dark healing," Alexis said weakly. "And my blood…."

"Don't try to speak, you're tired enough as it is," Sammy said. "All I know is that I'm kicking this guy's butt!"

Ninjetti growled and fired a ball of energy at Sammy. Sammy leaped back to avoid the blast, and then jumped at Ninjetti again, slashing at him rapidly. This time, Ninjetti couldn't parry the slash. Sammy's sword slashed across Ninjetti's stomach, going right through the ninja suit and making a small slash across the ninja's skin. A singular drop of blood fell from the ninja's stomach and dropped to the ground.

"I don't believe it," Mercury said. "Sammy actually… hurt him!"

"Of course I did, silly!" Sammy said. "I'm the new, the improved…. Golden Masked Warrior!"

Sammy leaped up and kicked Ninjetti hard in the face, knocking him back. Ninjetti slashed at Sammy, but Sammy was easily able to dodge the slash. He charged forward and stabbed at Ninjetti, causing more blood to escape the ninja. Sammy slashed at Ninjetti again. This time, the ninja was able to parry with his katana, but just barely.

"I will not… be beaten… by a KID!" Ninjetti shouted. He fired an energy blast at Sammy. Sammy dodged the blast easily and ran over to a lightpost, grabbing it.

"What's he gonna do now, pull it outta the ground?" Sailor Moon shrieked. Sammy smiled.

"C'mere, ninja ninja ninja!" Sammy said. Ninjetti lunged at Sammy.

"Die!" Ninjetti shouted, his sword pointed at Sammy.

"Time for the 6… 1… 9!" Sammy said. He jumped up, holding the light post, and then swung around it, kicking Ninjetti hard in the face. Ninjetti stumbled back, and Sammy leaped off of the light post and raised his arms victoriously.

"Where'd he learn THAT?" Sailor Mars yelled.

"The lady at the costume shop was watching pro wrestling!" Sammy said. "This is Rey Mysterio's signature move, I think… she was like OBSESSED with him or something, I don't know. Anyway…"

"Fool!" Ninjetti shouted. He fired a ball of energy at Sammy.

"Not this again," Sammy said. He raised up his sword to block the blow. "No swea-"

The energy ball hit the sword and immediately knocked it out of Sammy's hand.

"Wha?" Sammy said, turning around and watching the sword fly through the air. "Oh no…"

As the sword flew through the air, it broke in two. The two halves of the sword hit the ground.

"Idiot!" Alexis yelled. "My blood only works to block attacks from Darkspawn soldiers like Letine and I! Ninjetti's a mercenary, not one of the Darkspawn!"

"No!" Sammy shouted.

"LOOK OUT!" Ami screamed. Sammy turned around just in time to see Ninjetti's sword pierce right through the his stomach. Sammy gasped, and then fell to the ground, barely conscious.

"Ami…" Sammy breathed, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. "I… I failed…"

Ninjetti raised his sword above Sammy.

"You put up a good fight, kid," Ninjetti said. "I hate you."

"SAILOR PLANET POWER!"

A huge beam of magical energy slammed into Ninjetti's chest, blasting him back and slamming him into the wall of a nearby building. Ninjetti slumped against the wall. The five Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Mask ran to Sammy's side.

"Sammy, can you hear me?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Sammy, please wake up!" Mercury yelled. "Please…"

Sammy smiled and looked up at the five Senshi.

"You guys, I'll be okay… you have to finish the bad ninja off now…" Sammy gasped.

Sailor Mercury turned to Alexis, who was still struggling to stand from the injuries he had sustained earlier.

"Darn it, do something! HEAL HIM!" Mercury screamed.

"I can't heal someone with dark energy twice," Alexis said. "It would consume his body and kill him. Wait, why did I tell you that?"

Alexis slowly walked past the Senshi, Tuxedo Mask, and Sammy, and walked over to the fallen Ninjetti. He pointed his katana at Ninjetti's chest.

"For my sister…" Alexis said. "Die!"

Alexis stabbed at Ninjetti. But right before the sword would have gone into Ninjetti and finished him off, Ninjetti grabbed the tip of Alexis' sword and stood up. Alexis gasped.

"No more games… all of you die," Ninjetti said. He picked up the sword and slammed it and Alexis into the wall. Then, he somersaulted backwards and raised his arm at Alexis.

"Unnh…" Alexis groaned, staring into Ninjetti's eyes. "I won't… give up… you killed my sister!"

"Shut up!" Ninjetti yelled, pinning Alexis to the wall with a powerful blast of dark energy. Alexis screamed as the wave because to crush him against the wall.

"Enough!" Sailor Mercury shouted. She stood up and pointed her henshin stick at Ninjetti. "I won't let you hurt him like you hurt Letine!"

"Mercury?" Sailor Moon said, standing up and looking at her friend in disbelief.

"Letine and Alexis were horribly evil people, but no one deserves to be tortured like that!" Mercury yelled.

"She's right," Sailor Mars said, standing up and facing Ninjetti. Jupiter, Venus, and Tuxedo Mask stood up as well.

"Only a coward beats up people weaker than themselves!" Jupiter shouted.

"Why don't you face us?" Venus said.

Sailor Mercury looked down at Sammy.

"Don't worry about me," Sammy said softly. "Just go beat that ninja… I'll be fine…"

Ninjetti turned away from Alexis and faced the Senshi. Alexis fell off of the wall and slumped back to the ground.

"You're nothing compared to me," Ninjetti said. "Dark Waves!"

Ninjetti blasted the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask with another deadly wave of energy. The Senshi screamed out in pain and stumbled back.

"How are we going to beat him?" Sailor Moon asked.

"We'll find a way!" Tuxedo Mask said. "There's got to be a way!"

"There is no way. You will all- argh!" Ninjetti's statement was cut off by Alexis, stabbing his sword into the ninja's ankle. Ninjetti screamed in pain and turned around, then grabbed Alexis by the neck and began choking him.

"What was that?" Ninjetti yelled. "You punk! You fool! I'm going to kill you right now!"

"You always threaten that, but you never manage to actually finish anyone off…" Alexis said weakly. "They always come back. They'll destroy-"

"SHUT UP!" Ninjetti screamed, sending a huge wave of dark energy into Alexis' body. Alexis screamed in pain again. Several snapping sounds were heard as the bones in Alexis' body began to shatter.

"Stop it now!" Mercury screamed.

"ARGH!" Alexis yelled, dropping his katana to the ground. Finally, Ninjetti's attack stopped. He casually tossed Alexis to the ground at the Senshi's feet.

"That heartless…. monster!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"Don't… don't…" Alexis groaned.

"He's still alive?" Jupiter said.

"Don't worry about me… I'm a goner… I'll be with Letine soon… my… my sister…" Alexis whispered painfully. "Please avenge… Letine… for me…"

"Don't try to speak," Mercury said, crouching down next to Alexis.

"I can't heal myself…" Alexis whispered. "Ami… Ami… I…"

"What's he saying?" Mars asked.

"I know… you can't possibly… Ami... I…" Alexis stammered.

"Alexis, I don't know if you're genuinely sorry or if you're just saying it because you're about to die," Mercury said. "Everything you've done to me… you… it's unforgivable. Why are you asking? You've kidnapped me twice, you've beaten me up, you tried to rape me… I hate you!"

Mercury gasped.

"I don't blame you…" Alexis whispered. "I don't deserve anything except to burn in the deepest, darkest regions of Hell…"

"No one deserves that," Mercury said. "I… Alexis… I forgive you…"

"Mercury?" Sailor Moon said.

"Ami," Sammy said weakly. "Everything he's done to you, why…"

"If I hated him, I'd be just as bad as they are…" Mercury said.

"I don't deserve… your forgiveness… Ami…" Alexis stammered. He coughed. "Please… avenge… Letine…"

Alexis gasped, and then shone in a brilliant black flash for a split-second. Then, he was gone.

"Did he teleport again?" Sailor Moon said. "Oh no…"

"No, he's dead… I felt it," Mercury said.

"Good," Ninjetti said. "Such a weakling."

"You sick fiend!" Jupiter shouted.

"Why are you so angry? Letine and Alexis have been your mortal enemies for the past three weeks. You should be happy they're gone," Ninjetti said.

"You wouldn't understand!" Mercury shouted. "It wouldn't matter if it was them or anyone else! The way you killed them was horrible! You… you're a vicious monster!"

"Are we going to play a name-calling game, or are we going to fight?" Ninjetti asked.

"You're going to PAY!" Mercury shouted. "You've hurt us, you've hurt Sammy…"

"I'm fine," Sammy said. He was standing right behind Sailor Mercury, holding Alexis' katana in his hand. "I saw a big black flash, and then I was completely healed…"

"Sammy, your power is incredible!" Mercury said. "I can feel it!"

"What?" Ninjetti said.

"I don't want power anymore," Sammy said. "I'll probably keep the sword as a souvenir or something."

"What?" Sailor Moon said. "But Sammy-"

"You guys are the heroes," Sammy said. "I'm giving my powers to you… do the Planet Power attack!"

"But Sammy, you-" Mercury stammered.

"Do it, please!" Sammy said.

"Alright," Sailor Moon said. The five Senshi pointed their henshin sticks at Ninjetti. They began to glow with energy.

"And all of my energy!" Sammy yelled. "Alexis, I know that you wanted the one that beat you to be the one to beat Ninjetti, but this hero thing is getting old! Yaaaaah!"

Sammy was surrounded by a black glow. The glow left Sammy's body and flew up into the sky, then engulfed the Senshi.

"I feel it!" Mercury yelled. "Let's get him now!"

"What's this?" Ninjetti shouted.

"SAILOR… ULTIMATE… PLANET… POWER!" the five Senshi yelled. A huge beam of concentrated magical energy went up into the sky, curved, and then fell onto Ninjetti, engulfing him with energy.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!!!" Ninjetti shouted as the powerful beam burned away his body. "No…. no!"

The Ultimate Planet Power beam engulfed Ninjetti completely, disintegrating him almost instantly. And then in an instant, the beam, and Ninjetti, were gone. The five Senshi and Sammy collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

"We did it…" Sammy said. "It's over."

---

Back in the hospital…

"And then this huge beam hit the bad ninja and wiped him out! It was really cool!" Sammy said.

"Darn, too bad I missed it…" Greg said.

"Greg…" Ami said. "You know, maybe we need to do something special tomorrow night."

"Wha?" Greg said.

"The opera is in town… La Seri Angeli. It's gotten great reviews, and-"

"Tickets are really expensive!" Greg said. "And-"

"I've got it covered, Greg!" Ami said. "I'll buy the tickets tonight, okay?"

"Well, it looks like Greg and Ami are a real item now, Sammy," Serena said. "Too bad for you, huh?"

"Serena, I can find a girl for me! I mean, I'm about to enter high school, ya know?" Sammy said. "There are plenty of girls there for me."

"And I know a bunch of girls who are dying to meet a heroic guy like you!" Mina said.

Just then, a doctor walked into the room, carrying a clipboard.

"Miss Mizuno, your mother looks like she'll be just fine," the doctor said. "She's making a great recovery. She should be ready to return home in three days."

"Thank goodness!" Ami said, smiling brightly.

"Well, I guess everything is back to normal now!" Sammy said. "Alright!"

But in the room, a dark force lurked.

"Greg… the time is now."

Suddenly, Greg's body jolted forward.

"Greg?" Ami said, turning around. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Greg said. "It's really cold in here…"

Greg's eyes were glowing dark red.

"And I am born…"

---

Meanwhile, in Scion's quarters…

"That's it," Scion said. "Alexis, Letine, and now Ninjetti. Well, if you want a job done right-"

"I've got it covered," echoed a dark, booming voice. "The plans for our conquest are now in place. I am currently residing in the body of a human teenager named Greg Ryo."

"A human host?" Scion asked.

"It will diminish my powers somewhat, but they are still present in great amounts," the dark voice said. "Begin the final phase of the plan."

"Alright, my lord," Scion said. He began glowing. Outside in space, the dark castle began to float toward the Earth… toward Tokyo… toward Juuban.

---

Uh oh, the final phase of the story is about to begin! Who is the Dark Force? What will he make Greg do? Who are the Darkspawn? The final four chapters are coming… and all your questions will be answered… very soon!