Sailor Netto *Read at own risk* Read the warnings, please?

[YaminoMiko]

Oh, dear. I wonder what's going to happen next.

This is great Neko, update soon!
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I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Midnight]

It may be short, Neko, but there is no lack of action.

So...our villain has held up his hostage. I admit that the use of the plot point was a bit cheap, but it is still done quite well. Poor Netto...good job.
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Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[NotJim]

Knowing Netto, he'd probably confuzzle his enemies to submission with his stupidity and get out somehow. That's just my hunch, though. XD

What other people have said so far... great job.
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Avatar and banner by Spork-Queen.EXE.

[Kitty-Chan]

Heheheh. Poor Saito; he's the helpless hostage. As for the current "damsel in distress"...
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Neko]

Saito gaped at the space where Netto had been a second before. He wandered over to it and blinked, trying to understand just what had happened.

“Damn it!” Enzan hissed. “Damn it, damn it, damn it,” he growled and walked over to his cell phone. He pressed a few buttons and held the phone up to his ear, “Hello?” he asked. “Yeah, I don’t care Barrel, we have a problem and we need help now. Okay, bye,” he hung up the phone and let out a long breath. “Perfect,” he hissed. “Just… perfect.”

Saito was still wide eyed and trembling when Barrel and Colonel came to Enzan’s house. “Netto-kun,” he said softly.

“You okay kid?” Barrel asked him gently.

Saito shook his head and sat on the couch, “No,” he said bluntly.

“Okay,” Barrel said without knowing how to respond.

Nova jumped on the table and cleared her throat to demand their attention. “Listen to me, we have to get there,” she hissed. “I can’t even begin to say what can happen if this Laika person gets a hold of that power.”

“How?” Enzan asked her. “They’re in a different dimension.”

“What, you think I’m just a talking cat?” Nova snapped. “I can do some things you know,” she said prissily.

“Really?” Barrel asked. “I thought you were just here to piss everyone off at inopportune times.”

“That too,” Nova grinned nastily. “But I do have the power of dimensional travel. I can take you there, but the rest is entirely up to you.”

Enzan sighed and stood up from his head. “I guess there’s no helping it then. We’ll go and get Netto back before anything can happen.”

“No,” Saito hissed. “That’s not enough. We need a strategy.”

Barrel blinked and looked at the child who was currently deep in thought. “What on earth are you talking about? How can we strategize a fight in a place we’ve never been too?”

“Easily,” Saito snapped. “We just need to know who can do what. And take into account that once Netto-kun is free he can do a lot of damage too.”

Enzan sighed, “Saito, maybe you should stay here.”

Saito stood up and brought himself up to his full height as he looked up to Enzan angrily, “Are you saying I’m too weak to fight?” he snapped.

“Well…” Enzan held up his hands.

“Because let me tell you something, I’ve been with Netto-kun for 13 years. I know him better then anyone and he knows me just as well. And if ANYONE will be getting Netto-kun back tonight it will be me. Do you understand?” Saito snapped.

“Y-yes…” Enzan said softly.

“Good,” Saito replied. “Now, I want to know what everyone can do so I can come up with some kind of strategy. And complaints?”

Everyone was silent as they watched the simmering boy glare at each of them in turn. Saito smiled coolly, “Good.”

Barrel cleared his throat, “Colonel and I know how to shoot, that’s about it.”

“I’m good with hand to hand combat,” Blues said softly.

“You’ve already seen what I can do,” Enzan said to Saito, his dignity slowly coming back in bits and pieces.

Saito nodded, “Yes, I have. I’m pretty good staff fighting,” he said with a shrug. “If I could find one.”

“Staff fighting?” Barrel asked.

“I’ve been taking karate since I was five,” Saito answered. “I’m best at staff fighting but I’m pretty good with the other stuff too.”

“What belt?” Blues asked him.

“I’m candidate to get my second stripe this summer,” Saito answered with a small grin. “Don’t think that Netto-kun is the only fighter in our family.”

Colonel smiled at the child, certainly soft spoken but he seemed to be quite the character when pushed to it. “Do you have a plan?” he asked.

Saito nodded, “Laika and Search seem to fight with magic, but they also have weapons right?”

Enzan nodded, “Yes, they both have short range weapons that are pretty strong, although we might…”

Saito cut him off, “Okay, we’ll need a way to get those out of their hands if they summon them. The idea would be to make them switch to long distance attacks so they’re occupied with casting spells and not watching anything else. Do you have freeze bullets?” he asked Barrel and Colonel.

Both men nodded. “Of course we do,” Barrel laughed. “The military needed some way to keep my casualty rate down.”

“Well why don’t we just…” Enzan started again.

“Good, when they pull out their weapons,” Saito started again while ignoring Enzan. “I want you two too freeze them. Then Blues and Enzan can get them up close. That way there will be two long distance fighters and short distance fighters covering all their attacks for some time.”

“And what will you do?” Enzan growled.

“I will get my little brother,” Saito said softly.

Enzan’s expression softened. He turned around and sighed, “Fine, do what you want. I just hope for your sake this works out.”

Saito crossed his arms, “This isn’t a contest Enzan. This is a serious mission to save someone’s life. Not just someone but my little brother. I don’t know how you could understand this, but being a twin doesn’t mean I have another sibling. It means I have a twin, a little brother, a best friend and my other half all rolled into one. Netto is my most important thing in the world and I could never, ever think of my life without him. You have to understand this Enzan, Netto-kun is means a lot to me and I will do anything it takes to save him,” his eyes narrowed. “Anything.”

Enzan held his gaze and nodded. “I understand,” he said softly.

Nova jumped onto Saito’s shoulder and once again commanded everyone’s attention. “Is that all settled then?” she asked.

Everyone nodded.

“Good, now if you’ll all hold your stomachs we’re about to hop scotch over several dimensions, so get what you need and hold on.”

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto slowly opened her eyes with a groan. Laika looked down at her from her position on the floor with a somewhat concerned look. “I guess I shouldn’t have pulled you through the space time continuum that quickly,” he murmured.

Netto sat up with a gasp and held her head. “Oh… ow. What the hell…”

A cloaked figure came into the room stroking what looked to Netto to be a common white rabbit. The poor creature seemed to be nervous in its master’s arms but beyond that he seemed to be like your regular old bad guy in a cloak. “Hello,” it said.

Netto shivered. Okay, it was a very creepy bad guy in a cloak with a pet rabbit and a scary voice.

The thing chuckled. “We’re honored to have such an extinguished guest here, Princess,” it said in an oozing voice. There was really no other way to describe it. Every word that came out of its mouth sounded like something unpleasant was oozing out of its mouth into the air.

Still, Netto found her smart ass comments to come quite easily. “I’m not a princess ass-hole. I’m actually a guy and if you don’t let me go back home I’m going to get really pissed.”

The thing laughed and the rabbit in its hands quivered even more. “Such a smart mouth.”

Netto shivered, the laughter was too much for her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t worry about that soon. Savor your last few hours in this life,” it suggested and left.

“Who the hell was that?” Netto snapped to Laika.

“That was my boss,” Laika replied.

“Some jerk with a rabbit?” Netto growled. “My you’ve lost my respect in two seconds.”

“I jerk with a rabbit and enough power in its little pinky to destroy your planet,” Laika replied coolly.

“What’s with the rabbit?” Netto asked dubiously.

Laika shrugged, “Maybe its for image.”

“Bad image,” Netto replied.

Laika side glanced her. “I fail to see how that fits in with your current problems.”

“Laika, my life is being threatened by some freak with a pet rabbit,” Netto replied.

“Touché,” Laika said dryly.

“Regardless, I am going to kick your ass and get out of here,” Netto replied and lunged at Laika, landing a punch across his jaw. Laika staggered a bit and Netto took the advantage to sweep his legs out from under him. Laika fell backwards and Netto pinned him down. “Now where is my broach thing?”

“Search has it,” Laika said simply.

“I’m still at the advantage against you,” Netto growled.

“I wonder about that,” Laika replied as his eyes glowed a brief green color. Several vines came from nowhere and snaked themselves around Netto, pulling her off Laika and holding her tightly in the air. “After all, you are in my room,” Laika said while standing up and dusting himself off.

Netto thrashed in the plant’s grip but to no avail. “I hate you,” she said with as much venom as she could muster.

“Joy,” Laika said sarcastically and snapped his fingers. The vines disappeared and Netto fell to the floor with a thump.

“You let me go?” Netto said in a surprised voice. “How stupid are you?”

Laika grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her up. “You’re human, you can’t do anything,” he growled.

“Are you a guy?” Netto snapped.

“I am, but the trick you’re thinking of won’t work. I’m not that stupid,” Laika replied coolly. “Now come on, you have a few hours left and I’m not going to listen to you complain, understand?”

“Where are we going?” Netto asked him.

“Somewhere where I can make you shut up without hurting you too much,” Laika replied. “In other words, my garden.”

“Your wha?” Netto asked.

Laika was silent but continued to pull the hapless girl down the halls to a place where he could quietly collect his thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heh, beware teh Saito XDDDD
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[kuro-kitsune]

For a moment there I thought Saito was going to bite off everyone's head. O__O *scared*

There's one or two lines I don't really understand, but otherwise this is one awesome update!! I love Netto's semi-random comments, they make me laugh so hard.

Queee~~ I wanna know what happens next~ >o< nui~ Oh well, keep up the updates!! ^_^

~kuro-kitsune~

[Midnight]

Wow. And the fic born of nothing but crack takes a darker, more sinister turn.

I enjoyed how you characterized Saito to be rational, and very analytical when it came to making up plans for combat. He seemed to snap quite well, and it almost seemed overdone, but I can sympathize with his situation and he seems to be justified in going out like that. I don't know if he ususally ignores Enzan's comments, but in a time like this, every person's idea counts...

Laika's character becomes a lot more enigmatic as a result of this. Whether he is simply going along with the moment or he is flirting with Netto (perish the thought) is still kinda in the air...

Anyway. Great update. :D
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[gameman]

a bad guy with a rabbit that a stange twist usally its a cat but what ever floats your boat
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i am the game master

[YaminoMiko]

A jerk and a rabbit....taht is bad image. Saito taking Karate....I can imagine that. XD
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I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Kitty-Chan]

*nods* Bunnies are evil. I wonder how Laika can protect himself against that kind of attack......
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Neko]

After a quick walk through several halls, Laika pulled Netto out into a large garden with many strange plants she had never seen before in her life. “Your garden?” she asked.

Laika nodded and let her go. “And don’t even think about escaping, because I can tell you right now I am the least of your worries in this garden.”

Netto raised an eyebrow, “You really trust me to not try and run away?” she asked him dubiously.

Laika snapped his fingers and a large flower bud, the size of a basketball, blossomed. Netto immediately put her hands over her mouth in an effort to block out the horrid stench that came from the large plant.

Laika grinned, “This is probably the least dangerous plant in here,” he said coolly while snapping his fingers again. “Understand?”

Netto nodded and took in a deep breath when the plant closed. “What is that?” she gasped.

Laika stroked the bud of the plant and it quivered gently, “I cannot tell you its name because there is no translation in your language. The closest I can come up with is ‘large-smelly flower.’”

Netto burst out laughing, “Yeah, that sounds about right,” she giggled.

Laika scowled at her, but then his expression softened for a second while Netto had her laugh. “How can you laugh?” he asked her.

Netto blinked and straightened up. “Easy, that was really funny. Or at least I thought so.”

“You’re about to die,” Laika pointed out.

Netto shrugged, “I’ve been ‘about to die’ maybe five or six times in the past few months. Trust me when I say this, I don’t care anymore.”

“You think some kind of duex ex machina is going to save you?” Laika replied while stroking a vine that had creeped over to rest on his shoulder.

“Save me?” Netto asked dubiously. “Who the hell says I need saving?”

Laika raised another eyebrow, “You’re captured, powerless, a girl and you’re going to die in less then thirty minutes. I’d say that warrants for asking to be saved.”

Netto growled, “I don’t need help from anyone. I can do whatever, whenever.”

“What’s so wrong about asking for help?” Laika asked her. “I ask the plants to help me all the time. It’s not like it’s a sign of weakness.”

Netto crossed her arms. “I don’t like depending on other people.”

Laika sighed, “I can see why you annoy your partner so much.”

“My partner?” Netto asked.

“The guy in the cape?”

Netto blinked, “You mean Enzan? Ha! Yeah right,” she scoffed.

Laika sighed. “Not that I care much,” he muttered while tending to another of his plants. “It’s not like you’re going to live much longer.”

“Will you stop saying that?” Netto asked saucily.

“Why? It’s the truth,” Laika said simply.

“You’re annoying,” Netto growled at him.

A small smile played on Laika’s lips. “Yes, well, I’m obviously trying very hard to annoy you.”

“The sarcasm isn’t appreciated,” Netto muttered.

Laika nodded and picked a small white flower from a bush. “I’m aware. And sadly, princess, our time is slowly coming to an end.”

“Huh?” Netto asked.

“I told you several times that this is the end. Or rather the beginning of the end in your case. Here,” he said while handing her the flower.

Netto took it and blinked at it, “What, is this like your dumb black flower you gave me before.” She tossed it back to him. “I’m not falling for that again.”

Laika caught the small flower and cradled it in his hands. “No, this flower is harmless when separated from the bush,” he said softly. “I just think it’s pretty.”

Netto blinked and looked at the flower cautiously. “I don’t trust you.”

“I never remember asking you to,” Laika answered. “However, we really must get going.”

Netto took several steps back away from Laika. “I’m not going anywhere,” she hissed.

Behind her Search grabbed her upper arms and held her firmly in place. “Laika-san, do you need help?” he asked his friend.

Laika shrugged, “Do what you wish.”

Netto tried to break free, but it was futile. If she did need help, that point would have been a good time to get some.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Saito sat down on the floor and closed his eyes, groaning. “You okay kid?” Barrel asked him.

“That was like the worst roller coaster ride ever,” Saito said weakly. “I hate roller coasters.”

Nova smirked while Blues and Colonel leaned up against the wall and Enzan took in slow deep breaths to try and get his wits about him. “I warned you,” she said.

Barrel grinned, “Am I the only one who found that fun?” he asked.

“Yes…” Enzan said softly. “I think you are.”

Saito took in one slow breath, then let it out slowly and stood up. “All right, I’m ready.”

Blues and Colonel pushed themselves off the wall and nodded. Enzan stood beside Saito and put and hand on his shoulder, “So what first?”

“Let’s find where Netto-kun is first. Then we’ll worry about the rest,” he said.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto looked around the large room she was in. “What in the hell is going on?” she snapped. There were no restraints or anything to keep her in place or to keep her from running.

Laika and Search stepped back to let the cloaked figure into the room. “You’ll see in a minute, my dear,” he oozed.

Netto shivered, she decided that she really didn’t like it when he talked. She even noticed Search and Laika looking a little off color around him.

“Yeah well, if this whole ‘second half’ of the crystal thing is going to work. Then why am I not transformed?” she asked. “There’s nothing to draw out the power.”

“Oh, even if you were in your normal state you would feel this. This isn’t part of your little toy, this is something very, very different,” he cackled while the rabbit in his hands shook.

Netto blinked and backed away a little. “What are you waiting for?” he asked.

“The right time,” he answered simply. “It’s all about the time.”

Netto was unsure of whether or not she should run away or take her chances in fighting. Before she could make up her mind, however, something began to happen. Slowly but surely she could no longer feel her arms or legs as a soft glow began to emit from her body. “What…”

Laika and Search watched a bit apprehensively while the cloaked man began to stroke his rabbit even faster then before. “Perfect,” he hissed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's something to tide you over for the weekend, as I doubt I will be updating tomorrow ^^;
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

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[Midnight]

Interesting. You're straying a lot more from the light-hearted humor that dominated the previous bunch of chapters, to one of a darker undertone. Indeed it seems that the final arc of this story is in place, and is beginning to unfold according to your master plan. Like always, this is something that lives up to the standards you set in all of your previous works, and I look forward to reading the rest.

Boy, it seems like Laika's quite the botanist, no?
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[kuro-kitsune]

....

I never would've thought that Laika would be someone who was into flowers... But then again, this is an AU fic so... *moves off to do doujin*

QUI~~!!! It's just getting more and more interesting! Can't wait for the next update.

Meanwhile... *runs off to collect doujin drafts*

~kuro-kitsune~

[YaminoMiko]

Laika liking flowers.....*shivers* I think hell just froze over. >.<

Oh dear...poor Netto.......
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I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Neko]

Laika liking flowers and using them to destroy things XD Yes, Laika seemed to me like he would be the kind of person who would manipulate something pretty like flowers into something rather sinister.

Fits his personality in an odd way XDDDD
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[spiecas]

Am I the only one who keeps thinking of Monty Python whenever I hear about that evil rabbit guy?
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“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
—Albert Einstein

[Neko]

Kekeke >3

Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Is that what you're thinking of?

Never saw it before but now that you've pointed it out, yeah XD
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[Neko]

A bright light passed in front of Netto’s eyes and she slowly felt her consciousness slipping away from her. ‘Not yet…’ she protested but it was futile.

Netto opened his eyes to see more white, but not quite so blinding as before. It was more of a pale, opaque, misty white then anything else and it seemed to swirl around him as if he was inside a cloud or in a lot of fog. He sat up with a groan and rubbed his aching head while taking a slow look at his surroundings.

Finally after he stood up and looked down he happily realized that he was once again male. “Yay!” he cheered as he adjusted the odd assortment of clothes he was wearing at the moment. The outfit was basically a long blue, long sleeved tunic with soft black pants, a pair of plain gray shoes and a silver cord tying the tunic around his waist. But quite frankly, he didn’t care at that moment because he was a boy again.

“You amuse easily,” a musical voice said behind him.

Netto blinked and whirled around. “Who?” he asked suddenly.

A tall, graceful woman stepped out of the mist and presented herself to Netto. He blinked and looked the stranger over cautiously. She was dressed in a white gown with long sleeves made out of a sheer, pale blue fabric that rustled as she moved. There was a pale, green colored chiffon over skirt on her down that lay on top of it gracefully and fanned out as she walked towards him. She looked at him with kind blue eyes and tossed her short black hair in a defiant gesture. “So, you’re my successor?” she asked.

Netto raised an eyebrow “Excuse me?”

The woman laughed and covered her mouth as she did so, “Please now child, there isn’t much time. I have to explain some things to you.”

“And you are?” Netto asked, placing his hands on his hips.

“I am Princess Aurora,” she said with a smirk.

“You’re dead,” Netto told her.

“I am aware of this, and you will be too if you don’t shut up and listen,” she snapped, all of the music gone from her voice.

Netto blinked, “I’m listening.”

She smiled, showing a quick flash of teeth before settling into a more serious look. “Okay, now my crystal is about to be absorbed into your body. It will happen any second now. When that happens it will be possible for whoever the hell is after you right now to get it by forcing you to manually remove it.”

Netto blinked, “Wait, then this whole thing would be permanent?”

Princess Aurora put a finger over Netto’s lips. “Listen, don’t talk,” she instructed him. “Now, they’ll do that by attacking you and forcing you to take it out of your body. You’ll gain that ability. However, if you do that, you will die, understand?”

“Sooo… taking out crystal is bad,” Netto repeated.

“Oh, so you do listen, that’s a relief,” she said with a tight smile. “All right kid, listen to me closely, do not under any circumstances allow those people to get the crystal or this whole universe is screwed.”

Netto’s eyes widened, “Is he that strong?”

“No, the crystal is,” she scoffed. “That’s why it needs a host to contain it.”

Netto rubbed his forehead, “Mind telling me why I become a girl when I transform then?” he asked her.

“That’s not the heart of star crystal sweetie, that’s the part I took off it to allow myself to tap into its power. Most likely it is a side effect from putting my essence into it as a part of being able to use it. Sorry kid, not my fault,” she said while patting Netto on the head sympathetically.

Netto pushed her hand away, “And? Now what?”

“Well, now its up to you,” she said with a smile. “And since the heart of star is being absorbed into someone else’s body it means that my spirit is finally free to pass on. I pray I won’t be seeing you soon kid. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Netto said dryly.

Aurora smiled and knelt to kiss Netto on the forehead. “Seriously child, take care. You seem like you’ll be a good person for this, don’t mess up your chance.”

“What?” Netto asked her, but when he blinked she was gone. The second time he blinked he was once again back in his own body being shaken awake roughly by someone. “Huh?”

“Netto-kun, Netto-kun…”

“Saito?” Netto asked dazedly.

Saito’s face swam into his vision above her. He smiled, “Thank god, I managed to get you out just in time.”

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Five minutes earlier Saito had just peeked in on the situation. “Oh my…”

“Is Netto… glowing?” Enzan asked softly.

“Somehow, I fail to be surprised at this point,” Barrel said dryly.

Colonel nodded his agreement next to his partner and pulled out his gun. “Might as well save him then.”

“Right,” Saito said. “Just like we planned.”

Barrel snapped the barrel of his own gun into place and grinned wickedly. “Just give us the signal.”

“Now,” Saito said softly.

Barrel and Colonel ran out, yelling loudly to get attention. When Laika and Search pulled out their weapons, several well aimed bullets disarmed them in a few seconds. Then Blues and Enzan both ran up and took them on in hand to hand combat, Enzan with Laika and Blues with Search.

Saito ran over to Netto and touched her arm. She gasped and collapsed into his arms, but in all the confusion he managed to escape to some place quieter to get her to wake up.

“Netto-kun, Netto-kun,” he said softly while shaking her.

“Saito?” she murmured.

His features relaxed into a smile for the first time in hours, “Thank god, I managed to get you out in time.”

Netto sat up quickly, “Saito!”

“Morning,” his twin said to her. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Netto said while standing up. “Amazingly enough.”

Saito put and hand on his chest and let out a slow breath, “Whew,” he said tiredly. He looked back at Netto then jumped on her and hugged her fiercely, “I was so worried!” he cried out.

Netto smiled sheepishly and patted him on he head, “I’m fine, don’t worry.” After Saito only tightened his hug in response she finally gave in a hugged back, “It’s okay,” she said softly.

Saito pulled back and sniffled a little. “I know, but still.”

Netto heard a cry echo in the hall and recognized it as one that belonged to Enzan. “What?”

“They’re fighting,” Saito said hurriedly.

Netto smiled faintly, “Then let’s go kick some butt.”

Saito put his hand on Netto’s shoulder, “But…” he said softly.

“We need to help,” Netto told him. “I know you want to help.”

Saito took in a deep breath, “Of course,” he said.

Netto winked at him. “Then let’s go,” she said enthusiastically.

Saito smiled at her and nodded. “Right, let’s go.”

The twins dashed back down the hall and ran into the room just in time to see the cloaked man lift up his hands and bring them down in an attack that hit everyone in the room regardless of friend or foe.

The rabbit quivered quietly in a corner as he did his work.

Laika shut his eyes as he lay on the cool floor, trying to get a hold of his surroundings. ‘I knew this wouldn’t turn out well,’ he thought to himself.

The hooded man let a slimy chuckle ooze into the room. “Well, well, well, I see that there was a bit of an uprising. I think it’s about time this was done with, however,” he said while walking over to Enzan. “I believe your time is done.”

Netto watched in horror as he lifted up his hand and let his pulsate with a wicked energy. ‘Please,’ he thought. ‘I don’t want to die but I want to help my friends. Something, anything!’

Another cruel chuckle squirmed its way out of the man’s mouth as he savored in his victim’s last moments. “I do hope this is painful,” he said.

“NO!” Netto yelled and ran over to where Enzan was. Enzan shut his eyes tightly and waited for the finishing blow to be dealt him, but it never came.

Slowly he opened his eyes and looked up to see Netto, in a completely different outfit holding a staff against his outstretched hand. The staff was simply but elegant with a clear orb at the end and in its center was a many pointed crystal. Enzan blinked, then realized to his immense embarrassment that he was looking right up Netto’s newly acquired skirt. “Netto…”

Netto looked down at the new dress she had been given for the sake of gaining a new weapon. It was a pale blue color with several straight lying over skirts of lavender and a darker blue. The sleeves were long and free forming so as not to constrain her arm movements, also there was a small over tying layer that was a sparking white color that tied around her ribs and touched the floor. She rolled her eyes and pushed the man away then rearranged her long flowing skirts. “How the hell am I supposed to fight in this?” she growled.

“Look out!” Saito yelled and Netto turned just in time to block another attack from the cloaked man.

“How…” he growled. “Your power was sealed. It would only come out if you were ready to die!”

Nova smiled softly, “The kid actually put the heart of star inside another essence of his soul to make it into a weapon. Ingenious although I doubt it was done on purpose. Still, very interesting. Someone now has the ability to use one of the most powerful weapons in the universe at will, let’s see how he does.”

Barrel groaned and sat up, “I’m not comforted,” he muttered.

“Neither am I. But proud all the same,” Nova said with an air of pride. “Interesting child.”

Saito ran over to help Enzan up as Netto grappled with the man. “He’s getting tired, there has to be something we can do,” he hissed.

“What?” Enzan asked. “How do you know?”

Saito tapped his head, “I always know, Enzan. Netto-kun can’t keep secrets from me. Can I borrow your staff?” he asked innocently.

Before Enzan could answer Saito grabbed it and ran off in the direction of the battle. “Wait!” Enzan yelled.

Saito merely waved at him and continued to run.

Netto gritted her teeth as she was slowly pushed back. “Your little trick was interesting, but it won’t do you any good right now,” he hissed at her. “And you’ve all but given me what I wanted.”

“No,” Netto growled back. “Because I will win.”

The man tightened his grip on the staff and let the energy run through it like a lightning rod until it reached Netto. Netto cried out when the energy over came her being but she refused to let go of her new weapon. “Not in your dreams…” she told him.

Saito heard Netto’s cry and ran over, bringing Enzan’s staff down on the man’s head then with one deft movement, he loosened his grip on the staff. Then with a whirl he smacked him under the chin and pushed him away, positioning himself between Netto and the man.

Enzan blinked, “He really is good with that thing.”

Blues’ lips twitched in a smile as he helped a heavily limping Search over. “Maybe he can give you some lessons, Enzan-sama.”

Enzan scowled but didn’t reply.

Saito glared at the empty place where his face would be if it wasn’t obscured by the cloak. “Stay away from him,” he hissed.

“Saito…” Netto said, stunned.

“I refuse to loose Netto-kun to someone like you. You will leave us alone!” Saito yelled.

The man gave his oozing chuckle once more while his hands glowed. “Defeat me if you can,” he said while swiping at the boy.

Saito dodged easily and kept well out of reach of his hands while attacking him repeatedly with the staff. Every time it seemed like he would be caught by one of his hands, the lithe boy managed to dodge and retaliate with an evenly matched blow.

Everyone in the room watched in fascination as the normally quiet boy beat down the powerful magic user with his staff. “He is good,” Laika admitted quietly.

Netto grinned and let the crystal inside her staff glow. “Of course, he’s my nii-san,” she said proudly and lifted up her own staff. “And this is good bye,” she hissed.

Saito gave the man one last smile, twisted so that he brought the staff underneath him and tripped the man to the floor. He held his staff at the man’s throat and glared at him with icy brown eyes. “Bye,” he said and jumped out of the way.

Netto released whatever attack she was powering up and a bright white light filled the room. Whatever it was, it was obviously aimed at the man, because when the light faded the robes he was wearing were empty and the rabbit had vanished as well.

Saito and Netto both gave double sighs of relief then caught each other’s eye and began to laugh.

Blues smiled, “It’s over.”

Nova smirked, “So it appears to be.”

Netto walked over to Search and held out her hand. “Give me the damn broach,” she said sternly.

Search held her gaze for a second then shifted his weight and slid his hand into his pocket, producing the small object for Netto. Then Laika walked over and let Search lean on him instead. He smiled at Netto and nodded, “We thank you, and we’ll be seeing you soon.” With that they both vanished on the spot.

“Huh?” Netto blinked.

Enzan shrugged, “Let’s just go home,” he pleaded.

Netto shut her eyes and the costume she was wearing along with her staff both vanished and she stood there as human as ever. Then she used the broach to transform then exited that transformation to re-appear as his normal self. “Yay!” he cheered.

Saito laughed and glomped onto his little brother. “Yay, indeed.”

Netto laughed and hugged Saito back. “That was awesome Saito.”

Everyone in the room nodded their agreement. Then Nova padded over and smiled, “However, I believe we should be getting home. Ready kids?”

“Ready,” Enzan growled.

Netto blinked as Saito suddenly latched onto him even harder. “Wha?”

“Hang on,” Nova said nastily and they all vanished as well.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Two days later at school a tall, thin young man with pale green hair stood at the front of the class. “Everyone welcome your new classmate Laika Slovski,” their teacher said happily. “You may take a seat next to Enzan-kun,” she said while pointing to the open desk.

“WHAT?” Netto whisper hissed at Laika as he walked past him with a smirk.

“Hello, my name is Laika, pleased to meet you,” he said with a slight smirk in his features.

Netto growled then turned to face the teacher without another word.

Laika merely smiled mysteriously and looked out the window at the tall tree next to the school.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End of Season one. Season two soon on its way, much to the delight of planty XD
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[kuro-kitsune]

.....

*gushes*

AHHH!!!! I LOVE THIS FIC!!! I want to abandon my homework and everything to fic this!! But then my parents would kill me. ;___;

Wai! But somehow... I'm suddenly hit by a CLAMP craving after reading this (and to think... This was based off of Sailor Moon. XD ) That was an awesome end to the first season and I eagerly await the upcoming season!! >D

... Must think of way to do doujin without having to hang in front of computer to do it.... >__<

Great work, senpai!!! ^__^

~kuro-kitsune~

[Midnight]

Oh my. And somehow, what seemed to be a rather dark and somewhat serious fic based on the last couple of chapters picks up its levity again and reminds the reader that the entire story is based off flagrant WTF.

I have to admit, this was a fantastic ending. Very nice. You know how I usually bother you about "epic conflicts"? This is one of them, and is done very well. And in the midst of a rather charged conflict, you still bring in moments of rather unabashed comedy. This is quite an excellent ending to the season, and the fact that you wish to continue this in another arc only makes it that much more sweeter.

Fantastic job. :D
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