PRT 377- “Lost and Found”

“I’ve checked every hospital in LA and no sign of Diamond.” I sighed as I fell back on my sofa.

“Maybe he died in an ally somewhere.” Kaya said as she stretched and hopped up behind my head.

“Possibly, but we can’t just assume. He’s too dangerous.”

“Well, you have to be more discreet in your search. The press is going to start asking questions about your odd behavior now that we’re back in LA.”

“I know, I know. They’re already on my case about bailing on performances.”

“Send Black and Dark Ladies to search. At least they won’t be recognized.”

“No. I want to finish Diamond myself.”

“Well then we need to pick up the pace. You won’t keep the press…or JessLyn off your back forever.”

I rolled my eyes, “Now I know why Michelle fired her. She’s a pain.”

“So fire her.”

“I have a contract.”

“Ugh. Well, I could claw her leg.”

I laughed, “Kaya, you’re awesome.”

“I know. So, if you were Diamond where would you go?”

“I have no idea. For all I know he’s made it to Serena and the others by now.”

“I think we’d know about it if he had. They’d be after us.”

“I guess you’re right.” I said as I heard a beep, “What’s that?”

Kaya jumped up, “The tracker. It’s put a lock on Diamond. His life force is still weak but it’s strong enough to get a reading.”

“OK, what are we waiting for, let’s go!” I said as I picked up Kaya and ran out the door.

Mina

~~~~

I sat in the corner watching over Prince Diamond while Adam and Amy worked on his vitals.

“His heart rate is almost normal again.” Adam said.

Amy nodded, “Yeah, he’s not completely out of the woods yet but it looks good.”

“Then why won’t he wake up?” I asked.

“Massive head trauma. He’s in a coma.”

I sighed, “I wonder what he did to tick off Nemesis so much.”

“He’s the future Prince of Nemesis…but not part of her bloodline. Maybe she’s bitter.”

“Either way she sure did a number on him.” Adam said.

“Yeah, no kidding.” I sighed. I stood up, “I’m going to get a soda. Anyone want anything?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” Amy said.

“So am I.” Adam agreed.

I went to the kitchen and as I glanced out the kitchen window I saw a figure in black sneaking around outside. She had a cat on her shoulder. I looked closer. It was Mia…Sailor Nemesis. She was after Prince Diamond!

Without thinking I ran outside to confront her.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” I asked.

“Mina, hey. I…um…is this your apartment?” Mia asked.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Oh…I…I was actually looking for you. You know, um, about Michelle.”

“Save it Mia. I found Prince Diamond and you’re not getting anywhere near him…Sailor Nemesis.”

Her expression darkened, “So you know my secret…then you realize I can’t let you get away alive.”

“Not much you can do about it.”

“Oh yeah? Nemesis Spirit Power!”

“Venus Spirit Power!” I called, nothing happened, “Oh crap, I forgot!”

Nemesis laughed, “A powerless Solider, are you kidding me? This is too easy.”

I started backing up, “Can’t we talk about this like civilized people?”

“Sorry, no chance. Nemesis Dark Blast!”

I covered my face with my hands…like that would actually protect me. When I opened my eyes though, I was ok. I noticed the Black Ranger standing in front of me, holding his Power Axe up like a shield.

“You’re not getting anywhere near Prince Diamond Sailor Nemesis.” Adam said.

“Oh I have never been so happy to see you.” I said.

“What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Clearly.”

“You really think you can stop me, Black Ranger?” Nemesis asked.

“I know I can.”

“Nothing is going to keep me from finishing off Diamond.”

“I will.”

Adam took on Nemesis. He was holding his own very well. He had the skill to dodge most of her attacks and she lacked the skill to fight hand to hand. The winner of this battle was clear.

“Fine, you win this time Black Ranger, but I will be back. I will finish Diamond.” Nemesis said as she vanished.

Adam de-morphed and ran over to me.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” I said.

“What the hell Mina, you know you have no power.”

“I wasn’t thinking. It was a gut reaction.”

He sighed, “I guess I can understand that. Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine…thanks to you.” I said softly.

“This doesn’t change anything.”

“I know, I didn’t think it did.”

“OK. Let’s go check on Prince Diamond.”

I nodded and followed him inside.

Mia

~~~

“UGH!” I cried as Kaya and I got back to my apartment. I held my side in pain.

“Mia, you’re bleeding…” Kaya said as she hopped up on the counter and picked up a bottle of peroxide in her mouth and brought it to me.

“Thanks Kaya. Ugh, I was not expecting that Black Ranger to be there.”

“Yeah, and Mina knows who you are.”

“Yeah, but she’s powerless. I don’t know how, but she can’t transform.”

“It doesn’t matter how. It’s one less Sailor to worry about.”

“Yeah, but it seems the Black Ranger has stepped in for her.”

“I’m not worried about him. He just caught you off guard.”

“Kaya, I can’t fight hand to hand like that. I’m not trained.”

“Send Dark Lady after him. She is.”

“I may not have a choice there.”

“You should call up Dark Lady, Black Lady, and Mistress 9. I think we need to find out what happened in our absence.”

I nodded, “Ok. But later.”

Kaya nodded.

I bandaged up my wounds, “Black Ranger will pay for this.”

Mina

~~~~

I was sitting in my room thinking. I hadn’t told anyone I knew Mia was Sailor Nemesis because I knew they would run to Michelle and warn her. I didn’t want that. I guess part of me wanted to let Mia take Michelle out. She’d done a good job so far. But Mia wanted Michelle dead and…that was a bit much. I hated her but did I really want her dead? Besides, if I warned Michelle myself maybe it would be enough of a reason for Adam to give me another chance…show him I could do the right thing.

I picked up the phone and dialed Michelle’s number.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Michelle, hi, it’s Mina.” I said.

“Mina? What do you want? You know, I really don’t have time for this now anyway. I’m on my way out to dinner.”

“It’ll just take a second.”

“Fine, what? Wait, is this being recorded to be leaked to the press?”

I sighed, “No, but this is about the leak.”

“You’re the leak.”

“Yeah, but I got those pictures from someone else.”

“Yeah, Nemesis.”

“Yes. And I now know how Nemesis got those pictures.”

“Oh really?” Michelle asked skeptically.

“Yes.”

“Ok, I’ll humor you. How did Nemesis get those pictures?”

“Nemesis is Mia Blackwood. That’s how.”

“What? Oh my god, you’re seriously saying that Sailor Nemesis is really Mia?”

“Yes.”

“You’re either crazy or you think I am. Mia is my best friend; she’d never do anything to hurt me…unlike you.”

“Hey, I’m trying to save you from being hurt more.”

“Yeah, I’m so sure. Trying to break up my friendship with Mia…that’s trying to save me?”

“Yes! Mia is Nemesis, I’m telling the truth!”

“Whatever Mina, you’re so lame. I really don’t have time for this. My dinner date is here.” Michelle said as she hung up.

“Ugh!” I cried as I slammed the phone down, “What a bitch!”

“MINA!” I heard Amy call from Prince Diamond’s room. I ran in. He was awake.

“Prince Diamond, you’re ok.” I said with relief.

“Yes, thanks to you all. I can’t thank you enough for helping me.” He said.

“I’m just glad you’re awake. You had us worried.”

“Why is Nemesis after you anyway?” Adam asked.

“I’m a threat.” Prince Diamond replied.

“How so?”

“I’m the future Prince of Nemesis…but not from her bloodline. I was part of a rebel movement that rose to power in the mist of the chaos brought on by the death of the royal bloodline…by the death of Princess Amelia.”

“Princess Amelia? That’s Nemesis’s real name?” Amy asked.

I nodded, “Yeah, Princes Diamond mentioned that just before he passed out. Nemesis is Mia Blackwood.”

“Oh god, we have to warn Michelle!” Amy cried.

I sighed, “I already tried. She doesn’t believe me.”

Adam looked at me, “You tried to warn Michelle? Really?”

“Yeah! I don’t want her dead! See, maybe I’m not a lost cause?”

“We’ll discuss this more later. Diamond, Mia hasn’t given up on you. I think I got rid of her for now, but she’ll be back.”

“She’s trying to stop me from helping you all. I know the darkness that Mia brought to Nemesis and if Nemesis ever has a chance of being a planet of life and love then Mia has to be stopped.” Prince Diamond replied.

“I agree…what I wanna know is…how did you survive?” I asked.

“I was luckier than you can imagine. We have to warn Sailor Moon though. She has to know just how evil Nemesis is.”

“I think she knows.”

“But she doesn’t know who Nemesis is. We need to make the Outers all understand that it’s not a lie, Mia really is Sailor Nemesis.” Amy said.

“Good luck with that, anyway Michelle is on a date. Good luck getting her attention.”

“She better listen…it will take the Silver Crystal and Power Amethyst to stop Mia.” Prince Diamond said.

“Yeah, if they don’t turn the power on each other first.” Adam sighed.

“What?”

“Team relations aren’t great these days.” I said.

“You guys have to pull it together or Mia will win.” Prince Diamond said.

“Yeah, well that’s your worry Mercury. I’m not part of the team anymore.” I said.

“We’ll talk to Serena. Maybe she’ll give you your power back…you did do a good thing by trying to warn Michelle.” Amy said.

“I’m not sure if that’s enough. Let’s ask Adam…is it enough?”

“Mina, please don’t.” he said.

I noticed Amy get pale.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

Amy looked like she was about to cry, “I’m fine.”

Adam looked worried.

“Why do I get the feeling you two know something that I should know and don’t?”

“It’s just a time of high emotions, that’s all.” Adam said.

Amy nodded, not speaking.

They were hiding something. I could tell. “What is going on here?”

“Nothing. We have bigger issues to worry about, like getting the team together.” Adam said.

“No, we can do that in the morning. Right now I want to know what you two are hiding.” I said sternly.

Amy started crying, “I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

Adam looked down.

“You both look so guilty…wait…you…please tell me you didn’t…Amy…Adam…did you two hook up?”

Amy nodded.

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I didn’t know how to react…what is the right way to react when one of your closest friends sleeps with the man you love?