New Age Death Metal Part II
				  By EvilGate

	Itna delicately avoided the pools of blood on the floor of the subway 
as he limped painfully over to where the scouts had managed to convene.  From 
where he stood, the wounds they had taken were trivial, but they seemed to be 
taking them reasonably hard.  Tuxedo Mask alone stood relatively stoicly, 
rubbing at the back of his knee.  Sailor Moon was gingerly touching her 
scratched and bloody knees, wincing every time she actualy did so.  Sailor 
Mars had a rather ugly welt on her neck and a bloody graze across her 
forehead, where Sailor Venus was dabbing ineffectually with a rag of some sort 
while simaltaneously rubbing her side, where blood showed through a tear in 
her outfit.  Sailor Mercury was apparently uninjured, but she sure looked 
like she didn't enjoy moving.  Sailor Jupiter was gritting her teeth as if in 
great pain as she walked, crying out softly every time she took a step, but 
still walking.  Itna grinned in appreciation, because that was exactly what 
he was doing.  He didn't know how many cuts he had, or how many bruises, but 
he suspected both of his ankles, one of his elbows and possibly his back was 
badly sprained from his jarring contact with the wall.
	"Are you all right?" Tuxedo Mask inquired as Itna neared them.  
Stupid question.
	"What do you think?" Itna rasped as he knelt beside the injured 
scouts, his face a mask of pain, rage and relief.  
	"How am I going to explain all this blood to my parents?" Serena said 
suddenly.  "Oh my God!"
	Itna grinned.  "Tell them you fell and started some sort of domino 
effect."
	"Oh, yeah, sure.  They'll believe that," said Rei sarcastically.
	Itna gestured to the splattered ichor and unmoving shape in the 
middle of the station.  "A lot easier than convincing them of this," he said.
	"I'll think of something," said Amy.  Mina groaned and laid down.  
	"Oh!  I've never been in so much pain!" she whispered.
	"Pain is easy to deal with.  Pretend it's not there," said Leita as 
she sat down beside them.
	Serena stood on her feet, wobbled a little, then straightened.  "We 
had better get going."
	"Where are you going to stay, Itna?" asked Darien as the group made 
it's way toward where his car and Darien's motorcycle were parked.  
	"I don't know.  Before, I lived with my master.  Now...." Itna left 
the sentence hanging, and clenched his teeth in impotent rage.
	"You could stay with me," said Darien.  "I think my apartment is big 
enough."
	Itna looked up at him with sadness in his eyes.  "I don't know.  Now 
that I've got my 'revenge' I don't know what to do.  I can't continue my 
studies...I don't really have a purpose anymore.  I could stay with you, but 
to what ends?"
	"Do you have a job?" said Darien.  
	"Well, I taught school for a while, before my studies took over full 
time...."
	"Well, why don't you apply for a teaching job at our school?" said 
Amy.  
	"What do you teach?  Magic?" said Leita. 
	Itna's laugh was dry and humorless.  "No, no.  The 
uninitiated...nevermind.  I taught a poetry course."
	"Really?  The school doesn't have a course just for poetry," said 
Amy.
	"Well, then, I guess I'd better initiate one!" said Itna, and for a 
moment, the hate in his eyes grew dim.
				*	*	*
	Serena was late for school as usual.  Amy was looking around the room 
to see where she would try to slink into the room unnoticed.  When she did 
come in, Amy held her breath as she slowly slid into her desk while the 
teacher was scrawling math formulas on the chalkboard.  The teacher didn't 
even turn around.  "Detention, Serena."
	Feigning innocence, Serena gasped in abject shock.  "But why, Miss 
Hannigan?"
	"Keep that up and it'll be three more days detention.  Oh, Serena, 
why can't you be on time for something besides lunch?"
	Miss Hannigan turned around, short brown curls bobbing.  "All right, 
'children'," she used the term mockingly, "before long, a new teacher will 
arrive across the hall in room 214.  His name is Mr. Tsirhc, and he will be 
teaching a course on poetry.  Anyone who is interested may go to his room 
between classes and meet him, in addition to signing up for his class.  
Dissmissed," she finished just as the bell rang.  Amy caught up with Serena 
as she careened wildly out of the doorway and grabbed her arm.
	"Come on, Serena, let's see about signing up for Itna's poetry 
course," she said, pulling Serena toward room 214.
	Serena and Amy entered room 214 and found a room decorated with weird 
symbols and rock posters.  Amy noticed one particually gruesome poster that 
depicted two zombies tearing apart a woman and holding a bloody baby.  
"Cannibal Corpse-Butchered at Birth" it said.  She shuddered.
	Two big size 13 steel toed boots were propped up on a desk, with a 
black clothed figure snoozing in a chair.  He had a taboggin pulled down over 
his eyes.  "Marilyn Manson" the taboggin said.  It was Itna.  Serena and Amy 
were both rather surprised.  He dressed rather like a student-a weird 
student, but a student nonetheless.
	By this time several other students had arrived in the room, among 
them the rest of the scouts and Molly.  They were staring at the posters on 
the walls and at Itna himself, who appeared rather oblivious.  Several of the 
students left the room pale faced as they saw the gruesome death metal 
posters on the wall.  The others were chattering excitedly, and Amy couldn't 
see why it didn't wake him up.  Then she noticed a cord running from under
the taboggin to the wall outlet.  On a whim, she unplugged it.
	Itna shot up and pulled the taboggin up past his eyes, revealing a 
set of headphones.  "Hey, who killed the music?" he said.  Then his eyes 
widened a little as he saw everyone looking at him.  "Is first period over 
already?"  Everyone nodded.
	Itna stood up.  "Well, then, I'm Mr. Tsrihc, but you might as well 
call me Itna.  I will be teaching the poetry course here.  You may have 
noticed my decor and choice of music," he said as he gestured toward the 
horrid posters, "and you may be thinking that I don't fit in with your 
stereotypical poet.  However, I will assure you, despite my musical tastes, I 
do have a degree and am a published poet."  To the confused looks of the 
students, he finished by tossing out a clipboard.  "Sign up here.  Any 
questions?"
	There were none, and all the scouts signed up as well as a surprising 
number of others.  "Now, then, classes start tommorrow.  See ya!"
	He flopped back in his chair, plugged in his walkman and pulled the 
taboggin over his eyes again.  The students took the cue and left the room.
	"Ugh, can you believe those posters!" gasped Molly as soon as they 
were clear of the room.  She shuddered.  "How gross!"  
	"Morbid," agreed Serena.
	"Well, the school accepted him, so he can't be all bad," said Rei.
	"Yeah, well, maybe.  We never accused the school board of having a 
clue," said Mina sarcastically.  
	"Aren't we quick to judge?" said Amy.  "I think that there's only one 
way to find out.  I, for one, am looking forward to his course."
	"You would," muttered Serena.
				*	*	*
	Itna was wearing the same taboggin when everyone saw him next, pulled 
down over his eyes as usual.  When Amy came in the door, he pulled it up and 
looked at her.  "You're awfully early."
	"Well, I usually am.  Listen, before I go to first period....You're 
not going to reveal us as the Scouts, are you?"
	"Of course not...as long as you don't reveal me as a witch," he said, 
smiling for some reason.  "And if you ever need occult lore in your battles, 
Sailor Mercury, you come to me."
	"Thank you," said Amy as she left the room.  Itna pulled his taboggin 
over his eyes and touched the Tarot card on his desk.  He hoped that they 
could stop the imminent destruction it signified.
				*	*	*
	Serena could barely hear the teacher over her daydreams, but she did 
hear the pounding.  At first she tuned it out, like the teacher's voice, but 
it steadily grew louder and more insistent.  She looked around.  No one 
seemed to be reacting, taking notes like they were supposed to, but the heavy 
thudding was about to rattle her bones.  She looked backwards.  Leita seemed 
to be similarly affected, and behind her, Rei was looking around quizzacly.  
	Then there was chaos and screaming, as the floor exploded and sent 
daggers of stone high into the air.  From the gaping hole floated Rubeus, 
arms folded over his muscular chest as something rose from beneath him.  It 
was winged and had black, leathery skin, massive, rotting fangs jutting from 
it's gaping maw.  It had no arms, however, but as it wriggled it's way free 
from the hole, it snarled and a slimy tentacle burst forth from it's chest, 
wrapping around the nearest student and squeezing.  The student suddenly went 
limp as a black glow surrounded him, and then dropped to the ground like a wet 
rag.  Another tentacle had by then grasped another student, and was simalarly 
draining her as Rubeus's laughter filled the room.
	"Yes, my pet, drain them!  Drain them all!"
	Then a rasping voice snarled from the doorway, and a flash of black 
clothing smashed through the doorway and slammed into the monster.  It didn't 
budge, but the figure in black-Itna, Serena noted even as she scrambled for 
cover behind a fallen bunch of desks=was knocked back by yet another swaying 
tentacle.  He was up on his feet in an instant, gripping a heavy chair and 
bringing it down on the creature.  The creature hissed and turned to him even 
as Rubeus waved his arm and a flash of darkness appeared, sending him back 
into Miss Hannigan's desk.  Miss Hannigan was screaming insanely as the 
creature flapped it's wings and sent all her papers flying into the wall and 
knocked her over as well.  Itna rolled off the desk and gave a feral snarl as 
he fought the ever increasing high wind.  Then he flew back into the desk 
again, rolling over it and hitting the floor with a thud.
	Serena screamed as a hand touched her shoulder, but turned to find it 
was only Mina.  "We've got to go somewhere and transform!" she said.  Serena 
nodded and followed her, trying to ignore the screams and pleas for help 
behind her.
	Itna wiped a trickle of blood from his face and pulled a slim 
throwing knife from his boot.  He heard Miss Hannigan gasp.  "You can't have 
one of those on school grounds!"  
	"Oh, shut up.  Do you WANT to die?" he hissed as the wind finally 
died down.  He leapt up on the desk and sent the knife spinning into the air. 
It whirred like the screams of an innocent until it thudded into Rubeus' back, 
lodging itself between vertebrae.  He screamed in agony and rage, and turned 
to Itna while his creature continued to drain energy.  
	"That was a very, very stupid thing to do," he said angrily, 
gathering a ball of black flame into his hand.  
	"Not half as stupid as your coming here!" snarled Itna as he pulled 
another throwing knife from his boot.  He wished he could use his magic, but 
there were too many witnesses that knew him.  Rubeus drew back to throw the 
fireball and Itna dived to the side.  The ball of fire never left Rubeus' 
hand.  A feint.  The fireball then flew toward Itna like a black meteor.  He 
grasped the heavy wooden desk beside him and yanked it hard toward him.  He 
just managed to get it between himself and the fireball.  He leapt up and 
threw the knife blindly through the smoke, whispering an almost 
unintelligible chant in the secrecy of the smoke.
	Itna heard Rubeus's screams before the smoke parted, and saw the 
knife wedged in his chest, glowing red-hot from Itna's spell.  He grinned and 
backed away to find cover.
	Then there was a flesh of blinding light, and all the Sailor Scouts 
stood between him and Rubeus.  Rubeus snarled and pointed at Itna.  "This 
isn't over, mortal."  Then he his monster vanished in a flash of black flame.
Itna grinned, showing bloody teeth.  
	"No, mi amigo, it definitely isn't."
				*	*	*
	"So you're saying that you know where that creature comes from?"  Amy 
was incredulous.  
	"Yes.  It comes from a realm of darkness and shadow, where Negative 
energy is rampant.  It is the realm where I channel my power from," replied 
Itna.  "I can get us there."
	"The Negaverse....you can go there?" gasped Rei.  
	"Yup.  It's not easy, and I would probably need help, but I can get 
you to the realm of Shadow.  You call it the Negaverse?" Itna said.
	"Yeah...but how?" Darien was obviously as confused as the others.
	"Through a painful, dangerous ritual.  It's not exactly easy, but it 
can be done."  Itna looked thoughtful.
	Leita leapt to her feet.  "Then let's go there and trash the scum!  
Why wait here on earth?"
	"Do you really want to take on demonic, evil entities in their own 
territory?  My powers, being negative in nature, would probably work there, 
but I can almost garuntee yours won't."
	"So why should we go there?" said Rei.  "I mean, if our powers don't 
even work..."
	"Because think what we could learn!" said Amy.  "Their strengths, 
fueds, weaknesses...we could spy on them in their home territory!"
	"Think this over, folks.  Even I don't take entering the Realm of 
Shadow lightly.  That place is a nightmare."  Itna appeared nervous.
	"Amy's right.  If we can learn how to defeat them...."  Mina grinned 
viciously.  "Imagine!  No more Negaverse!"
	Itna looked at all of them sadly.  "You really sure about this?"
	All the Scouts and Darien nodded.
	"Then go home.  Come back tommorrow and we'll go."  There was a spark 
of fear in his eyes in addition to the usual hate.  
	"Why not go now?" asked Leita curiously.
	"I WILL NOT go into the Shadow World without a good night's sleep.  
You need to be at your absolute sharpest to survive in that hellish place.  
And one more thing-in the Shadow Realm, YOU listen to ME, understand?  There 
are a million things in that pestulent place, and a million and one of them 
can and will eviscerate you in a split second.  You listen to me, and don't 
question me, and we should get through without too many problems.  Don't 
assume that you know the rules there, because you don't.  They aren't the 
same as earth, understand?"
	Everyone shuddered with their nod.  Goodbyes were curt and casual, as 
Itna's apparent fear began to spread.  The Scouts filed out of Darien's 
apartment like a funeral procession.
	Darien started to close the door when a pale hand grasped him and 
pulled him outside.  He lurched outside and found himself staring into 
Serena's hypnotic gaze.  "Darien...you need to listen.  I KNOW you still love 
me.  I just know it.  If you could just...tell me!  Don't make me hurt like 
this!  Please...don't make me hurt anymore.  I just know it!"
	Darien's heart leapt in his chest.  "Serena, you don't understand.  I 
can't love you!  I just can't!"
	Tears splashed on his porch as Serena clutched his arm.  "Darien, no!  
It's not true.  You have to love me!  You just...have to!  Darien, please 
don't do this to me!  You love me!  Please!"  Serena dropped to her knees and 
put her fists in her eyes, rubbing furiously at the tears as they fell thick 
and fast.  It took all of Darien's willpower to turn around and go back into 
his apartment.  His guts quivered in his abdomen as he shut the door, trying 
desperately to tune out the soul-wracking sobs.
	"I'm sorry, Serena.  This is for your own safety."
	Itna flipped over a Tarot card and glanced at it.  "You still love 
her, Darien, but for some twisted reason, you're killing her."
	Darien turned to him angrily.  "Maybe your damned cards are lying to 
you!"
	Itna looked down, then looked up again.  "I need no Tarot cards to 
tell me that, Tuxedo Mask."
	Darien went into his room and slammed the door, falling on his bed 
and hiding his tears of pain and rage in his pillow.  Itna gathered his cards 
and opened the door, where he found Serena still prostrate on the floor and 
sobbing hysterically.
	"Serena," he said, "look, I'm not a 'good' person, nor am I a 'nice' 
person, so my comforting probably isn't going to do you any good.  But I will 
tell you this-Darien still loves you.  With all his heart and soul, he loves
you, but for some reason he doesn't want you to think so.  I think he's 
trying to protect you from something.  Serena, I know the word of an old, 
broken fortune teller probably means nothing to you, so I'll leave you alone 
shortly, but Darien does love you.  His love for you is stronger than 
anything I have ever seen."
	Serena looked up at him, tears dripping across her cheeks.  "I don't 
understand.  Why is he hurting me so much?"
	Itna looked at the ground.  "I don't know," he said finally, "but I 
do know this-he cares about you, so he won't hurt you just for the fun of it. 
I think he is protecting you from a greater pain, or something he thinks is a 
greater pain-maybe even death."
	"There is no greater pain," sobbed Serena, but not as long or as 
hard.
	Itna's expression grew far away, as if in memory.  "Yes, there is, 
Serena.  Yes, there is."