Transformations of Time
A Sailor Moon fanfic by Beholder

Standard disclaimers apply.  I do not own Sailor Moon, those characters are owned by 
Naoko Takeuchi.  All other characters are owned by me.

Thanks go to:
DQBunny, Lady Snowbreeze, Lady Amethyst, and many others for editing/critiquing
DQBunny, Ajax, Elizabeth Turkwood, Tim Nolan, and John "P-chan" Laughlin for 
writing some very good stories that inspired me to write this, and some ideas which I 
borrowed from those stories, changed and incorporated into mine.
Some creatures are based on those found in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons by E. Gary Gygax.

CAUTION:  This chapter contains adult language, mild violence and sexual situations.  If you are under 18,
read at your own risk!



Translations:

"goshuujin-sama" = Master 
"Shi ne!" = "Die!"
"Shimatta!" = shit/damn





Chapter 2:  New and Old Enemies Unite

	He looked up at the sky.  He hated that muddy brown and red color and those 
disgusting black wispy clouds that always hung up there like someone stretched a huge 
piece of black gauze across it.  And those two blood-red suns.  "I hate this shithole," he 
thought to himself.
	A figure in a black cloak, almost resembling that of a monk, silently stood 
amongst the shadows in a dingy and garbage-strewn alley.  The dim light and the angle 
he stood at concealed his face completely, but he was definitely looking down the alley to 
a dirt street, and watching as creatures of all sorts moved past the opening.  He watched 
as hobgoblins, orcs, dark elves, kobolds, birdmen called "kenku", and a serpent-like 
creature with a humanoid head called a "naga" slithered past.  The figure in the alley 
stayed silent and unmoving as these beings passed by.
	Then, a small, obese hobgoblin, wearing gold-trimmed clothes, several pieces of 
jewelry on his hands and around his neck, a dagger at his side, and wearing the 
breastplate of a piece of iron armor walked past the outlet into the street.  Instantly, the 
figure began to float down the alley to the outlet without making a sound, and turned in 
the direction of the rich-looking hobgoblin.
	The street outside resembled the business district of a medieval village.  The road 
was nothing more than dry, red dirt and while there were sidewalks, they were made of 
stones, rocks, and a very poor grade of concrete.  The buildings along the street were 
constructed out of wood, mud, and adobe, and wooden signs hung out, announcing the 
services provided within: general stores, armories, magic shops, inns, whorehouses, etc.  
The sidewalks were packed with more odd creatures, some dressed as simple peasants, 
others appeared to be merchants, and others appeared to be soldiers or warriors.
	The rich hobgoblin continued to wade his way through the crowded streets, idly 
picking some forgotten morsel of food from a recent meal from between his crooked and 
rotting teeth.  Several feet behind him, the black-robed figure followed him, never taking 
his eyes from the rich man, deftly negotiating his way through the throng.  He followed 
the rich hobgoblin for several blocks, and then watched him turn down a side street.  The 
robed man picked up his pace, reaching under the robe and placing a hand around the 
handle of a sword, but did not unsheathe it.
	The robed man reached the side street and seeing it was less crowded, quickly 
made his way up behind the rich hobgoblin, still absorbed in picking his teeth clean.
	"Harrugan!"
	The rich hobgoblin stopped and slowly turned and saw a black robed man 
standing behind him.  He had not noticed him before.  "Yes, I am Harrugan.  Who are 
you?"
	"A messenger," the robed man replied.
	"From who?"
	"A former colleague of yours, Gualtar."
	The hobgoblin's face contorted in a sudden rage.  "What does that filthy shambler 
want with me now?"
	"He only instructed me to deliver a message."
	"What is the message?"
	"This!" the robed man replied as in a swift move, unsheathed the sword and 
swung it out to his side.  The hobgoblin's eyes bulged.  "Shi ne!" the robed man cried as 
the sword burst into black flames.  Harrugan was stunned with disbelief and it was that 
moment of indecision that cost him his life as the robed man slashed Harrugan across the 
chest, cutting the breastplate in two as easily as a hot knife through butter, then the robed 
man plunged the sword straight through the hobgoblin's chest and out his back.  The 
robed man spun and whipped the black flaming sword from the hobgoblin's chest, 
sending greenish blood through the air.  The dead hobgoblin thudded to the sidewalk.
	The black flames on the sword dissipated and the robed man hovered over his 
fallen victim.  "Shimatta!  I hate this job," the robed man said out loud, and then began to 
search the hobgoblin's bloody corpse for loot.  The robed man took the necklaces, rings, 
and the moneybag from the corpse and shoved them inside his cloak and pulled a burlap 
bag out.  The robed man stepped alongside the corpse, held the sword high over his head 
and slashed down, decapitating the corpse.  The sword was sheathed under the cloak and 
the robed man shoved the bloody head into the bag, and then tied it closed and walked 
away from the scene.

	Later that evening, a dark robed figure carrying a burlap bag entered a dilapidated 
inn.  The fireplace and torches on the wall cast eerily flickering lights about the lobby, 
where several groups of creatures were involved in private conversations, or private 
dealings.  The dark robed man slowly and methodically walked through the maze of 
chairs, tables, and stools until he reached a table surrounded on one side by the wine 
barrels and firewood, and on the adjacent wall, a fireplace stood with a roaring blaze 
inside.  At the table sat a dark elf, wearing gold-trimmed clothes, leather armor, rings on 
his fingers, earrings, and had a long black ponytail.  The dark robed man sat across from 
him at the table and scooted the chair in close.
	"Did you complete the task I requested?"
	The robed man did not respond, but hoisted the burlap sack up and dropped it 
with a thud on the table.  The robed man calmly untied the string keeping the sack closed, 
then pulled the sack down and around the contents:  the head of Harrugan.
	The dark elf grinned from ear to ear and began to snicker quietly.  "You are good.  
This man foiled three previous assassination attempts and did away with two of the 
assassins.  You have definitely earned this, my friend."
	The robed man did not respond, aside from putting his hand on the table, palm up 
and open.  His other hand slipped inside his cloak and grasped the handle of his sword.
	"Ah, yes, the payment.  Now let me see..." the elf said, searching his pockets.  A 
few seconds of searching later, the elf said, "Ah!" then pulled a small leather pouch up 
and placed it in the robed man's hand.  The robed man released his sword and with both 
hands, opened the pouch and poured the contents into his hand:  four rubies, two 
emeralds, and twenty gold coins.
	The robed man poured the contents back into the pouch, tied it, and slammed his 
hand with the pouch down against the table.  "Where is the rest, Gualtar?," he seethed.
	"What?  What do you mean?"
	"Don't play games with me, baka!  The deal was for seven rubies, four emeralds 
and thirty gold pieces!  I want the rest of my money, NOW!"
	"I am sorry, my friend, but this is what we agreed on.  Our business is concluded.  
You have your money, and I am leaving."
	The dark elf stood and turned to leave, but the robed man lunged and grabbed the 
elf's ponytail and yanked his head down into the table.  The wood cracked audibly at the 
impact and at the same moment, the robed man grabbed the elf by the throat and held him 
firmly against the table.  "Listen, you scum-sucker, either you pay me what we agreed on, 
or your head will end up in a sack like your friend here.  Understand?"
	The elf paused in fear of his life.  "Y...yes!" he stammered, then reached into his 
pockets and produced another leather pouch.  "There's seventy-five gold pieces in there.  
I couldn't locate any more jewels, but..."
	The robed man snatched the leather pouch and released the elf.  The elf slumped 
to the floor, catching his breath as the robed man collected the other leather pouch and 
began to walk out of the inn.  The elf simply sat there, dazed and thankful that he could 
see another sunrise.

	The dark-robed man walked through the torchlit streets, past the hovels and 
substandard buildings, along a short lonesome road that led to a larger, well-built, two-
story house.  The dark-robed man walked up to the front door, took a large key out from 
under the cloak, shoved it into the lock on the front door, turned it, and opened the door.
	He entered the dark house, but as the door closed behind him, the torches began to 
burn, low at first, but gaining intensity as the robed man crossed the foyer of the house to 
a staircase that spiraled up along the outer wall of the main entryway to the second floor.  
He walked along a balcony, past a few closed doors, and then opened the door at the end 
of the hall revealing a bedroom.
	He entered the room, silently moving past a fur-covered bed to a closet.  As he 
passed the bed, something stirred.  In a flash, the robed man unsheathed the black flaming 
sword with a whoosh, causing a head and naked upper body to pop up from under the fur.
	Sitting up in the bed was a young human girl, probably fifteen or sixteen, breasts 
exposed, with a small chain tied around her neck and a tattoo of some sort of writing on 
the front of her left shoulder.  Her long light brown hair fell around her and her deep blue 
eyes were focused directly on the point of the flaming sword. She could feel the cold heat 
and the fear caused tears of panic to well up, even though she knew who held the point of 
the sword to her face.
	"Slave, I told you that you are not allowed to sleep in my bed without 
permission," the robed-man seethed.
	"Gomen nasai!" the girl quickly shouted, panicked.
	The robed man paused for a moment, then sheathed the sword under the cloak and 
pulled the sheathed sword out and placed it on an old set of wooden shelves.  The girl 
sighed in relief, and crawled out of the bed, onto the floor.
	The man walked up to a broken chunk of mirror, hanging on the wall by two 
strings over a basin and pitcher of water.  Next to the mirror was a wooden closet, filled 
with dark cloaks, cloth and leather clothes, and several sets of black leather boots.  The 
man looked into the mirror, his face still obscured by the shadows.  Slowly, he 
unbuttoned the cloak from by his neck down, and then pulled the hood back, revealing 
the face of a young man with short, blonde wavy hair.  The blonde man flung the robe 
back over his shoulders, revealing a tattered gray uniform with red trim, then let it slip 
from each arm.  For a moment, he gazed at his own reflection in the mirror shard, and 
then caught movement in the corner as the slave girl poked her head up over the bed.
	"What do you want, slave?" the blonde man said over his shoulder in a stern tone.
	"Please, Sir, this unworthy slave only wishes to tell you of the visitor you had 
while you were away," the slave girl said, avoiding the blonde man's gaze.
	The blonde man began to carefully unbutton the uniform shirt.  "Who came here 
to see me?" the man asked indifferently.
	"He did not leave his name, goshuujin-sama.  He only told Slave to relay to you 
that you are to meet him at the Inn tomorrow just after first high sun.  Room six."
	"I see.  What did this visitor look like?"
	"Goshuujin-sama, he was a thin winged demon.  Slave does not know exactly 
what kind."
	Hmmmm, a spinagon perhaps, the man thought.  They were usually used as 
messengers for the higher up demons here.
The man removed the jacket of his uniform and gently put it around the back of a 
crudely constructed chair.  He began to remove the trousers of the uniform next.  "Very 
well, slave.  Did he leave after delivering his message?"
	"No, goshuujin-sama.  After he delivered his message, he noted Slave's 
nakedness and proceeded to...use Slave...for his pleasure, Sir," the girl whimpered and 
began to quietly sob.  "He then left, Sir."
	"Very well, slave.  You may rest."
	"Yes, goshuujin-sama."  The girl then disappeared behind the bed.
	The blonde man looked into the mirror.  "Spinagons coming to deliver messages, 
eh?  This has to be pretty important, and it could mean trouble.  Jadeite, what have you 
gotten yourself into now?"

	Jadeite stood at the mirror for a long time, thinking about his own past few years.
	He recalled his failure to gain significant lifeforce energy for Queen Beryl to 
awaken Queen Metallia.  His failure prompted Beryl to imprison him into a crystal and 
send him into the ethereal plane.  He stayed there, alive but in stasis, for nearly a year.
	Then suddenly, the crystal broke and he knew immediately that Beryl and 
Metallia were defeated, probably by Sailor Moon, Mercury, and Mars.  That mattered 
little to him because he was free!  It would have been a short freedom though since there 
isn't much of an atmosphere in the ethereal plane.  Summoning the last remaining dark 
energy he had at his command, he opened a gateway to another plane.  It didn't matter 
where, just anywhere but the open nothingness of the ethereal plane!  He lunged through 
the gate and ended up in this place, The Abyss.
	It wasn't a huge improvement from his imprisonment in the crystal.  Now he was 
imprisoned in a truly evil, cutthroat world where you either kill to survive, provide a 
useful service which would protect you to an extent and net you a gold piece here and 
there, or you get sold into slavery.  Worse yet, if you were a human, more than likely you 
would end up a slave.  Fortunately, he found a service to perform, although it was a huge 
step down for one of the Four Great Lords of the Dark Kingdom.
He discovered he had a talent for killing people for money.  He became a 
mercenary at first, but then found that his real talent was assassinations.  He had even 
been instrumental in clearing up a number of disputes between the various demon lords 
and princes, usually by slitting the throat of someone in a position of power, as well as 
the occasional squabble between former business partners, like Harrugan and Gualtar.
Over the years he lived there, he had acquired a secret reputation and it had made 
him a wealthy man.  In time, he was able to afford a sturdy and secure house, well-crafted 
weapons and tools of his trade, a slavegirl now and then to share his bed until he grew 
tired of them and either sold them or killed them, and still have money in the vault.
	Even after his success, he still hated the place.  Water was expensive because it 
rarely rained in the Abyss, and when it did, it was usually too toxic to drink or too 
corrosive to use for bathing.  Total strangers, just for a few gold pieces to buy a mug of 
ale, often killed people on the street, without remorse or hesitation.  He constantly had to 
keep his wits about him, and he had several brushes with death.
	In the several years he had lived in the Abyss, though, he had never been 
approached by any of the high lords of the realm.  Usually the only nobles he got to work 
for were regional lords, usually battling over a tract of land or an exploitable resource.  
Tonight's visitor changed everything.  He had caught the attention of one of the high 
lords who sent a spinagon to fetch him.  He hoped he was being called on to perform an 
assignment, not to have his head at the end of a pole.
	Jadeite crawled into his concrete-like bed, the fur skins acting as top and bottom 
sheets the only comfortable thing about it.  He attempted to get comfortable and then 
reached over the side of the bed and grabbed a handful of the slavegirl's long light brown 
locks.  She woke immediately, feeling his grasp in her hair, and allowed him to pull her 
up and into the bed with him.  He allowed her to mold her naked form against his, then 
leaned over and blew out the candle that was providing illumination for the room.

	The next morning, after a hot bath, a breakfast of fresh ham and eggs, and a 
particularly brutal sex session with his slavegirl, Jadeite donned his dark cloak and 
ventured out into the village under the hot suns.
	It was nearing first high sun and Jadeite quickly waded his way through the 
myriad of lifeforms who he shared the sidewalks with.  As he walked to the Inn, he 
wondered to himself what he possibly could have done to warrant a visit from a spinagon 
messenger.  For the past few months, his targets have all been simple merchant-folk, no 
one of any real power or status.
	Jadeite reached the Inn door, pushed it open and walked inside.  It was the same 
inn he was in the night before when he concluded his business with Gualtar.  He swore 
that if ever saw that walking dung-heap ever again, he'd cut out his heart.  Jadeite took a 
quick survey of the inn lobby, making sure he had entered unnoticed and also looking for 
anyone who was familiar, just in case this was actually a set-up.  Satisfied that he was 
anonymous, he proceeded up the main staircase to the second floor.
	He slowly walked past several doors until he reached room six.  Before he 
knocked or opened the door, he slid one of his hands under the cloak and grasped the 
handle of his sword.  Fully prepared for anything, he gently rapped on the wooden door.
	"Enter!" a high-pitched gravelly voice called out.  Jadeite responded by cautiously 
putting his hand on the knob, turning and pushing the door open slowly.  Jadeite moved 
inside the room, cautiously, prepared for someone to lunge at him, but it never came.  
Jadeite closed the door behind him, then turned to the original occupant of the room.
	A gray, mottled-skinned, thin, winged demon stood by a round table in the center 
of the room.  Two chairs sat at the table and on the table were several bottles of wine and 
two wooden goblets.  "Come in, Jadeite-sama, and make yourself comfortable," the 
demon said, invitingly.
	"A spinagon, as I suspected.  What do you or your masters wish with me, 
youma?"
	"Please, Jadeite-sama.  Sit with me and share the fine wine I have brought, 
courtesy of my master."
	Jadeite hesitated, but when he saw the spinagon sit first, he relaxed a bit and 
chose to trust this creature who by his very nature was untrustworthy.  The spinagon 
carefully eyed Jadeite as he sat in the chair opposite him, then when he saw Jadeite get 
comfortable, he took one of the wine bottles in his bony hands and removed the cork, 
effortlessly with a fingernail.
	"My master, Lord Baatezu-sama, had heard of the reputation you have built here," 
the spinagon said while pouring both of them a cup of the wine.
	"I get by," Jadeite responded evasively.  He still was not sure about this spinagon, 
or the reason he was summoned.
	"I am sure you do, Jadeite-sama.  Assassins are very well-paid in this area.  
Surely, for one of the Four Great Lord of the Dark Kingdom, it must be a disappointing 
step down?"
	Jadeite's brow furrowed at the mention of his former title, and the spinagon 
noticed.  The demon raised his goblet to drink, but Jadeite simply glanced at his in 
suspicion.  The spinagon sighed, put down his goblet, picked up Jadeite's and drank the 
contents in one long chug.  Jadeite gave the demon a half-sneer.  "That doesn't prove it 
isn't poisoned.  You could simply be immune."
	The spinagon stood, clearly annoyed now, walked to the door and threw it open.  
"Innkeeper!  Room six!" the demon shouted down the hallway, then closed the door.  The 
spinagon went back to the table and refilled Jadeite's goblet with wine as the sound of 
heavy footfalls from the hallway began to get closer and closer, then a knock came from 
the door.  "Enter!" the spinagon shouted.
	The door swung open and outside was an older human male, about forty-five 
years of age, overweight, unshaven, and wearing an apron.  Upon first sight of the 
demon, the innkeeper became noticeably nervous.  
"Y-yes, my lord?" the innkeeper stammered.
	The spinagon beckoned the innkeeper inside.  The man entered the room and 
closed the door behind him, then timidly approached the demon.  The spinagon thrust 
Jadeite's goblet into the innkeeper's hands.  
"Drink!"
The innkeeper hesitated, but was too scared to refuse.  He slowly drank the entire 
contents of the goblet and then lowered it with a loud, "Ahhhh!"
	Jadeite closely watched the man for any signs of a poison reaction.  After nearly a 
minute, the innkeeper was fine.  Jadeite took the goblet from the innkeeper, filled it from 
the same bottle the spinagon used and drank.  Jadeite savored the flavor for a bit, then 
said, "Excellent vintage."
	The spinagon laughed heartily, and the innkeeper began to nervously laugh along, 
but suddenly felt a knife shoved through the middle of his back.
	Jadeite jumped to his feet as he saw the spinagon twist the knife with an evil grin 
on his face.  The innkeeper slowly crumpled to the floor, sliding off the foot-long dagger 
in the demon's hand.
	"What was that for?" Jadeite demanded.
	"Orders, Jadeite-sama.  My master instructed me that if anyone were to see us 
together, they were to be executed.  Do not worry, Jadeite-sama, your name is not also on 
this dagger."
	Jadeite slowly sat back down.  If the demon had wanted him dead, he would've 
done so by now, he thought to himself.
	Still standing over the fresh corpse of the innkeeper, the spinagon licked the 
dagger's blade and seemed to enjoy the flavor of the blood much more than the flavor of 
the wine.  "I wish they could bottle that," the demon muttered to himself, then joined 
Jadeite at the table once again.
	"Looks like the inn will need a new innkeeper," Jadeite said softly.
	"No matter, Jadeite-sama.  My master owns the inn."
	The table went silent for a moment as Jadeite and the demon drank their wine.
	"How did you know of my title as a Great Lord of the Dark Kingdom?" Jadeite 
eventually asked. 
	"My master has learned of your past with Queen Beryl and Queen Metallia and 
your attempt to take control of the Earth."
	"That was a long time, ago, youma.  I answer to no one, now, aside from my 
contractors."
	"That is exactly my point.  My master wishes to negotiate a contract for your 
services on an indefinite basis."
	"He does, does he?  What services does he require?"
	"I do not know that, Jadeite-sama."
	"What's in it for me, then?"
	"Again, my master did not share that information with me."
	"You're going to need to do better if you want my services."
	"My only instructions were to invite you to Lord Baatezu-sama's palace for 
dinner, and then he would elaborate more on his proposal.  Do you accept?"
	Jadeite did not reply.  He was quietly contemplating whether or not he wanted to 
get into something big, which is what this sounded like it could be.  Especially after the 
names Queen Beryl and Queen Metallia were thrown at him, how could it not be big?
	"May I tell my master that you will be attending dinner tonight, Jadeite-sama?"
	"Hai, youma, you may, but I will be bringing along my slavegirl."
	"Excellent, Jadeite-sama!  I will tell Lord Baatezu-sama that you will be joining 
him for dinner tonight!  Would first sunset fit into your schedule?"
	"Hai.  That would be perfect."
	The spinagon stood.  "Excellent!  I will inform my master!  Until then, Jadeite-
sama, enjoy the wine."  The demon then faded away.
	Jadeite poured another goblet of wine, and contemplated why one of the most 
powerful demon lords in the Abyss would need his services on an indefinite basis.  He 
glanced down at the body of the dead innkeeper and decided he had overstayed his 
welcome.  Gathering the unopened bottles of wine together, he put them under his cloak, 
pulled the hood down over his face, stood, opened the door, and left.
	Several minutes later, Jadeite returned to his house, unlocked the front door, and 
walked inside where he was met by his naked slavegirl, kneeling just beyond the door, 
with her legs parted, back arched, chest pushed out, and her hands resting on her thighs, 
palms up.  As he closed and locked the door behind him, she said, "Goshuujin-sama, this 
girl hopes your meeting went well."
	"Hai, it did," he responded, indifferently.  "Unfortunately, it raised more 
questions than it did answers.  Oh!  I've been invited to dinner tonight and you will 
accompany me, slave."
	"Hai, goshuujin-sama," the slavegirl replied.  "Shall this one prepare your 
wardrobe for this evening?"
	Jadeite looked down at the naked girl, then an evil grin crossed his face as he 
grabbed a handful of the girl's hair and began to literally drag her up the stairs.
	"Please, goshuujin-sama," the girl pleaded as she was dragged up the wooden 
stairs, "this one is still in pain from what you did to her this morning!"
	Jadeite ignored her pleas and dragged her into his bedroom, slamming the door 
shut behind him.

	Off in the distance, one of the two suns was on the horizon, mere minutes from 
disappearing from view for the night.  Outside his house, Jadeite stood in front of his 
house in his dark cloak, awaiting whoever or whatever would take him to meet with Lord 
Baatezu.  Behind him, his slavegirl stood, a chain attached from the one around her neck 
to a leash in Jadeite's hand, wearing only a burlap poncho with open sides.
	Jadeite was not looking forward to this meeting and was debating whether or not 
to actually go, but when he saw a flash off to his left, out in an open field adjacent to the 
plot of land his house stood on, he knew he couldn't back out.
	A silver chariot drawn by four jet-black horses with glowing red eyes appeared 
and galloped towards the spot where Jadeite stood.  He stepped out of the roadway 
slightly as the horse-drawn chariot pulled to a stop right in front of him.  Jadeite eyed the 
chariot suspiciously for a few moments as the horses trotted in place, anxiously.  Jadeite 
reluctantly stepped onto the chariot platform.  The horses seemed to sense the change of 
weight in the chariot and trotted a bit more nervously, but stayed pretty much in place.  
When Jadeite was satisfied, he yanked on the chain in his hand, pulling his slavegirl up 
into the chariot with him.  Once Jadeite and the girl grabbed onto the chariot handles, the 
horses suddenly took of in a full gallop.
	The ride was rough as the chariot crossed over open terrain and it took great effort 
for the passengers to stay in.  Jadeite was getting concerned that he could get thrown off 
when the ride suddenly became absolutely smooth.  Surprised, Jadeite looked over the 
side of the chariot and found that it was several feet over the ground and climbing.  The 
chariot began to circle around Jadeite's house and then headed back towards the 
mountains far off to the south of Jadeite's abode.
	Jadeite and his slavegirl rode the flying chariot for nearly an hour high above the 
ground, until a large black stone castle appeared in the distance at the top of a high 
mountain.  As the chariot approached the structure, Jadeite noticed the heavy battlements 
and numerous spires with slits for archers to take post in.  He judged that the castle was 
probably ten stories tall and probably could have taken up a whole city block by itself.  
The horses began to descend to a large door in the center of one wall of the castle.  The 
door was at least thirty feet from the base of the castle, but below the castle on each side 
was just the slope of the mountain.  As the horse-drawn flying chariot got closer to the 
castle, the large wooden drawbridge began to lower until it was perpendicular with the 
side of the castle, like a medieval docking bay.  Jadeite felt a sense of dread as the horses 
drew closer to the opening in the castle wall, as if he were riding to his own demise.
	The chariot touched down just beyond the outstretched wooden drawbridge, and 
quickly drew to a stop as a group of dark-skinned humanoids swarmed around the horses 
and got them under control.  Jadeite looked around at the large entryway to the castle, the 
beautiful tapestries covering the walls, the ornate stonework, the marble floors, and the 
strong doors before him.
	Behind the chariot, the drawbridge began to rise, and simultaneously, a large grate 
began to descend just inside the huge wooden drawbridge, securing the opening.  
Jadeite's apprehension doubled as he realized he now had nowhere to go if this 
negotiation did not go well.
	Two large doors opened opposite the drawbridge, and the spinagon Jadeite met 
with earlier walked out, accompanied by an obese, red-skinned, winged demon that 
resembled a very fat gargoyle with a horrible sunburn.  The two demons slowly 
approached the chariot.  Jadeite cautious stepped out of the chariot, and his slavegirl was 
so terrified by the two demons, she broke into hysterics and tried to run away.  A quick 
tug on the chain in his hand and the slavegirl was yanked off her feet and slammed to the 
marble floor, stunned.
	"Jadeite-sama, we are glad you came.  May I introduce Lord Baatezu-sama?" the 
spindly demon said while respectfully gesturing to the rotund demon behind and to his  
side.
	Jadeite reluctantly held out his hand to shake the demon's hand in a friendly 
gesture.  Baatezu was confused for a moment, but caught on, chuckled heartily, and 
shook Jadeite's hand.
	"Welcome to my home, Jadeite-kun," the obese demon said in a low, rumbling 
voice.
	Jadeite bristled at the use of the "-kun" honorific, but figured he could live with it 
since the demon in front of him probably could've belly-flopped him and squashed him 
like a bug.  "Arigato, Lord Baatezu-sama," he replied, respectfully.
	The giant demon looked over to Jadeite's slave girl who was recovering on the 
floor.  "Ah, I see you have brought us the appetizers!" Baatezu said, with a chuckle.
	Jadeite's eyes bulged at the thought of these demons eating his slavegirl.  Sure, 
she was nothing more than a piece of meat, as far as he was concerned, but she was his 
piece of meat, and he was rather fond of this one.
	"Gomen nasai, Lord Baatezu-sama.  She is my slavegirl and I rather like her."
	"I was merely joking, Jadeite-kun," Baatezu said, chuckling heartily again.  
"Don't worry, you are among friends here!  You and your slave are both quite safe."  
Baatezu leaned down to Jadeite.  "Besides, I like my human females with a bit more meat 
on them.  She's a bit too thin for my tastes."
	Jadeite turned and saw his slavegirl get to her feet, and quickly studied her perfect 
shape.  With a grin to her, he turned back to Baatezu and they both laughed.  Whew, 
Jadeite thought, I'm much too paranoid these days.
	"Come, my friend!  Let us enjoy dinner and we can discuss my proposal!"  
Baatezu put a wing and arm around Jadeite and led him through the large double doors.  
Jadeite tugged again on the chain and the slavegirl followed, at a respectful distance 
behind.

	Jadeite was shown to a seat at a large square table with gold designs etched into 
the surface and down the legs in a grand dining room, with more tapestries on the walls 
and statues and other artworks on pedestals scattered about the room.  He had removed 
his black cloak, revealing the tattered remains of his gray uniform with the red trim.  
Across from him sat Baatezu, and on the side of the table to Jadeite's left sat the spinagon 
messenger.  On the floor, next to Jadeite's right leg, his naked slavegirl sat on her knees, 
the burlap poncho folded neatly and placed under Jadeite's chair.  In the center of the 
table were two copper platters, each with a whole roasted pig on them, complete with 
apples in their mouths, and several bottles of wine.  Copper plates and silverware sat in 
front of each of them, as well as copper goblets.  Baatezu's servants hovered around the 
table and filled the goblets with wine when called upon.
Baatezu picked up his fork, and stabbed it into the pig in front of him and tore off 
a chunk of meat.  The spinagon did the same, but Jadeite ordered his slavegirl to stand, 
cut off a slab of the meat and place it on his plate, which she did immediately and swiftly.  
As a reward, Jadeite sliced off a piece of fat and gave it to her to eat.
"The food looks delicious and the wine is excellent," Jadeite began, "but you have 
not yet mentioned this proposal, Baatezu-sama."
	"Very well.  Jadeite-kun, have you heard of the Solar Staff?"
	Something registered in Jadeite's mind, but he couldn't put a finger on it.  "The 
name rings a very faint bell, Baatezu-sama.  What is the Solar Staff?"
	"The Solar Staff was an artifact created just after the foundation of the Silver 
Millenium."
	Jadeite tensed when he heard mention of the Silver Millenium.  "That's well 
before my time, Baatezu-sama."
	"I shall continue then.  When the Silver Millenium was born and the first King 
and Queen were crowned, a guild of sorcerers joined together and created two symbols of 
the new kingdom's power:  the Ginzuishou, of which you are aware, and the Solar Staff, 
also known as the "Taiyou no Tsue".  When these two items were joined together, it is 
said that the owner would become so powerful that they could destroy planets or 
extinguish stars with a mere thought.  Naturally, this item became highly coveted, but 
even more so because of a flaw in the design of the Staff.  The Ginzuishou, by itself, was 
designed to only be usable by someone of the royal Moon Kingdom bloodline, and using 
its full power could kill whoever held it.  The Solar Staff was not created with this 
safeguard, however, and as a side effect could override the bloodline restriction of the 
Ginzuishou.   Anyone who wielded the joined magic items could use the combined power 
at full strength and without danger to him or herself."
"Rumor has it that a power struggle within the Moon Kingdom erupted, mainly 
over possession of the Solar Staff.  I do not recall the circumstances or outcome of this 
rumored power struggle.  However, when the struggle came to an end, a decision was 
made that the combination of the Solar Staff and the Ginzuishou was simply too much 
power for one person to wield.  With the help of the sorcerers who created it, the Solar 
Staff was broken into seven segments and hidden on the Earth. The Ginzuishou remained 
as the only symbol of the Moon Kingdom's power."
	"My mission is to locate the seven segments of the Solar Staff, reassemble it, then 
join the Ginzuishou to the staff."
	"For what purpose?"
	"That I do not know.  As you have probably guessed, a higher power has put me 
in charge of this task.  The ultimate use for the Staff and Ginzuishou is unknown to me."
	"What do you need me for?" Jadeite inquired.  "It sounds as if you have the whole 
thing figured out."
	"The problem is, the whereabouts of the Staff segments are unknown.  When the 
pieces were dispersed, their true forms were disguised and their magical powers 
shrouded.  We do not know how to see beyond this magic.  Rumors abound of a book 
that was sent along with the segments of Staff, telling how the segments can be traced 
and turned back into their true forms, as well as other secrets and powers of the Staff.  
We need you to locate the book and bring it to us," Baatezu explained.
	"Why can't you send your little minions to find this book and bring it you?" 
Jadeite asked, indicating the spinagon seated with them.
	"Our existence on the Prime Material plane is very limited and the gateways we 
can open only permit a few youma to cross.  Furthermore, we can only exist there for an 
hour or two at the most.  You, being human, could stay there indefinitely."
	"When I hear you talking of the Silver Millenium, I get a feeling that I'll be 
running into some old adversaries, the Sailor Senshi," Jadeite commented.
	"Hai, that is correct, Jadeite-kun.  They are the only thing that has stood between 
Earth and every conquering force that's visited it.  It's a given that you'll face them 
again, however, my superior and I will both provide you with soldiers, should you need 
them.  Youmas, Cardians, Daimons, even Lemures will be at your disposal."
	"I won't need them, Baatezu-sama.  Those three girls were never a match for me."
	"Jadeite-kun, there are a total of nine Sailor Senshi now, plus Tuxedo Kamen."
	Jadeite choked on a mouthful of wine.  He turned and spat it all over his slavegirl.  
"Nine?  I guess I haven't been keeping up as well as I should've been.  Those damned 
brats, though--especially that Sailor Moon.  I'd accept your offer just for a chance to get 
some revenge on them."  Jadeite pondered the offer for a while; weighing the pros and 
cons, but the biggest factor in his decision was his chance to get his hands on those 
damned Sailor Senshi.  "All right, I'll join you in your search for the Solar Staff."
	Baatezu held up his goblet of wine.  "Excellent, Jadeite-kun!"
	"OK, I suppose you're going to tell me the catch in this deal, now that I have 
accepted it," Jadeite said.
	"I only require one thing of you, Jadeite-kun.  You must move out of your house 
and into the castle.  I like to keep those that work for me close-by, in case I need them on 
short notice."
	"I can live with that.  I have a request, though."
	"Name it, Jadeite-kun."
	"I want a new uniform."  Jadeite indicated the tattered uniform he wore.
	"Consider it done, Jadeite-kun."
	Jadeite raised his goblet of wine in a toast.  "To our mission!" he said 
enthusiastically.
	"Hai!" Baatezu shouted in response, also holding his goblet up.  Both of them 
drank simultaneously.

	After dessert, Baatezu ordered the spinagon to show Jadeite and his slavegirl their 
new quarters.   The three walked down ornate hallways, past the armory, the libraries, the 
kitchens, and the barracks.  They met several other species of lesser demons, apparently 
guards in the employ of Baatezu, as well as other spinagons, and Jadeite was grandly 
introduced to the more important-looking demon generals and advisors.
	They eventually reached a section of the castle where the hallways would stretch 
for around 100 feet in length, but only have a single door in the wall.  After passing 
through two of these hallways and going up several sets of stairs, they walked down 
another orate hallway, but this time the spinagon stopped at the door.
	"Here are your quarters, Jadeite-sama," the spinagon proclaimed as he unlocked 
the door and opened it.
	Jadeite looked inside and was amazed at the luxurious furnishings.  There were 
couches with silk coverings, large chairs, pieces of sculpture and pottery as conversation 
pieces, and directly opposite the door was a large window.  Jadeite entered what appeared 
to be a medieval apartment of some sort, pulling his slavegirl in with him.  He left her in 
the main room and examined the adjoining rooms.  There was a kitchen and a semi-
modern bathroom.  Apparently, Baatezu was fortunate enough and wealthy enough to 
commission someone to design an indoor plumbing system.  The bedroom came with a 
large walk-in closet and a soft feather bed.
	He returned to the main entrance to his new lodgings, and the spinagon was 
waiting for him.  "This is marvelous!"
	"The master will be so pleased to hear it, Jadeite-sama!  Here is the key," the 
demon said, handing the large iron key to him.  "Baatezu-sama has scheduled a breakfast 
meeting with you to begin making plans.  Will second sunrise be acceptable?"
	"Hai.  Second sunrise it is."
	"Excellent!  Sayonara, Jadeite-sama."
	The spinagon closed the door and Jadeite locked it after he left.  Jadeite pondered 
this new affiliation for a moment, tossed the key into the air and grabbed it in mid-air.  
He then turned his eyes to his slavegirl who immediately noticed and began to shrink 
away from him, cringing.
	"Please, goshuujin-sama!" she pleaded as he grabbed a handful of her hair and 
began to drag her into the bedroom.
	"Come on, slave!  I want to break that new bed in!" he said, coldly.
	Jadeite dragged her to the bedroom, the girl's pleas echoing through the apartment 
until the bedroom door slammed shut, and all was silent.