Audtions Pt. 2

Bass paced the halls of his keep impatiently. "You understand your orders? I want them here. Normally, I wouldn't assign such an important task to the likes of you, but seeing as how we are short of assistance; considering the fact that Drum has 'departed', and the betrayal of Sizer, I see no other options."

 "Don't worry, Bass-sama. I'll get the job done," came the reply. Then the mysterious figure vanished.

Back at the concert hall, Michiru and Quatre had finished their rehearsal. "That was good. We'll call it a day," said Michiru as she placed her violin in its case. "That was great! So when's your next concert?," asked Duo enthusiastically. "A few days from now," replied Quatre. Suddenly, a maniacal laughter rang out, echoing throughout the stage area. "Show yourself!," demanded Haruka, clenching her fists.

 "Certainly." The figure appeared out of nowhere, perching atop one of the huge amplifiers. He had the appearance of a joker, and held a long staff that had a sort of lyre at one end.

"Heh, Trowa didn't tell me the circus was coming," said Duo with a smirk. "Think you're funny, eh? Well, since you're in such a good mood, let's have some more fun!," the clown-like being said darkly. "Somehow, I don't think that's the reason you're here. Who are you?!," shouted Michiru. "Well, since you asked so nicely," said the clown sarcastically, "I'm known as Orgel."

"Orgel? Well, Orgel, why are you here?," Quatre inquired. "Enough talk!!! Bass...awaits!!!!!!!" Michiru and Quatre glanced at eachother in alarm. Bass?!? Before they could do anything else, they were all whisked away.
 
 

Duo groaned. He groggily stood up. "Wha~? Where-?" Haruka stood up beside him. "What is this place?," she asked. "Ah, Orgel; so you succeeded after all," came a familiar two-toned voice. It sent chills down Quatre's spine. Bass stepped out of the shadows. Duo stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Hah! What are you!?! Some sort of ventriloquist??!"

 "I am not amused," Bass said flatly. Duo knew it was a serious situation they were in, but he couldn't help but snicker to himself. "Really Bass; why did you summon us here again? I thought you had let us go," Michiru said matter-of-factly. Quatre nodded in agreement. Bass looked them over. "Much has happened since last you came."

"I take it that's why you sent this clown after us?"

"Hey! I represent that remark!," shouted Orgel defiantly. Bass ignored his comments. "Yes, that is partially right. I need replacements for Drum and Sizer." Quatre looked confused. "Replacements?" Bass nodded. Duo stopped staring at head Bass held and joined in the conversation. "So let me guess-you want us as replacements." Bass did not reply; the answer was obvious. "You had to say it," Haruka mumbled, glaring at Duo, who grinned sheepishly. "How are we going to be replacements for you? For one thing, we don't have any weapons, and for another thing, we don't want to help you!," said Quatre defiantly.

"You shall be provided with weapons; that much will be no trouble. However, if you dare choose to defy me..." Quatre gulped; he knew too well what would be the consequences. Bass continued. "Some of you do not need weapons, as I have found out from our last encounter. For those of you who do require a weapon, all you need to do is think of it." Duo broke into a wide grin. "I know what I want." I'll wish for my Gundam Deathscythe H and break us out of here! Duo was somewhat disappointed when all that appeared was a long staff with some oddly shaped thing at the end. "Ah-" He examined it a bit closer. Korewa.. Quatre, who had been wishing for his Gundam as well, was not as disappointed as Duo when a pair of long, curved blades appeared in his hands. "Heat Shorters." Duo recognized their resemblance to the Gundam Sandrock's weapons. Orgel stared at choices. "Strange weapons; but then, you get what you wished for." He disappeared then; Bass did not seem to mind. Quatre held his blades up, giving them a few practice swings. "Too bad I didn't have these last time," he said under his breath. Bass tapped his staff on the cold stone floor. "Now that you have your weapons, will you join me?"

 "You've got to be kidding! Why would we join a psycho like you?," said Michiru. She pulled out her transformer. Haruka's eyes grew wide. "Michiru-!?" Her friend glanced at her, as if to say, there's no other choice. "Neptune Planet Power-Make Up!!!" Haruka gritted her teeth and reluctantly, she too pulled out her own transformer. "Uranus Planet Power-Make Up!!!"

"Eh!?!" Duo could not believe what he was seeing. Beside him, Quatre stood speechless. They glanced at eachother; both knew they were thinking the same thing; Haruka is...a girl!?!

"I am Sailor Neptune!"

 "And I am Sailor Uranus!"

 "Two of them!?," Bass exclaimed. "Come on, we have to get out of here!," shouted Sailor Neptune. Sailor Uranus took the hint. "World....Shaking!!!!" The blow punched a hole right through the wall, and they made a break for it. "Laters Bass!," Duo shouted over his shoulder. "Oh, and thanks for the new toys!" Bass looked on, upset that once again they had managed to escape.
 
 

Deep in the woods, quite a ways from Bass' castle, the group of fugitives had finally decided to stop and rest. "I think we're far enough," said Sailor Uranus. Duo flopped down on a log. "It's about time." Just then, a shadow passed over them. "Huh?" Duo looked up to see a winged figure coming down from the sky. The mysterious figure swung at him; instinctively, Duo blocked with his staff. He could now clearly see what the attacker was; an armor-clad woman with large red wings, armed with a long scythe. Duo smirked. "So that's how you wanna play..." He twisted the handle of his staff, and out of the larger end shot out a beam of light that took the shape of a scythe blade. The female warrior brought her scythe down again; Duo swung his around to counter the attack. "Sizer!?," exclaimed Quatre, realizing who the attacker was. "Duo, be careful!," advised Michiru. Duo leapt back to avoid getting sliced by Sizer's scythe. "You know her?!" Sizer struck again, and Duo's beam scythe met hers with a loud clang. Duo swung his weapon around again. "Oryaaaah!!!" The two continued to fumble around.

"Stop this!," came a voice. They turned to see who spoke. Hamelin emerged from the brush. "Sizer, there's no need to fight. They are friends."

"Ah, yes. I remember the other two now."

"Ye-ah, sure," said Duo, who had switched off the beam blade and was now leaning on it. "So, you mind explaining where we are, who are they, and while I'm at it; why are Haruka and Michiru wearing mini-skirts?" Quatre sighed. "Well, Duo, I never really found out the name of this place. This is Hamelin and Sizer, whom we have met when we last came here. As for the mini-skirts, well, Michiru is a Sailor Senshi, and I suppose that Mr.-er, Ms. Tenou' is a Senshi as well."

"Duh, you think?," Haruka said sarcastically. She had switched out of her sailor gig, as did Michiru. "Michiru, does everyone here know that you're a Sailor Senshi?"

"Well, hey-it sure was a surprise to me; especially when Haruka suddenly changed uniforms," Duo said matter-of-factly, flicking his braid off his shoulder. Michiru folded her arms. "That will be enough, Duo. Don't get Haruka upset. Things have been too hectic as it is for all of us."

 "You don't have to worry about getting me upset, Michiru. I already am. But not for the reasons you might think. It's something else...," Haruka said. She started to walk off. "Haruka, wait!," Michiru shouted, but to no avail. Haruka did not stop. "Haruka?"

"Aw, let her go. What's her problem anyway?," Duo said. "Duo! Don't say that sort of thing!," scolded Quatre. "Well, it's true. She has some attitude problem." Quatre ignored him. He turned to Michiru. "Are you all right, Michiru? What was that all about?" Michiru hardly heard his words. "Sailor Uranus left. She's mad at me. How are we going to find her? We can't leave without her." Hamelin glanced around the area. "Let's hope she hasn't gone far. It's even more dangerous than it was before; all due to Bass. Come, I'll explain while we go meet up with Raiel, Tron and Flute."
 
 

Haruka sat down on a fallen tree. "Michiru," she said to herself, "Aren't we supposed to keep out identities a secret?" She sighed as she fingered her transformer. I know you did what you had to do back there, that you had no choice; but to explain how that kid knew already...It's pretty obvious to me now that Quatre has known your identity ever since the last time you two disappeared. You never told me anything that happened when you came back. Maybe it's because I never asked? But why should I? You always tell me everything without my asking. Ever since you came back, you've been spending so much time with Quatre. That's what bothers me. Scares me, actually. "Are we drifting apart, Michiru?" A soft melody floated from the forest. "Michiru?" Haruka stood up and went to investigate. Rather than finding Michiru, she came upon a young man playing an oversized cello. "Who?"

 "It's about time you showed up," he said, lifting his head. "My name is Cello. I've been watching you ever since you escaped from the castle. Bass-sama has plans for you, so come along, Sailor Uranus." Haruka clutched her transformer. "Well, I guess it's useless to keep our identities a secret now, right?"

"I think so," Cello answered. He began to play again. "But we can't have you transforming now; you'd be too powerful for me to handle, and Bass-sama wouldn't be pleased if I didn't bring you back." The music he played took control of Haruka. "What?! Hey-I can't move my hand!" Unwillingly, she was forced to drop her transformer. It fell with a thunk. "Hahahahaha!! Let us go now!" With a swift movement, both Cello and Haruka were teleported away; Haruka's final cry," Michiru~!!"

Michiru heard Haruka's cry. She looked around desperately. "Haruka??" She started racing towards the direction that she heard the sound. "Haruka!"

"Michiru!," shouted Quatre. "Wait! It could be a trap!" He ran after her, along with the others.

Michiru came across Haruka's transformer. Kneeling down, she picked it up. "Haruka...Where are you?" Quatre came up beside her. "Michiru, what happened?"

 "Something's happened to Haruka."

"Bass," said Hamelin, as he and the others had entered the clearing. "We can't go after her right now, it's too dark. Let us return to camp; we'll decide what to do in the morning."

Raiel leaned against his piano; he watched Duo engage in a conversation with Sizer. He snorted, and crossed his arms. Tron popped up beside him. "Hey Raiel! What's wrong?"

"Wrong? What gave you any idea that something was wrong?," he answered. Tron smiled mischievously. "Well maybe it's because you're acting all jealous because your 'girlfriend' is talking to some other guy.." Raiel clasped his hands over his ears. "Rrrrr....What makes you think she's my girlfriend?!?" Tron laughed. "Well, okay, I'll admit you aren't officially together, but I do know that you like her." Raiel swatted him away, and then hid behind his piano.
 
 

"Bass-sama..." Cello bowed his head. "I have apprehended Sailor Uranus."

"Good. Where?" Cello moved aside, and motioned for Haruka to come forth. "All right, you had better have a good explanation for all of this." Bass walked towards her. "You know very well why. The plans have not changed. Cello, bring me the 'scythe-wielder' next. Orgel-"

 "Yes?," the joker asked, popping up behind Haruka. "Show our 'new recruit' to a suitable uniform." Orgel clapped his hands together. "Certainly, Bass-sama."
 
 

Michiru sat alone, her back turned to the campfire which had slowly begun to fizzle out. Quatre and Duo sat on the opposite side. Everyone else had already turned in. "Well, what are you waiting for?," whispered Duo to his friend. "Go talk to her! She looks lonely."

"Huh?" Quatre had hardly heard him at first. "Go!," urged Duo. Quatre got up quietly, so as not to waken the others, and walked towards Michiru.

"Um, Michiru?" Michiru looked up. "Hm? Oh, Quatre." Quatre scratched his head. "Uh...well, I was just wondering if you were okay."

"Thank you Quatre. I'm all right, it's just, well-you know..." Quatre seated himself beside Michiru. "Yeah Quatre!," Duo said to himself. He was unaware however, that he was being stalked from behind. Two bony arms grabbed him. "Aaahhk!!"

Quatre's head shot up. "Duo!" Both he and Michiru stood up to see what was happening. A huge skeletal warrior had Duo in its grasp. Cello stood off to the side, along with more troops. "Hmph." The others had been awakened by Duo's cry. "Cello!," shouted Raiel. Cello signaled his troops. "Attack!!" Tron drew his sword and stood protectively before Flute. Michiru transformed into Sailor Neptune. Before she was able to do anything, she was suddenly swept off her feet by some unknown force. "Ahh!"

"Michiru!!!," yelled Quatre, unable to follow. Whatever had taken Michiru could fly. "Quatre!," said Sizer, "Come. We'll follow them. Hurry!"

Sailor Neptune found herself in the arms of some weird-looking, masked, winged freak. "Put me down right now, or I'll use my attack on you!," she said. "I wouldn't advise it," said her kidnapper. "If you do, you'll fall."

"What would you care if I fell? You're the one who took Haruka, aren't you? Aren't you?!"

".........."

Michiru sighed. "Haruka.." The winged-weirdo flew them behind a waterfall. "Who are you?," asked Michiru. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Where else was I supposed to bring you so I could talk to you in private?" The stranger removed the mask. "Yo, Michiru."

 "Haruka!!," exclaimed Michiru, clasping her hands over her mouth in disbelief. "Oh Haruka! I thought they'd done something terrible to you!" Haruka laughed. "They did! They stuck me in the stupidest costume in the world!" She ran a hand through her hair. "Michiru, I'm sorry for getting mad and leaving like that."

"No Haruka, I should be the one apologizing. I know I haven't been as good a friend to you these past weeks as I normally am. I promise that ends right now. Quatre and I are just friends-and that's all we'll ever be. You don't have to worry about anything." Haruka smiled. Michiru looked over her uniform. "I take it that Orgel supplied your costume?"

"Yup! Looks like something that the guy with the crazy hair living next-door would wear. The wings are pretty useful though." Michiru giggled. "Speaking of costumes; here. You dropped this," she said softly, holding out Haruka's transformer. "My transformer..."

 Michiru brushed her hair back. "I thought you might need it, and now that I see you, I think I was right." Haruka laughed again. "Thanks, Michiru."

"What are you doing, Haruka? Are you working for them?," Michiru inquired. Haruka shook her head. "Not really; I'm trying to find a way to get us back home."

"What if you get caught? Bass isn't someone to be taken lightly. Be careful, Haruka." Haruka nodded. Suddenly, there was a splash as Sizer and Quatre entered the waterfall. "Michiru! Are you all right? I thought you had gotten captured by some big winged creature," Quatre said. Then he noticed who the kidnapper was. "Haruka?!," he exclaimed. Haruka crossed her arms, obviously annoyed that they had come. Sizer looked around. "So, does this mean there is no danger here?" Haruka slipped the mask back on. "No; not here." She flew through the waterfall and out of the cavern. "Wait!," cried Sizer, going in pursuit. "What!?," said Haruka, stopping for a moment. "What do you think you're doing? You don't know what you're up against!," Sizer continued. Haruka started off again; Sizer flew around in front of her. "It's dangerous! Bass might find out-"

 "I can take care of myself," retorted Haruka. With that, she flew off. Sizer watched silently, then turned to get Michiru and Quatre. Upon returning to the campsite, they discovered that all the troops were gone. That wasn't all that was gone. Tron, being the first to notice their return, spoke up. "They took your friend." Michiru looked at Quatre. "Oh no; Duo!"
 
 

"Let me go!! I said, let go of me, you skeletal rejects!!!" Bass could tell that Cello had returned with captive. He turned to face them. Duo continued to struggle against the bony clutches of his captor. "So, you've succeeded, Cello."

"Yeah-so what if he did? Why don't you just lay off, huh? It's not like we want to be here."

"Silence! I think that you would be more useful than your friend." Duo raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Friend?" Haruka stepped forward, still in Orgel's ridiculous costume. Duo took one look at her and burst out laughing. "Hahahahahaha! What kind of a costume is that?!?!" Haruka removed the mask. "You don't have to rub it in," she muttered. Duo blinked. "H-Haruka?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I don't believe I have your full loyalty," said Bass, speaking to Haruka. "It was extremely suspicious when you suddenly disappeared during Cello's raid..." Haruka hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath. She let it out. "I....had other business to attend to.." Bass raised his hand in the air. "I'd think twice before trying to double-cross me...or else-" He turned towards Duo, still being held by the skeleton warrior. "Bloody Death Eater!!" A pair of huge jaws rose from the ground, just narrowly missing Duo and clasping the skeleton in its mouth; swallowing it whole. "Gyah! What was that?!," he gasped. Bass lowered his hand. "That...is what is in store for any traitors...," he said calmly, his gaze falling on Haruka. Uh-oh. "Just to be on the safe side," continued Bass, "We might have to bend the rules a bit for out next recruit." Duo folded his arms. "Like I'd work for you. I don't work for people who carry around an extra head."

"I expected that sort of attitude from you. Luckily, I know how to deal with people like you..." Duo laughed. "Really? You think you and your head can really turn me to your side? I'd love to see you try, pal." Haruka groaned. Idiot. He's asking for it. Bass' countenance remained stern. Duo felt a sudden rush of wind as a dark mist began to swirl around him. "Nanda kora~!?" Haruka gasped. Duo was suddenly dropped to the ground. He slowly lifted his head to see what had happened. He could not believe what he saw. There before him stood another 'Duo' with a long black cloak, holding a long scythe. He sneered at him. "'Dark' Duo, your task is to take your counterpart and lock him up in the dungeon. Then you shall go and get our next target, Sailor Neptune. You shall strike at dawn; they won't expect it. As for you, Uranus," Bass said, turning to Haruka, "I have no other tasks for you at the moment." Haruka nodded. "Then I'll be attending matters of my own," she said, as she walked towards the door.
 
 

Sailor Neptune stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing into the night sky. She let out a sigh. Hamelin and Raiel sat under a tree. "Ha-chan, can I ask you something?," Raiel said. Hamelin nodded. "Does that Quatre guy like Sailor Neptune or something? Because it sure seems like it."

"Looks that way to me. Why? I thought you liked Sizer...,"said Hamelin, nonchalantly. "Ha-chan! Y-You're not insisting that I....like Sailor Neptune!?!," sputtered Raiel. Hamelin shrugged. "Why else would you be checking her out? Are you trying to make Sizer jealous or something?"

"Ha-chan~......"

 Michiru stopped looking at the sky and turned to see Quatre sitting by himself, under a tree. She walked over to him. "Hi Quatre. It looked like you could use some company." Quatre looked up at her. "Yeah, I guess I could." He let out a long sigh. "I want to go home. I mean, well, not to the one I'm living in now, but my real home. It's been a long time, but then again, I guess it's silly. There's nothing for me there. I don't even know where all my sisters are; I've only met like one of the 29, was it?"

"Wow! You have 29 sisters?," exclaimed Michiru. "Yeah, so how's your family?," said Quatre, deciding he should change the subject. "I can't say much about my real family. For as long as I can remember, I've been pretty much alone; until I met Haruka. She's like family, you know? We've been living in her mansion for quite a while, along with a couple of other friends. Yes, we're all like one big family. Anyways, we should be getting some sleep. It's pretty late." Quatre nodded in agreement.

Bass' dungeon was dark, cold, and damp. Duo hung his head, wondering what he should do. A loud creaking sound caught his attention. He lifted his head to see who had come. "Haruka!? You traitor!! How could you-"

"Shut up," Haruka cut in. She brought out her sword, unsheathing it right in front of his face. "H-hey hey hey...What are you going to do with that thing?!?!," gasped Duo, droplets of sweat beginning to form on his brow. Haruka lifted her sword in the air. Duo shut his eyes tightly, preparing for the worse. [Ka-shink] Duo opened his eyes to see if he was still in one piece. The shackles that had been holding him fell to the floor. Haruka walked over to a loose stone in the floor and lifted it up. "Here. This passage will lead you outside of the castle. Find the others, and hurry. You have to warn them." Duo rubbed his wrists. "Right. Thanks, Haruka. Hey. I'm sorry about all the stuff I said." He dropped down the hole and ran off. Haruka smiled, self-satisfied. She was unaware that Cello watched her every move.
 
 

The sun had just started to rise. Michiru awoke, finding that Quatre had covered her with his vest that night. She smiled. Tron was up as well. "Neptune-sama! I found a spring over there...so if you want to water or anything, you should go now before the others wake up. That way you won't have to wait, especially since Flute ne-chan takes such a long time washing up," he whispered. "Okay Tron, I'll do that. Thank you. I'll be right back."

The waters were still. Michiru gazed at her reflection in the spring. She jerked her head up when she heard footsteps. "Duo?!," she exclaimed, upon the entrance of Duo's evil twin. "No....not quite...," he said, raising his scythe above his head. "It's deathscythe!!! You're coming with me, Sailor Neptune!" Michiru gasped. 'Dark' Duo didn't get a chance at her, though. No sooner had he swung had Sailor Uranus popped out of nowhere, slamming his face into the dirt. "I don't think so, buddy."

 "Sailor Uranus!," Michiru exclaimed. "Yo! You didn't think I'd let him get you, did you?" 'Dark' Duo got to his feet, rubbing his head. "You traitor! My job was to-"

"Your job is over! World.....Shaking!!!," shouted Uranus, letting him have it. The pseudo Duo was blasted away. "Noooo~! Traitor~" Sailor Uranus pushed back her bangs. "Well, so much for that 'Duo'. He was even more annoying than the real one." Sailor Neptune looked at the smoldering spot where 'Duo' had been standing. "But if that's not the real Duo, then where-?" At that moment, Duo came crunching through the underbrush. "Heh, guess I'm late," he said sheepishly.

 "At least you got back safely. It's better that I make myself scarce before Bass gets even more suspicious." Sailor Uranus disappeared into the woods. "Haruka, be careful!," Michiru shouted after her. "Yo, 'chicken of the sea', we'd better tell the others," said Duo.

Haruka raced through the forest. I hope this works. She stopped suddenly; she began to hear a familiar tune. Sailor Uranus whirled around. "Cello!" Sure enough, Cello sat there beneath a tree. "What's the hurry, Uranus? It's not wise to double-cross Bass-sama." Haruka glared at him. "What makes you think that?" Cello smiled wickedly. "I've been watching you. You may act obedient, but your true intentions are kept hidden. Let's see if Bass-sama sees through your facade." They were instantly warped back to the castle.

Back at the campsite, Quatre was delighted to see that Duo had returned. "Duo! You're all right!" Duo nodded. "Yep, thanks to Haruka. Speaking of which-we'd better get going."

"Yes, to Bass' domain," said Hamelin. "He is probably expecting us."
 
 

"Bass-sama, I have brought back Sailor Uranus," Cello said, upon their arrival. "Good," came the reply. Sailor Uranus placed her hands on her hips. "What do you want now?"

"It seems to me that you're not totally allied with us. Cello has told me how you freed Duo."

"Cello's got a big mouth," retorted Uranus. "However," Bass said, "I think I know how to keep you in line." Without warning, he raised his hand towards her, and the same dark mist swirled about Sailor Uranus. "Ack!" Uranus fell back; she found herself staring at...herself. "What're you trying to pull off?," she said angrily. "Quite obvious, isn't it?," Bass said coldly. "Since you will be of no use to me, then your double will."

Hamelin and the others stood outside of the fortress. "So, how do we get in?," asked Raiel. "Well, I know one way, but-," started Duo, but he wasn't able to finish. "Good; show us!," said Hamelin.

They soon found themselves in a very dark, damp place. "The dungeon?," Hamelin said flatly. Duo grinned nervously. "I tried to tell you!" Sizer walked towards the doorway. "We can go in through here. They won't expect someone to sneak through the dungeon." Flute tried the door. "It's locked. Anyone have a key?" Tron stepped forward, drawing his sword. He hacked the lock right off. Hamelin pushed the door open a few inches, peering out. "Stay close, people." Raiel shook his head. "We should split up. That way, we'll cover more ground and have better chances of finding Sailor Uranus."

"All right. But be careful."

 Quatre and Duo started down one corridor. "I have a very bad feeling about this," said Duo. "Do you have the feeling we're being watched?" Quatre didn't have to answer; before them stood Orgel. "Welcome...to your doom!" Duo groaned. "Oh great; It's back."

"It's a shame you chose not to serve Bass. Too bad for you." Duo pulled out his beam scythe. "Yeah, whatever! In other words, we're going to have to duke it out-is that it?" Quatre brought out his heat shorters. Orgel sneered beneath the his mask. "Let the games begin...."

Sizer and Flute walked down another corridor, and into a large room. "This is bad..," Sizer said. Flute looked around nervously. "Ah, hello young ladies. So nice of you to join me," came a familiar voice.

 "Cello!"

In yet another section of the castle, Hamelin had just come to an important realization: "Hmm, I just noticed; Oboe isn't with us." (Raiel has a big sweat-drop^_^*)

"You won't have to worry about the former Hawk King for long..." Hamelin and Raiel were surprised to see who emerged from the shadows. "G-Guitar?!"

"Neptune-sama~! Where are we going?," asked Tron, trotting up beside Michiru. "I don't know. Hopefully, we'll find Sailor Uranus." She stopped shortly. A tall figure stood ahead of them. "Look no further."

"Sailor Uranus!," Michiru said happily. Uranus' eyes narrowed. "Hmph." Michiru looked at her quizzically. "Haruka, is there something wrong?" Tron had his hand on his sword, ready to draw at a moments notice; he didn't have a good feeling about this. "Why do you ask that? Nothing's wrong...World....Shaking!!!" Pseudo Sailor Uranus caught them off guard. "Incoming!," shouted Tron, as he and Sailor Neptune scrambled to get out of the way. Uranus didn't wait for them to recover. She kicked Neptune aside. "Kyaa!"

"Michiru!!" The real Sailor Uranus charged in, grasping her sword. "Space Sword Blaster!!!!!!!!!" She sliced right through pseudo Uranus. "Gyaahh~!!" Haruka let out a sigh of relief. "I'm getting sick of all these doubles." Tron ran over to Michiru's side. "Neptune-sama! Daijobu?" Michiru nodded weakly. "Ah, Haruka! You're all right!" Haruka helped her up. "Hey, I told you I could take care of myself. Come on-we'd better find the others."

Quatre dodged the giant lyre that Orgel swung. Duo leapt in, swinging his beam scythe in a wide arc. "Rrrryaaah!! I'll send you back to the circus!" Orgel hopped about. "Oh? What can you do? Sizer couldn't do much with her scythe!" Duo grinned. "Well then....how about...TWIN BLADES!!!," he shouted, twisting the scythe's handle a second time, producing another beam-blade. "Ah-," gulped Orgel.

"RRrrrraaa!!!!" Guitar swung his sword at the two musicians. Hamelin leapt away. "Raiel!" Raiel nodded. "Seirei-away!!" A giant fire-bird materialized and flew straight for Guitar. "Uwaaaaah!!!"
 
 

Bass stood alone in his chambers. "Bass!! Did you think that you could get us so easily?" Bass turned to see Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, and Tron standing at the doorway. "You may have escaped, but what about your friends?"

"What about us, Bass?," asked Raiel, as he and Hamelin joined the other three. "Your pit-bull doesn't know when to quit."

"Apparently, so do you!!" Bass prepared to blast them.

"Dead Scream." The blast canceled out Bass' shot. Uranus, Neptune, and Tron were stunned. "?!?! Sailor Pluto!! How did you get here?!," Sailor Uranus asked. Pluto smiled. "There was a major disturbance in the time stream, so I decided to check it out. Plus, it was Neptune's turn to make dinner, so I had to look for you both."

Bass was upset at being beaten again. Cello; Orgel-We will withdraw for now. I have new plans.... "Coward! You're retreating?!," shouted Uranus. "For the moment, yes. I'll be back. For right now, I can see that I've lost. You're free to go...For now..." Bass vanished before them, just as Duo and the others came in. "Oi! There you are! What happened? One minute we're fighting that clown-guy; the next minute he's gone!"

 Sizer huffed. "Where's Bass?"

"He left," replied Hamelin.

"He left?!?!?!? How are we gonna get home if Bass is the one who brought us here in the first place!?!," wailed Duo. "I will return us home," said Pluto, smiling. "Yah? Uh...who are you?," Duo asked. "This is our friend, Sailor Pluto," introduced Haruka. "The three of us are the Senshi of the outer planets," added Michiru. "Oh, so you got a little planet thing going on," said Duo.

"I guess you could say that," Uranus said. Pluto cleared her throat. "Well, shall we go?" Duo nodded eagerly. "Oh! Wait-," interrupted Michiru. "Hamelin, would you and your friends care to join us for our concerto?" Hamelin was surprised at this. "You mean-?"
 
 

Duo and Quatre walked up the sidewalk to the mansion. "Sure is nice to be back! I wonder if the guys missed us," Duo said. Suddenly, the door to the house burst open, and Trowa flung himself at Duo. "Gyaaaah!!!"

"Duo!! I'm so glad you're back! Heero-," rambled Trowa, but he was cut off. "Ah; Duo. So you're back. Good," said Heero, targeting him with his gun. "Ahahaha! Now wait-a-second, Heero-uh...Quatre has a concert; we'll be late if we don't hurry!," Duo said, sputtering out the best (and first) excuse he could think of. Heero put his gun down. "All right, fine. We'll have target practice later." Duo wiped his forehead. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?," he said sarcastically. "Maybe we should lock him up," suggested Trowa. Quatre laughed weakly. "That will be enough of that. I'd better get ready. The concert's in one hour."
 
 

It was a full house at the concert hall. The murmur of the audience fell to a hush as the lights dimmed. "Ladies and gentlemen...now presenting Michiru Kaiou and Quatre Raberba Winner!!!"

"Yeah Quatre!! You go, Michiru!!," shouted Duo. "Hey Haruka, isn't this great? Their second concert!" Haruka sat beside him with her arms crossed. She didn't reply. "Um, never mind," Duo sighed. On stage, Michiru stepped up to the microphone. "We have a special guest with us tonight. May I present....Hamelin!!" Another spotlight was switched on; Hamelin took a bow. With that, the three violinists lifted their violins, set their bows, and began their suite. Backstage, Sizer, Raiel, Flute and Tron listened intently to the beautiful music the trio played; it filled the concert hall and mingled with the night sky.

Owari.