Sirius knelt in respect. "How are we to turn them, my King?"

"Before Solaris left us, she infected their bodies with her Shade power. Now they are fighting a losing battle inside their own souls," Dionysus replied.

"At least she served some purpose while she was here," Sirius stated coldly.

Anger flashed in Polaris' eyes. "Of course that spineless sister of mine would get all the credit. Does he not remember the one I hit?" her thoughts whined.

"Polaris, Vega," Dionysus commanded, "you two will go down and bring them here."

"Yes, father," they agreed in unison.

Polaris took one last longing glance at the object of her desire. "Sirius-sama, watch me. I will succeed and make you proud of me."

She smiled at him as she and Vega disappeared. Only her brother noticed the shudder Sirius gave. Deep in his heart, Vega wished his sister could see Sirius for the untrustworthy man that he was.

Hogosha giggled into her phone as Usagi whined about the bad grade she got in math. It was good to hear her worrying about something so trivial. The real problems, the ones facing their friends, had been draining Usagi's usual energy as of late had been lacking. "You know Usagi," she smiled as she attempted to cheer her friend's dejected additude, "you could do much better if you believed in yourself and studied harder."

"Agh! You sound like Ami-chan, or Rei-chan," Usagi wailed.

Hogosha's laugh was cut short when a high-pitched scream outside her door. "Is something wrong?" Usagi inquired noticing her friend's sudden silence.

"Shhh..." Hogosha strained her ears, trying to hear what was going on outside. "I thought I heard a scream just-- Wait! There it is again. Usagi, I'll call you back." She hung the phone up before any more could be said.

Hogosha hurried from her room with her heart in her throat. A series of horrible images filled her mind, as she feared what had happened. She was shocked to find Yuuichirou whimpering on the ground, covering his head. Her exasperation was noticeable when she discovered the base of his fears. A tiny spider crawled up the wooden wall across from him. Hogosha gently cupped it into her hands and exited the shrine to free the little life. When she had found a suitable bush for the spider to stay, she went back to comfort the cringing man. Hogosha leaned down and tapped his shoulder. Her touch was so delicate, Yuuichirou could only imagine the spider crawling on him. Another shriek let loose, before he looked up to see the orangey-haired girl and her look of disbelief. "Where is it?! Where is it?!" He looked about frantically.

Hogosha placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Yuuichirou-kun. The spider is gone."

"Oh... Um... Thanks." Red crept into his face. He was a grown man after all. He couldn't image what Rei would say if she had been there for his cowardice of a mere spider.

"What's all the noise about!?" Rei stormed out of her room. "I'm trying to res..."

Her angry words trailed off. She glared at Hogosha. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!"

Fire flared in Rei's eyes, as Hogosha backed away in confusion. The girl was different, like something was driving her mad. Suddenly, an invisible force emitted from the possessed girl, knocking Hogosha to the floor. Yuuichirou flew backward against a wall, knocking him unconscious.

At that moment, Usagi pounded up the shrine steps, followed by Mamoru and the other girls. After the abrupt hang up, Usagi had called everyone, panicked, and told them to meet her at the Hikawa Shrine. Now, here they stood gaping at their now insane comrade. Hogosha groaned in pain. "Everyone!" She exclaimed.

"Run away," Usagi answered, moving to block Rei. "Quickly!"

Resisting the urge to stay, Hogosha hurried off. She knew that she could be of no use if she didn't transform. As she rounded the corner of the shrine Hogosha stopped dead in her tracks. There were the two gray haired villains who had attacked them before. So absorbed in their concentration, they took no notice of her. Hogosha ducked behind a bush and observed for a few moments. "They've gotta be the cause of Rei-san's strange actions." She gave a cry of frustration. "Those trouble makers... They're going to pay!"

"Golden Aura Power, MAKE UP!"

Sailor Sun rose to her feet, then prepared her attack. "Sun Burst!"

Her burst of energy struck the twins, breaking their concentration. They turned to Sailor Sun, blazing with fury. "How dare you interrupt, traitor!" Polaris roared at her.

Rei, who had been fighting Sailor Moon and the others around the front of the shrine suddenly, collapsed. "Everyone, I'm s-sorry," she apologized.

Sailor Moon and Jupiter helped her to stand. "Hey, it's alright," Jupiter comforted.

Rei smiled, then took out her pen, shouting, "Mars Star Power, MAKE UP!"

Mercury typed furiously on her computer. "Could you guys be quiet for a minute! I'm trying to find the energy source that was controlling Rei-chan."

A hush fell over everyone. The same thought ran through all their heads, "What's wrong with her?"

What no one could see behind the visor was her pupils dilating more and more with each second. Mercury sensed she was losing herself and struggled to gain control. She continued her search, thankful she had something to do.

All snapped to attention at the sound of a blood-curdling scream. Before they could react, two icy figures flew overhead. Each held an arm of the unconscious Sailor Sun. Polaris called down to her adversaries, "Sailor Soldiers, give up or your friend dies!"

Sailor Sun awoke in time to hear the threat. "No! Don't give in to them! I'll be okay."

Her gaze moved to Sailor Moon and she spoke in a whispering voice. "Golden Aura, please give us your power once more!"

Once more the two sailor soldiers' tiaras disappeared revealing their insignias. Not able to take the bright light that emitted from them, Polaris and Vega dropped Sailor Sun. She landed gracefully on her feet, shining in her new uniform. "Damn," Polaris growled.

Blinded, she searched for her brother aimlessly. Finding his arm she pulled him closer, then whispered in his ear, "Help me summon a youma to put these brats in their place."

He chuckled, "Of course."

Shapeless shadows formed and surrounded the soldiers. Slowly, their circle tightened, leaving no room for escape. One of the shadows separated from the others, reaching for Sailor Moon. It dissipated as Tuxedo Kamen sliced his cane through its body. The girls soon followed in his stead. Each one sent their attacks, until all the shadows had disappeared. Sailor Venus snapped her fingers, and grinned. "That was easy," she boasted.

"Too easy," Mars frowned.

Sailor Sun turned her full attention on the twins. She twirled her staff above her head. "Your turn," she declared. "Rising Sun!"

The twins shrieked as the yellow ball of energy struck them. They sailed towards the ground, then crashed hard, leaving an indentation in the grass. Battered, and bruised both stood to face their enemies again. They grasped hands. "DOUBLE IC--"

"Stop!" A male's voice commanded them.

"Sirius-sama! You've come to help," Polaris squealed in delight.

"I've come because I have orders to take over this mission."

The golden haired man brushed past Polaris' grasping fingers. As he moved closer to the soldiers he withdrew his sword from its slumber. He aimed his weapon in Sailor Moon's direction. Sunlight glinted off the blade's edges, then, quick as lightening, a ray of light blasted from it.

"No!" In hopes of intercepting, Tuxedo Kamen threw a rose into the ray's path. The sharpened rose had no effect, disintegrating when it entered the oncoming beam of light. Sailor Moon made no sound as the force of the ray threw her back several feet. Tuxedo Kamen ran to the spot where Sailor Moon lay still. "Sailor Moon? Sailor Mo--" He winced, feeling a sharp pain in his back. He was struck again, this time a groan issuing from him.

"Leave them alone!" Sailor Mars growled. She and Jupiter stepped forward. "Burning..." "Sparkling Wide..." They prepared their attacks. "MANDALA!" "PRESSURE!"

Sirius chuckled as the combined powers bounced off him harmlessly. With a flick of his hand, both girls were whisked away by a strange darkened bubble. "Jupiter! Mars!" Sailor Venus howled. She turned to Sirius, "Where did you take them? Bring them back now!"

"Not without a fight, little girl."

"If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get," Venus returned. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to find Sailor Mercury.

"We'll do this together, okay?" Mercury smiled. Venus nodded, winking. "Love Me..." "Shining Aqua..."

"Hope you're better than your friends were," Sirius chuckled.

"CHAIN!" "ILLUSION!"

Sirius laughingly brushed off their attacks. "I guess it was too much to hope for, wasn't it?" Another bubble came, causing Venus and Mercury to vanish also.

Sailor Moon slowly opened her eyes. She gasped, finding her beloved passed out and shook him gently. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama? Tux... Mamo-chan? Mamo-chan?!"

She breathed a sigh of relief when he gave a slight moan. "Usako..." Tuxedo Kamen whispered, then he was quiet again.

Sailor Moon withdrew her hand to discover a sticky red substance staining her white glove. She looked from it to Tuxedo Kamen's blood soaked cape. A great rage built inside her. Not far away, she could see the one called Sirius battling with Sailor Sun. Careful not to hurt him, Sailor Moon moved Tuxedo Kamen out of the way, then unsteadily ran off to join the fight. "Stop right there," she commanded. "I am the pretty suited sailor soldier who fights for Love and Justice, Sailor Moon. In the name of the moon, I WILL punish you!"

Sirius started to focus his powers on Sailor Moon once more. Sailor Moon cried out in a cracked voice. "Silver Moon Heart BREAK!"

Polaris watched in horror as the powerful silvery light headed towards her beloved Sirius. She motioned for her brother to help, but he remained rooted, staring contently as the bolt drew near. Polaris knew she had to do something and without warning she flew toward Sirius. Sensing his sister's intentions, Vega instinctively followed to protect her. He made it just in time, taking the brunt of the blast alone. Polaris watched in horror as his body went limp. She caught her injured twin before he could fall to the ground. All three slowly faded, but not before Sailor Moon could note the pleased grin that had spread across Sirius' face. A cold chill coursed down her back. It wasn't until they had completely disappeared that she realized her friends were gone as well. "Jupiter! Mars! Venus! Mercury! Where are you?" She cried, tears already forming.

"I'm sorry, but he took them," apologized a familar voice.

Sailor Moon turned to see Sailor Sun standing beside her. She embraced the sobbing girl. "I'm so sorry," she said again.

Sailor Moon gasped, "Tuxedo Kamen-sama! I've got to see if he is okay."

She hurried to where she had left him. Sailor Sun followed close behind. The dark haired man had awakened and was trying to rise. Sailor Moon knelt by him, then wrapped him into her arms. "Oh... I'm so glad you're alright, but... but everyone's gone. They were taken."

"Taken? Taken where?" Tuxedo Kamen questioned.

"There," Sailor Sun answered pointing to the sun.

Sailor Moon gazed up at the blazing orb, shielding her eyes from its glare. "I'll get you back, everyone. I promise. You can count on me."

Then, as soft and quiet as a breeze, Sailor Moon thought she heard a reply, "We know."

End Episode 08.