From the desk of

Bonnie S.

obi_juan82, I had to answer all of your reviews. After all I have very few that go into such detail … and even fewer in this kind of length.

The constructive criticism is always appreciated, however I hope that you noticed that I finished that fic sometime ago and am currently working on the season two fic called "What All Need to Grow".

Let's go through your comments as I have them.

This fic is my perception of what MAY have happened if Neflyte had not died. What could have happened in the story is anyone's guess and each character would change in any number of different paths. That is what makes fan fiction so interesting – there are so many different ways to write just one story.

Now Neflyte and the other generals I saved, because I can see that Beryl was someone they hated but obviously served for some reason – I took the concept that each had his or her reason and wrote it accordingly. Still all of them were Generals for Earth a thousand years before.

Being the General he is, Neflyte saw several possibilities that could do damage to the Scouts if they came about. One was an attack during school hours. He knew that if Beryl ever suspected (and probably did) that the girls went to school in Tokyo that one attack would point out who they are – making them open targets even when not in uniform (also making their families targets).

The best way around that was to pull them into a class that they would have control over. The youma were put in to fill it up so that those who had no idea about who the girls really are (not to mention giving the Scouts more protection as well). As the leader of the Scouts, Serena is the first person I would see in that class.

Now onto Serena. She saw how Neflyte changed and listened to his stories about the past (not directly in the fic mind you) as well as stories about Beryl. That started her change. Besides she still has her flaking moments. And even in the original story arch there were moments when she didn't flake – she was growing then, only much slower. She's still the duckling; only this fic is bringing her more into the center of reader's attention and picks up on her changes more intensely.

"No matter how much of a crybaby she might be and probably will always be, she will do whatever it takes, climb whatever mountain, cross whatever ocean, to protect those she loves."

In this I agree, and I have written her just in that light. She stills has moments where she'd rather be anyone else, but she will stand for those she cares about – and even enemies she would like to make into friends. That is her true character, and is the echo of the Princess she once was along with the vision of the Queen she will someday be.

As I have explained in the past, I haven't seen many episodes of the series after 'Follow the Leader'. But that sounds very much like the current Moon Princess shinning through after everything this group might go through.

Now about the youma. Neflyte is well respected (or in the case of those who might cause him harm – feared) by the youma. I'll quote the fic from chapter three after Beryl gave the position of lead general to Jedite.

"Quickly he found himself favored by the majority of the youma, as he treated them as he had the soldiers he once commanded – to him there were no difference between the two."

One thing that Neflyte knows it is how to lead – by respect and honor … not fear and domination. That is why the youma under his command (which is a large portion seeing as he is respected even by the other general's youma and he took claim of Jedite's youma until the blonde could be freed) did not 'turn him in'. At first he is only known to be alive by his own youma – who he sets to protect the Scouts, Luna, and Queen Jessica, Spying on the Negaverse as if he weren't alive.

I never liked how long Darien was held by the Negaverse, and do not for a moment believe Beryl had that great of control over him at all. After all look at all of the times he could have destroyed or hurt Sailor Moon for the Silver Crystal, along with the times that he could have continue an attack on her when he simply walked off as if he was still the same old Tuxedo Mask.

And as for them working in Neflyte's company (now its Molly's as well mind you) they are the only ones he would trust nearest to himself or Molly. If he had company (back when Zoicite was an enemy) or had to change and leave by teleporting, normal humans wouldn't have been trust worthy on the floor he worked on or the one directly below him. That is simple common sense.

And they do more than simply work as secretaries. The office is where all spy reports are handed in and sorted, points of Negative Energies are checked (though right now that is weak at best because of several factors I will not go into detail on – this is going to be long enough thank you).

Youma are just like humans. There are good and bad, those who teach, those who heal, those who betray. As to why they are happy – they are free of Beryl, their highly respected master is alive and happy with a lady who treats them as friends and not slaves, they are paid for their services, some get to live with the Sailor Scouts (they too are treated as friends not monsters or servants), and they are allowed to live out the lives that Beryl took from them. Need I really explain why they are happy? Oh, and before you get the chance to ask, yes the youma were once humans who lived about the time of the Moon Kingdom. Beryl didn't use magic to change them – only to brainwash them. The Silver Crystal cannot undo what has been done to them. Ulee is a special case. She begged to be turned so that she could still serve the master she had since she was young. Beryl used magic on her to have a hold over Zoicite and Ulee (claiming if she pulled the magic away Ulee would be turned to dust) – but I'll be bringing that up later on, maybe my intermission season.

The youma are simply what Beryl has turned them into. Monsters who would have no existence if not for the masters they serve (that is including the Sailor Scouts now).

Sailor Moon has been borderline of quitting several times through out the original story arches. She seemingly couldn't handle the homework load of the new class and was going to be returned to normal classes, she nearly lost the wand in the river, and well let me quote the fic once again.

"I guess I have changed, Luna. I think it's because of what Neflyte said about not feeling right wearing his old uniform until he apologizes to the Moon Princess. I realized that this isn't just some game, and it's not like I haven't done this before. In fact we all have been through this – fighting for our lives, making sure Beryl doesn't win the day. I'm scared that if I don't start acting like a leader soon, the Moon Princess will kick me out and take over. I can't imagine my life without you, the Scouts, Neflyte, and the youmas with me. Do you think she'll throw me out Luna?"

Does that clear that up?

Ah Melvin, Nerds Anonymous' poster child of the year winner every year for so long now. I never liked how he'd haunt the girls, nose in on other people's business, talked bad about people without talking to them first – I have had enough of his type in my life thank you. I really modeled him after a nerd I knew that was like him at one point but went villainous after the girl he wanted got herself an older guy (sound familiar).

Yes he was there when Molly needed him – and I wrote him somewhat differently in one of my other fics. But now in this fic he is jealous of Neflyte (as I remember him being not only of Neflyte, but also Alan – season two fic). But you obviously did not see how he was dragging her to a 'romantic picnic lunch for two' on their first anniversary. Also they never particularly acted like boyfriend/girlfriend (at least it never really showed on her part). Maybe she grew to like him, but it didn't show through Sailor Moon R.

I respect him, I just had to write him in somehow and this best fitted him. Don't worry things are going to change for him shortly. As I wrote earlier, I finished season one at time ago. Like Serena, he needs time to get over his loss and change back into a friend.

Sorry about the tense troubles. I'll re-read the fic again (I thought that I caught all of that last time). Maybe you can point out exactly where the troubles are?

In 'Tuxedo Melvin' I felt the nerd was acting childish and foolish (accepting that Serena helped him into that role – he should have talked to someone other than Serena … like a guy maybe). I did give that Melvin was brave (if not fool hardy) in standing up to the youma wrestler. And I even gave that Molly cared about him as a friend ONLY. Neflyte saw this and accepted that he would never really be free of the nerd with his love's caring heart.

As I said I never saw many episodes after 'Follow the Leader'. I know who Tiger's Eye is, but I think I only saw part of that episode. And it would be different in this fic given that Neflyte never died. It was sweet that Melvin did that, and maybe he will do such with Neflyte before the end of my intermission arch. Then again, that idea of him being the mad scientist in the vision is a great idea! Thanks! I know that it is really Dr. Tomoe, but I never saw those episodes – and it is hard to write about what one hasn't seen. Besides I haven't found the scripts for it online (yes my secret is out, I have been using way cool scripts I found online to get the wording right).

As far as Queen Serenity goes, I agree. When we find out about those last hours of the Moon Kingdom, she said "perhaps we will meet again one day". Wait until you find out what I have done. ^_^ I hope that you like it. Of course she will continue to have a presence. I bring up more of Serena's Moon Kingdom past, and a secret will (hopefully in four or five more chapters at most) be revealed.

Now for Jet. With the Four General against her (whom she always did fear – which is why Beryl kept them at one another's throats) the poor Queen of the Negaverse needed new warriors to lead. And we couldn't have them anywhere near equaling our beloved generals. That would be a crime in itself – LOL. ^_~

Jet and Jasper have always been part of the Negaverse. It was just that Jasper is a fool (even Beryl thinks such) but he was more trust worthy than Jet. Like I said, Beryl is getting desperate. She chose minions she felt had a chance of standing against the four generals and the Scouts. Jet is not a youma; she is a seductive vampire warrior (after all, she seduced Molly's birth father) who is native of the Negaverse – thought that never comes out in my fic. I told you I haven't seen much past R. But, I might add in some new characters to give a few twists. *chuckles sneakily*

She isn't really working for Beryl – simply waiting for the best time to take over.

Jupiter … well that is an interesting bit. I forgot about that. Well the idea of her being alone in life worked best for my story, but thank you for the factor. I f I ever get to see the S arch maybe I can write in that one of the youmas are allergic – or her building doesn't allow pets.

Um, as far as the communicator goes … I don't remember anywhere specifying what kind of communicator Serena was using. Can you be a bit more specific? Also thanks for pointing out the misspelling (and here I thought that I had caught them all!). I only double space between paragraphs, but if a missed a couple of paragraphs I apologize.

Don't worry about spell checking, I caught the idea.

The chapter 'With Friends Like These' was to show what was happening to Molly and how the scouts help her. And at the end they do get a bit on the funny side. As far as sappy gets, what about when Serena talks Rini back into her arms? Just my POV.

One person could necessarily break through a person's depression, and that was what Jet was dragging Molly through. That is her greatest power – to drain a person's esteem until they are near ending their life by intensifying their worse doubts. It makes for easy feedings, though most she attacks go very fast – because partially she wants to torment the generals and the Scouts. I told you that Jet was evil, but obviously she is also lazy.

Like Serena, Molly has been changing over this time because of Neflyte's (as well as the other generals') presence. Also all of the girls are remembering more and more of their pasts. That could change anyone. This was one chapter we see that Molly's worse insecurities and how she has to face them to move on in her life (like all people do). Normally Molly wouldn't crumble easily, but when she died at Jet's hands things were set into motion for this. Jet knew there was a chance the Moon Princess would be able to revive Molly, and enacted her poisonous attack into her dead body at a slow rate.

How does acting as normal people diminish the Generals? Once upon a time they were (except they were born with powers they learned to control in their training to become Guardian Generals), and now they are free of Beryl's influence. Now they have settled back into what they once were, friends who's first duty is to protect and support the Sailor Senshi in battle.

Katie is not Molly's 'blood sister' they are close friends that are so close each considers the other a sister (I myself have had a few friends that have been so to me). Neflyte took his time and established himself to the dislike of Queen Beryl (who often had to call on his funds to get a job done that could not be done by magick – yes even evil magick has its limits). Stanton International is a real – and thriving might I add – business in the fic. And in the episode he first shows up Molly says to Serena that she (Serena) should remember that she (Molly) is an only child. Looks like we both missed something.

I give it with Alan and Ann that they were always normal (wait until you read season two – I'll get triple sized reviews compared to season one). And yes the sisters gave up their powers because they were not born with them. The four Generals were all orphans who were selected by the previous lead Guardian Generals to train because of their powers they had since they were born (identical to the Generals who chose them for the honor and trained the young men – in my fic Zoicite started off as a man – personally).

I am glad you like what I did with Molly's mom. I hated how she was here or there, but never were we given her name or much about her as a person. And I am glad that you have found some good in my fic. I think I will bring in Katie again. Now that the girls are in high school, maybe she and Molly hang at the same places in school? Never know … maybe there is another Sailor Scout? There is an asteroid field that I have used in the past – why not now? Thank you for another idea. (Oh and loyal readers, don't worry – Sailor Earth will be the very last Scout I bring into this fic set, that is a promise)

Sorry about the swearing everyone. It is occasional and will not be seen in every chapter, but I had to show just how Jet felt (and pretty little girl talk didn't cover this). After all she hasn't felt real pain in a very long time and now she went from frozen to extra crunchy in seconds – LOL. I know what it feels like and I wasn't using pretty girl talk then either. Sorry if I got lost in the character a bit there.

Serena is becoming more mature, but she is far from the swan at this point. I just think that she wouldn't be as bad as in the true story line. With Neflyte and the other Generals surviving along with the changes in the story thus far it could only be expected that Serena and the rest of the cast would change (drastically compared to the true line characters).

As to Malachite's line – it is one of my favorites. As well as Zoicite's answer to it. With the two of them on the side of the Scouts, obviously the episode had to change dramatically. Thanks for noticing it though.

Darien and Beryl – ewwww gross!

No, I would never bring up something that sick. I do later mention that Serena still has a pull on his heart and it kept him from her (Beryl) bed.

Beryl will show up again … unfortunately and fortunately for the group that is. Just keep reading and reviewing. ^_^