Story of the Future
Episode One
"Meetings... and more"
Serena anxiously signed onto the Internet. As the modem dialed the desired number, she tapped her fingers impatiently against the desk. Finally the screen clicked over into her server. She let out a small yelp of joy when the mail icon flashed, telling her that someone had written.
Serena checked the name. "Hg Power," she said softly. That was Sailor Mercury's name, and it was a message telling her there was a scout meeting in their private chatroom at 3:30.
Serena selected the next piece of mail. It was simply a letter from Molly, updating her on the gossip at Tokyo since she had left. Serena wrote her a quick reply, saying she was doing well, and went to the next piece of e- mail.
The letter said simply, "It's coming, and you ain't seen nothing yet." It was unsigned. She checked the name, but all it said was ImperDark. She had no idea what the letter was trying to say, nor did she really care.
She signed off and glanced around her hotel room. Darien was off at a meeting with some representatives from defense department. She checked the clock. It was two hours until her meeting with the scouts. She lied down on the bed and sighed.
"Some vacation." she groaned. She and Darien had arranged a retreat to New York City for a couple of weeks. But they had only been here three days and already Darien was getting hassled about Crystal Tokyo's defense. And she was getting hassled on scout business. "Never any peace and quiet. It's a wonder I have any personal life at all."
Serena looked down at her body and smiled. Sure, it was cool to be queen of Crystal Tokyo, but it was even better being plain 26-year-old Serena. And it was even better when she was with her plain, normal husband.
At that point, he walked in and tossed his keys onto the table. "Hey, Serena." he said nonchalantly.
"Hi, Muffin." she answered backed, enjoying the moment of being an average married couple. Sure their marriage was a rocky one, but they always patched up problems. "How was the meeting?"
"Too official. I'm beat," he announced and leaped on the bed next to her. She smiled and proceeded to rub his back while he relaxed. "What do you say to a real American dinner?" he asked her.
"Oh that'd be wonderful! I bet their food here is awesome!" Serena said as she kneaded his muscles.
Darien smiled and nodded. "Good. It'll give us a chance to get out and really explore this place. I here it's the Big Orange of America."
Serena smiled. "I love oranges!" She laid down next to him.
They spent the next half hour just talking about the future, their lives, how fun it would be just to be a normal couple for a few days. Finally, Serena checked her watch and signed online. Darien gave her a peck on the cheek and went to take a nap.
Serena entered the chatroom under the screen name MoonGal348. The others were already there.
***
MoonGal348: Hey guys! How's it goin?
Hg Power: Hi! How's the vacation?
ThunderSalr: How's the food?
MoonGal348: Haven't tried the food yet. We're going out to dinner later. New York is beautiful, but I can't wait to see you again. It's been forever since we talked in person!
V LoveChic: Got that right!
Hg Power: Okay let's get down to business. Everyone here?
ThunderSalr: Yup!
V LoveChic: As far as I know.
FireGrl1264: Let's get on with it!
MoonGal348: Right here!
Hg Power: Okay, first institute of business. New powers. Did everyone attend Mars' seminar?
V LoveChic: I did, and it was fantastic. I think I came back with stronger powers than ever before.
FireGrl1264: Thanx, guyz.
Hg Power: Well, that increased our powers tenfold. I think we can safely say there's no monster we can't defeat.
MoonGal348: Hey, I have an issue that just popped up. I got a piece of mail from this weird screen name. It said, "It's coming and you ain't seen nothing yet."
MoonGal348: The screen name was ImperDark.
MoonGal348: Any clues?
V LoveChic: Probably a scam. I wouldn't think anything of it.
Hg Power: Anyone who uses double negatives and words like "ain't" is nobody to worry about.
MoonGal348: All right, just letting you know.
ThunderSalr: And also, Jupiter is having a camp out in about two months to organize a new economic plan for the new budget. Anyone is welcome to join, but I think you
ThunderSalr: should be there, MoonGal.
MoonGal348: I will, and I'll tell Darien.
FireGrl1264: No names! Just screen names!
MoonGal348: Ooops, I mean TuxMan.
Lita sat at her computer, trying to concentrate on the meeting. For a minute, she could see the screen clearly. Then, the next, she just couldn't seem to hear anything but Andrew...packing his things.
Lita held her tears back. After all, she knew it was coming. She and Andrew had been having some major problems. However, Lita was willing to work them out. Andrew just wanted to give up. Andrew had won and he was moving out.
"Do you want to keep this?" he asked her coldly. She turned around. It was a small vase she had made for him.
"No...no." she said softly, trying to keep all emotion out of her voice.
Andrew threw the vase in the trash. Lita felt her control slipping. She remembered all the days she had spent with Andrew, laughing and talking. She remembered cooking meals for him. She thought back to late nights when they would watch movies until the sun rose.
Lita looked down at her growing stomach. Even the baby wouldn't keep Andrew here, although he promised to support her if she needed help. She knew he would.
"Well, that's it. Um, I'll send the papers later." he said.
"Actually...I do require one thing, Andrew." Lita stood up.
Andrew looked at her. She walked over to him. "Andrew...are you sure you want to do this? We can't work it out?"
Andrew shook his head fiercely. "No. We can't." he said harshly.
Lita's body went numb. "Fine. Then as Queen of Jupiter, I renounce your title as King. Give me the crown." she said coldly.
Andrew was thrown off. He hadn't expected that. "I thought...I thought..."
Lita looked at him. "It is my destiny to be Queen. I rule Jupiter, you do not. If you wish to leave, surrender the crown."
Andrew slowly pulled the crown out and gave it to Lita. Then he turned around and slammed the door.
That slam was the breaking point for Lita. She collapsed oon the floor, tears flowing freely from her eyes. "Oh Andrew." she sobbed.
***
Serena sat tapping at her keyboard. Darien, who had awoken a couple minutes ago, snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey Meatball head." he said.
"Hi, Darien." she said back and kissed him on the cheek.
Darien pulled up a chair and began rubbing his spouse's shoulders. "Scout meeting?" he asked. She nodded silently and continued typing. "That interesting, huh?" he asked her. She nodded, not listening.
"Well, then I guess I'll go meet that cute blonde in the lobby." he said, standing up.
"Have fun." she muttered, then blinked. "Huh?"
Darien chuckled. "Glad to see you're paying attention. I'm hurt. You'd think this scout business is more important than cuddling with your husband."
Serena gave him a look and then turned back to the meeting. Darien resumed rubbing her shoulders. "So, um, you free tonight?" he asked jokingly.
Serena thought a moment. "Well, me and my husband are going out to dinner. But if you want to get together later..."
"That sounds good. Unless you've got a date with someone else..." he said.
"Oh no, not tonight." she grinned and lightly kissed him.
Darien moaned and deepened the kiss. "So I'll meet you here tonight?" he asked huskily.
Serena smiled slyly and nodded. Then she turned back to the computer.
***
"Sir, uh, sir!" a voice called out. The dark figure that had been huddled over the computer turned toward him.
The eager courier bowed low then ran to the figure. "I have brought great information concerning these Sailor Scouts. Apparently, there are more they haven't met yet, and that they're transformation to Crystal Tokyo came abruptly early."
"Yes? What does that have to do with anything?" the figure asked.
"Since these scouts never met, that means destiny can be changed. These other Scouts..." he glanced down at his notebook, "Uranus, Neptune, and Starlights do not even know of Sailor Moon. Or Earth. My understanding is they have led uneventful lives ever since the transition between millennium."
The dark figure looked impatient, so the courier continued, "That means we could easily go back in time before this whole Tanya thing ever happened and prevent them from reaching this point in happiness."
The figure laughed even harder. "I'm through with playing with the timeline. The NegaMoon family should've showed that the Imperium just can't handle that. No, we need a new plan. You're information is of no value. Leave me."
The figure turned back to the computer. He was observing the scouts "secret meeting", but they hadn't revealed anything of interest so far.
"Just wait, Sailor Scouts. I will find your weak point and I will destroy you." the figure said. "Nobody can defeat the Imperium of Darkness!"
***
Raye looked over Scott. He was pale and feverish. "Sweetheart?" she asked him quietly.
"Raye? Hi honey." he said weakly.
Raye looked at him closely. "Oh, you look awful! We've got to get a doctor." she announced reaching for the phone.
"No, Raye. It won't be of help. I knew this was coming." Scott said.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The Imperium. It's coming back. It's powering up, using tremendous energy. Don't worry," he paused and coughed, "I'll be fine once my body recovers from the energy drain."
Raye's eyes flamed with anger. "Who drained you? When I meet them..."
"Nobody drained me, my fiery flower. But I was born into the Imperium and have Imperium blood. That alone drained me. Everybody who isn't involved in the plan is being drained. The Imperium hatching something big. You guys better watch your backs."
Raye nodded, and gave her husband a drink of water. Then, she went off into the den of their house. The fire place burned with large flames. She crouched before, basking in its comfort. It may not have been a temple surrounding, but it was close enough. She felt safe. Yet, she had to warn the others, somehow.
Episode One
"Meetings... and more"
Serena anxiously signed onto the Internet. As the modem dialed the desired number, she tapped her fingers impatiently against the desk. Finally the screen clicked over into her server. She let out a small yelp of joy when the mail icon flashed, telling her that someone had written.
Serena checked the name. "Hg Power," she said softly. That was Sailor Mercury's name, and it was a message telling her there was a scout meeting in their private chatroom at 3:30.
Serena selected the next piece of mail. It was simply a letter from Molly, updating her on the gossip at Tokyo since she had left. Serena wrote her a quick reply, saying she was doing well, and went to the next piece of e- mail.
The letter said simply, "It's coming, and you ain't seen nothing yet." It was unsigned. She checked the name, but all it said was ImperDark. She had no idea what the letter was trying to say, nor did she really care.
She signed off and glanced around her hotel room. Darien was off at a meeting with some representatives from defense department. She checked the clock. It was two hours until her meeting with the scouts. She lied down on the bed and sighed.
"Some vacation." she groaned. She and Darien had arranged a retreat to New York City for a couple of weeks. But they had only been here three days and already Darien was getting hassled about Crystal Tokyo's defense. And she was getting hassled on scout business. "Never any peace and quiet. It's a wonder I have any personal life at all."
Serena looked down at her body and smiled. Sure, it was cool to be queen of Crystal Tokyo, but it was even better being plain 26-year-old Serena. And it was even better when she was with her plain, normal husband.
At that point, he walked in and tossed his keys onto the table. "Hey, Serena." he said nonchalantly.
"Hi, Muffin." she answered backed, enjoying the moment of being an average married couple. Sure their marriage was a rocky one, but they always patched up problems. "How was the meeting?"
"Too official. I'm beat," he announced and leaped on the bed next to her. She smiled and proceeded to rub his back while he relaxed. "What do you say to a real American dinner?" he asked her.
"Oh that'd be wonderful! I bet their food here is awesome!" Serena said as she kneaded his muscles.
Darien smiled and nodded. "Good. It'll give us a chance to get out and really explore this place. I here it's the Big Orange of America."
Serena smiled. "I love oranges!" She laid down next to him.
They spent the next half hour just talking about the future, their lives, how fun it would be just to be a normal couple for a few days. Finally, Serena checked her watch and signed online. Darien gave her a peck on the cheek and went to take a nap.
Serena entered the chatroom under the screen name MoonGal348. The others were already there.
***
MoonGal348: Hey guys! How's it goin?
Hg Power: Hi! How's the vacation?
ThunderSalr: How's the food?
MoonGal348: Haven't tried the food yet. We're going out to dinner later. New York is beautiful, but I can't wait to see you again. It's been forever since we talked in person!
V LoveChic: Got that right!
Hg Power: Okay let's get down to business. Everyone here?
ThunderSalr: Yup!
V LoveChic: As far as I know.
FireGrl1264: Let's get on with it!
MoonGal348: Right here!
Hg Power: Okay, first institute of business. New powers. Did everyone attend Mars' seminar?
V LoveChic: I did, and it was fantastic. I think I came back with stronger powers than ever before.
FireGrl1264: Thanx, guyz.
Hg Power: Well, that increased our powers tenfold. I think we can safely say there's no monster we can't defeat.
MoonGal348: Hey, I have an issue that just popped up. I got a piece of mail from this weird screen name. It said, "It's coming and you ain't seen nothing yet."
MoonGal348: The screen name was ImperDark.
MoonGal348: Any clues?
V LoveChic: Probably a scam. I wouldn't think anything of it.
Hg Power: Anyone who uses double negatives and words like "ain't" is nobody to worry about.
MoonGal348: All right, just letting you know.
ThunderSalr: And also, Jupiter is having a camp out in about two months to organize a new economic plan for the new budget. Anyone is welcome to join, but I think you
ThunderSalr: should be there, MoonGal.
MoonGal348: I will, and I'll tell Darien.
FireGrl1264: No names! Just screen names!
MoonGal348: Ooops, I mean TuxMan.
Lita sat at her computer, trying to concentrate on the meeting. For a minute, she could see the screen clearly. Then, the next, she just couldn't seem to hear anything but Andrew...packing his things.
Lita held her tears back. After all, she knew it was coming. She and Andrew had been having some major problems. However, Lita was willing to work them out. Andrew just wanted to give up. Andrew had won and he was moving out.
"Do you want to keep this?" he asked her coldly. She turned around. It was a small vase she had made for him.
"No...no." she said softly, trying to keep all emotion out of her voice.
Andrew threw the vase in the trash. Lita felt her control slipping. She remembered all the days she had spent with Andrew, laughing and talking. She remembered cooking meals for him. She thought back to late nights when they would watch movies until the sun rose.
Lita looked down at her growing stomach. Even the baby wouldn't keep Andrew here, although he promised to support her if she needed help. She knew he would.
"Well, that's it. Um, I'll send the papers later." he said.
"Actually...I do require one thing, Andrew." Lita stood up.
Andrew looked at her. She walked over to him. "Andrew...are you sure you want to do this? We can't work it out?"
Andrew shook his head fiercely. "No. We can't." he said harshly.
Lita's body went numb. "Fine. Then as Queen of Jupiter, I renounce your title as King. Give me the crown." she said coldly.
Andrew was thrown off. He hadn't expected that. "I thought...I thought..."
Lita looked at him. "It is my destiny to be Queen. I rule Jupiter, you do not. If you wish to leave, surrender the crown."
Andrew slowly pulled the crown out and gave it to Lita. Then he turned around and slammed the door.
That slam was the breaking point for Lita. She collapsed oon the floor, tears flowing freely from her eyes. "Oh Andrew." she sobbed.
***
Serena sat tapping at her keyboard. Darien, who had awoken a couple minutes ago, snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey Meatball head." he said.
"Hi, Darien." she said back and kissed him on the cheek.
Darien pulled up a chair and began rubbing his spouse's shoulders. "Scout meeting?" he asked. She nodded silently and continued typing. "That interesting, huh?" he asked her. She nodded, not listening.
"Well, then I guess I'll go meet that cute blonde in the lobby." he said, standing up.
"Have fun." she muttered, then blinked. "Huh?"
Darien chuckled. "Glad to see you're paying attention. I'm hurt. You'd think this scout business is more important than cuddling with your husband."
Serena gave him a look and then turned back to the meeting. Darien resumed rubbing her shoulders. "So, um, you free tonight?" he asked jokingly.
Serena thought a moment. "Well, me and my husband are going out to dinner. But if you want to get together later..."
"That sounds good. Unless you've got a date with someone else..." he said.
"Oh no, not tonight." she grinned and lightly kissed him.
Darien moaned and deepened the kiss. "So I'll meet you here tonight?" he asked huskily.
Serena smiled slyly and nodded. Then she turned back to the computer.
***
"Sir, uh, sir!" a voice called out. The dark figure that had been huddled over the computer turned toward him.
The eager courier bowed low then ran to the figure. "I have brought great information concerning these Sailor Scouts. Apparently, there are more they haven't met yet, and that they're transformation to Crystal Tokyo came abruptly early."
"Yes? What does that have to do with anything?" the figure asked.
"Since these scouts never met, that means destiny can be changed. These other Scouts..." he glanced down at his notebook, "Uranus, Neptune, and Starlights do not even know of Sailor Moon. Or Earth. My understanding is they have led uneventful lives ever since the transition between millennium."
The dark figure looked impatient, so the courier continued, "That means we could easily go back in time before this whole Tanya thing ever happened and prevent them from reaching this point in happiness."
The figure laughed even harder. "I'm through with playing with the timeline. The NegaMoon family should've showed that the Imperium just can't handle that. No, we need a new plan. You're information is of no value. Leave me."
The figure turned back to the computer. He was observing the scouts "secret meeting", but they hadn't revealed anything of interest so far.
"Just wait, Sailor Scouts. I will find your weak point and I will destroy you." the figure said. "Nobody can defeat the Imperium of Darkness!"
***
Raye looked over Scott. He was pale and feverish. "Sweetheart?" she asked him quietly.
"Raye? Hi honey." he said weakly.
Raye looked at him closely. "Oh, you look awful! We've got to get a doctor." she announced reaching for the phone.
"No, Raye. It won't be of help. I knew this was coming." Scott said.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The Imperium. It's coming back. It's powering up, using tremendous energy. Don't worry," he paused and coughed, "I'll be fine once my body recovers from the energy drain."
Raye's eyes flamed with anger. "Who drained you? When I meet them..."
"Nobody drained me, my fiery flower. But I was born into the Imperium and have Imperium blood. That alone drained me. Everybody who isn't involved in the plan is being drained. The Imperium hatching something big. You guys better watch your backs."
Raye nodded, and gave her husband a drink of water. Then, she went off into the den of their house. The fire place burned with large flames. She crouched before, basking in its comfort. It may not have been a temple surrounding, but it was close enough. She felt safe. Yet, she had to warn the others, somehow.