Unmasking the Traitors
Serena Moon looked like your average everyday teenager, but her nights were anything but normal. She fought monsters that looked like a child's drawing. She was never meant to fight so her fighting was clumsy at best. She tried to show up on time, but the distance between her house and the park was great. No matter how hard she fought, it was never good enough for those she thought were her friends.
"You are late, again!" shrieked the priestess who lived just two blocks away.
Serena fell sideways in an attempt to jump out of the monsters on coming attack. She bruised her left thigh on a rock. "Moon Scepter Elimination!"
The monster merely flung the attack behind it, where the sugar maple took the abuse. The monster had three eyes with spikes protruding from its back and tail like a dinosaur. The monster was covered in a salmon colored elastic skin. Its teeth resembled razor blades while the hands were three claws. The third eye was not in sync with the other two lower eyes, it could see in another direction making it hard to attack from two sides.
"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Sailor Venus wrapped the clawed hands against the monster's body.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!" Jupiter struck it from above while Sailor Moon tried to gather more energy for another attack.
She spun gracefully as her wand gathered energy from the surrounding life. She leveled her attack with the monster that was now blinded by Sailor Mercury's Shabon Spray.
"Moon Gorgeous Mediation!" the attack hit the monster in the upper third eye, slicing through the skull and pulverizing the brain, effectively killed said monster.
"I did it!" Sailor Moon was excited at the prospect.
"No, we did it. You just assisted like always," corrected Sailor Mercury.
Sailor Moon then went home to go back to bed, but Sammy caught her sneaking in. "Out with that guy again, brat?"
"I wish," Serena Moon pushed Sammy aside.
"Hey, just wait till Mom and Dad hear about this." Sammy was looking to black mail his sister.
"Do that and your dates with your girl will no longer be funded or secure," Serena was not one to go for black mail.
Serena Moon fell into bed in an unorganized mess.
"Clean up, you stink." Luna was never great for comforting her mistress. She just wanted to go back to sleep. She never had to go into battle so she never understood how Serena felt.
Serena just rolled under the hideously pink covers. Sleep evaded her as she dreamt of men that swore to always to be there for her as Princess Serenity.
The men wore the armor of generals. The royal insignia attached their capes to their armor. They were dashing with a touch of charming. Black armor with silver touches didn't look heavy or uncomfortable. Each was different than the last.
"We will always be there when you need us, Serenity." The men surrounded Serenity in a circle.
The CEO of Alpha Moon requested Serena's presence about resolving family matters.
"Your father died leaving you in charge. It is time for you to learn the business."
"Wait, my father is alive and a photographer." Serena was beyond confused.
"No, that is your adopted father. He seems to be selling your stock that is why you need to learn the business, he is screwing you over. Your mother left you the mansion and staff."
Serena didn't know how to take it all in, it was shocking. "Can I see the mansion?"
"Of course, it has been maintained by the staff and they are eager to see you again," the elderly man smiled at the girl who was once like a granddaughter to him.
They drove to the three story mansion, where the staff stood outside. "Welcome home, Mistress Serenity." They each got to hug Serena or shake her hand.
Serena toured the mansion that had an indoor/ outdoor pool. She gradually learned to handle her father's business, Alpha Moon. She asked the Outers to tutor her before she would tell the Inners about her business and her improvements.
She gradually changed into someone to be proud of. The President of Alpha Moon told her that she no longer needed to live with the Tsukinos. Serena trained to be battle ready and remembered how to teleport to battles in a secluded spot. Amara had no arguments about helping Serena. Michelle taught Serena to play the flute while Hannah smiled at the opportunity to teach Serena how to heal others without being Sailor Moon. Trista was the one to teach Serena how to drive.
Darien was oddly absent from Serena's life. Serena started to wonder why. They usually ran into each at some point in the day. She didn't see him at the Crown Arcade or the park.
The CEO of Alpha Moon, Hank Thomas asked Serena what she wanted in a car.
"A silver custom made corvette with a diamond hanging from the rearview mirror." Serena was sure on this, but she had to park it in the Tsukinos' garage.
Serena got tired of waiting for Darien to contact her about a much needed date that she planned on paying for. She was an heiress after all and liked to spoil her loved ones.
She called Darien one night, "Chiba residence."
"Darien, meet at eight at our bench. I have something to tell you," Serena was anxious to tell her prince.
In the background, "Dare bear, come back to bed, I'm cold." Another woman was in Darien's apartment, but Serena put it off as a study buddy.
"I cannot I have another appointment to make for Chiba." He hung up without saying I love you or good-bye.
Serena dejectedly turned to see her adopted father glaring at her. "You stopped me from selling the stocks, didn't you."
"No, Hank did as you have no right to sell my property or investments."
Irene shrieked in outrage as her credit card under Serena's name was declined. Hank found out about it then closed the account, giving Serena another account, only she would have access to. It was platinum Mastercard with a Crescent Moon in the corner.
Serena's math grades rose under her business tutorage. The Outer Scouts renewed their vow of allegiance. She was kept busy between battles, tutoring, and business affairs.
During a business meeting, Serena came up with an idea to help Alpha Moon grow. "I want to expand Alpha Moon into other investments."
"Like what, Serenity." They were genuinely interested in what she thought. She showed a great business mind.
"Medicine, flight, modeling, and restaurants." Serena ticked the ideas off on her fingers which bore her mother's engagement ring and her other rings.
The men exchanged looks before agreeing, "Brilliant!"
Serena wore a white dress with a black vest. Flats adorned her feet. She decided to change her name back to Serenity. She changed her parents' suite at the mansions into her own suite. She made a lot of changed including award winning orchids. The suite overooked the gardens which were tended to each Monday.
Serenity decided to frequent a new place, Mani's for big meals. It was a comfortable enough of business affairs like lunches and romantic enough for a couple's night out. The place was energy efficient with lights being run by solar panels on the roof. The lights hung above each table around the edges of the room. While a chandelier hung above the dance floor with a raised dais for singers and musicians.
Serena's eighteenth birthday was fast approaching.
"We are going to Kyoto for your father's photo shoot on June 28 to July 1st," Irene said a week before Serena's birthday.
"What about my birthday?" it fell on deaf ears. Irene went to pack and talk to her society friends.
Serena felt abandoned. She knew the Inners had forgotten and made other plans. She was not included, that was for sure.
Serena woke up feeling different on her eighteenth birthday. She had grown several inches. Hank had her silver car delivered that morning. The Outers came shortly after to take her anywhere she wanted. Serena remembered everything from the Silver Millenium, including her absent father.
"Trista, what happened to me last night?"
Trista in a dark green blouse with a scoop neck smiled tenderly at her princess. "at midnight, you regained what you lost when you died on the Moon. You are no longer Serena, but Serenity. Some of what you lost includes Mani, memories of the Knights of Silver and Apollo, your father along with your intelligence. You shed your mortal skin to become fully ascended."
"On your twenty-first birthday, you will ascend to your thrones," Amara in a yellow blazer put her two cents in.
"Thrones? I thought I'd just be a moon queen," Serenity was still sorting her memories.
Trista presented Serenity with a more fitting outfit. It was a white tank top with a black belt at the hips followed by an above the knee silver skirt. She wore white flats.
"I need to go shopping for a new wardrobe then a new bedroom collection. Afterwards, lunch at Mani's then we will send my old clothes and bed set to Goodwill," Serenity had heer day planned out.
Serenity with Hannah drove in Serenity's car while the other Outers rode in Amara's car. They drove to the mall which had Younkers, Kohls, and Macys. They also went inside a few jewelers like Kay's and Naru's mother's place to order specially designed jewelry. For bedding, they went to Bed, Bath and Beyond.
She ordered sapphire 5mm heart lever back earrings with a matching ring and necklace. She also purchased a diamond and white gold tennis bracelet. Trista gave Serenity all her old jewelry from the Moon Kingdom plus Queen Selenity's. Some of the jewelry included a large square ruby the size of a quarter, hanging from a gold chain. A lot of the jewelry was worth thousands of dollars. 95% of her jewelry she dropped off at the mansion to put in the safety box she purchased at the mall. She spent $500 at each store.
Serenity bought capri and black leggings to go with her two tunics from Gordman's. there was rarely any pink in her new wardrobe.
Serenity knew she needed a new laptop that was state of the art. She called Hank to have Alpha Moon make her one in silver casings with a black and silver carrying case.
Serenity thought the Inners would eventually remember her birthday and call. Neither occurred.
Serenity went to the park to see if she could call Main, her Lune white wolf with light grey paws.
"Mani!" Serenity called out, hoping he was reborn.
A long howl came before a large wolf landed in front of her then jumped on her. Mani had eagerly awaited his ward's call for eighteen years. He was busy smelling her to reaffirm it was indeed Princess Serenity.
Serenity hugged her Lune wolf warmly around the neck. "I sure could of used you around, Mani. Luna is nothing compared to you."
Mani licked her face in agreement. They had a telepathic connection.
A man with orange hair pulled Serenity away. "Miss, I do believe that is a wolf. One I cannot say I ever saw before. It is dangerous, wolves are never truly tamed."
Serenity telepathically told Mani to meet her later at her mansion.
Serenity looked at the man in astonishment. "You own C-Labs, correct?"
"Yes, do I know you?"
"Yes, I own Alpha Moon and we are in the process of branching out into medicine along with flight, modeling, finances, and restaurants," Serenity explained.
"C-Labs are looking to become part of Alpha Moon," informed Colin Westwoods.
"Why?" Serenity didn't want her company to take on bad publicity or bankruptcy.
"Resources and connections, mostly."
"A partnership might work well for us both then but I want to see if three others will join this partnership. However, till then please join my friends and I for lunch at Mani's." Serenity invited one of her generals to be her friend.
He sat across from Serenity next to Trista. The talk was academics and several other matters, trying to befriend her general before reviving his memories. She decided to do this with all generals before getting them in a room together to revive their memories.
Colin was interested in Alpha Moon and its young owner who was like a sister to him. He felt like he should know her from somewhere.
Serenity met Alex and Blake through Colin so she figured she'd wait till the other two showed themselves.
She invited all three men to Mani's when two men came to their table.
"We are sorry to bother you, Ms. Serenity, but Alpha Moon's CEO told us you'd be here and you wanted to talk to us before doing the partnership with Aire United."
Serenity recognized two more of her Knights of Silver. She gestured for the waiter to bring another table and for them to join her companions.
"Yes, I do want your partnership. We were just looking at companies like yours. However, why are you in a rush to join?"
"Chiba Corporation is trying to buy us out instead of partnering with us," answered the purple haired man, Damien Princeton, Co-owner of Aire United.
Fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti, and gyros were ordered and the topic was changed.
Darien came in with a red-headed woman, wearing mini-shirt of lime green with a black striped T-shirt. He had his arm around her waist and hickey showed on his neck.
"How distasteful," commented Damien.
"That is Darien Chiba, owner of Chiba Corp and lying cheat," a snide addition from Serenity in her thigh length flora skirt and purple blouse.
Serenity felt sick at the thought that she once dated him. She now knew he was cheating on her when he said he had appointments. She threw his gaudy ring in his soup as it passed her.
The maître de whispered his regrets to the table of six. "I don't usually allow such trash in, but the man is currently trying to buy us out."
Serenity smiled as an idea hit her, "Alpha Moon would be pleased to have you as a partner. All owners need to be present Friday the 12th of July to sign the papers."
Serenity purchased 1/6 of the shares from each company as part of the partnership. She sent Mani's owner, Mrs. Fishbuck home before she turned to her generals.
"Memory Revival!"
Each member of the Knights of Silver was forced back into their seats as memories bomb-baraded them.
Damien was the first to come out of his memories, "Your holiness!"
"Your majesty!" exclaimed the Knights of Silver.
"Hey, that was Mani in the park." Colin felt dumb as he realized the whole picture.
The Knights of Silver were generals that governed the four corners of the Moon.
"I'm forever grateful that you revived our memories. I'm sure that all agree that you were a missing part of our lives," Alex Northrop brought his charge into a tight hug.
Serenity told them that her memories and IQ allowed her to head to university to get her master's in entrepreneurship.
She called the Outers to join her as she went to tell the Inners all her good news.
She stopped the Outers from going any further when she heard the ongoing conversation.
"She does not the intelligence to rule any life form," that insulting remark was Amy's.
"She is not fit to be my queen," Darien was part of the group inside.