Chapter 4 - Identities Revealed.
" I would never let anything happen to you and the girls Raye, I'd give my life to make sure you were all ok."
Raye could only look at her friend sitting before her. She no longer cried about small problems, no, she expressed them. She no longer played the ditz that so many hated, yet at the same time loved, no, now she held composure. She no longer sounded like an eight year old girl, no, now her voice held maturity and knowledge. Even though she could see and hear the changes in Serena, Raye knew that she was the same girl. She still cared for her friends feelings more than her own, she always had. Rayes' eyes began to form tears. She knew the Moon Queen was right. For a priestess in training, she really had no idea what her friend was going through. She hung her head and let the tears fall. She felt a hand gently wipe the tears away and looked up.
" Don't cry Raye, I don't want your tears. I want you to be the strong girl I know you are. Your soul is filled with a passion that drives me to be my best. If it weren't for your constant nagging I wouldn't be the way I am now. Yes I pretended to be the annoying ditz that you guys hated, but behind the scenes I was taking your advice and becoming stronger, and it's all thanks to you for pushing me to do it," Serena said calmly, holding Rayes hands. Raye smiled a small smile.
" Oh Serena we never hated you. You've always been there for us and even myself, and here I am making fun of you and putting you down. I always said that I was stronger, and maybe I was in physical ability. But I was never as strong as you mentally and emotionally. And that's where strength counts. I'm a priestess in training and have great control over my emotions, and in that way I may be strong mentally, but I can never express them the way you do Serena and I think that's why I take it out on you, because I admire you Serena, you're so carefree but at the same time grounded, and as a team leader you pull all of us together in a way no one else could, not even myself," Raye finished, once again tears trailing down her face.
Serena smiled and pulled Raye into a tight hug. The girls remained that way for a while before Queen Serenity interrupted them.
" I'm sorry girls but we must tell you why we are here." The five Queens stepped around the Princesses on the floor. They looked up somewhat nervous and afraid.
" Serenity, now that you have admitted to Raye about your powers, you must accept them from now on. You can tell the rest of the scouts about it however you like, but you must do it Serena because your future depends on it. However as much as the Queens would have liked to see their daughters you must not tell them we were here. They will meet one day but now is not the time. We must go now our time is up," the Queen said sadly. She pulled her daughter up from the ground and held her close.
" Serena, you mustn't fight what your heart desires," she whispered before pulling away.
" What do you mean?" Serena asked looking confused.
" You will know in time daughter." She said as she glided back to the middle of the room. The Mars Queen held her daughter tightly.
" Remember Raye, she is the Princess, and you must guide and look out for her all the time. She may seem stronger now but there will be times when she will crack under pressure. She is a valiant fighter and would gladly give her life for you and the scouts to live, make sure no choices like this occur, the future would be jeopardised if she does," she whispered.
Raye only nodded. The Queen pulled away, and looked at her daughter. They smiled at each other, a smile of understanding. Looking out for Serenity's is a tough job. The Queen glided back to the middle of the room to join the other Queens. The were all smiling, but both Serena and Raye could see the sadness in their eyes.
" I'll give them all a hug for you." Both called out at the same time. They turned to each other and smiled. The Queens smiled at them again upon hearing this. The four planetary Queens began to disappear.
" Oh Luna I almost forgot," the Moon Queen gestured for Luna to come to her. She gave her something that neither Serena nor Raye could see. " Take care of them Luna, times will be hard before they can get better." And with that said she too began to disappear.
" Goodbye Serenity, take care. Remember, don't fight what your heart desires..." was the last thing they heard before the wind swept through the room signalling the departure of the most powerful women of the universe, from past to present.
Ami paced her room. She stilled seethed with anger, although it was slowly ebbing away. On the floor lay open textbooks, which she had begun reading over, but failed when she couldn't take her mind off the scene in the arcade. She stood in front of her window. She could never remember ever being so angry before. It was so uncharacteristic of her. She smiled. It was her first out break and if Serena had been there she would have congratulated her. She sighed, why all of a sudden, did it feel wrong to tease her? Ami just could not figure it out. They all had teased her, including herself, but it was always in fun. Now she felt as though she were betraying her. A knock at the door brought her back to reality. She walked to the door and opened it. It was the last person she had expected.
" Ami, look I'm really sorry you got offended at the arcade. I was only mucking around, you know that. So why did you get angry? It's not like you haven't done it before," Darien apologised, well at least tried too.
" Because Darien, it got out of hand. And for the first time I felt how Serena would feel. Now I understand why she hates you," Ami said, her voice dripping with venom.
Darien was taken a back. Ami has really taken this to heart he thought to himself. Then it hit him. Now I understand why she hates you
" S-she hates me?" he stammered. He looked to the ground, and for the first time he felt ashamed.
" Well what did you expect? For as long as I can remember all you have done is tease her and put her down, and those were only a couple of times I've been near. I have never heard you say a nice word to her Darien, not once. And now you ask if she hates you?" Ami said incredulously. Darien just looked at her.
" I'm sorry Ami."
" I'm not the one you should be apologising to Darien. I'm not the one who is hurting from your harsh criticisms," Ami said, loosing the harshness in her voice. He looked up to her.
" Darien, sit down. We have to talk about this properly, you have to understand how Serena feels." He did what she asked and sat on the couch. Ami paced the room.
" I'll be the first to admit that I teased Serena about her habits. I never really thought about how she felt when we insulted her. We teased her about her tardiness, her klutz attacks, her low grades in school and her over reaction to a lot of things. But not until today did I fully realise how far we go with them. When we were at the arcade, and discussing the strange behaviour of Serena and Raye, I thought that maybe something really bad had happened and she was really upset. When you started laughing, I got a. I don't know, like a sharp pain through my heart. I was thinking that something was terribly wrong and all you were doing was laughing at her. What would she have thought if she had walked in at that moment? I felt so ashamed. That was why I snapped at you," she said sadly, looking at him.
" I'm really sorry Darien." But Darien was at a lose for words. He had never, not once thought about what his constant teasing could do to his angel. And yes I can say that I truly care for Serena, I wont hide it now he thought as he looked away from Ami. A single tear fell from his eye.
It didn't go unnoticed by Ami. Whoa hold on, why is he crying? Could it be? No surely not, why would he degrade her so badly? Ami thought as she watched Darien quickly wipe the stray tear away.
" Why do you do it Darien? I know how you feel about her, so why?" she asked confused, and she had to admit, excited. Darien's head snapped around.
" What are you talking about? I haven't got feelings for Serena," he said hastily hoping she hadn't notice the blush creeping up his cheek. Ami only smiled.
Raye and Serena stood in the centre of the room. Seemingly unaware that they hadn't moved for nearly 10 minutes. The Queens had long since disappeared.
" I can't believe she was really here. I can't believe they were all here," Serenity whispered softly.
Raye turned to her and smiled. Serenity turned and smiled back. It took Raye less than 3 steps before she engulfed Serenity in a tight hug. Serenity hugged her back with as much vitality. The best friends for over a thousand years were finally together. Serenity looked at Raye. Raye looked at Serenity. They pulled apart.
" Do you remember the time we played a trick on Mina?" Serenity asked. " Do I remember? Are you kidding?! That was the best trick we ever played on someone!" Raye replied and the two princesses broke down into fits of laughter.
" The look on her face when she realised we had tricked her! And she calls her self the goddess of love!" Serenity laughed harder.
" She was SOOOOOO in love with him," Raye said calming down a bit. They stopped laughing and looked at each other.
" We had so much fun then didn't we?" Serenity asked. Raye smiled. " It was the best."
" Now that you know, do you miss the moon?" Serenity asked.
" Yes and no. The Moon was a beautiful kingdom, but I think I like earth a lot now too. I don't really remember everything so that's probably the reason why. But I would most likely miss Mars the most seeing as how that is my home planet and all."
" Even though I remember most things, I still feel as though I'm missing something. Like I've forgotten something really important, do you know what I mean?" Serenity asked. Raye nodded.
" Sure do, now that you mention it. I feel as though I've forgotten something too." They stood there trying to think but all they could come up with was blank minds. Serenity finally noticed they were still in their princess dresses.
" UHH Raye do you think we should change back to normal?" she gestured towards their clothes. Raye chuckled.
" Yeah, suppose your right. Don't want anyone to see us hey." They changed back into their normal states. Serena stared at Raye, Raye stared at Serena.
" We were best friends?" they both asked at the same time, and then both laughed.
" Are we still, now Raye?" Serena asked nervously. Raye smiled.
" Yeah for sure Serena!" and Raye engulfed her in another hug.
" We'll always be best friends Serena, always." Raye eventually pulled away. Her face was serious once more.
" Ummm.. Serena about these knew powers, do you think you could give.. Do you think I could have a demo?" Raye asked sheepishly. Serena smiled and nodded.
" Sure Raye, of course." She transformed into Sailor moon.
" Ok Raye I want you to stand back." Raye hurried behind Serena. She began to call on an attack.
" Moon light energy ba.." But before she could release it a loud explosion startled both Raye and Sailor moon. The attack depleted. Raye ran outside quickly to discover that half of the temple had been blown up.
" NOOOOOOOO! Grandpa!" she screamed as she saw the limp body of her grandfather lying on the ground. She rushed to his side
" Grandpa, grandpa are you ok? Are you hurt anywhere? What happened?" she asked so quickly the poor man had a tough time trying to explain.
But before he got the chance a scream was heard. Raye looked up to see Sailor moon hit by and energy blast. She looked up to see Serena standing in front of her, protecting her. She looked up to see her best friend take an energy blast, which was meant for her. Her mothers' words rang in her mind. Make sure no choices like this occur, the future would be jeopardised if she does
Ami had just placed a pot of tea on the table. Darien had stayed a while. Ami was glad. She knew he had feelings for Serena, it just took her a while before she had fully realised. They had made small talk mainly on how school was going for Ami and how college was for Darien. She was about to pour him a cup when he suddenly clutched his chest. She heard him mutter.
" Sailor moon." she froze. Not daring to believe it.
" What did you say?" she whispered. He looked up. He wanted to say nothing, that he had just been thinking to himself, but saw in her eyes that she was anxious. But the pain was too great. She was in trouble. He looked up too her.
" I'm sorry Ami." He proceeded to transform in front of her. She gasped.
" Your Tuxedo Mask?" he nodded, and began to move towards the window. She acted quickly.
" Wait!" she called, he turned toward her.
" Mercury Star Power!" she called. The blue light shot out from her star pen and in cased her in its light. A white body suit formed around her body before a dark blue skirt rippled around her waist. A ribbon of light blue appeared at her chest and another at the base of her back above her skirt, a tiara appeared on her forehead with a beautiful sapphire stone set in the centre. When the transformation was complete, Sailor Mercury stood where Ami Mizuno had once been, she stood before a now stunned Tuxedo Mask.
" I am Sailor Mercury." She said. He turned back into the room.
" Ami? You're a scout? Since when?" he asked disbelieving that before him stood a scout who just happened to be one of his friends. She laughed.
" Think back Tuxedo Mask, how long have you been helping the scouts?" she asked him. He laughed also.
" Oh yeah I forgot about that."
" Why are you in a hurry Darien? What's wrong?" she asked. His faced dropped again.
" Its Sailor moon, something is wrong I can feel it she's hurt," he said. And just then her communicator went off. She flipped it on.
" OH Ami hurry we've been attacked at my temple, Grandpa is hurt but Sailor moon.. Serena. oh Ami hurry she cant fight alone." and she clicked out. Sailor Mercury looked up to Tuxedo Mask to ask how he knew, but he looked at her stunned.
" Serena? Serena is. Sailor moon?" he asked softly.
" Darien we haven't got time we have to hurry!! I'll explain it all later right now we have to go!" she said as she hurried passed him and jumped out the window on to the nearest tree. He followed quickly after.
" Sailor moon let me help you!" Mars called out to her injured teammate.
" No Mars. You have to make sure he stays safe I can handle this," she said as she quickly jumped aside to avoid an attack.
Her fuka was torn and she had a large gash running from her right shoulder down to the left of her back. It was bleeding heavily but Sailor moon refused to acknowledge it. Raye could see her move faster then she had ever seen her move before, she really had improved dramatically.
" Moon light energy ball!" Sailor moon called as she flung the ball at her enemy. It hit the creature, blowing one of its arms to pieces. Luckily for Sailor moon the creature could not regenerate body parts.
" AGHHHHHH you'll pay for that you brat!! Negamoon sword slash!!" the creature yelled. Sailor moon tried to dodge it but it caught her in the stomach. She cried out in pain.
" Noooooooo! Sailor moon! Please let me help!" Mars cried as she watched her leader fall to the ground. She couldn't stand seeing her leader, best friend and Princess in so much pain. Sailor moon slowly pushed herself up from the ground. The wound in the front bleeding as heavily as the one in the back.
" No.. I .. don't. want.. you. to. be. hurt," she gasped as she stood up painfully. Mars could see the determination in her yes and knew now that it was hopeless in trying to help her.
" You think you've beaten me negatrash? Well guess again. I am going to send you back to the hellhole you crawled out from. Moon Tiara Magic!!" She yelled, slinging the white disk towards the creature. It sliced through its stomach.
" And now to finish you off. Celestial Moon Arrow!!" she called as her arm formed a crossbow and a pink arrow formed at her fingertips. She aimed it at the creature and let it fly. It ripped straight through it, the creature disintegrated before their eyes. She turned towards Raye.
" Is he ok?" she asked.
" Yes he will be fine. What about yo. SERENA!!" she yelled as her friend smiled then dropped to the floor, unconscious. She laid her grandpa down and ran to her friends' side.
" Oh Serena please wake up!" she cried trying to arouse her friend. But it was no use.
" Mars!" she heard someone call. She turned to see Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Mask running toward her. " Oh please Mercury!! She needs help!" she cried as her friend dropped to her side and examined their leader. She gasped as she saw the two massive gashes across the front and back of Sailor moons body.
" How did this happen?" Mercury asked mars.
" The youma attacked grandpa and then she tried to protect us she wouldn't let me fight! She said I had to look after him in case it tried to do it again," and she broke down in tears cradling Serena's body.
" I failed my princess!" mercury's head shot up.
" Princess? Mars what are you talking about?" Raye looked to her friend.
" She is the Moon princess Ami," she whispered. In the background Tuxedo mask could only gawk.