Same old, same old. I do not own Sailor Moon.
Recap of last chapter: "I know I shouldn't be angry at them. They are their past loves and friends. It's just that being here has reopened all those old wounds from when I first left." Usagi replied softly. After a couple more minutes, Linda jumped down and stretched a hand up to Usagi. "Come on; let's go home before Luna throws a fit." Smiling, Usagi jumped down and they both walked the dark path home.
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"Usagi, are you sure that you're alright?" Linda and Usagi had been walking for the past few minutes in complete silence. Linda had tried to start some small talk, but Usagi just muttered one word answers. Finally, Linda was at her wits end. Just as she was about to speak again, Usagi opened her mouth. "Linda, I'm not trying to be rude, but could you please go on without me? I think I'm going to sit here for a little while." They stopped under a street light and Linda gazed at Usagi solemnly, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Alright, just be safe and call me if you need help." Without even waiting for an answer, Linda sprinted ahead and was soon swallowed by the darkness.
Usagi walked over to a bench that was calling out to her. The bench used to be the one Darien and she called theirs. Wisps of memories taunted her, mixing with the sight of her friends and the Inners getting along so nicely. Even though she understood why the generals wanted to forgive their past loves and mend what happened in the past, it still hurt. She knew she shouldn't feel betrayed, but after everything that happened, she still couldn't find it in her heart to forgive them. Sweet, forgiving Serena was dead and Usagi stood in her place with her heart still angry with betrayal. Her mother would turn over in her grave if she could her darling Serenity now.
A gentle breeze froze the tears starting to trail down Usagi's face. She hadn't even realized that she was crying. Suddenly, she couldn't stand sitting on the bench that was once hers and Darien's. Blindly, she started to run as fast as her tired legs would carry her. Coming to an intersection, she confusedly began to cross the road. Alarmingly, a bright light blinded her and then she was hit hard on the side. Breathless, Usagi landed with a thud on the ground. "Oww…what ran me over?" Usagi thought aloud. "Miss, are you alright?" The voice sounded masculine and vaguely familiar. Some where during the crash, Usagi had closed her eyes. Opening them, she was greeted with blonde hair and concerned green eyes. "Why did you hit me?" Usagi asked, still in a daze. "Miss, you were about to be run over by that car! Did you not even realize that it was coming?" Usagi gazed at him and then it clicked. The bright light that she had seen was from a car coming down the street. She had almost died from her stupidity.
If not for his green eyes gazing at her with such warmth and tranquility, she would have started to hyperventilate. "Thank you so much for saving me." Usagi said gratefully. Her savior stood up and held a hand out to her. Grasping it, Usagi pulled herself up and brushed off her clothes. Except for a small scrape on her arm, she was fine. Glancing over at her hero, she looked him over. He was about a few inches taller than her, which was short for a guy. He was pretty muscular for his lean body, so that was why she felt like she had been hit by the car after all. "Hello, my name is Travis McDaniel. What's yours?" Once again, she was hit by déjà vu. "I'm Usagi Moon. Once again, thank you for saving me." He smiled and she could have sworn that it got a little bit brighter. Now she wished that she had brushed her teeth more often.
"Do you want to go and get some coffee? I know it's late and if you have somewhere you need to be, I understand. I just wanted to know a little bit more and the damsel in distress I just rescued." Once again, he smiled and she felt compelled to return it. Usagi knew that Luna would go crazy if she found out that she went somewhere with a strange man she just met, but something about him made her feel safe. "Sure, I would love to have coffee with you. In fact, I meant to visit an old place I used to love to go to as a teenager." "Fine by me, just lead the way." As they walked, they shared basic information like parents' names and what they did in life. Usagi found out that Travis lived with his guardian, Jake. His parents had died when he was twelve. He didn't say how they died, but Usagi had the feeling that it was a touchy issue so she didn't press. Usagi told him about how she lived with Luna and Artemis who owned their own building.
After a couple of minutes, they finally approached their destination. To Usagi's disappointment, in place of the Crown Arcade was the Rose Café. Travis, sensing Usagi's disappointment, bought her a cappuccino and some chocolate doughnuts. They occupied one of the booths in the back, Usagi quietly munching on her food and Travis sipping his latte. "So, Travis, what do you do for a living? Do you go to school?" Travis, a little surprised, answered. "Well, I'm starting my last year in the university and am majoring in Biology. I'm going to do work in the research field. What are you currently doing?" Usagi finished chewing her doughnut and wiped the crumbs away. "Surprisingly, I'm in my last year in the university too and am planning to become a doctor." Travis grinned and stated the fact that they were going to be seeing each other a lot more often. After a few more minutes of small talk, Usagi happened to glance at the clock. Gasping, she muttered, "I'm sorry, Travis. I'm having a wonderful time, but I have to get back home before the others worry." Travis, a little bit disappointed that their time was going to end, offered to walk her home.
Usagi glanced at Travis frequently on their way to her mansion. She just couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that she knew him from somewhere. Travis wasn't having that much of a good time either, enduring the same tiring feeling of déjà vu. "Usagi, have you ever had déjà vu?" Usagi's eyes widened a bit. "I'm having that right now." Travis stopped and looked her in the eyes, "Do I know you from somewhere?" Usagi gazed into his green eyes and tried in vain to remember him from somewhere. "If I did, I would surely remember you, right?" Shaking their heads at the same time, they both just muttered and continued on their way.
At the mansion, everyone was starting to worry. They had thought that Usagi had already made it back, but she was still missing. Not only was she gone, but there was no sign of Linda either. "Do you think that we should go out and look for them?" Keith questioned the tense room. "We should wait before taking any action. They are tough girls and can take care of themselves." Amara said. "But should we really take any chances with the new enemy still out there?" Zach asked, always the brains of the group. "Well, the enemy has never attacked twice in the same night." Keith stated with a shrug. Everyone looked at Trista expectantly. "I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to see the future for a while now. The gates of time are closed to me." She said apologetically.
Hotaru stood up suddenly. "Guys, I have a bad feeling. I smell the stench of impending death." Gasping, Nathan stated quietly, "I'm going to try to contact my sister and Usagi to make sure that they're alright." Closing his eyes, he concentrated on Linda. It was like trying to talk to a brick wall, there was no reply. "I can't contact Linda; I'm going to try Usagi instead." This time he concentrated on his princess.
Usagi laughed as Travis told her a funny, childhood story about him being pushed into a pond by a little girl. 'USAGI.' Pausing, she glanced around. She thought she heard someone calling her name. She heard it again and then realized it was Nathan contacting her telepathically. 'What's wrong, Nathan?' Usagi asked mentally. 'Are you alright? I can't get in touch with Linda.' Nathan sounded worried even though he was talking to her with his thoughts. 'I'm fine. I'll try to contact Linda.' Looking at Travis, she realized that she had been quiet for a while. "Sorry, Travis. Hang with me for another minute, will you?" Taking his nod for an answer, she closed her eyes and focused on Linda. Startled, she stumbled a bit. Linda's aura was in a state of disarray. 'Linda?' Usagi probed once again when she didn't receive a reply. Then to Usagi's shock, Linda's aura turned black. "No." Usagi whispered, opening her eyes. Gasping, she searched hastily around her. Turning in circles, she concentrated. "Linda!" Usagi screamed and a white light burst from her. Travis watched on in awe as another light answered in the distance. Without, even saying good-bye, Usagi took off in the direction of it. Travis watched as she disappeared and before he pursued her, he whispered. "Now, I remember you."
Everyone waited expectantly, looking at Nathan. Finally, he opened his eyes and gazed solemnly at them. "Usagi just informed me that Linda's aura has turned black." Luna asked questioningly, "What does that mean?" Hotaru's small voice answered, "It means that death has marked his next victim."
Linda's vision was hazy and clouded by the blood dripping from her head wound. She had left Usagi at her wish and started to jog towards the direction of the mansion they were staying at. When she didn't see it, she realized that she has somehow gotten lost. Reluctantly, she was about to call Nathan for directions, when she spotted a man walking towards her. Curiously, she waited on calling Nathan, and opted to ask the man for directions. But as he got closer, she started to receive negative vibes from him. Going with gut instinct, she started to run to her right. She didn't want to lead the man to where she left Usagi, so she didn't dare go back the way she had come. Along the way, she tried to find some place to transform, but the man kept being just a few seconds behind her. She couldn't even form a coherent thought or enough concentration to even try to mentally contact someone for help. Finally, she made it to the park. Running blindly, she stopped only seconds before colliding with the youma before her.
"Oh no." Breathing heavily, she couldn't form the words to call out for her transformation. Evil laughter filled her ears and then her back erupted into a fiery pain. Falling to her knees, she barely was able to recover and roll to the left to avoid another incoming attack. As if sensing her weakness, the youma swooped down on her like owl on a mouse. For the next few minutes, she was left fighting for her life. Luckily, Nathan had thought to try to teach her a few karate lessons for self-defense. As time passed, she grew frustrated and tired. Each time, she tried to call for help; it was like she was meeting a wall. For the first time, she was on her own. Finally, she met her limit as another youma came up behind her and secured her arms. A really ugly looking youma with cat ears and eyes smirked at her and punched her in the stomach, ripping his claws into her skin. Grinding her teeth, Linda refused to cry out and give her enemy the satisfaction of causing her pain. As the blood dripped in her eyes, she heard the man from earlier taunt her. "Give up your rainbow jewel and we'll allow you to live."
Linda spat at him as he approached her. "I'd rather die than give you anything you need." Her mind was still trying to wrap around the part about the rainbow jewel, but she was still defiant as ever. Laughing, he entered into the light and allowed her a better look at him. He resembled the Wise Man and was wearing a cloak of black that covered his head and body. "Sweet, you'll give me anything I ask of you." Lifting his head, red eyes captured Linda's. Her breathing started to speed up and she felt like she was having a heart attack. The world spun before her as his eyes grew brighter and more sinister. "LINDA! MOON LIGHT ASCEND!" The blinding light lit the scene and when it disappeared, the youma holding Linda captured had vanished along with a few others. Linda collapsed the spell breaking. The man in the cloak growled and pulled her up by clutching her neck. Weakly, Linda tried to fight it, but the man just squeezed her neck, cutting off the airflow. Forcing Linda to glance into his eyes, he resumed the spell.
"Leave her alone!" Sailor Cosmos screamed and aimed another attack at the man. To her surprise, it bounced off a shield. "Kill her." The man commanded of the remaining youma. "No, Linda!" Sailor Cosmos ran towards her, but was stopped by the youma. Frustrated, she called out one of her strongest attacks. "Cosmos Universe Wand Inferno!" The youma disappeared, but soon they were replaced by more.
Linda could feel a strange tearing sensation, like something was being ripped out of her. She could hear Sailor Cosmos' attacks being called out, but couldn't talk to her. The man's red eyes glowed brighter than it was and then finally faded, then Linda knew no more. The man dropped Linda's lifeless body as a jewel of many colors appeared. It was shaped as a star and shone brightly. Just as the man reached out for it, a yellow rose struck his hand. "WHAT?" He screamed in anger as a man in an orange suit and cape grasped the jewel and jumped away with Linda in his arms. "Get him!" The man yelled, but it was too late. Sailor Cosmos had destroyed all of the youma. She was beyond angry and that anger made her power stronger. Seeing the losing situation, the man warned, "I'll be back for the rainbow jewel and I will kill all of you when I do." Then he turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Sailor Cosmos ran towards the duo and rushed to Linda's side. "No, no…Linda, are you alright? Please speak to me." Linda was pale and blood seemed to coat her body. The man in the orange suit had tried to staunch the wound on her stomach, but blood still gushed forth. Linda's violet eyes stared unseeingly at Sailor Cosmos. Cosmos glanced at the man and accusing asked, "Who are you?" Green eyes glanced at her as he took off his mask. "Travis?" Sailor Cosmos questioned. "Don't you remember me, Sere?" He asked. Recognition dawned in her eyes and a small smile broke forth. "Tranquility, brother, I finally found you." Travis returned the smile, but then he glanced down at Linda. One of his gloved hands caressed her face lovingly. "I'm sorry, Travis, but we need to find out what that creep did to her." Cosmos informed him. Revealing the rainbow jewel in his hand, Travis showed it to her. "He removed this from her. Its one of the rainbow jewels." Sailor Cosmos gasped and then looked at him. "What are we supposed to do?"
Before he could answer, the rest of the entourage appeared, looking for a battle. When they saw them, the group ran over to them. Nathan pushed past everyone and rushed to Linda's side. "No, Linda. What happened?" Sailor Cosmos looked at the crowd and brought them up to date. "Sailor Pluto, do you know what we're supposed to do now?" Sailor Pluto shook her head, "When the heart crystals were taken from Sailor Uranus and Neptune, their talismans appeared and the crystals were returned to them. But nothings happening like that this time." Everyone nodded. Sailor Cosmos thought about it for a minute, "Let's try to return it to her and see what happens." Nodding to Travis, he closed his hands around the jewel and held it above Linda. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, but nothing happened.
"Guys, I don't think she's breathing." Keith said. Everyone looked and Linda's chest stayed still. "No!" Sailor Cosmos knelt beside Linda and placed her ear to Linda's chest. She couldn't hear a heartbeat. Recalling her training, she started to do the procedure of CPR. "She can't do that forever. We have to find out how to get this thing back into her." Sailor Sun screamed pleading with anyone to do something. Travis gazed solemnly down at her, worry filling his eyes. Then he did what everyone least expected him to do. He kissed Linda on the lips. Shocked, everyone watched as they were encompassed with light. When it faded, the jewel was gone and Linda was gasping for breath. She glanced up at Travis and then everyone else. "What happened?" Everyone started to laugh and Sailor Cosmos hugged her. "Don't scare me like that ever again!" Cosmos laughed with tears running down her face. Linda just nodded, but then grimaced at her head wound. "Ow…" While Sailor Cosmos examined her, Linda studied the man holding her. 'It couldn't be, could it?' As if sensing her question, Travis nodded.
Tears spilled down her eyes and she smiled. "Tranquillity, I've been waiting for you." "And I you, my sweet Lindakia." Everyone looked on in envy as the two lovers were reunited. "Here, let's get you home, Linda." Cosmos said, hating to break up the moment. As she tried to help Linda up, Linda clutched over in pain. "Ow…my stomach. It feels like it's on fire." She cried and then passed out from the pain. "Oh no" Cosmos cried, examining the wound. Green pus oozed out of it and it was pink from being swelling. "What's wrong, this time?" Nathan asked. "I think she's been poisoned." Cosmos stated grimly.
