Secret Soul

**DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon and other characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Cartoon Network, etc. The ideas (i.e. the slayer, watcher... etc.) of BTVS belong to it's creator Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. None of these characters belong to me. **

Author's Notes: Hi. This is my first fanfic so please bear with me. This is an AU and I portrayed Serena/Sailormoon quite differently than how she originally is. So don't be surprised if you don't see her klutzing out every now and then. Please send some feedback! and Enjoy reading. :)

Rating: PG-13
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"Begin at the Beginning and when you get to the end stop" -Alice in Wonderland.

Secret Soul
by: Anaika Knight

CHAPTER SEVEN

Serena rushed out of Ethan's house as her body shook in pain as she made her way to her bike. Just when she was about to climb onto the seat, Ethan pulled out from his garage in a black Ford Mustang convertible. Ethan turned toward her. "Get in." Ethan ordered. Serena hesitated but agreed as she hurried to the passenger seat of the car. "Let's go." She said once she got in. Ethan nodded before he backed up and sped down the street. "Go to Lincoln Plaza." Serena instructed as she leaned back against the chair as more flashes and voices filled her mind. Every minute they wasted on getting there, another person fell, and it angered her even more.

"Why am I in so much pain? Is this part of my destiny? To want to die just as long as this ends." Serena blurted out as she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down. Ethan stole a glance at her pained figure as he tried to still stay focused on the road. "No. This isn't part of your powers. I don't understand why you're feeling any pain. You're only supposed to sense the threat but not feel anything besides a eerie sensation." Ethan explained concerned. Serena stayed quiet as Ethan continued to drive at a break neck speed. Luckily, there were no police officers nearby. Serena thought as she continued her deep breathing. A sign escaped her lips as it began to help lessen the pain in her mind. The headaches were lessening as she slowly focused on what she was going to do once she got to the plaza. There were two demons; one she identified as a youma and the other Ethan said was a vampire. So that meant one could easily be killed with a stake in the heart while the other would take a little more work. Serena faced Ethan with a calm and cool expression as she kept her deep breathing steady as she suppressed the high emotions of the victims.

"Do you have any weapons, stakes, or something?" Serena asked as she waited for his reply. "Yeah. Behind my seat, there should be a black bag. You'll find all you need in there." He said as he made a turn towards the plaza. Serena looked up to see the plaza only a block or so away. "Thanks." She said while she grabbed the bag and brought it up to her. Quickly, she opened it reveal bottles of holy water, crosses, a couple of daggers, several stakes, and a regular 45 mm. "Quite an assortment of weapons." Serena commented as she pulled out two stakes and tucked one in the small of her back under her shirt and placed the other one in one of her sleeves. She also grabbed one of the knives and kept it in her hands. "This will do. What do you need?" Serena asked as she began to grab a stake out for him. "Don't worry." Ethan pulls into an empty parking lot where several people are lying unconscious on the floor. "We're here. You better go." Ethan said. Serena nodded as she jumped out of the car and began to run towards the middle of the plaza.

Ethan parked and watched her go as he made his way to the trunk of his car. Once he opened it, he pulled out a long thin case. Opening it, he revealed a long smooth and sharp broad sword. The hilt was decorated with intricate Celtic designs, which also decorated the blade. It appeared heavy but was light in his grasp. Ethan brought it up to him as a flash of green surrounded the sword for only an instant. Ethan held it tight in his right hand as he closed his trunk. "I never thought I'd need you again, old friend." He said to himself before he placed the sword in its scabbard that he placed around his waist. With his weapon in hand, Ethan ran after Serena.

"What's taking them so long? The scouts should be here by now." Jedite said out loud as he floated in mid air, watching the two demons attacking the people in the plaza. People tried to run but were immediately stopped by one of the demons. It was a successful plan; the Negaverse was gaining so much energy from these pathetic humans. Jedite smirked as he watched a young woman fall to the ground from the youma's grasp. "Perfect." He commented until a screeching vampire abruptly interrupted him.

Jedite looked down to see the vampire he recruited crying out in pain as his back began to burn. "What the-" Jedite mumbled as his eyes traveled around the area as he looked for one of the scouts but he didn't see any of them except for a casual human with silver hair running towards the vampire. "Take this." He heard her yell as she threw a stake directly into the vampire's heart with ease. Jedite watched as the vampire dissolved into dust, leaving the youma by itself.
"Run! Everyone, get out of here." Serena yelled to the small remaining group of people who were crowded against a wall. The youma was about to stop them but she quickly jumped kicked him away. Furious the youma went after her, giving the people time to run away safely. Serena faced the youma. It was twice her size and was mad as heck. "So how do you want to do this? I go first, you go first, or you just die?" Serena stated casually as she pulled out her dagger. The youma began to approach her as she hurried and kicked it powerfully across the face. It stumbled back but was still able to backhand Serena at the same time. Serena flew a few feet from the blow as she collapsed ungracefully to the floor. Serena lay there dazed. "Ugh.. that hurt." Serena mumbled as she climbed up to her feet only to be grabbed on the shoulders by the youma. Pulling her closer to its face, Serena turned her head away in disgust. "Man, you're ugly." Serena insulted as she brought her hands around the youma's arms before she pulled back hard, tossing it smoothly over her head. Serena got off the ground again and rushed to the youma as she plunged the dagger straight through the youma's heart. Serena moved back as she watched the youma. It didn't move, but a discomforting laughter filled the air. Serena looked around but no one was there.

"You can't kill the youma through the heart. It's not a vampire." the voice laughed hysterically. "Who are you?" Serena questioned as she continued looking around. "Up here." He said as Serena looked up to see a man in a gray uniform floating high in the air. "I'm Jedite, general for the Negaverse and your executioner." He said evily as he turned to look at the youma that was already getting up. "I think you got him mad." He jibed amusingly. Serena shot him a cold look. "Once I'm done with him, I've got a few words to say to you." She said as she refocused onto the youma. He laughed loudly. "Not tonight, human, but I'll be watching you." Jedite said as he disappeared into thin air. Serena ignored the urge to look back to see if he was still there as she faced the youma. It stood only a few feet from her as it effortlessly pulled out the dagger from its chest. "I'm going to need some help. Where are those damn scouts?" Serena cursed as she pulled out her only remaining weapon, a stake.

"I guess I'm on my own still." Serena answered herself as she charged at the youma. Throwing a fast right hook, Serena began to fight hand-to-hand with the youma. Putting all her strength with each move, the youma was slowly loosing energy. Serena felt herself becoming slower as they continued fighting, neither getting higher than the other. "Ethan, where are you?" Serena mumbled as she forcefully kicked the youma straight in the chest. The youma flew back a few feet before a single swipe of a sword cut off its head. Serena stared in amazement as she saw a sword out of nowhere slice right through the youma's neck. Silent, she stood there completely dumbfounded as she watched the youma fall besides its severed head, revealing Ethan standing there holding a long broad sword in his hands.

"Better late than never, aye?" Ethan chided as he stepped over the youmas carcass towards her. "Yeah, right. What's with the sword." Serena waited for an answer as she looked at the youma. "So what happens now? Does it go poof like the vampire?" Serena asked as she looked at the youma. "Just watch." Ethan answered as they continued to stare silently. Moments later, a blue mist escaped from the youma's body as it drifted through the air, surrounding the victims in the plaza. "What's happening?" Serena stuttered in shock as she watched the mist be absorbed by the people. Suddenly everyone began to wake up as if they were just sleeping. Ethan leaned closer to her as people began to become fully awake. "Every time a youma steals a persons life, it only absorbs it into its own body. Once you kill a youma whatever lives it has absorbed goes back to its original owner." Ethan explained. Serena nodded as she looked around to see people walking away casually, as if nothing happened. Then something caught her eyes instantly. Several bodies at the far end of the area where no one was walking past were lifeless bodies. Serena looked around to see if anyone noticed, but no one did or they weren't reacting to it. "Ethan, look over by the trees." Serena said as she began to run to them. Ethan followed her. Serena stopped once she reached a small little boy. He was lying face down on the floor and his skin was pale. Serena placed her fingers on his neck to check for a pulse, there was none, but she did see two puncture wounds on the side of his neck. "Oh my god." Serena said as she pulled back her hand. "They're dead, aren't they?" Serena asked softly as she looked up to see four other like him. Ethan kneeled next to her and looked at the boy in sadness. "Yes, they're dead. The vampire killed them. Their blood as been drained, they can't come back like the others." Ethan said solemnly. Serena stared at the bodies for a while till she finally stood up and faced Ethan. "We have to call the police. They need to be buried by their families. It's all that we can do now." Serena said as she turned away and began to walk towards the parking lot. Ethan watched her go as he pulled out his cell phone and called the police to clean up after a criminal they couldn't blame. Once he finished the call, he ran over to Serena and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders as she shook in defeat.
***
"Scouts! Darien! Come here!" Luna yelled as everyone came running to her. "What's wrong, Luna?" Amy asked concerned. "Read this." Luna said as she nudged the newspaper in front of her. Amy took it and opened it as she began to read out loud. "Four dead. Unknown person rescues others. Where are the Scouts?" "What!" Raye interrupted Amy. Amy ignored her outburst and continued reading. "Last night, at Lincoln Plaza. Police received an anonymous phone call, which lead them to four dead bodies in the middle of the plaza. Investigators interviewed some other victims that spoke up about the incident. It seems that two youmas were attacking innocent bystanders. They would have continued but were courageously stopped by a woman with silver hair. No one really saw her face, so her identity is unknown." Amy looked up from the paper. "The rest continues on vague interviews with some witnesses as well as comments on why we failed to show up." Amy finished as she folded the paper. Everyone was silent until Artemis spoke. "I think we got our answer, they did attack while we were gone." Artemis stated. Darien nodded to him as he took the newspaper from Amy and began to read it for himself. As he did that, the girls continued talking. "Who in the world is this woman? She's going around doing our job!" Raye said hotly. Mina shook her head. "It's a good thing she did or more people would have died last night." Mina concluded rationally. "She's right." Luna jumped down from her spot on the tree stump. "We better head back in case the Negaverse tries something again. Maybe we'll find the girl." Luna finished as everyone went to pack. At the car, Darien quietly placed all the bags inside.

"Darien, do you think she is an ally or an enemy?" Mina asked as she came up to him. "I doubt she's an enemy but I don't trust her to be an ally. We don't know who she is. She probably could be a wolf in sheep's clothing, for all I know." Darien replied. Mina nodded. "We have to find out when we get back." Mina said simply. "I agree." Darien closed the back doors of the van. "Alright. Let's go." He announced as everyone began to pile into the cars.
***
"My queen, a woman stopped me from gathering the energy you needed. She was uniquely strong, but she wasn't a scout. I stayed and watched, invisible to her, as she fought my youma with unbound strength as well as stamina. She isn't like a normal human, perhaps she might be the one we're looking for, but there was another. A man with a sword came from behind and made the final blow against the youma. I felt great energy from him. I don't think he's a normal human. His essence is different from the others." Jedite reported as he stood in front of Queen Beryl in her throne room.

Beryl sat on her throne, listening closely to what he said. After a few seconds of silence, she sat up and looked at him decisively. "I want you to keep an eye on them and make sure which one is the warrior. Lure them out and then capture them. I need the warrior alive. Don't fail me, Jedite as well as the other generals or I will take your lives instead." Beryl reassured him. Jedite bowed before he disappeared.

Jedite reappeared in a cold plain room where the other generals were gathering around a table in the middle of the room. "Beryl wants us to keep surveillance on the woman I saw and the man that came to her rescue. Either can be the warrior and she wants them alive. So let's find a way to lure them out." Jedite said as he opened the topic of their meeting. The other generals nodded as they began to discuss ways to force the warrior to use their total powers so they'd know the truth, but how was the question. They argued and contributed their ideas one by one until they finally came up with the perfect plan.

Malachite stood up and smiled devilishly. "Once I know that girl's thoughts, we'll be able to use that against her. She'll be helpless and desperate enough to use whatever powers she possess, that is, if she is the warrior, but if she isn't..." "We kill her." Jedite filled in as he joined Malachite's side. "How about the guy. What should we do about him." Jedite asked. Malachite looked at him smugly. "The girl is the key. You said it yourself, he rescued her from the youma. Maybe if we use her as bait, he'll come again to her rescue. Then when he does, we have them, trapped like birds in a cage." Malachite confirmed positively. "Let's begin then, we find the girl and bring her life to the ground."
***
"So how was your weekend?" Serena asked enthusiastically as she walked with the girls. "Keep it down, meatball head." Raye scolded. Serena looked at Raye and just made a face as she hit something hard and warm. Serena quickly jumped back to see Darien in his usual attire. "Watch it, Meatball Head. Someone can die because of you." Darien insulted. Serena froze for a moment as his comment about someone dying because of her brought back the memories of the four that died the other night. He was right, someone could die because of her. She didn't get there on time. They didn't need to die. They could be alive if only she followed her gut instincts from the start.

Serena looked up at Darien and decided to let his insult slide but then she noticed the stares from the girls. She must have looked so ridiculous standing there silently. She had no other choice, but to perform one more act. Serena took a deep breath as she built up her voice. "Don't call me that! I don't need to take this from you! You don't understand anything. You're just a jerk! WAHHH!" Serena whined annoyingly after she realized she was reprimanding Darien instead of her original idea of whining. Everyone shuddered from the loud noise. Serena noticed their reactions and stopped immediately. "I can't do this right now. I'm so tired." Serena mumbled to herself as she began to recall again the dead boy she couldn't save. Serena silently walked past Darien and went towards her home.

Serena walked home by herself as she passed by a store window. As she glanced at her reflection she saw strands of silver instead of her blonde hair. "Oh no. I have to get home." Serena said as she began to walk faster down the sidewalk. As she hurried she didn't notice a group of men walking towards her. Suddenly, Serena felt arms clamp onto her shoulders. Her head shot up to look into dark brown eyes. Their eyes locked and Serena stared at him intently for a minute before she broke the gaze. She looked at him fully. He had long brown hair and he still stood in front of her with his arms on her. Serena quickly glanced at his companions. She didn't recognize any of them but the shorthaired brunette looked familiar to her but she couldn't quite figure out why. "I'm sorry. If you'll excuse me." Serena said polite as she knocked the man's arms off her easily. The man nodded as the men separated to open a space for her. "Thank you." Serena said as she stared at the suspiciously. "No, thank you." He responded icily. Serena shivered from his voice before she continued on her way.

The group of men stood there as they watched her go. "Nephlite, did you get what we wanted?" The shorthaired brunette asked as his hair turned into pure blond. Jedite smiled once his hair was fully back to normal. "I did. Now let the games begin. I think we have a plane to catch." Nephlite commented before they disappeared.
***
Darien walked quietly as he thought about Serena. He was a jerk and he admitted to it a thousand times, but never to her. As Darien walked along some stores, a news announcement on a TV caught his ear. "Moments ago, news of a commercial airline from Germany heading to Japan crashed last night. Reasons for why are unknown. More information at News at 6:00p.m." The announcer finished. Darien stood there confused on why he stopped. It was a sad tragedy but why did he stop? "Strange." Darien thought as he continued walking home.
***
Serena slowly walked into her house as the phone rang. Serena quickly picked it up. "Hello?" "Good evening. May I speak with Serena Tuskino?" A female voice asked. "Yes. I'm her. What can I do for you?" Serena replied. "I'm sorry you have to find out this way, but it is recorded that a Mr. and Mrs. Tuskino as well as a Samuel Tuskino were aboard the commercial airline from Germany to Japan. You're name was on an emergency form and so I'm to inform you that their plane crashed last night. I'm sorry." The woman finished. Serena was silent as her face turned into a sudden pale white. The woman on the line spoke more about needing her to go down to confirm if any of the bodies found were one of her family members and other things like that, but none of that mattered to her. All she could do was numbly agree to whatever the woman said. Slowly, she placed the phone back on its cradle just before her legs finally gave way from under her. She collapsed onto the carpet below her. She knelt there silently as her eyes searched around the room till her gaze finally fell on a family portrait that was taken when Nick was still alive. They were all standing there in front of their England home. Happy and together. She loved them.
But it didn't mean a thing to the world since it robbed her again of the ones she loved. Suddenly, all the emotion and tears she had been holding in flowed out. Her body shook harshly as she laid on the floor, curled in a fetal position. All the pain she felt when those innocent people were attacked the other day felt nothing like the pain that was beginning to tear at her soul. Her mind replayed the death of Nicholas, the dreams she saw where her family died, and the pale body of that young boy she couldn't save. All of it became embedded in her mind as her body racked with sobs. Her dreams were coming true, nightmares come alive, and she couldn't fix it. Even with this newfound power she gained, she couldn't even save the people she would give up eternity for. Her family was gone, and now she was fully alone. No one left for her to live for. No one left to comfort her. No one left to love her unconditionally. She was alone, truly and fully alone in every single way.

Night slowly came over the city with harsh winds as if it could feel the young girl's pain as she tried fighting her fears of the reality she was soon to face. The death of her family and the loneliness she was soon to face. Tears drowned her as she cried herself to sleep.
***