Super Girl 20

by jade21

After the death of her parents, 15-year-old Serenity Usagi Tuskino and her brother are uprooted from Japan and sent to live with their estranged Aunt Elena McQueen in America. Serenity must adjust to a new school and new life while keeping her secret, that she was once the legendary crime fighting superhero Sailor Moon.

10. Chapter Nine Deception

Chapter Nine: Deception

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Detective Saint-Martin looked at the brown manila folder on his desk at the police station. He opened the folder and looked a photograph the masked vigilante Tuxedo Mask. He knew it had to be him he saw vanishing into thin air last night. He searched through new articles and photographs showing images of the masked man over the last eight months. He then saw the photographs of the victims who were murdered with dagger like roses. Over the last eight month, ten victims have been murdered with dagger roses through the hearts, skulls and necks. Even though they were lowlifes, Detective Saint-Martin believed that no one was above the law.

Saint-Martin took a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair resting his head on the back of it. The case seemed so familiar too him.

A junior officer named Jack Berthelot knocked on his door and walked into his office. He was young lad fresh out of the police academy but scored high amongst his peers. He was stocky, average height with brown hair and brown eyes in his early thirties. He was wearing his police uniform and said, "Detective, the three guys who attacked your wife and son last night said that it was the Tuxedo Mask guy and some girl dressed in a sailor costume that attacked them."

Detective Saint-Martin smirked then said leaning forward, "Are you telling me that they got their ass kicked by a little girl? She looked like a high school kid no older than my own daughter."

The officer said humorous, "No, they claimed it was Tuxedo Mask that beat the crap out of them but she was just there."

Detective Saint-Martin asked, "And was the attack on my son intentional?"

The officer said, "That's the interesting part sir." The officer turned around to close the door behind him.

He then turned back to his boss and said, "They said somebody paid them five hundred bucks to kill your wife and son. They said it was the Tuxedo Mask guy."

Saint-Martin leaned forward. He then asked after a moment, "Did they sound strange when they informed you of that?"

Berthelot said, "As a matter of fact, if I had to guess, it was like they were brainwashed into doing it. What could they possibly have against your family or you?"

Saint-Martin leaned back and said, "For a moment, I thought it was a cold case resurfacing until I saw that this Tuxedo Mask's character has to be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. It could not possibly be him."

Berthelot asked interested, "Who?"

Saint-Martin sighed then said, "About ten years ago, there was a serial killer dubbed the Magician. He dressed in a tuxedo with a case exactly like this Tuxedo Mask character. The difference between the two was that Tuxedo Mask only kills criminals who tried to harm innocent victims while the Magician on the other hand kidnapped children. He kidnapped little girls but he especially like kidnapping little boys between the ages of six and ten. He lured them away from their parents because kids are mesmerized when they see a familiar character like a Santa or a magician doing magic. He then kidnapped them. He did not ask for a ransom or anything. He simply tortured the children, sodomized the little boys, and hacked their bodies' parts into tiny pieces and then delivered the bags to the children's parents tied up in black garbage bags. This went on for over two years. Parents were afraid to let their children go outside and school were locked down with security but he always found a way to get more victims. He killed over one hundred children in the southern areas of Louisiana and Texas area in two years. We never found out him. He simply stopped taking children. The only reason he was dubbed the magician was because witnessed recalled seeing a man dressed up as a magician at the sights of the children's disappearance. He also left a note to the parents addressing himself as the magician and he also left a rose on the parents' front door as his signature that he had taken their child then a month later they would receive their child's body parts in a garbage bag."

Saint-Martin said puzzled, "The thing that throws me off is that the Magician's signature was regular red roses, while Tuxedo Masks are roses like daggers. Also, accounts that that Magician looked like he was in his late thirties or early forties. If he is still alive, he has to be knocking fifty. This Tuxedo Mask character is just a kid."

Berthelot suggested, "Maybe it's his kid taking over for his dad."

Saint-Martin said, "Who knows."

Berthelot asked, "Sir, why are so interested in this Tuxedo Mask's character? It's almost like you are obsessed. Now, that saw him in person. It seems like you are kind of disappointed."

Saint-Martin abruptly stood from his desk startling Berthelot. He then turned around and walked towards his big picture window behind him and looked down at the busy city. He said after a sigh, "Because ten years ago, the Magician kidnapped my eldest son and made him one of his victims. He was my first born. His name was Eric. He was no older than seven. My daughter Evelyn was five and my wife was heavily pregnant with my youngest Hunter. Like most husbands, I waited to the last minute to buy my wife something for Mother's Day. Evelyn and Helen were at a surprise baby shower that her friends put on for her and no men were allowed. So my sister-in-law told me that I was on babysitting duty with Eric. I was not the greatest father back them and was as overcommitted to work back then as I am now. I got called into the station to work on a case. I could not find anyone to babysit Eric so I dragged him along with me. He sat in my office bored playing with his toy dinosaur Rex. At the last minute, I rushed to the mall to buy Helen a Mother's Day gift. The store was packed with husbands and boyfriends rushing to buy the mother of their children a gift. I took Eric in the jewelry store with me to help me pick out something for his mother. He chose this simple gold heart shaped necklace that said 'I love you Mom' in heart shaped with tiny roses and diamond encrusted around it. I put down Eric for a second to pay the sales associate for the necklace. When I turned around with the necklace in a tiny shopping bag in my hand, my son had vanished. I called out to him and frantically searched for him. I never saw him again."

He turned around to see a stunned Berthelot. He continued, "I always thought that it was the Magician who kidnapped my boy because one morning when I came outside to retrieve the newspaper two weeks later, I found a red rose on my doorstep. A month later, my daughter Evelyn answered the door to find a black garbage bag on my doorsteps. My wife went into labor a month early when she opened the garbage to find the mutilated body parts of our son along with the clothes he was wearing that day and his toy Rex."

He looked up at picture of his Eric on his desk. He said softly tracing the picture with his hand, "My wife still hates me for that day even though she refused to admit. She hates Mother's Day and never celebrates it anymore. The day she found Eric's body parts was her birthday. Luckily, Hunter was born in the early hours of the following morning since she doesn't celebrate her birthday either. I think if it wasn't for our children and not wanting them to grow up in a broken home, she would have been left me. I spent the last ten years trying to find The Magician and bring him to justice for killing my son." He sat his son's picture back down on his desk and said, "But there is no way he could be the Magician. It has to be a consequence."

Berthelot suggested, "Maybe he's a copycat."

Saint-Martin said reluctantly, "Possibly." He looked up at Berthelot and said handing Berthelot a small slip of paper, "Send Shope and Richardson to check out this address. Put an APB out on a high school kid named Darien Shields. His ex-girlfriend came in last week claiming that her ex-boyfriend is our Tuxedo Mask. He fits the profile and I checked his juvy records. Bring him in for questioning. It could be a lead or just an angry ex-girlfriend trying to get back at her boyfriend. But it's better than the leads we already have on him, which are absolutely nothing. "

Berthelot said taking the paper, "Yes sir. I'll send them out right away." He rushed out of the office. Saint-Martin glanced back down at the picture of his son.

Serena slowly knocked on Sammy's door before opening it. Sammy looked up. He was sitting on his bed Indian Style reading the white alligator book Darien brought him.

Serena smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed next to Sammy. She felt a twinge of pain when Sammy quickly retreated to the far edge of the bed until his back touched the wall.

Sammy continued to flip through the book. After a moment, Serena said, "You haven't spoken since the other night."

Sammy said, "You not my sister, and I am not your brother."

Serena's heart fell at his statement. She cried hurt, "Sammy, how can you say that? I've been your big sister for ten years, all your life."

Sammy asked not looking at her, "Did you know that white alligators are white because of a rare genetic mutation that reduces their skin color? And no matter how great they are, they would never survive in the wild because of how vulnerable their skin condition makes them."

Serena said shaking her head, "I did not know that."

Sammy asked, "Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why didn't you tell me that you were Sailor Moon? You let me idolize her and hate you."

Serena smirked then said, "Because I wanted to protect you. If I were to tell you the truth, then that would have put your life in danger. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I did it out of love, and I did not remember that I was Sailor Moon until the other night when I got my memories back."

Sammy asked finally looking at her, "So who are you?"

Serena said, "I am the reincarnation of a princess of the moon who died a thousand years ago."

Sammy asked, "So how can she be your aunt and I be your brother?"

Serena said, "Because I was born out of mom's womb and our parents' love just like you were. These people Elena and Mina are just my family from another lifetime. We share the same blood Sammy. I am your sister."

Sammy said with a shrug, "I guess it isn't the worst thing in the world to find out your sister is a crime fighting hero."

Serena smiled.

Sammy asked curiously, "How can you be so cool as Sailor Moon, but such a klutz in real life?"

Serena frowned.

Sammy said, "I mean you cannot talk and chew the same time without tripping yet you can save the entire world. That's crazy especially for a meatball head like you."

Serena said angrily, "Why you little brat!" She attacked her little brother and started tickling him causing him to laugh. "I am going to teach you some manners, brat!"

Sammy giggled, "Whatever, meatball head!" He laughed out loud. "Stop it, Serena. I am to pee on myself."

Serena said playfully, "Serves you right." She laughed when her laughter started to sound like Woody Pecker.

They froze when they heard soft knock on the door. When they looked at the door, they saw Mina smiling at them.

Mina said amused to Serena, "Serena, my mother would like to have a word with you."

Serena nodded.

When they walked into the dayroom, they saw Elena standing by the day table. She had her long blonde hair that was the same color as Mina's hanging down her body. She was dressed comfortably in a nice long sleeve blouse and comfortable designer pants and loafers.

She smiled as she turned to see Mina and Serena walking in. She said with a warm smile, "Serena, welcome."

Serena simply smiled as the three of them sat down at the table. Anna came in to serve them tea and cucumber sandwiches.

Elena said warmly to Anna, "Thank you, Anna. Could you close the door on your way out? That'll be all for now."

Anna curtsied and then said, "Yes, my grace." Anne walked out and closed the door behind her.

Elena asked in a warm voice, "So Serena, how have you been enjoying your stay so far?"

Serena said, "Everyone has been so pleasant, but I must admit I miss my parents."

Elena said sincerely, "It's a misfortune what happened to them. They sounded like they were wonderful folks."

Serena said, "They were. They were great parents. Sammy and I were very lucky."

Elena smiled as she elegantly sipped her tea. She asked with a smile, "Serena, you are free to ask me anything you like. I know you have tons of questions. What would you like to know?"

Serena asked, "What do you know about me? Who are you? And why did you take in Sammy and me?"

Elena said, "I know that you are originally from Tokyo. Your father's name was Ken and he was a photograph for a local newspaper. Your mother's name was Irene and she was a housewife. You lived a normal teenaged life until one day Luna found you and told you that you were the legendary Sailor soldier of love and justice Sailor Moon. You were a great but reluctant leader and you quickly mastered your powers. Along with the sailor scouts, you discovered that you were the moon princess and you defeated the Dark Moon Kingdom and scent Beryl and her minions back to Hades for all eternity. You are quite the legend."

Serena smiled then asked, "Thank you. You mentioned Luna. Where is she?"

Mina interjected after she finished eating a cucumber sandwich, "They are still in New York at my penthouse doing investigations."

Serena asked, "They? Investigations?"

Elena smiled then said, "Mina, I forgot to mention is the Sailor Soldier Sailor Venus. She also has a cat advisor named Artemis. Artemis and Luna were both sent here by my sister to reawaken you if this world ever needed the sailor scouts again. Her hope was always that you will get to live a normal existence. That's why I was reluctant to reawaken you after you already saved this world once from evil."

Serena asked confused as she looked at an apathetic Mina, "Sailor Venus?"

Mina smiled then said, "I think you know me better as Sailor V."

Serena said excited, "No way! You're Sailor V."

Mina said holding up the peace sign for a moment, "The one and only."

Serena said hyperventilating, "I had all your comic books, posters, movies, the complete season of your TV show, and I spent hours at the arcade playing your video games. I idolized you. Did you really killed all those monsters in London and stop that jeweled thief from stealing the Queen's crowd jewels?"

Mina nodded. Elena shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Serena said happily, "This is amazing. I never in a million years thought I would ever meet you. You are the first Sailor scout. We all idolized you. I wish you would have come joined us in Tokyo last year."

Mina sighed then said, "I always been a bit of a loner. I was about to the night that Zoicite trapped you guys…"

Serena interrupted, "OMG, you were the one who saved us?"

Mina nodded then said, "Yes, but I sensed this new danger coming, and I knew that you girls would be okay without me. You are pretty legendary yourself Sailor Moon."

Serena said happily, "Thank you so much Sailor V!" Mina playfully put a finger over her lips causing them both to laugh like school girls.

Elena smiled at them and said, "You two reminded of me of how close you were when back in the Silver Millennium. Everyone always thought you two were twins. You acted more like sisters than cousins."

Serena asked Elena, "No offense, but are you really my aunt?"

Elena smiled then said, "Yes, Serena. I am really your aunt. I am not the big bad that people make me out to be. Let me show you." She placed one hand on Serena's hand and the other on Mina's. She said to Mina, "Darling, place your hand on Serena's." Mina placed her hand on Serena.

Elena closed her eyes. The windows were closed but a breeze came through the room. A yellow glow surrounded the three of them. Mina then closed her eyes. Serena looked shocked as she saw the crescent moon symbol appeared on both Mina and Elena's forehead along with her own.

Serena closed her eyes as flashbacks of her childhood on the moon crossed her mind. Her earliest memories of Elena formed before her. She remembered when she was three and Queen Elena visited the moon along with her five-old-cousin Princess Minako. They were visiting from their home Planet Venus, where Elena had married the king of that world only six years earlier. She remembered picnics that she had with her mother, aunt and cousin. She remembered playing with Mina and all the mischiefs they caused. She even remembered when they used to sneak off into the village to party with the commoners and flirt with the castle guards. Her last memory of Elena was when she was fifteen-years-old just before the attack from the Negaverse. She was leaving to go back home to Planet Venus. She left Mina there to finish her training as a sailor scout. Princess Minako and Princess Serenity waved good-bye happily at Elena. None of them thinking that was the last time the three of them would be together for a thousand years.

Serena opened her eyes to find Elena and Mina smiling at her. Elena squeezed both of their hands. Elena said, "I am so happy that we are all together again. The Lunarians will live on once again."

Serena asked confused, "What do you mean?"

Mina said, "That's why my mother returned to this world. Some of the Earthlings are reincarnations of Lunarians like we are. She wants to reawaken the Lunarians and create a new Moon Kingdom on Earth."

Elena turned to Mina and said warmly, "Darling,that is not the only reason I returned to this world I have lived for a thousand years alone without my people…without my daughter. I waited a long time for you to be reborn and when I found you when you were six-years-old was the happiest day of my entire existence." Mina looked at her mother emotionally and gave her a warm smile. Elena smiled back and softly squeezed her hand. She looked back at her niece and said, "I want the glory days of the moon to exist again."

Serena said, "But for the most part this is a peaceful world. The Silver Millennium was a wonderful period but that time is past. Fate decided that it was time for that era to end. Wouldn't

It is best to leave the past in the past and leave the past alone?"

Elena smiled then said, "Serena, I understand what you mean but we need the reawaken our people to fight against the new threat. It's an alien race that has already infected thirty percent of the New York population in the last four months. The speed of which they are killing the human race and replicating the humans is increasing at an accelerating rate. If we do not defend ourselves against the creatures, the human race will become extinct or should we let fate decide that too, my dear?"

Elena stared across the table at her niece. Serena gave her a stern expression as she sipped some of her tea as a distraction.

Darien and Charisma rode in Darien's car to a local beach on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Charisma and Darien stood on the beach looking out at the gulf coast. Charisma pointed to the center of it.

She said, "That was where the egg like creature came from in my dream. At least, the one that killed me the first time. There is a black hole over the Earth sending these creatures into our world. Mina has been fighting a losing battle on the East Coast. It already cloned thirty percent of the population of New York and I already know thanks to me at least ten percent of the city is infected now."

Darien said, "We could get some scuba gear and come check it out in the morning. Possibly invite Mina and Serena to join us."

Charisma said, "Sounds like a plan."

Darien said seeing that it was now dusk in the horizon, "Come on, let's get back to the city. It's going to be dark soon." He turned them around and led them back to his car.

Once they got back to New Orleans, Darien stopped at a traffic light and found himself surrounded by two police cars.

Charisma asked panicky, "What the hell?"

Darien said holding up his hands confused, "Yeah, I know for once I was actually going the speed limit." Four police officers started rushing towards the car.

Charisma groaned in agony then admitted, "I went to the police statement the other night and told them you were Tuxedo Mask along with where everything was to convict you."

Darien mouthed angrily, "Dammit Charisma. Did I really kill those cops the other night or was that one of your tricks?"

Charisma mouthed, "No, they were just clones in police uniforms I killed earlier that day to scare you. The actual police was taking so long to do anything so I…" She could tell he was angry with her.

She said quietly, "Sorry."

Darien said pissed off, "Fuck you and your apology." The police were now surrounding the car.

They yelled angrily, "Darien Shields, step out of the vehicle!"

Darien slowly got out of the vehicle as Charisma sat looking outrage from her seat. Darien stared intently at her as they slammed him roughly against the car. She could see the rage of his killer instincts. When one of the officers roughly grabbed Darien's arms pulling them behind him, Charisma sensed that Darien was ready to attack him. When she saw a twitch in his eye, she said commandingly, "Don't." He frowned at her as he listened to the police officers accused him of allegedly being the masked murderer Tuxedo Mask and read him his Miranda Rights.

When they roughly tossed him in the back of one of their police cars, Charisma yelled outrage, "That is not necessary! He's no threat." But they simply ignored her.

As Darien sat in the back of a police car, he listened to the police officers mindlessly chatter as they drove him to the police station. He heard over the radio that they were sending a couple of officers to check out his address. He had a blank stare on his face as the police officers paid him no mind.

Darien zoned out for a moment until he heard nothing but silence. Serena sat on the floor in Sammy's room. She was playing a quick game of the board game Trouble before she tucked Sammy in. He was green and already had three of his game pieces in the home spot while she only had two.

As Sammy was only two spaces from reaching home and about to win the game as he bragged, Serena heard a familiar voice say in her mind, "Serena, can you hear me?"

Serena froze. She said softly, "Darien…" Sammy looked at her confused. Sammy looked around and did not see Darien.

Sammy asked, "Serena, are you okay?"

Darien asked, "Serena, can you hear me? Talk to me with your mind. We are linked telepathically."

Serena said, "I can't…"

She could hear the irritation in Darien's voice, "You are such a meatball head."

Serena said angry telepathy, "I am not a meatball head, jerk!"

Darien said looking ahead with a blank expression, "Good, stay angry at me. Your rage is the key."

Serena said, "Gladly asshole."

Darien smirked then said, "Serena, I need you to do me a favor."

Serena asked, "Why should I?"

Darien said, "Because I am currently riding in the back of a police car heading to the police station to get officially charged for being Tuxedo Mask."

Serena said worriedly, "But you are Tuxedo Mask."

Darien said irritated, "I know that, genius and that is where I need your help. They are already sending a unit to my apartment with a warrant to search the premise. I have a secret compartment in my apartment that hides my disguises along with news clipping of articles written about me posted on a bulletin wall along with a list of all the lowlifes I killed."

Serena said, "So everything to implement you for murder is already there."

Darien said, "Pretty much, genius. Under Louisiana law, I can be charged as an adult since I just turned seventeen. Any other words, I will be locked up for the rest of my life in prison once they find the evidence to incriminate me."

Serena said, "Darien, from now on. That's your new nickname for me."

Darien answered as they pulled up to the police station, "Serena, save my ass and I'll call you whatever you want. Hurry! They are about to fingerprint me." Their link ended.

After the long awkward silence, Sammy asked, "Is Darien okay?"

Serena said hastily, "No. I have to go. I'll be back."

Serena rushed out of the room. Sammy stared at her for a moment then popped the bubble. The dice popped to a three. Sammy smiled as moved three spaces to home.

He said happily, "Yay, I won!"

As Serena raced down the hallway, she ran into Mina. Mina asked worried steady a frantic Serena, "Whoa girl, what's wrong?"

Serena said hurriedly, "The police got winded that Darien is Tuxedo Mask. They have already taken him in for questioning and now they are sending a unit to search his apartment as we speak."

Mina said upset, "Shit, that's where he keeps all his disguises."

Serena said in rush, "I know. That's why I have to get there as fast as I can."

Mina said, "You'll never get there in time. Even if have your permit to drive or as Sailor Moon."

Serena said, "I have to do something."

Mina said, "Come with me." She grabbed Serena's hand and led her up the stairs to her room. Before Serena could admire the décor of her spacious and elegant style room, Mina said, "Transform."

Serena asked, "What?"

Mina snapped, "Transform now."

Serena said, "Moon Cosmic…"

Mina said, "Venus Power…"

They said simultaneously, "Power!" In a flash, they transformed into Sailor Scouts.

Sailor Venus grabbed Princess Sailor Moon's hands and said, "Now, close your eyes and concentrate on where you want to be and you can teleport there."

Princess Sailor Moon said, "I can't…"

Sailor Venus snapped, "Look! Do you like Darien? Yes or no?"

Princess Sailor Moon rambled, "I…"

Sailor Venus snapped again, "Yes or no!"

Princess Sailor Moon yelled, "Yes, I like him!"

Sailor Venus said, "Then shut up and do what you have to do to save your man. Now concentrate!" They closed their eyes then concentrated and picture being at Darien's apartment. When they opened them, they were standing in the middle of Darien's apartment.

Princess Sailor Moon looked around at how spacious and nice his apartment was. Sailor Venus raced into Darien's bedroom closet. He had a walk in closet wearing he kept his jackets, shirts, and pants separated, hung, and neatly sorted. He also had a row of shoes neatly stack together under his shirts.

Sailor Venus knocked on the wall searching for the secret compartment while Princess Sailor Moon looked around Darien's living room. She saw images or flashbacks of Charisma sitting on the sofa talking to Darien. She glanced at the kitchen table and saw an image of Charisma eating breakfast with Darien at the dining table in the corner. She shook her head in frustration trying to remove the images from her mind. She felt the desire they felt for each other and the sexual tension between them.

Princess Sailor Moon slowly walked into Darien's room. She heard Sailor Venus frantically knocking against the walls of the bedroom closet searching for the secret compartment.

Sailor Venus cursed under her breath in frustration. "Damn! Where is it? We're running out of time."

Princess Sailor Moon blushed when she walked into Darien's spacious bedroom. He had a spacious bedroom that was centered by a king sized bed with silky black sheets with a matching black dresser and chestnut drawer in the corners only with a large black oak five shelf bookcase filled with books on science, medicine, philosophy, literature, and psychics. She noticed that the wall across from the bed was an entire mirror. She became overheated thinking about how many women he had the pleasure of watching himself pleased.

She heard a female voice whispered, "One."

Princess Sailor Moon looked into the wall mirror and froze as she became emotional. She heard moaning and groaning as she watched Darien and Charisma make love in his bed. She was riding on top of him. Her back bare as her bottom was covered by the black sheets. Darien's hands were on her hips as she rode him skillfully as Darien grunted in pleasure. She arched her back in desire as her large black hair looked messy and wild from their rough hot sex. In the mirror, she turned her neck towards Princess Sailor Moon freaking Princess Sailor Moon out as their eyes locked with each other.

Charisma said with a wicked grin, "You'll never be good enough for him."

Princess Sailor Moon said shakily, "You're dead. I killed you."

Princess Sailor Moon froze when Charisma popped up next to her. Her hazel eyes locked with Serena's blue eyes through the mirror. She was wearing one of Darien's oversized white dress shirts.

Charisma whispered in Serena's ear, "I was his first, last, and only. No woman will ever replace me or compared to me in his eyes. I was his first kiss, his first love, and the first and only person he ever truly loved. We know everything about one another. You're nothing compared to me." Princess Sailor Moon closed her eyes trying to block out Charisma but it was useless. She still heard her voice. "The only reason he even speaks to you is because you're Elena's niece. Other than that you know he would never acknowledge someone as plain as you in real life." Charisma laughed then whispered in her other ear, "You killed me, bitch and you still can't compete with me. I am still in his mind and thoughts. He can't let me go."

When Princess Sailor Moon opened her eyes, Charisma had disappeared. She turned to her left and noticed herself in a smoky navy blue floor mirror in the corner. She grasped when she felt an angry Charisma rushed towards her angrily still dressed in the white strapless dress that showed off the curves of her body and her long curly hair looked beautiful. She cried out in pain as Charisma tackled her against the bookshelf knocking the wind out of her. She pressed her elbow against Princess Sailor Moon's neck choking her. She used the other hand to placing Princess Sailor Moon's hand towards a book.

Charisma looked directly into Princess Sailor Moon's eyes. She said angrily, "Princess, if you are going to defeat this new threat, you have to be a lot tougher than that. Nothing I said is even remotely as painful as what Elena will do to you."

Princess Sailor Moon said, "I did not bring you back to life. I cannot bring back the dead. How can you I see you?"

Charisma smiled loosening her grip on Princess Sailor Moon's neck, "No, I am merely an illusion of Darien's own manifestation. He's your soul mate and he wanted you to see me. You are linked to him. Protect Darien. He is the key to all of this. He's been through things you could not imagine in his short life so it is hard for him to open up to people or even love sometimes. Don't give up on him. I have done my part now it's up to you to protect him." She glanced up at a book. She said, "Sun Tzu's the Art of War was one of his favorite books." Princess Sailor Moon glanced upwards. She then looked down and noticed that Charisma was gone. She no longer felt her presence in this world.

Sailor Venus rushed out of the bedroom closet and yelled angrily, "What the hell is your problem? You're not even helping me…"

Princess Sailor Moon quickly turned around. She looked up and pulled down the Sun Tzu's Art of War. She backed up as the bookshelf slid sideways and revealed the secret compartment.

Sailor Venus was stunned as they walked a row of Tuxedo's Mask tuxedos and shoes with a wall filled with news clipping of Tuxedo Masks' articles.

They heard knocking on the door. An authoritative voice yelled, "NOPD! Open up!" Sailor Venus listened for a moment. She heard keys jingling.

She said, "We have the heard. There are two officers outside with the landlord with the keys to Darien's apartment." The girls quickly walked into the compartment and got to work.

Darien groaned in agony as he sat alone in the questioning room. The room was all white with a metal desk and two chairs. He sat in one of them. Even though he could not see through rectangular wall mirror, he knew there were a few police officers on the other side observing him like a lab rat. He heard a commotion gaining the police officers' attention. They ran off to stop it leaving Darien alone for a moment.

When Darien looked across from him, he saw Charisma sitting on the chair opposite of him with wearing a sexy white dress, opened toe matching white heels, and her legs were cross. Darien gave her a quick once over.

Darien smirked then said, "I did not know a ghost could look so hot."

Charisma smiled leaning forward then said, "Well, you should know. I am an ideal version of myself that you created of me in that warped mind of yours."

Darien asked, "Then why could Serena see you or was the conversation between you an illusion?"

Charisma said, "It was real because you wanted it to be real. You wanted Serena to see me."

Darien said, "You know your friendship even though it was brief made her very happy."

Charisma said with a smile, "She is such a sweet girl."

Darien asked confused, "Why did you do this to me? Why am I here?"

Charisma said, "Because this is exactly where you need to be. This is your home too. You came back to New Orleans to find out who you are and all the secrets to your past are right here in this city."

Darien said, "Elena is going to find out soon that I am not really Darien Shields. Darien Shields is dead and I am not the reincarnation of the earth prince. I cannot put up this façade anymore and now that Sailor Moon is here. It's only the matter of time before she realized that I am not the real deal."

Charisma said, "Darien, the magician…. Detective Saint-Martin's son was killed by The Magician. We were kidnapped by him. You got his attention when you became Tuxedo Mask. Saint-Martin can help you find you're looking for."

Darien bit out angrily, "What am I looking for?" The commotion started to die down. Charisma looked at the clock. It was one minute to midnight.

Charisma silently said looking at Darien, "Only you know the answer to that, Darien."

He asked softly, "Why are you here, Charisma?"

Charisma said, "Closure…. A part of you believed the lies I told you when I was evil. You need to hear me tell you good-bye and that I love you and I always will."

Darien became emotional then said, "Don't you dare leave me. You promised that we would always be together."

Charisma became emotional as the clock slowly winded down to thirty seconds and said, "And we will always be together. I will always be with you Darien…but it's time for me to go home. I want see my family again."

Darien cried as a tear rolled down his cheek, "You are my home."

Charisma smiled then said, "You'll not alone, Darien. You just haven't realized that yet. Everything will be okay." Twenty seconds left.

Charisma stood up and walked across the table. She stood in front of Darien and wiped away his tear. She said playfully, "Thank you for keeping your promise." She leaned forward closing her eyes and kissed his lips. Another tear dropped from Darien's eyes as he slowly opened his mouth returning her kiss passionately. She broke away from him slowly opening her eyes. His eyes were still closed. The clock struck twelve. She whispered, "Good-bye, luv…" When Darien opened his eyes, she was gone. He no longer sensed his presence and once again he felt alone in the world.

He sat with a blank expression on his face when saw an image of when they were nine-years-old and first met on the streets of San Francisco….

They were shipped there by child trafficking across state lines. He looked across at her in the dark seedy room they were kept in along with other children. She was crying with her knees up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her….

She cried, "I want to go home."

Darien asked, "Where are you from?"

She cried, "New Orleans…That's where my mama's from."

Darien smiled then said, "Then I promise to take you home one day…"

She sniffed wiping her tears away, "How?"

Darien smirked then said, "By magic." He flipped his hand over and out popped a red rose causing her to smile. He handed it to her. He asked, "What's your name?"

She sniffed, "Charisma….Charisma Grey."

Darien smiled, "That's a pretty name."

Charisma asked, "What's your name?"

Darien hesitated. He said, "I don't know. I don't remembered anything before I was six-years-old. I guess I don't have a name."

Charisma tilted her head then said flabbergasted, "But everyone has a name. You must have one."

Darien's mind flashbacked to when he was in a hospital in San Diego. He was lying in the bed and saw a group of doctors surrounding a boy.

They said solemnly, "Time of death twenty forty seventh for Darien Shields, son of one of the third richest man in the country. It is the shame that the entire family died in a car accident leaving no heirs."

Charisma asked again, "What's your name?" Darien broke out of his thoughts as he looked at her.

Darien said reluctantly shrugged his shoulders, "I guess Darien Shields."

He flashed forward in his memories to when he was fifteen-years-old. Charisma and Darien used their tricks and magic over the years to survive in the world without being capture by the authorities and avoiding the capture of a man they dubbed Grandfather who first hunted them down when they were in still in San Francisco. They constantly ran from him. Every blue moon they were captured and toss back into the foster care system, but they always found each other. They were now living in a studio apartment in New York. Darien and Charisma worked legit jobs but sometimes used tricks, conning people, stealing, and fake identities to survive when money was tight.

Darien was working at his job at a body shop fixing motorcycles was when he first met an intimidating looking black Briton man named Mason dressed sharply in an Armani suit with dark Gucci shades. Darien landed a job fixing cars and bikes at a body shop. He actually liked the job especially when cars and motorcycles fascinated him.

The Black Briton was in his late thirties but was an imposing figure. Mason asked, "Are you Darien Shields?"

Darien said in a cocky voice as he continued to work on the bike, "Depends on who's asking."

Mason said apathetically as he took of his shades, folded them and suck them in the breast pocket of suit, "If you are, my employer is a woman who has been searching for you for a long time. She is also the employer of the man who you and your girlfriend have amusingly dubbed the Grandfather. She thought she'll get better results if she sent me instead." Mason looked amused.

Darien said not paying Mason any attention, "Could you tell your employer to leave us alone. Who the hell is she anyway and why won't she leave me the hell alone?"

Mason said coolly, "Her name is Elena McQueen. She was a friend of your father Jonathan Shields. She actually owns half of his company Shields Inc. She wants to offer you a chance for a better life than the tough life you have been living thus far." Seeing that he now had Darien's undivided attention, he continued, "Before your father died, he entrusted her with your guardianship and left her with power of attorney over his will. In that will, he left you as the sole heir to his estate. On your eighteenth birthday, you will receive twenty million dollars and on your twentieth first birthday you will inherit everything including full control of his multi-billion dollar company and his ten billion dollar estate."

Darien said not taking this man seriously anymore and continued working on the bike, "And where does your employer live?"

Mason said, "All over the world, but right now she is living in her mansion in New Orleans…"

When Darien did not respond, Mason asked again, "So are you Darien Shields, the only son of the late Jonathan Shields who was the third richest and most powerful businessman in world or are you simply an imposter wasting our time?"

Darien paused still pondering about the mention of New Orleans. He remembered his promise to Charisma and smiled. It was a free trip to New Orleans. What Mason told him was too surreal. And even if it was true, there was no way that Darien could pull off a con that big without getting caught. He'll be in jail for the rest of his natural born life. He only called himself Darien Shields because he did not know who he really was so he stole the name of some dead kid he shared a hospital room with. He did not know how that one little action would cause him more hell the authorities did for the last six years of his life. On the other hand, if he pretended to be this Darien Shields for three years until he turned eighteen, he would get Charisma her free ticket to New Orleans and he could run off with a cool twenty million. But how in the world could he pull it off…

"Why does everyone thinks that I am this Darien Shields? I mean how do you know that he did not die in the car accident also?"

Mason smiled then said, "Darien, you were in a car accident where you suffered traumatic trauma to your brain so it is quite possible that you do not remember who are you are. Plus, on top of that, you look exactly like him… same hair color, eyes, bone structure, same age if he were alive, and you were even in the same hospital and hospital room that he was treated in. You definitely fit the profile. This is the final time that we will bother you and then this offer is null and void. So for the last time, are you Darien Shields?"….

Detective Saint-Martin walked into the interrogation room with a manila folder breaking Darien out of his thoughts about the past. Even though Darien kept a blank stare on his face, he internally smirked seeing the man who had been obsessed with catching him since the beginning of the year.

Detective Saint-Martin sat on the opposite Darien with a cup of coffee in his hands. He took a sip of the coffee and sat down.

Detective Saint-Martin observed Darien who stared at him with a blank expression. After they played the silent game for a minute, Saint-Martin chuckled and said, "You have a hell of a poker face. It's hard to believe a seventeen-year-old kid can be a cold-bloodied killer."

Darien simply stared at him.

Detective Saint-Martin said shrugging his shoulders, "I have no reason to hate Tuxedo Mask. He is helping cleaning up the city and has saved many lives. He used to simply capture the criminals for us now he kills them. See I have no problem with Tuxedo Mask because he symbolized hope to the downtrodden citizens of this city." He opened the manila folder and turned the folder upside down facing Darien. Darien looked down at the pictures with an impassive expression. Saint-Martin showed him image after image of the deceased bodies of criminals he killed over the several months as he continued talking. Some were at the crime scenes. Others were at the morgue.

"Yet, the fear with vigilantes is that they eventually start to believe that they are above the law. They take their celebrity status too seriously and believe they are a god. Then, they stopped simply capturing criminals and start playing god deciding who lives and who dies. Deciding who is good and who is bad. See the more that you take a life, the more it numbs you inside." Saint-Martin glanced up at Darien as he looked for any sign of a change in emotion of fear, remorse, or regret. Yet, he saw no change in Darien's demeanor as he continued on.

"Every life you take slowly takes away your humanity. That's why veterans of war cannot come back home as the way they left for war because when you are killer or soldier, it changes you. You have to live with that burden for the rest of your life." Detective Saint-Martin looked Darien directly into the eyes and said, "I don't know if you are this Tuxedo Mask but I can tell that you know how that burden feels."

Darien did not respond as he lifted his head to blankly look Detective Saint-Martin in the eye.

Saint-Martin said, "See the problem with once you cross the line of simply being the hero to a being a hero that takes lives is that it is makes you no different than those that you fight against. You are still a killer regardless of the cause."

Darien did not respond.

Saint-Martin leaned forward and said, "So Darien, are you Tuxedo Mask?" Darien gave the detective a wicked smirk.