A/N: This is an incomplete chapter… a work in progress that had to be abandoned; more notes at the end.
White Rabbit
It was like velvet to my tongue… maybe even a velvet and satin blend.
It had been well over a hundred years since I had tasted human blood, I felt like a starving child being given a crumb.
Oh… how my venomous taste buds felt alive…
"Ruby!"
Victor's voice brought me back to earth. I wondered how long he had been calling out my human name… I looked down at the drained out body that had just fallen from my arms.
I killed him… I fed on him, imagining revenge on Satsuki's murderer. It was just like what Edward had done in his early immortal days…
I had become a vigilante.
But what of the woman this bastard was beating on?
"Victor…", my voice squeaked out. "What are we going to do with her?"
"She is in a trance for now."
He went to the woman, her eyes blank and distant. "Who is he?", he asked.
She groaned, and Victor placed his hand gently on her throat. "It is okay… you are safe. We need to know."
"He is my boyfriend. I am trying to end things with him. He is abusive. He wants to kill me. He cut me off from everyone I love. Please help me…"
I gasped quietly, then stared at the corpse… I went against everything Carlisle taught me, but I may have saved a human life in the process, something he has dedicated his existence to.
It also occurred to me that she did not know her abuser was now dead… damn, Victor was good.
"He will not hurt you anymore.", Victor said to her, then turned and gave me a reassuring look. "My partner and I made him go away forever."
He then reached for her handbag, still on the pavement from the final attack. What are you doing, Victor?, I thought as he unzipped the bag. Was he going to rob this poor woman, after all she had been through?
Victor took out her wallet, while she remained entranced. He looked briefly at her identification, then back at her. "Look into my eyes, Lauren… see nothing but my eyes…"
She followed instructions, mindlessly.
"We are going to take you home now, Lauren. When you get in your apartment, you will go to sleep and in the morning, you will not remember what you have seen tonight, only that your boyfriend ended the relationship and left… you will call your family and accept their help, because he can't hurt you ever again.", he said to her. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes.", she replied slowly. "Thank you."
Victor then stood, and helped Lauren to her feet. "We can't stay here, Ruby."
I got up on my own feet, a bit shaky from the shock of what I had just done. "No.", I agreed, afraid to say much… afraid to breathe, for the scent of human blood may set me out of control.
I felt like a newborn, and I hated it… but deep down I also loved it as well.
Victor and I got on either side of Lauren. "You don't have to be afraid now.", he said… I was unsure if he was talking to me or her.
A/N 2: Sadly, the previous work (Chapter 17- Rasenchuu) was the final "proper" chapter of "Luna Raven ZERO", I can no longer devote the time needed to complete it.
I have seen incomplete fanfiction that have been simply abandoned for several years… I do not intend to do that here. What follows is a developmental summary of how this story was to end. It is the best I can do since I have to wrap this up quickly.
18 White Rabbit (named for the song by Jefferson Airplane)
Lauren is safely returned to her apartment. Both Victor and Luna notice fist shaped holes in the drywall. Victor uses his power to make the still entranced Lauren go into a deep sleep, then lifts the hypnosis.
The pair leave quietly and while en route to the Cullens' Forks home, they stop in the meadow and discuss what just happened. Luna, despite what red flags she saw, is remorseful of killing the man. Victor reminds her that she may have saved a life if she hadn't done it. A new fear sets in for her… fear that she may have broken the Cullens' treaty with the Quileute tribe. Victor notices tiny red flecks forming in her golden irises.
19 *chapter title was never chosen*
Luna and Victor quickly decide to leave Forks. "Icy can not see me like this", Luna realizes, recalling how he reacted to her being a vampire, afraid that she did kill humans for blood. This also reminded her of her own promise she made back in 1908… that she would not be a blood thirsty monster like vampires are said to be. After years of working to follow in Carlisle's footsteps, and a century, of successful abstinence from human blood, that promise was broken. She enjoyed the taste, and felt stronger than she had in a long time.
Victor suggests having Seth take Icy to Denali while Luna thinks things over. "It will only be temporary," he says. "Whatever you do, Icy will find out at some point. And whatever you decide, our time in Forks is over."
They return to the house. Victor pulls Seth aside, while Luna checks in on Icy, who was just waking up from a nap.
Luna informs Icy that he has to stay with the Cullens for a while.
*Luna's cryptic explanation is in Icy's recollection written in the side story/Twilight and We Bare Bears crossover "Starstrukk"; it is in my list of fanfics posted on this website.
Thankfully, as Luna thinks, Icy does not notice the very subtle change in her.
Meanwhile, Seth agrees to take Icy, but questions why… Victor simply says they have decided to relocate, there was no need to stay… Lolita Valentine was sold, and Victor adds that he fears breaking the treaty. They would take him back as soon as they settled on a new region.
Within hours, preparations were made. Luna (wearing Victor's mirrored sunglasses to hide her changing eyes) also asks Seth to transport Satsuki's urn as well. He quickly agrees, leading Luna to wonder if Seth did, in fact, imprint on her late friend.
Seth and Icy drive away in Emmett's Jeep. Luna is as close as a vampire can get to crying as the vehicle fades into the distance… she uproots a large tree and throws it, screaming in rage, narrowly missing the Cullen home's exterior.
Victor attempts to calm her down with no luck.
"Fuck all humans!", she cries out. "I'm going to destroy them all!"
"You don't have to do that, Luna…", a familiar voice says.
20 Born To Die (named for the song by Lana Del Rey)
Luna and Victor are stunned to find Satsuki standing before them, looking very radiant and happy. After many failed tries to use her necromancer gift to contact Satsuki, she finally appeared.
Luna apologizes for not changing her properly. Satsuki says there is nothing to apologize for.
Satsuki tells them that she found her real parents, but only one thing stands in the way of true peace… her killer is about to strike again, this time in Detroit.
Victor asks Satsuki to describe him. "I can do even better…", she declares.
Just then, Luna and Victor are seeing what happened to Satsuki through her eyes on that tragic day… her violent attack and brutal murder. They also see a detailed image of her killer, and the exact location of where he will find his next victim.
*A description was to be decided upon the final draft of the chapter; please use your own imagination to visualize the killer's appearance.*
"If I had become immortal, this was to be my gift.", she says. "I can transmit my memories and thoughts to others telepathically."
Both gasp. "So similar to Renesmee Cullen's power, but without physical contact"
"You have 48 hours before he strikes again. I also have one more image to show you."
Luna sees it, while Victor does not.
"Thank you both for being my friends… for trying to help me. Time is ticking… please stop him.", she says before her spirit fades away.
Now Victor was the one feeling anger after seeing Satsuki's death replayed.
"We need to go back to Elkins, I have something to do before heading to Detroit.", Luna says.
21 *chapter title was never chosen*
Back in Luna's family home, she closes herself in her sewing room, working for 24 hours nonstop. Victor is puzzled by this, but plans their strategy, and even leaves to feed for a short time.
*It is revealed here that the killer is going to strike at a costume party in a goth nightclub, the fictional name of this club was to be decided upon writing the final draft.*
Luna emerges from her sewing room, dressed in a newly made gothic lolita ensemble, the first time she has worn anything like it since Satsuki's death. Luna informs Victor that Satsuki's final image was of this design, and a request that her death be avenged while wearing the dress.
Luna's eyes have now turned a brownish red as her body absorbs the human blood she consumed.
Victor puts on a "stereotypical vampire" outfit and the two leave.
22 She Will Destroy You (named for the song by Harold Budd and Cocteau Twins)
In Detroit, the pair head to the club, Victor manages to hypnotize the bouncer into letting them in.
It is at half capacity, still a requirement of businesses such as this due to the pandemic from the year before. Victor and Luna spot the killer easily, and he is watching a young woman dressed as Elvira dancing alone.
Victor approaches the woman and hypnotizes her into leaving with him. Outside, he instructs her to go home while she is still in a trance. The killer's next victim was saved, being driven away in a taxi.
In the club, Luna realizes she has caught the eye of Satsuki's murderer. She fakes a flirty smile, then conspicuously makes an exit, knowing he would follow.
23 Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (named for the album by My Chemical Romance)
*This part is also an abandoned work in progress. It is a continuation of what happened in Chapter 1.*
"Her name was Satsuki!", I screeched as I felt his neck snap. Victor released the now deceased man, who quickly fell to the ground. I stood there in shock… we actually did it! We avenged Satsuki's murder!
"The bastard had it coming, Ruby."
"I know.", I said, also shocked that for the first time in a year, he called me by my human name.
There was silence for about thirty seconds.
"So…", Victor laughed, trying to break the seriousness of the moment. "The blood is still fresh. How about a snack?"
He bit into the lifeless body, then quickly pushed it away and spat. "Ugh! That's bloody disgusting!"
I looked at my mate. "What is it?"
"He was so doped up! It's all in his blood!", he said. "How did I not smell all the shit in his system? I am so serious, you don't want to drink that!"
"Well, now that you bit him, we have to burn the body.", I pointed out. "What if this trash bag isn't dead yet, by some chance? He terrorized more than enough women in his mortal lifetime!"
Victor pulled a Zippo lighter from his coat pocket. "Way ahead of you, Luna-Kitty!"
"Where did you get that?", I asked, knowing he did not have a need for such a thing.
"I found it while you were entrapping the perp. It still has some fluid in it."
Oh!
"I saw something back there that can help!", I announced as I quickly ran back to pick it up.
Sure enough it was still there… a half full bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. Like anyone would have picked it up so fast in this ghost town. I returned with it. "This will help accelerate the burning."
"Not to mention the booze in his blood stream.", Victor replied. "Good observation skills."
We poured the strong smelling liquor on the body and threw the activated lighter on it.
"I doubt anyone will miss him.", said Victor. "For Satsuki."
"For Satsuki."
I then looked up and saw two cloaked shadows on the rooftop.
Alec and Jane.
I knew I was being watched the whole time, but we're the twins here just to observe, or did they plan to assist if needed?
"What are you looking…"
Victor raised his head up. "Our friends… it appears they are smiling at us!"
The shadows leapt away before I could see for myself.
"Eleazar told me," he said, "that when either of the siblings smile, catastrophe follows."
Just then, a vision flashed before my eyes. Victor, now dressed in medieval peasant clothing, and the nearby flame had grown larger.
"It's too late!", he cried out.
I squinted to see through the flames… two figures…
Children! Not just any children… it was Jane and Alec being burned alive!
"No…", I whispered, feeling like I was going to cry.
"Luna!"
I blinked and looked at Victor, once again dressed in his modern clothing, then turned to the fire, now only containing the killer's corpse.
"I think we should follow the twins' lead and get out of here.", Victor stated. "Who knows if or when someone will come around and find him?"
I looked at the burning body. Sure, I have killed before, even in the earlier years of my immortality, but it was not what I was taught. Did this make me… a monster?
Victor was right though, we had to leave before the body was discovered. I nodded at him, and we dashed off, leaving the body to its charred fate.
Later on…
"I think we should wait a couple of days before picking Icy up from the Cullens' house.", said Victor.
"Why?", I asked, puzzled.
"You still need time. It was a major thing you did tonight."
That was true… I never thought I could ever do what I had done. There are a lot of things I never would've done if Victor hadn't come into my life. My whole existence changed because of him.
There was also going to be some explanation required… I was so cryptic to Icy when I told him we had something to take care of.
How was Icy going to react to my red eyes?
Developmental notes: Luna realizes that both of their clothing is covered in the now deceased killer's blood. They arrive in a wooded area, Luna immediately recognizes it as where she completed her transformation, in North Carolina. It begins to rain. Victor says his energy is through the roof, killing a killer was such a rush. Luna, much calmer now, her anger dissipated, playfully suggests there is one way to release some of that energy, she begins to unzip her blood stained dress. Luna and Victor make love in the field, the heavy rain washing the blood of Satsuki's killer away from their cold, hard bodies. Luna says, post-sex, this is how it should have been when she saw the world in her new eyes, but everything happens for a reason. It is also revealed that the couple had not had sex since right before Satsuki's death; Luna comments that it was like losing her virginity all over again… but much more "magical"… like even in the rain, butterflies surrounded them, than their first intimate encounter a year and a half earlier. She also lists all her firsts she has had because of Victor, things she never would have done if she had never met him, back when she was a thirteen year old human, including making love in the pouring rain like wild animals as they had just done.
Victor: Yes. You're a freak, like me… embrace the gifts.
Luna: What do you think I have been doing since 1908?
Luna senses they are being watched… she catches a brief glimpse of a red eyed Asian man with long black hair and androgynous features staring seductively at both of them. Luna says something, Victor assumes it must be Kei, the one who trained him years earlier. Victor, having no inhibitions about his body, chases after Kei, while Luna, embarrassed, gets redressed in the bloody creation. She can't get Kei's stare out of her mind. Victor returns, saying his mentor had gotten away.
Back in Elkins, Luna ultimately decides to abandon the vegetarian life, revealing she was in denial of what she was. She now realizes that her human days are long gone, and finally embraces her immortality and what comes with it. Seth was back from leaving Icy in the Cullens' care… he finally saw what they were hiding, and so did his wolfpack mates, including Leah, who vowed to kill Luna and Victor if they returned to the area. Sam (relayed through Seth) tells them that the treaty was not broken, but the coven was no longer welcome in the region.
Now she and Victor had to tell Icy…and the Cullens as well.
24 New Eyes (named for the song by Adam Lambert)
Luna and Victor return to Denali. The Cullens accept her choice, subsiding Luna's fears. Icy has yet to see them though, he is out with Jacob on his patrol duty. (This coincides with the cutesy side story "Starstrukk", where Jacob and Icy encounter Ice Bear). The pair return. Icy is frightened at first by Luna's new eyes. He realizes that she is still his Luna and says he will accept this new life in time; they had forever, after all. Luna promises she will prove that all that is changed is her eye color and diet.
Later on, alone behind the Cullens' home, Victor asks Luna to summon Nettie, and she does reluctantly, not knowing why he wanted to see her after months of saying he didn't care what became of her. Nettie appears, and Luna is stunned to hear Victor has forgiven her for changing him in 1860. Nettie tells them she has met Satsuki and befriended her in the afterlife, acting as a "big sister" to her. Jasper sees Nettie just before she vanishes, sensing peace. He is happy that she got the forgiveness she needed from Victor.
They never returned to Forks, out of respect to the treaty, and decide to live as traditional nomads. Luna expresses interest in meeting Victor's mentor, Kei. Her embarrassment over the voyeuristic first encounter seemed to have subsided.
Edward and Bella volunteer to go pack up Luna and Victor's possessions; it was a good excuse to visit Charlie again, under happier circumstances (the last time they had seen him was at Satsuki's memorial).
25 Run Away From The Sun (named for the song by Ville Valo)
The coven return to Elkins and scatter Satsuki's ashes in the same old graveyard where they first met back in 1906.
" Sayonara, Lolita Valentine… Sayonara, Ruby Watts… Sayonara, Mama and Papa… Sayonara, Abigail Palmer… Satsuki.", Luna whispers as the ash flies into the wind. She was not only saying goodbye to her friend, but also to her human self, and all aspects that went with it. Icy hugs Luna's leg, he's at ground level, while Victor puts his arm around her.
Luna hesitates in her mind, but speaks up anyway.
Luna: "Did you know my family were Irish travellers?"
Victor looks at her. "How did you find that out?"
Luna: "there were papers hidden in the wall I punched in one of my rage attacks over Satsuki. My parents came from rival clans, and were disowned by both sides… they chose the happy ending that were denied to Romeo and Juliet. They never wanted me to know… they wanted me to have a normal life… without discrimination."
Victor: "I knew. Shortly after I changed you, I discovered it. You had no extended blood relatives because your parents chose each other. They went against their families' arrangements to be together."
Luna: "My extended family was wrong. Nobody can choose who to love… love chooses for you. And in reading my old brittle human diary, apparently love chose you for me… from when we met that day in June. You became imprinted in my mind, even when I awoke for the last time… as a vampire… with no memory. I loved you that first day, even though you were an immortal and I was still a human child… a new teenager, but still a child nonetheless."
Victor: I'm not a werewolf, yet I could imprint on you… fascinating. Seth will get a laugh out of that.
They become surrounded by butterflies.
Icy: "Beautiful"
Luna: "Butterflies… messengers from Heaven…"
Victor: "We're being watched over by heaven and hell."
Luna: "hell?"
Victor: "The Volturi twins, Ruby."
Luna: "Oh."
The vision replays in her mind again… the execution of the two children.
Victor: you are thinking of something.
Luna: (hesitant): I just wonder why they are so friendly to us. Maybe… and this sounds crazy… we knew them in that time. Maybe we were there… together.
Icy: then you two were always meant to be.
Victor: Ruby…
Luna: (narration/voice over): " Sayonara, Lolita Valentine… Sayonara, Ruby Watts… Sayonara, Mama and Papa… Sayonara, Abigail Palmer… Satsuki. Sayonara.
Luna's "Sayonara" eulogy for Satsuki is based on Momoko's first line in Kamikaze Girls. It also serves as a farewell to the reader since the story has ended. This is also a nod to the final scene in the animated series Jem and the Holograms episode "A Father Should Be" Not only was Jem waving to Ba Nee, a child who had been assumed to be orphaned and newly reunited with her long lost father, the pink haired rock singer was also waving goodbye to the viewer during the end of the song "This Is Farewell".
25.5 Pulled To Bits (named for the song by Siouxsie And The Banshees)
Jane and Alec discuss what has happened, revealing they also avenged Satsuki, by targeting the family who abused her. They tricked the couple and their son with the Volturi's method of acquiring blood… following Heidi as she led them to their doom. (See the Official Illustrated Guide for details on how the Volturi entice their "meals").
26 Low Red Moon (named for the song by Belly)
Several weeks pass, Seth decides to go against his packmates' orders and stay a while, he still feels a need to protect the grounds where Satsuki's ashes were set free. It is an awkward living arrangement, a wolf and two traditional vampires.
Victor and Luna agree to hunt separately, to avoid a competition for blood, since they now had the same diet. Seth goes on patrol on the Watts property, just as Jacob does with the Cullens' home in Denali. One day, it was Victor's turn to feed. He left to do so, just as Seth was going to phase and make his rounds.
Luna is happier now, knowing she and Victor avenged Satsuki's murder. She and Icy begin discussing plans to return to Denali when they hear a loud growling.
It is Seth, he has encountered a unfamiliar vampire. Icy looks out the window and tells Luna. She looks and recognizes him. She leaps out the window to save him. It is Kei, the vampire who helped Victor.
"Seth! I know him! I can vouch for him!"
Seth growls again. "Please, Seth! Don't hurt him! He is a friend."
Seth whines and walks away. He'll get over it., she thought, then turned to face the beautiful man staring at her.
"Arigato… Victor no hanayome.", Kei says in a heavy Japanese accent.
*Translated- Thank you… bride of Victor.
This was to lead into the final story arc "The Fallen Angels". The main plot would have centered on Luna's coven's conflict with the Volturi. A sub plot included a possible love triangle between Luna, Victor, and Kei… similar to the one between Edward, Bella, and Jacob in "Eclipse". Alec and Jane's plans to take over the Volturi was to play a part, as was Aro's secret.
On 9/18/20, the decision to pull the plug on my fanfic was made. It was a tough decision to wrap this up so abruptly, but I had to do it. It can take a split second for everything to change.
Thank you so much for reading my work. I am sorry that I could not finish it as intended.
Us Against The World. 終わり