Author's note: Thanks for the reviews so far - I really appreciate them. It's humbling to know that people are enjoying the story. On that note, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think. This is actually quite an important chapter. More will be revealed later!

Chapter 19

"Hey, Meatball Head," Darien called.

Serena whirled around on the sidewalk and spotted Darien approaching her. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Meatball Head, really?" she asked.

"Oh, come on," he grinned. "I know you love it, really."

Serena swallowed, secretly admitting to herself that she did. She was his Meatball Head, and nothing was going to change that for her. It was her hairstyle that made him take notice of her and she wouldn't take that away, despite that the nickname continued to irritate her, mainly because Raye used it to taunt her.

"I do not," she insisted. "Anyway, what's up?"

He frowned, cocking his head to one side.

"You called me," she reminded him.

"Oh, right," he laughed. "Actually, I spotted you and figured it would be rude to follow you to the arcade. Plus I'm a little surprised to see you out of school at this time. Don't you normally have detention at this time?"

"Ha, ha," she replied. "Actually I didn't have detention. The girls came to get me this morning, so I was on time to school and Lita brought some breakfast bars which I ate on the way to school. It's usually eating during class that that gets me detention." She paused, a smile spreading on her face. "Or that I didn't do my homework which hasn't been the case, thanks to all the studying I've done with the girls."

"That reminds me," Darien piped up. "Your test was yesterday. Do you know how you've done yet? I know it was only yesterday but sometimes marks can have a quick turnaround."

"You're right about that," Serena nodded. "I found out this afternoon. I won't be bringing home a 30 to mama today." She reached into her bag and pulled out her test paper, holding it up in front of Darien's face triumphantly. He took the test from her and his eyebrows raised, impressed, seeing a big red 60 on the page. "I have to say that even though there is definitely some nonsense on my answer sheet, it's better than a fail. I can't wait to show mama later."

"Well done, Meatball Head," he congratulated her. She glared at him and he chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. "Serena," he corrected himself. "In all seriousness, I shouldn't be calling you that. You've done really well, and the hard work clearly paid off."

"I owe the girls a lot for their endless patience, but I really do owe you a thank you," Serena declared. "Are you going to the arcade?"

"That's not a thank you," Darien stated, folding his arms across his chest.

Serena glared at him.

"Did I say I was done?" she asked tartly.

"I am going to the arcade," he nodded.

"Come on then," she invited, thumbing behind her.

She turned around and strode onwards towards the arcade with Darien following behind.

"You know, it looks a little odd with me following behind you like this," he called after her. "Slow down, Meatball Head."

"I told you, I don't like that name!" she shot over her shoulder.

Darien doubled his pace and put his hand on her shoulder, pulling her back.

"Hold the fire," he ordered.

"Fine," she conceded. "I want my milkshake."

"And is that how you thank me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

She looked at his hand on her shoulder, feeling suddenly warm. He removed his hand awkwardly, rubbing his fingers across his brow. They walked together to the arcade and entered, immediately seeing Andrew at the counter talking to some kids. He looked up and waved at them, which they responded to with a hearty wave of their own, as they made their way over to a booth by the window. That's when Serena realised that Darien still had her test paper in his hand. His eyes followed her gaze and he smiled.

"Sorry," he said, handing it back over.

She took it back and stared at the front of her paper where the big red '60' was staring back at her. She offered him a smile.

"Thank you, Darien," she appreciated, putting her hand on top his hands clasped together on the top of the table. His eyes widened at the sudden contact. "I appreciated your help. It was nice to not feel like the stupid one in the class for once."

"You're not stupid, Serena," he told her.

She looked into his stormy blue eyes and could see that he really believed that. She looked down into her lap bashfully, taking her hand off his hands on the table, immediately feeling the lack of his warmth on her skin.

"So, tell me," Darien encouraged, "you said that there was definitely some nonsense on your answer sheet. Why was that? Was it material we didn't spend much time on?"

"It wasn't so much that," Serena replied, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. "I've just been feeling really… fatigued. When I was coming to the end of my test, my head just felt really foggy and I couldn't concentrate anymore."

The truth was that she hadn't quite recovered 100% after using the silver crystal to heal Mina. She felt confused when she saw the expression on Darien's face.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing," he replied. "It was just ironic because I've been feeling that way since yesterday. For absolutely no reason, I just started feeling off. It passes."

Serena was a little taken aback to hear that. When she battled alongside him, he would often help her when her energy depleted. She often wondered if it was a power he had: to preserve life. He reached over and picked up her paper which she'd left on the table in front of her. He started flicking through her answer sheet, and she watched in fascination as his eyes flickered across the pages quickly as if he were reading at a hundred miles per hour. After a few minutes, he put it down and looked at her.

"You know, I can see places where you can improve," he said, tracing his finger around the six and zero written on the front of her test script. "There are certainly topics you can spend time working on, and there's also other places you can learn a neater way of answering the questions. But there are also some areas where it's clear you didn't want to do any more maths."

"That is going to be the case regardless," she mused, spotting Andrew approaching them. "Hey, Andrew!"

"Hey, you two," he greeted them, his head flicking between them uncertainly. "I can't say I expected to see you both sitting together… in one piece."

"Darien helped me to study for my test yesterday," Serena enlightened him. She whipped up the test from under Darien's hand and she pushed it in Andrew's face with glee. "I can't wait to show this to mama."

He took a step back and looked at the red mark staring back at him. He grinned.

"That's excellent, Serena," he commended. He turned to Darien. "Good job, man. If she continues to work with you, she may end up coming out of school with an A."

"Are you joking?" Darien asked, causing a frown to form on Serena's face until he continued. "I plan to turn that 60 into an A plus."

Serena's mouth dropped open and Andrew's face seemed to be mirroring hers. He looked at her, carefully putting the test back on the table.

"Erm, coffee and a milkshake?" he asked, a little dumbfounded.

"Please," Serena replied sweetly.

When Andrew walked away back to the counter, she turned to Darien.

"Okay, what was that?" she demanded.

"What?" he responded.

"You're going to turn a potential A into an A plus?" she quoted.

"I was going to ask you if you wanted further tutoring," he answered. "The truth be told, you put in real effort and I appreciate that. Neither of us were wasting our time and the result was a good one. I'm open to helping you."

"Why?" she pondered. "I only sat in the hospital with you while you got a needle. We are more than square."

"It's not about that," Darien protested. "Really. I just think it's good for you and I've seen you more than enough times upset over another failed grade."

"Thanks, Darien," she smiled, feeling a warmth in her stomach and oddly feeling a little more herself since she used the silver crystal.

"Your coffee and milkshake," Andrew announced, setting them down in front of them.

"Thanks, Andrew," Darien nodded. "Put these on my tab, would you?"

"No, Darien," Serena objected.

"It's fine," Darien argued. "Let's call it another motivation for the next time."

She smiled at him, warming at the smile that reached his eyes as he looked at her.

"Hey, girl," Lita embraced Mina gently. "How are you?"

"I'm alright, thanks to Serena and you girls," Mina smiled, falling in step with Lita as they strolled through the park together. "Resting at home with my mother there isn't as relaxing as you'd imagine."

"Actually, I haven't once imagined that it's been a breeze being at home with your mother while you continue to heal," Lita replied.

"Well, she continues to be an absolute menace," Mina grimaced. "Thanks for joining me. I know that Amy will be busy at her AP class at this time and Raye is working at the shrine. I imagine that Serena is at the arcade right now or in detention and I don't think this is really her thing."

"That almost sounds like I'm your last choice for company," Lita said wryly.

"Of course not," Mina replied. "Actually, you were my first choice. My words just came out wrong."

"No worries," Lita smiled. "To be honest, Raye probably would have been my first choice for this sort of thing but as you said, the shrine doesn't run itself. Truthfully, I think she's having some issues with Chad."

"Why do you think that?" Mina asked.

"She told me there's a little friction between them," Lita revealed. "I didn't press for details but as you know, Raye can be quite a private person."

"Yeah," Mina agreed. "That's a shame. I hope it's nothing serious."

They approached a patch of empty grass which seemed to be dazzling under the afternoon sun.

"Here looks great," Lita commented, taking both of their yoga mats from her shoulder, and rolling them out onto the grass.

"Thanks, Lita," Mina appreciated, dumping her bag on the ground, and taking out a bottle of water.

"No prob'," she replied, taking out her water and taking a long glug of water from the bottle.

Mina stepped onto her mat and sat in a cross-legged seat, working to control her breath before moving into some floor stretches. Lita followed suit and in silence, they did some floorwork before transitioning into some standing poses.

"So are you okay missing out on training later?" Lita asked as they free flowed.

"Yeah, it's best that I do," Mina nodded. "I know Raye's not happy, but she does have a broken arm and her face is still healing. Does she still have the stitches in?"

"They're dissolvable ones," Lita replied, going back into a downward dog. "It will be at least a week until they disappear. But at least she can't burst the stitches anymore since her sailor strength kicked in and the healing is speeding up."

"Oh yeah, I feel it, too," Mina said, going into a plank and carefully taking herself into an upward dog, stretching out her abs. "It's funny how after a little time, we suddenly feel our powers as sailor soldiers helping us to recover."

"And boy, am I glad for it," Lita declared. "How are you doing with vinyasa yoga?"

"It's helpful actually," Mina admitted. "It's stretching the muscles and encouraging my skin to move as it heals. Being cooped up at home really doesn't achieve that much."

As she came up into a warrior one pose, she suddenly noticed Killian strolling in the park ahead of them. She looked at Lita who was already straightening her front leg and going into a triangle pose so she hadn't noticed. Killian however noticed them and approached them.

"Hi, girls," he nodded at Mina, as Lita was currently bent over in a triangle pose.

She looked up.

"Oh, hey, Killian," she greeted him. "Fancy meeting you here."

"I like to walk in the park in the afternoons after school," he said. "It's an excuse to get away from the guys anyway."

"Yeah, I can see how Neal would be a bit much," Lita grinned.

He chuckled, turning his attentions to Mina.

"How's the back?" he asked.

"It's alright, thanks," she nodded. "Actually, it's kind of why we're here. I asked Lita to do some yoga with me. Some rehabilitation for the body as I recover."

"Smart girl," he saluted teasingly.

"So, what's up?" Mina asked, reaching for her water.

"This wasn't quite in the plans today but while I'm here," he started, absentmindedly pulling his jumper down to sit properly on his waist, "I wonder if you wanted to go out with me again. Just me and you. No third wheels."

"Hey!" Lita exclaimed.

Killian winked, turning his attentions back to Mina.

"Erm, s-sure," she stuttered.

"Great," he replied. "I'll text you. See you around."

He waved as he turned and continued on his route round the park. Lita blinked as she watched him retreat and she turned to Mina.

"He has your number?" she asked.

"Of course," she replied. "We did after all go out on a date. Neal doesn't have yours?"

"To be honest, no," Lita cringed.

"Wow," Mina said flatly. "I'm not even going to ask how that works."

"We've been out a few times, but we've just agreed on a time and place," Lita shrugged. "Honestly, he just irked me when we first met, and I know he's just trying to make up for our first meeting. I don't really know what's going on between us anyway."

"Well, you'll never know if you're still living in the stone age," Mina replied.

"Anyway, what's with you?" Lita accused. "Another date? I thought you dated and ditched."

"I don't know," Mina shrugged. "Usually I get bored of a guy and I'll move on when there's nothing going on between us and I know that nothing will. But Killian… I just get this feeling from him. He doesn't feel like a stranger. I feel like I've known him before. He just intrigues me. I know that sounds really weird."

"It sounds very un-Mina," Lita commented. "But hey, I'm happy for you if you found someone that you want to give another shot."

"Mercury, seriously?!" Sailor Moon yelled as she leaped out of the way.

"Come on, Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mercury retorted. "Stop messing around."

Sailor Jupiter performed a forward roll and landed in front of them, wiping her brow.

"Phew, Mercury," she commended. "You really outdid yourself with this one."

An explosion sounded not twenty feet from them, and debris shot out in all directions.

"Jupiter," she called, shooting her hand out, the symbol of Jupiter glowing in the palm of her hand. Crackles of green electricity reverberated up her arm, the gemstone on her tiara lighting up, as she started to twirl around, reaching her hands up above her head, pirouetting on the spot, the leaves of oak synchronising with her movements in a swirling column of energy around her. "Oak evolution!" The lightning energy around her charged the leaves at the debris coming at them acting as a defensive move, slicing the large pieces flying at them into smaller pieces causing them no harm.

"Nice one!" Moon applauded. "Oh, tripe."

She cartwheeled out of the way of the oncoming substance that flew towards her. She righted herself and looked to her left where she had been standing to see a horrible grey slime dripping off a car wreck, the metal beneath it disintegrating from its solid state and dissolving into a pool of melted car. She gulped.

"That really is not a great touch, Mercury," she said with a pained expression.

Two giant clawed hands appeared on the top of two overturned cars piled on the top of the mountain of numerous other vehicles and then the creature showed itself, crouching on the top of the pile, glaring down at them. Its long tail whipped back and forth in jerked movements, its snake-like tongue appearing with each breath. It started to crawl down like a cat from the top of the wreckage, its body suddenly splitting apart into a clone of itself.

"Mercury!" Moon gasped.

"Mercury bubbles!" Mercury yelled, her hands held out in front of her, spinning around, she brought her arms up to cross each other and swiped them out of the crossed position, shouting the final word, "blast!"

A tremendous gust of bubbles shot out of her hands, causing a large cloud to settle over the area, significantly reducing the visibility. Moon looked around, trying to sense where the creatures were. Then she made a strangled cry as something grabbed her round the neck, yanking her backwards so that she landed on her back. She cried out as she was then dragged across the ground, her hands at her neck, trying her best to pull at what had taken hold of her.

"Sparkling wide pressure!" Jupiter's voice thundered somewhere from in the depths of the Mercury mist.

Moon's eyes widened as she watched the ball of lightning shoot through the mist and over her, crashing into the creature that had her. She felt whatever was around her neck disintegrate and she steadily got to her feet, her hand round her neck.

"You alright, Sailor Moon?" Jupiter cried.

"Yeah, thanks, Jupiter," Moon shouted back. Then in the next moment, she realised her eyes had adjusted and she saw a large figure come up behind the shadowy form of Mercury. "Mercury, look out!"

But the creature knocked Mercury to the side effortlessly and Jupiter instantly reacted.

"I call upon the planet Jupiter," she called. The antenna in her tiara appeared, crackling with energy as a powerful thunderstorm brewed in the sky. The power of the electricity collected in her antenna which materialised in her hands in the form of a sparkling white light. "Jupiter thunderbolt!" She hurled the bolt of lightning towards the creature stalking towards them, but it simply swotted it away and it rebounded off a nearby overturned car with a bang.

"Jupiter, get out of the way!" Moon cried, leaping from the spot she was stood in and landing on Jupiter, bringing them both crashing to the floor.

She looked up as she saw the creature reveal its jaws and her eyes widened in fear.

"No!" she cried, shooting her hand out towards it, a bright shining pure-white light firing from the palm of her hand.

She watched as the creature disappeared from sight, the only evidence of it having been there being the mist around it momentarily showing the outline of where it once stood before the mist came together like a curtain. She was suddenly aware that Mercury had brought the hyperspatial sphere generate shield down when she heard footsteps approaching her.

"Okay, Sailor Moon," Raye's voice said almost accusingly, "what the hell was that?"

She looked down at her hand in shock, feeling the stirrings of her power from the silver crystal.

"I have absolutely no idea," she breathed.

"That was pure moonlight," Mina murmured, looking to Mercury.

Mercury nodded in response, tapping at her Mercury computer.

"Do you know how you did that?"

Sailor Moon simply shook her head helplessly, unable to tear her eyes away from her hand.

"It had the power to obliterate a monster with one clean blow," Raye muttered to herself. "That's something I've never seen you do before."

"None of us have," Jupiter agreed, staring at their leader in awe.