Title: The Thirteenth Year
Summary: When All-American girl Serena Warren turns thirteen, weird things start happening. Every night she dreams of the life of a Moon Princess and as time progresses, her dreams become more and more real, so that finally, she cannot distinguish between the life she leads in her dreams and the one she is trying to live during the day.
Author: Silver Sparklze
Reason for Writing: A challenge, issued by Sage: The Dark Dryad
Author's Notes: Words written in bold (w/o italics) will be translated at the end of the chapter. This is episode 24, and by now Serena knows that Maxwell Stan (Nephlite) is evil. Also, I've added the episode where Lita or Makoto Kino turns up. Thought it was too short otherwise. P.S MERRY Christmas!!! J
~Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City~
Serena frowned as she logged on to the chat site. Surely there was someone on this site who could help her. She hadn't found anyone else…but she really needed someone. Now…what to call herself? Suddenly, her eyes lit up. Perfect!
PrincessSerenaNYC has logged on
PrincessSerenaNYC: hi, nebody here??? o.O
MilleniumFire: only me.
PrincessSerenaNYC: darn. oh well, perhaps u can help me.
MilleniumFire: i can try. wat's wrong?
PrincessSerenaNYC: iv bin having weird dreams, & i decided to look in2 em. have u heard of the moon kingdom?
MilleniumFire: sounds like something a Manga-ka would write about.
PrincessSerenaNYC: wat's a Manga-ka?
MilleniumFire: a writer of manga. u kno, jap comics?
PrincessSerenaNYC: oh ye!
MilleniumFire: u kno abou jap comics?
PrincessSerenaNYC: ye, i speak a bit of jap. nm, but a little.
MilleniumFire: i'm japanese.
PrincessSerenaNYC: u r? wat r the odds of that? how strange.
MilleniumFire: nande?
PrincessSerenaNYC: that means wat, rite?
MilleniumFire: ya.
PrincessSerenaNYC: coolies. newayz, the reson its strange is bcoz i learnt my jap from my dreams. they r really bgining 2 freak me out.
MilleniumFire: tell me about them.
PrincessSerenaNYC: i cant. my time on the comp is up. can i talk 2 u 2morrow? Same time, same chat room?
MilleniumFire: sure, tty 2morrow.
PrincessSerenaNYC has logged off.
Serena leaned back in satisfaction, a small smile making its way across her tired, thin face. Her dreams had been getting more action packed lately, with the Scouts defeating more and more of Nephlite's monsters. But despite the fact that she got plenty of sleep, her dreams insured she got no rest.
As a result, she was even more exhausted when she woke up. And she'd started losing weight, not only because of the dreams, but because Dream-Serena ate so much, and she just wasn't hungry when she got up.
"Would you like a cup of coffee, dear?" Serena looked up and smiled at the slightly overweight middle-aged waitress.
"Yes please, and one of your chocolate chip cookies, please." She replied. For the first time in ages she felt a little hungry.
She felt a bit uncomfortable, sitting in this café full of yuppies and people dressed in suits – there was another internet café just a block or two away for the teens – but the only clothes that still fit her were her oldest, most faded jeans, and an equally old, shapeless and almost transparent white top which was supposed to be fitted, but hung on her body like a dress. She had a belt around her waist to keep the jeans from falling down, and she'd had to make three more notches in the last two weeks simply to make sure that her clothes stayed on. The waitress smiled at her kindly.
"Have you been ill, dear?" She asked, rather curiously, but Serena could tell she was sincere, and not just a gossip monger.
"Something like that." She said quite truthfully. The waitress looked at her tenderly.
"If you like…you could drink your coffee in the back room…" She said hesitantly. "There's a couch there…and you might feel a bit more comfortable."
"Thank you." Serena said quietly, "That would be wonderful." The waitress led her into the back, and Serena sat down on the couch, leant back, and closed her eyes. She'd just rest them…just for a little.
~Dream Sequence, Tokyo Park, A bench…~
Serena rubbed Molly's back comfortingly, listening to her woes patiently.
"You should forget about Maxwell Stan." She told Molly firmly.
"I can't. No matter how bad he is. Serena, is there someone you like?"
"Yes," Serena said, "There is."
"Then you must know how I feel." Was all Molly said, before walking off.
That night, Serena was awoken by a tearful Molly.
"Molly?" Serena asked, struggling to wake up, "What's wrong?"
"Maxwell Stan came to see me," Molly hiccuped, "A-a-and he asked me who Sailor Moon is." Serena felt a lurch in her stomach. "I t-told him I didn't know. A-and he doesn't love me anymore!" She began to wail again, and, no matter how hard Serena tried, she couldn't calm her down. Finally, Molly stopped crying. "Sumimasen Serena," She said, "I feel better now. 'Bye." She hung up. Serena stared at the phone for a moment, shrugged, and went to tell Luna.
Serena and Luna ran to Molly's house. Serena had told Luna about their late-night conversation, prompted by a feeling of unease. But she wasn't running as fast as Luna would have liked, so Luna ran on ahead. Suddenly, the world around her began to distort, and she transformed, fearing the worst.
"You really are a stupid girl." Nephlite laughed, appearing in front of her. "Now I know your identity."
"Please don't tell anyone." Sailor Moon begged.
"It won't matter, either way," Nephrite replied, unmoved, "Because I'm going to kill you." Sailor Moon dodged his attacks desperately, almost shrieking in fear when she saw the huge hole he'd blown in the ground next to her. Suddenly, a red rose flew in front of Sailor Moon, and a golden glow surrounded her.
"Pick on someone your own size." Tuxedo Mask said. "And leave Sailor Moon alone. However, I would be glad to take you on." But Nephlite suddenly paled.
"Molly." He murmured. He turned to Sailor Moon. "Sailor Moon, I know who you are. I can attack you any time. You better be waiting." He disappeared.
"Oh no!" Sailor Moon wailed, "What am I going to do?!"
"Don't worry, Sailor Moon." Tuxedo Mask said, "It doesn't matter that he found out about your identity." He disappeared as well.
"We have to get to the park!" Sailor Moon yelled into her communicator a while later, after she'd reached Molly's house and seen that she was not there. "Molly could be in trouble!" Mercury nodded from the other end.
"I agree, Sailor Moon." She said quietly, "We'll meet you there." Just moments later they were all at the park. Molly was kneeling by a tree, and her pyjamas were ripped. A figure lay next to her, his head in her lap. A ton of Nega-Monsters hovered around.
"Run, Molly!" Nephlite yelled.
"No!" Molly said, her eyes full of tears, "I won't leave you!"
"MERCURY BUBBLES!" Sailor Mercury yelled, and Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars quickly followed with their own attacks. The Nega-Monsters were soon no more, but Nephlite was gasping for breath now, and his face was the colour of milk.
"I'm sorry, Molly." He said, "I'm never going to get to eat that chocolate parfait with you. I lied right up to the end. Please forgive me. I'm glad I met you." He disappeared, leaving Molly with an armful of air and her torn pyjama bandage.
"No! Maxwell!" Molly howled, collapsing. Even Sailor Mars was in tears…
~The Back Room, Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City ~
"Dear, dear, dear." Someone put their hand on Serena's shoulder, and Serena awoke with a jerk. She took one look around her, and began to cry. Poor Molly. She couldn't help but wail her heart out. "Oh, you poor thing." She felt herself gathered into motherly arms, and rocked gently. "Shh, honey, it's ok, it's all going to be ok."
"I can't help it." Serena choked, "He shouldn't have died."
"Oh, you poor thing. You lost someone close?" The motherly waitress asked.
"No. I didn't really like him all that much." Serena admitted, "But a…friend of mine loved him. I mean; she loved him enough to risk dying for him. And he died anyway, even after all her efforts. And…I was just dreaming about the day he died…I was there…and…and…" She dissolved into tears again, leaning her head against the woman who smelled of coffee and chocolate.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" The lady asked.
"Serena Warren." Serena sniffed.
"Oh, what a pretty name." The lady said approvingly. "My name's Marnie Watson. Would you like your cookie now, Rini?"
"What did you call me?" Serena asked, her head jerking up. For some reason that name struck a chord in her.
"Rini." Marnie looked startled. "You remind me of my little granddaughter. Her name's Selena. She's a darling little thing. We call her Rini. And you even look something like her. Same blonde hair – although her's is paler – bright blue eyes, pale skin. Even the same way of walking, although your hips swing slightly. But she's not so skinny." Marnie looked at Serena's waif-like body critically.
"I haven't felt like eating." Serena admitted.
"Well you appear to be over that." Marnie said, looking pleased, and it was then that Serena noticed she'd polished off the coffee and the cookie. "Would you like another one?"
"Er…I…uh…I don't have the money." She muttered, embarrassed.
"Oh, honey, don't worry about that. On the house." Marnie patted her hand and left the room. Serena sighed and leant back again…
~Dream Sequence, Serena's Bedroom, Tsukino House, Tokyo~
BRING!!! Serena jerked awake, and looked at her alarm.
"CHIKUSO! HUSO!" She yelped, jumping out of bed, and yanking on her clothes. She ran down the stairs and grabbed her lunch, not bothering with breakfast, she didn't have time. She raced out the door, and kept running. She'd have to hurt if she was going to get to school on time. She ran around the corner, and…
BANG!!! She hit the ground with an almighty 'thud' after slamming straight into someone.
"Ow!" Yelped a guy. He and the two friends that were with him glared at Serena. The guy on the floor was clutching his leg. "You broke my leg!" He yelled. The other two guys advanced on her.
"You leave her alone!" A husky female voice yelled, and a tall, pretty brunette with green eyes and beautiful red rose earrings pushed the boys back. "Yarou meiwaku!" She turned to Serena and smiled. "Mamotte ageru, hime." She kicked the two guys and brought her heel down on the third's hand, since he still lay on the ground complaining. "Ja ne." She saluted Serena cheekily, and jogged off. Serena did the same, after swearing when she saw what time it was.
At lunch that day, Serena saw the girl who had rescued her sitting by herself. Everyone seemed to be giving her a wide birth.
"Hey, Melvin," She said, "Who's that?"
"That is Lita Kino. She's big trouble, Serena, stay away from her. I heard that she was thrown out of her last school for fighting." Melvin warned in his nasally voice.
Well she can't be all bad. Serena thought to herself, after all, she saved me from those guys. So Serena snuck up behind Lita and hid in the bushes. Lita's lunch looked very good to Serena, who was really hungry since she hadn't had breakfast. Just then, Lita spotted her. She smiled at Serena.
"Hey," She said, "You're the girl I saw earlier. Want to come and sit with me?" Serena nodded and sat down beside her. "Have some onigiri." Serena accepted one of the rice balls, and at it quickly.
"Yum," She said, "Your mum's a good cook." Lita laughed.
"Domo." She replied, "But I made them myself. Ryori no daisuki da."
"Watashi mo." Serena said, "Eto…iikunai da. I'm better at eating." Lita laughed again.
"You're funny." She said, "And really honest. You're the first person who's spoken to me…how come?" Serena shifted uncomfortably.
"I think everyone else is afraid of you." She said finally, "Because you were kicked out of your last school for fighting."
"Oh…well…that makes sense." Lita shrugged. "So…my name's Lita Kino. What's yours?"
That afternoon, Lita and Serena went to The Arcade. Serena was grinning as she walked in, but her face fell when she saw that Andrew wasn't there.
"Darn." She said sadly, "Andrew isn't here."
"Is Andrew your brother?" Lita asked. Serena laughed.
"No." She said, "Andrew's the manager of the arcade. He's really nice."
"Oh…it's like that." Lita said mischievously. "Hey," She said, her eyes alighting on the Sailor V game, "Is that what I think it is?!"
"Yup." Serena said proudly.
"Wicked." Lita went over and began to play. A few moments later, Ami and Rei arrived. Luna was with them, and Serena saw her look at Lita strangely.
"Hey, Serena," Ami said, smiling.
"Hi. Lita, this is Ami – the genius, and Rei – the brat."
"Hey! I am not a brat! Stupid tako!"
"Hey!" Serena yelped, "I am not! Ikeike!"
"Odango Atama!"
"Baka Rashaku!"
"Enough!" Ami said finally. "I wish you two would stop this once and for all!"
"Hey, who's that?" Lita asked, pointing to a guy wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, who was fiddling around with the controls on one of those stuffed-animal chance machines.
"That's Game Machine Joe." A passing teenager answered, "He's often hanging around. He wins all the stuffed toys and gives them to charity."
"He looks like my old boyfriend." Lita said breathlessly. Just then, Joe left, carrying the bag of stuffed animals. Lita followed him out, and Luna jumped onto Serena's shoulder.
"Follow her," Luna commanded, "There's something strange about her."
~ The Back Room, Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City ~
"Serena, wake up, dear. You fell asleep again." Serena opened her eyes and smiled at Marnie tiredly.
"Sorry," She said, "I haven't been sleeping too well."
"I know, dear." Marnie handed her the coffee and a muffin. "Just drink your coffee, eat your muffin, and then head home. You need some rest. The circles under your eyes are absurd."
So Serena crammed the muffin into her mouth, trying not to think about it, and drank the scalding hot coffee as quickly as possible. She wasn't really hungry anymore, she just wanted to sleep, and after Dream-Serena had eaten so much earlier, she didn't feel like eating. But she ate the food anyway, since she'd asked for it. Then she gave Marnie a hug, picked up her bag, and left, promising to see Marnie the next day.
~Dream Sequence, A street…Tokyo~
Serena followed Lita and Game Machine Joe down the street, watching Lita's every move carefully. Suddenly, a pretty **woman with long blonde hair appeared in a shower of rose petals, a tinkling laugh sounding. She took out a black crystal, and pointed it at Joe. Joe began to shriek in pain, his body bending backwards. But Lita jumped out and threw herself in front of him. She grabbed one of her rose earrings, and threw it at the lady.
"Leave Joe alone!" She yelled in her husky voice, glaring at the woman in triumph as the earring grazed her cheek, causing a thin red line to appear.
"My face!" The woman cried, "What did you do to my beautiful face?!" She glared at Lita. "I'll get you for that, girl." She snarled, before vanishing. Serena and Lita both hurried over to Joe, who picked himself up and glared at Lita.
"I didn't need your help." He snapped, brushing himself down then stalking off. Lita followed him, calling out for him to wait.
"Follow them," Luna commanded, "I felt something evil. Something that could only be that Nega-Verse."
Serena followed Lita to a coffee shop. She was sitting outside, staring at Joe.
"Why are you out here?" Serena asked.
"Joe won't let me in." Lita replied, "But I'm not going to let him get hurt. It's not fair."
"I'll wait with you." Serena proposed, sitting down beside her. "Why do you feel so strongly about protecting Joe? And, for that matter, why did you protect me earlier today?" Serena asked.
"Well…" Lita shifted slightly. "It's always been like that. Whenever I've seen someone getting picked on, or locked in an unfair fight, I've always jumped to their aid. It's instinctive. I don't even know why I do it, the reactions I get are usually the same, or worse, than Joe's." Lita smiled sadly. "Only two people have ever thanked me. You…and one of my closest friends."
"What's her name?" Serena pressed.
"His name is Ken." Just then, Joe stuck his head out the door.
"Fine, you can come inside." He said to Lita irritably. "Just quit staring at me. Jeez." Lita shot Serena a commiserating look, and walked in. Serena moved closer so that she could see what they were saying…perhaps she could read their lips…it was worth a shot.
She watched, as Joe and Lita talked incessantly, Lita looking shocked and disbelieving, while Joe just looked like she was in pain. At one stage, a hurt look flashed across Lita's face, but it was soon replaced by shock again. Serena blinked, and rubbed her eyes, as Joe caused an ashtray to rise off the table.
Then, Serena frowned. That waitress…she looked familiar…Suddenly, the waitress threw off her uniform, and laughed. Serena could hear it through the door, as someone had just opened it. She stiffened. She knew that laugh! It was the lady from earlier! The lady blasted Lita with some kind of energy-thing. Joe immediately got up and bolted. Serena stopped him at the door.
"Are you going to leave Lita and run away?! You aren't a man at all! You're a coward!"
"Hey, pigtails, she ain't my type. Too tall." Joe snapped, before pushing past her and running on. Serena hurried over to Lita.
"Are you ok?" She asked, helping Lita up.
"Fine." Lita replied, watching Joe leave. "He said the same thing to me…" She said sadly.
"I've gotta go." Serena said reluctantly, "See you later, Lita." Serena ran off in the direction of the park, transforming as she went.
Finally, Sailor Moon got to the park. What she saw shocked her terribly. A strange jewel was hovering in front of Joe, and he looked like he was in terrible pain.
"Leave Joe alone!" Sailor Moon cried.
"Huh?" Zoisite looked shocked when she turned around and say Sailor Moon.
"I am Sailor Moon!" Sailor Moon yelled, "Champion of Love and Justice. In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Well, miss smarty, I am Zoisite, of the Nega-Verse." Zoisite was practically dancing. "And now, I'm going to leave you and Joe alone, to…'chat'. Ta, ta." She laughed, and disappeared. Sailor Moon turned back around and saw Joe…or…rather…a Nega-Monster! She bolted.
"You aren't going to escape me that easily, Sailor Moon!" The Nega-Monster laughed in a growly voice. He reached for Sailor Moon
"Leave her alone!" A familiar husky voice yelled. Sailor Moon groaned when she saw Lita.
"Lita, run away!" She shouted, "You can't take him on!!" But Lita wasn't listening. She grabbed the Nega-Monster, and threw him over her head. Sailor Moon frowned when she saw the strange green glowing mark on Lita's head. It reminded her of Ami's and Rei's. Suddenly, the Nega-Monster grabbed Sailor Moon with one of his extending arms. Sailor Moon yelped and struggled.
She watched, slightly detached, as Luna appeared on the scene. She seemed to be thinking. All of a sudden Luna mrowled, and a new henshin appeared in front of her. She took it over to Lita.
"You are Sailor Jupiter." She said in her no-nonsense voice. Lita looked rather shocked, but didn't say anything. "Here," Luna handed the stick to Lita. "Hold this up and say Jupiter Power!" Numbly, Lita did as she was told.
"JUPITER POWER!" She yelled. Strangely enough, it worked, and she transformed into Sailor Jupiter. She had a green skirt, green ankle boots, a green neck ribbon, and a pretty pink bow.
The Nega-Monster tried to attack Sailor Jupiter, loosing interest in Sailor Moon immediately. But Sailor Jupiter wasn't such an agile, strong girl for nothing. She easily avoided him. Then, a strange stick came out of the top of her tiara (which had an emerald in it), and Sailor Jupiter got a fierce look in her eyes.
"JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!" She bellowed. The Nega-Monster was thrown backwards. She was about to do it again when Luna stopped her. This whole time she'd been watching, trying to coax Sailor Moon into joining the fight.
"He's still human inside." She said gently. Then she turned to Sailor Moon. "Here," She added, "Take this." She handed Sailor Moon a beautiful wand with a pink handle and a gold crescent moon on the end.
"What is it?" Sailor Moon asked, handling it gently, and gazing at it in awe.
"This is the Crescent Moon Wand. All you need to do is say Moon Healing Activation, and it will heal poor Joe." Sailor Moon held it out, and did what Luna told her.
"Moon Healing Activation!" A strange gold light surrounded the Nega-Monster, and a humanoid shadow appeared. The light disappeared, and there was Joe, lying on the ground.
"The fourth Sailor Scout has been found." Luna announced. "Sailor Moon, you must be the leader, to protect the princess."
The next day Lita was playing the Sailor V game with Serena. The Andrew came out.
"Hey, Serena," He said.
"Hi, Andrew," Serena replied, grinning. "Andrew, this is Lita, Lita, Andrew."
"Hey, Lita. Nice to meet you." Andrew smiled. "Well, I'd better be going. A man's work is never done." He walked away, and Lita sighed.
"He sounds like my old boyfriend." She said breathily.
"What happened to Joe?" Serena asked, alarmed that someone was moving in on 'her' guy.
"He's old news." Lita replied with a shrug. Serena groaned.
Manga-ka: manga writer
Nande: what (nani is surprised what, this is 'huh?' what)
Sumimasen: Sorry, or, in this instance, thanks.
Chikuso: Damn
Huso: well…quite plainly…fuck.
Yarou meiwaku: pesky bastards (…well…that's as close as I'm going to say…)
Mamotte ageru hime: I'll protect you, princess. (She's only saying that to be kind, she doesn't know that Serena's the princess…just so you know.)
Onigiri: a type of rice ball
Domo: thanks
Ryori no daisuki da: I love cooking.
Watashi mo: me too.
Eto…iikunai da: but…I'm not very good.
Tako: brat
Ikeike: bitch
Odango Atama: Meatball head (actually, it's dumpling head, but ce'est la vie)
Baka Rashaku: Well…baka means stupid…and rashaku…uh..actually, that's a word I made up. It means something along the lines of…!!*&@^#^%@#.
Henshin: transforming wand.
Oh, and btw, nm means not much. And btw means by the way. Just in case anyone didn't know.
**Did you know: in the Japanese series, Zoisite is a boy. He and Malachite still have a 'thing' for each other, so nothing's changed there. But in the American dubbed version they changed Zoisite to a girl, to make it more accepted. Sailor Stars was never dubbed, and so Haruka Tenou (Amara – Sailor Uranus) and Michiru Kaiou (Michelle – Sailor Neptune) stay female, and lovers. Although, Haruka does look like a boy J
Another Author's Note: Hey ya'll! Merry Christmas! I hope to get this out today, but it mightn't be out until Boxing Day, as my mum is talking to her English rellies. Anyways, I made this an extra long chapter, especially as a Chrissy Present to all my wicked reviewers. You guys rock!!
Love, Ash
Another Author's Note: Thanks to these reviewers;
Shimmering Angel: Actually, Serena Warren isn't Sailor Moon as such. You see; Serena Tsukino (or Usagi) is still Sailor Moon in Tokyo. The thing is, Serena Warren shares a piece of Princess Serenity's soul. When Queen Selenity sent the soul to Earth, it broke in half, and was born inside two different people. Eventually, Serena Tsukino and Serena Warren meet, (sequel) and just wait and see what happens then! J Thanks for reviewing.
Silver Moonlight-81: Thanks, SM-81. Oh, and btw, no, I'm not mad at you. Don't worry. J
Sage: The Dark Dryad: Hey, Sage, thanks. Uh…when will you tell me what you think of last chapter? Coz you haven't…oh well, here's the newest one.