Only Human

Chapter 4: Sailor Moon Prime

'Ouch! That really hurts!' Zerena wailed as Mina applied some stinging antiseptic on her bruised knuckles.

'Serves you right. What were you thinking when you punched out this guy Serena?'

'He was a jerk. I did what came naturally.'

'That doesn't sound like you.'

'I'm so tired of everyone telling me that.'

'It's true.'

'I know, I know,' she replied irritably. She was finding it increasingly more difficult to imitate her prototype's er, rather unique personality. 'Well, he'd BETTER not cross my path again if he knows what's good for him.'

'I feel sorry for the poor guy. I think you've been spending way too much time with Lita. Her combative temperament is beginning to rub off on you.'

'Did someone mention my name?' Lita interrupted on cue.

Raye was right behind her, towing two shopping bags in each hand. They had just finished their latest jaunt to the mall and she was dead tired. Lita barely even broke a sweat. Thank goodness they had stopped by Mina's place.

'Hi guys. You won't believe what happened to Serena today.'

'Mina,' Zerena warned.

'Knowing you Serena, anything's possible.'

'All right. What did you do THIS time?' Raye asked in a patronizing tone of voice.

'I didn't DO anything,' she replied in the same tone. 'Anyway, he's just an annoying dweeb, not even worth mentioning.'

'Oh, been talking to Darien again?'

'Puh-leeze, get real.'

Ever since she took Serena's place, he had done everything in his power to avoid her. And when he did see her, he would either give her a hard time or put her down, like earlier in the soda shop.

'I'm talking about that friend of his.'

'You mean Adam Butler?' Lita asked enthusiastically.

'Unfortunately, yes.'

'Don't tell us, he looks like your old boyfriend,' the other girls said in unison.

'No, he's way cooler than Freddy. Better looking hair too,' Lita added with a giggle.

Zerena shook her head in disbelief. How could anyone be so boy crazy?

'How could you fall for a jerk like him?'

'He seems like a nice guy. I've only spoken to him once or twice at the arcade. He's a recent transfer student to the same university that Darien goes to.'

'I couldn't care less,' Zerena scoffed disdainfully.

'So why did you belt him in the jaw then?' Mina asked mischievously, knowing the answer already.

'Serena did what?!' Raye and Lita shrieked simultaneously in disbelief.

'And I thought Lita was the one who liked to fight,' Raye added.

'Come on, give us the buzz. You know something.'

'Say one more word Mina, and die,' Zerena threatened, holding up her clenched fist a few inches away from Mina's face.

Raye would have a field day if she knew about her humiliating ordeal at the soda shop. The girl never missed an opportunity to rub her nose in it. How Serena could stand her was beyond Zerena's comprehension.

Mina laughed nervously. 'Calm down Serena. I'm only kidding. I told you I wouldn't say anything.'

'Boy, this Adam Butler has really got YOU in a snit. Does this mean you're finished moping over Darien?'

'What are you talking about Raye?'

'Oh come on, you know what I mean. Ever since he broke up with you, you've been acting like a love-sick cow. It's about time you moved on.'

This was news to Zerena. No wonder Darien wanted to stay away from her.

'Your concern for my welfare overwhelms me,' she replied sarcastically. 'But I can take care of myself.'

'You can't even take care of your goldfish.'

Ooooh, she was really asking for it.

'Hey, stop fighting you guys,' Lita intervened. She took out her Sailor Scout communicator and tried to contact Amy.

'Come in Amy. It's Lita calling,' she said, turning her back to them.

'What's that?' Zerena asked. 'Some new cellular phone?'

'Good joke Serena. Don't tell me you forgot it again.'

'Oh...um...uh, yeah, I did,' she responded nervously. 'You know me.'

Whew! What a close call.

'Yeah, unfortunately. You are such a ditz, Serena,' Raye complained.

All right, that was the last straw. She had had just about enough. What kind of friend was she anyway?

'I'd rather be a ditz than a conceited, stuck-up, know-it-all bully.'

'And what's that supposed to mean?!' Raye demanded angrily.

'Do I have to spell it out for you? You know, you act tough and may think you're better than everyone else, but you don't fool me. The world doesn't revolve around you, Raye Hino.'

'I never said that,' she replied defensively.

'You didn't have to. I mean, why else would you always find an occasion to pick on EVERY little thing that I do? Do you get some sadistic joy out of belittling me all the time?'

Raye immediately shut her mouth. What had come over Serena lately? She was actually getting a backbone. Admittedly, she had struck a raw nerve in her. Raye couldn't quite understand why Serena's accusations affected her so much. Sure, she was hard on Serena, but she had to be if Serena was ever going to take her duties seriously. After all, SHE had to learn that hard lesson at a young age when her parents passed away and was left with grampa. Well, maybe Serena had a valid argument.

'I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I didn't mean to,' Raye said quietly, after an uncomfortable silence passed.

Zerena's anger evaporated as quickly as it came.

'Apology accepted,' she said with a smile, and extended her hand in reconciliation. 'Still friends?'

Raye returned the smile and shook her hand. 'Yeah.'

At least Zerena managed to show a side to Serena that many people tended to overlook, especially her friends. Maybe now, they would see her in a different light and treat her with a little more understanding.

'I never thought I'd see the day when you two were civil to each other for more than 10 seconds,' Mina said, breaking the tense atmosphere. 'For a minute there, I thought I would have to call out the National Guard.'

'Hey guys, major trouble,' Lita said after finishing her call. 'Amy just told me that those creeps from the Black Moon Kingdom are at it again. This time, they're attacking the elementary school near Raye's temple on Cherry Hill Road.'

'Not Reeny's school too?' Zerena asked in genuine concern. This was going to far. Getting the crystal was one thing, but hurting dozens of innocent defenseless children in the process was another. The line had to be drawn somewhere.

'I'm not sure, but I bet that's who they're after. Come on, we've got to help them out. Amy and Luna will meet us there.'

'Girls, thank goodness,' Luna exclaimed as they reached Reeny's school. 'No time to lose. Amy needs backup. Transform now!'

'You guys ready?' Lita asked, already taking out her power stick.

'Ready,' Raye and Mina agreed.

'Hey, what's going on here? Ready for what?' Zerena asked in confusion.

'Jupiter Star Power!'

'Mars Star Power!'

'Venus Star Power!'

'What the...' Zerena gasped in complete and utter shock as she watched Serena's friends transform into the Sailor Scouts right before her very eyes.

No way, I don't believe it. I must have eaten a bad doughnut or something. Okay, Okay calm down. Just close your eyes and when you open them again this will all be just a crazy dream.

Zerena opened one eye and peeked cautiously. Sure enough, Sailor Jupiter, Mars, and Venus were standing before her ready for battle. They ran off in the direction of the loud noise leaving her standing dumb with her mouth open.

'Now I've seen everything,' she muttered.

Wait a minute, if Serena's friends are the Sailor Scouts, then that must mean that Serena...

'Serena, what are you waiting for? Transform!' Luna ordered.

'But...but...' she sputtered nervously. How in the world was she supposed to do THAT? And for that matter, would she be able to? Zerena was in a no-win situation. If she couldn't transform, then the Scouts were sure to realize that she was an imposter. And if in fact, she WAS able to transform, would she be able to pull it off?

'Someone help me, please!' Reeny's voice cried out.

Zerena clenched her fists in determination. Crystal or no crystal, she had to help Reeny in any way that she could. She was only a kid for goodness' sake.

'What's happening?' she gasped when her broach began to glow brightly. It was the first time that happened since she began wearing it.

'Did you hear me? We can't wait all day for you to say Moon Crystal Power,' Luna scolded in her usual manner.

'I'm ON it Luna.'

Zerena took a deep breath and gulped nervously. Well, here goes nothing.

'Moooon...Crystallll...Powerrrr!'

The brooch on her uniform began to glow even brighter and then proceeded to surround her in a flash of sparkling white light, where the unthinkable happened...she transformed into Sailor Moon!

During her transformation, the power of the crystal had returned all of Serena's memories back to Zerena, infusing her with every little minute detail.

She remembered now. She remembered everything. The Sailor Scouts, the moon kingdom, the final battle with the Negaforce...Darien. It was all coming back to her in an open floodgate of memories. For the time being, they would have to wait. Right now the pink-haired moon child needed her help.

'Come along Reeny. There's no escape,' Prisma taunted as she stood in front of a terrified Reeny, grabbing hold of the collar of her school uniform.

'Leave me alone! You just want to hurt me.'

'It's no use struggling. You were lucky the last time, but your luck's just run out. There's no one to help you now.'

'Don't bet on it, lady,' Sailor Mercury said from behind. 'Let that child go.'

'And who's going to make me?'

'Sailor Mercury, that's who.'

'I'm shaking in my boots,' Prisma replied sarcastically.

'Mercury bubbles...'

Prisma was quick to intercept Mercury's attack and used her dark lightning to knock down her opponent before she could utilize her attack.

'Amy! Are you all right?' Luna asked worriedly.

'Yeah, I think so. She was too quick for me.'

'Nice try Sailor brat. You'll have to try something better than puny soap bubbles.'

'How about picking on someone your own size?' Sailor Jupiter intervened.

'Sailor Scouts! Nice timing,' Sailor Mercury said turning around.

'Back for more bruisin' eh?' Sailor Mars added. 'We're going to have to teach this sleaze queen some manners, right Sailor Venus?'

'Excellent suggestion Mars. Let's do it.'

'Oh I wouldn't try it if I were you. Your precious little brat here might just get in the way,' Prisma replied, shoving Reeny out in front of her as a buffer.

'Let her go,' Zerena demanded in an authoritative voice that commanded everyone's attention.

Prisma turned around and stared in surprise. 'Sailor Moon! I thought we took care of you. You were supposed to leave the Scouts.'

'Takes more than a hatchet job by you creeps to break up the Sailor Scouts. Now for the last time, let go of the child.'

'You'll have to get by the Hydra first. Hydra, take care of these do-gooders!' Prisma shouted.

A cloud of black smoke encircled upward from the ground in front of the Scouts and when it cleared, a hideous nine-headed serpent sprang forth.

'Free at las-s-s-st!' each head chorused in unison.

The Scouts stepped back in horror. This was by far, one of the most menacing and ugliest creatures they had come across in their battles.

'Who wants to go first?' Venus asked reluctantly.

'I'll go,' Mars offered. 'Fireballs charge! Mars Firebird Strike!'

The flaming bird aimed straight for the creature. Two of the Hydra's heads opened their mouths and shot a blaze of fire of their own and consumed the firebird.

'No!' Mars cried out in disbelief.

'S-s-s-so you want to play with fire do you?' the Hydra hissed, and fired again, aiming directly for the Sailor Scouts.

'Look out!' Zerena yelled as the girls ducked for cover, barely getting out of the way in time.

'Looks like your Sailor pals are having a little trouble. Revenge is so sweet,' Prisma taunted at Reeny.

A hissing ball of black fur leaped onto her face and left a deep scratch, making her let go of her hold on the child.

'Thank you Luna,' Reeny replied gratefully, scrambling to her feet and ran to the nearest shelter she could find.

'You'll pay for that you nasty little furball!' Prisma screamed in pain. She blasted her dark lightning and singed Luna's tail.

Meanwhile, the Scouts were having problems of their own with the Hydra.

The beast was impossible to defeat. Everywhere they turned to, another head blocked off their escape route. Each of their respective attacks had only succeeded in aggravating the monster. Their only hope was Sailor Moon's sceptre, but one of the long serpent heads managed to grab Zerena and coiled around her.

'Sailor Moon, hold on. We'll get you out,' Mars cried out.

Tuxedo Mask arrived on the scene and flung his patented red rose at the Hydra. The rose decapitated one of the heads that held Zerena prisoner, and dropped her unceremoniously to the ground.

To her horror, not only did the monster grow back its original head, but instead grew TWO in its place! It began to reach for Zerena again when she ducked out of the way.

'This thing's unstoppable,' Jupiter said breathlessly. 'Mercury, can you find any weaknesses?'

'I'll try.' Mercury used her VR visor and scanned for any weak points on the monster, and to no success. 'I'm getting nothing.'

'We've gotta help Sailor Moon. She can't keep this up forever.'

'What CAN we do?' Mercury replied.

A shadowy figure suddenly appeared in the sky and hovered just above them. He was dressed in a simple black military uniform and had a black mask of his own covering his entire face.

'Oh great, that's all we need,' Venus groaned.

The dark figure raised his arms above his head and formed a vortex of swirling water, waiting to fire. The Sailor Scouts prepared to take him on, when he unleashed his attack. But instead of attacking them, he aimed for the Hydra. The torrent of water was released with such velocity and force that it knocked over the monster, sending it sprawling back several feet away.

'Sailor Moon, now's your chance,' the stranger commanded Zerena.

She obeyed they mysterious figure and used her moon sceptre to destroy the Hydra. All that was left was a pile of dust.

'Way to go Sailor Scouts,' Luna said weakly.

'Luna! What happened to you?' Amy asked, gently lifting up the injured cat.

'I'll be all right.'

'Where did that girl from the Black Moon Kingdom go?' Lita asked.

'She disappeared after the monster was destroyed.'

'And Reeny?'

'She's safe.'

Zerena breathed a sigh of relief. The child was okay AND she had managed to pull it off, with a little help from a mysterious ally. She was about to thank him when Tuxedo Mask stopped her.

'Sailor Moon, are you all right?'

Zerena couldn't help feeling resentment towards him. Now that she had all of Serena's memories restored to her, she could remember how he callously dumped her and caused her heartbreak over and over again. Serena's heart was just too forgiving. He didn't deserve her, as far as Zerena was concerned.

'Why did you have to butt in?' she replied acidly.

Darien was taken aback by her reaction. But then he remembered that THIS was what he had set out to do from the very beginning when he began to pretend that he didn't care for her anymore, in hopes that she would hate him and thus be out of danger. Now that he had succeeded, Darien was beginning to wish he hadn't. It was tearing him apart keeping his distance and feigning indifference.

'My duty is to always protect you...despite our present circumstances,' he responded levelly. 'Whether we both like it or not.'

He took out her star locket and handed it out to her.

'I believe this belongs to you. Reeny found it on the docks at the pier.'

'You keep it. I have no use for it now,' Zerena answered in a cold tone and deliberately turned her back on him to join the Scouts.

Darien couldn't believe what just happened. It was as though Serena was a completely different person. She had been acting peculiar ever since that day he found her sitting alone in the park. He looked down at the star locket and gripped it tightly in his gloved hand. Whatever was going on, he was going to get to the bottom of it, if it was the last thing he would ever do.

Zerena sighed wistfully as she stared at the twinkling stars in the sky later that night. They reminded her of diamonds set against crushed black velvet. How could Rubeus ever want to destroy such a beautiful place like this?

At the thought of Rubeus, she frowned in deep concern.

Now that she had the Imperium Silver Crystal, all she had to do was to give it to him and her mission would be completed. But THAT was her dilemma. She didn't WANT to give it to him, knowing fully well what he intended to do once he had it in his clutches. She could try stalling, but he would eventually figure out what she was up to. The future of Earth and perhaps the universe, was in her hands.

Zerena snapped out of her train of thought when she heard a soft muffled cry coming from under the covers of her bed. She crept over to the bedside and pulled the sheets back to find Reeny crying in her sleep. Zerena's heart was filled with compassion and pity for the moon child. The poor kid must be having nightmares again.

Ever since she came into Serena's life, she had done nothing, but wreak havoc and chaos. Yes, she was a manipulative spoiled brat, but in spite of her faults, Zerena knew that as long as she was alive, she would do everything in her power to protect her, even if it meant going against Rubeus' orders.

She turned to get up when a small hand grabbed her arm and stopped her.

'Serena, don't go,' Reeny asked, fully awake now.

'Did you have a bad dream?' Zerena asked, switching on the bedside lamp.

'Mmm hmm,' Reeny nodded. 'I dreamt that I saw my Mommy again, but before I could talk to her, those bad ladies took her away, just like they tried to take me away.'

Zerena gently wiped her tears with a tissue.

'It was only a dream Reeny. Dreams can't hurt you.'

'But it was so real. I miss my Mommy so much, but I can't go home yet.'

'You know, when I feel scared I like to think about things that make me happy.'

'Like what?'

'Oh, things like a rainy day during springtime, boat rides on clear lake, cute little bunny rabbits, and definitely ice cream. That ALWAYS cheers me up.'

'You sound just like my Mommy. She likes all those things too.'

Zerena smiled. She felt warm and happy inside.

'That's a sweet thing to say. Hey, are you feeling a little better now?'

'A little.'

'Try getting some sleep. You've had a very long day. You'll see. Things will look a lot better in the morning.'

'Okay, I'll try. Will you stay up with me until I fall asleep?'

'If you want me to.'

'Thanks Serena,' the little girl replied, snuggling down underneath the covers and fell asleep in no time.

'That was really nice of you Serena,' Luna commented.

'Luna, I thought you were asleep too.'

Luna walked over to her and sat up straight. 'Only cat napping. I do believe that's the first time Reeny's ever slept so peacefully since she came here.'

'She's got a lot on her mind.'

'So do you,' Luna guessed astutely.

'What makes you say that?'

'Well, you barely touched you dinner, which is an amazement in itself, and second you've been staring out of that window for hours. What's bothering you?'

'Nothing. I guess I'm just not myself tonight,' Zerena answered very carefully. What an understatement. 'I'll be fine.'

'Well, if you say so.'

'I do. I'm going to bed. 'Night Luna.'

'Sweet dreams Serena.'

'I will not stand for any more of your excuses, Prisma. You failed me once too often. There is no room in this operation for failures!' Rubeus yelled angrily.

Prisma shrinked back in fright.

'But Rubeus, it wasn't my fault.'

'That's what they all say. I thought you said that Sailor Moon was no longer a part of the Sailor Scouts.'

'Catsy and I took care of that. I don't know why she's still a part of their group.'

'You know what the punishment is for failure Prisma.'

'No, Rubeus please!' she pleaded in vain.

'It's been nice knowing you.'

Rubeus tossed out a black crystalline prism in front of her and watched mercilessly as it sucked her into its matrix. Catsy, Birdy, and Avery watched helplessly as their sister vanished. Prisma would be imprisoned in the black crystal forever. There was nothing they could do for her now.

'Let that be a lesson to the rest of you sisters,' he said before leaving the room. Now that those meddling Sailor brats were a team again, he had to come up with a new strategy.

He entered into the dark chamber that held his hostage and walked over to the glass coffin peering in contemplation. Serena was lying in a comatose state after being subjected to intense exposure to the negative energy of the black moon crystal. It had been difficult to extract her memories and implant them into Zerena's mind. The child had resisted strongly even when she had been unconscious, resulting in only partial memory being restored.

She had a stronger will than expected. Oh well, no matter. The girl would be gone soon enough once every essence of her body was extracted. It was up to Zerena now.

'Serena, WAKE UP! I won't have you sleeping in my class again. I won't have it!' Ms. Haruna nagged.

Zerena yawned tiredly. 'Oh, Ms. H. just five more minutes,' she mumbled incoherently with her head resting on the desk.

'Outside young lady, until I call you back in.'

Zerena groaned as she shuffled her feet to the door, barely having the energy to turn the knob. This time her lack of stamina was legitimate. She had spent the remaining hours of the morning staying up with Reeny. The child had woken up again, and asked her to stay up with her. Zerena just wasn't parent material.

'Serena! What are you doing outside of class?' Amy asked as she passed by in the hallway.

'I fell asleep in class again,' she replied yawning for the umpteenth time. 'How's a girl supposed to get her beauty sleep?'

'The same way as everyone else, silly.'

'It's just not my day.'

'Cheer up Serena. I've got to get to class. See ya later.'

'Bye Amy.'

Ms. Haruna opened the door and told her to come inside. The rest of the class had been dismissed for recess period.

'Serena, I want to talk to you seriously about your grades. You've failed three of the last five quizzes I've given in geometry. I think there's cause for concern.'

'It was hard,' Zerena complained, sounding reminiscent of Serena.

'I asked for the definition of the PYthagorean Theorem and you wrote that it was a formula for making PIES!'

Zerena turned beet-red with embarrassment. Okay, so math wasn't her best subject.

'I know you're capable of doing better work. So, I've decided to arrange a tutor for you after school hours.'

'But Miss Haruna,' she protested. The thought of spending more time than absolutely necessary in school was a fate worse than death as far as Zerena was concerned. This was one part of Serena's life she could do without.

'No but's. My decision is final. Your first session begins at 3 this afternoon in here. I won't even bother reminding you not to be late,' her teacher said, leaving the room.

Zerena sighed heavily. It REALLY wasn't her day today.

'Wouldn't you just know it? For once I'm early, and that stupid tutor is late,' Zerena complained out loud in the empty classroom.

'Would it help if I apologized?' an all too familiar voice asked from the doorway.

Her head shot up immediately as her eyes met Adam Butler's.

'What are you doing here?' she accused furiously.

Adam walked over and perched himself on the desk next to her.

'I'm your math tutor.'

'My WHAT? Unh, uh, no way,' she said, shaking her head back and forth in denial. 'Did you do this on purpose?' she asked suspiciously.

'I'm appalled that you'd think I would go to such lengths,' he said in pretending to sound offended, and put his hand to his chest in an over-dramatic pose.

'Call me crazy, but the last time we saw each other, you practically humiliated me in front of a whole audience of strangers.'

'Oh that. You're not still mad are you Serena?'

'You bet your sweet life I am. How dare you?'

'Easy. I like you a lot. You've got spunk. I must say that I've never met any girl with a right hook like yours. I'm lucky you didn't knock out my teeth.'

Zerena blushed hotly under his gaze. I'm gonna die. He likes me! He really likes me! Calm down. You don't want to look over anxious.

'Flattery will get you no where.'

'How about a sincere apology?'

'That might help.'

'I'm REALLY sorry for embarrassing you the other day. It won't happen again. Forgive me?' he asked flashing her a devastating smile.

'Only if you help me pass math,' she replied smiling back at him.

'Now that, I CAN promise you.'

'Well, time's up for today.'

'Really?' Zerena asked, trying not to sound disappointed. Oh, rats!

'So do you think this session helped you understand a little better now?'

She couldn't say much about the geometry part, but for her part, she enjoyed every waking moment with the hunkiest to-die-for guy she had ever met.

'Oh yeah, it sure did. Um, do you think you might be able to squeeze in some extra sessions? I think I'm gonna need some more help,' she asked sounding as innocent as possible.

'Well, that's what I'm here for. Same time, same place tomorrow?'

'I'll be here.'

'It's a date then. Bye Serena.'

Zerena sighed happily, with hearts in her eyes as she watched Adam leave.

'I think I'm in love,' she said out loud into the empty room.

Adam stared up at the classroom from outside the school after leaving Zerena. He clenched his fist tightly, trying to suppress his emotions. He knew from the moment he saw her that his heart was lost. He was torn between telling her the truth about his real identity as Proteus and his loyalties to Rubeus.

He had followed her when she left the soda shop the other day after belting him in the jaw, and could not believe that she was really Sailor Moon,

Well, at least that she was able to transform into Sailor Moon since the real Serena was being held a prisoner in the mother ship.

When he saw her in danger, he had morphed into his true form and used his powers over water to subdue the Hydra. He would do anything to protect Zerena. But he was playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Rubeus. If he ever discovered Proteus' treachery, both he and Zerena would be in danger. And time was running out...

To be continued