I do not own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 9


For a full week and a half, all of the signs that had once pointed to the worst had disappeared completely. Not a trace of energy detection or random attacks and anything related had shown up. It was as if the Storm Sisters had given up completely. Amara and Michelle hadn't seen anything so puzzling. Frequent attacks would come out of nowhere and then just as suddenly as when they began, they stopped all together. "Michelle…do you think they gave up?"

The Senshi, however, knew that because it was so oddly quiet, it could only mean one thing. The situation was about to get worse…and when posed the greatest problem. "I'm not sure actually. But I do know that the others must be treading deep water…something is going to happen, something big and soon."

"How can we stop it before anything happens?" Amara replied solemnly. She kept her eyes to the road as the car raced across the highway.

"We can't. Fate and destiny will guide us, my cousin. Sailor Moon is strong and so are her friends…they will stop this. They must or we are doomed." A look of foreboding covered Michelle's pretty features.

"They need our help, Michelle. We can't turn our backs on them!"

"Looks who's gone soft! I'm just playing with your mind Amara. Of course we'll be there to back them up. But you know they've done this before…they'll do it again!" Michelle turned away and fell into deep thought.

"I just hope that they can pull together. They have one weakness…rivalry between Raye and Serena. That could pose a problem…it'll show up eventually during battle. Not something we need." Amara returned her thoughts to driving again. Michelle glanced back at her partner and sighed.

"Have faith, Amara."

* * *

Both of the Jenkins sisters were quite grateful that school had let out some time ago. Holding down jobs and attending college could be hard to juggle at once--especially since the two were out on their own. But then again…Sabrina always did enjoy a challenge. A sudden shout from down the hall cut through the bright girl's thoughts.

"Sabrina! Have you seen my skirt?" Eve exclaimed, making her way down the main hall of the loft. Wine-hued hair pulled back in a messy braid, she waited for her sister's reply.

"Which one?"

"The khaki one with the bead-fringe on the hem. I need it!" Eve replied, her tone and expression hurried.

Sabrina rose and led her sister to her own bedroom. Rummaging through the closet messily, she removed the specific item from its confines. "Here." She peered at her sister closely and voiced her thoughts.

"Who's the guy?" she inquired, a smirk on her lips.

"What?"

"Eve, who is he? You never hurry so unless you've got a extremely important rendezvous to attend," sunlit-Sabrina replied. "Honestly, you are so transparent."

Eve allowed a smile to cross her lips and retrieved the skirt from her sister's grasp. She blinked her glittering hazel eyes. "And you," she spoke up with a twinge of audacity, "where are you going?"

"I'm not sure…but I'll let you know when I find out. I'll call you later," Sabrina replied simply. Gathering her jacket and purse, the young woman departed.

"Bye, Sabrina," Eve called after her. This afternoon would hopefully be one to remember. It was in fact true that Eve had an important meeting she was attending. But her partner hadn't the slightest clue they'd be meeting. Dressing quickly into a blue tank top, and the aforementioned khaki skirt, Eve looked herself over in the floor-length mirror. She beamed a confident smile. "Welcome home, Darien."

* * *

Both Serena and her cousin Rini were apart for the weekend, and Darien knew well that his girlfriend needed her rest. In any case, he decided it best to take a little time for himself-while he still had it. 'All I have to do…is enjoy this beautiful day…'

"Beautiful isn't it?" a feminine voice came from beside him. Darien had been sitting alone on a bench, in the middle of the park by a lovely crystalline pond. Darien's attention quickly shifted from the water to the beautiful face of a long time friend. In response to her, he smiled casually.

"Yeah it is. I haven't had any time to myself lately. How are you doing?" Darien replied gladly. He looked at this beautiful creature beside him. Long, deep burgundy hair, hazel eyes with striking slits of gold. Baby blue tank top and khaki skirt…long legs and slim body.

"I'm wonderful thank you. I meant to congratulate you on your seminar. I never got the chance before you left the country," Eve replied. Darien ran a hand through his midnight hair and smiled at her.

"Thank you," he answered, his thoughts wandering. A few moments of silence passed as the two enjoyed one another's company.

"What is it?" Eve asked, noticing he was staring.

"I…nothing. I've just been thinking a lot," the man responded after a moment. "It's been quite a long time since we've spoken. You look really well, Eve."

"Thank you," she smiled genuinely. "Actually I was looking for you. Would you like to get a drink with me? A cup of coffee maybe?"

He nodded, "I would love to."

* * *

By four o'clock that afternoon, Serena Tsukino felt alive and refreshed once again. Last night had been a turning point--and despite her earlier feelings, she realized that the occurrence at the home of the four sisters was not her fault. In fact, Serena was thankful she arrived in time to prevent a catastrophe from occurring. And almost in celebration, she and Mina gathered together and spent the afternoon enjoying their teenage years. And thankful that those dark hours had passed, the odangoed future queen baked a batch of cookies for her beloved future husband.

It was Mina who accompanied Serena on her quest to present Darien with the freshly baked cookies. For the time, both were content with just chatting, until the princess of Venus felt her stomach grumble. "You know what would taste really good right now? Some coffee and cake!" Mina exclaimed pointing into the café as they walked by the windows.

"Yeah-

Agreeing with her, Serena's gaze turned to the café windows…and at this moment she witnessed a nauseating scene. Darien was sitting inside, but not alone.

"Serena, what's-

"Mina." Serena's voice was disbelieving, soft, and fearful. "Who is she? Who is that beautiful woman with him?" Mina was quickly alarmed at Serena's tone, as well as the fearful gleam that had entered her bright eyes. Her future queen stood silently, her eyes locked on Darien and his companion…steadily heartbroken.

"Sere…I…no, don't get upset I'm sure she's just a friend…" Mina tried uselessly to console her easily jealous friend.

"You're right…you have to be. But," Serena stopped short. The woman was probably Darien's exact age, if not slightly younger. She was beautiful in every sense, and from the looks of things, the two were entranced-at least in Serena's perspective.

"Serena, please. I'm sure it's nothing!" Mina continued, her enormous blue eyes shifting between her friend and the couple beyond them. The other blonde girl merely ignored her; Serena staggered forward and pressed her hands to the window right where Darien sat. She stood incredulous, watching the two laughing and smiling. The woman's eyes sparkled like diamonds as Serena watched her place a hand on Darien's-until the girl suddenly looked at the window in great puzzlement.

"Who's that girl?" she said to Darien. The midnight-haired man turned to the window and a smile overcame his masculine features. But before he could realize the impact of his actions, her eyes brimmed with tears. Darien quickly stood in concern and watched as Serena thrust her hands to her face and ran away crying.

"Serena!" Darien shouted, completely befuddled.

"Who was that?" Eve inquired once again, remaining in the dark on the just past events.

"She's my girlfriend!" Darien tore out of the café, his mind set solely on the girl in the window. The wine-haired young woman sipped the rest of her coffee bitterly. She had no idea he had a girlfriend…much less that she was a mere child. Even so, her intentions and flirtatious gestures (i.e.: touching his hand) were merely out of friendly affection. Despite all of this, Eve couldn't help but feel hurt, deserted, and angry.

'That young girl, is his girlfriend? There must be some explanation for this. Girlfriend, huh? We'll just see about that.' Eve set down her cup with a clatter, carelessly tossing a bill onto the table to pay as she readied herself to leave.

* * *
Just as Darien flew out the café door, sure enough Mina was standing there waiting for him. She was leaning back against the wall, her arms folded crossly and her eyes closed. "Darien, why?" she said simply.

"What happened?" he questioned seriously and completely oblivious. He ran a nervous hand through his unruly hair.

"You've totally thrown Serena off of the deep end this time, Chiba," Mina scolded. "You should be ashamed!" She lifted a small bundle and thrust it at his chest roughly. "Serena made these for you."

"Mina, please listen to me!" Darien shook his head wildly and grabbed Mina's shoulders, though not harshly.

"I won't even ask who that other woman was," Mina said in an alarmingly low tone as she glared at him. It had become apparent by now that Darien was truly oblivious and remorseful--even if he hadn't done anything. The only problem was…now he had to convince Serena of the same thing.

"I don't understand! Eve and I are merely college friends! We were having a cup of coffee-

Mina held up a hand to halt his explanation. "Save it, Darien. Now find your future wife and rectify your mistake!" Her words registered and he nodded politely at the young blonde girl.

"Thank you," he replied quickly and sped off. With that he searched every nook and cranny in hopes of discovering where she had gone. However…that afternoon Serena did not turn up.

Darien came to rest on a park bench, his sides heaving as he breathed shallowly. He had been running in search of her all-afternoon, and still no sign. "What have I done? She's gotten the entirely wrong idea…Eve and I are adult friends and nothing more. Oh Serena…how can I prove to you that you're the only one for me?"

* * *
In spite of Darien's search efforts, Serena had raced through the city and gotten herself completely lost. It was the middle of downtown Tokyo and the time was progressing. Soon it would be evening and the sun would set…leaving the girl desperate and alone. She finally let go completely and collapsed behind a garbage can, sobbing miserably. "Darien…I thought you loved me. Now! After all this time you leave me again…but why?" she managed to choke out.

"Serena…I'll always love you…until the day that I die and no one could ever take your place," she could hear him saying in the back of her depressed mind.

"I'm such a fool…I love you with all my heart. I know you feel the same…I just can't help feeling rejected. God, have I really made such an idiot of myself?" Serena put her head into her knees and cried.

"You shouldn't be all alone," a kind voice said out of the blue. Serena jumped at hearing it, standing and whirling around to face it.

"Huh? Who are you?" came the blonde's distrusting answer.

"I'm…um Chloe. What's wrong? Problems with a boyfriend?" It was a woman, probably a little younger than Darien, who was in fact quite pretty.

"How'd you know?" Serena inquired skeptically.

"A little bird told me. Here. Come alone with me and I'll cheer you up. Come on now," the pretty girl beckoned. She was slim and stood at an average height; shoulder length sky-blue hair and deep gray eyes complimented her features perfectly. In spite of her instincts, Serena, reluctantly and in a state of vulnerability, followed.

* * *

"Where are we, Chloe? I thought you said we were going to a restaurant." By now the odangoed girl was frustrated and upset, her tear-stained face was cool in the evening breeze. Chloe stopped suddenly, and Serena was uneasy from observing their surroundings. They'd come to stop in a random back-alleyway, probably one even farther from home than the last.

Chloe's eyes flickered and at this Serena was beginning to feel a bit uncertain. "Not quite. Hey that's such a pretty broach may I see it?" The woman's voice was so cold, so empty and self-consumed.

"I-I suppose," Serena said removing it from her blouse and handing it to Chloe. Later Serena would regret ever doing this.

"How pretty." It was at this moment that a feeling of total insecurity and fright overcame the odangoed young woman. Chloe's eyes were locked on the broach, and she held it firmly, not gently as an observer would.

"My broach," the blonde spoke up but Chloe remained motionless for a moment as if pondering her next move. Serena began to reach for it back and in response: Chloe only turned her back to Serena, still clutching her Moon Broach tightly. By now Serena was unnerved and began to realize the significance of her mistake. They were somewhere off far downtown in Tokyo, no people were around in the dark alleyways and the sun was setting quickly. "Chloe-

"Silence, Moon Rabbit!" Chloe exclaimed whirling around, her eyes glittering dangerously. Her lips twisted up into a satanic grin. Serena gasped, clasping a hand to her mouth in shock.

'She knows…oh hell she's one of them!' The future queen stepped back in fear; her body shook as she desperately wished the broach were back in her possession.

"Poor Miss Princess, all alone and vulnerable. Perfect for the picking. Thank you so much for handing over your life!" Chloe remarked nonchalantly.

"My life? You're one of them!" The blonde decided to adopt an offensive position rather than defensive. If Serena didn't act quickly, it would cost her life.

"So you…this whining, sniveling, heartbroken little wretch is the Moon Princess, as well as our mortal enemy, Sailor Moon. Never really saw that one coming." As Chloe finished her statement, Serena launched herself forward, arms outstretched as her face grimaced in anguish. But before she would ever strike, the woman cleverly stepped aside and slammed a fist down into the girl's back…sending her hurtling to the ground several feet away.

"You…you monster!" she hissed, dazed as she tried lifting herself.

"If my conclusions are correct…than this will be your final moment alive. Yes, you see, without your broach you are no one!" And with an iron grip, Chloe crunched the broach into billions of tiny pieces and dropped the shards to the ground.

Serena's eyes shot wide open as she fell to the ground once more. "NO!" she screamed, trying to collect the non-repairable pieces.

"All gone," Chloe hissed as the wind blew the pieces away. The blonde girl reached out screaming on the ground.

"My broach! What do you want from me?" the sobbing girl cried out. Chloe merely let out a satanic laugh…a laugh that would forever haunt Serena.

"You've already met my sister." Chloe flipped backwards into the air, shedding both her disguise and allowing her black star to proudly reappear.

"No!" Serena whispered in denial, tears sliding down her cherubic face.

"I am Glimmer, youngest of the Infinite Storm Sisters. You have meddled with our mission for the last time. I bid you farewell, dear Moon Princess!" Glimmer laughed, floating down to the ground. She stood arrogantly in her black leather pants, white back-less top accented with red floral stitching across the neck, as well as tall, black spiked heels.

"You disgusting demon! I promise you will pay for this!" Serena shrieked. Glimmer had cleverly led her to a secluded area in a dump and now she was to die.

"Poor little Princess…" was all Glimmer could manage as she giggled.

'Oh girls…if only we had more time together. And Darien…even if you don't love me any longer, I will always love you.'

Without warning, Glimmer put out her hand and used her capabilities to lift Serena into the air, the girl's eyes streaming with tears. She fought hard but couldn't escape. "Supreme Cosmic Destruction!" Glimmer screamed. An explosion of black and blue fire burst out from within the teenage girl, nearly killing her as she was thrust this way and that violently by a nuclear wind. Giant rocks pelted her, breaking her bones. "Get up weakling!" Glimmer laughed, her eyes lit with a vengeful fire. "You're finished!"

Shaken, bruised, broken, and weak, Serena miraculously was able to move even in light of her suffering. Blood poured from her sliced lip and from bruises and gashes in her arms, back, and sides. As she spoke with great difficulty, her voice was calm. "In the name of our future, and the lives of all I hold dear, I will not allow for this reign of terror to continue. Moon Comic Power!" But without her broach, her Princess-ly powers could only protect for so long. A silvery light enveloped her shattered body, and it seemed almost at once it faded as Glimmer unleashed another blast.

"My dear, step down from your throne. For you are no more!" Glimmer hissed maniacally. The ground rumbled wildly beneath them, fire was everywhere…and with each passing second, darkness was flooding Serena's mind and her soul…

"I cannot give up! For my friends! No!" Serena screamed. A fresh wave of tears fell just before she passed out and collapsed. The world went black…nothingness reigned powerful. Glimmer laughed and disappeared. Her work was finally done…for the beloved White Moon Princess was dead.