Hey, minna! So here is Chapter 8. I shall try to keep
the AN's short and sweet so that you can get on with
reading.

As always, thanks to Mary Ann, Corie, Skott, Harley
(yup, from the picture. He's a really cool guy), Herm, Jess
and melrae, bhandy and gummiebear. Dramaking12 and hegira,
you are the bomb! Thanks for all you do.

Disclaimer: Kenny Loggins, the Urythmics, and Sailor Moon
are hosting a beach party and you are all invited! No for
real. They are having a party in honor of me, because I
live in the frozen north in a house with no heat, and I
neither own nor have any affiliation with any of them(or
their songs, as the case may be)!

Rainbow Eclipse
Rated PG

Chapter 8
Mirage

The reunion between Serena and the girls was filled
with tears, questions and yelling. That is, Serena, Mina
and Lita cried, Amy asked questions and Raye yelled at
Serena.
"How could you be so stupid?! You scared us all to
death! If you ever do that again, I will hunt you down and
KILL you!" Raye yelled, all the while hugging her best
friend. A message passed between the two girls, relief
showing on both their faces.
"What happened?!" all the girls asked.
Promising an explanation, but insisting that she was
hungry and needed to sit down (the declaration of hunger
brought smiles to everyone's faces), the group headed down
to Crown Resturant. Darien and Serena held hands under the
table while Serena related the entire story to her friends
and true love. Serena carefully withheld the real name of
the vengeful Sailor Eclipse, understanding on some primal
level that they were in no danger from Sailor Eclipse's
earth form. When Serena finished her story, utter silence
reigned. No one could think of a thing to say. Lizzy
brought their food, and everyone dug in, everyone but
Serena. Serena was recalling the hurried words exchanged
between Destiny and Skott moments before Skott had left.

'Ten o'clock, right?'
'Yup, at the Sunset Mirage.'

Serena gasped, and rose suddenly.
"Sere? What's wrong?" Darien asked, worry clouding his
voice.
"Nothing." Serena said, with a brittle laugh. "I have
to get home. Don't want Mom and Dad to worry. Bye!"
Serena hurridly left the resturant, a plan forming in
her head. Rushing to a phone booth, she grabbed the plastic
covered phone book and began skimming pages.
"The Sunset Mirage, 2356 Tokyo Way," she murmured.
Ripping the page out of the book, she turned toward home.
'The Luna Pen can get me in. I just hope I can…help
her.' Serena thought, hurrying home.
"Sere!"
Serena turned. "Darien!"
"Sere, what's wrong? You aren't yourself, and I'm
really worried about you. You disappear for hours, I think
I'm never going to see you again, and then when I have you
back, you vanish! What's going on?"
"Darien, I…I have to protect you. All of you. This is
my fight; only I can win. Please, just trust me. I'll call
you later, kay?" Serena reached up and touched his face
before spinning and taking off again.
'Don't worry Darien. I'll keep you safe. I promise.'

* * *

Later that night

Serena looked spectacular, as the appreciative glances
of men told her. The Luna Pen had increased her age to 21,
her hair styled in a windblown way. A cresant moon tattoo
surrounded her belly button. A short black leather skirt
and midriff baring tanktop in the same color gave her an
exotic appeal. Sheer black tights and black ankle boots
allowed her to blend in with the night. Her make-up was
subtle, but effective. All in all, she looked hot, and she
walked with the air of one who knew exactly how great she
looked.
The Sunset Mirage was one of the trendiest night
clubs in town and the line for admittance streched around
the block. Serena ignored the line, walking right to the
front. A neon sign, glowing purple and green against the
black night made the entrance more visible. The white
marquee proclaimed "MYSTIC VISIONS, Friday through Sunday."
When Serena got to the door, the bouncers did a double
take, gawked for a minute and then ushered her right in.
Inside the club, tables were lit with small blue shaded
lamps. Food and coffee were pricey, but no one blinked at
spending the money. Serena found a corner table and sat,
her eyes fixed on the empty stage. She didn't have long to
wait.
Within moments, the manager of the club walked front
and center. He stepped carefully over cords and speakers
and nearly fell into the drums set. Onlookers clapped and
cheered him on. Taking an elaborate bow, the man stepped up
to the center michrophone.
"Without further ado, people, MYSTIC VISIONS!"
Serena joined in the clapping. Two other people had
joined her table and they were cheering enthusiastically.
Destiny stepped onto the stage, followed by Skott, Mary
Ann, Fabian and Harley. Mary Ann wore a crushed black
velvet skirt with a short red silk jacket covered with
green, blue and gold embroidery. Skott wore black jeans and
a red silk vest. Harley was dressed in a tight black
undershirt which conformed to his muscles and black jeans.
A red bandanna was wrapped cowboy style around his neck.
Fabian wore black body armor, the kind worn in virtual
reality movies, and combat boots. Destiny wore a short,
skin tight, red velvet number with a black trench coat and
black sandals that twisted all the way up her calves.
Serena was impressed.
The band members picked up their instruments and
waited. Then drummer lifted his sticks.
"5, 6, 7, 8!"

(Kenny Loggins)

Revvin' up your engine
Listen to her howlin' roar
Metal under tension
Beggin' you to touch and go

Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone

Headin' into twighlight
Spreadin' out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin' off the deck and
Shiftin' into overdrive

Highway to the Danger Zone
I'll take you
Right into the Danger Zone

You'll never say hello to you
Until you get it on the red line
overload
You'll never know what you can do
Until you get it up as high as you
can go

Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity

Highway to the Danger Zone
Gonna take you
Right into the Danger Zone

Highway to the Danger Zone!

Serena was totally lost in the music. Skott's
voice was wonderful, perfectly suited to the rough rock and
roll sound. The songs continued, mostly classic rock n'
roll. Finally, the band announced that there would be only
two more songs.
"This one is an original by written by Destiny and
Fabian. Give it up!" Skott declared. The crowd clapped and
cheered. Smiling, Destiny stepped up to the mike. Her
fingers moved quickly to the guitar strings. Haunting
music, notes that spoke of love and loss, drifted from the
instrument.

The Minds Mirage


Kaleidoscopes of color wheel around
I am lost in memory's typhoon
Sapphire and ruby
My thoughts flash quickly
And vanish like paper in flame.

I see a girl longing to fly
She's pining for love and eternal light
Trapped in a jar whose seal is tight
To protect her heart

Just remember, it's your imagination
Only the mind's mirage
Things come and go
Thousands of pictures from a desert storm
Leap out and then fade
It's only a projection
Just the mind's mirage

Betrayal and grief
Overwhelm the senses
The loss of innocence and confidence
Destroys all things.

Just remember, it's your imagination
Only the mind's mirage
Things come and go
Thousands of pictures from a desert storm
Leap out and then fade
It's only a projection
Just the mind's mirage

Only a projection
Just the mind's mirage

When Destiny finished singing, the club was silent.
Then a single pair of hands began the clapping. Serena was
shocked to see that she was applauding. Then another person
joined in, and another. Soon the club was roaring its
approval. Destiny smiled and bowed slightly.
"One more, you guys!" she yelled.


(Urythmics)

Sweet dreams are made of these
Who am I to disagree
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's lookin' for something.

Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to be used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Finally the concert was over. The fans booed and
called for an encore. Destiny just smiled. The band waved
to the crowd, shaking hands and responding to yelled
questions.
"When's your CD coming out?" someone yelled
"Soon, we hope. You'll be the first to know, babe."
Mary Ann yelled.
"Ooo, baby!"
"You know it!" Skott yelled back.
Destiny just laughed and continued smiling, carrying
her guitar across the stage and away from the crowd.
Suddenly she stiffened and turned back to the crowd,
searching. Finally her indigo gaze fell on Serena and she
smiled.

Serena gave a small scream.

Serena nodded, shaking slightly.

Serena rose and walked toward the back of the club.
When she reached the stage, she was forced to fight her way
through the enthusiastic crowd. That took a great deal of
doing, especially since almost everyone was trying to get
to the door, which was in the opposite direction. Finally
Serena managed to make it to the 'Restricted Access' door.
"Name?" demanded a burly security guard.
"Tsukino Serena." Serena stammered out.
"Go right through. Destiny said you'd be back."
"Thanks." Serena pushed open the door and walked into
a crowded room. All the band members were trying to get
their stuff, but since the room was small, there wasn't
much room to maneuver. Mary Ann was trying to crawl over
Harley, who was reaching around Skott for a beer bottle.
Destiny intercepted the beer.
"None for you. You have to drive." Destiny admonished
him. Pulling his lips down and making puppy dog eyes got
Harley a bottle of mineral water. Sneering, Harley gulped
it down and reached for another one. It was about this time
that Skott noticed Serena.
"Hey gorgeous! Lookin' for me?"
"No, sorry. I'm looking for…"
"Me. She's looking for me." Harley said.
"You wish. Actually, she's looking for me." Destiny
drawled, shooting insolent glares at the guys. She had
changed into biker pants and a silky red top that had
'Mystic Visions' scrawled across it. Her trench coat was
still on, and the guitar case was strapped to her back.
"How come Destiny attracts all the cute girls?" Skott
complained.
"Animal magnetism." Destiny quipped. "Let's go,
Serena."
"Serena? Not the staying-at-your-apartment Serena? The
one who looked about sixteen this afternoon?"
"The very same. Let's go."
Serena followed Destiny's lead as they headed outside
"Later, all." Destiny called "Practice tomorrow, noon.
Don't forget."
Serena heard laughter and joking as the outer door
swung shut behind them.
"You want to talk?" Destiny asked.
"Yeah." Serena said.
"Well, change back to normal. I don't know how you did
it, but this twenty something you is downright creepy. So
get back to normal. Then we'll go on my bike."
Serena hesitated, but powered down. Smiling, her
sixteen year old self climbed onto the electric blue
motorcycle behind Destiny, legs hanging over one side.
Destiny kicked the engine to life and they were off,
roaring across town. Serena kept her eyes shut. When the
bike stopped at last, she opened them, and gasped. Destiny
had brought Serena to the Crystal Palace, or what there was
of it. Construction was steady, but tonight the place was
deserted. Destiny left her guitar by the bike and climbed
off. She strolled around the sight, looking up at what had
been built so far. Suddenly, Destiny reached into her
pocket and pulled out a leather pouch. Serena's jaw
dropped. A star shaped brooch and the star necklace fell
into Destiny's open palm. Smiling, Destiny held the brooch
aloft.
"RAINBOW STAR CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
Serena watched in awe as Destiny rose from the ground.
A floating star surrounded her as she began to spin. Her
brooch spun down onto her chest, and rainbow hued ribbons
wrapped around her body. Another rainbow flew behind her,
creating her cape and boots. Her scepter appeared with a
flash of light. Grasping it, Sailor Eclipse smiled, a star
shaped stone appearing to grace her tiara. Serena grabbed
her own brooch.
"Cosmic Moon Power!" Serena transformed into Sailor
Moon, determined to fight this person until the end.
Floating back to the ground, Eclipse spoke.
"It was the last gift she gave me." Sailor Eclipse
said, putting on the star necklace. "We met when she was 6
and I was 5. She thought I was so immature, thought she was
so much better, until I kicked her butt in self-defense
class. My mother was a palace servant, and Serenity was a
princess, so we were miles apart socially, but that didn't
stop us. We were inseparable. Serenity wouldn't go to her
lessons unless I went too. So her parents made me her
personal companion, and I went everywhere with her.
We learned to read and write together, learned to
fight together, fell in love together. I was her maid of
honor. She stayed up all night with me when an evil male
broke my heart. We were like sisters. I was your godmother;
bet you didn't know that. When I became Sailor Eclipse, she
made me Head of Security. When your father passed, I held
her while she cried on my shoulder. She was part of me; the
best part.
After she died, I wandered the galaxy, sought out the
survivors on each planet and brought them to Earth. I knew,
as Serenity had known, that Earth was the future. So I made
it my mission to help rebuild the planet. When the
survivors had begun anew, I began sealing of the ruins of
each kingdom. That is why few can see the marble pillars
and slabs that were once the Moon Kingdom. As long as I
hold the veil over them, no human eye that does not
remember the Silver Millennium shall be able to see them.
When that was done, I drifted aimlessly. I helped
where I could, sought out new adventures and new horizons.
I waited until I felt a glimmer in my necklace; waited
until I could feel the minds of Uranus, Neptune and
Endymion merging with mine. Pluto, of course, was ever
present, but I couldn't reach out to her. My grief was too
great. But when Endymion was born, I had a purpose. So I
returned to Earth. I watched and waited, waited until his
life was perfect. Then I set out to destroy it, to destroy
his life as he destroyed mine. To make him suffer as I
did!" Eclipse banged her fist on a wall of crystal, tears
shimmering in her eyes.
"But it wasn't as easy as I had hoped it would be. I
found that 'getting started' on Earth is a difficult
prospect. So I went to a bank in Tokyo. I left my brooch
and necklace in a safety deposit box, and left enough money
to pay for its maintenance for 14 years. Then I went in
search of parents. I found a young couple, 26 and 28
respectively, who had been told that they couldn't have
children. I watched them for a few days and, using
telepathy, discovered that the odds of them having a child
without magical aid were nil. So, I created a small body
inside the woman and dissolved my adult form, sending my
soul into a new vessel. I was born knowing all, because I
never forgot any of it. I see by the expression on your
face that you don't believe me. I hardly believe it myself.
What I attempted was dangerous and could have gone wrong in
a thousand ways. Miraculously, I managed it. My parents
were kind and loving. I'm an only child, so they gave me
all the love they had. They were overprotective, yes, but
they loved me, and I loved them. My mother and I were so
close. At 14, on a visit to Japan, I returned to the bank
and claimed my brooch and star necklace. I accepted my fate
for the second time."
Sailor Eclipse looked so cool, so calm. She was
obviously keeping a tight rein on her emotions, and when
she stopped speaking, Sailor Moon stood perfectly still,
absorbing what she had heard. Finally, remembering exactly
what had brought her here, Sailor Moon tried to reason with
the rouge scout for the last time.
"Darien is not…"
"Not what? Not to blame? Yes he is. Him and me, it was
our fault. Mine for leaving and his for inspiring misguided
confidence. Our fault. Ours! I can't forgive him…"
"You have too! Let it go, please, let it be. The past
is the past."
"Yes, it is, isn't it." Sailor Eclipse said, her eyes
cold and malicious. "Don't interfer, Moon Princess! The
past was my life! My life! Metallia may have done the
destroying, but Endymion failed to protect! He is to blame,
and I will make certain he pays for his crimes!"
"And where were you?!" Sailor Moon fired at Sailor
Eclipse. "This is NOT Darien's fault as much as it was
yours! Queen Serenity wouldn't have died if you had been
there! She trusted you, and you failed her!"
Sailor Moon's words hit Sailor Eclipse hard, causing
her perpetual confidence to shudder.
"No." Sailor Eclipse whispered, stricken. "No, she
sent me away…she ordered me to go…"
"Because she knew what was going to happen! She KNEW
the moon was doomed!"
"No…that's impossible…"
"She loved you as much as you loved her…as you still
love her! She didn't want to see you die!"
"But…but…"
"No buts! She knew that you had a greater purpose. She
needed you to help us here on Earth. She needed you to help
build Earth anew. She left you in charge of that; she knew
you were the only one who could do it! She knew that we
would need you, that Darien and I would need you! And you
failed her! You let her down! You are putting all your
energy toward trying to destroy what Queen Serenity gave
her life to protect! How can you DO that to her!"
Sailor Moon watched as her words penetrated Eclipse's
shell. Every phrase, every syllable, had stabbed at Eclipse
like a knife. Tears welled in Eclipse's eyes as she slumped
against the crystal wall. Her eyes met Sailor Moon's, and
Sailor Moon wanted to weep for the grief and loss she saw
there. Eclipse turned her eyes toward the waning moon, and
lost control. Tears spilled down her cheeks and sobs
wracked her body. Brokenly, Eclipse spoke.
"I am so sorry, Serenity. It was my fault, my fault. I
should have been there. I should have been fighting with
the scouts, protecting the peace you worked so hard for.
Oh, gods, Serenity! I am so sorry. You died because I
wasn't there, and I didn't hear you when you called out. It
was all my fault…" Eclipse collapsed to her knees, sobbing
bitterly. Sailor Moon took a few steps toward her, but a
pearly wall of mist had formed behind Eclipse. Sailor
Pluto, guardian of time and space, was crying. She had come
to comfort her friend.
"Sailor Eclipse." Pluto said.
Eclipse looked up, rose and ran into Pluto's open
arms. Together, the two scouts cried, grieving for a
kingdom too perfect to exist for very long. Their tears
were for a time long forgotten, for music and poetry few
remembered, and for a woman whose courage and selflessness
had saved the galaxy. Sailor Moon looked toward them, and
Sailor Pluto's eyes met her own. Sailor Pluto nodded, tears
forming rivers of light on her cheeks. All was well.
Centuries of loneliness and grief could not be erased
instantly, but the healing had begun.
"SAILOR MOON!"
Sailor Moon spun around, trying to locate the source
of the desperate yell. Eclipse was still crying, but she
appeared to have complete control over the rest of her
faculties. She turned from Sailor Pluto, dashing away her
tears. Sailor Pluto gazed calmly at the darkness. Seven
scouts and a masked man were running toward the trio. Her
heart beating painfully, Sailor Moon realized why they were
here. Tuxedo Mask stepped to the front of the group, his
blue eyes furious.
"Let them go."
Eclipse remained silent. The whispering wind created
the only sound.
"I said, let them go!"
"You persist in believing that I am deaf and blind. As
you can clearly see, I am not holding them. Your girlfriend
and the Guardian are free to leave at any time." Eclipse's
words and tone were derisive, but Sailor Moon was close
enough to see that the gleam of tears was ever present.
Eclipse looked at Sailor Moon and smiled tremulously.
"Go on, before I get you into trouble."
Sailor Moon didn't leave but walked toward Eclipse
instead. Eclipse held out her hand, and Sailor Moon took
it. Something passed between the two, a deep understanding
that not even they fully understood.
"Sailor Solider, you have to go. I have to go. No more
death, no more fighting. I will go, and leave you in
peace."
Sailor Moon nodded, and Eclipse smiled. The beauty of
that smile took Sailor Moon's breath away, because she saw
peace and hope for the future in that smile. Sailor Moon
returned the smile wholeheartedly. Eclipse dropped her
hand, and bowed slightly. She then turned towards Pluto and
bowed again. Then Eclipse turned toward her motorcycle.
"Wait!" Mars and Venus cried out in unison.
"Don't you walk away from us!" Uranus cried. "We want
some answers, and we want them now! You can't kidnap Sailor
Moon and then disappear without an explanation. Don't take
another step or I'll…"
"You'll what?" Eclipse taunted. "You want to fight me
again? I hurt you pretty badly the last time, didn't I? Are
you fully recovered? I hope so. You don't have a ghost of a
chance of beating me, and I think you know it. You're weak,
Uranus, and you always have been. Couldn't even protect
your princess, and I gave you every opportunity to save
her. Just admit it, Uranus, you are no match for me!"
"URANUS WORLD SHAKING!"
Trembling with uncontrollable fury, Uranus released
her power, attacking the evil force that threatened her
friends. Sailor Eclipse watched the ball of yellow fire
approach, seemingly mesmerized by it. Then her face became
calm and accepting. Her tears began to flow once more, and
she smiled again. Closing her eyes, Sailor Eclipse held out
her arms, welcoming the power that would rip her from this
existence.
"Sailor Eclipse, MOVE!!!" Pluto screamed. Eclipse
opened her eyes, the indigo iris's looking at Pluto.
Eclipse shook her head and returned to watching the fire
approach. Sailor Moon watched in horror, and sprang into
action. Running toward Eclipse, she leapt into the air. The
others watched in dismay as Sailor Moon's body hit Eclipse
with full force. Eclipse went flying, but Sailor Moon
landed right in the path of the World Shaking attack.
"NOOOOO!" Tuxedo Mask screamed, as the World Shaking
hit Sailor Moon right in the chest.


Did you like the song? That's right, Skott and I co-wrote
'The Mind's Mirage' and there's music that goes with it.
It's a REAL song! I'm so happy! And YES, I like Sailor
Uranus. I'm just picking on her for a while.

Skiangel_sv@lycos.com

('Sweet Dreams' and 'Danger Zone' property of the Urythmics
and Kenny Loggins, respectively.)