Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or anything associated with it.
A/N: Huge thank you to Sailor Zodiac and Sailor C for their reviews. I'm glad you guys like it so far. Sorry once again about the between updates. This chapter is pretty long so hopefully that helps. I love feedback, so clicking the button at the bottom would be much appreciated. Just let me know someone is reading this! Thanks!
Chapter Three
I went home immediately after school as directed. Melvin came over to help me and surprisingly he did. It was time to phone Darien. I dialed his number and he picked up after the fifth ring.
"Hello."
"Hey Darien. It's me."
"Oh, hey. Um, what's up?"
"Melvin is torturing me and he's actually good at it. I don't feel like such an idiot. The sooner I pull my grades up the sooner I can see you. I miss you." I said softly.
"I miss you too." He said and then started coughing.
"Are you getting sick?" I asked, but then I heard something in the background, a female giggle.
"Who's over Darien?"
"No one." He said quickly.
"So that girl I hear simpering is no one?" I demanded.
"Look Serena it's not what you think." He rushed to say.
"It's not what you think. Real reassuring. Look I know you have, how should I put this—a bad memory! But I'm supposed to be your girlfriend, hello. The person you love. Guess not."
"I do love you. This is just a friend from work." He said in a frustrated voice.
"Don't you dare get angry at me. And I swear if you tell me to grow up I will scream. You probably don't even mind me being grounded. Gives you a little more time to play the field." I spat so angry and hurt I could barely speak.
"Serena, please. Listen to me." Darien pleaded.
"I can't right now. I need to think." I stated as calmly as I could.
"Okay but—"he paused," sweetie I do love you."
"Goodbye Darien." I whispered as I hung up the phone.
I went to stand by my window. It was a lovely night. The moon shone brightly a steady beacon in the darkness. I was too tired to deal with all of this. I lie down on my bed and swiftly fell asleep.
It was foggy all around me but as the mist disappeared I could make out figures in the darkness. I saw the scouts standing and talking, they were all laughing and Luna and Artemis were at their feet. Molly and Melvin were there holding hands. Darien stood with Rini on his shoulders. Even she looked happy to see me. My family was there too. All beckoning me to join them.
Suddenly there was tearing sound. The ground beneath them opened and they all began to fall. All of them screamed my name, to come and save them. I ran and ran but they just got further and further away. The last to fall was Darien and he reached out for my hand but I couldn't reach him. He fell, and everyone was gone. I got to the spot to find it sealed. I was alone. Completely and utterly alone. And I screamed.
I woke up with a start. The alarm had gone off. I was still shaken from the dream. All of them lost to me. It was just a dream I kept telling myself. Just a dream, but I could still hear the screams. Mine loudest of all.
*
The Next Week…
"We are failing in our plan. We need to strike soon." Ian huffed as he turned to his partners.
"We are searching for candidates. That's work, hard work." Nicholas said with a wolfish grin.
"You work by dating, tough job. Ian does have a point though. We are almost sure of the identities of three of the scouts, but Sailor Moon still alludes us. She's the most important; she's the one our Queen wants. Meanwhile we should collect more energy. Queen Isa demands youth and we shall bring it to her." Donavan assured them.
"Fine, but I still think—"
"Who is the leader Ian?" Donavan questioned in a deadly tone.
"You my liege. I apologize." Ian spoke as he bowed slightly. While thinking, the pompous playboy would not be leader for long. It was his time to shine. Nicholas presented a problem; he was loyal to Donavan but not a necessary part of the operation. Nicholas was expendable, after he was gone it would leave only he and Donavan. Hid own agenda was about to take reign.
*
At Serena's House…
"Serena you really are doing much better. I'm proud of you." Ami said gesturing to my math homework. "How are things with Darien going?"
"Thanks. Um, I still haven't talked to him; he's called a few times. I'm still confused and hurt by what happened. But thanks to you and Melvin I should be off grounding soon. Hopefully Darien and I can talk then." I said with a shrug.
"Well that wraps it up." She said glancing at her watch.
"Hot date with Greg?" I asked with a grin.
"Yes." Ami replied blushing a bit. "We're meeting at the park and I better hurry or else I'm going to be late." She said as she rushed off into the twilight.
"Bye! Tell Greg I said hi!" I yelled.
*
At The Park…
While Ami and Greg sat on a bench by the pond quietly talking, Donavan and the others were nearby plotting. Another reason why they were called Shadow men was because their shadows can be willed into a nearby person and then are able to take the youth from the person. It will then be stored and given to their Queen. It doesn't kill the person under normal circumstances but if enough of the essence is taken the person can die.
A group of girls were seated by the pond, when the three Shadow men crept up and let into their bodies, draining their victims. The girls collapsed and the their friends began to scream. The complexions f the victims were ashen and haggard.
Ami and Greg rushed to the scene but no attackers could be found. The girls were unconscious but other than that appeared to be okay. Out of the corner of her eye Ami saw three shadows fleeing, they looked very familiar. She decided to call the Scouts and arrange for a meeting.
*
At The Temple…
"That's exactly what happened Ami?" Luna asked.
"Yes, that's all I saw three familiar shadows, men I think." She thought for a moment. "No I'm sure it was three guys." She reaffirmed.
"The girls who were attacked were unconscious and rushed to the hospital. They looked okay, just well—older." Greg said as he held Ami's hand reassuringly.
"Okay so we have a new enemy. Any suspects?" Artemis questioned.
"How about those three new guys. They just showed up and there is something kinda off about them. They seem well, unfeeling, you know?" Mina said with a shrug.
"Ian, Donavan and Nicholas, great why do all the cute ones have to be Nega-creeps." Lita sighed.
"Well we don't know for sure if they are from the Negaverse. Be careful but try and get to know them better. I have to go inform Serena on all this."
"Bye Luna!" Mina called. "What an assignment, we have to get to know three cute guys better."
"Remember that's an order." Lita said laughing with Mina. "Hello? Raye!!" she shouted at the surprisingly quiet girl.
"Huh? Geez Lita you didn't have to shout. What?"
"I was going to ask what's up with you and Donavan? He's always staring at you. New romance?"
"Nothing is up with me and that cretin with a staring problem." Raye said getting mad.
"Maybe a boyfriend would help her disposition. She sure has been a witch lately." Mina attempted to whisper to Lita, but Raye heard.
"Well this witch has work to do! So if you're done talking behind my back I'll go find my broomstick." Raye screamed as she stormed out of the room.
*
At school the girls each made an effort to get to know the three mysterious guys. The way Raye and Donavan avoided each other like the plague was the only exception. They each came to their own conclusions. The boys had decided that they were almost positive that Ami was Mercury; Lita was Jupiter and Mina as Venus. They began to plot how to capture them. But Ian had a plan of his own.
He asked Nicholas to meet him in the ally outside the local club they frequented. When Nicholas arrived Ian attacked. His shadow jumped into Nicholas and his power center. Nicholas crumpled to the ground; his youthful body now that of a very old man. Ian proceeded to swallow Nicholas's power center and his skin glowed, as he was rejuvenated. His plan was right on schedule and he headed back to the hotel.
"Where's Nicholas?" Donavan asked as soon as Ian entered the suite.
"He left with some girl, a pretty redhead. He said he'd be back soon." Ian said with as he tried to put on a concerned look.
"Well he's not back. We don't need anything or anyone screwing up our plans."
"I know, just give it a little time. He wouldn't desert us." Ian said planting the seed of doubt in Donavan's mind. He felt Nicholas's power surging through his veins and smiled a cobra like grin.
*
I sat on the roof letting the cool summer breeze brush gently over me. Luna had informed me of the impending danger, just another obstacle in my life. I still hadn't talked to Darien. I believe that he wasn't cheating on me but it's more than that. Whenever we were involved I possessed some kind of label: Sailor Moon, Princess Serena, Neo-Queen Serenity etc. He never got to know me as plain Serena Tsukino. And what he thought he did know of me was that I was a whiny ditzy crybaby. So it does sort of have a ring of truth to it. It's different now, I'm different now. But does he even realize that? I don't think so and that presents a problem. Great—another problem! Like I don't have enough already. Then again it's not like the word normal ever did apply to me.
*
Raye walked along the dimly lit street deep in thought. Grandpa wasn't doing too well and the stress of everything was just becoming too much for her. She continued to walk lost in her own thoughts until she walked into what felt like a solid brick wall.
Donavan looked ay his feet, where once again a girl lay. He had been concentrating so hard on finding Nicholas that he didn't notice the girl until it was too late. He went to help her up and as the streetlight hit her upturned angry face, he realized it was Raye.
Raye stayed down for a moment to get her bearings and then she looked up to confront her brick wall, which was none other than Donavan.
"What's your problem? Do you have some kind of obsession with knocking girls down?" Raye shouted as she got up.
"It seems to me that you can't be bothered to watch where you're going. Unless this is some pathetic attempt to throw yourself at my feet." He said with a smug grin. Then he noticed the blood dripping down her arm and reached for it.
"Don't touch me!" Raye said as she pulled away.
"No let me see." He responded as he grabbed her arm and held it up to the light. She must have fallen on something sharp to produce such a deep gash. As he touched her an odd feeling of confusion and possessiveness stole through him. As he looked at Raye he could see the same feelings mirrored in her eyes. He quickly dropped her arm as if he had been burned.
"It's fine." She said through clenched teeth as she tried to ignore the feelings his touch awakened in her.
"It needs to be cleaned and then bandaged." He stated firmly.
"The Temple where I live is just down the block. I'll take care of it at home."
"No, I'll take care of it. It's my fault." Donavan argued as he led the way down the street.
At the Temple he quickly and efficiently cleaned and bandaged the wound, but he was careful not to touch her for too long.
Why was he feeling this way, he wondered. He felt responsible and worried about this girl—this human girl. Sure she was beautiful but he had seen girls more lovely than she. This loss of control of his emotions scared him. He had to leave.
"Thank you." Raye said quietly.
"You're welcome." He replied gruffly. Then feeling he owed her some explanation, "I must leave, I am looking for Nicholas."
"You lost your brother!" Raye exclaimed.
"He's not my brother and I didn't lose him. He went off with some redhead and failed to return."
"Figures it was a girl." She muttered.
"Why do you say that?"
Well…every girl in the school is drooling over him."
"Every girl…including you? Well you can forget about that. Nicholas is not your type." Donavan said in a snide tone as he tried to ignore—the jealousy?
"My type? Since you obviously know so much about me, what is my type?" Raye raged at him.
Me, was the first thought that came into his mind. But he rapidly dismissed it and sauntered out of the room leaving a seething Raye behind.
How dare he, Raye thought to herself. He makes me so mad…and confused. She couldn't let herself be vulnerable to him, he would only hurt her. And she had been hurt enough.
But try as she might she couldn't shake off the feelings his touch invoked.
*
After arriving home Donavan and Ian decided on a plan. They would arrange to meet the three girls they believe are Scouts. Attack them and watch the Scouts transform and de-transform, learning their identities at last. Ian said he would report to Queen Isa about the plan and Nicholas's disappearance and possible defection.
At The North Pole…
"Hello Ian. What news do you bring me?" the Queen asked as she greeted the intense young man.
"My lady, it has become apparent that Nicholas has deserted us. He disappeared one night and hasn't returned since. He wasn't for the plan; he said it was petty revenge on your part. My opinion is that we are better off without him." He said in a respectful tone.
"If you find him, destroy him. It is revenge I'm seeking but my hatred is well deserved. Do you know why I must destroy Sailor Moon? Do you understand?" the elegant Queen screeched.
Ian shook his head in a negative response. He had heard the rumors of course, about the jealousy and rage over losing Prince Diamond. Her hatred and obsession was obviously growing, this could work to his advantage, he thought.
"No…well I will tell you. Only so you can better understand your mission. As you already know the Nega Moon and the Shadow people were supposed to merge. We could have been unstoppable. But that ditzy blonde bimbo ruined it all. Sailor Moon stole my future from me, from my people.
Diamond was supposed to be mine, my betrothed. But he betrayed me—and he died saving her! And with that died the hope for our marriage…our kingdoms. When we were young…well younger. Wiseman arranged a meeting between us. We were both bitter at the Earth's treatment of our cultures. Living in darkness, kept away from the light. A friendship was born and it evolved into something more. Our union would have been completed earlier if not for his nosy brother Sapphire. Then he saw Neo-Queen Serenity and he began to lust for her. Saying she was his light, his obsession became clear to me. His brother and Emerald taunted me over this endlessly. Then Wiseman demanded an attack on Crystal Tokyo and in the battle Neo-Queen Serenity became a causality, albeit not a fatal one. Things were back on track until he realized that, that adolescent Barbie doll wanna-be was Serenity! And I lost him again. He died saving her, and the person I trusted, that infernal Wiseman killed him. He cost me not only my precious Diamond but my allegiance with the Nega-Moon family." She finished in her venomous tone, her eyes flashing with the barely concealed anger and madness.
"Why do you not blame the Wiseman, your majesty?"
She paused for a moment and then proceeded, " Wiseman, yes he was the bane of my existence. I had great plans for the destruction of him, but that bratty vapid twit took that from me too. She stole everything from me. And now I'll take everything from her. I'll destroy her world as she destroyed mine and in the end she'll be begging for her own death. And I will grant her that, I'll take her soul, her essence and the world will be mine." She cackled as her face glowed feverishly.
"Yes, my lady. The world will be yours." And mine too, he thought.
*
At School…
"Hey girls! Oh and Melvin." Donavan said to the table that included Molly, Melvin, Raye, Ami, Lita, Mina, and me. He and Ian took a seat at the table with us.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Mina exclaimed smiling brightly while nudging Lita underneath the table.
"Actually we were wondering if you lovely ladies would join us for a picnic at the park tonight? You've been so kind to us and it's our way of thanking you. Please say you'll come, all of you." Ian asked oozing with charm.
They all looked at each other. Raye looked sick to her stomach at the thought of it. Mina and Lita were positively glowing with excitement. Ami just sat there smiling pleasantly. Molly turned to Melvin who nodded his ascent.
I just stared into space, I heard the question but it didn't really register. I hadn't been sleeping well…that dream—nightmare kept coming back. At least I was using the extra time studying so my parents would see my progress and hopefully soon un-ground me.
"Sure we'll go." Lita said answering for everyone.
Ian and Donavan smiled as their eyes met. The plan was in motion.
A thought struck Ami, "Wait a minute, where's Nicholas?"
"His father became ill and he went to be by his side." Ian lied smoothly.
Donavan kept glancing at Raye who was doing her best to avoid looking or speaking to him. When she turned to leave the table she caught him staring. She didn't back down but instead gave him a look of cool indifference as she left.
*
At My House…
"Serena come here for a moment." My father called from the kitchen as I walked in the front door. I went in and took a seat warily thinking what did I do now?
"Serena, " my father began in a calm tone, " we've received notes from your teachers…and they are very pleased with your progress. So as a reward your mother and I have decided to let you go out once a week. As long as we know where you're going to be and who with."
I was so excited, finally a chance to get out of this house! "That's great, the girls are planning a picnic in the park tonight. Can I go?"
"Yes just don't be late! " my mom called as I rushed upstairs to get changed.
When I got to my room I called the other Scouts to tell them that I was allowed to go out tonight. I picked up the phone to call Darien but then placed it back in its cradle. I wasn't ready yet to speak with him yet, I know I can't avoid it forever. But I could avoid it tonight.