Alright folks, here's the next chapter. After this, it'll be a few weeks simply because I have a life outside fanfiction (I do?), and what small bit of time I have to type needs to go to typing the sequel otherwise my sounding-block/editor all-rolled-into-one will try to hunt me down and kill me. Sorry India, had to say it. Anyway, it's early- 5:25 AM- and I have a long drive to Las Vegas ahead of me. Sometimes I hate my youth group. Enjoy! Oh, before I forget again, Sailor Moon dose not, never has, and most likely never will belong to me. Jessie and all other charaters that have not appeared in the anime are mine. All others belong to too many people to name at this time.
"Queen Beryl, we have found Sailor Night." Malachite reported. "However, she is acting very strangely."
"How so?" Beryl asked, her eyes narrowing to tiny slits.
"She's admitted to remembering everything that happened, but claims not to care how this war ends. It's as if she's given up hope for the Universe."
"Interesting." the evil Queen murmured. "Do you think she could be turned to our side?"
"I don't know, Your Majesty." Zoisite admitted. "Sailor Night has always been impulsive, following a path that no one else can see, unwilling to harm any she believes to be a friend. She listens to her heart alone, and ignores all other voices of reason. It will truly be up to her."
"Find out. Offer her a week in which to decide. Her memories came back today. Perhaps she'll want time to sort them through. But no more than a week. Both of you, go."
"Yes, my Queen." they bowed.
*@*@*@*@*@
"Alright Mom." Jessie ordered as the two sat down to dinner. "Spill. What happened on your date last night?"
"Jessica Elizabeth Klinto!" her mother gasped in English, switching automatically to a more comfortable language. "That's nothing like you at all. But, for your information, nothing happened. The dinner reservations were misplaced, so we had to wait another two hours to get a table. Therefore, we saw a different movie."
"Sure, Mom." Jessie laughed, answering in the same tongue. "Just know that I *do* like Jim. If you ever get serious with him, I won't mind."
"Well it's nice to know that I have your approval on something that is none of your business, Jessie. Unlike your father-"
"Mom can we skip this conversation please?" the dark-haired girl begged. "You and Dad had been divorced for five years when he died. What happened was *not* your fault. Okay?"
"I know. We'll forget to have this argument tonight. So what happened at school? Did you have fun?"
"I'm just glad I was a decent student before we moved here. From what Ms. H says, three hours of homework is the norm here. I'm really going to have to watch my grammar when I'm writing my papers. They think completely different than I'm used to. And no, I didn't have fun. School was designed to be a torture for kids in order to prepare them for the evils of the *real world*. Kinda like going through a hurricane to prepare for a spring rain. It's pointless and stupid." (AN: It sure seems like that sometimes, doesn't it folks?)
"I agree honey. Why don't you go to the idiots who made up the rules and complain? I'm sure they'll be more than willing to change the laws, just for you."
"Alright Mom. You've made your point." The teenager laughed as they continued to eat.
*@*@*@*@*@
"What form of slang were you using, Rosa?" Zoisite asked as the girl entered her room once more to finish studying for her math test the next day. "We couldn't understand a word of it."
"Don't call me that." Jessie answered. "It's not my name anymore. And my mother and I weren't speaking in slang. We were talking in our native language, known to this world as English. Not that it's any business of yours. What do you two want? I have to study."
"We've come to deliver a message from Queen Beryl. She wants you to join the Negaverse, to take a side in this battle. You can't stay neutral forever you know."
"I don't intend to." Jessie replied, looking at them sadly. "Now, where are Nephrite and Jedite? I'd like to see them too."
"Jedite failed to destroy the Sailor Scouts, so Queen Beryl placed him into Eternal Sleep." Malachite answered. "And Nephrite was killed for betraying the Negaverse. They were foolish weaklings who managed only to earn Queen Beryl's anger."
"Oh puh-LEASE, Malachite." Jessie snorted rudely. "Beryl could get angry at a stick just because it's still hanging on the tree. No matter what you do, she'll never be pleased. So no, at this time, I cannot join Beryl against the Scouts. Until the Princess of the Moon is found, I refuse to decide. Go and tell your mistress that." She paused. "Oh and don't come back here when my mother's home. I don't want to have to explain who you are and how you got in here. Bye." Jessie laughed as she plopped onto her bed and pulled out her notes for her math test, deciding to try to ignore any other comments they might make toward her.
"You have changed." Malachite whispered. "What happened to you, Sailor Night? You were never so cold to us before, nor did you ever insult us by choosing to ignore us."
"I'm not ignoring you. I'm just remaining silent as I study for one of the worst subjects on this planet- math. And I'm very sorry if I appear to be cold. I will always consider you, Zoisite, Jedite and Nephrite to be among my closest friends. There is only one thing I will not do for you right now and that is to devote my life to Beryl's service. If you want to learn more about the people she would have you destroy, I will help you as best I can. If you want to rant and rave about a problem you have with someone, I will listen. So long as you do not ask me about joining the Negaverse or for information on the Sailor Scouts and Princess, I will always be there for you. No matter which side I chose, that will never change. After all," she added with a smirk. "How could I turn my back on my former babysitter and her true love?"
"Thanks a lot, kid." Zoisite muttered as they teleported. "You'll have a week before Queen Beryl will demand your answer."
*@*@*@*@*@
Darien's sleep that night was more troubled than ever. It began the same as it always did. The castle surrounded by fog, the Princess begging him to find the Sliver Crystal- whatever that was.
Then, something new happened. From behind the Princess, a new figure came into view. "Tuxedo Mask," a voice intoned. "You would see the face of my daughter, but for now this is not possible. You and she are destined to be together, but first you must find the Emporium Sliver Crystal. In order to do this, you should seek out the Sailor Scout who refuses to battle against the Negaverse. Sailor Moon knows where this girl dwells and shall help you if you ask. You must hurry. My daughter must be set free soon or all hope for your world shall be lost. Seek out the hidden Scout and tell her of what I have said. She will help you." The Princess vanished as the fog cleared and her mother came a little closer.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "If I cannot know her name, then please tell me yours!"
"I am Serenity, Queen of the Moon Kingdom. Please, find and protect my daughter. You are her only hope."
The castle disappeared as well as Darien awoke. "The hidden Scout?" he whispered before getting up. "The Queen said that Sailor Moon can help me find her. But how do I find Sailor Moon?" Morning came as the sun broke through his blinds. Further sleep would be impossible.
*@*@*@*@*@
"I'm Sailor Moon, champion of Justice!" the blond Scout shouted. "In the name of the Moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil. And that means you."
"Oh, shut up, Sailor Moon." Zoisite snapped. "I just wanted to ask you a question. How much did Sailor Night tell you about her past?"
Tuxedo Mask stopped and hid behind the building he'd been running next to. Sailor Night must be the hidden Scout Queen Serenity had told him about in his dream. Perhaps he wouldn't have to ask Sailor Moon for help after all. If she were to reveal the whereabouts of the sixth Scout, then he could find her himself.
"She told us that you were once her friend." Sailor Moon replied. "And that you tried to kill her. Why? What does it matter to you, Zoisite? She won't tell you where the Princess is. And she has no part of the Crystal. She can't help you at all, so leave her alone."
"Sailor Night has always been very capable of taking care of herself, Sailor Brat." Zoisite snorted. "And she is at least two years older than you. Do not worry about young Jessie. Queen Beryl shall see to it that the girl is safe, should she agree to join us."
"Jessie won't ever serve the Negaverse, Zoisite!" Sailor Jupiter yelled as she jumped down to join her friend. "She's not stupid enough to join forces with those who want her dead."
"Strange," the warrior of the Negaverse purred. "She seemed willing to consider it when I saw her last night. Poor, poor Sailor Scouts. Even one of your own is betraying you. Some of the humans of this world are smart enough to realize that you Scouts have no chance at winning.
Tuxedo Mask had heard plenty; far more than he'd wanted to. "Stop it, Zoisite." he stated. "Just because a Sailor Scout feels some loyalty toward her former friends does not mean that she is willing to join them. Leave her alone and allow her to decide for herself."
"I've said all I've come to say, Tuxedo Mask. But if I were you, I'd worry about myself. Your mask came off when we last battled, and Queen Beryl recognized you. We know who you really are, Tuxedo Mask, and it's just a matter of time before we come after you." Her laugh lingered as she faded from sight.
"That was odd." Jupiter murmured.
"Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask said. "I need your help. I must contact Sailor Night. I was told that you could help me find her."
"She won't tell you anything you don't already know." she warned him. "But I'll show you where Jessie lives. She claims to suspect who the Moon Princess is, but she says nothing more."
"She will answer some questions about the Moon Kingdom though." Jupiter interrupted. "She says she's following orders from Queen Serenity."
"Let's go." Tuxedo Mask commanded.
*@*@*@*@*@
Jessie had just walked out the door when she heard her name being called. "Serena," she murmured under her breath before looking. "Hello Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter." she said. "Who's your friend?"
"I'm Tuxedo Mask." he introduced himself. "I was told you could help me find the Sliver Crystal."
"You were misinformed." Jessie replied. "But why do you need my help anyway? From what the Scouts have told me, you have two pieces already. You just keep doing whatever it is that you've been doing. In order for the Crystal to be formed, all seven pieces must be in the same place at the same time. It will then reveal the location of the Princess. But you already knew that." She shrugged. "How can I help you?"
Zoisite has the other five pieces." Sailor Moon reminded her.
Jessie shrugged. "What's that got to do with me?" she asked. "I'm not going to steal them from her. I'll set up a time and place for all of you to get together and duke it out if you like. If you all bring your parts, it would be a winner-take-all, Crystal is formed, and Princess is revealed all at once. Who recommended me to inform you about the Crystals?"
"Queen Serenity told me to seek you out." Tuxedo Mask answered.
"Queen Serenity?" Jessie repeated flatly. "Why do I find that rather hard to believe? Oh, that's right. She's been dead for ten hundred years. How, therefore, could she have told you to do anything?"
"It was in a dream. She told me to ask Sailor Moon about you, then speak with you about the Sliver Crystal and Moon Princess."
"Who are you?" Jessie asked. "I mean really. You look like someone I used to know, but I've never met you in this life. What is your name?"
"Tuxedo Mask." he answered, looking at her strangely.
"No, no, no." she responded, sounding a bit disgusted. "Who are you when you're not Tuxedo Mask? For example, when I'm not Sailor Night- which is all the time- I am Jessica Klinto, or Jessie. Who are you?"
"Jessie, maybe we should talk about this somewhere where we aren't as likely to be seen." Jupiter suggested.
"Of course," the black-haired girl agreed. "How about my backyard? The fence is high enough that no one will be able to see we're back there. My mom would have a fit if I let a guy into the house while she's at work. Sorry Tuxedo Mask, it's nothing personal."
He simply shrugged and followed the three girls through the gate.
"Sailor Moon?" Jupiter said. "I'm going to call the other Scouts and have them come over too. We can fill them in on what's happened when they get here."
"No problem." Sailor Moon replied. "But can we get started then?"
"Alright." Jessie said after Jupiter had put away her communicator. "Since Tuxedo Mask is the only stranger here, you two should introduce yourselves."
"Hello," Sailor Moon said. "I'm Sailor Moon, but normally, my name is Serena."
"Sailor Jupiter here." the brunette introduced herself. "But my real name is Lita."
"Sailor Moon is really Serena?" Tuxedo Mask groaned. "It's amazing that the Negaverse hasn't already won. I'm Tuxedo Mask," he concluded slightly louder, reaching up for his mask. "But I also go by Darien." He pulled it off quickly to prove his claim.
"That's just great." Sailor Moon moaned. "I knew he was too good to be true."
"I take it you know each other?" Jessie surmised, watching them carefully and trying not to stare at the unmasked heartthrob. "I did know you." She laughed. "Of course, why didn't I see it before? It had to be you." When they tried to press her for more information, however, she only shook her head. "Look, why don't you three change back to normal? As soon as the others get here, I'll give you an idea about how to get the Sliver Crystal. Or at least how to get it formed. It'll go to the Princess, and for all you know, she could be loyal to the Negaverse now." She saw their frightened looks and smirked. "She's not."
"Hello!" Rei's voice rang out. "Is anyone there?"
"Excuse me a minute." Jessie said. "I'll let them in." She walked over to the gate and opened it. "Hey girls," she greeted the three newcomers cheerfully. "Come on in. We've got Tuxedo Mask back here too, if you care." A half smile was hovering on Jessie's mouth as she led them to the others. "Now that we're all here, does anyone have any questions? Good. Darien, this is Ami, Rei and Mina, also known as Sailors Mercury, Mars and Venus. Now, on to the more important stuff. Are you sure Zoisite has the other five pieces of the Sliver Moon Crystal?"
"Well yeah." Serena answered. She's the one who stole them. Why?"
"Zoisite told me that Beryl was going to give me a week to think about whether or not I want to join the Negaverse. That leaves six days. Don't worry, I have no intention whatsoever of serving the Queen of Snakes, but I can make her think she's got a chance. I'll tell Zoisite that I will join whichever side can gain control of the Crystal. We can arrange a time and place for both sides to meet- bringing your parts of the Crystal, of course. It forms, goes to the Princess who is thus revealed, and everyone should regain their memories. I obeyed orders from Queen Serenity, so I'll obey most from the Princess. I'll ignore only one. I won't forget the friendships I've shared with Zoisite and the others. If she asks me to do that, then I'll never been seen again. It's not a fair request."
"Why not?" Serena asked. "They're evil. How could you not hate them?"
Jessie thought back on what she'd learned in the last few days. "Serena, you and Molly are best friends, right? And she's not a Sailor Scout either. As a matter of fact, she has nothing to do with this battle at all, so far as I can tell. Now, from what you've told me, you've known Molly a lot longer than you've known the Scouts. And yet, you treasure their friendships as much as you do hers, right?"
"Yeah," Serena acknowledged. "Why?"
"Now, image that for some reason, Molly and the Scouts hate each other. You have to choose which friendship is more important. Whichever side you decide against, you can never speak to them again. You can only fight them. So, who do you pick? Molly or the Scouts?"
"That's not fair." Rei protested. "There's not way Serena could make that choice. You have no right to even ask her to do so."
"But it is fair to ask me to do the same thing?" Jessie responded. "Double standards, aren't they?"
"You still consider them to be your friends, don't you?"
"How could I not, Ami? But you shouldn't ever have to worry about Jedite. Beryl put the curse known as the Eternal Sleep on him. He shouldn't be waking up for a very long time- unless Beryl releases him. Which she won't."
"Good. Now, when should we meet Zoisite?"
"Have you got detention tomorrow, Serena?" Lita asked quietly.
"Not yet." Serena answered. "Why?"
"I think we should get this over with. As soon as we leave, Jessie can inform Zoisite of when and where to meet us. Next question, where's a good place to get together? We don't want any innocents to get hurt."
"There's a large clearing in the woods." Rei suggested. "Not too many people go there because it's kinda hard to get to. Wanna take a look?"
"That's alright, Rei. It should be just fine." Darien answered. "Does anyone know of anything else we may need to know about to make sure this goes smoothly?"
"Yeah." Lita answered. "Jessie could tell us who the Princess is so we can make sure she's with us. We have to protect her, you know."
"Don't worry, Lita. She'll be there. I'll see to that."
"When should we set the time for?"
"After school is over." Ami said firmly. "How about around four?"
"Alright with me." Darien agreed.
"Okay, Ami, you make sure Serena gets to school on time." Mina said. "That way she won't get detention for being late."
"Sure." Ami agreed. "But Jessie, how did you find out about Jedite?"
Jessie shrugged. "Simple. I just asked Malachite. Why didn't you tell me that Nephrite betrayed the Negaverse? It was kind of important to me."
"It must have slipped our minds at the time." Rei answered.
"Well, we'd better get going." Mina said, looking up. "It's getting dark and Jessie still needs to talk with Malachite and Zoisite."
The others nodded and filed slowly out the gate- all except Darien, who remained where he'd been standing.
"What's wrong Darien?" Jessie asked after the Scouts had left.
"There's something more you haven't told us." he replied. "Why did Queen Serenity call you the 'hidden Scout'? And why do you call Zoisite and Malachite your friends?"
"You don't remember the Moon Kingdom, Darien, so you can't recall the time when there was peace between this world and the Negaverse. At that time, Beryl's four generals- Jedite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Malachite- were very good friends of my parents. Zoisite would often baby-sit when they had other things to attend to. As I got older, we also became very close. She introduced me to the other three who, along with her, became my best friends. When I turned ten, I was sent to the Negaverse. There, I began my life as a Sailor Scout, learning how to control my powers, and to defend the Princess at all costs. When I had mastered my powers to a point, I was placed on the Moon to become a part of her court.
"Because of this, I had friends in the Negaverse and the Universe. Then, Beryl was crowned Queen. That monster declared that the peace which had last for so many centuries would end. She was not content with ruling one dimension, she wanted the Universe as well. In the beginning, I fought her as best I could. But then she sent my friends to destroy me- or convince me to join them. I stopped going into battle, stopped caring about what happened. I chose to stop caring. I don't know why, my memory also has its gaps." The girl smiled. "So yes, I am hiding something from you, but I can't tell you what I don't know. Tomorrow, I'll answer any questions you may still have. I'll see you then."
Not watching to see what Darien would do, Jessie let herself in through the back door and went upstairs to her room. "So much for practice this afternoon." she muttered. "Zoisite, Malachite," she called out a little louder. "I need to talk to you."
"You have come to your senses." Malachite said. "When will you be ready to come with us to serve your new Queen?"
"That's what we need to talk about, Malachite." Jessie replied. "Beryl's given me a week to decide, but the truth is I couldn't make that choice even if I had another thousand years. So, I'm going to let the Sliver Crystal decide for me. I've talked with the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask. I told them that I'll serve whichever side manages to gain control of it. However, in order for the Crystal to be formed, we need all seven pieces in one place. Be in the large clearing in the middle of the woods tomorrow at four. The Scouts, Moon Princess, Tuxedo Mask and I will meet you there."
"Are you sure this is what you want, Jessie?"
"What I want, Zoisite, I can't have. I want to go back home and live the life I would have had if Beryl hadn't become Queen. I can't even have the next best thing- to forget that life ever happened. And since you people won't leave me alone, I have to join one side of this."
"I'm going to report this to Queen Beryl." Malachite said. "Zoisite, why don't you remain with Jessie? This won't take long."
"Why did I stop caring, Zoisite?" Jessie asked a moment or so after he'd left. "I know I chose to do so, but I don't remember why. You do. We talked about it many times."
"You wanted to join us." Zoisite recalled. "No, you never said that. You asked what you would need to do in order to join. We told you that you'd need to stop caring about everything so much. You did, but you wouldn't tell us why. It was almost as if you were afraid to."
"I don't know. But I trust you." Jessie said quietly. "Even before I remembered who you are, I still trusted you."
"Have you ever thought about returning home? Even for a visit? You're missed by everyone. There are even rumors going around that you weren't reborn with the other Scouts."
Jessie shook her head, eyes distant, thoughts in the past. "No. I don't belong there anymore. Things have changed too much. Besides, there's no one there of any importance to me still there. My family's dead and my friends are gone. Why would I want to go back after all this time? It would just remind me of everything I've lost."
Before the conversation could go any further, Malachite reappeared. "Queen Beryl agrees to follow your plan." He said. "She did ask however, why you would suddenly be willing to join the Negaverse after all this time."
"I'm not." Jessie replied. "It's not a choice between the Negaverse and Universe. If it were, the Universe would win, hands down. The real choice is between friends that I've known for a very long time. How can someone choose between friends?"
"It's time for us to leave, Zoisite." Malachite sidestepped the question. "Tomorrow is going to be very busy for Jessie. She needs her sleep."
"Goodnight, Jessie." Zoisite said before fading away. Sleep well."
"Goodnight, my friends." She answered into the silence.
To Be Continued...
See, not too bad was it? The closest thing to a cliffhanger in this fic is the next chapter and maybe Chapter 7. But you'll have to wait at least a week to read them, because of typing the sequel- it's only been written for about two years now- and I'm attempting to do a more in-depth prequel taking place in the Moon Kingdom. It's not going very well, however, so bear with me and enjoy what you're getting. Comments and questions can be sent via reviews or emailed at ladykay136@aol.com