Okay, Vegas was hot and very borring, but I survived!! Also, while I was gone I recieved two questions I decided to answer here as well as in response via e-mail. First, why am I using the Japaneese names for Mars and Mercury but not the rest? Easy, I've seen so many ways of spelling them in English that I just picked the ones I liked the best. The other names were pretty hard to mess up. Second, how much of Jessie's charater is based on myself? Too much. Although the fate of the world wasn't involved- at least, not that I'm aware of- I have been placed in a situation where I've had to choose between two sets of friends that I valued more than anything. It was very difficult to make them understand that I would not give some of them up. While I enjoy watching gymnastics, I couldn't turn a cartwheel to save my life, so there isn't much in commen there, and we look nothing alike other then our height. We pretty much agree on school however. India, I swear, I have been typing the next story, but am finding it much harder to divide it into chapters. I'll send it to you as soon as I figure it out.
"Do you think she'll really go through with it Luna?" Serena asked after filling the black cat in on what had happened.
"Jessie is a mystery to me, Serena." Luna answered. "I don't know what she's going to do. I hope she won't join the Negaverse, but we'll just have to wait and see. She's given us the best chance we'll ever get with the Sliver Crystal, however, she's still hiding something. I wonder if she could be the Princess. She knows too much about what's going on to just be a Sailor Scout.
"You could be right, Luna." Serena agreed. "She still won't tell us who the Princess of the Moon Kingdom is. Maybe she's protecting herself. But why would the Moon Princess be friends with the four generals of the Negaverse?"
"Go to sleep, Serena. It's late."
*@*@*@*@*@
Jessie hit the stop button on the recorder and removed the tape. If the Negaverse did get ahold of the Crystal, she wanted to make sure that the Sailor Scouts would be able to learn everything she knew about them.
Yes, she would obey Beryl's orders if she had to, but she'd also make sure the Scouts had the advantage. Beryl was insane and couldn't be allowed to win.
Jessie put the tape back in and hit the record. "If you're listening to this, Sailor Scouts, then I guess I've failed in getting the Crystal for you. Either Zoisite or Malachite got it. I'm sorry for not protecting you, Serena. I thought that by not telling you anything, you'd be safer. Guess I was wrong. Please, forgive me, my Princess."
Once again, she stopped the recording, but this time left the tape inside. She picked up a small piece of paper and wrote a quick note before sticking it onto the recorder. She put it into her jacket pocket.
"Jessica Elizabeth Klinto!" her mother shouted. "If you don't get your butt down here right now, you're going to have to walk."
"Coming Mom!" she answered, running downstairs, bag in hand. "Sorry, I didn't hear the alarm." she lied.
"Get going." Mrs. Klinto said.
*@*@*@*@*@
"Is everything alright, Serena?" Ami asked as they waited for Jessie and Lita.
"Yeah. I'm just not used to getting to school on time."
"Sorry I'm late." Jessie said, walking up beside them. "I'm buying a new alarm clock this weekend."
"So, did they agree to meet us today?" Serena queried.
"Yeah. But knowing them as well as I do, they're going to figure out some way to cheat. That's alright though, because I can work around the rules too. I told them I'd serve whichever side got ahold of the Crystal, but I didn't say how long I'd serve them or that I wouldn't help the other side get it back. Only problem is, if Beryl wins, she'll more than likely erase any memories that could possibly make me even consider betraying her. On the way over to the meeting place, I've got something to give you. There's a lot I haven't told you. This will explain some of it."
"Jessie, Luna asked me a very interesting question last night." Serena commented. "Are you the Moon Princess? Is that why you haven't told us about her?"
"What?" Jessie asked laughing. "Me the Moon Princess? That's about as likely as Ami failing a test. Ain't ever gonna happen."
"You sure you know what you're doing? We could help protect her better if we knew who she is."
"You could be right, Serena." Jessie admitted. "But it's too late now. You'll just have to be surprised along with everyone else."
"I hope you're right about who she is. I'd hate to find out that we've placed an innocent person in danger."
"The girl I'm thinking of is very much involved in this fight, Ami. So don't worry, even if I'm wrong, no one will get hurt, I promise."
The bell rang and the three girls headed to class.
*@*@*@*@*@
"Am I the only one who feels like backing out of this?" Serena asked as they all met at the Temple.
"No, you're not." Jessie admitted. "But we all have to go. The Princess will meet us there. You girls may as well transform, there's no telling when Darien will get here."
"Uh... Jessie?" Rei said smiling. "He's right behind you. He came in at the same time you did."
"Oh sorry, Darien." Jessie blushed. "I didn't see you. You're quieter than a mute cat. Well, in that case, we may as well get going."
The Scouts nodded as they transformed. "Let's go!"
"Sailor Mars, I'm going to leave something here for you guys just in case. Hopefully, you won't need it." Jessie said as she pulled the recorder out of her pocket. She laid it inside the small hole of the tree she'd been standing by and followed them to where they were to meet Zoisite and Malachite.
*@*@*@*@*@
"Do you truly intend to go through with this, Jessica? No matter what may happen?"
"You know me better than almost anyone Malachite. What do you think?"
Malachite looked her full in the face and read her feelings as if she were a book. "You'll keep your word." he said at last. "Queen Beryl is looking forward to having you join us at last, Sailor Night."
"Well if you get the Crystal from the Princess, I've got a few things to say to her before I swear my life to her. If I'm insulting enough, she's sure to destroy me, in which case, I'll have never served her. She still loses."
"Let's get this over with." Zoisite snapped. "Tuxedo Mask, have you got the two Rainbow Crystals you stole?"
"I do." he answered. "Have you got yours?"
"Of course I do."
"She does." Jessie replied. "As much as she hates you, she obeys Beryl."
"You have indeed changed, Rosa. You were never able to read me in the past. You've become... stronger."
"My name is Jessie. Rosa is dead. She died by your hand one thousand years ago. I am simply the human chosen to carry her name and title. That is why I seem to have changed so much. Sailor Night is the only Scout who died after the battle was over. Or at least, I think that's what happened. I don't remember. Nor do I care. Let's do this. Bring the Crystals to the same place, then step away. That should be all we need to do."
Tuxedo Mask and Zoisite walked to the center of the clearing and placed their Crystals next to each other, then backed away, glaring.
At once, the seven Rainbow Crystals began to glow. They slowly moved closer together, becoming brighter as they melded into one.
Suddenly, the light was so bright that all had to look away for fear of being blinded. When the light faded, Sailor Moon was gone.
In her place, in the exact center of where they were gathered, stood a beautiful young woman wearing a pure white gown. It was clear to all that she was the Princess of the Moon Kingdom.
"Sailor Scouts, Tuxedo Mask," Jessie smiled. "I'd like to introduce you to Princess Serenity, also known as Sailor Moon. The one you spent so much time searching for was with you all along. Ironic huh?" As she had been talking, Jessie had inched her way to where the Sliver Moon Crystal now lay. She bent down and picked it up.
"Jessie, what are you doing?" Sailor Mars asked.
"Returning the Crystal to its rightful owner." the girl answered as she stepped toward the newfound Princess.
"You can't do that." Zoisite protested. "It goes against the rules you set!"
"When, Zoisite, did I ever say that I wouldn't decide who the Crystal went to? All I really said was that I would join whoever got control over it, nothing else." Jessie reached Princess Serenity and handed her the Crystal. "As commanded by your mother when she saved my life one thousand years ago, I pledge to you my life and service. I shall not fail to protect you again."
Her voice had been clearly heard as she made this vow, for all others had been silent. Now, however, as she mouthed some word or phrase none could hear; her eyes grew wide and she fell to her knees. "No!" she shouted. "Stop it please! I don't want to remember anything more." Finally, the shock was too great and she collapsed, falling into blissful sleep and darkness.
Zoisite and Malachite started to move to her side, but the four Scouts blocked them.
"Stay away from her." Jupiter ordered. "She decided against you. I suggest that you leave her alone. We have her and we have the Crystal. Don't make us use it."
"Foolish girl." Beryl's voice hissed above them. "It is such a pity that she betrayed me again. Of all my warriors she was my favorite. Now she will be destroyed along with the rest of you. Zoisite, Malachite, return now, before she awakens."
"You've won for now, Sailors," Malachite said. "But the Sliver Crystal will belong to the Negaverse. You can count on that." Together he and Zoisite faded back into the Negaverse.
"Is she alright?" Mars asked as they moved toward the fallen girl.
"She'll be fine." Luna assured them, speaking up for the first time. "She must have remembered something that was too big a shock for her to handle. See? She's coming around now."
Jessie moaned quietly and sat up. "Is everyone okay?" she whispered. "No one was hurt by that little stunt I pulled, right? I'm sorry I tricked you like that, but it was the only way to get the Sliver Crystal back to you, Princess Serenity."
"I really wish you'd told me about this beforehand." The Princess muttered. "I almost passed out when you introduced me like that. Do you have any more surprises for us, Jessie?"
"A few. But if you don't mind, I'd rather tell you somewhere else. Come on, I'll fix a couple of pizzas at my place. We can talk there."
"What about your mother?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
"It's Friday." Jessie shrugged. "She'll be going out with Jim by now. And, she gave me permission to invite some friends over for dinner. So, consider yourselves invited. Let's get going."
*@*@*@*@*@
"You failed to gain the Crystal or Sailor Night?" Queen Beryl roared angrily. "And you still dare to suggest that she could be turned to our side?"
"Not to the side of the Negaverse, no, my Queen." Malachite admitted. "But perhaps she can be convinced to join the side of her friends."
"If she ever intended to join you, she would have done long ago. Destroy her. And this time, make certain she is dead."
"Queen Beryl." Zoisite protested. "Why is she so important to you? Had we left her alone, she would have been more than content to remain uninvolved in our battle. She has no desire to fight. Why should we worry about such a child?"
"You question me again, Zoisite?" Beryl raged. "You know who she is and what she can do. True, as a Sailor Scout she is of little concern, but as her true self she could cause our destruction if she wanted to."
"We will obey your command, Your Majesty." Malachite said.
*@*@*@*@*@
"In order to understand the destruction of the Moon Kingdom," Jessie started after she'd placed the frozen pizzas into the oven. "You need to understand what happened before.
"About twenty-two thousand years ago, the Negaverse and Universe ended a war that had lasted for countless generations. Both sides had long since forgotten what had started it, and everyone was sick of it. At first, it was difficult for some people to accept the fact that the war was really over. They attempted to start it up again, but gave up when they discovered they had no real support.
"Lifelong enemies became good friends, and their decedents continued those friendships. Peace became a reality.
"All of this went on until a thousand years ago. Queen Serenity had ruled the Moon Kingdom wisely and was teaching her daughter, Princess Serenity to do the same. She sent requests to the planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter that they allow their own Princesses to become a part of Serenity's court. After that, she also sent for the Princess of a more distant planet, one outside this solar system. For some reason which no one has ever been able to understand (AN: including the author), the planet was called Night.
"The Princess of this world was a few years older than the other five, but she also accepted the invitation. That would be me. However, before my parents would allow me to go, they sent me to the Negaverse so I could receive lessons on how to defend myself and the Princess of the Moon. I spent three years there, learning and spoke often with Beryl, who was then the Princess. At first, I made a special effort to get along with her; but for the most part I avoided her as I would a disease. Every now and then, there would be mock battles and Beryl would always be in charge of my 'army'. Not too long before I left, she told me I was her favorite warrior and offered me a position in the real Negaverse army, promising me complete control, answering only to her. I declined as politely as I could, but she didn't get the hint. Finally, I told her exactly why I didn't want the job and she seemed to get it. The gust of what I said was that as much as I enjoyed being in the Negaverse, my place was with the Moon Princess. I also added just what I thought of her. She wasn't very flattered and called me a traitor. I left the next day.
"At this time, I was seventeen. I met you girls and we got along just fine. I would often meet with Zoisite and the others, but after a while, they seemed to change.
"About six months before the battle, they finally told me that Beryl's plans to destroy the Universe were going to become a reality very soon. I warned Queen Serenity, who made quiet preparations to protect the Moon. Just they same, they attacked before we were ready.
"There was a party that night and everyone's guard was down. I had been in a fight the week before and it was only by luck that you found me in time for Queen Serenity to save my life. Just the same, I didn't get involved in that last battle. Queen Serenity had forbidden it, but even if she hadn't, I never would have agreed to fight that day because of my friends.
"Beryl succeeded in destroying the Moon, but Queen Serenity stopped that witch from gaining the Crystal. You know what happened after that."
"That's very interesting, Jessie," Darien commented. "But where do I fit in?"
She glanced at him quickly before standing to find paper plates. "You, Darien, are Endymion, Prince of the Earth and the true love of Princess Serenity."
Seeing the looks of surprise on everyone's faces, she began to laugh quite loudly. "You really didn't know, did you? How strange."
She heard the timer go off and pulled out the pizzas. "Come and get it!"
*@*@*@*@*@
After the meeting, Rei returned to the Temple and wandered to the tree they had met at earlier.
"Jessie's tape." she murmured, noticing the black recorder pushed deep inside the hole. "I'd better get it back to her sometime this weekend. There's so much she didn't tell us about herself though. I may as well listen to it first, she may have forgotten something important this evening."
The Sailor Scout of Mars took the recorder out and carried it into her room.
*@*@*@*@*@
"Queen Beryl will be angry when she finds out what we've done."
"Not if it works." Malachite pointed out. "This is our last chance to get Sailor Night to join our side. Admit it, Zoisite, you don't want to hurt her either."
"I don't." she agreed. "But to do this? Malachite, could we have gone too far?"
To be coninued...
What are Malachite and Zoicite up to now? How can Jessie cause any more trouble to Beryl as her "true self"? And what the heck does that mean anyway? Maybe someday I'll finish the fic so we can all find out! Just kidding, I swear, it's done!! Even typed, just needs to be converted, and if you e-mail me very nicely, I may even send the rest of it to you in response. Anyway, what's going on in the Author's so-called brain? Find out next time, but watch out: he's Bbbbbbaaaccckkkk. Also, I want you to read the fics by India. She's under my favorites, so look her up!! And even more importantly, REVIEW! She's an awesome writer, and really puts a spin on the entire Darien/Serena romance idea. Well, that's all for now. Type at you next time.