Sailor Moon

Ghosts of the past

A fanfiction by Jonathan Schmidt

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon so don't sue me. There I said it J

This series is based almost entirely on the dub which, despite its shortcomings, I prefer to the original. Judge the story by how well made you think it is not by whether I include those questionable aspects of the original. Try to regard it as a different reality and dimension. It takes place a few months after the end of the Stars season. Any question/comments? Email me at ashmidt@flash.net enjoy.

Text in italics are thoughts.

Text in Triangular Brackets is psychic or telepathic communication.

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Episode eleven: Control the Scouts! Mimet's Plot

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*Scene is Serena surrounded by food watching a soap opera*

"Oh Emily how could you do this to me?" the bad actor said as though he was reading directly from a script.

Serena's eyes watered. "Poor Lee, this is so sad wahhh!"

*Doorbell rings*

Sammy looked up from his homework. "Hey Meatball Head since you're not doing anything important can you get that?"

"What!" Serena cried, "this is important!"

Serena's father Kenji sighed as he read the morning paper. "Get the door dear."

"Oh all right…" Serena trudged miserably to the door and opened it. She gasped in surprise to see all the sailors (in civilian clothing of course). "Girls? What are you doing here."

Michelle crossed her arms. "We've had it with you moping around."

"You're coming with us," Raye said.

"And miss my soap?" Serena asked in shock. "Emily just betrayed Lee for Sammo!"

Lita smiled evilly. "Who said you had a choice?" She, Amara and Raye proceeded to grab Serena and drag her out the door.

"Hey!" Serena yelled. "Wait a second, let me go!" Dad, Sammy help me! I'm being kidnapped! Ahhhh!"

Kenji turned a page of his paper. "Be home before dark dear."

*Serena narrates as scenes of the day are shown and happy music plays* "With Darien gone I've been a bit down in the dumps so the girls decided to treat me to a fun day in town." *Giggles* "I couldn't really say no."

The girls shop at various stores, Amara not really buying much (Amara gets embarrassed as Michelle gawks over a pretty dress) and Trista surprising everyone by being an avid shopper. Hotaru meanwhile brought another lamp for her room, the others wondering amongst themselves at the strange habit which she enjoyed so much. The girls watch as Serena and Mina race cars on a video game. Mina wins. Amara proceeds to race her and, of course, wins, Mina is devastated. They then go to the aquarium, Hotaru, Amy and Trista enjoying it thoroughly, then go to watch Amara race her Motorcycle. She wins again. They later go to a Sailor V movie, Mina hamming it up.

It was late in the afternoon now as Serena walked along a street with her friends. "I'm starving, let's get some supper."

Mina walked with her hands behind her head. "Sure."

"We can eat whatever you want," Trista said.

Amara put a hand on her shoulder. "And as much as you want Moonface."

Serena's eyes shook with emotion. "Oh, I love you guys!" she cried near tears. The girls smiled at her and continued on.

"I can't get over how amazing this Silver Millennium technology is," Dr. Tomoe said as he examined the inner mechanics of one of the scout's communicators in his lab.

"Yes, our science was among the most advanced in the universe back then," Artemis said proudly.

Luna peaked over Tomoe's shoulder. "So do you think it will work."

"It may take a few more days of tweaking," Tomoe explained, "but I think these modifications will work perfectly."

Luna smiled. "That's wonderful."

"We can't thank you enough for all your help Doctor," Artemis said. "We may know a lot about the technology but our paws can only do so much."

"It's my pleasure to help Hotaru and the other sailors," Tomoe said with a smile. "And it's been wonderful getting to know all of you." He looked back at the communicator with concentration. Finally my science is going to be used for something good.

Jedite sat on his throne staring at an image of Eternal Sailor Moon. He remembered the whole episode with Bountyhunter, moments before Saturn had arrived. He had been so close to ending the moon child's life. His eyes narrowed in anger, his aura flaring. "Oh, how I hate her." He vanished the image. It sickened him.

"You truly wish to kill her then?" The Negaforce asked from its chamber.

Jedite clenched his fists; "I want more then that. I desire to destroy her very soul, to wipe the memory of her from the fabric of time."

"One day you will Jedite," the Negaforce soothed. "One day you will."

"You're going about it all wrong," a new voice chimed as she exited her lab.

Jedite grimaced; the mere sight of Mimet seemed to give him a headache. "What do you want now?"

"Merely that you listen to this proposal, of course the Great Negaforce will make the final decision." She held out a cup of liquid. "Tell me, what do you see?"

"A half empty vial," Jedite replied in a bored tone, "about as empty as your head."

Mimet glared daggers at him but continued on. "What you don't see is what's in the liquid. Millions of microscopic robots my old friend Eugeal created. Of course I acquired the research to make them after her… unfortunate demise." *The image zooms in so you can see the insect-like robots* "These are so small they can move in-between cells and go right to the brain."

Jedite wasn't impressed. "And how does that help us? Can these- these insects kill them?"

"They provide the answer to a little problem I've been pondering for some time," Mimet said in a lecturing tone. "Why destroy the sailors when we could instead make them join us?"

Now Jedite was interested. "What?

"We may not have Galaxia's bracelets but these little babies will do the same job. They will overwhelm the brain putting the sailors wills under our control."

"Such devices would only work once, after that the sailors powers would no doubt protect them like an immune system," the Negaforce said.

"Yes, but we would only need to do it once." Seeing Jedites undecided look Mimet continued. "Come on Jedite, what would you rather have, a bunch of dead sailors or nine slaves? We can even do it to Tuxedo Mask after I get them, though of course I'll want him to myself sometimes." Mimet blushed slightly.

"You may ensnare the others but Sailor Moon's power cannot be controlled by a mere machine," Jedite said. "Do as you wish but do not involve me in it."

"As you wish," Mimet said, giving a mock bow. She narrowed her eyes. Creep…

"What made you decide to do all this girls? Did I really look that depressed?" Serena asked as the group sat down at their table.

"Well there was that and because we've never spent the day together as a whole group before. We thought it would be fun," Mina said.

Hotaru gave a contented sigh as Trista ordered drinks for everyone. "Well it sure was."

"I'll say," Serena said happily, "I didn't think about Darien all day."

Michelle put her hands under her chin and looked at Amy with interest. "So Amy, how have you and Greg been doing?"

Amy turned bright red (you know how shy and cute she is about this stuff). "Uh, fine why do you ask?"

Lita moved in closer. "Come on give us some juicy details."

Amy turned even redder and twiddled her thumbs. "I really rather not," she said shyly.

As the girls talked their drinks were set out on a platter and the waiter was moving to pick them up when Mimet bumped into him (she's in her old civilian disguise) knocking him to the ground. "Oh my I'm so sorry!" Mimet apologized profusely to the stunned man while pouring the vial's liquid into the drinks discretely. "How clumsy of me." She walked off; keeping one eye on the sailors at all times.

As the waiter distributed their drinks Serena closed her eyes and coughed as though about to make a speech. She raised her glass. "I Serena Tsukino hereby declare a toast to our friendship. May we be friends forever."

The other girls raised their glasses. "To friendship," they voiced in unison.

Mimet watched from a distance. She smiled as the sailors downed their glasses. It won't be long now.

The effects on the sailors were immediate. Raye held her head. "I feel strange."

Lita looked dizzy. "What's going on?"

One by one their eyes glazed over, their faces becoming emotionless. Mimet smiled and decided to use some of the new abilities the Negaforce had given her. She directed her thoughts to the sailors telepathically. I know you can hear me girls but let's talk somewhere more private. You know where to go. The scouts stood up and without a word left the restaurant.

*They're at a bridge rather like where they had their final fight against Prisma and Avery*

The nine women assembled in the center of the bridge and waited. Mimet appeared, smiling smugly. She looked the scouts over. "Okay let's see if you're really under my power. Transform yourselves now." They raised their transformation pens and obeyed.

"Now," Mimet said, "Jupiter, you slap Saturn across the face. Hit her hard." Jupiter obeyed but Saturn raised her hand, blocking the punch with ease. Mimet pondered for a moment. "So their self defense reactions are still working. How about this, Saturn let Jupiter hit you."

The effect was immediate as Jupiter knocked Saturn to the floor. Mimet laughed. "This is wonderful! I have nine sailor puppets who will do whatever I want." Her face turned devious. "In fact," she thought aloud, "why should I let Jedite have you when I could use you to get rid of him and the Negaforce… then I could become Queen of Earth." She smiled as she pondered, liking the idea more with every passing second.

Jedite's aura flared as he watched the events through Beryl's crystal ball. His fists clenched and dark power crackled through them. "Why that betraying witch!"

"Calm yourself Jedite," the Negaforce hissed. "Mimet's powers are under my control. I can end this whenever I desire. For now let us see what happens."

"Why should I play second banana to anyone?" Mimet reasoned. "I'm the only reason Jedite has gotten this far."

As Mimet raved about what a wonderful queen she would be Sailor Moon's eyes began to flash between blank and normal. "No…"

*In Moon's mind*

"No…"

Sailor Moon was floating in a void surrounded by thousands of the tiny insect-like robots Mimet had filled her with. They crawled all over her till only her face remained uncovered. She struggled as they overwhelmed her. She screamed. "No! Let me go!" The Silver Crystal came to life, its light disintegrating the machines in a brilliant flash. Moon floated free of them, her body glowing.

Mimet's raving stopped abruptly as Moon's suit let out a faint glow and she collapsed to her hands and knee breathing heavily. "What's going on… where am I?" She gasped as the memories came flooding back to her. "No! Girls!" She looked to them hopefully but only received blank stares.

Mimet smirked and tapped her Charm Buster rod against her shoulder. "Well I guess Jedite was right. It is impossible to control you." She chuckled. "Oh well, eight out of nine isn't bad." She smiled evilly. "New plan girls. Kill your Moon Princess."

The sailor's faces turned evil as they faced Moon. She stepped back, her mind not wanting to believe it. "No… this isn't happening." She began to cry. "Girls, don't do this."

"Dry your tears Moon brat," Mimet said coldly. "Even if they can hear you it won't do any good. Their minds are mine. Now," she pointed her rod at Moon, "destroy her!"

"We'll start." Mars and Jupiter stepped forward and assumed their attack poses.

"Mars…"

"Jupiter…"

Moon stepped back more, her voice pained. "No stop. Please."

"Fireball…"

"Supreme Thunder…"

"Stop…" she whispered weakly.

"Flash!"

"Crash!"

The attacks combined and shot toward Moon, who managed to have the presence of my mind to get out of the way, the attack blowing a crater in the road. She flew high and away from the bridge, wanting to find Luna, to talk to Darien, anything but face this. Fighting her friends was her worse nightmare and after Uranus and Neptune's fake betrayal she had hoped to never experience it again. She continued to fly over the water, her mind racing and not sure what to do."

Back on the bridge Mimet was enraged. "Don't let her get away! After her!"

Jedite scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps things will work to my liking after all. Watching her own friends kill Sailor Moon will be almost as satisfying as doing it myself."

The eight sailors linked hands and formed a circle. Their auras grew and shot out above them. The concrete beneath them broke apart as they were lifted into the air. They flew high into the sky and shot down toward Moon.

Moon didn't see them in time to dodge as Jupiter released a Sparkling Wide Pressure. She crossed her arms in front of herself, the attack striking her hard and knocking her from the sky. She managed to right herself before falling into the sea and continued to fly swiftly over the water.

Venus extended her right hand. "Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

Pluto summoned her Garnet Rod. "Deadly Beam!"

Moon's boots skidded against the water as she twirled about, dodging the beams as they tore up the sea around her. She shot upward; the scouts following close behind. Amidst all the pain and confusion Moon knew she couldn't let this air battle continue. I have to find a place where they can't hurt anyone. She glanced around from her high vantagepoint and quickly spotted an empty construction site near shore. There

Meanwhile the sailors had risen high above her and were shooting down like a meteor, gaining more speed and power with every second. Moon could she what they were doing and hovered over the construction site. She extended her palms forward as the scouts neared her.

"Sailor…"

"Moon…"

"Planet…"

"Gravity…"

"Attack!"

"Force!"

The wave of gravity was just enough to push the sailors off course and send them zooming into the construction site. The massive Planet Attack completely destroyed the skeletal skyscraper and as the dust settled it revealed the sailors standing at the bottom of a huge crater, several hundred feet wide and at least a hundred deep. Rubble and torn up support beams were scattered all over. Moon landed near them. "You have to listen to me guys, you have to fight it." They didn't respond. "Fight it!" Moon screamed.

"Give it up!" Mimet said as she reappeared nearby. She pointed at Uranus. "How about just you attack for starters. Lets see if she'll put up much of a fight."

Uranus stepped forward and raised her hand even as Moon begged her to stop. "World Shaking!"

The orb struck Moon full force but she remained standing, her pain filled face still pleading. "Please… I can't fight you." Her tears were flowing anew as Uranus raced at her and used Space Sword Blaster. Moon raised her staff to block the attack but was still knocked to the ground. Uranus continued to press down on her, sword to staff as Moon cried.

"I can't do this!"

Sailor Moon.

"I won't do this!"

Sailor Moon!

Moon wondered if she was hearing things as Uranus wordlessly cried out her name again. Her eyes widened as she saw another face of Uranus appear over her real face. Transparent and her voice echoing she soon realized the image was a telepathic projection. "Uranus, is that really you?"

I can't speak long. It's taking all my remaining will to do this. Sailor Moon you have to stop us at any cost. Even if it means destroying us.

"No, I won't!"

Uranus was emphatic as she struggled to speak. Serena you once told me that it was courageous and good for someone to willingly give their life to save others. Well I'm willing and I know the others are too, do whatever you have to to keep me from hurting you or anyone else!

Moon strained, her voice full of sorrow but now resolute. "All… right… but I refuse to kill you!" Moon delivered a swift kick into Uranus's stomach, knocking her back as Moon leaped back to her feet. Uranus used Space Sword Blaster again but this time Moon easily countered as she summoned the Eternal Moon Blade and knocked her aside with one strike. She sheathed her sword behind her wings and looked at her staff as a wonderful thought occurred to her. Maybe I can heal them with this!

Mimet looked panicked at the sudden display of strength. "What are you waiting for get her!" She screamed. The sailors ran to attack but Saturn stayed under Mimet's silent command. "Except for you. Let's save you for when Moon is weak."

"To protect you I will fight!" Moon held out her right palm as Mars and Mercury attacked.

"Shine Aqua Illusion!"

"Celestial Fire Surround!"

"Moon Gravity Force!"

The gravity wave sent the attacks straight back at the sailors as they leaped away. Moon raised her staff. "Silver Moon Crystal-" Before she could finish the attack phrase a Flame Sniper shot past her hand, knocking the staff from it. "No!" The staff flew through the air and landed some distance away. Moon ran for it but a Love and Beauty Shock struck her in the side sending the sailor to her knees.

"Our turn." The three Outers stood together and fired their main attacks.

"Deadly Scream!"

"World Shaking!"

"Deep Submerge!"

The three orbs combined into one giant sphere. Moon thrust her hands out. "Moon Gravity Force!"

The gravity wave hit the attack but it proved too strong to hold back, still slowly advancing. Moon's crescent mark glowed brightly. "Eternal Moonbeam!"

The beam tore through the orb, destroying it but no sooner had that happened then Moon found herself flying through the air from an upper cut by Jupiter. Empowered by Adrenaline Surge she raced at Moon sending out a barrage of mighty kicks and punches. Moon dodged as best she could in her dazed state Jupiter's strikes shattering the cement rubble around them. Finding an opening Jupiter delivered a strong kick into Moon's stomach, causing her to fly backward a good thirty feet and crash into an upturned slab of concrete, denting it. She fell onto her face as Jupiter and Venus approached.

"Lightning Whip!"

"Love Chain Encircle!"

Moon leaped into the air, Jupiter's whip entangling with Venus's. Venus was electrocuted hard and fell to her knees stunned. Moon felt she had a degree of safety in the air as none of the sailors could usually levitate on their own except Saturn and she for some reason wasn't fighting. A bright disk appeared in Mercury's hand. "Mercury Ice Discus!"

The disc flew toward Moon as she dodged, some of her hair being cut. With a wave of her hands Mercury sent the disc back at her. Moon tried to dodge again but this time it cut through a portion of her right wing sending her crashing into the ground. Moon struggled back up as she felt the air heat around her and noticed all the sailors but Mars had moved some distance away. Moon held out her arms and braced herself as a wall of fire grew behind Mars.

"Eternal Fire…"

"Moon Gravity…"

"Incinerate!"

"Force!"

With all of her strength Moon forced the firewall in half allowing each half to pass harmlessly by her. Before the fire had even completely cleared pain filled her skull as Pluto struck her in the head with the Garnet Rod. She fell onto her back as Pluto raised the staff over her. "Garnet Rod Impale!"

Pluto slammed the rod into the concrete as Moon rolled aside, the force of the strike sending out a shock wave that tore up the cement for several feet around them. Moon flipped back as Pluto swung at her wildly. With incredible speed she maneuvered in and out of the strikes till she found an opening and pressed her palm against Pluto's stomach. "Moon Crystal Encase!"

Pluto was instantly encased in a mass of crystal as Moon flipped back. She leaped above an Aqua Illusion and froze Mercury. Mars used Snake Fire, Moon countering with Angel Wing and extinguishing both attacks. Moon threw the crystal orb through the dissipating smoke and encased her. Jupiter spun about and released an Oak Evolution, Moon enduring it and sealing her in crystal. Venus fired a Crescent Beam, ripping through Moon's shoulder. Despite this Moon still managed to throw another orb of crystal, encasing Venus. Neptune stabbed forward with her triton, Moon just managing to dodge and place a crystal orb on Neptune's back, trapping her. Uranus overwhelmed her with an Ethereal Blaze and she was thrown backward. Her suit and skin tearing from the violent wind energy she called on her remaining strength and threw one last orb while flying back. It found its mark and Uranus was sealed.

Moon was left lying on her back, her chest rising up and down in exhaustion. Blood flowed from her cut shoulder and her body ached from Jupiter and Uranus's pounding. She knew it wasn't over, she could feel her dark power growing nearby.

She twirled her scythe. "Your final opponent is Sailor Saturn!"

"In the power rankings Saturn is second only to you. Let's see how well you fare now that you are wounded and without your wings." Mimet watched with interest.

The battle weary Moon struggled to raise herself up again. She moved her arm into a throwing position as she faced Saturn. "Moon… Crystal…" she panted, "Encase!"

With one swift slash of her scythe Saturn cut the incoming orb in two and smiled evilly. Saturn levitated and flew forward, swinging her scythe at Moon. Moon pulled her sword from its sheath and brought it down. The two blades collided and Moon was pushed back, her feet digging trenches into the ground. Saturn leaped back, a dark orb forming in front of her scythe. "Ebony Silence Scream!"

Moon jumped aside as the attack shot past her, digging out a huge trench in the rubble. Moon held out her left hand, her right hanging onto her sword. "Moon Gravity Force!"

Saturn raised her scythe in front of herself. "Silent Wall!" The wave of gravity bombarded her shield with great force but it held. Saturn twirled her scythe and ran at Moon again, swinging her staff at Moon with great skill and power. Moon blocked Saturn's strikes all she could, calling up the last of her reserves. Even so it was a losing battle, Saturn was simply too strong and she couldn't use the crystal for fear of killing her, she was probably too weak now to use it regardless. Saturn broke away, raised her scythe and leaped above Moon. "Silence Scythe Strike!"

Huge bolts of energy surged from the point of contact as Saturn slammed her energized scythe into Moon's sword. The force was incredible as the two struggled against each other but in the end it was Moon who gave out, her sword shattering. Moon collapsed onto her back panting. Saturn held herself up with her scythe. Breathing heavily she seemed to be almost as exhausted as Moon.

"Well," Mimet said scornfully, "very good try but it looks like even you don't have the power to defeat all your sailors, especially since you're holding back. It just isn't enough." She pointed to the sailors encased in crystal. One by one their auras were growing and cracks were forming in their crystals. "It won't be long now," Mimet laughed, "when they get out your time runs out."

Moon looked up and saw hope at last. Her rod lay only ten feet away. I have to get to it. She ran toward it as Saturn pointed her scythe toward her. "Dark Star Enshroud!"

The black beam struck Moon in the eyes, blinding her. She frantically felt the ground in front of her knowing she only had seconds before Saturn was upon her. Time seemed to stand still. I have to focus, she told herself. I have to find it. For them, I have to… be strong enough. Suddenly it was as though her other senses doubled in acuteness. She could hear her own heart beating; she could sense the staff's power. She grabbed it and swung around to where she knew Saturn was coming. "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

Saturn was struck still by the attack as the light beams cleansed her body. Standing silent her eyes became normal again.

Her eyesight-returning Moon directed the attack to the sailors as they broke out of their crystal cases. Mimet was throwing a fit. "No! Get rid of her now! Quickly!" she screamed. Pluto, Mercury, Mars Jupiter, Venus and Neptune were cleansed just as they broke free. Uranus however had drawn her sword and stabbed forward just as Moon's attack struck her. Her momentum was too great and she buried the sword deep in Moon's stomach just as she too was brought back to normal.

Uranus pulled the glowing blade out as Moon collapsed, her face blank. The look of shock and horror on the Soldier of Sky was indescribable. "No…" She stepped back, her hands shaking. Her eyes watered.

"Oh please no!" Mars cried as she beheld the tragic scene. The other sailors mirrored her disbelief and shock.

As the other sailors ran to attend to Moon Uranus's mind was only on revenge. She leaped up to where Mimet was standing and ran at her, sword drawn. "Is this how you get your kicks Mimet?!" Uranus cried as she swung at her madly. "By making an innocent girls friends turn on her! I'll make you regret this!" Uranus struck the Charm Buster out of Mimet's hand; she was helpless to counter the sailor's passion-driven assault.

Mimet floated up into the air holding her cut hand. "You're insane!" She disappeared just as Uranus leaped at her again.

Uranus's bit her lip, the terrible emotions flowing through her too much to bear. She stabbed her sword into the ground. "Damn that Witch!"

"Is she stable?" Pluto asked Mercury in concern as she; Saturn and Venus kept their hands on Moon's battered body, trying to heal her with their powers.

"She's pretty banged up but she's going to pull through," Mercury said in relief as she examined her with her computer.

Mars held Moon's hand gently. "Thank goodness."

Jupiter clenched her fists angrily. "If I ever get my hands on Mimet…"

Tears were forming in Venus's eyes. "I can't believe this happened. We did this to her."

Saturn, her eyes watery, threw her scythe aside and looked at her hands. "My hands our soiled with the blood of my own princess, how can this be?"

The sailor's self-condemnation ended as Moon opened her eyes and looked around smiling. "You're back," she said weakly, "I'm so glad."

"Just lay here for awhile," Jupiter said soothingly.

Neptune caressed her face lovingly. "You've been through a lot."

Moon's face became concerned. "Where's Uranus?"

The others looked sadly toward the setting sun. Uranus stood there alone, bathed in light. There she brooded, her expression unreadable.

Moon tried to get up only to be forced down by the sailors. "Please, I have to talk to her!" she begged.

"There'll be time for that later right now you need to rest," Mars said in a tone that was not to be argued with.

Moon conceded but continued to stare at Uranus in worry as she walked away.

Mimet sat in a chair in her laboratory bandaging her hand. "Curse that Moon wretch, she ruined everything!" she spat then looked behind her to see Jedite. "What do you want? Have you come to rub my defeat in?"

Jedite crossed his arms as he walked over to her. "I must commend you on your control today Mimet. Many others would have become drunk on the taste of power controlling the sailors surely brought. It is good to know where your loyalties lie."

"Yes- that- that is of course," Mimet said nervously as Jedite circled her like a shark. She gasped as he grabbed her hand firmly.

"Remember this Mimet," he said slowly, squeezing her hand as she winced in pain. "We need you now but there will come a time when you become dispensable. Never cross me." He threw her to the floor and left.

Mimet watched him go. Her eyes narrowed in hatred as she glared at him. She glanced at her gauntlet-like injection device. We'll see just who should cross whom.

It was late in the evening. Amara stood alone at the edge of the park pond. She threw a smooth stone up and down in her hand then skipped it some distance across the water.

Serena approached slowly, Amara quickly noticing her. They stood silent for some time. Finally Amara spoke. "How can you bear to be around me after what's happened?"

Serena seemed confused by her words. "What do you mean? It's not your fault. Why are you blaming yourself?"

"But don't you see?" Amara clenched her fist. "I should have been able to fight it… I should have been strong enough-" She looked down, her face shamed.

Serena put her hand on hers, "you were strong enough to give me the courage I needed to do what I had to today. That's what's important."

"Maybe… but I can't help feeling I should have, could have done more." She looked to Serena, her face softening slightly. "How is it?"

Serena put a hand to her tender belly. "It still hurts but it's mostly sealed up thanks to the others. I won't even have a scar which is nice as I'd hate to have to try to explain a stab wound to my mom." She laughed a bit but Amara remained morose. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I shouldn't of said it like that."

"Its ironic," Amara laughed bitterly as she looked up into the darkening sky. "Today was supposed to be an example of our love for you. Instead… you had to fight off your own guardians. I… don't think I'll ever be able to think of our relationship the same… not after all I've done."

Serena gave her a disciplining glare. "You know you weren't the only one who suffered today. You're being very selfish."

Amara was shocked. "Selfish?"

Serena's voice was dead serious. "Yes, you care so much about your own feelings that you're not accepting how I feel. So I'll say it again and I want you to hear me this time." She gently took Amara's hand again and looked deeply into her eyes. "I don't blame you and I don't want you to blame yourself. If you really care about me then you'll do like the others and put this whole terrible thing behind you."

"How can I put it behind me?!" Amara said angrily and pulled away. She looked down again, her voice pained. "I nearly killed you…" She walked away and sat down on a bench Serena following her.

Serena put an arm around the taller women. "You also saved me. I would never had had the will to fight if you hadn't encouraged me to."

Amara closed her eyes and sighed. "I suppose I am being selfish."

"Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. We can't let them get to us or it would drive us crazy."

Amara smiled slightly. "Since when are you so wise?"

Serena stood up and gave Amara her hand. "Come on let's go home. The day isn't over yet and the girls are waiting for you. Michelle's especially worried; it was all I could do to keep her from looking for you herself. Besides I need all you girls help picking out something to wear to blow Darien away when he gets back."

Amara laughed. "Okay Moonface, let's go."

Amara took Serena's hand and they strolled away under the late evening sky, the Moon now beginning to shine down on them.

"Serena?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

Notes:

All right! *Throws streamers in the air* I'm over half done with the series. Just ten more episodes!