I don't remember who wrote it – or any of the character's names for that matter – but there really is a play called "The Curious Savage". I got the part of the patient who rarely speaks but paints for the entire program. I didn't get to perform in front of an audience (lucky Serena) because stupid me got the chicken pox – senior year of HIGH SCHOOL!!! WAHHHH!!! And during the first two weeks of May!!!! Sorry on we go.
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
What All Need to Grow
Chapter Six
Cherry Blossom Time
"Oh boy. Second day of our ditch week from school. Isn't this great?" Serena giggled. She was ecstatic mostly because Darien promised to meet with them at the park once he could get away from work.
For once Molly was feeling well enough to go out and about. She was barely listening to her friends; she was busy daydreaming of the coming year and carrying the unborn girl in her arms.
She sighed against her husband's chest. It was their first cherry blossom time as husband and wife, and as soon to be parents. She could feel that their daughter was excited about it as well.
"Wow. This is really a major scene here, isn't it gang? Everybody's here." Mina chuckled.
Amy smiled at a deeply contented Molly – knowing how her friend felt. Greg had his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked with the group. She wouldn't trade all of this for the peace a normal life would have given her for the world. "I bet it was hard talking our principals into giving us the day off to come here, Neflyte."
"No, it was rather easy. Your girls' scores impressed all of them, so they agreed that you girls deserve the rest break – though I have different reasons to get all of you the time off." Neflyte smiled as he jealously laid his hand on Molly's belly.
Molly smiled up at him with a light blush on her cheeks. "And he told him it was part of our environmental studies."
"Molly's is right. But it only cinched the deal." Neflyte chuckled as he admitted the truth.
Serena was bubbly and smiling. "Ooh, I can't wait to dig into that picnic. I am so hungry I could eat a . . . cherry tree."
"Same here Serena. I'll bet I'll out eat you!" Molly giggled.
Serena shot her a raspberry. "That's only because you're lucky enough to have two stomach working on the food at the same time."
"Hey, isn't that, Miss Haruna and her class?" Amy pointed out to the rest; to keep a fight from erupting because of a ill timed mood swing.
"Yeah, it is." Raye agreed.
Serena smiled, mostly because she was relieved to not be at the bottom of the test score list in Ms. H's class anymore. "Hey Ms. H! What's up?"
"Hi Ms. Haruna!" Molly smiled as the group caught up to the teacher and her class – including a visually peeved Ann Granger.
"Oh my early graduates! How is everything in high school girls?"
"I pulled an 'A' on my first mid-term!" Serena reported happily.
Ms. Haruna smiled and hugged the startled blonde. "I always knew that you had it in you, Serena! But how is it you have already had your midterms? Those aren't until the end of next month."
"The girls are already through the first part of the term, so it only seemed fitting to let them test now rather than later." Neflyte explained.
"Oh?" The grown man who held one of her former students so close startled Ms. H.
Seeing her old teacher's reaction Molly spoke up. "Ms. Haruna, this is my husband Maxfield Stanton. Maxfield this is my former teacher, Ms. Haruna."
"I heard you got married, Molly. But, I met your husband back when you two were only engaged. He put Mr. Yamada in his place about Serena. I am so happy for the two of you. And it is obvious that you, Mr. Stanton, are the reason one of my highest prized students glow so beautifully." She smiled.
Neflyte chuckled at that. In a way he had, but he wasn't the only one who had right to claim responsibility for that. "That glow actually comes from the baby Molly is carrying. And it is nice to see you again as well Ms. Haruna."
Ms. H got giggly at the news of Molly expecting. "Oh, I am so happy for you Molly! When are you due?"
"Christmas eve of all days! Someone just knows what I'd love to have as a present." Molly chuckled along with everyone but Ann; she was silently glaring at Serena.
"You have that right." A deep voice chuckled behind Serena.
It made her squeak as she turned to find Darien offering a red thornless rose in apology. "Darien! I thought you had to work!"
"One of my friends needs to have tomorrow night off, and agreed to cover me today if I'd cover him – so here I am. Am I forgiven for the start?" He smiled as Serena eagerly accepted the flower and wrapped her arms around him.
"Of course you're forgiven! I'm so glad you're here." Serena sighed. 'You may not remember everything yet muffin, but as long as I have you with me I can live with your amnesia.'
Ann huffed and walked off to the edge of the class. No one noticed, because Ms. H had everyone's attentions. "I know why don't we all sit together? For old time's sake."
The group agreed. And they all went to find that Melvin had held the class' spot. Neflyte and Molly's faces showed that the couple was slightly uncomfortable, but weren't about to let that cause problems. They made sure the youma who were going as humans knew that if Melvin showed up he was not to be harmed, but they obviously did not like the kid.
Melvin too had seen them coming. He still had no love loss towards Neflyte. "Huh? Molly? Oh and Mr. Stanton."
"Melvin, stop being so rude! The Stantons and their friends are joining our class picnic today." Ms H reprimanded the boy. "Oh, today is just perfect for being outdoors."
"This sure is a great spot you found, Melvin." Serena cleared her throat to try keeping a hold on the explosive situation before her.
Brooke looked around as she sat next to Jedite. "There are so many people out here already. When did you get here?"
"Nine o'clock last night." Melvin said proudly.
"WHAT?!" That shocked everybody.
"But it must have been really cold out here last night. How could you stand it?" Amy asked.
"The cold doesn't bother me." Melvin was still glaring at Neflyte as the boy pulled out a sleeping bag and zipped himself within it. "I just zipped myself inside my sleeping bag. It's all goose down. I was warm as toast last night."
'You know he's thinking how I wouldn't have done that. He'd say it if his teacher wasn't here right now.' Neflyte sent to his beloved wife. She could feel that he really was losing his patience with the kid.
Molly moved her husband's hand onto her belly – gently reminding him of her devotion and how they want to keep things positive for their baby girl. 'And I would tell him that you wouldn't have to. Just wait, he'll give me the opportunity I'm looking for soon enough.'
"Melvin, you really didn't have to go to all that trouble for us." Ms. Haruna disputed.
Melvin then gave Molly the opening she wanted. "Well . . . I didn't mind. I wanted to do it for you guys, and of course, I'd do anything in the world for Molly."
"As would my husband. But of course he wouldn't have to disrespect others to gain my attentions." Molly smiled up at Neflyte as the others cleared their throats to keep from laughing.
Brooke rested back against her love. "Am I the only one who's hungry?"
"No way!" Her girlfriends all called out as one.
"Oh boy! Oh, there are so many different foods to try! Mmm, mmm, mmm." Serena giggled.
Darien brought a box out and gave it over to her. "And I brought you one of your favorites as a special treat."
"What is it, Darien?" Serena quickly opened it and gasped in joy. "Oh thank you Darien! I love chocolate cheesecake!"
Darien chuckled as he blushed a little. He wasn't sure how he knew, but it somehow felt like the perfect treat for her. "You're welcome meatball head."
"Hey Ann, where's your lunchbox?" One of the students still in Ms. H's class asked innocently enough.
Ann waved the question away with her hand. "I don't need food, really. Just energy."
"What?!" Serena asked, hoping the others had heard that – of course they did. So that was why the Cardians were stealing energy – to feed her, and probably Alan too.
"Oh. Uh, I mean, uh . . ." Ann started stuttering.
The girl who asked the question covered for Ann without knowing it … at least for the meantime. "Oh, I see. You mean you didn't bring anything with you. That's okay 'cause we've got plenty."
Ms. Haruna was trying to keep her class in line. "Quiet please. Quiet please, everyone. You're beginning to give me one of my headaches. Now, if you behave really well, I might give you a free period."
"Oh . . . aw, come on, Miss Haruna. We're not at school today." One of Serena's old friends protested.
"Uh . . . oh yes, that's true." Ms. H answered dazed at her lack of insight.
"Hey, look. It's Alan. Ann, why doesn't he just join us already? He's always watching me." Serena pointed out.
Darien looked over and shot the guy a warning look before resting his arm on Serena's shoulders. The old Prince was certainly showing his true colors now.
"That's your brother? He's sure a hunk. Why doesn't he come over?" Mina hadn't met Alan until then, and now wished the guy was drooling for her instead of Serena.
"Oh, I'll bet that he's shy. No one seems to be able to get him interested in any conversations at school." A chubby friend of Serena and Molly reported.
"Yeah, but it's weird. He pops up everywhere I go. You know, I'm beginning to feel like he's following me." Serena explained so that there was no way Ann could guess that she knew the pair's secret.
"Well, he won't have much chance now that we have that play coming up. Your dad asked me to give you a ride home after our last week's worth of rehearsals, if that's okay with you Serena." Darien explain loud enough to be certain that Ann would overhear them – so that she'd tell her brother he had hoped.
"What play Darien?" Ann cheered up.
"Serena?" Darien gave the question over to his date, showing Ann who he was still happy to be with. He wondered if Serena would ever feel the same way towards him – or was he more of a big brother in her eyes?
Serena grinned up at him, but it really didn't tell him one way or the other. He had very little experience around girls, and didn't really know much about romantic love. "Well, we have the troupe's first play of the season opening up next week. It's called 'The Curious Savage'. I play the part of the nurse, and Darien's the assistant director."
"Wow! Way to go Serena!" Brooke called out.
The rest applauded, gave their congratulations, and promises to be there for her opening night performance. Darien hugged her shoulders (his arms still hadn't left her).
Molly caught a cherry blossom petal in her hand. "Oh, it's so pretty."
"Pretty, yes. But you my beloved are beautiful." Neflyte chuckled in her ear as they both held the petal she had caught.
None had seen that Ann slipped away with Alan. Danger was near, and Desiree could feel it.
'Neflyte. The baby's upset about something. I think she's scared all of the sudden!' Molly sent in a frightened whimper.
Neflyte didn't like that at all. He wasn't about to risk his family again. 'The youma are going to walk you away and then transport you home once all of you are clear. Please don't argue with me about this. I don't want to ever risk you or our daughter again. Molly, Desiree is not the only one with a bad feeling about all of this.'
'Fine! Girls lets go home.' Molly snapped – feeling unloved all of the sudden. She barely kept her anger hidden from those outside of her tight group of friends. "Girls, let's go take a walk. Bye guys."
Without giving Neflyte his usual kiss, Molly and the youma walked off – transporting away once they were out of sight, but not to the mansion. She went to her mom's house and into Jessica's arms. "He hates me now momma! He sent me away!"
"He sent his family away to protect them. Neflyte knew that you and the baby were in danger if you were to remain. He would have brought you here himself, but he has his vow to guard the Moon Princess holding him there. Open your heart to his, and you will feel what is in his heart." Jessica rubbed her daughter's back, knowing that it was only a mood swing gone bad.
Molly wiped her eyes and shook her head defiantly. "No. He doesn't want me back, then so be it."
Jessica sighed mentally. It was going to be a rough trimester. "Come on. I think that you and that little girl in your belly are thirsty. Am I right?"
Molly only nodded.
Neflyte was worried why Molly had exploded before she left. He was foolish to risk her and their daughter a thousand years before; he wasn't going to do it again.
'Don't worry old friend. Molly is just having a mood swing.' Malachite sent.
Neflyte took a deep breath. 'I hope so Malachite. I can't lose her and our daughter again.'
Then the group heard Ms. Haruna scream. They all rushed over to find her and Melvin unconscious. Both of them had been drained! Serena, Darien, Luna, Artemis, and Neflyte took the pair to the park operator's office.
The operator checked over Ms. Haruna. "Hmm, well, she'll pull through, but she's very weak. It's like she's had her energy sucked out of her. Do you know what happened to her?"
"No, we found her after she screamed." Neflyte explained.
"I've never seen anything like it. She's the tenth one today. It's really strange." The operator explained.
"That many?!" Serena gasped in shock.
Darien shook his head. "This is weird."
"Hmm . . . it's not hot enough for sunstroke yet. It's very strange." The operator muttered half to himself.
The cats looked at one another and instantly agreed with one another's first thought – that it had to be the Negaverse!
"We had better tell the others what is going on." Darien said.
Neflyte looked over, and felt glad for the first time since his wife left the area. "Agreed. This is too strange to be any normal exhaustion."
Darien took Serena into his arms with a worried look in his eyes. "Serena, please stay here. We don't know what's going on, and I don't want to have to worry about you."
"Alright, I won't leave here until someone is with me." Serena promised – not mentioning that she was including the cats at their feet in that promise.
Darien and Neflyte left Serena with the cats at the park operator's office. Once they walked away Serena and the cats conferred. "And you say all the energy drained out of them."
"Hmm, it sure feels like the Negaverse is mixed up in all this." Artemis explained as he nodded.
Luna looked up at Serena and added on. "I think we should go back where we found her. Maybe we'll find something there."
"Okay." Serena agreed before the three of them took off. Serena and the cats heard screams as they got to the area.
When she heard Darien cried out, Serena gasped. Her Prince was in danger! "Oh . . ."
"They're in trouble!" Artemis shouted.
Seeing that she was shaken, Luna yelled up at her charge. "Transform, Serena!"
"MOON PRISM POWER!"
She ran out into the area, and saw that the group was all in energy-draining force fields!
Molly snapped her head up. "Neflyte is hurt! I knew I shouldn't have left!"
"Molly, enough!" Jessica snapped.
That hurt Molly into silence. Jessica shook her head. "Sweetheart, now do you see how right Neflyte was in sending you away? If you had stayed, you and your baby would now be hurt as well."
"But, now he's hurt! I can't lose him! Oh, momma what am I going to do?" Molly broke down into tears.
Jessica held Molly close to her chest. "Honey, all we can do is hope."
"He thinks I hate him. He won't fight to come back to the baby and me! Oh momma!" Molly wept harder.
"He loves the two of you with all of his heart. Don't worry about this. He will be here soon, worried that his wife hates him." Jessica patted her baby's back. She wished that she could make this time easier on her children, but they had to survive it as best as they could.
Molly was in a rough sleep. Jessica had the youma put Molly in the girl's old bed.
Neflyte was worried. Would he be there for his wife when their daughter came into the world? Would he be there to watch the girl grow up? He felt that his wife was upset, and knew that she was tossing in a troubled sleep. And then he heard Sailor Moon screech in fear as the Cardian attacked– she was still not really ready to come back as Sailor Moon, she wanted to be a normal teenager.
Again her tiara failed. It looked like there was no escape for them. Then he heard Darien groan out. "Serena? It can't be. What is going on here?"
Darien passed out. Part of him was returning but it was a slow process.
"Sailor Moon, don't get trapped like us!" Amy cried out.
Raye gasped to try and keep conscious. "Whatever you do, don't look directly in her eyes!"
"Ooh, its eyes?" Moon asked, not seeing that she was about to be attacked.
"Behind you!" Luna shouted out, but it was too late. "Sailor Moon!"
The Cardian, Racie, pined Sailor Moon to the ground. "Let go!"
Sailor Moon accidentally opened her eyes, and Racie took the opportunity to kick in a force field. "Let go of me! Let go I said!"
That was when the worse of possibilities happened – Sailor Moon's Moon Prism Locket shattered! "My locket!"
The Cardian growled something, but Moon didn't care about that. She had reverted to being Serena. What did this mean? "No! I'm changing back."
Racie morphed her arms into branches, and increased the power and size of the force field. Serena could have just given up, but her friends meant too much to her. "I've gotta save them!"
Ten a vortex appeared beneath Serena and began pulling her in. The group cried out for her, and Serena fought against the vortex – but it was more powerful than her. "You guys! I'm so sorry I can't save you!"
"Serena, wait!" Luna tried to help, ignoring her love's cries for her.
"Luna!" Knowing that it wouldn't work, Serena tried to stop. "Don't stay here! Save yourself!"
It was no use; both Serena and Luna are swept into the vortex. The others cried out for them but there was no helping their friends. The vortex closed, Serena and Luna still inside it.
Jessica felt the spell activate. She knew that this was something Serena would remember forever.
Inside of the vortex Serena clutched Luna close to her chest. They spoke mind to mind as they drifted down through the vortex.
'What'll I do, Luna? I can't be Sailor Moon anymore.'
Luna was disappointed to say the least. 'Face it, Serena. You just didn't feel like being Sailor Moon today, did you?'
'No, I just wanted to be a normal teenager going on a picnic with my friends.' Serena admitted.
'Well then, that's your problem. As long as you feel that way, you can't be Sailor Moon.'
'But then, how can I save my friends, Luna? What can I do? I can't just desert them right when they need me most.' Serena could not be told she wasn't a true friend at least.
They were sucked into a strange limbo, and drifted in the empty place. Serena felt so open, and Luna was unconscious so she had no one to talk to. "Where are we? Luna? Oh, I've been such a pain to look after, and you're such a good, loyal friend. I'm sorry . . . I got you into this mess. I really am. What's happening?"
For a long time there was nothing. Serena was sure that her friends were dead now. That made a thought open in her mind. "Are we dead, Luna?"
"Princess Serena . . ." From out in the emptiness rang out a familiar voice. Could it be?
Serena looked and saw the spirit of her dead mother. "Queen Serenity . . ."
"I'm here in your mind, my dear, and I'll always be here whenever you need me, my dearest daughter." Serenity smiled at her baby. The child had learned a hard lesson to get to this point.
"Oh . . ." Serena remembered that promise, and her past. She assumed her past soul and old voice – full of confidence and pride. "Can you help me please? I do not know how to save my friends."
"The power's in the locket." Queen Serenity explained.
Serena showed her mother the shattered locket. It began to glow, and next Serena saw that they were in her mother's personal study in the Moon Palace. She was in her old gown, Luna was on the floor at her side – and fully awake. Queen Serenity stood before them, and then something floats down between them. Serena recognized it immediately.
"The Imperium Crystal."
Queen Serenity smiled with such a pride in her eyes. "The strength of your desire to save your friends makes the Silver Crystal grow bright and strong again."
The crystal fused with the locket, healing it and creating the Moon Crystal Locket. Serena smiled at it as it glowed in her hands. "Look at it. It is beautiful."
"Luna, keep an eye on her as you always do. Help her succeed." Queen Serenity smiled on the little black cat.
"Sure."
Serena smiled up at the mother she missed so much. "With the power in this crystal, I can save my friends."
"Dear princess, remember, the Silver Moon Crystal hasn't yet regained all its power . . . but the stronger your true desire to save your friends, the stronger it will become, and then you'll become the Moon Princess once more." Queen Serenity warned with a friendly smile on her face.
"I will make you proud, Queen Serenity. Mother . . ." Serena promised, knowing that she had a second chance to be the Moon Princess she once was. It was time to go back and save her friends – she just knew inside that it wasn't yet too late.
Queen Serenity was so proud of her little girl. "Now, say 'MOON CRYSTAL POWER!'"
"Right. MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
The crystal empowered the Moon Crystal Locket, and Princess Serena became Sailor Moon once again.
The others however were in deep trouble. All of them were trapped within the tree Racie created, and the energy was nearly gone. Artemis tried to help, but he was losing and fast.
Suddenly the full moon rose into the sky and flashed brightly, and then went through a brief eclipse. "I'm back! I'm bold! Maybe even beautiful."
"I'm in your face, and you're gonna have to deal with it! Game's over, Negatrash! Time for this card to hit the deck! No one likes a party crasher . . ." The vortex opened and out came Luna and the champion of love and justice. ". . . and nobody invited you. In the name of the Moon, I fight for love and justice! I'm Sailor Moon! I will triumph over evil, and that means you."
Artemis was so happy to see his true love. "I was sure the two of you were goners."
"Artemis, so little faith you have in us." Luna grinned. It was obvious that he did love her. Now she just had to get the courage to tell him how she felt.
Racie however is peeved. "Graah! You're mine!"
Sailor Moon managed to dodge Racie's attacks, but ended up against a tree – which had a chunk blasted out of the tree when she ducked another blast. Luna snapped. "Sailor Moon, GET UP! This is no time to sit down on the job!"
"I don't know if I got it in me." Serena was scared.
"You're finished! This is it, kid." Racie gloated, but a white rose hit her face, stopping her short.
It was the Moonlight Knight! "The cherry blossom looks fragile in the moonlight, but remember, its fragile beauty camouflages great strength."
Darien was still over with the others, but Serena couldn't help thinking that both were the same man. It couldn't be … could it? "Cool timing, Moonlight Knight."
"Sailor Moon, only you can save your friends." He called out to her. He still believed in her?
"Huh?"
Then came the voice of Queen Serenity. "Princess Serena . . ."
Sailor Moon looked up. The moon glowed again, and a scepter fell from the sky and stopped in front of her. "What? What's this?"
"This Moon Scepter will help you in your quest." Queen Serenity's spirit floated in the night sky as she explained.
"Oh, Queen Serenity. Thanks." Serena just knew that her lost mother still had faith in her.
Racie prepared for another attack. But Sailor Moon stood tall, holding the Moon Scepter tight in her hand. "MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!"
Racie turned back into a card that then faded to black. That freed the others. Moon propped Amy up against a nearby tree. "Amy, are you okay?"
"You did it, Sailor Moon. You saved your friends, and all because you believed you could do it and found strength in your friendship. Smooth move. See ya." Moonlight Knight said with smile in his eye – one that was eerily similar to Darien's and Tuxedo Mask's.
"You're a real . . . friend, Sailor Moon." Amy panted out.
Mina agreed. "Yeah, ditto. He was right."
"Yeah, thanks." Lita smiled.
"You're a real friend." Raye smiled. She rarely said it, but the girls thanked the fires every night that Moon was her friend – even if she could be a real pain in the neck.
"Oh . . ." Sailor Moon smiled. She never knew that Raye felt like that.
Luna smiled over at Artemis. "Do you think the girl's finally going to get her act back together?"
"But now the hard part: keeping it together." He added.
"All the same, you could've saved us a little sooner, you know? What were you up to all that time, huh?" Raye was back to perfectionist mode.
"You total ungrateful wretch!" Sailor Moon snapped. That hurt bad. "Oh, what a pain!"
Luckily Zoicite grabbed Amy before she fell on top of Artemis. Luna shook her head softly as Raye and Moon shot raspberries back and forth. "One step forward, ten steps back."
During all of this Neflyte teleported away. Everyone knew that he was off to make peace with his upset pregnant wife.
And then Darien groaned softly. She quickly turned back into Serena and rushed off to rest his head on her lap. "Darien? Oh Darien, please speak to me."
Darien slowly opened his eyes. "Meatball head? Are you okay?"
"I'm alright. I was more worried about you. How are you feeling?" Serena fought to keep the tears from falling.
"Pretty roughed up, but I'll live. Had a weird dream." Darien was still trying to piece it all together. But at the least it was in his mind again.
Serena smiled down at him. "Everything's going to be okay now. The monster's gone."
She looked up at the moon and remembered her mother. 'Thanks, Queen Serenity. I do appreciate getting my friends back, even a brat like Raye.'
Neflyte was barely able to stagger into his and Molly's room. The youmas on guard in the mansion reported that their Lady had not returned. Where could his love be?
Opening her side of their closet brought a punch to his stomach. Molly's things were gone!
"She wants to leave me! Gods no, I can't live without her and our baby!" That was all he could take. Neflyte collapsed to the floor and passed out.
The youma reported such to Queen Jessica and the other Generals, but the truth was hid from Molly and the Scouts. It was a domestic problem between the couple and Molly needed time to settle herself down.
Oh no! Are Neflyte and Molly breaking up?!?! Just have to wait and read.