Drum roll please! We are nearing the home stretch in this arc. And unfortunately the next arc will be the last of the original series I can do. I have looked and they don't have the sailor moon vids in the rentals stores, and I can't afford them – so the story will be going off on its own arch after follow the leader (which will be vastly different – and that is a promise).
Heck, I'll put an intermission arch between this one and the Nemesis arch – does that sound good with everyone?
Give a shout and tell me please.
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
What All Need to Grow
Chapter Twelve
Secret Garden
Serena was taking a Sunday walk to pass the time until she was supposed to meet Darien. 'Oh . . . look at that poor, loveless creature. Beautiful, yet alone, and the one who cares the most is out looking for things to make our wedding the best. Well at least we'll be together again in an hour – and I will be right there to make him smile.'
She didn't notice that Alan was walking up behind her. That is until he tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, isn't it something running into each other like this? What a treat."
"Oh, hi Alan. What are you up to?" Serena felt her stomach bottom out and twist into knots. What did he want?
"I was taking a walk, and here I run into you my beauty. How about we go to this little café I know. It's just down this street." Alan smiled sweetly, but Serena still felt like running in fear.
"Um … well, you see …" Serena didn't get the chance to come up with a good excuse. Thankfully her youmas saw the danger and moved off to change and run up to her position.
Monlou spoke first. "Hi Serena!"
"Hi Mona! Hi girls! What's up?" Serena fought off the urge to sigh in complete relief when her youmas took positions around her.
Loypau wrapped an arm around their Princess' shoulders. "We have been everywhere looking for you!"
Beeline just barely got between Serena and Alan politely. "We found a couple of dresses we thought you might want to check out."
"And we had some other ideas we came up with for your wedding." Ronchal smirked at Alan's shocked expression. She was not one for tactful verbal exchanges – she did not trust Alan, and therefore considered his feelings as a mute point.
Serena, on the other hand, really felt bad about Alan finding out the way he did (along with having fear for her Muffin). She had been trying to find a way to explain it to him herself. "That was what I was trying to tell you Alan. Darien proposed the day before we started rehearsals for the play. I've never seen you since I left Crossroads Middle, and Ann doesn't stay long enough for any of us to have told her."
Alan looked calm, but inside he was fuming! Ann's little boy-toy thought he could steal away Serena – soon this Darien would find out otherwise! "Congratulations then Serena. But, anything happens and you need someone to talk to – you know my number and address. See ya."
'You will be mine Serena. Make no mistake about that. Maybe its time I help Ann get this Darien she's so gaga for.' Alan thought to himself.
Serena had a bad feeling as Alan left. "Girls, where is Darien at right now?"
Loypau closed her eyes a moment and then nodded. "He's down the street. Ann is dragging him out of the bookstore. His guardians are about to come forward."
"No. Tell them that I'm on my way. I'll show that witch she can't have my Darien!" Serena growled. She had gotten her fill of Ann trying to steal away Darien.
Serena just came into his eyesight as Ann sighed dreamily. "Maybe we can have lunch and get to know one another better? How does that sound, Darien?"
"Calm down Ann. Being friends is one thing, but I'm happily engaged to Serena." Darien groaned inwardly. How was his Princess going to take this situation? He remembered what happened the day Ann showed up to help with babysitting little Jordan Winston. God, what if he lost his angel?
Ann however was oblivious to Darien's discomfort and Serena's presence. "It's karma, Darien. Everything is linked."
"Oh Darien, ready to go shopping?" Serena's sweet singsong voice visibly grated Ann's nerves, making the Scout Leader smile.
Darien fought hard not to smile at that, but it was difficult. "Hey, Meatball Head. Any time you are."
"But Darien …" Ann whined.
Serena wrapped herself into Darien's embrace. "We have things we have to get for our wedding, Ann. You understand right?"
Ann simply stormed off, worrying both lovers deeply.
Downtown, Molly too had been out shopping – only she was buying baby things with her guardian youmas while she waited for Neflyte to finish with a meeting. This third trimester she had become a bundle of energy at times, as had Desiree.
"Okay girls, woo … I say we take a break while a certain little girl calms down."
The youma smiled and chuckled. They all were so happy for their mistress. But that changed when the nerd they all hated was seen walking down the street towards their Lady Molly.
"Hey Molly. Can I talk to you?" Melvin timidly asked.
Molly knew that he was no threat to her or her unborn daughter. Still she knew that the youma would remain near – if only out of the field of vision. "Sure, girls I'll be okay. Take a break now while you have it, because there are still four shops we have to stop in before heading back to the office."
Teasingly the youma all groaned making Molly giggle. Then they slipped away to seemingly vanish, but they reappeared seconds later to watch over Molly – out of the sight of all. She felt it, and softly nodded – they had performed just as she had expected. Then she looked over at Melvin.
She had to pity the poor guy. He looked so nervous and uncomfortable. "Melvin, it's alright. The girls are keeping an eye on me while Maxfield is in a meeting. I got bored so all of us are out shopping."
That made the poor nerd relax a little. "Are you sure it's okay for me to be near you? Won't your husband get mad?"
"Maxfield knows that you are my friend, but your attitude hasn't been all that impressing to him. And it hasn't made a positive impact on me either. Melvin you need to stop belittling my love." Molly really hated it, but she was considering to stop being friends with the nerd – and knew that would damage him deeply, as he had so few friends. Still he made things so hard, and now was not a good time for her to get stressed.
Melvin let out a shattering sigh. "I guess so. Why do you like him better than me Molly? Is it the looks … or maybe the money … I could change, really I can."
Molly shook her head. Would this guy ever give up? "No, Melvin. I love Maxfield with all of my heart for the man that he is – not his looks or his money. It's hard to explain it. He just completes me, and I am never going to give him up. If you can't understand that … then we can't be friends."
"You mean you'll still be my friend?" Melvin was stunned. "Even after everything I've done and said?"
Molly sighed. "Melvin, we have been friends for a long time now. Sometimes you are dense and a little annoying, but you are still my friend. Will you please stop with demeaning my husband in public?"
Melvin smiled and nodded before flaking. "And beside, someday I'll find the girl who completes me! Hey, maybe I can get Serena to go steady with me! A real fairytale romance!"
"Ah Melvin, Serena's engaged to Darien Shields … remember?"
Molly's words dropped Melvin back down hard and fast. She chuckled as she mentally asked the girls to return. A heartbeat later they came into the pair's sights.
Molly looked back over at Melvin with a sincere smile on her face. "Tell you what Melvin, let's go get a snack. I'll even get you one of those crazy vanilla prune milkshakes you love so much."
"Really? Sure! Um, Molly?" Melvin looked at the ground.
Now this was the nerd she remembered and cared about. "Yeah Melvin?"
"Thank you for forgiving me … and for remaining my friend."
She smiled even brighter than before. Melvin saw how beautiful Molly was carrying her true love's child. He wondered if his future bride would be anything like this sweet lady beside him?
Molly accepted his and Tyrol's help as she got back on her feet. Melvin didn't know about a very talkative girl who had her mother's attentions at that moment. "He nice now mommy. I like him when he doesn't talk bad about my daddy."
"I know baby, so do I. Are you going to calm down for mommy now?"
"Okay mommy."
As the group started to head for their treat, they came upon a show. So too did Serena and Darien.
"Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Sailor Moon show." An actress with a big head that looked like Sailor Moon called out.
Serena giggled. "Is this way cool? A show all about us."
"I fight for love and justice, and in the name of the Moon . . ." The actress continued, and the audience finished for her, " . . . I'll punish you!"
Serena blushed at that. "Do I always sound that corny?"
"No angel. How about we get to that caterer and pick out our wedding cake?" Darien knew the mention of food would take Serena's mind off of her own worries.
He had no idea what she had meant by the show being about them, or asking him if she sounded corny. It had to be a part of the past he still had to figure out yet. At least that was the only way he could explain it. One thing was certain in his mind – if his love was the real Sailor Moon, that actress had a lot to learn from his Meatball Head about getting that line just right.
The pair walked off, not knowing that soon they would be needed.
"Hey Darien, maybe we should talk Malachite and Zoicite into getting married before us?" Serena walked pensively beside her fiancée.
Darien smiled. He knew what his love was talking about. With Zoicite expecting and only a limited time before that showed with all obviousness, he understood why Serena worried. She wanted no evil said about their friends. "I agree. Let's talk to them later about it."
"Agreed. I love you Muffin." Serena sighed with a grin on her face. All was right with the world for her at that moment.
"Sailor Moon sure's a big hit with this crowd." Melvin commented as he and Molly watched a little of the show. "But I like the new Scout better – Sailor Solaris. She's come a long way from her early days as a Scout."
Molly didn't want to give herself away. "Whaddya expect? Everybody believes in Sailor Moon 'cause we all want someone to fight for us. But I guess Solaris is okay."
"You got me about why everyone believes in Sailor Moon. But I've got to see Solaris fight four times." Melvin didn't really care about the show. He had missed having Molly as his friend, and was happy to just have here there hanging out with him. "She was weak at first, but then in the park I saw her take out two enemies by herself."
"Really?" Molly never knew that her triumph over her father and Jet had been witnessed by anyone outside of the Scouts and Generals.
They all began to walk off to get that treat. And then a Cardian just had to show up. "Beware Fourface."
"What's this? Some weird kind of blimp?" Melvin didn't like this. With Molly being pregnant, if that was one of those aliens he knew had been attack the city for a long time now, she could get hurt … and just maybe lose her baby. He wouldn't let that happen. "Molly, you and the girls get out of here fast."
"But …" Molly wasn't sure if Melvin was still trying to impress her or not.
Still he didn't want to hear it. "Go! You got a baby to think about now."
The youma force their mistress away from the scene and teleported her back to the offices, where they knew that she would be safe. Neflyte had sensed the trouble and talked Zoicite out of the meeting on the pretense of taking care of another account. She walked out and saw the youma still defending their mistress.
"All of you go see if the Scouts are on scene and could use some help. I can take care of Molly."
All of the youmas agreed and left. Molly groaned as she felt a false contraction hit. They had been coming more often as of late. Still she had at the least a month and a half to go before her due date. She panted through the uncomfortable pressure that was meant to get her ready for the day her baby would be born.
Zoicite was worried for her friend. "Molly?"
"Braxton-Hicks contractions." She panted out as she felt an irregular contraction end. "I'm worried. Melvin asked my forgiveness and has accepted that Neflyte is my only love. Then the Cardian showed up, and he sent me away because of the baby."
Zoicite focused her power out. Looked like the nerd had grown up a little at least.
Molly's youma alerted Darien and Serena to the attack. Soon the couple joined the four back at the show. "Why isn't at least one of you with Molly?"
"We took her back to the office and General Zoicite ordered us here, assuring us that she would care for our mistress." They answered in one voice.
Serena nodded in acceptance. At least Molly and Desiree were safe.
Darien didn't like the feel of this. He looked around, unnerved and wanting to drag Serena away from the place. "What happened here?"
Serena looked around to see that everyone were at their feet unconscious. "It's gotta be the Negaverse."
Luna and Artemis happened to be nearby on a date of their own, and were informed of the attack. Both cats caught up with the others just as where Molly was had been explained. Luna nodded her head. "Yup, their energy's all been drained. Yes, you got it right, Serena. Who else would do this to an entire crowd?"
Serena softly gasped as she noticed who was at her feet. "Oh look! They even got Melvin."
"A Cardian did attack. Melvin had apologized to our mistress and Molly had accepted it. We stopped to see what was happening when it appeared. Melvin told Molly to leave for the safety of Desiree." The lead youma explained.
Artemis looked down on the kid with pity. "Looks like Melvin's finally getting his act together."
That Monday, Serena volunteered to take Melvin's homework to him. She stopped by Crossroads Junior High for the first time since her graduation. It felt weird to be in the place as something other than an attending student.
She looked down corridors and different spots as she walked towards her old class and couldn't help but reminisce. She fully understood that she would have still been in that school if Neflyte hadn't interceded. And though she was happy in high school, there were those times that she missed the way things once were.
Queen Serenity had wanted her and the other girls to grow up as normal teens, but now that had changed. Their classes were more advanced, and Serena was falling back into her Princess duties (along with her old personality) more and more. Still, the Moon Princess didn't regret the changes. Ever since the Generals had returned, her life had become better.
Serena wondered what life might have become if Neflyte had died that night. The idea made her body shutter to the core. Molly was so happy and beautiful with Neflyte on their side. And Serena felt more safe and, in some cases, more real since the Generals returned to their former duties. She knew that Neflyte's survival had held a direct impact on that fact. How the world might have been different was a realm of possibility that Serena didn't want to think about at all.
Shaking off the nostalgia after a beat, she entered her old homeroom class – Ms. Haruna's class. "Hey Ms. H. Bet you didn't expect to see me again!"
"Hello Serena. It is so nice to see you. How are you dealing with high school?" Secretly Ms. Haruna was extremely proud of her former worse student.
She long ago saw the potential within Serena Tsukino, but couldn't seem to get the stubborn teen to see it herself. The teacher was grateful that Mr. Stanton had seen the same enduring young woman within Serena, and had found the way to get the girl to become the beautiful young woman before her now.
Serena smiled sweetly. "You know, I really miss being in your class. The teachers in high school see us and think 'good, I won't have to do much with this group'. At least the girls and I have great tutors on hand to help us. How are things here?"
"Same as always. I actually have a student that is you made over. Even better she sits in your old desk!" Ms. Haruna chuckled. "But I know she is nowhere near ready for the accelerated class. You seem to have been a jewel hidden to where only Mr. Stanton saw what I knew was in you."
Serena blushed at that. Ms. H really thought so highly of her – even when she had been a crybaby flake? Wonders never seem to cease. "Have you heard I'm engaged?"
"I still have Melvin in my class don't I?" Ms. H chuckled.
That made Serena chuckle too. "So, he gave you that full report?"
Ms. H nodded with a pride-filled smile on her face. "Yes. The young man's name is Darien Shields, he goes to the University your high school is adjunct of, you two once argued like hated rivals in a beauty pageant, and he is an orphan. Do I have everything or has the date been set?"
"We're still working on that. Hope to have an invitation for ya before too long. Speaking of Melvin, I'd better get his homework to him – you know how he is. Without homework he might do something drastic … like read a comic book."
Both women had a hearty laugh at Serena's joke. Ms. H dabbed the mirth from her eyes after a few moments. "Listen, I hate to bother you like this. See, Alan and Ann both missed today as well. Could I impose a little by asking you to deliver their homework as well?"
Serena fought to hold off her tense nerves at that idea. But then she saw Lita and Amy walk into the room. "No problem. Hi girls!"
"Hey Serena." They answered together. They had been walking to the ice cream parlor when Serena's youmas informed their youma of the request. Without a word they had their youmas teleport them to just outside Ms. Haruna's classroom door. Neither friend was about to let Serena go to that place alone.
After a short conversation the three girls were on their way. Not far from the enemy's apartment Lita started complaining. "I don't get why we're bothering with these two pains anyway."
"Oh, get with the program, Lita. This way we find out more about what those two are up to. And I couldn't tell Ms. H no without coming up with some excuse." Serena sighed. Deep down she was terrified, but she was trying to show that she could do what needed to get done – even when she was scared near witless.
Amy saw through Serena's front to the true fear. She was glad that she had agreed to Lita's offer of a quick treat before studying for their next morning history test. "I sure do hope Melvin is doing okay."
Serena suddenly wished that they had gone to Melvin's first. Why hadn't Amy brought him up earlier? Well too late now. "Oh yeah. Right. We'll visit him next."
The youma still disliked it, but all of the Generals and other Senshi were busy and Darien was still not completely back yet. They remained in the shadows, but kept a close guard on their charges.
At the apartment Serena rang the doorbell – already set on getting out of that place fast. "Well, here we are. Spooky place, huh?"
After a moment Serena was hoping beyond hope that the enemy was out, but it would be better to check first. "Hello. Anyone home? Hi. Oh . . ."
When Alan answered the door and got such a look of hope in his eyes at seeing her there, she instantly wished she had just insisted on leaving quietly. Especially so when she heard the cheerfulness in his voice at the sight of her at his front door. "Hey, Serena. What a nice surprise."
Desperate for something to say suddenly, Serena noticed that the pair both were wearing purple shirts – weird. At least it gave her back her missing voice. "Hey, this some kind of brother-and-sister act? Dressing alike?"
Ann's cough was so faked – flaky old Serena would have picked it up in a millisecond! These two weren't sick – so something had to be up. "Similar tastes, that's all, 'cept when it comes to snoopy, air-brained schoolgirls."
"Hey, check the attitude. She was just doing a favor for you, okay? But I don't know why." Lita snapped. She wasn't one to stand around while a friend was being put down.
Amy on the other hand didn't like this mission at all. "Lita, cool it."
"Okay, I'm sorry, but she still has a major bad attitude."
Suddenly Serena was glad for the unexpected recognizance mission. "If I were an air-brain schoolgirl Ann, I'd still be sitting in front of you in Ms. H's class. Speaking of, I volunteered to pick up Melvin's homework and she asked me to bring yours to ya, Ann."
This was a very different Serena, and Alan fell deeper in love with her. Though he was disappointed, he had hope she had wanted to be his love at last. That was all he noticed was his angel was there with him, and he wasn't ready to let her go just yet. "Why don't you come in? We were just making some hot chocolate."
"We were not!" Ann snapped. She knew that Alan just wanted Ms. Perfect Serena to stay.
"Come on. I'll make that chocolate." Alan ignored her as he led Serena into their home. Ann sniffed at that.
Serena was glad the girls had come with her. The second they crossed the threshold, the youma were trapped outside! Serena, Lita, and Amy were on their own.
Serena could feel Alan's thoughts were solely on her, and it made her skin crawl. But she had to take in whatever information she could get, not focus on the weird alien that wanted her for his girlfriend. She tried to get Ann into a conversation. "So, are you two feeling all right now?"
"Is that why you came nosing around here?" Ann snapped.
At first Serena was afraid that her and the girls' covers had been blown to pieces, but a beat later she realized that Ann was jealous of her – not that the enemy girl had any clue as to Serena's secret identity. In a heartbeat, Serena came up with a convincing line. "No, I was just worried about you. So, where are your parents?"
"Amazing. Who asked you to butt in?!" Ann spat out harshly.
Serena wasn't the only one stunned by the pair being alone. After all, Amy and Lita too were expecting at least a dozen aliens to fight. For the Scout leader, something felt seriously off. The generals commented about remembering Beryl once trying to recruit the pair, but that nothing had come of it. Could these two be good and somehow still remained under Beryl's influence?
Serena tried desperately to keep her cover story up – worried for them because their new and sick … that's all! "Oh. Oh, I . . . gee, I'm so sorry they're not around. That's tough when you're new to a place and not feeling so hot."
"Look, we're perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves all on our own, so BUTT OUT, okay?" Ann yelled hotly.
Lita didn't like this. The place was too normal, and Ann was her usual self – so why were the two of them not in school that day? Heck, why did they bother with pretending to be students in the first place? In fact she really wondered if they were brother and sister at all.
She had a strange feeling of something coming full circle fast. They had to get out of there with what little information they had. "Let's book it, guys. We don't need this."
Amy agreed. Really they shouldn't have done this in the first place. But Serena wanted more information. To leave with what they had felt as if they had failed – and she wasn't about to fail. She started to do a quick snoop around.
"Is this Alan's room?" She pushed the button on the wall, assuming that it was the light switch. Instead the door slowly slid open. "Oh, way cool. Automatic door."
She knew this had to be something big with that and when Ann shouted out, "STOP IT!"
Unfortunately, Alan was there in a heartbeat – long before Serena could see a thing – and pushed the button to close the door. "You can't go in there!"
"Oh . . ." Serena played innocent, but she knew that there was something big in that room. It was something the Generals and Scout would have to know about to defeat this enemy, and she was determined to find out just what it was.
"It's a real mess in there. Maid's day off." But Alan's excuse didn't fly with Serena. If they had a maid, even supposing that it was her day off, it wouldn't be that big of a mess.
She had to get in that room … somehow. "That's okay. We could help you clean it up. Maybe organize a garage sale or something. Hey, it'll be a blast."
"You gotta be kidding. I didn't invite you here, and now, it's time you go." Alas, Ann was starting to suspect Serena – meaning that the blonde was borderline of giving herself and her friends away. "Here's your bag. There's the door."
"Oh . . ." Serena had gone too far and blown it. She wasn't a really good spy. Serena stood there a moment, trying to come up with something to get her a second chance at getting into that room.
Ann, however, wouldn't have it. "So, go on!"
"Come on, Serena. They'll get along just fine without us." Lita grabbed her leader's arm and pulled Serena out of the danger zone.
"Sure. Independent types. That's cool." Serena muttered, but she felt low as they got into the hall.
The youmas were all grateful that the girls came out in seemingly one piece. They had been a moment away from alerting the Generals of the predicament.
"Huh?" Alan on the other hand hated to see his love leave. "But the drinks are all ready, and . . ."
"'Nother time. Bye, Alan." And Serena meant it too. She was going to find out what was in that room – no matter what!
Serena left extra early to get into that apartment again. Her youma hated the idea, and Serena wasn't eager to get a repeat of the lecture all four Generals had heaped on her the night before when she, Lita, and Amy had reported to the others what had happened. But this was something Serena felt she had failed in and was determined to finish.
Secretly the youma sent a report of this to General Neflyte. He was not going to be happy about this – he had taken Serena's welfare as his personal responsibility after all he had done. Yes he was proud that Serena had faced her fears and done what she felt had to be done, but she did it the wrong way. This morning the Scout Leader was doing it even worse – completely on her own!
Ann opened the door just as Neflyte grumblingly dragged himself out of his warm bed and longing wife's arms to protect the stubborn Princess he was secretly very proud of. Serena quickly put on one of her cheery smiles – inside dreading the fact that Neflyte would be waiting on her when she came out of the building (and that he would not be in a very good mood with her). "Hi, Ann. Ready for school?"
"What are you doing back here bothering us again?" Ann barked. Obviously she was not a morning person.
"Oh, it's no bother at all. Just wanted to make sure you weren't late for school. That's what friends are for." Serena chuckled.
Alan walked up and had a smile in his eyes that was brighter than the previous day's – Serena knew that it was because she had shown up alone this time. "Serena, what a brave girl you are. You risk coming back here again?"
Serena wished suddenly that she had agreed to the girls' idea of them taking their human forms for that reason. Then again, how could she have explained why they couldn't come in? "Just thought Ann might want company walking to school. Seeing as old Crossroads is near my high school."
"No, I do not want company, thank you." Ann politely said through gritted teeth.
Alan however wanted as much time as he could get to try and woo his love. "Oh come on, Ann. Don't be such a curmudgeon. Serena, how about some hot cocoa?"
Ann was stunned, but this was the break Serena had hoped for. "Sure, I never turn down chocolate."
Ann mumbled to herself, " . . .or anything else."
When she shut the door the youma sent Neflyte the new information – including their mounting fears for the Princess' safety. He floored the gas pedal at that moment. What was Serena thinking? Going on recognizance in enemy territory alone? He himself hadn't done that since his second year of training!
Neflyte had to remind himself of how young Serena was, and how badly she wanted to prove that she was fit to be the leader she was born to be. If Raye cooled her teasing quips about wanting the role of Leader for herself this wouldn't have been such a major issue for the Moon Princess. Too late now for that though.
Ann was not blinded to Serena, and suspected her from the second she showed up the day before. Now her suspicions were stronger. She cornered Alan in the kitchen. "So what made you invite Mighty Mouth?"
"I don't know. I just get these . . . strange feelings when I see her." Alan felt his heart race as he thought about the beauty in his living room. He didn't want Serena to go, and for some reason was planning out her moving in … meeting the Doom Tree … sleeping in his arms … marrying him … so many things.
Ann glared hotly at him. "You better be careful, 'cause she's a major snoop."
Serena had started to wonder if it was too soon to sneak into that room. Were Alan and Ann testing her? She just wanted the assignment over with the right way. 'Cool it, Serena Curiosity killed the cat.'
As she silently made it to the door she stood taller and smirked as she gave herself a lopsided pep talk. "Hey, but you're not a cat, so go for it."
She opened the door and peered in. It was so dark. "It's just dark and empty."
Just as she was about to close the door and slip back into the living room, A bright light explodes in front of her. Dry, woody, root like structures grabbed her. Serena screamed in fear and a little pain just as Alan and Ann walked out into the living room.
"AAAAH! Oh, help me! Help! Help!" She knew that the youmas couldn't get to her, and Neflyte was still far away. The situation looked so hopeless for the Moon Princess.
Just as the door shut, the rooty assemblages let go of her and Serena scrambled to the other side of the hall. She was on the floor panting to catch her breath. Now she understood why she shouldn't have gone alone – she needed someone there to give her help in times like that.
She barely caught Alan's words as he pulled her close. "Serena, a-are you all right? Please speak to me."
"What is in that room?" Time to fight, maybe even reveal who she really was.
"Huh? Oh, just a science project I'm working on for school." Alan stuttered
That excuse just might have flown if she had been the old Serena, but not right then. Serena knew that was too wild to be an experiment for school. But, she knew that she had no back up – meaning she had to play dumb until she could get out of there. "It must be some kind of weird science."
"Yeah, it's a brand new science called space botany." Alan continued with his lie.
"Oh ho. Out of this world." Serena knew that there was no such class at Crossroads. This was a mystery she would need the Generals to back her up on. But the question was how was she to get back in there with the three of them?
"Never mind that." Ann snapped. "Barging in on someone's private room is very rude."
Serena could see that getting back into that room was going to take a lot of cajoling with Ann around. "Uh, yeah. I'm sorry."
"Fine, apology accepted. I won't be going to school today, so you might as well leave." Ann stated a little too clearly.
Serena could also feel that a very angry Neflyte was waiting on her downstairs. Ooh, she really didn't want to deal with this. Even if she deserved it. "Uh . . . okay."
Neflyte was careful of hiding his anger while the enemy watching Serena walk over to him. Looking up she saw Alan as well. She had to think of something to give a ticket back in that apartment and fast. She waved and called out quickly. "Maybe I'll walk Ann to school tomorrow if you two are feeling better."
"Huh?" Alan felt his heart race at the thought of Serena's return. 'There's that strange feeling again. I feel more alive . . . but scared somehow.'
Serena got into Neflyte's car and they drove off. "You most certainly will not."
She could tell by his voice that Neflyte was not playing nor would he back down on this. "But Neflyte …"
His cold stare at the red light told Serena to shut her trap fast. "No buts Princess. There others and I explained why it was not safe for you to have gone with Lita and Amy, and no you go into the enemy's strong hold alone? Your mother …"
Serena blew up harshly at the Leader of her Guardian Generals. "She isn't here because I was a wimp! I will not lose anyone else because I don't want to get hurt."
For a time they drove in heavy silence. Neflyte knew that he had pushed her far, and Serena wondered if she had lost his respect by acting like a little child. Just as they were turning onto the road that led to her school he spoke again. "Forgive me Princess. You are all we have of the Royal Family, and I can't accept that you should be allowed on such dangerous missions."
His soft voice and kind words eased the fear in her heart. "Neflyte, a good leader has to be ready to do anything he or she would send another to do. Besides, I have a way in and you Generals don't. Please understand."
"I just don't want to lose you again because of my foolish pride." Neflyte groaned. He had been a fool before, but was still in grief over losing his Molly and unborn daughter. Now he had no such excuse.
Serena smiled sweetly. He was like a big brother to her – watching out for what is best. "I understand that. But can you see what I mean?"
All Neflyte could do was nod at that. At her school he pulled over and slumped his shoulders. Serena decided to compromise. "Seeing how Ann has a thing for Darien, and he is starting to come back, tonight I'll go over there with him. Would that be better?"
With a heavy sigh Neflyte nodded. "Only if the rest of us stand by below for any signs of trouble."
"Okay. Wait until the girls show up to tell you were in. See ya later." Serena smiled as she got out of the car and skipped into class.
At lunch Serena sat with Lita, Amy, and Mina. Luna showed up a few minutes later than usual with a happy smile on her face – not hard to figure out what had put it there. Serena winked at the girls. "Artemis gonna pick you up later Luna?"
"Of course Seren …" Slowly Luna recognized her slip up while the girl snickered.
After a bit of smoother laughter, Serena told them all what had happened that morning. Amy smiled – she was proud at how different Serena was since the Generals had come back. "I think it's brave that you went back to face that shrew."
Lita on the other hand looked at their leader as if Serena had grown a second head. "You went back for more abuse? You've got some neurons loose?"
"Well maybe those grabbers tightened them." Mina joked.
But for Luna it wasn't a laughing matter. "What did you think you were doing, Serena?"
"Okay Luna, I know I was nuts going in alone. But, at least we know that there is something in that room that could spell big trouble for us later. That has to be worth something!"
Luna growled (a feat none had ever gotten her to do before). "It is worth my telling your mother and helping her lock you up until you are forty-two! How could you be such a Meatball Head?"
Serena fought the urge to cry – though that was harder than ever. "I wanted to prove that I wasn't about to screw up a mission and decide that someone else had to finish up my chore! And like it or not, I'm talking Darien into going with me there tonight!"
She started to get up so she could find a place to hide and cry when Lita saw it! "Serena, what's that in your hair?"
That made Serena flake hard. "A bug?"
Lita swept it out with a branch. At first they stared at it where it had landed on the ground. But when it started wriggling on its own, all of the girls leapt back and screamed.
"IT'S MOVING!" Mina and Lita cried out.
Once they realized that it wasn't going to attack them, they all scooted in closer to examine it. Amy was the first to speak up. "This is really weird!"
Luna and Artemis took it off to analyze it while the girls finished out the school day. Once they were done, the youmas explained how the cats called an emergency meeting at the mansion. A heartbeat later, they all gathered with the Generals around the glass jar that held the object in question.
Amy was the first one to speak up. "Did you learn anything about it, Luna?"
"Well, it draws life from other creatures. Go ahead and show them, Artemis." Luna turned to her guy.
"Really? Do I have to?" Artemis groaned.
Luna glared over at him and snapped. "Are you chicken?"
"No. Get off my case." He snapped back. Man, he had no idea what had ticked off his girl so bad.
Luna had been getting moody for a couple of weeks, and then there were times that she broke down for no reason at all. Artemis just wanted his happy, but sometimes bossy, Luna back and soon.
Tensely he reached his front paw into the tall jar. Once it was close enough the thing that had been in Serena's hair latch tight onto him. With a frantic wail he shook it off fast. It wiggled for a few minutes because of the source of energy.
Luna barely acted as if she cared. She was so angry because of Serena's second idiotic botched recognizance mission. It was hard to keep her voice in a non-nagging to the point level. "See what I mean?"
"Not really." The truth was that Serena didn't want to believe what she saw. She didn't want to think about the fact that she had that in her hair all morning!
Seeing Luna was about to explode, Amy interceded fast. "You're telling us it drains away energy?"
Grateful that one Scout seemed to have some level of intelligence, Luna continued. "Exactly."
"And you were walking around all this time with that stuck in your hair?" Lita looked over at Serena with a disqusted look on her face.
That made Serena's skin crawl. "Ewww, ick!"
"There's more to it than that, and it gets a lot worse." Artemis added on. "It's serious."
"Cut the melodrama, Artemis, and tell us." Mina snapped.
"Hmm, okay. This twig's from a tree . . . from the Negaverse." He explained.
"THE NEGAVERSE?!" They all shouted in unison.
Zoicite shook her head. She knew better than that. "Impossible Artemis. Nothing grows in the Negaverse. Believe me when I say that it had been tried."
"Oh, I see what you mean, but why should that bother us?" Serena didn't want to see the truth.
Luna growled like she did that afternoon at lunch. "Serena, it's just like all those Cardians, only it's a plant. The next question is: how did this thing get into Ann and Alan's apartment?!"
Molly shook her head in fear. "You know, I bet there's a whole lot more than this little twig locked up in that room of his."
Brooke agreed with her friend. "If he's a monster from the Negaverse, of course he would!"
"I've always thought those two were kinda strange. Could they be from the Negaverse and you guys were never told?" Raye asked the Generals.
Before any of them could answer Serena butted in. "Hold on a second. Alan fed me the line that he's growing this thing for his space botany class, whatever that is."
"And you bought that story?" All of the girls shouted.
"Well, of course I didn't. What, am I the group idiot?" Serena snapped.
Luna had to add on to that under her breath. "Could've convinced me."
"What?" Serena couldn't believe what she had just heard. Luna thought that she was an idiot?
This was a fight that Greg didn't want to see, but he knew was going to come about. "It makes all their secretiveness make some kind of sense. They're from something that seems to be like the Negaverse."
"So whaddya suppose they've got planned for this energy-draining tree?" Mina asked, hoping that continuing the conversation would blow the fight off.
"Like sell it or something?" Serena off handedly remarked. She had no idea what they were up to. But whatever it was, Alan and Ann were up to no good – that was for certain.
Raye snapped at the Princess this time. "Get real. They're up to a lot more than that."
"Oh . . ." Serena fought off her tears again. She got up and walked out of the room.
Once she got out of the front door, she broke into a full run. Tears were pouring out of her eyes and bathing her face. She was nothing! She ran until she was in the park – not far from Alan and Ann's apartment.
For an hour she calmed down and firmed her resolve. They thought so little of her – well she was going to prove all of them wrong!
Hard-headedly she stormed off towards that apartment.
It was dusk, and Luna just knew that the stupid teen would be pulling this! What was Serena thinking? "I think it's dangerous to go in there by yourself."
"No. Luna, I'm really having a hard time believing Ann and Alan are from the Negaverse. Especially when we all know that things don't grow there. It . . . it just doesn't compute. There is something else going on here, and I'm going to find out what it is." Serena said firmly.
"Serena, you've got to get past this crush you have on Alan." Luna snapped harsher than she really wanted too. "After all I thought that you are Darien's fiancée. You're not acting like it now."
"I don't wanna hear it, Luna. I'm gonna see what is going on for myself." Serena shouted.
"Serena, WAIT!" Luna cried out. She was afraid of failing in her duties – no mattered how ignorant her charge acted at times. "I give up. Go on and get yourself killed then – see if anyone cares what happens to the stupid cat that is supposed to keep you alive!"
Serena turned and growled at Luna. "What the heck are you talking about?!"
Darien was suddenly very glad that Queen Jessica had come with him. "Hey, how ya doing, Meatball Head?"
"Oh, hi, Darien. Hi Jessica." Serena was happy to see the two of them as well.
Luna just sighed as Jessica smiled knowingly on her. "New hormones that much of a pain, Luna? You should be back at the mansion with the other expecting mothers. Hey, we could always call the place Nursery Row!"
The others were too shocked at that to chuckle at Jessica's joke. Luna was the first to recover her voice. "I'm pregnant? I can't be. Only one time …"
"It only takes once, my friend." Jessica rubbed her hand down Luna's back.
Serena was stunned and knelt next to her guardian cat. "I'm sorry if I upset you Luna."
Luna just settled her head onto Serena's lap. "I am proud of you for taking on more responsibility. But, I have to keep you safe as well."
"Well none of us will be safe until we get Alan and Ann's tree out of commission. Go on back to the Nursery Manor."
That got Darien and Jessica to chuckle. As she stood up and determinedly walked towards the apartment building. But then she stopped for a second and turned around to look at her guy. "Ooh . . . hey, you know, I wouldn't mind some company."
"Same old Serena." Luna groaned in Jessica's arms.
Darien produced a bag of flowers and a red thorn-less rose. "Good thing I planned to not let you go into this alone. A rose for my Princess, and flower to use as a ruse of 'I'm sorry for being rude before.' So we get in easier."
"You think of everything Darien!" Serena chuckled as she snuggled into his embrace.
The pair walked off towards the apartment. Luna groaned. "The two of them are making me sick!"
"Actually that is your little girl doing that. Really it is your body getting used to carrying her. Nap time mommy cat." Jessica chuckled as her and Luna's youmas took them back to the mansion to spring the news on Artemis.
Ann answered the door. For a second she looked annoyed when she saw Serena's smiling face, but then she saw Darien. Her sweet and handsome Darien.
Serena didn't mind. After all, she knew without a doubt that Darien was her guy. "Hey Ann. I told Darien about you being sick, and how rude I acted this morning so we decided to come by together to cheer you and Alan up."
"And to bring you a get well present." Darien pulled Serena closer. He hated that she was going into this with him, but he still wouldn't want anyone else at his side in a fight.
"Huh? You came all this way with these beautiful flowers . . . just to see me?" Ann stuttered in shock. 'Why do I suddenly feel so light and happy? What's this feeling?'
Serena gave Ann the flowers to get the girl's eyes off of Darien. She trusted Darien without question, but it didn't mean she wasn't allowed to get jealous now and again.
Ann acted way different than that morning. "What a nice surprise. Why don't you come in and have some cookies and cocoa with us."
Alan walked over and smiled with hope in his eyes at the sight of Serena in the doorway. Twice in one day and three times in that week! He felt as if there was a chance he would be whole. More so than Ann once had made him feel. "Oh, hi, Serena. Thought I heard your voice. We were just about to eat. We've got a whole pile of goodies I just know you're gonna love."
"Really? Mmm, food! Gorgeous food!" Serena accidentally flaked out. Well, she hadn't eaten since lunch and that entire episode of running and crying had her beat! Besides, she might need her strength later if they had to fight.
'This is perfect. Now, if I can just lure her back into the room with the Tree.' Ann thought to herself.
Serena munched down on a cream puff, but wasn't half as disgusting as she would have been not long before. Darien just shook his head and chuckled. "Well, she sure likes her food."
"Why don't you two leave us alone for a little girl chat, hmm? You could show Darien the view from the balcony. It's spectacular." Ann sparklingly chatted over at Alan.
"Okay, Darien. Come on. Th-This way." Alan didn't like how nice towards Serena Ann was acting all of the sudden. He had a bad feeling that something might go wrong, so he left the sliding glass door open slightly to keep an ear on the situation in case of trouble.
'Now's my chance.' Ann grinned for a second and then got a serious look on her face. "Oh Serena . . ."
"Huh?" Serena too wondered why Ann was so friendly all of the sudden. It didn't make the Scout leader any more relaxed.
But Ann didn't seem to care how skittish Serena was getting. "Now that we're alone, I can show ya."
Remembering the comment the prior day about being an airhead, Serena decided to play dumb. "Uh . . ."
"You know, the space plant that's locked away in Alan's room?" Ann explained as if it should have been obvious.
That was what Serena was there for, but suddenly she had the urge to run. 'Oh yeah. Right, the tree. Do I really wanna leave all these deserts to see it?'
"Tell you the truth, I'm scared stiff of that thing in there. I don't know what he feeds it, you know?" Ann explained in a low conspiratorial voice.
That scared Serena all the more. "Then why go in?"
She could see that Ann was faking being scared, and it did nothing to help Serena's nerves. Ann looked to see if the guys were watching or listening. "I'm sure if you're with me, I can handle it."
Serena's fear level right then went off the chart! But before she could call out to Darien, Ann grabs her arm and drags the frightened Scout Leader towards Alan's room. "Come on! No time like the present to face your fears, right? This way."
"Uh, yeah." At the door Serena could shake the feeling of something about to turn very wrong for her and flakes hard. "Uh, can't we just eat more cream puffs?"
"Almost there. Come on!" Ann commands as she pushed Serena on. When the door opened she pushed Serena inside.
"AAAH!" Serena could feel that everything that could go wrong without her secret getting out had just hit at the same time.
Ann shouted out with a growl. "Fourface, come here and drain the filling out of this little cream puff!"
"What?!" Serena shrieked. This was not a part of her little plan. All she wanted to do was find out about that tree, get Darien, and get the heck out of that place!
The Cardian showed its happy face as it cried out, "Beware Fourface!"
It grabbed Serena who screamed as she was being drained brutally hard and fast. For a few seconds, Serena couldn't make her mind or body work. She was on the verge of giving up when it happened.
"ENOUGH! ENOUGH! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!"
The Cardian's four heads spun around in confusion. The tree had cried out that it wanted no more energy? "Huh? No more?"
But that wasn't what the tree had meant at all. "STOP IIIIT! AUUGH!"
The tree loses what little control it had and started to grow without stop or restraint. Root shot out and shook the apartment – telling the men that something was wrong.
"What's going on?" Alan felt a knot develop in the pit of his stomach.
It was the same knot that Darien got when he looked for his fiancée. "WHERE'S SERENA GONE?!"
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Ann cried out as the roots of the tree bursts through the doorway. When one snaked under and lifted her up she became more scared than ever before. "AAAH!"
Running into the remnants of the room that once housed the tree, Darien spotted Serena high above him. His angel was in trouble! "Serena!"
"Ann, no!" Alan shouted as he saw his long time mate too was in trouble. He sighed with relief when he saw her teleport out of the way.
But the Doom Tree still had Serena and Fourface tangled tight in its root. The Cardian screamed out. "Out of control! Out of control! Out of control!"
The root that was twisted around the Cardian slammed her to the floor – killing her on impact.
Serena was really scared now. Was that what this tree had planned for her? Twisting slightly, she saw that it had Darien tangled in its roots as well. What was going to happen to them? And where were the others?
A few minutes later the group arrived at the building and looked it over in shock! Tree roots were weaved in and out of the building. Obviously the roof had been torn off. And atop it all was a huge tree!
"Unbelievable! This thing is huge!" Raye gasped.
Amy couldn't believe her eyes. "That's the tree?"
"Must be. Gotta get Serena and Darien out of there. Sailor Scouts … High Guardian Generals, TRANSFORM YOURSELVES!" Artemis cried out. He knew that he had to be the team's strength now that Luna was benched and carrying his son.
As the Generals and Scouts transformed he remembered that moment Luna made it back to the mansion. The strange peaceful look that was tinted with frustration, joy, and disbelief that was on her beautiful face. It was a look that Artemis would never forget.
"Hey Luna. Did ya find Serena?"
She sighed as Jessica sat her next to him. "Yes. She and Darien are on their way to Alan and Ann's apartment. Jessica also kindly informed me why I have been shot fused with everyone. And I know you are just going to love this Artemis – seeing as it is partly your fault."
He hadn't seen her snickering chuckle at that look of shock on his face. "My fault?"
"Only in part. Remember Luna you had some fun in this too." Jessica did what she could to keep from bursting out with mirthful laughter. Though he could understand the sadness in her eyes.
Luna growled at how unfair it was. Artemis was worried. Was she hurt or sick because of him? The other quickly surmised what was being said – being all too used to it by now. It wasn't until Neflyte and Jedite started their banter that it sunk in.
"Twenty says he faints." Neflyte chuckled out.
Jedite shook his head. "Nah, he'll only collapse with shock."
And then Malachite added his two cents. "That only leaves four eligible spoke for ladies left. Lita, Amy, Brooke, and Serena."
"Um, cut that list to three Malachite." Brooke uncomfortably shifted in place while it sunk in mot only for himself about Luna, but for Jedite as well.
For a second the room was dead silent. "Brooke … sweetheart … are you saying that you're benched?"
Brooke smiled sweetly as she nodded. "Looks like you got a brother or sister on the way Jayde."
"Yeah!" The little girl rushed into her mother's arms just before Jedite pulled them both into his own. He was going to be a father once again!
"Luna, you're benched? I mean pregnant?" Artemis practically shouted at the top of his lungs. He never felt so happy in his life.
Luna however was feeling very queasy at that moment. "Yes, I'm benched … pregnant … whatever! I am also sick to my stomach and worried about Serena!"
That made everyone remember the seriousness of the situation.
Artemis gave his love a quick lick before turning back to the others. "Time to go everyone!"
"Artemis?" Luna's eyes shimmered with unshed tears of fear. "Are you angry about this?"
"No beautiful, I've never been this happy in my life. Take care kitten, and we'll be back before you know it." Artemis licked her cheek again and rushed off ahead of the blushing girls.
Neflyte chuckled. "Maybe we should make the rest of them drink bottled water."
"Neflyte!" Molly growled, but ended up giggling herself. "Just because we're all pregnant, doesn't mean that it was the water."
"Better safe than sorry babe." He kissed her soundly on the lips and looked deep into her longing eyes. "Take care of yourself and our girl. We'll be home before you know it."
Jedite too was reluctant to leave his growing family. "Want to know now?"
Brooke couldn't wait to find out. She nodded and he closed his eyes. A peaceful smile ruled his face. "Help mommy take care of your little brother, Jayde."
"Goody, but can't I have a sister too?"
Everyone – including the girls who had come back in to drag the Generals off to the fight – cracked up laughing at that. Brooke shook her head. "One at a time, please baby girl."
"You could always have twins!" She cheerfully quipped. That made the laughter all the worse.
Jessica wiped her tears of glee away. "We'll explain it to her, and you men help the girls save the Prince and Princess."
Malachite and Zoicite were over in the corner trying to hide from the world – if only for a moment. She was terrified, and wasn't sure why. "Please be careful, my only love."
"I will be. For now focus on our little Hope. I love you Zoicite." Malachite too was worried. The battle was going wrong long before they got there. And that meant it was going to be much harder to fight.
Inside he was glad that his beloved was benched with their unborn daughter. Still he would have felt more certain if Zoicite was there to back him up in the coming battle, as she always had before.
Before long the men and Scouts were gone, leaving an ache in the hearts and arms of their loves. Jessica shook her head. "They will be fine girls. Now let's explain what is happening with you ladies to little Jayde."
Jupiter was ready to go by the time Artemis returned from his memories. "Comin' right at ya! JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!"
But it had no effect. "It didn't work."
High above them, they all could hear Serena screaming. "AH, HELP US! SAVE US!"
"That's Serena!" Jupiter gasped.
Mars growled. Her friends were in trouble – that was obvious. "We gotta save her!"
"But how?!" Venus asked. That was the most obvious of questions that no one had answers too.
Again they heard the fear in their friend's voice as she screamed out. "HELP!"
"I should have never let her go!" Neflyte growled. His Princess was in danger and what had he done to stop it?
Malachite however knew the truth faster than his leader. "The Princess would have gone anyway – that we all saw clearly."
But that was then, and now they had to get to the Prince and Princess. A magical barrier held them back from teleporting to top. And the tree roots blocked the entrance before them. How were they going to get in?
I know it took me a while, but I hope the wait was worth it.
Now, any ideas for just whom I should pair Venus up with?
And will Luna bear her son or miscarry?
*Runs for her life at that one*
I'm just throwing out ideas! I could let Diana be born this early!
Also I came up with a way for me to continue on with the series past 'Follow the Leader'. I have noticed that at least one site as the Japan series typed out and I hope that is close to what my story line is heading for. Can someone help me with this idea? Do it or scrap it people?
Also – very cool idea for a new Scout, but wait until you see what I do with Kat later on. Dragons, and crystals, and unseen fates – oh my!