Here's Chapter Thirteen! How are things going in the Negaverse? How are the scouts feeling about being in the dark about their futures? Will they receive any news? And what about Mars Knight? Read on to find out! Enjoy you guys! :)
Chapter 13- The Invitation
Raye sat in her bedroom alone playing her piano softly. 'What a week!' She thought sighing. 'All these new battles and now new members! Mercury and Venus Knight are truly powerful, not to mention incredibly handsome! And now Lita's fallen for this masked man who claims to be Jupiter Knight... Where is the knight of Mars anyway? Will I love him as well? What is it like to love? I know Serena and the girls know the emotion- they've been reminded by the return of the planetary knights. Will the same thing happen to me? They know their destiny. Is it possible I have a similar one?'
'What about that man in my dream? I had such strong feelings for him... Was that love- or just attraction, like how I felt with Darien? I thought I knew... But now I'm not so sure.'
She shook her head. 'I don't know what it was. I don't know when I'm going to fall in love- but I do know the team needs Mars Knight- wherever he is... Perhaps even I need him. This enemy is very strong.'
'No!' She shook her head vehemently. 'What am I talking about? I don't need any man's help! I'm no weakling. I don't need someone to whisk me away from danger. I can't take care of myself!'
'But you want that, don't you?' A small voice betrayed her earlier thoughts. 'You don't need it, but you want it...'
Raye felt hot tears run down her cheeks. She nodded silently. 'Yes, I do want it. But no man can handle me, let alone love me.' She bowed her head, drying her tears. She leaned back and began to play again. Mozart always had a knack for making her feel better.
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"Oh Anthony, can't we just go shopping? Do you really have to go to work right now?" Mina asked impatiently.
"Mina darling, it will only take a minute! My boss called to tell me something important. He never holds long meetings! An hour, tops- I promise." Anthony said smiling at her. He bent down and kissed her softly.
Mina smiled and kissed him back, pulling him closer and running her fingers through his golden hair. She still couldn't believe this gorgeous guy was all hers! Her true love back from the dead... He suddenly broke the kiss and looked at her again.
"I'll be right back okay Mina? I'll pick you up when I'm done. I'll see you later" He said kissing her again quickly and running towards the car.
Mina nodded and turned around, beginning to walk inside the house. She was about to close the door when Anthony inserted himself in it. She laughed.
"Sorry Mina! I just had to kiss you one last time before I went!" he exclaimed grinning sheepishly.
She smiled and leaped into his arms. Her sweet kisses landed all over his face and finally reached his lips, crushing them to hers. They parted moments later and gazed at each other, not quite believing the other was real. Anthony's face became solemn.
"I do love you Mina... I can't believe I found you again." He murmured softly.
He brushed his lips against hers one more time, and then was gone. Mina heard him get into his car, and the roar of the engine as he sped away. She closed the door and leaned against it, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were closed and she smiled, remembering his delicious kisses again.
"Wow, Mina! He's really got you hooked. I thought you were going to suffocate for a second there!" Artemis's voice broke her thoughts
"Artemis! You're not supposed to be spying on me!" Mina exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh please Mina! It's not as if I've never seen anyone kiss before. In fact, I'm glad you have found your true love again. I'm your guardian after all, and I always want to see you happy. I know now that you have your knight with you again, you are in the best of hands. Nothing must ever get in the way of your love." Artemis said seriously.
Mina nodded and smiled at him. She really did love her guardian! She knew he would always be by her side. She walked over to him and petted him gently. She lifted him and took him upstairs to wait for Anthony, and to talk to him about their new enemies.
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Negaverse-
Kitara looked at her minions impatiently. Leveler and Twister stood in front of her, awaiting new orders. Kitara sat on Beryl's old throne. She marveled at how grand and queenly she felt in the seat. It was a chair she knew would soon be filled by Queen Malice. She smiled at the thought of her master. She truly was an amazing queen with incredible powers... some of which were bestowed to her. If Leveler and Twister failed, she would take a crack at the sailor soldiers herself. Her attention returned to the minions in front of her.
"Twister! Your sister has failed me. I hope for your sake you won't do the same! I want you to defeat the sailor soldiers! I'm entrusting you with this mission and you will be held responsible for any... mishaps. Do I make myself clear?" Kitara raised an eyebrow.
"Very clear my mistress. I won't fail you." Twister answered in her soft, breathy voice.
"Leveler, I expect the same from you. You are a team and two of our greatest warriors. Do not repeat the same mistakes as Screamer." Kitara said, leveling an icy stare to them. "Now go," she commanded with a wave of her hand, "and don't come back unless you are successful."
The two sisters nodded and bowing low, transported themselves away to prepare for the battle.
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Chad was having a nightmare... It was scary and horrible, but somehow incredibly real. It was filled with monsters and battles... and a princess... a beautiful princess. She had purple eyes...
He was running through a corridor, following her screams- desperately trying to find her. He felt his cape billowing behind him. Wait? Cape! He was wearing a cape?
He looked down at his body for a moment. He was wearing a black suit of armor with a cape attached to the back. The cape was a deep red, like wine, and felt soft against to the touch. There was a smell around him, spicy and rosy- kind of smoky, like incense. At his side there was a sword that he unsheathed as he ran. He admired how it glowed a fire-colored red.
He followed the screams of the girl, knowing she was in danger. She was screaming about something evil. It was coming. 'Beryl,' he thought suddenly, 'it must be Beryl... Wait! Who is Beryl?'
He stopped suddenly. Memories were crashing into his mind so quickly it was overwhelming. He fell to the ground holding his head as images flooded his brain. He saw a princess and an evil queen, the figures of his comrades- friends who had helped him through everything, but still could not stop the coming of the evil one.
He cried out as these thoughts began to take focus. He cringed as the memories began to become clear: the pain of loss, and the experience of his past death. A red light suddenly erupted from his heart. He screamed at the power of the light and shut his eyes tightly against it. The power eased quickly, but still faintly there... as if subdued by his conscious control.
He opened his eyes to see a red shining stone in front of him, floating in midair. It glowed with a fierce crimson light. It was the symbol of the fire that existed within his heart. Chad suddenly woke up, gasping for air. He was bathed in his own sweat. It took a moment for his eyes to focus and he quickly realized he was back in his room at Cherry Hill Temple. He shook his head, trying to clear it of the vivid dream.
'It was so real,' he thought. 'I could've sworn it was true.' A sudden flash of light caught his eye. He looked on his dresser table and gaped in surprise! The stone from his dream was on top of his dresser! It was red, a huge ruby, bright and beautiful in the dim light. He stood up and walked towards it. As he touched it, the light and power seemed to disappear. He shook his head.
'Wow!' He thought immediately, disbelief clearly etched into his face. He turned it over in his hands, waiting for the light to return. 'I must have imagined it,' He shook his head. 'It couldn't have been real! But this stone is beautiful, and it holds something special. It reminds me of someone...' He thought for a moment, and then slapped his head! 'Of course! Raye!' His brows came together. 'It's just like her, fiery and powerful...' He felt his cheeks begin to burn at the thought of her. He smiled sheepishly and put it down. He yawned and looked at the clock. It was three a.m. He gasped and climbed back into bed, resolving to show it to her later.
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Serena sat on the floor of her room thinking pensively. She looked at Luna who was lying on her bed, awake, but avoiding her glance. She looked troubled, as if she wanted to tell Serena something, but couldn't. Serena looked at her suspiciously and spoke up.
"Luna, is there something you want to tell me? We haven't had one of our talks in a long time. You're hiding something from me, I know it." Serena said narrowing her eyes.
Luna started at Serena's voice and looked up, incredulous. "Me? Hiding something? Why would I do that Serena?" Luna asked, and began to laugh nervously.
Serena grew serious and peered at Luna as if searching her eyes for some clue as to what she was thinking. "Luna, you know you can tell me anything... and you should. Especially about Scout business!" She added.
Luna stopped laughing and nodded. She took a deep breath and looked back up at Serena. "Yes Serena, you're right... I have been hiding something. I should have known I couldn't hide it forever. Artemis and I have discussed it, but we haven't decided if we should tell you. I can't tell you now Serena, not until all the scouts are reunited with their knights." Luna said reluctantly.
Serena nodded understandingly, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Luna used to tell her everything, especially when it involved the Negaverse or any kind of danger. Back then she hadn't wanted to listen. The irony was, now that she did care, Luna wouldn't reveal anything.
"Luna, who told you to keep this stuff from me?" Serena wondered.
Luna stared at Serena, and answered, not really wanting to. "Your mother, Queen Serenity... and she does know what she's doing Serena. I will tell you of the new dangers once all the knights are awakened. Until then, worry about it no more... However, we must deal with the Negaverse. Just because we wait for the others does not mean we stop fighting. Do you understand, Serena?" Luna asked anxiously.
Serena sat back against her bed, stunned, but she nodded in acceptance. She looked back at Luna, with hope in her eyes. "Luna, do you know the identities of the Sailor Knights?" she asked hopefully, immediately thinking of Lita and Raye.
Luna shook her head. "No Serena, I do not. Only Sailor Pluto and Queen Serenity have that information. They are the one's holding the keys to the Sailor Knights, not I."
"I understand, and they probably wouldn't tell me either." Serena said looking down.
"Don't worry about it my dear, they will be revealed in time and the Sailor Soldiers will be complete once more." She yawned and jumped onto the bed. "Come now, it's late and we'd better get some sleep. It may be summer, but you still need your strength. Keep your communicator by your bed, just in case." Luna warned.
Serena nodded and shut off the light. She got into bed and looked at the Moon, thinking of her mother and of Rini. Rini... She missed her very much, but she knew she was happy in Crystal Tokyo- just as she knew she was... She imagined she was most likely already in bed, in Darien's arms, with their dear child asleep in the next room.
With these happy thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.
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Mina bounded towards Serena's house the next morning, unable to contain her excitement! Anthony had come back later on that night with the best of news. They all were invited to a ball! His company was putting on a charity ball and needed all the people they could get to attend! He had asked Anthony to bring all his friends. A very rich widow would be hosting alongside Anthony's boss and would be putting up the money for the pleasure of a wonderful party. According to Anthony, there wasn't a kinder person in the world.
She grinned again. 'Oh what am I going to wear?' She thought immediately. 'It doesn't matter right now I suppose, I have to tell the girls first! We'll all go on a shopping spree. I think I'll get a yellow dress for the ball, or maybe a gold one... Oh I don't care! I'm just so happy I'm going! One thing's for sure though- we all have to have dates!'
So she raced towards Serena's house, practically on the verge of exploding to reveal the happy news.
Like it? Hate it? Review please! :)
Chapter 13- The Invitation
Raye sat in her bedroom alone playing her piano softly. 'What a week!' She thought sighing. 'All these new battles and now new members! Mercury and Venus Knight are truly powerful, not to mention incredibly handsome! And now Lita's fallen for this masked man who claims to be Jupiter Knight... Where is the knight of Mars anyway? Will I love him as well? What is it like to love? I know Serena and the girls know the emotion- they've been reminded by the return of the planetary knights. Will the same thing happen to me? They know their destiny. Is it possible I have a similar one?'
'What about that man in my dream? I had such strong feelings for him... Was that love- or just attraction, like how I felt with Darien? I thought I knew... But now I'm not so sure.'
She shook her head. 'I don't know what it was. I don't know when I'm going to fall in love- but I do know the team needs Mars Knight- wherever he is... Perhaps even I need him. This enemy is very strong.'
'No!' She shook her head vehemently. 'What am I talking about? I don't need any man's help! I'm no weakling. I don't need someone to whisk me away from danger. I can't take care of myself!'
'But you want that, don't you?' A small voice betrayed her earlier thoughts. 'You don't need it, but you want it...'
Raye felt hot tears run down her cheeks. She nodded silently. 'Yes, I do want it. But no man can handle me, let alone love me.' She bowed her head, drying her tears. She leaned back and began to play again. Mozart always had a knack for making her feel better.
******************************************************************************
"Oh Anthony, can't we just go shopping? Do you really have to go to work right now?" Mina asked impatiently.
"Mina darling, it will only take a minute! My boss called to tell me something important. He never holds long meetings! An hour, tops- I promise." Anthony said smiling at her. He bent down and kissed her softly.
Mina smiled and kissed him back, pulling him closer and running her fingers through his golden hair. She still couldn't believe this gorgeous guy was all hers! Her true love back from the dead... He suddenly broke the kiss and looked at her again.
"I'll be right back okay Mina? I'll pick you up when I'm done. I'll see you later" He said kissing her again quickly and running towards the car.
Mina nodded and turned around, beginning to walk inside the house. She was about to close the door when Anthony inserted himself in it. She laughed.
"Sorry Mina! I just had to kiss you one last time before I went!" he exclaimed grinning sheepishly.
She smiled and leaped into his arms. Her sweet kisses landed all over his face and finally reached his lips, crushing them to hers. They parted moments later and gazed at each other, not quite believing the other was real. Anthony's face became solemn.
"I do love you Mina... I can't believe I found you again." He murmured softly.
He brushed his lips against hers one more time, and then was gone. Mina heard him get into his car, and the roar of the engine as he sped away. She closed the door and leaned against it, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were closed and she smiled, remembering his delicious kisses again.
"Wow, Mina! He's really got you hooked. I thought you were going to suffocate for a second there!" Artemis's voice broke her thoughts
"Artemis! You're not supposed to be spying on me!" Mina exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh please Mina! It's not as if I've never seen anyone kiss before. In fact, I'm glad you have found your true love again. I'm your guardian after all, and I always want to see you happy. I know now that you have your knight with you again, you are in the best of hands. Nothing must ever get in the way of your love." Artemis said seriously.
Mina nodded and smiled at him. She really did love her guardian! She knew he would always be by her side. She walked over to him and petted him gently. She lifted him and took him upstairs to wait for Anthony, and to talk to him about their new enemies.
******************************************************************************
Negaverse-
Kitara looked at her minions impatiently. Leveler and Twister stood in front of her, awaiting new orders. Kitara sat on Beryl's old throne. She marveled at how grand and queenly she felt in the seat. It was a chair she knew would soon be filled by Queen Malice. She smiled at the thought of her master. She truly was an amazing queen with incredible powers... some of which were bestowed to her. If Leveler and Twister failed, she would take a crack at the sailor soldiers herself. Her attention returned to the minions in front of her.
"Twister! Your sister has failed me. I hope for your sake you won't do the same! I want you to defeat the sailor soldiers! I'm entrusting you with this mission and you will be held responsible for any... mishaps. Do I make myself clear?" Kitara raised an eyebrow.
"Very clear my mistress. I won't fail you." Twister answered in her soft, breathy voice.
"Leveler, I expect the same from you. You are a team and two of our greatest warriors. Do not repeat the same mistakes as Screamer." Kitara said, leveling an icy stare to them. "Now go," she commanded with a wave of her hand, "and don't come back unless you are successful."
The two sisters nodded and bowing low, transported themselves away to prepare for the battle.
******************************************************************************
Chad was having a nightmare... It was scary and horrible, but somehow incredibly real. It was filled with monsters and battles... and a princess... a beautiful princess. She had purple eyes...
He was running through a corridor, following her screams- desperately trying to find her. He felt his cape billowing behind him. Wait? Cape! He was wearing a cape?
He looked down at his body for a moment. He was wearing a black suit of armor with a cape attached to the back. The cape was a deep red, like wine, and felt soft against to the touch. There was a smell around him, spicy and rosy- kind of smoky, like incense. At his side there was a sword that he unsheathed as he ran. He admired how it glowed a fire-colored red.
He followed the screams of the girl, knowing she was in danger. She was screaming about something evil. It was coming. 'Beryl,' he thought suddenly, 'it must be Beryl... Wait! Who is Beryl?'
He stopped suddenly. Memories were crashing into his mind so quickly it was overwhelming. He fell to the ground holding his head as images flooded his brain. He saw a princess and an evil queen, the figures of his comrades- friends who had helped him through everything, but still could not stop the coming of the evil one.
He cried out as these thoughts began to take focus. He cringed as the memories began to become clear: the pain of loss, and the experience of his past death. A red light suddenly erupted from his heart. He screamed at the power of the light and shut his eyes tightly against it. The power eased quickly, but still faintly there... as if subdued by his conscious control.
He opened his eyes to see a red shining stone in front of him, floating in midair. It glowed with a fierce crimson light. It was the symbol of the fire that existed within his heart. Chad suddenly woke up, gasping for air. He was bathed in his own sweat. It took a moment for his eyes to focus and he quickly realized he was back in his room at Cherry Hill Temple. He shook his head, trying to clear it of the vivid dream.
'It was so real,' he thought. 'I could've sworn it was true.' A sudden flash of light caught his eye. He looked on his dresser table and gaped in surprise! The stone from his dream was on top of his dresser! It was red, a huge ruby, bright and beautiful in the dim light. He stood up and walked towards it. As he touched it, the light and power seemed to disappear. He shook his head.
'Wow!' He thought immediately, disbelief clearly etched into his face. He turned it over in his hands, waiting for the light to return. 'I must have imagined it,' He shook his head. 'It couldn't have been real! But this stone is beautiful, and it holds something special. It reminds me of someone...' He thought for a moment, and then slapped his head! 'Of course! Raye!' His brows came together. 'It's just like her, fiery and powerful...' He felt his cheeks begin to burn at the thought of her. He smiled sheepishly and put it down. He yawned and looked at the clock. It was three a.m. He gasped and climbed back into bed, resolving to show it to her later.
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Serena sat on the floor of her room thinking pensively. She looked at Luna who was lying on her bed, awake, but avoiding her glance. She looked troubled, as if she wanted to tell Serena something, but couldn't. Serena looked at her suspiciously and spoke up.
"Luna, is there something you want to tell me? We haven't had one of our talks in a long time. You're hiding something from me, I know it." Serena said narrowing her eyes.
Luna started at Serena's voice and looked up, incredulous. "Me? Hiding something? Why would I do that Serena?" Luna asked, and began to laugh nervously.
Serena grew serious and peered at Luna as if searching her eyes for some clue as to what she was thinking. "Luna, you know you can tell me anything... and you should. Especially about Scout business!" She added.
Luna stopped laughing and nodded. She took a deep breath and looked back up at Serena. "Yes Serena, you're right... I have been hiding something. I should have known I couldn't hide it forever. Artemis and I have discussed it, but we haven't decided if we should tell you. I can't tell you now Serena, not until all the scouts are reunited with their knights." Luna said reluctantly.
Serena nodded understandingly, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Luna used to tell her everything, especially when it involved the Negaverse or any kind of danger. Back then she hadn't wanted to listen. The irony was, now that she did care, Luna wouldn't reveal anything.
"Luna, who told you to keep this stuff from me?" Serena wondered.
Luna stared at Serena, and answered, not really wanting to. "Your mother, Queen Serenity... and she does know what she's doing Serena. I will tell you of the new dangers once all the knights are awakened. Until then, worry about it no more... However, we must deal with the Negaverse. Just because we wait for the others does not mean we stop fighting. Do you understand, Serena?" Luna asked anxiously.
Serena sat back against her bed, stunned, but she nodded in acceptance. She looked back at Luna, with hope in her eyes. "Luna, do you know the identities of the Sailor Knights?" she asked hopefully, immediately thinking of Lita and Raye.
Luna shook her head. "No Serena, I do not. Only Sailor Pluto and Queen Serenity have that information. They are the one's holding the keys to the Sailor Knights, not I."
"I understand, and they probably wouldn't tell me either." Serena said looking down.
"Don't worry about it my dear, they will be revealed in time and the Sailor Soldiers will be complete once more." She yawned and jumped onto the bed. "Come now, it's late and we'd better get some sleep. It may be summer, but you still need your strength. Keep your communicator by your bed, just in case." Luna warned.
Serena nodded and shut off the light. She got into bed and looked at the Moon, thinking of her mother and of Rini. Rini... She missed her very much, but she knew she was happy in Crystal Tokyo- just as she knew she was... She imagined she was most likely already in bed, in Darien's arms, with their dear child asleep in the next room.
With these happy thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.
******************************************************************************
Mina bounded towards Serena's house the next morning, unable to contain her excitement! Anthony had come back later on that night with the best of news. They all were invited to a ball! His company was putting on a charity ball and needed all the people they could get to attend! He had asked Anthony to bring all his friends. A very rich widow would be hosting alongside Anthony's boss and would be putting up the money for the pleasure of a wonderful party. According to Anthony, there wasn't a kinder person in the world.
She grinned again. 'Oh what am I going to wear?' She thought immediately. 'It doesn't matter right now I suppose, I have to tell the girls first! We'll all go on a shopping spree. I think I'll get a yellow dress for the ball, or maybe a gold one... Oh I don't care! I'm just so happy I'm going! One thing's for sure though- we all have to have dates!'
So she raced towards Serena's house, practically on the verge of exploding to reveal the happy news.
Like it? Hate it? Review please! :)