Thanks to our reviewers:
-/ Sparky /-
-/ daisy31 /-
-/ Devil /- : Thanks for all four of your reviews and for calling us talented, lol.
-/ Raven /- : The last chapter did kinda have alot of fluff... But that's a good thing, right?
Chapter 5
Gripping the Truth
* Friday 9:12 PM *
"Sailor Moon watch out!" Mars yelled as her team-mate jumped away at the last second from the attack that was aimed at her.
"Give it up already Sailor brats, this fight is hopeless." Zoicite laughed as Mercury used her bubbles to make her vision blurry. "You can't hide for ever!" She continued to mock them.
"Jupiter lightning ring!" Jupiter's attack circled around Zoicite, tying around her like ropes. Zoicite's laugher only rose as she broke the lightening binds. "Did you really think that pathetic attack would hold me?" Zoicite knocked Jupiter to the ground. "If this is all you got little girls, this fight is as good as over."
"Venus crescent V smash!" Zoicite dodged the attack and retorted taking Venus out. Venus recovered and stood up on weak knees.
Sailor Moon ran towards the rest of the scouts. She grabbed for her tiara, but then Zoicite disappeared.
"Watch out!" Sailor Mars yelled as Zoicite's hands wrapped around Sailor Moon's neck. Her power was slowly draining. She saw her life flash before her eyes. One thing stuck out more than the rest. Darien's kiss. Tears ran down her pale cheeks.
Wait! Her mind screamed. Don't give up yet!
Then it came to her. The thing she had fought so hard to remember since the day she had become Sailor Moon
"Sailor Moon!" Mina cried out as Sailor Moon was dropped off the high building.
*Friday 7:12 AM*
The alarm clock buzzed in Serena's ear. It was then followed by the sound of her door opening. "Serena get up!" Sammy yelled.
Serena groaned and rolled off her bed, her butt hitting the floor. She had spent all last night crying. She only went to sleep in the wee hours of the morning. She quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. Her father was sitting at the table reading his paper and Sammy was eating some toast. Her mother put some in front of her. "Serena your father will be dropping you off at school this morning. And I will be there to pick you up."
"But you always pick up Sammy, and you let me walk home", She protested. If her mom was going to be there, how was she going to talk to her friends?
"Sammy's school doesn't finish until after yours. I will still be able to come and get him". She replied and put Serena's lunch beside her.
Serena's father stood up as he took a last sip of his coffee and headed towards the door. Serena followed him to his car and got in. He was unusually quite, which could only mean one thing...
"What are you doing with a boy? I can't believe you would even sneak out of the house at night!" He screamed as soon as he closed his door. Serena didn't answer. He looked at her with disappointment. She had seen this face before, it was the exact same look her mother had last night. Her father wouldn't look or talk to her for the rest of the ride. She could sense his anger, and it pained her. She didn't want things to happen like this, it wasn't supposed to happen like this!
Serena exited the car without a word and headed towards the school. Great. The scouts are going to kill me. She began to have a fit of coughs and fell to the ground. Now for the after affects of being frozen. She frowned as tears fell down her face slowly. Her coughing didn't stop though, and she didn't feel like moving. She could also feel a fever coming along. Now how would she explain this to her parents?
Serena slowly made it into the school, her coughing hadn't stopped. Her body was in pain from the movement that the coughs were creating. She went straight to go see the school nurse. She knocked softly on the door, the nurse was more likely to hear her gagging rather then the soft tapping. "Oh my", the nurse quickly pulled her in to the room and sat her down on a chair. "How long have you been coughing like this?"
"About 10 minutes", She said between the coughs.
"I better contact your parents, you might need to go to the hospital", The woman went to get the secretary in the office to phone home. "Can you breathe all right?"
"It's difficult", Serena wheezed. Before she knew it she fell to the floor. She could barely see anything except the nurse rush to her side. Then she went blank.
*Friday Morning 8:47AM*
Serena awoke to the scent of sterilized products and the sound of a heart monitor beeping. She looked down at her arm where the IV was hooked up. Her mother rushed to her side as she attempted to sit up. Her mother motioned her to lay back down as she ran a hand through her hair.
"I'm going to go get your doctor." She had a worried, stressed and tired look on her face.
After a few minutes her mother returned with the doctor in tow. The doctor checked her vitals. "How are you feeling Serena?"
"What's wrong with me?" Serena didn't want to beat around the bush; she wanted to know what was happening to her.
"You have a mild case of pneumonia. We'll have to keep you in for a couple days for observation." He looked over her charts.
Serena groaned in frustration. She began mumbling incoherent words to herself. "Is there any possible way I could get out before the end of the day?" The doctor almost laughed, but when he saw the seriousness in Serena's face, he stopped himself.
"I'm afraid not. We'll have nurses coming every hour to check up on you, so you should get better in no time." The doctor then left the room. Serena's mother stared at her awkwardly. Why would she want to leave today?
Serena began fidgeting in her bed. She didn't really feel comfortable in any of the positions that she was finding.
"Serena is there something wrong?" Her mother asked her.
"No", she said quietly, "I'm just trying to get comfortable". Serena didn't want to be stuck here for a couple of days. She had this feeling that something was going to happen and she was going to miss it.
"Do you want me to get you another pillow?" Her mom asked, getting all motherly. But just last night her mother was yelling at her and now her mom was being sweet as pie.
"No I fine", She sat in silence for a little while. "Do my friends know I'm here?" She asked when her thoughts drifted towards them.
"I think everybody in the whole school knows you're here. You stopped breathing Serena", Tears started to roll down her mother's cheeks. " They had to take you to the hospital by ambulance".
"I... I stopped breathing?" Serena was shocked. Never had she expected that answer. Her mother only nodded in reply.
"They said you wouldn't make it, but you surprised us all. And now look, you're almost as good as new!" As Serena watched the tears fall from her mother's eyes, she began to doubt everything she had done. Maybe being Sailor Moon wasn't worth it, if it caused her mother so much pain.
"I'm sorry." Was all that Serena could say. She turned her head and stared out the very small window on her right. She couldn't help but think back to Darien. Why, at a time like this, would I think of him? And that's when she let go. She cried a horrifying cry; not only for Darien, but also for all the other things her life consisted of. For her mother, for her scouts, her friends, her weaknesses and her strengths. Finally, she had let go.
Mrs. Tsukino heard her daughter cry before, but never like this. It was heart wrenching to hear someone she loved in so much pain. She quickly dashed over to her daughter's side and sat down on the bed. She hugged Serena and let her cry on her shoulder.
Serena fell into her mother's embrace, soaking her shirt. Her mother began to stroke her hair to try to calm her down. Slowly her comforting gesture softened her sobs. She was still sniffling, "I'm sorry I wet your shirt" She looked sadly at the nice silk shirt her mother was wearing.
"Shush, it's just a shirt. I don't care about it", Her mother replied. "Hun tell me what's going on?"
Serena looked at her mom. She desperately wanted to tell her mom. She needed someone besides her friends to know what she was going through. She had always told her mom what was going on in her life. But ever since she became sailor moon she had lied to her mom.
She looked at her mother with pleading eyes, "Mom I promise I'll tell you later, I just..." She wanted to but the hospital didn't seem like the right time and place to pour her heart out.
Serena's mother nodded her head in understanding. Whatever it was that her daughter was going through, she'd tell her about it when the time was right. "Just get some rest sweetie. You deserve it." Serena listened to her mother's advice and as soon as she closed her eyes, she was asleep.
Her mom felt her fall sleep. Carefully Mrs. Tsukino laid her daughter down on the bed. Quietly she slid off the bed and left the hospital room, closing the door behind her so her daughter could get some piece and quiet.
*Friday 3:00 PM*
Serena flipped through the TV channels, there wasn't anything really good on TV. She heard a knock on her door, Mina and Lita popped their heads in. "Hey do you want some company?" Mina asked.
"Sure" Serena smiled. She was happy her friends were here. She was so bored.
Lita, Mina, Ami and Rei pilled up into the room. Mina sat on the edge of the bed while Lita pulled up a seat, and Rei and Ami continued standing.
"Your mom told us that you got pneumonia." Ami looked sad. She felt partly responsible for her friend's condition. After all if the monster hadn't pulled the moister out of her Mercury bubbles than Serena wouldn't be in the hospital.
"Serena I'm so..." Ami began, but Serena hushed her and smiled.
"It was my fault. I should pay more attention." Ami was about to smile back, but then she say the pain held in her friend's eyes. It seemed as though she had grown so much over the past few weeks alone. Serena looked like she would collapse at any second. Ami reached over and hugged her.
"I'm just glad you're all right." Serena sighed. I have such great friends. She thought.
She put out her hands to Ami. Like she was waiting for Ami to give her something. She smirked at Ami's confusion. "Homework? I know you were going to bring it to me."
Ami smiled, and went to get it from her pack back. "Where should I put it?"
"The night stand would be fine", Serena replied at looked at Rei. Rei hadn't said anything to her since she walked in here. She wondered what was going through her friend's mind at this minute. "So you guys want Jell-O?"
They laughed, it was nice to have some thing to break up the moping. "That sucks about the hospital food." Lita looked cheery, "I can make you some real food if you want me too".
"Thanks, I don't think I'll be able to eat only hospital food for the next few days", Serena said. Her friends were so caring. Plus Lita's food was really yummy.
Mrs. Tsukino walked into the room followed by Sammy. "Oh hello girls", She greeted when she saw them.
"Hello", They replied stopping their conversation.
"It was very nice of you girls to come by and see Serena." Serena's mom said. Even though she had grounded Serena from seeing her friends. She wanted them to be here for her daughter. She had really grown found of her daughter's friends, they seemed like a good bunch of girls.
Sammy ran towards Serena and hugged her, surprising everyone in the room. "What's wrong with Sammy?" Serena asked as she carefully hugged him back.
"You're okay!" He almost screamed. Serena and the girls couldn't help but laugh. Serena's mother stared adoringly at her children.
"Well, I guess we should get going. Lots of homework to do." Rei said as she stood up. The rest of the scouts followed.
"We'll be back tomorrow to check on you." Mina said as they left the room.
Sammy finally let go, and Serena patted him on the head. It seemed as though she hadn't talked to him in so long. Well, fight with him. She smiled as he began telling her about how he found out what had happened and how he got to leave school early to see her.
"All right dear, I think Serena gets the point." Their mother said as Sammy was about to start telling another story.
"I don't mind," Serena couldn't help but smile at Sammy. For some reason she didn't care what he was saying, just that he was saying it to her.
"Sammy why don't you come with me to get something to eat from cafeteria", Serena's mom could tell that she was a little tired from her visit from her friends. She smiled at her daughter, "Why don't you get some rest, we should be back in a couple of minutes okay sweetie?" Serena nodded. Her mom went and kissed her on the forehead before heading out of the room.
Serena pulled the cover up to her chin. Then she tried to get comfortable. She heard some one open the door. "Did you forget some thing mom?" She turned around. Her eyes met with Darien's.
"You. Why... Why are you here? How did you even know I was here?" She knew it was a stupid question. Her mother already said everyone knew I was here. He'd find out sooner or later. Darien didn't answer any ways. He quietly walked over to her bed and took her hand in his. She was more than confused to say the least. Then the image of him kissing her replayed in her mind. She pulled her hand away.
"Why do you enjoy torturing me? I shouldn't feel this way! These emotions are getting in the way of my mission." She yelled at him. She hated him right now, yet she saw love in his eyes. Wait, love? Ha, that's funny. He said he was in love with the princess. The princess. The one she was to protect and yet she loved the man who belonged to her.
"How can you say that I'm torturing you? I just came to see if you were okay", He said a little bit angered. Then he also remember she said 'these emotions'. What did she mean by that?
"Yes! First you kiss me, then you tell me that you like me! Right after, you tear my heart in two because you say that we can't be together!" She was angry but she was also upset. "Now you come here and say that you want to come see if I'm okay. Well guess what Darien?" She sat up angry, " You can't do that. Remember we can't be together. And when you say that to someone, you can't come talking to them like nothing ever happened!"
"Serena", He pleaded. He wanted her to understand why the princess was important to him.
" No Darien, you were the one who said it", She said bitterly. She was crying. "Get out." He didn't move, "I said get out!" She screamed. He turned to leave, "Get out!" She threw her pillow at him, put he had already left. The pillow hit the wall. She broke down and cried.
Darien stood outside Serena's door and cried. I'm sorry princess, but I've fallen in love with another... He took on last look at the door and then left. Forgive me Serena. I should have realized sooner.
Serena's mother watched the man's actions. So he's the one. She looked at him with pity. He seemed so sad. She recovered quickly and opened her daughter's door. What she was met with was something she hadn't expected.
"I told you to leave!" Serena shouted and threw a pillow at her mother's head. Then she stopped crying and stared ahead blankly. "I'm so sorry mama!"
Serena covered her hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry", she continued to apologize.
"Serena who were you yelling at?" Her mother looked at her confused. She could tell that Serena had been crying again. Mrs. Tsukino could feel anger rising in her, she wanted to hurt who ever made her baby cry.
"Oh mom", Serena started crying again, she grabbed onto her mother pulling her mom into a hug.
"Serena tell me please, I understood when you said before that you didn't want to talk to me about it, but please hunny let me know what's going on", Her mother begged.
"Mommy", she cried.
"Shush baby, you can tell me", She wiped Serena's tears with a tissue.
"There's this guy" She sniffled, "And..."
"What did this boy do to you?" Her mother asked angrily. But she regretted at right away because Serena's cries became louder.
"He... I..." Serena tried to find the right words. "I like him..." Sniffle, " and he likes me too..." She paused "But..."
"But what hunny?" She thought about the possibilities. "He didn't try something you didn't want to do, did he?"
Serena wiped her eyes, "No it not that... he's just really hung up on this other girl. And he says that we can't be together because of her." Serena buried her face in the nook of her mother's neck.
Serena's mother thought back to the young man in the hall. They're both in so much pain... She sighed and rubbed Serena's back to comfort her. Her daughter had drifted so far from her lately.
*Negaverse *
Beryl was looking for the next rainbow crystal, She spotted the person. Ah ha. She found them. It was a doctor at the hospital. "So this is the next shadow warrior. Zoicite", She called out to the blond woman wearing the generals outfit.
"Yes Queen Beryl", Zoicite walked towards her.
"I have found the rainbow crystal." Beryl explained, "I want you to go and retrieve it for me".
"Yes my Queen", Zoicite made way to leave.
"Oh and Zoicite", Zoicite turned around, "If those pesky sailor scouts happen to bother you, get rid of them."
Zoicite smirked. This was going to be too much fun.
*Friday 7:00 PM*
"Serena would you please eat something", her mother begged her, "I know your not feeling well but please you need to eat something".
"Mom this food is gross", she pushed it around with her fork, "Plus I'm not hungry".
"Sweetie you need to eat", Her mom gave her one of those looks.
Serena gave in, "All right, all right I'll eat". She wrapped some of the noodles around her fork and began to eat.
"Thank you Serena". Her mother smiled. "I'm just going to go call your father to make sure if he got home yet. Are you going to be okay while I'm gone?"
"I'll be fine." As long as Lita gets here soon with some real food! Serena thought as her mother left the room. I wish Luna were here. It's seems so quiet without her. Serena giggled at the thought. If Luna were there, she'd probably be yelling at her.
"Serena?" The scouts were standing near the door.
"You can come in, don't worry." The all piled up by her bed.
"I brought you some food Serena". Lita said holding a paper bag.
Serena anxiously grabbed it from her, her mouth watering. Serena looked like she had been starving for months. She quickly shovelled it into her mouth. "This is so good", She replied between mouthfuls.
The girls laughed. "So Serena feeling any better?"
She looked at her friends, "Yes, the medicine they gave me really helped with the breathing. But not that much has changed since you guys saw me this afternoon."
Serena yawned slightly and turned to look out her window. What she saw made her want to hurl in disgust. There, just floating in the air, was Zoicite. But she wasn't alone. No, Tuxedo Mask was with her. Wait Tuxedo Mask? Serena jumped up from her spot on the bed, ripping out her IV. She didn't feel the blood rush down her arm as she ran to the window. He looked dead. She had to help him!
The scouts didn't understand what was going on and by the time they went to look at the window, Zoicite was gone.
Serena ran out the door. She knew where Zoicite was headed. The scouts followed behind her as nurses and doctors also ran after her. She turned a corner and went up to the roof, hoping no one would notice her change in direction. Quickly, she transformed and stepped out further onto the roof.
"So you've found me." Zoicite laughed coldly. "Come to save your precious Tuxedo Mask? Or should I say Darien?" Zoicite dropped Tuxedo Mask onto the floor beside her.
"How did you know?" Was all Serena could ask.
"Oh, after your last fight, how could I not know?", Zoicite continued to smile. "Once I realized his identity, I figured I could use him to bait you out Sailor Moon". She stalked towards Serena.
The other scouts burst out through the roof door. "Zoicite", Rei said angrily. "Mars Fire engulf!" Mars yelled.
Zoicite looked like she was about to burn from the inside out. Zoicite only started to laugh cynically. "Pathetic".
"Sailor Moon watch out!" Mars yelled as her team-mate jumped away at the last second from the attack that was aimed at her.
"Give it up already Sailor brats, this fight is hopeless." Zoicite laughed as Mercury used her bubbles to make her vision blurry. "You can't hide for ever!" She continued to mock them.
"Jupiter lightning ring!" Jupiter's attack circled around Zoicite tying around her like ropes. Zoicite's laugher only rose as she broke the lightening binds. "Did you really think that pathetic attack would hold me?" Zoicite knocked Jupiter to the ground. "If this is all you got little girls, this fight is as good as over."
"Venus crescent V smash!" Zoicite dodged the attack and retorted taking Venus out. Venus recovered and stood up on weak knees.
Sailor Moon ran towards the rest of the scouts. She grabbed for her tiara, but then Zoicite disappeared.
"Watch out!" Sailor Mars yelled as Zoicite's hands wrapped around Sailor Moon's neck. Her power was slowly draining. She saw her life flash before her eyes. One thing stuck out more than the rest. Darien's kiss. Tears ran down her pale cheeks.
Wait! Her mind screamed. Don't give up yet!
Then it came to her. The thing she had fought so hard to remember since the day she had become Sailor Moon
"Sailor Moon!" Mina cried out as Sailor Moon was dropped off the high building.
Time froze, and Mina knew she was finally being given her chance. "Hello Mina. I am Osanagokoro. Your princess will be revealed very soon. I believe you know what to do." Mina nodded and time started up again.
Darien had come to just as he saw Serena's body falling off the building. "No!" He screamed. He tried to reach her in time but he was too late. He watched as her body fell limply on the hard cement. He fell down on to his knees. No Serena! His mind screamed. She couldn't die. He wouldn't let it be true.
"Looks like your little friend Sailor Moon has fallen and can't get up", Zoicite mocked. "Soon you all will be joining her".
"Not so fast Zoicite", Sailor Venus said. "You're done. Venus Purifying Light!" The bright light shone on Zoicite. Zoicite started to scream in pain. Then, like the others before her, she turned to ash.
A bright light shone from each of the scouts. The all gasped as they saw the lights move to form a dome around their leader. Slowly, she was brought back to the top of the building. As the light faded, Serena's Moon Wand appeared before her. A crescent moon formed on her forehead in place of her tiara. Her hands reached out to her Moon Wand and the Imperial Silver Crystal appeared attached to it.
"Oh my." Luna had just arrived with Artemis and stood shocked with the other scouts. "Finally, our Princess will be revealed."
Serena stared at her scouts, then towards Darien. Then, in an unearthly voice, she said, "Come my Prince." Darien could feel his feet moving closer towards the glowing beauty. He placed his hands over hers and then he felt strange. The scouts watched as their leader became their Princess and her saviour their Prince.
"Thank you Endymion, you have set me free." Serena said quietly. Her energy being low, she fell into his arms.
"Serena", Darien caught her and checked if she was still alive. He cradled her to himself, "Serena, I'm so sorry. I should have know that you were the girl of my dreams. That you were my princess".
"Darien", She said weakly.
"Shush my love. Don't try to speak", He brushed the side of her face with his hand. "Everything will be all right".
The scouts fell to the ground from the explosion behind them. Darien had spoke too soon.
He pulled Serena against his chest protectively. Then Malachite appeared. His face angry and hurt. Someone had killed his Zoicite.
"Which one of you did it!" He yelled. "Which one of you bitches killed Zoicite?"
The girls pulled themselves from the ground. They didn't answer. "Fine, then you will all die!" He attacked them with his energy.
They screamed as they were thrown every which way. He stalked towards Darien. Darien stood with Serena in his arms. Malachite attacked them, sending Darien and Serena sliding across the roof. Darien's head slammed back on the edge of the roof, knocking him out.
Malachite could finish them off so easy. But he remembered why he was here in the first place. I'll avenge your death my love, I promise you. He pledged to Zoicite. He picked up Serena and then he disappeared back to the Negaverse.