Winds of Change Chapter 3: A Change in Command, a sailor moon fanfic

Winds of Change

A Change in Command

Hey everyone! Thanks so much to all of you that have been reviewing. I really appreciate it. Anyways, on to the next chapter!

I do not own Sailor Moon or its characters.

The view from the plane was breathtaking. Everything seemed so far away. It was almost as if the world below didn't exist. That the people below didn't exist. Why couldn't they see? The sacrifices I have made to save each from pain have been for nothing. They cannot see me as more than what I have projected, or, they will not look beyond it. Well they'll learn soon enough that I'm not quite what I am perceived to be...I just never thought they would take it to the extreme...As the plane continued on toward America, Serena drifted into the memories of the past two weeks.

(The Past Two Weeks)

"Does that mean she remembers everything that happened? Wouldn't the power of the crystal have sealed her memory as well?" Darien prompted.

At this Serena spoke up. "No it's not possible for her to have sealed her own memories." Everyone looked at her for an explanation of her statement. Continuing she said, "As wielder of the Crystal, and heir to the Silver Millennium, it is her duty to protect the Earth and guard against a return of evil. Not only would the Crystal's power not affect her, but Luna and Artemis, your power could not force her memory behind a shield."

"How would you know?" they all asked.

At the question, the intensity with which had seemed to cloak her as she spoke fell away, and she looked confused. "I don't know. I just knew..." To close there...I shouldn't have said anything. I should have just allowed them to speculate, but I wish that they remembered. After such a long time of being alone in my memories, I want them to remember. But perhaps it's better this way. After all, I don't want our friendship to change, and I don't want him to feel obligated to feelings from the past. Maybe this way they can find their way to me...

Then, before anyone could probe more closely into that statement, an alarm sounded, prompting immediate action on the part of Artemis and Luna. "Team it's time to prepare for your first battle. They are at the School of Performing Arts two blocks from the park. Go!" A burst of light and color, and there were no longer five seventeen year old girls and one twenty-one year old guy, but the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask; Protectors of the Innocent and Defenders of Earth.

Joining hands, the team quickly shouted out their respective planets, excepting of course Tuxedo Mask, teleporting directly to the field of battle. Awaiting them was a human like creature, with pale chalky skin and multi-colored, shimmering hair. It's hands concealed strange sucker-like centers; it's means of gathering energy. From the looks of it, it had already gathered quite a bit.

Appearing outside the school, the Scouts made their way inside to make their appearance. Then, inside, mist began to fill the room, disguising their entrance. Looking about, the monster couldn't see the source of the concealing fog, and let go of its victim to investigate. Suddenly, a voice called out, "How dare you steal energy from these students of the arts! What are you, some artists' worst nightmare? I mean come on! You're going to have to do better than that. Of course, you won't really get the chance, since, on the behalf of the moon, I will punish you!" And just as if it had never been, the fog melted away revealing Sailor Moon, the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask.

At Sailor Moon's speech however, the creature seemed to be a little confused, as were the rest of the team, who were staring at the hero in a disbelieving way. Sailor Mars broke the silence as she shook off her amazement and attacked with "Aku Ryo Tai San!"

Breaking off from each other, the group began to do the same, with little success. Each attack was fended off either by a well-timed hit by the creature, or a well-timed dodge. In fact, none of the attacks actually caused any real damage.

Regrouping,Sailor Mercurybegan to run an analysis of the creature in order to determine its weak points while the others ran interference. Above them, the ceiling had crumbled revealing a bright full moon.

Just as she was finishing her analysis,Mercury was knocked over, losing half of the data already collected. Looking to what had knocked her over she saw Sailor Moon in the grip of the monster. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light accompanied by the words, "Moon Twilight Flash!" And the scream of the creature as it proceeded to disintegrate before their very eyes. Looking at each other, they gathered around their leader to contemplate the fight.

Nothing was said; all was quiet, that is until, "What were you thinking Sailor Moon!?! You could have gotten us all blasted with that stupid speech of yours!"

"What I was thinking Mars? And what about you? We didn't even know what we were up against. For all you knew, that monster could have absorbed the energy you threw at it and send it back threefold! You should have waited for Mercury to analyze it!"

"What did you get off the readings?" Tuxedo Mask asked, trying to diffuse the situation developing, while agreeing somewhat with both the combatants.

Mercury replied, trying not to get involved, "Not much I'm afraid. I lost about half the data when I went down. I don't even know how you managed to defeat it Moon."

"You what?" shrieked Mars. "Thanks a lot Moon. Thanks to you we don't even know what we were up against, whether there might be more of them, or how to defeat them besides that little trick you seem to have recalled."

"She is sort of right I'm afraid."

"I can't believe you would side with her Venus! If I hadn't knocked Mercury over, she would have gotten captured by the creature, and then where would we be?"

"I agree. While I was unable to finish my analysis, you did save my life. For that, thank you."Mercurycut in.

"You did good Sailor Moon," added Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Moon gave her two defenders a look of thanks before announcing, "I've got to get out of here. My mother is expecting me pronto." Which in turn prompted the others to take their leave.

The next two weeks were a series of continuous battles, both with monsters and among themselves. The strange creature that had attacked the school was not alone, and in the confrontations following that first one, this became abundantly clear. Through trial and error, they learned that the attacks that could dust this particular brand of evil were those of Jupiter's lighting, Mar's fire, and of course, Moon's light.

Tempers grew short as battles came every day. Sailor Moon's clumsiness began to wear on everyone's nerves until one fateful night.

"That's it!!! I am so sick of your clumsy attempts at fighting, your whining, and the fact that you can't be counted on!" Raye shouted at Sailor Moon after a battle, which had left them all tired. The creature had been like all the others with a few notable exceptions. Unlike the others, it seemed to be more resistant to the attacks they threw at it, taxing their strength and ability. "If you hadn't gotten in the way, Jupiter and I could have had it dusted!"

Yeah, after it had stolen all your energy. I barely made it out of that one. It was pure luck that the wand was able to defeat it. To bad it wasn't quite soon enough. Sailor Moon looked down at her side, which was bleeding profusely. Not that any of them will notice. The masking will keep them from realizing that I've been taking a large amount of damage. By tomorrow I'll be fine. The crystal will patch me right up. What is it they're saying?

"Hello!!! Are you even in there?" That's Raye...

"Mars leave her alone!" Tuxedo admonished. Thanks for sticking up for me...Why am I so weak? Sailor Moon drifted in and out, not really hearing what was going on, the major bleeding causing her to become light headed.

"Like hell I will!!! Her ineptitude will get one of us injured, and I'd rather prevent it than wait for the inevitable." There's Raye again...I wonder what she's angry about this time?

"What are you proposing?" Ahhh...Mina...My good friend...

"I think you know exactly what I'm proposing."

"You couldn't be thinking..."

"Why not Mercury? It's obvious she's not capable of leading, so why shouldn't we remove the responsibility from her?" Remove leadership?

"But Mars, she's been our leader always. She got us through the battle with Beryl and Metallica. Is this how you want to repay her?" That's right!

"That's where you're wrong. The Princess got us through the battle with Beryl and Metallica, and as you can plainly see, if she really cared, she would be contributing to this conversation." But I can't seem to think straight...No! I have to wake up!

"You can't take the leadership from me."

"Oh, so you're finally back from la-la land are you?"

"Oh can it Mars," Sailor Moon said as she removed just the slightest bit of the masking set over her wounds. Purposely she left the major wound hidden. "If you had bothered to notice, you would have seen that I'm injured. In fact," she began to sway, as her voice got weak. "I think I need to sit down..." Suddenly her knees collapsed, and as the team rushed to help her, she passed out.

"Nice of you to wake up. You're just in time for the teams' decision." Raye's' voice. What's going on?

"What's happening?"

"We've had a discussion while you were out, and the team has agreed to vote on whether you should remain the leader."

"What? Don't I get a vote?"

"Since this is about you, and the fact that that would be an even amount of voters, no." Mercury explained.

"I see," her voice had grown cold. "And what is the teams decision?"

"I'm sorry, but..." Tuxedo tried to explain. He couldn't help but feel this was wrong, and that some serious pieces were missing from the puzzle.

Just the tone of his voice was enough to tell her. "It's okay. I get the picture. Well, if that will be all, then I'm out of here." She struggled to stand, but was stopped by Mercury.

"You can't go yet. Those wounds need to be looked at."

"Save it. Their just bruises and a few cuts. I'll be fine."

"But you should really—"

"Let it go Mercury! I'll be fine. Besides, I don't want to bother you for injuries that if I were a better leader I could have prevented." And with that she left.

Both Mercury and Tuxedo Mask made as if to follow her, but were stopped by Venus. "Let her go. We'll have plenty of time to talk to her tomorrow. In the meantime, we should be going home as well.

Not bothering to power down, Serena went to the fountain, staring up at the full moon above. The feelings of betrayal, disbelief and shock, along with the weakness from loss of blood spun her head in circles.

What possessed them to take the leadership from me? And could our enemy be who I think it is? At each site of confrontation there has been the symbol. I just didn't really register it before now. But tonight there was no mistaking it. That creature was one of the more powerful of that kind, and wore the brand openly. The only people it could be are the Illuminati. As for my team, I just can't believe they would do this. The question is, now what should I do?

Without my guidance, leadership and raw power they won't stand a chance. Their enemies will only get stronger and with the Illuminati's knowledge of the powers we have, their monsters will only become more immune. Only the crystal can prevail regardless of what immunities it may possess.

But I can't just announce that I am the Princess. After all, me and this blasted crystal are what the Illuminati are after, and I'm better off remaining an unknown being than without guards whom I can trust.

I wish I could be in two places at once. It would solve all my problems, and I could get a little vengeance in at the same time...That's it! I'll just become two people! It's not like it's never been done. I remember...

"Serena, a soul is like this crystal. See the facets within the stone?" A young princess Serenity, about ten or twelve, nodded as her mother held up the Imperium Silver Crystal. "Each of those facets are like a different piece of who you are, your personality. Break them up, and you would have multiple crystals, or in the case of a soul, multiple people."

"But you can't split a person up like that can you? The soul is intangible, and so how would you be able to split it?"

"You must travel to the realm in which all things intangible become tangible. You must ascend to the astral plane. However, if a person decides to do this, several precautions must be taken. It is easy for a person to lose their way and be forever separated from their body. A lifeline must be established to prevent this. Also, while away your body and your soul is vulnerable, making this a action only to be used in serious situations."

"If this is so difficult and dangerous, then why are you telling me?"

"There may come a time when you will need such a procedure. Besides, there are like in everything degrees of success. To create two separate people would take more than just creating a double. But again, I must warn you. This is not to be taken lightly. Do not attempt this alone."

Alone...Right now I am alone, and without a lifeline or a way of protecting myself while performing the task. I cannot put myself in jeopardy like that. What I need is someone, preferably some people who I could trust that are not currently involved in this mess.

That's it! The Outer Scouts! After the battle with Beryl and Metallica I appeared to each of them and set their tasks. To Uranus and Neptune, I gave the task of traveling the world for signs of an approaching evil, in order to give an early warning in case we didn't learn of it first. Saturn I pulled out of her deep sleep and sent her to find four souls that needed to be reborn. I then went to Pluto, and asked that once Saturn came with the souls, for her to place them in the timeline.

I haven't heard from any of them in nearly a year. The last time being Pluto's confirmation of the souls rebirth. It is time to call them home...

Looking above her at the full moon, Serena concentrated her energy and in a flash of light, teleported to Mare Serenitatis. Before her were the hollow halls of the Moon kingdom. After the final battle against Metallica, the Silver Imperium Crystal restored the palace to its original state.

Serena quickly made her way to the Prayer Room. The wounds she had sustained in battle were beginning to heal, but the loss of blood continued to make her weak. Finally reaching the room, she powered down then detached her transformation brooch. A twist of her hands and it opened, revealing the Silver Imperium Crystal. Light shone around her as she reached deep into the power of the moon. She could feel the start of another blackout building and with her last burst of strength sent out the call.

In Tokyo four girls, two cats and a man woke with a start. Unable to tell what had awakened them, they drifted back to sleep, dreaming about the moon kingdom and their princess calling out to them to come to the palace.

Meanwhile, in London, the musical genius Michiru was onstage performing her final number. The lovely strains of her violin filled the conservatory. As the music ebbed away, all watching applauded, but the woman onstage could not hear them. On her forehead a symbol began to glow, growing brighter and brighter until with a flash of light it disappeared. Those watching figured it for some sort of special effect and applauded all the more loudly. Walking offstage, Michiru went to her dressing room, locked the door, and teleported.

In America, at Daytona, fans watched, cheering as their favorite racecar driver made his way across the finish line. For Haruka, this was her fifth win of the season, a good start. (A/N: I may be switching between his/her, he/she for Haruka depending on the context of the sentence.) Making her way to the podium, she reached out to accept the trophy, when her symbol began to glow. Minutes later, she had retired to her trailer, and teleported to the moon kingdom.

Ever since her princess had come to her with a request three years before, Pluto had watched the lives of the four men her princess had brought back from eternal rest. Their paths would soon cross with those of the Inner Scouts, she noted. Under what circumstances, who knew? For the past few months, the timeline had grown cloudy, now only those lives that glowed brighter than the fog could be seen by the gatekeeper. Suddenly the timeline shifted, but Pluto couldn't make out the reason for the change. Then she felt it. Her symbol glowed upon her forehead and she knew that the time had come to leave her post. Raising the Time key, she closed the gate before teleporting to her princess's side.

The planet Saturn was dark and forbidding. Black mists and cold winds roamed across the barren world. Then out of the shadows a figure walked. Sailor Saturn, the death soldier, wielder of the Silence Glaive had returned. Her journey to find the four souls had been difficult. Each had seen and done horrible things, and each held a light within them that kept them from giving up hope. It had taken her a year and a half to track each one down. Afterwards she had gone to the Gate of Time and recounted her journeys with Pluto. Only recently had she returned to her home planet. Saturn made as if to sit down, but was halted by the intensity of the call. Her symbol glowed and the urge to leave for the moon was so strong that she didn't hesitate. Concentrating on the source of the call she teleported for the moon.

The four scouts appeared at the same time, each wondering where the princess was. Making their way to the Prayer room, they were taken aback by the condition of their liege. Rushing over to the unconscious girl, Neptune catalogued the girls' injuries, while Uranus and Pluto prepared a room in the hospital wing. Saturn patrolled the castle grounds, looking for who or what had injured the girl.

An hour later, after having done all they could do, the four warriors sat in silence, determined to get some answers.

"She shouldn't have gotten injured." Saturn said, breaking the silence. "The Inner Scouts are supposed to be protecting her."

Pluto held up her hand. "Peace. We do not know the truth of the matter, and cannot judge until we do."

"Saturn's right though. It is the Inner Scouts duty to protect the princess," Uranus argued. "How is letting her get this seriously wounded protecting her!?!"

The loud voices brought Serena back from the quiet place she had been. Not opening her eyes, she listened to they conversation. It wasn't until Uranus spoke that she stirred. Opening her mouth she tried to speak, only getting out a whisper. "It wasn't their fault..."

At her words, they all jumped and Neptune reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. "Princess, here drink this."

"What happened Serenity? And where are the Inner Scouts?" asked Pluto.

"It's a very long story..."she trailed off. Then, realizing that the others weren't going anywhere, she gave a small smile and began to speak.

"After the battle with Beryl and Metallica, the Inner Scouts and Tuxedo Mask, or rather Prince Endymion," the name of her love brought looks of shock to the scouts' faces. "wished for normal lives. Luna, Artemis, and the power of the crystal granted that wish, sealing their memories up. As heir to the moon kingdom, this of course did not work for me; at that time it became safer for me to hide my identity as the princess. Using my power, I hid Luna and Artemis's memories of my true identity and so it has been for the past three years. Two weeks ago, a new enemy attacked, and the guardians reawakened the team. However, my identity continues to remain a secret."

This made sense to all of them, but questions remained. Uranus asked, "But then, how did you get hurt?"

"Well," Serena started, "As you well know, When the Moon Kingdom first came in to being, the solar system was over run by an evil entity. Warrior of the Goddess Selene, Sailor Moon recruited the elite warriors of each planet, and together they defeated the evil. In turn, each member of the team returned to their home planet and began to rebuild and restructure the government. They each became the rulers of their respective planets, the moon being their leader, and they each promised that their first-born daughter would be trained as a warrior, a Sailor Scout. All that is except for the moon.

"Serenity the first, also known as Sailor Moon refused to make her daughter, born right before the final battle, into a warrior. She told the other rulers that they didn't understand what they were proposing, for unlike the others, she was already a mother, and could not bear to think of having her daughter live with the evils necessary when you are in battle. It was finally resolved that as wielder of the Silver Imperium Crystal, the weapon of last resort for the solar system, the Princess of the moon would be guarded by the Inner Scouts, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Jupiter.

"The Outer Scouts, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto would then hold the outer defenses of the System against invading evil, as well as protect the four legendary weapons. Sailor Moon was relegated to the legends, and through the centuries, she was forgotten, only another figure in the dim memory of history. Then I was born to Queen Serenity. The night I was born, your predecessor Pluto, left the Gate of Time and traveled to see my mother. She came with a warning.

"She told my mother of the fall of the Silver Millennium, and the betrayal of the Earth. For decades the Royal family on Earth had given birth to sons, and Sailor Earth had all but become a memory. At this warning, my mother broke all ties with the Earth, and sent word out to all the other planets. When I turned eight, and could understand the responsibility of what was to happen, I learned the art of war, and Sailor Moon was reborn." Serena paused in her telling of the past, knowing that the others would have questions. And she was right.

"How is it that none of us heard of this? Neptune, Uranus and I were born three years before you, and were already in training by the time you had first begun."

"It's simple," Serena explained, "The absence of a Sailor Earth had long been an uneasy subject for the people of the solar system. With the appearance of a Sailor Moon, a widespread panic could have ensued."

"I see. So what you're saying is that since your rebirth, you have been fighting alongside your guards as Sailor Moon?" questioned Saturn.

"It's a little more complicated than that I'm afraid. As a precaution, when we were reborn, none of us remembered either the Silver Millennium, or the identity of the Moon Princess. Then, I was given a decoy, while Sailor Moon was the leader of the team."

"And who could be your decoy?" Neptune asked confused.

Serena smiled. "Have you ever met Sailor Venus?" They nodded. "Well if you looked at us together, you would almost say we are twins! She posed as the Princess, while I retained my hidden identity. And no one was the wiser since none of us had our memories. After my identity was revealed, things had already been set in a pattern, and besides that, Endymion had been captured by Beryl, so either they listened to me, or allowed me to take on the Negaverse by myself."

The Scouts smiled at this, then asked, "But how does any of this pertain to you getting injured?"

"When Luna and Artemis reawakened the teams' memories, they only remembered that 1. I am their leader, 2. I'm clumsy and basically a typical blond (distraction technique), and 3. I'm not the best of fighters."

"But that's not true!" Saturn exclaimed.

"They don't know that," explained Serena. "You see, when my memories were first revived, the only ones that were revived were those of my battle training. My memories of being the princess were being suppressed, causing a conflict in me. Even when I trained in the Moon Kingdom, I disliked battle, and so while I had to fight, my other self insisted I didn't. As a result, I was often clumsy and uncoordinated until my true identity was brought to light. Also, I learned that oftentimes I could save the others from getting injured and defeat a monster faster just by acting like I was clumsy. It provided a way of distracting some of the nastier creatures we fought."

"So that's why you got hurt." Uranus said. "Because you were trying to protect your guards!!!"

"Well, in essence, yes." She paused, waiting for the explosion.

"The guards are there for your protection, not you for theirs!!"

"Do they even know you were injured?" queried Neptune. She could see that something was bothering her liege besides her wounds.

"Well, it never got brought up, it usually never did."

"Why didn't it get brought up?" Uranus asked, knowing that her answer would likely be something she wouldn't want to hear.

"I usually masked my injuries, because I was able to heal much more quickly than the others, and I couldn't have them suspecting me."

"You what!?!"

"Hush Uranus. Why didn't it get brought up this time?" Pluto asked.

"It seems they are sick of my ineptitude as a leader. In fact, they are so sick of it that they voted me from my position."

"They did what?"

"Apparently I'm no longer their leader. I couldn't tell you what happened, since I was blacked out at the time."

"Is that why you called us? You need to be protected, especially with a new enemy in residence."

"Actually, I called because I have to get away from Tokyo for awhile. This blow up with the team has only forced it home that I cannot stay there. But they need all the help they can get." At this, Pluto raised her eyebrows. When Serena passed over the reason the Inner Scouts and Tuxedo Mask would need help, she vowed to find out the truth. Then, she settled down to listen to her princess's plan.

Twenty minutes later, each of the Outer Scouts took up their positions with a heavy heart. What she was attempting to do was insane and dangerous. But Serenity was determined, and they could not disobey a direct order. They would not fail her as the Inner Scouts had.

Standing in a circle around Serena, they each called out their planet's name, creating around her a barrier that none would pass unless they allowed it. And unless they were dead, they wouldn't allow it.

Allowing her body to rest comfortably, Serena sank into the heart of her power. Pulling her consciousness from her body she ascended to the astral plane. Ahead of her she could see a shining object floating in midair. There it is. My soul crystal...Alright, here goes nothing... Reaching out, she carefully grasped the fragile object within her hands. Then, concentrating upon the power of the Silver Imperium Crystal, she broke it. Within her palm she now held several fragments of herself. Glancing into their depths she could pick out what each piece represented. The warrior, the Princess, the normal girl...Every facet of her being was held within her hands.

Sorting through the pieces she began to separate them. Those belonging to her, and those that would belong to her double. Some she placed in a separate pile, the one marked as attributed needed in both. Finally she was done. Utilizing the power at her disposal, she fused the crystals in a seemingly random way, until upon completion; a new matrix had been created. Those pieces that made up her were wielded together, as were the pieces that made up her double. Then, tying them both together were hundreds of thread like strands of power. Caught within the strands were the many crystal shards that were needed by both people.

To protect the fragile creation, Serena enclosed it in a bubble of power. One that helped it to maintain the new configuration as well as keep it safe from outside influences. Then, feeling exhaustion in her very being, she allowed the lifeline of the Scouts to bring her home.

The Scouts didn't know what to expect as they watched over her. Not two minutes after Serena had fallen into a deep trance, her form began to waver. They all held their breaths, wondering what was happening wherever she was. Suddenly, a burst of energy came at them from her, almost breaking their shield apart. When they were able to see once more, they were amazed. Before them were two figures.

One stepped forward and said, "It's okay. I was able to do it. Now, all we have to do is change your appearance." She said as she looked at her double. Then her face lit up. "I have just the thing!" Reaching into her subspace pocket, Serena pulled out the disguise pen. "What do you think we should do?" she asked the other girl.

The double grinned wickedly. "I know just what to do." She announced. "Since we don't want them to think we are anything alike, why not make out physical appearances as different as possible as well? Here give me the pen. Moon Power!!!" Before the astonished eyes of the four Scouts, the double transformed, her silvery blond hair becoming a raven-wing black, streaked with midnight blue, the traditional hairstyle changing to three buns centered at the back of her head, streamers of hair flowing down past her waist. Even her eyes changed, from the cerulean/baby blue to a deep dark blue the color of a midnight sea under the full moon.

After the transformation, Serena had the four lower the barrier, realizing belatedly that the need for it had passed. Looking at the girl who now barely resembled her, Serena grinned then asked, "What should we call you? It's not like we can use the same name."

"You're right...Why not take the letters of your name and rearrange them?"

"That won't work guys." Saturn spoke up. "The combinations don't work real well."

"Well that's true...I know, how about Kara? Since I'm going to head for America to stay with my uncle, it will fit perfectly. A nice name that's not too indicative of any culture. Then, when I present you to mom and everyone, you'll be my cousin, although of course with mom you'll have to use your powers."

"Wait she'll have to use her powers? Why can't you do it?" Uranus asked.

"That's the thing...While I still retain my connection to the crystal, I cannot use its power, or transform into Sailor Moon. I'm basically a normal girl for once; although that was the one thing I haven't wanted to be for the past three years."

This announcement produced shock among the four. "Are you saying that you were planning to go off to America, without a bevy of guards, and without the ability to tap the power which is yours by birthright!?!"

"Well, kind of...But it's not like I was going to be going alone. Neptune, you and Uranus will be my guards; While Pluto and Saturn will guard Kara. Whatever happens to her can affect me and vice versa. Oh that reminds me. Kara how are we going to deal with your transformation issue? Obviously you can't use the brooch in its current form, or the wand either. That is, unless we disguise them!"

"Oh no, you can't change-"

"Let it go Uranus. It's obvious that she is not telling all she knows, or is feeling about this situation. I have a feeling that more than this leadership fiasco is bothering her. If she believes this is the only way, then so be it. It just means we'll have to maintain a constant vigilance." Pluto whispered as the two girl in front of them experimented with disguises.

In the end, the brooch was given back to Serena, while the crystal was placed upon the wand, which was then disguised as a transformation pen. The wand itself took on a blue-black coloring, the crescent at the top changing into a blade holding a small crystal ball.

As Kara called out, "Eternal Moon Power!" The pen lengthened, becoming a glaive, the Silver Imperium Crystal held within the blade hidden by a dark mist. For an outfit, she sported a skintight black halter-top, a strap encircling her neck to hold it up. At the bottom of the shirt, it was split by a silver line running from the upper left to the bottom right, creating a triangle, which was then split in half by another silver line. These panels, cut off from the rest of the shirt were a midnight blue. The pants were similar, with the lines running from the upper right to the lower left across her abdomen, creating with the shirt, an arrow of sorts. At mid-calf the pants split, with fabric of the same midnight blue between to close the gap.

On her head, a chain ran from her buns to the center of her forehead, where it closed with the symbol of eternity, a figure eight lying length-wise. Around her buns, silver moons and stars glittered, and in her ears, they dangled. Altogether she looked quite impressive.

Serena clapped with delight, then asked, "What name will you use?"

For a few minutes they played with a couple of names before settling on Infinity. Then, Serena sighed. "It's time I got home. Tomorrow I must leave for my uncles' house, and besides its beginning to get late and mom will worry. Uranus, Neptune you will rendezvous with me in Los Angeles where my uncle lives. Pluto, Saturn you will meet Kara at the School for the Gifted and Talented. She will be posing as a transfer student, my cousin, and will also be collecting whatever work I need to do. Obviously she'll either transmit it to me, or she can do it. After all, we are the same person really." Then, they all said their goodbyes and teleported to their designated places.

Ami and Mina waited for Serena to come through the door to the classroom. Unlike Raye, they felt bad about what had happened the night before, although Mina still felt it was the right decision. But an hour passed and class began and still she didn't appear. Even Raye began to worry, though she was still angry with her. They began to fidget as another hours passed. Mina was about to ask Ms. Evans if she could go to the restroom so that she could call Serena's home, when there was a knock on the door. Ms. Evans stopped what she had been saying and said, "Everyone, turn to page 52 and read the essay on Loyalty and Friendship. Come in!"

"Ms. Evans, could I talk to you really quick?" Serena stood at the door dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. Behind her was another girl who had black hair.

"Why Miss Tuskino of course you may. Let's just step outside." As the door closed, the class burst into whispers.

The three girls looked at each other questions in their eyes.

"Who was the girl with Serena?" Raye asked. "Did you recognize her?"

"No, but why didn't Serena come to school today?" Ami said.

"Perhaps she feels she can't." Mina announced gloomily.

Just then the door opened, and Ms. Evans walked in. Serena and her companion had already left. "Now that you've read the essay, take out a piece of paper and write down what you think the writer is trying to convey."

"Kara, do you think I should be leaving? Am I doing the right thing?"

"Serena, you know that they wouldn't listen to you. They will listen to me, and in the process perhaps they will learn something."

"I know, it's just that...Oh, I don't know..."

"It's all right. I understand. After all, I am you! What's our next stop?"

"Actually you're going to go back to the house. I don't want any of them to meet you before the right time, and I need to go to the hospital for a physical."

"Alright, I'll see you soon."

Why do I feel as if what we did last night was wrong? Serena could well have gotten any of us hurt with her clumsiness during battle. But I still feel as if all is not as it seems. It's almost too perfect. As if she planned those trips and crashes. But that can't be...can it? Looking up from his breakfast, Darien caught a glimpse of buns and long blond hair and stood up. It can't be Serena. She should be in school right now.

"Hey Serena!" The girl turned around and he saw that it was indeed his beloved Serena. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I need to get a physical, and since I'm heading for America in about five hours, I need to get it done now, which is why I'm not in school. Not that it's any of your business." Cold anger lurked in her eyes, along with a hint of despair he couldn't seem to place.

The news that she was leaving hit the mark though. "Do the others know you're leaving?" was all Darien could think to say. Unfortunately it was the wrong thing to say.

"Why? It's none of their business what I do!"

Might as well put my foot further in my mouth. "Actually, as a Sailor Scout, it is the teams business that you're going to America, since without you we're losing one member of our fighting force."

"Oh, like it's going to be soooo difficult for you to get on without me. After all, if last night was any indication, you'll be helpless with out me." Sarcasm rang out loud and clear. "Yeah right! The team doesn't need me, and right now, my uncle does."

"Your uncle?"

"Yes my uncle who lives in America. My cousin who is younger than me by a few months came to the house last night after the battle with news that my uncle needs me to come out."

"Why would he want you?"

"You know Darien, unlike you and the rest of the team, there are people who appreciate me and see me for who I truly am." Tears caused her eyes to glitter. "None of you even really know me. I've got to go. Goodbye." And with that she turned and ran.

"Serena!" he called out, but to no avail. She was gone. Why do I feel so terrible? I feel as if half my soul was ripped away...I have to tell the team. We have to stop her.

Serena and Kara looked at each other. It was time to say goodbye. The lady was calling for final boarders. Reaching out they hugged each other, and with eyes closed tight Serena whispered, "Take care of them. I know what happened was wrong, but they are my friends, and he is my family."

"I know. I will."

Letting go, Serena glanced over Kara's shoulder and saw the team rushing toward them. Eyes connected before she broke it and said to Kara, "Here they are, you better find some way to get away, since you know mom. She'll stop and chat." Then, shouldering her carry on, she entered the terminal and disappeared.

When Darien had told them what Serena had said they had all felt a guilt that tore at them. Racing to the airport they each thought of what they could have done to prevent this, then realized they couldn't have done anything to prevent her from leaving.

Once they reached the airport, they searched for the correct terminal. Once they found that they headed for it, hoping to catch her before she left. They could see her family, her mother, father and brother. Then they spotted her. She was hugging a girl with blue streaked black hair. Then her eyes opened and as she stepped away from the girl they assumed was her cousin, her eyes locked with theirs. Anger, betrayal, pain and despair stared at them, stopping them in their tracks. Then she looked back at her cousin and after a few words picked up her bag and got on the plane.

They stood rooted to their spots as they watched the plane take away their leader. The girl who had held them together since the beginning. Conflicting emotions raced through all of them, and then a voice broke into their thoughts.

"Well hello! Did you come to say goodbye to Serena? If so I'm sorry to say you just missed her."

Darien was the first to recover. "Actually, she said goodbye to all of us earlier. We thought we would try and surprise her by being here for her departure that's all." Yeah she said goodbye all right. "You know Darien, unlike you and the rest of the team, there are people who appreciate me and see me for who I truly am. None of you even really know me. I've got to go. Goodbye."

"Well that's very kind of you all. While you're here I might as well introduce you to my niece Kara. Kara? Now where did that girl go? I'm sorry. She must have wandered off. Perhaps you'll see her later. We must be going." And so the Tuskino family left.

"What are we going to do now?" Ami asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"We don't need her! We'll be fine without Serena. I'm heading back to the temple." Raye said.

They all watched as Raye took off, knowing that it wasn't anger that drove her, but pain at losing a friend. Today they had all lost something that maybe they would never get a chance to win back.

The jarring of the plane woke Serena from a restless sleep. It had been a long journey, but she had finally reached her destination. Stepping out of the airport, she looked around at her surroundings. It was a new beginning. Sparing one thought to what was going on at home, she walked over to a telephone and dialed her uncles' number.

"Hello? Hi uncle, it's me Serena! I'm in town for a while and was wondering if you would mind if I stayed with you. You wouldn't? That's great! You'll come pick me up? See you in twenty minutes!" Yes this will be a new beginning for me...If only i didn't feel so terrible about leaving...

Well that's it for this chapter. It was a long one wasn't it? Well I hoped you liked it. I'm hoping to get at least one chapter out a week, but as you can see, the farther along in the story, the more involved will the chapters get. But, you're reviews are what can help me get the inspiration to write, so hit that little button at the bottom left corner of this page and help me out! :) Until next time!