Wow I finally updated the story. With another birthday behind me I'm able to finish off the chapter. I have to admit the Japanese episodes are growing on me. For this story at least I'll remain with the English attacks and names. As is always the case this is a work of fiction and I still don't own Sailor Moon.

A Second Destiny

Chapter 7: Worlds Collide

"Sailor Moon! Look out!"

As Sailor Moon's body flies backwards beyond the edge of the hospital roof Sailor Jupiter charges forward. Desperately, she throws herself forward, skinning both knees and almost winding herself. She grabs blindly just catching hold of Sailor Moon's outstretched arm. The sudden jolt is almost enough to break Jupiter's grip.

Flinging a blast into Mercury and Mars, the figure advances on her as she struggles to haul Serena's dead weight up on to the rooftop.

He draws back a hand, already gathering energy for an attack on the prone Jupiter, who is unable to move or prevent it without dropping Sailor Moon.

"Die." He hisses quietly.

He unleashes the blast as something strikes him from behind. Jupiter closes her eyes against the heat and shrapnel from the blast which misses her head by inches. The shield around around the figure buckles and almost breaks as dark energy crackles around the point of impact. A rose with almost all of the petals missing drops to the ground. Standing above the rooftop entrance is Tuxedo Mask. The long cape flares out in the breeze and another rose is already in his hands.

"Who do you think you are to terrorise helpless girls in a hospital. You have already caused too much suffering and have killed innocents. I will not allow this to continue." He throws a second rose at the figure it strikes the shield in a burst of energy. The figure staggers back drops to one knee.

"You've gotten lucky this time." He spits at them "Enjoy what little time you have left. Next time we meet you won't walk away." He steps calmly off of the roof dropping to the rooftops below.

Tuxedo Mask races to follow but halts at the cry behind him.

"Help me. I can't hold her much longer!"

Jupiter now leans part way over the edge with both hand wrapped around Sailor Moon's. The glove has slid partway off and it is all Jupiter can do to prevent her friend from falling.

Tuxedo Mask looks after their retreating enemy for just a moment before running to help. With Sailor Moon safely in the rooftop the Scouts gather together.

Mercury brings down her visor and begins checking over Serena. "I think she'll be ok." She announces a minute later. "I'm not sure what that guy did to her but she isn't injured or even marked in any way, she's only unconscious."

"Well now what do we do?" Mars asks trying to stem the flow of blood with one hand.

"We have to move quickly and sort out some cover stories if we plan to keep our secret identites secret." Mercury states reasonably. "I'll be ok and so will Lita, but Rei and Mina in particular are all going to have problems if we can't cover up for them."

"That's true." Artemis says "Mina's left a trail of blood through the building and three dead bodies on the stairs. I can't see how she can talk her way out of this."

Jupiter comes over to join them. She has Mina's arm draped over her shoulders. "Mina could tell most of the truth. The guy showed up in her room. She ran into the hallway and the nurse on duty and the orderlies got in the way when the guy followed her. She fell down the stairs and managed to get the lift. She took it up one level and hid back in her room. After all who would think to follow her there?"

Tuxedo Mask frowns. "Are you sure you'll be able to remember all that Mina?"

She nods shakily. "I think so but do I really have to stay?" She looks at them imploringly. "That guy knows I'm a sailor scout. What if he comes back? "

Mercury puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Mina you know we can't explain your leaving the hospital. Besides, I don't think he'll try anything else tonight. We'll leave the communicators on constantly and one of us will keep watch over your room at all times."

Mina looks at her knees for a few moments, and then wiping her eyes looks up with a nod of consent. "I understand guys. It's ok I'll be fine."

"What about you Rei?" Jupiter asks passing Mina to Tuxedo Mask. "How on earth are you going to explain a broken nose without bringing your grandpa under more suspicion?"

Rei looks up, her front now soaked in blood. "Don't worry about me. I'll figure something out." She says grimly. "What are we going to do about Serena?"

Mercury pulls the locket away from Sailor Moon and watches silently as she transforms back into Serena. "She's wearing her pyjamas so the best we can do for the moment is smuggle her back to her house and put her to bed. I'll call by at her house tomorrow morning and see if she's awake."

"You girls get yourselves some rest." Tuxedo mask directs. "I'll keep watch over Mina until morning."

The scouts give a nod and go their separate ways.

After lighting the fire for a bath, Rei silently slides her way into the temple and makes her way to the bathroom. She checks the time as she goes. It's almost Eleven thirty at night. She runs a bath and pauses. It's a little unusual for her to be taking a bath this late, but not impossible. She has a sudden stroke of inspiration and sneaks over to Chad's bedroom. There is still light visible, so she knocks lightly.

There are soft footsteps from the other side and the door slides open halfway. "Rei?" Chad asks in a whisper, obviously confused by her late visit. "What are you doing here this late? Is everything ok?"

Rei stays back keeping herself in the shadows of the hallway. "I'm ok, but I really need your help Chad, Please."

"Sure, anything you need."

Rei sighs and swallows her guilt. "Look I took a fall on the Temple steps a few minutes ago. My nose is bleeding and I think it may be broken. The problem is someone made some allegations against Grandpa and if I just go to the hospital he'll be under suspicion no matter what I say." She pauses, waiting for a response from Chad. When he remains silent she continues. "I need you to come with me and say you heard me fall in the bathroom. You came to help me and Grandpa was nowhere near. Ok?"

Chad hesitates and then nods slowly. "Alright I'll do it. But Rei why do you need to lie? And why is your grandpa under investigation from a group of social workers?"

"I'll explain everything to you later, I promise, but right now we need to deal with this. Go wait by the bathroom for me."

Moments later Rei slides the bathroom door closed with Chad waiting for her signal outside. She removes her clothes and gets into the bath. She is determined to catch all the loose ends and leave no room for doubt that grandpa wasn't involved in her accident. She looks at the edge of the bath and hesitates at the thought of what she knows is coming next. She takes the end of a towel and bites down on it. With trembling hands she reaches up to take a gentle hold of her nose, and then with a sudden sharp motion, twists it sideways. She bites back a scream of pain as blood again sprays around the edge of the bath and into the water. Her eyes are streaming with tears as she climbs out and pulls a towel tightly around herself. She knocks on the door and Chad enters with his jacket in his arms. He throws it around Rei's shoulders and hands her a smaller towel to press to her nose. They collect their shoes and Rei takes hold of Chad's arm as they begin walking to the hospital.

At the Tsukino household all was quiet. The window to Serena's bedroom was already wide open. Sailor Mercury leaps through carrying Serena and lands lightly by the bed. Quickly she pulls back the sheets and places the unconscious girl into her bed. She pulls the sheets back up and places the locket containing the Silver Crystal on the cabinet next to the bed. Luna takes up her place at the foot of the bed and nods to Mercury.

As Mercury turns to leave Serena stirs and mumbles incoherently. Mercury and Luna watch her for a few moments hoping for a sign that she'll wake up but she settles and lies still again.

"Go on Ami I'll look after her." Luna says in a hushed voice. "You need to rest too you know."

"You're right Luna." Mercury admits. "I'll come back in the morning to check on her." She walks to the window and with a last look back disappears into the night.

Unnoticed by anyone, a dark figure stands in the shadows by the side of the house watching Mercury's arrival and departure in silence.

"ENDIOMON KILL HER AND BRING THE SILVER CRYSTAL TO ME!"

Princess Serenity and Prince Endiomon stand facing each other across the

alter. The liquid form of the awakening Queen Metallia watching over them

Endiomon draws his sword and points it at Serenity. "Prepare to die Princess." His eyes and voice are as cold as ever, carrying no trace of human warmth even in the face of the princess he once loved.

Wordlessly Endiomon leaps forward, bringing the blade down in a powerful arc. Serenity brings the wand around stopping the blow. Endiomon puts his weight behind the blade and presses down. Serenity struggles against him as the tip of the sword inched toward her. There is a surge of energy from the crystal, Endiomon is driven back and the sword shatters along with the end of the crescent moon on the wand.

When she stands again, Serenity's eyes are focused, determined. She raises the wand to chest height. "Endiomon, for the sake of all those who I love and in the name of those who have died to protect me, I will not allow you to take the crystal." She raises the remains of the wand above her head. "Moon Healing Escalation!"

The ancient power of the Silver Crystal gathers for a moment before washing over the Prince. He charges forward even as the dark energy within him combats the cleansing energy of the crystal. Serenity ducks the broken blade as it flashes past her head and drives the wand forward, channelling more energy as she does. Endiomon stops as the vicious point of the broken wand pierces his body just below the ribs. There is a moment where time is frozen; Serenity looks in horror at her hands as Endiomon's blood suddenly covers them. The crystal gives a final pulse and the prince falls slowly to the side. Serenity feels the impact of the energy she has expended and slumps to her knees at his side.

"Serena"

"Serenity…." He manages as blood also trickles from his mouth. Despite the pain evident in his eyes he manages to smile. "You did it. You…." He coughs twice and is still.

Serenity kneels over him, her tears flowing freely now. She leans forward and kisses him once lightly, then screams as burning pain sears across her back.

"YOU ARE A FOOL MOON PRINCESS. THE SILVER CRYSTAL WAS YOUR ONLY CHANCE AND YOU WASTED ITS POWERS AND YOUR STRENGH TO HEAL ENDIOMON. YOU HAVE WASTED YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF RESISTING ME. NOW DIE!"

"Serena"

Serenity looks up as a wave of pure darkness races toward her. She raises the Crystal wearily, as the darkness consumes her.

The following evening there is a hushed meeting in Mina's room at the hospital. Ami, Lita, Darien, Luna and Artemis are gathered around Mina's bed.

Mina was looking tired and depressed. Police investigators had been in to see her, and although she had stuck to her story she sensed their suspicion.

"This is not going well." Lita says glumly "Serena's family brought her in this morning. They haven't been able to wake her up. I hate to say it but if we don't figure out what we're dealing with and how to stop it, this could be the end of the Sailor Scouts."

"We haven't heard from Rei yet." Artemis says. "I just hope she's ok."

The communicator beeps into life. Mina answers it.

"Guys are you anywhere near a TV?" Rei's voice is slightly muffled. "Get to one now." Darien flips the switch on the portable set and places it on the bed for everyone to see.

The broadcast shows the burning wreckage of a building in the downtown area. The announcement from the set causes them to freeze. "…earlier today. The students were evacuated as the school has been almost completely destroyed. At present there are still seven students and two members of staff unaccounted for. Several others have been admitted to nearby hospitals, many in critical condition."

"That's Rei's school!" Lita gasps in shock. The girls stare at the ruined building in horror as the broadcast appeals for anyone with information to come forward. Darien turns the television off and the group stare at each other in silence.

End of chapter seven. I know it took a while but it got here in the end. Due to being back at work I'll be slowing down on the posts but I will keep them coming. Keep an eye out at the weekends. Please let me know what you think and I'll see you next chapter.