Oh my gah!!! I let this sit on hiatus for over a year!!!! And do you know why dear readers… fight scenes, I'm not good with them. That's why Love Lost has been on hold. However after I finally finished these measly 5 pages, I wrote 4 pages of the next chapter in like 15 minutes!!! So that means, I will be updating this by Tuesday… I may finish by months end. I am almost there. I am soooo sorry. Please, please forgive. I'm shocked I kinda remember how the episodes of the anime went… o.k., o.k. On with the show!

Homicide: The Death of Serena

By Crystaldove

Chapter 12

7:50

After reaching home, Raye checked her answering machine for a message from Darien. Perturbed that he didn't call, she sat at the great fire. After a few moments of chanting, she was able to view parts of the battle through the flames. She saw Mercury and Jupiter beaten and broken. Even Tuxedo Mask wasn't faring too well. Putting her communicator back on her wrist she transformed.

'Humph, that'll teach them; time to show who the real fighter here is. I guess I'll go save them now.'

She ran outside the shrine and headed for the battle primed to save them all.

"In the name of all that is true, I am the solider of Love and Beauty, I am SAILOR VENUS!"

"NO, THERE CAN'T BE ANOTHER ONE!!"

Zoicite screamed as she unleashed another stream of attacks at the new solider. Venus smiled and flipped out of the way. The more she dodged, the angrier Zoicite became.

"I will kill you, I will kill you all!"

"Promises, threats, declarations… it's the same with all you Dark Kingdom lackeys."

"Lackey? How dare you refer to me as such? I am your executioner and demand the respect I deserve."

"Respect…we aren't in America and you're not Aretha Franklin. Just go back to your queen Zoicite."

Outraged by the constant insults Zoicite turned toward the weakened soldiers with a gleam in her eyes.

'If I can't beat her, then I'll kill them.' She raised her hands, unleashing another barrage of power directly at Mercury, the weakest of the bunch.

"NO!" Venus ran toward the others. "Scatter!" Mask saw the attack coming and the pushed the others out of the way, Venus turned back to Zoicite, noticing that she had all of her attention on the others.

"CRESENT BEAM"

Zoicite screamed as the blast hit her, knocking her against the wall of a nearby building and she didn't move. The solider in orange let out a relieved breath before walking to check their injuries.

"You're Sailor V… aren't you?"

She nodded, her eyes scanning the area for Zoicite as she noted how quiet it had become.

"We need to get out, you three won't last much longer and you are more of a hindrance than help right now."

Mask and Jupiter were standing weakly and without saying, agreed to her judgment. Venus helped Mercury to her feet and began to retreat the area when a blast threw them all to the ground.

"Leaving so soon?" A mocking voice replied. Venus painfully looked up to se a bloodied, bruised and extremely pissed Zoicite floating above them. "My party is just beginning."

Various moans and groans were heard from the ground, as even Venus was caught off guard.

'Damn, attacking when we were retreating, that's a new low, even for the Dark Kingdom.'

Venus thought as she surveyed her injuries. After this blast, Mercury was rendered completely unconscious. Jupiter was sporting a sprained wrist and several deep gashes down her legs. With Mask being fully covered and reserved in personality, it was hard for her to determine what his injuries were.

"What's wrong, no whitty comeback? I guess you are just as worthless as the others, Sailor Venus. But it makes my job that much easier! Now hand me the rainbow crystals Tuxie! My Queen will be pleased to know I did what Jadeite and Nephrite: couldn't…destroy the sailor failures!"

Her eyes gleamed a sickly green as she gathered energy. Zoicite released her deadly assault on the group and watched with glee as it approached them.

"DIE!"

"Not without a fight we won't…CRESCENT BEAM!"

The ensuing blast met Zoicite's head on and the explosion blew both of them back a few feet. She angrily looked up and called for some yommas to kill the others.

"Usually yommas aren't my style but I will make and exception in your case!"

Jupiter staggered in front of Mercury, who was still unconscious, and attacked.

"SUPREME THUNDER"

"CRESCENT BEAM"

"PATHETIC!!! You little girls need to give it up, you can't defeat me.!"

Everyone gasped as Zoicite deflected the blast and stood unscathed. She hovered on top of them shot a barrage of beams at them. Tuxedo Mask tried to deflect the blast by releasing hundreds of roses but Zoicite still got of several hits.

She landed and charged at him, for a few moments they exchanged physical blows before she temporarily blinded him with a blast of energy and kicked him, causing him to collide with several trees. Wiping the blood from her face she gave an insane smile.

"Oh, as much as I want to draw this out…I have a crystal to find."

Her eyes gleamed as she wiped the dusk off of her uniform. A slight gesture from her hand indicated the building of energy for a final assault and the others were weak and powerless to protect themselves against attack.

"I'm in a generous mood; I won't even make you suffer in death." Zoicite raised her arms. "Goodbye Sailor 'Soldiers'!"

A steady stream of energy was launched in what seemed to be slow motion for those whom were in its path.

"MARS FIRE SURROUND"

Jupiter and Mercury looked up to see Sailor Mars in front of them, standing haughty and proud; this is the moment she always dreamed of…to be the one that saved the day. Mars turned her attention to her comrades for a moment and charged at Zoicite

"You're not going anywhere Zoicite!"

"Oh another little girl telling me what I'm not going to do…you people really need to get your priorities in check. Are you that ready to die trying to defeat the Dark Kingdom?"

Mars narrowed her eyes at the woman standing before her after a few moments she smirked

"You know Zoicite; I was just about to ask you the same thing. Is your Dark Kingdom more important than your useless existence?"

"Oh such big words from such a little girl. But my time is short and as much as I would like to trade insults…as I was saying before you prolonged your friend's deaths, I have crystals to find." Zoicite gathered energy in her hands and unleashed it at Mars. "I really hope you like my gift."

Even though her recent actions sickened him, Tuxedo Mask tried to scramble to push Mars out of the way. The others who were conscious screamed for her while Mars just stood, barely cowering from the blast.

"Everybody get down!"

The blast hit everyone like a pulse, silent at first, the explosion sounded as their bodies were propelled across the field. Mars took most of the blast and was knocked into a building…as was Mask. Jupiter crawled over to him and started lifting the bricks that covered his body.

"Tuxedo Mask… you ok? Come on, say something…"

"I want soba with curry." His eyes blinked for a few moments before he focused on Jupiter. "What happened?"

"Zoicite happened… she's gone now."

"Is everyone ok, that blast…what about Mars, I didn't reach her in time."

Mercury, finally conscious, was able to sit up and with Venus' help she was able to hobble over to the pile of rubble Mars was under.

"Mars, are you ok?"

They were surprised to see that Mars wasn't under any rubble like Mask was; she was also free from any bruising when she was closest to the blast. She stood and looked around a moment before acknowledging Mercury.

"Of course I'm ok, why wouldn't I be?"

"You took that blast full on and your acting like nothing happened. That is scientifically impossible!"

"Look Mercury, just because you and Jupiter weren't able to deflect Zoicite's attack doesn't mean that I wasn't able to." She walked a few paces and turned back to face her. "A real leader knows how to defend her team, how to deflect attacks and protect herself. Maybe you'll remember that the next time you disrespect me. I hope you and Jupiter have learned a valuable lesson."

"You, you bitch- you ignored Mercury on purpose…just to spite us? That's lower than any act of the Dark Kingdom!"

Even though she was weak, Mask and Venus had a difficult time of restraining her. Jupiter's aura was shocking them and they didn't know how much longer they could hold her. Purple eyes narrowed at her as a smug look marred her features.

"I am above spiting anyone Jupiter. You however are being rather childish."

"I'm being childish? This is the second time you've done this! What are you up to Mars? You're just a girl, not even our leader, how could you have avoided that blast?"

"Maybe in your eyes Jupiter, I told you, I train very hard. And besides Luna always said I had more leadership potential than Moon. So save it …save it for someone who gives a damn about you. The only reason I saved you because we have a common enemy, not because we are friends."

Mercury stood in shock by what Mars was saying; in her icey hands was a fury she never thought possible, she hobbled over to Mars, slapping her.

"Don't you DARE say one negative thing about Sailor Moon, she is my friend unlike you 'Mars' and if it wasn't for you and Luna she wouldn't have turned in her broach!

A sharp gasp was heard from Venus and Mask.

"What do you mean by that? Did Mars have something to do with Sailor Moon being missing?"

"She's talking crazy Tuxedo Mask, I don't know where Moon is."

"You don't know where she is, yet you're glad she's gone."

Mars turned sharply and eyed the newcomer. She walked over to her, without acknowledging she was struck by Mercury.

"Who are you and why do you care how I feel?"

"I'm Sailor Venus, 1st in command of the Princess' guard and your leader."

The others looked at her in confusion while Mars became angry.

"Leader, you are no leader of mine. I am in charge now. What is up with all of these dingy blonds thinking they are in control?"

Without hesitation Venus walked up to Mars, grabbing her by the neck and hoisted her off the ground.

"You may have used that tone of voice to Sailor Moon but you will respect me."

She then threw Mars to the ground and continued.

"I was sent here by Princess Serenity to guide you in this battle. I came to assist Sailor Moon. I am 2nd under her…but I see that you've run her off. You Mars we're never meant to be anything resembling our leader!"

Mars coughed then slowly clinched her fist and rose, for the first time acknowledging pain from being thrown. Her aura pulsed wildly as she walked to Venus. Luna finally arriving at the battle and seeing Venus knew something was up. For all that she knew, Venus was out of action until the need came to call her in due to dire circumstances. She ran between them.

"Sailor Mars…what are you doing?"

"I'm about to show blondie that I'm a force not to mess with."

"No Mars, if she's here that means the princess is in danger and with Sailor Moon's resignation, we need all the help we can for this battle."

"SHE RESIGNED?"

Luna looked over her shoulder; cursing to herself… she forgot Tuxedo Mask might be there.

"I want an explanation, NOW!"

Mercury and Jupiter looked smugly at Mars, wondering what Moon's ally would think of her now.

"She couldn't handle the pressure, so she quit…and good riddance to her."

"HOW DARE YOU LIE MARS? The only pressure she was getting was from you and Luna… all of your nagging, the constant wearing of her self esteem… always making her feel beneath you, like you are something special."

"Jealous Jupiter…jealous I have all you never will?"

He couldn't take it anymore; Tux walked to Mars, grabbing her roughly by her arm and led her away.

"Leave before I do something no one will regret!"

She looked at him enraged before noticing he wasn't the only one who felt that way. She turned on her heel to leave.

"You may have won this match Venus…but as the strongest solider, I'll win the war…"

End chapter

Hello Minna, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fact that I have Lita cursing so much. Well, that is actually one of her Manga traits. Being someone roughish, she tends to use fowl language…like Uranus… Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and review… review all so I can write more!!

Dove