A PITTED ASTEROID ORBITING THE EARTH'S TALE
Chapter 4: Then I Saw His Face…
A Sailor Moon/Lord of the Rings crossover… and perhaps a bit stereotypical?
SUMMARY: Serena Usagi Tsukino is tired with the plans of Fate and Destiny and rebels, paving a path of her own filled with many uncertainties. A SM/LOTR Xover
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Apologies for the delay. I finished this story the second I saw the number of responses I got!!! I was so surprised. I logged in Wednesday, frustrated for the past four days that I could not see ANY of the new reviews I had gotten and BOOM! There were 23 reviews total… wow! Thanks!
Anyway, so I finished this chapter really late at night, and was getting ready to send it… but ff.net was having problems up till Friday. So here you go! (I for one was quite prompt as usual) =).
Thanks to all again! Your reviews are soo cool! Remember: criticism is always helpful…
To my faithful reviewers: see the end of the story for personal comments.
STATUS:
23 REVIEWS
2 HELPFUL REVIEWS
0 FLAMES
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings. I would, however, like to say that if I did own Lord of the Rings, I would demand that Peter Jackson place me as Arwen, so I could kiss that hunk of maleness that is Aragorn. Even better, I would find a way to make me go with the fellowship and have Legolas teach me how to string and weild a bow… because goodness know the implications of that! Heck, I'd even write in a romance for Boromir and Faramir and Eomer, because holy frickin goddess! They are all sooo damn hot! And of course, can't forget our adorable little hobbit friends who would definitely get some deserving attention from hobbit women. Of course, I would also be bombarded by the hoards of fangirls out there so there's a no go. In short, be glad that I do not own Sailor Moon or LotR, for the world would be a scary place then. I leave the genius work to the brilliant minds of Naeko Takeuchi and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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LAST TIME ON PITTED ASTEROID: Chuckling to herself, Sailor Moon turned and began to follow her senshi, who had already disappeared from sight. Oh, well, I guess I can just meet back up with them at the Crown Arcade. My stuff's there anyway, she thought, as she continued to walk. Getting ready to jump to one of the roof tops, so as not to be seen, Sailor Moon spied a figure watching her and hissed out in recognition.
It was the man who had trapped her at the Crown Arcade. The sight of him brought back memories of what had happened, especially the events following that when he had her on the floor. Shuddering she involuntarily thought back to that day, which had haunted her ever since then…
*Cue dramatic applause* Without further ado, the latest installment of my brilliant masterpiece!: *Booes, catcalls, tomatoes being thrown at the stage, as I duck for cover behind the lime-colored curtains scrawled with Zippadeedooda merrily across the front.*
A Pitted Asteroid Orbiting the Earth's Tale
Chapter 4: Then I Saw His Face…
Fading.
Everything was fading.
She felt as if she could barely touch anything, like she was removed from the world, merely watching in shadow, not light, as things passed by. The simple memory of it made her clench her teeth, as her anger was drawn through her body like raging flames through a forest on fire. She was pulled further back into the episode of her vulnerability as she glared at the stranger who now hovered in the air, arms crossed, seeming to mock all that she stood for.
Him. The one who's beauty spoke of nothing but that of a sleek cat. For a cat was all he was. Sly, cunning, deadly, and calm, a lovely painting to the disbelieving eye. He was poised, and perfect, a masterpiece of a façade, and truly a thing to be admired if just for his physical aesthetics.
But as always, beauty was only skin deep, and his evil ran far deeper.
He had stood there, mocking her and her precious claims at love and justice. She was Sailor Moon. She was Princess Serenity and furthermore, the future Neo Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo. All that power, all that knowledge, was completely vested in her, Serena Usagi Tsukino. And look at all the good she was doing now. What had she to show of such prowess that the Higher Powers had bestowed upon her? What would Mistress Nine, Beryl, Metallica, Wise Man, etc…. What would they say of her at her current state?
The great and almighty Sailor Moon, Champion of Love and Justice, Defender of all that is Good and Right in the world.
Bah.
She couldn't even save her own life. So how could she be destined to be responsible to rule over thousands in Crystal Tokyo? A mistake, a dream. That was all it ever was and could be.
He had trapped her, flat on the floor, with very few options left and even less hope. She hated it, her pride had taken a plunge just as her body, both wincing from the sharp blow.
Why do I have to be so weak? The others would be so disappointed with me. No wonder I'm always being yelled at. I wasn't meant to do this. Not ever. Goddess, how can this be? Unbidden tears had sprung to the corner of Usagi's eyes, and she desperately tried to hold them back. No sense in looking as weak as she felt, and giving up what remained of her dignity.
"State your business," she had demanded once more, as she fervently tried to think of some means of escape.
She was roughly manhandled, hauled up and pushed against the wall, much like a cop with a criminal. Her hands were being held on either side of her, and she flushed in uncontrolled rage and embarrassment. She had tried to struggle, but the man merely restrained her further, suppressing her with the full length of his body. Choking in disgust and surprise, Usagi let a lone tear travel down the expanse of her cheek, cursing internally for her unwanted display of emotion. This was no time to be weak.
"Oh dear, I think I've made the rabbit cry. How terribly rude of me," he hissed into her ear, before cackling like an insane idiot. Shoving her once more against the wall, he transferred one of her hands into his, so that one of his hands was pinning both of hers above her head.
His other hand was now free to do whatever it pleased. It traced the back of her cheek with his finger, and continued to outline her right ear and roughly caressed her throat, which had begun to form bruises from the earlier row.
Usagi swallowed and had let out a horrified cry, biting down on her lip, shutting her eyes and willing her mind to be in a different place. She began to quiver uncontrollably, in both nervousness and fear.
Please don't let this be happening. Not to me! I'm supposed to be Sailor Moon! she cried out, How can I claim to save others when I can't even save myself?
The stranger's hand rudely traveled to her shoulders and then to her sides, harshly stroking her breast before slipping under her shirt and tugging at her skirt, tracing the waistband of it around her hip. Usagi had willed every ounce of herself not to scream, as tears now freely coursed down her face. But still, she bore no show of breaking down, and resolutely held silent.
"I want to hear you scream, little rabbit. I want to hear you beg for mercy sweet," grinned the stranger into her hair as she felt his hot breath against her back. Usagi, in response, had glared at him with every ounce of fierceness in her, willing all her pain and humiliation into one powerful gaze, determined at the very lease, to end this on her terms.
She would not scream.
He had snarled at her lack of response. "You will obey me witch!" he demanded, shoving her into the wall once more. With an oof, Usagi banged her head against the wall, but gave no other sound of protest.
She would not, could not give in. It was all she had left, to control, herself and her reaction, if not the ones of those around her. She would need this to break free.
She could tell he was fast spinning out of control, and thought he could break her easily. No such luck after all. Perhaps I may yet find away out of this.
"Tell me who you are and what you want," she managed to rasp out, from her awkward position, hoping to stall as much as possible.
"Uh, uh, uh, pet. That's not how this works, precious. I have the power and I ask the questions, understand princess?"
"Oh yes, sir. I can see how your method has brought about such progress, sir. Do forgive me for my insolence, sir," bit back Usagi, feeling that this charade would soon come to an end. She felt the key to her release within her grasp – his anger, which would be his undoing. Now all she needed to do was to stay focused, holding on to that little ray of hope that suddenly seemed so close, but so far.
"I know what your doing my sweet, and I think you had best stop, if not for your well being, then for the sake of all your little friends, hmm? I have spies who are delicately positioned, and won't hesitate to carry out their orders with the merest hint of trouble, do you understand me?" he had sneered, "They say you cast a spell, that you play mind tricks. Your beauty stuns and your light voice distracts the mind. But I shall not fall under your chicanery, little rabbit. I know far better, and it is you who will plead for mercy in the end," he had thrown his head back with a gruesome laugh.
"Gee, such complements. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone had a little crush. Here's a tip: try not kidnapping the girl and nearly raping her. I hear that it does wonders for the charm and appeal," she spat, with far more force than she felt possible. This time, Usagi felt it. She was so close, and he was losing control.
"Be silent!" he cried backhanding her. She fell to the floor now, and immediately began crawling away. Hitting a wall at her back, she slid up it, and brought her hands out defensively as she turned around to see the face of her captor.
*blink* *blink* Holy crap. Mother of pearl. Oh goddess! I think I died somewhere along the way here.
That's when she saw him. He hadn't bothered to wear a mask of any sort, and for that, she was glad. Because, he was absolutely gorgeous. He was like an Adonis personified.
"Like what you see, pet?" he had smirked, rather obscenely, raking his eyes quite provocatively down her rumpled figure.
Usagi blinked. And seemingly snapped back to reality.
OH GODDESS! FOR THE LOVE OF SELENE!! WHAT WAS I THINKING? FOCUS USA, FOCUS!! HE JUST TRIED TO *RAPE* YOU A SECOND AGO AND NOW YOU WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO JUMP HIM?
Thoroughly disgusted with her mental musings, Usagi narrowed her eyes, and stood firm in her defensive stance, banishing that from her frame of mind. She would not be caught off guard again.
"Hardly. In fact, I have to say, it matches your demeanor quite well."
"Touché. So the little princess does have a bite after all."
"Enough with the small chit chat scum bag. What do you want?"
"Why…" he said, chuckling merrily as he stepped closer to her, very slowly, "I want what everyone wants."
"And do pray tell, what's that?"
Suddenly, her vision was filled with him, the Adonis look alike, with his perfect white teeth practically blinding her as his lips morphed into a mocking jeer. He was a mere centimeter from her face, and she could see every pore (which were, of course, excruciatingly clean), every strand of hair, every tick of a muscle, and every puff of breath that was graced to come from his face. He gripped her shoulders tightly, before she could react, and whispered tauntingly in her ear.
"You."
And was gone.
All that was left of him was a shimmer of a shadow, and a trace of dark magic. As always, that unmistakable mark that evil left behind.
Usagi yelped at the sudden content, startled at his jarring moves and sudden disappearance.
Oh. My. Goddess. Holy CRAP. What just happened?
Usagi had been left breathless, and more than a little unnerved. She felt that she should go and tell Luna and Artemis. Or the scouts. Or Mamoru.
Mamoru.
Her protector.
So where had he been today? Could he not sense her distress through their link?
Shaking her head, Usagi had made her way to the front of the store, picked up her things, as well as her milkshake and walked out, and had nodded to Motoki as she left.
Drawn out of her memories, it was all Sailor Moon could do to restrain herself from completely losing her emotions over the figure that now stood before her at the sight of their latest battle. She had broke that day. Harder than she ever felt possible.
She had walked up to the figure, amidst her thoughts, and now calmly stood before him, her arms crossed and her expression of steel, as if his actions had no effect whatsoever on her being. Which in fact was quite the opposite. Her rage once more began to course through her, charging her with unreleased energy that she would gladly put into his downfall.
"It's rather dumb of you to stalk me now that I'm transformed. If I got away from you as a civilian, I could definitely do it now, and still beat your sorry excuse for a behind two ways to next Sunday," she flippantly remarked, trying to appear as blasé as possible.
"You might. But you won't. Now isn't the time, nor the place, Sailor Moon, Guardian of the White Moon. You know that, as do I," he responded, his voice oddly detached.
Usagi sucked in her breath. He had never addressed her as Sailor Moon, and she felt the once noble title now sullied, as it passed from his foul lips. It had always been princess, witch, rabbit, pet, sweet, and a number of other nonsensical nicknames. His acknowledgement of her warrior lineage should, and usually would, have brought a sense of power, a sense of formality that he recognized who she was and what she stood for.
But it didn't. She only felt even smaller and more helpless under his boring gaze as if she were staring at something incomprehensible and indistinct. Something that was beyond her grasp. And everything and anything that she could try to do would be effortless to improve her position.
"What makes you so sure I won't try?"
He looked at her, a bit surprised at the question, as if he expected more of her, but it was quickly masked by an expression of nonchalance. A tad unnerved at the small reaction, she stored that piece of information for another time.
"As ridiculous as you may seem at times, Sailor Moon, you are no fool. This I know. You are but an act, though for what reason I cannot fathom. Know you this: that when the time comes, you shall be tested. To kill or harm me now would be a prudent decision, one such decision you dare not make. You know, deep within your heart, that at this time, the odds are not in your favor. You have not your senshi, nor your protector," he reasoned, "To try to harm my person would be to lead to your downfall. You know this, and for that knowledge, you are that much wiser and that much safer. You live to see another day, for now."
Usagi was confused, and emotionally distracted. Was he mocking her or complementing her? Either way, the animosity she held from their previous encounter had not wavered, and so she used that in retaliation.
"I am not weak! How dare you treat me as if I were a mere child!"
"A child you are for now, for you have much to learn, warrior of the White Moon. I bid my leave now, and leave you one piece of caution. You shall be watched, as will your friends, and all that you care for. Tread wisely, for at any moment, you shall be tested."
And then he was gone, just as before, leaving a hazy trail of shadow and darkness behind.
Sailor Moon pounded a nearby tree with her frustration. A few days ago, he seemed a malicious intruder bent on taking her, and violating her innocence. And now, he appeared as a voice of reason, cautioning her… but about what? And she had yet to discover his name.
Mentally noting that to a list of other questions she had to ask of him, Sailor Moon went back to the Crown, after ducking into an alley and reverting back to Tsukino, Usagi, 16 year old of Juuban. A frustrated as she felt, it would not be wise to let the whole of Juuban see the sailor soldier of the Moon play out her anger.
Next time, however, she would be ready.
TBC!!……
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TO MY REVIEWERS:
You were all soo great! Because fanfiction.net was having problems, I was unable to see if I had gotten any reviews, (hence the tardiness on the update). So when I logged back on, and saw that I had gotten 10 FRICKIN NEW REVIEWS… well, I was soooooo excited.
Ahem.
Ok.
Now for some more personal comments to my wonderful reviewers:
Gabe: your review… wow… made me blush and sigh! It was perfect! It praised me (much undeservedly and I bow to your kindness) and it gave me constructive criticism!!!! Woohooo! Score for me! (somebody's been reading directions) haha.. anyway, I just wanted to say that the point you brought up was very good, although I'd like to explain it a bit: according to the American dubbed version of Sailor Moon, Serena often calls Sammy and Rini "kiddo" or "kid" or something to that extent. I'm not sure if that was a direct translation or not from the original version but yes, she does say so in one version anyway, which is where I draw most of Usagi from. Plus it would seem that if she talked to the kid as "kiddo" when she was Sailor Moon, it would make her seem more of an adult, a jaded warrior, so to speak. Usagi, like the other senshi, and any other "child" that has been through similar experiences, behaves like an adult, or in any case, far more mature than most people their age. It was like a mothering instinct for her, like she automatically had with Rini. But anyway, I tried to make Usagi's behavior a little more plausible in this chapter, so let me know if it works! Usagi is meant to be portrayed as the bumbling blonde she is on the show, but that all is a cover-up, something to make her life seem normal. She actually retains many of the qualities that princess Serenity does, although doesn't realize this yet. But that's a sneak peak! It shall all be explained later. And keep nitpicking at any OOC elements you may find! I will definitely try to make it clearer, or fix it if it was a mistake.
Macnjack4eva: like the username btw… haha… I hope that the time jumps aren't too confusing. Are they? If they are let me know in your next review (hint, hint) and I'll fix it up.
Devine-desire: thanks for faithfully reviewing this again! I'm glad to see that I'm not scaring people off! Hope that this chapter meets the same standard, if not more.
Crystal Moon Magic: wow... you review sooo faithfully! Thanks… and I do love this power, so as I said, you're gonna have to wait… (I shall now never curse other writers when I reach a cliffhanger) perhaps you should take up that mantra too.. hmm? Haha lol.
Daughterofdeath AND PrincessSerenaXavier: thanks for reviewing again! Means so much! Please try to suggest something.. like were you confused, or want to see something happen?
LadyLight: No can do! Sorry! Please review though! (I just don't think it would be fair to others cos you would get it sooner!) =)
ParasiteEve: haha could you give me your sn again? And also, I made this chapter WAY longer at your request, so hope you like. And review! Glad you love it.. any suggestions?
TO ALL: thanks for reviewing… if I didn't say anything to you now, I will later, I just wanted to get this out asap! Remember, constructive criticism, even FLAMES are welcome.
Hope you liked this chapter all… I worked SOOOOOOOOOO hard and went over it a billion times when I should have been studying for a math test *sweatdrops* so back to work for me!
I'm thinking, can we beat the record of ten reviews?? Please??? That would be uber awesome and garner a longer chapter next time… HINT, HINT.
Sayonara minna!
The bruise colored button says: Review me, review me!!!!!! Fie on all who don't! You are undeserving of my master's prowess with her pen... err keyboard... errm yea!