Emotions
Chapter Six: Warning
Serena watched as Zoicite drew the mask off to reveal Darien. The other Scouts were as shocked as she, but seeing him in the tuxedo, cape, and top hat made her feel helpless.
"What'll it be, Sailor Moon? The Scepter, or Cape Boy?" Zoicite asked, holding her prize tightly. Darien struggled to get out of her hold.
Serena's hand dropped. Her eyes held sadness and sympathy. She turned her face away as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"You win."
The Scouts, Darien, and Zoicite looked at the blonde girl. Her voice was soft, but everyone heard it in the silence.
"You win, Zoicite." Serena looked up. Her face was tearstained, her eyes bright. "I can't lose the people I love, and I can't lose the destiny laid out for me. You planned it, so I give up. You win."
Serena dropped the Scepter. It clattered at her feet as it hit the cement. The Scouts had horror written on their faces, and Darien was shocked.
Zoicite grinned. "Knew you'd see it my way, Sailor Brat," she remarked as she dropped Darien and retrieved the Scepter. She closed her eyes as she felt the pure energy coming off of it.
"So sweet," Zoicite said as the girls and Darien readied themselves. Only when they were ready did Zoicite fire the dark beam at them. They jumped out of the way.
Serena panted. Zoicite hit again and again, never giving them a rest. Zoicite maneuvered them so Sailor Moon was away from the rest of them, then aimed it at her.
"Goodbye Sailor Moon," Zoicite said with satisfaction as she released the beam. The Scouts yelled, "No!" while Serena looked blankly at the beam directed towards her. She braced herself for pain, closing her eyes tightly.
It never came.
Serena opened her eyes to see Darien falling into her. He had jumped in front of her in order to save her.
He fell into her arms, and she collapsed to her knees and cradled his head in her lap. New tears rolled down her face. "No."
Darien smiled weakly. "I couldn't let you get hurt," he said softly, grimacing. "I care too much about you."
Familiarity at his words registered in her mind as his body rattled with his breaths; he started to go cold. Serena held Darien as he let go of this world quietly.
She looked angrily at Zoicite. "How could you?" she screamed at the floating General. "How could you do this to me?" Her voice was shaky.
Zoicite smirked. "I was aiming it at you, but your boyfriend just had to get in the way. Too bad for you."
Serena stood, laying Darien's head on the cement. Her body trembled with sadness and regret. If only Darien had not jumped.
Zoicite aimed the Moon Scepter at Serena. "See ya later, Brat."
Serena spread her arms wide. "Go ahead."
As the beam sped at Serena, a white light filled the black sky. It hovered over the middle of Serena's chest, right above the round brooch, and absorbed the black beam.
Serena looked down. Within the white light was a heart-shaped brooch, glittering with its many gems. Serena's round Transformation Brooch disappeared as she grasped the heart-shaped one.
Transform, Serena, a feminine voice whispered in her mind.
Serena looked at the new Transformation Brooch, feeling the power of the crystal inside. Looking up at her friends and Zoicite, she thought she saw midnight blue eyes and ebony hair. Familiar words whispered in her mind, and she repeated them, holding the brooch above her head.
"Moon Crisis POWER!"
Rainbow lights surrounded Serena's body. Serena felt new energy and power flow through her body as the lights faded, and Serena looked at her friends, who looked surprised, and Zoicite, who smirked.
The new suit hugged her slender form, although the skirt was a bit shorter. Her red boots were brighter and tighter around her legs. A crystal upturned crescent moon replaced the red gem in her gold tiara, and her necklace sported a heart instead of a crescent moon. Her hair, in its buns and pigtails, was longer and her bangs brushed her eyes. Her red hair ornaments shined.
"New power?" Zoicite remarked, turning the Moon Scepter in her fingers. "All the more reason to kill you."
Serena smiled, feeling confident. "Just try me," she replied.
Zoicite ran at Serena. Serena jumped up when Zoicite passed, tucking in her legs. As Zoicite looked up, Serena came back down and forced the heel of her boot to come in contact with the big muscle of Zoicite's shoulder. Zoicite grunted as the Scepter flew from her fingers.
Serena leaped and caught the Moon Scepter. Aiming it at the General, she yelled, "Moon Princess Halation!"
Zoicite screamed as the beam hit her through the heart. The Dark General exhaled one breath before dissolving into dust.
Serena panted, drawing breath as she walked back over to Darien's body. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she watched his peaceful face. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw it was Mina.
"I'm so sorry, Serena," Mina said quietly as the other Sailor Scouts gathered around their leader. Amy, Lita, and Raye all had bright eyes. "We all know what he meant to you."
Serena shook her head. "All he ever did was protect me," she whispered. "All I ever did in return for the numerous times he protected me was kill the one who did this to him." She looked away, saying softly, "I love him so much."
A bright gold light lit the gray sky. It radiated from Darien's body. The Scouts gasped as they saw Darien breathing again, and Serena looked up when she heard him grunt.
"Ouch," he murmured as he tried to move.
Serena knelt next to him and leaned over him. His midnight blue eyes looked at hers, and he smiled.
"Sailor Moon?"
Serena touched her new brooch, and her transformation died away. Darien widened his eyes as he saw who it was.
"Serena?"
"Shhh," she murmured to him, cupping his cheek in one hand. "I'll tell you later. Sleep."
Darien closed his eyes as Serena called Lita over to help her.
Darien stirred, sunlight streaming behind his closed eyelids. His arms felt silky sheets, and something was lying on his chest.
He opened an eye, and saw Serena sleeping there, her angelic face serene as her golden hair pooled on his bare chest. When he moved, she snuggled closer to him, murmuring incoherent complaints.
Darien grinned. He gently brushed hair away from her face and placed an arm around her shoulders as her chest moved with each breath. Unconsciously, his fingers began tracing designs on her upper arm.
That woke her up.
"Darien," she muttered as she sat up. "You're awake."
He grinned again. "Of course," he stated, "what else would I be doing?"
She answered him with a long kiss. He returned it with surprise, not expecting it.
Darien smiled when Serena broke away from him. "I could get used to waking up like that every day," he remarked.
Serena made a face. "In your dreams, Cape Boy," she replied as she got up and exited his room. Minutes later, he could smell something cooking.
Darien stood, and looked down. He wore nothing but his boxers. How Serena undressed him was beyond his thinking at the moment.
Memories of last night's battle flooded his mind, and a mental picture of Sailor Moon detransforming into Serena presented itself to him. He widened his eyes and walked to the kitchen.
Serena was happily making pancakes. Syrup, butter, and jelly waited on the table, while two plates were at her elbow and the sweet scent of black coffee wafted in the air. Darien walked over to Serena.
"Why didn't you tell me you were Sailor Moon?" he murmured questionably in her ear, putting his arms around her waist from behind.
Serena gently pulled out of his grasp as she set the finished pancakes on the table. "I couldn't tell anyone," she admitted as she poured him a steaming mug of coffee. "It would risk my identity and my loved ones if the Negaverse were to find out." She looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me you were Tuxedo Mask?"
Darien shrugged. "I didn't want to risk being made into something I'm not. If I were to tell someone, then some way or another it would be made public, and then everyone would have been over me."
Serena smiled. "And that's a bad thing?"
Darien grinned slyly. "Only if you were one of those fawning people," he replied before taking a bite of his pancake. "Hey, these are pretty good!"
Serena grinned. "Three years in Home Economics and teaching from the almost-famous Lita Kino does that to a girl," she replied as she sat across him. They ate in content silence.
As soon as they were done, Serena took a shower as Darien dressed. When she emerged, clothed in jeans and a white shirt, Darien was watching the news on TV.
Silently she snuck behind him. Placing her hands over his eyes, she said, "Guess who!"
Darien, knowing it was her, replied teasingly, "Andrew! Since when did your voice grow so girlish? You sound like Serena!"
Serena, affronted, turned him around. "I resent that remark!" she exclaimed.
Darien grinned. "Did you say resent, or resemble?"
Serena sighed irritably. "I'm leaving," she stated as she gathered her stuff. Darien pouted.
"And leave me here by myself?" he asked, following her.
She nodded. "I've got to go to work, you know."
"How do you plan on getting there?"
Serena grinned. "By motorbike."
A few days later, college boys at the University looked up as a loud roar came from the parking lot at the front of the University. Taking a glance, many started whistling and catcalling.
A young woman was getting off of her ruby red Kawasaki Z750 motorbike. She wore skintight faded blue jeans that flattered her slender and curvy figure, a white midriff shirt with the words "2 Cute 2 B Ur Girl" across her chest, leather boots, and an open jean jacket.
Taking off her helmet, she shook her head to free her long blonde hair. She placed her helmet on the seat of her bike, and then started running her fingers through the ground-length locks. Her heart-shaped face was sweet-looking, beautiful with sparkling sky blue eyes and a brilliant smile.
Serena felt a few boys behind her, and turned around. Five boys ranged around her, grinning. A brunette boy with broad shoulders and hazel eyes looked her over, obviously liking what he saw.
"Hey, beautiful," he drawled, drawing closer to her. "How's about you and me get together for a date?"
Serena shook her head. "Sorry boys, but I'm off the market."
"Aw, come on," he continued. "Who could possibly have a girl like you?"
Serena smiled. "I won't tell you," she replied.
"Oh really?" he remarked, towering over her. His eyes suggested something, and his hands were coming towards her.
"Yo, Jason. Hands off my girl," a familiar voice called. Jason turned, and Serena saw Darien lounging against a tree. His eyes were cold, and they matched his dark blue University blazer.
"Darien!" Serena called, running over to him. For good measure, and to make Jason jealous, she pulled his head down and kissed him soundly. He responded with fervor, and before long she heard grumbling, and the sound of retreating footsteps.
Serena pulled back, smiling. "Hi."
"Hey yourself," he replied, still in the moment they had just shared. He smiled at her choice of clothes. "Did you change?"
She nodded. "I've got a big surprise from my parents!"
He raised his eyebrows as they walked over to her bike, ignoring the chatter around them. "And what would that be?"
She dug in her pocket and produced a set of keys. "They bought me an apartment for my birthday!"
Darien froze, hand tight on one handlebar. "An apartment?" he repeated, shocked.
Serena nodded as she swung her leg over her bike. "I'll tell you on the way home," she explained.
"Wow," was all Darien could say as he walked around Serena's new apartment. She beamed with pride from the door.
The apartment was two bedroom, three bathroom. The living room walls were a delicate cream color, while the big kitchen was white. Serena's master bedroom was painted sky blue, and the guest bedroom was light forest green with cream and gold. Her parents had paid for everything, from the kitchenware to the house payment. The apartment, literally, was hers.
"Like it?" Serena asked, coming into the living room. She sat on the white couch, bringing her legs up to lay down. Darien nodded wordlessly.
He came over to her, looking down at her. She was so beautiful, and he loved her with all his heart. How could he say that to her?
Dipping down, he pressed his lips to hers. Serena wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him over her. He propped his upper body on his forearms to avoid crushing her.
She tasted so sweet. He indulged in her mouth as his hands rested on her waist. Her fingers played with strands of ebony hair as she responded with passion. Eventually they came up for breath, and smiled at each other.
"What was that for?" she asked, tightening her arms. Darien shrugged.
"We haven't done that in a while," he responded, and grinned. She grinned back.
"What now?"
Serena ran around the Youma, avoiding its flame throwing arms. The other Scouts and Tuxedo Mask tried to find its weak spot, but it kept throwing fireballs at them. At last, Serena found a suitable spot, under its right arm.
"Moon Princess Halation!"
Youma dusted, the Scouts celebrated. Tuxedo Mask-Darien-watched with a shake of his head.
A blast knocked them all down. Darien threw himself over Serena as a man hovered over the spot where the Youma had been standing.
His white hair went past his shoulders, and he was icily handsome, considering it consisted of chilling blue eyes and a sharply cut face. He wore the dark gray uniform of a Negaverse General, and around his left arm was the swirl insignia of a Commander.
"Who are you?" Mina demanded, getting to her feet. The others followed suit, Darien guarding Serena.
"I am Malachite, Commander of the Negaverse," he replied, voice haughty as he looked them over with icy eyes. "Seeing as Sailor Moon destroyed General Zoicite," he turned chilling eyes on Serena, "my Queen has ordered me to destroy you." With that, another Youma appeared and started attacking as Malachite engaged Serena.
"You're just a slip of a girl, aren't you?" he mocked, drawing just out of Serena's reach. Serena grew frustrated. How dare he mock her! Serena swung the Scepter at him; he dodged it, and landed a punch in her stomach.
She doubled over, gasping for breath. "Is that what you do, punch people?" she asked him, teasingly mocking him. His eyes narrowed. "If your queen uses weak people like you, then she doesn't stand a chance against us."
He grabbed her throat. "Hear me, sailor brat," he demanded quietly, "I will haunt you, and you will be betrayed, either by your sailor buddies or your superhero sidekick." He let go of her, and he and the Youma disappeared.
"What was that about?" Mina asked, brushing herself off. She joined Serena, who was looking at the spot where he disappeared.
"I don't know," replied Serena, puzzled.
"She has gotten the warning, my Queen," Malachite said, kneeling and bowing his head.
"Good," Queen Beryl said with dark satisfaction. "Let the nightmares begin."
I love cliffys! (Did I already mention that?) Next chapter: Serena and Darien are getting dreams of the future, but they're mostly nightmares for Serena, who starts dreaming of destruction and death. Ooooohhhhhhh!
PLZ R&R!