Emotions
Chapter Twelve: Year Three
Ah, junior year, Serena thought happily. Nice and quiet for now.
Serena was pleased. She was finally a junior at the University. Now twenty years old, she was experienced in the ways of the world. She looked over at Mina, who was cuddled up next to Andrew on the bench. Raye sat next to her, holding Chad's hand.
Serena shook her head. Only one more year until Darien came back. She could hardly wait. He was in France now, learning from the top French doctors. He would then go to Italy, to Turkey, to China, then back to Japan-all within the span of about fifteen months.
She fingered the rose promise ring he had given her. It shone from the dazzling sun and threw sparkles of light on her face. She smiled gently.
"Something wrong, Sere?" Andrew asked, eyes concerned. She shook her head. Mina smiled at her before scooting over to hug her. Raye did the same.
"One more year, Bunny," Mina whispered in her ear. Serena nodded, tears tingling in her eyes. Raye pulled back and grinned.
"Let's do something!" she exclaimed. "We've been sitting here for two years now. Let's call Lita and Amy and get them over here!"
Serena and Mina looked at each other and agreed.
"Wow, Amy. You look…" Serena trailed off. Amy's hair was below the shoulders now, and was a soft cerulean blue. Her sapphire eyes smiled as Chase's arm around her shoulders tightened.
"I look what?" Amy insisted, her smile fading. "Is anything wrong?"
Lita snorted. "Of course not. For once in her life, the great Bunny we know and love is actually speechless." The tall Amazon ducked Serena's swipe at her. "Never thought I'd see the day."
"Shut up Lita," Serena snapped. "It's just I've never seen Amy with long hair before. It's cute."
Amy smiled. "Thanks. You look better than ever, I'd say."
The girls caught up on lost years while Chase and Michael sought out Andrew. Lita was the top of her culinary class at her school. Amy was majoring in brain medical at her university. Raye was majoring in the spiritual arts, or as she liked to call it "learning to be a priestess." Mina wanted to be an actress. (Of course!) Serena didn't know what she wanted to be.
"You could be a park manager," Mina suggested over ice cream. The gang was chilling in Serena and Mina's dorm room.
Raye snorted. "She already does that, Blondie."
Serena, Amy, and Lita laughed at Mina's expression. "Sorry," the blonde mumbled, looking down at her vanilla mint ice cream.
"I seriously don't know what I want to major in," Serena said. "I mean, I run a wildlife preserve and flower gardens. It pays great money, enough to pay tuition, but…" her voice trailed off as she gazed into space.
Lita waved her hand in front of Serena's face. "Earth to Bunny! Come in, Serena!" Serena shook her head and blinked.
"Did I space out again?" she asked, spooning some ice cream into her mouth. The others nodded. "That happens a lot."
Raye cocked her head to one side. "It does, does it?" Raye asked, eyes intently focused. "It may be because of your nightmares, Serena."
"Really?" Serena asked. Now that she thought about it, her mind always drifted to the mystery of her nightmares. It would be something Raye could look into. Amy could see what the priestess' interpretations meant on her Mercury computer and maybe solve a mystery that had been haunting her since Darien left for his internship.
"Yeah," Amy countered, shaking her spoon at Serena. "You may be losing them, or maybe you're recovering some memories of your past."
Serena started thinking. Her past life as Princess Serenity did recall Prince Endymion, who was Darien now, and a demon woman-Serena didn't remember her name-who ruined the Silver Alliance. Serena's eyes burned at the demon's remembrance.
"A demon," Serena muttered. All eyes shifted to her. "I remember a demon, a woman, back in the past. She looked like the woman Darien was with before he left."
"What does this demon look like?" Amy asked, pulling out her Mercury computer, looking intensely at Serena. She typed furiously as her leader spoke.
"Snow white skin, blood-colored eyes," Serena murmured. Lita, Raye, and Mina looked at her. "Fire red hair, really skimpy purple dress that looked really nasty on her," she added. Raye and Mina snickered quietly.
Beeping resounded from Amy's computer. "Queen Beryl," Amy read out loud. "Queen of the Negaverse. She's the one who destroyed the Moon Kingdom and killed our past selves. It says that she captured Prince Endymion, but he escaped her grasp before she could brainwash him, but she succeeded in brainwashing his Generals, our past lovers. And," Amy's voice grew shaky and scared, "she's figured out the identity of Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon."
Everyone gasped. "How could she?" Serena exclaimed, looking at the Mercury computer. A small picture of the demon woman was displayed in the corner and information on her was scribbled out on the screen. Serena's eyes scanned the text. It indeed said that the evil queen had discovered the identities of the two infamous superheroes.
Serena started shaking. The woman Darien was with…she had had fire red hair and rust-colored eyes. Then the prophecy with Malachite about hearing from his queen, then the nightmare with the red-eyed woman with the metallic voice. It was her.
"Her," Serena whispered. All eyes turned to her. "It was her all along, all behind the attacks for the past four years. All behind the betrayal. That woman that was with Darien? That was her." The gang gasped. Serena's eyes smoldered dangerously. "She's been the one behind everything. Amy, is there any info on her whereabouts?"
Amy typed some more, afraid of Serena's calm but dangerously quiet voice. "No, there isn't, Sere," she replied. "Maybe there's a clue in your mind?"
Serena nodded. "Raye, let's head to the Temple. I need you to look into my mind."
"Oh, Great Sacred Fire," Raye chanted in front of the Great Fire in the Temple. Her hands were in a revered clasp in front of her face, her eyes closed in concentration. "I ask of your blessed power to solve this greatest mystery of our destiny. I ask the holy spirits to aid us on our search for answers. I request on behalf of our friend, Serena Tsukino, the leader of the Sailor Scouts, the Champion of Love and Justice Sailor Moon, and of our Princess Serenity!"
Serena sat on the other side, Amy and the others behind her. Her sky blue eyes reflected the flames. Serena smirked at Raye's chants. Raye cracked an eye open and saw her smirk and smiled.
"I ask the holy spirits!" Raye shouted as she threw some sacred dust on the fire. The fire sprang up, lighting up the whole room. The flames shifted colors and placed patterns in Raye's mind. Serena closed her eyes, as instructed, and concentrated on projecting her nightmares into the sacred flames.
Images played on the blazing mirror. Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion fighting the enemy demon. The fall of the Moon Kingdom. The sealing away of Queen Beryl and her evil army. Serena's body shook with the effort and glowed. The girls gasped as Serenity's birthmark appeared on Serena's forehead, shining bright gold, and Serenity appeared, dressed in her white gown and jewelry.
A white flash, and the ghostly image of Queen Serenity, Princess Serenity's mother, emerged from the bonfire. Raye opened her eyes, now the color of twilight, and focused them solely on their late queen.
"Lorraina of Mars," the Queen's voice was soft and gentle and spoke of Raye's former name. "It is good to see you again."
"As it is us, your majesty," Raye replied. The queen turned and addressed each girl by their former names.
"Hippolyta of Jupiter, Amelia of Mercury, Jasmina of Venus, it is good to see you all as well. My dear Princess Serenity," she addressed her reincarnated daughter, "why do you call on me?"
"Your majesty, we need your assistance," Raye asked. Queen Serenity turned back to her. "Serenity's been having nightmares of the past, of your enemy."
"Ah," Queen Serenity's voice was harsh as she frowned. "Queen Beryl was princess of a small kingdom east of Terra. She was supposed to be betrothed to Prince Endymion, but her father proposed her to a prince of a native tribe. Her kingdom was small and poor, so her dowry was minute and no major king wanted her for their sons' wife. She ran away to Terra in hopes of seducing the prince, but ended up heartbroken after seeing Endymion with my daughter."
Princess Serenity looked up, her sky eyes dangerous. Her form glowed and Serena reappeared, trembling badly. Lita, Amy, and Mina came down into the pit and supported their leader. Her eyes went from dangerous to tired and dull.
"She went to Endymion's favorite clearing, mourning. That was when an evil entity born from the Sun called Queen Metallia came to Earth and offered Beryl position and power in her evil forces. Beryl accepted and found out where our people resided. She attacked and destroyed our Silver Alliance, killing the children of the Moon and the prince of Terra. Serenity killed herself in order to be with him. So, in order to preserve your future happiness, I secured your souls-and the soul of Prince Endymion-in frozen moon crystals and sent you to the future. I died in the process, but to the knowledge of knowing you all were free of the evil I had sealed away."
"Well, we're not free, mother," Serena stated sarcastically. "Beryl appeared four years ago and wreaked havoc on our lives. My life was ruined thanks to her." Serena stood shakily, eyes blazing. "I lost the life I was supposed to have! I had to defend this planet and save the universe, find my allies and guardians in the form of my friends, lose the love of my life more than once, and everyone expects me to be just peachy about it!"
"Calm down, Serenity," the queen scolded. Serena sat, still wobbly. Mina rubbed her shoulder comfortably while Lita let her lean on her side. Raye smiled reassuringly at Serena, and Amy held Serena's hand gently. "You need not throw a fit about it. It's your destiny."
Serena sighed. "Yeah, but is it my destiny to be destroyed because she found out my identity?"
Queen Serenity gasped. "She did?" All nodded wearily.
"What can we do, your majesty?" Amy asked. "We don't know where Queen Beryl dwells in the world. We hoped you would know, or at least if there was a clue in Serenity's nightmares."
Queen Serenity smiled. "I know where she might be."
Queen Beryl smirked cruelly at the image of the Sailor Scouts in their civilian forms in Cherry Hill Park in her new seeing crystal. They were enjoying a rare moment of peace in the form of a substantial picnic. They were laughing and taking pleasure in delicious food. Beryl's blood-colored eyes took in the form of the short smiling blonde with buns on her head, two streaming pigtails reaching her knees.
Sailor Moon, Beryl thought evilly. She thinks she will be safe. Well, I have other plans for her.
Beryl in turn looked at the rest of the Scouts. The raven-haired is Sailor Mars. The brunette is Sailor Jupiter. The blue-haired has to be Sailor Mercury, and the other blonde is Sailor Venus. Now, to find out their names.
"Ozakar," she called. A Youma looking like a giant bottle of Ozarka Natural Spring Water (very yummy if you ask me!) appeared, kneeling when he reached the end of the twisted throne.
"Yes, my queen?" he asked.
"What have you found out about the Sailor brats?"
Ozakar rose. "The brunette goes to the culinary academy in downtown Tokyo and is named Lita Kino-she's the tallest and the strongest, thus she is Sailor Jupiter. The bluenette goes to a medical college an hour out of Tokyo and is called Amy Mizuno-she's the brains behind them all. Raye Hino is the raven-haired priestess of the Hikawa Temple and the fiery Sailor Mars-she's the one with the anti-evil spells. The blonde with the red ribbon is Mina Aino, an actress and Sailor Venus. And the last one is Serena Tsukino, Sailor Moon and leader of the brats."
"What about that man that's always with them…Tuxedo Mask?"
"Ah," Ozakar added. "Darien Shields. Currently on a medical internship to become a doctor, like Amy Mizuno. He was Prince Endymion in his past life, and Serena is Princess Serenity. Lita Kino is Crown Princess Hippolyta of Jupiter, Amy Mizuno is Crown Princess Amelia of Mercury, Raye Hino is Crown Princess Lorraina of Mars, and Mina Aino is Crown Princess Jasmina of Venus."
Queen Beryl's eyes lit up at the mention of Darien. "Nice job, Ozakar. You are dismissed." When the Youma was out of sight, Beryl picked up her crystal. "Show me Prince Endymion," she demanded.
Black swirled in the crystal, then solidified. An image of Darien studying over five open textbooks appeared in the crystal. Beryl sighed dreamily at his tired expression, his tousled ebony black hair and his weary midnight blue eyes.
"Soon, my love," Beryl murmured lovingly. "Soon, you will be mine."
Serena paced the dorm room, a hand cupping her chin. Mina watched her worriedly. Her best friend had been like this for a week, not going anywhere, just staying on the college campus and studying.
"Sere?" Mina asked. "Is everything alright?"
Serena stopped and smiled, the first genuine smile in a long while. "Yes, in fact, I am. Now go, enjoy your date with Andrew! Say hi for me!" Mina beamed and went out the door.
As soon as she left, Serena sat on her bed, exhausted. She rubbed her temples and pondered the information her past mother had given to her about Beryl.
"Beryl loves cold, dark places. She feels most secure and evil in those predicaments," Queen Serenity said to her former court gathered around the fire. "You may find her somewhere around Tokyo, or Japan."
"Might she be somewhere in the North Pole or Antarctica? They're the coldest, darkest places on the face of the planet," Amy supplied. The others nodded.
"Amelia, you forget one simple detail. Beryl has this crystal that summons images of anything she demands of it, but she must be within range of whatever she wishes to see," Queen Serenity reprimanded gently, smiling. "By now, she might know of your identities and your civilian names. You're all in danger."
"What about Darien? Endymion?" Lita asked.
Serenity shook her head. "He's in as much danger as you," she stated. "In even more, because Beryl naturally desires him more than destroying you. In fact, she might be plotting now to capture and brainwash him as we speak."
Darien, Serena thought fearfully, please be safe.
At that moment, the phone rang, startling Serena and her thoughts. She looked at it and picked it up. "Dorm room 126, Serena Tsukino speaking."
"Serena? It's me, Darien."
"Darien!" Serena exclaimed excitedly. "Oh, I miss you so much!"
Enter masculine sigh, though she could feel the smile in it. "I miss you too, Bunny. How's everything at home?"
Her spirits and face fell. "Not exactly perfect, per se," she replied sullenly. She started to feel his worry.
"What's wrong, Serena?"
Serena sighed, unsure. "We have a problem, and it involves you. We found out who has been behind everything the past four years."
"Well, who is it? How does it involve me?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"Do you remember a Queen Beryl from the Silver Alliance?"
Serena could feel Darien's anger radiating off the phone. "Yes," he growled. A thump in the background was his fist hitting his desk. "She was the one who ruined our happiness 1,000 years ago."
"Well," she answered nervously, "Remember when you were with that woman?" She could sense his nod over the phone. "Anyway, that was her. She found out our identities."
"She what?" he practically yelled over the phone. Serena pulled away as he roared unmentionable curses that made her look disbelievingly at the phone. Once he seemed calm, she put her ear back on. "Sorry," he apologized, sighing. "I get mad a lot easier nowadays."
"I see," she said dryly, earning her the laugh she hadn't heard in years. "Now, where were we?"
Serena tossed and turned, sweat breaking on her body. She clutched the soaked sheets closer to her as the cool breeze chilled her body. A few feet away she could hear Mina's snoring.
A shadow fell across her closed eye lids, and her beautiful eyes flew open. The balcony door was open and the white curtains fluttered. When she rose, she noticed she was dressed in her white princess gown. Another flutter compelled her to step outside.
Once outside, Serena felt at peace looking at the Earth and the stars. She realized she was on the Moon, looking out of her suite of rooms in the palace. The Earth was so inviting, so warm and yet, its people were indifferent in their opinion of the forgotten civilization of the Moon Kingdom.
She sighed. "I know you're here, Endy," she said sweetly. The dark looming shadow emerged from behind the balcony door and smiled.
"I know I could never surprise you, Serenity," he replied. His ebony black armor and cape edged with blue-the royal garb of the Crown Prince of Terra-reflected the deep blue of the Earth, matching his shining midnight blue eyes. His ebony hair faintly shimmered.
She turned, a smile gracing her beautiful face. The sky blue jewels that were her eyes sparkled and the spun silver that was her hair appeared to be made of the finest silk. He tentatively ran his fingers through it as she stepped closer.
"Then why do you try?" she asked softly, placing her hands on his chest. His tanned skin glowed supple gold from the starlight and his grin imitated the dazzling stars. He leaned forward as her eyes fluttered shut.
When their lips met, it seemed the world had stopped. Endymion drew Serenity closer by closing his protective arms around her slender waist. Her slim arms came around his neck and clasped tight.
Serenity felt free, the first time in years. His tongue demanded entrance by rubbing on her lips. She giggled as she obliged him. He pressed into her, moving his lips against hers, then with hers as she tried to keep up with him. Figuring out a plan, she drew away from him, smiling.
"Why are you making me wait?" Endymion panted, looking at her with wide eyes.
"Why are you making me rush?" she answered quietly, joyful that he was with her. She pulled his lips down to hers and made him match her pace. He groaned when she molded to him, making their clothes the only things to separate them.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a metallic voice asked darkly. Endymion and Serenity looked up to see a floating woman with fire red hair and blood-colored eyes looking evilly at them. Endymion growled and pushed her behind him.
"Beryl," he snarled. "What do you want?" The evil queen sneered.
"For you to finally join me, my fair Endymion. I'd rather enjoy your company in my kingdom. Besides, why are you with this moon brat?" Beryl replied. Serenity frowned as Endymion unsheathed his broadsword.
"Don't you ever address her like that!" Endymion roared. "It's bad enough to look at you without hearing that filthy bile coming from the wretched hole that is your mouth!"
Beryl sneered. "Well, if you feel so much for her," she answered nonchalantly. In her hands she summoned a sword. Endymion's own disintegrated and materialized into Beryl's hands. "I guess you would do anything to protect her, right?" Without hesitation, Beryl charged the black clad prince with a snarl.
Endymion grasped Serenity and jumped out of the way of the blazing sword. He put Serenity down gently as she heard the sounds of war all throughout the kingdom. Looking over the balcony railing, she saw her brave Sailor Scouts fighting her gallant prince's brainwashed Generals: fiery Sailor Mars pitted against General Zoicite, calm Sailor Mercury struggling in opposition to General Jadeite, strong Sailor Jupiter against General Nephlite, and Serenity's loyal Sailor Venus against Commander Malachite. There were elbow to elbow, cut for cut, bruise for bruise. Any moment now they would fall and not move ever-Serenity possessed some of the rare Sight to See magic and physical/emotional strength.
A groan behind her and Serenity turned. Beryl clutched her swollen stomach as Endymion grabbed his arm, blood spilling between his fingers. He winced in pain as Serenity gasped.
"Endy!" she cried out as she ran to him. He fell to his knees in agony. She grasped him gently as he looked at her, a small grin on his lips and smiling eyes. "Are you all right?"
"Heh," he shrugged, wincing again. "It's just a scratch. I'll be fine, believe me. I've had worse than this in Terra." Beryl groaned again, her eyes glowing menacingly.
"You think you can beat me?" she screamed, thrusting her arm towards Serenity. Serenity closed her eyes and braced for pain. When she heard a grunt instead, she cracked an eye to see Endymion falling into her, the sword in his stomach.
"NO!" Serenity shrieked as she caught her beloved in her lap. "Endy, wake up! Speak to me!"
He grinned slightly, opening the blue orbs that she loved so much. "Sere," he mumbled, "know this: I love you with everything I have to offer, even my life. If we had had time-" he coughed, blood dribbling down his chin, "I would have asked for you. Truly I would have." He cupped her cheek with one hand, looking up into her tear-filled sky blue gems for eyes and her beautifully pale face. "I love you, and will always be with you."
"No," she murmured sadly, sobbing. He closed his eyes and exhaled, never to wake again. She turned hate-filled eyes to Beryl.
"You," she said, shaking as she stood, tears rolling on her face. "How dare you do this," she gestured towards Endymion's limp body, "to me, to the man I love?"
The queen smirked. "He wasn't destined to be with you, moon brat. He was to be with me."
Serenity smirked. "Liar. He was never to be with you. He never liked you, let alone loved you. So give up, you slimy, arrogant, good for nothing fleabag! He's gone now."
"How dare you say such things to a superior!" Beryl huffed, indignant. She raised the sword. "Now, you die along with your Scouts!"
Serenity smiled. "Already ahead of you," she sneered as a dagger appeared in her free hand. She placed the cold metal against her slender throat. "Now, you'll never be able to gloat." Her vision ended as the metal punctured her throat.
Serena sat up in bed, sweat soaked sheets clutched to her chest. She drew in breath quickly in attempts to slow her rapidly racing heart. Looking outside, she saw the full moon peeking through the clouds, creating a soft halo around her vision.
She looked at Mina, snoring lightly next to her. Must've seen me upset and thought to snuggle, Serena thought, smiling. She gently eased out the bed and went to the window.
Darien, she thought longingly, you don't know how much I miss you. Struck by wild impulse, she picked up the heart brooch and transformed, jumping out the window.
Serena sped for Tokyo Tower, jumping over the tall buildings of her beloved city. Once she reached it, she sat and watched the city like the wary guardian she was. This was where she shared her first kiss with Darien, but he was in the form of Tuxedo Mask, and she still hadn't known his identity.
A lone tear slipped down her cheek as the wind caressed her bare arms and legs. A small stream brushed her cheek in what she swore was a kiss. She smiled at the sweet touch. It felt like Darien had just brushed his lips across her cheek.
Thoughts and images of Darien, Tuxedo Mask, and Prince Endymion swirled behind her eyes. She rubbed her forehead, the colors mingling to form vague, meaningless imagery that she couldn't begin to comprehend. They flashed so fast that the pressure began to fill the space behind her eyes and forehead plate, making her whole head go numb with pain.
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" a reassuring voice asked behind her. Serena turned to see the tall form of Lita, dressed as Sailor Jupiter, lounging near where she sat. She stepped out into the light, her emerald eyes smiling.
Serena nodded wearily, and Lita settled next to her on the rail. "He won't leave me alone," she said jokingly. "He consumes my thoughts and I keep thinking about the past. I…had a dream about the Great War, y'know, with Beryl?"
Lita nodded. "As did I, but probably not in your perspective. I was on the ground fighting Nephlite when I heard Princess Serenity scream. That's when I turned and was struck by him. Before I fell, I shocked him enough to kill him. That's when I woke up and sensed you."
"And me," Raye added as she jumped up next to them. Amy and Mina stood next to them. "And us," Amy nodded. "We had the same dream as you, Sere."
Serena smiled and gathered her friends together. "Thanks for being there for me, you guys. I love you guys so much."
Raye smiled. "We love you too, although we don't like to admit it as openly as you do. But yeah, we love you too," she said as the group gathered together for a big hug.
FINALLY! I finally finished it after a long while…
Anyways, thanks for bearing with me, my wonderful readers! Please check out my other stories: "Destiny Child" in Ayashi no Ceres and my new-but-kinda-old one named "Lead The Way". Also, I'm creating a new one (I like the title) titled "Finding The Dark Side Of Your Soul". Look for these titles! Oh, and read & review!