A/N: I'm glad someone, other than CS is reviewing, but I need more reviews in order for me to continue! Without reviews or anything close to it, I won't have enough encouragement to keep going. But it's still enough for me to keep going anyway. So as soon as you finish reading, PLEASE REVIEW!
Ami: After having a very odd dream, I couldn't help but think about what it meant on the way to school where a new student came along. He was an exchange student from America, named Aaron; and he seemed like a very nice guy. Anyway, after talking to the others about my dream a monster appeared just as I was walking home! We did our best to defeat it, but we were no match for it. But just as the monster was about to finish me off, a new person arrived and saved me; he even looks like the man from my dream!
Chapter 2: Flight of Phoenix Blade
The gold armored hero stood there with his arms crossed staring directly at Serpentio. The Sailor Scouts were shocked, relieved, and confused along with Tuxedo Mask; Serpentio, on the other hand was grinning like the sneaky snake he was. The sailor scouts' shock came from the fact that someone else is there fighting creatures from the Negaverse; their relief came from the fact that he saved them; but their confusion came from the fact that they don't know who's side this person was. Sailor Mercury, for her part, couldn't shake the familiarity between this person and the man from her dream that still plagued her; she even wondered if this was the same person.
"So, you finally show yourself Phoenix Blade; it took you long enough." Serpentio hissed with a sneer as he readied himself to fight this 'Phoenix Blade'.
"Phoenix who?" Lita echoed almost what Serpentio said.
"I knew a snake like you wouldn't hesitate to harm such delicate creatures such as them, Serpentio." Phoenix Blade finally spoke with his voice giving off a hint of cold anger. "I see you Nega-demons have followed me here; but to be stopped by a group of women," Phoenix Blade snorted with a smirk. "You must be getting pathetic."
That struck a nerve in Serpentio. "SILENCE!" He then shot another poison snake towards Phoenix Blade, its fangs bared ready to bite through the armor of the hero.
This only made Phoenix Blade grin as he brought his arms up to his chest and brought his feet together. He made the fingers of his gloved hands form into a claw-like appearance just as small energy flames began to dance around them and form into what looked like talons of a bird of prey such as an eagle. "PHOENIX FIRE TALONS!" He shouted as he brought his arms down, making them look like his arms were scratching at the snake coming at him. Instead, though, giant talon-like fireballs shot out at the reptile and engulfed it burning it into ashes. The dust of the snake cleared but the fireballs also seemed to 'scratch' at the snakes that had wrapped themselves around the sailor scouts after the fireballs had gone around like boomerangs; even Tuxedo Mask was free.
"No! How dare you Phoenix Blade! I don't care what the master says, you're dead!" Serpentio shouted as he charged straight at Phoenix blade.
But before he could even lay a scale on the golden armored warrior, giant fire wings appeared behind Phoenix blade and lifted him off the ground making him unreachable by the snake creature. "Now Sailor Moon, before it's too late!" Phoenix Blade shouted down to her from where he stayed in the air.
Serpentio, realizing his mistake looked at Sailor Moon as she nodded to Phoenix blade and brought her scepter to bear. "MOON SCEPTER ACTIVATION!" She then launched its attack straight at Serpentio, who never even stood a chance against it as it tore through his body and turned him into dust. The ashes of Serpentio then blew away with the wind as Phoenix Blade landed back on the pavement with his fire wings folding behind him and disappearing. The girls and Tuxedo Mask took a good look at their savior and wondered if they were next in his list of targets; at least, that was in the minds of Sailor Mars and Jupiter.
Sailor Moon then stepped forward. "Uh…thanks for saving us." She said to him almost hesitantly.
To surprise the girls, he actually smiled at them. "You're welcome Sailor Moon, although I could've attacked sooner; but I wanted to see if the rumors were true about you girls." He said to them in a friendly, humorous tone that actually made Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter to lower their defenses a little.
"What rumors?" Tuxedo Mask asked him stepping forward.
"That all of you existed." Phoenix Blade shrugged as he turned to leave. "I must leave now; but our paths will, undoubtedly cross again."
"Wait!" Came Sailor Mercury's voice causing him to turn his head slightly to look at her specifically with a questioning look. "Who are you?"
He smiled at her and said simply, "A friend." The fire wings then appeared on his back again and he flew off before Sailor Mercury could reach out to her hero.
As the sailor scouts watch him disappear from their sights, they couldn't help but wonder who was behind the mask of their new helper. Despite his attitude towards 'Serpentio', as he called him, he seemed friendlier towards them for some reason. He was just as mysterious to them as Tuxedo Mask was when Sailor Moon first met him.
Later, at the temple, the girls and Darien had all gathered to discuss what had happened in the park earlier to the guardian cats. They went into every detail about the battle from when Ami first went up against Serpentio, all the way to when Phoenix Blade showed up and saved them all. They didn't leave a single detail about the battle out; they even mentioned what had happened after the battle.
"…And that's what happened." Serena said as she finished the story to the cats, which were deep in thought of the whole situation.
"I have to admit, this was a little unexpected." Luna said as she looked back at the girls. "This Phoenix Blade seems to have saved you all in the nick of time."
"But the big question is who is he? I've never heard of him before." Lita mused while sitting next to Ami.
"I think I have." Artemis said catching everyone's attention.
"Really Artemis?" Mina asked her guardian cat while sitting next to him.
"It might be the same person, but I'm not sure." Artemis replied before looking at all of them. "Years ago, during the time of the Silver Millennium, there was a warrior who had been given the powers of the Phoenix to help protect the kingdoms of the Solar System. His powers were unlike anyone has ever seen and his battle record was also fearsome to boot. He was so fierce and powerful that even the Negaverse feared him. But just as the Negaverse attacked the Moon Kingdom, his powers were even no match for them when they attacked. So, to be blunt, he didn't stand a chance and was reincarnated as well as all of you. But who, we don't know." After he explained he continued. "But if this Phoenix Blade is the same warrior he could just be the help we need in case that Serpentio's leader is as powerful as we think he is."
"But on the other hand, he could be just a copycat. If you'll pardon the expression you two." Rei added looking at the two cats.
Ami, on the other hand, had been silent after she explained her part of her story. But just after Artemis had told them that story about the link between Phoenix Blade and a warrior during the Silver Millennium, she thought back to her dream and remembered the warrior in it that had given her that kiss that she couldn't get out of her mind. She was now one hundred percent sure that Phoenix Blade, the man in her dream, and the warrior that Artemis mentioned were one and the same. Now she was conflicting with herself to tell the others or not. Well, this was an important matter to discuss, so she had no choice but to tell them.
"Um guys…" She began catching their attentions towards her. "I'm not sure if this helps; but Phoenix Blade looks almost exactly like the man from my dream."
That caused everyone to gasp in shock at what she had just told them. To hear that the man that had saved their lives, the man in Ami's dream, and the man that Artemis had mentioned were the same person actually surprised them all. She had revealed to them something that none of them had expected; to learn that another warrior from the Silver Millennium had appeared and saved their lives as well as be the man in Ami's dream was more than a shock to them. Even though it was both a shock and relief to all of them, they still had one problem: getting him to join them.
Meanwhile, the lightning outside of the dark palace had intensified as if it had been aware of the destruction of Serpentio. In the dark throne room, the dark lord had sat upon his throne and had his head on his knuckles in a bored state while he continued to stare at a blurry image of Tokyo in front of him. He also waited for the report from the one who sent Serpentio to retrieve Phoenix Blade. He knew that Serpentio wouldn't defeat Phoenix Blade, much less capture him. On the other hand, he did have some hope that the incompetent fool would capture him successfully.
His thoughts were interrupted as his general came forward and bowed. He then looked at the general and spoke. "Has Serpentio captured Phoenix Blade, Gitaro?"
The man named Gitaro shook his head while his dark green hair swayed a little. "No, my lord; he has been destroyed."
The dark lord sighed, "By Phoenix Blade, no doubt?"
"No, my lord." Gitaro answered, catching the dark lord's questioning look. "He did appear, but he did not destroy Serpentio."
"Then who did?" The dark lord asked raising an eyebrow at Gitaro.
"He was destroyed by a group of girls calling themselves the Sailor Scouts and a young man named Tuxedo Mask." Gitaro replied with a firm voice.
This caused the dark lord's eyes to widen and he bolted out of his seat. "Did you say 'the sailor scouts'?" He wanted to make sure he wasn't hearing his general wrong.
"I did, my lord." Gitaro replied with a nod.
The dark lord sat back on his throne and clenched his fist. "So, the sailor soldiers of the Moon Kingdom are here." He growled as his grip on his armrest tightened before he settled down. "This changes nothing; our primary objective is to capture Phoenix Blade alive."
"And what of the Sailor Soldiers and Tuxedo Mask, my lord?" Gitaro asked looking at his master.
"It won't matter, but if they interfere they are to be destroyed. Is that clear, Gitaro?" The dark lord replied looking at his general.
"I understand my lord." Gitaro bowed before he disappeared from sight.
The next day in Tokyo, Ami was in the school library studying, as usual. Even though she was studying, she just couldn't get her mind off of Phoenix Blade and how he was the man in her dream. But now she wondered who Phoenix Blade really was; not only that, he mentioned that he could've helped them sooner but he came just in time as she was about to be killed. Why would he not risk his own appearance until she was in danger? That question never seemed to exit her mind about that.
"Excuse me." A voice said catching her out of her thoughts.
She looked next to her to see Aaron there with that smile of his while he was looking at her. "Oh, hello Aaron." She greeted him politely with a small blush and smile.
"I hope I didn't interrupt your studying." He said with a quiet chuckle.
"Oh no, not at all." She replied with a small giggle. She then noticed he had a pile of books tucked under his arm. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Uh yes, actually." He replied as he sat in front of her in the seat across from her and placed the books he carried on the table. "You see, I may be fluent in Japanese, but I have a little trouble reading Kanji." She nodded, understanding. "That and I need to catch up on many of my studies. Since most of the books are in Kanji, it's a big problem for me." She nodded again now knowing what he was getting at. "I've been told that you were one of the smartest girls in the school and to be honest, I have no one else to turn to."
"I understand; I'd be glad to help you if you need it." She said to him with a smile.
"If, it's not too much trouble..."
"Oh it's no trouble at all." She quickly said easing his nervousness.
"Thanks."
"If you'd like, I can teach you how to read Kanji." She added with another smile that almost sent his heart to his throat.
"I'd like that." He said sincerely as the two of them began studying together.
The time between them seemed like forever for Ami, when in reality it was only about a half hour. Even after the bell rang, signaling the end of school, the two of them walked together outside of the school. Ami, of course, had another meeting with the scouts; but more along the lines of studying, not Sailor Scout business. She wanted to ask him to join her and the other scouts so they can also help him out, but of course it meant that Luna and Artemis would have to refrain from talking and she didn't know if he wanted to either. She was about to ask him when she heard running footsteps coming up to them both; looking behind her, she almost lost her footing when she saw Serena coming up to them both. She knew she was in for some of Serena's teasing, not to mention she and the others will try and get her and Aaron together.
"Hey Ami!" Serena yelled before stopping to see Aaron next to her as both of them stopped. "Oh, am I interrupting anything?" She asked in a sly tone with a grin like a cat that got into the cream.
Ami, for her part, was about to say they weren't doing anything; but Aaron beat her to it. "Not really, we were just walking, that's all." He said to Serena with that smile of his that even got Serena to stop her grin.
"Oh? Where to?" Serena asked again as she got rid of her grin and put on her innocent look.
"Well…" Aaron actually didn't have an answer for this one. Ami knew that Serena would say something that would make Aaron and her embarrassed so she decided to say something before that happened.
"We were just planning to go study at your place, right Aaron?" She said quickly and turned her head towards him, hoping he would catch on and say yes.
Aaron was a little confused, at first, but knew what Ami was trying to do. But he couldn't say 'no' to her; after all, he did need all the help he could get with his studies and he hoped that Ami and her friends could help.
"Yeah, that is, if you're OK with it." Aaron said, much to Ami's relief and shock.
Serena was stunned that Aaron actually said that. She was actually hoping that Aaron had asked Ami out on a date. But to hear them both agree that they were going to her house where she and the other scouts and Darien would meet for a study meeting. Still, it also would work in the favor for Aaron to gain some friends while he was here. Besides, Serena never wanted to have someone like him to not have any friends.
"Of course it's OK with me, silly. If you don't mind hanging out with a bunch of girls and an older guy that is." She replied waving off Aaron's worry.
"I don't mind at all." Aaron shrugged with his smile not wavering at all.
"Great! Just wait until you meet everyone; I'm sure they'll like ya." Serena exclaimed as she grabbed the two of them by the hands and dragged them both with her.
Later, they met up with Lita, Rei, Mina, and Darien and they were all introduced to Aaron just as they all got to Serena's house. Serena's mom was actually stunned that her daughter brought home another boy, but when she told her mother (in secret) that Ami was the one who invited him she was more than surprised. When Darien was introduced to Aaron, the two of them already seemed to get along pretty well; but when it came to Rei and Mina, they were actually flirting with Aaron. That actually made Ami a little mad for reasons she couldn't explain. They had just finished another lesson with Aaron in helping him with his Kanji when Serena's mother came in with their snacks and drinks.
"Thanks, Mrs. Kyle." Aaron said as he and the others all dug into their snacks and took sips of their drinks.
"You're welcome Aaron." She replied with a smile to him. As she left, Aaron suddenly felt a sense of loneliness.
Ami noticed this and looked at him. "What's wrong, Aaron?"
He looked at her with a sad smile and answered. "It's just that, being here almost reminds me of home." He then stared at his cup that was being held by the hand his ring was on.
"I'm sorry if we caused you any emotional pain, Aaron." Ami said putting her hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head at her. "No, it's OK. It just makes me feel a little homesick that's all."
"What was your family like, Aaron?" Lita asked trying to ease the tension in Aaron's soul.
Aaron let out a heavy sigh but still kept a small smile. "How do I begin?" He then began explaining his family. His father worked for an airline company and was always a wise-cracking person; but he had his moments when he was strict, especially around Aaron's sister. His sister was a college student and had a boyfriend who was actually nine days younger than he was; not surprising for Serena, considering how much younger she was compared to him. When he got to his mother, that's when his smile disappeared; she sounded as strict as Serena's mother was, but she was one of the sweetest ladies he had ever known. She even supported him when no one else would; it made everyone feel a little envious that he had such a caring mother.
"…My mother was such a workaholic, but she always found time to spend time with her family." Aaron chuckled managing another small smile.
"Sounds like your mom is a great person." Mina said looking at Aaron with a smile.
"Yeah, she was." Aaron said with a frown.
"Was?" Ami echoed him not sure what he meant.
Aaron let out another heavy sigh. "She passed away about a year ago; died of a heart attack." Aaron didn't want to tell them all what really happened.
This made the girls' hearts fall; a few of them knew what it was like to lose their mother. Ami placed her hand on his shoulder again. "We're sorry to bring that up if it's that emotional for you Aaron."
"No, it's OK Ami." He said to her while placing his hand on top of hers and regaining his smile. "I guess I needed someone to talk to about it."
They all smiled at him too. But Darien decided to bring up another subject. "By the way, Aaron; I've been meaning to ask you about that ring of yours."
"Huh, oh this?" Aaron said showing them all his bird engraved ring.
"Yeah, I kinda like it." Ami said looking at it herself. "It's really pretty."
He chuckled at that. "Well, to be honest it was a family heirloom; my mother gave it to me before she died."
"I see, well it is getting late girls we should all get going." Darien said as he looked at his watch and everyone else picked up their books and got ready to leave.
Serena saw them all to the door and because Darien was the first to leave, they shared a small kiss before he left. She then bid the girls farewell before she got to Ami after saying good bye to Aaron. "I think he maybe a keeper Ami." She teased causing Ami to blush before she left.
To her surprise, Aaron was waiting for her at the gate. "You mind if I walk you home Ami?"
"Oh no, not at all." She replied with a smile before the two of them began walking next to one another towards her apartment building.
Later, after he had dropped her off at her apartment building, Aaron just felt a heavy sigh of relief. In all his life he never had known himself to tell two lies in a row; especially to nice people like Ami and her friends. But he didn't want to tell them the truth about his ring or about how his mother died; it would make them distrust him, and it would let them know who he really was. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar with Ami; it's almost as if she and him had met before. Not only that, but he felt a little something growing inside of him he had never felt in a girl before; what it was, he didn't know. But he hoped it wouldn't make him feel close to her otherwise…
His thoughts were interrupted as something bright stopped him in mid-step. He looked down and saw his ring glowing like crazy. He knew what that meant, they were close by and they meant business.
"Uh oh…I wonder where they are now!" He then took off and followed his ring as it's light got stronger the closer he got.
To be continued…
A/N: Another chapter done! Now I hope this time I get more reviews. Remember everyone, as soon as you finish reading this I want you to go down to that little button at the corner of your screen that says "go" and click on it and send in your reviews. I need those reviews in order for me to continue with this!