By: Rini
Chapter 1: The Beginning
The afternoon bell chimed. Walking out of the school, long legs took slow strides down the paved sidewalks. Something hung in the air. There was a feeling that one could never place but could still feel throughout their core. Wrapping warm arms around herself, Serena tried to draw her eyes to the sidewalk in front of her. However, the feeling traveling down her spine couldn't be helped.
What is this inner darkness? Is there something out here? Is there something that I'm missing? What's coming this way?
Letting her arms fall aimlessly, Serena continued her slow walk towards the arcade. A sigh escaped her lips and, pushing the fear aside, tried to smile. It was a long week. A week Serena had tried to drown out between family and friends. Not only had The Black Moon Sisters been healed, but a new threat, Rubeus and Emerald, appeared and made matters much worse.
Emerald was a threat. She may have looked more like a joke then anything, but hidden inside was an overwhelming hatred Serena felt targeted towards her more than once. Something unbridled laid deep inside the green mistress and as much as she hated to admit it, Serena was finding it harder to try to keep at bay anymore.
Serena frowned," Luna was right. This isn't going to help us any. We need to get stronger."
Finding the arcade in view, Serena smiled a little more than she had all day and made for the doors. An odd wind blew her long pigtails back.
Stopping a moment before the doors, she whispered.
" If something is going to happen, it better happen soon."
The doors slid open to reveal the homelike arcade. Most of Serena's fondest memories were here. This was where she always came to find Andrew who never failed to brighten her day. This was where she and her friends came to spend some quality time as normal teens. This was where he always was, seat third from the left right at the counter.
" Serena!"
" Andrew."
The light blonde haired teen held out a glass filled with her usual chocolate milkshake. He placed it right down on the counter, next to seat third from the left.
" Must you Andrew," a deep voice whispered.
" No thank you Andrew. I don't want one today. I just thought I'd come by to say hello."
" That's a first."
Serena sucked in a deep breath," Excuse me."
A tall dark haired man stood up and turned around. Before her were the deepest sapphire eyes ever beheld onto a person. The normal calm and cool exterior permeated the air until you were sure you were shivering. A set frown marred his otherwise perfect face. The man who always sat at seat three. He was who he always remained to be.
" Darien."
" Let's not go through this again," Darien sighed.
Serena felt the sting in her heart, but she refused to appear weak in front of him, especially him.
" I don't know what you're talking about."
" Serena, you can't act in front of me."
Serena closed her eyes tightly," Must you always be so cruel."
" You can't try to be strong in front of me. You must remember, I know you better than anyone. I know everything about you," Darien whispered as he stood mere inches in front of her.
Serena's eyes flew open and they were laced in tears," Then if you know so much why do you have to do this?"
Darien walked past her on his way to the door," Because it just isn't good enough."
Serena winced and her hands flew to her side," He sure does strike quick."
" Serena?" Andrew called from behind the counter.
" It'll get better. It'll heal."
" I've tried to talk to him, but he won't tell me anything. I just don't understand. I know he loves you. He thinks about you all the time and he's always watching you. He asks me about you too sometimes. I can see it in his eyes. They don't shine anymore. Just like yours don't."
Serena smiled and walked over to the counter. She reached up and gave Andrew a hug. Andrew was always like an older brother. He watched out for her no matter what. He protected her and shielded her from every storm. He harbored all her tears and broke through her barriers to see the truth.
" Andrew, I won't stop believing. I know something is coming. Something is going to happen and then we won't ever have to suffer again."
With that said, Serena pulled away and gave him a tear filled smile. She turned around and walked out as quietly as she had walked in. There was something in the way she said that, something that made it sound like she knew that something was going to happen. It frightened Andrew to think that anything would befall Serena, but he held out on the hope that Darien would be able to catch her.
" Hurry and save him."
But it was already too late and his words only seemed to echo.
Hanging her head down low, Serena tried her best to swat the tears from her cheeks, but it was already to late. Nothing was going to make them go away. No one was going to make them stop. So Serena just let them slide down her cheeks and drift off into the wind.
" Are you ok Serena?" a female voice called from above.
" Yeah Luna. I'll be alright," Serena answered without even looking up.
Luna, the intelligent guardian cat of the Princess of the Moon, stayed perched atop a fence blocking an alley on the sidewalk. Her black coat shined in the afternoon sunlight and her crescent moon glittered on her forehead. With her head held high and burnt maroon colored eyes trained on her charge, Luna tried her best to figure out what was wrong with the normally cheery girl.
" You ran into Darien again didn't you?" Luna asked with sudden understanding.
Serena walked over and leaned against the fence directly underneath Luna.
" What did he say this time? Did he hurt you?"
" I walked in to see Andrew for a few minutes and he was there. He's always there Luna. He's always there and I can't do a thing about it. I can't make him see what I see or make him tell me the truth. I guess he just gets more and more bitter towards me as the days go on."
" I'm sorry Serena. If Darien is doing this then he must have a good reason. You two are destined to be together. You've died for each other in one lifetime and I know he would do anything to save you in this lifetime."
" But maybe that's it. Maybe he doesn't want to," Serena answered solemnly.
Luna frowned," Please hold on Serena. I know everything has a way of working out. Maybe he just needs some time."
" I'm sorry Luna."
" For what?" Luna asked, completely puzzled.
Serena stood up straight and started off on her way. Luna watched her retreating figure and quickly jumped down after her. Running to catch up with her, Luna brushed against Serena's leg and walked at a steady pace next to her. Serena bent down and picked Luna up, scratching her ear and placing her on her shoulder.
The pair walked around aimlessly for a while. Serena was in no hurry to go anywhere and Luna was in no position to tell her where to go. Finally, the two ended up at the park sitting on a park bench next to the lake and watching as the sun sank lower and lower in the horizon. Luna laid down on the bench and watched as Serena sat at the edge of the lake, occasionally throwing rocks out into the middle to disturb the calm.
" What's on your mind?" Luna finally said, breaking the long silence.
Serena threw another rock," The moon."
" The moon?"
" And Emerald."
Luna's ears perked," What about Emerald?"
" I can sense something in her. She's more focused at me than anyone else. She's after me. I want to know why."
Luna, thoroughly impressed, asked," What have you sensed about her?"
" Jealousy. Overwhelming jealousy."
" What can she possibly be jealous about? What can you being Sailor Moon have to do with Emerald like that?"
" Luna I can't explain it, but I keep seeing something. Sometimes I see it in my dreams and other times, I see visions of it during the day. It's a feeling and images I just keep seeing. I sense something is wrong with the moon."
Luna jumped down from the bench and sat next to Serena," Why have you kept this hidden so long? What have you seen? Tell me everything."
Serena laid out on the grass with her hands behind her head, eyes fixed on the rapidly darkening sky," It started a while ago, a week or two after Darien broke up with me. I thought I was just dreaming, but it became clearer and clearer as the days went on and they never seemed to leave. I see visions of the moon in the sky. Suddenly, these bright glowing butterflies cross the sky and they light up everything. White feathers start to fall and I can touch them.
I see silver everywhere and there's light traces of gold. There's also blue, like the night, and I feel them all surround me. Suddenly, there's a flash of Sailor Moon and then she's gone. She just fades away to silver. It's like she's never existed before. The moon cries out, but then something strange happens."
" What?"
" The moon grows stronger. The butterflies disappear and the feathers fade away. All that's left is this powerful feeling. There's no fear. No hesitation. No worry. It's almost like the moon is reborn. Stronger, brighter, and more dangerous than ever before. And I see her smile."
" The moon is reborn?" Luna said aloud in wonder.
" I can't even begin to describe it, but I know something is coming that neither of us can stop."
" You took the words right out of my mouth, Sailor Moon," a haunting voice called out.
Cerulean eyes flashed and Serena was quickly on her feet, grabbing Luna and diving away. A flash of green energy pounded the ground where the two once were and left a large crater. Long dark green, almost black, heeled boots touched down to the ground and padded along the grass towards the duo. Slender hips swished side to side as they were covered in a short dark green dress. Pea green hair was flipped over the shoulder of a woman with striking emerald eyes.
" Close call huh? I didn't hurt you did I? Pity."
" Emerald," Serena spat.
" I've been looking all over for you Sailor Moon. You are rather hard to find."
" What are talking about?" Serena asked, attempting to play dumb.
" Aren't we the dumb blonde. No more games. I've come here to fight you and I will defeat you," Emerald snarled.
" Serena," Luna whispered.
" Luna, you better hide. I have this covered."
" But what about the others?"
" Something's telling me," Serena said while taking off her watch communicator," that I need to do this. But take this just in case."
" Are you ready now Sailor Moon?" Emerald questioned impatiently.
" You bet I am. Moon Crystal Power!"
The Silver Crystal opened from her locket and Serena is engulfed in light. Wings appear on her back and in a flurry of feathers, ribbons, and light, Serena is transformed into Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice. Luna runs to the bushes to hide with the communicator, ready to ask for help at a moment's notice.
Emerald's lips turn into a smile," About damn time. Now you will suffer Sailor Moon, for everything!"
Emerald drew out her twin fans and waved them quickly, sending out waves of black-green energy. Sailor Moon tried to jump and dodge them, barely getting hit with each surge. She tried to charge at Emerald, but she disappeared and reappeared right behind her.
" Emerald Violent Wind!"
Sailor Moon was hit dead on in the back and thrown forward, landing hard on the ground. Emerald sent out another wave. Sailor Moon was slow to her feet, but reached up for her tiara.
" Moon Tiara Magic!"
Sailor Moon threw her glowing tiara out to stop the energy gale, but it collided with it and only stopped it temporarily. Sailor Moon was quick to jump to the side and miss the brunt of the force.
" Tell me I wasn't wasting all this time for that," Emerald stated with a snap of her fan.
Sailor Moon stood up panting, dirt smeared her cheek and outfit while a few drops of blood dripped down from a cut on her arm.
" This shouldn't be that hard after all."
" In your dreams Emerald. I will never give up!"
Sailor Moon charged Emerald and exchanged quick kicks and punches. Sailor Moon managed to land a few, but she was slower and sloppy and Emerald was easily able to defend against them. However, she did manage a hard punch to Emerald's unprotected cheek, effectively pushing her back a few feet.
Reaching up with a steady gloved hand, Emerald felt her cheek and dropped her arm to her side.
" How dare you mar this face?" she yelled.
" What's wrong Emerald? I thought you came here for a fight."
" Then let me make this end. Now!"
" Sailor Moon! Draw your scepter!" Luna yelled.
" No chance! Emerald Dark Star Burst!"
Emerald drew her arms directly in front of her and cupped her hands. Inside them, a massive ball of green energy started to form until it was growing bigger and bigger.
" Moon Scepter Elimination!"
Streams of pink and blue energy mixed with crescent moons and stars collided with the massive flow of dark green power. Both seemed equal and neither side was getting pushed back. This seemed to only fuel on the two fighters as each poured in all they had left inside. Sailor Moon screamed and dug gown deeper and deeper to find the power needed to protect her friends and family. Emerald only searched for more hatred.
Please, whoever can hear me, give me all the power I need to save everyone. I can't let them down. I must save them. All of them.
A beeping noise went off and Luna looked down at the communicator that Sailor Moon had given her. Pressing down on a pink button, the screen lit up with the face of Sailor Venus, obviously distressed.
" Sailor Venus!"
" Luna! We have a problem down here. Rubeus is attacking people near the Crown Parlor and is stealing energy. Everyone else is here but we can't handle him. We need Sailor Moon now!"
" Venus hold on!" Luna answered.
" Luna! Get Sailor-," Venus was cut off mid sentence.
Luna jumped out from the bushes," Sailor Moon! It's a trap! Rubeus is attacking the others down by the Crown Parlor! Emerald was tricking us!"
" Mangy feline!" Emerald yelled.
" Luna! Moon Crystal Power!"
" Emerald Energy Burst!"
" Sailor Moon!"
A bright blast of all the remaining energy stored deep in the two women exploded with such force that it knocked Sailor Moon flying hard into a tree, splintering it, and knocked Emerald through a park bench and along the stone path of the park. Luna was pushed back through the bush she previously left and bruised her nearly as bad as the others. The bright light that had enveloped the area started to softly fade away. The place was a mess.
Sailor Moon tried to blink her eyes open. It was impossible. Her whole body shook and burned all over. She knew she spent way more energy than she should have and her body was feeling it. She could already tell some ribs were broken. She felt blood dripping down from cuts and bruises, coating her arms and legs in the warm sticky fluid.
Come on. Open your eyes. Don't you dare be weak. It isn't over yet. You can't sleep yet.
Cracking open heavy eyelids, pale blue eyes drew in the charred remains of the park. The hard tree Sailor Moon collided in was splintered and halfway cracked through, the tops of the tree resting on the ground. Wood pieces were embedded in her sides and drawing out more blood. Emerald was thrown far away and getting up from off the ground on unsteady legs. Her hair was singed and her outfit was barely in one piece. All in all, she was in worse shape than Sailor Moon.
" Next time," Emerald muttered through cracked lips before she disappeared.
" Till we meet again," Sailor Moon replied brokenly.
" Serena," Luna called.
Luna limped over to Sailor Moon still against the tree. Her front right paw was held up in the air and she tried to hop and a gash was on her right shoulder, but not very deep. Her coat was dirty, with grass and dirt clinging to her fur. She looked far better then Sailor Moon did.
" Serena, Rubeus is attacking the girls. Venus said they needed help. They might be in serious danger."
" Ok Luna. As soon as I catch my breath," was the labored response.
Sailor Moon stood up slowly, slightly wavering. Picking up Luna and placing her on her shoulder, she wrapped her arms around her torso and tried to run. She stumbled and tripped and could barely keep her eyes open. The pain from cracked ribs was unbearable and her body was becoming numb, but the thought of losing her friends fueled her onwards. Step by step, she was starting to hear the sounds of battle.
" Mars Celestial Fire Surround! "
" I don't think so!"
Rubeus, with dark spiky red hair, a brown vest, and black pants, shot out a beam of dark red energy at the rings of fire coming his way, destroying them before they could ever hit him. He stood proud with a smirk on his face and his arms crossed, seemingly unimpressed and bored.
" Venus Love Chain Encircle!"
Venus shot out her chain of gilded hearts and wrapped it around his arm. He sent out a shock of black energy that hit Venus and broke the chain.
" Let me show you how it's done!" Rubeus yelled.
He formed a small black ball of energy and from it, a long cord shot out and wrapped around Venus. She screamed as her body was continuous zapped by negative energy.
Sailor Moon just arrived in time to see Venus get hurt. Luna jumped from her shoulder and stared back up at her young charge.
" You have to help her!"
" I don't think I have anything left."
" You must find a way or else Mina will be gone," Luna said urgently.
Sailor Moon nodded her head and tried her best to smile," No matter what Luna."
" Moon Tiara Magic!"
A golden frisbee soared through the air and sliced the black cord. Venus fell to her knees, panting.
" Sailor Moon!" Jupiter yelled.
" Impossible!" Rubeus shouted.
" Sorry to disappoint you and Emerald, but she's off licking her wounds," Sailor Moon replied as she walked over to help Venus up.
" Sailor Moon, where have you been?" Jupiter called out.
Jupiter was holding her arm up to her bleeding shoulder. She looked worse for wear, but her shoulder appeared to be the only thing severe. Mercury was sitting on the ground looking drained of most of the energy she had. Mars was standing by Jupiter. Her suit was torn and her hair a mess. Of the four, she looked the best. Nothing appeared to be bleeding, but she definitely looked banged up.
" I may not have much energy left, but I have enough to take care of you!"
" In your dreams Sailor Moon. I shall succeed where Emerald failed!"
Luna's eye widened.
No matter what Luna.
She couldn't.
She wouldn't.
" Moon Scepter Elimination!"
" Ruby Light Storm!"
" She did," Luna mumbled.
Every last ounce of energy left in the battered and broken Moon Princess was poured into one final attack. It smashed into the red light of Rubeus's assault and battled before it finally encompassed his power and hit Rubeus dead on. Unfortunately, there was little energy left to seriously hurt him like Emerald, but it was enough to injury him.
" Nice try for now Sailor Scouts. I will return," Rubeus called before fading off much like Emerald.
Luna ran to Sailor Moon as she dropped to her knees. Her body was shaking even more now and tears pooled in her eyes. The pain was even worse with no energy left to dull it.
" What the hell have you been doing?" Mars irate voice shouted.
Sailor Moon drew up clouded, unfocused cerulean eyes to meet the fiery violet ones.
" Do you even realize how long we've been fighting? Do you have any idea how close we came to getting beat? Jupiter probably dislocated her shoulder. Mercury lost pretty much every ounce of energy in her to Rubeus. Venus was shocked repeatedly and I'm lucky I missed getting fried!"
" Mars stop," Luna commanded.
" Luna," Moon whispered.
" No she has to hear this Luna. She's irresponsible and irrational. She's done nothing but space out and cry because of Darien, who didn't show up probably because he didn't want to have you cry again. She's always late and it could have cost all of our lives. She can't keep doing this to us!"
Sailor Moon struggled to her feet and looked everyone of the girl's into their eyes. Mars's violet eyes scorned and condemned her. Venus's sky blue eyes glowed with sympathy but burned with the desire to make her see the truth. Mercury's icy blue froze over, while Jupiter's forest green burned.
" You won't need to worry about me much longer."
Sailor Moon started her slow painful journey off. She had barely the strength to lift her arms around her ribs, hoping it would help them from breaking more. Luna stared at Moon and turned to the other Scouts.
" You will never know what you have done until it is far too late," Luna cursed.
She limped after Moon and walked side by side down the streets and away.
" Guys, I think we may have overdone it," Venus softly said.
Reaching her limit, Sailor Moon fell backwards onto her back with a muted thud. She trekked her way back to the park, finding it the only place she could hide out. She ended up next to the lake once more where she battled Emerald only an hour or two earlier. Her eyes were pale and lifeless, losing every spark of light beheld in them once before. Her hair was tattered and strung out from her original hairstyle. Her suit was ripped everywhere and just hung limply over her arms and chest. Little remained to her skirt and her boots were streaked in dirt. Her lips were a pale color pink and her face was flushed.
Never in all her long years or in all her lifetimes had Luna ever been this scared before. She looked to her dear friend and daughter with tears in her eyes. She knew the sad truth. Serena did everything she could to protect the ones she loved. In the end, she made the ultimate sacrifice.
" Luna."
Tears swarm in the cat's eyes and she purred against Serena's arm.
" You have always been here for me. You have always looked after me as the Princess and even me as the ditzy teenager."
" I would gladly do it a thousand times over."
" Sometimes I think you're the only one who can ever understand me."
" Why did you do it?" Luna choked out.
" You know why Luna. You made a promise a long time ago and so did I."
" There could have been another way."
" No. There wasn't and I feel it."
" Please Serena," Luna pleaded.
" Luna, I can see them. I can see the butterflies. They're so beautiful in the sky. If only I could touch them."
Serena reached up a gloved hand shakily before it fell down sharply to the ground.
" I wanted you to be proud, mother," Serena whispered softly.
" Serena!" Luna cried, " Serena!"
Luna cried against Serena's stomach. She tried to shake her awake, but her eyes remained empty. Luna watched Serena's still body, her own racked by sobs. The moon took on an odd dull glow, even though it was full. The stars even seemed to dim, mourning the loss of the dear Princess of the Moon.
Luna felt something light touch her shoulder. It was soft, barely above a breeze. Tilting her head up, Luna gasped.
" Queen Serenity?"
Queen Serenity appeared with wide full wings of white feathers. Her long dress skimmed the grass and her hair was pulled up into the ever-familiar style. Her eyes were silver and filled with tears, making her translucent image catch the light from the stars that framed the sky. She knelt down next to Serena's still body and brushed back the hair, but her hand barely touched her skin.
" My sweet Serenity. You could never have made me prouder."
" She's truly gone."
" She was gone long before we realized."
" She must have felt empty because of losing Darien. If only he could see what lies before him."
" Long in my daughter's heart have the shadows covered her. She feels every of his words like a knife. She cries at each lost piece of her love lost by her friends and protectors. Their abuse has long since run its toll."
" I never knew how sad she was."
Serenity turned to Luna and smiled," My dear Luna. Of everyone, you are the only one who has been by her side. You are the only one who she has ever trusted and never betrayed her. You love her like I do and you protect her where others can't. Your kindness meant more to her than anything."
Luna bowed her head," I failed. Hope is lost. The princess has died again."
" No Luna. The princess has not failed yet."
The cat's eyes widened," What do you mean?"
Serenity stood up," My daughter. You longed for normalcy on your home. Here you're torn between who you were and who you have to be. The pain you felt shall be no more."
Queen Serenity spread out her long white wings She stretched out her arms and held her hands open. The crystal rose up out of the brooch on Sailor Moon's chest and to the hands of the great Queen. The crystal started to glow dully and pulse.
" Fate's cruel hand is now played. May you no longer need to choose between the Princess you were and the girl you are. You are Serenity and Serena no more. You are who you choose to be. You are the Princess and Serena as one."
The crystal burst into light, like a small star in the palm of Serenity's hand. Luna watched on amazed as Sailor Moon's suit glowed bright with light and her body started to lift a few inches into the air. Her eyes took in a prism of color as a butterfly made of rainbow hued light flowed past into the starry sky. Suddenly, more and more butterflies started to appear and float by in endless streams up into the stars and past the moon, bathing everything in transparent colors.
Queen Serenity flapped her wings and white feathers mixed in the air and drifted with the endless butterflies. Luna could only gasp at the beauty the Moon Queen possessed and the power that still remained, even though she persisted as little more than a shadow. Her eternal love for her daughter and everlasting wish to see her safe would never diminish, even after over a thousand years.
" I may not longer be able to hold and protect you like I once could, but this is my final gift to you. You should never have to choose between having to be the person you were and wanting to be the person you are."
Serena's body started to change, as the light grew dimmer. She was finally lowered down to the ground next to Luna where she once was, landing on a bed of translucent feathers. Queen Serenity bent down to kiss her daughter's forehead one last time and pet Luna before flying to the middle of the lake.
The last thing Luna noticed, was the tear streak down Queen Serenity's cheek as she faded away in the bright silhouette of the full moon. The butterflies traveled up into the sky to form bright stars against the backdrop of twilight. The feathers in the air burst into a small shower of stardust.
That's when Luna realized, the moon shone with more vigor than ever before.
The moon had been reborn.