WARNING:

IF THE LAST CHAPTER HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ADONIS, REREAD THE ENDING TO IT NOW! OR ELSE YOU WILL BE CONFUSED!

IF IT DID, Please continue :)

"Deceived?" she asked, climbing into the passenger seat. "What do you mean 'deceived'?" Her mind retraced thoughts and memories of Adonis, searching for anything dark or foreboding, but she found nothing. Stanton sighed tiredly and put the car in gear.

"I wouldn't know". He gave her a dry smile. "But I guess we're about to find out".

"I guess", she mumbled, worriedly, as the car gave a jolt and started out of the small parking lot. She ignored the blend of palm trees, color, and skyscrapers that dazzled before her eyes, her mind focused on Adonis. His huge emerald eyes and mischievous smile worked their way into her thoughts and she couldn't help but to grin. There was no way he was capable of evil. Not with a face like that. She glanced at Stanton. Then again…

"What took you so long?" Cassandra whined from the back seat. She scooted up to glare at Serena, her beautiful features contorted into a mix of pain and jealousy.

"Don't worry about it", Stanton muttered, irritation clear in his eyes.

"But we're wasting time!" she groaned. Serena ventured into her mind to see the true reason that she was so upset. Cassandra couldn't bear the thought of them being alone together. "What if we're too late? What if-"

"Enough!" Stanton scolded her, spinning around so fast that everyone in the car had to flinch. His eyes burned with sapphire blue flames. "When I want your opinion, Cassandra, I'll ask for it".

Cassandra shrunk gradually back into her seat, watching in awe as he returned to his former manner and turned back to the road. She looked down into her lap, tears stinging her eyes. Catching Serena's stare, she immediately shot up her barriers and glared daggers at her. Serena just shrugged and turned back around, glad that she had shut up. An unsettling silence engulfed their midst until all that was heard was the low vrooming sound of the engine.

Karyl and Tymmie gave various huffs and puffs from the back of the vehicle. When these earned them no attention, Karyl finally decided to speak up.

"Can we turn the air o-"

"No", Stanton answered before he could finish.

"What about the radi-"

"No"

"The-"

"No"

The boy grumbled something to himself that sounded vaguely like 'One of these days…' and fell back onto the seat. An amused smirk slipped across Serena's lips.

"So", she started, watching as they pulled roughly onto a busy highway. "Where are they holding him?"

"You'll see when we get there"

She rolled her eyes. "But I want to know now. Tell me"

"Too bad". He gave her an amused look. "Are you commanding me? I'm royalty"

"Not yet", she pointed out. "Where did they take him?"

He turned to stare at her, his eyes glowing phosphorescent. She swallowed hard, uneasy under his watch. But regardless of her apprehensive state, she ran trembling fingers through her tresses and held his glare. His lips curved into a surprised smile.

"Aren't you afraid?" he asked.

She tilted her head. Are you kidding me? "Stanton", she started, her voice unwavering. "I'm not Cassandra. You can't break me that easily. I don't care who you are".

A glint of respect shined through the ominous yellow and he averted his attentions back to the road. "I waited outside of Jimena's house last night. I figured I would find you there".

She crossed her arms. "What does this have to do with-"

He put a finger to her lips, sending tremors down her spine. "Wait for it. I was getting there"

She groaned, knowing for a fact that he was drawing it out on purpose. "Go on"

"I wanted to destroy you", he said plainly before giving her a teasing grin. "No offense"

"None taken", she muttered and nodded for him to continue.

"After a while, I grew restless and when Maggie stepped out, I was able to skim her thoughts. I found a lot more than I bargained for".

"So?"

The car suddenly pulled to a stop and Serena cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you stopping?"

"We're here"

She abruptly looked away from him to survey the area around her. They were in a lonely parking lot, lined with tall, billowing palm trees. She looked across the way to see an endless stretch of beach. The salty ocean spray brushed over her lips and waves formed a thunderous melody as they crashed upon the shore. A large white sign read 'SUNSET BEACH'.

"I told you you'd see when we got here", Stanton sneered.

She scowled at him. "So where are they?"

He shrugged. "Somewhere around here. We'll have to look"

A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "We can't just barge in"

"And why not?"

She gave him a look.

"Fine" he crossed his arms. "Do you have a plan?"

She closed her eyes, an idea slowly taking form in her head. "I think so". It wasn't the best, but they didn't have much time. "Okay". She took a deep breath. "Listen".

Serena groaned at the cool grits of earth between her toes, unable to imagine how it ever could have felt good. Stanton held her sandals in his arms as she hadn't lasted one minute with them. If she had thought it difficult to walk on dry cement with heels, it was nothing compared to sand. Tripping over nothing in particular, she tumbled face forward towards the ground. He caught her and pulled her to her feet.

"Okay. Now you're just being ridiculous", he chuckled softly as she wasn't wearing heels anymore. She joined in and soon they were both laughing in each other's arms. She wondered what Cassandra would think if she could see them now. Fortunately, Stanton had locked her and the rest of his crew in the car. They were only to be summoned if her plan failed, which was very probable… Growing serious again, she pulled away from him and continued down the beach. She tried not to stare at the portentous skies as they only gave her an uneasy feeling.

"Goddess", Stanton whispered. She pouted, upset that he wouldn't call her by her true name.

"Yeah?" she looked up at him to see that he was pointing ahead. She turned in the direction to see two people standing over a dark figure. She could guess who they were.

Ready? His voice floated through her mind. She gripped his hand tightly in response.

I don't know…

You don't know? He cupped her chin and turned her face towards his. What do you mean?

I just… She couldn't describe it. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and her breathing was heavy and rushed. She felt as if she had hardly had time to prepare for the future, when suddenly the present hit her like a smack in the face. This was her moment of truth and she couldn't even move her legs. Some Goddess she was…

"Stop it", he scolded her, before taking a deep breath, his eyes troubled. "Look, Serena"

She stared up at him, expecting a pep talk.

"I really don't know what to tell you"

Okay… that wasn't exactly what she had in mind…

"I mean I wouldn't know what to tell you", he shrugged. "I'm not exactly the go to guy. Unless it's to destroy someone or cross them over".

She gulped at his confession. Well, okay then… She gave him a half smile. "Try?"

He returned her smile. "Serena, you don't need me to tell you what you're capable of".

She sighed, still uncertain. "I know"

His fingers brushed lazily through her hair. "What happened to the girl in my car just an hour ago? You can't be broken, remember? You're a Warrior Goddess. And you don't need me to tell you that"

She smirked. "I think you just did".

He smiled and stared into her eyes as if searching for something. He could take her now if he wanted to, but she was confident that he wouldn't. And from that same confidence, she derived the ability to do what she did next. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him towards her and parted her lips. He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her closer. Her heart jumped with anticipation. A slight smile graced her lips and she moved in closer.

And closer.

And closer. She raised an eyebrow. They hadn't been this far apart had they? Opening her eyes, she gasped to find nothing there. She searched about the beach nervously. Where had he gone? Sudden anger flooded her expression. Had Maggie taken him? A gust of cool air mixed with ocean mist washed over her and she shivered from the cold. Then out of nowhere, a dark jean jacket landed on her head, forming a tent. Fighting the urge to scream, she tore it off and looked up. The anger in her features swelled, but for a different reason. Stanton! She groaned. Did he ever stop playing games? The sheet of darkness moved about her tauntingly before racing towards the two figures in the distance.

Not yet! she scolded, but regardless of her warning, she raced after him. Unfortunately for her, the sand grew thicker and in a matter of seconds she had tumbled over her feet and into a one of the figures.

Smooth, a voice traveled through her head.

"Shut up". She grimaced before looking up to take in two people. "Maggie! Vanessa!"

They both gave her strange looks.

Remember the plan. Stanton's shadow strayed somewhere along the ocean line.

Right. The plan. She rose to her feet and brushed the sand from her clothing. Then looking up, she gave them a bright grin, despite her past loathing for them both. They didn't return it.

"I figured you'd escape" Maggie finally smiled. "You're so strong- willed, Serena". She raised a hand to caress her cheek and Serena had to resist the need to pull away. Vanessa tried to smile as well, but something was obviously troubling her.

"Serena", she started. "I'm sorry about locking you in like that but-"

Whatever. "It's okay!" she beamed. "I changed my mind anyway".

"What made you change your mind?" Maggie asked, suspiciously.

"You were right", she forced herself to speak. "I don't know him. It was just some stupid obsession". As if to prove her point, she unlinked the chain from her hair and tossed it on the ground. Well, at least she was aiming for the ground. A small hiss came from the direction and she looked down to see someone lying there in silvery chains.

"Stanton!" she cried. "Are you- I mean…er..." She turned back around to Maggie. "Are you sure that's enough to hold him?"

"Positive". Maggie walked around to Stanton and tapped the chains. Serena gawked as her finger slipped right through. When she pulled away, a few specks of silver rose like steam and then disappeared. "These chains are driven by lunar energy. To us their harmless, but to him…" She motioned towards rings of scarlet red on his wrists and ankles. Serena gasped. Vanessa apparently felt the same way, her head down, staring at her feet. Perhaps she could convince her to join her side as she had with Catty. But with Maggie there…

I'm sorry, she sent to him.

Worry about that later, he returned, giving her a weak smile.

Yeah. Worry about that later.

She snapped her head around to glare at the shadow dancing towards the ocean.

"Serena?" Vanessa asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing", she assured them and then quickly glanced back to the shadow. You're going to blow my cover.

It's not my fault if you keep staring at me

"So", she swallowed hard. "Where are the others?"

Maggie frowned. "I'm not sure. They were supposed to have been here over an hour ago. Vanessa", she turned to the blonde. "Would you call Jimena for me? You have her cell phone number".

Vanessa nodded and started to walk away, her own cell phone in hand. Maggie gave a heavy sigh sat down on a peach colored blanket that she had spread out over the sand. She smooth out her white dress and patted the spot beside her. Serena grinned and reluctantly took it, twirling her hair anxiously.

"This is a nice beach, don't you think?"

"Uh huh"

"So peaceful and quiet"

"Uh huh"

"Serena?"

"Yeah?" She wasn't going to touch her again, was she?

"I'm sorry you had to go through all this"

No you're not. "It's okay"

"I've been through things like this before"

No you haven't. "I'm sure"

"I understand"

You'll never understand. "Yeah…"

A groan arose from the ground and Serena spun around to see Stanton toying with the silver cuffs. Maggie shook her head.

"You might as well give up. You'll never get out of those"

"I'll try, before I doom myself to a painful and excruciating death, thank you", he sneered before moaning in pain at the chain's effect on his skin. Serena bit her bottom lip in compassion.

"Can't you just turn into shadow and get out?" she asked, trying to give him ideas. "Or destroy the chains? Or hypnotize one of us to take them off for you? Can't you do something? Anything?"

Stanton shot her a warning look and she felt a sharp jab at her side.

"OW!" She turned about to see a shade floating beside her. "You-" she stopped herself and laughed nervously when she caught Maggie's questioning stare. "Just… talking to myself… you talk to yourself sometimes… don't you?"

"Those chains have drained his energy. He can't do anything", she spoke solemnly.

"So why don't we just leave him in chains? You don't have to destroy him"

She shook her head in disagreement. "I'm afraid that's not so. The chains will burn out soon. They draw energy from the full moon and as you can see it won't be back for a while".

Hope flowered in her chest. "And how long will it take for them to burn out?"

"Until midnight", she stated dryly.

"Midnight?" she exclaimed, a huge smile spreading across her face. That was only a couple of hours away if Stanton's digital car clock had been correct. "That's only two hours away!"

Maggie's eyes narrowed. "What could possibly be funny?"

"Nothing", she breathed, attempting to wipe the grin from her lips.

"The others still haven't arrived and the process is long enough within itself". She beamed at Serena. "That's why it'll be easier now that you've joined us. We need more energy"

Serena gawked at her. If they were the heroes, she wanted to know who the villains were. "Er… okay".

Then suddenly, loud punk music enveloped the beach followed by a series of whoops and howls. Serena slapped a hand to her forehead and stared murderously up at the parking lot area.

"Strange", Maggie whispered. "Jimena walks this beach almost every night and she said it's always empty. That's why we picked it".

"I'm sure it's nothing", Serena begged.

"No. I'd better check it out"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because", she searched for an excuse. "We're running out of time!"

Without warning, Maggie's expression warped into one of horror and disbelief. "I don't believe you!"

Serena's eyes flooded with fear. "Wh- what?"

Maggie started towards her and she took a few quick steps back. "Wait! You don't under… stand?" The woman walked right past her. She spun around to see a group of people standing behind Stanton. Catty, the future Vanessa and Adonis waved at her.

"Catty!" Maggie exclaimed. "Why would you bring Vanessa here? She-"

"I know!" Vanessa stopped her. "Catty told me everything. Or as much as she knew anyway". She gave Catty a bright smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. It made Serena's heart dance to see them together again.

Maggie's eyes averted to Adonis. "What about-"

"How did you get here?" Stanton demanded of his son.

Adonis, as always, ignored him and played with the chains on his arm. "Is this mommy's?" he asked, mistaking the cuffs for jewelry. Serena grinned at his mishap and walked over towards them to kneel beside Stanton. She took Adonis in her arms. She was sure that he was innocent now. If he were really associated with the Atrox, his skin would have been bruised. She stared at the areas where he had touched the cuffs. They were as clear as they had always been.

You were wrong, she sent to the shadow that was now floating nearby, watching his son.

Don't be so sure

She rolled her eyes. How could he- Her sentence cut off, as she noticed that Adonis was watching something intently. She followed his gaze to a mass of unnatural shadow hovering among a few lonely palm trees. Stanton had obviously caught it before she had. In spite of the pain, he took both her and Adonis by their shoulders and pulled them back. Adonis, however, wrenched free.

"Adonis!" she scolded him, taking him by the arm. "What are you doing?"

The boy once again wrenched free and took off towards the shadows. She darted after him.

"Serena!" Stanton called after her, but she wasn't listening. There was no way that she would lose her child to the Atrox. As she neared the mass of shadow, the darkness grew more thick and soon she felt as if she were suffocating in it. Choruses of emotionless cackles and howls reverberated through out her bones, sending tremors across her body. She sunk deeper and deeper into the chaos, the beach no longer visible. "Adonis!" she called, hardly able to breathe. Was he experiencing the same torment as her? Was he still conscious? "Adonis!" she yelled, more frantically. Tears obscured her vision. She tried to call for him once again, but choked on her words. Adonis?

Serena! She let the tears stream down her face and glanced around rapidly as she floated through the shadow world. Then, out of the blue, something took hold of her and she felt herself racing pass shades and blurry whispers. They seemed farther and farther away until she could feel the cold chill of the ocean again and hear the rumbling of its waves. She groaned as her body slammed onto gritty sand and eventually opened her eyes to take in the stormy heavens. She coughed and wheezed as if she had almost drowned in a swimming pool before blinking at her tears. A boy with blonde bangs leaned beside her and he slowly came into focus to reveal Stanton.

"What were you thinking?" he glowered over her.

She gave him a pensive look and tilted his head towards her. "Which one are you?" This was getting confusing…

A worried Maggie, Catty, and two Vanessas rushed to her side screaming for her safety. She looked back to see a lonely Stanton staring worriedly at her, still in chains. She glanced back to the other. Uh oh…

I blew your cover, he confessed.

It's okay. She squeezed his hand and then turned back to his future self. I won't let you die. I promise. She slowly rose to her feet, staring vigilantly at the whirl of darkness. "Where's Adonis?"

"Here", a small voice called from the sand. A relieved smile crossed her face.

"Thank God you're okay!" She ran for him, but immediately ceased when she caught his eyes. The curious innocence that usually rested there had vanished to display cruelty and despair.

"Serena", he spoke, only it was no longer his voice.

"Adonis?" she squeaked. Had he been crossed over while floating in the pool of darkness? But that would be impossible. How was he still wearing her moon amulet?

"Oh", he groaned. "I forgot".

They all stared in unbelieving terror as glowing white light suddenly shot from Adonis's small form. Then shortly afterwards, the boy fell to his knees, his eyes lifeless and crumpled to the ground. Serena ran to his side and cradled him in her arms as the light finally dimmed to reveal a girl no more than sixteen. Long brunette tresses flowed down the back of her black tube top and to the waist of her matching mini. A raven tiara with red crystals sat atop her head. She wore a cruel smile curved about her lips and her hazel eyes betrayed one hundred percent attitude.

"You're a follower", Serena breathed angrily.

The girl put a hand to her hip and shook her head. "Oh no, Serena". She gave a low menacing laugh. "I'm just like you".

"What do you mean?" she asked, caressing Adonis's now cold cheeks. Then before she could stop her, the girl reached down and plucked the amulet from Adonis's neck. She dangled it in front of them all as if to demonstrate how it had no affect on her.

"I'm a Goddess", she said the words as if to mock them and their meaning. "A daughter of the moon".

Wow! That wasnt hard at all! Maybe Im losing my writers block! Tell me if I made any factual mistakes in your review... you are going to review aren't you: )

REVIEW CORNER:

Minisparky- Sorry I had to change the whole back together again part. It seemed to move WAY too fast, ya know?

Demon Dea- I agree with you. The story does move fast. But Im working on it! Sorry about your story O.o

TayTay09- THANK YOU! Sorry I didn't update as quick O.o

MoonlightChild04- NO! DONT DIE! (shakes her) Okay... What to do? What to do? Okay... because of Serena's charm, they know that Stanton wasn't in any immediate danger. Thats why they had time to eat. And then afterwards, they ran into the club to get Tymmie and Karyl. Tymmie and Karyl dont really care what happens as long as they get a thrill ride. Stanton is still in danger. THats all the explaining I can do O.o

AmazonAngel87- She'll show up in due time. GLAD YOU LIKE IT!

Elephantsrocmysox- U must have a cool mom. My mom would slap me around if she knew what I was writing and ban me from this here compu lol Stanton will kiss Serena... when I feel like writing it : )

Cynthia- Almost revealed his love. ALMOST.

Jenn(she cuts)- NICE TO SEE YOU ON MY REVIEW PAGE! THANK YOU! And no its not done O.o

Toorikoso- THANX for the compliments! Yeah Cassandra needs an ass whuppin

ROCKERfaerie13- Of course Stanton didn't decieve her... I think... O.o Im too confusing for my own damn self...

Blondie91- NO! MWAHAHAHA! YOUR WRONG! LOLOLOL! You''ll never gue- esssss!

Angel Gemman- You will see how she was decieved. GLAD YOU LOVE IT!

Nanirain- KEWL! WELL heres another chappy! Cookie eyes are nice but I prefer cookies :-)

Demondamon- Did you have a different name before? WHat was it? Glad you think the story is good! Sorry about you being grounded.You bad ass, you

HI- HI! Glad you love it! Amazing? KEWL! Updating now!