The Weaver of Dreams

Chapter One

"For the mind in sleep is clear in its eyesight, though in the daytime the

fate of mortals is hidden from their ken . . . ."

-Aeschylus, Eurmenides

Chapter 1- A Thread of Nightmare

As it was in very rare times, Amy found herself cursing tests. They take too long, they distract, they occupy thoughts that need to be elsewhere. Especially when there was only five minutes before the bell, and she knew a ride was waiting for her. She bit the tip of her eraser, trying to focus on the task, but couldn't help but let her eyes flick to where Lita's ponytail was bobbing up and down, two rows before her. Test. Clock. Test again. Clock again. Amy uncrossed then crossed her legs, fidgeting.

Bell.

Within the instant of the sound, two papers were smacked down onto the teacher's podium, Lita's, then Amy's, and each were flying out the door on winged feet, blue skirts flying as they hurried. Another figure was hurtling down the hallway from the opposite direction, red bow in blond hair, which was streaming out behind her as she ran. They met up in the middle of the hall, and greetings were silent as they looked between themselves.

"Ready?" Mina asked.

"Yes," was the agreement from the other two. They made for the door, breaking out into the sunshine. The Guardian of Time and the Soldier of Fire were standing by a car, Trista's, since she had come to pick them up. Raye turned first, Trista halting mid-sentence. There were hurried hellos, as Trista slipped into the driver's seat, Raye sliding into shotgun, the final three packing into the back, clutching books and bags. The car ride began.

Mercury had been the first to arrive, as Raye had continued to call the others. Reaching Serena's house in Juuban had not been difficult, for so late at night, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, and no one was about. Hesitating with a breath, she saw Haruka's car crookedly parked across the street. As Mercury watched, Hotaru ran from the house, looking around frantically. Seeing the Soldier of the Silence not in uniform, Mercury let the waters ripple around her again, replacing her in her nightgown. No one paid attention to her clothing. No one cared. By the time she was to the front door, Mars had arrived, Venus and Jupiter not even a second after, accompanied by the scream of sirens.

There were many scouts in the house, and Darien. While Amara raced her overflowing car, they pieced together what had happened, much mumbled by a strained Rini, her pink hair in disarray, clutching Diana tightly. She remembered waking up, hearing Serena moving, going for the phone. When her mother had collapsed to the floor, she had leapt up, disrupting Luna and

Diana, who were curled at the foot of the bed.

Tuxedo Mask had quite literally broken into the house, using a rose to break the lock on the front door, detransforming as he pounded up the stairs to see his future daughter cradling the head of his future wife. The sounds of the intruder had alerted the rest of the family, who came running in. From there, the ambulance had been called, the scouts arriving within moments of each other.

No one knew what to do.

An alert Dr. Anderson had nearly dropped her clipboard when she saw her own daughter, dressed in socks and a nightgown, along with her several similarly attired friends. Having a personal hand in the hospital, Dr. Anderson set Serena up with a private room, since it seemed that her vital signs were stable. In fact, it seemed there was no illness at all. Which was very strange, considering the swiftness with which she slipped into a coma. The scouts walked through the hallways of the hospital, hearing the intercom calling for various doctors. It smelled like a hospital, the sting of medicinal cleanser and bleached tile floors. Very white, with occasional plants in an attempt to look cheery. Up two floors, to the west wing, down past the sights of tubes and beeping machines. Nurses in scrubs walked past, some smiling gently at the girls. It was room 231 that Serena had been assigned, marked by the fact that Amara was leaning up against the door, Michelle sitting on a chair, and Hotaru hovering between them.

Raye asked, "How is she?" Noticing the crack the door was open, Raye tried to peer through, attempting to get a glimpse of within.

Amara responded, "No change. I got that much out of a nurse. Darien, Rini, and the family are in there . . . we didn't want to barge in."

They shuffled their feet a bit, agreeing with Amara's decision to let the family be. So they hovered, waiting. Mina wandered a bit down the hallway, looking out the window. Lita began to observe a plant idly. Raye paced. Then there was a stir inside. Everyone mustered back at the doorway as Ikuko and Kenji emerged, Sammy with them, just behind. The harsh fluorescent lights made Ikuko's face look paler than it was, and Kenji was gripping her hand tightly.

They noticed their daughter's friends, and Kenji smiled politely. "We're going home for

awhile. Get some rest. You'll stay with her, too?"

The answer to the question was obvious, when everyone began to jostle forward. As Serena's parents made their way down the hall, Raye grabbed Sammy sharply, nearly spinning him around.

"Where do you think you're going? What's going on?"

Sammy gave Raye a dirty look for grabbing him and shrugged her arm off. He glanced after his parents, then sighed with a frown. "They've been running tests. Bloodwork, and she had a MRI this morning. The doctors don't know what's wrong with her. She just won't wake up. The results keep coming back normal." Sammy looked between the gathered girls. "Look, I'm glad you're all here for Serena. Makes Mom feel better. You call us if anything changes,

got it?"

There were nods.

"I've gotta catch up with Mom and Dad. Rini and Darien are still in there." With that, Sammy hurried off, since his parents were already out of sight.

The curtains were open, letting light into the room, which fell in a square onto Serena's bed. She lay there, very still, especially for Serena, with her eyes closed, black lashes brushing her cheeks. The sheet was pulled up to her chest, and her long hair was out of the trademark style, spilling over the pillow and over her shoulders. Darien sat on a stool at her bedside, one

of her cold hands in his, the fringes of his black hair falling into his reddened eyes. Rini was sitting on a small couch in the room, legs tucked up under her. It was strange to see her, since the family had gathered things so quickly to follow the ambulance. Her hair was out of the

carrot odango, instead in a ponytail at the base of her neck. With the appearance of the scouts, and the leaving of the family, the cats emerged from under the couch, warily looking at the door, which Trista closed as she was the last one to enter. Each of them took up a different

location in the room. Mina and Amy near the window, casting silhouettes of themselves in the square of light. Lita under the suspended television. Raye opposite Darien, Amara behind, an arm over Michelle's shoulders. Trista sat down beside Rini, who was pulled into a hug. Hotaru wedged herself beside Trista, sitting on the couch's arm.

There was a little silence, which was broken when Darien said, "Raye, you still don't sense anything?"

They were somewhat startled that Darien spoke first, though maybe that was what made most sense. His voice was rough, and he looked tired as he watched his girlfriend, who lay there so pale.

Raye hesitated, closing her eyes. She cast her senses outward, reaching as far as she could, attempting to find some enemy to fight, some dark force that was striking down their Princess and friend. After a moment, her eyes opened once more, and in a defeated tone said, "No."

Darien turned his head to look at her, and he nodded a little. "Thank you, for trying."

Raye bit her lip, backing away a little.

"Should I try again?" Hotaru asked, referring to her healing abilities.

Darien turned Serena's hand in his, looking at the long fingers and white skin, coming to neat little nails.

"Nothing has changed from last night. I don't think it will make a difference." The scouts cast glances between each other. Darien sounded defeated, and that was not encouraging.

"Well," Mina piped up hopefully, looking at Rini. "We know it'll all work out. Rini's still here, right?" Eyes turned to the sleepy girl, then to the older woman who held her.

"Everything will be all right, won't it Trista?" Lita asked, nearly glaring at the Guardian of Time. Trista did not look up from the top of Rini's head, her eyes low.

"Damn it, Trista," Lita began, "this is different! If there's no enemy to fight, then how do we know . . . ."

"Lita," Amy consoled, coming over to put a hand on Lita's arm. "it's all right . . . ."

"It's not all right! I'm sick of this 'we can't know' poop! If we can't help her, then-"

Into this, Trista said softly, "Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don't know myself?"

"What is that supposed to mean? You're the Guardian-"

"Both of you!" Michelle snapped, leaving the safety of Amara's arm.

"Fighting amongst ourselves is not going to help her at all. Sick or not, we can't start fighting. You know Serena wouldn't let us do that."

Lita frowned, but silenced herself.

"Then Puu," Rini asked, slipping out of Trista's arms, "what do we do?"

"We wait. For an option to present itself."

The mirrors were dark where they had once been light. The silver scrolling around their borders glinted, but now the light that struck them struck darkly, menacing rather than welcoming. It was a place of nightmares, with the black mist that curled with familiar ease around the bare feet of the young girl. Everywhere she turned to look, mirrors circled her, her rich blue eyes taking in the surroundings with a fear filled wonder. There were no stars, there was no moon. Only the mirrors that reflected. Into this, the girl who was Sailor Moon turned, her hair unbound, trailing straight down, past her knees, yet not quite touching her ankles. A long, white nightdress floated around her, and she hugged herself for warmth, even though it was not cold. She had tried calling for her Darien. For her scouts. She even tried to henshin, lifting her hand to the empty air, yet her words only echoed in the caverns of the shadows. Lonely and alone, Serena walked in circles, her image passing though the empty mirrors.

"Don't get scared," she murmured to herself. "Mirrors can't hurt you. Nephrenia is dead, remember? Starlight . . . .killed her. Don't be scared . . . ." The words were to cheer herself, but the chant wasn't soothing.

"You're ever so right, not to be scared."

Serena spun, her heart quickening a moment, first in fear, then in relief that she wasn't alone. Searching, no one stepped out of the darkness to identify themselves. "Who's there?"

The words echoed.

"Oh, such a shame you don't remember me. Of course, your last thoughts weren't of me, exactly, even though I was standing right there."

Serena found the source of her strange conversation, reflected in a tall mirror. A girl slightly older than herself stood there, leaning up against the glass from the other side. She wore a dress, black, with an off-white apron across the skirt, her wavy black hair falling to her waist. She turned and smiled, placing her hands on the opposite side of the glass. "Who . . . ?"

"Am I?" The smile broadened. "I suppose I do look so different in my original body. Odd though. Hm. Well, maybe you'll recognize me this way better," the girl said, stepping away from the mirror, her dress floating up around her as she turned on her toes, the cloth lengthening and growing darker, her eyes brightening to pricks of light as a hood enveloped her face. Staggering backward, this form she recognized instantly...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi does.

NOTE: Well, i really hope you guys like it, i had to leave off there, i had to do something to keep you guys interested.