"Jadeite," Beryl called. "What are you doing to gather energy to revive Metallia? I am getting impatient."
The lady named Beryl sat on a huge menacing throne of indigo stone. It was tall, with points fanning upward like fingers grasping at air. She had vibrant red hair that waved to her waist, held back from her face by a thick black tiara. The tiara supported a large teal stone wrapped in silver held just above her hairline. Her face was gaunt and pointed, large eyes invading the little space available. She had pointed ears decorated by large teal earrings, similar to the stone on her forehead. These things however were not what people noticed about Beryl. What was noticed were the spikes coming from her shoulders matching the talons painted red on her fingertips and fangs she liked to bare. What people noticed what the expansive cleavage visible from her violet dress that clung to her form before fanning out, what you noticed was the hatred in her red eyes.
"My queen," Jadeite responded bowing his head slightly. "I have formulated a new plan, to not only drain the energy of the earthlings, but to contain them so we may harvest their energy repeatedly.
Jadeite was joined by a taller man wearing the same grey uniform with buttons down the right side that Jadeite wore. The new man had wavy blonde hair tied back, where Jadeite had cropped hair.
"Pardon the interruption," Zoicite said, planting a fist on his chest and bowing. "I have news concerning the Silver Crystal."
Beryl's hands continued their circling of the glass orb floating just above an erect staff at her knees. "Jadeite, proceed, but I warn you, I will not tolerate another failure!"
Jadeite nodded, and disappeared.
"It seems the Silver Crystal was shattered once it contained the seven Shadow Warriors, only to form as seven rainbow crystals which have been reborn into people living today. If we can harvest the seven crystals, we can release the Shadow Warriors within and gain the Silver Crystal as well." Zoicite said, excitement bouncing in his grey eyes.
Beryl's reply was interrupted by Diamond's slow clapping. He stepped out of the shadows in his formal attire. A pearl white suit complete with violet cape attached at three points on his back with his namesake's gem. He was wearing his black crystal earrings, which he didn't have enough opportunity to wear on Earth in his opinion. A step behind him was Sapphire and Rubius.
"I see you are making quick progress, alerting three Sailor Scouts as well as Tuxedo Mask, gathering a minimal amount of energy and finally determining the fate of the Silver Crystal. My, My, at this rate you will control the Earth in no time." Diamond's voice was loud and sarcastic. Zoicite took a threatening step towards him.
Beryl's eyes narrowed at the uninvited guests. "I don't recall your meddling to be part of our arrangement."
"Ah yes, dear queen, our arrangement." Diamond said. He eyed her. "I believe you were to locate the Imperial Silver Crystal, hmmm? What impressive progress."
At this Beryl stood grasping tightly to her staff. "Generals!" She shouted, "everyone else, leave!" At this three men appeared beside Zoicite, while the rest of the crowd dispersed. Jadeite was back, along with a man with long wavy auburn hair and a second tall man with long strait white hair. All of them wore the same grey uniform.
"Diamond, let's talk cordially," Beryl said through gritted teeth.
"Certainly, I don't suppose you have any red wine handy?" Diamond asked a bored expression on his pointed face.
Beryl waved a hand. Nephlite elbowed Jadeite who glared, then disappeared only to reappear a moment later with a glass of red wine. He handed it to Diamond. He swirled the glass and sniffed the maroon liquid. It was a decent vintage. He snapped his fingers and a throne made of crystal appeared. He sat and had a sip of wine. It tasted of berries and soil, a rich, full bodied liquid.
"Now Beryl, what do you know about the Sailor Scouts?"
"Nephlite, report!" she said, before returning to sit on her own throne, setting her staff at her knees once more.
The man with the wavy auburn hair stepped forward. "Our records indicate that there are a total of four sailor scouts, named for the inner planets of the solar system. Each has a personal element that they are capable of controlling. We know that Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury have been re-awakened, they have already caused some delay to our progression." He eyed Beryl quickly before continuing. "There is also a Sailor Mars and Jupiter. The Sailor Moon that appeared yesterday is not in our records. The Tuxedo Mask is also unknown to us."
"I see then you know not who Tuxedo Mask is. Primitive fools! You will certainly want to know Beryl," Diamond exclaimed. Enjoying another sip if his wine.
Beryl stood again. "How dare you come here and insult us!"
Diamond stood also. "I will come and do as I please. If we hadn't affected the fabric of time, the seal on YOUR Metallia would have never weakened, and you would all still be in a state of suspension. Now what plans do you have to get rid of the Scouts?"
Nephlite glanced again to Beryl, then cleared his throat. "The new information given to us by Zoicite, will enable us to awaken the seven Shadow Warriors. They are superior in strength, speed and agility to all of the Sailor Scouts, enabling us to destroy them."
"What of Tuxedo Mask? What do you know of him?" asked Kunzite speaking at last.
Diamond smiled wryly. So not all of Beryl's minions were idiots. "You may know him as Endymion."
Beryl gasped. Kunzite spoke.
"What of Sailor Moon?"
"I will take care of her."
"Is our arrangement still intact then?" Beryl asked impatiently.
"It is, but there is a modification. I will be more involved. But don't ask me questions."
*****
Four days. Four long days. In many ways Serena had a hard time believing that it actually happened. Did she really meet a talking cat? Did she really transform into a super hero and destroy a youma? If it weren't for the soft mummer of power that was bubbling just under her skin; if it weren't for the way her bruises had all healed faster than normal; if it weren't for the impeccable feeling of danger lurking just under the surface of her awareness she wouldn't have believed it actually happened.
It was that impeccable feeling of danger that gave Serena pause at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Cherry Hill Temple. Serena passed the hill often as she ran errands, purposely giving no thought to the shrine maiden who lived at the top. It hurt too much to think about the betrayal. Now that she had stopped and was looking up, the memory invaded her.
"Raye," Serena called. "Where are you?"
Serena had found a note with Raye's perfect printing asking her to be there around 5. She wasn't too late this time, so where was Raye. She heard some sounds coming from a room at the back of the temple. It was eerily quiet; Phobos and Deimos were not even causing their usual ruckus of flying feathers and loud caws. As she neared the door she could hear the sounds of intimate connection. She heard a slight feminine moan and blushed thinking that Raye had finally 'fessed up about her crush on Chad. The sounds abruptly ceased before Serena could sneak away. It was what happened next that broke her heart.
Jon's voice, strained. "I don't know what you were thinking about, but I would never betray her." He opened the door of the Temple and stormed out wiping the back of his hand against his thin lips. He stopped when he saw Serena. "It's not what it looks like."
Tears were forming in her eyes.
"What the Hel.." Raye was right behind Jon her hand had just landed on his shoulder when she saw Serena too. "It's not what it looks like!" Raye protested. A blush rested on her cheeks.
Jon shrugged out of Raye's touch and came over to Serena. He took her hand gingerly. Her mouth formed an 'o' in surprise, her mind frantic as it tried to catch up to what her senses were telling her.
"She came on to me, I was surprised, I kissed her back, I'm sorry, when she moaned I woke up, realized it wasn't you. I could never be with anyone but you." Jon's voice was like velvet, deep, smooth. His eyes shone indigo beams into her own, brimming with sincerity.
Raye's voice was high pitched. "Like Hell I did! He cornered me! I would never..."
Serena's mind was reeling. Raye had kissed her husband. Raye had moaned into it. Raye betrayed her.
"How could you?" it was barely audible but it made Raye stop shouting. She could tell that her face was red and splotchy. It always was when she felt tears running down her cheeks and a lump in her throat. "How could you!?" She screamed.
Raye turned her violet gaze to the floor. "Serena, please, listen to me. It wasn't like that"
Jon moved behind her, and whispered in her ear, "She always takes what you have, don't let her take anymore." He placed his hands on her arms, just below the shoulder. It tingled slightly.
"You were my best friend..." Serena trailed off.
Raye's eyes rose, rage boiling under the surface. "I still am! He's lying! I would never do that! He..."
Jon whispered in her ear again. "Remember the high school dance when there were rumours that Jackson was going to ask you? Remember how Raye asked him before he could?"
"...came here telling me that there was something important he needed to talk about in private, but when we were alone he pushed me into a corner. I was trying to get him off me..."
"Remember when you tried out for the cheerleaders, and Raye didn't let you on the team? She only wants what you have." he whispered.
"...I wouldn't do that to you!"
Jon was right again. Raye never let her have anything. Raye took what she had. Raye was jealous of her. Raye was the liar.
It was almost impossible to get the words out. "I don't want to see you anymore." And Serena went home and cried, ignoring the ringing phone, while Jon rubbed her back until she fell asleep.
Serena was fighting back the tears again. It didn't matter that it had been years. It hurt just as much now. She never wanted to see the dark haired priestess again. But that feeling of danger would not leave her. It was on their own accord that her feet took her up the many stone steps leading up the hill.
The temple looked much as it always did. At the top of the stairs was a tall gate made of thick bamboo. Beyond that was a courtyard paved with large stones, it was surrounded by cherry trees and small shrubs. The temple itself had three levels, built in traditional Japanese architecture. The roof was deep blue which only made the golden ornaments stand out with more boldness.
Serena walked nervously past the large stone dragons that bordered the path towards the temple's front doors. She took a deep breath and muttered a short prayer before pulling on the red and white rope to ring a pair of golden bells at the top. She had just let go of the coarse material when something soft brushed her legs. She yelped, fell back three steps and landed on her head, sure that her navy skirt was up showing everyone a view of her pink panties.
"Are you Okay?" a familiar voice asked.
Serena blushed furiously as she righted herself, and looked up to see who was offering her their hand. She stopped mid reach as she recognized forest green eyes, rose earrings and thick chestnut hair pulled back into a pony-tail. She stood on her own and brushed dirt off of her pleated blue skirt.
"I'm fine," was her curt reply.
"Oh, that's good then," Lita said. She seemed at a loss for words. She was wearing a spring green tank top under faded overalls. She was still a good six inches taller than Serena. Her arms were as toned as ever, each movement revealing a bit of the hidden strength underneath. She looked at the ground and scratched the back of her head. "Well, umm, nice seeing you again Serena."
Lita turned and waved to a priestess still standing at the top of three wooden stairs wearing red and white robes, midnight hair falling to her waist. "Thanks, for the uh, curry, y'know, I'll see you later."
She then took another look at Serena, who hadn't moved, and quickly headed for the stairs. Serena watched her head disappear before turning back to the priestess. Raye stood with arms folded across her chest. Her face was unreadable.
"er," Serena started when a black cat stepped lightly up the stairs. "LUNA?"
Sadness flashed across the priestess' eyes before she looked down at the cat. Her expression wary, she bent down to pick up the feline. Raye stood again and finally spoke, her voice soft. "What are you doing here?"
What could she say? Oh I'm here because I just found out I am Sailor Moon, a champion of justice, and I had this premonition that there was danger nearby. Or perhaps I should say, I am here to yell at you again for trying get my husband. Or perhaps I could say that I am here because I miss you, and wish that we were friends again but I am hurt and angry. Serena knew she couldn't, or in respect to the latter wouldn't say any of those things. She instead opted for something absolutely less than honest.
"My cat got away from me, I followed her up here." Liar. Liar. Liar. Liar!
"Oh," Raye replied. She still held Luna. "I suppose this is your cat?"
"Yes."
Raye then came down the steps and crossed the courtyard towards Serena. She made every effort to keep her face calm and her expression neutral. Raye stopped just a step further back than the usual comfort zone. "Here you are then." Again Raye spoke softly. She extended her arms, furry limbs dangled slightly in the hazy morning light.
Serena had to take a step forward to take Luna back. "Thanks," she said as she extended her hands, but Raye didn't let go. She looked intently as Serena. It was like she could see every bruise that riddled her soul. The make-up and cheery clothes apparently did not hide secrets from the Priestess. Raye finally relinquished the cat, who kept staring at the black haired girl. Serena turned to go, but had only taken a few steps before Raye spoke again.
"You don't deserve it Serena. You deserve better than him."
Serena froze. She wanted to believe Raye, but she couldn't. Raye didn't know what she'd done. Raye didn't know how tainted she was. Raye didn't know that no-one deserved her and that she was lucky Jon put up with her. Tears were forming in her eyes as she picked up the pace, nearly sprinting down the stairs. She would not let Raye see her cry. She did not see the pen that Luna left behind.
Raye watched her former friend leave silently. Jon was killing her. She'd been angry when Jon had asked her to meet, furious when he kissed her, and murderous when he convinced Serena that it was her fault. Now she was mournful. Jon had won. He'd taken all that was Serena and killed it. He isolated her from the only people who would've helped her get away. But to see Serena again, to see her dull eyes, and fading bruises, she couldn't take it anymore. She had to save her. There was no-one else who would.
Just as she turned to go back to the Temple she saw a red and gold pen lying on the whitish stones. The pen itself was smooth red material, but the top had a golden circle. Inside the circle was a heart, its point at a 45 degree angle upward, and stemming from the point, an arrow. It was very curious, perhaps Serena had dropped it. She hesitated just a moment before heading to the many stone stairs herself.
Thanks again to AngelOnight for your reviews I really appricate them. I am more likley to update faster if I get more reviews. Thanks so much!