Hey guys first update from Japan! I'm so excited to be here and it's been helping on my inspiration so much! I'm super busy though so I can't promise updates asap, but they'll be coming. I'm already working on some new projects, some relating to INTSOTN ((Hint hint)) and I'm also continuing work on The Rebellion and The Revisons on The War. So busy busy even with just that and school...hoping everyone's enjoying the end and make sure to look out for updates everywhere...though sometimes I wish my fellow authors would update some of their stuff ((Jut sayin now)).
Love always DMA
'I can see it, your hate, reflected in your eyes. It burns into me. Do you remember Momiji when we weren't like this, when we were once friends? How we stood next to each other in battle, how we held each other's hands through the good, and the bad? Is all that nothing to you anymore? Is all of that dead? Is the real you still there?'
"The three of you have three very different powers," said Abby. She turned around to the three little girls in front of her. Hermione stared back without blinking as her hand flew over the paper in front of her taking notes. Serena had her head resting in her hand obviously bored but for the most part paying attention. Abby glared at Momiji, the chestnut haired girl had her chair balanced on two legs while she leaned against the table behind her napping.
Abby moved her hand and Momiji's chair came flying down to land on all four legs. Momiji's eyes flew open instantly; she stared around her suddenly alert and paranoid. "Thank your for your undivided attention Momiji," Abby said as she turned back to the chalk board. She heard Momiji mumbled something, Serena giggled, and Hermione hushed them both.
"Now as I was saying, every slayer has several powers that they are able to master, however these powers are dependent on their elemental affinity. As with Serena who has the ability to produce and manipulate fire because of her fire affinity. And Hermione is able to connect with the earth and air because she has an affinity for both….and you Momiji…" she looked back at the three. Momiji was once again asleep, Abby picked up and eraser and threw it at her, "Your attention please!"
Momiji glared at her, "Yeah yeah, we all have an affinity….mines lightning because it's a composition of air and fire."
"Wrong!" Abby yelled, Momiji and Serena both jumped at their teacher's harsh voice. "Lightning in the grand scale of the elemental circle is an independent element on its own. But getting back to our lesson, every slayer had unique techniques given to them based on their affinity, sometimes these can be learned by others without those affinities after many long years of training and practice. However the three of you are different."
Abby turned back around and began writing on the chalkboard, "The three of you each have a special ability that no one else in the world has, it is a combination of your spirit, destiny, and genetics….do not fall back to sleep Momiji." Abby saw the girl dozing in the reflection of her glasses. "Because destiny chose the three of you to work as a team, as a balanced triangle, you were also all given gifts that would help you."
Abby turned around to look at the three girls, "Hermione was given the gift of sight, the ability to see what may happen and change the outcome, to help those who are helpless and guide her friends and loved ones to safety and unsure times. There are not many humans who have this ability and it is a great gift," she smiled at Hermione. "Serena's ability of possession is also a technique that is unique to her, though there are several forms of possession spells there none which have the same type as you. You are able to possess the mind and body simultaneously, while spells are generally limited to either mind or body. Using your gift you can possess those who pose a threat and render them useless or gather information from them and their associations."
Abby turned to Momiji, who was balancing a pencil on her nose, she turned back to the other girls. "Though both of your gifts are exceptional, it is Momiji's gift that is most useful while in battle." Momiji stopped balancing the pencil and finally looked up with attention. "Momiji's gift comes from her eyes…which is one of the reasons that her vision is also so accurate."
"Is that why Momiji's so good at target practice?" asked Serena.
"It's part of the reason, Momiji's eyes allow her to copy and analyze techniques used by her opponents in seconds," Serena and Hermione looked slightly confused. "Think of it like this…Momiji's eyes are a video camera, she records movements and actions onto a tape inside of her memory, then her mind automatically splits the video into mirror copies, one part is analyzed and committed to strategizing, while the other part is analyzed and sent to the brain for her body to copy; Momiji is then, if she chooses too, able to use that technique against her opponent."
Hermione nodded in understanding, Serena looked at Momiji and back at Abby, "So that means that Momiji is going to be a tough opponent when it comes to hand to hand combat huh."
"Yes but not only that, when it comes to magic as well Momiji would theoretically be able perform techniques in less time than her opponents. However if she is able to do that it is the question, because of the energy that Momiji will be using with her eyes, she may not be able to perform the techniques she had learned."
"So what your saying is in order to bring Momiji down to our level, we need to get her to use all her energy."
Serena stared at Momiji, eyes blank, she was searching for any way that she could expend Momiji's energy. Any way that could weaken her even a little.
"I know what you're thinking Serena, tire me out, make me weak again," Momiji said. "You underestimate me mother pushed me far beyond what I used to be, I can hold my eyes for three days."
Serena swallowed she had hoped that she would be able to tire Momiji out, making her use so many powers at once, but now it looked like that wasn't an option. Serena glanced over at Hermione's still form, she hadn't moved in the moments since they had arrived at the beach. Serena looked back at Momiji, the wind was blowing against them and the waves crashed into the shore.
Serena felt Goosebumps on her flesh; Momiji was forcing the temperature to rapidly drop. She opened her fingers and concentrated her power into her fingertips, fire danced across her hands. She leaned back and took a defensive position waiting for Momiji to attack. Despite Momiji's superiority at hand to hand combat Serena needed to buy some time, as long as she didn't use anymore new techniques she hope she could possibly keep Momiji busy until she thought of a way to defeat her, or until she got killed.
Momiji's hands were encircled by black electricity, she glared at Serena and then ran towards her. She swung at her with her left hand; Serena dodged back and countered with a swift punch at her face. Momiji blocked the attack, she twisted her hand and grabbed Serena's arm, she pulled her forward and head butted her. Serena stumbled backwards almost losing her footing in the sand; stopping herself before she fell she regained her balance.
Momiji clapped her hands together and sent a black wave of fire at Serena; Serena flipped onto her hands and spun her legs around creating a protective vortex of her own fire around her. She pushed herself back onto her feet and thrust both hands out towards Momiji.
Momiji didn't even move to block the attack instead she waved her hand and a wall of water formed in front of her dousing the fire. Momiji glared at Serena through the protective wall. "So who'd you steal that from Mo, you never had a talent for water," Serena said.
"Little witch in the Mediterranean, mother made me take her powers….the destroy her mind," Momiji's eyes were stone cold. "But that's not all I got from her." Momiji raised her hand and the sand beneath her feet shifted and then shot upwards around her. Serena looked up, the sand had solidified and had formed several pointed spears. Momiji blinked and each on simultaneously flew at Serena.
Serena dropped to her knees and thrust her hands upwards forcing fire into the air above her. The spears all turned glassy and then melted onto the ground. Serena was breathing heavily and when she stood up she stumbled, her legs were weak.
"You're so pathetic you know that," Momiji said, "God maybe Hermione was all you had….."
Serena lunged at Momiji; Momiji bent backwards and dodged her she smiled at Serena's attempt then kicked upwards knocking Serena in the jaw. Serena was thrown back, "Huh finally a reaction…."
"Don't talk about Hermione like she's some stranger that you tortured for information….she's your comrade….she's your friend…..she's your family GOD DAMN IT!"
Momiji smiled at her darkly, then her smiled changed and she hid her eyes behind her bangs."My family….huh no she's not a member of my family" the air around them began to warm "….she would never be a part of my family." Serena stared at Momiji, her tone of voice had changed, for a moment there wasn't anger in her voice, not hate or resentment….for a moment it sounded as if Momiji was thankful.
Suddenly the air turned icy again, "We don't allow monsters in my family!" Momiji held out her hand and from the ocean three giant icicles shot towards her. Serena jumped over one of them, did a flip to avoid the other, and rolled to the side to avoid the last. It whizzed by her and she felt it touch the ends of her hair, a second later would have been too late.
Serena clapped her hands together, "Seikienton" There was a large explosion and a blast of red smoke engulfed them both, Serena hoped that the spell would blind Momiji for a moment. She put her hands together and began to mutter in Latin, she needed several seconds and concentration to make the spell work.
"Bad move" Momiji whispered in her ear. Serena spun to force the large ball of light in her hands at her, "Haien!" Momiji jumped into the air and the spell
Momiji grabbed Serena's face, "Idiot...suddenly you think you can fight me?"
The world around Serena went dark and Momiji disappeared. Serena stumbled backwards, she was standing on solid ground, she turned around and saw nothing but darkness. "Momiji," her whisper echoed around her. She heard laughing behind her, spinning around she saw nothing, there was more laughter besides her and she heard footsteps. "Stop playing games Momiji show yourself!"
Another laugh echoed around Serena. She spun around pointing her finger in the direction, "Byakurai!" A large bolt of lightning shot in the direction of the laughter. It didn't strike anything but as it rushed past Serena saw a young girl standing about twenty feet away in the darkness.
Serena flicked her fingers, fire spread over her palms and hands, she held them high above her head and swirled the fire around her in a large tornado like blast. The darkness room turned orange and Serena was able to see the numerous people standing around her, all with evil smiles on their faces, they eyes covered. "You shouldn't do that!" yelled the voice of a little girl. Serena stopped the fire and stared at the little girl.
"Momiji?"
The little girl smiled at her, "Momiji….yeah I think that was….that was my name once…" There were whispers from the darkness around them. "They don't like intruders."
"Intruders?"
"Mother…she put them inside of our head to help us, to give us power but they came as well….and then there were the others….the ones we took ourselves…the ones we brought here."
Serena looked around, "Who are they?"
"They're the dark ones…." Another voice from behind them said. Serena turned around and saw Abby standing there, she didn't look at either of them and she spoke as if they were not there. "When you copy someone's powers you copy a part of their souls as well….shadows of who they are….and sometimes when your stealing parts of the soul the soul gets angry and gives you the worst part of themselves. There is always risk when you take someone's powers Momiji remember that."
The vision disappeared and Serena was once again alone with the little girl. "They came….not many at first…one and twos….then there were so many at once. Mother sent them….then one by one but faster….many at one time….there are so many now….and they're so loud."
"They're quite now…." Serena heard whispers around them again, she heard her name, curses, different languages, and vicious sounds.
"They don't know who you are…." The younger Momiji said. "You aren't one of them….your something else."
"I don't think Momiji meant for me to come here," Serena said looking around.
"No she was going to enter your mind….she was going scramble your mind and let them lose inside of you. But the other girl, she interfered. "
"Hermione? But she's…."
"Her body is sleeping but her mind still see's you and us," she said.
Serena looked down at the little girl, "You aren't like them?"
"I was here before," she said, "Before we grew up, before the dark invaded, before the others." She turned to Serena and smiled at her, "You've become so beautiful Serena, you and Hermione!"
Serena felt tears prick her eyes, this little girl inside of Momiji's subconscious was the person she had known so many years ago. This was the little girl that Momiji had been before all the training, before all the pain, and lies, before the evils had taken hold of her.
Serena bent down on one knee and touched the little girls face, "I'm glad you're still here."
"I'm glad your still alive….."
Suddenly there was a loud cracking sound around them and more whispering, Serena stood and saw cracks of light in the darkness. The little girl hugged Serena around the waist and buried her face into her shirt, Serena wrapped her arms around her friend.
"I'm sorry Serena for everything….we didn't…we didn't want this…." She said Serena felt wet droplets on her shirt. "We didn't want to hurt everyone, we were so scared and so alone…."
There was more cracking and larger pieces of the dark walls around them began to fall down. "You're never alone, we…Hermione…and I….and Kusanagi we all love you Momiji," Serena said,
"Mamoru…" she said every letter with a childlike voice. She pulled back and looked up at her, "We do love him….every part of us….even the dark ones….even the darkest one…but she says she doesn't…"
Serena felt the ground under them shake, she didn't want to leave her alone, she didn't want to lose the piece of her friend that was left. "I'll help you…I promise."
The little girl pushed away from her with a bright smile, "You shouldn't make promises you cant keep…." There were tiny tears running down the little girls face.
Serena felt the dark floor under her give way and she began to fall, "Momiji!"
"See you later Ren!" she smiled through her tears.
Serena was falling deeper into the darkness, the whispers getting louder and louder until finally she thought they would break her ears. There were screams and curses, different languages, and crying. Finally in the darkness before she was torn from Momiji's mind she heard one scream that chilled her blood.
"Someeeeeeeoneeeeeee…pllllleeeeeaaasseeeeee helllpppppppp!"
Serena was suddenly thrown backwards and was flying through the air. Her back smacked into the sharp rocks behind her, she fell into the ground face first and lay there for several seconds trying to process what had happened.
"What did you do!" Momiji screamed at her, "What did you do!"
Serena pushed herself up on her hands, "Nothing you tried to enter my mind but…."
"But Hermione interfered!" Momiji said, she was breathing hard, the white stars inside were spinning so fast they were blurring and making Momiji's eyes look white.
Serena looked over to where Hermione had been laying, her body was gone. "Where is she?"
"She's gone away don't worry she's alive for now," Momiji said.
"Momiji I know that deep down you don't want to do this….I know…."
"You don't know anything!"
She blinked and Momiji was gone again, Serena felt a sharp jab to the back, she was thrown forward into the water. Scrambling against the waves she coughed, the salt water that she had swallowed burning her throat. She suddenly felt a hand against the back of her head forcing her face back down into the water. The salty bitter water was forced down her throat and burned her eyes, she struggled against Momiji's grip on her but was unsuccessful. Finally Momiji lifted her from the water and threw her back onto the beach.
Serena turned herself over and threw up all the water she had swallowed, she gasped for breath, sand was covering her arms and face, her vision was blurred, and her lungs burned. "Who do you think you are! Telling me you know what I want…your just that Vampire's whore! You're not anything!"
Serena clenched her hands in the sand, she couldn't feel Hermione, and despite her words and what she had done the image of the little girl inside of Momiji's mind made her resolution to fight disappear.
Momiji's foot collided with Serena's stomach and she was thrown several feet away, "You think you know so much don't you! Because you spent a few second in there! You think you know everything there is so know about me!"
"I know enough," Serena pushed herself onto her knees and looked up at Momiji. "I know that you don't want to fight us….I know that you care about us still….I know that you haven't forgotten us!"
Momiji glared down at her clenching her fists, "So what that makes it all okay! What are you going to do hug me and tell me 'It'll all be okay.' Are you going to remove the bounty on my head Serena? Are you going to stop the darkness from swallowing me? Are you going to silence…."
"Yes!" Serena stared up at her, she saw Momiji falter for a moment, "That's what friendship is….thats what family is unconditional love….."
"We're not friends anymore Serena….we haven't been for a long time."
"Besides I've got all the friends I need," Momiji said glaring back at Serena.
"Haunted by the souls of those you murdered….I don't really think you can consider them friends," Serena said.
Momiji punched Serena in the chest; Serena fell back to the ground and spit blood onto the sand her heart aching from the blow. "Shut your mouth!" She punched Serena again.
Serena struggled to breath, "And Kusanagi?"
Momiji stopped hitting her, her arm frozen mid aid. Serena saw Momiji's shoulders tense, "Kusanagi….Mamoru…." Momiji whispered his name. "I hate him more than anyone else!" She dropped Serena into the sand and turned away from her.
"Liar!" Serena stood, "He never stopped looking for you, after everything he kept looking for you, he loves you….and you love…."
Momiji spun around, Serena blinked and Momiji was in front of her holding her up by her shirt. "What does that matter! He lied, he killed his family, what would have stopped him from killing me! He's a monster…just like you now…..you think I don't see it….it's all over your body your changing into one of them slowly but surely. You're becoming one of those beasts too."
Momiji threw Serena down to the ground and turned her back to her again, the freezing wind whipped around them and Serena saw frost forming on the wet sand. "You and Hermione you've chosen your sides…..you made the decision to betray who we were….our ideals….our beliefs…you sold your souls…."
"No we just changed….we became something else…." Serena said.
"I changed into…."
"We've all changed Momiji…" Serena said. Momiji turned back towards her, "That's what life is…change…becoming something else….we all change."
"Yes….and you've changed into a monster…." Momiji narrowed her eyes at the gash on Serena's forehead.
Serena reached up and touched it, it wasn't bleeding anymore, her accelerated healing from her Vampire side was healing her body already. Serena blinked and Momiji was in front of her again, she reached out and grabbed Serena around the neck; her eyes were a bright blaring green and were full of hate. "I fucking hate you too." She punched Serena again then threw her onto the ground. "You know Serena you could have been a preacher, I remember when you used to preach at the girls we used to teach….that seems like such a long time ago…but I remember how you always told them to 'be the best', 'work hard', and 'trust your friends'. But you never said what to do when your friends betray you…." Serena turned around to face her.
She opened her mouth but before she could speak Momiji had plunged a large icicle through her chest. "You should have told them….that when a friend betrays you…you eliminate them," Momiji stood back and stared down at her with cold eyes, then she turned away and stared at the ocean.
Serena fell back onto the sand, she felt the cold of the icicle and the pain. She looked down her shirt was becoming red quickly; every breath was painful and she felt like she was drowning. She collapsed back onto the sand and stared up at the darkened sky.
She blinked, little snowflakes were falling around her, appearing out of the darkness like magic and surrounding her. 'Beware the snow, that's what you told me Herm…sorry I kinda forgot until now….' Serena looked up into the dark sky and saw tiny stars peeking from behind the dark clouds that Momiji had created.
'When you go up there your sins are forgiven….you get to meet your family….' She remembered Momiji's words from their childhood.
'I hope that's true….I hope that I can see Mom again, and Dad, and teacher, and Rei, and everyone else….and even…Mo…miji….' She thought as she watched the snow fall around her.
'Darien….Hermione….I'm sorry I failed…..' She gasped once more and then felt her damaged heart slowing, she closed her eyes, the pain was gone and she wasn't cold anymore. She was warm from head to toe, warm and calm, and very sleepy. She opened her eyes once more and saw the dark swirling clouds above….she closed her eyes again and suddenly felt very light and very warm.
Darien sank to his knees his chest felt like it was going to burst, his soul felt like it was splitting into pieces. "Serena!" he yelled out. He could feel her slipping away, feel her dying! "Serena…damn it….no Serena!" He collapsed onto his hands, "Serena!" Tears rolled down his face….he suddenly felt completely and utterly empty nothing but pain resonated within him.
Blood it was in the wind, despite the chill and the ocean and the city, above everything else he could smell the blood. It wasn't her blood, but it was familiar, like something from a far away dream. The spice was still running through him, he could feel every cell in his body reacting and screaming at him to stop running, to lay down and forget, to just watch as the world passed by, to lose himself to the madness of the dream. But the blood, the scent was so strong, he propelled himself faster towards it, the world blurring around him.
"Unit six to base….unit six to base…." the disembodied voice crackled over the radio receiver.
Ami turned from the patient she was attending, "Turn that up and answer them!" she yelled at a young female nurse.
The blonde girl started and then went to the radio, she turned up the volume. "Unit six to base….come in…."
The girl picked up the mic, "This is base….go ahead…"
"The patient has escaped…..inform Lady Ami that….the Prince has broken free and is loose," the voice was panicked.
"Was anyone injured?" asked Ami. The girl repeated her question.
"No we had….already sedated his hunger with blood transfusions… he didn't attack any of us…..he was ranting about some women ….said he needed to find her….." the signal began to crackle again. "… Prince…..is still…..with spice…dangerous…." the voice faded out and there was silence again.
Ami turned back around to focus on her patient, "My lady?"
"Get back to work," she said.
"But my lady should we tell…"
"Tell whom? Prince Endymion as well as Prince Daniel are tending to the matters here, the King and Queen are disposed and most of the High Command Generals including my husband and brother are busy ensuring the capture and containment of the infected Vampires still on the grounds. There is no one to tell….and even if there was there isn't anything to be done."
"Ma'am?"
"The Prince has caught the scent of his mate and it is to her that he is going," Ami said. She looked over her shoulder at the young girl, "Don't worry about the outside world right now, I need you to focus on saving the lives here."
"Rei….Rei…." Jadeite could feel her body temperature dropping, she wasn't bleeding as much anymore but he suspected that it was because most of the blood in her body was gone. Her entire face was white and her eyes were dulling.
"Jadeite…I'm sorry for…everything…."
"No don't…."
"No! I was selfish…..I never thought of you….when I…when I was addicted….I wasn't a good wife…."
Jadeite placed his finger against her lips to stop her from speaking, "Even with everything….all the bad and good…I wouldn't change any of it."
Rei smiled up at him weakly, "yeah….me either…." She closed her eyes and inhaled a shaky breath and then Jadeite felt her heart stop.
"I think she has internal bleeding," said Daniel as he picked up Alana's unconscious form. He turned around; Lita was standing in the large scorch mark that had been left behind by their spell. She was staring down at the blackened ground eyes full of pain and sadness.
"Lita!" Daniel yelled. Lita jumped and then looked up at him; Daniel glanced over at Jadeite, who was cradling Rei's body, "Help with that….and then…."
"Help with that! That happens to be your sister's body!" Lita yelled at him, angry tears fell from her face. "Your sister is dead and you feel nothing! I'd heard that the Ambrose family had cold hearts but this…."
"Shut your mouth," Daniel's grip on Alana tightened. "You don't know how I feel right now! Don't think you could ever understand my feelings, you may be a friend but you are not a part of my family you have no right to speak to me in such a way!" Daniel glared at her, "Now this is an order from your Prince, take care of the situation at hand, search for survivors, eliminate any remaining threats." He turned away from her, Lita hung her head in shame, "Then when the Sun rises….then mourn those lost."
Lita looked up and saw his back before he disappeared. She let the tears fall away, then wiped them from her face, she inhaled a deep breath and turned to fulfill her orders.
Serena could feel the sun on her skin, the light shone through her eyelids showing her only red. She inhaled the smell of summer: grass and flowers, fresh water, the warmth of the wind. Distantly she heard the rustle of the leaves in the trees, laughter, and birds flying overhead.
She opened her eyes, she was lying on her back in a field of tall grass. Sitting up she saw Abby's house in the distance unmarred and perfect in the bright sun, on the porch sat Blake, Sarah, Abby, Hermione, and Momiji. All were laughing and joking together with bright smiles on their faces. A warm breeze passed by her and the wind chimes attached to the porch resonated a gentle tune.
"This isn't heaven," said a voice from behind her. Serena turned around and saw her mother smiling at her, dressed in a blue summer dress her hair pulled back.
"Isn't it? I wouldn't mind it if it was," Serena said smiling at the group on the porch.
"No heaven is far different from this I suppose."
"You suppose?"
"Haven't been there yet," Elena said her smiling never fading. "I've been waiting for you."
"Me…are we going together?"
Elena smiled at her, "Well that depends on you I suppose."
"What is this place?"
"This…." Elena looked towards the house. "This is a memory."
Serena looked back to the group and saw a younger version of herself run out of the house and jump onto Momiji's lap with a squeal of glee. The group roared with laughter as Momiji protested. "I don't remember this," Serena muttered.
"Memories are funny that way, they're not always reliable for facts, but for things like this…for remembering that it wasn't always bad, they do good things."
"Mom…am I dead?"
"Yes."
Serena closed her eyes, a tear slipped from her eye. "Well I guess…..that's that."
"No," Elena was next to her, "You haven't finished yet."
"But I'm dead," Serena said.
Elena turned to her with a smile, "Yes but when has that stopped anything especially in our world."
"I don't understand."
"No I don't think we ever understand everything," Elena said.
"Aren't you supposed to explain the meaning of life or something to me?"
"Is that what you want?"
Serena hesitated, "No….Abby used to say that the best part of the life we live was never knowing what comes next."
"Well it seems we agreed on something," Elena said.
"So is this all happening in my head?"
"Yes."
"Is it real?"
Elena smiled at her, "This is whatever you want it to be Serena, real, dream, anything….it will stay with you or fade….like a memory."
"You said it was up to me, if I went back or not….does that mean I can die?"
Elena reached out and touched Serena's face, "You can do whatever you want to do. But I think you already know what you want to do."
Serena turned and looked at the group again, "We used to be so happy."
"We still are," said a voice from behind them. Serena and Elena turned, Hermione stood before them dressed similarly, her dress was a light gold color. Hermione took Serena's hand, "We are happy. We have Daniel, Darien, we have our friends and our family."
"But…" Serena looked back at the family on the porch then back to Hermione.
Hermione glanced at the group behind Serena, for a moment her eyes were filled with sadness, then she smiled. "You told Momiji that we changed, you're right we did, and so did our family. But that doesn't diminish the relationship we had with them," Hermione nodded at the others. "It doesn't mean that we loved them any less or that despite their faults we didn't have any less of a relationship."
Serena tightened her grip on Hermione's hand, "Hermione…."
Hermione reached out and took Serena's face into her hands, "We're not done yet Serena, we have tons we still have to do together….and apart. This isn't the end, it's not our time."
"But I'm dead."
Hermione smiled, "Yeah about that….this is gonna hurt."
"What?"
Suddenly Serena felt a burst of pain from her chest. She gasped and fell to her knees; she inhaled a few breaths trying to process what had happened. Before she could get to her feet there was another pain, Serena gripped her chest and closed her eyes.
Thump….thump…thump…..
She could hear a faint beating sound, the sound matched on par with every piercing pain she felt in her chest. Her eyes widened realizing what it was, "My….my…."
"Your heart," said Elena with a smile, "you have the chance, now make the choice."
Serena felt tears running down her face, "Mom."
Elena smiled at her and knelt down, "Don't worry….just remember the lemons, and the good."
Serena blinked, the warm breeze circled around her brining the sound of laughter to her ears. She looked behind her at the group on the porch and smiled. She inhaled a breath right as the next beat pierced her chest.
Serena's eyes flipped open, she was staring up at the darkened clouds, the air around her was chilly, and the sound of waves crashed in her ears. Serena blinked again and then everything hit her at once. Her body was no longer in pain, she could hear the sounds of the city in the distance, the yells of Momiji from somewhere above her. She could smell the salt and pollution in the ocean air, and she could see further into the distance than normal.
A gentle hand covered her eyes and a raspy voice whispered into her ear. "Don't focus on it all, allow yourself to adjust your body will do it naturally. Don't fight it, embrace it."
"Kusanagi?"
"I'm sorry but there were few others options," he said.
Serena suddenly felt a tingling in her neck and a warmth in her throat, she tasted the strange coppery taste of his tainted blood. "Kusanagi…." Pain shot downwards form her neck and into the rest of her body, she screamed and tried to claw at the pain. Despite his condition he held Serena down and kept her from thrashing around and doing harm to herself. Finally the pain subsided and Serena stopped moving, she inhaled several deep breaths and blinked the tears from her eyes.
"You are now….a full Vampire," he whispered.
Serena inhaled a deep breath and tasted everything around her, his scent, the air, her own blood in the air, Momiji's blood, Hermione's as well. She bit her lip to keep from crying out, her entire body felt like it was on fire, she ran her tongue over her newly formed fangs, and clenched her hands feeling her now sharper fingernails.
Clearing her mind she remembered what Darien has taught her, she reached out to him, but the connection was different from before it was almost instant. As soon as she touched his mind she could feel everything he felt, see all he saw, and know everything he knew, no longer were there barriers keeping them apart. Now there was warmth that spread from her soul and heart and into her toes calming the fire. 'Darien….I see now….'
She felt his surprise and sudden relief at her presence, 'Serena? Where….'
'Kusanagi….he turned me….he saved me….I was dying…'
She felt his emotions change from frustration and anger into relief and gratitude. 'And now?'
'Vampires who have just changed, they're extremely strong, even stronger then aged Vampires temporarily, I can stop her now….I can save her,' she said.
'Don't you think you'll be taking her on alone,' Hermione's voice echoed in her head. 'You're not the only one who's fixed.' Serena could feel her smile through their link.
'Darien get here as soon as you can, Kusanagi's going to need you.'
He reached out and kissed her telepathically, she felt the tingle of his presence on her own lips. She inhaled and allowed the connection to fade into the distance recesses of her mind, however even with her focus somewhere else she still knew exactly where Darien was and what he was thinking.
"Kusanagi….you can let me up now," she said. She felt his hesitation, "I'm fine now, don't worry."
He sighed once and then let her go, Serena sat up and looked at him. He turned away from her in shame. "This is no fault of your own," she touched his chin and turned him to look at her. His eyes were a glowing green, his skin too was glowing in the moonlight, he was bronze; but more than that he was thinner than she remembered, there were new scars on his body, his eyes were tired and pained.
"Kusanagi…."
He grabbed Serena's hand, "Save her Serena….I couldn't….but you two can….save her from herself…you can't understand what Sophia and Yoshiki did."
Serena smiled at him sadly, "I do understand now….I saw it…inside of her mind." Kusanagi stared up at her with clear sadness and regret. Serena stood up and looked down at him, "I'll save her."
Kusanagi nodded and sat back onto the sand, he lowered his head to his knees and Serena saw his shoulders shaking. More than any anger, or pain, or regrets she had, more than anything else she pitied this man who had been shown only the worst of the world. The man who was like a brother, who had had such potential and worth, she pitied him.
Serena turned and raced into the distance where she felt Hermione and Momiji. The world around her blurred, she was moving faster then she had ever gone before, and had she been given the time she would have relished in her new power. She rounded the bluff and saw them standing face to face. Momiji was bleeding from her forehead and the ocean next to her was frozen; Hermione looked completely healed, her skin was emitting a low gold glow. She stood in a large crater around her were long thin stalactites made of glass.
"Using her fire powers?" asked Serena coming up behind Hermione calmly.
"Yeah, which she conveniently copied from you," Hermione said.
Momiji glared at them, she recognized what Serena had changed into; she closed her eyes and made several hand signs. "How do you think we stop her?"
"Combine our powers," Hermione said.
"My possession?"
"Yes, hold if for as long as you can, I'll help with my own power…."
"It won't be for long," Serena said.
"We don't need a lot of time, we take her on together, wear her out and then finish it," Hermione said.
Serena nodded, she looked at Momiji whose eyes were flying back and forth between Serena and Hermione. "Hermione…I saw…."
"I know….inside her I did too…" Hermione clenched her fists. "But sometimes saving someone isn't always easy…"
"Could we..."
"No she's fallen to deep into the darkness…even if we could help her it the damage to her psyche is too great. Despite our desires sometimes we are powerless."
'Don't make promises you can't keep….' The younger Momiji's voice echoed in her head.
"Forgive little one, I thought I could save you," Serena whispered.
"You are saving her, your setting her free from the darkness," Hermione turned to her and smiled, "You're setting them all free."
Serena nodded and held her hands out, fire danced over her fingers. Hermione gathered her hands together in a ball, "Shakkaho." The both moved in a blur and were on either side of Momiji. Momiji ducked and swung around hitting Hermione in the stomach, Serena aimed a punch at the back of her head. Momiji blocked the attack and flipped out of the way brining a counter attack at Serena.
Darien kicked up sand when he stopped on the beach twenty minutes later. He glanced around at the first battle field, he clenched his hands when he saw the darkened sand with Serena's fresh blood soaked in.
"Darien," said a raspy voice. He looked up and saw his brother sitting on a pile of rocks, his shirt was torn and he could see him shaking. He took note of the physical state of Kusanagi and knew that the spice was still extremely prevalent inside of his blood stream.
Darien was about to speak when he felt several peoples presences behind him. He turned and saw his mother standing there, her hair messy and unkempt, blood staining her dress, and dirt smudged on her face. Zoicite stood with Daniel behind the Queen, and Jadeite behind them.
"Kusanagi!" Valencia yelled running to her son. She took him in her arms and cradled his head.
"Mother…."
'Are you alright?' Darien asked telepathically. Kusanagi caught his eye and nodded weakly, Darien knew what it meant, it meant that right now he wasn't but soon he would be.
"Were are Serena and Hermione?" asked Daniel.
"They're fighting Momiji, the other side of those rocks," Kusanagi muttered.
"You stayed here?"
Kusanagi looked up at Darien, "I couldn't watch her die."
Darien turned from him, despite Momiji's sins she was still the woman Kusanagi loved more than anything else in the world. Watching her die would kill him as much as watching Serena die almost killed Darien.
"How long have they been like that?"
"Since…."
Suddenly from the other side of the bluffs there was a giant explosion of light that shot into the sky, the ground around them shook. Following the pillar of light a giant tornado of fire circled high into the sky, and black lightning shot down from the sky. The ground shook even more knocking the group to their knees.
Darien stared at the fire, "Serena" he muttered. Another giant bolt of lightning shot down from the sky into the tornado; Darien tried to reach out to Serena telepathically but was assaulted with two minds, chaotic and melding, spinning, clashing, and embracing each other. He pulled away from them; finally the ground no longer shook, the fire disappeared, and the lightning stopped.
Daniel looked over at his brother, "Darien."
Without a word Darien took off towards the rocks, Daniel and Jadeite following him.