Chapter 11
Always There
The results were in and Serena started from the bottom and read her way to the top.
"Looks like you're getting much better." Lita commented and Serena laughed in excitement. Studying (no matter how insipid) really paid off. She was so proud of her accomplishments that she traced the characters of her name on the enlarged list in awe.
"Ami, you made the top of the list again!" Molly beamed, craning her neck. Serena gave Ami a warm smile.
"Of course. Ami is the best in school!" Ami blushed.
Because she's a nerd. I bet she has no life. And no boyfriend. Serena's ears picked up mutters from her classmates. She glowered at them.
"Shut up. You're just jealous." She shot at them when Ami tensed.
"Look what I found in her desk! It's a cheating card!" Melvin held out a worn card with a glare.
"Melvin!" Molly gasped. Serena looked in disinterest at the supposed 'cheat card'. She knew Ami's handwriting well, and that looked nothing like it.
"Cheater!" Someone yelled from the crowed. Lita stiffened in outrage and stepped in front of Ami and Serena in a protective stance.
"Who said that?" She bellowed with an angry hand on her hip.
"Lita, its fine. I've heard it all before." Ami said softly. Serena knew her friend well, and the accusations were making her clam up and withdraw.
"That's right. We know you didn't cheat." Serena said strongly and gave a glare at the crowed and pulled Lita with her as they left.
Ami was used to it, but it still stung to hear people say things like that. She studied damn hard for the test! Even broke two dates with Zoicite to keep her mind fresh and go over her study cards. But, what the other students thought didn't mean anything to her because she knew she passed that test fair and square!
"Don't let them get to you." Lita said when they arrived at their lockers.
"I know. Don't worry. I'm fine." She firmly insisted and spun her combination to retrieve her mass communications textbook. As she parted from them to go home, she felt eyes on her back, glaring and whispers reached her ears. She wanted to scream and them, cut them down with her words, but…that's not who she was.
"Who would want to date her? She always has her head in the books…" Someone rudely said aloud, not even trying to be quiet. Her cheeks flushed. How can she say something like that when she doesn't even know me? They just assume…
"Penny for your thoughts." She jumped when his voice hummed low next to her.
"Zoicite! You startled me." Her hand fluttered to her pounding heartbeat.
"What's wrong Princess? You're brow is all furrowed." He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, suddenly feeling better with him around. She couldn't help the little smug smile that slipped on her lips as they passed the girls who were badmouthing her earlier about not having a boyfriend. They practically gawked at him.
"Just a little trouble in school. Nothing big." She murmured.
"Like what?" He didn't take her vague answer like she wanted him too.
"I scored number one on our High School efficiency test and people think I may have cheated."
"What? Are they crazy! Did you tell them that you broke off two dates with your totally hot boyfriend to study?" He demanded and for a minute, Ami thought he was being serious. She giggled.
"No. They can think all they want."
"Then why are you upset?" He asked her, sliding his arm from her shoulders and grasping her hand in a warm grip.
"Because I missed getting a perfect score by one!" She said hotly, mentally going over the test to try to find out which one she missed. Zoicite chuckled and kissed her in the head.
"Damn them." He mused. Ami smirked and gave him a smile.
"I know."
XOXO
Serena filled a glass with some cold water and set it on a tray with two children's cold medicine chewables and a plate of sliced apples and bananas.
"Mmmm!" Caleb hummed from his highchair with greedy little hands.
"No, this is for Rini. Here." She gave him a thick peanut butter teething cookie. "Darien! He needs a refill!" She called to him. He came to the kitchen, giving her a kiss on the head before she left to tend to Rini. She caught a cold after her very first day of school and her fever had just come down.
It was a full week since she had moved back in with Darien. He had purchased a new unit with two rooms instead of one since Rini had begun staying with them on a permanent basis. It was actually Sammy's idea. She always kept him up-to-date on what was happening and he thought it would be good if Rini just stayed with her so she could keep a better eye on her. Her mom was a little hesitant at first, but gave in after she got used to the idea. She had the girls help move the stuff, and even gave jobs to the guys (who became elusive after she told them of the move). The new place was in the same complex and on the same floor so it wasn't too hard to get themselves situated.
The room was bright and cheery with pale colors of green and yellow. Caleb's crib was against the wall sporting chubby monkeys and balloons on the linens. Rini had a bed next to the window with Serena's old childhood blankets pulled up to her chin. Her hair was down, longer than Serena imagined it would be.
"Feeling better?" She asked, placing the tray on the nightstand and sitting on the edge of the bed to remove the wet washrag on Rini's forehead.
"I feel fine. Can I go back to school tomorrow?" She eagerly asked, taking the chewable tablets from Serena's hand and gulping down half of the water.
"Is school fun?" She asked. Hope she's not a school fanatic like Darien Serena thought with a mental grimace.
"Yeah! There's this kid the sits next to me and—"
"Yoohoo!" Mina's bright voice had them turning to the open door. "Good! You're awake! We brought someone who is dying to see you!" Serena saw a little brown headed girl peek in with a hesitant smile.
"Momo!" Rini shrieked in delight and tossed the blankets off of her. The two girls embraced happily, immediately talking all at once. Serena smiled at the two, pleased that Rini finally found a friend. She was a little worried about her since she seemed to only hang out with her and the girls.
"They seem to be really good friends." Ami commented as they settled in the kitchen. Darien had Caleb and was helping him build something with preschool blocks in the living room.
"Probably her best friend." Raye said.
"She must have been lonely coming to the future all by herself." Lita said, propping her chin on her hand.
"I wonder if she has any siblings or cousins. She likes playing with Caleb all the time. I'm glad she has a friend her own age though." Serena brought a pitcher of ice cold lemonade to the table and grabbed some cups.
"I wonder why the enemy is after her." Ami frowned and had the whole table thinking.
XOXO
"Luna! Why didn't you wake me up?" Rini demanded in a panic as she sprinted down the sidewalk. The little black cat ran with her and gave her a little accusing glare.
"I did! Three times! I swear, you're just like Serena!" Luna huffed. Ohh, I hate this! The school gates were still open and she ran in just as the final bell rang. As she wandered in the school yard, she could hear angry hollers. The children were playing rather roughly.
"Its first hour and everyone is still playing?" She asked, scanning the grounds to find Momo.
"Looks like they're fighting to me!" By the wall of the building, she saw Momo arguing with a boy and then they began fighting. What was going on? She ran to her friend to see what was wrong, but Momo looked like she was going to hurt her too and she did by tripping her for no reason.
"Serves you right!" Momo taunted and ran into the school. Rini was fuming and she hastily picked herself up from the ground.
"Now I'm mad!" She yelled and ran after her friend to demand what was going on. Inside the school was just as angry and violent and she backed away in terror as other students were turning their wrath on her, even the teachers! She needed to get away! She took solace in the science room. She never liked this room, but if was safer than the rest of the school.
XOXO
The sky was dark and a chilling wind swept through the front of the apartment as they waited. Luna had tried to call them over the communication watches but the signal was static and interrupted. Something was up; they just didn't know what it was. Ami, Lita, Serena, Zoicite and Nephrite waited tensely when finally Luna was patched through on Ami's wrist communicator.
"Rini's school. Come quick!" And then just a few seconds later Mina's voice rang through.
"A yomen at the park!" The fine hairs on the back of Serena's neck stood up in panic.
"What one do we go to?"
"We'll go to the park. Nephrite, Zoicite, go with Serena to the School." Ami said and she and Lita transformed. They all parted ways, running down the sidewalk and rounding the corners and taking various shortcuts through the alleys and a wet golf course. The huge building loomed just over the tops of the cloistered houses. She stopped and quickly transformed, not caring if the guys saw her naked. She slid to a halt looking wide-eyed at a towering gold henge. So much dark energy zapped and snapped around it as it steadily increased. The air was thick with dark magic that she was shaking in her boots. Taking a deep breath, the trio entered the broken building, their steps crunching in broken glass and rubble. Nephrite was at her back and Zoicite led the way. Together they peeked into doors and open windows. There was one door that was unscathed and they exchanged looks and tenderly opened the door.
"Rini?" She hesitantly called and entered the room fully. There was scraping on the floor and Serena turned abruptly to see a skating skeleton coming at her. A scream burned her throat but Zoicite's hand muffled the sound.
"Sailor Moon!" Rini came from behind the skeleton and latched onto her legs tightly. Serena could feel her shaking and her face was wet with tears. The moment didn't last long for beyond the head of the skeleton a pale, evil face looked at her.
"Sailor Moon!" Nephrite leapt at the person, knocking him to the side as Zoicite hustled her and Rini from the room. She held onto Rini's hand tightly as they ran from harm with Zoicite and Nephrite not too far behind.
"So you came Sailor Moon." She skidded to a halt, her boots slipped on the glass and she landed hard on her butt with a scream. Ow, that hurt. She opened her eyes and glared at the man. He was young, really young, maybe seventeen or eighteen.
"I came nothing!" she shot back. "How dare you do this to a school!" She stood up and did her little pose. "In the name of the moon…"
"If you have time to say all that nonsense should you not be praying to Buddha?" Then he split in two. Or so it seemed like it. In truth she realized that there was two of them. Twins, one light and one dark.
"Oh, two of them." She commented absently, still contemplating her next move.
"Die!" The lighter one roared and Zoicite pulled them back just in time. She winced as a sliver of glass cut her leg, but a little cut was better than being dead, so she forgave him.
"You're not getting away so easily!" The dark one commented. Beside him, Rini's little friend was standing stiffly with a jagged stick in her hand.
"Momo?" Rini's voice shook with pain. "Momo? Momo?" She raised her voice in panic.
"It's no use." Zoicite kneeled beside her and placed a gentle hand on her little shoulder. "She's been corrupted by dark power. It won't matter what you say right now."
Rini stood abruptly with her hands clenched by her sides. "How dare you…how dare you do this to Momo!" She screamed and bolted after him in anger. Serena didn't catch her fast enough to stop her. The dark twin raised his hand and black power sizzled around his fingertips.
"Mercury bubbles blast!" Mercury came just in time and Serena grabbed Rini.
"You think you can win so easily?" One of them mocked and then his shadow was gone from the fog.
"He disappeared?" Jupiter asked in confusion. The whole group of scouts along with Jadeite and Kunzite surrounded them.
"Are you okay?" Mars asked. Serena nodded and the fog began to clear. Only the dark twin and Momo stood.
"You're partner is gone. Give it up." Mercury said, lowering in a defensive stance. He just chuckled in malice.
"Stupid guardians." He gave a nod to the little girl to his side and Momo charged after them with the stick raised high.
"Momo, please stop!" Rini jerked from Serena's arms and pushed her way past the protective circle.
"Watch out!" Mars pulled her back just as Momo slammed the stick down. She then twisted it and charged at Venus who dodged it easily. Their attention was off of the dark twin, but Jupiter knew better because the lighter twin appeared behind them and aimed an unsuspecting attack.
"Watch out!" She screamed and caught the full blast of the black magic. Nephrite cursed and ran to her before she hit the floor. They all turned and the dark twin let loose another attack, trapping the whole group in an inescapable box. They were all zapped with dark magic. The coldness of the attack made Serena feel numb and she fell to her knees, trying to protect Rini as much as she could. A foreign scream echoed off the walls and Rini pushed herself from Serena and ran to Momo, shielding her with her body. And then a warm glow of gold encased each of them and Serena quickly touched her forehead in confusion. That was not her magic. No, it was another magic that was very close to hers. She made her way to see where it came from. Rini was bowed over Momo, clutching her friend. The moon magic came from her. Serena gasped, holding her hand to her mouth.
But how could that be? She was the only one with magic like that. She was the only one with Royal Moon blood running through her veins. Even Caleb showed no sign that he gained that kind of power from her.
"This energy!" The lighter twin looked frightened.
"The Rabbit!" The other exclaimed in a breathless voice. The dancing golden light died down.
"Momo?" Rini's voice was a bit weak, but full of tenderness. Momo stirred, and blinked open her eyes.
"Rini?" She bolted upright. "What in the world happened?"
"Die Rabbit!" The dark twin tossed an attack, but Momo recovered enough to push Rini out of the way. She screamed in pain as the jagged black magic struck her in the back. Serena bolted into action, but before she could grab the two Rini grabbed her friend and screamed loudly.
"No!" Her moon appeared, vibrant and stronger than before, lighting up the whole school. No, she had to stop! To use so much magic…she would die! Serena squinted her eyes and saw Rini's hair blow loose from the pins and dance around her head.
"How dare you do that to Momo! And my mom!" She cried in an unnatural voice, full of rage. The light intensified and Serena had to close her eyes or be blinded and she enjoyed her eye sight thank you very much. The twins were blown from the school. The golden glow flickered out and Rini fell to her knees. Serena snatched her in her arms, afraid that she would be taken. She wouldn't allow that. Protectiveness and possessiveness overwhelmed her very soul. Rini was hers, her blood, hers to care for and love.
"Who knew Rini had this kind of power?" Mercury kneeled beside her, scanning the limp child with her computer. Rini moaned and lifted her head.
"Momo?" Serena's fury had her thinking dark thoughts. Rini was hurt and weak because of them. They had to pay for harming what was hers.
"Stay here and watch after them. Mars. Jupiter." Her voice was deadly cold and even shook with repressed anger. "I will never forgive them."
XOXO
Caleb felt it. It lit the whole base. That warm magic that he had longed to feel. That he had almost forgotten. Being around the dark crystal so long tend to suck anything warm from you. So when he felt the power, he knew with growing dread that things were going to get much worse now that Wiseman witnessed his sister's true power. He felt his control slipping. The safety of his family and friends was now wavering.
Quietly, he walked from his room. He ignored the dark clan members as they passed him, only one thing was on his mind. The lengthy hallway to the main control room where the black crystal was kept was dark and he blended in. He could hear Wiseman and Diamond speaking.
"That power…it would be a waste to kill the Rabbit." Wiseman said.
"It sounds like you already have a plan." Diamond had his arms crossed as he spoke. Caleb rested his back against the pillar, to hide from them. This was not good. When the two had left, he left as well and went back to his room. The image orb glowed on his table and he summoned an image of the battle. Sailor Moon, Mars and Jupiter finished killing the twins and the large golden henge that he had created shattered. Esmeralde was outraged as usual, but Caleb had to admit that she had come close. She was about to take them on herself when Caleb heard Diamond order her to stop.
"Our tactical objectives have changed." Caleb knew that the Scouts couldn't hear him.
"But I was about to kill them." She whined.
"This in an order!" Diamond didn't take kindly to having to repeat himself, but it did the trick and the green haired girl obeyed like a lovesick puppy. A group of people filed out and Caleb peered more closely. The Guards? They were there? He watched them closely, not believing his luck. It was perfect! With their powers and the Scouts, it could be the thing to help and keep Rini safe.
"I will go to the future. I will go to the future and save my mom."
"How?" Serena asked. Rini pulled the time key to show them.
"I'm going to use this key of space-time. I haven't gotten it to work so far, but I think it will work this time. Please, come with me…" She paused giving the Guards a look over. "Everyone." She finally said. "Please, help me save my mom." From the back of the group, his dad dressed as Tuxedo Mask came forward. He kneeled and out a hand on her shoulder.
"Lets all go together." He said softly.
XOXO
Serena took one last look at Caleb. He was enjoying his bath as Sammy washed the soap from his hair.
"When will you be back?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of the toddler.
"I don't know. We're going to the future after all." She murmured. "You told mom we're off on a spring break vacation right." Sammy nodded. "I'm counting on you to help out around here in case Luna and Artemis have to leave."
"Are you sure you want me to stay here?" Sammy was a little hesitant and to tell the truth, so was Serena.
"Of course. I trust you and if you need any help, Mom and Dad will be there for you. If anything should happen to us—"
"Don't say that." Sammy snapped, startling both Caleb and Serena. He looked a little ashamed, but angry as well. "Nothing will happen." Serena gave him a soft smile and kneeled down beside him.
"If something were to happen, I want you to tell them everything." She pushed his fine reddish brown hair from his face. "Sammy you have to promise." The thirteen year old was grim.
"I promise." He muttered. Serena beamed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, knowing he would be grossed out by it. "But nothing is going to happen." He repeated. She hoped it was true. She left the bathroom and called to Luna and Artemis. They transformed into humans.
"Keep good care of them both." She said, pulling her broach from her pocket. "I don't know how long we'll be gone, but if we're gone on Caleb's birthday I want you to give him one anyway. Understand?" Could you believe that it was only three days away? He was going to turn one and she might not be there to celebrate.
"But—" Luna began but Serena cut her off.
"No. Both Darien and I have already decided. Just take a lot of pictures okay?" The pair looked to one another but then conceded.
"Alright."
"Good." She forced the emotional knot from her throat. "I better go." She left the apartment, forcing herself not to look back. After transforming, she met the girls and guys at the park lake by the dock. They waited for a while, ignoring the people who tried to get their attention. Lucky for them, the guys made good bodyguards.
"They're sure late." Mars commented, plopping herself down next to Serena on the soft grass. "Didn't you leave the house together?"
Serena frowned. "She told me to go ahead because she had something to do."
"I hope nothing has happened." Mercury looked worried.
"Let's go look for her—" Jupiter and Venus halted when Tuxedo Mask came with Rini in his arms.
"'Bout time." Serena muttered with a little glare at the two.
"Sorry. I had to take care of all sorts of things." Rini said. Humph…whatever they were. Serena thought.
"Is everyone ready?" Kunzite brought their attention back to the task at hand.
"Yes." Rini walked forward and took the key from her neck, holding it above her head. "O guardian of time! Rend the heavens and open the doorway of space and time to me! I call out thy true name! O mighty god of time, father of the guardian, Chronos! Guide me! Protect me!" The winds picked up and the clouds parted on demand. Serena looked up to see a descending beam of pink magic and as it came closer the beam widened. "The path of light to me!" The light enveloped them and before she knew it, Serena was alone in a crowed of clouds and smoke. Needless to say she was a little disappointed.
"This is the future?" It was blank, just…blank of anything. It was then that she noticed that she was alone. The clouds and smoke was clearing just a bit, but enough to see a hulking shadow close to her, so she started toward.
"Stop right there!" A booming, threatening voice made her pause. She squinted and made out a tall slender form.
"Any and all who break the taboo and attempt to approach the doorway of space and time shall be eliminated!" She raised what looked to be a rod and took swift menacing jabs at her. Serena stumbled back.
"Wait a minute! I—"
"Prepare to die!" Serena frantically looked for a way around the figure when she heard Rini's voice.
"Puu!" In the fog, Serena saw Rini hug the long legs of the person who was trying to kill her. How rude! The clouds and smoke cleared and Serena clearly saw her attacker. A rush of memories came to her head. Sailor Pluto…
"Small Lady?" Sailor Pluto stiffened when she saw her. "Sailor Moon." Her voice was filled with hushed surprise.
"Sailor Pluto?" Serena turned to Venus's voice. Delighted to have her friends back, Serena accepted Tuxedo Mask's helping hand.
"Small Lady?" Pluto's soft voice was a bit hardened and Rini's eyes widened.
"I'm sorry! I broke my promise and brought these people with me! But these people will save my mom!" She sounded heartbreakingly desperate.
"It's alright. I'm glad you finally mastered the key of space-time. You've grown into such a fine lady." Pluto gave Rini a fond pat on the head and then turned her attention back to the girls. "I'm sorry I turned my weapon on you my Princess. I did not know who you were." She sunk to one knee in humble forgiveness. A little embarrassed, Serena stepped forward and held out her hand.
"Stop. You were just doing your duty." Pluto stared at her hand and then smiled and took the offered hand.
"It is what I expected of you." Pluto stood, glancing at the party and giving them a nod of greeting. "But you certainly are always a source trouble for me."
"Hey, a thousand plus years doesn't change my luck. But I know you'll always be there for me." Serena stuck her tongue out and Pluto gave a little smile.
"Of course. Always." She turned to the large door. "Come we must open the doorway of space-time in order to transcend time." She lifted her long silver rod and the enchanted red gem on the top began to glow. Little see-through orbs bubbled from it and glided to the large lock of the door. It gave a lurch open and bright blue light sunned them. "Now the doorway of space-time has been opened. Please travel on to the future. Now hold hands." Serena grabbed Rini's hand and Mercury's hand tightly.
"Sailor Moon, you must not let go of Small Lady's hand. If you become separated from her you may become imprisoned in the crevices of time for all eternity." Serena glanced at her in surprise. Pluto was impassive and serious.
"We'll see you later then?" She asked. Pluto looked a little taken back.
"If it is your wish my Princess." She said quietly.
"It is."
"Then I'll see you later." She inclined her head and they all leapt through the door. It felt like they were on a rollercoaster, and when they finally landed in the space-time corridor everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Stay close." Jadeite pulled Mars's hand to his lips and kissed her, tightening his hold on her hand. There was so much pressure in the corridor, it hurt to breath.
"We have to move forward." Kunzite urged the group and they took struggling steps forward, fighting the invisible force that hammered at them.
XOXO
Caleb's image orb blinked awake and he put his book away. He saw eleven little dots moving forward. They used the ancient corridor to warp here. Happiness combed through his being and he fought down a smile. They were almost here.
"That must be the Rabbit right?" He did a pretty good job of not jumping at Esmeralde's irritating voice. Bitch snuck into his chambers!
"No this person is not alone. This energy reading indicates multiple people." He said quietly, not turning from the image orb.
"It's rare to see people on that planet." Diamond joined them, appearing out of nowhere. Damn it! Wiseman was not far behind and emerged from the ground. Caleb clenched his teeth, reigning in his temper and trying to keep his cool.
"The time has come." He rasped to them. "Now is the time to obtain the legendary Silver Crystal and the Rabbit and strike down that invincible castle." Caleb took a deep breath, closing his eyes to hide his panic. They were so close to reaching Crystal Tokyo. Right now, all of them were pretty vulnerable in the corridor of space-time. They ran the risk of getting lost.
"Obtain the Rabbit you say?" Esmeralde piped in interest.
"If the power of the black crystal is added to the Rabbit's power a wonderful power will be unleashed." Diamond was half listening, Caleb noticed. Instead his eyes were riveted to the face of Sailor Moon. Esmeralde notice as well.
"I see. So she is Sailor Moon." His voice was deathly quiet. "How beautiful."
"Diamond." Caleb called his name to wake him from his growing trance.
"Obtain the Rabbit." Was Wiseman's final order before he left the room. Diamond turned to him and Esmeralde.
"Esmeralde, go and capture the Rabbit and bring Sailor Moon back alive as well."
"Sailor Moon?" The girl gasped. Diamond turned to Caleb.
"I wish to gaze into those beautiful eyes." Caleb turned away, hiding his own eyes before Diamond saw the similarities. That's all he needed, to have Diamond know that Sailor Moon was the future Neo Queen Serenity.
"Diamond." Caleb protested but his friend ignored him and turned to leave from his room.
"I'm counting on you."
"Wiseman. Damn that shady fortune-telling old man!" Diamond was being corrupted the more he listened to that source of evil. "He appeared out of nowhere and completely emasculated Diamond with his cunning talk!"
"Come to think of it he was also the one who planted the strange wisdom regarding the Silver Crystal in Prince Diamond's head." If that was true, then who the hell was he and where did he come from? To know the Silver Crystal so intimately, and know the lore behind it was something no ordinary dark fiend would know.
"Someday, I'll expose his true colors." Caleb just hoped that he could do it before anything bad happened to Diamond or his home.
"More importantly, Sailor Moon is bewitching Prince Diamond's heart. Getting rid of her comes first!" She scathingly said as if that had anything to do with the conversation. Caleb sighed inwardly. A girl's petty jealousy was just annoying. His thoughts turned to one girl in particular and it wasn't Prizma. He gotten over her a long time ago and was glad that she was living in the past with her sisters. No, this other girl was safe from the darkness so far. But how long could he protect her he wondered. He waited for Esmeralde to leave and then got to business. He needed to get word to his father that the scouts and guards had arrived.
XOXO
Serena tightened her hold on Rini's hand when she felt her slipping. They were almost to the end of the corridor when they heard the shriek of annoying laughter.
"Welcome to our territory."
"Esmeralde!" Venus hissed.
"I'll welcome you with the utmost courtesy." She hung upside down in the walls of the corridor. Her pink frilly fan flipped open and with growing dread, Serena braced herself for the attack she knew was going to happen. It hit with a stinging slap and she lost her hold on Rini's hand as she flew back. With a cry, she floated and floated until she lost momentum and she and the Scouts landed together in a grey drab place.
"Damn." Mars cursed, helping Serena to her feet. "Rini and the guys are lost." She said.
"Where are we?" Jupiter asked.
"It's likely a space-time pocket in the crevices of space-time." Mercury said, looking around.
"Then if we don't find Rini—" Jupiter said in a worried tone.
"Then we'll be lost here forever." Venus finished for her with a grim look.
"Oh God, it my fault. If only I hadn't let go of her hand!" Serena threw back her head in despair.
"This is not the time to be blaming." Mars scolded and Serena nodded, squashing the panic that began rising. "We'll just have to look for them is all."
Serena took a step forward when all of the sudden, her crystal began vibrating and a bright pink light began pulsing with life. In the distance, they saw another pink light, pulsing as her crystal pulsed.
"Look, the Silver Crystal is resonating with that light over there." Mercury pointed.
"Maybe it's in sync with the future Silver Crystal." Venus reasoned.
"There is no point in staying here." Serena said.
"You're right. Let's go." Venus led the group and together they began making their way to the light.
XOXO
"We were separated." Jadeite said mournfully as the guys all surrounded Tuxedo Mask.
"This is kind of a creepy place." Nephrite said in a hushed voice.
"Oh no! What's going to happen to us? I'm too pretty to die in a place like this!" Zoicite wailed. They guys gave him an irritated look.
"My poor sweet Raye is missing!" Jadeite sunk to his haunches and buried his face in his hands.
"Shut up you two! Jeeze!" Nephrite growled.
"In any case, we should go look." Kunzite was ice, but he kept his wits and Darien was grateful.
Stop. A voice pricked his nerves and Darien spun around to find no one there
"Who's there?" Kunzite demanded.
You must no go in that direction. Come this way. Now, hurry.
"Ooh, scary." Jadeite huddled close to Zoicite. Both had frightened looks on their faces.
"What should we do?" Nephrite asked Darien.
"It could be a trap." Kunzite was cautious, but he waited for Darien's orders. He was thoughtful. There was just something about that voice that had him trusting it. Whoever they were.
"Let's go and see." He said after a short contemplation. Seeing his guard's faces, Darien relaxed a little to explain himself. "I'm sure I've heard that voice before." The guys seemed to accept it and they kept close to him in a protective ring.
XOXO
Rini was all alone. Again. Luna P followed her closely. Where was everyone? Beyond the red smoke, she saw a door. It was the door to the future. But she couldn't go in, not alone! How could she save her mom by herself?
"Rini." A soft voice hummed beyond the red smoke and Rini turned in shock. That sounded like her mom. She walked a little further and the smoke cleared. A slender figure dressed in flowing white stood. Rini's eyes traveled to her face.
"Let's go home together." She said softly and held out her arms. Tears rolled down her cheek.
"Mom!" She yelled joyously and ran to her, yet as she got closer, she noticed that her mom's eyes were not as she remembered. Her mom's eyes were like laughing skies full of stars. This person had dull, lifeless blue eyes. Her spirits sunk and she stopped running. Her heart hurt.
"You're not my mom." She said in a tense voice. "Who are you?"
"I am your mom little Rabbit." Rini's heart thudded in her chest like it was going to pop out.
"No, my mom would never call me Rabbit." The false image laughed and melted before her eyes and a dark moon person stood before her. Rini gasped and took a step back, preparing to run.
"You're such a clever girl little Rabbit." She fazed inched before her. "But sometimes ignorance can be bliss in the world." The woman hissed. Her nails grew long, like razors and a dark expression filled her face. "You're going to feel some pain now." The woman was too close for Rini to really do anything except run. Even then, she didn't know how far she would make it. It's all over! She thought sadly. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain. I'm sorry mom. I can't go to you now! The thought brought tears to her eyes.
Rini. She popped her eyes open. Daddy? You're going to save your mom right? Nothing is going to be resolved if you keep running away. Was that her daddy? Where was he? The woman inched closer and Rini steeled herself.
"I'm not going to run!" She told the woman defiantly. "Luna P!" The black ball zoomed from behind her and hit the woman in the face. It bounced back and she dribbled it. "Luna P transformation!" And the ball exploded into a sling shot. Now if she remembered what Caleb taught her. She slipped in balls of fireworks and shot. Her aim was dead on, but the woman didn't even flinch. She let out an amused laugh.
"I understand you sentiments, but if you're going to resist, you should pick something more effective. Mischievous little girls need to be severely punished. Prepare yourself!" And the woman's hair short from her scalp like octopus tentacles.
"Hold it right there!" Rini was never so relived in her life when she heard Sailor Moon's voice. "As long as we're here we won't let you lay a finger on her!" The woman backed off.
"I'm surprised that you made it out of that maze."
Sailor Moon nodded. "So are we." She said in an offhand tone. Rini backed away and watched the fight take place. The woman let loose an attack and when Mars tried to slice her with her fire rings, they were shot back. Mars barely hand time to dodge them. Mercury said something like the woman reversed the time flow and Jupiter and Venus tried but their attack was thrown back also.
"After she used her power, there was a distortion of time. That's when we attack." Mercury calculated.
"The Sailor Planet Power." Jupiter said and they agreed.
"But how are we going to make her attack us?" Sailor Moon asked quietly so only the scouts could hear.
"I'll do it." Rini said, stepping up.
"That's dangerous." Sailor Moon scolded, but Rini ignored her.
"Let me handle it." And she took off running before the scouts tried to stop her. The woman seemed amused.
"What are you doing now?" Rini continued running. Darien was right, he asked her to put more faith into everyone else before they came to the space-time. Now she knew what he was talking about. "You little dummy. But they do say, the dumber kids are more adorable." She lengthened her nails with a little smile. "I'll treat you nicely." Rini jumped and the rolled as the woman's nails took a swipe and missed.
"Now!" She yelled. The scouts called out their attack quickly. The woman turned her bewildered attention back to Rini and again, Rini took the sling shot up. She felt her forehead moon flare to life as she pulled back the rubber launcher. It hit the woman's helmet with a loud thud, stunning her. She glared.
"You little brat!" Her lips curled into a snarl and she let lose an attack. Rini closed her eyes and waited, and as soon as she felt the woosh of air on her cheeks, she was yanked back and into a familiar embrace. She watched over Tuxedo Mask's shoulder as the attack hit the ground where she once sat. The planet attack hit the woman and she screamed and turned to dust. Tuxedo Mask placed her on the ground.
"Sorry we're late." He said. Jadeite ran to Mars, almost sobbing her name. He pinned her arms to her sides as he landed quick, joyful kisses all over her face. Mars blushed, scolding him and ordering him to stop. There were groans from the whole party.
"How embarrassing." Nephrite said, giving Jupiter a kiss on her head as he joined her. Sailor Moon kneeled in front of Rini with a smile full of pride.
"You did a wonderful job." Rini beamed as Sailor Moon kissed her forehead.
"Well, let's get going!" Zoicite said and everyone went to the waiting door to the future. Taking a deep breath, they stepped into the blue light, single file. When they were on the other side, they weren't prepared for the scene that awaited them. Devastation, darkness, gaping holes that riddle the earth. The time they went to Crystal Tokyo in Rini's dreams was no exaggeration at all. Rini was use to it, but it still made her shiver thinking about the explosions and battles that stained the pristine crystal floors of Crystal Tokyo.
"This…is the future?" Sailor Moon asked mournfully. It was, and her mom was waiting for her…
XOXO
AN: The next chapter is in the workings and I must admit, it's my favorite one so far. It is so fun to write because I'm making futures for all the girls and guys like I always pictured.
Many thanks for the reviews last chapter: chibiangel413, rosebudjamie, sere, sousie, and small876 thank you for reviewing last chapter. For all the readers as well, thanks for reading! REVIEW! Kisses :muh: