Today, I raise my Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster to toast to the life of an amazing author, and certainly one of my favourites, Douglas Adams. Happy Towel Day, everyone!
Also... I'm celebrating my 34/35 high distinction score I got back for one of my essays. Yeah, I'm pretty stoked. It's kinda official now... I can write decent enough at a university level... *squee!*
Thanks to: CharmedSerenity3, Miss Katrina Malfoy, Stacey, UniversalBunny, TaliMoonAngel668, Seleine, deedee, SerentiyMoonGodness, Moon Princess Selene, Terri, SulliMike23, IsadoraKayStone, Jessica, TropicalRemix, moon86, x-YingYing-x, SabrinaGrace, life705, Jenbunny, xxNightShade12, Kiwi-margarita and merangelgal for reviewing the previous chapter
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to one of my newer readers, Seleine, whose reviews are special to me because Seleine uses Google translator to translate my stories into French to read, and then writes me such lovely reviews. Such effort must be rewarded. Thank you, Seleine.
Title: Akai Ito
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: T
Chapter: 12 – I Turn Everything Over
"Cause I'm an already but not yet resurrected fallen man
Come break this limbo
And I know you know just who I've been
Come define me"
Under the cover of darkness, a wicked cackle echoed through the streets of Tokyo. The sound of a bakery window shattering brought about a violent ended to the previously peaceful night.
"Hold it!" Sailor Moon arrived on the scene, standing fearlessly on the curb adjacent from the store. The light of a nearby lamp post bathed down upon her, showering her with rays that illuminated her hair and created a golden halo around her head. "These sweet cakes have been a great source of comfort for me these past few days, and I will not allow you to destroy this store! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Revenge!" The teal faced demon leapt for Sailor Moon, grasping hold of her throat with lighting speed. "Silver Crystal!"
"Crescent Beam!" A glimmer of light sliced across the monsters arm. It winced in pain before releasing its hold on the soldier. The remaining four Sailor Soldiers arrived at the scene, just in time to save their leader.
"You will never have this," Sailor Moon gasped for air before staggering to her feet. She dangled the Moon Wand in front of the monster with distain. "And frankly, I'm sick of all of you trying. Moon Healing Escalation!" With the flick of her wrist, she performed her attack, returning the monster to his former baker self. A solitary applause pierced through the silence of the night.
"Congratulations, Sailor Moon." Kunzite smirked as he drifted across the sky.
"Oh, I'm so ready to fight you too." Sailor Moon reached for her Moon Wand and prepared to channel all her grief and angst into fuel for revenge. "You took Darien away from me! You killed him, and now you dare to send more monsters for my crystal?"
"Wait there, Sailor Moon, I fear I'm taking too much credit this time." Kunzite raised his hand in protest. He was going to love every minute of this. "Let me introduce you to the Dark Kingdom's newest recruit. He is the one who summoned this monster to kill you."
The scent of roses wafted through the air. Sailor Moon spun around on her heels in a desperate attempt to locate the source of that familiar smell. The flutter of a dark cape attracted her attention out of the corner of her eyes. The tall dark figure stepped out of the shadows to reveal his dominant form. Heavy metal plating shielded his chest and broad shoulders. Silver embellishments adorned his chest plate and his traditional black cape was pinned to his uniform with two intricately decorated gold studs. A silver and gold broadsword remained sheathed by his left side. Its hilt glimmered with gold crescent moon shaped embossing. Sailor Moon's heart began to beat uncontrollably within her chest. The princess within her felt the urge to run to his side, for he had always protected her in the past. His dark, tousled hair. Those deep, sapphire blue eyes. The way his jaw clenched and how his gaze pierced into her soul. There was no mistaking it, it was him.
"Endymion." Sailor Moon sighed as a wave of bittersweet nostalgia overcame her senses. "Darien!" She exclaimed in excitement as she realized his present day form was still alive. Ignoring the initial protests of her brain, Sailor Moon leaped toward the armour clad warrior only to be met with icy hostility.
"I am Prince Endymion of the Dark Kingdom. I serve under the great Queen Metalia and have been given direct orders from her to collect the Silver Imperial Crystal, and then destroy you, Sailor Moon."
"Darien, that isn't who you are," Serena stopped and began to retreat as Endymion reached for his sword. "This can't be real, you're a phoney."
"Oh I assure you, Sailor Moon, that is the real Prince Endymion. Or would you be more familiar with the title Tuxedo Mask?" Kunzite laughed bitterly, relishing every expression of confusion on the soldier's face. Endymion slowly stalked toward her, his hand firmly grasped his sword as she trembled and backed against a wall.
"Darien, please remember me. This isn't you. You're a good person. Darien please, it's me, your Dumpling Head, remember?" Sailor Moon was trapped. He had her cornered and she was within striking distance. "Darien!" She pleaded desperately. The arrival of strong presence gained Sailor Mars' attention and she swiftly turned her gaze towards Sailor Moon. She squinted her eyes and searched the space around her leader. A mysterious new aura had appeared, and it seemed to be shielding her.
"Why do you call me by that name?" Prince Endymion hesitated, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter prepared her attack in an attempt to weaken Prince Endymion. He was caught off guard due to his focus on Sailor Moon and fell to his knees.
"Endymion, retreat now." Kunzite growled. "You're not ready to fight them yet."
"I'll be back for that crystal, Sailor Moon. Make no mistake, when I come back, I'll take your life too." Prince Endymion winced as he clutched his wounded side. With a flurry of black rose petals and the flick of his cape, he was gone. Kunzite laughed heartily.
"Surprised, Sailor Moon? I hope you're ready to fight your precious Prince."
"How? Darien… he's…" Sailor Moon lowered her gaze as she remembered the empty hospital bed and the casket as it lowered into the ground.
"Dead? No, but it was so easy to convince you all that he was. It really was such a touching funeral service. We weren't ready for him after the battle, but thank you for keeping him safe for us until we could take him. It's no use, Sailor Moon. He won't remember you at all. He has been brainwashed by the Dark Kingdom and knows only of his life with us. Good luck fighting against him, Sailor Moon." Kunzite's laugh echoed across the night as he disappeared into the darkness.
"They got away." Sailor Venus heaved a sigh. "Mars, are you alright?" She noticed that her fellow soldier continued to stare at their leader. She stood perfectly still.
"I felt something." The red suited soldier slowly moved towards Sailor Moon. "It was right here." She stood in front of her leader and glanced about, trying to reconnect with the energy she had previously felt.
"Was it negative energy?" Sailor Mercury used her visor in an attempt to analyse the space in question.
"No, I don't think it was. It sort of felt like a shield, it didn't feel threatening at all." Mars tried to shake the feeling.
"I can't find anything." Sailor Mercury minimised her visor. "In any case, we should probably all go home now. It's getting late and that was certainly... overwhelming."
"Sailor Moon," Jupiter turned to her leader, noticing the glazed, vacant look in her eyes. "Are you alright?" She didn't seem to hear.
"Darien..." Serena eventually sighed with a bittersweet yearning in her voice. "I don't know what to believe anymore." She turned and slowly began to walk home, reflecting on her new enemy. As she did, a cool wisp of air fluttered through her fingers. Why does that feel so familiar? "Darien?" Serena stopped and turned around, searching for the familiar feeling spectre. Nothing. Of course not, he's Prince Endymion now.
Serena quietly unlocked the door and slipped in. The room was dark. She sighed as she closed the door behind her and leant back against it. Silence. Darien's apartment felt different now that she knew he hadn't spent that week with her. She felt as though she was invading his privacy. It almost felt as if she were a stranger, breaking and entering. Serena slowly slipped on a pair of slippers and shuffled towards the kitchen. She cleaned the dirty dishes that she had used the last time she was there. As she dried the plates and put them away neatly, the thought crossed her mind that she should probably make the bed too.
Trudging into the bedroom, Serena unlocked the balcony door to let some fresh air into the stale room. The curtains fluttered and swayed, dancing in the breeze. The rays from the full moon filtered in, casting long shadows across the bedroom floor. As Serena turned around, she redirected her gaze toward the unmade bed. It looked so comforting, and although she was a stranger in his home, she couldn't help herself. She slipped between the soft sheets and inhaled deeply.
"Darien, I know you don't remember me anymore, but I still remember you. I remember us." She mumbled to the empty room. "I miss you." Serena's eyelids fluttered shut and she drifted in and out of a dreamless slumber. His cool lips brushed up against hers. Serena let out a soft groan as she held her hand against his. His fingers intertwined with hers and a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I've missed you so much."
"Serena..." She loved the way he said her name. The deep huskiness of his voice sent shivers all through her and caused the hair on her arms to stand on end. "Serena..."
"Darien!" Serena bolted upright in bed. Goosebumps still speckled her arms. Her heart pounded uncontrollably within her chest. Adrenalin coursed through her veins with every throbbing beat. She lifted a hand up and gently grazed her fingertips across her lips. They still felt cold. She shook her head briskly, unable to scatter the feeling that there was somebody else in the room with her, watching her. Serena shuffled toward the end of the bed, struggling to still her wildly beating heart. Glancing up at the low lying moon one more time, she slid the balcony door shut. Deciding to leave the bed unmade, she gathered the last of her things and left the apartment quickly, locking the door behind her. Her end of the invisible red thread tugged and trailed behind her as she began her walk home. The other end remained motionless for now, looped into a knot on Darien's bed, beside the space where the blonde girl had recently slept.
. . .
There you have it, the return of our favourite tuxie-clad hero. Let me know what you think ^_^ See you all next week for the next chapter of my other story, Summer Rain.
Crystal Saturn
