Chapter 11
Author's note:Dukka, one of the four noble truths of Buddhism. Life is suffering, pain, anxiety, stress and dissatisfaction. It defines our existence in life and drives us, we need to overcome this to achieve enlightenment.
Six weeks later...
Darien stood outside on his condo's balcony in a pair of worn blue jeans and a black muscle shirt that hugged his fighter's physic like a second skin. The sleeveless garment putting his well defined muscles on display. They rippled and flexed as he held a beer in one hand, clenching his cell phone in the other. While leaning against the railing watching the sunset against the backdrop of the high rise condo's across the street. Staring at the matching balcony to his that once held Serenity. Her ghost still lived over there in her own Condo, mocking him that he couldn't hold her, talk to her...love her in all the ways he had wanted. She was gone, out of reach and unwilling to return.
He threw the smokey glass bottle at the cement, needing to break something. Needing to find some sort of relief from his constant pain. Hearing the glass shatter into a million pieces down below wasn't satisfying in the least. He growled and returned his cold glare back to her empty balcony.
Tiger called almost every evening, telling him about what was going on. She had woken up three days later after going catatonic while meditating at the Mountain Temple. She refused to talk to Tiger about what she had relived. The trauma of it so severe it had reignited her Genesis State once again.
From then on she was holding up her Master's room from dawn until late at night, training...she had told Tiger. To use the connection she had to her crystal safely and master her Genesis State. That was all he knew, the old man was just training her to wield her Genesis State and her crystal so that it would not consume her again. These phone calls were the only means Darien had of keeping himself calm. Knowing she was alright, dealing but alive.
Tiger had told him that they had been in Osaka for a few days before they left for China. That she had signed over all her rights to her club to the shareholders. Relinquishing her ownership back to the financial group who had loaned her the money to open the place. Severing the last of her roots to Japan. Then they had boarded a plane to China, heading overland to a monastery to console Po's son. As far as he knew they were still there?
He had been angry at first when Tiger had told him Po was dead. Knowing the man's body had been only a few feet away in Ido's office and he had not even made into that room to see it. Completely oblivious to the pain Serenity was going through over the man's death. He had dealt with that guilt and was now working towards being ready to confront Black Widow...who he had recently found out. Was actually Queen Selene. Serenity's true mother from her first lifetime...the fact that she was still alive was mind boggling. How many lifetimes had she been scheming to take over the earth, he couldn't fathom but they had no more time to prepare to defend this planet. They had to confront her and quickly, every nation had suffered at her hands in that worldwide attack. Her loyal followers had infected every world power like a silent cancer. Their influence corrupting and slowly crippling the world military. She had had agents in every country poised and ready to strike and cause chaos at her slightest whim. Things had been quiet for weeks since, but every nation was on high alert.
To the seasoned soldier, Endymion. Who knew that this lull in the fighting only meant she was amassing her troops for a full on invasion. Her army's ranks would swell and then flood the earth in a cataclysmic attack, bringing one nation to it's knees at a time till the whole earth was crushed under her domination.
So he had been training like a man possessed all day with Hollywood, wanting to be in top shape when they found out where she was. Needing the distraction and the utter exhaustion at the end of the day to actually sleep. Otherwise his mind would spin him into knots.
Zac had healed up, having to use a cane his doctor had prescribed. Limping around stubbornly, when he had to walk, casting the cane bitter looks. He had started training again with Darien, lifting weights and jogging with out his cane. Amy had argued with him for weeks, wanting him to ease up and not damage his body any more. Finally relenting and letting him do as he pleased. He was his own man after all and she needed to stop treating him like a invalid when he clearly was physically stronger and more determined then ever to be in prime shape for the coming battle.
It had taken some time, but Amy had resurrected the data on the hard drive and they had a lot to explain to Serenity when
they met up again. The true reason for this Agency wasn't to keep the peace between humans and Genesis Born but something far more sinister. With the Immortal Queen of the Moon at the black heart of it all.
Right now it was a waiting game...
When 'My Immortal' by Evanessence started to play from his phone, drawing him away from his bitter contemplations. He quickly swiped the screen and pressed the phone against his ear. Darien had placed that as his ring tone. It seemed to personify his eternal relationship with the absent Sere, the tortured immortal princess that haunted every piece of him. His heart ached every time he heard that song, it spoke of all the pain and desire he felt towards her. Reminding him of why he fought and what further torment could always lay ahead between them. All the struggle they had lived through again and again in an attempt to finally break free of this karmic cycle and feel truly alive again!
"Hey, how is she?" Darien didn't care for small talk, he just wanted the details and fast. When Tiger had called a week after Sere broke her promise to return. He had told him to sit still and wait, that she needed time and that he promised to look after her till she was ready to come back to him. He wanted to find Tiger there and then and beat the living crap out of him. It felt like the man was stealing his girl away from him. It was beyond unfair that he got to hold her when she cried, console her and provide all the comfort and safety that he needed to give her. In the end he had relented and gave her the space she needed, he loved her more then his will to breathe and if this is what she needed then he would put his own needs aside. But as every day past it was getting harder and harder. He wanted to go to her, fix things..hold her... anything. He just couldn't live with out her. He fought the need to jump on a plane every time Tiger called.
"She was quiet today, barely left her room at the Temple. She's been depressed but determined to accomplish something here at the Monastery. The head monk has been the only one she allows into her room now. Then out of the blue this evening she was packed up and heading out of the temple." Tiger sounded agitated and tired.
"Where are you now?" Darien inquired, his heart slamming against his chest. Hoping like hell they were back in Tokyo.
"Were in fucking Shanghai! Guizhou province, in the Tongren prefecture to be exact." Tiger spat back, sounding down right pissed.
"Why..." Darien was on his feet instantly and heading for the balcony door.
"Because she has lost her freak'in mind! That why! " Tiger ranted back. "She wants to go hiking into the Fanjing mountains tomorrow. Like were going on some kind of lame ass sight seeing tour? But something's up with her, she's acting like nothing big is going on. But she can't fool me, that monk said something to her to lead us here. She tries to hide it, with her sweet smiles, assuring me this is just a stop over before we head back to Tokyo. Lies right to my face, as if I can't smell the fear all over her! I know she's scared, really fucking scared. "
"Are you checked into a hotel?" Darien was on the move, storming back into his condo and down the hall. Ignoring the questioning stares he was recieving from Raye, Mina, Amy and Zac. Currently camped out in his living room.
"Yeah, She's up in our room having a bath. I'm out grabbing us some supper from a noodle cart just down the block."
Tiger grumbled back. "You need to get your ass on a plane right now and come talk some sense into her."
"I'm already out the door, man." Darien shouted back sharply, stuffing his black duffle bag with clothes that now lay open on his bed.
"She thinks I don't know her true plan, that I haven't been eaves dropping on her little conference calls with that Head Monk!" Tiger was all out shouting now, he was so furious. "She's planning on ditching me during the hike and going up to the summit alone to confront her mother. This Celestial Temple she's been hunting for its at the top of those mountains. It's the bridge between our world and the Realm of the Gods. She wants to confront her mother and take back the Silver Crystal on her own! She doesn't seem to care that she's no match for her, she may haver her Genesis powers back but she' still just human. Her psycho mother's a Goddess, capable of killing her in an instant with out an once of remorse."
"Calm down, Tiger. Calm down!" Darien's voice was commanding. "I need you to hold on to her for me, stall her long enough for me to get there!" He killed the call and shoved his cell into a pocket of his jeans. Then raced down the hall, with his duffle over his shoulder, his heart clenching tight. He couldn't loose her, not again. Struggling against the pain that gripped him like a vice, he tore through the living room. She was repeating the same pattern as she did back during the Silver Millennium. Going off on her own, leaving everyone behind in some selfless belief that she was saving them. That dealing with her crazy mother was her responsibility to do... alone.
"What's going on!" Mina jumped to her feet as he headed for the door.
"Were going to China, get your shit packed and meet me at Narita!" Darien called back, slamming the front door as he
left.
Four hours later...
Serenity had been in an overly exuberant mood after supper was finished. As if all those weeks pent up in the meditative silence and thoughtful solitude of the monastery. Had snapped her out of her depressed funk. She was extraordinarily happy, almost manic in how ardent she was that tonight, they were going to live life to the fullest. She got herself together, in a little black nylon skirt that hugged her hips and a champagne peasant halter top. That barely covered her mid drift and plunged in waterfalls of lace over her bust. Her golden hair cascading down her back and over she shoulder's, shimmering like the purest silk. With just a touch of makeup, highlighting her gorgeous bedroom blue eyes and a shine of gloss on her plump lips, she was ready to conquer the club scene here in Shanghai.
Tiger had just gone with it, sticking close and watching her cautiously. Wanting to blend in with the wild crowds she wanted to wade into. He had dressed to kill...literally. In a pair of black leather pants and a complicated looking zippered sleeveless vest. His Genesis simmering just under his skin, all his senses aware and primed to protect her.
She was acting like this was her last night on earth and Tiger hated it!
Tiger watched her sadly as she hailed a cab, from the curb outside their modest hotel. The sights and sounds of Shanghai bombarded him like a physical blow. The intensity of this city with it's brazen neon lights, cacophony of noise and smothering crowds. Put metropolitan meccas like New York to shame. Car alarms were screaming in the distance, brakes squealing and people yelling in the congested traffic that was inching by down the street. It was down right maddening. The foot traffic upon the sidewalk was a rapid flow of frantic humanity, chattering and bumping against each other. Twisting through the obstacles of food carts and vendor booths every few meters, like single minded ants busy inside an anthill.
Red taxi's blended into the sea of all manner of vehicles down the winding narrow street. Moving like blood cells amid the chaos of rickshaws, bicycles, white cargo trucks and small economic cars. Steam and the greasy stench of unwashed pedestrians and deep fried food was thick in the air. There wasn't a single tree or shrub to be seen, just an endless stream of urban sprawl. It was suffocating and Tiger was having a hard time acclimating to this congested environment after weeks of being surrounded by nature and the secluded tranquility back at the monastery.
The nightlife in Shanghai was beautiful, the bund beyond the Huangpu river is majestic and colourful. With elegant shopping complex's and old world style buildings, glittering among the modern towers and glowing neon banners. The club she chose to start off the evening was located on the fourth floor of a giant shopping mall. The elevator taking them up to the private floor, was mirrored on the inside. Casting their multiple reflections back upon them in a dizzying effect. Tiger kept his peace, while Serenity was hopping on her toes with pent up excitement. When the elevator dinged and deposited them into the demi light on the fourth floor. They found the club packed and bursting outside in long lines of young people waiting to get in.
A huge, simple neon sign, dominated the glass doors of the entrance. Tiger read the script out front, quietly. The sign promoting the place as M2... 'MUSE2'. He wondered oddly what had happened to MUSE1? Instantly warning klaxons are going off inside his head, grabbing her elbow as she weaves through the line catching the eye of the bouncer up front.
This wasn't safe... being trapped inside a suffocating, loud cement box. If something bad went down, how the hell was he going to protect her. She never even noticed when his hand clamped down on her elbow wanting to pull her away from her destination. Serenity smiled sweetly up at the bouncer, a huge wall of a man, with his dark hair buzzed tight to his cranium. Dressed in a glittering silver shirt that hugs his massive chest and tight black dress pants barely containing his powerful thighs.
"Serenity Moon!" He laughed, catching sight of her. "Long time, La' me'i" He grinned broadly and opened the door wide, ushering them both in ahead of the line. The people left outside began to howl and complain at their special treatment. The bouncer shut them up instantly with a threatening glare, bending down to talk against the shell of Serenity's ear in mandarin. "Diana is up front tonight. She would love to see you again, Miss Moon." He nodded his head toward the stage hovering at the head of the club, as he straightened up.
Serenity merely nodded,the deafening pounding of the electronic base making speech impossible. Diana had been a rival Dj at one time, they had battled many times in seedy club back when she first started out. Now they were both famous and very good friends but they spun on opposite sides of the sea.
With out further delay, he left their side returning to guarding the front doors.
The club had the feeling of a huge industrial warehouse, with high ceilings covered in metal girders. Strobe lights and spots of various colours track over the massive dance floor beyond the sprawling lounge area. Filled with the young,
gorgeous people of the club scene here in Shanghai. Grinding and dancing fluidly in a mass sea of hedonistic pleasure.
The massive DJ booth sitting like the grand dais for a throne, dominated the front of the dance floor. The short haired platinum blonde, DJ, moved like smooth, velvet liquid behind the Mix Table. Dressed in a tiny black leather vest that showed over her mid drift and tight pants. Clutching a silver headset to one ear, nodding her head to the beats. Matching the RPM's of her songs perfectly as she transitioned. Pulling even more people away from the bar and onto the dance floor. Her slender arms and lithe frame, floating between her decks like a spirit. As she pumped out the trance remixes of popular songs, before all the dancer's worshiping her beats. The incredible sound system throbs through the darkened club like the heart beat of some great god. Absorbing everyone lounging in the semi circle of silver tables and soft black leather booths. Drinking quietly from their glasses, nodding their heads to the rhythm and grinning with out a single inhibition. Addicted to the music and enjoying the night with out a single care.
Serenity turned back to Tiger after surveying the free atmosphere of the club, a brilliant smile plastered to her angelic face.
"I'm heading to the bar for a drink, you want anything?" She offered.
Tiger's mouth hung open for an instant...Serenity did not drink? What the hell? Tiger quickly gathered his wits, she had been full of surprises all day.
"I'm going to go find us a table, then." He leaned in, speaking loudly against her head.
She merely nodded, not intending to sit for long. Weaving smoothly in the throng of people vying for space around the black lacquered bar that wrapped around the left edge of the dance floor.
Tiger watched her wade into the crowds, with a foreboding growing in his heart. His heightened senses suddenly perked, as he felt he wasn't the only person in this cacophony of lights and sounds watching her. With a low growl of threat, he faded into the maze of cafe tables and leather booths. Disappearing into the depths of the shadows incasing the very back corner of the club. Scanning the rafter's above with keen eyes, that shone with a mirror's glow of a hunting animal.
He caught sight of three silhouettes skulking near the roofs back windows. They climbed through an open window and disappeared up onto the rooftop. Leaping up into the all consuming darkness above as he caught the slightest amount of more movement, up behind the row of glass windows on the far side of the club. Even more threats were lurking just outside. With a low grow he slunk down the heavy metal beam his body primed for a fight. Slipping out the same open window he crawled out onto the roof to investigate.
Serenity downed a few shots that were lined up on the counter for her, in quick succession. As she searched for Tiger amid the milling crowds in the lounge area behind her. Not finding a trace of his bright orange hair in the mass of humanity, she merely shrugged and gave into the spell weaving around the dance floor. She left the bar as the music was calling to her, to join the fray of wild abandon. Easing into the dance floor, moving her body unconsciously to the deafening beats. Her smooth, movements blending seamlessly into the sea of grinding bodies. The heat of the crowds soothing her, the base vibrating through her body like a great, all consuming heart beat. Throbbing like the pulse of eternity, as she became one with the dance floor. Finally she felt safe enough to take a much needed breath. Closing her eyes as the stress faded away, cleansed and protected by the womb of dancers and the heavy beats as she twisted and turned herself seductively amid the throng.
A pair of delicate hands grabbed her waist and pulled her into a soft female body. Serenity snapped her eyes open to find a long ebony haired stranger, in a glittering crimson mini dress initiating her to grind against her. She was a cute, asian with her hair twisted up atop her head in a loose knot and she was quite intoxicated. Her heart shaped face flushed from both exertion and booze. Smiling lazily at her, her exoticly slanted dark eyes glossy and euphoric.
Serenity shrugged and just rolls with it, raising her arms over her head. As the young woman grips her hips and starts grinding against her groin in some sexy, swaying maneuver. Serenity laughed and turns around, offering her, her ass instead. Twisting her arms over her head as she reciprocates the grind, by jutting her butt out against the woman's crotch and rolling their hips together. The frenetic beat falling away, as a remix of Imagine Dragon's 'Demons' floods the dance floor. Her sexy partner falls away into the slowing dancer's. As she opens her eyes, frozen amid the now shuffling bodies. When she spots Darien only feet away, towering over the crowd. Dressed in dark tones, of a crisp black button down shirt and faded black jeans. Her breath catches and her heart explodes in her chest at the magnitude of emotion in his stare. He's hurt and confused, anger simmers like molten heat in the depths of his piercing blue eyes.
Her spirit is soaring instantly at seeing him. Yet, he isn't dancing, he isn't even moving. Just watching her with his possessive, deep, dark blue eyes. That have always drawn her in and strengthened her with out words. A slow, knowing smile draws up upon his perfect lips. His eyes now glinting with bitter understanding, as he finally grabs her hips and
slams her up against his body. Ducking his head into the crook of her neck, he brushes her golden hair to the side and presses his lips close to her ear. His body more firmly against hers.
"You broke your promise." He whisper's heatedly against the shell of her ear, breathing her in so hard.
She feels her stomach clench in response.
His mouth brushing against the nape of her neck, grazing his lips against the soft, plaint skin there.
A shiver runs up her spine, as she trembles in his arms. Grabbing his biceps and smoothing her hands upward to clasp behind his neck. Her head spinning with regret and longing, as she follows his rolling hips with her own. The people dancing around them fall away, as the heat between them builds. His hands clasp her hips hard, and spins her away. Forcing her to relinquish her hold upon his neck. She cries out at the sudden loss of his body. Then he grabs her hips again and thrusts her arching back up against his chest. Grinding his crotch against her butt, as he squeezes her hips painfully.
She could feel the hot, rigid length of his arousal. Feeling how much he wanted her, needed her to reciprocate his feelings of all consuming love.
Shuttering with desire as he runs his tongue up her neck, splaying his large hand over her stomach as they moved languidly to the music. Serenity turned her head to the side, resting her head against his chest, as her arm snakes up and her hand curls behind his neck. Her wet crystal blue eyes locking with the stormy grey-blue depths of his. As he slowly lowered his face towards her, as if drawn to her like a magnet. Swallowing hard as the music and her arousal throbs through her. Knotting and twisting in her core, as she tilts her head to invite him down to smother her lips with his own. She could sense the beautiful, powerful aura's of love from both Darien, Daiki, Endymion and countless other men she had known, as he held her close. This time it did not frighten and confuse her. Knowing and understanding so much more then she did six weeks ago. She slowly smiled, trailing her other hand to drape possessively over his upon her stomach. The act of holding him solidifying the acceptance of what they had become and reassuring him that she was ready to love him in his entirety.
"I'm sorry...Mamoru." She whispered against his lips. Needing to taste him, to soothe his worry and reassuring him that she was finally ready to move forward with him and their destined future...together. As the music then moved into a slow sexy beat.
He pressed her against him more firmly, swaying his hips with her's. The hurt and suffocating anxiety she had cast upon him when she fled now lifting from his heart, as she used her endearment for him. She had accepted him, loved all of him body and soul. As her lips softly brushed against his seeking to heal all the wounds she had done, in her cowardice and anger. To cleanse him of all the pain she had caused.
Her spirit had been so broken, her heart filled with the poison of doubt and Beryl's cruel words. Her eyes that once shone without hope and had held no life, were now alive and glistening with tears. She had felt so worthless and shattered and she had ran, from him, from everything. Needing time to cope and renew her strength to keep fighting. The Monastery had done wonder's to heal her body and soul, she was unable to recover her memories of her first life. But Master Chou wasn't with out means to show her, her ancient past. Offering truth with the Sanskrit scrolls as to the final days of the gods. Helping her safely unlock her Genesis State yet again and training her to channel what connection she had with the Silver Crystal. She would never be able to use it to it's full powers with out sacrificing herself, but she knew the risks. Then he sent her on towards the mountains to finish what she started thousands of years ago...
As Darien responded to her kiss, his lips hungry and demanding her pulse increased. Excitement charging every cell of her body at his silent forgiveness. The fear of losing him, that had been eating away at her lifted, the desperate ache she had for him once consuming her turned into a soothing, welcoming warmth she wanted to hold onto forever.
Then as quickly as the passion ignited, he tore his lips away from hers. Taking a solid step back from her heated body, panting and overwhelmed he scrubbed a hand through his hair in frustration.
Serenity blinked and turned to face him, the absence of his body against hers left her cold and wanting.
"Mamoru...?" She questioned uncertainly.
He never said a word but reached out and grabbed her hand, dragging her from the dance floor.
She stumbled and skipped behind him as he wove them back into the shadows of the lounge area of the club. Finding a secluded leather booth in the farthest back corner of the cavernous club. They needed to talk and not get sidetracked by their passions.
As a mix of Colbie Calliat's 'I never told you' began. The slow sultry tones of her gorgeous voice pulsed over the club, sinking deep into Serenity's heart spurning her to finally come clean with all her feelings and intentions that she had been holding back for so long.
Without looking at her, he slipped into the booth, pulling her in behind him. He cut his eyes to hers, holding her firmly in his gaze. Heaving for breath in the same way her chest rose and fell sharply.
As angry as he was at her, for disappearing and now going on some suicide mission with out him. Looking into her worried, fear stricken eyes. Her nervous twisting of her finger's upon the ebony black table top. His need to protect and love her snapped inside of him like a rubber band. In one swift movement, he grabbed her waist and lifted her up, placing her onto his lap. The new found vitality he saw in her eyes was a marvel he was now revelling in.
Serenity straddled him, her breath soft and shaky. As she held his intense stare, seeing the pain mirrored back to her was like a knife in the gut. It twisted and bled inside of her very soul. She had hurt him so badly, the dread that it might be irreparable only made the wound in her heart deeper. She was desperate to fix it. Unable to control her need, her want for him. She crashed her mouth upon his, gripping the sides of head hard. Fisting his hair in a desperate attempt to take away all his pain with her love.
Pleading with him for forgiveness, her apologies desperate and breathless.
"I am so sorry, Mamo-chan. I can't take away the worry or the pain I've put you through. But I won't make excuses either. I was scared, hurt and everything that happened really messed with my head. I made poor choices. I should have not given up on us, I shouldn't have ran away. I am so, so, sorry. I love you, oh my god...I love you very much." She sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she choked out the words fiercely between panicked kisses.
Darien squeezed her thighs, needing to calm down. Instead she arched her chest against his, her nipples beaded hard with arousal, rubbing against him seductively. The thin cotton material of her flimsy, sleeveless peasant top, leaving nothing to the imagination. Visions of pulling the wide boat neck of lace that hung off her bare shoulder's further down to gaze hungrily at her cleavage raged in his mind. A groan ripped out of his throat as his own words of comfort were stolen by her need. Slipping his fingers beneath the skimpy black material of her skirt. He caressed the silky skin of her inner thigh, rubbing his palm upward towards the wet, heat between her legs.
She was insatiable with her reverent kisses, her tongue lapping into his mouth. Tasting him, savour every lash of his tongue against hers. She wanted him, needed him as much as she needed to breath. Coming to terms with who she truly was and the immensity of the epic love they shared. The lives they had shared loving each other. Thanks to her Master and his teachings, the memories of her lifetimes were once again sweet and precious. Their eternal love fresh and exhilarating, no longer a mess of overwhelming feelings and flashes of tragedy. These last six weeks had been hell, without him, she might as well have been dead!
Then 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls strummed out of the speaker's putting in perspective how he felt towards his princess, now grinding against his lap. How he had just wanted her to accept him, to love him, as he is now, after enduring so many lifetimes. To persevere through the tragic memories of all those endless battles they had fought to be together, to find that well of strength and courage to fight one last time. Her panting breaths echoed against his ear, as she nuzzled his neck. With one hand still massaging her waist, he pulled his other hand, once hidden under her skirts to fist a handful of her hair at the back of her head. As she began rolling her hips against him again, he enjoyed the beautiful moans she made at the friction his erection created against her sex. As she returned her now kiss swollen lips to his, her movements bold and pleading. Lashing her tongue inside his mouth, swirling and coaxing his building desires.
Darien fought against his every impulse to grab her and ravish her right here in the booth. She was being so aggressive and alluring it was down right painful to deny himself.
"Fuck..." He growled, as he pulled on her hair, forcefully drawing her away from him.
Tearing his lips away, he slowly returned his piercing stare at her. Heaving for breath and remorseful at the pained, rejected look in her eyes.
He steadied his resolve and slipped out of the booth, leaving her kneeling on the seat. She curled her finger's around the back of the bench. Watching him pace before the table with both hands firmly gripping his dark hair at the side of his head. As he gathered his muttled thoughts, he swore again.
Eyes wide and breathing hard, she tried to calm herself down ready to break right then and there at his refusal to love her back.
"Were you going to tell me..." He shot her a narrowed accusing glare.
Serenity swallowed hard, fear enveloping her heart as she realized he knew what she was up to here in Shanghai. Then meekly shook her head.
Darien laughed harshly, the bitter resentment of being left behind yet again like jagged glass upon the sound.
"Unreal...you are fucking unreal." He shook his head.
"Facing my mother is my responsibility." She shot back defiantly, slipping out of the booth herself now. To stand toe to toe with her furious Prince, swiping away tears from her face before thrusting her chin up petulantly.
"I will not allow you to enter into another unfair fight for my sake." She huffed.
"What kind of man would I be if I allowed you to just go off on your own into certain death?" He tossed back, with a smirk.
Rubbing his thumbs tenderly along her cheeks to clean away her tears and smudged tracks of mascara.
"A smart man!" She groused.
Darien merely shrugged, "I have never insinuated that I was smart..." He grinned, as her face heated up in a blush.
"Devastatingly Handsome, Debonair, and sexy as hell...that I would agree too." He finished, as she started to laugh.
Then Howie Day's Collide began to croon from the sound system, filling her heart with hope and love.
"So beautiful...even when your mad." He cupped her chin and tucked an errant strand of blonde hair that had fallen over her face back behind her ear. She never wore her hair in those buns and tails anymore...he missed it.
"I am not going to die tomorrow." She advised, pulling his hands away from her face. Needing to stay strong and not melt into his arms. His touch always disarmed her, leaving her wanting and needy.
"I am more prepared then I have ever been to face her." She finished, her tone strong and determined.
"Then we face her together...we are stronger together." He commanded, circling his arm out wide to encompass the crowded club beyond. "All of us."
Serenity turned, scanning the crowds. Finding Amy, Zac, Kane and Lita at a cafe table, all dressed for clubbing. Amy gave her a warm reassuring smile, while Lita gave her a curt nod, gripping Kane's hand tight on the table top. Serenity sniffled, the cold dread that had once occupied her thoughts over tomorrow began to thaw. Her blurry vision tracing the chaos of strobing lights and sound towards the bar. Finding Mina and Raye seating upon stools, each in sexy knee length dresses. The blonde bomb shell raised her glass of champagne with a confident grin. Raye offered her a more stoic nod her smile less brilliant but honest and soothing.
Serenity released a shaky breath..."You guys..." She gasped, overcome with remorse at not wanting them involved in the coming fight and a renewed sense of confidence that they would win if they stood together. She couldn't continue to make the same mistakes again and again, to win this war, she had fight against her own karma...
The platinum haired DJ began to spin the beats back up, igniting the dance floor back into the heated sea of frantic movements. She had a rounded, youthful face with keen aqua blue eyes slanted upward like a feline. Her hair was trimmed in a sharp angled bob style that framed her face. The tips of the strands dyed a bluish grey. Teased in a wild, sexy mess that gave her a punk styled look. Holding one bulky silver headphone to one ear, keeping track of the rpms as she shifted her hips back and forth to the beats. She gazed out over the darkened club, as the golden blonde was enveloped by her friends and her lover. She watched with warm satisfaction as he guided Serenity to a table, filled with her most treasured friends. His hand upon the arch of her back was tender. Her smile broadened as she watched Serenity sit down. Observing the warm expressions pass over her face. As she found peace and complete happiness in the midst of her most cherished friends around their cafe table. With a curt nod the DJ, glanced over her shoulder smiling fondly at two older people standing behind her in the shadows of the back stage.
"I think she is going to be ok now, Mother." She stated happily.
The long raven haired woman standing stoically behind her, nodded. Dressed in an elegant full length granite grey gown, her hair done up in Odango and tails. Soft brown eyes and regal features adorned her face, as she stared out over the frenetic crowds at her long lost princess. She had arrived to late to guide her, resulting in the last ten thousand years of hell. The guilt of that failure had gnawed at her ever since.
"I believe that finally, we can put to rest the old kingdom. She seems ready to bury her past and endure the pain and suffering of giving birth to her own kingdom." Luna stated.
"Lets just make sure she stays on course this time, Luna...no matter what. We do not want to revisit our failure at the Hyatt hotel again. " A gruff, smooth voice announced beside the dark haired woman.
Luna turned to confront a tall, slender man in a full white suit. With long platinum blonde hair that looked almost white and piercing blue eyes. Giving Luna a knowing smirk, that things back at the hotel hadn't followed according to plan. Back then there were still to many players, to many uncontrollable circumstances. But now even though things looked promising it could all get fucked up rather quickly.
"You worry far to much Artemis." Luna chidded, just as a sharp explosion of glass showered down upon the dance floor.
Diana killed the tunes, as her dancers covered their heads and fled the dance floor in droves, for the relative safety and obscurity of the lounge. A limp body dressed all in black leather and long flaming red hair, descended like a dead weight from the broken skylight above. Hitting the marble tile with a sickeningly boneless slap.
"Tiger!" Serenity leaped from Darien's lap, charging through the ring of aghast and horrified onlooker's. Scrambling to Tiger's side, her heart wrenching in panic. As she rolled him over, finding his face pale, beaten to a pulp and covered with blood. Hands trembling she glided them downward, as her heart felt like it had stopped beating. His chest was to still, her hands were shaking so badly, she was barely able to fumble his vest open. Gasping in horror as she found his chest had been sliced open viciously, by some ghoulishly deadly blade. The gash so deep and ragged it had torn his lungs apart. The deep wound looked like the work of a scythe. He had either died instantly or drowned in his own blood. The thought made her whole body run cold, dark festering revenge seethed inside of her.
She drew inward, searching for the tell tale heat of her connection to the Silver Crystal. It may be miles away but it was still synced to her soul. She could summon a fragment of it's great power and pull Tiger's soul back into his body. She wasn't about to let him go! They had had many long conversations back the Monastery. About life what lay beyond in death and the concept of rebirth. He had no memory of who he had been, this was his fresh start. He was excited to be given a second chance at life. He had dreams and ambitions he wanted to accomplish. He couldn't die now...
"Don't...Serenity." Tiger's voice floated to her, as light and airy as the wind.
Serenity glanced up from his broken body, her eyes burning with tears as she found Tiger's spirit standing a few feet away. Dressed in a pure white Kimono, his ruggedly handsome face serene and glowing with a gloriously holy light. He looked at peace and happy, content even.
"Tiger..." She choked out. Then another spirit shimmered into existence beside him. A shorter young woman, with brilliant flame red hair. Dressed in the same kimono of the afterlife. Her face a softer more feminine version of Tiger's regal countenance.
For the first time Serenity saw the faint Korean resemblance to both of them. The woman moved fluidly to Tiger's side, taking his larger hand in hers. Offering Serenity a forgiving smile, as Tiger gripped her hand tight.
"I do not want to come b ack, I am finally were I truly wish to b e." Tiger whispered b ack, gazing fondly down at the young woman who looked b arely twenty years old. "I fulfilled my pledge to you, to your prince. I have protected you until my last b reath, b ut I finally rememb er who I am, my past and the reason I was involved with Dr. Tomoe."
Serenity shuddered and cringed, as her gaze locked with the young woman. The guilt slamming into her chest was like a physical blow, as a cold realization dawn upon her. She was the woman that had been in Daiki's bed at the Institute so long ago...killed along with most of Caen when she lost control of her power's.
"I was Chi-won and I was searching for my elder sister. Yu-ri, who had gone missing upon my tenth year. When I was grown, I confronted Daiki Shinoda's grandfather ab out her disappearance. He had taken my sister, offering her a job to help pay my family's deb t to him. He led me to Souichi Tomoe, who confined me to a cell and experimented on me. Creating the b east that I b ecame. I am at peace now, Serenity. Let me go home with my sister, I have missed her so very much." Tiger pleaded.
The guilt of one of her greatest failures, sought to crush her as she stared at Yu-ri. Who merely gazed back at her peacefully. She had been one of thousands of innocence she had killed a lifetime ago. Serenity fought with the lump seeking to take her breath, struggling to swallow. As she urged the painful tears to dry.
"I'll miss you...I am very sorry Yu-ri, you did not deserve to die. Caen wil urden I will carry forever, I will never b e ab le to find redemption for the tragedy I caused." Serenity spoke meaningfully across the astral plane. So many of her powers had b een unlocked thanks to the teachings and meditations learned b ack at the Monastery. She would use them now to defeat her mother and protect all the people of this world. Even if she wasn't a Goddess anymore, she held the resilience and relentless determination of a human b eing instead. She would prevail...she had too.
Tiger nodded his thanks and then they turned from her, walking away and fading as the afterlife welcomed their human souls forever.
As Serenity slowly rose back up to her feet, finding several soldier's all in black flack rappelling down from the summit of the roof.
"Sere...I got this, I'll heal him." Darien's voice floated up to her as if speaking through a long tunnel.
"He's already dead." She narrowed her eyes, swearing vengeance upon the agents now unlatching their gear from the ropes. While their comrades who descended first covered them, by training their automatic rifles upon the cowering patrons of the club.
"His soul is gone, Mamoru. We have larger concerns now." She stated in a stern, commanding tone. Glaring at the soldier's now corralling the frightened young people of the club at gun point.
"Sere..." Darien questioned, his voice soft and uncertain. Slowly lowering his glowing hands from hovering over Tiger's body. He had never heard her sound so full of authority before. She was standing tall and commanding before him.
Her aura had changed dramaticly, the fragile state of mind that had plagued her being since Beryl's poison was no more. She stood strong before him, her blue eyes fierce and determined. A golden crescent flaring to life between her sculpted brows.
Her fists were flexing and releasing as she stood her ground, the thrum of power building to a crescendo from her small, slender body. She was able to tap into the full extent of her powers with out fear now.
Darien and the girls stood in awe as she called forth her true Genesis. Her face serene as the power built inside the frail human body that now contained it.
"These are innocent people and have nothing to do with our war. I suggest you lower your weapons and leave peacefully. If you force my hand. I shall exterminate you all, I will not allow you to kill indiscriminately any longer." She stated, forcefully.
"Such bravado...Serena." A cool, snide voice rumbled from the obscurity of the crowds. The sharp sound of flesh smacking against flesh, announcing pompously that he was clapping his hands for her.
Serenity narrowed her eyes in fury, as a familiar man swaggered out onto the empty dance floor. Dressed in black military fatigues and an armoured vest. His auto rifle hanging at the ready against his back. Dark red hair cut tight to his scalp, with cold calculating blue eyes full of malice and blame.
"Randy..." Darien breathed, slowly rising to his feet. Every cell in his body pulsing with the feral need to beat the bully of his youth to a bloody pulp. Sensing the man's threat towards his beloved in dark waves. He was once again transported back to high school, the feelings of raw hatred for that man seething inside of him. The need to defend his girl was intense, the heat of rage burning inside of his heart like an inferno.
"Been a long time, Dare." Randy never even turned his way, his icy stare fixed on Serenity.
"Not long enough." Darien growled, moving swiftly to stand in front of Serenity, staring Randy down with a lion's fierce and dominating glare.
"Since our little run in back in Tokyo, I've been reading up on you, Serena." His smile was slick, accusing and contrite. "You have quite a history of murder."
"That is all in the past, I am at peace with it. I can never redeem myself for what I have done, I will never ask forgiveness either. I have chosen to live each day, striving for a peaceful future and to use my power's to protect humanity. I have tamed my Genesis, Randy. I am no longer a threat." She countered.
"But you are still a murderer..." He raised his eyebrows, in obvious distain. "If you wish to protect us, to live as one of us. Then you are subject to the same laws." He shrugged. When Serenity never moved, he cleared his throat. "Are you above us, then?" he sneered, darting his eyes around the deathly silent club. His eyes lingering on each one of her girlfriends, who were in a battle stance confronting his soldier's. Darien's three remaining guards standing tall beside them, prepared to defend them until their last breath.
While Serenity was left with a moral struggle, her mind spinning at Randy's words.
"I had left the dance early that night..." He mused, crossing his arms behind his back. Casting her an accusing look. "I
have no idea what happened...but after talking to Elliot on the phone a couple days ago a few puzzle pieces fell into place. His nightmares, as vivid and terrifying as they are. Paint a very telling picture of what happened to Daniel."
Serenity's eyes filled with tears, her gut twisting with misery at the mention of her own personal devil. He had terrorized her, stalked her and raped her when she was at her weakest both emotionally and physically.
Elliot had been his dutiful cronie until the very end, forcing her hand to defend herself. To this day she did not see herself as murdering that bastard, his death was an act of self defence.
"His dreams speaks of an unholy apocalypse, of the student body turning into demons and feasting upon the flesh of fellow students. Of an epic battle of light and dark that ended up demolishing the whole high school..." Randy pierced her with his gaze, holding her firmly with a judicial superiority.
"He and Daniel had found you. Out on the football field..." his voice softened, with a trace of compassion and loathing at verbalizing the forced sexual act to come.
Darien was trembling with wrath at Randy's story, his fists clenching tight at his sides. A bloodlust curdling in the depths of his dark stormy eyes. Her rape was his ultimate failure, in this lifetime. He had been to weak to protect her and until his dieing breath he would loath himself for not being prepared enough. For being so arrogant and self absorbed in his youth, thinking he could protect her from anything. For his lack of fore thought. He had known how obsessed Daniel had been with his girl. He should have killed the bastard long before the dance. He had had plenty of chances to end him, he had just been a coward...not wanting to ruin his future if he got caught. That was what truly stayed his hand...he had to be honest with himself now. He had allowed mortal dukka to sway his resolve to defend her at all costs.
That admission of selfishness, killed him. He had professed to her back then that he would protect her no matter the cost. But it had just been blind bravado, he never had the guts to actually go through with his brave words. He had been such a fool...and she had paid the price for it.
Serenity lifted a silencing hand. "Don't Randy...I was there. I don't need you to verbalize what happened."
Randy clamped his mouth shut. Then raked a hand harshly through his short spiky hair with a huff. "Elliot is really screwed up, Sere. You broke him...he has been in a psych ward for most of this year after having a complete mental break. He tried to kill himself just last week and now he is under suicide watch in a hospital in Seattle. You should have left him dead as you did Daniel." He confessed, Elliot was just not strong enough to endure his own karma.
Serenity's eyes softened with remorse. She had wanted to give Elliot a second chance since in the end he had sought her forgiveness, proving he wasn't a complete monster. But his unconscious mind like all of her friends had retained the memories of that night, to haunt them. While her friends found hope, he was burdened with regret and overwhelming guilt for a horrifying act he couldn't remember doing. Her image imprinted upon his psych as an avenging angel, who was both judge, jury and executioner within his worst nightmares. Plaguing his sleep, tormenting his waking thoughts until he had finally gone insane.
This was just another burden upon her heart, that she would carry like a weight for the rest of her life. But she had learned how to cope, to not allow the regret to drag her down like before. She couldn't change the choices she had made and the repercussions because of them. Only move forward with the intention of fixing what she could now and striving to use her powers to create a brighter future for all humanity.
That is what she focused upon as Randy continued to verbally put her, in her place.
"Genesis Born..." He sneered, casting his vengeful gaze over to Darien and the girls. Pausing on each one, scorching them with the rawness of his hatred. "I eagerly joined the agency after seeing first hand the atrocities you monsters are capable of." He laughed darkly, shaking his head. "I left right out of high school, didn't even stick around for the summer. I never had much of a connection to that place anyway. Joined the army and never looked back..." He drew quiet, his eyes growing dull as his thoughts fell back upon the memories that still tortured him. That had spurned him to become the zealot he was now.
He stared down at his left hand, curling and stretching, the ghost of her final touch still throbbing against his skin even years later.
"She was everything to me..." He whispered brokenly. "and a monster like you took her away from me!" He raged. His last memory of his true love flashing in his mind like a molten brand. A sweet, tender faced woman, with warm doe brown eyes and dark hair, curly and full. Falling over her shoulder's in a water fall as majestic as the night sky. Her eyes twinkling with delight, and desire as she gazed up at him. She had been perfect, able to tame his moods and make him laugh...those honest full belly laughs that only truly happy people could produce. Offering him a happiness he had never
experienced in his whole life until meeting her. That satisfaction with life ending the day she died.
"Her name was Katherine...Private Katherine Cooper. She was in my boot camp and I was lucky enough to have her in my squad when we were sent to help quell the fighting in Serbia. By the time we got there, millions of refugee's had fled into Croatia and we ended up being glorified border guards instead." His smile was thin and bitter. "I would get so frustrated having to babysit the refugee camp, when I felt we could be doing more good fighting the insurgence and pushing them out of the country. I wanted to free these poor people, who had lost everything. Kat would always set me straight, make me see the good that we were doing right here. Helping these people find a sense of safety and normalcy when their country was shattering around them. You see, she was my conscience, with out her. I have no one to push me to want to be a better person. Instead I find my solace in seeking my vengeance." He snarled briefly, regaining his composure quickly. "She gave me hope and a reason to keep fighting, even when it seemed we were making absolutely no difference." He growled, his hands fisting tight, knuckles white with strain.
Serenity's eyes were grim, the lump growing in her throat at his pain, choking her voice. Forcing her to remain silent as he finished his sad tale.
"Then one of you bastards showed up during a routine patrol...he was just a fucking kid!" He shouted. "Kathrine and I were heading back to camp on foot. After finding a small group of children in the scrub grass a few miles outside of camp. Most of the poor soul's who showed up had a few of their belongings strapped to their backs. Seeing lives so devastated like that made me want to seek revenge, to eradicate every rebel soldier who would allow such injustices to happen to innocent people. This group though was even more beaten down, they had nothing but the rags they called
clothes on their backs and dead eyes...usually the survivors looked haunted. These kids were like the walking dead...dirty, smelled like rot. So starved and dehydrated they could barely put one foot in front of the other. " Randy closed his eyes, a few tears leaking out to fall in lonely tracks down the scuff of his jaw. "He ascended like a damn terrorist bomb, his body flashed and turned to pure light. The force of his power's consuming him, shot out if him faster then I could react. Vaporizing anyone walking directly before or behind him. She only had time to look back at me, reach out and
grasp my hand. Before she was vaporized...while I was lucky..." He snarled bitterly. "I was walking just off to the side of that little asshole, got blown backwards instead.
Along with a couple other survivors near the end of the group. " He took
a painful broken breath, "You are not supposed to exist with us. " He seethed, spit shooting like bullets through clenched teeth. "You are like a cancer, infecting all around you. Spreading and devouring all the good and healthy parts of our
world!" He raged, piercing Serenity with the intensity of his wrath through his eyes. "It was then I knew my true purpose in this life, I would save my people. By killing every last one of you fucker's and all the poor humans you infect!" He swung his rifle off his back in one fluid movement training it on Serenity.
Her eyes went wide in alarm, as the world around her seemed to slow. Randy was so full of blind rage, he never even realized that in his attempt to avenge his beloved he had become the very monster he once fought against with her.
The crowds screamed and fled in panic towards the front doors, as bullets rained down over the club.
With the strobe lights flashing, casting the club in sudden darkness and then blinding ones eyes in a sudden brilliance. Creating a surreality of sorts that was leaving Serenity feeling off balance, as she grasped onto the powerful riptide of her Genesis, the link she held to the Silver Crystal. Her fierce will to control the immensity of that power keeping her from drowning under its immense pull.
"I will not allow you to kill anymore innocent people!" She screamed, as a silver light pulsed out from her body. Knocking the closest soldier's off their feet, sending their bullets wide and into the walls.
A low hum began to drone through out the club as all the electricity was syphoned away. The strobe lights popped one by one, glass shattering and falling like rain upon the dance floor. The hum grew louder as more of the electrical current was syphoned away from every light in the club. Each one sputtered then died, casting the club into total darkness. The innocent clubbers once hushed by the eerie hum now screamed in terror as total darkness enveloped them.
Then the fierce crackling and sharp sting of wild light illuminated the club. Lightening arced over the dance floor, sending a few solider's scrambling for cover behind leather booths. As it grounded into the edge of the dance floor, carving a huge gouge out of the black tile. Sending chunks of cement and fluff into the air, from nearby chairs and booths that got blown up by its passing.
Kane was moving with a boxer's grace through several soldier's, dressed in faded jeans, a wine colored button down shirt and his leather duster. His powerful arms snapping and recoiling as he cast out what was called punches in bunches. Nailing the slower, stunned agents in the head, ribs and stomach. Taking them down like living speed bags. Knocking their rifles out of their hands with round house kicks as they crumpled unconscious at his feet.
Serenity's feet lost traction with the floor, as two majestic's wings of light unfurled from her back. Her power increasing as
the golden crescent once flickering, began to glow prominently upon her brow. Her blue eyes now shining with an immortal silver light deep within their depths. She was on the knifes edge now, drawing so much of her crystal's power that if she didn't remain focused it would devour her. Then the wild release of that power after her body was absorbed would kill everyone here in Shanghai.
A raging current of fire lashed around the front edge of the lounge, cutting off the fleeing patrons from the Soldier's hunting them down. Obscuring their shots with a wall of flames, the deadly screams and howls of panic drowned out by the roar of the inferno now blocking the Soldier's path. Preventing their forward assault instantly.
In the next second a whip made of pure sunlight snapped around the soldier's legs, knocking them even further back from the fleeing crowds. While Hollywood disarmed the remaining agents, Mina had missed. Dressed in a white slacks and a pale blue button down shirt. He seemed to float like a spirit amid the chaos With swift blindingly quick jiu-jitsu maneuver's. His feet snapping, arms and body twisting as he forced the soldier's into submission. Sending their rifles clattering away into the darkness of the club.
Serenity's body flashed, as if a star had gone nova from deep inside her body. Her civilian clothes fading away, replaced by a flowing silk and satin white dress. The skirts snapping against her bare ankles, her hair once more done up in it's Odango's and Tails. Elegant barrettes of pearls, and darts resembling feathers adorned her head, just above her heart shaped bangs. The bodice of the gown hugging her sides, golden crescents propping up her modest cleavage. Florets adorned her lower arms, leaving her slender well toned shoulder's bare. A simple bracelet of pearls hung from her thin wrist along with a matching anklet on her left foot.
Randy trained his rifle upon Serenity, his face set in stone. Impassive and utterly with out emotion as he aimed dead centre upon her chest. Their history together as kids meant absolutely nothing, the fact that she was still human, powers or not was circumstantial. She was a monster in his eyes and in need of culling. His conscience soothed by a righteous belief that he was purging impurities from the human race. Saving his people from a world wide epidemic.
As his finger squeezed upon the trigger to end her life, Darien's rage filled countenance disappeared from her side.
The sprinkler system came to life, high over head within the metal beams, raining down upon the battle. Amy raised her hands above her head, calling the water into her palms. Dressed in a sparkling dark blue, sleeveless mini dress. She could move as fluidly as water itself. Redirecting all the water she had absorbed like twin cannons towards the metal beams over head. Three screams echoed out over the chaos below. As the last surviving sisters, crashed onto the dance floor. Soaking wet and stunned by the fall. Zac sprinted across the wet, slippery floor. Still not fully healed, he lumbered on a unbalanced stride. Dressed in faded jeans and a pale green polo top. His fashion sense having toned down a lot since meeting Amy. He had wanted to blend in, come off a unassuming so that when he was needed to protect her. He would take her enemies by surprise. He loomed over the sisters, cracking the simple metal head of his cane across each of their temples before they could come to their senses. Knocking each one unconscious before they could use their malicious powers against them.
Randy had no time to react, Darien had been beside the hovering angel, Serena had become. Then he was gone only to reappear a second later directly in front of him. Randy sucked in a sharp breath of surprise before Darien's huge fist slammed full force into his jaw. The power behind the hit, jolting him viciously. Knocking him back a couple steps, stumbling and unbalanced. The impact so brutal he felt he had just been thrown by a truck. Randy grunted and was soon labouring for air, his rifle now pointed towards the dance floor. His arms hanging limply at this side, legs trembling with the strain of staying up right. Dizzy and feeling like he needed to throw up. He knew Darien had just given him a concussion with one punch...
"You are nothing but a mindless cronie, Krisholm!" Darien seethed. "Needing to take order's from some dictator to feel powerful. It was Daniel first, then the army now your just a hired killer for another Genesis Born. Beryl was just Queen Selene's flunky! Those worldwide attacks all those innocent people that were slaughtered! They were killed by other agents on Beryl's orders! She wanted to make sure all who might oppose her Sovereign's reign are dealt with before she even makes herself known."
Randy paled, the thought that he and his men had been pawns. Used by another monster he had sworn to purge from his planet. Turned his stomach and clenched his heart with doubt and betrayal.
"Your lying!" Was all he could do, to save his mind from insanity. To deny every word Darien had spoken, and try to hide behind his mask righteousness. Other wise he would have to deal with the fact he and his men had committed mass murder again and again for a Genesis Born's evil scheme.
"You might think you work as a part of a secret organization for the UN, that the targets you have been given. Were Genesis Born terrorist cells, you were sent to exterminate but it's just a rouse. The God Queen Serenity, has been playing with us humans here on earth like chess pieces. For the last ten thousand years!" Darien snapped his hand out and gripped Randy around the throat lifting him up off his feet.
"Your men and all the units like yours just exterminated any opposition she might have had to conquer us! She wants her kingdom back! Nothing is beneath her at this point, she has sent the whole world into chaos thanks your little terrorist army and those world wide massacres. You have crippled this planets means to defend itself. Now all she has to do is swoop in with her army of Genesis Born and clean up the mess the agency has made. The world powers stand no chance against her now, she has now become the most powerful force on the planet." Darien snarled into Randy's face.
"Now, now boys...no need for this to get to out of hand." A sweet melodic voice floated through the smokey, torn up club. As a young girl barely fourteen year old, descended from the broken skylight above. Dressed in a long black gown the matched Serenity's, her strawberry blonde hair done up to match. Her crescents on the bodice were silver along with her barrettes. Instead of pearls upon her wrist and ankle, there was oval obsidian stones. Graceful dark lavender wings the colour of twilight were spread wide from her back as she fluttered to the ground. The crescent of her goddess heritage burned upon her brow the same as Serenity, yet it was a deep, dark vortex of pure obsidian and turned downward.
As her toes touched down upon the dusty floor, her sneering smile towards her counterpart was scathing.
"Rini..." Serenity breathed, her heart frozen and refusing to beat. Darien and the girls had deflected her question as to Rini's where abouts when she had joined them at the table. Turning the topic away from the absent teen towards the coming trek into the mountains tomorrow, instead. Now she knew why they had been avoiding answering her. Had they known what had happened to poor Rini? Or was this all a surprise for everyone?
"Our mother was kind enough to grant me more power and awaken me." She smiled demurely, taking Serenity's measure in long, lazy sweeps of her now cold silver eyes. Surmising for herself how much of the real Princess of the Moon resided inside her soul.
"It is so unfortunate that it has come to this." She sighed, dramaticly. Scanning her eyes over the torn up club, falling still on each of the scowling girls and then finally drawing up to Darien. Who had released Randy to the floor and was slowly backing up to Serenity's side.
"Mother has sent me to clean up the last of your mess, before I am to take my proper place at her side."
Rini's statement was cold and malicious. Her eyes burning into Serenity with resentment and loathing.
"It looks like she has rejected you yet again, choosing me instead to wield the Silver Crystal?" She crooned, the fake sympathy dripping off her lips like venom. Her laugher to follow was cold and jagged.
This was not Rini! Serenity's mind screamed, this twisted, vengeful soul was not her beloved Rini. She would never be so cold towards her.
"You can't harness it power's Rini...not with out training and a great deal of the princess's soul inside your body?" Serenity pleaded, as Rini's eyes flashed with indignation.
"We are both just fragments of her...shall we see who has the larger piece of the Moon Princess's soul?" Rini challenged, curling her finger towards Darien. Beckoning him over to her, as her eyes flashed with power.
Darien froze in mid step toward Serenity, his face snapping to the side to face Rini. His eyes now locked in a trance with the teens. His body trembling under her power, as he fought to resist her seductive voice entering his mind.
"I lost my prince because of you. I feel it is only fair that you give me yours in recompense." She smiled sweetly.
"NO!" Serenity screamed, as Darien made his first shaky step towards the imposter. Who seemed able to call upon a greater portion of the Silver Crystal's powers. Squeezing her eyes shut tight, Serenity fought against the urge to fight back. Rini was precious to her, so much like a little sister, to see her so twisted, so corrupted like this, it was killing her.
"He is as much my beloved Endymion as he is your's?" Rini quipped, urging more of her Genesis powers into his mind. Darien grit his teeth and fought her with everything he had, his face turning red with the effort to resist her. Pulse pounding in his veins as he feet shuffled forward hesitantly, unable to fight her incredible pull for long.
Serenity watched in horror as her Mamoru's once struggling stride turned strong and purposeful. His blue eyes now blank and unseeing, moving like a puppet to Rini's side. Who quickly curled her hand into his black button down shirt and pulled him into her. Snaking her arm behind his neck, she guided him down towards her lips.
"You belong to me now, I will never let anyone interfere in the resurrection of my mother's kingdom." She smiled against his lips for a moment before kissing him possessively.
Serenity's stomach turned sickeningly at the sight, she had been unwilling to push her own will upon her true love. To frightened that it would break his fragile mind, to have two Genesis Born fighting inside his psyche. So she had let Rini have him with out a fight...
The sight of him kissing her little sister so aggressively now, dominating her mouth like he had with her's earlier. Twisted her up inside, yet she continued to stand like carved stone watching her world spin out of control. She just couldn't hurt Rini...
"Let him go!" A harsh shout rebounded next to her. She spun in alarm to find Jupiter standing in an aggressive stance, her arms crackling with lightening ready to be released. All reasonable thought vacant in the wrath burning within her emerald green eyes.
She was lost to her fury, her fear of losing Darien for good this time. He was like an older brother, family...he had always been there for her when she needed support. When Andrew had left her lost and confused. As to how everything had gone so wrong in a relationship she thought was forever. He had dropped his scheduled fights in Las Vegas and came rushing to her emotional rescue. Between him and the girls, she was able to pull herself out of that deep, dark, depression and move on, somewhat. She owed Darien her life, she would have never had the strength to pull herself up and out of that emotional pit of despair and hopelessness with out his support. He had eventually led her to Kane, the one man she knew understood her better then anyone else. She finally had a promising future filled with love. She would never let that little punk just waltz away with him and destroy his chance to have the same happiness with Sere. The fury building inside to end Rini perminately, was like a rumbling under her skin, rebounding like a living bomb deep inside the very core of her. The raw need to release the massive amount of energy she had been storing, burning her skin and narrowing her thoughts to a pin point focus. That was Rini's smug satisfied smile, as she pulled away from Darien's lips.
Kane charged up behind her, wrapping his arms around her chest and pinning her own arms down at her sides.
"You can't hurt her..." He whispered softly into her ear. His voice calm and soothing, as he talked her down from her all consuming rage. "Serenity would never allow you to harm that little girl. She means as much to her, as Darien means to you. You would never forgive yourself if you killed her, Serenity would never be able to move past the guilt of one of her best friends killing another person so dear to her." In a matter of moments Kane had accessed the situation and all the emotional consequences and thrust himself once more in the line of fire. Seeking to calm her raging passion, loyalty and need to protect the ones she loved with the gentle balm of reason.
Jupiter cringed, holding back her lightening at the cost of her own heart. She couldn't watch Darien betray Sere, couldn't endure the hurt and frustration that was now painted across her best friends face.
Rini's gleeful laughter at Serenity's expense was jagged and harsh cutting like a knife.
"I command as much if not more of the Silver Crystals loyalty then you do..." Rini cackled, fawning over Darien's chest with slippery possessing hands. While he merely stood stiff and unresponsive to her touch. Staring blankly over her shoulder, his eyes lifeless and dead.
"What did you do to him..." Serenity wept brokenly, taking that first uncertain step forward. Needing to save him, needing to heal Rini from the darkness she felt was consuming her soul.
Rini merely smiled maliciously. Wrapping her deep lavender wings around them both, in a cocoon of feathers. Then in a flash of silver light they were both gone. Only her final words hung in the air as she departed with her prize.
"If you survive the night...I shall be waiting along with mother at the Celestial Temple. There we shall end this war...one way or another. "
With her voice still echoing through time and space, when more soldier's rappelled into the destroyed club. As Randy gathered himself back to his feet, clearing his throat of humiliation. He snatched his rifle from the ground, and commanded his men in a malicious shout.
"Exterminate them all!"
Bullets rained down upon them in deadly waves, zinging and screaming around them. The girls and Zac ducked for cover behind soft black leather booths, while Hollywood hurtled behind the glossy counter of the bar. Leaving Serenity, Jupiter and Kane alone on the dance floor and completely with out cover.
Jupiter screamed her fury, her voice was piercing. Long and drawn out. The raw unearthly sound that emanated from her
throat was disturbing. It echoed through the club like the warning rumble of a coming storm. A storm so intense, so violent in it's magnitude. That it held the power and force to wipe away everything in its path. As she made a split second decision to save everyone she loved at all cost. Shaking Kane's hold now slackened due to his surprise. He fell back helplessly as she channeled the very core of her Genesis.
Reality fell away as her conscious mind was drawn into a trance. Her compassion and empathy for others pulled inward and trapped b ehind a prison of her own choosing. Her existence now fuelled only b y hatred, rage and a fierce need to protect everyone she loved. Inexplicab ly, this anger felt good? It wrapped around her like the arms of a seductive lover. Always she had sought control over her intense emotions, b ut this time she had finally just let go...let it all go. She offered all of herself like a sacrifice to the Storm that raged inside her soul. Allowing the true, wild and raw destructive power of her Genesis State to devour her.
She b ecame the very emb odiment of pure wrath. A terrifying spectre to b ehold. Hovering over the dance floor with lightening crackling over every inch of her b ody. Her b runette hair snapping and twisting in the b uilding energy field now thrumming from the very center of her b ody.
From deep within her soul, an awakening of power b eyond her control surged to life. Lightening rushed like waves threw every nerve of her frail b ody. Thunder roared from her unholy screams, as she craned her head b ack. Calling down the Storm to smite everyone who challenged her! The energy b uilt and reb ounded inside of her. The pain of containing such violent power was a relentless torture upon her b ody and mind. It grew unchecked, until the unyielding pressure of it sought to tear her b ody apart. Her eyes b urned pure white with the yet unleashed energy she was containing.
Her rage fed on the force now surging threw her, in return her Genesis grew out of control. Together the twin storms of her emotions and her power spiralled through her. Until she felt like a helpless b ystander, b eing dragged along. It was a frightening and overpoweringly free sensation...losing all control...b ut it b ordered very close to violation. As if someone else had taken control of her b ody, forcing her to commit unspeakab le acts of death and destruction. She b ecame fearful of the magnitude of her Genesis. The vengeful perceptions of her own anger, that twisted and tantalized her. Promising that when she released this great power her friends would b e safe...
The fact that all those innocent people cowering in the corners of the club or near the door would b e caught in the fury of her storm as well, no longer mattered. That apathy towards strangers b ewitched her reason. As the intensity of her emotions rushed heedless of the needs of all others, b esides her one, true goal.
Her anger grew, seizing her soul completely. Like a leaf trapped in a ragging river, she was forced along its violent path. Struggling to gain any sort of purchase, frantic to find a way to escape, to control the rage. She was on the b rink of panic, of total ab andon.
Her world turned white...and then there was nothing left...not even herself.