Chapter 5-Burnt

The air was hot and suffocating. Everywhere she looked, all she could see were dark smoke engulfing everything in her path. With each breath she took, Serenity could feel her lungs burn. Still, she continued to run, searching from room to room. Where did Endymion go? He was just here...

The palace continued to burn, threatening to collapse at any moment. Serenity pressed on...she willed her legs to run faster and begged her body to hang on for just a bit longer...

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the building, knocking Serenity to her feet. Up ahead, she could see her senshi fighting an enormous army, as spilt blood flood the white pristine ground...

She struggled to her feet and took off running. Where was he?

All of a sudden, she could see a familiar figure walking ahead of her.

"Endymion!" She called out...her heart fluttered and she started to chase after the figure...

He turned and looked at Serenity with dark cold eyes. Next to him, Usagi was linked to his arm...

"What are you doing here?" Serenity grabbed Endymion and tried to pull him away from Usagi...

"He's mine." Usagi sneered and wrapped herself tighter around Endymion. "You are no longer relevant..."

"No. No." Serenity shook her head. "I won't give him up. Never."

Usagi's mouth twisted into an evil smile. She pulled out a giant sword and waved it around. "Then there is only one way to solve this..." she swung the sword down hard...

Serenity screamed as Endymion was cut in half. His hand reached out for Serenity as he fell...

"Noooooooooooooooooooo..." Serenity screamed and jolted awake.

She looked around and realized that was just a dream. She was safe and sound. The light flicked on and Sailor Mars rushed in to the room in her civilian form.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Her transformation pen was gripped tightly in her hand.

Serenity wiped away the sweat on her forehead and smiled embarrassingly. "Sorry to wake you Mars. I had a nightmare. That's all."

Rei breathed a sigh of relief and let her shoulders drop. "Are you okay, princess? Do you want me to stay here?"

Serenity smiled and shook her head. "I am okay. Go back to bed. Sorry I woke you."

Mars nodded and headed out the door. "Good night Princess."

Serenity laid back on the bed and closed her eyes. Her heart was still racing...

The witch chuckled. Unknown to the girls, someone's heart just showed a dark spot. Soon, that spot will spread until there was no hope left... She rubbed her hands together excitingly. This was her favorite part, really. Seeing hope being squeezed out until there was nothing left but fear and despair. She just needed to make sure to give the princess a nudge in the right direction...

Rei kept her eyes open for the rest of the night. Her heart was racing as well, adrenaline coursing through her body. That scream, sounded so much like Usagi's, it slammed a giant rock into Rei's heart. For a moment there, all she could think about was, she couldn't let Usagi die.

Frustrated, Rei lit another fire and sat down in front of it. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind..

Just then, the fire burned hotter and the flame danced...Something was showing, a message from beyond...

Rei opened her eyes just in time to see the flames shoot out, licking dangerously close to her long hair. She staggered backwards and stared at the fire with disbelief.

It had never done that before. Attacking her...

Then, a face flickered in the fire. It was Princess Serenity crying...Rei continued to stare...

Slowly, Princess Serenity turned and made eye contact with Rei. Except her eyes were void of humanity and they were as dark as the night. Rei gasped and stood up in alarm...

The cold dark eyes continued to stare...then Princess Serenity screamed silently and then the fire sizzled out...

The next day, the senshi gathered in Rei's temple again. Rain fell steadily, dancing rhythmically on the roof. Inside the room, everyone was silent and sullen.

Minako had just informed everyone what the half crystal was doing to Usagi's mortal body. Rei let out an audible gasp and stared wide eyes at Usagi.

"How are we doing with the research? Is there anyway to merge them?" Mako turned to Ami.

Ami shook her head slowly. However, she did notice Serenity breathed a sigh of relief at the same time...Was Serenity glad that they remained separate?

"At this point, all I can say is, Serenity is the only one that can withstand the power of the full crystal. Your body, even though mortal, seemed different than Usagi's. If Usagi continued to hold on to her half, her body would be drained completely in a week...according to my calculation." Ami explained, all the while looking at Serenity and studying her expression.

Rei bang her hands on the table, loud enough to scared Usagi. "You idiot." As usual, Rei lashed out in the only way she knew how...

"What?" Usagi looked back at Rei with misty eyes.

"Why are you still holding on to it? You found out about it last night. You should've just give it to Serenity..."

"Then I won't be able to transform and fight." Usagi clenched her fists, anger slowly surfacing...

"If you die, I will kill you." Rei stormed out of the room.

Tears rolled down Usagi's cheeks, as she sobbed silently.

Ami leaned over and placed a hand gently on Usagi's shoulder. "Usagi, please..."

Usagi shook her head. Stubborn as ever, she clutched her compact tightly in her hands. "If I am not Sailor Moon, then I am nobody. I wouldn't be able to protect anyone..."

At this point, Serenity raised from her seat and paced around the room. She thought for a while and then she addressed Minako. "Sailor Venus, what do you think we should do?"

All eyes turned to the general.

Minako looked down and sighed. "It would be best if you can hold on to both halves, princess. I am sorry, Usagi." She averted her gaze from the accusing looks Usagi was shooting her...

"Don't worry, Usagi. I will fight twice as hard to make sure everyone is safe." Mako came over and wrapped an arm around her distraught friend, "it's just temporary until we can figure out how to merge you two."

Usagi shook her head again. "What if I just hold on to this for a little longer? I will give it to Serenity if my body gets too weak. I can just keep eating to replenish the energy right?" She looked towards Ami for hope of a new solution...

Ami could feel her heart breaking, as she looked into Usagi's eyes. She understood why her friend was choosing such an illogical choice. If it was her, she might have chosen the same thing...but at the end of the day, Ami knew her duty was to make sure Usagi was safe.

"I am sorry, Usagi. There is no other way to save you. So, please, I am begging you, give up the crystal for your own sake." Ami blinked hard, trying not to spill her own tears.

The door slid open forcefully and Rei came storming back. Without a word, she ripped the compact from Usagi's hands. Usagi cried out as she tumbled backwards.

"Hey, stop that." Mako placed a hand on Rei's wrist. "Let her make her own choice..."

"Our job is to keep them safe. If one is too stupid to make the right choice, then we have to step in. Minako, tell me I am right." Rei whipped her head around and stared at the general.

Minako sighed and nodded. "Usagi, I am sorry. You can't die. I would rather you not be in the fight then risk you dying...I am sorry." Minako walked over and grabbed the compact from Rei's hand. She then handed the half crystal over to the princess.

"I will keep it safe until we can figure out a way around this, Usagi." Serenity knelt down beside the distraught girl and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "Everything will be alright."