| The next day, the Chiba family said their goodbyes. When Serena went outside that day to say goodbye to Darien and the rest of his family, Darien saw that same look in her eyes as he did when she was about to jump. It was a look of anguish and defeat, but she brightened up as soon as Darien said, "Angela and I are going to come every day after school." Serena hugged everyone and her brothers shook their hands. They took a group picture together for Serena's wall and then she took one of Darien. After they left, Serena sat in her wheelchair under the cherry blossom tree as a single blossom fell into her lap. It was a sign, a sign that everything would work out as it should. "Everything happens for a reason." she said to herself. "And I was running from my father so I could meet Darien." Ray walked up behind her and said, "Serena, you should get inside. I don't want you to catch a cold." Serena bowed her head and went back inside. The next day, Ray was going to school when Serena stopped her. "Ray, would you please have these developed after school?" she asked as she handed Ray her camera. "Sure." Ray replied. After school, Ray went to the pharmacy and had the pictures developed. When they were done, Ray took a peek. There were some really good pictures of her, and some group shots, and then, there were the shots of Darien. There was one shot that Addam or Pat must have taken. It was a picture of Serena and Darien....kissing. Ray felt her anger level rise to its all time high and her heart sink. She went on looking through the pictures, thinking that a funny one would bring down her nerves, but they all just exemplified the point that they loved each other. Ray stomped home and mumbling as she walked. A black cat with a golden crescent moon on her forehead followed her. Ray felt the eyes watching her, she turned around to see the cat and scratched its head. She looked down and saw that the cat's paw was bleeding. "Oh, you poor thing! You're coming with me, we'll fix that paw right up." Ray picked the cat up and carried her back to the temple. By the time Ray reached the temple steps, her anger against Serena had been cooled. Serena was sitting in her wheelchair at the top of the steps, smelling the deliciously beautiful cherry blossoms. When Ray was about to approach her with her photos, an intense feeling rushed over her. She ducked down behind a bush, and the cat walked out of her arms and on to the ground. Things began to come back to her, Ray's past, the princess. Serena's eyes flashed before her, and then the sight of her dead with Darien beside her, both had given their lives for each other. And then there were the soldiers, sleighn all about, no one but her and the queen who was lurking in a shadow. Out of that shadow came a brilliant light, and all was forgotten, until now. "Oh my God!" Ray whispered to herself as the cat dropped a red stick in front of her. She stood. Serena saw her and squinted. 'What's she doing?' Serena thought. Ray lifted the stick above her head, faced Serena, and said, "I am the warrior of Mars! Mars Power!" A red light surrounded Ray as she became the legendary warrior of fire, Sailor Mars. Serena nearly fainted. The cat walked up to Serena. It cleared its throat, and then to Serena's surprise, the cat said, "I am Luna. I'm here to train the scouts to protect you your highness. You are the Moon Princess Serenity." Serena screamed and tried to stand, but to no avail she was still too weak and she fell forward out of her chair. You will fly and you will crawl, God knows even angels fall! Sailor Mars transformed back into Ray and ran to pick Serena up, but she pushed her away as Luna's crescent moon on her forehead began to glow. "Luna mind meld!" she shouted. The memories all flowed into Serena's head, everything from her being Sailor Moon, to Darien's death on the moon, and the eternity of anger, regret and guilt that began to push down on her shoulders. Serena pulled herself back into her chair, and then looked up with tears bordering her eyes. "It's my fault!" she said. "It's my fault that my brothers are being punished. I saw everything. My father attacked the moon kingdom with Queen Baryl, he was one of her soldiers. Of course he wasn't my father back then, but he became my father as punishment for causing Darien's death. Everything is my fault." Serena broke down into tears. Pat and Addam came running out. "Serena," said Pat. "What's wrong?" "Spill your guts right now young lady!" said Addam. She shook her head, and said, "You'd never understand." Luna walked up to Pat and Addam and gave them the mind meld as well. They then kneeled in front of Serena. Luna jumped into Serena's lap. "Luna," said Serena. "What are they doing?" "We were your guards on the moon." said Pat. "Not to mention two of your best friends Serena." said Addam. "We are sworn to protect you for all eternity." Serena told them to get up and then they switched right back to brotherly mode. "Serena, we must gather the rest of the Sailor Soldiers together and give them the mind meld." "Darien too?" Serena asked anxiously. Pat and Addam looked at each other and then at Luna who gently nodded her head. "Yes Serena, Darien too." Serena smiled a weak smile. Ray, Pat and Addam knew their princess was in danger of Jedite who was bound to attack Serena. They knew that with her injured, it would take the combined strength of Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus with Serena's two guards and Darien at her side to properly to protect her. They were prepared, but not strong enough on their own. They needed Serena to recover, and fast. The next day after school, Ray sought out Amy Anderson, Lita Kino and Mina Aino. She told them she was doing a modeling audition and she needed some sample models. Of course, the three girls thought it be wonderful to model, so they followed her. When they reached the temple, Amy said, "Why are you taking pictures at the Cherry Hill Temple?" "Oh, well, that's because it's a fall scene and with all the leaves here, we thought it would be best." Amy nodded her head suspiciously. The group of girls walked up the steps to face a cat that said, "Luna mind meld!" The memories, both good and bad, flooded like a raging river into the girls' minds. Amy collapsed under the pressure, Lita made a sturn face and helped Amy to her feet, Mina simply nodded her head. "We know what we have to do." she said. "Where is Serena?" asked Lita. "You can't see her now Lita, she's very weak. I don't want you to have see your leader that way. She'll be recovered in a few weeks and then you can see her." Lita walked up very close to Ray's face. Amy held her arm as to calm her down. They were all friends, and a fight would only make the situation worse. "Look Ray, you know I love you, you're like a sister to me! But no matter what you say, I love Serena too and I'm devoted to protect her. How can I protect her if I can't see her? Now let me in." Ray thought for a moment, looked down at Luna and then back up at Lita, but stayed silent. Luna then said, "Lita's right, Ray. Let them see Serena." Ray nodded her head and lead them over to where Serena was last sitting, only to find that she wasn't there. Ray looked around and saw red blood stains on the black top below the cherry blossom tree. "Ray," said Mina. "Where the hell is Serena?" Ray looked down the steep temple steps at a terrible sight and let out a gasp. "SERENA!" All of the scouts transformed and then dashed down the steps. Darien was next to her, on his knees, shaking and covered in Serena's blood. His sister Angela lay on the other side of him, neither of the girls moving. Sailor Mars grabbed him by the shoulders. "Darien, what happened?" Sailor Mercury nealed down next to Serena and took her pulse. She looked up in horror. "Darien, listen to me!" Sailor Mars screamed. "What happened? Where are Pat and Addam? SPEAK TO ME FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Darien looked into her eyes, his face was bleeding badly. It was obvious he had fought for them. "Angela and I came to see Serena. Her father must have followed us to her or something, but he found out we were going to see her some how. When we got to the temple, Serena was smelling the cherry blossoms. We walked up the steps to say hello when her dad snuck up behind her and pushed her out of her wheelchair. She fell down the steps, she was concious and seemed to be ok, just a few bumps and bruises, but he followed her down and threw a blast of black energy at her. She fell unconcious. He was saying stuff like, 'You're next Endymion!' At the time I didn't know what he meant but I knew I had to fight him. Then, all of the sudden, my memory came back to me about everything! I remembered the battle on the moon kingdom, everything! Angela tried to run to the pay phone over there to call for help but he got her before she even got into a full run." He looked down at Angela and then lost control. He started to cry. Sailor Mercury walked up to him. "Darien," she said. "Is Angela...." Darien shook his head. "No, thank God. I performed CPR on both of them. They're alive, but I don't know for how much longer." "Where are Pat and Addam?" asked Sailor Venus. "Last time I saw them they were chasing Jedite away with their swords. I'm sure they're all right." A noise suddenly rang out from the bushes near the temple on the top of the steps. They all looked up and stood in front of Serena, whose eyes fluttered open to see the shadows. No such thing as you've lost it all, God knows even angels fall.
Hope you're liking it so far. ~Neo Queen Tori~ |