| Darien called Amy, Ray, Lita and Mina for a scout meeting. They all thought it was strange because the topic of the meeting was Serena and Serena wasn't going to be there. "What's this about Darien?" asked Lita. "Yes," added Amy. "I find it peculiar that you didn't want Serena present, being that she is our leader." Darien listened to Ray and Lita argue about Serena being the leader (Ray just wouldn't give it up!) and when they were finished, they both concluded that she was a fine leader. Darien explained the dreams Serena had been having and then Amy began a scan of the moon with her mini computer. "Look," said Darien. "I'm worried about her, I think we might be dealing with a new enemy." They all looked at him strangely. It had been a long time since they had to deal with the Nega Verse. "According to this scan I did of the moon," said Amy. "There is some kind of life form up there." Just then, Ray's cell phone rang. She picked it up and said hello, and then her face dropped. She reached out her hand to balance herself, and Lita caught her. "I'll be right there." She hung up the phone and ran out the door. All of the people that Ray left behind were all staring at each other. "What do you think that was all about?" asked Darien. Just then, like before, Darien's cell phone rang. He picked it up and said hello, and then his face dropped. It was Serena, who was bearing bad news from Ray. "Is he ok?" asked Darien. He closed his eyes at the answer. "I'm on my way." He hung up the phone and then headed for the door. "Wait!" cried out Mina. "Darien, what's wrong? What happened?" "There's no time to explain," said Darien. "I'll tell you on the way. Amy, can we take your van?" Amy nodded her head. "Of course!" she said. They all got into Amy's van and Darien explained the situation. All of their hearts sank. They couldn't believe what they'd heard, and were worried about how Ray would be. When they arrived at the temple, and walked in the room, they were greeted by Serena. "Are they going to take him to the hospital?" asked Darien. "No, Darien," said Serena. She put her hands on his masculine chest. "He's gone." Darien took his wife into his strong embrace. Serena let a single tear fall and then collected herself. They heard Ray's wails of pain from inside. When they walked in, they saw her praying at her dead grandfather's feet. All of Ray's friends surrounded her. Nobody could understand her pain. Fr. Hino had raised Ray from when she was very young. She loved him as a daughter loves her father. "How could God take him from me?" asked Ray quietly. Serena suddenly felt a strange shiver. 'Something's not right.' she thought. Just then, Chad walked in and took Ray in his arms. Fr. Hino had been so good to him, and he loved him like a father also. "It's ok honey." said Chad. "He wouldn't want you to be like this." "I know," said Ray. "I just wish that I'd gotten a chance to say goodbye." Ray looked over Chad's shoulder at his body. Fr. Hino was always an active person, so seeing him like that just didn't make sense to any of them. That night, Serena went to sleep on the couch. Her dreams were no longer nightmares and no longer blank. This time, she saw Fr. Hino. He said to her, "Serena, I must find the princess." Serena looked at him bewildered, not understanding what he meant. "Serena," he said again. "I must find her, her mother wants me to find the princess." Serena saw a flash of lightning and then woke up. 'It's just another meaningless dream.' she thought. She got that strange shiver again and decided that she would follow her instinct with this one. The next day, Serena called an emergency scout meeting. They all knew that it would be about their leader's strange dreams. "Honestly Serena," said Ray, who was still grieving, but thought that she should go to the meeting anyway. "You're pregnant. Strange dreams and illusions can be normal. It might even be that you're not getting adequate nutrition." All of the girls began chattering amongst themselves about how that could be true, when Serena interrupted. "YOU GUYS!" she said getting their attention back. "I think this is serious. I've made a decision and whether you help me or not, I'm going to follow through with it." All of the girls blinked at her in suspicion. Serena stood silent for a few seconds and then continued. "I'm going to go to the moon." "WHAT?" was what followed from the rest of scouts. "Serena," said Mina. "Have you gone off the deep end?" "I must say," added Amy. "I don't understand why you'd want to do that. You probably just ate some bad meat and it's getting to you." "I know this sounds stupid, but I have to prove to myself that it's only a dream. If I don't, it will never go away." said Serena. "Now, you're either with me or you're not." The girls looked at each other with unsure looks. "Count me in!" said Mina as she stood next to Serena. "I know I'm going to regret this," said Ray. "I'm in too!" "Ditto!" said Lita. "Well," said Amy. "I don't agree with your methods, but if you feel you really must do this, then count me in!" The girls rejoiced in a group hug. "Thanks you guys!" said Serena. They began preparation for their journey the next day. "All we have to do is transport ourselves there. Once we're there, we will be surrounded by a bubble that is filled with oxygen. There should be no other complications." said Amy. "However, if there is a new enemy up there Serena, you must be extra cautious. We can't have anything happen to you or the baby." They all nodded their heads in agreement. "I'll be careful," said Serena. "I promise. Don't worry about it!" The girls transformed into their Sailor Scout uniforms. They stood in a circle and linked hands. Serena quietly said a prayer, asking for protection over her friends and her baby. "You ready?" asked Sailor Moon. They all nodded, the fear finally sinking in. Not even they could understand what they were doing, but something felt right about this mission. Tuxedo Mask joined them and concentrated his energy. "MARS STAR POWER!" "JUPITER STAR POWER!" "MERCURY STAR POWER!" "VENUS STAR POWER!" "MOON, CRYSTAL, POWER!" "SCOUT POWER!" The Sailor Scouts soared through the sky towards the moon. They all kept their eyes closed, afraid of what they might see. Serena said prayers all of the way up. 'God,' she prayed in her mind. 'If you can here my prayer, make sure that you watch over my unborn child and my friends. Also, protect my husband.' Serena opened one eye to look at Tuxedo Mask, who was next to her. 'I hope you can here me, these people are my everything!'
Awwww.....how sweet! It's been ~Neo Queen Tori~ |