Title: For All Eternity Author: Star Angel e-mail:star_angel11015@hotmail.com Rating: G Resume: Imagine being the last girl on Earth and having to save the rest of the world…now imagine the last guy on Earth being the one guy you can’t stand. Disclaimer: Sailor moon and her gang of merry sailor scouts are not mine...yet (insert evil laugh)Robbie Atkins belongs to me. As for Mother Nature, well, she belongs to all of us so let's take care of her. Help: -anything in * *is a person’s thoughts -anything in a parentheses with AN are my comments -anything in parentheses without AN are stage directions. Author’s notes: at the bottom. WARNING: mushiness alert. It’s a story with a plot and everything but it is, above all, a Serena and Darien get together fic. If you don’t like those, you’re crazy and should check immediately into a mental hospital. Also, you shouldn’t read this fic For All Eternity -“(sigh) Isn’t Robbie Atkins the cutest actor in the whole wide world.” Raye glanced briefly at the open magazine Serena was reading. Her expression remained indifferent as she saw the face of the new star on the glossy paper, smiling widely and drinking Koo-koo cola. -“He’s not bad I guess, if you like Americans.” She said as a reply to her friend’s question. -“Not bad!?!” Serena’s eyes bulged out as she stared in disbelief at her friend. “He is so cool…and built…and …and…(sigh) perfect.” Raye just shrugged. -“I don’t know, Raye.” Amy interrupted looking up from her Physics book to look at the actor’s picture. “I’m not very experienced but he is quite handsome.” -“See Raye.” She stuck her tongue out at her and turned toward her classmate. “ I knew that brain was good for something other than schoolwork. We just might make you into a normal teenager yet Amy.” Serena giggled. -“Hey don’t insult Amy.” Raye got up from the park bench to face the young blond. “ Just because she can pass an exam and you can’t doesn’t mean she’s not normal.” Serena stood up as well and the two girls stared each other down as they commenced yet another fight. -“They at it again Amy?” Lita called as she came down the street towards where her friends were arguing. Amy just smiled, keeping up her usual cheery disposition. -“Hey Lita. And what a silly question, when are they not arguing?” -“I was not insulting her. It was just a joke.” -“Ha! Some joke! You’re just jealous because you don’t have a brain in that meatball head of yours.” -“DON’T CALL ME MEATBALL HEAD!” -“Speaking of meatballs, here’s lunch!” Mina came up to her friends holding up her picnic basket. -“Food!” Serena pushed past Raye knocking her on the bench and right onto Amy. “Hey Mina! What did you bring? Open the basket! Hurry, hurry, hurry!” Mina laughed at her friend, jumping around her like she’d just brought a basket of gold. -“Oh Serena! Do you think about anything besides food?” Luna scolded shaking her head. -“I think about boys, sailor V video games and how to save the world from the Negaverse. Other than that, my mind is clear.” -“Yeah, clear and empty.” Raye muttered. Serena ignored her, deciding on concentrating on the food basket instead. Mina had already begun laying the food on the picnic blanket. -“What were they yelling about this time Luna?” Artemis asked as the black cat jumped into Mina’s arms. -“Well it started out about some Robbie character and finished about Serena’s meatball head.” -“I am not a meatball head!” Serena yelled through a mouthful of rice. Everyone followed her lead and dug in. Lita held up the magazine photo to Mina. -“Oh Robbie Atkins! He’s dreamy.” Answered the blonde. Everybody ignored the looks Raye and Serena shot to each other. “Speaking of which, I brought a treat.” She pulled out a six pack of Koo-koo cola from the basket. All the girls, including Luna who scratched the can fiercely until it broke and started licking the liquid pouring out, reached for the drink. -“Finally, I’m going to get to taste this stuff.” She opened her can and took a swig. -“You’ve never had any Serena?” Amy managed to get out between gulps. -“Nuhn-uhn.” Serena shook her head and drank some more. “Every time my mom bring some home, it’s finished before I can even see a drop. Even Luna’s been stealing some.” Luna just kept licking her can, trying to get as much as possible before the ground absorbed the cola. -“Yeah, this stuff is pretty addictive.” Raye took another gulp. “In fact, everyone’s drinking it. Even Grandpa and he can’t taste sugar.” The girls didn’t notice their surroundings, too busy with their drinks but if they had they would have realized that everyone in the city…in the world… had begun drinking Koo-koo 24 hours a day. It was being sold everywhere for a ridiculously low price and the stocks never seemed to run out since each country seemed to have at least 100 Koo- koo cola factories. In fact, the soft drink seemed to have appeared overnight. -“Who cares, this stuff is yummy.” She was only halfway through her can when she spotted him coming down the street. Anger started boiling up in her. She usually got aggressive feelings whenever Darien was around but this was different, fiercer. It seemed to be running from her head to her toes, just like the soft drink being absorbed by her blood, the brown liquid going through her system. -“Hey, meatball head.” He called out as he walked by with a smug smile. She jumped out in front of him, shoving him roughly in the chest. -“For the last time, DON’T CALL ME THAT! I am so sick and tired of you Darien! Every time I see you it’s nothing but bad names and insults. What is it? You think just because you’re older than me that gives you the right to treat me badly and push me around?” -“Serena?” Darien was frightened and worried, he’d never seen her like this. -“Ooooooooh! So the big man does know my name!” -“Give me another can Mina.” Raye ordered as she tossed her now empty one onto the ground. -“Don’t order me around miss Bossy.” -“Who are you calling bossy you dumb blond?” -“Oh for Pete’s sake. Who cares? The both of you stop arguing and give me another can.” Lita yelled. -“Don’t yell at me!” Mina retorted. -“Please, must we always bicker?” Amy interrupted, trying to keep her anger inside and bring peace to the group. -“Stay out of this brainiac!” Raye screamed. -“Why should I you snobby little pest! You all always argue as I sit around and tolerate this garbage. I can’t take it anymore!” Serena stopped and turned to where her friends were sitting. Darien also looked at them speechless. Amy had never lost her temper towards her friends, let alone used harsh words against them. Something was wrong. But none of the rest of the group seemed to realize this as they continued their argument. They looked around the park to see that the same phenomenon was occurring everywhere. Food vendors were arguing with their clients, picnickers were throwing food at each other, swimmers were practically drowning each other, cyclists were trying to drive each other off the path. It seemed that everyone seemed to be attacking or being attacked by someone. *And they’re all drinking Koo-koo cola*. Serena thought. -“Koo-koo cola! Get your Koo-koo cola! Right here!” A soft drink vendor had installed himself under a tree and was advertising the popular beverage. -“Give me one!” -“How much?” -“Out of the way, it’s mine!” -“Give me all your cans!” Everyone in the park, including the sailor scouts, was stampeding towards the vendor, shoving and elbowing their way, pushing Serena onto the ground in the process. -“Are you okay?” Darien helped her up and she roughly pushed him aside. She turned to face him angrily when she realized he hadn’t done anything wrong. -“Those people are pretty thirsty wouldn’t you say?” She told him distractedly as she stared at the swarm of people around the cart. -“You’re bleeding.” -“Huh?” He took her arm to grab her attention and pointed to her forehead. She touched the deep gash there and realized that there was blood running over her face. He took out a handkerchief and started wiping at her cut. -“It doesn’t look too bad but I think it’s gonna need stitches.” -“Why are you being so nice to me after I just yelled at you?” she asked softly. He turned away and shrugged. He stared down the path to the mob. -“Because a hot day brings the animal out of people and you’re hurt. C’mon, I’ll drive you to the hospital.” -“But my friends…” she started as he went to where he was parked. He pointed to the scouts, now trying to pull Luna off a can of Koo-koo cola as the cat tried to scratch their faces. -“No offense but I don’t think they’ll miss you.” She nodded and, with one final look at her group, she joined him in his car. * * * * -“Ow! I thought you were supposed to numb the skin before you started stitching?” -“Well hold still so that I don’t miss the patch of skin I anesthetized.” -“I didn’t move!” -“Oh so what, you’re calling me a bad doctor? I’ve been doing this since before you were born, kid.” -“Ouch! Well you’re aim and your bedside manner definitely need to improve!” -“Why you little…” (AN: Darien in the background with a big sweat drop.) -“Doctor.” Darien stood up to stand in between Serena and the Doctor who were facing off. “It looks like you’re done so why don’t you go see another patient who needs more attention than us.” -“Okay but remember you little brat,” The older man looked around Darien to Serena. “I know how to use a scalpel.” -“Could’ve fooled me.” She yelled. The doctor ground his teeth and crushed the can of Koo-koo cola on the table next to him. -“Now look what you made me do. I’m gonna have to go and get another one!” With that, he stomped out of the examination room. -“I wonder what’s the matter with everyone today?” Darien told her as he put on his jacket. He shrugged and stared back at Serena with a weird look on his face. -“What?” She demanded, crossing her arms over her chest and bringing her eyebrows together. He approached her and gently touched the stitches. She suddenly lost all ability to speak under his fingers. -“I hate to tell you this Serena but he didn’t do that well of a job. It’s probably gonna leave a scar.” She forced herself to step away from him and in front of a mirror. -“Oh darn! Why couldn’t this have been because of a negamonster and not because of a crowd of thirsty picnickers.” She grumbled. -“What’s a negamonster?” -“Huh? Oh nothing, nothing! Hehehehehehe… (AN: it’s supposed to be a nervous laugh.) Uh c’mon, let’s get out of here.” And she quickly turned around and went out the door followed by a very confused Darien. -“I need to go to the bathroom, could you wait a minute.” he asked. She did wait…and wait…and wait. *Where is he? I need to leave. If another nurse comes up to me and tries to start a fight about me loitering I’m going to have to use my tiara.* Fed up, she went out to search for him. She checked a few bathrooms, too angry to care about all the embarrassed men zipping up very quickly (AN ;p), but didn’t find him. After walking around for about five minutes and being pushed and yelled at by nine candy-stripers, she found him in the vending machine room, starting a fight with the doctor who had stitched her up. -“Darien, what are you doing?” -“I came in here to get a drink when this nut came up and tried to steal my can.” he answered. -“I’m outta change you little punk!” The physician yelled. Darien held the can of cola over his head as the doctor jumped up and down uselessly since he was at least a foot shorter than the younger man. -“I paid for this can old man.” Serena gasped as he shoved the doctor onto the floor. “Go bug someone else unless you wanna fat lip.” -“Why you little…” The doctor’s red face suddenly changed to a light shade of grey. The two teenagers watched in horror as the screaming little man began freezing up and turning grey all over. Suddenly, he stood as still as a statue. Serena touched his cold and stiff body with shaky fingers and jumped back with a shriek. This man was a statue! -“Darien, this man has turned entirely into stone!” -“So what?” Serena’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe him, Darien may have teased her before be he had never been deliberately cruel. Now he just shrugged his shoulders and drank some more cola…drank some more Koo-koo cola! She reacted suddenly, slapping the can out of Darien’s hand, the drink spilling all over the floor. -“Hey, what did you do that for?” Silently apologizing to him, she slapped him hard in the face. -“Darien, a man just turned into a statue and you can only think about your spilled drink?!? Isn’t that just a bit weird?!?” -“You’re right Serena. I-I don’t know what got into me.” He rubbed his cheek, genuinely surprised at his reaction. -“How much did you drink?” -“That was my first can and I only drank half of it.” -“I didn’t drink too much either. It’s a good thing too. Didn’t you feel more, like, mean when you drank it?” He nodded in agreement. -“And that doctor was drinking it too.” Suddenly, another scream was heard down the hall, followed by another. They quickly ran into the corridor to find people transforming into stone in front of their eyes, just like the doctor had. And all around the bodies were nearly empty cans of Koo-koo cola. Darien’s eyes widened and Serena gasped as they both realized the same thing: Serena’s friends had all been drinking the soft drink! * * * * They ran outside to Darien’s car, watching more people petrify around them. Screams could be heard all throughout Tokyo. The car screeched to a halt at the park, they both quickly jumped out, trying to ignore the horrors around them as they tried to find the girls. Fortunately or unfortunately, they did. Serena burst into tears as she saw her friends, huddled under a tree. Raye, the one with the worst temper, was already stone. Serena cried in horror as Lita cried out her name as her head quickly petrified. Mina was holding Luna and Artemis’ cold and lifeless bodies in her arms as the ‘disease’ overcame her body. The always calm and collected Amy seemed to be spared partially: she was human from her head to her waist but her legs were frozen together. -“Serena, thank goodness!” Amy yelled through her tears. -“Amy!” Serena quickly ran into her friend’s arms and the two hugged tightly and cried together. “What happened?” -“I-I don’t really know. We…we were just sitting here…arguing over who should get the last can of cola when…” She burst into tears and buried her head in Serena’s shoulder. -“Amy, should I transform?” she whispered. -“N-no, I don’t see what good it…it would do.” Amy managed in between sobs. “There’s no monster to fight here. We must find the c-cure.” -“Then it’s a good thing you’re still around huh? As Raye would say, I couldn’t tell a germ from a slice of pizza.” The two girls laughed sadly. “And with two doctors-in-training, we’ll figure this out in no time.” -“T-two?” -“Yeah Amy, I’m still healthy and I’m going to help you guys figure this out.” Darien crouched down next to the girls. -“Oh Darien! I find myself with renewed hope.” Amy cried out. -“Good, now, let’s try to find other people who may be able to help us.” He picked Amy up while Serena held her heavier legs and carried her to his car. * * * * They searched everywhere but nobody; absolutely nobody was still human in the city…or the world. The television showed statuettes of what should have been actors and newscasters. It seemed that they were the only people left who were actual people! After hours of fruitless searching, they finally gave up. Serena and Amy sat morosely in the car as Darien went into a restaurant to get them some food. -“I wonder why there aren’t more people that are still human.” Serena cried out, frustrated. -“Well, according to my calculations, with the amount of cola that has been distributed and the popularity of the drink, it is statistically improbable that…” -“Huh?” -“It’s a miracle that the three of us are still human. Or at least, 2 and a half of us.” Both girls stared sadly below Amy’s waist. “The only reason you and I are probably still alive is because we are sailor scouts and because you haven’t drank that much. We’re lucky that Darien hasn’t had that much cola.” -“Yeah, real lucky.” Serena frowned slightly and crossed her arms. Amy smiled a little. -“What’s wrong? Darien can really help us out with his knowledge of science.” -“Yeah I know, but couldn’t we have been with someone a little less annoying. Even when the human race is being turned into one big museum exhibit, he still finds the time to tease me.” -“That’s just the cola talking.” -“No way Amy! Darien and I have hated each other since we first met.” -“You like him.” -“What?!?” -“You really do.” -“Has your brain turned to stone?!?” -“You just try to hide your feelings by fighting with him.” -“Keep dreaming Amy!” -“You love him.” -“Okay, that’s it! Now I’m sticking my fingers in my ears! Lalalalalala (AN: She’s singing…or at least trying to), I can’t hear you, lalalala.” -“You’re madly in love with him.” -“LALALALALALALALA!!!!” -“He loves you too.” -“(pause, fingers leaving ears) Really?” -“Mmm-hmm.” -“No way.” -“Yes way.” -“Then why does he always yell at me?” -“He’s afraid of not being able to control his feelings.” -“Really?” -“Really.” -“You’re taking a psychology course aren’t you?” -“I’m their top student.” -“Tell me something I don’t know.” -“Here’s lunch.” -“Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Both girls jumped so high, they almost made it to the moon (AN: I know bad joke. Don’t write to me about it please. Oh, and i know that poor amy is half-stone and cannot actually jump but it's a figure of speech that means she's really, really scared 'kay) -“I guess I shouldn’t have gotten the fish -“Sorry Darien.” Serena gasped as her heart rate returned to normal. “It’s just so quiet y’know?” -“Yeah, I know.” He muttered glumly. -“What did you bring us…other than fish I mean.” Amy asked cheerfully, trying to break the tense mood. -“I also have a chicken salad and some egg rolls. (AN: I think those are Chinese but who cares.) Oh and uh, Serena…” She almost choked on her rice at the mention of her name on Darien’s lips. Blushing slightly, he brought out a little cardboard box. “I know you like donuts so here.” Speechless, Serena took the box and opened it carefully, as if she were about to reveal a diamond engagement ring. The happiness she felt wouldn’t have been greater if it was a precious stone. -“Jelly donuts, my favourite.” -“I kinda figured out that you liked them since they were the ones coming to my head most of the time.” They both chuckled nervously but sobered quickly. She smiled at him and stared into his eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Something passed between them then, a feeling that surfaced every now and then but that was usually roughly pushed aside. Serena finally looked away as she realized what they were doing and as she turned around, she caught Amy’s wink. She shot her a look that said ‘this doesn’t prove anything’. But she still didn’t look at him throughout the rest of the meal. * * * * They all slept at Darien’s apartment that night. Both girls had come home to stone families and neither said a word as they gathered some personal items. Serena burst into tears at the site of her mother on her kitchen floor, trying to reach for her father and brother in the living room. Darien awoke to the sounds of muffled sobs. He rose from his couch and went to the bedroom where the two sailors had been sleeping. But Amy was asleep alone in the bed. He tiptoed around his apartment and located the source of the crying. Without bothering to knock, he opened his bathroom door. Serena hadn’t heard him because she remained in a ball on the floor. Her tears ripped his heart to bits. He kneeled down in front of her and she seemed to realize his presence. She quickly whipped her head up and wiped her eyes. -“D-did I-I wake you?” -“It’s alright. What’s wrong?” He wanted to kick himself. It was obvious what was wrong, he just didn’t know what else to say. He wasn’t good with emotions. -“I- I was just about to fall asleep when I-I remembered something Amy said. She said that we were the only ones left alive! Do you think it’s true, that everyone who is a statue now is dead? If they are, that means that even if we find a cure, it’s too late. It’s finally hit me. Humanity is coming to an end and it’s up to us to save it! I try to be brave, I try to fight against evil but this is so big! I feel so alone and helpless...” -“But you’re not alone Serena. Amy is with you. She’s been a good friend to you and everyone knows she’s smart. You two are close and you’ll make it. And-and…you have me.” He gently wiped the tears silently streaming down her cheeks and brushed her hair out of her face. “I know I haven’t always been the nicest person towards you Serena but…but even I can see that you are truly a brave person who has more greatness in her than anybody knows. Just remember, that I’ll be with you to the very end.” -“Promise?” She whispered. She sounded so frightened then that Darien felt his heart explode. How could he have actually let her believe that he didn’t care about her when nothing could be further from the truth? He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. She tightly grabbed onto his shirt and pressed herself to his chest, as if to wrap herself in him -“Promise.” * * * * Breakfast was consumed in awkward silence. Darien and Serena had ended up falling asleep on the bathroom floor in each others arms and although Amy hadn’t said anything, she made it obvious that she knew that the two had shared a deep emotional connection last night…even if they both refused to acknowledge it. *They are so blind. Maybe this apocalypse will let them see what they really mean to each other.* *I swear, if Amy winks at me one more time she’s going to end up with scrambled eggs down her shirt.* *I wonder what’s going on with Amy? I mean, nothing happened between Serena and I last night.* *Mercury should get her head out of the gutter. I mean, just because we slept together…Eeeeeeek! I mean, fell asleep together…oooh boy.* *I was just comforting her…at night…on the floor of my bathroom… while she as wearing those cute little pajamas…Whoa! Don’t go there Darien, I mean, this is meatball head you’re talking about.* *I don’t even want to sleep with him…I mean I guess I wouldn’t mind… Where did that come from?!? Oh, I’m gonna get you back for this Amy!* *So what if she’s cute… and young…and feisty…and her hair smells so nice…I’m a pig.* -“Ahem…” Amy cleared her throat. -“(gasp) (cough, cough)” -“(gasp)” -“Sorry guys. (giggle)” Amy said. “What were you two thinking about.” (AN: Combination anime sweat drop and huge blush for D and S. Hehehehehe, I’m evil aren’t I?:P) “I was just wondering where we were going to do our research for the cure.” She continued. “I’m sure you were both thinking the same.” -“Uhm…yup.” Serena answered. -“Sure.” Darien replied. -“Of course.” -“What else would we be thinking about?” (AN: About a minute of heavy silence and Amy trying not to burst into hysterical laughter.) “Uhm, my college has a great lab. Our science department gets great funding and we have the most complete collection of reference books in our library.” Darien finally spoke. -“Good, let’s get…(Gasp)” -“Amy what…?” Serena immediately stood up and went to her friend’s side as Mercury held up her hands. All three stared speechlessly at Amy’s fingers. The nails and tips were already stone and the rest of her fingers were turning to a light shade of grey. Serena put her hands on Amy’s shoulders. The blue-haired girl gave a weak smile through her tears. -“I guess I won’t be giving much of a hands on approach to this. Well, I’ve always been told that my brain was they best thing about me.” Darien’s chair made a loud scraping noise as he pushed it back angrily. He squeezed his hands into fists as he tried to control the overwhelming rage growing inside of him. -“We’ll find the cure for this thing Amy.” He banged the table hard and stayed in that position, trying to control his anger. Serena watched his back as it moved along with his ragged breaths. Quietly, she stepped over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, burying her face into his neck. Nobody mentioned it, but all saw the patch of skin on his upper arm turning into stone. * * * * -“What’s this?” Serena asked, poking at the strange glass bottle. -“That’s an Erlenmeyer flask.” Darien mumbled distractedly as he stared into a microscope. -“And this.” -“A model of a DNA strand.” -“And what’s…” -“Serena, can’t you see that I’m a little busy!?!” -“Well excuse me! But can’t you see that I’m totally bored!?! You’re not letting me help.” She whined. -“Weren’t you helping Amy type up her computer analysis?” -“Well, yeah...” she mumbled sheepishly. “But she started yelling at me because I type too slowly and kicked me out. Besides, her lower knuckles still work and she knows more about computers than I do.” -“And I know more about science than you do so why don’t you just get out of…” -“I don’t have to take this, I’m going to help Amy.” She crossed her arms across her chest, stuck her tongue out at him and stomped out of the room. -“Little brat!” He gasped suddenly and clutched his upper arm. The growth was quickly spreading. He started to breathe slowly and calm down but his entire arm from his shoulder to his elbow had petrified. He let his arm fall to his side, his hand rubbing it distractedly as he thought about this. The stone had stopped spreading after his little outburst during breakfast but had started again at that moment. “Of course!” He put a needle into his arm and placed the blood sample under a microscope. After writing down his conclusions of the analysis he left the laboratory and headed to the computer room in search of Amy and Serena. -“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” -“That sounded like Serena!” He ran the rest of the way towards the computer room and burst in, practically tearing the door off the wall. His scream caught in his throat as he looked at Amy’s computer station. Serena was crouched down next to Amy who was sitting at her desk only something was terribly wrong. More of her body had turned to stone. In fact, everything below her nose had solidified! He saw overwhelming fear in her teary eyes. *How horrible.*, he thought, *She couldn’t even cry out for help.* He fought back his own rage and shock and walked over to the girls. Serena had wrapped herself around her friend’s body and was crying hysterically into her hair. * * * * -“Serena?” She gasped and put her hand over her heart as Darien tapped her shoulder. -“You scared me.” -“I’m sorry. Here, I made you some tea.” He handed her the steaming cup and she took it eagerly. -“Thank you.” He sat down next to her on the bench. They both sat in silence as she drank slowly, the liquid slowly calming her. Gently, Darien slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him slightly. She froze for a moment and resisted but only for a second. With a sigh, she let her body go limp against his shoulder. *How do you do this to me?* She thought. *How can you make me go crazy and make me feel so at peace at the same time?* She remembered Amy’s words from the day before. She slowly opened her eyes and stared up into his smiling face. For a moment, she forgot all about their problems. She forgot all about losing her friends and the strange illness overtaking humanity. She forgot all about the heavy responsibility that now rested squarely upon their shoulders. All that mattered right now was him. At that moment, she felt as if nothing else mattered and that she would always be all right because she knew he would always stand by her. Slowly, he leaned his head towards hers. *He’s going to kiss me.* She realized but she couldn’t find it in her to resist. She raised her hand up to grab onto his shoulder, to pull him closer to her but instead of pressing into firm flesh and muscle, her fingers met solid rock. Just as their lips were about to meet, she quickly whipped her head to the side, the spell broken by the cold reality underneath her fingertips. With much effort, she pulled herself away from him and straightened up. She was Sailor moon and the world was depending on her. She couldn’t let herself be tempted, not until they got this over with. *If only Luna could see me now.* She thought sadly. -“How’s Amy doing?” She asked. He stared silently at her for a moment, disbelief clearly evident in his eyes but she refused to look at him, refused to give in. After a moment, he sighed and looked down towards the floor. -“I read to her for a little while after I got her to stop crying. She’s asleep right now but we can’t let her be alone for too long, in case she wakes up.” She nodded. -“You were coming to tell us something.” -“Yes. My growth has spread.” -“Well no duh. I’m not blind Darien.” -“Don’t get mad Serena. That might just be what’s killing everyone.” -“What?” -“Remember how you observed that we became more aggressive after consuming the soft drink. Well it’s not just a side effect of the cola but it might also be what’s helping it spread. Come with me.” They stood up and headed towards a counter. He indicated for her to look into one of the microscopes. “You take biology. So you know that we are looking red and white blood cells and platelets in this blood sample.” -“Yeah, but those hairy green things shouldn’t be there.” -“Exactly. That’s the virus the cola contains. Look in here.” She looked through another microscope. The substance there contained water and the green virus. It was a sample of Koo-koo cola. “When our bodies absorb the drink, the virus gets into our bloodstream and we become infected. Now, look in here.” He pointed to a third microscope and she looked through that as well. It was another blood sample but this one was different. She mentioned her observation to Darien. “You’re right. The white blood cells are our bodies’ natural protectors against illnesses. In my first blood sample you saw that they were fighting, that some cells had survived. But in this sample, there are none left.” -“Yeah, but there are some new things too.” -“Right, those new things are adrenaline.” -“Adrenaline? As in that stuff that you’re body makes when you get excited or something.” -“Yes but not only when we get excited but when we get angry. I took this blood sample after I yelled at you. When you left and I was still angry, my arm became more and more stony. And here’s why. Look again and you’ll see that the virus is feeding on the adrenaline.” She paid close attention and sure enough, what Darien had said was true. The virus cells were enveloping the adrenaline cells and growing at each time. -“So, the angrier we get, the more powerful the virus gets.” -“Exactly.” -“(Gasp) Amy got angry at me in the computer room just before I left! Oh no, this is all my fault!” He placed a finger underneath her chin and pulled her face up so that she was looking into his eyes. -“Don’t you ever think that Serena. Amy only got mad at you because of the drink, you know that she almost never gets angry. As for me, we always seem to be yelling at each other so you didn’t do anything differently that could’ve done this to me.” She smiled up at him. Somehow, his touch and his words brought back all the confidence and strength she had lost. She fought back a whimper as his fingers left her chin and he looked into the microscope. “What I can’t figure out is how come the virus is more powerful with adrenaline. I’ve never seen any other one affected like that. (AN: I’m not a biology student so I don’t know if any other virus is affected by adrenaline but let’s just pretend okay? And if you do know, don’t hesitate to write and inform me.) And also, how is it turning human cells into stone. Serena quickly, come look! It’s happening!” He stepped aside and she watched as the viruses started emitting some sort of energy. In a matter of seconds, the plasma and all the other blood cells had solidified. She brought her eyebrows together as she recognized the energy. It was negative energy. *This is the Negaverse’s doing, just as I suspected.* She squared back her shoulders and fought the anger building up inside her. -“It doesn’t matter why Darien. This is a virus and there’s got to be some antibiotic…or whatever it’s called…that can destroy it. You start working on it, I’ll go get Amy.” He nodded in agreement and Serena went up to the infirmary where Darien had left a slumbering Amy. * * * * Luckily she hadn’t woke up. Serena didn’t even want to think how scared Amy would have been to wake up alone in her condition. She walked up to her friend and gently tapped her on the cheeks. Mercury’s eyes slowly opened. She saw Serena in front of her and attempted to smile and say hi when she realized she couldn’t move. She experienced a moment of panic until she remembered. She fought the desperate tears creeping into her eyes. *I had been hoping that it was all a dream. I hope Serena and Darien have made some progress.* -“Good morning sleeping beauty. Wink if you want to say hi.” She said with a smile, trying to cheer her friend up. Amy would have laughed then if she could’ve. Instead, she just winked. “Amy, we were right. It’s just like we said last night; the Negaverse is up to this. We found some sort of virus in the blood stream that feeds on adrenaline. It was giving out negative vibes and turning the human cells into rock. I’m going to try my wand on you to see if I can cure you with the silver crystal. Are you ready? Blink three times as a yes.” Amy blinked three times. “Moon Crystal Power!” !!!!Serena transforms into Sailor Moon!!!! Sailor Moon took out her wand. She opened her locket and placed the silver crystal on it. (AN: All my excuses if I’m wrong about this. It’s just that I haven’t seen the show for about two years since YTV cancelled it L. So I don’t remember if her crystal was on the wand or in her locket so I’m just going to combine the two. But it doesn’t really change the story.) “Okay Amy. Here goes nothing. Moon healing activation!” Sailor moon pointed her wand towards Amy. There was a brilliant flash of bright light and then…nothing. The sailor stared in disbelief at her wand. Concentrating, she tried again. “Moon healing activation!” But still, nothing happened. Sailor moon tried again a few more times. She was getting really tired: she used up a lot of energy when she activated the wand. She gathered up what was left of her strength and prepared herself for another try when she looked into Amy’s eyes. The girl was crying and her eyes were giving her friend a message. *It’s not going to work Serena. Stop trying. It’s over.* Sailor moon nodded as a sign of agreement and transformed back into Serena. She went over to Amy and cupped her friend’s face, wiping away her tears. “We are NOT giving up Amy! When magic fails, we turn to science. This thing may be evil but it is still a virus so there’s got to be a cure. We’re going to find it I promise. Now c’mon, Darien’s probably worried.” She pushed the wheelchair they had placed Amy in and guided her out the door. Downstairs, they found Darien working hard in his laboratory. He looked up as they came in. -“ Hi! You were gone a pretty long time. What were you girls doing up there?” Serena looked down at her friend. Amy just winked at her. -“Nothing. Let’s get to work.” * * * * -“Well, there’s another theory shot to the ground.” Darien stretched and rubbed his reddened eyes. They’d been working for close to 12 hours straight with no progress. Amy had long ago fallen asleep watching them. -“Maybe we should try to get some rest. We’re too tired: we might miss something important. I’m sure it’ll be better tomorrow.” She suggested. -“Forget it! It takes years of research to make a real medical breakthrough. We don’t know enough about this thing to even begin. We’ve been wasting our time. How could we actually think that we could find a cure in a few days!?!” Darien was at his wit’s end. He was so tired and frustrated. It seemed like all his studies were for nothing. He felt useless and dumb and he was about ready to throw a beaker against the wall when…he felt Serena’s cool hands on either side of his face. He closed his eyes and let her stroking fingers soothe the tension out of his face. -“You have to stay calm, you don’t want to make your condition worse. I don’t want to lose you now.” He opened his eyes and put his hands over hers, pressing her palms into his cheeks, reveling at the softness of her skin. * She effects me the way no one else ever has. She’s so different: she’s loud and ditzy and rude but…she’s so perfect at the same time. I don’t think that I’ve ever really hated her. Maybe…maybe I love her.* -“Serena, I…I…I have discovered something.” He stepped away from her and removed her hands. He was just about to tell her he loved her! He couldn’t believe himself. He never let his emotional guard down like that. He tried to once, he had tried to kiss her but she made it plainly obvious that she didn’t feel the same way about him. Her rejection had hurt him more than he thought possible and he didn’t want to feel that kind of pain ever again. “This virus doesn’t just spread when we get angry it just works faster. Sooner or later, we’re both going to become stone.” Her eyes filled with tears and dismay and it took every ounce of strength within him not to rush over and pull her into his arms. Serena was shocked at the news and for a moment felt her courage start to crumble. She wished that Darien would hold her, she was sure that she’d feel better if he did but he obviously didn’t want her in that way. She had been wrong before, he wasn’t going to kiss her; he was just trying to comfort her. *It was a good thing I pulled away before I embarassed myself. Well, I don’t need him. What a jerk, he’s only been nice to me because he doesn’t want me to be scared. Well fine, the sooner we find this cure; the sooner I can go back to being angry with him.* Her mind told her that she didn’t want him but she still pressed her hand to her locket, right over her heart. She tried to ignore the pain in her chest and fought back her tears. -“We are not going to become stone! We’re going to find the cure.” She declared. -“Now, now. Let’s not make promises we can’t keep.” A taunting voice seemed to be coming from every which way. Darien and Serena looked around the room but no one was there besides them. It had also woken Amy up and her eyes were darting left and right, searching for the source as well. Finally, a shadowed figure appeared in a corner of the room, surrounded by a white glow. Violent energy was emanating from him, creating a whirlwind around them. He lifted his face slightly and he was revealed to them. -“Robbie Atkins!?!” Serena screamed over the howling of the wind. -“You’re the spokesperson for Koo-koo cola. I should have known.” Darien yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the being. Amy’s eyes were wide with fear and tears of desperation were going down her face. -“Oh nononono. We musn’t get angry. Your friend over there is a prime example of that. Hmmm, she’s quite beautiful isn’t she?” He smiled but there was something purely evil in his expression. He made a sweeping motion at the blue-haired girl and whatever humanity was left in her died. She was a statue. “And now, her beauty will be preserved for all eternity. Hihihihihihihi.” His laugh sounded like that of a schoolboy. He was actually enjoying this. -“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! AMY!” Serena yelled and scrambled to her friend’s side. “Why!?!” She yelled, wiping the desperate tears off her face. “What did we ever do to deserve this!?!” -“You exist!” He hissed, sending out a bolt of energy and destroying all their test tubes and research equipment. “You humans are a flawed and ugly race whose nature is to kill others before dying! You go around acting like you’re superior to nature and yet you act like barbarians. Greed, jealousy, hate, anger…all purely human emotions. You are a disgusting race and I have made it my mission to destroy you! All people have lost their humanity because of their anger and greed. They drank so much of that filthy sugar and it has cost them their life. You will remain stone figures forever! Mother Nature will be able to live again without your filthy pollution and abuse. You will be conscious in your frozen state as a punishment and as an example to any other race who betrays the planet that bore them and loved them.” He realeased another bolt of energy and hit Darien and Serena. They both stumbled back at the force. “I have sped up the virus’ effects. You should both be stone by dawn. Hahahahahaha…” He disapeared as suddenly as he had come, leaving a chaotic sea of papers and glass around him. Serena was crying openly now and Darien ignored his mind as he rushed over to her and put his arms around her. To his surprise, she pushed him away. -“Stay away from me. It’s over, I’ve failed!” Still sobbing, she ran out of the building. She frantically raced through the streets of Tokyo, desperately searching for some sign of life. Someone to tell her that humanity still had a chance. But all she saw were statues of what used to be people. Images flashed before her of her friends as they turned into stone, their desperate cries for help; Lita yelling her name as she petrified; Amy turning to stone and not being healed by the crystal. The silver crystal hadn’t worked, medical science hadn’t worked: humanity was doomed and all she could do was watch. She needed to go somewhere where she could die in peace, where no statues were around; a place where she wouldn’t mind spending eternity. She finally collapsed on the small bridge in front of Darien’s apartment. She tried to catch her breath as her tears subsided. There was nothing but silence, nobody was around, it was just quiet. But then, she thought she heard something, like a whistling but softer… smoother. She got up and looked down at the small river running underneath her. She saw her reflection with the moon in the background. The moon, her home, a place where she had once been the most powerful princess of the galaxy, a place where she was once loved by all, a place where she had lived happily, the place where she had once died. She would love to look at it for all eternity. And it was so calm and soothing here, she felt so at peace. She watched the water and waited for the end. * * * * *Where is she?* Darien wrapped his hand around his bicep. His arm was very heavy and it hurt to swing it around, which was inevitable since he was running. It had taken him a few seconds to get over his shock and run after her. The illness was spreading, his chest had started solidifying and he was getting very tired and more and more worried. Finally, he spotted her on the bridge in front of his building. She was just standing there, her face illuminated by the reflection of the moonlight. She looked like a Goddess. *I wonder if she knows how beautiful she really is.* He approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her. But the silence was heavy around him and she sensed his approach. -“Don’t come closer Darien.” She whispered. Her voice was calm and steady, he realized that all fear had left her. He stopped where he was, staring at her, not knowing what to say or do. Finally, he walked towards her and stood next to her. She didn’t move a muscle. He frowned when he saw the back of her neck; it had turned to stone. It wouldn’t be long now. -“Serena…” He began. -“It’s over Darien. Go someplace where you’ll be happy and at peace. It’s over…” She trailed off. -“I know.” He whispered. She finally looked up at him, startled. She hadn’t expected him to give up so easily; he had always seemed so strong. She reached up and gently wiped away the errant tear that had escaped from his eyes. He twined his fingers with hers, forcing her to stay there. “Please. Don’t let me die alone.” He begged. -“Oh Darien.” She whispered and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. -“Serena, I want to spend eternity with you.” He told her, holding her tightly against him, wishing that they could be one and the same. They stood that way for a long time, the disease overcoming their bodies during the night. They could barely move. With much effort Serena pulled away slightly, to look up into his face. He cupped her cheek with his hand and pulled her closer. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. They took their time, loving each other with all they had. Mouth saying in gestures and not words exactly how they felt. The last of their bodies began petrifying, their arms and chests and faces fusing together. The last was their lips, their last act of love preserved forever and finally…they were one…for the rest of time. * * * * AN: End of part one. You didn’t actually think humanity was doomed did you. Pffff, as if, this is sailor moon. Okay, time to put on the smiley faces, here comes the saving of the world. Enjoy! :) * * * * It was silent, so silent. -“It’s perfect.” He whispered as he watched from the sky. His laughter was the only sound that could be heard. “I have succeeded. Mother Earth may finally live again!” The sun rose slowly over the new Earth, illuminating the still silhouette of our intertwined lovers. It seemed as if all human life had vanished, trapped in their stone prisons. Suddenly, a light glittered from in between them. It became stronger and stronger, bigger and bigger, outshining even the sun, envelopping the entire planet. -“W-what is that!?! Aaaah!” Atkins shielded his eyes against the light, brighter than any he had ever seen. A strong flash exploded around the earth. Once it faded, Atkins looked down again. “Nooooooooooooooooo!” * * * * Raye blinked. Carefully, she lifted her hand to her eyes and wiggled her fingers. A big smile spread across her face. -“Raye!” She spun around at the sound of her name. -“Lita!” She yelled back and raced toward her friend. The two met and hugged tightly. -“Is this a private party?” Someone else yelled. -“Mina!” The two girls screamed together and sandwiched her between them. (AN: Insert a funny agony face for Mina here.) -“Girls, I don’t think that Mina’s getting any blood circulation to her head.” Artemis said with a laugh. Luna merely sighed and shook her head. -“Really, you two are as bad as Serena.” The girls suddenly sobered. -“We must find Serena.” Raye said. They looked around to see the people in the park waking up. “She’ll tell us what happened.” -“She must have saved us! Oh, I knew Serena had greatness in her!” Luna exclaimed. -“See Raye, Serena’s not as dumb as you think.” Mina stated, crossing her arms. -“Hey, speaking of brains, Amy and Darien were with her too!” Lita declared. -“Darien! Oh yeah! (sigh) (AN: Mini-hearts in Raye’s eyes. Is she in for a surprise or what? Hihihihihihihihi…) He must have helped Serena. There’s no way meatball head pulled this off by herself. (AN: Everyone else groaned and bowed their heads with big sweat drops appearing.) -“Raye, it doesn’t really matter! Just be happy that we’re all safe. Now c’mon, let’s go find them!” * * * * Serena pulled away from Darien with a gasp. They stepped away from each other, both panting. The moment had been so intense that neither had realized that they could breathe again. Finally, they both straightened up and looked at each other silently. Serena approached him and placed a hand on his chest. Slowly, she made her way up to his shoulder and ran her fingers over his arm. She placed her other hand on his cheek, gently caressing the skin there, reveling at the texture underneath her fingertips. A huge smile appeared on his face, she started to laugh. Swiftly, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off her feet, swinging her around him. All they could do was laugh. He suddenly stopped and pulled her tightly to him, she wrapped her legs around him and buried her face in his neck, tears falling freely. -“We’re alive…we’re alive…we’re alive…” It was all she could say. -“Yes.” He whispered back to her. “ And we’re together.” They stayed like that for a long time, crying and laughing together, emotions overwhelming them. Suddenly, Serena whipped her head up and looked into his face. -“My friends, they’re at the park. And my family, they must be so confused and worried.” -“You go find them, I’ll go see Amy.” He set her down. -“Darien…what are we going to tell them…I don’t know what happened.” -“We’ll have time to figure that out later. Meet me later tonight so that we can talk about it.” He smiled sheepishly. “Maybe over dinner.” She grinned. Humanity had just been saved for God knows what reason and he was trying to make a date with her…just her kind of guy. -“Sure, where and when?” -“My place. Eight o’clock.” She nodded and pulled away from him. She started running down the bridge towards the park when Darien came up behind her and grabbed her arm. She spun around, confused. -“Darien, wha-mmmmf.” Before she could finish her sentence, his lips covered hers in a quick kiss, completely taking her breath away. -“My place. Eight o’clock. Don’t forget.” And with that, he turned around and walked away leaving her pleasantly numb. She placed her fingers on her lips. -”I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She whispered. * * * * Serena looked at her watch and groaned. The screen showed that it was 7:46 pm and she still hadn’t found her friends. She finally stopped at the park where she had begun. She needed to find them and discuss their plans on how to defeat Atkins as soon as possible. -“Oooooh! I’m going to be late! I wish that they could just come to me.” -“You’ll never see them again!” Suddenly Atkins appeared out of nowhere, realeasing a ray of energy, hitting Serena right in the back, pushing her roughly to the ground. She looked up and saw Atkins looming over her in the trees, angry energy crackling around him. “It took me a while to remember that you somehow saved this pitiful race. That energy of yours practically knocked me out of the galaxy. You’ll pay for your mistake.” -“That what you think scumbag!” she yelled standing up. “Moon Crystal Power!” !!!!Serena transforms into Sailor Moon!!!! “I am Sailor Moon, champion of justice! I will right wrongs and triumph over evil! And that means you!” -“Fool, you are the evil one! I don’t know what you wish to accomplish by changing clothing but you are nothing. I will teach you a lesson. I summon the children of nature!” He spread his arms wide and the energy around him seemed to double in quantity and strength. For a minute, everything was still. Suddenly, all the animals came out of their nests, circling Sailor Moon, just watching her. -“Uh oh.” She muttered. They suddenly all attacked at once, the animals coming at her from every which way, mauling her. -“Mercury Star Power!” -“Mars Star Power!” -“Jupiter Star Power!” -“Venus Star Power!” !!!! Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina transform into Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus!!!! -“Mercury Ice Bubbles…Freeze!” The animals fell all around Sailor moon, asleep in their ice coccoons. (AN:I don’t believe in cruelty towards innocent little animals so we’ll just say they’re gonna hibernate until the fight’s over ‘kay.) -“What is this!?!” Atkins screamed, confused. -“We are Sailor Mercury… -“…Mars…” -“…Jupiter…” -“…and Venus. The sailor scouts of justice!” -“Sailor Scouts! You’re alright!” Tears of relief flooded Serena’s eyes as she saw them safe and sound. -“You can’t get rid of us that easily Serena.” Raye told her with a wink. -“More of you annoying brats.” Atkins muttered. “No matter. I call upon the Spirits of the clouds! Unleash your energy!” Black storm clouds started gathering in the sky above the warriors. Although there was no rain, sparks could be seen in the sky. Suddenly, a huge bolt of lightning crashed down to the ground, nearly hitting Sailor Jupiter, tumbling the scout to the ground! -“Sailor Jupiter!” Venus yelled as the girls raced to her side. She helped her friend to stand up. “Are you alright?” -“I’m fine.” She stated. “But now I’m mad! I’ll show him how to use thunder!” She stepped away from her friends and raised her face and arms to the sky. Another lightning bolt escaped from the clouds straight towards her. “I call upon the powers of Jupiter!” Her antenna went up as she channeled all her power. Just as the bolt was about to hit her, she joined her open palms and changed the course of the lightning. Atkins was too surprised to duck and it hit him squarely in the chest. To Jupiter’s dismay, it hardly affected him. -“Hmmm. You are stronger than I thought. Icestorms of the tundra, come to my aid!” The lightning stopped but a strong wind picked up. The five warriors shivered as the air started to become colder. They looked up and it started to snow, hail accompanying the snowflakes. Before they knew it, the girls were buried under a mountain of snow and ice. “It’s over for you sailor scouts.” *Mars fire…ignite!* Suddenly, a towering column of fire erupted from deep within the heap of ice, melting the snow quickly and revealing the five freezing but strong scouts. “I’m not finished with you.” Atkins’ voice seethed with anger. “Roots of life, trap them.” A strange crackling sound was heard and Venus pushed Mars out of the way as a huge tree stretched itself and bent towards the ground nearly killing the scout of fire. The girls screamed as all the other trees around them started acting the same way, banging the ground continuously until the girls were encompassed by the thick trunks. The trees joined together and created a dome above the scouts. -“Watch out! The dome is shrinking!” Mercury cried out. -“We’ll be crushed!” Sailor Moon yelled. -“No! Venus Crescent Beam…Smash!” The crescent flew from Venus’ hand, slicing through the thick wall of trees. It returned like a boomerang, enlarging the hole. The scouts escaped just as the timber crushed around them. -“No! You monsters! You’ve damaged Mother Earth’s beautiful trees! Cyclone of power, avenge your sisters’ deaths!” He raised himself up higher into the sky, more clouds approaching above his head. He spread his arms and looked up to the sky. Thunderbolts came crashing straight towards him but he merely absorbed their energy. A strong cold wind picked up again, lifting fallen leaves and twigs off the ground. The trees started to moan and groan, swaying back and forth at its force. Rain came crashing down, soaking the sailor scouts and making the earth slick under their feet. -“What’s happening!?!” Sailor Jupiter yelled. -“If I remember my physics lessons correctly, this type of dramatic shifts in the weather usually signal the arrival of wind entrapped in a spinning…” Sailor Mercury started. -“Amy!” The four other sailor scouts yelled. -“Oh…it’s a tornado.” -“See Mercury.” Serena told her. “ You can just tell us instead…DID YOU JUST SAY A TORNADO !?!” -“Not only one but two tornados!” Venus yelled, pointing to the horizon. Two sister cyclones were speeding towards them, seemingly growing bigger and picking up speed as they approached. -“Uh guys, this would be a good time to run!” Mars yelled. All the girls screamed and the five dashed madly away from the tornados. But they weren’t fast enough, one by one, they each were sucked into the vacuum of the tornados. The two cyclones joined together, enlarging and picking up more speed. The sailor scouts were helpless against the force of the wind. Atkins just laughed. * * * * *We’re going to die.* Serena thought as she spun around in the cyclone. *I can’t save them. I can’t do anything. I’m just dumb and powerless.* *You’re wrong Sailor Moon.* A familiar voice suddenly sounded in her mind. *Who’s there?* She asked, a little afraid, she’d never had someone talk to her in her mind before unless it was in a daydream. *Oh great, now I’m going nuts.* *You’re not crazy Sailor Moon. I am able to communicate with you through our minds.* A face appeared in a vision before her eyes. She was shocked. *Tuxedo Mask?* *Yes Sailor Moon.* *How…* *I don’t know, it’s just an ability I possess. But I can only use it when it is necessary. I must hurry, I can’t hold this state much longer.* *What did you want to say Tuxedo?* *I only wanted to remind you of what you already know. You are a truly brave person who has more greatness in her than she knows. Look inside of you Sailor Moon, you’ll find more power than you know.* *I don’t believe you.* *May I remind you that I am inside your mind Sailor Moon? I know that you want to believe me, you are just afraid to. Never be afraid of who you are. I must go now.* *Tuxedo…wait!* *I’ll be waiting for you outside.* *But…* *Just believe…* And suddenly, he was gone. His presence left as suddenly as it had come but his strength was still there, inside of her, feeding her. *I call upon the powers of the silver crystal of the moon. Free us from this dirty circle of evil.* Her locket opened to reveal the beautiful crystal, shining brightly and picking up Sailor Moon’s energy, growing stronger and stronger. A bright flash of light escaped and suddenly, the cyclone dissipated. The five sailor scouts were released and gently floated back down to Earth. The light disappeared. Sailor moon stared down in shock at her locket. She never knew what power she possesed. -“The silver crystal must have saved the humans.” She realized. -“Good job Sailor Moon.” She turned towards the source of the voice and found Tuxedo Mask standing there, smiling at her. She smiled back. -“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The sound of Atkins’ angry voice boomed around them. “That flash was released just before the humans were saved. It was that crystal. I will destroy it…and you!” -“That would not be wise Atkins.” Another voice was heard from… everywhere. Atkins suddenly started panicking. -“She is coming.” He whispered. -“Who is coming?” Lita asked. But before Atkins could answer, the earth started to shake. Everyone lost their balance and fell over. Tuxedo Mask fell on a rock (AN: Has anyone else ever noticed that this guy is KO a lot of the time?) and was knocked unconcsious. The ground suddenly split open and a pure white light emanated from the crack. -“What’s happening?” Amy yelled. -“The creator is here.” Atkins told them. -“Who? Who is the creator?” Venus asked. A bright ball of light lifted up from the crack and suddenly unfolded like a flower revealing…a goddess is the only word that could describe this woman. A creature of incredible beauty, wearing beautiful clothing that slid around her like water, her face and body were like molded into earth by a master craftsman, her eyes were red and burned brightly like fire and her hair flew wildly around her like the most refreshing and powerful of winds. -“She is made of the four elements!” Sailor Mars suddenly exclaimed. “She is…” -“Mother Nature.” * * * * Atkins descended to the ground and kneeled down in front of the entity. -“Oh great creator. I’m sorry I have failed you. But I was just about to punish those who opposed us. Why did you stop me oh great one?” -“I love you too much to let you make that mistake my child.” She whispered in a melodious voice that seemed to echo around them. She placed her hand on his head and looked at him tenderly for a moment and then she turned to the surprised sailor scouts. “Sailor Moon, I wish to apologize for any problems my son may have caused you and your fellow humans.” -“Mother Nature, what happened. Why did Atkins wish to destroy us.” -“I must regretfully admit that I am mostly to blame for his behaviour.” The scouts gasped. -“You mean to tell us that you wanted us to be turned to stone like that. How dare you punish an entire race!?!” Mars exclaimed, the anger evident in her eyes. -“Insolent fool! Do not speak in that manner to the creator!” Atkins exclaimed. -“Hush my child.” Mother Nature whispered soothingly to her son. She turned back and smiled at Sailor Mars. “You must be the child of fire, from Mars. I can see the flames’ power inside of you. You have every right to be angry. But you must understand that I never meant for this to happen. I have been producing heirs ever since the Beginning. Atkins was created centuries ago to protect the nature on this planet from withering and dying. I taught him how the ignorance of my precious mankind was destroying my wildlife. I wished for him to teach you of your wrong ways so that all of nature’s creations could live peacefully” She sighed sadly. “But I have failed to teach him of the beauty of your race. He has forgotten that because I created you, you each have some of my beauty inside of you. The time will come one day when humans and the Earth may live harmoniously. But that time will only come with patience and teachings. But my son is young and impatient. He was angry because he thought his efforts in vain as he sees my many creations being destroyed by God’s children. He refused to see the beauty and kindness and love that each human being posseses. Instead, he saw only the ugliness and cruelty and hatred. He decided to use yourselves against you. You must believe me when I say that he had only the purest intentions at heart but was blinded by his own anger. My deepest apologies.” -“No Mother Nature.” Sailor Moon said with tears in her eyes. “It is our mistakes that drove your son to this. He’s right. We’ve been destroying your planet for our own selfish reasons.” -“You are just evolving. A perfectly natural thing for humans. Unfortunately, you’ve gone about it the wrong way. But it is destined to be so. One day, you will have evolved enough to see the error of your ways and you will be a born-gain race. It was Atkins’ job to protect nature until that day came. I’m afraid he has forgotten his true mission. I will correct that mistake. I must return to the center of the Earth to continue the growth of nature and pray that someday, we may all live as one on this beautiful planet.” -“Mother Nature, before you go, could you please tell us how the human race was healed. I mean, I had already tried the crystal before and it hadn’t worked.” -“It was not the crystal Serena.” -“You know who I am!” -“Of course. The Goddess of the moon brought you to me and asked me to make you reborn on this earth. I have been watching you all for years my dear.” -“Well, if it wasn’t the crystal than what was it.” -“Think about it Serena. The virus attacked you when you were angry. When humans are angry, they tend to reflect this negative energy onto other humans. Anger translates into hatred. What is the only thing that can conquer hatred?” -“Love.” Sailor Moon whispered. Mother Nature nodded her head and picked Atkins up. -“Love will save the world Sailor Moon. Someday, the Moon Princess shall rule over all the solar system with her great love and she will restore the peace I am searching for. I wish you luck in love Sailor Moon. It is the most important thing.” And with that, she lowered herself into the earth. At this time, Tuxedo Mask started to stir. Sailor Moon raced over to him and set his head in her lap. She turned back to the scouts. -“Could you guys leave us alone please? I know you guys don’t understand what’s happened but I will explain it all tomorrow. I just need to take care of some things tonight.” The four very, very confused sailor scouts looked at each other hesitantly. “Trust me.” Sailor Moon told them. The scouts just shrugged and left. -“Sailor Moon, what happened.” Tuxedo Mask asked sitting up. Serena told him what had happened, minus the part about her true dentity of course. -“Well, I’m happy that everything’s alright. I have to go.” He got up, grabbing his head in the process. He was going to have a big headache for a little while. -“Tuxedo wait. I have to talk to you.” He turned around. She sounded serious and that worried him. But he wanted to make this as short as possible, he was already late for his date with Serena. “I want to thank you for all the help you’ve been. You give me so much strength. I don’t think that I could’ve made it this far without you. I’m a stronger warrior when you’re around and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.” She sighed and approached him. She couldn’t look him in the eyes as she spoke again. “ I don’t know if you’ve realized this but…I have feelings for you.” Tuxedo’s eyes widened in surprise. He’d completely forgotten about Sailor Moon’s emotions towards him. Of course he’d realized that she cared for him, he would be blind of he didn’t. *She’s about to declare her love for me. He realized. (AN: Big Anime sweat drop appearing.) This couldn’t come at the worst possible time. I’m going to have to let her down gently: my heart belongs to Serena.* “But…” *But?* “But as strong as those feelings are, I have to tell you that we can’t be anything more than friends.” *What!?!* “I’m in love with someone else. I hope you understand.” *Whoopee!* -“Of course, it’s your heart Sailor Moon. You can’t control it.” -“Good. I’m glad we’ve got that settled. I have to go.” -“Yeah, me too. I’ll see you when I see you.” -“Bye.” *Okay, just back away slowly so that she won’t think I’m insensitive. * He did so, waving and smiling nervously and checking his watch the entire time. As soon as she had turned around and started to walk away, he ran as fast as he could towards the exit. Serena stopped and turned around. She let out a sigh of relief and ran out of the park. *I thought he’d never leave. I didn’t want to seem too insensitive by acting too eager to leave. I’m just glad he took it well and I hope that he finds someone to love just like I have.* * * * * -“I’m almost an hour late, I hope Darien’s not mad.” Serena knocked a few times on Darien’s door. It opened almost immediately with Darien standing behind it with a huge gring on his face. “I’m so sorry I’m late…” -“Don’t be, I just got in.” -“Oh really.” He nodded. She realized suddenly that he was pressing an ice pack to the back of his head. She tenderly touched his face. “Darien what happened?” -“Uh…uhm… I slipped on the pavement on my way home. My head is killing me but I should be okay by tomorrow.” -“I should go then.” She said with worry and concern. -“No. Come right… argh” He leaned towards her too rapidly and intense pain shot up to his head. Serena caught him as he almost fell over. -“I’m going home, you’re going to bed.” She told him. -“But…” -“No buts.” She gently supported him and led him to his bedroom. (AN: I know what you’re thinking. Get your heads out of the gutter! Naughty, naughty.) He opened his mouth to protest but she lay a single finger over his lips, effectively shutting him up. “ Tell you what, come pick me up tomorrow after school and we’ll go out to dinner then. You’ll be feeling much better.” -“Oh, alright.” He finally agreed, unable to hide the disappointment in his face. She smiled tenderly and cupped his cheek. She made him look into her eyes and gave him a slow and passionate kiss that made him forget all about his pain. -“I’m sorry Darien.” She told him, staring tenderly into his eyes. She’d never realized how passionate they were. *I could spend eternity looking into those eyes.* “I just care about you too much and I don’t want you to be hurt. I almost lost you today but I want you to stick around for a little while.” *I could stay with you forever Serena.* Her eyes suddenly opened wide and she was rendered speechless. He realized suddenly that he had spoken those words aloud. He blushed fiercly. -“Hehehe…what…what I mean is…y’know…um…” -“Did you read my mind?” -“Huh?” She smiled at his stunned expression. -“That was exactly what I was thinking.” Darien was sure that his jaw was hanging down to the floor. He took a deep breath; it was now or never. He looked deeply into her eyes and framed her face in his hands. -“I love you Serena.” He almost winced as he said the words. He had wanted to say so much more, he wanted to tell her exactly how wonderful she was, how she effected him, how he loved being with her even when they fought. Instead, those were the only words that came out. The smile on her face disappeared and she looked at him like he’d just told her that he was he was the 5th Beatle or something. *You’re such a dope Darien. How could a beautiful, wild, feisty, annoying, adorable… perfect young woman be in love with a scarred, cold man like you? What’s the Japanese word for it…Baka.* (That little comment is dedicated to AngelAmethyst, she knows what i'm talking about ;)) Tears filled her eyes and she pressed herself up against him, surprising him as she crushed her lips against him in a scorching kiss. She pulled away from him and pressed cheek against his wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. *He loves me. I can’t believe this! How could a totally cute, brilliant, confident…perfect guy be in love with a stupid klutz like me? If this is a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.* -“Oh Darien.” She pulled away from him and stared into his face. “Do you know how much I wanted to hear you say those words!?!” -“You mean you don’t hate me?” She wanted to strangle him and soothe him at he same time. Instead, she just laughed. -“No way!” She squealed. “I love you!” -“Really?” -“Really!” -“Are you sure?” -“Oh shut up and kiss me you big dope!” He smiled. -“Your wish is my command my love.” And he bent his head down again to caress her lips with his own. It was the most beautiful, intense, emotional, passionate moment either of them had ever experienced. They changed the angle of their faces and the moment became more and more passionate. Their arms tightened their hold and the two were crushed even more together Serena’s hands roved through his hair. Just as Serena felt she was about to explode under his lips… he grunted in pain instead of pleasure. He pulled back slightly, breaking their contact, and started rubbing the back of his head. She clamped a hand over her mouth. -“Oh Darien, I’m sorry. I forgot all about your injury. Are you in much pain? I made it worse didn’t I? Oooh, I’m so stupid. I’m sorry…” She stopped apologizing as she realized that he was trying not to laugh. She crossed her arms over her chest and norrowed her eyes. “What’s so funny?” She demanded. Darien couldn’t take it anymore. His laughter came bubbling out of him. Serena just fumed. -“You should have seen the look on your face. It’s just a bump Serena, not a bullet wound.” She shot him an angry look and it just made him laugh harder. After a few seconds, she joined him and in a few seconds they were both in tears. Hiccuping with laughter, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. Finally, they both calmed down. He put his arms around her and gently started rocking her. -“I love being with you Serena, even when we fight.” -“I love you Darien, even when we fight.” She smiled and stood up on tiptoes to peck him quickly on the lips. “Now, that’s enough. Go to bed.” Before he could speak, she wriggled out of his grip and headed for the elevator. He followed her into the hallway. She entered the elevator as he stood in front of the doors. -“Tomorrow, after school, don’t forget.” She yelled as the elevator doors closed. He touched his fingers to his lips. -“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” END Epilogue -“So anyway, this sales lady tells me…Serena, are you listening?” Molly waved a hand in front of Serena’s eyes. The two school friends and the sailor scouts were standing outside the gates of Serena’s school. Molly had been telling them a story but Serena had been looking down the street the whole time. -“Yeah Mol. Keep going.” Serena mumbled, signaling for her to continue. Luna and Artemis looked at each other. The scouts looked strangely at Serena. -“So…uh… she told me that…” she narrowed her eyes. “That the dress made me look like a big purple elephant. Do you agree Serena?” -“Yeah Molly. Blue rhinoceros. That’s great.” Her friends looked at each other with worry. Serena had fallen for Molly’s trick. -“What’s the matter with her today?” Mina whispered. -“I don’t know.” Amy answered in the same hushed tone. “She’s been acting more distracted today.” -“I didn’t think it was possible but she’s more spazzed out than usual.” Raye murmured. -“Don’t look now guys but here comes trouble.” Lita said pointing down the street. All the girls looked in that direction and gasped. Darien was walking down the street, a single, long-stemmed rose in his hand. -“Uh, oh! We’d better get her outta here before they spot each other and Serena gets even weirder.” Molly said. But it was too late. Serena had seen him approaching and practically ran up to meet him. Her friends ran after her, ready to prevent any conflict. To their surprise, they both just stood there and stared at each other, smiling. The girls stood close enough to hear but stayed on alert. -“What are they doing? Isn’t it about time for the battle cry to be sounded?” Lita asked the others. -“Oh! This isn’t good. Serena must have some new strategy or something.” Raye said. -“We’d better intervene before it gets out of hand.” Amy suggested. They started approaching the couple when Mina stood in their way. -“Wait!” She ordered them. “Something’s different. I feel something strong between them today. I think we should wait this thing through and just watch.” -“Huh, are you whacko!?!” Molly yelled. -“Ssssssshhhhhhh. They’re starting to speak.” -“Good afternoon Darien.” Serena began. -“Good day Serena.” He answered. They both just stood there, staring dumbly at each other. -“What a beautiful rose. Who’s it for?” -“Oh this girl that I know.” -“A girl?” -“Yeah. We started off on the wrong foot and I think that we should make amends.” -“Really? So this girl must be very special to you.” -“She’s the most important thing in the world to me. Can I tell you a secret?” -“Of course.” -“I’m in love with her. But I don’t know if I should tell her. I don’t know if she loves me back.” -“Well I think you should tell her.” -“So you’re saying that she loves me back.” -“I’m sure of it.” -“I’m the happiest man alive.” Serena started giggling. She suddenly jumped into his arms and smothered his lips with her own. Seven jaws slammed to the ground. Molly looked about ready to faint. Luna looked down and shook her head in exasperation. *This assignmentjust keeps getting weirder and weirder. Why didn't i become and accoutant like my mother wanted?* Raye snapped out of it suddenly and marched up to them. She tapped on Darien’s shoulder. When he didn’t respond, she snapped her fingers next to Serena’s ear. They just ignored her, content in their embrace. She got really mad. (AN: She turns beet red and smoke starts coming out of her ears in the usual Anime style.) -“WOULD YOU TWO KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF EACH OTHER FOR A SECOND AND LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” They both looked up at Raye as if they had just realized that she was there. It was obvious that they were annoyed at her intrusion. -“Do you mind Raye?” Darien yelled. -“We’re trying to have a private moment.” -“When did this happen!?!” -“None of your business!” Serena screamed. -“But…” -“C’mon Serena. Let’s go someplace quiet.” He turned around and pulled Serena after her. She turned to look back at Raye and stuck out her tongue at her friend. Then she smiled and made a sign that she would call them later tonight. Her friends watched them as they disappeared down the street. Molly fainted. -“I knew I sensed something between those two.” The scout of love declared with a smile. -“Oh shut up!” Raye exclaimed. End of epilogue. And by the way, I wrote that epilogue just to get revenge on Raye. I had to punish her for treating Serena the way she does and for going after her man. You remember that little outing on the lake. Take that Raye! Hehehehehehe;p Okay, I hear all you Raye fans growling. I’m sorry but (in the dubbed version) she’s a real bi- HEY! Okay, who threw that?!? Ew, rotten fruit! Hey! were no longer in the dark ages! EW, EW, EW! You people are disgusting(picking rotten peach out of my hair. Looking into the angry faces…)uh…hehehe…but I still love you all. Okay but seriously though, this is my very first sailor moon fanfiction and I am so nervous. My e-mail is up there before the title so please send all commentary there. And yes I do accept negative commentary as long as it’s constructive criticism and not a blatant attempt at putting down my story and my writing style, stabbing my heart with a million sharp knives and sending me into a spiral of dark depression… I’ll send the senshi to kick all your butts if you do. Okay, time for thank yous: Thanks to angelamethyst for reading and correcting as much as she could. I haven’t had the internet (I just got it a few days ago… yippee!) or the show (stupid YTV…they brought it back as a weekly show… it’s torture!) for about three years so she’s been feeding me info and fanfics until I could get through that horrendous ordeal. I also want to thank my mom for finally…finally…FINALLY…getting me the net. I love you mommy! I want to thank my cousins and friends for letting me mooch off them and get onto the net. I want to thank my sister for making me like sailor moon even more because she hates it (I don’t know why?) and for reminding me that I had no deadline and that I shouldn’t put pressure on myself. It helps when I have author’s block. Finally, I’d like to thank Naoko Takeuchi for creating sailor moon and for selling me all rights to the show and character…ow! Wha-?…Oh, hi Naoko, how did you get into my house?…no, please…drop the brown banana… uh, I gotta take care of this, bye. Star Angel PS: look for my next fanfic “Identity” (hopefully) coming out sometime this year. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.