Sleep was not a restful respite from the day's events. Instead her mind was tortured by haunting images. It was as if she was alone in a darkened theatre, the huge screen that surrounded her glowed dimly. Suddenly an image appeared. All I want to do is FORGET!She thought and covered her face with trembling hands to avoid it. The scene that played out before her was horrific. She closed her eyes against its vile message, but could not block out the sounds of it. The explosion that blasted through the windows of her school screamed through her thoughts, taunting her, as if daring her to remember. The sounds changed, from the sound of glass bursting from heat, to soft a soft, insistent voice that called to her:
"Serena wake up!"
Her mother's voice registered in her head and she forgot her dream. "Just five more minutes..."
"Young lady!" shouted her mother, "I woke you up forty-five minutes ago! You're going to be late again!!"
Serena's eyes popped open. I'm going to be late again? "OH NO! I'M LATE!!"
She threw her clothes on, grabbed her bookbag and some toast, put on her shoes, and sped down the street so fast she left a trail of dirt and dust behind her. I'm forgetting something... she thought. But what? I know I'm late again, that's nothing new...I have my books... She sped towards school, still unable to shake the feeling that she should be remembering something.
Halfway to school it hit her. She gasped as she remembered, tears flowing down her face. I can't go back there..It's all my fault. I'f I would have dusted that monster sooner, Molly would not be dead.. She continued her franctic pace, her sorrow and anger powering her stride. How can I go there? How can I face them. It's just proof that I'm a total failure. I failed Molly..Oh Mol, I'm soo sorry!
So enrapt was the teenager in her thought, she did not think to slow down as she went careening around the corner. I'll just have to prove myself! I'll do good, so good I'll blow Amy's grades right out of the water! I'll show Sailor Mars what fighting really is! She didn't remember that there was that crack in the sidewalk, the one that she hadn't seen the morning before. She caught the toe of her shoe in it. "AAHH not again!" she gasped. Screaming in alarm, her arms flailing helplessly, knowing that her painful impact with the ground was coming, she scrunched her eyes tightly closed expecting the face to hit pavement any second.
Instead, strong hands caught Serena before she could fall. Serena jumped and groaned. Two days in a row..Aw man, I'm never going to hear the end of this one. She opened her eyes reluctantly and once again looked up into the sarcastic face of her worst enemy. "What's the matter, Meatball Head? Forget how to walk this morning?"
Serena pulled away from Darien, wiped the tears from her face and looked at him as he if three purple horns with pink polka dots had sprouted from his skull. "You know Darien, I thought you could be more original than that. You said that yesterday morning!"
"Hey," Darien replied, wondering if the teenager had finally cracked. "I think those meatballs are weighing your little brain down Meatball Head. Yesterday was Sunday, I slept in."
Sunday? thought Serena > "AH Darien..." she said with a strange look on her face. "You are a total nutbar, its Tuesday!" Then a thought occured to her. "I'm going to be LATE!" She blew a wet raspberry right into Darien's face and took off towards Crossroads Junior High.
Darien took a neat white hanky out of his pocket and wiped his face. "Yuck!" he said to himself in disgust, "That girl's had to much junk food, she's totally spun!" He grumbled to himself for a moment, and then a thought occured to him. "You could have at least said thank you!" He yelled out loud to the now long gone teenager.
Miss Haruna looked down at the sniffling blond teenager and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She's getting good at making up exuces for not having her homework done the tall woman thought, What will it be, someone died maybe?..
Molly ran into the class, disorganized, and disheveled.
"I'm so sorry, Miss H," Molly said as she gasped for breath. "My alarm clock didn't go off this morning."
Serena dropped her homework in shock. "Molly! You're here! You're really here!" She ran over to her red haired friend and wrapped her arms happily around her. "I can't believe this!" she said through happy tears. She pulled away from her small, red haired friend, looking into Molly's confused face. "Ah Mol, I thought I'd never see you again!"
Molly shot Serena a weird look and pushed out of her arms. "Come on Serena, why are freaking out like that, we just went to the movies yesterday?"
Miss Haruna wasn't impressed. She began to silently wonder why teaching teenagers had sounded so good to her when she was in teacher's college. "Now that the reunion is over girls, do you mind taking your seats?" Both girls turned beat red and sat down ackwardly in their seats.
Molly looked up into the unamused figure of her teacher standing next to her. "As for your alarm clock, Young lady, Serena used that excuse yesterday morning. You can think of a better one after school,in detention."
Serena looked from Miss Haruna to Molly and back to Miss Haruna. Why the heck does this sound so familiar..First wacko Darien thinks its Monday and now this? Nevertheless she sent Molly an apologetic look. Sorry Mol, I think she's still sore at me for being late all this week. Her eyes bulged for a moment, remembering that she had thought the same exact thing yesterday. But she was quickly intterupted by a tall figure standing expectantly next to her. She looked up to see Miss Haruna standing in front of her, waiting impatiently for her homework.
"What silly excuse for not doing your homework are you going to give me today, Serena?"
"N... none Miss H, really," the blond teenager said. What am I supposed to tell her. That I thought Molly got blown up yesterday? That I spent my night blaming myself for her death? Then she remembered the homework she had found and handed the tall teacher her homework.
Miss Haruna sighed. I think I'm getting a headache. "First Molly is late for class and then Serena actually did your homework? What kind of a day is this?" she asked herself. She handed Serena the papers, looked at her sternly, and said, "Serena, I want you to do it over again. This time, get a few of the answers right and make sure it's legible."
Serena turned red and nodded. She said that yesterday! I know she did! Then she shook her head. Doesn't matter, she STILL woke up on the wrong side of the bed! What a major grouch!
Molly and Serena sat under at tree, chatting during lunch.
Serena didn't hear most of what Molly had to say. She couldn't shake this feeling that she had done this before. Oh sure, they at under the same tree everyday, and talked about what boys they liked every time. But Serena just couldn't help but feel this was too familiar. And after this morning, she was beginning to wonder.
"Earth to Serena!" called Molly in her trademark voice. "Hey Serena, what's up with you today anyway? You acted like I died or something."
Molly question brought Serena back to reality. "Oh Molly, I'm sorry for embarassing you! I'm just tired. Did my homework last night, must've fried my brain!" Molly giggle for a moment and Serena retreated back into her thoughts.
"My mom had a two for one sale at the jewelry store last night and I had to help," she complained. "I'm bushed. My alarm clock went off for an hour before I woke up."
Serena was paying attention now: to exactly everything Molly said. She decided to play along. "I'm sorry you got detention, Mol, if Miss H wasn't so steamed at me, she might have let you off with a warning."
"That's okay, Serena," said Molly with a smile. "If I come up with any good excuses, I'll let you know."
It's happening again! She smiled at Molly, so that she would think Serena was paying attention. Hey! Maybe this is just a totally wacko dream...
Melvin came up from behind the tree. "Hey Molly, Serena, want to know the answer to this morning's bonus question on the math quiz?"
Both girls looked at each other and groaned. Serena couldn't help it, especially since she had a feeling she knew the answer.
"Go away, Melvin!!" they shouted in unison.
"Fine. I won't tell you. Statistics show that she puts the same question on fourteen percent of her quizzes. You might have scored an extra percent with that answer."
Serena rolled her eyes. He was even more annoying the second time. "Gee," said she responded sarcastically. "I think I might have got a 49% then. That'll really help me." Both girls giggled.
"Where's Amy?" asked Melvin. "Maybe she would appreciate my information."
They watched the nerd stalk away in search of Amy. "Hey, where is Amy anyway?" asked Molly. "She usually eats lunch with us."
Serena thought about it for a second. This is soo bizarro, the same thing again!/i> "I don't know," said Serena. She was glad Amy wasn't here. She couldn't gang up on her anymore for not paying attention at the Scout meeting. "Maybe she's building a new computer program or something brainy like that."
"Who knows..." said Molly, stuffing a large piece of chocolate chip muffin into her mouth.
Serena tried not to fall asleep, but she was quickly losing the battle. History is SO boring! she whined to herself. Why should we have to learn about a bunch of old dead people anyway? She stifled a yawn with her hand and tried again to figure out what the teacher was talking about.
"Now class, on Friday we discussed the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Who can tell the names of his three ships?"
This woke Serena up. Hey what's going on? She lifted her hand. "Ah, Miss H? Didn't we do this yesterday?"
The whole class burst into amused laughter. Miss Haruna silenced them with a single evil glance. "Last time I checked Serena, yesterday was SUNDAY." she said sarcastically. "Don't bother trying to change the subject Serena, you'll only get yourself a detention."
Serena sank down into her seat, wishing suddenly that the earth would open up and swallow her whole.
Melvin raised his hand waving wildly in his excitement. "I know. In alphabetical order they are, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria," he said with pride. Pushing his wide glasses back onto his nose, he continued, "I studied their structure on the Internet last night. Did you know that those three ships were made out of..."
The entire class groaned. "That's enough, Melvin," commanded Miss Haruna. "Thank you for answering correctly yet again." Miss Haruna sighed and sat down on her desk.
Dork! Serena was able to comment. I can't believe he'd be a dork two days in a row!She yawned suddenly, the day's repetitive events combined with the same boring history lesson took its toll on her limited attention span and she soon succumbed to the overwhelming need to sleep. She leaned her forehead down on her arms, and began to doze at her desk. Soon, the sound of her snoring was echoing through the room.
Miss Haruna's eyes narrowed and she stalked over to her sleeping student. Why can't you stay awake for five minutes? she asked herself before shouting, "SERENA!" Serena sat up as straight as an arrow in her seat, her eyes glazed from her brief nap. The blond teenager looked up at her teacher in horror. "Since you're so relaxed, you won't mind telling all of us what year Christopher Columbus sailed the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria."
All eyes were on Serena. Miss Haruna towered menacingly over her with her hands on her hips. "Umm, ah..." she muttered, wondering what to do. I forgot to do that homework last weekend... As if I'd remember that! OH NO! Miss H is going to cream me. What did I answer yesterday anyway.... "1969?" asked Serena, smiling towards her infuriated teacher.
"Serena! That was part of your reading assignment this weekend!" The tall teacher walked back to the front of the class and suddenly spun around. "Since you neglected your reading, I'm going to help you out. I want a complete essay on the voyages of Christopher Columbus, in full essay form, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, with footnotes and a biography." Serena groaned and a few students snickered.
I must be going nuts! Everything IS happening again!She began to panick. What am I going to do? Who am I going to tell? We have to stop this! Oh yeah right, like I'm supposed to convince Rei and Amy that Monday is happening for the second time. Rei'll tell me I've finally gone wacko and Amy will scan me to see if my brain cells are fried! She almost jumped out of her seat and earned herself a menacing glare from her still annoyed teacher. Hey wait!This is my chance to it better! I'll show that snippy, always right Rei!
The bell rang signaling the end of class for the day.
Serena gathered up her stuff, threw it into her bookbag, and headed quickly for the door. But she wasn't quick enough.
"And Serena," said Miss H, stopping the ponytailed girl in her tracks, "I want that essay on my desk tomorrow morning!"
The pigtailed teenager sighed. She halfway hoped that the day would repeat itself tomorrow, then she wouldn't have to do that stupid essay. Why hadn't she remembered that dumb year anyway?
After a long afternoon with a spelling quiz and a boring history lesson about Christopher Columbus, Serena was about to say good-bye to Molly as she left for detention. I'm not letting the same thing happen again! she mused, twirling a lock of long blond hair around her finger. Serena, focus, you have lots to do! She grabbed her friend's elbow and stopped her. "I know you have to go to dentention Mol, but hear me out first!" she said breathlessly, trying to explain everything as quickly as possible. Suddenly, she saw students running in the schoolyard. Oh no, they must be fighting that monster already...I have to hurry! "I can't explain to much now but you can't go to detention today Molly!" Molly was about to protest but Serena put a hand over her mouth. "I don't have time to explain now Mol!" She said in frustration. "Something horrible is going to happen, just don't go to class!"
She watched Molly nod silently, a strange look on her face. Good that's done, now to go help Mercury and Mars! She bumbed into a younger, brown haired girl.
The girl clutched Serena's shoulders with emotion. "You have to get out of here, Serena!" Fear was clear in her large brown eyes. She looked as if she was about to cry. "There's a monster in the schoolyard."
"Yeah, and Sailor Mars and Mercury are here fighting it." She let go of Serena's shoulders and began to run quickly. "Hurry Serena, you have to get away!"
Serena ran outside into the schoolyard to find Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury battling the ugliest monster she had ever seen. "Yuck!" Serena spat. "They could at least make them prettier!"
The monster was the one that attacked yesterday. She had long green colored hair that was curly and looked like steel wool. Man that thing still looks like she put a finger in a light socket... Her skin was leathery and red with totally black, large, round eyes. The bikini top and bottoms she was wearing were made out of lime colored vinyl. Great, yet another fashion freak from the Negaverse! The monster opened her mouth wide, revealing long, spiky, greening teeth and shot fire at the two Sailor Scouts.
Luna found Serena as she was about to transform and almost died of shock. She couldn't believe that Serena was going to enter a fight without being proded. "Serena!" she called up to the blond teenager who held up her transformation broach with purpose.
A ball of fire whizzed by above them. Serena ducked out of harm's way and Luna moved away from the protection of the bushes to check out how Mercury and Mars were faring. Luna gasped as she saw that Mercury was down, and probably winded, and she noticed Mars beginning her attack. "Serena!" Luna growled in her familiar English accent, "Transform now!" she commanded.
"I know, I'm on it!" shouted the blond teenager, shooting her cat an annoyed look. She stood back, straightened up, and shouted, "Moon Prism Power!"
The monster laughed in glee. She was about to finish off the haughtily little Sailor girl in front of her. "This is going to be fun. Jadeite will be so pleased!" Before she could act, she heard a voice behind her and turned with a scream of rage to see who would dare interrupt her.
"The schoolyard is a place for kids to relax and play, how dare you interrupt their fun!" The Sailor Scout of the Moon stood before the monster in her typical pose and pointed a gloved finger at the monster. "I am Sailor Moon, Champion of Love and Justice!" She continued despite the monster's groan. "In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Go ahead and try," sneered her red skinned enemy. "Hopefully, your moves are better than your pathetic speech!"
"You're such a meatball head!" shouted Mars in irritation. "Don't you answer your communicator?"
Just at that moment, the monster laughed. "I am Pyro-Head," she said in a husky voice. "Feel my fire!" She opened her foul mouth wide and began to spew fire in all directions.
Sailor Moon didn't have time to waste. I have to stop her, to save Molly! She grabbed the tiara off her head and quickly shouted: "Moon Tiara Magic!". She launched her attack towards the Negaverse monster. She screamed and covered her face with her arms as three deadly fireballs headed towards her. Oh no..no time to escape! She barely heard Mars scream as the fireballs hit her. Her body exploded instantly into pain and then she felt nothing....
