Serena was frozen in time; frozen in the moment the flames seared her body and dragged the life from her. She could feel her soul letting go of her body. With a feeling of loss, she knew the only moments were left of her existence.
Then suddenly she heard her mother's angry voice, "Serena, wake up!"
Her mother's voice registered in her head and Serena's mind floated back to reality. Her eyes popped open in surprise and relief. She looked down at herself for a quick moment, and around her room to figure out where she was.
A wide, happy smile spread across the blond teenager's face. Sitting up in bed, she flung her arms around her mother's waist and pulled her into a hug. "I'm alive! I can't believe it! I'm alive! Isn't it great, Mom?"
"Young lady!" shouted her mother, "I woke you up forty-five minutes ago! If you don't get yourself out of bed this instant, you won't be alive for long! Now get moving or you're going to be late again!!"
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. So I have to do this all over again? she thought, Let's see... I know I'm late again, that's nothing new... I have my books... Mom was ready to blow like the last two times... She sped towards school, still unable to shake the feeling that she was forgetting something.
Halfway to school it hit her. She gasped as she remembered, tears flowing down her face. What if I didn't save her? What if she's dead? And what about Mars and Mercury? Did I let them down too? Did they get toasted by that wacko nega-jerk too? I can't go back there... It's all my fault. Her mind reeled from all of the possibilities... Wait a minute, Molly was alive the second day. She continued her frantic pace, her sorrow and anger powering her stride. Maybe everything will start all over again? Oh I hope so... Then I can save Molly and stop that negamonster. But how? First time, I got Molly killed and the second time, I got myself and probably the Scouts toasted too... She cried out in frustration, Come on, Serena, you can do it! Think! What am I going to do?
So enraptured was the teenager in her thoughts, she did not think to slow down as she went careening around the corner. Nor did she remember that she had done the exact same thing the last two times it had happened. I'll just have to figure something out! Me, Serena! She didn't remember that there was that crack in the sidewalk -- the one that she hadn't seen the morning before or the morning before that. She caught the toe of her shoe in it. "AAHH, I forgot! Not this 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, familiar hands caught Serena before she could fall. Serena jumped and groaned. Three days in a row... It's happening again! 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, and looked up at the normally annoying guy before her with pleasure. "You know, Darien, I am so totally glad to see you! What day is it?"
"Hey," Darien replied, wondering if the teenager had finally cracked. "I think all that junk food you eat is clogging your brain, Meatball Head... Today is Monday. And yesterday was Sunday; I slept in."
Monday? thought Serena. "All right!" she said jumping happily up and down. "Everything happening again!" Then a thought occurred 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. "And don't call me `Meatball Head'! My name is SERENA!" she yelled over her shoulder.
Darien took a neat white hanky out of his pocket and wiped his face. "Yuck!" he said to himself in disgust, "I think that girl's finally wound those meatballs way too tight..." He grumbled to himself for a moment, and then a thought occurred to him. "You could have at least said thank you!" he yelled out loud to the now long gone teenager.
She skidded into class and settled herself in her desk just as Miss Haruna began asking for last night's homework. As she dug around for her homework, she glanced over to Molly's empty desk and tried hard not to cry again. What if she is dead? What if it's not happening again? Miss H is so mean. Why can't she lay off the homework for a weekend? She knows I don't do my homework! She sniffled a little and stopped when she looked over to Molly's empty desk. Oh Molly! I hope you're alive... I can't believe I might never see you again! Wiping the tears falling down her face, she found her homework. Well I guess that happened the same... she thought, I wish my homework would just appear like that every morning!
Miss Haruna looked down at the sniffling blond teenager and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She's getting good at making up excuses for not having her homework done, the tall woman thought, What will it be? Ssomeone 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!"
She grabbed Molly by the waist and began to dance the two of them up and down the aisle. "We're both alive, Mol! Isn't this totally great? We're both alive!!!" Serena exclaimed and laughed in glee, ignoring the shocked looks of Ms. Haruna and her classmates.
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." She pushed her way out of Serena's arms and shook her head. "And why wouldn't we be alive anyway? It's not like the world's gonna end tomorrow, is it?"
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 beet red and sat down awkwardly 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 Friday morning. You can think of a better one after school... in detention."
Serena looked from Miss Haruna to Molly and back to Miss Haruna. Detention... I have to stop Molly from going to detention... I tried to stop her yesterday and got myself fried. Seeing Molly groan at the thought of an hour in detention, she sent Molly an apologetic look. Sorry Mol, I think she's still sore at me for being late all last week. Her eyes bulged for a moment remembering that she had thought the same exact thing yesterday. If I keep doing and saying the same thing everyday, this is never going to end... But how do I stop it? Her thoughts were quickly interrupted 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. Here's the same homework I handed in twice already? I hope you hate it again? 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 her homework? What kind of a day is this?" she asked herself. Serena rolled her eyes. Nice to see she's still in a mood... 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. Can she be any less embarrassing?! 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 figure out why the day was repeating itself, never mind how to stop it. Mind you, they at under the same tree everyday, and talked about what boys they liked every time. But Serena just couldn't help the feeling of desperation building inside of her... What am I going to do? And after this morning, she was beginning to wonder. How am I going to get this to stop?
"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. You did... and so did I! But she gave the same excuse once again. "Oh Molly, I'm sorry for embarrassing you! I'm just tired. Did my homework last night, must've fried my brain!" Molly giggled 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. I guess I'd better play along for now. I wouldn't want Molly to think there's anything going on. "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! Maybe that means it'll keep repeating until I can make it stop... But how will I know? What happens if it just doesn't stop and someone ends up dead permanently... She smiled at Molly, so that she would think Serena was paying attention. Hey! And yesterday I thought this was a totally wacko dream. If wish it was...
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. She was about to reply the same way she had the last two times and then a thought occurred to her. She narrowed her eyes and smiled sweetly at the nerd before her. Maybe he would know...
"Wait... don't go," said she said, trying to sound as if she could actually stand him. "You know lots about science, right?"
"Serena? What are ya doing?" asked Molly, shocked that Serena would even try to talk to him.
Melvin shot Serena an equally flabbergasted look but didn't say anything. Maybe she likes me. Maybe she wants to go on a study date?
"Do you think you can help me with a problem I've been having?" Serena squeaked out hopefully.
Melvin looked insulted. "You don't want to hear the answer to the bonus question, then you want me to help you with your science homework?" He sighed, all dejected. "Where's Amy?" Melvin asked coldly, "Maybe she would appreciate my information."
They watched the nerd stalk away in search of Amy. "Serena, are you going nuts? What was that about?"
The blond teenager sat down sadly and crossed her arms. How am I going to find out why the day's happening over and over again? "I wasn't trying to get him to do my homework...Really!"
Molly watched Serena sulk for a minute and decided to change the subject. What is going on in that spacey head of yours, Serena? "Hey, where is Amy anyway?" asked Molly. "She usually eats lunch with us."
Serena thought about it for a second. How am I supposed to figure this out? "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. Amy would never believe me anyway... She'd think I'm nuts!
"Maybe she's building a new computer program or something brainy like that." Serena scowled in reaction to her thoughts.
"Who knows..." said Molly, stuffing a large piece of chocolate chip muffin into her mouth. You can be so WEIRD sometimes...
Serena tried not to fall asleep, but she was quickly losing the battle. History is SO boring! she whined to herself. How am I supposed to figure out what's going on when I'm forced to learn about a bunch of old dead people? Her thoughts were on the morning's events. I have to figure out why this is happening, and how to stop it. She was suddenly feeling very sorry for herself. Who's going to help me? No one will believe me... They'll think I'm just nuts! 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?"
Serena groaned miserably. This caught her teacher's attention. "Is there something wrong Serena or are we just boring you?"
Having totally convinced herself she was doomed to repeat this day until the end of time, she didn't think before she opened her mouth. "We did this yesterday," she complained crossly.
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. Ah, what a pea brain I am! What did I say THAT for?
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, including Serena who marveled at how much more annoying he could be the third time around. "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. Especially since he wouldn't help me figure this out! 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. Why can't I remember that answer anyway? "1969?" asked Serena, smiling hopefully 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.
As if I have time to do that! she ranted to herself. She began to panic. What am I going to do? Who am I going to tell? Who am I going to go to for help? I have to stop this before I go insane! Or worse, before someone dies for good! Oh yeah right, like I'm supposed to convince Rei and Amy that Monday is happening over and over again! 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. I said that yesterday...
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 Haruna, stopping the pigtailed 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. I'm going to remember that year if it kills me!
After a long afternoon with a spelling quiz, that she was sure she bombed again, Serena was about to rip her hair out by the roots, pigtails and all! I'm not letting the same thing happen again! she mused, twirling a lock of long blond hair around her finger. What if I don't warn Mol, and just go trash that Nega-twerp! Well it's worth a try...
Wishing she could tie her friend up and leave her somewhere safe, she watched her red headed friend make her way into the dreaded detention room Serena knew so well.
Suddenly, she saw students running in the schoolyard. Oh no, they must be fighting that monster already... I have to hurry! She tried to hurry through the thick group of frantic teens, but couldn't get very far. So much for getting there earlier... I have help Mercury and Mars! She bumped 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!"
It was the same gruesome monster. Serena rolled her eyes, how boring! She lifted a hand, vowing silently to stop the monster once and for all. This is for you, Mol!/i> "Moon Prism Power!"
Luna found Serena already transformed into Sailor Moon and gasped in shock. She couldn't believe that Serena was going to enter a fight without being prodded. "Serena!" she called up to the blond teenager who began to advance quickly into battle. What's going on with that girl? Do you think the fight they had yesterday got through to her?.
A ball of fire whizzed towards Sailor Moon. Knowing it was coming, she threw herself to the ground and rolled out of harm's way. Jumping easily onto her feet. This was a feat that surprised herself as well as a dumfounded black cat behind her. I can't believe this! Luna said, her eyes bulging. Sailor Moon's not klutzing out!
Sailor Moon knew that Mercury was down, and probably winded, and she noticed Mars beginning her attack. "Sailor Moon!" Luna growled in her familiar English accent, "Stop that negamonster!"
Sailor Moon watched as the monster laughed in glee. She was about to finish off the haughty 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.
"You know I've really had it with you!" spat the Sailor Scout of the Moon. "You've put my friend in danger and that's going to stop now!" I won't let you hurt Molly again!
Mars snapped her head in Sailor Moon's direction. Her eyes widened when she said that Sailor Moon was actually serious. What's gotten into you, Meatball Head?
Sailor Moon stared at 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 groan of the monster, "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!"
Mars recovered from her shock quickly. "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 remembered being toasted last time she fought this monster and dove towards the ground. You're not toasting me this time! I have to stop her to save Molly! She rolled quickly and jumped to her feet, only to have to dodge another round of fire. This is taking too long!
Mars leaned to the right calmly, waited as a fireball blazed by then shouted, "Mars Fire Ignite!" Her attack was countered by a new set of fireballs launched by the monster.
Sailor Moon began to run and launched herself into the air, in an attempt to kick her opponent down. But the Negaverse monster only laughed and batted her away as if she were an annoying bug on a hot summer day. The blond Sailor Scout landed on her rear, shouted in pain, and rolled clumsily out of the way of another attack. From the protection of the bushes, Luna had observed Sailor Moon's attempted attack and sighed... That girl needs more training, good attempt though... Luna shouted, "Sailor Moon, DO something!"
Mercury came to as this was taking place; she cringed as a fireball came a little too close to her. I have to help the Sailor Scouts. Despite the dizziness in her head, she stood up shakily and shouted, "Mercury Bubbles Blast!!" A thick fog appeared, concealing the Sailor Scouts.
"Do it NOW, Sailor Moon!" shouted Mars.
"Right!" Sailor Moon agreed quickly. She jumped to her feet, plucked the tiara from her forehead, aimed it at Pyro-Head, and said, "Moon Tiara Magic!"
The tiara magically turned into a lethal discus that flew straight towards the Negaverse monster's head. The monster saw it coming and raised her knotted, leathery hands to protect herself. She did so too late. The discus made contact with its target and reduced Pyro-Head to a pile of moondust.
"You could've come a little earlier, don't you think!" began Mars.
Sailor Moon ignored the Scout's rude remark. We didn't stop it in time... I know it... I have to save her! She turned and began running towards the school. "NO!" she shouted as she watched as it exploded before her and burst into flames. The windows shattered from the force of the blast, and the Sailor Scouts ducked from the intensity of the heat and the spray of broken glass and debris.
Sailor Moon jumped to her feet and continued her frantic run towards the flaming building. She was stopped by Mars and Mercury as they tackled her to the ground.
"No, No!" shouted Sailor Moon. With a strength even she didn't know she possessed, she threw off her two friends and continued to make her way to the building.
Sailor Mars and Mercury tackled her again, and this time held her firmly to the ground. "NO, NO, I'm too late! I failed... I'm so sorry Molly..." the blond Sailor Scout began to sob.
"Have you lost your marbles, Meatballs for Brains? You can't go in there! You'll get fried!" shouted Mars.
"That's three times I couldn't stop it... It's happening again!" sobbed Sailor Moon, leaning into Mercury's open arms. She leaned her head against the blue haired Sailor Scout's shoulders and began to sob harder. She let go of all her frustration and sadness. "Now I have to watch it happen again... I can't, I just can't. I don't know how to make it stop." Her blond head snapped up and she grabbed Mercury's arms desperately. "I tried, really I did. I worked really hard." Her eyes rolled back and she slumped to the ground unconscious.
"What is she talking about?" asked Mars, helping Mercury lower the unconscious teenager to the ground, "She's finally lost it, hasn't she?"
Mercury shook her head, unsure of what had just transpired.
Serena's eye opened and she expected to see her angry mother ordering her out of bed. Instead, she found herself staring at the grayed ceiling of a hospital room. Faces appeared in her line of sight, her mother, her father, Amy...
"It's okay, honey," she heard her mother's voice, as if she was far away. "Everything is going to be okay."
"The doctor gave you some medication to relax you," she heard Amy say, "All you need to do is rest."
Serena's eye's widened and filled with tears. "No!" she said out loud. It's not happening right... It won't happen again! I failed. "No, you can't!" she shouted, shaking her head vigorously. "No, I have to save Molly!" she shouted, pulling herself upright. Her father and mother tried to push her back down, and she briefly saw Amy leave as she ran to call the doctor. "NO! NO! You have to let me up! It can't end like this! I HAVE TO SAVE HER!" With all her strength, she tried to push her way out of her parents' grasps and lunged out of the bed.
She felt something pierce her arm and she cried out in pain. The world began to spin and she screamed in horror. "No, no more! I can't..." and then all went dark.
