The Return
By Ashley Clinton
Prologue
Desperate as I felt now, I knew I had been anticipated
something for a long time. I did not realize how desperate I was becoming. I
stood a cold, lifeless being. The windless city suddenly became a huge tornado
sucking the life out of me. The people were so cruel, walking over me as if I
was not there. I walked along the short avenue, wondering around the windless
city like a zombie. I was a zombie looking for a familiar face to take care of
me. I was forced to realize the only faces that I ever knew where those that I
could not save. I walked slowly, hugging my stomach. I was starving for food. I
was frightened, though reality had yet to find me. I was walking through what I
was calling a nightmare. Unfortunately, this nightmare was real, and reality
found me quickly. I stopped in the middle of the street in traffic. The
stoplight was on, and I stared at the faces inside those tiny automobiles. They
had somewhere to go, and I did not. I stared at them, as my reality wounded me
terribly. Tears began to whelm up in my eyes, as I stared at those faces. The
light turned green, and the automobiles honked at me along with the cry of
frustration to have me moved. I did not move I just stared at them. I turned my
head to see the light, and then back to see the frustration I had faced before.
I then walked on to the alley in front of me. I got to the alley, and began to
run through it. It twisted and turned, but I followed it. Until, my legs began
to burn. I fell to the grown. My face to the cement, I cried. I found a small
box, and crawled inside. I pulled my knees up to my face and cried. I put my
hands to my eyes, rubbing at them fiercely. "Oh, god!" I cried, as I wept. I got
out of the box, and ran through the alley again. This alley did not seem to end,
but it did. This alley ended with a dead end. Something suddenly shined in my
eyes. I turned around there was a bright light ahead. It was sparkling and
drawing me in. A memory shook inside my head, along with several more. Memories
to me were like snow globes. Snow globes were those solid glass balls, with a
winter wonderland inside or some other scene. When you turned the snow globe,
the snow would start falling on the wonderland. There it was a snow globe,
before my eyes. I took hold of it, and turned it. The snow began to fall…
Story
I walked by with a song playing in my head. I passed through
the park. "Go to sleep, Little Brother," I thought. A memory from life on the
moon suddenly came to sight. A beautiful song played along with it, as a little
red headed boy dance around in my mind. I smiled. It was a good memory. I
finally got there, opened the door and walked to the table. I stared at the girl
before me.
"Hey, Lita," I stated, startling the poorly managed ponytail
practically off her head. I knelt at the table and stared at her surprised, "You
weren't expecting me?" Her face was white and pale, as she opened her mouth to
answer.
"I guess my mind totally switch this afternoon off," she
laughed nervously. She looked tired with dark, black shadows under her eyes
indicating she and sleep had yet to know each other.
"Are you sick or something?" I asked, worried.
"Oh," she laughed, "Me? No way, Serena. Got to keep in good
health to be Sailor Jupiter."
"You are well, Lita," I replied, "I can tell.
"Serena, drop it," she snapped back, "I'm perfectly fine. Exams
are just stressing me out. What have I to be sick for? I don't have any symptoms
or anything like that. I fine, okay? Just forget it, okay?" A little hurt, I got
enough courage to reply.
"I think I should go study elsewhere," I managed to get out; I
was a little afraid she would snap at me again.
"Serena," she laughed, suddenly, "you won't study on your own.
I know that for sure!" I felt rudely insulted and did not feel like being within
her presence any longer. I rose to my feet, picked up my backpack, and walked to
the door. I turned around to face Lita, who was staring at me confused. "Are you
really leaving?"
"I think I should," I said, still insulted. "I feel as though
I've been a bother to you in the short time I've been here. I'll go over to
Amy's and ask for her help on this Math Exam. You know me I could never study
alone without distractions. What an airhead I am! Well, anyway, thanks, Lita.
Bye." She got her feet and swooped to my side, as I turned the handle.
"Oh," she said, "I'm sorry, Serena, I've had a bad day. Maybe
you should go. Sorry!" I put my hand on her should and laughed,
"It's okay, Lita," I replied, "We have our days, and this is
yours. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," she answered, "Serena I... really wish... I
could've..." she looked to the side nervously, "I wish I could have
helped you." She made sure to emphasize the word help. "I really
want to help you, but I..." She stopped turning very pale. She turned to the
side, and suddenly her pupils became small. "Go, Serena."
"Goodbye," I said. I turned the knob and disappeared into the
park near there. I walked down the long pathway, and suddenly my ears heard a
low rumbling noise. It was a motorbike. I quickly turned my head, and suddenly
melted all over. It was Darien. I stared at him with a sparkling eye. My mind
put him into slow motion, playing his each move, scrutinizing each detail, and
making him more attractive then ever. He was so handsome, all prettied up in his
new outfit. What was he doing wearing something so fresh and new? I did not
know, but I was going to. I flashed to his side, and batted my eyes at his face.
He caught sight of me and gasped.
"Serena," he laughed, "My god, you crept up on me! Quit doing
that." He put his helmet on the motorbike's bars, and then leaned on them. "So
what's going on? I thought you were meeting Lita to study.
"Well," I replied, trying to organize each word perfectly so
that I could sound extra mature for him, "dear Lita was ill. I hadn't the
slightest clue of her illness until this good afternoon. I did visit her, but
she asked me to take my leave. So I brought myself here, on the way to dear
Amy's, hoping, wishing, and praying that one may help me succeed in
mathematics." He looked at me as if I were dumb, and then turned to normal.
"Well," he replied, "you must be doing wonderfully in
vocabulary. By the way, you can say Math. It says breath." I sighed.
"Anyway," I said, forgetting the whole approach to sound
mature, "I noticed you bought a new outfit you look good. Was today a special
day?" He blushed, as he fingered at his white jacket.
"Thank you," he said, "I just needed some new clothes."
"Oh," I answered, "Well, you certainly look great. Uh…"
"Serena," he suddenly said, "I need to get something upstairs,
and then I'm off to work. Sorry, but I don't have much time. I need to go."
"Then go," I waved, saddened by this "Bye." I watched him
opened the apartment building's doors, wave to me, and then disappear inside. I
kept staring at the flapping glass door. A rose fell to the ground suddenly near
the flapping, glass door. I went over and took it, and then I looked up. I saw
Darien. He smiled at me and waved. I hugged smiled widely, waved back, and
hugged the rose close to my heart. How sweet Darien could be sometimes. It was
funny how I always had these expectations, yet he lived past them. His hair blew
in the wind, softly adding a romantic sense to the mode. He blew kisses towards
me and then had to go back inside. I looked back down, smelled the rose, put it
in my hair, and then started towards Amy's house. Darien had made my day better,
just by dropping that sweet rose, and I smiled as I walked thinking about it. I
turned the corner, and suddenly realized something. I didn't normally care, but
I began to worry that my barging in on Amy would be wrong. I found a pay phone,
stack in some coins, and let it ring for a while.
"Hello?" Amy said, answering the rings.
"Hey, Amy!" I said, excitedly. I wanted to sound off a good
mood to her.
"Hello, Serena," she replied, dryly, "How are you this
afternoon? Weren't you going to meet Lita to study?"
"Oh," I stated, "Yes. Yes, I was, but Lita wasn't in the best
of moods. I decided to leave, and now I'm rather left in the dirt. I need to
study for the Math Examination. I was on my way to you to just barge in and ask
for your help, but I actually questioned whether I should. For some reason, I
felt that I should call. Anyway, would it be all right if I came over? I really
need help."
"Normally, I would say it was fine," she said, "but I am not
too well this afternoon. My mother is away at the hospital and I really don't
have time to study myself, trying to take care of the house. My mother is really
stressed out, and I wanted to surprise her with a clean house and dinner." That
was Amy for you, she was always trying to make everyone satisfied.
"Don't worry about it, Amy," I laugh it off, "I can perhaps
call Raye, or something. I don't know, but I will figure something out. Tell
your mother I said hi and to get some sleep. Anyway, Amy, good luck.
Goodbye."
"Serena," she began, "I am truly sorry. Math is my best subject
and I really would like to help you. I can help you tomorrow, if you would
like."
"Yes," I agreed, "I have to go before my time runs up on this
pay phone. Don't think anymore of it. You were obligated to helping me.
Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Serena," Amy repeated, "I really wish I had time to
help you, because helping people is always something I looked
forward to." I hung up. For a moment, I actually considered calling Raye, but we
were always fighting. She would be more of a distraction mixed with a lecture,
rather then a study group. She always criticized me, and I detested that fact.
However, behind all that bickering and scramble to be better then each other, I
knew she was a good friend. I hoped she knew I meant to be a friend to her. I
walked down the long pathway, towards home. I past the arcade, and took a glance
of Hakura playing a motorcycle game. She was so good at that sort of stuff. I
pressed my face against the glass windows, in attempt to join her. I had to go
home, I cannot play games, and I had to concentrate on passing the year. Haruka
suddenly caught site of my window pressed face, and waved. She came to the glass
door and swung it open. I moved to the side. She smiled and I smiled back.
"Where's Michiru?" I asked, "Normally, you two are connected at
the hip." I laughed. Haruka suddenly frowned.
"Oh, she's fine," she said nervously, "She got a little sick
and she hasn't been able to join me around at school or anywhere." Surprised, I
hesitated to react.
"Sorry," I reacted, putting my hand on her shoulder, "I didn't
know. I'm sure she'll be well soon. Anyway, I have to return home to feed Luna,
my cat." As I was leaving, Haruka grabbed my arm.
"You look awfully pale, Serena," she said, "You seem as though
if I were to keep you any longer, you might start balling." I did feel as if I
was going to cry. That day was just such an average day though, I tried to
change it and aside from Darien's sweet rose surprise. I smiled, although it was
hard to smile.
"Haruka," I smiled, addressing her, "I am perfectly fine. You
don't need to worry about me. Just see to it that Michiru gets well fast. Okay?
I have to go, as I said before, to take care of Luna."
Haruka nodded, excepting that answer; though, I knew she felt
something was wrong with me. "Serena, I really wish I could help you if
you would just tell me what's wrong. Helping each other is essential is
the lives we live today." She always had that special way being able to feel
when something is wrong within her bones, mind, etc. Whether something if right
or wrong. I wish I had that instinct, but I didn't. I mostly relied on what had
happened so far. I waved goodbye to Haruka, and began walking down the pathway
towards home. I reached the front door, and rest my hand on the cold doorknob. I
put my forehead to the door suddenly exhausted. Nothing had happened that day,
and I was forced to realize how boring my life was. I woke up, went to school,
and...
Wait my life was not boring! I was Sailor Moon! I fought those
who threatened the need for love and justice in the world. I fought those who
desired power for themselves. I did not lead a boring life at all! That day just
seemed to ordinary for once, and I had forgotten what it was like to be normal
for so long. I had wanted it for so long I had wished to be normal too often,
that it finally happened. I realized how funny it was to be normal for one day,
following a day where I was transformed into Sailor Moon. I was the Princess
Serenity. I was exposed to an odd life. I was a normal student (well, not
normal, more below average). I set my alarm; I woke up, went to school, went to
the arcade, and then attempted to study. I had to mention 'attempt' because it
was so hard for me to even concentrate on studying or the need to study. I had a
boyfriend, Darien, who is also Prince Darien and Tuxedo Mask. I have friends:
Lita, who is sailor Jupiter Amy, who is Sailor Mercury Raye, who is Sailor Mars
and then there was Mina, Sailor Venus. It was a crazy life, and suddenly I get
one peaceful day. There was something wrong about having a fightless day. I
hated fighting altogether, but there hasn't been a day where evil hasn't
bothered Earth or threatened the future existence of the Moon. What was I
thinking? For once, I was having that instinct like Haruka. I had a feeling
something was going to happen, something bad. Let me review today's
events...
Serena Reviews Today's Events
Ding! Ding! Ding! I slid to the side and peered at the time.
Ding! Ding! Ding! I slammed my fist on the alarm clock. "Ah," I sighed, falling
back into bed, "Please, a little longer! Need... rest!" Ding! Ding! Ding! I
flopped onto the ground. I peered up at my night table and then back at the
alarm, I unplugged it. "I turned you off!" I got up and looked into the mirror.
"Crack," I whispered, referring to what the mirror should be doing receiving
such an awful reflection. "Sorry!" I said, apologizing to the mirror, "You're
going to have to see this awful reflection, until I fix this meatballs on my
head, as everyone refers to them as." I did that, and then slipped into my
sailor uniform for school. I ran downstairs, and peeked in the kitchen. No one
was there. That was odd. I went to the refrigerator to find.... NOTHING! "No!" I
shouted. I needed fuel, which was food. I needed those sweet nutrients,
vitamins, and tastiness! I peered up, weakly, at the clock on the wall. I shoved
my books in my bag, and ran out the door. I couldn't believe I was leaving
without breakfast. Where was everybody? Nobody was home.
I flung myself out on the sidewalk and began walking. I was
half-awake. A sudden roar of the motorbike engine filled my ears, and I knew
instantly who it could be. It was either Darien or Haruka. I turned around.
Darien! Yes, oh my Sweet Darien! "Good morning, Serena," he said greeting me,
handing me a helmet, "I'll give you a ride if you would like?" I gladly took him
up on that offer, and sat on the motorbike. I took the helmet, strapped it on my
head, and hugged Darien's waist. Zoom! We went flying across the streets,
passing avenues, ripping past trees and the park, places that would take me
forever to pass up. I hugged his waist tighter, for he kept going faster.
"You're out early!" Darien shouted, above the engine's loud roar.
"Yeah!" I hollered back, "I didn't have the most important meal
of the day!" Suddenly the wheels skid across the street pavement, and the
motorbike came to a short halt. I was terrified, thinking we were falling.
Darien laughed. My eyes were shouted out of my head, still shuddering at the
thought that I could've die. He was just laughing? Laughing! "Darien!" I
shouted, "What are you laughing at?"
"You didn't have breakfast!" he roared in laughter. I was
surprised. I got off the motorbike.
"We stopped for this," I said, taking off the helmet, "We
stopped so you could make me feel like an airhead pig? Darien, I can walk the
rest of the way. School is just around the corner anyway. Thank you for driving
me most of the way." I waved and began running towards school.
"Serena!" I could hear Darien shouting behind me, "I was just
joking! I'm sorry! Really, I am! Serena!" I ignored him for the rest of the
walk, but he had followed me on the rest of the way. "Come on, Serena, just say
you forgive me and I'm out of your face."
"Okay, fine," I said, opening the school building door, "I
forgive you." He smiled, but I ignored it. I quickly walked in, towards my
locker. I stuffed my bag full of more books to break my back with, and started
for my homeroom. I knew nobody was really going to be there for another twenty
minutes, except for Amy. Amy always was the first to be at school and the last
to get out. She seemed to get there early to do some extra studying and then
stay after school to ask for more homework. I didn't understand her. She wasn't
a normal teenager, and she didn't eat as much either. Wait! I was just comparing
her to me, and I was breakfastless Darien had laughed about that. Was I that big
of a pig. Amy looked up at me, and almost fell out of her skin.
"Serena!" she screamed, catching herself, "What are you doing
here?" I sat next to her, putting my books down.
"I receive an education here, Amy," I replied,
sarcastically.
"Yeah, but..." she replied, "you're here so early!" I looked at
her once again I was insulted at the beginning of the day. Mina suddenly came
in, peeked at me, and rubbed her eyes repeatedly.
"Am I seeing a ghost with a set of meatballs on its head?" Mina
asked Amy.
"No, Mina, it's Serena," Amy replied, hesitantly, "though I
still question whether it's a ghost too." I rolled my eyes, and put my head
down. Grrr! Why was everyone so mean? I suddenly remembered tomorrow was the
Math exam, and I had to pass it in order to pass school. I popped my head
up.
"Mina, do you think I could come over today?" I asked, "I mean
to study Math?"
"Serena, I'd ask Amy or something," she replied, "Math is my
weakest subject. You know that."
"Oh, yeah," I remembered. I turned towards Amy, but she
suddenly disappeared into nothingness. "Where's Amy?"
"You didn't see her leave to go see the principal?" Mina asked,
"Serena, no wonder why, you look exhausted."
"Yeah, I had to pass up breakfast," I replied. Mine grabbed her
stomach and began laughing loudly. Molly and Melvin suddenly entered.
"What's so funny, Mina?" Molly asked.
Through tears of over laughter, Mina said, "Serena missed
breakfast." The whole room became a place of laughter. I was totally embarrassed
and insulted. I felt a strike of maturity come over me. I had to change! I could
no longer be the failing pig everyone saw me as! I had to change! I slammed my
books on the desk, shutting them up, and then lied my head down. Mina leaned
over and said, "Go over to Lita's, she'll help you. We can call her at
lunch break. I wish I could help you, but my math department is weak. I know
helping each other is always important, but I really can't help
you with math." I agreed to this, forgiving Mina for laughing at me. School
began, and ran through as it normally did. I called Lita at lunch, and she was
all for helping me study.
Serena Finishes
There was nothing odd in that. I never did see Amy all that
day. I didn't talk to her either, until this afternoon. My parents and brother
still aren't home. Lita isn't doing well. Michiru is suddenly ill. Suddenly, I
knew what I had to do. I had to call Raye. I hated the thought of having to call
Raye, and get some insult within one ring, but I hadn't seen her at all. I
walked to the telephone, picked up the received, and began dialing. Beep! Bleep!
Bleep! Beep! Bleep! There were three rings, until she picked up.
"Hello?" Raye said.
"Hey, Raye!" I said, "Um, how are things?"
"Serena?" she asked, "Oh, things are... well, I guess."
"Does this day seem funny to you?" I asked.
"A little..." Raye, said, hesitantly.
"Seems like we've been given a break?" I asked.
"Serena did you call me just to ask me this?" she asked.
"No..." I said, hesitantly.
"I don't have time for an early April Fools," she complained,
"What is it that you need?"
"Look, Raye," I announced, "this day is giving off really bad
vibes..."
"Why?" she asked, "Because it's a day off from being sailor
scouts?"
"Well," I began, "I guess so. We've gone through days like
this, but still there is a feeling of something in the air. I feel as though
something happened, and I missed it. Like, our enemies have somehow gotten ahead
of us, and we didn't even notice!" There was a pause and then Raye sighed.
"You're correct," she suddenly explained, "I am feeling some
sort of disturbance here. It's strong too. It sure seems like everyone is
emphasizing 'help'! It's like their trying to cry for help and yet there's
someone near them making them paranoid or deathly nervous!"
"Yeah, and..." I began, but suddenly there was a different
voice.
"You shouldn't speak so freely," a deep, malevolent voice
spoke. Suddenly Raye exploded with cries for help.
"Serena!" she cried, "Help me! Help us! Serena! Get out of the
way! Ser..." Suddenly there was nothingness, except for the telephone dial. I
dropped the telephone to the ground just when Luna decided to join me. She
looked at the telephone falling to the ground, hitting the ground, and then at
me.
"Serena?" Luna directed. I put my hand to my mouth.
"Luna," I whispered as if a ghostly pain swept over me,
"R-Raye... I-I-I... Luna!"
"Serena!" she spewed, "Why you look as though you've seen a
ghost?"
"Luna!" I yelped, "He's here..." I heard a door slam
downstairs, but I didn't think twice about it.
"Who?" Luna questioned. Luna picked up the telephone and handed
it to me to the place on the receiver. Suddenly the telephone rang loudly. I
grabbed it. An eerie voice spoke on the other line. It was Darien. He sounded
frightened to death!
"Serena," he warned, "Get out of the way! He's near! He's in
there. Get out... now!" I dropped the telephone and ran down the stairs. There
was a dark shadow tearing the kitchen apart. I silently slipped out the front
door and ran for my life.
"Oh," I wept. Luna followed me, puzzled by what was going
on.
"Serena!" she wailed, "Who was that? Is it your enemy?"
"Worse, Luna," I cried back, "It's him. Don't you remember?
Eclipse! Does that ring a bell?"
"Ring, ring!" Luna shouted, "The bell does ring. I thought he
was dead. Well, he isn't!"
Flashback of What was...
"I will silence you!" he cried, dying.
"Oh," I had been weeping, "Why did you have turn traitor?"
"Because..." he snapped, pulling himself up, "I had to... for
Father!" He then fell to the ground, blood staining my hands. Blood staining my
hands forever! He lay lifeless in my arms. I wept on his body, feeling his cold
hand.
"B-b-but," I cried. Then I wiped the blood from my hands and on
to his shirt on his shirt, "You didn't have to choose Father. You could have
lived. You could have lived, Eclipse! You could have lived." A hand touched my
shoulder. I didn't bother to notice. I wept on my brother's chest, wet with
blood."
"Princess," a voice from behind soothed, "Do not cry..."
Back to what is...
Those soothing words echoed into the future, but I still cried.
"I saw him die, Serena," Luna sputtered, "I watched the burial. He was gone,
Serena!"
"Well, Luna," I reminded, still running, "That isn't what
happened then. Something had to have gone wrong, and he's back. He's back to
silence the moon. Everyone knew, but he was able to make them..." We stopped
suddenly.
Luna finished my sentenced, "...silenced!"
"Oh, god!" I wept. Suddenly a hand hit my shoulder, but I
ignored it.
"Princess, "that same voice soothed, "Do not cry." I turned
around and hugged him tightly.
"Oh, Darien," I cried on his chest, "His death marked our
meeting for the first time on the moon."
"What are we going to do?" he asked. I buried my face in his
chest.
"I haven't the slightest," I said, "he's so much more powerful
then me. The outer senshi would be the only ones who could help us, but they
vowed never to transform again. Hotaru would have to be the only one powerful
enough to destroy him permanently, but she is so weak. Her power is never
definite! How can we deal with? We are truly destroyed before death,
Darien."
"No, Serena," Darien argued, "We're alive right now, and we are
not powerless to him. He can be destroyed."
"I didn't do it the first time!" I cried, "Oh, Darien..." Luna
suddenly walked up.
"I can try to contact the outer senshi," Luna offered, "or else
we must find a rarity." I pulled away from Darien.
"A rarity, Luna?" I asked.
"It's a power crystal, called the Forgotten Force," Luna began,
"belonging to your Father, King Solar-- whom died without it. It possesses both
good an evil, and it is what Eclipse wanted most. Its last presence was upon the
Earth's surface, but we are certain it is beyond the Earth's surface now. They
say it has designated into a million crystal diamonds, and then it has been
heard that it can be found amongst a great Arab thief. If we were to find such a
crystal, Serena, there is a good chance the one who uses its power to become the
purest of evil or the purest of good. It's uncertain, but the one who finds it
has to tame the opposite of its power. For example, we would like to use it for
the good and future of the moon and universe, but we must be able to tame what
can destroy life as we know it."
"Is it possible to tame the evil of it?" I asked.
"Yes, but it has yet to be done," Luna said, "King Solar
intended for it to be used to destroy all existence of evil, but instead he
became apart of that existence. He died because of that new life he took."
"I had forgotten my brother and father," I stated, "but
Eclipse's presence has brought about new memories. How it was before father
chose to have the power crystal. There was almost true peace, but there wasn't.
A legend of this crystal that was able to bring about true peace sent Father
packing. He returned with such intense look for bloodshed and power. Queen
Serenity, Mother, became distressed and was forced to condemn him to death. She
had to do the job herself. She loved him."
"Yes," Luna agreed, "I shall try to contact the senshi."
"Where have the other scouts disappeared to?" I asked.
"Perhaps oblivion or else harsh imprisonment," Darien suddenly
replied.
"Luna, there is a chance we won't be able to get the senshi," I
bravely explained, "Darien and I should search for the power crystal. We must
try, Luna." Luna agreed.
"Then I think it best to give you the Transporter Prism," Luna
suddenly replied, revealing a silver crystal before our eyes. "Its power is
limited and that is the reason why I have never spoken of it. This prism will
send you anywhere across the universe and through time, but as I said, its
powers are limited. The silver glitter of it begins to dull as its power
weakens, until it is useless. Use it's powers wisely, or else you may not be
able to return home. In order to witness or use it's power you must shout,
'Silver Prism Transporter!'" Luna disappeared into the city mist, leaving Darien
and I desperately in search for a forgotten crystal that may not even exist.
"Please, Mother, be with me," I thought. Darien cupped my chin,
and looked into my eyes.
"Where do we start, Serena?" he asked, "The world is a big
place."
"Darien, I haven't the slightest clue of what there is to be
done," I reminded, "Don't ask me questions. We work together as one mind.
Okay?"
"Got that," he agreed, taking his hand away. I held the prism
close to my heart and began wondering a place to begin. "We should begin in the
most isolated areas of Earth." I agreed.
I took hold of the silver crystal and blasted, "Silver Prism
Transporter!" Suddenly the ground beneath us disappeared along with the scenery
I knew best. A cold, windless land lay before us. We stepped onto the land and
met its fresh feel. We tasted the bitter icy air on our tongues, and felt the
flames within our souls freeze. This place seemed so evil to us. I wrapped the
silver prism in my pouch and place it in my pocket carefully. "I do not know how
to search this place..."
A voice risked amongst my thoughts, "I do, " it answered. A
familiar friend lay before me it was Amy. She didn't seem real to me. She was
very pale and dead appearing. "I have calculated a way of conversing with you.
We are trapped. Mina, Lita, Raye, and I are okay, but our life span has been
shortened. Soon, we will meet The Silencer again. I will contact very little,
but I contacted Luna and heard of your journey. Instantly I knew the Sailor
Mercury powers would be somewhat useful for you. The power of quick calculation
and information is what I think will come in handy." She threw out her
calculation lenses, and I caught them. "We will all be watching you as well as
we can. Please, Serena, Darien, do not fail us." The visual appearance of Amy
vanished and I held the lenses with my hands. I tossed them to Darien.
"I'm the one who needed tutoring in math," I reminded, "I think
the Sailor Mercury powers best fit you then I." He nodded and put them over his
eyes. He looked to each side. He scrutinized the land to his left, but ended up
shaking his head.
"I'm entering a possible Forgotten Force crystal into the
lenses," he said, "but there is no possible force here. Wait, I am receiving
some data. Give me the silver prism." I handed it him. "The Yukon. Silver Prism
Transporter!" The ground beneath our feet again vanished, and we found ourselves
in place Darien called the Yukon. It appeared to be a vast snowy wasteland.
Darien peered to the right and pointed his hand out handing me the silver prism.
I took it. "Say it."
"Where are we going, Darien?" I asked.
"To the Forgotten Force," he said, "I am sure that there to the
far right, the Yukon, is the power crystal called the Forgotten Force."
"The prism's powers are limited," I said, "We have traveled a
large distance and the prism is beginning to dull."
"Say it, Serena," he demanded.
I held out the prism, "Silver Prism Transporter!" The same
ground vanishing effect began and the Transportation Prism sent us the place
Darien knew as the Yukon. It was a cold, bitter area where there was very little
inhabitance. We found an odd black spot amongst the snow and bitter freeze.
"Here, Serena," Darien suddenly said, "I can feel some strong
force beneath this black spot, but it's frozen solid. How can we…"
"Say no more, Darien," a familiar voice interrupted. It came
from behind us, and we twirled around. Raye! "Amy has been led out of here…"
"Where?" I asked.
"I've been silenced from saying so," Raye explained, "Amy
demanded that all of us who are trapped with The Silencer's captivation to know
the way of conversation to you. I've watched you travel here, and noticed how
very cold it is. The Sailor Mar's FirePower can definitely melt that frozen
fortress below. Yes, Serena there is a great fortress below the Yukon frozen
valley. Within that fortress there lies a force forgotten, because of the evil
it possesses. Yet, there is good too, and that is why we must try to use this
great forgotten force." She threw her wand into my hands. "Serena, Amy worked
hard to secure our powers to transform, yet my power to heat up is what she
decided not to secure so tightly. Aim it towards the black spot, and my wand
should do the rest."
"Any word from Luna, Raye?" I asked.
"Yes, there is possible connection with Setsuna" Raye
proclaimed, "Haruka is missing. The Silencer has not been able to keep a tight
grip on her. She knows the whereabouts of Setsuna. I don't know what this means,
but it's something." She suddenly gasped, "Serena, hurry!" She then vanished. A
tear slid down my cheek, as I thought of how much I missed my friends already. I
held the wand within my hands and pointed the wand to the black spot. There was
an abrupt ray of firelight glittering from the wand. The black spot began to
sizzle into a small wooden door. The wand then designated in my hands, burning
me slightly. I took the silver prism up, and noticed the terrible dullness it
bared.
"Darien, the Transporter Prism is really dulling fast," I said,
"the last of it's power must be used to return home whether we find the
Forgotten Force or not."
"Yes, of course," he said, then taking me by the waist said,
"Shall we go?"
"Yes," I whispered. He opened the wooden door, kissed my
forehead and led me inside the fortress. It was surprisingly lit up. I took his
hand. "Are you okay?"
"Darien, it's in here," I suddenly mentioned, "I can feel it. I
remember it. It had this way of making you feel lost and then found at the same
time. A cross between good and the purest of evil, that's how I felt everytime
Father walked near. He wore it around his neck on a golden chain as thick as
hotdogs." I suddenly craved hotdogs. I then caught myself. "It's here, Darien,
it's really here." He nodded. We walked through the long hallway, until there
was a large room. There was a large table stand in the middle, with a golden box
on top. I ran to it and opened it. The crystal blinded me and I fell back.
"Close the box, Darien!" I gasped. He quickly ran to it, shielding his eyes, and
shut it closed.
"Was that…" he began.
"It was Father's chain with…" I replied, "…the Force…" Darien's
eyes grew wide, and then walked over to the golden box. He grabbed it.
"Transport us home," he demanded. I quickly grabbed the prism
and quickly got us home. We returned to the windless streets of what we knew
best. An image suddenly began to appear before our eyes. It was a dark image, a
familiar image, it was… it was…
"Give me what is rightfully my inheritance of our lost Father!"
the familiar image demanded.
"Eclipse…" I gasped.
"I don't go by such an inferior identity anymore," he growled,
"I am now called The Silencer. It was my last promise to you. I will silence!"
The tears began to come down my cheeks, frozen from the Yukon. I was shocked
with the knowledge that I would have to kill him again.
"D-did you k-k-kill…" I stuttered.
"That Mercury Sailor?" he finished.
"Y-y-yes," I specified.
"No," he replied, "Her wisdom is of some use to me.
Unfortunately, she has secured herself and the others from being sailor scouts;
I need them as sailor scouts. She has silenced herself as well as the
others."
"You've lost Haruka," Darien reminded.
"That tomboy is fast," The Silencer protested, "Her friend,
Michiru, is alive and perfectly well; though, I keep her somewhere else. I have
a special interest in her. She is very striking. The others you call senshi is
of no use to me."
"What about Hotaru?" I asked. Darien disappeared.
"She's more then one person," he commented, "She may not be the
good little sailor that you want her to be." Moreover, she's so weak too,
I remember.
"Yes, Brother," I agreed and then mentioned, "but she can also
destroy you permanently. She can silence with one hushing."
"I am not concerned," he replied, "I am not your brother. I
have disowned you and Queen Serenity of the past. I have come to claim Father's
greatest possession. Hand it over. A rose suddenly hit the ground. I turned
around.
"Tuxedo Mask!" I gasped, as I did everytime I saw him. He had
the Forgotten Force power crystal around his neck. I was worried. Was he able to
tame the evil?
"No one appreciates family problems," Tuxedo Mask mentioned,
"You were obviously the bad see as they call it. You are not… Aw... Aw…" he
suddenly fell to his knees.
"Tuxedo Mask!" I cried. I ran to his side. He was grabbed the
chain on his neck fiercely. The Silencer began laughing.
"Can't you see?" he laughed, "He cannot tame the purest of
evil. He cannot use the good of that power crystal and fight off the evil!"
I grabbed his hand. "Hold on to what’s right, Tuxedo Mask!" I
cried. He took a rose out of his chest pocket.
"Run, Ser..en..a!" he said. The hand possessing the rose began
to come to my face. He pressed the rose on my face. The thorns slashed at my
cheek, and I quickly got to my feet. "Serena, I cannot control… I am almost
e-vil. R-run!" He got up. I began to run. Suddenly a flood of rose began to
follow me, thrashing at my arms and legs…
Epilogue
The snow stopped falling and returned to the present moment.
The light was still shining, until an image suddenly came into shape. It was
Haruka with a flashlight. She found me. She knelt to me side. "Serena?" she
said. I wept from the aching of my face, limbs, and reality that I was
facing.
"Luna was finally able to get someone," I replied, "Will you
ever fight again?"
"I vowed," she reminded me, "but the existence of all life
relies on the return of our transformation." A beautiful tall figure appeared
with dark green, long hair. She knelt at my side.
"I cannot live up to this vow any longer," she softly
replied.
"Setsuna!" I cried, hugging her. "Hotaru is not within
contact?" I let go.
"I cannot find her," Setsuna mentioned.
"Certainly, we can succeed together," I said.
"Serena, do you remember the power of that crystal force?"
Haruka asked.
"Yes," I whispered, "But must we loose total hope!"
"Darien…" Setsuna began.
"I know," I replied, "He put the chain on. He couldn't fight
it."
"I think we should transform," Haruka suggested. We all pulled
out our power crystals and transformed quickly. My wounds seemed to heal up
faster from the transformation; though, they remained painfully there. I pulled
out the silver prism, and watch it designate into my sailor broach. There was
very little power left, but surely, it would help. We quickly ran back to where
I had last seen The Silencer and Tuxedo Mask. To our predictions, they hadn't
moved very far.
"Oh, look" The Silencer sarcastically laughed, "it's a couple
of pitiful Sailor Scouts!" I felt weak suddenly. He was hurting me so much. Why
did he have to survive? Why must I destroy my own brother twice?
"I shall not call you by the identity you have taken up," I
warned, "You're my brother, Lunar Eclipse, and you shall answer to what I call
you."
"Eclipse!" he shouted, "I am no longer the weak shadow of
Earth, Sailor Moon."
"No, but you are my brother," I repeated.
"I disowned you!" he reminded, "Father and I chose this path of
destruction to succeed in our Solar Kingdom."
"You were going to inherit Father's Solar Kingdom," I said.
"Wait!" he cried, "I was not done. At first we wanted a great
Solar Kingdom, but then we decided upon the universe!"
"T-the entire universe?" I asked, in disbelief.
"The universe that extended to our knowledge," The Silencer
replied, "The only other real strength that would be an obstacle be that of the
Moon Kingdom."
"Father died trying to destroy what he loved once," I snapped,
"and so shall you again!" Setsuna and Haruka stood behind me.
"We fight for love, we fight for justice…" we all said in
unison.
"And we shall punish you!" I finished.
"I don't go for that opening line," he said, "I skip straight
to the silencing, or punishment you call it. Tuxedo Mask silence them!"
Suddenly, the one I loved dearly jumped out and began attack. I couldn't fight
him. It was so hard. Haruka came forward and fought him. Instantly, she was on
the floor. Setsuna demanded that I fight. I fought him, but I was so weak to
him. Something weakened me. It was the Forgotten Force. It was weakening me. I
lay on the ground defeated. Setsuna stepped forward and slashed Tuxedo Mask
easily. He lay on the ground near me defeated, dying, and heavily breathing. I
dragged my body to him, and took the chain of the Forgotten Force off him. I
kissed his forehead. I cuddled him in my arms, crying. I was not mad at Setsuna
for defeating so harshly, because he was uncontrollably evil. He breathed a sigh
of relief.
"Oh, Serena, it hurts," he said, breathless.
"I am so sorry, Darien," I apologized, "Setsuna had to. I-I-I
w-will t-tr-try to save you. Setsuna heal him as well as you can. I will
battle." I put the Forgotten Force around my neck.
"No, Serena," Darien said, reaching out for me, "not the wound;
the Forgotten Force hurts so…" I shook my head, beginning to feel the effects of
the power crystal around my neck. I fell to my knees.
"Ah!" I shrieked, "I will not let it take over!" The Silencer
laughed evilly.
"You see!" he shouted, growing powerful, "You cannot control it
either! That crystal was meant to destroy not to harmonize and make good!" A
dark cloud encircled him, making the entire the settings dark and
frightening.
"Haruka!" I cried, "Wake from your defeat! I need your
help!"
"We can help you!" a sudden rush of familiar voices proclaimed.
I looked up through the pain of my battle with the Forgotten Force to see my
Sailor Scouts.
"Oh!" I cried, painfully, "Sailors Venus, Mars, Mercury, and
Jupiter!" The Silencer turned around, and had a look of surprise written across
his mouth.
"How…" he began.
"My calculation and knowledge of strategy has freed us!" Sailor
Mercury cried, "How I freed the sailor scouts I none of your business. We…"
"…Will silence you!" they said in unison. Haruka somehow
dragged herself to my side and touched my shoulder.
"Hold on to the truth, Sailor Moon," she soothed, "We must
fight and win for the good." The four sailor scouts began battled with The
Silencer, Lunar Eclipse, or my brother. His red hair flung in the air as he
defeated them easily one by one. "I must fight him, Sailor Moon. Conquer the
evil, and fight with the good!" Haruka jumped out and thrashed my poor brother
to pieces, but he became stronger with each raid she made; though, the battle
was longer he still defeated her. I rose to my feet slowly, falling slightly
with each step I made. I grabbed my tiara, and swung it at him.
"Make me strong, pure good of the Forgotten Force," I begged.
My tiara quickly swung back at me with one swipe of the arm. There was a sudden
strong presence among us.
"I will defeat him, Sailor Moon!" a voice I had before replied.
I turned to the side to see before me Hotaru. Luna jumped out from behind her.
"I too will battle this bad family seed!" Michiru said, leaping
out from behind Hotaru. She suddenly caught sight of Hakura. "Sailor Uranus!"
She quickly ran over to Sailor Uranus and soothed her wounds. I smiled at
Hotaru.
"Sailor Moon, move to the side!" Hotaru demanded, "I will wipe
out the new filth we see before us." She attacked him. He cried out, red hair
flying behind him, and face crying for help. He began to weaken and the dark
clouds stop encircling him. "Oh, yawn," Hotaru replied. I began to whelm up with
tears as I watched my brother be defeated again. The Silencer waved his arms
about. He put his finger to his lips.
"Hush," he replied, and suddenly knocked Hotaru to the building
on the other side of us. I looked at her hopelessly. The Silencer then looked at
me. He was weakened and I knew I could finally defeat him. I didn't want to, but
when I looked around me, I began wondering. I looked at Mina, and remember her
longing for the perfect person to love. I peered up at Raye; Dear Raye always
criticizing me, but she took notice in me when she knew something was wrong. I
swooped around the look at Michiru and Haruka, and noticed how close they always
were. I looked at Amy and had a deep appreciation for her wisdom and devotion to
protecting the Moon and world. Then there was Lita, all sprawled out on the
cement, I remembered her tough exterior, yet she had that soft interior longing
to be noticed. I peered over at Setsuna trying to keep Darien alive. She was so
beautiful and I almost regretted having her take care of Darien. Darien was so
beautiful and knightly in his Tuxedo Mask identity, but he was even more
charming as Prince Darien, husband to be. Hotaru lay trashed against the wall,
dying, because she was powerful yet the weakest. I then peered at my brother. I
had conquered it. I have the purest good in the entire universe around my neck.
I watched my brother in slow motion put to fingers to his neck. I went for the
Forgotten Force. "Hush," he whispered as I raised the power crystal. I smiled
and shook my head.
"No," I whispered back, "Go to sleep, Eclipse, Little Brother."
All sound exited my ears, and all I had was sight. I smiled a sweet smiled. I
remember our childhood suddenly. I remember how I used to tuck him away at
night, and kiss his forehead. I watched our entire childhood fade into this one
battle. I watched the purest of all good defeat him. The power crystal threw him
against the wall opposite of the building Hotaru lay on. A song played in my
head. The song of my mother's jewelry box. I didn't know why that song entered
my min, but it did. I let go the Forgotten Force, realizing what I had done. I
ran to him. "Eclipse," I whispered, taking him in my arms. I saw Luna run to
Hotaru for a quick moment. He opened his eyes widely.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"It's alright," I soothed, "Go to sleep, Eclipse, Little
Brother." I then kissed him on the forehead, and he was dead. His eyes lay
opened, and so I closed them. The darkness disappeared from him, and I knew he
was well now. The little red headed boy that once danced in my head no longer
existed as The Silencer. Unfortunately, in the mist of defeating The Silencer I
killed Lunar Eclipse, Solar Son, and my little brother. The sailor scouts, outer
senshi, and Tuxedo Mask woke up well. I smiled at them, letting go of the dead
boy in my arms. A tear slid down my cheek, as I helped everyone up. Tuxedo Mask
walked over to me and wiped the tear away from my cheek.
"Princess," he replied, smiling, "Do not cry." Keep dancing
little red headed boy.