Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Little Older, A Little Wiser ❯ Extra Fire Power ( Chapter 2 )

Serena stood, hesitating, outside the doors to the temple. She had finally given into Darien, Luna and Artemis' demands that she reawaken the scouts and had spent an entire week trying to decide whom to go to first before just throwing four sheets of paper into a hat and having Darien draw one out. He had drawn Rei. She had almost considered asking him to redraw.

Rei. What was she like? Serena had lost track of the scouts over the past four years. She felt guilty now just walking back into their lives and asking for help but...she did miss them. Even Rei. Without them, she had been sadly lacking in friends. Oh, she had had friends from school, and later, from work but she had always had to hide parts of herself from them and the parts that she had hid had been some of the most important ones. The scouts though had been more than friends to her. They had been family. Without them her life had been colder, darker somehow. But the four years of a normal life that she had given them, that was worth any amount of coldness to her.

She suddenly shook herself. Well, she wasn't doing anything productive out here. Ignoring the slight shaking in the hand that was on the doorknob, she entered the temple.

It was just like it had been when she was a child. The smell of incense wafted through the air. Serena smiled as she remembered the scout meetings and slumber parties that had been held here. There had been the occasional study group even. Not that Serena had studied much.

She chuckled as she remembered Rei's anger when she had caught Serena reading a comic book instead of studying. At least she was no longer in school and the scouts wouldn't be able to nag her about her grades anymore. Not that Rei wouldn't be able to find something else to get on Serena's case about. The girl couldn't have changed that much.

Then, in a small side room, she saw it. The sacred fire. The fire of Mars. Serena hadn't even realized that she had been searching for it until she saw it there. She walked towards it and felt it's welcoming warmth.

"Ah, sacred fire. I wonder if you can tell me if I am doing the right thing?" Serena said.

She hadn't been expecting an answer. The fire of Mars had never before answered to the Moon so when a shower of sparks shot in all directions from the fire she was caught completely off guard. She stumbled forward, her hands outstretched to catch herself as she fell forward into the fire, unconsciously screwing her eyes shut against the pain to come.

There was no pain. That was her first thought before she forced her eyes open and stared down incredulously at her hands firmly embedded into the coals of the fire. She could feel pleasant warmth but no pain.

*Why have you come? *

She jerked at the sound of the voice, only to find that her hands were held firmly by the fire. With a visible effort she closed her eyes and replied formally.

*Sacred Fire of Mars, I have need of your Priestess. *

*Then seek the Priestess. *

Serena blinked at the blunt statement.

*Can you tell me if I do the right thing? *

The voice of the fire changed at her question, losing some of its aloofness and sounding more like an irritated elder.

*Of course it's the right thing. The only thing better would have been seeking earlier. Now go. *

And with that she was pushed back from the fire.

"Well, I think I've annoyed just about everything in the universe now." Serena said quietly, staring at the fire in awe.

"Some people are easier to annoy than others."

Serena whipped around and found herself face to face with Rei.

* * * * *

Rei had felt an odd presence enter the temple a few minutes ago. It hadn't been evil but something about it hadn't been quite right. She had begun searching for it, checking out the people that were visiting the temple.

Rei had been the sole caretaker of the temple since her grandfather had died a year ago and was still occasionally at a loss with what to do with herself. She just had this feeling that there was more out there for her but then again, she had heard that lots of people had that feeling. She was just bored mostly. Her life lately had been too quiet without her grandfather's presence and never-ending schemes for the temple. Even Chad had left. They had dated for a while but then he had been offered a regular contract with one of the music labels. She had made him take it. Both had known that this was his big break but he had been hesitating accepting it because of her. Well, a broom to the head had cured him of that lapse of judgment. Now, as his career took off she smiled fondly at all the little girls who talked about him with stars in their eyes while at the temple.

She had almost ignored the young woman with blonde hair standing in front of the fire.

"Sacred Fire of Mars, I have need of your Priestess." She heard the girl say quietly. Suddenly the girl pitched forward as if pushed, arms outstretched to catch herself, she fell into the fire. She stood for one breathless second bathed in flame before, just as suddenly, the girl was pushed back, unharmed.

"Well, I think I've annoyed just about everything in the universe now." the woman muttered darkly.

"Some people are easier to annoy than others." Rei replied, feeling her own anger rising at this woman's presence in her temple. The woman whirled around, he blonde hair almost hitting Rei as she spun, and stared at her with wide blue eyes.

This was the odd power and while it didn't seem evil, she could also sense that it was not, quite, normal.

"Rei."

Rei started. This strange woman knew her name? How? And yet she did seem vaguely familiar.

"Do I know you?"

The girl smiled sheepishly at that, "Well, yes and no."

Suddenly Rei realized why the universe was irritated with this girl.

"Rei, a long time ago, you and I used to be friends but then something happened. Something bad. And we were separated only to meet again. Unfortunately, the same bad thing happened again and again we were separated. I was...well...I was wondering if you wanted to give it one more try? Third times a charm and all that." The woman said, the last part coming out so fast that Rei had to struggle to understand her.

"What are you talking about? What bad thing? When did we ever know each other?" Rei asked, feeling horribly confused.

From the packet of her jeans the woman pulled out a beautiful red pen.

"This pen holds all the memories of your past. If you want to remember, you simply have to open it. But," the woman added quickly as she handed Rei the pen, "Once you remember, I can't make you forget again and those memories contain as much pain as anything else. You have already died twice Pyro. This may be your only chance to live a normal life."

Rei held the pen in her hand, the woman turned to leave.

"Wait! What is your name?"

The girl smiled sadly at her.

"Sailor Moon."

* * * * *

Serena emerged from the temple and Darien was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Without a word he wrapped her in his arms and they walked away from the temple.

* * * * *

Serena was stretched out on her couch petting Luna after work and perversely wishing that it were another black head that she held in her arms. But school had restarted. Darien had transferred to a school in Tokyo but school still took so much of his time that she felt like she never saw him. But she was too aware of how lucky she was that he was there at all to let herself complain about it. The summer had been like a dream come true, just the two of them with nothing to get in the way. She knew that whatever the future held, whatever pain and loss, she would always be able to remember that summer.

Luna, noticing that Serena's mind was wandering swiped a paw at her hand.

"What is it Luna?"

"Do you think she'll open the pen?"

"I don't know Luna. I don't want to hope. But I had to give her a choice of some kind. I mean, Darien got to see a little of what he was getting into before he got his memories back. Rei, and the other scouts, should get the same chance, shouldn't they?"

Luna sighed, "Serena, I know you want them to be safe but they were born to be the protectors of their worlds. Let them be what they were meant to be."

"I know, I know. But I still think that, as a retirement plan, we should get something better than death."

Luna flexed her claws slightly into Serena's leg, "Next thing you know, you'll be asking to be Queen of the universe."

"Well, technically I am Queen. Of the Moon at least. There's just been a small delay in the coronation ceremony. But I still have to do my own dishes."

"If I remember right, Darien is the one who did the dishes last time."

"Quiet you." Serena said, tickling the cat, "And don't you dare remind him if he offers to do them again."

* * * * *

In a dark room, three shrouded figures huddled together.

"Sailor Moon continues to grow in strength while we hide down here, cowering like rats! This can not be allowed to continue."

"Shhh, patience my friend. Patience." the second figure replied.

"Patience? What is there to be patient for?" Screamed the first in frustration.

"For the Dark Crystal." The third said quietly.

"But...that's just a legend. Isn't it?" the first said, unsure.

"No, we have found a way to summon it from where it was once hidden. But we need more time and energy reserves than we have right now."

"The last fight with Sailor Moon hurt us too much to attack her directly again for awhile but I have a few of our people out looking to see if they can find out where she lives."

"We've tried to find out who she is before. Why do you think this time will be any different?"

"Because, I sense she is allowing some of her defenses down and more people to know her secret."

* * * * *

Rei sat staring at the small red pen in her hands.

Sailor Moon? Was it possibly? Sailor Moon was just a myth, an urban legend. And yet...

And who was this woman who claimed to be Sailor Moon? Where did she come from? How did she know Rei?

Rei continued to stare at the pen in her hands.

How did this one little pen hold the answers to all her questions?

And did she want them answered?

Every time Rei made up her mind to open the pen she remember the woman's face when she had told her that she had died twice. Part of her wanted to laugh at the absurdity of that sentence but the woman's face when she had said it had been so serious and so very, very sad.

But on the other hand, something inside Rei craved the answers to her questions. She could not just put the pen aside and forget about it. So she sat in the temple, staring at a tiny red pen, while questions swirled around endlessly inside her head.

The sound of the phone ringing finally jerked her out of her thoughts and she made a mad dash towards the phone, grateful for the interruption.

"Hello?"

"Hey Rei! What's up?"

"Chad!"

"Hee hee. I'm glad to see you remember me."

"Remember you? Ha, how could I forget? I heard at least three girls today talking about how they were going to marry you."

"Don't tell me you're jealous?"

"Jealous? Me? Have you gone insane since the last time I talked to you?"

"Whatever Rei. You love me, you know it."

"You're delusional."

"You should be nicer to me, otherwise I won't give you a ticket to my concert there in a week."

"Backstage pass?"

"Of course."

"Okay, maybe I love you a little."

"I knew it! Okay, I've got to run. I'll send the ticket to the temple tomorrow."

"Alright. Can't wait."

"Bye"

Rei hung up the phone and tried to stop smiling. He could always do that, make her smile, cheer her up, even if they only got to talk for a few minutes. She was actually glad they weren't dating anymore. Chad had become more like a brother to her, becoming the family she didn't have. He always sent her tickets to his concerts when he was in town just so that they could talk after the show. It was the only time that his schedule wasn't going to randomly change at the last second so they actually got to see each other.

The small red pen lay momentarily forgotten on the table.

* * * * *

The rest of the week flew by. Rei even went out shopping for something new to wear to the concert. She was determined to have fun that night.

Rei stood in front of mirror, spinning back and forth, trying to see herself from every angle. The mirror showed a tall, thin woman with ebony hair in a short red dress and wearing a red choker around her neck. Add a dash of kiss-ass red lipstick, matching nail polish and she was ready to go.

Rei smiled slyly at her reflection.

"Not bad for an old, dried up temple priestess."

Glancing at the clock on the wall she grabbed her purse and headed towards the door to wait for her cab.

* * * * *

"Rei!"

"Chad!"

Chad ran up to her after getting off stage and gave her a huge hug.

"Ugh! Chad, go take a shower! You're are all sweaty." She cried, wrinkling her nose.

"Hee hee. Sure princess. Anything to be allowed into your presence." Chad joked, glancing down at his sweat soaked shirt.

She hit him on the arm and pushed him towards the shower in his dressing room. Ten minutes later, Chad stepped out of the bathroom, his long hair still damp, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

"All better?" He asked solemnly.

"Much." Rei said from where she was sitting on the couch in his dressing room.

Chad came and flopped down beside her. They talked for a while about the concert and Chad's life while he was on tour for a while. Rei loved to hear Chad's stories of life as a celebrity. He had a way of making the whole thing sound both glamorous and hilariously stupid at the same time. And he always had a story to tell. After awhile, he turned towards her with a solemn expression on his face.

"So, what's new with you?" he asked.

"Nothing much. I'm keeping busy with the temple mostly."

"Uh huh. And probably not much else if I know you." Chad replied.

"Hey, I get out." Rei said defensively.

"Sure you do. And when exactly was the last time you "got out"?"

"I'm out tonight, aren't I?"

"Other than tonight."

"I've been busy." Rei said, feeling desperate.

"Rei, you know you are one of my best friends. Ever since your grandfather died, I've been worried about you."

"There's nothing to worry about Chad. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You don't leave the temple unless someone drags you, you don't talk to any of your friends unless they come to you. All you do is work. You have to have a life outside of the temple."

Rei glared at him. She knew she didn't have many friends these days but Chad didn't have to rub her nose in it. It wasn't like it was easy for her like it was for him. People practically threw themselves at Chad's feet these days, begging to be his friend. Her, all they saw was a temple priestess, never trying to see past the cold, impersonal exterior.

And she was doing fine without them. She didn't need friends, she didn't need a boyfriend and she didn't need a family. She had proved that over this past year. She could be independent, rely on herself alone.

What did Chad know anyways?

"Drop it, Chad. I'm fine. I don't want to get into an argument with you on one of the few times I get to see you, so just leave it. Okay?"

Chad looked at her and for one terrifying moment she thought he wouldn't let it go, but then he leaned over and hugged her.

"Alright. I you say so." And then launched into a huge, complicated story about him, a contract, and blue m&m's.

After another hour or so, Rei finally had to leave. Chad was leaving early the next morning and it was already quite late.

The entire trip back to the temple in the cab, she couldn't get Chad's words out of her mind. She finally forced herself to admit that she was lonely. She would never admit it out loud, but she wanted all those things that she had said she could live without, the friends, the family.

As she went into her room at the temple she saw the small red pen lying on a table where she had left it. Suddenly she remembered the strange woman's words.

~"Rei, a long time ago, you and I used to be friends...I was wondering if you wanted to give it one more try?"~

"Yes." Rei finally answered.

Without hesitation, she walked up to the pen and opened it.

Suddenly, she was bathed in flames. In the flames were flashes of her past, on the Moon, on Mars and on Earth, fighting with Sailor Moon and the Scouts. She remembered who she was, who her friends were. She remembered the pain of death, the excitement and fear of battle. She remembered stupid little things like fighting with Serena over anything, flirting with Darien and then stepping aside for Serena.

She remembered.

* * * * *

Serena was lounging on her couch, idly flipping through the channels on TV. Nothing was good was on, and she was starting to consider grabbing a book to read instead.

"Serena!" Luna cried, running into the room and skidding to a stop by the couch.

"What's the matter Luna?" Serena asked, jumping to her feet.

"There's a monster in the park attacking people. You have to get there right away."

Without another word Serena transformed into Sailor Moon and teleported herself to the park. They hadn't been able to get to any of the monster attacks in time for a while now. This was the first time in weeks that they had even heard of an attack as it was happening. The monsters were attacking too quickly, leaving the scene before anyone even knew what happened. As she dashed through the park she wondered how they had lucked out this time.

She could hear the roars of a monster but it took her several minutes to actually find it among the trees, which concealed huge parts of the park.

As she ran into the clearing, she saw the monster fighting...

"Mars!"

Mars turned and glanced back at where Sailor Moon was standing, dumbstruck.

"About time Meatball Head. Are you going to help or not?" She yelled before sending a stream of fire towards the monster, which howled in pain.

Serena joined the fight. Mars had already seriously hurt it several times. Between the two of them, they were able to finish it quickly enough.

After the monster was gone, Sailor Moon stared for a moment at Mars.

"You opened my gift."

"Yes."

"Are you...Did you...I mean, are you happy with it?"

Mars walked over to Serena and hit her on the head.

"What took you so long, Meatball Head?"

Serena stared at her in shock for a moment before tackling her and giving Mars a hug.

* * * * *

Three figures stood in a darkened room, glaring at one another from under heavy cowls.

"Sailor Mars has been reawaken!"

"I told you that Sailor Moon was letting more people know her secret."

"But still don't know her secret, and now their strength increases as we sit down here and do nothing.

"Our strength does increase. This was the first monster of ours they have been able to stop in a while and our energy reserves are growing. We only have to wait."

"I will wait. But not much longer." the figure said, spinning around and stomping out of the room.

"He is uncontrollable."

"We still need him. We can't do this alone."

"I know. How are your spies doing?"

"They have begun to narrow down where Sailor Moon lives, but her uses of energy are still hard to pin point."

"I have every faith in you, my love. We'll find her."