Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ Moonlight Dreams and Poisoned Fears ( Chapter 3 )

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�O you who know what we suffer here: do not forget us in your prayers.� Frank Hebert.
Love demands everything, and rightly so. Keeps this in mind at all times and never give up on those you care for; that is the greatest lesson in life.
And now the great prince must learn this same lesson, overcome all odds he'd never encountered before, all for his princess, for his Serina, for his unique Meatball head.
Will he truly forfeit her love to Garry and his nightmare premonitions? Will Serina fall in love with another, oblivious to the pain her soulmate is in? And can Garnyt, the evil brother of Rubeus, really pull off his scheme to capture and kill the civilian form of Sailor Moon or will her friends be able to keep her from harm's way? And can Ami and Lita be any *more* predictable? Garnyt has a new plan to take care of the Scout Leader for his Dark Moon prince; if she survives . . .
We shall gaze upon the sleeping fears of our prince and princess and
learn of the fate Garnyt has predestined for Serina in Chapter Three, "Moonlight Dreams and Poisoned Fears."

Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Sci-fi / Suspense | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.12.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 339 | Status: Completed

Chapter 3

Moonlight Dreams and Poisoned Fears

So, his young Serina knew the Scouts? Was that why she was afraid after the battle in the mall? She feared for their safety? Maybe she was close with Sailor Moon, his target. Would she ever forgive him if he killed her friend?

Garrett Rose, a.k.a. Garnyt of the Dark Moon, paced angrily in his dark, empty home. He was frustrated and confused by these strange, alien feelings and emotions in his heart, his body was now taking orders from something other than his reasonable mind! He was a warrior and an officer of the Dark Moon, one of the best and loyal to his crown prince! How could he betray his liege for some normal human girl! The mission should have been easy; listen to the conversations, check energy signatures, find the secret identity of Sailor Moon and kill her. Perhaps find the rabbit as a bonus for his prince. But no, he had to go and fall in love- IN LOVE- how could he do that? Love was foreign to those of the Dark Moon, there was little feeling on Nemesis. There was loyalty, and he'd witnessed the infatuation Emerald had for Prince Diamond, and the kin-bond between the prince and his brother Sapphire, but that was hidden. No one showed those feelings in public, not like they did here on earth. Not like his radiant and caring Serina.

“Serina, how could you do this to me? Life was so simple and then I met you. You stole my heart and I can't think a moment without your smile and laughter invading my dark thoughts with pure, joyous light. And I like it. I would do anything to keep you happy and safe, I know that but, my prince- what do I tell him? I can't go back without Sailor Moon, he'd kill me for being soft, weak; a failure. But I can't kill someone who is your friend- I can't be the cause of any pain to you. I've seen how you reacted when you lost your `boyfriend', and I could never do that to you purposely. Please, Serina, tell me what to do!” Garnyt pleaded with the moon and the stars that hung outside the window. They silently gazed back at him, the moon's harsh unfeeling light bathed him in cold and he glanced away as the glittering stars reminded him of Serina's shimmering tears of pain and sorrow.

`What can I do? Even if I made it look like an accident, I would still be guilty of her death. Even if Serina understood she died bravely in battle, I would still know and could never look at her with an honest heart.' Garnyt scoffed, shaking his red hair away from his face. `Heart. Since when do I have the right to claim one of those. No Dark Moon native could ever have-` He stopped, so abruptly he nearly tripped himself as his heart froze with hope, and his breath caught at he prospect of staying with Serina forever.

The four Sisters. They were human now. They were despised traitors of the Dark Moon but they were happy human women. They would know what to do, they must know what it's like to be evil and good, all these confusing feelings; they MUST know!

Garnyt smiled, a genuine smile of hope and eager excitement. This was his answer! He had to talk to the four Sisters! But what would he do about Sailor Moon? The prince said he didn't care if she lived or died. He just had to capture her, subdue her, keep her from making trouble. He didn't have to kill her, surely Serina would understand if he kidnapped the civilian girl to keep her safe, just to keep Serina happy. He wouldn't kill her, but he'd have to find a way to discover her identity, fast, and defeat her before Prince Diamond began to get suspicious, it had all ready been two weeks since he'd started this mission.

Garnyt snapped his fingers and an armchair appeared in the center of the room. He gratefully collapsed into it, having walked off his problems and come to a solution. At their next battle, he would poison Sailor Moon with a drug that her Scout powers couldn't heal, nothing immediately fatal but it would slow her down adequately and then he would give her the antidote. Within a day or two, the poison would take affect and he would know who the civilian Sailor Moon was. He would kidnap her and hide her. He would report to the lord prince of his success, use her comatose form as proof, and then he would disappear forever.

At the next possible chance, he needed to find the four Sisters and find out how they had managed to become human.

This was so perfect! His Serina, the prince, and Sailor Moon would be taken care of without him failing or killing his beloved's friend.

__________________________

Darien argued again with the voice, the same argument he repeated every night for the past month.

“You're not real! Serina could never be hurt just because I love her! You can't make me do this! I would die without her!”

“If you stay with the Princess she will perish. The scene you watch will come to pass, the world will be destroyed and she will die.” The cold, disembodied voice predicted. Darien squeezed his eyes shut but this vision was in his mind; he couldn't block it out. He watched again as his beautiful bride was suddenly ripped from his grasp by an explosion, her sad eyes full of tears and pain as the world shattered around her.

“SERINA!” He tried reaching for her, her hand always beyond reach as he watched helplessly as she died again, as she did every night. “You can't do this to us! We love each other more than life! This can't be REAL!” Darien wept into his pillow, never waking from his agonizing nightmare. Then a new element added to his dream, one he didn't remember before.

“Prince Endymion, as your love is the only thing that can save her, your love as well places her in danger. Just as you would die for her, she will do the same.” The unfeeling voice had changed slightly, regretful and resigned, and Darien thought he could see something running towards him from a hazy pink distance. The shattered earth that floated around him changed to glittering dust and two figures raced laughing from the sparkling mist. He watched as an older Serina and a little girl, Rini, appeared, chasing each other and giggling. Suddenly Darien appeared, not himself, but a mirror image standing before the two girls and watching their games with a smile. Rini raced to his arms with a squeal of laughter and he gratefully lifted her up.

Out of nowhere, just as the second Darien appeared, a blast of energy shot down from the clear sky, unseen by his other self. Darien shouted to the three figures, trying to warn them as the scene of the blast slowed and he watched in horror as his Serina saw the stream of energy coming and ran in the way, protecting his other self still holding Rini. She took the hit fully in the chest, blocking it completely from the two most important people in her life. Darien screamed again as he watched her fall, lifeless, to the ground. The two other figures turned just in time to watch as well, the other Darien falling to his knees at the same time the real one did, Rini dropping from his arms and crying beside Serina's body.

The image faded to darkening red, disappearing forever to the furthest reaches of Darien's mind. Abruptly, Darien woke, cold sweat and tears chilling his face as he threw the covers from his legs and he sat up on his bed. He held his head in his hands, still weeping at the vague image that was quickly fading from memory. Soon he would forget it completely. But he knew he had seen his worst fear, more worse than his princess dying on their wedding day, worse than her following him to their deaths in the Moon Kingdom. That because of her love for him, she died, that she would sacrifice herself for his safety. If she only knew he wouldn't be able to live without her, if she died to keep him safe his heart knew he would betray her sacrifice and kill himself to be with her.

Darien glanced up at a sound, moonlight cascading coolly through his window and glinting off something caught in the moonbeam. A tiny winged figure in a white gown similar to the Moon Princess' hovered in the air. The face, when he looked, struck a chord of recognition through his traumatized mind; it was his Serina's. Not the older moon princess, not even the mature bride in his dreams but the vibrant, young fourteen-year-old that had stolen his heart.

“Serina?” He whispered, afraid the image might waver and disappear at the sound.

“My love, you suffer far too much needlessly. You know my heart is too caring and I would give my life for not only you and Rini, but for anyone. My friends, my family, even strangers I don't know; it is my nature and duty. Your suffering and mine cannot change this. Please, end our misery and let us be free. No longer can memory hold us captive, nor any enemy of reality or dream. Free yourself and that shall set me free. We are both slowly dying . . .” The angel's voice dropped to a weak, pleading, lilting breath. “Please let us go on living . . . together. I'm sorry, I cannot last longer here. Sleep well, my love.” The ethereal fairy faded to star dust and moon glitter.

“Serina!” Darien fell to his knees where the figure had been, praying it would return. All that was left was a silver drift of moon dust that he carefully collected and placed in a tiny decorative bottle next to his picture of himself and Serina. It was all he had left of her and the only proof of her sweet plea of hope from her heart.

`Which do I listen to? The voice in my dream or that of my Serina? Could she be right? Being caught up in my own fears, I've trapped her too? But I don't want her to die for me!' Darien shook his head fiercely before his mind answered him again, reminding him of the purpose of Serina's dream message.

`She said herself that she'd die for anyone, including you, and you can't stop her. If she dies, she will because she chose to in the best interests of everyone, not just because you loved her. She's Sailor Moon, fighter for love and justice. You can't change her heart or her destiny, she will love you and you will love her, there is no way that can lead to her death. And if it does she doesn't care as long as you are together, she wants to be free and so do you. Give up your fight and accept Serina as the giving person she is. She loves you! And you love her!'

Darien gave up his mental battle and returned to bed. Things would come to pass as they would and he couldn't stop them just as he couldn't stop Serina's love for him though he'd desperately tried. It was in the hands of fate now. He could only let things happen and protect her the best he could when they did. He would fight these dreams for her love, they could do anything with the power of love. Anything- together. There was no reason to be apart anymore- if she would still have him back.

__________________________

“Serina? Wake up!”

Serina tossed in the throes of a new nightmare, different from the others she'd had of just her and Darien. This one was of the future. It had started out beautiful, a heavenly dream of her marriage to Darien, the girls were all there, red and white rose petals rained on them as everyone laughed and smiled, but her own world revolved around the man she clung to. Darien smiled down at her as she giggled.

“We're finally getting married, my love!” She cried happily but her cry was torn into a scream of terror as the perfect world crumbled apart, her hand being ripped from Darien's.

In real life, Serina whimpered Darien's name and Luna snuggled closer to the thrashing girl, hoping to calm her but the nightmare continued.

A voice, cold and horrible, threatened Darien- A VOICE WAS THREATENING THE LOVE OF HER LIFE! Serina was incredibly angry and worried as she watched from a distance the torment Darien went through, arguing with the mysterious voice and finally giving up to the thought that he was putting her in danger. Serina begged for him not to listen, that it wasn't true and she didn't care if it was as long as they were together.

Luna began to worry when Serina's hushed whispers grew too loud pleading, her murmurings had awoken the second tiny form in her bed and Rini peeked out from the blue bed covers.

The pink-haired child glanced from Serina's tortured figure, her teary blue eyes were squeezed shut, her face scrunched in pain and hateful disbelief, to the concerned golden eyes of Luna. Luna looked back, unable to answer the silent question. She didn't know what was wrong but this was different from her normal dreams.

Suddenly Serina sat bolt upright in her bed, frightening a screech from both the little girl and cat. She tossed aside her blankets, apparently not hearing or noticing the two pairs of uneasy eyes following her. Serina desperately tumbled from her bed, snatching up her brooch that held the Silver Crystal and stumbling to her knees before her window seat. She opened the brooch, sobbing, and concentrated, hard. Eventually, her gasped crying evened out, Serina falling into a trance before the full moon. A brilliant glow grew from the crystal, engulfing her kneeling figure briefly before sailing through the window to an unknown destination. All the while Serina never moved, never blinked, never breathed.

The black cat and little girl fearfully watched over her for a full two minutes before she suddenly gasped for breath and collapsed beside the window. Luna hopped off the bed and rushed to Serina's side, lying down beside her when she was certain the girl was breathing again. Nothing could be done now, Serina needed to sleep then she would explain this little episode when she regained her strength. Whatever Serina had done with the Silver Crystal must have been dangerous and taxing. Luna had never seen anything like it before.

Rini crawled down from the bed at Luna's reassuring nod and snuggled up next to Serina on the floor. She didn't care about the discomfort as long as she was with Serina and she was safe. Ever since she'd found out Serina, her `cousin', was the one and only legendary Sailor Moon, she'd feared for the older girl's life. She'd never have said it aloud though she was beginning to wish she had the courage to. Any day now, this girl who sheltered her and protected her and made her feel like she was safe, at any time she could die. Rini knew she would. In the future, there was no Sailor Moon. The other four Sailor Scouts, but Sailor Moon was long gone and she was no longer a part of the world Rini lived in.

She choked back a sob and wept herself silently to sleep. She'd lost her mom and her dad, she didn't want to lose Serina too.

__________________________

Serina stirred, bright sunlight fell through her window in a golden waterfall onto her squinting eyes. Why did she ache so much? And why was Rini asleep in her arms, she'd never tried to push it that far before. Serina jerked upright when she suddenly realized she was lying on the floor no where near her bed.

“Oh my God, what happened?” She tried to maneuver around the sleeping child in her arms, as she did, Luna awakened beside her.

Worried golden eyes peered at her, whispering so they wouldn't wake Rini. “Serina, are you all right? You gave us quite a scare last night.”

Serina shook her head, confused nearly to tears. She knew something awful had happened last night, that was why she was still so tired, but for the life of her she couldn't remember what! “What are you talking about, Luna? What happened? Why did I fall asleep on the floor? WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?” Serina's desperate voice pleaded with her cat but she couldn't answer.

“I was hoping you could tell us, Serina. You don't remember anything about your nightmare or waking up after it?” Serina's frightened eyes filled with tears as she shook her head again. She didn't remember anything!

Luna continued, her calm voice kept Serina's head level enough to keep her rising panic in check. “Last night you had a particularly violent nightmare. You woke both Rini and myself. Then you abruptly woke and ran to the window with your crystal and did something with it. It glowed then faded and you collapsed. You don't have any idea what would make you do that?”

“No! I can't remember! This is so scary, Luna! I'm not that bad of a ditz! I feel like I'm going crazy! I can't be waking up in the middle of the night and using the Silver Crystal and then not remember any of it! I'm so scared, Luna!” Serina reached out and Luna hopped into her arms, purring reassuringly as her princess began softly crying into her fur.

“Mama?” Rini murmured as she blinked awake to the sound of weeping. The sun outlined a tall, slim figure above her, darkened twin buns on her head with streams of flashing gold falling from them. Her heart jumped and raced as she blinked again, hoping the vision before her was really her mother-

Her cinnamon eyes focused on the older girl before her, clutching a black cat and bathed in warm summer light. Hiding her disappointment with practiced skill she sat up to address her protector. “Serina? Are you okay?”

Serina glanced up at the voice; she didn't want to frighten Rini so she quickly sniffed and nodded, drying her eyes. “Yes, sweetie, I'm okay.”

Rini crawled into Serina's lap, knowing she was not okay. “What happened last night? You were scared and then you fell asleep on the floor.”

“I'm not sure, Rini, but I'm glad you were with me.” Serina briefly hugged the little girl close. Rini smiled proudly, all else quickly forgotten, and she hopped off Serina's lap. Sailor Moon had needed HER help last night and SHE helped her!

“Good! Now that everything's all right, let's get some pancakes!” Rini raced out the door, still in her little pale blue pajamas. Serina watched her go, surprised she had admitted her feelings to her, and even hugged the little squirt but it did feel good to know that Rini cared and had stayed with her throughout whatever it was that happened.

“I think this is serious, Serina, we should call a Scout meeting immediately.” Serina glanced down at her guardian, her tired eyes had begun to droop again; it was still too early and she was tired from not getting a good night's sleep.

“You're right, Luna, just let me sleep in for a little bit more, `kay?” Serina slowly trudged over to her bed and fell in, asleep before Luna could yell at her to get back up.

“Great, the one time she gets up early enough to start a normal day and she falls asleep after five minutes.” Luna gazed over Serina's toppled form and sighed. She let her sleep.

Luna turned away and bounded out Serina's door and down the stairs to follow Rini.

A few minutes later, irritatedly throwing her blue bunny and moon coverlet off, Serina growled and stalked downstairs. She couldn't sleep now that she was so worried! `I don't know what happened last night but it must have been important and I've got the strangest feeling that it had something to do with Darien. I hope he's all right.' Serina plodded into the kitchen where Rini and Sammy were enjoying small stacks of pancakes and Luna was eagerly lapping up milk and tuna.

“Morning, Mom.” Serina smiled and grabbed a plate, loading on a mountain of the sweet flapjacks and a small sea of syrup.

“Oh dear, Serina, are you all right? You're up early; are you feeling well?” Serina managed to cover her true despondency with an easy pout and a whine of indignation.

“Yes, Mom, I'm fine, I just couldn't get back to sleep with the sun shining in my eyes.” Serina slid into her seat across from her little brother, Sammy. Both he and Rini were all ready finishing up their breakfasts.

“Wow, the monster awakens!” Sammy teased, receiving a searing glare from Serina and a chuckle from Rini. As his mother began raising her spatula to reprimand him, he took off, dropping his plate in the sink and hiding out in his room. The bleeping of video games could instantly be heard behind his shut door.

“That brat! Are you sure one of us isn't adopted?” Serina grumbled, inhaling her pancakes out of habit, even though she was too busy thinking to really have an appetite this morning.

“I'm done, Auntie Ilene! That was GOOD! I love pancakes!” Rini sang out, carefully hopping from her chair and taking care of her plate like a good little girl.

“Why thank you, dear.” Ilene Tsukino smiled and Rini grinned back before turning and bounding up the stairs.

Serina watched her go, faintly smiling with- pride? `Oh well, she's cute. Guess she can't help it.' Serina looked down as Luna brushed up against her leg, glancing up the stairs to indicate she was following Rini and would wait for her in her room. Serina nodded her assent and quickly finished off her pancakes as Luna disappeared upstairs.

“Thanks, Mom. Good stuff!” Serina called as she snagged a few pieces of bacon and took off after her cat. With an exasperated sigh, Ilene picked up her daughter's plate and put in the sink with the others.

“Wish that girl would learn some responsibility.” But she knew her daughter was having a hard time ever since her break up with her boyfriend among her other troubles. She cried almost every night . . .