Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ Fallen Angel ( Chapter 4 )

[ A - All Readers ]

A word to the wise, dear friends: Mothers tend to know more than they
let on . . .
So this time, no cliffhanger but new developments and mysteries. What
exactly is Garnyt planning on doing? Will he succeed in his devious,
*cowardly* plot against Sailor Moon? Have Serina and the little spore
actually reached a truce? And was Rini's prediction of doom for Sailor Moon true?
Or more importantly, has Darien finally been forced to see reason
concerning Serina's destiny and her love and duty? Will he at long last
return to her and beg forgiveness? Will she take him back?
Our dearest Moon Princess survives off the love and trust of her friends.
In the next chapter, she will also learn how much faith must be held for
those that are special to her for them to have faith themselves. But will
that come in time to save *her*? See this royal deity's grace, joy, and
sacrifice in Chapter Four, "Fallen Angel."

Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Sci-fi / Suspense | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.12.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 332 | Status: Completed

Chapter 4

Fallen Angel

“Serina, call the girls for an emergency meeting in ten minutes at Rei's temple.”

“TEN MINUTES! What makes you think I can get ready in TEN MINUTES? They're probably not even up yet!” Serina whined, on her knees before the imperious cat sitting patiently on her bed.

“Then you'd better hurry.”

“Yeah, slow poke! Can I call the girls, Luna? I wanna use the communicator!” Rini popped up from behind the bed flashing Serina's watch communicator in her grubby hand.

“Hey, you little spore! How'd you get that!” Serina reached over the bed to grab it from the kid, but ended up sprawling herself out on her bed.

“You dropped it, Meatball head! I wanna call the meeting! You need to get dressed anyway! You're wasting time.” Rini stubbornly crossed her arms, out of reach of the older blonde.

The black guardian cat nodded in agreement with Rini. “Serina, get dressed, we are leaving as soon as you're ready.” Rini squealed in delight and Luna cut Serina off with a glare before she could inhale to protest.

“Fine.” Serina sighed and disappeared into the bathroom with her skirt and blouse of the day as Rini pressed various buttons on the communicator until a face appeared in the little screen.

“Hi, Ami! I get to tell you guys there's an emergency meeting at Rei's in ten minutes! Isn't that cool? Oh- can you tell Rei?” Rini giggled as she saw Ami's head slowly shake.

“Of course, Rini. Do you know what it's about?” She asked, concern barely showing through her stoic composure. `Why would they allow Rini make the call? Did something happen to incapacitate Serina?'

“Something important happened last night to Serina but no one knows what.” Rini continued in a cheerful tone then abruptly cut off the link. “Oops, wrong button.” She frowned then tossed the communicator on the bed and stomped up to the bathroom door. “Hey! Meatball head! It's my turn in there! Get out so I can get ready too!” A muffled shout replied and the door burst open a few moments later with Serina hurriedly pinning her hair up into her customary twin golden buns and trying to shuffle into her shoes at the same time.

Rini rushed past her, tripping her, and Serina toppled over again, stabbing herself with her comb and kicking her single shoe off. Her hair tousled out of it's carefully arranged style, still damp and wetly smacking her face.

“Ohh! Fine! Fine, FINE! I don't want to deal with it anyway!” Serina hurled the comb away and decided to leave her hair down to air dry. She slipped her shoes back on, standing up only to sit down in front of her vanity. She took up a brush and gently, though quickly, ran it through her hair. It wasn't often she left it down; it was too long. She'd forgotten how long it really was; a good length of her golden tresses actually laid on the ground as she sat, the natural curls at the ends brushed her ankles when she stood. She wondered idly if it was safe to leave it like that, picking up dirt as it grazed the ground. `But then again, I don't have time to anything else with it. Besides, it'll fluff out when it dries. I wonder if Darien would like it down, it's kind of impressive . . .'

“Rini! I'm leaving! See ya!” Serina unexpectedly stood, tossing her brush away, and pinning on her brooch as she went. `Too many heavy thoughts.' She shook her head to clear it of Darien, and received a heavy tug from her loose hair. It felt funny but somehow beautifully special.

She exited her room, Luna following, slightly surprised, and by the time Rini managed to stumble out of the bathroom, a frothy toothbrush sticking out of her mouth, the two were long gone.

__________________________

“Hope you know, we'll always be behind you, no matter what.”

A beautiful young girl, looking strangely familiar, showed up outside the Cherry Hill temple. Her sunlight hair cascaded in a glorious shower of shimmering golden silk, reaching as far down her lithe frame as to caress her slippered feet. Her wide, summer blue eyes, framed by flaxen curls, held an awe-inspiring ageless life. The starry sparkle of hope in them was nearly drowned by a frightened wisdom that only comes from knowing too much. Had she a feathery pair of wings, she would have been easily mistaken for a lost angel. Instead, her pleated white skirt and pressed pink blouse and an unmistakable black cat betrayed her presence to be someone everyone knew though few had ever seen her looking as gorgeous and innocent as a princess.

Serina and Luna appeared a mere fifteen minutes late to the Scout meeting Rini had called in, miraculously managing not to trip or run into anyone along the way. In fact, most people had made way for the girl, not recognizing her but knowing she was in a hurry and politely respecting that need. Serina never noticed the stares as she jogged, not running full speed; it didn't seem proper when she felt she looked nice, almost as royal as she was supposed to be. But she also realized she was still going to be totally late!

Four girls, chattering quietly on the temple steps, glanced up at the stranger. Chad, who had been dutifully sweeping away leaves, dropped his broom and his tongue when he caught sight of the moon child. The clattering received a glare from Rei who blushed in sudden jealousy at Chad's reaction. She stood to see what the offensive beauty wanted, shooting her an unfriendly glare that was received by anxious sky blue eyes.

“Serina? Geez, I hardly recognized you!” Rei's breath caught as she approached her friend, wondering what on earth was wrong and why she didn't wear her hair down more often if it looked so good.

“Serina?” The three other Scouts followed Rei to Serina's side, alerted to the apprehension in her stance that something was wrong. “What's up, Serina? What's with the earlier-than-usual meeting?” Lita asked calmly, as Rei led the group inside to the fire reading room.

“Actually, I don't know. Luna thought maybe you guys might.” Serina stated ambiguously, taking a seat beside Rei. The girls looked confused, glancing between themselves, Luna, and their frightened princess.

“You need to give us a little more than that, Serina.” Rei snapped, though gently. She carefully placed an arm over Serina's slight shoulders. She looked up and forced a grateful smile. Rei released her and moved closer to the fire. A reading seemed to be needed for this one. Serina had gotten herself into something really stupid this time.

“Last night, Serina was having a terrible nightmare. It woke both Rini and I up but when Serina woke, it was as if she were in a panicked trance. She grabbed the Silver Crystal and sat before her window. A bright light left the crystal and for nearly two full minutes she didn't move or even breath. When she snapped out of it, Serina collapsed and didn't wake until this morning, unable to recall anything from the previous night. That is why we were wondering if you girls had noticed anything unusual last night, something to do with the Silver Crystal perhaps?” As Luna calmly described the scene Serina had unwittingly played out, her fearful eyes filled again with tears. She hated the idea that she was doing things in the middle of the night that she couldn't remember! What if the Dark Moon had found a way to control her through her dreams? What if they made her do terrible things with the Silver Crystal in her sleep? What if they made her hurt her friends?

Serina's heart stopped at the thought that immediately followed that one, the flashing image of a sleeping Rini in her arms from that same morning, caught her breath. Serina felt faint as her head burned and her hands turned to ice. `What if they make me hurt Rini?'

“Serina? Hey, girl, snap out of it.” Mina called, squeezing her friend's shoulder. Serina unexpectedly burst into tears, reaching out for the closest friend, which turned out to be Mina. She sobbed on her shoulder, barely managing to communicate her fears to the concerned group.

“What if they make me hurt you guys? Don't let them make me, kill me first. Please, I don't want to hurt you guys, I'd rather die!” Mina stroked Serina's hair, trying to comfort her friend. Mina's uneasy eyes searched Lita, Rei, and Ami's faces for anything. She met blank stares.

The girls gathered around, offering solace and consolation as best they could. This must be one of Serina's greatest fears; to be used against the people she held dearest. She'd rarely reacted so vehemently to a threat and she'd NEVER asked them to take her life. She'd never been so seriously desperate before.

“Don't worry, Serina, we won't ever let that happen! They'll have to get through us first! We all take care of each other!” Rei exclaimed, and Serina finally looked up at her defiant violet eyes, almost reassured. She sniffed slightly then turned away at the sound of a soft beeping.

Ami sat back, her Mercury palmtop computer chirping cheerfully. She looked up with a smile of satisfied relief and reported her findings to the perplexed group. “I scanned Serina for any residual traces of dark energy.” She faced the girl in question directly, her bright smile banished Serina's doubts. “Serina, you have never been touched in any way by dark energy. You're perfectly yourself and under your own complete control. Whatever you did last night, it was of your own volition.”

Serina wasn't sure she should sigh in relief or whine again because she still didn't have a clue as to what she did with the crystal last night.

The whining won.

“But, Ami, I still don't know what happened! How am I supposed to sleep tonight? How am I supposed to figure out whatever it is I did with that crystal wish? Why was I in a trance? And, while I'm at it, I'm hungry, tired, and why did you guys forget my birthday?”

The girls were taken by surprise by the sudden rush of concerns and questions; at once relieved to hear the normal annoying stream of complaints then quickly wishing they would stop. Ami and Lita chuckled as Serina paused to take a breath. The last accusation made even Rei smile, and the four barely managed to cover themselves, realizing Serina had hoped to catch them off-guard.

“What on earth are you talking about, Serina? Rini's birthday is the only one coming up that I know of. Darien's is in August and Ami's in September.” Mina innocently replied, smiling covertly. She was glad her friend back to normal. It'd been a little tense and more than a little awkward for a moment there.

“Oh, come on, you guys know my birthday's the same day as Rini's! You guys gotta know that, you're my best friends!” Serina pleaded, almost giving up hope on Garry's theory that they had been faking as their completely blank faces returned her gaze.

“Really? Gee, Serina, I didn't know! You should have said something! It's Thursday all ready, we don't have enough time to properly go out shopping for you now. Were you even planning on inviting us to your party?” Lita carried on, acting insulted that she hadn't been invited or even informed.

“Well, actually-“ Serina began, she hadn't expected that reaction. She'd left her day open, her parents had been planning a small family dinner as a double birthday party for both her and Rini. “I didn't have any plans . . .”

“That's a surprise, I'd have thought Meatball head would make a big deal about getting presents and cake. I'm surprised you weren't just blabbing to everyone about it, Serina.” Rei retorted, easily falling into the game.

“Well, I thought everyone knew! I guess I can't trust you guys to remember something important to me-“

“Hey, guys! We've got trouble!” Ami suddenly interrupted the rapid disintegration of civil conversation with a warning. “A Nega-Moon droid just appeared outside of Tokyo General. We've got to go!” The girls snapped to attention, and without Luna's reminder, instantly transformed, wasting no time heading out to where the droid was attacking helpless innocents.

Sailor Mercury was particularly piqued into action. Her mother was currently on duty at the hospital.

__________________________

Thanks to his brother's arrogance, Garnyt had some warning before Rubeus's droid began it's attack on Tokyo's hospital. The fool had come to gloat. He thought it was exceptionally dishonorable of an officer, even his pathetic brother, to assault a house of healing, full of invalids, weak elders, and children. He'd said as much to Rubeus's face but the coward had merely laughed off Garnyt's `sense of honor'.

Garnyt arrived at the battle scene, sorely tempted to foil his brother's disgraceful siege but his knowledge of the Dark Moon's need to capture crystal points and his not wishing to bring the wrath of his lord prince down on himself, Garnyt held back. He hid in the shadows of the hospital, awaiting the perpetually punctual Sailor Scouts. His personal assault would have to be quick; the superheroine had successfully avoided his first spear attack due to the timely intervention of Tuxedo Mask. Garnyt had to make his attack before the girl's protector arrived. With luck, no one would even notice she'd been infected until he was long gone. A small incision was all that was required but better safe than sorry, he still had to keep up appearances with his brother.

Garnyt silently watched the droid before him, mercilessly stealing energy from beings that couldn't fight back. `Dishonorable.' Even as he thought it, he felt like a hypocrite. Here he was, a man of honor, loyal to only his crown prince, lying in wait in shadows for a young girl to surprise and poison. A coward's fight. He decided to give Sailor Moon a chance; he certainly wouldn't strike her from behind. He would strike, and win, but she would have the chance to defend herself.

Just as he decided this, the five Scouts in question appeared on the battle field. The young women had quickly drawn the droid out to the open grass outside the hospital to more easily fight. Being the simple-minded droid Rubeus always used, their taunts and weak distractions provoked the `nurse' to follow them from it's shelter.

“Hey, nega-trash! How dare you attack innocent sick people! I am Sailor Moon, and I fight for love and justice! In the name of the moon, I'll punish you for hurting these doctors and their patients!” Sailor Moon shouted her introductory speech, one she never failed to deliver in all the attacks Garnyt had studied. A waste of time and risky warning to the enemy.

The Sailor Scout of Fire, a girl with black hair and a fiery touch, launched several discs of fire towards the demon, forcing it's attention to the new threat rather than the fallen people at it's feet.

The creature roared, and aimed it's own scalpels at the Sailor suited nuisances. Garnyt observed the fight with cold detachment as several scalpels easily, though superficially, sliced through the orange Scout's skirt and leg as she pushed Sailor Mars out of the way. Sailor Jupiter jumped into the battle hurling a ball of lightning at the hospital droid, electrocuting the half-metal creature. The pony-tailed Scout rolled out of the way of a sticky gauze attack, regaining her feet in time to knock a few more small knives from the air.

“Mercury!” Sailor Moon called without even looking away from where her friends were desperately dodging the small knives. Sailor Mercury nodded understanding to her leader's command as Sailor Moon raced forward, brandishing her scepter as she stood before her Scouts as if to guard them from further attack.

“Mercury Bubbles Blast!” The area surrounding the hospital instantly misted over; an icy fog too thick to see through, allowed the five Scouts to escape the immediate retaliation of Rubeus's droid. Garnyt applauded the moonlight warrior and the shortest of the Scouts' quick-thinking defensive action, in their own battle as well as his.

Her vaporous cover allowed him to sneak up closer to the unsuspecting Sailor Moon. As the fog began to lift, he could see her indistinct figure gesturing to shadows, standing directly before him. Her comrades had fanned out again, both Venus and Mars limping slightly, into a well-practiced surround-and-overwhelm maneuver, using Sailor Mercury's smoke screen to hide their actions just as he had.

“Sailor Moon! Turn and fight!” Garnyt shouted from her left side. Caught off-guard, the girl turned her head to the unexpected sound, too surprised to react quickly enough to dodge the red, poison-tipped crystals that Garnyt launched at her once she'd turned to fully face him. Sailor Moon threw her arms up to protect her chest and face, quickly dropping to the ground in an effort to evade the attack. Two of the five spears grazed her forearms, a third actually impaling itself in her shoulder as she fell.

As Garnyt reflexively fell back into the shadows; he heard the troublesome girl's scream of pain fade to a whimper, her companions echoing a cry of surprise. For a second, her shocked, wide blue eyes caught his and for that moment he couldn't look away. The hurt and betrayal in her eyes held him fast with their familiarity- As if . . . As if she knew him.

Garnyt shook off that thought, turning away from the Scouts quickly. He managed to attack and disappear without needing to deal with the other four Scouts' counterstrikes. His mission was accomplished. The girl was drugged. Soon the affects would reveal themselves and he would have Sailor Moon, weakened in her civilian form, for his prince, and kept alive for his love, Serina.

`A coward's fight. Forgive me, Serina, for causing pain to your friend and disgracefully at that.'