Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Destiny ❯ Chapter 3

As Neflite walked out to his car, he noticed that the sun had already set, and still his angel had yet to return. He remembered the look on her face right before she had punched him…and the one after. She had been terrified both times, but the difference was what the terror was from. The first time had been from him, she had been scared of him. But the second, she was scared of herself. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He would definitely have his work cut out for him if he wanted to win her heart. His anger rose as he thought of the nameless cur who had done this to her. If she hadn't killed him, Nef would have. There was that too, the fact that she had killed, that she had the ability to take another's life. Granted she had done it in anger and had horrified everyone including herself, but she still had it in her. Maybe…just maybe that was what would lead her to him. He smiled to himself and climbed into his car. The motor roared as he sped out of the parking lot. Dark thunderhead clouds had begun to roll in.

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Makoto stayed in her sanctuary for hours. Nobody, not even the other Senshi knew about this place. She sat against the willow tree with her knees pulled up to her chest. She had done it again…she had hurt someone that she…what? Cared about? Did she care for Neflite? He had stirred up feelings in her with his soulful eyes and husky voice. She liked his voice, she could easily imagine him coming up behind her and whispering in her ear with that voice. She closed her eyes and remembered the moments before disaster had stuck. She had been nervous, yes, but also…happy? Makoto recognized something in Neflite, a kindred spirit. He too had demons. She was surprised to find that she wanted to know about his demons, to maybe even help him. She smiled to herself and thought, I have a crush on Neflite. How refreshing. She hadn't had a crush in years. The others used to teased her constantly about her tendency to crush on just about every guy she met, saying that they all reminded her of her old boyfriend, another smile. Neflite though, he was different. She wasn't sure how, but there was no way to ever compare him to her old boyfriend, ever. A crash of thunder broke her from her reverie. A sobering thought replaced the happy ones. She had hurt Neflite, badly. Would he ever forgive her? Should he? Maybe it was better this way, he wouldn't get hurt and she wouldn't have to live through another torment. Yes, it was better if she never saw him again, and she would tell Usagi about her decision and that would be that. Usagi wouldn't go against Makoto's wishes about being left alone, she would bug her to death about it, but she wouldn't actually interfere. Makoto sighed and stood up. Time to get back, ever one should have cleared out of there by now, she thought. The rain started as she left the cover of the tree branches.

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Somewhere in a parallel dimension, a giant figure spoke to one of her minions.

"Is everything proceeding as planned?"

"Yes your majesty. But…"

The glowing eyes glared at the lowly warrior. "What is it? Spit it out."

"The Tri-Prince your majesty, he's seen the gem. He wants it for himself."

The dark figure shifted, "Does he stand a chance of obtaining it?"

"Possibly my queen."

"And the Sailor Senshi?"

"They are getting farther away from it even as we speak. It is pushing away all who dare get near it."

A low cackle filled the room, the figure showed sparkling white razors that passed as a toothy grin for her. "Excellent. The gem is powerful enough to send even the Senshi to the corner. They won't know what hit them till it's too late. The Tri Prince will be dealt with as well as the Sailor Senshi. My time is near and the gem will make my victory all the sweeter. Send the sandmen to collect everyone. That means the Quadrant Princes and the Senshi."

The warrior bowed, "Yes you majesty" and then left the queen to her ponderings.

"The time is near. Once the lightning strikes the reformed gem, I will be indestructible and finally be the ruler of the solar system." Through the portal to the other realm, the queen smiled evilly as she watched the rain steadily fall.

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Makoto reached her apartment near midnight. She had taken her time getting back, not wanting to face any lingering guests. The rain was coming down in torrents now and she was soaked to the bone. She was almost to the stairway when she heard the squeal of tires racing into the parking lot. The door flew open and a figure ran out and towards the stairway.

"MAKOTO! Don't move!"

"Neflite?" Her heart started to get all fluttery. "What's goi-"

He cut her off by covering her mouth with his palm and pulled her underneath the stairwell. She shoved him away angrily. "What do you think you are doing?!"

"Shhhhhh…stay silent and listen carefully," Neff whispered, "I was talking to Zoi on the phone when all of a sudden I hear odd noises in the background, a cry from Zoi and then the phone went dead. I went over to first Zoi's then Kunzite's place. Both houses had been broken into and the occupants were gone. There were signs of a struggle at each scene. I raced over here because I think Mamoru and Usagi might be next, then you."

"You mean Ami-chan and Minako are gone too? What about Rei? And Jadeite? Are they ok? Do you know?"

"No, I don't know about them…Wait, look!" He pointed to the roof of the apartments. A misshapen lump was moving across it. Another one followed with a strange bundle on its back, "Doesn't that bundle look a lot like several people all squished together?" asked Makoto. A scream was heard from Usagi and Mamoru's apartment. "Usagi!!" Makoto ran up the stair two at a time with Neflite close behind her. The door was blown to smithereens and a creature made of sand was pointing a gun at Usagi and Mamoru.

"Earth Power!"

"Moon Eternal Power, Make UP!"

A flash of light revealed Usagi replaced with Sailor Moon and Mamoru with Tuxedo Kamen. "How dare you intrude on a lover's domain. I am Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice. In the name of the moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil. And that means YOU!"

Makoto slapped her forehead and thought, why does she always say that stupid speech?! "My turn now." Neflite, who had his mouth wide open in shock turned slowly to Makoto and watched in amazement as she pulled a green star shaped crystal from her pocket. "Jupiter Crystal Power, Make UP!"

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Neflite had broken all the speed limits to get back to the Oak Apartments. He had to get to his Mako-ko, he just had to. Something had happened to Zoicite and Ami. Something very bad by the looks of their house. The same thing had happened to Kunzite and Minako. Their house was just as trashed. Sand was everywhere in both places, meaning that whatever had happened to them had been done by the same people. It might also mean that Makoto was in danger as well. Mamoru and Usagi too… He could hear the squeal of the tires as he skidded to a stop. A figure was starting to head up the stairs.

"MAKOTO!" he yelled as he ran to her side. "Don't move!" He was terrified that she would be taken away if she did.

Her face showed her confusion, "Neflite, What's goi-"

He snapped his had over her mouth and pulled her under the stairwell, just touching her made his skin tingle with excitement. He was a little put off when she pushed him away and said angrily, "What do you think you are doing?!"

He had no choice but to tell her. "Shhhhhh…stay silent and listen carefully," he whispered, "I was talking to Zoi on the phone when all of a sudden I hear odd noises in the background, a cry from Zoi and then the phone went dead. I went over to first Zoi's then Kunzite's place. Both houses had been broken into and the occupants were gone. There were signs of a struggle at each scene. I raced over here because I think Mamoru and Usagi might be next, then you."

Her eyes went wide, "You mean Ami-chan and Minako are gone too? What about Rei? And Jadeite? Are they ok? Do you know?" He wondered if she knew that she chewed on her lower lip when she was worried.

"No, I don't know about them…Wait, look!" On the roof where two figures, they reminded him of that assistant in Frankenstein. One of them had something on its back…

"Doesn't that bundle look a lot like several people all squished together?" he heard his angel ask. He had to agree with her, there was an arm and a leg sticking out. A scream came from above. "Usagi!" Makoto cried out before running up the stairs. Neff had a hard time keeping up with her; it was like she was lightning or something. He saw the door of the apartment, or rather the lack of one. Whatever was left of the door was no where to be seen. Then he saw it, a thing that looked to be in the shape of a man, and it was made out of SAND?? What the hell is going on here, Neflite thought to himself. The thing was holding a gun, pointing at Mamoru and Usagi. Protective feelings rose inside of Neflite, feelings that he should be protecting Mamoru. And then something happened, if he hadn't already felt like this was one weird dream already, this would have clinched it. Both Usagi and Mamoru lifted their hands into the air and yelled some words that sounded like, "Rose Power" and "Moon Eternal Power Make Up". Then a flash of light surrounded them, leaving only the legends of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. Neflite's jaw dropped and he couldn't close it. Sailor Moon was saying something but Neff's mind was unable to comprehend it. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Makoto slap her forehead, as if she was used to this sort of hallucination. Then he heard his angel say something that he heard loud and clear. "My turn now," she lifted a crystal up into the air and said, "Jupiter Crystal Power, Make UP!" His angel was encased in lightning and for a split second he could make out her naked form. Whoa, he thought, at least this nightmare has some perks. The lightning subsided and next to him now stood Sailor Jupiter, her fuku fitting her very nicely. The short skirt showed him a lot of leg and…a scar, running up the length of her left leg. She looked so regal, like a true archangel. A small delicate chain encircled her neck and held up a ring. A great pain went through Neflite's head and a memory of…his prince…and his friends…and a princess with her guardians. The pain left him and he saw Makoto, now Sailor Jupiter fighting with on of the sand people. No matter how many times she got a shot in, the sand would slide away and reform itself. Tuxedo Kamen was fighting the second sand thing with similar results. Sailor Moon was freeing the captives, revealing the four missing people plus Rei and Jadite.

"Neflite!" Ami was awake and talking to him, but why? "Quickly find some lighter fluid." He hesitated, not sure of what she was asking, "Hurry!!" He took one look in Sailor Jupiter's direction before running to the kitchen. He went through seven cabinets before he found the lighter fluid. He ran back to the front room with it and looked to Ami for directions. The others where still unconscious. "Now, spray the fluid onto both of the creatures." He did so, getting hit in the face for his efforts, drenching both things as much as he could. Ami's next direction was to Sailor Jupiter. "Jupiter hit those things with a bolt!"

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The fight wasn't going well. Sailor Moon had managed to retrieve and free their friends, but neither she nor Tuxedo Kamen were having much luck. The damn things kept shifting their sand bodies, absorbing or dodging the blows. Ami was yelling something to Neflite, who then ran out of the room, but returned with a large can of lighter fluid. He sprayed the stuff on the sand men and was knocked away. But why did he do that? Ami answered her question when she yelled out, "Jupiter hit those things with a bolt!"

Jupiter formed a ball of electricity in her palms and threw two bolts, one to each of the enemies. "Spark Ring White Hot Pressure!" The two enemies ignited in flames.

"Moon Healing Activation!!" The flames were extinguished, revealing two glass figures.

"When sand is heated to be hot enough, it turns into glass," explained Ami. Jupiter, Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon detransformed. Makoto held herself, feeling that heaviness she always experienced whenever her transformation left her. "Makoto…" She turned and found herself falling into Neflite's arms. He was so warm, his touch so soothing. "Makoto, don't worry, I have you." With that she fell into unconsciousness, feeling protected.