Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Looking Up To You ❯ Of Gold And Darkness ( Chapter 12 )

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the characters, blah, blah, blah.

NOTE: This story takes place after Sailor Stars, however, I haven't seen Sailor Stars, so forgive me if I miss a plot point or two. Also, I'm gonna go for American attack names here… *begs forgiveness from the purists*

---

That night, Sammy was sitting in his room, playing Spoils of War IV on his computer.

"And now… move this unit here… yes!" Sammy said triumphantly, having destroyed his opponent's infantry with a blast from one of his tanks. "I am SO gonna win."

Suddenly, there was a knock on Sammy's door.

"Sammy?" said Serena's soft voice from outside the room. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, Serena," Sammy said, walking over to the door and letting his sister in. "What's up?"

"We need to talk," Serena said.

"Uh oh," Sammy thought. "Does she know that I'm the Masked Warrior? She can't know!"

"Today, this really cool guy came and helped us fight Letine!" Serena said.

"Wow," Sammy said. "Man, I can't believe I missed it!"

"Anyway, I know there's no way this dude could be you, because he is really cool and you're… you're you," Serena said. "But I just wanted to ask you, you know…"

"If I'm the Masked Warrior?" Sammy asked. "He sounds pretty cool, I wish I was him, but-"

"Because I know how you really want to protect us, and-"

"Don't worry," Sammy said. "I've been playing my video game all day."

Sammy frowned. He hated to lie to his sister like that, but it had to be done.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Serena said. "Well, anyway, maybe I can get a picture of the Masked Warrior next time! If I do, I'll show it to you! He's really cool!"

Serena ran out of Sammy's room and closed the door.

"That was close," Sammy said. "My disguise was better than I thought!"

Just then, Sammy's phone rang.

"It must be Rick," Sammy said, walking over and picking up the phone. "Hello?"

"Sammy?" the voice on the phone said. "It's me, Ami."

"Ami!" Sammy said in a slightly excited tone. "I wasn't expecting your call!"

"Sammy, I know you're the Masked Warrior," Ami said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sammy said. "I was here all-"

"Sammy, please," Ami said. "Just tell me if you are or are not him."

"Ami, I can't lie to you," Sammy sighed. "I'm the Masked Warrior. I know you don't want me to get hurt, but-"

"Why did you go off and do something dangerous like that?" Ami yelled. "You could have been killed!"

"Ami, you saw me out there today!" Sammy said. "I kicked Letine's butt!"

"Sammy, that's not the point," Ami said. "Like I said, you could have been killed! Being a… a superhero, and that's really not the right name for it because that name comes from the stereotype presented in comic books, is not all it's cracked up to be!"

"It's really dangerous, I know!" Sammy said. "If you couldn't beat Letine, and I could, then you're the one endangering yourself out there! Not me!"

"Sammy, you got really lucky!" Ami said. "Letine wasn't expecting you to be all that powerful, and she let her guard down! She won't make that kind of mistake again!"

"Ami, I don't understand!" Sammy protested.

"Sammy, you have to promise me that you won't go out as the Masked Warrior anymore," Ami said.

"But I was just-"

"Promise me, Sammy," Ami said.

"Ami, you're about to cry," Sammy said, noticing Ami's voice was becoming sadder and sadder.

"I don't want to see you get killed," Ami said. "Promise me!"

"Okay, Ami," Sammy said dejectedly. "I promise I won't go out as the Masked Warrior again…"

"Thank you, Sammy," Ami said in a relieved tone. "I'm sorry I had to do that, but it's for your own good."

"Goodbye, Ami," Sammy said sadly.

"Goodbye, Sammy," Ami said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's your date with Greg, isn't it?" Sammy asked.

"Yes, it is," Ami said. "But that won't be until 8 that night. Maybe you and I could go out for some ice cream tomorrow afternoon! Just you and me, okay?"

"Thank you, Ami," Sammy said. "I'll look forward to it…"

Sammy gently set the phone down on its receiver.

"Ami…" Sammy sighed. "I just wanted to protect you…"

---

Ami set her phone down on its receiver. She put her head in her hands and began crying.

"I was too harsh with him," Ami sobbed. "He's just a kid!"

Ami sniffled.

"That's what he thinks I think of him," Ami cried. "Oh, Sammy…"

---

Meanwhile, in Scion's private chambers in the dark castle…

"A mere child defeated you?" Scion yelled. "How could that be?"

"Master, I don't know if he was a kid or not!" Letine protested, wrapping one of her knees with a thick bandage. "He was just short. And I underestimated him! I'll get him next time!"

"I'm sending another soldier tomorrow to find out the identity of this… what was his name again?" Scion asked.

"The Masked Warrior," Letine said. "It's a really stupid name! I want to kill him!"

"When I find out the Masked Warrior's true identity, as well as the identity of the other Sailor Senshi, I will destroy them myself," Scion said. "For now, you are to remain here and heal. I can't have you getting hurt again."

"It's not my fault!" Letine protested.

"Either way, it won't matter," Scion said. "Ninjetti is set to arrive in three days. He's more powerful than all of the Senshi combined, and he will destroy them. Your role in this matter is finished. Go back to crying at Alexis' side. It won't do him any good."

Letine sighed and walked out of the room.

"I know you'll get better soon, Alexis," Letine thought. "And then we'll destroy the Senshi… together!"

---

The following afternoon, at the ice cream parlor…

"Sammy," Ami said, taking a small bite out of her strawberry ice cream cone, "I'm really sorry."

"Sorry about what?" Sammy asked.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you so much on the phone," Ami said. "I don't normally yell like that…"

"I deserved it," Sammy said. "I was reckless and foolish charging into battle like that, and-"

"You're not reckless and foolish!" Ami said. "You just… care. Maybe a bit too much, but…"

Ami smiled.

"Let's not think about it, okay?" Ami said. "You know, I really like your costume. Where'd you get it?"

"A costume shop," Sammy said. "It cost me almost 15,000 yen to buy… I guess I don't need it now, since you won't let me be the Masked Warrior anymore…"

"Remember, you promised," Ami said. "I don't like holding someone to a promise like this, but…"

"You're going out with Greg tonight, right?" Sammy asked. "What are you guys gonna do?"

"We're going to go to dinner at a fancy restaurant," Ami said. "Greg agreed to pay for half. I would have paid it all, but he insisted…"

"You're a really nice and giving person, Ami," Sammy said. "I bet all the boys like you!"

Ami blushed.

"Oh, no, not really…" Ami said. "They wouldn't go for me… I'm a total super-nerd, you know?"

"Don't beat yourself up like that!" Sammy said. "You're the smartest and nicest person I know! You're perfect…"

"That's a lovely thing to say, Sammy!" Ami said, blushing again. "I guess I've been asked out a few times… but I think it's best to wait until I find the right person."

"You told me once that you wanted to wait until it felt right," Sammy said. "Is Greg… is he… you know, the right person?"

"Well-" Ami began. "You see-"

Suddenly, there was a loud shattering noise as the window next to Sammy and Ami's table burst into pieces. Sammy jumped over the table and in front of Ami to shield her from the flying glass.

"Sammy!" Ami shouted as the shards of glass hit Sammy. "Are you alright?"

"Go transform!" Sammy whispered, blood running down his face from several cuts made by the flying glass. "Do it now!"

"But-"

"Go!"

"Right!" Ami said, running into the girls' bathroom. Sammy slowly backed away from the creature that had shattered the glass.

"What are you?" Sammy yelled.

The creature was a large, golden monster that was golem-like in appearance. Its chest and head consisted of square and rectangular cubes, and its legs and arms were large and powerful looking.

"Bwahaha!" the golem creature laughed. "Where are the Sailor Senshi?"

"Well, you see," Sammy stuttered, "the thing about that is that-"

"Right here!" Sailor Mercury yelled. She was standing behind Sammy and pointing at the golem creature. "I am Sailor Mercury, and I shall punish you in the name of Mercury!"

"Only one of them?" the golem creature said. "Well, it should be easy to destroy you!"

The golem swung one of its powerful arms, knocking Sammy across the room.

"Argh!" Sammy yelled as his back slammed into the wall. "That hurt…"

"Hey, how dare you hurt him like that!" Mercury yelled. "You'll pay! Shine… Aqua… Illusion!"

Mercury spun around and fired a powerful wave of water at the golem. The water splashed over the golem, doing no damage whatsoever.

"Is that all?" the golem bellowed. "Now feel my power!"

The golem ran at Mercury and grabbed her around the neck with its powerful arm. Mercury screamed as the golem began to squeeze around her neck, cutting off her air supply.

"Ami, no…" Sammy groaned.

"Bwahaha!" the golem laughed, squeezing Sailor Mercury's neck even harder.

"Sammy…" Mercury gasped. "Get out of here…"

"Ami's being hurt again! I can't let that monster kill her… but she made me promise not to become the Masked Warrior again! What am I gonna do?" Sammy thought.

"I'm gone!" Sammy yelled, running out the door.

"He wouldn't just leave like that," Mercury thought. "Unless… oh no! He promised!"

---

Sammy ran behind the ice cream parlor and looked back and forth to make sure no one was around.

"Coast's clear," Sammy said. "All right!"

Sammy took off his shirt and jeans, revealing his Masked Warrior costume underneath, sword and all. He reached down inside the pocket in his blue jeans and took out his mask, which he then put on.

"Good thing I wore this underneath my clothes!" Sammy said. "Always be prepared!"

Sammy unsheathed his sword and ran toward the front entrance to the ice cream parlor.

---

Meanwhile, inside the parlor, the golden golem was continuing to choke Sailor Mercury.

"Bwahaha!" the golem laughed. "Getting hard to breathe, isn't it?"

Sailor Mercury gasped for air.

"Can't breathe…" Mercury choked. "Can't…"

"Put her down!" yelled a voice from the entrance to the ice cream parlor. The golem turned around.

"What the heck?" the golem said. "Who are you?"

Sammy, dressed in his Masked Warrior garb, smiled and pointed his sword at the golem.

"I am the guardian of truth and the defender of the beautiful princess of Mercury! I am the ultimate enemy to the forces of evil!" Sammy declared. "I am the Masked Warrior, and you will feel my wrath!"

"No…" Mercury said weakly. "You promised…"

Sailor Mercury passed out. The golem dropped her on the ground like a rag doll.

"For treating Sailor Mercury like that, I shall cut you to pieces," Sammy said angrily.

"Well, Masked Warrior, I've heard much about you! You're the annoying little midget who defeated Letine! I'll admit, you're much bigger in person than Letine said you were, but that makes no difference! I'll still crush your bones to make my bread!" the golem shouted. He began to charge Sammy.

"Oh, how original," Sammy said, running at the golem. Sammy swung his sword around and struck the golem right in the chest. The sword made a clanking noise as it slammed into the metallic monster and had no effect.

"Aw, too bad," the golem said. "Now it's my turn!"

The golem reared back its powerful fist and struck Sammy right in the chest. Sammy flew back into the wall, screaming as he collided with it.

"Darn it," Sammy said, slowly climbing to his feet. "You got such a lucky shot!"

"Take this!" the golem yelled, charging at Sammy. The golem through another punch, but Sammy rolled to the side, barely managing to dodge it. Sailor Mercury slowly began to stir on the floor.

"You're big, but the bigger they are, the harder they fall!" Sammy shouted, stabbing at the golem's throat with his sword. Another clanging noise, and Sammy's stab had no effect.

"Unnh…" Sailor Mercury moaned, climbing to her feet. "I have to help Sammy… somehow…"

Sailor Mercury pressed her earring, causing the VR Goggles to appear over her eyes. She pressed her earring again and began to scan the golem for weaknesses.

"Well, kid, it was a good fight," the golem said. "But now, it's time to die!"

The golem reared back its fist and prepared to strike Sammy.

"Oh no," Sammy thought, shutting his eyes and waiting for the end to come.

"Masked Warrior!" Mercury shouted. "Aim for his right heel!"

"What?" Sammy shouted. "Alright!"

Without hesitating, Sammy rolled under the golem's legs and drew his sword back. Then, he stabbed down into the golem's right heel with all of his might.

"ARGH!" the golem screamed. Beams of light began to pour out from its body. Unseen to Ami and Sammy, a dark mist floated out of its body as well. The golem lit up with a bright flash, and then evaporated into nothingness. Sammy and Sailor Mercury breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Ami…" Sammy said, turning to his friend. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine…" Mercury said, rubbing her neck. "Sammy…"

"Ami, I'm so sorry!" Sammy said, turning away from Ami in shame. "I broke a promise to you… I'm so sorry… I understand if you never forgive me… I…"

Mercury gently turned Sammy around and looked straight into his eyes. A warm smile crossed her face.

"Sammy, thank you so much," Sailor Mercury said. "You saved my life… again."

"You saved my life too," Sammy said. A smile slowly began to cross his face as well. "We make a great team!"

The water Senshi giggled, then took off Sammy's mask and kissed him on the cheek.

"For saving my life," Mercury said.

Sammy put his hand on his cheek and felt the spot where Sailor Mercury had kissed him.

"Ami, thank you," Sammy said, putting his mask back on. "I…"

Just then, the other four Senshi ran through the door. Sailor Moon pointed her henshin stick out into the air.

"Okay, monster, I'm gonna punish you!" Sailor Moon declared.

"Uh, Moon," Sailor Mars said in an annoyed tone, "there's no monster here."

"Aw, we missed the buttkicking!" Sailor Jupiter said.

"But look who didn't miss it!" Sailor Venus said, pointing at Mercury and Sammy. "The Masked Warrior came!"

"Aw, Ami got to fight alongside the Masked Warrior and we didn't?" Sailor Moon said "That's no fair!"

"Maybe I shall fight tomorrow!" Sammy said, standing up. "I am sorry you missed me, girls. Better luck next time!"

Sammy hobbled past the Senshi and off into the distance.

"Well, fighting monsters is fun, but I have to get ready for my big date with Greg!" Sailor Mercury said. She detransformed and ran off.

"That's not fair," Venus said. "Masked Warrior, come back!"

---

Meanwhile, the black mist that had floated out of the golden golem was now floating upward. It floated into space and then into the dark castle that served as the headquarters for Scion's troops. It floated through the halls of the castle and into Letine's bedroom, where Letine was crouched next to her bed, which served as a hospital bed for the comatose Alexis.

"Alexis," Letine sighed. "When will you wake up?"

The dark mist hovered over Alexis, unseen by Letine.

---

Alexis, powerful soldier of the Darkspawn. The one who defeated you before has now taken on a new alias as the superhero known as the Masked Warrior. His strength is unimpressive, but he has luck on his side, as well as the water Senshi whom you know as Sailor Mercury. The boy harbors a deep love for her, no matter how much he tries to hide it. This boy knows the real identity of the Senshi of Water, and her name is Ami Mizuno, a 16-year-old schoolgirl from the Juuban district. She will be your key to victory. You want her as well. You know it. Now I command you to awaken, my soldier of darkness!

---

The dark mist floated out of the room. Alexis' eyes began to flutter.

"Alexis!" Letine said. "Are you-"

Alexis' eyes opened. He sat up and turned toward Letine.

"I shall have my revenge on the boy," Alexis said. "Are you willing to assist me?"

"Should I tell Scion you're awake?" Letine asked.

"He doesn't need to know," Alexis said. "At least not until we bring him the head of the boy."

Alexis stood up and smiled evilly.

---

Meanwhile, in Scion's private chambers…

"The golem was destroyed before I managed to get any information," Scion said. "Darn that Masked Warrior!"

The room darkened.

"I have already taken care of it," a dark voice boomed.

"Master?" Scion said. "Is that you? How did you-"

"You will have your dead Senshi soon enough," the dark voice said. "That's all you need to know."

The room grew lighter. Scion sat back down in his throne, puzzled.

"What was that all about?" Scion said to himself. "I guess I'll have to wait and find out…"

---

Uh-oh! Alexis knows Ami's secret, and Sammy's as well! But what is he planning with Letine? Evil is definitely afoot! Be sure to review and feed my hungry ego! *points* He needs food!