Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ No Time Like the Past ❯ Chameleon ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

NO TIME LIKE THE PAST

Chapter 5 (Chameleon)

"Oh yes... it doesn't end there. A true opponent finds new ways to fight and changes with the battle just as the path of the river of time itself. The nature of chaos is spontaneity... never underestimate it. Nor shall the wise man underestimate order, for order in its purest form... is deathly silence."

PROLOGUE:
It must have been heaven that he saw for before him stood a radiant angel. Her regal white dress, trimmed with gold, blew lightly with the stirring of the air. So delicate, almost as if she were wrapped in a cloud. It appeared as if it were merely an extension of her soul, she was the sky itself made flesh. The succulent orbs of her eyes bore the delicate blue hue of the roof of the world. Light gleamed from her beautiful shimmering hair as if the rising sun, captivated by her beauty, became a part of it. She sighed lightly and she turned to look into his eyes. Charmed by just one look... he began to reach for her but suddenly there was a loud explosion. Debris began to fall from all around and the princess's smile faded into pure melancholy. Darien awoke with a start from the nightmare and placed his hand to his forehead... wiping away the sweat.

He thought, "What does it mean? Every time I reach out for her... the same destruction occurs. I fear for Serena's safety... my princess, my love. Why can't I be close to her? I hurt her by pushing her away but if I do not heed my dreams warning I fear I will destroy her." Darien pushed the little hand off of his chest belonging to the mysterious little girl Rini and he walked to the bathroom... the moisture of the water from the sink as he splashed it against his face revitalized him. He looked over his shoulder back at the small girl sleeping in his bed. Her appearance was even more baffling. She had suddenly appeared to Serena demanding the Silver Imperium Crystal... how did she know? He also noticed that Rini and Serena were particularly jealous of his attention. He felt a strange attachment to her, he felt for her as he felt for Serena. Darien felt that it was his charge to protect this small child and his love Serena for as long as life surged through his body.

A small and desperate voice issued from the darkened bedroom, "Darieeeeeen.... I have to go to the bathrooooooom!" Darien smiled and spoke; "Sorry Rini, I didn't mean to hold it up." The little bunny rabbit of a girl rubbed the sleep out of her tiny eyes and giggled as she said, "You're as bad as meatball head! Except she usually takes it when everyone is trying to get ready to leave in the morning." Darien laughed and went back to bed... the door to the bathroom closed.

The rain began to fall outside of his Tokyo apartment and he thought to himself, "Suits the mood well in here." Suddenly, he heard swift but light footsteps outside in the hallway and the labored breathing of a voice that made his heart warm. "Please be home Darien... please," the voice panted. There was a knock at the door and Darien groaned in dread. "This is the 4th night in a row that she has been here... looking for some sign of our love. Why can't she see? Why can't I tell her? Why can't I be close to the woman I love? I don't want to hurt her but I must keep my heart distant to keep her safe." Darien slipped on his bedroom slippers and put on a bathrobe as he walked to the door.

Darien squinted and rubbed his eyes as the light from the hallway poured through the door of his apartment. Serena stood in the doorway... soaking wet with a pitiful look of depression on her face, the goddess of the sky wept and so did the natural world. She began to speak with a tone of false happiness, "Hi muffin. How... how are things here? Oh Darien I've missed you so much. You haven't been returning my calls. What's wrong?" Darien replied in a monotone voice, "Things are fine... do you realize what time it is Serena? You should be home... your parents are probably worried." Serena's face tightened and there was angst in her voice as she spoke, "I can't help it... I can't stay away from you Darien. I love you. I want... to be with you." As she spoke she moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around him. Darien remained silent as he held back the urge to cheer her up... make her happy as he always did in the past. Her body shuddered as he heard her begin to cry... she said, "I can't bear it... why have you been so cold lately Darien? I know you know what I'm talking about, what happened to what we had?" Darien replied, "Serena, you should go home now... you'll get sick if you stand around all dripping wet like that. This is exactly why we can't be together... you don't take the real world seriously. I need some space Serena... I must pursue my studies."

Serena pulled back and looked into the wells of Darien's eyes... those handsome dark eyes. He felt her hands reach inside of his robe and rub against his chest... she leaned towards him and inclined her head as she neared his lips with hers. Darien turned his head to avoid the sign of her affection and pushed her away, "Serena, I mean it... go home." At that point the bathroom door opened and Rini stepped out... tossing a curious glance at Serena. Serena spoke between sobs, "So... she's here, it's always her isn't it? You two have a great night! Goodbye Darien." Then for the fourth time that week... Serena ran back down to the street below and towards her home, leaving a trail of grievous tears. Darien's heart ached at what he had just done... he hated himself. He longed for the days when everything was so much simpler. He shook his head and closed the door.

The next morning everything went according to routine. Darien got dressed, ate his breakfast, and walked Rini to school before turning down the side street on the way to work. Thoughts of Serena and the dream continued to fill his thoughts but he brushed them aside as he approached a busy intersection. Above the drone of the traffic he suddenly heard a voice, "Greetings Darien." Darien turned to the source of the sound and saw a man in business dress with fiercely burning red and black hair. Darien replied, "Can I help you?" The man replied, "Yes... yes you can," and placed his hand to his forehead. Darien wobbled on his feet and walked towards the man saying, "What's happening to me?" The last thing that Darien saw before he lost consciousness was the man's cruel smile.



She felt that the chase would never end. It had been a continuous game of cat and mouse since she first encountered Tempest in the Arctic. He would show himself just long enough to cause a disturbance then play upon her feelings to gain his escape. Despite all of the unspeakable horror that he had attempted to wreak, Setsuna could not demolish her feelings for him. She felt that she would somehow reach him... help to overcome the force that was controlling him. "ARE YOU NOT SATISFIED? I HAVE DONE AS YOU COMMANDED.... I HAVE MURDERED THE WOMAN I LOVED, ALL IN THE NAME OF DUTY! RELEASE ME AS YOU PROMISED!" His angry shouts to an invisible master still haunted her dreams... he obviously is not a willing participant in his actions. He had more control over that cape than his life. "I will set you free my love... I swear it," she made a vow to the ocean she stood before.

Setsuna, Haruka, and Michiru had came to this point in history after they felt Tempest's unmistakable energy signature which only suggested his presence in the age... and no actual action yet. It had been at least two weeks maybe more, Setsuna could not remember honestly. She gazed out at the waves of the ocean as she gazed upon the rolling waves of the river of time hoping for some sign of him and she asked aloud, "What are you up to?" Nearby she heard the sounds of a violin; Michiru had not lost her touch after all this time. The music twisted into an image of him within her mind... his sad face against the night sky. The same face she saw that night in the park in which she now stood as he attempted to take her life... she rubbed the bruises on her throat. She walked towards the glade in which the sounds originated and watched quietly from a distance.

Michiru's true passion was in her music as it always had been; she swayed gracefully in and out of the moonlight inside of the small garden gazebo. The violin was her soul made tangible... it sang the melodies of her grace for the entire world. The look of passion upon her sweet face was only surpassed in intensity by the heat of battle. Footsteps could be heard slowly entering the glade and Michiru stopped playing, looking up at the newcomer. A smile spread over her face and she spoke, "Ah Haruka... you're back." Haruka approached the gazebo, her boyish good looks highlighted by the soft moonlight, and softly whispered, "How can one not approach the calling of a siren... don't stop Michiru. Hearing you play gives me warmth, it makes me feel alive, the blood of the past on these hands no longer in my mind." Michiru brushed the hair from her face and stared into Haruka's eyes and she spoke, "Does this give you... that same warmth?" Haruka smiled as Michiru brought her hands to her face and pulled her close... their lips softly meeting. Still embracing one another Haruka whispered, "That and more my love." Michiru giggled and she said aloud, "Then let us compose a symphony with our hearts. I don't need a violin to make you warm."

Setsuna turned and walked away from her partners in order to give them privacy for the night. Pangs of jealousy stung into her mind... they had something that she could never possibly have. When she finally found true love... it was with the enemy. The guardian of time is not expected to love... she is expected to protect. A guardian's heart must be made of ice... lest their duty be compromised. She said aloud as she opened the door to the dwelling of the outer senshi, "Damn it I cant! I can't ignore this cursed heart." It was a sleepless night for Setsuna again... she was waiting for him, for some sign.

Late that night there were sharp and frantic knocks at her door. Setsuna quickly pulled on her night coat and suddenly felt a drop in temperature... the hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up. There was a disturbance in time... a serious one. She swung the door open and found Michiru and Haruka there with worried looks on their faces. Michiru was holding her sacred talisman, the mirror of Neptune, and she spoke, "I saw a vision in the mirror... he has made a move, it was the prince's face I saw." Setsuna's eyes widened and then narrowed as she replied, "I don't sense any change in history, we aren't too late to stop him. At this point in history... Sailor Moon and the others are battling against the forces of Wiseman and the Dark Moon. Now more specifically Darien, our prince... he and Serena are having a turbulent time in their destined relationship. He is to keep his distance from her in order to keep her safe... but it all will pass eventually. Yet another factor is Rini, the small lady. You must not be seen by her... she has no idea about the outer senshi, with the exception of myself, as of yet or even the identity of Serena and Darien as her parents." Haruka and Michiru nodded and exchanged understanding glances with Setsuna and they said together, "Let's go."

Setsuna thought it wise not to transform but to remain in their mortal form until force was absolutely needed in order to maintain secrecy. She devised an around the clock vigilance of Darien's apartment to watch for any anomalies. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred for the first few nights of observation. Setsuna was growing weary of Tempest's hesitation... hesitation indicated detailed planning on his part. Darien walked out of his apartment every morning at nearly the exact time with Rini in tow on his way to work. As the fourth night of observation dawned, Michiru yawned and began to speak in hushed tones to Haruka, believing that Setsuna was out of hearing range.

Michiru said, "I am worried about Setsuna dearest... that night in the park she displayed so much weakness. Can we really count on her to succeed on this mission? Her feelings for that man will be the end of us in a battle." Haruka replied, "I know... I expected more from her. Since when did she...." Setsuna struck Haruka hard across the face...Haruka's face twisted into one of surprise and anger. Setsuna spoke, "How dare you. How dare you question my integrity! You two of all people... look at you. You have a relationship, you are allowed to love; I on the other hand am expected to remain a statue... untouchable by emotion. Forgive me for allowing myself to be human. My first and only duty to reality itself will always be top priority." Haruka and Michiru grew silent and Michiru spoke, "It's just that we've never seen you like this Setsuna... we don't know how to react. Despite our relationship, it never interferes with the mission... unlike...." A tear fell from Setsuna's eye, which she quickly wiped away to turn to something she saw out of the corner of her vision.

Setsuna screamed at Haruka and Michiru to "GET DOWN," as a rose shattered a window of the building they were standing in front of. She knew for certain who had thrown the rose... and she shivered with fear. She thought to herself, "Oh no... no no no." Tuxedo Mask stood on the tree limb of the nearby oak... cape flapping in the wind. He looked dashingly regal as always, clad in a stylish tuxedo complete with top hat and cane... in the other hand he held a rose. Setsuna spoke to her partners, "If we do not play this carefully he will realize what we are doing and history will change because of our stupidity." Tuxedo Mask spoke, "I don't know who you are or what you want... but spying on anyone is illegal. I've seen you out here these past few days. I'd advise that you move along and stay out of these peoples business." Michiru spoke with sorrow in her voice, "Sir, we are merely lost tourists. We continue to check these apartments for vacancy... we mean no harm. We will be on our way." Tuxedo Mask spoke harshly, "Even so... you have no business being on the streets this late at night, it's too dangerous. Leave." Michiru shook her head vigorously and spoke with complete innocence, "Oh right away sir!"

The three of them turned and quickly walked away from the site of the confrontation. Setsuna smiled and said aloud, "Leave it to Michiru to save the day as always." They all laughed uneasily and then Setsuna's face resumed its typical grave complexion. "We have to be more careful... it was foolish of us to be so out in the open. Darien seemed the same as always... very protective of innocents. I still cant shake the feeling that something was out of place though... he would never launch a lethal attack at anyone as he did with us, even someone who looks suspicious." Haruka and Michiru nodded in agreement and Setsuna proposed an idea, "For the remainder of the night I will transform and keep watch from the shadows near his window in the trees... you two watch for disturbances through Michiru's mirror further down the street."

The plan was agreed upon and set into action. Setsuna ducked into an alleyway across from Darien's apartment complex and she reached into the pocket of her lavender coat for her transformation stick. Holding it high into the air she shouted, "PLUTO PLANET POWER! The alley became alight with an eerie purple glow and the mists of time erupted from the ground to bathe Setsuna with energy. Sailor Pluto stepped from the mists and quietly stole across the road to take her place near the apartment. Sailor Pluto quietly observed Darien talking to Rini and showing her a photo album of he and Serena. Rini was pointing and laughing hysterically at a picture of Serena with ice cream all over her face, jokingly trying to kiss Darien. Sailor Pluto smiled and thought to herself, "It seems perfectly normal, things are going as history dictates. Father and daughter interacting and Darien is acting as he should... perhaps we have the wrong target altogether."

Suddenly there was a piercing sensation in her mind and she noticed Darien turn to look directly at her with a grin upon his face. She heard that voice... the voice that she tried so hard to forget, the mere sound made her heart skip a beat with longing. It spoke, "My dear Setsuna... you just don't give up do you. Your tenacity is admirable; it is unfortunate though that this time there is no way for you to stop me. You disagree? Let me just fill you in... it is futile for you to even try. I control Darien's body itself... I inhabit Darien's mind; he has no conscious awareness of what I am doing or what he sees." It then dawned on her that this was how Tuxedo Mask recognized them as they watched from outside the apartment, it had been Tempest the whole time! She spoke back to him within her mind through her thoughts, "You devil... I never thought I would see you go this low. Leave his body, what good could it possibly do you." Tempest's laughter echoed through her skull, "You wouldn't want to see him get hurt would you...." Sailor Pluto observed Rini leave the room to go play with her toys and she saw Darien walk to the kitchen... he emerged with a kitchen knife in hand and went to slit his wrist. Sailor Pluto screamed "NO," forgetting that she could not make any noise and covered her mouth with her hand... Rini looked up and returned to playing with her toys. Tempest once again spoke to her with thoughts, "Then don't interfere in what happens... or Darien dies." He laid the kitchen knife down on his dining room table.

Sailor Pluto then heard footsteps on the pavement below her... Serena was approaching the apartment complex. Sailor Pluto's mind raced... what could he intend to do to her? She tried to think of something she could do... but she couldn't without altering the course of history. She brought her fist down hard on the tree branch and said to herself, "We can't lose like this... there has to be a way."

Serena knocked on the door to Darien's apartment and he opened the door quickly for her. She was clad in her school uniform Serena looked pitiful... it was obvious that she had been suffering from severe depression. She spoke, "Darien... muffin, I don't know how much longer I can take being apart. Why must it be this way? Will you not even see me for dinner?" She held up some food that she had made, futilely grinning and bracing herself for rejection. Her face lit up with joy when he replied, "Serena come in... there are some things that we need to talk about." Serena practically jumped into his arms and she said, "Oh Darien I've missed us so much!" She went to kiss Darien and smiling he put his finger to her lips, he said "Not yet Serena." Serena sighed and hugged him for what seems like an eternity. Darien looked at Setsuna and grinned as he turned his gaze to the kitchen knife on the table and deftly took it into his hand.

Sailor Pluto realized with horror that he intended to kill Serena as she was wrapped up in the illusion of false love. A flash of insight illuminated her mind... and she decided to put a plan in action. Sailor Pluto channeled a miniscule amount of power into the garnet orb and she placed her finger to her brooch. She prayed that the interface to the small lady's beloved Luna Ball had not changed and when she spoke... her voice issued forth from the toy ball as she did often during this time in history to communicate with Rini. "Rini, would you like to play a game," the ball spoke in a mechanical voice. Rini picked the ball up curiously and laughed, "Sure Luna Ball, what we gonna play?" Sailor Pluto smiled in delight, "Steal the meatball head's brooch and make her chase you around! Wouldn't that be fun?" Rini giggled happily and stood up with a start, "Wow that sounds like great fun!" Sailor Pluto then urged her on, "Hurry now! You may miss your chance!"

Rini ran into the next room where Serena and Darien were standing, cuddling with each other. Darien raised the knife into the air behind Serena's back and he prepared to bring it screaming into Serena's soft flesh. Sailor Pluto couldn't help but laugh at the next thing that happened. Rini bit Serena on the leg sending her doubling over in pain and as she bent over to brush Rini away... Rini tore the brooch off of her school uniform. Then Rini took off down the hallway to the stairs of the apartment complex. Serena screamed as she tore off quickly after Rini, "GIVE THAT BACK YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Darien turned to the window from which Sailor Pluto was watching the whole situation unfold and he scowled, "Fine... if that's the way you want it." Darien picked up the knife once again and brought it to his neck. Sailor Pluto threw her staff through the window... knocking the knife from his hand and causing him to grab it in pain. Then there was a knock at the door to his apartment. At first he ignored it but then it continued... so he opened the door.

There in the hallway stood Haruka and Michiru. Michiru smiled and inclined her head to speak, "Hello we just moved into the apartment down the hallway from you! We are pleased to meet your acquaintance!" Darien, looking confused, shook her hand and began to stammer, "Look I don't really have time... I was right in the middle of looking for my friends...." Haruka quickly interjected, "We saw a little girl run up to the roof a minute ago with a very obnoxious teenager on her heels. Is that who you are looking for?" Darien said, "As a matter of fact... yes! Could you take me to them?" Michiru looked out the window where Sailor Pluto was watching and nodded upward... indicating she should go to the roof. Michiru and Haruka left with Darien behind them and they slowly ascended the stairs to the rooftops.

Sailor Pluto called her staff to her and used it to propel herself from the tree branch to the roof. The door from the stairwell opened and Darien was shoved outward onto the rooftop by Haruka and Michiru, then they stepped out and slammed the door behind them... blocking escape. Sailor Pluto spoke, "Surrender Tempest, leave the body of Prince Darien and future King Endymion." Darien turned to face her with a start and he exclaimed, "You!" Haruka spoke with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, "Don't forget us either you sleazy bastard." Haruka extended her transformation stick into the air and screamed, "URANUS PLANET POWER!"

An aura of yellow energy shined outward from the tip of the transformation stick as she spun it in a circle around her. A cyclone of furious wind shot from the ground, reaching towards the sky, and engulfed Haruka's body in a storm. Placing her tiara upon her forehead... she emerged from the storm as Sailor Uranus. Michiru followed suit and shouted, "NEPTUNE PLANET POWER!" As she spun the stick around her the air became wet with humidity and a jet of water materialized to surround her, brushing her hair back as the waves crashed and broke... she emerged from the water clad as Sailor Neptune. Darien smiled... his eyes wide with shock, "Ah look it's the big happy family! Good to see you pests again, let's do this." Sailor Uranus attacked first as she raised her fist into the air, "WORLD SHAKING!" The roof shook slightly as she slammed the huge ball of energy into the rooftop to send it flying towards Darien. He just smiled and stood there with arms apart... waiting for it to hit him.

Sailor Pluto shouted, "NO! THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS!" She raised her staff into the air and the mists of time condensed onto the garnet orb... she sent the energy flying at Haruka's attack, "DEAD SCREAM!" The two blasts of energy met in mid air in a dull explosion... canceling each other out. Sailor Uranus turned to Sailor Pluto and said, "Damn it Setsuna once again you allow your feelings to...." Sailor Pluto interrupted and spoke, "He wants you to damage Darien's body so that he will be harmed thus changing history. Darien is not conscious of what is going on... we must force Tempest out of his body."

As they were distracted, Darien sped off for the side of the building... Tempest was forcing him to jump! Sailor Neptune saw it coming and she attempted to reach him in time... but it was too late, he was already airborne. Darien's body seemed to convulse as it fell to the ground... there was a flash of red light and Tempest appeared before them. Tempest shouted to Sailor Pluto, "You lose... there is nothing you can do to prevent this!" Sailor Pluto knew the consequences for what she was about to do... but she had no choice, it was either do this or allow reality to be destroyed. She channeled all of her power into the garnet orb and prepared to use the forbidden attack of Dark Dome Close... the attack that would stop time. Suddenly, a voice that she instantly recognized rang out from behind her... "That will not be necessary!"

TO BE CONTINUED
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