Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction ❯ Acts of Charity part 2 ( Chapter 18 )

Malachite helped Mrs. Peterson hold the water cup while she took her pills. He was following Beryl's orders as best he could, but there was something that felt so wrong to him about doing this. Yes these people were old, they would die anyway, but there were moments when they seemed more alive, and to be honest, more human than the children and teens he had stole from earlier. These were people who had lived life and understood that every down had an up. For Mr. Jones, several ups whenever Serena or Molly walked into the room.

He shook his head slightly and smiled at Mrs. Peterson. Those girls had breathed new life into this place. Health was improving, and the people seemed happier than ever before. He couldn't stay here. Any deaths would seem wrong, out of place, and scrutiny was the last thing he wanted. Tomorrow he would put in his notice and move on. There were other places were the care was not so good, and no one would notice a few empty beds. Again the guilt hit him, but he pushed it aside. That was getting harder to do. How strange that since the Moon Princess appeared he would have such a hard time doing his job.

“You ok for now?”

“Of course, dear, I'd be more ok if you came to visit more often.”

He smiled at the woman. “I hear Serena is coming today. Do you want me to help you into the lobby?”

“Oh, you are such a dear, thank you.”

He lifted her off the bed and into the wheelchair. After making sure that her cane, which was used more for keeping Mr. Jones in line than for walking, was secure in her hand, he wheeled her into the lobby. Serena entered a moment later and it was as though a light turned on in the room. Life sparkled from the eyes of everyone around her and Malachite found himself smiling despite himself. There was really precious little to smile about in his life, but Serena made it all seem worth while. She walked over to him after doing her usual greetings.

“Hey there, Mr. Mal. How are you today?”

His smile warmed a fraction. “Much better now that you're here.”

She smiled and he felt himself melt. He wanted to confess everything to her, tell her who he was and what his mission was. “I'm glad to hear it. I can't stay long, my boyfriend will be here to pick me up at six.”

Despite this revelation Malachite felt, if anything more affection toward her. This man had better treat her right, or the wrath of the Negaverse would fall on his head. “I look forward to meeting him.”

Serena made her rounds, glad that for once she wasn't cleaning bedpans or swabbing bed sores. She was tired after her exams and a quiet dinner with Darien was all she really needed after that day. She was walking by the employee lounge when she heard a soft sob. She glanced through the tiny window in the door and saw Mal with his head on the table, a piece of paper crumpled in his hand as he cried. Concerned she pushed the door open and went to him, her arms around his shoulders, slowly rocking him as she made soft cooing noises. At last he calmed enough for speech.

“She's dead, oh God she's dead.”

“Who?”

“Zoi…my wife, she's dead and that bitch…she waited to tell me…no funeral, just gone.”

He slipped from the chair and Serena helped lower him to the floor. He buried his face against her shoulder and cried as he had not in centuries. Not since the Moon Palace had burned. The thought jarred him, but not enough to release him from his grief. The Moon Palace had fallen long before he was born. Zoicite had been his life, and she was dead by Beryl's hand. After a few minutes he got himself under control. There was nothing left for him to do. He looked up into Serena's face.

“Thank you.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“It's nothing you can help with. I have to find her…she can…she can help me.”

He pulled himself roughly from her embrace and was out the door and down the hall before Serena could fully rise. She watched as he ran out the back door, the buzzer for the emergency exit sounding in her ears. After a moment she picked up the paper and smoothed it out.

 

Malachite,

Zoicite was killed four nights ago when Beryl learned that you were not gathering energy. You are safe in the human world so long as you continue to obey her. Jadeite and I are held hostage against your obedience. Please, do not fail us.

Nephlyte

 

Serena almost dropped the paper in shock. Silently she racked her brain, trying to remember if anyone had grown ill or died that should not have, but none came to mind. Malachite had not gathered a single drop of energy from this place. Why? What held his hand? She looked back down at the paper. Beryl was holding her own generals hostage. This was going to get messy, fast. She folded the paper neatly and slipped it into her pocket. Her watched beeped the hour and she walked out front to meet Darien. He smiled and she hugged him. He sensed immediately that something was wrong.

“What's happened?”

“Malachite was there…but he didn't hurt anyone.”

“I should think that would be a good thing.”

“Beryl killed his wife because of it.”

Darien's eyes widened. “But…why?”

“He was not obedient. She's holding the others hostage.” She pulled out the letter and handed it to him. “He got this today. He ran out just a few minutes ago.”

Darien scanned the letter. “Can you track him?”

“Probably, he's putting out a hell of a lot of energy.”

His eyes caught hers and she saw determination as well as rage there. “Then find him.”

 

Malachite stumbled through alley. Foul-smelling sludge coated his shoes, but he didn't care. He looked up the building beside him and straitened slightly. It cost him next to nothing to fly up to the top. Below him, Tokyo was laid out, a sparkling jewel beneath his feet. He leaned on the ledge and wondered what he should do to catch her attention. He closed his eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears, but nothing could be done. He was powerless against his grief. He heard a door open and whirled, half expecting an attack, instead Serena stepped out on the roof. He opened his mouth to order her to leave, but stopped. Perhaps she would help him. He could attack her then the Moon Princess would come. He raised his hand.

“You would really attack me?”

“If I try to drain you, she will come and she will kill me.”

“Who? The Moon Princess?”

“How…”

“Malachite, please, come here, talk to me.”

“How did you know about the Moon Princess?”

“I know a great deal. I know that your sister served her and that at one point, you were engaged to the Princess of Mars, but then the Negaverse attacked.”

“I don't remember any of that! You're lying!”

Serena did not budge as he slashed the air. The sharp projectiles crashed into the roof behind her, just missing her by less than a hair. She took a few tentative steps forward.

“You were almost killed in the final battle. As she retreated Queen Beryl stole you and three others. She used what energy she had left to turn you, to erase your memories and make you her generals.”

“Zoicite…”

“Was the second daughter of Jupiter, a Princess but not an heir. She was a great warrior, almost as great as her older sister. I had always suspected that you secretly loved her.”

He slid down the wall to his knees and she took a few steps closer before his sharp gaze stopped her short. “And you…”

“I was there, but they kept me from battle. I wanted to fight.”

“Why didn't you? We would have won if you had been there.”

She took the last few steps that separated them and knelt in front of him. “I could not. I was pregnant, Malcolm. Endymion and Queen Serenity forbade me from entering that battle.”

His eyes widened. “I…I want to go home.”

“I cannot take you back there, but I can take you to your sister and that will have to do.”

“Mariel…”

“She is still here. She would very much like to see you again.”

He pressed his hand against his chest. “This darkness inside me, please, can you rid me of it?”

“I can.”