Copyright © 1999-2000 All Rights Reserved. 'Day And Night: Evolutions' By Princess Destiny [ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ] http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/2588/Princess_Destinys_Fanfiction_Archive.htm ********************************************************************* And here is Chapter 1! I hope you enjoyed the mysterious Prologue. It was my explanation of how the Moon Kingdom might have fallen. If the Crystal HAD been as strong as Sailor Moon used in later battles, why did the Queen die? Anyway! The rest of the fic is first season, except for the occasional flash-backs to the Silver Millennium :) The summery and disclaimer is in the Prologue! Enjoy! _____________________________________________________________________ DAY AND NIGHT: EVOLUTIONS By Princess Destiny [ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ] _____________________________________________________________________ ************************ * BOOK ONE: BLACK MOON * ************************ _____________________________________________________________________ Chapter One _____________________________________________________________________ Serena walked swiftly down the sidewalk, blue eyes gleaming with excitement. Her bag dangled from the slender fingers of her left hand, an ice cream in her right. Amy walked close beside her, trying to keep up. "Can you walk a little slower please, Serena?" the blue-haired girl asked with slight desperation. Her feet were almost tripping over themselves in an effort to keep up with her blonde friend. Amy's bag was clutched to her chest, blue eyes anxious. Serena turned her head and smiled brightly. "Why? It's a great day Ames" Serena gestured with her ice cream towards the clear blue sky. Her eyes were lit, as always with an innocent delight of life that at times made Amy envious. "There's no more School for today. Lighten up!" "I AM lighting up" Amy said calmly. She deliberately slowed down her pace so that Serena was forced to slow also. "I've got a computer course in-" She looked down at her watch. "Twenty-five minutes" "So you can come with me to the arcade" Serena finished for her mischievously. Her eyes glinted as she spun around so that she was walking backwards. Amy watched with some trepidation, her friend's clumsy nature well known to her. "Watch where you're going, Serena" Amy murmured absently. She reached into her School bag and brought out a book. Serena glanced at it distrustfully, nose wrinkling. The before Amy could gasp, the blonde had snatched it from her hand. "No studying before class...come on!" Serena called out gleefully. She turned and dashed off up the sidewalk. Amy gaped after for a moment. "SERENA!" She shouted indignantly, running after the blonde. Serena grinned over her shoulder, making sure that Amy was following. She finished off her ice cream while still running and glanced down at the book in her hand. "Basic computing" Serena read out-loud. She grimaced. Computers were more Amy's thing than hers were. She looked up and stopped when she saw that she was just around the corner from the arcade. Amy was just a few feet behind. "Serena. Don't do that again" Amy admonished. Serena turned her head, sticking her tongue out as her friend finally caught up. She gave the book back to Amy quickly and winked. "Now we're hear sooner and we can play more games" Serena told her with a smile. Amy shook her head, blue locks falling into her eyes. "I don't play video games Serena, you know that" the genius reminded her as they turned towards the doors of the Crown Games Arcade. Serena noticed there were people hanging around the place. More than usual. It was crowded. "Gee, you think there's something going on?" Serena wondered with interest. Amy nodded, going up on the heels of her school shoes to see over the people's heads. The doorway was full of milling people and the two girls could hear the sound of many people inside. They exchanged a glance. Serena grinned. "I'll find out!" She announced. The blonde turned to the nearest guy and tapped on his shoulder. "Hey, what's going on?" The guy turned, frowning down at her. Serena noticed immediately that he was good-looking and blushed. Serena knew Amy wouldn't be looking at the guy in THAT way, so couldn't ask her what she thought of him. "Some sort of competition" he said shortly and turned away. Serena stuck her tongue out at him, deciding he reminded her too much of Sammy. "Jerk" she muttered. She turned to Amy, who was watching with a faintly amused smile. "I heard" Amy murmured. Serena got onto the balls of her feet, trying to see over everyone. She jumped around a little, but was really too short to see even over people shoulders. "I want IN!" She demanded after a moment. Her face turned slowly red. "There's a game comp and I can't even SEE and...!" "Lower the decibels Serena!" a voice ordered cheerfully. Lita pushed her way through the crowd easily and smiled at her two friends. "I thought I heard your voice" "It was hard to miss" a familiar annoying voice commented. Serena stiffened, already knowing whom it belonged to. Her eyes narrowed. "Who asked you!" She snapped, whirling to face Darian. He grinned unpleasantly down at her. Eyes mocking as usual. He was dressed casually in black slacks, black t-shirt and his usual green jacket. "If it isn't the empty Meatball Head" he said. Serena glanced at her friend's and saw with disgust that Lita was watching Darian with a star-struck look. It made her even angrier. "Don't CALL me that!" Serena shouted at him furiously. He laughed, eyes glinting. She turned her back on him, pushing her way through the crowd. Serena boiled inside. He was such a conceited JERK! "Excuse me. Outta my way!" She called, thrusting her way past people. She finally made her way into the crowded room and her eyes went wide. It was over-flowing with people. Her blue eyes scanned the place and saw that the attention as centred around three video games. "I haven't noticed them before" she said to herself. "That's 'cause they're new" Andrew said, appearing at her side. He smiled at all the people happily. "Best thing I ever did too!" Serena's eyes gleamed. "Are they sailor V?" She squealed eagerly. Andrew shook his head. He raised his eyes towards the closest of the games. "Nah, something new. It's called Energy Darian" Serena stared at him for a moment, not sure she's heard right. "Weird name" she commented. Andrew nodded, running a harried hand through his orange hair. He looked tired, though happy, Serena noted. "Yeah, but it sure got the crowd. Almost as soon as I opened up" Serena crossed her arms, eyes thoughtful. She frowned and then her eyes began to water as she looked around. "It's too crowded. I'll never get a go" she wailed. Andrew gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry Serena...gotta go" he moved into the crows and was swallowed. Serena stood there, ignoring everyone. She'd get a go if it killed her! "Oooh, I gotta get a go" she bit her nail nervously. "You won't get near it, give it up girl" Lita said. She and Amy stood next to Serena. The blue-haired girl looked harried. She checked her watch and sighed. "I've got to go guys...see you at school tomorrow?" "You bet" Lita grinned and took Serena's arm. "Come on Serena. We'll walk you there Amy" "But-" Serena protested, fighting against the hold. "I want to play the new game!" "No Serena" Lita told her. Serena looked appealingly at Amy. "No" Amy agreed. They pulled the blonde through the crowd, but it wasn't an easy task. Amy looked around, trying to keep her head above everyone's shoulders. "Is it my imagination or is it even more crowded?" "Yeah...looks like everyone from School's here" Lita said slowly. "Everyone?" Serena questioned, staring around. "Hey, you're right. There's Molly" She pointed to the far side of the arcade, where the three could see Melvin and the red-haired girl together. Serena's eyes narrowed. "They got a good place too" she grumbled. There was no answer from Lita and after a moment, Amy and Serena looked up at their tall friend. Lita was staring at the 'Energy Darian' game closest them with a blank expression on her face. "Lita?" Serena waved her hand in front of Lita's face and the brunette snapped out of her trance. "Hehe, sorry 'bout that guys" Lita said in slight confusion. "I spaced there for a second" "No more than Serena does at the sight of a game" Amy said seriously. Serena glared at them both indignantly. "I do not, Amy!" She hesitated. "Well, maybe" "No maybe's about it, Meatball Head" Darian said from behind her. He had to raise his voice slightly to be heard over the crowd, but Serena heard him loud and clear. She whirled on him, glare intensifying. "Are you following me or something?" She demanded. Darian stared down his nose at her. "Why would I do a thing like that?" He asked her mockingly. Serena turned red in the face. "Why you-" She began. Just then Amy gave a little scream. "Oh my god! The Computer class, I am so late" she cried. Oh right. Serena winced. They'd completely forgot Amy's class! She grabbed Amy's hand and pulled her through the crowd, Lita close behind. "See you!" Lita called back to Darian. Serena scowled as they pushed their way out of the arcade. Why was Lita even talking to that jerk? She hadn't realised she had even spoken aloud until Lita answered her. "He reminds me of my old boyfriend" "Whaaat?" Serena shouted. "You have GOT to be kidding me!" Lita rubbed the back of her head as they rushed down the street with Amy between them. "Well, actually...Darian's a lot cuter" "Ewww!" Serena protested loudly. "The words Darian and CUTE do NOT go tother in once sentence Lita!" "Amy?" Lita appealed. Amy shook their hands loose, dashing towards a building. She turned once before disappearing inside. "I'm sorry-I'm really late you guys" Serena and Lita watched till their friend had disappeared and then turned back towards the arcade. Serena's feet dragged a little, bag trailing carelessly from her fingers. Lita flashed her a glance. "What's up?" She teased lightly. Serena threw her a sad look. "Just that I look forward to the arcade and Andrew after school and now it's so crowded I can't even play! What am I going to do now?" she complained. Lita blinked at her, thinking. "Buy you an ice cream?" "I've already had one-" Serena began. She grinned. "What am I saying. I never give up an ice cream. You're on!" *********************************************** The sun was beginning to go down, the first shadows of night closing in. Serena barely noticed. Lita had gone home an hour ago, but Serena hadn't wanted to go. There were few people out this late, only those coming home from a day of work. A man in a briefcase and coat gave Serena a glance, but she never noticed as she passed him. She sighed and raised her head. Her mom would be furious when she got home finally, but Serena just hadn't felt up to explaining her latest test paper. "She'd have just thrown me outside anyway" Serena said miserably. She bit her lip and tightened her grip on her bag slightly. Her eyes lit up. "Hey, maybe the arcade is empty now" she exclaimed. Serena looked around and realised she was about a block from the arcade. Her steps picked up and soon she was hurrying towards her favourite place. Sometimes Andrew kept the place open late. It was half a cafe after all and a lot of adult customers came after school hours. As she neared the place, she saw that it had emptied quite a lot. The lights were on out front; chairs set out for people eating outside. Serena walked up to the doors and peered inside. Her face fell as she saw that the arcade part had closed down, all the games off. "I was too late!" she muttered angrily. Serena hesitated, then sighed and walked forward. The glass doors opened for her and she stepped past a couple ordering at the counter. Andrew was there, serving food. She tried to signal him, but he was too busy. "He's working Meatball Head. What do you want?" an annoying voice asked her. Serena whirled around to see Darian, sitting at a table behind her. He had books all over the table, a cup of coffee in one hand. Serena stuck her nose in the air, immediately on the defence around him. "I have a right to be here to, Darian Chiba!" She told him haughtily. He chuckled, blue eyes on her face in amusement. After a moment, she turned her eyes back to look at him and saw that his attention was on his books. She fumed for a moment. "What are you doing?" She demanded, hovering near the table. Darian glanced up briefly. "Studying. Which is what people do when they want to leave School" he raised an eyebrow in her direction, sipping from his cup. "You could take some hints here, Meatball Head" "Don't CALL me that!" She shouted at him angrily. Here eyes blazed. "And I KNOW what studying is" He nodded patronisingly. "Uh huh" "You-you...jerk" she muttered under her breath. A shadow fell over her and she glanced up to see Andrew there. He smiled at her warmly and she flushed. "Serena. I thought I heard your voice" he said pleasantly. Darian snorted. "Wail you mean" he commented. Andrew laughed lightly, patting Serena's shoulder. "Don't be so mean to her Dar" he said jokingly. Serena blushed. "I can...handle it" she said awkwardly. "She can handle it" Darian agreed. He closed his book and looked up at his friend inquiringly. "You taking a br4ak so we can go over this?" Andrew nodded. "Yeah, just a sec. You want a drink Serena?" He offered. Serena beamed. "Cocoa?" She said hopefully. Andrew smiled and ruffled her fringe in a brotherly way. "You got it. Just sit with Darian and I'll be right back" Serena waited till Andrew had gone and rolled her eyes in dismay. "Do I have to?" She asked the air, eying Darian's table. "Ditto on that Meatball Head" he told her in amusement, leaning back in his chair. Serena glared at him and deliberately took the seat across the table from him. The further the better. She put her bag by her feet and sat nervously on the edge, waiting. It was bad enough that she was out without permission, but sitting with Darian was even WORSE! She really hated the guy. "So" Darian said after a long moment. "How ARE the grades going?" Serena glared at him indignantly. "It's none of your business" she snapped. Darian closed his eyes and smiled with satisfaction. He leaned back easily and crossed a leg over the other. "As I thought" he murmured. "What's THAT supposed to mean?" Serena almost shrieked at him. Strangely incensed by his manner. Andrew came hurrying back, two steaming mugs in his hands. He placed them on the table and regarded Darian and Serena with exasperation. "I can't leave you two together for a moment, can I?" he demanded. Serena blushed bright red, feeling like a little kid caught at fighting. "Sure I-we can Andrew" she stammered. Darian chuckled and she glared under her lashes at him. Andrew shook his head and sipped from his drink thoughtfully. "Serena, how are the grades coming?" He asked her with interest. Serena was taking a sip of her cocoa and almost spat it across the room when the question was asked. "Not you TOO!" She wailed. Darian laughed out-right. Andrew looked confused. "What did I say?" "Andrew, there you are" a woman walked up and Serena looked at her enviously. She recognised Rita, Andrew's girlfriend. She leaned over and kissed his cheek lightly, then sat down in a spare chair. "Rita. I thought you were working late" Andrew said. He looked pleased, Serena thought with worry. She nibbled on her bottom lip, eyes glued to the two. "This is Rita, Meatball Head" Darian said, almost in her ear. Serena jumped and jerked back to see that Darian had leaned forward on the table. His elbows rested on his books and she noted absently how slender his fingers were. "Andrews GIRLFRIEND" he added with slight emphasis. Serena glared at him, moving as far back into her seat as she could. Taking her eyes from Darian's annoyingly smug face, she saw that Rita and Andrew were looking at her. Serena blushed and thrust out her hand quickly to the woman. "Hi, I'm Serena" she offered. Rita shook her hand, smiling friendlily. "I think I've met one of your friends...Lita, was it?" the red-haired woman mused. Serena nodded. "Uh, yeah" she was remembering a few days ago when Lita had tried to get to know what sort of woman Andrew liked. Her friend had pretended to want to be a...um, Serena frowned. Arch-ar-something. "What's wrong Meatball Head? You'll swallow your face with that frown if you don't watch it" Darian taunted. His voice broke into her thoughts. She ignored him. "You want to be a um arc.." She stumbled over the name, really trying to think. "Archaeologist" Rita supplied. Serena's frowned cleared. "Yeah, that's it" she murmured. "How'd you know that Lita was my friend?" Andrew smiled at her and then at Rita fondly. "I've told her all about you guys" "You-you have?" Serena gasped, flattered. Andrew continued to smile charmingly. "You girls are my favourite customers, you know" he added. Serena's face fell. "Oh" she murmured. She cast her blue eyes about, feeling uncomfortable. So it really WAS true. Andrew cared about Rita and Lita and Serena were just 'customers' to him-Serena glanced outside and gasped as she saw the Moon in the sky. Daylight had fled completely as they talked. "Oh my god!" She shrieked, leaping to her feet. "Mom's going to KILL me!" She pushed her chair back, groping for her school bag. It seemed just beyond her reach and she leaned over for it. Darian reached for it at the same time and their hands touched briefly. Serena stiffened as a strange feeling went up her fingers, like an electric shock. She was so startled that she stumbled over her chair when she straitened. "Arrggggh!" She shouted as she fell back onto the plastic seat. Andrew, Rira and Darian laughed. Serena blushed and then went pale; leaping back to her feet with her bag clutched at her chest. She couldn't even look at them, so embarrassed was she. "I have to go-bye!" She called, rushing from the place. The glass doors almost didn't open and she hesitated, but made it through. Some people looked at her with interest as she ran past their tables and down the sidewalk. Serena ignored them all, thinking only of getting home. She glanced up at the Moon as the voices of the cafe faded behind her and the cool night air swept over her face. She slowed down, panting slightly. "Why can't I EVER be graceful?" Serena complained, staring upwards. The Moon was beautiful that night, she thought. Silver and almost full. The night sky was dark, dotted only by a few stars. Serena had passed a few blocks when her skin tingled in warning. It was a feeling she knew well, danger. "Oh boy" she whispered, looking around carefully. The streets were relatively deserted, but for a few cars passing here and there. She swallowed. The shadows suddenly looked deeper and more scary than usual. "I shouldn't have been out so late" she whispered to herself, moving into the shadow of a shop. Her eyes scanned the street, seeking the source of danger, but could find nothing. She sighed, thinking maybe that she had been mistaken. "I'm too nervous is all" Serena kept to the shadows all the way home, confident in the fact that she could defend herself if attacked. One didn't be a super heroine without learning SOME things! The lights were on outside her house when she got there and Serena hesitated. Before she could raise a hand to knock, the door was jerked open. Her Mum stood there, looking anxious. "Serena! Where have you been?" Ikuko demanded, with a strange mixture of anger and relief. Serena flushed guiltily then got an idea. "I uh, failed another test mom" she admitted, stepping inside. Ikuko's eyes changed to anger and Serena held up a hand quickly. "So I went to the library and I've been studying" Ikuko's anger faded slightly as she stared at her daughter. "Oh, Serena" she sighed, placing a hand on Serena's shoulder and leading her into the lounge room. "I'm proud that you did-but please let me know if you're going to study late like this again" Serena couldn't believe that it had actually worked and a slight grin worked its way onto her mouth. "Sure mom" she said happily, heading for the stairs. Ikuko's voice stopped her when she was almost at the top. "Don't think that's all young lady, I expect you to come down and scrub all the vegetables for dinner. And do the dishes after" Ikuko told her. Serena winced, but didn't turn. Luna came out onto the landing and watched Serena with accusing eyes. "Sure mom" Serena said quickly. She hurried past Luna, but the cat slipped into the room as the door was closing. She jumped onto the bed and regarded Serena as the blonde threw down her school bag. "You can lie to your mother Serena, but I KNOW you weren't studying!" the black cat told her sharply. Serena sighed, flopping onto the bed beside Luna. The guardian almost went flying, but dug her claws into the cover at the last moment. "Fine. I wasn't" Serena admitted readily. She lay back, staring at the roof. Luna was silent for a moment. Then her face came into Serena's view above her. "What's wrong?" Luna asked carefully, sensing Serena's pensive mood. Serena blinked at her. "What do you mean?" She asked, not understanding. Luna shook her head and jumped off the bed. She grasped the lock of Serena's bag carefully with her teeth and opened it, dragging out a book. Serena turned on her side to watch. "You know, we could still do my idea of opening a circus, Luna" Serena suggested mischievously. She raised a hand to toy with a long blonde strand of hair absently, blue eyes teasing. Her adviser glared at her. "Serena! The royal adviser to Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom does NOT act like a common cat!" Luna announced haughtily. Serena grinned at her. "You act almost like a person sometimes Luna" she told her friend. Luna glanced at her as she took the small book in her mouth and jumped onto the table. She pawed through it till she came to the day's work. "I wa-never mind" the cat changed her words quickly. Serena noticed, but couldn't think what the cat had been going to say. She got to her feet and walked over to the table, staring at the homework book with distaste. "Do I have to?" she whined. Luna's eyes glinted. "Of course you do, Serena. As a Sailor Scout, your education is very important" Luna pointed to a math sum with a slender paw. "This is terrible Serena!" She exclaimed, looking at the barely distinguishable numbers. "It's BORING, Luna!" Serena complained. She took off her uniform and flung it on the ground carelessly. Luna's eyes popped open in horror. "Serena! The Moon Broach!" She yelled, leaping for the clothes. Serena flushed as the cat fished through the pile and brought out the broach in her teeth. She snatched it from Luna quickly and put it on her bedside table. "Sorry, sorry" Serena muttered. Luna scowled at her, somehow looking cute despite her expression. The cat and Serena exchanged glances and Luna finally looked away, sighing. "Honestly Serena" she murmured, heading for the windowsill. "If you expect to be a better Scout-" "I'm doing okay" Serena protested. Luna jumped onto the sill, turning briefly to glance at the blonde. "Okay just isn't going to cut it Serena. There will come a day when you will need all the skills that you gather as Sailor Moon. You are sworn to protect the Moon Princess" Luna shook her head and leapt out into the night. "You aren't even trying" Serena stared after Luna, hurt by the accusation. "I'm trying!" She shouted. She stood there, her eyes going by instinct to the Moon Locket. "Serena! Come and help with dinner" her mom's voice broke into her thoughts. Serena turned towards the door, giving the open window one last look. She'd show Luna. ********************************************************************* The Moon was much higher in the sky as Darian pushed away his books. After three cups off coffee and heaps of studying, he finally thought he was ready for the test on Friday. Andrew wandered over, wiping a cup. "You finished? It's late" the man commented. Darian gave him a faint grin and stretched widely. Muscled screamed at him and he winced with slight pain. "Yeah, I'm wasted. But at least I'm ready" he gave a triumphant smiled. Andrew smiled back, sinking into the chair across from his friend. "You know Darian, you work too hard. I own the business here, but you work almost as hard just to get the grades" Andrew said seriously. He was concerned, Darian could see. "I want to get into medical School, it's as easy as that" Darian told him calmly. He gathered his books into a pile and got to his feet. A yawn escaped him and he glanced down at the watch on his wrist briefly. A grunt of surprise escaped him. "I told you it was late" Andrew laughed, going back to his counter. Darian nodded. The watch had said that it was 1 O'Clock in the morning. Something else occurred to him and he looked over to his friend. "You close at 11, you should have kicked me out" he admonished. Andrew smiled easily, shaking his head. "What are friend's for?" He glanced towards another of the tables and Darian saw with surprise that Rita was sitting there, reading a book. "Beside's, Rita was here" "So I see" Darian sigh somewhat wistfully. Andrew looked at him slyly, putting the dry dishes away. "Wish you were in my place?" he said. Darian choked back a laugh, incredulous. Him, wanting a girlfriend to complicate his life? "Not on your life, buddy. There's no WAY I need a girl to ruin my life" Andrew looked at him with a grin and exchanged a glance with Rita. She came up tot eh counter and leaned against it, eyebrows raised. "That's a novel way to put it" she drawled. Darian grinned tauntingly. "It's true. Give a girlfriend a chance and she'll take over your life-not that you take over Andrews" he finished quickly when Rita glared mock-warningly. Andrew laughed, drawing Rita close into a hug. "There's no way Rita complicates my life. Rather, she makes it complete" Darian waved it away, a slightly disgusted look in his deep blue eyes. He backed towards the door, books held to his chest. "I don't want to hear it. Really!" He joked. Andrew gave him a smug look, joined shortly by Rita at his next words. "You'll see Darian. One day some girl will come crashing into your life and you'll never be able to image life with her!" He called. Darian shook his head, walking out the glass doors. They closed behind him and he began to walk towards home. He chuckled at the thought of a girlfriend. Not that he hadn't given it thought at one stage. It was just that no one seemed to suit him. They were too giggly or serious or...or "Never happen-?!" He repeated sternly. His words were broken off by a faint scream and the sound of breaking crockery. Darian spun around, realising it had come from the arcade. He dropped his books and ran back to the glass doors, peering inside carefully. The lights had been dimmed, Andrew and Rita having about to leave. At first he couldn't see anything, but then there was movement from the video games. Darian pounded on the glass doors and realised the electricity had been turned off. "Andrew!" He shouted through the crack in the door. Another scream sounded, followed by Andrew yelling. Darian backed off and looked around quickly. He picked up a chair and stared at the plastic. It wouldn't break the door. His eyes lightened on the table frame. "But metal will" he muttered grimly. Darian kicked off the plastic top of the table and picked up the metal frame easily. He swung it towards the large glass doors hard. They cracked, but didn't break and he swung again. The alarms went off, sounding through the night. It almost obscured the sound of breaking glass as the doors finally gave way and shattered. Darian was through them in a moment, running towards the sounds of fighting. Through the dim light, he caught sight of Andrew wrestling with some large guy. Rita was cowering in the corner, holding a hand to a bleeding cheek. She saw Darian and her eyes lit up with hope and fear. "Darian, be careful. It's not...human!" She warned him. Darian stared at her momentarily. Not human? He got closer, edging around a video game until he got a clear view of who Andrew was fighting. His blue eyes widened incredulously. "Definitely not human" he agreed. His orange-haired friend was fighting a creature that was easily seven feet tall-with only a small knife as a weapon against the beast. Darian called it beast because it was covered in course brown fur. It hands were at least a big as Andrew's head and the claws long and black. Also razor-sharp. Long jagged white teeth sprouted in a mass from its long muzzle, it's eye glaring a menacing green. "Give me your energy!" the monster growled, it's voice like grating metal. Darian paused. "It talks?" He muttered, unable to think for a moment. Andrew nodded dizzily, dodging the large hands trying to grab him. "It talks, it claws...how do we get rid of it?" He yelled in fear. Darian looked around, realising hat there were no weapons he could really use against the creature. Only Andrews knife. "Give me a sec!" He shouted to his friend. Andrew grinned weakly. "I'm not going anywhere, Darian" he assured. He turned his head to watch his friend and the monster swung out, grabbing with his hairy hands. Andrew got caught by the apron and was lifted. "Hehe" the monster slobbered. It began to glow greenly and Rita screamed as Andrew's body was consumed. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" a strong voice called out. Darian watched in amazement as the arcade was lit up with green lightning. It snaked towards the monster and consumed him in seconds. Andrew was dropped unceremoniously. A figure appeared in the dim light and Darian saw the brief flash of white gloves as Andrew was dragged away from the creature. "Andrew!" He yelled, running after the figure. He raced around a few games and came to a dead halt at the sight of two young girls leaning over his friend. They both looked up as Rita joined them. The tallest of the girls, a brunette with her hair in a ponytail checked Andrew over quickly. "He seems okay...Mercury?" the girl asked, voice faintly anxious. Darian watched in further amazement as the shorter blue-haired girl reached into the air around her drew out a compact. No, not a compact, Darian soon realised. A computer of sorts. The girl scanned Andrew and nodded quickly. "Just Drained. He'll be fine" she told Rita quietly. "Mars Fireballs...Strike!" the cry came from behind them. They all whirled and Darian saw fire light up the arcade briefly. There was a bellow of anger and pain from the creature. "Evil Begone!" The two girls exchanged a quick look. "I better go help Mars till Sailor Moon gets here" the brunette murmured. She rushed out of the safety of the surrounding video games, but the blue-haired girl stayed behind. Darian studied her, realising finally that these girls were the elusive Sailor Scouts Tokyo had heard about. The girl wore a clinging white body suit, a short skirt and blue bows. A golden tiara was on her forehead, blue boots covering her legs. The other girl had been in green and pink. He watched as the Scout bit her lip, listening to the fight. "You should go help" he told her abruptly, certain she ought to be helping her friends. She gave him a quick look, then glanced at Andrew doubtfully. "Go" Rita urged. Andrew nodded weakly. "I'll be fine" he confirmed, coughing harshly. The Scout nodded and was gone, swallowed into the dark of the room. Darian and the other two crouched, listening as the girls battled the monster with amazing flashes of power lighting up the room. "Mercury Bubbles Blast!" came the cry. Darian blinked, feeling the temperature into her room suddenly drop to almost freezing. He shivered, unable to see anywhere in the room. Suddenly a horrible pain consumed him and he fell to his knees. "Darian?" Andrew cried out, worried. Darian tried to answer, but the darkness rushed in on him. ******************************************************************* Well, as some of you may have guessed. I've been out of the loop for quite a while. On ASMR at least. I've been busy writing Labyrinth... *Grin* It's much easier than Sailor Moon! Not as many Characters. If you really want to read a great fanfic by moi, it was posted last week in it's entirety. It's called 'You And Me, Always And Forever'. [yamaaf] A Sailor Moon/Labyrinth Crossover. It's romance/comedy/adventure. Also, for those Labyrinth lovers, I've created a Jareth and Sarah Romance Archive: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/The_Jareth_And_Sarah_Romance_Archive.htm The next Chapter will be out next week! Write me, I'd love to hear from you all! Love, Princess Destiny