Eryn Niceryn@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey this is my first fanfic so be nice and tell me if you like it and if its even worth continuing and if I should keep writing stories or just leave writing to those who are gifted. The usual disclaimers apply. So PLEASE tell me if you like it or hate it. Sailor Infinity-Part 2 Karoleena and Darien still stood with their mouths open with Serena curious about what was happening. Karoleena was the one to break the silence with a clearing of her throat then a stretched "Hello". Darien soon awoke from his trance and answered back. "Hello, nice to meet you, my name's Darien." "Hi, I'm Karoleena." She turned to Serena and asked "Where to?" "To the arcade we go!" Serena answered cheerfully tugging her boyfriend with one hand and her new friend with the other. 10 minutes later: "Hey you guys!!!!!!!!" "Hey Serena, so this is your new friend?" Haruka asked, eyeing her suspiciously. "YEP! Everyone meet Karoleena. Karoleena, this is Rei, Seiya, Yaten, Taiki, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Hotaru, and Kayuu. "Hi," they all said in unison. "Hello." Kayuu asked herself. The whole time Karoleena was with the Scouts, she wanted to avoid Darien and whenever he got near, she pretended to be more interested in something else or just walk away. The group sat around playing games for hours until Karoleena said she had to leave. "I'm sorry but I must go. My mother is expecting me." "Oh, it's ok. Want me to walk you home?" Haruka asked. She had begun to trust her. At first, she seemed to sense a distant vibe from her but now she knew that the vibe wasn't evil but one of help. "NO!!" Karoleena seemed embarrassed at her sudden outbreak but quickly recovered. "It's only a short walk, thanks anyway." "Oh no problem." She slipped out the door but Darien quickly followed her out, saying he had to get up early in the morning but he really needed to talk to HER. Karoleena didn't see him follow her so she walked quickly to her hideout which seemed like an ordinary cardboard box in the park but once inside, it was really more like a teleport. Before returning to her ship, Darien called out to her. Turning all shades of red, she didn't want to look at his face. "Why are you going into a cardboard box?" When she didn't respond, he talked again. "You don't have a home do you?" "No," she replied meekly. "Well, we can't have that now can we? You're staying at my house." Before she could protest, Darien had a death grip on her arm and tugged her down the street to his apartment. "You can sleep in the guest room. It's not much, but it's better than a box." Karoleena stopped fighting because she was planning to leave during the night after Darien was asleep. "OK!" she cheerfully responded and made her way to the room. After 1, she opened the door slowly and crept out, trying not to make a sound. "And what do you think YOU'RE doing?" a voice came out from the other bedroom boomed. "Getting a drink??" "The kitchen's the other way," Darien said. "Yeah, but I had the urge for a cappuccino." "I do have coffee in there." "Yeah, but Starbucks' coffee is much better." She gave her superstar smile and Darien couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, I know. I'll come with you. OK?" "No, that's OK. Just go back to bed. Don't worry about me." "No, I want some good coffee now too." "Fine," was all she said before she lowered her head in defeat and walked towards the door. * * * * * * At the restaurant: "So how have you been doing, Karoleena?" "Pretty good. So what's it like being a hero?" She gave a sly smile. "You should know. You're my hero." Karoleena blushed. "I still have that ring you gave me." "Oh." Her eyes lowered with a sense of sadness that made Darien's heart ache. "Do you want to tell me what happened with him?" "Do I have a choice?" "No." "Fine, I had been so happy with him. His blue eyes could just make me melt in his arms. He meant the world to me. Then, his brother brainwashed him and took them both to the darkside. I tried to fight it but I just wasn't prepared. I was still only 13 when he left and I had not finished my training so I lost him, my parents, and the rest of my family and my kingdom in the process. I've spent the rest of my life fighting and trying to find him with little success. I had given up hope the night I found you and that may have been why I saved you, because I knew you were meant for someone and I didn't want them to live a loveless life like mine. Or maybe because you have the same eyes, the same beautiful blue." Tears ran down her face, almost as if they didn't want to ruin her perfect face. "Over the years, I have regained my kingdom because that wasn't what they were after. They were after something that I had, that they never will have as long as I am around. Never." "Mind if I ask what it is?" "It's similar to the Silver Crystal but much, much more powerful. The owner can destroy ANYTHING with it." "Well, that can't get in the wrong hands, can it?" "No. The funniest thing is, they don't even know what it looks like. They probably think it's some gigantic sized diamond or something but it's not." She laughed to herself and started moving her necklace with her fingers. "When I got back to my palace, all the jewelry boxes were ransacked and the safes were rummaged through. All they found was a few gems and gold jewelry. Little did they know that it will always stay with me and they probably won't even think to search me if they ever do kill me." She paused for a moment. "Well, now that we've had our coffee fix let's go get some more sleep. Tomorrow is a big day. I need a job! Can't leech off you forever!" "No, No. Stay as long as you want. I don't mind the company at all. I'll even help you go job searching tomorrow." They paid for their coffee and started to head home when they heard a shriek coming from the park. "Was that just me or did that sound like Serena?" Karoleena asked. "Um, it was just you but I'm gonna see what happened, stay here." Darien started running. "Yeah right! I know the Scouts are in trouble. INFINITE STAR POWER!" Karoleena was immersed in a spectrum of colored light. * * * * * * "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed Serena while fleeing from waves of Mercury's power. "This is bad," screamed Ami. "It seems to have all of our attacks but they are stronger." Just before Serena was again pounded with a bolt of lightening, a streak of red passed by the monster, momentarily stunning him. But before he could do his usual speech, the frog-like creature threw a fireball straight at him. "FREEZING TIME ENCIRCLE!!!!!" The fireball stopped in midair then fell to the ground. "Who did that?" screamed the monster. "I never heard of that attack before!" "That's because you never heard of me before." The mist started to roll away and reveal a figure standing above them. "ATMOSPHERIC BUBBLE COVER!" she screamed at the already injured group of Sailor Scouts. They were immediately surrounded by a dome. "OK, time for you wart face. I am Sailor Infinity, sworn protector of infinite space. Say goodbye. BLACK HOLE SURROUND!" A black ball, growing in size was heading towards the creature. It stopped right in front of it, making it believe that it wasn't going to kill it. Before the monster was able to run, the ball suddenly enveloped him, his screams dying with the ball. Sailor Infinity turned back to the Scouts and snapped her fingers. Immediately, the dome disappeared, leaving the air to be filled with questions. "Who are you?" "Where did you come from?" "Are you another scout?" "I'm Sailor Infinity, the guard of all space. I'm here because you about to face the strongest evil force out there. You need to be prepared but you also need my help. Meet tomorrow at midnight here. Bring the Starlights and the rest of the scouts with you. Be in Scout form." * * * * * * Later that night: Darien came limping into the apartment, cursing to himself. As he was heading to his room, a light came on. "And where have you been and why are you limping?" "Uhh, I got in a fight?" "Good enough, but you really have to get better at this lying thing if you want to keep your being Tuxedo Mask a secret from me. Whoops." She gave a sly smile. "How did you...?" "I followed you." "Oh, well I know you have healing powers so just go ahead and heal me will you?" "I didn't hear the word please in that sentence." "Please?" Darien asked agitated. "Ok. Where does it hurt, poor baby?" "Nevermind, I'll just let it heal on its own." "Wait, wait. Sorry, sit down." Darien sat down and Karoleena's fingers started to glow. She quickly ran her fingers over his back and the blood quickly disappeared. Soon after, Karoleena fell to the couch and slept. "Hmm, maybe using her powers drains her. I wish I really knew more about her: Where she came from, who she really is, and why I love her..." The end of part two. Hmm what will happen? Is the relationship between Serena and Darien headed down a rocky road? Will Darien tell Karoleena how he feels or will he help her cope? Who was (is?) Karoleena's fiancé¿  What is the big battle?