Things you should know before you read: 1. As you all know, Sailor Moon and related characters don't belong to me. I'm just a poor fan. 2. I am aware that it doesn't make sense for the Wiseman to give Darien the nightmares and not know who he and Serena are. However, the voice in the dream sounded like the Wiseman to me so I made him the culprit. After reading a few fanfics, I have discovered I wasn't the only one who thought so. OPERATION END THIS STORY LINE By Cloretta Bailey Baileyct@ionet.net My brother's address. Episode 2: Operation Get Serena Floating Mirror in Blue Space Rubeus wasn't stupid enough to believe the Wiseman would praise him for his work. He had done the job. That meant he got to live for another day. Rubeus would have high-fived someone, but the only person left--the Wiseman--didn't look interested. "So, Sailor Moon's name is Serena. I was right. She is Princess Serena. Tuxedo Mask must be Prince Darien." The Wiseman laughed. "They are not together anymore. I saw to that." "How?" "I invaded his dreams. The fool dumped her, because I told him she would be in great danger if he stayed near her." Rubeus giggled. "How do they keep winning? They are such fools." "I want her brought to me, Rubeus." "Sailor Moon has developed a preference for red-heads. I have red hair. I will make Princess Serena so enthralled with me, she will come willingly." "You overestimate your talents as a lover," the Wiseman said. "I had the sisters jumping to my bidding." "Really? Where are they now?" Rubeus shook his fist. "They would have come back to me if not for Sailor Moon's retched healing powers." "Had you never turned on Catsy and forbid her return, you would not have lost the others." "They were failures. I can do better without them." "Looks like you will have to." The Wiseman produced a ring with a green stone like the Negamoon strobe. "I have something that will help." He waved his hand over the ring and the stone turned iridescent. "Place this ring on her finger and Princess Serena will do anything you want. Bring her to me and I will reward you." * * * * * * The mall was crowded even for a Saturday, but the girls didn't mind. They had serious shopping to do. Everybody except Serena had a date for the dance. And even she was shopping for a new dress. "Do you think Chad will like me in black?" Raye examined herself in a mirror. The low cut dress she wore showed her features at their best. Leta walked into the dressing room lobby with her own dress. "I thought Chad was just a friend." "He is. But why miss an opportunity to find a real boyfriend?" Amy emerged from dressing room #3 wearing a black dress similar to Raye's except in a halter style. The three friends laughed when they discovered they had all chosen black. "Why don't we all ware black?" Amy suggested. Raye and Leta agreed. "What if Mina or Serena want to ware something else?" "Out voted." Mina wondered into the lobby and flopped down in the floor. "I don't think I will buy a new dress." "Why not?" Raye asked. "Why bother? Ken won't notice. He's hung up on Sailor Venus. He doesn't know I exist." Mina gave a dejected laugh. "I don't know whether to be flattered by his admiration or jealous of Venus." "You are Venus," Leta said. "He doesn't know that. What am I supposed to do? Wear my sailor suit to the dance?" "We have decided to ware black," Amy said. "Find a sexy backless piece and flaunt your stuff. Ken would have to be blind not to notice." Mina grinned. "We blondes do look our best in black. I'll try it." At that moment, Serena came in the lobby carrying two pink dresses. "Which do you like best?" "Neither," said Mina. "We're all wearing black. You will have to try again." "But I like pink." Serena looked at the stern faces of her four friends. She dropped her head. Her eyes popped out of their sockets and dangled. "Way harsh," she turned back toward the dress racks. Two full hours and three dress shops later, Serena finally found a dress that met everyone's approval The puffy off the shoulder sleeves and high waist reminded them of the gown she wore during the ball that last night on the moon. The friends decided to celebrate their success at finding dresses before they went home. They stopped at an ice cream shop and treated themselves to an ice cream cone. Mina was the last to order. At the last moment, she changed her order to a malt. Serena almost cried. "I want one." "Then get one." "I'm out of money." Mina enjoyed her treat till she saw Ken coming toward them. She was certain he would think her a pig, so she tried to hide the malt behind her back. "Hi, Leta." "Hi, Ken." "Aren't you going to introduce you friends? I know the beautiful blondes, Mina and Serena. But I haven't had the pleasure to meet these gorgeous brunettes." The girls blushed. "Wow," said Raye. "If you don't want him Mina, I do." "I never said I didn't want him." Serena, who had finished her cone, wiped her hands on a paper napkin and placed it in a nearby trash barrel. As she looked up, she saw a man with flame red hair disappear into the crowd. She headed after him. Leta hauled Raye and Amy to their feet. "Come on, we better keep Serena out of trouble. Ken keep Mina company while she finishes the malt behind her back and guard our packages." "I haven't finished my ice cream yet," Raye whined as she pursued the others. Embarrassed, Mina produced her malt. "Want some?" Ken's eyes bulged. "Cookies and cream?" "With M & M's" Ken sat on the bench beside Mina and took the malt from her hands. "I love this stuff. Especially when it's so thick, you get a tension headache while trying to suck it through the straw." Mina thought for a moment. "Try moving the straw away from the cookies." "Naahh, That's what the spoon is for." They were soon discussing their favorite flavors while Ken alternated between feeding Mina and feeding himself. * * * * * * Darien was in a formal apparel shop three stores down from the ice cream parlor. He and Renie had driven Andrew to the mall since Andrew didn't own a car. Andrew needed to rent a tuxedo for the dance. "A college student at a Jr. High dance. I don't want to go." "Then why go?" Darien asked. "I promised. Leta has ex-boyfriend problems." Darien knew the feeling. He hadn't gotten any sleep since he had first heard of the red-head. Not that he got much sleep with that recurring premonition. Why couldn't he discern its meaning? "Darien, don't you have a tux?" "What gave you that idea?" "In 'Slim City,' you wore a tuxedo when Serena threw a donut at you." "How did you know that?" Renie asked. "I was in that episode. They gave me a script." Andrew pulled a tuxedo from the rack but didn't like the color of the cummerbund. "Why were you wearing a tux that day?" "I don't know. The people in wardrobe make me constantly wear this hideous green thing." He indicated his jacket. "I don't think they like me." "Well, can I barrow your tux?" "Better not. I might need it that night." "Don't you know?" "How can I? I don't think the dance scene has been written yet?" "That would explain why I haven't gotten my script." Watching guys look at tuxedos was no fun, so Renie walked to the front of the store. She amused herself in the display window till she saw Serena run by followed by three of her friends. Renie started to chase after them, but she was supposed to stay with Darien. She was in his protective custody for the day. 'I know,' she thought. 'I'll get Darien to go with me.' Darien wasn't interested. "But I feel safest when I'm with you and Serena." "Why do you feel unsafe." Andrew asked. Darien and Renie's eyes became dots. "I better humor the kid. Can't mess with the safety net of a child." Darien grabbed Renie's hand and ran off. Andrew watched them disappear into the mall, the Luna ball floating behind them. Weird, but could you expect something normal from a kid with pink hair and a floating cat head? He turned his attention to the tuxedo in his hands. Hot pink cummerbund. NO WAY! Commercial Break Sailor Moon was supposed to be somewhere nearby. Rubeus had walked around the overcrowded mall but hadn't seen her. He didn't know how he was going to find her. A negabomb would clear out the place but he couldn't risk hurting Princess Serena. The thought of being nice to her was causing Rubeus to have an acid stomach. He paused by a store called "The House Of Hentai." Anime magazines with characters in various stages of undress were in the display window. The Earth people were supposed to be goody-goodies. Rubeus laughed. They didn't have this stuff on the Negamoon. Serena came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. "You're not ecchie are you?" Rubeus turned to the princess. His luck was changing. His prey had come to him. "No, I was wondering what kind of human liked this stuff. It must be my lucky day to have the pleasure of such a beautiful girl's company. My name is Ruben." Rubeus took Serena's hand and reached inside his pocket for the Negamoon ring. He didn't get the chance to put it on Serena's finger, however. Three of her friends showed up. The girls instantly didn't like him. They dragged Serena away. Rubeus was not pleased. He was sure the girls were the sailor scouts. They were in the way again. He needed a little help distracting them from his prize. Sailor Moon. * * * * * * "Why did you do that?" "I sensed bad vibes from him," Raye said. "I don't trust him either," Amy added. "There is something familiar about him," said Leta. Serena looked behind her where Ruben had been. "He's gone." "So?" "He's my red-head." "There is no proof that Renie's father has red hair, nor that he even exists in the 20th century," Amy said. "And there is no way that pervert is getting near you," Raye added. "Now or in the future." "Ruben is not a pervert." "He was looking in the window of a Hentai shop." "You're just jealous because you have to take Chad to the dance." Serena and Raye stared daggers at each other and stuck out their tongues. They were interrupted by a pink bunny throwing shopping bag bombs around, and he wasn't alone. The customers screamed and ran in every direction. The droid introduced himself as Droid Moll Hopper. Then his partner, who was wearing leather and chains, said, "Droid Hentai is my name; sadistic pleasure is my game." "Gross!" The droids were near enough to the ice cream parlor that Mina and Ken saw them. "Don't worry. Sailor Venus sill be here soon. Till then, I will protect you." Mina rolled her eyes. "Where are Serena and the others?" As soon as the droids appeared, Darien darted into a store restroom and transformed leaving Renie behind. He arrived in time to see Droid Hentai fling a chain whip at Serena. Serena closed her eyes. She knew from experience that it would hurt, but someone pushed her to safety. She opened her eyes. "Ruben, you saved me." Rubeus smiled. "I couldn't let that evil thing harm you, my love." Tuxedo Mask saw red. The hair on the guy that has his arms around Serena was RED. He wasn't sure who was more his enemy. The creature who attacked Serena or the man who saved her. Droid Moll Hopper continued to terrorize the episode's extras, but Droid Hentai turned his attention to Leta. She avoided the whip sent at her. Even so, Ken started running toward the droid. Mina was close behind him. While all this was happening, Raye and Amy ducked behind a CD display in the nearest store and transformed. Mars sent a celestial fire toward Droid Hentai, but he leaped clear. The fire kept going till it singed some shoppers. Mercury had a similar problem. Her ice storm missed Droid Moll Hopper and froze the bystanders. "Next time, fewer extras," they screamed. "Where is Sailor Venus?" Ken asked when he reached the battle. "Unavailable." "She's probably getting her hair done." Mina knocked over a nearby trash barrel and kicked it. The droids, too busy with Mars and Mercury, never saw it rolling toward them. The barrel knocked them down. Ken was impressed. He had always preferred a girl who could take care of herself. Jupiter joined the fight. Even with her help, the scouts could not defeat the droids. Tuxedo Mask was no help. He was more interested in Serena and her savior. As suddenly as the droids appeared, they disappeared. The scouts looked around. "Where did they go?" Tuxedo Mask started toward Serena, but he was surrounded by fans. These people wanted his autograph and locks of his hair. Some tried to remove his mask while others demanded to know why he hadn't helped the scouts. The masked man leaped to the ceiling rafters and disappeared. The scouts had similar problems and made their own escapes. Ken, however, wasn't concerned with them. "Where is Leta?" "She's fine," Mina said. "I saw her escape." She was curious about the guy still holding Serena in his arms. She walked toward them. Serena saw Mina coming and remembered her other friend's reaction to Ruben. "Want to go to the Jr. high dance?" she asked quickly. Rubeus couldn't put the ring on Serena's finger. It had fallen out of his pocket and was lying just out of reach. To get it, he would have to let her go. He had feared she might slip away. If he had a date with her, he would get a second chance. "A dance sounds fun." Serena made arrangements to meet Ruben at the dance. If her friends didn't like him, her father wouldn't let her out of the house with him. By the time Mina reached them, Rubeus had retrieved the ring and vanished into the crowd. "Who was that guy?" Serena stood and dusted off her bottom. "You don't like him. Right?" "I don't know him." Amy and Raye returned in their normal clothes. "You didn't ask him to the dance, did you?" "Did I have time?" "I guess not," Raye said. Leta and Ken walked up to them. "Who's guarding our dresses?" Leta asked. Mina screamed and ran off. The other girls followed behind leaving a cloud of dust and smoke behind them. Ken choked. * * * * * * Where was he? The dance had been going strong for over an hour, yet Ruben hadn't arrived. Serena paced in front of a refreshments' table. She drank some punch and imagined Ruben drowning in a punch bowl. She ate a peanut cluster and thought he was allergic to peanuts. She saw some odango on the table and wondered if Ruben choked on a meatball. Huh? Serena was letting her fears get out of control. Odango and meatballs were nothing alike. She needed a diversion. Molly and Melvin walked up behind her and tapped on her shoulder. Startled, Serena turned around so quickly one of her pony-tails slapped Melvin in the face. It knocked off his glasses. Even without them, his eyes were the same zombie circles. Serena stared as Melvin crawled on the ground searching for his specs. "Don't be surprised," Molly whispered. "I figured out long ago he was under hypnosis. As soon as I learn his controlling word or phrase, I'm making him do my homework." "That's not the reason you date him?" Molly shrugged. "He's not Nephlite but he adores me." "Will you make him do my homework too?" Game Machine Joe stood nearby. He saw Melvin's predicament and found his glasses for him. Rubeus watched the two girls unobserved. Why had he not noticed before that Sailor Moon was a beauty? Her features glowed with the light of the full moon. If he were Prince Darien, he wouldn't leave her side. Rubeus groaned. He needed a woman. Why hadn't he kept at least one of the sisters? Perhaps he had made a mistake. Rubeus didn't know what the Wiseman's plan was, but he was certain he could be alone with his soon-to-be willing captive. He waited till Molly and Melvin disappeared into the crowd of dancers in the parking lot which was being used as a dance floor. Serena was refilling her plastic cup with punch. Rubeus took it from her and set it on the table near the remaining filled cups. "Come, I wish to be alone with you." They past by Joe who was staring aimlessly at the dancers. He was bord. He wished his mother hadn't made him come. He didn't have a girlfriend. Why wasn't the arcade open? Commercial Break Leta's feet hurt. She had been sure Andrew could dance; she was wrong. He had stepped on her feet five times during their last tango. When he suggested they get refreshments, she agreed. Boy, did she agree. Then, when Andrew left her sitting in a folding chair by the dance floor, she wished she hadn't. Freddie walked up. That girl he was with. Bow Wow. Freddie sent her after punch. She batted her false eyelashes at him and sashayed to the refreshments' table. "Been through all the pretty ones?" "How much did you pay the dancing gigolo?" Leta stood. "Leave the people I care about alone or prepare to fry." "Why, is fried human on a stick your latest entr?e?" "Who needs the stick?" Ken was dancing with Mina--not minding her awkward steps--till he saw Freddie harassing Leta. He confronted the weasel prepared for battle. Joe walked over to them. "What's going on?" Freddie, however, didn't consider Joe a threat. "Mind you own business." He pointed toward Mina. "Go bop your little bimbo, Ken. If you think you can." Ken launched on Freddie. Several couples stopped dancing to watch the fight including Amy and Greg. They came to help pull the two apart. Even Andrew had to help separate Freddie from Ken's fists. "What was that about?" "It's about to be finished," Mina said. "Amy, we need some fog. Leta find a tree. I'll make the rope." The boys didn't take her seriously. Except Greg. He knew better. "Why don't we get some punch and talk this over rationally?" Reluctantly, Andrew and Ken followed Greg to the refreshments' table. "Freddie, take you bulldog for a walk," Leta said. Mina was confused. "He brought a pet to the dance?" Leta pointed at Freddie's date. Amy's eyes bulged. "Anyone got a bone?" A crash came from the refreshments' table. Greg lay on the ground with Andrew administering first aid to the cut on his face. Amy raced to his side. "What happened?" Ken picked up a piece of the punch bowl. "He picked up a cup, got a funny look on his face, then fell and the bowl went--" Ken looked up at the table then back at Greg. He hunched his shoulders. "I don't know." "Greg are you all right?" asked Amy. "Did he drink some punch? Maybe it's poisoned." "I'm okay." Greg sat up and groaned. "Serena's in danger." "How do you know?" Amy glanced at Leta and Mina. They shook their heads. "We don't feel anything." Greg picked up the cup laying next to him. "She touched this." "What kind of danger?" "Some guy with red hair." "Ruben," Leta said. "Yes. . . no, more like--" Greg looked confused. "I keep thinking of a ruby." "Rubeus," Amy said. "Oh no! They're the same person." "I thought that guy looked familiar." "Where is she?" Mina asked. "Someplace secluded." Greg stood and looked around. "I don't know." "Is Serena a blond? Cause I saw a guy with red hair take a blond that way." Joe pointed in the direction Rubeus and Serena had gone. The girls ran off as did Andrew, Ken, Greg and the weasel Freddie. Joe shrugged his shoulders and followed. Freddie's bulldog tried to follow but was left behind. Mina produced her communicator, even though her tight dress had no pockets, and called Raye. Commercial Break Serena sat on a park bench with Rubeus. They could hear the band playing even though they were far away from the dance. "Wow, look at the moon. Isn't it beautiful tonight?" She lay her head on his shoulder. "I have a present for you." Rubeus produced the Negamoon ring from the vest pocket of his tuxedo. "It's called a moonstone. When I saw it, I knew it was meant for you." Boy, did he. Serena examined the ring. The iridescent stone reminded her of the Silver Imperial Crystal. It had to be expensive. Serena intended to refuse the gift, but she gazed into the eyes of her date. Ruben was her red-head. He had to be, even though he wouldn't father Renie till a lifetime 1000 years in the future. They had the same red eyes. Rubeus was amazed by her loveliness. He bent his head and kissed her lips. He was even more amazed at his gentleness. He liked it rough. Serena thought the kiss nice, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had once known a kiss of more love. It made her uneasy. "Get away from her," Leta yelled as she came within sight of them. The others were behind her. Rubeus' clothes reverted to their normal gypsy appearance. "Too late." He laughed and pushed the ring onto Serena's finger. The iridescent stone glowed brighter then before and returned to its normal green color. "Sailor Moon will now do anything I tell her to do." A rose speared the ground near Rubeus' feet. Tuxedo Mask was standing in a tree. "I will not allow you to harm that girl." The branch snapped and he fell to the ground. Rubeus laughed. "So nice of you to drop in, Prince Darien. Looks like you will have to find a new girlfriend. Your princess is mine." Andrew looked up. "Darien?" For the first time, he truly looked at the capped hero. "If you harm her--" "You'll what? Rue the day your nightmares told you to dump her?" Behind his mask, Darien flushed. "Rubeus, I'm going to enjoy killing you." Renie and the cats arrived. Rubeus smiled. "Princess Serena, slit your throat." She had no knife, so she pulled the crystal star locket out of her pocket and tried to cut along her neck with the sharp pin. As she dug into her flesh, the locket popped open revealing the crystal inside. Blood trickled down her neck. The girls screamed. Tuxedo Mask begged Rubeus to make her stop. "If you insist. Serena, stop. . . for now." Serena lowered the locket showing the extent of the damage she had done to her neck. Serena's eyelids felt heavy. She could hardly keep them open. She gazed across the clearing at Renie. "Use your crystal," the child called. Serena used what energy she had left to pitch the brooch toward Renie then fainted. Rubeus roared in anger. He tried to retrieve the it, but the cats attacked him. He swatted them away. Leta and Mina resembled a couple of pass receivers as they leapt to catch the felines. When Rubeus turned back to the locket, the rabbit had it. He slugged the unconscious princess. No one present, even Freddie, could stand to see Serena brutalized. They charged. Rubeus morphed out of the way. They crashed into each other. Floating above with his blond captive, Rubeus laughed. Mars arrived and sent a celestial fire toward him. Rubeus easily avoided it. "So, the one who turned Catsy against me decided to join the fun. How nice." Rubeus raised his free hand. The sky turned to rock as a negaverse cave rose around them. Droids, including the two from the mall, appeared in every direction. "I can waist no more time. Droids, get that crystal." Rubeus and his captive vanished. To Be Continued Commercial Break When you have doubts about a person a friend is spending time with, tell him. You can't let fear of losing the friendship stand in your way. True friends look out for each other. SAILOR SCOUTS SAY (Sailor Moon is unavailable for comment) Eye winks and giggles.