I'M SOOOOO SORRY! It took me forever to get this out! I'm going to try my hardest to get the rest of the chapters out each week, but I'm not promising anything! Thank you to HECMEC for commenting on My Favorite Memory (the ONLY email I got about it), Carmen, Andrea Readwolf (READ HER STORY! It's good!), and everyone else who emailed me. EMAIL ME YOUR COMMENTS! Read Calynder's "Closed Palms", it's the BEST story! Read anything by Sorceress, Keeper of the Jade, and Nancy Nguyen. Then tell them to finish them!! Go to my webpage and sign the guestbook please, the url is: http://BlackIris3_chan.tripod.com/index.html. Speaking "..." *...* this is like actions or something, like *cough* (...) this is just some little notes Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball Z. Never have never will. Get over it people. I HATE disclaimers. Don't sue, I don't have any money. ------------------------------------------------------ The Real Serena Tsukino Chapter 3 By: BlackIris3 Email: blackiris3_chan@yahoo.com Rating: PG (I hate rated G things, it makes it seem sooooo childish!) Soon, very soon. I can feel it in every molecule, every particle in my body. Soon the senshi will find out I am their princess, and my beloved Darien will regain his lost memories of our love. I'm both excited and scared, I don't know which is worse. After they find out who I am, I can start acting more like myself. Oh, I'd love to see Rei's face when I stroll into the temple, early for a meeting, with my newly cut, waist-length hair in a straight ponytail down my back (no offence to the royal hairstyle, mom, but I miss my old ponytail and these odangos hurt!). Flashing a test with a perfect score, a 100%; I can just see her shocked face, then her eyes will lull to the back of her head and she'll topple to the floor in a dead faint. But then again, after they find out I'm Serenity, will they treat me differently; will they think we can no longer be friends because they are my sworn protectors? Oh no! Will they make me quit being Sailor Moon because it's too dangerous? Do you see my dilemma? Is it better they they'll know I'm the princess, or will it make things worse? I hate all this waiting. You know that feeling where you know something big, something HUGE, is going to happen but you don't know when? Don't you hate that feeling? Feeling such anxiety, and fear, and excitement all at once? Well try living with it for 2 and a half weeks! That's right, I've been feeling like this for 2 and a half weeks now; and let me tell you, it's none too pleasant. I'm so paranoid lately. Mom said I would know when the right time to reveal myself is. So I keep looking everywhere I go, glancing over my shoulder, looking for a sigh. It's driving me insane, totally and utterly INSANE! To keep my mind off my feelings I had decided to start training again. No, not those lame senshi training, real training. The training I undertook with my old pals back home in the Dragon Ball dimension. After-school when everyone thought I was stuck in detention or after a battle with a youma (basically whenever I had some free time), I would jog out deep into the woods and I would train. I was careful not to spend too much time there or it would be suspicious, and I was careful to make sure no one found my training grounds (thank you cloaking spell!). Well, it's after-school and my school bag is propped up against a tree a little ways to the side; 3 guesses as to what I'm doing, and the first 2 don't count. I had on a pair of short, black, bike shorts, a black sports bra, and sneakers. My excessively long hair was pulled up in a bun with half my hair falling straight in a ponytail. My face and neck gleamed with sweat as I once more pounded the side of a punching bag with a well aimed kick. My fists struck the front of the bag over and over and over until I finished it off with a rather forceful round-the-house kick. I was panting and gasping for breath, I bent over and cupped my knees in my hands. "Man, I am so outta shape. The old gang would be so disappointed to know how poorly my training has gone here." I leaned against a tree and snatched the water bottle from my backpack, squirting the cool refreshing water into my mouth and on my face and neck. "Oh Kami that feels soooo good." I stretched absentmindedly and lazily closed my eyes. I had to start heading back soon, mom and dad would start to get suspicious or worried; not even I have detention for this long. Oh well, there is one thing I would like to try before I leave. I stood up and gathered my energy. I concentrated it into a ball of light and energy in my hand and sent it flying into a tree across the clearing. I had made sure to make it a weak ki blast so it wouldn't blow up the tree, but it still had a hell of a lot of burnt markings all over it. I smiled, a tired, weary smile, "Well, at least I still remember how to shoot ki blasts, that's a good sign." I slung my backpack over my shoulder and began to walk out of the woods. Suddenly I stopped, "Oh yeah, gotta change the clothes and hair-do before someone sees me." I mutter. I began to glow silver and my clothes changed into my school uniform, then I waved a hand over my head and my hair went back into its normal odango style. I smile and continue my walk out of the woods, whistling the song from my star locket all the way. I made it home at about 6 o'clock and I could smell the delicious aroma of dinner, Kami I was so hungry, training for 3 and a half straight hours really boosts your appetite. I walk in and take my shoes off; slipping on some slippers I follow my nose into the kitchen. "Hey mom, I'm home. What's for dinner?" Mom whirled around to face me, "Young lady, where have you been?! I've been so worried!" *sigh* Excuse time. I sniff and hold back fake tears, "I'm sorry mom but I got detention again and then Ami was trying to show me how to do my algebra homework but I just couldn't get it, and I really tried too! And then I went to the arcade to drown my sorrows and I lost track of time. Please forgive me mom, please!" Mom's face softened and she hugged me, "Oh darlin', it's okay. I know you tried, but honey, you just have to push harder. I know you can get it, I believe in you." Times like these make me miss my real mother. I look up into the eyes of the woman I have come to love like my real mother, "I love you, mom," she smiled and kissed my forehead, "Ahh baby, I love you too." She hugs me once more then goes back to finishing dinner. You know mom, I'm gunna go work on that algebra homework." I grin and walk up to my room. Of course I actually do understand the algebra; hell I have been doing algebra since I was 9 (5 years), but they don't know that. I've decided I will improve my grades, of course I couldn't go from an F to a A+ right away, no that would be way too suspicious; how 'bout going from an F to a D or C, that shouldn't be too suspicious. I grab my homework from my bag and answer just enough of the problems right to give me a C- on the paper, "There, that should surprise Haruna?" I yawn and decide to take a short nap until dinner's ready. The next thing I know I'm asleep on my bed, still in my uniform. My eyes flutter open but I quickly shut them when they are assaulted with bright sunlight streaming through my window. Wait a minute, sunlight?! I must have slept all night, I didn't even eat dinner last night! I stretch and glance at the clock; wow, it's only 7 o'clock. I sit up and notice Luna at the end of my bed, she must've come in some time after I had fallen asleep last night. Getting up carefully as to not wake her I tiptoed to the bathroom and slipped into the shower. As soon as I got out of the shower I dried my body and, with the wave of my hand, hair and slipped on my uniform. Walking out of the bathroom I walked in front of my mirror and began to put my hair up into 2 odangos. I skip down the stairs and sit down at the table with my family for breakfast. Mom turns around and almost drops the plate of pancakes she's holding when she sees me. Dad looks up from the newspaper he's reading and starts to choke on his coffee. I quickly pat him HARD on the back and he swallows, regaining his composure he grins, "Well, it's good to see you up early for once, taking on some responsibility." "Thanks," I mumble as I stuff pancakes into my mouth. I glance at my watch and quickly finish my breakfast. "If I wanna make it to school on time I gotta go now!" I run upstairs and grab my homework, stuffing it into my schoolbag. I grab my lunch and hurry out, walking brusquely to school. I was kinda disappointed when I didn't run into Darien but I couldn't dwell on it for long. "Hey Serena!" Ami and Lita walked up to me, they were both surprised to see me on time for once. "Hey, ya wanna go schopping with us after-school?" No, not really? "Sure! I'd love to!" "Great! We can--" RRIINNNGGGG!! "Come on, let's go! I want to see Ms. Haruna's face when she sees me on time for once!" The girls giggle and we race inside. "Hi, Ms. H!" "Hello gir- Serena! Oh my god, you're on time!" A pale Ms. Haruna clutched the edge of her desk for support and began hyperventilating. "Yeah, and I did my homework too!" I flashed my homework in front of Ms. H; it was too much for her. She went all moonie-eyed and all color drained from her face; I burst out laughing. Ms. Haruna quickly recovered and regained her composure, I quickly sat down and the day finally began. Besides getting a C- on my homework and freaking Ms. Haruna out, the day was pretty normal. So right after-school, Lita, Ami, and I all headed to the mall. After a few hours of cruising the mall we got bored and headed outside. It was the huge crowd that caught our attention and drew us toward it. There was this man on a window washer thing and the ropes sustaining it were about to snap; unfortunately for him, he was on the 10th floor. And suddenly the ropes did snap and the man and the window washer thing came plummeting towards the earth. People quickly scattered away from the area where the washer was sure to hit- the shrieks were deafening. Then suddenly a blonde with my odango hairdo in a fuku was sailing through the air, and caught the man. She swung them both to safety, dropping the guy off on the ground and proceeding to swing onto a rooftop. And then it clicked. That woman was impersonating Sailor Moon- me! The crowd broke out in cheers of applause and "Yeah! Go Sailor Moon!" No one noticed when I sat down on the curb and began to wail. "It's not fair! I'M Sailor Moon! There can't be 2 Sailor Moons!" The girls tried to comfort me and called the other senshi, we were going to follow this imposter and see where she leads us. We had followed her to the docks when we lost her. "Where'd she go?!" I cried in frustration. Mercury whipped out her computer, but it ended up we didn't need it. We all saw it at the same time. Dangling from a huge crane, lightning flashed behind the fake Sailor Moon. Her hands were bound but her legs dangled freely. And then we saw him- Tuxedo Mask. He had cut the fake Sailor Moon down and had carried her off somewhere. That pushed me over the edge. "NO! he must think she's me! DAMNIT!" But before I could finish wailing, I heard a familiar voice behind me. "So it seems you little Sailor brats fell right into our little trap. Queen Beryl will be pleased." Before anyone could react Malachite had surrounded us in a dome of dark energy. Mercury couldn't find a weakness in it and none of our attacks worked against it; so I think it's safe to say we're screwed. Malachite was slowly enclosing the dome around us; soon we'd all be crushed. We were all on our knees and the dome couldn't get any smaller without killing us. After coming to the conclusion that Tuxedo Mask was not coming to save us for some reason and that we were doom; I had pretty much given up hope when I heard it. "Venus Crescent Beam SMASH!" and *CRASH* went the dome. We all collapsed and I vaguely saw Tuxedo Mask in the shadows clutching his shoulder, and then he disappeared. Zoicite had appeared next to Malachite, who was rubbing his injured hands. Malachite and Zoicite were about to attack us where, all of a sudden, Queen Beryl ordered them back to the Negaverse. And then that left us alone with the new senshi- Sailor Venus. I knew who she was; hell she's my cousin, Andrew's little sister from the Silver Millenium. 'I wonder if she remembers anything about the Silver Millenium; I wonder if she remembers me?' Then I noticed the white mask covering her eyes. 'Oh my god?' Of course! It was so obvious; I was such a blind idiot. Tentatively I stepped forward, "Sailor V??" She grinned and jumped down from the rooftop she had been standing on, all the while taking her little white mask and throwing it up in the air, revealing her blue eyes; so like mine- our family eyes. Then a perky male voice from behind me startled me, "Yup! It's Sailor V alright!" Then Venus struck her "V is for Victory" pose and winked, "Codename; Sailor V! The V is for Venus." "Artemis?" Luna's familiar British accent filled me with terror as I thought she had discovered who I really am; until I realized she was talking to the white cat with the crescent moon on its forehead. 'I never did get why they named Venus' advisor and guardian after me.' No time to dwell on my thoughts. "That's right Luna! Long time no see, huh?" And blah, blah, blah; I basically faded out on the rest of the conversation, just fading in to remember that we were all gunna meet at the park tomorrow night in civilian form. Got the info and then I was off with Luna in my arms. I am so tired? The moment I climbed into my bedroom window I detransformed, flung my pajamas on and hit the sack. Who cares if mom gives me an earful tomorrow for missing dinner and not telling her I was hom? I didn't run into Darien again the next morning. I missed him. I was uneasy all day, my nerves were on full alert and I was on the look out for? anything. That feeling I had in the pit of my stomach, that told me they'd find out I'm the princess soon, intensified almost to the point of causing me physical pain. I was worried and jumpy and paranoid, but I tried concealing it. No one noticed it; no one looked deep enough or paid enough attention. Thank Kami! School's out, now I gotta look for Darien. I spotted him walking down the street, briefly noting his slightly hunched over form and that he was heading towards the Tokyo tower. I ran up behind him and slapped him on the back "Hey Darien!" Then- ok Kami; Darien was in pain, I had caused him physical pain, I could feel it. "Go AWAY, Odango Atama!" he grumbled through clenched teeth and continued his journey towards the Tokyo Tower. I looked down at the hand I had slapped his back with. 'Oh Kami?' Blood, Darien's blood. And it clicked. He must've gotten injured last night, at the battle. That's why he couldn't help us, that's why he was clutching his shoulder? I quickly ran after him. I saw him, he was almost at the Tokyo tower when I caught up to him. "Odango? What are you doing here?!" I was gasping for breath- I had run all the way to him. "Darien? of Kami Darien? you're bleeding!" I gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have to get that look at by a doctor! Oh god, what happened?" He didn't have time to reply before we were both enclosed in a red orb and transported into the Tokyo Tower. I was unconscious for who knows how long before I regained semi-consciousness. I couldn't open my eyes but I could here. I heard Darien's voice, and he was talking to two other people, they sounded so familiar. I recognized the voices as Malachite and Zoicite's. They were talking, then I heard Zoicite screech, "My, my face! You've scratched my beautiful face! You'll pay!!" And I could only guess what had happened, and I guessed that Darien had thrown a rose at Zoicite. And then I fully regained consciousness. I opened my eyes and saw Darien standing above me and Malachite and Zoicite were floating about, Zoicite had her hand pressed against her cheek. I could only catch what Malachite said last before they disappeared, "Get to the roof if you can, we'll be waiting for you up there. Then we'll have our little showdown!" Then the walls and floor started to turn to stone and the floor started to collapse beneath us. I stood up shakily, "Darien? What's going on?" He twirled around to face me, then grabbed my hand and started to drag me to the elevator. "Serena, Run!" So I ran. We barely jumped into the elevator in time before the floor totally collapsed, the elevator doors shut behind us. I was panting pretty hard, so was Darien. He stood up and walked to the other side of the elevator, which (oh big surprise here) had turned to stone but still travels to the roof. I stood up, "Darien, what is going on? Please, how do you know those people?" I knew very well how he knew those people, but I couldn't tell him that. But I do truly want to know what's going on. He sighed and turned his head, then he began to speak. "When I was 6 years old, my parents were killed in a car crash. I was the only survivor. I was diagnosed with amnesia. I lived in an orphanage until I was 16, when I got a job and bought an apartment. I started having this dream- with a beautiful princess calling my name, begging me to help her, to find the Silver Imperium Crystal. It was the only thing I knew that could help me recover my past. And? there was something about her- the princess- I just, felt like I needed to help her. I've been issued a challenge that might just get me the remaining rainbow crystals, which will make the silver crystal. If I win- I get their crystals, I have to win." Oh mother, she must have sent those dreams to him! Oh God, poor Darien? I had no idea, no idea. I walked up to him and put my arms around him in a comforting hug, he buried his head in my hair. "Oh Darien, I had no idea. I'm so sorry, I wish I had known you then. You must have been so lonely. I felt tears well up in my eyes, he looked down at me. "Don't pity me, I don't want pity." I had to smile at that, which was so much like the Darien I know. I place a hand on his cheek, "I would never pity you, you should know that by now! I just want you to know, I'll always be there for you? always." He smiled that quirky, heart-melting grin of his. "Thanks, I appreciate it." I grinned and pulled out of our embrace. Just in time too, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. We stepped out together- right into a trap. Malachite's evil laughter sickened me, "So you finally made it. Good, but you won't be alive for long!" He launched a huge energy/fire ball down in the little pit we had stepped into, there was no way out. 'I can't transform in front of him! But? but it's the only way to make it out of here alive?" The fire ball was almost upon us, I made a decision. Thrusting my hand into the air I called out, "Moon Prism POWER!" In bursts of light and pink ribbons I had transformed into Sailor Moon. I grabbed Darien and jumped outta there. Darien was staring at me dumbfounded when I turned toward The Nega- generals. "I am the Champion of love and justice, Sailor Moon! And in the name of the moon, I WILL PUNISH YOU!" "So, Sailor Moon, you decided to join in on our little party huh? Well that's ok. You little friend Tuxedo Mask is here too." Now's the part I gotta act all dumb. "Nah-uh! Where, I don't see him! Tuxedo Mask isn't here!" Then a deep masculine voice from behind me spoke up, "I'm right here Sailor Moon." I spun on him, and looked at him dumbfounded, "No way, really?" He grins and nods. Then turns serious again and walks up next to me, facing the generals. "Sailor Moon, this isn't your fight. You must not interfere." I don't think so? "This is as much my fight as it is yours! Your enemy is my enemy!" Then Malachite spoke up, "Tuxedo Mask, hand me your crystals until after the battle." Tuxedo Mask hesitates, "Only if you promise not to hurt Sailor Moon!" Malachite sneered, "Of course." He then hands Malachite his crystals. "Good." And then he disappeared. Oh God, Darien you fool, it's a trick! Can't he see that? "Are you ready? Let's go!" Zoicite grinned. Tuxedo Mask got his cane out and Zoicite got an ice crystal ready to throw. She aimed? straight for me! And shot. Tuxedo Mask saw it too late, I was frozen, terrified. He ran and pushed me out of the way, but he was hit with it instead. He fell, covered with blood. I screamed! No, not again! I ran to him, and held his head in my lap. Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over, "Tuxedo Mask, you saved me! You, you have to be ok! PLEASE!" He weakly lifted a gloved hand to touch my cheek, "It's? all up to you? now, Sailor Moon. You, you have to? win those? crystals for me, set the? princess free." I was sobbing. Zoicite was laughing- that little bitch, I swear I'll kill her. Malachite was worried and angry, though I can't imagine why. Then I heard a voice, a beautiful, soft, loving, twinkling voice- my mother's voice. It whispered in my ear- or maybe I just heard it in my head- so no one else could hear and said, "Daughter, it is time?" Oh course, maybe, maybe as the princess I could save him! I tilted my head back; the crescent moon insignia of my family flickered faintly on my forehead. I was breathing hard, willing my transformation into Princess Serenity to work- 'Please?' I shut my eyes and screamed, "NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" And my family birthmark, my crescent moon, burst into life! The light and the gusts of wind washed over me and changed me from Sailor Moon to my royal persona- Princess Serenity. My fuku changed to the flowing, white princess dress I had been wearing the day that Beryl attacked my kingdom- the day I died. My hair grew longer in its odangos, flowing so it would have reached to mid-calf if I had been standing. The transformation was complete, I dimly registered, in the back of my mind, that the senshi including Venus had arrived and had seen me transform into the princess, and that Zoicite is staring at me in amazement. I paid them no mind and look down at Darien- gazing at him with love, he was staring at me. "I, I remember now. You are Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, and I am Prince Darien of Earth. We, we were engaged." "Yes, I remember now. We are free. We can finally be together, my love." He gripped my hand but then fell unconscious. "No! Endymion! No?" the last word I spoke in a whisper. He was dying, I knew that, but it still hurt so much. A tear trickled down my cheek and then, as it fell, it stopped in mid-air. I stared at it, entranced. Through the roof the 7 rainbow crystals floated down and connected with each other. My tear began to crystalline and floated up to the rainbow crystals; there was a flash of bright white light and the 2 crystals melted into one crystal- the Silver Crystal. It was right in front of me; I reached out a hand to touch it. In my other hand my Crescent wand appeared; I took the crystal and placed it into the place where the Crystal was supposed to go. I looked up, and noticed that Zoicite was staring greedily at the Silver Crystal. "Give me that crystal, Moon Brat!" I gently placed Darien's head on the floor and stood up, I walk a little closer to Zoicite with unusual grace and calm. I lifted the crescent wand in the air and sent a powerful blast of energy at Zoicite. It hit her directly in the chest and she crashed into the wall behind her. And then Malachite decided to make his entrance and appeared in the air- and saw Zoicite beaten and trembling. "Zoicite! You're trembling!" He took her into his arms and I barely made out what she said, "Oh Malachite! That brat did this to me! Help me get my revenge, love!" Malachite turned his head to stare at me with an icy glare. I glared back with the same iciness. "You'll pay for that!" he screamed. And in my soft, calm, princess voice I replied, "No, I won't. Cosmic Moon Power!" And a giant wave of energy blasted into Malachite and Zoicite- only to see that Malachite had put up a strong energy shield around himself and his love. It wasn't doing much but weakening him. Then Queen Beryl appeared and told Malachite to return to the Negaverse, but not with out bringing back a gift- Darien. My energy was weakening and I stopped the onslaught of power against Malachite. He quickly looked at my prince and a redish- black orb surrounded him, and he was teleported away with the 2 generals. "No, Darien?" and I fell unconscious. There was a fog all around me; it was night- I could tell. I looked around and saw a dark silhouette. "Darling." "Mother!" I called in reply and ran towards the former queen of the moon. "Oh mother! Now that they know, I'll finally get to act like my self- my true self! No more failing tests! No more being late and being ditzy and weak and a crybaby!" I was happy, but then I sobered up as I remembered, "Oh! They took him! I love him so! How will I live without him?!" My mother hugged me tightly. "My dear, I have bad news." I looked at her expectantly. "You cannot start acting like the princess yet. You must continue to act as you always have. And, I am sorry about Endymion. But have faith, daughter. Never give up in him or your love. You will win him back, dear, as long as you remember that." I was crestfallen. I wouldn't be able to act like myself. But then my spirits brightened a little, I'd get him back! "Daughter, you must return now, your friends are waiting for you." I hugged mother once more, "Bye mom." And then everything went fuzzy and I woke up hearing, "Odango Atama is sooo heavy! She needs to go on a diet! When's she gunna wake up, I can't carry her forever you know!" "I heard that Rei." I said groggily. "Serena! You're awake!" Rei set me down and rubbed her shoulders. Everyone rushed to me and I woke up completely. "Are you okay?" I heard a chorus of. I nodded. The girls began to talk about strategy or something, but I couldn't hear them. I was staring out at the night sky- at the moon. 'I'll get you back Darien. I swear it.' "Serena?" I heard the senshi's soft voices, "you coming girl?" I looked into Mina's worried eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I'm coming." I walked down the stairs, trailing behind the other senshi, with grace I had seemed to have never possessed before. As we stepped out side and detransformed, I looked up at the moon once more and smiled, 'He'll come back to me, I may still have to act like Serena the Odango Atama- but at least I'll get Darien back. I just hope he can hold on long enough?' I felt the girls staring at me and I detransformed. Slowly I walked down the street towards my home and my form disappeared in the horizon. A cold wind whipped in the air and chilled my bones; but it comforted me, keeping me alive and sane. I was feeling numb, but not because of the cold weather- because of the emptiness in my heart. I knew that the upcoming battles would be hard and testing and the final battle would be one of the most difficult I would face in my life. I could only hope I would live long enough to save Darien? ----------------------------------------------------- Do you like it, hate it? Email me with your comments. I'm sorry I couldn't get this out sooner but I just got over my writer's block. I'm gunna put the DBZ gang in here soon, they're gunna visit Sere! But I don't know if I should make the whole gang go or just Trunks. What do you think? Send me your comments . Thx! And don't forget to visit my website: http://BlackIris3_chan.tripod.com/index.html. Sign the guestbook! Luv ya. ~BlackIris3