Under a Crystal Moon By Lady Sylver ____________________________________________________________ Chapter 2 Usagi slowly makes her way back to her house. She is still burning with fever, but ignores it the best that she can. Her head begins to spin as she collapses to the ground. "Great, Usagi, give them something else to criticize you about." She thinks to herself. She begins to pull herself to her feet once more, when a youma appears nearby. "Time to prove yourself, Usagi. Moon Crystal Power!" Energy surrounds her body as the transformation over takes her. As the transformation ends, she begins to run toward the youma on unsteady legs. "I will do this and prove to them that I can." She sees the creature that is running through the streets, terrorizing all of those that are trying to make their way home after the rain. "Hold it right there, Nega Scum." The creature turns to look at Sailor Moon. "So, you think you can stop me." The creature looks around. "Where are all your little friends, Sailor Brat?" "I don't need them to deal with you." "That's what you think." The creature forms a bolt of energy in front of it. As the energy reaches it maximum capacity, the creature releases the energy. Sailor Moon being half-delirious from fever takes the attack without even trying to dodge. The attack causes her to fly backwards into a tree. The creature begins to laugh as it advances on Sailor Moon. ************************************************************** Raye, Minako, Makoto, and Ami begin to search for Usagi. They don't get very far before they see Tuxedo Kamen making his way down the street. All four Senshi look at each other and nod their heads. They duck into a nearby alley and quickly raise their transformation sticks to the sky. "Mars Star Power!" "Mercury Star Power!" "Venus Star Power!" "Jupiter Star Power!" As their transformations end, they race in the direction they saw Tuxedo Kamen running. *********************************************************** Sailor Moon shakes her head as she rises from the ground. "I won't let you defeat me that easily." She breathes heavily as the pain courses through her body. "We'll see just how easily you fall." The creature raises its clawed hand toward the sky. As it reaches its peak, the claws come swiping down at Sailor Moon. A red rose flies by Sailor Moon and strikes the creature's hand, but the hand continues its swing and slams into Sailor Moon. She cries out in pain as its claws rip into her leg. The Sailor Senshi arrive in time to see Sailor Moon cry out in pain. She looks up at her Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen. The Sailor Senshi all release their powers at the youma. None of their powers seem to phase the youma as it stands over Sailor Moon. The creature continues to glare down at Sailor Moon ignoring all of the blows that it is receiving. It pulls its clawed hand up to make another strike at the weakened Sailor Moon. "This creature is too powerful for them alone. I am no use anymore like this. No matter what they say or think, I love them all. I won't let them be destroyed by this creature." She thinks to herself. She looks up at the creature as it begins another downward swing. "Once I finish you, I can go play with your friends." "I don't think so." Sailor Moon grabs the creature's hand as it comes down on her once more. With her other hand she reaches for the brooch on her bow. She never hears the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen yelling at her not to do it. She turns and smiles. "Moon Cosmic Power!" The energy surrounds her and the creature. "I want to be away free. They don't care about me." She thinks to herself as the light envelops her and a tear slides down her cheek. **************************************************************** "Usagi, no!" The four Sailor Senshi scream. "Usako." Tuxedo Kamen whispers as tears fill his eyes. He knows the moment she is gone and falls to his knees. "Why?" Venus asks. "Why did she do it?" Tears stream down her face. "She knew the creature was too strong for you, and she was going to be of no help." All eyes turn to stare at the person who spoke. Standing before them is a woman of about thirty. She has long light pink hair and reddish-brown eyes. She wears a black dress and cape with hood. A solemn look lies upon her face. "If she would have called, we would have been here to help her." Jupiter says. The figure walks over to Tuxedo Kamen and places a hand on his shoulder. "She loved you with all her heart. She did not want to believe you left her, but her heart never does win, does it?" She looks toward each of the Senshi. "She fought alone because she wanted to prove to you all that she was not a crybaby and a klutz." The woman begins to walk away. "We knew she could, when she wanted to." Mars says. "You all have a funny way of showing love." The woman glares at them all. "You have lost her, now what will you do?" A portal opens in front of her. A tear runs down her face as she enters the portal. "I'm sorry, Senshi and Papa." She whispers. ************************************************************* A young woman with long light blonde hair lies face down on the sand. She slowly begins to open her eyes. The sun hangs high in the sky. She slowly lifts herself up and looks around. A wave rushes up onto the shore and surrounds her prone body. "The beach." She whispers to herself. "I'm free." She slowly sits up and takes in her surroundings. A young boy walks toward her. She looks up into his brown eyes and can see the innocence that is there. A smile crosses her face as she looks into his happy eyes. "Are you okay, Miss?" "I am glad I began to pay attention in English class." She thinks to herself. "I am fine, now. Thank you for asking." A puzzled look crosses his face, but it is soon forgotten. "My name is Mark. What's yours?" She looks up into his eyes. "My name is Rena. I am very glad to meet you." She extends her hand out to him. He shakes it. "Maybe you can help me find someplace to stay?" "Sure." He smiles at her and takes her hand. "I know the perfect spot. My house." The young boy begins the trek to his house, with Rena in tow.