Title: Losing Time Author: Dream Enid Rate: PG13 E-mail: writergrl3@hotmail.com <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< I'm back!!!!!!!! Sorry, I haven't been writing lately. It's because my computer was in the shop for, like, three weeks. It's good to be back. I just want to say that when I said sorry about the typo-s I was referring to my last fanfic posted. PLEASE E-MAIL! I've only had two e-mails. I really like to know how you enjoy the stories. My e-mail, in case you forgot already, is writergrL3@hotmail.com. The L is a lowercase l, though. This story is set during I-don't-know- which-season. You see, I'm making up my bad guys. I think it is a cool plot line, though. P.S. When it says, "Her pumps clicked against the magnificent marble." It might have something weird under it. I can't get the computer to fix it. It's 'supposed' to be three asterisks signifying a change in the setting. Same thing goes for "It was hard, but she must go on?" You know what I'd really really really like for Christmas? I'd really really really like to own Sailor Moon. Until then, I don't, so get over it, and read the story! Enjoy. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Serena had lain in her bed, staring up at her ceiling. Her feet felt warmth consume them as Luna, her cat as well as guardian, jumped onto to her rightful spot on the bed. Luna licked her paws to wash off the dirt of the day. She finished up, and lay her head down. Luna fell fast asleep, leaving Serena to continue to stare at the ceiling. Serena felt an unmistaken fear. She felt a fear in the pit of her stomach. She pined at the thought of what would happen in the unknown. As Moon Princess, she could call to Sailor Pluto in the morning. Keeping the Time Gate, Pluto could not stay too long. She also would probably just tell Serena whatever happens was destined to happen. Sleep tugged at her eyes as she felt her eyes droop. 'Only for a second,' she thought. 'Just a little bit more.' *** Daylight playfully danced across the room Serena was sleeping in. Her eyes popped open to find a strange occurrence. She was not in her room. She had never seen such a room before. There was no pink. There were no bunnies. Classical composers frowned upon her from their frames as if she was an intruder. Serena walked over to the dresser. Dog figurines lined the top of the dresser. Her shaking hands reached out to a particular puppy. She reached out for the sad, long face of the dog ad she glanced at her hands. Her hands were not hers. They were an olive skin tone. Feeling sick to her stomach, Serena stumbled to the foreign bathroom. She let the cold water run as she took huge gulps. Hands on either side of the sink gripped for support, Serena looked in the mirror. She nearly fainted from the sight. Her almond- shaped hazel eyes matched her chestnut brown hair. Her hair reached just below her shoulders; the bangs angled down from the chin. What was going on? She wasn't 'herself', but she had to be because her mind was the same. But, was it? Her thoughts suddenly shifted. Darien! He would know what to do. Serena first wanted to change into clothes. Her nightgown was an itchy wool. She opened 'her' closet; well she guessed it was hers now. Many business suits looked back at her. This woman must have been a businesswoman. Serena squinted to see the colors as her vision was now becoming blurred. Serena grabbed a business suit while walking to her bed. She sat on her bed rubbing her eyes. Her vision was now totally blurred. Serena tried to look around for glasses of some sort. She guessed she could only see in the beginning because she was still partly herself. Now she was fully becoming this young woman. She eventually felt along her nightstand for glasses. Reaching out like a blind man, Serena found the glasses she was looking for. Serena slipped the silver frames on. Serena glanced at the business suit she picked. It was a medium gray. Serena slipped out of her nightgown and into the skirt of the business suit. The skirt went to a little above the knee with a small slit in the back. She went to her dresser to finding a white silk top, which she put it on. She walked back to the bed where the jacket of her suit was. She picked up the jacket, putting it on as she headed for her bedroom door. Serena walked out of the bedroom and into a small one- bedroom apartment. She located a white phone hanging on a kitchen wall. She crossed over the white and black-checkered tiles. It was like crossing into a new world. She never remembered entering such a clean place before. Well, maybe in Darien's apartment. Actually, the two were very similar. Thinking of Darien's clean white apartment, Serena remembered she was going to call him. She picked up the phone, dialing the phone number flashing through her mind. She heard the phone ringing on the other end. Please be there; please be there, she prayed. 'Please' be there; please. "Hello?" a familiar voice answered. "Hi, Darien, it's Serena; you got to help me," Serena slurred together. "Um, slow down," Darien began. "Darien? It's Serena. I have a problem and I need your help," Serena said slowly. "Yeah right! Who is this really?" "It's really Serena." "Can't be. Serena is over here right now. So you either tell me who you are, or I'll hang up." "It's Serena," Serena said surprisingly. A click on the other end of the phone was her reply. Serena slowly pulled the phone from her ear. If she looked like someone else, then did some stranger look like her. Was the other person scared? Or did she decide she liked Serena's life better? Realizing she still had the phone in her hand, Serena gently placed it back in its place; cuddling it into the receiver. Did she have any help from her friends? They, like Darien, would never believe her. She did not think she would blame them if they didn't. It sounded crazy to her too. People did not just switch bodies for no reason. It was not a normal every- day occurrence. Who ever the person was in Serena's body must be enjoying it. She must have been the cause of the switch. No mere mortal could ever do a thing like that. Was it a youma in disguise? Serena rustled through papers on the kitchen isle until she found what she was looking for?a key. She grabbed the apartment key and walked to the door. She fumbled with the security chain lock allowing her to leave the apartment. When she fixed the chain from blocking the door, she found herself hurrying out of the unknown apartment, locking the door behind her. Serena walked through the halls, worrying about never finding the elevator when she found the right hall. Serena pressed the white 'down arrow', watching the button light to her touch. The golden elevator doors leaped away from each other suddenly, revealing the empty chamber inside. Hesitantly, Serena stepped inside, pressing another button to take her to the lobby. Serena held her breath out of habit. She watched the arrow point from floor eight to floor seven to floor six and so on until she reached the lobby. Once again, the doors suddenly parted, waiting for Serena to leave. Serena stepped off the elevator and into the enormous lobby now standing before her. Her gray pumps clicked against the magnificent white marble. "Who was that?" the innocent blonde asked. "No one? some jerk. She actually wanted me to believe that it was you," Darien replied, reaching out to pet one of the buns on his love's head. The teenager's mouth smirked. She didn't think Serena would try this early to get someone to know about the switch. In fact, it was genius on her part. Her master just wanted to do the switch, pulling Serena's mind and spirit into a jar for the keeping. It was she who convinced her master to see otherwise. "The girl might break out," she pointed out. "She's very determined when it comes to her friends." "True," the master replied. "Any ideas?" "Well," she began. "Why don't we put her mind and spirit into another body?" "Interesting, and why would we do this?" "I propose the life we put her in will be so grand and tempting, she'll never want to leave." "You just said she was determined when it came to her friends." "She'll find out how the rich live. She be dazzled in jewels and many other things to keep her mind on her new life." "Are you sure you can succeed?" "I'm positive." "Then make it so." "Thank you master," she bowed. "Oh, and Penelope?" her master called out. "Yes?" "Make sure you do succeed because I would hate to think of the consequences if you don't." "You can count on me," Penelope remembered saying. "Serena? 'Serena?' Hello? Anyone home?" Darien replied, bringing Penelope thoughts back to reality. "Oh, yeah," Penelope answered. She had to remember to answer to "Serena" now. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?" "Nothing," Darien chuckled. "Let's go to the arcade and see Andrew." "Yeah! That's a great idea!" Penelope squealed best trying to sound like Serena. "Come on, I'll get your coat." Penelope walked over to the front door slipping her feet out of her house slippers and into her shoes. Darien held out Serena's coat for her to put on. Giggling, Penelope put her arms in the sleeves of the coat as Darien helped her put on the coat. Darien slipped out of his own slippers and into his own shoes. "I'm ready, you?" Darien asked as he offered Penelope his arm. Penelope cuddled around his arm. "I'm ready," she replied. "Okay, let's go," Darien replied as the two set out the familiar path from his apartment to the Arcade. *** "Mornin', Ms. Castilla," a man called out to her. "I'll have them bring your car around for you." "Oh, thank you," Serena found herself saying. She walked toward the double glass doors. Her? A car? She didn't know how to drive! Serena stepped through the automatic glass doors greeting the bright sun. Serena squinted even with her glasses on because the blinding light shown on. She looked straight ahead of her. A red convertible sports car pulled to a stop in front of her. A man stepped out, leaving the door open and the car's engine still running. "Your car, Ms. Castilla," "Thanks!" she exclaimed. Serena walked toward her car with grace. It was uncanny. She didn't fall, trip or slip. It was as if the clumsiness drained out of her body. The man held the door open for Serena as she got into the convertible. The man shut her door after her with ease. Serena was a black purse in the passenger seat. She picked it up. She quickly ruffled through the purse, taking out the wallet. She opened the wallet to find her drivers' license. Serena was, in fact, not Serena. A new name had been given. She was now to be called 'Amber Castilla.' Strange name, Serena thought. Guess I can't say that now. It's my name. (AN: I now start calling Serena/Amber and Penelope/ Serena except in the end. If you get confused, just e-mail and ask. Not confused? Darn! I thought I would trick you into e-mailing me.) Amber Castilla looked to see how much money she had. Her jaw dropped open. There was a lot of money in there! A honk interrupted her thoughts. Amber pulled the lever from the 'p' to the 'd' suddenly realizing what each meant. "Park, reverse, drive, neutral," she began when a second honk from behind signaled the fact Amber should drive. She eased on the brake, suddenly driving as if she had always been driving. She luckily knew which street she was on and drove toward the Arcade. She could find her friends. Luna would know what to do. The problem was that Luna would never believe her. Amber easily parallel-parked the car. She calmly stepped out of the car and into the sunlight. She reached back into her car, for her forgotten purse. She shut the door with her hip, her hands being full. She then tossed her keys into her purse. Amber walked into the Arcade. It was full of memory. It was almost as if she had visited it yesterday? seen all the decorations, eaten all the food, played all the Sailor V games? actually, it 'was' yesterday. "Hi 'ya, Andrew," Amber slurred together. "I'm sorry, have we met?" the blond man from behind the counter asked. "But I'm?but you're?but we've," Amber sputtered as she sadly realized they 'hadn't' met. "No, we haven't. A f-friend told me about you." "Really? Well, I'm Andrew like you said," Andrew stated, holding out a hand. "And I'm Amber Co-Cap?" "Amber Cocap? That's an unusual name." "Nono, I'm Amber Castilla," Amber replied, taking Andrew's hand in a big handshake. "Wait a minute!" Andrew said surprisingly. "Not 'the' Amber Castilla." "That's what my drivers' license says," Amber said, once again rummaging in her purse. She offered her drivers' license to Andrew. "Holy Toledo! You 'are' Amber Castilla. Ser, Dar, come here. I want to meet someone." A certain blonde meatball-headed teenager slid out of a booth as a certain jet-black headed young man helped her up. Amber's eyes narrowed. "Something wrong, Amber? If I can you Amber," Andrew quickly added. "Oh, yeah, you can. I try to, uh, shun publicity." "Oh, I see. Well, Dar! Ser! What's taking you so long?" When the two joined Andrew and Amber, Andrew started to introduce them. "Hey guys, I want to introduce you to?" "Could I have my drivers' license back?" Amber asked, annoyed. "Oh, yeah!" Andrew exclaimed, handing Amber's license back to her. "Now then, Guys, this is Amber Castilla. Amber, this is Darien and Serena." Each gave a little wave when their name was called. "Wait!" Darien exclaimed. "Not 'the' Amber Castilla." Now this is just getting spooky, Amber thought. "I know! That's what I said!" Andrew exclaimed. Both seem very excited, contrasting to Serena; however, who seemed as shocked as Amber. "No offense, Amber," Serena began, "but who are you and how do they know you?" "You'd know if you'd ever pick up a book, Meatball Head," Darien chuckled as he slid his waist around Serena. Amber's eyes swelled with tears. It used to be 'her' waist in which Darien slid his arm around. She already missed having Darien slide his arm around her, keeping her warm physically as well as mentally. "Something the matter?" Serena asked with concern. "Oh, well, I miss my boyfriend, that's all," Amber replied, realizing afterward it was the truth. She did miss her boyfriend. "Oh that's right!" Andrew exclaimed. "You're engaged!" "It said on her last book jacket," Darien responded, knowledgably. "Isn't he on a tour in the United States for a business trip." "Yes," Amber replied, not know if it was true. "Yes, that's true." Oh, well, it was know. "Oh you're engaged? How romantic!" Serena squealed. "Can I see the ring?" Amber held out her left hand, which contained an enormous diamond ring on the third finger. "It's beautiful," Serena cooed. "Serena, why don't we have a chat to chat. You boys don't mind do you? No? Well, Andrew? Could you please fix up two of your finest hot chocolates with lots of whip cream?" Amber asked. "My treat," she added when Serena began to reach into her pocket. "You sure?" Serena asked. "I'm sure," Amber replied confidently. "Are you positive?" Serena asked. "I'm positive." Amber replied, rolling her eyes. "Only fools are positive," Serena tried to point out. (AN: I know, I know?gag me.) Amber smirked. "Look, no point arguing, it's on me," Amber added, pulling Serena to a booth by the arm before she could add anything else to make the process long drawn out. When Amber and Serena were seated across each other, Amber began her rehearsed speech. "I'm sure many weird things happen to you, Serena." "Lady, you have 'no' idea," Serena said. "Try me," Amber added. "What I want to know is, did anything weird happen when you went to bed last night and woke in the morning?" "Yeah, I got up early," Serena giggled. "Well, what's the last thing you remember?" Amber asked, deciding to take the conversation from a new angle all together. "I remember going to sleep. My cat, Luna, was snuggling my feet." Serena responded, afraid if Amber might be catching on. It mustn't seem Penelope changed herself into Serena and Serena into Amber. It must seem it has been that way the whole time. "You sure?" Amber asked. "I think I would remember," Serena added, deciding to play along. "I think somehow, someway, we switched or something," Amber said holding her breath. There were two ways this new Serena girl would take this. One, she would think that Amber was a psycho freak. (AN: my term!) Or two, she would possibly in someway believe her. "How? I think I would know if something like that happened. I mean how in the world do people switch bodies?" Serena exclaimed. Darn, Amber thought, she took it the first way. "Well, it wouldn't be in the world," Amber explained. "It would have happened supernaturally, or maybe you forgot." "I don't think I could just forget," Serena said firmly. She smiled. She was confusing the real Serena. She could see the clocks in Amber's head turning. At that moment, Andrew arrived with two steaming hot chocolates. "Here 'ya are," Andrew stated. "How much does that come to?" Amber asked. "Oh, no, it's on the house. We don't get famous authors everyday." (AN: How would he know if he didn't know who Amber Castilla was? P.S. I made up that name. There really isn't an Amber Castilla. Okay, okay I promise. No more authors' notes.) "I insist. I could just give you a ten." "It's not worth that much though!" "It's okay, I'm leaving," Serena said flatly. "Here," Amber said stuffing the ten dollar bill in Andrew's front apron pocket. "Serena, I challenge you to a game of Sailor V." "Ohhh," Andrew boasted. "You're talking to the best. You got to get up pretty early to pull a joke on Serena Tsukino." "I'm pretty good myself," Amber said, raising her eyebrows to Serena. "You aren't afraid are 'ya?" "Of course not! I accept!" Serena exclaimed, although, secretly she was afraid. She was not good at this Earth video game, Sailor V. The real Serena would see through it her in a second. The real Serena would have hard cold evidence to present to her. She would just have to play it through. "Over here, Darien!" Andrew called. "The girls are going to have a duel in Sailor V. Luckily we have the two games right next to each other. We can tell them who's winning." Good. Invite Darien over. He can see whom it is he's got his arm draped all over. Stop it. She corrected herself. It's not like he knows. Does he? The group of four walked to the Sailor V games. Serena hopped into one chair as Amber slid onto the other stool. Serena reached into her pocket. She didn't have a quarter, but she had an excuse! If she didn't have a quarter, she couldn't play the game. If she couldn't play the game, Amber didn't have evidence. "I don't have a quarter," Serena said, pointing out the obvious. "I'll spot you," Andrew stated. "I don't want to miss this. It's a great challenge." "Thank. You. Andrew," Serena replied through clenched teeth. "Ready?" Amber asked, quarter in hand. "Ready," Serena said with her new, shiny quarter in her hand. Two clinks at the same time signified both girls dropped their coins. The start- up music started when one machine's voice rang in the air. "Game Over!" it cried. Shocked, Amber, Darien, and Andrew turned to see what happened. Serena blushed red. "Um, practice round?" Serena seem to ask more than say. "Okay, I guess I can understand. Here's another quarter," Andrew offered. "Thanks, Andrew," Serena replied. Both girls inserted their coins. Amber hummed the song. Amber just killed one youma when she once again heard "Game Over!" Amber smiled as she looked at Serena, throwing glances at Darien and Andrew. "Now do you believe me?" Amber asked. "Believe what?" Andrew wondered. "Don't believe her, Andrew," Serena said. "She's a nut case. She thinks we've switched bodies or something. Come on, Darien. Let's go." "Are you sure?" Andrew asked. "It could be a publicity stunt for her next book." "Actually, that's what it is, but you're friend, Serena ruined it," Amber stormed off. Good, let them think she was mad at Serena. Amber grabbed her keys out of her purse, heading for her car. If she hurried, she could beat them to Raye and the others. *** Serena smirked. They would never believe Amber. She would sound like a drunken man, not knowing her surroundings. Her master would like her progress as Serena. Soon she should be finding out how to become Sailor Moon and who the other scouts were. She could probably ask her master to send a youma as a distraction to see how to become Sailor Moon. She would kill the youma to appear good at heart. Serena cackled. Heart? She had no 'heart'. Especially since she was not human. Yes, she appeared so, but she was not really. She was sent from the Negaverse. *** Amber speeded on the roads to Raye's temple. The first day she started driving, and she already speeds. Desperate times; however, call for desperate measures. This was a desperate time. Amber swerved on the corner. She parked in front of the temple. She grabbed her purse, tossing her keys in, and hopped out of her car. She shut the door shut but neglected to lock it. Amber tried to run up the many stairs leading to the temple; her high heels clicked on the steps. Halfway, Amber leaned over, clutching her side. Why, oh why did she have to wear pumps today? It was hard but she must go on? Serena locked herself in the privacy of her room. She looked in the floating orb her master had given her. She saw Amber scurrying up the stairs to Raye's temple. So she actually thought the others would believe her. She must have a lot of faith in her friends. Serena would have to wait and observe Amber. She did not believe Amber would be able to get the others to believe her. It was better to be safe than sorry, though. A foggy mist appeared before Serena. The mist materialized into a mirror. Serena looked in the mirror. Instead of having her reflection, it held the reflection of her master. Cold red eyes glared from behind the green skin. (AN: I know, I know, I said no more author notes, but who does that remind you of? That's right, the Grinch. I didn't mean for him to sound like the Grinch, but in the spirit of Christmas? hehe) He seemed to be a normal man, the fact aside his skin was green and his eyes were red. He was a brawny man with his muscles bulging out from under the tight muscle shirt he wore. His voice growled as he spoke. "Tell me of your progress, Penelope," the man stated. "Well, we have tricked everyone. All of her friends believe I am the real Serena. I have it so that Serena, or should I say Amber?" she laughed. Hers was followed by a deep laugh. "Actually, that's beside the point," the girl seeming as Serena said, allowing for the laughter to die away. "We have her questioning her sanity. We're right on schedule." "Good to hear, Penelope." "Wait, Master! I need you to send a youma." "A youma? Why?" "Well, if you send one, the other scouts will send for me. I'll slyly get them to tell how I transform. I will kill the youma with Sailor Moon's powers. The others will never give me a second thought. They will assume I am the real Serena." "Good thinking, Penelope. You know, if you make this scheme work, then I'll promote you. If; however, you fail me as others have done in the past, I'll have to punish you miserably. This is your last chance." "Yes, Master," she replied, holding back the fear in her eyes. "So explain to me," the master ordered. "What is the rest of this plan? So what if they believe you to be Sailor Moon?" "Glad you asked. I'll keep them believing me until I have all the information I need. When I can steal the moon crystal for our use, I'll respond by killing the scouts, Tuxedo Mask, and Sailor Moon. Earth's power will be ours for the taking!" "I like it," the cold voice responded. "Make this so. And remember?" "I know, I know, make sure I succeed." "Yes and I'm sending a youma right now. Get ready to transform." "Yes, Master," the teenager responded when the mirror vanished out of thin air. Serena smiled. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. This was ironic considering this was how she found the real Serena. Serena started dozing into sleep when a loud beeping noise awoke her. She searched for the source as the noise grew. She finally found what looked like a small beeper. Confusingly, she pushed the small button. A girl with short blue hair showed on the screen. "Serena, it's Amy," the girl stated, even though Serena already knew who the girl was. "What's up, Amy? Boy, you look cute today," Serena said. "Stop kidding around, Serena. You know no one ever calls you on here unless for business. There's a youma on the corner of Elm and Charles." "But Amy, how do I transform?" "Stop fooling around this is serious." "Okay," Serena said to the blank screen. She threw the communicator hard against the wall. She needed to know how to transform. She guessed she would find out when she arrived at the scene. Serena headed out for the corner of Elm and Charles. *** Amber slipped on the steps, running down Raye's temple. She hopped up, ignoring the fact that she had badly scraped her knee. She needed to find her friends. She hoped they would be at the arcade. Amber got into her car, grabbing her keys out of her purse. She quickly threw her purse into the back seats, suddenly realizing why the woman trapped in her body did 'not' remember anything. She was from the Negaverse! She purposely switched their bodies! Amber quickly turned from Charles onto Elm. A youma appeared out of the thin air. She swerved to avoid the youma crashing into a tree. Her head hit the steering wheel. The searing pain caused her to bit her lip in frustration, but she had to go on. She had to help her friends. They were in grave danger of the imposter. Amber shakily stepped out of the car to observe what was going on. She watched the scouts run out of the arcade door to defend the people from the fierce youma. The youma could not be described with words. It looked vaguely like a man, but held the stench of garbage. Amber pinched her nose from the awful smell. The youma looked like he came from a dump; his clothes were those of a beggar's. Amber saw Amy talk into her communicator. She was obviously calling Serena. Amber saw Tuxedo Mask come into play, holding back the youma from attacking the scouts. About ten minutes later, there was still no sign of Serena. Amber ran up to the scouts. "Get out of the way," Sailor Mars grumbled. "Are you crazy? You won't be able to hold him off." "Please, Raye," she pleaded, "let me help." Sailor Mars stayed still, shocked of what she just heard. No one had ever called her by her name when she was fighting a battle. No one had even known her real name to call her by. Just then Serena arrived. Her eyes widened as she saw Amber talking to the other scouts. "No, Mars!" Serena shouted. "It's a trick. She's another youma!" The scouts each took a step backward from Amber, scared. "No, I'm not!" Amber pleaded. "No one knows our identities but us," Mars said firmly. "She must be a spy." "She's not human," Amy replied, scanning Amber's body for signs of humanity. "Wait!" Amber shouted. "Hear me out, please!" "Mercury Aqua Allusion!" Sailor Mercury shouted, ceasing the cries slipping from Amber's lips. Ice flowed from Sailor Mercury's hands suspending Amber where she was. Amber watched the scene before her, paralyzed and frightened. "Sailor Moon! Transform!" "How?" Serena demanded. "You already know!" Sailor Jupiter said. "No, I don't!" "Stop foolin'!" Sailor Venus said frustrated. "Just shout Moon Prism Power and get on with it!" Aha! Serena thought. Now I know! "Moon Prism Power!" Serena shouted, briefly touching the broach on her chest, knowing it held the power of transformation. Now she needed to know how to get the crystal. Serena transformed into Sailor Moon before everyone's eyes, much to the horror of Amber. Just as suddenly as she had transformed, though, she de- transformed back into the appearance of Serena with a popping noise. What's wrong? Serena wondered. Why is it not working? "It's not working. I need the power of the crystal. Where is it?" Serena slyly asked. "Stop being stupid," Sailor Mars said. "It's in your broach." Amber's eyes widened if it was at all possible. They told the imposter where the Silver Imperium Crystal was! Now, they were in trouble. It was up to her. The scouts weren't aware, but she was. Amber set to work on getting herself out of the ice she was concealed in. She concentrated deeply within her to draw out the power. She felt energy surge from her fingers. It was no use trying to melt the ice. "You fools," Serena said, softly chuckling. "You actually believe I am the Serena you know." Serena changed before their eyes. Her chestnut hair fell just below the shoulders. The bangs angled down. In fact, she looked a lot like? The other scout looked at Amber, but she was not Amber. No, she was? Serena? Their eyes filled with tears. What have they done? "You know, I thought it would take longer than this to get all the information I need," Penelope said suddenly. When she had transformed, her whole outfit changed. Serena's uniform became a seductive black tube top dress. Her hair was held in a bun in the back of her head with what looked like chopsticks. "You see," she added tossing the broach up in the air and catching it in her hand repeatedly. "I shall now kill you, you, you, you, you, and oh yes, my friends, my shall not forget our star of the show, Serena." Penelope melted away all of the ice, confining Serena. Serena slowly sank to her knees. "Stand up, Serena. I'm going to fight you and kill you in front of all your friends. The problem is I need you to 'stand up!'" "I refuse to do what you ask," Serena replied calmly, holding her head in her hands. "Fine, I'll kill you now and get you out of the way!" Penelope extracted the Silver Imperium Crystal from the golden broach. She lifted the crystal above her head. She started to pull the power from the crystal when Serena shakily pulled herself to her knees. The crystal and its energy flew from Penelope's hands to Serena's hand, welcomingly held out for the crystal. "You can't keep the crystal from me if I don't want you to, Penelope. The crystal and I are now inseparable. I can will it to me at any time." "Hey! How did you know my name?" Penelope demanded as she then ordered the youma to attack Serena. Serena held the crystal in front of her, blocking her from the youma. She sent her energy to the youma, exploding him to bits. Penelope's eyes widened. She did not know the girl was that powerful. She wasn't even in her Sailor Moon form yet! Penelope wasn't going to stick around to see it either. Penelope turned to leave. "Wait!" Serena commanded. "You can't just leave. You tortured my friends, you tortured these innocent bystanders, and most of all you tortured me." Serena's words echoed in the air haunting her friends. They should have known it was not Serena. Serena was no longer in her school clothes. She was in her long princess gown. She had changed. "Princess," the scouts mumbled as they bowed. "Now is not the time for it. We need to moon dust this negacreep!" The others laughed. Serena sounded like her old self again. Penelope was a step ahead. She thrust energy from her hands, hurtling toward Serena. The energy hit Serena in the side, causing her fall gracefully to the ground. She lay unconscious on the ground, the crystal clattered against the hard concrete. Horrified, Darien turned to the Earth Prince, rushing to Serena's side. He felt her forehead. It was warm and clammy. "She needs energy," Darien told the others. Nodding, the scouts linked hands, sending their energy to Serena to use. Serena's eyes remained closed. "You'll be okay," Darien whispered, a tear falling down his cheek. "You have to be." The tear fell onto Serena's chin, rolling down to her throat. Serena's eyes fluttered. She stood to her knees, Darien helping her. "You can do it, Love. Finish her off." Serena nodded. The crystal once again flew to her hands. She lifted the crystal aiming all the energy to Penelope. Penelope's shrieks continued to echo in the air long after she had evaporated. Darien wrapped Serena into an embrace, wiping her tears with his thumb. They both rested on each other, changing back to themselves. The other scouts de-transformed, exhausted. "Serena," Raye began. "We should have known." "Forget it, it's over with. We saved the world once again and no one will ever know. I do believe it's time for a Sailor V showdown. Darien? Want to?" "But course, Meatball Head," Darien replied, slipping his arm around Serena's waist. Serena's face cracked the first smile it held in days. Finally, it was her waist Darien's arm was around. It was her being called a Meatball Head. "You know, my prince, I love you," Serena replied. "I love you, too, Ser, but let's see how you feel after I beat you at Sailor V," Darien laughed as he ran up ahead, Serena close at the heels. "Oh, you! Just wait until I get in there!" Serena yelled to the closed door, opening it to go to the game. The other girls giggled. They would leave the two lovebirds to themselves. They would fill in Luna and Artemis later. ^_^ Merry Christmas everyone! ooo (It's holly?Just smile and nod.) /\/\/\