Author's Notes:

Hello, sorry this took so long to produce. Hope your enjoying 
the holidays! finding spare time is so hard lately :) 

Hope this will prove to be worth the wait.
 
All comments to:

amslerd@globalserve.on.ca

Copyright Notice:

Sailor Moon is copyright Naoko Tenchi and is being used without 
permission (I hope that no one takes offense!) and I reserve all 
posting rights.

Note:

Sailor Pluto        =    Susan
Sailor Uranus       =    Erica
Sailor Neptune      =    Michelle

Whose Reality is Right?

Chapter 13 "A new Moonrise"


Darien seeing Daniel disappear realized that now was his only 
chance to get free of his bonds, for he knew that like himself, 
Serena could sense when he was in danger and she would walk right 
into the trap that Daniel had laid!  With that thought running 
through his mind he redoubled his efforts to free himself.


Daniel found himself back at the North Pole, his mind awash in 
images he could neither place or name.  His vision began to clear 
and he found a sneering Malachite hovering over him, "Well, it looks 
like Metalla's favorite new pet isn't quite housebroken!" and he 
laughed a laugh that was full of scorn.  The dark ring on Daniel's 
hand flared to life and the laughing Malachite found himself at the 
end of Daniel's arm, Daniel's grip was so strong Malachite had been 
cut off in mid gloat. "Shut up you fool!" Daniel snarled "I can still 
destroy you with barely a thought, not to mention your beloved 
Zoicite.  I'd be very careful about who I make fun of!" and Daniel 
flung Malachite hard into the far wall!  Malachite's head was swimming, 
both from the abrupt cut off of his oxygen and the pain that was 
shooting through his body, he had barely a moment to gather his wits 
when Daniel set upon him again.  Daniel pulled the nearly limp General 
up to his face "By the way, was that you that pulled me out of that 
fool Tuxedo Mask's apartment?"  Malachite paused to try and gather his 
wits angering Daniel even further and the General suffered as Daniel 
sent jolts of Dark Energy into him in an attempt to refresh Malachite's 
memory. Daniel asked again, his face and voice the picture of calmness, 
but Malachite knew that he would pay for any further delay in answering 
him.  Malachite stammered "I was following Metalla's orders, she told 
me to retrieve you at the first sign of a problem and your aura began 
to waver strangely so I brought you back here".  Daniel released the 
Dark General who crumbled to the floor in a heap "I see". Daniel 
murmured "It appears I must make it clear to our Regent that I do not 
appreciate being interfered with without my consent... and as for you".
Malachite gulped involuntarily, "Stay out of my way, I'd have no 
problem eliminating you, Metalla's orders be damned!" and Daniel 
stalked off.  Malachite thought to himself "Metalla has created a 
monster, if she's not careful handling him he'll destroy us all!" and 
the Dark Kingdom General disappeared in order to consider his next 
move.


Serena and the girls minus Mina (who had been unreachable on the 
communicator) stood outside Darien's apartment.  "Well, we're here 
Meatball brain what now?" Rei grumped.  Serena shot a sharp look back 
at the fiery Scout "Duh, we get in the apartment pyro!" and soon 
enough another war of tongues began.  Ami suddenly spoke with 
surprising authority "Enough! Serena we're here because you sensed 
Darien was in trouble! We're not going to find anything out with you 
two acting like five year olds!"  Ami's outburst had brought the two 
combatants up short "She's right Serena" Rei muttered "First 
priority is Darien"  Serena nodded and suddenly produced a key in her 
hand.  "Where did you get THAT?" The girls all asked in shocked 
unison.  Serena blushed "Well, er um that is..." and the group broke 
up in fits of giggling despite themselves.  Meanwhile, inside the 
apartment Darien struggled fiercely against his bonds, his progress 
being measured in agonizingly slow seconds.  Suddenly he heard the 
girls laughter outside and his heart sank "I gotta get outta these 
bonds or the girls are going to walk right into Daniel's trap!"


Meanwhile, Mina had left her communicator at home, not wanting to 
have to deal with any Scout business and she had gone to a secluded 
area of a local park that only she knew about.  When she finally 
got settled in she let her outward fa硤e drop and began to sob 
quietly into her hands.  "Why is this so hard?" Mina sobbed to 
herself "I mean Serena went through losing Darien and she didn't snap 
at her friends or abandon them".  Artemis who had followed Mina from 
her house suddenly appeared and spoke up, "Each of us deals with loss 
in our own way, maybe because you're normally so happy you react more 
strongly than anyone else".  Mina jumped to her feet,  "Artemis! What 
are you doing here?" The white cat jumped at the loud way in which 
the question had been put to him. "I was worried about you, it's not 
like you to abandon your friends... Or your duties as Sailor Venus" 
and with that the cat arched his eyebrow towards Mina's arm and 
waited for an explanation.  Mina sighed "I don't know what to do 
Artemis, I mean I've got this really bad feeling that I might have 
to fight Daniel, maybe even try to destroy him and I don't know if 
I can do that!" and the blondes head sank back into her knees.  
Artemis looked at his charge in mute sympathy "Mina, I think you 
forget that it's not just your feelings that are at stake here, it 
could very well be the fate of the entire world that rests on your 
ability to do what has to be done.  I mean what do you think Daniel 
would want you to do?"  Mina thought about it for a moment and 
sighed "He'd want me to destroy him if there was no other way to 
stop him... But" Artemis stood up "No buts Mina! You have to do 
what you must and Daniel if he truly loves you will understand that.  
Now come on the girls went over to Darien's place because Serena 
sensed something was wrong! We've got to see what's up" Mina stood 
up but still had a lost look in her sparkling blue eyes.  Artemis 
nuzzled Mina's leg "Don't worry, if anyone can help him I'm sure 
you can Mina, I have confidence in you and so do the others! Now come 
on." and with that the cat took off towards Darien's apartment.  Mina 
thought to herself "You all may have confidence in me Artemis, but 
I'm not sure I do anymore" as she took off following the cat.


Meanwhile, back at the North Pole Daniel had found a quiet room in 
the base and dozed off, but his was a fitful sleep...


Daniel found himself suddenly back on the Moon Kingdom, dressed in 
some type of armor in the chamber of Queen Serenity.  Suddenly 
Queen Serenity appeared and spoke in a voice much louder than her 
slight form seemed capable of producing "What do you have to say 
for yourself?" Daniel was taken aback by the question "Pardon me 
your Majesty?" Daniel enquired in a small voice. Serenity spoke 
again "How dare you attack my daughter the Princess Serena and her 
Royal Court! I trusted you and took you in when you needed shelter 
and aid and this is how you repay that kindness?" Serenity was 
fairly shrieking now and all Daniel could try to do was utter 
apologies "But my Queen, I'm, I'm not in control of my actions, 
Metalla has poisoned my body with Dark Energy, I'm powerless to 
resist..." Serenity fairly exploded at that comment "Powerless? You 
are one of the most powerful beings in the universe!" and suddenly 
Serenity calmed down "If nothing else, think of the Lady Venus, that 
alone should give you the strength you need to break free of 
Metalla's clutches.  Now go and please heed my words, the continued 
existence of the universe depends on you" and suddenly Daniel sat 
bolt upright in the bed, eyes unfocused but the golden ring glowing 
with a steady beat...


Back at the apartment, Serena was just putting the key into the lock 
when Rei suddenly felt a cold wave wash over her. "Serena don't..." 
and she pushed Serena out of the way even as Serena was opening the 
door.  Suddenly a blast of Dark Energy erupted through the doorway 
enveloping the other girls who began screaming in pain.  Serena 
looked at her friends in shock and made to go towards them "No 
Serena!" Rei cried "Don't come any closer!" Serena didn't know what 
else to do but stand there, terror in her eyes for her friends 
predicament.  Ami spoke through pain clenched teeth,  "Serena, try 
the Imperium Silver Crystal...". Serena hearing Ami's words called 
out,  "Moon Healing Activation!" The beam from the crystal washed 
over the girls and headed inside the apartment, for long seconds 
nothing seemed to be happening until they heard a "pop" like a 
plastic bag exploding.  The Dark Energy beam terminated and the 
girls collapsed. Serena rushed over to them "Are you all okay?" 
Serena asked in a worried tone.  "Aside from feeling like I stuck 
my hand into a live wall socket, fine" Rei coughed out. Serena 
checked the others over and seeing they were okay helped them into 
the apartment.  Serena then went looking for Darien and found him 
tied up in another room.  After freeing him Serena asked "Who did 
this Darien?"  Darien stood grim faced as he attempted to rub 
feeling back into his wrists "Daniel did" 


Serena stood there in mute shock "Are you sure? Couldn't it have 
been an illusion by Metalla or Malachite?"  Darien shook his head 
and recounted the entire battle with the now corrupted Daniel, 
"Nope, it was him alright.  Hold on, did any of the girls get hit 
by that Dark Energy trap he set up?"  Serena paled "Yes but Rei 
pushed me out of harms way and I destroyed the trap with my 
crystal, why?"  Darien sighed "Serena, ask the girls if they can 
transform.  Daniel said the trap wasn't meant to destroy you, 
just strip you of your Scout powers..." Serena suddenly dashed 
into the other room, several exclamations of surprise and anger 
later, the girls tried to transform, but aside from a few sparks, 
nothing happened.  "Great, we've got Malachite & Zoicite running 
around loose along with Metalla and now they have Daniel under 
their power, and we're down to Serena and Mina only having their 
powers, can this possibly get any worse?" Rei sighed.  Suddenly 
Mina came into the room "Hi guys, I'm sorry I didn't get here any 
sooner, the door was open so I let myself in..." Ami sighed "You 
had to ask didn't you Rei?"


Meanwhile back at the North Pole Malachite and Zoicite were 
making plans of their own "With that fool Daniel's loyalty to 
Metalla in question I think it behooves us to show our Regent some 
initiative and destroy those Sailor brats, don't you agree 
Zoicite?"  Zoicite nodded but her face told a different story "But 
what if Daniel finds out about us attacking the Scouts without 
Metalla's orders?"  Malachite snorted, "If that fool dares 
interfere with our plan, it will only to serve to prove that he 
is not the loyal follower that Metalla believes him to be".   (And 
it will give me the excuse I need to destroy that fool for what he 
did back on the Moon, Malachite thought to himself).  "Come" he 
addressed Zoicite. "We must prepare" and the two Dark Kingdom 
Generals disappeared.  Metalla had been watching the entire exchange 
secretly and chuckled to herself "I think I should let my slave know 
his loyalty is being questioned" and Metalla went off to find Daniel 
to inform him of the plot that was being hatched. 


Back at the apartment, Mina had not taken the news well, going from 
denial to angry denunciations to sullen understanding as Darien 
outlined for her and the others what had happened to him.  Ami asked 
Darien to repeat just how Daniel had left the apartment and suddenly 
Mina having caught the gist of what Ami was getting at brightened 
"You see? I knew he couldn't be all evil, it's just not in his 
nature!"  Ami tried to calm Mina down, "It's only a theory Mina, I 
could be dead wrong about it. Besides given the fact that we're down 
to only two active Scouts, anything we do, Daniel will have to be 
the one who comes to us"  Serena suddenly stood up "What about the 
Outer Scouts? If we ever needed help we could sure use it now" The 
others nodded and the group took off for Erica & Michelle's home.


Metalla had just finished informing Daniel of the plot that 
Malachite and Zoicite were beginning against him.  His response 
was to say the least unexpected as he began laughing in a maniacal 
tone "Those fools presume to plot against me?" and he nearly 
doubled over laughing.  Metalla grew tired of his laughter and 
asked in a sharp voice "What are you planning to do about it?"  
Daniel stopped laughing and merely said "That depends on just 
how attached you are to those two traitors my Regent" and he 
chuckled more softly this time, the menace readily apparent.
 

The Inner Scouts had made their way to Erica & Michelle's place 
and been shocked to find that Daniel had already come calling 
and left his unique brand of devastation in his wake, leaving 
Erica & Michelle powerless and Holly trapped in a Dark Energy 
bubble.  Serena was able to free Holly from the Dark Energy 
prison using the Imperium Silver Crystal, but Holly was in no mood 
to help the Inner Scouts with their plan to free Daniel.  "He's 
got to be destroyed, you've seen what he's capable of"  Serena 
stood and gave what she hoped was her most commanding glare "No 
way Holly, we've got the Imperium Silver Crystal and it does work 
against the Dark Energy he's been poisoned with.  We can't just 
destroy him without even trying to help him"  Mina nodded and 
gave a smile towards Serena, grateful that Serena was willing to 
stick up for Daniel.  Holly sat stone faced  "You may be our 
future monarch Serena but if I don't do this you won't have to 
worry about ever assuming the role of Neo-Queen Serenity!".  Holly 
then turned her attention to Mina with a sad smile "Mina, you've 
got to realize that the longer he remains in Metalla's power, the 
more influence she will have and Daniel will become an even greater 
threat than he is now!". Mina stood up and towered over Holly "The 
answer is still no!" Your not going to touch a hair on his head 
over my dead body"  Holly's sad smile disappeared "If that's what 
it takes..." This statement had all in the assembled group 
including the two Outer Scouts staring slack jawed, hardly believing 
she meant what she had said.  Suddenly Sailor Pluto appeared "and 
where have *you* been Susan?" Erica and Michelle demanded hotly.  
Sailor Pluto merely said "Those of you who can still fight must come 
with me, Malachite & Zoicite are destroying the waterfront, time is 
of the essence!".  Those who still had Scout powers gathered around 
Sailor Pluto and were teleported away.  Darien however, was not 
willing to sit there and called out, "Anyone who wants to come with 
me down to the docks to help the others is welcome to, but I'll be 
damned if I'm just going to sit here worrying!" And as one the 
remaining Scouts scrambled into Darien's car, the overflow crowding 
into Erica's car.


At the docks Malachite & Zoicite were having great fun terrorizing 
the helpless dockworkers.  Zoicite remarked "By now we'd have a 
squadron of Sailor Brats on our case, do you think that Daniel 
actually succeeded in stripping the Scouts of their powers?"  
Malachite snorted "Not likely, that pathetic loser couldn't get the 
job done if his life depended on it!" (To himself however Malachite 
thought it strange as well that no Scouts had shown up yet to try 
and stop them)  Suddenly, in a flash of temporal energy Sailor 
Pluto appeared along with Sailors Moon, Venus and Saturn.  Malachite 
was taken aback and called out "We see to be missing a few Scouts 
here. Did the others fail their merit badges for good deeds?" and 
he laughed maniacally.  Sailor Moon stood and delivered her speech 
"Terrorizing innocent dockworkers is wrong and on behalf of the 
Moon I'll punish you!"  Zoicite laughed in her high pitched giggle 
"Sure you will Sailor Misfit! ZOI" and suddenly a force ball 
exploded from her hands and headed towards Sailor Moon who jumped 
out of the way with seconds to spare.  Sailor Saturn pointed her 
Glaive at Malachite who merely laughed "Oh the littlest Scout comes 
to threaten me with an oversized can opener! I'm shaking in my 
boots!" Suddenly he heard a voice whisper behind him "Dead Scream" 
and Malachite flew forwards, past Sailor Saturn and into the wall 
of a building!  "Oh you're going to pay for that!" and he flew 
towards Pluto enraged.


Darien had just pulled up in his car and gotten out along with Ami, 
Rei and Lita to witness the battle raging before them, and as the 
other car containing Erica & Michelle came to a halt Zoicite noticed 
them. "Oh look, it's the remainder of the Failure Scouts and Cape 
Boy.  Aren't you a little underdressed? ZOI!" and the group dove for 
cover even as the force ball crashed towards them.  Sailor Moon 
having gained a momentary respite when Zoicite had broken off her 
attack, turned to see what had diverted Zoicite's attention and 
screamed "NO!" even as she saw Zoicite preparing another force 
ball to use against the trapped and powerless Scouts.  Zoicite 
released her attack and even as she smiled with a grin of 
satisfaction, from out of the sun a white hot beam came and 
intercepted her attack, destroying it!"  Zoicite turned, a snarl 
on her lips "Who dares thwart the will of Zoicite?"  A disembodied 
voice called out "I do Negatrash, going to make something of it?" 
Zoicite turned and attempted to see who or what had interfered with 
her attack but the sun was blinding and all she could make out was 
a shape. It looked human, and the voice was barely recognizable as 
male.  "Who are you?" Zoicite demanded.  "Merely an avenging angel 
my dear" and a white hot beam enveloped Zoicite who fell to the 
ground screaming in pain.


Malachite had his hands full trying to combat both Sailors Pluto & 
Saturn but when he heard Zoicite's scream he teleported away from 
his battle and joined his beloved, who was on the ground in agony.  
Malachite cradled her head "Who did this? They will pay" Zoicite 
pointed weakly skywards "Him..." and her hand fell limp to her 
side.  Malachite stood up stiffly and looked into the sun seeing 
the figure leaving "Coward! You attack and then run away? Come back 
here!" and Malachite took off attempting to follow, having 
forgotten all about the Scouts.  "OK, this is getting too weird" 
Sailor Moon muttered even as she and the others watched Zoicite's 
body crumble to dust and vanish.


The group stood in silence for a long moment, after seeing 
Zoicite's body disappear, being to shocked to speak until Sailor 
Saturn spoke.  "Well, whoever that was they saved us the trouble 
of destroying Zoicite". Sailor Moon spoke up "But who *was* that?"
Ami, whose computer had been open during the battle and been analyzing
Zoicite's and Malachite's attacks could only offer "Whoever or 
whatever it was it's power rates nearly off the scale!" The others 
said nothing until Sailor Pluto turned on the powerless group, hands 
to her hips, and spoke "Just what did you think you going to do to 
those two without your powers? If it hadn't have been for our 
mysterious benefactor you might have been killed!" Sailor Moon whirled 
on Sailor Pluto "Susan, let them be, I would have done the same thing 
if I was in their shoes".  Sailor Pluto's voice took on a hard edge 
"Then you too might have thrown your life away for nothing" and Sailor 
Pluto walked away forming a portal with her Garnet Staff.  Before she 
could step through it however, Sailor Moon called back "Thanks for your 
help Susan, we really needed it"  Sailor Pluto turned and smiled "Any 
time" and she disappeared into the portal.


At the North Pole Malachite appeared, anger radiating in waves.  
"Whoever did that, they'll pay dearly for it"  "Whoever did what, 
Malachite?" Malachite whirled to see Daniel standing there a grin 
on his face "Don't tell me you and Zoicite couldn't take out the 
few Scouts I left you.  I gave you more credit than that" Daniel 
said in mock sympathy.  Malachite whirled on Daniel "Shut up fool! 
I don't need to hear this from you".  Suddenly a suspicious look 
passed through Malachite's eyes "Where were you for the last while 
anyway?"  Daniel seemed puzzled by the question  "Not that it was 
any of your business Peroxide Boy, but I was here discussing my 
plans for the Scouts should you and Zoicite fail"  Malachite was 
seething now, "Can you prove that fool?"  Daniel began to get 
impatient with Malachite "Look, what is this all about and where 
is Zoicite?"  Malachite really lost it now "Zoicite's DEAD! Thanks 
to someone who blasted her with a 'white' energy beam"  Daniel 
started laughing and Malachite screamed "What's so funny you 
clod?"  Daniel was able to stop laughing long enough to say "Oh 
good one Malachite. Got any other lame excuses as to why Zoicite 
isn't here?"  Malachite lost it now, tearing towards Daniel, 
murder in his eyes.  Daniel backed away from the first attack 
"Malachite, stop this foolishness or I can't be held accountable 
for what may happen" Malachite merely screamed again and pressed 
his assault.  Daniel merely shrugged "It's your funeral fool" and 
began to counter attack.  This fight unlike the one at the docks 
between the two combatants was short and swift.  With Dark Energy 
guiding his every move Daniel easily overcame the Dark Kingdom 
warrior and had him laying on the ground in a prone position.  
Suddenly Metalla appeared and Malachite saw his chance, "My 
Regent! I believe this fool is a traitor to your glorious cause, 
for he attacked and destroyed Zoicite and attacked me!" Metalla 
laughed, "Pathetic Malachite, for your information Daniel WAS here 
all this time and you went after the Scouts without my orders.  
This is treason" and she looked at Daniel "You know the penalty 
for treason correct?"  Daniel smiled an oily grin "Of course my 
Regent" turning to Malachite he smiled "Well, I can't say as it was 
nice to know you Malachite" Malachite gave a look of sullen 
defiance and spat in Daniel's face.  Daniel merely wiped the spit 
from his face and said "I'll be sure to write that on your 
gravestone fool" even as he plunged a Dark Energy sword into the 
fallen warrior.  As the body disappeared, Daniel turned to Metalla 
"With your permission my Regent I will take care of those foolish 
Scouts once and for all?"  Metalla turned away, "Yes, you may but 
make sure they are destroyed utterly, I will not be satisfied 
with them being powerless this time!  The Dark Energy ring and the 
original ring on either hand flashed briefly and Daniel spoke 
"Understood my Regent" and Daniel disappeared...




Next up Chapter 14: Decisions & Consequences