Fragments of the Crystal

***
Disclaimer alert- avoid, avoid... (I think
that about covers it..)
***

Chapter5

The Dark Queen lifted her head above her shoulders- 
turning to the dome opening in which Metallia inhabited.  
She waited patiently for a moment, before the raspy 
voice became clear.
"Beryl…"

Without hesitation she replied.  "Yes my master."

"The sailor scouts are gathering- soon they will come 
to destroy us."

"Not without the crystal…" she started.

"The princess can find the crystal Beryl!  The 
princess will destroy us, the princess… you must 
kill the princess!"

Beryl raised her head- curious, "where can I find 
her?"

"Where she will always seek shelter- where he will 
always try to protect her.  Endymion has the Princess, 
Beryl.  But beware, she is learning- and soon the time 
will come when you must confront the sailor scouts for 
the last of the rainbow crystals, but she will be along 
them."

Beryl nodded, obeying- a smile crept across her lips as 
she muttered the name.  "Endymion,"


* * * * *

Serena nodded her head impatiently- her shoulder shrugged 
loosely, "eggs will be fine for me…" 

The man- the black hared man who called himself 'Darien' 
smiled simply, presenting her with something she denounced 
inedible.  

"You need your vitamins, now eat up- or at least try 
some." Darien implored, placing the food bowl in front 
of her, and nudging it a few centimeters forward.

She looked around past him for a few seconds, taking in 
her surroundings- a two-room cabin centralized in the 
middle of 'nowhere', made up of timber sides and an iron 
roof.  One room was the central- kitchen, lounge room, 
and the other the bedroom.

She turned back to him, startled slightly.  "Oh- okay… 
but only cause you made me." she winged, she set her fork 
onto the food- taking in a few mouth full before placing 
the fork down onto the table.  

She announced.  "Full."

Darien turned abruptly to her- "I know you're hungry… - 
oh you can do dinner, meatball head."
 
Her eyes open wide.  She didn't even want to stay here- 
if it wasn't for the fact that he had denounced her a 
member of the negaverse and locked all the doors she would 
have run.  But another thought occurred to her, run to 
where?  

She rose from her chair, eyes turning like daggers to his- 
he would not win this argument!  Her head racked above her 
shoulders, she pointed accusingly.  "You, you… male!"

He stood up- a small gasp escaping his lips- he seemed almost 
in pain…
He gave her something she had already classified as 'the 
look'.  That same look he used when attempting to sooth 
his anger- and simply laugh her act off.  She let out a 
small giggle, and sat.  He still stood.  

"I don't trust my odds at going up against the Sailor Scouts 
when they find you with malnutrition…" 

She glanced upwards, snickering at his words.  There is no 
way I'm trusting you mister, you probably poisoned it…

"Please Serena…" his words pleading, "its not healthy- you 
don't look well…"

She turned up facing him fully, "I know…" her eyes opened 
wider.  "Darien!"

"Huh?"

She stood from her chair, stumbling a few steps over 
towards the kitchen, mumbling.  "Me not healthy… please…"

She returned in a few short seconds with a cloth in hand, 
she turned to him- eyes locking with his for an 
instant.  Some instinct- she didn't know existed.  
Why did she help him, why help the monster that took 
her from her home.  She shook her head to a side, she 
was just helping- …helping the man she lov… she… 
She said firmly, "what is your excuse for not getting 
this stitched up." She gestured to the bloodstain 
sinking through the thin cotton of his shirt.

He turned his head away, whispering.  "Guess I didn't 
notice… its not bad… ouch… careful!"

"You let me be the judge, I used to work at 
a hospi… a…"

"Hospital?"

She shook her head denying, "no… never.  I never worked 
at a hospital."  She could have sworn for a second that 
she caught him smiling.  She glanced back… no- him smile?  

She started addressing his wound, with the damp cloth.  
His eyes were turned completely to her- trusting implicitly.  
She turned back to him, smiling and gesturing to 
the blood stained cloth.  "Nasty little wound… uh 
Darien?"

"Yeah?" 

"How well do you know my 'friends'?"

"Not well," he made a face.  "I really only ever noticed 
you."

She smiled and blushed, though couldn't understand 
why.  "Well tell me what you know."

He faced her fully, head tilting to a side.  He said in 
realization.  "You don't remember."

She stumbled back unaware, asking innocently "what?"

"Your friends," he lifted her chin and turned facing her 
completely.  "you don't remember them, do you?"

"Of course I do… I remember them…" she broke free from his 
hand, turning her attention completely to the wound- 
dabbing a little carelessly on the opening.

"Name one."

"No!"

"Why not… Serena?" he mouthed.  "Why?"

Her features remained motionless, her head shook away to 
a side- and he heard- or more like _felt_ tears break.  
She dropped back down to her chair, throwing her head 
into her hands.  
"She blocks them out…" she whimpered, "she blocks them 
out- she is screaming so loud…  I can't hear anything 
except her endless torture flooding me!"

He took the words in, brushing a strand of hair from 
her eyes and leaving the back of his hand to her 
cheek.  "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked- voice low 

"I.. I- No!  I don't have to!  Get away from me," she 
pulled his hand roughly to the table, jerking to a side.  
"I don't even know you!  I don't want to know you!  Why 
do you even care?"

The expression on his face nearly brought her to hysterics- 
he seemed so hurt- like in a second he would simply 
shatter-.  Serena thought, regret mingling within her.  
The look was replace with a dejected expression, he 
turned from her- facing towards the door.  In a voice 
low and dispirited which seemed to command the silence 
he spoke. 
"You are the last thing I have- and I cant stand to think 
of you in pain."

With those words- he departed- the door slamming 
closed behind him.  Serena stood from her chair, 
her eyes wide open- fresh tears flowing down her 
cheek.  She reached outwards- a hand tracing 
across the empty space that he had occupied.
'He's gone… I can't believe he is… will he be 
back?  Oh please he has to come back…'

She ran her fingers over the table- half sitting 
and falling into her chair.  She picked up her 
fork- examining- and careful considering her 
options.  

'Serena…' a voice said, deep and commanding.

'No…!'


* * * * * *

The sun was already setting on the horizon, and 
every second Darien hated himself more then the 
last.  He clenched his fists, perching himself 
up on top of a hollow log.  
You have to remain calm… its not Serena… she 
had been healing… 

Before she had simply clenched herself into a 
tightly rapped ball- refusing to speak.  Though 
reluctantly she had started to restore some of 
what he remembered from the old Serena… old 
Sailormoon- and every second he could have sworn 
he had felt the fear leaving- that evil hatred that 
had sunk so deeply in her mind.   

And now he had ruined it…   He should have gotten 
in touch with the sailor scouts.  He sighed, he 
only wished that the bond between himself and 
Serena wasn't so corrupted, then maybe he would 
know… what was that name, the one Serena had mention.  
Beryl… he remembered a Beryl- from his past.  
He also remembered a Metalli-
His eyes flew wide open, a small gasp escaping 
his lips.  'Oh god no, Serena!'  
He jumped to his feet, quickly starting home.

* * * * * 

Venus stepped from the bedroom- she smiled slightly 
to the other scouts, letting out a tired yawn.  

Jupiter stepped forward, inquiring.  "Well?"

The blonde sighed, mentally preparing herself.  
"Our princess… well she seems a little more 
stable- but a few minutes ago… I don't know she 
just went into hysterics.  I think Serena may be 
somehow affecting her… but I couldn't say."

"I hope Serena's alright." Jupiter added, 
glancing over to Mercury.  
The Mercury senshi raised her hand- pausing an 
instant before replying.
          
"Nothing." she looked down from her computer 
screen, sighing.  "No energy traces, nothing."

"We don't even know where to look!  Who could 
have taken her?" Mars demanded, speaking above 
the silence.  She turned downward, her eyes 
casting upon the flame.  She drew her eyes 
up to meet with the other, drawing her arms 
forward- placing them in front.  

"Mars." Venus started, gesturing to the Mercury
senshi.  "I'm going to take Mercury, see 
if I can get some leads.  You and Jupiter can 
handle the princess, maybe you can get a fire 
reading going?"

"Sure." Mars sighed, irritated.  "Everything 
is starting to settle down… they are just being 
a little too quiet for our potentially weak 
position."

"That worries you?" Mercury inquired.

Venus nodded in agreement with Mars, "they must 
be planning something.  I only wish Artemis 
was here."

"Or Luna…" Jupiter added. 

* * * * * *

The front door swung open, Darien stepping through.  
He turned a half circle, with the main room 
empty he swept through into the bedroom.  
     The bed sheets were untouched- a few 
of the cupboard draws were half open- and a 
few odds items of clothing's lay sprawled 
over the ground- namely Serena's night gown.  
He doubled backed into the 
main room, snatching his coat off the table- he 
glanced back to the bench.  Lifting his finger 
forward- examining it carefully… blood?  
He turned back down to the table, eyes running 
over the red substance.  Breathlessly he grabbed 
his coat, slipping it on- he started chase.

* * * * *

Rei turned a full circle, her eyes scanning every 
feature of the main room- the fire flickered 
slightly in the wind- as a cool breeze swept 
through the open door.  
The princess turned up to her- curious, eyes wide 
open, she tilted her head upwards- standing to 
face Rei.  

She asked.  "What is it?"

Jupiter took Mars side- facing the priestess 
unsure she stated.  "Everything in side of me 
is saying to be cautious…"

Mars nodded her agreement, without Sailormoon 
they were in a weak position indeed- unfortunately 
there current princess displayed no senshi 
powers.

Rei spun back towards the princess- her lips 
forming into a frown.  Turning away she stepped
over towards the door- sealing it closed.  

"I think we have company…"

* * * * * 

Serena jumped another half step- grabbing onto 
some lose tree branches- to hold her balance.  
Her thoughts becoming more uncertain with a 
rising fear.  She couldn't remember why she was 
running… but something was chasing her through these 
dark woods. 

Her shoes slipped on the muddy grounds- with the 
loosening of sticks, her balance was completely 
lost.  With the loud crunching of broken twigs- 
she slid down a small passage- at last coming to a 
small hole- cliff like ending.  She fell feet first 
into the mud hole.
        She groaned- painfully placing her hands in 
front she lifted herself onto her knee's- then  
standing completely upright.  She let out a muffled 
sob, bringing her hands to her face- and wiping her 
tear stained cheeks with her dirty sleeve.   
Tilting her head upwards- she looked at the circumstances 
of her fall.  The hole was at least three meters deep- 
and she stood at about half of that.  
She rubbed her leg- wincing- no serious injury.  She 
was fortunate for such an easy fall.  She placed her 
hands on the muddy walls, boosting herself a few steps,
her hand gripped onto the wall edges, with a certain 
degree of desperation.  
She gasped, retracting her wounded arm.  She brought 
it closer to her face- for closer inspection. 

The wrist was mutilated- blood dripping down every side- 
from what she first thought to have been wet mud.  How 
did this happen?  This couldn't have been 
self-inflicted… could it?  
 
No- why would I do this… it wouldn't make sense… -She 
must have been controlling me!  Or was I in control 
when I tried to take my own life?  

Her eyes fluttered closed, she leant back against 
the muddy wall- holding her hand to her stomach- 
and sliding down to the ground.  Tightly she wrapped 
her legs into a ball- shivering in the cold.   
           'I'm so alone…' her head faced upwards 
towards the cloudy heavens- eyes opening wide.  'I 
can't stand… stand to be alone!'  Her mouth opened 
fully,- as a terrified scream erupted from her cold 
lips- louder and more desperate then ever before.             
         A faint symbol began to glow on her forehead- 
flicking on for a few seconds.  As her screams became 
louder- the symbol became brighter- then at last 
faded into darkness- ..  

* * * * * 


With a heavy groan Mars fell to the temple floor, 
raising her head above her crippled shoulders- her 
legs and arms sprawled across the floor.  

"Where is she?" Zoisite demanded, preparing another 
blast of energy.

"No!" Mars breathed, "I won't betray her!"

"I will find her senshi, save yourself… tell me where 
she is!" Zoisite shouted, her fingers throwing a 
light volley of energy across the room.  

Jupiter stumbled forward on both legs, she racked 
her shoulders- holding herself tall.  "Care to pick 
on someone your own size… Jupiter Thunder…"

"ZOI!"

"Jupiter!" Mars screamed, tears drops trickling down 
her cheeks- she turned upwards, pulling herself to 
her feet- to face her opponent.  Even with preparation- 
Zoisite was a cunning and potentially lethal opponent, 
with more then enough power to easily out match even 
the strongest sailor senshi.  

"I wont tell you…" she stated- straining to keep her 
eyes open- she instinctively clenched her fist- as 
she mentally prepared herself for the blast of energy 
which could easily take her life.  

"Then you are no good to me alive, Z--"

Another voice spoke above the other.  
"Leave them, they may be yet of some use…

* * * * *

Darien lay another damp cloth over Serena's forehead, 
pulling her into his arms he ran his hands through her 
thick mane- whispering soft words.  
She stirred in her sleep, her eyes at last opening.

Darien said, in a low whisper, "you really have to stop 
passing out on me Serena, you gave me a real scare there…  
What happened?"

She twisted her head into his arms- glancing down to 
her injured arm- which was now wrapped up in white 
bandages.  This wasn't the first time she had woken in 
such circumstances… he feels so warm… she slid back 
into reality- answering softly.  "Something is inside 
of me…"

"Metallia…"

She nodded, "if… if that is her name, she infects me so 
deeply…" tears startled to trickle down her cheeks and 
instinctively Darien pulled her closer into his arms.  
"But she doesn't like you much," her words brightened 
with the thought.  "She hates Endymion most of all… but 
she hates you nearly as much."

"I will always try to protect you Serena, you must trust 
me… but I think they will soon be onto us- that beam of 
yours…"

"She is so deeply inside me." She continued, sobbing 
lightly into his hands.

"Yes I know… I know…" he said, and she felt that he 
really did.  He continued with her queried expression.  
"It is how she brainwashes her victims, Beryl was 
careless to release you so soon- into my care."

"You were brainwashed…?" she asked.

"A long time ago, but don't worry… hushhh, sleep now 
you need the rest." He whispered, hands bring her 
face into his chest.

"Will they find us?"

He nodded, accepting the inedible.  "Yes."

* * * * 

..Okay, better make this quick.. or we might fall
into yet another corny finishing note!

Mail all comments to zone123@hotmail.com
and my page, where you can find my other stories
at : www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/2115

oh- #personal note: Lady Bensai you wouldn't
have a hotmail account or anything, cause I 
can't seem to get through on your email.