Ultimate Sailor Moon-Chapter 5

Hi again…

I feel like it’s been ages since I have written in this. I thought I was over using this whenever I was upset. I have friends, great friends, that I feel like I can tell everything to now. I don’t have to hide my words in this book because I don’t speak the same language, or because everyone looks at me like some kind of freak because my eyes are a little more narrow and my skin’s not the same. I thought I was finally accepted as a normal girl.

Well, guess who is a freak again? Guess who is going to be judged and cast out of a normal life because of who she is, again?

I hate this. I feel so alone right now. I have great friends that I can tell anything to. But how do I tell them about this? How do I tell them that I’m really the reincarnated soul of a princess from the fucking moon that died a thousand years ago in a war that erased entire civilizations? Better yet, how do I explain to them that those same creatures that destroyed my world then are back to kill me again? Or that there is a monster the size of entire planets coming to feed on Earth and turn it into a wasteland, like it has to every other planet in our solar system?

Better yet. How do I explain to the mothers and fathers of everyone that died at Crossroads that its all my fault? Do I look them in the eyes and tell them how their kids, innocent people who have nothing to do with this, were killed because I’m a coward?

It all sounds insane. I think I’m slipping further and further into madness because I’m writing these words down with complete sincerity. I know now that I’ll never just be Serena. I’ll always be something wrong.

And so, my trusted friend, I turn to you once again .You’re the only one that can ever know what I really am. Please keep the secrets of the sorry ass Asian girl who will never be normal. If they find out they’ll all leave me.

I don’t want to be alone.

Not again.

I’d rather die.

I don’t know what I’m going to do. If they come after me again someone is going to piece it together. I got lucky before and no one saw me try to be a hero. It was a stupid mistake. I didn’t feel like myself. I should have ran away and got help.

They’re going to find out. I know they will.

Sometimes I think I should run away. I have to get as far away from California as I can. I could start over, somewhere I can be normal again, where she can’t find me and fill my head with stories about what I was and what I have to become.

I don’t want to leave, though. I love my family and if I disappeared it would break them. I couldn’t go a day without Molly. She was the first person to ever look at me like a real person and not some foreigner. She didn’t care how broken my English was. She didn’t care if my family sat on the floor when we eat. She saw me for me. How can I turn my back on her?

I want to cry. I just want things to be the way they were before.

Where are you, Luna? Don’t leave me like this. Please. I’m sorry I pushed you away.

I’m scared.

Serena Tsukino’s hand trembled as she wrote those last few words down in the journal that laid on the desk in front of her. Her mother had gotten it for her when they had first come to America so she would feel like she had someone to write to. She felt so alone those first few years in the states. Her English was terrible and the pack of wolves that were called her classmates made her feel like a freak of nature. Her journal was all that kept her heart together in those dark days.

Now, years later, she was in the process of becoming a grown independent woman. She was beautiful, her chest was finally starting to reach levels that made her proud of that one shirt her mother was not fond of her wearing, and she was finally stepping up in school so she could be more than what anyone ever gave her credit for.

But, after all of her efforts to fit in and grow physically and mentally, she found herself staring down at that same lonely book. She had tears in her eyes just like when she was younger. And, appropriately, she felt like a scared little girl again.

Someone once said time healed all wounds. It had been weeks since the tragedy at her former school and the gash in her heart was still pouring blood.

“Earth to clueless girl. Class was over like five minutes ago and you‘re still taking notes. What are you writing? Love letters to Melvin?”

Serena wiped the tears from her eyes before Molly could see them. She was hovering over the Asian’s left shoulder trying to sneak a peak at a very personal journal entry. Serena quickly slammed the book shut and stuffed it away in the backpack on the floor next to her desk.

“Yeah, right. I’m totally swooning over a guy that sleeps with a replica broadsword over his bed with the Scarlet Crusade covers on it.”

Molly stood up right and thought about that for a second.

“I’m not even sure how he pays for those games. He doesn’t have a job and his parents are teachers. They’re practically on welfare,” she said as she sat in the seat next to her best friend, “And you know, I hear he keeps that broadsword as protection from love sick girls after his mad sex skills.”

“Who told you that?” Serena asked, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer.

“He did once when we were hanging out at his house. In between dungeons.”

“I don’t know what’s scarier, that he would possibly believe that to be true, or that you were alone with him in his house.”

Molly shook her head.

“Oh we weren’t alone. His guild was online at the same time. He barely spoke two words to me. Who has time for hot girls when the horde is attacking Goldshire, you know?”

Serena eyed her friend very carefully. Something was definitely amiss here.

“…you don’t, you know…like him, do you? I mean he‘s a friend and all, when no one is around, but you don‘t actually, LIKE him do you? Like in a funny feeling down below kind of way?”

Molly went into a defensive rage the likes of which had never been seen  before.

“WHAT? Are you serious? I can’t believe you would even ask me that! What kind of a girl do you think I am? I’m not some brain dead online junkie with nothing better to do than daydream about the local nerd and slaying dragons with him on a Saturday night while real people go out and do real people things. Christ, Serena, give me some credit!”

Serena smiled at the distraught girl.

“……is it really that obvious?”

She nodded.

“Shit!” Molly exclaimed. This could be the end of every social aspect of her life that she had been building ever since she learned about the term ‘popularity.’ “I swear I didn’t mean for this to happen. Remember when he had that major crush on you? When he told me about it I actually felt jealous. I thought maybe if I spent more time with him I’d realize what an insignificant life form he really is, but his stupid charm and positive attitude just keeps drawing me in. Plus he has really nice eyes…behind the four inch glasses, I mean.”

“You know this is suicide, right? Go out with him and you can kiss your hopes and dreams goodbye.”

“You’re being a little harsh aren’t you? It’d be nice to date a guy who doesn’t get wasted at his friends house and try to grab all over me. It’d be nice to be with, you know, a gentleman.”

Serena packed up her books and stood up.

“I never really thought of him as a gentleman. But to be fair, I‘ve never really thought about him.”

Molly grinned from ear to ear as she twirled her red hair around her index finger.

“I guess you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” she said as her face began turning as red as her hair.

Serena stared at the girl with an eyebrow raised and a mind full of questions that she absolutely did not want answers to. She knew that Melvin was a giant elevator that only went down when it came to the ladder upwards in social status. Molly was just blinded by that stupid voice inside of her head that always seemed to get her in trouble. Still, Serena couldn’t help but feel jealous at the smallest things nowadays. While she was struggling to get a grasp on who she really was, her best friend was falling in love.

Even if it was with a complete loser.

“Ms. Tsukino! Ms. Baker!”

Serena and Molly turned towards the familiar voice calling from behind them. To their amazement it was one of their teachers from their former high school, Patricia Haruna. She was a tall curvy woman in her early thirties who still turned heads with ease. Though Serena had a general dislike for her, she also had a begrudging respect for the woman that made her life a living hell on a daily basis.

“Ms. Haruna? What are you doing here?”

“I transferred here along with you students. With the influx of all of these kids the school needed extra help, and I was happy to volunteer. Teaching is my life and I didn’t want to sit at home until they rebuilt Crossroads, so here I am. It’s good to see you girls again!”

Serena and Molly each gave a subtle groan.

“You too, Ms. Haruna. Hope…I’m in your classes…or something. Anyway, I have to get going! I told Melvin I’d explore the school with him during lunch. See ya!” Molly said with a cheerful smile as she practically ran away from her friend and the teacher.

“MOLLY! Remember what we talked about!” Serena yelled down the hall, hoping to save someone she loved from blowing her social life’s brains out.

As she watched her only ally in this confrontation escape down the hall, her nemesis stepped in close to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Serena turned to Haruna, who had as serious a look on her face as she had ever shown. It wasn’t the usual ‘you’re an idiot and did something wrong’ face either, this actually seemed sincere and heartfelt.

“Ms. Tsukino. I know these past few weeks have been tough on you. Being at ground zero when that horrible attack was made and watching your friends suffer has obviously taken a toll on you. At a time like this school seems insignificant, but please believe me when I tell you that these are the most important years of your life. We both know you’ve never actually been a terrific student, but I believe you are a terrific person. I want to help you readjust to a normal life and maybe improve your grades before you slip too far.”

“Normal person...” Serena thought to herself. That would truly be a miracle.

“I know a student here who has helped others that I’ve sent to her for tutoring. She’s a brilliant girl, in your same grade level, and like you and I she knows what it’s like to be of Japanese ancestry while living in America, so I think you two can relate to each other. Her name is Ami Mizuno, and I told her we would be stopping by later today after school to talk to her. At least spend some time with her and judge for yourself whether or not she can help you, okay?”

This was just what Serena needed. On top of carrying the guilt of her classmates deaths, the burden of being an apparent savior to the world, and struggling with her own racial identity, she now had the pleasure of being told what a screw up she was academically as well. As pissed off as she was at that moment she knew that Patricia was right, and she was just trying to help. That respect for Ms. Haruna that she fought so hard to kill off was kicking her right in the teeth. Against her better judgment, she nodded her head.

“I think you’ll be glad you agreed to this. Ami can help turn anyone’s grades around if you just listen to her and follow her advice. Although, I will warn you that she’s a bit…stressed out. She studies very hard and comes from a family where academics are extremely important, so she’s had to sacrifice the social life you love so much. She’s not much of a people person, but once you get to know her she’s really nice.”

Serena smirked. She imagined this Ami looking and acting just like someone she knew. Four inch glasses, thin as a stick, and about as attractive as a hang nail. Sounded like a much better date for Melvin than her smoking hot best friend.

“I’m not worried. How bad could she be?”

Not long after those famous last words, Serena found herself face to face with a force she was in no way prepared for.

Ami Mizuno was nothing like she imagined. She was beautiful, with shimmering black hair accented by streaks of blue and glasses that seemed to put her bright eyes on display as if they were art. She had an aura of grace and maturity that stunned the California teen.

She had been sitting in Haruna’s office with Ami and Patricia for what seemed like an eternity now. After introducing herself the group got down to business and the genius girl had been checking out her academic history ever since. She was completely the entire time, which made Serena as nervous as a Chihuahua.

In a few moments she would wish for that silence back.

“These grades are embarrassing. How did you even graduate from middle school?”

Serena’s eyes widened. She looked over at Ms. Haruna in shock, but got no sympathy in return. In a way, it was kind of a good question.

“Uh…..”

“You’ve barely passed a majority of your math classes, your history scores are sub-par and even basic English seems to be above your level of what I would hesitantly call intelligence.”

“Uh…..”

“Active social life, there’s a shock. Let me guess, you partied like there was no tomorrow and now you have to shape up if there’s any hope for you making something out of your life, right?”

Serena gazed away from the angry face of her would be tutor.

“Look, you don’t know m--”

“I guess we should just be glad you didn’t get knocked up before you decided to try and turn it around. I know Ms. Haruna sent you to me for help with your grades, but I’m just a girl, not a miracle worker. Personally, I don’t think you have a chance in hell of achieving anything more than a popular sex tape by the time you’re twenty. Nothing I see in these files makes me believe you’ve ever once tried to push yourself harder than the lowest absolute requirement.”

Serena had heard enough. She climbed out of her seat and got right in the girl’s face and had to fight the urge to knock the glasses right off of it. She was under enough stress as it was and didn’t need some jackass making her feel worse. That same inner rage that almost got her in a fight with that goth girl before was starting to consume her once more. She needed to get out of there before she was expelled.

“I don’t need to take this from someone like you! I know your type, I’ve dealt with their shit my whole life! Don’t take your social frustrations out on me! You’re just pissed off because no matter how hard you try to fit in, with your stupid highlights and pathetic attempts at make up, no one sees you as anything other than a self indulgent little arrogant bitch!”

“SERENA!” Haruna called out. This is definitely not how she expected this to go. She didn’t think the two of them would be best friends, but this was far beyond her expectations.

The enraged blonde glanced at Haruna with tears welling up in her eyes. She was already an emotional wreck, she didn’t need anyone else after her. The last thing she wanted to do was burn bridges with anyone, but lately it seems there was nothing in her life but separation from anyone and everyone she knew.

“I’m sorry. I… I have to go.” she said softly as she made a break for the door. She heard her teacher calling to her but she blocked it all out. She just wanted to run away and find a nice black hole to crawl into.

Ami took her glasses off and wiped them clean.

“Stupid girl spit on me when she talked.”

Haruna shook her head in disbelief as she stood up and paced around the room.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“Did what? I don’t have time to baby sit these little idiots you keep bringing to me, Ms. Haruna. I can’t give up my future for the sake of trying to salvage theirs.”

“That isn’t like you, Ami. What’s wrong?”

Ami turned away from the teacher and began filing away Serena’s paperwork. That was a loaded question she was just asked. She wasn’t really known for sharing much of anything, not even to the people she cared about. Not that she had many of those anymore.

“She’s what’s wrong. People like her.”

“You just met the girl, how can you judge her so quickly?”

Ami turned around, her face full of resentment.

“Because I’ve had to deal with people like her my whole life as well. Insignificant little people who don’t care about anything beyond their own problems. All they do is waste their lives, from one day to the next without worrying about the world or trying to help others. She’s the girl that called me ugly when I had to get glasses, and told everyone I was gay because I don’t talk to boys.”

“Ami…”

“She’s the girl that told me the reason my father left was because I’m a burden and that’s why he won’t even talk to me.”

Haruna felt a chord in her heart plucked. There it was, beyond the layers of inner turmoil and anger was the reason behind this ugly side of a student she had come to admire greatly in the time she had known her.

“He still hasn’t called, has he?”

Ami shrugged as she fought back a few tears. She was known as someone who had a heart of stone. She had been pushed around, taunted, and mocked for years by people one could laughably call her ‘peers.’ It may have damaged her on the inside but visibly she was tough as nails.

“Not in a year. I’ve called him twice a week for the past year and he has never answered the phone. He doesn’t respond to my letters either. Mom says the seperation turned ugly and it has nothing to do with me, but it’s hard to believe that. I heard them fight all the time and it always about me. He said mom was wasting all of her money putting me into all of these programs and schools. He said I’d end up just like my sister.”

Haruna had read about Ami’s sister Juni. She had passed away a few years ago from a drug overdose at a friend’s party and evryone knew that Ami’s father had never gotten over his first child’s death. Her father left her mother shortly after that and never looked back. It was hard explaining to someone as logical as Ami how emotions can throw you completely off course in life and make you do terrible things.

“You still blame yourself for what happened to her?”

Ami nodded.

“How can I not? If I had watched out for her maybe she would have been okay.”

“But you were too busy studying, trying to make a future for yourself even at a young age. And now you feel like being close to someone just leads to heartbreak, so it’s better to just worry about yourself so you don’t fail anyone else, am I right?”

The girl with the stylish blue streaks laughed a little as she wiped the few tears from her eyes.

“Maybe you should have been a therapist instead.”

Haruna smiled and messed up the girl’s hair with her hand.

“What, and actually make a decent living? I wouldn’t dream of it. Look, I know Serena isn’t exactly the student of the year. She’s made a lot of mistakes in her life and hasn’t cared nearly as much as she should have. But she feels just as out of place here as you do and needs someone like her for more than just guidance, but for friendship as well. Wouldn’t it be nice to come out of that shell for once and have someone your own age that you could talk to? Academics are important, but so is enjoying your youth. I think Serena would be good for you. I think you would be good for each other. Won’t you reconsider?”

Ami sighed. She knew this day would come eventually, when she’d have to lower her defenses and let someone in. She didn’t expect to be a fortress her entire life, but she wasn’t sure if she was quite ready yet.  Her sister, despite all her faults, was the popular one. She fit in. She was gorgeous and fun, exciting and spontaneous. Ami was organized and resentful, intelligent and indifferent. They barely got along in life but in death Ami missed her every second. She would have jumped at the opportunity to make new friends. Maybe a lesson could be learned from her big sister, even after she was gone.

“Alright. But I reserve the right to bail out if my brain cells start dropping. Where should I start with her?”

“How about an apology for the way you treated her earlier?”

Ami looked down at her feet in shame. In retrospect she was kind of a bitch to the poor girl. Maybe Haruna was right and this girl wasn’t the same stereotype she had grown to detest during her school life.

“You’re right. I’ll try to mend fences.”

“You’re a good person, Ami. You make me very proud. Don’t forget that.”

Ami‘s smile shone brightly as the cloudiness in her soul parted for a brief moment. She thanked her teacher and friend before heading off to find Serena.

As she closed the door behind her Patricia Haruna let out a sigh of relief.

“I didn’t think I’d get those two together. Are you sure it was a good idea to bring her into this so early? Ami can be…complicated,” she said to seemingly no one.

Though it may seem like she was talking to herself, there was another person in the room that had been listening in on the entire scene. The sounds of banging and crashing came from the closet as Luna fell out of the cramped space and fell to the ground along with text books, folders, and office supplies..

“……that took me weeks to organize, you know. They were kind enough to actually give me my own office here, please don't ruin it.”

Luna brushed off her shoulders and her long legs. The closet may have been organized but it was sure as hell dusty too.

“Sorry about that. I’m usually as graceful as a cat. To answer your other question, yes, I think it’s a good idea. They were going to find each other someday without our intervention. Fate calls them together. It’s been tough watching Serena from afar this whole time, especially after the incident at her old school. I know she needs me, but I have to be sure she’s strong enough to stand without me before I can reveal anything else. She needs a friend right now, someone she can share this burden with. Ami may be a little rough around the edges now, but I’m sure the natural bond they shared so long ago will blossom once more. She was always there for Serena before. I have faith in her.”

Patricia slouched back in her seat and began spinning around in place while staring at the ceiling. Sometimes she wondered how in the world she got herself involved in all of this.

“I just wish there was more I could do. I used to feel like I was standing idly by watching these kids die, but now I feel like I’m sending them off to the slaughter.”

Luna patted the young teacher on her head and gave her a reassuring smile.

“I know you want to protect these children, but this is their destiny.”

“What about the others? Do you need my help recruiting them?”

Luna shook her head.

“Not yet. Let fate take its course. You’ve already done more than enough for our cause. We have to let them stand on their own against the darkness.”

“I’ll do anything you ask. I owe you my life, Luna. I believe in your mission, just please don’t put these girl’s lives in danger needlessly. Fate is one thing, but I won’t let you send them to their deaths.”

“I hope it won’t come to that. But this is bigger than them. It’s bigger than any of us.” Luna said as she gazed outside at the coming thunderstorm. The weather had been erratic lately. It was a sign of the coming apocalypse and she knew it.

“We’re fighting for life itself.”

Serena had stormed off from her big meeting just a few minutes ago and she still felt like garbage. It was amazing how much a few cheap words could completely destroy someone’s very spirit. She didn’t feel like a hero right now. She felt exactly like what she was called-a stupid cheap slut. Why did that girl’s words hurt her so much? It felt like she had been scolded by her mother. Usually insults didn’t effect her psyche at all, but a few shots at her sent her into a spiral of depression and anger today.

She rounded a corner on her way out of the school when she spotted a vaguely familiar face. She didn’t want to see anyone right now, not in the state she was in, so she wasn‘t going to take chances with this being someone she knew. She tried to turn around and leave the way she came but she had already been spotted and was about to be called out.

“Serena Tsukino.”

It was a male’s voice. It was low and sharp, and it sent chills down her spine. She turned around slowly as the figure came closer and closer. He walked calmly as he inched closer and closer to the flustered teen. As he stepped out of the shadows created by the swaying trees that blocked the sunset outside she finally made out his face and her jaw almost hit the floor.

“Jade!? I thought you were dead. I saw you jump off the roof, how is this possible?”

Jade gave a disturbed grin as he glared hatefully towards her.

“I actually felt pity for you on that roof top. Your beauty made me feel things inside that I thought were long dead. Imagine how betrayed I feel now. It’s funny, I never thought it would be you.”

“You’re creeping me out. What the hell are you talking about?”

Jade’s eyes grew black as the trees outside stopped moving back and forth and the hallway become permanently dim. The vision of cradling Jadeite’s broken in his arms was drawing out whatever good remained in his heart. He was losing himself and letting the anger take over. Worse than that, he liked it.

“I saw what you did to my brother. Your power is incredible. But are you really that strong, or was it just an accident? Can you really save this world, Serena?”

Serena backed up as the hall got darker and darker. The air became so still that it felt she was going to choke on it. She got that sick feeling in her stomach again, just like before Jadeite’s attack on her old school. Something was wrong.

“I don’t understand…”

The grim boy laughed.

“It’s okay. I’ll make it simple for you. Fight or die.”

In a flash Jade had teleported from the spot he stood to about thirty feet in front of him where Serena was. He grabbed her by the throat and the two hovered off of the ground as he pushed her back and slammed her into a wall at a break neck speed. Her back broke the plaster on impact and created a hole that her body laid halfway in. Though he looked like a regular teenager he was impossibly strong. It was like being manhandled by a Transformer.

“Where are your reflexes? You expect to beat any of us when you move so slow? I could crush your neck if I desired to do so!” he said with maniacal eyes as he pulled her from the hole by the neck and lifted her off the ground, choking the very life from her.

Serena was hurt bad. She felt like her back was broken in about twenty different places. Still, she fought back as hard as she possibly could. She kicked and punched at her tormentor, striking him several times in the face while her lungs were giving out. One of her punches bloodied Jade’s nose, and upon noticing the crimson drips his eyes grew with surprise. He threw Serena to the floor and wiped the blood off with the back of his hand.

“Blood…red blood… Human blood…” he said to himself as the blackness in his eyes melted away back to green.

Serena coughed loudly. She felt like she couldn’t breathe hard enough.

“You’re…insane…Why…are you doing…this to me?” she managed to squeak out between coughs.

Jade looked at the girl solemnly.

“The darkness is coming. I can’t fight it alone. When it wants me it overtakes my body and I am powerless to stop it. But you aren’t corrupted by it’s filth. I have to know if you’re strong enough to make a stand against it, or if we’re all sheep to be led to the slaughter. Stand up, Serena. Fight me. Show me your strength or I‘ll kill you right here and now!”

Serena used the wall as a brace to push herself up to her feet. She was still woozy, but she knew that this was serious. She had to do something or this maniac was going to murder her.

“I don’t want to fight anyone. I did what I had to do to protect those people. I don’t want anyone else to die!”

“Then you’ve already chosen to let everyone die. So be it.”

Jade grabbed the girl by the throat again and lifted her high in the air once more.

“I’m not going to make this quick. I want you to feel the air escape your lungs. I want you to know death is coming for you!”

Serena tried her hardest to pull his hands away from her but they were locked around tight and would not even budge a bit. She tried her hardest to summon the power that stopped that monster from massacring more of her peers again. She closed her eyes and wished on every star in the sky, prayed to every God she had ever heard about, but nothing came. Why wasn’t it working?

She thought about her family again. She felt like a lottery winner the first time she got out of a situation like this. She should have appreciated what she had more after that moment but all she ever thought about was what else would happen to her. It was always about her. She feared for her life, her safety, and her future. She never thought about precious life was, she mourned it. She didn’t tell her family how much she loved them and appreciated them, she hid from them. She blew her second chance and now she was going to die alone in this vacant hallway. She was always alone, in life and death. Even when surrounded by a hundred people she felt like she was a million miles away from all of them. She thought back to what she had written in her journal that very same day.

I don’t want to be alone.

Not again.

I’d rather die.

She realized she was getting her wish. There was nothing left to do now but close her eyes and wait for peace.

She should know by now that peace never came that easily.

“What are you doing?”

Her vision was starting to blur and she felt like she was slipping in and out of consciousness, but Serena distinctly her a voice she knew. She spotted Ami out of the corner of her eye and suddenly felt reenergized. Her own death, though unwanted, was okay. But she didn’t want anyone else to suffer because of her, even if she was a total bitch. Jade and his brethren were homicidal and didn’t care who they killed. Ami would be just another stain on the wall to them. Serena had to do something and fast.

“Let go of her!”

Jade raised one of his eyebrows. This was unexpected.

“Why aren’t you frozen in time like everything else? Unless….you’re one of them too. Well this is a surprise and makes my price of admission worth it! Do you hear that moon child? This girl is just like you, except she’s even more unaware. You won’t fight back for the sake of your own life. How about someone else’s?” he asked his prey before tossing her to the cold hard floor.

What did he mean by all of that? Ami was like her except she was unaware? Unaware of what? She thought back to something Luna had told her when she revealed the true past to her.

“Your mother, the beautiful and iron willed queen Serenity, sealed away the children of the moon and sent them into the future to live peaceful lives.”

Was Ami really like her? Was she a child of the moon? Serena had a billion questions about all of this, but she knew that nothing would be answered if there no one left alive to answer them. The crystal on the necklace began to glow again. Serena noticed the illumination and smirked. It was go time.

“It’s a shame. You girls were my last hope. Maybe Metallia was right. There is nothing left to believe in.” Jade said as he raised his hand towards Ami. Blackness surrounded it in the shape of an orb, with cackling energy running between his fingers and growing more fierce with every second.

“Ami, run!” Serena yelled to no avail.

The younger Mizuno sister was like a deer caught in headlights. She raised her arms to cover her face as a bolt of black energy fired from Jade’s hand and headed directly towards her.

“NO!” she screamed out as her body burned with a bright blue aura. She pushed her hands forward, calling forth a great rush of water that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The wave smashed through and dissipated the bolt of destruction  before nailing Jade in the chest, knocking him backwards and into a set of lockers that crushed like tin cans on his back.

Ami looked down at her hands in astonishment. “That was interesting.”

“My turn!” Serena called back as she tore the pendant from the chain around her neck and clasped it tightly in her palm.

Before Jade had a chance to collect his thoughts she summoned her energy through the silver crystal and fired a concentrated blast of pure white light from the jewel in her hands. Jade had a split second to react, and barely fared better than his brother when he found himself in the same situation. He put up a shield of energy which managed to absorb less than half of the powerful beam of light. He held on as long as he could before realizing this was a fight he could not win. He was growing weaker and weaker as he took the full force of the powerful blast and could not hold out much longer.

Still, this is what he wanted. He had to see for himself. Maybe Serenity was right in her plan. Maybe there really was hope after all. With a new resolve and many mixed emotions, Jade disappeared into thin air to return to the Dark Kingdom. He was weakened but satisfied. Now, his plan could truly begin.

The force of the dark and the light coming together created a wave of energy that knocked both Serena and Ami down. The air soon returned to normal as the trees outside began to rustle again and the sun shined through the windows like a beacon of hope. Disaster was averted. There were no casualties this time. There were no broken families, no unanswered questions. Thankfully this little meeting was set in the afternoon, long after most of the staff and students had gone home for the evening.  So, hopefully, the smoking holes in the wall and the set of broken lockers could surely be explained away as vandalism.

Serena couldn’t be happier right now.

She and Ami laid on the ground together staring up towards the ceiling. They were both out of breath, shaky, and neither quite sure of what the heck the other had done. But, in between all of the confusion and pain, there was an unspoken bond forming between the two girls that wanted to rip each other’s throats out just a half hour ago.

Serena turned her head left and looked at Ami, who continued to stare upward with a strange smile on her face.

“So, did you need something?”

“I came to apologize about earlier.” Ami said between hard breaths.

“Oh.” she said as she lost the physical strength to hold her neck at an angle and went back to looking forward.

“Apology accepted.”