Author's Note: If you wish to comment on my story, either positively or negatively, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation and DIC. So, please, don't sue me because I haven't any money. I do this strictly for entertainment purposes, not copyright infringement.
Blood on the Moon
by Jeffrey C. Branch
Part Five: Face of the Enemy
Rating: PG-13
The tension in the air on the narrow street as the Sailor Scouts stared down Nikolai Malakhov and the inhuman creature they once knew as their friend Molly was thick enough to cut with a chainsaw.
For Sailor Jupiter, she was in a pain fueled rage from the injuries she suffered from after being attacked by the legions of rats that proceeded Malakhov's arrival. While her enhanced healing powers were already at work on her wounds, nothing could temper her volcanic fury, or her mounting lust for battle.
For Sailor Mercury, she felt as if she had been rudely dropped into the Middle Ages. Everything she believed in all her life, her rock solid faith in the modern world had been turned upside down upon discovering she and her teammates were up against horrors born from what she always thought were foolish superstitions from ages past.
For Sailor Mars, her head spun from mind numbing fear. She instantly knew that Malakhov was the being her mind had touched on the psychic plane during the disastrous fire reading that nearly killed her. Mars felt endless waves of pure evil radiate from the vampire, relentlessly bludgeoning her to where she nearly vomited.
As for Sailor Moon, she was running on instinct, her mind nearly at the point of shutting down. She stared solely at Molly, her best friend, the girl she loved like a sister for over ten years, now a slavering, bloodthirsty horror. More than anything, Moon, her heart in pieces wanted to wail to the heavens in her grief, but couldn't afford to.
"Shall we dance, ladies?" Malakhov asked, his lips curled in a wicked smirk. "Or are you going to wait for me to kill you?"
The cruel sound of Malakhov's voice, compounded by Moon's brittle emotional state made her snap. "MONSTER! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Moon, her eyes devoid of sanity leaped at Malakhov, surprised at the Scout's blinding speed. In a split second, Moon slammed into Malakhov like a runaway truck, sending them flying down the street while she rained sledgehammer blows on the startled vampire, using every ounce of her strength to pummel him. There was no tactic or strategy to Moon's frenzied attack other than the maddened Scout was simply going to beat Malakhov to death.
"Darling!" cried Molly, equalled startled by Moon's sudden rampage. Forgetting about the other Scouts, she turned her back on them.
"Not so fast, bitch! You're not done with me!" growled Jupiter, pouncing on Molly and grabbing her by the lapels of her leather jacket. "I owe you some payback for what you put Melvin and me through! And I mean to collect!" The Scout of Thunder then delivered a mighty punch that sent Molly flying clear off the street like she had been shot out of a cannon. Snarling like a rabid animal, Jupiter sped off after her.
"Molly!" cried Malakhov, spurred to action from the danger Molly was in. With a roar of anger, he swept Moon aside with a backhand, but the effort left him spent after the terrible pounding he had taken.
Stunned, Moon was on a head first collision course with a wall when someone suddenly put himself between her and the wall, cushioning what might well have been a fatal impact. That someone was a tall, lean muscled young man in a black tuxedo, a white silk shirt, vest, bowtie and gloves along with a black top hat, shoes and a matching cape lined in red. The man's handsome face was partially hidden behind a white mask where his eyes betrayed deep concern for Sailor Moon's safety. Tuxedo Mask breathed a sigh of relief when his sweetheart glared at him.
"You and your last minute rescues," grumbled Moon, Malakhov's blow restoring her senses. "You're gonna make me old before my time."
"Sorry. Force of habit," said Mask, trying not to smile. His face then went pale when he saw Malakhov struggle to his feet. "Good Lord! Is that who I think it is?"
"No. He only looks like Nephlyte. Fooled us too," said Mars. "He calls himself Nikolai Malakhov. He's a vampire, Darien. That's who's been responsible for the Deep Throat murders, including Molly."
Mask scowled. "A vampire. Just when I thought I've seen it all. Well, this madness ends now! Let's take him down, Scouts!"
Malakhov, despite the pain from the battering he took stood his ground. He was ready for anything. Just like when he was alive....
Moscow, Russia: Winter, 1259
At only thirty four, Father Nikolai Malakhov, one of the youngest Priests in the Russian Orthodox Church prided himself as a man of compassion. Whenever someone needed help, he was always the first to give it. That was his nature, to be there when people were in need. And the people who came to Malakhov for help and spiritual guidance loved him because of his devotion. Children saw Malakhov as a near mythical figure, men saw him as a broad shouldered tower of strength, while women were easily entranced by his handsome features and kind smile.
Malakhov loved his work with a passion. He even thought of himself as a savior who would lead his people into the light of freedom, so strong was his faith. From when he was but a child at his mother's knee, religion became the driving force in his life as were her teachings to him of how mortal man was locked in a neverending battle against the dark forces of evil and that only faith kept the monsters at bay. Malakhov had been taught from a young age that faith in the Almighty would, in time, vanquish all evil from the land. Malakhov took those lessons to heart, almost to a fanatical degree when he was finally old enough to join the ministry.
Then came that fateful night when Malakhov's faith failed him.
He had been called to the Tertishny home, a wealthy farming family who lived outside the city. From what he had been told by Sergei, the head of the house was that Anna, his eldest daughter, a slender eighteen year old beauty with wavy red hair had been struck down by some unknown ailment that left her deathly weak and pale. When the physicians could find no cause for Anna's illness, Sergei and his wife, Natasha feared their child was under siege by demons and called Malakhov for help.
When Malakhov arrived, he immediately began ministering at Anna's bedside when he noticed something odd about the girl. On the left side of her neck, partially hidden by a scarf were two small puncture wounds. When he asked Sergei and Natasha what the wounds were, they told him that they didn't know, but that the wounds appeared right about the time Anna first took ill. That bothered Malakhov. It reminded him of his teachings from ministry elders about Nosferatu, the undead. The nightmarish creatures of central European legend who attacked living beings to feast on their blood. And the marks on the throat of the victims represented the kiss of the undead. Malakhov could scarcely believe it.
Malakhov decided not to tell Sergei and Natasha about his grim findings, unsure of his facts. Instead, he asked if he could stay and continue his ministrations. Anna's parents readily agreed and put the young priest up in a small spare room down the hall from where Anna slept. Very late that night, Malakhov was studying, looking for any pertinent information on vampirism. Weary from travel and from his studies, the young priest had just nodded off when he heard a floorboard creak outside. He went to the door and opened it. What he saw shocked him. A man, tall, gaunt and dressed entirely in black had opened the door to Anna's room and crept inside.
Fearing the worst, Malakhov rushed down to Anna's room and burst inside where he witnessed a living horror. The gaunt man was at Anna's bedside and was just about to attack the girl who looked for all the world to welcome it when Malakhov intervened.
"In the name of the Lord, I command you! Stop!" the priest roared.
The gaunt man turned to face Malakhov who gasped at his appearance. The man's face was pale and bloodless, his dark hair receding on top while he wore a feral, rage filled expression. The man opened his mouth to reveal his fangs.
"Holy man! You dare much by interfering in my feast," the man snarled in a thick, German accent. "The girl is mine! None may dare prevent me from taking her!"
"Only the power of the Lord, monster! I will fight you!" cried Malakhov. His initial fear gone, the young priest stood tall and strong, confident in his strength, and his faith.
The vampire chuckled and approached Malakhov. "Indeed. Very well then, holy man. Let the battle commence."
Malakhov, breathing heavily, feeling his strength return, sneered at the heroes. "Fools! You have no idea who you dealing with! I am evil incarnate! I am death itself! You don't stand a chance against me!"
"Shut the hell up! We're not impressed!" an angry Mercury shouted back. "We've faced far worse than you and triumphed! It's time you were taught what it means to underestimate the power of the Sailor Scouts! Shine Aqua....ILLUSION!"
Before Malakhov could react, a wall of sheer ice sprang up from the ground and completely encased the vampire at the command of the Scout of Water who's body shined and sparkled from dazzling blue light as she employed her powers. As the Scouts and Mask warily approached the ice tomb, it shook, shuddered, then exploded, sending deadly shards flying out in all directions, barely missing the heroes who ducked to avoid the barrage. Enraged, Malakhov took the battle straight to the Scouts, using his speed to land vicious blows that battered the heroes who, as one, fought back with all the rabid ferocity of wild dogs.
"You may be tough, Malakhov, but we can stop you!" said Mask, absorbing a blow that deadened his left arm before hitting Malakhov with a powerful thrust kick. He then produced a handful of red roses from within the folds of his cape. With unerring aim, Mask hurled them like darts at Malakhov who cried out as the needle sharp points of the stems pierced his body like bullets, knocking him to the ground.
"My turn!" growled Mars. Blood pouring from her nose and mouth, she took out an evil ward which glowed in her hand from purifying flame. "I call upon the power of Mars, vanquish this demonic evil....FIREBALLS CHARGE!"
With deft aim, Mars slapped the glowing ward directly on Malakhov's forehead and he screamed from pain as the mystical paper exploded in magical flames that enveloped him. Despite the searing agony, Malakhov managed to rip the ward from his head, extinguishing the flames that sought to destroy him, but the effort left him more weakened than before. Never in his memory had he faced opponents who possessed such awesome powers. Then he remembered, the scroll! Secured in the pocket of his coat! He couldn't afford to let it come to harm or his grand plan would be ruined. As much as it irked Malakhov to do so, he had no choice but to retreat.
"It would seem that I have underestimated you. A first for me," he snarled, his breath ragged. "I will let you live, for now. But I will remember the indignity you heaped upon me this evening. Rest assured, you will face my vengeance."
As the Scouts and Mask looked on in shock, Malakhov's body transformed from that of a man into a man sized black bat with an unbelievably large wingspan. The creature launched itself into the air like a jet before the startled Scouts could react.
"NO! Come back and fight!" roared Moon, ignoring the searing pain in her right side from cracked ribs sustained in the fight, pain so great it hurt to breathe. Moon whipped off her tiara and willed it into her energy disc. "Moon Tiara....MAGIC!"
Moon hurled her energy disc at Malakhov who, sensing the danger fast approaching, transformed into mist and the disc harmlessly passed through him before it returned to the waiting hand of Moon. She seethed from fury as the mist dissipated.
"He got away! He got away!" Moon screamed.
"Take it easy, Serena! We won the first round!" Mask countered, putting a hand on Moon's shoulder. He had never seen her in such a frenzy before, and that worried him. "Malakhov wasn't prepared to face us and it cost him. He'll think twice before tangling with us again!"
"Wait a minute! What about Molly? Jupiter went after her!" cried Mercury, her face bruised and her right eye swollen shut. "Malakhov probably did too! C'mon! Lita may be in danger!"
Despite running through the streets of downtown Tokyo at breakneck speed, Sailor Venus almost lost Melvin before she arrived at Tokyo General Hospital. The emergency room staff, frazzled from a just completed round of critically injured patients were shocked to see Venus, the front of her uniform soaked from blood rush in with the stricken Melvin in her arms.
"Don't just stand there! Help him! Please! He's dying!" screamed the hysterical Venus, almost in tears.
The staff sprang into action, taking Melvin out of Venus' arms and putting him on a gurney where they immediately went to work on him while one of the nurses ran up to the distraught Scout of Love.
"Sailor Venus! What happened to him?" the nurse demanded.
"He was attacked by the Deep Throat Killer!" answered Venus, wiping her eyes. It wouldn't do she thought to be seen crying in public, much as she wanted to. Venus decided not give away any particulars on the assault, especially that Melvin's attacker was a vampire.
"Heartbeat and pulse rate almost non-existent!" cried the Chief Trauma Physician who examined Melvin. "He's in shock! This kid needs blood! STAT! What's his type?"
"He's type B!" said another nurse, reading from a bracelet on Melvin's wrist. "But we've exhausted most of our stores on those traffic accident victims that were here ten minutes ago! And our fresh stores haven't arrived from downstairs yet!"
"Blast! This kid needs blood now or he's dead!"
"Doctor! I'm type B!" said Venus. "I'll give Melvin what he needs!"
The doctor weighed his options, then nodded. "Nurse! Bring a gurney over! Now! Get this girl prepped for a transfusion!" He then glared at Venus. "I have to warn you, young lady, the amount of blood he needs to survive until our stores arrive could well kill you."
Venus set her jaw. Dying didn't bother her. She had sacrificed her life before, one more time wouldn't matter. "I don't care! Just do it!"
The absolute last thing Lieutenant Fukoda and Detective Hiyata expected as they pulled to a screeching stop near a side street was a body crashing on the hood of their car and spidering the windshield before bouncing off, stopping traffic as it lay motionless in the street.
"Jeez! What was that?" cried Hiyata.
"Something hit us!" growled Fukoda, looking to his right at the body lying in a crumpled heap ten feet away. Hopping out of the car, the veteran cop ran over to the victim, its back to him. As Fukoda knelt beside the body and turned it over, he gasped from shock when he saw Molly's face, the feral snarl on her lips and the fangs she bared.
"Holy Christ!" the startled cop shouted.
"Get away from me!" she snarled, swatting Fukoda aside like an insect and he crashed into the side of the squad car.
Hiyata jumped out, gun drawn and ran over to where his partner lay sprawled and dazed by the car. When he saw Molly, his mouth fell open and his gun nearly dropped from his fingers.
"No! It can't be!" the young cop whispered.
Hissing like a snake, Molly leaped at the cops, eager to take their blood. But she was stopped in mid-leap by Jupiter who slammed her shoulder into Molly like a linebacker on a blitz, sending her to the ground.
"You guys okay?" asked Jupiter, glancing quickly at the detectives whom she instantly recognized from the Mitsumos' island nearly four years ago. Despite the situation, she grinned at the handsome Hiyata who, more than ever, reminded the auburn haired amazon of her old boyfriend.
"Yeah. Thanks for the save, Jupiter," said Fukoda, helped up by Hiyata. He then stared at Molly who quickly got to her feet, her fingers curled into claws, her eyes filled with fury. The veteran cop couldn't believe what he was seeing. For a moment, he thought he was either hallucinating, or had gone insane. "Pardon a stupid question, but is that the Baker girl?"
Jupiter nodded and balled her fists, her mind back on business. "'Fraid so. Hang back while I wax her ass."
"In your dreams!" growled Molly, ready to fight, ready to kill.
Before the Scout of Thunder could move, she was attacked from the rear as claws raked her back, ripping fabric and flesh and knocking her to the ground. As the cops and Jupiter looked on, an unbelievably huge black bat hovered over Molly, flapping its dark, leathery wings.
It is time to leave, Molly, now, she heard Malakhov's voice in her mind. There will be another time for battle.
Molly seethed from rage and disappointment as the other Scouts and Mask burst onto the street to join Jupiter and the detectives. While she wanted more than anything to tear them apart, she gave in to the demands of her master.
"Consider yourselves living on borrowed time!" Molly snarled, her visage so inhuman, everyone cringed. She then glared at Moon. "Especially you, Sailor Moon! For hurting my lover, I'm going to kill you! Do you hear me? You're going to die screaming! That's a promise!"
Moon shuddered and drew close to Mask for support. Then, before the startled eyes of the heroes, the cops and the stunned pedestrians, Molly transformed into a black bat, though not nearly as large as Malakhov and they quickly flew off into the night sky.
"Somebody call the psych ward. I wanna reserve a rubber room," whispered Hiyata in a croak. "What in God's name did we just see?"
Jupiter swallowed, a chill running down her spine. "To put it bluntly, Shiro, a freaking nightmare."
To most of Tokyo's residents, the Sailor Scouts were nothing more than a myth, an urban legend as many people heard of the heroines but had never actually seen them face to face. So the doctors, nurses and patients at Tokyo General Hospital were stunned and awed when the Scouts, bloodied and battered staggered into the E.R. ward in search of Melvin and Venus, the latter having buzzed them on her communicator to tell them where she had taken the stricken first victim of Molly. They found Venus sitting on a chair in a hallway, looking thoroughly exhausted, her uniform caked from dried blood.
"Venus!" cried Moon, rushing up to her, ignoring the wide eyed, slack jawed expressions of the people around her. "Are you okay? What happened with Melvin?"
"I'm fine. So's Melvin," Venus replied tiredly as the other Scouts surrounded her. "I just finished giving him three pints of blood."
"What? Are you serious?" cried a shocked Mercury. "You know our DNA isn't human! There's no telling how Melvin's system would've reacted to your blood in his veins! You could've killed him!"
"But I didn't! Don't lecture me, Mercury! I'm not in the mood!" Venus snapped, fatigue leaving her short tempered. "I didn't have a choice! Molly nearly sucked poor Melvin dry! He would've died in the E.R. without a transfusion! There was nothing else I could've done!"
"Take it easy, babe. You did the right thing," said Jupiter in a soothing voice, squeezing Venus' shoulder.
Venus gave her friend a weak smile. "Thanks. The doctors said Melvin's condition had stabilized and should make a full recovery." The Scout of Love then sneered at Mercury. "As long as he doesn't grow a second head, he'll be just fine."
"And you?" asked a concerned Mars. "You look wasted."
"Pumping out nearly half your blood will do that to you. Don't worry, my healing powers are already replacing what I lost. I'll be right as rain after a good night's sleep. What happened after I left?"
"In a word, a disaster," growled Moon, suddenly unnerved by all the people staring at her and the others. "We'll explain outside."
With Venus leaning on Jupiter for support, the Scouts limped tiredly out of the hospital to where Fukoda and Hiyata waited around the corner by their squad car.
"Now do you believe?" Moon asked Fukoda in a snarl.
The cop, feeling chastised nodded. "I haven't a choice. Not after what I saw tonight. I apologize for doubting you. I don't mind telling you, Miss Moon, this business seriously shakes my faith in the real world."
"Mine too," said a glum faced Mercury.
"I don't understand this! None of it!" said Hiyata. "How could the Baker girl be walking the streets, six days after she was murdered?"
"Because she was killed by a vampire and resurrected as one," said Mars. "The killer's name is Malakhov, a Russian. We can give you a full description of him. Interested?"
"Do bullet trains go fast? You bet I am!" growled Fukoda. "You tell me what this maniac looks like and I'll have an APB out on him in an hour. Then I'll circulate his face to all the papers and TV stations. For obvious reasons, I can't come right out and say this guy's a vampire, no one would believe me. But once the killer's face has been plastered all over town, he'll be forced to go to ground and people will be safe."
"A police manhunt for Malakhov is a dangerous idea, Lieutenant," warned Moon. "We hit him with nearly everything we had and he survived. No offense, but having ordinary men go up against him, armed with nothing more than mere guns would be suicide."
Fukoda stewed. He knew Moon was right, especially after he watched Malakhov and Molly fly away as giant bats. "I can't argue that. Still, I have to do something. It's my job."
"Getting the word out to the people about Malakhov is more than enough," said Jupiter. "Stopping the bastard, that's our job."
"I have a photographic memory, Lieutenant. I can give you the best description of Malakhov," offered Mercury.
Fukoda nodded. "Good enough. Anything else I should know?"
"Well, if you've seen 'Dracula', then you know vampires are powerless during the day," said Moon. "Malakhov has to hide somewhere until nightfall. Have your men search all empty or abandoned buildings in and around the city. If we manage to find him before dark, we'll have a better chance of putting an end to him."
"That's a tall order, but I guess we have to do it," said Fukoda.
"And what do we do if we find him before dark?" Hiyata asked.
Moon's eyes turned glacial cold. "Do you have to ask?"
The cops shrank from Moon's baleful glare. "No, we don't," said Fukoda, almost in a whisper. He then turned to Mercury. "Miss Mercury, let's go. We've got a date with the police sketch artist."
Once the cops left with Mercury, Mars fixed Moon a hard stare. "Meanwhile, we've got other matters to deal with. Like Molly calling you Serena. How is it she knows who you are?"
Moon dropped her head. "Molly stumbled onto my secret identity during the mess with Nephlyte. She never told me she knew I was Sailor Moon until just last week....the day before Malakhov killed her. Guys, I'm scared. As crazed as Molly is, what's to stop her from going after my family? I don't care about myself, but how do I keep them safe?"
"For starters, you can't let them leave the house after dark," said Mars. "A vampire can't enter an abode without being bidden to. They won't open the front door for Molly after being at her funeral today, and once the word gets out about Malakhov being the killer, he'll be off-limits too."
"Serena, if you plan on warning your folks about Molly, you may have to tell them everything," Venus pointed out.
Moon nodded. Having her family learn she was Sailor Moon was her worst nightmare. One that now seemed unavoidable. "Yeah, I know."
Moscow, Russia: Winter, 1259
"Time for you to die, holy man!" growled the vampire as he stalked towards Malakhov.
The young priest, having conquered his initial fear calmly removed a jeweled crucifix from inside his coat and thrust it out at the monster who quickly turned away, his face twisted from discomfort.
"I think not, creature. I know of your weakness. As long as I have this, you are powerless against me!" Malakhov said, a hint of arrogance in his voice, so sure he was in his faith.
Hissing like a snake, the vampire scampered to Anna's bedside and clutched her head in his bony, long nailed fingers. "You presume much, holy man. I am not easily deterred. Don't expect help from the girl's parents, I've already killed them. Drop that damned trinket or I'll break her neck!"
Malakhov was worried. He could see the intense evil in the monster's eyes and knew he wasn't bluffing. For emphasis, the vampire slid one of his nails across the girl's throat, drawing blood. She gasped from the pain. But without the crucifix to protect him, Malakhov would be at the vampire's mercy.
"I said drop it! Now! Or the girl dies!"
Malakhov's faith began to waver. Fear clutched at his heart and soul while indecision wracked at his brain. Anna was under his protection, he had to save her, no matter what. He had already failed her parents, he would not let her come to harm as well. Malakhov looked heavenward for guidance but, much to his sorrow received none. No advice, no words of courage, nothing. Then, seeing the horror and the fear in the girl's eyes, Malakhov did the only thing he could. He dropped the crucifix.
The vampire smiled. "Very good. Now, to end the drama."
With a sadistic grin, and a sudden twist, the vampire snapped Anna's neck, the sound mockingly loud in the stillness of the room.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" cried Malakhov who, in a mindless, guilt driven rage charged the vampire, determined to kill him to atone for his having failed to protect Anna. But his charge proved futile as he was easily overpowered by the monster who held the young priest in an unshakable grip of steel and sneered at him.
"You see, holy man? In the end, you were destined to fail. Your faith in your God proved to be absolutely worthless," said the gloating monster. "Now, to convert you to my religion, the church of the undead. This I promise, you will never see another sunrise."
The last thing Malakhov saw as a human being were the vampire's fangs, coming closer to his exposed throat. The last emotion he felt was not fear, but disappointment that God let him down, that his faith proved to be not enough to conquer evil. That thought greatly saddened him....
"Pride goeth before a fall," muttered Malakhov, his dark thoughts snapping back to the present.
"What did you say, my love?" asked Molly, curled up next to him in his private chamber.
"I foolishly underestimated the Sailor Scouts," said the vampire, his expression grim. "Their powers were incredible, and they showed absolutely no fear of me. I must admit, I wasn't used to that. After seven centuries spent battling all too human vampire hunters who were dangerous enough with their crosses, stakes and holy water, those females and their dapper dressed friend gave me quite a struggle. Had I not opted to flee with the scroll, they might well have defeated me."
"Don't despair, darling. True, the Scouts are powerful, but they're only flesh and blood. They can be hurt, and killed, just like any human," countered Molly. She spat out 'human' like it was a dirty word. "Sailor Moon in particular. I know her, in life, she was my best friend. I know her strengths, her weaknesses, what makes her tick. Take her down, and the others will follow. Trust me, Nikolai, I will destroy her for you."
Malakhov stared at Molly, startled by her singleminded thirst for revenge against Sailor Moon, bringing to mind that very old saying, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'. The reason for that fury, he thought, a misguided attraction because I remind the girl of her dead lover. Just like she reminds me of Anna. Poor, hopeless, doomed Anna. At least Molly no longer calls me 'Nephlyte'. That had gotten to be rather tiresome. What sort of hold did that man have over her?
"I'm sure you will, my sweet," he said. "But for now, other matters must take immediate precedent. Now that you have joined the flock, my Circle of Five is now complete. Soon, with the aid of the scroll I procured this evening, we will have the means to achieve power beyond our wildest imagination."
Molly was curious. "What sort of power are you talking about?"
Malakhov merely grinned. "I will explain in detail tomorrow night. When the moon is full. But for now, let us just say that a new dawn will soon be upon us."
Serena felt like she was at the end of human endurance. She was bone tired, not just in body, but in mind and soul as well.
The other Scouts insisted on seeing her home, waiting until she had transformed back to Serena before leaving for police headquarters to wait for Mercury. Walking into the house, Serena found her parents and Sammy watching TV in the living room, blissfully ignorant of the events she had been involved in only an hour ago.
If they only knew who I really am. What I am. What I do behind their backs. Would they still love me if they did? Serena thought hard about what Venus had said at the hospital, that she might have to reveal the truth to keep her family safe from the wrathful Molly.
For a moment, Serena came close to doing just that, marching right into the living room and morphing into Sailor Moon right before their eyes, and damn the consequences, but she relented.
I came clean to Molly, and look what happened to her, she thought. Oh, God, why does life have to hurt so much?
"Serena? Is that you?" asked her mother.
"Yeah, it's me," she replied listlessly.
"Come and join us."
With a sigh, Serena trudged into the living room and faced her parents who wore expressions of deep concern. Even Sammy who never treats her with anything remotely resembling respect looked worried. Seeing those looks made Serena's heart ache.
"How are you feeling, dear?" her mother asked.
Serena shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
"We know Molly's death hit you hard, pumpkin. But we just want you to know we'll be here when you need us," said her father.
"All of us," added Sammy sincerely.
Serena, choked up, tried a smile, but couldn't get it right. Still, the love and concern her family had for her warmed her inside. "Thanks. I appreciate that. More than you'll ever know. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. Oh, and could you all do me a huge favor?"
"Sure, honey. What is it?" her mother asked.
"Don't go out tonight."
Serena's parents and Sammy looked at each other in confusion.
"Why would we do that?" her father asked. "We practically never leave the house after dark during the week."
"I'll explain....later. Just don't. Please. For me. Good night."
With heavy footfalls, Serena plodded upstairs to her room, feeling like she could sleep for a week but knowing she'll be lucky to doze for an hour or two before the nightmares begin again. She hardly ate and barely slept since Molly died six days ago and exhaustion had become a serious problem. As Sailor Moon, Serena drew on cosmic energy from the Imperium Silver Crystal within her for strength, stamina and healing powers far beyond mortal comprehension, but in human form, she had normal human limits, limits which were dangerously close to being reached. Serena feared she was on the verge of burning out and figured it wasn't a question of if she would suffer a collapse, but when. The only thing that kept her going was adrenaline....and thoughts of revenge.
It was then that she remembered Luna had not been briefed on the situation. Serena knew she would have a lot to tell her guardian about Molly, and Malakhov, but not tonight. She was simply too worn out and decided to give Luna a full report in the morning.
Yawning, Serena opened the door to her room and instantly felt something was dreadfully, terribly wrong. Luna was on the dresser, her teeth bared, her haunches up, her fur on end and hissing from fury at something she saw at the window.
"Luna? What is it? What's....?" Serena never got to finish her question when she saw what Luna was staring at.
Floating outside her window, wearing a demonic smile that showed her fangs was Molly.
Next: Calm Before The Storm