Welcome all! You are all invited to read part 3 of this fic. To recap what happened last time, go review it yourself! I'm giving nothing away in the author's notes. If I did that... well, I'd be one of those people that gives things away in the author's notes. AND you wouldn't have to read the story. So without further ado, let's start. PS-- A bust (for those who don't know) is the part of the body that includes the upper chest, shoulders, neck and head. (I used this term and wanted to make sure everyone was clear on this). And facade means a trick, like to fool someone into thinking you're dumber than you really are so they will underestimate you in a trivia game or something. AND Malachite and Zoisite are a gay couple in this fic (that's a first for me). The Call of Destiny Part 3 Tuxedo Mask stood at the bottom of a tall castle. He was looking up at the girl again. He was surrounded by a knee-high mist. The girl was merely a silhouette against a light backdrop of the inside of the castle. She had long pigtails, and her gown seemed to sparkle. "Set me free," the princess softly called. "Find the crystal... Set me free..." "You will be free," Tuxedo Mask said. The mist faded, as did all of his surroundings. Soon, he was in a dark room. It was so dark, it was pitch black. A figure appeared in front of him. It was a bust image of Zoisite. "Hello, Darien," he said. Darien shot up in bed. His breathing was deep and heavy. The dream had changed slightly this time. What did it mean? Did the Negaverse warriors know his identity? Or did it mean something else? Something possibly much worse? Darien got out of bed. He was wearing an old T-shirt and some boxer shorts. He had bandaged his head as well. It had stopped burning now, but he thought it best to leave the bandage on. Heaven only knew what kind of scar would be left. Darien went to his window and looked out at the star-studded sky. The moon was in it's first-quarter phase. The city was lit up with lights in virtually every window. The sky was cloudless, save one hovering on the lower portion of the crescent moon. < How could I have been so stupid? Zoisite played me for a fool. I should have known he wouldn't fight fair. And Serena... Serena is Sailor Moon. And Rei is Sailor Mars! Amy and Lita are Soldiers too! But that new girl... Is she really on our side? Or is it a facade? > Mina and the other Soldiers, now bandaged, sat around Serena, watching her. She had not come to yet. Rei's ankle had definitely been broken. She had called a doctor on Lita's new cell-phone. He had came and put her leg in a cast. Rei's Soldier days were put on hold. The other Soldiers were luckier. Amy had a burnt chest. Luckily they were minor burns. Lita had a few bruised ribs. Serena was the worst. Not only a few broken ribs, but also a good-sized concussion and she was not going to wake up any time soon. The doctor said it wasn't like a full coma. She was in a dream state, and it was like she was merely sleeping normally. Her head was bandaged heavily. The doctor said that with any luck, she would awaken within twenty-four hours. If not, she was to be taken to the hospital to be kept under constant observation. "So," Mina said. "Is that a typical fight for you guys?" "No," Lita said, holding her ribs in a constant, throbbing pain. "We usually win. But lately, they've gotten stronger by the fight." "Who was the fire-shooter?" "That was Zoisite," Amy replied. "The other one was Malachite. We think he's the strongest warrior in the Negaverse." "And Zoisite was the one kicking your asses." Amy and Rei shot glances at Mina that said "Don't remind us." "Hey, sorry," Mina said. "But it's true." "We didn't know he had fire shooting capabilities," Amy said. "At least he doesn't have a force-field ability like Malachite." Malachite and Zoisite were celebrating their minor victory over the Soldiers and Tuxedo Mask. If it hadn't been for Venus, they would have gotten the crystals in a matter of minutes. "Zoisite, I want to congratulate you. You seem to have mastered your elemental. Now fire is at your command, and the Soldiers will be at your mercy." "Yes," Zoisite said, content in his eyes. "But I want to learn more. I want to be able to use a force-field. Like you." "Hang on Zoisite. A force-field cannot be learned. You must be born with it. You know you have if, when you get really scared, one surrounds you. Then, if you have it, I can teach you how to control it. But I can't do anything unless you already posses the power." Zoisite looked down at the ground. "Oh Malachite... Surely I must have it! I must! If I don't, then there's a chance the Soldiers could get a few lucky shots on me and kill me." "Zoisite..." Malachite made a pink rose appear in his hand and handed it to him. "I can't tell you if you are born with it, but just remember, I will always be there to help you if you are in trouble." Zoisite accepted the rose, and looked at Malachite's eyes. "Oh Malachite..." The two embraced and kissed. "One day, I hope to rule the Negaverse by your side." Malachite broke away, but continued holding Zoisite by the shoulders. "Don't say that out loud. If Beryl heard you... There would be hell to pay." Zoisite just stared at Malachite. "OK." Darien looked up from his book he was reading in the park when he heard the calling of his name. He saw her coming. "Hi Lita." "Darien..." Lita noticed the bandages. "Um... what the hell happened to you?" "Well it's not getting slammed against the temple, but it was a nice fireball to the face." He gave her a look. She knew what he was talking about. "So you're," she said, and then only mouthed the next words, "Tuxedo Mask!?" "Uh huh," Darien nodded. "And you're," Darien mouthed the next words, "Sailor Jupiter." "Yep." Lita grinned. "So you know..." "I know about everybody. Even Serena." "Oh. Well, did you introduce yourself to Mina?" "Huh?" Darien took a second to think. < Mina... oh, right! Venus... > "Not exactly. I don't trust her." "What?" Lita sat down. "Why?" "Well, I thought all of the Soldiers were supposed to be revealed already. And then she shows up... I can't help but think that the Negaverse is stooping to a new low to get us off our guard." Lita just gave Darien a look that clearly meant "you're full of it." "Well, if you gotta believe that. But just give her a chance. OK?" "Fine. Hey, what did you want to talk to me about?" Lita's expression became grim. Darien walked in the hospital room to see all of Serena's friends surrounding her bed. She was strapped to a life-support system, and she was tied down. "Darien," Rei said from her new wheel-chair. "What are you...?" Lita soon came in. "Guys, I'd like you to meet a good friend of the Sailor Soldiers." Darien noticed Mina was there, and quickly interrupted. "Actually, more like a fan. Are you guys fans too?" Lita looked at Darien, puzzled. She finally figured out what he was doing. "Yeah," Lita said. "We're all fans. Even Serena." "Hey, what happened to Serena, anyway?" Darien asked. "Well," Amy said. "She was hurt. I think she... fell down some stairs. She slipped into a coma an hour ago, and started going into convulsions." < I can't believe Amy didn't figure this out, > Darien thought. < She's the smart one. Serena figured it out... Serena... > Now he felt sick. It wasn't a normal sickness, like the stomach or the head. He felt sick in his heart. But why? He didn't have feelings for her. The doctor came in. "I'm sorry, but you'll all have to leave. Visiting hours are over." Mina pushed Rei out the door, and Amy and Lita followed. Darien walked over to the doctor. "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "Is she gonna make it?" "Hard to say. But if she does, and you knew her well, be prepared for a big change. It's possible that she won't even be able to talk. The tests aren't back yet, but... She could have brain damage. We're not sure." Darien looked at the doctor for a second, and then slipped out the door. Malachite stood before Queen Beryl. She had watched the Soldiers in the last fight. And she had seen them power down. "Malachite, the girl who is Sailor Moon is called Serena. And she's in the hospital. Zoisite may have actually killed her. They think she is going to die." "That is good news, my queen." "NO! We need her alive. I didn't see Tuxedo Mask power down. If she can fight, then he will help her. But if she dies, we might lose our pawn in getting to him!" "My queen, there are other ways to get him--" "Listen to me! If she dies, then Zoisite dies. We still Sailor Moon!" "I understand, my queen. I will send Zoisite to her and make her start killing Sailor Moon before she dies. Tuxedo Mask will come, and we can get the crystals and kill sailor Moon in one stoke." Beryl had a content look come over her face. "That is a plan I like. Just make sure she doesn't die before he gets there." "Yes my queen," Malachite said with a bow. He then disappeared. Zoisite appeared beside Serena. The room was empty, and Serena was calmly sleeping at the moment. Zoisite blasted her with invisible energy. It wouldn't kill her, and he knew it. But it would make sirens go off in Tuxedo Mask's head. Darien shot up in bed. "Serena!" He ran to his balcony, and jumped down to the ground. He transformed into Tuxedo Mask before landing gracefully on the street. He hopped on his motorcycle and sped to the hospital. Tuxedo Mask arrived at the hospital in only a couple of minutes. He looked up at Serena's window. It was open. He prepared to jump up to it. "Not so fast!" Malachite grabbed Tuxedo Mask by the cape-fasteners and lifted him upward. "Give me the crystals, and we let her live. We can even heal her for you, but first give us the crystals!" < Serena's in danger... Maybe I should just give him the crystals. It's not worth it... > "All right! Let me go and the crystals are yours!" "No! Give me the crystals and then I let you go!" They both heard a voice. "Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" The beam seared right through Malachite's arms. He let Tuxedo Mask go as he howled in pain. "Sailor Venus!" Tuxedo Mask shouted. "Boy am I glad to see you!" "Just passing through. Thought you could use my help." "Right. I'm gonna save Serena. Zoisite's up there. You deal with Malachite." "Sure." Tuxedo Mask jumped up to Serena's window. Seconds later, a very surprised Zoisite came flying out, and landed on his back on the concrete sidewalk. "Zoisite!" Malachite cried as he saw blood coming from her head. It had split open. Malachite rushed over to Zoisite, and held him in his arms. "Zoisite, don't die! Please, don't die...." Malachite was weeping. "I... didn't feel... him...." Zoisite closed his eyes. Malachite watched as he faded away, his blood remaining on his hands. "No, Zoisite! Don't go... ZOISITE!!!!!" Malachite cried. The security staff came out and saw the scene. Sailor Venus was watching. "You there!" Venus saw they were speaking to her. She ran. "Hey, stop!" The staff ran after her. Tuxedo Mask watched the whole thing from Serena's window. She had stabilized. The energy blasts had been weak. That was good. Tuxedo Mask turned his attention to Serena. He began seeing the dream play again in his mind. < The crystals! > Tuxedo Mask looked out the window again. Malachite was still there, horrified. The crystals had been in Zoisite's possession. And now they were floating where he had once been. Tuxedo Mask jumped down, and grabbed the crystals. Now he had all seven rainbow crystals. "Thanks, buddy," he said. "You bastard! You killed him!" Malachite grabbed Tuxedo Mask by the throat and threw him a distance of nearly fifty feet before Tuxedo Mask smashed into a tree. The tree was shaken so hard that many leaves and branches fell. Tuxedo Mask tried to get up, but he felt constant energy blasts hitting him. Malachite then held out his hand, and all seven rainbow crystals flew into his hand. "I should have told you I have telekinesis. I'll be seeing you around!" Malachite disappeared. The rest of the Soldiers, except Mars, showed up on the scene. "What happened?" Mercury asked. "I killed Zoisite," Tuxedo Mask. "But Malachite got the crystals." The Soldiers' faces all became grim. Now they were in for it. To Be Continued... Well, that was nice. I hope you enjoyed it. I liked writing it. Anyway, have a nice day!