SAILOR ROGUE #46
"Strange Dreams! Darien Keeps His Distance!"
By Deerdevil

Disclaimers: Luna-P, Serena's parents, and Sammy are part of the Sailor Moon line-up, and therefore copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, DIC, and Toei Animation. I am not doing this for profit, but for the fun of it. Sailor Rogue and all related amalgam characters (unless otherwise specified) are my characters. Rubitzroy was created by Frankie Rodriguez. Sailor Storm was created by Gammablast and me.

It's a beautiful Saturday morning as Darien Lebeau begins his morning jog. As Tuxedo Gambit the young, Cajun mutant has face many dangerous and life-threatening situations. He had battled the members of the Brotherhood of Nega-Mutants; tackled dozens of Nega-Sentinels on his own; he's even survived being brainwashed and split into two people--Darien Lebeau and the Magnetic Knight. Even centuries ago, when he was Prince Darien of Earth, he had face evil without flinching.
But at this moment Darien faces a dangerous situation that not even he can withstand. It is a danger that people all over the world have encountered. A danger so horrible that it sends a chill up the spine of even the bravest of men. It is the worst nightmare of all joggers.
A large bulldog was hot on Darien's tail.
"Don't people know dat t'ere's a leach law in New Tokyo??!!!" Darien exclaimed as he ran for his life.
A couple of times Darien thought he had alluded the dog, but the canine was still after him. Darien stopped when he spotted a stick on the ground. An idea popped into his head. He picked the stick up and showed it to the dog.
"Come on, boy, get de stick...get de stick. Fetch!" Then he threw the stick. Darien couldn't believe that the dog was actually chasing it. It didn't even phase the dog that the stick was glowing as he picked it up in his mouth. For Darien's mutant power allows him to charge an object up with kinetic energy, which excites the atoms of the object, causing it to explode. The more kinetic energy he pumps into an object, the more powerful the explosion. In this case the effect was similar to an exploding cigar.
The dog ran off with its face blacken and its tail tucked between its legs.
Darien breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to continue his jog, when Serena Tsukino bumped right into him.
"Oh, uh, hey Darlin'," said Serena with a smile.
Darien returned the smile and said,"Hello yourself, Petit. It must fate for us to be together--seein' how we're always runnin' into one another."
"Oh, Darien," said Serena as she lean forward to kiss him.
"Ahem! Serena!" said Luna behind her. "We're here for a reason--remember?!?"
"Oh yeah," said Serena,"sorry, Luna."
"What's wrong, Luna?" Darien asked.
"Rini's missing!" the black cat answered.
"What?!?" exclaimed Darien.
Serena said,"Yeah, she disappeared this mornin'. Ah'm really worried 'bout her, Darien. So are my folks!"
"Well, we waitin' for?!" said Darien. "Let's go find her!"
**********
Meanwhile hovering above New Tokyo City, invisible to all, was the black crystalline spaceship. In the main conference room, the Four Sisters of Apocalypse--Cat, Prislene, Madly, and Icy--were gathered around a screen in the floor--a holographic projector. Standing closest to the screen was the leader and commander of the mission, Rubitzroy. Then suddenly the image of a man dressed in a large, gray cloak and hood appeared before them. They could not see his face--only his glowing red eyes penetrated the darkness within the hood. He was sitting indian style.
"Shadow Man," said Rubitzroy,"it is always an honor to see you."
Shadow Man--Apocalypse's top official--spoke in a deep voice. It was a voice just above a whisper.
"The pleasure is all yours, Rubitzroy. You have yet to capture the child and the Silver M'Krann Crystal. Both are needed if our plans of conquest are to succeed here in the future!"
"Forgive me, Shadow Man," said Rubitzroy with a slight bow. "We did not expect to run into the legendary Sailor Rogue in this time period."
"You should have...since according to the tales, and history, she lived in the late twentieth century!" responded Shadow Man. "Is everything ready for Plan B of your mission?"
"Yes," answered Rubitzroy,"all is set for Operation 002: Divide & Conquer. We locate and destroy the key points in New Tokyo City where Crystal Tokyo City will be built. We also enslave everyone who is at that key point."
"Correct," answered Shadow Man. "Send one of the girls to begin, Rubitzroy. As for you, return to the future at once. Lord Apocalypse wishes to speak to you in person."
"I am greatly honored," replied Rubitzroy with a bow. "I shall leave at once."
The image of Shadow Man vanished. And Rubitzroy turned to one of the four girls.
"Prislene," he said,"I'm going to let you handle this first one. Do whatever it takes to get us a foot hole in this world."
"Just leave everything to me, Sir," said Prislene with a smirk.
Rubitzroy approached Cat and said,"Cat, since you failed in your mission, I will use your energy to create the portal I need to return to the future."
"I'm all yours, Rubitzroy," said Cat with a purr.
Rubitzroy took hold of Cat's cheeks and began to absorb her energy. Cat screamed for a few moments and passed out. Rubitzroy's hands were glowing with the energy he took.
"She'll be all right--in a day or two!" he said as he opened a time portal. "And Prislene if you encounter those blasted X-Scouts...destroy them!"
With that, Rubitzroy leaped into the portal.
**********
Luna, Darien, and Serena arrived at the nearby play ground. On one of the swings was Rini. She was looking down at her feet. Sorrow and loneliness swelled up inside her like a balloon. On the ground next to her was Luna P.
"Mama...." she said quietly.
"Rini...."
Rini perked up at the sound of her own name. The voice sounded just like her mother's, but she became sad once again when she saw it was only Serena.
"Rini," said Serena as she walked up to her,"where have you been? We were worry sick 'bout ya!"
"Leave me alone!" Rini replied.
"Rini," said Darien,"Serena worried 'bout ya 'cause she cares. Now how 'bout we go home, Petit."
Rini looked at Darien and then suddenly ran into his arms and hugged him. Unsure of what else to do, Darien returned the embrace.
Odd... thought Rini, he hugs just like Papa.
"Unbelievable," said Serena in a harsh tone.
<<If I didn't know better, Serena,>> Luna said to her telepathically,<<I 'd swear you sounded jealous!>>
Me? Jealous o' Rini? Get real, Luna!
**********
A short time later Darien, with Rini on his back, Serena and Luna arrived at the home of the Tsukinoes. Standing outside was Ken, Irene, and Sammy.
"Where have ya been?!" said Ken. "We've been worried 'bout you!"
"Ya really shouldn't run off like tat, kid," said Sammy.
"Ah'm sorry, y'all," said Rini as she climbed down off of Darien's back.
"So, Serena," said Irene as she turned her attention to Darien,"is this who ah think it is?"
"Oh," said Serena as both her and Darien became nervous,"uh, yeah, Mama, this is Darien Lebeau."
"Please ta meet ya, Darien," said Irene. "An' thanks for findin' Rini for us."
"Madame," said Darien with a nod.
Sammy looked at Darien and said,"No way! This guy looks way too old ta be Serena's boyfriend!"
"WAT???" exclaimed Ken. "Serena!"
"Oh, uh, it's no problem, Mrs. Tsukino, really..." said Darien as he looked at Serena's now enraged father,"I was on my morning jog. See ya!" With that, Darien took off faster than when he was running from the bulldog.
"HEY!! COME BACK HERE!!!" Ken shouted to Darien.
Irene chuckled as she spoke quietly to Serena,"Hey, Serena, he looks like a nice guy. Bring him home ta dinner the next time yer Dad's outta town. 'Kay?" Then she winked at her daughter.
"Okay, Mama," said Serena with a smile.
"Excuse me, y'all," said Rini. "Can ah have some breakfast now?"
Ken, Irene, and Sammy Tsukino looked at Rini with confuse looks on their faces.
"Hey, who's the kid?" said Sammy.
"Honey," said Ken,"who is this girl? Are ya expectin' company?"
"No, Darlin'," said Irene,"ah wasn't expectin' company, an' ah don't who she is."
"But ah'm yer niece," Rini answered.
"Sorry ta burst your bubble, kid," said Sammy,"but you can't be. Mom an' Dad don't have any brothers or sisters." Then he looked at Serena and added,"Although ah must admit, ah kinda wish ah was an only child!"
Serena was too confuse by what was happening to reply to Sammy's remark.
"Uh-oh," said Rini as she grabbed the Luna P Ball. "Looks like de cat's outta de bag, no?" Then she bounced the Luna Ball around and threw it up into the air.
"Luna Ball....Kitty Magic!"
The ball transformed into an umbrella. Rini opened it up to reveal that it was no ordinary umbrella. As she twirled it, it released a strange beam of energy at the Tsukinoes and Luna.
On no, thought Luna as she started to feel the effects of the ray, she's trying to hypnotize us! Luna then bit Serena's arm to break her free of the ray's control.
"OUCH! LUNA, HAVE YA FLIPPED!!" Serena screeched at her.
"Hush!" said Luna quietly as she pointed a paw at Rini. "She was trying to hypnotize you."
Serena looked at her family and saw that Luna was right.
Rini smiled very sweetly at Ken, Irene, and Sammy and said,"Ah'm yer niece, Rini, remember?"
"O' course," said Irene with a smile,"how foolish o' us ta forget!"
Serena became angry and grabbed Rini by her collar. "So tat's how ya did it, ya little spore!"
"Serena!" said Irene. "Stop pickin' on your cousin!"
"Serena, ah want you ta be extra nice ta your Cousin Rini for now on!" Ken ordered.
Serena just screamed with frustration.
"Anyway," said Sammy as he picked up the Luna P Ball,"this ball Rini plays with sure looks a lot like Luna--see?" Sammy showed ball's face to everyone. Even Serena could see the resemblance.
IT DOES NOT!! Luna insisted in her mind. I DON'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THAT!!!
**********
The palace was beautiful. Its towers were as tall as some of the tallest buildings in New Tokyo City. If one were to inspect the surface structure, it would look and feel crystalline. It was indeed a sight of pure beauty. Standing in one of the tallest towers looking out over the crystalline city was Princess Serena of the Moon Kingdom.
She had a sad look in her eyes. She looked as though she would cry. She smiled lovingly at one standing off in the distance, who was watching her--Prince Darien of the Earth Kingdom, Atlantis. Then as she looked away, tears began to flow down her cheeks.
Suddenly the crystal palace exploded.
SERENA!!! Prince Darien cried out....
...and then awoke in his living room.
Darien Lebeau looked around as sweat beat down his forehead. He rubbed eyes realizing he had fallen asleep while studying for his history test. What bothered him was that it was the same dream he had the night before.
Dat same dream again, he thought. Is Serena in some sort o' danger? Gotta get some air.
Darien left his apartment and headed for the streets. He had not walked far when it happened again.
The crystalline palace...Princess Serena...the explosion....It replayed over and over again in his mind.
Serena must be in some sort o' trouble, but what?! thought Darien. What can I do???
Just then Serena walked by and spotted Darien. She walked up to him, smiled, and embraced him.
"There you are," said Serena. "Ah was lookin' for you, Darlin'. Sorry 'bout tat scene with mah Dad earlier. Ah can imagine how ya felt. So, ready for our date?"
Their date. Darien mentally kicked himself for forgetting about it. He was suppose to take her to the mall, but now he wasn't sure if that was a good idea.
"Uh, Serena, Darien doesn't t'ink so," he replied as he broke her embrace. "I'm gonna have to, er, cancel it today."
"Wat?" said Serena with surprise. "Why? Wat's wrong? Are ya sick?"
"No, Chere," said Darien,"it's not dat. In fact, I'm afraid I won't be able to date you for a while. Er, somethin' come up."
"Wat's wrong? Maybe ah can help ya."
"No, t'is is somethin' Darien gotta do alone! Please, just leave me be!"
Then, without another word, Darien walked away--leaving Serena with a lot of unanswered questions.
**********
Over the next few days, Serena tried to call Darien, but he would not return any of her calls. Whenever she saw him on the streets he would turn down another street to escape her. Serena was becoming very worried--worried to the extent that it was all she ever thought about.
"Serena, pay attention!"
Sailor Rogue went flying across the Danger Room as the wall-mounted laser cannon nailed her with a shot.
"Game over, Sailor Rogue," said Cody Andrew. "If this session had been an actual battle, you'd be a prisoner of the enemy right now."
"Cody, you're as bad as Xavier sometimes," Sailor Rogue replied as she exited the Danger Room.
"Just doing my job," Cody answered. "I must say this last week and a half have been interesting.** Besides Xavier asked me to run today's training session for you X-Scouts, while he got caught up on some important business."
[**Cody discovered the Command Center in last issue's story--Deerdevil.**]
"Important business...ha!" stated Sailor Phoenix. "He's at home curled up on my bed, asleep!"
Cody just shrugged his shoulders and said,"Well, uh, I guess to a cat that would count as important business. Okay, Sailor Storm, your turn."
As Sailor Storm entered the Danger Room, Sailor Rogue return to her alter ego and sat down by the conference table. Sailor Mars and Amy Lee walked up to her.
"Like, what's wrong, Serena?" asked Amy.
"Yeah," said Sailor Mars with a smirk,"you're not acting like yourself today, Skunky."
"M, don't start," said Sailor Phoenix.
"Yeah," said Serena. Then suddenly she shot up, grabbed Mars by her uniform and shouted,"AN' DON'T CALL ME SKUNKY!!!" She released her grip on the X-Scout of the planet Mars and sat back down.
"Sheese, sorry!" replied Sailor Mars. "Why don't you chill out and tell us what's wrong."
Serena went on to explain about her and Darien.
Sailor Mars said,"Well, maybe he just wants some time to himself. I mean, you have been seeing a lot of him lately."
"Or maybe he canceled your dates with him so you'd have more time to study," Amy suggested.
Everyone in the room just looked at Amy as if to say, Are you kidding?
"Or maybe not."
Just then the alarm on Cerebro went wild.
"What's up?" asked Sailor Phoenix.
Cody shrugged his shoulders and said,"Well, if I understand this correctly there's some mutant activity in Central Park. I wish I could give you the exact coordinates, but Xavier didn't get that far in my lessons."
"It's okay, Cody," said Sailor Storm, having exited the Danger Room when she heard the alarm. "Sailor Phoenix?"
Sailor Phoenix put on the Cerebro Helmet and concentrated. As she began to zero in on the activity in the park, she suddenly took two steps back and removed the helmet.
"What happened?" asked Cody.
"Guys, I wish I could say that the activity Cerebro detected was just some new mutant showing off his powers," said Sailor Phoenix. "But I'm afraid its our new enemy. Some unknown force cut me off."
"::Sigh:: We better power up, Amy," said Serena.
"Right. Jubilee Power!"
"Rogue Crystal Power!"
A few moments after Serena and Amy were transformed into Sailor Rogue and Sailor Jubilee, the X-Scouts left the Command Center.
"Good luck, X-Scouts," said Cody as they left.
**********
Prislene was on a stage in Central Park putting on a magic show. Standing next to her was a Sentroid named Zatanno. A Sentroid is an android design to mimic human appearance, and is program to steal energy from humans and make them into slaves of Apocalypse. They are also programed to serve as bodyguards, patrol units, and executioners. Zatanno (who was posing as Prislene's fellow magician) was wearing a green dress, a weird hat, and white gloves. Her skin was pale as though she had on a ton of makeup.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen," said Prislene,"we've saved our best trick for last. Zatanno...if you please."
"Right. All right, people, pay close attention now," said Zatanno as she ascended off the stage. The audience cheered as she began to float. But their cheers soon turned to screams as the Sentroid began attacking them with an energy blast, which drain their energy.
"Now listen up everyone," Prislene spoke into the microphone. "Look into my gorgeous eyes....you will sender your lives and wills to Apocalypse....you will be his totally obedient servants...."
Suddenly a glowing disc knock the microphone out of Prislene's hand. Then it returned to the one who threw it.
"Who threw that?!!" exclaimed Prislene.
"Ah did, Sugah! Ya use a magic show--which normally is suppose ta be fun for kids o' all ages--to do evil! Tat can't be tolerated! The NEA may allow it, but ah won't!
"Ah am the Mutant Champion o' Justice, the pretty sailor-suited X-Scout--Sailor Rogue! On behalf o' the moon, ah will punish you!"
"And we are the X-Scouts!" said the others and they joined their leader. "So back off!"
"So you're the legendary X-Scouts," said Prislene. "I am Prislene--one of the Four Sisters of Apocalypse--and frankly I'm not impressed! Still I'm not surprised that my weak older sister, Cat, lost to you. I'm afraid, however, unlike her, I've been expecting you. SENTROID PATROL UNIT ATTACK!!!"
Dozens upon dozens of Sentroids appeared and attacked the X-Scouts. They all looked more robotic than human. Zatanno even got in on the action. Just at that moment Xavier and Luna arrived on the scene.
"What are you doing here?" asked Sailor Mars after destroying a Sentroid. "I thought...."
"Never mind!" said Xavier cutting her off. "Phoenix contacted me telepathically and alerted me to the situation. Though, I wish she didn't shout it to me--I fell of the bed!"
Sailor Rogue was finally able to get on the stage to face Prislene. "Ah don't wat you're up ta, Sugah, but it ends now!"
"Little o'me?" said Prislene sweetly. "Why whatever do you mean, Sailor Rogue? Just look into my innocent eyes...."
As Sailor Rogue looked at her, an energy beam shot forth from Prislene's eyes into Sailor Rogue's. The X-Scout Leader staggered backwards as the world became topize-turbie.
"Lookout behind you, Sailor Rogue!" said Prislene. "Four Sentroids are about to attack you!" But in reality it was the other X-Scouts. Prislene ordered Zatanno and the other Sentroids to back off as Sailor Rogue attacked the X-Scouts.
"What's wrong with Sailor Rogue?!" asked Sailor Storm as she blocked a punch.
"Moon Tiara....MAGIC!"
"Prislene must be controlling her somehow," said Sailor Mars as she dodged the tiara.
"Phoenix," said Sailor Jubilee,"can't you, like, help her?"
"I'm trying!" said the X-Scout of the planet Venus. "But something or someone is blocking her mind. Wait! I have an idea! Keep her distracted." With that, Sailor Phoenix removed one of her gloves.
<<Mina....NO!>> Xavier cried out to her telepathically.
<<Sorry, X-Cat,>> Mina responded,<<but this is the only idea I can think of! You just do your part.>>
Sailor Phoenix ran up to Sailor Rogue while thinking, I hope this works. Sailor Rogue may not be able handle suddenly becoming a telepath! Well, here goes nothing! With that, Sailor Phoenix grabbed Sailor Rogue's bare arm with her bare hand. Sailor Phoenix cried out as Sailor Rogue absorption powers kicked in; then the Mutant Soldier of Love and Justice passed out.
<<NO!!!>> Sailor Rogue shouted telepathically. Her scream was a mix of rage and terror as the world shattered around her. Thoughts, emotions, lives--none of her own--flow into her brain like a great flood. She is drowning in that flood, losing herself in it. She was graciously heading for the end.
But one voice made itself heard above the roaring tide. It is a gentle voice, but unwavering and unyielding. Xavier carefully, gently guided her--showing her how restore order to the chaos within her mind. Sailor Rogue slowly calm down as she began to understand.
<<Ah can see now, Xavier...thanks,>> said Sailor Rogue telepathically. She then turned toward Prislene. <<Okay, Sugah...the jig is up!>>
"I quite agree, Sailor Rogue!" said Prislene as she nailed the X-Scout Leader with a black lightning blot from her finger tips. As Sailor Rogue went flying, Zatanno and three Sentroids fired energy blasts at her, knocking the X-Scout of the Moon out. Only her limited-invincibility--though pushed to its maximum limit--saved her.
"SAILOR ROGUE!!" cried out the X-Scouts as they rushed to her side. Prislene then ordered the Sentroid Patrol Units to finish them off.
"We've got to protect Sailor Rogue," said Sailor Jubilee.
"Yeah, but how?" said Sailor Mars. "There's too many of them, and these Sentroids are much stronger than the Nega-Sentinels!"
"Well, whatever we do," said Sailor Storm,"we better do it quickly, because here they come!"
Sailor Phoenix looked at the guardian cats for a moment then said,"Wait! Xavier and I just got an idea. We can use the power in our transformation pens to destroy them. The only problem is the pens will short-circuit within twenty seconds. But that should give us enough time."
"Let's do it!" said Sailor Storm. "Hey wait a sec.! Weren't you out cold just a few moment ago?"
"Writer's error," replied Sailor Phoenix with a shrug.
"I'm in," said Sailor Mars.
"Like, me too," said Sailor Jubilee.
Luna gave some quick telepathic instructions to the girls. Then the girls took out their transformation pens, then each turned the pen top in a clockwise circle, and aimed at the approaching Sentroids.
"Jubilee Power!"
"Mars Power!"
"Storm Power!"
"Phoenix Power!"
Four laser beams shot forth from the pen tops and combined into one large energy beam. The beam impacted against the Sentroids and destroyed most of them. Sailor Rogue regained conscious and watched with amazement. Within twenty seconds the pens short-circuited just like Sailor Phoenix warned them. Each of the girls dropped their pens in reaction. There were three Sentroids remaining, which had dodged the attack. It was then that they heard a familiar voice.
"Double Royal....FLUSH!"
Fourteen kinetically charged cards hit the remaining Sentroids causing a tremendous explosion. Tuxedo Gambit leaped down from a tree and help Sailor Rogue to her feet.
"Think this belle needs some Moon Sceptre therapy, no?"
"Uh, yeah..." said Sailor Rogue as she pulled out the Sceptre. "Moon Princess....HALATION!"
"NO!!!" cried out Zatanno as the energy blast struck her. The Sentroid was reduced to diamond-like dust.
"You brats will play this!" said Prislene. "Once We get that kid, we'll destroy this city and Crystal Tokyo City!"
Crystal Tokyo City??? What's that? Luna wondered.
Then, without another word, Prislene vanished from sight.
"Are you all right, Petit?" asked Tuxedo Gambit.
"Yes, thanks ta you, Sugah," said Sailor Rogue with a loving smile. Although her borrowed telepathy was fading, Sailor Rogue could still read some thoughts. "Tuxedo Gambit...why have you been keepin' your distance from me? Ah know you still love me because you rescued me an'--"
"I came because it was de right thing to do," said Tuxedo Gambit. He turn to leave.
"Then answer mah question, Darien," Sailor Rogue insisted,"why? Don't lie ta me....ah can tell you're hiddin' somethin'!"
"I'm doin' what's best for de both o' us," said Gambit without turning around.
"Huh??"
"Farewell."
I'm sorry, Serena, thought Tuxedo Gambit as he left the scene. It must be t'is way 'til Darien can figure out what's goin' on!
**********
A short time later aboard the enemies' spaceship, Rubitzroy, who had returned from his trip to see Apocalypse, told Prislene off for wasting so many Sentroids.
"We have limited supply," he said. "A plan like that only wastes them! From now you do not use that many Sentroids without my express permission! Do we have an understanding, Prislene?"
"Yes, Sir," said Prislene quietly.
"Good," said Rubitzroy. Then he left the room.
"He sure told you, Sis.," said Madly.
"Oh go jump out of an airlock, Madly!" said Prislene with anger.
"Tut-tut," replied Madly as she shook a finger at her sister,"you should be a little more grateful, Prislene. After all, if I didn't use my own telepathic powers to block Sailor Phoenix's, the X-Scouts would've been on top of you a whole lot sooner! And what about Sailor Rogue? Sailor Phoenix broken your hold on her instantly if I hadn't step in to help."
"You have point there," remarked Prislene.
Madly leaned against a viewing port and said,"Hey, why don't you and I team-up on the next mission? Working together we can do twice the damage. Come on....it will be like the old days!"
"I suppose..." said Prislene. "Watch out, X-Scouts! You won't stand a chance against our combine power!"

THE END....FOR NOW!!
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Next: Is Amy Lee leaving the X-Scouts? That's what it looks like when she wins a scholarship to attend a school in Germany. The X-Scouts get an upgrade from Xavier and Luna, but can they fight freezing power of Icy without the help of the X-Scout of the planet Mercury? Find out in the next exciting issue of SAILOR ROGUE.
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AMALGAMATIONS

Note: AOA stands for Age of Apocalypse version.
Sailor Rogue [Sailor Moon+Rogue]
Tuxedo Gambit [Tuxedo Mask+Gambit]
Shadow Man [Wiseman+Shadow King (AOA)]
Prislene [Prisma+Selene]
Sentroid [Droido+Sentinels (AOA)]
Zatanno [Droido Makeup+Zatanna]
Crystal Tokyo City [Crystal Tokyo+New York City]