Destiny's Dreams
Written by: Mistic
Rating: PG, for a level of thinking younger children would
not understand.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (@
"Serenity." A melodious masculine voice called out to
me upon a passing breeze.
My head jerked up at the sound of the gentle voice.
Soft mists surrounded my body in all directions, obscuring
my sense of sight and perception of distance. I blinked my
eyes rapidly, trying to make head or tails out of the
blurred form drifting in my direction.
I could see nothing but a vale of white mist and a
shadowed silhouette of a figure. Though I could perceive
very little about the figure, I could tell from the build
and stride that the figure belonged to a man. Long limbs
and a powerful stride bestowed upon the figure a kind of
lithe movement that only males seemed to be able to
achieve.
My breath caught in my throat, and my heart began to
beat rapidly against my rib cage. It seemed as though my
entire being was compelled to his presence. I had no
control over my body as it began a slow journey in the same
direction in which the lithe figure approached.
"I am here, my prince." A soft, timid voice cried out
from somewhere near yet so far from me that it took a few
moments for my mind to register the voice as my own. A
wave of utter shock ran through my body at the realization
that the voice had been from my own vocal cords. But that
shock was nothing compared to the chills that ran along my
spine the moment the young man's hand gently caressed my
cheek. With a sigh, I leaned into the caress, and the
voice, my voice, spoke once more, "Please, Endymion!
Please, bring me the Silver Crystal! Please, my love."
Slightly startled by my own words, I lifted my azure
eyes to gaze upon the darkest, most beautiful sapphire eyes
I had ever beheld in my life. Though weariness laced his
tenor voice, his eyes shown with an emotion akin to love as
he spoke to me, "I shall try, my love. I shall try.
Though I wish I had some small clue as to where I should
begin my search, I shall search until I set you free once
more, my sweet angle. My love, my princess. I -shall- set
you free."
Gazing into the depths of the young man's stormy,
sapphire eyes, the impulse to kiss his cheek over took me
causing me to brush my lips gently against his feathery
skin. The sorrow and pain that had filled us only moments
before seemed to melt away with my impulsive movement. The
young man's eyes glistened with unshed tears of a quiet
anguish and loneliness reflected within my heart and the
tears trickling down my cheeks.
The tears we shed seemed to come from some place deep
in our hearts, deep in our soul. They came from a place
unknown yet known far too well ever to be spoken about. It
was from that place that my next words came from as my
world began to fade.
"Please, find the Silver Crystal. It is the key to
our future. Without it and its power, all shall be lost to
the forces of darkness. Evil shall win the battle for good
and everything shall be lost in its wake. Please-I-I
cannot stand to lose you-not now-not ever again! You are a
part of my soul that I can not bear to live without!
Please, I beseech you-find the Silver Crystal and remember
my love for you always! You must find the crystal!
Please-my love-please!"
Gentle sobs filled the silence of the night. They
belonged to a young girl no more than fourteen years of
age. Long, golden hair curled about her in waves of pure
silk covering her bedspread like a halo about her tiny
form. Azure eyes, the color of a clear summer's sky, were
shut tight against tears and framed by long black eyelashes
that held a natural curl and lushness many only dream of
having. Her long legs were drawn tightly against her chest
as she rested her back against the headboard of her bed.
She supported her head with her arms and cried her gentle
sobs into the fabric of her rosy colored, flannel pajamas.
At the foot of the pink bedspread covered by white
bunnies and golden crescent moons, a tiny feline form laid.
The tiny, sleeping feline form stood out against the pale
sheets in the moonlight. A soft glow illuminated her ebony
colored fur as she began to stir from her pleasant slumber.
Ever so slowly, one blue eye opened after the other.
Confusion clearly written upon her face as she took in her
surroundings. Sleep clouded the young cat's mind, and her
eyes refused to focus upon anything. After a few moments
of contemplating what had awakened her, the feline buried
her head in her paws with a yawn. She slowly closed her
eyes allowing sleep to take her into its clutches once
more.
"His eyes..." A hoarse voice, filled with confusion and
much sorrow, mumbled softly reawakening the slumbering
feline. "His eyes-so haunted-laced by an anguish mirrored
within my soul. Speaking of a great loss and longing yet
to be filled."
Silence fell once more as hushed tears traced their
way down the young girl's pale cheek. She turned her ashen
face to the equally pale faced moon shinning upon her bed.
The waning crescent of the moon seemed to smile down upon
the golden child giving her comfort and offering wordless
guidance to her soul. A small smile born from the comfort
that the sight brought her spread across her pastel lips.
"Oh mother! Why? Why did he cry when I kissed his
cheek? Why did I cry when the hurt in his eyes faded only
to be replaced with longing? Why? Oh-mother-why?" The
young girl sobbed to the moon, her head falling once more
upon her arms.
"She cannot mean..." The feline thought silently,
turning a pair of cobalt eyes to the doorway of the young
girl's room. She half expected to see Ilene Tsukino
standing in the doorway; instead, she saw only a closed
door. Slowly, two feline eyes scanned the room searching
for the older woman that had raised Serena, the golden
haired child, as her own. Slightly disturbed at finding no
one else in the room, the feline settled her gaze upon the
young girl only to find that she was crying again.
"Serena?" The feline's child-like voice called out
softly as she padded gently over to her charge's side.
Receiving no answer to her inquiry, she rubbed her head
against Serena's leg gently and purred softly. "Please,
Rena-tell me what is wrong. It might help ease the pain-
please, Rena?"
Serena turned a startled gaze upon her feline friend,
but immediately her eyes softened, and she pulled the small
cat into her arms. While she stroked the feline's velvet
fur, Serena closed her eyes against tears that seemed to
have neither source nor end. In a gentle voice the feline
had not heard for a very, very long time, Serena replied
softly to the questions of her feline friend: both those
that were voiced as well as those that were not.
"I-I don't remember his name, Luna. All I remember is
the pain that laced his eyes when I kissed him..." Serena's
voice trailed off as she let Luna out of her grasp.
Serena's hands somehow managed to find the watch
Tuxedo Mask dropped when he had carried her unconscious in
his arms the day before. As she studied the broken, moon-
faced watch, her vision began to grow blurry. Serena's
hands flew to her mouth as a gasp of shock escaped her lips
and everything became clear.
"Oh, Darien how could I have been so blind?" Serena
murmured softly, a smile slowly gracing her delicate
features.
"Rena, what do you mean?" Luna asked gently placing a
dainty paw upon her charge's left hand.
"When Darien told me about the accident that took the
lives of his family, his eyes held the same sorrowful look
as Endymion's before I kissed his cheek so tenderly. And
again when he told me of the princess in his dreams that
begged him to bring her the Silv-." Realizing her mistake,
Serena immediately shut her mouth and hoped that Luna would
let it go at that, but the cat was stubborn.
"The princess begged him to bring her what?" Luna
insisted after a moment's pause.
"The Silver Crystal." I replied solemnly, knowing
what was to come next.
"How does he know about the crystal?" Luna nearly
screeched.
Serena's already ashen face turned even whiter. She
took a shaky breath to steady her racing heart and replied
in a small, strained voice, "If I answered that question,
Luna, you would never allow me to see him again. I can not
allow that to happen. He has become too important to me
over the last few months to lose now."
"What makes you say that, Rena?" Luna asked gently,
surprised by Serena's mature tone.
Sighing, Serena turned to gaze upon the waning moon
once more and replied softly, "Let me tell you what
happened to me after the enemy attacked yesterday-before we
met Ven-the Moon Princess..."
@)~~~~~ Flashback
School was out, yet I could not bring myself to be
happy. My mind was far too occupied with thoughts of
Tuxedo Mask. His soft, sweet lips brushing mine in a
dream-like slumber induced by champagne. His strong-arms
about me as he lifts me out of harms way. Deep sapphire
eyes, cold as the crystal for which we searched, gazing
upon me as he spoke the words I dreaded the most: "maybe
we are enemies."
For some reason, my soul cried out in protest to his
icy words. Acute pain pierced my heart overwhelming me
with its intensity. I had never felt such anguish before.
Despair gripped my heart, and I have yet to be the same
since. His words haunt my dreams, my fantasies, and my
reality. They revolve around my head every minute of every
day, and I wonder at his meaning. Hoping against hope, the
words Tuxedo Mask spoke only a few nights ago held no
truth, and that we were allies and not enemies as we both
feared.
I trudged slowly towards home, not quite ready to face
my overly cheerful mother. My feet dragged against the
ground and my pace grew slower with every passing second.
I lifted tired eyes to see the people around me toppling
over as though their energy had been drained. With a soft
curse, my lips formed three, all-telling words: "The Dark
Kingdom."
With labored, deliberate steps, I turned on my heel
and headed for the one place I could think of, the Crown
Video Arcade. Somehow, I knew I would find the others
there. Nevertheless, with every step I took, I could feel
myself slipping and falling prey the forces of darkness.
Swiping my hand across my forehead in order to lift
the haze from my mind, I whispered, "Must help..." I faltered
and fell to my knees. "But-I-I'm so tired---I feel myself
slipping away..."
Darkness closed in upon me, and the world faded away.
Light. It was all around me, yet I had not the
strength to break free from its hold. I felt strong arms
lifting my body and supporting my inert frame. Warmth I
had never before experienced washed upon me, and I could
feel strength filling my limp body.
"Hey." A gentle, masculine voice called as a hand
lightly caressed my cheek. "Snap out of it!" The voice
implored pulling me back to reality.
Ever so slowly, I opened my eyes only to find myself
gazing into the deepest pair sapphire eyes I had ever seen.
They were somehow familiar outlined by the faint line of a
white mask. A mask? My eyes blinked rapidly, forcing them
to focus upon the face of the young man in whose arms I
rested. Tuxedo Mask's deep, sapphire eyes came into focus
causing me, nearly, to jump out of his grasp with a shocked
gasp. As though he sensed my fear, the young man held my
gloved hand in his and laced our fingers together. Energy
flowed between our interlaced hands, calming my racing
heart, diminishing my fear, but increasing my confusion
"Tuxedo Mask!" I gasped for lack of anything better
to say. "What are you doing here!?"
"I was stupid..." A look of utter unhappiness and self-
loathing crossed the young man's handsome face as he pulled
his cape around him for protection. Protection from what,
my wrath? I guess I shall never know. "This was all my
fault."
"Tuxedo Mask?!" I cried out in disbelief, my eyes
wide. "Y-you did this?!" Maybe we were enemies after all.
"How could you?" I implored, trying to make sense of what
was happening. "Who-who are you?"
"No-no, you don't understand! I never meant for this
to happen!" He faltered, searching for the right words to
explain his actions. "I had to find the Crystal-her pleas
become more desperate with every passing day! But I do not
have powers like you and the others. I needed more help.
I-I did not know of any other way. I never meant for
people to get hurt." He closed his eyes and laced my
fingers with his once more. "Now, I need your help to make
amends-Sailor Moon."
"How-" I breathed staring into the sincere eyes of the
Tuxedo Mask. "How did you know?"
"Please, Bunny. You must morph into Sailor Moon.
Please, save everyone. Do not make them pay for my
mistake. I beg of you please."
"But-I-I'm too weak." I cried out even as I felt his
strength fill my body.
"Only you can save everyone." Tuxedo Mask implored
one last time, his fathomless eyes drawing me and offering
inexplicable comfort.
His eyes, I thought gazing into the deep sapphire
pools of emotion, all knowing, strangely familiar, drawing
me into their depths. I must be strong if only for him.
I pressed my hand to my broach and cried out: "Moon
Prism Power, make-up!"
I felt my clothes dissolve into nothingness and be
replaced seconds later in a flurry of ribbon. New energy
rushed through my veins, and I could hear Tuxedo Mask
silently cheering me on in the back of his mind. My
confidence surged but for only a moment.
A blanket of bodies littered the streets of Tokyo as
far as the eye could see. No one moved. No one stood or
even sat on their knees. Only the telltale rhythmic
movements of chests gave way to say the bodies still had
life in them. Nausea washed over me, and my heart sank
into despair. There were just so many, too many, bodies
drained of their life giving energy.
How am I to help them, I asked myself silently. I can
not fight with fog like Ami, nor fire like Rei, nor
lightning like Lita. I do not have special powers like the
others! Oh, Luna! Help me! I can not do this without
you!
I clenched my fist in frustration, biting back the
tears of desperation that threatened to escape my barriers.
What was I to do?
"Come on, Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask's sweet, tenor
voice called to me as he pulled me into his embrace. "You
can do this. You are not alone. You are never alone. I
shall always stand by your side to help you. I shall stand
with you now. Come on; you can do this!"
The glow of the crescent moon wand pulled me from my
despair. It called to me, beckoning me to reach out and
grab it. I reached out to it and power surged through my
very being. Without warning, a scene from the Sailor V
game flashed through my mind, and I finally knew what to
do.
"Please." I pleaded softly clutching the crescent
moon wand before me, "Please, bring everyone back to life!"
Closing my eyes, I gathered my power and channeled it
into the wand. Blinding white light erupted from the
glowing crescent moon. Its pure healing power washed over
the people of Tokyo in waves of cleansing energy, breathing
new life into near motionless forms.
As I poured every ounce of strength I had in my heart
into healing the citizens of Tokyo, darkness beckoned to
me. It called my name softly and black spots loomed on the
edges of my dimming vision. My limbs grew heavy, and I
felt my knees give way. Unconsciousness beckoned, and for
the life in me, I wanted to answer its call. Yet, I could
not. I had to know. I had to make sure everyone was all
right. Then and only then, would I allow myself to submit
to unconsciousness' call, but oh...I--
"I-I'm so tried..."
"Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask called from some place
far, far away. "You used all your power..." I think I saw
him smiling down upon me as he murmured ever so softly,
"They are awakening, sweet. Thanks to you..."
My lips formed a small smile. His gentle words set my
mind at ease, allowing me to fall swiftly into the clutches
unconsciousness.
From some place far away, I thought I heard Tuxedo
Mask say, "You did great."
"Serenity." A familiar masculine voice called out to
me upon a passing breeze.
My head jerked up at the sound of the gentle voice.
Soft mists surrounded my body in all directions, obscuring
my sense of sight and perception of distance. I blinked my
eyes rapidly, trying to make head or tails out of the
blurred form drifting in my direction.
I could see nothing but a vale of white mist and a
shadowed silhouette of a figure. Though I could perceive
very little about the figure, I could tell from the build
and stride that the figure belonged to a man. Long limbs
and a powerful stride bestowed upon the figure a kind of
lithe movement that only males seemed to be able to
achieve.
Though the figure moved towards me, it never came any
closer. The man never entered my flied of vision. It
seemed as though the distance between us increased with
every step either of us took. We never met. He called my
name over and over again, and I would call his. I knew
him. He knew me. How could this be?
Sunlight streamed through my eyelids, warming my face
and giving me comfort. My body felt warm, and I had an
inexplicable feeling of safety. The warmth from the touch
of Tuxedo Mask lingered all around me, and I knew I was
whole. He had never been the enemy. My heart had been
right after all. A small smile danced upon my lips as the
void within me disappeared, but then I remembered: he saw
me transform. He knows who I am.
A wave of pure terror washed through me, forcing my
eyes to open. Sitting up in the strange bed where I had
awakened, I pulled my legs under me and wrapped my arms
tightly about my torso. I willed my transformation to
fade, but the feelings of vulnerability and confusion were
not so easily put asunder. The feelings were persistent,
filling me with terror and unanswered questions.
Where was I? Who was he? What am I to do?
I pushed back the sheets that had been covering my
body and began to stand when something glimmered in the
sunlight stopping me. I lifted the small golden object and
de`ja vu washed over me. I had seen this broken watch
before, yet I could not remember when or where. I felt as
though I should recognize it, but I did not. It was just a
feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Are you awake?" A gentle masculine called from the
doorway.
My eyes flew to the handsome face of Darien Shields,
my favorite crush.
Azure met sapphire, and I knew. I knew why he teased
me. I knew how Tuxedo Mask knew my name and so much about
me. I knew why my heart went crazy in the presence of both
men. Darien Shields and Tuxedo Mask were one in the same.
Realization hit me like a ton of brick nearly knocking
the wind out of my weak frame. A cocky grin graced his
full lips when he saw my reaction. He knew that I knew,
and he did not seem to be upset by it. Instead he just
grinned at me and sat upon the edge of the bed where I had
fallen in my shock.
"How?" I asked softly. "How did you find out?"
"The night of Princess D's ball you dropped something
with your name on it, but I think, in my heart, I knew even
before then. Do you remember that day on the bus? When I
decided to show off my school id?"
"How could I not? You blatantly stated-and I quote-
"Champion of Justice?" Luna was so freaked out after that
she was sure you were from the Dark Kingdom. She tailed
you for over a week before I finally got her to give it up
the chase." I lifted an eyebrow as I continued my account.
"It just so happens that she saw you black out numerous
times and disappear. I think she may have seen you
transform or something because after the attack on the
bridal shop she finally gave up her pursuit of your
whereabouts."
"She confronted me at my apartment the next day,
though if I remember correctly, I am not suppose to
remember that little visit. She demanded to know who I
was, but I could not tell her anything." Darien paused.
"It just so happens I, myself, do not know who I am."
"My God-What happened?" I gasped, reaching for his
hand.
"A car accident." Darien stated simply, gazing into
my eyes and gathering his courage. "On my sixth birthday,
I lost both my parents and my memory to a car crash. I
have been told that I was in a coma for over a month and my
right wrist was fractured, but that healed in a matter of
days.
"When I had awoken, I was told my parents had died
upon impact, and the fact that I survived was a miracle in
itself. The doctors had, had no luck in finding my family,
and my identity was a mystery. They gave me the name
Darien Shields but that always felt wrong. I always
wondered if I had been born someone else.
"I spent ten years drifting from orphanage to foster
family back to orphanage. No one wanted a child without a
memory. No one ever gave the runt of the orphanage a
chance. No one wanted to be my friend. I was pushed
around and ridiculed because of all the boys there, I was
the only without any memory of my family. Only two things
kept me sane: the friendship of the orphanage director,
Seiko, and the call of my dream princess, Serenity."
"The Moon Princess..." I whispered almost silently.
"What, Bunny?" Darien inquired softly, meeting my
gaze.
"Nothing, Darien. Please continue; I did not mean to
interrupt." I stated solemnly.
A concerned look creased Darien's brow, but he sighed
and continued.
"When I turned twelve, I began to have dreams of a
beautiful princess--I have never seen her face, yet in my
heart, I know she is beautiful. Though her figure is
shrouded in mists, I can see hair of spun gold and a dress
of pristine white. At first she would talk to me and bring
me comfort. She became my dear friend, and I promised her
I would find her. However, as I grew older, so too did the
princess and a deep sadness eventually consumed her voice.
"When I turned sixteen, she began to grow more
frantic. Every night, her pleas become increasingly
desperate. She calls out to me begging me to find the
Silver Crystal..."
End Flashback ~~~~~(@
"We talked a while longer, and I left soon after
that." Serena stated solemnly.
"Why didn't you say anything about this earlier?"
Luna asked in hurt tones.
"I-I feared you would never allow me to see him ever
again. I just could not stand the thought of never seeing
that cocky smile of his nor his mysterious, sapphire gaze
again. I knew you had the right to know the truth, but I
could not bring myself to say anything. Besides, I figured
that you already knew since you had spoken with him once
before."
"He never said a word about his dreams of the princess
to me. He only told me that he was Tuxedo Mask." Luna
stated more to herself than Serena.
Silence fell between the pair. Serena traced a finger
along the crack in Darien's watch while Luna just gazed
upon her young charge.
Bathed in moonlight, Serena had an ethereal glow about
her. Her golden hair glistened silver under the pale light
of the moon. Her blue eyes held silver tints that sunlight
masked. A silver aura encompassed her body, yet one of
gold subdued its vibrant glow as though it was trying to
shield her Inner Light from the forces of darkness.
Though the fragile form before her held immense power
beyond imagination, something else had caught Luna's keen
eye. Unshed tears of loneliness shimmered in the young
girl's eyes. Tenderness lay in her touch and longing in
her soul. She gazed upon a broken, moon-faced watch as
though it would take all the loneliness and longing from
her soul.
"You are in love with him." Luna stated softly,
calmly so as not to startle the child.
"No-yes-I-I do not know!" Serena cried out in
frustration, turning her azure gaze upon her cat. "I love
things about him-his smile, the way he makes me laugh, the
way he looks into my heart when he speaks-even his teasing.
I love his voice, and the way he knows just what to say to
pull me back from despair.
"Is that what love is? I-I do not know. All I know
is that when I am with him, the entire world ceases to
exist save for the two of us. Nothing else seems to matter
as much. I-I find myself needing to hear his voice and to
feel his soft caress.
"But then I start to feel as though I am betraying
another. There is a man that has been my friend since I
was six. When I have needed a shoulder to cry on, he was
always there to comfort me. His deep blue eyes have
brought me comfort, and his smile has brought me a joy I
have only felt in the presence of one other. He completes
me in a way that I do not understand.
"But as the years wore on, just as Serenity began to
fade from Darien's life, Endymion began to fade from mine.
Two years ago, to be exact, he came to me and told me that
he must leave me. Endy said that I would soon meet a man
that would replace him in my heart, and to make it easier
on us both, he would leave me. He told me that in a few
years time I would understand why he left.
"I met Darien only a few short days later..."
"And you feel as though you have betrayed this
Endymion by falling for Darien." Luna stated simply, her
feline brow creased in thought.
"Yes." Serena stated simply, her head dropping in
shame and a sigh escaping her lips. "Yes. In a way, I do
feel as though I have betrayed him, yet deep in my heart I
know that I have not. Endymion said I would fall in love
with another, but I did not believe him. I thought he was
wrong. I-I thought I would always need his comfort and his
smile to bring me peace. But-"
"But you have begun to see and need these same things
in Darien." Luna interrupted.
"Yes-yes, I have. I need him far more than I ever
needed my sweet Endymion. We share a link that neither of
us understands. I can feel his emotions, and I know he can
feel mine. Sometimes, like yesterday, I can even hear his
thoughts. It's so strange."
"Only those bound by souls or have ESP are able to
sense such things. Maybe your souls are bound." Luna
murmured softly, allowing her eyes to stray from her young
charge's face to that of the clock. It read 1:09, time for
all good little princesses to be asleep.
"Maybe you're right, Luna. Maybe you are right."
Serena yawned, laying back down to sleeping. "Only time
will tell..."
Within moments the young girl was asleep, yet Luna
seemed disturbed. She gazed upon her charge for a while
longer before hopping off the bed and climbing out the
window. Without a sound, the dark cat became a dark streak
in the night.
"Princess, you seemed disturbed tonight; is there
anything I can do to help?" A young man with dark hair and
sapphire eyes inquired as he held me in a tight embrace.
Our bodies swayed to the music in perfect harmony, I
felt as though I was in a trance. My long golden hair
gleamed silver as the lights of the ballroom hit it, but my
eyes, I knew, held no luster. My cheeks were paler than
normal, and my nerves were on end. I felt worried and
apprehensive all at once.
"Good Prince, please do not concern yourself with my
wellbeing. I shall be fine in time. Please, just give me
leave, and I shall not trouble you anymore." A soft voice
I did not know murmured as the young man began to lead us
towards the edge of the dance floor.
"But it is my duty to be concerned about your
wellbeing, Princess. You see my queen would be very angry
if I was not concerned about the wellbeing of my fiancée."
"Endy!" I gasped in wonder.
The darkness of the night hid most of his face in
shadow as we stood out on the balcony under the light of
the full earth. Yet, there was just enough light for me to
see by, and I would know the face of my love anywhere. He
had finally returned me.
"Yes, love..." The young man smiled sweetly lifting his
mask so I could see his beautiful sapphire eyes clearly.
With a happy little gasp, I flung myself into my
prince's arms and cried. The young man's arms clasped
about my tiny waist and pulled me closer to him. He gently
stroked my back in order to comfort me and still my tears.
He whispered sweet words into my ears and soon I began
giggling. After a time, no more words were spoken.
Neither of us moved from the others embrace.
A shudder rang out through the palace.
Endy gently brought his lips down to mine in order to
capture them in a sweet kiss. After a few moments of
bliss, Endy caressed my pale cheek. "I must leave." He
stated. "You're mother shall need my help."
"I-I understand." I trembled in Endy's warm embrace.
"I just wish it did not have to be this way."
"We all wish it did not have to be this way, but it
seems my people believe it must." Endy paused. "Just
promise me one thing before I leave."
"Anything." I hastily answered.
"Never forget me." His soft voice pleaded.
"I shall never-never-forget you. You are in my
heart." I cried as tears trickled down my cheeks.
"And you shall always be in mine, my sweet, sweet
Serenity."
Slowly, our lips met in a sweet kiss that was destined
to be our last.
One by one, I watched the soldiers of the Moon Kingdom
fall to Metalia's forces. I watched as each of my Senshi
took the lives of their soul mates only to be killed by
their own swords at my feet. I fell to my knees and cried.
I never saw the attack. I only felt a body slam into
me and lift me back to my feet. I heard the clash of
swords and the cry of angry voices. I opened my eyes only
to gasp in horror as my only love fought Lady Beryl of
Earth.
"Prince, move aside! Can't you see this young girl
has tricked you," Beryl's high pitched voice cried in rage,
"Step aside and let me destroy her!"
Endymion stood before me and cried out, "I will not
allow you to lay a hand on her, Beryl. That evil being had
poisoned your mind. Let me help you to see the truth."
"I see the truth, my prince," Beryl spat, "You have
betrayed your people and now you must pay for your
treachery. Goodbye, Endymion. May your soul rest in peace
and may hers be damned into hell!"
"Then you must damn my soul to hell because we are
one," Endymion spat in a low voice full of emotion as he
held me in a tight embrace.
Beryl let out a cry of rage as she swung her sword
towards me. I think I screamed in anticipation of the pain
to come. However, the pain never did come. Instead,
Endymion swung himself in front me and softly kissed my
forehead.
Silence seemed to reign as Beryl's blade cut through
the air. Time slowed and the blade moved in agonizing slow
motion towards us. I felt my eyes grow wide in the
realization of what was about to happen.
"I love you," Endymion whispered as he embraced the
pain that came with the impact of the blade.
"Noo!" I cried out in horror, but it was too late.
The blade had pierced Endymion's chest just above the heart.
He fell forward into my awaiting arms, and together we fell
to the ground. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I held my
beloved Endymion to my chest; my hands were stained with
blood, his blood.I frantically searched for Endymion's blade
and with a look of grim satisfaction, I found it. I rose
to my feet and ran a stunned Beryl through. She never had
a chance.
I dropped the sword in horror as I gazed upon the
carnage below me. My friends lay at different intervals
upon the stairs. Beryl lay on the ground before me, dead.
Endymion lay at my feet in a pool of his own blood fighting
for his life and losing.
I fell to my knees before my love and held him to my
chest once more. I lay my head upon his and cry into his
hair. I could the feel the life force slipping from his
body. I knew he was about to die. I felt my heart begin
to break as his body grew completely still. He was dead.
I am dead or at least I want to be.
"Endymion," I sobbed, "No, please, Endymion. Open
your eyes! Don't leave me!"
However, he was gone.
In desperation, I pulled my father's dagger from my
boot and lifted it above me. As I gazed upon it, I softly
muttered, "We shall meet again someday, my love."
"Forgive me, mother." I think plunging the blade deep
into my own heart.
~*~
"Oh, God!" Serena cried out as she rose to a sitting
position panting.
Pain seared through her chest cavity, and she could
feel the cold steel of her father's dagger. Raw emotions
coursed through her body as if she had truly been out on
the battlefield of her dream. There was no controlling the
grief that had consumed her soul; no controlling the racing
of her heart. Tears seeped from azure eyes clenched
tightly against the anguish of it all. Harsh sobs racked
her body with a pain far greater than that of the incision
of the dagger. Her heart bled with each tear that fell.
However, she could not allow her tears to be heard.
They, her family, would never understand. How could they?
None of them had to live with the memories of a former life
that ended in such misery. None of them fought the forces
of darkness everyday of their lives. No. They would never
understand. They could _never_ comprehend the pure anguish
that bleed from her soul.
Serena wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to calm
the racing of her heart. She succeeded in stifling her
sobs but not ending the endless flow of tears. Slowly, as
she gathered her wits about her once more, Serena stumbled
into her bathroom and closed the door behind her. With
slightly labored, mechanical steps, she made her way over
to the shower and turned on the water.
After peeling away her nightgown, Serena trudged into
the warm water. Visions swam past her mind's eye, causing
the water to turn to blood. Biting back a frightened
scream, Serena blinked her eyes in rapid succession, and
the water ran clear once more. With a slight sigh of
relief, Serena picked up her soap and began to try to wash
away the horrible feelings from her dreams.
A resounding clang rang throughout the bathroom as the
soap crashed to the floor of the shower.
"Oh, God!" Serena cried biting back tears as she
gazed upon her upper chest in horrified comprehension.
A small scar, about the size of a dime, stood out
prominently against the white of her upper chest. The
small scar had been there for as long as Serena could
remember; however, she had never known why it existed until
now. She had always accepted her mother's "it's a
birthmark, Dear" without hesitation. She never had a
reason to suspect it was anything but a birthmark. Never
would she have thought it was truly a scare; that is, until
this very moment.
Now it all made sense: the dreams, the visions, her
healing abilities and talents, her superior knowledge of
the world and class subjects. It all made perfect sense.
Serenity had not been reborn in the sense that she and
Serena shared a body. No, the truth was they shared the
same soul; they were the exact same person. Serenity lived
on in Serena, as she once was, how she had always wished to
be. Never had either wanted the responsibility of ruling,
of being a servant to all those around her. However, her
caring, compassionate heart would not allow her to stop
giving. Some of Serenity lived on in Serena's personality,
and the rest resided in her subconscious as well as in her
talents. She was just waiting for the day her true
identity would be revealed.
Finally, she understood. She was at peace with
herself. A small, delicate smile danced upon Serena's lips
as she retrieved her bar of soap. She would make what once
was wrong right.
~*~
"Hey, Andrew!" Serena called as she sauntered over to
the owner of the Crown Video Arcade.
"Oh-hey, Serena!" A blonde young man of about twenty
called over his shoulder. "The regular?"
"Yeah-why not?" Serena returned seating herself on
one of the red bar stools with a sigh. She had been
looking for Darien all day! You would think she would have
found him by now. "I swear that boy is more slippery then
my cat!"
"Who would that be, Meatball head? Your boyfriend?"
A familiar voice jeered upon hearing Serena's rather loud
grumbling.
"You know, Endy, I _really_ hate that nickname."
Serena returned sweetly, turning on her stool so she could
look Darien square in the eye, "I have put up with it for
long enough. You would think after a thousand years a guy
would come up with a better insult."
"Serena, what are you talking about?" Darien asked,
totally bewildered by the girl's change in demeanor. "Have
you gone daft?"
"Not at all, my good prince, just had an epiphany this
morning." Serena paused for dramatic effect and continued
in a hushed voice so that only Darien could hear her words,
"concerning a certain prince and princess for which we
search, maybe?"
"Wha-"
Darien exclaimed unable to work his vocal chords as he
stared slacked jaw at Serena. What had she just called
him-more importantly-why had she called him that? Whom was
this young woman sitting before him? Could this truly be
the girl he had watched over for the last six or so years
of his life?
"Here ya go, Serena!" Andrew exclaimed overly
cheerful, breaking off the rather strange conversation
going on between his two best friends. "Once chocolate
shake with extra whipped cream. Just the way you like it!"
For a moment, Serena could do nothing more than stare
at Andrew dumbfounded by his presence. In the midst of the
exchange, she had totally forgotten where she was. It took
Serena a few moments to gather her wits about her and smile
at the rather concerned and confused man looking at her as
though she had three heads. Well really, both Andrew and
Darien were looking at her strangely.
Intense heat rushed into Serena's pale cheeks. Her
eyes grew wide in the realization of what she had said and
how strange it must have seemed. Darien did not recognize
her as the Moon Princess. He did not even know that he was
the Prince of Earth. He did not have his memories of the
Silver Millennium. How stupid her statement must have
seemed to him. A strangled gasp escaped her lips. Not for
the first time in her life, Serena wished she could just
disappear.
Laughing a bit nervously, Serena turned to the blonde
and exclaimed shakily, "Thanks, Andrew, but-I-I have to get
going, now! Umm-just, put it on my tab. I-I'll pay you
back for it tomorrow-I-I _really_ have to go!"
Seconds later, Serena was out the door and high
tailing it down the street. Neither Darien nor Andrew
understood what had happened. However, one thing was
certain: Darien was going to find out.
"I'll see you later, Andrew." Darien called over his
shoulder as he rushed past his best friend and out the
front door of the Crown Video Arcade.
"Good luck, my friends." Andrew mumbled, shaking his
head at the young, confused couple.
~*~
"Serena!" Darien called as he tried to catch up with
the rather quickly moving teen.
"Go away, Darien." Serena replied, picking up the
speed.
Serena was fast, but Darien was faster. With a few
quick strides, Darien caught up to the blonde and stopped
directly in her path.
"No, Serena. I won't just go away." Darien stated
firmly, grabbing Serena's slim wrist and steering her
towards the bridge overlooking the Arisu River. "Now, what
is wrong, Sere?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Serena returned not
even noticing the endearment.
"That is not going to work with me, Serena." Darien
stated flatly turning Serena's trembling frame to face him.
"In all the years that I have known you and watched over
you, I have never once seen you act like that. Please, tell
me what is going on."
"I really don't want to talk about it." Serena stated
softly, self-consciously pulling her lace shell (sleeveless
blouse) closer about her frail form.
"Did somebody hurt you?" Darien asked, taking note of
the young girl's guarded movements.
"No-no, nobody hurt me. I-I'm fine." Serena
stuttered softly, turning her back towards Darien so she
could lean against the railing of the bridge.
"Then why are you acting so strange?" Darien inquired
softly, moving to stand beside the young girl.
"Because I know something that you do not." Serena
stated forcefully, softly, with conviction. "Something
that could tear one or both of us apart."
"Oh, Sere, what could be so horrible?" Questioned
Darien softly as he pulled the young girl into a warm
embrace.
"The truth." Serena stated simply, finally giving
into reality. She could not tell him the truth concerning
their past. If he knew, he would most certainly be
disappointed to find out that Serenity lived on in her...
"You are wrong, Sere. I could never be disappointed
if my princess lived on in you." Darien paused as Serena
lifted her confused eyes to his. "I think my heart would
overflow with the joy such knowledge would bring me. It's
all I have hoped for, for so long."
"How-"
"How did I know that is what you were thinking?"
Serena nodded, and Darien smiled softly. "You think rather
loudly, my dear."
Serena ducked her head so that Darien would not see
her burning cheeks; however, he would not allow Serena to
advert her gaze. He wanted to look into her beautiful
azure eyes. With a gentle hand, he lifted Serena's glowing
face so that they were looking at one another.
"So, my dear, are you really the High Princess of the
Moon Kingdom, Serenity?" Darien asked softly, lovingly.
"The question is, my lord, are you the High Prince of
Earth's Golden Kingdom, Endymion?" Serena
returned just as softly.
"I believe that I asked first." Darien stated softly.
"I was born Serenity Usagi Gustafson II." Serena
replied simply.
"But how-"
"You are not the only one that does not know their
past around here." Serena retorted. "The Tsukino's are my
godparents. My true mother died in childbirth."
"I'm so sorry." Darien stated solemnly.
"I'm not. She comes to me when I need her and guards
me when no one else can. Her spirit lives with and all
around me." Serena stated softly, a far off look in her
eye and a smile gracing her angelic features.
"You truly are beautiful; you know that don't you?"
Darien stated lovingly as he gazed upon the young woman he
held in his embrace.
"Th-thank you." Serena stuttered with a rather loud
gulp. "But truly, I am not; not like Rei and the others."
"True, you are far more beautiful both inside and
out." Darien stated softly, his face inching closer.
"Th-thank you." Serena breathed softly, loosing
herself in Darien's stormy, sapphire eyes.
Serena licked her lips in nervous anticipation. She
knew what Darien intended and was not in the least bit
bothered by it. Instead, she allowed her eyes to drift
close and waited patiently for Darien to kiss her. When
the kiss did not come, Serena opened her eyes in confusion,
and she found herself gazing into Darien's uncertain eyes.
With a soft giggle, Serena closed the distance between them
and brushed her lips lightly over his. As she pulled away,
Darien followed her, catching her sweet lips in a rather
passionate kiss that would not be their last.
Finally, they at peace with the world.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
As the sun sets upon this, our story, may we find
strength in knowing that this young couple has found each
other once more. Though hardships lie on the horizon, love
blossoms in their hearts assuring us they will survive
whatever hard times are to come. For love shall always find
a way.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (@
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are
(c) Naoko Takeuchi, Bandai, Kodansha,
Toei Animation, etc.
Written by: Mistic
Rating: PG, for a level of thinking younger children would
not understand.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (@
"Serenity." A melodious masculine voice called out to
me upon a passing breeze.
My head jerked up at the sound of the gentle voice.
Soft mists surrounded my body in all directions, obscuring
my sense of sight and perception of distance. I blinked my
eyes rapidly, trying to make head or tails out of the
blurred form drifting in my direction.
I could see nothing but a vale of white mist and a
shadowed silhouette of a figure. Though I could perceive
very little about the figure, I could tell from the build
and stride that the figure belonged to a man. Long limbs
and a powerful stride bestowed upon the figure a kind of
lithe movement that only males seemed to be able to
achieve.
My breath caught in my throat, and my heart began to
beat rapidly against my rib cage. It seemed as though my
entire being was compelled to his presence. I had no
control over my body as it began a slow journey in the same
direction in which the lithe figure approached.
"I am here, my prince." A soft, timid voice cried out
from somewhere near yet so far from me that it took a few
moments for my mind to register the voice as my own. A
wave of utter shock ran through my body at the realization
that the voice had been from my own vocal cords. But that
shock was nothing compared to the chills that ran along my
spine the moment the young man's hand gently caressed my
cheek. With a sigh, I leaned into the caress, and the
voice, my voice, spoke once more, "Please, Endymion!
Please, bring me the Silver Crystal! Please, my love."
Slightly startled by my own words, I lifted my azure
eyes to gaze upon the darkest, most beautiful sapphire eyes
I had ever beheld in my life. Though weariness laced his
tenor voice, his eyes shown with an emotion akin to love as
he spoke to me, "I shall try, my love. I shall try.
Though I wish I had some small clue as to where I should
begin my search, I shall search until I set you free once
more, my sweet angle. My love, my princess. I -shall- set
you free."
Gazing into the depths of the young man's stormy,
sapphire eyes, the impulse to kiss his cheek over took me
causing me to brush my lips gently against his feathery
skin. The sorrow and pain that had filled us only moments
before seemed to melt away with my impulsive movement. The
young man's eyes glistened with unshed tears of a quiet
anguish and loneliness reflected within my heart and the
tears trickling down my cheeks.
The tears we shed seemed to come from some place deep
in our hearts, deep in our soul. They came from a place
unknown yet known far too well ever to be spoken about. It
was from that place that my next words came from as my
world began to fade.
"Please, find the Silver Crystal. It is the key to
our future. Without it and its power, all shall be lost to
the forces of darkness. Evil shall win the battle for good
and everything shall be lost in its wake. Please-I-I
cannot stand to lose you-not now-not ever again! You are a
part of my soul that I can not bear to live without!
Please, I beseech you-find the Silver Crystal and remember
my love for you always! You must find the crystal!
Please-my love-please!"
Gentle sobs filled the silence of the night. They
belonged to a young girl no more than fourteen years of
age. Long, golden hair curled about her in waves of pure
silk covering her bedspread like a halo about her tiny
form. Azure eyes, the color of a clear summer's sky, were
shut tight against tears and framed by long black eyelashes
that held a natural curl and lushness many only dream of
having. Her long legs were drawn tightly against her chest
as she rested her back against the headboard of her bed.
She supported her head with her arms and cried her gentle
sobs into the fabric of her rosy colored, flannel pajamas.
At the foot of the pink bedspread covered by white
bunnies and golden crescent moons, a tiny feline form laid.
The tiny, sleeping feline form stood out against the pale
sheets in the moonlight. A soft glow illuminated her ebony
colored fur as she began to stir from her pleasant slumber.
Ever so slowly, one blue eye opened after the other.
Confusion clearly written upon her face as she took in her
surroundings. Sleep clouded the young cat's mind, and her
eyes refused to focus upon anything. After a few moments
of contemplating what had awakened her, the feline buried
her head in her paws with a yawn. She slowly closed her
eyes allowing sleep to take her into its clutches once
more.
"His eyes..." A hoarse voice, filled with confusion and
much sorrow, mumbled softly reawakening the slumbering
feline. "His eyes-so haunted-laced by an anguish mirrored
within my soul. Speaking of a great loss and longing yet
to be filled."
Silence fell once more as hushed tears traced their
way down the young girl's pale cheek. She turned her ashen
face to the equally pale faced moon shinning upon her bed.
The waning crescent of the moon seemed to smile down upon
the golden child giving her comfort and offering wordless
guidance to her soul. A small smile born from the comfort
that the sight brought her spread across her pastel lips.
"Oh mother! Why? Why did he cry when I kissed his
cheek? Why did I cry when the hurt in his eyes faded only
to be replaced with longing? Why? Oh-mother-why?" The
young girl sobbed to the moon, her head falling once more
upon her arms.
"She cannot mean..." The feline thought silently,
turning a pair of cobalt eyes to the doorway of the young
girl's room. She half expected to see Ilene Tsukino
standing in the doorway; instead, she saw only a closed
door. Slowly, two feline eyes scanned the room searching
for the older woman that had raised Serena, the golden
haired child, as her own. Slightly disturbed at finding no
one else in the room, the feline settled her gaze upon the
young girl only to find that she was crying again.
"Serena?" The feline's child-like voice called out
softly as she padded gently over to her charge's side.
Receiving no answer to her inquiry, she rubbed her head
against Serena's leg gently and purred softly. "Please,
Rena-tell me what is wrong. It might help ease the pain-
please, Rena?"
Serena turned a startled gaze upon her feline friend,
but immediately her eyes softened, and she pulled the small
cat into her arms. While she stroked the feline's velvet
fur, Serena closed her eyes against tears that seemed to
have neither source nor end. In a gentle voice the feline
had not heard for a very, very long time, Serena replied
softly to the questions of her feline friend: both those
that were voiced as well as those that were not.
"I-I don't remember his name, Luna. All I remember is
the pain that laced his eyes when I kissed him..." Serena's
voice trailed off as she let Luna out of her grasp.
Serena's hands somehow managed to find the watch
Tuxedo Mask dropped when he had carried her unconscious in
his arms the day before. As she studied the broken, moon-
faced watch, her vision began to grow blurry. Serena's
hands flew to her mouth as a gasp of shock escaped her lips
and everything became clear.
"Oh, Darien how could I have been so blind?" Serena
murmured softly, a smile slowly gracing her delicate
features.
"Rena, what do you mean?" Luna asked gently placing a
dainty paw upon her charge's left hand.
"When Darien told me about the accident that took the
lives of his family, his eyes held the same sorrowful look
as Endymion's before I kissed his cheek so tenderly. And
again when he told me of the princess in his dreams that
begged him to bring her the Silv-." Realizing her mistake,
Serena immediately shut her mouth and hoped that Luna would
let it go at that, but the cat was stubborn.
"The princess begged him to bring her what?" Luna
insisted after a moment's pause.
"The Silver Crystal." I replied solemnly, knowing
what was to come next.
"How does he know about the crystal?" Luna nearly
screeched.
Serena's already ashen face turned even whiter. She
took a shaky breath to steady her racing heart and replied
in a small, strained voice, "If I answered that question,
Luna, you would never allow me to see him again. I can not
allow that to happen. He has become too important to me
over the last few months to lose now."
"What makes you say that, Rena?" Luna asked gently,
surprised by Serena's mature tone.
Sighing, Serena turned to gaze upon the waning moon
once more and replied softly, "Let me tell you what
happened to me after the enemy attacked yesterday-before we
met Ven-the Moon Princess..."
@)~~~~~ Flashback
School was out, yet I could not bring myself to be
happy. My mind was far too occupied with thoughts of
Tuxedo Mask. His soft, sweet lips brushing mine in a
dream-like slumber induced by champagne. His strong-arms
about me as he lifts me out of harms way. Deep sapphire
eyes, cold as the crystal for which we searched, gazing
upon me as he spoke the words I dreaded the most: "maybe
we are enemies."
For some reason, my soul cried out in protest to his
icy words. Acute pain pierced my heart overwhelming me
with its intensity. I had never felt such anguish before.
Despair gripped my heart, and I have yet to be the same
since. His words haunt my dreams, my fantasies, and my
reality. They revolve around my head every minute of every
day, and I wonder at his meaning. Hoping against hope, the
words Tuxedo Mask spoke only a few nights ago held no
truth, and that we were allies and not enemies as we both
feared.
I trudged slowly towards home, not quite ready to face
my overly cheerful mother. My feet dragged against the
ground and my pace grew slower with every passing second.
I lifted tired eyes to see the people around me toppling
over as though their energy had been drained. With a soft
curse, my lips formed three, all-telling words: "The Dark
Kingdom."
With labored, deliberate steps, I turned on my heel
and headed for the one place I could think of, the Crown
Video Arcade. Somehow, I knew I would find the others
there. Nevertheless, with every step I took, I could feel
myself slipping and falling prey the forces of darkness.
Swiping my hand across my forehead in order to lift
the haze from my mind, I whispered, "Must help..." I faltered
and fell to my knees. "But-I-I'm so tired---I feel myself
slipping away..."
Darkness closed in upon me, and the world faded away.
Light. It was all around me, yet I had not the
strength to break free from its hold. I felt strong arms
lifting my body and supporting my inert frame. Warmth I
had never before experienced washed upon me, and I could
feel strength filling my limp body.
"Hey." A gentle, masculine voice called as a hand
lightly caressed my cheek. "Snap out of it!" The voice
implored pulling me back to reality.
Ever so slowly, I opened my eyes only to find myself
gazing into the deepest pair sapphire eyes I had ever seen.
They were somehow familiar outlined by the faint line of a
white mask. A mask? My eyes blinked rapidly, forcing them
to focus upon the face of the young man in whose arms I
rested. Tuxedo Mask's deep, sapphire eyes came into focus
causing me, nearly, to jump out of his grasp with a shocked
gasp. As though he sensed my fear, the young man held my
gloved hand in his and laced our fingers together. Energy
flowed between our interlaced hands, calming my racing
heart, diminishing my fear, but increasing my confusion
"Tuxedo Mask!" I gasped for lack of anything better
to say. "What are you doing here!?"
"I was stupid..." A look of utter unhappiness and self-
loathing crossed the young man's handsome face as he pulled
his cape around him for protection. Protection from what,
my wrath? I guess I shall never know. "This was all my
fault."
"Tuxedo Mask?!" I cried out in disbelief, my eyes
wide. "Y-you did this?!" Maybe we were enemies after all.
"How could you?" I implored, trying to make sense of what
was happening. "Who-who are you?"
"No-no, you don't understand! I never meant for this
to happen!" He faltered, searching for the right words to
explain his actions. "I had to find the Crystal-her pleas
become more desperate with every passing day! But I do not
have powers like you and the others. I needed more help.
I-I did not know of any other way. I never meant for
people to get hurt." He closed his eyes and laced my
fingers with his once more. "Now, I need your help to make
amends-Sailor Moon."
"How-" I breathed staring into the sincere eyes of the
Tuxedo Mask. "How did you know?"
"Please, Bunny. You must morph into Sailor Moon.
Please, save everyone. Do not make them pay for my
mistake. I beg of you please."
"But-I-I'm too weak." I cried out even as I felt his
strength fill my body.
"Only you can save everyone." Tuxedo Mask implored
one last time, his fathomless eyes drawing me and offering
inexplicable comfort.
His eyes, I thought gazing into the deep sapphire
pools of emotion, all knowing, strangely familiar, drawing
me into their depths. I must be strong if only for him.
I pressed my hand to my broach and cried out: "Moon
Prism Power, make-up!"
I felt my clothes dissolve into nothingness and be
replaced seconds later in a flurry of ribbon. New energy
rushed through my veins, and I could hear Tuxedo Mask
silently cheering me on in the back of his mind. My
confidence surged but for only a moment.
A blanket of bodies littered the streets of Tokyo as
far as the eye could see. No one moved. No one stood or
even sat on their knees. Only the telltale rhythmic
movements of chests gave way to say the bodies still had
life in them. Nausea washed over me, and my heart sank
into despair. There were just so many, too many, bodies
drained of their life giving energy.
How am I to help them, I asked myself silently. I can
not fight with fog like Ami, nor fire like Rei, nor
lightning like Lita. I do not have special powers like the
others! Oh, Luna! Help me! I can not do this without
you!
I clenched my fist in frustration, biting back the
tears of desperation that threatened to escape my barriers.
What was I to do?
"Come on, Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask's sweet, tenor
voice called to me as he pulled me into his embrace. "You
can do this. You are not alone. You are never alone. I
shall always stand by your side to help you. I shall stand
with you now. Come on; you can do this!"
The glow of the crescent moon wand pulled me from my
despair. It called to me, beckoning me to reach out and
grab it. I reached out to it and power surged through my
very being. Without warning, a scene from the Sailor V
game flashed through my mind, and I finally knew what to
do.
"Please." I pleaded softly clutching the crescent
moon wand before me, "Please, bring everyone back to life!"
Closing my eyes, I gathered my power and channeled it
into the wand. Blinding white light erupted from the
glowing crescent moon. Its pure healing power washed over
the people of Tokyo in waves of cleansing energy, breathing
new life into near motionless forms.
As I poured every ounce of strength I had in my heart
into healing the citizens of Tokyo, darkness beckoned to
me. It called my name softly and black spots loomed on the
edges of my dimming vision. My limbs grew heavy, and I
felt my knees give way. Unconsciousness beckoned, and for
the life in me, I wanted to answer its call. Yet, I could
not. I had to know. I had to make sure everyone was all
right. Then and only then, would I allow myself to submit
to unconsciousness' call, but oh...I--
"I-I'm so tried..."
"Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask called from some place
far, far away. "You used all your power..." I think I saw
him smiling down upon me as he murmured ever so softly,
"They are awakening, sweet. Thanks to you..."
My lips formed a small smile. His gentle words set my
mind at ease, allowing me to fall swiftly into the clutches
unconsciousness.
From some place far away, I thought I heard Tuxedo
Mask say, "You did great."
"Serenity." A familiar masculine voice called out to
me upon a passing breeze.
My head jerked up at the sound of the gentle voice.
Soft mists surrounded my body in all directions, obscuring
my sense of sight and perception of distance. I blinked my
eyes rapidly, trying to make head or tails out of the
blurred form drifting in my direction.
I could see nothing but a vale of white mist and a
shadowed silhouette of a figure. Though I could perceive
very little about the figure, I could tell from the build
and stride that the figure belonged to a man. Long limbs
and a powerful stride bestowed upon the figure a kind of
lithe movement that only males seemed to be able to
achieve.
Though the figure moved towards me, it never came any
closer. The man never entered my flied of vision. It
seemed as though the distance between us increased with
every step either of us took. We never met. He called my
name over and over again, and I would call his. I knew
him. He knew me. How could this be?
Sunlight streamed through my eyelids, warming my face
and giving me comfort. My body felt warm, and I had an
inexplicable feeling of safety. The warmth from the touch
of Tuxedo Mask lingered all around me, and I knew I was
whole. He had never been the enemy. My heart had been
right after all. A small smile danced upon my lips as the
void within me disappeared, but then I remembered: he saw
me transform. He knows who I am.
A wave of pure terror washed through me, forcing my
eyes to open. Sitting up in the strange bed where I had
awakened, I pulled my legs under me and wrapped my arms
tightly about my torso. I willed my transformation to
fade, but the feelings of vulnerability and confusion were
not so easily put asunder. The feelings were persistent,
filling me with terror and unanswered questions.
Where was I? Who was he? What am I to do?
I pushed back the sheets that had been covering my
body and began to stand when something glimmered in the
sunlight stopping me. I lifted the small golden object and
de`ja vu washed over me. I had seen this broken watch
before, yet I could not remember when or where. I felt as
though I should recognize it, but I did not. It was just a
feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Are you awake?" A gentle masculine called from the
doorway.
My eyes flew to the handsome face of Darien Shields,
my favorite crush.
Azure met sapphire, and I knew. I knew why he teased
me. I knew how Tuxedo Mask knew my name and so much about
me. I knew why my heart went crazy in the presence of both
men. Darien Shields and Tuxedo Mask were one in the same.
Realization hit me like a ton of brick nearly knocking
the wind out of my weak frame. A cocky grin graced his
full lips when he saw my reaction. He knew that I knew,
and he did not seem to be upset by it. Instead he just
grinned at me and sat upon the edge of the bed where I had
fallen in my shock.
"How?" I asked softly. "How did you find out?"
"The night of Princess D's ball you dropped something
with your name on it, but I think, in my heart, I knew even
before then. Do you remember that day on the bus? When I
decided to show off my school id?"
"How could I not? You blatantly stated-and I quote-
"Champion of Justice?" Luna was so freaked out after that
she was sure you were from the Dark Kingdom. She tailed
you for over a week before I finally got her to give it up
the chase." I lifted an eyebrow as I continued my account.
"It just so happens that she saw you black out numerous
times and disappear. I think she may have seen you
transform or something because after the attack on the
bridal shop she finally gave up her pursuit of your
whereabouts."
"She confronted me at my apartment the next day,
though if I remember correctly, I am not suppose to
remember that little visit. She demanded to know who I
was, but I could not tell her anything." Darien paused.
"It just so happens I, myself, do not know who I am."
"My God-What happened?" I gasped, reaching for his
hand.
"A car accident." Darien stated simply, gazing into
my eyes and gathering his courage. "On my sixth birthday,
I lost both my parents and my memory to a car crash. I
have been told that I was in a coma for over a month and my
right wrist was fractured, but that healed in a matter of
days.
"When I had awoken, I was told my parents had died
upon impact, and the fact that I survived was a miracle in
itself. The doctors had, had no luck in finding my family,
and my identity was a mystery. They gave me the name
Darien Shields but that always felt wrong. I always
wondered if I had been born someone else.
"I spent ten years drifting from orphanage to foster
family back to orphanage. No one wanted a child without a
memory. No one ever gave the runt of the orphanage a
chance. No one wanted to be my friend. I was pushed
around and ridiculed because of all the boys there, I was
the only without any memory of my family. Only two things
kept me sane: the friendship of the orphanage director,
Seiko, and the call of my dream princess, Serenity."
"The Moon Princess..." I whispered almost silently.
"What, Bunny?" Darien inquired softly, meeting my
gaze.
"Nothing, Darien. Please continue; I did not mean to
interrupt." I stated solemnly.
A concerned look creased Darien's brow, but he sighed
and continued.
"When I turned twelve, I began to have dreams of a
beautiful princess--I have never seen her face, yet in my
heart, I know she is beautiful. Though her figure is
shrouded in mists, I can see hair of spun gold and a dress
of pristine white. At first she would talk to me and bring
me comfort. She became my dear friend, and I promised her
I would find her. However, as I grew older, so too did the
princess and a deep sadness eventually consumed her voice.
"When I turned sixteen, she began to grow more
frantic. Every night, her pleas become increasingly
desperate. She calls out to me begging me to find the
Silver Crystal..."
End Flashback ~~~~~(@
"We talked a while longer, and I left soon after
that." Serena stated solemnly.
"Why didn't you say anything about this earlier?"
Luna asked in hurt tones.
"I-I feared you would never allow me to see him ever
again. I just could not stand the thought of never seeing
that cocky smile of his nor his mysterious, sapphire gaze
again. I knew you had the right to know the truth, but I
could not bring myself to say anything. Besides, I figured
that you already knew since you had spoken with him once
before."
"He never said a word about his dreams of the princess
to me. He only told me that he was Tuxedo Mask." Luna
stated more to herself than Serena.
Silence fell between the pair. Serena traced a finger
along the crack in Darien's watch while Luna just gazed
upon her young charge.
Bathed in moonlight, Serena had an ethereal glow about
her. Her golden hair glistened silver under the pale light
of the moon. Her blue eyes held silver tints that sunlight
masked. A silver aura encompassed her body, yet one of
gold subdued its vibrant glow as though it was trying to
shield her Inner Light from the forces of darkness.
Though the fragile form before her held immense power
beyond imagination, something else had caught Luna's keen
eye. Unshed tears of loneliness shimmered in the young
girl's eyes. Tenderness lay in her touch and longing in
her soul. She gazed upon a broken, moon-faced watch as
though it would take all the loneliness and longing from
her soul.
"You are in love with him." Luna stated softly,
calmly so as not to startle the child.
"No-yes-I-I do not know!" Serena cried out in
frustration, turning her azure gaze upon her cat. "I love
things about him-his smile, the way he makes me laugh, the
way he looks into my heart when he speaks-even his teasing.
I love his voice, and the way he knows just what to say to
pull me back from despair.
"Is that what love is? I-I do not know. All I know
is that when I am with him, the entire world ceases to
exist save for the two of us. Nothing else seems to matter
as much. I-I find myself needing to hear his voice and to
feel his soft caress.
"But then I start to feel as though I am betraying
another. There is a man that has been my friend since I
was six. When I have needed a shoulder to cry on, he was
always there to comfort me. His deep blue eyes have
brought me comfort, and his smile has brought me a joy I
have only felt in the presence of one other. He completes
me in a way that I do not understand.
"But as the years wore on, just as Serenity began to
fade from Darien's life, Endymion began to fade from mine.
Two years ago, to be exact, he came to me and told me that
he must leave me. Endy said that I would soon meet a man
that would replace him in my heart, and to make it easier
on us both, he would leave me. He told me that in a few
years time I would understand why he left.
"I met Darien only a few short days later..."
"And you feel as though you have betrayed this
Endymion by falling for Darien." Luna stated simply, her
feline brow creased in thought.
"Yes." Serena stated simply, her head dropping in
shame and a sigh escaping her lips. "Yes. In a way, I do
feel as though I have betrayed him, yet deep in my heart I
know that I have not. Endymion said I would fall in love
with another, but I did not believe him. I thought he was
wrong. I-I thought I would always need his comfort and his
smile to bring me peace. But-"
"But you have begun to see and need these same things
in Darien." Luna interrupted.
"Yes-yes, I have. I need him far more than I ever
needed my sweet Endymion. We share a link that neither of
us understands. I can feel his emotions, and I know he can
feel mine. Sometimes, like yesterday, I can even hear his
thoughts. It's so strange."
"Only those bound by souls or have ESP are able to
sense such things. Maybe your souls are bound." Luna
murmured softly, allowing her eyes to stray from her young
charge's face to that of the clock. It read 1:09, time for
all good little princesses to be asleep.
"Maybe you're right, Luna. Maybe you are right."
Serena yawned, laying back down to sleeping. "Only time
will tell..."
Within moments the young girl was asleep, yet Luna
seemed disturbed. She gazed upon her charge for a while
longer before hopping off the bed and climbing out the
window. Without a sound, the dark cat became a dark streak
in the night.
"Princess, you seemed disturbed tonight; is there
anything I can do to help?" A young man with dark hair and
sapphire eyes inquired as he held me in a tight embrace.
Our bodies swayed to the music in perfect harmony, I
felt as though I was in a trance. My long golden hair
gleamed silver as the lights of the ballroom hit it, but my
eyes, I knew, held no luster. My cheeks were paler than
normal, and my nerves were on end. I felt worried and
apprehensive all at once.
"Good Prince, please do not concern yourself with my
wellbeing. I shall be fine in time. Please, just give me
leave, and I shall not trouble you anymore." A soft voice
I did not know murmured as the young man began to lead us
towards the edge of the dance floor.
"But it is my duty to be concerned about your
wellbeing, Princess. You see my queen would be very angry
if I was not concerned about the wellbeing of my fiancée."
"Endy!" I gasped in wonder.
The darkness of the night hid most of his face in
shadow as we stood out on the balcony under the light of
the full earth. Yet, there was just enough light for me to
see by, and I would know the face of my love anywhere. He
had finally returned me.
"Yes, love..." The young man smiled sweetly lifting his
mask so I could see his beautiful sapphire eyes clearly.
With a happy little gasp, I flung myself into my
prince's arms and cried. The young man's arms clasped
about my tiny waist and pulled me closer to him. He gently
stroked my back in order to comfort me and still my tears.
He whispered sweet words into my ears and soon I began
giggling. After a time, no more words were spoken.
Neither of us moved from the others embrace.
A shudder rang out through the palace.
Endy gently brought his lips down to mine in order to
capture them in a sweet kiss. After a few moments of
bliss, Endy caressed my pale cheek. "I must leave." He
stated. "You're mother shall need my help."
"I-I understand." I trembled in Endy's warm embrace.
"I just wish it did not have to be this way."
"We all wish it did not have to be this way, but it
seems my people believe it must." Endy paused. "Just
promise me one thing before I leave."
"Anything." I hastily answered.
"Never forget me." His soft voice pleaded.
"I shall never-never-forget you. You are in my
heart." I cried as tears trickled down my cheeks.
"And you shall always be in mine, my sweet, sweet
Serenity."
Slowly, our lips met in a sweet kiss that was destined
to be our last.
One by one, I watched the soldiers of the Moon Kingdom
fall to Metalia's forces. I watched as each of my Senshi
took the lives of their soul mates only to be killed by
their own swords at my feet. I fell to my knees and cried.
I never saw the attack. I only felt a body slam into
me and lift me back to my feet. I heard the clash of
swords and the cry of angry voices. I opened my eyes only
to gasp in horror as my only love fought Lady Beryl of
Earth.
"Prince, move aside! Can't you see this young girl
has tricked you," Beryl's high pitched voice cried in rage,
"Step aside and let me destroy her!"
Endymion stood before me and cried out, "I will not
allow you to lay a hand on her, Beryl. That evil being had
poisoned your mind. Let me help you to see the truth."
"I see the truth, my prince," Beryl spat, "You have
betrayed your people and now you must pay for your
treachery. Goodbye, Endymion. May your soul rest in peace
and may hers be damned into hell!"
"Then you must damn my soul to hell because we are
one," Endymion spat in a low voice full of emotion as he
held me in a tight embrace.
Beryl let out a cry of rage as she swung her sword
towards me. I think I screamed in anticipation of the pain
to come. However, the pain never did come. Instead,
Endymion swung himself in front me and softly kissed my
forehead.
Silence seemed to reign as Beryl's blade cut through
the air. Time slowed and the blade moved in agonizing slow
motion towards us. I felt my eyes grow wide in the
realization of what was about to happen.
"I love you," Endymion whispered as he embraced the
pain that came with the impact of the blade.
"Noo!" I cried out in horror, but it was too late.
The blade had pierced Endymion's chest just above the heart.
He fell forward into my awaiting arms, and together we fell
to the ground. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I held my
beloved Endymion to my chest; my hands were stained with
blood, his blood.I frantically searched for Endymion's blade
and with a look of grim satisfaction, I found it. I rose
to my feet and ran a stunned Beryl through. She never had
a chance.
I dropped the sword in horror as I gazed upon the
carnage below me. My friends lay at different intervals
upon the stairs. Beryl lay on the ground before me, dead.
Endymion lay at my feet in a pool of his own blood fighting
for his life and losing.
I fell to my knees before my love and held him to my
chest once more. I lay my head upon his and cry into his
hair. I could the feel the life force slipping from his
body. I knew he was about to die. I felt my heart begin
to break as his body grew completely still. He was dead.
I am dead or at least I want to be.
"Endymion," I sobbed, "No, please, Endymion. Open
your eyes! Don't leave me!"
However, he was gone.
In desperation, I pulled my father's dagger from my
boot and lifted it above me. As I gazed upon it, I softly
muttered, "We shall meet again someday, my love."
"Forgive me, mother." I think plunging the blade deep
into my own heart.
~*~
"Oh, God!" Serena cried out as she rose to a sitting
position panting.
Pain seared through her chest cavity, and she could
feel the cold steel of her father's dagger. Raw emotions
coursed through her body as if she had truly been out on
the battlefield of her dream. There was no controlling the
grief that had consumed her soul; no controlling the racing
of her heart. Tears seeped from azure eyes clenched
tightly against the anguish of it all. Harsh sobs racked
her body with a pain far greater than that of the incision
of the dagger. Her heart bled with each tear that fell.
However, she could not allow her tears to be heard.
They, her family, would never understand. How could they?
None of them had to live with the memories of a former life
that ended in such misery. None of them fought the forces
of darkness everyday of their lives. No. They would never
understand. They could _never_ comprehend the pure anguish
that bleed from her soul.
Serena wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to calm
the racing of her heart. She succeeded in stifling her
sobs but not ending the endless flow of tears. Slowly, as
she gathered her wits about her once more, Serena stumbled
into her bathroom and closed the door behind her. With
slightly labored, mechanical steps, she made her way over
to the shower and turned on the water.
After peeling away her nightgown, Serena trudged into
the warm water. Visions swam past her mind's eye, causing
the water to turn to blood. Biting back a frightened
scream, Serena blinked her eyes in rapid succession, and
the water ran clear once more. With a slight sigh of
relief, Serena picked up her soap and began to try to wash
away the horrible feelings from her dreams.
A resounding clang rang throughout the bathroom as the
soap crashed to the floor of the shower.
"Oh, God!" Serena cried biting back tears as she
gazed upon her upper chest in horrified comprehension.
A small scar, about the size of a dime, stood out
prominently against the white of her upper chest. The
small scar had been there for as long as Serena could
remember; however, she had never known why it existed until
now. She had always accepted her mother's "it's a
birthmark, Dear" without hesitation. She never had a
reason to suspect it was anything but a birthmark. Never
would she have thought it was truly a scare; that is, until
this very moment.
Now it all made sense: the dreams, the visions, her
healing abilities and talents, her superior knowledge of
the world and class subjects. It all made perfect sense.
Serenity had not been reborn in the sense that she and
Serena shared a body. No, the truth was they shared the
same soul; they were the exact same person. Serenity lived
on in Serena, as she once was, how she had always wished to
be. Never had either wanted the responsibility of ruling,
of being a servant to all those around her. However, her
caring, compassionate heart would not allow her to stop
giving. Some of Serenity lived on in Serena's personality,
and the rest resided in her subconscious as well as in her
talents. She was just waiting for the day her true
identity would be revealed.
Finally, she understood. She was at peace with
herself. A small, delicate smile danced upon Serena's lips
as she retrieved her bar of soap. She would make what once
was wrong right.
~*~
"Hey, Andrew!" Serena called as she sauntered over to
the owner of the Crown Video Arcade.
"Oh-hey, Serena!" A blonde young man of about twenty
called over his shoulder. "The regular?"
"Yeah-why not?" Serena returned seating herself on
one of the red bar stools with a sigh. She had been
looking for Darien all day! You would think she would have
found him by now. "I swear that boy is more slippery then
my cat!"
"Who would that be, Meatball head? Your boyfriend?"
A familiar voice jeered upon hearing Serena's rather loud
grumbling.
"You know, Endy, I _really_ hate that nickname."
Serena returned sweetly, turning on her stool so she could
look Darien square in the eye, "I have put up with it for
long enough. You would think after a thousand years a guy
would come up with a better insult."
"Serena, what are you talking about?" Darien asked,
totally bewildered by the girl's change in demeanor. "Have
you gone daft?"
"Not at all, my good prince, just had an epiphany this
morning." Serena paused for dramatic effect and continued
in a hushed voice so that only Darien could hear her words,
"concerning a certain prince and princess for which we
search, maybe?"
"Wha-"
Darien exclaimed unable to work his vocal chords as he
stared slacked jaw at Serena. What had she just called
him-more importantly-why had she called him that? Whom was
this young woman sitting before him? Could this truly be
the girl he had watched over for the last six or so years
of his life?
"Here ya go, Serena!" Andrew exclaimed overly
cheerful, breaking off the rather strange conversation
going on between his two best friends. "Once chocolate
shake with extra whipped cream. Just the way you like it!"
For a moment, Serena could do nothing more than stare
at Andrew dumbfounded by his presence. In the midst of the
exchange, she had totally forgotten where she was. It took
Serena a few moments to gather her wits about her and smile
at the rather concerned and confused man looking at her as
though she had three heads. Well really, both Andrew and
Darien were looking at her strangely.
Intense heat rushed into Serena's pale cheeks. Her
eyes grew wide in the realization of what she had said and
how strange it must have seemed. Darien did not recognize
her as the Moon Princess. He did not even know that he was
the Prince of Earth. He did not have his memories of the
Silver Millennium. How stupid her statement must have
seemed to him. A strangled gasp escaped her lips. Not for
the first time in her life, Serena wished she could just
disappear.
Laughing a bit nervously, Serena turned to the blonde
and exclaimed shakily, "Thanks, Andrew, but-I-I have to get
going, now! Umm-just, put it on my tab. I-I'll pay you
back for it tomorrow-I-I _really_ have to go!"
Seconds later, Serena was out the door and high
tailing it down the street. Neither Darien nor Andrew
understood what had happened. However, one thing was
certain: Darien was going to find out.
"I'll see you later, Andrew." Darien called over his
shoulder as he rushed past his best friend and out the
front door of the Crown Video Arcade.
"Good luck, my friends." Andrew mumbled, shaking his
head at the young, confused couple.
~*~
"Serena!" Darien called as he tried to catch up with
the rather quickly moving teen.
"Go away, Darien." Serena replied, picking up the
speed.
Serena was fast, but Darien was faster. With a few
quick strides, Darien caught up to the blonde and stopped
directly in her path.
"No, Serena. I won't just go away." Darien stated
firmly, grabbing Serena's slim wrist and steering her
towards the bridge overlooking the Arisu River. "Now, what
is wrong, Sere?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Serena returned not
even noticing the endearment.
"That is not going to work with me, Serena." Darien
stated flatly turning Serena's trembling frame to face him.
"In all the years that I have known you and watched over
you, I have never once seen you act like that. Please, tell
me what is going on."
"I really don't want to talk about it." Serena stated
softly, self-consciously pulling her lace shell (sleeveless
blouse) closer about her frail form.
"Did somebody hurt you?" Darien asked, taking note of
the young girl's guarded movements.
"No-no, nobody hurt me. I-I'm fine." Serena
stuttered softly, turning her back towards Darien so she
could lean against the railing of the bridge.
"Then why are you acting so strange?" Darien inquired
softly, moving to stand beside the young girl.
"Because I know something that you do not." Serena
stated forcefully, softly, with conviction. "Something
that could tear one or both of us apart."
"Oh, Sere, what could be so horrible?" Questioned
Darien softly as he pulled the young girl into a warm
embrace.
"The truth." Serena stated simply, finally giving
into reality. She could not tell him the truth concerning
their past. If he knew, he would most certainly be
disappointed to find out that Serenity lived on in her...
"You are wrong, Sere. I could never be disappointed
if my princess lived on in you." Darien paused as Serena
lifted her confused eyes to his. "I think my heart would
overflow with the joy such knowledge would bring me. It's
all I have hoped for, for so long."
"How-"
"How did I know that is what you were thinking?"
Serena nodded, and Darien smiled softly. "You think rather
loudly, my dear."
Serena ducked her head so that Darien would not see
her burning cheeks; however, he would not allow Serena to
advert her gaze. He wanted to look into her beautiful
azure eyes. With a gentle hand, he lifted Serena's glowing
face so that they were looking at one another.
"So, my dear, are you really the High Princess of the
Moon Kingdom, Serenity?" Darien asked softly, lovingly.
"The question is, my lord, are you the High Prince of
Earth's Golden Kingdom, Endymion?" Serena
returned just as softly.
"I believe that I asked first." Darien stated softly.
"I was born Serenity Usagi Gustafson II." Serena
replied simply.
"But how-"
"You are not the only one that does not know their
past around here." Serena retorted. "The Tsukino's are my
godparents. My true mother died in childbirth."
"I'm so sorry." Darien stated solemnly.
"I'm not. She comes to me when I need her and guards
me when no one else can. Her spirit lives with and all
around me." Serena stated softly, a far off look in her
eye and a smile gracing her angelic features.
"You truly are beautiful; you know that don't you?"
Darien stated lovingly as he gazed upon the young woman he
held in his embrace.
"Th-thank you." Serena stuttered with a rather loud
gulp. "But truly, I am not; not like Rei and the others."
"True, you are far more beautiful both inside and
out." Darien stated softly, his face inching closer.
"Th-thank you." Serena breathed softly, loosing
herself in Darien's stormy, sapphire eyes.
Serena licked her lips in nervous anticipation. She
knew what Darien intended and was not in the least bit
bothered by it. Instead, she allowed her eyes to drift
close and waited patiently for Darien to kiss her. When
the kiss did not come, Serena opened her eyes in confusion,
and she found herself gazing into Darien's uncertain eyes.
With a soft giggle, Serena closed the distance between them
and brushed her lips lightly over his. As she pulled away,
Darien followed her, catching her sweet lips in a rather
passionate kiss that would not be their last.
Finally, they at peace with the world.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
As the sun sets upon this, our story, may we find
strength in knowing that this young couple has found each
other once more. Though hardships lie on the horizon, love
blossoms in their hearts assuring us they will survive
whatever hard times are to come. For love shall always find
a way.
@)~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (@
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are
(c) Naoko Takeuchi, Bandai, Kodansha,
Toei Animation, etc.