Disclaimer:
I don't own Sailor Moon
Serena watched anxiously as Prince Endymion's body was being cleansed of the evil powers from Metallia. Once it was done, Darien was standing in his regular civilian clothes. He fell down on his hands and knees, exhausted from having the evil energy drained out of him.
"Darien!" Serena said putting her hands on his shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Serena," Darien said softly looking at her. Serena eyes widened. At that moment, a red rose fell to the floor. Darien smiled at her. "Thank you." Serena's eyes began to tear up and she embraced him.
"I'm so glad your back," Serena said tears falling on her face.
"It's good to be back meatball head." Darien said in a teasing tone.
"ARRHHHHH!" The couple turned around to face Queen Beryl, whose eyes were flashing red. "How dare you take Prince Endymion away from me again!"
"Let's get something straight Beryl," Darien said standing in a protective stance in front of Serena with a rose in his hand. "I may have been Prince Endymion in the past, but in this time, I'm Darien Chiba." With a flash, he turned into Tuxedo Mask (without the top hat and cane). "You may have been able to control my mind Beryl, but you couldn't control my heart." He looked back at Serena. "Because it belongs with Serena Tsukino."
"Darien…" Serena said in awe. She stood up and grabbed the moon wand as Darien continued speaking.
"The same goes for Prince Endymion. His heart belonged to Princess Serenity." He looked behind him as he felt Serena place her hand on his shoulder. "And he could never join you, because he would protect this planet and those he loved." Beryl growled.
"I will not accept this," she said summoning a dark crystal in her hands. Serena and Darien gasped at the dark object held above her head. "I will never accept it!" Then launched that attack towards the couple.
"Ha!" Darien shouted throwing his rose towards the object as it came toward them, while Serena raised up her moon wand shouting "Moon Cosmic Power!" So many things happened at once. The rose went through the object, causing it to shatter. The pieces of the crystal were flying all over the place. However, when the pieces looked like they would hit Darien, who was standing in front of Sailor Moon with his arms stretched out in front of him, they would vanish once they hit the barrier produced by the crystal. The rose struck Beryl on the chest.
Once Serena lowered the wand, she slumped against Darien's back. Darien quickly turned around and wrapped his arms around her protectively, keeping her from falling.
"Are you okay Serena?" Serena smiled at him and nodded her head.
"Impossible!" The couple turned to look at the angry queen. Her body was breaking apart from the power of Tuxedo mask's rose. "How could this…" Beryl looked carefully at the rose to see it glowing with great intensity. "Energy?"
"Surprised?" Beryl looked at Darien, who was glaring at her through his mask.
"As the guardian of the Earth, my powers comes from my desire to protect. However, this time my power came from the love I feel for Serena. Considering what just happened to you, I think you know how much I love her."
"Darien…" Serena said in bewilderment looking at him. Darien gave her a reassuring smile before glaring at Beryl, who was gritting her teeth in anger.
"This isn't over!" Beryl declared as she descended through a portal she'd created in the floor
"She just won't give up," Darien said in disgust once Beryl disappeared. He looked down at Serena and was alarmed to see her shaking. "Serena?" He lifted her chin up to see tears falling from her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I'm really happy you are back Darien," Serena said wiping the tears off her face. "Really I am, but the girls…" Darien's face turned somber.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
"It's not your fault Darien," Serena said looking away from him."It's mine."
"What?!" Darien said stunned by her words. "Why on earth would you say that? You didn't kill them Serena." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "If it's anyone's fault, it's Beryl's."
"You don't understand, Darien!" Serena said angrily turning to face him. "If I wasn't so weak, none of them would have died protecting me."
"You're not weak, Serena!" Darien argued. "You are the strongest person I know." Serena shook her head.
"I don't have any powers like those girls!" She countered back. "I always have to depend on you or them!" Darien just stared sadly at her as he listened.
"Amy, Ray, Lita, Mina, they never complained about being a sailor scout. I always complained how and I never wanted to be one. I just wanted to be a normal girl." Serena threw the moon wand to the side in anger "Those girls had wonderful dreams. And now those dreams won't…" She fell on her knees, leaning down on her hands. "I'm just a useless, lazy, selfish, crybaby, klutz who can't even get good grades in school. It would have been better if they had never met me. That includes you too Darien." Darien raised his eyebrows. "I just bring pain in everyone's lives and get in the way." She hugged herself and sobbed.
Darien stared at the moon wand she'd thrown to the side and then took off his mask. He walked over to Serena.
"The girls didn't die protecting you because you are their leader or because you are their princess." He said standing in front of her. Serena's eyes widened at the fact that he acknowledged her fear, but still kept her head down. "In my mind, when I protected you from being hit by the ice crystal Zoicite created, I was protecting Serena, not Sailor Moon."
"You never liked me Darien, not before you knew I was Sailor Moon." Serena said quietly, still looking down.
"You're wrong Serena, I always liked you."
"What?" Serena said looking up shocked. Darien shook his head
"That's another story for another time, now isn't the time."
Serena looked at him confused, but nodded her head. He knelt down in front her and continued speaking.
"Serena, you don't bring pain into the girls' lives or mine, you bring happiness instead. I'm talking about just you Serena Tsukino, not Sailor Moon or Princess Serenity." He took her hand and placed it on his chest. "You have a big heart, that's what I mean by you being the strongest person I know. You have a wonderful ability to see the best in others, when no one else can. You taught me and the girls how to live and enjoy life." He squeezed her hand that was placed on his heart. "If you didn't come into our lives, we still would have been lonely. That why the girls and I want to protect you, because you are a very precious to us. I speak for myself and the girls, that losing you would be worse than death."
Serena looked into his eyes and saw that he was telling the truth. But there was a question that still bothered her. Why was this person always mean to her? Then the memory of Darien telling her about losing his family flashed in her mind, the answer hit her.
"You were lonely, that's why you were mean to me." She stated wiping the tears off her face with her free hand. Darien eyes widened at first at her comment, but then he smiled sadly.
"Yes, I was scared of risking rejection and loss, so I tried pushing you away. Secretly, I was happy to see you. You always brightened my day just hearing you talk and laugh. I just didn't know how to express my feelings for you." Darien said looking to the side, slightly blushing.
Serena's eyes softened and she cupped Darien's face.
"I was always secretly happy to see you too Darien," she said looking at him with love in her eyes.
"Serena," Darien said softly placing his hand on hers. They both closed their eyes and were about to kiss, when the ceiling of the dark castle suddenly shook, forcing them to look up.
"It's Beryl," Darien said. "She's much stronger now, I can feel it."
Serena scowled standing up.
"Serena?" Darien asked looking questionably at her. She just smiled and picked up her imperial crystal.
"Thank you for saying what I needed to hear Darien, now I have no doubt I can go beat that sleaze queen." Darien stood up, putting his mask back on.
"Let's do it," He said with his usual smirk. Serena suddenly closed her eyes and crossed her hands in front of her. Darien was surprised to see her body glow. He was more surprised once her body was done glowing; she was back in her civilian clothes.
"Serena why…"
"I want my first kiss to be with Darien as Serena, not Sailor Moon." Darien smiled changing back to his civilian clothes. He walked over to her, she put her arms around his neck, and he bent his head down and kissed her. It was a passionate kiss and nice they broke apart, Serena whispered into his ear. "Please take good care of Luna and Artemis." Darien's eyes widened as he watched Serena back away from him.
"Serena?" Darien started walking towards her, but froze when pointed the crescent wand at him. He stared her confused.
"You just got back your memories; there is no reason for you to lose them again." She smiled at him as the imperium crystal lit up. "I promise you I will do my best to defeat Beryl and Metallia."
"Serena, don't!" Darien shouted as he ran towards her. However, he was engulfed by white light.
Serena watched as Darien faded away, knowing he was transported safely to his apartment.
Please forgive me Darien, but I can't bear you getting killed too.
She then turned toward the exit of the castle, and started walking with determination. A part of her regretted sending Darien away. She didn't want to fight the monster on her own. However, remembering his desire to get memories of the past back, she didn't want him to lose that again.
At least Luna and Artemis will have someone to talk to.
Serena closed her eyes. With a flash of light, she changed into her Princess Serenity clothes. Once she opened her eyes, a determined look appeared on her face and she walked calmly out of the dark castle.