Chapter 1 – Kidnapped
We thought we were safe inside of the Crystal Palace, but he still came from the sky. After frantically searching for Rini, the King showed us that she was safe. Coming back to her destroyed home was too much for her. Rini endured so much, trying to save her mother. The hologram of the king would not be the only surprise. In his command center, the King explained that he was Tuxedo Mask's older self. Before telling us anything else, King Endymion showed us Rini. I needed to know that she was safe. She was too impulsive and ran off too much for her own good.
The floor before us opened to a soft pillowed level, rising up where a small girl was sleeping. Dropping to my knees from sheer relief, I took her up in my arms. Rini was a pest, but I couldn't help feeling a strong bond to her. She was so much like me when I was her age. She got on my nerves, but I had to protect her with all that I was. Holding Rini in my arms made me feel better; the best I've felt since coming to this dismal future. This couldn't be our future; I couldn't let it end like this. Don't worry, Rini, we'll fix all this.
"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask," the King spoke to us, "you should know that she's your daughter." My eyes bulged and my heart skipped a beat, "What?! No wonder she gets on my nerves," I looked up at Tuxedo Mask's bewildered face, "she gets it from you." That would explain the strong bond I felt to this child; she was just like me. Impulsive, stubborn and a crybaby.
Tuxedo Mask didn't argue this fact that we were holding our daughter. Even he felt the strong pull that Rini held over us, "No wonder she can away with anything with me. She gets that from you." Rini shared traits from the both of us; only proving the fact more. Her face, eyes and hair was like mine, but her personality was very similar to Darien's with bits of mine in the mix. She knew she had to be right and she held a determination that matched Darien's perfectly.
"When did this happen?" Sailor Mars demanded. My face turned scarlet red, "Mars!" She looked at me, while violently biting her lip, "Sorry." I raised an eyebrow at her and she made a face of embarrassment. We were in the future and we couldn't learn too many facts about ourselves, but for Mars to ask such a thing was too much. It was clear she still cared for Darien, but who didn't? Rini sighed and nuzzled her cheek against me, nestling into my arms. Her ear was pressed against my chest, right over my heart. My heartbeat, the same one she listened to when she leaned against her mother's brought Rini comfort. Brat or not, Rini and I shared a bond that couldn't be broken. Looking at her sweet face, I now knew I had to save her future. I wasn't a mother yet, but I couldn't fight the need and desire to make sure my child was safe. The king stepped closer, "This must be overwhelming, but it's true. She loves stories of Sailor Moon and that's why she went back to the past. In the hopes that you would help us combat this evil. "
My poor child; taking on such responsibility at such a young age. She should be playing, laughing and only happy. That was the childhood I had in the Moon Kingdom and on Earth. My daughter will have the same. The King made another confession, "Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, it was I that gave you those recurring nightmare. I hope you can forgive, but I needed to test that your affection for each other was strong and true. It was painful remembering what I endured when I had to pretend I didn't love Serena anymore. But it was necessary." My eyes lifted from Rini's face. I should be made, but I only smirked, "All you have to do was think back and recollect for yourself."
The hologram stood before us, nodded once and touched Rini's head, confessing how much he loved his daughter and asked that we protect her. "I swear to you, I will protect her at all costs," Tuxedo Mask declared. I shared the sentiment. She may not have been born in our time, but Tuxedo Mask and I were parents of this child and we would guard her. The King smiled, "I know you will. You and the Sailor Scouts kept her out the clutches of Nemesis and I thank you. I leave her to you."
Rini moved her head and she brushed against my chest, "Mommy?" The King leaned closer as she looked at him, "Daddy." She blinked several times at the image of her father. The King's smile grew, but his image flickered and then disappeared altogether.
Rini gasped, "Daddy!" She reached out, grasping at the empty air. The air suddenly became thick and difficult to breath. My hands around Rini tightened, feeling something wrong. Black winds swirled and filled the room, distorting my vision. I coughed and held Rini to my body, needing to shield her. Something was coming, that I knew.
Darkness swirled, but my eyes adjusted to see scarlet red. Tuxedo Mask threw his cape over myself and Rini; shielding the both of us from the attack. "Take her!" Rini went to Tuxedo Mask, clinging to him. Pangs of jealousy hit me, seeing them together, but I couldn't think about that now. The Scouts and I prepared to fight. Rini looked at me, fear pouring out of her gaze. I nodded slightly to her; no one was going to hurt my daughter.
The winds were strong, but they weren't made of air. The winds was almost like a vortex, taking air with it, making it difficult to breath and some of the Scouts buckled to their knees. Malevolent energy was pouring in the room. My hand went to my throat; it felt like my very breath was being taken. "The King; such a fool. He thought I didn't know of this place." A voice boomed, filling the room and ringing in my ears.
Looking up, near the ceiling, he was there in mid-air; just floating. A man, dressed in white with a deep purple cape hovering above our heads. His arms were folded in front of him, looking down at us. His eyes were scanning each of us, "Too bad though. He wasn't much of a fight." There was a tone of smugness in the way he spoke about the King. I studied him, feeling a pit grow in my stomach. Was nowhere safe from these enemies? He was like Rubeus and Emerald; nothing was holding him up and he looked down at us like we could be crushed under his boot.
I don't know who he is, but he was no ally. It was then I noticed the air was breathable. The stranger narrowed his eyes and a blast of dark energy blew down on us. Wind gusted around me and the Sailor Scouts were blown back to the wall, so was Tuxedo Mask with Rini still in his arms. I was left standing alone, in defense against this enemy.
He wore the crest of the Dark Moon Clan on his forehead; a black crescent moon. The stranger was looking directly at me, his eyes boring into mine. I glared, waiting for his next assault. "Those are the eyes," he murmured. A cruel smile crossed his face, "I've waited for this moment for so long." With slow movement, he extended his arm towards me, his fingers falling open, "Come to me."
I didn't know what was happening until it was too late. From the center of my body, growing out to my limbs, my body felt lighter. It began with my heels, then down to my toes. My feet started to leave the ground. There was a pulling sensation growing within me, causing my entire body to float. I shrieked in horror, trying to reach the ground. What was happening? All around me, gravity disappeared as I floated up to this stranger. It was only me that was floating. No! "Jupiter Thunder Whip!"
A restraint caught my wrist, stopping me mid-air. Looking down, Sailor Jupiter was down on one knee, tugging at the handle of her whip, trying to pull me back down. A gust of dark wind blew down and she was knocked onto her back and I continued to float upward. Sailor Mars and Venus grabbed onto the handle, stopping me again. My other hand gripped at the whip, trying to pull myself back down. I don't know why this man is taking me, but I wasn't going anywhere with him. A flash of black lightening broke the whip and my body continued to move toward him. My heart was pounding in my chest, almost squeezing extra blood and adrenaline through my veins. My eyes looked down, trying to find Tuxedo Mask, but I couldn't find him. I looked up to see that was near the stranger. Why me? Because only I could use the Silver Crystal? Was he going to kill me, change me over to his side like Beryl did to Tuxedo Mask?
The sensation within me was foreign and strange, but it was growing stronger. It was a new, but dark energy coursing through me. From my core, to my arm; the tingling sensations making me reach up involuntarily. I tried to stop, but I wasn't in control of my own body.
The stranger's hand was still reached, reached out to me and I then understood. He was controlling me to take his hand. This enemy had the power to do that? This was not something I've dealt with before? With all my strength, I clinched my fingers into a fist. Why was he doing this? My eyes passed his feet, nearing his face. The tingling in my arm increased and moved down to my fingers, unclenching my fist. My palm came to rest in his, bringing me eye to eye with him, "At last."
His arm came around my waist, pulling me into his body. My breathing picked up, staring into the face of this enemy. I could feel the sensation moving through my body, leaving me slowly, taking my energy with it. My eyes grew heavy, feeling disorientated and my head fell backwards. This stranger's breathing was steady, holding me close to him. Beyond that, all I heard was the Sailor Scouts' panicked screams. "Serena!" Tuxedo Mask's voice was the last voice I heard.
My head was spinning and throbbing, despite the soft thing underneath me. I groaned, rubbing my forehead, trying to dull the pain away. My hand came into my line of sight; there were several black onyx and clear crystal bracelets around my wrist. Where did those come from? They weren't mine. The quiet jingling made my headache painfully throb, vibrating through my skull. There was something smooth against the underside of my head….. My entire body, for that matter. Looking to the side, there was the sight of soft white silk; a pillow.
Looking pass the silky pillows, there was crystalline black walls. The pillars were almost translucent. On my other side, there were more tall walls and white silk. Sighing, I tried to sit up, but fell back on the downy pillow. "Oh, my head." Rolling to my side, I pushed myself, balancing on my trembling arms. Despite the pain, I was trying to figure out where I was. Even behind my eyes, there was a throbbing pain. Blinking a few times, my shock grew to see that I was in the center of an enormous bed.
Why was I in a bed? It was a beautiful bed, covered in pure white linens and a silky coverlet. What was going on here? My hand brushed over my hip, feeling more silk. What in the world? I was wearing a long white dress, with thick threads of gold woven into the material. This was the most beautiful dress I've seen and I have no idea where it came from. The gown's hem was hidden against the white coverlet, matching the silky material perfectly and more bracelets were on my other wrist. Ok, this is weird. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was dressed like a princess.
My fingers grazed my neck, but stopped on a necklace. That explained why I felt like I couldn't breathe. The necklace felt heavy in my weakened state. I undid the clasp, letting the necklace fall into my lap. The necklace was solid gold and heavy.
I swallowed, slowly, trying to get my bearings. Looking around the room, there were two doors on the far end of the room. They were tall and black. On the left side of the room, there was another door with sheer white curtains in front of them. It was a set of double doors and a slight breeze billowed in the curtains; a balcony? Where was I? The King said we shouldn't know too much about our future and I was getting an eyeful. Wherever I was, I had to get out of here. But how was I going to get back to the Crystal Palace? The balcony: from there I can see where I am and hopefully find my way back. Moving to the edge of the bed, the floor was cold underneath my bare feet.
The bed was on a platform in the middle of the room. The room was huge. My house in past could fill the space. Stepping down, my knees buckled and I toppled to the floor. My body was so weak; it couldn't hold its own weight. The stinging in my arms helped me wake up. I had to get out of here before that stranger found me. I don't know what he had in mind with leaving me in this place, but I knew I didn't want to find out. I tried standing again, pulling at the bedsheets for some support. Stepping off the platform, I caught myself on one of the pillars, breathing heavily. My lungs gasped for air, feeling restricted and tight.
Resting against the pillar, I was gasping for air, trying to shake of the queasy feeling in my stomach. I barely took ten steps and I was out of breath. What was going on with me? I needed energy. My hand clutched at my chest, out of habit, but nothing was there. My locket was gone. No, no, not my crystal! I moved back toward the bed, finding my locket there.
The mattress was so soft, that the locket left an indentation where it rested. My fingers clutched at my locket. My legs trembled from the lack of strength, I fell on the bed. My eyes closed as I tried to breathe, "Where am I?" I barely spoke above a whisper. "The Dark Palace." I turned too quickly, making my head spin. Was he there the whole time? Leaning on a pillar, the stranger was watching. His eyes were cold, looking right at me.
I moved to stand up from the bed, "Who... who are you?" Taking a single step, the man disappeared. I looked around, trying to find him. Was this some sort of sick game? I had to escape this place. Gathering what little strength I had, I walked over to the raised platform's edge, searching. After a dreadful moment, my eyes found him, a few feet away from where I stood, smiling. "My name is Prince Diamond." He stared into my eyes, "And I have waited for you for a long time."
I tried to back away from him, but my body was starting to fall backwards. In my weakened condition, my feet were even more of a hazard. I stepped on the hem of the dress. My heart stopped when two hands caught my arms. I was pulled forward and held against Prince Diamond's chest. With what strength my body had, I pushed against his hold, "Let go of me!" He chuckled, "You were always a fighter. That's one of the things I've always about you."
My finger still clung to my locket. I tried to speak the words, but I was too weak. The prince looked down to the locket in my hand, "Don't bother. It won't work. I gave you your first energy boost from the Dark Crystal. The Crystal absorbs all energy, including Silver Crystal energy." I moaned and closed my eyes, feeling even weaker, "Where am I? Why did you bring me here?" Hi smile made me cringe. He brushed his fingers along my cheekbone, until grasping my chin, "Because I need a queen."
I gasped, feeling his arm tightened around my body. I've never been this close to anyone except Darien. This felt all wrong. "What are you talking about?" He brushed my cheek with the back of his hand and I moved from his touch, "Don't touch me!"
His eyes hardening, Diamond released me. My body fell back on the edge of the bed, resting myself. Diamond paced in front of me, "Now that I have you and the Silver Crystal, the universe is mine. Once I combine the Silver Crystal with the power of the Dark Crystal, I will have control over everything. I could bend the universe to my will. Time, space and every dimension will be in my power. I will become ruler of everything and you will be at my side."
My hand clasped over my mouth, "You can't!" His cold eyes looked at me, "You will be the Queen of Nemesis, my queen." This was unbelievable. I thought I was taken because I was to be the queen, but not this. "I don't care about being Queen." Diamond stepped toward me and I leaned away, "Don't," I glared, "You destroyed this planet. And for what? You think you will rule everything? Why?"
Anger glinted in his eyes, "Because we were banished from this planet." I already knew this. I blinked slowly, "You attacked the Earth first, trying to take it over by force. Some of you accepted cleansing from the Silver Crystal and the others refused. So, they were banished to the black planet."
Diamond looked at me, surprised that I was informed of a history that took place thousand years after my time. "Is that what King Endymion told you? You are more informed than I thought. It is true, my ancestors did try to claim your planet by force, but when we came back, it was said that an attack was being planned by the royal family." That cannot be true, "No!" I looked at the lying prince with narrowed eyes. "What?" his voice skeptical, "You think I'm lying?" We stared at each other, for a moment, then I looked away, "That can't be true." Diamond sighed, "How would you know, my queen?" I squared my shoulders, "Because I'm the Queen and I would never have allowed that. I would never attack someone unjustly."
Diamond continued to stare, "You never would. It was the King." "You're lying," I countered, "Darien would never do anything like that." Diamond disappeared from my sight and I looked around, scanning the room. Was that why I was brought here? To be lied to about the man I was going to be my king and husband. A cold chill wafted against my back and my hair was brushed to the side, "This Darien wouldn't," his hand held my waist, pulling my frame back against his and his lips were close to my ear, "but Endymion would."
My skin tickled uncomfortably from his touch. I got out of his hold, glaring. He was insane. Diamond gazed at me in marvel, "Those are the eyes. The deep blue eyes I've dreamed of. Neo Queen Serenity." His eyes never released mine, "Too formal. I will simply call you 'Serena.'"
He raised his hand and a ball of black energy surrounded it. The tingling returned, moving through me, down my legs. My body began to walk toward him, off the platform. I tried to plant my feet, but the move only hurt. I wasn't able to stop myself. My body kept walking until I was in Diamond's arms. My heart was sprinting in my chest. Diamond gently caressed my cheek, looking at me. I could feel his breath on my lips. I had to get away from this man. Adrenaline coursed through my body, forgetting the hold he had on me. My hand raised to slap Diamond away. He staggered back, releasing his hold on me, clutching his face. Diamond looked at me and smiled. He took a step in my direction and I moved back.
Before claiming me again, a bolt of red lightening flashed between our bodies. Looking, there was a single steel-tipped red rose in bloom.