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Title: A New Start

Part: Prologue

Rate: PG

By: Era-chan

E-mail: aylah001@yahoo.com

URL: http://www.geocities.com/aylah001

This takes place after Sailor Moon R. Right after Sailor Moon and Rini defeated Death Phantom. This is before Sailor Moon Supers. This is both a mix of the anime and the manga combined. Certain events like Pluto dying, the Four Earth Generals being brainwashed into the Negaverse, blah, blah, and blah. Reading it explains everything. Hope you enjoy it!

And Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me. So there!

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A New Start

*Prologue*

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"Rini, do you think we're dead? Even if we are, I'm glad that I save everyone. You agree right, Rini?"

"Yes."

The teenager and the young child were floating in a light void. Both have pigtails held by balls or rather in the case of the child, a pointed ball. They had their eyes closed but the expression on their faces was of happiness. But then the child's face grew sad.

"Puu."

The teenager heard her distress and tried to cheer her up. "Rini, wherever Pluto is, dead or alive, she'll always watch over you."

"Everything's okay."

Both the teenager and the child opened their eyes in surprise. They stared at each other, questions in their eyes. Then the teenager spoke.

"Who is this?"

"This is Serenity."

"Mama?"

"Yes, Small Lady. When you defeated Death Phantom, you made a miracle happen."

The young child beamed, tears of happiness sliding down her cheeks. The teenager stared at her and smiled, happy for her.

"Sailor Moon."

The teenager, surprised, answered, "Yes, Queen Serenity?"

"I got something important to speak to you about. You'll stay here while I send Small Lady back to Tuxedo Mask and the Scouts. Small Lady, when you return, tell them that Sailor Moon is on a quest. When the time comes, the answers will be there."

The child nodded. "Alright." Then she disappeared.

Now the teenager was the only one left.

"What is this quest about, Queen Serenity?"

"Sailor Moon, this is what you have to do..."

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One man and four girls crowded around the unconscious little girl in the man's arms. They all have worried expressions on their faces.

"Rini, wake up."

"Please, Rini, wake up."

"We don't want to lose you. We already lost Sailor Moon." This was from the girl wearing the red fuku.

This remark caused the man to grimace. Serena.

The girl wearing the blue fuku gave the man a sympathetic look. We all miss her. She stared around her, remembering the time when they had realized she was gone when the battle was over. What would we do without her? She tried to stop the oncoming tears from spilling but to no avail.

The girl with the green fuku saw her friend sobbing and wrapped her arm around the girl's shaking shoulders. "Mercury, let it out. I know the feeling." She felt tears overflowing from her eyes and didn't stop them.

The last girl, who had on an orange fuku, stared at the little girl, tears on her eyes. "Rini, please open your eyes."

As if in answer to her plea, the child opened her eyes and found five pairs of eyes crying.

"Everyone. Don't cry."

The group smiled. Mercury wiped her tears away. "We're glad your back."

"Yeah, we don't want to lose you. We already lose Sailor Moon."

The young child, realizing what had happened, gave them a reassuring grin. "Don't worry. Sailor Moon didn't die. Mama told me to tell you that she was going on a quest. She said that when the time comes, the answers would appear. She's not dead."

This lifted the spirits of everyone a little. Of course, the man was still a little bit worried but if Neo-Queen Serenity told her daughter that she's fine, then he'll believe. Somehow, he felt like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Glancing around at the others, he noted that they were all calming down now. He stood up, still carrying the little child in his arms. The Scouts stared up at him.

"We better get out of here."

The Scouts nodded and got up. They all have a determined look on their faces.

"Let's go."

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Four teenage girls stood together and watched the young girl in front of them, sorrow in their eyes.

"We'll miss you."

"Give our regards to the Scouts."

"And also to your Mom and Dad."

"You didn't forget anything, right?"

The young girl shook her head. "Nope, I got everything with me." Then her gaze went beyond the girls to a young man a few feet behind them. He grinned. She smiled and ran up to him for a hug. He gave her a tender kiss on the top of her head then released her. She stared up at him.

"I'll miss you."

He smiled. "So will I, Munchkin."

She gave him another smile and went back to where she had been standing up. Looking at all of them, she noticed how, even though they were happy for her, some part of them was gone. Gone with Serena. They were remembering the events that happened when they went back to the Tsukino residence.

---------FLASHBACK---------------------

The group, consisting of one man, four teenage girls, and a little girl walked down the streets. Two cats with crescent moons on their foreheads, trailed after them. The little girl was skipping ahead, her steps happy. She would be going home, back to her parents in the future. The others walked a few steps behind her, their steps purposeful. They finally arrived at their destination, the Tsukino residence.

The girl walked up the steps and bent down when she reached the welcoming mat. She lifted it up and took out the key hidden under it. The others had followed behind, but their steps had changed. They had felt somehow uneasy when they had reached the house. Something wasn't right.

The girl, oblivious of the other's uneasiness, opened the door and called out, "Aunt Irene, I'm home."

Silence.

The man and the teenage girls stared at each other, worry apparent on their faces. The young girl, puzzled, went inside.

"Aunt Irene? Uncle Ken? Sammy? Anybody home?"

The others followed her inside. The young girl ran to the kitchen while calling out for anyone home. The others just stood at the hallway, puzzled.

"That's weird. I thought Serena's family would be home right now."

Amy nodded. "I quite agree. This is way too weird."

Raye noticed a letter on the side table, addressed to them. She picked it up. "Hey look guys. Serena left us a letter."

The others turned to her. "What did she write?" demanded Darien.

Raye opened the letter and took out the letter. She read out loud.

Dear Darien and friends,

I'm sorry I'm not there to meet you. I have to go on my quest. As you can tell, there is no one at home. The reason is that my family is dead. They died from a car accident. My parents were driving down the highway when a drunk driver hit them. Sammy was with them.

Yes, I'm in grief and I know you want to comfort me. I wish you could, too. But alas, I have to go. My quest beckons me. I should be prepared; Serenity told me what was going to happen. But reality was a bit hard to take. But don't worry about me. I'll be brave for you all and for the rest of my friends.

When I heard, I found out that my father left everything to me if something happened to them. Even the funeral was taken care of. This happened two days ago. You guys were still in that sub-space. I suffered alone but I know when I return, you guys would be there for me.

Right now, I still own the house. I had leased it for people. I hope you could take care of that, Darien. I don't know anyone else to take care of the house, so I left you to take care of it. I know this is inconvenient, but could you take care of Rini before she leaves. All her stuff is here; make sure she doesn't leave without them.

I had put everything that matters to me in storage. My personal belongings are gone from my room except Luna's stuff. I think she could keep you company, Darien, while I'm gone. I hope you could take the key that is under the mat. I gave the keys to a very good proprietor. She'll keep it for the people who want a temporary home while in Tokyo.

Everyone, I'll miss you all. Please send my regards to anyone who finds out about my family's passing. I hope that you could tell Andrew and Molly about my situation. I'll miss you, Darien. I love you all.

Love,

Serena

The man, the four teenage girls, and the cats were shocked. The man was first to talk.

"Serena."

That was the key that broke the spell they all were in. The four friends cried and gave each other a supporting shoulder. Darien turned his head away, staring unseeing out of the window. Luna and Artemis turned to each other, comforting each other the only way they can. That was how Rini found the group.

"What's the matter? Darien? Raye? Ami? Mina? Lita? Luna? Artemis?"

Raye released her friends and went up to the little girl. She crouched down so that she was staring eye to eye with the girl. The letter was still in her hand.

"Rini, the Tsukinos are dead."

Rini stared at the priestess, disbelief in her eyes. "No, that can't be true." She turned pleading eyes to the rest of the girls. "Right. That can't be true."

The other girls just stared at her, silent.

It was Darien who confirmed it to her. "They died from a car crash. I'm sorry, Rini." Then under his breath he whispered, "Just like mine did."

Rini froze. Then she threw herself on the priestess and burst out crying. Raye embraced her, and let her cry.

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Amy arrived at the living room to find the others spread all over the room. Mina and Lita sat on the sofa while Raye was sitting on the recliner. Darien, on the other hand, was standing by the window, his back to the room. He didn't even move when Amy arrived.

"How is she?" Raye stared at the blue-haired girl bleakly, her eyes red from crying.

Amy sighed. "She's doing fine. She finally fell asleep. Luna and Artemis are with her now, to keep her company."

"After all that crying, she should."

"And Luna needs to rest, too. Thank goodness Artemis is with her." Mina lifted a strand of hair back behind her ear, feeling exhausted from the ordeal they had a few hours ago.

Lita stared out of space. "What do we do now?"

"We bring Rini home and go on with our lives."

The four girls turned their attention to Darien, who had turned around from the window. He stared at the Scouts, his eyes sad but determined.

"I think that when Rini's fine, we can go to the park and she can teleport there."

"But what about Serena?"

For the first time since they had read the letter, Darien smiled. "She's fine. I can feel her."

That reassured them. If Darien felt that his soulmate was fine, then she is.

Amy smiled sadly. "We'll miss her."

The others nodded.

"Yeah. I hope she has some comfort. This is too sudden for her. Her parents are dead and she has to be brave for all of us. Especially herself." Lita gave the others a glance to see if they understand.

Mina smiled. "I think she does. Even though we're not there for her physically, we'll be by her side spiritually."

"Yeah."

The atmosphere in the room lightened up and became happier. Lita grinned and stood up. "Hey, how about dinner. I'm sure hungry."

The others grinned.

"I'm hungry, too. I hope there is still food in the kitchen," Amy said thoughtfully.

"Probably there is enough for tonight and tomorrow. I mean, Neo-Queen Serenity should have told Serena to leave some for us," Mina said.

Raye chuckled. "You're right. I don't think Serena would ever let us starve. We're her friends."

Mina rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. Of course she won't."

Raye hmphed. "You're beginning to act like Serena."

"Do not."

"Do too."

The two other girls sweatdropped and followed the other two out of the room. Amy, being the last one, stopped and turned around.

"Darien, are you coming with us? Will you eat dinner with us?"

Darien shook his head. "I think I'll eat later in my apartment. Right now, I need to take a walk."

Amy nodded. "I understand. Well, good-bye Darien. We'll leave the key underneath the mat. And don't worry about Rini. Lita will stay with her to keep her company."

"Thanks."

Amy left the room and followed the laughter coming from down the hallway.

Darien sighed and combed his hair with his fingers. He knew he should stay and be with Rini but he felt the need to go out with his thoughts.

When he left the Tsukino residence, he went to the park. Stopping at the bridge where he had lied adamantly to Serena that he didn't love her anymore, he stared down at the tranquil water and let his thoughts ran rampant in his mind. He knew he had to be brave, but it was too hard, even now. So this must be how Serena felt when I told her it was over. Of course he knew it wasn't nearly the same, but the pain and loneliness isn't. He stared at the moon. Serena.

--------------FLASHBACK ENDS------------------

Rini's smile grew wider. "Thank you, everyone."

Before she could raise her time key, a cloud similar to the one Rini had come from appeared behind the little girl. The group turned in awe as Neo-Queen Serenity came down.

"Mama."

Rini threw herself at the queen, who hugged her back. "I missed you, Small Lady."

"Me too."

The queen of Crystal Tokyo looked up to stare at the group watching them. She smiled.

"Ami. Lita. Mina. Raye. Darien." She stared at each of them in turn.

The four teenagers instinctively bowed. "Your Majesty."

Serenity smiled. Then she gazed at Darien, who had just stood there, too shocked to bow. They stared at each other, not speaking. Darien couldn't bear the pain that she reminded him, because she was his Serena, except in the future. Serena.

Serenity gave him a nod of understanding. She released Rini from her arms. Rini stood beside her.

"I came to pick Small Lady and to ease your fears." She stared at the young man. "I can't ease your pain, Darien. I know it will be hard for you since you'll miss her more than anything. But you are not the only one. Serena will miss you, too. All of you." She gazed at each in turn. "It'll be hard for everyone, I know. But in the end, it'll be worth it. You'll see." She got a secret smile on her lips.

Mina nodded. "We know. But if Serena could do it, we could too. We won't be sad. We'll live our lives, just like Serena would have done if she was in our shoes."

Neo-Queen Serenity beamed. "You've finally shown your true self, Venus. Just like the leader you are."

Mina blushed, embarrassed.

Neo-Queen Serenity turned her attention down at her daughter. "Are you ready, Small Lady?"

Rini nodded.

Neo-Queen Serenity gazed one last time at her young friends. "Be brave, everyone. In the end, everything will be fine." She held up a key similar to Rini's and another cloud appeared. The queen and the princess began to float upward. They floated in, the cloud disappearing after them.

Darien and the four Inner Scouts gazed at the place they had last seen the future queen and princess, missing them already.

"I miss them."

Raye turned to Amy. "I miss them too. Even though the queen was from the future, she was still Serena, only grown up."

"And Rini is like Serena. She's so loving and downright adorable."

Lita smirked. "Of course Rini is like Serena. They're practically family."

"Yeah. No kidding."

Darien laughed. "Hey, why don't we go to the arcade. I have to tell Andrew about Serena."

"It reminds me that I have to go see Molly and tell her about Serena too." Amy turned to Lita. "Wanna come with me?"

Lita shrugged. "Sure, why not. I've got nothing better to do."

"I got to help Grandpa with the temple. See you guys later."

Mina turned to Darien. "I'll go with you to the arcade. I got nothing better to do."

So the group went their separate ways, their purpose: to go on as if nothing had happened until their princess came back home."

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As you can tell, I have mixed the manga and the anime together. I hope you guys like this so far. I hope to make this as long as I can. The action will come later, though. I'm more intent with the future relationships in the future. So if you want action, this isn't for you...at least not yet.

Well, bye. I'll be writing the next chapter. And if I receive a lot of e-mails, maybe I'll have the chapter finished as quickly as I can. Even if I don't receive a lot, I'll still have it done.