Chapter 14

Memories

Serena's heart was beating wildly against her chest. She pushed her aching legs further, willing them just to carry her just a little further as every muscle in her body screamed for rest. Droplets of sweat beaded across her forehead, slowly gathering and dripping down the sides of her face only to splash onto her bare shoulders. Her long blond hair whipped behind her, catching leaves and loose twigs of nearby trees as she rushed by. Low branches caught the edges of her golden yellow gown, ripping the hem to shreds and tearing the seams until it seemed as if only shards of her skirt remained. Her cheeks were flushed, red with exhaustion. Each breath became more painful than the last the farther she climbed, higher and higher into the mountains of the southern kingdom. As her aching legs carried her upwards toward the summit of the mountain, the greenery around her slowly dissipated to a nearly barren landscape. Rock and dirt were all that surrounded her, scrapping the bottom of her slippers unapologetically.

Behind her she could hear the now familiar clank of metal on metal. Screams followed her footsteps but she didn't dare stop. Her goal was close: the ruins of the temple of Kuya were just ahead. The temple may have fallen to disuse with the fall of the southern kingdom but the aging stone walls still stood strong. She only needed to make it past the threshold and her enemies would not be able to harm her within the sanctuary. Serena pushed herself to keep moving even though she could feel the energy within her body dipping dangerously low.

"RUN PRINCESS!" Rhea screamed as she crossed blades with yet another enemy. Her deep auburn hair was sticking to the sides of her face, having burst out of her hair tie from the fight. She was beyond exhausted but the Shadow Warrior didn't show it. Her shiny armor was covered with fresh dents and punctures. Blood poured from a wound at the back of her right shoulder yet she pressed on, hardly faltering against the strength of a young soldier in a deep green uniform before her. Her blade caught his once more before it plunged into his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground. Rhea didn't even take a moment before she flew at the next soldier attempting to rush by her to reach the princess.

Femi and Fabian were visible just below the tree line, fending off two soldiers each. Their movements were quick, precise, and deadly however Serena knew their strength wouldn't last forever. She had to make it to the temple. Her guardians were outnumbered. They had been separated from the main caravan that was carrying Queen Serenity and her court to the summer palace when Serena's carriage had broken an axel. They had fallen behind as they awaited repairs and their enemies seized the opportunity, sending a force of nearly fifty soldiers to claim her. Though the skill of the Shadow Warriors was unmatched by any other force in the galaxy, they were only four warriors against highly trained soldiers. They couldn't stop every soldier that was chasing after the princess. The four of them had spread out, taking out as many enemies as they could while Serena's only hope was to make it to the sanctuary.

Serena's deep blue eyes focused on the dull, rusty red iron doors. One was ajar, inviting her to the safety of its shelter. Serena could feel the barren dirt beneath her slippers taper off to the cobblestone courtyard before the entrance of the temple. She rushed past crumbled statues that once formed beautifully sculpted dragons, their mighty wings stretched upwards to the sky and their mouths wide, contorted to form a silent roar. The temple of Kuya had been a haven for those who trained with fire magic, drawing followers from all over the galaxy. Now the temple was just an empty shell of a practice that had become obsolete. Only the Martians practiced with fire magic.

Serena felt relief begin to overcome her as she stretched her hands before her, reaching for the handle of the open door. Her fingers tightened around the worn iron door ring but she never got the chance to pull it further open. A blast from behind her lifted her from the ground, throwing her just to the left of the door.

Serena screamed as she felt her aching body hit the stone walls of the temple and crumble to the ground. Her back throbbed painfully as she attempted to get back to her feet. Her legs, which felt heavier than lead, struggled to lift the weight of her exhausted body back to a standing position. She swayed dangerously as her vision shifted but her legs amazingly held firm, keeping her upright.

Just before her two soldiers stood just at the end of the walkway, swords drawn. Serena backed up until her back hit the wall of the temple. She was just feet from the door. Perhaps if she ran…

One of the soldiers took a step forward, staring at her hard as if daring her to make her move. She wouldn't make it. They both knew it. He could send another blast at her before she could even turn around, it wouldn't kill her but only injure her enough to the point she wouldn't be able to make another attempt to escape.

"Go on then." Serena shouted to them as she felt her blood run cold. "Come and get me. Take me to your Queen just like you've been ordered to so she can kill me herself!"

The two soldiers didn't respond but merely stared at her, silent as their lips pursed together.

"What's stopping you?!" Serena screamed again as she felt tears swelling in her eyes. If she was going to die she was going to do it right here on the moon, not a foreign land and before a queen she had never met before. A queen that wanted her life so badly she had sent a small army to capture her as she vacationed, out of the safety of her palace and the protection of her own soldiers. The Shadow Warriors were certainly the most gifted warriors in the galaxy but they were four against fifty. The soldiers were no match for them but then again defeating the Shadow Warriors wasn't their goal. Slowing them down was. Their numbers were keeping them busy, allowing them a much sought after chance to take the princess of the moon.

Serena could hear Fabian, growling with anger as he thrust his sword towards another enemy. Beside him Femi and Rhea, both covered with fresh cuts and bruises battled with him, watching his back, keeping the soldiers from ascending the mountain as best they could. Where was Nikko?

A loud crack cut across the courtyard as a spear came from the tree line and impaled one of the soldiers that was before Serena. Serena took a step back as the soldier crumbled to his knees, sending forth a pool of blood that soaked the desolate ground.

The second soldier spun on his heel, focusing his attention on the tree line just as Nikko emerged. His armor was covered with dirt and blood but he appeared unscathed. His white blond hair was still tied behind his neck but several strands had broken free and hung before his sweaty face. He held his sword before him, his deep amethyst eyes focused on the only soldier between him and the princess. "I suggest you go home… NOW." Nikko bellowed.

The soldier held his sword before him though his hand was visibly shaking. "I…. I have my … my orders."

Serena inched along the wall, keeping her eyes on the soldier but still moving towards the door. Nikko was keeping him occupied but she knew more soldiers would push past her other guardians. She didn't have much time.

Nikko didn't hesitate, he charged forward, emitting a bestial yell as his sword came crashing down, knocking the other soldier down onto his back. Serena turned away from the battle, hearing two more clanks of metal on metal before silence fell over the courtyard of the Kuya temple.

She held her breath for several moments as she heard heavy boots crossing the cobblestone of the courtyard until they stopped just beside her. Her heart continued to pound against her chest as her body still recuperated from the climb. She felt Nikko's familiar warmth as he laid a hand on her shoulder, gentle as ever though blood coated his fingers. "Are you okay princess?"

Serena turned to face him. His chest heaved with each breath, evident even beneath his heavy steel armor, but he didn't appear to be hurt. She felt herself collapse against his chest as sobs racked her body. His arms circled around her, pulling her against him.

"I'm okay…" Serena whispered in his ear.

His hand slid up her back and cupped her cheek, wiping away the tears that trailed down her sweaty face. "You are safe… I promised you that I would protect you." He reassured her.

Serena nodded silently as he continued to hold her.

"I've got to get you inside, there are undoubtedly more of them scaling the mountain as we speak." Nikko stated and in one swift movement, he lifted Serena into his arms and carried her into the temple.

The temple was dark, hardly any windows lined the barren and aging walls. The ceiling was still mostly intact though the west side appeared to be caving in. A pool of light flickered through the roof, cascading down to the dirty floor below. The temple was large but empty with only broken furniture and a heavy layer of dust within. The air was stale, as if it too was old and forgotten.

Nikko sat Serena down along the wall gently, sending up a cloud of dust. "Stay inside." He ordered her. "I mean it, you are protected within these walls. Even these heathens respect sanctuary. They can't harm you here."

Serena reached forward, grabbing his arm as he turned to leave. Tears still continued to run down her cheeks. She was frightened. What if all of her shadow warriors perished at her expense? She couldn't live with the weight of their lives on her conscience. "Don't leave." She pleaded. "I can't bear the thought..."

"Shhh... we will be okay." He reassured her with half a grin. "We're the best for a reason."

Serena shook her head. She knew his smile was a thinly veiled attempt to calm her down. She wasn't so easily swayed. While she knew the power and might of her guardians she did not like their odds against a small army. "There are too many of them. Please Nikko…"

"Princess…." He began as he took her shaking hands and pulled her to her feet in one swift movement. "This is what I do. I promise you, I will return to you."

Serena felt tears stinging her eyes once more as she watched her guardian, so determined and confident that he would survive the onslaught that awaited him just outside the safety of the temple. Part of her wanted to beg him to stay, pleading with him to stay to protect her. Another part of her knew that he was only doing his sworn duty, to protect her to his last breath. Neither thought gave her much comfort. Despite her reservations about him, Serena had grown very fond of her guardians but most of all, she had grown close to Nikko, the stoic prince from a desolate land. He alone gave her comfort when no one else had.

Serena reached around her neck and unclasped the necklace that had rested there. It was a simple white gold chain with one translucent crystal pendant. She put it around Nikko's neck as she held back her own sobs. "This will protect you… and bring you back safely to me."

He watched in awe as her small fingers trembled, fumbling with the clasp of the necklace until she managed to get it to catch. She tucked the crystal into his armor, safely beneath his chest plate. Her fingers then moved to his shoulders which she gripped tightly as she lifted herself onto the tips of her toes. Her soft pink lips brushed against the side of his cheek, as gently as angel wings.

Before he could stop himself Nikko gripped her arms and pulled her to his waiting lips.

Serena's eyes popped open in surprise as she felt Nikko grab her and then felt the gentle caress of his lips. The kiss was tender and sweet at first but as he pulled her closer the kiss deepened, leaving her breathless. Serena felt a rush of emotion flood her veins as he pulled from her, regarding her only for a moment before he disappeared back through the stone doors of the temple and to the fight below.

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"She's dreaming?" Mina asked as she watched Serena wince and wither on top of the bed. Her eyes were closed but every once and a while she would groan or shriek.

"She is feeling the adverse effects of the dark energy." Queen Serenity stated as she sat on the edge of the bed, watching her daughter clutch the edges of the bed so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "There is much of it within her."

"Is that why she can't transform?" Luna asked as she jumped onto the bed.

"Yes." Queen Serenity stated as she continued to watch Serena wither. "When she used the dark energy she released it to take control of her body. I have no idea how she will react with it. She could potentially harm all of us without even knowing she is doing it."

"We need Sailor Moon for this fight." Raye said to Queen Serenity with her arms crossed. "We need the power of the Silver Crystal."

"Nikko!" Serena screamed as she sat upright in the bed, panting. Her blue eyes were wide in fear and sweat poured down her forehead, trickling down her temples and running down her cheeks.

"Shh." Mina stated as she pushed against Serena's shoulder, urging her to lay back down. "You're okay. Nikko isn't here, it's just us."

"Mom…" Serena said as her eyes fell on Queen Serenity's form. "What's happening to me?" She shivered. Goosebumps rippled across her arms as she continued to shake.

Queen Serenity laid a hand on her shoulder. "This is a fight unlike any other. A fight you must make from within." She stated as she brushed back Serena's hair. The black symbol of the moon glowed one last time before fading away to nothing. Queen Serenity's brow furrowed with concern as she watched her daughter. "There is nothing any of us can do to help you…"

"No…" Serena shook her head as she felt tears swelling in her eyes. "I remember… It's all starting to come back …. I think… I think I loved him…"

"Who?" Mina asked as she perked a brow. "Darien? Yes, we know that… it's about time the two of you…"

"No— "Serena cut her off. "Not Darien…"

"Uhhh…sorry to interrupt…" Jadeite rushed into the room, his green eyes were wide with confusion. "You all had better get out here. We are being surrounded by these guys in black uniforms and they're wearing these weird hats…"

Mina, Kunzite, Raye, Luna and Artemis rushed to the front of the temple. Queen Serenity reluctantly left Serena to go peer out of the front windows. There were about twenty police officers standing around the front of the temple but their attention was focused on the tree line, just beyond the muddy field of the temple entrance.

"Holy crap!" Mina stated as she pulled back the window curtains. "That's… that's…"

"Nikko." Kunzite finished for her as his eyes narrowed.

"I want to see the princess!" Nikko bellowed, ignoring the wall of police officers before him with their weapons drawn. "I won't harm anyone if she comes out now."

"Mina…" Raye whispered as she watched the police officers take a few cautious steps towards Nikko. "Call the others… we're going to need help."

Mina nodded and ran to the other room to grab her phone as Jadeite cast an unsure look at Kunzite. Kunzite's lips pursed into a thin line but he didn't say a word. Raye didn't miss it.

"Mortals…" Nikko said, glancing absent mindedly at the officers before him. "Leave or die."

"Sir!" One of the officers spoke. "Put your hands up and get down onto your knees. We don't want to shoot!"

"You cannot harm me." Nikko said as his features curled into a cruel smile. His amethyst eyes narrowed as he took another step forward.

One officer squeezed the trigger of his gun. The bullet shot out towards Nikko but stopped just before his shoulder, spinning in the air before falling to the ground.

Nikko huffed in annoyance and flicked his hand, sending all of the guns flying from the hands of the police officers. He then waved his other arm before him, sending the officers flying through the air and down to the street below the steps of the temple. Below the screams of the pedestrians that were gathered around the police line cut through the air as they ran, jumping over the motionless bodies of the police officers that littered the ground.

Nikko's face remained stoic, unperturbed about the destruction he had just inflicted. He kept his gaze forward, concentrated on the temple before him.

"Princess!" He called again, loud and formidable. "I have not come to cause you anguish… I do not wish to inflict harm upon you or your guardians… I only desire to see you. Come to me and together we will leave." Behind him the wind kicked up, lifting the edge of his deep, royal blue cape and sending it waving behind him. The air grew sweet, signifying coming rain, but Nikko remained firmly rooted to his spot.

"We can't let him get her." Kunzite said to Mina. "We only have one choice, to attack."

"Are you crazy?!" Raye spat as she pushed him away from the doorway. "There's only four of us!"

"There's only one of him." Jadeite stated as he peered through an open gap of the curtains before the windows. "We can take him."

"His minions nearly took us out… solo! What kind of damage do you think he could do to us? I'll answer that for you, catastrophic!" Raye said, incredulous as she pushed back her thick, ebony black hair.

"We've faced Nikko before." Jadeite said casually.

"What?!" Raye asked, as she smacked Jadeite's shoulder. "Are you serious?! You're just now telling us this?"

"Quiet." Queen Serenity said as she held up her hands. "Bickering will do us no good right now. Raye is right, we're outnumbered. I do not have my full strength back, I won't be helpful in a fight and Serena cannot transform. We are limited."

"Kunzite, you go watch Serena, keep her inside." Raye ordered as Mina rushed back up the hall to join them by the door. Kunzite nodded once to them as he jogged down the hall, back to Serena's room. "Jadeite, Mina and I will keep this creep occupied until backup gets here. Mina, what's everyone's ETA?"

"Not fast enough." Mina stated. "Lita, Amy, Trista and Darien didn't answer their phones. Michelle and Amara are on their way but they're across town…"

Thundering footsteps could be heard, rushing down the hall as Kunzite appeared, out of breath. "She's gone! The princess… she's not there!"

Before anyone could respond Luna pointed ahead of them, straight at the window. There was Serena, standing on the last step of the entryway to the temple, facing Nikko. She was barefoot but still dressed in her black leggings and a dark pink sweater. The neckline was wide, revealing one slender, bare shoulder. Her long blond tresses were loose, cascading down her back, dancing just above her hips. She cautiously approached Nikko, her deep blue eyes wide with wonder as if she was seeing him for the first time in a long time. He was different. She no longer viewed him as a threat but instead regarded him fondly.

"I remember…." She whispered as she walked. Her feet touched the damp earth but no mud seeped between her toes. Instead her feet remained clean as if they were impervious to the sea of mud.

Nikko's features finally relaxed into a confident grin as she approached him. He nodded to her, urging her to continue as he moved forward towards her, closing the gap between them. "Princess Serenity…"

"We can't let her reach him." Queen Serenity stated as Mina and Raye lunged for the door. Raye fumbled with the door knob, trying in vain to turn it and pull it open. She threw forward all of her strength, leaning her shoulder into the door, willing it to swing open, but it didn't move an inch. It was as if an invisible force was keeping them trapped inside. Kunzite and Jadeite joined her, each using the force of their bodies against the door but again it didn't move. "It's not budging! Why isn't it moving?" Raye huffed as she continued to throw her shoulder against the door.

"He's got us trapped." Queen Serenity stated as she pressed her hand against the door frame. "I sense his energy…he's got the entire temple wrapped in his power."

Serena, oblivious to her friends behind her, continued to draw closer and closer to Nikko. Their screams were inaudible to her. All she could focus on was Nikko. She felt so many feelings coursing through her veins, she wasn't sure what to trust.

"I remember you…" She told him as she felt her heart begin to race faster and faster. Her cheeks felt flush as she felt her mind running back over her last memory of Nikko. His gentle kiss had told her everything. It wasn't a tender first kiss, a flirtatious kiss or a lustful kiss. It was the kiss of a lover. His kiss had been deep, passionate and tender.

"I loved you once..." Serena whispered as she felt tears stinging her eyes. "And you… you loved me."

Nikko's expression softened. For the first time his rugged persona cracked, revealing the man beneath. His cold amethyst eyes suddenly regarded her affectionately. His breath grew shallow as he came to a stop just inches from her.

Serena could feel the heat of his body as she drew closer to him. He was much taller than she was, towering more than a foot over her. She could see the definition of his muscular arms underneath his shirt. His broad shoulders seemed to go on for ages underneath his armor. She no longer feared him. For weeks she had nightmares about her kidnapping, the feel of his rough hands on her shoulders and the coldness of his harsh words. Now she could only focus on their past together: his gentle touch, his unyielding desire to protect her, the way his eyes would twinkle when they settled on her, his smile that made her knees weak, all down to his passionate kiss. What other memories did they share? What memories were still lost to her? Was it their love that brought him back to her, fighting to reclaim her?

"You belong to me princess…" Nikko said to her as he laid a hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him. "You always have, and you always will—"

Serena was surprised at how tender yet forceful his grip was on her. She felt her knees growing weak and warmth rushing through her veins as his other hand went to her cheek. She felt her forehead grow hotter and hotter until the black crescent illuminated once more.

"You get the hell away from her!" A deep voice boomed, cutting through the silence of the temple grounds.

Serena jumped as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky above them and sent forth a loud boom that shook the ground beneath their feet. There at the entrance to the temple grounds stood Darien, wearing what appeared to be his jogging shorts and nothing else. His dark eyes were narrowed right at Nikko who had released Serena and taken a step towards his direction.

"Endymion." Nikko sneered as he pulled off his armor, piece by piece, as casually as if he were undressing to go for a swim. "I think you'll find the princess isn't your concern anymore."

Darien didn't move but instead watched Nikko approach, barely batting an eyelash. "She was never yours Nikko, she's always been mine."

Serena felt something change within her as she caught sight of Darien. Goosebumps spread across her legs and arms. The heat in her cheeks receded, leaving her feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her. Was she hearing things correctly? Had he just called her his? Was this even the same Darien? The man that she had loved and pined over for years… the same man that had unceremoniously abandoned her when she needed him most?

Nikko shed his cape and pulled his shirt over his head before discarding it, tossing it aside next to his armor. He remained only in his pants, the same as Darien. The two of them made quite a sight in the empty temple grounds. Nikko's chest was covered with various scars but was just as muscular as Darien's. His long white blond hair cascaded down his shoulders, hanging between his sharp shoulder blades. They stood at nearly the same height and their eyes held the same look of determination and rage befitting two enemies.

Neither spoke for several moments as Serena took a cautious step back. She could feel the tension building between them, it was nearly as electric as the storm that was nearing closer with each passing minute.

Another bolt of lightning cracked overhead, illuminating the night for a brief second.

The two men flew at each other.