Chapter 29: Diamonds are Priceless but Love is Forever
Serena woke up again on the bed, but this time she was in her regular outfit; a light pink sun dress that she had intended to wear to the so called luncheon. Her head pounded and she felt really tired. She knew that she shouldn't have used so much of her energy so quickly but she couldn't help it; she had to save herself and Diamond, and now at least Emerald could try to be a little less jealous and …well whatever else you would call her. She got up off of the bed and started to walk around. Diamond wasn't anywhere. Did he get hurt?
"Serena!"
"Sapphire?"
"You did us a huge favor. Emerald was always crazy like that. She got us into a whole bunch of messes because of her ego and well jealous infatuation with my brother, Prince Diamond."
"Ha, ha it was no problem." Serena said laughing nervously and putting her hand behind her head in a casual manner. "SO where is Prince Diamond?"
"That's what I came here for. He's waiting for you in his throne room. He wanted you to see him after you woke up. Oh and Serena? Promise me that you'll stay true to our agreement. Please. "
Serena just nodded and followed Sapphire through a black tunnel to a dark room with a simple black throne and a large dark crystal in the middle. Beside Diamond's chair was a slightly smaller chair.
"Sailor Moon, come closer."
She stepped in front of Sapphire moving closer towards Diamond. He called her Sailor Moon not Serena?
"Sailor Moon, thank you for saving me from Emerald." He said slowly getting up off of his chair; however he seemed to have injured his back. "Now I…" Suddenly he cringed and he put his hand on his shoulder.
"You're hurt!" Serena said in astonishment. When he turned around to return to his throne, she noticed that his back left shoulder was red with blood and judging by the gingerly way he sat down, his other shoulder may have been bruised. Shoulder with blood? Oh Cosmic! Just like Darien after he got injured fighting Zoicite way back.
"Yes." Diamond replied, but managed to keep a strong voice. He always seemed so stoic, and slightly emotionless. But that changed. "Serena, now I owe you."
"No you don't. I paid you back by saving your life in return."
"But I still do. I told you I would try to change; that I wouldn't force you to love me and I tried again. I owe you for hurting you and the other scouts."
She looked stunned. Diamond was being caring? Nice? It was like he had reverted completely. The Diamond she had seen when he was dying in her arms. She walked up to him slowly.
"I know about you and Tuxedo Mask. I know about the oath."
Her stunned expression returned. She shouldn't really be surprised though. It seemed to be catching on.
"Princess Malaena is strong. Too strong. If you don't defeat our Princess. If our Nega-Moon finally succeeds and you have no where to go: my moon, Nemesis can be your home. All of the dark moons will be revived. You will have nowhere to go Serena."
She looked back at him surprised. It was true. She saw a glimpse of the possible Nega-Crystal Tokyo. A princess of the moon like her would have no where to go. But to Nemesis? Suddenly she saw Sapphire appear in the shadows behind Diamond. She was reminded of what Sapphire had asked of her earlier. She had promised him that she would give him a chance. She nodded her head in agreement to Diamond's offer. He got up once more and walked over to Serena with less of a problem then the last time, still holding his shoulder. She was stunned still as she didn't expect him to get so close so soon, not to mention she couldn't transform right yet; she was really too weak.
"Serena, I always have really loved you. Promise me one thing; that if it ends up that you can't be with your dear Prince Darien; than you will be my Queen. You can live free beside me. It can be your new home."
Her eyes widened. It was exactly what he had said to her when they had their first encounter way back at the Future Crystal Tokyo, except this time it was more of a question and less of a forced demand. But could she really agree? Then again what else did she have? If Darien couldn't be with her, and if her future wasn't as the Queen of the Earth, and if the world was part of the Nega-Verse she would be alone. She would become the enemy. She would be the black and they would be the white. Diamond had always cared for her. But she did love Darien. She had to make a decision, but she had no time to think….She looked again past Diamond to see Sapphire standing there. But with him was Emerald this time. Their words spun through her head: "You have two lovers you fool?" "He died for you and you can't even repay him?""He really does care for you; he just doesn't know how to show it." "Diamond tries so hard…"
A short silence filled the air.
"I will." She said pulling her eyes down to the ground. Her stomach dropped. I mean she really wasn't denying her love for Darien, and no matter what she'd always love him, but she really didn't want to be alone if the future did change. No Rini. No Darien. At least Diamond cared for her. At least she was pretty sure he might love her but…
Suddenly her thoughts where interrupted by an abrupt kiss. Diamond had pulled her chin up with his hand and kissed her on the mouth. She stood too surprised to do anything about it. Suddenly the room began to fade and swirl around her. She found herself on the ground of dark crystal alone in a dark passageway.
"Serena? Is that you?"
Did she just hear Mina's voice! "Scouts?"
"Hey guys I think I found Serena!"
