For the One I Love

Chapter 20

"Serenity"

"Venus!"

Princess Serenity's strained cry echoed around the small chamber room as she slammed through the door. Four sets of eyes looked back at her from across a golden table with a map of the castle on it at the center of the room. Included were the pale blue of her guardian and friend that she currently sought so desperately, Sailor Venus.

"Thank heavens!" Venus quickly glanced back to the guards next to her. "You're dismissed." The guards nodded their heads at the Senshi, each taking their turn around the table towards the door. They bowed as they passed the princess before fully departing. "Where have you been?!" The words jumped from her mouth the instant the door shut behind the last guard. Serenity braced for a good scolding as Venus practically began to run at her, but to her surprise found herself wrapped in her friend's arms instead.

"I, um-" Serenity blinked in confusion as her chin rested atop Venus's shoulder.

"When we heard what happened-"

"But what has happened?!" Serenity exclaimed, causing Venus to break their embrace. "Venus, they took Fighter! The guards took her and I-"

"Of course they took her." Venus looked at her. "After what she and the others did-"

"Others?" Serenity asked, cutting her off. "What are you talking about? Please, what is going on?! Venus please," the princess took her friend's hand in hers. "Fighter didn't abduct me! Is that what you all think? How could you?"

"Serenity." The calm voice came from over near the corner, belonging to the other set of blue eyes that had met hers when she'd entered the room. She glanced over to see Mercury staring over at them. "Fighter kept you from your bed during the night, yes?"

"Well, yes, but I wanted to go!" She rounded now on Mercury instead. "She didn't force me to do anything!"

Mercury stole a quick glance at Venus, who reluctantly nodded her head. "Come sit over here." Mercury said. She gestured to a padded bench against the back wall that made up a small reading nook between two bookshelves. As they both sat, Mercury took the young princess's hands into her own and laid them on her lap, looking intently into her eyes. "Last night, the guards got word that you were missing from your chambers, along with Fighter. When they went to question the other Starlights, they too were missing. As the guards were searching for you... an alarm sounded inside a forbidden area of the castle. The Starlights were caught right outside the area." Mercury sighed. "Fighter may not have forcefully dragged you out of bed, but it was always their ploy to get close to us so they could gather information to set up a coup against our kingdom."

"No!" Serenity shot upward, pushing aside Mercury's hands as she did so. "Why would anyone want to do that? And those girls-" She paused, thinking to herself of the Starlights' faces. "There's no way those girls could be capable of such a thing. Their kindness is genuine, can't you feel it when you're with them? And Fighter-" She paused again, but this time saying nothing immediately to follow as she remembered the times the two shared together. "She wouldn't. I don't believe it."

"Your not believing doesn't mean it isn't true." Venus frowned. "As much as you want to believe in everyone around you, the truth is you barely know those girls."

"But-"

"I don't think you're understanding the severity of what's happened here. Those girls were caught outside the Chamber of Prayer, Serenity. Do you realize what could have happened tonight?"

The princess hesitated, biting the bottom of her lip. "...But..." Though as she said it this time, her resolve began to falter. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Serenity barely paid any attention as another guard poked his head inside and began speaking. Something felt weighted inside her chest, something she couldn't shake.

"-I'll see to it." Mercury stood, brushing past Serenity which caused her to look back up. "Meet you later?" She directed to Venus.

Venus nodded. "In about an hour. I need to meet with the captain and then report to Queen Serenity." Mercury nodded and exited with the guard.

"Venus…" It was very much a childlike whimper that called her name, as Venus looked down to see Princess Serenity wrapping her arms around hers. Venus's heart panged painfully as she peered into the giant royal blue eyes of her princess, staring so heartbreakingly back at her. "Please…. I understand what you and Mercury have said, but I can't explain it. I just- I know something isn't right. I can feel it. You have to believe me. If I could just talk to Fighter again-"

"I'm sorry, but that's just not possible." She interrupted. "Even if it wasn't dangerous-"

"If you think it is then come with me!"

"No one is to go near them, by order of the queen."

"Then where is my mother? Let me talk to her!"

"The queen is too busy, you know that. With the Chamber of Prayer nearly breached she needs to take the appropriate measures to extinguish any remaining threat-"

"Please! They're not a threat! Please!"

"Serenity!" Venus snapped, tugging away from the princess so she could fully face her. "You need to do what you are told for once. This is important."

Momentarily stunned from being scolded by Venus, Serenity lowered her gaze. "So is this." She insisted. "Let me see her!"

Venus returned the sentiment, taking in the determined, no, angry face of her princess. She'd been stubborn in the past about things, but Venus had never seen her quite like this before. Venus had to bury her own anger. Anger to those that brought evil into their lives and dared to steal away their princess's innocence. If only she could have protected her, shielded her from reality a little longer. She knew it would, rather, have to happen eventually and yet… But right now, there was no helping her. They had much bigger concerns. Sailor Venus closed her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.

Just as she did, another knock came from the door followed by yet another guard. "Princess Venus, the Captain of the Guard is here to see you about the prisoners." Without even glancing back at Serenity, she strode to the door and yanked it open further. "I have to take care of this, wait here a minute. I'll be right outside."

"What are you going to do?! Venus?! What are you going to do?!" She repeated herself as Venus continued to ignore her.

"I'm sorry."

"No! Venus!" The princess hurriedly charged after her. "Venus please! I'm scared you're all making a mistake! Please listen to me!" Before Serenity could reach out and grab her friend's arm, the door latched with a resounding thud. Panicking, she fumbled to wrench it open only to see the back of a castle guard who turned to look at her.

"Forgive me your highness, but Venus says you're to remain here for your protection." Serenity groaned dishearteningly. Usually she could override any of her guardians' orders, unless they fell under the category of keeping her safe. In that regard she was outranked. Indignant, Serenity slammed the door shut and stared at it. She couldn't move. All she could feel was a giant wave of dread crashing over her, then slipping away into the silent waters of defeat. Eyes still glued to the door, overcome with numbness, she slid onto the floor.

"What am I going to do?" She couldn't give up, innocent lives were depending on her… Fighter, was depending on her. Her heart heavy, she forced her gaze from the door to her surroundings. She scanned the room, trying to grasp at anything that could help her when she quickly remembered exactly which room Venus was holding her captive. With everything happening she must have forgotten, and Serenity had almost forgotten as well. Adrenaline swelling in her veins, Serenity lifted herself from the ground and teetered near the right most bookshelf. She pressed herself against the side of it with the entirety of her weight, straining to budge it. After some strenuous labor the bookshelf gave way and slid to the side, revealing a secret passage underneath. She looked back at the door one last time, "I'm sorry too, Venus.", and proceeded with haste, knowing she didn't have much time before she'd be followed.

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"Fighter!"

"Where have you been!?"

Two guards shoved Fighter into a holding cell already containing Healer and Maker, as another guard held open the barred door. Fighter momentarily ignored her friends to turn and scowl at the guards who tossed her. As they marched down the stone tunnel from which they originally came, Fighter spun back to them. "What the hell is going on?"

"That's what we're asking you! Where did you take off too? We could have used you!"

"You first! Why was I just arrested for plotting a coup against their kingdom?!"

"Demande." Maker spoke bitterly. "He framed us."

"We were following him like you told us to, saw him trying to get into some room. When he failed he set off an alarm but instead of fleeing he called for the guards himself. Turned it around on us, told the guards he caught us trying to break in."

"Did you see what was inside?" Fighter wondered, not being able to imagine how breaking and entering could warrant this type of hysteria. Both Healer and Maker dropped their heads.

"We should have known." Maker said. "We were so busy keeping him away from Serenity, we failed to realize what else was in danger. We saw it briefly as we were being dragged away, on a pedestal near the center of the room. The Imperium Silver Crystal."

"And you left him there to grab it?!" Fighter snapped, astonished.

"Do you know how many guards pounced on us?!" Healer shouted defensively. "He doesn't have it!" She added. "Demande was only able to pry the doors open, he wasn't able to set foot inside. Some invisible barrier tossed him out and that's how the alarms were tripped. I think, from the sounds of things, only those of royal blood or those accompanied by them are able to enter. Either way, it's heavily guarded now."

"As we were being hauled off, we also overheard the guards talking. Apparently he'd tipped them off, I'm assuming prior to looking for the room, that the princess may have been kidnapped from her bed chambers. You taking her, coupled with us outside those doors when we were, doesn't look good."

"I created a damn diversion for him." Fighter curled her fists in anger. "What are we waiting for?! We need to transform, get out of here without being seen and find a way to lure him past the barrier and - what?!" She'd noticed Maker and Healer exchange a peculiar look with one another.

"Something else happened." Maker lowered her eyes darkly. "Right before he called the guards, Demande blasted us against the wall and pinned us there. He took our transformation brooches… and our time key."

Fighter repeatedly opened and closed her mouth, at a loss of what to say.

"Now you know why we could have used your help!" Healer rounded on her. "So where the heck were you while we were dealing with all this?"

"I- I uh." Star Fighter struggled to regain her thoughts, still in shock at their current situation. "I took Serenity to Earth."

"WHAT?!"

"Or, I showed her how to get to Earth. I stayed behind. You said to start being proactive." She directed at Maker when she saw her expression.

"Yeah, but- Earth?!"

"You don't understand." She tried to reason. "After I found them together- Serenity was actually considering the marriage proposal. She was so ready to sacrifice her happiness if it meant building a strong alliance for her people- I had to take a risk and- show her what true love could feel like, I-" Fighter felt her heart pounding. "I had to try and get her to meet Endymion. I figured, if she met him, and felt what true love could feel like, saw the planet she loves, she would never…agree." The same feeling as before, the one Fighter felt as she was waiting for Serenity to come back from Earth abruptly took over her. That smallness she had felt before, that sense of guilt at her actions, of everything she'd done and said these past few weeks, now suddenly turned to fear. Her thoughts of possession, her actions, all of it up until now… was she like him? "I uh-" She tried shaking it off, not wanting to share her thoughts. "I didn't think Demande would take advantage of us leaving the castle the way he did. So, now what?"

Maker shook her head. "Well… before we can do anything, we have to get out of here."

Healer slouched against the stone wall. "Oh, is that all? Even if we find some way to escape this cell, every guard in this place is either guarding us or on alert somewhere else. So how exactly do you plan to get past them?"

"Depending on the amount of guards we'd likely be able to take them out, even as we are. It's just not something I so readily want to do. We already look bad."

"You think?" Healer nagged. "So we escape from here somehow, hope there's not that many guards at the entrance so we can take them out, and then if that all works out… what? Run into more and get tossed right back here? Run into the Sailor Senshi?"

"Why don't you come up with a plan for once then, huh?" Maker countered. "None of this is ideal but we're running out of options!"

"Not to mention!" Healer raised her voice, ignoring Maker. "How the hell are we supposed to get our brooches and the time key back? You really think we'll be able to take him on when we can't even trans-"

"Shhh!" Fighter clasped her hand over Healer's mouth to silence her. Maker heard it too, spinning around at the exact moment Fighter did. Footsteps, too light to belong to any of the armored guards echoed towards them. Followed by a voice.

"I might be able to help." Fighter recognized it instantly. "But you really need to stop shouting. You'll draw attention to us."

"What are you doing here?!" Fighter demanded. "Are you alone?!"

Princess Serenity wrinkled her nose, thinking Fighter would have been more grateful to see her. "Venus will be behind me shortly so we don't have much time."

"It's not safe to be on your own!"

"I had to see you. No one was listening to me, or take me here when I asked." Serenity walked up to the bars, wrapping her left hand around their frame before leaning into them. "What happened? Why are they accusing you of all this? The truth." She gazed directly at Fighter with a gaze Fighter couldn't quite read. "You're locked in here, and yet you say it's not safe for me to be on my own. Why? What's going on?"

"I swear, we did nothing." Fighter insisted. The Starlight walked up to the bars too, placing her hand over the princess's fingers. "We were framed."

"Framed? By who?"

Fighter frowned. She turned to Maker, silently seeking permission to tell her the truth, at least some version of it. Maker stared back, taking a moment to look between Fighter and Serenity before deciding to speak. "Prince Demande." She responded. "The truth is, we didn't come here for an alliance. We came here to keep a watch on Demande."

"To watch De- but- So, you knew he was going to do this?"

"No, not exactly. We didn't know his exact plan, we just knew he was up to no good by coming here. I'm sorry we deceived you, but you didn't know us and we had little proof of anything at the time. Even now, there's next to no evidence we can offer…"

"But-"

"Serenity." At the sound of her name, she switched her attention from Maker back to Fighter. "I know it's not a lot, but we can't tell you much more than that. I just wanted to make you aware, he's a dangerous man. As long as he's running free about the castle it's not safe. So please, even if you don't believe us-"

"Have you, been protecting me this entire time?" She interrupted, thinking back to several uncomfortable moments where Fighter had always shown up at her side.

"Yes." Fighter said it with a smile and without hesitation, lovingly squeezing the princess's hand for which she had already been holding. A faint blush spread over the princess's cheeks. Without saying another word Serenity brought forward her right hand, showcasing a ring of countless gold keys. Removing her other hand from under Fighter's, she began to flip through them, trying to see if they would unlock the cell.

"How the heck?" Healer straightened up, somewhat in awe. "How- when- where did you get those?"

"There's still a few passages I've found from sneaking around that no one else knows of yet." She tried another key, and failed. "One got me nearer the entrance, so I grabbed the keys when no one was looking."

"I was wondering how you got in here." Maker added.

"It can lead us out of here too if we hurry. When they see these are gone they'll be running down here pretty quickly."

"Then, you believe us?" Fighter asked.

"In my heart I always knew you three were innocent. I guess, I just wanted to hear it from you. Sorry, I may have doubted you for a few seconds before."

Fighter chuckled. "No offense taken."

Serenity started to get frustrated, none of the keys she had tried so far were the right one. Her palms began to sweat, she could sense Venus and the guards creeping down her neck. "Why are there so many?" She panicked. "We never even use these cells. Oh!" At the sound of a small click, Healer, Maker and Fighter all perked up. Serenity jostled the key a bit more until there was an even louder click. Finally, the lock gave way and the door groaned open. "Hurry, this way. Keep against the wall as much as you can." She led them down the tunnel, the guards at the entrance growing louder as they got closer.

"How much closer do we have to get?" Maker whispered.

"Up here." They were only a couple yards from the entrance before Serenity motioned at them to stop. Silently, she turned and placed her hands against the stone rock wall behind them. As she pushed on it, the now obviously hidden door cracked open. One by one they slipped through into a dark, small passageway. Once they were all in, Maker pushed the entrance closed behind them.

"I doubt we have much time before they notice." Maker stated.

"This passageway goes on for a while before it branches in a few different directions. All of them lead out to different parts of the castle. What will you do now?" Serenity asked. "Will you try to return to your home planet? I might be able to get you close to the transports, but I don't think boarding one will be easy."

"No. We have to see this through." Fighter replied.

"Even if we wanted to, we couldn't." Healer added.

"Demande took some things of ours that we have to get them back. Until we do, there's not much we can do about him. We don't have a choice, we need to find him and get them back. I'm sure he's carrying them on him."

"You say that Fighter," Healer started. "But you said it yourself, 'there's not much we can do about him until we get them back', so how exactly are we supposed to get them back? Tackle him all at once and hope we take him down before we're caught?"

"If we have to."

"Let me help." They all turned to Serenity. "I- I could be a distraction."

"That could work-" "Absolutely not!" Both Healer and Fighter spoke at the same time, and each turned to glare at the other.

"It's the perfect plan!" Healer argued. "She could even lure him out exactly where we want him! Maybe even grab one of our brooches herself!"

"This entire time we've been trying to keep him away from her and now you just want to hand her over to him?!"

"We're not handing her to him! And we'd be right there!"

"Right there and unable to do anything about it! No!"

"Maker!" Healer urged. "Talk some sense into her."

"Look, I don't care if it's between this and walking up to him and saying please, we're not doing it. I'll march right back into that cell until we think of something else."

Maker groaned frustratedly.

"But, I want to help you..."

"You've already done so much, really." Fighter pleaded with her. "I know you can't want to do this. I know he makes you nervous, so please. Listen to your gut, and listen to me. We'll find another way. You need to stay safe. Stay here and wait for Venus. Refuse to leave her or the other Senshi's side after she gets you. That will help us greatly, knowing you're safe."

"Whatever we're doing, we need to go." Maker voiced. "We've already lost time."

"Let's go." Fighter gestured to Healer and Maker as she began to hasten down the passageway. "Serenity, go to Venus as soon as she gets here, okay? We'll see you soon." She turned her back on the princess and took off, not wanting to give Serenity any more room to argue.

Serenity watched as they went, feeling discouraged but knowing Fighter was right. She didn't really want to do it, but she wanted to help as much as she could.

"...ity?" Moments later, she heard a faint female voice from the other side of the wall accompanied by the clanking of armor. "Princess Serenity?!" Venus's hysteric cries sharpened. Serenity waited for her voice to become distant again, knowing she was heading to the cells. She didn't want to give away her secret passage. When she guessed Venus was farther down, she started to push the entrance open, but stopped. Maybe there was another way she could help, something only she could do. But the instant she stepped outside, she'd be giving up any chance to do it. Venus and the others would lock her up so tight she'd never get the chance again. Deciding, Serenity ignored her friend's calls and pulled the entrance shut. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and chased behind the Starlights, determined to find and convince her mother.

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Princess Serenity had never seen the castle in such a state of panic before, and her and the Starlights' recent disappearances didn't quite help. She never caught up to them in the passageway which was exactly what she wanted. She knew they would try and talk her out of it, but she couldn't think of a safer location than with her mother. The issue was finding her.

When she originally asked Venus to speak with her, all Venus said was that she was too busy dealing with the situation. That could mean she was in any number of locations: The Throne Room, the Council Room, any of the smaller conference rooms, the Chamber of Prayer, walking between locations… Her only real break thus far had been her surprising ability to move among the hallways without being seen. All the guards thought she was being held captive by the Starlights. None of them assumed their princess would be sneaking about unaccompanied, hiding behind curtains and statues in busy locations.

Guilt started to seep in a little when she managed to get close enough to the peer inside the Throne Room. She didn't find her mother, but she did find Mercury, Jupiter and Mars, who were clearly distraught at her absence. Remorseful, Serenity left without a word to any of them.

She continued in this fashion for what felt like a lifetime to her, but in reality had been no more than an hour since she emerged from underneath the castle and began her search. She wasn't sure what exactly the Starlights were up to or where they were, other than they were looking for a way to find Demande and take back what was theirs. She hadn't overheard anything from the guards about catching, or even spotting them, which she took as a sign they were still okay. Thinking about it, she never asked exactly how getting back what was taken from them would help, but she trusted them. She just hoped whatever it was could help provide some proof of their innocence. She could only persuade her mother so much.

Currently crouched behind one of the doors to the Council Room, Serenity was waiting for the hall to clear to enter when she was sure she heard her mother's voice. Heart thumping, the princess whipped around the corner as fast as she could, taking shelter behind a giant potted plant near the entry. As she did one of the side doors, which also granted access into the room, shut. Seeing the room was empty, the princess threw caution to the wind and ran to the door not wanting to miss her.

"Mama?" Serenity called as she approached the door. "Mama?" The door swung open, and Serenity dived underneath the table. It wasn't her mother that stepped out, but Prince Demande. Serenity held her breath as the prince stood there, seemingly staring at nothing. "No…" She squeezed her eyes shut as he took a step towards her. "Please not have heard me…"

"Prince Demande." The door swung open again and Serenity saw boots belonging to a castle general. Demande turned from the table to face him, to which she took the opportunity to slide further away. "Sorry, but the queen is not here." Serenity froze, turning her head to listen intently. "I'm not sure where she is at the moment, but with everything happening she likely won't be able to meet with you again today. Forgive us."

"I understand." Demande smiled. "Also," He added. "I believe she mentioned earlier going back to the prayer room, you'll likely find her here. I'll be in my chambers then."

"Yes, thank you." The general bowed before turning on his heel and walking back through the side door, leaving Demande alone in the room with Serenity once again. She stared on, waiting and imagining what she would do or say if he bent down and saw her hiding there. But just a second of worry later, he walked out of the room without hesitation. Serenity sighed in relief.

"I was sure he heard me." "The prayer room… so Mama's at the Chamber of Prayer." Feeling extremely lucky, Serenity crawled back the way she came. Her heart was thumping again in anticipation. She now had a solid lead on where her mother was, she just hoped she was still there when she arrived. Though Serenity wasn't sure how she was going to get into that room. After the breach, it was likely more heavily guarded than ever before, especially with the news that the Starlights were free. No amount of ducking behind plants or slithering behind curtains would get her far if it was as she expected. If the guards caught her, she could always call out for her mother and she would come, if she was there. If not, she would be handing herself over, giving up her only real chance to help the Starlights further.

A few minutes after leaving the Council Room, Serenity reached the hallway she needed. Bracing for the worst scenario, she peeked around the corner and was stunned. There was nothing. Not a single guard was patrolling the corridor leading to the Chamber of Prayer. "What?" The princess stood up, exposing herself as she leaned around the corner to get a better look. Still nothing. Checking behind her to make sure no one was coming up that way, Serenity stepped around and started to walk down the center of the hall. Not only were there no guards in sight, but the doors to the Chamber of Prayer were still wide open. Giving the occasional glance over her shoulder, Serenity approached them. "Mama?" She called out gently. She peeked inside the room, curious. Even she had never been inside this particular part of the castle. Just outside the door frame, Serenity stepped forward to enter. "Mama?"

"Hello, Princess."

Serenity whirled around to see the cold violet eyes of Prince Demande. He smirked at her, just a few feet from where she stood. The princess hunched her shoulders inward, like an animal curling it on itself for protection. "My mother, where is she?" Demande's smile became more wild.

"Not here." He said. "But, it seems I was correct in assuming you were looking for her, yes?"

"You did hear me." She thought back to the Council Room.

"I was looking for the queen but, how lucky I was to have found you instead. I knew you'd come if you thought your mother was here."

"You lead me here? Why?"

"Because Princess, you are going to help me get something."

Serenity glanced behind her. She couldn't run past him, but if she could step backwards just enough and enter without him...

"Oh, I don't think so." Serenity felt her body lock as Demande raised his hand.

"What?!"

"You won't be going into that room without me."

"It was you who tried getting in earlier!" The princess said through gritted teeth, trying to resist his control to no avail.

"I see you've been talking to those girls. I figured as much when they said you'd disappeared. I'm surprised they didn't try to lock you away, especially the black haired one."

"But why?" Serenity grunted, still trying to regain some control. "Why go through all of this? Surely if we just talked, my mother- our kingdom could help you with whatever- ah!"

Demande raised his hand higher, causing Serenity's body to thrust forward and crash into his. She yelled in surprise as she was lurched from where she stood. Demande reached out and caught her around the waist, his other hand wrapping around the back of her head. "Talking?" He snarled. "You think you can solve everything with talking, even now. How naive you'll always be." He bore down into her eyes, knowing his anger was lost on the wide-eyed terrified girl gawking back at him. "No… the time for talking has long been over." He dug his fingers into the back of her hair, pulling her face to his. "Now... you'll give my people and I what we deserve," He forced his lips to hers, pressing in as hard as he could before coming up for air. "Serenity."

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"This is stupid." Healer complained. "We've been sneaking around like thieves for what has to be well over an hour now, with no real plan and no luck anyway."

"That's because we are thieves supposedly, remember?" Maker plopped to the ground with the others, closing her eyes and crossing her arms and legs. "You're right though, we're not getting anywhere like this. We can't search every room."

"We should have taken Serenity's help." Healer scowled at Fighter, who had her back to them but glared over her shoulder without retorting. "I'm assuming that's why you told her about Demande, you thought she'd help us?"

"I was counting on it, yeah." Marker replied. "I didn't have much to give her without being too honest but, I was banking on her wanting to help us anyway, and I was right."

"You wanted her to volunteer herself?" Fighter rounded on Maker.

"I didn't argue when you opposed, so don't get upset again." Maker responded. "But yes, I was hoping she would and that a part of you would see it as the best plan we could come up with. I was, in fact, an idiot for thinking that. I get it."

"Damn right you were."

"Yeah, well now look at us Fighter." Healer argued. "This is pathetic. We have to do something else."

"I might have an idea." Fighter turned around so she was facing the others. "There might be another way to lure Demande out. He wants in that prayer room, right?"

The others nodded. "Yeah…"

"So if we cause some mayhem near there, it'll likely draw him there."

"Mayhem? Like what?"

"What if we set off the alarm again? Cause a scene? Anything."

"That's a big risk, Fighter!" Healer exclaimed.

"I'll say! Go back to the scene of the crime?" Maker complained. "Appear to try and break in twice, if we can even get near those doors again? And then what if he doesn't come, or he does and we're already stampeded by guards?"

"Neither of you have come up with anything else. We're either doing this or we go back to skulking around these corridors, searching room by room."

"I take it back." Healer said briskly. "This is stupid."

Fighter tried to reason. "Look, we're close by and we should check around there anyway. Let's at least head that way and scope out the area, then we can decide. No harm in that, right?"

Maker shook her head. "Let's just go."

"Tch." Healer scowled as they continued to walk. "If we had our power, a diversion would be a lot easier, and safer."

"If we had our powers," Maker began as they tiptoed around a corner. "We wouldn't need to be doing this at all-"

Their surroundings shook at the same time a giant echoing boom assaulted their ears. They held out their arms for balance as the floor momentarily rocked beneath their feet and particles of ceiling rained down over their heads.

"What the heck was that?!"

"An explosion?!"

"... It came from that way." Healer pointed down the direction they were heading.

"The Chamber of Prayer?"

"Not good!" Fighter ran full force, abandoning any means to try and hide herself.

Maker called after her but gave up the instant she'd finished. "Forget it, c'mon." She motioned to Healer and the both of them sprinted after her. As they ran Maker glanced to both sides of her, then behind her, and back in front of her. "Hey." She huffed beside Healer. "Have you noticed-"

"That there's absolutely no guards anywhere near here?" Healer lowered her eyes. "Yeah… I don't like this." Not a second after she said it, Maker and Healer caught up with Fighter who had stopped at the corner of the corridor leading down to the Chamber of Prayer. The Starlight stood motionless, completely captivated as she stared up into the distance above her. "Fighter, what-" But Healer needn't finish her question.

Fighter and the others were looking directly up into the sky. Where there should have been ceiling was nothing. It was as if a bomb had gone off. Not only was a massive section of the ceiling missing, but parts of the walls and pillars had crumbled as well. The Starlights silently stepped over the ruble and entered what was once the entrance to the Chamber of Prayer, surveying the damage around them as they went. A giant crystal tower that stood in the middle of the room was still intact, as well as a pedestal that contained a sword. But there was another pedestal on the other side of the tower that stood empty.

"Here." Maker said walking up to it. "It's gone."

"We're too late. Demande not only has our brooches and two time keys, but now the Silver Crystal!" Healer kicked a piece of rubble in frustration.

"But," Maker turned to look at Fighter. "How did he get in?"

"Hold it right there!" Before Fighter could begin to speculate, Sailor Venus's voice called out from behind them. She wasn't alone; Sailor's Mars, Mercury and Jupiter stood by her side, their bodies stanced for a fight. Their expressions were either that of shock or anger at the sight before them. Venus wore anger. "You're going to pay for all of this!"

"We didn't do this!" Healer shouted back, bracing herself as well.

"We welcomed you with open arms and this is how you repay our kingdom?!" Jupiter yelled. "Why?!"

Maker stepped away from the pedestal and walked next to Healer. "If you would listen to us, we can explain."

"Hey-"

"Explain?!" Mars grieved "How can you possibly explain why you'd do something like this?!"

"Hey!"

"Because we told you!" Healer shouted again. "We didn't do this! But we can tell you who did!"

"How convenient!"

"HEY!" Fighter bellowed as loudly as she could. Everyone went silent and stared at her. "Where is Serenity?" Fighter felt herself begin to panic as she directed the question to Venus. The Senshi stared quizzically back at her. "Where is she?! WHY AREN'T YOU WITH HER?!"

Sailor Venus gave Fighter a mean glare. "Don't play games with me." She growled. "That was going to be my question for you! I know she went to help you escape! What did you do with her!?" Mars held back Venus's arm as she screamed the last part.

"No…NO!" Fighter turned to run, where she didn't know. It didn't matter. The ground beneath them erupted to life. They were thrown from their feet, their bodies violently slammed against the marble floor. There wasn't anything to hold on to as the Moon continued to quake. Debris shot down at their heads, and soon, what was left of the ceiling collapsed entirely. "LOOK OUT!" There was no real time to react. All anyone could do was cover their heads and make themselves as small as possible. The ceiling collapsed in a giant booming dust cloud, taking more of the walls and pillars with it. Fighter coughed uncontrollably from underneath the debris. She couldn't see or hardly breathe, but she could feel sensation in the rest of her body. That was good. "Healer!" She choked, still blind. "Maker?!"

"Fine!" "Yeah." They both coughed back.

The dust settled enough for Fighter to make out what was pinning her. Part of a pillar had fallen across her legs. She sat up, chucking large chunks of rubble off her body before heaving the pillar off. Free, she assessed the damage to her legs, which would surely be sore and bruised but not broken. After assessing herself, Fighter turned to check on the Sailor Senshi. They were in rough condition but alive and moving, also coughing and tossing pieces of the castle off of them. She turned back to Healer and Maker, and that's when she saw it. "Gasp." In the center of the Chamber of Prayer, where the Crystal Tower had been just seconds before, now stood a black monument like megalith.

"What the hell is that…" Healer inhaled sharply.

"I saw the same, in Crystal Tokyo." Fighter swallowed. She shakily rose to her feet, her gaze locked on to it. "Demande's finally attacking the Moon Kingdom." She tore her gaze from the black crystal and instinctively scanned above her. "Demande!" She exclaimed. "Stop hiding and show yourself!"

"Heh, I'm not hiding." Demande's laugh reverberated around them. Black wind circled in on itself near the center of the black crystal and then evaporated, leaving behind Prince Demande floating in the center. He held The Imperium Silver Crystal in one hand, and an unconscious Princess Serenity slumped in his other arm. "I'm right here."

"Serenity!" Fighter cried, her fears confirmed.

"Serenity!" Her calls were echoed by the Senshi beside her.

"Release her or else!" Fighter commanded.

The prince chuckled coolly. "Empty threats, from someone who can't even transform."

"Transform?" Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury all turned to look at Fighter.

"What are you doing?" She rounded on them, while also momentarily deflecting their upcoming questions. "The person who did all this is right in front of you! Take him down!"

"W-we can't!" Jupiter hesitated. "We might hit Serenity!"

"Serenity! Serenity!"

"Serenity!"

"Wake up! Serenity!"

It was working, the princess started stirring in the prince's arms. She groaned as she sluggishly blinked herself awake, looking down and seeing her disheveled friends staring back up at her from far below. Realizing what she was seeing, and the last thing she remembered, the princess gasped and twisted around only to stare directly at Prince Demande.

"Good morning" Demande grinned.

"No!" Serenity started to thrash against his grip. "Let me go! You already got what you wanted! Ow!"

Demande tightened his grip around her. Squeezing his arm against her chest he then roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her look at him. "I don't think so. You see, the Silver Crystal wasn't the only thing I wanted." He moved his face in even closer, his breath hot on her skin as he spoke. "You're mine now."

"Never!" Fighter hollered, fists clenched.

A black wind enveloped Demande and Serenity once more, only this time it shot out from around them and expanded outward, overtaking the entire area. The continuous gust knocked the Senshi and the Starlights to their knees, too powerful to stand against. Fighter grunted, grabbing on to the pillar for support that had previously pinned her, trying not to be blown away by the force of it.

"Seren-ity!" Fighter yelled, peering over the arm she was using to shield her face. She looked up at Demande's distorted white figure. His… white figure… Fighter's breath caught in her throat. "My nightmare…" She could barely speak above a whisper. "... it can't be…"

"HAHAHAHAHA! Sailor Senshi!" Demande roared. "You are powerless. Come, try to take back what you can, and fail!"

"It can't be true…"

"Fighter!" Healer noticed Fighter slump over. "Fighter! What's wrong?!"

"It was a warning. A warning to stay away, and I ignored it… This is my fault. Everything is my fault..."

"Fighter!?"

"Eiyahh!" Serenity screamed as Demande readjusted his grip on her, causing Fighter to look back up at the pair of them. "Please!" Serenity choked under his hold, the wind whipping her about. "Save me!"

Fighter's face went white. "This… is all my fault!"

Authors Note:
Who would have thought this is where we would all be in the year 2020. At least quarantine has allowed much of us to start writing and drawing again, you know, once you get past the crippling anxiety. I hope you enjoyed this update, if you've been with me since the conception of this fanfiction thank you so much. My mind was a little blown when I looked at the original publish date. This chapter got long on me fast, so I'll say the same thing I said the previous chapter in that I expect one more, but it could become two if it gets too lengthy. This has been my favorite fanfiction to write, and I'll be both sad and feel accomplished when it finally ends. Until then, be safe. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and don't go out recklessly. We all want this to end, but it never will if we keep pretending everything it normal. Stay home and save a life, and if you live in the U.S, please vote this coming November like your life depends on it, because well, it does. Hopefully we'll all still be around long enough for me to finally finish this story. Take care!