Hey! Here's Chapter 8. Great things come to those who wait.

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Labyrinth Square

Chapter 8

By Phoenix Cubed

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Tall flower wilting
Pretty petal fall
Push yourself up quickly
Or heed to gravity's call




Cool air rode underground currents of wind, lifting Darien's cape and
ruffling his short, ebony locks of hair. As the great Tuxedo Mask, he
was calm and collected. A silent shadow ready to envelop and
protect the bright star held so close to his heart. But beneath his
dark exterior was a thoughtful, young human; insecure and unsure
about the world around him-past, present, and future. How many
months had it been since he had first donned his formal disguise?
How many weeks had it been since he realized that it was his blue
eyes that gazed out from behind the white mask? Wasn't his life
difficult enough with a full time job of looking after his interests and
searching for his past while trying to balance out a quasi-normal
social existence of college and career hunting?

And now this. Trapped in a maze with a girl he would trust with his
very soul and a girl who he couldn't imagine trusting as an overnight
sitter for a goldfish. It just couldn't be possible that they were the
same people. Yet they were. Darien blew out a frustrated sigh. The
concept felt wrong. Serena was an innocent, not a warrior, and
Sailor Moon was graceful and sure, unlike cute, klutzy little Meatball
Head.

The masked man shook his head, fighting off unthinkable concepts.
It was neck and neck as to which thought was worse: that Serena
was actually Sailor Moon; or that, deep down, he was pleased that
they were the same people. Not just pleasure though, it was
almost...joy.

There, that was it. He was * happy * that Serena was Sailor Moon.
The secret battle that his heart raged without him was now at an end.
He no longer had to choose between the valiant warrior that fought to
protect the world's goodness or the girl that had wormed her way
past his heart's strong defenses with her charming smile and brilliant,
life-filled laugh.

And now that the decision was made, fear swept alongside his joy.
Now that many of the obstacles had been eliminated, there was no
longer a reason to keep his distance. Tuxedo Mask had to keep
himself separated from the scouts, it was like an unspoken rule.
Besides, there were times that the Sailor Scouts' ideals had collided
with his own, creating a tension that had recently built to breaking
point. Dreams of a princess in need and a powerful crystal that could
solve all his problems haunted his sleep night after night, giving him
no rest. So he had, in great desperation, struck out on an intense
mission to find the crystal. Only to find that so had the scouts, and
with as much determination as he.

And so the storm had grown.

As to what would happen now though was as random and unpredictable
as a coin toss using a coin with a hundred different sides. After
their battle and Serena's little quip, they had entered the second
area of the maze; uncharted territory to the scouts. They had
haphazardly traveled through the labyrinth for a time before they had
stopped to rest in a secluded dead end. It was plain that the Scouts
were in sore need of a breather. But while they rested, something
had made him restless. And so he had announced, in his usual,
charming manner, that he was going to scout ahead for possible
routes.

Which brought Darien back to the present, walking about in aimless
circles, searching for directions for so many things. And betwixt the
vine-encased walls and mindless thoughts, he had found none.

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~ Zoicite! ~ The mental call was loud and clear, echoing off every
cavern and crevice within the general's mind.

"My Queen?" Zoicite answered back, stopping in her tracks and
consequently halting the small army at her back.

~ We have developed a plan of action. You are to wait to wait where
you are until Rubeus reaches you. ~

The order took her by surprise. "But Queen Beryl, why?" Why
should she wait for that bungling carrot top?

~ Do not presume to question me! The prince and I have devised a
strategy, and that is all you need know! Now do as I say! ~

Zoicite sighed in resignation. "Yes, my queen."

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Luna carefully picked her way among the rocks and strange scents,
seeking out a path amongst the crumbling debris. Pausing, she took
a brief sample of the air, and continued on, as Tuxedo Mask was not
too far ahead of her. After his announcement, she had watched him
leave in silence, and then after double checking her charges'
conditions, she had gone after him. Knowing that if she didn't, Sailor
Moon would. Besides, she had been meaning for a while now to
confront the masked stranger alone. She had been doing a great deal
of thinking lately, and much of it had included him.

Rounding a corner, she was just in time to see a crimson flicker
before it vanished down a hallway turn. Lengthening her stride, her
four paws moved to catch of to the striding bipedal.

"Tuxedo Mask, wait for a moment please. I'd like to have a word
with you, if you would be so kind."

At first, Darien didn't see the owner of the dignified voice addressing
him. Then there was a polite cough coming from the vicinity of the
floor, and he looked down, way down, to see the Sailor Scouts'
darker guardian gazing up at him with the majesty and elegance
possessed of every feline. In other words-she was looking down
upon him from her cloud-lined pedestal.

Ignoring her look, Tuxedo Mask kneeled down beside the violet tinted
black cat. "Yes, Luna?"

Luna couldn't help it, she pressed her whiskers forward and curled
her lips back into a smile. "I've always found it remarkable how well
you accepted the concept of a talking cat. But then, I've found many
things about you to be remarkable."

Tuxedo Mask had a feeling he knew where the conversation was
going, but he kept quiet and motioned for the feline to continue,
knowing full well she would anyway.

"For instance, your perpetual habit of assisting us, no matter how
much it may conflict with your interests; and trust me, I do know that
often it has. I've seen you in the shadows, troubled thoughts battling
across your face. You're always trying to hide-"

Darien began to protest, but Luna cut him off. "Don't deny what you
cannot perceive the existence of. You are lost, Tuxedo Mask. A
half-formed soul that has been running its whole life, searching for
completion."

Anger was slowly forming to boil within Darien's quiet self. "And how
would you know, little kitty, of the workings of me and what I do."

"I know because I am a cat, and not confined by a human's reckless
habits and undisciplined nature. I know because I have the patience
to crouch unmoving in a field of grass for hours on end, waiting for
the mouse to finally emerge from its hole, where as you would simply
go to the store. I know because I have not forgotten my instincts,
and I know when something is not right, and needs correction. And
you Darien, are in need of correction."

Slightly humbled, Tuxedo Mask allowed some amusement to drip into
his voice, "And do you plan on fixing me, Luna?"

"Of course not." Luna crooked on ear back and lofted her head; "I
plan to complete you."

The man laughed softly, "how are you figuring to do that?"

Both ears went back and Luna hissed, "by calling you a fool and telling
you to open your eyes. We don't have much time Darien, and these games
all of you play are becoming tiresome. Beating around the bush will not
earn you the rabbit that hides within it. If you don't move fast, you're
going to lose this game and the half you haven't even realized you've
found yet."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your princess! Think Darien! Why have you
helped us all this time? Why did you help Serena fight off the
monsters and retrieve her brooch? Think, how are you able to get
through this maze so well?" The lunar guardian's voice sank low,
near to a growl, then rose into a pleading, desperate octave. "The
Labyrinth, Darien, remember the Labyrinth. Please don't tell us that
you've forgotten the locket, or that last night on the moon. For your
princess, for Serena, your sweet Sailor Moon. Please Darien, you
must remember!"

"Remember..." Confused, Darien rocked back on his heels, allowing the
palms of his hands to support his weight behind him. What was Luna
talking about?

And then, softly on the breeze, a sweet melody drifted to him and
caressed his ears before slowly entering his mind and embracing the
heavy fog that dwelled within him. It was a simple tune, soft and
repetitive. But wherever it took hold and touched the fog, the heavy
mists would disperse, and suddenly, he could see-and remember.

It was all so clear, and becoming more so with every note struck.
Endless waltzes performed under the eternal nights of the lunar
skies; a golden haired angel dancing in his arms; a locket, a maze, a
crystal, and a--

A steel tipped rose appeared in his hand and sailed out so quickly
Darien hardly had time to think. But as he pushed himself into a
fighting stance and formed another rose to rest between his fingers,
he realized he didn't need to. Even within the still hazy depths of his
brain he knew the evil lying in wait within the unsteady light of the
ever-deepening maze.

"-Diamond, still creeping around in the coward's light?"

A lithe figure dwelt quietly in the half-light of the maze, his eyes as
cool as the snow tinted hair that fell over them. "Prince Darien, I'm
delighted that you remember me. Still tossing about those mutated
rejects from your terran garden, I see."

"From the looks of your shoulder, I'd say it's a bit more than a toss."

Reaching up a delicate finger, Diamond felt the tip of his ear. A warm
liquid trickled slowly down the intricate curves of his lobe before
dropping down and pooling on his fine white suit a darkening
crimson. The white prince gave the ever ready Tuxedo Mask an amused
glance. "Always with the first blow. I see you haven't changed much.
It has never ceased to amaze me how our delicate Serenity could have
fallen for such an uncouth barbarian as you."

Luna hissed, her fur standing high on her back. Darien glanced
down for the briefest of moments before standing tall and nudging the
feline guardian carefully behind him. "Leave Serena out of this,
Diamond, this is between you and me."

For a moment, Diamond stood quietly, and then he looked at the dark
prince and shook his head. "No, no longer, Earth Protector. It might
have been once, when the true Labyrinth existed, but too many things
have changed, and too many things are about to change to say that it
is still between you and I alone. The days of courtiers and suitors
are gone. Where clever anecdotes would earn you a place by the Queen;
and royalty such as us could properly duel for the hearts of our fair
ladies."

"You were banished because you weren't properly playing by the
rules!"

"Wrong! I was banished because I saw the changing times, and
evolved with them. I was exiled from your white moon and Silver
Millennium because I knew Beryl was coming, and was properly
preparing for it. But you, you were content to live in ignorance, and
you paid the ultimate price. You failed, oh mighty Prince Endymion,
your Princess Serenity is dead. What you seek now is a dream, a
memory of old. Can you be content with that? You live in the
shadows, but can you hold one, love one? Of course not. I tried,
now look at me; allying myself with the snake queen for one final
chance at a future I wanted so desperately that my life became only
the shadows of what could have been. Step aside Prince of Earth,
and let me assume your position at her side, before you become
what I am now."

"I won't do that." Darien cocked his head slowly, then removed his
top hat. "Serenity is dead, but then, so am I. I can live though,
because I know that, though there is only a memory of what once
was her, there is also the memory of what was once me-there was
never a once you. She and I have survived death and rebirth, and
have almost found each other again." The suit he wore fell away and
the mask fluttered quietly to the ground. Where Tuxedo Mask once
stood now held Darien as a prince. Tall and proud, he was ever
ready with a crimson rose. "I can be satisfied. We are a memory, a
shadow, and also a future. But most importantly, we are together,
whatever tomorrow may bring us."

Diamond sneered, "you wax fine words when you're alone, but will
Princess Serenity feel the same?"

"We'll talk."

"Ah, but can you talk to someone who's not there?"

"What? What have you done, Diamond!"

"As of now, nothing. But that can easily change. Cooperate, Darien,
and our lady love shall stay far away from this ugly contention."

Darien growled and Luna hissed; this was not going well. "What do
you have in mind?"

"A rematch. I contest the way the world has developed all these years.
I despise what has become. And I contest the results of our last foray
and demand one more chance. We shall pretend that this twisted plot still
involves only you and me, and we'll finish it exactly that way. There will
be no interruptions this time, Terran."

Darien's fingers played about the hilt of his sword, balancing
Diamond's words in his mind. After a moment, he looked up. "Deal,"
he responded, "a rematch. Same rules--"

"--Same game." The white prince sneered and finished the earthen
protector's words. "I know this far too well."

"First to the center of the maze wins. All out, no cheating, no outside
help."

Diamond threw his hands out wide, his icy cape billowing in his self
made wind. "We dance as we did before. Just you, me, and a
hundred thousand twists and turns."

"Serena stays out of this. Any harm to her and the game is off."

"My dear prince," Diamond replied, bowing. "If the beautiful Serenity
is at all harmed, I shall forfeit entirely, and you will enjoy the position
of the victor."

Surprise could not begin to describe the emotion that ran through
Darien. Nevertheless, he was in enemy territory, and his expression
hardly changed. "That's very ... generous of you."

"We are of noble blood are we not? It is our place to be generous."

Darien smirked and his hands clenched in a battle ready position. "I'll
remember that. When do we start?"

"To be fair, it shall take me some time to find an area equidistant to
where you are from the Labyrinth's center. Shall we say, when the
ancient clock chimes its final hour?"

Darien nodded, "fair enough."

"Excellent. I knew this could be settled civilly." Diamond drifted off
the floor and began to fade away. "Farewell, Darien, when the final
hour strikes. Until then, don't get lost."

With the white prince disappeared with his laughter echoing down the
stony halls. Still spitting out insults, Luna slowly lowered her hackles
and smoothed her coat. "Well," she said, licking her paws, "that was
most interesting. I can't believe you agreed to that. Really, Tuxedo
Mask, I thought you would have more sense than that."

Darien's position had hardly relaxed, and his elevated mood was not
helped any by the feline guardian's impertinent reprimand. He could
see now why Serena was always rolling her eyes; it was a very hard
reaction to fight. He was very proud of himself when he was able to
kneel down and tickle Luna beneath her chin, catching the dignified
confidante off guard and inciting a pleased meow from her vocal
cords. "It'll be all right, Luna. As far as I can see, this is the
only way to see Serena safely through this maze, along with the rest
of the scouts."

"But Darien, this is Diamond, remember, and--"

The dark prince smiled, "and he's the back stabbing soul of chivalry.
Yes, I remember. Now that he's with Beryl, there's no telling what
will happen, but he's given us an opening that we can't afford to
shut."

Luna sighed, "this job was so much easier when she was nothing but
a donut-eating Meatball Head."

The terran laughed softly and stood up. "Go back to the Meatball
Head, Luna. Tell her what's happening and try to lead her
somewhere safe until she gets her memories back as well. I'm going
to finish this once and for all with Diamond."

The cat nodded and turned to go. "Right. Good luck Darien."

He nodded, then himself turned, but stopped and called after the
feline. "Luna!"

Curious, she stopped. Flicking her tail in curiosity, she cocked her
whiskered face at the prince. "Yes?"

"Tell-tell Serena that I'm sorry, and, I hope to see her again very
soon."

Luna's sharp eyes softened considerable as she looked at the
fumbling man before her. Pressing her whiskers forward, she smiled.
"I'll do that."

Darien breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, "thanks. It means a lot
to me."

"I know." The cat scampered off, and Darien headed into the heart of
the infamous Labyrinth Square.

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