_____________Chapter 6_____________
Hope, Eternal
".promise me, that you'll never forget."
Something told Sailor Moon she had missed something. Before the gray mist and the tunneling darkness cleared, she had the distinct feeling she'd passed right by something or someone in the dark that was important. Like walking home in a daydreamy daze only to realize she'd walked right by her house without seeing it. Except she didn't know what it was she'd missed this time.
The thick fog that diffused the light slowly dissipated but the light remained weak. A gentle darkness embraced the group, settling them into a room full of silvered navies and grayed whites. The chamber was round and massive, the walls of glass revealed a black world with a huge ivory moon gleaming on the sharp angles of fallen buildings in a smoke-hazed city. The center of the dark room was pierced by a light so bright it was almost solid, spotlighting a sharp, glinting object.
Sailor Moon thought it was Venus who gasped first, Tuxedo Mask squeezed her hand tighter as everyone realized what had caught the Scout of Love's attention. Between them and a crystal pedestal with quartz spears growing out of it, stood three men. One was in a tux and cape identical to Tuxedo Mask's but lavender and with more medals. Behind him, closer to the crystal formation, the other two looked up, caught by surprise. Sailor Moon watched with a sensitive perception only she seemed to have as their sorrow and upset confusion fell away to shock and a set determination to defend.
Around her, she felt her own Scouts and protector ease into the same defensive stance, the twins being forced behind them. They saw only the determination to fight and were thus ready to protect their leader and the children. The strange tuxedoed man stood confused for about half a moment before a shaky smile broke his solemn features.
Sailor Moon felt numb to see him smile like that. Like his whole life had been taken from him and was suddenly returned.
Then everything happened so fast- she heard the whimpering sobs of the twins behind her at the same time shouts broke the stunned silence from further behind her. The two girls rushed past her, before she could stop them, running straight for the purple tux guy, crying, and her Scouts whirled to face the new threat behind them. Tux stayed facing the three men before them as Sailor Moon launched herself after her children- she didn't give her boyfriend a chance to stop her- it was pure instinct and she'd moved before *she'd* even realized it.
"*Daddy*!" Rini and Irene cried out, suddenly stopping short of him- Sailor Moon almost tripped right over them, snatching both up and kneeling protectively over them, holding them close so they couldn't escape her again. Her back was to the enemy, she expected an attack at any moment-
"King!" "Sailor Moon?!" "Papa!" "Serenity . . ."
The cries went up like a stadium exploding in noise, echoing in the round chamber. Her daughters were still weeping in her arms, sobbing for their father. Her own Scouts were moving in, calling for her like Tux was but they moved more slowly as the enemies they glared at hailed their 'King'.
Behind her, Sailor Moon heard the man whisper her name, the men behind him shuffling uneasily.
Sailor Moon squinted her eyes open, seeing Tuxedo Mask freeze in mid-step, his hands raising slowly. She peeked over her shoulder to see his mirrored figure carefully, uneasily inch toward her. 'Why am I frightened of him?' The thought struck her as absurd- she knew this man better than he knew himself, he was a piece of her own soul; now more lost and alone than ever-
How did she know all this?!
"Lady, Small Lady . . ." He whispered, dropping to his knees.
Rini and Irene struggled to break free of her grip and seeing the tears behind his mask, Sailor Moon let them go to him. "Daddy!" They screamed together as they raced to his side, but neither girl tried to touch him. He tried to comfort them but without being able to hold them it was heart- breakingly difficult.
Tuxedo Mask caught up to Sailor Moon, helping her to her feet as they watched *their* children call another man their father. Tux left his hand on her shoulder as they stood there, watching, not knowing what to do or feel or how to react-
"I know him . . ." Sailor Moon whispered to herself. Tuxedo Mask glanced down at her. She felt his uncertainty like a breath of cool air on her neck. "I know you." She stated louder. Behind them, the Scouts parted to either side as someone called out in a voice distinctly similar to Rei's at her most commanding.
"All right, kids, out of the way." As confused as she and Tuxedo Mask were, the stunned Scouts actually parted, allowing their enemy direct line of sight to their leader. Sailor Moon slowly looked over her shoulder, unsure and a little frightened of what surprise she might find. Her little girls were crying and she couldn't hold them and it was getting her started. She didn't know what was going on, who these people were though some part of her did and it made her feel weird and forgetful.
The steady, self-assured clicking of high-heeled shoes behind her abruptly halted, the same sure voice suddenly stuttered, "P-Princess?"
"Sailor Moon?!" The words were echoed by the four women standing there, the four Scouts of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
"Is it really you?" Venus whispered.
"Of course, only Meatball head could look *that* pathetic." Sailor Mars reminded the older Scouts. The younger Mars bristled.
"Hey! Only I can pick on her like that." The older Scout rolled her eyes and the other's face dropped as she'd realized what she just said to herself.
"It's- It's been so long, Sailor Moon . . ." They were Lita, Mina, Raye, and Ami, never a doubt in Sailor Moon's mind, only older, just like . . . She twisted back to face the man talking to her two girls. Just like-
"Endy . . ?" She whispered. The man raised his cerulean eyes, meeting her searching gaze, but at the same moment, Tuxedo Mask had looked down on her, their expressions were identical, responding at the same moment in the same manner.
Her Scouts came around her, seeing the man she spoke to. "Sailor Moon? _Serina?_"
It was Darien, Endymion- *King* Endymion, the one who was her twins' real, true father. Behind him, the two men dropped to one knee. Behind Sailor Moon's group, the future Sailor Scouts walked around them, giving them a wide berth as they moved to stand beside their king. They too, then knelt in reverence to her.
"Oh, please, don't do that-" She pulled away from Tux and stepped up to the king. She paused, blinking several times before she realized it wasn't her eyes- she really could *see* _through_ him.
The man bowed his violet head. "Serenity, it's-" He took a shaky breath before meeting her eyes again. "Thank you for bringing my daughters back to me. I've missed my family since they have each been taken from me." He stood, the girls to each side of him, tears drying on their faces as they stared up at Sailor Moon.
"We had no choice if we were going to help you and- *me* . . ." As she spoke, her eyes drifted behind him to find that crystal coffin she dreamed of so many times, that she'd been trapped in once all ready. After that, no amount of distraction could pull her attention from the trance the woman within created between them. Her eyes saw nothing else, her thoughts heard no other-
"*Serina* . . ." Sailor Mars, the younger one, growled. The blonde didn't hear her, only walked passed her scout.
"Sailor Moon-" Tux began, taking a step forward but the king stopped him.
"Serenity is . . . _busy_. You know better than to disturb her, young prince." He said gravely. Tux had a look on his face that said, no, he didn't know better and he certainly *would* disturb her if she let anything happen to herself.
Sailor Moon moved past her daughters and their father, both Tuxedo Mask and her future husband, and the two unnamed men that still knelt beside the queen.
"My queen," They murmured, their heads down and eyes averted, as she paused. She ignored them and continued staring vacantly into the crystal.
She slowly blinked and raised a hesitant hand to the crystal facets. 'Yes, Serenity?' Sailor Moon thought. The voice came from so far away, right beneath her fingertips. So small and hollow, the tinkling of chimes echoed in that voice, light, warm as sunshine but pure and clear as the moon, filled her mind.
Her finger grazed the slick, smooth surface. It was so cold she snatched back her hand as if bitten. It was like a pane of frozen glass, slippery but dry. The strange chill that stood between them sliced her mind with ice, like Zoycite's spears. For a moment it kept Serenity away from Sailor Moon. She forced herself to press her fingers, then palm against the facet. Suddenly she felt a golden, tingling warmth spread through her like a shower of warm water and the ice wall was gone. __________________________
Outside and beyond her, the others gathered to watch a miracle- if this angel could pull it off. It's what they prayed for. This was what they'd come here for, this is what the Rini had run away to the past to do. To bring back Sailor Moon so she could do this- smash this rock and wake up the queen inside.
The Scouts of past and present held their positions, knowing all they could do was watch, praying for the power of the moon to aid their leaders. There was nothing more they could do if Sailor Moon couldn't do this. The two young men, unknown to the younger scouts and enemies to the elder, bowed their heads and stood sadly silent beside the king.
As they looked on, Sailor Moon touched the crystal wall of the coffin, it flared and she gasped, pulling back her hand as if it had burned her. Tux started forward again but the King held him back.
Suddenly, just like King Endymion, the girl became a shadow. Only the outline of her body and a tinting of color remained. But before her-
Stood the silhouette of Neo Queen Serenity. __________________________ "Nothing like the direct approach."
Tentatively, Sailor Moon reached again, and this time the queen's hand softly grasped hers. Sailor Moon's hand shook as she forced herself to hang on to the queen as the magic flashed once more then flowed up her arm in a slow, icy wave. Her uniform melted away in the ripple of white and silver fire, her princess gown drifted from golden moondust in its place. Her crescent glowed, pearls shimmering into her hair. The entire time, she never moved, never made a sound. Tux and Endy had to look hard to even see her breathing.
'Thank you for helping me, Princess.' Princess Serenity's eyes finally focused on the queen standing before her once more. She dropped her hand now that it was safe and looked around. It was the same as before, the younger Serenity once more stood in a hall of crystal in her princess dress.
'I have returned your children, Serenity, but I fear Endymion is still hurt and I do not know how to break this prison and set you free.'
'You've come this far, and for that, I thank you. You've proven yourself beyond Mother's expectations and our own, haven't you?' The princess did not look convinced and tilted her head, raising a brow questioningly. Neo Queen Serenity sighed, remembering that she was dealing with her younger, impatient-to-aid-others self, not a diplomat or dignitary. 'Now that the battle is over, Mercury can heal Endy. I do not fear for him.'
'But how can I free *you*? Do you not know?'
'The Silver Imperium Crystal will have enough power to shatter this stone and wake my body . . .'
'But . . ?'
'You alone, cannot do it. While you have the strength and will to control your own crystal, you need the Silver Crystal of my time to activate yours here in the future. Your crystal will not work here without the permission of mine.' The princess gave Serenity a confused, annoyed look. She didn't understand and the queen's ambiguity was the reason why.
'They are the same crystal.'
'Only one Silver Crystal can exist at once. Only one will have power in this time a thousand years removed from your own and it is mine. You must- 'turn off' mine and 'turn on' yours. I cannot explain it any other way. You need my crystal first.'
'Then, where is your crystal? Why did Endy not use it in the first place?'
'Because *he* did not have it . . .' A light began to glow behind Princess Serenity, casting a shadow over her and illuminating the queen. She suddenly understood. She slowly turned, facing a pinpoint of brilliance behind her that grew brighter and brighter. __________________________
Princess Serenity shined, radiating a silver-white light, a softer, golden light reflecting off her from behind. She turned to the group slowly as if she were a ghost floating between worlds, her arm raising and hand offered. Her body shimmered, her deep blue, entranced and vacant eyes glittered as she stared at, through, and into the cinnamon eyes of Rini.
Endy looked down on his daughter, chosen by the moon princess and moved as if to push her forward. He couldn't touch her and she seemed so caught up in Serenity's kind, imploring stare that she didn't even notice him. "Go to her, Small Lady." Rini nodded as if hypnotized and walked forward, careful and deliberate as a sleepwalker. She reached up to Serenity's hand and reverently took it.
The shimmer that slid through the princess flowed into the little girl as well. The pearly light rolled through her, her silken white princess gown flowing in its wake.
Princess Serenity drew the little princess close to her, hugging her tightly to her side. A solid star of light rose from the child's chest to drift in front of Serenity's eyes. She stared into the light, never blinking as it took on a crystalline form, glittering like a diamond, then she inclined her head graciously. A second light rose from her own chest, where her necklace with the Silver Crystal normally hung. Serenity's eyes closed and she released Small Lady, the two Silver Crystals now drifting between her palms. The light shining from her future daughter slowly dimmed and died as the silver fire was cut off from its source. __________________________
Serenity concentrated on the queen's gentle smile and Rini's bright warmth, Irene's hope and the king's vigilant passion- and wished. __________________________
There was no shattering or tinkling of broken glass. There were no bright lights beyond the flickering of the Princess, nothing spectacular or fantastic or extraordinary.
The Moon Princess Serenity just stood there before the crystal coffin, radiant in the shaft of moonlight. There was a sharp snap like a carrot broken in half, and then silence.
A yawning sigh sifted through the heavy air and the king's hidden blue eyes widened. Queen Serenity's lashes lifted and she moved, raising herself up on her elbow. She blinked at her gathered audience and struggled to sit up- The king suddenly exhaled, almost like a surprised sob, and reached to aid her-
He didn't make it.
In mid-step, the king vanished. __________________________ "Don't leave me!!"
"Endy! NO!" Neo Queen Serenity screamed, reaching for where her husband had stood only a half moment before. The moon princess beside her fell to her knees, exhausted and struggling to breathe. Rini wobbled until her twin sister took her hand and steadied her. Everyone stared at the empty space, even Tuxedo Mask was too shocked to move for a second before kneeling beside his princess.
The queen abruptly swung her feet over the coffin's side and stood, snatching her Silver Crystal from the air and disappearing. Princess Serenity choked and gasped from the floor until her own crystal fell back over her heart- with it's touch, her transformations collapsed and Serina shivered and coughed in Tuxedo Mask's arms.
"Where'd she go?" The others were quiet, whispering between themselves, searching for the queen and king through computers and psychic senses.
Tuxedo Mask's attention was devoted to Serina, still shaking though he'd wrapped his cape around her and held her close. "Are you all right, Sere?" Serina nodded, trying to stifle her coughing. "Sh- she went to help Endy." Serina's voice was tired and hoarse, hardly above a whisper. "T- tell Mercury- the other one- that she needs her-" Tux relayed her orders and suddenly everyone understood and fell into their routine actions. Serina searched for her daughters while the others worried about their king and queen.
She was here to help the twins.
She found them where they huddled, trembling and pouting, close behind Tux and as far away as possible from the two strange men that had been speaking to the king when they first arrived. "Darien- the girls-" She murmured, briefly tightening her grip on his arm and glancing at them. He immediately turned to look and reached an arm for the two scared little girls.
"Rini, Irene . . ." He didn't need to say more. Together they stood, still fighting tears, and carefully curled up between him and Serina. Rini snuggled under the black cape to hug Serina while the older girl wearily wrapped her arms around her and Tuxedo Mask's arm.
"Don't worry, Small Lady, Lady. Mommy's with Daddy. Sailor Mercury's there too. She'll fix your daddy and everything will be all right. It'll be okay, my little ones." __________________________
It was as she said.
Mercury arrived in the King's room, quickly followed by her comrades, to find his queen by his side, her brilliant crystal bathing him in it's healing light. The Scout of Speed wasn't even needed. The king awoke within minutes to meet his family and court. Everything was okay, everything was perfect. The Scouts from the past watched from the background, completely forgotten in the teary reunions.
Serina turned away from the scene, hating that she was not a part of it but light-headed at the thought of her daughters finally happy and safe with their family. She pulled away from Tuxedo Mask's arms and returned to the empty hall, abandoning her friends inside, her eyes cast down. She couldn't figure out why she was so sad when she ought to be incredibly happy that she'd been able to piece together this broken family. There was a fast, warm tightness in her chest, the same breath-catching tingle she got when one of her friends was about to get hurt or something bad was happening-
She was probably just overreacting- it was an extremely emotional time for her- Maybe it was the fact that she knew this was the future she had to look forward to or maybe the more immediate fact of losing her daughters now that their parents were okay. She didn't care and couldn't seem to throw off her melancholy or apprehension. 'What do I have to worry about anyway? It's destiny, I can't do anything anyway!'
"Milady?" A hesitant voice softly called from the shadows of the night-darkened hall. She looked up, brow creased and eyes straining to make out the figure in the pool of shadows.
"Yes . . ?" Serina replied just as tentatively. Two figures stepped away from the wall. Both were wearing military-like uniforms, one in dark blue, the other in brilliant white. She studied the pair before they dropped to their knees, bowing. She noticed the strange silver hair and violet eyes of the closer one and the dark blue hair and eyes of the younger man who looked vaguely like Darien.
"The king- is he well, milady?" The second man asked. Serina nodded.
"Yes, he's fine now, they all are." She frowned at the coldness of her voice, she hadn't meant it to sound that way. She _wasn't_ bitter.
"Thank Selene." The white-haired man said, bowing his head. It was only when they looked up at her again and met her gaze that she noticed the black inverted crescent on their foreheads- the same as Rubeus's . . !
Seina gasped, her hand raising to cover her mouth as she stared at them horrified and frightened. She'd just defeated the incarnate of all evil, the leader of that horrible Rubeus, and now in the one place she should be safe the enemy appeared!
"No, please, Serenity- We're not going to hurt you. We won't hurt anyone ever again." Their assurances meant nothing to her deaf ears and she stood frozen for a few minutes but neither man moved.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed, eyes narrowed as she debated whether to run into the room she'd just left and warn everyone or lead these men away from those she loved most.
"Please, milady, we mean no harm. The king himself has forgiven us our trespasses. We- We just wanted to make sure everyone was all right before we return to our banishment." The younger man spoke earnestly, as scared of her as she was of him.
Serina frowned. "The king?" She whispered. She brought her edging foot back to the other and stood a little straighter, a little taller. Her delicate eyebrow arched. "*He* forgave you?" That didn't seem right, Darien's trust was hard earned to begin with and his faith was rarely restored after a betrayal such as this. "Who are you?" She studied the men once more, cocking her head to the side just a little. The older man had fallen behind the other as if looking for protection or uncertain as to where to take the next step.
"Prince Diamond, milady," The blue man inclined his head in the other's direction, "and I am his younger brother, Sapphire." Serina gave a soft smile at his kindness. He seemed a good man despite everything that terrible symbol on his face represented.
She took a step closer to Sapphire. "Diamonds and sapphires. You're tears." She reached up to tentatively brush his bangs from his eyes and trace the dark moon symbol. 'Of sadness, repentance, forgiveness.' Her finger touched his skin and the mark reacted, sparking whitely before disintegrating away completely.
Both men stood shocked and wide-eyed before Sapphire smiled and laughed in relief. He spun on heel to face his brother- "Di!" He cried happily. Diamond smiled softly, wryly, then knelt before Serina.
"Thank you for forgiving my little brother. He only followed me, he is truly not a malevolent soul." Serina looked down on him gently but the moonlight and darkness painted her coldly.
"I sense you had a reason for your action, Prince Diamond. What was it?" She asked serenely.
"I wished for my clan to return to the Silver Millennium. It had been generations since our banishment to the Dark Moon, I feared we'd been forgotten." He refused to meet her piercing blue gaze.
"It's possible. And it's possible that they will forget you again, Prince. Perhaps you should come with me." Serina smiled impishly, and touched the man's shoulder. "Arise, Prince Diamond, and lead your clan back home." She ran her thumb over his black crescent and it to disappeared with her forgiveness. He stood beside her and kissed her hand.
"The Sisters are waiting for you, Diamond, Sapphire, and I fear Rubeus may need your help. I kind of left him hanging . . . His dark mark will remain until he learns to be human again. Then I will forgive him as I have forgiven you and the Sisters, and my black crescent mark of a Dissident will fade."
The two men bowed to her and she smiled.
".promise me, that you'll never forget."
Something told Sailor Moon she had missed something. Before the gray mist and the tunneling darkness cleared, she had the distinct feeling she'd passed right by something or someone in the dark that was important. Like walking home in a daydreamy daze only to realize she'd walked right by her house without seeing it. Except she didn't know what it was she'd missed this time.
The thick fog that diffused the light slowly dissipated but the light remained weak. A gentle darkness embraced the group, settling them into a room full of silvered navies and grayed whites. The chamber was round and massive, the walls of glass revealed a black world with a huge ivory moon gleaming on the sharp angles of fallen buildings in a smoke-hazed city. The center of the dark room was pierced by a light so bright it was almost solid, spotlighting a sharp, glinting object.
Sailor Moon thought it was Venus who gasped first, Tuxedo Mask squeezed her hand tighter as everyone realized what had caught the Scout of Love's attention. Between them and a crystal pedestal with quartz spears growing out of it, stood three men. One was in a tux and cape identical to Tuxedo Mask's but lavender and with more medals. Behind him, closer to the crystal formation, the other two looked up, caught by surprise. Sailor Moon watched with a sensitive perception only she seemed to have as their sorrow and upset confusion fell away to shock and a set determination to defend.
Around her, she felt her own Scouts and protector ease into the same defensive stance, the twins being forced behind them. They saw only the determination to fight and were thus ready to protect their leader and the children. The strange tuxedoed man stood confused for about half a moment before a shaky smile broke his solemn features.
Sailor Moon felt numb to see him smile like that. Like his whole life had been taken from him and was suddenly returned.
Then everything happened so fast- she heard the whimpering sobs of the twins behind her at the same time shouts broke the stunned silence from further behind her. The two girls rushed past her, before she could stop them, running straight for the purple tux guy, crying, and her Scouts whirled to face the new threat behind them. Tux stayed facing the three men before them as Sailor Moon launched herself after her children- she didn't give her boyfriend a chance to stop her- it was pure instinct and she'd moved before *she'd* even realized it.
"*Daddy*!" Rini and Irene cried out, suddenly stopping short of him- Sailor Moon almost tripped right over them, snatching both up and kneeling protectively over them, holding them close so they couldn't escape her again. Her back was to the enemy, she expected an attack at any moment-
"King!" "Sailor Moon?!" "Papa!" "Serenity . . ."
The cries went up like a stadium exploding in noise, echoing in the round chamber. Her daughters were still weeping in her arms, sobbing for their father. Her own Scouts were moving in, calling for her like Tux was but they moved more slowly as the enemies they glared at hailed their 'King'.
Behind her, Sailor Moon heard the man whisper her name, the men behind him shuffling uneasily.
Sailor Moon squinted her eyes open, seeing Tuxedo Mask freeze in mid-step, his hands raising slowly. She peeked over her shoulder to see his mirrored figure carefully, uneasily inch toward her. 'Why am I frightened of him?' The thought struck her as absurd- she knew this man better than he knew himself, he was a piece of her own soul; now more lost and alone than ever-
How did she know all this?!
"Lady, Small Lady . . ." He whispered, dropping to his knees.
Rini and Irene struggled to break free of her grip and seeing the tears behind his mask, Sailor Moon let them go to him. "Daddy!" They screamed together as they raced to his side, but neither girl tried to touch him. He tried to comfort them but without being able to hold them it was heart- breakingly difficult.
Tuxedo Mask caught up to Sailor Moon, helping her to her feet as they watched *their* children call another man their father. Tux left his hand on her shoulder as they stood there, watching, not knowing what to do or feel or how to react-
"I know him . . ." Sailor Moon whispered to herself. Tuxedo Mask glanced down at her. She felt his uncertainty like a breath of cool air on her neck. "I know you." She stated louder. Behind them, the Scouts parted to either side as someone called out in a voice distinctly similar to Rei's at her most commanding.
"All right, kids, out of the way." As confused as she and Tuxedo Mask were, the stunned Scouts actually parted, allowing their enemy direct line of sight to their leader. Sailor Moon slowly looked over her shoulder, unsure and a little frightened of what surprise she might find. Her little girls were crying and she couldn't hold them and it was getting her started. She didn't know what was going on, who these people were though some part of her did and it made her feel weird and forgetful.
The steady, self-assured clicking of high-heeled shoes behind her abruptly halted, the same sure voice suddenly stuttered, "P-Princess?"
"Sailor Moon?!" The words were echoed by the four women standing there, the four Scouts of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
"Is it really you?" Venus whispered.
"Of course, only Meatball head could look *that* pathetic." Sailor Mars reminded the older Scouts. The younger Mars bristled.
"Hey! Only I can pick on her like that." The older Scout rolled her eyes and the other's face dropped as she'd realized what she just said to herself.
"It's- It's been so long, Sailor Moon . . ." They were Lita, Mina, Raye, and Ami, never a doubt in Sailor Moon's mind, only older, just like . . . She twisted back to face the man talking to her two girls. Just like-
"Endy . . ?" She whispered. The man raised his cerulean eyes, meeting her searching gaze, but at the same moment, Tuxedo Mask had looked down on her, their expressions were identical, responding at the same moment in the same manner.
Her Scouts came around her, seeing the man she spoke to. "Sailor Moon? _Serina?_"
It was Darien, Endymion- *King* Endymion, the one who was her twins' real, true father. Behind him, the two men dropped to one knee. Behind Sailor Moon's group, the future Sailor Scouts walked around them, giving them a wide berth as they moved to stand beside their king. They too, then knelt in reverence to her.
"Oh, please, don't do that-" She pulled away from Tux and stepped up to the king. She paused, blinking several times before she realized it wasn't her eyes- she really could *see* _through_ him.
The man bowed his violet head. "Serenity, it's-" He took a shaky breath before meeting her eyes again. "Thank you for bringing my daughters back to me. I've missed my family since they have each been taken from me." He stood, the girls to each side of him, tears drying on their faces as they stared up at Sailor Moon.
"We had no choice if we were going to help you and- *me* . . ." As she spoke, her eyes drifted behind him to find that crystal coffin she dreamed of so many times, that she'd been trapped in once all ready. After that, no amount of distraction could pull her attention from the trance the woman within created between them. Her eyes saw nothing else, her thoughts heard no other-
"*Serina* . . ." Sailor Mars, the younger one, growled. The blonde didn't hear her, only walked passed her scout.
"Sailor Moon-" Tux began, taking a step forward but the king stopped him.
"Serenity is . . . _busy_. You know better than to disturb her, young prince." He said gravely. Tux had a look on his face that said, no, he didn't know better and he certainly *would* disturb her if she let anything happen to herself.
Sailor Moon moved past her daughters and their father, both Tuxedo Mask and her future husband, and the two unnamed men that still knelt beside the queen.
"My queen," They murmured, their heads down and eyes averted, as she paused. She ignored them and continued staring vacantly into the crystal.
She slowly blinked and raised a hesitant hand to the crystal facets. 'Yes, Serenity?' Sailor Moon thought. The voice came from so far away, right beneath her fingertips. So small and hollow, the tinkling of chimes echoed in that voice, light, warm as sunshine but pure and clear as the moon, filled her mind.
Her finger grazed the slick, smooth surface. It was so cold she snatched back her hand as if bitten. It was like a pane of frozen glass, slippery but dry. The strange chill that stood between them sliced her mind with ice, like Zoycite's spears. For a moment it kept Serenity away from Sailor Moon. She forced herself to press her fingers, then palm against the facet. Suddenly she felt a golden, tingling warmth spread through her like a shower of warm water and the ice wall was gone. __________________________
Outside and beyond her, the others gathered to watch a miracle- if this angel could pull it off. It's what they prayed for. This was what they'd come here for, this is what the Rini had run away to the past to do. To bring back Sailor Moon so she could do this- smash this rock and wake up the queen inside.
The Scouts of past and present held their positions, knowing all they could do was watch, praying for the power of the moon to aid their leaders. There was nothing more they could do if Sailor Moon couldn't do this. The two young men, unknown to the younger scouts and enemies to the elder, bowed their heads and stood sadly silent beside the king.
As they looked on, Sailor Moon touched the crystal wall of the coffin, it flared and she gasped, pulling back her hand as if it had burned her. Tux started forward again but the King held him back.
Suddenly, just like King Endymion, the girl became a shadow. Only the outline of her body and a tinting of color remained. But before her-
Stood the silhouette of Neo Queen Serenity. __________________________ "Nothing like the direct approach."
Tentatively, Sailor Moon reached again, and this time the queen's hand softly grasped hers. Sailor Moon's hand shook as she forced herself to hang on to the queen as the magic flashed once more then flowed up her arm in a slow, icy wave. Her uniform melted away in the ripple of white and silver fire, her princess gown drifted from golden moondust in its place. Her crescent glowed, pearls shimmering into her hair. The entire time, she never moved, never made a sound. Tux and Endy had to look hard to even see her breathing.
'Thank you for helping me, Princess.' Princess Serenity's eyes finally focused on the queen standing before her once more. She dropped her hand now that it was safe and looked around. It was the same as before, the younger Serenity once more stood in a hall of crystal in her princess dress.
'I have returned your children, Serenity, but I fear Endymion is still hurt and I do not know how to break this prison and set you free.'
'You've come this far, and for that, I thank you. You've proven yourself beyond Mother's expectations and our own, haven't you?' The princess did not look convinced and tilted her head, raising a brow questioningly. Neo Queen Serenity sighed, remembering that she was dealing with her younger, impatient-to-aid-others self, not a diplomat or dignitary. 'Now that the battle is over, Mercury can heal Endy. I do not fear for him.'
'But how can I free *you*? Do you not know?'
'The Silver Imperium Crystal will have enough power to shatter this stone and wake my body . . .'
'But . . ?'
'You alone, cannot do it. While you have the strength and will to control your own crystal, you need the Silver Crystal of my time to activate yours here in the future. Your crystal will not work here without the permission of mine.' The princess gave Serenity a confused, annoyed look. She didn't understand and the queen's ambiguity was the reason why.
'They are the same crystal.'
'Only one Silver Crystal can exist at once. Only one will have power in this time a thousand years removed from your own and it is mine. You must- 'turn off' mine and 'turn on' yours. I cannot explain it any other way. You need my crystal first.'
'Then, where is your crystal? Why did Endy not use it in the first place?'
'Because *he* did not have it . . .' A light began to glow behind Princess Serenity, casting a shadow over her and illuminating the queen. She suddenly understood. She slowly turned, facing a pinpoint of brilliance behind her that grew brighter and brighter. __________________________
Princess Serenity shined, radiating a silver-white light, a softer, golden light reflecting off her from behind. She turned to the group slowly as if she were a ghost floating between worlds, her arm raising and hand offered. Her body shimmered, her deep blue, entranced and vacant eyes glittered as she stared at, through, and into the cinnamon eyes of Rini.
Endy looked down on his daughter, chosen by the moon princess and moved as if to push her forward. He couldn't touch her and she seemed so caught up in Serenity's kind, imploring stare that she didn't even notice him. "Go to her, Small Lady." Rini nodded as if hypnotized and walked forward, careful and deliberate as a sleepwalker. She reached up to Serenity's hand and reverently took it.
The shimmer that slid through the princess flowed into the little girl as well. The pearly light rolled through her, her silken white princess gown flowing in its wake.
Princess Serenity drew the little princess close to her, hugging her tightly to her side. A solid star of light rose from the child's chest to drift in front of Serenity's eyes. She stared into the light, never blinking as it took on a crystalline form, glittering like a diamond, then she inclined her head graciously. A second light rose from her own chest, where her necklace with the Silver Crystal normally hung. Serenity's eyes closed and she released Small Lady, the two Silver Crystals now drifting between her palms. The light shining from her future daughter slowly dimmed and died as the silver fire was cut off from its source. __________________________
Serenity concentrated on the queen's gentle smile and Rini's bright warmth, Irene's hope and the king's vigilant passion- and wished. __________________________
There was no shattering or tinkling of broken glass. There were no bright lights beyond the flickering of the Princess, nothing spectacular or fantastic or extraordinary.
The Moon Princess Serenity just stood there before the crystal coffin, radiant in the shaft of moonlight. There was a sharp snap like a carrot broken in half, and then silence.
A yawning sigh sifted through the heavy air and the king's hidden blue eyes widened. Queen Serenity's lashes lifted and she moved, raising herself up on her elbow. She blinked at her gathered audience and struggled to sit up- The king suddenly exhaled, almost like a surprised sob, and reached to aid her-
He didn't make it.
In mid-step, the king vanished. __________________________ "Don't leave me!!"
"Endy! NO!" Neo Queen Serenity screamed, reaching for where her husband had stood only a half moment before. The moon princess beside her fell to her knees, exhausted and struggling to breathe. Rini wobbled until her twin sister took her hand and steadied her. Everyone stared at the empty space, even Tuxedo Mask was too shocked to move for a second before kneeling beside his princess.
The queen abruptly swung her feet over the coffin's side and stood, snatching her Silver Crystal from the air and disappearing. Princess Serenity choked and gasped from the floor until her own crystal fell back over her heart- with it's touch, her transformations collapsed and Serina shivered and coughed in Tuxedo Mask's arms.
"Where'd she go?" The others were quiet, whispering between themselves, searching for the queen and king through computers and psychic senses.
Tuxedo Mask's attention was devoted to Serina, still shaking though he'd wrapped his cape around her and held her close. "Are you all right, Sere?" Serina nodded, trying to stifle her coughing. "Sh- she went to help Endy." Serina's voice was tired and hoarse, hardly above a whisper. "T- tell Mercury- the other one- that she needs her-" Tux relayed her orders and suddenly everyone understood and fell into their routine actions. Serina searched for her daughters while the others worried about their king and queen.
She was here to help the twins.
She found them where they huddled, trembling and pouting, close behind Tux and as far away as possible from the two strange men that had been speaking to the king when they first arrived. "Darien- the girls-" She murmured, briefly tightening her grip on his arm and glancing at them. He immediately turned to look and reached an arm for the two scared little girls.
"Rini, Irene . . ." He didn't need to say more. Together they stood, still fighting tears, and carefully curled up between him and Serina. Rini snuggled under the black cape to hug Serina while the older girl wearily wrapped her arms around her and Tuxedo Mask's arm.
"Don't worry, Small Lady, Lady. Mommy's with Daddy. Sailor Mercury's there too. She'll fix your daddy and everything will be all right. It'll be okay, my little ones." __________________________
It was as she said.
Mercury arrived in the King's room, quickly followed by her comrades, to find his queen by his side, her brilliant crystal bathing him in it's healing light. The Scout of Speed wasn't even needed. The king awoke within minutes to meet his family and court. Everything was okay, everything was perfect. The Scouts from the past watched from the background, completely forgotten in the teary reunions.
Serina turned away from the scene, hating that she was not a part of it but light-headed at the thought of her daughters finally happy and safe with their family. She pulled away from Tuxedo Mask's arms and returned to the empty hall, abandoning her friends inside, her eyes cast down. She couldn't figure out why she was so sad when she ought to be incredibly happy that she'd been able to piece together this broken family. There was a fast, warm tightness in her chest, the same breath-catching tingle she got when one of her friends was about to get hurt or something bad was happening-
She was probably just overreacting- it was an extremely emotional time for her- Maybe it was the fact that she knew this was the future she had to look forward to or maybe the more immediate fact of losing her daughters now that their parents were okay. She didn't care and couldn't seem to throw off her melancholy or apprehension. 'What do I have to worry about anyway? It's destiny, I can't do anything anyway!'
"Milady?" A hesitant voice softly called from the shadows of the night-darkened hall. She looked up, brow creased and eyes straining to make out the figure in the pool of shadows.
"Yes . . ?" Serina replied just as tentatively. Two figures stepped away from the wall. Both were wearing military-like uniforms, one in dark blue, the other in brilliant white. She studied the pair before they dropped to their knees, bowing. She noticed the strange silver hair and violet eyes of the closer one and the dark blue hair and eyes of the younger man who looked vaguely like Darien.
"The king- is he well, milady?" The second man asked. Serina nodded.
"Yes, he's fine now, they all are." She frowned at the coldness of her voice, she hadn't meant it to sound that way. She _wasn't_ bitter.
"Thank Selene." The white-haired man said, bowing his head. It was only when they looked up at her again and met her gaze that she noticed the black inverted crescent on their foreheads- the same as Rubeus's . . !
Seina gasped, her hand raising to cover her mouth as she stared at them horrified and frightened. She'd just defeated the incarnate of all evil, the leader of that horrible Rubeus, and now in the one place she should be safe the enemy appeared!
"No, please, Serenity- We're not going to hurt you. We won't hurt anyone ever again." Their assurances meant nothing to her deaf ears and she stood frozen for a few minutes but neither man moved.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed, eyes narrowed as she debated whether to run into the room she'd just left and warn everyone or lead these men away from those she loved most.
"Please, milady, we mean no harm. The king himself has forgiven us our trespasses. We- We just wanted to make sure everyone was all right before we return to our banishment." The younger man spoke earnestly, as scared of her as she was of him.
Serina frowned. "The king?" She whispered. She brought her edging foot back to the other and stood a little straighter, a little taller. Her delicate eyebrow arched. "*He* forgave you?" That didn't seem right, Darien's trust was hard earned to begin with and his faith was rarely restored after a betrayal such as this. "Who are you?" She studied the men once more, cocking her head to the side just a little. The older man had fallen behind the other as if looking for protection or uncertain as to where to take the next step.
"Prince Diamond, milady," The blue man inclined his head in the other's direction, "and I am his younger brother, Sapphire." Serina gave a soft smile at his kindness. He seemed a good man despite everything that terrible symbol on his face represented.
She took a step closer to Sapphire. "Diamonds and sapphires. You're tears." She reached up to tentatively brush his bangs from his eyes and trace the dark moon symbol. 'Of sadness, repentance, forgiveness.' Her finger touched his skin and the mark reacted, sparking whitely before disintegrating away completely.
Both men stood shocked and wide-eyed before Sapphire smiled and laughed in relief. He spun on heel to face his brother- "Di!" He cried happily. Diamond smiled softly, wryly, then knelt before Serina.
"Thank you for forgiving my little brother. He only followed me, he is truly not a malevolent soul." Serina looked down on him gently but the moonlight and darkness painted her coldly.
"I sense you had a reason for your action, Prince Diamond. What was it?" She asked serenely.
"I wished for my clan to return to the Silver Millennium. It had been generations since our banishment to the Dark Moon, I feared we'd been forgotten." He refused to meet her piercing blue gaze.
"It's possible. And it's possible that they will forget you again, Prince. Perhaps you should come with me." Serina smiled impishly, and touched the man's shoulder. "Arise, Prince Diamond, and lead your clan back home." She ran her thumb over his black crescent and it to disappeared with her forgiveness. He stood beside her and kissed her hand.
"The Sisters are waiting for you, Diamond, Sapphire, and I fear Rubeus may need your help. I kind of left him hanging . . . His dark mark will remain until he learns to be human again. Then I will forgive him as I have forgiven you and the Sisters, and my black crescent mark of a Dissident will fade."
The two men bowed to her and she smiled.