Author's Note: This story is mainly based on the Sailor Moon anime, and I'm using the DiC dub names for this story (i.e. Serena, Mina, Lita, etc.). This takes place after the last episode of Sailor Moon R but before Sailor Moon S.

Disclaimer: All characters in this story were created by and belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I won't pretend otherwise. I can only hope she won't mind if I borrow them for a short time.

Time Enough
by Mako-clb

Chapter 2

Endymion brought his sword down, slashing deeply into the monster's gut. A thick, gooey red substance gushed from the wound, and although from a distance it might look like blood, Endymion knew it was anything but. He wanted nothing more than to drive his sword into the creature's foul body and end its miserable existence in retribution for all the pain it and its ilk had caused him. But, he knew he couldn't, and not just because it wasn't in the plan. Endymion and the sword that had become an extension of his arm could wound the creatures they fought, could cause them pain, but he couldn't destroy them. Only the Sailor Soldiers could do that, and then only barely. It usually took all of their combined powers to destroy the monsters, and that was why he was here, to provide a distraction, to buy the Soldiers the time they needed to get the job done.

The armor-clad warrior thrust his sword forward in a follow-up strike, but his bulky opponent side-stepped and countered with an attack of its own. The Prince of Earth twisted to the right, allowing the energy beam to pass harmlessly through the space he had just occupied. Twisting again, he swung his sword in an arc, aiming once again for the creature's box-shaped mid-section.

The sword never reached its target. Overcome by an intense wave of dizziness and a light feeling in his chest, Endymion fell, his sword clattering to the ground beside him. The creature he faced, aware that its opponent was suddenly vulnerable, raised its arm and took deliberate, deadly aim. The monster took a few moments to charge its energy blast to maximum. It shouldn't have waited. For just before it fired, the creature itself was hit from behind by the timely Planet Attack from the Sailor Soldiers. Endymion's attack had only ever been a distraction so the Soldiers could combine their powers to deliver the lethal blow. With the last of the enemies defeated, for tonight, the plan was for Endymion and the Soldiers to regroup, collect the spoils of battle, and deliver them to their rightful owners. That was, if they could be located, and if it wasn't already too late.

Endymion didn't give a damn about the plan. It had taken time to remember the feeling—the light, more spiritual than visual, that made him feel as if the darkness that he had dwelled in for so long would vanish forever, and the warmth, comfortable and comforting, like a favorite sweater. And most of all the love, which flowed through him, caressed him, and made him feel that life was worth living. But, now that the memory had returned, it could only come from one place. As the truth, the wonderful, beautiful, unbelievable truth, dawned on him, a transformation took over his body to match the one that had already overtaken his soul. Where once Endymion, ancient Prince of Earth had knelt, there was now Tuxedo Mask, Earth's chosen warrior and Sailor Moon's protector. But, he did not remain on his knees for long. With a speed born of hope, Tuxedo Mask leapt to his feet and practically flew in the direction his heart led him.

BSSM-BSSM-BSSM

From across the street, the Sailor Soldiers had witnessed the results of their combined attack, watching as the monster devolved into its former egg shape. They had also seen Endymion on the ground, his sword beside him, trembling. Concerned that he might be injured, Mercury pulled out her computer and headed towards him. Jupiter walked beside her, with Mars and Venus slightly behind. All were on alert, prepared for an attack from any creatures they might have missed. What they were not prepared for was Endymion's sudden transformation into a guise they had not seen in months. Nor were they prepared for his sudden and swift flight atop the buildings of Tokyo.

Venus only hesitated for a moment before shouting, "Jupiter, Mars, follow him. Find out where he's going and what in the hell just happened! Stay together, and keep in touch."

Even as the Soldiers of Fire and Lightening raced after their friend and fellow warrior, Venus was desperately wishing she could go with them. What she had just seen should be impossible. Tuxedo Mask shouldn't exist; he hadn't been able to exist since that day that had changed her life, all of their lives, forever. Yet, there was no denying it had been Tuxedo Mask and not Endymion who had just run off. There could only be one reason, one explanation, but it was something she dared not even hope for.

Pushing those thoughts aside for now, Venus turned to help Mercury collect the small glowing, glittering orbs that lay on the street before them. The objects would never be found in any doctor's journal or text, but the Soldiers knew just how important they were to every living thing, and possibly to the fate of the entire planet.

BSSM-BSSM-BSSM

She was uncomfortable. That was the first thing Serena decided as consciousness returned. Sleeping on a hard floor was definitely uncomfortable. What she couldn't figure out was why she was sleeping on the floor. Slowly opening her eyes, Serena was greeted with the sight of Tokyo at night instead of her room, as she had expected. Sitting up carefully, Serena realized that she was Sailor Moon. It took her a few eye blinks and head shakes to remember that the last thing she did remember was fighting that monster and passing out. Since she wasn't dead, that meant the Sailors or Tuxedo Mask had saved her. But then, why was she alone, in the street, at night? Surely her friends wouldn't have just left her here, unless something happened to them. But, if they were hurt or, well she wouldn't think of "or." But, she would be that, too. Why was nothing ever easy? Why did that stupid monster have to show up anyway? It just wasn't fair, and it didn't make sense.

She decided that the best and safest thing to do, for now, was to try to contact the others on her communicator. She never got the chance. She never even heard her attacker until the demented cackle that followed the blow to her head. She tried to get up and run, but her vision blurred and the ringing in her ears made it seem as if the laughter was coming from everywhere at once, leaving her with no idea of which way to flee.

Suddenly, she was being lifted off the ground by strong arms. She hoped desperately that it was Tuxedo Mask, but her hopes were shattered when the creature began to shake her roughly. She thought she heard it say something about her heart, but she wasn't really sure. All of the shaking was making her head hurt and made the ringing in her ears worse. Then, for no reason Sailor Moon could see, the creature stopped the shaking and shifted its grip on her. Holding her up by her pig-tails, the bluish-grey, finned monster placed its free hand on Serena's chest.

At first, all Sailor Moon felt was a strange, warm feeling in her chest. But then, that warm feeling grew hotter until she felt as if her chest were on fire. Next came a stabbing pain, as if a needle had been stuck through her, from the inside out. She broke out in a cold sweat, gasping for breath and clutching her chest. Just as the darkness began to claim her, Sailor Moon heard a scream pierce the air. She wasn't sure if it came from her own lips or the creature's, but it didn't matter because the pain had finally stopped. As her mind clawed its way back from the edge of unconsciousness, she felt strong arms around her. For a moment she feared the shaking would start again, but her fears were laid to rest. The arms that held her this time were strong but gentle and familiar. They cradled her close to a warm body, as if promising to protect her. Struggling to open her eyes, Sailor Moon could see nothing more than worried blue eyes behind a white mask. But, that was all she needed to see to know that Tuxedo Mask had saved her again. In the knowledge that she was safe in the arms of the man she loved, Sailor Moon let her heavy lids fall closed, breathed in slow, deep breaths, and tried to give her mind and body a chance to recover from the turmoil she had just been through.

Sailor Moon wasn't sure how long she stayed like that, safe in Tuxedo Mask's arms, the air rushing by her. When she finally felt like herself again, she opened her eyes, expecting him to set her down so they could return to the fight. Instead, he kept running. She knew that he knew she was awake, yet he didn't stop.

"I'm okay now," Serena said as brightly as she could. She didn't really feel one-hundred percent yet, but she was certainly well enough to dust one monster. But, Darien still didn't stop.

A menacing growl from behind them distracted Serena from the unreadable expression on Tuxedo Mask's face. Serena leaned her head back slightly, just enough to glance around her protector's shoulder. What she saw at least partially explained why Darien hadn't stopped. The fish-eyed monster that he had rescued her from was chasing them and gaining fast.

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"

"Go Jupiter!" Sailor Moon shouted as the ball of lightening that could only have come from her friend and fellow Sailor Soldier struck the monster. As the scaly creature hesitated, confused by the new threat, Sailor Moon readied herself to attack after Tuxedo Mask set her down. He didn't. He just kept running.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" echoed off the buildings, and Tuxedo Mask ran.

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" could be heard not far off, and still he ran.

"Evil Spirits Begone!" carried faintly to Serena's ears, and still he ran.

Then a terrible scream echoed through the night, and Serena couldn't stand it anymore. "Stop! Tuxedo Mask, we have to stop!" Her words went unheeded. "Darien, stop! We can't leave them!" She pounded his chest with her small fists, begging him, "Stop! Please, stop!"

He didn't stop, but he slowed. For the first time, Tuxedo Mask looked down at the girl he held in his arms, really looked at her. He saw her eyes, filled with tears. He saw the pleading look in her eyes. Tuxedo Mask stopped.

In that same instant, Sailor Moon pushed herself out of his grasp, nearly falling on her backside in the process. She said not a word before racing back in the direction from which they had just come. Tuxedo Mask didn't waste an instant before running after her. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight for an instant, not now, not ever.

BSSM-BSSM-BSSM

By the time Sailor Moon retraced her steps back to the battle site, Jupiter was lying on the ground, possibly unconscious and certainly hurt, and Mars was holding her shoulder even as she faced the monster. The sight made Sailor Moon sick to her stomach. She hated seeing her friends, seeing anyone, suffer. She hated it even more than she hated fighting. That was why, despite the internal struggle she faced before every battle, she continued to fight.

Realizing that it was well past time to get her show on the road, Sailor Moon shouted, "Over here! I'm the star of this show, and don't you forget it. And now, it's time for the grand finale!" Sailor Moon flicked her gloved hand, apparently reaching for something, but there was nothing but air. At least, that's all there should have been. Instead, Sailor Moon's fingers clutched a pink scepter, for which she was exceptionally grateful. For a brief moment, she had been afraid her Moon Scepter wouldn't be there when she reached for it, that it had been lost during her earlier battle. But, it appeared when she called.

Raising the pink scepter above her head, Sailor Moon began to charge it with power. "Moon…" She swung the scepter down and back up. "Scepter…" She repeated the action, arcing the scepter in the opposite direction.

"Elimination!" The Moon Scepter swung forward and out, aimed directly at the fish-like creature which had threatened her and attacked her friends. Energy erupted out of the scepter, streaking toward its target and exploding with blazing light on impact.

"Dusted!" Sailor Moon shouted in triumph. Her victory shout was followed by a gasp of disbelief as the dust cleared to reveal the enemy still standing.

Sailor Moon was frozen in shock. How could it not work? Her scepter always worked, at least against the average enemy monster or droid. Why not now? What had she done wrong? How could she protect her friends if her attack didn't work? Distracted by those thoughts, Sailor Moon never saw the spiked ball hurtling towards her.

Fortunately, her protector was close at hand. A red rose intercepted the projectile even as Tuxedo Mask pushed Sailor Moon out of harm's way. An attack of fiery rings followed, causing the scaly-skinned creature to redirect its attack to Sailor Mars. Having recovered a few moments before, Jupiter joined in, electricity propelled from her hands to collide with the enemy again and again. Despite the ferocity and relentlessness of the twin attacks of flame and lightning, the enemy continued forward, barely slowed.

Sailor Moon had always looked to Tuxedo Mask to give her strength, to be her courage when she couldn't find her own. With her friends in danger and her only means of attack useless, she looked to him now. "What do I do?" she pleaded. "My scepter didn't work. I don't know what to do." But, there was no answer, no indication he even understood her. There was only the haunted look in his steady gaze. When she could no longer stand the silence and the staring, she turned back to the battle. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision, but she didn't care. She had to help her friends. It was that simple.

She picked her Moon Scepter off the ground, held it high above her head and shouted the words that would unleash its power. Even if she couldn't destroy the monster, maybe she could hurt it, or at least distract it, until Venus and Mercury arrived. The sickening thought that Venus and Mercury weren't here because the enemy had already defeated them briefly flashed through her mind, but she pushed the image away to concentrate on attacking the blue-grey thing before her.

This time, instead of using the standard energy burst, the Soldier of the Moon focused her power into a constant stream flowing from her scepter toward the monster attacking her friends. Just like when she and the Sailors were fighting the Kisenian on that asteroid, this form of her attack might not be as instantly powerful as the single burst, but the constant, steady flow of light energy worked better against multiple enemies. Or, as Serena hoped, it might slow down one exceptionally tough monster.

At first, Sailor Moon's plan appeared to be working. It seemed to Serena that the monster was in pain. Not to mention that her attack had it stopped cold. The only problem was, it was still fighting while Serena was running out of fight. With everything she'd already been through—fighting that first monster this afternoon, getting knocked out, having this creature do that thing to her chest—she was a little low on energy, and she wasn't sure she could keep going for much longer. But, just when she was about to give up hope, her friends rejoined the battle.

Taking their cue from Sailor Moon, Mars unleashed a continuous stream of fire from her fingertips while Jupiter made an electric circuit with their enemy as the ground. While individually the attacks were not as strong as their newer ones, the non-stop barrage of energy, added to Sailor Moon's own, finally started to take its toll on the creature. It screamed in agony once, twice, and then froze before dissolving into a plastic fish and a white egg-shaped thing that split open, releasing black smoke.

Gratefully, Sailor Moon sank to her knees, her head down, breathing hard. "Wow, that was really tough. I hope I never have to do that again. Hey, is everybody okay?"

When the Soldier of the Moon looked up, Tuxedo Mask stood before her, silent tears slowly falling down his face. "Serena?" he asked in a disbelieving whisper. He dropped to his knees and almost fearfully reached out to her, stopping just short of actually touching the wide-eyed girl. "Serena?" he asked again, his voice stronger, but still unsure.

In a panicked voice, Sailor Moon asked, "Darien, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Tuxedo Mask responded by throwing his arms around her and pulling her to him in an intense embrace. The unexpected and completely uncharacteristic action sent shivers up Serena's spine. Something was wrong, very wrong, she decided. She looked up to her friends, and what she saw only added to her fear. Jupiter's face was ashen and her mouth moved as if she were trying to speak, but no sound came out. Mars looked as if she couldn't decide how to look. She wore a serious frown that was matched by the intense gaze in her eyes. But, under it all, Serena saw another emotion that she just couldn't identify.

"What's wrong with Darien?" Serena cried. "Where are Amy and Mina? Why are you guys looking at me like that? I just don't understand!"

to be continued