You guys really didn't think that I would throw this one out – did you?!?! It is completely different from what you all saw on the TV!
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
What All Need to Grow
Chapter Eleven
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Serena sighed happily as she rushed from her last class over to the troupe house. This was to be the first play that she and Darien both would perform opposite one another in. Given all the pair and their friends had suffered through since Beryl reappeared in their lives, a tragedy just seemed fitting.
Once Darien helped her by going over the play and discussing it with her, Serena felt more confident going in as Ophelia to his Hamlet. At least that had been the original plan. But that was not how things would end up. She could hear the argument from a mile away, as could anyone on the street.
"What do you mean she's playing Ophelia? Think's just because she got poor Francis kicked out and arrested that she can steal the show?" One girl shrieked.
Darien growled out a retort. "Francis was caught twice trying to kill Serena, and then was caught trying to shoot us!"
"And, you're Hamlet? How obvious a pairing! Are we going to re-write it so the pair of you get a hot love scene?" One of the guys shot.
Another girl shouted. "I don't care! If she's the lead, then I'm out of here!"
The others agreed and left. Seeing her as they walked to their cars each one of them snubbed her as if she was … they made her feel dirtier than she had ever felt before in her life. Serena wanted to run and hide.
Darien came out and saw the shattered look on her face. That tore him apart inside. "Hey. Don't listen to those jerks. Marge will put them all in their places. And Kat and Rob are still on our side. Just looks like Hamlet is out of the running."
"Well, Raye has some plays at her place. Maybe I can call her and she can find one for us?" Serena sniffled.
"Great idea Meatball Head, but only if you'll not cry. I like you better with a smile on your face." Darien whispered as he pulled her into his arms.
Serena sighed and smiled softly. Darien gently placed a kiss on her lips as he held her. "Besides that gives me time to tell you about my latest strange dream. I asked Molly's mom about it, but she said that I have to figure it out on my own. Then she said that you can help me, but only so far – that most of this has to be figured out by me."
Serena got Raye on the phone, and the girl agreed to look in her collection. A few minutes later (after thanking Kat and Rob for their support) the couple was off. Darien held onto Serena's hand as he drove.
"Serena I'd like you to be very honest with me on something. I know that something has happened and I don't remember something that you do."
Serena went pale and almost flaked. "Um … what do you mean Darien? What would ditzy me know about weird dreams?"
"Sweetheart, I know. The way you have latched to me … even before I knew that you have a hold on my heart. I know that you can't tell me either." Darien hoped that he wasn't just sounding insane to his true love. What if he and Jessica were both wrong about the dreams?
Serena sighed. "You're right Darien. But, I can't tell you because you're suppose to figure it out for yourself – in your own time."
"I thought so. Tell me, do you remember everything?"
Serena relaxed at the fact that he wasn't angry with her for holding back. "Just about."
Darien felt his heart race like it did in that moment of his dream. "Did I ever propose to you?"
"Yes."
"What happened to your ring?"
Serena was starting to feel panicked. What if he didn't want to marry her now? "I wear it on the necklace you gave me last Christmas, why?"
Darien pulled off into a parking lot, parked, turned off the car, and looked at her. Time to make that dream of his come true. "Can I see it?"
Serena took off the necklace and removed the ring – placing it in his palm with a shaky hand. Her worse nightmare seemed to be coming true. He was calling their wedding off!
But instead of that, Darien took her left hand into his free one and smiled softly. "I know I asked this already, but I want to give you the chance to change your mind. Will you marry me Serena?"
"YES! Oh, Darien. I was so afraid that you had changed your mind!" Serena sobbed out as he slid the ring on her finger.
"I was worried that you wouldn't want me back … seeing as I can't remember …" Darien admitted as her closed his eyes and turned his face away.
Serena hugged his neck tight. "I'm just glad that I have you this far back. Oh Darien, I love you so much!"
"And I'll never stop loving you, my Serena."
Ten minutes later the couple walked up the stairs to the Cherry Hill Temple. Raye could easily see that something had happened – and that it was something very good. "Hey you two! I found one of your favorites Serena – Snow White!"
"That's perfect Raye! Oh, thank you so much." Serena grinned. Oh, how many nights she had put herself and Darien in that old fairytale – and a few other stories too.
Just then Molly and Neflyte walked up the stairs (after Raye and Serena sensed them teleport in close by). "Hey you guys!"
"Hey Mol! Hey Maxfield! Why are you out and about? I figured you'd be on bed rest until Desiree's born, Molly." Serena was stunned at how beautiful her friend was. She hoped that she would become as beautiful as Molly whenever she and Darien got with child.
Neflyte chuckled. "Well a certain someone was bored, so I only agreed on going out if she would take it easy."
"Which severely limits where I can go." Molly snapped complainingly.
Darien shook his head. "Other than that close call the other night, how are you and the baby Molly?"
"We're both fine. Did I hear that you two are going to be in a play opposite each other finally at the Little Theater?" Molly smiled. She saw the ring was back on Serena's hand, but wanted to wait to see if the news was out before saying anything.
"Yeah. We were going to do Hamlet, but the entire troupe walked out because of what happened with Francis. They think that it was all me trying to outdo her instead of her trying to kill me." Serena frowned.
Darien preferred when his future wife smiled. She shimmered and glowed in her happiness that filled his heart with love and hope and made him feel complete. "I'm going to talk with the theater director in the morning about it. But, now we'll be doing Snow White instead."
"Oh cool! That was one of our favorite stories when we were kids, remember Serena?" Molly chuckled.
It felt good to be out of the house and her and Neflyte's bedroom. She was suppose to stop making love to him until the baby was born – but laying with him on their bed – the image and thought were enough to make her moan mentally.
Neflyte easily picked it up and rubbed her lower back – worried that she was in pain – but it did nothing to help. After a beat he realized that Molly was allowing herself to fantasize again. Oh, how much torture she was putting herself through. He had hoped that getting out and about would take her mind off of their bedroom, but it seemed that was the main thing she ever thought about when she was with child.
Just then the other girls walked up with Zoicite and the other Generals. A new memory hit Darien … a part of his dream. He softly whispered into his love's ear. "Serena, I remember something. Her name isn't Tara … it's Zoicite. And the others are Neflyte, Jedite, and Malachite. Or am I making it up to try and make you happy without knowing it?"
"Those are their real names Darien. And you have already made me happy." Serena smiled as she whispered back to him.
Mina gasped at the sight of the diamond ring resting back on Serena's hand. Molly chuckled. "You just now see it?"
"Congratulations, you two!" Jedite smiled.
Darien winked at Serena, who smiled and nodded. "Thanks Jedite."
"Serena, did you tell him?!" Raye accused, knowing how badly Serena wanted Darien back completely.
"I remembered the Generals' names on my own Raye, in a dream I had last night. But, right now that is all that I remember." Darien defended his love.
Zoicite spoke up first. "That is better than nothing. It's nice to be able to use our true names with you again."
The second he spotted Luna and Artemis, Darien felt another memory fall into place. "Looks like the love cats have caught up with everyone. Since the expression is 'cat's got your tongue' I wonder if they have each other's."
That startled both cats for a beat, and then the reality hit them both as the group chuckled hard at Darien's teasing joke. Artemis smiled up at the Prince. Obviously things were getting better. "About time you started remembering things, Darien!"
"I agree. Now I won't hear the whining and sit through the planning 'how to get his memory back' sessions." Luna complained.
Serena blushed, but Darien loved her all the more for it. That she was as determined to get back all that they had lost as he was. Now, if he could only remember how he forgot being engaged to such a beautiful young woman.
Mina winked at the others. "So any plans on a date yet?"
"Mina! We just got re-engaged, thank you very much. Let me enjoy being Darien's fiancée for a while, okay?" Serena berated.
It didn't matter to Darien. He was in love with one of the most beautiful girls in school, and relished every moment he had with Serena. "Besides, we still have to tell Serena's parents."
"Oh, they already knew about the first time, muffin. But, I know they'll be thrilled that we're back together for good." Serena was lit up with a smile once again.
Molly smiled. She was so happy for her friends. She remembered how it felt to be engaged – the fluttering in her stomach every time she was near her only love, how she felt the day they got married, and that night. There she went again! After she healed from having their baby girl, Molly planned on not letting Neflyte out of their bedroom until she passed out from trying for another baby!
Neflyte smiled at his wife's mental planning. He couldn't wait for that day to come. Already, he had made plans with the other three Generals for them to baby-sit while he took care of his Molly.
However, the group's plans were soon going to be wrecked. Ann glared heatedly at the newly engaged couple. Thankfully, she hadn't heard the group's discussion on the Generals' true names or heard the cats talking, but she had cut it close. "How could he choose a meatball head like her over ME!?!"
Ann caught a glance of the book in Raye's hand. "What's the big deal about that book?"
"I can't wait until we get started in the production." Serena chuckled.
Darien lifted her chin to see her soft blue eyes. "With you as my Princess, as you will always be."
"Princess, huh? We'll just see about that." Ann grinned as she teleported away, grabbing the attentions of all the Generals, Scouts, cats, and Darien.
"I have a bad feeling all of the sudden. Someone was watching us." Darien growled as he tightened his hold on Serena.
Malachite and Neflyte each growled and possessively moved towards his lady. Malachite had become more protective of his love after all of the times he had come so close to losing her and with Zoicite carrying their unborn child.
Neflyte too had come so close to losing Molly and then losing Desiree. "We know our Prince. And I don't like it. Let's get you home Molly."
"Yeah. I think we had better call mom on this too. I feel like something is about to turn everything upside down and hard!"
"It may still be early, but we should move as normal and let the Prince see everything – letting him ask questions as he wills" Malachite sent to Neflyte.
Though it would have been nice to let Darien remember things on his own, Neflyte got the feeling that time was running out. He nodded to Malachite, who nodded to Zoicite, who teleported away and quickly returned.
Darien looked as if he would faint for about five seconds, and then it was as if he was telling himself that what he had seen was normal. Yes, the old Prince was coming back. Especially when he called out, "Typhoon, Racine, Belle, and Blaze!"
With that four youma came forward from their hidden positions – guarding the Prince as their Masters and Mistress had assigned the four to do. That shocked everyone! Darien remembered the youma that guarded him by NAME!
And then he stepped up the shock by summoning Serena's youma as well!
"The eight of you must be on the highest alert to any suspicious happenings around me and Serena the next few days. For some reason this is surrounding the two of us, I feel it." He explained.
"We hear and obey, Majesty." The eight spoke in unison before bowing and then returning to their hidden posts.
Darien grinned at the stunned faces surrounding him. "Do you guys think that I am coming back or what?"
"Looks like we can teleport freely. Which means that Malachite and I each have two ladies apiece who need some rest." Neflyte smiled down on his very pregnant wife. Oh, how he loved Molly more than ever.
"But …" Molly's eyes teared up. She wanted to help and was scared to death for Serena.
Zoicite growled telepathically to her lover. "Don't you dare!"
"You girls are tired and both need your rest. Please angel, for Hope's sake?" Malachite softly looked into her eyes, the way he knew that would get her to give in to him.
"Malachite … I can't believe that you are doing this! FINE! I'll get some sleep!" Zoicite leaned against his chest, trying to hide the weariness that the others had already seen in her tired eyes.
Neflyte expectantly looked down on his wife. "Molly. You know that both you and Desiree are tired. Please."
Molly lost the fight to hide her yawn, before relaxing into his warm embrace. "All right Neflyte. Only because our little girl needs her sleep."
The group all teleported to their various destinations after that (Darien taking the book to show to Marge the next day). The two sets of parents-to-be both went to their bedrooms to take a nap, Jedite took his wife and daughter out to the park to enjoy the day and release his nervous energy, the cats went for a walk in the nearby gardens, Darien took Serena to his place, and the others went home. All any of them could do was wait for the inevitable to arrive.
Luna was frustrated. She and Artemis had planned to have their ever-needed talk, and now work had superceded it once again! When would she ever know how he really felt towards her? And when would she ever be allowed to tell him how she felt?
Artemis could see that Luna was perturbed, just as he was. He had wanted to get the talk over with so she could go ahead and laugh at him – anything to get it over with. It seemed that maybe that Hercules cat that protected her back before Zoicite and Malachite returned to their side had Luna's heart. Still he would always love Luna, nothing could change that.
"It feels like we will never be able to have our talk, Artemis. Every time we decided that we have to talk about what is going unsaid between us, business gets in the way!" Luna groaned.
Artemis took a deep breath. It was time to get this over with. "So we go ahead and talk now. After all we have to wait for the enemy to attack, so now is as good a time as we will ever find."
Luna nodded and took her turn to take a deep breath. She had never been this terrified in all of the years she had been working to find the Moon Princess on her own. "Who goes first then?"
"On three we both say what is on our hearts at the same time. Then we just deal with it as it goes. Okay?"
Luna nodded, and did all she could to hide her fear. Did he hate her? Slowly he counted and on three they spoke at the same time.
"I love you, Luna."
"Artemis, I love you."
That stunned them both silent. Their worse fears were wrong!
Artemis sighed in shock. "You love me? I thought you hated me."
"I thought that you hated me. I wouldn't tease you so much if I didn't love you! Oh Artemis!" Luna couldn't hold back her tears of joy.
Artemis smiled as she snuggled close to him. He didn't have to worry about losing her to some fat off color cat! "You do know that you have another guardian watching over you now, right kitten?"
Luna couldn't help but chuckle … given all of the times that she had saved him. "I know, handsome. And you do too. So you had better be very careful with my tomcat. I am protective of my guy."
The pair took their time in Artemis getting Luna home. Still they decided that their relationship had to keep at a slow pace while there was an enemy to fight. But it felt good now that the truth was out.
Going up to Serena's room, Luna flung herself onto the teen's empty bed and sighed in joy. Now the cat knew what it was the girl had been feeling over that year. "He loves me. Hm, hm, hm."
Serena sighed and giggled as she and Darien collapsed onto his bed. He was her guy again. The world was leveling out at last. Looking up into his eyes, she felt herself lose the pain from earlier.
Darien loved how her eyes would sparkle when she was happy. And now Serena was his girlfriend and his fiancée. How did he get so lucky as to gain her? It had something to do with their past, but Darien just wasn't sure what that past was.
There was something about Serena's story and pictures … something that rang in his core. Gently he claimed the lips he knew were to be with him for the rest of his life. This was the only woman he would ever marry.
And then the phone just had to ring!
"Stay right here beautiful. I want to get back to this when I get rid of our rude caller." Darien winked at her, and smiled at Serena's chuckles and blush.
She sighed as she stretched and relaxed on his bed. Serena knew full well what that did to her love. But, she also knew that he would wait until they were married before they went anywhere further than kissing and touching. Yet, she loved the shattering sigh Darien would give every time she would tease him.
"Hello? Hi Marge. Yeah … yeah. No, Serena's fine. Yeah, she's here with me. That's what I expected. We have a new play. Yeah, Snow White. Yeah we still want the leads. All right. No problem. See you tomorrow. Bye." Darien leaned against the wall and grinned on the beauty he was lucky to have as his only love.
Serena loved the look in Darien's eyes at that moment. "So, what did Marge have to say? Am I a poor Princess who's wicked stepmother poisoned her?"
Darien winked and produced the book out from behind his back. "Whenever you are ready, my Princess."
Serena chuckled as she relaxed and settled herself on his bed. "I'm ready whenever you are my Prince Charming."
"Look! It's Snow White!" Darien called out before he knelt down beside a grinning and barely chuckling Serena.
Life was good. He had his sweet Princess back. When he tenderly brushed his fingers down her cheek, Serena settled into her role and relaxed further. Her face relaxed into a look of absolute slumber, and her breathing slowed down. If one didn't know better, they would say that she really was asleep.
His voice and face showed the wonderful actor Darien was. "Oh Snow White, you're ice cold. How long have you been lying here alone in the woods? If only I could . . . warm your ice cold lips with my kiss."
To Serena's surprise, Darien's kiss was deep and passionate. His fingers brushed down her sides and rested on her hips when she broke the kiss for air. "Darien … my love … I don't think we will get away with this on stage."
"But, we aren't on stage. Now are we?" Darien loved how it felt to be so loved by someone. After being alone for so long, he had someone who loved him without condition.
Serena chuckled as she went back to kissing the only man she would ever love.
Alan pretended to look over his deck of Cardians, but he was watching Ann reading some human book. What was she up to? She had been acting so strange as of late. She had a strange look in her eyes and was smiling as she read whatever was in her hands.
Ann was reading Snow White. "I just love this story. Hm, hm, hm. It's so romantic."
Only then did Alan see the title of the book. "Uh, I don't think reading silly old fairy tales is useful. It's a big waste o' time. We need to be thinking of ways to steal energy instead."
The truth was he had read it himself, but Ann was not the Princess – it was Serena. How the girl had his heart completely. He turned in disgust – with himself and Ann – and walked off. She had been going nuts for some dark haired human – even worse it was the same human that held Serena away from him.
Ann didn't pay Alan any heed. 'So that's how people fall in love. The prince just kissed the sleeping princess, and POOF! He's in love. Well, if THAT'S all it takes to fall in love, look out, Darien. My lips and I are comin' after you! All I have to do is get that meatball head out of the way. And this book has gave me the best of ideas.'
The next day Marge called everyone to attention. "Okay, let's pull together people! Thankfully we still have our leads, and I'm glad that the rest of you could join in last minute like this. Now let's give out the parts."
Lita got the role of Snow White's birth mother, she hated that she died so early in the show, but at least she got a great seat for the rest of the performance – backstage.
Little Jayde played the part of the young Snow White. Thankfully she had her daddy's hair color (which matched up with the Moon Princess'). She was excited to have a part in it.
Raye played Jayde's Nanny. While Mina and Amy played two of the seven dwarfs.
Ann showed up a little too late. "So what part can I get?"
"I'm sorry Ann, but all that is left is the last dwarf and the Stepmother. Interested?" Marge explained. "You'll be the understudy for Serena if you like."
"Talk about letting the weasel look after the chickens! What can we do?" Lita whispered to Raye.
Raye was nervous. "The second she tries anything with Serena we jump in. Right now we can't let Ann know that we know what she really is."
"Right, wouldn't be too hard for her to guess who we are and then Serena's family would be her first target." Mina added.
Ann brushed it off. "No problem, just glad to be of help. Maybe I can get my brother to help out too."
What she was thinking on the other hand. 'I can't believe that she gets to kiss Darien! Well that won't be a problem for very much longer.'
Serena felt safe so long as her muffin was right there with her. "Can we practice the waking up scene, Marge?"
"Don't ya mean the kissing scene, Meatball Head?" Raye shot with a chuckle.
Serena and Darien both blushed hotly at that, while the rest (except Ann) burst out in tears of laughter. Marge quieted the group quickly. "Alright, all of you. Besides I'd like to make sure the two of you don't get too hot in the scene. Oh, and congratulations on the engagement."
"Thanks Marge." Serena and Darien muttered in unison as their faces lit up even redder and the group cackled all the harder.
This time Serena didn't giggle like crazy as she settled herself back onto the makeshift pedestal. Just like the night before in Darien's apartment (once she calmed down that is), she really looked like she was in an enchanted sleep. Darien could help admiring her for a few heartbeats. He didn't know what goddess had drawn him to her, but her was grateful for the intercession.
"Look! It's Snow White!" Serena felt so alive at the moment she heard Darien say that. She saw how jealous Ann was as Darien focused all of his attentions on his fiancée. So far nothing bad had happened, but Serena didn't know how far she would be able to push her luck.
And then she felt his touch on her skin. Warm, tender, and so loving – it sent sparks of electricity through her body. "Oh Snow White, you're ice cold. How long have you been lying here alone in the woods? If only I could . . . warm your ice cold lips with my kiss."
And then Serena felt his lips make contact. Fireworks went off, despite his best attempt to keep the kiss chaste. Serena barely picked up on the others' catcalls. That is until Raye started joking about have to hose them down before the theater lit up like a dry tender box.
Serena started to blow up, and Darien had to hold her back. Marge added in her two bits. "I think that this will be the first production of this play where Snow White had to be tied down in her coffin."
That ripped even more laughs from the group. Marge wiped a tear of mirth from her own eyes and sighed. "How about we work on the last trick the wicked Queen throws at Snow White? Ann that will be just you and Serena. Where's the apple?"
A stagehand reached Ann an apple. What no one knew was that Ann quickly cast a spell on it … oh, the surprise Serena was going to get. Marge sat down to watch the scene.
Ann glanced down at her script, but she already knew the scene by heart. Serena had a sudden uneasy feeling. Still what could Ann do in front of everyone like this? "Who is it?"
"An old woman bearing a gift, if you would give me but an hour of company. I will give you this shiny new apple, for the time you will keep the loneliness at bay." Ann thought she did a stellar performance, but the rest knew she had overdone it.
Marge along spoke though. "Ann, cut back on the dramatics a bit. Remember your character is an old woman, not a bubbly teenager. Go on with the scene girls."
Serena took a breath and continued to ignore her growing fear. "Twice I have been harmed by old women like you. I cannot come out and you are not allowed in."
"I understand child. At least take my apple as a gift to show you that not all old women are evil." Ann did all she could to hold back her eagerness to see Serena bite into that apple.
Serena was a little afraid of the look in Ann's eyes. "I – I …"
Ann tried to smile sweetly. However, Serena knew the truth and only saw a satisfied smirk. "It is only a piece of fruit."
"Alright. Thank you." Serena took the apple and was grateful when Marge stepped in.
"Okay everyone. Let's get ready to go from start to finished, since the base props are now set."
Ann looked annoyed, but did as she and the rest were told. Slowly they made it back to that scene where Serena held the apple once again in her hand. Marge didn't seem to see how nervous Serena was. "Okay, now let's see your death scene Serena."
Serena bit into the apple and fainted better than Marge and Darien had taught her. Once she was completely on the floor, the only thing that kept everyone from thinking it really was a poisoned apple was Serena suddenly coughing.
She hoarsely groaned out. "Sorry, some of it got in my windpipe."
The group was relieved when Marge called it a day. But they didn't like how Ann suddenly seemed to be in better spirits as she left.
Darien pulled Serena close to him with a worried look on his face. "Are you alright, Serena?"
"My throat's a little sore, but I'll be better later." Her voice was ragged still from her earlier coughing.
Amy didn't like it. "Let's get you a drink and see if that helps."
A glass of water later, and Serena was actually worse. "It hurts to talk."
Amy looked over at Raye worriedly. "Raye, I have a bad feeling about this."
Raye nodded and Amy quickly had her microcomputer out. After a few minutes of scanning Amy had the bad news. "It looks like that apple had some kind of spell on it. The apple pulp that went in your windpipe has covered your vocal cords. I think it's numbing them to where soon they won't work at all."
"What can we do about it?" Serena sickly got out. The sound of her wispy voice hurt all around her just to hear it.
"I'm not sure. Let me work on my scans and see what I can come up with. Maybe the Generals can help. For now don't talk. Every time you do, your cords weaken that much more." Amy sighed.
Serena was worried. "I'm supposed to watch Sammy for my folks starting tonight for this whole weekend."
Now her voice was down to the faintest whisper. Darien pulled her close. "Sammy can stay at his friends house for the weekend, and you can stay with me."
Beeline came forward, since the group was alone. "We have already informed your parents of the change in plans and the situation. They wanted to stay, but we have convinced them to keep their plans."
"Thank you Beeline." And with that, Serena's voice was completely gone. Again and again she tried to speak, but no sound came out.
"Oh man! Can't you shut your trap, Serena?!" Raye moaned.
"Shove it, Raye!"
Darien stood up for his love. "Leave her alone Raye. Things are bad enough."
'I don't care if it freaks him out, I need to talk to my Muffin.' Serena decided for herself, before sending her thoughts to her love. "Darien? Don't freak. You and I used to communicate like this all of the time."
"Yeah. I remember. Does it still hurt?"
Serena silently sighed as she shook her head before resting in his arms. "No. I'm afraid."
Darien held her tighter. "Don't be. I'm here, and I won't let anyone hurt you."
The group broke up and Darien took Serena to get some of her things. As she expected her folks were there, and worried. Irene hugged her child tightly. "Serena, is it true? You can't speak?"
Serena only nodded with a sad expression on her face. Ken took his turn at holding her tight. "Then we'll stick around. After all you might need us."
"Same with me. After all I can spend the weekend with Tommy anytime, and you need me now." Sammy declared.
Serena had to smile at that. Even if they fought so much, she was glad that Sammy really did care about her.
Darien stepped forward to make his presence known. All three before him and Serena secretly hoped that this meant he remembered. Serena had told him that they all remembered nearly as much as she did. "I was hoping to have Serena stay with me. Besides this gives her time to get a few of the wedding details set."
"Oh, you remember Darien!" Irene sighed out happily.
Sammy seemed more excited than the rest (including Serena). "Finally! That means you'll be hanging around more now right?"
"I don't remember everything yet, but some of it has come back and I am remembering more everyday. And as for hanging around, I think that you're stuck with me for always now Sammy." Darien joked as he pulled his fiancée into his arms.
Irene was just pleased that the memories were returning on schedule. "I'll get the cot out and ready for your overnights when Ken and I get back."
"But, I want the two of you to keep on waiting …" Ken started, until the others protested.
Serena gave him a glare.
"Ken!" Irene snapped, while Sammy moaned, "dad!"
"Alright, alright. I won't say it. But the two of you know what I mean. Have fun this weekend." Ken finally resigned that the wedding would happen sooner rather than later. He was going to call in an old favor.
Then Sammy thought of a problem. Doubting that Darien remembered that secret, he sent it to Serena with his mind. "Sis, what if you have to turn into Sailor Moon?"
Serena had thought about that on the car ride home. "I know. Hopefully by then I'll have my voice back. We're going to talk to the Generals later, and see if they have any ideas."
"Okay. Love ya sis."
"Love you too little bro." Serena smiled.
After getting her things they all went their separate ways.
Darien stopped by to let Serena pick up some wedding magazines and books. So many details, and Darien doubted that they had a lot of time. Something in his soon-to-be father-in-law's eyes told him so.
At his apartment, Darien started making hot chocolate while Serena read one of the books. "Muffin, can we have a themed wedding? Not a traditional Japanese or Western wedding?"
"Whatever you want, Meatball Head. Sounds like fun. What are you thinking about for a theme?"
Serena softly blushed. "The Moon Kingdom? We didn't get married then. But, I want to know what you would like too."
"Serena, I want you to have your dream wedding. I never thought about it, because I thought I'd never be lucky enough to have someone who wanted to be with me for the rest of her life." Darien set down the mugs of coco and settled next to her on the couch.
He loved it when she snuggled into his arms and smiled. Soon this would be their life, together for always. He could hardly wait for that.
"I love you Muffin." Serena sighed as she rested comfortably in his arms.
"And I love you, my Serena."
An hour later they were at the mansion, but there was no luck. Even with Zoicite helping them, the Generals couldn't heal Serena's vocal cords.
"Too bad Queen Serenity isn't here." Darien said mostly to himself, without knowing what he was talking about.
Serena and the others were shocked. Jayde was still putting things together herself (as no one really talked about their pasts with the little girl beyond what Queen Jessica had told her). "Mommy … daddy, who was Queen Serenity?"
Serena answered for the couple. "My mother in the days of the Moon Kingdom. Do you remember that, Muffin?"
"I remember her standing beside you when we were first introduced. But, not much more than that." Darien sighed. He was getting frustrated with his memory loss.
Malachite worried for his leader. "Still, you are right. The Queen would have known how to tune our powers to help aid in returning the Princess' voice, or would have made a potion to help her."
Zoicite smiled softly at her memories. "Queen Serenity was a great healer before her grandmother and aunt were both killed in an accident. As a Princess she had been given training for the possibility of her coming to the throne, but it wasn't likely (as her aunt was next in line to rule). So, she also learned to become a healer and sorceress. She was quite good at both."
"But then came the explosion of their ship to Earth. None survived, and Serenity was thrust into the place of ruler. That was just after her marriage to your father, Moon Princess." Neflyte added.
Serena looked so sad at that. "I don't remember what my father looked like. He was killed during the last war before Beryl attacked. I was very young; I think maybe three or four. Mother was carrying her second child, but something happened and she miscarried it. I think that it was a boy … am I right?"
"Yes Princess. Your mother was devastated at her losses, and became very protective of you because of that. That was why it wasn't until you were fourteen that you got any kind of Scout training. Your mother wanted you to have as normal a childhood as being a Princess could give you, without adding on the responsibility of being a Senshi as well." Jedite explained.
"I wonder what she would think of me now." Serena sadly said.
Darien took her into his arms and made Serena look into his eyes. "She would be so proud of you, Serena. You have come a long way from that strange girl who hit me in the head with a failed math test so long ago. You have gone from bottom of the class to near top in accelerated classes."
"You have helped to redeem and return four Generals to their proper duties." Jedite pointed out.
Neflyte smiled. "You save the life of a former enemy without any guarantee that he would not turn on you at his first convenience."
"She's done that twice, Neflyte." Zoicite pouted indignantly.
Malachite smiled on his love before looking up at their Prince and Princess. "And you have pulled the rest of us out of death to help you defeated Beryl. Not to mention many other deeds."
Serena was blushing red by this time. But all of it was true.
The days passed and Serena got no better. Instead of casting her out of the play (feeling bad for everything that seemed to go wrong for the poor girl since joining the troupe), Marge rewrote the script to read that Snow White was as silent as the snow descent from the high clouds after the death of her beloved father.
Ann hated it, but couldn't do anything about it. 'Looks like I'll have to take her physically out of the equation! But, how to do that with all of her friends and Darien hugging so close to her?'
The girls hated being "dwarves" so Marge also rewrote that to read that it was the Faery of the forest who guarded Snow White. Ironically, Melvin only joined in to try and gain Molly's hand by showing her he was a better guy than Maxfield. At least he had stopped putting down Neflyte, but it was easy to see that neither guy liked the other.
Molly and Neflyte (along with Zoicite and Malachite) helped at the rehearsals as much as they could. The ladies enjoyed the added time it gave them with their loves. Both men often were at work in the company, or out late training with the rest of the Scouts. But, this play began giving both couples more time together.
"Poor Snow White once again didn't recognize the wicked queen, and that was a terrible mistake." Lita called out from the stage as she wriggled in the unfinished wings.
Mina too couldn't remain still. "For when she bit into the poisoned apple, she instantly fell into a deep, eternal sleep."
Melvin looked weird in his glasses as the male Faery. "And no matter how hard we tried or the strength of the spells we cast, none of us could wake her."
"Poor Snow White." Raye really did feel bad for Serena.
Kat sighed perfectly as she looked over towards Serena. "Will she ever awaken?"
"No matter what, we, the Faery spirits of the forest will stand by her." Amy vowed. She not only meant in the play. She and the girls were determined to stand by Serena in good and bad for the rest of their lives.
Ann as the Evil Queen was the only one whose costume was done. She snickered a little too realistically for the girls and Darien. "Ha, ha. That'll be a really long time."
"I've had it with this itchy costume! We were supposed to be dwarves, remember?! Not Faeries! I feel like some little five-year-old back in kindergarten!" Raye complained.
Lita took the interruption to use a nearby fake tree to help her ease the itching on her back. "I'll say! I'm about to scream for the itching I'm getting in these wings!"
"Come on, girls." Melvin complained, adjusting his glasses sternly. "You're the ones who didn't wanna be dwarves."
The girls shut their lips, but were obviously not happy. When Melvin winked at Molly, she brushed him off. She was happily married with the daughter she once lost very much on the way. But, Melvin still continued to try.
"It was an awful lot of work to make these costumes."
That burnt Kat's nerves. "How would you know? All you have ever done is sign in your name and walk off!"
"Because you won't let me do anything! And you made my wings look like dead twigs and leaves!" Melvin whined.
"If you had ever bothered to research it, that is what male Faery wings look like!" Kat roared in disgust.
Melvin didn't know when to let go. "How would you know? There is no such …"
Kat glared at him with a look that would have killed an army. "DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT IN MY PRESENCE!"
"I look dumb!" Melvin whined even louder than before.
"My costuming did nothing to help in that. That you came by naturally." Kat muttered crossly to herself, but the girls on stage chuckled at it nonetheless.
"But I think they're perfectly suited to you." Ann calmly stated. And that made the chuckling worse.
"And how about Serena's costume? She's never looked better. C'mon, guys. Let's get back to rehearsal, okay?" Ann said, but added on to herself, 'of course the costume is going to look so much better on me when I get the lead and Darien's heart.'
'Oh, if only I were a REAL wicked witch, I'd cast a really terrible spell on that creep. Teach her a lesson or two.' Serena thought to herself. She knew that Ann had harmed her voice, but how to prove it and undo the damage was still a mystery.
Early the next evening, Jayde rushed around in her second costume – a little Faery. She was put into the extra role of explaining to Darien who Serena was, her past, and why she was asleep in the forest.
Molly was lying against Neflyte enjoying the vibrations of his deep voice reverberating through her body, and she wasn't the only one either. "Dada talk more, peese?"
"What shall I say, my daughter?" Neflyte and Molly were both very happy.
In about a month their little girl would be born. Molly's stomach began to harden slightly, and she started to pant. This was the first time she had been this uncomfortable in front of Neflyte, and it worried him. "Molly?"
"False contraction." Molly panted out.
"Momma what's happening to me?" Desiree whimpered frighteningly.
Molly softly blew out as the pain past. "Mommy's body is getting ready to help you come into the world baby girl. Think of it like practice for you being born."
Desiree knew all about the play, since her parents helped at every rehearsal. "Like the play! Yea, I get to practice too!"
That calmed Neflyte down, and even brought a chuckle out of him that Desiree and Molly both felt roll through their bodies. "Yes, baby girl. Are you hungry?"
"No. I want to go to practice, please."
"Tonight's the real thing. No practice this time." Molly chuckled.
Zoicite was in the downstairs rocker trying hard not to think about how much her back was hurting. Then she got a surprise. "Momma? Dada?"
"Malachite!" She cried out.
He was scared something was wrong with the pregnancy. But then Zoicite rested his hand on her stomach with an unmistakable smile on her face. "Hello in there."
"Momma!" Hope squealed in delight.
That brought Malachite to his knees. His daughter was talking to them with her mind. "Baby girl? My little Hope?"
"Dada! Uv dada! Uv momma!"
"And we love you little one." Zoicite never once imagined that being a mother would feel like this. She had never felt so whole in her life. All of her dreams were slowly coming true.
They weren't the only one who heard the baby's small voice in their minds. Desiree had been waiting for this. "Hey girl-girl!"
Hope giggled, bringing brighter smiles to all in that home. "Girl-girl! Hi, Desiree!"
The group all chuckled and smiled at that. Obviously the two girls were going to be very close.
Jedite and Brooke brought dinner out with smiles on their faces. They too had heard the unborn girls talking. Though they had their daughter, Jayde, both were hopeful to give her a little brother or sister someday.
Jedite smiled on his friends. "Well even if a certain little girl isn't hungry, I'll bet her mom is. Come on everyone. We have to get dinner done before the play."
"Daddy, I'm not hungry!" Jayde whined.
Brooke smiled, "yes, you are. You're just nervous about the opening night. Now come over here and sit down."
"The rest of you guys too." Jedite added on with a superior smirk on his face. "Or no dessert."
"Jedite, you are taking this daddy thing a little too far old friend." Malachite joked, and all chuckled at it.
Yes, they were all friends once again, and Jedite liked it that way. They all lived very close to one another in the Negaverse, only then it had been because they hadn't trusted one another. Now they were all close friends, and really didn't want to separate.
Jedite knew that eventually they would all get their own places and move out of Molly and Neflyte's mansion. Still he was going to wait a while before he and his little family would move out on their own. It was too nice right now to break away just yet – a large family all taking care of one another, exactly what the kids needed.
And then Zoicite rushed off to the bathroom. Everyone knew exactly what was going on. The woman was still suffering from morning sickness. Molly smiled at the rushing woman in sympathy, although Zoicite's bouts were much more severe. Molly remembered how that felt, and was grateful that she had gotten past that stage.
Malachite went to her side, while Brooke went and made a cup of ginger tea. That was the only thing she dreaded, besides the obvious pain, about getting herself pregnant. By the time she finished the tea and sat it at Zoicite's place setting, a moaning lady General was settling herself to try and eat something.
An hour later it was show time. All of the girls were nervous. Serena and Raye carefully peeked between the curtains to see the house quickly filling. The play had been a sell out! Somehow that didn't help the group's confidence half as much as one would think it would.
"Sure are a lot of people out there." Serena sent to the group. Her hair was down from its usual set of odangos for the play. She looked different for it, but she was still a beauty to her friends.
Raye felt like running, she was so scared. "I'm really starting to get nervous, aren't you?"
Then a buzzer softly went off back stage. Darien smiled as he looked over at his Princess. He remembered that was what she was long before, and he once was a Prince. But someone had come between them then and that was the reason he couldn't really remember what had once been.
Then he came back to reality. "That means it's first call. Is everybody ready?"
"Yes." The group softly said, while Serena smiled and nodded her head.
Ann looked over at Darien with such longing. 'You bet I'm ready . . . for your kiss, Darien, and to fall in love. I'll find the way to get in that position – somehow. Maybe not tonight, but I will soon. Watch out Serena … there's only room enough for one of us in Darien's heart – and it will be me!'
Lita took her place, and the others rushed to the sides just as the curtains rose. Serena and Darien snuggled close as the audience applauded the start of the show. But the spotlight didn't land on Lita like it was suppose to. It landed on a Cardian clown on top of one of the towers in the castle set behind her. "Break a leg!"
'Who's she supposed to be?' Just then Serena felt as if she had left her body.
She was back in the Moon Kingdom High Palace, and before her was her lost mother – Queen Serenity. "I know that you cannot speak my darling daughter. But, I'm here to fix that. Now drink this my child, it will take a short time to work, but you will have your voice returned to you so you can be there when you are needed the most."
'Thank you, mother. I miss you so very much.' Serena felt the tears fell down her cheeks as she swallowed the sweet herbed liquid. It was warm as it slid down her throat, and where her throat was numb from Ann's spell began to tingle just barely.
"I am with you my daughter, even when you don't know it. And I am so proud of you." Serenity smiled and kissed Serena's forehead, before fading away to where she stayed to be closer to her beloved daughter.
Serena opened her eyes, feeling stronger in body and heart. The tingle in her throat was growing, along with her confidence. Lita and the others were already on stage, in costume. Lita growled in frustration, "you must have the wrong theater."
"Try the circus next door." Mina and Raye together snapped.
"Maybe she's the seventh dwarf." Amy snickered. The entire group was about full of dealing with Melvin's whining about his costume.
The cute comment seemed to irritate the Cardian. She proclaimed proudly, "I'm the great Keelho."
She spun around and when the group next saw her clearly she had a unicycle under her. Neflyte quickly felt fear grip his heart – as did Malachite. Instantly, they both grabbed their love and dragged the ladies into the hallway. Molly's fear was evident. And though she had been trained to keep her outward appearance strong, Zoicite felt as if she was going to faint from the fear. Malachite and Neflyte saw it easily though.
Neflyte kissed Molly soundly on the mouth, trying to calm his own fear. When he looked into the eyes of his pregnant wife, he saw the terror along with the acceptance of what he was about to say. "Love, it's too dangerous for you and Desiree. I'll send a signal when it is safe for you, Desiree, Zoicite, and Hope to return for the play."
'Wanna stay with dada!' Desiree shouted out decisively.
"Desiree Namid Renee Stanton, you are going with mommy. Who else will tell daddy and uncle Malachite what mommy and aunt Zoicite get into while we men are away?" Neflyte smiled conspirator-like at Malachite and then at his wife. Neflyte knew exactly what was coming up. Zoicite was experiencing mood swings that would occasionally rival Molly's worse outbursts.
Zoicite looked as if she would explode for a moment, and then fought to keep from breaking down into tears. "So, I'm not needed. I am to be watched carefully."
"Zoi my love, you know that it is not that way. I couldn't bear it if I lost you and our daughter. You and Hope are my life. Neflyte and I are only protecting the four people who mean the most to us." Malachite sealed his vow with a stirring kiss, and Zoicite was pleased.
Backstage Jedite pulled his love and daughter off to the side and sent them home as well. All three men had been given back what they had once held so dear and lost a thousand years before – they were not about to risk losing their internal families again.
Once the girls were safely at the mansion, the Generals rejoined the action. Some of the set was trashed, Darien and Ann were unconscious, and Melvin's yellow spine was showing its true colors. "I'm getting outta here! That thing's dangerous!"
During that interlude, the tingling in Serena's throat had steadily increased. She could feel her mother's potion working, but was so frustrated that it was taking so long to finish working. What if the others would soon need Sailor Moon? Serena shook her head and knew that her mother wouldn't have waited to heal her when it was too late to help – Sailor Moon would arrive, Serena just had to keep on believing that.
Melvin tripped and came close to smashing into the group. Thankfully, it knocked him out.
So far as the Generals and Serena could see, the audience had decided that this was part of the play. Only Chad and Serena's family saw the truth. Sammy was worried … would his sister be able to transform into Sailor Moon?
"Now for my next act!" Keelho chuckled as she turned to the audience and opened an umbrella. As she spins it, she began to drain the crowd of its energy.
That was enough for Serena. Her voice was still scratchy and weak, but she had her fill of this Cardian! "We've put a ton of work into this play. How dare you spoil it! MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
This stunned and overjoyed those who knew the secret of the Sailor Scouts. Serena had her voice back! And quickly she turned into the Champion of Justice – Sailor Moon. While her voice steadily improved. "We worked our buns off to get this play off the ground."
"No kidding." Keelho mocked, only then noticing Sailor Moon.
"Yeah, and I'm not gonna let you ruin it." Moon snapped. Her voice had almost returned to normal. "We made it this far, and then you had to go and spoil it all, you crummy clown. I stand for love and justice, and in the name of the Moon, I'm gonna punish you! I'm Sailor Moon! You're taking a big pratfall, and I mean you."
Sammy was happy to see his big-mouthed sister was talking again. "All right! Sailor Moon makes the scene. Maybe this won't be a bomb after all."
Keelho didn't look all that impressed. A big mistake that every failed Cardian and Negaverse warrior before her too had made – underestimating Sailor Moon. The clown's umbrella shot a rope that tied up Sailor Moon before she could react. "Please, get the hook!"
Before the Generals could move, Moon began getting shocked. Sammy's parents had to use what little strength they had left to hold him back from fighting for his big sister. Suddenly, a white rose sliced the rope and freed Sailor Moon. Keelho ended up landing on the floor less than gracefully. Moon looked up to a sweet sight. "It's the Moonlight Knight!"
On one of the lighting rigs was the Moonlight Knight. "There's nothing worse than a greedy stage hog. The show must go on! I'm at your service, Sailor Moon. Nice to hear your sweet voice again."
The audience was spell bound as the rest of the team did their dramatic entrances.
"I am Sailor Mars, and believe me, I'm not clowning around! I call upon my firebird! I will vanquish you! I am Sailor Mars!"
"You want trouble, pal?! You're looking at it! My name is trouble. I'm Sailor Jupiter!"
"You've met my friends Mars and Jupiter. Some people might call me a bookworm, but my most lethal weapon is my brain. Beware, because I am . . . Sailor Mercury!"
"You're thinking I'm just a pretty blonde. In my case, what you see is definitely not what you get. Sailor V is for victory. I'm Sailor Venus!"
"We're the Sailor Scouts!" All of them shouted together.
Not letting the girls alone have all the fun, the three Generals appeared above the stage – just hovering above the group's heads. This wowed the audience all the more.
"And if you thought that the Scouts were your only problem – think again clown! You also have their guardians to deal with! And we don't take any attack on any of the Sailor Scout lightly. I am High General Neflyte – leader of the High Guardians. The stars say that time has come for you to exit the stage – permanently!"
"Our High General isn't the only one you will face, Cardian! I am High Guardian Malachite. And you have more than met your match."
"She should be grateful two of our group are benched for now, or by now she would have been destroyed. I am High Guardian Jedite. Your false impression of grandeur and power are about to be obliterated by powers of illusion taken form."
Keelho growled at that. "Oh yeah? Take this!"
Her umbrella shot off blades of fire. The Scouts and Generals dodged out of the danger zone. Jedite and Mars both saw Keelho start towards Sailor Moon. Time to teach the clown some respect.
"I call upon the power of Mars. FIREBALLS CHARGE!" Mars tags the scroll onto the Cardian, paralyzing Keelho.
"What's this?"
Next was Jedite's turn. "FEAR SPECTOR SHROUD ENVELOPE!"
Keelho began to pant and shake in fear. It saw its worse fear stalking it. Then Sailor Mercury had her say. "I gave up a whole lot of study time to memorize my lines for this play. I hate wasting time, and that's what you made me do, you creepazoid! MERCURY ICE BUBBLES FREEZE!"
This encased Keelho in her tracks and her fear.
By now Sailor Moon's voice was back in full force, and everyone was happy for that. "Show's over, pal! MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!"
The Cardian turned back into its card before it faded to black. The audience stood up and cheered. Sammy was out of his seat, smiling. "All right! Way to go, Sailor Moon!"
"Magnificent performance, Sailor Scouts and Generals. Take a bow, everyone. You deserve it. And congratulations to you Generals on the next generation. See ya 'round." Moonlight winked and saluted the group before leaving.
The moon prop he was standing on rose out of their sights. Sailor Moon was nearly pushed to her limits with this mystery. When would the truth come out? "Don't go, Moonlight Knight!"
The curtain closed, but the Scouts and Generals were still standing in front of it. The applauding audience was on their feet. The scouts all agreed. "Ooh, I like the spotlight."
But, there was a little girl who had her heart set on acting out the play. Sailor Moon (voice completely in tack now) took a couple of steps forward to speak. "Sorry about interrupting the play everyone. We didn't want that lousy clown wreaking the hard work the troupe has put into the production. It may not be as exciting as our battle, but it is different from the story most of you are familiar with. And now on with the show!"
Once the group got behind the curtain, everyone hugged a chuckling Sailor Moon. She had never felt so loved, but the audience was waiting. "We can celebrate later. Everyone get to your marks already! Lita, you're up!"
Quickly changing to her everyday self, Serena turned around to see that Darien was up and smiling at her. "Hey muffin!"
"Glad to hear you sweet voice, my Princess." He grabbed her into his arms for a tight hug. Seeing her change from Sailor Moon didn't seem to faze him – because he had another memory return. "Looks like we won't have a Wicked Stepmother. Ann vanished before I woke up."
Kat came up behind them smiling. "I have great news! I can do the Wicked Stepmother. Two of my cousins showed up and there's no need to alter the costumes!"
"Great!" The couple smiled. Across the stage in the left wing little Jayde stood, waiting excitedly for her cue. Which meant that Brooke, Molly, and three of the Generals were in the audience once again.
But, when the curtains rose all were silently focusing on Lita and Marge's voice narrating the story.
Once upon a time, a Queen sat looking at the winter snow falling on her kingdom. She was sad because she had yet no children. She pricked her finger as she stitched, and a small dot of blood soaked into the cloth she was darning.
Lita took her cue. "If only I had a little girl whose skin was as pale as falling snow, hair radiant as the spun gold thread I am using for my stitches, and lips as red as blood. I would not be as wretched as I am now. I would give my life to only once hold my beautiful daughter."
The scene became Lita laying on a bed, looking ill, and holding onto a doll. She turned out to be quite the actress.
And that she did. For the Queen birthed a daughter that summer, and only lived to have the girl laid in her arms and give the girl a kiss on the forehead and her name.
"My Snow White." And then Lita laid back and looked very much dead.
The scene changed again. This time Raye was seated on a bench and Jayde was seated at her feet, playing with a doll.
Years passed, and Snow White was a well-loved and happy little girl. Her nurse only saw the little Princess sad when asking about her mother.
Jayde sighed and went from happy to very sad as she seemed to look up at Raye. "Nanny, will you tell me about mommy again?"
"Oh Princess Snow, by now you must know of that story better than I. Why must you fill your tiny heart with such sadness?" Raye smiled forlornly on the child.
"If I do not remember her, then she will stop living within me. I do not want my mother to die completely, Nanny." Jayde looked as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.
Raye almost lost her line looking at that sweet little sad face Jayde had perfected. "Very well. Years ago your parents married in the midsummer sun. They were deeply in love and were as happy as two people could be."
Jayde smiled again somewhat. But, it was obvious that she was still sad. "But they were both still missing something."
"Someone, they were missing someone. It was you little Princess they missed. One winter your mother wished with all of her heart to have a daughter. One whose hair was radiant as spun gold." Raye smiled. She was really having fun. Maybe she would join the acting troupe at her school.
Jayde bounced in place and giggled. "And lips red as the little drop of blood that was on her fabric where she pricked her finger."
Raye chuckled impromptu. "Yes, and skin as pale as falling snow. Remember why that was?"
"Because she wished it in winter!" Jayde squealed.
"Yes. And that summer she got her wish." Raye smiled.
Then Jayde settled down and went back to sad. "But it cost her her life."
"Yes. She lived only long enough to hold her beloved daughter once in this life. The Queen died with that child's name on her lips." Raye was glad that her part in this was nearly over with. She wanted to get to Serena's scenes.
Jayde sighed dramatically. "Snow White."
"Her only and beloved little girl."
Jedite came out on stage. "And mine as well. How is my little Snow White?"
"Papa! Papa!" Jayde squealed as she rushed into his arms.
Raye discreetly left the stage. Jedite took a seat on her bench and settled an again happy Jayde on his lap. "Have you been good my Princess Snow?"
"Yes Papa. Why were you gone for so long this trip?" Jayde smiled up at her father genuinely. This was the best part of the play for her.
"I felt that you need a mother in your life, so I went to find someone to help you where you dear mother no longer can. Helen, you can come in now. Snow, this is your new stepmother. Helen this is my beloved daughter, Snow White."
Kat came on very dark and oppressively. Even the sweet smile she wore on her face was dark. In perfect character, Jayde partly hid behind Jedite in fear. "Don't be afraid of me, my dear. Your father has told me so very much of you. I just know that we will be closer than any other mother and daughter."
"I am not your daughter." Jayde said firmly and then ran off stage into the arms of the Moon Princess and her Prince.
Jedite truly worried that Jayde was upset. "Just give her time. This is a lot for her to deal with right now."
Then he left the stage to check on his daughter. Jayde was all smiles. Yes, she was quite an actress in the making.
"She matters none. Now that the kingdom is mine, she means nothing." Kat snapped evilly.
And the kingdom soon did belong to Helen. For poor Snow White sat near as her father left to join her beloved mother far from the little girl's reach. Little Snow White spoke not a word after that last breath left her father's body.
Years passed. Helen took full control of the kingdom, and poor Snow White was reduced to the role of a mere servant. The little girl was always happy when others spoke of her parents, and the subjects hated to see their beloved Princess sad, so they spoke of the deceased couple as often as their dared out of the hearing of the Wicked Queen Helen.
Before long the young Princess became of age. A creature of such beauty was rare to find. But, so long as the Queen was higher in beauty, Snow White was safe. For the Queen was a vicious and vain woman.
Serena silently went out on stage and walked a few spaces down right to the little wishing well. Kat went on upstage left. The stage had been broken as if one could see into the Queen's chambers and outside in the garden at the same time.
Kat refused to tell anyone how she had rigged the mirror to work, stating only that it was her secret and that she would never tell. "Magic mirror on the wall tell me just who is the fairest of all."
"Thou are a beauty fare it is true…"
The mirror began as it had every day. However, this morning it had a very different message to deliver to the Wicked Queen.
"… yet Snow White is still more lovelier than you."
Kat was a great actress! Her face grew dark at that. Her voice was chilly. "What did you say?"
"Snow White is still more lovelier than you."
Kat pulled on a hung cord, and a count of ten later Melvin sniveled in. Kat enjoyed being his superior on stage. "Find the head Huntsman now!"
Melvin ran off stage. It took everything Kat had to hold back her chuckles and keep her harsh face on. Though she was doing too well for Jayde's point of view. The poor little girl clung to her father tight.
"Baby girl, it's still Kat. Remember that she's playing just like you." Jedite whispered to her.
Jayde simply whimpered back, "does she have to pretend so good?"
"Let's get you ready for your next part." Jedite chuckled.
By this time, Rob came out as the head Huntsman. "You called my Queen?"
"Take Snow White deep into the forest and end her life. As proof … I want you to bring back her heart." Kat smirked darker than ever before.
"My Queen … I can't … I …" Rob stuttered.
Kat glared so hard at him that Rob was really scared for his life. "Can't or won't! You are my servant – never forget that! Now do I say!"
"Yes, my Queen." Rob lowly answered.
As ordered by the Queen the head Huntsman took Snow White deep into the forest. He knew however that the Queen would be watching … just as he knew that her magic could be eluded for a time once one passed a small waterfall deep in the woods. There the Queen's magic was halted by a Faery spell. She could look into the woods to find anything she so chose, but it would take a great amount of time – precious time that the head Huntsman desperately needed. Finally, he felt the weight of the Queen's stare off of his back.
"Princess, please run far away!" Rob sighed hard. For a backstage man he was a great actor in a pinch.
Serena looked at him confused. And then looked terrified of the knife in his hand. "Princess run! The Queen has ordered your death! Never return to the castle, and never come past this place until you are told by the faeries that the Queen is dead and gone. Faery of the forests I leave our dear Princess with you. Please protect her from the Queen, for Snow White is truly the fairest one of all in all ways! Farewell majesty, and may your life be long and happy."
Then Rob rushed off stage. Serena looked around frightened at everything around her.
Princess Snow White was terrified of being alone. What she did not know was that she wasn't alone. The animals of the woods had told the Faery of the Princess' coming. And they all heard the Huntsman's confession and plea. The youngest among them was chosen to flutter in first.
Serena looked stunned as Jayde softly lowered into view. She didn't know that the Generals decided to use their powers to help the realism of the scene. "I am Astrid of the Stars and sky. Please do not be afraid dear Princess. We are here to protect you. Do you not speak?"
Serena shook her head. Jayde rested a finger on her adult friend's forehead. At that moment Malachite created a burst of magic – only an illusion, but it did the trick. The audience gasped, sighed, and was pulled into the play even more.
Jayde gave her sad face again. "That is so sad. Everyone she hasn't spoken a word since the death of her father. He promised to send someone to come make her happy and whole again on first sight, and she has sworn to never speak until that day comes."
One by one the girls and Kat's cousins came out on the stage. Raye smiled. This was fun and finally the wings didn't itch her. "Then we will guard you until that day arrives."
"Come and we will make you a place to call your home until your Prince comes." Kat's cousin Storm, who had taken Kat's place, had a sneaky grin on her face.
The group moved off the stage and not only was the audience was stunned by what they next saw … all those who had been working hard on the production too. The Faery house that seemingly shimmered to life was nothing like the one they had built. What was going on?
Not losing the momentum of the scene Serena acted happy with the house and twirled about before going in. And then the curtains shut.
The head Huntsman gave the heart of a pig over to the Queen who then cooked and ate it. As a reward for a job well done, the Queen gave the Huntsman allowed him to leave her service. And for a time, that was enough for the Queen. She stopped asking that deadly question of her magic mirror, and Snow White cared for the Faery as they cared for her.
A year later, another young girl gave the Queen reason to fear her beauty – which had diminished because of the greed and hate in her heart. Once again the Queen went to her magic mirror.
The curtains opened on an aged Kat glaring into her mirror whose face showed churning purple and black smoke behind a skull. "Magic mirror on the wall tell me just who is the fairest of all?"
"Thy are a Beauty of the past … while Snow White's beauty still doth last."
Kat growled. "Snow White is dead! I ate her heart a year ago!"
"Snow White's heart beats in her chest at this time, you my Queen ate the heart of a swine."
Kat screamed in perfect character. She stormed over to her wardrobe and tore it open. After a few minutes of rummaging, she started to cackle. "So Snow White lives then … well not for long! And tonight will be perfect."
The curtains shut once again as Kat chuckled and moved off stage.
Snow White had lived happily for a year, but now was the focus of the Queen's rage again. Early that afternoon, her guardian Faeries all appeared before their favorite Princess.
"We are off to the festival, fairest Snow White." Jayde chuckled. She really liked the extra part she had been given.
Storm's face grew grave. "Now remember to take the greatest of care. The Queen still is a danger, and will remain such until she is dead."
"The slightest apprehension in your heart return to the safety of the cottage." Raye said as she laid a hand on Serena's shoulder.
Kat's other cousin, Galena, nodded in agreement. "The house is of magic pure, and will keep you safe from the Wicked Queen's enchantments and spells."
Then the group left the stage, Jayde leaving a kiss on Serena's cheek – to give the Moon Princess a little more encouragement. It was a nice spontaneous and unplanned move that did just what the little girl wanted.
A few minutes after the group left, Snow White met a mysterious but kindly looking old woman.
"Hello my dear. Have time to spend with a lonely old woman?"
Serena visibly sighed and then pointed to her throat.
The old woman nodded her head in understanding. "I see. But can you listen well?"
Serena smiled softly and nodded.
Snow White enjoyed the time she spent with the old woman. The stranger showed the princess some plants growing near by that were harmful to humans if eaten, and then told the young girl some stories. But all too soon Snow White began looking for her Faery friends.
"Expecting company my dear? Well then, I won't keep you. But here, a gift for giving an old woman some joy in her life." The old woman pulled a lovely dark comb out of her basket. "I'll even set it in your lovely hair."
Serena sat down and allowed the old woman to pull her long hair up and set the comb to hold the hair in place.
What Snow White didn't know was that the comb was poisoned and the old woman wasn't all that she seemed. The second that the comb scratched her skin lightly, Snow White collapsed, and the old woman revealed her true self.
Without a missed beat Kat seemingly ripped off her disguise in one swipe. "Now pretty Snow White, who is the fairest one of all? I am! You should have remembered what you father taught you about not speaking to strangers!"
Kat fled the stage just as the Faeries returned. Jayde rushed over to and shook Serena excitedly. "She's enchanted!"
"It has to be the work of the Wicked Queen!" Storm growled.
Raye knelt next to Serena's head. "What's this?"
"A comb. Pull it out!" Galena ordered.
When Raye did, Serena knew to silently count to three before getting up groggily.
'Okay. One, Two, Three.' Slowly Serena pushed herself off of the stage floor into a sitting position. She really did feel tired.
Raye and Storm helped her stand. Galena shook her head. "Now do you see what I meant before? The Queen found out that the kindly Huntsman did not kill you, and wanted to finish the chore. For now she thinks you are dead. You must be much more careful Princess."
Serena blushed softly and nodded. The group went into the cottage as the curtains closed.
The Faeries of the forest hoped that the Queen would now believe again that Snow White was dead – there by guarding the young Princess' life once again. But, they all knew that time was not on their side. Where was the one who would make the Princess whole? And when would the Wicked Queen die?
The curtains opened on a pacing and upset Kat. "Never send a man to the job of a Queen! Now to see that my plan has worked. Magic mirror on the wall tell me just who is the fairest of all?"
"Into death's arm the Princess did not fall. Snow White my Queen still is the fairest beauty of all." The mirror answered back.
Kat screeched. "Show me!"
In the mirror, all could clearly see Serena picking wildflowers in a field. How was Kat doing this?
"Enjoy your life for now Snow White. You won't have it very much longer!"
Again the curtains closed.
Once again the Queen donned her disguise. But this time, Snow White was a little more cautious of strangers. This time the Faery had to go to the Royal Court, and none could remain to guard the Princess they all adored so much.
"This time Princess please remain in the safety of the cottage until we return." Galena asked of Serena.
Raye rested a hand on Serena's shoulder. "Yes, the spells we first enchanted the house with are stronger now. The Queen cannot enter without being invited."
"Please do not invite anyone in while we are away." Jayde gave a pleading look up at Serena.
Neflyte and Molly both smiled at that. Desiree was resting silently listening to the play. Zoicite had dosed off on Malachite shoulder. The pregnancy had really drained her. Brooke was so proud of her baby girl. And she couldn't get over how handsome her husband was in his costume.
Once Serena was inside the cottage, Storm secured the lower portion of the front door. "Remember, no coming out of the cottage."
Serena smiled and nodded firmly. Once the group left she shut the top level of the door.
Again it was a few beats later that Kat – in disguise – came on stage. She knocked on the door and Serena opened the door and was visibly frightened.
"Hello dearie. Can you spend a little time with a lonely old woman?"
Serena firmly shook her head and started to back away. But Kat wasn't going to be brushed off that easily. "I understand child, you have been hurt by an old woman before. That must be why you do not speak. At least take my apple as a gift to show you that not all old women are evil."
Serena visibly winced. She was very afraid of apples now. Thankfully the Generals put guard spells on her to prevent any more attacks to her voice and throat (along with the poisons they were familiar with).
Kat offered the apple more insistently. "It is only a piece of fruit."
Serena took a breath and bit into the apple. It tasted better than any other she had ever bit into. Glancing over towards her friends backstage, Serena saw Jedite grinning. He wanted to make sure she didn't stop eating apples.
It took a lot for Serena to fake it had a bitter taste of poison, but several great actors had taught her well (her Muffin included). Serena's face went to disgust just before she dropped the apple and fell to the floor. The apple bounced off of the lower door, rolled down the stairs and little path, and finally spun about so that the audience could clearly see were Serena had bit into it.
Kat cackled as she ripped off her costume. "You are so simple minded child! Grateful you were never mine!"
That woke up Zoicite. She looked up and whispered at her beloved Malachite. "Sorry."
"No need. After all you aren't the only one who needs the sleep." Malachite whispered before softly kissing her cheek and rubbing where their unborn daughter was growing.
Kat left the stage. Several beats later the others rushed on stage. Jayde was giving off such convincing fake tears, the group (Brook mainly) were afraid that the little girl was really crying. "I told all of you! I told you I felt something was wrong with the young Princess!"
Mina picked up the apple and took a whiff off of it, pushing it far from her nose in disgust. "It's coated in poison … magic based poison!"
"The Wicked Queen has been here again!" Amy cried out.
Lita, Jayde, and Galena hurried into the cottage as the curtains closed.
A few beats later the curtains rose showing Serena lying on the finished pedestal with the Faeries surrounding her. All of the girls looked sadly at the peacefully resting Princess.
"Poor Snow White once again didn't recognize the wicked queen, and that was a terrible mistake." Lita called out from at Serena's feet.
Mina stood next to her and, as she spoke, sprinkled rose petals on Serena. "For when she bit into the poisoned apple, she instantly fell into a deep, eternal sleep."
Storm shook her head and touched Serena's hands, which held a crystal rose. "And no matter how hard we tried or the strength of the spells we cast, none of us could wake her."
"Poor Snow White." Raye really felt proud of Serena.
Storm sighed as she looked over towards Serena. "Will she ever awaken?"
"No matter what, we, the Faery spirits of the forest will stand by her." Amy vowed with a voice that was loud and strong.
Kat came out on stage and snickered. "Ha, ha. That'll be a really long time."
"You are the one who did this to our beloved Princess!" Raye snapped.
"She should have known to not trust strange old women." Kat jeered. "Now she will never die, that would be too good for her. But she will remain in her enchanted forever!"
Jayde stood up with a glare in her eyes that would have made all of the Generals proud. "As a hag you paused her life, one you filled with heartache and strife. All because you wished to be the fairest all, may that wish now be your downfall! From this day may your true nature what little beauty you hold erase, let your true heart show forever on your face!"
Kat turned from the audience and screamed a blood-curdling screech. When she turned to face them again, she was more hideous than her costume had been!
Storm looked on the sleeping Princess and nodded with determination. "Sleep not evermore Snow White. The first kiss of true love wake you to a happy life. Only he who will make you happy and whole can undo the witch's spell, and the proof of this your sweet voice someday will tell."
An inner curtain closed to hide away Serena and the Faeries. A castle garden was pushed out onstage from the wings. Thankfully Neflyte remembered working hard on those. Darien and Rob came out on stage.
Now the Huntsman had found a new position safe from the Queen's reach, and blessed by the Faery that he had left the Princess with. He had become the personal servant to a young Prince. He had told this young Prince all of the Princess who refused to ever speak.
The Story enamored the young Prince who swore to go seeking the Silent Princess on his twentieth birthday.
One day the youngest Faery of the forest took it as he sad duty to find and inform the head Huntsman of the fate of Snow White. With a heavy heart, he in turn told the sad tale to the young Prince who was a few days from his twentieth birthday.
"My Prince, Snow White has been put under a curse that the Faery of the Forest cannot undo." Rob sorrowfully explained.
Darien looked tensed at that. "Who has done of this to Snow White?"
"The Wicked Queen who had ordered me to murder the Princess, sire."
"I know I swore to go seeking her on my coming birthday my friend. However, I think that this gives me the reason I have been searching for to go early. Ready the horses and our weapons. We want to be ready if the Queen decides to intercede."
"Yes Sire." Rob bowed with hope in his voice.
They both exited the stage, and the castle scenery was replaced with thick forest. Darien and Rob forced their way through, only to be met up by Kat. "I won't let you near her! You won't break my spell!"
Jedite created the illusion of a monster attacking the men. Darien fought it for several minutes with his sword before finally killing the creature by stabbing it through the heart.
Kat held up a black crystal sphere. Rob shot an arrow, which hit its mark, killing the Queen. It had contained all of her magic at the moment that Rob's arrow destroyed it.
Darien smiled over at Rob. "Now lets go find and free Snow White!"
They went off stage, and the inner curtain rose. Serena lay on the pedestal all alone. She had stayed in place through the play so that the flower petals hadn't been disturbed. Darien walked out on stage. This was the part of the play that he had been looking forward too.
"Look! It's Snow White!" Darien knelt beside Serena. The play was nearly over, but their happily ever after was only beginning … at least that was what all hoped for. "Oh Snow White, you're ice cold. How long have you been lying here alone in the woods?"
"But, she hasn't been alone." Jayde said as she and the others came forward.
Darien started to go on the defensive, but Rob halted him. "The Faery of the Forest … you remained at the Princess' side all of this time?"
"Yes good Huntsman. She is well beloved among our kind. We only wish that we could have kept her from the Wicked Queen's harmful touch." Galena said as she averted her face.
Rob shook his head. "For some reason this was meant to happen. Will she truly sleep for all time?"
"No. Our sister's spell softened the original curse. The one who would have ended her silence will wake her someday. We just wonder if he will ever come." Raye explained.
Darien was happy he could finally get to the part he and Serena both loved to practice. "If only I could . . . warm your ice cold lips with my kiss."
For a few moments all the world consisted of was Darien and Serena. Darien rose up, but was in no way for how beautiful his love looked as she slowly opened her eyes and smiled. "You saved me from what would have been worse than death."
"Please save me from the lonely life that will await me without you at my side. Marry me?" Darien asked with all of his heart and soul.
Serena saw this plainly. Once again he wanted to be sure this was what she wanted. She was ready to publicly proclaim it, as she had wanted to for so long. "Yes, my sweet Prince. I will."
Again the couple kissed and embraced as the house shook from the applause.
So how was that? I know that it took a long time. I finally used an AOL free hours disk so I could load it up. I wanted to see those two kiss so bad in that play! So how do you all like the changes? The last two epis will be very different, so that means they will take some time. Please!!!!!! R&R!!!!!!