Do You Remember

by Usagi Carter

A revision of my first story, Usagi has to learn to deal with the return of a traitor from the Silver Millennium, the Dark Moon, and finding out the Serenity wasn't an only child.

8. Chapter 8

Thanks to everyone who always writes to me about the stories!!

I dedicate this chapter to Sailor_Angel from AI...hopefully it lives up to what you were expecting.

To Tsuki Doriimaa and Rei-chan, thanks for all the love and support!

Do You Remember

Chapter 8

By Usagi Carter

Email: webmistress@usagi-carter.org

Website: http://www.usagi-carter.org

Re-written: March 13, 2004

~

In the stillness that was the night, while the stars shone brightly in the sky, and the Earth loomed in the distance, two minds touched. It wasn't the first time the two had linked this way, and if the Gods were merciful, it wouldn't be the last. Yet this time, compared to all the others before it, was more urgent, filled with more fear and more need.

Like so many times before, in the moment when her darkest doubts seemed to run wild in her imagination, he came to comfort her. One moment she'd been sound asleep, the next she found herself wide awake and tucked within the secure embrace of the man she loved more than anything. Words were not needed as he wrapped the blankets around her, holding her in his lap, rocking her as her tears were slowly released from their constraints.

Even after all their time together, it still shook him when he heard the quiet sobs of a young woman who was scared beyond comprehension. He was all too use to the wails of her childhood, as they'd been her way of expressing that she was in pain, or upset. As of late, she'd been maturing before his very eyes, turning from the lovely girl-child who had captured his heart, to the regal and beautiful queen he had seen in the future.

His mere presence washed away even her biggest fears. It still awed her that he could simply look at her and everything she felt, every worry and insecurity, seemed to disappear, leaving her with the crystal clear clarity of truth, justice, and love. He was her guiding light, he was the one who would always show her the path she needed to take, and it warmed her to know that she too, had helped him find his way.

They sat together, watching as the Earth disappeared and the Sun took its place. When the final star disappeared from the sky, he looked down, expecting her to be sleeping. Instead, twin orbs of the clearest, crystal blue stared back at him, albeit sleepily.

"Are you alright?" he ventured softly, watching her yawn like a kitten. She nodded slowly before deciding that a better position was to have her ear against his chest, just over his heart. It shook her a moment, as she realized his heart beat in steady rhythm with her own. They were two smaller pieces of a much bigger whole, and though she thought she was use to that thought, it still surprised her. As his hand stroked gently down her hair, which cascaded down her back, she felt more relaxed then she had been in quite some time.

"Usako." His little bunny. He'd been the only person that could call her that and make her heart melt. "Usako."

"Yes Mamo-chan?" Her protector. By her side since the day she first learned of her destiny, and if the future she'd seen had been correct all those years ago, he would be by her side for forever.

He pecked a kiss to the top of her golden head and repeated his question. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, turning large, innocent eyes to his beloved face. "I am now, thank you."

"You know I'm always here for you," he whispered, pulling her a little tighter to him. A knock at the door brought them out of their world for two. "Enter!" he called, as they both turned to see two little heads peek into the room.

"Mamo-chan?" Cotton candy pink, rabbit shaped odango and wide, crimson eyes greeted the couple on the bed, followed by jet black hair and piercing baby blues.

Without a word, he beckoned the two of them to join him and Usagi on the bed. While Alan raced ahead of her, Chibi-Usa made sure to secure the door before taking her place with her parents. "Everyone's meeting in the dining hall for breakfast," Chibi-Usa spoke, watching her father's past self nod as he gathered Alan closer to him. Needing as much comfort as her brother, Chibi-Usa managed to wiggle her way into her future mother's arms, sighing happily as the familiar embrace tightened around her.

"We really should join everyone for breakfast," Mamoru spoke, chuckling as both Chibi-Usa and Alan shook their heads no in sync. Usagi simply turned large blue eyes upon his face.

"Just a little longer, please Mamo-chan?" Usagi pleaded softly as Mamoru sighed. He could see her reluctance, now that the kids were with them, to break the moment. He, himself, wanted nothing more than to stay just as they were, the four of them a unit. However, all good things must come to an end. With the shake of his head, Usagi blinked back tears and nodded. "Come on, let's go eat," Usagi whispered as she let Chibi-Usa go and slid off the bed with Alan. As the pair made their way to the door, Chibi-Usa and Mamoru got off the bed to follow.

"Mamo-chan?"

Mamoru looked down at his pink haired daughter. "What's wrong Chibi-Usa?"

The little girl tried to choke back the tears welling in her eyes, and as she spoke, she forced down the terror that welled in her chest. "Mama's gonna be ok, isn't she?"

The stark fear in her eyes and the trembling of her voice scared Mamoru to the core. Kneeling down, he drew her into the circle of his arms and held her close. "I know minna won't say it, but something bad is coming, I can feel it. Is Mama gonna be ok? You can tell me the truth, I'm a big girl, and I can handle it."

"Honestly, Chibi-Usa, I don't know," Mamoru started. The horror that strained Chibi-Usa's face was almost too much for him to bare. He knew what she was thinking and he too thought it. Was the coming battle too hard for even Tuxedo Kamen to keep Sailor Moon safe, or for even Sailor Moon to triumph over her enemy? "We have to hope for the best Chibi-Usa, and believe in the fact that Sailor Moon has never lost a fight."

"I'm not talking about Sailor Moon," Chibi-Usa growled, watching the surprise shift onto her father's face. "I'm talking about Mama."

A slow smile made it's way to Mamoru's face, while an answering frown made it's way to Chibi-Usa's. "Chibi-Usa, in all the years I've known your mama, and loved her, never once have I ever known her to lose a fight." He leaned forward and pecked a kiss to her forehead before straightening and grabbing her tiny hand in his. "And one more thing, I don't think your mama is ever going to lose a fight." The smile that spread across her face told him what her words never could.

"Breakfast?"

"You got it, let's go."

~

In the dining room, far removed from where Mamoru and Chibi-Usa spoke, four girls sat at one end of the large oak table, heads bowed; a young girl sat with a slightly older woman at the other end, each picking at their food; two girls stood near the large windows that overlooked the inner courtyard, both of them with pensive expressions; three boys leaned against the wall by the door, eyes closed, minds searching for an answer.

"You know, if I didn't know any better," the twinkling voice called softly, causing all eyes to go to the door, where Usagi and Alan stood. "I'd say you were all preparing for a funeral."

"Usagi, have you talked with Queen Serenity this morning?" Amy asked, watching one of Usagi's eyebrows raise in question.

"Not yet, why?"

"Diamond has challenged Mamoru-san," Makoto spoke as Usagi's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean, 'challenged'?" Usagi asked as Raye stood and made her way over to her best friend. Violet met crystal blue, as silent words passed between them. "No."

"Usagi-chan..." Raye started before she was cut off.

"Absolutely not. I will not be fought over like some damsel in distress!" Usagi shrilly yelled as the others sighed. "In case you have all forgotten, I'm Sailor Moon! I'm Princess Serenity! There is no way, on this silver orb that was once my home or on the Gods' green earth I'm going to let him challenge my beloved to a dual, winner gets me!"

All movement stopped as Usagi's triad continued. When she noticed the senshi had all shrunken away from the door, she sighed. "What did you just say, Usako?" At the sound of Mamoru's voice, Usagi had to control the urge to scream or throw a temper tantrum; neither would get her anywhere.

"Apparently, Prince Diamond has challenged you to a dual, Mamo-chan," she started as she turned to face him. When she saw the wide-eyed look on both Chibi-Usa and Alan's faces, she almost bit her tongue to keep quiet about the next part. "The winner receives me as a prize."

All of the senshi swallowed hard when they saw the color drain from Mamoru's face. Here he and Chibi-Usa had been talking about Usagi never losing, and now the situation had been placed on his shoulders. "I think I need to sit down." Mamoru proceeded to let go of Chibi-Usa's hand and numbly walk past Usagi and Alan, taking a place at the table.

~~

"It's absolutely ludicrous!" Usagi shrilly complained as the senshi sat around the library an hour later, discussing the situation with Queen Serenity.

Makoto nudge Minako and snickered for her and Raye's benefit, "I'm surprised she knows what ludicrous means."

"It was a fairly common practice during the Silver Millennium," Queen Serenity spoke, shooting a warning look at the Senshi of Jupiter before turning to watch the smoke rise from her daughter's ears. "You were lucky though, Endymion was most revered when it came to battle, so few dared challenge him."

"Your highness," Amy started, catching everyone's attention, especially Queen Serenity's. "If he was able to access his memories as Endymion-sama, do you think Mamoru-san would be better equipped to fight against Diamond?"

"Yes and no," Queen Serenity spoke, watching the confusion race across the faces of the elder senshi. "It's not yet time for Mamoru to have his full memories. While it would be helpful, this is yet another test of his and Usagi's love."

"I'm sick and tired of every time something major happens, it's to test us," Usagi growled, surprising the entire group. "Why create us for each other, only to keep testing us like this? It's not fair! We haven't known a moments peace since we regained our memories, and we only had a handful of years in the Silver Millennium!"

Minako nodded in agreement, before solemnly adding, "Not to mention the fact that with the Dark Moon attack on Crystal Tokyo, who knows how much time they have to be together then."

"EXACTLY!" Usagi cried out.

Queen Serenity turned her sternest look on her daughter and niece. The two of them defiantly returned the look. "No amount of arguing is going to change this, it's part of Mamoru's destiny." The teary glaze of Usagi's eyes had Queen Serenity's heart breaking.

Usagi swallowed the lump in her throat. "I thought this was supposed to be my fight?"

Queen Serenity looked helplessly at her child. "The rules have changed."

"How long do I have to prepare?" Mamoru's question halted the rest of the discussion. Queen Serenity sighed and turned toward him.

The two of them stared at one another for what seemed like eternity, before Queen Serenity's lips turned upward in a small smile. No matter that he didn't have his full memories of his past life as Prince of Earth, Mamoru had just told her all she had longed to hear - even in this life he was willing to sacrifice everything to keep her child safe. "You have two days."

Someone cleared their throat, interrupting the moment. "Well, since Mamoru-san is about to embark on a mission protecting our princess," Haruka started, watching several eyebrows raise in question. "I say, as the official protectors of our princess, we teach him everything about the art of combat we can cram into his head in two days."

"Thank you, Haruka." Mamoru stood and walked to stand before the senshi of skies.

They stared at one another intensely, words silently exchanged. "If you lose, I will never forgive you, but more importantly, you will die, even if it's at the hands of me and my sister soldiers." The threat and the warning clearly understood, the pair nodded to one another.

"Is there anything specifically we need to prepare him for?" Makoto asked as Queen Serenity nodded, hoping to get away from the subject of death.

Queen Serenity spoke, all the senshi tuning in. "It's the best of three tests - hand to hand combat, weapons, and use of pure power."

"Which means he can use the Golden Crystal, ne?" Raye asked as Serenity nodded. "Then that's to your advantage, Mamoru-san." Turning to face him, she continued. "Diamond may have underestimated Usagi-chan with her crystal, but he doesn't know about yours. It's your secret weapon."

Mamoru nodded and turned his attention to Usagi, who stood with tears in her eyes. "You think you can give me some tips on combat use of this thing?" He held his palm out, calling the golden crystal from within his body to his hand.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Usagi stepped toward him. "To use it, all your intent, all your focus, must come from your heart," she began, watching him as she repeated the first lesson she'd ever taught him about using the crystal. "Rage, anger, revenge, none of these will serve you well. Truth, justice, hope, faith, but most of all, love, are what make the crystal and its user unbeatable. I can't teach you anymore then that. The rest requires battle experience, which is something you don't have." With that, she turned and fled the room.

"Don't," was the whispered reply from Chibi-Usa as Raye and Hotaru moved to go after Usagi. They stopped at the soft command, turning to stare at the tiny Princess. "I'll go talk to Mama, you guys have to train Papa." With a nod from her grandmother, the pink haired child ran from the room.

The clearing of someone's throat caught the attention of the senshi. When all eyes went to Mayo, she spoke. "I have an idea of someone who might be able to help us, but from what I've been informed of during my training, we're going to need either Setsuna or Chibi-Usa's help to bring them here."

"Who?" Haruka barked as silver eyes narrowed their gaze at her.

Turning toward Mamoru, Mayo smiled. "Who do you think would be able to help you where Usagi can't?" she asked her sister's love.

"Helios-san," Mamoru whispered as several of the senshi's mouths dropped open at the mention of the dream realm's high priest.

"Why didn't we think of it sooner?" Makoto asked as she turned to look at Pluto.

The Senshi of Time knew that they were about to ask her to intervene. "You must ask Chibi-Usa's help for this, I can not engage in the events any further then I have."

"Then after Chibi-Usa talks to Usagi, we ask her for her help."

~~

Chibi-Usa had a hard time finding Usagi after she'd left the library. Usagi had all, or pretty near all, of Princess Serenity's memories of the Moon Kingdom, so she knew exactly where she was going. All Chibi-Usa had to rely on were her bedtime expeditions from when she was little and staying here with her grandmother, which is a story for another time; her inherited ability from her father to find her mother wherever she may go; and last but not least, her inherited powers from her mother - to find her way about the massive Silver Palace.

Sighing in frustration, the pink haired Moon Princess stopped in the middle of the hallway she'd been traveling down, closer her eyes, and hesitantly reached out with her powers to find her mother. It didn't take her long to have a mental image of the gardens come into her mind's eye. Gasping, she opened her eyes and flew down the hallway as fast as her feet would take her.

Chibi-Usa found Usagi sitting next to a small pond, her gaze fastened on the rose bush planted on a tiny island at the base of a small waterfall within the pond. The bush wasn't huge, and it wasn't tiny, it was a medium size, it's buds, the color of blood stained, ruby red, unfurled to share their beauty. "Usagi?" Chibi-Usa hesitantly called as she neared her mother's past self.

Finding herself faced with silence, Chibi-Usa crept over and plopped herself down next to the unseeing Usagi. Noting that the older girl's gaze was on the rose bush, Chibi-Usa turned to look at it as well. "Tell me about it?" she asked of Usagi softly.

A wistful smile crept slowly onto the blonde bunny's face. "Right after Endymion and Serenity found out they were to be married, they were walking in these gardens. The two of them sat here, and listened to the water cascade down over the rocks from the waterfalls," Usagi started, watching the bush but feeling Chibi-Usa's eyes shift between her face and it. "The tiny island out there had a dying rose bush in the middle. Endymion swam out to it, climbed on the little spit of land, and used his powers to make the bush grow. In all their years together from then to the end of the Silver Millennium, never did that bush die, never did a bloom die or wilt; it always stayed just as perfect as he'd made it that day."

Chibi-Usa's eyes filled with tears. A memory from before the Dark Moon war surfaced for her. She'd seen her parents sitting in the garden on the palace grounds, staring at one red rose bush in particular, one afternoon as she walked ahead of Sailors Mercury and Jupiter during her science lessons on nature. Not wanting to disturb her parents' moment of peace, she simply stood behind a row of hedges and listened as her father told her mother, "To replace the one we lost." Now here she was staring at the very bush he'd been speaking of.

"Usagi, it's ok to be scared," Chibi-Usa started, watching as Usagi turned confused eyes to her face. "You've got every right not to want to go through with this, but there's something you've got to remember."

When Chibi-Usa paused and didn't continue, Usagi raised one slim, blonde eyebrow in question. "This fight isn't just about you, it's about Mamo-chan too. There's always going to be something or someone who's going to try and come between you, but you have to remember, I'm living proof that nothing or no one has or ever will, and so is Alan."

Usagi blinked once, twice, three times as she stared at the small pink haired princess that was her daughter, understanding and acceptance written on her features. "Chibi-Usa, how did you get so wise for such a young girl?"

Smiling, Chibi-Usa crawled over and into Usagi's lap before replying, "My mama." Usagi chuckled and smiled as she hugged her daughter.

~~

An hour later, Usagi and Chibi-Usa entered the throne room together. Near the dais, the elder senshi and their children stood gathered around Queen Serenity and Mamoru. "What's wrong?" Usagi asked as she and Chibi-Usa neared them.

"Usagi," Mayo started, turning to her sister. "We've come up with a plan to help Mamoru-san."

Usagi raised one slim eyebrow in question as Mayo took a deep breath. "Oh?"

"We know you won't help, so we came up with the next best solution," Raye muttered, before she was silenced with a look from Queen Serenity.

Usagi blinked back tears at Raye's comment, before she tried to focus through them on Mayo's face. "Go ahead, Mayo-chan."

"We need Chibi-Usa-chan to summon Helios-san." All eyes turned to the pink haired princess whose eyes had grown wide in wonder.

Because she was at a loss for words, Chibi-Usa looked from her mother, to her grandmother, to her father and back. "There's only one problem with that," the young girl in question started as the senshi all listened intently. "I haven't spoken to Helios since the battle with the Dead Moon Circus."

"Excuse me?" Raye quipped.

"I said, I haven't spoken to, not to mention haven't seen, Helios since the Dead Moon Circus final battle," Chibi-Usa repeated. "I don't understand it anymore then you do, but in Crystal Tokyo, he isn't around, and I don't know how to contact him."

As the others mulled over Chibi-Usa's information, a light suddenly sprang to life in Amy's head. "Chibi-Usa-chan, do you still have the Crystal Clarion Bell?"

Eyes on Amy, Chibi-Usa thought hard about the bell. She hadn't used it since...well, she hadn't used it in a long time. "I don't know, I haven't tried to use it since..."

"Chibi-Usa, try calling it to you," Usagi started as she bent down in front of her daughter, her mind and heart already decided on her course of action. Nodding, Chibi-Usa closed her eyes and began to concentrate on the special bell given to her by Pegasus.

Moments passed. Chibi-Usa and Usagi faced one another, the senshi surrounding them, and still nothing happened. "I can't do it!" Chibi-Usa cried as she threw herself into Usagi's arms.

Mamoru dropped down to kneel in front of Usagi and Chibi-Usa, rubbing his hand along his daughter's back to try and comfort her. "Chibi-Usa, let me help you," Usagi whispered, drawing Chibi-Usa away to arms length. The pink haired girl nodded hesitantly, closing her eyes as Usagi began to sparkle with the power of the Silver Crystal.

For her own part, Usagi closed her eyes, then, reaching out to the other senshi, tapped into their powers. Each of the senshi dropped to a knee and began to help their leader. Finally, Usagi reached out and grasped onto Mamoru's power, a gentle smile spreading over her face as she felt him give her his all, and ever so gently, she began feeding all of it into her link with Chibi-Usa. Quietly, she instructed Chibi-Usa on what she was supposed to do. "Small Lady, picture him in your mind's eye. Once you do that, find the cord that binds you to him and gently tug on it. The tug will call him to you."

In a matter of seconds, the power the senshi had lent to Usagi and Chibi-Usa faded back into them, and they opened their eyes, gasping in surprise as they saw who knelt next to Usagi facing Chibi-Usa and Mamoru. "Maiden, you called me?"

At the sound of his gentle voice, Chibi-Usa's eyes popped open. With a sound between a cry of happiness and a gasp of surprise, Chibi-Usa lunged at Helios. Not surprised by her reaction, the Priest simply gathered her in his arms and held her for a moment. "Princess, you called, I came. What service can I be of to you?"

"Helios-san, Mamoru-san needs your help," Mayo spoke, knowing that Chibi-Usa wouldn't speak for a few moments.

Surprise was written clearly across Helios' features as he stared at the woman who spoke. For the first time since his arrival, he noticed exactly who was in attendance at this meeting. "Your highness," Helios gestured to Mayo as he and Chibi-Usa rose to their feet. "It has been some time since I was last graced with your presence." Turning, Helios faced Queen Serenity and bowed.

"My good priest," Serenity greeted him with a slight nod of her head.

"Your majesty," he whispered. Turning, he bowed to Usagi and Mamoru as they stood united behind Chibi-Usa. "My prince, how may I be of service?"

"Prince Diamond has returned, Helios, and has challenged me to a dual, for Princess Serenity," Mamoru spoke, briefing the young priest on the events already occurred. "I need to learn how to use the Golden Crystal in battle, better than my limited training has already taught me."

"My prince, I may not be able to help you," Helios spoke, and felt his heart shatter at the tortured looks on the faces of the senshi, his prince, and his tiny maiden. He watched Usagi a moment and wondered why she hesitated to help in this battle. "Only her highness, Princess Serenity, has ever truly used a planetary crystal in battle to the extent that you seek. Your mother, when she controlled the Golden Crystal, never relied on it as heavily as you must now."

"So your saying basically that Usagi's the only one who can help?" Raye rudely interrupted, watching as Usagi's eyes clenched shut.

"Not quite," Helios silenced Raye's further comments. Taking several steps forward, he reached out and grasped one of Usagi's hands. Immediately, Usagi's eyes rose and met Helios'. "You must push all of that out of your heart, Princess, or this battle is already lost."

Usagi gulped air and nodded, watching as Helios cocked his head to the right to stare at her. "I can help him, but he will need you more," he whispered to her, watching as she nodded again. Somehow, despite all the senshi's pushing to get Usagi to help, Helios had managed to get her to agree. Turning to Amy, he questioned, "When do we need to start?"

"As soon as possible."

Nodding, Helios turned his gaze back to his prince and princess, and saw that not only did Chibi-Usa stand with them, but so did Alan. Smiling, Helios greeted him. "My young prince." Alan stared at him wide eyed. He'd heard about Helios before, the priest who became a Pegasus, and who guarded the heart of his father's kingdom. "May I have a private audience with you, Princess Serenity?" Helios requested as Usagi nodded and stepped toward him.

"The courtyard might be best for this," Usagi whispered as Helios nodded and outstretched his arm to Usagi, smiling as she took it and allowed the Priest to lead her from the room.

Blinking in surprise, the senshi watched them go and then turned toward one another. "Someone explain to me how he just managed to do what we haven't been able to?" Makoto questioned in utter shock.

"Helios has a way about him," Hotaru smiled as she moved closer to Chibi-Usa, who stood staring at the door her mother and Helios had just exited through. "He knows Usagi's dreams, and her fears, almost as well as Mamoru-san does. For Helios-san is the watcher of dreams, and through his position in Elysian and his link to Mamoru-san, Chibi-Usa-chan and Alan-chan, he is connected to Usagi-chan in a way we aren't."

Raye turned from the discussion and walked toward the door. She stepped into the hallway and looked out one of the floor to ceiling windows, watching as Helios and Usagi entered the courtyard and sat down on one of the stone benches. Part of her felt betrayed, but that part was neutralized by the feeling of Usagi finally finding her way through this situation. "It took someone not close to her to show her, her path."

Raye felt the presence of the woman she was just beginning to understand, and recognize. Turning her head slightly, Raye's violet eyes caught the sight of Mayo's tear filled silver ones. "Sometimes, that's how it works," Mayo spoke softly, watching the priest who held her niece's heart speak with her younger sister. "Imagine what Mamoru's going through right now, Raye-san, knowing that it took Helios to get Usagi to help him."

"Mamoru understands, and yes, I know he hurts because of this." Raye's eyes turned from Mayo to Usagi. "Part of me is angry with her that she wouldn't help, but I even understand her reluctance, and what she knows is at stake should Mamoru lose."

Mayo chuckled. "Raye, do you really believe Mamoru has a chance of losing?"

Turning again, Raye stared at a nearly laughing Mayo. "You don't remember Endymion well, do you?" Raye shook her head. "There is no chance in hell he's going to lose this fight, experienced or not. I promise."

"I wish I could be as optimistic as you."

~~

The white haired prince of the Dark Moon stood staring out his window at the silver orb that hung above Earth. He could see the ruins of what was once the Silver Millennium's central kingdom, and once home of Princess Serenity, the Moon Kingdom's Silver Palace. His mind couldn't quite wrap around the thought that when he'd spoken with the Senshi, and the woman they called Queen Serenity, that they'd been in a palace straight from legend. "The Almightyyy Queen Sssserenityyy," the voice hissed in response to Diamond's thoughts. Turning, he watched his partner slither up to him.

"Who is she?"

"A millennium agooo," the creature started before it began to cough. Silently, it began to project its thoughts to Diamond's mind. [She was the mother of Princess Serenity, and rule of the Silver Millennium's central kingdom, the Moon Kingdom.]

Diamond's eyes narrowed at the creature beside him. How was it possible that a Queen that lived a thousand years before would still be alive... "How?"

[She is dead now, but her family is descended from the Moon Goddess, Selene. Between that legacy and the power of the Silver Crystal, she still carries an unimaginable amount of power.]

"Will she be a nuisance?"

[Yes, but no more than Endymion or the Senshi. Focus on the princess, she is the key to all we want.]

"I know." Turning, Diamond once again stared out the window before him. "I've challenged Endymion to a dual, winner receives the princess."

With its body weaving back and forth, the creature watched Diamond carefully. [You have been studying the rituals of the Silver Millennium.]

"If I'm going to win, I'm going to win using their own terms against them. We fight the day after tomorrow."

~~

Scattered around the floor of the training grounds inside the palace were the senshi, all sitting with their backs against a wall, moaning and groaning. Mamoru had successfully beaten each of them in hand to hand combat and with weapons. Sailors Moon and Sol were the only two he'd yet to face. "I am not fighting Usako, no way, no how," he muttered as he slid to sit down next to Mars and Uranus.

"Face it Mamoru-san," Venus spoke from her position next to Jupiter leaning against the wall opposite him. "This last test is between you two, none of us have what it takes to challenge you the way she does."

For her part, Sailor Moon stood facing Sailor Pluto, who also had not participated, and Sailor Sol. She looked nervous, but the senshi brushed it off. Slowly, Helios approached her when Pluto nodded and turned to leave, and Sol went to tend to the tired senshi. "Are you ready for this?" Helios inquired softly as Sailor Moon swallowed.

"As ready as I'll ever be at this point," Moon whispered, her gaze landing on Mamoru, who sat, eyes closed, breathing steady, between Mars and Uranus on the floor. "Helios, I don't want to hurt him."

Smiling, Helios nodded his head. "He's pretty tough, as I recall," he spoke softly, watching her roll her eyes. "He can handle anything you throw at him, Princess, besides, he needs all you can throw at him, because this Prince Diamond will stop at nothing to beat him, from what the senshi have told me."

"I know, which is what worries me."

Sighing, Helios gestured and had her looking directly at him. "Just remember, be prepared. Should Diamond break the rules, you and the senshi will more than likely be allowed to intervene."

Her face grim, Moon spoke. "He wouldn't dare, for the prize is something he's wanted for a long time."

"I know." Turning, Helios called for Mamoru to stand up and face her.

"I don't even know what to do," Mamoru started as the senshi setup defensive positions around the pair. "What are you guys doing?"

"With the children and Helios here," Queen Serenity informed him. "We need a barrier to contain you and Sailor Moon's powers. The senshi's powers are best suited to do that."

Helios stepped between the pair, who now stood only a few feet apart. Both Mamoru and Sailor Moon turned their attention to him to receive their instructions. "This exercise is suppose to help you strengthen your control over the crystal by combating the Silver Crystal."

"What do you mean?" Mamoru asked as Moon nodded.

"The Princess will use the Silver Crystal to try and overpower you," Helios explained as Mamoru's eyes sought his beloved's. "You must use the Golden Crystal to not only hold back the Silver Crystal's light, but attack back. Whoever's light engulfs the other's first, is the winner."

Back away from the trio in the center, Mercury stood with Queen Serenity, Sailor Pluto, and Sailor Sol. "This is a test for him, not only to learn his crystal, but to learn to merge with her on a deeper level," Queen Serenity murmured as the two younger senshi nodded, Pluto simply remained watchful and quiet.

"If he is ever to be her equal, he must be able to face whatever she can dish out at him," Pluto whispered as Mercury and Sol silently agreed.

"Up until now, I don't think any of us realized that," Mercury began, her fingers flying over the keys of her computer. "I should have seen it before. For them to be equal, Mamoru's control over his powers has to be as fine tuned, if not more, then hers."

At Helios' signal, Sol interrupted Mercury. "They're ready." Taking a step forward, Sol joined with the rest of the senshi, to ring the pair in the center of the room. Helios took up a spot next to Mercury, Pluto, Queen Serenity and the children.

Mercury continued to scan the senshi and the combatants as the shield began to take shape. Once Mercury was satisfied that it was safe for them to begin, she nodded to Helios, who began to speak so everyone could hear him. "My Prince, call the Golden Crystal to you." Mamoru did as he was told, and in a sudden burst of light, the small gold gem hovered between his palms, a stance that mimicked one used by Princess Serenity and Sailor Moon more times then the senshi cared to count. "Princess." A simple call to Sailor Moon had her bringing the Silver Crystal from its resting place in her broach to between her palms. Unintentionally, Sailor Moon's fuku melted away, replaced by a white dress and wings.

"What happened?" Sol cried softly as she watched Usagi's stance straighten. The look of shock on Mamoru's face had several of the senshi, including the Sailor Stars, looking panicked as well.

"A natural consequence of the usage of her powers," Pluto stated. Usagi's eyes opened as a crown of gold and ruby appeared on her head. Two tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Mamoru's shocked face.

"Mamo-chan," Usagi cried softly, watching as his face softened. Closing his eyes, he did what came naturally, letting the form of Prince Endymion out from its hiding place. When Usagi gasped in shock, Mamoru's eyes popped open and he found himself in something other than his armor.

"What happened?" Mamoru asked as Helios and Pluto smiled.

Taking a step closer to the shield, Pluto mulled over how to tell him. "Your memories from your trip to the future, along with your maturing powers, is what happened. Neo King Endymion has complete control of his planetary crystal, and you are fast learning how he managed to do that." Mamoru heard several of the senshi gasp and giggle at the purple suit he wore, especially the Sailor Stars, who were shortly silenced with a glare.

"If you two are done playing musical outfits," Uranus quipped, gaining everyone's attention. "Can we get on with this? Some of us are using quite a bit of energy doing what you asked us to."

"Sailor Uranus speaks the truth," Helios broke in before anyone else could complain. Stepping up next to Pluto, he began again. "Just remember, my prince, what I explained to you." With that, Helios gave Usagi the signal. Within seconds, the shield was suddenly alit with the power of the Silver Crystal. Before Helios even had a chance to say anything further to Mamoru, the golden light expanded from between his palms.

Chibi-Usa stepped up next to Sailor Pluto and Helios and watched in agony as her parents volleyed their powers back and forth. Mamoru had a hard time creating a balance, and Usagi seemed to back off every so often to give him a chance. "She's not doing him any favors," Helios heard Chibi-Usa mutter, and smiled down at her.

"MAMORU!" Mercury cried when Helios' attention was diverted. When he and Chibi-Usa turned to stare at the shield, it was completely lit with the blinding silver light of Usagi's crystal. Wide eyed, Helios looked up at Pluto, who merely nodded and gestured for him to watch. Through the silver, a hazy gold ball seemed to be emerging.

"She did it," Helios whispered as Usagi's form took shape, having moved from the back of her side of the circle, so she now stood but a foot in front of Mamoru, who was now glowing an unearthly gold. The light from the Golden Crystal seemed to pulse, and soon, a balance of silver and gold swirled throughout the circle where the two stood. Mamoru's eyes were completely gold, Usagi's completely silver, and their crystals hovered above them as they stood facing one another, hands clasped.

"You did it, Mamo-chan," Usagi whispered softly for him alone, a smile lighting her face at the slightly alarmed expression that took over his. Their eyes began to return to their normal blues as they focused solely on one another. Slowly, Usagi's white dress and crown faded back into her Sailor fuku and tiara, then back into her shirt and jeans, while Mamoru's purple tuxedo melted back into the jeans and shirt he'd been wearing.

Gulping, Mamoru pulled her toward him, locking her body in his embrace. With her head nestled under his chin and her arms trapped between them, Mamoru's eyes looked out at the senshi, all of who looked worried to death. "What happened?"

"Our powers have partially merged," she whispered contently. She had felt him inside her before, in her heart and in her mind, but then it had been so fleeting a feeling compared to now; now, they had merged together more than she ever dreamed possible. "The rest will happen after we marry." At her hinting of the future, Mamoru cracked a smile, pecking a kiss to the top of her head as the thought settled contentedly in his heart.

Before either of them realized it, the senshi stood around them, the shield down, staring at them in shock. "Congratulations," Helios whispered as the pair's attention drifted to him.

"I think that's enough for now," Queen Serenity spoke as the senshi nodded. "Mercury, Jupiter and Sol, escort Mamoru and Usagi to Usagi's quarters. I'd like a complete scan of their health and well being when you return to the library. The rest of you, follow me."

~~

The rest of the day was spent training Mamoru, and spending time with the children. After dinner had been served, Mamoru and Usagi left Alan and Chibi-Usa in the care of Queen Serenity and Helios before they went and hid in her quarters.

Neither said a word as they entered and climbed onto the silk covered bed. After she was settled in Mamoru's arms, Usagi whispered, "I'd be more relaxed if we were in your room, in your apartment, back home."

He chuckled and held her a little tighter. His senses were warning him that something was going to happen, and soon, which made him want to spend as much time with Usagi as possible. "Sleep, Usako," he whispered softly.

"Mamo-chan, hold me," she asked softly as she drifted off.

"Always."

~~

Meanwhile, the senshi had gathered in the throne room at the request of Queen Serenity. "My queen, might I ask what we're doing?" Saturn softly questioned as the children sat near the base of the dais of the double throne, the Three Lights watching over them, and the elder girls stood near the entrance of the throne room with Queen Serenity and Helios.

"Setsuna is perhaps the only one who remembers what you're about to do," Serenity started as the girls all turned to watch as the Senshi of Time gave her a smile.

Stepping forward, Pluto put away her Time Staff. "Indeed I do remember what you're about to teach them," Pluto spoke softly.

"During the Silver Millennium, when the occasion arose, the senshi performed a ceremony, either pledging their loyalty or taking away protection that was given," Queen Serenity elegantly told the senshi as several eyebrows were raised in interest. "This usually happened at a coronation, a wedding, sometimes at funerals, but more often then not, it was performed when a rival prince sought the hand of the Moon Princess from her betrothed."

"Like the situation we're facing now?" Venus asked as Serenity nodded.

Choosing her words carefully, Serenity began to explain to them why she wanted them to do this. "You've pledged your loyalty to Endymion, to Mamoru, for he's the beloved of your princess, and all these years, he's been under your protection. When the dual begins, you must relinquish that protection, and loyalty."

Helios watched on silently, noting that the senshi, all of the senshi, were not pleased with what they had just been told. "No." All eyes turned to stare at the Martian Warrior in quiet shock.

"Mars, I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter," Serenity spoke, watching as her niece shook her head in defiance.

"I will not take back the promise I've made to him, or to my princess, and none of you can make me. Diamond is nothing in my eyes."

Sighing, Venus turned toward her friend and titled her head to the side, studying the welling tears she saw in Mars' eyes. "The leaders of each set of senshi will be the only ones to speak," Venus told them softly. "It will be Saturn and I that will relinquish our promise to our prince. You can't change tradition Mars."

The glare that Venus received was returned with an understanding that Mars wished to Gods would disappear. "My queen, may I have a few moments alone with the senshi?" Pluto asked. Serenity nodded and turned with Helios to go and speak with the Three Lights.

"Pluto?" Jupiter asked as the girls grouped together in a tight circle.

Smiling slyly, Pluto nodded her head. "There's a way around what Mars is worried about, and it's something that will help give Mamoru a peace of mind during this battle."

"What?" Neptune spoke up.

"Listen carefully," Pluto whispered as the girls all bent their heads together. Five minutes later, they all stood at attention as Queen Serenity approached them. They were all smiling secret smiles, and it made her wonder just what Pluto had said to them, but she did not question the Guardian Of Time.

"Are you ready?" Helios asked as the girls nodded. Seiya approached and stepped into place as Queen Serenity had directed him.

"Alright, when you enter the throne room, you'll be entering flanking Usagi and Mamoru, and the Three Lights will be with you. Take your positions around Helios and Seiya," Queen Serenity spoke as the girls stepped into place.

Helios and Seiya stood about two feet apart, with Seiya on the right and Helios on the left facing the throne. Saturn took the front of the formation near Helios and Sol near Seiya. Uranus stood on Helios' other side, with Mercury next to her. Behind Saturn was Pluto, behind Uranus stood Neptune, behind Mercury was Mars and behind Venus was Jupiter.

"I want you to walk toward the throne and stop about two feet from the base," Serenity instructed Helios and Seiya, who walked forward, the senshi following in perfect formation. When the two men stopped, Sol stepped forward away from them and walked to the top of the throne and sat down near her mother.

The Inners adjusted the formation, filling in the gap Sol had left. "Alright, once you get to this point, you're going to form one straight line behind the two of them, width wise," Serenity spoke as one by one, starting with Venus and Saturn, the senshi formed a parallel line to Helios and Seiya.

"Now, Saturn, you will lead the Outers up to the dais from Helios' side, and Venus will lead the Inners up from Seiya's, you're to stop on the second step up, facing me." The senshi, as one unit, moved as they were told.

Nodding, Serenity smiled at them. "Good, now, Usagi will be sitting here with Mayo and I, so you will curtsey to us, stand, turn and face the princes, curtsey to them, and then stand once more. Then I want Venus and Saturn to step forward, to the floor." The senshi mechanically followed the plan and were soon facing Seiya and Helios.

"Good. Once you've done that, Venus and Saturn as one will make the announcement, then they will rejoin the rest of you on the step. Then, one by one, I want you to range yourselves every two steps down the dais, in whatever order you feel comfortable in."

Doing as instructed, Venus and Saturn stepped up the dais, with the others following, until the senshi had arranged themselves accordingly. "After that, I will announce to them the first trial, and they will be given an hour to prepare. Luna and Artemis," Serenity gestured to the two cats currently sitting in Serene's lap. "Will show them to wherever they wish to go until the trial begins. You cannot move until they are both out of the room.

"And what about us, your majesty?" Seiya gestured to himself, Helios, Taiki and Yaten.

"Helios will already be up here standing with the children. I want the three of you to break off, just after Mayo and Usagi come to sit with me, and stand before the children," Serenity informed them, waiting as they nodded their understanding. "I want you to protect them should Diamond get it into his mind to do something rash."

"If he does, I'm going to take a chunk out of his hide," Seiya muttered as the elder senshi looked at him in surprise.

"You did well. You're excused for the night."

~~

Several hours later, Mamoru woke from his slumber, and found Usagi still in his arms. Adjusting his position, he laid with his head propped by one palm, and gazed down at her sleeping form. Her face was turned toward him, her hair a tangle of golden curls wrapped around her. His eyes traced every feature of her face, from her slim eyebrows to her high cheekbones to her tiny, rose colored lips.

Slowly, his gaze lowered, past the graceful arch of her neck, the smooth dip of her shoulders, over the round swell of her breasts, which were hidden under her shirt, and to where the sheet hid the rest of her body from him. His heart shuddered, knowing that he had the rest of her memorized, from the tiny span of her waist, to the long, smooth, graceful legs that were toned with regular exercise, down to the delicate ankles and tiny feet.

Suddenly, he felt the long, slow, roll that his stomach did at the thought that he might not get to spend the rest of his life with her, should he lose this dual.

Her eyes opened instantly as his desperation flew over their link. Reaching up, she caressed his cheek, watching as tears slid unheeded from under closed eyelids. When his lips trembled, she leaned up and kissed him, sliding her hand from his cheek to right above his heart. His own hand covered hers, held her palm against the quivering in his chest, a signal that his heart seemed to be breaking as his fears and doubts overwhelmed him. "Mamo-chan," she whispered longingly, watching as his eyes opened, revealing deep navy pools filled with emotions only she was privy to.

"Usako," he whispered back, bending so that their lips touched in feather light caresses.

Usagi reached up and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him from his towering position above her so that most of his weight was directly on her. "Mamo-chan," she whispered again, her voice a little more hoarse. Her emotions rioted across her face, leaving nothing of what she was thinking or feeling to Mamoru's imagination. They hadn't kept their relationship completely innocent, both of them thought instantly, but they hadn't gone all the way either. Somehow, circumstances aside, they knew tonight was the night.

"Usako," he whispered, brushing soft, caressing kisses over her forehead, nose, cheeks, and finally her lips. She didn't speak out loud, as her eyes told him everything he needed to know. He adjusted his position, so that he was laying directly on top of her, kissing her with a fierceness she'd never experienced.

Slowly, time, place, circumstance seemed to melt away for them so that it was only the two of them in a world they had created. There was no yesterday, no tomorrow, only here and now, and only them.

When they finally merged, feelings, thoughts, actions, all of these things seemed to click into place. A new understanding dawned on them both, revealing answers to the questions they'd been afraid to ask before, and to questions they'd never thought to ask. And then they reached that point of no return, when hot, white light and incredible sensations blotted out everything else but what they were experiencing with one another.

In the aftermath of their love, Usagi lay nestled in his arms, head on his chest, while he stroked her soft hair and down the soft skin of her back. Neither had spoken a word but the other's name, knowing they needn't have to. "I love you," Mamoru whispered, pulling her tighter and closer to his body as he drifted off to sleep.

As she started to feel herself sliding into the realm of dreams with him, Usagi whispered back, "I love you too."

~~

Usagi groaned at the brisk knocking of someone's fist on her door. "Go away Shingo!" she mumbled as she settled back into the warmth beside her. Then, and only then, did she realize she wasn't at home in her own room with her bratty brother banging on her door, but that she was in her old room, still on the Moon, and she was wrapped contentedly naked in Mamoru's arms.

"USAGI!! GET UP!" the voice, an increasingly panicked Raye's, blared through the door.

A low growl was heard from above her, so Usagi raised her head to see Mamoru slowly awakening. "Remind me, when we take the throne, to have her put on kitchen duty if she ever, EVER, does this again." Blinking in surprise at his annoyance, Usagi's lips turned up in a smile, seconds before she giggled.

"Don't worry, I won't let you forget," she whispered as she managed to untangle herself from him and grab his discarded shirt, slipping it on as she padded across the room to the door.

"USAGI!" Raye howled as the door was flung open, revealing a disheveled Usagi. "We have a problem."

"What?"

Gulping, Raye took a good, long look at her before continuing. "Haruka says Mamoru-san is missing, we think Diamond may have..." Raye's words were cut off as Mamoru approached the door, dressed in only his thrown on jeans.

"You were saying?" Usagi started, before Raye nodded. She felt Mamoru standing behind her and could only guess what the Senshi of Fire was thinking, or what she'd say to the others upon rejoining them.

Gulping again, she lowered her gaze to the floor, attempting to hide the blush that crept onto her cheeks. "Gomen, we didn't realize he hadn't gone back to his room last night. I'll be going now."

Deep chuckling came from behind her as Usagi slammed the door shut and turned to face Mamoru. "I think we made her a little uncomfortable, what do you think?" Mamoru asked softly, gathering Usagi in his arms before he carried her back to bed.

"Raye, uncomfortable, never," Usagi whispered as she landed on the bed, Mamoru following.

~~

"Are you serious?" Makoto asked as Raye sat at the table in the library, relaying her morning journey from start to finish, to the others present, which did not include Chibi-Usa, Hotaru, Setsuna, Helios, Queen Serenity or any of the other children.

Shaking her head in near denial, Raye quipped, "I couldn't be more serious. I'm so embarrassed. Why didn't I think, for one moment, that with everything happening, he'd be staying with her in her room."

"Because none of the rest of us thought that," Amy put her two cents in.

"I did." All eyes turned to stare at Mayo, who sat on Seiya's lap on the couch behind where Raye sat. Taiki and Yaten, who sat on either side of her and Seiya looked on and nodded.

"What does that mean?" Haruka growled, Michiru's handing griping her arm to keep her in place.

Shaking her head, Mayo leaned back against her boyfriend and spoke. "They are about to face a tough challenge, probably their toughest to date as a couple, and despite the fact that they've always maintained an innocent relationship, they love each other more passionately then you would ever guess. They don't know if there's going to be a future for them with everything that's happening. It doesn't surprise me that they spent the night together."

"My question is, did they just sleep, or did more happen?" Minako asked as the others all went bright red in the face.

"That's absolutely none of your business, Minako-chan!" Usagi hollered as she and Mamoru entered the library, hand in hand. From the look on Usagi's face, none of the other senshi even made to ask any questions.

Gulping, Minako nodded. "Gomen."

"MINNA!" a tiny, somewhat shrill voice called as Keiko, Amy's daughter, slid into the library right behind Usagi and Mamoru. Moving quickly, Amy knelt before her daughter.

"Keiko, calm down and tell me what's wrong," Amy soothed as her daughter nodded and tried to catch her breath.

Panting, the child started. "Queen Serenity sent me. There's a strange man, who Chibi-Usa-chan called Prince Diamond, in the throne room, making threats and demanding to see Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion." Horror struck the faces of the senshi at the little girl's words. Instead of having another day to prepare, Diamond had struck early.

"It's now or never," Mamoru whispered as Usagi's grip on his hand tightened so much he thought he could feel bones breaking.

"Minna, henshin yo," Mayo whispered as the senshi transformed. Keiko stood with Usagi and Mamoru, and watched, transfixed to her spot, her aunts and uncles get ready for battle.

After she was done, Mars stepped up next to Mamoru and Usagi. "If you two would do us a favor, we'd like you to transform into your royal attire." As Mars' request settled over them, Mamoru and Usagi's forms blurred and shifted, revealing Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion.

"I don't understand," Neptune spoke. "How come yesterday, they turned into the Neo Queen and Neo King, while today they are simply our prince and princess from long ago?"

All eyes turned to Sailor Mercury, who was typing furiously on her computer. "It's only when they use their powers, their crystals, do they turn into who they will be," Mercury supplied. "I think, too, that because they haven't yet been crowned, those forms will only appear on occasion. However, you'll have to ask Pluto more, that's about all I can come up with."

"Keiko," Serenity spoke as she bent down in front of Mercury's daughter so she could look her in the eye. "Run ahead of us, and let them know we're coming. And I want you to tell Chibi-Usa to get everyone ready, just like how I told her to."

"Of course, your majesty," Keiko spoke, curtseying before her. When the child stood again, she closed her eyes and let her symbol flare to life on her forehead. Suddenly, her shorts and shirt disappeared and were replaced with a tiny replica of the dress Amy had worn a millennia before as the Princess of Mercury.

As Keiko dashed off, the senshi all turned to watch Amy's awe-struck face. "Minna, do me a favor," Serenity spoke as they nodded. "When we reach the throne room, drop your battle disguises to that of your princess forms."

Uranus was the first to protest, though not over having to wear a dress. "Usagi, that'll leave us defenseless, not to mention leave the children and Helios open. We have to be able to protect all of you."

"Baka!" Neptune hissed at her partner. "In our princess forms we're far more powerful then we are as senshi. Why do you think she's asking us to do this? Diamond doesn't know we have powers in princess form!" Each of the girls looked at Neptune in shock, as did the Sailor Stars and Endymion; they'd never heard her react like that before.

"Not to mention, he'll be less hostile towards the entire ordeal if he doesn't see us as being able to fight," Venus put in, but the shock of Neptune's words had yet to cease.

"Oh." Uranus muttered as the senshi agreed. Each of them took a deep breath, and then as one moved to the hallway, where the senshi flanked the royal couple, before they began their trek to the throne room.

~~

"You are trying my patience," Diamond hissed as Sailors Saturn and Pluto stood between him and the throne, where Queen Serenity sat. All of the children were in their finest outfits, having used their budding powers to make themselves presentable, and standing with Chibi-Usa and Helios at the base of the dais of the throne. Standing with Diamond was about ten of his guards.

"Your patience is none of my concern," Saturn nearly snarled, her grip tightening on the handle of her Glaive. Saturn's tone caused Queen Serenity, Helios and Chibi-Usa to look at her in surprise, as well as drew a curious glance from Pluto. Not to mention that all of Diamond's guards immediately went on the defensive. None had ever faced the senshi battle, but they'd seen footage from previous battles.

Catching Saturn's attention, Pluto murmured, "Easy little one, we don't want to upset our guest."

"Guest my ass," Saturn murmured softly. "He's the damned plague as far as I'm concerned," Saturn whispered, eyes taking in the scene unfolding behind Diamond at the throne room's entrance. Instantly, she and Pluto stood straighter and let their princess forms wash over them, startling Diamond and his guards.

Diamond and his men turned and watched as the senshi, now in princess form, escorted his opponent and his prize into the vast room. "Finally," he muttered.

Endymion, Raye, Haruka, Makoto, and Seiya's eyes hardened and glared at the white haired man and the team with him, while the others simply stepped closer to the pair in the middle. Unnoticed by the others, Serenity's hand reached over and grasped her sister's, as Mayo stepped up between her and Venus. "I'm with you all the way, just say the word when it's time," Mayo whispered in Serenity's ear as she let go and stepped back. Suddenly, the girls shifted positions and formed a sort of honor guard around the royal couple, none standing in front, but on both sides and to the back.

"Mother," Serenity whispered, as she, Endymion, and the senshi moved as one to curtsey and bow before the Moon Queen. Serenity nodded to Hotaru and Setsuna, who calmly switched places with the Three Lights. Diamond watched, mystified. In all his dealings with the senshi, he'd never experienced this royal formality before.

"Serenity," the elder Queen spoke softly, as her daughter stepped away from the sanctity of the circle of her friends. Immediately, Mayo stepped up behind her, and together the pair calmly walked past Diamond, who watched them in shock, as they took their spots on either side of the double throne, where smaller chairs were positioned, and sat.

Once that was done, the princesses grouped tighter and flanked Endymion and followed him until he stopped next to Diamond. Not wanting to do what next they would, it took the complete will power of the Inners to step away from their prince and allow the Outers to close in the formation. Quietly, and much to Diamond's growing shock, the Inners flanked him. "What is happening?" he hissed to Minako, who stood opposite of Amy, with him in the middle.

"You obviously don't know much, do you?" she drawled sarcastically. "When Queen Serenity gives the signal, you and Endymion are to approach the dais, with us flanking you. After that, you're on your own."

"Why?"

"Tradition," Raye hissed from behind him. Suddenly, the Moon Queen, who'd been speaking with her daughters, nodded, and the two princes stepped forward with the princesses behind them. The children and Sailor Stars, including Chibi-Usa and Helios, watched on in awe at the sheer teamwork and will power the elder princesses exerted over their emotions as they did what they knew was required of them.

When Endymion and Diamond stopped at the base of the throne, the girls stepped back, formed a single straight line behind them, and then in one swift movement, walked toward the throne, the Outers approaching from Endymion's left, the Inners approaching from Diamond's right.

Fluidly, the eight women stepped in front of the throne, curtsied to the Queen and her daughters, stood, faced the princes, curtsied, and then again stood at attention. Hotaru and Minako both stepped forward, eyes on Endymion. They knew he wouldn't be expecting this part, and it hurt for them to have to do this. "As leaders of the Supreme Princess' Royal Guard," they spoke elegantly as one. "We hereby renounce all protection given to the combatants who would fight for our princess' hand, until a victor is named."

The betrayal that flashed across Endymion's face was nearly too much for the girls to handle. They had been protecting him for as long as they had remembered who they were, and now they had to renounce that protection, because the winner of this fight would be the one who received it in the end. Both Hotaru and Minako looked at him, faces devoid of what they felt, but through their link with Serenity, Endymion could tell that despite the words the girls spoke, they would die protecting him should they be asked, no matter what.

"Do you understand?" Queen Serenity calmly asked from her throne.

Endymion spoke first, "Yes, your highness, and I thank the princesses for all they've done to keep me safe over the years." As he stopped speaking, he watched as the tears welled in the eyes of his friends.

"I do not," Diamond spoke. Oh, he understood clearly what was happening, but he wanted it said out loud and clarified, that way should the Senshi, or Princesses as they were calling themselves, betray that oath, he would watch as each of them was executed, one by one, for breaking it.

Sighing, Queen Serenity glared at the white haired prince. "What it means, my lord prince, is that the princesses shall not interfere with this fight, by setting personal feelings aside, and that a pledge of loyalty will be given to the victor, the one who wins their princess' hand. Do you understand?"

"Clearly, your majesty." Diamond smirked as he watched the pink haired princess he knew quite well go deathly pale. He'd enjoy watching her world fall apart as he killed the Earthen Prince. Turning his attention back to the proceedings, he noticed the two Senshi leaders still stood forward. 'There is more?' he thought to himself.

"As leaders of the Supreme Princess' Royal Guard," the pair spoke again, this time smiles lighting their faces. They knew Diamond would be steamed about what was next going to come from their mouths. "We hereby grant the Princess' future children, who are present, all our protection, despite their parentage."

Diamond's mouth hung open in shock. Even Queen Serenity hadn't been expecting that. "Your Majesty!" Diamond protested, watching as the Queen took in the sight of her daughter's guard.

"My hands are tied, my lord prince," Queen Serenity informed him, watching as he started to sputter in protest. While she outwardly remained calm, inside she laughed heartily. The girls had pulled one over on Diamond, and even her, but she understood their feelings behind it. It was their way of defiantly showing their continuing loyalty to Endymion, if only in a way that would not upset the tradition of what was taking place. "These children are indeed my daughter's, whether they are from the past, present or future. As such, it is the princesses' decision alone to offer them protection."

Diamond scowled at the eight women who protected the Moon's Princess. He could not have them executed for what had just happened, but he'd make them pay. "Do you understand, and accept?" Queen Serenity asked of Endymion and Diamond.

"I have not a choice, but to say yes," Diamond growled.

For his part, Endymion took a steadying breath. Whatever happened now, he knew his and Serenity' children would be safe from harm with the senshi looking out for them. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Queen Serenity nodded and watched as Minako and Hotaru took their rightful places with the other girls. As one, the girls ascended to the throne, with Minako stopping two steps below where her aunt and cousins sat.

Each of the princesses, Inners and Outers alternating, stood two steps apart all the way down the sixteen stair dais, starting with Minako, then Hotaru, then Amy, followed by Haruka, then Raye, Michiru, Makoto and finally Setsuna standing on the floor mere feet from where Endymion and Diamond stood.

Endymion understood clearly, and accepted, what they'd done. Diamond fumed over it. They had just placed themselves as a shield between him and his prize. Glancing over, the Dark Moon Prince watched as the Three Lights stood between the children and him, eyes blazing at him. He briefly sneered back but quickly turned his attention back to Queen Serenity.

"Your first test will be that of hand to hand combat. You have one hour to prepare yourselves. Luna and Artemis will show you to your quarters," Queen Serenity spoke as both cats appeared out of nowhere and stood before the two princes.

"Your highness, I know my way around the palace, I need not your advisors' help," Endymion spoke softly, watching as the queen nodded.

"Then Prince Diamond, my advisors are at your disposal," Queen Serenity spoke as Diamond nodded and followed the cats out of the throne room, his own guard following quickly.

Endymion stood where he was, taking in how far apart he and Serenity really were now. It was hard for him, as he closed his eyes, to think they'd just been making love only a few short hours ago. Before the tears could well in his eyes, four little arms wrapped around him. When he looked down, Chibi-Usa and Alan were hugging his legs. "Promise me something," he spoke as he bent down before them, forgetting the formality of having the Queen and Princesses standing or sitting on the dais before them, watching him with his children.

"Anything," Chibi-Usa whispered softly.

"No matter what, take care of your Mama for me, k?" When Alan started to cry, Endymion pulled him into his arms. Kissing the top of his son's head, his eyes shot up at the sound of someone else sobbing, and saw that his Serenity was trying all she could not to cry. He sent her an imploring look, took Chibi-Usa in his arms, and held on for dear life.

Once his children had calmed down, Endymion stood and watched as they returned to where the Three Lights stood. Motioning for Helios to follow him, he bowed to the Queen and hurried form the throne room. Just as he passed through the doors, he heard Serenity's loud sobbing and the others trying to comfort her.

~~

"If that man looks at me in lust one more time, I'm going to gouge his eyes out!" Usagi growled a half hour later as she paced the library.

Raye stood from her position on the floor where she'd been playing a game with Serene, Jon, Chibi-Usa and Alan, and walked to where Usagi had stopped by the window. Down below, in the outer courtyard, Diamond practiced with several of the guards he had brought along with him. "Usagi, there's no use going on about it the way you have been," Raye told her bluntly, watch the look cross Usagi's face. Raye's words caused Usagi to give her a look like 'you just slapped me'. "All you can do is lend Mamoru your support, through your link."

"If I could still feel my link with him, I would!" Usagi cried, causing all of the senshi to stop mid motion. "During that little presentation earlier, Mother managed to somehow cut me off from him."

None of the others said anything, because there really wasn't anything they could say that would easer Usagi's pain. Moments later, a chime sounded, beckoning them all to the throne room.

~~

I know, I know, I promised to certain people ::avoids Sailor_Angel's flying projectiles:: that the dual would appear in this chapter, but at 23 pages, I think this is a bit long......and there's still more to come.

Don't forget to review and email me!!!