AN: Here's the next chapter everyone. Sorry it took so long. Hope you guys like it. Anyway, please r+r. Flames are accepted.

Destiny

Chapter 4: Explanations

Disclaimer: I don't own either HP or SM. They belong to their respective owners. I only own Yumori (the phoenix).

"talking"

'thought'

~ setting ~

"Lita! Haruka! Hotaru!" exclaimed Serene, her silver blue eyes wide. She jolted up from her bed and almost literally jumped into Haruka's open arms, who was the nearest to her.

"I miss you guys so much!" said Serene as she hugged Haruka with all her might.

"Me too Koneko, me too," said Haruka as she hugged Serene back.

Serene let go of Haruka and exchanged hugs with Lita and Hotaru.

"It's been a long time Sere-chan," said Lita as she hugged Serene, a bright smile on her face.

"We sure miss you Nee-chan," added Hotaru in her soft voice as Serene hugged the twelve-year-old.

"You guys know each other?" asked Hermione as she watched Serene finally letting go of Hotaru.

"Hai, we've known each other since we're little kids, isn't that right Koneko?" said Haruka to Serene, giving her a knowing wink.

"That's right Haruka," agreed Serene, smiling also.

"Ok then," said Hermione, before she added, "Anyway, it's getting late. We better get some sleep,"

Hermione then collected her pajamas, toothpaste and toothbrush before she went through the bathroom door at the left corner of the room. (AN: I honestly don't know if they have private bathrooms in each dorm room. -_-)

As soon as Hermione closed the door, Serene turned to look at the three girls and said, "How did you guys get here? I thought you're dead, especially you Lita!"

"Its kind of hard to explain Sere-chan," said Lita, scratching the back of her head nervously. "I think you better sit down first before you hear what we have to say,"

"I can handle it," assured Serene, crossing her arms. "Well?"

"You see Koneko, the others WERE killed along with Lita but…" started Haruka.

"Setsuna managed to warn me and Haruka just in time and, as a result, had saved us," continued Hotaru, her dark purple eyes gleamed with sadness as she told Serene their story..

~ Begin Story ~

"Setsuna! What are you doing here?" asked Princess Haruka of the Uranus Kingdom as she turned around and noticed the Princess of the Pluto Kingdom behind her. Princess Hotaru of the Saturn Kingdom was also with her, looking confused. A large green-black portal was swirling in a circle behind them.

"No time to explain Haruka, just come with us. I'll explain later," said Setsuna hurriedly and, before Haruka could reply, took hold of one of the surprised blonde's arms and pulled the Princess of Uranus, along with the Princess of Saturn, through the portal.

"What's the big idea Setsuna!? Are you trying to get me killed!" exclaimed Haruka as Setsuna finally let go of her arm.

Haruka and Hotaru looked around them. They were in a room. A seemingly endless room filled with dark swirling fog around them. They saw Setsuna standing in front of them with a large mirror standing tall besides her.

"No," said Setsuna calmly. "I'm trying to save you from a death worst than all of deaths combined. Look here,"

She motioned the girls to look at the mirror.

As soon as Haruka and Hotaru stared at the mirror, a dark swirling mist formed inside the mirror and the two gasped at what they saw.

~ The Scene Inside The Mirror ~

"Hello there Princess Michelle of the Neptune Kingdom," said a cloaked figure.

The aqua haired girl turned to see the figure behind her.

"Who are you?" asked Michelle, her blue-green eyes narrowed. "How did you get here?"

The figure laughed evilly. It sent shivers up and down Michelle's spine (Including Haruka's and Hotaru's).

"My name is of no importance for now, I shall kill you," said the figure calmly.

"Goodbye Princess. Send my greetings to Princess Ami when you get there," added the figure as it shot a beam of dark ki at Michelle.

Michelle gasped and screamed in pain as the black beam went through her.

"I'm sorry…Haruka…" said Michelle before she fell to the floor.

Dead.

~ End Scene ~

Haruka and Hotaru watched in horror the other Princesses died by the same figure. First Ami and Michelle, then Raye of Mars, followed by Mina of Venus, and Lita of Jupiter. They also happened to see the Queen herself sending Princess Serenity to Earth entrapped in the Silver Crystal. They thought it was all over until…

"Hey that's me!" exclaimed Haruka as she saw herself being killed by the cloaked figure. Or was it her???

"Not literally," said Setsuna.

"That Haruka is a duplicate I made when I saw this happening," added Setsuna as Haruka turned to face her, a puzzled look on her face.

"Which is when?" asked Hotaru.

"Yesterday," answered Setsuna.

"I see,"

"But, why did you save us?" asked Haruka, tears are now streaming in her eyes.

'Oh Michelle…' thought Haruka, her eyes had a faraway look in them.

Setsuna felt sad for her friend and fellow princess. Every one of the princesses knew about Michelle and Haruka's love for each other. The two would always go out together in secret alone with  a few help from the other princesses that is.

"Because you need to protect the Moon Princess in the future," said Setsuna.

"And also to help me resurrect Princess Lita since we also need her help," added Setsuna.

"What?!" exclaimed Haruka and Hotaru all together.

"But how?" asked Hotaru.

"We need to concentrate on sending our energy towards this," said Setsuna, showing the two girls a small emerald crystal shaped like an icicle, which she held in the palm of her hand.

"Is that?" asked Haruka, pointing at the crystal with open eyes.

"Yes," replied Setsuna, "This is the Emerald Icicle, one of the eight Rainbow Icicles and Lita's heirloom,"

"Now touch the Emerald Icicle with your hand and concentrate," instructed Setsuna.

Hotaru and Haruka did as they were told and touched the Emerald Icicle, closing their eyes in concentration at the same time.

Suddenly, they felt their forehead burning as their royal insignia began to appear. Flashing brightly with their respective colors. Then, through their closed eyes, all they can see a flash of emerald light.

When they finally opened their eyes, they saw Princess Lita in her Princess gown, in front of them. Her eyes were closed and a faint emerald glow surrounded her.

"Uhh.." grunted Lita, slowly opening her eyes. "Can somebody get the number of the truck that hit me," she groaned, rubbing the back of her sore head. Then, her eyes snapped open as a thought came to her.

"That's right! Serenity! I've forgotten all about her!" exclaimed Lita.

She was about to start run when Setsuna blocked her way, stopping her.

"Stop!" said Setsuna in a commanding voice before it soften as she added, "Let us explain everything first,"

"All right, but make it quick," agreed Lita, tapping her foot impatiently. Her arms crossed.

After Setsuna told the whole story, Lita sat down on the floor.

"Good grief," muttered Lita as she tried to absorbed all the information Setsuna had given to her.

"So you mean to say that we got to find Serenity somewhere on Earth? But that'll take years! Even centuries for Selenity's sake!"

"I know," said Setsuna, "That's why I'm sending you girls to the exact time where she'll be released from the Crystal,"

Setsuna pounded her staff twice on the ground and another portal appeared, this time it was colored silver-white.

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard behind them.

"He's here!" cried out Setsuna, looking behind her.

"You better hurry!" she said and ushered the three girls inside.

"Wait!" cried out the three girls at the same time.

But it was too late, for Setsuna had shoved them inside the portal and all they could see was Setsuna bravely fighting the figure before the portal was completely closed.

~ End Story ~

"So that's the whole story," said Hotaru.

"Here's the Emerald Icicle," said Lita, handing over the small crystal at Serene.

"No you keep it," said Serene as she pushed back Lita's outstretched hand, a smile on her face. "Besides it IS after all your family's heirloom,"

"But what about the rest of the Rainbow Icicles Koneko?" asked Haruka. "Do we have to find them too?"

"I guess so," said Serene thoughtfully.

A thought suddenly struck her and she added, her eyes widened slightly. "Wait, a minute. Didn't Setsuna gave either of you guys your respective Icicle?"

"No, she didn't even mentioned ours," answered Hotaru.

"Hmm… that's not like Setsuna.." trailed off Serene, clenching her chin with her hand in deep thought.

Suddenly Serene gave a yawn and stretched her body as she added,

"Well, time to get ready for bed minna. We'll talk about this tomorrow," and went to collect her nightdress, toothpaste, and toothbrush, a mischief twinkle in her silver blue eyes.

"I get the bathroom first," said Serene and she hurriedly ran towards the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

"Serene!!" exclaimed three voices nearly muffled by the door. (The others had also wanted to get ready for bed and they knew that Serene will deliberately make them wait for a long time.)

Serene smirked.

"This is going to be a fun year…"

~ Sakura ~ Next on Destiny, Draco/Serene fans will enjoy a chapter about our dear Serene spending the day with Draco-kun (If you guys are nice enough that is. Hehehe ^.~) If not, I'll make Serene spend the entire day with *pounds drum* Dum-dum-dum! Harry! *Harry/Serene fans cheered while Draco/Serene gave Sakura death glares*