The beeping of the communicator woke Ami. There was a grumbled complaint
from behind her as she pulled out of Zoicite's arms and went to grab it.
"Ami!" Serena said, her face appearing on the little screen.
"Hi Serena"
"Is 9 your time going to work for tonight?"
Ami thought for a second before nodding, "Yes, that's not a problem for me."
"Thank god. Between Mina, Rei and I we've had to change it three times already."
Ami smiled at the exasperation in her friend's voice. Just then a pair of warm arms curled around her waist and Zoicite leaned over her shoulder to see what she was doing.
"Um...hi?" Serena's eyes flicked back and forth between Ami's and Zoicite's faces.
"Zoicite helped to fight the monster that attacked last night." Ami answered the question in her princess's eyes.
Serena nodded very slowly, "I think...it would be a good idea to bring Zoicite with you when you come tonight then."
"But..." Ami began to protest when Zoicite interrupted her.
"I will be there."
Serena looked at the two of them before smiling and signing off. The second her face disappeared from the screen Ami spun to glare at the man standing behind her, trying to look innocent.
"Rei may just kill you the moment you walk in the door." she said, trying to keep her tone conversational.
"Ami." Zoicite looked away from her and ran a hand through his hair, "I have to know. You can't just tell me about this horrible past and then just leave. You and that princess of yours are my only link to who I am. Who I really am."
He flopped down on the bed and looked at her, his eyes begging her to understand.
"How can I ask forgiveness if I can't even remember by sins?"
Ami knelt in front of him and placed her head down in his lap, "I just don't think that I can lose you for a third time."
* * * * *
Serena sat against a wall while trying to keep an eye on Rei, Mina and Darien and the door all at the same time. Ami hadn't shown up yet and Serena had decided not to tell the others about the "guest" coming. She didn't know the full story yet so it was better to wait and let Ami explain.
As she was sitting there Darien came and sat beside her.
"What's the matter?" he asked quietly.
Damn that man for being so perceptive! Or maybe she was just that transparent?
"Just worried about Ami." There, that wasn't a lie.
Darien glanced sideways at her. It was almost as if he didn't believe her!
Just as he opened his mouth to respond Ami arrived and the fun began.
"What the...?!" Rei exclaimed as Zoicite walked slowly in behind Ami.
"Ami?" Mina just looked confused, but in her hand was her transformation pen.
"Well, I guess that answers that." she heard Darien say as he stood up and faced two new arrivals.
Serena stayed sitting and pulled on her best Princess of the Moon face, "Hello Ami, Zoicite. Please sit down."
Rei opened her mouth to say something but Mina nudged her and the two of them grudgingly took their places as well. It was Darien who was actually the last to sit down. He remained standing, staring at his old companion until everyone else was seated. And only then did he sit down next to Serena. And Serena understood. Technically this was not a matter for the princess of the Moon. This was one of Earth's generals and therefore Darien's territory as the prince of Earth but things were complicated. Old protocols and divisions had been destroyed with the kingdoms that had first created them and new ones had to be felt out slowly. But that didn't mean Darien was just going to abide by Serena's decisions.
"Ami, since you called this meeting, you might as well begin it." Serena said, hoping that what Ami had to say would help things along. Otherwise this could get bad. She loved her Scouts but each one had such a strong and unique personality that tempers often flared over differences in opinion. Even calm and quiet Ami had been known, when she truly believed in something, to defy everyone, including her princess. Zoicite had the potential to be one of those things.
"Yesterday there was a monster attack." Ami began to tell her story and the room was quiet. No one interrupted the calm voice of the princess of Mercury as she described the monster attack and the aftermath of the battle. When she stopped talking all eyes turned to the man sitting beside her.
"Zoicite, do you have anything to say?" Darien asked, his voice causing the other man to jerk and look up from his contemplation of the floor.
"I can't remember. But if what Ami told me is true, I need to know, to have my memories restored. Please."
"And how do we know you are telling the truth? That you aren't here to trick us?" Rei asked.
"Again." Mina added, her voice just as cold as that of the Rei's.
Ami winced at her friends suspicions but could put up no defense.
"I can make sure." Darien's voice caused everyone to look at him in surprise.
"How?" Serena asked, daring to hope a little.
"Zoicite." Darien began, "Long ago, you made some oaths to me. Oaths that would bind you to the protection of Earth and its rulers. If you were to retake those oaths, it would allow me to see into your mind."
"Can you give me back my memories?" Zoicite asked.
"Possibly. This will link you and I once again and that link is a powerful thing."
Zoicite sat staring at Darien for a minute before nodding once, "I will do it."
Darien stood and Zoicite knelt before him.
"Zoicite, Knight of Earth, do you swear to pledge your life to the service of the Royal Household of Earth, to protect all that is held dear by that house and defend it until your last breath?"
"I do."
Suddenly Darien's sword was in his hand and he was covered in the black armor that marked him as a Knight of Earth in his own right. He drew the edge of the blade through his palm and passed his sword to the man knelt at his feet. Zoicite did the same and Darien offered his bleeding hand to the him.
"Then rise, my brother, for your house is mine and as long as you protect Earth, never kneel to another man again."
The moment their hands clasped, a blue fire sprung up around the two and Zoicite's startled gasp could be heard. The two men stayed there, frozen for what seemed like an eternity to Serena.
* * * * *
Zoicite felt the flames spring up around him and gasped. Then everything dropped away and all he could see was blue.
"There you are, my Knight." said a familiar voice.
Zoicite spun and bowed instinctively at the man standing before him.
His Prince.
"My Lord." he said.
"Enough. We have been through too much to worry about formality."
Zoicite looked up. It was like the memories were there, just on the edge of his grasp. He knew he owed this man everything and yet he didn't know why. He knew that he had betrayed him and yet didn't know how or why. It was confusing.
Darien walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulder and smirked, "Lets see what we can do about your memory. Brace yourself."
Suddenly it was like the floodgates in his mind had opened up and the memories that mere moments ago had been just out of reach were now threatening to drown him. He heard someone cry out and it took him a second to realize the voice had been his.
And just as suddenly he found himself collapsed on the floor of the temple.
He opened his eyes to find a pair of crystal blue ones anxiously staring down at him.
"Worried?" he asked.
"Always." came the soft reply.
Images of this same woman flashed in his head, of fighting side by side, standing against her and of loving her. Those memories threatened to overwhelm him again as the pain of his past finally was brought home to him.
Slowly, his muscles protesting Zoicite got to his feet and looked at the man he had sworn to die for. Instinctively he called forth his own armor and knelt at the feet of his Prince, drawing his sword and offering it, hilt first to his Prince while bowing his head.
"Stand up Zoicite." Darien said, his voice betraying the exhaustion he felt.
"My Lord, I betrayed the oaths I took to you. My sword and life are yours to take."
"I don't want them. Now, stand up."
Zoicite looked up in confusion, "But...?"
"Enough." Darien interrupted him, "The past is over. We have all failed at one time or other because of the evils we were facing. But we've all been given second chances. I'm not going to ruin it. Now stand up."
Serena walked up and gently put her arms around Darien's waist, showing her support of his words. Behind her, the two others, Rei and Mina, seemed to be dealing with their own demons and Zoicite felt pity for them. He understood all to well the inner conflict they were going through and the scars that had just been ripped open by his return.
They all had a lot of healing to do.
Feeling a pair of arms wrap around him he looked down to see his own personal angel. Why she stood with him he couldn't understand. She was a Princess and he was just a mere Knight. He had allowed himself to betray her and all her people while she had died protecting them. He was an arrogant jerk who loved to watch her try and get mad at him and she was the responsible one who had always been there to help him when things fell apart.
The two couples stood, mirroring each other. Their two stories were surprisingly similar, both having to fight to regain the trust that had once come so easily to them.
In the silence there was a battle of wills going on. Three fighting for the future against one fighting for the past. They were all too stubborn and strong willed for their own good but Zoicite eventually finally admitted defeat by putting his own arms around Ami.
Not that he had really wanted to win.
He may not deserve forgiveness but who was he to turn his back on it when offered.
And maybe, this time, they would get things right and make it to that happily ever after he had always heard about.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, somewhere much darker a man was helping a frail and tired woman to finally leave the magical circle she had been in for so long, a dark, pulsing crystal clutched in her hands.
In the shadows, Rubeus watched them and began to feel that time was running out.
* * * * *
Alright! That is the end of that. Now, I get to finally play with Lita. And thanks to a favorite little Irish pub here at home I am feeling up to the challenge. Oh, and I think you should all appreciate the amount of happy ending here. Any one who has checked out my other stories will see a definite tissue trend.
Jedi Master Calriel - umm...to the best of my knowledge you are right. I don' think they were ever destroyed, unless you assume that they died with Beryl at the end.
Marni - Right now I am going to try to bring the other generals in but I don't want the story to get too detailed so we'll see if they fit. But if I get my way they will show.
Jabba - thanks! I just suddenly have a lot more time to do things so I'm trying to put as much of this story out there as possible before life gets hectic again.
Deny - hey! I hope this chapter answered your question. Zoicite will be a part of the team but it may be a rocky transition. And I am not *quite* done with those two.
Adyen - more fluff and stuff needed? hee, well, I'll see what I can do.
Lady Artemis - *blushes* Thank you! That is really nice of you to say. I hope this story keeps up with your expectations.
Ginny-Star !No worries. I saw it was you but I had just figured you had gotten a new account of something. Trust me, people as wonderful as you and your reviews are hard to forget.
kalinda - Thanks. Lita is comeing. Maybe not in the next chapter, which is probably going to be a break between the two story arcs, but defiantly in the one after that.
Sorceress Usagi - I'm trying.
happygolucky111 - hee hee. Well, we'll see how this all goes. I hope you like this chapter too!
"Ami!" Serena said, her face appearing on the little screen.
"Hi Serena"
"Is 9 your time going to work for tonight?"
Ami thought for a second before nodding, "Yes, that's not a problem for me."
"Thank god. Between Mina, Rei and I we've had to change it three times already."
Ami smiled at the exasperation in her friend's voice. Just then a pair of warm arms curled around her waist and Zoicite leaned over her shoulder to see what she was doing.
"Um...hi?" Serena's eyes flicked back and forth between Ami's and Zoicite's faces.
"Zoicite helped to fight the monster that attacked last night." Ami answered the question in her princess's eyes.
Serena nodded very slowly, "I think...it would be a good idea to bring Zoicite with you when you come tonight then."
"But..." Ami began to protest when Zoicite interrupted her.
"I will be there."
Serena looked at the two of them before smiling and signing off. The second her face disappeared from the screen Ami spun to glare at the man standing behind her, trying to look innocent.
"Rei may just kill you the moment you walk in the door." she said, trying to keep her tone conversational.
"Ami." Zoicite looked away from her and ran a hand through his hair, "I have to know. You can't just tell me about this horrible past and then just leave. You and that princess of yours are my only link to who I am. Who I really am."
He flopped down on the bed and looked at her, his eyes begging her to understand.
"How can I ask forgiveness if I can't even remember by sins?"
Ami knelt in front of him and placed her head down in his lap, "I just don't think that I can lose you for a third time."
* * * * *
Serena sat against a wall while trying to keep an eye on Rei, Mina and Darien and the door all at the same time. Ami hadn't shown up yet and Serena had decided not to tell the others about the "guest" coming. She didn't know the full story yet so it was better to wait and let Ami explain.
As she was sitting there Darien came and sat beside her.
"What's the matter?" he asked quietly.
Damn that man for being so perceptive! Or maybe she was just that transparent?
"Just worried about Ami." There, that wasn't a lie.
Darien glanced sideways at her. It was almost as if he didn't believe her!
Just as he opened his mouth to respond Ami arrived and the fun began.
"What the...?!" Rei exclaimed as Zoicite walked slowly in behind Ami.
"Ami?" Mina just looked confused, but in her hand was her transformation pen.
"Well, I guess that answers that." she heard Darien say as he stood up and faced two new arrivals.
Serena stayed sitting and pulled on her best Princess of the Moon face, "Hello Ami, Zoicite. Please sit down."
Rei opened her mouth to say something but Mina nudged her and the two of them grudgingly took their places as well. It was Darien who was actually the last to sit down. He remained standing, staring at his old companion until everyone else was seated. And only then did he sit down next to Serena. And Serena understood. Technically this was not a matter for the princess of the Moon. This was one of Earth's generals and therefore Darien's territory as the prince of Earth but things were complicated. Old protocols and divisions had been destroyed with the kingdoms that had first created them and new ones had to be felt out slowly. But that didn't mean Darien was just going to abide by Serena's decisions.
"Ami, since you called this meeting, you might as well begin it." Serena said, hoping that what Ami had to say would help things along. Otherwise this could get bad. She loved her Scouts but each one had such a strong and unique personality that tempers often flared over differences in opinion. Even calm and quiet Ami had been known, when she truly believed in something, to defy everyone, including her princess. Zoicite had the potential to be one of those things.
"Yesterday there was a monster attack." Ami began to tell her story and the room was quiet. No one interrupted the calm voice of the princess of Mercury as she described the monster attack and the aftermath of the battle. When she stopped talking all eyes turned to the man sitting beside her.
"Zoicite, do you have anything to say?" Darien asked, his voice causing the other man to jerk and look up from his contemplation of the floor.
"I can't remember. But if what Ami told me is true, I need to know, to have my memories restored. Please."
"And how do we know you are telling the truth? That you aren't here to trick us?" Rei asked.
"Again." Mina added, her voice just as cold as that of the Rei's.
Ami winced at her friends suspicions but could put up no defense.
"I can make sure." Darien's voice caused everyone to look at him in surprise.
"How?" Serena asked, daring to hope a little.
"Zoicite." Darien began, "Long ago, you made some oaths to me. Oaths that would bind you to the protection of Earth and its rulers. If you were to retake those oaths, it would allow me to see into your mind."
"Can you give me back my memories?" Zoicite asked.
"Possibly. This will link you and I once again and that link is a powerful thing."
Zoicite sat staring at Darien for a minute before nodding once, "I will do it."
Darien stood and Zoicite knelt before him.
"Zoicite, Knight of Earth, do you swear to pledge your life to the service of the Royal Household of Earth, to protect all that is held dear by that house and defend it until your last breath?"
"I do."
Suddenly Darien's sword was in his hand and he was covered in the black armor that marked him as a Knight of Earth in his own right. He drew the edge of the blade through his palm and passed his sword to the man knelt at his feet. Zoicite did the same and Darien offered his bleeding hand to the him.
"Then rise, my brother, for your house is mine and as long as you protect Earth, never kneel to another man again."
The moment their hands clasped, a blue fire sprung up around the two and Zoicite's startled gasp could be heard. The two men stayed there, frozen for what seemed like an eternity to Serena.
* * * * *
Zoicite felt the flames spring up around him and gasped. Then everything dropped away and all he could see was blue.
"There you are, my Knight." said a familiar voice.
Zoicite spun and bowed instinctively at the man standing before him.
His Prince.
"My Lord." he said.
"Enough. We have been through too much to worry about formality."
Zoicite looked up. It was like the memories were there, just on the edge of his grasp. He knew he owed this man everything and yet he didn't know why. He knew that he had betrayed him and yet didn't know how or why. It was confusing.
Darien walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulder and smirked, "Lets see what we can do about your memory. Brace yourself."
Suddenly it was like the floodgates in his mind had opened up and the memories that mere moments ago had been just out of reach were now threatening to drown him. He heard someone cry out and it took him a second to realize the voice had been his.
And just as suddenly he found himself collapsed on the floor of the temple.
He opened his eyes to find a pair of crystal blue ones anxiously staring down at him.
"Worried?" he asked.
"Always." came the soft reply.
Images of this same woman flashed in his head, of fighting side by side, standing against her and of loving her. Those memories threatened to overwhelm him again as the pain of his past finally was brought home to him.
Slowly, his muscles protesting Zoicite got to his feet and looked at the man he had sworn to die for. Instinctively he called forth his own armor and knelt at the feet of his Prince, drawing his sword and offering it, hilt first to his Prince while bowing his head.
"Stand up Zoicite." Darien said, his voice betraying the exhaustion he felt.
"My Lord, I betrayed the oaths I took to you. My sword and life are yours to take."
"I don't want them. Now, stand up."
Zoicite looked up in confusion, "But...?"
"Enough." Darien interrupted him, "The past is over. We have all failed at one time or other because of the evils we were facing. But we've all been given second chances. I'm not going to ruin it. Now stand up."
Serena walked up and gently put her arms around Darien's waist, showing her support of his words. Behind her, the two others, Rei and Mina, seemed to be dealing with their own demons and Zoicite felt pity for them. He understood all to well the inner conflict they were going through and the scars that had just been ripped open by his return.
They all had a lot of healing to do.
Feeling a pair of arms wrap around him he looked down to see his own personal angel. Why she stood with him he couldn't understand. She was a Princess and he was just a mere Knight. He had allowed himself to betray her and all her people while she had died protecting them. He was an arrogant jerk who loved to watch her try and get mad at him and she was the responsible one who had always been there to help him when things fell apart.
The two couples stood, mirroring each other. Their two stories were surprisingly similar, both having to fight to regain the trust that had once come so easily to them.
In the silence there was a battle of wills going on. Three fighting for the future against one fighting for the past. They were all too stubborn and strong willed for their own good but Zoicite eventually finally admitted defeat by putting his own arms around Ami.
Not that he had really wanted to win.
He may not deserve forgiveness but who was he to turn his back on it when offered.
And maybe, this time, they would get things right and make it to that happily ever after he had always heard about.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, somewhere much darker a man was helping a frail and tired woman to finally leave the magical circle she had been in for so long, a dark, pulsing crystal clutched in her hands.
In the shadows, Rubeus watched them and began to feel that time was running out.
* * * * *
Alright! That is the end of that. Now, I get to finally play with Lita. And thanks to a favorite little Irish pub here at home I am feeling up to the challenge. Oh, and I think you should all appreciate the amount of happy ending here. Any one who has checked out my other stories will see a definite tissue trend.
Jedi Master Calriel - umm...to the best of my knowledge you are right. I don' think they were ever destroyed, unless you assume that they died with Beryl at the end.
Marni - Right now I am going to try to bring the other generals in but I don't want the story to get too detailed so we'll see if they fit. But if I get my way they will show.
Jabba - thanks! I just suddenly have a lot more time to do things so I'm trying to put as much of this story out there as possible before life gets hectic again.
Deny - hey! I hope this chapter answered your question. Zoicite will be a part of the team but it may be a rocky transition. And I am not *quite* done with those two.
Adyen - more fluff and stuff needed? hee, well, I'll see what I can do.
Lady Artemis - *blushes* Thank you! That is really nice of you to say. I hope this story keeps up with your expectations.
Ginny-Star !No worries. I saw it was you but I had just figured you had gotten a new account of something. Trust me, people as wonderful as you and your reviews are hard to forget.
kalinda - Thanks. Lita is comeing. Maybe not in the next chapter, which is probably going to be a break between the two story arcs, but defiantly in the one after that.
Sorceress Usagi - I'm trying.
happygolucky111 - hee hee. Well, we'll see how this all goes. I hope you like this chapter too!