Chapter 9 - Familiar Faces

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AN: Well finally Chapter 9 is finally done. Thanks to those who have given me such great reviews. I hope this Chapter gives you as much enjoyment as the last few chapters.

JFYI: It takes place almost a year after Helios (Golden Mirror Episodes in N. America). Please don't forget to read and review.

Sailor Moon is not owned by me, I am just borrowing the characters to make this story.

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"I think she meant us." a strange and yet familiar voice rang through the air in no more than a whisper.

Serena and the Scouts turned around only to come face to face with two familiar figures. Neptune was still her graceful self with her sea green hair blowing around in front of her face as Uranus stood beside her with a tower of strength behind the kind smile she was giving.

"Uranus! Neptune!" Serena replied.

The others gathered around the other Soldiers as they looked around at the dismal, and silent debris-filled street.

"I see you've had a party here and didn't invite us." Uranus said as she inspected the buildings and destruction. "This new enemy is quite strong." Uranus stated as a fact then a question

"It gets worse than that I am afraid." Luna replied. "I suggest we go to the temple to discuss this. Soon the police will be here and I don't want Serena to be caught with us."

At Luna's words Uranus and Neptune realized that it was indeed Serena with them instead of Sailor Moon. "Hey moon-face. Why didn't you change." Uranus asked questioningly.

Serena didn't say anything but hung her head. Darien, still holding her, squeezed gently to reassure her. Serena looked at Darien and then closed her eyes in defeat.

"First the temple then explanations." Artemis interjected.

With everyone's nod, the group departed the demolished street, again not noticing that they were being watched from atop the building.



"So there are even more Scouts then I thought." The figure in the black cloak whispered to himself from atop the building, witnessing the events that had just taken place. His amber eyes trailed after his Princess as she left the street with her court and prince. Trying to protect himself from the sun above the figure pulled his cloak ever closer to his body.

He had seen for himself the Silver Lady in action. She had been doing quite well until the time warrior showed up. He might give her one last chance, since it was so hard to find good help. However the next time she failed no matter what the excuse, his anger will see that she got her just reward.

Looking back at the departing scouts he thought of beloved once more and smiled. "Princess Serenity. You cannot hide anymore. I know who and where you are. Not even these new scouts will help you."

He thought for a moment. He had felt the superior energy that was emitting from these new Scouts. Though they were not as powerful as the time warrior, they were still considered a threat, their energy more powerful then that of those of Serenity's pathetic court. Next time he would make sure that the next creatures he sent with Lexa will be more then enough to handle them. Right now his main objective was quite clear and one that Lexa had failed to complete twice now. He might have to handle that part himself.

With a laugh he gather his cloak and disappeared in a blast of black flames.



At the temple the girls had all changed into their normal selves. Amara and Michelle took their positions on the side of the temple pillar as the rest sat down on the steps that led up to the main shrine.

Serena and Darien sat more on to the other side a ways a little from the others. Having his arm around Serena's shoulders, Darien tried to comfort Serena who hadn't spoken since the attack. Her head was resting on his shoulder; her eyes were closed as if she was in defeat.

The others looked worriedly at her, but Darien just shook his head in warning, as if saying now was not the time.

Rae, Mina and Lita had been treated, to some degree, of their injuries, thanks to Amy, Amara and Michelle. Though they had not been seriously injured the pain was still evident in their eyes. Serena had looked upon them with a guilty expression but the others had tried to alleviate it by telling her there was nothing she could have done, given the circumstances.

As the girls were being treated, Luna and Artemis had informed Amara and Michelle of their new enemy, the vision, Pluto's help and the problems facing both Rae and Serena. The two girls had kept quiet as they listened intently and every now and then they had glanced worriedly at Serena who had kept to herself. Darien had remained with her, not letting go of her for a moment. It seemed she was gathering strength from his presence, or she probably would have collapsed.

Now they all sat in silence, each one deep in thought. "So how did you know we were going to need you here?" Mina asked at last breaking through everyone's thoughts, as she directed her question to Amara and Michelle.

Amara looked down at Michelle and Michelle nodded.

"We were about to return to our posts when Pluto appeared. She advised us that you would need our help. She wasn't altogether clear about this new enemy, though it's not like her to keep it to herself. She just mentioned a new enemy had appeared and that Serenity would need our help and protection. Without even a thought we turned around and came back here." Michelle informed with a serious voice.

"You mean she didn't say anything about this enemy?" Rae spoke up, her eyes glowing red in anger.

"How are we supposed to fight an enemy we don't even know nothing about." Lita filled in her anger showing in her posture.

"At least we had some knowledge about our past enemies." Amy spoke her thoughts.

Artemis and Luna both sighed and nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately the only thing we have as information is from Rae's vision." Luna supplied.

The others at that moment didn't say anything. Darien looked down at his beloved who remained still with her eyes closed. Darien knew she hadn't fallen asleep due to the tiny specks of moisture at the corner of her eyes that every now and then turned into a tiny tear that fell slowly down her face.

How could he help her? Darien thought. He knew she was feeling a lot of pain, due to her dreams. However after the attack, he didn't know what was going in her mind and he couldn't stand having her be like this.

"Pluto mentioned to me something about the enemy coming from the past." Darien suddenly said that made the others including Amara and Michelle gape at him.

Mina interjected, "You mentioned something about the past previously when Luna mentioned the Moon Kingdom. Are you saying that the enemy is from there?"

Darien looked down at Serena and then looked up and spoke, "Pluto told me that someone had broken through the time vortex. One, she had told me, that originated from when the Moon Kingdom was still flourishing."

"What!" Mina and Lita said at once.

Michelle looked at Amara and then quickly glanced at Serena. "That would make sense." She whispered almost to herself.

"What do you mean it makes sense? For What?" Rae looked at Michelle suspiciously.

"Sorry." Michelle stated abruptly. Had she said that out loud? "I mean that it would make it a mess. You know, the whole past and future thing."

Rae didn't say anything, however some sixth sense told her that someone was not telling all. Amara and Michelle knew something more, which was obvious. Rae then looked at Darien and Serena and again her sixth sense picked up that not all was right, that there was something more then Serena not being able to change. Rae smiled. At least her senses hadn't been taken away from her.

"Luna, if they are from the past, maybe you know whom we are up against. Could it be the Negaverse?" Rae asked instead.

Luna and Artemis looked at each other and both felines shook their head. "Sorry Scouts. Artemis and I don't know this enemy. Remember during the Silver Millennium everything was peaceful and happy. There were a few legendary enemies but mostly this enemy doesn't look like any legends we may have read. The only enemy we really knew of back then were Queen Beryl and the Negaverse and it would be impossible for her to have come into the future when she had been thrown forward along with the rest of us when Queen Serenity used the Imperium Silver Crystal."

"Could it be Anne or Allan coming back?" Lita asked. Amy suddenly brought out her computer and tapping into some files.

"No it's impossible. The readings I took of our new enemy's energy don't consist to any one or anything we have encountered as yet." She said tapping once more on her consol.

"So what have you found out Amy." Luna asked.

"Well from the readings I took when they attacked, I say this new enemy is much more power then any ones we have faced yet. It took all four of us combining our powers to defeat even one of their minions. Though Pluto had no problems taking care of the other." she stopped ".creature, I can just imagine what powers that Silver Warrior possessed."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Darien looked down at Serena and then looked to the others. "Girls. I am going to take Serena to my place for her to rest."

"That sounds like a good idea Darien." Luna said. "The poor dear probably feels tired. She has been through enough. Artemis stay here, while I go with Darien. Just to make sure Serena is going to be okay."

"We'll go to." Amara said at once.

Darien frowned at that. However upon closer look, Amara was glancing at him in away telling him that they had something to discuss.

"Why don't I stay here Amara to help the girls? You go on." Michelle stated.

Amara nodded slowly and began her walk from the temple. "I have my car here Darien. I'll drive, you take Serena into the back."

Darien didn't feel like arguing with the tall scout. His concern was for the bundle in his arms. Very slowly he stood up and gathered his beloved into his arms and carried her. Not once did she move as Darien followed Amara to her sports car. Luna had jumped on his shoulder as he passed.

During the trip to his apartment, everyone remained quiet. Luna sat on the opposite side of Serena as she continued to look upon her charge with a concerned expression. Serena's eyes still remained closed.

Amara looked at her rear view mirror and looked upon her Princess. "Is she alright?"

Darien slowly closed his eyes and said. "Amara, I am not sure of anything right now. All I know she is in a lot of pain and there is nothing I can do to help her."

Amara didn't say anything but continued to drive on.



Back at the apartment, Amara helped Darien place her on his bed and left her there to rest. After believing that she would be okay alone, though Luna had taken up residence beside her, Amara and Darien went into the kitchen to make some coffee. They sat at the dining room table deep in thought at the same time drinking their made coffee.

"So why are you really here?" Darien asked suddenly.

Amara glanced up from her coffee cup and frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Oh come now Uranus. We both know that Pluto told you more then what you are admitting to the others."

Amara smiled at this. There wasn't much that could get by Darien.

"So I will ask again." He said in an authoritative voice. "Why are you here?"

Amara nodded as if to her self and said, "We were sent to protect Serena from this enemy. Pluto knew the other scouts would not have the power to able to fight and be able to defend her. However, believe what you want we don't know who this enemy is either. Pluto would not tell us. She told us it was imperative to protect her until she could change once more. Serena is going through something that we can only begin to imagine." Amara said as she glanced up to the wall where she knew Serena was resting on the bed.

"I wonder who this enemy is?" Darien said to himself.

Amara glanced at Darien and then at the wall towards Serena.

Only Princess Serenity can tell us that. Amara thought.



To be continued.