Chapter 10 - Change In Leadership

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AN: Chapter 10 here. I have thought long and hard about this Chapter. If people wonder where I am going with this everything will be explained as the story progresses.

Thanks to those who have supported this story since the beginning. Please read and review and let me know if you like the chapter or not.

Again I do not own Sailor Moon, I am just borrowing the characters to make this story.

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"Mother?" Princess Serenity asked her mother when the nobles had left after their daily meeting with the Queen of the Moon. Her mother was still seated on the chair at the head of the table.

Queen Serenity looked upon her daughter proudly. "What is it little Ren?"

Serenity blushed and stood awkwardly as she gazed upon her mother. "Please mother! I haven't been called that since before father died. I am grown now."

Queen Serenity smiled warmly. "I know. It only seems like yesterday, you were a little bundle of trouble following your father around. Now look at you, a beautiful young lady of 14, who shall one day take my place. So what is it my daughter?"

Princess Serenity looked down at her fingers and then back at her mother. "Is it true that I am betrothed? I heard talk around the castle grounds that one day I am to marry."

The Queen's smile faded at her words. "Yes you are betrothed, my sweet daughter. It was something your father had wanted, to make sure you would be taken care of if anything were to happen. However do not fear, first of all it will be many years before any marriage will be granted. Furthermore." The Queen closed her eyes as if choosing her next words carefully. "It was always granted that you would have final say at whom you shall choose."

Princess Serenity smiled at this last statement. She had been worried that she would one day marry without love. "Will I meet this person one day?"

"Yes, you are to meet on your 15th year. Do not fear child. Just follow your heart and all will be fine."

"Is he from Earth?" Princess Serenity asked excitedly.

The younger Serenity had always been fascinated at the earth and its people. She had only seen a handful of people from there since the earth was too divided and by most, too primitive. Many times she had been caught staring up at the earth from the gardens or at the big hallway windows.

Queen Serenity had smiled from the dreamy eyed look her daughter had. "He is. He is a prince of his realm."

At that Serenity smiled brilliantly and skipped out of the room. She always believed that there was someone waiting just for her, someone waiting on earth. Could this Prince be the one she had dreamed about, her destined one?

Waving to her mother she opened the door and went to find her friends.



Serena opened her eyes groggily as she awoke from her memory filled dreams. As her eyes adjusted she saw that she was in bed, the covers been pulled over her securely. The room was bathed in mostly darkness as the remainder of the light was fading fast from the now setting sun.

Very slowly Serena lifted herself into a seating position and looked around the room as if expecting to be in her room. Things didn't seem to be right. Looking once more she noticed the sliding glass door at the other end and finally she understood.

This wasn't her room. She was in Darien's apartment. Memories came back to her, the battle, how close the scouts and Darien came close to death. Guilt made her heart heavy.

Closing her eyes she let her tears over flow once more. She had done it again. She had failed her scouts and love when they needed her the most. She had promised them she would be there. If it hadn't been for the time guardian, they would have surely died. Angry tears flowed from her now red and swollen eyes.

Damn it what was happening to her? She thought as she covered her face with her hands and sobbed in silence.



In her self-misery, Serena hadn't noticed Luna who had taken up residence at her feet. She had been awake since the first move Serena made when she finally awoke. She had seen the horror in her ward's eyes as memories had engulfed her and the guilty expression when the first tears came. Now she watched in silence as her princess sat there crying in silence, something that she had never done in all the years Luna had known her. What she would give to hear Serena wail instead of this silent cry. This was tearing her up and as Serena's guardian she was going to find a way to help.

Luna stood up carefully and made her way off the bed, careful as to not alert her of the feline's presence.

Only Darien can reach her. Luna thought as she jumped off the bed in her search for him.

She quietly went through the kitchen door and found, Darien asleep at the table, one hand still held the cup of coffee and the other held his head.

Amara had disappeared sometime ago, knowing these two people needed to be alone together. Luna had talked quietly to the tall scout and had her go back to the temple in order prepare the other scouts for a Sailor Meeting.

Amara had told Luna that Pluto had sent her and Michelle to primarily guard Serena and to help the other sailor scouts. Luna had nodded and said the others would need training and that Amara and Michelle would be needed in that respect. Amara had looked at Serena and then had glanced back to Luna. Giving a deep painful sigh, she had nodded once and then left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Luna jumped on the kitchen table and slowly, using her nose, pushed at Darien's arms to wake him up. Darien grunted slowly in his sleep, and slightly moved his head to the side, letting Luna see the wet stained face of his. Shaking her head slowly, she quietly approached Darien and whispered, "Darien. Wake up. Serena needs you."

Darien slowly lifted his tired eyes as they focussed it on the feline face in front of him.

"L-L-Luna? What is it? Serena.?" he said his mind suddenly coming alert as he pushed himself into a seating position.

"Serena has awoken. She is in need of you." It was all Luna said.

Darien looked at Luna and nodded, Serena needed him. That was all he needed to know. Getting up he left the kitchen and looked down at the girl who's face was hidden beneath her hands, as tears overflowed. Darien's heart swelled at the love he felt for her, it also broke as he saw her crying in silence.

Very slowly he approached her and carefully sat on the bed. Even more carefully he moved his arms to encircle her and slowly drew the tearful girl into his chest.



Serena's mind was still in turmoil and full of guilt that she hadn't noticed anyone approaching, or the bed shift as if someone was sitting down. The only time she knew she wasn't alone was when the arms had touched her and the feel of her head being slowly lowered into a chest. Her hands lifted from her face as her tear stained face slowly lifted to meet Darien's concerned eyes. She tried to smile but tears came instead.

Darien hugged her close to him and in turn, Serena's mind went back to her dream. Yes Darien was indeed her destined one, the one person in the entire universe that she could ever love. Without saying anything, Serena smiled slightly as Darien and she remained in each other's arms.

From the kitchen, Luna observed this and suddenly her heart leapt with hope. Serena was actually smiling slightly. Very carefully she walked to the window and disappeared.



At the temple, Amara had returned many hours previously to witness the others in Rae's room. Michelle had informed her that Rae was trying to perform another fire reading.

Of course Rae hadn't been able to focus and Mar's Fires of Vision eluded her yet again. Amara had told them afterwards that Luna wanted to talk with them later on and that they should all remain where they were until she got back.

Luna found them all in Rae's room going over the enemy and discussing what they could do next time they met up with the Silver Soldier. She quickly went to Artemis and had a few quick words with him. After a few minutes Artemis nodded.

"Scouts, Artemis and I have something to talk to you about." Luna stated that drew everyone into silence.

The two guardians jumped on the table, as they Scouts waited for them to speak.

"So what is it?" Rae spoke up suddenly. "Is Serena going to be okay?"

The others bent over in anticipation. Luna looked at the Scouts and said, "You know Serena can't change and thus feels a lot of strain and guilt at what happened."

"Why should she feel guilty Luna? There wasn't anything she could do." Mina replied.

"Mina this is Serena we are talking about. You know the girl with the big heart." Lita replied giving Mina the eye. "Of course she feels guilty. Wouldn't you if all of a sudden everything you love is almost killed and there was nothing you could do about it. The poor girl must feel awful. You saw how she was after the battle. The girl must be devastated." Lita answered.

"So what can we do?" Rae asked.

Amara spoke up. "There is nothing we can do. Darien is with her now. What we can do however is to make sure this enemy gets what they deserve and at the same time protect our Princess."

"When I left, she finally woke up from her dazed state. Darien was with her so for now, Serena needs time. Unfortunately time is not on our side." Luna put in.

"What are you saying Luna?" Amy asked after a moment.

Luna looked at Artemis as he nodded his support. "Serena has been the leader of the Scouts for a long time now. I know everyone would agree with me if I said she is the heart of this group. Unfortunately Serena is going through something and with her not being able to change, it leaves an unfulfilled hole. The Scouts are not complete. Artemis and I have talked about this before and we are in agreement. A new leader must be assigned until Serena is herself again. Of course we will still report to her to get confirmation but for now I think a new temporary leader is needed. We have a powerful enemy who seems to know our every move."

"Though the thought of replacing Serena like that makes me angry, I can understand the reasoning. Who did you have in mind Luna to take over? Who was the second in command during the Moon Kingdom?" Amy supplied.

Luna thought for a moment and then said, "During the Silver Millennium it was a little different then it is now. Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter were constantly with Princess Serenity as part of her court. The others were also apart of her court but they had responsibilities outside of the royal palace. Queen Serenity herself had appointed Venus as Commander. That was the reason, Artemis was given to her."

"So you mean I get to become leader?" Mina stated blushing as all the other girls looked at her.

Luna sighed and continued. "In this case due to the things that are happening, we need someone a little stronger. Sorry Mina, though you are strong, you are too close to this and Serena and you won't feel right. We need someone with an outside view on matters."

Mina's eyes lowered and nodded her head in acceptance.

"So who do you have in mind Luna?" Lita asked.

Luna quietly looked at each of the girls as if weighing each in her mind.

"Artemis and I have chosen." Every one held their breath. ".Uranus."



To be continued.