Chapter 6
Home?
Friday . . . Late Evening
Two hours later, Tuxedo Mask was still on the same rooftop he had collapsed on. It had taken him that long to overcome the pain. He was resting, regaining his strength, when the air around him began to sparkle. He smiled solemnly. Teleport. The Sailor Scouts gathered around him worriedly. At first glance they could see he felt whatever Mars and Saturn had, but, unlike them, he was not yet on his feet and quite some time had passed since the incident. Outwardly calm, Darien told them, "We have to try Sailor Teleport. It's the only way. Time is running out."
Bryce walked Serena back to her room in silence. When they were almost there, he noticed how she seemed to be almost staggering in her steps. "If you're thinking of taking off again . . . " His voice trailed off as he glanced down at her. Seeing the listlessness in her eyes, he asked, "Are you all right?"
Shaking her head, Serena closed her eyes. "Bryce, I . . . " She never even knew when strong arms lifted her gently and carried her the rest of the way back to her room. Once inside, he laid her on the bed and covered her with blankets. After pausing a moment to admire her features, he turned on his heel and left, locking the door behind him.
The Scouts rested for a few minutes then got into a circle once more and joined hands. They focused their concentration on Prince Darien in the center and allowed him to guide them to their destination, his only thoughts being Princess Serena. The group of nine shimmered and vanished. When they reappeared, they were in a dimly lit room. Immediately and simultaneously all communicators sounded off. Silently handing Sailor Mercury her computer so she could disable the devices in the room, Prince Darien turned to the girl that he loved so well sleeping on the bed. Serena's crescent moon began to glow softly with the close proximity of the Crystal and, smiling, Darien gently placed the locket on her dress. He picked her up, walked back to the center of the circle, and nodded once. They began to concentrate once more, but with a flash of Serena's crescent moon, they were gone before finishing the thought.
Bryce and the others were enjoying cocktails and discussing, more openly now that Serena was gone, the events of past days when alarms blazed from the monitoring room. They ran to check the cameras and found that all the instruments in Serena's room were dead. With Bryce and Jeff in the lead, the group tore out of the room, down the hall, took the stairs three at a time and arrived in the basement and at Serena's door in record time. Bryce unlocked the door and rushed into the room, the others on his heels. Though only five minutes after the alarms rang out, they were too late. Serena was gone. With no sign that she'd ever been there at all, as even the clothes she wore when she got there were gone.
In the temple, the Sailor Scouts reappeared at the precise moment Bryce found Serena gone. Prince Darien, holding the sleeping, unconscious princess tightly, began to pace as Luna jumped to his shoulder to check Serena over. "We are not . . . , she is not . . . , safe here anymore."
Nodding, Sailor Mercury added, "Chances are very good that these people know all of our addresses. They seemed to be very thorough, thus far."
"But where can we go?" Saturn asked quickly. "I must help her . . . fast."
"We'll have to go back to my place." The prince answered, then continued on in a rush as he paced, "We can protect her there and there's enough room for all of us. Mercury," Looking at her, "be prepared, just in case it's necessary, to scramble all electronics on the entire block, not just the apartment. With all the equipment that's been used, there's got to be someone close by listening. If his instruments go dead as well as everything else, no one will know we even entered."
Mercury nodded and replied, "Yeah, sure, just give me a few minutes to prepare the calculations."
"Sailor Mars," Darien continued issuing orders to the silent girls in the room "pack some clothes. You'll be gone awhile. Uranus, get Reenie." When the two left, "What we'll do is this . . . Lita's place first, then Michiru's, Haruka's, Hotaru's, Mina's, Amy's, and Serena's, again, mainly for more clothes for Reenie. Gather what you can in several minutes' time. We also need to disable all listening devices we may find, so Mercury, be ready. They shouldn't know about the Outer Scouts homes as they only recently joined the group . . . I hope, but it's better to be safe. Pluto," He smiled into her amused countenance, "I hope you have a change of clothes."
"Of course, I always come prepared."
"Good. Are we set?" Darien glanced at Mercury, who nodded.
"Remember, with every Teleport, she weakens more, so let's be quick."
Sailor Uranus set Reenie on the floor by Darien's feet along with the two cats and Raye's things. The Scouts circled him as he added, "Grandpa Hino, Chad, if they come, hit the blue button and we'll be here." They nodded just as Serena's crescent moon flashed and the temple was once more empty save the two of them.
Saturday . . . About 1:00 A.M.
Having put Reenie to bed, Darien stared down at Serena, sleeping once more, in one of his t-shirts. They had managed to be everywhere, get rid of taps, bugs, and hidden cameras and end up here in only three hours time. He knew Saturn had been anxious to help Serena and she had done wonders. Serena's color returned to her cheeks and she was now sleeping, not unconscious, and not so near death's door as she had been a short thirty minutes ago. Afterward, Hotaru told him that Serena was not completely healed yet and still depended on the Crystal for survival.
They had decided to come up with a solution to the problem after they'd all had some sleep as the entire group was bone dead tired. Darien had sent Hotaru to bed with a very sincere thank you and a hug in appreciation. Smiling, he had watched her blush and skip gleefully out of his bedroom. When they'd gotten to Sailor Neptune's house, there had been a short discussion as to whether they should stay at one of the Outer Scouts' homes. It was decided they would follow the prince's plans and stand and fight, if necessary, or use their homes as safe houses. Watching Serena, Darien could feel her slowly regaining her strength, knowing it could be days to get her back to where she was just last night. The teleporting had set her back further, but it was necessary as speed was of the essence. Darien smiled as noise drifted in the bedroom from the livingroom. Still grinning he thought of how his small, two bedroom apartment had become a 'giant slumber party' as Mina had put it. How true that is . . . I now have 9nine teenage girls, one little girl, and two cats crammed in here. Along with tons of girls stuff. Darien closed his eyes and chuckled lightly as he heard, what sounded like, the beginnings of a full-blown pillow fight coming through the partially closed door.
Hearing laughter nearby, Serena's eyes opened quickly and, seeing Darien at the end of the bed, eyes closed, she smiled sublimely. Knowing she was safe now, she fingered her locket, now attached to the shirt she was wearing, and whispered, "Darien?"
At her voice, surprised, his eyes snapped open and he saw her gently smiling up at him. Sitting down quickly, he asked, "How do you feel?"
"Better!" Was the enthusiastic reply. Serena reached out to him, and he took her in his arms, holding her as if he were afraid she'd disappear again. She sighed, head on his chest, a mixture of relief and happiness at being home filled her.
Above her, Darien probed gently, "Do want to tell me about it?"
"Later." Serena tipped her head back to study his face. She ran her fingertip along the plane of his jaw, as if trying to reassure herself that she wasn't dreaming. He leaned to kiss her softly, but, as all his frustrations over losing her came rushing to the surface, his kiss turned fierce and demanding, threatening to carry them both away. When he eased back from her, they were breathing hard as tidal waves of emotions crashed over both of them. When Serena opened her eyes, they were glossy and filled with love for the man who held her so closely. So engrossed were they in each other, they didn't even move at the sound of the exuberant applause coming from the door.
"Nice CPR, Darien." Lita snickered. Serena blushed as the other girls laughed and piled into the room. Darien only smiled broadly.
Serena squealed in sudden delight when the newest three Scouts came forward and bowed to her. "Please, stop that." Laughing, she said. "We only stand on formality here and there is definitely nothing formal in the way I look." The others joined her laughter as they sat down. Each was very glad to see the sparkle in Serena's eyes as Darien kissed her softly and propped her up on the pillows.
"Princess," Setsuna asked, "How do you feel?"
"Honestly?" Serena grinned and pointed to each finger as she relayed her list, "Exhausted. Beaten. Ecstatic. Happy. And overwhelmed." Smiling sweetly, she asked, "Shall I go on?"
"No. We get the idea," Amy said laughingly.
Mina, as leader, decided to be the one to ask the question laying heavily on everyone's mind, but no one wanted to voice. "Who took you, Serena, and why?" All laughter died as the girls, cats, and Darien waited intently for the answer.
"The first question is as difficult as the second. His name his Bryce and . . . " Serena stopped at the Inner Scouts sudden intake of breath. She saw them glance quickly at Darien, and followed their gazes. She watched in fascination as his eyes grew hard and cold. Serena couldn't recall ever seeing him like this. Instead of continuing on with her thoughts, still looking at Darien, she asked, "Do you wish to tell me something?"
Hotaru, Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka were confused by the abrupt change in the others. "Who is this man?" Hotaru whispered to Amy.
"We're not sure."
Raye, remembering the feelings she had sensed from Darien when Serena was taken, before anyone else could say anything and the arguments could begin, quickly put in, "Finish what you were saying first, Serena."
"Very well." She complied worriedly, still looking at Darien who now seemed distant and withdrawn. "As to why he took me, I do not know . . . He would not tell me, except to say that he wanted to spend time with me. Your turn, now. Who is this man and what is he supposed to mean to me?" Serena felt much better at finally having someone to ask the questions that had burned in her mind since she woke up in the room with Bryce hours before.
Forcing his temper in check, Darien began the story about how he'd been following Serena, leaving out the 'why' until she asked him. The Inner Scouts and cats held bated breath, especially interested in this answer, but were disappointed when he vaguely replied, "I thought we needed a little time apart." Not quite happy with that answer, Serena began to question him further, when he put his finger to her lips and shook his head firmly. The others knew there was more to it than that, but, after looking at Serena, could not say the words to hurt her or anger Darien further. When he was sure Serena wouldn't say anything, he went on. As he detailed Serena's first 'run in' with Bryce, Haruka's emotions hit boiling point and she stood up, furious with Serena.
Even though this Serena didn't remember doing it, Haruka still felt the need to vent at her. "How could do something so utterly stupid as get into a strange man's car?" She demanded at the shocked girl.
Serena was used to outbursts from Haruka, having witnessed it several times. However, they were always directed at someone else, never at herself, whom Haruka would be direct and forceful, but never almost vicious, as she was now.
Every single individual silently agreed with Haruka as she rambled on to relieve the anger she felt over this whole mess. "Didn't your mother teach you better? What kind of idiot . . . " Her voice trailed off and she groaned loudly, "Oh . . . What's the use? I'll bitch after you remember."
Raye smiled at Haruka in mute sympathy. Raye knew the same frustration with Serena that she was feeling, having had it countless times before.
"Oh great . . . Gives me something to look forward to . . . " Serena quipped sarcastically. Looking at the others, she asked inquired softly, "Why would I leave with him?"
Mina whispered, "Serena, you can be rather impulsive at times."
"HA!" Luna added. "Be honest, Mina. Not 'at times' but most of the time."
Serena looked at each of them. She was truly dumbfounded. She couldn't believe her two selves were so different. As the group, except for Darien who'd been silent during the exchange, began to discuss Serena, she raised her hand up to forestall further conversation on her virtues, or lack there of. When the room was quiet again, Darien finished by telling her about last Saturday night when he'd observed Bryce and Serena at the lake and the subsequent battle with Octoram. Raye picked up the story and told her about Bryce's two visits to the temple. Then discussion once again picked up between the girls about everything they'd heard.
"What happened, Princess, during your time there? And how did you get taken?" Hotaru asked over the din.
Serena glanced at Darien apprehensively, knowing that, once again, he was going to be angry. "Well, after I put Reenie out the window, I was going to use the Crystal to help save the temple." Sure enough, Darien gave her an angry look and she rushed to explain, "I didn't know how bad the fire was and I knew the Crystal could protect the temple." Her words seemed to only fuel his nearly explosive anger and would have got up to leave if Serena hadn't restrained him with her hand on his arm. He needs to hear this. She paused until he looked at her again. "Darien, I would do it again, even knowing the results." He is furious now. "Listen to me," She beseeched to him and all the others as well. The next words were emphasized very carefully, "I would gladly lay down everything for any of you here." To Darien, Serena whispered, "I love you and I am sorry for worrying you, but not about what I would have done." She shook her head to stop any questions and continued, her voice dropping, as if from far away. "I felt something over my face, tried to get away, but could not. My one thought, then, was to hold on to my locket. That, too, obviously failed, because when I awoke, I knew it was beyond my reach." Serena continued on with her story uninterrupted until she reached the part where she had called out to the others. She stopped there as Darien, with shadowed eyes, looked at her in remembered pain.
"I felt it," Was all he would say.
Hotaru and Raye, too, felt it, but glancing at the others, Raye whispered in a voice laden with satire, "Look, Spaghetti Brains, I thought you didn't know what you were doing." When everyone laughed at her words, she finished with, "You don't know your own strength." Darien and Hotaru nodded in mute agreement.
When all was quiet again, Serena told them about the conversations at dinner, and ended with, "My memory fails me at this point. I do not even remember getting back to the room. And here I am now. How did you find me, by the way?"
"Sailor Teleport." Everyone answered at once. Taking over, Setsuna relayed the story of the search, the uncertainty of whether Teleport would actually work, and how the group ended up back at Darien's apartment. When she was finished, Lita asked, "How did you know how to do that call thing you did?"
"Frankly, I do not know. It just came to me as the only option left because I could not get away by myself. Honestly, though, I do not think I could ever do it again." Serena sighed a little then glanced at Raye, "Where were you when you felt it?"
"Near the center of town, close to the high-tech district, I think. Why?"
Shaking her head, Serena answered, "Well, the building I was in was well equipped and pretty tall, judging by the time it took the lift to get us to our destination."
Michiru also looked at Raye and mused, "I wonder just how close to you we actually were."
"What concerns me," Luna interrupted, "is Bryce's reference to 'princess'. Was he from the Negaverse you think?"
Serena shook her head. "I do not think so. I believe he was 100 percent human."
"Do you know for sure, though?" Artemis questioned.
She shrugged her response and smothered a yawn with her hand. "All I know for sure is those men, whoever they are, had a serious interest in our means of transportation and what Darien means to me. Why?" She shook her head softly, "My lost memory may know, but I do not."
Darien, watching Serena try to hide another yawn, smiled into her sleepy eyes and said to the others for her, "It's about time we turned in."
Serena whispered her thanks to him as the others wished her a goodnight. As the group began to pile out the door, she made one last statement that took them all by surprise, "Hotaru, tomorrow you can tell me how you became Sailor Saturn without Setsuna awakening you."
Eyes widening, "How did you know?"
Serena shrugged again and answered simply. "I could feel it."
Darien turned back to her as he followed the others out, "I'll be right back, I just want to talk to the girls for a minute." She nodded, snuggled back down into the pillows, smiled contentedly, and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
In the living room, the girls and cats waited, hearts racing, for Darien to speak. When he did so, it was in the menace-lined voice that Raye had come to recognize. It was also the one that terrified her. "Tomorrow, we find out where Bryce is. It's time we met. Face to face." Without another word, he turned on his heel and went back into the bedroom. All the others could do was nod.
Saturday . . . Late morning
Bryce was livid. And all of them knew it. After he had recalled Cameron when the van's instruments had been scrambled, it had taken everything they had to convince Bryce to wait until morning to go after Serena. The eight of them sat around the board room table all morning in debate. Now there was silence. Each man wondering, not for the first time, how Serena disappeared. They had never lost a captive and it was quite an ego buster that this teenager escaped when others, bigger and better than she, had tried and failed. Everything that Ruark had planted, all the listening devices and cameras, even Serena's own tracking device, had been disabled. Nathaniel was personally frustrated over this because his talent was now in question in his own mind, even if not in the mind's of the others. None of them had really wanted to kidnap a fourteen-year-old girl, but after meeting her, they could partially understand Bryce's fascination. Now, though, each of them was determined to bring her back, mainly because their pride had taken a serious beating. They concluded that she couldn't have left alone, but had no idea who could have the capability to get in, past all the security, through a locked door, kill the security system, and back out the door again in the time it took them to get to the basement.
Bryce stood up suddenly and walked to the end of the table where Nat had laid out the guns he'd brought from the lab. "There's only one feasible explanation . . . I don't know how, and at this point how is rather moot, but," The others waited as he picked up one of the weapons and inspected it closely. "Chiba's got her."
"How could you possibly know that?" Brandon asked reasonably, although he suspected the same thing.
"Who else would risk everything to find her? I suspect there's more to that relationship than Serena would tell, so that's the first target."
"Target?" Jeff queried. "What do you want to do?"
"Go after her." Bryce answered as if it was a stupid question.
"We're with you." Ruark said for the group, then added, "But are you sure this is what you want?"
As if in a daze, Bryce looked around the table at the family he loved so well. It had taken him a long time to get his family back together, his three brothers, his four cousins. They meant the world to him and yet . . . In for a penny, in for a pound. He nodded and then spoke, almost haltingly at first, then getting stronger as he continued, "We split up. Two groups. Go to each house, find out what you can." Each man stood and picked up the weapons of choice and Bryce cautioned, "Don't use them unless absolutely necessary. Don't worry about any taps, either. It'd just be a waste of time, money, and equipment. If they found the other ones, then they'd find new ones, too." They nodded their agreement as he finished, "I'm going back to the temple."
"Do you think that's wise?" Cameron asked.
"Or safe, without backup?" Ryan added.
"Yeah . . . " Then Bryce smiled broadly. The first one the group had seen since before Serena disappeared hours before. "I can take care of myself without you guys babying me all the time."
The others laughed at his joking. It lightened the tense atmosphere. This was unchartered territory for them, and the laughter gave them a chance to release the underlying rush of excitement at testing new waters. When the laughter died, Bryce added, "Leave Chiba's place for last. We'll meet up there and go in together. The call number is nine if you find something. Don't do anything, though. We'll meet up and figure out where to go from there. Clear?" At their smiling nods, "Good then. Let's go rehunt out prey."
Bryce checked his watch as he drove up. It was after two. The temple should be open by now. He got out and walked slowly up the drive, observing everything with his keen eyes. Seeing the wreckage his fire caused, he grinned caustically. Should've made it worse, damn it all. He approached the door and knocked. Bryce recognized the man who answered as Chad. "Can I talk to Raye?"
"She's not here."
"Do you know where I can find her?"
"Grandpa!" Chad yelled over his shoulder. "Someone's here for Raye!"
Coming to the door, Grandpa Hino looked up at the man towering above him. This was the one the Great Fire told him had taken Serena. "Yes?" He remembered Darien's words about calling if someone should come, but chose to wait until necessary before doing anything.
"Can you tell me where I can find Raye?"
"No. She's gone and won't be back for a long time." Grandpa watched the man's eyes darken in fury and stood his ground, unafraid. Smiling inside, he prompted the man to see how far he'd go in his quest for answers. "If you don't believe me, come inside." He stepped back to allow passage. "Check her rooms. She's taken a good portion of her things."
As Bryce followed the old man through the temple and into Raye's rooms, he saw that it was no lie he told. Tuning to him, with more calm than he actually felt, Bryce asked, "Do you know where she went?"
"I didn't want to know."
"Not a very good guardian are you?" Bryce replied sarcastically.
Not feeling in the least bit guilty, Grandpa said strongly, "I am, but she has a mind of her own. A good one, and is more than capable of taking care of herself."
Bryce was surprised this man gave so much information away and that he didn't seem in the least bit afraid, either. Bryce thought the old man would've been warned away from telling anyone anything about Raye or any of the others, for that matter. On that line, judging by the honesty he had received thus far, Bryce queried, "Did she go alone?"
"Why do you want to know?"
Bryce grinned. Aaah. Struck a nerve there. "I'm concerned for a friend of hers."
"Oh. Still looking for the blonde with the weird ponytails?" Grandpa already knew the answer to the question, but if this strange man that was causing so many problems for his granddaughter and her friends was bent on playing a game, then Grandpa was bent on finishing it.
Bryce nodded at the inquiry. He was still roaming the room, looking for clues to Raye's destination.
"I know she was not alone."
He immediately spun around to face the ancient one and demanded sharply, "Was Serena with her?"
"I can't answer that."
Bryce's glare would have withered a less sturdy soul. "Can't, or won't?"
"Can't." Grandpa answered in all seriousness. "I saw no girl with weird pony tails." It was no lie he gave. Serena's hair wasn't up in ponytails when the others brought her to the temple the night before. In fact, he had seen it draped over the prince's arm, brushing the floor, as he held her while pacing and giving out orders.
Bryce knew the man wasn't telling everything. He nodded curtly, saying, "You needn't show me the door. I know my way."
Chad walked up to Grandpa who was at the window, watching the car drive away. He had heard the entire conversation. Deeply concerned for Raye and her friends, he asked, "Why'd you tell him all of that?"
"That's the man who took Serena."
"You knew that and still told him?"
"I've given him enough information that he won't be back too soon. It's safe for them to return here if the need arises."
"Hey, cool." Chad chuckled a little. "I guess that was a pretty good idea."
"Yes. But keep the communicator on. We should remain watchful, just in case."
"Sure, Grandpa. Raye'll be so proud of you when she hears this." Grandpa smiled broadly at the unexpected compliment.
The other men had found the same thing as Bryce. Serena's and Reenie's rooms had remained untouched since Brandon was last there. Most of the Lita's, Mina's, and Amy's belongings were gone. To them, this testified to two things: One, the girls were probably together, and two, they would be gone for sometime. There was only one place left to look.
Saturday night
Serena slept through Saturday, oblivious to the fact that she was never alone. Darien never strayed far from her side and most discussions were held in the bedroom. Reenie had adjusted well to the new Scouts, remembering them from the future. She, too, stayed near Serena as she slept, wanting to be there if she woke up. The Scouts spent time getting to know each other, but, as the hours passed, the competitive nature of the two groups became apparent as their self-imposed solitude began to take its toll. For this reason, early in the after noon, the eight Scouts split up in sets. Four would stay in the apartment with Serena and Darien and the others, in pairs, would take to the streets. Primarily, the idea was to search for Bryce and try to get a handle on what he was up to as Darien had demanded the night before, but also to get some kind of reading on Rubeus' activities. After Darien had gone to bed the night before, the girls had sat up into the wee hours discussing his behavior. They debated long and hard about his desire to meet Bryce. Half the girls, Raye, Lita, Haruka, and even Hotaru, wanted to see it. Wanted the fight that they knew would result from the meeting. After all, in their opinions, Bryce deserved a good thrashing for what he did. They were after blood on this one. The other half of them, the more sensible girls, as Artemis had put it, Amy, Setsuna, Michiru, and Mina, wanted nothing more than to let it go at this point. They argued that Darien didn't need anymore distractions and that Serena would be more than angry at all of them if a fight were to take place, or if she even knew that they were having this discussion to begin with. After much controversy (and two good tension-relieving pillow fights), it was decided, albeit reluctantly by some, that they would find out what they could about Bryce, then determine whether Darien should be told or not. They hated to betray even some of his orders, but what else could they do?
Sailor Venus and Sailor Uranus discreetly watched from a nearby tree as four men entered Lita's apartment. They waited impatiently for over half an hour for them to come back out. They called it in to the others, but did not follow, choosing, instead, to recheck Lita's apartment as a safety precaution. They knew who those men were looking for and both were thankful that Serena was safely ensconced in Darien's apartment. Amy had been accurate when she mentioned these men were thorough.
Sailor Mars and Sailor Neptune saw three men go into Serena's house and then followed them to Amy's. Several times, Neptune had to do everything in her power to prevent Mars from blasting them in her anger. After the men had left, they, too, checked to make sure everything was okay, then called it in.
When the four came together near the park, there was much discussion and comparing of details. After calling Darien's and talking with the remainder of the group, the girls made a beeline for his place. That was the only place left that had not, yet, been searched. Running at break neck speed, Sailor Mars yelled, "Look out!" and pointed to two very familiar cars. The four ducked into a nearby alley. Breathing hard, hands on her knees, Mars panted, "That's the car Bryce was driving when I saw him at the temple . . . "
"The other one is the one we saw at Amy's and Serena's, too." Neptune finished for her.
"Teleport . . . " Uranus began.
"Can't . . . " Venus huffed. "Too tired . . . "
"Then what the hell are we gonna do? There'll be eight of them before long . . . " Uranus asked angrily.
As she was speaking, a car passed by and Venus pointed, "Correction, there are eight of them now."
"And only four of us." Uranus added snidely. "Besides, we can't use our powers, no matter how much I'd like to blast them out of the water . . . "
Nodding, Neptune stated, "Which, in essence, leaves us totally defenseless."
It was almost nine o'clock when Serena awoke with a word, "Danger!"
Setsuna, who'd been reading in the chair next to the bed, looked up, "Princess?"
"There's danger near, help me stand. Quickly!"
"Darien!" Setsuna called, helping Serena to her feet.
Coming to the door, Darien saw Serena up and Setsuna's anxious look. He raced to her and picked her up.
Serena, in a rush, entreated, "Darien, the Scouts are outside and cannot get in. You must go get them. Only you can get them past the danger."
"Of course . . . But what danger?" He asked her, tossing a confused glance at Setsuna, who just shrugged worriedly.
"No time . . . Just go, please. And hurry!" Serena replied. Darien set her to her feet and in a flash, Tuxedo Mask was gone.
Serena walked into the living room, turned to Amy, Hotaru, Lita, and Setsuna and said, "Transform now." They complied without hesitation and when they were through, "Pluto, get Reenie and bring her here."
When she came back carrying the yawning girl, Serena touched her cheek and whispered, "Small Lady, give me the Crystal Key." Smiling, Reenie did as bade and Serena turned to the Guardian of Time, "The key to unlocking my memories is the Moon Kingdom. It is to there we all must travel." Then, almost inaudibly, she whispered, "It is time for me to go home."
Saturn spoke from behind her, "How do you know this?"
"I cannot explain now, but I must go to my mother. She can help me . . . " Serena's voice dropped again, "It is almost like she is calling me."
"I can't allow this, Princess, even for you. If I do, the Gate will shut on me as well." Pluto replied gravely.
Looking up at her with tear filled eyes, Serena bit out harshly, "It cannot! We must try. It is the only way. The Crystal will help us."
She choked back a sob and implored, "You must open the Gate to the Past."
Sailor Pluto sighed in frustration. She glanced down at the Princess and future queen that is so well loved by everyone. She knew that in order for events of the future to occur, Serena must be able to be Sailor Moon again, but can't the way she is now. Not only that, but she's hell bent on going back. "I will do as you command, although you must promise not to tamper with the events of the past. What would be the Moon Kingdom's future . . . Or reveal that future to anyone."
"I promise . . . For all of us." Serena complied, a mixture of relief and happiness in her voice. "As for now, though, I need all of you."
"What are you going to do?" Amy asked.
Serena touched her locket and, in a flash of swirling light, was wearing the long, flowing white gown that befitted her true station. Smiling, she replied, "I need your help to seal the door. I think I can make it where no one except us can come through it, but I have to use the Crystal . . ."
Sailor Jupiter put her foot down there, "Then forget it! This last week has already taken its toll on you!"
"Princess of Jupiter!" The princess commanded, half in anger, half in understanding of the Scout's feelings, "If the danger out there comes through that door," she pointed, "even while we are gone, none of us will ever be safe again!"
"How do you know all of this?" Sailor Mercury questioned.
"I just do." Princess Serena answered, still confused herself at her inner knowledge.
Before she could continue, the balcony door swung open and a smiling Sailor Venus sauntered in, "Nothing like being rescued by a dashing man in a cape and top hat." She sighed dreamily to make her point.
The others laughed, except Luna and Artemis. They both groaned, loudly, while reconsidering Venus' mental state during times like these.
She then grew serious and frowned, "Eight men outside. The same ones the four of us watched go into the houses. And Mars said one car was Bryce's."
At the name, Serena faltered. She put a hand to her head and swayed. Oh no . . . Not him. Pluto placed a steadying hand under her arm and the Scouts nodded to each other in silent communication.
"Tell us what to do." Jupiter demanded harshly.
Smiling weakly at Pluto, Serena replied, "This takes magic, not energy, so just send me your power, I will do the rest."
Sailor Neptune walked in from the balcony and stared in mute shock as Princess Serena walked to the center of the room, Crystal in hand.
Venus shook her head to forestall any questions and simply pointed to where Neptune should stand.
Tuxedo Mask traveled the roof tops to reach the remaining two Scouts. He had seen the eight men from above and knew why Serena sent him to bring the girls home. He also knew that one of them was Bryce, though he couldn't see any of them clearly from his height. Before getting to the girls, he'd had to crush his, initial, overpowering urge to confront the man and the ones with him. His first priority was to get the girls to safety. There'd be time for restitution for what they'd done once they were with Serena. He'd brought Venus back first, then Neptune. Darien recognized the fact that if the Scouts were left alone to fight their way in to get to Serena, they would've used everything they had except their powers. No Scout would use them against a human. Or would they? Hmm . . . Maybe . . . If they thought Serena was in danger. Darien had seen the guns the men carried and wondered briefly how the Sailor outfit would stand up against a bullet if it came to confrontation. That thought spurred him to a quicker pace. He jumped down into the alley and asked, "Ready?" Sailor Mars nodded and he picked her up and jumped once again.
Sailor Uranus watched from the alley as the men checked weapons and broke up in groups. Hurry Tuxedo Mask! We all need to be there. Serena cannot be taken again. She watched as one man pointed around the building. Aloud Uranus whispered, "If he doesn't get back here soon, I'll have to do something to distract them." She closed her fist in frustration, still watching the men spread out. "Damn . . . What can I do?" Something caught her eye and she smiled grimly. That's it! Uranus stepped out just as the men were out of sight. She cried out:
World Shaking! And a small sphere of energy leapt from the ground into her hand, gathering size and strength as she held it. She slammed the sphere back into the ground and pointed. It traveled, gathering momentum, and she watched in satisfaction as it came out of the ground under the three cars the men had arrived in and, in split second timing, the cars blew up under the force of her attack. Smiling broadly, Uranus dashed back into the alley when she saw the men come running back out at the sound of the explosion. Tuxedo Mask, apparently waiting for her, was leaning against the wall with a foot propped on a broken chair, an arm laying casually across his upraised knee.
His solemn face split into a wide grin as he told her, "Excellent piece of work. Now let's get the hell out of here!" He picked Uranus up and they were off.
Bryce pulled up behind Ashton's car and parked. They have to be here . . . He will pay for this, I guarantee it. He walked over to where Ashton, Jeff, Cameron, and Ruark were waiting. No one said anything. No words were needed between these men. They looked up when the others arrived. Bryce immediately bean issuing orders, as each man checked his weapon. "I want Serena back safely. Get Chiba, as well. If the other four girls are there, use only enough force to subdue them. Do nothing more with them than is absolutely necessary. They obviously know how to protect her or wouldn't be with her now. If Reenie's there, she, too, might be an asset. We'll see . . . Any questions?"
When no one said anything, he pointed to where each group was to go, and after checking to make sure there was no one around, they set out. Bryce, with Jeff at his side, preferring the direct approach, walked through the front door into the lobby of the complex. It was then they heard the explosion. Glancing at each other, they turned and ran out the door to see its cause. There they stopped and stared in dumbfounded silence at their burning cars. The others came barreling back around the corners of the building they had gone around. They, too, stopped and stared. People came running out of the buildings all around and behind them, and the men put the weapons away, knowing it was useless to attempt this today. Bryce sighed in bitter frustration, thinking that they had just seen only a very small part of what they were truly up against.
Princess Serena stood in the center of the living room, eyes closed, facing the door, crescent moon glowing in response to her concentration. The Scouts surrounded her, awaiting her command. Having no time left to wait, "Now!" She whispered. Silently, each sent Serena their power. The power hit her so hard she nearly fell. She held on as the waves of energy increased and then began to channel it through the Crystal. It flared in response to her command. Shaking her head, she fell to her knees, "I cannot . . . Too tired . . . "
Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Uranus walked in off the balcony laughing, but stopped when they saw the shocking scene unfolding before them. It took about a half a second for Prince Darien to get to Serena's side. He gently lifted her to her feet and, though he had no idea what she was doing, added his strength to hers. Uranus took her cue from him and took the empty position in the semicircle. When her power joined the rest, the Silver Crystal flared blindingly once again. From the corner of the room, Reenie, eyes wide, saw, as the light faded, a wall now stood where a door used to be. Serena, again in Darien's t-shirt, leaned weakly against Prince Darien and sighed, "It worked . . . "
The Scouts opened their eyes and stared wonderingly at the wall. They powered down and, surprisingly, felt no drain from the amount of power they used.
"How did you manage that?" Raye stumbled out in surprise. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, been a part of it, she never would've believed it.
Serena smiled her thanks to Darien as he picked her up and replied, "I told you when I gave you part of my life force that I would be stronger still. With the other four Scouts here, even that strength was greater. Using your energy, channeling it through the Crystal, I was able to do what you see . . . " Serena shrugged a little. "Magic . . . Though it took more of me than I thought it would. The wall is impenetrable by anyone except those of us here and others we may bring with us."
"Remember," Setsuna said, smiling proudly at Serena, "She builds Crystal Tokyo in almost the same way."
Haruka watched in awe as she touched the wall. It shimmered and the door reappeared. Mina, standing behind her, whistled softly, "Totally wicked, don't you think?"
"Fascinating." Luna answered, for lack of a better word.
Shortly after she'd told him of the plan to go to the Moon Kingdom, Serena lost consciousness and Darien had carried her back top bed. He now stood, arguing with Setsuna and Artemis. "I can't believe you actually allowed her to do that!" They heard as Darien's voice began to rise.
"Darien, calm down." Artemis pleaded.
"No, I won't calm down, damn it! Over the last week Serena has fought more battles with her own life than against any enemy thus far. If she keeps this up, she'll be dead before even remembering today, let alone Queen of Crystal Tokyo a millennium from now!" This Darien nearly shouted.
"Darien," Setsuna began, "Serena is our leader still. We must obey her, regardless. Besides, she's only doing what she feels is right. She wants to protect us, and herself, in the only way she can right now."
"At the expense of her own life?" He shook his head. "It isn't worth it." Darien took a deep steadying breath and looked directly into Setsuna's eyes. "In the memories she has," he began to speak softly now, in a voice that she remembered well, one that he used in the future when he was angered to a breaking point. "Serena isn't even supposed to have knowledge of the Silver Crystal. She will not use it again, have I made myself perfectly clear?" Hearing him, everyone quieted and instinctively knew, this time, he would not be denied.
Setsuna smiled and nodded. Even the future queen knows better than to argue when he uses that tone. He turned angrily away, stomped into the bedroom, and, in a high state of agitation, slammed the door behind him.
Dead silence reigned.
Before anyone could do anything except stare at each other in stunned surprise, Prince Darien came back out, carrying Serena wrapped in a blanket. "Let's go, while she's out." He told Setsuna. She transformed and the others followed her lead. Sailor Mars picked up, a much subdued, Reenie. She had never seen her daddy that mad, and it was quite an experience for the six-year-old.
Sailor Pluto called the Time Staff and turned to the others, "Stay close, do not stray from the path, and walk quickly. Even with the Key and the Crystal, I won't be able to hold this particular door open for long." She took the Crystal Time Key from around Serena's neck and put it in a setting in her Staff that was open because of the vacancy left during the time Reenie had the Key. Pluto then tapped the staff twice and an opaque door appeared. The Crystal began to glow in response, as did Serena's and Reenie's crescent moons. The door opened. "Hurry . . . " Pluto commanded.
As they passed through the door, they were almost knocked over by the force of the winds pushing them back and away from the Past. Holding on to each other, they fought their way along the very old path and stopped at the door at the end. Sailor Pluto, taking a deep breath, touched her Staff to the Silver Crystal. It shot a beam of pure white light at the door, and, at her gentle push, the door swung wide. On the other side, the weary group fell to the ground, panting in fatigue. When Prince Darien looked up, his eyes misted as he viewed a Kingdom he remembered, but only in his dreams.
