Chapter 7
She's back . . .
Moon Kingdom
The Scouts rested where they had fallen, mainly because most of them were unsure what to do next. Prince Darien still held Serena as she hadn't waken up. Sailor Mercury came to check on her and found that, even with the Crystal, her pulse was weak and erratic.
Sailor Saturn put her hand on Serena's forehead to help her, but, after a moment, stopped and shook her head sadly. Tearfully, she whispered, "Serena's just too tired to fight anymore. Too much has happened and she's exhausted her last resources. Even I can't help her now."
Silently, Pluto walked up behind the small group. Having overheard Saturn's softly spoken comment, she told Darien, "I'm going to find Queen Serenity. I believe, at this point, that she's Serena's only hope."
"What about her memories?" Mars asked Pluto as she joined them.
"I don't give a holy damn about her memories anymore!" The Prince almost snarled. At their sharp looks, he continued in a softer tone, "The important thing now, is that she," Glancing down at Serena, "gets better, with or without her memories." Turning to Pluto, "Do what you have to, just make it quick. We don't know 'when' we are and there could be trouble . . . Hell, there will be trouble if we're found out here."
Although Pluto's eyes echoed the fear and sadness of the other Scouts, she smiled slightly as she turned to leave. Oh . . . I know when we are. Wait until he finds out.
When she was gone, Darien glanced around. They were outside the palace's main walls, close to a forest he remembered, though vaguely, riding in with Serena, so very long ago. He walked to the Inner Scouts and told them what he could have their current surroundings, leaving the Outer Scouts to fill in the details. When he sat back down, Darien leaned his head against a tree and sighed. He watched as Reenie slowly approached him and readjusted Serena on his lap to make room for the little girl so he could give her the reassurance she so obviously needed. Reassurance he wished someone could give him.
Queen Serenity sat alone in her chambers. Shaking off a strange feeling of foreboding that had passed through her a short while ago, she allowed pleasurable thoughts of the days' activities to take precedence over the eeriness. Dignitaries from all over the Solar System and beyond had gathered to witness the official announcement of her daughter's and the Prince of Earth's engagement. She could almost feel the entire Moon Kingdom breathe its sigh of relief because most people thought it would never happen. Thinking about their tumultuous relationship, Serenity shook her head softly. It had been a battle of wills for the two of them from the first time they met. She had raised Princess Serena slightly unconventionally and, though she always had her Court with her, Serena was extremely impetuous, determined never to be bested by anyone, and had a fierce temper to top it off. Serenity sighed, deeply. Basically spoiled. Serena was a prankster, troublemaker, and absolutely positive she wanted to make her own destiny. But she was also kind, gentle, and one of the most loving people anyone had ever met . . . Except when it came to the man she was to marry. "But Mother, I want to love the man I marry," was the oldest and most worn out argument between Mother and Daughter. Serenity would reply, "You have not even met the man yet, have a little faith."
Serena had been betrothed to the Earth Prince since birth and she didn't like it. Not one bit. Her daughter didn't know it, but the Prince didn't particularly care for the idea either. Regardless, the betrothal would not be broken as Queen Serenity's best friend was the Earth Queen and both of them had decided to bind the families together long before either child was ever born. The two families didn't allow the children to grow up together or even see each other until Serena's 13th birthday because a detrimental brother-sister relationship might've formed between them. The Queens were determined that nothing would interfere with what was supposed to happen between them, with what was foretold. The prediction of a Bond of Eternal Love, a Bond that would eventually include the Soul's Eternal Bond was usually felt in most common marriages, but happened to so very few Royal Families, (maybe only twice, sometimes three times in a millennium) that the Moon and Earth families kept the path clear for them to find each other.
Serenity remembered well Serena's thirteenth birthday celebration. It had been a formal occasion as the young Prince and Princess were to meet for the first time. After the official introductions were made, Darien had led Serena to the floor to open the dancing. They were an extremely well matched pair, with her petite, light-colored beauty complementing his tall, darkly handsome features. However, they didn't even make it through the first dance. Serena had gotten angry at something he'd said and stomped off the dance floor, leaving Darien gawking in the wake of her anger. And thus the fireworks began. Serenity smiled as she remembered the shocked whispers that fluttered through the crowd at Serena's behavior. It was not to last long. Darien, whom Serenity had watched closely during Serena's show of temper, flushed a deep, furious red. Not in the least bit embarrassed, he simply walked over to where Serena stood still fuming, picked her up, and carried her, kicking and screaming, back to the floor to complete the dance. And complete it she did, as no one interfered with him. Most of the dignitaries present had witnessed Serena's behavior before and felt that her husband-to-be needed to be able to handle that young spitfire all on his own.
As for Prince Darien, he was twenty years old. He was also a man and resolved, very quickly, not to put up with any temper tantrums. He knew his duty, even if he didn't like it, and was determined to make the best of it. Though it must have been the best kept secret in the Galaxy, no one had prepared him for this stubborn, obnoxious, and irritating female. Serenity had found out later that Serena had asked Darien to break the betrothal, and, when he refused, she begged, pleaded, and cajoled. Still, he wouldn't give an inch, and Serena, angry beyond words, simply and brutally insulted him and his lineage, then left the floor.
It was an uphill battle, but eventually the fire of anger began to die, to be replaced by a very different fire, as the Prince slowly wore down her resistance in the midst of their almost constant fights. Beginning to undress for the evening, Serenity thought back to the first time Darien had shut Serena up during an argument by kissing her. And quite soundly at that. Many people were witnesses to the fight that led up to it so Serenity knew from several accounts what happened. However, Serena had not been at all pleased with it, at least, not until after he was done kissing her because she had not attempted to move away from his embrace. Serena ranted over that for weeks. Little did her poor daughter know that love was blooming even then.
All through the last turbulent year and more, the entire Moon Kingdom, and Serenity guessed a good portion of the Solar System, had been placing bets to see which of the two would win each fight, betting on how long, if ever, the two would even become friends, and if and when they would officially announce their engagement. There would, indeed, be a lot of lightened pockets and unhappy people after tonight. Serenity's thoughts continued along this line as she heard a familiar sound behind her. She turned to it, startled. Setting aside the fact that using any type of magic in the palace was absolutely prohibited and everyone knew it, NO ONE entered here, her personal chambers, without permission. When the shimmering stopped, Serenity scowled at the ageless Scout in front of her, about to give her an earful, but before she had a chance, Sailor Pluto sank to one knee, trembling.
"My Queen." Was all she could say.
Serenity's gaze softened at the sight, but her voice was firm as she said, "Princess of Pluto, I know this must be serious, or you of all people would not have entered here the way you did and unbidden." When Pluto didn't answer Serenity walked to her and raised her chin up to look at her. When Pluto's fear and grief filled eyes met hers, Serenity's widened in alarm. "What is it? Tell me now!" She demanded. With those words, Pluto did something unprecedented. She threw herself in Serenity's arms and cried. Serenity, completely bemused and totally unused to this type of behavior from Sailor Pluto, waited, without word for her to compose herself and when she did, was shocked even more by what the Scout had to say about her appearance.
"Queen Serenity, you must come with me, quickly! Princess Serena, your daughter, but in and from the future, is dying and only you can help . . . "
Overwhelming and devastating fear shook the Queen to the core of her being. All she could really understand was her daughter was dying. But that cannot be right, I just left her . . . "Wha . . . What do you mean?"
Slowing down her rapid pace, Sailor Pluto whispered, "She's your daughter, but 1000 years from now. Serena was reborn there. Look, there's no time for this now . . . Will you please come?"
Pulling her reeling thoughts together, Serenity stumbled out, "Take me to her."
Prince Darien waited, with near impatient pacing, for Sailor Pluto to reappear. Although she hadn't been gone very long, to him it was already like hours. Minutes, hours, it didn't matter. It was time. Time Serena didn't have. The other Scouts were nearby, should he need them and Reenie was curled up tightly on Venus' lap, her heart aching so much that she couldn't even cry.
The air around the group shimmered slightly and Queen Serenity, who had managed to regain control of her spinning thoughts, followed by Pluto, stepped forward. Once again, though, she was shocked at the scene she witnessed. Upon seeing the Queen, the Scouts went to their knees, heads bowed.
She walked directly to the Prince and glanced at the slight form he held. To the group, in a forced, even tone, she demanded, "Teleport to my chambers now." The eight Scouts circled her, Darien, Serena, Reenie, and the two cats. As they began to concentrate, a weak flash of Serena's crescent moon sent them to their destination.
In Serenity's rooms, the Queen instructed Darien, "Put her on the bed."
As he moved to do as bade, a loud knock sounded on the door.
"Mother? Can I speak with you?" Was clearly heard by everyone in the room.
At the sound of the voice, Prince Darien's steps faltered and his heart almost stopped. Glancing quickly at the door then at Darien, the Scouts, cats, and Reenie froze. Darien looked down at Serena and gripped her tighter.
Serenity, with a calmness she certainly didn't feel, answered, "I will come to see you in a little while, Serena."
"All right . . . But, please . . . Hurry! It is important!" The Princess called through the door.
"Not as important as this I would wager . . . " Serenity muttered under her breath.
When no more sounds from without could be heard, Darien slowly walked the rest of the way to the bed and gently lay Serena on it. Then he turned and bowed deeply, "Queen Serenity, it has been a very long time . . . "
"Not as long as you think . . . " She replied with a ghost of a smile.
Waving away his confused look, Serenity walked to the bed, as the Sailor Scouts powered down. They watched intently as she touched Serena's forehead and her crescent moon fluttered but did not glow. Tears came to Serenity's eyes as she gazed at the daughter she did and, yet, did not know. Turning to Darien, in a monotone voice, she stated, "Before I attempt to heal her, I need to know how she has used the Crystal and how much to cause her to be this near death."
The girls sat down and Darien impatiently ran his hand through his hair. He began, once again, to pace the floor as he gave a condensed version of the last eight days in Serena's life. "It wasn't just the Crystal. She was sick, poisoned to be precise, she died, but I brought her back." At Serenity's sharp look, he added, "Later," with a wave of his hand.
"After she woke up, she only had her memories of the Moon Kingdom and none of the present time. After that, events took a rapid downward spin . . . The morning after the Inner Scouts found out about Serena's situation, we awoke to find the Crystal suspended in mid air. When Serena touched it, we had all changed and she collapsed. When she came to, Artemis said that the Crystal had given us a small part of itself, using her energy, but then Serena added that . . . "
At this point, nodding, Queen Serenity raised her hand up to stop him and finished his statement with, "She has split her life force. Correct?"
When Darien nodded and looked at her strangely, she shrugged, "I can feel her resonating through most of you here. She is my daughter, after all."
Shaking his head to clear his, at this point, almost permanently, muddled thoughts, Darien continued, "When we used Sailor Teleport, we found that drained her considerably, and then she summoned Pluto. That's when Serena finally got around to telling us," Darien paused for a moment in his words and pacing. He returned to the bed to stare down at Serena, and the bitterness in his words could be felt by all who were listening, "that the Crystal was sustaining her." After pausing again, anger filled his voice as he resumed his pacing, "Then she was kidnaped. She used a call to help us locate her but was far gone when we did. She'd been almost eighteen hours without the Crystal by then. We used Teleport a lot, to ensure her safety, but it took, once again, from her and not the Scouts. Saturn tried to help her, but Serena hadn't had enough time to recover, and was next using magic, the Scouts, and the Crystal to create a wall where a door was to prevent her kidnappers from getting in and doing who knows what. In the interim of all of this, there were a great many mental and emotional shocks that would have left a normal person struggling for sanity. It was shortly before she lost consciousness the last time that she told me of our impending trip to the Past."
Darien stood, now, in front of Serenity, "And that," gesturing to the bed behind him when she met his eyes, "is why we are here. We need your help, Queen Serenity. Serena wanted to come home. She needed to see you . . . , one more time . . . , before . . . ," He shook his head, "she mentioned to Pluto that she felt you calling out to her. I don't know . . . And at this point . . . Whether you were or not doesn't matter. She needs you, perhaps, now more than ever."
Serenity listened intently to the events that caused Serena to be so sick, and, though she said very little, her mind moved at a rapid pace. She knew the young Prince had left many things unsaid in his hurried explanation, but she would find those out when she used the Crystal to save her daughter's life. Serenity knew that Pluto didn't know that small detail about the Crystal. Few people ever did. She also knew that it was forbidden to know the events of the future, but it was absolutely necessary to aid Serena. She stood up and told the group, "There's some things I must do to prepare. I will also bring food. There are people I would trust to keep this secret," Turning to Setsuna, she asked, "Will you allow it?"
Shaking her head, though knowing she must agree anyway, Setsuna answered, "I'd rather no one saw us, but, if you must send someone, then whoever it is must be sworn to secrecy . . . The old oath . . . Never to repeat what is seen or heard."
Queen Serenity smiled, nodding, "Very well. I will send the food, mainly because each of you look near to dropping where you sit. In fact, the child," When she pointed to her, Reenie's crescent moon began to glow brightly under the band-aid. Reenie, having the conversation directed at her, ran to Serenity who bent down to her, arms open. Reenie threw herself into the open arms, crying bitterly.
"Help my Mommy . . . Please Grandma!" She stammered between sobs.
Serenity pulled the band-aid off to reveal the crescent moon and, hugging the child close, turned to Prince Darien, eyebrows raised in silent question.
Smiling, he answered, amid giggles from the girls on the floor, "Queen Serenity, meet Princess Serena of Crystal Tokyo, heir to the Moon and Earth Kingdoms and Crystal Tokyo. She is Serena's and my future daughter."
"Future?"
Nodding, he shrugged and replied, "About 2000 years from now is our best guess."
Sighing deeply, Serenity raised the little girl's chin and whispered, "Well, Little One, I will do all I can to help Serena. Right now, though, you need to eat and worry no more. All right?" As Reenie nodded and wiped her tears away, Michiru came forward to take her from Serenity so she could go about her business unhindered. As she walked to the door, she turned back to the group. "I will have rooms prepared for you and will be back soon."
When Serenity stepped outside, she shut the door firmly behind her and leaned against it. Placing her hand to her forehead, she murmured, "This must be what I felt earlier . . . That strange feeling . . . But this is too much . . . Even for me." She walked to her Princess Serena's door and knocked lightly. Prince Darien opened it and bowed as she walked in. This is all too confusing. Serena ran up to her and Serenity embraced her daughter tightly, knowing that, after tonight, so many things were going to change. "I love you, Serena."
"I love you, too, Mother." When Serena noticed her mother's sad look and the light sheen of tears glistening in her eyes, Serena queried, "What is wrong?"
"Oh, nothing really . . . Do not worry. Come," And taking Serena by the hand the three walked toward the couch, "Tell me what you wanted to talk to me about . . . "
After Serenity had been gone several minutes, Darien began to question Setsuna, "I thought you said you knew a way to restore her memories?"
She gave him a grim smile and replied, "Yeah, well . . . It was less dangerous than this. But, I don't know if it would have worked and we're here now, so what difference does it make?" She saw Darien's eyes darken in anger and he would have turned away, but Setsuna restrained him until he looked back at her. "Darien, listen . . . Serena knew she might die doing what she did. But she also knew that she could prevent the danger that was very real to all of us. This," She waved her hand around the room vaguely, "was probably the safest way for Serena, and, though I'm loathed to admit it because it's dangerous for us to be here at all, probably the best way as well. Not only will Serenity heal her, but her memories as well . . . " When Setsuna felt the tension in Darien's arm ease, she released him, and turned away to allow him some time to think over what she'd said.
As for the rest of the girls, Amy, Raye, Lita, and Mina were in complete awe of their surroundings. Each remembering, in her mind's eye, their last trip to a very different Moon when Queen Serenity showed them the final days of the Kingdom and her banishing of Beryl that propelled them all to the future they now existed in. No words were needed among them. They knew this would probably be as close to the memories they could clearly feel, but not see, as they would ever get to actually having the memories back.
Michiru and Haruka were talking softly about the problems in their time and what to do about them. They chose to discuss other things because they had their memories and were saddened by them and what was soon to become of the place they had called home for many years.
Hotaru, too, remembered her life on the Moon, but, being more worried about the Princess than her current surroundings, sat near her and the Prince in case she was needed.
Reenie was utterly fascinated. She didn't think she'd ever be able to meet this great lady that was her Grandmother and couldn't wait to tell both her mommies about her. She wandered around the room, under Setsuna's close scrutiny, not touching anything. Just looking at everything.
Luna and Artemis, sat on a window sill near the couch, looking, for what they knew was the last time, out at the Kingdom they both loved so well.
Food was brought and much appreciated by everyone except Darien. He refused food, choosing instead to stay by Serena. He had no care about when or where he was. His thoughts centered entirely on Serena. She was all that mattered to him in the world and could think of little else.
When Queen Serenity returned, Darien, and the girls, rose on ceremony. She, having had time to collect herself, smiled at them, "Well, since you are up, I will take you to your rooms."
The Prince shook his head firmly, "I will not leave her."
Turning to him, Serenity acknowledged, "I did not expect you to. Serena will need your strength, as well as her own." She bent down to pick up her granddaughter and, when she turned to leave, the girls and cats followed her out.
Prince Darien changed then . . . Physically, to just plain Darien Chiba and emotionally, as all the fear and frustration he felt over the past week finally broke through. Sitting on the bed, he picked Serena up and cradled her close as he quietly cried out the pain that was crushing his heart.
This was the scene that Queen Serenity saw when she reentered the room a short time later. And her own tears began to fall as she thought, first, of her daughter down the hall and the man she loves so desperately and, then, of that same daughter on the bed with the man that loves her so desperately. Serenity walked over to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
At the touch, Darien looked up quickly and whispered, "I cannot lose her now. We have lived too long . . . Waited too long . . . "
"I know, Darien. I know." Was her answer as she sat down on the bed with them.
Darien laid Serena back down and watched silently as Serenity opened the locket on Serena's shirt. The Imperium Crystal inside it flashed faintly in response to the presence of the older member of the Royal Family. Then Serenity opened a jeweled box she had brought with her. In it was the Crystal of the current time, which she placed next to the locket. The Crystals, joining power, began pulsing softly with cleansing light. Darien could feel the tension in his body drain away with each flash. He smiled when he saw Serena's crescent moon begin shining, dimly, then with increasing brightness. Serenity's was glowing so brightly that Darien couldn't look directly at her without wincing.
Sitting across from him, and next to Serena on the bed, Serenity closed her eyes and placed her hand on Serena's forehead. Focusing her mind on the two Crystals, she was immediately dizzied by the rapidity of the memories of future and past that assailed her. Then Serena's memories began to overwhelm her as she saw and felt everything her daughter had in both her lifetimes. The feelings in her soul ranged from sorrow to rage and back again as she lived what happens to her home, daughter, and the man she loves, completely powerless to do anything about it.
It was after the stronger emotions eased that Serenity began to give Serena what she needed to survive: First, the will to live. She reminded her of Reenie, Darien, her friends, and her family. Then, the strength to live. She helped Serena to mend the many wounds left open from the last eight overpowering days of fear, loneliness, and pain. Serenity gave to her the ability to mold her memories of both lives and use them as a powerful sword of strength for the battles yet ahead. She healed Serena's life force and poured more than enough energy to sustain her, without the Crystal, while she regained her physical strength. And last, but certainly not least, Serenity instilled in Serena all of the pride and love she has for her precious daughter. Serenity opened tear-glistened eyes and sighed wearily. She was weakened considerably from the strain.
Darien could see that clearly written on her face. "Are you all right, Queen Serenity?"
She nodded slightly, closing her eyes again, "I will be fine shortly. It is difficult to use one Crystal, but combining the two made it much more so." Anxiously, Darien watched her for signs that she, herself, may need help. But after a moment, she reopened her eyes and smiled softly. A sad little smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she reached to put away her Crystal, already knowing when next she'd need and use it. "It may be several hours before Serena wakes up. Then, perhaps, several more days after you return home to fully regain her physical strength. But she will. Serena is, though most probably weak as the kitten I have always claimed her to be, completely healed and so are her memories."
Smiling down at her daughter, "Both her and Reenie's crescent moons will fade when you return as well, so that is one less problem for you worry about."
"Thank you, Queen Serenity." Was all Darien could manage to murmur.
"You are both very welcome." Rising to her feet, Darien walked with her to the couch under the window. As they sat down, Serenity said, "While searching Serena's memories, I found many interesting things." As Darien seemed about to interrupt, she added, "I know everything, Darien. All that will happen here and in the future. Oh, I am sure that Pluto would be quite furious, but as Serena promised for all of you not to reveal the future, I promise, in the Name of the Moon, not to tamper with the events to come. It will not be easy, but, you see," This time, when she smiled, her eyes glowed brilliantly to match the feelings in her soul, "I also know what will happen afterward, so it is worthwhile for me not to change anything." Darien returned her smile and his eyes, too, glowed when he looked back at the bed where Serena slept peacefully. "Now, what I am most curious about, is why you stopped being with Serena so soon after Reenie arrived . . . ?"
And so they talked for long hours about the Future, Past, and Present.
The Scouts and cats stayed in their rooms, but none of them could long resist staring out at the Kingdom laid out in front of them or the Earth far above. There were many sighs, oohs, and aahs among them. They watched the fireworks display as it carried on through the night. At one time, they were even able to catch sight of Prince Darien and Princess Serena walking in the garden below. It was a misty-eyed group, their thoughts turning to the Queen's room and the two there, that watched the Prince begin to swirl the Princess around the garden to music only the two could hear. None of them, except Reenie, could sleep. Stress, worry, and even excitement, kept them wide awake and talking until the very early morning when they heard a knock on the door. Mina opened it to reveal a smiling Darien and Queen Serenity. Standing as they entered, everyone knew a lightening of heart by the smiles. After Serenity told them about Serena's condition, there were many gracious tears. When emotions were spent, different conversations picked up as Serenity walked around the room speaking with each girl individually.
Lita, however, was extremely curious about the festivities that had lasted most of the night and inquired, "Why the party tonight, Queen Serenity?" Setsuna grinned. She'd been waiting for that question all night.
Serenity smiled mischievously at Darien (and thus forewarned, braced himself) and replied in a casual tone, "Oh . . . Tonight was Darien's and Serena's official announcement of their engagement." Even being forewarned didn't prepare Darien for her words. He looked at her in shock.
Throwing her hands in the air, Raye muttered sarcastically, "Oh! What wonderful timing we have!"
Serenity, grinning, whispered confidentially, though loud enough for all to hear, "Indeed, as most thought it would never happen." Darien simply put his head in his hands and groaned loudly, remembering.
Laughter broke out between the Outer Scouts and Haruka added, "Yeah . . . Serena hated him, sight unsaid!"
"I have got to hear this!" Mina, always the hopeless romantic, begged lightly.
Needing no more prompting, Serenity told them the story of the tempestuous relationship between the two they loved so well. By the time she was finished, everyone was laughing uncontrollably.
Except Darien. "It was not that funny." He told them caustically. "She was stubborn, temperamental, and downright argumentative!"
Queen Serenity turned to him, laughter sparkling in her eyes, and rejoined, "And you were an unmitigated boar to her!"
"Well," Darien excused his own behavior easily, "she deserved it! Spoiled brat that she was." This caused another round of laughter. "Someone had to take her to task." He smirked at their giggling faces, "And who better to do it than the man she was engaged to?"
"You know . . . ," Amy remarked, putting her finger to her chin thoughtfully. "Their relationship in the future begins almost the same way." Raye and Lita snickered knowingly as, at the inquiring looks, Amy smiled, looked directly at Darien, and finished the thought, "Well, Serena was always nailing him with test scores, shoes, and the such."
"Yeah, and every time they were within eyesight of one another, they insulted each other constantly." Raye added, to the again laughing group.
When Darien frowned at each of them, he only fueled their giggling. "Like I said . . . It wasn't that funny!" Despite his words, his eyes sparkled when he stood up. "Ladies, Your Majesty," He bowed to them, "Enjoy your bashing . . . I'm going to see Serena." Shaking his head, he walked out thinking that the people in that room were totally nuts.
In the Queen's rooms, Darien studied Serena as she slept. Smiling, he walked over to the window and watched the lightening sky as a new day dawned in the Kingdom. Admiring the scene, he was wondering what they were going to face at home when he heard her stir. Walking back to the bed, Darien gazed down into her softly shining eyes. Sitting down, he asked, "How do you feel?"
Laughing lightly, Serena replied, "Like a freight train ran me over. Twice!" He helped her to a sitting position as she glanced at her surroundings. "This is my Mother's rooms . . . " Darien nodded as he continued to put pillows behind her. "How did we get here? Are the other Scouts here? Where is my Mother? How long have we been here?..."
Darien, raising his hand up at the rapid-fire questioning, smiled, "Whoa, girl! Slow down! How much do you remember?"
Thinking aloud, Serena answered, "I remember the door . . . er . . . wall . . . er . . . door . . . Oh whatever!" She was already confused trying to think that one through.
"After that, we brought you here because that's what you wanted, to see Queen Serenity." Serena nodded, remembering saying something like that to Sailor Pluto. "I would have to guess we've been here a good six or eight hours. As for the others, they're . . . "
"... Right here." Queen Serenity finished as she walked in, followed by the girls and cats.
On seeing Serena awake, Reenie squealed, "Mommy!" And bolted to the bed. Darien picked her up and the little girl curled up tightly against Serena's side.
"Hey guys!" Serena exclaimed, smiling as the group piled in the room.
"Looks like the Empty Meatball Head is back among the living." Raye commented offhandedly, causing giggles to ensue once again.
Ignoring the remark, Serena announced, "You have no idea how good it is to see all of you! " And with a teasing glint, added, "Even you, Raye!"
Amid laughter, Serena was bombarded with questions: How are you feeling? How are your memories? Who is Bryce? Can you believe where we are? And on and on. Serena attempted to find somewhere to interrupt or pick the person to answer until Serenity took the matter in her own hands. She had stood back, watching the reunion with misty eyes, but now things were getting a little too wild. "Girls, girls! Give Serena a chance to catch her breath, please." Serenity smiled as she said it, but the tone in her voice meant she would brook no disobedience on this account.
"Mother!" With Darien's help, Serena stood up and ran to her. She enveloped Serena in a hug as the tears began to fall. "I missed you so much! I am so glad that you are here."
"Shush, you are better now, and that is all that is important."
The Scouts were wiping their own tears away as Serenity led her daughter back to the bed. Amy moved to allow Serenity to sit down, and when she did, she looked pointedly at Reenie and commented, "You have obviously been very busy."
Serena blushed lightly and she pulled her own daughter close as the Scouts and Darien laughed. "I am so sorry I made all of you worry so much. I really am." Everyone was silent as Serena paused thoughtfully. "To answer your questions, though, is a little more difficult. I feel fine and my memories are all there, but . . . "
Reenie interrupted her with, "Does this mean you can be Sailor Moon again?"
"It sure does, Munchkin . . . At least I think so . . . "
"But what, Serena?" Serenity questioned gently.
"Bryce . . . " She sighed as she watched Darien's eyes darken in barely suppressed fury.
"That fool?" Haruka remarked sourly. "We'll take care of him."
"No!" Serena asserted forcefully. There were many raised eyebrows and an 'Excuse me' or two over that word. "No, you won't. You don't understand how it was with me. You have no idea how I felt when Darien broke up with me. The day I met Bryce, I was even worse off then usual. More than the average number of clutz attacks and quite lonely as everyone was busy, even Reenie. So, I spent the day shopping . . . By the way, I may love to shop, but it's a drag to do it alone. After slamming into him, Bryce offered me a ride because I was already way late to get Reenie." Serena shrugged lightly. "I took a chance."
"Oh . . . Well, that's typical of your stupidity." Raye interrupted.
Although everyone was thinking the same thoughts as she was, no one except Raye had the courage to say the words. "Trusting people is one of your biggest hangups. I swear, Serena, if you had a lick of sense . . . "
"Look, Pyro . . . He seemed nice enough . . . And quit picking on me!" Serena lifted her nose in the air and turned her face away. "I did not know he would be so weird!"
Haruka, still angry at the young Princess's foolishness and, now that the door was open for her to do so, took this opportunity to fulfill the promise she made, "Weird! Is that what you call him? Do you have any idea how stupid you were? Late or not, you should've walked, damn it! Even a fool knows better than you! He could have . . . " Michiru placed a calming hand on Haruka's arm and tilted her head to indicate Serena's wide eyes. Silently swearing, Haruka ended her tirade. "Oh . . . Forget it! It's not worth it."
When Serena glanced around at the others, she noticed that there were many frowns and agreeing nods to Haruka and Raye's words. "Are you all ganging up on me now?" Frowns broadened into smiles, and there was much nodding and 'You betcha's' heard then.
"Not me." Reenie piped in, looking up at her mother, "I met him, too, and he was really nice to me."
Smiling down at her, Serena replied, "Thank you, Reenie. It's nice to see someone on my side for a change. Well, anyway, I didn't even hear from him until last Saturday. He said he wanted to go on a picnic. I wanted to swim, so I said yes."
"Not passing up the food, of course," Lita interjected. Everyone laughed.
Serena glared at Lita, then smiled wryly and loftily stated, "What? Are ya kidding? Me? Pass up food? Like even . . . "
"What do you know about him?" Amy asked, thinking about the equipment she'd found and disabled.
"Hmm . . . He works at the Cosmos Lab . . . "
"The new weapons lab . . . " Amy interrupted musingly as Darien met her eyes in silent understanding.
"I guess . . . He also said he goes to school, but he didn't tell me where."
Setsuna, also meeting Darien's eye, whispered to the silence, "That must be where he took you then."
Serena shrugged. "I have no way of knowing that, but the building was well equipped."
"How old is he?" Mina asked.
"Yeah," Raye added, "He seems too old for you."
"I don't know. I never asked, but I did tell him how old I was and it didn't seem to bother him. Besides, it wasn't like we were on a date or anything. Geez, we were just on a picnic!"
"Well, not only do we have Rubeus and the future to worry about," Michiru told Serena, "but also some obsessed, half-crazed lunatic as well."
"But he didn't seem like a lunatic, or crazy for that matter. Just someone who knew what he wanted." When Darien looked at her sharply, Serena rushed, "Well, he didn't hurt me, although he did threaten. I don't know. He just seems the type that know what he wants . . . and takes it."
"And this time," Darien interrupted angrily, "what he took was you! He had everything bugged, Serena," Her eyes widened as his voice began to rise until he was almost yelling at her. "Including you! And he'll probably try again . . . To his everlasting regret." This he said low and very smoothly.
Raye looked at Darien, almost feeling the deadly fire that blazed in his eyes, and knew he spoke the truth. She could almost pity the soul that crossed him . . . Almost.
Heated conversation erupted between the group about Bryce, and Serenity's soothing voice could be heard above it, "Everyone, please, calm down. You are not doing anything except getting yourselves and Serena upset."
Seeing Darien valiantly, however unsuccessfully, trying to stem the steady stream of tears running down Serena's face, the room immediately fell silent. "I am so sorry, guys, but I was just so lonely. You don't realize how hard it was for me. I missed Darien so much." Serena glanced up at him timidly. "But you hated me." Turning back, she looked around the room at the others, "I was more than a little curious to find out if whatever made him hate me would make other guys hate me, too."
Darien, angry at himself for putting her through all of that, swore silently to make up for all the pain.
Liquid sapphire eyes looked up at him and Serena asked softly and, somewhat, worriedly, "Does this mean we aren't broke up anymore?"
"Duh . . . Serena you are a ditz." Raye remarked amid laughter that had broken out. In the girls' opinions, that was the most ridiculous question Serena could've asked. Darien just smiled and shook his head in reply.
"Mother, is it possible, this man–a normal person–could know I am a princess? He called me that before I was taken, but I didn't think much about it."
"Perhaps," Serenity thought for a moment, then shrugged, "But maybe he had the listening devices there longer and overheard a conversation between you."
"But that would mean . . . ," Amy whispered in shock as Serenity nodded solemnly.
"That he may know who we are." Lita finished the thought to the stunned silence in the room.
Serena, thinking back to the conversations with Bryce, shook her head, "I don't think he knows. Unless he was playing games, which seems a little unlikely." She shrugged when the girls looked at her. "He kept asking me who I was."
"Whatever the case, we have to be extra careful when we go back. He was too thorough for my taste." Darien was not quite willing to concede that one man could find out their true identities so quickly, where others had failed so often. At least, not yet.
"Speaking of going back . . . " Setsuna, who'd been quiet most of the evening, chose this moment to bring everyone back to reality. A reality she wasn't sure if even she, herself, wanted to go back to. "It is time we did."
Serena frowned. Knowing what they were returning to made it that much harder to leave. "I know." She said softly. Tears glistened on her eyelashes as she looked at her mother. The others stood up and, at a gesture from Darien, moved away to give Serena a moment alone with Serenity. She embraced Serena tightly. Serena whispered, "I will miss you so much."
"And I will miss you. But you have much to do in your new life, and many loving, caring friends to help you."
"I love you, Mother."
Serenity smiled sadly, "And I love you, Serena." Over her shoulder she called, "Setsuna, prepare the door."
The girls and Darien transformed as Serenity hugged and kissed Reenie goodbye, telling her how proud she was to have such a beautiful granddaughter. A beaming Reenie happily ran to Sailor Uranus.
Prince Darien carried Serena to the door and, once the other Scouts had gone through, turned back to wave so Serena could see her mother one last time. He mouthed the words, "Thank you," and stepped through the door. With a flash of opaque light, the door was gone.
Queen Serenity was left alone in the room, crying out her own sorrows on the pillows that her daughter had just vacated.
Tuesday night, Present time
"Three days!" He shouted as his hand slammed down.
"Calm down, Bryce." Brandon said soothingly. Though he knew it was useless, he had to try to get Bryce to relax. It had been a tiring few days and they all were aching for some much needed sleep.
Picking up his drink, Bryce mumbled, "Three days . . . "
Ruark, thinking about the last several days, shook his head. Once Serena had disappeared, they had searched the girls' homes for signs of any of them. Nothing, except missing clothes, was found. Once they arrived at Darien Chiba's apartment, their cars blew up by some, as yet, unknown way. There were no bombs and the police had labeled it a 'freak accident'. On Sunday, when the furor had died down, they tried, once again, to see if the group was at Chiba's apartment. However, they were met with another shock. When they went to where the place where the apartment should have been–where Brandon said it was–there was nothing but a wall. A solid one, at that. When Brand remarked flippantly with a wave of his arm, "See, what'd I tell you?," no one had laughed. None of them had a clue what was going on. After that, they'd searched all the places a teenager would go. Still nothing. Nothing . . . Ruark shook his head again. It was as if they, Serena, her friends, and even the little girl Reenie, had dropped off the face of the Earth. It was crazy. They knew it . . . But it was a prevalent thought as they were all out of explanations and what ifs. Cameron told them of Serena's parents and brother's return. But no Serena. Her parents didn't seem concerned about their missing daughter. In fact, they seemed to take as an everyday experience.
Ashton, looking for all the world like he'd rather be somewhere, anywhere other than here, said, "Look, Bry, we know she means a lot to you, and we want to help. But what else can we do?"
"I don't know . . . " He stood up quickly, knocking the chair down behind him, and walked to the mantel of the fireplace. Leaning an elbow on it, he touched his boot to the ashes left from the previous winter. "This is ridiculous . . . I don't even know what it is about this girl. Something weird . . . No . . . Mysterious is the word." He thought for a moment and then abruptly looked back at them and demanded, "Any word on the Sailor Scouts?"
"No," Nathaniel answered, then shrugged, "But then there's been no alien activity and they usually only show up when there is."
Nodding, expecting the answer, Bryce moved back to the table, "Let's review this, shall we? We know that Reenie called someone 'Daddy'. Ruling out the old man, that leaves three . . . Chiba, Chad, and one, as yet, unidentified man. Right?"
At their nods, Ryan continued, "There's also the 'Mommy put me out the window' thing. Who's 'Mommy'? I thought all these girls were teenagers . . . Well except the one girl we haven't identified. She did sound a bit older. It could be her, but no one was else was in the room when Jeff went in there except Serena."
Jeff confirmed the statement with a nod and added, "Serena did have something in her hand, too. But if she's only fourteen," He picked up a piece of paper off the table and glanced at it, "fifteen in a couple of weeks, she couldn't possibly have a daughter . . . At least, not one Reenie's age."
Bryce, turning to Jeff, questioned, "This 'Moon Crystal,' was that what she was holding?"
"I have no way of knowing." Jeff smiled wryly. "I was getting done what I had to and was just a little too busy to look at her hands . . . " The other men chuckled lightly when Bryce frowned.
"Well, whatever this 'Crystal' is," Ryan added, "It's obviously important to all of them."
"You know," Nathaniel edged, "I think 'Daddy' is Darien. It certainly sounds like him. When he answered Reenie, I mean. Look," he stood up and picked up the cassette of the conversation, "I'm going to the lab to run an analysis to prove my theory."
He stopped at the door with Bryce's question, "Nat, do you think you can figure out which girl, if any of them, is Sailor Mercury?"
Nathaniel shrugged, "I don't really know. I can try, but as with pictures, the voice recordings may not come out."
"Well, do your best." Ashton looked at Bryce intently, "If one of these girls," He waved his hand over the pictures on the table, "Is Sailor Mercury, where do the Sailor Scouts fit into all of this?"
"A lot of unanswered questions . . . " Jeff whispered in the stillness.
"So . . . What now guys?" Serena asked. "To be honest, I'd just love to go to the ice cream shop. I'm starved!"
"When are you not?" Raye quipped.
"Raye, stop being so mean to me!"
Before and all out argument could begin, Haruka sought to defuse the situation quickly, "I don't know, Serena. It doesn't seem like a good idea."
"I agree. It's too soon for you to be anywhere but in bed." Darien added.
"But I wanna go." Serena whined loudly. "I haven't been out in days. Literally! I'm tired of being stuck inside . . . " And so she rambled on, though already knowing she'd long since lost the battle.
Reenie, having no doubt that she loved Serena, still couldn't resist the urge to mutter, "I think I liked her better without her memories."
Those close enough to her, laughed. Serena raised her nose, "I heard that!"
"Serena," Amy said, "You've been really sick. You need some down time. Besides, Bryce is still out there."
Serena glanced around the room, hoping to find someone to defend her. When no one spoke, she fumed, "Fine then! I'll just go take a shower since no one seems to be on my side about anything." Nose raised and arms crossed, she stormed into Darien's bedroom and slammed the door.
"I don't know about her, Darien." Mina remarked worriedly, "Is she all right? I mean, she definitely seems normal." Darien shrugged.
"But if she gets cabin fever . . . " Lita added, horrified at the thought.
"We're all in trouble." Luna finished with an eerie shake of her fur.
"Yep. She'll have us climbing the walls in less than a day." Reenie confirmed to the less then knowledgeable Outer Scouts. They may know the Princess, but this Serena was another whole ball game.
Almost as soon as they got back, it seemed that Serena had certainly reverted back to her old self. When Darien told her that they had lost three days in the short time they were gone, she whined, for almost an hour, because she didn't understand the concept of time travel. Though Setsuna tried to explain it to her, it was almost like 'trying to drive a straw in an oak tree', as Mina had put it, because no matter how it was explained, Serena just got more confused. And now, this.
Reenie smiled and finished with, "Serena and Cabin Fever, an explosive combination."
"Yeah," Darien replied, "but we need to give her some time. Look," picking up Reenie and giving her to Mina, "Why don't you guys go and get the ice cream. Pick up some games . . . Or something for her to do."
"Comics." Raye decided.
He nodded, "Perfect. I'll stay with her here." And hope she doesn't drive me crazy. As the girls got up to go, Darien told them, "Take Reenie to the park for a while, too. It looks like she can use the Sun. Just be careful!"
"We will." Setsuna insisted, then stopped. "I have an idea to be more so; we'll go as the Scouts and watch from above."
"Good idea." Mina agreed, "That way we'll have all bases covered."
The four Outer Scouts transformed and the nine girls and two cats were gone, leaving Darien alone with one very bored Serena Tsukino.
"I was right. It was Chiba that answered Reenie." Nat exclaimed as he came back in the room. "Check this out . . . " He handed Bryce a printout as the others gathered around to look at it, "It's a 92 percent match, but probably due to rapid stress change here," Nathaniel pointed to marks on the sheet in Bryce's hand, "and here, that it's not higher than that."
"Excellent. What about Sailor Mercury?"
"Inconclusive. The tape is slightly garbled when she talks." He shrugged, unconcerned, "But it was definitely one of the girls in that room. No change in the background noise confirms it."
"Perfect." Bryce mused, rubbing his chin. "So, Darien has a daughter . . . "
"Are you ready?" Rubeus asked, smiling malevolently.
"Of course." Was the reply.
"Remember, no Crystal Points . . . Nothing but energy. It's the best way to draw out the Sailor Scouts. You have your orders, now go."
The droid was called Twistora. And it lived up to its name. It had no body to speak of. Just a huge tornado. Although the head and arms somewhat resembled a human's, the arms could be spun quickly to make smaller tornados. Twistora was using those miniature tornados, rather effectively, to draw the energy from the humans at the fair. The Outer Scouts had heard the screams and ran to check it out.
Sailor Neptune called it in to the others, "Big one," She rushed, "Looks like a small tornado but does all the damage and worse . . . Hurry!"
Within fifteen minutes, the other four Scouts were there. Amy had hidden Reenie in an alley when the call came in and when they arrived, they saw Uranus and Neptune already staggering.
"Dead Scream!" All went silent as the green energy shot toward the twisting body. It seemed to give slightly, but pulled itself together.
"What in the hell . . . ?" Sailor Jupiter yelled as she prepared her attack.
"Mars . . . Now!"
Mars Celestial Fire . . . Surround!
Jupiter Thunderclap . . . Zap!
All their attacks did was anger Twistora further.
"Mercury?" Mars yelled as she aided Neptune to her feet.
"Inconclusive!" As Mercury worked feverishly on her computer to find a weakness. "No, Sailor Venus! DON'T!"
But it was already too late.
Venus Love Chain . . . Encircle!
The chain was immediately sucked into the body of the creature, nearly pulling Venus' arm out of the socket from the force.
"Shit!" Mercury screamed as she ran to Sailor Venus.
Seeing the arm dangling uselessly, she scanned for breakage when she heard Saturn ask anxiously, "Is she all right?"
Nodding, "Yeah, just call Darien . . . Quickly!"
Darien and Serena were watching t.v. when the communicator Amy made for him sounded. "Darien," Sailor Saturn rushed, "we need your help . . . At the fair. It's worse than ever!"
Needing no more prompting, in a flash, Tuxedo Mask was moving to the balcony. "You stay put!" He called to Serena over his shoulder.
"But Darien . . . "
"No buts–STAY!" Without another word, he was gone.
Serena, running out on the balcony to watch his retreating form, fumed. Drawing both hands into fists, she swore loudly, "OOOH . . . He will not do this to me! I am Sailor Moon and I won't let my Scouts fight without me while I yet breathe!
Moon Crystal Power!
In a flash of feathers and ribbons, Sailor Moon ran out the magical door.
Tuxedo Mask slowed his running, "That little fool! She's going to get herself killed yet!" He knew Serena had just transformed, which meant that she'd totally disregarded what he said. Once again, she wasn't listening. He resumed his pace with a grim smile, Darien fully intended to give her a severe dressing down after the fight. If he didn't beat her senseless first. Tuxedo Mask arrived at the battle scene to find that five Scouts were already down and Sailor Mars was dodging a tree the creature has sucked up and was swinging at her. Tuxedo Mask, with split second timing, threw a rose and split the tree before it could hit her. He ran to a felled Jupiter to help her up when they heard her.
Sailor Moon ran to where she knew the battle was. For once she was actually glad for the exercise. It helped relieve the tension and stiffness of the past week's inactivity. Once there, she was angered beyond belief. Deciding, for once, to attack first, she pulled out her Scepter. Knowing that a tornado spins in one direction, she watched carefully for a moment to determine which way, then threw her Scepter in an opposite spin, saying, "I am Sailor Moon! For hurting my friends and ruining my night, I will punish you!" When the Scepter hit Twistora, it stunned her, and legs appeared. Sailor Moon blinked twice in shock and caught her Scepter as it came back to her hand.
"Sailor Moon? Just the one I was waiting for!" It took a step toward her but was hit from behind by . . .
World Shaking!
Deep Submerge!
Mars Celestial Fire . . . Surround!
As Twistora went to her knees under the force of the attack, Mars called, "What are ya waiting for, Sailor Moon, Christmas?"
"Oh . . . Yeah . . . Right . . . "
Moon Scepter . . . Elimination!
And the paralyzed droid collapsed into dust. "Ha! Spoil my fun, will ya!"
Sailor Moon went to check each of the Scouts and had just made it to Venus when Tuxedo Mask grabbed her arm, "Little fool!"
"Oh . . . Not now!" She said firmly and turned away. But he was not to be put off. He pulled her away from the others so they could speak a little more privately.
Sailor Uranus could hear them begin to argue as she stumbled to her feet, stunned by the amount of attacks it took to destroy the droid. She helped Neptune to stand and the two went to where the others gathered around the ashes of the droid. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, off to the side, looked as if they were about to get into an all out fight when Jupiter called them over. They walked over to where the others were standing and Sailor Moon glanced at what they were staring at so intently.
Something is familiar . . . "OH NOOOOOO! But we already dusted him!" Sailor Moon whined loudly, falling to her knees.
