Chapter 19: Bunny's Back

When all the scouts woke up the next morning they were very nervous. The time had come. They had to face Bunny and if they didn't get her back they would all lose their powers, and some might sess to exist. The boys tried to comfort them, assuring them that everything would be fine.

As soon as Darien woke up he kissed the white rose again. 'Today is the day Serenity. We shall be together again.' He tucked the rose into his belt. As he joined the others in the living room there was a knock at the door. When Darien answered it he found Ann, Alan, Fiori and Fiona waiting in the hall.

"Good morning. I hope you don't mind us dropping by so early," Alan apologized as they came in.

"Not at all. As you can see we are all up anyway," Darien assured them.

Ann glanced at the others, "Yes, our tree told us that you would be trying to get Bunny back today." Darien nodded.

"We just came to give you our support," Fiori explained.

"And to apologize," Fiona whispered.

Mina gasped, "Apologize for what exactly?"

Fiona looked at everyone, "To apologize for ourselves and our tree coming to you. We know that we were just used as bait, and that the Redeans might not have gotten to Bunny if we hadn't asked for help."

Hotaru put her arm around Fiona, "We don't blame you or your tree."

"That's right. The Redeans would have come anyway, you can't blame yourself," Rini encouraged, sitting on the other side of Fiona. Fiona managed a weak smile.

"I think it's time we faced Bunny," Darien decided.

"But how will you know where she is?" Alan wondered.

Amy took out her mini computer and started typing, "With this… I've found her… she's in the park."

"Let's go!" Luna cried.

When Serenity awoke she dressed in her red "Princess Serenity dress." After fixing her hair she absentmindedly put the rose she had found in her left "meatball." After taking a final look at herself in the mirror, and failing to notice the rose, she joined her parents in the throne room.

If King Rodo or Queen Ralcea noticed the rose in Princess Serenity's hair, they apparently didn't think anything of it. They greeted her warmly and chatted with her until Molly and Melvin also joined them.

"So what is the plan, if I may be so bold," inquired Melvin.

"Well, the people have excepted Princess Serenity as our heir so we shall work through her," Rodo started to explain.

"We will start with the Princess using her crystal to help the people shed the depression the scouts have placed on them," Ralcea reasoned. "Only when that is done will we come and begin to change things for the better. Assuming our Princess agrees."

Princess Serenity smiled, "I agree whole heartily. I believe that if I use my Silver Crystal at the park it should affect everyone in Tokyo."

King Rodo smiled and nodded, "You may begin whenever you are ready."

"Then, with your leave, I shall begin now," Princess Serenity stood up and faced her parents. "I would like Molly and Melvin to join me, to help give me strength."

"As you see fit," Ralcea nodded. "Contact us when you are done." The Princess, Molly and Melvin bowed and returned to Tokyo and went to the park.

When arriving at the park Princess Serenity instructed Molly and Melvin to stay back. "I'm not sure how the energy will affect people not used to it. And do not interfere, I don't want you hurt."

"What if the Sailor Scouts try to stop you?" Molly asked.

"No doubt they will. Rest assured, I can handle them on my own. Remember, it's always been my Crystal that has won the important battles," Serenity smirked. Molly and Melvin nodded. They had total confidence in their princess.

Just as Serenity was ready to start the Scout's group arrived. "Princess Serenity stop!" Luna yelled, running toward her.

"Mind your own business Luna. I'm not your puppet anymore," Serenity sneered.

Darien retrieved his crystal, and morphed into Prince Endymion as he walked toward Serenity. Meanwhile the others were pleading with her. "Think about what you'll be giving up," Rini wept.

"What? Like having to deal with a spoiled brat like you? I don't see that as a problem," Serenity rebutted.

"Think about how your mother, Queen Serenity, would feel. She didn't save you just to have you turn against her," Mina tried.

"My mother's name is Queen Ralcea," Serenity retorted. "And she is very happy with what I'm doing right now."

Endymion stepped forward now. He smiled when he saw the rose in Serenity's hair, apparently part of her still remembered the truth. He quickly brushed his hand over the white rose in his belt before holding up his crystal and exclaiming, "I can't let you do this Serenity! I know you aren't evil. You are full of beautiful, pure light. Love and happiness. That's why I feel in love with you in the first place. And have always loved you, no matter what our opposition." Endymion's crystal began to glow a brighter and brighter gold.

Serenity's silver light began to weaken slightly as she watched her prince. 'He looks so regal. No, stop that. It's just more lies.' "You never loved me, you just used me!" Serenity cried out.

"How can you say that? Remember all the times we'd meet secretly in Elysion? Remember how I defended your kingdom against my own people? Remember how I died trying to protect you!" Endymion shouted.

Serenity took a step back. Her hand absently went to the rose in her hair. 'How did that get there?'

Endymion took a step at a time toward her, his crystal glowing brightly. The scouts and their boyfriends made a semicircle behind him. Endymion smiled and pulled out his own rose. "I can see that at lest part of you remembers our old custom. The one where we'd leave a thornless rose on the stone bench for the other, if we didn't happen to meet there. I left you that rose last night to prove that I still love you and believe in you. And you wouldn't still have it if part of you didn't believe in me."

Serenity started to lower her crystal, which was starting to absorb some of the light from Endymion's. She took the rose out of her hair and looked at it. She smiled up at Endymion and took a step toward him. "I remember," she breathed, and fell into his arms. They kissed for all the times they hadn't over the last week. Serenity's dressed turned white again. Likewise, her crescent moon appeared on her forehead and her eyes returned to their natural baby-blue. Everyone cheered.

Everyone, that is, except for Molly and Melvin. They weren't quite sure what to do. Part of them wanted to go join Bunny and her new friends, knowing deep down that the scouts were good. Another part of them was still under the control of the Readeans. However, they sat there because they knew one thing for certain… They didn't want to tell King Rodo and Queen Ralcea that Princess Serenity had gone back to the scouts.