A STITCH IN TIME by Princess Ophelia

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Sailor Moon.

CHAPTER THREE

At the arcade, Mina, Amy, Lita, and Serenity sat down at a table and waited for Raye. Andrew, Darien's best friend and son of the owner of the arcade, came over and greeted each of them. He took their order and left for the kitchen. He noticed that Serenity was more reserved than Serena usually was but did not mention to the girls.

A moment later, the arcade doors opened and Raye walked in. After spotting her friends, she joined them at their table. "Serena, what's with the dress? Where's your uniform?"

Serenity glanced down at her clothes and then back at Raye. "I always wear this when I go see Endy, you know that…"

"Who's Endy?" Raye asks confused. She looks at the other girls but they just shrug.

"That is him," Serenity points as the young man from that morning walks into the arcade. "Yet, he is different somehow."

The other girls turn to see Darien walking into the arcade. Darien was Serena's worst enemy. They bickered every time they saw each other. Darien would tease Serena about her hair or her grades. Then, Serena would cry about how mean he was to her. They looked back at Serenity in shock.

"Darien?" They all asked at once.

Across the arcade, Darien heard his name and turned to see Serenity and her friends. Still confused about this morning, he walks over to them determined to get some answers. "Hello Ladies and Meatball Head."

The girls leaned back waiting for the explosion from their friend. Serenity looked up at Darien and said, "You really need to come up with a new one, Sir. You have called me that all day."

Shocked, Darien turned to the other girls and asked, "What's up with Serena? She ran into me this morning calling me 'Endy' She then acted like she had never been to Tokyo before." He could tell from their expressions that they were just as confused as he.

"We're not sure, Darien," Amy answered.

"Maybe I can answer a few questions," a voice behind Darien spoke.

"PUU!" Serenity jumped up and ran to Sailor Pluto.

"Serenity," Pluto smiled.

Serenity's eyes widened. "You are the first person to call me that since I teleported to Earth this morning."

"That is because you not only teleported to Earth, you teleported to a different time as well, Princess."

"Different time? What time is Serenity from? And where did she teleport from?" Amy asked now calling Serenity by her proper name.

"One thousand years in your past, Amy," Pluto answered.

"One thousand years! But my friends and I are still the same age, Puu?"

"There is a lot I can not explain to you, Serenity. For you to know your future, would damage the future. You know more than you should already but that can not be helped."

"If you," Pluto instructed, gesturing to the girls and Darien, "start remembering your past, keep in mind that anything you tell Serenity will jeopardize everything."

"Wait a minute! Why are you including me?" Darien asked. "I barely know these girls."

"Because you're Endy, Silly," Serenity said happily, smiling at Darien.

"Yes, he is Endymion." Pluto agreed. Then she cautioned her princess, "You must remember though that Darien has gone through different experience than your Endymion, just as Serena has gone through different experiences than you. Just as you and she differ, so do Darien and Endymion." Serenity nodded in understanding.

"So if our Serena is switched, then that must mean she is in the past where Serenity is from. Right?" Lita questioned.

"That is correct," Pluto answered.

"Serena trying to be a princess? Ha!" exclaimed Raye.

Pluto frowned at her.

"Then Mother knows I snuck away?" Serenity asked.

"Yes, we think that is when you and Serena were switched."

"How do we switch back, Puu?"

"When I find that out, Serenity, I will let you know."

"Darien, will you please go buy Serenity a milkshake?" Pluto asked.

"Why me?"

"Because I need to talk to the others…" Pluto answered giving him a pointed stare.

"Whatever," Darien muttered. "Come on, Meatball Head."

Once they were up at the counter, Pluto turned to the other girls. "Now the four of you must know, Serenity can not become Sailor Moon." At their collective gasp, she continued, "Sailor Moon was never supposed to exist. The four of you as the inner scouts were formed to protect the current princess or queen."

"But we haven't found our princess," Mina complained. "If Sailor Moon was not supposed to exist, the how does Serena fit into all this?"

"Except for you, Mina, the inner scouts had not discovered their hidden powers. So, through Luna, the powers inside Serena had to be awakened to protect this city and its people."

"The powers in Serena?" Amy questioned. "But you said Sailor Moon didn't exist? How could she have powers then?"

"Although she does not yet have the silver crystal, she can draw on its power. Her transformation to Sailor Moon is the crystal's attempt to protect her."

"I thought only the princess could use the silver crystal," Raye said.

"That is correct, Raye," Pluto answered.

"That would make Serena our princess," Amy spoke, her shock evident in her voice. "Of course, she and Serenity do resemble each other."

"No, no, no." All eyes turned to Raye. "Serena is a ditzy, crybaby. She is not our princess. I will not accept it."

"Then you will no longer be a sailor scout," Pluto stated, angry with the fiery girl. "The only reason you can become one is to protect the princess. If you will not acknowledge her rightful place, your abilities will diminish."

Raye's eyes grew wide as she processed the new information. She already felt different, but she brushed off the feeling.

Pluto then turned to the others, "I hope the three of you can hold off the yomas until I can determine a way to return Serena to this time. Until then, I will try to come when you need help. Good bye for now." Pluto left the arcade and disappeared.

"Raye, why won't you accept Serena as our princess? She is our best friend." Lita questioned.

"No, that means she'll get Darien too. I won't allow it. I deserve to be the princess and to get Darien. All she ever does is whine and cry," Raye retorted.

"I believe I have the right to choose who I want," Darien said coldly. He was standing behind Raye and heard her tirade. Deep down, he knew he was in love with Meatball Head. He knew Raye had a crush on him, but he had hoped that Raye would not interfere with his relationship with Serena. Now he knew she would if he ever admitted his feelings to Serena. And until Raye changed her mind, Serena would not even consider Darien as a boyfriend. She valued her friendship with Raye too much.

"Darien!" Raye squeaked. "I know it's your choice, but if you and Serena shared something in the past, I don't want it to ruin our future."

"I don't know what past you speak of, but you and I don't have a future as anything more than friends, Raye. I like you as a friend but I have never thought of you as more. I knew you did but I thought you'd grow out of it." Darien told her more gently. He knew that if he handled this badly, Serena would kill him. "I'm sorry if you think that there's more between us, but there isn't."

Serenity had been silent until now. "Raye, in the past you had a crush on Endy, too. You were mad at both of us when you found out about the betrothal. Ironically enough, Endy and I were both pretty annoyed as well. We wanted to have the right to choose. You and I tried to fight the betrothal. Slowly, I started to fall in love with Endy. Since you were still fighting, I tried to find the strength to help despite my aching heart. In the end, I had to tell you that I could not fight the betrothal any more."

If Serena and I are anything alike, she will side with you, Raye, because our friends are very important to us. Serena will not voice any affection for Darien until she has your approval. I beg you to reconsider. I cannot imagine any life without my love. If Serena feels differently then, so be it."

Raye only frowned back at the girl who seemed so different than their Serena.

"The palace is under attack!" Someone screamed down the hall from Serena. Instinctively, she ran towards the noise. Her mother's sailor scouts were fighting yomas and her mother was using the silver crystal.

"No," Serena whispered, "I can not live through this again."

"Serena!" Pluto shouted from behind her, "We need to get you away from here."

"No, Pluto! I have to help. I can not just sit by and watch like last time. Now that I know I have the power, I must do something." Serena was desperate. In her dreams and memories, she had watched her mother, her friends, and her love die countless times. She could not stand by when she could help them.

"Moon Prism Power," She screamed and began her transformation. A moment later, Sailor Moon stood there ready to do battle.

"Alright, Sailor Moon," Pluto conceded, "but no speeches. These people have never heard of Sailor Moon. They don't need to know who you are. Got it?"

"Fine." Serena answered and ran to help her mother and the Sailor Scouts. She could recall that this was only a pre-attack. The real attack would come later tonight after the ball. Memories of her last dance with Endymion floated through her mind as she blasted yomas. Her mother and the older scouts looked at her questioningly but Pluto's glare silenced their unasked questions.

Hours later, the fight was over. It had lasted a much shorter period of time than before due to Serena's help. Before anyone could ask questions, she hid and transformed back to her princess dress. When she returned, Pluto nodded at her and explained what had transpired as if Serena had not been there the whole time.

"We need to act as if nothing is different," the Queen said. "Tonight's ball will go on as planned." Everyone agreed and continued the preparations.

"Pluto, I want to try to teleport to earth," Serena asked. "Perhaps that will reverse the effects from this morning."

"Why would you do that when I am already here?" asked a deep voice from behind Serena.

She turned to see Prince Endymion. From the perspiration on his forehead, she could tell he had been fighting with the others. He face turned red when she realized he probably saw her fighting as well. Hopefully, he had not realized it was his fiancé.

"Endy," she whispered and threw herself in his arms. Strong arms wrapped tightly around her in response. They were not the arms Serena longed for but they were close enough.

"I am so glad that you are alright, my princess," Endy said gently. "You are not hurt, are you?"

"No, Endy," Serena answered quietly. Her dreams and memories did not even begin to compare to the reality of being in his arms. It had been so long which made her want to savor the feeling more.

"Serena, I do not think your attempt to travel is wise," Pluto interrupted, reminding Serena that this Endy was not her Darien. Now, she wanted to go home even more so that she could set things right with Darien.

"Puu, if that is what we think caused this to begin with, then I really think I should try." Serena pleaded. "I am scared." She hoped Pluto would hear her silent plea not to have to repeat the events that would take place tonight.

"Princess, Earth is not safer unfortunately. In fact, my parents sent me here to help your mother because the Earth can not withstand the enemy any longer." Endymion explained, not understanding that the girl before him was not the princess he knew.

Serena's eyes continued to beg the Senshi of Time until she caved in.

"Alright, Serena, let's try it before anything else happens."

Serena turned to Endymion. She laid a hand on his cheek and smiled sadly. "My prince, I will join you in a few minutes. This is something that Puu and I have to do." Serena then kissed him on the cheek and turned away.

"Come with me, Prince Endymion," Queen Serenity called. Serena smiled at her gratefully knowing she understood. If all went well, she would have her daughter back within the hour.

Serena turned to follow Pluto, but the Queen's voice stopped her. "Daughter?"

Serena turned to face her Mother.

Queen Serenity just opened her arms knowing that there was some reason that her daughter would live on and she would not. Serena ran into them and hugged her tightly. "I love you, Mother, and I always will," she whispered.

"Let's go, Princess," Pluto called already leading the way to the Teleportation Room. Serena stepped out of her Mother's arms and turned. She followed Pluto to the familiar room. Once there, Serena stepped up onto the device, closed her eyes and waited.

To Be Continued...

A Note from the Author: Please read and review. This is my first try at writing fanfiction. Thanx, Princess Ophelia