Chapter Two

As Prince Darien followed the Queen to her chambers the palace guards and the Sailor Scouts looked at the other Scouts who had come through the time portal with suspicion

"Are you from the future?" Mars asked suspiciously she wanted to know everything about them especially the one who looked like her she wasn't quite ready to believe that they were one in the same.

"Yes" Venus answered causing her companions to give her hard stares stating without words that she should know better.

Sorry she mouthed back to them silently.

Jupiter also eyed them with suspicion "who it that your holding?" When they didn't answer her Jupiter became angry and even more determined to find out what was going on so the next time she spoke her tone was much more sharper. "I asked who that is that your holding." When they still refused to answer her she shared a look with Mars and together they both started to approach the other scouts.

......................................

Once in the Queens chambers Darien wasted no time. "Serena is dying your majesty."

The Queen let out a sharp gasp as pain filled her heart at his words.

"Where is she?" the Queen demanded

"She's with us she's the one Sailor Jupiter is holding."

"Why didn't you say something at once? I must go to her." The Queen was hurrying to the door when his next words stopped her in her tracks

"You cant save her your Majesty"

The Queen looked at him with stricken eyes "How do you know this have I tried before?"

"No."

"Than how can you stand their and tell me I cant save my child when I haven't even tried?"

Darien sighed knowing how hard this was for her wasn't he also dying inside "Because I know this power. She has been poisoned by a something that is known as the dark crystal"

"The Dark Crystal?"

"Yes the imperial crystal is powerless against it."

The Queen gave him a hard stare "I'm sure you know what your talking about but I have to try."

Darien nodded "I understand. I'll bring her to you."

"No" the Queen stated "we'll go to her."

"Your Majesty I'm not sure it would be wise for anyone else to know about this it might effect future events."

"I understand but I must tell the Sailor Scouts I might need their strength and power to save Serena. Especially if this Dark Crystal is as powerful as you say it is."

Darien nodded and followed the Queen out of the room.

.......................

As the two Scouts approached the group the Scouts from the future formed a circle around Sailor Jupiter blocking her and the hooded figure from view.

Princess Serena seeing the situation was getting out of hand stepped in to put a stop to it. "Jupiter, Mars that's enough stay away from them until my mother returns with the other Prince Darien." (she didn't know what she was going to do if their guests stayed would it be Jupiter 1 and Jupiter 2 and so forth? Just the thought gave her a headache but she too wanted to know what was going on? Why they were here and who was the hooded figure whose identity they seemed determined to protect.)

Before Jupiter and Mars could respond to her command a beeping sound came from the visiting Scouts causing their Sailor Mercury to cry out in alarm

"Oh no go get Darien quick."

Just then Darien and the Queen entered the Hall and Darien apon hearing the beeping coming from Mercury's mini computer took off at a run.

When he reached the Scouts they parted and let him through to Jupiter. "Lay her down quickly" he commanded

The queen on seeing his mad dash to reach the scouts knew that something was very wrong and rushed after him "What is it? Is she alright?" she cried before coming to stand by Darien who had knelt down in front of the hooded figure.

Darien placed his hand on the figure and concentrated. Soon his whole body glowed with the essence of his energy. Energy that was soon flowing into the figure.

All the while Mercury watched their progress on her computer and when Serena's vitals signs leveled out she breathed a huge sigh of relief "Ok Darien you can stop now."

Darien who didn't seem to hear her continued giving his energy.

"Darien stop" Mars cried when he still didn't stop a now paniced Mars grabbed him and pulled breaking the contact and making them both fall back onto the floor.

Darien at that time seemed to snap out of whatever trance he had been in and looked to Sailor Mercury in concern "How did it go?"

"She's fine for now" Mercury replied "but I don't know for how much longer. We should probably do what we came here to do."

Jupiter helped the two to their feet and looking Darien over in concern asked what happened

"I don't know" he admitted before he began walking towards where Serena still lay on the floor. He stopped suddenly as he started swaying on his feet the loss of energy having left him a little weak.

Jupiter and Venus rushed to his side placing their arms around him "You cant keep this up."

"I'll be fine" he stated roughly before pulling away

By now Mars had picked Serena up off the floor and was holding her in her arms.

Darien held out his arms "I'll take her you guys wait here till I get back."

"But your to weak" Mars protested

Darien said nothing and just continued to wait with his arms held out.

Mars looked to the others for support but they remained silent. They all knew he grew weaker with each transfer of energy but they also knew arguing with him when he was being this stubborn would get them no where.

Sighing in defeat Mars handed her over to him but as he started to turn away she said softly "If you need us we'll be here."

Darien started to say something but stopped himself as he once again became aware of their audience. And right now the fewer people that knew about this the better.

The Queen seeing he was ready turned to her Sailor Scouts "You all will come with me turning back to everyone else she stated the rest of you will stay here."

"But Mother" Princess Serena protest she didn't want to be left behind she wanted to know what was happening

"Serena see that out guests have everything that they need"

Serena nodded knowing that was her mothers polite way of saying not now Serena. so turning to the Sailors Scouts form the future she gave them a shy smile "Hello"

.............................

Inside the Queens chambers the Scouts of the past were just finding out who their mystery guest was.

Oh my goodness its the Princess Jupiter gasped in disbelief

"I cant believe it" Mars cried out

"Incredible" Venus muttered

"What's wrong with her?" Mercury asked in concern noting how still she was.

"She's dying" Darien stated quietly while inside he was raging His beloved Serena was lying near death he wanted to howl with rage to pour out all the pain in his heart but he knew that now was not the time to let his emotions get the best of him he had to stay calm. If he was going to save her he couldn't lose control.

The Scouts didn't know what upset them more the fact that their princess was dying or the fact that he didn't seem to care. But no wait they all witnessed his concern and devotion when to them she was just a hooded figure so his attitude now made no sense.

Prince Darien had informed me that she has been poisoned by some dark energy given off by something known as the Dark Crystal. He also tells me that the imperial crystal is powerless against it." The Scouts were shocked the Imperial Crystal powerless? "But he tells me that I have not yet tried to use the crystal on Serena so I cant except that it wont help and with your help I would like us to save her."

"Of course your Majesty" they all said as one

............................................................

Princess Serena didn't know what to do. Their unannounced guests seemed preoccupied with their own thoughts to pay them any mind and their obvious concern gave her a feeling of dread.

"Serena?" Darien's concern filled voice finally penetrated and she gave him a shaky smile.

"I don't like the feeling of this" she admitted

Darien didn't respond he didn't want to worry her anymore than she already was but he too sensed that something was very wrong so he did the only thing he could do he took her hand and held on.

A few minutes later as if to confirm their worse fears Queen Serenity entered the Hall with a look of such devastation it was heart breaking

"Mother" Serena cried before rushing to her mothers side

Queen Serenity grabbed her daughter and held her tightly "Oh my darling child"

The Scouts from the future let out cries of their own and huddled up together each of them knowing instantly what this scene between mother and daughter meant.

When the Prince of Earth entered the hall his expression remained unchanged and he was quickly followed by four more sobbing Scouts.

Darien tried hard to keep his expression blank. He knew when he came here that the Imperial Crystal had no hope of working but still apart of him still had dared to hope that it would work and that this nightmare would be over but now that hope was gone he knew what he must do. To save Serena he must make the ultimate sacrifice that will change their lives for ever.