CHAPTER SIX

Princess Serena ran as hard and as fast as she could away from the palace heading for the gardens. She ran until finally she could run no more and collapsed on a stone bench. Sobs racked her body. She was going to lose Darien if not now somewhere in the future. she couldn't bare the thought of living without him.

"Oh Serena" a voice murmured from behind her before a pair of strong arms closed around her.

Darien set on the bench cradling in her arms while she cried. When the sobs finally faded he tilted her head up to his. He bent his head and gently kissed away her remaining tears.

"Don't cry my sweet please, I cant bare it."

"Oh Darien" she whispered "why is this happening?"

"Its going to be alright Serena."

"How can you say that when you know what the future holds for us?" Serena grabbed him by the shoulders "You cant go through with this you cant let your future self turn himself over to Beryl."

"I cant stop him Serena" he stated firmly his voice filled with conviction

"Just talk to him" she cried desperately "try and make him see that he cant do this.

"He's going to go through with this Serena. He has no choice to save you he'd do anything " He starred down at her lovingly "I know because I'd do anything."

"But I don't want you to" Serena shouted angrily banging her fists against his chest "You cant I wont let you." Serena hit him until the anger faded leaving only despair. "Darien" she whispered "please don't leave me."

Darien grabbed her face with both hands forcing her to look at him. "I don't want to leave you Serena but I have no choice. Its the only thing that can save you. I have to do this. He has to do this"

"Why don't you both just let me die" she cried mournfully "It will be better than living without you."

Darien groaned his heart breaking at those words. How they speak of love now when they both knew what the future held. "You have to have faith Serena. I love you more than life itself that's why he has to do this to keep you alive and if where both alive than theirs still hope theirs always hope."

Serena knew nothing she said would change his mind she just hoped that he was right that somehow everything would turn out all right. She just had to have faith.

"I love you too" She whispered softly before leaning in to kiss him as his arms closed around her she wished that they could stay like this forever

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

"What if she kills him" NeoVenus cried suddenly as something just occurred to her "than Serena will definitely die. He's the only one whose energy her body will except."

The others around her gasped they never once thought of that why didn't any of them think of that.

"We have to go after him" NeoMars cried jumping to her feet.

"You'll do no such thing" Queen Serenity stated

The Neo Scouts and the scouts of the past looked to her in surprise

"But your majesty we have to we never thought what would happen to Serena if Darien doesn't come back." Sailor Mercury said respectively

Queen Serenity sighed "Prince Darien has already discussed it with me he said it doesn't matter. He told me that his energy was having less and less affect on the dark energy in Serena's body. That in fact the dark energy was starting to draw strength from him.

With sudden inspiration NeoMercury got out her mini computer "that's what happened when we first arrived isn't it? NeoMercury exclaimed "When Darien was supplying Serena with energy. Even when her vital signs leveled out he was still transferring his energy. NeoMercury started pacing typing furiously away at her computer unable to understand how she had missed it. "Its so obvious now that what started as a transfer became a drain. The dark energy in her body had been draining his.

"That's right" Serenity confirmed "Darien realized it soon after it happened.

"Why didn't he say anything" Neo Jupiter cried

"He didn't want you worrying about him if he had to give her another transfer before he left"

"So he really had no choice" NeoNeptune stated softly finally understanding why he had seemed so desperate and determined to go through with his plan despite their objections. But why hadn't he told them?

The scouts were still absorbing this new information when the door to the conference room opened and Princess Serena and Prince Darien walked in. It was obvious for all to see that the Princess had been crying.

Princess Serena looked around the room her eyes looking for the other Prince Darien when she didn't see him her heart gave a lurch. She looked into her mothers eyes. And knew he was gone. Her eyes swelled with tears she managed one step towards her mother before fainting dead away.

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

Darien knelt before Queen Beryl with Jedite and Malachite at her side.

"Well and here I thought we'd at least have the pleasure of hunting you down" Jedite cried turning to Beryl he pleaded for her to let him be the one to kill me.

"Not yet Jedite first I want to know why he's here."

"But My Queen-"

"Silence" Beryl shouted her eyes still focused on Darien

"I've come to join you." Darien stated bitterly not bothering to hide his anger

"What?" Jedite and Malachite cried out in disbelief

"My Queen it has to be a trap" Malachite stated his hand already at his sword.

Beryl had stood at Darien's words and now she spoke "Tell me prince Darien why should I believe you. I have witnessed your treachery when you dared to pick that pathetic Princess Serena over me."

"I loved her. I love her still but she is dying and now all I want is revenge" he stated quietly his eyes ablaze with hatred as he stared at Jedite.

Queen Beryl laughed wickedly "So you want revenge and think that by coming over to my side you'll get it."

Darien gave her a confident smirk "I know you Beryl you want me by your side you want my power and you want me because you know that Princess Serena loves me.

Beryl looked him over "So you think you can get your revenge by taking Jedite's place at my side

"My Queen" Jedite gasped in shock

"Silence" Beryl cried "do not have me tell you again Jedite yes you resurrected me and managed to destroy the moon princess but that still does not earn you the right to rule by my side."

Jedite looked at her in disbelief after everything he had done all the planning the waiting this was how he was repaid. He looked over at Prince Darien who was still wore that annoying smirk and knew he had find a way to destroy him.

Beryl approached Darien and reached down to caress his face. Darien had to stop himself from pulling away her touch. It cold and left him cold not like Serena who could warm him with just a look. The Scouts had been right when they said that Beryl would never help him to save Serena. Darien knew that as well and he didn't for one second believe that she would except him in exchange for saving Serena she would just hold him here until Serena died and than convert him as she did before that's why he had to convince her he was out for revenge.

"I think I will give you a chance but know this I'll be watching you closely. And if you betray me again their will be no more chances I will destroy you." She stated coldly before turning to malachite "bring him to the conversion chamber."

"I don't think so Darien stated calmly he was almost there now all he had to do was put the rest of it in motion.

"What did you say" Beryl asked her voice crackling with anger

"Forgive me my Queen" Darien stated smoothly not letting any of his disgust spill over into his voice "But that way wont work there are still a few things I must attend to before I can be completely converted."

"You see my Queen it's a trick it has to be" Malachite spat angrily he knew what it was like having prince Darien around Beryl would give him complete control over her forces and that included him.

"What do you have to attend to Prince Darien and why cant it wait?"

"I wish for more time with my wife" he bit off angrily don't lose it now he cautioned himself your almost there.

Beryl looked very angry and inside she was seething with jealousy even now he wanted to be with her. Well soon he will be mine Princess. Her anger faded as an idea came to her.

"Fine Prince Darien go be with your precious princess" she sneered "but while your with her apart of me will be within you. So even while your holding your beloved Serena my power will slowly be making you mine." Beryl laughed at her own cleverness and Darien hid his triumph well.

Beryl placed a hand on him and released her power. When it was over Darien knelt pale and shaken on the ground. Just then he had seen her as she truly was and he never felt anything so evil.

"Well go" Beryl laughed wickedly "go be with your dying princess but remember you belong to me now."

…………………………..

Queen Serenity sat with the sailor scouts of the future and waited for word about Prince Darien. She had already erased all that had happened since their arrival from the minds of her people, including her Sailor Scouts they had understood that she needed to get it over with so that she'd be well rested before Prince Darien's return. If he returned. Her daughter had been the hardest to convince she had been determined to wait so that she could see for herself that he was still alive.

Queen Serenity knowing that he might not come back couldn't bare for her daughter to go through that took the decision out of her hands.

Right now her in Prince Darien were walking in the gardens neither aware of what has happened or what's going to happen. As it should be the Queen sighed quietly to herself saddened that it had to come to this.

They were all startled when Sailor Pluto suddenly materialized before them along with Darien.

Mercury immediately got out her mini computer. She saw the dark energy in his body and nearly broke out into tears again.

"He's not completely converted" she announced quietly

"I have to get to get to Serena right away." he stressed looking at Sailor Mars who nodded giving him the okay. He started for the door then stopped to look back at them. "I will miss all of you deeply" he stated before leaving the room

The scouts held back their tears as they faced Queen Serenity they knew what came next.

Darien hesitated over her for a second he knew he could save her but he was reluctant to he didn't want any part of Beryl inside of her but knowing he had no choice he started the transfer of energy letting the combined energy of his and Beryl's flow into her.

Darien felt the change before he saw it. When she opened her eyes he almost sobbed his relief. When those beautiful blues eyes settled on him they lit up with joy.

"Darien" she whispered happily and reached for him

He kissed her gently at first than with growing passion. He knew this would be their last day together and although the thought filled him with despair he was determined not to waste what precious time they had left. He intended loving her for as long as possible.

He trailed kissed down her neck savoring the taste and feel of her so soft and smooth under his lips.

"Darien" she moaned moving her hands up and along his back

"Serena" he groaned before taking her lips in a deep passionate kiss he pulled the covers off her and threw them behind him on the floor laying on top of her he deepend the kiss. Serena moaned and wrapped her legs around him pulling him closer.

"Darien I love you" she gasped softly

Darien looked down into her eyes that shone bright with her desire and her love

"I love you to" he said softly and proceeded to show her just how much.

Early the next moring Darien rose out of bed quietly so as not to wake her he couldn't bare to look at her even asleep her happiness shone like a beacon. Dressing quickly he left the room. He closed the door behind him with a heavy heart leaning against it he made a sound of despair.

He turned to lay a hand on the door she was so close all he had to do was open the door and slide back into bed with her it would be so easy but he knew he couldn't already he felt the darkness clawing at him and he couldn't he wouldn't taint her with it. With a heart turning to stone he left the Palace and his one true love.

………………………..

When Serena woke up she reached for him and wound of falling face down on the floor

"Owwww she cried

"Serena are you ok?"

Serena looked up at the figure looking down at her from the bed and grimaced. "I'm fine Luna" getting off the floor she laid back down on her bed. She couldn't believe she had been dreaming. It had seemed so real the dream and the man. But even now the images were fading. The images but not the feeling they brought. She felt well and thoroughly loved. Smiling dreamily she prepared to go and meet her dream lover once again.

"Serena your going to be late" Luna cried in her ear destroying the moment. Serena glared at Luna angrily

Luna catching this look was shocked. She looked at Serena with wide eyes.

Serena sighed and gave her a tired smile "I'm getting up Luna I promise."

Serena went through the day wishing the hours would go by faster so that she could go home and once again be with her dream lover. What did she need a real boyfriend for when she had him. No real boy could compare.

After school she was hurrying home for an early nap before dinner when her communicator went off. "Oh No" she wailed "Well their goes my date with my dream boy" she grumbled

When Serena arrived at the battle she was Sailormoon but she didn't see the other Scouts anywhere. Just then she heard Mars cry out "Sailormoon watch out"

Instinctively Sailormoon moved to the side but she wasn't quite fast enough as she felt something slice her left arm.

"Ahhh" she cried holding her arm she looked to see what hit her and saw a black rose. She twirled around to see her attacker. It was a man. A very handsome man with dark raven hair and beautiful blue eyes. He was dressed all in black and in front of him he held another black rose.

He grinned down at her wickedly "I'm the Dark Prince of the Negaverse and you must be Sailormoon"