You guys have been so patient. Thanks. I've gone through a lot writing this chapter so please review. After being accidentally erased by person or persons who will remain nameless lol. And after having to write all over. I've finally finished it. I think you'll like this better than the original. It's longer anyway. So enjoy

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Beryl sat at her throne stroking her staff pensively. She was starting to have serious reservations about Prince Darien. She was beginning to think that she could no longer trust him and that it might have been a mistake to convert him the way she did. No she knew it was a mistake to convert him the way she did but she also knew that nothing could be done about that now.

But something had to be done. Her soldiers loyalty was being tested. News of the way he had survived her attack unscathed spread through the ranks like wildfire. Oh they still obeyed her. They wouldn't dare not to. But it was that slight hesitation before they complied that sealed it. That one instant where their eyes betrayed them as they shifted from her to him from where he stood at her side. And now to make matters worse all week he had failed to appear when called. Yes something had to be done.

She never dreamed that he might be a threat as the Dark Prince. It was always the chance of Prince Darien resurfacing that she worried about. But now it seemed she had created a being whose power might even match her own. And that was unacceptable. She had to prepare. She could no longer rely on his enforced loyalty to hold him in check. She couldn't afford the risk so she had to prepare. And if the day came when he in fact tries to betray her she'd make sure he'd never see the light of day. No matter what she would not be defeated.

……………………….

Zosite didn't believe that Jedite was losing his mind she was convinced that he'd already lost it. His obsession with the Dark Prince had obviously pushed him over the edge. His need to destroy him consumed his every waking hour His hatred and fear of the Dark Prince only breed more fear and hatred until he saw a spy in every shadow and a trap around every corner. He was completely paranoid.

She was now convinced that the Dark Prince would be doing him a favor in ending his existence. But for some reason he was in no hurry to do that. Perhaps he was enjoying Jedite's meltdown. And he was indeed having one. One minute he would be ranting and raving about spies and the Dark Prince and how he was going to destroy him and the next he appeared calm and collected. Almost normal. But it was that look in his eyes that didn't quite complete the picture of serenity and it was a glint of madness.

She shivered just thinking about it. She really didn't need this. She needed allies she could count on to save her not get her killed. With Malachite being held prison and Nephlite off somewhere on his own Jedite was all she had. And that was a scary thought. She just wished she knew if he held a grudge against her for reporting his behavior with Sailormoon to Beryl. She wasn't ashamed to admit that she hoped that wasn't the case.

After what she had witnessed when Beryl had attacked him she wanted to stay on his good side. It didn't take a genius to realize that he was a threat to Beryl. And even if he had no plans to betray her he was definitely up to something. That much she agreed with Jedite. But she failed to share his determination to find out what that something was. She didn't plan to make anymore mistakes concerning the Dark Prince. She didn't want to share Jedite's fate which she believed was already determined. The only question that remained now was how the dark prince planned to do away with him.

…………………

Malachite was startled and then immediately on his guard when Nephlite entered the dungeon. He hadn't seen him or the Prince Darien in days. And that made him nervous. All week he had been on edge expecting at least one of them to return and resume their questioning. He hadn't been looking forward to it but he had been expecting it. But no one had appeared before him. No one that is but Zosite. Zosite? He had been glad to see her and relieved that she was okay but something was different. And it was all because of a dream.

He had been at a ball dancing with one beautiful woman after another. Laughing and flirting and obviously having a good time when he spotted a young woman out of the corner of his eye. And the sight of her pierced through him stealing his breath. He walked to her as if in a daze. And when he reached her he found himself looking into the loveliest blue eyes he had ever seen.

Eyes that misted over when they looked at him. He held out a hand "Dance with me?"

She placed her hand in his and he pulled her into his arms. "I knew you would come." she whispered laying her head on his chest.

He placed a hand on the back of her head and began caressing her long golden hair. He didn't know what was going on but she affected him like no other before. But he knew that she was special and that she would change his life forever. He lowered his head on top of hers inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. "Tell me my lady how did you know that when before tonight I never knew you existed?"

She pulled away slightly. Just enough so that she could look into his eyes. "It's my gift. I always knew you were out there somewhere and I prayed for the day when we would be reunited. We are one. Can you not feel it?"

As he starred into her eyes he felt something change inside of him. Now he knew what his Prince had felt at the first sight of his Princess. It was a feeling of belonging. Of finally coming home. Like his Prince before him he had found his soul mate.

Malachite shook his head. The dream had seemed so real. And he could swear that he had seen that girl from his dream somewhere before. And their was no question that the girl in the dream wasn't Zosite. He just wished that he knew what the dreamt meant and why it disturbed him so much. Nephlite's tired sigh brought him out of his thoughts with a start. For a moment he had forgotten he was even their.

"Well" Malachite sneered. Angry at himself for daydreaming. He had to be on constant guard. "Have you finally come to finish me off?"

Nephlite chose to ignore him for the moment and settle his tired body down on the floor opposite him. Only after he had settled down and relaxed back against the wall did he respond. "Feeling neglected are we?"

Malachite pulled against his chains "As much as I've grown accustomed to Beryl's hospitality I rather we just end this here and now."

I didn't come here to kill you Malachite" he sighed "I just came here to talk."

Malachite gave a harsh laugh. "And let me guess the topic of conversation. Sailormoon? And tell me what happens when I refuse to talk Nephlite will you kill me then or will you resort to more torture?"

"No." Nephlite retorted sharply leaning forward he hissed "Stop this Malachite. You know that I had no choice. I did what I had to do to keep you alive. I didn't exactly enjoy it either." He glanced around "And trust me there are worse places you could be."

Malachite found his anger fading at the look of desolation in Nephlite's eyes. He was right their were worse places he could be. A fact that Nephlite new first hand. He didn't know how Nephlite had survived that hell hole with his sanity intact.

His anger had been misplaced anyway. He knew that Nephlite had done what he did in order to save him from something much worse and for that he was grateful if not thankful. It was just these crazy dreams he been having all this week they had him on edge and not knowing his fate only made his nerves worse. After being all but ignored all week he was a little unsure of what to expect. But this he couldn't have predicted in a million years.

He took a minute to study his old friend and what he saw disturbed him. Nephlite appeared weary to the bone and their was an air of melancholy about him that Malachite didn't understand. Pushing aside the fact that they were now on opposing sides he asked him what was wrong.

Nephlite bit back an relieved sigh. He didn't have the energy to fight with him. And he really did need to talk and right now Malachite was the only one he could trust with his suspicions.

"Tell me malachite you've been touched by the power of the Imperial silver crystal. Tell me do you feel any different?"

Malachite frowned wary of a trap but seeing no harm in answering did so. "I mostly feel ashamed he admitted my honor is shattered I can never make up for the atrocity's I've inflicted on all those innocent people."

"And what do you think about the Dark Prince?" Nephlite asked innocently but inside he was tense.

"Prince Darien" Malachite corrected instinctively and without thought. He was about to answer until he remembered his visitor from before. Could Nephlite know about them?

His choice in words had Nephlite sitting up straight "Prince Darien? Why do you call him that?"

Malachite frowned at him wondering what he knew. "What's all this about Nephlite?" he asked defensively

Nephlite sighed and resumed his position. He didn't blame malachite for being wary but they had little time to waste.

"There is a dark storm approaching us my friend. I've tried to get a handle on things. I know that the Dark Prince brings it. But he is not the catalyst that marks our destruction. I've been meditating for days trying to figure it out but it eludes me. We are at a crossroads. In one hand I see salvation for us all and on the other a dark cloud that will descend apon the Earth like none other before it."

"Isn't that what you and Beryl want?" Malachite asked "Don't you wish to spread darkness around the world?"

"We don't know what darkness is." Nephlite stated solemnly "I've never felt anything like it. Nothing that is good will survive this storm. Not the sailor scouts. Not Molly" he finished softly

"You love her." Malachite exclaimed in surprise looking at him with new eyes.

"I care for her yes. But me and molly were never meant to be. I know that now. I was meant to meet her and to care for her. She gave me the strength to break free of the darkness that had it's grip on me. And for that I will always be grateful and she will always be special to me."

"Theirs something else isn't there?

Nephlite looked at him in surprise then he gave him a bitter smile. "I must be losing my touch if you can read me that easily."

"We've been friends for a long time Nephlite. You can hide very little from me."

"Have we been friends? I always thought that are ambitions got in the way of any friendship."

"Perhaps." Malachite agreed reluctantly because although he knew the truth in what Nephlite said he couldn't believe that they were ever adversaries. He hadn't felt this close to Nephlite since….since. Malachite frowned it was right on the tip of his tongue but it proved illusive.

"But you are correct." Nephlite continued "There is something bothering me and it has to do with what Beryl did to Prince Darien. Erasing his memories. Making him believe he's someone else. It made me think that she might have done it before." He paused and looked Malachite straight in the eye "To us."

…………….

Jedite gave a laugh filled with glee and triumph. When he transported him and his prisoner back to Beryl's palace. Finally he had the means to defeat the Dark Prince and take his rightful place at Beryl's side.

"Let go of me." Serena cried as she struggled in his hold. If she could just reach her locket in her sub pocket than she could transform and at least have a fighting chance.

"Look around you Princess. Where do you think you can go?"

Serena looked around nervously she knew where she was at. Beryl's palace. Darien where are you? If what Jedite said was true will you come for me? Or doesn't it matter. Serena blinked back her tears. Could he really be her husband and the prince of the Earth. But if that was so why couldn't she remember him. Their were no blank spots in her memory. It was all intact. So how could it be true? And why when all the evidence pointed to the fact that it wasn't true why did it feel right?

"Let's go." Jedite announced "I'm sure Beryl will be overjoyed to see you."

"Your not going anywhere with her Jedite." a voice called out

Darien. He had come after her. Serena cried silently and her heart filled with joy.

Jedite looked around frantically but he couldn't see him. "Come out." he yelled "Come out or I'll destroy her right now."

"It's time you learned what happens when you threaten what's mine."

Jedite was startled when a hand wrap around his throat and pulled him back. Caught by surprise his hold on her slackened and that was all it took. Serena seeing her chance used all her strength and pulled away from him.

Jedite found himself pinned back against the wall with the Dark Prince's hand at his throat. He clawed at it with his own hands but his grip was unbreakable. "Please" he whispered harshly barely able to speak "Don't."

Darien leaned forward "This is the end Jedite. Take comfort in the fact that it will be quick end."

"Nooooo" Jedite cried "please I'll do anything. Anythingggg….ahhhh."

Serena looked away just as Darien released a burst of energy that turned Jedite into a pile of dust.

Darien smiled down at the pile of dust at his feet. One down. Soon they will all learn what happened when they deceived the Dark Prince. But first. He turned to Serena and felt some of the anger inside him fading. She had that affect on him. "Serena" he murmured as he approached her. She turned to look at him with tearful eyes.

He pulled her in his arms. "I'm sorry about what I said before I didn't mean it. I was wrong. Forgive me?" Unable to speak Serena just nodded her head

"So I was right" came a cold familiar voice causing Serena to freeze. But not Darien he turned to face this new arrival with a cold smile.

"I thought you might betray me." Beryl hissed She looked at Serena with hard eyes. It always came down to this. He always chooses her over me. Well this time she'd destroy them both.

"It was you who betrayed me." the Dark Prince stated his eyes blazing "I know who I am and I know what Serena is to me. That was your mistake Beryl for the one thing I wont stand for is being played with."

Beryl raised her staff her eyes glittering maliciously "Than shall we."

Darien felt Serena's grip on him tighten and looked down at her. She looked at him with anxious eyes. "Its going to be alright" he said softly "Nothing will separate us again." he leaned down and kissed her softly before pulling away. When he turned back to Beryl he saw her ire at being ignored and laughed. She had no idea the extent of his power but she'd learn soon enough.

……………

They were almost at the temple when their communicators went off. It was Sailormoon.

"Guy's I need your help. I don't know exactly where I am so you'll have to track me. Darien is fighting Beryl and he…." than they all heard a terrible noise and Sailormoon's scream before her image vanished off the screen.

"Did she say Beryl?" Mina cried "And who is Darien?"

"Theirs no time to worry about that" Amara stated "She's in trouble and we have to get their fast. Amy do you think you can find her?

Amy who already had her mini computer out nodded her head. "Her communicator is still in tact and I'm getting a signal. But It's weak. If like before theirs a portal leading to Beryl's palace than this will make it easy to find."

"Alright" Lita cried "Than lets find it and quickly."

……………..

The first tremble took both Malachite and Nephlite by surprise. And the second one had Nephlite jumping to his feet. The whole foundation of the cell appeared to be shaking.

"What the….?" Nephlite yelled as chunks of the ceiling started falling.

"What's going on?" Malachite roared

"I don't know." Nephlite hollered back the whole place seemed to be caving in. "Let me get you out of here." he started for Malachite determined to free him. He couldn't leave him. He heard Malachite yell to watch out and the next felt something hard hit the back of his head. He looked at Malachite in surprise before he crumbled to the floor.

"Nephlite" Malachite yelled pulling at his chains angrily he had to do something but what could he do. Nothing. Their was nothing he could do. He thought of Zosite and hoped she was safe but it was the girl in his dreams that he thought of in his final moments.

…………….

A wave of energy hit Zosite head on and repelled her back. Her head made a sickening sound as it connected with a stone pillar. Dazed it took her awhile to gathering her bearings and rise to her feet. Only then to have the ground tremble beneath her throwing her off balance and back onto the floor. What was going on?

She stood up again swaying back and forth as the ground continued to shake. She took a couple of uneven steps before coming to a complete stop. Have you ever heard the sound of ice cracking on a frozen lake. It was a sound no one wanted to hear especially when you were on that lake. The sound was the same but this time it wasn't ice but the floor that was cracking. And before she could think up her next move it gave way beneath her.

Desperately she reached for the edge and managed to grab on. Still weak from the blow to her head it was a struggle to just hold on. She had finally managed to get her body half way up and over when the ground gave an ear piercing screech as it split again causing her to fall back down into the hole. She managed to maintain her grip but was unable to hold it for long. And their was nothing she could do when she finally lost her grip and she fell back into the abyss but scream.

…………..

With Mercury's mini computer the Scouts found the portal with no trouble. They entered it and continued to follow Sailormoon's signal.

"Wait." Mars cried anxiously and the others stopped and turned to look at her

"What is it?" Luna asked in concern. She could tell from Mars pale face that what ever it was wasn't good.

"I don't know. I just have this awful feeling that something terrible has happened."

"Than we shouldn't stop." Uranus barked unable to face the fact that something might have happened to Sailormoon. "Let's keep moving."

The others nodded in agreement and with Sailor Mars words ringing in their heads they marched on.

What they found when they reached what had to have been Beryl's palace was utter destruction.

"Oh my God."

"What could have happened here?"

"Where's Sailormoon? Could she be in that?"

They all looked on in horror at the sight of Beryl's palace. It was nothing now but a pile of rubble. If Sailormoon had been in that their was no way she could have survived.

"Wait." Mercury cried "I'm getting a signal. Its coming from over there a couple of yards away." she said pointing ahead of them.

"Is it Sailormoon?" Mars asked fretfully

"I think so."

"Than what are we waiting for?" Jupiter cried and took off at a run.

They found Sailormoon standing near the of a cliff.

"Sailormoon" they cried and rushed towards her.

"Careful." Artemis warned "That cliff doesn't look to stable. Tread carefully."

Sailormoon turned to look at them and their cries of joy stuck in their throats at the look in her eyes. It was filled with such pain and desolation that they all felt their own eyes tear up. They took that time to get a good look at her. She looked terrible. She had what looked to be millions of tiny cuts and lacerations. Her clothes were bloody and torn and she looked like she had just been pulled from a train wreck.

Venus went and stood in front of her. "Sailormoon can you tell us what happened?

Sailormoon shook her head unable to speak.

"Let me try" Luna said and Venus moved out of the way.

Luna saw the terrible pain of loss in her young princess eyes and knew what had happened. She didn't know how or when but Serena and the Dark Prince had exchanged more than attacks. She had fallen in love with him all over again. Something must have happened.

Throwing caution to the wind. She asked. "Did something happened to Darien."

At the sound of his name something snapped inside her "He's dead" she cried harshly "and I want to die as well. But I cant" she sobbed "I promised him. I promised." she shook her head frantically "He made me leave. I didn't want to. I wanted to stay there with him. But I couldn't. I couldn't. And I left him there. I left him." she fell to her knees. The pain she felt was excruciating.

The scouts surrounded her and wrapped their arms around her. They didn't tell her it was going to be alright because deep in their hearts they already knew that that would be a lie.

……………

Please no hate mail or reviews. Yes Darien is dead and yes the generals are also dead. But and this is a big but this is not the end of the fanfic.