A/N: Sorry this hasn't been updated in a few days…I've been caught up in things and focusing a bit on the other story.
I hope everyone had/is having a great holiday season!
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Tuxedo Mask looked at Serena in shock. Could it be that she was really his Princess? "Serena?" he gasped softly. "All this time…"
Serenity wanted to turn her glance away from his hurt expression but she knew she had to face him. One day she would take the time to explain everything to him. But now she had a duty to fulfill.
"So Malachite here we stand once again. What is your plan this time? Kill the King you swore an oath to protect. Kill me and then the Senshi. Who will you save for last I wonder? Perhaps the one to whom you pledged your heart, but then you have already killed her once before."
Serenity's words had little effect on Malachite except to cause a flash of pain to appear in his eyes before his evil demeanor returned.
"Ah Serenity, no see I find that you are much easier to control when the lives of your friends are in danger. I know that I can threaten to kill you and you will not back down but…if I say…put Endymion's life at stack suddenly you are much more cooperative." With his words Malachite sent a beam of energy toward the much confused Tuxedo Mask. Tuxedo Mask did his best to dodge the blast but it shattered a nearby tree causing it's branches to bear down upon him. But right when they were about to hit, a translucent dome appeared over him, and the tree crashed upon it, leaving him unharmed.
"So your powers have matured Serenity, no longer do you call them out before you attack, perhaps now you may actually surprise me. But fear not I shall still kill you and your Prince" Serenity's eyes blazed with hatred as she looked upon the evil that inhabited the form of her dear friend.
"I can heal you my friend, remember who you once were Kunzite. This is not the life you chose." Serenity's voice was calm, it showed no hint of emotion other than pure love. The love she felt for Kunzite. The man who had always warned her when Endymion was going to be late, or brought her news of her beloved when he was away. There was little she would not do for him.
She took the crystal between her hands and concentrated on sending it's healing power toward the man she once called Kunzite. She enforced it with all their happy memories, including many happy moments with Mina, the one he loved more than anything in the world.
"There was a time when you would have given your life for your King, there was a time when you loved someone more than life itself, remember the life you once lived my friend. Give up the power of the dark crystal, please Kunzite listen to me." For a moment it seemed as if Malachite was going to consider Serenity's offer but once again the dark crystal regained control.
Tuxedo Mask saw it all from within the dome, he did he best to break free but it would not let him out. Malachite shot three spinning daggers in the direction of Serenity. Her concentration was too strong and she could not get out of the way of the daggers without breaking her concentration. They struck her as the power from the silver crystal began working it's magic on Malachite.
"Arghhh I'll come back to finish you off!" Malachite disappeared through a portal before the silver crystal finished its work upon him. When he left the dome that had been guarding Tuxedo Mask and the glow radiating from the silver crystal disappeared. Serena once again became her normal self as she crumpled to the ground.
"Serena! No!" Tuxedo Mask ran to her side, and knelt beside her. The wounds made by the daggers were deep and Serena's breathing was ragged. Darien looked at her, at a loss for words. Had it really been his klutzy Serena displaying so much courage and power?
"Come on Serena, I'll take you to the hospital." He whispered softly to her but she responded with dissent.
"No, too many questions" she gasped out straining to make her point known. Tuxedo Mask nodded and decided the only solution was to take her to his place. As he lifted her up he noticed something on her wrist beeping. He pressed the flashing button and to his surprise a cat appeared on the screen.
"Tuxedo Mask? Are you with Sailor Moon is she alright?" Tuxedo Mask stared incredeously at the talking cat for a few moments before being able to reply.
"No, she's been badly wounded I am going to take care of her at my place." Tuxedo Mask managed to say the words, not wanting to admit just how bad of shape she was in.
"You must tell me where you are taking her, the Senshi can help." Tuxedo Mask debated a moment wondering if he wanted the rest of the Senshi knowing who he was. Realizing that Serena would probably tell them anyway he decided to tell Luna.
He detransformed in front of the communicator to reveal himself as Darien. "Darien? It's been you all this time?" Darien hid his shock at being recognized by a cat and continued.
"Yes, now have the Senshi meet at my place, I will take care of Serena there." Luna nodded and Darien closed the communicator. Knowing that he could travel faster as Tuxedo Mask he transformed himself once again and headed to his apartment.