Ok! So here is the next chapter which is by far my longest one I do believe. So this one is a little more epic but hey. So I'd like to senda shoutout to everyone who has sent in support and love for this story and every person who has reviewed. I luv you guys! Always remember to keep reading and reviewing! So...Without further ado...
I own nothin. I'm broke!
Collides With Beauty
By: Rini
Chapter 6: All Hail The Prince
She looked over her shoulder. She sighed when she saw blue clash with blue. His eyes were darker. He was hiding something. His face was as solemn as always, but there was a hint of something more. He was hiding a secret from her, and she was the only one who would ever know it. She sighed once more. She missed those eyes. Oh how she missed them.
Serena whipped her head around to stare at the white haired partner she danced with. His hand was firmly around her wrist, tugging her along to only he knew where. Serena glanced back once more and saw Darien's sad face. He looked like he wanted to say something, to chase after her, but she knew he wouldn't. She herself made sure of that.
So she was resigned to watch him fade away as she was pulled farther off.
The man turned his head and smiled coolly to Serena.
" You aren't afraid of me are you?"
Serena just looked up at him, thoroughly confused over what had just happened and even more confused of what was going to happen.
They finally stopped in an alley away from the beach and hidden behind a string of booths. It was a secluded spot right between the flower store and bike shop. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Serena's arms stayed at her sides and she was wondering how she ever got in this position.
" You never answered my question," he said firmly.
" Who are you?" Serena replied.
Swiftly, the man pushed Serena against the wall and had her rigidly pinned between himself and the brick. He held her hands above her head in a death-grip and let one hand trail softly against her cheek. Serena started breathing hard and her body trembled before his intense gaze.
" You really want to know who I am?" he purred against her neck.
The man backed away from her and Serena tried to move her arms, but something held them together still. The man flashed her another charming smile and a symbol blazed on his forehead. Upon closer look, Serena found it was a black inverted crescent moon. It glowed a dark black that caused Serena to turn away slightly.
" You're one of them," Serena gasped.
The man grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.
" I am them."
The black moon on his forehead glowed again and soon his body lit up. His shirt and shorts changed into a white suit with a regal blue gilded design on each side. His pants were long and covered most of his white dress shoes that had black outlines. A long cape blew back and was a deep blue-violet color on the inside and a darker navy on the outside. Black spire earrings hung from his ears and a crest, a black inverted moon with a diamond in the center of the points, rested where his collar connected.
" My love. I have searched Time and Space for you. I refuse to let you slip my grasp once more."
" You're with Emerald and Rubeus. Just another pawn," Serena spat.
The man laughed," Such vitality you have. You will make a wonderful queen."
" I have no desire to be queen."
" But you will," the man smiled as he rested his forehead against hers.
" Never."
" You will stand by me, Prince Diamond of the Black Moon Family."
" Prince Diamond?" Serena breathed.
" Yes. I am Prince Diamond and I control Emerald and Rubeus. I give them orders. They are my servants and so were the Black Moon Sisters, until you got a hold of them. I must say, I was angry I lost such valuable soldiers, but I was thoroughly impressed by your powers. That's how I knew."
" Knew what?"
Diamond snapped his fingers and Serena's arms dropped to her sides. Diamond drew her roughly into his arms and held her against him once more. He snaked his arm around her waist and reached up his other arm across her back to play with the curls of her hair as he pressed her head to rest on his shoulder. He took a deep breath of her perfume and groaned.
" That you were the one I was looking for. You were the Princess and Queen I was searching for. I would gaze at your beauty for hours until I could memorize every curve of your smile. Every shade of your eyes. Every contour of your face."
" Why are you telling me this?"
Diamond tilted her head to look up at him," Because I love you more than any man ever will. I worship you. I want no one by my side. Don't you see?"
Serena shook her head.
" I came here so I could take you away from this pitiful world. I want to rule this galaxy. I shall be King and you shall be my Queen. The galaxies will tremble at your name and worship you as its Goddess. As my Goddess."
" You're mad!" Serena shrieked," I would never rule this world with someone as evil as you."
" My lover," Diamond cooed," You don't understand. I will have you as my Queen, or no one else will."
" I will stop you. You can't defeat me. I won't let you destroy the Earth."
" You don't have the strength needed to defeat me. You may have gotten miraculously stronger recently, but you still pale in comparison to my powers."
" Then why don't you fight me instead of your pawns?"
Diamond smiled," Because I would never hurt that pretty face of yours."
Serena tried to pry herself out of Diamond's arms. He was mad. She felt a deep power hidden inside him. She knew she had to get away from him as soon as possible. She couldn't afford to lose to him now. She was still far too vulnerable.
" Don't you see it's inevitable? I always get what I want and right now, more than anything, I want you."
Serena pushed Diamond away," Don't you see who you're up against? I am the Moon Princess, Serenity, and the Champion of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon. If you think I'm just gonna let you win without a fight, you are sadly mistaken!"
Diamond laughed deeply," That's precisely why I love you so much. That drive, it's intoxicating."
Diamond smiled as his crescent moon glowed again. Serena tried to move, but she was frozen in place. Diamond merely looked on with a smirk on his handsome face.
" Know this. Before this war has ended, you will have tasted what I can give you. I have armies on my side and all you have is one unfaithful prince and silly little schoolgirls. I dare you to defy me."
Diamond grabbed Serena's chin and planted a deep kiss on her lips. He still smelled of his rich cologne Serena caught scent of during their dance and even her own perfume rubbed off onto him. He smelled so spicy that it stained her own skin.
Diamond pulled away and watched as Serena unselfconsciously licked her lips.
" I await for my answer to my original question, love. I wait with unbridled anticipation until we can dance once more. When the fire rises tonight, we shall have our battle. Goodbye my Queen."
Diamond floated up and disappeared in a flurry of rose petals. Serena roughly dropped to her knees as tears trailed down her cheeks. The petals fell around her shaking form and offered no solace. She was worried. This wasn't like any enemy she had ever fought before. Diamond was different. Something seemed very wrong with the way he acted.
Don't worry yourself. Just breathe. We can discuss this later. Until then, just be on your guard.
" Serena?" a voice called.
Serena lifted her head up," Artemis?"
Artemis, a white cat not much bigger than Luna, walked slowly towards Serena. His crescent moon caught the sunlight and shone lightly. His eyes portrayed the worry etched over his face.
" What's wrong Serena? Are you alright?"
" Artemis. I thought you were with Luna today," Serena carefully tried to dodge the question.
" I was with her earlier. We were trying to do research on this new enemy and find out their plans, but she remembered that you were going to be in that dance contest and that no one was going to be Rini. So she left to go with your family to here."
Serena tried to smile," I didn't know Luna was so worried."
Artemis laughed," You know her. It's always about duty."
Serena stood up and picked up Artemis," Artemis, I think we might have a serious problem on our hands."
Artemis shot her another worried glance," What happened? Why were you back here in the first place?"
Serena stepped out of the alley and started walking down the sidewalk.
" Serena?"
" Artemis, I can't explain it all right now. I do know who's behind all this now though. Do you know of a Prince Diamond?"
" Not offhand no."
" Serena!"
Artemis and Serena both turned their heads up. Mina, trailed by the other girls, Andrew, and Darien, was running down the sidewalk towards them. Mina was waving happily and the others were struggling to keep up with them.
Serena crouched down and let the white feline go," Artemis. Head back to Luna and keep an eye on them. I'll explain everything later. I swear."
Artemis nodded and ran off.
" Serena!" Mina panted as she stopped before her," Where did you run off to with that hot guy?"
" Mina!" Lita breathed as she leaned against a wall for support," Next time you run off, try to give us a warning!"
Serena suppressed a giggle as everyone finally stopped by her and had to wait to catch their breaths. Mina rolled her eyes at Lita and grabbed Serena's hand.
" I can't believe you did it Sere. You won!"
Amy smiled," We are so sorry we ever doubted you."
" Yeah. Really," Lita added.
" Why didn't you tell us you were that good?" Raye asked.
Serena crossed her arms," It didn't seem so important."
" Well you guys know what this means! Time to celebrate!"
Everyone cheered as Mina grabbed Serena's hand and wrapped her arm in through hers. Mina pulled her down the sidewalk, chatting away about how great she looked dancing and how she was so amazed. Serena had to laugh to herself. Trying to keep up with Mina once she started was hard work, and she was a little rusty from lack of being around her.
Lita sighed," Here we go with Mina again."
Amy laughed lightly," Well it is cause to celebrate."
" So what are we waiting for? School's over for you girls. The sun is shining. We've got the whole beach and summer. Let's go!" Andrew cheered.
Lita, Amy, and Andrew laughed as they hurried after Mina and Serena. Darien stayed still with his arms crossed and a brooding look across his face. Raye looked up at him with stormy violet eyes and frowned. She knew this day was going to be hard enough for Darien, but this? This must have been murder for him to witness. Yet, she couldn't feel too badly since this whole mess started because of him.
" Darien?"
No response.
" Darien," Raye said more forcefully.
Again, nothing.
Raye grabbed his arm," I know you can't be very happy right now, but this is not your moment. This is Serena's and you can't ruin this for her. She took a big step today and the least you could do is be proud of her."
No. That's not it. How could I not be proud of her?
" Listen Darien. Join us. I can't believe Sere is still talking to us right now, but we have been given a very serious chance right now. She's happy that we're on her side and we can use this time to make her see that we do care. You can use this chance to show her that you do love her. Please. Don't let moments like this pass you by."
Darien uncrossed his arms," Thank you."
Raye smiled," Just make our Princess happy."
Darien and Raye left together off to find the fellow Scouts and Andrew. They found them at a huge round table all eating ice cream. Serena was laughing as she flung ice cream off her spoon at Andrew. Andrew and Lita ganged up on Serena and Mina as an ice cream war began. Amy was smart enough to hide her sundae so they wouldn't touch it. Once Raye and Darien showed up, they all changed tactics and fired ice cream at them. The table was a mass of giggles and melted ice cream as Raye quickly joined Andrew and Lita's side and even meek Amy joined the fray.
Darien couldn't help the approaching smirk. It was like old times again. Everyone was carefree, with neither a want or care in the world. They were just being the normal teens they always wished to be. It was like there was no battle between the Black Moon or within the Scouts themselves. Darien shook his head.
That Mina sure worked wonders alright.
" So can you believe it?" Lita spoke with her arms stretched behind her.
" This year went by so fast," Raye added.
" But here we are," Mina said cheerily," We passed another school year and summer is ready for the taking!"
" And we have a champion amongst us," Andrew elbowed Serena.
Serena nudged him back and grabbed his arm to walk with him.
" Only a few more years left and we can leave this place," Amy spoke softly.
" Yeah. That sure is depressing."
" Come on guys. Cheer up! No one is going to be sad tonight!" Mina yelled.
" Thanks for the loss of hearing Mina," Lita spoke.
Everyone laughed.
" So who's up for the bonfire on the beach?" Raye asked.
" I think that sounds great," Andrew answered," Don't you Dare?"
" Yeah," Darien answered gruffly.
Serena stole a stray glance behind her as she held on tighter to Andrew's arm. She looked at him and saw he held the same expression he had when she left with Diamond. She longed to reach out for his hand and to tell him how she really felt, but even she wasn't so sure anymore. Had this been any other day, she would have never let his hand go and never left his side for even a moment. She'd cherish times like this. But now.
" Hey," Andrew whispered.
Serena blushed, knowing she was caught.
" Sure you can handle this?"
Serena gave his hand a squeeze," Promise me you'll still be on my side."
Andrew ruffled her hair," I'm always on your side Sere."
" Wow! This fire is awesome! Right Raye?" Mina shouted.
Raye nodded her head," That's a bonfire alright."
The seniors dug a large fire pit on the beach and surrounded it with logs and a few chairs for people to sit down on. Mostly couples took all of the farther back seats, but a few of the seats more towards the water were still open. Mina and Raye raced down the sandbank to reserve them for the group and they got a particularly nice spot. It was close enough to the fire to feel the heat, but far enough away to feel the breeze from the ocean behind them.
Andrew sat in the sand with his back against the log with Mina laying against his right side. Lita and Amy sat on the right on the log while Raye sat in the sand a little way from Andrew and Mina and underneath Lita and Amy. Serena sat behind Andrew and Darien sat a few feet away from Serena on the left. He secluded himself and Serena found herself wanting to ask him to sit closer to them, but she couldn't.
Music drifted in from the DJ booth still set up. It was already late into the night and the stars were shining bright. The sky was perfectly clear and that warm summer feeling was surrounding everyone. It was perfect outside. Friends whispered the lyrics of the mellow songs, girls cuddled next to their boyfriends, and others were just enjoying what may be their last moments with their friends.
Serena sighed. She looked down at Andrew with his arm wrapped around Mina's shoulder. She looked over at Amy and Lita joining the hum of the people singing the song in the background. She watched Raye as she smiled at the flickering of the flame, finding her element comforting.
Everything was perfectly in place. Everything was exactly how it should be. Yet. Wrong. It was all wrong. This shouldn't be how it was. There shouldn't be this rift between everyone. There shouldn't be distance and distrust between her and the Scouts. There shouldn't be space between her and Darien. There shouldn't be this difference amongst them.
Serena brushed her hands through Andrew's hair and stood up. She pulled off her sandals and walked into the water. It was cold and it stung her feet, but the cold just couldn't compare. Not to the cold she felt inside. There was a gap in her soul. Though she felt more complete than ever since she merged with Serenity, there was still a piece missing. It was an important piece. Her life wasn't entire without it.
Darien watched the fire send out sparks of light. He turned to eye her out of the corner of his eye. Her hair absorbed all the light around her, but it could never compete with her natural glow. Her eyes reflected the embers of flames, but it could never compare to her natural fire. But, that fire. It was dulled now. It wasn't as strong as it used to be. Maybe it was, maybe everything seemed dull to his eyes anymore.
He watched her get up and move to the water. Oh how he wanted to rush to her. Things needed to be said. Feelings needed to be shared. She needed to understand. But wait. Hadn't he already tried that nights before? That didn't turn out so well. In fact, that was probably the lowest he had ever felt. Yet, she had a right. But the day was going so well. She even stayed to talk with the girls.
Darien stood up and walked over to Serena. He heard her sigh and saw her reach a hand up to her eyes. Was she crying? Because of him? He hesitated once more. He closed his eyes and he could feel her breathing. He could feel her uneasiness. He could feel her as intimately as he could feel his own emotions. He opened his eyes and knew.
Don't let moments like this pass you by.
He wrapped warm arms around her waist. Her chilled skin felt nice against him. She didn't even stir. Her eyes stayed to the ocean depths and her arms crossed on top of his. He rested his head on hers. He smiled. They fit together perfectly. She was molded just for him and he for her. He rubbed a hand up her arms to warm her.
" I wish," she began unsteadily.
" You can tell me."
" I wish things can always be like this."
" Why can't they?"
Serena turned around in his arms and just looked up at him with those orbs so full of starlight. She had such a sad look on her face. Her skin was pale in the moonlight and her eyes reflected none of the hope he usually saw there.
Serena rested her head against his chest," Because nothing is ever the same."
Darien wrapped an arm around her waist and one wound itself in her hair.
Serena stiffened, her body shook from the memory of being held that way.
Darien quickly let her go," I'm sorry. I shouldn't. I can't."
Serena turned his head to look at her. She gazed into his sapphire eyes and gave him a smile. There was hope there. He smiled back.
" I know you can't. I know this isn't right. But it doesn't matter. All we have is right now."
Darien grabbed her smaller hands into his own. He brushed the bangs from her face and bent down. Serena closed her eyes in anticipation. Her mind screamed at her. This wasn't what she wanted to do. She didn't want this to happen. They had to understand. There was so much left to do.
I have armies on my side and all you have is one unfaithful prince and silly little schoolgirls. I dare you to defy me.
" Darien!" Lita screamed.
Darien's eyes shot open. He looked back towards the bonfire and saw it in the air.
" Emerald. Rubeus," Darien growled.
Serena gasped.
When the fire rises tonight, we shall have our battle.
" Serena! Listen to me. Stay here," Darien said as he turned around.
When Darien turned around, he wasn't met with the gentle Serena, but with the harsh Sailor Imperial Moon. Her bright shining light of the aura of her power multiplied by the ocean waves.
" Darien," she responded abruptly," Stay out of my way. Diamond is coming. You will all just get in my way."
" Wait!"
Imperial Moon leapt up high in the air, bounding quickly over to the bonfire.
Darien looked on in awe.
She didn't even transform! She just became Imperial Moon. Is this the hidden power of the Princess?
Emerald growled," Where is she?"
" Diamond already told her. She'll be here," Rubeus answered.
" You two better have a good reason for ruining a nice moment here," Imperial Moon spoke roughly with her arms crossed.
" We were sent here to prepare you. A battle is to take place this night."
" Diamond may not want to hurt you, but I have no problems with it!" Emerald screeched.
" Then you'll have to get through us first!"
" Nice cheer squad," Rubeus laughed.
" This was a perfect night for memories," Venus began.
" That you ruined," Mercury added.
" So prepare yourselves," Jupiter said.
" For the fight of your lives!" Mars finished.
" Emerald. Handle those Scouts," Rubeus ordered.
" You must be joking! I want Moon!"
" You can't handle her. You know Diamond's orders. I will not have him disobeyed because of your petty problems."
Emerald frowned," Then they will just have to suffer more."
" Screw Diamond! Moonlight Faint!"
Imperial Moon drew her hands to her side and collected moonlight into her hands. She formed a ball and swiftly threw it at Emerald. Rubeus jumped in front of it and swatted it away with a flex of his own powers. Emerald grew angry and channeled her dark green energy into her hands.
" The Scouts! Now! You have your orders!" Rubeus barked.
Rubeus floated down to the ground," We have unfinished business Sailor Celestial Moon."
" Where is he?"
" Awaiting you."
" Tell him he can have his answer now! Moonlight Faint!"
" Emerald Dark Star Burst!"
" Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"
" Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"
Mercury stood on the sidelines and observed Emerald's moves for a weak point. Venus awaited next to her, poised to use her Crescent Beam on Mercury's command. Mars and Jupiter fought with her hand to hand to weaken her and to distract her so the others could move in. Emerald was in a furious rage and blasted them one after another. Jupiter was struck hard in the chest and Mars was thrown by her winds.
" Mercury!" Venus screamed.
" You can't yet. I don't see her weak point."
" If we don't do something soon they will die!" Venus cried.
Mercury hesitated.
" Mercury!"
" Mercury Shine Aqua Illusion!"
Emerald was blasted by the ice attack and her upper torso was frozen over. Emerald growled and quickly broke through the ice. She drew her arms up and produced her twin fans.
" Venus Love Chain Encircle!"
Venus wrapped her chain around Emerald's arms. Emerald laughed her trademark laugh and quickly snapped the chain to pieces.
" This is much more fun than I thought. Blood will pour tonight. In honor of him!"
" Moon Mirage Vanish!"
Imperial Moon fought hand to hand against Rubeus. Both fighters were moving swiftly and without mistake. Rubeus may have seemed weak, but he was more than enough of a challenge to Imperial Moon. He had something Moon didn't. Composure. She was sloppy because of her anger. Rubeus planned to exploit this to his best.
Rubeus brought a swift kick to Imperial Moon, but it went right through her. Rubeus looked on surprised when he realized it was just her form before she disappeared again due to her immense speed. Moon jumped up high and brought a swift double kick to Rubeus, sending him flying.
" I underestimate you once more," Rubeus wiped blood from his mouth as he stood from the sand.
" You have no idea how much power I have."
" True. Perhaps. But I know someone who does. So quite frankly, it doesn't matter."
Rubeus charged Imperial Moon and she was forced to be on the defensive. She blocked punch after punch and kick after kick. Rubeus shoved her before delivering a swift kick that sent her pounding into the ground.
" You're holding back."
" You know I can't hurt you."
" But I can! Moonlight Faint!"
" Ruby Light Storm!"
" Emerald Violent Winds!"
Mars was thrown back into the water and slow to stand up again.
" Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"
" Venus Love Chain Encircle!"
Emerald blew them off with ease. Emerald was furious. How dare she steal her prince away? What was so prefect about her? Emerald dug down deep in her rage and used it to lash out at those she held dear.
" My gift to our darling Queen! Emerald Dark Star Fusion!"
Four balls of green black energy shot out towards each of the Scouts. One by one, the energy wrapped around them and drug them high into the air. Emerald snapped her fan and pulses of dark infused electricity shocked the Scouts mercilessly. Their screams of torment filled the air and flooded Imperial Moon's ears.
" No! I will not have you hurt them!"
" Then get through me first!" Rubeus roared.
" Seal of the White Moon!"
Imperial drew a circle, much like when using her first scepter as Sailor Moon, and held her palm out. The insignia on her forehead glowed brilliantly and an intense beam of white energy flew rapidly as Rubeus. Rubeus had barely enough time to protect himself as he was hit directly by the white-hot power of the ancient White Moon. He was badly burned and he slumped to his knees.
Emerald continued to laugh, as her smile became more and more sinister. She delighted in the howls of pain she caused.
" Seal of the White Moon!"
Emerald was hit right dead in the back by the powerful attack. She dropped her fans, which caused her own attack to stop.
" Moon Mirage Vanish!"
Imperial Moon leapt up to catch her friends one by one before they fell to the ground. She laid them all down on the sand and stood up, clasping her hands together.
Please. Silver Crystal. Heal my guardians so they may once more fight by my side.
A soft glow erupted from Imperial Moon's locket and traveled to each of the Scouts. Soon, they were each healed and they stood up in time to see the light return to Moon's locket. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath.
Venus rushed to Moon's aid," You used the Silver Crystal didn't you?"
" Then you must be tired," Jupiter stated.
Moon rudely brushed Venus away," I am not weak or tired. I wouldn't have had to use the crystal if you all weren't so pathetic."
" Moon. What's happened to you? We are your friends," Mars spoke loudly.
" Friends. Who said anything about that," a deep voice called out into the night.
" He has come. Our Prince," Emerald said from laying down on her back in the sand.
" I am vastly disappointed. Rubeus and Emerald, you were both dealt very quickly with by one girl."
Diamond appeared in a flurry of rose petals. He floated in the air before touching down in the sand. He raised his hand and used his power to bring Rubeus to lay next to Emerald.
" You both have dishonored my name. I will deal with your weakness later."
Emerald and Rubeus disappeared in a flash of black light.
Diamond turned around and eyed Imperial Moon carefully. She was beautiful in her Scout form. He was reminded of the vision of her in her gown and wings. He could hardly contain himself.
" Who are you?" Mars yelled.
" I am who you have been desperately seeking."
" Prince Diamond of the Black Moon Family," Moon said with no emotion.
" You knew all along?" Venus accused.
" That's why you danced with him," Jupiter concluded.
Imperial Moon shot them a heated glance," Do you honestly think I'd concern myself with the likes of him?"
" Stop this! We aren't each other's enemy! We have to stop Diamond!" Mercury cried.
" No problems with that. Ready Jupiter?"
" You got it Mars!"
" Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"
" Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"
This is wrong.
" Useless."
Diamond produced a glass mirror. The mirror absorbed the attacks. Jupiter and Mars looked on horrified. With a snap of his fingers, the mirror sent back the attacks, over twice as strong as before. The two scouts were thrown back several feet and knocked out from the brunt of the attacks.
" Mercury! We can't give up!"
" Mercury Shine Aqua Illusion!"
Glowing black, Diamond disappeared and reappeared above the bonfire that was still burning brightly. Using his powers, he drew up a shield of fire that protected him against the attack. He then broke the fire apart and drew a circle of flame around Mercury and one around Venus and Moon. The circle around them drew up into a dome as they heard Mercury scream. The fire died down into a circle once more and they caught sight of Mercury passed out in the sand.
" This is amusing," Diamond spoke.
Venus jumped as he appeared right behind her.
" What did you do to her!"
" Nothing I won't do to you."
" Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
Imperial Moon jumped up out of the circle and disappeared. Diamond held his hand out and caught the beam of light. He held it before he destroyed it in his hands. Venus trembled at the sheer ferocity of his power.
" Venus Love Chain-!"
Diamond quickly dashed at her and hit her on her neck, making her pass out, before she even finished her attack phrase.
" That was a little excessive."
Diamond smiled as he turned around. Imperial Moon stood in the circle once more with her arms crossed.
" Whatever do you mean my love?"
" You wanted to show them you were strong. I think you went a little overboard. After all, you only wanted a fight with me."
Diamond ran a hand through his hair," Yes, but I do hate intruders in personal battles. It is awfully annoying."
" So why don't we get this started!"
" As you wish my love."
" Moonlight Faint!"
" Shadow Lance!"
Imperial Moon sent out her ball of energy at Diamond. He collected in his hands a ball of black energy that sent out whips that destroyed the ball. Moon used that moment to get behind him and she kicked him, but was met with air. Diamond dodged with ease and the two struck at each other again and again.
Diamond floated in the air and used his powers to throw the large logs at Moon. Moon used her powers of Moon Mirage Vanish to quickly avoid any damage. Moon used the logs as a way to get higher and higher into the air, since she lacked Diamond's ability to fly. Once in the air, she formed the moonlight in her hands into a bow and fired an arrow at Diamond.
Diamond caught the arrow and melted it in his hand with his dark power. Diamond conjured himself a dark bow and fired an arrow of his own. His arrow met Moon's new arrow and the explosion caused both fighters to leap back to safety. Moon fired a barrage of arrows into the air and then took off after Diamond.
Diamond was forced to produce a shield against so many arrows and once her ruse was played, Moon used his vulnerable moment to attack him.
" Seal of the White Moon!"
Diamond was blasted back by her powers into the ring of fire, but he wasn't nearly as hurt as she thought. Diamond produced a long sword with a dragon ornamented as the hilt and fitted with jewels. The sword glowed with immense power and Diamond quickly swung. There at his chest, directly over his heart, was Imperial Moon's scepter and at her throat was Diamond's sword.
" We are evenly matched," Diamond said stoically.
" I could destroy you," Moon snapped.
" Yet that would lead to your own demise."
Moon pushed her scepter closer," I know you would never kill me."
Diamond lowered his sword," Exploiting your opponents weakness. Excellent. We do think alike."
Moon kept her scepter raised," Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just dust you now."
" Because if you kill me. He dies."
Moon glanced back to the large fire. Darien was unconscious and bound being held up by a youma directly over the fire.
" You see. I know your weakness is him. So kill me and he dies as well."
" What is the point of all of this?"
Diamond swatted her weapon away and grabbed her close to him," To make you understand."
Moon was pressed tightly against him.
" All the things you love and cherish. What have they done for you? The friendship you fight for does not exist. They are weak and they betrayed you. They left you alone to die by a lake. Your faithful Prince abandoned you. He allowed you to die and denounced his love for you.'
" No," Moon muttered.
" The beliefs you fight for. Truth. Love. Justice. Where have they been in your life? They betrayed your trust and lied to you. They lead you to believe they were your friends when all along they used you for who you are, a princess. This unworthy Prince claims his love is eternal, but turns his back once he finds something more suitable. Where is your justice? You died over and over for a world that cares not for you."
" That's not true. They are my friends. He does love me."
" Then why did you die? For them? For him? You have bled for them and they scorn you. "
Diamond tilted her head up," Join me and we can make the world our own. There never needs to be bloodshed. They can pay for their wrongs against you. I will love you like he never can. I will never let you down and I will never let you cry. The world owes you for its existence. Show them all your true power! Join me! We can live again!"
" No!" Imperial Moon screamed.
The insignia on her forehead blazed to life. The sheer force behind it made the flames jump higher in the circle and forced Diamond to shield his eyes. The broach on her chest flare to life as it glowed as bright as her birthright. The scouts were all lifted from the ground and teleported away to safety. The youma holding Darien turned to dust as the pure light destroyed it.
Imperial Moon sprouted long wings and flew to Darien, appearing as nothing more than a blur of light, and caught him. She fluttered back to the ground and laid him down. The wings burst into an array of feathers and the light died away. Imperial Moon cried as she held onto his hand.
" Still. You choose this. Someone who can never make you truly happy."
" A world of a prison is no better than a gilded cage."
Diamond stepped back.
" I cannot allow you to destroy the peace my mother worked so hard to keep in the past. If my happiness is the cost to make her future better, than so be it. I will fight Fate for her. I will make a world where she can grow up in. Whether I'm in it or not."
Imperial Moon looked up at Diamond with tears in her eyes, making her look even more determined than ever before.
" Mark my words. I will not leave without you. You will taste what I can give you before this is through. If one of us needs to die for my cause, then so be it. I look forward to our next battle Princess."
" I wait with unbridled anticipation until we can dance once more."