Here is the last one in order. Again I apologize. I am so sincerely sorry.

Note: The chapters were out of order because one was missing. The missing chapter is the new chapter 16.

I don't own Sailor Moon.

Collides With Beauty

By: Rini

Chapter 17: Royal Welcome

" They're just outside the gates sire."

" How many?"

" Eight."

" Is she with them?"

" No."

A man lifted his arms up and set his head in his hands as he sighed. He got up from off the chair he sat in and walked out the door, two figures following right behind him. His cape swished side to side but failed to disturb anything. His dark eyes seemed faded, as did the rest of his appearance.

" I pray they can help us, otherwise we're lost."

" Look! It's the gate!"

Venus cheered as the others around her groaned. Their walk was long, to say the least. Everyone was exhausted. Luna and Artemis stayed perched on Mercury and Tuxedo Mask's shoulders being simply too tired to walk it all on their own. The palace miraculously remained in one piece. The beautiful archways were unscathed as were the tall spires that made the palace up. Everything was made out of pure crystal that glowed beneath the dull rays of the moon.

" How is this place still in one piece?"

Mercury pondered the thought out loud as she raised a hand to her chin. It made no sense that a city would lie in ruin, yet the most important structure was fully undamaged. What purpose would destroying a city but leaving the palace whole prove? Did the Black Moon's plan fail? Was something protecting the place? Was anyone still alive inside?

" Maybe we shouldn't go inside," Tuxedo Mask voiced.

" I did not just walk over a mile for nothing," Mars fumed.

Imperial Moon was in awe.

" It looks almost like the old Moon Kingdom. I don't understand. Why isn't anyone inside? Where are the Scouts? Where are the King and Queen?"

" A trap," Imperial whispered.

" Not quite."

Everyone turned to see the outline of a man hiding in the shadows. His features were clouded, but his dark blue eyes were clearly visible.

" Who are you?"

" Why are you in this Time?"

Imperial Moon stepped forward," Where are all the people?"

" They fled. Most were attacked. They managed to protect them long enough for them to flee."

" Them who?" Jupiter asked.

" Where are the Scouts now?" Imperial Moon took a step closer to the shadowy man.

" They are indisposed at the moment."

Tuxedo Mask eyed the man. Something seemed oddly familiar about him. His voice seemed like it was trapped in a memory. Just the sound of it sparked odd feelings of knowing who he was but unable to grasp the image. Tuxedo Mask wracked his mind. He looked over to Imperial Moon and suddenly he remembered.

" You're the one from my dream. You're the one who told me Serena would die if I stayed with her."

Tuxedo Mask produced two roses in his hand and charged after the man. He threw the roses at him and took out his staff and hit him. He pulled his staff back and took a few steps back, his eyes wide.

" It went through him?"

" Yes Darien. It did."

" Show yourself," Imperial Moon commanded.

" As you wish."

The man stepped forward into the light. He was dressed in a soft lavender suit with a darker lavender cape flowing behind him. A beautiful crystal cross rested at his throat and held the black bow around his collar. His dark sapphire eyes could be seen behind the white mask he wore. Dark black hair sat atop his head and curled slightly at the ends. His image was translucent, flickering ever so slightly every now and then. His appearance was as unmistakable as his past self in front of him.

" Is that?" Mars gasped.

" My name is Neo King Endymion. I must apologize. I have seen better days."

" What happened?"

" It's not safe out here. You must come inside."

King Endymion turned and walked towards the palace doors. Two figures came out of the shadows and revealed to be two cats, one black and one white.

" Hurry now," the future Luna said.

" There's much to learn," the future Artemis added.

Mars snickered," Even in the future, Luna is ordering us around."

" Doesn't say much for your future version," Imperial Moon brushed past her.

This caused everyone to laugh as they walked forward. The palace was just as magnificent inside as it was out. Beautiful gold and silver accented everything with its touches as precious stones, predominantly diamonds, encrusted things to add a sense of majesty. The rooms were filled with expensive furniture, which blended old world glory and modern appeal beautifully, and wonderful works of art. Many of them displayed royalty or earthy scenes, but all of them were remarkable and breathtaking.

" It's absolutely gorgeous in here," Jupiter sighed.

" It is. It just seems much duller now that no life is here to fill it."

" So where are we going?"

" The command center."

They stopped before a large metal door. Arranged in a circle were the planets in the solar system. Endymion reached out and touched the carving of the earth and the door slide up. Inside was a large computer and monitor that took up a good portion of the wall. A crystal table was in the center with chairs situated around it, ten in total. The room was huge, easily the size of the entire first floor in any person's house.

Endymion motioned for everyone to sit down," This is the computer that can connect with any computer on earth. It was built by Sailor Mercury and it controls much of the defenses for the kingdom. Luna and Artemis operate it most of the time when everyone is gone. The data banks are connected to the old Moon Kingdom computer."

Luna jumped up to sit at the computer seat," This is connected to the old computer? Amazing."

" Mercury developed most of the plans for it. I don't know how to use it very well. There was never a need for me to learn."

" So you're Darien's future version right? Where are our future selves?" Mercury asked.

Endymion bowed his head," I'm afraid it isn't good. "

" Allow me to explain," future Luna jumped on top of the table and pressed a button. An image of the attacks the Black Moon started appeared as a hologram before them.

" The Black Moon Family appeared out of no where one day. They started taking the energy of the people and leaving them behind. They destroyed everything they came across. Emerald and Rubeus were leading the charge and had plenty of youmas at their disposal. They were heading for the palace."

Future Artemis continued," There really wasn't much time. The Scouts left the palace without knowing what they were rushing into. They fought Emerald and Rubeus head on, but they were pushed back. They were overpowered. The Queen went to use the Silver Crystal, but she was unable to do so. Just before they ran out of time, the Scouts formed a barrier around the palace to protect the King and Queen, but it was too late. They had little energy left."

" So where are they?"

" They had to stop," Endymion answered," I tried to buy them some time to make it in the palace. They headed for the Prayer Tower where they summoned their crystals to make a last stand. They erected a barrier, but it's fading fast. It stood up to the attack, but it won't hold out much longer. That's not even the worst news."

" Then what?"

" Come with me."

Endymion left the room and took them to the one next door. In the center of the room was a crystal coffin. Inside was a beautiful woman. Her hair was deep gold and in two long streamers. Her face was perfection and light traces of lipstick and blush highlighted her face. Her dress was long and made of spun white silk that clung to her divine curves. Wings were on her back and a crown rested on her head. She was stunning in every facet of the word.

Imperial Moon walked over and traced her fingers along the face of the woman. She sunk to her knees and let her forehead lay against the cold crystal.

" Here she is. Neo Queen Serenity. My wife," Neo King Endymion said.

" What's wrong with her?" Imperial whimpered.

" When the attacks began, the Scouts rushed out to fight, but she ran inside to find her crystal. She went to her room, but the Silver Crystal was nowhere to be found. She feared for the lives of her friends and went outside to help them. She was unable to do anything and that's when the Scouts created the barrier. I fought Emerald and Rubeus while the Scouts got the Queen to safety. They went to the Tower and created the barrier to protect us. Sadly, something went horribly wrong.

I was badly wounded by Emerald and I knew I couldn't hold out for much longer. I rushed her to this room and I was about to leave to find our daughter. Just as I was going to leave, she screamed out. She fell to her knees and I tried to help her. I lifted her up on the pedestal and that's when she looked at me and said ' The past is in danger.' She passed out and that's when the crystal encased her."

" How could the crystal be gone?" Venus asked, mortified.

" No one got inside the palace during the battle," future Luna answered.

" However," Artemis added," in the chaos it was possible someone could have mistakenly taken it. We've searched the entire palace. It's not here. The computer can't even pick up its signal."

" It's signal?"

Mercury nodded," It's the same as with my palm computer. I can use it to find where everyone is. There's a unique power we give off that allows me to track us. I'd assume they have the same technology here."

" That's right. We've been using it to figure out how much power is left in the Scouts. By our calculations, they have enough power for three more days."

Tuxedo Mask looked to his future self," So why are you just a hologram?"

" When I fought, my body lost a lot of its power. My injuries were pretty severe and I needed to be able to rejuvenate myself but still help those here. My body is lying in a different room below the palace recuperating, but I was able to create a digital image of myself in order to aid those still here after the battles. Think of this as my spirit."

" So this is all that's left," Jupiter said dejectedly.

" I am afraid so."

" You mentioned a daughter before didn't you?" Venus asked.

Endymion nodded," My wife and I have one child together, our daughter. She was inside the palace when the attack occurred and my wife later protected her. After we had learned of the missing crystal, the only other crystal we knew of still in existence was in the past. Since I was in no shape to be able to leave the palace nor was Luna or Artemis, she opted to travel to the past to retrieve help from Sailor Moon and her Sailor Scouts."

" You let your own daughter leave alone to a new Time?" Venus asked incredulously.

Endymion hung his head," We had little choice. I said the idea was too dangerous, but she was insistent on doing something to help. She stole one of my wife's Time Keys from Pluto and left. Pluto was very close to her and let her pass through the Gates."

" What we hadn't planned on was the Black Moon possessing the same power and following after her. We don't know if something happened to Pluto," Artemis answered.

Mars's eyes lit up," Wait. If she came to the past that means. No way. That's crazy! Rini is Darien's and Serena's future daughter!"

" Didn't it seem obvious?" Imperial replied from the floor.

" You knew?" Mars yelled.

Imperial Moon stood up," Well I am her mother aren't I?"

Mercury spun around," That means you knew too?"

Tuxedo Mask nodded his head.

" Why didn't either of you say anything?" Mars shrieked.

Endymion cleared his throat," You all must be very tired. Rooms are upstairs to use as you will. I'm sure you can use your future selves rooms."

Tuxedo Mask raised an eyebrow.

" You don't need to worry Darien. I'm hardly in any position. There are many rooms upstairs to pick and choose. The kitchen is not far from here if you want something to eat. There's plenty of food and Luna and Artemis can help you with anything you wish. I bid you all good night."

" Oh I am not going to sleep after this!"

" Please Mars. It's late and we have a lot to do. We should just let this go for now."

" No way Mercury. We deserved to know all of this. I bet they knew about being king and queen too!"

" So what's it to you?" Imperial challenged.

" See!"

Mars walked over to Imperial and stared her deep in her eyes," We deserve to clear the air. We can't fight if you're always hiding all these secrets. We deserve to know the truth."

" Then I suggest you all go upstairs to one of the bedrooms," future Luna stated," You never know who might be outside."

" No. I want to go outside."

" But I insist. It's not safe."

" Let her go Luna. Let the child have her way."

Luna bowed," As you wish your Highness."

Future Luna, followed closely by the past Luna and Artemis, led the way to the extensive garden grounds. The group finally chose a stretch of land that was relatively open. There was a large marble fountain of a Pegasus with large outstretched wings spraying a soft mist of water effectively cooling the night. A stone pathway led from the garden gates, wove around the fountain, and split off into other paths deeper into the garden grounds. Everyone sat around the fountain and Luna excused herself to rejoin her King.

" If you need anything your Highness, we are here to serve."

" Thank you Luna."

" Of course Princess," future Luna bowed again and departed the group.

" She sure is overly polite," Venus commented.

" She's talking to royalty. That's how you talk to someone of royal blood. It's called respect, right Raye?"

Mars crossed her arms," Why did you hide all of this from us?"

" Why should I have told you? As I recall you didn't seem to think too highly of me as a Scout or person. I think I quit that night."

" What the hell have you been doing?" Mars irate voice shouted.

Sailor Moon drew up clouded, unfocused cerulean eyes to meet the fiery violet ones.

" Do you even realize how long we've been fighting? Do you have any idea how close we came to getting beat? Jupiter probably dislocated her shoulder. Mercury lost pretty much every ounce of energy in her to Rubeus. Venus was shocked repeatedly and I'm lucky I missed getting fried!"

" Mars stop," Luna commanded.

" Luna," Moon whispered.

" No she has to hear this Luna. She's irresponsible and irrational. She's done nothing but space out and cry because of Darien, who didn't show up probably because he didn't want to have you cry again. She's always late and it could have cost all of our lives. She can't keep doing this to us!"

Sailor Moon struggled to her feet and looked everyone of the girl's into their eyes. Mars's violet eyes scorned and condemned her. Venus's sky blue eyes glowed with sympathy but burned with the desire to make her see the truth. Mercury's icy blue froze over, while Jupiter's forest green burned.

" You won't need to worry about me much longer."

Sailor Moon started her slow painful journey off. She had barely the strength to lift her arms around her ribs, hoping it would help them from breaking more. Luna stared at Moon and turned to the other Scouts.

" You will never know what you have done until it is far too late," Luna cursed.

" So you knew before that?"

" Mars. Raye, let Serena speak," Mercury politely interjected.

Imperial Moon sat on the rim of the fountain," I knew not long after she arrived. If her hairstyle and her name wasn't a dead give away, it was the way she acted. It was just how she said things, things that I would always say. Not to mention she had the symbol of the Moon on her forehead. I thought even you would pick up on it."

" Did she tell you about the future and needing the Silver Crystal?" Mercury asked.

" I asked her about it once before. After she found out I was Sailor Moon and I told her I knew she was my daughter from the future, she admitted to me about the Black Moon and how her mother needed the Silver Crystal. She didn't tell me about Darien or being a Queen, but I figured she had to be Darien's because she had so many of his qualities and I knew I'd never marry anyone else, which was ironic because he broke up with me right after I realized about Rini."

" And you?" Jupiter questioned Tuxedo Mask, " How long have you known?"

" I knew a little after I broke up with Serena. When I would spend all that time with Rini I knew she had to be Serena's daughter and mine. I asked her one day and she admitted to me that she was. She said she was allowed to tell me because it was already to late to fix the past."

" Fix the past?" Venus mumbled.

Imperial sighed," She meant Pluto. A person isn't allowed to know their future. Since Pluto was Rini's closest friend, Pluto warned her about interfering with the past. Rini swore she wouldn't tell anyone about what the future holds. Darien and I weren't supposed to know about getting married, it might have altered the future."

" But since you already knew it was too late?"

" Correct Venus."

" What I want to know is why didn't you just tell us the truth?" Mars fumed.

" Didn't you just listen to what I said? I told you it's forbidden for people to know the future. It could have altered the Time Stream."

" So you'd rather know it all for yourself. How selfish!"

" Stop being such a child!"

" Oh you'd know about that now wouldn't you!"

" Enough!" Imperial roared.

Imperial Moon's symbol flared to life on her forehead and she pounded her fist into the cold stone of the fountain," Don't you ever speak to me like that! Don't you think I wanted to tell you all a thousand times the truth? Why should I have told any of you anything when this is how you treat me?

None of you respected me as a person enough to ever listen to me. I tried over and over to speak to you about Darien and all you did was yell at me and tell me to just get over it. None of you offered a sympathetic shoulder to cry on and just expected me to just get up and keep going. None of you wanted to help me or support me when all I wanted to do every day was give up.

I had to go through all of your nonsense for days. I never got a kind word from any of you. All I got was my faults thrown in my face. You think I don't try? You think I enjoy failing tests? You think I enjoyed being a horrible leader? You think I liked having no respect from my guardians?

I fought so hard that last day. I fought Emerald all on my own, not because I wanted to, but because I wanted to prove all of you wrong. None of you thought I could take care of myself. I fought her all on my own and nearly died. Then I run a mile to save all of you from Rubeus and used every last ounce of power left in my body. I used my own life energy to save you. Did I at least get a thank you? Did anyone even try to help me? No.

The greatest day of my life was the day I died and stopped being Serena. I got my wish. I wished I'd be strong enough to never have to rely on any of you again. I'd never have to turn to the disrespectful guardians and a neglectful prince. I died believing I was worthless to everyone. I died thinking the world was better off without me."

Imperial Moon still had her fist in the cracked stone of the fountain. Her hair fell in her face and shielded her from having everyone see the pain clearly visible in her eyes. A lone tear formed in the corner of her eye and fell as a clear drop into the water. Her arms shook and her chest heaved up and down. She finally stopped, defeated once again, and let her arm fall limp, done with her impassioned speech.

" I couldn't remember what love and justice meant anymore. They were words beyond my understanding. Dying without hope is something I wish on no one. The only ones who stood by me were Luna, Artemis, and Rini. I failed them that night. I stopped caring and gave up. I couldn't remember what I was doing anymore.

I died and she came back and gave me a gift. My mother still couldn't bear seeing me die. She had such unwavering faith in me that she never gave up. Even beyond death and space, she never gave up on me. She came back and gave me what I wanted. She gave me a reason again. She gave me the most precious gift of all. Hope."

Imperial Moon lifted her head," I'm not fighting to prove to all of you that I can do it anymore. I'm fighting for the right reasons. I'm fighting for all the people who depend on me. I'm fighting for the people who have never given up on me. I'm fighting for the only person who has stood by my side through thick and thin. I'm fighting for a little girl who still thinks I'm a hero and I always will be.

I'm not going to let Diamond hurt her because of me. I'm not going to let Fate and Destiny do to her what they did to me. I'm going to create a world that she can live in peace. I'm going to fight for her. As far as I care, you can either fight or stay out of my way. Either way, I'm doing this for the right reasons this time and I'm not going to depend on any of you ever again."

Imperial Moon brushed past all of them and left them in stunned silence. She stopped shoulder to shoulder next to Mars.

" I never thought I'd live to see the day when I'd be all alone again."

She walked away from all of them, following a random path deeper into the labyrinth of flowers and vines. She walked with silent grace and with her head held high. Mars couldn't even open her mouth to say anything. The others around her were just as silent. What could they say after that? What right did they have even knowing her anymore? Once again they were left with nothing.

" It was so hard," Luna finally admitted," To see the one you love die before you."

" What happened that night?" Jupiter's shaky voice asked.

Luna tilted her head," She had left just as you all berated her last attempts at heroism. She had severe energy deprivation after using her Moon Scepter so many times in battle. The last of her energy, and I do mean very last, went into one last effort to save your lives. Just before she did so, I knew deep down this would be her last stand, her last chance to prove to all of you who she was.

She fought valiantly and finally, the strain was just too much. She had nowhere else to go and, like everything else, she decided her last place on earth should be her beloved park. She nearly crawled her way back. Her body was broken, as was her spirit, but she refused to give up. With broken ribs and everything, she walked all the way to the park before collapsing by the lake.

She lied there gazing up at the Moon and I knew she was thinking about all the old times we had spent there. She was so brave. Even her last words to me weren't about herself; they were of you and me. She was saying thank you for everything I had done for her, but I did those things because I love her. I asked her why she did it and she said she made a promise and there was no other way. She did everything that night even though she knew she wouldn't survive. She was just so brave."

Luna took a deep breath, the painful memories returning," She died that night. She just couldn't keep fighting herself any longer. She was so unhappy for such a long time, though she'd never admit it to anyone. She was always so sad once she came home. She'd stay up and cry all night long most days. She was always so torn. She wanted to be that person everyone admired, but she knew she could never be that person again. The strain of living to be someone you're not, and failing, was simply too much of a burden to bear.

She told me earlier that day about a dream she had about the moon being reborn. She said she saw rainbow butterflies and feathers and silver light."

" The moon grows stronger. The butterflies disappear and the feathers fade away. All that's left is this powerful feeling. There's no fear. No hesitation. No worry. It's almost like the moon is reborn. Stronger, brighter, and more dangerous than ever before. And I see her smile."

" I cried because I thought I'd never see her again and here she was, alone and without anyone to care. She deserved better than that. That's when Queen Serenity came back. She said she was always proud of Serena and she wanted to give her what she always wished for. Serena always deep down wanted to be the Princess she knew she was, but she didn't want to sacrifice the person she is to become that. The Queen gave her the gift of being both Serena and Serenity. She was born again, with all the splendor she deserved.

She became Imperial Sailor Celestial Moon for the first time that night. That's when she made her own promise. She vowed to not let any of you die the way she did. She still wanted to protect you."

Luna's jaw dropped low as she saw her eyelids flutter open. Her eyes were bright and vibrant like before, only the color was different. She looked alive again, as though her spirit and energy was the same way it used to be whenever she smiled. Luna couldn't help but let her tears of joy fall more steadily.

Serena sat up and raised a hand to her head," Luna?"

" I'm here Serena. I never left."

Serena stood up and looked down at her hands," I feel different."

" Your uniform has changed. Your mother brought you back."

Serena clenched her hands into fists," She always believed in me. This is my second chance to make things right. I don't have to choose any more. I can finally be me, the person I've always wanted to be."

" Serena."

Serena picked Luna up," I'm not just Serena. I'm Serenity too. I'm both people living as one person now. I feel stronger now. I don't have to be afraid."

" It's just like your dream. Down to the last butterfly and feather. You are reborn. You're not just the same old Serena anymore."

Serena looked up at the full moon," I've made a choice."

Luna looked up at her charge, confused.

" No one should have to suffer. I'm going to protect them. I know Darien thinks he's saving me and I know the Scout's think pushing me is going to make me stronger, but I'm tired of them risking themselves for me. No one should have to live this life. I'm going to stop them. I'm going to make sure they get the normal lives they always wanted. It's my turn to protect my guardians."

" I'll stand by you all the way Serena. I'll always stand by you."

" You all don't understand. She doesn't want any of you involved. She doesn't want you to have to fight anymore. She wants you to be happy. She wants you to lead the teenage life you've always wanted. She's doing this for all of you. She may come off as old and cruel, but she's only doing it because she thinks it'll make you stop."

" But we have a right to choose as well," Mars spoke up.

" We chose to be her guardians," Venus said.

" We chose to stand by her side and to keep fighting. Together," Mercury added.

" And we're going to keep fighting for her as long as we have breath in our bodies," Jupiter finished.

Luna smiled," I'm proud of all of you. You've done well as Scouts. The greatest lesson you have to learn is to act as a team. You need to be there for each other and support each other. When one falls, you stand together and pick them up as one."

Each of the girls nodded.

" We'll bring back Rini and stop the Black Moon from hurting innocent people."

" When it's all over, we'll go back to being a family and being there for one another."

" We live as one. We fight as one."

Artemis smiled," That's the Sailor way."

Imperial Moon sighed. It's been so long since she could just relax and be left alone. She promised to fight against the world, but the world is a heavy burden to carry on your back alone.

" But you chose this path Serena. You've got to suck it up. It isn't over yet."

" You don't have to do it alone."

Imperial Moon turned around swiftly. Tuxedo Mask stood there. He listened to Luna's sad tale and knew he couldn't bear to hear another word. He should have been there for her. He should have run to protect her. She shouldn't have had to die like that, thinking no one cared about her. It was simply too much to think about.

He left his hat on the rim of the fountain, along with his mask. His hair looked messy as he ran his hand through it too many times to count. The water in the pond beyond Imperial Moon cast odd reflections against the black suit he wore and made the silver metal cross look blue. The water was a pale glowing blue color and the light it reflected was also a weird shade of bluish violet. As small waves lapped at the edge of the pond, it cast an odd silhouette of Imperial Moon as well, making the white seem to fade to pale baby blue.

" What are you doing here? I don't want you here."

" That's a lie."

" Don't any of you ever listen," Imperial replied woefully.

" I'm so sorry. I never knew."

" Knew what?"

Darien took a step closer," How it was when you died."

Her eyes shot open.

" I shouldn't have let you go alone. I didn't want to go because I knew I'd look at you and beg for your forgiveness."

" Why are you saying this?"

Darien took another step closer, breaching the gap further," You saw the end coming and you weren't even afraid. You knew what was going to happen, but you didn't stop once. You didn't even flinch. You accepted it as something you needed to do. I should have stopped you. I should have been there at the very least."

" And do what? See how weak I really am?" She started to cry.

Darien reached out and held onto her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and buried her head into his shoulder.

" You are never weak. You look at life and value everything it has to offer. You'd rather die then see us hurt. You're willing to give up your own happiness to see us live normal lives. You're the most courageous of us all."

" No matter what I do, no matter how many times I save people, no matter how many times I sacrifice myself, it's never enough."

" I dreamt I would lose you. I dreamt you dying as we were going to be married. I couldn't let that happen to you. I wanted to save you, but I failed. Then I had dreams of you becoming something else. You were dark and sinister. You destroyed everything you touched, and I failed to save you then as well. I had the chance to save you from Diamond, but I couldn't do it. All I keep doing is failing you."

" Darien."

" And you'll keep failing her," a dark voice called out.

" King Endymion!"

Endymion turned around at Luna's cry. He was in the Prayer Tower checking on the Scouts. The lights they gave off were strong, but the suddenly became drastically weak and dull. He looked closer and saw each girl had tears clinging to their eyelashes. The crystals they held in their hands had small cracks going through them.

" Something has happened to the Scouts of the past. The bonds that tie them together are shattering," Artemis answered.

" How can this be? We should have memories if something is happening to them."

" It's like the Queen said. The past is in danger. We had no knowledge of Serenity's new powers. Something is rewriting history."

" Pluto would have done something if the Time Stream was in severe danger."

" But she has no authority over Serenity. She can't manipulate her to make what she wants to occur happen. She can't interfere with Time. The Laws won't allow it."

" Then why don't we have memories of this?"

An alarm sounded.

" Sire! Mercury's computer picked up Diamond. He's in the garden!"

" How much of the barrier is left?"

" About a day. At best."

" Then this is going to be our last stand," Endymion declared.

" I'm so sorry I broke up such a romantic moment."

" Diamond."

" Aw my love," Diamond cooed," I love when you say my name."

" The girls," Tuxedo Mask whispered.

Imperial Moon took a step forward," I want Rini right now."

" She's safe back at my palace. No one has laid a finger on her."

" I want her right now."

" I can't do that Serenity."

" I said bring her back!" Imperial Moon growled.

" I was waiting for you to return. I knew once you all came back to the palace the barrier would weaken. You may be close in the future, but in the past you stand divided. It was only a matter of time before your toxic friendship infected the bond here as well. It seems I was correct."

" What are you talking about?"

" The barrier is barely left. You've done well. I don't have to wait three days to take over this last Crystal Point. I can take it over now."

Tuxedo Mask took out his staff," You won't take Serena and you won't do any more damage to this palace!"

" I'll trade you."

Tuxedo Mask stopped," Serena. What are you doing?"

Imperial Moon walked over to Diamond," You want me? I'll make you a deal. Give us back Rini and I'll go with you. No games."

" Serena!"

" How much fun is it without a fight?" Diamond pouted.

" Do we have a deal?"

" Deal."

Diamond took out his sword and slashed Tuxedo Mask with a blast of energy. He was thrown back and crashed into a tree. Imperial Moon shouted and quickly turned to go help him. Diamond hit her with the broad side of the sword and knocked her locket off her chest.

" Just in case you decided to put up a fight after all," Diamond jested.

He reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist and started to lift her up into the air. In a last ditch effort, Serena got her fingers around the locket and pulled it back to her chest, but the Silver Crystal fell out before she could stop it. Her outfit was a mass of blue ribbons around her body, but it was already too late. With her crystal gone and an empty locket in her hand, Diamond whisked her away.

" Darien!"

Jupiter and Mercury lifted Darien off the ground.

" He took her," Darien grunted out.

" The barrier is no more."

Everyone turned around to find Endymion flanked by the two cats walking over to them. He hung his head in disappointment.

" We still have hope."

Mars picked up the Silver Crystal and held it in the air, catching moonbeams and reflecting them like a prism.

" Then is it. The final battle."