Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.
Title: New Phase of the Moon
Serena x Darien
Rated: M
Romance/Drama/1st season 90s anime
Summary: Serena goes to a hot spring resort with her family, and comes across her lost prince unexpectedly. Is he there for her silver crystal or something else entirely?
Serena looked at her family as they all sat in the hot spring wrapped in towels to keep their modesty as her mother, father, and brother chatted with each other. They were on a family vacation to relax and spend time together. She had even tried to play with her brother, but her heart wasn't in it.
There was no stopping her melancholy over the loss of her prince. He was still alive, for which she was thankful, but he was working with the Negaverse now. She knew it couldn't be by choice, that they had done something to him, but it meant that he was her enemy now. After all, he was trying to get her silver crystal.
But he has been helping me in his own way, and if he really wanted my crystal he could have gotten it by now. She thought as she looked up at the blue orange sky as the sun began to set.
She had never spoken those thoughts to any of the girls. They hadn't seen the few instances of him helping her, so they wouldn't believe her. They would think she was just seeing what she wanted to see, believing what she wanted to believe, but she knew she was right. Whatever they had done to Darien some part of him remembered, but despite that he was still living in the Negaverse and working with them.
It's likely only a matter of time before they fix that, and he'll really get my crystal. She thought with a silent sigh.
"I'm going to go for a walk." Serena announced to her family before she stood and climbed out of the water.
She walked into the changing room and dried off before she changed into a blue kimono provided by the resort and secured it with a black sash before she pulled on a brown haori with black lining the edges over it. She pulled on a pair of tabi socks and stepped into her sandals as she let her twin streams of hair down from where she had secured them to keep her hair dry.
She walked out of the building and began to walk along the path away from the resort buildings and off into the forest surrounding the area. She was glad Luna had been left behind. She would likely have joined her on her walk and pestered her about what was wrong. That was the last thing she needed. She just wanted to be left alone.
Serena walked until she reached the shore of a lake and gazed out at the peaceful scene. Her eyes landed on the statue of a couple and her eyes teared up as she was reminded of Darien.
She was still trying to adjust to her change of feelings. She had thought he was a jerk, her friend, but still a jerk and nothing more. Then she found out he was the masked man that had been helping and encouraging her since day one, and who she just happened to have a major crush on. If that wasn't enough he also turned out to be the prince she had loved in her past life.
Still love. She thought softly as she pulled her star locket out from her haori pocket. She opened it and closed her eyes as the melody washed over her and soothed the tattered edges of her grief.
That was something else she had told no one about. Everyone thought she was upset over Darien being taken by their enemy because of her feelings for him as Tuxedo Mask, but it wasn't just that. She remembered the great love they had in the past. Remembered how precious he had treated her. Like she was the only woman in the universe for him.
And he treated me like an actual woman, and not some pretty doll that needed to be catered to and kept in a secure glass box. She thought as she opened her eyes and looked down to the physical representation of their love. The star locket she had given him in the past, and which he had on him as Tuxedo Mask and given to her.
I miss my prince, my Endymion. She thought sadly as she listened to the locket's melody, a tear escaping her eye and sliding down her face.
A twig snapped loudly behind her and she turned and her eyes widened.
"Darien." She whispered in stunned surprise.
There the young man stood dressed in all black gazing at her calmly with his hands in his jacket pocket.
"Serena." He replied calmly as he slowly began to step toward her.
Serena gasped softly. For some reason she didn't think he would remember her. He remembered Sailor Moon, but that didn't mean he would recall her or that she was Sailor Moon.
He stopped in front of her and she clutched her locket in one hand as she reached her other hand out and shakily touched his chest. He's really here. He's really standing in front of me. She moved her hand up to his face and gently touched his cheek. More tears slipped from her eyes as he leaned into her touch and closed his eyes.
"You're really here." She whispered and he opened his eyes and stared at her. Then she remembered that he had been taken by the Negaverse and shouldn't be standing in front of her.
"Why are you here?" Serena had to ask as she pulled her hand away and stepped back.
"I'm here to speak to you." Darien replied calmly, and she closed her eyes briefly at the sound of his voice.
"Speak to me?" She repeated as she closed the locket to better focus on his voice, wanting to remember every word he said for when he eventually left.
"Yes. I want you to join me." He said, and her eyes widened as she shook her head.
"I don't want anything to do with the Negaverse." Serena said reluctantly. It wasn't that she actually wanted to join the Negaverse; it was that she wanted to be with him. She just couldn't. Not with him working for her enemy.
"No. I want you to join me. Not the Negaverse." Darien clarified. "I want my princess with me." He added quietly and she gasped.
"I...I don't understand." She said in confusion as she held her locket between her hands.
"Queen Beryl, and nearly everyone in the Negaverse, believes their brainwashing has done its job and turned me to their side." He said as he stepped around her and further onto the lake shore. "The only one who doesn't quite believe is Malachite, and that's likely because of my behavior toward you since they...unleashed me if you will."
"It's also possible because of some latent memory that told the man I wouldn't be controlled so easily." He added before he turned to face her. "And he would be right. I remember everything. The only affect their brainwashing had was to anger me. I could leave them any time I want, but being with them all this time has allowed me to learn all about them and their weaknesses."
Serena gasped as she gazed at him and took in his words. He remembered. He remembered everything. All this time he had known and...what? Pretended to not know? Pretended to be her enemy?
"And you pretended all this time to be our enemy? Only to now decide you're done doing that?" She asked, trying to understand.
"Yes." Darien answered. "I've learned all I needed to know, and now I want what was taken from me twice now. I want my princess. I want you." He stated firmly.
"I've had a lot of time to think while I was roaming around the Negaverse. To think about my life, this one and my past life, and I've decided that things need to change. Both lives were good for the most part, but not good enough for my standards. Not anymore." He explained before he stepped toward her.
"I'm tired. I'm simply tired of always being good, always making sacrifices, and having what I want most taken from me. Don't you feel the same way? Aren't you tired of always doing what's best for everyone else and never yourself?" He asked and watched her eyes lower thoughtfully.
"Tell me your first thought after you learned I had been taken." Darien said.
"I wanted to force Malachite to either tell me where you were or take me to you so I could get you back." She answered honestly as she looked back to him.
"Why didn't you?" He asked firmly.
"Because Luna and the girls wouldn't have approved. They would've thought it was too risky and too dangerous to go to the enemy's location." She answered.
"That right there is part of the problem!" He exclaimed. "That's part of what I mean about always making sacrifices. Because of your worry about the opinions of your friends you sacrificed me, and left me to my fate in the hands of our enemy." He said with a frown.
Serena gasped as a stricken look crossed her face. He was right! She had just given up when she learned he had been taken and that none of the girls would want to risk getting him back. Not even Raye with her supposed feelings for him would have wanted to go. They had all told her that she needed to get it firmly in her mind that he was now her enemy and there was no saving him.
"You need to remember who you are! You are Princess Serenity, wielder of the silver crystal, and your friends are actually your Scouts. Your Scouts. They answer to you, they protect you, no matter what. They're still your friends and you can listen to their opinions, but your word should be final." Darien stated clearly and firmly.
Serena blinked rapidly as she thought over his words. He was right again! They were living in a different time, but they were her Guardian Scouts. They were supposed to protect her, not just physically but mentally as well.
After all, just as he said she wielded the silver crystal, and she needed to have a sound mind to make sure she used it properly and nothing happened to it. One would think getting the man she loved back from their enemy would go toward making sure her mind was in the right frame.
"And who is Luna? Isn't that the name of your cat?!" He asked with a frown.
"Yes." She said as she nodded. "She's my feline guardian, and one of the Scouts advisers. She's the one who made me Sailor Moon."
"She wouldn't have approved of coming after me either?" He asked, and watched her shake her head.
"No." She said and listened to his disgusted sigh.
"And none of them remember the past do they? None of them even remember me?" He asked.
"No. They were all surprised. Luna never mentioned there was a prince when she spoke of finding the Moon Princess." Serena said, and he shook his head.
"So the cat was the one calling the shots? How could she remember you and not me? I know not many knew of our relationship, but she must have been in the past, close to the royal family. Your Scouts knew; even your mother knew! She had to have known!" He said in angry frustration.
"She always says she doesn't remember everything when we ask for details." She replied, and he shook his head again.
"You should be the one in charge. I can understand that she was leading things because no one knew you were the princess and because you didn't remember, but you do remember now so there's no reason you can't take charge." Darien said.
"Luna did name me leader of the Scouts." She said.
"As she should have! Perhaps some inner part of her knew who you really were. Whatever the case she was right to name you leader and give you the authority you deserve." He said. "Now you won't have to establish that authority. You have it. You are the leader. You are their princess. They answer to you."
"With that authority and your silver crystal you can do anything you put your mind to. Just as I can with my golden crystal." He said strongly and Serena gasped. That's right! He has his own powerful crystal. She thought at the reminder.
"Together we can do whatever we want. We can do what we should've been able to do in the past: be together openly and rule the Earth and Moon as a joint kingdom." Darien said fiercely.
Serena closed her eyes at his words and sighed softly. It sounded so good, like music to her ears. Ever since she remembered who she was and her past she had been upset about not just the loss of Darien but the opportunity that had been taken from them in the past. They should've been able to get married and rule their planets together, and have a family and live the life they had wanted!
She opened her eyes as she felt Darien's hands cup her face and his thumbs gently rub her cheeks.
"I want that. We should've had that in the past. We should've gotten married and had kids." She said with a light laugh. "We could've had one to oversee the Moon and one to oversee the Earth, and we could've...traveled the universe or something."
"We can still do that. We can do all the things we've always wanted to do. I still want to be a doctor, and now I know it's because I wanted to be a healer in the past. I couldn't because I was heir to the throne. I couldn't do both." Darien said.
"There's no kingdom on the Moon anymore and no kingdom here either." Serena reminded him gently.
"That can change. It would take time, but if we want it to happen it can happen." He replied firmly and she smiled.
Darien smiled as well and leaned down and kissed her, unable to resist after that smile, as he moved one hand behind her head. It was something he had been wanting to do since he first saw her after being sent out by Queen Beryl the first time.
Serena hummed and stepped closer as she wrapped her arms around his back, one hand still clutching the star locket and the other clutching his jacket, as she enjoyed her first kiss in this lifetime. She was pleased that in both lifetimes her first kiss had been by her prince.
They clung to each other as it dawned on them that they were experiencing their first real contact since they remembered their past. Darien used his tongue to ask for permission to enter and she easily parted her lips, and within the next moment their tongues were dancing together.
"Endy." She said as she broke their kiss, and Darien moaned and brought his lips back to hers, loving that she used her past nickname for him. "My Endymion." She said as she once again broke their kiss.
"Yes?" He said as he moved his lips to her neck.
"Do you think it's possible to get your Guardian Generals back?" She asked and he lifted his head. "I know one is dead, but maybe..."
"Two are dead. Neflite and Zoycite." He corrected. "Apparently Zoycite was killed after he failed to capture you and your silver crystal along with me."
"Oh. Then with two gone it's pointless." She said quietly.
"No. If we use our crystals together it might be possible to get them back. As well as Jedite. From what I heard he was put into an eternal sleep for his failure early on." Darien said thoughtfully.
"Serena!" They heard a feminine voice call and they both looked back though they could see no one.
"That's my mom." Serena said as she looked back to him.
"Hmm...here." Darien said as he pulled a pair of keys from his pocket. He handed them to her as he quietly told her his home address. "Go there as soon as you get the chance. I'll be there." He said just as quietly.
"How will you get in?" She asked.
"I have a spare set." He answered. "No matter what you hear don't look back. Apparently Malachite is spying on me." He whispered in her ear.
"What are you going to do?" She asked softly.
"You asked if I could get my Generals back. He'll be the first." He said with a soft smirk. "Although why I should have them back I don't know."
"Because they'll protect you. Considering all that's happened, and how the girls didn't trust you as Tuxedo Mask, I don't trust my Scouts to protect you." She explained. "If we can get your Generals thinking the right way again then they'll be there to balance things out with my Scouts."
"Serena!" They heard again.
"Go! I'll see you when you come to my apartment." Darien said, and Serena nodded and ran off without a backward glance.
Darien watched her until she disappeared into the trees then he quickly flung his hand toward where he sensed Malachite and shot a thick golden beam at him. He glanced over and watched the beam strike him in the chest.
He calmly walked over and stood over the man's struggling form.
"I knew you couldn't be trusted." Malachite spat as he clutched his chest.
"You know nothing, but thanks to my Serenity you soon will." Darien said calmly before he raised his hand and shot another beam at the man.
The golden light hit him and his eyes closed almost instantly before he collapsed onto his back. Darien pulled out a red rose from thin air and dropped it onto his chest, and watched as the petals turned gold before the stem glowed and lengthened until he was completely wrapped up.
He leaned down and picked the man up into his arms and stood before he focused on the living room of his apartment and disappeared in a subtle golden flash.
Serena ran and didn't look back as she heard the unmistakable sound of an energy attack striking someone. She had to trust that it wasn't her prince being hit. She pushed the thought aside and moved toward her mother's voice as she put the keys and locket in the pockets of her haori so her mother wouldn't question them. It was bad enough her parents had seen the locket and her father thought she had a boyfriend; she didn't need anyone seeing the keys.
"I'm here!" She called as she spotted her mother.
"There you are." Her mother said as she turned around. "Where were you?"
"I was on the shore of the lake." She said as she slowed to a stop in front of her. "It's very peaceful there, and just what I needed." She added.
"Are you feeling better?" Her mother asked as she linked their arms and began to walk.
"A little." Serena answered, and she really was now that she had her prince back. He had given her a lot to think about, but she wouldn't truly be herself again until she could happily be seen with him and none of her Scouts would care.
Well, they'll probably be concerned until they're satisfied that he's not the enemy, but I don't care anymore. The only opinion that matters is mine. She thought firmly. Even in the past they had been concerned about his presence in her life, and he had been the heir to the throne of the Earth!
"That's good to hear." Her mother said gratefully. "Anyway, I came to find you to tell you your friends are here."
"What?!" Serena said as she looked away from the path and to her mother.
"Yes. It seems they had the idea to come here and relax too." Her mother said with a smile.
"What a coincidence." Serena said as she held in an aggravated sigh. She had wanted this time to just be with her and her family, so she could spend time with them and go off by herself when she needed to.
It wouldn't surprise me if they brought Luna and Artemis as well. She thought in irritation as she wondered why they had really come.
Serena and her mother made it back to the main resort building and once her mother pointed her in the direction of her friends she was off. She walked down the hallway and made it the last doorway and saw all four of her friends when she looked inside. Her eyes lighted on each young woman as she silently slid the shoji door closed behind her.
I don't see Luna or Artemis, so at least that's something. She thought as she stepped further into the room.
"Why are you here?" She asked them calmly, bypassing the greetings.
"We came so you wouldn't be alone." Amy said from her seat.
"Yeah. We came up here as soon as Luna contacted us and told us where you had gone." Lita added.
"I wasn't alone." Serena said pointedly as she stared at them after a long pause of silence. "I'm here with my family. We came on this vacation for a reason, and I left Luna at home for a reason. I needed this time with my family. I needed a break from everything."
"A break." Lita repeated with a frown.
"What do you need a break for?" Raye asked in a dismissive tone; as if she couldn't possibly need such a thing.
Serena stared at her as her face went blank of even the slightest emotion despite the irritation and anger building inside her. She couldn't believe how dismissive and rude Raye was being toward her. She seemed to forget everything that had happened in the last few weeks.
Or more like she isn't affected by it the same way I am. She thought angrily as Darien's earlier words came back to her.
"You need to remember who you are! You are Princess Serenity, wielder of the silver crystal, and your friends are actually your Scouts. Your Scouts. They answer to you, they protect you, no matter what. They're still your friends and you can listen to their opinions, but your word should be final."
Serena turned around and moved toward the door without a word. She needed to get out of there. She needed space.
"Where are you going?" Amy asked as she slid the door open.
She ignored her and stepped through the doorway and slid the door behind her.
Serena took a deep calming breath as she released the door before it closed all the way. She turned and took a step to head back down the hallway she had come from when she heard one of the girls start talking.
"What's wrong with her?" She heard Lita ask.
"I knew we shouldn't have come!" Mina exclaimed.
"We couldn't just leave her up here alone. She needs us to protect her. What if there was an attack?" Lita countered, and Serena frowned as she leaned against the wall next to the door.
"Do you think she's still upset with Tuxedo Mask, Darien, being taken?" She heard Amy ask. "She did like Tuxedo Mask after all."
"Yeah well I liked Darien, but I've accepted that he's gone. The Darien I knew isn't the one that's in the Negaverse, and Serena needs to accept it as well and get over it like I have." Raye said.
Serena frowned angrily and began to walk away before she found herself going back into the room to tell Raye off. She couldn't believe her! She fully admitted that she had accepted not going after him when he was taken, but she had never accepted that he was her enemy. Especially with him helping her as he always had during fights.
But she's apparently accepted it and gotten over it. She thought with a frown. Either his capture or her feelings or both. Serena didn't care which it was or if it was all of them.
She wasn't Raye, and Raye had no feelings for Tuxedo Mask, had actually thought he was an enemy, and she definitely had no feelings for her prince. Raye wasn't in love with the man, and couldn't understand. She clearly hadn't liked Darien as much as she had claimed if she could get over her feelings for him and his capture so easily.
Serena made her way out of the building and onto one of the paths leading away. She came out of her thoughts long enough to make sure she went in a different direction then toward the lake shore. She didn't believe Darien was still there after the minutes that had passed, but she thought it was better not to chance it.
Once she was satisfied with the direction she had taken she slipped back into her thoughts, and considered the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of her friends.
She couldn't believe they had followed her like that, and their talk about how she couldn't be left alone. It was ridiculous! She hadn't been alone. She was with her family; spending much needed time with them while she tried to deal with her emotions, but apparently their definition of alone meant them not being there.
As soon she was revealed to be the Moon Princess it was as if she went from being a friend and fellow warrior to someone who needed watching over. They were supposed to protect the princess, protect her, but this was a bit much.
She had always thought when the princess was found they would treat her just like a regular person. Be her friend, be deferential when it came to her orders, but only protect her when there was actual danger.
They're treating me like I need minders. This isn't the past where I needed at least one of them with me at all times and had to sneak away to see the man I loved. This is the present and if I want to go off on a trip without them then I can do that! She thought as she turned off the main path onto a smaller path that led to a small clearing that was just visible from the main path.
If I really needed them I know they could have gotten to me quickly. I damn well know they have that ability! She thought as she walked through the trees.
She sat on one of the wooden benches in the clearing, and took a deep breath through her nose and let it out the same way as she closed her eyes.
I believe it's time I start acting like the leader and princess I am. She thought firmly yet quietly, which brought her mind back to Darien's unexpected appearance and their conversation.
Darien, my Endymion. She thought quietly as she listened to the sounds of nature. None of them mentioned him as prince of the Earth. It's like they forgot or are ignoring who he is and what he means to me. Perhaps is as simple as them not remembering, but it's still not that simple.
She remembered and because she remembered they knew. She had told them outright who he was and what he meant to her in the past. The only thing she hadn't revealed was that those past feelings had returned with her memories, but she didn't think that should matter. The fact that her grief at his being so severely injured was enough to summon the rainbow crystals to her and awaken her memories should be enough for them to see how much she cared for him.
Serena remembered Darien's upset over the girls and Luna not remembering him, more so Luna since she had been the one telling them they needed to find the Moon Princess. She had never mentioned an Earth Prince, and as far as she knew Luna still didn't remember him.
I can understand why he's upset. Those closest to the both of us knew about our relationship. My mother knew so Luna really did have to know. She was an advisor to the Queen after all. She thought with a sigh as she opened her eyes.
The point was they didn't understand, and that was her fault. She hadn't revealed that she had feelings for him from the past. Part of that was because of her grief at losing him, but the other part was because she thought it was private. She hadn't wanted to put her feelings on display like that when he wasn't going to be there with her.
Now that her Endymion was back and letting her know that he had never been made part of the Negaverse she needed to change that. He made his wishes clear and she needed to let her Scouts know exactly what he meant to her. She just needed to figure out when to do it.
It's certainly not going to be today. She thought as she shook her head slightly and moved her thoughts to what else Darien had made clear to her.
He wanted her to join him, for them to join forces, and be together. Not just be together but to do what they wanted to do. To not always be good and forgiving and tolerating everything. No more making sacrifices because others expected it or thought they should because of who they were.
Serena's mind went back to the day he was captured. When she'd woken up after being overwhelmed by her memories to find him gone she had cried and demanded to know what happened. When she learned she had wanted to go get him, but just looking at the girls let her know that they wouldn't agree to go into enemy territory to get him back.
They definitely wouldn't have agreed to her going by herself, and she honestly hadn't felt confident in her abilities to go it alone.
I need to fix that. I never had to fight in the past, so it makes sense that I'm not as good as the others. Maybe Darien will help me with that after we get his generals back. I never want to have any excuse to not come for him since I know he would come for me. She thought firmly.
She remembered his words about being together openly and ruling the Earth and Moon together. He seemed to believe it was possible to bring their kingdoms back. It would only take time.
I can honestly see it happening. People wanting another option then living on the Earth or perhaps awaken their memories of their past on the Moon. We couldn't have been the only ones to be reincarnated after all. She considered.
And he agreed with her want to be married and have a family as they should have in the past. They were in a different time but she still wanted that and thought it would definitely happen if they got their kingdoms back up and running.
Though I hope to be married long before that. She thought as her eyes shifted to see someone heading in her direction.
Mina shook her head at what she was hearing with a remote look on her face. "We should just leave. Serena clearly doesn't want us here." She said.
"You're still getting to know her." Raye replied as she carelessly waved Mina's words away. "Serena would be helpless without us if there was an attack, especially if Darien shows up. She wouldn't see him as the enemy."
"And you would?" Lita asked.
"Yes." Raye answered. "The first time we saw him after he was taken was proof enough for me to see that he's part of the Negaverse now. The fact that he's after the silver crystal should be all the proof any of us need. I worked and made sure to get pass any feelings I had for him since it's pointless now."
Mina pursed her lips and held in a sigh as she got up and moved toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Raye called.
"For a walk." She said simply before she slid the door open and closed it behind her as she walked out.
She walked down the hall before leaving the building and walking along the closest path away from the resort and the majority of the people there.
She was of two minds on what they were saying. They were supposed to protect their princess. That was their duty and she had no problem doing it. She could understand that part of why the girls wanted to come, but they seemed to have hints of disrespect when they talked about her needing their protection.
At least Raye seems to be that way. She thought with a sigh.
They seemed to have forgotten that Serena had been a scout before any of them. She knew that while she had had a hard time of it Serena had still been fighting for a good while on her own before Amy was discovered. That had been months ago. Now she had more experience and could protect herself.
Although, I know they can say she had help from Tuxedo Mask during that time and he's clearly not going to be coming to her aid anymore. She thought with a frown.
Still, she thought Serena would be fine if there was an attack and she could contact them if she needed them. They didn't need to follow her there, and their princess had spoken. She at least had heard what hadn't been said. Serena didn't want them there, and needed time to herself.
Mina huffed as she remembered Raye's words. She admitted that she was still getting to know Serena since she was still fairly new there, but she at least seemed to respect her more than Raye did. The girl was so dismissive of what Serena said and seemed to think she knew her better than their princess knew herself.
Only Serena knew how she felt about Darien being part of the Negaverse, and how she would react to him showing up at a fight and attacking her. She herself hadn't seen her react in a way she shouldn't when he showed up. She always looked sad but she fought back all the same.
She clearly hadn't gotten over her feelings for him as Raye claimed she had. She must not have liked Darien as much as Amy and Lita had told her she did. She recalled what they had said about her always talking to Darien whenever she saw him, going on dates with him, and even constantly calling him after those dates only to not get an answer.
That behavior has hints of being obsessed, but she clearly wasn't. It's more likely she had an intense crush on him that was made more so by his being hard to get in a sense. She thought as she shook her head slightly. And all that went away as soon as it was revealed that he was now working for the Negaverse. It's right that she got over those feelings since their princess had a strong connection to him, but I don't believe for a moment that she had to work to get pass her crush.
Mina thought she was the only one who understood that Serena couldn't just get over him. From her understanding she had had a crush on Tuxedo Mask that had been building since the day she became a scout, and then to add to that it's revealed that he's the prince she had loved in the past. Add those two elements together and you got a young woman who felt very strongly for a man who was taken from her before she could do anything about her feelings for him.
As she walked she saw some color out of the corner of her eye and looked over. She squinted as she peered through the trees and saw Serena sitting on a bench.
She sighed. She was just thinking about how Serena had silently let them know she wanted to be alone and didn't want them there, but she wanted to check on her and say she was sorry for showing up with the others like they had.
I'll just do that and then leave her alone. Mina thought as she began to walk along the side path toward her princess.
When things had settled after her arrival the others had told her Serena was loud, whiny, and clumsy. She had seen a little of that young woman, but she had mostly seen someone who was quiet, sad, and thoughtful. As she walked closer she thought Serena was changing right before her eyes, and becoming something more.
Serena stared calmly at her newly arrived companion as Mina walked out into the clearing and stepped toward her. She stopped a few feet away from where she sat on the bench, and she waited for her to speak.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for disturbing you on your vacation." Mina said. "I didn't want to come, but they were going to come anyway and I thought it was best that we at least stick together."
Serena nodded calmly and silently gestured for her to sit with her. As she did that Serena watched her. She was reminded that Mina was the same as she had been in the past. She was cheerful, calm, understanding, and serious. She took her duty seriously and respected her. The fact that she had come and apologized to her was just another example of that. The only thing that was different about her was that she looked younger and didn't remember her past.
Perhaps I can change that. She thought calmly as she breathed in the fresh air.
"I appreciate your apology. It means a lot that you would give it." Serena said softly. "Do you think I need to get over Darien like Raye has?" She asked after a few silent moments.
Mina closed her eyes and held in a groan. "You heard that?" She asked even though her question had already been answered.
"Yes. Though I left right after she said that." Serena answered.
"Well I don't think you need to get over him." Mina said as she opened her eyes and looked to her princess. "What you feel for him and what Raye felt for him are two different things. Raye just had a strong crush on him that faded away once it was revealed that he had been turned into our enemy. From what I understand you had a crush on Tuxedo Mask since you became a scout, plus he's Prince Endymion whom you loved in the past, and there's always whatever you felt for him as just Darien."
"What you feel is stronger and more solid then anything Raye felt. She just doesn't understand that. She thinks you two felt the same for him. Her with Darien and you with Tuxedo Mask. She knows that he's Prince Endymion, but she doesn't remember how you felt for him in the past." She stated.
"And you do?" Serena asked.
"No." Mina said as she shook her head slightly. "I just think it's common sense, but then it could also just be my powers. I've been able to sense these kinds of things more and more since I've become a scout."
Serena hummed thoughtfully.
"I told the others that we shouldn't have come and that you clearly didn't want us here." Mina began to report. "Apparently I'm still getting to know you so I wouldn't know you would be helpless without us if there was an attack, and especially if Darien was there." She explained and Serena frowned.
"So I was right in my earlier thoughts. I'm revealed as the Moon Princess and suddenly I'm helpless." She said, slightly bitter. "I admit I'm not the best fighter, but I've gotten better since I became a scout. Darien showing up to fight against us hasn't changed the way I fight."
"I agree. You hesitate a little at the first sight of him, but that's to be expected. Other than that you fight the same every time, at least since I've been here." Mina said.
Serena nodded. She liked that Mina was honest with her. That was another thing she had been in the past. Even when she first found out about her relationship with Endymion she had told her that she didn't approve because of its forbidden nature. She didn't grin and bear it, didn't pretend to put on a happy face for her, didn't pretend to approve. She was honest with her.
And that's what she's being now. That's why she was the leader of my Scouts in the past. She thought firmly before she looked over at her. And why she will now retake her role. She thought just as firmly.
"Things are going to change Mina." She said in a quiet firm tone, and she was serious.
Her talk with Darien, the girls showing up and hearing what they had to say, and her thoughts helped her decide that fact. She wanted to be with Darien and he had made it clear he wanted her. Beyond that she wanted to bring their kingdoms back and have the life they should've had in the past only better.
"They have to change, and it's going to start now." She said as she sat up straight. "In the Silver Millennium you were the leader of my Scouts. You are going to take that role again. You have the correct mentality and sensibility to take charge and lead the others in this modern time."
"As you wish your highness." Mina said seriously as she bowed her head. She was surprised at this turn of events but she would not turn away this responsibility. "Thank you for trusting me with this role. I will not let you down." She said as she lifted her head.
"I know you won't." Serena said with a nod. "To help you be even better in this role I would like to unlock your memories of the past. I am sure you would have remembered on your own in time, but having them now will aid you a great deal with the responsibility you now have."
Mina's eyes widened at the prospect of remembering her past. She felt she was close to remembering, but she definitely wouldn't pass up the opportunity to remember it sooner. Especially if it meant remembering all at once instead of here and there.
"I would greatly appreciate that." She said.
"Alright." Serena said with a nod. "Give me a moment." She added before she closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she focused on her silver crystal. She wasn't used to using it but she recalled her lessons in the past very clearly. It took a strong mind and a clear heart to use the crystal to its full extent, and that knowledge was all she needed to know what to do.
Please aid me in opening Mina's mind. Help me reveal the memories of the past locked in her mind. She needs to remember her previous life. I need her to remember. My scout of Venus needs to be at her best to do her duty to the best of her ability. Please help me, help us, achieve this. She said to her crystal.
Mina watched as Serena opened her eyes and looked to her. They were no longer blue but glowing white. She raised her hands, which suddenly began to glow white as well, and placed them on the sides of her head. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body, completely trusting her princess.
She felt warmth around her head before it sank inside and, oddly enough, seemed to move around her head. As strange as it might seem she couldn't tell if the warmth was moving physically around her brain or if it was moving mentally around her mind. What she did know was that it was relaxing and comforting and that she had nothing to worry about.
Suddenly words, thoughts, pictures, and scenes began to stream through her mind, filling it and looking for a place to settle among her present time memories.
=M=
Her childhood on Venus flashed through her mind. A little toddler with golden orange hair and matching eyes in a little yellow dress came through bright and clear. Hours of studying and training; paper, texts, and swords.
A large white palace and a beautiful Queen with extremely long silver hair who gave her an important responsibility. Becoming Sailor Venus and meeting her fellow scouts. Meeting the baby that was her charge: Princess Serenity, heir to the throne of the Moon.
Growing up, becoming stronger, and becoming friends with her fellow scouts and her charge.
The day she learned her princess was in a relationship with the Earth Prince, and that she had had a fascination with him for months before it started and kept it a secret.
Going down to the Earth to bring her princess back from yet another visit to the prince, and seeing the couple together, his Guardian Generals hidden in the shadows protecting yet obviously giving them privacy.
Developing her own crush on the leader of the prince's Guardian Generals, but not doing anything about it since she didn't want to be distracted from her duty.
Being envious yet inspired by the loving relationship her princess was in.
The unexpected battle that invaded the Moon, and her shock at being confronted by the man she had a crush on and realizing he was intent on killing her.
The fight and realization that his mind had been manipulated before she was dealt a fatal wound.
The understanding that the Earth Prince's guardians had been corrupted, and that her fellow scouts were likely to face the same fate as her.
The sorrow that she had failed her princess as she bled to death.
=M=
Mina gasped quietly and her eyes snapped open. Memories were still rushing through her mind and, to her surprise, feelings and emotions as well.
Despite being the princess of her own planet she had been excited to be a sailor scout, and to meet her fellow scouts and Serenity. She remembered being angry and skeptical at first of the relationship between Serenity and Endymion. Serenity was being reckless sneaking down to the Earth and entering a forbidden relationship with the prince.
She hadn't thought the relationship would work out and that it was a bad idea, but then the more time that passed the more she saw that they really cared for each other. She eventually realized that they were in love and getting closer and closer each day.
It had made her wish she could have the type of loving relationship they had. It was one of the first things she had thought when her eyes finally looked toward the leader of the prince's generals.
Malachite. She whispered in her mind as she felt her princess' hands pull away from her. She had thought he was very handsome and liked how seriously he took his duty, but instead of trying to do something about her developing feelings she kept them to herself and settled for a sort of professional friendship.
"I remember it all." She said in awe as she blinked away the memories and looked to her princess whose eyes were once again a vibrant blue. "I liked Malachite." She added in a soft sad tone as she looked away into the surrounding trees.
"It's too bad he's an enemy now." She said. She could've done something about any developing feelings this time around, but she guessed it just wasn't meant to be.
Serena hummed in reply and looked off into the trees herself. If all worked to plan then Mina might just get her chance to do something about those past feelings. She'd have to work pass his being corrupted and brainwashed in the past and present to do it, but it was still very much possible.
"Come on." She said as she stood. "Let's go inform the girls of your new role, and that they need to fall in line."
==mMm==
Monday dawned bright and clear just like any other day. It was the day after Serena returned with her family after their weekend vacation. Part of her wished their vacation was longer, but the other part was anxious for it to end so she could see Darien. She needed to make sure she hadn't imagined their meeting, that he had really come to her, and that he wanted her with him.
She knew that it had happened since she still had the keys he had given her, but she needed to see him for her own peace of mind. It had been weeks since he had been taken by the Negaverse, nearly a month, and she had had too many dreams where he had come back to her only for her to wake up and realize it was all just a heartbreaking dream.
So here she was walking down a quiet street after school, her eyes searching the addresses for the right one, as she tried to find the apartment building he had given her the address to. She had made sure to memorize it, repeating it over and over in her mind the rest of the weekend and all day at school.
She had been so focused on recalling his address correctly that she had nearly forgotten to make up an excuse to get away from Lita and Amy.
Serena paused and narrowed her eyes as she read the address number on the glass of the building she stood in front of before her eyes brightened. It's the correct one! She took a small step back as her eyes traveled up the tall building, and her eyes widened at its height. She could only imagine the view he must have from his window since he lived near the top.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she walked over to the door and opened it. She stepped inside the quiet lobby and headed toward the elevators. She saw a security guard sitting at a desk and was impressed that Darien lived in what was apparently a quiet neighborhood in a safe building. If there was any trouble or if a tenant needed help they could contact the security guard.
She pressed the up button to the elevator and the doors opened right away. She stepped inside and pressed the number for the floor she wanted and watched the doors close. As she watched the numbers increase, and felt the elevator bring her higher and higher, her heart started to flutter.
I hope he's there. Please let this not be a dream. She thought as she reached into her school bag and pulled out the keys she had made sure to have before she left home.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened on the floor she was seeking and she stepped out and into the carpeted hallway. She began to walk, her eyes going to each door to see the number, and stopped when she reached the number she had memorized. She brought the keys up and began to unlock the door then opened it.
Serena peeked in and saw nothing but a small furnished hallway. She stepped in and closed the door quietly, wary of making noise in the silence, and placed her bag and keys on the side table as she stepped out of her shoes.
She walked further into the quiet apartment and saw a small kitchen with a long counter to help separate it from the rest of the room and a three seater dining table. She shifted her eyes and saw a nice sized living room with an attached balcony with glass doors. Turning her head she looked down the hallway next to the kitchen and slowly began to walk down it.
"Darien." She called, raising her voice slightly as her heart clenched. Is he even here? She thought, sadness beginning to creep up on her when there was no response.
She saw four doors in the hallway. One was half open and she saw that it was a bathroom. Two others were closed and the last one appeared to be fully open. She walked toward the end of the hallway, toward that open door, and peered in to see a bedroom. An occupied bedroom.
Darien. She thought softly as she saw him lying on the rather large bed fast asleep.
Serena walked over and stared at him before she gently crawled onto the bed and lay down next to him. She lightly placed her hand on his chest and held in a sigh of relief as she felt it moving up and down with his every breath. She had seen him breathing, but she still needed to be sure.
It's going to be a long time before I no longer need to be reassured that he's not hurt and really here with me for good. She thought quietly.
"Darien." She called softly and moved her hand up to gently caress his face. "My Endymion." She added and watched his eyelids flutter before they opened slowly.
Darien shifted his eyes over to follow the arm attached to the hand touching him and found his princess.
"My Serenity." He said before he stretched and rolled to his side and wrapped his arm around her. "I missed you." He said as he gazed at her face as if he was memorizing her features.
"I missed you too." Serena said. "I was afraid I had dreamed you up even though I had your keys." She admitted softly.
Darien hummed before he leaned forward and brought his lips to hers in a light kiss; surprising her with the unexpected action. He pulled back slightly before repeating the action, lingering longer before he leaned back.
"How was that? Does that prove that you're awake? That I'm really here?" He asked.
"It's a start." Serena replied quietly, and his eyes flashed in challenge as his sleepiness faded away.
"Maybe this will help?" Darien said before he leaned forward and kissed her again, this time using his tongue to silently ask for entrance pass her soft lips.
Serena parted her lips and hummed softly as her prince deepened their kiss. She wondered what he was thinking; how he thought another kiss would help ease her mind. She didn't know but she was going to enjoy it all the same.
Darien shifted on the bed leaning his body against his princess until she was on her back and his upper body covered hers. He moved his tongue against hers as his hands explored up and down her sides.
He wasn't going to take this as far as he wanted since she wasn't ready. Her earlier words of believing she might have dreamed up his presence made that clear. If she was still worried about him not truly being there and still being with their enemy or worse then she certainly wasn't ready for the intimacies he wanted.
Still, she needed reassuring and he wanted to touch her. So he did.
As he felt her arms slip around his neck he moved one of his exploring hands up to grip her shoulder from behind while his other hand slipped beneath her uniform top up her stomach to rest on her bra covered breast. He squeezed the flesh confidently as he broke the kiss and moved his lips to kiss along her neck.
As he nibbled on her neck he idly noted that he had never engaged in such activity in this lifetime but he had in the past. He and Serenity had found a few occasions to be alone and explore each other. He figured despite it happening in the past it was why he was confident in his actions; he remembered how to do them.
Past, present. It's only a matter of time before I stop differentiating, and think of them all as memories of one life. He thought before he refocused his mind on his current task.
Serena sighed in pleasure at the feel of her Prince's amorous actions. She was surprised this was happening but at the same time she was very willing for it to continue. It was something she needed now that it was happening.
She hadn't known what she would need besides his constant steady presence to feel reassured that he was really there with her and not a cruel dream, but this pleasure that he was giving her was somehow helping and she knew that she would never turn down his advances from this day forward.
Another thing on her mind was how he was touching her. There had been no hesitation just complete confidence. Confidence in his actions, and confidence that she would accept them.
It all felt so familiar. It was the first time she had done anything like this, and yet still the familiarity was there and growing stronger. How can this be?
And just like that the answer came to her.
They had done this in the past.
Her Endymion had touched her and explored her body in a way only a lover would ever be allowed and, sheltered princess that she was, she had enjoyed every second of it. It had done wonders to her self-esteem that he treated her like a woman and not a delicate piece of porcelain.
And now her prince was doing it again. He had helped her confidence with his words during their conversation at the lake shore, and now not only was he making her feel like an attractive woman he was reassuring her of his presence and constancy.
She hummed as she ran her fingers through his dark hair at the feel of his warm heavy hand squeezing her. She hadn't yet thought to be touched this way despite the crushes she had, and with her past identity being revealed and the circumstances around it she hadn't remembered being touched this way.
However, it was all coming to the front of her mind now. Memories of nights in her bed in the Moon Palace, of warm gentle caresses and hot moist kisses, and pleasure that left her daydreaming and sighing longingly for days afterward.
She was distracted from her thoughts as Darien's hand moved from beneath her top down over her hip before it slipped under her skirt and stroked her thigh.
"Endy." She breathed, voicing her pleasure and a plea for more with nothing but his nickname on her lips.
Darien paused for a moment before he squeezed her thigh briefly and moved his lips back to claim hers in an open kiss. That name on her lips had always excited him and now was no different.
He slipped his tongue into her mouth to stroke hers as he moved his hand further up her thigh. He stroked the outside of her leg before he shifted his hand to caress the softer skin of her inner thigh.
His princess was innocent and untouched in this time, but she had memories of their time before just as he did. Still, she was fragile, at least emotionally because of their recent separation, and while his actions might appear to be moving them along quickly in this endeavor he was actually taking his time and getting her worked up.
He wanted her sighing in pleasure and clinging to him, crying out and wreathing against him, and he would do what it took to get just that.
Serena hummed as she shifted against Darien wanting him to do something other than stroke her thigh. Only moments had passed but already she missed his hand on her breast.
She would blush at the thought but she was already flushed, and her mind was full of memories of things he had done to her in the past that were much more intimate.
Her want was soon granted to her as she felt his hand move from her thigh to touch her through her panties. She gasped into his mouth but he only pressed his hand against her and began stroking her firmly.
Darien's lips made love to Serena's since he could not make love to her using his body at the moment, and stroked her intimate area through the barrier of her underwear though he would be sure to move pass them before long.
He groaned into her mouth at the feel of her tongue sliding against his, the grip of her fingers fisting in his hair, and the ever increasing heat between her thighs. The combination had him turned on to the point he had to press himself against her leg to relieve the pressure, and though he very much wanted his princess he would stick to only reassuring her as she was not ready for what he wanted of her.
After a while of rubbing he began to feel the cloth beneath his fingers growing wet, so he took that as his cue to move things along. He pulled his lips from hers and kissed a path back to her neck where he latched on and suckled gently. As he did so he slipped his hand inside her panties and moved his fingers over her curls until he found moist flesh.
His princess gasped and her hips lifted abruptly as if she was in turns shocked and trying to press further against his fingers. He listened to her body and cupped her firmly as he began to stroke and rub against her again.
Serena panted as she moved one hand from Darien's hair down to clutch at the shirt on his back. The sensations coursing through her was so familiar from her memories and yet were completely new to her body.
Her entire body from head to toe felt hot, and pleasure spread through her like fire through a forest. Words could barely describe what she was experiencing, and yet she was still coherent enough to feel some form of disbelief through the pleasure that he was touching her in such a place.
It was shocking, it was surprising, it was incredible, and she could not get enough!
She lifted her hips, rolling them helplessly, against the steady movement of his fingers, and cried out lightly as her pleasure intensified. She hummed as she felt him shift over her until he straddled one of her legs, and pressed his hips down against her thigh making her aware of the hardness that made him a man.
The fact that it was hard let her pleasure filled mind know that he was enjoying their actions as much as she was.
She pressed her thigh up as her hips continued to move and listened in pure feminine satisfaction as he groaned deeply and thrust his hips down against her.
The couple continued on this way for long slow minutes; their pleasure and passion building higher and higher as they alternated between slow passionate kisses and panting for air as they moved against each other.
Suddenly Serena tensed and gasped before she cried out softly as pleasure exploded inside her. Her back arched and her hips followed as she tried to prolong the blissful pleasure for as long as she possibly could.
After a few long moments of panting in bliss she collapsed back on the soft bed, and went boneless with a long satisfied sigh.
Darien sat up as he eased his hand from her underwear and watched his princess. He was pleased that he had been able to give her such pleasure as well as proof of his sure presence and realness in her life.
"Did it help?" He asked quietly as she opened her eyes.
"Yes." Serena said with a blush as she remembered why he had started his pleasurable actions.
"Good." He said in satisfaction before he began to move off her.
"Wait! What about you? You didn't..." She trailed off in shy embarrassment.
"It's okay." Darien said as he settled next to her. "This was for you my love. Don't worry about me. I'll experience what you did next time." He explained as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him.
"If you're sure." Serena said hesitantly though inside she was pleased that he already wanted to do it again.
"I am." He assured her firmly. "Now rest." He said, closing his own eyes as he began to gently stroke her back.
Serena yawned at his words and snuggled against his warm chest as she closed her eyes. He better be here when I wake up. She thought as she began to drift off. She hoped this didn't turn out to be a dream or her imagination.
She'd be heartbroken if she woke up alone.
An hour and a half later Darien woke feeling warm and content. He opened his eyes, blinking to clear his vision, as he tightened his arms around the soft warm body curled around him.
He took in the sleeping form of his princess and knew that now that he had slept with her in his arms it would be difficult to sleep without her. He had learned that the hard way in the past, and didn't particularly want to experience it again. He knew though that it would happen since she was only fourteen in this time, and couldn't stay with him every night. That would involve lying to her parents on a daily bases.
We'll think of a solution. I need her in my arms and I'll have her there one way or another. He thought before he ran a hand up her back and gently massaged the back of her neck to wake her up.
"Serena. My Serenity." He called and watched her burrow against him with a quiet groan. "As much as I would love to stay like this it's time to get up."
Darien. Serena thought as she shifted her head and cracked an eye open to see her prince gazing at her in amusement. She blinked and lifted her head as her eyes roamed over his face.
"You're still here." She said in sleepy awe, and his eyes softened from his previous amusement.
"I'm still here. You're still here. This is not a dream. This is very real." Darien said as he tightened his arms around her, and brought his lips to hers to punctuate his words.
Serena hummed as she leaned against him, and enjoyed the very real feel of his lips. His firm warm body, his hold on her, his voice, and his words all reassured her that he was there with her and her mind wasn't playing tricks on her.
"I'm not going anywhere princess." Darien said quietly as he slowly pulled his lips from hers. "Okay?" He asked.
"Okay." Serena repeated with a nod.
Darien nodded in return though he knew she would need constant reassurance for some time that he wasn't going anywhere.
"Come on. There's something we have to do." He said as he released her and began to sit up.
"Such as?" She questioned as she shifted to the side of the bed to stand up.
"You'll see." He said with a smirk as they began to walk toward the bedroom door.
He led her out of the bedroom and down the hallway and stopped in front of one of the closed doors she had seen as she made her way through the apartment. He opened the door wide and stepped inside, and Serena followed him in only to pause with a gasp at what she saw.
The closed door had revealed a basic bedroom, the guest bedroom, and on the bed was Malachite's unconscious form bound in what looked like vines.
"How?" She breathed as she looked from the unconscious man to her prince and back again.
"The same day we spoke." Darien answered as he stepped toward the end of the bed. "After you left I caught him off guard and tied him up as he was recovering. He was obviously unhappy with me, but I simply knocked him unconscious and he's been that way ever since." He explained as he gazed at the man.
"Well, you said we could possibly get them back if we used our crystals together." Serena said as she joined him to stand at the end of the bed. "Do you have any idea on exactly how?"
"Yes. I was thinking we could use Malachite, and a combination of his connection to the other three men and perhaps their duty to me to call them from death and or sleep as the situation calls." He explained.
"We'll have to make sure the energy we use can't be detected." Serena said after a few moments thought. "I don't want my Scouts knowing about this until your Generals are here and settled."
"We can do that. All it takes is will." Darien said with a nod.
"Okay." She said with a sigh. "So I think I should just add my crystals power to yours as you connect to Malachite and the other generals. After all, it'll be yours and his connection that will bring the guys back."
"True." He said with an approving nod, pleased that she was confidently adding her opinions and suggestions.
"And I think I should be the one to make sure our power can't be detected since your focus needs to be elsewhere." She added thoughtfully.
"Alright." Darien said with a nod. "Let's get started." He added as he silently summoned his crystal.
He lifted his hand and held it palm up, and watched as the air above his hand began to glow. It took on a gold tint before a small golden crystal materialized and floated above his palm.
Serena watched for a few moments, seeing the beautiful golden crystal appear, then calmly summoned her crescent moon wand which her crystal was attached to.
Please help me secure this room so no one outside it will feel or sense the power we release. I do not wish for my Scouts to know about this at this time. She said as she focused on the glowing object.
The silver crystal pulsed and at the same time she felt an answering warmth inside her before the room was briefly bathed in bright white light. When the light faded she knew by the continued warmth inside her that they were protected, and no one would sense anything they did.
Please add your power to Darien's crystal, so we can bring back and heal those who would protect him as my Scouts protect me. She asked and felt another answering warmth flow through her body.
"We're set. Whenever you're ready." Serena announced as she looked to her prince who glanced her way with a nod before looking back to his own crystal.
Alright my friend. He said as he shifted the crystal to float between his two palms. Can you help me cleanse Malachite's body of any and all negative influence, and unlock his memories of the past?
The golden crystal pulsed and he felt a comforting warmth in his chest as well as a sense that he shouldn't have even asked; as if he should know better. Darien smirked and focused his eyes on the man on the bed.
Then let's do it. He said and instantly the glow the crystal was emitting brightened before Malachite was bathed in the golden light.
The light sank into his body causing it to glow slightly from the inside out. This action lasted a few minutes before the light left his body and returned to the crystal.
Okay. Now it is time to retrieve the rest of my generals. He said to his crystal, which responded with an answering pulse. He closed his eyes and pictured the men, filling his mind with their faces and personalities from the past. Jedite. Neflite. Zoycite. Bring them back to me. Bring them here; cleansed of all the negative influence from the Negaverse, and their memories of the past unlocked.
The golden crystal pulsed once again before it began a series of pulses as it glowed brighter and brighter.
Serena squinted her eyes against the bright light and understood he was about to bring the other generals there. She glanced around and saw that there was only room for one more on the bed and no place for the others.
Have to fix that. She thought with a frown. My silver crystal. Please provide another twin sized bed in the available space in the room, so my prince's generals will have somewhere to rest on their arrival.
The silver crystal pulsed and she watched as a bed, identical to the one already in the room, appeared and rested in the space next to the other bed. She stared at the bed and realized in the next moment that it was identical because it was what she had in mind. It was a reminder that she needed to be more specific when asking her crystal for anything, especially a building or furniture.
The space on top of the beds slowly began to glow forming three separate body length shapes. The glow grew brighter and brighter as limbs began to appear through the golden light. They were transparent at first and gradually became substantial before they were covered in material matching Malachite's clothing.
After nearly twenty minutes the golden light faded leaving behind the forms of three young men. Jedite lay next to Malachite on one bed, and Zoycite lay next to Neflite on the other bed. They were just as the both of them remembered. Neflite still had long brown hair, Jedite had his short blond hair, and Zoycite had his long ponytail of blond hair.
Serena put her wand away and Darien put his crystal away as they gazed at the unconscious men.
"Now we wait." Darien said quietly, and Serena nodded.
A pair of gray eyes slowly opened and stared blankly up at a white ceiling. Confusion slowly filled his being and questions slipped into his mind one at a time. Where am I? Why am I here? How did I get here?
He frowned slightly as he blinked slowly and tried to recall the last thing he remembered, and suddenly his eyes widened as it at all came rushing back. All of it and much more.
His time with the Negaverse from the beginning to his unexpected capture by Prince Endymion. The very prince he owed his allegiance to. Not only did he recall his time with the Negaverse he recalled how he had initially been brainwashed back in the Silver Millennium and betrayed his prince.
Malachite groaned uncharacteristically as the memories continued to reveal themselves and let him know just how much he had betrayed his prince and dishonored himself. The last of my previous lifetime and nearly all of this one so far. He thought in dismay before his thoughts were interrupted by a groan from very close by.
He blinked and looked over and was surprised to see Jedite lying next to him. He hadn't seen Jedite in months. Not sense he failed against Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars. He thought before he eased himself into a sitting position and looked around.
He saw that he was in what looked like a bedroom, and to his surprise there were his fellow generals on another bed. Zoycite and Neflite lay next to each other unconscious as he supposed he and Jedite had been just minutes earlier.
How are they here? He wondered as he stared at them. He knew Neflite and Zoycite had died; Neflite months earlier and Zoycite fairly recently. I need answers. He thought as he looked back to Jedite.
"Get up!" Malachite said as he shook Jedite.
The young man groaned again and began to crack his eyes open, so he got up off the bed carefully as he made sure he was not injured. When he found none and felt fine he stepped toward the other bed and shook Neflite.
"Wake up!" He said before he leaned over him and shook Zoycite. "Get up you two." He called and watched as they shifted and began to open their eyes.
"I'm alive." Was the first thing Zoycite said as he sat up and looked around, surprised to see his fellow generals, especially as he knew one was dead and the other locked in an eternal sleep.
"Me too." Neflite said in surprise as he pushed up until he was sitting up. "And free. I can't feel the connection to Queen Beryl anymore or the darkness."
The others blinked and realized he was right. There was nothing in the back of their minds anymore. No feeling of knowing that their thoughts could be searched or they could be forcefully called to the one they were forced to serve. In fact, there was no more thoughts or feeling like the Negaverse was where they belonged. They were truly free.
"How are we here?" Zoycite asked as he moved to stand. "I clearly remember dying." He said with a frown, recalling how Beryl had killed him because of his actions in the Starlight Tower.
"I don't even know what happened to me." Jedite said in confusion.
"You were put in an eternal sleep." Malachite said as he looked to him. "As for how we are here. The last thing I remember before waking up here was being attacked and captured by our prince as I was spying on him." He related then explained how their prince was Tuxedo Mask and had been captured in the incident that lead to Zoycite's death. He was brainwashed to fight against the Sailor Scouts, but he hadn't trusted him since he was still aiding Sailor Moon.
"I'm unsure if he fought the brainwashing, if it's still partially there, or if it never worked at all." Malachite said as he recalled what the prince said to him before he knocked him out.
"I...don't remember there being a Sailor Moon in the past." Jedite said after a few moments of silence and recalling his memories.
"Sailor Moon is the Moon Princess." Zoycite revealed much to Neflite and Jedite's surprise.
"And he knows her current identity." Malachite added. "He was speaking with her when I was spying on him before he captured me."
The others blinked in surprise.
"And he's the one that brought you here." Neflite stated, and Malachite nodded once. "So it's safe to assume that he brought us all here, and this is likely his place."
"We have to find him and apologize for our behavior, and then see what he wants of us." Jedite said with a frown, still very appalled that he had been working for their enemy.
"Yes. He's been Tuxedo Mask all this time and hasn't needed to be protected. He was only captured as he was because he was seriously injured protecting Sailor Moon..the Princess." Zoycite said with a grimace knowing it was his fault since he had been the one to attack her in such an underhanded way.
"Then let's go." Malachite ordered before he turned to the only door in the room.
The other men moved off the beds and stood up and followed Malachite to the door. He opened it quietly and they all filed out into a hallway. They looked around alertly and began to head down the hallway toward the open area, silently agreeing to ignore the various doors for now, and paused in surprise as they reached the living room.
Sitting together on the couch with their backs to them was their prince and his princess. They were quiet with her leaning against him while he had his arm around her shoulders.
"Welcome gentlemen." They heard his quiet voice fill the silence. "Come here so I can see you." He added in what was clearly a command.
The four young men stepped forward, further into the living room, and moved around the seating until they stood in a line side by side in front of the coffee table with their backs to the television.
As they gazed on their prince together for the first time in that lifetime they saw that he looked like he was sitting on a throne instead of just a simple couch. It was made all the more so by the look in his eyes. It was both welcoming and enraged as if he was happy to see them and yet disgusted at the very sight of them.
Their eyes skipped over to his princess who was curled up against him. She was relaxed and her eyes were welcoming, but they also held wary caution in their depths. Both pairs of blue eyes only reinforced the horror and shame they felt at what they had done, in both lifetimes, regardless of being helpless to stop it.
The four young men quickly dropped to one knee and placed their right arm pledgingly across their chest.
"Your highness." They said in unison as they stared at the floor.
Serena blinked as she watched the four general's movements. They had presented themselves and shown respect and honor to her prince, as they should, and all without having to be asked. They had not even spoken aside from greeting him. They were clearly waiting for him to say whatever he was going to say.
The girls never did that for me. The only one to be even close to this respectful is Mina. She thought as she nuzzled her face against her prince's shoulder. I'll have to change that. She decided as she felt him tighten his arm around her in response.
Darien stared at the four men, at his generals, as they knelt on the floor. He could tell just by looking at them that they were free and clear of the evil that had been running through them and were back to the men he remember from the past.
That pleased him. He was happy about that, but he could not forget what they had done. They had betrayed him, despite the evil influence, they had still betrayed him. They had helped invade his princess' home planet, and had a part in ending the Silver Millennium.
"You are here because my princess wished me to have my Guardian Generals back. Balance as she explained it." Darien began calmly. "You were corrupted in the past and betrayed me. Led my army in an attack on my loves home planet with the evil that corrupted you. This time around you ended up with the same evil. You have been fighting against me, my Serenity, and her Scouts; endangering her life and trying to steal her silver crystal."
"All are forgivable offenses since it was not your choice." He continued after a stretch of tense silence. "Now you have a choice. You can once again serve as my generals or you can go live normal lives. However, know this, I am different then I was in the past and even from how I was at the point of my capture."
"No longer will I make sacrifices for the good of everyone simply because it is expected of me. No longer will I accept having what I want taken from me or being kept from me. No one will ever control me or try to run me or tell me what I can and cannot have." He explained firmly.
"So, choose." Darien stated firmly.
"I, Malachite, pledge on my honor to serve and protect you to the absolute best of my abilities and my life." Malachite said without hesitation, the words he had spoken in the past easily coming back to him.
"I, Jedite, pledge on my honor to serve and protect you to the absolute best of my abilities and my life." Jedite said immediately.
"I, Zoycite, pledge on my honor to serve and protect you to the absolute best of my abilities and my life." Zoycite said firmly without hesitation.
"I, Neflite, pledge on my honor to serve and protect you to the absolute best of my abilities and my life." Neflite said seriously.
Serena smiled at the men. This was exactly what she wanted. She wanted Darien's generals to be around and protect him. She also hoped they could reestablish their friendship, but she wasn't holding her breath. Perhaps if there was some kind of distance then he wouldn't have the problems she was currently having with her Scouts.
Darien silently called on the power of his crystal and created four glowing gold roses from the flower petals to the stems. He was going to prevent them from ever being brainwashed again. If they betrayed him again it wouldn't be because of that, and he would know how to handle them. He then stood up and stepped forward so he was nearly pressed against the coffee table.
"Stand." He commanded, and watched as all four men got to their feet. "Malachite, step forward." He said and when the man did he hand him a rose.
It glowed brighter before it disappeared and its glow sank into Malachite's skin and engulfed his entire body before it faded away. Darien nodded in satisfaction; pleased that it had worked. He repeated the process with Jedite, Neflite, and Zoycite, and all had the same reaction. The rose glowed brightly before disappearing as the light entered their body.
"Now then gentlemen, have a seat." Darien said as he resumed his seat next to his princess. "Tell us how you came to be in the service of the Negaverse in this lifetime." He said when the guys had taken a seat.
The men started talking and they learned that each of them had been taken as young children and brainwashed, and their bodies altered to better work among the Negaverse, which explained why Neflite's blood had been green when they had seen him injured before he died.
Serena listened sadly as each guy told their story, and learned that their families had been killed when they were taken. Likely so no one would be looking for them. The police could have put up notices of them as missing people, but that was all they could've done and obviously no one would see them to recognize them.
"We'll have to give them new identities so they can go out and live their lives." She said as she looked to Darien. "They can't use the identities they were born with because they can't come up with an excuse for where they've been for so long."
"True." Darien said as he looked over each guy.
He and Serena then began to fill the guys in on what happened from when Jedite was put into his eternal sleep until the present, so he and each of them would know what they had missed after they were killed. This included what happened with Darien being captured and the attempted brainwashing.
"So much has happened." Jedite said from his seat on the floor as he crossed his arms on the coffee table. The others nodded as they took it all in; going over the details they hadn't seen while they were in the Negaverse.
"Well to add to that I'm having a bit of a problem with my Scouts." Serena said and Darien looked at her sharply, his eyes flashing gold, preparing to deal with those girls as soon as she gave the okay.
"I've just been realizing more and more that since I've been revealed as the princess they were looking for they've been treating me as if I'm incapable of being on my own." She said as she looked around at all of the guys before stopping on Darien.
"You remember when my mom interrupted our talk." She said and Darien nodded. "She had come to tell me the girls had shown up. When I confronted them most of them made it clear that they thought I couldn't be alone, so they came there to make sure I wasn't alone." She explained with a frown.
"They don't think I can fight on my own. They even thought I wouldn't be able to fight you if you showed up and attacked." She told him.
"What did you do?" Darien asked.
"I made it clear that I wasn't happy with them showing up like that. I didn't tell them about my family vacation because I wanted to be alone, and here they come showing up as if I was alone and helpless." Serena said with a frown.
"I left them and went on another walk and Mina found me and apologized. Apparently she was the only one that hadn't wanted to come and interrupt my family time. So with that apology, all I had seen of her since she joined us as Venus, and my past memories I decided to name her leader of my Guardian Scouts. I also unlocked her past memories so she would be able to do her job better." She explained.
"Good job love." Darien said with a grin before he kissed her. She was becoming assertive and taking steps to get her Scouts in line. He was proud of her.
"We're going to have problems with them aren't we?" Zoycite said with a heavy sigh.
"Yes." Serena replied instantly. "At least with Jupiter and Mars. Mercury is more logical and would take in all the facts to understand before reacting. The same with Venus. She would take in everything and then react."
"I think we should reveal you all to her first." She said as she looked around at the five guys that surrounded her. "As leader of my Scouts she should know first, and she'll help us reveal you all to the others so there's no trouble. Trouble is the last thing I want right now."
"Then that's what we'll do." Darien said firmly. "It should be done as soon as possible. I don't want us trapped in here trying to avoid being seen by them."
"Tomorrow then. After Mina and I get out of school I'll bring her here." Serena said with a nod.
"Now that that's settled let's start making their new identities." He said as he silently summoned his crystal.
==mMm==
Mina walked down the street after school curious about the meeting she was about to have. Her princess had contacted her that morning on her communicator and informed her that she wanted to meet with her alone after school. She wouldn't explained what she wanted to talk about, but she was very firm about wanting her to come alone.
She even specifically said not to let Artemis follow me. She thought as she remembered the short conversation.
Artemis did have a habit of following her to school and after to wherever she might go. She knew he was being a proper guardian and just looking out for her so it had never bothered her. It also wasn't surprising that Serena knew he did since Luna likely behaved the same way.
I wonder what she wants to talk about. Mina thought curiously as she walked. She hadn't seen or spoken to Serena since the trip to the hot springs resort, and she wondered if it had to do with that. Maybe it's something she forgot to say.
She shook her head slightly as she crossed the street and entered the park. She stepped passed the wide open gates and began to walk along the path toward the area they had agreed to meet at. After a few minutes she reached the area and spotted her princess and friend sitting on an iron bench watching little kids play.
"Hey." She greeted as she walked up to the bench, and watched her princess turn her head toward her.
"Hey." Serena said as she stood up. "Come on. There's something I want to show you." She added as she began to lead her friend through the park toward the far entrance.
"What is it?" Mina asked as she walked at her side.
"It's a surprise." Serena replied with a light smile. "It's something I'm trusting you with, as the leader of my Scouts, before revealing it to the others." She added quietly.
"Ah." Mina hummed as she nodded. She was even more curious now, but would wait until the surprise was revealed.
The two young women walked at a normal pace, not rushing or going slow, as they chatted idly about their school day. Serena revealed that she had basically ditched Lita and Amy after school. She'd just told them that she had something to do and left without another word though she made sure they hadn't followed her.
Mina lifted her eyebrow and understood that whatever this surprise was her princess was serious about only her knowing about it. She also had the feeling she still wasn't particularly pleased with Amy, Raye, and Lita.
She recalled how serious and firm Serena was with them when they had returned to the resort together and she informed the girls that as of that moment Mina was the leader of the scouts. They had been shocked, surprise and, in Raye's case, a bit angry. Her princess hadn't cared. She had let them know that was her decision, and that things were going to change and they should start preparing for it.
I wonder if this surprise is a part of that change. She wondered as she glanced to her princess.
As they walked further away from the park they began to enter a fairly quiet neighborhood. They moved down the sidewalk, passing many buildings and people here and there, until they reached a tall building. Serena moved toward the entrance and pulled the door open and she and Mina entered.
Mina looked around curiously as she followed her princess. She spotted a security guard posted behind a desk and looked back to her princess. She seemed confident in being there and obviously knew where they were going, but she was getting more curious.
They stopped in front of the elevators and Serena pressed the up button. They only waited moments before the doors opened, and they were inside and headed up the building. When they got off they began to walk down a quiet hallway, and it was then that Mina realized they were in an apartment building.
We must be going to see someone. She figured as she looked at the widely spaced apartment doors.
Serena stopped in front of one door and Mina watched in surprise as she pulled out a pair of keys and began to unlock the door as if she lived there. Now she was not only curious but confused about what this surprise was.
They stepped inside and Serena closed the door behind them. They went about stepping out of their shoes and left their school bags on the side table before they moved further into the quiet apartment. No one was in sight as far as Mina could see, so she began to look around for signs of who lived there.
Serena didn't pause in her step. She continued walking toward the balcony window, seeing that it was partly open and her prince was standing out on it, and slid the door open wider as she stepped out.
"I've brought her." She said quietly as she placed her hand on his back as she stood next to him.
Darien turned and kissed her as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug.
"Then I should greet her." He said as he pulled away.
Serena nodded and he led her back inside and slide the balcony door closed. The slight click as it settled caused Mina to turn from where she was inspecting a stack of books and her jaw dropped at the sight.
"Welcome to my home Venus." Darien said as he wrapped his arm around his princess' waist.
"You haven't actually been introduced in this time, so we'll take care of that now before anything else." Serena said. "Darien, this Mina Aino, Sailor Venus, and leader of my Guardian Scouts. Mina, this is Darien Shields, Tuxedo Mask, and Prince Endymion."
"Wha...how?" Mina questioned in complete shock as she stared at the young man and then at the couple.
"Have a seat." Serena said as she gestured toward a side chair as she moved toward the couch.
Mina moved without thought and sat in the chair as she watched the couple seat themselves together on the couch. She watched Darien move his arm from Serena's waist to rest across her shoulders, and her mind finally started working again.
How is here? Did he escape the Negaverse or is this a trick? Is he fooling my princess; taking advantage of her? The questions rang through her mind as she stared.
"Darien came to me at the resort. Actually it was the same day just before my mom told me you girls had shown up." Serena began. "We talked and I learned that he hadn't been turned against us when we left him with the Negaverse. And we did leave him there. I left him there." She said with a frown.
"I left him there and didn't try to rescue him because I let what I knew yours and the girl's opinions would be dictate my actions." She stated. "I'm ashamed of it and it will never happen again. All those months, from the day I became a scout, he has been there helping me, protecting me, keeping me safe and alive, and I didn't act on my first response to try and rescue him because I knew you all wouldn't approve."
"We decided that things needed to change, and the majority of those changes can't happen until the Negaverse it defeated. Thankfully my prince's decision to stay in the Negaverse all this time has given us all the information we need to destroy them." She finished.
Mina blinked in shock and surprise. Serena had known about him since that day at the resort and hadn't said a word, but from what she just said she could understand why she kept her silence. They all likely wouldn't have reacted calmly and logically. It would have been an instant fight. Even her first thought just now at seeing him had been to wonder if his presence was a trick of some sort.
That's reasonable but I kept my silence and listened before I reacted. She thought as she breathed deeply. And that is why she made me leader, and most likely why she is revealing this to only me.
"So you're really here? You were never brainwashed?" Mina asked as she looked to Darien who nodded once.
"They tried to brainwash me. The same day I was captured Beryl healed me and tried to brainwash me." He explained. "It didn't work. I decided to pretend and learn all I could in the process."
Mina could only nod as her surprise was still very much evident. Though she was happy to note, if only for her princess' sake, that the more she heard the surer she was that this was real and he wasn't tricking them. This situation was actually really great. Darien would know the inner workings of the Negaverse and who all the players were with how much time he had spent there.
"Well, this is some surprise." She said with a light laugh.
"Part of the surprise." Serena corrected before she looked to her prince who nodded.
"Generals! To me!" Darien called out firmly. He had told them to stay out of sight until he called for them when it was approaching the time for his princess to arrive since he knew their appearance was to be a surprise to Mina.
There was silence and then slight scuffling before one guy after another began to appear from the hallway and line up in front of the television.
"Your highness." The four men said in unison as they crossed their arm over their chest before they turned their attention to Serena. "Your highness." They greeted her as they bowed at the waist.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Serena said softly.
"How is this possible?" Mina asked in wide eyed shock. "I don't know about Jedite or Zoycite, but I thought Neflite was dead." She said as she stared at the men as they stood up straight.
"Neflite and Zoycite were dead, and Jedite was put into an eternal sleep." Serena clarified.
"Anything is possible when you have the power." Darien said simply. "My princess wanted me to have my generals, and what my Serenity wants my Serenity gets."
"I don't trust my Scouts to protect him considering how he was thought of as Tuxedo Mask." Serena said with a frown. "His safety is important to me and he deserves to have those around who will protect him first and foremost. His Guardian Generals will do that now that they are free from the Negaverse."
Mina was speechless as she looked at everyone.
"Do you remember what you said after I unlocked your memories?" Serena asked, and Mina blinked in slight confusion before she understood and nodded as a blush spread across her cheeks.
"Now's your chance." Serena said softly. "This is a different time. A time for change."
Mina nodded as she forced herself not to glance at Malachite. She would not give herself away that quick. She wanted to get to know him, and she needed time to get pass seeing him as the enemy.
"Okay." She said as she took a deep breath. "So now what? What's going to happen now?"
"Now we need to inform the others. That's why I told you first. You're level headed, and you'll be able to help them adapt to this development." Serena said.
"Once that's taken care of we deal with the Negaverse once and for all." Darien stated firmly. "Then we can do all the things we've wanted to do." He added as he kissed Serena's forehead, and she smiled as her mind turned to kingdoms being brought back and life returning to the Moon.
