Chapter 10

The Arrangement

Mina exhaled sharply as they neared the news station. All the scouts plus Darien and the generals were crammed into the back of Lita's catering van. There were no seats, only one wall of shelves and plenty of floor. It was tight, but they fit. Before they left the temple all of them had transformed except for Mina and Serena. No one was talking much. Their thoughts were heavy with the coming battle. None of them had faced Fabian before and if Serena's memories were correct, with his power he posed a greater challenge than Femi or Rhea.

The drive was long and arduous through the flooded streets. Mina didn't mind, she had plenty to ponder. What was she going to do? Her identity was exposed. The entire world knew she was Sailor Venus. Unlike Amy, her job was in media, in front of cameras and thousands of viewers daily. Now these people knew who she truly was… who she truly is. No one could change that.

Her thoughts shifted to those at the news station. All of those people had families, others that depended on them, that loved them. Fabian threatened them because of her. If things were to go south she'd have those people forever on her conscience. Each one of them was like a member of her own family. She thought of Jake, her camera man who could always make her smile. He loved to show her pictures of his twin girls, barely two years old. There was also Amber, the news station manager who was stern but also great at protecting her reporters like kin. Her oldest son had just married and she was about to become a grandmother. Those were just two of many that she spent countless hours with for the past five years. Everyone depended on her now to keep them safe. Could she even do that?

"I know what you're thinking." Kunzite whispered to her as she brushed back a tear that had left a long trail down her cheek.

"You don't know what I'm thinking." Mina snapped back. As always, Kunzite was right next to her, even in Lita's ridiculously packed van. Though she was generally annoyed by his proximity and ninety percent of the words that came out of his mouth, his presence near her was somewhat calming. The warmth radiating off of his body was gradually soothing her nerves.

"But I do. You're worried about those people at your work. Those people that are like family." He responded casually.

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "How— "

"I wasn't always a mindless robot." Kunzite said, sounding almost hurt. He shifted his weight to a more comfortable seating position to turn towards her. He looked her straight in the eyes. "We all joined the Negaverse because we wanted to protect the ones we loved. We didn't know then the choices we were making would do the exact opposite. You'd be amazed the things that people will do when they're scared."

Mina felt her skin tingle as his light blue eyes settled on hers. "What do you think I should do?"

Kunzite shook his head. "I can't tell you that. Clearly my past actions weren't the right ones to follow. You have to trust in yourself and not let fear overcome you. Fear can do much more damage than anything else."

Mina solemnly nodded as she turned to look over at Serena, the only other one not transformed. She hugged her knees tightly as she rocked back and forth in irritation. Mina recalled how Serena had rushed to give herself over to the enemy so quickly before the scouts had stopped her. Fear had driven that decision. If she had succeeded the entire fight would've been over.

"Fear is powerful." Mina spoke after a long beat. "There is much I fear." She shut her eyes as another tear rolled down her cheek.

"I will protect you." Kunzite promised as he placed his hand over hers, squeezing it. "To my last breath."

Mina felt herself smile, his words were kind but this wasn't his fight. At any moment the Generals could abandon the team. She still wasn't sure if she trusted them yet everything inside her said Kunzite was different… even if he did annoy her. She tenderly touched Kunzite's cheek and before she could stop herself she laid a gentle kiss on his scruffy cheek.

Kunzite went rigid as her lips brushed against his skin. The feel of her lips alone sent a jolt down his spine that radiated to his fingertips. It was as if Mina had woken something up inside of him and somehow he felt himself nearly losing control. An overwhelming urge to kiss her overcame him and before he could react, his hand reached forward and pulled her to him.

Their lips met for a brief second before Mina pulled away. This was the second time Kunzite had so unceremoniously planted a kiss on her lips, but this was the first time that she wasn't so offended by it. In fact, Mina felt her cheeks flush.

"Kunzite." Serena finally spoke, interrupting Mina's thoughts and completely oblivious to what just happened.

"Ye…yes, princess." Kunzite stammered as he turned to Serena who was now sitting up straight. His eyes settled on her small form. She had changed from her shorts and tank top to a pair of jeans and a baby blue t-shirt. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a French braid. She did not look scared, if anything, she looked determined.

"How do I use dark energy?" She spoke.

Everyone in the van turned to look at her, even Lita, who was driving.

"Princess—" Kunzite began.

"Tell me!" Serena demanded. "Sitting here, watching everyone get attacked and doing absolutely nothing about it isn't working. Watching my friends lose their private lives on national television and on social media isn't working. Sitting and waiting while this dark energy sits in my body isn't working!"

"There are serious risks to using dark energy —"

"I understand the risks." Serena stated as her eyes flashed. "I have to at least try."

Kunzite looked over at Darien, as if he was asking permission from his prince.

"Serena, are you sure?" Darien questioned. His tone said it all: he was worried. Serena had never used dark energy before. They didn't yet know how it would manifest.

Serena nodded. "Yes."

Darien nodded solemnly to Kunzite. It was her choice.

"There isn't much time to train you." Kunzite stated as he ran a hand through his hair. "When you want to use the energy you can feel it build in your fingertips." He extended his hand towards her. He flexed his fingers, stretching them out. They turned a light blue and appeared as if lightning was cracking between the tips of his fingers. "You have to focus and concentrate on what you want…then you let it go."

Serena extended her hand out too but Jadeite caught her wrist before she could fully extended her fingers. "Whoa! Not in the van, you could kill us all. The energy will be unpredictable. You'll have to train with us to properly use it." Jadeite stated.

"We're here." Lita said, interrupting them as the van pulled into the parking garage of the news station. It was eerily quiet as they all climbed out, one by one.

"Hey." Darien caught Serena's wrist as she followed the others towards the exit doors of the garage where the stairs and elevators waited.

"What is it?" Serena asked as Darien pulled her to the side of the garage, out of earshot of the others.

"Don't make any… spur of the moment decisions, okay?" He stated as his demeanor softened. "If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't forgive myself." He released her wrist but kept close to her.

Serena took a step back from him. "You don't have to worry about me anymore Darien. You made that decision five years ago." She stated as she looked over at the other scouts. Nearly all of them had made it to the stairs. "I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, but you're only Serena right now, not Sailor Moon." Darien responded. "And even if we aren't a couple anymore, I am still your protector. I always have been… and I always will be."

Serena turned her back to him as she felt tears stinging her eyes. She hated him in that moment. She had left home to forget him, to move on. She had a new life, a new love and a promising future. His words only brought the pain of her past back to crush her. She felt the same as she did when she was a teenager, hurt that her true love, her destiny, had willingly abandoned her. It was a feeling she didn't want to remember. A feeling that she had buried deep within herself. All of her hard work to move on crumbled at the rumble of his voice. She wouldn't allow him to see her cry anymore.

"We've got to catch up." Her voice was strained, cracking just as it did before the tears fell. She fought against them as she jogged over to her friends that were spreading out.

"Be safe and remember, we need information. Get Fabian talking." Trista told everyone as they dispersed. Serena nodded to her as she and Mina entered the elevator as everyone else disappeared. Her cheeks had remained dry this time as her thoughts shifted to the enemy that waited for them. Blake and Darien would have to wait. It was time to face her fears.

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Mina paced the elevator as it rode to the top. "Serena… how are we getting out of this one?" She nervously played with the edge of a fraying sleeve of her red sweater. "I don't feel comfortable about this plan. I especially don't like the part where we act as bait — "

"Together." Serena answered simply, cutting her off. "As cliché as it sounds, we haven't met any challenge we weren't able to overcome together. It'll be okay." She was speaking more to reassure herself. If Mina felt powerless as Sailor Venus, Serena certainly felt at a disadvantage in her mortal form.

"Don't do it." Mina said as the elevator dinged as they passed each floor.

"Do what?" Serena asked as she strummed her fingers along the smooth railing of the elevator, trying to keep her breathing even.

"Use the dark energy." Mina said. "It sounds like a trap."

Before Serena could respond the elevator dinged one last time and came to a stop at the top floor. The doors opened painfully slow revealing a mass of individuals all sitting on the ground. Nearly a hundred people, everyone that had been currently working at the station, were crammed onto the floor. They were in complete silence but all of them turned towards the two girls as the elevator doors opened.

Bravely, Mina stepped forward. She didn't look at any of her coworkers as she walked towards the news desk. Their eyes followed her as she moved, her heels clicked loudly on the floor, the sound broken only by Serena's footsteps. No one spoke as Mina made her way through the open floor but she could feel their eyes on her. She knew they were all thinking the same thing. How was Mina Aino, a reporter who did mostly feel-good stories that perfectly complimented her bubbly personality, be one of the infamous Sailor Scouts? How could she be one of the scouts that saved the city from countless attacks and villains, risking her life while still trying to lead a normal life? Maybe they couldn't believe it or perhaps they wouldn't. Now wasn't the time to focus on that.

Serena followed her quietly, casting unsure looks at those around them. Technically, she hadn't been exposed yet but her presence with Mina was definitely setting off alarms in the minds of those watching her. She didn't recognize any faces apart from some of the TV personalities that were associated with the news station. She was safe for now.

Mina showed no emotion as the news anchor desk came into view. She could see the crystal clear glass desk with the frosty front panels holding the station logo. Behind the desk the Tokyo skyline was illuminated, reflecting the city perfectly at night with twinkling lights and a fading sapphire blue background. Perched on top of the desk sat Fabian, clad in all black save for the midnight blue cloak that cascaded down his broad shoulders. A sword sat sheathed at his hip, glistening threateningly underneath the bright station lights. His dark hair was loose and hung just at his shoulders, curling ever so slightly at the ends. He did not look at the girls as they approached but rather focused on his polished boots.

"Sailor Venus… and Princess Serenity." Fabian spoke. His voice was deeper, hoarser, than Serena remembered from her dream. His dark green eyes finally lifted to meet hers. "Still a sight even now." Fabian sighed as he used his hands to push himself off of the desk. His boots made a loud thud as they hit the wooden floors.

"We are here, just like you asked." Mina said. "What do you want?"

Fabian stayed silent for a moment as he straightened the sleeves of his shirt. "I just want to talk." He lifted his hands up defensively. "To both of you actually." He raised his right arm into the air, shooting off a string of green energy. It shot up to the ceiling and spread out, creating an emerald green dome around them. The dome sizzled and lit up until it reached the floor, completely surrounding them while keeping out all of the crew of the news station.

"Keep calm, it's just a barrier. It will keep… interruptions out and give us some privacy." Fabian said as his features curled into a grin. He gestured to the two red chairs behind the news desk. "Please ladies, sit."

Mina's eyes narrowed. "What do you want Fabian?" She repeated, not moving an inch as Serena circled behind Fabian, settling onto one of the chairs. Together she and Mina were too easy of a target. If they split up, Fabian wouldn't be able to take both of them out at the same time.

Fabian crossed his arms. "Just as I said. I merely have a few words for you two ladies." He walked towards the edge of the barrier between the desk and Mina and flicked the fingers on his right hand against the wall. The barrier buzzed each time his fingers came into contact with it but didn't allow his fingers to penetrate. "You may not have all of your memories of the Silver Millennium, but I do."

Serena felt a lump growing at the back of her throat. She didn't like where the conversation was headed. She kept her lips pursed into a thin line.

Fabian took a moment before speaking again. "You don't remember yet, but there was a time the two of us were very close." He focused on Mina who jumped in surprise. She hadn't been part of any of the memories they had uncovered from the Silver Millennium.

"Excuse me?" Mina asked, her tone clearly conveying the confusion she felt.

Fabian's features curved into an eerie smile as he approached Mina with very confident strides. "A story for another day perhaps." He looked over his shoulder at Serena.

"Princess…" Fabian turned towards Serena. "I'm not here to fight, not today at least. I know the rest of your… team is no doubt scaling the walls outside as we speak, so I will be brief." He withdrew a small box from his cloak. It was about the size of a box that would hold a watch and very similar in shape. The outside was a deep forest green leather, aged but still in good condition. No writing was visible on the cover, just a small button latch that kept the box sealed.

"Take it." He told her, extending his arm towards her.

Serena didn't reach for the box. Instead she gave Fabian an intensive glare, keeping her arms pinned to her sides. "Why should I trust you?"

Fabian chuckled heartily, shaking his head. "You shouldn't by all means. My team has attacked you twice and successfully taken you once. You know that my brother wants you with him, but your team is making that difficult. They encourage you to resist. Now I must step in to encourage you not to. I am here to remind you of how easy it would be to do all of this. I could appear in your bedroom and take you while you dream. I could take all of your family members and send you their body parts for weeks. I could also, with a wave of my hand, take you now and there would be nothing that could be done about it."

"If you can do these things then why don't you just get on with it?" Serena screeched as she felt the heat rising in her cheeks. Her fingers tingled, almost uncomfortably so as Fabian, still holding the box out towards her, sneered.

"That would be too easy. Nikko wants you to come willingly princess, and if we have to expose the identities of all your friends and ruin their lives here while you delay the inevitable, well that's just an added bonus. Take the box, carefully consider the contents, maybe it will…stir… up some memories." He tossed the box towards her casually

Serena had felt anger growing within her while Fabian spoke. The tingling in her fingers intensified and spread to her arm. She could feel something come over her as her fingers finally turned a brilliant blue. The box fell to the floor before her as Serena thrust her arms forward, sending the energy the crackled within her hands towards Fabian.

Fabian's jaw dropped as the energy charged towards him, sending him flying back against the wall of his green dome that sputtered and crumbled as he collapsed to the ground.

Serena, whose eyes were wide in shock, stood motionless as she watched the barrier dissipate. Mina wasted no time. She ran towards the crowd of the news station employees. "Everyone up! Quick, go to the emergency doors." She ushered them out as Fabian slowly got to his feet.

"Impressive princess." Fabian smirked as blood poured freely from his lip. He wiped it away as Serena shook her hands, trying to get them to power up again.

"Not so easy is it?" He taunted as he sauntered over to her, ignoring the stampede behind him.

"Stay away from me!" Serena yelled as she backed up against the news desk.

Fabian bent down and grabbed the green box that had rolled onto the floor. He rose and pushed it into her hands as a dark portal opened behind him. From the fire escape the scouts and generals climbed in, all running straight for them.

"Take a look. I'll see you again soon princess." Fabian stated.

Serena's fingers curled around the box as Fabian stepped through the portal, casting her one last glance before he disappeared.

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The air was heavy, almost stale. There was no wind, only cold. Cold that seeped through layers upon layers of clothing and sank deep into the flesh. Cold that could kill within seconds. Cold that came with a planet wrought with death and destruction.

Charon.

Within the darkness a figure emerged, shrouded within a heavy crimson cloak. The figure trudged through the rugged terrain that was littered with the ruins of what had once been a magnificent palace. The figure climbed the crumbling stone steps through a field of rock and dust to the south wing of the palace. The walls were still mostly intact, still standing tall and strong. Light could be seen within the windows although no movement could be detected.

Instead of heading towards the warmth of the palace, the figure turned west, down another flight of stairs to what had once been the gardens. Some flowers still remained, glowing brilliantly in the dim light. The gardens had once been lush, beautiful, and full of life. Now they were a sad reminder of how great the planet had once been and the desolate, nearly barren land that it was now.

"You're late." A voice said as the figure approached.

"You made a mistake." The figure said as she threw back the hood of her cloak. Rich deep green locks tumbled out, cascading down her shoulders and dancing just above her waist.

Prince Nikko suddenly came into view, wearing his grand royal blue cloak with his sword at his hip. His bright white blond hair was tied back but his deep violet eyes were narrowed at Trista. "You were the one that made the mistake Pluto." He scoffed as he circled her. His boots made a deep thud with each step as he examined her.

"Fabian went to Serena." Trista stated, ignoring him. "He gave her the box."

Nikko paused. "Impossible, he doesn't have access to it."

"What is he playing at? I thought you said he moved on. You told me he wouldn't get in the way!" Trista yelled as she turned to Nikko sharply.

Nikko took a step towards her, leaning in so he was inches from her face. "I will deal with my brother. He is MY problem. You still have to fulfill your part of the bargain. Keep Darien from Serena… you get the princess to me and you will get her back."

Trista pulled up the hood of her cloak again, nodded once to Nikko, and disappeared.

From behind a pillar, Femi waltzed into view. She glared at the spot where Trista had previously stood. "Why do you bargain with her? She will betray you."

Nikko turned to Femi on his heel. "Don't meddle in my business Femi. We were given the option when we returned to claim our rewards from Earth for our service. I want the princess. Fabian wants Venus. You and Rhea have your business…"

Femi bit her lips to keep from protesting. Prince Nikko was still her lord and master. She would follow him to the end if that was what he desired. She only worried about the ramifications of straying from their true goal.

"Worry not, we will still accomplish our mission. We made a promise and Charon never breaks a deal." Nikko patted Femi's shoulder as he walked past her to the stairs. "Our Queen wouldn't have it." He remarked to her as he disappeared back inside the palace.

Femi watched him leave as he left her, standing alone in the garden. She felt a cold chill hit the air and for a moment, the hem of her dress rustled. She turned sharply to see a dark shadow dart across the garden. It had to be them. She gathered the skirt of her dress in her hands and rushed up the stairs. They were being watched. The shadows were drawing closer. Their Queen would be coming soon.