Chapter 2 – Sacrifice

Relief washed through me, seeing one petal fall from the rose to the floor. Looking up, there he was; the only man I loved. Standing on the high mantle was my prince, "Tuxedo Mask!" His black cape billowed in the air, showing the crimson red interior behind him, "Get away from her!" Diamond glared, "How dare you trespass here?" Raising his fist across his body, Tuxedo Mask held three more roses between his fingers, "I've come to bring back what you have stolen."

The roses flew at Prince Diamond, who drew his cape over his body as protection. Leaping off the high mantle, Tuxedo Mask landed on his feet across the room from where I stood. My heart swelled as I tried to run to him, but the sensation returned and I couldn't move. My body was frozen and Diamond stood in front of me, blocking my sight from Tuxedo Mask, "She is now mine!" "She belongs to no one." The tingling increased, locking my body behind Diamond. Diamond stepped away from me, "You foolish Prince. You thought you could keep us off your planet and we have made it dormant. You thought you could send your child in the past where we couldn't find her and now she is almost within our grasp. What makes you think you could keep her from me?"

Fighting against his hold, I tried to move, but it was too strong and I was still drained from the Dark Crystal's energy. Diamond quickly bounded away from me and Tuxedo Mask wasn't in sight either. Diamond held a silver sword, fighting Tuxedo Mask, who only had his cane. My hands clasped over my mouth, watching the princes of the two warring planets duel. I watched, frozen where I stood, trapped within my own body. Diamond, using his dark abilities, disappeared and reappeared behind Tuxedo Mask.

Every time he reappeared, I gasped, giving away his move. Prince Darien was the best swordsman on his planet and a strong fighter. They crossed their weapons, trying to make the other buckle and yield. Diamond was gaining the upper hand, but his hold on me was weakening. I was gaining control over my body. Slowly, I was able to move away from where he left me standing.

Diamond and Tuxedo Mask were moving faster as they fought. Diamond over-lunged, losing his footing, which helped Tuxedo Mask gain the upper hand in the fight. Diamond's back was against the wall from the powerful push from Tuxedo Mask. My prince was winning as he overpowered our enemy. Diamond disappeared again and he was gone for a long moment. Tuxedo Mask looked around the room and I did the same. It wasn't likely Diamond would back out from the fight. We were still in his palace, so neither Tuxedo Mask nor I were safe until we were gone from this place. I took a step off the platform, "Where is he?" Tuxedo Mask retracted his cane, "I don't know." He continued to search the room, but there was only us. He looked at me, "I should get you out of here." My fingers held my locket tightly, clutching it to my chest, "Let's go."

Everything moved in slow motion. Tuxedo Mask and I walked towards each other, relief washing through me. I was a few steps away from him, when dark energy surged through the room. Diamond reappeared behind Tuxedo Mask, malice glinting in his eyes. He had something long and silver in his hand; shorter than the sword. The silver end caught the light, it was a dagger! I finally realized what it was as Diamond plunged the tip into Tuxedo Mask's back. He buckled in pain and my eyes widened, screaming for him. Tuxedo Mask groaned loudly as he fell to the floor. His mask fell off and one of his gloves was stained with his blood. The blood stained his cape, flowing from his wound. A true villain in his element, Diamond was about to deliver the final deadly blow. Horror struck me and I threw myself over Darien's body, "NO!" Diamond paused, seeing white covering the black; my body over his target's. I could feel warm blood soak through the thin dress to my chest and stomach.

A shaking hand rested on my waist, Darien trying to hold me close. The shadow of Diamond's body hadn't move; his arm still half raised, grasping his dagger. My focus was split, between caring for Darien and keeping Diamond away from him. My eye caught movement from Diamond and I feared he was going to move me from Darien. Turning my face up to the evil one and he stepped back; my eyes must have shocked him. Diamond lowered the dagger that dripped with Darien's blood. As it lowered, a drop of blood fell on my cheek. "Please," my voice broke, "please don't hurt him again." Diamond watched me in silence as I begged. "Please don't kill him. I'm begging you." I made this plea with tears pouring down my face.

My vision blurred from my flowing tears. Diamond just stared, letting the dagger slip from his hand and it disappeared. The blood on my skin mingled with my tears while I begged Diamond to spare Darien's life, "Please, I'll do anything," I cried through broken sobs. My trembling hand tried to apply as much pressure as I could to Darien's wound. He needed help right away.

"What will you give?" My eyes stared off for a moment, thinking of what he was saying before looking at Diamond. "What?" I was too distracted. Darien was bleeding to death and I had to save his life. A shadow cast over Darien and I, "What will you give to keep him alive?" My head rose slowly. I knew what Diamond meant, what he wanted from me. The Silver Crystal wasn't going to be enough to settle this. I knew what I had to do. Standing slowly to face Diamond. His eyes roved over my body, a look I had to ignore in order to do this, "I'll stay. Here, with you." Diamond stepped closer to me and a chill ran down my spine, "You must promise to stay here forever and become the Princess of Nemesis, my princess."

To become the princess of this planet, I would have to tie myself to Diamond in a way I couldn't think of right now. My eyes cast down to my hands and they were stained with blood of the one I love. I had to do this. I had to protect Darien, "Y…. you have my word. But I have one request of my own." Cold, violet eyes bored into mine, "What is it?" I squared my shoulders, pushing down the nausea growing in my stomach, "You must send Tuxedo Mask back to the Crystal Palace so that the Sailor Scouts can help him." Diamond sighed in disgust; he didn't care for Darien, but this is what I wanted, "Done."

My stomach, my entire body felt hollow in this moment. This was the biggest sacrifice I've made in my life, but I needed to do this. A tear streamed down my face, "Can I have one more minute with him?" my voice trembled, "Before you send him back." Diamond inhaled slowly and nodded once. Without another word, he turned away and disappeared into the darkness. My entire frame shook and I fell to my knees, next to Darien. His breaths were gasps and a weak hand rested on my knee, "Serena, don't ….. do this." My tears spilled down my chin, "I have to. I couldn't let him kill you." "Serena," he feebly raised his hand to hold my cheek, "No…... I won't let you." I shook my head, curving my hand over his, "If Diamond killed you, he wouldn't have let me go. To keep you alive, I have to sacrifice myself. Besides, you've scarified for me before. It's my turn."

A feeble smile cross Darien's lips. I leaned closer to him, "I know I'll find my way back to you. I swear it." I leaned even closer, until our lips met. Darien used all the energy he had to keep me close. I hovered over him, not pressing down too much to cause him more pain. Taking the chance to keep it away from Diamond, I slip my locket into Darien's pocket. A light clunk caught my attention; there was something else in his pocket. It was hard and shaped like a star; my Star Locket. My heart soared knowing Darien kept my locket with him, even after he was forced to break up with me. This small trinket was mine when I lived in the Moon Kingdom. I gave it to Darien, Prince Endymion before he left to fight the evil forces that were trying to take over the Earth. A token to remember me and what we meant to each other.

Now, it would remind me of the one I loved and vowed to return to. I discreetly switched the lockets, keeping a token of Darien with me. I may have to stay here with Diamond, but he wasn't getting my Crystal. Energy seeped into the room again, washing over the two of us. Darien's face was blurred from my tears. I wiped them away with the back of my hand and blood smeared on my cheek.

The energy was getting stronger; Diamond was sending Darien away. My breath caught in my throat, watching as Darien was beginning to fade. This was our last goodbye. I kissed him again, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love you," I whispered against his lips. "I lo….." I didn't hear the words as he completely disappeared, leaving me alone in the Dark Palace.