Chapter 7 – Help
Each tick of the small clock drove me insane. Everything was too quiet and it was making me nervous. Diamond could appear or send Garnett for me. I couldn't have any distractions. At long last, it was after 11:00, the hour I was waiting for. The cloak was draped over the back of the chaise, waiting for me. Pulling it on, I found my way back to the courtyard. The dark empty halls of the Dark Palace did not help my active imagination. I felt like someone was watching me since I left my room. I couldn't let that deter me. My heart raced as I walked through the dark rooms. It was scarier being here by myself. Just get to the courtyard.
A thought struck me; anyone could appear in an instant and find me. If caught, I would say I couldn't sleep and decided to take a walk. Diamond said I was free to go about the palace. I could fool Diamond, but if Sapphire or the Wiseman appeared, what would I do? They weren't happy that I was here, especially Sapphire. I remembered the way Sapphire looked at me and spoke to me; he didn't want me here, but for what reason? Thinking of the two of them, I wondered if Diamond and Sapphire were related. They looked alike, only Sapphire had darker hair. His deep blue eyes reminded me of Darien's but his were harsh and cold. I shivered from the memory of his icy glare.
Finally, I found the door to the courtyard. My hand reached out of for it, when my hand paused for a moment. What if there was some future technology security system? Would it alert Diamond to my being here? I had to take the chance. As my hand reached, a dull light lit the handle. I pulled my hand back quickly, gasping and the light was gone. My head fell to the side and I tried once more, the same light coming from nowhere. It was as if the door was responding to my touch. The handle was luminescent and the door opened slowly, blowing in cool air from outside.
The night here was darker; there were no stars or moonlight. Just thick clouds covering the sky for as far as the eye can see. There was a quiet rumble of thunder above. I could almost feel the pain of the Earth itself. There was no sign of nature or that we were even on Earth. I've never known the Earth to be such a desolate place. Walking to the edge of the yard, I kept my hood up, trying to get as close as I could to the Crystal Palace. Though I was outside on my own, I feared that if I set a foot off the palace grounds, Diamond would know and come after me. I was in this palace for a day now and as each hour went by; my body was absorbing more energy from the Dark Crystal, with it, giving me knowledge of this place that I never knew. It was all connected by dark energy and Diamond knew what was going on in his palace; especially when it concerned me.
There was just enough energy from the Silver Crystal in my body for me to do this. Calling on strength I haven't used since the Silver Millennium, I let that energy grow, changing me to Princess Serenity. My head fell backwards slowly, feeling the golden crescent moon appear. The light energy of the Crystal changed everything that I was. Not a human school girl, but the last Lunarian princess. My royal gown formed itself around me as the energy took over. The light energy pushed away the dark energy, taking away the negative thoughts that was creeping in my mind.
I was Princess Serenity and I needed to contact the ladies of my court. My eyes closed once more to leave my body. The Crystal's energy carried me to the Crystal Palace. My eyes opened again, to see that I was standing in the entrance of the palace. In front of me was the body of my future self, Neo Queen Serenity. She seemed so at peace where she laid. If only she knew what was going on. Well, she does, because it already happened to her. My hand rested on the quartz encasement of my future self, telling her of what was happening. Pain shot through my mind; she was caught in a constant nightmare. She was looking for Rini, unable to find her. She was staring down Diamond, demanding him to leave her home. He smiled harshly at her, "All that you once had is no more." She fought him, only to be overpowered without the Silver Crystal to help her. The queen was trapped in this nightmare, needing help but no one came. She was in pain.
Pressing back against the nightmare, I gave my own relief. The Sailor Scouts and I appeared in her dream, "We will stop them. They will not destroy anything." I gave the queen this small relief, hoping it made her plight easier. I walked through the palace, looking for my Sailor Scouts. The palace was once a beautiful place and I would see that it was restored. My future was not going to be like my past.
Footsteps echoed in the hall, coming towards the Queen's chambers. I felt the energy of the one approaching and smiled, "Jupiter." She paused in her stride, "Serena!" Elated, Jupiter ran towards me, her arms open to embrace, but she stopped realizing that I wasn't really there. Her green eyes widened and began to tear, "You're projecting your energy." I nodded, "Yes, and I don't have much time. I have to tell you all something." She sighed, "Come on. The others will want to see you."
Jupiter and I walked down to the King's tactical base. Going down the stairs, there was arguing. "No, Venus, that's stupid. We need to move now. The longer we wait, the stronger they get. Remember, we don't have Sailor Moon. We're weaker without her." Jupiter and I stood at the bottom of the stairs. I watched Mars and Venus debated about their next move against the Dark Palace. Mercury's gasp alerted them to my presence. They looked at me. Mars's body jolted seeing me stand with Jupiter, "No, you're weaker because you fight amongst yourselves. They already believe you weaker without me, don't prove them right."
Mercury and Venus were happy and Mars was relieved. I smiled at them; my first real smile in, what seemed like, days, "Hello, Sailor Scouts. I had to come. I need your help." I told them everything I learned about the Black Moon Family and what has happened to me since Diamond took me, including the effects Dark Energy had on me. The King listened quietly, along with the Sailor Scouts.
"He is planning a crowning ceremony to make me the Princess of Nemesis. It's also an engagement announcement. If I am crowned the princess, then I will be agreeing to marry Diamond." Mercury gasped, her hands covering her mouth, "But what can we do?" I sighed, "Well, you'll need a leader. I cannot have you argue amongst yourselves. That is not how we are." Mars nodded once. "I gave the Silver Crystal to Tuxedo Mask, but only I can name who can use it; the next leader of the Sailor Scouts."
I looked at all their faces. Each of them have proven themselves time and time again, but I knew who my successor would be, "While I'm gone, Sailor Venus will be your leader." Venus' eyes widened, "Me? Why me?" I smiled at her, "Because once I trusted you with my greatest secret and you've never revealed it. And before any of us became sailor scouts, you were there fighting the Negaverse." The others looked at each other; they didn't know what I was talking about. Mars's eyebrows pulled together, clearly upset with my choice, but she did not protest.
I told them of my theory, "I believe the Wiseman is the cause of the entire ordeal. If you focus on destroying him, the Black Moon Family won't have to be our enemy. Diamond is a reasonable man, of sorts. He'll listen and his family will follow his lead." Jupiter tapped her foot impatiently, her arms folded tightly, "What is he doing to you?" She looked with concern in her eyes. I blinked, "Only what I've said, he wants me to marry him. Diamond is in love with me." Mars scowled deeply, "That's why he took you? To force you to be with him? Princess, what if he hurts you?" I bit my lip, "I worry about that too. Luck has been on my side. He's been a gentleman for the most part, but he has said that he will only wait but so long." Mars rubbed her hands together, breathing deeply, "When is this ceremony?" "The day after tomorrow. If it is done, I fear he'll want the wedding very soon. After sending Tuxedo Mask back here, Diamond has been kind to me. I believe that he genuinely loves me, but the Wiseman is poisoning my mind."
Mars shook her head, "Why did you do this?" I looked away, ashamed of this whole thing, "I had to. He would have killed Darien and still kept me there." Mercury moved to stand in front of me, "Serena, we'll get you out of there. I promise." I half-smiled at her, "What I wouldn't give to hug you right now?" Mercury laughed once, "I'll take a rain check." My head shook slowly, "Listen to me, all of you, you cannot fight amongst yourselves. Listen to Sailor Venus, she is your leader now. Work as one and you will be successful. Our future is counting on you." The four Sailor Warriors bowed at the waist, as they did in the Silver Millennium.
The King stepped forward, "Darien is awake now, if you want to see him." I turned to look at him, my heart sprinting in my chest. Darien was getting the help I wanted for him. This is why I traded myself. If Darien died as Tuxedo Mask, he would never become King Endymion, altering our entire future. Mercury reached out for me, "Serena, you're fading." The Crystal's energy was beginning to dwindle in my body. I was still at the Dark Palace, surround by dark energy, "I know, Mercury. I have to hurry."
The King showed me to Darien's room. "He is still tired," the King informed me. I nodded slowly, "Why didn't you tell us about our elder children?" The king looked at me, "I've said you have already seen too much of your future. Serena and Endymion are safe and I told Rini not to mention them. They want to come home, but I cannot allow it until this is over." My own smile grew, "I wish I could meet them."
The king looked forward, "You will, in time." Two tall doors stood before us, opening slowly. The sight before me almost stopped my heart. Darien was lying in bed, not moving except for the steady rise and fall of his chest. He was still bleeding, "Is he going to be okay? I know you know." The King dipped his head, "He is still weak." The King walked away, leaving us alone. Darien was going to be fine; I knew this. His future self still stood before me.
In the room, there was a low light by his bed. Darien laid still with his eyes closed. I stood over him when he slowly opened his eyes, "Serena?" I smiled, letting a tear fall down my cheek, "Darien." To see him, injured or not, I knew I made the right choice. Darien sat up, groaning, "Serena." How much did I want to hug him right now, but neither of us would feel it. The quilt fell off his chest and I saw his blood stained bandages. How many injuries did he receive from Diamond? "Oh, no. This is my fault." He shook his head, "It's nothing. Where are you? Is he hurting you?" I shook my head, "No." My hand curved to his face, but neither of us felt the caress, "Do you still have the Silver Crystal?" He moved his other pillow, reveling my locket. My phantom fingers brushed his face, feeling nothing, "Give it to Venus. I made her the leader." Darien just stared at me, saying nothing. I blinked, "Where's Rini?" "In her room."
Darien's eyes stared into mine, "Serena, what can I do? I have to save you." I shook my head and leaned closer to him, "Get better. I'll feel better knowing that you're better. Diamond is keeping his family away from me." He groaned lightly, "I'll never be better with you away from me." I touched his face again, "I swore that I would find my way back to you and I will. I miss you." He reached for my face, "I love you." Tears formed in my eyes, "I love you too." My energy was fading, "Darien..."
I was pulled through the darkness. My eyes opened, seeing that I was back in my body. I was lying on a bench in the dark, cold courtyard. I tried to move as fast as I could, but my body was very weak. My energy was drained. I had to get back to the bedroom before someone saw me. My teeth gritted as I walked through the throne room. My knees wobbled with every step I took. My limbs felt heavy, refusing to move. It was a fight just to keep my eyelids open.
I was almost to my room when I heard someone, "Help me." I looked back, hearing the familiar voice. "Help me, Mommy." My eyes widened and my mouth fell open; that was Rini's voice. I never saw her at the Crystal Palace. What was she doing here? Which one of these monsters took her from her home? "Mommy, the bad man got me. Mommy, help." Mustering the last bit of energy in my body, I followed her voice to an unknown part of the palace. My princess gown was still on my body, I couldn't worry about that right now; I had to save my daughter.
Searching for her, it was getting harder to breathe. I stumbled against each pillar, gasping for air. The dark energy was slamming into me, changing my gown back to the purple one Garnett selected for me. All the energy from the Silver Crystal was gone, leaving the dark energy to take over once again. No matter how much consumed me, I wasn't going to stop until I found Rini. "Mommy, where are you?" her small voice was frantic, "The bad man won't let me go." There were two tall doors at the end of the hall; she was behind these doors. Her voice was getting louder from behind the two large doors, "Mommy!" Her terrified voice pierced me as I pushed against one of the doors and my body fell into the room. There was a huge black crystal in the center of the room, glowing brightly. The large black crystal lit up everything, almost blinding me. I could see through each of the pillars. The air was nonexistent in the room, drawing breath was impossible and so was getting off the floor.
"Rini? Rini, where are you?" I could barely stand, looking around the room. Her voice was gone. "Rini? Rini!" What were they doing to her? Did Diamond know about this? Someone laughed and I turned to see something green coming towards me. My head banged into the floor, shooting pain through my skull from the hard impact. My mouth stung from the fresh cut. Now pressure was coming down on my chest, like something was pressing me down to the floor. Pain from a sharp point against my stomach shot my eyes open.
"I told you that you didn't belong here," Emerald gloated. Her boot was pressed into my chest, "Now the Dark Crystal will suck the life out of you. Goodbye, Princess." Emerald disappeared, leaving me on the floor. The black crystal glowed brighter and air was being pulled out of my lungs. I couldn't keep my eyes open as my very life was being drained from my body.
